Angel and Elijah and Harry, oh my…
Jan. 14th, 2005 03:30 pm![[personal profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/user.png){kind=small}
palaceangelinaWarning for violent content.
A few hours after Marton and Angel meet up here. Angel has gone downstairs and is sitting at a table in the dark corner of the pub.
After Harry has his meeting with Michael Caine here and talking to Sean, Harry decides a beer and a few wings would be in order.
Harry walked back into the office, alternately cursing and laughing under his breath. "Boyfriend... fucking wanker- hey- Elijah!" Harry looked up and beamed. "C'mon you, I need a beer. What say we take a half day- don't want you wearing yourself out right off the top, and I heard you talking to yourself earlier when you were sorting out my ... organizational method for the files." Harry leaned against the doorframe and waited.
"A beer or three sounds great." Elijah said and shook his finger at Harry. "And please just tell me that you made two copies of the blue forms before you sent them downstairs? Huh?" Laughing at the look on Harry's face he stood and closed his desk drawer. "Let's go."
"You mind if we get out of the building a little? Don't feel like visiting with the whole pub today, and there's a place just across the way." Harry asked, locking the door behind Elijah as they stepped out into the hallway.
Elijah blanched a bit when Harry mentioned the pub. His mind flashed to the last time he was there, with Jake. No, let's not think about that, it's done - over. Placing a smile on his face, he followed Harry to the lifts and said, "I know the place, sounds good. You okay Har, who was that man earlier? Looked like an asshole." Elijah sniffed.
"You have no idea how much of an asshole he is. Was put out because his son fucked Sean at Masque, if you'll believe that!" Harry snorted, deciding to give Elijah enough of the truth to distract him.
"Pffttt, seems like that'd be something to crow about - I mean Sean Bean, fuck man, tha's like big time." Elijah said and frowned. "Yep, asshole." He said and smiled.
"Well, there's no accounting for taste," Harry brushed it off, grinning at Elijah as the lift doors pinged and they walked through the lobby. "Anyway- he's just an asshole, and I felt like taking the piss," All true, can't fault me there, "so I hauled him in. The files aren't really that bad, are they?"
"Nah, they aren't that bad, as long as you don't need to find anything." Elijah said with a straight face and shrugged.
"Fuck. I didn't mean to fuck them up!" Harry whined.
Elijah reached and petted Harry’s arm, chest clenching for an instant. "Yeah well, I shouldn't have - you know - made you have to deal with them. You're a retriever, not a fuckin' paper pusher." He brightened, flashing a smile at Harry. "So first round is on you and we call it even, yeah?"
"They're all on me- you're buying the wings." Harry smirked, blinking in the bright sunlight and pausing a moment before heading down the steps.
"We don't have to get those atomic hellfire hot ones do we?” Elijah said, wrinkling his nose and laughing. “I think I lose brain cells every time I eat those, burns em off or something."
"No- any kind you want. Just promise me this is a no vegetables allowed meal- I've got to have something for Orlando to holler at me about when I talk to him next." Harry forced a grin, suddenly missing Orlando.
Elijah looked up at Harry and asked, "You okay? I mean if you get lonely or anything - you know with him gone, you can - you know - come by and hang out with me." He finished off suddenly; it was the first time he had ever offered to just hang out with Harry, like friends and it made him a bit nervous.
"Yeah? That'd be nice. Don't really like being in the room without him. God- it's going to be forever until he's home again. But he's probably having a blast- crazy mad bastard that he is," Harry grinned, opening the door of the pub and waiting for Elijah to lead the way inside.
Elijah walked to the bar and sat on a stool, laughing at Harry. "Man, think of the stories he'll have to tell you, all the death defying crap. But yea, the offer stands, come by anytime. It gets quiet around my room. Do you know, it's the first time I've lived alone? Without someone in the next room, like at Gina's or Ian’s, where I could go -" He trailed off, embarrassed to admit how many nights he ended up in Angel's bed and then in Karl's bed when he had nightmares. "Yea, come by anytime." He smiled at Harry.
"Deal. What's your pleasure, Elijah- or are you having what I'm having?" Harry grinned, taking the stool next to Elijah.
"What you're having sounds good. I trust you." He cut his eyes at Harry, stifling a giggle. "Well about beer I trust you."
Harry smirked at Elijah and nodded to the bartender. "Two please- usual. And he's paying for the wings."
"Hot, but not the atomic hellfire, oh and some celery, for him." He said, grinning and nodding to Harry.
Twenty minutes later, Elijah was laughing as he finished his beer, the pile of wings slightly smaller, he pushed his mug toward Harry and said, "Gotta go pee, order another one? I'll be right back, 'kay?"
"I'm not yer fuckin' teacher- you don't have to ask permission to take a slash. See you in a few, yeah?" Harry took a long pull of his beer and grinned, watching as Elijah walked away. "Foolish child- doesn't he know it's dangerous to break the seal." Harry sighed and nicked a few of Elijah's wings.
*******
Earlier Angelina had watched as Marton came downstairs, he was walking a bit unsteady, but upright and alert. She made sure that he joined his bodyguard, Vin at the bar and left the pub before she ordered a beer and drank it, planning her next move. She made a decision and started to stand, suddenly stilling, a feral grin crossing her face. Well wasn’t this just lovely. She thought to herself as she saw Elijah, her Elijah walk in with Harry. Fucking. Sinclair. Too fucking incredible.
Calmly she watched the men talking, laughing and she felt her teeth grind together.
After a little bit Elijah got up and headed to the restrooms at the back of the pub. She stood quietly and slipped down the hallway, opening the door and walking inside, locking it behind her.
Smiling, Elijah turned “Harry, you basta – “ He stopped, mouth open, and stared.
“Might want to watch what you’re doing and finish up there pet, before you piss on your shoes.” Angel said and leaned against the wall.
“Angel. What – what are you doing here?” Elijah stammered out, quickly tucking himself away and zipping up. He walked to the sinks and washed his hands, trying to act natural, but feeling the anger coming off of her in waves.
“Where?” She asked innocently. “The loo? This pub? Balize? Calera? Where exactly Elijah, my pet?”
“Uh – it’s good to see you.” He edged toward the door, trying to get around her. “You want to come out and have a drink?” He asked.
“Oh, with you and Harry?” She asked with a bright smile.
“Yeah, Harry’s here. C’mon, we can have a beer.” He said, a hopeful tone in his voice.
“Nice and cozy with ol’ Harry ain’t you, pet? Decided to turn your back on those of us that love you, that have been here all along, taking care of you?”
Elijah drew in a breath, he lifted his chin and said, “Angel – “ He started and then stopped, not knowing what he actually wanted to say, to tell her. Did he want to try and explain that he owed Harry and Karl and Dom a debt that he would never be able to repay? One that wasn’t just for the balcony, but for the years before that, the times when he knew he didn’t deserve their friendship.
His heart ached as he heard the word love come from her mouth; it was as if he had bitten into a beautiful piece of fruit only to find rot and putrescence beneath the surface. “Angel, you don’t understand.” He said in a soft voice.
“I don’t understand? You stupid little fucker! You owe me!”
Suddenly a red haze of fury clouded his vision; he felt a heat flush of rage burn across his chest and the voice that came out when he opened his mouth startled him.
“I don’t owe you shit Angel. I’d imagine that you’ve been well compensated for any debt you may think I have ever owed you. By the way, tell me – what was the going rate for me – huh?” He stepped closer, eyes flashing and fists clenched at his side.
“You and your mother wouldn’t have survived without me. Do you understand that? She was more than happy to take anything I offered, no matter what the cost.” Angelina spit out, her face a fierce mask of anger.
“I’m done Angel. That’s it. Any debt you may think I owe you is paid, and so is Gina’s. Leave us alone.” He reached for the doorknob. “Now, I’m going back out to my friend – fuck that – you know what bitch? I’m going out there to my family.” Elijah said, his voice strong and clear.
She bared her teeth at him and then he felt as her nails suddenly raked down his face and he threw himself to the side trying to escape. She shrieked and lashed out at him, managing to grab a hand full of hair and pull him toward her.
He felt as blood from his cheek and lip ran down his face. He tried to wrench away from her but felt as she tightened her grip in his hair and slammed his face against the wall. He felt his nose gush out blood and he saw stars. “Angel stop! No more!” He tried to yell, choking on the blood running down the back of his throat.
“You ungrateful little fucker.” She screamed and flung him away from her. He tried to catch himself as he fell, but as he reached out his elbow struck the edge of the sink and pain blossomed up his arm, stunning him.
When he hit the ground she was on him, kicking at this head and ribs and stomach and screaming at him. He curled defensively but not before sparks of light exploded behind his eyes as she landed a kick to his head. He thought he heard someone banging on the bathroom door and then the world went dark.
Harry strolled down the hallway towards the bathroom, realizing a few minutes after Elijah left that he really should have just gone with him. He got to the door and turned the handle, surprised when it wouldn't turn. "Hello? Hey- Elijah, you in there? Door's locked."
Harry frowned slightly, his eyes opening wide as he heard a crash coming from inside the room. "Elijah- ELIJAH!" Harry hollered, looking around to see if there was anyone who could go for help, then deciding it would take too long. Glancing at the door and seeing with relief that it opened inwards instead of outwards, Harry backed up and aimed a fierce kick at the door, just to the side of the handle, breaking the lock and opening the door with a loud crash.
Angelina turned with a snarl when the door crashed open. Her eyes flew wide and she dropped to a crouch over Elijah, one hand tight in his hair and the other at her ankle.
Harry took one look at Angelina leaning over an unconscious and bloodied Elijah and strode towards her with a growl. "Get your fucking hands off him!" he spat, grabbing her wrist clenched around Elijah's hair and squeezing it tightly, not wanting to hurt him more then she already had.
Angelina sucked in a breath, but held still, eyes gleaming. In a low hiss she said, "Harry, I told you, you useless prick that someday I'd show you what fucking with me got you. Guess what you bastard, it's someday."
In one motion she grabbed the knife she kept in her ankle sheath and snatching it, lunged forward, driving the blade into Harry.
Anticipating a punch to the stomach, Harry didn’t even try to block, simply tightened his abdominal muscles as Angelina came at him, letting out a strangled gasp and staring at her as he felt the knife go in deep.
A scream of laughter erupted from her as she saw his mouth drop open when he realized what had happened. "Fuck you Harry. " She jerked the knife sideways before pulling it loose.
Harry screamed as Angelina twisted the knife on its way out, biting his lip to smother the cry and clamping his hand across the wound, blood streaming through his fingers. "You fucking cunt!" He choked out, tearing her wrist from Elijah's hair, giving her a fierce shove to knock her away from them and moving to block Elijah's body with his own.
Still laughing she scrambled backwards and moved to the window, shoving it open. Quickly she jumped onto the wastebasket and leveraging herself outside, stopped to look back inside once, before running down the alley.
Harry gasped, trying to breathe, trying to stay conscious, feeling Elijah moving behind him. "Stay still, Elijah!" he choked out, dropping to his knees, weaving, barely holding himself upright. Harry pressed his hand tighter against the wound, fighting through the pain and rifling through his pocket for his com, gritting his teeth and breathing hard through blood stained lips.
Elijah lifted his head, black spots flaring and exploding across his vision. He blinked and focused on - Harry? Trying to sit up he heard Harry tell him to stay still; he fought against a wave of nausea. He tried to sit again and gagged, reaching for Harry, hand slipping on blood.
Elijah laid his head back, the room swimming and spinning with each small movement. He coughed and the world began to slide to black again. Reaching out, he grasped Harry's leg. "I'm sorry."
Harry slid sideways onto the floor, fighting to keep the pressure on his stomach, his free hand clutching his com. "Not your fault, Brat," he managed weakly as he pressed the number for emergency. "Not yours."
"Balize Rescue, how may I help you?" The operator answered.
Oh thank bloody fuck! Harry thought desperately, "Send someone right the fuck now- my friends been beaten an' he's unconscious an' that bitch fucking stabbed me-" Harry started to cough, spraying blood across his com.
"Sir, calm down for me." The operator said in a quiet, steady voice. "Where are you and where have you been stabbed sir? Is the attacker still on the premises?" She typed as she spoke.
"Was stabbed in the bathroom. Pub- 'cross the way from Palace- the Tipsy Weasel? Bitch took off out the window." Harry's hand tightened on the com, his voice getting weaker.
"Sir, I'm sending an ambulance right now. Where on your person were you stabbed? Are you bleeding?"
"'M bleeding a fucking lot." Harry laughed, feeling light headed. No, I'm not bleeding at all- was stabbed, but really, I'm fine. "Below my ribs – off to the side. You gonna get 'Lija too? He won't wake up."
"Yes sir, we'll take care of your friend also. Stay with me, okay. What's your name sir?"
"Elijah. His name's Elijah."
"Sir, what's your name? Sir, stay with me, okay. The med tech will be there in just a minute. Sir, what's your name?"
"Oh. 'M Harry. They're coming now?" Harry coughed again, pressing his hand down tighter, fingers sticky and warm from the blood pooling around him.
"They should be coming in the front door now. Stay with me, Harry. Try to calm your breathing. Slow and steady. I’m here Harry, just stay with me, okay?”
The door swung inward and two men rushed in, following by a uniformed officer. The officer strode to the window first and peered outside. "Is the assailant gone?" He asked and then not waiting for an answer left the room to question the bartender.
One med tech walked to Elijah and began taking his vitals. The other one knelt next to Harry, reaching to take his pulse and slowly pulling his hand away from the profusely bleeding wound. "We need to transport this one quick." He said.
"Sir, can you hear me?" The tech said to Harry.
"Yup. Where's Elijah?" Harry tried to open his eyes, but gave up. Too much work.
The tech ripped Harry’s shirt open, feeling for a pulse at his neck. "He's crashing."
A few hours after Marton and Angel meet up here. Angel has gone downstairs and is sitting at a table in the dark corner of the pub.
After Harry has his meeting with Michael Caine here and talking to Sean, Harry decides a beer and a few wings would be in order.
Harry walked back into the office, alternately cursing and laughing under his breath. "Boyfriend... fucking wanker- hey- Elijah!" Harry looked up and beamed. "C'mon you, I need a beer. What say we take a half day- don't want you wearing yourself out right off the top, and I heard you talking to yourself earlier when you were sorting out my ... organizational method for the files." Harry leaned against the doorframe and waited.
"A beer or three sounds great." Elijah said and shook his finger at Harry. "And please just tell me that you made two copies of the blue forms before you sent them downstairs? Huh?" Laughing at the look on Harry's face he stood and closed his desk drawer. "Let's go."
"You mind if we get out of the building a little? Don't feel like visiting with the whole pub today, and there's a place just across the way." Harry asked, locking the door behind Elijah as they stepped out into the hallway.
Elijah blanched a bit when Harry mentioned the pub. His mind flashed to the last time he was there, with Jake. No, let's not think about that, it's done - over. Placing a smile on his face, he followed Harry to the lifts and said, "I know the place, sounds good. You okay Har, who was that man earlier? Looked like an asshole." Elijah sniffed.
"You have no idea how much of an asshole he is. Was put out because his son fucked Sean at Masque, if you'll believe that!" Harry snorted, deciding to give Elijah enough of the truth to distract him.
"Pffttt, seems like that'd be something to crow about - I mean Sean Bean, fuck man, tha's like big time." Elijah said and frowned. "Yep, asshole." He said and smiled.
"Well, there's no accounting for taste," Harry brushed it off, grinning at Elijah as the lift doors pinged and they walked through the lobby. "Anyway- he's just an asshole, and I felt like taking the piss," All true, can't fault me there, "so I hauled him in. The files aren't really that bad, are they?"
"Nah, they aren't that bad, as long as you don't need to find anything." Elijah said with a straight face and shrugged.
"Fuck. I didn't mean to fuck them up!" Harry whined.
Elijah reached and petted Harry’s arm, chest clenching for an instant. "Yeah well, I shouldn't have - you know - made you have to deal with them. You're a retriever, not a fuckin' paper pusher." He brightened, flashing a smile at Harry. "So first round is on you and we call it even, yeah?"
"They're all on me- you're buying the wings." Harry smirked, blinking in the bright sunlight and pausing a moment before heading down the steps.
"We don't have to get those atomic hellfire hot ones do we?” Elijah said, wrinkling his nose and laughing. “I think I lose brain cells every time I eat those, burns em off or something."
"No- any kind you want. Just promise me this is a no vegetables allowed meal- I've got to have something for Orlando to holler at me about when I talk to him next." Harry forced a grin, suddenly missing Orlando.
Elijah looked up at Harry and asked, "You okay? I mean if you get lonely or anything - you know with him gone, you can - you know - come by and hang out with me." He finished off suddenly; it was the first time he had ever offered to just hang out with Harry, like friends and it made him a bit nervous.
"Yeah? That'd be nice. Don't really like being in the room without him. God- it's going to be forever until he's home again. But he's probably having a blast- crazy mad bastard that he is," Harry grinned, opening the door of the pub and waiting for Elijah to lead the way inside.
Elijah walked to the bar and sat on a stool, laughing at Harry. "Man, think of the stories he'll have to tell you, all the death defying crap. But yea, the offer stands, come by anytime. It gets quiet around my room. Do you know, it's the first time I've lived alone? Without someone in the next room, like at Gina's or Ian’s, where I could go -" He trailed off, embarrassed to admit how many nights he ended up in Angel's bed and then in Karl's bed when he had nightmares. "Yea, come by anytime." He smiled at Harry.
"Deal. What's your pleasure, Elijah- or are you having what I'm having?" Harry grinned, taking the stool next to Elijah.
"What you're having sounds good. I trust you." He cut his eyes at Harry, stifling a giggle. "Well about beer I trust you."
Harry smirked at Elijah and nodded to the bartender. "Two please- usual. And he's paying for the wings."
"Hot, but not the atomic hellfire, oh and some celery, for him." He said, grinning and nodding to Harry.
Twenty minutes later, Elijah was laughing as he finished his beer, the pile of wings slightly smaller, he pushed his mug toward Harry and said, "Gotta go pee, order another one? I'll be right back, 'kay?"
"I'm not yer fuckin' teacher- you don't have to ask permission to take a slash. See you in a few, yeah?" Harry took a long pull of his beer and grinned, watching as Elijah walked away. "Foolish child- doesn't he know it's dangerous to break the seal." Harry sighed and nicked a few of Elijah's wings.
*******
Earlier Angelina had watched as Marton came downstairs, he was walking a bit unsteady, but upright and alert. She made sure that he joined his bodyguard, Vin at the bar and left the pub before she ordered a beer and drank it, planning her next move. She made a decision and started to stand, suddenly stilling, a feral grin crossing her face. Well wasn’t this just lovely. She thought to herself as she saw Elijah, her Elijah walk in with Harry. Fucking. Sinclair. Too fucking incredible.
Calmly she watched the men talking, laughing and she felt her teeth grind together.
After a little bit Elijah got up and headed to the restrooms at the back of the pub. She stood quietly and slipped down the hallway, opening the door and walking inside, locking it behind her.
Smiling, Elijah turned “Harry, you basta – “ He stopped, mouth open, and stared.
“Might want to watch what you’re doing and finish up there pet, before you piss on your shoes.” Angel said and leaned against the wall.
“Angel. What – what are you doing here?” Elijah stammered out, quickly tucking himself away and zipping up. He walked to the sinks and washed his hands, trying to act natural, but feeling the anger coming off of her in waves.
“Where?” She asked innocently. “The loo? This pub? Balize? Calera? Where exactly Elijah, my pet?”
“Uh – it’s good to see you.” He edged toward the door, trying to get around her. “You want to come out and have a drink?” He asked.
“Oh, with you and Harry?” She asked with a bright smile.
“Yeah, Harry’s here. C’mon, we can have a beer.” He said, a hopeful tone in his voice.
“Nice and cozy with ol’ Harry ain’t you, pet? Decided to turn your back on those of us that love you, that have been here all along, taking care of you?”
Elijah drew in a breath, he lifted his chin and said, “Angel – “ He started and then stopped, not knowing what he actually wanted to say, to tell her. Did he want to try and explain that he owed Harry and Karl and Dom a debt that he would never be able to repay? One that wasn’t just for the balcony, but for the years before that, the times when he knew he didn’t deserve their friendship.
His heart ached as he heard the word love come from her mouth; it was as if he had bitten into a beautiful piece of fruit only to find rot and putrescence beneath the surface. “Angel, you don’t understand.” He said in a soft voice.
“I don’t understand? You stupid little fucker! You owe me!”
Suddenly a red haze of fury clouded his vision; he felt a heat flush of rage burn across his chest and the voice that came out when he opened his mouth startled him.
“I don’t owe you shit Angel. I’d imagine that you’ve been well compensated for any debt you may think I have ever owed you. By the way, tell me – what was the going rate for me – huh?” He stepped closer, eyes flashing and fists clenched at his side.
“You and your mother wouldn’t have survived without me. Do you understand that? She was more than happy to take anything I offered, no matter what the cost.” Angelina spit out, her face a fierce mask of anger.
“I’m done Angel. That’s it. Any debt you may think I owe you is paid, and so is Gina’s. Leave us alone.” He reached for the doorknob. “Now, I’m going back out to my friend – fuck that – you know what bitch? I’m going out there to my family.” Elijah said, his voice strong and clear.
She bared her teeth at him and then he felt as her nails suddenly raked down his face and he threw himself to the side trying to escape. She shrieked and lashed out at him, managing to grab a hand full of hair and pull him toward her.
He felt as blood from his cheek and lip ran down his face. He tried to wrench away from her but felt as she tightened her grip in his hair and slammed his face against the wall. He felt his nose gush out blood and he saw stars. “Angel stop! No more!” He tried to yell, choking on the blood running down the back of his throat.
“You ungrateful little fucker.” She screamed and flung him away from her. He tried to catch himself as he fell, but as he reached out his elbow struck the edge of the sink and pain blossomed up his arm, stunning him.
When he hit the ground she was on him, kicking at this head and ribs and stomach and screaming at him. He curled defensively but not before sparks of light exploded behind his eyes as she landed a kick to his head. He thought he heard someone banging on the bathroom door and then the world went dark.
Harry strolled down the hallway towards the bathroom, realizing a few minutes after Elijah left that he really should have just gone with him. He got to the door and turned the handle, surprised when it wouldn't turn. "Hello? Hey- Elijah, you in there? Door's locked."
Harry frowned slightly, his eyes opening wide as he heard a crash coming from inside the room. "Elijah- ELIJAH!" Harry hollered, looking around to see if there was anyone who could go for help, then deciding it would take too long. Glancing at the door and seeing with relief that it opened inwards instead of outwards, Harry backed up and aimed a fierce kick at the door, just to the side of the handle, breaking the lock and opening the door with a loud crash.
Angelina turned with a snarl when the door crashed open. Her eyes flew wide and she dropped to a crouch over Elijah, one hand tight in his hair and the other at her ankle.
Harry took one look at Angelina leaning over an unconscious and bloodied Elijah and strode towards her with a growl. "Get your fucking hands off him!" he spat, grabbing her wrist clenched around Elijah's hair and squeezing it tightly, not wanting to hurt him more then she already had.
Angelina sucked in a breath, but held still, eyes gleaming. In a low hiss she said, "Harry, I told you, you useless prick that someday I'd show you what fucking with me got you. Guess what you bastard, it's someday."
In one motion she grabbed the knife she kept in her ankle sheath and snatching it, lunged forward, driving the blade into Harry.
Anticipating a punch to the stomach, Harry didn’t even try to block, simply tightened his abdominal muscles as Angelina came at him, letting out a strangled gasp and staring at her as he felt the knife go in deep.
A scream of laughter erupted from her as she saw his mouth drop open when he realized what had happened. "Fuck you Harry. " She jerked the knife sideways before pulling it loose.
Harry screamed as Angelina twisted the knife on its way out, biting his lip to smother the cry and clamping his hand across the wound, blood streaming through his fingers. "You fucking cunt!" He choked out, tearing her wrist from Elijah's hair, giving her a fierce shove to knock her away from them and moving to block Elijah's body with his own.
Still laughing she scrambled backwards and moved to the window, shoving it open. Quickly she jumped onto the wastebasket and leveraging herself outside, stopped to look back inside once, before running down the alley.
Harry gasped, trying to breathe, trying to stay conscious, feeling Elijah moving behind him. "Stay still, Elijah!" he choked out, dropping to his knees, weaving, barely holding himself upright. Harry pressed his hand tighter against the wound, fighting through the pain and rifling through his pocket for his com, gritting his teeth and breathing hard through blood stained lips.
Elijah lifted his head, black spots flaring and exploding across his vision. He blinked and focused on - Harry? Trying to sit up he heard Harry tell him to stay still; he fought against a wave of nausea. He tried to sit again and gagged, reaching for Harry, hand slipping on blood.
Elijah laid his head back, the room swimming and spinning with each small movement. He coughed and the world began to slide to black again. Reaching out, he grasped Harry's leg. "I'm sorry."
Harry slid sideways onto the floor, fighting to keep the pressure on his stomach, his free hand clutching his com. "Not your fault, Brat," he managed weakly as he pressed the number for emergency. "Not yours."
"Balize Rescue, how may I help you?" The operator answered.
Oh thank bloody fuck! Harry thought desperately, "Send someone right the fuck now- my friends been beaten an' he's unconscious an' that bitch fucking stabbed me-" Harry started to cough, spraying blood across his com.
"Sir, calm down for me." The operator said in a quiet, steady voice. "Where are you and where have you been stabbed sir? Is the attacker still on the premises?" She typed as she spoke.
"Was stabbed in the bathroom. Pub- 'cross the way from Palace- the Tipsy Weasel? Bitch took off out the window." Harry's hand tightened on the com, his voice getting weaker.
"Sir, I'm sending an ambulance right now. Where on your person were you stabbed? Are you bleeding?"
"'M bleeding a fucking lot." Harry laughed, feeling light headed. No, I'm not bleeding at all- was stabbed, but really, I'm fine. "Below my ribs – off to the side. You gonna get 'Lija too? He won't wake up."
"Yes sir, we'll take care of your friend also. Stay with me, okay. What's your name sir?"
"Elijah. His name's Elijah."
"Sir, what's your name? Sir, stay with me, okay. The med tech will be there in just a minute. Sir, what's your name?"
"Oh. 'M Harry. They're coming now?" Harry coughed again, pressing his hand down tighter, fingers sticky and warm from the blood pooling around him.
"They should be coming in the front door now. Stay with me, Harry. Try to calm your breathing. Slow and steady. I’m here Harry, just stay with me, okay?”
The door swung inward and two men rushed in, following by a uniformed officer. The officer strode to the window first and peered outside. "Is the assailant gone?" He asked and then not waiting for an answer left the room to question the bartender.
One med tech walked to Elijah and began taking his vitals. The other one knelt next to Harry, reaching to take his pulse and slowly pulling his hand away from the profusely bleeding wound. "We need to transport this one quick." He said.
"Sir, can you hear me?" The tech said to Harry.
"Yup. Where's Elijah?" Harry tried to open his eyes, but gave up. Too much work.
The tech ripped Harry’s shirt open, feeling for a pulse at his neck. "He's crashing."
