Finally they went on tour, and Star's Comet opened for them again. They still needed the boost. Jon enjoyed himself, working hard to catch up on all the things he'd missed. He sometimes wondered if he and Danny would ever be friends again.
Chris jealously watched every minute Jordan spent with his brother, who looked better than ever. The brothers were very close, but always had enough time for anyone who needed help. Well, he'd try again, only this time he'd just kill him outright. He began carrying a large amount of Dexamyl, looking for any chance to slip it into Jon's drink. That was tough, because Jon was very suspicious of anyone not in New Kids, not wanting to become addicted again.
The chance came about four months into the tour; well, maybe not chance. Jon left his drink on the table one evening when JJ had trouble balancing her plate, right after she stumbled over Chris' foot. Jon helped her steady it, both laughing. When they'd sat down, Chris dumped the drug into the drink, then handed it to Jordan, just as he walked by.
"Get this to Jon; it's his. I've gotta make a phone call," he said, then turned and walked away, trying to hide a smile. 'It has begun!' he felt like cheering, telling the whole world. The look on Jordan's face had been a treasure!
Jordan stared after Chris in shock. It was the first time he'd been civil to him in nearly three years. "Uh, sure," he mumbled, walked over, and gave the milk to Jon, shaking his head in disbelief. Jon grinned at him in thanks and downed the whole cup as Jordan turned to find his plate again. When he finished the drink, Jon froze, then his hand convulsed around the paper cup.
"JJ, call an ambulance. Tell them it's Dexamyl, enough to taste in milk, and that I was addicted to it," he said faintly.
"What?" she asked, confused.
"Someone is trying to kill me. Hurry!"
JJ scrambled off the bench and raced for the phone as Donnie, who had heard, went to get Peter. JJ saw Chris using the nearest phone and didn't hesitate to run all the way down the hall to the next one. Hardly pausing, she grabbed the phone and dialed 911. They answered immediately.
"Hello. We need an ambulance at the stadium. Someone has overdosed on Dexamyl," she reported. "He said it was strong enough to taste in a 16 ounce glass of milk. He also said to tell you he was addicted to it about two years ago."
"How long ago did he drink it?"
"About 2 or 3 minutes ago, I think."
"Is he conscious?"
"He was about a minute ago."
"Good. Don't let him go to sleep. He's going to want to, but if he does, he'll never wake up. They're on their way."
"Thank you," JJ nearly moaned, hung up, and raced back.
Jordan sat next to Jon, worried. "What's wrong?" he asked. Jon shook his head, trying to stay awake, and looked at him.
"I just got a lethal dose of the drug," he mumbled, his breath coming in short gasps. "Trust me, man, I didn't take it this time, not on purpose." He thought he'd gotten rid of the desperation, but it was back. Jordan had to believe him. He had to.
"I know Jon, just relax," Jordan said. Jon breathed a sigh of relief, but could not understand why he felt so tired. His hands, gripping the table, fell limply in his lap. He leaned against Jordan and closed his eyes, but then JJ raced in and pulled him up. She didn't notice Peter had joined them and watched everything, Donnie right behind.
"Don't you dare go to sleep on me!" she yelled, crying. Chris had followed her in and watched from the doorway.
"What?" Jordan asked, his brown eyes trying to make sense of JJ's actions.
"But I'm tired," Jon said softly. She shook his shoulders.
"I know you are," she said, calmer. "But I found you once, and I don't want to lose you again."
"Oh, yeah." Jon shook his head and attempted to sit straighter.
"JJ, what's going on?" Danny asked, coming around Chris, who left to hide his triumphant smile.
"Someone fed him an overdose - Jonathan, I'll hit you the next time your eyes close! - and he's dead if he falls asleep. Would you please go get the paramedics when the ambulance gets here?" She asked, slightly hysterical, then slapped Jon hard across the face as his eyes slipped closed. He tried to grab her, but she moved out of reach, and his attempt to follow her ended as he collapsed to the floor. She didn't notice Danny and Sam disappear as she helped him up again. He leaned against her, and she could hear his heart pounding far too hard.
"Sorry," he mumbled tiredly. She shook her head, really worried now.
"I should apologize, not you. But, so help me, I'll do it again if I have to."
Jon laughed weakly. "I'm sure you would." His eyes opened almost too wide as he tried to remain conscious. Just then, Danny returned with two men in white carrying a stretcher. One took Jon from JJ, pushing her away almost rudely, while the other injected him with something. He collapsed limply against them. Then they loaded him onto the stretcher and took him out, his body covered in sweat. Jordan went into hysterics, demanding to know why they had put Jon to sleep after saying that if he fell asleep he'd die, which kept JJ from having her own as she tried to calm him, explaining that they knew what to do. Once that was at least semi accomplished, Peter gathered them together and got them on the bus to go to the hospital.
Go on to Next Chapter | Grounds for Vengeance
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