Classes

A/N: OK. This is the sequel of "What Coffee Becomes" but I'll give a background for those that haven't read it and aren't planning on doing so. I'll make it short: Long far from the accident in the bookstore, Jack was working things out with Maria...until she left town for the weekend (taking Kate with her, leaving Hannah at a friend's). Jack slept with Samantha, who got pregnant and moved to Washington DC. Danny knew about the baby and so did Hannah. She was named Caia. Now, after three years, she's back in NYC and Jack (divorced not long after Sam left), Martin, Vivian and Van Doren already know everything that ever happened between them. For obvious reasons, Sam can't go back to the unit, so she decides on teaching. This past moves from there: teaching, and some previous explanations. (If you pay close attention in chapter 11 of WCB, I've made a mistake: Samantha should say 'Saturday' instead of 'Friday'.)

So telling Martin had been hard but doable. Telling Kate...how do you tell a child that her father had an affair with someone he used to work with and that after three years she's back? If Samantha were alone it would be one thing, but there was Caia. How do you tell a child that she has a three year old sister she hasn't even heard off before? It scared Samantha to think how she could react to such news. It didn't seem to bother Jack though, he was optimistic. "She's going to be fine," he would say, "she'll have to deal with it either way." So she did. There would be enough time for adaptation.

"Kate seems to be okay. I guess I was expecting something more messy. How did you tell her?"

"I didn't."

"What? How did she...?"

"She found the key to Hannah's diary."

"God, does Hannah know?"

"Yes, Kate's grounded."

"She took it pretty well though."

"I guess she read something interesting."

"Jack!"

"I don't know. According to Maria they had a big fight but neither of them would mention what it was about apart from what Kate had done."

"So?"

"I read it all, Hannah couldn't take it away from me," Kate interrupted.

"Yeah well, you were kicking," Hannah commented.

"I just didn't like the first part...then it didn't matter anymore...she's right."

"About what?" Samantha was curious.

"Here, read it."

"I could never," Samantha said as Jack took the fancy little book in his hands and opened it.

Both girls walked out of the room and Jack started reading the passages to himself. "It's not fair. When I saw him this morning I knew something had happened. And then I found out she was shot and that he had gone in for her. They didn't fight today. I guess I should be happy they're going back together, but I'm not. I know dad is not happy, and I don't think mom cares anymore. They don't belong together. She expects something from him he can't give her. Of course, quitting his job is not an option. Besides, going to work is what keeps him going. If he didn't go, if he didn't see her every day I know he wouldn't live. It's not his job but her what keeps him alive, and I'm glad she's there. Knowing that Kate and I are the reason they're still together, that they're doing this for us, hurts. It hurts a lot. Seeing what they can't see. One day Kate and I will have grown up and left, and, what? Mom and dad are still going to be together pretending to love each other the way they do now? Pretending they don't know what they missed? And all that because they think sticking together is the best for two girls that hear them argue once a day at least? I'm telling you it's not fair. He loves someone else. Why not be together if she is whom he belongs with? They jobs don't allow it...but they've done it so far. She cheers him up. If that's the best, I'm not against it. They all should know how I feel about all of this stuff, but I'm not sure they ever will. It's not my decision to make."

Tears were rolling down Jack's cheeks. Samantha had read the entry too. Jack turned the page and kept reading.