I do not own EUReKA. But, no worries. I'm just glad I get to fiddle around in their universe. So, in the famous words of Mario Mario – Here we gooooo...
I Do Over...Again
Chapter 6: You Always Hurt the Ones You Love
Allison paced her office nervously. She'd scheduled a meeting with Jack to discuss a series of experiments at GD that could possibly have an affect on the town. She'd been intentionally avoiding him these past few days–ever since the incident. After they'd almost kissed...again, she'd walked around in a fog. Jack had tried calling her but she instructed Larry to take a message each time. He even came by the facility but she always managed to evade him. She didn't know what to say to him. There was no escaping him today. She knew he would ask her about the hand holding and the kiss–well, the almost kiss. Oh god what had she been thinking. She just couldn't help herself, he looked so...delicious. If Jo and Nathan hadn't shown up she didn't even want to think about what would have happened.
Allison could see him approaching through her office window as he strolled across the rotunda, hands shoved deep in his pockets. He was greeted by a few employees and when he smiled at them...phew. Yum, he looked so good. Okay Allison stop it she thought to herself. She had to pull herself together because if she didn't, it could easily become a repeat of their jeep episode.
Jack stood outside of Allison's office door, anxious about going inside. The past few days he'd tried to get in contact with her but he was always told she was working on a project, was in a meeting or he'd just missed her. He wanted to talk about what happened between them but didn't know if he should bring it up right away. He couldn't stand outside all day so he went in hoping the moment would reveal itself when he could broach the subject.
"Hey Allison." She looked so beautiful today–always did, her flawlessly tailored business suit, hair pulled back into a chignon.
"Hi Carter, have a seat." Allison decided the best thing to do for now was to stick to the agenda.
Well, Jack thought, this clearly wasn't the moment to ask. Allison dived right in and went through the material with him, alerting him to all the possible problems that may occur. She wanted him to work with Jo and come up with a contingency plan just in case it got out of control. Though she tried her best to remain businesslike, she couldn't help but fantasize as they spoke. She eyed his lips as he talked–they looked so...kissable. Every so often he would grin and flash her a glimpse of his perfect white teeth and dimpled smile. She tried to avoid looking directly into his eyes for each time she did she got lost in them. She had to maintain focus.
"Allison? Allison?"
Her attention still trained on his mouth she hadn't heard the question he'd asked.
"What?"
"What do you think?"
"I'm sorry, can you repeat the question?"
She still didn't catch all of what he said, but she trusted him and knew that whatever he suggested would be fine.
"Yeah, that'll be great."
There was a lull in the conversation as they both realized their meeting had concluded. Allison knew that this was her opening to talk to him about the other day.
"Um Carter, I want to talk to you..."
Jack interrupted her. He had to get out what he wanted to say. If he didn't he would chicken out. He was finally ready to pour his heart out to her. His nervousness apparent, he began. "I wanted to talk to you too. That thing that happened in my jeep the other day..."
This time Allison was the one to interject, "...It was a mistake."
He was confused. A mistake? That's the last thing he wanted to hear. He had hoped that her gesture toward him meant that she was ready to pursue a relationship with him. He knew that it wouldn't be easy–there was Stark to consider, but they could make it work.
His head inclined, Jack couldn't hide his disappointment. "Oh."
Allison knew he hadn't expected to hear that particular statement. Why did she have to say anything? She could have let him speak first. Maybe that was why. She was afraid of what she would hear. "Why, what were you going to say?"
Jack shook his head apathetically and rose to his feet effectively ending their meeting. "Nothing...same thing."
"Good." Though deep down, she'd wished he'd said the opposite. "So we're okay?"
Jack attempted a reassuring smile but it was unconvincing, "Yeah, we're fine." He moved toward the door then whirled around suddenly remembering, "Oh, tell Kevin I'll be by later tonight to work on our project."
"I will."
Jack hurriedly left out of the facility. His thoughts preoccupied by the fact that his hopes had once again been dashed. He was so busy contemplating, he didn't even notice that Jo had passed him and said hello.
Allison sat in her office mulling over their conversation. Though it hurt her to lie to him, she had to do it. She had recommitted herself to Nathan and wanted to make sure that she and Jack understood each other. Maybe in a different time, or different place...
A voice interrupted her musings.
"Hey Allison."
"Jo. What's up?"
"I was wondering if I could talk to you about something?"
Allison noticed that she seemed hesitant. "Of course, sit down. Is everything okay?"
"Yeah, I'm fine. I know that technically you're my boss but, we are friends...aren't we?"
"Of course we are." Even though Jo worked for Allison, she did consider them friends. As she did Henry, Grace, Fargo and a multitude of other residents. This was a small tight knit community and it would be unrealistic to believe that you could work here and not become close friends with your fellow coworkers and townspeople, be they your subordinates or superiors.
"Good. Um, I know its none of my business and it's not really my place to say but I have to get this out and I hope that I'm not over stepping my bounds."
Allison knew that it must be important because Jo didn't readily open up to people. She waited for her to begin, realizing that whatever she had to say must be hard for she remained quiet longer than expected. What she blurted out came as a total surprise.
"Are you in love with Carter?"
Allison did a double-take. "What!"
"Are you in love with Carter?" Jo repeated her question, fully aware that she had heard her the first time.
"Jo, I know you have good intentions and your hearts in the right place, but frankly that's none of your business."
"You're right, it probably is none of my business. But, as a friend I would be remised if I didn't say anything. Oh and uh, you didn't answer my question."
Allison knew Jo wouldn't be budged on this subject. "I love...Nathan." The way the words came out of her mouth, Allison wouldn't have believed herself either.
"Hum. Well, just a word of advice from one friend to another. If you love Carter, then tell him. If you don't, then leave him alone. Allison he may not show it, but he's fragile. He doesn't deserve this. I care about him...and I care about you. Make this right." With that being said, Jo exited.
Allison was speechless. If it was anyone else she probably would have told them to go straight to hell. She knew Jo and even though she came off as this hard, aggressive woman, she was a girl at heart. When she was passionate about something, nothing would stand in her way. Carter must be very important to her because she wouldn't do that for many people.
Back at home that evening, Allison mindlessly cleared away their plates unaware that she had been putting the clean ones back into the dishwasher.
"Allie, what are you doing?" Nathan peered at her quizzically, a smirk on his face.
"What? Oh. Sorry. I have a lot on my mind."
"Anything I can help you with." Nathan walked up behind her and wrapped his arms around her waist.
"No, but thanks." Allison turned, balanced on her toes and pecked him on the lips. Just as he was about to go in for a deeper kiss the doorbell rang.
Allison swiftly unhooked Nathan's arms from around her waist. "That must be Carter."
Letting out a long sigh, his displeasure with Carter's arrival evident he asked her, "Carter? Why is he here all the time?"
"He's helping Kevin with his project, remember?"
Allison left him and rushed to open the door. "Hey Carter. Come on in."
"Hey Allison."
The smile Jack greeted Allison with disappeared upon entering the house and seeing Stark in the kitchen.
"Sheriff."
"Scientist."
Their dislike for each other apparent as neither one pretended to be enthusiastic about seeing the other.
Allison gestured to Jack. "Kevin's upstairs in his room."
"Thanks." Jack hurried upstairs. The less time he spent in the same room as the two of them, the better.
Once Jack was well beyond hearing distance Nathan started in. "I'll be glad when this project is over."
"Nathan don't be that way. Kevin is really excited about this and Carter just wants to help."
"Why didn't Kevin ask me for help?"
"Really?" The you've got to be kidding me expression on her face evident. "Like you know anything about baseball."
"No, but I could learn."
Allison couldn't help but snicker. She knew that Nathan thought playing baseball was beneath him. "Don't worry, Kevin will include you in one of his activities."
"When? I never get a chance to. Every time you turn around there he is...Super Sheriff here to save the day."
His voice raising, Allison glared at him, "Shhh."
Dropping an octave his already low-pitched voice almost became inaudible. "Allie, I just want the chance to connect with Kevin again. When he was younger he looked up to me. Now, he sees me as this huge jerk. How can I get close to him? Every chance I try, his time is being monopolized by him?" He thumbed toward Kevin's room.
"Nathan it's different with Carter. You and Kevin connect on an intellectual level. Carter...well, he allows him to be a kid."
"And when have I been given a turn? Carter's always taking him to games, and ride-a-longs, and whatever other nonsense he comes up with. Allie, I just want a chance to be the father he needs. With Carter in the picture I'll never have a shot. Allie, Kevin's getting older and my window of opportunity is closing."
"Nathan what do you expect me to do?"
"I want you to tell Carter to back off."
"What?" His request staggered her. After today, Allison didn't think that Jack could take another blow. "No. I can't do that. Kevin would be crushed and Carter...I won't do that to him."
She could see Nathan was incensed. "You won't do that to him? You're marrying me Allison, not Carter."
She stared at him blankly, her jaw clenched.
"If we're going to be a family we need to come together. I'm sorry if Carter's going to be upset, but Kevin is going to be my son, not his."
Allison pleaded with him, the despair she felt from his request visible. "Nathan please."
"Allison you need to do this."
She knew that Nathan was jealous of what Jack and Kevin had, but she also knew he was right. As much as it pained her, she relented. "All right. I'll talk to him...alone."
"Thank you Allie. Trust me it'll all work out."
Two hours later Jack and Kevin came rumbling downstairs.
"You guys all done?" Allison had been sitting on the couch contemplating how she'd even approach him. She'd been trying to psych herself up for what she had to do–not that she was happy about, but she had to remain strong.
"Yeah, just about. This presentation is gonna rock." Kevin looked at Jack with reverence.
"That's great baby."
"Hey Jack, do you think we have a chance at winning top prize."
Jack grasped Kevin's shoulder so that they were side by side. "Oh, definitely. The two of us are an unbeatable combination."
"Yeah."
Allison had to get this started. "Kevin baby it's late, why don't you get ready for bed."
He sighed loudly, "Aww mom." The look she gave him let him know that it was not up for debate, so off he went.
"Okay. See ya later loser. Hey maybe we can go to the batting cage this weekend. I've been practicing. Bet you can't get one past me this time."
"Sounds like a plan. Goodnight buddy."
Nathan turned to her and whispered. "Tell him."
Allison shuddered as he kissed her cheek and turned to head upstairs.
Stark addressed him as he passed. "Carter."
Jack's only response was a halfhearted grunt.
Left alone with Allison, Jack didn't want to linger. He couldn't be alone with her. He didn't trust himself. "Well, I'd better get going."
"Carter wait. Can I talk to you for a minute?" Allison motioned for him to sit.
"Uh, sure." Jack looked back toward the stairs as he sat on the couch thinking maybe Stark would come back down.
"I want to talk to you about Kevin."
Jack sat forward on the couch, brow creased, "What's wrong? Is Kevin okay?"
Oh God Allison thought. This was going to be hard. She could see how concerned he was about Kevin and he'd immediately thought the worst.
"No, Kevin's fine. It's...it's you."
"Me?" He was caught off guard by her declaration.
"Um, there's no easy way to say this so I'll just spit it out. Once the project is over we think it would be a good idea for you to not spend so much time with Kevin."
Jack shook his head clearly taken aback by her statement. "What?" Did he just hear her correctly? She wanted him to stay away from Kevin.
Allison could see that he was visibly shaken.
"I don't understand. Did I do something wrong?"
Allison wanted to break down and cry right then. He sounded so dejected. He tried to hide it but she knew that she had wounded him...deeply.
"No, no! It's nothing you did. It's just that...its hard now that Nathan and I are back together. He's having a tough time relating with Kevin and I think that..." Allison lowered her head obviously ashamed at what she was asking him to do, "I think that maybe if you give them some time to reconnect it would help to rebuild their relationship. Nathan and I want to make a concerted effort to become closer as a family."
Jack slowly nodded in acceptance. What could he do? What could he say? Allison was his mother and if she felt that he should stop dominating Kevin's time, who was he to object. Jack was crushed. Yes, Kevin was a link to Allie but thats not why he enjoyed his time with him. Kevin was like the son he never had. He genuinely cared for and loved him. Now not only did he not have Allison in his life the way he'd wished, but to be pushed out of Kevin's, it was devastating.
Allison noticed that his eyes which had always been so bright and vibrant when they looked at her had gone cold. Allison reached out and covered his hands with hers as they lay resting in his lap in an attempt to let him know that even though it hurt for him to hear it and for her to say it, he still meant a lot to them.
Jack quickly removed his hands from her grasp and abruptly got up from the couch and headed for the door.
Allison opened her mouth in shock at his reaction. It was as if he was revolted by her. What else did she expect. "Carter wait. Please."
Jack paused, his hand on the handle.
His back to her, Allison raised her arm and stretched her fingers out to caress his forearm but thought better of the idea allowing her hand to close. "It won't be forever. We just need a little time."
"What will you tell Kevin?"
"I don't know. But I will make sure he knows that this wasn't your idea. He worships you and I don't want to ruin the bond the two of you have."
Jack opened the door and left without another word.
As the door closed behind him, Allison crumpled against the frame. She could hear Nathan coming downstairs.
"How did he take it?"
"How do you think?" Anger laced her voice as she hurriedly brushed past him so he wouldn't see her crying.
She could hear Nathan call after her but she continued on. "Allie. Allie, come back. Damn!"
Jack backed out of the driveway but he didn't get far. Just two blocks up he pulled over to the side of the road and parked. It was a strange feeling that settled over him. Even with all the drama going on between he and Allison, this he didn't have a right to be angry about. Yes, it pained him to be excluded from Kevin's life, he was extremely fond of him. So he put himself in their shoes. What if the roles had been reversed. He would've wanted the same for Zoë, a chance to connect and be a family. His own marriage had broken up sending Zoë into a downward spiral of disobedience and criminal activity. He would never let anyone come between his family again, so how could he not understand. He vowed to help Kevin finish their project and he wouldn't treat him any differently then he always had. After they'd finished and he attended the presentation, he would understandably, but regrettably step aside.
So for the next two weeks Jack did as agreed–he came over and assisted Kevin in completing their assignment. The hard part was knowing that after it was over, they would no longer be spending time together. When Kevin would ask him about their next adventure or outing, Jack would casually change the topic. Apparently Allison hadn't spoken to him yet. Besides, Jack didn't want to promise anything he knew he wouldn't be able to honor. He walked around in a bit of a stupor those last few days. First the situation with Allison, now this. Oh, no one saw the change in him outwardly. He was good at hiding the signs–not Vincent, Zane, Grace or Andy. Even those closet to him couldn't tell–Zoë, Jo nor Henry. The only other people who knew, had created the issue to begin with.
Their last night of work completed, Jack tried to make sure it was the most fun they'd had together.
"Hey Mom, we're finished. It's gonna be awesome." Allison spun around from her position reading on the recliner to see Kevin and Jack coming up from the basement. Nathan stood in the kitchen cooking dinner.
"Oh baby that's great."
"I just know we're gonna win. Jack don't be late tomorrow, you have to help me set up."
"Don't worry buddy, I wouldn't miss it for the world."
Allison looked from Kevin to Jack as he grinned at him. Though the smile was plain to see, she noticed that they didn't extend to his eyes.
"Hey Jack, you wanna stay for dinner? Mom, can he?"
Before Allison could answer Jack spoke up, "Hey buddy I'm sorry I can't. I'm meeting Zoë for dinner at Café Diem."
He really wasn't lying. He and Zoë hadn't spent much time together lately. Not through any fault of his own. She was getting older, hanging out with friends. She had her own life.
Kevin was noticeably let down. "Well, we are going to the game this weekend right?" Jack had planned to take Kevin to Stanton. It was a few towns over and their high school team was playing for the state championships.
"I'm sorry I can't. Maybe Stark can take you."
The look on Kevin's face was priceless. If Jack wasn't so upset at that moment, he'd laugh out loud.
"See ya tomorrow buddy."
"Bye Carter." Allison titled her head to the side and watched him leave, saddened by the fact that she knew this was the end. It wouldn't be forever, but it was sad nonetheless.
"Allie, can you watch this pot for a minute? I need to talk to Carter."
"Nathan!" Allison didn't want him to antagonize or agitate Jack anymore than they'd already had. Allison knew this was undoubtedly the wrong time.
"Just talk."
Allison watched as Nathan ran after him.
"Carter!"
Jack turned to see Stark jogging toward him. Jesus, what the hell did he want.
"Can I talk to you for a moment?"
Jack stopped, his vehicle door open. "Yeah?"
"I know that you and I aren't friends..."
"Pfft. Hardly."
"...but, I wanted to thank you for being reasonable about the whole Kevin issue."
"Thank you? Geez, that must have hurt."
"You don't realize how much. I know how close you and Kevin are, it means a lot to us."
Us–meaning he and Allison. "Sure." Jack threw his leg up to get in the jeep.
Nathan held up a finger, "And just a word to the wise. I really don't care what or how you feel about me, but don't take this out on Allison."
Jack stepped back down and slammed the door shut. "Excuse me?"
"I don't know why she cares about you, but whatever the two of you have been going through, it's affecting her. She doesn't say anything to me about it, but I can see it."
Hands jutted on his hips, Jack stood toe to toe with Stark. Who was the fuck was he to threaten him.
"I would never do anything to hurt Allison."
"I know you wouldn't, but you need to come to terms with the fact that she chose me."
"You arrogant son-of-a-bitch." Jack moved even closer. Yes, he was taller and broader, but Jack showed no fear. Jack wasn't afraid of Stark, never had been. Hell he'd taken down men a lot bigger, stronger and tougher than him.
"Let me tell you something. I have no idea why she would want to marry you again. For some reason she thinks you've changed but I know better. You're the same selfish, pompous asshole you've always been. So now I'm going to give you a bit of advice...you'd better not hurt her again, or you will have to answer to me. And believe me, you don't want to see my bad side."
Jack stared at him unintimidated. He knew he'd gotten to him when he saw Stark's eye twitch and his shoulders briefly slump.
From her position at the front door, Allison peered through the side window. Oh hell she thought. She hoped they wouldn't come to blows. Just as she was about to open the door and tell them to grow up she saw Nathan take a step back and turn toward the house. If she didn't know better, she'd think that Nathan seemed...afraid. Jack held his position until Nathan reached the porch step, then he got in his jeep, backed out and sped off.
"What was that all about?"
"Nothing." He breezed past her and into the kitchen, not once giving her any eye contact.
At dinner they all ate quietly–a first for them. After Kevin had gone upstairs, she and Nathan cleared their plates and cleaned the kitchen. Remarkably, Nathan didn't bring up Jack again. Whatever the two of them had discussed, Allison wouldn't be privy to the conversation. Nathan seemed to be in his head, thinking about what she wasn't sure. Frankly, Allison was still pissed about what Nathan had asked her to do.
She didn't see the implicit harm in having both men in Kevin's life. If you really thought about it, it only helped to make Kevin a well rounded individual. Carter showed him the adventurous side of life, he taught him sportsmanship, he introduced him to new activities. Nathan fed the intellectual side. He showed him how to navigate the business world, helped him to develop him mind. Allison knew of no one man who encompassed both attributes that they had. Kevin was lucky to have them both. She had to talk to Kevin, she couldn't keep put it off any longer.
The last two weeks she and Nathan hadn't exactly been basking in the glow of their love. It had been tense, their conversations stilted. They attempted having sex but neither of their hearts were in it. They both knew this rough patch they were going through wouldn't last. They had been here before and they recognized that this was part of being in a relationship. Needless to say they slept on opposite sides of the bed many a night those last few weeks.
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Next - Chapter 7: The Good, The Bad and The Ugly