A/N – Thanks for the reviews! LiasonLuv, Starhine, Kelsey, Liasonisthebomb, You'll find out more about John later. Ilovedana53, jloalso, doralupin86, lrobinson01, Virgy15 – Glad you guys are enjoying the story.

Chapter 20 – Man Down

Jason punched Anthony in the face several times. "Where would he take her?" he shouted. The prince is quickly losing patience with the silly old man.

Suddenly, shots started to ring out and Jason fell to the ground.

Johnny yelled for him to stay down and he raced outside and managed to shoot the perpetrator dead. Running back into the barn, he ran to Jason who is struggling to get up.

Johnny grabbed him and made him sit. "Where are you hit, milord?" he asked nervously knowing that if Jason died under his watch then he had just signed his own death sentence.

"My arm," Jason said grimacing. The powder burned his flesh, but more than anything he was just pissed off.

Johnny grabbed a piece of cloth that was lying on the ground and ripped it, and then tied it above the wound before helping Jason to his feet. "He knows nothing."

"Milord, you need a doctor."

Jason tried to shake off the pain. "The next town over is Chester. We'll check to see if John took her there. I also know of a doctor who can look after me."

Johnny nodded remembering their last stint there. "What should we do with him?"

"Kill him," Jason said stumbling out of the barn.

Some of the other men helped him onto his horse. They were pleased when a gunshot rang out. The evil reign of Anthony Zachara is over. Johnny quickly made his way to his horse, and then threw them a bag of coins before taking off. "Thank you for your help!"

They cheered as Johnny and Jason headed towards Wade.

IiIiIiIiIiIiIiIiIi

John knocked on the door of a house. After some cursing, the door flew open and a hungover older man appeared. "John, what are you doing here?"

He pulled Elizabeth into view. "Running from my father."

His Uncle Rudy smiled. "What's new?" Holding the door open he led them inside.

From the sitting room, Elizabeth watched them argue. She isn't sure what to make of it.

Uncle Rudy walked towards her with some water. "Milady, have a drink. You must be thirsty after your travels. I'll prepare some breakfast."

"Thank you," Elizabeth said taking the cup.

A few minutes later, John appeared. "We can't stay here long. We'll eat and then my Uncle Rudy said we can stay in his barn a few minutes away. He doesn't want a war with my father over you."

Liz nodded.

"It will buy us some time and then we will see about returning you home."

Liz smiled for the first time in a long time. "Home sounds great."

John smiled. "You're very beautiful, you must be betrothed."

"Not yet, but I am being courted," she said blushing.

Well, then I'm sure he is beyond himself with worry."

Liz nodded. "I'm sure. I just hope my father is well after our run-in with yours."

John watched her brief sunny disposition turn to melancholy. "I hope you get all of your wishes."

Uncle Rudy called for them and they headed for the kitchen.

IiIiIiIiIiIiIiIiIi

Jason fought his exhaustion as they rode hard. He has one thing on his mind, getting to Elizabeth. She is all that matters.

Johnny watched him almost teeter a few times and had to grab him and pull him upright. He is worried but knows that Jason's determination will keep him upright as long as possible, so he'll just do his best to keep him safe as they pushed on.

IiIiIiIiIiIiIiIiIi

John and Liz finished breakfast and then they said their goodbyes. When they had gotten to their horses, he ran back towards the house and Elizabeth ripped a piece of fabric off the hemline of her skirt and left it on a hook. She has no idea if anyone will look in the barn, but she hopes that Jason will find her clue and not be deterred. She smiled as she eyed her initials on the fabric and placed it on a hook near the door. There is no doubt in her mind that Jason will never stop looking for her. It gives her hope.

When John returned, they climbed onto their horses and he led the way to the barn.

IiIiIiIiIiIiIiIiIi

Jason and Johnny finally made it to Chester. Jason is barely hanging on, so continuing on the journey will not be a wise decision. Johnny remembered the way to the doctor's abode, so they headed there which luckily isn't far. As they approached it, Jason almost fell off his horse. Johnny quickly dismounted and helped him down, almost dragging the short distance to the house. The door flew open and Jason's gaze locked onto the doctor's wife who is aghast.

"Help me, please…" He collapsed in Johnny's arms.

She called for her husband and he ran towards the Prince and doesn't like his pallor. They got him into the house and laid him on the couch.

"We need to get his shirt and jacket off," the doctor said.

Johnny lifted Jason as the doctor removed the jacket off. They cut his undershirt and it revealed the wound.

"The bullet is still in there."

Johnny nodded. "Do you have any alcohol in case he awakes?"

His wife nodded and ran to fetch it along with some clean towels.

The doctor retrieved his medical bag and is deeply concerned when the wound appeared to be infected. They could easily lose him.

He quickly poured some alcohol into the wound which made Jason bolt straight up. Johnny held him down the best he could.

"Jason, we need to get the bullet out. You must keep still."

Jason grimaced. The alcohol seared had him and it will probably get worse.

Johnny poured some whisky down his throat and then Adeline handed him a cloth to put in his mouth.

"Bite down on this."

Jason opened his mouth and bit down hard.

The doctor stuck the tweezers in, and Jason began to yell into the cloth and clench his fists.

"This is it, Jason. I'm going to pull it out."

Jason nodded wearily. A loud whine left his lips as the doctor pulled the bullet out. When he poured alcohol into the wound again, Jason finally passed out from exhaustion.

The doctor finished up as quickly as he could, placing a bandage on Jason's arm and then cleaned up. Adeline fetched a wet cloth and wiped Jason's face and neck.

"He's warm to the touch, Harry." She gazed at her husband looking for guidance.

"He'll be feverish for a while. He might have a slight infection."

Harry had done his best to clean the wound, but it's in God's hands now. He'll irrigate it with alcohol every few hours.

Johnny nervously gazed at the doctor. "Is he going to make it?"

"I hope so. He's young and strong, so we'll have to pray for the best. I must warn you though, if the infection gets any worse, he may not make it."

Johnny nodded. Jason is a good friend and if he dies, Johnny and the royal family will be devastated.

The doctor poured some whisky in two glasses and handed one to Johnny. "You want to tell me what happened?"

Johnny drank it down and then told him everything.

"Well, I believe there are some relations to that family at the other end of town. His name is Rudolph or Rudy."

Johnny can't approach him alone. He knew nothing of John and wasn't sure why he had taken Elizabeth and run off. "Do you know anything about John?"

"A little. He seems nice enough. From what I understand, Anthony is quite a tyrant. I don't think John would hurt Elizabeth."

"I'll go over there in the morning," Johnny said, hoping that the man's instincts are right.

A knock sounded and the doctor ran to the door to answer it. "Johnny!"

Johnny ran to the door and much to his relief, he found Milo, Francis, Cody, and a few other men. He grinned. "You are all a sight for sore eyes. Francis, take them out to the barn. Milo and Cody, follow me."

Johnny, Milo, and Cody lifted Jason and took him upstairs. They gently placed him on a bed and stepped back.

"He doesn't look good," Milo said softly. He had never seen the prince look so ill.

"I know. He has an infection. Hopefully, in time, it will clear."

Francis joined them. "Where's Elizabeth?"

"We think she may be across town. I was thinking we'd go at daybreak and catch him off guard."

Francis nodded. "You guys go get some food and rest. We all need to be in top form. I'll stay up here with Jason." Someone needs to protect him at all costs. "Send one of the men back to the castle to report."

Cody nodded and left.

A few minutes later, Adeline brought Francis some food, and then wiped Jason down again.

"How's his fever?" Francis asked between bites.

"He's still warm, so it's going to be a long night. I need you to wipe him down occasionally. I'll leave the basin and some rags.

Jason started to mutter. "Elizabeth," he yelled as he started to thrash.

Francis put his food down and tried to settle him to no avail, so he focused on Adeline. "Pretend you're Elizabeth," he whispered.

She nodded and gently rubbed her fingers over his forehead. "I'm here, Jason, it's alright," she said softly.

Jason started to settle, and she continued talking to him until he stilled.

"Thank you," Francis said gratefully.

Adeline nodded and left the room. She went downstairs and took the drink out of her husband's hand and downed it.

Harry chuckled. "That bad?"

"If he doesn't make it—" She was unable to finish the sentence.

Harry squeezed her hand. "He has too."

Adeline sighed and went to the kitchen to clean up. She hates seeing Prince Jason so stricken. Her mind wandered as she wondered how Elizabeth was doing and said a little protection prayer.