Chapter 74

Billie stayed with John well into the night, through all the moments of his fluctuating consciousness. He had lost quite a bit of blood and some moments he was more coherent than others. He had been given doses of painkillers that were also working to numb his mind and body. Sometimes he would wake and mumble incoherently until some seconds later he was gone from the world. Another time he requested water and Billie not only supplied it but aided him in drinking it. She realized that he wouldn't come-to entirely until much later and that now her support was appreciated but not consciously acknowledged.

This allowed her to relax some, or, become as relaxed as she could be during the circumstances. John was injured but stable. He needed her but not direly. As soon as Billie had realized that John was shot she was being told he was for all intents fine, and would recover. It hardly numbed the initial feeling that had violently slapped Billie across the face- that her Johnnie had been shot and that for the first time in their relationship his life had been threatened physically.

To say the least it was overwhelming. It scared and shook Billie to her core that when she had first seen John being carried inside she broke down crying. He had immediately tried to stop her. John trusted and counted on Billie to some extent that she could handle the danger and risks of his life- like the fact that getting shot was not only possible but very likely. This did give Billie the initiative to control her emotions, but she wasn't about to pretend that seeing John threatened or hurt in any way didn't matter. It was everything; he meant everything.

Though Billie had been by John's side for hours and had not left the bedroom, others had come to check on them and Billie was informed of the details. After Karpis had dropped her at the house he then went to the train. Billie knew that much. However, she was not at all prepared to hear that not only did Alvin Karpis steal and misdirect John from his share of the money, he was the one who had shot him. It gave her chills knowing the man that had taken her hostage was really that dangerous. It didn't even bother her that he could have hurt her- it horrified her that he was cold enough to hurt, and even kill John.

There came movement from the bed. John started to twitch, his arms and legs shifting under the covers. Billie looked his way and when John opened his eyes and met hers he murmured, "baby?"

Billie rose and went to him. She crawled atop the bed and touched his cheek. "I'm here, love."

"Baby…" he said again but easier this time, the knowledge of her presence at his side comforting. He looked to her face and grasped her hand that rested on his cheek. "Are you okay?"

Billie could tell by the tension in his face what he was asking. It was the same thing he had asked before he lost consciousness. He was still concerned about her being held captive by the man that'd shot him. She was perfectly fine and warmed to think that amid John's own struggle for life itself he was still thinking of her. Their love for one another in that great time of distress seemed infinite.

"Not even a scratch," she whispered, her other hand reaching up to stroke his hair. "Are you alright? Do you need anything? I can get whatever you-"

John waved his hand to silence her then attempted to cough, he struggling with the act, pain clearly wrought across his face. Billie frowned, her insides lurching to hear his suffering. Once John quieted his head rested heavily against a pillow.

"He…he took it…Karpis, he-"

John's voice was gruff and Billie couldn't tell if the words he spoke or the motion itself was more painful. She stopped him, rubbing his arm gently. "I know, my love. I know."

John stilled in knowing that Billie wasn't eager for him to explain anything. She took the lead next, leaning into him and kissing his face several times, maybe even holding back tears as she did so. "You're okay, Johnnie. You're going to be okay. I love you so much," she chocked on the tears. "That's all that matters. You're okay."

As if to prove her own words Billie continued to kiss and caress him. "I love you, doll," he murmured almost inaudibly. Then some seconds later he tried to say, "Red…"

"Red? Red's here, baby," she assured him. "Do you need him?"

"He gave me…something…I need more…"

Billie could see that she was loosing him again. Being awake had caused John to feel the immense pain again and he longed for relief of any kind. "I'll get it, love. One second. I won't be gone more than a second," and Billie ran to find Red, satisfied that she did so and returned to John's side in what felt like less than two minutes.