"Everything is Fine…"
Hey guys! Here's the latest chapter. Also, thanks for positive comments. I'm so glad that I decided to continue writing. Anyways, this chapter picks up two weeks later with Jake and Olivia in their DC home. If you pay close attention, you may see some updates about some of the other gladiators.
Two weeks later…
As the sun poured through the living room windows, Olivia snuggled closer to Jake on the couch. While he promised her that things wouldn't change, they did. Things were different between them, and they were no longer living their lives. They were frozen in time. Despite their best efforts, "being normal" was easier said than done. Since returning from Sugarloaf, Jake had yet to step one foot inside of B613, and it was putting a damper on things.
"Jake, it's been two weeks," started Olivia as she flipped off the television with the remote. "Since you've went to work. It's time for you to go back. They need you." She leaned against his chest and rubbed her hands along his spine. "Plus, Huck is one failed mission away from shutting down the entire agency."
Jake quickly glanced up from his newspaper and looked down at Olivia. "I've been working." He replied flatly.
"No, you've been maintaining…which is completely different than working. Approving a mission…or attending unit meetings via Skype…or authorizing payroll is not working. Like I said, you've been maintaining. You've become a paper pusher…"
"I have not," replied Jake indignantly. "I work every day."
"Yes, you have. When was the last time that you immersed yourself in a mission?" asked Olivia as she pulled away from him. She watched as he folded the paper and laid it on the coffee table. "I thought so."
"Liv, everything is fine. Don't worry. I can run the agency from home." He reassured her as he wrapped her arms around her waist. "I did it when Ellie and Jonathan were younger. Plus, it's great training for Huck. He will have to take over one day."
"No, everything is not fine." Olivia took a deep breath. "Huck hates being command, and he doesn't want to take over for you! He doesn't like interacting with people or playing agency politics. He wants to go to back to surveilling and researching." She leaned against the back of the sofa and grabbed his hands. "He has called me every day since we returned from Sugarloaf and begged that I talk to you. Huck is tired…and he wants to be alone. Jake, it's time for you to go back."
Jake looked deep into Olivia's eyes and thought about her point. After a few more seconds of silence, he spoke again. "Ok…" he admitted. " I'll call Joan and tell her that I will be in later today." He leaned over and gently kissed her on the forehead.
"Thank you," whispered Olivia.
"No problem." He smiled. "…and don't worry. I will be back long before Teddy and Ellie drop Charlie off for the weekend."
Olivia nodded her head and wrapped her arms around Jake's waist. For a moment, things felt right, and she hated to see him leave.
Later that evening…
"I don't know why I let you talk me into this," huffed Olivia as she tightened the belt on her coat. "It's must be twenty degrees or lower right now. It is freezing!" Olivia shivered and shoved her hands into her pockets. "No one in their right mind trudges through the snow in DC like this…and look at poor Charlie. He has a Rudolph nose, and his cheeks are flushed. My baby is freezing, and it is all because of you! You are the worst grandfather in the history of grandfathers." She spat sarcastically.
Jake wrapped his arm around her waist, and she instinctively wrapped her arm around his waist. "Well, you wanted to go out, so we went out…and I thought you were a gladiator. You can handle anything…"
"I can, but this is not what I had in mind. I was thinking of a movie or a trip to the grocery store…not walking in the snow for twenty minutes."
"The grocery store? Nothing fun happens in grocery stores," pointed out Jake with a raised eyebrow. "We maybe old, but we're not that old…just wait until tonight. I'll show you how old I am…" teased Jake as he continued to push Charlie's stroller.
"Yes, the grocery store." She reiterated. "We could have simply driven over to Earthfare and sampled all of the cheesecakes in the bakery…and we are old. I have the doctors' bills to prove it," responded Olivia playfully.
Jake let out a sarcastic laugh and continued talking. "Well, what if I said that I bought a turtle cheesecake earlier today and it's in the freezer? Would that make things better?"
"Maybe," responded Olivia as she pulled him closer. "…and I might forgive you for making me walk in the snow…"
Jake smiled down at Olivia and decided to let the conversation die. While he enjoyed their playful banter, he wanted a quiet moment with her more. For the next few blocks, they walked in silence. The sounds of snow crunching beneath their feet and the wind whipping through the deserted streets filled their ears. Every now and then, they would squeeze each other a little tighter and let go. It would as if they wanted to make sure that the other was still there.
While Olivia rocked Charlie to sleep in their bedroom, Jake poured two glasses of wine in the kitchen and sliced two pieces of cheesecake. He slowly climbed the stairs to their bedroom and paused when he saw the scene before him. He saw Olivia leaning against the headboard with Charlie tucked into the crook of her neck. She was rubbing Charlie's back and humming a familiar tune…one he hadn't heard in years. It reminded him of their first days with Ellie's when Olivia would sit on the couch and rock Ellie asleep. If he could take picture of that moment, he would.
"Give me one more minute," whispered Olivia bringing Jake out of his thoughts. "He's almost down."
He smiled in acknowledgement and leaned against the doorway. "No rush," grinned Jake. "I'm enjoying the view."
A dozen or so rubs later, Charlie was out like a light and asleep in his crib. As Olivia climbed back into their bed, Jake handed her a glass of wine. "How was your day?" He asked as positioned himself behind Olivia, and she slid in between his legs. "Did do anything interesting?" Jake placed his hands on her shoulders and began gently massaging them.
"It was good," moaned Olivia as she started to feel her shoulders relaxing. "I went to lunch with Teddy and Ellie. They are still having problems, by the way. They barely spoke two words to each other. I also stopped by the bakery and chatted with Abby. Apparently, David Jr. and Phoebe are expecting their third child, and Abby is over the moon with joy. I've never seen her so cheerful. You would think that she was having a baby," joked Olivia as she placed her glass on the nightstand.
"Well, tell her that I said "Congratulations," and we should send her a card and a bottle of wine tomorrow." Jake scooted closer to Olivia and placed a chaste kiss on her left shoulder. "Maybe a Pinot Noir this time? I think…we sent a Riesling the last time…"
"We did," replied Olivia as she closed her eyes and enjoyed the feeling of Jake's warm lips on her cool skin. She laid her hands on his thighs and gently squeezed them to encourage him to continue and he did. He slowly kissed is away across her shoulder blade and to the crook of her neck.
"Anything else?" questioned Jake as he buried his face deeper into her neck. "I don't think I can keep my hands off you much longer…" He whispered in between kisses. "By the way, you smell heavenly. Is that-"
"The perfume that you bought for our anniversary…" finished Olivia with her eyes closed. " Yes, it is."
Jake draped his arms around Olivia's waist and slowly untied the belt on her robe. As his hands slid under her top, she leaned further back and ran her fingers through his hair. They both felt the heat between them, and they wanted it to last as long as it could. It had been a long time since they were intimate like this. Jake kissed Olivia every morning and every night, but this was different.
"Jake, are you sure?" asked Olivia hesitantly. "Because it's been awhile…like years since…"
"I know," finished Jake. "…and I'm sorry. I was so focused on work that I forgot to be husband. I forgot that you needed me as partner…as a friend…and as a lover."
Olivia nodded her head in acknowledgement and continued enjoying the feel of Jake's large hands roaming all over her body. After twenty-seven years, she couldn't believe that Jake still wanted her in that way. She turned around and slowly leaned towards him. When their lips met, Olivia let out low moan and wrapped her arms around his neck. They were finally finding their groove when Jake's cellphone rang. As they reluctantly pulled apart, Jake offered an apologetic smile and promised that they would continue after the call ended.
While Jake chatted on the phone, Olivia used the break to check on Charlie. She quickly climbed out of the bed and hurried down the hallway to the nursery. She quietly opened the door and peaked in. Charlie was still soundly asleep on his stomach and basking in the glow of his mobile. As Olivia continued to look at Charlie, Jake tiptoed behind her and wrapped his arms around her waist.
"I'm sorry," he whispered into her ear. "That was Huck, and something came up."
Olivia continued staring at Charlie and tried to hide the disappointment that she felt growing inside of her. She could feel her throat tightening and the tears swelling in her eyes. "Of course." She muttered back.
"Liv," he whispered back. "I'll make it up to you…I promise." Jake gave her one last kiss before heading downstairs.
As Olivia leaned against doorway, she could hear Jake confirming his flight and packing his bag. After few more minutes, the front door slammed shut. He was gone for the night. She took a deep breath and slowly walked back to their empty bedroom. This would be her first time sleeping alone in two weeks. "Maybe sending Jake back to B613 was a bad idea…" she thought to herself. " I kind of enjoyed falling asleep in his arms."
Two hours later, Jake's SUV pulled in front of the Cambridge Police Department. As he stepped out of the Tahoe, he searched the crowded streets for Huck.
"Jake," called Huck as he walked towards the running SUV. "Sorry to call you at home, but I just thought that you should be here…all things considered." Huck gave Jake a knowing look. "I'm sorry man…but he's inside. They're holding him until someone posts his bail."
Jake shoved his hands into the pockets trench coat and looked towards the night sky. "Here's the money," answered Jake as he handed a cashier's check to Huck. "$7500 like you requested."
Huck nodded and took the check from Jake. "I'll be right back with him." He headed towards the entrance without a second thought.
"…and Huck," yelled Jake. "Thanks. I-"
"I know," interrupted Huck. "You don't have to say it." Huck turned back around and continued towards the police department.
A few minutes later, Huck returned with a young man in tow. He was bloody, bruised, and reeking of booze. His brown hair was glistening with sweat, and his eyes were bloodshot. As they walked out of the department, Huck gave Jake a nod.
"Ugh, really Uncle Huck?" the man complained. "I can't believe you called him."
"He should have called me," interrupted Jake. "I am you father, and I deserved to know…and for $7500, you are going to tell me everything, Jonathan."
"Really," he scoffed. "Now, you want to be a concerned father? Where was that concern years ago when Ellie slept with her married professor and got pregnant?" Jonathan took a step closer to Jake and looked him squarely in the eyes. "And let's not forget about the-"
"Don't you dare!" bellowed Jake as he took a step closer. "This isn't about your sister and what she did. This is about you and the fact that I just a posted a $7500 bail! How could you be this stupid and irresponsible! We raised you better than this!"
"I may be a lot of things, Captain…but stupid and irresponsible aren't one of them. Those traits belong to Ellie…and to Ellie only!
"Get in the car!" screamed Jake as he turned around and headed towards the waiting SUV. "We're going home now!"
"I'm not coming home, and I am not getting in that car with you! I'm walking back to my apartment." He shot back. "I can take care of myself."
Jake stopped midstride and turned back around. He stood tall and looked Jonathan squarely in his eyes, "Oh, you're coming home…because someone has to explain to your mother why I left her alone in the middle of the night and why our checking account is $7500 shorter. You are coming home because you are being reckless, and we need to talk. Things are going to change around here. So…yes, you are getting in this car. Come hell or high water…and let's be clear, I am that hell or high water." Jake took another step closer to Jonathan. "Jonathan Fox Ballard, you do not want to mess with me. Despite what you may think, I am more than some paper pusher for the Navy, and I've done a lot more topeoplewho've done a lot less. I am the thing that goes bump in the night. I am the boogey man…I am the monster from under your bed…and the demons from your past all rolled into one. To my prisoners, a night at Gitmo is like a night at the Hilton with room service. Furthermore, I have a powerful army behind me, and they would love to have another war on their hands. Life around the office has been quite boring lately. So, do not test me. Do not push me. Because if you do, I will push you back harder and into a very deep and dark hole." Jake took a deep breath and started walking towards the car. "Oh, and tell Huck "Thank you.' Because if it was up to me, you would still be in jail." He called back as he slid into the truck.
Once inside, Jake laid his head on the headrest and let out of the longest breath. He couldn't believe that he had threatened Jonathan like that. He covered his eyes with his left hand and balled the right one into a fist. "God, what was I thinking?" he thought to himself. "I am better than this." As the passenger door flung open, Jake relaxed and straightened his posture.
"It's only me," answered Huck as he slid in. "I just…are you?"
"I'm fine," replied Jake. "My emotions got the best of me, but they are in check now."
"You don't have to explain. I understand…sometimes our kids just get the best of us, and we lose it. They always know the right buttons to push…"
Jake took another deep breath. "God, I must have really scared him…if he sent you in here first.' He laughed to himself.
"No, but you scared me, so I told him to wait." Huck rubbed his palms on the legs of his pants. "He thinks that you are speaking metaphorically, but I know that you're not." He leaned back and stared down at the roof of the car. "You threatened him with hole…"
"That wasn't a threat. It was a promise."
"Jake, if it is ever too much, just let me know because I'm here for you. I've been there, and it's not an easy place to be. Maybe if I had asked for help, I would still be married."
"Thanks. I'll be sure to remember that…"
Huck nodded his head and slid out of the SUV. A few seconds later, the door opened again, and a fuming Jonathan slid in.
"If you want a war, then it's a war you'll get. I can take anything that you throw at me," announced Jonathan as he buckled his seat belt.
Jake raised his hand to his brow and began massaging it. "Fine. Just remember that you asked for this." He looked out the window and stared at the passing trees. "…and your sister said that once." He warned. "You should ask her how that turned out for her," finished Jake.
Recap: Teddy and Ellie are on a weekend getaway. Olivia and Jake are watching Charlie, and they were enjoying a quiet evening until Huck called about Jonathan. Olivia is missing Jake again. Also, what about Jake and Jonathan's conversation? He sounded like Rowan. Was Jonathan's declaration a wise move? Lastly, ICYMI, Abby married David, and they have kids. Also, Huck was married and has kids.