Chapter 36
Jack thanked the limo driver as they pulled up outside of Chloe's apartment. He glanced at his watch, the digits glowed 12:00 pm. Midnight he thought it was unlikely that Chloe and Morris would still be up, so he skilfully reached up to the doorframe and grasped their spare key. Soundlessly slipping it into the keyhole he stepped inside, where he as greeted by low murmurs of voices. It was Chloe and Morris and by the sounds of it they were in the midst of an argument. Jack silently listened to what was being said…
---
"We have to tell him Chloe" Morris uttered, "its only fair."
Chloe rolled her eyes, "Why Morris? I've never seen him so happy since… god…since he was working for Secretary Heller." she sighed. "And I don't want to ruin it for him."
Morris relented slightly "I know" he whispered, wrapping his arm around Chloe, "But think, wouldn't you want to know why you ended up in the same place as your soul mate?"
Chloe smirked, "Well now you put it like that… I guess." However, their conversation immediately stopped when they heard the door shut. "That's him." Chloe murmured.
"Tell him." Morris breathed as Jack came in through the living room.
"Hey Jack. How did it go?" Chloe smiled.
"Fine." Jack replied.
Chloe looked over to Morris, "Jack…err…I've got to tell you something."
Jack grinned, "Its fine Chloe I know."
Chloe's face wrinkled, "What do you mean you know?..How?"
Jack shrugged, "Chloe it wasn't that hard to work out, I already knew Audrey would be out here and I'm honoured that you and James Heller would help us get back together."
Chloe was flabbergasted, "You're welcome, but Jack if you don't mind me asking how did you know that Heller and Audrey would be out here?"
Jack's face reddened "I…I asked Bill. I've always kept in touch with him, he use to give me updates on how Audrey was doing."
Chloe looked down, "I'm sorry Jack we should have told you…"
Jack shook his head, "Don't worry about it.. I'm turning in for the night. I'll see you in the morning. Night."
"Night" Chloe replied
Jack smiled as he headed back to his room with his mind solely on Audrey.
----
Audrey awoke the next morning with a smile plastered on her face. For the first time in two years everything felt right. Her mind transported her back to the previous night. It had been perfect with Jack, and she was ecstatic at the fact that he still loved her. The soft knocking on the door brought her back to the present.
"Coming" Audrey said, wrapping her robe around her body. She peered through the keyhole and saw it was her father. "Morning dad."
Heller smiled, he could see the change in his daughter, it was then when he knew he had finally done the right thing. "Hey sweetie." Heller replied, "Listen, I have to go for a meeting in about an hour but then I'll take you out to lunch if you want."
Audrey nodded her head, "I'd love to."
Heller stayed for another hour before heading off to the meeting with one of the state's senators and Audrey was left lulling and reminiscing about Jack.
--
Jack wearily made his way out of the bedroom, rubbing his tired eyes.
"Morning Jack, or should I say afternoon?" Chloe teased.
"What time is it?" Jack replied as he stifled a yawn.
"Almost One"
Jack chuckled "God, I haven't slept that late in a long time."
Chloe nodded and continued to feed Peter, "There's some coffee in the pot if you want some."
Jack nodded "Thanks" he said pouring out the scented coffee.
One week later…
The final week came to an end quicker than either Jack or Audrey had expected. The pair had met up on numerous amounts of times for lunch or dinner, but Jack had yet to kiss her. The mere thought of kissing Audrey again sent his nerves in override, he hadn't felt like this since the first time he had kissed her all those years ago in Washington.
Jack wandered into the kitchen where he was greeted by Morris.
"Hi" Morris said looking up from the paper. "Listen Jack, Chloe and I were wondering whether you wanted to stay longer? I mean the room is yours as long as you want it for."
Jack smiled, "Thanks Morris." Morris nodded.
---
Heller packed the last of his things and made his way to Audrey's room.
"Are you…" but his voice trailed off when he saw Audrey's tear stained face. "Audrey honey what's wrong?"
Audrey shook her head, "I… I just don't want to leave him dad. Not again."
Heller looked down to the floor then back at his daughter. "Audie, the last week has been great. There's life back in you eyes, I haven't seen you this happy in a long time and if it's Jack that's creating this change in you then.. Then why don't you stay in New York for as long as you want. I'll pay for the hotel."
Audrey smiled, "But dad what about work?"
Heller grinned, "Audrey, you being happy is far more important than work and besides I'm sure I'll do fine."
Audrey leapt up from the bed and into her father's arms. "Thank you daddy. Thank you so much."
---
Jack wandered out of his room for the third time that day, however this time when he walked into the kitchen Audrey was standing there, chatting silently to Chloe. Morris walked over to Jack.
"Just to give you a heads up Jack, they're apparently having a 'girly chat' whatever that means. So Chloe basically told me to bugger off."
Jack laughed and stepped over to see Audrey. Whatever conversation had taken place immediately stopped when the two women saw Jack approaching.
"Hey" he said coolly
"Hey you" Audrey replied kissing Jack lightly on the cheek. "How are you?"
"Fine." Jack replied. He looked over to Chloe, who got his hint and moved away from them.
"Come on Morris we have to go and collect that…em thing remember."
Morris gazed over at his wife "What thing?"
Chloe glared at him, "You know… the thing!"
Getting the gist of it, Morris nodded "Oh, that thing." and the pair briskly walked out of the apartment giving Jack and Audrey their privacy.
An awkward silence passed between them. Even though they had seen each other for a couple of weeks, Jack was still getting used to being with Audrey. He had trouble letting his emotions go, he hadn't even told Audrey that he loved her since the first time he saw her. The problem was, that for the last two years, he was able to control his feelings and put on an outer shell and now his dilemma was parting with the 'shell'.
"So" Jack said, breaking the silence, "You're going home today aren't you?"
Audrey looked down and then met his eyes again, "Not if you don't want me to." she replied.
"Audrey, it's not up to me I…" he cut himself off when he saw the hurt on Audrey's face. She was expecting him to say yes I do want you to stay. Why was he doing this to her? It wasn't her fault, it was his, and he had to learn to open to her more. Jack took Audrey into his arms, burying his head into the crook of her neck, inhaling her scent.
Audrey did the same, her thin arms were wrapped tightly around his muscular body, and her head resting on his shoulder. Life couldn't get better than this she thought.
Jack breathed in "I love you" he whispered to her, kissing her neck.
Audrey's heart froze. Her mind screeching to her to say I love you too but she couldn't. Audrey stepped back from Jack, locking her eyes with his cool blue ones, she stepped closer, her eyes focused on his lips she slowly began to move forward.
Jack's heart skipped a beat, as he watched Audrey lean in, he closed his eyes and just as their lips were about to touch they heard the door open, revealing Chloe and Morris. Jack and Audrey reluctantly pulled apart, Jack's hand still firmly around Audrey's waist. His forehead leaning on hers,
"Let's go ice skating." he said.
Audrey grinned, "Yeah" she replied, her mind still in the moments before, thinking of how close they were to kissing. The mere though of Jack's lips on her skin again sent shivers down her spine. Clearing her mind, she latched onto Jack's arm as they headed out of the door.
TBC