Hello and happy Tuesday! Thank you, thank you, thank you so much for all the reviews, love and support. I am having an absolute blast writing this and I'm excited to hear what you all think!
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A week had passed as Jack and Jerry were able to do a few more names as it was now Saturday night and the night they were going to do the name they got from Curlex. With having no idea who this person was or where they were going, the two just had to trust Curlex, each other and the rules they were given to make sure everything went as plan. Over the past few days, Jack and Jerry had gotten items to help them with this 'job'. From fake badges to wireless earpieces. To blueprints of the house/building to weapons for safety. The duo was all set to go and took off to their location.
Within twenty minutes they found the place that resembled a building, stopping about a block behind as Jack suited up with his ear piece and weapons. "Ok Jack, you all set?" Jerry asked, looking Jack over and then focusing on his instruction and blueprints.
"Yeah, I'm good. I'll let you know when I'm inside". Jack replied, patting Jerry's shoulder and then jumping out of his car and making his way to the back of the building. As Jack rounded the corner, he was stopping by a coded gate. Using his badge, he swiped it through quickly and then rushed towards the door, knowing he only had about ten minutes to get in and out without setting off any of the alarms as it was way past business hours. Using the badge again, he got inside and said, "Ok Jer, I'm in. But you need to hurry because we don't have much time left".
"Yeah, I know, we have about eight minutes. Alright, go to the fourth floor and look for the office with either no windows or very little windows", Jerry rushed.
"Ok, got you", Jack answered, rushing to the nearest staircase and running up the four flight of stairs, skipping a few steps here and there.
Soon enough, Jack made it to the fourth floor and scanned the outer perimeter, searching for that one office that actually wasn't that hard to find as it was the odd one out. Jack quickly ran to it, and huffed, "Ok Jerry, I found the office. What am I looking for?"
"I don't know. The floor and office are the last bit of information have, sorry. But if I were you, I would just grab what we normally do. Files, flash drives, envelopes", Jerry retorted, starting to panic.
"Alright, I guess you're right. Let me know when my time's running out", Jack finished, quickly making his way to the office and actually inside and searching the desk first.
Jack found nothing out of the ordinary and nothing containing work for that matter as one drawer had office supplies; pen, pencils, notepads and a stapler. The second drawer had food and snacks and the last drawer strangely enough had extra shirts. He move onto the file cabinet to find an envelope marked, "reports", so he took that and then noticed one of the pictures hanging on the wall was slightly crooked as he swiftly removed to reveal a safe.
Jack used his badge card to jimmy the lock as it finally opened but unfortunately broke the card. Inside the safe, he noticed two flash drives as he quickly grabbed them, shoving them in his pocket as Jerry yelled, "Three minutes", in his ear.
"Copy that. I'm heading out now", Jack responded as he placed the safe back in the wall and the picture back in its place and ran out of the office, down the stairs with only a minute or so reaming as he pushed the gate open and booked it down the street, finally jumping into the passenger side of the car with Jerry speeding off.
"Are you ok bro?" Jerry asked concerned as Jack was breathing heavily.
"Yeah, I'm fine", Jack replied, leaning back in his seat, caching his breath.
The pair drove in silence for a few minutes until Jerry inquired, "So, what'd you get?"
"Um, an envelope and a few flash drives", Jack replied, pulling the times out of his pocket and shirt and throwing them into a box he had in the back seat. "So, what kind of business was it?" Jerry wondered,
"Honestly, I have no clue. It was super neat and modern from what I could tell but if I had to guess, I would say it's the guy that noticed we took something the first tine", Jack replied, shrugging his shoulders.
"But why would we hit him again? I mean, he already caught us once", Jerry questioned.
"Yeah, I don't know why. But it's probably Curlex being Curlex. He doesn't like getting caught or proven wrong so he pushed back harder to show this guy he isn't messing around and he means business", Jack pointed out.
"Yeah, I guess your right", Jerry agreed and then asked, "Can I stay over tonight?"
"Of course. I think your stuff is still in the spare bedroom", Jack laughed
"Oh, so that's where all my clothes are. I was wondering what happened to them", Jerry exclaimed as Jack just shook his head, continuing to laugh at his best friend.
OoOoOoOo
The next morning, Jack and Jerry woke up, went to grab some breakfast and then stopped by Curlex's office to drop off the items. Ace answered the door and let them enter as the two walked down the halls that's haunted them for the past nine years. Knocking gently on the door and then entering, Curlex was happy to see them. "Boys! Come in, come in", he waved as the duo took their seats across the desk. "How are you?"
"Good, we're just here to drop off the items we got last night and all the supplies you gave us", Jack replied with a small smile, handing Curlex a brown cardboard box.
"Thank you and I assume everything went smoothly last night?" Curlex wondered
"Yeah, everything went fine though I wasn't exactly sure on what to grab so I just got the normal", Jack confessed in a softer tone.
"Don't worry about it. I'm sure you got the right things and I hate to have to cut this meeting short but I have another meeting need to get too. I'll see you guys in a few weeks", Curlex finished, getting up and out of his chair with Jack and Jerry following suit.
The rest of the day went on as normal as Jack and Jerry hung out for a little bit. Jack visited his parents and siblings and then called Kim to see how her weekend was going. For once, things didn't seem so bad and that finish line was at Jack's finger tips but no one ever said the homestretch was easy.
OoOoOoOo
Kim woke up early the following morning which surprised her as it was a Monday and really, who likes Mondays? Anyways, she got dressed and made her way to the coffee shop, deciding to pickup breakfast for herself and Haley as she had a good feeling about today. Thirty minutes later, she arrived at the studio and was greeted by an ecstatic Haley. "Morning Haley, why so happy?" Kim asked, handing her the cup of coffee.
"Thanks Kimmy and to answer your question I have great news for you", Haley cheered, pulling an envelope out from behind her back.
Just as Kim was about to grab it, her phone went off as she placed the food and coffee on the chair next to her as she quickly searched through her purse to see the name 'Aidan' lighting up the screen and saying, "sorry' to Haley as she immediately answered, "Aidan?"
"Kimberly, thank god you reached you. We have a big problem and you need to come down here ASAP", Aidan calmly but forcefully replied.
"OK, I'm on my way", Kim finished, frantically gathering her things. "Hay, I'm so sorry but I have to go".
"Don't worry. Good luck with wherever's happening", Haley waved as Kim ran out of the building.
Within ten minutes, Kim arrived at CI and ran into the building and to the elevators, not stopping to greet anyone as she continuously hit the up button. After what felt like forever but really only less than a minutes, the elevators arrived as Kim ran in and hit the five button as the door closed. Forty-five seconds later she arrived at her office to see Aidan, Quinn, Ross and Bridget standing right outside her door. "Morning everyone", Kim greeted, trying to make this situation a little happier as she unlocked her door.
"Morning boss", they all replied as they followed her inside.
Once everyone was seated Kim asked, "So, what's happening?" as she took her own seat at her desk.
"Well, within a day our investors' stocks have dropped", Aidan responded.
"By how much?" Kim questioned, shocked and confused.
"We don't really know because they're all different. Some were only a few points, others were as big as twenty to twenty-five points", Ross joined in.
"Shit", Kim mutter under her breath. "OK, why don't we look over all our records and I mean, everything and see who got hit the hardest and go from there", Kim instructed, not knowing how else to fix this at the moment without making a big scene.
Everyone nodded as Quinn quickly asked, "Do you want others to join us and help?"
Kim thought for a second before answering, "A few extra would probably help but you need to pick people you can trust. This is a major problem for our company and we can't have it blown out into something bigger or leaked because we don't have time for damage control".
"OK, you got it", Quinn agreed as then ran out of Kim's office.
A few minutes later, Quinn retuned with Fiona and Drew. "Fiona, Drew, I hope Quinn has caught you up to speed and that you understand this is confidential to everyone else", Kim warned.
"Yes boss. We understand and you have our word", Fiona assured with Drew nodding in agreement.
"Good. Now we need to get to work", Kim finished, clapping her hands as everyone went their separate direction.
OoOoOoOo
It was now ten-thirty at night and Kim was just now returning home as day went by in a blur. Never had she encountered such a problem at work and it stressed her out, having that feeling that she may be running her family business into the ground.
She was lying on her sofa when her phone started to ring and without looking at who it was, answered, "Hello?"
"Kim?" the voice asked.
Kim instantly sat up and screamed, "Jack, I'm so happy you called".
"Kimmy, what's wrong? I've been trying to reach you all day", Jack replied in a worried tone.
"I'm so sorry. I haven't had time to look at my phone because I had to go into CI today and it was crazy", Kim sighed, returning to her laying positions.
"Aw baby, I'm sorry. Is there anything I could do to help?" Jack wondered.
"It's not your fault and it would be great to have you there with me because you're the only one who can keep me calm", Kim laughed, jokingly.
"OK", Jack replied immediately.
"Ok? Ok what?" Kim questioned.
"I'll go to CI with you tomorrow and keep you calm", Jack stated.
"Jack, I'm kidding. You don't need to do that", Kim quickly answered.
"I know, but I want too. Besides, I don't have anything better to do tomorrow so I'll pick you up around eight-ish?" Jack probed.
"Yeah, that sounds perfect and you really are the best Jack Brewer. I owe you big time", Kim smiled, feeling one hundred times better than she did when she got home.
"Good and I know the perfect way to repay me", Jack teased.
Kim blushed and responded, "Eh, I'll think about it. Again, thank you so much. I'll see you tomorrow and I love you so much".
"Don't mention it. Sleep tight and I love you too, so much Kimmy", Jack finished as they hung up.
OoOoOoOo
Morning rolled around as Jack picked Kim up and made their way to CI as Kim starting giving Jack directions. "OK, that building on your right is CI", Kim pointed out as they crossed the intersection.
Jack nodded as a big building came into view. At first glance it looked like any normal building, but as Jack pulled into the parking lot and got a better look at it, it looked very familiar but he decided to let it go and even with that nagging feeling, telling him something diffident. He followed Kim inside as that feeling got stronger and it was getting harder and harder to ignore.
The couple stopped off on the fourth floor as the realization hit Jack like a ton of bricks. He felt his palms starting to sweat, his heart rate increase and even Kim noticed Jack's expression had changed as she placed a gentle hand on his arm and asked softly," Jack, you ok?"
Kim's voice brought Jack out of his panic as he replied, "Yeah, I'm fine. I just can't believe this is CI".
"Yeah, I know right. My dad did good with creating this sleek and modern atmosphere", Kim smiled and pulled Jack along to Aidan's office as he couldn't believe this was the place that he robbed a few nights ago.
"Hey Aidan, how is everything going?" Kim wondered as Jack snapped out of his thoughts again by Kim speaking.
"Eh, ok. We found a few connections between the investors and stocks and were able to pinpoint some exact numbers. Mayfield and a few smaller investors only dropped an average of 6.8 points and there hasn't been any more changes from them all night but a few bigger investors and companies like Peterman and Smith and Waterhouse are continuing to drop and change. Though it's still not clear, they are losing about twenty points. And I have one more thing to say but I think it should be done in private", Aidan said, eyeing Jack.
Jack nodded and replied, "It's fine. I'll be right outside", with a smile.
"Thank you", Kim mouthed with a small smile as she followed Jack and closed the door, or at least she thought she did.
Jack moved closer to the door as Kim and Aidan continued their conversation. "So, what did you need to tell me privately?" Kim probed, slightly confused by Aidan's behavior.
"Well, I don't really know who to say this and I'm probably going to get fired for this but our records file and the flash drives containing every bank account, investor, business and pretty much everything about this company are missing", Aidan said, in a chipper tone, thinking that the upbeat tone would make this situation better than what it really was.
"WHAT?" Kim hissed.
Yep, there it was. The feeling that Jack felt since he first arrived at CI just exploded in his body, hearing Aidan confess another major 'problem' as panic, guilt, anger and determination now flowed thorough his veins as he was going to fight back harder than ever.
Jack couldn't believe Curlex did this to him and this only lit his fire more as he took a step back, away from the door, now starting to plan his revenge.
"I don't know how it happened. When I looked on Friday, the flash drives were in the safe and the records were in my file cabinet", Aidan explained.
"Does the safe look tampered with?" Kim questioned, not believing this was happening.
"No, it looks fine. The pad code looks fine and its still opens and closes without any problems so I don't know how it could have opened", Aidan responded, looking exhausted and stunned.
"Are you sure you didn't miss place them? And are you the only one with the pass code?" Kim pushed.
"I'm one-hundred percent certain I put then in the safe. It's like the last thing I do before I leave and yeah, I'm the only one, I mean, besides your father", Aidan clarified.
"Damn it, we don't need another problem" Kim groaned, now pacing back and forth, trying to think of how they could possibly fix this.
Aidan let Kim do her thing, not wanting to make things worse and after a few minutes Kim added, "Ok, well there's nothing we can do about it now. The thing we NEED to do right now and focus on is trying to stop our stocks from changing and getting the investors their money back without them either finding out or dropping us. We will deal with the missing flash drives and file later".
"Ok", Aidan agreed as he followed Kim out of his office.
Jack, who was sitting a little farther down the aisle saw the two exit the office as he joined them as they made their way to Kim's office. The three were greeted by Ross, Bridget, Quinn, Fiona and Drew as Aidan joined them at the table and Jack puled Kim back outside her office and asked, "Is everything ok?"
Kim closed her eyes and leaned her head into Jack's chest as she mumbled, "I don't even know anymore. New things keep popping up and I feel like we're drowning".
"Hey, hey baby, look at me", Jack started, lifting Kim's chin to look at him. "I know things are rough right now but you just need to focus on the outcome and how you can move past this instead of how you got here in the first place. I know it sucks but you're Kim Crawford and I know you can figure everything out. You just need to keep your head on straight and not get sidetracked by all the little things. And today's your lucky day because I'm here to help", Jack grinned.
Kim couldn't help but giggle as she gave Jack a hug and then then stood up on her tip toes and gave Jack a peck and mumbled, "Thank you for everything", again his lips.
Jack deepened the kiss as they kissed for a few minutes until Jack pulled back and whispered, "You don't ned to thank me. This is all you and you know I love you".
"I love you too", Kim smiled, giving Jack one last kiss before pulling him back into her office.
Throughout the day, everyone one worked tirelessly, trying to fix what they could as Jack's phone rang, breaking him from his work. He glanced at the screen to see 'Jerry' lighting up as he quickly got up and walked out of the room to answer it. "Hey Jer", Jack said.
"Hey Jack, where are you?" Jerry asked.
"What are you talking about?" Jack asked back, totally confused.
"We told Lou we'd come in early and set up for that sports event tonight", Jerry reminded.
"Oh shit, that's tonight?" Jack inquired.
"Yeah, at seven', Jerry responded slowly.
Jack looked at his watch and saw it was a little after five and replied, "Dude, I totally forgot but I'm on my way", Jack finished, hanging up, rushing back into the office.
He ran to Kim's desk and bent down to whisper, "Babe, I have to go", in her ear
"Why?" Kim wondered with a saddened expression.
"I forgot that I told Lou that Jerry and I would help him set up for some sports event tonight. Jerry just called and reminded me because he's already there", Jack explained.
"Jack! You need to go", Kim shouted, grabbing everyone's attention.
Kim embarrassedly whispered a 'sorry' to everyone as they went back to work and Jack replied, "Alright, I'm going but I'll be back in a few hours to pick you up. Love you baby", kissing Kim's cheek.
"I love you too and ok, thanks but you don't need to. I can catch a ride with someone else", Kim suggested.
"Hell no. you're my girlfriend and we did come together so I'll be back later", Jack stated firmly.
"Ok, ok. I'll he waiting for you", Kim laughed.
Jack shook his head but winked at Kim as he grabbed his stuff and said a quick goodbye to everyone else as he ran out of the office. He ran to his car and sped to the bar, making it there in about ten minutes as he felt bad about forgetting. He ran into the bar to see Jerry pushing tables together and ran over to help him. "Oh, it's so nice of you to join me", Jerry joked.
"Haha, I'm sorry I forgot", Jack laughed dryly.
"It's cool. I'm just surprised you did. Normally, I'm the one who forgets things", Jerry chuckled.
"Yeah, I know. These past few days have just been crazy", Jack sighed.
"What happened?" Jerry wondered.
"I'll tell you later, when we're alone but I do need you to be free tonight after closing", Jack said seriously.
"Bro, when am I ever busy? I'm free every night and tonight is no different. I got you", Jerry assured him.
"Good, I'll call you later with details", Jack finished as they two of them went back to work.
Within an hour and a half, the bar was transformed into a more comfy, friendly hangout spot as most of the tables were grouped together, decorations were all over the walls, hanging from the celling and even on the bar. There was extra food and drinks as they knew tonight as going to be a crazy and busy night. Just when Jack and Jerry put the final touchs on the bar, a few of their co-workers arrived and took over for them, allowing them to go do something else or leave as they decided to leave as Lou didn't schedule them tonight anyways.
Once the duo was outside Jerry asked, "So, what are we doing tonight?"
"We're visiting Curlex", Jack replied bluntly.
"Why?" Jerry questioned.
"Because I have a bone to pick with him and I need you there to keep me out of trouble", Jack said seriously.
"Yeah, ok but what happened?" Jerry pushed, wanting to know what he was getting himself into.
"I know the business we robbed on Saturday", Jack sighed.
"Fuck. Really?" Jerry gasped.
"Yeah and it was a personal dig. So now, it's game on", Jack murmured.
"Bro, don't go doing anything stupid", Jerry advised.
"Trust me, I know. I'm just going to show Curlex not to mess with me. I'll call you later", Jack finished, getting into his car.
Jerry nodded walked to his car as Jack peeled out of the parking lot and Jerry just wished Jack knew what he was doing.
OoOoOoOo
Forty minutes later, Jack returned to CI with pizza in hand and as soon as he entered Kim's office and everyone smelled the food, they pounced. "Aw, baby. You didn't have to do this", Kim smiled, walking over to Jack and giving him a kiss.
"I know but I figured you guys didn't take a dinner break and I just thought this would help refuel you all", Jack grinned.
"You're the best", Kim sang as grabbed a slice of pizza and walked back to her desk.
"So, I've heard", Jack smirked as he pulled his chair over, closer to Kim and asked, "So, how's it going?"
"Eh, it's going. We finally have a better idea of who was hit and how much they lost but now it's all about getting their money back discreetly", Kim replied, staring at the papers in front of her.
"Don't worry babe, you'' figure it out", Jack responded sincerely as he grabbed his stack of papers and went back to work.
OoOoOoOo
It was now a little after nine as Kim released everyone for the day. Another ten minutes passed before she gave up as well and decided it call it a night. Jack drove Kim home as they talked about random things and just laughed the whole ride. Once they arrived back to Kim's, Jack walked Kim up to her front door as Kim whispered, "Thank you for today. No one's ever done that for me".
"Don't mention it. You know I'll do anything for you and besides, it was fun seeing you in a different light and all business like", Jack grinned.
"Shut up", Kim laughed, hitting Jack in the chest.
"I mean it. You were so sexy", Jack winked.
"Good night Jack", Kim finished, rolling her eyes and giving him a kiss on the cheek.
"Night Kimmy. I love you", Jack sang over his shoulder as Kim stood on her doorway watching him walk back to his car.
"Yeah, yeah. I love you too", Kim sighed jokingly.
Jack blew her a kiss and winked as he got into his car and drove off with Kim shaking her head and waving goodbye.
Jack turned the corner and pulled over onto the side as he texted Jerry, "On my way. Meet you there".
OoOoOoOo
Within fifteen minutes Jack pulled up in front of the 'mansion' with Jerry right behind him. The two shared a look before waling up to the front door with Jack banging on the door . Lion appeared at the door, shocked to see the two of them but let them enter as Jack sped down the hall with Jerry running to catch up. Jack didn't even bother knocking as he just pushed the door open and yelled," You son of a bitch".
Curlex's head snapped up and gave Jack a threatening look and replied, "Excuse me?"
"Oh, don't play dumb with me. You know exactly what I'm talking about and I can't believe you would stoop that low", Jack hissed.
"Well, believe it. I had to teach you a lesson", Curlex sneered.
"And what lesson is that?" Jack pushed.
"Don't push me Jack", Curled advised.
"Kiss my fucking ass. Now tell me why you did it?" Jack barked.
"Because of this", Curlex shouted, grabbing the photos and throwing them at Jack.
Jack bent down and picked up a few pictures as his face turned white as they were photos of him and Kim. Now, he wouldn't be too mad if they were normal pictures he could lie about and stuff but these were intimate pictures of the couple, kissing or making out, holding hands and right then, Jack not only knew he was done for but was also angry that Curlex was spying in him. "How could you spy on me?" Jack roared.
"I only spied on you to make sure you weren't screwing us over but it's a good thing I did because you've been lying this whole time", Curlex shouted.
"No, I haven't you and know that", Jack pointed out sternly.
"Really? So, who is this girl?" Curlex wondered.
Jack clutched his jaw and replied, '"My girlfriend".
"And how long have you been dating?" Curlex continued.
"Six, almost seven months", Jack groaned.
"I see. And what were the rules I laid out since the beginning?" Curlex inquired.
Jack rolled his eyes and mumbled something incoherent.
"What?" Curlex asked.
"To not bring other people into this", Jack mumbled louder.
"Exactly and here you are, defying my rules. You're a good kid Jack but hard headed and so, I needed to teach you a lesson that one, you can never hide anything from me and secondly, that everything comes at a price. You disobey me, people suffer. So, now would be the time that you apologize and leave that girl because trust me, you don't want to know what happens next", Curlex hissed in a low voice.
"You're a sick bastard. You can't tell what to do. Screw you", Jack screeched, turning around and storming out of the office.
Jerry quickly flowed jack as Curlex had fire in his eyes as Jack definitely made the biggest mistake anyone could ever make. No one ever fights back again Curlex if they knew what was good for them and they most definitely don't walk way from Curlex in the middle of a discussion. But Jack, Jack did both of them and he just brought on a new, huge hell of a storm.
And there you go folks! Please R&R and let me know what you think! Please don't hate me but if you know my work, you know that I always have twists and turns. And on a completely different side note, I have had more cliffhangers In this story than any other one…got to keep you all on your toes…
Please let's try and reach 380-385 before the next chapter which will hopefully be up before Christmas!
Thanks and until next time,
Missy xx