Soon the boys came back. Sandra couldn't help thinking about what Jack had said. Feeling lightheaded, she decided to take a breather outside. Gerry went to buy some fags, not having one since the ferry ride to France soon became a hard reality and he found himself in desperate craving for one. That left only Brian sat next to Jack. Brian had never been good with conversation of a sensitive nature, even when it was between the closet of friends.
"Brian." Jack started. The first thought that came into Brian's mind was he was going to give him a bollocking for spilling the beans, but Jack's eyes cleared all possibilities of that happening. " I know I don't have long." He wondered if this would make Brian crack up, but he seemed to listen intently, and so carried on. "I didn't want anyone to find me, because I didn't want anyone to get hurt. But I'm glad you did. Because I think it would have killed me earlier." Jack openly admitted. Brian didn't like where this was going. Almost like a goodbye.
"I don't know what I would have done without you, Jack." Brian confessed. He wanted it out in the open for he wasn't lying, nor exaggerating even to the slightest degree. He remembered when he stopped taking his medication, and tumbled down a tunnel of depression and misery, not only for him but others around him too, Jack was always waiting at the bottom to catch him.
Jack saw Gerry walking back in the distance "Brian," He began again, with a serious tone. "Just..." Jack didn't want to make things anymore confusing as they already were. "Just don't stop taking your pills." He said with a smile, attempting to lighten the mood. Brian smiled back as the door opened and Gerry was revealed. Brian, sensing Jack wanted to speak to Gerry on his own, made the excuse of ringing Esther, and made his way out.
"Bloody €9 for a pack of 20!" Gerry complained. Jack smiled at him and Gerry knew there was something he wanted to get off of his chest before the others came back.
"Listen mate," Gerry started, unusually sensitively for Gerry, but this was a special exception. "I don't know what I would have done without you over the years. For a start, I wouldn't have UCOS! It was only thanks to you I even got considered! And I wouldn't have met Brian, or got closer to you...or met Sandra..." He tailed off.
"I know you like her Gerry." He replied very bluntly, but as considerate and understanding as he could. " Don't hold back. You may regret missing the chance while you still have it." He told him, just as he had Sandra.
Gerry nodded. He wasn't quite sure what to say, apart from that he was gobsmacked Jack had realised- was it that obvious!? There wasn't much more to say before Sandra walked in.
"Where's Brian?" She asked, wondering what his mysterious mind was capable of in a different country.
As if by magic, Brian strode in. They all sat down, and it was pretty awkward to begin with, especially for a group that had been so close for a decade. Soon conversation started on UCOS and recalls of times in the unit occurred, until it became a social chat on memories of the decade, flashbacks of the good times,losing themselves in the past...