Spook Pt. 25

As Killian laid supine in his own room at the hospital there was a faint annoying beeping to his right. His clothing gone, weapons taken by the police, an IV jabbed in his arm and he was experiencing that odd isolation which only hospitals could provide. Surrounded by hundreds of bodies yet a person is able to feel completely alone and vulnerable.

"Wake up Killboy." That smooth, all too familiar voice from the apartment was above him.

Killian's heart started pounding, the back of his brain knowing the danger before his actual consciousness did. His eyes felt stuck together as he opened them, his lids heavy but he forced himself to do so. His vision was blurry for a moment and when it finally cleared, he wished he had stayed asleep. He was too tired, too drugged to keep the fear off his face as he looked up into eyes that were such a light brown they were gold.

"Mickey." He whispered, his voice cracking and useless.

"I am so pleased you didn't die on me." The gang lord reached down to take Killian's jaw in hand. "Now we're going back home Killboy."

"No. I'm free of you. We had an agreement. I don't belong to you anymore." Killian tried to tear his face out of Mickey's grip but was too weak to do so.

"You brought that cop into my building. I heard that he's been sniffing around. You trying to help them catch me Killboy? You narcing on the man who fed and clothed you?"  

"No!" The protest burst from Killian's lips like a gunshot as his left hand came up to push at Mickey's shoulder. The marks on his arm felt as if they were writhing under his skin. "Saw a killer. Wanted my help and wouldn't let it go. Knew Katya was in trouble, didn't want your best product damaged. Stayed with cop after Joe burned down my apartment building. Free food, warm bed, good fuck that's all. Would never betray you. You gleam?"

"You want that pig alive you do as I say." Mickey stood up, releasing Killian's jaw. "Get some sleep."

Even as his mind screamed at him not to do it, Killian was already in motion, grabbing Mickey's wrist as he growled.

"You leave him the fuck out of this."

There was only a split a second between Mickey twisting his wrist out of Killian's grip and using that same hand to backhand Killian across the face harshly.

"Who do you think you're talking too?"

Killian clenched his teeth against the scream of pain that tried to force its way out of his throat as his already concussed head flared in agony.

"I'm free of you. We had an agreement."

"I can change our agreement as I see fit. You don't want me to slit that pig's throat you will stay quiet." Mickey stepped away from the bed and took Killian's IV tubing in hand and pushed a syringe of thick amber liquid into the plastic.

Killian recognized the feeling that creeped quickly over him and panic immediately took over him. "No. Not that!" But as soon as his words faded, he just didn't care anymore as everything relaxed.

"You need to relearn your place." Mickey walked back over to the bed. "You need to listen and behave."

The man turned again and went to the door calling over a nurse. He asked how long until his brother would be until released. With no insurance and no way to speak for himself Killian was on the fast track to being discharged.

Killian's thoughts were raging even as his mind floated. The heroine, the one thing he fought so hard against, overtook his system and put a nail in his coffin. Mickey owned him now. Again.

The next thing Killian knew was that he was in a wheelchair and being pushed by Mickey towards the exit and a familiar sedan with a very familiar face in the driver's seat awaited him.

The blue haired man was slumped over, barely able to keep himself up in the chair. His heart was pounding in his chest and his mind was calling for Jet. He didn't even know how his lover was doing. He somehow knew he was alive but nothing other than that.

"Welcome back Killboy." Joe looked over his shoulder with a grin once Killian was poured into the back seat before he turned on the car and drove away from the hospital and Jet.

"Go fuck your mother. Only diseased woman who will screw you." Killian slurred.

"Shut up, both of you I won't listen to your kindergarten bullshit. Joe head straight to the church. No stops."

"Yeah boss."

* * *

Jet opened his eyes and instead of his world being a symphony of pain it was fuzzy space where there was still pain but the dryness in his mouth was more annoying than the pain.  

"Mastersen? You finally awake?" The fuzzy visage above his sight eventually turned into his Captain who was looking down at him with concern and worry.

"Hey Cap'." Jet licked his lips. "Killian? Water?"  

The Irish Captain sighed, bringing a styrofoam cup with a straw to Jet's lips, letting the man sip for a moment. "Killian's gone Jet."

"What?" Jet's eyes opened wide. "What? No!"  

"Shit." Seamus rubbed at his forehead, shaking his head. "I said that wrong. He's not dead lad. He's just . . . gone. Accordin' to tha nurse, his brother came and picked him up. I think we both know dat's not da case."

"He doesn't have a brother and holy fucking hell my shoulder hurts!" Jet continued to curse as he tried to sit up in bed.  

"Ease down Mastersen!" The Captain ordered, gently pushing his detective back down. "I know he doesn't have a brother. He doesn't have any family. And he didn't leave voluntarily."

"Then why the fuck did you let him go?" Jet screamed hoarsely.  

"Calm the fuck down Mastersen!" The Irish Captain growled, his green eyes flashing. "I wasn't here. Once it was discovered he was gone I viewed the security vids. Killian was drugged up, released against the doctor's orders, and driven out of here. You think I would have let him go if I were here?"

"Hell if I know. I told you I was going after a demon and I knew you wouldn't believe me but damn it if that isn't want tore into my shoulder."  

Seamus frowned, sighing as he sat in a nearby chair. "I've been in this job a lot longer than you and I've seen a lot of strange shit. I'm not discounting it Jet but I'm also not going to agree 100%. But right now we have to worry about real world problems."

"I need to get to Killian."  

"Thought you'd say that and while I'm worried bout the lad, you'd be stupid to take Mickey on. Killian's a survivor, always has been and I can assure you that he won't appreciate you trying to save him."

"I will get him back." Jet put a hand on his shoulder. "Just point me in the right directions."

The Captain's green eyes scanned over Jet's face before crossing his arms over his chest and leaning back in the chair. "I thought he was an annoying pest. Why is it so important to you to risk your life?"

"Because that ass hole and me are in this together." Jet clutched his marked arm. "Plus, even if I think he's an annoying prick doesn't mean I want him dead."  

"Mickey won't kill him Jet." The green eyed older man whispered softly, his expression sad. He sighed, running his hand over his short-cropped hair. "He's too valuable to that creep alive. Mickey's full of bullshit, sort of like you. Or did you think I wouldn't notice that Killian had the same markings on his left arm?"

"How the hell would you know that?"

"Remember that I've been around a lot longer than you and have known Killian longer. I was the first one to arrest him when he was ten. We tried to release him to DCF and the little shit escaped. I know what he's been through, how Mickey controlled him, and why he kept going back. And I also helped him make the decision to get out. You've only been working with him for a few short days. So don't think that you know this fucked up situation better than I!" The Captain was generally a good-natured, laid back man but now he was pissed and it was obvious.

"Now, tell me why you're so concerned? The truth this time."

"And you didn't tell me how the hell you saw the damn markings when we both had long sleeve shirts on?!"  

"You're both in hospital gowns which leave little to the imagination." Seamus drawled with a raised eyebrow.

"So you saw him when he came in? Why didn't you put a guard out by his door?" Jet was feeling frustrated because he didn't know how much he could tell his Captain without sounding like he needed to be admitted into the nut house. He needed to find Killian.   

"Why would I Jet? There was no reason to. Besides, he was in no condition to go anywhere. This wasn't something I could have predicted. I was spending most of my time admitting paperwork on Killian, forging his paperwork considering he doesn't really exist in the system."

Captain O'Neil stood up and began pacing around the room. "The wounds you both took looked like an animal attack. There was no reason to put guards on your doors. But I did put an APB out on Scarborough. And we did find him, in class, where he had apparently been the entire day."

"That's bullshit! He was the one that attacked us!"  

O'Neil raised his hands and then let them fall to slap against his sides. "I don't know what to tell you Jet. I have several professors and students who say he was there the entire time."

"Son of a bitch! I saw him with my own eyes; so did the girl he about killed."  

"You mean Katya? She's disappeared so we can't question her."

"I bet you she is with Mickey because she's the one that called him and the one that over sized asshole was tossing around." Jet spat. "I swear it was Scarborough."  

"Until we find her we have nothing. And then we only have your word, Killian's word, and her word against dozens of people who saw him at the University. One cop, a whore, and a former whore and killer." O'Neil shook his head slowly. "Doesn't look good."

"This is just shit!" Jet went to punch the mattress but the searing pain in his shoulder cut his movements short.

"Hey! Stop that! That's an order!" O'Neil growled, grabbing Jet's wrist tightly. "I don't think you know how close you were stabbed to the heart. You need to take it easy." He released the larger man and stepped back, his expression changing to one of an official instead of a friend.

"From this moment on you are medical leave. You are suspended from the Lowtown Killer case until a point in which I deem you are ready for duty again. Or at such a time in which you are cleared pending an investigation about the discharge from your firearm. Whichever comes last. Do you understand?" Even with the tense, commanding words, there was a humorous gleam in the Captain's eye.

"I'm going after Killian." Jet's said through clenched teeth.

"What you do in your free time is not my concern. But I advise you against it. Not that that'll do much good. Don't get yourself killed."

"Not planning on dying from some low town scum's gun." Jet frowned. "But it's shit if I lose my shield over this."

"Here's something you have to understand. Mickey may be Lowtown scum but he's powerful and smart Lowtown scum. He has a lot of resources, a lot of man power, and the streets are his. He owns the weapons and he owns the drugs so therefore he's owns the people. Including Killian right now. Do not - underestimate him."

"He has Killian." The dark haired man frowned. "I don't know what you're playing at Cap but that guy is going to kill again."  

"Yes, he has Killian. Mickey will always have Killian in one way or another." The Captain shook his head, crossing his arms over his chest. "And at this point in time, all we have is your word that it was Scarborough. I'll put a guy on watching him but that's all I can do without any other evidence."

"God damn it." Jet leaned forward in pain. "Shit, shit. Where is my nurse? I need to get out of here."  

"No, you need to rest you damn fool. You won't do Killian any good if you keel over." The older man pushed Jet back down in the bed.

"Fuck! Cap watch where you push!" Jet paled as his head hit the pillow.  

"I think I've made my point. Someone pokes you and you'll hit the floor."

"Since I'm off duty . . . fuck you Cap'."  

O'Neal burst out in a hearty laughter, his green eyes glinting in mirth. "No thank you. My wife is quite a bit lovelier than you." His expression turned grave. "Be careful Jet. I don't want to lose our best detective."

"Get my damn nurse." Jet kept his eyes closed, trying to get the room to stop spinning.  

"I will. But I'll tell her not to let you leave." O'Neil winked and turned, walking out of the room.

"Wait!" Jet shot upward and instantly regretted it as his stomach lurched and he turned his head to vomit.  

The Captain quirked an eyebrow as he watched his best Detective spew all over the floor. "I'll have her send a clean up crew as well."

"Photos." Jet rasped. "Killian took photos."

The Captain's bushy eyebrows hit his hairline. "Photos? Of what? And where are they?"

"The killer. In my car." Jet wiped tears out of his eyes.

O'Neil looked towards the ceiling, his mouth moving in a stream of silent cruses before he sighed and looked back at Jet. "Your car's been impounded. I'll have to move fast to see if anything of value was found in it."

"Shit. They're going to bury this. The DA that is."

"You knew that from the beginning Jet." The Captain walked over and pushed the nurses call button on Jet's bed. "I'm going to see if I can find those photos. Meanwhile, you rest or you'll never be able to get Killian back. Maybe if you're nice the nurse will give you a sponge bath. You smell. Plus she's a cute little red head."

"I am out of here the moment I can see straight." Jet grumbled.

"You've never particularly seen straight. Check with in with me two times a day so I know you're alive." The Captain ordered and without waiting for an answer he walked out of the room, his cell phone already at his ear.

Jet was in his hospital bed much longer than he wanted. It was due to the pain that he listened and stayed his ass in bed for two whole days. He didn't remember much of the first day. There was a lot of drugs keeping him on his back and then more drugs to counteract the vomiting from the pain medications. He was able to eat something solid for the first time this morning.

He was still in pain and the doctors didn't want him to leave. Too bad he signed AMA and then left when the nurses were having shift change and cigarette breaks.

Jet's phone rang as soon as he stepped outside of the hospital front doors and was looking around for a cab. When he looked at the screen he discovered he had twenty-one missed calls, sixteen text messages, and that his Captain was calling him right at that moment.

"Jesus what?" Jet groaned. "I haven't been near my stuff."

"What the fuck are you doing?! Get the hell back in that hospital! I don't know if you're aware but you were close to death not that long ago!"

"Did you find those photos?" Jet countered with a question as he tried to flag down a cab

"We're still digging your car out, so no. We're hoping to get to them today. Now get your ass back in that damn hospital!" The Captain growled.

It was at that point in time that a cab pulled up, stopping next to Jet.

"Sorry to remind you Captain but I'm off duty. You can't order me about." Jet slipped into the cab wincing. He yelled out his home address knowing he would need to get a change of clothing and some food before going after Killian  

"I didn't know you had a fucking death wish!" O'Neil growled. "Didn't know you were this foolish when you were in love. You're going to go yourself killed if you keep going without planning."

"I have a plan. Get home, get my back up gun, get in a car some how and track Killian down."  

"Sounds like a horribly stupid plan." A sigh. "Come back alive."

"If I don't, make sure the ex gets nothing."

"How bout she gets everything if you don't come back? That should be incentive enough." There was a small moment of silence. "Killian's truck is at your house. Check the glove box." And then only dial tone reached Jet's ears.

Jet felt empty. He also felt pain. The worst part leaving a hospital the way he did was there were no happy pills to take with him. He did have his own stash at home but he was worried about them running out. He was also worried about Killian. His entire body ached the moment his mind turned back to the blue haired idiot - which occurred about every ten seconds.

He paid the cab driver and headed into his apartment complex. It must have been a school day, hell, he wasn't even sure what day it was but he was grateful he didn't run into the boy or dog because he was sure he'd be tackled. Jet was in an untackling state.

After unlocking his door he rifled through his cabinets to find the few left over bottles of meds throughout the years and poured them all into one. That was right before he took two pills.

He wanted a shower but wasn't sure if he could get his stitches wet yet so nixed that in favor of some newer clothing and brushing his teeth to feel a bit more human. He found his extra gun and Killian's keys. His duffel had been in his car so he made due with a used grocery bag to toss in food and other necessities that he may need on the fly.

Jet looked at his phone and the missed calls. He let out a big sigh as he hit redial for Muriel.

"This better be fucking Jet. If it is, you arrogant pompous prick, I'm going to kick your ass for not calling me and worrying the fuck out of me. If this isn't Jet and you're calling me to tell me he's dead, I will personally come and rip your spleen out of your ass before feeding it to you before shooting you in the fucking head." It wasn't the most traditional hello but it would do. And it was pure Muriel.

"I'm alive you harpy." Jet grumbled.

"You mother fucking goat sucking son of a bitch! Why the hell haven't you been answering my calls?!" Muriel growled and Jet could practically hear her pacing.

"I was in the hospital. You find a way to kill this thing? Can it make doubles of itself?"

Muriel sputtered for a few seconds, in anger or bafflement, Jet wasn't sure.

"Wha-? The fucking hospital?! You little shit, how about this? You tell me what the fuck happened and I tell you what I have!"

"I was attacked and ended up in the hospital. Killian was kidnapped from the hospital and this killer has witnesses saying he was in one place when I was shooting at him."

"I told you not to . . . wait . . . little boy blue was kidnapped? By who? Is he okay?"

"Focus wench." Jet groaned. "Demon first."

"Fucker. Worry me shitless and then tell me to focus? Fuck you." Muriel growled and then let out a defeated sigh. "I'm sorry Jet. I haven't found anything. Nothing on the demon itself and nothing on how to kill it. I've researched everywhere and everything."

"Shit. You know where I can get a vat of holy water?"

"Besides a church? Wait? Did the demon kidnap blue?"

"A different sort of demon but this one can be taken down by bullets."

There was silence on the other line for a few heartbeats. "You need to step away Jet. This is too much." The tone of her voice was worried and heartbroken. "I'm getting on a plane tomorrow my time. I was held up by a new discovery or I'd be there already."

"I am getting Killian back. The demon will find me."

"Good God Jet you're in way over your head. And how long have you know the kid? Don't tell me you're already head over heels for him." There was a growl of frustration. "Fuck this. I'm moving up the timeline. I'll find an earlier flight. Don't get killed before I get there."

"Yes mother." He hung up the phone took another pill and sat down at his small dining table to plan and wait.