Welcome to the Dark Side (Part III)

She had not stirred the whole way back to the hotel, most likely worrying the cab driver and probably Jacob as well. The drugs had certainly did some work and thanks to both the silver and the chest wound, her injuries were taking longer than usual to heal. Lenn had even slept most of the next day away until she finally stirred. Everything was blurry as hell and nothing felt real. She didn't even remember how she had left the club or how in the world Jacob managed to bring her back to the hotel. Did it mean that everything was a dream? She sat up and immediately regret it. Her body still ached, her chest still had those ugly holes in it. At least they looked like they were healing properly.

It wasn't a dream afta' all... She could remember parts of it, and they were parts she didn't like; mostly the parts where she almost beat the crap out of Jacob. Wait a minute...Jacob, where was he? She panicked, eyes searching the room until she finally noticed the shower door closed and the water running. Thank god... She whimpered at first and almost burst into tears. Somehow, even with Donovan arrested and a huge chunk of his business crashed, it didn't feel like she came out the victor. In fact, it felt that much more damaging for her. She tried to reason with these people, but they humiliated her in every way they could. A part of her wanted to put the blame on someone, but in the end it all fell on her. She could have found better ways to deal with the situation. There had to be other ways.

She scoffed at herself. There was no use in dwelling on it, but when she looked at the exhausted Jacob, she couldn't help but chastise herself. Because of her, he had gone into the Lion's den just to get her out. It dawned on her then; How did he know where she was? Maybe...Maybe he used reason and somehow got the information somewhere. Maybe he followed Donovan's men...But seriously, how did he know? Sadly, she was going to have to wait for the answer. Or maybe not.

It was a wobbly start at first, but she managed to peel herself out of bed and headed for the bathroom. She stepped on the pants Jacob was wearing last night by accident, but there was something odd beneath her arch. She stooped down to investigate; two pens that were in his pocket, their caps filled with a mysterious purple substance. ...Oy' hope this izzn't wot oy' think it is... Hopefully it was some stupid souvenir he bought downstairs and not the drug that was being distributed back at the club.

For now, she put them back into his pocket and quietly entered the bathroom. It was blazing hot! The steam was too much and it made her just a bit uncomfortable. She had a bit of a hard time pushing the door completely open. What the hell was on the other side? She peered around the door and spotted a pile of filthy clothes wedged between the door and wall. It was caked in dirt and...dried blood. Oh god, it looked like he rolled around in a puddle. Just what happened when they were separated!? And why was he so damn quiet? Whatever happened, it was serious and was best not to bombard Jacob with the mound of questions she had now. "Bae?...Are you okay? It's loike a sauna in hea'!" She opened the curtains just enough so she could spot him and smiled...just a little. He really didn't look good...inside and out.

She...had a feeling he wasn't okay. That was a stupid question. Who in their right mind would be okay after what happened this whole week? Whoever came up with that stupid question should be shot in the foot. Of course he wouldn't be okay. Her smile faded a little and she reached to turn the shower off. People who curl up like a fetus in the shower had a serious problem. Even she had wanted to do that but Jacob seemed to beat her to the punch. Right now, he needed her more than ever. He had done so much for her this past week. He had gone through so much...

She reached out, gently placing her hand upon his arm. God, he looked so run-down. It pained her to see him this way and she couldn't help but feel that it was her fault. If she had seen it coming. If only she had reacted faster. Staying on that island had rusted her skills...and not to mention she had handled the situations poorly. She should have just shot them and be done with it--especially Mistress... "You can...talk about it, you know. Oy' won' pressure you..."

"Yeh...Okay, sure..." She helped him out of the tub. God knows he still had to be stiff and hurting from this whole ordeal. Poor thing...He looked just so...drained. Still, she let him at least compose himself in the bathroom while she sat on the bed and rested her back against the wall. She waited patiently, twiddling her thumbs for a while before she figured putting on some clothes would kill some time. Pants and a tank top. There... But that didn't make her feel any better. What could possibly be bothering him? Okay, maybe the sex ring was a little too much...and he probably had to hurt people along the way. That was a normal thing...But seeing how the way he curled up like a child in the shower...What more could there be? She began to dread it just a little, but they had always agreed to never keep secrets between each other. That was one of the many things about this relationship that she appreciated.

So she waited...and eventually he sat down, but did so heavily as if there was a huge weight upon his chest. There probably was and there was a tiny part of her that wanted to change her mind. No, she was here for him now. Jacob did save her life and that was the least she could do. She owed him her life. That feeling of dread was still there, but she sat and listened as Jacob began. He started off by saying that he was glad that the both of them survived. She took his hand into hers and she looked right into those bright green eyes. They looked so pained. "Yeah, we're back togetha'...an' oy'd be ded or worse; unda th'control of tha' rat if you didn come back fer me," she smiled reassuringly, "Not a lot of people would have done that...but you did it fer me.

Suddenly, he looked away from her. Did she say something wrong? She wanted to tell him that whatever he did or whoever he hurt was for a good reason. It was justifiable; he was only defending himself, but then he had more to tell and more to show; the pen cartridge was in his hand and he spoke again. The underworld was no place for peaceful people or heroes with morals. It was cutthroat and down right dirty. He went in way over his head, thinking that things could come to terms through peace and negotiations.

What made this turn for the worse was when he mentioned Mistress. That woman was the devil incarnate who would've liked to wear nothing but Prada if she could afford to. A snake in a dress, a demon--no matter what, Mistress always got what she wanted, and if she had gotten what she wanted out of Jacob... That explained the drugs in his pocket...But there was more. Jacob had done everything he was against. To him, that was the ultimate sin, but that wasn't all...And she didn't want him to finish. Her hand eventually disappeared from his side, her head dipped down as she curled her hands into fists hard enough for nails to break skin. Don't...Please don't tell me...

He did. He really did lay into Mistress during his bloodfrenzy. The drug was powreful enough to corrupt the most powerful minds and Jacob was no exception. He...He had went through an extreme traumatic experience from the time they entered the club to where he stood there helplessly as Mistress had gunned her down. She was...also a Dhampir and knew how to seduce men for her needs. All of the reasons went through her head and it all made sense when she looked at it from a tactical angle, but it didn't make it any better.

Lenn was heartbroken.

But someone had to remain strong. Holding back her own tears as Jacob miserably cried into his hands, she silently climbed onto his back and...embraced him. What more could she do? He had gone through so much...and right now, he didn't need anymore shit. This was all of her fault to begin with. "...It's alright. It's not your fault..." She wrapped her arms around his waist and lay her head against his back. She held back her own feelings, wanting to nothing more but to make sure that he was okay.

How does one deal with his? How was someone supposed to feel in her situation? Were there any spiritual books out there that explained this kind of situation? Somehow Lenn felt that this was a very unique situation. She could get angry with him if it were him being drunk and stupid but...Dammit, it still hurt. If only she didn't string him along with her stupid life. If only she didn't say anything about the dark side of her life. If only she ignored him during the time she was sick...

There were so many things she could have done to avoided everything. She would have finished her business with Donovan and his fucking circus and then she could have come home to spill the beans on everything, but no. It turned out this way and even though they had done what they set out to do, they had lost so much. It had nearly cost Jacob his sanity and damaged their relationship she feared might be beyond repair. All of this would have been for nothing.

Who was she kidding?...If Jacob hadn't been there for her, she probably would have spent the rest of her days locked up as Donovan's pet servant and god knows what he would have made her done. The thought of that put a bad taste in her mouth. Jacob would have probably assumed that she wasn't interested in him anymore and would have moved on. Then again, with the way things happened, maybe he was better off...No. It was selfish, but she truly needed him by his side.

This whole endeavor made her question; did she really escape this life? Was she really free? Somehow she felt this wasn't over. Maybe Donovan was locked up behind bars, but eventually he'd get out with the help of crooked lawyers..Then there were clients who were more brutal, obsessive, and dangerous out there. Would there be more?... Her thoughts were set aside when she heard him muttering. She strained to hear him at first, but...God, it just made her heart break. She bit her lip, forced back the tears and let him have his moment. She loved him too; more than anyone else on this god-forsaken planet.

Eventually, she left his side, but not before placing a kiss on his forehead and told him she was going to get them some coffee from downstairs and left the room. It took every ounce of her strength not to cry.

Lenn had not exactly went downstairs. In fact, she went quite the opposite direction; to the roof. She needed that moment to breathe some fresh air or at least as fresh as it could get around this place and sat at the very edge. The breeze blew through her long hair and caressed her skin but that didn't make things any better. That heavy weight in her chest was getting the best of her. She tried looking up at the other fancy buildings, but her eyesight grew blurry. Tears began to build up, ones she wasn't planning on letting go yet...

"Yeu jus' mite die if ya jump off head-first.

Shivers of wrong crawled down her spine and as much as she didn't want to, she turned her head and noted the pair of blue eyes that stood out in the dark. That slimy, despicable voice. Lenn rose from her spot, eyes narrowing dangerously upon the red-head that emerged from the shadows. The red-head feigned a gasp and covered her mouth. "Ohh? Aye didn' kno' the world's greatest mercenary was capable of shedden' a teer."

Mistress... If it weren't for the fact that she was physically exhausted and Jacob was floors down mentally drained, she would have ended her. "Wot do you want?" Lenn tersely spat as she stood white-knuckling just to keep herself from grabbing that woman and chucking her off the roof. Lenn had to give herself credit for having the willpower to just stand there while the red-head had a little laugh. "You leave 'em alone...Yer business is with me, you snake bitch."

Mistress looked a little hurt, "Ohh? Is tha' the thanks aye get fer helpin' yeu escape?" Confusion crossed Lenn's face before it slowly settled in. "...So it was you who ratted out Donovan's hideout...Woy? Lenn demanded to know. "Wai not? Aie've had m'fill..." Mistress' smile could make flowers wilt, "Especially with that boy of yeurs...He was delicious."

Lenn's gaze reddened. If only looks could kill. "Leave him alone. You've done enough. If oy' see you again, yer dead. Don't fuck with me," Mistress was here to gloat and bask in her glory. If anything, she had gotten the most out of this whole mess. Lenn made for the exit, not caring what the woman had to say afterward. Mistress wasn't stupid enough to pursue right now. Hopefully it stayed that way. For now, her focus was on Jacob and as promised, she went downstairs for the coffee and came back to...A tidy room and a genuine smile. It was tough smiling back, but she did and handed him his cup before she sat down. Hell, the sight of Mistress left a bad taste in her mouth. She set the cup aside and sank into the spare chair in the room. "...Wot now? If there's anythin' else, moight as well spill it out now.." Oh...that came out a little mean.