Disclaimer: not mine, but it is on my christmas list :)
Sumarry: Jonathan and Jack. Rain. A punch and a Handshake. Curious?
A/note: ThanX to Adi, my wonderful beta! I'm distracted by this story, it's chronic. But whilst updating this, I'm (literally) writing the next chapter of 'conversations'. One more chapter to go for this one though! I would like to start my 19th story on my 19th birthday (23rd dec), it's still in draft mode though. I'm rambling again aren't I...? Oops. Enjoy!
~SJ~
It was raining again as Jonathan drove back home. The wind shifted constantly and the rain poured relentlessly. Bursts of light in the distance flashed frequently and the temperature had dropped quickly. He felt the rumbling of thunder through the steering wheel and he couldn't fight the chill that ran down his spine.
He pulled into his driveway, and was surprised to find a shiny black Statesman in his spot. He cut the engine and peered out the windshield towards his porch. The rain continued to bucket down and he could almost make out a figure sitting on the front steps. Someone obviously wanted to see him.
He stepped out of his car into the heavy shower. The raindrops were fat and soaked him quickly. Only then did he realise who was sitting on his porch step, equally wet: Jack.
Instantly, the rain was negligible, though it continued to run down his face, which was quite annoying. Rage rose inside him and Jonathan found himself storming towards the elder version of himself. Jack stood up ready to speak to him in a far too rational manner for Jon's liking.
Jon's common sense kicked in just short of shoving the man and he tried to keep his emotions at bay.
"What are you doing Jon?" Jack asked. He sounded just like their father.
Jonathan's anger erupted at the sound of Jack's condescending voice and he swung a fist into Jack's jaw. His hand was slick and the impact left a sting on his knuckles... and hopefully Jack's face. Jack turned and leaned forwards, rubbing his open jaw.
"You idiot! How could you let her go?" Jon cried out against the rain and thunder. "Ya know, we had a great couple of days together! And I have to let her go, because she's not mine anymore!"
Now it was Jack's turn to get physical; he stood up straight and shoved the young man back, almost toppling him over. He advanced on Jonathan, his fist clenched. Jon stood his ground, ready to take as good as he gave.
"What did you do Jon? Did you sleep with her?" he growled.
"God no, she would never have allowed it! But we experienced more than you ever did!" Jack halted, kicking up water in a puddle. "You should have taken the chance she gave you! Like I did!" Jon barked. He decided to keep the kiss to himself. He knew Sam would too. It was purely between them.
"You, of all people, should know I would have if I could!" Jack yelled over the downpour.
"What?" Jon was caught off guard.
"I asked for a transfer to R and D in Nevada. I would have followed her right into her new damn office!" Jack explained. A flash of lightning crack overhead. "Hayes denied the transfer."
"Why didn't you tell her?" Jon's anger was dissipating. Slowly.
"I was afraid..." Jack confessed. His fist unclenched and his body relaxing in exhaustion.
"What... Why?"
"She asked me for the transfer to fifty one. I thought she was running away. I went to Washington and she never called. A couple of weeks later, the SGC start begging for her to go back. I was the one that ordered her back onto SG-1. I thought it was what she wanted. By then, she was going offworld all the time and nothing happened. I figured she got over any idea of us." Jack explained, his voice now weary.
Surely this was one big joke. Jonathan laughed and pushed both hands through his hair, sending a rush of water down his neck and face. Jack was clearly stunned by his reaction.
"You really are stupid, Jack!" he proclaimed.
"What?"
"You didn't retire. You allowed her to transfer across the country. You agreed to put her back onto SG-1, back into the chain of command. She left Pete for you, Jack! Come on! She moved to Nevada to get out of your chain of command and be closer to Cassie! She tried to tell you heaps of times! I know she would have! And if I know you, you wouldn't hear it..." he snapped back. "No wonder she didn't make a move, you did everything to convince her you didn't want her!"
Jack stopped and thought it through from the new angle. Damn it. The kid was right.
"She still loves you Jack." Jonathan said calmly. "But man, you really screwed this up."
All the anger Jack had felt over the last twenty four hours was gone and replaced with a sick feeling in his chest.
"Don't push her away like we did with Sara. I got my second chance, but you have to fight for yours. Don't be afraid of losing her. You won't." Jonathan stepped up close to him.
Jack looked at his familiar eyes. The rain began to slow and eventually it stopped as they stood in silence, stewing over this revelation. The clouds passed quickly overhead, having run their course. Jack held out a hand. Jonathan shook it with a tight grip. An agreement had been made; Jack would go after Sam like he was supposed to.
~SJ~
TBC... Reviews welcome.
