It was just a little after seven o'clock and Allison was still in her office at GD. The light in her office was dimmed and she was sitting there all by herself. Kevin was staying over at a friend's house and she didn't want to go home alone in an empty house knowing that all her thoughts would just drift back to one person: Jack Carter. Since Carter told her that he would be having dinner at Callie's tonight and even though Carter reassured her it was because he needed to talk to Callie, it didn't help ease her insecurity.
She heard a knock on the door and got up to open it. It was Nathan, the last person she wanted to see.
"Allison, what are you doing here all by yourself in the dark? What, no date with the Sheriff?"
"Nathan, I have no time for these games. Could you just leave?"
"I'm sorry Allison. I mean, I don't know why you are even wasting your time on Carter."
"Wasting my time on Carter? How dare you Nathan? Just because he doesn't have a Nobel Peace Prize, or an IQ as high as yours or he doesn't make as much money as you do, Carter is a waste of time? Who the hell gives you the right to judge him? Carter is smarter than you and I put together, Nathan. How many times has he saved our asses and this town? As scientists we often overlook and over analyze things but Carter, he is the best at he does and he keeps all of us here in Eureka safe. He always does what is morally right. He takes pride in his job. And he doesn't do his job so he would be given recognition but he does it because it is what he's sworn to do. So if you don't have anything nice to say about Carter, I suggest you don't say anything about him at all."
Nathan Stark just stood there and couldn't think of anything to say to Allison. The whole time that he and Allison were married, he had never seen her defend anybody with so much passion the way she just defended Carter.
Allison got up to pick up her purse. She is just so angry at the moment and if Nathan said another word against Carter, she doesn't know if she could control her anger. She needed to get away from Nathan before she slaps him.
"Nathan, do you mind leaving my office so I can lock up?"
"Allison…Ah…"
"Nathan, please, just go!" She said almost shouting.
"One more thing, just so that you know, if it weren't for Kevin, I would never have been with you. I wasn't with you because I was in love with you. I was with you because I saw that you were helping Kevin. And that was my mistake. I'm with Carter for no other reason except that I'm in love with him."
Allison left Nathan standing there in shock. She never meant for things to come out so harsh but she just couldn't stop herself once she started. She didn't want to take out her frustration on Nathan but he asked for it and he truly did deserve every word. She also knew that if she is to prove to Carter that this is for real, then there's got to be no doubt on her part that she is 100% sure that this is what she wants. She will not put Carter through that again.
Allison decided to stop by Café Diem before heading home. Maybe some food will do her some good tonight.
Callie's PlaceJack arrived at Callie nervous. He though about bringing flowers but decided against it knowing that the reason for dinner tonight was to break up with her. But he is also aware that Callie's reason for inviting him tonight was different from what he was planning. He felt so torn .He also felt like a jerk. He decided to bring a bottle of wine so that he didn't look like a fool coming to her house empty handed.
Over dinner, they made some small talk. Well, it was more like Callie did all the talking and Jack just listened. It took everything in his power to try to be present and listen and enjoy dinner when he knew what he was about to do to Callie, who is so sweet and nice.
After dinner, Callie signaled for them to sit on the sofa in the living room. With a wine in hand, they both sat down. Callie couldn't help but notice that throughout the entire time at dinner, Jack seemed distracted, like his mind was somewhere else. She could tell that even when he's smiling, there's sadness behind his eyes. She really wants this night to be special but her heart was telling her something else. If Jack is to say something to her, she's hoping that he starts soon because she cannot take this waiting any longer.
When it seems that Jack was finding it hard to find the words, Callie interrupted him.
"Jack, what's going on? And don't tell me it's nothing because you have been quiet during dinner and that is not like you."
"Was I? I guess so huh. Callie, I know you're going to think that I'm a jerk for doing this but God, this is hard."
"Are you breaking up with me Jack?"
Jack remained quiet for a few moments.
"I guess your inability to answer my question means that you are breaking up with me. Jack, I know you're a good guy so at least say something just so I know that I wasn't mistaken about you. You at least owe me an explanation."
"Callie, you have every right to slap me right now but I'm not very good at this."
"Not very good at breaking hearts? I know you're one of the nice guys Jack. And I also know that your heart belongs to Allison Blake. I knew it from the very start. But I wanted to take a chance. It's okay Jack. So how about we call this a night?"
"Callie, I'm really sorry."
"Yeah, I am too. Goodnight Jack."
"Goodnight Callie."
Carter waited in his car and watched Callie turn off the light in her room. He wasn't ready to go home yet. He knew Zoe would be asking him questions once he got home, and those questions he wasn't ready to answer. He needed time to think. He thought about Allison and truth be told, a relationship with her scares him to death. He wasn't lying when he told her she was ten times smarter and more beautiful than any woman he's very known. She's so damn smart, he thought.
He promised to call her once he was done talking to Callie.
Café DiemWhen Allison arrived at café Diem, she spotted Zoe hanging out with her boyfriend, Lucas.
She waved at Zoe and Zoe motioned for her to join them. Allison smiled and shook her head. She pointed to her seat to tell her that she would just be sitting at the bar.
Allison ordered her usual and asked Vincent to make her a special drink.
After a few minutes, Zoe joined her.
"Hey Zoe, where's Lucas?"
"Oh, he said he needs to hit the sack early because he's going to some family outing tomorrow.."
"You're not going with them?"
"God, no. His parents idea of family outing is not my cup of tea. Thank God, he didn't ask me. I think he learned after I went with them the first and last time. I complained non-stop."
"That will do it. So how are have you been Zoe?"
"Everything is good. So if you're here at Café Diem, where's my Dad?"
He's having dinner with Callie."
"Really? Huh… I thought Jo said… I'm really confused."
"What did Jo say?"
"Jo said that she heard that you and Dr. Stark broke up, so I kind of figured that maybe my Dad finally manned up and asked you out."
"Well…Zoe, should I even be discussing this with you? Your Dad is going to kill me."
"I tell you what, Allie. Can I call you that? We won't tell him. He's no fun. He still thinks I'm like 12. C'mon, what's going on?"
Talking to Zoe made Allison laugh and she forgot about what happened with Nathan earlier and eased her worries about Carter and their relationship.
"Alright. As long as you promise me that you won't tell him I told you. Zoe, I also wanted to say "Thanks" for taking care of Kevin at school. I really, really appreciate that."
"You're welcome Allie. You're stalling…"
"Oh… Darn. Well, let's just say that hopefully after tonight, your dad and I will officially be a couple."
"Oh… So he's with Callie cuz…"
"Yeah, so it's a bit of a bittersweet night. Callie is really nice and I know you know how your Dad is…"
Just then Allison felt her phone vibrate.
"Excuse me, let me get this. Oh, speaking of…It's your Dad."
"Hey. Yeah, I'm here at Café Diem."
"You're at Café Diem? Wait for me there."
"Carter, Zoe is with me."
"Ah, she is huh. I'll see both soon."
"Carter, did you want me order you any drinks?"
"What are you having?"
"I don't know. Vincent made it for me and it's really good."
"It's not a girly drink is it? I mean, you know, being the sheriff and all, I have a rep to protect." Carter joked.
"Haha. What rep?"
"Just get me the same drink then. And btw, tell my daughter, she better be having a milkshake."
"She is Carter. She's right you know, you're a pain. Just kidding, no she didn't say that." Allison felt even much better after hearing Carter's voice.
When Carter walked in on Café Diem, he couldn't hide the happiness he felt. Over in the corner booth, sitting were the two women he loves, laughing. The heaviness he felt all evening with Callie all disappeared. He felt like the luckiest man on earth. He walked over to them with that famous Carter grin. Before sitting next to Allison, he kissed his daughter on top of her head, which his daughter hates when done in public. He then sat next to Allison, lacing his fingers to hers.
"You okay Carter?"
"I'm perfect. Everything is perfect."