Authors note - btw, Jake's POV is over forever. Enjoy the penultimate chapter probably, I'm actually ill at the moment so forgive the long posting time and general rubbishness.

-CHAPTER TWENTY-FIVE -

Triss' POV

'You scream and I'll hurt you' he hissed at me and I dropped my shoulders, becoming a lifeless doll. Oh God I was so scared.

Then I looked over my shoulder and saw him again.

Jake looked terrible.

I mean, he looked amazing , but terrible and it made me want to cry. Want to cry a bit more. He was standing completely still, but was visibly shaking as he stared at me, and I knew something was wrong straight away because Jake should be running towards me and punching this guy the hell out as much as I didn't want him to. But his skin was pale, his clothes were wet and dirty clinging to him and he was probably getting hypothermia. No, no, he shouldn't have come this was my fault all over again. Then I almost thought I saw blood glinting off the back of his head, wetting his hair. I shuddered, he couldn't be hurt, he had to get away now. He was looking at me expectantly, only looking half conscious.

I shook my head.

He looked confused.

I shook my head again, biting my lip. Go away. Go away please.

Sure I wanted him to stay, and help me out, and make everything better, but he couldn't. And I couldn't ask him to. I just begged him to silently, guiltily.

'Get the hell off my girlfriend' he called out, weakly and I was suddenly shaking even more. Don't be stupid, don't try and be brave. The guy turned round, staring at Jake who balled his hands into fists, but I knew wouldn't be able to punch this guy he was having enough trouble walking.

'Are you serious?' he replied, sounding almost confused for a moment. Then grabbed me roughly again and wrapped one arm around my neck, choking off my breathing and making it hurt to swallow. 'You have a death wish man.'

'Maybe I do' replied Jake, then walked forwards his eyes fixed on this guys face. I swallowed, feeling my windpipe trapped and being pushed further and further as I gasped for air.

'Fine, even if you want to die I bet your girlfriend doesn't' he dragged me back a bit more and I helplessly tried to grasp his hands way but with his spare arm he twisted one back until it made my eyes sting and I wanted to cry out but I couldn't. I just bit down on my lip.

'Let go of her' said Jake firmly again, with such strength in my voice I was suddenly sure that he would kill this guy even if it killed him.

He pulled my arm harder and pushed on my throat so hard I couldn't breathe anymore and cried out. Then Jake looked at me for the first time since he had started talking and sudden concern sprang across his features and my heart tugged. Then my lungs tried to breathe and couldn't and I started to panic, fighting as hard as I could against his iron grip.

'I won't do anything' said Jake, taking a step back and looking so guilty.

'Jake-' I gasped, but couldn't say anything else.

'Really?' said the guy, and I felt my knees collapsing beneath me. Then as I felt like I was about to pass out he let go of me and I collapsed onto the floor in front of him.

'Please don't do this' begged Jake, as I gasped for air, feeling the wet cold against my skin.

'What are you going to do?' he sneered.

Jake swayed on the spot, oh God he was really badly hurt. He should be in hospital. I should probably be in hospital to but there you go.

'Please, just...' he hesitated 'don't hurt her I love her.'

My heart jolted and I coughed, in hurt.

'I'm not going to kill her, not if she does what I say' he replied, then pulled me up again and I seriously felt like a ragdoll. I closed my eyes, please let this be over quickly.

Jake please don't leave me here, even if you have to...

No, don't think that Triss.

I opened my eyes, feeling my rasped breathing painful against my throat. Trying to search for some way out of this, and watching Jake turn away. Shit, no, no, no.

Then I felt my arm come free.

'You're all mine now' whispered the guy in my ear.

'No' I said, then with all my strength jammed my elbow as hard as I could into his ribs. He suddenly cried out, and I heard something snap, him hiss bitch at me again and his arms loosened so I fell forwards, then pulled myself up again feeling blood seep through torn jeans.

'Jake' I yelled, he turned round seeing me and his face lit up. Then he looked scared and something tripped me over and I was sprawling on the ground again, feeling the harsh concrete scratching my face and I looked up and saw the guy with a knife in his hand, poised above my defenseless body, my mouth dried and I couldn't move. Just watch in horror at the murderous glint in his eyes.

Then everything happened very quickly, the guy leant forward to cut me and then Jake suddenly came out of nowhere and knocked the knife out of his hand, as it fell I felt a sharp searing pain as it sliced into my arm. I closed my eyes and, about a minute later felt someone shake my arm.

'Triss' my heart lurched. It was Jake. Thank God it was Jake. I opened my eyes and smiled as I saw his face.

'Is he dead?' I whispered, and Jake shook his head.

'Knocked out, I'll call nine one one' he hesitated, then looked at my arm 'oh God, sorry Triss.'

'I don't mind' I smiled, Jake took my hand but he was in worse condition to me.

'In case you didn't know I love you' he replied.

'Of course I knew' I said softly, standing up. We walked together into the next street and sat down on the floor. I called the police, trying to explain where we were, and that we weren't going to stick around and once it was over we just sat completely still and silent, not cold anymore while we were next to each other and stared at the sky with our arms around each other until we had to go.