Title: Static
Author: wordsthatfail
Rating: PG
Characters: Teri, Jack
Spoilers: Pre-Season One
Disclaimer: The characters aren't mine; the words are. Please don't take legal action — lowly copy editors aren't worth suing, anyway.
A/N: I welcome comments and criticism of all kinds.
I need just a little more silence
And I need just a little more time
— "Time," Sarah McLachlan
She checks the clock one more time before dialing. She'd told herself she would make the call by nine-thirty, but it's now a quarter till ten.
This is the right thing to do, she tells herself, listening to the first ring.
He picks up before the second. She'd known he would.
"Bauer."
"Hi. It's me."
There's a short pause. "Hey." His voice softens. "Everything all right?"
"Things are okay."
"You sure?"
"I'm sure."
Another pause. "How's Kim?"
"Fine. She still hates me."
"Teri, she doesn't — "
"She does."
He sighs quietly. "I'm sorry. I can talk to her again, explain — "
"Jack, this isn't why I called." She winces; the words had come out sharper than she intended. She clears her throat. "I wanted to give you my answer — you know, from last week ... " She trails off.
"And?" he prompts gently.
She tightens her grip on the phone and closes her eyes. "I know it took a lot for you to ask to come back — I do." She pinches the bridge of her nose. "And I appreciate how patient you've been since I asked for time to — to think about it. But — "
"Teri — " His voice is rough, barely a whisper.
"Not yet, Jack." The words feel thick and clumsy on her tongue. "I'm sorry."
There's a long silence. Her eyes sting and she blinks, hard, then bites the inside of her cheek.
"Don't be."
"Jack ... "
"It's all right."
"This isn't some kind of punishment; I don't want you to think that — "
"I don't."
A tear spills down her cheek, but she keeps her voice steady. "You know I'm just trying to — "
"I know."
She can't help but feel she's betraying him somehow.
"Jack — "
"Sweetheart, I'm sorry, but I've got to go. I'm at work."
Of course you are, she thinks bitterly, knowing she's being unfair.
"Okay." She swallows. "Stay safe."
"I will. You, too."
And then he's gone, the click reverberating in her ear.
She replaces the receiver, wondering if her decision was the right one.