Jack woke to Zoe’s gentle snoring. Her body snuggled into his chest, and the scent of fresh strawberries mixed with an overpowering antiseptic smell. He opened his heavy eyes to an unknown bed and an unknown room. An IV line strung from a hole in his arm to a plastic bag above. Metal bars framed the sides of the bed. Outside the room, a nurse sat at a desk.

He wiggled each of his appendages and one didn't respond. Shit. He extracted a tingling arm from under Zoe and flexed his hand. Not broken. Just asleep.

Zoe stirred, yawned, and flashed him a sleepy grin. “You’re awake.”

“How long have I been out?” He touched her mussed hair and looked into her sunken, exhausted eyes.

“Not too long.” She was lying.

“It’s dark out. Last thing I remember it was morning and I was driving home–” His chest clenched as memories assailed him. “An accident.”

“I thought I’d lost you.” Her voice was clogged with emotion.

She looked away but he pulled her chin back towards him. Her big brown eyes glistened like obsidian in the dark. She leaned up, parted her lips, and he tasted heaven. She squirmed closer on the tiny bed and squeezed him until his bruised ribs complained.

He didn't care. He wanted her right where she was. Forever.

“Was anyone hurt?”

“Mostly minor injuries, but a couple were hurt pretty seriously when a tour bus flipped on its side.” She sat up and rested her soft hand on the side of his face. “They say you lost a tire and spun out. Do you remember anything?”

Jack closed his eyes, his head pounded, and he tried to remember. “I crossed the meridian and put my shields on max. That little vortex saved my ass. Other than that, everything is foggy.”

“I remember being worried about you.” He moved his IV tube so he could pull her back down to his chest. “I need to take you home, angel. Something's not right. Please get me out of here.”

“Your family's sleeping in the lobby. I have to go tell them you’re okay.”  She maneuvered herself off the bed, and frowned down at him. “I’m so sorry. This is all my fault. If I had shared your ride, like you wanted, none of this would’ve happened.”

“You don’t know that.” Jack grabbed a hand to tug her back.

“Yeah I do. It’s me he wants. You, he just wants out of the way.”

“Who, Zoe? Who was it? What the hell happened?” Jack sat up, suddenly very awake.

“The stalker guy.” She met his gaze with eyes wide. “He didn't die in the explosion. After he ran you off the road, he did the same to me.”

Jack caught his breath and swore.

“He wants me alive. I think he wants our baby.” She took a step away, her eyes haunted.

Shit. Jack rubbed her cold fingers and brooded over how best to kill the bastard.

“I’ve been thinking. He must’ve known all along I was a witch. Even before I knew. The first time I saw him was right before my parent’s funeral. How could that be?”

“Not sure, honey, but we’re going to find out. Don’t worry. Go get Josh.”

“Okay.”

“Zoe.” Jack closed his eyes as he remembered her healing touch in the wrecked car and the overwhelming relief he felt when he knew she was safe. He knew his words were going to be inadequate even as they left his mouth. “Thanks for coming back to check on me.”

“I had to.” Zoe’s brows furrowed. “I love you.”

She turned quickly and dashed out of the room.

Jack stared at the void and wondered what he might’ve said if she’d stayed. Relieved that he didn’t have to face that issue in that moment, he picked up the phone beside his bed and dialed.

A gruff voice answered on the second ring. “Detective O’Brien here.”

“Hey Liam. It’s Jack Fialko.”

“What’s going on? I thought you were taking some vacation time?”

“I was. Some ass-wipe of a stalker has been after my…girlfriend. Tried to run me off the parkway yesterday to get to her. Probably saw it on the news?”

“Shit. You okay?”

“Yeah. I’m heading back to New York and could use that new super-computer you guys installed when we get there. I’ll have Josh send you everything I know.”

“Sure. Give me a shout when you get to town.”

“One more thing?”

“Yeah?”

“Josh is going to be arranging more security. Can you let NYPD know the situation?”

“That can be arranged. Anything else?”

“Yeah. Pray we get this guy before it’s too late.”