Title: Enemy of My Enemy…
Rated for: T though ratings will change depending on the chapter content. I will label each accordingly.
Genre: Adventure/ Suspense/ Family/ Romance
Fandom/Universe: My Own Worst Enemy
Characters: Henry Spivey-Edward Albright, Jack Spivey, Dësmã Albright
Pairings: None.
Spoilers/Warning: None.
Disclaimer: My Own Worst Enemy and all related characters are copyright Jason Smilovic and the NBCNetwork. No infringement intended.
Summary: Congratulations, it's a girl! Only Edward didn't know and Henry wasn't prepared. Uh-oh…
Status:
AN: Here we are! The last chapter ...
Chapter: Happily Ever After
Chp12-
Edward quietly walks into the bunk Dësmã is sharing with Jared. She's sleeping, her hand fisted in his shirt as though she fears letting go. Edward doesn't know how he feels about that. He saw what the loss of the cover did to her and he doesn't know what this combined version of the cover and the spy is going to do. He can't trust that Gerald has been able to integrate both version into one.
Jared wasn't broken.
According to Gerald, Edward and Henry were an easy fix. The 'bridge' was already there, the broken bit that links both men so they're one in the same. Edward still isn't sure who's the dominant personality but so far Henry hasn't been a nuisance. Gerald thinks its because Henry's cover and everything he knew is gone.
Edward knows that's not going to be the case when they get to the island. Just thinking about Angie and the kids… it stirs familiar feelings that at one time he'd only had with Harper.
Jared lays where he is, a hand gently threading through Dësmã's long hair. They've hardly spoken- nothing about what he was going to do to her in that cell. He's still not sure which one is feeling what- between the spy and the cover.
'I wouldn't have…?' but Jared can't be sure that he wouldn't ever hurt her. That had never been an issue before, he'd meant it, what he said to her the night he 'died'-
"So?" Edward takes a seat on the empty bunk. They have a sort of 'bond' considering who they are and what they've been. There's also Dësmã to tie them together and though Edward can see her pull away from the spy when she's awake, it isn't the case when she falls asleep.
Jared doesn't answer right away. He still doesn't understand what he feels and he has all of cover-Jared's memories but there's still a disconnect between all of it. His feelings for Dësmã and the life he thought was theirs, and his covers feelings, the spy…
"I know what my orders are. What I was supposed to do." Jared stares up at the bunk, his eyes tracing the pattern in the metal while he threads words together to explain what he doesn't understand. "I've never hesitated." The 'I' sounds foreign while at the same time it feels natural to speak of himself as the spy but he's still refusing to
"There's a first time." Edward assures. He's hesitated and questioned orders more than once. Maybe it's why Edward is in the mess he's in right now.
"I won't hurt her." Jared finally manages to say. It's not exactly what Edward wants to hear but it's the best Jared can do for now.
"She's in love with … you." They both know Edward means Jared's cover.
"I know." Jared looks down at the sleeping girl in his arms. He remembers the first time his other me saw her. The first time he kissed her- right after she agreed on a date… "I … lover her."
Edward's not sure he believes it, the hesitation between the start and the end doesn't help but Jared is the one still integrating his cover. It hasn't been easy – moments when the spy asserts control before Jared can rationalize the actions he starts. Its why Dësmã keeps her distance – part of the reason, because she can't look at Jared without wishing for the guy who stole her heart when the spy that hurt her in the cell is staring back.
"Make sure do you." Edward warns as he gets to his feet. "She's my little girl."
Edward leaves them, the words sound foreign, they felt strange rolling off his tongue but something about the sentence fills him with warmth.
Is that part of what it feels like to be a Dad?
.
Matthias is waiting at the dock. Jace is absent which is for the better. He doesn't want a fight on his hands and he's worried too. There's the love of his daughters life, that she saw die, coming to live among them.
"I can see the boat." Sully points out.
"I can't." Ruthy shakes her head, frowning.
"Sully has eyes like a hawk." Matthias murmurs. It doesn't take long before he can see the boat as well.
"I don't see them." Sully squints, a hand shading over his eyes as he wades into the surf.
"My Dad's with them." Ruthy tries to sound sure but there's still a hint of worry that it's going to be Edward at the helm and not Henry.
"I'm sure they're both fine." Matthias assures placing a gentle hand on her shoulder. He sighs and looks towards the trees hoping that Jack has changed his mind but he hasn't mellowed much during Edward and Dësmã's absence.
"I tried to get him to come." Ruthy sighs, her eyes skimming the tree line as well before glancing at Matthias. "Mom didn't want to."
"Dës!" Sully draws their eyes to the boat and the girl at the rail. He grins and wades into the ocean deeper when he sees his sister kick off her boots. It doesn't take long for Dësmã to dive over the side.
What Mathias notices as soon as Dësmã gets to shallow water is that she's wearing her shirt when normally she wouldn't have bothered keeping it on.
"Dës!" Sully picks her up in a bear hug, Dësma's face hiding in his shoulder. He can feel the slight tremble in her body and hugs her tighter. "Your home, Dëssy." He whispers planting a kiss on her wet hair.
"Dad!" Ruthy jumps, she sprints to the dock and Edward who steps off the boat and stares at Ruthy who stops short and hesitates when he doesn't automatically smile at her.
Matthias slowly walks towards them, watching as the spy steps off the boat and look around. He's tall, built like a fighter and moves with that same grace and danger that Edward emotes and doesn't notice anymore. He wonders that Dësmã didn't see it when they met …
"Hello."
Jared glances at Edward and towards Dësmã before nodding at Matthias returning the greeting.
"Anything exciting happen while we were out?" Edward shoulders his bag; the shades on his face hide his eyes.
.
Jared is trying not to snap at Jace but the asshole isn't making it easy. They think he doesn't understand French – thought, because Jared finally tells Jace to tais-toi.
That works out for a few hours before Jace goes back to his antics. Its hasn't been sitting well, having Dësmã's first under the same roof… it isn't only Jace that Dësmã has avoided. Jace has noticed her distance and if he's noticed the changes in her usual routine then Athanasius has certainly made not of it as well. The lack of her presence in his Father's home when she'd practically lived there … and Jace blames it all on Jared. The dead spy who just couldn't stay dead.
"Mon fils…" Athanasius sighs sadly.
"Je l'aime. J'ai toujours." Jace admits before walking out of the house.
.
Gerald hates the heat and humidity but its better than being dead so he doesn't bitch about his new life. He's chosen to make the best of the hand dealt to him. "I like breathing."
"Of course you do." Edward/Henry say from the kitchen.
"Oh," Gerald tries not to jump but he's startled. "Didn't hear you guys."
Edward/Henry make a face, its still weird both being awake but Gerald's been right. With all the familiar trappings of Henry's life its been easier for Edward to stay the dominant consciousness.
That's also what worries him with Dësmã and the spy she's in love with.
"When are you guys gonna see his wife?" Gerald reaches across the counter for a coffee mug. "You don't have to babysit me. I'm very fond of my life and I know how to keep it. Besides, that little girl- Ruthy? Yeah, she's not gonna stop coming by to get you home for dinner-."
"Shut up, Gerald." Edward leaves the mug in the sink and walks out of the house.
.
Jared has to decide what he's going to do and he can't do it with Jace in is ear. Or with Dësmã simultaneously avoiding him and bumping into him. It would be simpler if he left the island but there's a part of him that doesn't want to go… that other him wants to stay for her.
"Il ya beaucoup de maisons vides à gauche." Athanasius hands the glass to Jared and slowly lowers himself into the empty chair on the porch.
"Merci." Jared nods, but he's still going to think about it.
.
Dësmã hesitates to walk in. That's a first considering this has been her home as well. She's hesitated walking into her grandfather's home since they returned to the island.
"Couldn't stay away." Jared's voice startles her as he comes up the stairs behind her. "Dad's down by the beach. Come on up." He smiles but keeps his hands to himself. He's been watching her, the reaction to Jared she has whenever they're in the same place together.
"Knock it off, Jace." Dësmã's tone lacks any heat; he hasn't heard much emotion from her since they showed up two weeks ago.
"He's not here." Jace walks past ignoring that wounded look on her face.
"I'll come back later then." She turns to go, hurrying down the stairs.
"He won't be here, Dës. Not later, not tomorrow." Jace hates how much the thought of the broken-soldier leaving hurts her.
"Jace…" Dësmã breathes a heavy sigh and rubs at her eyes.
"Crying? You're not the type, Dëssy." Jace smirks.
"I really am, Jace." Dësmã looks up at him from her spot on the grassy yard. "Sorry, that I let you think I could move forward with you. I tried …"
"Sure did, baby." Jace agrees. "Loudly and passionately at least 3 times a night when you snuck in." he winks, smiling. "I liked that sound you made every time I woke you up. You remember?"
She wants to tell him what an asshole he is but she knows he's hurt by her choice. He really didn't think she'd meant it, ending their fling. Jace hadn't seen it as such and Dësmã had tried to pretend … because if she hadn't left the island it would be Jace.
"I do love you, Jace. I did before …"
"Don't lie, Dësmã."
"There's a difference." She assures him. "I've learned that much. And yes, I do. Love you even though you're an asshole most of the time. I always did, Jace."
"You can't love both of us." There's a little ember of hope coming to life. But he's still not about to clarify what she's thinking. He shoves the door open wider, an invitation that almost draws her towards him. But she steps back instead.
"I'm in love with a ghost, Jace." Dësmã shakes her head. "Losing myself a few hours a night with you won't change that."
Jace steps back into the house, he closes the door and turns away from the girl he's loved and now … completely lost.
'She was never really mine.' But he'd hoped…
.
There's a box on the dresser by the window. Its an old lock-box, dented and banged up but very familiar. She left it for him the second day on the island. He takes it and sets it on the bed. He finds familiar items inside, everything he put inside but he's looking for one item in particular. There's a picture of her that grabs his attention; he pulls it out of the stack and stares at her sleeping face.
There had been something about that moment he hadn't wanted to lose. A quiet in their bedroom, peaceful…the sun had lit her face and his first thought had been he'd somehow been blessed with an angel. Sappy, poetic shit that would get any guys ass beat. But he'd slipped out of bed and grabbed his phone to snap a picture…
.
Dësmã has spent the past week avoiding everyone. It's been difficult to hide what she's feeling. She's been walking along the beach each night where they can't see her tears. She misses him; she keeps looking out to the waves wondering if he's okay, if he's safe and worried that whoever has taken over for Trumbull will find him…
He spots her easily, standing ankle deep in sand letting the waves swirl around her feet. She doesn't notice him until he's a few feet away and she startles. He can see surprise ghost over her face and she's not quick enough to hide the happiness she feels seeing him there.
"I … thought you'd left." Dësmã could wish her voice didn't sound so breathless and quickly ducks her face slightly turning to surreptitiously wipe the tears from her cheeks.
"No," he moves to stand beside her. "I moved into the empty house on the other side of the island."
"Oh." Dësmã makes a fist thinking Jace had known and he'd allowed her to believe-
"I got tired of Jace." He says looking down at her. "He has a big mouth."
Dësmã is speechless for a moment; embarrassed too because this is not something she's even had to deal with. Two guys she's 'dated' running across each other, let alone living on island together. It's like a bad reality show. "I …"
"Your grandfather noticed I was close to snapping his neck." Jared makes a face of distaste just thinking about the spy in his head showing him exactly how to do it. "So I moved out."
"He wasn't lying." Dësmã whispers. "I needed to forget and I couldn't-." she bites her lip and looks out at the waves because she can't look at Jared. "We have history." She says after a moment. "He's been with me … they've all given up so much. But that part is over." Dësmã turns to Jared. "Before I left the island with Edward. I told him, Jace, I told him -."
"I get it." Jared cuts her off. There's a part of him that hates she has a history with the asshole. And he gets they have history, that it was easy for Dësmã to fall in Jace's arms. But it also puts doubts ... "Do you … love him?"
Dësmã sighs heavily. She wipes her hands over her eyes and shakes her head staring at the sand under their feet washing away with the waves.
"Yes." She replies simply, her eyes searching his. "Of course. He's been my family before anything else. He always will be." She wipes at her cheeks again feeling embarrassed.
"Do you love me?" Jared tries not to hold his breath but the conflicting emotions on her face almost make him change his mind.
"I…" Dësmã looks away, anywhere but at his eyes and the gray felt box in Jared's hand seems to push her away from him. "Please…" Dësmã chokes back a sob but her eyes can't seem to look away from that box.
Jared brings it towards her, his hand opening so it rests in his palm. "Dësmã-.
"I don't want it." She chokes out and quickly turns away because she doesn't want him to see her cry. She doesn't want any of them to see how this hurts.
"Dës!" Jared's longer stride easily over-takes hers and he grabs her wrist to make her stop. "I've had this for months. I was waiting…" he wanted it to be perfect. He wanted to get them in a nicer apartment, out of the ratty neighborhood, somewhere she could see herself in a future with him.
"You're not him." Dësmã says. She turns to face him, her eyes bright with tears she doesn't wipe away. "It's not real. This isn't real. Because I saw you die- I saw Jared … and the life I didn't know I wanted died that night too. With him." She takes a breath and pulls her hand from his. "I have to try and forget. I need to forget and it's not easy when you're – when I see you. And if you ask me- ask…" Dësmã presses both hands over her face shaking her head. "I don't know which one you'll be." Her voice whispers past her lips.
He understands exactly what she's afraid of. He remembers that girl who didn't want to give him the time of day. He can't remember putting so much energy into getting to know anyone as he did for Dësmã and through everything … Jared doesn't regret any moment she allowed him to spend with her.
"I'm Jared." He pulls her into his arms, the felt box clenching in his fist at her back. He cups his hand on her chin and turns her face up to his. "Its me, Dësmã."
She doesn't want to believe Gerald has been successful – she can still hear Jared screaming, the threats he yelled from the chair Edward strapped him into.
"I'm here, Dës. I'm not leaving you and I promise … I won't hurt you."
That's a promise he's not going to break. There's no secret spy organization that's going to fuck with his head. That's been fixed and right now he's going to reach for that day dream; a happily ever after with Dësmã.
The end.
Translations
Mon fils – my son
Je l'aime. J'ai toujours – I love her. Always have
Il ya beaucoup de maisons vides à gauche - There are plenty of empty houses left
tais-toi – shut up
AN: Actually ... there's an Epilogue I was thinking of adding.