The silence of the room shattered as violent shrieks vibrated the room. Kas thrashed in her bed as her eyes darted every direction at once. Crimson veins bulged from the whites of her eyes as tears poured down her face. A pair of powerful arms wrapped around her as Jackson embraced her with a firm grasp. Pure adrenaline and fear powered her as she desperately fought him with all her might. Charlotte watched frozen in horror as Jackson struggled with Kas. He reached forward and firmly grasped Charlotte under her chin, forcing her to stare at him.

“Charlotte, look at me. Look only at me, focus on the sound of my voice.” Jackson said firmly but somehow still remained calm. The glazed look in her eyes faded and she focused onto his warm chocolate iris’.

“Are you with me now?” He asked as he released her face and she nodded quickly. “Okay, I need you to focus and do what we’ve practiced.”

“I… I don’t know if I can.” She said, doubting herself.

“Charlotte,” He replied, flashing a gentle smile. “I know you can do this.” She was filled with a rich sense of renewed confidence as she closed her eyes and Jackson quickly returned his full attention back to a thrashing Kas. Her screams shifted into grunts and frantic breathing.

Charlotte’s lips began to move as if she spoke words, but instead a barely audible hum resonated from her mouth. The power in the hum, vibrated the air around the bed. Her mouth stopped and her eyes opened, revealing glowing, blood-red eyes. The curtain burst open and the Doctor stepped through, but Kas’ wild thrashing slowed to a stop. Charlotte’s breath stopped for a moment as Kas laid back and the red of her eyes dimmed back to her normal crimson shade. Kas turned her head to the side and saw Jackson at her side. He held a firm grasp on her hand as she blinked at him, regaining her focus.

“Jack…. Jacko… Is that you?” She asked as she quickly sat up and wrapped her arms around him.

“Oh wow… Kassie,” He answered as he returned her embrace. “Feelin’ better now?” He smiled as she nodded her head against his chest.

“Yeah, I’m good. What happened? Me head ain’t so clear right now.” Kas asked as she shook her head.

“You are in the infirmary, everything is fine. Just relax.” He replied as he laid Kas back down. He looked over to Charlotte and smiled. “You did good. I knew you had it in ya.”

Her pale white face turned light pink, highlighting her already bright blue hair. “Thanks… but I don’t even know what I did,” she replied. Her eyes darted to the floor as she fell back into her chair.

The doctor stepped around the bed and held Kas’ hand. Kas jerked her hand away and glared at the women wearing a white lab coat.

“You seem to be responding well. Your eyes are alert but show signs of fear,” she said as she flashed a small light in front of Kas’ eyes.

“Who’s the doc?” Kas asked as she stared.

“I am Dr. Newton. How are you feeling, Miss Bellrose?”

“Oy, I’m alright. When can I get outa here?”

“I’ll tell you what… You can leave when your insides don’t look like they lost a fight with a chainsaw.” Dr. Newton answered.

“How long will that take? I got shit to do, mate.” Kas demanded, shuffling uncomfortably in the bed.

“Well maybe you should ask Miss Gold. Your wounds can’t be healed by normal means.”

“Can I speak with you alone, Dr. Newton?” Jackson asked as he stood up from his chair.

“You are responsible for her correct, Mr. Fisher?” Dr. Newton asked, turning to face him.

“Yes, that’s right. I am her teacher.”

“Ah good. Come this way.” She said, walking out of the curtains and Jackson followed her.

Kas leaned her head toward Charlotte, whose head hung down as she stared at the old leather book in her lap.

“Well…” Kas said.

“What?” She answered.

“The doc said I need to talk to you about getting out of here.”

“What am I supposed to do?”

“How the hell should I know? You are the one with the spell book, ain’t ya? Chop chop.”

Charlotte looked back up at Kas and opened up that book on her lap. She glanced down at it but then right back up to Kas. Her eyes close and she places her hand on Kas’ arm. Kas flinched but allowed her to do so. Charlotte began to whisper something barely audible.

“Enlighten me on the truths. Show me what’s hidden from the naked eye. Shine down on the darkness of my mind and show me the light!” she chanted but released Kas’ arm a moment later and opened her eyes.

“What the hell was that, Pixiedust?” Kas asked but Charlotte frowned and looked away from her. “Spit it out. What’s wrong, mate?”

“This is going to take time, Kas. The doctor’s not wrong. You are pretty messed up inside.” She explained.

“So, what can we do about it now? I just want to get outa here.”

“The most I can do is some minor treatments, but you need loads of rest.” Charlotte said but sighed.

Jackson stepped back through the curtain and stared at Kas. “Well you are going home today… and probably for the next couple months.” He explained.

“What, why? I can finish up me classes for today just fine.” Kas grumbled.

“Because you shouldn’t have even been here today. Where are your keys. I’m taking you home.” Jackson ordered.

Kas glared at him for a moment. “You’re tellin’ me, you know how to ride?” She asked, raising her eyebrow at him.

He smiled and shook his head. “No, but Izzy does. I’m taking you home in my car.” He said, reaching his hand forward.

She crossed her arms and shook her head. “Jacko, No.” Kas answered. “Not Izzy. Hell no!”

“Kassie. C’mon, either Izzy brings her home after classes, or we leave her here until I can bring her home to you. Could be days.” He explained. Kas sighed and rolled her eyes as she reached into her pocket, pulling out a key ring with several keys attached. She found a small key with a black grip and removed it from the ring, placing it in Jackson’s hand.

“Just tell her something for me.” She requested as she held his hand in place.

Jackson raised an eyebrow. “Yeah?” He replied.

“Not a scratch. Not one.”

He smirked and shook his head, jerking his hand free. “Sure thing,” He answered but chuckled as he looked back to her. “Somethings never change.”

Her glare pierced him as he turn to face Charlotte. “Yeah? So, what does that mean?” She asked.

“Hey, Char. Deliver this key to Isabela Davies, along with the message, please?” He asked as he handed her the key.

Charlotte nodded at him and stood up. She quickly put the key into her pocket and stuffed her massive tome into her bag, before she left through the curtain. Jackson turned back to Kas and smiled.

“Never change alright. Now let me help you out of bed.” He said as quickly removed her restraints.

Kas pulled herself from the hospital bed and struggled to stand. Her knees shook but she steadied herself and stood straight up next to him. He lifted he arm toward her and she grabbed his shoulder. As they stepped through the curtain Jackson scooped her up into his arms. She gasped in surprised but squirmed around.

“What are you doing?” She asked.

“I was going to get a wheelchair, but this is a lot easier.” He answered.

“I can walk fine, Jacko. Put me down.”

“No, you can’t walk. That’s the problem. Do you remember how you got to the infirmary in the first place? Just relax would ya?” He explained as he carried her through the doors and down the hallway.

It wasn’t long before Jackson found the elevator and made his way up to the parking garage on the top level of the facility. Kas lies comfortable in his arms, nearly falling asleep on the way up, but she snapped awake as he placed her on her feet near his car. She looked up at his smile as he opened the door of his car. She looked back, a couple of parking spaces over and frowned as she saw her bike.

“I swear Jacko… If Izzy hurts Rosy….” She muttered.

“Rosy will be fine, Kassie. Just get in.” He answered as he walked around the car, getting in on the driver side. Kas shook a little as she leaned into the car. Jackson’s small black dodge neon vibrated and hummed as he turned the ignition. Kas pulled the door closed and he pulled out of the spot. He drove to the exit and two large metal doors opened from side to side. He pulled forward and completely exited the facility. A moment later he drove through the stealth field and Kas smiled as she stared at the strange ripple effect.

Kas straightened up and sat forward in her seat, glancing over at Jackson as he stared forward. His rugged jawline led up to his straight, dirty blonde hair. She found herself dazed and confused as her eyes scanned face. Yep, definitely the same ole Jacko.

“Enjoying the view?” He asked without turning his head.

She shook her head once she realized she was staring. “Yeah, a little. I like the scruff look. It suit ya, Jacko.” Kas replied as she turned her gaze forward, staring at the road ahead.

He tilted his head to the side and gently rubbed his chin. “You think so too? Dana says the same thing.”

Kas blankly stared forward for a moment. “Dana? Still with her, huh?” She asked as she cocked her head to the side and raised her eyebrow.

“Yeah. Things are great between us actually,” Jackson answered. “How about you, Kassie? Are you seeing anybody?”

“Nope. That ain’t gonna change neither,” She barked. “You know me.” She glared at him but quickly looked forward again as she saw her’s and Izzy’s house come into view. “Left up here. It’s the light blue house with the garage.”

Jackson nodded as he turned into her driveway, pulling up and parking to the right near the entrance. He got out of the car and Kas opened her door, but Jackson jogged around to her side before she could get out. He reached for her hand, but she shoved him away as she struggled to pull herself from inside. Jackson extended his shoulder forward, offering her a crutch once again. She rested her hand on him and he wrapped his arm around her back. Kas hobbled to the entrance with Jackson at her side. They entered the house and she plopped down onto the couch, clicking the tv on with the remote. He found a spot next to her and watched as she flipped through channels. Kas’ stomach rumbled but she ignored it by staring at the TV.

“Oh, you must be starving,” Jackson said as he looked over to her. “Please tell me you have actual food in the kitchen… Ya know what never mind, I just look myself.” He stood up and walked past Kas. She glanced at him as he stepped behind the couch, before returning her gaze to the large boxy screen.

Jackson knocked around in the other room as Kas listened in from the living room. She saw the light from the refrigerator beam through the archway.

“Seriously? All you have is ramen noodles and hot sauce?” He asked as he placed his ingredients onto the counter.

“What? Don’t judge me. I survive just fine.” She yelled.

“Do you think Izzy would mind if I use some of these vegetables?” He asked. “Whatever, I’ll just replace them in the morning when I go buy you some actual groceries.”

“Veggies? The only veggies I’ll be eatin’ it me Vegemite. Izzy probably has a stash in the bottom drawer.”

Jackson shuffled around inside the fridge for a moment. “I can’t believe you guys actually eat this stuff.” He called out as he started to clink around the kitchen, placing pans on the stove.

“What the hell are you making anyway? I already know we don’t have any real food in there. We eat take-out most nights.” She asked.

“You’ll see. I’m actually pretty good in the kitchen now, believe it or not.” He answered.

Sizzles came from the kitchen as he started to cook and Kas lost interest in the TV. She stood up and walked into the kitchen and watched him. She sat down at the dining table on the far left of the room.

“Jacko, a good cook? This I gotta see, mate.” She teased and he ignored her. She picked up her phone and tapped the screen as she played a game while she waited. The electronic music rippled through the air as Kas quickly muted the game, glaring at her device in disgust.

Jackson placed a plate down in from of her. A steaming hot pile of lightly friend ramen noodles with a stir-fry on top wafted its lovely aroma into her nose. She smiled as he placed down a pair of chopsticks down in front of her. He sat down across from her with his own meal. He used his own chopsticks to take a bite or two.

He looked up to her and smiled with his usual warm grin. “Listen, Kassie. I need you to take this recuperation seriously, alright. I’m going to apply to have you transferred from Rennyn and fall directly under my command. I doubt I’ll be able to stop him from teaching some of your classes but at least you won’t report directly under him anymore.” He explained. He took another bite as Kas just stared forward, completely motionless for several seconds.

“What did you say, Jacko?”

“I’m transferring you to work directly under me, instead of Rennyn.” He answered.

“Th-th-thank you. That’s the nicest thing someone has done for me in years.” She replied, struggling to get her words out.

“It’s nothing Kassie. You know I’d do anything to protect you.” Jackson said and continue to eat his stir-fry ramen. Kas quickly followed suit, but for the first time in over a year, she had a true, genuine smile.