I do not own EUReKA. I'm just an adoring fan. In this alternate world version we head back to Season 3 when Stark proposes to Allison. Now bear with me because I've mixed things up a bit. Stark does not die, Kevin is not autistic, Grace, Andy and Zane are present. Don't worry all will be explained. My thinking was that if there are two alternate time lines, then logic only dictates that there has to be more. Are Jack and Allison destined to be together or does fate not factor into the equation? We shall see.
I Do Over...Again
Chapter 1: It Should Have Been Me
Henry smiled at the obviously happy couple standing beside him but couldn't help but glance over at his best friend. He felt a twinge of pain for Jack realizing that he yearned to be the one who was celebrating his engagement with Allison in front of all their friends and family. Henry being a good friend of Nathan's, was honored to take on the role as best man when asked. Tonight he was regaling the party goers with amusing anecdotes about Nathan. He hoped that if people (well Jack really) knew that Nathan wasn't such a bad guy, they would be more receptive to him and Allison remarrying. As Henry concluded, Allison and Nathan turned to each other and kissed.
The entire time Henry was talking, Jack sat there stone faced. Jesus, why was he even here tonight he thought. The whole time he sat there, he'd wished that it was him who was standing next to Allie, his arm around her, her head resting on his shoulder. Forcing himself back to reality just in time to see them embrace and kiss, Jack knew that he had lost his chance. His stomach was in twisted in knots and he felt as if he could throw up at any moment. He wanted to save face so he smiled and clapped along with everyone else as Henry ended his speech. Damn, it should have been him up there with her.
Jack thought back to the day Allison told him about her and Stark. Last Saturday afternoon she had shown up at his place unexpectedly. She said she'd seen Zoë in town and thought it would be a good time to come and speak with him. Jack had gone for a run that morning and when he got back SARAH made him some lunch, he sat down in front of the television, beer in hand and searched for a game. He was taken by surprise when SARAH announced that Dr. Blake was at the front door. Jack quickly brushed the crumbs off his shirt and glanced around the room to make sure it was presentable.
"Hi." Allison greeted him solemnly upon entering and stopped behind the couch.
Jack noticed the expression on her face but couldn't help but smile...she was so beautiful. "Hey. What's going on? Is everything okay?"
"Yes, everything's fine. I just came by because I wanted to talk to you." Allison hesitated, "There's something you should know and I thought that you should hear it from me."
Jack walked around the couch and faced her, concern in his voice.
"Hear what?" Jack eyed her as she stood there silently. She seemed uneasy for some reason.
Allison swallowed hard, "Nathan asked me to marry him again..."
Jack wasn't sure he'd heard her correctly. He knew that the two of them had begun to get close again, but remarry. This can't be happening. Everything suddenly seemed to spin around him. He hadn't even noticed that she's continued talking.
"...and I said yes."
Jack was stunned. "You're marrying him?"
Allison cast her eyes downward and quietly answered, "Yes."
Jack wanted to scream at her, shake her, ask her if she was crazy. He couldn't think of what to say. All he could manage was to utter the word, "Him?"
"I know you don't think I'm making the right decision getting involved with him again, but he's changed. He's different."
Jack raised his voice. "People don't change Allison. They are who they are."
"That's not true." Her own octave growing higher in response.
"It is and you know it. He'll just end up hurting you again."
"You don't know him like I do."
"I think I know him well enough. He's arrogant, selfish, and vain."
"That's your opinion. I know him better than that. He's a good man Carter. He was willing to work on our relationship. Show me that Kevin and I are important to him." And then she said the words that killed him. "I love him and he loves me."
Jack felt like he'd been punched in the stomach. I love him and he loves me.
The displeasure of her statement caused him to grow tense, the sadness and hurt evident in his tone. "Why did you come here?"
Allison looked down at her hands and fiddled with her fingers, "I care about what you think."
The last thing he wanted to hear was that she cared about him. "Why?"
"Carter you've been a great friend to me. You've always been there for me during difficult times. You care about me and Kevin. I just thought that I should be the one to tell you."
"Is that the only reason?" Jack moved closer to her, only a heartbeat away and stared into her beautiful brown eyes.
Allison gazed back at him, not sure how to answer his question. He was so close to her, she could feel the heat radiating from his body. She opened her mouth to speak but nothing came out. All she could do was look up into his intensely blue eyes. She closed hers and sighed as he reached up cupped her face in his hands and caressed her cheek with his thumb. Allison eyes opened in time to see him lean in to kiss her. Just as his lips brushed against hers, she reached up, grasped his wrists in her hands, and backed away.
Shaking her head she began walking backward toward the door. "I can't."
"Allison, wait...please." Jack pleaded.
"I can't." She ran out the door and never looked back.
That was the last time he and Allison had talked about anything concerning the proposal. Actually, they hadn't talked much at all. They had intentionally been avoiding each other, which makes working in this town very difficult. When he'd received the invite to the party that she and Stark were throwing at her home, he knew exactly what it was about. And as he'd predicted, that evening they shared with their circle of friends that they were remarrying.
Jack stood alone in a corner swigging a beer, all the people he cared about enjoying themselves. Jo danced with Zane, Zoë was entertaining Kevin, Grace and Henry cuddled in a corner, and even his sister Lexi found a partner in Fargo. God, he was absolutely miserable. As he stood there dejected his PDA rang.
"Carter." He answered in his usual fashion.
"Sheriff Carter?"
"SARAH?"
"I require your assistant."
"What's wrong?"
"I am having an emergency. I need you assistant right away."
Jack was confused. What could SARAH possibly need him for that she couldn't handle on her own? "Okay...I'm on my way."
Jack swiftly crossed the room and headed toward the door. When he reached for the handle he felt a hand on his shoulder.
"And just where do you think you're going?" Jo glared at him, her tone and posture dubious. She whispered fiercely, "You are not going to walk out on her."
"Relax, SARAH called. There's an emergency and needs my help."
"Really? SARAH needs your help?" Jo glared at him skeptically.
"Apparently. Look," Jack showed her the call he just received on his PDA, "I'll be back as soon as I can, okay?"
Jo could tell when he was lying, and this time he wasn't. "All right then. Hurry back."
When Jack reached home, he had expected to see a major catastrophe. He looked around the bunker and everything appeared as it always was.
"SARAH what's going on? What's the emergency?"
"I'm lonely."
"Excuse me? You called me because you're lonely!"
"Well, to tell you the truth Sheriff Carter, I called because I thought you needed an out. Please don't be angry."
Jack couldn't help but snicker. He guessed that he and SARAH had finally bonded. He knew he should be mad at her but truthfully, he was kinda relieved. Even though he told Allison he'd come to the party, he really hadn't wanted to stay.
"Thanks SARAH."
"I can find a game for you to watch, make you a steak, pour you a beer?"
"Uh, no thanks. I think I'll just take go upstairs and take a shower."
Jack somberly walked upstairs, peeled off his clothes and jumped in the shower. He hoped that the waters forceful spray would wash away all the emotions he had inside of him. Though he never admitted it to anyone, he was in love with Allison...even if she wasn't in love with him. Jack wasn't one of those men who felt it necessary to show his emotions in every situation, but when he was upset he didn't feel the need to hide the fact either. He didn't know how long he stood in the shower, or when the tears began to flow. All he knew was that his heart was broken.
Back at the party Allison made her way around, chatting with different people when she took notice of Jo. Next to her was Zoë, and a woman she didn't recognize. Her eyes did a quick scan of the area, and realized that Jack was nowhere to be found.
She walked up to Jo and placed a hand on her arm to alert her of her presence. "I hope everybody's having a great time."
"Hey Allison. Great party. Thanks for inviting me."
"Of course Jo. I wouldn't think of not inviting you." Allison addressed the woman who stood between them, "I'm sorry, I don't think we've met."
Lexi giddily grasped Allison's hand, "Oh, no we haven't. Don't worry I'm not a party crasher. I'm Lexi, Jack's sister. I just got in town yesterday."
"Oh, hi. It's so nice to meet some of Carter's family. I've heard a lot about you. And you are more then welcome here."
Allison swallowed hard and asked the one question that was on the tip of her tongue since she ventured over to them.
Turning to Zoë she inquired, "Where's your dad?"
Jo immediately interjected and told her that Carter had gotten an emergency call and had to leave.
Allison stared at her in disbelief, not sure if she was fabricating a lie. Allison felt her a pang in her chest. She had no reason to be disappointed that he'd left. She had just celebrated her engagement to the man she loved and felt terrible for having the reaction she did because of Jack's absence.
Allison could feel the tears welling up inside of her and wanted to slip away from them as quickly as her feet would allow, "Well, I'd better finish my rounds. I'll talk to you later." When she turned to leave, Nathan appeared.
"Hello ladies. You all look lovely this evening."
"Why thank you." Lexi responded and half curtsied.
Jo looked in the opposite direction and answered nonchalantly, "Thanks."
Zoë chose not to answer at all.
Nathan turned to her, "Are you okay?"
Allison realized that she had been frowning and hoped that he didn't see the tears that were forming in her eyes. "Just extremely happy."
"Me too." Leaning down he kissed her forehead. As an afterthought he asked, "Where's Carter?"
"Emergency!" Jo, Zoë and Lexi answered in unison.
"I didn't get a call, did you?" he questioned Allison.
Allison shook her head no.
"It was personal." Lexi offered.
Allison glanced up at Nathan and knew immediately that he didn't believe a word of what he'd just heard.
"Well, okay then. Have a good time ladies." Nathan took Allison by the hand and led her on their continued rounds.
Back at home Jack lingered in the shower, all track of time lost on him. One good thing about a smart house is that he didn't have to worry about the water getting cold. It just felt good to stand there and allow it to pound on his head. How could he have allowed this to happen? He had so been given so many opportunities to tell Allison how he felt about her, but each time he chickened out. What was it about her that turned him into a spineless chump? Any other time he gusty, brave, and heroic. But when it came to her...nothing.
SARAH interrupted his thoughts, "Sheriff Carter, Abby is on the phone. Shall I put her through?"
Jack was confused. Why would his ex-wife be calling him now? He turned off the shower and reluctantly stepped out.
"Uh yeah sure. But no video phone, okay SARAH."
"Yes, Sheriff Carter."
"Jack?" Geez, he hadn't heard that voice in a while.
"Hi Abby. How are you? Is everything okay?"
"Yes, everything's fine. I just called because I was worried about you."
"Worried about me?" Jack was perplexed.
"Zoë called me this morning after you left and told me about today."
"She told you WHAT!"
"Don't be angry Jack. She loves you and she's concerned...as am I."
"You?"
"Yes, Jack me. Even though we couldn't make it work, doesn't mean I don't think about you. You're Zoë's dad and you're still my friend...I hope. We spent fifteen years together. I do care about you Jack, you know that...don't you?"
"I know you do. I'm sorry."
"Are you okay?"
"Depends. Is this Abby the friend talking or Abby the shrink?
"This is Abby the friend. Jack, Zoë told me how you feel about Allison."
"How I feel? She doesn't know how I feel."
"Well, apparently she does as do most people in town. Jack do you love her?"
"I...I don't know?"
"Yeah, you do. I know that hesitation in your voice. Have you told her?"
"No."
"Why not? You see Jack that's your problem. You try so hard to keep everything on an even keel. You don't want to be confrontational or ruffle any feathers. You don't let people know how you really feel."
"I thought this was supposed to be Abby the friend?"
"It is. Listen Jack you know if you need to talk to someone, I'm here."
"Thanks Abby."
"Bye Jack."
Jack was appreciative that Abby called. It was thoughtful of her to worry about him. Even though their marriage ended, he could say they did have some good times and he looked upon them fondly. The first few years were passion filled and exciting. The next few they were focused on making sure Zoë would have everything she needed for her future. That's when the trouble began. They both loved their professions, but Jack was a bit obsessive. He started spending more and more time at work, away from Abby and consequently Zoë. The last years were horrible...they argued, blamed each other, and Jack eventually moved out. When he came to Eureka and Zoë joined him, he and Abby agreed that they should at least try to be civil with each other for her sake. Over the years they had become friends again.
Jack toweled off, put on a T-shirt and shorts then headed down to get a beer. The hell with it he thought, he grabbed two. A glass in each hand he headed upstairs and lay back on the bed and mindlessly watched television. Obviously he'd fallen asleep for the next thing he felt was someone pushing on his shoulder. Lying on his stomach, Jack turned his head and opened one eye to see Lexi peering down at him.
"Are you okay monkey?" She asked soothingly.
Jack answered her groggily, "Yes I'm fine...and don't call me monkey."
"I see you had your own little party here." Lexi counted the six empty glasses on Jack's nightstand. "Allison asked about you."
"Lexi leave me alone. I'm tired."
"You're not tired. You're drunk."
Jack turned his head. "Okay I'm drunk. Now leave me alone."
Lexi walked around to the opposite side of the bed and sat down. "Jack, she was really hurt that you weren't there."
"Oh really? I doubt she cares that I left."
"Well, she did. It was written all over her face...as well as radiating from her aura."
His sister and her kooky ideas.
"Look Jack I know you're hurting right now, but you'll get through this."
Jack's only response was to throw a pillow over his head. He just wished that she would leave him alone.
"Jack?" Lexi pulled up the corner of his pillow. "Okay, I'll leave you alone."
"I love you monkey." She said and exited the bedroom.
That next morning Jack groaned as he rolled over and forced himself to sit up on the edge of the bed. His head was pounding and all he really wanted to do was go back to sleep. Even though he didn't have to work today, he knew that Lexi wouldn't allow him to lay down all day stewing in his misery. Also he knew that Zoë was concerned about him and he really didn't want her to see him like this. So, he dragged himself over to the bathroom, washed his face and brushed his teeth. He gathered up his beer glasses and headed downstairs to make some coffee. Zoë and Lexi were already in the kitchen eating breakfast.
"Hey dad. You look..." Zoë thought it best not to finish her sentence.
Jack had on his bathrobe, his hair stood up on one side, and his eyes were bloodshot red. "Morning." He mumbled, "SARAH coffee...strong."
"Good morning monkey." Lexi smiled broadly at him.
"Don't call me monkey. And keep Grandma Lil out of my kitchen." Jack glared at Lexi's cat as it maneuvered through his legs.
"So what are you two up to today." He asked as he poured himself a cup of coffee and took a needed sip.
"Vincent gave me the day off so I'm gonna take Aunt Lexi around town and show her the sites. Do you wanna come with us?"
"No, you guys go ahead."
"You sure?" Zoë looked at him with concern.
Jack walked to her and kissed the top of her head, "Yes, I'm sure. Have fun you guys." And headed back upstairs.
The rest of the day Jack was bombarded by phone calls from those worried about him. Henry called and asked if he wanted to hang out and watch a game. Jo called and offered to go to the firing range to let off some steam. Vincent said he would personally deliver to Jack his favorite meal. Fargo telephoned with some lame excuse about performing some upgrades on SARAH. Even Andy called and offered to come by after his shift was over. Jack was overwhelmed by how much his friends cared for him. He thanked them all for their concern, assured them that he would be fine, but chose to spend the day alone.
Jack didn't know if he would be able to survive the next five months until the ceremony. He didn't have to see Allison everyday being that she worked at GD and he mainly dealt with issues around town, but their paths crossed more often than not. The worse part was that he would more than likely be with her. He hated Stark with a passion. Well, hated was a strong word. He could probably learn to tolerate him if he had no interest in Allison. Why was it so hard for Jack to get over her? Truth is he never had her to begin with. For his sake, Jack hoped that it would be a quiet week in Eureka, because he didn't think he could face her right now. Zoë and Lexi were still out so Jack decided to call it a night. Honestly he still felt kinda crappy and wanted to lie down so he would at least look presentable for work in the morning.
And as he had for the last few nights while he slept, he dreamt of her.
Next - Chapter 2: I Hate That I Love You