JC dove into the freezing cold water and frantically looked around for Melissa. Kevin dove in after him and swam to the other side of the small river, while JC looked around on the other side. JC shivered and gasped for air, yelling for Melissa, hoping to get a response.
"JC!! I found her!" Kevin yelled, as he scooped her up out of the water. JC panicked and started swimming towards them. Kevin sat her down on the bank, and picked up his jacket that he had taken off before jumping into the water, and wrapped her up tightly in it, "She's okay! She's probably just unconscious from the cold. Nick only shot her leg," Kevin stated, as he closely examined her.
JC sighed hard and nodded, carefully scooping Melissa up. "We gotta get her help fast though." JC held Melissa tightly against him as they scaled up the rocks, then raced towards the car.
* * * * *
Two hours later, JC paced around the hospital lobby, waiting on some news from the doctor. JC sighed and silently thanked God that Kevin had so suddenly turned to their side and offered his help. If it wasn't for him, he probably would've found Melissa after it was too late. His thoughts were interrupted by the doctor entering the waiting room.
"Mr. Chasez, Miss Morgan is one very lucky young lady. She sustained a very small laceration to right femoral area from the gun shot wound. She broke her right arm as a result of the fall to the water. Other than that, she's just cold and visibly shaken up. But she's going to be just fine." JC let out a huge, deep sigh of relief as he thanked the doctor and shook his hand. The doctor pointed him towards Melissa's room, then walked off down the hallway.
JC slowly walked down the hall and peeked into Melissa's room, seeing her asleep. He quietly walked into the room and pulled the chair up next to the bed. JC sat down and took her small hand in his, and intertwined their fingers tightly, kissing her hand softly. He looked up when he felt her hand stirring underneath his lips.
Melissa let out a deep breath and let her eyelids flutter open slowly, as she let her eyes slowly scan the room, then rest on JC. JC sighed and smiled, reaching his hand out and laying it on her cheek. "Hey you."
Melissa smiled tiredly and slowly reached up laying her hand over his, "Hey," she whispered, still weak and tired from her medications they had given her through the IV. "I'm so glad that you're okay." JC sighed, slowly rubbing her cheek with his fingertips. "It was all my fault, I should've never left!"
Melissa looked up into his eyes, seeing them mist over slightly. "Shhh...it's not your fault. Don't blame yourself. Besides, I'm just fine," Melissa whispered, cracking a tiny smile.
JC sighed and bit his lip as he let one solitary tear glide down his cheek, barely whispering, "I broke my promise to you." Melissa looked up at him with a semi-confused look on her face, as she slowly reached up and wiped the tear away with her thumb. "What?" JC sniffled quietly and looked at her, quietly whispering, "I promised you that I would never let anyone hurt you again. I...I broke my promise to you!"
Melissa sighed and silenced him as she put her fingertip over his lips. "I'm here with you. That's all that matters to me. Nothing else matters." JC smiled slightly as he softly kissed her fingertip, then leaned down carefully, pulling her into a tight embrace.
JC sighed and closed his eyes as he nuzzled his head deep against her neck, deeply inhaling the scent of her hair. "I love you," he whispered softly. Melissa sighed deep and wrapped her arms back around him, nuzzling her head back against his, softly whispering against his ear, "I love you too, JC.�
Seventeen