Beginning of the End

XXXVII

"Ziggles, open the door." I wake up to hear Lamar pounding on my door. I slowly get out of bed, wiping my eyes. I walk to the door, unlocking it, then opening it.

"Yes?" I yawned.

"Tyler's awake." He smiled, grabbing my hand and pulling me along with him to Medical. When we walked in, Nick, Khalil, and Alek were standing around Tyler, who was humorously recalling the scene.

"What an ugly son of a bitch, too. You guys got it, right?" He asked, looking around.

"I did." Nick smiles.

"Well good morning, Tyler." I say, with a smile, walking towards him.

"I'm sorry I was careless, Jade. Won't happen again." He saluted me.

"Don't apologize. You're lucky you had such quick thinkers on your side," I smiled at everyone in the room, "And let's hope it doesn't happen again, because before you go out, which is going to be a very long time, you have to learn to shoot with your other hand." I winked.

"Oh man..." Tyler looked down at his stump, "This is gonna fucking suck." He chuckled.

"I'm glad you're taking this well." Lamar said. Tyler looked around at everyone.

"Why wouldn't I? You guys saved my life. I'm very grateful for that."

"Then think about that next time you wanna get petty over dumb shit." Khalil laughed.

"Knock, knock," We all turn to see Leanne step into the room, "Sounds like someone is bright eyed and bushy tailed this morning." She smiled as she walked over towards Tyler.

"Yeah, just got a headache." Tyler nodded.

"Possibly from dehydration." Leanne looked at the IV bag, realizing it was almost empty.

"How's everything else, doc?" Khalil asked, concerned.

"I'm gonna have to run vital and check on the infection, but other than that, he seems to be well." She smiled at Khalil.

"Good," I turned to Lamar, "Hey, where's Alek at?"

"Oh, at home. He was passing out standing up last night, so we made him retire for the night." Lamar answered.

"Okay, I'm gonna go find him," I look back at Tyler once more, "I'm glad you're okay," I walk by Leanne on my way out, "Let me know if anything is off or anything bad is happening."

"Will do, Jade." She smiled.

"Thank you." I made my way to Lamar and Alek's trailer. I walked up and turned the knob. I slowly pushed the door open, and closed it behind me. I tiptoed to the back of the house, seeing that Alek's door was slightly ajar. I pushed it open slightly, to see him laying on his side, facing the wall. I slowly climb in bed beside him, wrapping my arms around him. He then turned over, looking at me.

"Well, good morning." He smiled, kissing my forehead.

"Morning. Tyler's up." I smiled at him.

"No way!" He smiled, jumping up out of bed, "Is he okay?" Alek pulled on a pair of pants.

"Babe..." I walked up to him, wrapping my arms around his neck, "He's fine. I told Lamar to come get me if anything bad happened," I kissed his cheek, "Can't we just have some alone time?" I pouted, poking my bottom lip out.

"Oh, you're such a baby," He teased, kissing my forehead, "Of course, let's lay back down." He pushed me back onto the bed softly.

~

"So," Tyler cleared his throat, looking at Lamar, "When do I get to learn to shoot with the other hand?"

"Easy there, big guy," Alek smiled as he walked into the room, "Don't strain your good arm." He laughed.

"Where's Jade?" Lamar asked, looking behind him.

"She's asleep in my bed, but, I wanted you guys to do me a favor." He scratched his head.

"Yeah, sure." Khalil stated.

"Can you call a Community Meeting in about," He looked down at his watch, "20 minutes?" He looked at Lamar, "Then go wake Jade up and say that there's a meeting you set up in regards to Tyler and runs?"

"Uh, yeah? Sure." Lamar nodded, curiously.

"Awesome, you're the best. I gotta go to her house and find my old jacket I first wore here." Alek smiled and turned, walking out, off towards Jade's house.

"Well, I guess we rally the people." Nick smiled.

Nick and Khalil helped Tyler into a wheelchair, since his vitals were still too weak to have him walk. Everyone was gathered into the CMC.

"I gotta go get Jade." Lamar said, walking off to his trailer. He opened the door and walked to the back, gently knocking on the door.

"Hm?" He heard a sleepy groan come from the other side. Lamar opened the door and walked in.

"Hey, Jed set up a Community Meeting, in regards to Tyler and how runs are gonna be for while, figured you'd want to say some things." Lamar sat next to me on the edge of the bed. I rolled over to look at him.

"Shit, that's today, isn't it?" I rubbed my eyes to wake myself up, "Yeah, let's go."

We made our way to the CMC, where I saw Jed standing out, smoking a cigarette.

"You ready?" He asked, flicking it.

"Yeah, you can start." I walk in behind him and we make our way up to the stage.

"As you all may know by now, Tyler was bitten on the last run and lost his arm," Jed started, "But, he's fine, and he looks better than ever," Jed looked over at Tyler, in the wheelchair, who waved at everyone. I looked over and saw Alek standing next to the him and Lamar. I smiled at him, "So, as you can probably guess, the runs are gonna be different for awhile until Tyler can get his other arm in control. If you're interesting in runs, and can pass the aim test, we'll let Jade and Khalil pass you on that," Jed turned to me, "Any words?"

"Actually, no, I think you covered everything." I smiled.

"Anyone got any questions?" Jed asked looking around.

"I do." Alek raised his hand.

"Sure, what's up?" Jed asked.

"Do you mind if I step up?" He asked.

"Not at all, come on." Jed gestured towards the stage. Alek walked up and stood between Jed and I.

"As you all may know, I'm new. I was not welcome at first, but I'd like to thank each and every one of you for allowing me to be in your fences. It means a lot. And it's amazing that I was able to go on this run, and thankfully the guys trusting me with Tyler's life," He looked back at me, "And thankfully, you forgave me..." He walked over and grabbed my hand, "This is gonna be very, very late and kinda pointless in this world, but," He reached into his jacket pocket, getting down on one knee and pulled a beautiful ruby ring out, "Will you marry me?"