Jackson had been a mess. Days had turned into a week, and still they had nothing. He didn't know what to do. He didn't know how to save her but he refused to give up. Where there is a will there is a way.

And so he persevered, placing his emotions down to focus on trying to find her. They had tracked down the van but found that they had ultimately switched vehicles and they were back to square one. He walked towards the training room, ripping his black t-shirt of his body before walking towards the boxing bag that lay hanging for him. He didn't bother wrapping his knuckles in tape, landing punch after punch on the leather material, his punches became stronger by the second, the bag moving back and forth with the momentum. His eyes closed as he continued, his mind flashing off images of her. The way she walked up to him in that white dress, the night they shared, her smile, her laughter, her smile. And with each thought his punches picked up more strength. He didn't care about the pain in his hands, his sole thought was only her. And with every thought he could feel himself come undone.

Days of being strong for her girls and for her where ever she was had begun to take a toll on him. He rested his head on the bag, his breaths laboured and chest panting as his eyes closed. "Come back to me Rene. Come home Babygirl. Please." He held onto the bag, his knuckles somewhat split with the pressure but he didn't care. He just wanted her home safely in his arms. Only then could he rest, only then could he close his eyes and sleep, something which had also been robbed off him alongside his wife. And until she was back, he would not let up,he would find her, even if he had to trade his life in the process.

Irene woke the next day, stripping of her clothes and freshening up. She needed medical attention as soon as possible but she needed to get back to her family first. She could feel the stitches she had done the previous night fall out, and so she wrapped as many bandages as she could around her before slipping the black hoodie back over her skin and leaving the room.

She looked around, managing to rent a car before asking for direction to which an old man handed her a map telling her the route and sending her off with best wishes. It was begging to become more difficult to concentrate as time went on, her speed slowing as she slumped slightly, knowing she was losing too much blood. She picked up the water bottle, pouring some on her face before continuing with the three hour journey. Her grip tightened on the steering wheel as she began to step on the gas, anything to get her home faster. She could feel her body giving up, and she knew she wasn't too far. "Just a little more Irene." She muttered to herself before her head dropped and she swerved out of the road and into something. Her body lurched forward, the ringing back as she tried and failed to control the car. She pushed the door open, nearly falling out the side as she scrambled to her feet. She looked down at the wounds before looking down to the car and she knew she would have to do the rest of the journey on foot.

Excruciatingly it took her twenty minutes, her eyes tearing up as she edged closer to the base, the gates opened for her and she could see people staring at her. She held her side, pausing before walking further watching as a soldier ran in the opposite direction. She pushed herself forward, her body halting as she heard footsteps.

And there stood her family staring back at her. She attempted to smile at them, telling them she was home but felt the energy drain from her. Her eyes met her husbands, and now she could rest. Her body gave way in the next second, and she could faintly make out his scream. He surged forward, catching her before she touched the ground that lay beneath them. She was so pale, her body unmoving and Jackson could feel is composure slip, his resolve breaking as he attempted to wake her up. Every attempt proved futile and he stood hoisting her up in his arms before running towards the medical cube.

He lay her on a stretcher as the doctors pushed him out of the way, his eyes catching the extent of her injuries as his hand was ripped from hers. He slumped against the wall, falling onto the floor, his hands clasping together as he did something he hadn't done in years. Pray.

TBC

Authors note:
Hey guys. Hope you enjoy this one. She's home. Lol. Well things are gonna chill out before they go crazy again. So stay tuned. Lots of love and best wishes to you all. Stay safe xx