CHAPTER TWENTY-ONE

2 Days Later

Jack jolted awake at the sharp pain running across his shoulder. His eyes blurry, he took a moment to clear his head and look around the darkly lit room he found himself in. Looking to his side, he saw her there; curled up in a chair, fast asleep.

Moving into sitting position, he ran his hand over his face and then through his wild hair. His eyes drifted around the room; taking in the surroundings of this unfamiliar room. It was her house. She had brought him here. She'd driven him to safety; saved his life.

I need to leave; the thought suddenly entered his head. Closing his eyes, he sighed. He knew it was for the best. He couldn't be here when she woke; awkwardness would be between them.

Try his hardest not to cry out in pain, he stepped out of the bed. Before going any further, he took a moment to look over Martha. She looked so small curled up in the chair; so innocent. Jack smirked to himself at the thought. Innocent; she's anything but, he thought to himself.

The moments they'd shared stung his brain with sorrow. He'd let her in, and she'd let him in. He'd given her the choice, and she'd barged right in, now owning a piece of his heart. A heart which had been hidden away from others. He'd hidden it with his cynicism and his mean barriers. But she'd broken right through him within moments. But now, here he was, about to take off. All because he didn't want to be there when she awoke with expectations.

He loved her, but there was nothing he could give her. She was too good for him. She deserved the best. And that he wasn't. She could do much better than him.

Walking over towards a small dressing table, he noticed his clothes. Washed and neatly folded; waiting for him. Ho looked into the mirror and inspected his bandaged shoulder. Whoever had fixed him up had done a good job. Even the cuts and bruises on his face had been treated.

Ignoring the slight pain in his shoulder, he started to put on his clothes. Once he'd pulled his boots on, he grabbed his jacket and headed towards the door. Opening the door, it lightly squeaked. Jack drew in a deep breath and closed his eyes as he thought that the sound might wake her.

Looking back up, he found that she was still asleep. Gathering the confidence, he walked back, over towards her. A part of him couldn't help but wish that she would awake. She'd yell at him and argue with him; demanding that he stay. And he knew that he would if she asked him too. He'd do it; just for her.

Falling to his knees, he knelt beside her sleeping body. He looked down at her hands which were grasping tightly onto the blanket that was wrapped around. One day, those hands will touch another man, he thought to himself. It pained him to think this and the thought went straight to his chest and pulled at his heart.

Slowly rising to his feet, he leant over to her cheek and softly whispered. "I wish I could be somebody that you deserve," he lightly pressed his lips to cheek. Standing again, he walked out; he didn't look back.

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Martha's eyes opened the very second after she heard Jack leave the room. She stopped herself from running after him; begging him to stay with her. But she couldn't hold him back; regardless of their feelings for one another. They couldn't get attached. Martha had a business to run, and he had his own life. She had to let him walk away. It was the only way her heart stayed intact.

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Taking each step slowly at a time, Jack looked back up the bedroom door which he had just exited. It beckoned him, but he stayed strong. Reaching the door, he went to open it but his hand stopped mid air when he heard a deep voice from behind him.

"Leaving?" the voice said to him.

Spinning around, he came face to face with whom he was pretty sure was Charlie MacKenzie.

Rubbing a finger over his brow he shrugged. "Yeah," he answered.

Charlie nodded. "Yeah," he exclaimed. "Did you say goodbye?" he then question Jack.

Coughing a little, Jack looked down at the floor. "I'm not so good with goodbyes," he said.

"It's cool man. She knows anyway," Charlie started. "But, just so you know, she didn't leave your side. Even when I threatened to drug her and drag her boney ass out," he chuckled.

"How long was I out?" Jack looked at him in confusion.

"Two days. Morphine," Charlie smiled.

Shit. Two Fucking days, Jack thought to himself as he shook his head.

Charlie started to laugh. "Yeah, that Doc that Alf sent over; she practically had to comatose your ass, in order to fix that botched surgical job you did on yourself," he explained. "I think she said specifically to call you a dumb shit when you woke," he laughed harder.

Jack laughed along with him, but then shushed him. "Ssshhh," he whispered as he looked up the stairs; hoping that they're laughter didn't wake Martha.

Charlie saw the expression on Jack's face; knowing full well what he was thinking. "She won't come down; even if she wakes up….," he trailed off.

Jack looked over at Charlie and frowned. His heart suddenly ached. Wow, this guy really knows how to make you feel guilty, Jack thought.

"I should be going," Jack broke the silence. He took hold of the door handle and pulled open the door; the sunlight streamed in and brightened up the dark foyer. Looking back at Charlie again, Jack spoke. "Tell her I said thanks and….," he started but was cut off.

Charlie shook his head. "No man, she already knows," he stated. "Birds of a feather, my friend," he then added with a smirk.

"See ya round," Jack then nodded before walking out onto the drive way. He lifted his good arm and gave Charlie a short wave, before making his way down the drive.

He'd only walked a few meters when suddenly he felt her eyes on him. Spinning around, he saw her standing in the window; looking down at him. He watched as she placed her hand on the glass; her way of saying goodbye to him.

Jack swallowed; trying to remove the large lump that was forming in his throat. She was letting him go, and she wasn't going to stop him. She understood. She got it.

Placing his hand up in the air, he smiled softly. He then turned and kept on walking. Away from her, and away from what they'd shared. They had to go back to their lives; or whatever was actually left of it.

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The tears fell as she watched him go. A part of her heart was in her throat. Why didn't her heart want him to go?

Hearing a knock at the door, Martha quickly wiped at the tears that streaked down her face. She turned away from the window and put on her fake smile.

"Hey," Charlie said to her as he entered the room.

"Hey," she back with an exaggerated smile.

"You good?" Charlie asked her as he stepped towards her.

Shrugging, Martha lied. "Of course, why wouldn't I be?" she moved towards the chair and picked up the blanket that had been previously wrapped around her body.

"Well, it looks like you were crying," Charlie exclaimed as Martha passed him and left the room, not even bothering to look him in the eye.

"Yeah, well can't a girl have a moment to reflect? I mean I was almost killed several times Charlie," Martha tried to joke as she entered her own room down the hall.

"Okay, fine," Charlie backed down; not wanting to upset her or start a fight.

"Now if you don't mind, I want to get some sleep," Martha started to push Charlie towards the door.

"I'll bring some food up for you later," Charlie told her as he left and walked back down the hall.

Martha flicked off the lights and then shut the door. Holding her hand to her mouth, the tears came back in full force. Leaning her back against the door, she sunk to the ground and rolled into a little ball. Her heart was broken. For the first time in her life, it was really broken.

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