Shot For Love [Brandon/Angel]

[Angel Ashwells]

Stand Still, Look Pretty
I want to paint my face
And pretend that I am someone else
Sometimes I get so fed up
I don't even want to look at myself

But people have problems that are worse than mine
I don't want you to think I'm complaining all the time
And I hate the way you look at me I have to say
I wish I could start over
Stand Still, Look Pretty

"Are you sure you don't want me to come with you?" Angel asked Brandon as he pulled on his shoes. "No, baby, it's fine. If you come with me, we'd have to wake up the kids. Just relax, I'll be back soon. I love you" he replied, kissing her gently before he walked out of the front door. Angel went over and sat on the couch. Brandon was going to the local convenience store to get some milk, eggs, and a few snacks. The kids were up in their rooms sleeping. Angel turned on the TV since there was nothing else to do. Brandon pulled up in from of the store and turned off the car. He got out and went inside the store. He got what he needed to get quickly and paid. He was walking back to his car when someone stepped in his path.

"Hello, cousin..." it was A.J.! "What are you doing here, A.J.?" Brandon asked him through gritted teeth. "I've come to take what is rightfully mine, my daughter and Angel," A.J. stated, pulling a gun out of his pocket and pointing it a Brandon. He shot him once in each shoulder and in the groin. "Now you won't be able to hold her or f**k her ever again. Good-bye, cousin," A.J. said before getting in his car and driving off, leaving Brandon for dead. The cashier called 911 and an ambulance was there within 5 minutes.

Brandon was rushed into the OR as soon as he arrived at the hospital. A doctor called Angel at home. "Hello?" Angel answered the phone. "Mrs. Ashwells?" the doctor said. "Yes, speaking. Who is this?" Angel replied. "This is Dr. Martin up at the hospital. Your husband was just brought in. I need you to come up and fill out some paper work," the doctor said. "Okay, I'll be up as soon as I get someone to watch the kids," Angel replied and hung up. She picked the phone up and called her parents. "Hello?" Alice answered.
"Mom, Brandon is in the hospital. Can you come watch the kids? I need to go up now," she said. "Okay, I'll send your dad up to the hospital to be with you. See you soon, honey." Alice was there in 30 minutes and Angel drove up the hospital. Jasper came into the waiting room an hour later. Angel ran into his arms sobbing.

Then Dr. Martin came out to talk to her. "Brandon was shot three times: once in each shoulder and in the groin. The one to the groin went through his thingy and scrotum, and ruptured his bladder. He is having laparoscopice surgery done now and that will take about 3 hours," Dr. Martin explained. Angel nodded in reply, unable to speak. Jasper pulled her into his lap and she eventually fell asleep. She was still asleep when Brandon was wheeled to his hospital room. Jasper carried her to the room and laid her next to Brandon, so she was with him when she woke up.

[Brandon Ashwells]

Come on, get higher

[/size]
I miss the sound of your voice
And I miss the rush of your skin
And I miss the still of the silence
As you breathe out and I breathe in
If I could walk on water
If I could tell you what's next
Make you believe
Make you forget

So come on, get higher, loosen my lips
Faith and desire in the swing of your hips
Just pull me down hard
And drown me in love
So come on, get higher, loosen my lips
Faith and desire in the swing of your hips
Just pull me down hard
And drown me in love
Come on, get higher[/size][/center]

Brandon laid on the ground in pain, he was not going to die…he wouldn’t let himself die. He couldn’t leave angel, not after everything that had happened. The ambulance pulled up and loaded him in carefully, Can you hear me? Yea, I can hear you. he said quietly as he winced. His shoulders hurt but not as bad as the third shot. That was excruciating, he thought of one person…she pulled him through it…Angel. Can you tell me what happened honey? A paramedic asked him as she cut off his shirt. My cousin…shot me…three times… I only see two bullets…oh! She tapped on the other paramedic and let him continue to check his shoulder wounds. Then she moved down to his pants, he was in so much pain he felt numb. Her icy fingers slid along the waistband of his pants as she cut away at them to get a better look at the third injury. He shut his eyes as they got to the hospital and they rushed him to the OR.

A doctor came over with all the nurses working on him, Do you have any family we can call sir? My wife, Angel. 739-2874 The doctor left and went to call Angel. They continued to poke and prod him but they gave him some heavy duty meds. Then he was rushed off to have laparoscopic surgery, his bladder was ruptured. It would be hours before he was awake again, his last thought was about his family. Would he ever see them again?

Brandon was really groggy when he woke up. He couldn’t move that much at all, everything was extremely sore. One thing that was clear was someone was holding his hand. Slowly he opened his eyes to see Angel holding his hand. Hi baby, he said quietly. Tears streaked down her face, What happened? AJ was there…he said some stuff and then shot me. Telling me I’d never get to hold you or love you again. She started to sob and he stroked her cheek the best he could without moving too many muscles up to his shoulder. Baby don’t cry, I’ll be ok one way or another. She nodded slowly and got up to kiss him gently. He wanted so much to wrap his arms around her but he couldn’t. That idiot had taken away his ability to hold his wife, Baby if you go please be careful. He wants you and Kia back…don’t stay at the house alone. She nodded and held his hand gently. He drifted off to sleep as more pain meds were given to him.[/blockquote][/blockquote]

[Angel Ashwells]

Stand Still, Look Pretty
I am slowly falling apart
I wish you'd take a walk in my shoes for a start
You might think it's easy being me
You just stand still, look pretty

Sometimes I find myself shaking
In the middle of the night
And then it hits me and I can't
Even believe this is my life
Stand Still, Look Pretty

That idiot had taken away his ability to hold his wife, "Baby, if you go, please be careful. He wants you and Kia back…don’t stay at the house alone." She nodded and held his hand gently. He drifted off to sleep as more pain meds were given to him. Jasper poked his head into the room after he heard them talking. "Daddy, can you call Mom at the house? I want the kids to be near us until A.J. is locked away. I won't feel safe otherwise," Angel asked him.

"Sure, babe," Jasper replied, taking his cell out of his pocket and dialing the house number before handing her the phone. Alice picked up the phone right away. "Mom, can you bring the kids up here? A.J. shot Brandon and we're worried he'll try to get Kia while you're home alone with them," she asked her mom. "Let me get them all bundled up and we'll be up soon," Alice replied.

"Okay, see you soon. Bye," Angel hung up. "Is she coming?" Jasper asked her, leaning against the doorway. "Yes, she just has to wake them and get them here," she replied. "I'm going to get something to eat. Do you want anything?" Jasper questioned. "Can you get me a coffee?" she asked. "Sure, I guess so. You really shouldn't be drinking it since you're pregnant," Jasper replied. Angel rolled her eyes and Jasper left the room. Alice was there with the kids thirty minutes later. "Just put them on the empty bed, it's too early for them to be awake yet," Angel told her quietly. Alice nodded and did what she requested. Jasper came back 15 minutes later with breakfast. He handed Angel her coffee.

Soon everyone had fallen asleep except for Angel. She was sitting on the edge of the bed, running her fingers through Brandon's hair. He looked so peaceful while he was sleeping. She couldn't believe his cousin nearly killed him. That was just too cruel, trying to kill your own family. Angel eventually fell asleep, her head resting on his stomach. She didn't even realized that she had dozed off then.

[Brandon Ashwells]

Come on, get higher

[/size]
I miss the sound of your voice
And I miss the rush of your skin
And I miss the still of the silence
As you breathe out and I breathe in
If I could walk on water
If I could tell you what's next
Make you believe
Make you forget

So come on, get higher, loosen my lips
Faith and desire in the swing of your hips
Just pull me down hard
And drown me in love
So come on, get higher, loosen my lips
Faith and desire in the swing of your hips
Just pull me down hard
And drown me in love
Come on, get higher[/size][/center]

Brandon’s eyes stayed closed as he felt Angel running her fingers though his hair. He wished he was dead, then she wouldn’t have to be so upset and worried. He wouldn’t be in any pain either, sometimes he wished AJ had just gotten rid of him…but he didn’t want to leave Angel. Her head rested on his stomach and he heard her breathing relax and slow. Slowly he opened his eyes and found Angel asleep, I love you, he whispered. He stroked her cheek gently with the one arm he could manage to move. She was so perfect when she wasn’t worried, she had a glow in her eyes that he loved. When she was carefree and enjoying life; not shadowed by his stupid moronic cousin. As long as he was alive he would protect Angel and when he was a vampire…well lets just say AJ better not mess around anymore. Angel rolled over and opened her eyes, Hi baby. Go back to sleep, I’ll be ok. She looked worried but shut her eyes anyways. Jasper woke up, Let me take her. Brandon nodded as he scooped Angel up into his arms and sat down with her in his lap.

Kia yawned in the bed next to him and woke up, Daddy? she rubbed her eyes with her little fists, I’m ok baby. She crawled down from the bed and held his hands. Nobody could lift her since they were asleep and he couldn’t because of his shoulders, but his daughter was not stupid by any means. She looked around and spotted Jasper, I get up daddy! He laughed and had no clue what she was talking about. He watched in awe as she climbed up carefully onto her grandpa’s knee and then lifted herself onto his bed. Kia curled up with her head on his stomach, only difference was that she could stretch out because she was so small. He stroked her cheek with his finger, Why he hurt you? He wanted you and mommy. She looked scared and curled up closer to him, He’s not gonna get you baby girl. You’re mine. She sucked her thumb and nodded, she didn’t look that tired. Is he daddy? Brandon nodded slowly, You can have whatever daddy you want baby girl. He meanie. Brandon laughed quietly, If you want to see him I won’t be mad. He hurt daddy. He stroked her cheek gently, He’s daddy too. Would he hurt me if I see him? I wouldn’t let him hurt you baby. Do you wanna see him? She nodded slowly and Brandon looked up as Angel’s eyes opened.

No Kia. You can’t see him now. Someday maybe but not now. Not after what he did to daddy. Me no see daddy? Angel he won’t hurt her. No Brandon. He isn’t getting near her. He’ll hurt her, I won’t let him hurt her. Ok baby if you say so. You’ll see him one day Kia. Daddy now! Brandon sighed, You can’t baby. This is what they had been afraid of, she’d want AJ… He’ll hurt you baby. Angel scooped her up but Kia wiggled out of her arms and jumped down. She ran to Jasper crying; he held her. Shh baby. It’s ok, I’m sure you’re daddy wouldn’t hurt you. We’ll all go if you want to see daddy. She nodded and fell asleep in his arms. Angel sat next to Brandon, I know baby, I know.[/blockquote][/blockquote]