SHADOWRUN BACKSTORY ARCHIVE-MORE JULIE

[Keily]

DO NOT POST HERE

This archive contains the posts from the first Shadowrun thread.  It is dedicated to the members who made the first thread what it was.  Herein are their tales preserved, sorted and organized for easy reading.

Have you ever played ShadowRun or Cyber Punk? Ever watched movies Like Freejack, Johnny Neumonic or the Matrix? 

If you enjoyed any of them, then this board is for you!

The year is 2050 and is a whole world thrives in the shadows!

 The moderator of this  thead is Maxx.

Please submit your bios to the 'Bios to be Approved' board

BEFORE entering game play.
 

[Keily]

Some time later Julie strained to open her eyes. The light was almost blinding She went to lift her arm to cover her eyes but found moving almost anything was a painful task. Her eyes began to focus slightly things became less blurry and back to the normal color instead of so very bright. As she focused she began to panic. She had no idea of where she was or the day for that matter "how long was I out for? Better yet where the hell am I?" questions flooded Julies head as she tried to remember but found that at that moment everything was blocked by a pain here or there or her throbbing head ache. She laid there for awhile alone in a room on top of what seemed like a soft surface. Finally she could remember the sign and Mr. Mintbreath and what she heard him say before she blacked out. Her mind so scrambled still the pieces didn't fall into place. She tried then to sit up and found herself about half way up when she heard footsteps coming from the hall on the other side of the closed door.

The man who opened the door was an inch or two over six feet tall, but he was close to three hundred pounds.  Not all of it was muscle.  He wore what looked like hospital greens, and where his skin was exposed, Julie could see long, thick red body hair, the same colour that covered his head, and sprouted like a three day growth on his face.  There was a noticeable difference in the development of his left arm versus his right.  It seemed smaller, and less fleshy.
 
"How are you feeling?" he asked.  He pointed to a video camera in the corner near the ceiling.  "I saw that you were awake.  Are you hungry?  Thirsty?"

 
Julie's eyes widened she slide of the table and stood to her feet wincing in pain. She began to circle back behind the furniture she just laid upon. "You where watching me? No better yet who are you where the hell am I and and "she pauses and scratches her head "what day is it?" Her face began to grow pale it was apparent she was becoming dizzy and a bit faint. She leaned heavily on the table but her eyes still carefully watching the man like a mouse trapped in a dead end corner by a cat. Which was understandable for someone in her position.
 
The man smiled, a gentle calming smile.  He held his hands slightly away from his sides, where she could see that there was nothing in his hands.
 
"My name is Devon Sharpe.  I'm a vet.  It's the Friday the 19th of August.  You were brought here suffering from multiple gunshot wounds.  I pulled seventeen pellets out of you.  You've got a bad bruise on your lower back, but no penetration.  Your body Armour prevented that.  Good thing too.  You'd have been dead if it hadn't.  You really shouldn't be on your feet for another day or so.  You'll pull the stitches, and I'm sure you've noticed that it isn't very comfortable."

[Keily]

Devon gestured towards the camera.  "I use that to keep an eye on any of my larger patients.  It's got a motion sensor attached, so it lets me know when they start moving.  No, I haven't been playing perv.  You will note that you were covered, and you are wearing clean scrubs.  Yes, I dressed you.  No, I didn't cop a feel, but I did have to given you a good once over to make sure you were okay.  Now, do you want something to eat or drink, or do you have more questions?"
   
"Four days I was out of it holly shit. I gotta go!"she mutter while trying to walk toward him and out the door. She looked up at his face"oh let me guess doctors orders to stay in bed huh?" Devon nodded Julie sighed as she turned back to the bed."Thanks for helping me I don't really know what to say but thanks if there is anything I can do for you just let me know okay."she winced through the pain while trying to climb back up onto the bed. "I do have one more question....how did I get here?"her stomach rumbled loudly. she laughed a bit"well maybe that answer could wait awhile until I have a full stomach"
 
"Sure.  Tuna sandwich okay?"
 
Keily nodded.  "Even raw tuna would be good right about now."
 
"Sorry, no sushi."  Devon smiled.  "As to how you got here, an old friend of mine called in a favor.  He brought you in pretty badly shot up, and begged me to patch you up.  He also asked me to tell him when you were awake, so you can ask him yourself why he did it when he gets here."
 
"Him? Him who??"she laughed a bit"men and all your secrets seesh. OH well I guess I'll wait I mean not like I can really go anywhere right? You know I have this feeling that I've seen you before somewhere. Must be my imagination though I guess."she shifted in the make shift bed to get a bit more comfertable"uhhh are you gonna let me have some pain killers or am I already over my limit?"she half smiled and half winced
 
"I can get you some Tylenol.  All the other stuff I have here is for animals, and I don't think you want a shot of that.  I really can't keep you here, if you want to leave, but you lost a lot of blood. You should rest.  There's a couch in my office that is a lot more comfortable than that table.  I should know.  I've slept on it often enough."  Devon chuckled.  "Sometimes I feel that I spend more time here than I do at home."

"Tylenol is good Tylenol works"she laughed and carefully sat up."If you don't mind...."she motioned for him to help her."Sorry I just noticed the pain and how shitty I feel. Can you help me to that couch sounds pretty luxurious at the moment"she laughed and threw her arm around him trying not to almost faint again like she did before.
 
"Whoa there.  Hang on."  Devon slipped an arm around her.  Julie absently notice that his left arm was cooler than the right.  He more carried her than anything else, but he soon had her carefully installed on the couch.  "I'll get the Tylenol and the food.  You just rest here.  You can pull that blanket down on you if you're cold."  He patted her head in a motion that seemed more reflex than anything.  When he closed the office door, Julie strained here ears, but didn't hear the clicking of a lock.
 
Julie listened to the door and then turned her head to look at it and then the pain surged through her body again"Too hell with it I ain't moving"she mumbled to herself as she reached up and grabbed at the blanket. She pulled it down and across her stomach. When she heard the door again a few minutes later she was still struggling painfully to get the blanket over her feet.

[Keily]

The sandwiches were fresh, the water cold, and the painkiller's strong.  Soon Julie had forgotten how much it hurt, and was lounging comfortably on the couch.
 
"You going to tell me what happened?"  asked Devon.  He was sitting behind his desk, going through a pile of paperwork.  "Or is this one of those, 'you could tell me but you'd have to kill me' situations?"

Julie laughed and held her sides from laughing almost too hard."It's a long story, Started with some prick at uhh the bar called the snake pit. He and some others where being pricks to the owner a bunch of us were pissed enough to go kill their leader and I found him on the way out... he beat the shit out of me obviously and uhh yeah then next thing I know somebody has me counting like an idiot and then I wake up here. Sooo uhh when's my hero going to pop by?"
 
"He'll be here eventually.  I called him to let him know you were awake."  Devon frowned.  "Can you think of any reason why he wouldn't want me to tell you who he was?  I mean, he specifically asked that I not tell you."
 
Julie sat on the couch and thought hard for a long time until she spoke up"your shitting me? It can't be who I think it is can it? He hates me why would he.....oh fuck "she mutter as she held her head and laid back down on the couch. "I don't think this is a good thing... He'll probably punch me to death. He has a bad habit of hitting girls you know."she seemed to be rambling more and more but it was out a slight fear and the fact the painkillers had her so stoned she couldn't think straight.
 
Devon frowned.  "I think you've got the wrong guy.  Michael would never hit a woman."  He winced, and slapped his forehead.  "Fuck, I'm stupid."

Julie then sat up"HA HA you said his name"she immaturely sticks her tongue out. while sticking her tongue out she stops and makes a weird face."Wait a minute I don't know any Michael though and hey how cool is this I swear my tongue is numb"she says while somewhat chewing on it.
 
"Well, he knows you, and he brought you here so I could save your life.  Please don't chew on your tongue.  It may feel strange now, but I guarantee, if you keep chewing, you'll regret it later, because it will feel a fuck of a lot worse."  Devon shook his head.
Michael, why the Hell did you have to bring me a shot up mental patient?
 
She stops and looks up at him in mid chew"well i wasn't like going a wall on my tongue you know.. Hey I know... sorry to say but if you haven't noticed I seem to have a slight amount of attention deficit or so it seems... While we're waiting for the hero named Michael even though I know no Michael but yeah can we go see some of the animals? I know they are all sick and stuff but I just love animals they will keep me busy for hours!"she laughed a little and sat up. Devon couldn't help but think what else did he have to loose animals do claim down and help people become more patient. Maybe there was a pet that was ready to go home so she could sit with.
 
He smiled.  "Hang on.  Let me see if I can find a rolling chair." 

[Keily]

Devon returned moments later, with an office chair.  He bundled Julie into it, and wrapped her in a blanket.  "I'll show you the normal animals first.  I think the exotics should be a surprise.  Do you have a pet?  I've got a few animals to be adopted....."
 
"Well I used to have a dog but I had to give him away when I moved. The apartment people said no dogs. Bastards I loved that dog'she growled a bit"and the nerve of him even saying that when he himself has a dog living there and it barks all bloody night!"she then laughed a bit"sorry sorta a touchy subject. I love animals always have always will"she smiled softly yet it was more a crooked smile from the drugs in her system
 
"It just so happens I have a dog here that needs adopting.  He's got one eye, one ear, three legs and no tail.  I call him 'Lucky'," said Devon, as he wheeled Julie into his 'animal ward'.
 
Julie smiled"Well to tell you the truth Devon... I would I really would but the thing is I'm probably already out on my ass... See the building owner or whatever and I never got along... I also was late on the rent before I woke up here. I was getting some extra cash but that seemed to flop. They all probably think I'm dead and the jackass probably has all my things near the dumpster in the back. Not like there's a lot or anything. But we'll see...I'll take Lucky as long as I got a home to go home to and that another nice family doesn't take him or her before I do."she looked up and smiled at him it was genuine something that you didn't see a lot of those days
 
Devon laughed.  "Actually, that was supposed to be a joke.  But, if you're really interested in a dog, Moose needs a good home."  He pointed to the first dog in the row of large cages.
 
Moose was a shaggy salt and pepper mutt, the product of a hundred mixed breedings.  The legs were too long for the heavy body, and the feet were large, as if the dog had never grown into them.  It had long floppy ears, and an expression that made it look perpetually perplexed.  It rose up on it's hind legs when they entered, but didn't utter a sound.  It's tail wagged, almost reluctantly, as if the dog had faced too many disappointments to get it's hopes up again.
 
"Moose got hit by a car.  I pulled him out of a ditch.  Somebody had thrown him there, and a bunch of kids were throwing rocks at him."  Julie heard anger in Devon's voice, real anger.  She looked at him for a moment.  His eyes blazed, but they cooled immediately when the fell back onto Moose.  "Come on Moose.  Let's get you out of there for a little visit.
Julie blushed once she realized she totally didn't catch on that it was a joke. she sighed as the dog was being brought out. She pulled herself to the edge of the chair and kinda dropped herself on the ground before Devon could object. She smiled softly and reached her hand out to the dog cautiously she had bad luck with animals. Although she loved them they seemed to hate her. Devon could notice the amount she strain to reach out to Moose and to her surprise the dog came to her and rubbed his head on her hand then licked it. Julie's face lit up as she chuckled a little"ah that tickles" just the she could hear a ringing of a bell sort of like a saloon has on the door's. Julies head turned to the direction of the sound"Sound's like you have a customer"she smiled and turned her attention back to Moose. She petted him and nuzzled her face next to his. It was noticeable that she loved animals and didn't usually have success with them"aren't you handsome...yes you are"she spoke like most women do to babies.she looked to Devon and laughed."your customer is waiting Dev you better go see who it is.. I'll be fine with little Moose here."
 
The longer Moose was out of the cage, the more animated he became.  Soon his tail was wagging so frantically that the back half of the dog was wagging with it.  He was making small eager whining noises, and was pawing at Julie so frantically that she felt like a boxer's punching bag.  She laughed, as the dog tried to lick her faster than it's tongue could move.

[Keily]

"You've quite recovered, I see.  I was afraid you were going to bleed to death."
 
Julie froze.  Moose ran past her, still wagging his tail, only to have Devon intercept him.  "Okay Moose, calm down.  Easy boy."
 
"Thank you Devon.  You know how much I hate dogs that jump," said Vlad, never taking his eyes off of Julie.  He reached down with a gloved hand, and scratched the dog behind the ear.
 
Julie's jaw dropped slightly as she didn't bother to turn her head to look. She starred blankly at the wall for a moment as she bit on her lower lip hard. blood began to trickle down her face from where her teeth entered her lip. Her breathing was heavy almost uncontrolled as she tried to hold back tears. Her body trembled on the ground and at there moment she said almost the stupidest thing someone could of ever of said"So what you take me here to make me more of a freak.? too have your little vet friend inject me with animal blood or something?"she began to laugh then shock her head disapproving of herself laughing. She turned her head to face him the small trail of blood running down her face made her look almost demonic if it weren't for the tears rolling down her face which made her look human. Her body still trembling she half smiled"sorry I should be saying thanks but the only thing I can think of is Why? you can't stand me why would you help me let alone save my life?" Her eyes quivered filled with confusion and pain.
 
"I will have you know," said Vlad as he picked Julie up off the floor, "that I have never laid a violent hand on a woman.  You say I have wall problems. Do you know what your problem is Julie?  You don't put up walls, you put up thorn fucking hedges.  I wasn't expecting you to ask to join my fan club, Julie.  I was just expecting maybe a tiny bit less hostility."
 
He kicked the door open, and looked at Devon.  "Where should I put her?  Quick before she gets nauseous, and pukes on my coat."
 
"Mmmm wouldn't that be nice, a jacket covered in tuna"she laughed a bit as he carried her. Her tiny hands grasped as tightly as they could to his arm almost scared of what would happen if she fell. It was almost sad the pressure on his arm was almost nothing she was weaker then he expected she would be yet her mouth was still strong if not stronger. Her head nuzzled slightly on his chest. It felt so right yet so wrong at the same time to her but she found herself quickly turning her head away before Vlad could say anything."You know my walls maybe throned hedges but at least if you make an effort those throne bushes grow roses."she paused"god that was corny"she laughed until she began to cough. Once she saw Devon she stopped coughing and smiled softly, then looked to Moose with a smile as well.

The ghost of a smile passed across Vlad's lips.  "If I didn't know better, Julie, I'd have said that was an attempt at flirting with me."
 
"I'm going to go make coffee," said Devon.  "Julie, keep an eye on Moose for me please?  Michael, keep an eye on Julie?"  He looked down at the dog, then at Vlad.  "Nevermind," he said.
 
"Me flirt with you oh noo never since you after all know me so well."she said with a slight evil grin implying that he barely knew her. She looked to Devon with a smile and a little wink.
 
"So was that no to the coffee or no to the whole watching thing?"she chuckled a little once again causing her to start coughing. Once she stopped  she wanted to start laughing again.
 
"God I gotta stop doing that it hurts like hell." Julie looked up at Vlad her eyes starring at his although he was looking else where. This weird sensation she had when he carried her came over again. Once he turned to look at her she looked away like a child in grade school pretending that they were not just starring at person they had a crush on. then looked back to him"so I take it you don't want a tuna jacket?"she smiled obviously trying to hold back the laughing as she seemed to be getting more stoned as the drugs seemed to be getting a second wind.

"I'm still making coffee.  You're still watching Moose.  I think I should have checked to see what the drug in action was going to be like before I gave you the Tylenol."  Devon ducked out of the animal room, leaving the two of them alone.
 
"Bastard," muttered Vlad.

[Keily]

"Why do you say that?  I'm certain his parents were married."  Julie giggled again.
 
"You're very easily amused, when you're stoned."
 
Julie grinned and nodded. "We should go for hunt for the drug cabinet. Get you some to loosen up. You know I swear I’ve never seen you smile. Well that cynical smile that you do doesn't count you know or even laugh. I don't think I ever heard you laugh. Well also like the smile thing not cynical."she grinned and looked at moose.
 
"G's moose I look after you... sooo who looks after me?"she made a pouty face. Then turned to Vlad without changing her face"then again in away your looking after me but not really by choice I guess sorta in a way."she giggled some more.
 
Vlad's eyes narrowed.  "I suggest you show a little more gratitude to Devon.  He's broken half a dozen laws as a favor to me, to save your life.  I know him well enough to say with absolute conviction that he would never pull anything like that.  As far as why I saved you?  Let's just say that somebody decided that you were of more use alive than dead."  His words were tight and angry, and Devon took a step forward.  Vlad held out a hand to stop him.
 
"I thought that this might change things.  I'm obviously wrong.  Maybe you should just forget about the fact that I slit a man's throat to prevent you from being raped.  Maybe you should forget that I bandaged your wounds to prevent you from bleeding to death.  Maybe you should forget that I brought you here to save your life, so you wouldn't have to explain all the illegal crap you were carrying, or why you were shot.  Maybe you should just forget we ever met."  He turned abruptly, and stalked out of the room, slamming the door.
 
Moose shrank against Julie, shivering with fear.  Devon looked at the door, his mouth hanging open.  "That didn't exactly go the way I expected."
 
Julie glarred patted the dog on the head and painfully managed to stand to her feet. She looked to Devon with a "i'll be right back"type face and stumbled out past the slammed door and through the building until she saw the back of Vald leaving the front door"So you leave like that!"Vald paused" Being like usual an asshole well let me tell you something. all I asked was why not some huge song and dance. and as for gratatude is concerned Devon has gotten it MICHEAL! that really suits you better you know..."her voice going soft in the end until she shock her head and began to speak once more"nevermind that. I'm not trying to be mean but its pretty hard when all you have is wall issues. I know what you did was risky I never said it wasn't. But to blow it all off as someone else wanted it that way. then again it wouldn't surprise me. How do you expect me to react when I find out the guy that saved my life is the guy that usually beats the crap out of me and vice versa. It's not something I can process really well. You know what if you walk away your making a big mistake. But I'll leave it in your court something you like all I have left to say is thanks." She head began to feel light she wasn't used to using so much of her already depleted energy as it was. It was lucky the office was closed or she really would of been causing a scene. As she stood she began to wobble until Vald heard a loud thud as she fell the ground. She just sat there waiting for the dizziness to stop.

Vlad frowned. "That isn't funny Julie. I don't touch drugs. They leave you too out of control."

"well when you have the choice of drugs or pain. I'll take drugs thanks. Besides I was only kidding....party pooper"she grinned.

"Pain is my friend," he replied. "It reminds me that I'm still alive."

Julie sighed"always so depressing you know. Why not have that warm gooey feeling that someone else gives you help you remember your alive."

"Because she's dead."

Julie looked to the floor her face turned almost ashamed "I-I'm sorry I never knew"

"I didn't expect that you would have. I'm not even sure why I told you."

she looked up with a smile "maybe it's a sing that you don't hate me as much as I think you do...oooooo" she giggled a little then began to cough.

"You shouldn't laugh. It makes you cough." He frowned. "You shouldn't be coughing anyway, not unless you're beginning to develop pneumonia, or something similar."

she stopped a few seconds after he stopped talking. she cleared her throat"I don't know what it is but as to what I said before I mean even more so since with the saving and what not."she smiled appreciatly ."I guess I better find a paper and start looking for somewhere to stay."she grumbled while standing up.

"Is this where I'm supposed to be generous, and offer to let you stay at my place, until you get back on your feet?" asked Vlad, in an uncharacteristically bright voice. Even his eyes were bright for a moment. Then they returned to normal. "Forget it," he said in a flat voice.
"Was I asking...no...just being my normal complaining self."she laughed and once again found herself coughing but this time to the point she was almost blue in the face.once she finally stopped a disgruntled "fuck" came from regaining color Julie

"Hang on. DEVON!"

[Keily]

Julie slumped to the floor and reached her hand out to moose. who came bounding over. She half smiled as the dog licked her face. and the only thing running through her head was"why me?"

Devon burst through the door. For a large man, he moved quickly. "What's wrong?"

"It's Julie. She started coughing, and she's having trouble breathing."

She looked up from where she slumped to the floor and half smiled. her face looked exhausted from before. she cleared her throat"it's ok i'm fine" she could tell by the looks on their faces they weren't buying it.

"Let me grab my stethoscope. She may have developed some fluid in her lungs, from lying on her side. It happens in some dogs. " Devon looked a little sheepish. "I don't know if it happens in people."

Julie gave him this look that just said"fuck you" her face changed as the cold metal hit her"awh thats cold....calling me a dog now sticking cold things on me HMPF"she then began to laugh but trying not to.She starred at the wall and though of something depressing like Vlad's situation with the girl and soon found herself almost crying as apposed to laughing.

"If it's that much trouble, I'll warm it first," said Devon with a smirk. He placed the stethoscope against his wrist for a few moments. "There now, just be a good girl and lie still. Good. Now breathe normally. Good. Now, a good, deep breath. Not too fast."

It was noticeable when he told her to take a deep breath she was struggling and as she continued to breath in she soon was coughing again. but not for long this time"sorry I didn't mean to...so if I do that that fluid lung thing...whats going to happen?"her face looked worried and frightened.

"What is going to happen is you are going to go to a real doctor. You'll probably end up on antibiotics. You don't have to be worried. At an early stage like this, pneumonia is very treatable. If you ignore it, and wait until you can barely breath, and you feel like you've got a ten ton weight on your chest, then you might just die."

"You need to work on your bedside manner, Devon."

"It's the tone the animals hear, not the words," replied the vet.

Julie blinked a few times "uhh yeah.. human not animal here... I can hear it!"her voice was shaky and panicked. She didn't know where she would get the money to pay for the antibiotics. she was broke before and was relying on the money she would of gotten the other night.

Vlad looked at Julie. "Don't worry. We can get the drugs. Dragon can pull that kind of thing out of his ass. There are certain benefits to membership, Julie."

she glanced to Vlad"Incase your forgetting hun, but I'm not a real member. I'm just a to do person nothing more."

"That can change," he said, with the ghost of a smile.

"was that a smile or one of those cynical grins again?I never asked what the initiation process was because I was hoping not to find out... but at the moment I don't think I have any choice..."she paused"aww man that means I gotta look at your ugly mug every day and not talk back to it."she grinned jokingly once again trying hard not to laugh.

"It's a little more serious of a commitment than you may think, Julie. Once you're in, you're in for life."

"I'm not hearing this," said Devon. "If you can't afford the drugs, I can give you some antibiotics. I just need to calculate the dosage based on your weight."

"Never ask a lady her weight, Devon."

"well are you asking my sickly weight as in my weight now that i'm sick or my usual weight?"

"I'll weigh you," said Devon.

"what don't trust me to tell the truth?"she winked evily and grabbed a near by chair to help her up.She leaned heavily on the wall after and looked at him with extremely glossy eyes.

[Keily]

"Michael, do you know anyone who can keep an eye on her?  Or maybe a place where she can stay?"  Devon asked as he set up the scale.

"I can think of one or two."
 
"Who?" asked Julie, suspiciously.
 
"As I recall, you call him 'Pops'."
 
Julie looked at Vlad and Devon with a raised eyebrow"Pops. I cause him enough trouble I'm not sure he's going to want to take me. It's worth giving him a call but he might want to beat something if he sees me in this state. He's not going to like it one bit"Julie frowned and then look to Vlad"Do i look as bad as I feel?

Julie sighed heavily"I take it from your silence that I look like shit huh?"she grinned and looked at Moose who licked her hand. She looked to Devon and then to the floor."Is there a mirror around here? And Vlad don't you dare open your mouth about me being vain. This is past vain mostly to give a little pay back to the Bastard that let that Bastard loose!"julie paused and laughed beginning to cough once again"I guess I better start working on my vocabulary, huh?"

"You look fine Julie.  A little pale, mind you, but the majority of the damage would be covered by an oversized t-shirt.  Before you ask, Devon may have a few, but I don't own any."
 
"How hard would it be to get a hold of this Pops guy?" asked Devon.  "Would he be able to take care of you?"
 
"He's one of her mercenary associates," said Vlad.  "They have an honor code similar to most gangs.  He'll take care of her."
 
Devon nodded.  "Okay, what's his number?"
 
"And to which bastard are you referring?" added Vlad.

Julie sighed hoping that Vlad would take care of her but didn't argue and gave Devon Pop's number.
"He might not hear the phone if he's in the shop working thought but try anyways."She smiled softly and turned to Vlad
"The bastard I'm talking about if the one we went in there to kill the other night yet some how I found myself here. And as for an oversized T-shirt. I don't think thats going to cover my bruised face and well stitches on my lip and everywhere else for that matter. I'm gonna be one hideous scar and He's gonna pay for letting the guy who did this to me into his gang."Julie trembled her body so fill of rage and now pain. She didn't know what to do it seemed every timed she moved her body would rip in two even with all the drugs she was given. She slumped lower to the floor laying on it a little and began to cough until her face turned slightly blue. She managed to sit up and the coughing stopped thankfully. She moaned painfully"I'm just so tired and I can't even sleep. what a waste."she mumbled to herself

"There are many people recruited into gangs, Julie," said Vlad. "For many reasons.  Some are the shock troops.  They are required to be brutal.  Then there are more specialized persons, like myself.  You cannot blame a wolf for being a wolf, or a general for using his troops to the best of his ability."

Julie glared and was getting angry for that comment thinking that Vlad might believe what happened to her was justified."Oh I am blaming!" she said her body trembling but neither was sure if it was from the drugs or her anger."I will see to it that that Bastard will die slowly and painfully-"she was cut short by a rather long coughing fit that brought her to her knees rather quickly which strained on her stitches. "fuck- ouch"she grumbled and leaned back on the floor trying to get comfortable. She held her sides her eyes watering. She was so venerable it was almost disheartening.

"Hell Julie, even I know revenge is a dish best served cold, and in most cases it is too expensive a luxury for the common man.  I doubt you'll listen though."  The vet shook his head.  "Why don't you and your four legged friend stretch out on the couch in my office?  You need the rest, I can keep an eye on you for the next little while, to see if you are stable enough to go crash with this 'Pop' guy."

Julie nodded growing yet another coughing fit. She looked to Vlad and was going to ask for help up but decided against it. She slid her body over to a desk and pulled her tired body of the ground and leaned heavily on it. She seemed so lost like this. She is used to being down but never down and out.She stood wobbly for a few moments afraid her feet wouldn't let her stand on her own. It took about three tries until she could walk without holding on to the desk."I guess your going now huh?"she looked at Vlad. She smiled softly though it was thinned with pain"Thankyou for everything"she sighed out and looked to Moose and began to walk to the office. The odd thump was heard from her crashing into the walls.

"Pride is one of the seven deadly sins, Julie," said Vlad as he followed her down the hall.  "It isn't a crime to admit that you can't make it by yourself.  I'm sure you can, but it would be much easier if you let me help."
 
Devon muttered something under his breath that sounded like 'emotional constipation', but other than that remained quiet.  He simply observed, as Julie made her way back to his office couch.

"Its not that I can or not. I know I can't but I have too. I'm not weak I have to do this."She said with tears in her lost eyes as she leaned heavily on the wall wincing. The gown began to blossom in a vibrant red from where she was leaning. She went about taking a few more steps and stumbled backwards into Vlad.She coughed lightly"Sorry."she noticed the wall stained with blood and then looked at her gown."Shit"she grumbled as she pushed herself off of Vlad."Sorry again"tears flowed down her face her shaky hands wiped them away the best she could but it wasn't helping.She trembled in the hallway and wanted so badly to be held she turned to Vlad and threw sniffles mumbled"I just fuck up everything don't I?"

Vlad lifted her easily, and lay her down on the couch in Devon's office.  The vet applied a gauze pad to the stitches she had ripped open, and shook his head. 
 
"If I get this much trouble from any other patient, I tranquilize them.  Don't make me keep you sedated, just because you are too stubborn to accept the fact that you are hurt, and therefore need help," growled Devon.

[Keily]

Julie couldn't look Devon in the eye. Her face was tightly shut with pain as he applied the gauze and she was laid down."I'm sorry Devon I don't mean to be. I'm not used to needing help and when I do needed it. I usually get spat on and told to go to hell."She half smiled shakily and began to cough, it was getting worse.Liquid could be heard in her cough until some blood drippled out the corner of her mouth. She wiped it away with an exhausted hand, her face was growing pale and tired but every time she went to lay down she began to cough.

The vet summed up his opinion of the blood coming from her mouth with one word.  "CRAP!"
 
He grabbed Vlad's shoulder.  "Get her to a real hospital NOW!  If that blood is coming out of her lungs, she is in serious deep shit.  MOVE!  This is no time to worry about appearances.  She needs help and she need sit now, and she needs more of it than I can provide."

Julie turned her head to them and watched them panic. She shook her head"I'll I'll be fine I just-"she paused to cough up a bit more blood"just need a lot of help."she said taking their advice.

"Just a little," said Devon. "Coughing up blood falls under my top ten list of things never to do. I assume you don't have any kind of medical insurance?"

Julie shook her head"I always seemed to find someone to patch me up... I have a few credits if the landlord didn't take them while throwing my shit out."

"Do you know anyone who could lend you money? Or God help us, do you have a family doctor?"

"Pops will if he was there did you get a hold of him?"

"You didn't give us the number," Vlad reminded her. "You were going to call him."

Julie shook her head"right I guess I forgot"she coughed some more and whipped her lip."Where's the phone?"she said trying to sit up stronger.

Devon sighed, and handed her the receiver. "If he doesn't answer, then what?"

"We go from there," said Vlad tightly.

Julie dialed the number she knew it by heart. She listened to the other end ring in an almost deafly silent room.

Her heart leapt when the ringing stopped, then fell, when she heard Shrike's recorded voice. "I'm not here right now to take your call. Leave a message, and I'll call you back."

"Pops It's me Julie. if your there please pick up! I need you its an emergency" she coughed away from the phone and waited to hear the other end pick up
After a moment, the phone disconnected, and she was left listing to the recorded operator telling her to hang up and try her call again.
Julie's hand trembled with the receiver in her hand"pick up...pick up.."she repeatedly muttered even into the recording until tears fell down her cheeks and she grew into a coughing fit. She shook her head no to the others implying that pop's was no where around

"Anybody else you can think of?" asked Devon.

Julie was trying to think hard but her mind was still fuzzy and nothing was coming together. She just shook her head shaking more tears from her eyes. She feared that she was going to die and couldn't stop it

"Let me make a phone call," said Vlad. "I may be able to call in a favor."

Julie blinked and coughed a dark glob like tissue which she was starting to choke on. She swallowed a few times and then she was fine. She was glad that Vlad had friends for favors unlike her"I owe you both"she mumbled.

"Wait until you see where this goes, before you start thanking me," said Vlad. He pulled out his cellular phone, and dialed a number.

Julie sat up crookedly on the couch almost in the fetal position but elevated. She played with the glob in her hand rolled her own blood between her fingers trying to concentrate on that instead of coughing while Vlad made the call.

"Bandit? Vlad. I need a favor, and I need it fast. Can you get to the Seattle Animal Hospital in Redmond? I need a healer, and we can't take this to a hospital, for a variety of reasons. No, I didn't do it. I actually saved somebody's life this time. Great. We'll try to.... We'll be waiting."
He hung up the phone. "He'll be here in half an hour."

Julie smiled softly."A healer as in magic?"she coughed.

"Yes," replied Vlad. "He's a little odd, but he does good work. IF he can get past your cyberware."
Julie looked almost ill her face pale and slightly green"I don't feel so good."she coughed"where's the washroom?"

Devon handed her the waist paper basket. "Use this. You won't have to move as far."

[Keily]

Julie grabbed the waste paper basket and spit blood into it a few times. remains from her coughing. She gagged and heaved but nothing came from her stomach.

"Dry heaves suck," said Devon. Do you want me to hold your hair?"

Julie sat back a bit completely exhausted. Her eyes glazed over and rolled slowly to Devon. Her head shook slightly before she blacked out for a few seconds. her head jumping up once it fell."No need if theres"she paused to spit again"no puke"she forced a smile but it only lasted a few moments
Julie's colour continued to get worse, as they waited impatiently for the arrival of Bandit.
After a good few minutes of dry heaving finally bile was coming from her stomach. She chocked on the taste only making her cough more and coughing right now... was bad. Her breathing was tight and difficult and she turned to Devon."that off to hold my hair still"she gaged a little"stand?"

Devon nodded. Then he chuckled. "I've actually picked up a few women this way." He gently moved her hair out of her face.

Julie actually laughed. It was short and abrupt cut off by the sound of bile hitting the waste basket."I find that hard to beleive."she grinned

"Believe it," said Vlad. "Devon used to be quite the party animal. I think I hear a bike outside. I'll go get the door."

Julie laughed and watched Vlad leave"I guess I look the shitiest out of all the girls you held hair for huh?"

"No," said Devon smiling. "One of them had an entire bowl of Purple Jesus punch spilled all over a white blouse, and a greek salad in her hair."

Julie smiled"that makes me-"she paused and stuck her face into the waste basket again and after a few seconds looked up"well I thought it made me feel better"she grinned

"God, what a mess," said an unfamiliar voice. It was deep, and full of mirth. "What did you do Vlad, not warn her that you were close?"

Julie looked up at the man"You ain't to pretty either"she groaned turning back to the basket.
"I resemble that comment," replied Bandit. He was black, but his features showed signs of mixed blood. He wore his hair in a distinctly native American style, and sported an old leather outback jacket decorated with native designs..

Julie looked up at him and groaned again which started a coughing fit. blood poured from her mouth in a small stream. Upon stopping she spat into the basket."Devon.. remind me I owe you a new basket"

"It'll rinse," said Devon.

"Fuck, you are in bad shape," said Bandit, looking at her oddly. He gave Vlad a dirty look. "You didn't tell me I was dealing with this kind of drek," he said, pulling a few feathers out of one pocket.

"It may rinse but that smell will never go away. and what the hell is a drek?" julie almost made the guy wished she was knocked out.

"Drek. Cyberware. You're aura is black as sin girl, and that makes it harder for the spirits to help you."

Julie laughed causing her to cough. A tired voice groaned"I suppose no matter how many hail mary's I do ain't gonna help?"

"Do I look Catholic to you?" asked Bandit. "What you've done is replace some of the flesh with things that don't belong in nature. The less natural something is, the harder it is to get the good magic to work."

"great"she groaned and looked at him."Native magic?I have a lucky rabbits foot somewhere that help?"

"You have a problem with Native magic? I can take my healing and go home, if you like. And the rabbit's foot wasn't all that lucky for the rabbit, was it? And it had four." Bandit pulled a small pinch of sand out of another pocket. He frowned, and put it back.

"just trying to help not rude in the least I thought"she coughed her face turning a faint shade of blue from the fit.

"Do you mind not dying while I'm tryin got heal you? It doesn't work well if you ack out in the middle of the spell." Bandit shook his head and fished into yet another pocket for a small twig. "Ah ha.... There you are."

Julie nodded and felt faint almost rolling off the couch if it wasn't for Devon still holding her hair and pulling her back to the couch with a help of his other hand. Her breathing was getting more strained and wheezy but she found peace lying there at that moment.

Bandit spoke a few words in the high wailing tones that are so often associated with native shaman. Then he stretched out his hands towards Julie.

[Keily]

Julie watched the hand carefully hoping he knew what he was doing and that his hand looming out to her wasn't going to kill her. A tiny hand reached out towards Vlad and her face screamed silently 'don't leave me'

A warmth surrounded her. Bandit grunted as if he were straining. "Jebus, girl, you're tough."

Tears built in the corner of her eyes she wasn't sure if that was a bad or good thing to be hearing from the man beside her. She turned her head away from Vlad as her fear began to cross her face. But He did not have to see her face to know she was scared her tiny hand trembled still reached out.

She felt Vlad take her hand. He squeezed it gently.

Julie smiled and turned her head back to him with the same smile and squeezed back pitifully but it was all the strength she could muster while trying hard not to die on the couch. Her eyes moved to the man helping her warming her body and hoped he would saw more then what he only had said which scared her.

Slowly the pain in her chest began to lessen. It did not entirely go away, but it lessened to the point where Julie no longer feared that she might die on teh couch.

Julie's breathing was less strained and she was growing a color back to her face as her breathing became more regular. She prayed the healer could do more.

"Well, that's got me tapped," said Bandit with a shudder. "I'm damned lucky to have been able to do that much. She'll live, but she'll have to make the home stretch on her own."

Julie reached her other hand over her body and grabbed at Bandit. She pulled him close to her face and she turned his head kissed his cheek"thankyou."her tired voice said with closed eyes as she wanted badly to just rest.

"Don't thank me, thank Raccoon. That's where the healing came from. I'm just the hose that it was directed through. If you want to give thanks, leave the lid off your trash for the next little while."

Julie laughed more like a few sighs"only if I had a trash can"She squeezed Vlad's hand this time with more strength but her face was weary and tired.

"Well, I'm sure Vlad has one." He looked at the man holding Julie's hand, and smiled. "You so owe me man."

Julie shook her head"No It is I who owe all off you"she yawned.

"That's not what Raccoon says, and I never argue with Raccoon."

[Keily]

Julie chuckled a little"Well I do. I'm all in your debt"Julie looked around the room knowing that they all helped saved her life equally but Devon...devon got a new waste paper basket.

"Don't argue with a Totem, girl. That's a good way to not have them there when you need them." Bandit shook his head. "If I'm all done, I'm all gone. You, vet boy, you got any strays out back in the kennels?"

Devon nodded. "Some. Why?"

"Moose is mine"she said sleepily

"Just making sure you was the right kind of people." Bandit laughed, and was gone.

"That was different," said Devon.

"He usually is," replied Vlad.

Julie blinked at the two of them"I don't even know where to begin thankyou you two"

"Just get better," said Devon. "I want my office back."

Julie smiled happily while she laid on the couch and watched Vlad for a while. A soft smile on her face and one of complete gradituted for his help.She knew he had held her hand and comforted her while things seemed its darkest And not matter what there was nothing big enough that she could do to thank him for it. She starred into his eyes and blushed a little then looked away like a child being caught starring at their crush.She laughed a little and then curled up on the couch and closed her eyes pretending to sleep.

Julie could feel Vlad sit down near her head.  He brushed the hair away from her face.
 
"Who is she?" asked Devon.  "I've never seen you act like this before."
 
"Just some one I know," Vlad replied.  "Perhaps some one I want to get to know better."
 
"Pick some one in a less hazardous line of work," snorted Devon.  "You know, like bomb disposal."

Julie tried so hard not to make a face at that comment and luckily didn't she looked peaceful and sleeping. She stirred a bit and moved her head into Vlad's hand when he swept the hair away from her face. She lay there in her bandages and beaten up body. Honestly it would be hard for anyone to think of her in the line of work she was in if she didn't have all the cyberwear to show it.She made a small groan as a wave of pain washed through her body and then it subsided she didn't know what to do and sleep wouldn't come easily but she would rest it was the least she could do. She tried to block them out so that sleep might take her over but for now she was eves dropping on a conversation she probably wasn't supposed to hear.

"She's mercenary, Devon.  It's a dangerous job."
 
"It's not a job you grow old in."
 
Julie heard cloth russling, as if Vlad had shrugged.  "I'm not exactly in a low mortality position myself, but I went into it knowing the risk.  She did too.  I don't know, maybe we can take a little comfort in knowing that we understand a little bit of what the other is going through."
 
"We should let her get some rest."
 
"Perhaps she will, when we leave her alone," said Vlad.  "We shouldn't be talking about this in front of her anyway."

Julie laid asleep happily with a small smile on her face. She cuddled herself around Vlad as he was sitting talking with Devon. No dreams came to her that night just the void of nothing until a nightmare decided to replay the event in her head. Her eyes flew open in a gasp as she laid there starring at the ceiling. Her stomach turned almost violently and she quickly stumbled to the washroom while her stomach contents and mostly bile came up. She coughed herself into a frenzy at the sickening taste in her mouth but luckily no blood so it was a mixed blessing.

The pounding of Julie's head was echoed by the pounding on the door at the back of the building.  She could hear a familiar voice shouting.  It didn't sound happy.
 
"Julie?  Can you hear me?  Somebody open this damned door before I blow it open.  I know she's in there.  I swear if she's hurt, there's going to be hell to pay!"
 
Pops....  He must have traced the call and came looking for me....

Julie groaned about and tried to move. She managed to sit up and call out a bit"Its Pops get the door."she groaned and stood up her head spinning along with the room. She leaned on the wall heavily and made her way to where she heard his voice along with a few others.

There was a cry of alarm from the back door, and a loud crash.  In seconds, Shrike was in the office beside Julie.  Devon came through the door behind him, propelled by the barrel of a gun held in the hand of none other than Nightstalker, the biker.
 
"What the frag is going on?" asked Shrike, looking down at Julie.

[Keily]

Julie smiled some and hugged Selkie tightly"Pops"she said happily and then opened her eyes to see Nightstalker holding Devon at gun point. She growled deeply aned pushed away from Pops and ran to him punching him clear across the face."Devon are you alright? He didn't hurt you did he?"she said filled with concern and looked to Nightstalker and then to Pops."Do you honestly think that was necessary. For fuck sakes Devon saved my life!"she said pissed off." I know you two mean well but... shit"She said with a deep sigh.

"Hey don't worry about this guy," said Nightstalker.  "He's got a few tricks up his sleeve, let me tell you.  He's as fast as I am.  He's just got less killer instinct.  Mad Dog would like him, though."  The biker put his gun away.
 
Shrike slid his sunglasses down to the end of his nose.  "I can't think of a reason why I would come down here expecting the worst," he said softly.  "You leave a very desperate sounding message, after disappearing for THREE FRAGGING DAYS, and I'm just supposed to walk up to the door and knock?  You didn't exactly say you were in friendly hands, and I'd rather be caustious than dead."  After a second he returned the hug.  "You're the closest thing I have to family, kid.  I couldn't take any chances."

Julie looked around the room and sighed heavily as Pops hugged her"i know I'm- I'm so sorry. I was in such a panic i almost had to go to the hospital and then that would lead to talking and that would lead too what the hell happened to me and why I was some what better."she paused."I'm sorry I didn't mean for this to happen Devon. I'll pay for the damages some how"she sighed

"No, I think I'll send the bill to somebody else.  If you see him before I do, tell him to drop by again when he doesn't need something."  Devon smiled.  "I think you've got a few good friends here.  Take care of them.  You never know when you might need them again.  Now all of you, get the hell out of my clinic.  I have work to do."  He turned to walk out of the office, but stopped.  "So, Julie, do you want to take Moose with you?  He could use a good home, and I think you could use some extra company."

Julie beamed with a grin."Really you mean it."She said excited as Pop's and Nightstalker looked at her a bit funny. She pushed her way passed Devon and was almost in Moose's room before she turned back down the hall and kissed him on the cheek. She took off back down the hall in a groogy run and opened the door and whistled"Come on Moose lets go home"she laughed as the big dog bounded at her and jumped up licking her face. She smiled happily and petted him behind the ears and walked with him down the hall back passed Devon."Thankyou....for everything."She smiled a bit with a blush."But I have a feeling you might see Vlad before I do. If you do... tell him thanks." She walked towards Pops and smiled"Lets go home... umm but one thing... I think my land lord booted me"she said scratching her head.

Devon smiled.  He reached down to scratch Moose behind the ear.  "You need each other," he said.  "And yeah, I'll tell Vlad.  If I ever see him."
 
Nightstalker looked at Julie.  "Booted, eh?  I think I can get you unbooted, if you know what I mean.  Hell, I don't think he'd have managed to rent out your place this quick, and if he has, we get to evict 'em."
 
Shrike shook his head.  "Wonderful.  He gets all excited about evicting people.  He must have been a slumlord in a previous life.  Alright Julie, get in the truck, and make sure that blood horse you've just adopted stays off my feet."
 
Julie petted Moose and took a deep breath" Honestly I don't remember too much. We were on a mission helping someone out becuase the bars and stuff were being hit for protection money. So we went in to kill the leader I mean.... umm... theres no way to make that sound nice"she took a deep breath"i was going down a corridor and this guy he was hiding in the ceiling. I was shot up and almost raped until someone saved me. Next thing I know I was waking up in an animal shelter and Have Vlad to thank for it. He saved my ass twice actually. I called because I almost needed to go to a real hospital i have no insurance you know that. I had blood in my lungs. It could of killed me and then Vlad called in a favor to help me. Me someone who always seemed to hate me."she said with a sigh.As they pulled up to her apartment her landlord was outside with the keys terrified looking.
 
"We-welcome back Julie. Here's you key oh and I fixed your squeaky door too. Hi Hi there doggy"he said shakily before running back inside
 
Julie looked to Pops and laughed a bit"Gonna come up for a bit?"
 
The old pilot nodded.  "Sure.  We can see if your landlord cleaned the place and filled your fridge, because I could go for a beer.  Don't give me that look.  I don't care if it isn't noon yet.  I want a beer, because I'm not likely to get anything else I'd be interested in at this time in the morning."
 
Julie laughed a bit"Okay Pop's not going to argue."They walked up the stairs and she opened the door to her floor and starred. Her eyes went wide in horror of the long corridor memories flooding back to her. She jumped a bit as Moose brushed her leg and she let out a breath she didn't even realize she was holding.She took another calming breath and moved down the hall to her room and shakily unlocked her door and let Pop's and Moose in."I'm gonna change, make yourself at home."She walked to her room and paused at the closed door. She never closed her door. Maybe the landlord did but usually he left things the way he found them. Something wasn't right. She looked to the floor slot under the door light shined threw as two shadows passed by it. Someone was in her room.
 
He watched Julie's reaction carefully, frowning.  Years of experience as a professional soldier had taught Shrike to follow his instincts.  He put a finger to his lips, and pulled out a heavy automatic pistol.  The furniture wasn't going to provide a great deal of cover, but it would reduce any visible target.  He dropped to one knee, his gun trained on the door.
 
Julie nodded to him and held Moose by the collar and was ready to open her bedroom door and roll painfully probably pulling stitches into the bathroom out of the range of fire. She reached for the door handle and whipped the door open hugging moose tightly rolling into the bathroom. Blood seeped form her wounds but that luckily was all. She looked to Pop's hoping that if it was someone she knew he wouldn't kill them though the chances of that were nothing her whole family was dead.
 
"You have exactly ten seconds to come out where I can see you," said Shrike.  "After that, I start tossing grenades."  He pulled a grenade pin out of his shirt pocket and tossed it so it bounced through the door.  "Just in case you thought I was kidding.  Ten......nine..... eight....."
 
The kid ran out the door it was her neighbors son."Bloody hell Jeff!"Julie shouted angrily as he ran passed Pop's and out the door."Moose get the ball"The dog ran to the grenade and brought it back to her. She threw it to Pop's in time place the pin back in. She lay there on the bathroom floor breathing heavily.
His gun tracked the child  to the exit, then returned to the doorway.  Carefully he retrieved the grenade pin.  "Any reason why he would be able to unlock your door?" asked Shrike, his gun still out.
Julie shrugged."No biggy Pop's"she said struggling painfully to her feet"He probally just ran in while the land lord was sprucing the place up. She smiled softly and then staggered towards her room. opened the door and walked in straight to the closet paying no attention to anything else in or about the room. She rummaged in her closet humming to herself in some sort of daze.

 
"If you're okay then, I'm going to jet," said Shrike.  "I don't have a lot of nerves left, and I like to keep them all safe and relaxed.  Trying not to shoot kids isn't my favorite way to spend a morning."
 
Julie grinned a bit still rummaging. She lifted her head up to call to him"Sure Pop's if I need you I'll give you a call. Drink some tea it will calm those neveres"she laughed a bit"I'll lock up after you I'm just trying to find something comfy to change into"she laughed a bit more.Julie grinned happily as she got into a sweat suit and then walked out of her room petting moose and locked her front door."hmmm its good to  be home"she muttered as she lowered her body slowly onto the couch to rest.