***DP***
Montana sat in his cell, against the wall and on the floor of all things. Back in jail...back to his cage...and yet...it felt new...and dark.
His eyes narrowed and he looked towards his hands, only seeing what had covered them two weeks ago…
Ox's blood...covering him...pouring from his body...unable to be stopped…
...unable to be saved…
Hanging his head, Montana let off a heavy sigh.
It had been two weeks..and a couple of days, since the battle between the Enforcers. He had been lucky that Spiderman and Flying Fox had come to his aide...He might have died...Faith might have died…
...but Raymond DID die…
The cowboy let off a shaky breath and rested his head in his hands, gritting his teeth. Ox...his friend of so many years...and even after being ordered by the Big Man to fight him, he had saved his LIFE.
It SHOULD have been him! HE should have been the one impaled! HE should have died an unforgiving death after everything he had done!
The man rested his head against the wall, and looked up at the ceiling...remembering his childhood...how he had defended Ox from the bullies...how Ox always helped him in a mess. Come to think of it...hadn't he even tried to help him in THIS mess?
And yet he had failed Ox…
"...I'm sorry Ray…" he muttered lightly, draping his arm across his raised leg. "...I should've been stronger...I wasn't able to protect you...or Fay...I seem to be the one needing the protecting…"
He looked down towards his hands. "...Fay saved my life...the Fox saved my life...even you saved my life...I did nothing."
Montana sighed and once again rested his head against the wall. "...I'm sorry Ray...I'm so sorry…"
Beep!
The man glanced lightly as a guard pressed a button, opening a thin door that allowed the food trays to come in. Frowning, Montana reached over with one hand and took it, allowing the opening to close once more.
The guard looked through the window and spotted Montana on the floor. For a moment, he studied the prisoner, before knocking lightly. The noise caught Montana's attention and he looked up.
"We got word from the hospital." The guard reported. "...you're girl's safe at home and is expected to make a full recovery."
Montana let this report sink in…
Faith was going to make it...she was going to be alright...oh thank God…
"...thank you, officer…" he muttered, looking back down at his plate, letting off a heavy breath.
He had lost Ox...but there was still a small hope...though...that hope was EXTREMELY small…
Even though Faith would live...he couldn't see her...maybe she would visit in the future…
Montana allowed himself to eat, even though it wasn't the best meal in the world. He had grown a certain disdain for peanut butter and jelly sandwiches since getting here.
The food...was disgusting...
After a good 20 minutes, Montana looked up when his cell door...opened. He raised an eyebrow, slightly confused. He didn't bother to get up...perhaps a rookie guard was just trying to get his lunch tray and pressed the wrong button.
He wasn't going to try and escape..that would just lengthen his time here...although...for some reason he hadn't been...PROPERLY sentenced yet…
He blinked as a guard looked into the cell and motioned him to get up.
"You have someone here to see you. Get up."
Must be my lawyer… Montana got up and allowed himself to be cuffed. He was prepared to plead guilty. Maybe the Judge would give him a 2-year sentence...that way he could...TRY...to make himself a life after this…
Montana followed the guard down the hall of the maximum security wing. One thing that he had been...slightly...grateful for...was the fact that Spiderman and Flying Fox had mentioned to the Cops about his cooperation. Since Fancy Dan was locked up...he had been deemed to be in protective custody.
...not that it would have made MUCH of a difference...but still...it was nice to have his own cell.
As he walked, Montana glanced towards the guard station, where a good amount of the guards were huddled around the television. What the heck would be so interest-
'Spiderman stops gangwar. Flying Fox suspected deceased; unconfirmed.'
Wait...what?
Montana stopped walking, looking at the television. The pictures were showing clips of what had appeared to happen...two days ago? A Gang War between the Big Man, Silvermane, and Doctor Octopus...and the Flying Fox...was DEAD?!
How? He had just SEEN them two weeks ago!
The pictures showed Spiderman going in and out of a large hole that had been made in the ground...he had brought up Doc...who seemed to be distraught over something.
But Spiderman...was...searching for something…
"Brice."
Montana suddenly came back to reality, looking towards the guard, who was motioning him to keep walking.
He followed, taking notice that they were headed towards the private meeting rooms…
The guard opened the door and Montana walked in...only to pause and look confused.
Before him was a well-dressed young woman sitting in the chair, with three police officers behind her. The woman seemed to be sporting injuries, as one of her arms was in a sling...and she even seemed to have a bandage under the hat she was wearing.
The three police officers behind her all took notice of him...and all of them looked serious.
For a moment, Montana just watched the strange group before him...before he looked towards the guard.
"...I...don't know-"
"Montana, please sit down." the woman invited, motioning him to the other seat on the other side of the table.
Montana was silent, looking confused...before he slowly did a told, sitting down and hearing the door shut behind him. For a short while there was only silence in the room...but he took notice of the two folders that were neatly set in front of the well-dressed woman before him.
"I'm sure you're wondering what this is about, Montana." The woman said, resting her one good hand on her lap.
Montana cleared his throat lightly. "...it's Jackson, ma'am...and yes...I am wonderin' what a fine lady like yourself needs from me."
"Oh nothing, actually." The woman replied, looking him square in the eye. "I'm only here to make you an offer."
Montana looked up, raising his eyebrow. SURELY...this woman didn't want him to become an Enforcer again and gut someone right? She was VERY well dressed...which suggested she had a decent amount of money…
...but…
"Ma'am...I appreciate your offer...but I'm done with being an Enforcer." he replied calmly, though his eyes narrowed slightly. "I'm not going to make my sentence any worse than it already is."
The woman was silent for a moment...though a very slight smile came to her face, but was gone as though it were never there.
"You haven't heard my offer, Jackson Brice." she replied, lifting her hand and gently pushing the two folders towards him. "My name is Sophia L. Vincent. I'm COO of Allen Corp in Sparks Nevada as well as the Allen Corp that just replaced TriCorp here in Manhattan." She rested her hand on the table and looked towards Montana, her look getting serious.
"Your bail has been paid...and you are a free man, Jackson."
Montana paused, the look on his face getting...spooked...before he frowned. "Wha...What do you MEAN? I just got here...I've been-"
"Allow me to finish Mr. Brice." Ms. Vincent continued, making a motion with her hand. "As I said, your bail has been paid. Your crimes covered. You are free to go about your business...however...that's where my offer comes in."
She motioned towards the two folders before him.
"Inside one of those two folders is a paper you need to sign...one document states that you are free to go...you are free to do as you please...you can choose your own path...you can continue down the road you came from." The look in Ms. Vincent's eyes got dark. "However...if you choose this path...you are forbidden to interact with or go near Faith Harrell. And should you commit any more crime; you will pay for your actions on your own."
Montana paused, looking up at the young woman, wanting to make a retort...however...that option...was painfully fair.
"...and the other offer?"
Ms. Vincent pointed towards the other folder. "My second offer...is you are free to go...yet you will work for me as one of my security officers." She looked towards him seriously. "I will be returning to Nevada in two days. In that time, you will be training and working with Justin Ryder." She made a motion towards one of the Officers beside her. "You will eventually work under me and be a top ranking officer who reports to me about the comings and goings of Allen Corp Manhattan."
She was silent for a brief moment, before she continued. "Jackson, you have serious skills that can be used for good...but I won't make that decision for you. However if you accept my job offer, you will be making roughly around five figures a year that can move up to six figures depending on your performance."
She looked him in the eye and frowned only lightly. "...and you will be allowed a chance to make things right with the one you love."
Montana's mouth was agape, looking at both of the folders in stunned silence. Either way, he was a free man...but WHO was this woman? And WHY was she making him such an offer?
"As I said, Mr. Brice...I return to Nevada in two days...and I am only offering this once. I've always said 'Life at best is Bittersweet'...but in your case...this is your chance to Turn Around." Sophia Vincent sat back professionally in her seat, looking towards Montana evenly.
"Choose well."
Montana looked towards the folders...and slowly picked up the pen.
***FH***
The soft ticking of one of the clocks woke her up...well...kind of. She felt herself fighting...wake up...or stay asleep?
Her body hurt...maybe she should wake up...but the sheets were soooo cozy...and the pillow was so soft…
Faith slowly opened her eyes...and closed them again for a few moments...before she forced herself to sit up, resting her back against the headboard.
She had been home for a couple of days...and had managed to do a couple of things...but after she had tried to celebrate Sophia's birthday...buying her flowers and getting her a cake…
...she had collapsed.
She didn't enjoy being bed ridden...maybe that whole thing she had been through two weeks ago had done more damage than she had thought.
After all...she had watched someone DIE...and had been beaten...and had been in the middle of a battle between good guys and bad guys.
...And speaking of which, what was this?
Faith slowly reached for the newspaper that had been left on the nightstand. Lizzy probably forgot to pick it up. Carefully strewing it across her lap, Faith studied the picture and read the title. Apparently something big had happened four days ago...
GANG WAR! Spiderman stops fight; Flying Fox suspected dead, unconfirmed.
...wait...WHAT?!
"..thank you enough for rescuing my sister, Sophie." she heard her sister's voice from the hallway. "She's been expanding her energies, and when she went out to buy you your birthday presents, she collapsed by the end of the day."
Lizzy could be heard letting out a sigh. "She's been wanting to find new work, but since the Peninsula is under investigation...AND because she's so tired...I'm not letting her out of my sight."
Typical Lizzy...always being a helicopter…
Faith put a hand to her head and moaned lightly...wait...what? She blinked when she finally processed Lizzy's first sentence.
Sophie...rescued me?...That doesn't make sense…
"I'm so sorry Sophie...I know...I know it hurts...He didn't deserve you, Sophia…..What?...You gave him your-...But...but Sophie, your family tradition….I understand…..Hey...I hear you're coming back to Manhattan in a couple of years to check on Allen Corp's process...look us up, ok? After all, I owe you Faith's life. We'll see a broadway show and have dinner…..heh yes, it's a deal….Ok, enjoy your plane flight. Love ya Sophie...bye."
Faith looked over by the door and pursed her lips lightly when she heard Lizzy shut her phone off...and saw her fixing to pass her door.
"Lizzy?"
Her sister paused and quickly turned, coming into the room and approaching her bed.
"Hey sis...you need something? Thirsty? Need a snack?"
"Lizzy...Sophie wasn't the one who saved me" Faith moaned, putting a hand to her head. "...it was Spiderman...Flying Fox and Jack…"
Lizzy was silent for a moment, before letting off a cool smile. "Oh- I was just thanking her for her service!"
"Service? That makes no sense, the only thing that she paid for was the Ambulance bill." Faith continued to rub her head, groaning. "You said 'Thank you for rescuing my sis-'" Faith suddenly paused as what felt like a ton of bricks suddenly SLAMMED on top of her. "...Lizzy?"
"Yes?" replied sweetly...almost...TOO innocently.
For a moment, Faith was silent, looking directly at Lizzy, a slight twitch escaping her eye. "...are you implying...that SOPHIA….is the Flying Fox?"
"I did NOT say that at all." Lizzy replied, her cool smile slowly fading into a nervous one.
Faith flailed her arms in the air, almost accusingly. "YOU said, 'Thank you for rescuing my sister' and 'I owe a life debt'-"
Knock Knock Knock!
Lizzy quickly put up her hands, her cool smile returning to her. "Let me get that!" she said hurriedly, turning and leaving the bedroom.
"LIZZY! GET BACK HERE!"
Lizzy didn't comply. If anything, she was trying to come up with a good cover story.
She had known about Sophia being the Flying Fox since they had been reunited...being an Army woman...there were certain things that were just TOO obvious.
Sophia always wore a hat...something she had never been big on.
She always wore a jacket...EVEN IN THE SUMMER!
And to top it all off, she was ALWAYS eating fruit.
Yeah...those signs were EXTREMELY obvious...not that she minded. It was nice to be friends with a superhero-
Lizzy paused when she opened the door...seeing Jackson Brice at the entrance with a single long stemmed red rose.
There was a moment of silence between the two...before Lizzy crossed her arms and stood firm in the doorway, a cold look coming to her face.
"What do you want, Jackson?" she asked hotly.
"...I would like to see Fay." The man cleared his throat. "...please."
"Oh, REALLY?" Lizzy scoffed, her eyes a mixture of fire and ice as they stared at Montana. "And what makes you think I would let you see my sister, after everything you've done?"
Montana was silent for a moment...before he stood up straight a firm look in his eyes. "...Well ma'am," He replied. "You're a good Christian lady...I would expect you believe in second chances."
Now it was Lizzy's turn to be silent. Great...he had to bring up THAT card. Just because she had that, didn't mean she could be WALKED on...still...he...HAD helped to save her sister…
AAARRRRGGHHHH!
"Yeah...second chances…" Lizzy muttered, uncrossing her arms and giving the man a stern army-glare. "But remember this, Cowboy. You only get ONE." She took a step up and grabbed the scruff of his shirt threateningly. "Screw this up, and you will NEVER get within a 50-mile radius of her!"
Montana didn't flinch...didn't move to even touch her...he didn't even show any fear towards her.
He only had a determined look in his eyes.
"Yes Ma'am." he replied. After a moment, Lizzy let go of him, and moved aside. "She's down the hall and the first room to the left." she muttered, making a 'come in' motion with her hand.
The man slowly walked in, a lump in his throat as he got closer to the room. Lizzy was RIGHT on his heels...but that wasn't what concerned him.
Once he got to the door, he let off a shaky breath...and knocked.
"GET IN HERE LIZZY!" Faith suddenly yelled from the other side. "I'M NOT FINISHED WITH YOU!"
Montana let off a weird look, before looking towards Lizzy in question. The army girl only made a 'shooing' motion, towards the room.
Sighing, Montana slowly entered the room and looked over towards the bed...where a surprised Faith was.
Faith stared at him for a good long while, a look of shock on her face. Jackson...he was here...he…
"...J-...Jack...uh- Montana- or-...What the flip do I call you?" Faith shook her head and slowly placed her hands on her lap. "...uh-...come in…"
Montana began to go in, before Lizzy grabbed his arm.
"10 minutes." she ordered, frowning. "She needs to be resting."
"...yes ma'am…"
Lizzy turned and walked out, crossing her arms in the process.
Montana slowly approached the bed...and slowly sat in the chair that was next to the bed. He took off his hat and set it on the bed, pursing his lips and looking over Faith's condition.
"...Fay…" he paused and gently set the rose in her lap. "...I can't begin...to tell you how relieved I am to see you safe."
Faith gently took the rose and petted the petals with the tips of her fingers...a red rose...fresh and ready for presentation.
The woman was silent...looking back towards Montana and looking concerned.
For a moment, both of them were silent...there was an awkward air in the room...but at the same time, they couldn't help but long for the presence of the other.
"Montana…" Faith looked back at her flower...slowly placing her hand on his, but keeping her eyes on the rose in her other hand. "...I'm...glad you're alive." she frowned and fought back tears. "...I was-...so scared that you were going to die."
Montana looked up, surprised at her statement. She had been scared that HE was going to die? What about herself? SHE had been the one knocking on death's door! Frowning, Montana gently wrapped his fingers around hers, letting off a slow breath.
"...well...we're in the same boat...because I was terrified that I was going to lose you." Montana paused and quickly re-worded his sentence. "If you would have died...I would have NEVER...forgiven myself."
Faith said nothing...she only watched the rose...though she looked like she was fighting the need to cry.
Montana frowned...and lowered his head. "...Fay...I need you to know something…"
The woman looked over as he got out of the chair...and slowly got on his knees, clasping her hand in his, holding her hand to his forehead.
Faith blushed darkly, surprised by this act of...humility. "Jack…"
"...I'm sorry…"
Montana frowned and stroked her hand with his thumb, his shoulders slumped. "...I lied to you...I hid my life from you...I hurt you. I wanted to keep my life away from you...because I didn't want to let you go." He paused and let out a shaky breath...he had...NEVER...felt this VULNERABLE before!
"In the end, I put you in danger...I broke your heart...Because of me, you almost lost your LIFE. This...is something I will have to live with for the rest of my life."
"...Jack…" Faith's voice broke, streams of tears finally escaping her eyes as her heart swelled at the man's words.
"Fay...Whatever you want...I will respect." Montana slowly looked up, squeezing her hand tenderly. "But I've found a reason for me to turn around...to actually become the upstanding citizen that you always thought I was. And even if you don't forgive me...You...are the reason for me to keep going."
Montana slowly reached over, hesitating for a brief moment...before he gently placed his hand against the side of her face, savoring the beautiful look in her eyes.
"...I love you, Faith…"
Faith could no longer hold back her emotions. She let out a soft sob and shut her eyes tightly, rivers of tears leaking down her eyes. Faith placed her hand against his and leaned into his touch.
"Oh Jack…" she whimpered, letting another sob escape her. "I love you...I love you so much."
She continued to cry, stroking his hand with her fingers. For a moment, they just stayed like that...before Faith shifted herself and held out her arms to him.
Montana's heart melted, and he stood, slowly and gently wrapping his arms around his flower…
He embraced her gently, allowing her to bury her face into his shoulder as she continued to cry. For a while, he merely cradled her, shutting his eyes and keeping his arms around her.
He was determined to protect her...to watch over her...to love her…
"Jack…"
"...Fay…"
The woman leaned up and slowly pressed her lips against his, to which he gently returned the favor, kissing her warmly in reply.
As they shared their moment, they paid no heed to the morning sounds of the birds singing...the traffic of the city beginning it's day...or the roar of a jet leaving LaGuardia.
It was just them...and it was only the beginning.
***Disclaimer***
HA! I FINALLY FINISHED TURN AROUND! TAKE THAT SISTER OF MINE!
Yes, it's been irritating writing for no reviews, since I take inspiration from an audience; but I'm so thankful to my sister and to my other sister, Vermy!
I actually enjoyed Nightfury's reviews as well! I hope this was a good read for you!
Now that 'Turn Around' is finished, I may be writing Rise!
But who amongst you ACTUALLY wants to read it? :3