a Dearing escape... but of course it's nothing like mortal danger. Jade's body ought to be extremely broken by now... however...

Thirteen

Jade surfaced, coughing to clear her lungs of a hastily mis-swallowed mouthful of seawater. She swiveled around, shaking the hair out of her eyes as she frantically searched for Tori. A moment later, the brunette woman popped up nearby. Tori spotted her and swam over with quick, efficient strokes. The water was choppy, and the downpour made it hard to see, but she made it through the swells to Jade's side.

For a moment, they tread water and just looked at each other. Jade shook her bangs out of her eyes again and squinted through the rain. "C'mon." She stifled a cough. "Let's get to the boat."

Between the tide, the rain, and the chop it was a tough swim. Tori found herself really missing her fins as she struggled to make progress. A crawl stroke didn't do much, so she switched to a frogman style of swimming, keeping just her head above water so she could breathe. Her strength, though, started giving out when they were about three quarters of the way back to the docks, and she slowed to catch her breath.

Jade seemed to sense it. She stopped and turned in the water, then swam back over to her. "What's wrong?"

"Tired." Tori admitted. "Give me a minute."

"Hang on." Jade offered her arm, her legs moving powerfully under the waves and keeping her upright.

"No, it's okay." Tori felt a little better. She started moving forward again. Jade stayed close by her side as they battled inside the seawall, the rain coming down harder and harder. Tori felt Jade slow just inside the wall, and she reached out to grab onto the rocks, resisting the waves that were trying to bash her against them.

"Not much further." Jade pointed to the rocking form of their boat, dimly seen through the rain. "Are you all right?"

Tori felt her second wind kicking in. "Yes." She nodded positively. "Let's get over there." She pushed off the wall and started swimming, feeling a strong current fighting her pulling out with the waning of the tide. Grimly, she pushed against it and kept at Jade's shoulder with determined effort. The chop washed over her, making her eyes sting and she tasted salt in the back of her mouth more than once. Her focus narrowed down to the chilling water, the beat of the rain, and the tall body moving just ahead of her.

Something not water brushed against her, and she felt stringy something's trail over her body. She jerked and twisted, then gasped as a searing pain across her midriff nearly shocked her senseless. "Damn." She held still with great effort, and felt the strings drift off, and then she started forward again, grimacing at the jolts still going through her body.

Jellyfish. Tori cursed under her breath. Just my luck. After a moment, though, the pain faded a little, and she pushed it out of her mind as she continued on.

Her breath was coming short, and her muscles were burning painfully when she heard the distinctive sound of the waves slapping against fiberglass nearby. Tori looked up to see a white surface arcing over her head. She reached out and grabbed the barnacled edge of the dock as she watched Jade approach the side of the boat. With a powerful surge, she emerged from the water, arms extended towards the railing that ducked towards her at the last moment and obligingly slapped itself into her hands.

Jade grabbed on and hung there for a moment, visibly gathering her strength. Her wet clothing clung to her body, and Tori saw her chest expand as she took a deep breath. Her upper body contracted, pulling her up to the railing and then over it, but Tori could see the effort it took and given how she herself felt at the moment considered it a testament to Jade's very sturdy constitution.

She knew she wasn't going to be doing that any time soon, so she pushed off again and stroked for the stern, the lowest part of the boat where the dive ladder was clamped in place. By the time she got there, she heard the clanks as Jade unhooked the hatch and freed the ladder. The next thing she felt was a light sting as the aluminum tubing hit the water next to her and quickly submerged. Gratefully she grabbed on to the steps, riding the ladder in the chop until the boat dipped again, then getting her feet on the bottom step and pushing upward.

Jade's grip suddenly fastened around her arm and she was hauled unceremoniously aboard the boat, landing on the stern deck in a soggy lump as Jade pulled the ladder up and closed the back hatch.

Buh. Tori discovered that sitting still was a very good thing. She didn't even mind the rain pelting her, rinsing the salt water off her body as she struggled into a cross legged position. Her arms and legs felt numb and weak; she kept her head down as she rested her elbows on her thighs and simply worked on catching her breath.

Jade dropped down next to her, seemingly just as glad to just sit still. She extended her long legs out and rested her hands on her knees. "Son of a fucking bitch."

Tori's head lifted, and she regarded her lover bemusedly. "Are you thinking maybe we should just go to Las Vegas on vacation next time?"

Blue eyes framed in a mess of dark, wet hair peered at her. "With my luck, a computer virus would take down the entire city while we were there." Jade exhaled. "You okay?"

"Just wiped." Tori nodded. "And I think I swallowed half a gallon of salt water. My tongue is pickled." She raked her hair back out of her face. "Jade, that sucked."

"Uh huh." Jade blew out a breath. "Might as well get out of the rain." With a slight grunt, she pushed herself to her feet and gazed out past the marina entrance. It was hard to fathom what had just happened. One moment they'd been getting somewhere with DeSalliers, then next minute she'd found herself in an almost dangerous situation.

Which, she considered thoughtfully, she'd actually handled damn well.

"Jade?"

Jade turned, to find Tori holding a hand up with a wry expression.

"Mind giving me a tug up?"

Jade clasped her hand and leaned backward, pulling Tori to her feet. "Wonder who he took off after?" She mused, as they moved towards the cabin door and she fished in her pocket for the key. "Damn, if we'd only had a minute more."

"Yeah." Tori agreed. "We were close. Did you hear what he said? About his reputation? What was that all about, I wonder?"

Jade paused, holding the door open. "Want to go find out?"

Tori looked up at her. "You mean, go out there after them?" She watched Jade nod. "That's totally insane, Jade." An eyebrow quirked wryly at her. "Let's do it."

"Go in and change. I'll cut us loose." Jade gave her a pat on the behind, and then disappeared up onto the deck.

"Aye aye, cap'n." Tori entered the cabin, shaking her head and chuckling bemusedly. "No one's gonna believe this." She told the empty room. They'd brought their things down from the hotel before they'd gone for breakfast; their bags and Jade's laptop were resting on the table where they'd left them.

Tori stripped off her soaking wet shirt as she continued through the cabin and into the head. She hung it up on the shower rail then added her shorts to it, tossing her sneakers into the shower itself along with her socks and underwear.

The rumble of the engines starting thrummed through her bare feet. Tori slipped out of the head and into the bedroom, giving herself a cursory glance in the mirror on her way to the dresser. "Wow. Check the drowned rat out." She pointed at herself. Her skin showed a few light scrapes and the red mark where she thought she'd been stung by a jellyfish. It still throbbed, and she winced as she pressed lightly against the spot.

The boat moved, and she grabbed quickly at the dresser, holding her balance. She waited for the turn to finish and the bow to straighten out, then she tugged dry clothes from the dresser and slid into them. Then she grabbed a rain slicker from the closet and pulled it over her head, pausing to chuckle when the garment fell all the way to her knees. "Whoops." She started to remove it, then stopped in mid motion and resettled the rubberized fabric around her.

Without really stopping to think about why she'd done that, she walked to the galley and grabbed a bottle of water from the small refrigerator. Popping the top open, she sucked down a few gulps to get the taste of the sea from her mouth, and then headed for the door.

Jade settled soggily into the captain's chair, wincing at the uncomfortable dampness of her clothes. She adjusted the throttles and guided the boat out of the dock, reasoning that she could get Tori to take the helm long enough for her to change when they were out and into open water.

The rain beat steadily down on the roof covering her, and Jade leaned forward to see better through the plastic as she guided the boat out into the channel. She turned at the buoy and nudged the engines forward, setting off after the disappearing speck that was DeSalliers craft.

She'd barely had time to relax when she heard Tori climbing up the ladder. Jade turned to see her lover appear on the flying bridge, dressed in a blue slicker obviously not her own. Tori scooted under the bridge cover and pushed the hood on her raincoat back, exposing disheveled brown hair. "Nice jacket."

"You like it?" Tori presented her with the bottle of water, and then draped her arms over Jade's shoulders. "I think I got stung by a jellyfish, Jade."

"Yeah?" Jade set their course, and then turned her attention to Tori. "Where?"

Tori pulled her overlarge jacket up and then her shirt, exposing her belly. "There."

Jade peered at it, gently touching the angry red mark. "Does it hurt?" She looked up at Tori's face. "Not just sting, actually hurt?"

"A little." Tori admitted. "It's sort of throbbing." She explained. "Otherwise I wouldn't have even mentioned it, Jade. I mean, I've gotten hit by men o'war before."

"Did you clean it off with anything?"

Tori shook her head. "Didn't think I needed to – do I?"

"I don't know." Jade frowned. "Did you see what kind of jellyfish it was?"

"No." Tori sat down next to her. "It's okay, I think. It hurt a lot when it first happened, but now it's just annoying." She scanned the horizon. "What's the plan?"

Jade opened the small cabinet under the console and removed a brown bottle and a small packet of gauze bandage. "Pull that jacket back up." She ordered, opening the bottle of alcohol and wetting the gauze.

"Shouldn't you be watching where we're going?" Tori teased gently. "Instead of playing with my navel?" Nevertheless, she hiked up the fabric and the shirt underneath, sucking in a breath as the gauze touched her skin and burned. "Ow."

"Some of those stupid things leave stinging cells." Jade told her. "Hold the wheel while I do this."

Tori curled her fingers around the metal, keeping them on course as she felt Jade carefully clean the still painful spot on her belly. The throbbing seemed to be getting a little worse, but she figured that was because Jade was messing with it. "What are we going to do when we catch up to them?"

Jade finished her task and gently pulled Tori's shirt down, then arranged the rain jacket over it. "Just watch." She said, giving Tori a little pat on the side. "Maybe we can maneuver him into revealing what his game is."

"I hope so." Tori sat back down and sighed.

Jade glanced at her. Tori's profile seemed tense, and she could see tiny creases around her eyes. "Hey."

Tori looked over, her brown eyes visibly bloodshot. "Hm?"

"We don't have to do this."

The Latina cocked her head. "Huh? I thought you wanted to go after them."

"You don't look so hot."

Tori swallowed, her brow contracting. "I'm fine." She told Jade.

Jade looked doubtfully at her.

"Jade." Tori's voice took on a hint of impatience. "I'm not a little kid."

"I didn't say you were." Jade fiddled with the controls, fidgeting over the throttles. "I'm just wondering if being out here chasing down a nutcase in the rain is such a good idea." She said. "Maybe we should just drop it, Tor."

Tori propped one bare foot up against the console and studied it. She could hear the upset in Jade's voice and knew she was at the root of it. "I think…" She paused, and really considered her words. "I think if we'd dropped it at the very start, that would have been okay."

Jade watched her out of the corner of her eye.

"But now, I think we have to see this through. You know?" Tori said. "I don't like the idea of running away, and if we just ducked out now, knowing what we know, then that's how I'd feel."

"Mmph." Jade grunted grudgingly. "This was supposed to be a relaxing vacation." She countered. "For both of us."

Tori reached out and circled Jade's arm with her fingers. "Do you want to stop?" She asked with quiet sincerity. "Sweetheart, if that's what you want, we'll do it." Her hand tightened slightly.

Jade fastened her eyes on the horizon, pondering in silence for a very long minute. She felt torn between her desire to know the truth, and her equally powerful desire to protect Tori.

"Jade?" Tori uttered softly.

"Yeah?"

"Why don't we compromise? Let's not follow them. Let's circle around the other side of Charlie's island, and watch from behind that point on the west side. "

Jade adjusted the throttles a little. "And?" She probed the idea cautiously.

"That way, we don't force a confrontation, and we can just sort of satisfy our curiosity." Tori reasoned. "And if there's nothing going on, we can... um..." She plucked gently at Jade's damp sleeve. "Get a lot more comfortable downstairs."

It was an acceptable plan, Jade decided. "Okay." She agreed. "I can go with that."

"Cool." Tori grinned briefly. She slid over on the seat a little, and leaned against Jade's damp body, laying her head on Jade's shoulder. The throbbing from her sting seemed to be getting worse, and she now had a headache, but she reasoned that it was nothing a little relaxing in Jade's proximity couldn't cure.

The boat shot on in the rain, now in a curving path that left DeSalliers to disappear over the horizon.

The second time she felt the chill, Tori realized something was wrong. Despite the protection of her rain slicker, she felt cold, and her throat seemed to be closing making it hard to swallow. She debated trying to ignore the feeling, but her better sense intervened. "Jade?"

Her partner looked quickly at her. One hand lifted and touched the side of her face. "You okay?"

Tori's lips twitched. "I don't think so. I feel kind of lousy." She admitted. "I'm cold and my throat hurts."

Jade put a hand on her forehead, and cursed. She turned and surveyed their surroundings with anxious eyes. They were nearing the north side of Charlie's island, but otherwise they were in a large patch of quiet, empty sea.

She slowed the engines, and then stilled them, checking the depth meter as they drifted.

"Wh..." Tori stopped, finding it a little hard to breathe. "What are you doing?" She watched Jade work the boats controls, and realized suddenly her hands were shaking. "Jade?"

"Need to get you below." Jade spoke quietly, with a world of tension in her voice. "I'm going to drop anchor." She did exactly that, and the rattle of the deploying anchor was suddenly loud as she cut the engines. "C'mon. I've got a kit downstairs I think we're gonna need."

Tori wasn't really sure what was going on, but she stood, holding on to Jade's arm when her knees suddenly threatened not to hold her. "Oh boy."

"Hang on to me." Jade clasped her around the waist, and guided her to the ladder. "You're having a reaction to whatever stung you, I think."

"Oh." Tori shivered, feeling like she was underwater trying to breathe. "My throat… feels kinda thick." She kept her breath for climbing, feeling the utter security of Jade wrapped around her. "Feels funny."

They reached the deck and Tori's legs buckled under her. "D..."

"I've got you." Jade picked her up bodily and carried her into the cabin, kicking the door open and taking Tori from the confusion of the rain and warm air to the cooler quiet. Tori sucked in air, hearing the rasp in her own breathing, and it occurred to her suddenly that she should be scared.

She felt the cool fabric of the couch against her lower legs as Jade put her down. "D... Jade?" She clutched Jade's arm in shivering fingers, as she felt Jade slide a pillow under her head, propping her up a little.

"Just stay quiet, and try to relax. I'll be right back over here." Jade told her.

Tori just watched, her breathing now coming in shallow heaves. She felt like there wasn't enough oxygen in the air, and as Jade came back over and knelt next to her, she noticed her fingers and toes were tingling. An unreasoning fear swept over her and she started to panic.

"Tor… Tor... take it easy." Jade's voice penetrated the haze around her.

"Da… I can't breathe." She panted.

"Sweetheart, I know. Just give me a minute. Hang in there."

Tori felt, suddenly, something cold against her arm. "Wh… "She turned her head and saw Jade bringing a needle close to her, its length quivering as Jade's hands shook. Tori looked up at Jade's face, and saw a fierce, intent mask, eyes widened in fear and that terrified her.

Was she going to die?

A soft cry escaped her throat. She felt a sting and her arm jerked, then a solid bolt of pain made her struggle, panting, unable to draw in a decent breath.

Jade's weight pressed against her abruptly, pinning her down. Tori felt panic take over and she fought the hold, grabbing at Jade and pushing hard against the powerful body laying over her. One arm was grabbed, and held tightly, and she felt another prick.

Then a chill.

Then a hot, strange sensation under her skin where the needle had entered.

Then it was gone and she thought she heard a clatter of something going across the room. The weight came off her and the cabin whirled up and around and she couldn't breathe and it was cold and….

"Tori!"

The voice penetrated her confusion, somehow. Tori coughed, and then inhaled in reflex, surprised when she was able to suck in a lungful of air. The bands of pressure around her chest eased and she shivered, huddling close to the source of warmth now wrapping itself around her.

Slowly, the tingling in her hands receded and she flexed them weakly. She could still feel harsh chills shaking her entire body and it was very hard to think straight. But she did know she was being held securely and she could feel Jade's breathing pressed against her back.

At least she could breathe now. Tori sucked in air gratefully, feeling completely drained. "Wow." She whispered. "That sucked."

She felt the faint jerk behind her as Jade almost laughed. She could hear the hammering of Jade's heart where her ear was pressed against her chest and she coughed a little, hearing a rattling in her lungs that unnerved her. "Ungh."

"Easy." Jade finally spoke, easing back against the couch and cradling Tori a little closer. Tori's face had taken on a pale gray tinge, and she could feel the shivers working their way through her body. Now that the shot of medicine, a stimulant she always carried, was administered there was not much more Jade could do other than just be there for her.

There would be time later for her to curse herself out for not seeing the signs. Time later for her to be angry she hadn't checked Tori's sting further, or taken more precautions, or…

Jade exhaled. Tori had never had a reaction to a sting before. Truth be told, Jade kept the shots on board for herself, since she'd gotten stung once at age ten and had almost gone into convulsions from it. "Easy, honey."

Tori simply lay there quietly, her head resting against Jade's chest. Her hand rested limply on her partner's, her thumb moving ever so slightly. "Jade?" She murmured.

"I'm here."

"Am I dying?"

Jade felt her blood pressure shoot up so high she got light headed and she saw sparkles in front of her eyes. "No, sweetheart." She answered softly. "Please don't even think that."

It was like listening to constant thunder. Tori almost couldn't count the beats. She rolled her head to one side and looked up fuzzily, seeing the stark fear written across her lover's face. Her hand lifted to touch Jade's jaw and she felt it quiver under her fingers.

No. Tori blinked. She couldn't die, now could she? Jade needed her.

Wanted her.

"Never felt like this before." Tori burred. "What happened?"

Jade swallowed, and then impatiently wiped her forearm across her eyes. "You reacted to that damn fucking sting."

Tori's eyebrows lifted slightly. "Ouch. Never did that before." She felt another chill take her, and she burrowed into Jade's embrace, seeking warmth. Her arm ached, and she looked at it with a frown. "Ow." She touched the sore spot.

"Sorry." Jade shifted. "Had to stick you pretty fast." She drew in a breath. "How about I get you into bed? Bet the covers'll feel good." Her voice sounded a little rough. "Should get you in to the hospital on St. Johns."

Hospital. Tori's nose wrinkled. Ick. "How bout we start with bed." She conceded. "But only if you come in there with me."

"You're in no position to be bargaining, Victoria." Jade's tone had gentled, and Tori could hear her heartbeat slowing down and steadying. "You need a doctor." But she carefully stood up, letting out a little grunt of effort as she picked Tori up and cradled her. She walked slowly into the bedroom, turning sideways to get them both inside the door and then putting Tori down on the bed.

Tori gazed at her through half closed eyes as Jade examined her. "Urmph."

With a sigh, Jade unzipped the raincoat Tori was still wearing, and pulled it off. Then she drew the covers over her partner's body, tucking them in carefully around her. The Latina's skin still had an unhealthy tinge, and she was shivering. "We're heading back." Jade told her.

Tori reached out and caught her hand, holding it. "Don't leave me."

Jade's brows contracted. "Tori, I've got to drive the boat, remember?"

"Don't leave me." Tori begged softly. "Please?"

Indecision seared its way across Jade's face, as she found herself caught between two overwhelming urges. Her better sense was telling her to get Tori to a doctor's care. However, she knew St. John's was a long ride away, and by the time they got back there Tori's symptoms would most likely have faded.

"Let me get you something for your fever." Jade temporized.

"And get those wet clothes off." Tori teased weakly. "We don't both need to be sick."

The coherence in her partner's eyes reassured Jade immensely. "Okay. Don't go anywhere." She warned, as she turned and eased out of the bedroom.

"I won't." Tori watched her go. She relaxed a little, and pulled the covers up more closely around her, relieved to feel her body starting to settle down. Her arm hurt where Jade had injected her, and the sting throbbed, adding that discomfort to her fever but she could now breathe easily and all the feeling had returned to her hands and feet.

"Son of a biscuit." Tori remarked to the cabin ceiling. "That was not funny."

Not funny at all.

Jade walked into the galley and stood for a moment, then she slowly leaned on the counter and cradled her head in her hands. Son of a bitch. She thought silently. Son of a fucking bitch that was too close.

With a sigh, she straightened, letting her hands drop to her sides. She felt completely drained and her legs were still shaky, but she forced herself to walk over and pick the teapot up. Hot tea would not do anything particularly medical, but she knew Tori liked the beverage. Besides, it gave her something to do.

Jade filled the pot and put it on the galley stove, then opened the cabinet and removed a bottle of Tylenol. She shook out a couple of the tablets and set them down, then removed Tori's mug from it's hook and put it down next to them.

She studied the items, then shook a few more tablets out and palmed them, putting a little water in Tori's cup and using it to swallow the pills down. Then she turned and leaned on the counter, folding her arms across her chest as she waited for the water to boil.

The dampness against her forearms reminded her she'd forgotten to change. With a sigh, Jade pushed off the counter and walked over to where their bags were still resting on the table. She unbuttoned her shirt and removed it, draping it over the chair, then pulled her sports bra off, wincing at its clammy dampness.

Dry clothes felt good against her skin, and she felt a lot warmer as she crossed back over to the galley and poured the boiling water over the herbal tea ball she'd placed in Tori's cup. Steam rose, carrying the scent of blackberries to her nose. Taking a small jar of honey from the refrigerator, she drizzled some into the cup and carefully stirred it.

When she was satisfied that it was perfect, she picked up the Tylenol, tucked a water bottle under her arm, and secured the teacup. With a glance around the cabin, she headed back for the bedroom, entering the door and sweeping her eyes over the bed with badly hidden anxiety.

Tori was right where she'd left her, curled on her side with her arm wrapped around her pillow. Her eyes were half open, watching the door and they widened as Jade entered. "Ah. There you are."

"Here I am." Jade agreed, setting her burden down on the bedside table. "How are you feeling?"

"Feeling like I want my Jade." Tori reached out and fingered the soft cotton of Jade's shorts.

Jade sat down on the edge of the bed and put her hand on Tori's forehead. It was warm to the touch, and her color was still definitely off. "Sit up a minute, and swallow these." She helped Tori sit and handed her the pills, then uncapped the water bottle and held it while Tori suckled a mouthful, then swallowed.

"Thanks." Tori leaned against her. "Jesus, I feel like hot boiled trash."

"Hm." Jade put her arm around her. "I bet."

Tori shivered. "That was really scary."

"Oh yeah." Jade picked up the cup of tea and offered it to her. "I was scared."

Tori cradled the cup in her hands, savoring its warmth. She took a sip of the sweet, hot tea and sighed. "I know." She said. "I think that scared me the most."

Jade eased off the bed and knelt in front of the dresser, opening up the lower drawer and rummaging in it. She found the small case she'd tucked inside when they'd boarded in Miami and picked it up, bringing it with her as she resettled herself on the edge of the bed.

"What's that?" Tori watched her curiously. Her eyes followed the zipper as Jade unzipped it, then the brows over them lifted sharply as she saw the blood pressure cuff inside. "Where in the hell did that come from?"

"Dr. Dodie." Jade replied quietly. "Gimme your arm."

"Jade."

Ignoring the mild protest, Jade fastened the cuff around her lover's toned arm and started pumping it.

"Do you actually know how to use that?" Tori sighed.

"I can manually reprogram the flash bios of an IBM mainframe. I think I can figure it out." Jade replied, watching the small gauge on the gadget.

Tori exhaled unhappily, and her shoulders dropped.

Jade glanced up and caught the expression. "He made me bring it." She explained gently. "I wasn't gonna use it, but since I had to give you a damn bucket of stimulant…"

Tori peeked at the gauge. "Hmph." She tapped it with her other hand. "Damn."

One sixty. Not good. Jade released some of the pressure, and checked again. Over one hundred. She unfastened the cuff from Tori's arm and rubbed it in attempted comfort. "Probably from the stimulant, sweetheart." She offered. "Why don't you lie down?"

Tori meekly complied, still visibly unhappy.

Jade tossed the device onto the dresser and stretched out next to her, gently arranging Tori's disheveled hair with her fingers.

"Bah." Tori muttered.

"I bet when I check it later, it'll be fine." Jade gave her a sympathetic grin.

Tori eyed her dourly, and then held a hand out. "Gimme that." She pointed to the cuff.

Jade reached over and snagged it, then handed it over, surprised when Tori wrapped it around her arm and started pumping. "Um…"

"Ah ah." Tori continued her task. "Fair's fair, Jade. I thought your heart was going to come out of your chest before." She finished pumping, and observed the results. "Hah." She gave Jade a look. "Higher than mine, darling. Park your head on the pillow."

Jade blinked in real surprise, looking down at her own arm. Then she gave Tori a sheepish grin, and wriggled into a more comfortable position next to her partner. "I was stressed." She commented. "You matter to me."

Tori tossed the cuff into the corner, and wrapped her arm around Jade as she put her head down on her shoulder. "I guess we're letting DeSalliers go, huh?" She murmured. "Are we in this over our heads, Jade?"

Jade had her eyes closed, and she welcomed the easing of the headache throbbing across the back of her skull. She considered Tori's question for a few minutes. "I don't know. Maybe." Her body shifted a little, and she pulled Tori closer. "Let's take it easy for a while, then head back to St. Johns." She rubbed Tori's back. "I'd like them to check you out, just in case."

A brown eyeball rotated up and fixed on her in faint accusation.

"I know, I know." Jade sighed. "I'd be kicking and screaming at the mere suggestion."

Tori snorted softly. "Yes, you certainly would be."

"Humor me." The Sandy haired woman requested. "Please?"

Tori grunted, having made her point. "Okay." She closed her eyes again.

Jade put her arms around Tori and hugged her. "Atta girl." She said, then paused as she heard the sound of a motor approaching. She exchanged a quick glance with Tori. "Let me go see what that is."

Tori hitched herself up on an elbow and watched as Jade got up and left. She considered the idea of following her, but her body protested, unwilling to move. She fluffed the pillow up behind her instead and settled back, tucking her feet up and picking up her teacup, inhaling the fragrant steam.