To The End

Help

They stepped into the quiet room, Jade hanging back so that Victoria could go first. Once Jade entered, she scanned the room with caution, as if a group of hunters were lying in wait. She started to relax when all she encountered were the two people sleeping. Victoria's mother was propped in a chair near the bed where her husband laid. He looked nothing like the threatening man Jade knew him to be. He was helped through each labored breath by a machine. His skin was sallow, and shadows hung under his eyes. He seemed so small. So vulnerable.

Jade took in a deep breath, trying to stay focused. She was here to help save the man, not kill him. She moved a bit closer when Victoria did, but remained behind her. Up close they could see that his expression was one of painful discomfort, even in rest. Victoria bit back a sob, pulling Jade's attention to her. She rubbed at her back then ventured further. She checked that Victoria's mother was deep in sleep. When she was clear to continue, she set the satchel on the nearby counter so that she could search it for the potion. She pulled it out and turned to face the Vega patriarch.

Her gaze flicked to his daughter, who nodded. Jade carefully removed the oxygen mask and reached for his jaw. As soon as she applied pressure, she was stopped by a heavy hand gripping her wrist. She froze, instincts urging her to lash out, but she held back at the last minute. She watched as his hazy eyes opened, locking on her with a focus that belied his condition.

"You. Come to poison me?" he sneered. Jade smirked.

"Relax old man. I'm here to help."

"Old? Me? Look who's talking," he retorted, finally letting her go. She retreated. Jade's brow quirked.

"If I didn't know better, I would think you were joking with me," she commented.

"It's a good thing you know better then," he responded, his eyes falling closed. He took a shuddering breath.

"Father, let her help you. Please," Victoria finally spoke up.

"I sincerely believe you think she's helping, but how can you be sure she isn't trying to poison me? She could very well make it look like an accident. A complication of whatever garbage she threw together," he accused. Jade shrugged and nodded.

"It's a logical train of thought," she admitted, looking to Victoria. She frowned, hands on her hips.

"You're not helping," she discouraged.

"I don't need her help," Victoria's father said, eyes still closed. His tone suggested he wanted to be stern, but his voice was weak.

"You might not want it, but you do need it," Victoria corrected, walking forward. He sighed heavily, eyes opening again to take in his youngest. He knew that determined look in her eyes. She wasn't going to back down. He turned his head to look at the creature masquerading as a young woman. Her eyes were piercing, gaze calculative, but they held no malice. In fact, they closely mirrored the look in his daughter's eyes. So much so that he found it hard to trust Victoria and not Jade. They were both clearly there for his well-being and nothing more. Which brought him to the question, how did Victoria manage such a connection with the creature that made it so willing to help what should be its enemy? Jade could easily read his curiosity, hesitation, and confusion. She exhaled and crossed her arms, staring down the stubborn man.

"I see where your daughter gets it," Jade remarked, bright eyes jumping to said girl.

"Hey!"

Jade chuckled, bringing a shocked expression to the oldest Vega's face, as if he couldn't believe what he was hearing.

"You know I'm only teasing," Jade amended, giving Victoria a soft smirk. The young woman played up refusing apology, but she was smiling. Victoria's father kept looking from one to the other, completely confused, and unable to comprehend what was happening. Were they fighting or...flirting? No, it couldn't be. Something like that wasn't capable of human emotion. It was a farce, and his daughter was falling for it.