The Bodyguard - Completed.

Chapter Twenty-two

"Jodie." Despaired Xavier dropped to his knees at her side, lying in the dark damp corner. He placed a trembling hand against her damp, pasty skin. She moaned. Relieved, he scooped her up into his arms, carrying her out of the damp, dark, bleak cell. He cradled her against his body, giving her warmth that she needed. Flossy trotting behind him, whimpering, her little legs running to keep up with his long legged stride. His men flanked his side. Caleb scooped up Flossy and carried, as they headed out of the old holding cells, their pace picking up. Time was short. He had to get her to the hospital and fast. "Keep fighting Jodie," he whispered, placing his lips on her forehead. "You are a fighter."

"Xavier," she croaked through a tight throat.

"Yes, my love, I have you."

She sighed, resting her head against his shoulder, eyes closing, not they were opened much in the first place. "I knew you would come."

"Of course." As they hit sunlight, he cradled her face into his chest. She had been locked in a dark dungeon for nearly a day, after being in the desert. He raced towards the helicopter, the door wide opened. He was helped in by his men at his side, since he had her in his arms. Dropping into a seat, his men climbed in and slammed shut the door. "Go, go, go," he snapped into an earpiece.

The hospital was waiting for their arrival, no matter the condition. She would have to be checked over. This was his worst scenario. "Water," he barked to be handed an unscrewed bottle of water that he pressed against her lips as an emergency blanket was placed over her to keep her body warm. "Jodie I need you to drink." It was harder for him to do so while cradling her in his arm, but he wasn't going to let her go, never ever again. She would always be at his side. The wetness of water brushed against her lips that parted slightly. He controlled how much went in.

It had been the longest flight in his life, landing at the hospital's heliport, where medics were waiting with a trolley. She was laid down and wrapped in silver blankets and rushed inside into emergency, where she was checked over, drips put in, wired up to different monitors. Xavier watched on helplessly. For the first time in his life he felt useless. Closing his eyes, he prayed for her life, and that of their child.

Once everything settled down, and doctors reassuring him, she was going to be fine and the baby safe, she was moved into a private room that he moved into, with Flossy. Seated on her bed, clutching her hand against his aching heart, he still couldn't believe she had survived out in the desert then locked up in that damp cold dungeon, where Flossy - a damn stupid name for a dog that would have to be changed - had made it easier to find her in the many mazes of dungeon cells, they had made it in time.

Slowly, she opened her eyes, his heart soaring at the sight of her bright, vivid, blue eyes, shinning at him. A smile curled her dry, cracked lips, cheeks hallow and skin taut. "Hello baby," she greeted with a throaty voice.

Flossy yapped and leaped onto the bed, which was amazing, since she was such a small dog and the bed high, padding over, tail wagging, and went to lick her face. She giggled. Xavier reached for the dog and placed at her side and lifted a finger, having the dog lie down at her side, head in paws, watching with sad dark eyes. A dark brow lifted towards him. "I had to do something while waiting for you to wake up," he noted. "Now, my turn," he leaned in closer and kissed her unlicked cheek. He dare not touch her anywhere else. Limp hair that was usually so shiny and full, laid against the pillow, surrounding her washed out features.

"Xavier," she whispered, placing a hand on her stomach. "Our baby?"

"Is fine, your body protected it. Now, we just have to get you fit and well."