Gone [Elayne]

[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]Well... he had tried. Jack had to give himself that, at least, right? His eyes remained on Victoria even as she looked away and continued speaking. She had almost lost him, and he had almost lost her in turn. Death was one bitch of a separator. There was no dying that... A rather hard sigh escaped from Jack's chest causing the drop of his diaphragm to cringe in pain. The last few words only served to hurt him more, though. She shouldn't... have seen it. In that moment he wished that she hadn't been there and that instead it was someone sympathetic but detached to him. However, it wasn't. The watcher had been Victoria.. Jack's eyes finally dropped and moved away from her. "I ...sorry..." he finally murmured weakly in a vain attempt to be normal. It was failed or at least Jack thought so. [/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 sigh returned Victoria's gaze to him once again as she fought to retain control. Why did this have to happen...why couldn't she have been there sooner to stop this...unanswered questions continued to fill Vicki's mind as she looked at him. She wished that there was something she could've done to stop this from happening but Vicki knew all too well that was wishful thinking. Jack was here...he was alive...that should be enough... So why then did she feel so miserable...? Jack's next words proved to be too much for Vicki as tears spilled down her cheeks. Readjusting the blanket so she was holding it with one hand, Vicki reached over and gently took Jack's hand in hers. "No...don't be..."Vicki replied quietly, her voice shaking with the emotion behind it,"I'm...glad I was there...I could help... I'm not going anywhere Jack..."she continued before leaning forward and kissing him gently, if briefly. [/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]Victoria's words killed whatever resolve Black Jack Spade may have had in remaining normal. Biting back words that threatened to spill out from the rush of voices that had become very active in his head in the last few seconds, he kept his eyes averted up until he felt the kiss on the cheek. Though he wanted to hold back the gate of water threatening him, Jack felt the tears spill down the sides of his cheeks regardless. Damn it he was supposed to be the one that was comforting her! This didn't look good at all. What was he doing? Why was he doing it? Why couldn't he just stop right now? Though his mind willed him to cease, Jack couldn't, and instead a choking sound of sorts escaped from the purple haired man causing the meter on his heart monitor to shift upwards and downwards rapidly. [/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;)]Seeing Jack cry as well Victoria did her best to smile...to be brave. That was what she had to be right...she had to be strong for him... It would be so easy to do just that, to be strong...but everytime Vicki so much as closed her eyes she could see Jack getting shot. Like a scene from a bad movie it kept playing over and over again until Vicki was almost certain she would get very little sleep that night...or any other night...at least for a while. Still...Jack was here, he was safe...he would be all right. Even as Vicki tried to convince herself that this was true, that Jack really was going to be all right, Vicki still couldn't shake the thought that she had almost lost him...again... As a choked sound escaped from Jack, Vicki's eyes returned to him immediately, concern and worry evident in them. "It's all right...I'm here...I won't leave you...not now...not ever..."Vicki said quietly as her own eyes filled with tears at how much pain Jack had to be in. It hurt to see him like this...like a lead weight had been placed on her shoulders and refused to budge. More than that, Vicki was supposed to be strong...but here her own mind was betraying her. Crying was a sign of weakness, wasn't it...or at least that was what she had been taught... So then...why did the tears keep coming...she was supposed to be strong but...why was it she simply couldn't keep them from coming... Was she really that weak...[/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]Jack could barely here Victoria's words- as if they were spoken through a tunnel more than anything, and when she stopped speaking he was aware of the fact that his ears were ringing. Something in his stomach was shifting as well, but for all these things he tried to focus on, Jack couldn't get his mind off his own feelings. The world was crumbling around him, and he had nearly died again. Was there really only so much he could take of this? There was. The few voices that had kept reason in him had crumbled, and the one that was left had escaped for the moment leaving nothing but raw emotions and lesser voices more akin to white noise than actual predominant thought. It hurt. It just flat out hurt, and there was nothing he could do about it. Sometime in the ten minutes or so after he had started, Jack's mind slowly began to escape his body completely, and consciousness finally broke into unconsciousness. Eyes glazed over with tears before finally shutting, and Jack slowly fell asleep again if only to escape his circumstances. Down he fell into the darkness that was his own mind- a suffocating security that assured him he could stay there for as long as he wanted until something changed. The screens and various machines on Jack's circuit slowed considerably even his heart thereafter. Though he could easily have been asleep, something that even the doctors would have been fooled by at least initially, Jack had sunk himself into a coma after that. [/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;)]When Jack's eyes closed Victoria smiled, at least somewhat relieved that he was resting now. That was what he needed right now anyway...rest... Still, hearing his voice had helped...Jack would be all right...he was going to be fine... At least that was what Vicki kept telling herself. It was what she wanted to...needed to believe...Jack would be all right and then they could go back home. Still, Vicki was determined to be here when he woke up but right then the constant beeping of the machines was making her sleepy. How could only a few moments make her so tired...perhaps it was the emotion of the moment but now all Vicki felt was relief. Her last thought before letting her own exhaustion claim her was of Jack and the hope that things could get back to a sense of normalcy again.[/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]Things would not go back to normalcy, and when a doctor happened to enter, quite a bit of panic transpired. Shouts of irritation towards nurses vibrated the room before various people entered with various other machines. Victoria was bumped several times in the wake of everything, and it was only a younger nurse who took it upon herself to shake Victoria. "Ma'am we need you to leave for a little," the nurse spoke quickly but quietly as she looked at the surprisingly older woman. [/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 was only able to sleep for a few moments before a shout stirred her. Still rather groggy from just waking up from her nap of sorts, Vicki stared uncomprehendidly at the machines even as she was bumped various times in the rush of everything. What was going on...had something happened...blinking sleepily, Vicki tried to shake the last remnants of sleep from her still foggy mind. It was only when the nurse shook her that Vicki finally registered that something was wrong. "Mmm...? What's wrong...?"Vicki asked groggily before slowly sitting up, taking in all the doctors and nurses rushing around. But...Jack was just sleeping...he had been talking to her only moments before...what was going on... Panic filled Vicki as she fully realized that something must've happened during the time she was asleep and stood fully, not caring that the blanket had fallen to the ground as a result. "What happened...Jack...he was fine..."Vicki asked, her voice wavering slightly even as she remained rooted to the spot. She knew that the nurse had asked her to leave but it felt as if her legs were paralyzed...even if she wanted to leave the room she couldn't...or at least it felt that way.[/scrolly]

[Jay]

The nurse tensed a little at Victoria's questions along with her stance. Reaching for her shoulder and her arm, the younger woman gave her a pat before starting to try and pull her. "The doctors aren't sure just yet but we need you to please leave while they make sure everything is alright," the nurse replied before taking a step sideways trying to get Victoria to walk. Meanwhile a few doctors were moving about quickly uttering various words and medical terms that were both blurred in nature and somewhat confusing without proper understanding. Jack Spade remained as he was before almost as though nothing had happened.

[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 first Victoria was hardly aware that the nurse had even grabbed hold of her until she was being pulled towards the door. Panic had seized her mind as the nurse spoke, saying the doctors weren't certain what was wrong...but...how could something be wrong... She had just talked to Jack not too long ago...hadn't she..? Certainly she had slept some but not long enough to be considered a while...right... Thoughts raced through Vicki's mind as she tried to make sense of the situation she had found herself thrust into. Jack...he was all right...he had to be... Even as Vicki thought this she wasn't entirely sure she believed it...if Jack was fine then why did the doctors seem so panicked... No...it would do no good to lose it here...she had to calm down...perhaps then she could find some answers. Taking a deep breath, Vicki's features lost practically all emotion as she put on the mask of indifference yet again. It was almost comforting...to be able to put the wall up between her and the panic surrounding her... Even after such a chaotic day Vicki hadn't forgotten her years of training and now at least it helped her to remain calm...or at least remove all other uneccesary emotions to do so. "...I understand...I'll wait outside then..."Vicki replied in a near monotone, though her voice still held a hint of the worry she had before. This said, Vicki exited the room before leaning against the wall just outside the door. Sliding down to the ground, Vicki pulled her knees to her chest before she stared blankly at her hands as she tried to sort out what exactly had happened in the room.[/scrolly]

[Jay]

It would be another few hours before a doctor came and found the woman waiting for some sort of news on what exactly had happened to the purple haired man that seemed so peaceful. The doctor's face was somber- possibly just out of habit or possibly because of whatever news he was going to bring to the situation. After a few seconds of silence as he looked at the woman in question, the doctor bent down and made to put a hand on Victoria's shoulder. "Ma'am, Mr. Simon has fallen into a coma, and in all honesty, none of the medical team know exactly why. It might just be the strain of his body has caused his mind to shut down in order to avoid the pain or ..." the doctor shook his head before offering something that was supposed to be comforting but probably wasn't. "Is there anything about his condition that you know of... other than what we know, that is?" he asked calmly.

[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;)]Vicki wasn't entirely sure how much time had passed since she had left Jack's room. It had probably been a while judging by the way she could hardly feel her legs...that was probably because she hadn't once moved from her position in the hallway since leaving the room. She had simply remained where she was in hopes that she would get news faster this way but as the minutes passed it seemed that would be an impossibility... What had happened that had made the doctors worry like that...Vicki had just talked to Jack...he was fine...he had to be... From the time Vicki had left the room to the time the doctor finally came to tell her some news of Jack, Vicki had spent the entire time going over what had happened. The accident, the rush to the hospital, the short conversation she'd had with Jack...everything. There had to be something she was missing but...what... Feeling a hand on her shoulder, Vicki looked up to find the solemn face of the doctor looking down at her as he told her what exactly had happened. For a moment Vicki wasn't quite sure who this 'Mr. Simon' was but assumed it was Jack considering this was one of the doctors that had been attending to him in the rush of things. The news the doctor told her was less than comforting...Jack, her Jack...was in a coma...and nobody knew the reason why... The question asked of her made Vicki hesitate for a moment. Yes, she knew more about Jack then the doctors did certainly...like the fact that he had other voices in his head... Surely one of them wasn't the cause of this...if it was...it would be like Ripper all over again wouldn't it... Vicki certainly hoped that wasn't the case but she certainly couldn't tell the doctors about such a thing... That was something Jack had told her and only her...she wasn't going to tell a complete stranger something so personal...Jack wouldn't want her to, of that much Vicki was certain. "...he was injured pretty badly in the capital bombings...we both were... Perhaps that had something to do with it...I'm not sure if he healed completely..."Vicki replied after a moment, slowly standing to her feet as she spoke while using the wall for support. Her feet felt as if they were being stabbed by thousands of pins and needles but Vicki didn't let on, the last thing the doctor needed was something else to be concerned about. "Can I see him now..."Vicki asked quietly, her face a mask of indifference lest she lose it completely in front of the doctor. The last thing Vicki wanted to be thought of in this situation was weak...nevermind that she had been through a rough day today, what with seeing Jack be shot combined with everything that was going on right now.[/scrolly]

[Jay]

The medical practitioner's face only grew more somber as Victoria explained that Mr. Simon, or rather Jack Simon whom they had only a bit of history information on but a considerable amount of medical history on, had been in the bombings. It was probably on his record though this particular doctor hadn't looked into that just yet. After a moment, he nodded in understanding. As the woman stood up and asked a rather simple question, said doctor hesitated a moment looking back towards the door he had just exited before looking forwards again. "Yes but I'll need you to be very careful of the machines..." he warned after a moment before stepping back and pulling the door open revealing the room as it still was.

Nothing had changed, or so it appeared at first. A larger breathing mask of some sort had been put over Jack's face, and his chest rose and fell with an even repetition. Honestly the change had simply been because none of the doctors had wanted a chance of this purple haired man who supplied a rather large amount of cash to die there due to lack of air. Possibly because of the mask, Jack's face had taken on a more blank demeanor resisting any such expression at all if he were far deep in sleep.

[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 the doctor's expression as he thought over the information she had given him. It had seemed that this particular doctor either didn't know what he was doing or hadn't known that Jack had been in the bombings. The prior thought was hardly encouraging and said little about the doctor in question. Vicki could only hope that he simply hadn't known, or hadn't looked up the information himself. The doctor's hesitation at allowing her to see Jack didn't pass Vicki's scrutiny of the doctor and for a moment she wondered if there was something else she wasn't being told. Surely they would tell her if there was something else wrong with Jack...such a thing seemed like an impossibility but then again so was this... When the doctor finally did answer, Vicki relaxed and nodded in understanding at the instructions before uttering a small thank you when he held the door open. Stepping into the room, Vicki first noticed the breathing mask that had been placed on Jack. Her first reaction was to panic but something else told her that this was simply a precaution. Jack certainly seemed to be breathing regularly enough to not need the mask... Thankfully there was nobody else in the room at the time which allowed Vicki to let the mask of indifference fall. There was no need to keep up appearances if Jack was the only one in the room after all. Taking a nearby chair and pulling it closer to the bed, Vicki sat and took Jack's hand once again, hoping for something...anything that would show her he registered the simple gesture. There was no change in Jack that she could see however but Vicki wasn't going to give up hope. She had just talked to him earlier that morning...he would wake up soon...he had to... "Come back to me Jack..."

[/size]Vicki whispered as she watched Jack's face, searching for any sign that he would wake up. One thing was for certain, Vicki wasn't about to leave Jack's side lest he should wake up soon...[/scrolly][/td][/tr][/table][/center]

[Jay]

Jack's appearance remained as it was unchanged by the motions or words of Victoria. Somewhere deeper in the levels his subconscious, the purple haired man known as Black Jack had settled into a deep sleep. In the upper levels of Jack's mind, only Third was left awake at that moment. The calm rational of BJ debated what he wanted to do even from where he was. If he climbed higher up, he could probably awaken Jack's body at the very least, but he had never taken control. He had never used BJ's body, and somehow it seemed wrong to do so even with BJ having retreated so far downwards. Thank God Ripper isn't around... the calm voice sighed shaking his 'head'. The last time you retreated like this, BJ, it was disastrous for all of us... There was no reply, and all Third could do was then sigh before looking up towards the consciousness above black and uneventful as a starless night.

A day would pass... and then another... and another after that. Doctors would come in and out, and thankfully there as a nurse more than willing to jump on Victoria's butt about eating at least twice a day even if she wasn't feeling up to it. These things weren't large but still necessary at least. There were whispers now going around the hospital that argued he may never wake up though none would say it outright nor to Victoria that was for sure.

It was on the fourth day that Third had had enough. They were losing money fast, and it was getting to be ridiculous. No matter how taxing it was, he was going to have to take control. Thus the voice sprang upwards into the conscious world, and BJ's body slowly 'came to'.... A brief flutter of the eyelids, and a brief groan as air entered lungs, and slowly Third opened his eyes completely to stare at the ceiling. Fucking BJ when did your vision get so bad? the voice turned host mentally groaned as he waited for the world to at least try and come into focus.

[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;)]The days dragged by for Victoria as she remained by Jack's side, waiting...praying even for some change. Every moment that passed made it all the more clear to Vicki that Jack may not wake up... She could tell by the looks the doctors were giving her that there was something they weren't telling her. Whatever it was, Vicki could live without knowing...but not if it was without Jack... What she wouldn't give to see him at least open his eyes...to talk to him just as she had before... Most of Vicki's time was spent at Jack's side, forcing herself to stay awake lest she miss the slightest change. Vicki didn't even know this kind of pain existed...or if it had, she certainly hadn't felt it before. It felt as if someone was twisting her stomach in knots and more often than not her throat felt like someone was burning it from the inside out. Not only that but Vicki simply couldn't shake the dreadful fear that Jack would simply never wake up... She didn't want to believe it...no, she couldn't believe it. Not now, not ever...Jack would wake up...he just had to... Then there was the matter of the nurse...for whatever reason this particular nurse had taken an interest in Vicki and was more or less forcing her to eat. The fact of the matter was, Vicki wasn't hungry and she hardly slept at all. Maybe it had something to do with the emotional drain she was going through on a daily basis. Just waiting for the slightest change...for something to happen was excruciating and Vicki had found herself crying on more than one occasion when she was sure she was alone. Whatever the case, Vicki was at least eating some...even if the food tasted like sand to her, she was able to force at least that much down; sleeping however was more of a problem... Vicki had always been a light sleeper and the constant movement in the hospital along with the beeping of machines was making it difficult to close her eyes even for a moment. On the rare occasion Vicki could get some sleep it wasn't for very long and almost always was filled with nightmares and memories that she would rather forget. If anything this 'sleep' was making her more exhausted than when she had closed her eyes before... The way Vicki saw it, it was far better to stay awake rather than be tormented by her dreams. It was on one such rare occasion that Jack came to. Vicki had just barely closed her eyes and had been in the midst of yet another nightmare when a groan that held no place in her dream caused her to stir. Her eyes fluttered open as she slowly sat up, almost dreading what she would find...it had been so long since she'd heard Jack's voice and right then Vicki was beginning to wonder if she would ever hear it again. Taking hold of Jack's hand, Vicki breathed in and out quietly before looking at the man in question. Immediately she could see a change in him...Jack's eyes were open for once in days he was actually awake... For a moment Vicki simply stared, unsure if she was still dreaming or not... It certainly didn't feel as if she was dreaming but all the same, there had been times when Vicki was sure she'd been awake only to find that nothing had changed. Squeezing Jack's hand a little tighter, Vicki searched his face in an effort to convince herself that this was actually happening... As much as she wanted to believe such a thing was true, Vicki didn't think she could bear it if this turned out to be yet another cruel, taunting dream. "J-...Jack...?"Vicki finally breathed out, hoping that he had in fact woken up.[/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]Third could practically feel eyes on him, and after a moment, his purple eyes slid sideways and regarded the silver haired woman who was staring at him. Feeling a hand tighten on .. his own... Third glanced downwards before hearing the call of ...his name now, heh. How almost amusing it was... Looking back upwards again, Third let out a sigh and slowly began to sit up without a word. A few chords pulled, and a heart monitor was pulled out of place, but sure enough he was able to sit up. This is...interesting... was finally what came to Third after a moment. He didn't say anything for a few seconds before slowly starting to look around the room as though inspecting it almost. Bah they should have gotten a nicer room... Third mentally sighed skeptically. [/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;)]He was awake...he really was awake... Vicki could hardly believe her eyes, Jack had looked at her and more than that he had felt her hand on his. For the first time in days, a small smile appeared on Vicki's otherwise pale features. True, she had been eating regularly enough but sleep had been elusive no matter what she tried. She knew she should call one of the nurses or doctors to let them know what happened but...Vicki just wanted to enjoy this moment...at least for the time being. Then Jack slowly began to sit up and rather than tell him to stay down, Vicki tried to help him at least do that much. She hated feeling so helpless...just waiting for something to happen had been miserable... None of that mattered now though, Jack was awake and everything would be just fine. "Jack...I'm so glad you're awake..."Vicki said quietly, smiling slightly despite the tears that threatened to spill over.[/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]Third was mentally swearing. Even as he pulled himself up, he could feel the pains in his chest. BJ had been shot, and how he was left to deal with the consequences. Even with proper pain medication still circulating through his body, Third was in pain. I'll have to do something about this... it can't stay like Victoria's words cut into Third's thoughts, and as she spoke, he flinched. How to speak... how to speak move lips move it... he mentally willed before a calm voice escaped from him. "How long have I been asleep?' he asked calmly despite the fact that his voice was shaking slightly. He could and probably would blame it on the pain of his predicament. After a moment, he finally gave in and leaned back on the bed once more slowly. [/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 flinch didn't escape Vicki's notice bringing a concerned expression to her features. The question remained unanswered for the time being as she helped him lay down once again, berating herself all the while for allowing him to sit up in the first place. He had only just woken up and if Vicki remembered correctly, the doctors had to limit the pain medication so that Jack would hopefully be able to wake up. Reaching over with her free hand, she pressed the button that would call a nurse to the room if one hadn't been alerted by the disconnected heart monitor already. This done, Vicki returned her attention to Jack and gently tucked a stray strand of hair behind his ear. She wished that she could hug him, tell him how scared that she had been and to never scare her like that again but no words came. How many times had Vicki gone over what she would say when Jack woke up...and now that he had she was speechless. Well, Jack had asked a question...she could start there..."Four days..."Vicki replied quietly before squeezing Jack's hand briefly,"I-...I was beginning to think you would never wake up.... D-..don't scare me like that...please Jack..."she continued, her voice dropping to a near whisper as she spoke.[/scrolly]