You’re Always on my Mind

Divia

"Come on partner," Jake said, a smile upon his face. They were engaged in a conversation that Sara did not wish to partake in, but that did not stop Jake from expressing his opinion on the matter.

Sara lowered her sunglasses. "You have to be kidding me."

"Don’t you ever wonder what it’s like?" He asked, his smile was replaced by a sincere expression.

"No, Jake." In a vain attempt to block him out Sara gazed up at the trees, which proudly displayed their rich fall colors of auburn and gold. The honking of Canadian geese caused the young woman to look into the sky. As the animals flew overhead, making their journey south, Sara wished she could join them so she didn’t have to listen to Jake’s mindless rambling.

"Are you sure?" He pressed and Sara stopped walking.

"Listen Jake I.." Sara stopped suddenly, feeling something was wrong. Her eyes quickly scanned the park, looking for danger.

"Yeah?" Her partner asked a smile upon his face. Sara grabbed her gun.

"Whoa, partner, if you don’t want me to talk about it anymore just…"

"No, Jake we’ve got trouble." Realizing she was serious, Jake removed his gun from its holster.

"Look, over there." Jake motioned towards an older man who was wildly flaying his arms and yelling as though he were accusing someone, but there was no one around him. For a moment Sara was hesitant, unsure if this man was the culprit, after all a lot of people in New York talked to themselves.

"Sara look out!" Jake snapped, pushing her aside. With a thud, Sara fell onto the hard ground, and watched as Jake emptied his clip into the suspect, who had drawn his gun. The older man fell and she laid on the grass, stunned at the events, which had just taken place. The young woman picked herself up and brushed some grass from her jeans, and then examined the grass stains, wondering if they would come out.

"Hey Jake, next time for reference.." She glanced up to see her partner on the ground, gasping for air. "Jake!" Sara’s eyes became wide and her face went pale. Quickly, she ran towards him and she saw his blue shirt was heavily soaked with blood due to multiple wounds.

"Did I get him?"

"Yeah."

"Are you OK?"

"I’m fine Jake. And you’re gonna be OK too. Just hold on." Jake’s eyes slowly began to close and Sara, despite all her mystical powers, felt incredibly helpless. Tears swelled within her eyes as she watched Jake’s breathing becoming more ragged with each breath. Bystanders began to form a circle around the fallen officer and his partner. "Jake," Sara pushed him. "Don’t go to sleep! Stay awake! talk to me!"

"Hey," he began, his voice was very weak. "Did I ever tell you that you’re beautiful?"

"Knock it off Jake," Sara smiled, despite the severity of the situation and wiped the tears away. "Try not to move, the ambulance is coming, I can hear’ em." Sara raised her head to blink away additional tears and saw Danny standing in the crowd of people. Panic overcame her as she pondered the possibility of losing another partner. Sara could not lose Jake, because she was just beginning to form a bond with him.

"Let us through!" Two paramedics snapped, and pushed their way through the assembly of people. One knocked Sara to the ground, however she said nothing, and quietly watched in horror as they ripped Jake’s shirt open. She was aware that he had been hit multiple times, however, seeing the holes with blood flowing from them sent a chill down her spine. Again her eyes went to Danny, who had a grim expression upon his face.

**** *** ***

"Jake, what the hell were you thinking?" Sara asked, looking over Jake’s body, which lie in a sterile hospital bed. She paced nervously within the cold, uninviting room. His condition was critical and the doctors were quite frank with their diagnosis. They believed he would die within the night. Sara moved towards the windowsill and gazed at the bouquet of mismatched, yet pretty, flowers headquarters had sent.

"He was protecting you, Sara." An old familiar voice spoke softly. "Remember he is unaware of the Witchblade and its powers. Jake thought he was saving your life."

"I know, Danny." Sara gazed down at Jake’s. Despite his condition he looked peaceful. It pained her to see him laying unconscious. The room smelled of death and Sara wondered how many people had perished within the same bed. As morbid thoughts ran through her mind she saw Jake’s body start to move.

"Jake!" Sara snapped. His body convulses wildly before her frightened eyes. "Oh God, Danny what’s happening?!"

"He’s dying, Sara."

"Jake, no, you can’t leave me. Listen to me, damn it! You can’t leave me too!" Sara looked up at Danny through tear filled eyes, waiting for some of his ancient wisdom. "Danny, do something!"

"I can’t do anything," he said simply. "But you can."

"What the hell are you talking about?" she snapped, confused.

"The witchblade can heal him, but," Danny paused.

"What Danny? But what?!"

"You can make the witchblade heal Jake, but he won’t be the same."

"What do you mean he won’t be the same?" Sara yelled. Jake’s body became limp and the annoying buzz of his heart monitor rang in her ears. "Screw it. I’m not going to lose anyone else!" Sara summoned the witchblade, which encased her arm. She watched Danny, take a step back as she placed her hand upon his chest. Her guardian uttered a warning.

"Are you sure you want to change his life like this?"

Sara pressed her lips tightly together, as if she were pondering her decision. "I command you to heal him." As soon as she finished speaking Jake’s body jerked mimicking an electric shock. His blue eyes flew open and he gasped for air.

"S-Sara?" he looked around, confused. "What happened? Why am I in the hospital?"

"You’ve been shot," Scanning the room Sara found her ex partner had disappeared as quickly as he arrived. Jake closed his eyes and took a deep breath.

"Must have been one helluva hit. I don’t remember anything. I feel tired."

"I’ll tell the nurse you’re awake." As she walked towards the door she glanced back, and smiled, for she was happy to see him alive.

*** ***

"Are you sure?" Kenneth growled, as he sat in a velvet-lined chair before a blazing fire. Nottingham did not speak nor raise his head to acknowledge his master’s question. Then after a long pause the man clad in black spoke.

"I saw it with my own eyes." Nottingham repeated. Kenneth continued to sit motionless in his plush chair, as he assessed the situation.

"She is becoming more independent as time progresses and she is starting to become a nuisance. This little, incident, has perpetuated the circumstances." Kenneth placed his hands together slowly.

"What will befall him?"

"That," Kenneth began, "I do not have the pleasure of knowing. The witchblade is unkind to men, yet Sara commanded it to heal her partner. The outcome, no doubt, will be very intriguing. Go. Watch Det. McCartey and tell me his status." Nottingham quickly walked away. Kenneth continued to watch the flames burn brightly. He was not pleased by the sudden change of events, but age had taught him to be prudent in all matters that dealt with the witchblade.

***** ******

"You heal quickly, detective," The doctor muttered, looking over Jake’s bullet wounds. "I’ll say it again," the doctor pushed up his black wire rimmed glasses. "It’s a miracle you are even alive." He scratched his balding head and re-examined Jake’s wounds, which had healed completely in four days. The only trace of his previous injuries were small scars that were barely visible.

"I feel better then ever," Jake muttered, also astonished by his sudden recovery.

"So, can he go doc?" Sara asked, as she nervously looked around. She had not anticipated Jake’s rapid recovery, but then again, she was uncertain what exactly the witchblade had done to him.

"Normally," the doctor began, "I would say no, however; I don’t see why he shouldn’t be discharged. He looks, well, great considering the circumstances." Jake shook the doctor’s sweaty hand. "Thanks doctor, it will be good to get out of here and eat some real food." The doctor waved good-bye and did not utter a sound as he walked out of the room.

"Get dressed, I’ll take ya home. The doctor doesn’t want you driving just yet." Sara did not wait for a response and followed the doctor.

**** **** ****

Weeks passed, and despite Jake’s extraordinary healing, he had not been blessed, or cursed, with any other extraordinary powers. Sara was grateful that Jake was normal and he continued his daily life as if his brush with death had not occurred. For better or worse, Sara spoke little of the incident, hoping to push it from her mind. She did not want to be reminded that she had forced the witchblade to heal Jake. At times, she was beginning to feel guilty about using her powers, and then she justified her actions by convincing herself it was one of the best things she had ever done.

"You losin’ it rookie?" Sara asked, as she looked at her partner who sat in an uncomfortable wooden chair with his eyes closed. They had been on a stakeout for 15 hours and time was passing exceedingly slowly. Sara kept herself occupied by counting the rats, which occasionally scurried across the old factory floor. Jake found no amusement in Sara’s odd form of entertainment, so he decided to sleep.

"I’m fine," Jake lied, as he yawned again for the fourth time in about a minute. He decided to open his eyes to prove to his partner that he was not asleep yet. Sara shook her head, stood up and began to pace to keep herself from nodding off also. As she walks back and forth her mind raced wildly with thoughts about the witchblade. She was still a little skittish about having it on her wrist. Sometimes she was pleased because she did have a weapon to help aid her in the fight against crime, however; Sara was also worried what it would, or could, do to her. "What?"

"Huh?" Sara asked, turning to face him.

"I thought I heard you say something."

"N-no." Jake shook his head. Sleep deprivation was starting to play tricks with his mind.

Pez do you really think they are gonna show? Jake stood up and stretched. I mean it’s been 15 hours, they should have made a move by now. They probably know we are up here. I say we head home.

"Ya know Jake, criminals don’t have a time schedule. They tend to strike whenever they feel like it." Sara snapped, growing annoyed by his complaining.

"I didn’t say anything."

"Yes you did."

"No," he pressed. "I didn’t."

Sara looked at him. "I heard you."

"Well, you’re hearing things." Jake crossed his arms and glared back at her. "Listen Pez, I think the day is getting to us. It’s obvious we’re tired. I say we call it a night."

"M-maybe you are right," Sara agreed, although she knew she had heard him. She no longer had the strength to argue with her partner, for she was very tired. Jake walked towards the door and opened it for her, which she passed though. Carefully she descended the factory’s old iron steps, taking care not to fall. Slowly, they walked through the abandoned building, guns resting within their hands as they watched the shadows.

They emerged safely, yet both were on edge, for they knew danger could be leaking outdoors. Sara looked down at the red stone within the witchblade and saw it swirling wildly. Before she could warn Jake, he pulled her behind a car as shots echoed throughout the night.

"Do you know where it’s coming from?" Jake asked.

"No." Sara glanced around nervously, but she couldn’t see anyone. A sensation overcame her and the young woman glanced down an alley to see Nottingham. She wondered if he was following her again. Then, as quickly as it began the shooting ended but neither of them moved. Sara waited for the witchblade to inform her if it was safe. Glancing down to her bracelet she saw the stone was no longer moving.

"I think they left." Sara nodded, and stood up, taking another look down the alley to see if Nottingham’s darkened figure was looming about, but she did not notice him. "Well, someone’s been watching us."

"What?"

"Someone knew we were here," Jake repeated and Sara wondered if he was referring to Nottingham or the criminals, but was fearful to probe deeper. So, instead of questioning the young woman nodded. "Pez are you all right?"

"Yeah, I’m fine Jake," Sara lied as she pondered how her partner could have sensed danger at the same moment she did. Yawning, the young woman pushed the thought from her mind, it was obvious that she needed to rest because her mind was playing tricks.

Jake’s body jerked violently causing him to wake instantly. His heart pounded wildly within his chest and he was covered in sweat. Sitting up he noticed his hands shaking, which was uncharacteristic. The young man breathed deeply, hoping to calm himself, which worked a little. Jake suddenly noticed the sun’s raise had managed to infiltrate his bedroom. Confused by the sunlight Jake gazed at the clock, which read 11:30.

"Jesus!" Throwing back his sweat-drenched covers he jumped out of bed and ran into the shower. He prayed no one would notice his delayed arrival. In record time, he was showered and was running around his bedroom, searching for clothing that were clean, or did not smell.

"Where is that damn shirt?" He cursed, throwing articles of clothing across his room, in a vain attempt to find his favorite shirt. Unable to locate the beloved piece of clothing Jake picked up another shirt, sniffed it to make sure it was clean. "Smells OK." He pulled it over his head and then began a quest for his pants. As he scanned the floor, Jake stopped suddenly and stood erect. He had the nagging feeling someone was watching him. His eyes moved across the room and then a figure outside the window caught his attention.

Twenty feet from his apartment Jake saw a man donned in black whose trench coat was flapping in the wind. The man stared at the police officer with a menacing expression, which caused Jake to reach for his gun. He aimed his weapon at the mysterious man, finger resting on the trigger.