Jack and I jumped awake at the same time because we felt the same thing. Hell shifted even more. It was growing weaker and weaker. I could feel it.

“Jack.” I whispered.
“Don’t worry about it.” He mumbled with a set jaw.
“What are you going to do?” I asked.
“I said don’t worry about it.” He snarled.

I knew he didn’t mean to be mean, he was just stressed out.

The more he fell for me, the less evil he became and the less evil he became, the weaker hell got. Honestly, I could only see one solution to this and I knew he did too, he just didn’t want to accept it.

“Jack you know there’s only one thing you can do.” I murmured, finally deciding to face the thing I’d been trying to push away.

He didn’t reply, he just got up and walked out. I sighed and followed him.

“You can’t run from this.” I pressed and he gave me an look which said, “watch me.”

I trailed behind him into the kitchen as he open a cabinet and pulled out a bowl.

“You have to get rid of me.”

When I said this, he brought the bowl down so hard it shattered.

“No.” He spat.
“We have no choice!” I cried, walking up to him and putting my hand on his shoulder.
“You’re right. We don’t. I do.” He snapped.

Before I could reply, a knock was heard at the door. Jack left me to look through the peep hole and opened the door. I watched him bend down and pick up a basket with a big pink bow on it. He brought it in and put it on the counter. It was filled with pieces of metal.

The metal from the car we were in when we got hit.

“Alex go pack, we’re leaving.” Jack said in a surprisingly calm voice.

I nodded and hurried to do as he said. As I was stuffing my shirts into my bag, I heard Jack on on the phone. I continued quickly but made an effort to be quiet so that I could hear what he was saying.

“Following…Tracking…Alex…Hurt…I think…Intentional…”

The talking went on a little longer but I couldn’t make much else out. Jack quickly walked back into he room and helped me shove our things back into the bags.

“Do you know who it was?” I asked.
“No but Rian is on it, he’s questioning Mitchell because I think he had something to do with it.” Jack replied.
“You can say torture. I can’t imagine Rian only doing strict interrogation.” I sighed making Jack shrug. “Anyway, why so you think he has something do do with it?”
“Well he was the one who lured us here in the first place and I’m sure you noticed how at the bar he kept looking at the door, I’m sure Mitchell was told by whoever caused all this that they would save him as a way to introduce themselves. Apparently whoever it was wanted to remain anonymous and assumed I’d kill him, therefore tying up a lose end.”

A spark of hope flared in my chest. Maybe this guy knows something about Hell? Maybe he knows how to fix it?

“See Jack, Good things can happen when you don’t kill people.” I added making him roll his eyes.

---

Four hours later we were at home again but I didn’t feel any safer.

“This person probably knows where we live, do you really think it’s a good idea to come back here?” I asked as soon as we pulled up to the house.
“I don’t want them to think we’re weak or scared.” He replied.
“We didn’t know how much this person is capable of. Being strong and brave won’t do us any good if we’re dead.” I warned.
“I’m sorry have you ever rivaled a demon? Have you ever been in a fight for power?” He snapped.
“I’ve rivaled a demon every day of my life.” I shot back
“Let me rephrase that. Have you ever rivaled a demon under circumstances where you actually have a shot at winning?”

I glared at him.

“Didn’t think so.” He snapped before throwing the car door open and jumping out.

I sighed and followed him. Though he seemed angry, it was obvious that he was scared by the way he kept fidgeting and how his voice had an uncommon edge to it.

“Jack, it’ll be okay.” I reassured and he struggled to get the key into the lock.

He clenched his fists and sighed, closing his eyes.

“I just don’t want you getting hurt again.” He mumbled.
“I won’t. I know you won’t let that happen.” I replied.
“But I did.” He said through gritted teeth, “You wound up with a piece of metal in your side.”
“But I’m an angel! I healed!” I said, lowering my voice.
“But what if you weren’t? What if you’d died?” He asked, looking at me.
“Well I am. There’s no point in worrying about things that could never happen.”
“It doesn’t change the fact that I swore to you I’d protect you and that you’d be safe and then I fucking let you get hurt.” He said, growing distraught.

I decided against reminding him of all the times he himself had hurt me since that night in California

“It wasn’t you who shoved that metal bar in my side!” I exclaimed.
“I might as well have.” He snapped, “Even though you’re an angel, I’m still stronger than you, faster than you, and I have better reflexes than you. I should’ve stopped it. I should’ve seen that car coming, I should’ve shielded you, I should’ve grabbed that bar before it hit you. This is all my fault.” He cried, getting more and more upset.

“Jack stop.” I murmured, placing my hands on his cheeks.

He was blaming himself for something that wasn’t his fault.

“I’m fine. There is no way you could’ve seen that car coming, as I remember you were a bit… Distracted.” I smirked making him close his eyes and let out a soft laugh. “Now stop worrying. I know you. You’re going to get your men on it, find the bastard, kick some ass, and eliminate that threat. Then, we’re going to find a way to make Hell strong and everything will be okay.” I said as if that made it so.
“Oh really?”
“Yes. Really.” I said, taking the keys from him and unlocking the door, “And then you’re going to come home and make sweet love to me.” I winked before stepping through the door, leaving him there with his jaw dropped slightly.

Notes

title cred: All Of My Heart - Sleeping With Sirens