Still awhile before we go on stage. I decide to step outside and get some air. It is a little misty out, but it actually feels good. I touch my lips remembering the first kiss Trevor and I shared. Claire was right, first kisses should always be special. Even after all that turmoil he and I had with Sean and his brother that night was still special to me. That Monday at school, everyone just stared at Trevor and me, but for the most part left us alone. Even Miranda decided to keep her over glossed mouth shut for once even though Sean had been her boyfriend. Sean meanwhile was given two weeks of in school suspension and was kicked off the winter basketball team for the season while his brother Dean was given probation, community service, also kicked off his school's basketball team, suspended from school for two weeks and then required to take alcohol rehabilitation classes. Lennie and Ray by urging of Sister Francine decided to let the precinct handle them instead of going down there themselves and putting in their two cents. Last thing anyone needed was another precinct invading another turf. The day after the attack though brought another surprise from an unexpected person.


Sister Francine came into my room to let me know that she and the kids were off to church and that I should stay home and rest with Sister Eileen who was looking after a baby girl that had just arrived at the orphanage. She was sure God would not mind under the circumstances. Claire, who had indeed spent the night, said she would stick around anyway and see if there were any chores to do. After they all left, I got out of bed, and got dressed and did my teeth. I was not that tired and since Claire was with me, I wanted to enjoy the day with her even if it was just hanging around the orphanage. Claire had gone to freshen herself up a bit in the bathroom and I was just finishing brushing my hair when Sister Eileen came into the room, baby Michelle wrapped up in her arms.

"Maggie dear, you have a visitor."

"Me?" I asked. "Who is it?"

"It's Mr. McCoy." She said. "He's downstairs in the living room."

Jack was here?

It was then Claire walked back into the room and Sister Eileen told her. Claire was just as surprised as I was so we headed downstairs into the living room where he was pacing about.

"I thought you'd be sleeping or going over that case." Claire said.

"Whatever happened to hello?" He asked with a smirk. He then looked over at me.

"How are you feeling Maggie?" He asked. "Were you able to sleep alright?

I nodded.

"Claire stayed with me." I said.

"Ah good." He said.

"So why the sudden drop by?" Claire asked.

Jack scratched the back of his head a little nervously.

"Well I was actually wondering if you two would like to go out to breakfast or brunch rather. I figured after what you went through last night Maggie, you deserve to be spoiled a little bit."

"Sure!" I said happily. However, Claire intervened.

"I don't know Jack." She said. "It's really up to Sister Eileen."

"Who says it's just fine and to go enjoy yourselves!" Sister Eileen yelled from the kitchen who was preparing a bottle for the baby. "Just make sure that girl has something substantial, and no Maggie, not just orange juice."

I mocked frowned.

Jack smiled.

"I'll make sure she does." He said. "Go get your coats."


The diner was busy of course with the Sunday Church goers enjoying a nice breakfast after mass. Surprisingly I ended up sitting next to Jack. He was being very attentive to me that day asking me about the dance and mentioning how pretty I looked. I told him how Trevor liked his motorcycle and well…it was just friendly banter. Claire just watched with a gentle smile. When we got our food and began to eat though my lip began to sting.

"Ouch." I said with a hiss.

"What's wrong Maggie?" Claire asked.

"My lip hurts."

Jack put his fork down.

"Look at me." He said taking my chin and turning my face towards him. "It's the salt from the bacon you are eating. It's going into your cut…it's also bleeding again."

He took a napkin, dabbed it in some of ice water, and patted my lip.

"How does your cheek feel?" He asked examining it gently with his other hand.

"It hurts when I chew."

"Because you got a nice bruise there." He said. "When we get you home we'll put another ice pack on it."

"Maybe we should go to the doctor and get her checked out, her lip may need stitches." Claire said worriedly.

My eyebrows shot up. Oh hell no! I had already had a hospital experience once and once was enough for me!

Jack shook his head as he continued to hold the napkin on my lip.

"No need." He said. "Most likely all she needs is a little anti-septic and a ice pack for her face again. I guess it was a bad idea to take you out."

I shook my head as he released my chin.

"No, I'm fine." I said. "Besides Sister Francine and the rest of us go grocery shopping right after mass and she makes us something when we get home. All I'd be having right now is cereal and toast."

"I see." Jack said.

Claire smiled.

"Why don't we take you home Maggie." She said. "We'll check your cuts and maybe we'll watch a movie or something on the couch."

"Okay." I said.

Claire was reaching for wallet and pulling out her credit card when Jack gently grabbed the top of her hand.

"My treat." He said.

"Oh come on Jack you don't have to." She started.

"I mean it." He said still not releasing her hand. "It was my idea anyway. You and Maggie go wait for me outside."

Claire looked like she wanted to disagree with him, but the gentle smile he had wore her down. I just stared remembering how I caught them kissing last night. Oh yeah I was not fooled and I had to admit, they were actually rather cute together like that.

"Alright, you win as usual McCoy." She said. "Come on Maggie."

We got up and went outside while Jack paid the bill.


When we walked back to the orphanage, Claire stopped into a bodega to grab a newspaper. That is when Jack tapped me on the shoulder. I turned to see him digging in his jacket.

"Here." He said handing me a brown paper bag. "Just make sure you save it for after dinner."

I opened the bag and saw it contained one of those large chocolate chip cookie diners usually have sitting on the counter.

"Just something to help you feel a little better after last night." He said. "But like I said it's for after dinner."

I nodded with a large grin and said thank you and hid it in my jacket before Claire could see. I decided to make it Jack and my little secret.

When we got back to the orphanage, it was quiet. Sister Eileen was upstairs caring for Michelle so we decided to stay downstairs. Claire told me to take a seat on the couch while she and Jack went into the kitchen to grab some first aid stuff.

"Alright Maggie face me again." Jack said as he sat down next to me. Gently he put an ice pack on my cheek and patted it around the swollen spot.

"It should go back to normal in a couple of days if you keep using the ice on it a few times a day." He said. "It may turn a little black and blue."

"Great." I mumbled.

"Don't worry." Claire said. "I'll show you how to cover it up."

Jack then examined my lip again. Taking an anti-septic bottle, he poured a little on a cotton ball and dabbed my lip. Once again, I hissed in pain and felt tears burn into my eyes.

"I'm sorry." He said gently. "I know it stings, but this should make it better."

Claire just sat there in awe as she rubbed my shoulder. I guess neither one of us realized how much he truly cared about me until this happened. When I later would find out about how his father treated him, I would truly understand why Jack was so good at this and why he was treating me such kindness.

After Jack redid the bandaging on my leg, Claire told me to get my homework and they would help me with it. I probably would have argued, but Jack agreed to stick around if I finished it all. Thankfully, because of the dance, the teachers did not assign much for the weekend and I finished it within a hour with Claire and Jack both looking over my shoulder and helping me if I was stumped. Then Claire pulled out a jigsaw puzzle and we worked on it together while an old movie played on television. It was "Double Indemnity" and I thought it was cool for a black and white.

"That guy is handsome." I said.

"Who? Fred MacMurray?" Jack asked.

"Yeah…the one wearing the hat." I said.

"That hat is called a fedora." Claire said.

"Whatever…I like how he calls her baby." I said. "They fell in love in just one day!"

Jack rolled his eyes while Claire laughed.

"That's Barbara Stanwyck." She said. "She and Fred starred in a few movies together during the 40s and 50s."

"They make a nice couple." I said.

'Like two people I know.'

"They were very talented actors in their day." Jack answered who seemed to be trying to change the subject.

As we watched the movie, my mind was spinning about the whole topic of love. Of course being twelve my mind could only philosophize so much. Like, did my parents love each other, or did mom stay because she had no way out when dad's true colors came out. What was it like for Adam and Cynthia, Ray and Deb, Anita and her husband to be in love and together for so long? Did Lennie want to fall in love and get married again? However, most of all…

Did Jack and Claire love each other?

Oh yes, I wanted to inquire so badly like paparazzi on a celebrity. I had so many questions and while it may sound cheesy, I wanted Jack and Claire to be happy. I wanted all of my detectives and lawyers to be happy just like they wanted for me. It was a little hard for me to picture Jack and Claire together because their personalities seemed so different, but then again when Jack was not in attorney mode he was actually a nice person. In addition, he was good looking I guess. What do you expect I was twelve! My definition of a hot guy was someone the age of thirteen to early twenties! Jeez.

Looking at Claire I suppose I could see why Jack would have a crush on her. She was pretty and kind and a good lawyer. Guys probably were always asking her out and the mere fact she never mentioned a boyfriend in the time I had known her was surprising. Now with what I saw last night, I started to get the picture. Of course, I did not understand why they just did not tell me, but for some reason…that little itty bitty conscious of mine kept saying to mind my own damn business.

My thoughts were then interrupted by someone tweaking my nose.

"Earth to Maggie!" Claire said. "Anybody in there?"

"Gyah!" I rubbed my nose.

"You've been very quiet for awhile which I must say is rather unlike you." Jack said. "You can talk a mile a minute."

"Ha Ha." I said.

"What had you so deep in thought?" Claire asked.

Uh oh. Should I tell them? Oh yeah sure, I will just blurt hey I was thinking about why you guys did not tell me you were a couple because I caught you lip locking outside last night. So you in love or what? Right that will pass over very nice.

Suddenly I felt very small as the two of them stared at me in wonder.

"Umm well I was thinking about..."

"We're home!" A voice interrupted and Sister Francine appeared.

"Well this is a surprise!" Sister Francine said as the kids came running in with the groceries. "Mr. McCoy how nice you came by again."

"Just came to check up on Maggie."

"How sweet." Sister Francine said. "Sorry if we took awhile, the snowstorm has everyone running for the markets. Nearly three hours in that store!"

Saved by the nun!

"Here I'll give you a hand." Claire said as she walked into the kitchen.

"I should get home anyway." Jack said. "Just do as I told you Maggie about the ice and your other cuts and you should be healed up in no time."

I nodded but was bothered.

"Here I'll walk you out Jack." I said running to get my coat.

"You don't have to Maggie."

"I want to." I said.

Jack just shrugged, said his goodbyes and walked out with me trailing behind him.

"I have to catch a cab." He said. "Why don't you just go back inside?"

"Well actually I wanted to ask you something." I said.

Jack turned to me.

"And what is it?"

I shuffled my feet a little unsure how to approach this.

"Well you know when we were watching the movie and stuff and the actors fell in love."

"Yes?"

"Well I was wondering…because you know you guys are always teasing me about Trevor all the time. But…were you ever in love?"

Jack raised his eyebrows at me.

"And this was such an important because?"

"I was curious because I always hear that crushes are different from being in love." I argued. Then an idea hit me. "Well if I tell you something, can you keep it a secret between you and me?"

Jack shrugged.

"I guess, depending on what it is?"

Oh, you are in for it now buddy.

"I asked Claire about it, if she was ever in love and if she had a boyfriend."

Suddenly I saw a bit of red go to Jack's face. HA GOTCHA!

"Oh?" He said clearing his throat. "And um...what did she say."

Got him cornered.

"She said she did." I answered. "And that his name is John."

I could have sworn I heard Jack let out a sigh of relief as he did his signature nervous twitch by rubbing the back of his head.

"Yeah…I never met him, though I would like to." I said honestly. I still had not realized Jack's real name was John. I thought she had just made it up. "But yeah, so I asked her if John loved her and she said she wasn't sure. But I bet he does, Claire is so awesome I bet tons of guys fall in love with her!"

I glanced over my shoulder though to make sure Claire was not listening in.

Jack then smiled.

"She is an amazing person, I'll agree with you on that." He said. "So why are you asking me about love when Claire already told you?"

"Well Claire said she's not sure if she is in love with him." I said. "I think she is just scared. Why is love so scary when it is supposed to be a good thing? Have you been in love Jack?"

Jack sighed.

"Of course I have." He said. "I was married to a woman I loved and I had a beautiful daughter."

"Were you scared when you realized it?"

"Why are you being so nosy?"

"I SAID I WAS CURIOUS!"

"God you are becoming a teenager." Jack said slapping his forehead. "Yes of course I was a little apprehensive when I was realized it, but I was also very happy."

"But you got divorced." I responded.

"I will always care about her though and I love my daughter very much."

"But what about now? Do you have a girlfriend, are you in love?"

Jack glared.

"That really isn't any of your business."

"What I am not asking you her name or anything, jeez. I just wanted to know if you are in love now."

Jack sighed.

"It's…complicated." He said.

"How so?" I asked.

"It just is." He said. "I don't have to tell you everything. But I do care about her very much if you must know."

"AH HA!" I said clapping my hands. "I knew it, you are in love!"

"I didn't say that…really." He answered wanting to kick himself for actually mentioning there was someone in the picture.

"Because you're scared that you might be in love."

"I didn't say that either."

"Pfft…yeah right!" I said. "You're so in love!"

"I'm leaving now!"

"Oh come on Jack!" I said jogging after him. "Don't be mad at me. I just think it is nice! I bet John would love to tell Claire how he feels and I am sure you want to tell your girlfriend that you love her too. All of you are just afraid that they will not love you back. But I know that's not true!"

Jack crossed his arms.

"You do huh?"

"Yup." I said. "I am sure she'll be really happy that you told her and so will Claire when John tells her. I think that would make an awesome Christmas present! Besides, it's you guys, who wouldn't love you!"

Jack then laughed.

"You have a lot to learn Maggie." He said. "But I thank you for the encouragement."

"Promise you won't tell Claire I told you though!" I said.

Jack put his hand on his heart.

"You have my word Maggie."

"Thanks Jack!" I said. "See ya later!"

I then jogged back to the orphanage grinning from ear to ear. Claire met me at the front door.

"And what may I ask was that all about?" She said. Thankfully, I was able to think of a quick response.

"Oh I just wanted to know what Jack was doing for Christmas." I answered as I walked inside and hung up my coat. "And uh...what he wanted as a present."

"And what did he say?"

"He said he wasn't sure yet." I said.

The light bulb appeared once again.

"And I told him to make sure if he has a girlfriend to get her a really nice present."

At that moment like Jack, Claire flushed a little.

"Maggie come help set the table for lunch!" Sister Francine yelled. "Claire you are more than welcome to stay!"

"Coming!" I yelled and ran into the dining room. Claire meanwhile was unsure how to think.