Jon came home the next night with the news that Jordan would be released from the hospital in two days, and the Knight's large house went into the flurry of cleaning, with everyone helping. The next afternoon, Danny called.
"Hello, Marlene?" he asked. Mrs. Knight grinned. She had a very good idea why he was calling; she'd noticed how much he liked Sam, and he wouldn't have the chance to see her everyday for a while.
"Hi, Danny. Whatcha need?"
"Sam's phone number, if you've got it."
"Sure," she answered, nodding knowingly. She'd been right. Well, this could work to her advantage. "It's 571 5061. Anything else?"
"No," he said.
"Would you do me a favor?" she asked. "When you call, invite her to come to dinner with you, here, at about six tomorrow night. Jordan's coming home, and we're celebrating."
"Sure, okay. See ya tomorrow," he grinned.
"Thanks, Danny. Good bye."
Danny hung up, then quickly dialed Sam's number. "Hello?" she answered.
"Hi, Sam? This is Danny."
She couldn't explain the jump her heart made. "Hi. What's up?"
"Well, Jordan's coming home tomorrow, and Marlene's having a dinner at six or so. You're invited," he said, and immediately wished he'd asked in such a way that it sounded like a date.
"Good, I'm glad he's okay," she said with a sigh of relief.
"Can I pick you up?" he asked, crossing his fingers.
Sam looked at the phone like it was crazy. "Sure. I don't live too far, though, only about two blocks." She gave him her address, said good bye, and hung up. "JJ," she called, grinning widely, "my dreams are coming true!" Then she remembered that JJ hadn't come home from work yet and laughed.
The next morning, JJ walked in to find the brothers awake and in deep conversation. She quietly set the dish on the table and crept out, smiling. She had nearly reached her car when Jon came running out after her.
"Wait a minute," he said, catching her arm. "Come back." He wasn't even winded.
"I can't. I'm running late."
"They'll understand. Jordan wants to talk to you." He insistently pulled on her arm, and since she really didn't want to face her boss yet, she followed him up the stairs and back into Jordan's room.
"You aren't supposed to sneak around like that," Jordan chastised her as she walked in behind Jon.
"You were busy," she smiled easily.
"I really want to thank you for all the food you've brought me, and we thought it would be a good idea to tell you I'm going home today," he continued, then grimaced in pain. She shook her head at him as Jon leaned over and whispered in his ear. "Why don't you pick you dish up at our house tonight?" He indicated the casserole she'd just brought in.
"Uh, sure, I can do that. I'll get the address from Sam. I'll see you tonight, then." With one last wave, she left.
Jon grinned at Jordan. "Very nicely done," he said, sitting in the chair he usually occupied.
"You'd better impress her," Jordan said. Jon stiffened.
"What?" he asked guardedly.
Jordan grinned impishly. "I could see those wheels turning from the time she introduced herself. You can't hide things from me any more than I can hide them from you." He lay back and closed his eyes.
"You keep trying, though," Jon muttered. "Rest. I'll wake you when Mum gets here." He leaned back in his chair to think. After a few minutes, he had some of the casserole JJ had brought. He had just finished when Jordan opened his eyes and grimaced in pain.
"Jon, I need a drink and my medicine," he said softly, closing his eyes. "Hurry." Jon methodically go the items, and helped support his brother as he swallowed the pill, then carefully lowered him to the bed.
Jordan lay still, waiting for the familiar effects of the medication to start. "It hurts to be shot," he muttered as Jon sat down. Jon raised an eyebrow at him, and he grinned. "I wondered how it felt. Seems they can't really get the point across in books." He stopped talking as the numbness spread in his chest. "Now the million dollar question - can he still sing?"
"Don't," Jonathan said, but too late. Jordan started the chorus for "Let's Try it Again", lower and softly. Jon scowled, then Jordan stopped abruptly and coughed. "And the answer is no," he whispered.
"The answer is not yet. You've barely started recovering, Jordan. Give it time." He paused. "You rest. I'll get you up when Mom gets here."
Jordan looked at his brother, then nodded and closed his eyes, a ghost of a smile on his face. Three hours later Mrs. Knight arrived at twelve. Jon gently woke Jordan and helped him dress. The scar in Jordan's chest was still red and angry looking, and Jon's hazel eyes flinched from it. Before they buttoned his shirt, though, a nurse double checked the entry point, then gave him another prescription. "Just be careful," she told him.
"I was being careful," Jordan protested as he buttoned his shirt. "I was stuck between Jon here and Danny, and back was the only way I could go. If I'd seen the gun."
The nurse grinned, and looked at Jon. "Your brother?" she asked. He nodded, grinning, and she paused a moment. "Can I have you autograph?" she asked.
Jon grinned wider. "Sure," he said, and signed his name to the paper she gave him. Then they put Jordan in the wheel chair and wheeled him out to the car.
"Get me outa this thing," Jordan muttered, pushing himself up. Jon helped him into the car, then turned.
"Thanks," he smiled at the nurse, and climbed in next to Jordan.
Go on to Next Chapter | Grounds for Vengeance
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