Under the Iron Fist

Chapter 4: In need of a Healer

Exhausted from the day's events, Jax eventually made his way to the bedroom, collapsing onto the soft bed. As he drifted off to sleep, his last thoughts were of Elina, and he wondered what role she might play in the challenges that lay ahead.

As night fell over the Sanctuary, Jax's sleep became increasingly restless. His body temperature rose steadily, and sweat beaded on his forehead. The implantation site at the base of his skull throbbed with a dull, persistent ache.

In his fever-induced delirium, Jax's mind wandered to memories of his life before capture:

He saw himself in the quiet halls of an office building, pushing a cleaning cart. The night shift suited him - fewer people meant fewer chances of accidentally revealing his powers. The monotonous work allowed his mind to wander, to dream of a different life.

Then Sarah's face swam into view. Beautiful, ambitious Sarah, who had stumbled upon his secret one night when he'd used his powers to fix a malfunctioning elevator. Instead of fear, her eyes had lit up with excitement and possibility.

"You could do so much good, Jax," her voice echoed in his dream. "Why hide who you are?"

The scene shifted to their small apartment, filled with tension. Sarah paced, frustration evident in every movement.

"I don't understand why you insist on living like this," she said. "With your abilities, you could be rich, famous, changing the world!"

Dream-Jax sighed, a conversation they'd had countless times. "And paint a target on my back? On yours? It's not safe, Sarah. You've seen the news, what they do to people like me."

"So you'd rather waste your life scrubbing floors?" Sarah's voice dripped with disdain. "I can't do this anymore, Jax. I can't watch you throw away your potential."

The dream blurred, fast-forwarding through arguments, tears, and finally, Sarah walking out the door for the last time. The pain of the breakup felt fresh again, mingling with the physical discomfort of his fever.

In his fitful sleep, Jax tossed and turned, his powers occasionally flaring uncontrollably, causing small surges in the apartment's electrical systems. His last coherent thought before succumbing completely to the fever was a bitter realization - Sarah had gotten her wish. He was no longer hiding.

As dawn broke over the Sanctuary, Jax lay in his new bed, sheets tangled around him, his body burning with fever. The infection from the implant raged through his system, leaving him vulnerable in a place where weakness could be fatal. Unaware, Jax remained trapped in his feverish dreams, reliving the life he'd left behind.

*****

The next morning, a stern-faced guard arrived at Jax's apartment, expecting to escort the new arrival to his meeting with Magnus. After several unanswered knocks, the guard used his override code to enter.

He found Jax sprawled on the bed, sheets drenched in sweat, his breathing labored and irregular. The guard checked for a pulse, finding it rapid and weak. Muttering under his breath, he quickly left to report the situation.

Minutes later, Magnus strode into the apartment, his face a mask of irritation. He approached the bed, studying Jax's unconscious form with a mix of frustration and calculation.

"Useless," Magnus sighed, noting the angry red inflammation around the implant site. He turned to the guard who had followed him in. "Fetch Elina. Now."

The guard hesitated for a split second, knowing Magnus's possessiveness over the healer, but quickly complied, not wanting to face his leader's wrath.

Magnus paced the room, his mind working furiously. He had plans for Jax, and this setback was most unwelcome. Still, it could provide an opportunity.

Soon, hurried footsteps approached. Elina entered the room, slightly out of breath, her long dark hair hastily tied back. Her blue eyes widened as she took in the scene.

"You summoned me, Magnus?" she asked, her voice carefully neutral.

Magnus gestured impatiently towards Jax. "Fix him. I need him functional."

Elina approached the bed, her healer's instincts taking over. She placed a gentle hand on Jax's forehead, wincing at the heat radiating from his skin. Her eyes traveled to the implant site, understanding dawning on her face.

"The implant is causing an infection," she said, her tone professional despite her inner turmoil. "I can heal him, but it might take time."

Magnus's eyes narrowed. "You have until sundown. I expect him conscious and coherent by then."

Elina nodded, already focusing her energy on Jax. As her healing power began to flow into him, she couldn't help but feel hope, a sense that this man's arrival might change things.

Magnus watched the scene intently, noting the care in Elina's touch, the furrow of concentration on her brow. A small, thoughtful smile played on his lips. This would indeed be interesting.

"I'll return at sundown," Magnus announced, turning to leave. "Don't disappoint me, Elina."

As the door closed behind Magnus, Elina let out a shaky breath. She looked down at Jax's face, peaceful despite the fever. She whispered, "Hold on. Please, just hold on." With renewed determination, she poured her healing energy into him, fighting against the infection that threatened his life.

*****

Elina sat back, exhausted but relieved. After hours of intense concentration, she had finally managed to bring Jax's fever under control and heal the infection. His breathing was now steady and peaceful, his skin cool to the touch.

She glanced around the luxurious apartment, acutely aware of the possibility of surveillance. Magnus had eyes and ears everywhere, especially in the living quarters of those he deemed valuable. It was one of the reasons she had refused a similar offer of accommodations, preferring the relative privacy of her modest home in a less monitored area of the Sanctuary.

Elina knew she couldn't risk speaking to Jax here, not with Magnus potentially watching their every move. There was so much she wanted to tell him, warn him about, but it would have to wait. She couldn't jeopardize her precarious position or put Jax in more danger than he already was.

Rising from her chair beside the bed, Elina moved to the kitchen area to get a glass of water. She placed it on the bedside table for when Jax woke up, then scribbled a quick note on a piece of paper:

"Rest. Drink water. Follow instructions. Trust no one. - E"

She tucked the note under the glass, hoping Jax would understand the need for caution.

As she prepared to leave, Elina took one last look at Jax. There was something about him, a strength that went beyond his obvious physical power. She felt a glimmer of hope, something she hadn't experienced in a long time.

Just then, she heard footsteps approaching. Quickly composing herself, Elina moved away from the bed, adopting a professional demeanor. The door slid open, revealing Magnus.

"Well?" he demanded, striding into the room.

"The infection has been dealt with," Elina reported calmly. "He's resting now but should regain consciousness soon. I recommend at least a day of rest for full recovery."

Magnus nodded, his eyes moving from Elina to Jax and back again. "You've done well, Elina. You may go."

Elina inclined her head respectfully, hiding her relief at being dismissed. As she left the apartment, she could feel Magnus's gaze on her back. She had done all she could safely do. Whatever plans Magnus had for Jax, she was sure they didn't bode well for his freedom.

Walking back to her own quarters, Elina's mind raced with possibilities and risks. She wondered what it was about Jax that had her so sure he would care about the people of Sanctuary. She would have to find a way to communicate with Jax, to help him navigate the treacherous waters. But for now, all she could do was wait and hope that Jax was as clever as he was powerful.