Keeping Faith

Chapter Thirty-Two: Back to Normal

Jonathan tapped on the door of David's room before entering. Faith stood to greet him. David sat on the bed, eyes fixed on the back walk in a daze, Max curled at his feet.

Faith placed a hand on Jonathan's arm and turned him from David as she whispered, "He's not himself, Jay. Not at all." She glanced back at him and shook her head, "I just don't know what to do. He's been staring at that wall for the past hour. Ever since he asked for the drug."

Jonathan shifted his weight from one foot to the other, hesitate in asking the question as it rang through his mind. Finally, he made the query, "He asked for it?" With a dip of her head she confirmed, "Yes, but he ended up not taking it because of me."

Jonathan nodded and stole a glance in his brother's direction. It was worse than David was letting on. Placing a hand on her shoulder, he offered, "Okay, I'll sit with him now. It's your turn to get some rest." He handed her a hotel room key and smiled at her puzzled expression, "I knew you didn't have time to book a room, so I took the liberty of getting you one." She took a deep breath and her words came out in a whoosh, "Thank you..."

He gently placed a hand on her shoulder once more, "You're welcome, Faith. Tony is waiting outside. I'm sure he won't mind taking you to get a bite to eat before you turn in. I'm sure you're hungry."

She nodded as she grabbed her purse, "I am a little hungry actually..." She turned back towards David as she headed out the door, he was still sitting there, eyes fitted in a daze. She hesitated, then released her grip from the doorframe and exited the room.

Jonathan watched till she was out of view then turned to face David. He signed and wandered over to his bedside. David made no move. He didn't even acknowledge that his brother was present or that Faith had left the room. He just sat there in a trance.

Jonathan placed his fist on his hips and surveyed his brother. Shaking his head in dismay. Finally, he took hold of David's shoulders and gave him a good shake. "What!?" David yelled. Jonathan shared into his brother's eyes and laid down the ground rules, "You are not going to give up! You're going to fight and come back to us!"

David shook his head, "I may have already lost...I'm not the same man anymore. He's dead, Jay." Jonathan's anger kindled and in one sudden motion, he slapped his brother's face. Bolting David from his zombie state. David now stood face to face with Jonathan. Blood boiling, temper fuming, "Don't you ever do that again, Jay!"

Jonathan yelled back, "Yeah, why? Cause you can't take it? Because you don't think you can? Maybe you're right, maybe you aren't the man you once where! The brother I had wouldn't be such a coward!"

David threw a fist into Jonathans face slamming him against the wall and warned through gritted teeth, "Don't ever try to get inside my head again!" Tears blurred his eyes. His brow furrowed as he confessed, "Too many people have been in there already!"

Jonathan grabbed David's wrist and flipped him with an Aikido reverse wrist throw technique called Kote Gaeshi. David fell to the ground and Jonathan pined his foot over David's windpipe with his wrist still twisted in a firm clasp.

He continued to twist David's arm until he heard him moan and then holding him at that uncomfortable state he bellowed, "I won't get in your head again! But don't you dare ever throw a punch at me again!" Max lunged at Jonathan, slinging his razor-sharp teeth into his arm. Jonathan let out a yell from the sudden burst of pain and released David from his deadly grip.

David coughed as oxygen filled his throat again. He ordered, "Max no! Down boy!" Max obeyed but continued to growl and display his teeth at Jonathan. He was trying his best to protect his owner and friend.

David patted the German Shepherd's head and pulled him back, "It's okay, Max. I'm fine. Good boy." He turned to Jonathan who was pressing down on his arm to stop the bleeding.

"You alright?" Jonathan huffed and gave him a reluctant nod, "Yeah, I'm fine. He was just trying to protect you...I can't fault him for that. That's a role we both share."

David signed, "I'm...sorry, Jay. Why don't you go have one of the nurses take a look at that?" Jonathan glanced at the puncher marks in his skin, "I'll be fine. It's just a flesh wound."

David shook his head as he grabbed Jonathans arm to examine it, "Flesh wound, huh? It's more than a flesh wound... so don't argue with me, okay? Just go freshen up." Jonathan sighed, his brother was probably right. It wouldn't hurt to have a nurse check. "Alright," he finally agreed, "Give me ten."

David ran his hand through Max' fur again, "Don't hurry on my account. I'm not going anywhere." With a wry quirk of his lips, Jonathan shook his head and headed out the door.

He would have preferred a long, hot shower, a decent meal and his own bed, but he'd make do. He always made do. After the nurse checked his arm, he was going to take a minute to compose himself again.

If nothing else, freshening up would help him feel more human. Doing routine things often comforted him in stressful situations. It helped maintain a since of normality. A few minutes of normal could help him store enough stamina to be better equipped for the next crisis... whatever it might be and whenever it might arise.

He never enjoyed fighting with his brother, yet he was sure this was the kind of tough love moment David needed. He'd be fine. He had to be.