Chapter Four: Merry Christmas, Ivana...

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While Ivana provided cover fire from the roof, killing as many riders as she could, Jordan kicked Eredin in the side of the head and sent him to the ground...

"Avallac'h! Ciri! Move!" Jordan barked, opening the Hum-V door for them, then running around to the other side.

Ivana banged on the roof, "Go! Go! Go!" she shouted and Jordan pressed the gas pedal to the floorboard as soon as Avallac'h and Ciri were inside.

"You dismembered Eredin!" Avallac'h shouted.

"I know, I also shot him in the chest! I was there!" Jordan shouted back, "I can get you two as far as the boarder, then you make your way north west. Go to Europe, you'll-" an elbow smashed through the window, "Ah!" Jordan screamed before using her rifle to take the rider's head off.

"They'll be coming after you now as well!" Avallac'h snapped.

"What if Jordan came with us?" Ciri suggested, "She can help us. Help Geralt find me!" she reasoned.

"I'm no Witcher, Ciri," Jordan replied with a heavy breath as she tried to out maneuver anymore riders.

Avallac'h had a thought then...

"You have fine reflexes. You're a warrior. A lionors..." Avallac'h breathed.

"What are you getting at, Jingles?" Jordan hissed.

He rolled his eyes, "Zirael has a point. You can help us. You know us and the story!" Avallac'h said and Jordan growled.

"Specify before I decide to pull over!" Jordan barked and Avallac'h hissed.

"What if I made you into a Witcher?" Avallac'h asked and Jordan looked over at him with wide eyes.

"The druids could never make female Witchers. It's impossible," she stated in disbelief.

"I'm no druid," Avallac'h said and Jordan felt a pit in her stomach.

Becoming a Witcher was something to contemplate over a period of years...not during a rushed chase...

Jordan looked back to the road only for a Hunt hound to run into the middle of the road and leap into the air, hitting the hood.

"Fucking mutt!" Ivana shouted, turning the gun to fire at the hound...but the dog howled and jumped again, managing to rake its claws over her side, causing her to scream and collapse down into the cabin.

"Ivana...!? NO!" Jordan screamed.

"I-I'm fine...! Just drive!" Ivana gasped as Ciri rushed to help her.

"Jordan..." Ciri said as she saw all of the blood, helping Ivana out of her Kevlar vest and coat.

Jordan's eyes burned as she drove, she knew...

"I-I'm alright. Re-really... This shit's a walk in the park compared to the bent arm hangs in boot camp," Ivana laughed wryly as Ciri held the pressure.

"You'll be okay, Ivana. You're-... You're gonna be okay. Just keep talking to Ciri!" Jordan said, "That's an order, Lieutenant!" she barked, desperate...

***

They eventually reached the boarder when the dawn came. The Hunt couldn't follow them in the blistering heat...

Jordan jumped out of the Hum-V and helped Ciri carry Ivana out of the cabin and into one of the many cleared out caves, formerly used by Al Qeada and ISIS in recent years.

Ivana was fading quickly...

"I'm s-sorry-... I-I'm so sorry I couldn't go with you," Ivana rasped, holding Jordan's hand as she sat with her.

"You're like my sister, Ivana. You'll be stuck with me until the day my stubbornness fails," Jordan smiled sadly.

Avallac'h and Ciri stood by, watching in condolent silence...

"S-so...forever then...? Sounds good to me...partner," Ivana giggled lightly as Jordan wiped some sweat from her brow.

Jordan closed her eyes and breathed deeply, "I'm gonna get them, Ivana. I'm gonna kill every last one of them and make sure that they know exactly who the fuck they've pissed off before they die," Jordan promised her and Ivana chuckled before breaking into a fit of painful coughing.

Jordan grimaced, "I'll send up flares before I go. Send out a distress call. If our boys are in the area, they'll get you home to your mom. She'd probably cross worlds and kick my ass if I didn't," Jordan said with determination.

Ivana nodded her head, "Thanks...I owe you. And- here...I grabbed this from the truck," Ivana pulled a flask from her pocket, "If I'm going out... I'm going out buzzed," Ivana chuckled and Jordan smiled, taking off the cap.

She smelled the drink, "Son of a bitch... this is Jack," Jordan laughed, "You've been holding out on me, 'Vana," she handed her the flask.

Ivana took a drink, "I-It was supposed to be your gift today..." Ivana breathed...it was almost time...

Jordan pulled out her phone and pulled up her music, "Merry Christmas, Ivana," she pressed play on Bing Crosby's, "White Christmas."

"M-Merry-..." Ivana began to choke, "Ma-...M-ma-!"

Jordan's eyes widened, her hand coming to cup Ivana's cheek in a desperate reflex to comfort her, "Avallac'h, help her! Do something!" Jordan pleaded, looking back at the Elf.

"The only kindness would be to put her out of her misery, Lionors," Avallac'h said grimly and Jordan's heart broke. Ivana couldn't breathe...there wasn't much else to do...

It would be a slow and painful death...but Jordan wouldn't let her suffer. She drew her side arm from its holster on her hip, "I know, Ivana...and I'm sorry, too," she said with regret and Ivana calmed in her rasping, grappling Jordon's wrist, pressing the barrel to her forehead.

Ivana was giving her permission...

Click...

The gun shot rang out so heavily that it racked through Jordan's chest as it echoed through the cave...even setting Ciri and Avallac'h off balance...

And Bing Crosby still sang as Jordan sat there in silence and mourning...

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