Thank you all for following, favoriting, and reviewing! It means the world to me! ren-hatake, Happy belated birthday! I hope you enjoyed it! Thank you for the continued support. Here is the next chapter, enjoy!

I walked into the classroom, putting my purse onto the desk. My students began to take thier seats as the bell rang.

"Good morning."

"Morning, Ms. Patterson," a few of the kids mumbled under thier breaths.

"Okay, take out your homework. I'm going to go around the room to see if you did it."

The kids did what they were told and I looked up and around the room.

The majority of the class was here. But, there was one student I knew was here wasn't sitting in his usual seat.

Matthew.

"Oh my god!"

I heard a man's panicked voice carry through the hallway. I got out of my seat, and ran into the hallway.

My eyes widened in horror as I saw Matthew with an automatic gun. He began to fire at anyone that was in the hall.

I looked back at my students in the classroom.

Most of them were hiding under their desk, covering their ears.

"Molly, lock the door behind me. Everyone get to the back of the room."

"But, Ms. Patterson.."

"Molly, please don't argue. Just do what I say."

Tears fell down her face as she locked the door behind me, leaving me out in the hall.

I began to walk to toward Matthew. I needed to try to get through to him. Someone should try. My mind was going into overload as I took in the scene around me. I saw bloodied teachers and students, fighting for more breath. Multiple teachers were in the classrooms calling 911.

"Matthew, put the gun down."

He raised the gun up at my chest.

"Ms. patterson, move. I don't want to hurt you. But I will if you don't move."

"Matthew, you don't have to do this."

"Yes, I do."

"Honey, I know you don't have it easy. But, I can't help you if you don't put the gun down."

"I warned you."

He fired three shots at me, two of them hitting me in the stomach. The other grazing my He was about to walk past me, I saw the troubled boy fall to the floor next to me. He was bleeding from a gun wound in his head.

I turned away from Matthew and looked at his shooter.

It was one of the new security guards. Today was his first day.

I sat up, holding pressure to my bleeding stomach and side.

The feeling of greif, shock, and trama poured itself over me. I began to cry.

"Where's my daughter! I need to see my daughter!"

The receptionist at the desk tried comforting Tyne for the fifth time.

"Mam, I told you, the doctor is stitching her up as we speak. As soon as he is finished, you will be able to visit your daughter," the receptionist's voice showing a new level of frustration.

Tyne sat back down in the waiting room once more, trying her best to relax.

Please let Raquel be okay. Please.

Darnell and his fiance swiftly made their way over to his mother.

"Mom, I saw the news. Is Ra alright?"

"I don't know, sweetheart. They won't let me see her till the doctor is finished."

"Jesus Christ. How the fuck does a kid get a hold of a gun like that?"

"I don't know, I do plan to find out."

"Charming has put you on the case already?"

"No, they haven't. But, one of my children is in the hospital because of this. I will be put on this case whether they want me there or not."

The doctor came out and greeted Tyne, Darnell, and Tanya.

"Is she okay," they all asked in unison.

"Yes, she will recover. She was shot a total of three times. Raquel is a very lucky woman. The pain can flare up though, so I suggest she should also do some physical therapy. It will help with the healing process instead of just relying on painkillers."

"Thank you so much, doctor. Can I see her?"

He nodded.

"She's in room 13. The last room on the right."

"Thanks."

As Tyne walked into her daughter's room, she saw a couple of cops and a dectective questioning Raquel.

"What the hell do you think you are doing," my mom looked at the group of men.

"Mam, we need a statement on file."

"You are all unbelievable. This tradgedy occured less than an hour ago, and already you're shoving questions down my daughter's throat."

"Mom, it's okay. They are just doing their job."

They can wait. You need rest. "

The men of the law looked at each other, and then at my mother.

"Sorry for upsetting you, mam. Raquel, I will ask you some questions later, yeah?", sheirff Rossevelt nodded.

"Sure."

My mom glared at each of the men as they left the room.

After she did so, she moved quickly toward the hospital bed and hugged me with force.

"Honey, I'm so glad you're okay."

I was okay physically. But, mentally, my head was so far from okay.

Jax got himself and Abel ready for the day. Abel was at the living room table coloring, and Jax finished off his last cup of coffee, casually watching the news.

"About an hour ago,an eleven year old boy got his hands on an automatic gun and began shooting students and teachers at St. Irene's catholic school. So far, there are four dead, nine injured, and two in critical condition. We will keep you updated with this case throughout the week."

Holy shit. Raquel teaches at that school. You're probably wondering why I know this about a woman I haven't spoken to in ten years. Her brother Darnell works for Teller-Morrow on the weekends for extra cash since he has a wedding to pay for. From time to time, Raquel will be brought up in their conversations. Mostly from his end. But there is nothing wrong with that, right?

Jax got on his cell and dialed Darnell.

"Hey man, this is kind of a bad time."

"I heard what happened. Is Ra alright!", panic shown in his voice.

Abel stopped coloring and looked up at his father.

"Yeah Jax, chill man, she's fine. Two bullet wounds, and a graze but she's still standing."

Jax let out a heavy breath, and rubbed his forehead.

"Good, that's good."

"Yeah, thank god. I gotta go, but I'll see you at my engagement party, right? Raquel will be there," he teased. He knew Jax still has a soft spot for her after all these years.

"Yeah, I wouldn't miss it."

"You should bring Abel. We have a pool."

"Okay, cool. I will. Talk to you later."

Jax hung up and put his sneakers on.

"Abel, get your shoes. We need to go see a friend of mine. She's in the hospital."

"Is she okay?"

"Yeah. I just want to check on her."

"Okay."

Abel went into his room and brought his shoes out to his dad. He sat down next to him, and his father tied his shoes.

I flicked through the channels of the tv. My mom was talking to my doctor, and my brother and Tanya were out getting me something to eat.

I heard a soft knock on the door, and I turned my head, not believing who was standing in my doorway.

Jax.

He had a bag in one hand and a beautiful young boy holding his other hand.

"Hi."

"Hi."

"Can I come in?"

I nodded.

Jax and the young boy walked in, standing next to my bed.

"This is my son, Abel. Abel, this is Raquel."

"Hi," he said with a smile on his face.

"Hi, Abel," I returned the smile.

Abel took the bag from his dad and put it on the floor. He pulled out a piece of paper, and handed it to me.

"This is for you. It will make you feel better."

It was a colorful drawing of a young boy outside at a beach.

"Thank you, Abel. It's amazing. I feel better already. I know just where to put this at home."

"I can make more if you want."

"Sure, only if you want to."

"I do . I can draw some more when I go home later. "

"Great."

Jax smiled as his son opened up so much to a woman he just met. He did his best not to stare at Raquel. She was beautiful as ever. Her once long curly hair was a short, straight bob now, that framed her oval face. Her dark eyes popped out more due to her mascara extending her long eyelashes. And her skin. That perfect smooth chocolate colored skin..

"So, what's in the bag?"

Jax broke out of thought, and picked up the bag off the floor.

"I went to Joe's diner. Got you your favorite. Double cheeseburger extra cheese."

"What makes you think that's still my favorite," I smiled.

"Daddy talks to uncle Darnell," Abel cut in.

"Abel.."

He climbed onto the bed next to me.

"Uncle Darnell?"

"Yeah, we talk. He works at Teller-Morrow on the weekends."

"I see. Thank you both for the food, and the picture," I smiled at Abel.

"You're welcome, Ra. You need anything else, let me know."

I finally looked over at Jax. God, why does he have to be so beautiful?

"I will. Thanks."

"Abel, come on. Let her rest."

Abel looked at his dad and pouted.

"I wanna stay with Raquel."

"Ra, I'm sorry."

"No, it's okay. I don't mind the company."