Taking A Chance by Marbs

Author's Note: I wrote this story maybe a year ago before Nathan died in the series. I know it's a bit late but I still want to post it.

It's been over six months since Allison Blake and Jack Carter had anything personal to talk about. Ever since Carter found out that Allison had lied to him about the town's dreams sharing incident, Carter has been a little distant and have not fully forgiven Allison for lying to him. In truth, Carter understood her reason for lying to him but what he couldn't take was that Allison didn't trust him enough to tell him her reason but instead trusted Nathan. Since then, any encounter they have had, had been nothing but professional.

Truth be told, Allison misses Carter. She missed their daily banter and flirting. She misses seeing Carter giddiness whenever he's working with her on some incident in town. She misses his laugh and his sense of humor.

I guess she has herself to blame for that. She told him that things would be different from now on since she is now the head of Global Dynamics. She also has been so occupied with what is going on with Kevin. His sudden development scares her and Nathan is the only one who can understand what is going on with Kevin.

When the whole town was celebrating Carter's one year anniversary as a sheriff in Eureka, she lied to Nathan that she didn't even know that Carter had been in Eureka for a year. The day of his anniversary, she was gonna ask Carter to dinner to make up for lying to him but when she heard that little conversation between Callie and Carter about a date, she had chickened out and instead, went out with Nathan and Kevin.

Allison knows that Nathan is the perfect guy for her. They have so much in common and intellectually, they are on the same level. She thought that rekindling a relationship with Nathan would help her forget this "thing" with Carter. Carter, after all, is now dating Callie. But last night, when Nathan wanted to stay the night, she just couldn't bring herself to sleep with Nathan. She tried but she told Nathan to go home. Nathan wasn't very happy but she knew it would have been a mistake if she had slept with Nathan. And she knew that if she slept with Nathan, her chances with Carter are out the window.

They needed to talk and clear the air. They couldn't go on like this, as if they are strangers. She decided to make the first move and call him.

But before she could dial his number, Nathan was in her office not looking very happy.

"Nathan, what can I do for you?"

"Apparently, last night, nothing."

"Come on Nathan, let's be grown up about his. I'm sorry about last night. It just didn't feel right."

"Well, how about we try it again tonight?

"No Nathan, I don't think this is going to work. I don't think we are going to work."

"It's him isn't?"

"Him? Who is him?"

"Carter."

"Nathan, this has nothing to do with Carter. I just think that our time has past. So I'm sorry if I led you believe that we could have a second chance."

"Keep lying to yourself Allison. I know the real reason and you know it too."

"Look Nathan, I've got phone calls to make. So if there's nothing else you need from me, I need to get back to work."

"As bruised as my ego is Allison, good luck. I hope that he makes you happy."

"Thanks Nathan."

Allison thought about what Nathan said. Carter does make her happy. He makes her laugh. And Kevin responds to him. Carter is a good person. He's good father and he cares about what is right. He can be infuriating but she admires his principles. She admires the man that he stands for.

Allison knows that she needs to make the move if she and Carter are to talk again like before or even regain the friendship they have.

"Carter, it's Allison."

"Oh hey Allison, is there an emergency at GD?"

"No Carter, everything is fine here."

"So, why are you calling then Allison?

Carter's tone sounded harsh and Allison has second thoughts about going through with her plan.

"Actually, Carter, ah , I was wondering, are you free for dinner tonight?"

"Dinner tonight? Are you ok Allison? What's going on?"

"I just think that we need to talk, you know. Catch up on some things. So can you meet me at my house, say around 7?"

"Yeah, well, unless something happens, I guess I will see you tonight at 7."

"Yeah, I will see you at 7. Bye, Carter."

"Bye Allison."

After hanging up the phone, she finally let out a big sigh of relief. She didn't know how long she was holding her breath when she was talking to Carter but she has never been this nervous before. She'll have to stop by the market on her way home today to get some beer for Carter and by some steak and vegetables.

The day went by quickly. She's leaving the office early and had asked Nathan to take over. She has to pick up Kevin and then go to the market. Kevin likes Carter a lot and can always make Kevin laugh which she misses seeing. She can still remember when Carter brought Kevin to GD to solve the math formula equation. She didn't believe Carter at first that Kevin had spoken to him because he was practically a stranger to the town but when she saw them together at the office, she was surprised by the instant bond between them. She wishes that Kevin and Carter had spent more time together but she knew that Carter had backed off when she saw Nathan spending so much time at her house and with Kevin. She can only hope that things will change.

She drove to Kevin's school to pick him up. When she got there, Kevin was already waiting for her.

Kevin opened the door and hopped in the car.

"Hey sweetheart, how was school today?"

"School was fine. Oh, I had lunch with Zoe and her friends today."

"Really? Do you have lunch with her often?

"She has lunch with me when she sees me in the cafeteria. I like her Mom. She's really nice. And I like her Dad too."

"Speaking of Zoe's Dad, he's coming over to the house tonight, is that ok with you?"

"Really, Mom he's coming tonight?"

"Yeah, he is. That is why we need to stop by the market tonight so we can get some food for tonight."

"He likes steaks. That's what you should cook for him tonight Mom."

Allison could only laugh at this. Her son is very observant. She's glad to hear that Zoe makes time for Kevin. She reminded herself to tell Carter to say thank you to Zoe.

It was already 5:30 when they got home. Kevin went straight to his room, while she prepares dinner. She made salad. After making the salad, she went to the bathroom to take a shower. After taking a shower, she changed into casual clothes. After that, she then put the steak in the oven.

She looked at the clock and heard the door bell. Before she could get to the door, she heard Kevin come running down the stairs and yelling.

"I got it Mom. Let me open the door."

"Alright, sweetie."

Kevin opens the door.

Carter is wearing a blue polo long sleeves and jeans. The blue shirt really looks good on him. She always thought he looked sexy even in his Sheriff uniform.

"Hey there buddy. I got something for you."

"You do? What is it?"

"Well, I got you a baseball glove and a ball. We can play catch sometime. Or better yet, if your Mom will allow me to, we can go to a ballgame."

Kevin beaming with happiness looks at his Mom.

"Mom, can I go with Sheriff Carter to a ball game? Please Mom."

"Yes, you can sweetheart." Allison said laughing.

"Cool. Can Zoe come to Sheriff?"

"Yeah, we'll bring Zoe along. She loves baseball."

"I wasn't sure what to bring, so I brought wine."

"You didn't have to bring anything Carter. But thank you anyway. I did get you your beer."

"Nice."

"Shall we go and eat dinner now? Kevin, why don't you put your glove and the ball in your room first and then after dinner, you can play with them?"

During dinner, Carter talked to Kevin about school, sports and things he liked to do. Allison just sat and watched them interact. She liked that Carter was talking to Kevin about things that normal boys his age talk about. She was surprised about some of the things that Kevin said. She didn't know that he liked to watch basketball and that his favorite player is LeBron James. She just marveled at how happy Kevin looked when he's talking to Carter.

"I'm done eating Mom. Can I go to my room and play?"

"Yes sweetheart. Why don't you go upstairs, brush your teeth, change to your pajamas and when you're done with your homework, you can play, ok? I will check in with you to check your homework later."

"We don't have any homework today Mom. So I will just go to my room and play. Then I'm going to bed. Goodnight Mom. Goodnight Sheriff Carter. And thank you for the glove and ball."

"You're welcome buddy. Goodnight."

"You have a great kid Allison. He's growing so fast."

"I know. Your kid is great too, Carter. I can't believe she's 16. So is she dating now?"

"Well she was dating her lab partner but they broke up. She said, he was getting too serious for her. So they are just friends now. She's busy trying to get Jo a date."

"Zoe is a very smart girl. She's mature for her age."

"She is. But we've gotten a lot closer this year. And things are going well."

"Why don't we go to the living room Carter? We can talk there."

They both walked to the living room and sat down. Carter took his glass of beer with him and Allison took her wine.

"Dinner was great Allison."

"Thanks Carter."

"So what did you want to talk about Allison?"

"Well, it's been awhile since we talked I just thought you know."

"Didn't I see you yesterday? You know, there was that incident at GD."

"You know what I mean Carter. I mean, the only things we talk about these days are all about business."

"Well, it was you that said things couldn't be how they were before Allison."

"I know. What happened to us?"

"Well, two things: Stark and you became the head of GD."

"Nathan and I, we're over."

"Really? You could have fooled me. Look Allison, I'm ok with it. I got the message. Stark is this intelligent man who has a PhD at MIT, a Nobel Prize winner and I'm reminded everyday I am just the sheriff. And that you are my boss."

"Carter. You don't mean that."

"Allison, I get it. I really do. Being the head of GD entails a lot of responsibilities and power. So you can't be seen goofing around with the town's sheriff because you need to be taken seriously."

"Look, Carter I'm sorry if I made you feel less of a person. I never intended to do that."

"It's ok Allison. I know where my place is."

"Carter, I miss what we have. I miss us. I miss the thing that we have."

"Allison, remember what you said before "we don't have a thing." He chuckled.

"I was wrong Carter. We do have a thing."

"Wow. Why did you suddenly change your mind?"

"These last 6 months have been hell Carter. I thought I was doing the right thing by giving Nathan and I a chance but I realized that I ran to him because he was a safe choice. And I was running away from because I'm afraid."

"Afraid of what Allison?"

"I'm afraid that I will screw things up with you Carter. I'm afraid that you will see the real me and I may not live up to the image that you have of me."

"Allison, you screw things up? If anybody is going to screw up, it would be me. I was telling the truth when I said that you're 10 times more beautiful and smarter than any woman I have ever met. So what about you and Nathan?"

"I ended things with him Carter. Last night, he wanted to stay the night and I just couldn't bring myself to do it. All I could see was your face. It just didn't feel right. It is really over. What about you and Callie?"

"Callie and I? Well, I don't quite know. We go out. That's about it.

"Carter, you know that she likes you right? I mean, she likes you a lot."

"She does. I don't know. I guess."

"You guess? The whole town knows."

"Oh Carter, sometimes you can be so dense."

"Look who is dense? You knew that I liked you a lot right Allison?"

"Liked? Does that mean you don't like me anymore?"

"It all depends Miss Blake. Are you gonna be the Allison I met when I first came to town? Or Allison, the head of Global Dynamics?"

"How about I buy you a cup of coffee tomorrow morning?"

"I'm liking this Allison."

"I'm glad."

"Listen, it's getting late. I better get going. So you and Stark, no chance right?"

"Yes, Carter. Nathan and I are over. I have this Sheriff that I just can't seem to shake off."

"Well, this Sheriff likes the sound of that."

Carter leans in and looks into Allison's eyes to ask for permission. When he saw her eyes, he kisses her on the lips. It was light at first and then deepens it. They both break for air.

"That was nice Carter."

"Yeah, it was Allison. I better go or else I would never leave here tonight. Goodnight Allison."

After Carter left, she went to Kevin's room to check on him and to kiss him goodnight.

She then went to her room and got ready for bed.