Chapter one: Mistaken Truths (A Carly and Jack fanfic)

Though the show has been off the air for almost a year, I still miss them, and like some others I decided to try out my writing skills. I hope you all enjoy this story, and let me know what you think as it progresses. It takes place after Jack and Janet have gotten married. Enjoy

Carly sat staring out the window as the clouds blocked her vision of the world below her. She decided it was finally time to get away from Oakdale, at least for a short while. She had endured something she thought wouldn't be so painful, considering it wasn't the first time that she'd had to go through it. Jack married another woman. And Carly had watched it happen, not saying a word. This wasn't just any other woman; he had married Janet Ciccone. Something about this woman didn't sit right with Carly. Jack was supposed to be hers, forever.

As the plane went on, Carly closed her eyes in hopes to fall asleep, but every time she closed her eyes, all she saw was Jack looking intensely at her the moment before he said "I do," as if telling her with his eyes that he was sorry. His dark brown eyes bore straight into her soul. It's like even without saying a word, one look from him could make her weak all over again. She glanced away the moment that he had looked at her. She didn't want him to see her pain. She didn't want him to feel sorry for her. All she ever wanted for Jack was for him to be happy.

Carly opened her eyes and stared back out the window. Nothing seemed to make the pain, or the memories fade. Jack was gone, and she was going to have to find a way to live with it. Living without Jack seemed like it could be easier than it was, considering she has been "living" without him for months, if not years. She knew that Jack disapproved of the woman she was, yet she still strived to impress him. As for Jack, he was in her blood. She could feel him as she breathed, as she slept, as she didn't move at all. Loving Jack was the only constant Carly had known for years, and maybe it was finally time for her to let go.

Meanwhile, back in Oakdale, the wedding reception was coming to an end, and Jack wandered out on the Patio for some fresh air. His mind felt cloudy, and even though he knew he should be floating on air, a part of him felt numb. If anyone would have asked him a month ago where he would be today, this would definitely not be the place. His immediate reaction would have been, hopefully with Carly. She, after all, consumed all of his thoughts and dreams. Every time he closed his eyes, he saw her long blonde hair falling all around her beautiful face. He could still feel the warmth of her body wrapped around his.

But now, he was married. He was married to Janet, a very lovely lady he thought so himself. She was kind, energetic, and full of life. She could bake dinner for a whole orphanage of children. She got excited by the glow of her daughters face, and she was generous beyond belief. She was definitely the kind of woman he had envisioned himself with years ago, when he didn't know a think about love. And now here he was, married to her.

Jack leaned against the railing as he thought back to the ceremony, only hours earlier.

"Do you, Jack Snyder, take this woman to be your wife, …." The minister rambled, Jack only half listening. He could see Carly out of the corner of his eye, and she looked perfectly at peace. He turned his head fully, meeting her gaze, probably a moment too long, and watched as Carly dropped her eyes to the program in her hands. He blindly looked back at Janet, and said "I do."

Carly heard these words, "I do," so faintly. She was too busy thinking about how she would exit the ceremony without a big commotion. She didn't want to be there any longer, it was too painful. The man she loved, and lived for, had said, " I do" to another woman.

"Do you, Janet Ciccone, take this man to be your husband,…" The minister continued his speech. Carly could feel Jack looking at her, though she wouldn't meet his gaze.

"You may kiss the bride…" were the last words that Carly had heard, and before she knew it, her body reacted before she could change her mind. She hurried out of the church without being noticed by Jack or Janet, mostly because they were too busy exchanging their first kiss being husband and wife.

As they walked down the aisle, holding hands, Jack looked for Carly, but didn't see her. He had wanted to talk to her. He had something he needed to tell her, but he couldn't find her anywhere.

Carly was now on her way to a place she considered paradise. Sometimes this place was the only place she actually felt safe, and at peace. She was greeted by a familiar face.

"Carly, it's so wonderful to see you. You look great." Hannah took one of Carly's bags and loaded it into the trunk of the car. "So what brings you back to Montana?"

Carly got herself situated in the car, and gathered her thoughts very carefully before she answered Hannah's simple question. "Oh, you know, I've been working too hard and I just needed a little bit of serenity." Hannah nodded as Carly continued. "I have a bunch of sketches to get done, and I think it'll be easier without so many distractions. You know, just until I get caught up."

"I didn't know you were back into designing. That's great! What company are you working for this time?"

"Actually, my friend Lily and I put our heads together, and came up with our own design company, but in order for it to launch successfully, I need to complete these designs as soon as possible so we can get moving. " Carly said plainly, though she felt terrible for not telling Hannah the whole truth.

Hannah smiled. "That's wonderful, Carly. And where does Lily fit into all of this?"

Carly laughed. "Well she is taking care of the business side of things. She's very helpful in that area."

"That's good to hear. I hope it all works out for you, and you're more than welcome to stay here as long as you need to. I love the company, and I've missed you. You're always such great company."

"I've missed you too, Hannah. I appreciate everything you've done for me, now and before."

Hannah turned down the final road, and spoke again. "So, how's Jack doing these days? Are you two still working like hell to fight your feelings for one another?"

Carly turned and rested her gaze out the window on the pastures passing by. "Actually, Jack is now married."

Hannah let out a gasp. "Married?"

Janet found Jack outside and she made her way over to him. She wrapped her arms around him and he absentmindedly did the same thing.

"I still can't believe it, Jack. We're married! You and me, together forever. It feels like a dream." Janet cooed.

Jack answered calmly, "I know, I can barely believe it either. "

Janet pulled away. She looked at Jack, and saw he was only half there. "What is it, Jack? Why do you look like you're a million miles away?"

Jack pulled away from Janet, and began to walk away slowly. "I'll be right back, I promise."

"Where are you going, Jack? Jack?" She stood there as he disappeared around the corner, completely dumbfounded.

Jack heard her calling for him, but he needed to make a very important phone call before he could think straight, or even remotely straight. He opened his phone, and dialed. He held the phone to his ear as his heart raced.