Discovery in Truth

       

 

Title: Discovery in Truth

Author:  Suz W

Spoilers:  After Prometheus Unbound, It’s Good To Be King, Full Alert, Citizen Joe, and Reckoning (parts 1 & 2) (episode tag)

Feedback: Always welcomed and gratefully appreciated!

Old Stories Referenced:

Rating:  PG, S/J Hurt/Comfort and Angst.

Summary: Now that Jacob has come back, he discovers that a lot has changed since he’s been away. 

Disclaimer:  All publicity recognizable characters and places are the property of MGM, Sci-Fi Productions, World Gekko Corp and Double Secret Productions.  This piece of fan fiction was created for entertainment not monetary purposes and no infringement on copyrights or trademarks was intended. 

Copyright:  The original characters, situations, and story are the property of the author.  Copyrighted on January 19, 2008 by Suzanne R. Whitmarsh. 

Author’s Notes:  This story follows “Moving On”.  I know you’re ready to give up on me at this point…are Sam and Jack ever going to find their way back to each other???  It’s been a long and bumpy road since “Uncharted Territory”, and I can’t thank you enough for sticking with me through this terrible time.  But the end is at hand, so keep reading and sending that much appreciated feedback!  I look forward to hearing from you!  Take care and enjoy the story! 

Dedication:  I’d like this story to be dedicated to Trish!  Thank you for all your amazing support and feedback through the years.  Despite how busy life can be, you always find time to read my stories, and I thank you for that!

 

 

          It was a bright, crispy mid-November day.  The sun was high in the sky as white puffy clouds randomly floated over a sea blue sky.  With the first day of the winter season rapidly approaching, the foliage had gone dormant into dismal shades of brown, with the exception of the large Evergreen trees that dotted the sides of the mountains.  The first snowfall had dumped an impressive 12 inches on the ground a week ago, and colder temperatures had kept its presence on the ground, though the warming rays of the sun had managed to melt some of it. 

          Jack held open the door of the café for Kerry where they had just met up for a quick bite to eat.  Life had been incredibly hectic the over the past month, and they hadn’t had much time together.  Between dealing with Maybourne and his ego at being king, to fighting off the attempted universal domination by the Replicators, Jack had hardly talked to Kerry on the phone let alone seen her. 

 

          So with the calming of the storm that had been the month of October, Jack was happy to be in civilian clothes and enjoying a casual lunch with someone not military.  Taking in a breath of cold air, Jack looked over at Kerry and smiled.  “So, any plans for this afternoon?  I’m free all day!”

 

          Kerry groaned.  “Oh, I wish I could spend the rest of it with you, but I’ve got a million and two reports to catch up on.  For some reason, the Pentagon has seen to it that I’m assigned about every other case of national security that comes up.  You’re not the only one with a crazy life.”

 

          Jack brushed a strand of hair out of her eyes.  “Anything I can do to help?  I do have connections in the Pentagon…being promoted in rank to general does have its perks.”

 

          Kerry put her arms around Jack’s waist and looked up into his face, smiling softly.  “You’re sweet to offer, but I can handle it.”  Stretching up, she gave him a kiss in the soft shadows of the corner they’d been standing in.  As her lips left his, she opened her eyes and sighed contently.  “I might be persuaded to stop by and see you later tonight.  We might even be able to find a hockey game to watch.”

 

          Jack grinned.  “Now that’s an offer I can’t resist.  I’ll be home...come over whenever you get freed up.”

 

          Kerry gave him another quick kiss and then released him.  “Well then, I’d better get started.  Thanks for lunch.  I’ll get the next round.”  Taking his hand, she squeezed it lightly.  “See you tonight.”

 

          Jack nodded. “It’s a date.”  He watched as she walked away and climbed into her rental car.  Waving to her, he stood there for a moment watching her drive away before finally turning and rounding the corner.  His truck had been parked up the street because parking had been non-existent when he’d arrived for lunch an hour earlier. 

 

          As he approached his truck, Jack was about to put his keys in the door when he heard a familiar voice.  “Hey Jack…wait up.”  Jack stopped and turned to find Jacob coming up behind him.

 

          Jack smiled.  “Jacob!  How’s it going?  Out enjoying the beautiful day?”

 

          Jacob’s facial expression hardly matched Jack’s.  Instead, it was drawn and serious, and his tone was anything but friendly.  “I was until I saw you and some woman getting quite cozy on the corner.  What the hell was that about?!”

 

          Jack instantly dropped his smile.  Clearing his throat, he spoke up.  “I take it you and Sam haven’t talked yet.”

 

          Jacob threw his hands up.  “Apparently!  Would you mind filling me in on what’s been going on since I left?  I thought the two of you were in love…damn near inseparable!”

 

          Jack held up his hands.  “Now Jacob, just calm down...”

 

          Jacob took a step closer.  “Calm down, Jack?!  I warned you that if you hurt her in any way, so help me God I’d kill you with my bare hands.”

 

          Jack suddenly became aware that a few people on the street were beginning to take notice of them.  Jack put a steady hand on Jacob’s shoulder and spoke in a low but firm voice.  “Jacob, not here…get in the truck and we can talk.”

 

          Jacob looked around for the first time and realized what Jack was referring too.  “Fine.”  Walking to the passenger door, he opened it and climbed in just as Jack did the same thing.  Starting up the truck, Jack pulled onto the road before Jacob could even say anything. 

 

          They drove in a tense silence for a few minutes before Jack finally pulled off the street and into the deserted parking lot of a store that had been closed for several months.  Parking the truck, he turned off the engine and then sat there for a moment before he finally spoke up in a low and emotionally strained voice.  “It wasn’t me, Jacob.”

 

          Jacob, who’d taken the time to try and calm down in order to allow rational thought into play, looked over at him.  “What are you talking about?”

 

          Jack shook his head.  “Jacob, you really need to talk to your daughter.”  Hesitating, he decided to continue.  “This should probably be coming from her, but you should know that Sam’s engaged.”

 

          Jacob sat there dumbfounded for a moment.  Not sure what to say, he finally managed to respond.  “Engaged…to who?  I’m guessing after what I just saw it’s not to you.”

 

          Jack let out a sarcastic laugh.  “In my dreams maybe…no, unfortunately she’s engaged to some cop from Denver named Pete Shannahan.”

 

          Jacob scrunched up brow.  “How did that ever come about?”

 

          Jack sat back against the seat and reclined his head.  “I don’t know the whole story, but from what I do understand, I’ve got your son Mark to thank for setting the two of them up…and basically destroying my life.”  Jack ran a hand over his eyes and then stared up at the roof of the truck.

 

          Jacob studied him for a moment.  When he had first seen Jack on the street corner with that woman, he had wanted to kill him.  But now that the layers had been stripped away, Jacob was able to clearly see just how destroyed Jack was.  His face looked older, his eyes heavy, and his zest for life had clearly been taken down a few notches.  Until that moment, Jacob had never truly taken the time to see just how much Jack loved Sam, and how much life she gave to him.  But now that it was obvious, Jacob suddenly found himself worrying about his old friend. 

 

          Speaking up softly, he placed a hand on Jack’s arm.  “Jack, I’m sorry…I should have never judged you like that.  I just assumed when I saw you with…”

 

          “Kerry,” Jack said with a sad smile.  “She’s CIA ya know.  A really sweet, kind woman…we’ve had some fun times together since I met her.”

 

          Jacob cleared his throat.  “Look, Jack, I’m certainly not one to give advice on love, but are you sure…”

 

          “My life is over, Jacob.  I gave my heart to Sam…she broke it.  I don’t have anything left to give.  Kerry is just…she’s helping me to get by.”  Jack blew out a shaky breath. 

 

          Jacob could see how fresh his pain still was, and how hard he was working at holding it together.  “Jack, I don’t know what happened, but your life isn’t over.  You’ll find love again…maybe not with this Kerry woman, but someday.”

 

          Jack glanced over at Jacob with a sad expression.  “That’s just the thing…I don’t want to find love again.  Sam was it…she was the one.  When I first met her, I was on the brink of nothingness.  She pulled me back…saved me…gave meaning to my life again.  She showed me what it meant to truly be in love.”

 

          Jacob didn’t want to get too personal and pry where he shouldn’t, but he had to ask.  “What about your first wife…you loved her I’m assuming.”

 

          Jack smiled.  “Sara?  Of course I loved her…but we were more like friends at the end of our marriage than husband and wife.  Losing Charlie…well, let’s just say his death showed us just how much he had been keeping us together when he was alive.”  Jack took a moment before continuing.  “No, Sam was different.  We fought so hard to work through everything…to stay together despite the regulations and secrecy.”

 

          Jacob just shook his head.  “So what the hell happened?”

 

          Jack pinched the bridge of his nose with his index finger and thumb.  “I don’t know, Jacob.  I honestly don’t know.  One day we were fine, and then Kinsey got involved.  We were careless one day and someone reported seeing us kissing outside of a café.  Of course we denied it, and Hammond was going to keep it quiet, but the guy talked, Kinsey found out, and a formal inquiry was set up.”

 

          Jacob spoke up.  “Did this all happen after I left?  Sam never said a word to me.”

 

          Jack looked over at him.  “The inquiry happened before you left, but I imagine Sam never told you because she didn’t want to worry you.  Kinsey really got to her…it unnerved her to the point that I thought she was going to jump ship then.  But I managed to convince her, or so I thought, that we’d be okay…that it would go away.”

 

          “When did it change?”  Jacob adjusted in his seat.

 

          “After she got back from her mission to retrieve that damn hyperspace engine from the Al’kesh…remember when she and the Prometheus, along with the crew, went missing for four days?”

 

          Jacob nodded.  “Of course…I was scared half to death that we’d never find her.  I left right after that we got her back.”  Jacob’s face turned into a frown.  “I knew she had been injured, but I never would have left her if I’d known something else was wrong.”

 

          Jack changed positions in his seat, taking off his seat belt in the process.  “No one knew anything was wrong.  I went over to see her after she was released and that’s when she told me she wanted space.  I don’t know if that bump on the head had anything to do with it, but she came back a different person.”  Jack, his voice now agitated, blew out a frustrated breath.  “Who knows…maybe she had too much time by herself up there in that ship and managed to convince herself that we had to end it.  She told me that she saw all of us, including you, in the forms of hallucinations.  Actually, she told me that it was you who basically told her that she wasn’t happy enough and needed more.”

 

          Jacob held up a hand.  “Jack, that wasn’t me.  I won’t lie and tell you that the two of you didn’t worry me to death with your sneaking around, but I’m not blind.  I allowed it to continue because I could see how much you both meant to each other and how in love you were.” 

 

          Jack sighed.  “I know that, Jacob.  I guess with everything Kinsey did…and then to have her isolated from me for all that time…it did me no favors.  If Kinsey could know the truth now, the bastard would be smiling from ear to ear.  But I guess he got what he deserved.”

 

          Jacob responded.  “You said he’s now a Goa’uld?”

 

          Jack nodded.  “The Trust got to him…hopefully he was in that Al’Kesh when it was destroyed by the Prometheus.  I guess we’ll never know.”

 

          “Unless he shows up again.”  Jacob looked out the window.

 

          Jack snorted softly.  “Well, if he does, that’s one Goa’uld I’ll take great pleasure in killing!”  Jack hung his head.  “I should have never allowed her to go on that mission.”

 

          Jacob looked over at Jack.  “To retrieve the hyperspace engine?  Jack, you weren’t General at that point…don’t you think people would have questioned your protests to something that should have been a routine mission?”

 

          “I know,” Jack said, “but our relationship was on shaky ground when she left.  We needed time together to heal it.”

 

          For a minute, neither one of them said anything.  Finally, Jack spoke up again.  “Maybe you’ll be more successful in getting to the truth than I was.  I’m not asking you to win her back for me…I just want to make sure she’s okay.”

 

          Jacob suddenly became alarmed.  “Why?  Is this guy she’s with hurting her in anyway?”

 

          Jack shook his head.  “I don’t know…I don’t think so.  I just don’t trust him…he’s whole heartedly admitted to her that he had her followed when he first started dating her.”

 

          Jacob couldn’t believe what he was hearing.  “What?  And she stayed with him?”

 

          “I know,” Jack said.  “That’s why it makes all of this so hard for me to accept.  She not behaving like herself.  Something’s wrong, Jacob, I can feel it, but she won’t let me in.  Since becoming engaged, we hardly talk except for when it’s regarding work.”

 

          Jacob thought for a moment.  “You don’t think he or someone else is blackmailing her, do you?”

 

          Jack shrugged.  “The thought has crossed my mind, but how do I prove it?  She won’t open up to me.”  Looking over at Jacob, he continued.  “That’s why I need you to talk to her…I’m hoping she’ll at least tell you what’s going on, because if it is something like blackmail, I’ll kill whoever’s doing it with my bare hands!”

 

          Jacob nodded.  “Alright, Jack, I’ll see what I can do.”

 

          “Just be careful,” Jack said.  “I don’t like and certainly don’t trust Pete.”  He continued by filling in Jacob on all the events that had happened since Pete had come into her life, what he’d heard, things he’d seen, and how Sam had taken two weeks to finally give Pete an answer to his proposal of marriage.

 

          When he’d finished, Jacob spoke up.  “From all you’ve told me, this guy sounds incredibly wrong for her.”  Reaching out, he gripped Jack’s shoulder.  “I’ll do what I can.”

 

          Jack gave him a small smile.  “Thanks, Jacob.  If anyone can get through to her, it hopefully will be you.”

 

          Jacob sighed.  “I wouldn’t hold my breath…up until a few years ago, Sam and I weren’t really that close.”

 

          “Well,” Jack said with a little more life in his voice, “let’s hope the last few years will make the difference.”

 

 

 

          It was late in the afternoon when a knock sounded on her front door.  Having had the first relaxing day at home in a long time, she was reluctant to answer at first.  But when the knock came again, she got up off the couch and went to see who it was. 

 

          Opening it, she found herself staring back at her father.  “Dad!  This is a pleasant surprise…come in.” 

 

          Jacob smiled.  “Hey Sam.  I thought I’d drop by…hope you don’t mind.”

 

          Sam smiled back at him.  “Of course not.”  Planting a light kiss on his cheek, she closed the door behind him and ushered him into the living room.  “Do you want something to drink?”

 

          Jacob declined.  “No thanks.  I’m not thirsty.”

 

          “So,” Sam began, “I’m actually surprised to see you.  I thought you were headed to California to see Mark for a few days before going off world again.”

 

          Jacob nodded.  “I was, but I decided to do a little shopping first.  I wanted to pick up a few gifts for them.”  Hesitating for a moment to collect his words, he then continued.  “I actually ended up running into Jack.”

 

          Sam’s facial expression changed into something Jacob could not read before she finally brought a half smile to her lips.  “Oh?  What was he up to?”

 

          Jacob took a breath.  He had promised Jack before leaving that he wouldn’t say anything about Kerry, being that Sam knew nothing about their relationship.  To him, that spoke volumes for Jack’s character…he was obviously trying to protect Sam’s feelings, and that admission earned him the respect that Jacob had never really paid him.  “That doesn’t matter.  What does matter is that he told me you and I needed to talk about some things.”

 

          Sam looked down at her hands nervously before glancing back up again.  “Oh?  And what did he tell you?”

 

          “Quite a lot, Sam.”  Jacob looked pensive for a moment.  “Why didn’t you tell me about your engagement?”

 

          Sam stood up.  “Jack had no right to tell you about it.”

 

          Jacob stood up as well and gestured with his hands, his voice taking on a more defensive tone.  “Well someone had to…you certainly weren’t going to.”

 

          Sam fired back at him.  “How do you know that?”

 

          “Because,” Jacob said in an irritated tone, “like you just said…you thought I’d be on my way to California.  So when exactly did you plan on telling me that you were getting married…not to mention that it’s to a man I’ve never met!”

 

          Sam looked at him squarely in the face.  “Dad, I don’t need your permission to marry someone…I’m an adult…not to mention the fact that you’re hardly ever around.”

 

          “A fault I’m apparently going to need to correct if it means keeping you from making bad decisions.”  Jacob stared her down waiting for a response.

 

          “Bad decisions?!”  Sam huffed out a breath.  “You don’t even know Pete!”

 

          “My point exactly!”  Jacob ran one of his hands behind his neck in order to rub out the tension he could feel building.  For a moment, nothing was said, and he used it to try and calm his tone.  “Look, Sam,” he said more softly this time, “I guess this all came as quite a shock to me…especially when I found out all of this information from the man you supposedly loved more than life itself...at least you did before I left.”

 

          Sam could feel her emotions trying to get the better of her.  “I never meant to hurt Jack…and I never said I didn’t love him.”  Suddenly unable to face him, she turned around as tears started to form in her eyes. 

 

          Jacob watched her for a moment before speaking.  “Well, you hurt him…you hurt him greatly.  I don’t think I’ve ever seen another man so raw with emotion in my entire life.”

 

          Sam turned around, tears now running down her face.  “What do you want me to do, Dad?  Don’t you think I already know how much I hurt him…and having you remind me of that fact doesn’t help!”  Covering her face with her hands, she let herself cry into them.  But when Jacob advanced and tried to put his arms around her, she stepped away.  “Don’t…I don’t need your sympathy.  I did this to myself.”

 

          Jacob now understood what Jack had meant.  Something had changed her, and he now felt like he was partially to blame.  For most of her life when she was younger, he hadn’t been there…he had missed so much.  And now, when her life was falling apart, he was unable to comfort her.  Taking in a ragged breath, he stood there silently and waited as she tried to pull herself back together.  He had always known he’d never been dad of the year, but watching her now showed him true proof that fatherly love was something she’d been desperately lacking.  Always on her own, always independent and making her own way, he couldn’t blame her now for not accepting his love.

 

          After her quiet sobs had diminished, Jacob began again.  “I’m sorry, Sam.  I wasn’t trying to hurt you.  I’m guess I’m just at a loss…what happened to you and Jack?”

 

          Sam, now wiping at her eyes with the back of her hand, moved into the kitchen, grabbed a Kleenex and softly blew her nose.  After a moment, she finally answered him.  “I’m sure Jack told you about Kinsey and everything that resulted from his inquiry.”

 

          Jacob nodded.  “Most of it yes.  But that’s where the story ends and the confusion begins.  You and Jack have been through so many challenges.  This one seems minuscule compared to other tragedies you two have faced.  So what changed?  Why did you give up on something you both obviously wanted?

         

“It was too risky,” Sam said flatly.  “I guess I was tired of constantly looking over my shoulder.”

 

          Jacob studied her for a moment.  “That’s a poor excuse, Sam, and I’m not going to accept it.  You and Jack were obviously everything to each other.  But you’re going to stand there and tell me that you threw it all away because a lowlife like Kinsey stuck his nose in where it didn’t belong?!”

 

          Sam could feel her frustration begin to color her cheeks.  “I just don’t know what else to tell you.”

 

          “How about the truth?  Look, Jack isn’t buying your story and neither am I.  We’re both very worried about you.  But Jack doesn’t want to push you too hard…I think it’s because he’s already been hurt enough.  I on the other hand don’t have a problem pushing.  You’re my daughter, and despite what you may think, I do love you.  And I know you well enough to see that something else is going on.”

 

          Sam could see he wasn’t going to accept any excuses she could come up with.  Knowing that she had no other choice, she finally gave into his request.  Taking in a shaky breath, she nodded her head and crossed her arms over her chest.  “Alright, Dad, you want to know what’s really going on?”

 

          “It would be nice.”  Jacob relaxed a little, happy to see that she was hopefully going to open up to him.

 

          Sam hesitated for a moment before speaking again.  “Fine.  Give me just a minute to go get something from the bedroom.  But once you know everything, I hope you’ll accept my decision and at least give Pete a chance.  And now that you know about him, I’d like you to meet him before you gate offworld again.”

 

          Jacob nodded.  “Fair enough.”

 

          Sam gave him a short, sad smile.  “Alright, I’ll be right back.”  Walking down the hall to her bedroom, she moved into the room and shut the door.  Taking a moment, she closed her eyes and found herself hoping that she wouldn’t be forced to do this again.  Too much was riding on all she’d done, and she wasn’t willing to fail now…even if it meant having to reveal the truth to her dad…and change his life forever.

 

 

 

          Later that night, Jack was sitting on his couch drinking a beer and watching a hockey game on T.V. when a knock came on his door.  Setting his beer down on the end table, he got up and walked over to it.  “Hang on…I’m coming.”  Glancing at the clock, he was surprised to see that it was after 2200 hours.  Unlocking the door, he opened it and smiled at the person on the other side.  “Hey.”

 

          Kerry returned his smile.  “Hey.  I’m sorry it’s so late, but work took a lot longer than I expected.  I just wanted to stop by on my way back to the hotel to let you know how sorry I am for missing our evening.  I was really looking forward to it.”

 

          Jack nodded in the direction of the television.  “Who says you totally missed it?  The game’s only half over and I’ve got plenty of beer in the fridge.”  Opening the door a little wider, he offered her one of his sexy grins.  “What do you say?”

 

          Kerry groaned playfully.  “Now how can I resist an invitation like that…especially with that sexy smile of yours attached to it?”  Stepping into the house, she kissed him lightly on the lips and then made her way into the kitchen, dropping her purse on the table.  “So who’s winning?”

 

          “Huh?”  Jack, lost in thought, glanced over at the T.V.  “Oh, I don’t really know.  Honestly, it’s not that interesting.  I think I fell asleep about halfway through the first period.”

 

          Kerry observed him for a moment.  Taking a swig of her beer, she put the bottle down on the table and moved over to him.  Moving behind him, she put her hands over his shoulders and began massaging them.  “You seem tired and tense…a change since I saw you at lunch.  Did something happen?”

 

          Jack thought back to his conversation with Jacob.  Ever since they had parted ways, Jack had done hardly anything else but think about what was being said at Sam’s house.  He knew that Jacob was going over there right after Jack had dropped him back off where he’d left his car, and for the rest of the afternoon, any other normal thought had taken the backburner in his mind. 

 

          Jack had kept telling himself not to get his hopes up…that Jacob talking to Sam wasn’t going to change anything.  But there was still a small portion of his heart that was desperate to believe Jacob could get through to her…he was her father after all.  But as the hours had ticked by and no phone call had come …and neither Sam nor Jacob had stopped by, what hope he’d had in his heart was beginning to fade. 

 

          “Jack?”  Kerry’s voice was now full of concern.  “What’s wrong?”

 

          Jack blinked and shook his head.  “Nothing…I guess I’m just more tired than I realized.” 

 

          Kerry stopped massaging his shoulders and wrapped her arms around him, leaning into his back.  “Well, maybe I should just go.  We can find time together tomorrow.  I’ll be in town for a few more days before I have to fly back to Washington.” 

 

          At that moment, with his hope suddenly fading to black and his house ominous and empty, he reached up and caught her hand as she started to pull away from him.  “Stay.”  His voice was soft and emotional, so unlike the casual nature he usually extended to Kerry.

 

          Kerry, picking up on his tone, moved around to face him.  “Are you sure?”

 

          Jack looked into her eyes and nodded.  Bending down, he kissed her, lightly at first, but then allowed the intensity to grow.  For a few minutes, they made out in the kitchen, standing together in an embrace that warmed both of them.  Finally, Jack broke the stance, took her hand, and led her back to his bedroom. 

 

          Moving slowly, they went through the motions of foreplay, enjoying the feel of each other’s body.  Nothing was said…pure motion spoke volumes…and it was a combination of some of those motions that gave Kerry the signal to stop.

 

          “Wait, Jack…we can’t do this.”  Undressed down to her underwear, and Jack to his, she sat up in bed and ran a hand through her hair. 

 

          Confused and a little stunned, Jack sat up slowly and searched for what to say.  “I’m sorry…I thought this was what you wanted.”

 

          Kerry looked over at him and gave him a small smile.  “Oh, it’s definitely what I want.  In fact, I’ve been wanting this for a long time…basically since the day we met.  You’re an incredible sexy man, Jack, and I’d love nothing more than to make love to you.”

 

          “Okay…so what’s the problem?” 

 

          Kerry reached out and took his hand in hers.  “You are.  You’re not ready…I can see it in your eyes…and I can feel it in your motion.”  Taking in a breath, she tried to hold back her own emotions.  “She really hurt you, didn’t she?”  When Jack didn’t answer, she went on.  “Look, Jack, I don’t know who she was or what happened, but it’s obvious to me that you’re still madly in love with her.  And as much as I love spending time with you, and as much as I want to give myself to you completely, you’re not ready for that.”

 

          Jack made a wincing motion with his face.  “So what…are you saying we’re through?”

 

          “Hell no!”  Kerry laughed lightly and placed a light kiss on his lips.  “I love spending time with you…it’s made this assignment a lot more interesting for me.”  Giving him a soft smile, she continued.  “You know Jack, I’m okay with just a little foreplay…we can even spend the night together and not do anything more than just hold each other.”

 

          Jack stared at her in disbelief for a moment.  When he finally found his voice, it matched his feelings.  “And you’re okay with that?”

 

          Kerry nodded.  “For now.  I’m not saying I’ll be okay with this arrangement in six months, but for now…you need time to heal.  I don’t want to pry, and I’m certainly not going to ask you to open up to me, but the least I can do is help you through this in any way that I can.”

 

          Jack shook his head.  “I don’t deserve that kind of understanding.  I haven’t earned it.”

 

          Kerry nodded.  “Maybe not…but that’s not your decision to make…it’s mine.  Look, Jack, I’m not giving you any guarantees.  I do have a limit to my patience, but you definitely haven’t reached it…and I also can’t guarantee you that this…us…will work out.  We’re having fun…and for that reason, I’m willing to wait and see where this goes.  But I don’t want you waking up with regrets in the morning…especially when it’s obvious you still have a lot of unresolved issues.  I’ll help you where I can.”

 

          Jack reached out and pulled her to him.  Holding her, he kissed the side of her head.  “Thank you.”

 

          Kerry pulled back and looked up into his eyes.  “I’ve been there before …give it time.  Your heart will heal.”  Pausing for a moment, she spoke up again, this time a little more playfully.  “So which side do I sleep on?”

 

            Jack laughed lightly.  “The right.”  Giving her a soft smile, he pulled back the covers and they both climbed in.  Clicking off the bedside lamp, Jack turned and pulled her body against his, spooning it to him.  Wrapping his arms comfortably around her, he closed his eyes and allowed his mind to relax for the first time all day. 

 

          “I’ll make pancakes in the morning.”  Jack’s voice was soft and already had the edges of sleepiness around it.

 

          Kerry smiled, her eyes closed.  “I’m holding you to it.  Goodnight, Jack.”

 

          Jack responded in kind.  “Goodnight.”

 

          But as he allowed his body to drift off to sleep, he found Kerry’s words suddenly rotating through his mind….give it time.  You’re heart will heal.  Despite her utter kindness, patience, and thoughtful words, that was the only thing he gave credible doubt to…no matter how much time he had, without Sam, he would never be the same again.  The only thing he had left was his dreams….

 

 

Storm

(song performed by Lifehouse)

 

How long have I been in this storm?

So overwhelmed by the ocean’s shapeless form

Water’s getting harder to tread

With these waves crashing over my head

 

If I could just see you

Everything would be alright

If I’d see you

This darkness would turn to light

 

And I will walk on water

And you will catch me if I fall

And I will get lost into your eyes

I know everything will be alright

I know everything is alright

 

I know you didn’t bring me out here to drown

So why am I ten feet under and upside down?

Barely surviving has become my purpose

Cause I’m so use to living underneath the surface

 

If I could just see you

Everything would be alright

If I’d see you

This darkness would turn to light

 

 

And I will walk on water

And you will catch me if I fall

And I will get lost into your eyes

I know everything will be alright

 

And I will walk on water

And you will catch me if I fall

And I will get lost into your eyes

I know everything will be alright

I know everything is alright

 

Everything is alright

Everything is alright

 

 

 

 

    Next Story---> "Just Believe"

 

Did you enjoy reading this one? Did it help you to review where all the madness started??

 

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