Stolen From Superman-The Sequel To Waiting for Superman

Chapter 46- Healing Again

They carry her away on the stretcher behind Mitch's, and I never let go of her hand. She stays awake, blinking, and occasionally squeezing my hand. My heart soars in my chest, unrestrained by the heavy sadness that has weighed on it since they took her. Those chains are gone now. Despite everything that's happened, despite the danger that still exists, we are together again. I know that nothing could ruin this now. We've been through so much; I can't see it to be possible that we could ever be separated again. I'll never let her go.

She's still stable as we reach the hospital, and Mitch is doing well too. I'm pleasantly surprised as she is taken into a room where Emily meets her. Emily, the nurse who took care of her while she was in a coma. I haven't seen her since the fire, and I don't think Ali has either. She looks at me, face questioning and worried. "Jordan what happened?!" she asks, hooking in various IV's and wires absentmindedly. "That's a long story." I whisper, still holding Ali's hand. Her heart beat is steady, albeit a bit weak. Emily looks at me for a moment. "Tell me." She says, looking at Ali with her forehead wrinkled in concern. So I do, explaining everything that's happened. I can't help but notice the tears gathering in her eyes as I speak. When I reach the end, at Steven's death, she suddenly hugs me. I'm surprised for a moment, and don't really know what to do. But she pulls back quickly. "I'm sorry. I just... Steven killed all those patients in the hospital. Thank you." She pauses for a moment, fists clenched. "Thank you for killing him." She continues, wiping her eyes furiously and returning to Ali's side, fussing with the machines. I blink, slightly taken aback. It's strange, to be thanked for killing someone. I clear my throat. "It was what I had to do." I say quietly, fixing my eyes on Ali, who smiles at me weakly. Emily watches us for moment, and a smirk comes over her face. She was always fond of us when I would visit Ali. This must be like a fairytale to her.

*Ali's POV*

Everything seems rather jumbled together at first. I know Jordan. I know where he is, what he says, and the fact that his hand is wrapped around mine. I'm painfully aware of his every move, and it's blissful, in a way. I've missed him to an unexplainable degree. I feel when an IV is put into my arm, and an oximeter attached to my finger. As I feel the liquid slowly seeping into my veins, rejuvenating me, things come into focus. Jordan sits beside me, and we are clearly in a hospital room. I stare at his face for a moment, almost convinced I'm hallucinating again. This certainly is too good to be true. Did I die, and not know it? Did he really rescue me under such dire circumstances? I fix my eyes intently upon him, trying to memorize every inch of him, just in case. He just stares back, eyes red from tears, but still the most beautiful thing I have ever seen. "Is this real?" I whisper, squeezing his hand. He nods, pressing his lips together in an almost disbelieving smile "It's real. You're safe, Ali. I'm here." He whispers back, seeming awed at the words he speaks, and for good reason. I would cry, if I had enough water in my body to produce a tear. I see nothing but him. My Superman. He really did come for me, just like he promised. I laugh softly, trying to ignore the resulting pain. It hurts to move anything, with all the cuts, bruises, burns, and stiffness. So I just stare at him, drinking in his presence like a drowning person that has been offered air. I've missed him. So much that it seems like I wouldn't be aware of anything else. But something nags at the back of my mind. A memory, of the rescue mission, just barely sitting in my head. And then it springs forward, sending a rush of panic through my body.

I bolt upright "Mitch!" I say, ignoring the pain for a moment. I hear the beeping from the heart monitor pick up wildly. "He's fine! Lay back down." Jordan insists hurriedly. But I won't. He's hidden deaths from me before, until he considered me ready to hear about them. "But he was shot!" I say, looking around the room in a crazy idea that he might be here. Jordan nods, and my heart sinks. "But it was only his shoulder. He's stable. He'll live. Please lay back down." He explains, with slightly less contempt than I would have imagined him having towards Mitch. I settle back down onto the pillow reluctantly, reassured for the moment. "Was it Steven?" I ask, my memory somewhat unreliable. He nods "It was meant for me, Ali. Mitch took a bullet for me." He says, sighing. I stare at him blankly. "You're serious right now?" I say, disbelieving. That makes no sense; they hate each other. He nods again. "there was a bit of a change in our relationship while you were-" he stops dead for a moment. "-gone." He decides on, hiding the pain behind his eyes. "So you two are friends now?" I ask, still confused by this turn of events. "I suppose so." Jordan says, seeming amused. "You could have died." I say slowly, that detail suddenly seeming the most important. He tilts his head. "The same could be said about you." I swallow hard at the thought of either of us dying, but especially him. I reach up and touch his cheek, emotion heavy in my heart. "Thank you." I whisper, sure I would be crying if I was capable. He stares at me for a moment, a whole host of feeling flashing across his face. Then he presses his lips to mine gently, something I was sure I would never feel again. My heart rate picks up, which is quickly displayed on the monitor beside me. I turn slightly red as Jordan looks at it, smiling. I watch him, caught up in his shear presence again. You never know how good a thing you've got until it's gone. I try to keep my mind away from what's happened to me. I know if I stop to think about it for too long, I'll break down. And this is too happy of a time for that. I'll wait to break, for now. He's healing me already, I know. It doesn't seem as bad as I've expected. He's doing what he's always done for me. Healing all of my pain. And I love him now more than ever.

A/N: the #jali is far too strong!!! *Sigh* I'm really happy that they're back together. Anyways, slap dat vote button and drop a comment if you enjoyed!

-Argo