Disclaimer: The characters aren't mine, and no profit is made from these stories. (But I do have fun writing them! : )
Jack slid the photograph from between the pages of his Bible. Each time he picked up the book, he thought of how ironic it was to have it in his possession; to him, God served no purpose other than to keep people from controlling their own destiny. But the truth was, the Bible had belonged to his mother – and for reasons unknown to Jack, he always kept the photograph there.
Taken nearly fifteen years ago, it was of Ben, Adam, and himself. Jack looked younger, his hair still quite dark, an assured grin on his face; Adam looked into the camera with his trademark deadpan expression. Between them stood Ben, beaming, an arm around each of them in an impromptu embrace. Jack had a habit of looking at the picture when times were rough, as if expecting one or both of his companions to offer advice. But that was impossible. Ben was dead over a decade, and Adam was still on the other side of the Atlantic Ocean.
Jack looked out his window, noting to himself that Serena had probably already been fired by now. He had asked – urged – Arthur to reconsider, even though he also wanted to be rid of her.
Once again, Ben's memory nagged at him like a second conscience.
This was all because of Governor Riordan. That case burned Jack deep inside, in a way he hadn't experienced since seeking vengeance for Claire. And he wasn't sure why; all he knew was that Kaplan and Bradley had been trying to use their lifestyle to circumvent the law, while Ben Stone never had the chance to live openly and without fear. His family, his career, the Church – the odds had been stacked against him from day one.
So, Jack had decided that if the law hadn't been on Ben's side, it wouldn't be on anyone else's, either. At least, not in the state of New York.
What he hadn't bargained for was Serena. She came out shortly after the plea bargain, unknowingly setting in motion the chain of events that Ben had feared his entire life.
Jack, I wouldn't have made EADA if people knew that I was gay. I never would have gotten the kind of opportunities I've had in my career. Hell, Adam would probably look for an excuse to get rid of me.
That's not true, Ben. He's like a father to you, for Chrissakes!
Yes, but he'd think of me differently. And that's just as bad.
He wanted to call her, tell her how sorry he was. He hadn't agreed with her insubordination, but also thought it had been wrong for Arthur to just toss her opinions aside as though being a lesbian made her any less of a lawyer. But there was nothing Jack could do – not if he wished to avoid being next in his boss's crosshairs.
He buried his face in his hands, letting the picture fall to the floor.
finis