Jack stood rooted to the spot for a few moments after Sue left, wondering at her swift exit. Did she really think he would be interested in Ally for his future? Was she fleeing him now? Why would she do that? She had given no indication of minding whether Ally was there or not, she had been perfectly friendly and cordial, yet the way she left, it almost looked like she was fleeing. Could that mean anything or was he just reading too much into tiny little details that didn't matter? Then again, she had mentioned their friendship, she was always saying they were friends, and never seemed to indicate wanting more.

When he came back into the living room his mother took one look at him and saw that something was off, Jack was looking too puzzled for her liking.

"Is everything alright, Jackson?" she asked

He wanted to say that everything was fine but instead he found himself saying, "No disrespect to Ally, it's always nice to see you again," turning briefly to her before he looked back at his mother again, "but mom, why did you invite Ally again?"

"Well, you two are old friends and I was talking to Gladys and she thought that Ally… that it would be nice for the two of you to reconnect and I saw no reason not to."

"Are you and Gladys trying to matchmake again?"

"Oh, Jackie, I… nor we, would ever push anything the two of you don't want, but, well, you two were always such a lovely…"

"Then don't push it," Jack said, his irritation starting to flare up. He turned to Ally, "I mean, weren't we clear about all of this two years ago, Ally?"

"Yes, we were, but you and I have this… on and off history, so I think our mothers thought… Listen, I'm only here for a nice dinner, I thought it was sweet that your mother called this morning and I had no plans for this weekend, so it was no problem hopping on a quick flight from New York. I never thought you'd be annoyed by it…"

Jack sighed, his feelings these past few weeks had been all over the place and it was all getting to him. He rubbed a hand through his hair and said, "I'm sorry, Ally, of course it's nice to see you again. It's just been… busy and I don't have much patience for matchmaking and flirting right now…"

"Unless it's with…" his dad started.

Jack looked to him questioningly.

"Never mind," his dad then retracted, throwing a look in Ally's direction.

"Well, just so you all know,"Jack announced to the four people present, "Ally and I decided two years ago that we were done with pursuing anything more than friendship, once and for all, and that hasn't changed and will never change."

He didn't see Ally flinch at the statement but Bobby did and quickly jumped in.

"Jack, how about you and I go out for a little drink?" he asked and then turned to Jack's parents and Ally, "I think Jack needs a little break, he's had a rough few weeks. Is it OK if I kidnap him for a bit?" he asked.

Jack looked at him gratefully and apologized to his parents and Ally.

"I'm sorry, I'm not great company right now. These past few weeks really have been challenging… Please forgive me, mom, dad, Ally…"

"It's alright, go. You do look a bit frazzled," Jack's mom said. "I'm sorry the dinner didn't help you relax."

"Mom, it's not… thank you for dinner, I don't mean to be…"

"Never mind," she smiled. "Go."

As he took his leave from Ally she told him that she'd be taking a late night flight back to New York.

"I shouldn't have come," she added.

"I hope you didn't come because you hoped to rekindle something," Jack said, looking at her in concern.

"I do admit to a little hope for that…" Ally said.

"But Ally, didn't we put all of that to rest two years ago?"

"Well, you know how it has been for us before; we put things to rest and then doubts creep in."

"Ally, I really don't think I am what you're looking for…"

"You're right, maybe it is just nostalgia but I don't seem to be able to find anything like we had with anyone else."

"You will find something better, I promise you, you just need to let what we had go and have it stay in the past."

"Find something like you and Sue have?"

"Sue and I are just good friends, Ally."

"Maybe, but you two do seem to… gel together."

"This is not about Sue, this is about you and I not being right for each other."

"You're right, a lot has always been at odds for us, but even so it's been better than anything else I've found so far."

"It just needs time. You deserve someone who fits with you."

"As do you," she smiled, "and I think you may have already found it, even though it isn't with me…"

"Well, if you do find it, it does remain a challenge if you're not sure it's reciprocated..."

"I believe there is reciprocation, why else would I feel the need to throw myself at you all evening? I was trying to stake a claim I didn't have..."

"Ally…" Jack started but Ally just grinned and kissed his cheek.

"You'll figure it out," she said. "Goodbye, Jack," and she was gone.

Jack was still looking confused when his dad and Bobby came to find him in the hall. As he and Bobby got ready to leave his dad pulled him aside for a little word of wisdom.

"I can see now that Ally isn't for you," he said softly, "but someone else might be…"

Why was everyone trying to push Sue on him? Didn't they see what he saw, that she didn't see him in that way?