I do not own EUReKA. That should tell you how exciting my life is.

With Friends Like These, Who Needs Enemies

Chapter 7: Seeing Is Believing

Tess stared up at the ceiling from her bed, a million thoughts running through her head. She had been restless the whole night and now lay motionless, contemplating the conversation she had with Jack yesterday. She wasn't sure what she should do now. After speaking with them both, she was even more conflicted about the whole situation. Jack and Allison seemed very sincere in their apologies to her and deep down she new they never meant to hurt her. They just weren't the malicious type. Was she blinded by what went on between them? Intentionally ignoring the cues she didn't want to see? If she thought about it, they always seemed to have a unique connection. If she was truthful with herself, she had know all along.

As she lay there, she replayed those incidents over in her mind. There was the time she and Jack disappeared after stepping on H.G.'s machine, the one that caused the issue with the p-brain waves. He told her that Allison would stop the machine because she would be able to feel him, and to Tess's amazement, she did. When she sat with Jack on his stakeout, he showed concern for her, knowing that she had been under a lot of stress. Tess casually mentioned to him that it was probably the reason why Allison liked him so much. When he turned to her, she saw the look in his eyes, the one of hope.

Thinking back, Allison also hinted at her interest towards Jack. When she asked Allison if something was going on between the two of them, she dismissed her. When Allison asked her about the date they went on to stargaze, and questioned Tess as to if she liked Jack, Tess saw the look of sadness and disappointment on her face when she said yes. Oh, there were many more occasions she could pinpoint, but in the end, they all painted the same picture.

Tess knew she had to take a hard look at herself and determine her role in all of this too. Yes, she did love Jack. So why was she so hesitant to move in with him in the beginning. Initially she didn't even tell him about the job offer in Australia. Contrary to what she told him yesterday, when she thought about her future, she couldn't clearly see him as a part of it. No, she never meant to make him feel stupid, she knew he was brilliant in his own right. He had an ability to read people like no other, and could make sense of things where there was none.

When she thought about they each expressed their feelings toward the other to her, she had to admit she was a bit jealous. Not of them so much, but of the fact that you could love someone so much and be so sure. She didn't think she had ever felt that way. Sure she had been in love before, but would she be so willing to make the sacrifices and devote the time to the relationship like they had. To tell the truth, she did miss Allison...a lot. She missed talking to her, laughing with her, sharing their experiences together. She really didn't want to lose that.

Tess rolled over, sat on the edge of the bed, placed her hands under her chin and sighed. No, her heart hadn't completely healed, that would take time. It had been a tumultuous week after all. She felt as if she were going through the seven stages of grief in rapid succession. There was the shock of finding out her best friend and ex-boyfriend were in a relationship. The denial in believing that they had not started a relationship until after she had gone. The anger that they kept the secret from her for so long. The bargaining with Jack, asking if he could still love her and repair what they had together. The guilt she felt herself in that maybe she could have saved the relationship by immediately accepting Jack's offer to move in. The depression she was feeling now, knowing that what they had was real. She had to wonder though if she would make it to that final stage. The one of acceptance and hope.

But, there were no more tears, none of that gut wrenching pain, no more anger. Frankly she felt a bit numb. These last few days in town she just wanted to relax and enjoy herself. She knew she would have to face them eventually, but there was something she had to do first. So she got up, got dressed and left to seek out the one person she really wanted to talk to.

Across town Jack and Allison were busy getting their day started.

"Would you stop it." Allison admonished Jack jokingly, "We're supposed to be getting ready for work."

"We are. I just want to make sure I didn't miss any spots."

That morning they got up a little earlier so that they would both have time to shower, get the kids ready, eat breakfast and drop Kevin off at school. When Allison went to get in the shower, Jack decided to join her, in his words to "conserve water."

Allison poked holes his theory. "Eureka doesn't have that problem. Everything here is recycled so there is no need to worry about a drought anytime soon."

"Well, you never know. I think we should just play it safe."

Jack enjoyed taking his time lathering her up. He could spend hours making sure he cleaned every spot. He dropped the bath sponge and began using his hands to massage her. He pressed up against her and reached around to knead her breasts. He could tell she was getting excited by the way her nipples hardened. The blood rushing to them caused the brown nubs to darken. To his delight she did not push his hands away.

Allison moaned her response to him. "Jack...we don't have time. The nanny will be here soon and we have to get the kids ready."

"Uh huh." Jack mumbled his answer while concentrating on sucking her neck. He knew she didn't really want him to stop so he lowered his hand to her center and stroked her mons.

"Oh!" Allison was taken by surprise and her body immediately responded to him. Her answers to him now broken by deep breaths. "You didn't get enough last night?"

"Allie, I can never get enough of you."

Allison reached between them and began stroking his cock. He thought how for someone with such delicate hands, they sure were powerful. She held him with a firm grip even though the suds and water made him slippery to the touch. Jack spread her lips and slid two fingers inside her opening as she reached up with her free hand and grabbed the back of his neck. Her cries of pleasure excited him, causing an increase of blood flow to his pulsating member. As much fun as he was having playing with her, he knew they didn't have much time, so he took matters into his own hand.

Jack removed his hands and spun her around. He lifted her up so that they were eye level and guided her legs around his waist. He entered her with ease, the water acting as a lubricant. Allison locked her ankles around his back as he pressed her up against the cold tile wall. He vigorously pumped inside of her over and over again as she raised and lowered her body in unison. Jack lowered his hands and cupped her ass so that he could gain more leverage. Leaning her back up against the wall as she clawed at his back, he didn't think he could last much longer.

Jack captured her lips and kissed her long and deep. The kiss broken only by his shallow breathing as he slowed his momentum. Allison knew that he was about to cum but was trying to delay it's arrival. She wanted it to last but couldn't help it...he felt so good. She couldn't just sit and do nothing so, she tightened her grip around his waist, and rubbed up against his abdomen with her clitoris, then began contracting her vaginal muscles around him.

"Allie, I...can't...hold on." Jack's body shook uncontrollably as he came inside of her. He held her there for a few moments until he was able to regain his composure, his head resting on her shoulder. When she unwrapped her legs and went to move, he stopped her.

Jack looked at her with determination in his eyes, "Where do you think you're going? We're not done yet."

"Jack, it's okay. We don't have time."

Jack stared at her and didn't say a word. He knelt down, and with the spray from the shower head splashing on his back, he took her in his mouth. He attacked her with ferocity. There was no way he would let her leave this shower without having an orgasm. Jack lifted her leg and placed it over his shoulder so that he could get a better angle. She grabbed his hair in her hand, closed her eyes and let him take control. When she climaxed, it was like the rush of a waterfall and he took all of it in.

Jack rose slowly and kissed each spot as he ascended.

Still a little weak from the experience, Allison called out to him. "Jack."

"Mmm huh." His mouth firmly pressed against her collarbone.

Eyes closed, her head still spinning, she relished the feel of his lips against her skin. "You...are...amazing."

Jack smiled and chuckled, his mouth still against her skin. "I know."

They eventually made it out of the shower. Allison got Jenna ready and headed downstairs. She made a breakfast of scrambled eggs, toast, bacon, and oatmeal for them.

"No bacon?" Kevin inquired as he sat at the table and looked at his plate.

"I think you've had your quota for the week." Allison turned from the fridge and handed him a bowl. "Here eat your oatmeal."

"Belch! Why does Jack get to have bacon?"

"I'm not Jack's mother."

When Allison turned her back to grab the orange juice, Jack handed Kevin a piece of his bacon.

"I saw that." Allison called out with her back still to them.

She placed a bowl of oatmeal in front of Jenna, fixed a plate for herself, sat at the table with them and playfully gave Jack and Kevin the evil eye. As they were finishing their breakfast, Allison thought that this would be a good time to broach the subject of Jack spending the night with Kevin.

"Kevin, I...we want to talk to you about something." Eyeing Jack, Allison was a little apprehensive, not sure how to start the conversation.

"I hope you know Jack and I are committed to this relationship. I know you were worried in the beginning about Jack hurting me and your friendship with him ending if we didn't work out."

Kevin looked between the two of them a blank look on his face.

Allison turned to Jack as he started to speak, "You know I love your mom, and I want you to know I love you and Jenna too. We know you're okay with us seeing each other, but we never asked you how you felt about me staying over."

Allison looked back and faced Kevin. "Kevin you know I always want you to be honest with me, so tell us what you're thinking."

Kevin was quiet for a while and they were afraid that his response was one they didn't want to hear.

"Well, I'm okay with it I guess. I mean, I know what goes on between adults. I've already taken Human Anatomy and Sexuality at Tesla."

Jack didn't want to know how evasive the class was, knowing that Zoë had taken the same course not to long ago.

"Just, sometimes can we stay over at Jack's house. SARAH has access to every game ever made and she always gives me hints on how to beat them."

"That's fine with me." Jack answered.

Allison smiled at her little man. In between that awkward faze of going from boy to man.

Kevin got up from the table and grabbed the last piece of bacon from Jack's plate. "Hey Jack, can you take me to school?"

"Sure, buddy."

Kevin walked over tapped Jenna on the nose and kissed his mom on the cheek. "See ya mom. Love ya."

"Bye baby."

Allison walked them to the door and kissed Jack goodbye then waited for the nanny.

When Tess arrived at GD she went straight down to her temporary lab to finish a few things and pick up some paperwork she wanted to take back with her. She was excited that she was able to implement the Telescope Array's technology for use with the Astreaus mission and looked forward to sharing the information with her crew back in Australia. Although going into space was never a dream of hers, she was thrilled. She would have access to mission updates, scientific findings and go down in history as one of the Astreaus mission team members.

Tess looked around to make sure she had everything she needed. Secure in the fact she left nothing behind, she ventured off to find the one person she needed to speak to. When she arrived at Henry's office, Grace was there with him. Tess always thought that Grace and Henry made an amazing couple. They worked well together, they never seemed to disagree about anything, a match made in heaven.

"Hi Grace, Henry."

"Hi Tess." They answered in unison.

"Henry can I talk to you about something?"

"Of course you can talk to me."

Grace looked at Tess then to Henry then excused herself. "I'll see you later honey."

Henry waited until Grace left out before addressing Tess. "What's on your mind?"

"I'm not sure where to start so I'm just going to ask. I was just wondering if you knew?"

"About?" Henry looked at her with his poker-face. Damn he was good she thought.

"Come on Henry. You and Jack are best friends. You know what I'm talking about."

"Tess, I'm not sure how comfortable I am talking about this with you."

"Henry, I've already spoken to Allison and Jack and they've told me their version of events. I just want to hear it from someone besides them. I want to know if it's true." Tess looked at him and searched his eyes. "Henry, we are friends, aren't we?"

"Of course we are."

"Please tell me...did you know?"

Henry looked at Tess and sighed. "I've know for a long time that Jack and Allison had feelings for each other."

"Well, it seems that everybody knew but me."

"Sit down, let me tell you something about my friend Jack." Henry gestured toward the couch and sat next to her.

"Jack is loyal, honest, brave, and one of the best friends I've ever had. He would never deliberately hurt anyone. When Jack first came to Eureka, he felt a little out of place. People here didn't know how to take him. Here he was not a scientist, unaware of the things we do, always attempting to bring a little fun into our lives." Henry thought back to Jack and his idea of starting a softball league. It didn't turn out exactly how he planned, but they all did have fun.

"But you know what, these people grew to love him. He cares about this town, it's his home. A lesser man would have left a long time ago. Always putting himself in danger, away from his family, keeping a secret this big. I believe the one thing that has kept him here, kept him focused and looking toward the future, was Allison."

Tess listened intently to Henry. If she were someone looking in from the outside at Jack and Allison's relationship and had not been a participant, it all seemed like some wonderful fairytale.

"From the day Jack meet her, he was in love. It was written all over his face. Jack's been hurt before and I think the reason he never tried to pursue Allison vigorously was that he thought he wasn't good enough for her, not smart enough. Yes he dated, he tried to move on, but she never strayed far from his heart or his thoughts. So when Jack decided to end things with you, his motive wasn't because he was seeing Allison. It was because he knew that he couldn't completely give himself to you. Not while he was still in love with her."

Henry reached over and gently patted Tess's hand. "Believe me Tess, it killed him to hurt you. But I want you to know that I believe they were meant to be together."

Tess closed her eyes and exhaled. She knew Henry would never lie to her. It just wasn't in his nature. "Thank you Henry."

Tess left out, recounting the things Henry told her. She wasn't sure what her reaction should be, but honestly she felt...okay. Tess knew at that moment that she wanted to speak to Jack and Allison again. For now though, she really needed to get something to eat.

As she reached Café Diem, opened the door and walked inside, she stopped in her tracks. Over at a corner table she saw them. Jack had Jenna on his lap, Allison sat next to him gently rubbing his back, and Kevin was across from her, facing the door. They all looked so happy as they sat there eating dinner. If someone who didn't know them walked in on this scene, they would think they were already a family. Then it hit her, they were.

"Tess!" Kevin yelled out and ran over once he saw her and gave her a big hug. "Mom told me you were in town. Where have you been? Why haven't you come by to see me?"

"I'm sorry Kev, I've just been really busy."

Kevin tugged at her sleeve and pulled her over to their table. Jack, Allison and Tess all looked at each other, unsure of what to say.

"Hello." She greeted them both.

"Hi Tess." They answered simultaneously.

Kevin gestured toward the empty chair. "Come on sit down."

"Um, I can't, I have some work to finish up. I just came in to grab something to eat."

Tess saw the look of disappointment on Kevin's face. "How bout I come over tomorrow? That's if it's okay with your mom." Tess turned to Allison, a questioning look in her eyes.

Allison smiled in return. "That would be great."

"Okay then, I'll see you guys tomorrow."

"Dr. Fontana, your order is ready." Vincent called out.

Tess walked over and picked up her package. Before she left out, she turned and glanced back at the four of them. She was glad that Kevin and Jenna both had someone in their lives who obviously cared and loved them as much as Jack did. Though she tried, she couldn't help but smile at the site of them together.

Conclusion - Chapter 8: That's What Friends Are For