Fic: The Dreamkeeper (Part VI)
Mar. 14th, 2015 04:06 pm![[personal profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/user.png){kind=small}
boxxsaltzTitle: The Dreamkeeper
Author: Boxxsaltz
Rating: PG-13
Pairing(s): Jessica Jung/TIffany Hwang
Summary: Before there was anything there was a dream
AN: Beta credit to Doucette/Douismain
Part VI
The lobby was noisy when Jessica stepped from the elevator onto her floor. Men and women in sleek business suits flanked by a cluster of unfamiliar doctors in white lab coats crowded around the front desk with curious eyes and whispers.
Ducking past them, Jessica headed for the doors to the SCS when she caught Woobin wheeling a stretcher on his way out.
“What’s going on?” She asked.
He glanced over to the crowd before lowering his voice. “The Ambassador of Dream Studies is here with a few of his core Dreamologist.”
At the chime of the elevator, Seohyun stepped out with the Ambassador at her side. He stood tall in his business suit and slick, blonde combover. All attention shifted to him in kind greeting while a translator stood by relaying what was being said to the those who didn’t understand. Jessica remembered going to his talks back in her training. He had inspired her then. He disgusted her now.
Jessica’s eye caught someone in the crowd. He gave her a stiff nod and turned back to the Ambassador before anyone could see the exchange. She had never seen him before, but the way he acknowledged her made her feel he knew exactly who she was. She wondered if he was the one Zhoumi talked about sending in undercover. Her heart raced.
"How long will they be here?"
"They're having a luncheon at noon,” Woobin informed. “They'll probably want to see Tiffany. That’s why they’re here."
Jessica’s jaw flexed. “Can you write me a report that will exempt any visitors except staff doctors?”
Woobin frowned. “I don’t think so.”
“There she is.” Seohyun gestured to her from across the room.
Jessica felt a shiver run down her spine. When she looked up, everyone was staring in her direction. Woobin bowed himself out of the limelight and slipped away into the elevator.
Seohyun’s plastered on grin faltered a moment to shoot a glare straight through Jessica. She wouldn’t give her the satisfaction of straightening her back and faking smiles for her.
“Nurse Jung, come over here a moment.”
She obediently walked across the room, hand clutching the thick file folder at her side as she approached.
“Ambassador Adams, this is Jessica Jung,” Seohyun introduced her in accented English.
Jessica extended her hand. “It’s a pleasure to meet you, Doctor.”
“The pleasure is all mine,” he responded, kindly. His hand was clammy as it squeezed hers. Jessica fought against wiping off her palm on her labcoat.
Seohyun eyed her. “Nurse Jung, why don’t you join us on our tour of the facility?”
“I would, but I have a patient waiting for me.” She found the one doctor’s eyes in the crowd. He watched her closely. Jessica narrowed her eyes and he nodded again. Confirmed.
“Why don’t you bring Patient Hwang to the courtyard later in this afternoon? The Ambassador would love to meet her.”
“We’ll see,” she said through a tense smile. Seohyun’s cheek twitched as Jessica turned back to the Ambassador. “Again, it was lovely to meet you.”
“We’ll meet again.” Blinking his green eyes away, the Ambassador drew his attention to something Seohyun pointed out.
Turning her back, Jessica headed for the SCS. Tiffany lifted from her bed, drawing Jessica into a hug once she opened the door. She allowed herself to relax into the embrace for a moment before pulling back.
“Good morning.”
“Good morning, Jessi.” Before Jessica could stop her, lips were on hers and Jessica couldn’t help herself.
Seohyun’s warning was a far away memory. She soaked in Tiffany’s creamy scent and relished in the familiar taste of her mouth. A shudder passed through her when Tiffany sucked on her lip then released, blushing bashfully.
“There are people here to see you today.”
Tiffany’s brow crinkled. “Who?”
“The Ambassador and his doctors.” Running her fingers down Tiffany's arm, she was stopped by plastic. “What is this?”
Taking Tiffany's wrist, she examined the medical bracelet that hadn’t been there the night before. It wasn’t like the kind they gave out.
“Why are you wearing this?” She thought back to Woobin and the stretcher. She wondered if it had been used on Tiffany.
“I had to do some tests. Doctor Im said.”
Jessica’s mouth went dry. “Turn around.”
Moving Tiffany’s hair aside, Jessica examined the scars on the back of her neck. They didn’t look disturbed. No extractions had been done but the unrecognizable medical bracelet only added to Jessica’s fury.
Easing her back around, Jessica looked from one of her glossy eyes to the other. No reddening. “What do you remember?”
Tiffany closed her eyes, trying to think. “I don’t. I was asleep.”
Jessica grabbed her wrist again. Looking closer, she fumed when she saw the writing in tiny print:
Center of Dreamology and Psychological Studies.
“Is something wrong?”
“No,” Jessica sighed. Placing a kiss on the inside of her veiny wrist, Jessica shook her head. “Let’s get you washed up for breakfast.”
-/-/-/-
It was late in the evening when Jessica woke from her nap. It hadn't been since her training that she slept on the bunks at the Dream Bank but she had lost the desire to go home and leave Tiffany here herself. She rolled off a stiff, cotton bunk and pulled off the sheets and took them down to the laundry room before heading to her floor.
She yawned when the doors opened and nodded to the receptionist nurse at the front desk. Music sounded through the hall and Jessica followed it, smile tugging the corners of her lips as she reached the Rec Room. Courtesy of others, Tiffany had drawn the doors tight. Sliding one open, Jessica slipped in.
Fingers never left the keys as a head craned over to her. Tiffany beamed, smile lighting up her face much the same as it alighted in Jessica's chest.
She moved across the room to sink beside Tiffany. A heavy head landed on her shoulder and Jessica closed her eyes letting the music wash over her. Her heart ached at the melody. She knew it belonged to the repertoire of her mother's.
"Jessi?" Jessica opened her eyes. “You’re crying. What’re you thinking about?”
“You.” Jessica smiled sadly. "You’re so beautiful. I can’t stand you being here anymore.”
“You make it so it’s not so bad anymore.” Ivory chilled fingers reached up to brush along her cheek, smoothing tears away. "You're all I dream about now."
Jessica leaned into her touch as a palm cupped her face. "If I could, so would you."
Tiffany's cheeks filled up rosy and Jessica thought she'd never tire of making this woman blush.
Tiffany's head titled, brows tugging in. Jessica saw her eyes shift from one of Jessica's to the other, staring into her and studying her as if it was for the first time all over again.
“Tiffany?”
"I love you."
Jessica’s breath hitched. It was so innocent and so pure.
Even with a heart scarred and bruised and broken from years of loss, betrayal and hardship somehow Tiffany had been able to allow Jessica in. And in turn Jessica had swallowed Tiffany into her depths as well.
One swift motion, lips were against hers. Tiffany's lips tasted as sweet as they always did. Jessica sighed into it, letting herself indulge herself on the pillowy softness of Tiffany's mouth before pulling away.
"Tiffany, we can't." Jessica's eyes flickered to the door, thinking of Seohyun’s words. “Not here.”
"I'm scared, Jessi." Tiffany's lip quivered. “I don’t want you to ever go.”
“I won’t,” she muttered, grazing her lips against Tiffany’s. “I’m taking you away with me.”
Tiffany's eyes widened. Jessica told herself she shouldn't fill Tiffany's mind with false hope and promises, but what she spoke she truly wished could be.
"All the places you've dreamed about, I will take you." She stroked her fingers along Tiffany’s face
“I want to keep you forever.” A finger lifted, pressing against her temple. “Not just in here.”
Jessica felt the honest weight of Tiffany’s words in her chest. Leaning in, Jessica kissed the worried quiver off her lips. She couldn't wait for the day Zhoumi told her Tiffany could be hers. It was then that Jessica could finally rest knowing that Tiffany would be given her life back.
The sound of someone clearing their throat jerked Jessica away.
She met Yoona’s grinning face at the door to the rec room. Jessica scrambled off the piano bench, bowing to her with cheeks drained of color.
“Doctor Im.”
“Hello, Nurse Jung.” Her lips kinked up in the corner that made Jessica’s blood run cold. “I need to steal Tiffany away from you for a bit.”
“What for?”
“Check up,” she said, simply. “It’ll be quick. We just want to do an extended test of her vitals and mental health since she was in her coma for so long.”
Jessica thought back to the medical bracelet. Her blood burned. “I’ll come, too.”
“That won’t be necessary.” Yoona’s voice held an edge and Jessica froze. Hardened eyes flickered to Tiffany. “Will you come with me, Miss Hwang?”
Jessica peered over her shoulder. “It’s okay. I’ll be waiting when you’re done.”
Nodding, Tiffany peeled herself from the piano and fell into step with Yoona who led her away.
-/-/-/-
“Krystal?” Jessica skipped across the lobby. Krystal smiled as she rose up from the one the waiting chairs “What’re you doing here?”
“I have word from Zhoumi,” Krystal muttered. Jessica tensed, eyes glancing to the receptionist at the front desk. “Can you take a walk? Where’s Tiffany?”
“She’s asleep. We can take this as my lunch.” Pocketing her badge, Jessica led Krystal through the front doors.
The day was unexpectedly warm. Evening had settled in, casting harsh shadows along the ground as the sun made its way down along the horizon. Jessica thought back to Tiffany and how long she had been made to live inside windowless corridors with few chances to witness something as simple as a sunset. A smile threatened to tug at Jessica’s mouth when she imagined how Tiffany would light up at watching it. Every experience beyond these walls would be new to her.
“I feel like we’re getting close,” said Krystal. Untying her scarf, she let the ends hang long down the front of her coat.
“What did Zhoumi say?”
“He’s confident. The undercover doctor he sent in had a lot to report back.” She turned to Jessica just as they rounded the corner to walk along the side of the Dream Bank. “Could you email me some pictures of your files about your previous patient?”
“Sooyoung?”
Krystal nodded, brow tugging in deep in thought. “They want to try every angle they can.”
“I will tonight,” Jessica agreed. She craned her neck to see the tall, iron bars strung with vines and blocked by bushes on the other side that blocked view of the Dream Bank courtyard. She never thought about it before, but the entire facility was designed to keep things in. Never out. “How long will we have to wait until we can claim her?”
“I don’t know. Could be a week, could be a few. The faster you can get me information on Sooyoung, the better.” Krystal stopped them at the corner. A stoplight turned green and Jessica watched the traffic zoom by, oblivious as to the things going on in the giant building they past by. “We have to make sure we present the information in the right way or we’ll just be shoved into silence again.”
“I don’t know if we have that long.”
“What do you mean?”
Jessica’s blood boiled when she thought of Yoona. Of the medical bracelet. Of her sly grin when she took Tiffany away from her that night. Nothing about the woman felt trustworthy. She could only imagine what sort of check ups and tests and things they were doing on Tiffany now. It only made Jessica anxious. She was tired of sitting on her hands. They needed to get Tiffany out now.
“There’s a specialist here. She’s too interested in Tiffany,” Jessica sighed. “It’s my fault they’re doing this.”
Krystal frowned. “No it’s not. You love Tiffany. They’re the ones who are using her.”
Jessica’s face burned at hearing Krystal say it out loud. She saw her sister smirk and she looked away as the fluttering in her stomach grew when Tiffany seeped into mind. She remembered the night of her first kiss. She remembered how Tiffany had unfolded and confessed everything to her so innocently and with so much conviction Jessica could feel it swell up in her chest.
“I hope this works,” said Jessica.
The look in Krystal’s eyes was certain. “It will.”
Feeling her phone vibrate, Jessica pulled it out from her pants pocket. Her brow wrinkled when she saw the Dream Bank written across her screen. Hesitantly, she lifted it to her ear.
“Jessica Jung,” she answered.
“Hi, Nurse Jung,” chimed the receptionist from her floor. “The Senior Caretaker needs you back at the facility.”
Hanging up, Jessica tucked her phone away. Something didn’t feel right. “I have to go back. Call me if you hear anything.”
“You’ll be the first to know.”
-/-/-/-
Jessica knocked before she let herself into Seohyun’s office. It came as no surprise to her that Yoona was already seated inside. She didn’t even look up at her as Jessica moved to take the other seat.
“Don’t.” Seohyun stopped her. “This won’t take long. Here.”
Jessica picked up the slip of paper Seohyun slid across the desk. A mix of helpless rage swirled in Jessica’s stomach as she read the top line:
Form of Resignation
Her eyes shifted to Seohyun who watched her intently with hands folded beneath her chin. Jessica had to swallow past the lump that formed in her throat before she could speak.
“You’re firing me.”
“Actually, you’re resigning.”
The tremor of Jessica’s hands made the paper shake. Seohyun’s eyebrow lifted at it. Jessica tossed the form back onto her desk. “You can’t do this.”
“I can and I will.”
“I know too much,” she countered.
“No, you don’t,” Seohyun hissed. She leaned back in her chair, holding Jessica’s gaze as she went on, smooth and calm. “You don’t know anything, and if anyone asks, you’ve never worked at this Dream Bank, met me, Choi Sooyoung, Tiffany Hwang or any of my staff before.”
Jessica felt frantic. This was exactly what they had been afraid of. This was exactly what they had done to Taeyeon in the past. Panic seared through her. What would happen to Tiffany?
“You can’t get away with this.”
“Get away with what, Nurse Jung?” Yoona’s eyebrow quirked as she finally looked up at her. The wistful look in her eyes had completely depleted. She looked cold and calculated. Jessica’s jaw tightened.
“There’s no more need for you at this facility,” Seohyun went on. “Sooyoung has passed and Tiffany will be moved from here to the Center of Dreamology and Psychological Studies by the end of this week. We have more than enough doctors equipped to fill in for your duties between now and then.”
“No!” Her voice echoed. She saw Seohyun’s cheek twitch while Yoona shook her head, turning away. “You can’t do that. You can’t do this to her anymore. I won’t allow it.”
“I’m afraid you’re in no position to make an argument,” Yoona stated, simply. “You were not only suspected of but also caught having romantic, and possibly sexual, encounters with one of your patients. That’s a felony. You’re facing charges way higher than your pay grade.”
Seohyun leaned her elbows onto the table. “We’re willing to let you walk out of here without the cost of tainting your name. You just have to honor what we tell you to do and you won’t be prosecuted.”
“We’ll compensate you, of course,” Yoona added. “You’re one of the reasons why we can move forward with a new branch of dream studies. Though inappropriate, your relationship with Miss Hwang has done us, and science, a huge favor.”
“Doctor Im is right.” Seohyun nodded. There was a ghost of a grin on her mouth. “We will pay you for that along with the rest of the years wages you would’ve received.”
Jessica shook her head. She couldn’t believe this was happening. Not yet. Not so quickly. Her palms began to sweat. “Why’re you doing this? What kind of tests have you been running on her? What’re you planning?”
Seohyun sighed, boredly. “Take the money and go. I really don’t want to see someone like you suffer.”
“You think this will prevent that?”
Yoona leaned away from her, eyes cutting to Seohyun. “Do I need to call in the warden?”
Seohyun lifted a hand, dismissing the question. She stared up at Jessica. “I’m giving you a way out, Jessica. Don’t make this hard for me. I don’t want that.”
“What do you want?”
“I want you to make a decision.” Grabbing the form, Seohyun held it up for Jessica to take. “What will it be?”
She looked from the paper to Seohyun. She wasn’t going to be another one of their puppets. She wasn’t going to let herself fall into the manipulative trap of the Dream Bank like so many others had been victim to.
Her teeth clenched. “I quit.”
Disappointment washed over Seohyun’s face as she took the form and sat it aside. All kindness she had held in her voice was gone when she spoke again. “You’re to leave the premises immediately. If you are still seen within twenty feet of the Dream Bank, you will be arrested. You have ten minutes to exit. Security will see you out.”
“You won’t get away with this,” Jessica muttered, angrily.
Seohyun glared. “Nine minutes and counting, Nurse Jung.”
Shoving the door, Jessica stormed out.
-/-/-/-
"They know."
Jessica pulled her face from her hands. Red rimmed eyes turned up to Zhoumi who paced across Krystal’s carpet. Something soft touched her hand and Jessica turned to Krystal who had placed a kleenex into her palm. Dabbing at her eyes, she looked down at Krystal’s computer screen that was open and lit on her coffee table. Legal jargon blared up at her and she looked away to see Zhoumi punching in a text on his phone.
"Know what?" Jessica asked.
"About the investigation. We're repeating history." Message sent, he began to tap his slender phone against his fingers in nervous habit.
Watching him made Jessica’s nerves coil all the more. Her mind raced, wondering back to Tiffany. She hadn’t been allowed to see her. Seohyun made sure of that. She was only allowed downstairs to grab her things from her locker before being escorted not so inconspicuously out the front doors.
Jessica had cried the entire way to Krystal’s. Zhoumi showed up a few minutes later after they had called him, but there was nothing they could do about Jessica’s expulsion. She was out for good.
"What will happen if we keep moving forward?" She asked, desperation in her voice. She didn’t trust Tiffany alone in the place with them.
"A couple of things.” Zhoumi stopped to lean against the wall. There were stress lines creasing the corners of his eyes. He had been working hard for all of them. “Either Seohyun will get arrested, she'll bury everything again or you'll be pinned with the allegations.”
Jessica crumbled the kleenex in her hand. "How? She can't do that!"
“It’s because of Tiffany,” said Krystal. “Your relationship with her will hurt our case."
Jessica seethed. "I don't care. I promised her I would get her out."
"You shouldn't have." Zhoumi frowned.
Jessica blinked away from him. It broke her apart that she had filled Tiffany's head with hopes and dreams of a life outside of the Dream Bank with the possibility that they would not succeed. She had known the risk of telling Tiffany, of allowing herself to fall for Tiffany, but Jessica hadn’t been able to stop herself. And she wouldn't stop now.
“Is there a way we could send someone in now?” Grabbing her laptop, Krystal cracked it open on her lap. “We know they wanted Jessica out of there so they can wipe everything clean.”
“We can’t move until I hear back from the office.” Zhoumi's phone rang. "It’s Siwon. I have to take this."
He stalked off.
Jessica got up, making her way for the door.
“Jessica!” Krystal yelled her name just as she made it into the apartment hallway. “Jessica, wait!”
A hand grabbed her wrist before she could reach the stairwell.
“Let me go!” She whipped around, glaring up at Krystal.
“You’re not going back up there,” Krystal snapped.
“I have to,” she pressed, turning to leave.
“No, Jessica, stop. Listen to me.” The force of a yank spun her around to meet Krystal’s hard stare. “If you do anything rash, it’ll be used against you. Seohyun has power on her side that we don't yet. I know you care about Tiffany, but you won’t do either of you a favor if you go back there.”
“What am I supposed to do? Sit around and wait?”
“Yes. That’s what you have to do. I want to get back at them as much as you do, so does Zhoumi. We’re all victims of that place and you’re the first person who has been able to get any of us this far. Don’t mess it up.”
“I can’t lose again.”
“Trust us, okay? We’re on your side. We will win.” Krystal pulled her in. “Let me and Zhoumi worry about that. If Siwon is calling him, that means we could be a step closer.”
“Siwon?”
“The undercover officer we sent in. He posed as one of the Ambassadors practicing doctors.” A finger brushed against Jessica’s cheek erasing a tear. “Slow down and wait. I’m worried about you.”
“But, Tiffany-”
“Will be fine,” Krystal urged. Her eyes ducked to meet Jessica’s. “Come inside. We’ll wait it out together.”
-/-/-/-
The apartment was quiet.
Jessica stood outside on the balcony of Krystal’s apartment. It had become her living space since she left the Dream Bank. Without someone to tell her not to, Jessica knew she would’ve gone back up to the facility and kidnapped Tiffany herself.
Sighing, she dropped her head. The coffee in her mug had gone cold. She took a sip of it anyway and winced at the bitterness left from grains sunk to the bottom. Time was ticking. She clenched her hand around the mug, warding off the uneasiness that bubbled up in her stomach.
The glass door opened and shut behind her. Krystal came up to stand at her side. She rubbed her eyes that had been staring at her laptop screen and paperwork for hours. Zhoumi had left not too long ago after reassuring Jessica that they were doing the best they could. They had all worked tirelessly and no one wanted to get things over and done with as much as she did than Zhoumi.
She owed him for everything he was doing.
"Zhoumi thinks we're close." Krystal’s voice crackled through the night time air. She sounded as tired as Jessica felt.
"You always say that."
Krystal gave her a small smile. "Tell me about her."
Jessica blinked. "What do you want to know?"
"I'm curious.” Arms folding on the guardrail, she leaned over, eyes focused on the dark horizon. “I've never met her, but I can tell you're seriously in love with her."
"She's..." Jessica felt the flickering warmth of streetlamps light up in her chest. Staring at the glowing, yellow bulbs she thought back to Tiffany's eyes and how looking into them made her feel the same way - the same heat - but brought a somber sadness to her as well. "She's haunted."
"Very attractive," Krystal deadpanned, jokingly.
Jessica rolled her eyes. "She's that too. She makes me feel like a kid again - like there's always a reason to smile even though everything is falling apart."
"Like mom," Krystal muttered.
"Like mom," Jessica echoed. "She knew mom.”
Krystal gave a stiff nod. She had probably read all about it in Jessica’s notes. She figured it would’ve been better to have told Krystal herself, but she could never find the right time or the right way to explain the ghastly connections between their mother and the one Jessica had fallen for.
"I know you're doing this for her,” Krystal murmured as she turned to face her, “but I'm doing this for mom. I feel like if we can win this, I can finally make peace with what happened." A grimace crossed Krystal’s face. "Is that bad?"
"No.” Reaching over, she covered Krystal’s hand with her own. "It's the same for me."
Fingers opened up and Jessica allowed them to lace with hers. She smiled up at her sister with a swell in her chest. They had both been haunted the same as Tiffany in their own way. It finally felt like they could really let go and make peace with the new demons pulled up from the past.
"I want you to meet her."
Krystal smiled. “Soon.”
The muffled tones of a phone echoed from inside. Jessica followed Krystal through the sliding glass door who went to pick it up.
"It's Zhoumi. Hello?" She ventured into the kitchen, taking their stale mugs of coffee with her.
Jessica strained to hear what she was saying when her phone started to vibrate. The Dream Bank flashed on her screen and her stomach plummeted as she answered.
"Hello?"
"Jessi?"
Color drained from Jessica's face. "Tiffany? How did you get this number? How're you calling me?"
"Where are you?"
"I'm-"
"-You didn't come back."
Words caught in Jessica’s throat. Tiffany sounded frantic and there was nothing she could do to calm her down. "I'm sorry. I had to go."
"You said you wouldn't leave me." A sob cracked in Tiffany’s voice. Jessica felt it like needles right through her heart.
A sniffle passed over the line and Jessica did her best not to imagine the way tears must've been streaking down her face. She tried not to think of the fear that had hit Tiffany when Jessica didn’t come back. She wondered what lie Seohyun had told her or maybe they had told her the truth.
"I'm not,” Jessica stressed. “Tiffany, listen to me, you have to hang up. You have to go back to your room."
"Doctor Im says we're going on a trip tomorrow."
Jessica froze. Her eyes found Krystal who walked back into the living room. The excited look on her face dropped when she saw the lack of color in Jessica’s cheeks. Her head titled, begging for an answer.
"What's wrong?" She mouthed.
"I don't want to leave." Tiffany pulled her back.
A clammy palm held the phone closer to her ear. "I won't let them do that."
"I’m scared.”
"I know. I know you are, but you have to do what I say.” She swallowed past the lump in her throat. “You have to hang up the phone, Tiffany. I can't help you if you get caught. Go back to your room, okay? I'm going to come and get you."
Tiffany’s voice quivered. "Promise?"
"Promise."
The call ended with a harsh click.
Krystal’s hands stretched out, gripping her elbows to lead them down onto the couch. "What happened?"
Jessica dropped her face in her hands, fingers massaging her forehead. They were out of time. "They're moving her tomorrow."
"We were afraid of that.” Krystal cursed under her breath. "Zhoumi said Siwon found an in. Did you know Choi Sooyoung’s disappearance was filed away as a missing person?”
Jessica’s brow furrowed. “She enlisted herself back into the Bank. How was she missing?”
“She was in a coma,” Krystal pointed out. “She wasn’t a permanent resident like Tiffany before the incident. She still did work - sales. One day, she just stopped showing up.”
“That’s the lead?”
“Siwon thinks so,” Krystal said, excitedly. Jessica bit the inside of her cheek. She didn’t want to celebrate small victories until the main prize was won. “We have to go to the station in the morning to verify the claim of Sooyoung's death being a murder. If it’s true, and we know it is, it'll cause hell for Seohyun."
Jessica turned to her, worried. "Then they do know."
Krystal nodded. "Tiffany's call confirmed that. A place as manipulative as the Dream Bank probably has someone on the inside who reports these things to Seohyun. It only makes sense why you were forced out so quickly and the decision to move Tiffany came all of a sudden."
"So what now?" Jessica clutched her phone. She hoped Tiffany got back to her room without being seen. She hoped there was still time for them to win this.
Krystal leaned back against the cushions. "We wait until morning."
“No.” Pushing off the couch, she went to grab her bag off the floor across the room. The zipper nearly ripped as she opened it up and dug inside.
“What’re you doing?”
She was done waiting. “We go. Now.”
“Jessica-”
“Here.” Yanking a file from her bag she dropped it into Krystal’s lap. She scrambled to catch the papers before they could scatter across the floor. “Those are the original files. Take them to Zhoumi, Siwon, whoever. I’m going to get Tiffany.”
Snatching her keys, she started for the door. Krystal was on her heels. “Jessica, you can’t be serious.”
“Watch me.”
"Wait."
Jessica whipped around. "What?”
"All they need is confirmation." Krystal held up the files. "This is all they need to arrest Seohyun. Let’s give it to them.”
Jessica’s eyes widened. “Now?”
Krystal nodded, grin pulling across her face. "Let’s go. I’ll call Zhoumi on the way.”
-/-/-/-
The locks popped and Jessica forced the door open.
Tinted street lamps beamed down on her as she crossed the parking lot of the Dream Bank that scaled high and ominous before her. A sudden wave of guilt and regret slithered through her gut when she remembered she had once been part of this place. She had willingly signed her life up for it with hopes of success. The fact everything had turned on its head made her feel just as responsible for the lives behind those doors as anyone else.
"Zhoumi is on his way," said Krystal, jogging to catch up with her. "He's bringing the Chief. He's harassed them so much, they just want to get this over with."
"So do I."
Digging into her pocket, Jessica yanked out her old badge. It was the only thing she had left the facility with, tucked hidden away for not even security to find after they stripped her of her Caretaker robes.
Automatic doors swished open when they reached the entrance. A receptionist looked up with tired eyes and a tight lipped smile.
"Hi, I'm here to see Doctor Seohyun." Jessica flashed her badge.
"You're not allowed to be on these premises." A hand reached for a radio.
Jessica scrambled for words. "She called for me to come in. I got here as fast as I could."
The receptionist eyes narrowed. Jessica watched as her hand slowly pulled away from the walkie. "Who is she?"
"My sister,” she pushed on a fake smile. “I was out with her when I got the call. It didn't sound urgent so I brought her with me."
"Doctor Seohyun you said?"
"Yes."
"One moment.” Picking up the phone, she held the receiver to her ear. “Please take a seat."
"Thank you."
They crossed to the waiting chairs. Jessica glanced back at to the receptionist as she began punching numbers into the phone. Jessica forced herself to calm down. They would only have a few minutes before they found out she wasn’t supposed to be there.
"Wait here for Zhoumi,” she hissed under her breath. “I'm going to find Tiffany."
On Krystal’s nod, Jessica approached the receptionist.
"Restroom." She pointed in the direction of the restrooms.
She gave her an empty nod and Jessica slipped off. As she walked she heard Krystal ask the receptionist a question. It was enough of a diversion for her to make a different corner that led towards the elevators. Fingers jamming into the button, she waited. Numbers lit up on the wall overhead as the elevator made its slow descent from seventh floor down, down, down-
"Excuse me, ma'am-"
The doors chimed open just as the security guard started down the hall. Running inside, Jessica punched the doors shut and pressed the sixth floor.
The wires and gears groaned as they took her up. Her heart hammered wildly in her chest. She held her badge in her hand, hoping it would still work. If she couldn’t get into the SCS, she wouldn’t be able to get to Tiffany. Her hopes for a future together and her own future untainted would be ruined the moment she was caught.
Elevator doors pulled open and Jessica stepped out into the familiar hall. The doctor at the front counter eyed her suspiciously.
“Is Doctor Seohyun in? She’s expecting me.”
The worry on her face changed into a smile. “Office.”
“Thank you.” Rounding the desk, Jessica made her way towards the SCS.
Sweaty fingers fumbled with her badge. Sliding it into the cardreader, she cursed when the lights flickered red. She tried again and again and again. Same result.
Peering through the windows, she stared down the dim hall. She could see Tiffany’s door closed tight near the end of the corridor. Jessica could just make out the words scribbled on the name plate beside the door but she could see enough to know that Tiffany’s name was no longer on it.
She panicked. They moved her.
Pulling from the door, Jessica headed for the Rec Room. Empty.
The rumble of the elevator moving drew Jessica’s eyes to the glowing numbers above. They stopped on the first floor. The phone at the front desk rang twice before she heard the receptionist answer. The mention of her name in the receptionist's mouth told Jessica she had been discovered.
She bolted, hurrying down another hallway. Caretaker Offices passed her by in a blur until she found Seohyun’s where she stopped. Turning the knob, Jessica let herself. Seohyun was nowhere to be seen.
“Jessica?”
She spun on her heels, eyes widening when she saw Tiffany sitting in a chair against the far wall. She looked terrified and worn. There was no color in her face and her cheeks were sunken. Jessica felt anger and fear meet in a burst of emotion in her chest.
“Tiffany!”
Bones rattled as they collided. Hands pulled and tugged trying to draw one another closer. Jessica could feel Tiffany's pounding heart against her own hammering chest.
“I’m so sorry I left you,” she said, taking Tiffany’s face into her hands. Her fingers tingled against her skin and her body thrummed when Tiffany’s hands came up to hold Jessica’s in place. A light that hadn’t been there before sparked in Tiffany’s eyes. “I didn’t have a choice. You know I would never leave you.”
“I know,” Tiffany breathed. Her voice was rough and strained. “Please, kiss me.”
Jessica did without hesitation. It was desperate and hurried. It was a kiss only to solidify that this moment was real. In the back of her mind, Jessica told herself that there would be no need for reassuring kisses or painful worries that one of them would be gone without a trace one day once they were out. This would be the end of all of Tiffany’s anguish and Jessica’s stress.
Pulling back, Jessica saw tears in Tiffany’s eyes that mirrored her own. She kissed at her lips again. “Why’re you in here? What’s going on?”
“Seohyun told me to stay here. We’re leaving.”
It was then that Jessica saw the duffle tucked away beside Tiffany’s chair. It was then she realized Tiffany was not in her usual patient gown. She was dressed, shoes on and jacket draped on her shoulders.
Jessica paled. They weren’t going to wait. Tomorrow would've been too late.
“Jessi?”
“We’re leaving.” Jessica grabbed her hand. “You’re coming with me. I’m taking you home.”
“No, you’re not.” Seohyun’s voice ripped through the office.
Jessica stood, blocking Tiffany from Seohyun’s view. A lethal grin spread on Seohyun’s lips as she stepped in. Arms folded over her chest, she looked Jessica up and down.
“You’ve made a terrible mistake coming here, Nurse Jung.”
“You’re not leaving with her,” Jessica snarled. She could hear Tiffany’s quick, worried breathing behind her. Reaching back, she clutched Tiffany’s hand.
“Security!” Seohyun called. Her eyes narrowed as they flickered down to see Jessica and Tiffany’s hands twined together. “You’re going to regret this.”
“You can’t win this time, Seohyun.”
“I already have.” She shrugged. A chorus of footsteps echoed from down the hall.
“What do you want from her?”
“She’s the key, Jessica. We’ve been without dreams for years, spending millions on faulty machinery and taking risks on weak dreamers, but Tiffany-” The way Seohyun looked at her was wicked. Like she was a piece and nothing more. Just another part of the puzzle for some theory sparked by a twisted plan. “We’ve been trying for years to extend dreaming capabilities in people like you - people like me. What Tiffany has exhibited under your care has unlocked new possibilities. We may never need a dreamkeeper again. People will be able to dream on their own.”
“How?”
Seohyun’s eyebrows lifted. “If you give Tiffany to me, we can find out just how.”
“No.”
Seohyun sighed. “You were so promising during your training. I took so many chances, bent so many rules for you, Nurse Jung.”
“I’m not your nurse,” Jessica bit. She could hear voices and hurried footsteps in the distance. She held Tiffany’s hand tighter. “Tiffany doesn’t belong to you.”
“You’re right. She belongs to science. That’s all she’ll ever be good for.” Seohyun met Jessica’s gaze. “Do you really think she has a future with you? The way you want? She’ll never be the lover you wished to have. She’s a child, Jessica. She’s a subject conditioned to a system.”
“No, Seohyun. That’s what you are.”
Seohyun’s cheek twitched. Head dropping, she shook her head. “I’m very sorry to do this to you.” The faux frown that tugged at Seohyun’s lips made Jessica want to retch. “She’s in here!”
The thud of footsteps grew closer and closer. A set of police officers appeared through the door with the Chief in the lead. His radio crackled at his side and he grabbed it to mutter an unknown string of coded words into it.
“Doctor Seohyun?” Said the Police Chief at the door.
“Yes, Officer.” Her eyes shifted to Jessica, smirk on her lips as she said, “I believe the woman you’re looking for is right here.”
He gave a nod. “Arrest her.”
One of the officers stepped forward. Taking Seohyun’s wrist, she yanked them back.
“What’re you doing?” Seohyun panicked.
Cuffs slapped against her wrists and tightened, binding them back. “Doctor Seohyun, you are under arrest for the murder of Choi Sooyoung.”
Seohyun blanched. “I didn’t-”
“You have the right to remain silent,” added the Chief. “Take her downstairs.”
“What is this?” Seohyun snapped.
Jessica watched in disbelief as Seohyun was pushed towards the door. A hand gripped onto her arm and she turned back to see Tiffany’s fearful eyes. Taking Tiffany’s face, she stroked at her cheeks with her thumbs, calming her.
“It’s okay. We’re going to be okay.”
“Will they take me too?”
“No. They can’t, they won’t.” Jessica touched a kiss to her forehead to hide the way she was trembling. She grabbed for Tiffany’s hands again. Her palms were clammy, but Tiffany held on regardless.
“Miss Jung, Miss Hwang,” the chief addressed them.
“I want to speak to Zhoumi,” she demanded.
“Mr. Zhoumi and Officer Siwon are waiting down in the lobby. I believe you have a few answers to our questions about Doctor Seohyun and this Dream Bank?”
A stroke of relief fluttered through Jessica. “Yes, I do.”
“We appreciate your cooperation, Miss Jung. Please come with us.”
-/-/-/-
“We were going about everything in the wrong way at first.”
Jessica turned over to Zhoumi standing against the far wall of Krystal’s apartment. His eyes looked tired, but there was a victorious glint in them. It was the same look mirrored on the other faces strewn across the small living room. From Jessica to Krystal walking in from the kitchen to Siwon who kindly accepted a mug of steaming coffee from her hand.
The press of weight on her shoulder drew Jessica’s attention down to Tiffany. She sat on the couch pressed against Jessica’s side the same way she had been the moment they left the Dream Bank. Hands remained intertwined dropped over Jessica’s knee and she stroked a thumb along pale knuckles in a reassuring gesture. Tiffany was in Jessica’s hands now. No one else was going to touch her while she was here.
“When I told Zhoumi about your first patient,” said Krystal, “he called Siwon immediately.”
“You have medical records about her health and death,” Siwon explained. Jessica had only met him once cloaked in disguise but her gratitude extended to him all the same. “The copy system the Dream Bank has in place was their weakness. Where they have a copied document, you have the originals. It plainly states that Sooyoung’s cause of death and disappearance was at the hands of doctors.”
Krystal nodded. “We were so focused on Tiffany and mom that we overlooked it. Because of Sooyoung, now we can start a case against the Dream Bank that has to do with mom, Tiffany, and others.”
“So we did it?”
Zhoumi grinned. “We did it.”
“I can stay with Jessi?”
“As far as Taeyeon’s records show, you didn’t sign that contract,” said Krystal smiling. “You’re a free woman.”
The way Tiffany’s eyes widened in disbelief made Jessica’s heart swell. She still couldn’t believe it. “I can stay?”
“Yes.” Jessica took her face into her hands. “You’re going to stay with me now.”
Tiffany’s eyes glossed over and Jessica pulled her in. Arms circling around her neck, Jessica crushed her into a hug. A tear damp face buried itself in her neck and Jessica clung tighter. This was Tiffany’s starting point and Jessica couldn't wait to show her all of the things she had missed out on.
A knock on the door, Krystal went to answer it as they broke apart.
“We’ve located her father in the States,” said Siwon while the rattle of the door opening and closing sounded in the background. “He thought she was dead this entire time. He’ll be here in a few weeks.” He turned to Tiffany. “How would you like to see your father?”
Speechless, tears streamed down Tiffany’s face. All she managed to do was nod. Taking Tiffany's hand again, Jessica threaded their fingers together. The hold was tight. Neither wanted to let go, afraid that this moment would evaporate like a flimsy dream and they would be thrust back into white walls and thick needles. Even though Jessica knew that it was all over, she still could not help but to cling tightly.
Watery eyes flickered to her and Jessica smiled. There were no more steps. There was no more waiting. There was no more hoping and wishing and dreaming. Tiffany was here and hers and could finally show her all the things she had dreamt of for years.
“Look who’s here,” said Krystal.
Looking up, silence took the room as Taeyeon walked in hesitantly. Her eyes found Tiffany immediately and locked on just at the same time Tiffany’s mouth parted in surprise. Jessica watched her closely. She saw the memories reel through Tiffany’s mind as she took in her former Caretaker.
There was so much Jessica didn’t know about the two but by the way Tiffany’s face lit up, she knew that whatever they had years back had been strong. There were only few who Tiffany looked at that way. One had been Sooyoung, the other Jessica.
“Hi, Fany.”
No one moved save for Tiffany. Rising from the couch, she walked slowly across the room where she stopped in front of Taeyeon. Curious eyes zipped about her face, examining her as if it were the very first time. But Jessica knew better. To Tiffany, Taeyeon probably seemed like a ghost - a conjuring from the grave. With everything that happened, the idea of Taeyeon standing in front of her years later was hardly fathomable.
Shivering fingers lifted to touch at Taeyeon’s cheek and Tiffany gasped. “Taeyeon.”
Taeyeon pressed Tiffany’s hand against her cheek with her own. Shock gave into disbelief as the warmth of Taeyeon’s skin burned into Tiffany's chilled fingers. Only real flesh and blood things could feel that warm.
“I’m here.” Taeyeon muttered.
“Taeng!” Thin arms wrapped around Taeyeon, yanking her into a hug.
Jessica watched Taeyeon hesitate a moment before she hugged her back. “I’m so sorry I left you.”
“I missed you.”
Shoulders shook as Taeyeon stifled a sob. “I missed you, too.”
A squeeze to her own shoulder, Jessica looked up to see Krystal casting her a soft smile. She took her sisters hand and held it tight. All the worries and agitation that had pressed down on her - on them - for so long began to dissipate.
Taking in a breath, Jessica let it out slowly. They had done it. They had won.
And now they could finally move on.
-/-/-/-
A jerk at her side woke Jessica up.
Tiffany muttered in her sleep, body twitching and thrashing against the covers. Flicking on the lamp, Jessica sat up.
“Tiffany. Tiffany, baby, wake up,” she cooed. As many times this had happened, it still broke Jessica’s heart.
She wondered how many more nightmares would transpire before Tiffany could sleep soundly through more than a few days without being ripped from slumber. She wondered how many more nights of watery eyes and pale, frightened faces that she’d have to stroke and kiss into reassurance that those ghastly things happening to her in her dreams weren’t real. She wondered how many more nights it would take before Tiffany woke up free of panic but knew right away that this bedroom - this apartment - was her new home. It would be her home and her safety for the rest of her years.
“Tiffany-”
“Jessica!” She shot up. Cold sweat drenched her brow. Her neck swiveled, eyes darting around to find the one she desperately called for. “Where am I? Jessica, where am I?”
“You’re at home.” Jessica reached out. Tiffany flinched away from her and Jessica tried again. Grabbing her hand, she held it tight. “You’re in our home.”
“Our home?” Tiffany repeated, breath evening.
“Yes, our home.” Bringing Tiffany’s hand to her lips, she kissed at her knuckles and up along her arm. Tiffany watched her all the while and Jessica saw her finally ease.
“Our home,” Tiffany murmured. There she was. There was her Tiffany, eyes wide open and spilling with affection.
Jessica found herself caught in her gaze. Just like Tiffany’s consciousness struggled to grasp that the Dream Bank was a thing of the past, Jessica had her own hard time remembering that Tiffany was forever a part of her life now. So long had she been in that Dream Bank with schedules and extractions and drips and needles, trapped behind white walls, the fact Tiffany was in her bed, in her apartment - their apartment - still had not fully sunk in.
Smiling, Jessica stroked at her face with a hand while the other held her fingers twined together. “It’s our home. Just you and me.”
“You and me. Just me and Jessi.” Tiffany nuzzled against her hand and Jessica was reminded that they no longer had to hide. They could just...be.
“This is real, Tiffany.” Taking Tiffany’s hand, she placed it on her chest so she could feel the beat of her heart. “This will always be real.”
“Always with Jessi.”
“Right.” Leaning in, Jessica touched a kiss to her lips.
She felt Tiffany fully relax and lips pressed again. Heavy arms draped around her shoulders and Jessica followed Tiffany back down into the sheets. A tongue lapped at her lip and she opened her mouth to allow Tiffany in. She would never tire of her taste or the feeling of her coolness against her skin that always turned Jessica into fire.
Leaving her mouth, Jessica kissed down along Tiffany’s neck. The sigh that left her mouth bubbled at the base of Jessica’s gut, but she squelched the festering desire down. They would have days, weeks, months to get there. One step at a time, they would dive a little deeper. One step at a time, Jessica would prove Seohyun wrong. Tiffany was not just a subject. She was a person, she was Jessica’s, and she was all she wanted to love and care for.
Fingers through hers, Tiffany pulled her closer. “Hold me until I go back to sleep?”
Jessica nodded as they settled back into bed. She crushed Tiffany’s back against her front, fingers at her stomach where she drew feather like patterns against her skin.
“I love you, Tiffany.” She felt Tiffany shiver against her. Jessica buried her face into her neck, muttering softly, “I love you, you’re safe, and I love you.”
“I love you too, Jessi.”
Kissing at her shoulder, Jessica waited until Tiffany’s breath evened out before she drifted back to sleep.
fin.
-
Author: Boxxsaltz
Rating: PG-13
Pairing(s): Jessica Jung/TIffany Hwang
Summary: Before there was anything there was a dream
AN: Beta credit to Doucette/Douismain
Part VI
The lobby was noisy when Jessica stepped from the elevator onto her floor. Men and women in sleek business suits flanked by a cluster of unfamiliar doctors in white lab coats crowded around the front desk with curious eyes and whispers.
Ducking past them, Jessica headed for the doors to the SCS when she caught Woobin wheeling a stretcher on his way out.
“What’s going on?” She asked.
He glanced over to the crowd before lowering his voice. “The Ambassador of Dream Studies is here with a few of his core Dreamologist.”
At the chime of the elevator, Seohyun stepped out with the Ambassador at her side. He stood tall in his business suit and slick, blonde combover. All attention shifted to him in kind greeting while a translator stood by relaying what was being said to the those who didn’t understand. Jessica remembered going to his talks back in her training. He had inspired her then. He disgusted her now.
Jessica’s eye caught someone in the crowd. He gave her a stiff nod and turned back to the Ambassador before anyone could see the exchange. She had never seen him before, but the way he acknowledged her made her feel he knew exactly who she was. She wondered if he was the one Zhoumi talked about sending in undercover. Her heart raced.
"How long will they be here?"
"They're having a luncheon at noon,” Woobin informed. “They'll probably want to see Tiffany. That’s why they’re here."
Jessica’s jaw flexed. “Can you write me a report that will exempt any visitors except staff doctors?”
Woobin frowned. “I don’t think so.”
“There she is.” Seohyun gestured to her from across the room.
Jessica felt a shiver run down her spine. When she looked up, everyone was staring in her direction. Woobin bowed himself out of the limelight and slipped away into the elevator.
Seohyun’s plastered on grin faltered a moment to shoot a glare straight through Jessica. She wouldn’t give her the satisfaction of straightening her back and faking smiles for her.
“Nurse Jung, come over here a moment.”
She obediently walked across the room, hand clutching the thick file folder at her side as she approached.
“Ambassador Adams, this is Jessica Jung,” Seohyun introduced her in accented English.
Jessica extended her hand. “It’s a pleasure to meet you, Doctor.”
“The pleasure is all mine,” he responded, kindly. His hand was clammy as it squeezed hers. Jessica fought against wiping off her palm on her labcoat.
Seohyun eyed her. “Nurse Jung, why don’t you join us on our tour of the facility?”
“I would, but I have a patient waiting for me.” She found the one doctor’s eyes in the crowd. He watched her closely. Jessica narrowed her eyes and he nodded again. Confirmed.
“Why don’t you bring Patient Hwang to the courtyard later in this afternoon? The Ambassador would love to meet her.”
“We’ll see,” she said through a tense smile. Seohyun’s cheek twitched as Jessica turned back to the Ambassador. “Again, it was lovely to meet you.”
“We’ll meet again.” Blinking his green eyes away, the Ambassador drew his attention to something Seohyun pointed out.
Turning her back, Jessica headed for the SCS. Tiffany lifted from her bed, drawing Jessica into a hug once she opened the door. She allowed herself to relax into the embrace for a moment before pulling back.
“Good morning.”
“Good morning, Jessi.” Before Jessica could stop her, lips were on hers and Jessica couldn’t help herself.
Seohyun’s warning was a far away memory. She soaked in Tiffany’s creamy scent and relished in the familiar taste of her mouth. A shudder passed through her when Tiffany sucked on her lip then released, blushing bashfully.
“There are people here to see you today.”
Tiffany’s brow crinkled. “Who?”
“The Ambassador and his doctors.” Running her fingers down Tiffany's arm, she was stopped by plastic. “What is this?”
Taking Tiffany's wrist, she examined the medical bracelet that hadn’t been there the night before. It wasn’t like the kind they gave out.
“Why are you wearing this?” She thought back to Woobin and the stretcher. She wondered if it had been used on Tiffany.
“I had to do some tests. Doctor Im said.”
Jessica’s mouth went dry. “Turn around.”
Moving Tiffany’s hair aside, Jessica examined the scars on the back of her neck. They didn’t look disturbed. No extractions had been done but the unrecognizable medical bracelet only added to Jessica’s fury.
Easing her back around, Jessica looked from one of her glossy eyes to the other. No reddening. “What do you remember?”
Tiffany closed her eyes, trying to think. “I don’t. I was asleep.”
Jessica grabbed her wrist again. Looking closer, she fumed when she saw the writing in tiny print:
Center of Dreamology and Psychological Studies.
“Is something wrong?”
“No,” Jessica sighed. Placing a kiss on the inside of her veiny wrist, Jessica shook her head. “Let’s get you washed up for breakfast.”
-/-/-/-
It was late in the evening when Jessica woke from her nap. It hadn't been since her training that she slept on the bunks at the Dream Bank but she had lost the desire to go home and leave Tiffany here herself. She rolled off a stiff, cotton bunk and pulled off the sheets and took them down to the laundry room before heading to her floor.
She yawned when the doors opened and nodded to the receptionist nurse at the front desk. Music sounded through the hall and Jessica followed it, smile tugging the corners of her lips as she reached the Rec Room. Courtesy of others, Tiffany had drawn the doors tight. Sliding one open, Jessica slipped in.
Fingers never left the keys as a head craned over to her. Tiffany beamed, smile lighting up her face much the same as it alighted in Jessica's chest.
She moved across the room to sink beside Tiffany. A heavy head landed on her shoulder and Jessica closed her eyes letting the music wash over her. Her heart ached at the melody. She knew it belonged to the repertoire of her mother's.
"Jessi?" Jessica opened her eyes. “You’re crying. What’re you thinking about?”
“You.” Jessica smiled sadly. "You’re so beautiful. I can’t stand you being here anymore.”
“You make it so it’s not so bad anymore.” Ivory chilled fingers reached up to brush along her cheek, smoothing tears away. "You're all I dream about now."
Jessica leaned into her touch as a palm cupped her face. "If I could, so would you."
Tiffany's cheeks filled up rosy and Jessica thought she'd never tire of making this woman blush.
Tiffany's head titled, brows tugging in. Jessica saw her eyes shift from one of Jessica's to the other, staring into her and studying her as if it was for the first time all over again.
“Tiffany?”
"I love you."
Jessica’s breath hitched. It was so innocent and so pure.
Even with a heart scarred and bruised and broken from years of loss, betrayal and hardship somehow Tiffany had been able to allow Jessica in. And in turn Jessica had swallowed Tiffany into her depths as well.
One swift motion, lips were against hers. Tiffany's lips tasted as sweet as they always did. Jessica sighed into it, letting herself indulge herself on the pillowy softness of Tiffany's mouth before pulling away.
"Tiffany, we can't." Jessica's eyes flickered to the door, thinking of Seohyun’s words. “Not here.”
"I'm scared, Jessi." Tiffany's lip quivered. “I don’t want you to ever go.”
“I won’t,” she muttered, grazing her lips against Tiffany’s. “I’m taking you away with me.”
Tiffany's eyes widened. Jessica told herself she shouldn't fill Tiffany's mind with false hope and promises, but what she spoke she truly wished could be.
"All the places you've dreamed about, I will take you." She stroked her fingers along Tiffany’s face
“I want to keep you forever.” A finger lifted, pressing against her temple. “Not just in here.”
Jessica felt the honest weight of Tiffany’s words in her chest. Leaning in, Jessica kissed the worried quiver off her lips. She couldn't wait for the day Zhoumi told her Tiffany could be hers. It was then that Jessica could finally rest knowing that Tiffany would be given her life back.
The sound of someone clearing their throat jerked Jessica away.
She met Yoona’s grinning face at the door to the rec room. Jessica scrambled off the piano bench, bowing to her with cheeks drained of color.
“Doctor Im.”
“Hello, Nurse Jung.” Her lips kinked up in the corner that made Jessica’s blood run cold. “I need to steal Tiffany away from you for a bit.”
“What for?”
“Check up,” she said, simply. “It’ll be quick. We just want to do an extended test of her vitals and mental health since she was in her coma for so long.”
Jessica thought back to the medical bracelet. Her blood burned. “I’ll come, too.”
“That won’t be necessary.” Yoona’s voice held an edge and Jessica froze. Hardened eyes flickered to Tiffany. “Will you come with me, Miss Hwang?”
Jessica peered over her shoulder. “It’s okay. I’ll be waiting when you’re done.”
Nodding, Tiffany peeled herself from the piano and fell into step with Yoona who led her away.
-/-/-/-
“Krystal?” Jessica skipped across the lobby. Krystal smiled as she rose up from the one the waiting chairs “What’re you doing here?”
“I have word from Zhoumi,” Krystal muttered. Jessica tensed, eyes glancing to the receptionist at the front desk. “Can you take a walk? Where’s Tiffany?”
“She’s asleep. We can take this as my lunch.” Pocketing her badge, Jessica led Krystal through the front doors.
The day was unexpectedly warm. Evening had settled in, casting harsh shadows along the ground as the sun made its way down along the horizon. Jessica thought back to Tiffany and how long she had been made to live inside windowless corridors with few chances to witness something as simple as a sunset. A smile threatened to tug at Jessica’s mouth when she imagined how Tiffany would light up at watching it. Every experience beyond these walls would be new to her.
“I feel like we’re getting close,” said Krystal. Untying her scarf, she let the ends hang long down the front of her coat.
“What did Zhoumi say?”
“He’s confident. The undercover doctor he sent in had a lot to report back.” She turned to Jessica just as they rounded the corner to walk along the side of the Dream Bank. “Could you email me some pictures of your files about your previous patient?”
“Sooyoung?”
Krystal nodded, brow tugging in deep in thought. “They want to try every angle they can.”
“I will tonight,” Jessica agreed. She craned her neck to see the tall, iron bars strung with vines and blocked by bushes on the other side that blocked view of the Dream Bank courtyard. She never thought about it before, but the entire facility was designed to keep things in. Never out. “How long will we have to wait until we can claim her?”
“I don’t know. Could be a week, could be a few. The faster you can get me information on Sooyoung, the better.” Krystal stopped them at the corner. A stoplight turned green and Jessica watched the traffic zoom by, oblivious as to the things going on in the giant building they past by. “We have to make sure we present the information in the right way or we’ll just be shoved into silence again.”
“I don’t know if we have that long.”
“What do you mean?”
Jessica’s blood boiled when she thought of Yoona. Of the medical bracelet. Of her sly grin when she took Tiffany away from her that night. Nothing about the woman felt trustworthy. She could only imagine what sort of check ups and tests and things they were doing on Tiffany now. It only made Jessica anxious. She was tired of sitting on her hands. They needed to get Tiffany out now.
“There’s a specialist here. She’s too interested in Tiffany,” Jessica sighed. “It’s my fault they’re doing this.”
Krystal frowned. “No it’s not. You love Tiffany. They’re the ones who are using her.”
Jessica’s face burned at hearing Krystal say it out loud. She saw her sister smirk and she looked away as the fluttering in her stomach grew when Tiffany seeped into mind. She remembered the night of her first kiss. She remembered how Tiffany had unfolded and confessed everything to her so innocently and with so much conviction Jessica could feel it swell up in her chest.
“I hope this works,” said Jessica.
The look in Krystal’s eyes was certain. “It will.”
Feeling her phone vibrate, Jessica pulled it out from her pants pocket. Her brow wrinkled when she saw the Dream Bank written across her screen. Hesitantly, she lifted it to her ear.
“Jessica Jung,” she answered.
“Hi, Nurse Jung,” chimed the receptionist from her floor. “The Senior Caretaker needs you back at the facility.”
Hanging up, Jessica tucked her phone away. Something didn’t feel right. “I have to go back. Call me if you hear anything.”
“You’ll be the first to know.”
-/-/-/-
Jessica knocked before she let herself into Seohyun’s office. It came as no surprise to her that Yoona was already seated inside. She didn’t even look up at her as Jessica moved to take the other seat.
“Don’t.” Seohyun stopped her. “This won’t take long. Here.”
Jessica picked up the slip of paper Seohyun slid across the desk. A mix of helpless rage swirled in Jessica’s stomach as she read the top line:
Form of Resignation
Her eyes shifted to Seohyun who watched her intently with hands folded beneath her chin. Jessica had to swallow past the lump that formed in her throat before she could speak.
“You’re firing me.”
“Actually, you’re resigning.”
The tremor of Jessica’s hands made the paper shake. Seohyun’s eyebrow lifted at it. Jessica tossed the form back onto her desk. “You can’t do this.”
“I can and I will.”
“I know too much,” she countered.
“No, you don’t,” Seohyun hissed. She leaned back in her chair, holding Jessica’s gaze as she went on, smooth and calm. “You don’t know anything, and if anyone asks, you’ve never worked at this Dream Bank, met me, Choi Sooyoung, Tiffany Hwang or any of my staff before.”
Jessica felt frantic. This was exactly what they had been afraid of. This was exactly what they had done to Taeyeon in the past. Panic seared through her. What would happen to Tiffany?
“You can’t get away with this.”
“Get away with what, Nurse Jung?” Yoona’s eyebrow quirked as she finally looked up at her. The wistful look in her eyes had completely depleted. She looked cold and calculated. Jessica’s jaw tightened.
“There’s no more need for you at this facility,” Seohyun went on. “Sooyoung has passed and Tiffany will be moved from here to the Center of Dreamology and Psychological Studies by the end of this week. We have more than enough doctors equipped to fill in for your duties between now and then.”
“No!” Her voice echoed. She saw Seohyun’s cheek twitch while Yoona shook her head, turning away. “You can’t do that. You can’t do this to her anymore. I won’t allow it.”
“I’m afraid you’re in no position to make an argument,” Yoona stated, simply. “You were not only suspected of but also caught having romantic, and possibly sexual, encounters with one of your patients. That’s a felony. You’re facing charges way higher than your pay grade.”
Seohyun leaned her elbows onto the table. “We’re willing to let you walk out of here without the cost of tainting your name. You just have to honor what we tell you to do and you won’t be prosecuted.”
“We’ll compensate you, of course,” Yoona added. “You’re one of the reasons why we can move forward with a new branch of dream studies. Though inappropriate, your relationship with Miss Hwang has done us, and science, a huge favor.”
“Doctor Im is right.” Seohyun nodded. There was a ghost of a grin on her mouth. “We will pay you for that along with the rest of the years wages you would’ve received.”
Jessica shook her head. She couldn’t believe this was happening. Not yet. Not so quickly. Her palms began to sweat. “Why’re you doing this? What kind of tests have you been running on her? What’re you planning?”
Seohyun sighed, boredly. “Take the money and go. I really don’t want to see someone like you suffer.”
“You think this will prevent that?”
Yoona leaned away from her, eyes cutting to Seohyun. “Do I need to call in the warden?”
Seohyun lifted a hand, dismissing the question. She stared up at Jessica. “I’m giving you a way out, Jessica. Don’t make this hard for me. I don’t want that.”
“What do you want?”
“I want you to make a decision.” Grabbing the form, Seohyun held it up for Jessica to take. “What will it be?”
She looked from the paper to Seohyun. She wasn’t going to be another one of their puppets. She wasn’t going to let herself fall into the manipulative trap of the Dream Bank like so many others had been victim to.
Her teeth clenched. “I quit.”
Disappointment washed over Seohyun’s face as she took the form and sat it aside. All kindness she had held in her voice was gone when she spoke again. “You’re to leave the premises immediately. If you are still seen within twenty feet of the Dream Bank, you will be arrested. You have ten minutes to exit. Security will see you out.”
“You won’t get away with this,” Jessica muttered, angrily.
Seohyun glared. “Nine minutes and counting, Nurse Jung.”
Shoving the door, Jessica stormed out.
-/-/-/-
"They know."
Jessica pulled her face from her hands. Red rimmed eyes turned up to Zhoumi who paced across Krystal’s carpet. Something soft touched her hand and Jessica turned to Krystal who had placed a kleenex into her palm. Dabbing at her eyes, she looked down at Krystal’s computer screen that was open and lit on her coffee table. Legal jargon blared up at her and she looked away to see Zhoumi punching in a text on his phone.
"Know what?" Jessica asked.
"About the investigation. We're repeating history." Message sent, he began to tap his slender phone against his fingers in nervous habit.
Watching him made Jessica’s nerves coil all the more. Her mind raced, wondering back to Tiffany. She hadn’t been allowed to see her. Seohyun made sure of that. She was only allowed downstairs to grab her things from her locker before being escorted not so inconspicuously out the front doors.
Jessica had cried the entire way to Krystal’s. Zhoumi showed up a few minutes later after they had called him, but there was nothing they could do about Jessica’s expulsion. She was out for good.
"What will happen if we keep moving forward?" She asked, desperation in her voice. She didn’t trust Tiffany alone in the place with them.
"A couple of things.” Zhoumi stopped to lean against the wall. There were stress lines creasing the corners of his eyes. He had been working hard for all of them. “Either Seohyun will get arrested, she'll bury everything again or you'll be pinned with the allegations.”
Jessica crumbled the kleenex in her hand. "How? She can't do that!"
“It’s because of Tiffany,” said Krystal. “Your relationship with her will hurt our case."
Jessica seethed. "I don't care. I promised her I would get her out."
"You shouldn't have." Zhoumi frowned.
Jessica blinked away from him. It broke her apart that she had filled Tiffany's head with hopes and dreams of a life outside of the Dream Bank with the possibility that they would not succeed. She had known the risk of telling Tiffany, of allowing herself to fall for Tiffany, but Jessica hadn’t been able to stop herself. And she wouldn't stop now.
“Is there a way we could send someone in now?” Grabbing her laptop, Krystal cracked it open on her lap. “We know they wanted Jessica out of there so they can wipe everything clean.”
“We can’t move until I hear back from the office.” Zhoumi's phone rang. "It’s Siwon. I have to take this."
He stalked off.
Jessica got up, making her way for the door.
“Jessica!” Krystal yelled her name just as she made it into the apartment hallway. “Jessica, wait!”
A hand grabbed her wrist before she could reach the stairwell.
“Let me go!” She whipped around, glaring up at Krystal.
“You’re not going back up there,” Krystal snapped.
“I have to,” she pressed, turning to leave.
“No, Jessica, stop. Listen to me.” The force of a yank spun her around to meet Krystal’s hard stare. “If you do anything rash, it’ll be used against you. Seohyun has power on her side that we don't yet. I know you care about Tiffany, but you won’t do either of you a favor if you go back there.”
“What am I supposed to do? Sit around and wait?”
“Yes. That’s what you have to do. I want to get back at them as much as you do, so does Zhoumi. We’re all victims of that place and you’re the first person who has been able to get any of us this far. Don’t mess it up.”
“I can’t lose again.”
“Trust us, okay? We’re on your side. We will win.” Krystal pulled her in. “Let me and Zhoumi worry about that. If Siwon is calling him, that means we could be a step closer.”
“Siwon?”
“The undercover officer we sent in. He posed as one of the Ambassadors practicing doctors.” A finger brushed against Jessica’s cheek erasing a tear. “Slow down and wait. I’m worried about you.”
“But, Tiffany-”
“Will be fine,” Krystal urged. Her eyes ducked to meet Jessica’s. “Come inside. We’ll wait it out together.”
-/-/-/-
The apartment was quiet.
Jessica stood outside on the balcony of Krystal’s apartment. It had become her living space since she left the Dream Bank. Without someone to tell her not to, Jessica knew she would’ve gone back up to the facility and kidnapped Tiffany herself.
Sighing, she dropped her head. The coffee in her mug had gone cold. She took a sip of it anyway and winced at the bitterness left from grains sunk to the bottom. Time was ticking. She clenched her hand around the mug, warding off the uneasiness that bubbled up in her stomach.
The glass door opened and shut behind her. Krystal came up to stand at her side. She rubbed her eyes that had been staring at her laptop screen and paperwork for hours. Zhoumi had left not too long ago after reassuring Jessica that they were doing the best they could. They had all worked tirelessly and no one wanted to get things over and done with as much as she did than Zhoumi.
She owed him for everything he was doing.
"Zhoumi thinks we're close." Krystal’s voice crackled through the night time air. She sounded as tired as Jessica felt.
"You always say that."
Krystal gave her a small smile. "Tell me about her."
Jessica blinked. "What do you want to know?"
"I'm curious.” Arms folding on the guardrail, she leaned over, eyes focused on the dark horizon. “I've never met her, but I can tell you're seriously in love with her."
"She's..." Jessica felt the flickering warmth of streetlamps light up in her chest. Staring at the glowing, yellow bulbs she thought back to Tiffany's eyes and how looking into them made her feel the same way - the same heat - but brought a somber sadness to her as well. "She's haunted."
"Very attractive," Krystal deadpanned, jokingly.
Jessica rolled her eyes. "She's that too. She makes me feel like a kid again - like there's always a reason to smile even though everything is falling apart."
"Like mom," Krystal muttered.
"Like mom," Jessica echoed. "She knew mom.”
Krystal gave a stiff nod. She had probably read all about it in Jessica’s notes. She figured it would’ve been better to have told Krystal herself, but she could never find the right time or the right way to explain the ghastly connections between their mother and the one Jessica had fallen for.
"I know you're doing this for her,” Krystal murmured as she turned to face her, “but I'm doing this for mom. I feel like if we can win this, I can finally make peace with what happened." A grimace crossed Krystal’s face. "Is that bad?"
"No.” Reaching over, she covered Krystal’s hand with her own. "It's the same for me."
Fingers opened up and Jessica allowed them to lace with hers. She smiled up at her sister with a swell in her chest. They had both been haunted the same as Tiffany in their own way. It finally felt like they could really let go and make peace with the new demons pulled up from the past.
"I want you to meet her."
Krystal smiled. “Soon.”
The muffled tones of a phone echoed from inside. Jessica followed Krystal through the sliding glass door who went to pick it up.
"It's Zhoumi. Hello?" She ventured into the kitchen, taking their stale mugs of coffee with her.
Jessica strained to hear what she was saying when her phone started to vibrate. The Dream Bank flashed on her screen and her stomach plummeted as she answered.
"Hello?"
"Jessi?"
Color drained from Jessica's face. "Tiffany? How did you get this number? How're you calling me?"
"Where are you?"
"I'm-"
"-You didn't come back."
Words caught in Jessica’s throat. Tiffany sounded frantic and there was nothing she could do to calm her down. "I'm sorry. I had to go."
"You said you wouldn't leave me." A sob cracked in Tiffany’s voice. Jessica felt it like needles right through her heart.
A sniffle passed over the line and Jessica did her best not to imagine the way tears must've been streaking down her face. She tried not to think of the fear that had hit Tiffany when Jessica didn’t come back. She wondered what lie Seohyun had told her or maybe they had told her the truth.
"I'm not,” Jessica stressed. “Tiffany, listen to me, you have to hang up. You have to go back to your room."
"Doctor Im says we're going on a trip tomorrow."
Jessica froze. Her eyes found Krystal who walked back into the living room. The excited look on her face dropped when she saw the lack of color in Jessica’s cheeks. Her head titled, begging for an answer.
"What's wrong?" She mouthed.
"I don't want to leave." Tiffany pulled her back.
A clammy palm held the phone closer to her ear. "I won't let them do that."
"I’m scared.”
"I know. I know you are, but you have to do what I say.” She swallowed past the lump in her throat. “You have to hang up the phone, Tiffany. I can't help you if you get caught. Go back to your room, okay? I'm going to come and get you."
Tiffany’s voice quivered. "Promise?"
"Promise."
The call ended with a harsh click.
Krystal’s hands stretched out, gripping her elbows to lead them down onto the couch. "What happened?"
Jessica dropped her face in her hands, fingers massaging her forehead. They were out of time. "They're moving her tomorrow."
"We were afraid of that.” Krystal cursed under her breath. "Zhoumi said Siwon found an in. Did you know Choi Sooyoung’s disappearance was filed away as a missing person?”
Jessica’s brow furrowed. “She enlisted herself back into the Bank. How was she missing?”
“She was in a coma,” Krystal pointed out. “She wasn’t a permanent resident like Tiffany before the incident. She still did work - sales. One day, she just stopped showing up.”
“That’s the lead?”
“Siwon thinks so,” Krystal said, excitedly. Jessica bit the inside of her cheek. She didn’t want to celebrate small victories until the main prize was won. “We have to go to the station in the morning to verify the claim of Sooyoung's death being a murder. If it’s true, and we know it is, it'll cause hell for Seohyun."
Jessica turned to her, worried. "Then they do know."
Krystal nodded. "Tiffany's call confirmed that. A place as manipulative as the Dream Bank probably has someone on the inside who reports these things to Seohyun. It only makes sense why you were forced out so quickly and the decision to move Tiffany came all of a sudden."
"So what now?" Jessica clutched her phone. She hoped Tiffany got back to her room without being seen. She hoped there was still time for them to win this.
Krystal leaned back against the cushions. "We wait until morning."
“No.” Pushing off the couch, she went to grab her bag off the floor across the room. The zipper nearly ripped as she opened it up and dug inside.
“What’re you doing?”
She was done waiting. “We go. Now.”
“Jessica-”
“Here.” Yanking a file from her bag she dropped it into Krystal’s lap. She scrambled to catch the papers before they could scatter across the floor. “Those are the original files. Take them to Zhoumi, Siwon, whoever. I’m going to get Tiffany.”
Snatching her keys, she started for the door. Krystal was on her heels. “Jessica, you can’t be serious.”
“Watch me.”
"Wait."
Jessica whipped around. "What?”
"All they need is confirmation." Krystal held up the files. "This is all they need to arrest Seohyun. Let’s give it to them.”
Jessica’s eyes widened. “Now?”
Krystal nodded, grin pulling across her face. "Let’s go. I’ll call Zhoumi on the way.”
-/-/-/-
The locks popped and Jessica forced the door open.
Tinted street lamps beamed down on her as she crossed the parking lot of the Dream Bank that scaled high and ominous before her. A sudden wave of guilt and regret slithered through her gut when she remembered she had once been part of this place. She had willingly signed her life up for it with hopes of success. The fact everything had turned on its head made her feel just as responsible for the lives behind those doors as anyone else.
"Zhoumi is on his way," said Krystal, jogging to catch up with her. "He's bringing the Chief. He's harassed them so much, they just want to get this over with."
"So do I."
Digging into her pocket, Jessica yanked out her old badge. It was the only thing she had left the facility with, tucked hidden away for not even security to find after they stripped her of her Caretaker robes.
Automatic doors swished open when they reached the entrance. A receptionist looked up with tired eyes and a tight lipped smile.
"Hi, I'm here to see Doctor Seohyun." Jessica flashed her badge.
"You're not allowed to be on these premises." A hand reached for a radio.
Jessica scrambled for words. "She called for me to come in. I got here as fast as I could."
The receptionist eyes narrowed. Jessica watched as her hand slowly pulled away from the walkie. "Who is she?"
"My sister,” she pushed on a fake smile. “I was out with her when I got the call. It didn't sound urgent so I brought her with me."
"Doctor Seohyun you said?"
"Yes."
"One moment.” Picking up the phone, she held the receiver to her ear. “Please take a seat."
"Thank you."
They crossed to the waiting chairs. Jessica glanced back at to the receptionist as she began punching numbers into the phone. Jessica forced herself to calm down. They would only have a few minutes before they found out she wasn’t supposed to be there.
"Wait here for Zhoumi,” she hissed under her breath. “I'm going to find Tiffany."
On Krystal’s nod, Jessica approached the receptionist.
"Restroom." She pointed in the direction of the restrooms.
She gave her an empty nod and Jessica slipped off. As she walked she heard Krystal ask the receptionist a question. It was enough of a diversion for her to make a different corner that led towards the elevators. Fingers jamming into the button, she waited. Numbers lit up on the wall overhead as the elevator made its slow descent from seventh floor down, down, down-
"Excuse me, ma'am-"
The doors chimed open just as the security guard started down the hall. Running inside, Jessica punched the doors shut and pressed the sixth floor.
The wires and gears groaned as they took her up. Her heart hammered wildly in her chest. She held her badge in her hand, hoping it would still work. If she couldn’t get into the SCS, she wouldn’t be able to get to Tiffany. Her hopes for a future together and her own future untainted would be ruined the moment she was caught.
Elevator doors pulled open and Jessica stepped out into the familiar hall. The doctor at the front counter eyed her suspiciously.
“Is Doctor Seohyun in? She’s expecting me.”
The worry on her face changed into a smile. “Office.”
“Thank you.” Rounding the desk, Jessica made her way towards the SCS.
Sweaty fingers fumbled with her badge. Sliding it into the cardreader, she cursed when the lights flickered red. She tried again and again and again. Same result.
Peering through the windows, she stared down the dim hall. She could see Tiffany’s door closed tight near the end of the corridor. Jessica could just make out the words scribbled on the name plate beside the door but she could see enough to know that Tiffany’s name was no longer on it.
She panicked. They moved her.
Pulling from the door, Jessica headed for the Rec Room. Empty.
The rumble of the elevator moving drew Jessica’s eyes to the glowing numbers above. They stopped on the first floor. The phone at the front desk rang twice before she heard the receptionist answer. The mention of her name in the receptionist's mouth told Jessica she had been discovered.
She bolted, hurrying down another hallway. Caretaker Offices passed her by in a blur until she found Seohyun’s where she stopped. Turning the knob, Jessica let herself. Seohyun was nowhere to be seen.
“Jessica?”
She spun on her heels, eyes widening when she saw Tiffany sitting in a chair against the far wall. She looked terrified and worn. There was no color in her face and her cheeks were sunken. Jessica felt anger and fear meet in a burst of emotion in her chest.
“Tiffany!”
Bones rattled as they collided. Hands pulled and tugged trying to draw one another closer. Jessica could feel Tiffany's pounding heart against her own hammering chest.
“I’m so sorry I left you,” she said, taking Tiffany’s face into her hands. Her fingers tingled against her skin and her body thrummed when Tiffany’s hands came up to hold Jessica’s in place. A light that hadn’t been there before sparked in Tiffany’s eyes. “I didn’t have a choice. You know I would never leave you.”
“I know,” Tiffany breathed. Her voice was rough and strained. “Please, kiss me.”
Jessica did without hesitation. It was desperate and hurried. It was a kiss only to solidify that this moment was real. In the back of her mind, Jessica told herself that there would be no need for reassuring kisses or painful worries that one of them would be gone without a trace one day once they were out. This would be the end of all of Tiffany’s anguish and Jessica’s stress.
Pulling back, Jessica saw tears in Tiffany’s eyes that mirrored her own. She kissed at her lips again. “Why’re you in here? What’s going on?”
“Seohyun told me to stay here. We’re leaving.”
It was then that Jessica saw the duffle tucked away beside Tiffany’s chair. It was then she realized Tiffany was not in her usual patient gown. She was dressed, shoes on and jacket draped on her shoulders.
Jessica paled. They weren’t going to wait. Tomorrow would've been too late.
“Jessi?”
“We’re leaving.” Jessica grabbed her hand. “You’re coming with me. I’m taking you home.”
“No, you’re not.” Seohyun’s voice ripped through the office.
Jessica stood, blocking Tiffany from Seohyun’s view. A lethal grin spread on Seohyun’s lips as she stepped in. Arms folded over her chest, she looked Jessica up and down.
“You’ve made a terrible mistake coming here, Nurse Jung.”
“You’re not leaving with her,” Jessica snarled. She could hear Tiffany’s quick, worried breathing behind her. Reaching back, she clutched Tiffany’s hand.
“Security!” Seohyun called. Her eyes narrowed as they flickered down to see Jessica and Tiffany’s hands twined together. “You’re going to regret this.”
“You can’t win this time, Seohyun.”
“I already have.” She shrugged. A chorus of footsteps echoed from down the hall.
“What do you want from her?”
“She’s the key, Jessica. We’ve been without dreams for years, spending millions on faulty machinery and taking risks on weak dreamers, but Tiffany-” The way Seohyun looked at her was wicked. Like she was a piece and nothing more. Just another part of the puzzle for some theory sparked by a twisted plan. “We’ve been trying for years to extend dreaming capabilities in people like you - people like me. What Tiffany has exhibited under your care has unlocked new possibilities. We may never need a dreamkeeper again. People will be able to dream on their own.”
“How?”
Seohyun’s eyebrows lifted. “If you give Tiffany to me, we can find out just how.”
“No.”
Seohyun sighed. “You were so promising during your training. I took so many chances, bent so many rules for you, Nurse Jung.”
“I’m not your nurse,” Jessica bit. She could hear voices and hurried footsteps in the distance. She held Tiffany’s hand tighter. “Tiffany doesn’t belong to you.”
“You’re right. She belongs to science. That’s all she’ll ever be good for.” Seohyun met Jessica’s gaze. “Do you really think she has a future with you? The way you want? She’ll never be the lover you wished to have. She’s a child, Jessica. She’s a subject conditioned to a system.”
“No, Seohyun. That’s what you are.”
Seohyun’s cheek twitched. Head dropping, she shook her head. “I’m very sorry to do this to you.” The faux frown that tugged at Seohyun’s lips made Jessica want to retch. “She’s in here!”
The thud of footsteps grew closer and closer. A set of police officers appeared through the door with the Chief in the lead. His radio crackled at his side and he grabbed it to mutter an unknown string of coded words into it.
“Doctor Seohyun?” Said the Police Chief at the door.
“Yes, Officer.” Her eyes shifted to Jessica, smirk on her lips as she said, “I believe the woman you’re looking for is right here.”
He gave a nod. “Arrest her.”
One of the officers stepped forward. Taking Seohyun’s wrist, she yanked them back.
“What’re you doing?” Seohyun panicked.
Cuffs slapped against her wrists and tightened, binding them back. “Doctor Seohyun, you are under arrest for the murder of Choi Sooyoung.”
Seohyun blanched. “I didn’t-”
“You have the right to remain silent,” added the Chief. “Take her downstairs.”
“What is this?” Seohyun snapped.
Jessica watched in disbelief as Seohyun was pushed towards the door. A hand gripped onto her arm and she turned back to see Tiffany’s fearful eyes. Taking Tiffany’s face, she stroked at her cheeks with her thumbs, calming her.
“It’s okay. We’re going to be okay.”
“Will they take me too?”
“No. They can’t, they won’t.” Jessica touched a kiss to her forehead to hide the way she was trembling. She grabbed for Tiffany’s hands again. Her palms were clammy, but Tiffany held on regardless.
“Miss Jung, Miss Hwang,” the chief addressed them.
“I want to speak to Zhoumi,” she demanded.
“Mr. Zhoumi and Officer Siwon are waiting down in the lobby. I believe you have a few answers to our questions about Doctor Seohyun and this Dream Bank?”
A stroke of relief fluttered through Jessica. “Yes, I do.”
“We appreciate your cooperation, Miss Jung. Please come with us.”
-/-/-/-
“We were going about everything in the wrong way at first.”
Jessica turned over to Zhoumi standing against the far wall of Krystal’s apartment. His eyes looked tired, but there was a victorious glint in them. It was the same look mirrored on the other faces strewn across the small living room. From Jessica to Krystal walking in from the kitchen to Siwon who kindly accepted a mug of steaming coffee from her hand.
The press of weight on her shoulder drew Jessica’s attention down to Tiffany. She sat on the couch pressed against Jessica’s side the same way she had been the moment they left the Dream Bank. Hands remained intertwined dropped over Jessica’s knee and she stroked a thumb along pale knuckles in a reassuring gesture. Tiffany was in Jessica’s hands now. No one else was going to touch her while she was here.
“When I told Zhoumi about your first patient,” said Krystal, “he called Siwon immediately.”
“You have medical records about her health and death,” Siwon explained. Jessica had only met him once cloaked in disguise but her gratitude extended to him all the same. “The copy system the Dream Bank has in place was their weakness. Where they have a copied document, you have the originals. It plainly states that Sooyoung’s cause of death and disappearance was at the hands of doctors.”
Krystal nodded. “We were so focused on Tiffany and mom that we overlooked it. Because of Sooyoung, now we can start a case against the Dream Bank that has to do with mom, Tiffany, and others.”
“So we did it?”
Zhoumi grinned. “We did it.”
“I can stay with Jessi?”
“As far as Taeyeon’s records show, you didn’t sign that contract,” said Krystal smiling. “You’re a free woman.”
The way Tiffany’s eyes widened in disbelief made Jessica’s heart swell. She still couldn’t believe it. “I can stay?”
“Yes.” Jessica took her face into her hands. “You’re going to stay with me now.”
Tiffany’s eyes glossed over and Jessica pulled her in. Arms circling around her neck, Jessica crushed her into a hug. A tear damp face buried itself in her neck and Jessica clung tighter. This was Tiffany’s starting point and Jessica couldn't wait to show her all of the things she had missed out on.
A knock on the door, Krystal went to answer it as they broke apart.
“We’ve located her father in the States,” said Siwon while the rattle of the door opening and closing sounded in the background. “He thought she was dead this entire time. He’ll be here in a few weeks.” He turned to Tiffany. “How would you like to see your father?”
Speechless, tears streamed down Tiffany’s face. All she managed to do was nod. Taking Tiffany's hand again, Jessica threaded their fingers together. The hold was tight. Neither wanted to let go, afraid that this moment would evaporate like a flimsy dream and they would be thrust back into white walls and thick needles. Even though Jessica knew that it was all over, she still could not help but to cling tightly.
Watery eyes flickered to her and Jessica smiled. There were no more steps. There was no more waiting. There was no more hoping and wishing and dreaming. Tiffany was here and hers and could finally show her all the things she had dreamt of for years.
“Look who’s here,” said Krystal.
Looking up, silence took the room as Taeyeon walked in hesitantly. Her eyes found Tiffany immediately and locked on just at the same time Tiffany’s mouth parted in surprise. Jessica watched her closely. She saw the memories reel through Tiffany’s mind as she took in her former Caretaker.
There was so much Jessica didn’t know about the two but by the way Tiffany’s face lit up, she knew that whatever they had years back had been strong. There were only few who Tiffany looked at that way. One had been Sooyoung, the other Jessica.
“Hi, Fany.”
No one moved save for Tiffany. Rising from the couch, she walked slowly across the room where she stopped in front of Taeyeon. Curious eyes zipped about her face, examining her as if it were the very first time. But Jessica knew better. To Tiffany, Taeyeon probably seemed like a ghost - a conjuring from the grave. With everything that happened, the idea of Taeyeon standing in front of her years later was hardly fathomable.
Shivering fingers lifted to touch at Taeyeon’s cheek and Tiffany gasped. “Taeyeon.”
Taeyeon pressed Tiffany’s hand against her cheek with her own. Shock gave into disbelief as the warmth of Taeyeon’s skin burned into Tiffany's chilled fingers. Only real flesh and blood things could feel that warm.
“I’m here.” Taeyeon muttered.
“Taeng!” Thin arms wrapped around Taeyeon, yanking her into a hug.
Jessica watched Taeyeon hesitate a moment before she hugged her back. “I’m so sorry I left you.”
“I missed you.”
Shoulders shook as Taeyeon stifled a sob. “I missed you, too.”
A squeeze to her own shoulder, Jessica looked up to see Krystal casting her a soft smile. She took her sisters hand and held it tight. All the worries and agitation that had pressed down on her - on them - for so long began to dissipate.
Taking in a breath, Jessica let it out slowly. They had done it. They had won.
And now they could finally move on.
-/-/-/-
A jerk at her side woke Jessica up.
Tiffany muttered in her sleep, body twitching and thrashing against the covers. Flicking on the lamp, Jessica sat up.
“Tiffany. Tiffany, baby, wake up,” she cooed. As many times this had happened, it still broke Jessica’s heart.
She wondered how many more nightmares would transpire before Tiffany could sleep soundly through more than a few days without being ripped from slumber. She wondered how many more nights of watery eyes and pale, frightened faces that she’d have to stroke and kiss into reassurance that those ghastly things happening to her in her dreams weren’t real. She wondered how many more nights it would take before Tiffany woke up free of panic but knew right away that this bedroom - this apartment - was her new home. It would be her home and her safety for the rest of her years.
“Tiffany-”
“Jessica!” She shot up. Cold sweat drenched her brow. Her neck swiveled, eyes darting around to find the one she desperately called for. “Where am I? Jessica, where am I?”
“You’re at home.” Jessica reached out. Tiffany flinched away from her and Jessica tried again. Grabbing her hand, she held it tight. “You’re in our home.”
“Our home?” Tiffany repeated, breath evening.
“Yes, our home.” Bringing Tiffany’s hand to her lips, she kissed at her knuckles and up along her arm. Tiffany watched her all the while and Jessica saw her finally ease.
“Our home,” Tiffany murmured. There she was. There was her Tiffany, eyes wide open and spilling with affection.
Jessica found herself caught in her gaze. Just like Tiffany’s consciousness struggled to grasp that the Dream Bank was a thing of the past, Jessica had her own hard time remembering that Tiffany was forever a part of her life now. So long had she been in that Dream Bank with schedules and extractions and drips and needles, trapped behind white walls, the fact Tiffany was in her bed, in her apartment - their apartment - still had not fully sunk in.
Smiling, Jessica stroked at her face with a hand while the other held her fingers twined together. “It’s our home. Just you and me.”
“You and me. Just me and Jessi.” Tiffany nuzzled against her hand and Jessica was reminded that they no longer had to hide. They could just...be.
“This is real, Tiffany.” Taking Tiffany’s hand, she placed it on her chest so she could feel the beat of her heart. “This will always be real.”
“Always with Jessi.”
“Right.” Leaning in, Jessica touched a kiss to her lips.
She felt Tiffany fully relax and lips pressed again. Heavy arms draped around her shoulders and Jessica followed Tiffany back down into the sheets. A tongue lapped at her lip and she opened her mouth to allow Tiffany in. She would never tire of her taste or the feeling of her coolness against her skin that always turned Jessica into fire.
Leaving her mouth, Jessica kissed down along Tiffany’s neck. The sigh that left her mouth bubbled at the base of Jessica’s gut, but she squelched the festering desire down. They would have days, weeks, months to get there. One step at a time, they would dive a little deeper. One step at a time, Jessica would prove Seohyun wrong. Tiffany was not just a subject. She was a person, she was Jessica’s, and she was all she wanted to love and care for.
Fingers through hers, Tiffany pulled her closer. “Hold me until I go back to sleep?”
Jessica nodded as they settled back into bed. She crushed Tiffany’s back against her front, fingers at her stomach where she drew feather like patterns against her skin.
“I love you, Tiffany.” She felt Tiffany shiver against her. Jessica buried her face into her neck, muttering softly, “I love you, you’re safe, and I love you.”
“I love you too, Jessi.”
Kissing at her shoulder, Jessica waited until Tiffany’s breath evened out before she drifted back to sleep.
fin.
-
![[identity profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/openid.png){kind=small}
from the person in love with your mind
Date: 2015-03-16 10:15 am (UTC)All in all, I love the reading experience. It feels like immersing in somebody else's dream. Thank you for that.
P.S. The fic song haunts me. I was reading this fic without listening to the song at first and when I did listen, I was like woah. I gotta say that it really added more in the reading experience so a big hearty kudos to you for that.
no subject
Date: 2015-03-16 03:50 pm (UTC)WOW.
(And Jessica's father sounds like Watson as well, erased the remnants of his late wife and acted like she had never existed, according to his children. And he doesn't believe in dreams too!)
By the way, this story is really something. I can't really say which one's good, because everything is good. Everything in here is great. Thanks!
no subject
Date: 2015-03-16 10:42 pm (UTC)I was thinking you would have done a plot twist making jessica being in a coma and dreaming about all this ,but this ending makes for it!
So sweet and sad.
Thx for sharing boxie
Take care!
no subject
Date: 2015-03-17 06:34 pm (UTC)oh god your fics always scare the shit out of me and excite me at the same time if that's even possible.
the way you wrote this story, for me it's like watching a black and white movie with sparks of color whenever you mentioned tiffany's pale white skin, or jessica's hair, or tiffany's blushing cheeks. i know i dont make any sense but im not a writer so bear with me. the plot is nice too, i like how tiffany loved jessica even before she met her <3
thank you for writing a beautiful jeti fic, i think i'll always have a soft spot for them even after everything.
see you later, another good work done, author!
no subject
Date: 2015-03-18 03:19 pm (UTC)Initially I was worried about how angsty the story would be and if it was going to be a sad ending. Fortunately it was a happy ending which was a bonus for me.
Looking forward to reading more of such stories from you. Thanks for taking the effort to organize this snsd fanfic au contest!
woohoo!
Date: 2015-03-18 07:12 pm (UTC)this piece is amazing.
the first chapter is a bit hard to digest. i thought its gonna be a supernatural where angels are guardians and take care of their humans. blehh. yeah.
but this right here is. wow. amazing!
i really enjoyed reading all of it under one sitting.
thanks for the story!
W.O.W!!!
Re: from the person in love with your mind
Date: 2015-03-20 04:44 am (UTC)As always thank you for you time and your commenting. I'm glad you have enjoyed your time reading.
no subject
Date: 2015-03-20 04:45 am (UTC)no subject
Date: 2015-03-20 04:50 am (UTC)Ah that makes perfect sense! I always see this fic in shades of blue, gray, and white with tiny pops of color for Tiffany's lips and Jessica's hair, you know? Believe it or not that Tiffany always loving Jessica was a last minute change to that chapter to make it more....fluffball haha
Thanks for reading! :D
no subject
Date: 2015-03-20 04:51 am (UTC)I'm glad you found everything to your liking. Thanks to taking the time to read and comment :3
Re: woohoo!
Date: 2015-03-20 04:54 am (UTC)Guardian angels, huh? I went back and reread part 1 after reading your comment to see where you'd think that and it kinda has that vibe to it a little bit lol. Good that you got on the right track though lol
Hope the fic didn't take up too much of your time! Thanks for reading :D
Re: W.O.W!!!
Date: 2015-03-20 05:00 am (UTC)I can't take all the credit for this idea. A friend of mine had a dream where you could take out dreams and store them and I said to her, "that is a fic! Can I use that idea?" She said yes and I just ran with it as I do with many ideas. She provided the bones and I slapped on the meat, flesh, and blood.
Thaaaaaank you very, very much. Thanks for reading, your kind words, and your time. Much appreciated :D
Hiiii
Date: 2015-03-20 08:25 am (UTC)I've been a silent reader but i can't help commenting on this one.
The plot was good, there's originality on the story line, it has a lot of potential,a kind of story i wouldn't mind watching on big screen.
I hope your writing get that far. :)
no subject
Date: 2015-03-21 03:22 pm (UTC)omg. It's a happy ending. World destruction is happening tomorrow.
Okay but really though, now that I finally got the time, I can't believe I managed to put this off for this long. This is godly, really. The fic song really fits it well and as I was reading it, I just felt like... I'm floating? A little like a dream and everything is wispy. You set the mood and tone so well <3
The plot is gripping and there's always this unease flowing beneath before it all exploded at the end. Ah, I really liked it. Loved it. How everything was intricately tied together, layers upon layers. The plot point about Jessica's mother caught me off guard but the moment it was revealed, I'm like 'oh... yeah. that's right.' Everything made sense. The way jungsis was raised and the things their father said to them. How her mother was like at the end of her life. It all made sense and you're awesome.
Going into the characters, Tiffany is so likeable and so broken and that makes her even more likeable. The child-like charm to her almost brings tears to my eyes, idek why. I think it's the setting contrasting with that child-like side of her, and that really makes it so damn painful. The scene where Tiffany was chasing a butterfly, it hurt but was still really beautiful. ;____; I can't remember many fic Tiffanys that I loved this much... and I've to say I truly love your Tiffany.
I liked their relationship build up. Slightly tentative and hmm intangible? I don't know if it's due to the environment, their 'professional' ties or just how the mood is in this story, but what they have felt really intangible to me. It gradually turned into something more solid though, more towards the last chapter, and that's just fantastic. Like it's mirroring Tiffany's bleak condition at the start of the fic to something really hopeful by the end. <3
SO MUCH LOVE FOR THIS. I STILL CAN'T BELIEVE YOU WROTE SOMETHING HAPPY BUT YAY. <3 <3 <3
Oh yes, and I like the art too! Props to your artist~
no subject
Date: 2015-04-06 06:56 am (UTC)WOW. Wow. Wow. Wooooowwwww.
I think I can tick this off as another of my all-time favorites. You just keep surprising me, you know that? Just when I'm like, "Oh yeah, boxxybutt is pretty amazing", I read something like this and I repeat my own words. AMAZING. Holy Jessisus someone hold me.
I felt so dang accomplished today that I thought to sit back, relax, and let loose on some of the fics I've put on the reading backburner. THIS, this *points to screen* IS NOT BACKBURNER MATERIAL. But, this was the perfect night to read it. I ate through it in a no time--maybe two or three hours?? AHhhHHHH better than most movies.
Can I reveal one of my little ~scandalous joys~?? I like me a good lesbian doc/patient relationship. >_> And thank goodness there wasn't an awkward age gap to overcome (but, we've seen how you can beautifully mold that, too. Damn you). Idk. This is the second or third story of this ~forbidden romance~ and I'm just like AAAWWWW YEAAAAHHHHH BOXXY ADDING ONTO IT.
It was beautiful and interesting and just SO MUCH TENSION AND ANTICIPATION. Evil!Seohyun strikes again. And evil!Yoongie also for good measure! Bless these villains. And the story reaching full circle with the mother reveal and the *rolls around all giddy* AND THEN THE KISSES. Ooooooooh I could picture them. Sooooo romantic in the worst of times. HEAR THAT?? YOU'RE SOOOOO ROMANTIC.
And dear gawd when Tiffany was moaning Jessica's name. It's like my mind erased the setting--needles, sterile walls, viles--and my mind screamed, "SWEET JEEEZUSSSS THAT'S SO HOT". REALLY. SO. DAMN. HOT. I had to take a quick breather and re-read. For science. Forgive me for lacking any insightful word. I jumped out of bed (just finished reading) just to spazz on your page. 'Cus you deserve it.
I wonder if what Seohyun said was a bluff--about using Tiffany's new discoveries to make dreams available to everyone. I'm tempted to say no. Science doesn't work that way. They'd have to go through many, many more subjects before these types of studies are valid. And even then, these people in charge are money-hungry. If there's something that'd allow everyone to dream, would they put it out there for free? Of course not. They'd sell it as a pill or a shot, more for the public and even the not-so-riches to get addicted. An addicted society wavering between reality and unconscious thoughts. And don't get me started on the 'side effects may include: comas, paralysis, recurrent night terrors, uncontrollable sleepwalking, and death.' A world without (sleeping) dreams may seem a little sad, but it gives people focus to the real deal: waking dreams. What Jessica found when she finally gave into Fany. That's better than anything with REM.
Thank you. This is brilliant. After I finished reading, I was quite satisfied. People like to smacktalk fanfiction, but pfft--this is better than some other published stories I've run into.
<333
Edit: And shout out to Carottechan!! The artwork really compliments the story. YES.
You've done it again
Date: 2015-06-23 08:10 am (UTC)So, I could not stop reading this once I started. (PDFs are both a blessing and a curse.) I also haven't touched a soshi fic in like, a year and a half, so I think I was extra thirsty. The plot line was so beautifully woven. I always think your story-telling is a lot more cohesive and skillful than about 90% of other fics I've read. There weren't any useless interludes or slow moments or times when I felt like I missed something. And I liked seeing all the law bits coming together in the end.
I was also seriously fascinated by the dream concept you came up with. I had only the smallest suspicion that Jessica's mom was a Dreamkeeper (one that I dismissed as soon as I had it), so I was genuinely surprised when it was revealed. And yet it made such perfect sense. I squealed over Jessica and Tiffany's clandestine relationship, squealed over Taeyeon's mere existence in the story (which I often do), and followed the action with anticipation. So much anticipation that I ignored my "bedtime goal" at least three times.
So bravo on yet another great story. I guess the next step is for you to write a movie and then cast our girls in it. I'd pay big money to see that.
no subject
Date: 2016-01-19 11:55 pm (UTC)But now, yay! I've loved reading this so much it was such a unique plot to begin with. The story was sort of dark at times, though, but then Tiffany said something childish or cute and the whole mood brightened up, so it ended up being a mixture of different emotions all bottled up in this fic, which made it very good^^
And your writing is so beautiful!!! It's been awesome 😍 Thank you so much for eriting this and giving it a happy ending, because I was so scared at some points...
oh.my.lord
Date: 2016-07-28 04:33 pm (UTC)Anyway, brilliant piece of art you have here. Thank you for sharing it. Please do keep writing and share it with us!!!
Re: oh.my.lord
Date: 2016-08-05 03:56 pm (UTC)no subject
Date: 2017-11-11 11:16 pm (UTC)Your world building is seriously amazing. This is such a unique and interesting idea. Sadly I can definitely see people being exploited and treated like test subjects. I like how you made Seohyun the main villain; she's always depicted as an innocent character but I can see her being this cold clinical businesswoman. And Yoona as the secondary villain - evil maknae line ftw.
Tiffany is so innocent and pure. I wanted to protect her as much as Jessica did. When they first met and Tiffany seemed to recognize her, I thought it was because Tiffany's dreams allowed her access to a past life and they were reincarnations. Then when Jessica's mom showed up in Tiffany's dream, I thought it was going to be Sooyoung or Tiffany's mom that Tiffany wanted to introduce Jessica to. I like that twist with Jessica's mom! It adds this other layer to the story and fit so well with the small clues we were given.
Thank goodness there's a happy ending. That moment when Seohyun expected the police to take Jessica away but they took her instead was priceless. I hope that Dream Banks will be shut down permanently. Jessica doesn't need to be able to dream when she has Tiffany <3 And Tiffany will have Jessica to keep her nightmares away and make reality better than a dream.