bleeding throat, jackie curled into a ball in the cool sand and watched the shifting shapes in the darkness. it was hard to see anything, however, and she was so weak and weary.

"argeneau!"

eyes that jackie hadn't realized had closed, snapped open at that yell. she didn't recognize the man's voice. however, she did recognize marguerite and tiny as they called out to the two of them and relief flowed through her as their shouts drew nearer. she wasn't the only one to hear their calls, jackie noted as the intruder suddenly gave up his fight with vincent and made a run for it.

vincent didn't even hesitate; ignoring the quickly disappearing shape, he hurried to her side.

"jackie?" his voice was deep with worry as he turned her onto her back to check her over.

"argeneau?"

jackie saw two shapes burst through the gate behind vincent. she blinked and tried to focus on the two men. both were big enough to be tiny, but she didn't think either man was. vincent didn't even glance toward them, his attention was wholly on jackie as he scooped her into his arms.

"he went that way." vincent jerked his head in the direction her attacker had run. leaving the two men to pursue the saboteur, he then strode toward the gate through the wall.

"vincent?" marguerite rushed forward with tiny on her heels as vincent started across the lawn. "is she going to be all right? did you find her in time?"

"i don't know." his voice was terse, jackie noted as she floated on the edge of consciousness.

"her throat." tiny's voice was a weak sound of despair.

"open the door, tiny," vincent growled, sounding terribly upset and her mind, growing delirious, thought that was just the sweetest thing. he really liked her, she thought, then released a little sigh and allowed unconsciousness to claim her.