The next week or so, I realized something rather dangerous one night after dinner. Jack was playing with the dogs in the living room. He was just sprawled out on the floor, throwing the toy for the dogs, and then throwing it again when they'd bring it back. "You know," he said to me as I sat reading on the couch, "maybe this isn't such a bad idea."
"What," I laughed, "playing with the dogs? They haven't mauled you yet, and I really don't think they're planning anything against you. Who would throw that gross, slobbery thing if you weren't around?"
Jack sat up and laughed. "That's very funny." Apollo licked him directly in the ear. "Knock that off," he laughed, pushing the dog's snout away. "Go lick Zeus."
"Well, what isn't such a bad idea?" I sat my book down and looked at him.
It looked as if he was trying to hold back a smile. "I don't know," he managed to spit out seriously. He smiled, then he laughed. "You know what; let's just forget about everyone out there."
"What?" I said, tilting my head to the side. "What do you mean? We don't see anyone else anyway."
"Those scientists? They don't know where they are. They won't bother us. I think you're totally safe here." He stood up and came to sit by me on the couch, but Zeus beat him to it.
"Ooh," I teased, "too slow."
Jack cleared his throat, and Zeus sheepishly got down and lay by my feet on the floor. "Well," he said, putting his arm around me, "I," he stopped and ran a hand through his hair. "Um, uh,"
"Jack," I laughed. "What?"
"Nevermind. I'll ask you later." He shook his head and laughed. I couldn't help but feel disappointed. Whatever he was going to ask was obviously important. The feeling stuck when he moved his arm away from me.
That night as I lay in bed trying desperately to sleep, curiosity overtook me. What had he been trying to say to me? What was he going to ask? For some reason, I thought he was going to ask me to live with him indefinitely. I knew that sleep wouldn't come until I found out. So, with that fact in hand, I stood up and looked in the mirror. My blood red nightie clung to me. Jack was feeding me very well, and healthfully, so I'd dropped a few pounds. I liked how my body looked, and for some reason, didn't grab my robe when I left my room for Jack's.
Apollo, Zeus, and Ares were sleeping around Jack's bed. I hadn't foreseen this obstacle. Softly whistling, I got the dogs to get up and go out to the hallway. My breath was growing faster, just like my heartbeats. I perched myself on the edge of Jack's bed, unsure of what to do next. My plan had only gone this far.
Jack rolled over and exhaled.
For a few minutes I just stared at him. He was the most gorgeous man in Gotham. His only fault was the scars, but I was so used to them by now that I barely even noticed they were there. I slowly reached out and softly touched his cheek. I was extremely startled when he jumped awake.
"Crystal," he mumbled, "what's wrong? Are you okay?" He shook his head and blinked sleepily a few times.
"I'm fine," I said, quickly putting my hands in my lap.
"What do you need?" he mumbled, clearing his throat, and stretching his neck.
"What were you going to ask me earlier?" I asked, fully aware that he wouldn't remember this in the morning.
"Earlier? Oh, oh, yeah." He cleared his throat again. "Crystal, are you happy here with me?" Jack looked up at me and took my hand.
"Yes, I'm happy. Why?"
"Well," Jack yawned, but continued, "I want you to stay here with me."
"Jack," I said, feeling rather disappointed, "I am staying here with you. I pretty much live here now, don't I? But then, I haven't really got any choice."
"You do have a choice. I can help you move away, out of Gotham, and they won't find you. I have the money to keep you hidden and happy. Or, if you want, you can stay here with me. We could get things from your house, and we could live together here." Jack blinked heavily a few more times. He definitely wasn't awake. There was no way he'd remember talking to me. After a yawn, "I'd love to have you stay."
I'd had a lurking feeling that this is what he was going to ask me, but it still surprised me and left me speechless. Yet? I felt loved, all at the same time. "Jack," I said, smiling, "how about we just figure out the scientist thing first before we decide who's moving where, okay?"
Jack sighed and closed his eyes. "Okay, that makes sense." He took a few deep breaths and then with a mighty jump, was truly awake. "Crystal," he said in confusion as he sat up and put his hands on my arms. "Is something wrong? Why aren't you in bed?"
"I," I paused, thinking. "I just had a bad dream and was wondering if you'd check the house for me. I thought I heard a noise,"
"Of course," he cut me off.
I stood up as he threw back the covers and got out of bed. He was wearing nothing but his boxers. I could feel a flush rising in my cheeks rapidly. I turned my head and looked at the door. "Uh, the dogs were sleeping in the hall."
"Really?" Jack asked. "They usually sleep around, or sometimes on, the bed. Maybe they heard something, too," he frowned. He took a few steps towards me, then stopped. His mouth opened a little bit, and his eyes scanned up and down my body. Immediately, I felt self conscious. Should have grabbed that robe. "Ah," he breathed. In a sudden moment of panic, he exclaimed, "Ah, jeans. Jeans…. Where are my damn jeans?" He turned his back to me and searched. I giggled, then calmed myself when he turned around again. He looked very nervous and unsure. "Ah," he said, "let's go check out the house."