Disclaimer:For the song and electronic equipment depicted in this story see the disclaimer in chapter 1.

Chapter 9

Clean Slate

Jack's POV

It felt like Christmas; even though it was the middle of May. Waking up I had gone outside to start my daily chores when to my amazement all my potato's had sprouted beautiful white flowers…well sort of flowers they looked more like a collection of white weeds on top of the plant.

Remembering Ann's instructions I grasped the base of the plant. Wiggled it a bit from side to side, and then with a gentle tug pulled the plant out of the ground. Thank the heavens I held a beautiful, large, brown potato. Quickly I placed the one I had just pulled aside and pulled up the remaining crops. Dumping the produce in the shipping bin I couldn't wait for Zack to roll around at 5PM so I could show off my harvest…and get paid of course.

"What you up so early for Jack?" Since Karen's house was full and the village didn't really have an inn I had put Cliff up at my place since I had an extra bedroom. He agreed to help me work the farm in exchange for room and food.

"Take a look at the shipping bin!" I was so excited I forgot to control the tone of my voice. Cliff understood though as he lifted the top to take a peak.

"Wow so this is your first harvest? What do we do now?"

That was a good question. It was too late into the season to plant another crop. If I had more experience I was sure I could have cut down on the growth time a lot, but since I was new at stuff like mixing fertilizer, balancing water and plant food, monitoring plant health and everything it took a little longer.

I looked over the field and noticed it was still clear. Cliff handled that for the most part, while I took care of the plants and looked around Mother's Hill for wild fruit to ship. It gave us enough money to eat, but with this harvest I could more than double the amount of crops I had growing.

"It's too late in the season to start another round of potato crops. We'll just have to wait till next month. Maybe we'll try our hand at about ten crops of corn."

"Sounds great, but what do we do in the mean time?"

Thinking about it summer didn't really start officially until middle of June and seeing as it was the 25th of May that was a lot of time to waste. Then I spotted the chicken coup.

"I think I'm going to go buy a chicken." Second guessing myself, I realized that would mean a trip to Green Ranch, and Cliff would probably rather do that himself. Ann was his mutual interest now. "Actually here." I threw him a bag of gold pieces. "Why don't you run over and pick up the chicken, grab a good amount of feed too while you're at it. I'm sure Ann will help you lug it all back."

"Yea, yea. You gonna just slack off? Or are you making another trip to the Vineyard?"

Cliff played me at my own game. Things had been going well with Karen lately, but they were confusing. "You never can tell. I'll see you after lunch."

He waved me off and I started up towards Mother's Hill.

Truth be told, I needed some time to think to myself. Karen and I were definitely acting more than civil towards each other. The most romantic moments we had shared were nothing more than a close hug, or sometimes she'd come over with Ann to watch a movie with Cliff and me and her head would magically fall on my shoulder as she fell asleep. Besides that there was nothing really to go on. In fact it got damn near frustrating sometimes. We'd hang out one night; have fun talking, staying out late, and heck once we even walked hand 'n hand. Then I'd come round the next day and she'd be gone. Hell she'd be gone for days on end. It made me worry too that when I couldn't find her, I couldn't find Kai either.

I went to go sit next to the pond when I saw Harris; looking like he was deep in thought. I didn't want to disturb him, but he saw me before I could get away.

"Jack, are you up here to think too?"

I scratched the back of my head. "Yea."

"Come on over here and grab the rock next to me."

Feeling like I had no choice, I complied. I didn't hate the guy or anything. In fact he was pretty fun to be around, but today I just really wanted some time to myself.

"Mind if I ask what's on your mind?"

"Just some trouble with women. What about yourself?"

"I'm in the same boat I'm afraid. I'm trying to figure out a way to ask Mary to the Flower Festival."

"Flower Festival?"

"Oh yes, it's a big deal for the ladies. All the villagers go to the town square and vote for the girl they believe should be the Harvest Goddess. All the girls dress up in white with flowers all over them. Then during the festival it's revealed which girl was chosen, and the Harvest King gets to dance with her."

"Who's the Harvest King?"

"The Harvest King is the winner of a contest during our Harvest Festival in the fall. The men of the village pick from a pile of assorted cakes. One contains a trinket. If your cake has the trinket you become the king."

"Who's the King this year?"

Harris sighed. "That's my problem, I am."

"I don't get it how's that a problem?"

"Well you see I have to dance with the girl the villagers vote as the Harvest Goddess. Mary's so shy that I don't think anyone would vote for her, and she'll be so disappointed if I dance with another girl."

I figured it shouldn't be too hard to tip the scale of the vote. I could get Karen, Ann, Cliff, myself, Duke, and Zack to all vote for Mary. Plus Harris' vote puts us at seven, with the other villagers splitting their votes it'd be an easy win. "Don't worry Harris, you just vote for Mary and I'm sure it'll work out alright. Just do your best."

Harris smiled. "You're right Jack; it's all I can do. Running around being the mail man and the police man around here is tough work. I can't be worrying about stuff like this."

I laughed inside thinking how 'hard' it must be being the police man of Mineral Town. Even 'harder' with all the mail there was to deliver. "So any messages for me today?"

"Sorry Jack none; the only thing I've got is Kai's daily letter."

"Daily?"

"Yea it's kinda strange. Every day I go by the winery to drop off his letter and he's got one for me to send. Tells me he's writing to a cousin that's staying in the city."

It was sort of strange, but if I was basically all alone I'd probably write to my family often too. But every day?

"That is kind of strange. We'll I better be off."

"Wait Jack, what about your problem?"

"All the other girls get to dance with whoever they want right?"

"That's how it works."

"Well since Mary's going to be the Goddess I better go ask Karen to go with me."

Harris laughed. "You do that."

Walking down the path to the vineyard I saw Karen walking out the door. Thinking this was my lucky break I decided I'd talk to her first about rigging the vote.

"Hey."

"Hey, what's up? You're sure up early."

"Had my first harvest this morning, got me all excited."

"Really? That's great news Jack."

"Yep, looks like you're not going to win that farm."

"Whatever, besides you already got your prize. You're all forgiven."

"And I'm thankful for it every day. Mind if we talk a second."

"What with all the fun exciting things I have to do today? I don't know if I can spare the time."

I sat next to her on the steps. "Smartass."

"I'm not the only one on the island." Of course she was staring at me when she said that.

"I just talked to Harris, he explained this whole Flower Festival to me."

"Really?"

"Yea, he's got a small problem I was hoping we could help him out with."

"I'm not teaching him to dance."

"No nothing like that. Ya see he's the Harvest King so he has to dance with whoever gets voted as the Harvest Goddess."

"So you want me and Ann to vote for Mary so Harris can dance with her?"

Always a quick wit on her Karen knew exactly what I was getting at. "Well…ya."

"Sure, I hate having to dress up for that thing anyways so does Ann. Sides it'll be nice to see little Popuri get crushed when she doesn't win. By the way we call the winner the 'Flower Princess' not the Harvest Goddess. We threw out those old myths a long time ago."

"Great."

There was a bit of silence. Karen stared at me like she knew I had something more to say. "Is there anything else Jack?"

"Well…there was this…one thing."

"And?"

"Well I was wondering, since you don't plan on being the Flower Princess, if you'd go with me to the Flower Festival."

"Now why would I do that?"

I was pretty sure she was being sarcastic, but I had to test to make sure. "Well if that's the case I could just go ask Popuri."

"Sorry, Gray already has her as a date."

Backfire, but I have more ammo. "Well Elli is a nice, mannered, polite, and a pretty girl. I'll just ask her."

Karen put on a fake sad looking face, and then a smile spread across her lips. "It's nice to see you've been paying attention to her. Unfortunately you're not the only one, and the Dr. beat you to it."

Damnit I was running out of options. "Well Ann is a good friend of mine. I'll just ask her."

"Oh, but she's a good friend of mine too. Just the other day she came up here bouncing with joy telling me Cliff had asked her. That leaves Mary, but she'll be the Flower Princess and that makes her Harris' woman for the night."

I was dumbfounded it was if she was expecting this and had practiced everything she was going to say. "Well then will you go with me?"

"You never answered my question."

"Well I'm handsome, I'm officially a farmer, you know me very well, and who else would you go with?"

"Kai." She said it without skipping a beat. "But he hasn't asked yet. I'll go with you if you'll do one thing."

"Yea?"

"Tell me why you asked me."

Now I locked up. She threw a real curve at me. If I told her it was because I liked her and she was just joking about the question things would get awkward, and if she was being serious this could be the chance I was looking for.

My mind choose to take a quick trip down memory lane. I remembered sitting on Mother's Hill with Karen right before try outs for the school Christmas Pageant. I had tried to get something out of her and she had refused. Again she gave me an ultimatum that if I tried out for the part of David she'd tell me what I wanted to know. After some negotiation we settled for after the Christmas Pageant, but then of course my mother died. After I ran up on that memory I quickly pulled myself out of my day dream and back to the present.

"You know I remember this little girl that promised to tell me something after a Christmas Pageant. I never did hear what she had to say."

Karen blushed. "Fine I'll go with you. I'll get it out of you eventually anyways."

Karen's POV

It was the day of the Flower Festival. I could tell because the first thing I saw when I opened my eyes was that horrible, gaudy, dress. White with flowers stitched into it. I remember when I was little I loved helping my mom make my dress and she'd have to do everything to keep me from running around in it and ruining it before the festival. Now it was a curse.

I still did it though. If anything it made my mom happy seeing me in the dress. Grabbing the dress and zipping it up into a garment bag I went down stairs to get Breakfast. Kai was there. I felt a little guilty. No one had really explained to him about our festivals. My mother told him about it the other night when she was finishing up my dress. As soon as he heard about it he came and found me and asked if he could be my escort. I had to turn him down, and told him Jack had already asked me.

Lately I hadn't been very fair to either of them. Jack would take me out around the village, treat me to dinner, and we'd stay out late and talk. I'd be flirtatious, even brush my hand against his, sometimes he'd grab it. Then there were times I'd be doing nothing and Ann would come by and talk me into going to Jack's to watch a movie. I'd always curl up next to him and pretend to fall asleep, resting my head on his shoulder. Then when I felt like I knew I had feelings for him my mind would start this whole battle fighting over what I felt for Jack. Then I'd go home and my dad would be drunk raging on about this and that, bills, and the winery not putting out good wine. My mom would argue with him to get to sleep and then I'd hear a yelling match all night.

Kai would hear it too. Whenever it happened I'd sneak out of my bedroom and he'd be waiting for me outside. We'd sneak into the valley with flashlights and smoke pot to help calm myself down. Of course when I got high my emotions were flying everywhere, and I'll admit I got a little more flirtatious with Kai then I intended. We had even started growing our own weed plants out in cave that had this weird soil that could grow just about anything in a week's time. Sometimes I'd get tired and when I'd wake up I'd be resting on Kai's chest. I knew I was throwing out mixed signals left and right to him, but I knew my heart already belonged to someone. I just didn't want to admit it yet.

Breakfast went quietly for the most part. In fact the only time I ever spoke was to reassure mom I'd be heading straight for the town square with my dress to get ready. Kai smiled at me, but didn't say much the entire time. After finishing I quickly dumped my plate in the sink, grabbed my dress, and was out the door.

There were only two comforting things I could think of, actually thinking about it make that three. First was the fact Ann would be with me so I wouldn't have to face all girls alone while they put on their makeup. The second was I knew I'd get to see Popuri's face when she realized she hadn't been chosen as this year's Flower Princess. The last reason I was a little hesitant to admit even to myself, but I guess I was glad Jack was my date tonight.

"Karen! Thank God you got here I was worried you slept in and left me here all alone."

"I'd never do that. Let's go grab our usual spot and get this over with." The dressing area was filled with makeup, flowers, and of course girls running around trying to look perfect. Mary's mom was there trying every single thing she could on her daughter, and of course never being pleased with it and then she'd start all over again. Popuri did her own makeup since her mother was sickly, and she did enough fussing over it for two people. Elli had her grandmother who tried her best to help, but always made Elli look like an old maid. Being nice Elli would let her finish and then fix herself all up again to fit her more modern taste.

Ann and I usually just sat at the end of the dressing row and talked. My mom knew exactly how to put on my makeup and Ann's. She had been doing it for years now. Since Ann didn't have a mom and my mother never got old of this sort of thing she was more than happy to help out. She wouldn't bother to come till later though since neither Ann nor I would take much effort. Just slap it on and I'm good to go.

"You excited about your date tonight?"

Ann blushed I knew she was a little nervous. This was her first actual date with Cliff. "Sort of; oh Karen you know I've never been on a date before. What if I do something wrong?"

"Oh come on Ann we've done this festival a hundred times, and it's the same thing every time. Just do what you usually do and the rest will come."

"Easy for you to say. You've got your little childhood sweetheart."

I felt the blood rushing to my face letting Ann know she embarrassed me. "Oh come on its nothing like that."

"Oh Karen, you're blushing!"

"Just get your dress on and wait why don't ya?"

I marched off with my garment bag to the changing booths. Taking a second to calm down I quickly stripped off my usual outfit and slipped on the dress. As I figured mom had tailored it perfectly. I looked in the mirror and stuck out my tongue at my reflection. I hated dressing up, but at least today I had something to look forward to.

"Popuri's going down."

"Oh stop acting like that's the only reason. You know you're really just excited that Jack's going to be your date."

"Yep, you're right."

I surprised myself with that one. I admitted I was excited Jack was going to be my date. In away it was true. Tonight I was going to find out one way or the other just what Jack Harvest wanted from me.

"Karen, honey, where are you?"

"I'm in here mom, give me a second." I quickly slipped on my shoes and stepped out. Of course mom did her whole 'You've grown up so much' and the classic 'you look so beautiful'. One thing about mom's you could be the ugliest looking girl on the planet and you're mother would still call you beautiful.

"Thanks mom. Are we about ready?"

"Of course I already did Ann's makeup, let me just sit you down for a second and I'll have you ready."

Ann smiled when she saw my mother's finished work. Looking in the mirror I had to say it didn't look half bad. I mean I'm not one for the whole dresses and make up deal, but my mom did a great job.

"Well honey I'm going to go join the rest of the parents outside. I'll see you when you get called out."

"Bye mom and thanks."

"Thanks Mrs. Miller, I really appreciate it!"

"You're both welcome girls. Just have fun."

My mom left and I turned to Ann. "So what were the guys supposed to be up too?"

"Well Cliff told me all they have to do right now is feed the chicken. So they've been helping with some of the other guys to fix up the valley area."

"Figures, all men like to do is mess with tools."

"Tell me about it."

"Ladies and Gentlemen thank you for coming!" Hearing the Mayor's trademark voice Mary's mom ushered us into our positions behind the curtain. I smiled when I saw Mary's mom place the Flower Princess crown on her daughters head. Mary couldn't believe it, and I had to hold my laughter when I saw it looked like Popuri couldn't believe it either.

The Mayor's speech, as always, continued. "As you are all aware thanks to Jack we've found a lost part of our history, and were working hard to restore it. The carpenters tell me we should have a new village inn and a wooden walkway to the valley finished by summer's end!"

The towns folk clapped, which only spurred the little man on. "That's not all! Land for two new farms has been discovered, and we've even begun planning a more modern city in the valley."

A resounding applause must have had what I could only imagine the mayor ready to burst with pride. "But we'll have more about that later. Now let me introduce the young ladies of the village." The curtain rose. "And I'm very proud to announce my daughter Mary is this year's Flower Princess!"

It was always embarrassing standing on stage while everyone was cheering you on. Especially when I was dressed like I was. There was clapping and cheering. I even heard a whistle and when I followed the noise to its creator I saw a smiling Jack Harvest staring right at me. I'd be lying if I said it didn't make me feel even more self-conscious than I already was.

"Ok now men! Harris this year's Harvest King will dance with the Flower Princess. All you other guys partner up."

As I walked down the stage I saw Kai standing in the stag corner with Rick. I felt bad for him. Jack came up to me holding his arms out to get ready for the dance.

"Jack would you mind if I let Kai dance with me once?"

I could tell that wasn't what he wanted to hear, but the smile never left his face. "Sure I'll go grab something to drink."

"Thanks."

I walked up to Kai who looked very surprised to see me. "Karen? Aren't you supposed to be with Jack?"

"I am." Kai's look of hope turned to disappointment. "But I wanted to save the first dance for someone that's helped me out a lot these past few months."

Kai smiled and gently wrapped his arms around my waist. "Then shall we?"

"Sure."

I've never been big on anything Hispanic, but if there was one talent they must have it was the gift of dance. Kai moved around on that dance floor ten times better than any other partner I had ever had. It was fun, but I realized it was more of a friendly type of thing. Before I knew it the dance was over.

"Thanks Karen."

"Heck what are you thanking me for? Your dancing skills are way up there, it was fun."

He smiled, and then walked back over to the corner with Rick. I spotted Jack standing next to the punch bowl looking at me. When he realized he was caught he quickly tried to pretend something on the stage had caught his interest. I marched right up to him.

"Don't think I didn't see you staring at me."

"Oh I'm afraid you're mistaken. I just saw a really pretty bird over your way and it caught my eye."

"Well I'm sure Kai's up for another dance if you're going to play coy all evening."

I felt him grab my hand and I felt my heart pound when I felt his touch. I stopped in my tracks and turned to face him. Without saying a word he gently wrapped his arms around my waist and drew me closer to him. My arms went around his neck and we started to sway back and forth as a slow song started to play.

As the music continued I felt him tug at me gently closing the small gap between us. I felt his breath on my neck, and it was all I could do to keep my heart from pounding out of my rib cage. Though he wasn't near as good a dancer as Kai, this was definitely different from my dance with the Columbian farm hand, and I was enjoying this feeling much more. I knew we had already gone through several songs. Jack had guided me over to one of the square's corners so we could just sway back and forth and not draw any attention.

"You know I went down to the beach today."

I closed my eyes letting his voice take me there. "Um hum."

"I remembered something. A contest Pappy had us do against each other to solve an argument."

My heart started pounding faster. "Yea?"

"I remember I won that contest and got the prize. But when I saw how disappointed you were over losing I gave it to you."

I couldn't even talk I was so nervous.

"It was that ring you're wearing now. I remembered we put it in that lock box. You've been wearing it this whole time."

That did it. Jack had turned the tables on me. He had called me out and caught me red handed. Instead of me finding out how he felt, he had found out how I felt, even before I had.

I broke off the dance and ran. Luckily none of the other villagers had noticed. It had started getting dark and everyone was busy drinking and enjoying the festivities to notice me leaving. Going into the changing room I almost tore off the dress and changed into my normal clothes, then took off for Mother's Hill. It was the quietest place I could think of.

I was so stupid. Why did I wear that stupid ring around him all the time? It's like I was asking him to remember it and see right through me. See right into my heart, and know how I felt.

It just didn't seem fair. He had it easy. He knew he could have me now…I didn't want it to happen this way. Tears started welling up in my eyes when I realized he must think I hate him. Now things would go back to the way they were when he got here. I'd have to avoid him, and act mean towards him…I didn't want that.

I felt a tear run down my cheek. I was hopeless; maybe I should just go for Kai and be a pot head for the rest of my life. Just thinking about that made me feel worse, if Jack didn't despise me now he would when he found out about my smoking habit.

"Karen?"

I jumped. Quickly trying to wipe the tears away I knew it'd be hopeless my face had to be all puffy from the crying.

"What do you want?"

He sat next to me on the log overlooking the pond from the small cliff above it. "I'm sorry Karen I didn't mean to embarrass you…I just thought it make you feel better if you knew I remembered it. I thought that's why you were wearing it."

I relaxed a little, but I still didn't face him. I didn't want him to know I was crying. I felt him put his hands on my shoulders and I instinctively relaxed at his touch. "Won't you at least look at me?"

I knew it'd happen sooner or later. I cursed the full moon casting all its light down on me. When I turned to face him I realized Jack grew more concerned when he saw I had been crying. I felt embarrassed so I buried my face in his shirt. I felt him stroking my hair and he pulled me close.

"Karen, if you'll let me I'd like to try that dance again."

I looked up at him surprised. "Why?"

"Just trust me."

He lifted me up and I wrapped my arms around his neck, but he reached into his pocket. "We're going to need some music. My dad shipped over some of my things."

He pulled out a small box with ear phones attached to it. I wondered what it was as he gently placed one of the ear buds in my ear, and the other in his. "It's called an iPod. It holds a ton of music and you can take it everywhere."

Pushing a button the screen lit up and he scrolled through till he highlighted a song called 'Heaven (Candlelight Mix)'. "And it's going to help me let you know how I feel tonight." He pressed a button and I heard a gently piano melody as Jack once again gently wrapped his arms around me.

We started to sway back and forth staying close because the ear buds wouldn't let us move apart, not that we would have if we had the option. I closed my eyes and listened to the lyrics.

Oh thinkin' about our younger years,
There was only you and me,
We were young and wild and free

I was amazed at how well the lyrics fit our situation. When I opened my eyes I realized Jack was looking right at me. I couldn't close my eyes anymore as I met his gaze with mine.

Now nothin' can take you away from me,
We've been down that road before
But that's over now,
You keep me coming back for more

I felt tears starting to work their way back up into my eyes. I had never felt this way before. The song continued on and I felt Jack's heart beating against my own. We were both nervous. Neither one of us was completely sure of what the other was thinking. The song seemed to be speaking for him though.

Baby, you're all that I want
When you're lying here in my arms
I'm finding it hard to believe we're in heaven

I felt him stop moving and I did as well as he pulled me into a tighter embrace.

Love is all that I need,
And I found it there in your heart,
It isn't too hard to see
We're in Heaven

The song gently ended and we were left their motionless as the crickets chirped. Jack gently removed the ear bud from both our ears and pushed me back a little so I could see him.

"Karen I love you. It took me awhile to realize that over the years, but I knew something held onto my heart here on this island. When I came back it didn't take me more than a few weeks to realize what I felt for you. I…" I put a finger on his mouth and smiled. He looked frightened like he was going to be rejected.

"I love you too Jack." He smiled and we slowly closed the distance between us and kissed. I felt every once of my body feel like it tingled. It wasn't my first kiss or anything, but nothing I had done before compared to this. I felt relief, I felt extreme happiness. I felt complete.

After about a minute of enjoying an innocent kiss, we broke away. The smile on Jack's face put one on my own. It was amazing. I knew I was in love, I finally knew how it felt to be loved, and best of all: the person I loved… loved me back.

"That was…nice."

I grinned. "If a little kiss felt that good I wonder what…" I was cut off when I hear a twig snap down the path. Jack wrapped his arms around me protectively and my sprits dropped when I saw Kai standing there his mouth hung open, looking like he had been shot.

"…Kai." I didn't leave Jack's grasp. I knew where I belonged. Even though I didn't want to hurt Kai's feelings I didn't want to lead him on any longer. He walked off, but I was sure as soon as he got out of sight he probably ran either towards the wine cellar or our smoking spot.

"Smoking…I'm going to have to tell him."

"Jack…I…" I felt his finger on my lips.

"Let's just call it a night huh? If you don't feel like going home let's go grab Ann and Cliff and take in a movie at my place."

I smiled. "As long as I get to use my pack mule as a pillow."

Jack grabbed me in a head lock and gave me a noggie. I screeched surprised and broke free. We both laughed as we chased each other down the path back towards the square to fetch Cliff and Ann.

The entire way I couldn't stop thinking. "…finally."

Well once again I have to thank Libra1 for her continued editing skills on this chapter. She's telling me I'm getting better, but I know it'd still wouldn't look half as good without her help. Further more I'm really glad I'm getting more and more input from you on this story. I'm sure this chapter satisfied many of you who were wishing for some Jack x Karen fluff, but it's far from over with. Heck I don't know if we're even at the half way point yet. There will be a huge story turning event that will occur within the next two chapters that ya'll never saw coming.

Now For the Review Thanks

Shippostail:Drugs a defiantly something that can mess up even the simplest of things, so like you said it's always good the steer clear of them. I'm glad it seemed you enjoyed Chapter 9 as well

DoubleKK: I'm glad you haven't given up on your Karen x Jack story, read the PS note after the Review Thanks for something you might take interest in.

Klutz586: I'm glad you're still enjoying the fic I haven't had to use those bacon cookies for anything yet, but hopefully I'll never have too. Thanks for the sugar cookies though.

IMPORTANT!

This will be at the beginning of the next chapter but I thought you'd all like to get a heads up. I'm in the process of securing a domain name and web space for what hopefully will become as popular as the Final Fantasy VII Genesis awards. I've decided the best way to get Harvest Moon fiction a jump start would be an awards program of some sorts. I mean we've already got a huge amount of categories we could use to begin with, what with all the different Harvest Moon games and types of fiction to write about. Be sure to mention in your reviews if this idea is appealing to you. As always READ AND REVIEW (R&R)!