-H-o-m-e- [.S.w.e.e.t.] <H.o.m.e>

[Trinity]

Jamie

Jamie sighed in relief. She looked over to Ashton. The shock was just kind of floating over Jamie's head. She was still in shock, but not in the point that she was not able to talk. The image of the man hovering over her, about to strip off her shirt, still was in her head. No matter how many times she tried to forget it, she just could not. It was going to be with her for the rest of her life. She also realized the if Ashton was not there, she might be dead somewhere. I want to thank you for getting that guy off of me. Jamie sank down, leaning against the tree. I mean, if you had not been here, I might not be here right now. Jamie looked at Ashton and nodded. She then leaned her head back against the tree's trunk. She knew she needed to go home in a few minutes. Jamie also knew she would not be getting much sleep tonight. All the images were going to be playing in her head, over and over and over again. No matter what she does, she will not be able to get them out of her head. Jamie was not even going to try and fall asleep. She wanted to tell Ashton that she was afraid to go back to her apartment tonight, but she did not know Ashton or anything about him. Jamie pulled her legs into her chest, and wrapped her arms around her legs. She laid her head against her knees and sat there, waiting for Ashton to speak.

[[.A.n.y.u.]]

A S H T O N

Hitori de wa tooi anutsa o yoake no mama de koesou de
^{_{Though alone, I think that I can make it to the far off tomorrow before dawn.}}

Ashton seemed to be completely ignoring her, though it wasn't his fault. The pain in his neck had quickly spread to his head and he couln't hear very well, so he only noticed her talking to him through vision, just understanding what she said to him. He was unable to make a real answer, so he said the first think that came to his mind as he leaned against the tree. "You okay?" A wince of pain came after the words. It hurt to move his mouth, let alone his neck. But he still coulnd't help thinking that all of this was his fault, and he blamed it on himself aloud. "It's my fault," he said to her. "I shouldn't 'ave kept walkin' when you stopped." Some of his words were a little slurred because of the pain, but he managed. He did feel responisble, but he was good at blaming himself for things and he would get over it soon enough. He never should have kept walking, leaving her behind in the most dangerous place in town. It was his fault.

[Trinity]

Jamie

Jamie looked at him. She could tell he was in pain. I'm fine, but how is your neck? Jamie looked worried, for he looked like he was more injured than she was. Jamie stood, and bent down to Ashton. Jamie looked at his neck, gently touching it. I have some special medicine back at my apartment. It will make me feel better if you let me clean that up. Jamie sat back, and looked at him. She was hoping he would stay at her place for a little while, until she gave him some medicine got him cleaned up. When he blamed it all on himself, Jamie just stared at him. It was not your fault. Don't even think that. It is not true, and you know it. Jamie had a soft but firm voice. She was not going to let him blame it on himself. It was not his responsibility to take care of her. She was not a little girl, and Ashton did not even know her. Jamie sat down next to him. She touched his face softly, I'm just glad you were here to help me. You risked your own life to save mine. Jamie smiled and put her hand in her lap. She did not want to make Ashton feel uncomfortable. He should know, it was not his fault. If anyone's fault, it would have been her own. I want to make it up to you. How about dinner on Saturday at 7:00? Jamie kept her eyes on him, hoping she could make it up to him. She was also hoping that he would let her buy him dinner. Jamie stood up, and put both hands out to help Ashton up.

[[.A.n.y.u.]]

A S H T O N

Nando kimi ni, ketsu mazuitemo modottekichau, aijou ni
^{_{I hurt myself because of you, over and over; but my love didn't go away--it kept coming back.}}

Ashton winced when he felt her hand touch his neck and his own hand shot up and grabbed hers, though not roughly. "Don't touch it," he said through clenched teeth. Just the gentle touch from her hand sent pain racking his body as if she had slapped him in a sore spot. He let go of her hand and held his head with both of his free hands. A sheen of sweat covered his face and he felt too much pain in his head. He was dizzy. "It was my fault," he whispered, arguing with her. "No one should be left alone over there. Why do you think that creature was the only one out there?" He spat out the word creature - meaning the man - with disgust. He hated people like that, for more reason's than the man's attempt on Jamie. He felt her touch on his face but did not react to it, simply hoping that she would not feel the sweat on his face. "Yes, fine, dinner at seven on saturday," he agreed vehemently. "Now let me sleep." He ignored the hands she offered to help him up tried to lay down on the ground, only to wince in pain as he bent his neck. Then, and only then, did he take her hands and try to stand up. Bad idea. He fell stright toward her, suddenly dizzier than he had been before. he couldn't get home in this condition.

[Trinity]

Jamie

Jamie did not try and touch his neck again. She knew the guy had really hurt Ashton. Jamie was not about to leave him alone. It was not your fault. If anyone's fault, it would have been mine. Ashton, it was neither of our fault. I would not have expected for you to even do anything because you don't know me, and I don't know you. Jamie sighed and sat next to him. After she had touched his face, Jamie could feel the sweat on Ashton's face. Are you going to be alright? Jamie looked at Ashton with worried eyes. She did not know how serious the injury he had sustained by the evil man was. Jamie nodded once he agreed to letting her take him out to dinner. Jamie then looked at Ashton. Something had to be going wrong with him. He wanted to sleep outside, where the man had attacked her. He wanted to sleep out here, in the cold. Jamie was not going to let him do that. You cannot sleep out here by yourself. I need to find a way to help you back to your apartment, or I will stay here with you. Jamie kept her hands in her lap, but almost touching Ashton. She was worried that if she left him here alone, something mught happen to him. After Jamie had tried to help Ashton up, she was just not strong enough to support all of his weight. He fell straight on top of her, and Jamie landed on her back. Jamie just laid there, a little dizzy.

[[.A.n.y.u.]]

A S H T O N

Nando kimi ni, ketsu mazuitemo modottekichau, aijou ni
^{_{I hurt myself because of you, over and over; but my love didn't go away--it kept coming back.}}

Ashton rolled away from her, wincing in pain as his neck moved too far one way and then to far the next. As he came to a standstil, lying on the ground, he yelped and sat up, a little too fast. He nearly fell forward when the dizzy feeling returned, but his neck wasn;t hurting so much now. "Sorry," he said, meaning it both as an apology for falling on her and for leaving her behind, though it would sound like it was just for falling. I don't think I can make it home," he whispered to himself. I'll be fine, Jamie, he said to her in the loudest voice his weakened face could manage. You go home. Her voice was final and commanding. He wanted her to do as he said. People would leave him alone if he took the better way home, and he knew that he should be able to do that once he recovered a little. He crawled over to a tree and used indents in the truck to pull himself up with his hands, fighting the dizzy feeling as he rose upward onto his feet. He began to wobble back and forth as stood straight, trying not to fall down again. He groaned, trying to get his vision to go straight, if only for a moment. He wasn't going to be able to make it home, not alone, that was apparent now, but he wasn't going to let Jamie know that. She needed to get herself home.

[Trinity]

Jamie

Jamie watched at Ashton rolled off of her. He had not hurt her, and she was not in pain. Jamie quickly sat up, and looked around. She glanced over to Ashton and shook her head. It's alright. She said in a quiet tone. She sat there silently, as she watched Ashton in pain. You won't be fine, Ashton. I'm not leaving you. Jamie got up, and sat on her knees. She crossed her arms, but only for a moment. She decided to stand. Jamie reached in her pocket and grabbed her cell phone. She dialed a number and the operator answered. Yes, I need an ambulance right away. We are off of James St. behind Mary's Barbershop. The lady said she will send an ambulance right away. Jamie thanked the lady and hung up. She stuffed the phone back in her pocket and looked at Ashton. She stood to Ashton. It's gonna be alright. I promise. Jamie reached out to take Ashton's hand. She was not going to leave Ashton. Even if this meant putting her life in jeopardy. She was willing to risk it. She put her hand on his back, to help him balance.

The ambulance was there within a couple of minutes after Jamie had called. Two EMT's walked around the corner and found Ashton and Jamie. The female EMT quickly walked over to Ashton, and bent down. She looked at his neck and stated, "Jack, we need to get a neck brace on the young man." She looked to Jamie, but said nothing. The male EMT, Jack, disappeared for a moment, and then returned a few moments later. In his hands, Jack was pushing the medical bed. On top of the bed was a backboard and a neck brace. The female EMT looked at Ashton and said, "Until we know what is wrong with you, I need you to lay down on the gurney."

Jamie next to Ashton, hoping and praying that he was going to be alright. She wanted to comfort him and stay with him. For some reason, Jamie had not known Ashton, but she cared about him a whole lot. She kept on whispering to Ashton, It's going to be alright. They are going to take care of you, and I am not leaving. I promise. Jamie was going to keep her promise. Whatever was going to happen to Ashton, Jamie was going to be right there, with him.

[[.A.n.y.u.]]

A S H T O N

Nando kimi ni, ketsu mazuitemo modottekichau, aijou ni
^{_{I hurt myself because of you, over and over; but my love didn't go away--it kept coming back.}}

Ashton didn't move, silently focusing on whatever she was saying to the person on the other end of the phone. When Jamie hung up he was glaring with full intensity at her, as though he had never saved her life and was wishing her dead at that moment. "You called an ambulance," he said in a low growl, stating the obvious, his voice thick with disgust and anger. When she tried to take his hand he moved as deflty as he could, away from her, and turned his head so he wouldn't have to look at her. His breathing had grown faster and he seemed ready to commit murder if anyone dared to touch him. Her hand on his back quelled that feeling, though he was still beginning to shake with anger that traveled through each vein in his body. :I won't cooperate," he warned Jamie before the ambulance and the EMTs arrived. He had no intention of doing anything they asked of him, since he believed that he was just fine, but for a small neck wound.

When the EMTs approached him he glared at them with the same intensity that he had been glaring at everything with since he realized what Jamie had done. He was angry. When the EMT told him to lay down on the gurney he practically snarled back at her. I'm not doing anything you ask of me, his voice warned her. And I am not putting some silly brace on, he added, glancing at the equipment. It was as though heroic Ashton had suddenly contracted rabies and had gone made with anger, though things hadn't quite reached that extent yet. He watched the EMT with caution, paying no attention to the other EMT, the one who had brought the gurney. His eyes sparked with the same dangerous feel that had been there just before he had grabbed Jamie's attacker not too long ago. He was tired of this. All he needed was a good night's rest in his bed at his apartment, not a night in the hospital. He had work tomorrow and no extra time for this!

[Trinity]

Jamie

Jamie was awestruck. Yes, that is right. I called the ambulance. When she thought he needed her the most, he pushed her away. She felt stupid for trying, but she was not trying to make him mad. She was only trying to help him. Jamie felt a tear run down her face. She did not know what to do. He refused her when she tried to hold his hand to comfort her. Jamie was tempted to just leave him alone, and get on with his life. Maybe life would have been better if I was never born. Then my dad would still have money, and Ashton would not be injured right now, and people were not abandoning me. Jamie was trying not to play the pity game, but she could not help it. Ashton was angry at her, and she could do nothing about it. Jamie stepped away from Ashton and walked to the other side of the street. She stared off in the oppisite direction of Ashton. Jamie felt really stupid, but was hoping one day, he would thank her for this.

The EMT nodded to Ashton. They could not force him to do anything that he was not willing to do. "I'm not going to force you to do anything you don't want to. If you don't want us to help, then we will leave." The female EMT stood there, and watched Ashton. By his actions, the EMTs looked at each other and shrugged. The female EMT walked pass Jamie and whispered, "If you need anything else, you know the number." With that, both EMTs grabbed their equiptment and turned around the corner. After they left, Jamie looked at Ashton. You want me to go home? Fine, I will go. Jamie wiped the tear from her face, and turned away from Ashton. Jamie hesitated for a moment, but then began to walk slowly down the street towards the apartments.

[[.A.n.y.u.]]

A S H T O N

Nando kimi ni, ketsu mazuitemo modottekichau, aijou ni
^{_{I hurt myself because of you, over and over; but my love didn't go away--it kept coming back.}}

He stared in shock as first Jamie then EMTs and the ambulance left. Suddenly completely alone, he wasn't sure what he was supposed to do. But his vision was better now, and he managed to get his feet working and began to stagger back the way that he had run after Jamie. It was well past midnight and he should be asleep, resting, but it was a long way home and he could hardly keep his balance. When he reached the sidewalk that ran alongside the buildings he used the structures for support, slowly staggering toward home. He remembered exactly where the man had grabbed Jamie, and when he reached that place he remembered the fight and what he had been thinking just before he attacked the man. He had wanted to kill Jamie's attacker, and he shook his head to rid himself of that though. No more humans showed their faces as he staggered home, not even halfway back to the apartments yet. He wondered silently if Jamie would make it back alright. It's going to take me all night to get home! he told himself with a loud groan,

[Trinity]

Jamie

Jamie made it home, but it took her a long time. Tears kept on following from her eyes, as she made her way home. She had been only a block away from the apartments, but she had really teared up. Jamie was unsure if Ashton was going to make it home, but Jamie had an idea on how she knew if he got home safely. Jamie reached her apartment in worry. She worried about Ashton's safety and if he could make it home. Jamie did not go into her apartment. She stood at the rear of her car, leaning on it. Jamie then hopped onto the trunk, and sat there. Her arms were crossed from the chilly night breeze, and her face was red. Her tears had finally stopped falling, and now all she was waiting for was for Ashton to return home. Jamie waited for a few minutes, before realizing that it was way passed midnight. All the apartment lights were turned off, leaving her with only the street light. Jamie slowly got off the back of the car, and walked over to her door. She opened it slowly, not wanting to go in. Jamie was terrified to go back into her apartment alone. She quickly turned the porch light on, and then the rest of the lights. She stood at the door, waiting and watching for Ashton to return home. As she waited, Jamie laid her head back against the doorframe and looked up. God, I know things have not gone smoothly tonight, but please, please get Ashton home safely.

[[.A.n.y.u.]]

A S H T O N

Nando kimi ni, ketsu mazuitemo modottekichau, aijou ni
^{_{I hurt myself because of you, over and over; but my love didn't go away--it kept coming back.}}

It took a while, but by some miracle he made it to the apartments without stopping. Half an hour had passed since his journey had begun and relief spread through his body when he saw the apartments. He didn't see the lighted one, nor Jamie standing in the doorway. He was too tired, but he could walk slowly, without support now. He stopped at the back of his truck, leaning against the trunk before managing to gather up the strength to carry on once more. He stepped from behind the truck and moved forward slowly, attempting to keep his balance as he walked. He caught a glimpse of Jamie in her doorway and sighed with relief without realizing it. You made it home safe, he said as he approched the door, stating the obvious again. Then he looked at her face. His eyes were not decieving him now, for they were clear, even if he was a little weak on his feet. You've been crying. He was frowning in confusion. Why would she have been crying?

[Trinity]

Jamie

Jamie waited and waited for Ashton to get home. Jamie had caught a glimpse of a person but it was not Ashton. Unless, he changed into a girl.... But that did not happen, so it was not Ashton. Jamie sighed, and kept on praying to God that He would get Ashton home safely. Finally, after what felt like an eternity, Jamie saw Ashton. She closed her eyes, and thanked the God in Heaven. She reopened her eyes, and Jamie looked to Ashton. He was walking towards her. Yeah, I got back a little while ago. Jamie looked down at his feet. He made it home. It's a miracle. Jamie then looked back at Ashton. Of course I have been crying. Jamie sighed, and just stared at his face. Well, when you have had a night like mine, you tend to cry sometimes. Jamie shook her head. Images of the man that had attacked her created a slideshow in her head, replaying over and over. Then all the words that he had said about the knife were stuck in her head like a broken record. Ashton, I'm scared to be in my apartment by myself. Her voice was very quiet, almost a whisper. She did not want to tell him this, but she had not other choice. She needed him to know that.

[[.A.n.y.u.]]

A S H T O N

Nando kimi ni, ketsu mazuitemo modottekichau, aijou ni
^{_{I hurt myself because of you, over and over; but my love didn't go away--it kept coming back.}}

Maybe the blow to his neck had effected his head enough to steal some of his brain cells and he wasn't thinking properly. Of course she would have been crying after all that she had been through that long night. Maybe he was just stupid and that was why he hadn't thought of that sooner. After all, he had done more than his fair share of stupid things that night and it would only be logical for him to keep following that pattern. Things tended to work that wauy for him at least. Rather than unlock his apartment and go in, he stumbled over to Jamie's front door and leaned againt the frame, watching her with guarded eyes. She should be dead right now, in all honesty, if that man had planned to kill her. He had simply interfered with fate, unless it had been fate that he would be there to interfere. Either way, he had saved not only her life that night, butm with Jamie's help, had saved other lives that the man may or may not have taken in the future. He shuddered at the thought.

Her next words completely screwed with his mind. What was he supposed to do about that? Jamie, I can't do anything about that, really, he pleaded, feeling sorry for her. But he couldn't stay with her. It was wrong for him to do that. But he wanted to stay with her and make sure that she was alright after everything that she had been through. Can I come in? he finally asked, guesturing toward the inside of her apartment. He waited for her okay before moving, though he desperately wanted to sit down somewhere where he could rest for a little while before heading back into his apartment and going to bed for the night. He was going to miss work tomorrow, of that he was already certain. But that was alright, so long as he could go the next day and he called in sick tomorrow. He sighed, taking in more air to fuel his tired body as he waited for her ok to go inside.

[Trinity]

Jamie

Jamie watched Ashton. Her arms were still crossed. Jamie felt safe, because Ashton was there with her. Even though he said he was not able to stay with her, it was going to be alright. She was going to be safe. Ashton was close to her apartment, and all she would have to do was scream if someone tried to attack her in her apartment. The only thing she did not like about that, was she was a very independent person, and did not like getting help from other people. Ashton then spoke, and broke her train of thought. Was he really asking to come in? Jamie nodded her head and turned and walked back into her apartment. The living room was still being painted, so she directed Ashton into the dining room space, where the couch was, for the time being. IT is a little messy in here. I am repainting the place, but it will be done soon.. I hope. Jamie waited for Ashton to come in, before shutting the front door.