We pick back up with Jack when he reappeared in Season 3, Episode 6, "Jane Doe #38." Thanks for reading!
It had been almost a year since he'd seen her, which for him, was no time at all. He'd been gone longer in the past, much longer. He'd heard a little here and there regarding her life. He was right; she had called him, just like he'd predicted. It had taken a bit longer than he'd thought. Honestly, he thought she would reach out at Christmas, but she hadn't. He knew how much the holidays meant to her. Still, it didn't matter; that was in the past, and she'd called now. He'd go to her because she'd called, wanted to talk to him. He hated that he had been summoned to her office, but, well, that was Sharon. Maybe she wanted him to come there because Rusty wouldn't be lurking like he would at the condo. He had a few ideas of what she wanted. Emily was in a new production, and it was starting soon. He knew that because he'd talked to the kids somewhat on and off in the past year. That had been one somewhat good thing about his drop in last year with Sharon. He hoped today was another good result of it; the letter he'd left her, he'd told her he would be waiting, and apparently, she was ready to move forward. Forward. Emily. Maybe that was why he'd been summoned. Maybe Sharon was going to suggest that they take a trip together to see their daughter dance in New York. Professional dancer. She'd made it. Jack couldn't remember the last time he'd seen her dance. Certainly, it wasn't in New York. No, and he hadn't gone to see her in college. It was too much of a drive from Vegas, and well, Emily had never told him when she had performances. Yes, it must be about Emily. Nothing out of the ordinary was going on with Ricky at the moment, so, yes, Sharon must want to discuss Emily. He was almost giddy at the idea of a trip to New York with Sharon. Romantic? Well, that would be the intended outcome. Things would play out; sure, it would take time to get back into the romantic semblance he wanted, but this trip could do it.
As he rode up the elevator to her office, he could feel his emotions changing. From apprehension to now giddiness, he now couldn't wait to see Sharon. This would be good; it had to be. Who just finally picks up the phone after a year? He was sure the kids had told her he'd landed back in LA with a new firm. He'd gone back to Vegas for a few months until an old drinking buddy called up him, told him about an opening at this firm. He'd moved back to LA, securing an apartment for himself, and he was now working again. Success. He was on the road to it. Sharon was his first stop, and she wasn't going to just be a stop. This whole meet and greet to which he'd been summoned, it was the first step toward a new beginning, a new rebuild. He'd gambled, and he was going to win. He'd put the cards on the table for Sharon in the form of his last letter, knowing she took forever to process things, but he knew that eventually, she'd come back to him; she'd contact him, admit her mistakes, and they could move forward together. Yes, this was going to be a great day.
He was almost to the Murder Room, so he slowed his stride. He didn't want to appear too anxious, even though he was. A year. He almost couldn't believe it had been that long. It kept swirling through his head. From the kids, he knew Rusty was still around, but he also knew the kid hadn't graduated from high school yet. Soon, the kids had said. Rusty was behind in school due to the years on the street, but he was graduating soon. Jack knew that Sharon had to be excited about that, and come to think of it, that might now play into this latest call. Maybe it was just as much about going to see Emily as it was about Rusty finally graduating. He'd be 18 by now, ready to move on. Maybe that was part of it too. Maybe now with Rusty getting ready to move on from Sharon's care, Sharon was reevaluating life and ready to let Jack back in. Yes, that made sense too. Oh, he was almost ready to jump out of his skin. Rusty was going to be out; Jack was going to be back in. Sharon. Condo. Life. Marriage. Things were finally looking up. His gamble with the letter last years was paying off.
Ice. He could feel the stares, and he didn't like it. Something was different with the team. Last year, they'd been excited to see him, all smiles. Now, it was different. Provenza, well, he was always a grump. Oh, a case. Maybe they were distracted by a case. Flynn. Andy Flynn. That guy, he'd heard that guy's name come up over the past year. He didn't like it, but today's summons from Sharon seemed to dissuade any of the rumors he'd heard. Yes, police and lawyers-they all knew each other. LA was a huge city, but it ran in small circles. He'd heard his wife had been spotted around town with Andy Flynn. The thought made him roll his eyes right now in the Murder Room. Knowing his wife, though, he knew she was a sucker for a charity case. Rusty in point. She'd taken him in to help and nurture him. He had a feeling she was doing the same with Andy Flynn. The rumors he'd heard, well, he couldn't believe them; it didn't sound like Sharon. She wouldn't have anything going on with Andy Flynn. For one, it was Flynn, another washed up drunk, and Jack knew how much Sharon hated the idea of another drunk. For another, his rule abiding wife wouldn't get tangled up with any subordinate. Never. She wouldn't do that. Finally, he and Sharon were still married. Now, that hadn't stopped him from finding companionship over the years, but he didn't have the same ties to the church Sharon did. No way she'd be spending time with anyone even if they'd been legally separated for decades now. Back to the greeting he was feeling, or lack thereof, Andy Flynn was staring at him. He appeared to be on the phone, but Jack's entrance had pulled him from that. He could feel the stare; he could feel the eyes boring into him. What was up with Andy Flynn? They used to be friends, but obviously, something had changed. Something was different. He could play this game; he could fire back. "Finally working," he uttered, making sure Andy Flynn wasn't going to get the upper hand on him. He'd deal with him later. After he got the good news from Sharon, he'd make sure to announce it right in front of Flynn's desk. That desk, he still had residence right outside his wife's door, almost like her keeper. Well, once Sharon welcomed Jack with open arms, he'd make sure to announce that good news right in Andy Flynn's face.
"Hello, Jack," why was that so hard? She'd been cold, not the warm reception he'd expected, the greeting he'd tried to give her. She couldn't even utter a proper greeting to him. Suddenly, he didn't want to go in the office. Something was off, and unfortunately, he was betting that this wasn't going to be good.