Claimers: I own them, even the suicidal ones.
Title: Veruca Salt own the line, from the song of the same name. The lyrics are from "Wet Suit".
Dedication: To Miss X, aka God and Pebblin.
 
 
I just can't leave you this way,
When you're not ok.
But you won't let me hit the ground,
 
When my heart slows down.
 
 
Jude's POV
 
LaOC XLVIII - You're Officially Dead
 
Perhaps I should go and make sure Elle is alright?
But what can I do?
I know the claws that anger uses to dig into you, and company is not what is best.
But I will still check on her later.
Not to be bothersome, but to be sure she is coping.
 
I put the envelope back into the drawer, carefully.
Do not want to crease it.
I will take better care of this picture.
Or maybe I should just take better care of my own behaviour?
I lost the other one due to my foolishness.
Elle was only protecting what was important to her; Discord.
 
A noise from the cells pulls me from my thoughts.
I listen, but do not hear anything more.
 
It is incredibly boring guarding these cells.
It's a job for trainee Angels.
I do not know how they manage it.
 
I flick through the forms that I have finished completing.
All up-to-date.
I have cleaned and reorganised the desk.
There is nothing else to do.
 
A call for me?
I pick the phone up.
 
'Jude? It's Arminius. Do you want me to bring you two something to eat?'
 
'You are becoming a waiter with all the refreshments you keep bringing us. I'll go and ask her what she wants and call you back. Thank you.'
 
I put the phone down and walk into the cells, untangling my keys from their fob chain
How do keys get tangled up?
 
'Discord? Do you want something for lunch?'
 
There, all free and clanking annoyingly.
 
I look up and my breath catches in my throat as I see her hanging from the top bars.
The keys hit the floor as I freeze.
I fumble to pick them up.
I can't flash myself in there, we have blocks in place to stop escapees.
 
I attempt to push the key in the lock, but...
No!
I try and pull the cloth from the lock, but I can't get it out.
I slam my shoulder into the door, trying to open it.
It doesn't even move.
 
I run around to the bars and lift her limp body up, trying to take the weight off the noose.

Not again.
Please.
Not like this.
 
I don't know what to do.
I can't reach the alarm from here, and if I let her go it could kill her.
No one will hear me from the cells.
 
I try and get some more leverage to keep the belt loose, but she's slipping.
My fingers grab a handful of her shirt, but she still slips down, slowly.
 
I look over to the alarm.
It is too far away!
 
I have done it again.
First Aurora and now her!
 
The muscles in my arms start to shake at the awkward position they are in.
 
I look over at the alarm once more and I know I have to let her go.
If I do not get help then she's going to die.
If she is...
No, she is not dead yet, I know she is not.
 
'Discord. I have to let you go to get to the alarm. I am sorry.'
 
I exhale a breath, then let her down as gently as I can.
I run over and punch the glass in the alarm.
 
Shut down.
 
The shutters slide down over the windows, the lights go to red and the sirens begin to sound.
 
If only I had my wings, this would be easier.
I climb the bars, and grab hold of her shirt, lifting her up a few inches.
With a leg jammed in-between the bars, I try and get the belt off her.
I slip down, and so does she.
The tips of my fingers begin to tear as they struggle with the leather.
 
'Somebody help me!'
 
I drag her back up and rip at the thick leather, but still it resists my attempts.
 
'I'm not letting you die, Discord! No-one is dying on me again!'
 
My fingers begin to loosen the belt slightly.
The fact that I am having to do this with one hand, while holding a huge Angel up, is making it impossible to get it off her neck completely.
 
Where is everyone?!
 
I drag her body up, and manage to twist it round, so the back of her neck takes most of the pressure instead of her throat.
I only hope I will not break her neck.
 
And then I am looking into her face, and I do not think my efforts matter.
Blood trickles down her throat, due to the belt cutting into her flesh.
And I am looking at the present, but staring into the bitter face of the past.
 
'Jude, what's going... shit!'
 
Gabrielle and David.
 
She grabs Dis' legs taking most of the weight, while he works on the lock.
 
I start slipping down the bars again.
My legs can not take much more of keeping all of my weight up.
 
'Hurry, David!'
 
Then, my heart bleeds as I see the person who I wish did not have to view this.
For I know how she feels.
Completely.
 
Elle.
 
She runs towards us and everything slows, as it did for me three years ago.
She pushes David out of the way and blasts the heavy metal door off its hinges.
It flies off, buckled at an impossible angle.
 
Within a second she has risen to my eye level, and with one pull the leather belt snaps.
 
She holds Discord's body close as she lowers herself to the floor.
I slip down the bars, but I see Discord's face.
 
And I know.
 
 
 
 
For her it is too late: she is gone.