Chapter Nine
Jack walked in the front door of his house in Milltown carrying a large bouquet of roses and was greeted by an empty living room. He'd been hoping to find his wife at home. The last time he'd seen Carly, he was watching her retreating form as she stormed out of the station.
"Carly…," he called out waiting for a reply.
Jack took a moment to listen for her but he didn't hear any rustling going on upstairs. He laid the flowers on the desk and took off his jacket, draping it over the back of the chair. He was about to call out her name once more but was startled to see his wife's cousin walk out of the kitchen carrying his youngest son.
"Look whose home," Molly said to Michael as she walked into the living room.
"Molly!" Jack said surprised. "I had no idea you were in town," he smiled walking over to her and giving her a kiss on the cheek.
"I just got in this afternoon," she smiled back at him.
"I see you've met the little man," Jack said smiling down at his son who cooed and grinned up at his father.
"He's such a handsome boy," Molly said giving the baby a kiss on his cheek. "He looks just like you Jack."
"Why thank you," Jack grinned. "Say… where's your cousin?" he asked her.
"Your beautiful wife?" she asked and Jack nodded. "She ran to the store to get something for dinner. She said she'd be back in just a bit." "Oh," Jack said a bit disappointed that Carly wasn't there to talk to.
"I thought that perhaps you guys would go out and celebrate…," Molly told him, giving him a sideways glance.
She took a seat on the sofa and set Michael on her knee. She began to bounce him gently as he sucked on his fist.
"Celebrate?" Jack asked giving her a confused look. "Celebrate what?"
"Carly's new job," Molly told him.
"What job?" Jack asked immediately but then thought about it. "Oh… you mean the Lakeview job?"
Molly nodded.
"That's fantastic news."
"I thought that's maybe what the flowers were for," she said indicating to the roses on the desk. "But then I just remembered that Carly told me that she hadn't even told you yet about the job."
"No… she didn't," Jack said quietly.
"She must have had other things on her mind," Molly said giving him a look.
Jack sighed.
"She told you?" he asked shaking his head.
"Of course she told me," Molly replied. "Jack… what were you thinking?"
"Not you too, Molly," Jack sighed. "Look… like I told Carly. Nothing happened. I had forgotten all about Tracy until I saw her again last week. I seriously don't understand why Carly is making this such a big deal."
"Really? You really don't understand?"
"No… I really don't." Molly smiled up at him.
"Let's say the roles were reversed and Carly had spent the week with an old flame," she began but Jack immediately interrupted.
"Tracy is not an old flame," he said adamantly.
"Well that's not the story I got," Molly said. "Regardless… if Carly spent the week with some guy and didn't tell you about it, I don't think you'd be very understanding about it either." "But Carly doesn't have anything to worry about."
"Are you saying you would have something to worry about?" Molly asked him, raising an eyebrow.
"No! I know Carly would never cheat on me but who knows about the other guy. Carly is a very desirable woman," he said matter-of-factly.
"And you're not too bad yourself," Molly laughed. "Carly trusts you Jack… just not the other woman."
Realization kicked in and it all suddenly made sense as to why Carly was as upset as she was.
"Thanks Molly," Jack told her. "I get it."
"Any time."
"So… how mad is she?" Jack asked wincing a bit.
"It's nothing that Snyder charm can't fix," she grinned.
Meanwhile…
Carly walked down the sidewalk toward the pizza place. She figured she'd pick up some pizzas since it was the easiest thing to do for dinner. Carly felt guilty. She'd completely forgotten that Molly was coming. What with Jack being gone all week, the new job and that woman from Jack's past coming out, she'd completely spaced on Molly's visit. She had all these thoughts running through her mind that she really wasn't paying close attention to her surroundings and that's when it happened. She ran smack into a gentleman walking the other way.
"Oh I'm so sorry," Carly apologized looking up into the face of the man she'd run into.
"It was my fault," the man said looking down at her and he smiled as he realized whom he was speaking to.
"Kyle… I mean Mr. Gregson," Carly said smiling up at him. "I wasn't looking where I was going," Carly told him. "It was totally my fault."
"No… really it was me. I was on the phone. Are you alright?" he asked placing a hand on her arm. "I didn't hurt you did I?"
"No, I'm fine," Carly laughed. "Nothing bruised or broken."
"Good. I wouldn't want my new designer injured," he joked.
"You have nothing to worry about there."
"What are you doing downtown by yourself? I would have thought you'd be out celebrating. Isn't your husband excited about your new job?" he asked.
"Oh… yeah… well, you know how things go with family and stuff. I haven't gotten around to telling him yet," Carly clarified. "I'm sure he'll be thrilled. Actually my cousin is in town and we're just going to have a quiet time at home. Pizza…," she finished lamely pointing to the pizza parlor just down from where they were standing.
"I see. Well there's nothing wrong with that," he smiled kindly. "I hope your husband appreciates his talented wife though," he said giving her a wink.
"He does," she nodded. "Jack is great. He's my best supporter," she told him.
"I hope so. I see a bright future for us Carly. Together, we'll turn the Lakeview into something amazing. I'm really looking forward to working with you," Kyle said sincerely.
"Me too," Carly said softly. "I'm so grateful for this opportunity. I won't let you down," she assured him.
"I don't think you could ever do that," he smiled. "Have a good night."
"Thank you… you too," she said and she watched him walk off in the direction he'd been headed in before they'd bumped into each other.
At the Lakeview…
Daryl rode the elevator up to Rosanna's suite. He was looking forward to when he'd actually be able to go to his own place rather than the hotel. Not that the Lakeview wasn't nice, it certainly was. However, after all his years with the FBI, Daryl was looking forward to actually settling down in his own home and really making it just that… a home. Plus, it wouldn't just be his home; he'd be sharing it with Rosanna. He exited the elevator and walked down the corridor toward her suite. He pulled out the key card and swiped it across the door. The light turned green and he turned the handle and walked inside. He set his suitcase down and hung up his jacket in the closet. He glanced around the room. The small dining table off to the side was set for a romantic dinner for two complete with candles. Daryl heard some soft music playing in the background but he appeared to be all alone. He headed for the bedrooms and was met by Rosanna coming out dressed in a tight black dress that clung to her in all the right places. Daryl smiled as his body immediately responded to the vision of her.
"Hi," she said softly gifting him with a smile.
"Hi," he replied walking over to her.
He held his arms open and she slowly walked into his embrace as she wrapped her arms around his waist naturally. He kissed her tenderly, letting his lips linger slightly before pulling back a bit so he could look down at her.
"I missed you," he said.
"I'm glad you're back."
"Me too," he grinned.
"And…," she began a little hesitant, "…it's finished? You're no longer with the bureau?"
"It's all done. You are now officially looking at the newest member of the Oakdale PD."
"I can't believe it," she said hugging him tightly feeling giddy.
"Neither can I. It may take some getting used to though," he said hugging her back. "I've worked so long with them that it'll be strange just staying in one place. But in a good way," he quickly clarified when he felt her body stiffen slightly at his comment.
"I'm sure there will be times when you'll miss that aspect of it. I just don't want you to one day regret the choice you made. I would hate if that were to happen," she started.
"Rosanna listen to me," he said lifting her chin. "I will never feel that way. I'm positive I made the right decision."
"As long as you're sure," she said looking up at him with big blue eyes.
"I am," he told her.
His voice dropped and Rosanna detected a hint of huskiness to it and she smiled.
"I ordered dinner," she told him. "It should be here shortly. I wasn't sure when you'd be home."
"That's perfect. It'll give me a chance to change. It's been a long day with the flight and all."
"Did everything go alright in Chicago?"
"It did. The trial started and hopefully it will be over with quickly and the testimony will do it's job."
"Yes… let's hope so," Rosanna said feeling relieved that it was done.
"However… I had a little chat with Jack today," he said nonchalantly as he headed toward the bedroom.
"Oh," Rosanna replied as she began fidgeting with a loose thread on her dress.
"Yes. It seems that Carly somehow found out about Tracy…," Daryl said leaving the statement hanging.
Rosanna groaned inwardly and sighed. She knew Carly wouldn't keep her mouth shut. She turned and slowly headed into the bedroom after him.
"Daryl… I'm sorry," she said her eyes closed and her head downward. "I didn't have any clue that Jack…," she continued on but suddenly stopped as her eyes caught sight of Daryl undressing in the bedroom.
His shirt was completely unbuttoned and hanging open to reveal his chiseled chest. He was kicking off his shoes and he undid his belt and unbuttoned the top of his pants before pulling off his dress shirt.
"Yes?" he said to her waiting for her to finish.
"That Jack… uhmm… would find out. I mean that Jack… hadn't told Carly anything," she stammered.
Daryl just gave her a slow smile.
"I'm sorry. I shouldn't have said anything to Carly," she finished softly.
"I'm sorry. I put you in an awkward position and I should never have talked about the case with you. It's my fault. I'm not upset with you," he told her walking over to her.
Rosanna was mesmerized by him and just watched him as he closed the distance between them. Her eyes couldn't help but wander from his face to his chest and beyond.
"I'm not used to having someone in my life so I've never had to worry about what I can and cannot share. It's going to take some getting used to," he said as he lowered his head so that his lips were very near hers.
"I'm glad you're not mad. I was prepared to have to make it up to you but…," she said coyly.
"I'd be interested in that," he grinned before lowering his lips to hers.
Back in Milltown…
Carly walked into the house carrying four large pizzas. Molly spied her walking in and jumped up to help her with them.
"Do you think you have enough pizza there, Cuz?" she asked grabbing the boxes out of Carly's hands.
"I certainly hope so. I have two teenage boys in the house Molly… you have no idea how much they eat. It's crazy! I seriously cannot keep food in this house." Molly laughed as she carried the pizzas into the kitchen.
"Where's Michael?" Carly asked her as she set her purse down and glanced around the living room.
"Jack has him upstairs. I think he's was changing him," Molly told her.
"Jack's home?"
"Yep. You know, I still can't believe that Jack actually doesn't mind changing diapers," she said shaking her head. "Oh and I told him by the way."
"Told him what?" Carly asked confused.
"About your new job," Molly told her.
"You what? Molly… I wanted to tell him that," Carly complained.
"You did? I wasn't sure you were even going to be speaking to me," came Jack's voice down the stairs as he made his way to the living room with Michael.
"Look who's all clean," Molly exclaimed reaching for Michael.
Jack handed over his son to Molly but the whole time his eyes were on his wife.
"I'll let you two talk," Molly offered heading toward the stairs.
"No… it's time to eat. The kids are starving I'm sure," Carly said turning from Jack and walking around him to the bottom of the stairs.
"Kids…," she yelled up. "It's time to eat."
Jack, Carly and Molly heard a rustling of activity coming from the floor above followed quickly by three sets of feet hurrying down the stairs.
"We'll talk later," Carly said to Jack coldly before heading into the kitchen.
After dinner, in which Molly did most of the talking, Parker, JJ and Sage headed back upstairs. Jack took Michael up to put him down for bed while Molly and Carly cleaned up.
"You know… you don't have to be so hard on him," Molly told her finally to break the silence. "He even brought home flowers," she said indicating to the large bouquet of roses in a vase on the buffet.
"You don't understand Molly. He would have hit the roof if I'd kept something like that from him," she told her as she carried the empty pizza boxes into the kitchen.
"I know, but that was the old Jack. He didn't think about the situation from your side he was thinking about it from his. In his mind he would never ever cheat on you and so he doesn't even see how it's an issue. The woman meant nothing to him and so there was nothing to tell. It was a job to him, nothing more," Molly said following her with an armful of glasses.
"That's not the point. The point is that Daryl told Rosanna about it. Jack should have trusted me and told me that he knew the woman he'd been watching. He wouldn't have had to go into specifics about the case but he should have been the one to mention it to me not Rosanna."
"All I'm saying is that you need to go easy on him. He loves you and I know he's sorry. Don't let him suffer too long," she grinned heading back into the living room.
"Humph. I think he could use a little punishment," Carly told her as she followed her.
"I'll let you two discuss the details about all that," Molly laughed. "Sounds a bit kinky to me."
"Molly!" Carly laughed as she playfully hit her on the arm.
"I'm just saying…," she joked as she grabbed her purse.
"Are you heading out Moll?" Jack asked as he came down the stairs.
"I am," she said giving Carly a look when she sensed her cousin's body stiffen at Jack's arrival. "It's been a long day and you two really need to have that talk now," she said firmly half scolding her cousin. "I'll call you tomorrow."
"Good night," Jack said giving her a smile.
"Night," Carly muttered under her breath as she kissed her cousin's cheek. "You know… you should be staying here and not the Lakeview," she reminded her.
"Maybe… but it's a good thing I'm not. This way, you guys can have all the privacy you need," she winked as she headed out to her rental car parked on the street. "Night!"
Carly closed the door slowly as Molly headed down the walkway. Jack stood patiently at the bottom of the stairs waiting for his wife to be ready to finally talk this out. Carly fiddled with some papers on the desk and then walked over to the sofa and began fluffing pillows. She straightened some things on the cocktail table before she finally took a seat on the sofa. She kept her hands in her lap and took a deep breath before looking up at Jack with a slight glare on her beautiful face.
"Well…," she said indicating with her hands, "Let's get this over with."
"Go ahead," Jack told her.
"What?" she asked irritated.
"Go ahead and yell at me. Be mad at me… get it out of your system," he told her softly as he walked over and took a seat next to her on the sofa.
Carly sat quietly for a moment so Jack continued.
"You have every right to be mad. I would have been if I'd been in your shoes… so go ahead… be mad."
"You're right… I do have reason to be mad at you," Carly agreed with him.
"You absolutely do," Jack nodded.
"If I'd kept that from you… you would have left me," Carly railed at him.
"Once upon a time… I probably would have," Jack said softly, the guilt evident in his voice. "I was very insecure about our relationship Carly."
"I have no idea why," Carly told him truthfully.
"I was always afraid that there might be someone else out there who was better for you."
"Why would you ever think that when you were all I ever wanted?"
"Because I wasn't always all you ever wanted," he said quietly. "I'm not saying that to hurt you, I'm just saying that because that's how I used to feel. We both hurt each other over the years and I know I did most of the damage. My pride being the main contributor. However, that's all in the past and that has nothing to do with what's going on now. I kept something from you and I shouldn't have. I should have been honest with you. You have every right to be angry with me for as long as you need to be. I want you to know I'm sorry and I won't keep anything from you again," he said sincerely.
"Why didn't you say anything?"
"The real reason?"
Carly nodded.
"The truth is… that once I was back in Oakdale, my only thought was of you and the kids. I'd missed you and once I was home you were all that was on my mind."
Carly gave him a look that was slightly skeptical.
"I'm serious Carly… that's the absolute truth. But we're talking about it now… so go on. Ask me anything you want to know and I'll tell you."
"Anything?"
"Anything I can divulge that has nothing to do with the FBI's case," he clarified.
"Alright… what's her name?
"Her name is Tracy Davidson, formerly Tracy Cooper."
"And she's married?"
"Yes to Phillip."
"And when did you know her from before?"
"Back when Daryl and I were partners in Washington, I met Tracy at a restaurant. This was about a year or so before I met you in Montana," he clarified.
"And how long did you date her?" Carly asked folding her arms.
"I think we went out on maybe two dates… I honestly don't remember. I do, however, recall that I wasn't really interested and I was more than eager to take the assignment which eventually led me to you," he added sweetly.
"Don't try and sweet talk me," she said shaking her head. "How far did things go between the two of you?"
Carly could feel herself bristle at even uttering the words; she wasn't sure how she'd take the answer… especially if it was one she didn't want to hear.
"I may have kissed her once. It wasn't memorable," he assured her with a grin. "Nothing like what you and I have always had," he said lowering his voice.
Carly's body responded involuntarily. Her heart raced and she could feel her resolve slipping.
"What did you guys talk about during the week?"
Jack took a deep breath and thought about how he should answer. He'd hoped that Carly's questions would be limited to his past encounters with Tracy… not what he'd just gone through. However, he'd promised to be truthful and so truthful was what he'd be.
"Actually, we talked about the past. She remembered more of it than I did."
"And…," Carly asked urging him to continue. "What else did she say?"
"She asked a bit about my life. I told her I was married with kids," he offered.
"And how did she feel about that?" Carly asked.
She could see the slight change in demeanor in Jack once they were on the subject of what recently transpired.
"It didn't phase her either way."
"What does that mean?"
"Well, she made it clear that she wasn't happy in her marriage," Jack said quietly.
A sudden realization hit Carly full force. This woman had actually propositioned Jack. If she ever saw her, she'd rip her hair out!
"And she was fishing to see if you were unhappy too," Carly finished for him.
"Pretty much," Jack told her.
"No wonder you didn't want to talk about it," Carly said standing up.
"Carly," Jack sighed standing up too.
"No Jack… I understand."
"Clearly you don't or you wouldn't be upset," he told her.
"I'm upset because some woman from your past is wanting to pick up where you left off and you didn't bother to tell me about it!" she said raising her voice.
"I wanted to get home to you so badly that once I left that house, I pushed Tracy and her ramblings out of my mind for good. I'm never going to see her again so there's no point in even discussing it," he said raising his voice right along with hers.
"Did she try and kiss you?" Carly asked.
"I think she wanted to kiss me… yes."
Carly just glared at him shaking her head.
"So what… who cares what she wanted? Are you going to tell me that the roles haven't been reversed with us? How many times did Craig want to kiss you when he knew we were together?"
"That's so not the point!"
"No… it's not. The point is that regardless of whether or not Tracy wanted to kiss me… I would never have kissed her. You should know that and trust me on that."
"I do trust you… I just don't trust this Tracy woman. I swear to you Jack, if I ever meet her…," she started.
"You won't," Jack said coming up to her and grabbing her arms. "You're the only woman I've ever wanted," he said huskily, their bodies' just inches from each other.
"But…," Carly tried arguing before Jack lips descended on hers effectively silencing her.
His arms slid seductively down her arms before slowly wrapping themselves around her waist and pulling her against him. His lips traveled over her chin and down her neck until he reached his favorite spot at the base of her throat. Carly's head fell back and she moaned slightly at his touch. Jack pulled her body closer and she arched naturally against his. His hands roamed over her back as her own wound around his shoulders. Her nails dug into him as he nipped gently at her neck.
"I'm all yours," he mumbled against her skin.
His breath was warm and it sent goosebumps erupting all over her body. He lifted his face to look into her blue eyes. There was a fire burning there behind her blue eyes and he gave her a sexy grin.
"Damn straight," she grinned back at him. "Only mine… and I don't like to share."
Jack's hand found the hem of her shirt and quickly slipped underneath it. His strong hands grabbed her waist and began fumbling with button on her jeans. He quickly undid the button and began pushing them off her waist. Carly helped shed her jeans and then went to work on his while Jack's hands quickly removed his own shirt. They quickly shed most of their clothing until they were down to just the basics. Jack pulled Carly back into his arms and backed up to the couch. Carly gave him a bit of a push and Jack took a seat and Carly quickly climbed astride him. She could feel the hard length of him pressing against her and began grinding against him as her lips collided with his. Jack held her hips and directed her movement and set the rhythm. Their tongues began their own dance and Jack moaned with want and desire. Carly braced her hands on his shoulders as she began to move faster against him.
"I want you," he muttered as his lips trailed kisses down her neck once more to the top of her breasts, the fullness of them taunting him.
With one hand he cupped her breast and fondled the nipple feeling it harden instantly. The other hand wrapped tightly around her waist. Carly shifted slightly and directed Jack to lie back on the sofa. Bracing herself with one hand she began to discard her panties. Jack took her lead and quickly shed his boxers. Once those barriers were removed, Carly once more climbed on top of Jack. She felt the tip of his shaft resting against her and began moving against him, once more creating that dangerous friction. Jack groaned and grabbed her hips and lifted her up slightly before quickly sheathing himself inside her. Carly arched her back in delight, relishing the fullness of him.
"Yes," she moaned as she began to rock back and forth.
As Carly arched her back, Jack reached up and unhooked the back of her bra, allowing her breasts to fall free. He reached up and cupped them as she continued to rock against him. She enjoyed the feeling of control as she gazed down into his handsome face, giving him a sexy grin. Jack let one of his hands slip between them. He located the sensitive nub at her core and teased it until he felt her body tense. Carly moved faster and faster against him until she felt her release. Jack sat up slightly and pulled her mouth to his as she cried out, kissing her hard. He felt her body relax slightly and he took advantage. He deftly switched positions with her without breaking contact. Carly now lay on her back with Jack hovering over her. He slowly began to thrust inside her building the tension within her again. He nuzzled her neck, letting his tongue taste her.
"It's always been you Carly," he breathed against her skin. "Only you."
"And only you for me," he panted as she grabbed at his shoulders.
His mouth moved down her chest and Carly lifted her breast to his mouth. He sucked the hardened nipple into his mouth teasing it with his tongue. Carly could feel her body edging closer once again and she moved her hips with his. Jack pumped harder and faster as he too was nearing his release. Carly arched against him, her nails digging into his skin as he felt her body climax once again. Jack thrust into her over and over until he too reached his release. He lay on top of her spent, their hearts racing, and their bodies sweaty. Jack propped himself up onto an elbow so he could look his wife in the face.
"I love you," he said sincerely as he brushed a blond curl back from her face.
Her cheeks were pink and her lips were swollen from their kisses. She was so sexy like this.
"I love you too," she replied letting her fingers brush lightly against his lips.
"I know you're probably still mad," he grinned at her. "But I hope this helped a little bit."
Carly cast her eyes downward. He was too damn sexy for his own good and his charm was always her downfall.
"It helped a bit," she said stubbornly, avoiding eye contact.
"Well… if we did it again… would it help a little bit more," Jack laughed huskily.
Carly looked up into his dark brown eyes and a sexy smile spread across her face despite herself.
"I suppose it couldn't hurt…," she said grinning back at him before his lips descended on hers once again.