Gone [Elayne]

[Jay]

Jack had all but flown to Central Capital upon hearing Jessica's words. She was one of Logan's sisters and had become almost like his sister in the way in which he wanted to keep her, her sister, and her mother safe. Thus, when he had received her call- despite the fact that he had been with Victoria doing some home things- Jack Spade had dropped everything and quickly headed over to the Thornton house.

It had been a reasonably quick trip if only because he had some ambiguous pokemon to take him quickly there. Upon actually getting into the residential district, he had returned the pokemon and then quickly made to run the rest of the way there. His knuckles reached the door of the house in an instant and rapped down several times. "Jess? It's me Jack. Are you alright?" was the question that had been asked. There had been no reply, and instead the door had opened to reveal a rather tall smirking man with a gun in his left hand. Though he had tried to back up quickly enough, Jack didn't get away and was instead shot several times in the stomach and chest region.

The last thing Jack remembered was the screams of someone though he could never tell if it was from himself or not.

---

In all instances it was Jessica Thornton who had screamed though her cry was muffled severely by the cloth wrapped tightly around her jaw meant to muffle the sounds of her horrified throat. Struggling once more against the bonds of several ropes sealing her and her fainted mother to their dining room chairs that had been placed off to the side least either of them continue to be useful at any given moment, Jessica cursed in her mind as the door had opened. She hadn't wanted this- she hadn't wanted to be tortured into calling the last friend her brother had, but she had been promised he would at least be safe. She had always thought he could easily run... do something or something, but as the bullets were fired only seconds after the door had been opened, all she could do was scream wishing to be louder despite her lungs failing her. Oh God...Oh God....

[Maid Melody]

[atrb=style,background-image:url(http://i1049.photobucket.com/albums/s395/malicewright/victoriaslade.png);][atrb=width, 507][atrb=height, 327][atrb=style,border:0 black none,b,Table][scrolly:h(257),w(215),sy,as(padding:4px 0px 5px;margin-top:53px;margin-left:276px;color:#1c3a24;)]Victoria had waited until a few moments after Jack had left before following after him. Thankfully Jack had seemed too preoccupied with whatever had happened to notice her on Lucifer however impossible that might have seemed. When Jack had reached the house, Victoria had no sooner directed to land when she heard gunshots and paled...that...oh God...Jack... All but jumping off of Lucifer just as he landed, Vicki approached the house just as Jack fell backwards, bleeding from the gunshot wounds he had sustained. Something in Victoria screamed right then as she looked up at the smirking man with an apparent calm air about her before she released Cedric. The only command given the Bisharp was 'have fun' before Cedric ran forward with a maniacal grin on his face, Metal Claw at the ready. It was only when Vicki was certain that the man was thoroughly distracted that she ran to Jack's side and knelt beside him, panic already wrapping its icy tendrils around her heart. "Jack..."Vicki began quietly as she cradled his head on her lap,"Oh God...Jack please just....don't leave me..."she continued, unaware of the tears that were streaming down her cheeks. It was like Ripper all over again...and Vicki was terrified she was going to lose him.[/scrolly]

[Jay]

[atrb=style,height:168;width:494;border:0 black none;][atrb=style,border:5 #EBA947 groove,bTable][atrb=background,http://i219.photobucket.com/albums/cc64/Heart-of-Thorns/VC/jacktable2.png,bTable][cs=3]
[atrb=width,20][atrb=style,border:0 black none;]	[atrb=style,BORDER:0 BLACK NONE;height:202!important;width:320!important;color:5f3f5f;][scrolly:h(202),w(320),sy]The bounty hunter, for that was who the man with the gun actually was, was startled to suddenly find a large knife creature coming at him, and before he had a chance to do anything, instincts took over and he made to shoot at Cedric- though the question of how effective that would be was left in the air. Meanwhile, from Jessica's angle, all she could see was some medium sized metal creature had entered the house and was now attacking. For a brief moment, she screamed again trying to get Cedric's attention as the wish to get free again compelled her to fight more avidly against her bonds. She wanted free, damn it! Jack, meanwhile, had lost consciousness the moment his ragged body hit the ground. He didn't answer any of Victoria's words, though his body seemed bent on drenching Victoria in its own blood as the seconds ticked by. Having been at such close range, Jack had literally been pierced all the way through by each bullet and thus blood spattered on both sides. [/scrolly]	[atrb=style,width:154;border:0 black none;]
[atrb=style,border:0 black none;][atrb=height,27][cs=3]

[Maid Melody]

[atrb=style,background-image:url(http://i1049.photobucket.com/albums/s395/malicewright/victoriaslade.png);][atrb=width, 507][atrb=height, 327][atrb=style,border:0 black none,b,Table][scrolly:h(257),w(215),sy,as(padding:4px 0px 5px;margin-top:53px;margin-left:276px;color:#1c3a24;)]Cedric didn't even flinch as the bullet ricochetted rather harmlessly off of him and continued running towards the man. Vengeance had told him to have fun and oh yes he would definitely do that~. It was only after the Bisharp had slashed at the man with metal claw that he realized there was another person in the room. Using Fury Cutter on the man who was becoming his play thing one more time, Cedric dashed over to Jessica and slashed her bonds before using dashing back over to where the man was and aiming a Guillotine at him. Oh yes this was certainly fun~ When Jack didn't answer her Victoria just clung to him closer. This couldn't be happening...she couldn't lose him...not now...but there was so much blood... Fumbling with the pokeballs at her belt, Vicki finally found the one she was looking for and released an Abra. Thankfully she had at least one psychic that could teleport... "Hospital, teleport, now..."came the command as the Abra materialized in front of her. Lucifer and Cedric could always find her later...if not...she'd handle that later. The Abra seemed a little shocked to be called out of his pokeball but did as he was commanded without further questioned and teleported the three of them to the hospital. Lucifer watched as Vicki vanished with the Abra and flew over to where Cedric was still battling the man who had started all of this. The Hydreigon knew better than to get in Cedric's way but for now he would wait until the Bisharp finished 'playing'.[/scrolly]

[Jay]

[atrb=style,height:168;width:494;border:0 black none;][atrb=style,border:5 #EBA947 groove,bTable][atrb=background,http://i219.photobucket.com/albums/cc64/Heart-of-Thorns/VC/jacktable2.png,bTable][cs=3]
[atrb=width,20][atrb=style,border:0 black none;]	[atrb=style,BORDER:0 BLACK NONE;height:202!important;width:320!important;color:5f3f5f;][scrolly:h(202),w(320),sy]The man simply couldn't win. Adrenaline and fear were causing him to fire more bullets rather than pick a pokeball out of his pocket and cause another pokemon to fight for him. Upon being slashed through the chest, the man fell backwards startled. Jessica watched in utter horror as more blood was spattered in her house, and all she could do was flail about trying to get free. When Cedric turned to her upon besting the man, she froze briefly afraid she was about to be killed as well. However, upon finding her bonds cut, she quickly sighed and stood up before turning to untie her mother. Meanwhile, the Guillotine was enough to slice through the poor man and faint him easily. In another second, Jess's eyes grew startled as a giantass dragon came in close proximity to her house. A scream of fear hit the air, and suddenly the girl had fallen back and just stared. Meanwhile, the nearest hospital had still been overworked with patients as of late, but as a bloody man and a blood drenched woman appeared in the lobby, all the secretary could do was squeak out in fear. Oh God what was wrong with the world? No matter... Quickly shouting towards a nurse, the secretary got up and went to look for herself. A few nurses came, actually and were suddenly in a panic at the sheer sight of blood. Jack's mangled form, barely healed from Ripper's episode, was quickly being rushed off to the back while several nervous nurses tried to get Victoria to come get checked up with them- seeing as she was now drenched in blood. [/scrolly]	[atrb=style,width:154;border:0 black none;]
[atrb=style,border:0 black none;][atrb=height,27][cs=3]

[Maid Melody]

[atrb=style,background-image:url(http://i1049.photobucket.com/albums/s395/malicewright/victoriaslade.png);][atrb=width, 507][atrb=height, 327][atrb=style,border:0 black none,b,Table][scrolly:h(257),w(215),sy,as(padding:4px 0px 5px;margin-top:53px;margin-left:276px;color:#1c3a24;)]Cedric smirked when the Guillotine hit the man in question and debated whether he should continue when the girl he had 'rescued' screamed. Right...probably best not to...wait...where had Vengeance gone...? Looking to Lucifer, Cedric asked the question on his mind and was simply told that they had teleported to a hospital. Nodding, Cedric walked out of the house without a word. Play time was over anyway and the girl could call the authorities or...something... Lucifer sighed when the girl screamed at the sight of him and decided it was best to get out of there. He at least knew the way back to the house and Vicki had to eventually go back there...at the very least it was their best bet for the time being. Picking Cedric up, Lucifer took off for the house they had left just mere moments ago, thinking that the girl should be able to handle herself with the man unconscious now. Vicki didn't realize they had made it to the hospital until she felt Jack being pulled away from her and rushed to who knew where. All Vicki could think about was the blood...Jack's blood...that she was covered in. Somehow she at least managed to return the Abra before the nurses pulled her from the blood drenched floor to get checked out and Vicki allowed them to take her away from the blood drenched floor. For all she was and how panicked she had been...now that Jack had been taken away Vicki just felt numb... The mere thought of losing Jack was just...painful...she simply didn't know what else to do other than retreat back to her years of training... At least this way the pain wasn't as great...[/scrolly]

[Jay]

[atrb=style,height:168;width:494;border:0 black none;][atrb=style,border:5 #EBA947 groove,bTable][atrb=background,http://i219.photobucket.com/albums/cc64/Heart-of-Thorns/VC/jacktable2.png,bTable][cs=3]
[atrb=width,20][atrb=style,border:0 black none;]	[atrb=style,BORDER:0 BLACK NONE;height:202!important;width:320!important;color:5f3f5f;][scrolly:h(202),w(320),sy]Jessica managed to relax a little as it seemed the giant sparkling dragon wasn't about to attack and kill her, but for a fwe seconds thereafter, she stood in a daze trying to collect herself. After some reasoning, she managed to get to a phone and began dialing numbers as quickly as she could- fear making her more shaky than she would have been and anger breaking down what would have paralyzed her. Meanwhile, doctors were talking, rushing, and muttering about blood loss. 'Jack Simon' as apparently his wallet ID said, was in their records already, and thus they could focus more on trying to save him than anything. However, despite all this already having been done, hours would pass rather quickly. Victoria would have no information about what was going on during that time, but at last a nervous young nurse made her way over and managed a grim smile. After making sure that Victoria was indeed the woman that Jack had come in with, she quickly bowed. "He's... a fighter that's for sure...but... he hasn't stabilized yet and ...." The nurse's head dropped briefly before she gave it a shake. "Just have some hope. I'm sure he will pull through.." [/scrolly]	[atrb=style,width:154;border:0 black none;]
[atrb=style,border:0 black none;][atrb=height,27][cs=3]

[Maid Melody]

[atrb=style,background-image:url(http://i1049.photobucket.com/albums/s395/malicewright/victoriaslade.png);][atrb=width, 507][atrb=height, 327][atrb=style,border:0 black none,b,Table][scrolly:h(257),w(215),sy,as(padding:4px 0px 5px;margin-top:53px;margin-left:276px;color:#1c3a24;)]After the nurses had checked her out and found that she was unharmed, Victoria had been given a change of clothes that she could put on to replace her blood soaked clothing. The clothes Vicki was given were simple enough albeit not what she was used to wearing considering they were several sizes too big...still, it was better than the blood drenched clothes she had been wearing before. She had managed to get most of the blood off her face, arms, and hair but Vicki didn't really put her appearance high on the list of priorities at the moment. After she had changed and placed her old clothes in a small bag she had been given, Vicki was ushered into the waiting room where she would remain for the next few hours. Waiting was excruciating and Vicki found herself more often than not just staring at the ground, hoping for at least some news as to what was going on. She couldn't think; didn't want to believe that Jack might not be able to make it...there had been so much blood though and Vicki still couldn't shake the image of him just lying there...motionless... How she managed to remain calm despite it all Vicki wasn't quite certain herself...she just felt...numb... When the nurse finally did come and talk to her about how Jack was doing Vicki looked at her with a rather blank expression on her face. The news wasn't what she'd been hoping to hear but it was at least good to know Jack was still alive...even so it was difficult for Vicki to think of something to say to the nurse's words, however reassuring she may have intended them to be. "Thank you for...letting me know..."Vicki replied quietly after a moment. Well, at the very least it was good to know that Jack would be all right...he would pull through...he had to...[/scrolly]

[Jay]

[atrb=style,height:168;width:494;border:0 black none;][atrb=style,border:5 #EBA947 groove,bTable][atrb=background,http://i219.photobucket.com/albums/cc64/Heart-of-Thorns/VC/jacktable2.png,bTable][cs=3]
[atrb=width,20][atrb=style,border:0 black none;]	[atrb=style,BORDER:0 BLACK NONE;height:202!important;width:320!important;color:5f3f5f;][scrolly:h(202),w(320),sy]After Victoria had replied, the nurse nodded and ended up retreating back behind the double doors. She was a relatively new nurse and didn't want to admit that Jack was in worse condition than she had said. It would somehow be alright... wouldn't it? Meanwhile, more hours passed, and Jack remained unconscious on that cold medical bed as doctors did what they could to try and keep blood in him and refill him with such. Finally a rather strong looking woman pushed through the doors and stared towards Victoria. "Ma'am..." She began before once again asking Vicki to confirm who she was before continuing. "He has finally stabilized at the very least..... but I must ask... what happened?" she asked tilting her head to one side. "He was shot in several regions very close to his heart and vital organs..." [/scrolly]	[atrb=style,width:154;border:0 black none;]
[atrb=style,border:0 black none;][atrb=height,27][cs=3]

[Maid Melody]

[atrb=style,background-image:url(http://i1049.photobucket.com/albums/s395/malicewright/victoriaslade.png);][atrb=width, 507][atrb=height, 327][atrb=style,border:0 black none,b,Table][scrolly:h(257),w(215),sy,as(padding:4px 0px 5px;margin-top:53px;margin-left:276px;color:#1c3a24;)]Victoria watched as the nurse retreated once again and resumed staring at the ground. Waiting was almost as painful as the anxiety and worry that had wrapped its icy tendrils around her heart. Pulling her legs up onto her chair, Vicki wrapped her arms around her legs and set her head on her knees in an attempt to block anything and everything out. Hours passed in this manner before another nurse approached Vicki and spoke. Even at the question of her name it was some time before she even managed to look at the nurse and give any indication that she was in fact who the nurse was looking for. Upon hearing that Jack had stablized, Vicki breathed out quietly, relieved that he would be all right...as if there had been any doubt to begin with... Hearing the question asked of her, Vicki stared blankly at the nurse before closing her eyes and sighing."......that's all I know as well....."Vicki replied quietly in a near monotone voice after a few moments,"...I was following him when I heard gunshots and saw him fall. Whoever shot him is probably in jail now...hopefully......"she continued quietly, wishing she knew who Jack had gone to see in the first place. Perhaps if Jack had explained a little more she would have been able to help...what if...what if she could've stopped it... Kept Jack from being hurt at all... Opening her eyes again, Vicki looked up at the nurse,"Can I...see him...?"she asked quietly. Anything would be better than sitting out here waiting for news regarding how he was doing...[/scrolly]

[Jay]

[atrb=style,height:168;width:494;border:0 black none;][atrb=style,border:5 #EBA947 groove,bTable][atrb=background,http://i219.photobucket.com/albums/cc64/Heart-of-Thorns/VC/jacktable2.png,bTable][cs=3]
[atrb=width,20][atrb=style,border:0 black none;]	[atrb=style,BORDER:0 BLACK NONE;height:202!important;width:320!important;color:5f3f5f;][scrolly:h(202),w(320),sy]The nurse bit her lip unsure of what to reply back with. If that was all Victoria knew as well ....then... Well hopefully someone else could fix the situation.. or something. A brief nod was given in understanding. The question that came from Victoria thereafter caused the nurse to cringe a little. She really shouldn't allow it... But the woman just... After a moment, a small nod was given. "Well...if...well....alright. He's still resting though, and you'll need to be quiet....." she said quietly before making a gesture for Victoria to follow her. Upon stepping through the double doors, the nurse led the way down the halls until finally coming to a room that seemed empty on one side. On the other, blinds were drawn back revealing a faced pale purple haired man. The rest of his form was concealed past his neck under a blanket. A breathing machine had been set up and hummed out quietly. The nurse whipped around and looked quietly at Victoria for a moment. "Like I said he's still sleeping for now, but hopefully he'll be up soon," she spoke putting much more emphasis on hope than intended. [/scrolly]	[atrb=style,width:154;border:0 black none;]
[atrb=style,border:0 black none;][atrb=height,27][cs=3]

[Maid Melody]

[atrb=style,background-image:url(http://i1049.photobucket.com/albums/s395/malicewright/victoriaslade.png);][atrb=width, 507][atrb=height, 327][atrb=style,border:0 black none,b,Table][scrolly:h(257),w(215),sy,as(padding:4px 0px 5px;margin-top:53px;margin-left:276px;color:#1c3a24;)]At the nurses reply to her question, Vicki let out a sigh of relief before nodding. The order to be quiet was easily accomplished anyway...at least it would be better than sitting in the waiting room for hours on end. Slowly standing up, Vicki followed the nurse through the double doors and down the hallway, almost dreading what she would find when they would come to Jack. When they did finally reach his room all Vicki could do was stare at his pale, sleeping form, hardly aware that the nurse was saying anything to her. Vicki's vision blurred as tears threatened to spill over her cheeks but these were quickly blinked away before the nurses words registered. Nodding in recognition of the nurse's words, Vicki wasted no time before walking into Jack's room and next to his bed. Looking into Jack's sleeping face, it was almost hard to believe that he had been shot at all if it weren't for his pale features. Taking Jack's hand in her own, Vicki pulled a nearby chair up to the side of the bed. So what if she technically wasn't supposed to be here...Vicki wasn't about to leave his side for one moment. Her vision blurred once again as tears threatened to come but Vicki simply blinked them away just as before. If only she had been able to get there faster...if Jack had let her come in the first place maybe...just maybe this wouldn't have happened... "Jack...."Vicki whispered, her voice shaky with the emotion behind it. Maybe he would be able to hear her and wake up...it was a fool's hope but it was at least something to hold on to. Reaching out with her other hand, Vicki brushed a strand of hair behind Jack's ear, letting her touch linger a little longer than was absolutely necessary. It hurt...seeing him like this especially so soon after the Ripper incident... She had almost lost him then but at least Vicki had been there to stop him...now...she couldn't do anything...and she hated feeling so helpless. All she could do now was wait for Jack to wake up again...in some ways it was worse than just waiting in the other room but...at least she would be able to know right away instead of waiting hours for little to no information.[/scrolly]

[Jay]

[atrb=style,height:168;width:494;border:0 black none;][atrb=style,border:5 #EBA947 groove,bTable][atrb=background,http://i219.photobucket.com/albums/cc64/Heart-of-Thorns/VC/jacktable2.png,bTable][cs=3]
[atrb=width,20][atrb=style,border:0 black none;]	[atrb=style,BORDER:0 BLACK NONE;height:202!important;width:320!important;color:5f3f5f;][scrolly:h(202),w(320),sy]Though she was about to protest Victoria's motions, the nurse caught herself and simply ended up staring for a few seconds. "Be careful..." was all she warned after a moment before stepping back a little and leaning on the door. She would stay there for a bit and see if the woman would like to leave soon enough. However, as minutes churned by, she finally exhaled and decided she'd come back in a bit. Jack's mind had retreated so far away that he wasn't even dreaming as he rested. It was a hard sleep, something he hadn't had in a long time. Once more the hands of time passed late into the night this time, and still Jack had not woken up. Several doctors came in within the course of the time often checking various machines and muttering things under their breath before leaving again as quickly as they had come. It was in to the morning hours of the next day that Jack Spade slowly came back to himself. The first thing he recognized was pain, and for a few seconds, the purple haired man wished to retreat back into the confines of his subconscious where nothing existed in order to avoid it. However, it was Third's voice that stopped him from doing so. We're not dead.. What should have been a good thought- what should have been something to be thankful for, at the moment BJ was far from happy about. He ached...and could practically feel where the bullets had been... Or were they still in? Where was he for that matter? After a moment of hesitation, Jack's right eye opened finding a blurry and somewhat dim room. What...where was....he? [/scrolly]	[atrb=style,width:154;border:0 black none;]
[atrb=style,border:0 black none;][atrb=height,27][cs=3]

[Maid Melody]

[atrb=style,background-image:url(http://i1049.photobucket.com/albums/s395/malicewright/victoriaslade.png);][atrb=width, 507][atrb=height, 327][atrb=style,border:0 black none,b,Table][scrolly:h(257),w(215),sy,as(padding:4px 0px 5px;margin-top:53px;margin-left:276px;color:#1c3a24;)]As the hours passed by Vicki remained beside Jack as long as she could. Doctors and nurses came in every now and then but as long as she didn't get it their way they seemed fine with her remaining there which suited Vicki just fine; she wasn't about to leave Jack's side anytime soon... Just waiting for something to change was excruciating...Vicki kept hoping to see at least some change for the better but Jack still slept on. That was good she supposed...at least he wasn't in any pain...the doctors kept reassuring her that he would be fine and that he would wake up eventually but Vicki was beginning to wonder if that would ever happen... Despite her best attempts to stay awake, exhaustion had finally won out and Vicki eventually ended up falling asleep slumped over the side of the bed, still holding onto Jack's hand albeit loosely. Someone had come in and draped a blanket over her shoulders but other than that Vicki had remained largely undisturbed. Even when Jack finally woke up Vicki remained very much dead to the world. Had she known that he would wake up moments after she finally gave into her emotional and physical exhaustion Vicki would have forced herself to at least stay up that much longer. As it was Vicki had pretty much stayed awake the entire night just in case Jack should wake and simply just couldn't keep her eyes open any longer as much as she had tried to do just that.[/scrolly]

[Jay]

[atrb=style,height:168;width:494;border:0 black none;][atrb=style,border:5 #EBA947 groove,bTable][atrb=background,http://i219.photobucket.com/albums/cc64/Heart-of-Thorns/VC/jacktable2.png,bTable][cs=3]
[atrb=width,20][atrb=style,border:0 black none;]	[atrb=style,BORDER:0 BLACK NONE;height:202!important;width:320!important;color:5f3f5f;][scrolly:h(202),w(320),sy]A purple eye scanned over the room inquisitively as Jack did his best to bring the pieces together. He was in some room- a hospital room that had a familiarity about it that he could not place. Over the years, Jack had entreated many hospitals with his presence, but he was slowly becoming sure that it was the one in the Capital, the main one. There were few that had such machines readily available even when he always had the money to pay for them, and thus it was the best guess he could have made at that moment. As his eyes fell on Victoria, all of Jack's thoughts about the room and where exactly he was stopped in an instant. Was she ok? Both purple eyes ran quickly over Victoria's sleeping form, but by way of the blanket and the way she was, he couldn't seem much and couldn't deduce anything right off. Calm down, if she was injured, the hospital would have taken a look over her already. Third pointed out though this didn' soothe Jack in the least. She could have been hurt... And suddenly the memories of that bounty hunter came back again and-- JESS! "Vic....ki..." Jack spoke oddly finding that speaking was harder than thinking. He wanted to know what had happened.. wanted to make sure everyone was ok.. He hoped they were ok... [/scrolly]	[atrb=style,width:154;border:0 black none;]
[atrb=style,border:0 black none;][atrb=height,27][cs=3]

[Maid Melody]

[atrb=style,background-image:url(http://i1049.photobucket.com/albums/s395/malicewright/victoriaslade.png);][atrb=width, 507][atrb=height, 327][atrb=style,border:0 black none,b,Table][scrolly:h(257),w(215),sy,as(padding:4px 0px 5px;margin-top:53px;margin-left:276px;color:#1c3a24;)]Victoria had been sleeping rather soundly when Jack woke up and thus even after he spoke it took a little while for her to register that she had just heard Jack's voice. Jack's voice, however quiet, had indeed been enough to rouse her from her sleep and after blinking a few times Vicki realized that Jack was awake. For a few moments Vicki simply stared at him, not quite sure if she was still dreaming or not but after a time she concluded that she was in fact, awake and Jack was really looking at her. Tears swam in Vicki's eyes, blurring her vision before she blinked them away. After seeing Jack just lying there in a pool of blood Vicki hadn't been so sure she would see him awake again...but he was here...and he'd just said her name... "...Jack..."Vicki breathed out, still finding it hard to believe that he was actually awake. Taking his hand again, Vicki squeezed gently, wanting nothing more than to just hold him but knew better than to attempt that after what had just happened. "Thankgodyou'reallright..."Vicki said quietly, unable to stop the tears that fell down her cheeks this time. The relief she felt in that moment was beyond compare...Jack was all right...he would be all right... The simple fact that he was awake made Vicki feel as if a weight had been lifted off her chest...everything would be fine...Jack was fine...it would be all right...[/scrolly]

[Jay]

[atrb=style,height:168;width:494;border:0 black none;][atrb=style,border:5 #EBA947 groove,bTable][atrb=background,http://i219.photobucket.com/albums/cc64/Heart-of-Thorns/VC/jacktable2.png,bTable][cs=3]
[atrb=width,20][atrb=style,border:0 black none;]	[atrb=style,BORDER:0 BLACK NONE;height:202!important;width:320!important;color:5f3f5f;][scrolly:h(202),w(320),sy]The back of Jack's throat burned, and for a few seconds, he struggled over her name again before finally finding that she was holding his hand. How he hadn't realized that before, the purple haired man was unsure. However, after a few seconds, he squeezed her hand only to find that it caused his chest to ache somehow. We got shot up rather badly.. Third commented dryly as if Jack really needed to hear such words at the moment. He ignored it and once more tried to rouse her with a brief squeeze before breathing out feeling the pains in his chest. Damn it why couldn't they have shot him in the arm or the leg or something. Well it could have been worse... He could have been shot in a joint, and that would arguably have hurt worse, but still. This hurt pretty bad. Ugh... As the woman by his side finally awoke and stared at him, all Jack could do was stare back. He wanted to say something- ask her if she was ok and ask what happened to Jess. The fact that she wasn't saying anything as soon as she awoke worried Jack though why he wasn't sure. "Vicki..." he murmured through the breathing mask once more despite the pain that was going through his chest. Damn it where were the pain meds? As she spoke his name, Jack breathed out a little weakly. The words and tears that followed only caused Jack to frown. He didn't want to see her cry... She looked.. so sad. He'd done it again hadn't he? He had made her upset again because of the way he lived... Damn it. Damn it. Damn it. "Of...course I am..." he replied after a moment a weak smirk playing onto his features briefly before falling back again. It was hard to keep up such motions. [/scrolly]	[atrb=style,width:154;border:0 black none;]
[atrb=style,border:0 black none;][atrb=height,27][cs=3]

[Maid Melody]

[atrb=style,background-image:url(http://i1049.photobucket.com/albums/s395/malicewright/victoriaslade.png);][atrb=width, 507][atrb=height, 327][atrb=style,border:0 black none,b,Table][scrolly:h(257),w(215),sy,as(padding:4px 0px 5px;margin-top:53px;margin-left:276px;color:#1c3a24;)]Jack's reply and weak smirk brought a slight smile to Victoria's features though it faded just as quickly as it had come. Bringing her other hand up, she gently brushed some hair out of Jack's face before holding the blanket closer to her. It was cold in the room and with her normal clothes soaked with blood there was no chance she was going to wear them anytime soon. "I was so worried...I-...I heard the shot and saw you and..."Vicki replied, blinking away tears once again before looking away briefly,"... therewassomuchblood ...and...you didn't wake up..."she continued, her voice fading to a near whisper.[/scrolly]

[Jay]

[atrb=style,height:168;width:494;border:0 black none;][atrb=style,border:5 #EBA947 groove,bTable][atrb=background,http://i219.photobucket.com/albums/cc64/Heart-of-Thorns/VC/jacktable2.png,bTable][cs=3]
[atrb=width,20][atrb=style,border:0 black none;]	[atrb=style,BORDER:0 BLACK NONE;height:202!important;width:320!important;color:5f3f5f;][scrolly:h(202),w(320),sy]The reply caused Jack to mentally flinch. She'd seen that bloody mess he'd fallen back into. Well, duh what had he thought she would see? Somewhere in the back of Jack's mind, Third sighed only causing the purple haired man to sigh as well. He couldn't even think straight at the moment, it seemed. "Hey.... hey ..." Jack replied weakly shaking his head a little briefly only to find the sharp pains in his neck were refuting his movements. "I'm not dead or nothin'," he reassured quietly smirking as best he could in order to somehow make it better. "And the docs know how to fix me up pretty good," he breathed out finding that his heart was pounding rather hard simply from talking. Damn this was... annoying... "Don't worry..." was the last thing he mumbled. Don't worry, hah... Even Jack knew that was a far fetched wish. She'd just seen him be shot, and once more he'd knocked on Death's door briefly only to be dragged back again into the world of the living. To Jack it may have been almost a little normal now, but from the expression on Victoria's face, he knew she wasn't alright with it at the very tip of that ice berg. He wished there was something more he could say, something more he could confide in her for her to believe that it would all be alright. However, his mind wasn't formulating any ideas despite the few comments that were being thrown around from various lesser voices. [/scrolly]	[atrb=style,width:154;border:0 black none;]
[atrb=style,border:0 black none;][atrb=height,27][cs=3]

[Maid Melody]

[atrb=style,background-image:url(http://i1049.photobucket.com/albums/s395/malicewright/victoriaslade.png);][atrb=width, 507][atrb=height, 327][atrb=style,border:0 black none,b,Table][scrolly:h(257),w(215),sy,as(padding:4px 0px 5px;margin-top:53px;margin-left:276px;color:#1c3a24;)]Jack's reply did little to ease Victoria's worry as she returned her gaze to him. His smirk brought a half smile to Vicki's features even as he continued to speak, talkig about the doctors. Even though Vicki knew that he would be all right...needed to believe that he would be OK...that didn't stop the memory of before from haunting her. She had almost lost Jack...again...if she hadn't had the psychic, if she hadn't followed him to the house... So many things could have gone wrong and Jack...he would've-... Swallowing, Vicki did her best to push the memory away and focus more on Jack's voice. His last words brought a small smile to Vicki's features as a half laugh of sorts escaped her,"I almost lost you......"she replied quietly before shaking her head slightly and holding the blanket closer to her. It was cold...but even thinking about the room's temperature did little to distract Vicki from seeing Jack shot time and time again...like a bad movie clip that just kept skipping. Wincing slightly, Vicki looked away and tried to push the memory away...to no avail..."I keep seeing him.....shooting you....Jack I-..."Vicki began quietly only to cut off as tears threatened to overwhelm her again.[/scrolly]