One

Jack Carter was having a bad day. It began when SARAH– the know-it-all personality of his smart house – woke him at 5:15, reminding him of his New Year's resolution to go running every morning.

"Not now, Sarah," he'd mumbled from under the covers, trying desperately to go back to sleep and return to his dream about him, Jennifer Garner, and Halle Berry in a swimming pool. SARAH had responded by turning up the heat so high, he'd thrown his now sweaty sheets on the floor in disgust.

Things got worse when Zoe had informed him that she had plans to go on a ski trip that weekend with some friends.

"And who will be the adult chaperone for this ski spectacular of yours," he'd asked, crossing his arms and leaning against the kitchen counter. Zoe busied herself in the fridge so he couldn't see her face. He knew she was doing it on purpose.

"Well, Lisa is a senior. She's eighteen, legally an adult and--."

"No."

"But--."

"No adult, no trip. I'm not an idiot, Zoe." She'd alternated between angry yelling and pathetic pleading for the next five minutes, finally giving up and storming out of their underground bunker of a house without saying goodbye.

"Bacon and eggs, Sarah. Black coffee," he'd spoken out loud, closing his eyes and rubbing his temples. Life was so easy before teenagers.

"I'm sorry, Sheriff," she'd replied in that annoyingly calm monotone voice of hers. "An analysis of your bodily fluids this morning revealed that your sodium level is slightly elevated. Too much sodium can result in high blood pressure. How about a nice healthy grapefruit and a glass of juice?" Carter looked up, his hand still on his head.

"My bodily fluids? You mean you--."

"I analyzed the toilet water after you went to the bathroom."

"Sarah, that's disgusting," he groaned.

"All part of living a healthier lifestyle, Sheriff. You said on New Year's Day--."

"I know what I said," he interrupted, not wanting yet another lecture from his house. He hurried out, deciding he'd head over to Vincent's and grab breakfast there.

It was 7:30 in the morning and he was already having a bad day.

"Not now, Fargo. I'm having a bad day." Allison walked fast, her heels clicking loudly on the tile floor.

"B-But Carson Hunter says it's an emergency and--." Allison stopped suddenly and turned to Fargo, silencing him with a threatening stare.

"Fargo, I'm getting married in a month. I haven't found a caterer, the florist just cancelled, and one of my bride's maids was experimenting with new camouflage techniques and now no one can find her. Now that's an emergency. Whatever you're dealing with can wait." Fargo stood there, his mouth open, eyes wide in shock. Allison gave him a final death stare before turning and power walking to her office.

It wouldn't be Global Dynamics if there weren't an emergency every day. Finally reaching her office, she slammed the door behind her and sat down with a sigh. This wedding was turning into so much more of a hassle than she'd bargained for. In the back of her mind, she wondered if maybe all the problems were a sign from God. An omen. A warning. You tried this once! You're crazy to try it again!

Allison closed her eyes and began rubbing her right temple, a headache forming. Was she crazy? She'd tried with Nathan Stark once before. It didn't work. For the longest time she couldn't even stand the thought of him. When he'd left Eureka, it was like an answer to prayer. She felt like she could breath again. She was free! She could parent Kevin, work, and live without anything hanging over her head.

But then he'd come back, looking just as sexy as ever. When he was head of GD, he was so busy that things between them weren't that bad. They were still fire on fire and Allison continued to loath him. But, every once in a while, he'd allow her those moments, those glimpses into Nathan Stark the human – not Nathan Stark the power hungry, I'll step on anything that gets in my way man he'd become – and she'd feel those stupid butterflies in her stomach again.

When he was let go from his position at GD and she was hired in his place, she thought he'd run off to more glamorous pursuits. But he'd stayed. And, to be honest, he seemed to have stayed for her. Over the next year, they'd worked side by side – just like old times. Slowly, her resentment faded. When he looked at her with those mesmerizing blue eyes of his, when he called her name in that deep husky Nathan voice, she felt like she could melt.

And the he'd done the unexpected – he'd proposed. Again. Even more surprising was that she'd said yes. Even after all those years. Even knowing everything she knew about him. Even with her feelings about Carter…

Was she crazy? Maybe. But it was too late to turn back now.

A familiar chime rang and Allison turned her attention to her computer, knowing she'd just gotten an e-mail. She narrowed her eyes at the un-familiar address and double clicked, knowing the server wouldn't have let in junk-mail.

Her face took on the same expression of Fargo's in the hall – complete and total shock. She re-read the e-mail three times, still finding it hard to believe. Impossible. Absolutely impossible.

Hands shaking, Allison slowly reached for her phone and pressed the intercom.

"Please don't yell at me again," his whinny voice pleaded over the phone.

"Fargo, get in here. I need you to do something." Allison did her best to keep her voice calm, licking her lips nervously.

"Be there in a sec," he said, sounding relieved. She clicked the connection closed, but continued to stare at the screen. It just couldn't be.