And that was the last thing Jessica clearly remembered happening.

She popped up, aimed at the bearded man’s head and fired. And she barely had time to feel relief when her shot hit its target. She turned and fired at the man nearest Riley. She wanted them dead. All of them dead. With a growl she tossed the spent rifle aside and ran toward the gunmen.

Jim heard the shot and squeezed his eyes shut, but moments later realized that he was still alive. Then he heard Josh gasp “Jessica!”

Jim opened his eyes and couldn’t believe what he saw. Jessica running toward them in her bikini, gun belt around her waist. She had a six shooter in each hand and she was firing at the men around them, and they were falling.

“No!” he heard Angus yell and Jim noticed a gunman near him raising his gun at Jessica. Jim threw himself forward, hitting the gunman and forcing his gun to fire wide. But Jim fell to the ground, and struggled to turn over so he could see Jessica. She was still firing. He looked around. Josh was struggling to get to his feet, Scott was trying to roll to his knees. Angus and Riley writhed on the ground trying to roll over and get up too. When he looked back at Jessica, he realized that she no longer had her six shooters and had miraculously pulled a rifle from behind her.

She fired and for a moment it looked like all the gunmen were down but then to Jim’s horror a couple popped up. Christ … she’d been shooting at their torsos, like they’d taught her. But these guys must have been wearing bullet proof vests.

Jessica seemed to realize it too because she slid to a stop, dropped to a knee and fired at one man’s head, brain and blood flying out the back of his head when she hit her mark.

She tossed her rifle, pulled a shotgun from nowhere and fired but the man she was firing at fired at the same time and Jim screamed “No!” when Jessica’s right shoulder bucked and she flew back.

Jim heard the other men yell “Jessica!”

Angus couldn’t believe what he was seeing. It was surreal. He felt terror grip him, he was sure Jessica was dead but then she sat up, pointed the shot gun at the man who’d shot her. She pulled the trigger but there was nothing but a click. She pulled it over and over. Then she seemed to realize that the gunman’s gun was empty too. She slid her eyes over to the gun that lay near Daryl. She made a move toward it but the man whose gun was empty moved to block her.

“Well, well, looky here.” He said, tossing his empty gun and looking at the other two men that were still left standing with him. “Looks like we’ll get our fun afterall.” He wiped his hand over his mouth and stepped forward. Jessica looked around at the three men surrounding her. Her left arm hung by her side, blood from her shoulder soaking her shirt, but Scott was relieved to see that she was still able to use her arm. She held her hands up and near her body in the fighting stance the men had taught her.

“Run Jess, run!” Scott yelled. And to his horror she did, she ran right at the man. The man hadn’t expected it and looked completely surprised when Jessica drop kicked him. When he got up she spun around and kicked his head, punched him in the nose, and landed a fist to his Adams apple. He clutched his neck and dropped to his knees.

The other two men who were watching laughed, dropped their guns and moved toward Jessica.

“Got beatin’ up by a girl Troy?” one of the men demanded.

“For God sakes Jessica, run!” Riley yelled through clenched jaws.

“Jessica!” Josh yelled when she advanced on Troy kicked him in his nuts, and connected a right hook to his nose.

“Behind you!” Angus yelled when the third man came up behind her. Jessica threw her elbow back catching the man in the sternum. Stomping on his toe she threw herself forward just as his arms were about to close around her. She scrambled toward Daryl’s gun. Jim turned himself and nudged the gun toward Jessica.

“Thank you!” Jessica whispered, grabbing the gun, turning and firing right in the man’s forehead. He dropped and Jessica screamed, but she didn’t have long to register what she’d done. Still holding his throat, the first man lunged at her. Jessica grabbed the barrel of the rifle, swung the gun like a baseball bat and smashed it against his head. And he dropped.

“That’s it bitch.” The third man said and Jessica turned to see him advancing on her, a huge knife in his hands which he tossed back and forth as he moved forward. “I don’t give a shit if I fuck you when you’re alive or dead. I’m going to slice up that fucking whore face of yours …” and he swung the knife out at her. Jessica moved back, just a moment too slow and the knife sliced her chest. Jessica cried out with pain.

“God no …” Scott moaned, “Jessica run …”

But Jessica opted for a roundhouse kick hitting the man’s hand that held the knife. It didn’t knock it out of his hand but it was enough impact for him to step back. Riley wiggled and twisted and dragged himself toward the man.

“Again Jess!” he yelled as he maneuvered himself directly behind the man. Jessica kicked him again and he stumbled over Riley. Without a seconds pause Jessica threw herself on him, grabbed the hand that clutched the knife with both her hands and bashed it against the ground. The knife fell away the second time she hit the ground, but he raised his free arm and punched Jessica in the back of the head. Jessica swooned for a moment, reached for the knife, and ducking another punch, raised her arms in the air, knife clenched between her hands and thrust the knife down as hard as she could into his throat. Jessica scrambled off the man and fell on her butt on the ground. The man clutched his throat, blood gargling out, a strange sound escaping him, he lunged toward her, but then fell face down on the ground.

“Crap!” She yelled as the man she’d hit with the rifle started to moan and move on the ground. She pushed to her feet and ran past Riley and the two bodies lying near him to one of the rifles on the ground. She cracked it open, look inside, shut it and moved to stand over the moaning man. Pointing the gun at his head she closed her eyes and pulled the trigger.

Jessica stood with her eyes clenched for a minute, letting the rifle drop.

Opening her eyes she looked at the shattered skull of the man at her feet, turned and vomited.

“Jess …” Josh said, stunned.

Jessica straightened, looked around and when none of the gunmen seemed to be moving she dropped to her knees next to Riley. He turned on his stomach and Jessica pulled on the rope binding his hands and feet.

“The knife …” she panted, “I need the knife.” She pushed up.

“Where are you going?” Riley demanded, looking up he saw Jessica kneel over the man she’d stabbed.

“Oh yuck.” She said as she pulled the knife out of his throat. Returning to Riley she sawed the rope until it snapped. As he sat up and pulled the rope off his ankles and wrists Jessica went to Jim, Josh, Angus and Scott cutting all of their ropes.

When she moved to stand-up Scott grabbed her arm and pulled her down against him.
Jessica pressed her face into his chest, and then lifted her head to kiss his lips.

“Are you okay?’ she asked.

“Am I okay?” he asked with a laugh, “I guess I am now. Are you okay?”

“Fine … now.” Jessica said.

“Oh fuck!” Angus swore when cars pulled into the driveway. He struggled to get up. “Run Jessica!” he growled.

“It’s Sean and Corey.” Jessica said.

“Sean?” Angus asked.

“Holy shit.” Corey said, moving toward them, holding a rifle in his hands. Sean, Leah, a few men Jessica had met at the jam session and Beth emerged from the cars.

“I guess you guys managed okay on your own.” Sean said walking around and looking at the dead bodies.

“Not us.” Riley said, struggling to his feet. “Jess saved us.”

“Jess?” Corey repeated.

“Yup.” Josh said moving to where Scott stood with an arm draped around Jessica.

The men limped toward Jessica. Angus moved up and pressed his forehead against hers … the others closed in forming a group hug.

“I thought we were fucking toast.” Angus said. “God I thought we were dead.”

“We were dead. As good as …” Riley said.

“And then you … you crazy, insane, stupid girl … I couldn’t believe my eyes.” Jim muttered.

“In a fucking bikini?” Scott said, using the nook of his elbow to pull her head to his lips. “A fucking bikini …”

“And we told you to run when there was trouble.” Angus grumbled.

“You were supposed to run!” Josh said, awe and disbelief playing across his face.

“But as usual you didn’t listen to us.” Riley added. “And I’ve never been more glad that you didn’t.” he added just as Jessica thought her heart couldn’t pound any harder. She felt cold, weak and dizzy and the thought that the men were going to be mad at her was just something she didn’t want to deal with right then.

Jessica blinked. It wasn’t until Riley’s face split into a huge smile and he grasped her head in his hands, pulled her forward and kissed her that she realized that he wasn’t really angry.

Jessica looked around at the men and relief flooded over her as she saw them all smiling at her. They were bloodied and bruised, but their expressions were unmistakable … they were happy.

“I’ve never been so fucking proud of you.” Scott said kissing her cheek.

Angus grabbed her head, and stared into her eyes.

“You kicked their fucking asses. You did it.” He growled. “Thank you.”

“You’re welcome.” Jessica said, blinking her eyes a few times, she started feeling dizzy.

“You’re one bad ass chick Jess.” Josh said clutching her hand. “You can have your privileges back. All of them, and then some. Unfucking believable.”

“Really?” Jessica asked.
“Really.” Jim said.

“Great, thanks …” Jessica said and collapsed against Scott.

“Jess!” Angus yelled.

“Her shoulder!” Riley said reaching for her blood covered shoulder. “She was shot in the shoulder.”

“Ow …” Jessica mumbled when Riley felt her shoulder.

“Sorry babe.” Riley said. “I can’t believe you fought with a bullet in your shoulder. Didn’t it hurt like a son of a bitch?”

“Just a little …” Jessica said quietly. “I feel dizzy …”

“She got slashed on her chest too.” Jim said.

Riley lifted her shirt. “It looks superficial.” He said.

“I can’t see properly …” Jessica whispered and fainted.

“Jessica … Jessica!” Jim elbowed his way past Angus and Riley and tapped her cheek.

“She’s lost a lot of blood.” Riley said. “Get her inside.” He said bending to pick her up.

“I got her.” Corey said handing his gun to Sean.

“I got her.” Riley said.

“You’ve been shot too.” Corey observed, pointing at the blood pouring out of Riley’s right leg.

“We’ve all been shot.” Riley said, “But I’m okay.”

“Give her to me.” Corey said grabbing her out of Riley’s arms when he lost his balance and almost fell over. “None of you should be carrying her.” He added when the other men began to protest. “When Jessica called me I called Paul. He’s sending his doctor … I figure he should be here any time now. The doc and I can patch you guys up, and Sean and the others will bury the bodies.”

“Shit.” Josh said looking around at the dead men that littered the yard. “I can’t believe Jessica did this ….”
“Christ … what happens when it gets out that we killed Daryl and his … clan? This has to be pretty much what’s left of his clan.” Scott asked.

“No one can know.” Corey said. “That’s why we’re going to bury the bodies and all anyone will know is that they disappeared into thin air …”

Riley nodded.

Just then an SUV pulled into the driveway.

A man got out with a black bag in hand. Following him were Abe and Rick … Paul’ bodyguards, guns in hand.

“What the fuck?” Abe asked looking around at the carnage.

The man with the bag surveyed the bodies then zeroed in on Corey with Jessica in his arms. He strode toward her with purpose. Abe and Rick following him. The men shuffled to close ranks around Corey and Jessica halting the men.

“They attacked us.” Riley said. Now there was no way to keep it quiet. His heart pounding from the fear of having to fight Abe and Rick in his condition, making him feel light headed. It terrified him to think that after all of this they would fail to protect Jessica from their own allies.

“So I hear.” Abe said.

“We’re burying the bodies.”

Abe looked around at Sean and the others. Swung his gaze back at Riley and nodded.

“We won’t stop you.” Abe said. “In fact, we’ll even help but our primary purpose for being here is her.” Abe nodded at Jessica.

“What do you mean?” Angus growled.

“Excuse me gentlemen.” The man with the black bag said and his strong Scottish accent surprised them. “I have one purpose to being here and that is to help that lass there. From the look of her, if you don’t let me through, you will be burying one more body.”

Angus blinked and then stepped aside. “She’s been shot in her shoulder. Christ, hurry please!” he said when he saw how pale Jessica looked.

The man strode past him. He placed a hand on her neck.

“I’ve gotta get some plasma into her.” The doctor said. “Take her in the house.” He said to Corey. Looking around at the men quickly he said, “when I’m done with her I’ll look you lads over … if you can make it into the house.” And then he followed Corey. And Abe and Rick followed him.

“Shovels are in the barn.” Scott said to Sean.

Angus glanced around at the bodies again, and froze. He hadn’t registered that Beth was there. And she stood now staring after Jessica and she looked worried. He looked away. That was a complication he didn’t need. When he’d called Corey that morning as he’d told Jessica he would, he hadn’t expected Beth to be so bold as to show up at his house. He didn’t know how to feel about her and he didn’t have time to think about it now so he limped toward the house with the other men hoping she’d keep her distance.

In the house the doctor and Paul’s bodyguards were buzzing around Jessica, whom they’d laid onto the coffee table. They moved in what looked like orchestrated perfection. They looked professional, and serious. Their somber expressions froze the men in their places. There was little doubt that the situation was serious. So serious that none of the men took issue when one of the bodyguards, Abe, Jessica had called him, cut Jessica’s bikini top with a pair of surgical scissors.

“Pulse is faint.” The other bodyguard told the doctor, who had just finished sticking a tube into her arm, taping it, and hanging a bag with clear liquid in it from a portable stand he’d quickly snapped into place.

The men let out a collective gasp of relief when Jessica whispered, “Doc?”

“Lass.” The doctor replied. “Can’t keep out of trouble can you?”

“Sorry …” Jessica murmured and closed her eyes.

“I don’t feel a pulse.” Rick said.

“Lass, lass …” the doctor repeated, tapping her cheek progressively harder.

“What’s happening?” Jim demanded.

“Initiate CPR.” The doctor commanded and began compressing her chest. Rick dropped and began breathing into her mouth. “You!” the doctor turned his head to Josh who stood closest to him. “Apply pressure to the bullet wound. Now!” He yelled. Josh moved by Jessica’s head and dropped to his knees, ignoring the pain shooting from the bullet wounds in his thighs.

“Come on Jess.” He begged, pressing his hand on the hole where blood oozed. Tears ran down his face and he made no attempt to hide them.
“We’re losing her.” The doctor said, “Plasma’s not enough. She needs a transfusion. What’s her blood type?” he asked. Josh looked up at him, terror in his eyes. Shaking his head he looked around at the other men.

“I don’t know …” he mumbled.

“Blood type? Anyone?” The doctor demanded, never once missing a compression.

The men shook their heads. “Jim?” Riley asked in desperation.

“I never had reason to ask. Scott? You were researching her …”

Scott shook his head, unable to take his eyes off Jessica’s lifeless form. He couldn’t speak.

“Fucking hell.” The doctor exclaimed. “Fine, I need a universal donor.” He said to Abe. “Anyone with blood type O. Get me some blood now!”

Abe stood and looked at the men. They all shook their heads. None had type O. Abe headed for the door.

“Come on lass, come on.” The doctor murmured and continued his compressions.

“One of you come here.” He said over his shoulder. Riley moved closer. “Take over for me. Do exactly what I’m doing.”

“What?” Riley asked in a strangled voice.

“She’s dead right now. You have to keep the blood flowing in her while I get the defibrillator. Hurry up man, or she’s going to have brain damage!”

“Oh God!” Riley said, dropping to his knees, almost passing out from the pain.

“Let me.” Scott said.

Riley shook his head, both to clear it and indicate no. And he began to imitate the doctor’s compressions on Jessica’s chest. “Jessica, please … please.” He kept repeating, tears clouded his vision but even so he could see that she was as white as a ghost.

“Move back.” The doctor ordered. Scott had to grab Riley by his shoulders and move him back.

“Clear …” The doctor said and placed the paddles on Jessica’s chest, there was a short beep and Jessica’s body convulsed.

“No pulse.” Rick said.

“No!” Jim said as he sank to his knees. He watched the doctor prep the paddles again. Inching forward he took Jessica’s cold, clammy hand in his and kissed it. Squeezed it, patted it. “Please Jess … come back, fight. Fight like you always do, please!”

The other men were murmuring encouragement also as Jessica’s body convulsed and then Rick placed his fingers on her neck.

“Thank God!” Jim exclaimed when Rick said “It’s weak, but there’s a pulse.”

“Where’s my Goddamn blood?” The doctor looked around the room. The men did too and for the first time noticed Leah sitting on a kitchen chair, Abe draining blood from her into a bag.

“Only two O type donors.” Abe reported, indicating Leah on the chair and Corey standing next to her.

“No time for that.” The doctor said, “Bring her here.” He said indicating the other side of Jessica, “We’ll have to hook her up directly to Jessica. They’ll need food.” He said turning his gaze to Angus who hadn’t moved from his frozen stance since entering the house. “Hey!” he yelled, “snap out of it. You have to keep the donors fed or we’ll run out of blood.”

Angus nodded slowly, blinking he brought his hands to his eyes, wiped away the tears.

“These two.” The doctor pointed at Leah, who was now sitting next to Jessica, watching the blood flow from her arm into Jessica’s, and Corey, who was seated next to Leah. Both looked sweaty and dirty. They’d obviously been busy burying the bodies. “Get them anything with carbs, sugar, and liquids.”

“I’ll help.” Scott said and limped behind Angus into the kitchen.

“Are you okay?” Scott asked Angus when he found him leaning on the counter. Angus whipped his head back and forth a few times, like he was trying to shake something off his head.

“I feel light headed.” Angus said. “I think I was holding my breath that whole time.” He said indicating the living room with his head.

“You’re pale.” Scott said. “Probably lost too much blood. You and me both, I feel weird too. Let’s get back out there and sit down before we fall down.”

Angus nodded and handed a loaf of bread to Scott.
“Best we can do. But help yourselves to whatevers in the kitchen.” Scott said quietly to the doctor when he looked up from Josh’s leg. He was busy tightening gauze around Josh’s thigh.

“Sit down.” The doctor said, “I’ll get to you in a minute.”

Scott and Angus limped to the sofa, handing the bread to Rick.

Scott barely registered the gasp that came from the doorway, or Jessica’s name cried out but Angus’ furious bellow got his attention.

“Get the fuck out!” Angus yelled.

Scott looked up to see Beth staring at Jessica, her face etched in grief. She was moving forward but then Sean caught her from behind, looking past Scott with a shocked expression. Scott turned to see Angus, face bright red, veins bulging, lurching toward Beth. He raised a clenched fist. Beth didn’t resist when Sean pulled her back out the front door.

“Bitch!” Angus spat and then dropped face first on the floor.

“Angus!” Riley said, trying to stand.

“Shit.” Abe said, pushing Riley back onto the sofa. He’d been working on Riley’s leg.

“I think he broke his nose.” Jim said. Sitting on the floor next to Angus, Rick tying a tourniquet around his leg he grimaced as he remembered the sickening crack that had accompanied Angus’ fall.

“Change of plans.” The doctor said standing. “I’ve got to operate to get the bullets out of all of you lads. I’m going to start with him …” he said pointing at Angus, “I’m not sure I have enough anesthetic to go around and he’s down for the count. The rest of you lie down and don’t move. We don’t need any more face plants or blood transfusions today.”

Scott nodded as he lowered himself onto the sofa. He closed his eyes, the world was spinning. Relief flooded through him. Jessica was alive. He and the men were alive. He felt so tired. Just as he was about to drift off to sleep the image of Jessica’s shoulder snapping back with the impact of the bullet popped into his mind. Then the knife grazing her chest … her body convulsing with the charge of the defibrillator. Scott’s eyes flew open and he looked to the coffee table. Leah sat between him and Jessica but he could see Jessica’s hair hanging off the table. Another flash. The night before. Jessica on the table in a completely different position. The fuck machines pounding her …Scott bolted up. He scanned the room. And there they were. At opposite ends of the couch, as plain as day. There was no chance the other men in the room hadn’t seen them. He groaned when he saw Leah eyeing the one nearest her, and Corey who sat next to her, doing the same. Scott didn’t personally care but he knew Jessica’s face would turn bright red and she’d be mortified if she knew that everyone knew that they’d used those kinds of things on her. He had to move them. He swung his legs off the sofa.

“What are you doing?”

Scott looked up and saw Corey leaning back in his chair, looking at him expectantly.

“I’ve gotta move those …” Scott inclined his head to one of the machines.

Corey shifted his eyes for a moment to Jessica and then looked back at Scott with a knowing grin. Scott’s stomach dropped. She was going to be devastated.

“Look.” He said eyeing the front door. He had to get them moved before anyone else came in. It was going to be hard enough to contain with the people already in this room. “I’m really embarrassed.” He leaned closer to Corey. “I really don’t want the whole world knowing that I like it kinky like that.”

It took all Scott’s self-control to not laugh at the expression on Corey’s face. He looked like he’d swallowed his tongue. Beside Corey, Leah’s mouth hung open. Scanning the other men Scott was glad to see that the doctor and the bodyguards weren’t paying attention at all, busy working on Angus. Riley, Jim and Josh seemed to just remember the machines and all three struggled to get to their feet.

“What can I say.” Scott added, wanting to make sure there was no doubt in anyone’s mind about who used the machines, “I like to be fucked by machines, but does everyone need to know about it?” he finished, inclining his head to the door.

Finally Corey seemed to snap out of his shock. The smirk slid off his face. He stood up quickly.

“I’ll move them for you. Where do you want them?”

“Thanks man.” Scott said, falling back against the sofa. “Downstairs, thanks.”

When Corey moved to the first machine Leah’s eyes met Scott’s. Scott winked and Leah looked away quickly.

“What?” Scott asked when Corey was in the basement with the first machine. Josh and Riley, next to him on the sofa, and Jim, still on the floor, were staring at him in disbelief.

“You’re a genius.” Jim said.

“I never would’ve confessed to something like that.” Riley said shaking his head.

“You realize it’s going to get around.” Josh said quietly.

“Better me than her.” Scott said with a shrug but his face turned a light pink despite his blood loss.

“Amen.” Jim said.

“Right.” The doctor said standing, covered in blood and looking at Jim. “I’ve removed his bullets. Now it’s your turn. I only have local anesthetic. You got something to bite down on or something?”

“I’ll be fine.” Jim said.

The doctor looked around. Scott was relieved that Corey had already disappeared downstairs again, with the second machine.

“Get him on the kitchen table.” The doctor said to Abe and Rick.

***********************************************************

“How is she?” Angus asked in a muffled voice.

“The same.” The doctor reported.

It had been a day since the surgeries. In addition to bandages on his thighs, Angus had a bandage on his nose. It had been broken. When he spoke, Angus sounded like he had a pillow firmly pressed over his face and his eyes were black, bruised from the beating and his fall.

The men were in pain and weak, but they were conscious. Jessica however had remained weak and unconscious the whole time.

The doctor had drained Leah and Corey into her twice before he felt she had enough blood but despite his calm demeanor, Angus still had the impression that the doctor was unsure of Jessica’s recovery.

Jessica had been moved to the sofa, the mattresses had been setup and the men lay on them, next to the sofa. The doctor had told them that it was vital that they talk to her. They spent as much time holding her hand and talking to her as they could. They had Leah, and the other girls do the same. Even Corey, Sean, Abe and Rick. But she hadn’t woken up once.

“Come on Jess …” Angus said, holding her hand to his lips. A chair had been placed between the sofa and the mattress and he sat on it now. He ran his hand across her forehead, pushing sweat stained hair out of her eyes. “What else can we do?” He asked the doctor.

“Just keep doing the same.” The doctor said, laying his hand on Angus’ shoulder and squeezing. “So,” The doc said straightening and looking around at the men, Rick and Abe. “She can’t be moved for a while. I’ve given her a catheter. Abe and Rick will change it as needed.” The doctor shifted his attention to Abe and Rick. “And she’ll have to be sponge bathed. It’s important that she be kept as clean as possible. Once a day should be good.”

“We can do that.” Riley interrupted. He’d been feeling light headed but the horrifying idea of Abe and Rick running their hands, sponge or no sponge, all over Jessica’s body cut through the fog. He looked at the doctor, Abe and Rick, “We’ve got it.”
The doctor looked Riley up and down. He looked white as a sheet and about ready to fall over.

“We got it.” Josh confirmed when the doctor scanned his eyes past him.

The doctor shook his head, “Okay, fine. I want to give her a stronger antibiotic and pain killer. Is she allergic to anything?”

The men looked at each other.

“Fuck …” Scott hissed. “How can we be so fucking clueless about her?”

Jim groaned. He’d been lying on the mattress but had dragged himself to the sofa, next to Angus. He dropped his head against Jessica’s leg. “So fucking stupid …”

Angus looked at Jim. “I asked her a million questions … none of them the right ones.”

“Okay then, here’s an easier question.” The doctor said, “Is she on any medication?”

“No,” Riley said, shaking his head. “Just … shit!”

“Jesus Christ!” Scott bellowed, having followed Riley’s line of thought.

“What the fuck!” Rick demanded.

“Birth control pills …” Josh whispered and he suddenly felt like vomiting.

“That’s not a problem.” The doctor said confused by the tortured expressions on the men’s faces. “They don’t interfere with one another … birth control and the meds I want to give her.”

“That’s not it.” Riley said shaking his head.

Scott had been leaning on the back of the sofa, trying to keep from falling down. Now he pushed himself to his feet. “Where’d she keep them?”

“In her purse.” Jim said struggling to get to his feet.

“I’ll get the pills.” Scott said and lurched toward the bedrooms.

“We think she’s missed some pills.” Riley said when the doctor looked dumbfounded.

“And that’s a problem?” The doctor asked. “I thought you were married.”

Riley nodded. “But we don’t want kids.”

“She … she doesn’t want kids.” Angus corrected. “She’s going to be so … she’ll think we betrayed her.”

“Well?” Josh asked from his prone position on the mattress as Scott shuffled back into the living room, pill container in his hand.

“She’s missed yesterday and today for sure.” Scott said looking at the container, “and she has at least a weeks worth here before the placebos.”

“Shit, shit, shit!” Jim said. “Doc, can we give her the rest, while she’s resting?”

The doctor shook his head. “She won’t swallow it.”

“Can you give it to her some other way?” Angus asked.

“I could give her something but I don’t have it with me. And quite frankly, in her condition, I don’t recommend it.”

“Come on Doc, please …” Riley begged.

“Given the trauma she’s had, and the meds she’s taking now, I highly doubt she’d be pregnant. I suggest waiting to see if she menstruates. If she doesn’t, there’s still plenty of time to take other measures.”

“Other measures …” Angus mumbled, lowering his head.

“You don’t understand Doc.” Scott said, “She doesn’t want this. She doesn’t want to be pregnant, period.”

“It can be taken care of. Don’t worry.” The doctor said.

“She’ll think we did it on purpose.” Riley said.

“I don’t see how she can.” The doctor said, looking over his shoulder at Abe and Rick both of whom shrugged their shoulders, not understanding why the men were so upset either. “Did you plan on getting shot? Plan on her getting shot? So how can she blame you. Trust me. Wait a week, she should start to menstruate not long after that. In fact she may start sooner given what she’s been through. If she doesn’t, we’ll deal with it. Okay?”

The men didn’t answer, staring at Jessica in silence.

“Okay then. I’ll give her the meds and I’ll be back later today to change your dressings. If there are any problems Abe will page me.”

“Thanks Doc.” Josh said. He’d slowly and painfully moved himself from the mattress to stand next to Angus’ chair. He lowered himself slowly to his knees by Jessica’s head.

When the doctor left, Angus looked around the room. Abe and Rick had moved to the kitchen.

“I can’t believe what we did to her, with the hook and everything.” Angus muttered. “And God, what if she’s pregnant? She’ll never forgive us!”

“I know. It’s all our fault.” Riley said.

“I kind of thought she’d enjoyed what we did to her.” Scott said.

Angus nodded. “Some of it she did. But we went too far. Trying once again to prove that we were right and she was wrong.”

“But, it was the other way around.” Josh said and leaned in to kiss her forehead.

“It’s always been the other way around.” Jim said.

“She sure knows when she’s right.” Riley said, “And never backs down.”

“Thank God. Or we’d be dead.” Angus said and gripping Jessica’s hand tighter he leaned toward her. “What are we going to do? If she’s pregnant?”

Angus looked up when no one responded.

“The doc said there were options.” Jim said slowly each word weighted down with dread. “We’ll have to let her decide which one she wants to take. Will you be able to live with that Angus?”

Angus slid his eyes back to Jessica. “I’ll have to. Nothing matters but her happiness. And … and I don’t want her to hate us. She will if she thinks we made her get pregnant on purpose.”

“She did make it pretty clear that she expected that of us.” Riley added.

“Like Doc said, this couldn’t be helped.” Scott said. He’d pulled a kitchen chair over and now sagged in it. “She’s a reasonable person. If we explain everything to her when she wakes up she’ll understand that we didn’t do it intentionally.”

Angus nodded. “Come on Jess. Wake up, please? I want to thank you, explain about the pills … make amends … come on.”

“You know there is a way for you to start making amends before she even wakes up.” Jim said.

“Well?” Angus prompted when Jim didn’t say anything else.

“There’s one person who Jessica really likes but hasn’t yet come to talk to her.” Jim said.

For a moment Angus had no idea what Jim meant but then it dawned on him and anger began to course through him.

“Before you say no.” Jim said as Angus’ face began to turn crimson. “Think about what you just said to her. You want to make amends. Doing only what you feel like doing isn’t making amends. If you really want to make it up to her, you’ll let Beth come be with her. Jessica really likes her. Do what’s right for Jessica, even if it’s not right for you.”
Angus opened his mouth to say something but then closed it.

“If Scott can tell the entire clan that he gets fucked up the ass and in the mouth by machines to avoid embarrassing Jessica then you can let your ex in.” Riley said. “It’s for Jessica, not you, and you don’t have to be here.”

Angus nodded. He didn’t like it, not one bit, but he knew it was the right thing to do.

“Okay. For a few minutes. But that bitch can’t look at me, talk to me, talk about me. Nothing. Got it?”

“Got it.” Josh said, groaning as he pushed himself to his feet. “I’ll go get her.”
“Just make sure she understands…” Angus said.

Twenty minutes later Beth stepped through the front door. She paused, saw Angus glowering by the kitchen table and immediately dropped her eyes. She moved to the now empty chair next to Jessica. Sitting down, she took Jessica’s hand and began murmuring to her.

“How can Jessica like her?” Angus asked when Jim moved next to him.

“I don’t know. But you don’t have to stay to watch this. Why don’t you go lie down in your room?”

Angus shook his head. “No way am I leaving that bitch alone with Jessica.”

“She’s not alone …” Jim began but clamped his mouth shut when Angus glared at him.

“Suit yourself.” Jim said and limped to stand next to Beth.

“Do you think it will work?” Riley asked replacing Jim at Angus’ side.

“It better.”

For half an hour Beth talked gibberish to Jessica at which point Angus couldn’t take it anymore.

“It’s not making a difference.” Angus growled to Riley. “Get her out of here.”

Taking far too long by Angus’ standards, Beth finally left.

Angus returned to the sofa and hesitated before sitting on the chair that was still warm from Beth. Angus shuddered and forced his attention to Jessica.

“Wake up Jess.” He muttered and caught his breath when Jessica’s eyes snapped open.

“Angus?” She whispered, and then she looked around.

“Jess, thank God!” Angus said, dropping to his knees, barely registering the pain shooting through his legs, and pressing his forehead to her stomach.

“She’s awake!” Riley exclaimed from behind Angus. Stumbling around the chair Riley dropped to his knees next to Angus, right by her head. .

“I thought … “ she said looking around again, glad to see the other men moving toward her. “Are you okay?” she added noticing how slowly they moved.
“We’re fine because of you.” Jim said.

“It worked.” Josh exclaimed a smile splitting his face as he nudged closer to Jessica. “Beth worked!”

“Beth?” Jessica asked, her eyes snapping from Josh to Angus. “Oh!” she exclaimed really noticing Angus’ face for the first time. “What did they do to you?” She tried to raise her hand but she could only lift it a little. Angus saw it hovering, took it and brought it to his lips.

“The floor and I had a disagreement,” he said but when Jessica looked at him in confusion he added, “I did a face plant. It’s nothing serious.”

“Your nose …”

“Broken. But it’ll be okay. But never mind me, how are you feeling?”

Jessica paused to take stock.

“Tired.” She finally said and sudden fatigue overwhelmed her. Her eyes started to close.

“Get Abe or Rick.” Riley said to Scott who was closest to the door.

“Stay with us.” Josh muttered from behind the sofa, caressing her head.

“Abe?” Jessica muttered though her eyes were closed.

“Yup. He and Rick helped Doc fix us up. The three of them plus Leah and Corey’s blood saved your life.” Jim said.

“If they hadn’t I don’t know what I’d do. What we’d do.” Riley added.

“I’m sorry …” Jessica said the pain in Riley’s voice cutting through her grogginess.

“No, don’t. Don’t apologize …” Riley began but was interrupted by Abe trying to get close to Jessica.

“How long has she been awake?” Abe asked taking Riley’s spot.

“A few minutes.” Jim said. “Her eyes were open … she just ran out of energy.”

“I think Beth’s visit helped.” Scott added.

“Beth …” Jessica murmured fighting to open her eyes but she couldn’t. She rolled her head in Angus’ direction, “I thought I was dreaming about Beth. I’m sorry Angus.”

“Don’t be.” Angus said, kissing her hand again. “Don’t worry about anything Jessica. Don’t worry and don’t apologize. You never have to apologize for anything again …”

“She looks good.” Abe said despite the fact that Jessica had obviously passed out again. “I’ll give her more fluids.” He said looking at the IV that hung at the head of the sofa, “And change her dressings. She should be just fine now.”

Relief made the men giddy as they watched Abe work.

“How long do you figure it will take her to completely recover?” Josh asked.

“The doc can tell you better than me.” Abe said, “but I’m guessing a few weeks in terms of her energy. But it may take a few months before she’s back to normal.”

“Do you think it’d be okay for her to have a dog in here?” Jim asked. “Baby.” He said when the men looked at him like he was crazy, “Beth helped and I think if Baby could lie up on the sofa with her, she’d feel a lot better.”

“That’s a good idea.” Abe said standing when he finished his work. “I think it’d be fine.”

“I’ll go get her.” Riley said wishing he could think like that but somehow these kind of great ideas never came to him.

“Hold on there cowboy.” Abe said, “you, all of you, need as much rest as she does. I’ll get Corey or Sean to get the dog.”

“But they won’t know which one she is.” Riley said.

“I’m sure she’ll come to her name Riley. Sit down will you? The best thing you can do for Jessica right now is to get better yourself. If you don’t heal to one hundred percent, everything she’s gone through will be pointless.”

Riley nodded, suddenly feeling pretty tired himself.

“She has brown on her snout. She’s in the third cage from the right, assuming the dogs are still in their cages.”

Abe nodded and headed for the door.

Riley returned to his spot next to Angus, near Jessica’s head, and sank down with a groan. “I can’t wait to hold her again.” He muttered, closing his eyes and leaning his head back against the sofa.

“Amen.” Scott said as he made his way to the armchair.

Josh and Jim shuffled to the mattresses that had become permanent fixtures in the living room and with a great deal of pain lowered themselves onto them.

“I’m never going to let go.” Angus said.

Jim nodded and Josh muttered, “Ditto.”

With the brief interruption when Corey brought Baby and the few minutes it took her to lick Jessica’s face, and then settle on the sofa, on Jessica’s legs, the men joined Jessica in slumber. With Sean, Corey, a couple of Sean and Corey’s clan, and Abe, Rick guarding them, the men felt safe enough to take the rest necessary to heal.

******************************************************

Jessica giggled. The wet tongue lapping between her toes pulled her from the deep and peaceful sleep she was having, but her eyes didn’t want to open. The licking moved from one foot to the other. Jessica concentrated on it, confused by the fact that it didn’t feel like either Scott or Angus. It didn’t feel like Riley, Jim or Josh either, though none of them were likely to be licking her feet.

Finally curiosity got the best of her and she forced her eyes open.

“Baby …” she whispered. The dog whined and crawled up Jessica’s body. Jessica laughed when Baby’s pink tongue lapped over Jessica’s lips. “I missed you too …” she sputtered, trying to avoid the dog’s bad breath.

“Jess!” Jim exclaimed, “Down Baby, down.” He said, pulling the dog away from her face. Baby lay down on Jessica’s stomach and whined again. “You’re awake!” Jim said with a huge grin, seating himself on the edge of the sofa.

“Hey.” Jessica said.

“Right back at you. How are you feeling?” he asked, cupping her cheek.

“I’m good.” She said, and smiled up at Riley who appeared behind the sofa and leaned over the back to look at her.

Scott appeared at the foot of the sofa, Josh and Angus next to Jim. They looked good. Really good. Jessica sagged into the sofa with relief. Everyone was okay.

“Hey there lady … “ Leah appeared next to Riley, “You look awake for real this time.”

“Let me through, let me through …” Abe said wedging his way between Angus and Jim, “How’s the patient?” he asked replacing Jim on the sofa.

“Great. I heard it’s all thanks to you. And you,” Jessica said looking at Rick who’d appeared next to Scott, “and you,” she said to Leah, “and you.” She added when Corey appeared next to her. “Thanks.”

“Hey, it’s all in a day’s work …” Abe said taking her hand and placing his finger on the inside of her wrist. “But it helps to have a patient who’s a real fighter. You keep it up and you’ll be up and about in no time.”

“How much longer till she’s stable? Till she doesn’t need as much care?” Angus asked.

Abe looked at him and laughed. “Ready for us to get out of your life are you?” He asked. And then turned his attention to unwrapping Jessica’s bandages. “I don’t blame you actually. It shouldn’t be too long. Probably a week or two more of rest. But there’ll be several weeks of physiotherapy required after that … for all of you.”

“Physiotherapy.” Riley stated a blank look on his face.

“Yeah, to get your strength and flexibility back. It won’t be easy, but it’s necessary if you ever want to be the same again. And quite frankly I can’t see how you’ll protect yourselves again without it.”

“Physiotherapy …” Riley said again. Abe looked at Riley like he was a simpleton.

“I think what Riley is trying to say in his tongue tied, over simplified way,” Jim said, earning a narrow eyed glare from Riley, “is, where the hell are we supposed to get physiotherapy from?”

Jessica looked from Riley’s glare to Jim’s strangely goofy expression. For a moment Riley really looked mad, but then a smile cracked across his face and he shook his head.

“A physiotherapist would be my guess.” Abe replied and laughed when he found Riley glaring at him in obvious impatience. “Paul is sending a couple of his guys out next week. You’ll be in good hands. What?” he asked when he was the recipient of surprised stares.

Jessica was glad he asked, she was wondering about the astounded looks on their faces too. Not only did the men looked completely floored by the news but Leah and Corey did too. Obviously sending out physiotherapists was not common practice for Paul.

“That’s, ah, unexpected.” Riley said and he seemed completely baffled.

“And why exactly is Paul doing this?” Scott asked, looking between Rick who stood next to him and Abe.

“Out of the goodness of his heart of course.” Rick said with a snicker. To Jessica he seemed to be playing around but from the way the men and even Leah and Corey looked at him, it wasn’t a shared joke. “Why do I get the feeling that you find that hard to believe?”

“Paul isn’t known for doing things out of the goodness of his heart.” Corey said.

“Nor is he known for sending out his personal doctor, or his body guards to take care of and protect men in his own clan much less someone else’s.” Riley added.

“That’s where you’re wrong.” Abe said, his face suddenly serious. “On two counts. One, it has happened before, and two, we are in the same clan. You seem to keep forgetting that.”

Silence hung in the air. Jessica scanned the faces around her and was disturbed to find that the tension she thought she felt around her was evident on the faces of the people around her. When the tension dragged, Leah opened her mouth to say something but Corey grabbed her arm and shook his head.