Chapter 31
Despite the level of exhaustion that both Jack and Sam felt, they didn't want to waste any more time sleeping. They were anxious to see what their future held and what it all meant. After swinging by his house to grab some extra clothes, they ended up at Sam's house which showed signs of upkeep. Whenever someone was missing or in trouble it had long been tradition for one of the teammates to keep their place clean. It was almost like a good omen for their friends to return.
Grabbing some water bottles, Sam and Jack sat down on the living room sofa. They sat together, which was an added level of uniqueness with them not only being alone, but sharing the same furniture. This was new territory as the boundaries that kept them in check were significantly blurred.
"So…"
"How…."
They both spoke at the same time only to end with a nervous chuckle. "You go first. I'll chicken out." Jack offered but generously and selfishly.
"I don't know where to start. Um...I have to say that everything that happened, I know it wasn't real but at the same time it felt real. The events, thankfully, were made up, but the feelings and the...and the words?"
"Real in a way that counts and in a way that I don't want to just ignore. At least I hope that's where you were going with that." Jack asked in a way that was outside his normal, confidant attitude. He couldn't go back to business as usual with Sam. Not after he had gotten a glimpse of what a life with her would be like.
"That's exactly where I was going."
A proverbial weight lifted off both of their shoulders. They laid back on the sofa, and closed their eyes. With the biggest decision made, they allowed sleep to take hold of them.
Hours passed and a shrill beep jolted the pair awake. Startled they jumped up looking for the offending sound and any intruder. Realizing they were alone, they took a deep breath and started turning on lights. The day had turned into night and they were surrounded in darkness.
They sat back down in the same space they started and stared awkwardly at each other.
"What now?" Sam asked, daring to push a little further. She peaked at Jack daring to attempt to read his thoughts.
He did not hesitate, seeing the shyness hanging over Sam, he grabbed both of her hands into his own. He swallowed down the nerves, recalling what he felt and how he needed to feel that again.
"Whatever is gonna happen next, we'll go through it together. You and me. For real this time."
"I like the sound of that." Sam smiled, a sense of peace and happiness washing over her previous angst. She knew the future was till cloudy. She also knew that Jack was her rock and confidante. Her true north. And despite everything that had happened, she would go through it in a heartbeat if it led them down this path in the end.
Ironically enough, they both went through hell and that journey saved her soul.
A/N: I know the end seemed kind of rushed. But any further would have just been beating a dead horse.
Thanks for reading and putting up with sporadic updates!