Title: Learning To Hunt

Chapter: Section 9

Fandom: The Tribe

Author: PinkTribeChick

Summary: Sometimes, love is just right under your nose . . .

Extended Summary: An alternate-universe Series 4 romance story, from the point of view of Pride, Jack, and an original female character.

Rating: Teen

Pairing: Jack-Original Female Fiction Character, Pride-Original Female Fiction Character, Jack-Ellie, and Bray-Amber, with a few mentions of other pairings.

Author's Notes: Massive thanks to Ariannya and Whit for their thoughts and proofreading on various sections over the years! Enjoy, and please review! Feedback is much appreciated!

Disclaimer: All characters, situations, and song lyrics remain the property of their respective owners. Any original characters are sole property of me, PinkTribeChick.


Learning To Hunt

Section 9


Jack stood outside Liliana's room a few hours later, nervously debating whether to knock on her door or not. He ran a hand through his hair and checked his breath as he stood in the dark hallway. Everyone else was asleep. Including Liliana, probably. He let out a frustrated sigh, banging his head gently against the opposite wall.

Why was he doing this? Sneaking about the cabin at night in only pajama pants just to see some girl he'd only just met? He'd never been nearly as forward as this with Ellie. But there were a lot of things he hadn't been with Ellie. Like a stronger, more dominant person. He'd let Ellie run all over him. But he was going to be bold now. Summoning up all his courage, he turned to face the door again as it opened. Light flooded the hallway.

"Liliana . . . hi!" Jack said as she stood in the doorway staring at him.

"Hi. What are you doing here?" she asked, looking surprised to see him. Her hair was a bit messy, and her eyes were red and splotchy as though she'd been crying. Maybe now wasn't the best time to tell her how he felt after all.

"Um . . . ," he quickly thought of a feasible lie, "I was just heading to the kitchen to get something to drink." Liliana nodded, looking at him like she didn't believe a word he'd just said.

"Can't sleep again?" she said, calling his bluff. She licked her slightly chapped lips, then bit her lower lip anxiously. Why in the world was he there right then? Standing there, as though he was psychic and knew she needed someone. That she needed him.

"Yeah . . . ," he responded. "Something like that." He looked down at his feet in embarrassment, then looked back up at her again. She was nodding, lost in thought for a moment.

"I'm just going to go get Samuel. Pride's watching him for a bit," she explained. "You can come with me if you want." Jack just stood there with his mouth agape as he looked at her. She once again wore only a t-shirt and a pair of boxers that had hearts on them. Her hair was pulled back into a messy ponytail on the top of her head. And for some reason, he was thinking that she was the most beautiful girl on the planet, poised there in the doorway.

Get a grip, Jack. It's not like you haven't seen a pretty girl in her pajamas before. No need to freak out, he told himself.

"Jack?" He snapped out of his trance to see her looking at him questioningly. "Jack, do you want to come with me to get Samuel or not?" He tried to speak, but no sound came out, so he simply nodded his head. "Well, then come on." She started off down the hallway. Jack smacked his hand against his forehead as he followed her.

I am such a loser, he scolded himself.


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