Jack smiled at Liz as she climbed out of the car. Good for her, he thought proudly. She's happy. Even if she doesn't have somebody special to be happy with… she's happy.
Just then, he looked down and noticed something. A rolled-up blue headband, left on the seat. Lemon's dance headband. Jack picked it up and scooted toward the car door on her side, ready to get out to give it to her. He rolled down the window and held the headband out, in case she saw and came back for it. However, something caught his eye, something that made the smile slowly fade off of his face, like ice in the summer sun.
Liz had gone inside and tapped someone on the shoulder. The person had his back to Jack, so he couldn't see the stranger's face- but Liz obviously recognized him, and he obviously recognized her, too, judging by the way they embraced. The man bent down to sweep Liz into his arms and kiss her. It was a long and lingering kiss that left a grin on Liz's face when they finally broke apart.
Jack watched incredulously as Liz walked away with the man. They were holding hands and smiling. He watched Liz laugh- really laugh, happily laugh. Something Jack had not seen for a long time.
Numbly, Jack rolled his window back up. His heart was pounding, the blood rushing in his ears. Lemon was dating someone. He wasn't jealous, or angry; no, Jack was happy that Liz had someone to love again, after her disastrous break-up with Carol. And he wasn't shocked because she had a boyfriend; Liz was a lovely woman, and he knew that many men could fall head-over-heels for her. No, Jack was shocked because for once, he hadn't been able to read her like an open book. For once, he'd had it wrong. He hadn't known.
He also felt hurt. Why hadn't Liz told him about her new boyfriend? Shouldn't she be bragging about 'getting more' than he was? Was Jack losing his touch with Liz, or was she pulling away from him? Either way, Jack was upset. Having Liz Lemon in his life was something he needed, whether he liked to admit it or not. Teasing her, seeing her brown eyes smiling from behind her glasses. He needed her.
Jack's stomach tightened, and he pinched the bridge of his nose. He was in need of a scotch. "Good God, Lemon." he hissed under his breath, his voice pained.
Jack wondered if, when he'd met her, he had known how much he'd need her. How much he'd crave her just like he craved scotch. When he first set his eyes on her, all dark hair and unprofessional t-shirts, did he know that someday, he'd be addicted?
Of course, only time would tell if Liz was pulling away from him. But if she was, Jack would have to start going cold turkey.
Lemon wouldn't be around forever.
end