Till Dark

Jordan was so caught up in her thoughts that it took a few minutes for her to realize that someone was knocking at the door. That's probably my breakfast she thought. "Come in." The door opened slowly and in walked Clark with an armful of balloons and flowers. "Good morning, how do you feel?" Clark was smiling but his eyes seemed to be so cold. There was something about him that made Jordan have goose bumps whenever he came near her. He set the flowers on a table across the room and then noticed the disheveled contents of the chair. "My, my looks as though you had company last night after I left." His smile made Jordan feel like bolting for the door. This cynical character could not possibly be the same one who held Jordan's hand last night as they rushed her here. He seemed very dangerous and very jealous now. "Yes." Jordan replied not willing to make it easy to retrieve information from her. "So tell me, how are your cuts and bruises this morning?" Although he sounded interested in her injuries Jordan could not help but notice the hint of sarcasm hidden in his words. "I feel a little better this morning. The doctor hasn't made his rounds yet so I haven't heard anything new." I would ask if you would like me to wait but I think you have all of the help you need from your friend Mr. Nichols. I'm sure that you will be released today so can I call you later at the hotel? I believe we were supposed to have a date last night so perhaps we could make it for a few days from now instead?" Jordan didn't really want to be alone with this guy but she also did promise him that they would go out last night so she reluctantly agreed. "All right she said with fake enthusiasm; what time? " Clark saw the play of emotions across her face and knew that she was trying to find a way to get out of going but, he had that covered. If she refused him then he would simply get to her another way. She was not going to escape him again. "I'll pick you up at seven at the hotel."

He decided he had better get out of there before Andy came back and caught a glimpse of him. That was one confrontation that he could do without. "Well I guess I'm going to go I thought that maybe you would like some flowers to help brighten your day. Please don't be angry with me I just have a jealous streak sometimes. Take care of yourself and tonight we'll go someplace quiet and relaxing." Clark smiled and was out the door before Jordan had a chance to reply to anything that he said. A sigh of frustration escaped her lips and she got out of the bed slowly gripping the side of the bed for support. Realizing a little too late that the cut on her side was still very tender, she grimaced in pain but slowly it faded to a dull ache. She pulled her IV unit with her to the bathroom where she threw cool water on her face and checked her head before the doctor arrived. Maybe if she looked better than she felt they would let her go. She had not heard anything from Andy and wondered what he was doing. A smile touched her lips at the picture she had awakened to this morning. She could still see him; apparently he had a rough night. Jordan wondered briefly if she had kept him up with the nightmares of the past and present. It had been a year since Darien had passed away why did his death still haunt her? She stared at herself in the mirror for a long moment and decided that she needed a good hot shower and a cup of coffee neither of which she would get anytime soon. Instead she pulled out a washcloth and did the best she could at washing up, especially where they had put the stitches in.