Jackson squeezed his closed eyes, as he suddenly felt a stinging pain in his head. He slowly managed to pull open his eyelids to find himself tucked inside the blanket of his bed. He scanned through the surrounding of his room, with amusement.

"Look, who is back to in his senses."

A tough voice, distracted his attention, as he turned towards the window to find Jereff, glaring at him. He woke up and sat down, in his bed.

Jackson spoke in a lazy voice: What happened?

Jereff stormed towards him: What the hell went wrong with you? You were fucking wasted in the house of a cop. Do you even realize, what could have gone wrong?

Jackson: He won't arrest me for drinking. I have more to my name, Chill!

Jereff: Witty, as ever.

Jackson: How am I back home? I...I don't remember anything.

Jereff: Look at you. The officer himself called me, through your phone. He told me that you gulped down a whole bottle of whiskey.

Jackson looked down, and held his head in confusion: Why did I do that? Jeff, I swear. It wasn't my intention to loosen up inside his house. And, why don't I remember anything?

Jereff slumped his shoulders: You know what? Maybe, I should have given a second thought, before giving you this responsibility.

Jereff turned and walked out of the room.

Jackson: Wait, What?

Jereff turned towards Jackson: You are prone to messing up everywhere you go.

Jackson: Jeff, that wasn't my fault. You can't blame me for petty shits.

Jereff: Forget it! It was my mistake to make you lead the Hawks.

Jackson kept looking at the door, with gloomy eyes, as Jereff stormed out of the room. Suddenly, a thought jolted him back to his senses.

Jackson exclaimed, "Madeline!"

He jumped out of the bed, shuffled his hair and rushed out of his room.

-----------------------------------

He ran through the bustling corridor of the hospital and stopped at the glass pane showing the critical care unit, he placed his palm by the glass, as he saw Madeline in the same condition, as he left her.

Jacob walked up to him, from behind: Claros.

Jackson's face tenses up, as he hears his voice and turns at once and held him by his collar. Jacob was taken aback by his sudden reaction.

Jackson: What happened to me, last night?

Jacob: You were wasted.

Jackson: I don't remember a word.

Jacob: Well, that's your problem.

Jackson: Don't try to puddle me.

Jacob calmly pulls Jackson's hand out of his collar.

Jacob: I did have enough opportunity to kill you yesterday night, didn't I ??

Jackson: YOU FUCKING ADDED SOMETHING TO MY DRINK??

Jacob: That is immaterial, right now. The sun is already up.

Jackson: You fucking crossed me. You selfish piece of shit!

Jacob: Did I? But, you are standing right in front of me, safe and sound. Trust, Claros. Trust is the most vital in the filthiest situations. (chuckles) Things people do, to keep this intact!

Jackson did not utter a word and kept looking at Jacob, trying to simplify his words. Jacob turned towards the glass pane, and the nurse walks out.

Nurse: Mr. Thompsons, She is awake.

Jacob: Thank you.

He takes steps towards the unit, but turns towards Jackson: You coming?

Jackson: Don't let her learn about my presence.

Jacob frowned, but took a deep breath, nodded and walked in.

---------------------------------------------------

Jacob walked inside the hospital room to find Madeline holding a poker face, with her stare straight towards a nowhere. He went closer to her and brushed her hairs with his fingers. Madeline batted her eyes and took a deep breath.

Jacob: How are you feeling?

Madeline: Wasted, I guess.

Jacob: I nearly lost my shit.

Madeline: How is Cleo?

Jacob: She is alright.

Madeline gave a slight nod of acknowledgment.

Jacob: Why didn't you try and reach me at that moment.

Madeline: You weren't nearby. I tried to reach you, but I was hardly left with any grace seconds to sacrifice.

Jacob: I don't even want to think, what could have gone wrong. (Sigh)What happened there? Tell me everything.

Madeline: They were there for revenge. Solely, for what happened at the club that night. They were many. I still managed to fight some of them. Suddenly, I felt a heavy hit at the back of my head, followed by unbearable pain. All, I heard after that was Cleo shouting my name before everything blacked out in front of my eyes.

Jacob: You should have called the swat team at least before taking matters in your own hands.

Madeline looked up at Jacob: I had no choice. I am sorry.

Jacob: Do you remember the faces?

Madeline: I know them.

Jacob:...(sighing) Who are they?

Madeline: They work for... Corvett. They, (composing herself) recognized me, even.

Jacob took a seat at the corner of the bed.

Jacob: I will never let the story repeat. I promise.

Madeline: Look, I...I tried my level best to keep up with the rage, but that face reminds me of the bad days. They shouldn't be scaring me now. But, when that man came closer to me, even though I never let them over power my confidence, yet some hidden part of me, still gets chills to it's marrow, as he looks at me. I committed to myself, not to hide, again. Yet, some part inside me, was going through a disastrous turmoil. Some part of me, wanted to leave everything and run. I realised. That fear, was mere subsided, but it never vanished. I... I know you are seeing the mess of me...but...

Jacob: Maddie, we killed him.

Madeline: You did?

Jacob curved his lips into an assuring twitch as he nodded his head.

Jacob: Everyone, has a messy side. Rather a dark. But, you still did not give up. That makes you a hero.

Madeline: But, I failed this time.

Jacob: No you did not.

Madeline: I couldn't restore her safety.

Jacob: But, you lowered their pace. At the same time, now they know that you are changed. They know your purpose. That will make them re think the next they tries to mess up.

Madeline: Jake, this has to end.

Jacob: I know.

Madeline: Before, he dares to touch more families.

Jacob: I am afraid, that's quite knotty.

Madeline: But we can't effort...

Suddenly, her eyes fell on the door of the critical care and she seized her words. Jacob turned his head to find Jackson standing at the door.

Jacob: Claros? You said you won't...

Jackson (breaking Jacob's flow of words): I heard you gallantly broke some noses?

Madeline: Were you that amused, that you gave up your manners of knocking the door?

Jacob: How long you have been here?

Jackson: I just came.

He stood up from his place and faced Jackson: You wanna have some talk?

Jackson: I guess.

Madeline: But, I don't.

Jackson: It would be better if you act a bit less rude to someone who came all over to visit you.

Madeline: Ha! Look who's talking. I suggest you take your own lesson and take some extra trouble to get out of here.

Jacob: Then I guess we should take a leave.

Madeline: Please do.

Jacob rolled his eyes and walked out of the room.

Jackson took a deep breath: Take care!
And left.