Predictably, the group headed straight to the hospital. Jackie was obviously overdosed. Chase remembers everything in a dizzying blur. He remembers crying when the nurses took Jackie away, wheeling Chase away in the opposite direction. The others had to calm him down, whispering hushed reassurances to the delirious hero. Then, he remembers being put under, so the doctors could help get the drugs out of his system.
It was interesting- having to go to the hospital. Chase’s body healed much quicker than anyone could guess- which is probably why he could remember the last bit of their encounter while the beginning was a confusing blur.
The next thing Chase knew he was waking up in a soft bed. He sighed blissfully to himself- trying to ignore the dull aches and pains he felt in his wrists and legs. He distantly remembers the panic he had before- how his powers weren’t responding. Jolting up- he tries to feel them, activate them. A rush of warmth surges through his veins, lighting them up in faint blue light as silver blue filled his eyes. Chase laughed in relief, pushing his hair out of his face. He was normal again… he was okay-
“Chase!” A sudden voice shouts and suddenly Chase’s center is thrown slightly by arms wrapping around his shoulders. He blinks in confusion, then the comforting smell of fruity shampoo and the sight of blond hair has his heart skipping a beat.
“...S-Stacy??” Chase asks in a high pitched voice, his cheeks growing flushed. The blond lets go and looks to Chase was a soft but concerned expression.
Chase can’t calm down his heart. He was so surprised to see her here- they hadn’t been officially dating that long… did the others tell her about his powers?? About who he was? He… He wasn’t ready to tell her yet- he didn’t want to scare her off!
Trying to push past this new panic he swallows then asks softly, “What… What are you doing here…?”
Stacy laughed lightly and pushed some of her hair behind her ear. “Mrs. Mann had to tell me some things once she left to help…. Then, the kids wanted to stay at the hospital until they could see Jackie. They’re with their mom right now... “ She looks down and fidgets with her fingers then looks back up to Chase. She hesitates then brushes light fingers against Chase’s cheek- making the hero blush even more. “...and- I was worried about you, dummy.”
Chase sputters slightly, not knowing what to say. Stacy laughs at the noises he’s making then reaches up to kiss his cheek. “I’m glad you’re okay... “ Chase hesitates then leans his head against hers and chuckles lightly, going to take her hand. “... and I’m glad you’re here-”
There was a choked (but obviously faked) sound of disgust from the door way. ALt was leaning against the frame and Chase glared at his little brother slightly. Alt grinned back, then nudged his head back towards the hallway.
“If you two are done- Jackie is awake.”
----
There’s a distant hum that fills Jackie’s ears as he slowly opens his eyes. His vision is filed with white- and with how often he’s here… he knows exactly where he is. Jackie makes a quiet snort of a laugh then groans slightly as he moves his head to take in the room. His head feels like its filled with molasses. His entire body hurts- aches in a way that’s hard to describe. But- he’s not dead… despite Overdose’s best efforts. ...What exactly happened after she injected him with that needle…? He.. can’t remember a thing… so- how did he get here…?
A familiar hand is soon overtaking his vision and cradling his cheek, helping to move his sight towards the other side of the room. “Something catching your eye, love?” Zara’s smooth voice chuckles lightly. Jackie meets her eyes and smiles dazedly, slowly bringing a hand to cup her own and rub it lightly.
“Now? I only have eyes for you, my dear…” He sighs. Zara laughs then pushes his cheek away playfully. “Ew- don’t be so doughy in front of the kids!”
Jackie blinks in surprise, “The kids??”
Something heavy slams into his legs on the bed, causing Jackie to oof out loud and wince. Zara is quick to get up and scoop up the offender in her arms, helping to drag her to her side and keep her off the healing father. “Kelsie! Careful honey- Daddy is still recovering.”
His daughter blushes bashfully up at her mother, “Sorry Mama- I just got excited when I heard his voice!” She then leans on the bed in front of Jackie and grins big, “Hi Daddy!”
Jackie’s expression melts seeing his bright cheerful daughter. He smiles warmly, “Hi Sunshine…”
Something nudges Kelsie back and she huffs slightly and almost pushes them away but Zara holds her back. Kelsie pouts. But, a brunette head of messy hair peeks up over the bed, his glasses slightly skewed.
“Hi Daddy!” Ollie whispers, like you would in a library or museum, “I’m glad you’re not feeling sick anymore!”
The father reaches out a hand to ruffle his son’s hair, “Me too Kiddo-” He grins. Ollie shuffles slightly then puts a piece of paper on the bed. Jackie scoops it up and looks at it as Ollie tells him, “I made you something! To help you feel better faster-”
It’s a crayon drawing with a red figure laying in bed, a stick hanging out of his mouth. At his side is an orange glad figure with green hair and a hat, a woman with black hair in purple, two kids one pink the other blue, a man in yellow with round glasses, a teal man in a suit, and a woman with blond hair. Zara smiles and brushes back Ollie’s bangs as the boy bounces excitedly.
“It’s all the people that came to see you! Like Stacy- and Uncle Henny and JJ! And Bro- I mean Uncle Chase! because I know he would come you if he wasn’t sick too-”
“Ollie, that’s scary dude- how did you know?” A light voice jokes from the doorway. Chase grins at the room, Alt right behind him and Stacy helping Chase to stand up. Kelsie squeals and rushes up to Chase before Zara can stop her. She barrels into Chase’s leg and Alt has to help keep the hero up. But, Chase just laughs and bends down to hug Kelsie. “Hi Kelsers!”
“I’m so happy you’re awake too Uncle Chase!” Kelsie beams up at him. Chase grins then pats his chest. “You think a little kidnapping is gonna keep your brave, strong Uncle Chase? As if!” Alt rolls his eyes and Stacy giggles. Kelsie laughs too then grabs his hand- leading into the room towards Jackie’s bed. “Daddy’s awake too!!”
“I heard!” Chase answers back excitedly, using his kid voice, making Jackie and Zara smile. Chase was so good with the kids- and he was their favorite person (and not just cuz he was a superhero- but that helped).
Jackie huffs out a tired laugh and looks up to Chase with a tired smile. “Hey Chaser…”
Chase smiles back, hiding his exhaustion behind it, “Hi Jackieboy. You hanging in there?”
“Define hanging in there-” Jackie mumbles, “Is- I just woke up and I don’t know what is happening but I’m just happy to see everyone I love good enough?”
The adults all look at each other then Chase laughs, “That’s more than enough, dude.”
“Hullo mein friends!!” A new voice joins the fray from the door frame, Henny waving wildly as he walks in exaggeratedly. Jameson is right behind him, holding a cup of coffee in one hand and bouncing a sleepy Penny in the other, watching the gentleman with a muted smile of amusement.
Now is Ollie’s turn to go greet the new quests- with Henny lifting the boy up and spinning him around- causing Oliver to giggle wildly. Jameson goes to hand Alt some coffee as the two stand back and watch the chaos.
Jackie can’t help but laugh, feeling warm and safe now- despite everything. Zara sits down next to him on the bed and goes to interlace her fingers with his. Jackie squeezes his wife’s hand and sighs contently. He lets the sounds of laughter and love fill the room and his head, pushing away all worry from their awful ordeal.
Kelsie bounces around, holding onto Chase’s hand and giving him bright excited eyes. “What happened to you and Uncle Chase, Daddy?! Did a bad guy come get you?”
“Kelsie…” Zara says in a warning tone. Jackie pats his wife’s hand lovingly and then nudges his head to Chase. He knows what is gonna happen-
Chase grins and bends down to Kelsie’s level, scooping her up and then spreading out his arm like he’s about to tell a grand story on stage.
“A bad guy like you wouldn’t believe Kels! There me and your dad were…”
Some incongruity in this last one. Either way, she gave me permission to post this one. The first track that I got to use a proper mic with. Also the first time anybody heard my (then) new 12-string guitar. Three sections, three chords, and a little improv. I doubt I'll be able to replicate this performance. Happy Birthday!
