Hi, everyone! I hope you guys are looking forward to the this next installment of Unity! As mentioned previously, this is the first of several original chapters, with this one focused on Alena & Jack - and includes an appearance from Dr. Facilier ;) I'd love to know what you guys think :) Happy reading!

Alena only stared at him, her blue eyes wide. Knowing he stood in front of her made her forget the reason she rushed over here.

Almost.

Before she could answer him, Nick furrowed his eyebrows and ventured, "Are you okay, Alena? I, uh, asked you why you were here, and you haven't said anything."

Alena took a deep breath and shook her head. She waved her hand and managed, "Sorry! The girls are at a sleepover, and for a minute there, I thought I had forgotten to pack their pajamas."

Nick chuckled. He then stroked his stubbled chin. "I have to admit I'm a little surprised you even thought you forgot – you're basically Supermom."

She laughed. "I don't know about that, but I do my best."

He smiled at her. He then rubbed the back of his head before he stepped to the side and opened the door wider.

"Why don't you come in, and you can tell me why you're here."

She nodded. She then walked past him - desperately fighting the urge to reach for him - and stood near the kitchen.

When he closed the door, he offered, "Just sit at the bar, and I'll grab you something to drink. What do you want?"

As he spoke, Alena's breathing turned heavy. She inched toward one of the stools and collapsed in it.

Nick furrowed his eyebrows. His brown eyes then widened with worry. He grabbed a glass and filled it with water.

He placed it in front of her. She gulped it down.

"What did you do? Run here?"

Alena's eyes widened. She continued to drink as her mind swarmed. When she placed the glass on the counter, she noticed him filling a glass for himself. When he faced her, she shrugged

"I thought I'd go for a jog – but I didn't realize how out of shape I'd gotten."

Nick bit his lip, his gaze falling on her. He then cleared his throat, earning an expression of confusion.

He took a sip of his own water. An easy smile then spread across his face.

"I'm sure the fact that you're wearing jeans didn't help."

Alena couldn't help but chuckle, a light blush staining her cheeks. She then gestured with her glass.

"Thanks for this, by the way."

He nodded before he crossed his arms over his chest. "So, about those contracts? I'm guessing that's the reason you're here?"

"Oh! Yeah, right," she began as she ran her fingers through her hair, "I added your suggestions, and they look great. I haven't read it all together, but…"

"What?" she then questioned as he shook his head at her.

"You've been in this business for a while now – and corporate law isn't my specialty. I just learned a few tips in law school that I thought might help."

She planted her hands on her hips. "And I told you they were great ideas, and I wanted to use them."

She sipped on her water as he shook his head once more. "I guess I shouldn't be surprised, Blondie. You're stubborn and prone to argue."

Behind her glass, she rolled her eyes. She then widened them and started to choke.

Nick nearly choked himself before he asked, "Are you okay?"

She placed a finger up before she took another sip of water. She breathed in and out slowly as she closed her eyes.

When she brought her gaze back up to his, she found herself taking another deep breath. The question tumbled out: "What did you call me?"

His eyes widened. He ducked his head and rubbed the back of it. "Uh, Blondie? I mean, you are blonde, so I thought I'd call you that."

His eyes never met hers. Her blue ones narrowed before she let out a sigh. "I'm not sure that helps us stay just friends."

He sighed as well. "I guess it doesn't." He then sipped on his water before he gestured with the cup.

"We were getting closer every day, and I wanted to give you a nickname because…"

He trailed off as his face paled. Alena only stared at him. He then shook his head.

"I, uh, mean that we're close friends, so, uh, the nickname."

Alena raised an eyebrow and crossed her arms over her chest. She opened her mouth when Nick interrupted her.

"I know that look – it's the same one you gave me when you put a stop to you and Nick…"

He dragged his fingers through his hair. "Damn it, I meant you and me. Us."

He buried his face in his hands. "Sorry. Uh, work is, uh, you know."

Alena shook her head and sighed. "I know you better than that…Jack."

His head shot up, his eyebrows reaching his hairline. "You know?"

He stammered as he tried to cover: "You know that, um, I'm not, uh…"

He waved his hands. "Forget it. You always saw right through me – and being alone with you messed with my head."

Jack ran his hands over his face and through his hair. He then furrowed his eyebrows.

"Wait. Is this why you're really here?"

Alena crossed her arms back over her chest. "Do you really need to ask why I'm here?"

"If you're gonna keep looking at me like that, I don't know that I do."

She rolled her eyes. "This is serious, Jack. What the bloody hell were you thinking?"

"I'm thinking I don't know why the hell you're so mad at me."

Alena glared at him. "Oh, you know, I can't say for sure. But maybe it has something to do with Dr. Sage's murder!"

Jack clenched his jaw and placed his hands flat on the counter. "I wanted to protect you! You and Emma and Lily. Our d-d-daughters."

His voice caught in his throat. He released a breath before a slow smile spread across his face.

"They remind me so much of you. From the way their eyes light up with excitement to how they have to be told exactly what to do."

Alena couldn't help but roll her eyes. "I'm pretty sure that last one is because they're still toddlers."

He grinned. "And your excuse for never listening is what?"

She shook her head while he chuckled. She then took a deep breath – only for tears to bubble to the surface.

"It killed me seeing you with them. They're yours - with those brown eyes looking back at me - but you were cursed. It was torture."

A wistful smile appeared. "But for a moment, we were finally a family. The moment I've been dreaming about since I found out I was pregnant."

Jack reached for her hands - and squeezed them. Warmth - and love - spread throughout their bodies from head to toe.

"I'm here now, Alena. I know the curse isn't broken, but…"

She jerked her hands away. He furrowed his eyebrows.

"What is it?"

She sighed and ran her fingers through her hair. "How do you not get it? Come on, Jack."

He let out a sigh of his own. "I told you I was protecting you and our girls. Did you really expect me to do nothing?"

"When the alternative is murder, what do you think?"

Jack clenched his fist. "Aren't you listening to me?"

"I could ask you the same thing!"

She huffed and crossed her arms over her chest. She shot a glare his way.

"I don't know how you think this is okay!"

He met her glare – his fist still clenched. "That's not even what any of this is about! I just found you again – and I found out we made two beautiful little girls. I wasn't about to take a chance on losing any of you."

Alena stared at him – her heart torn. She still loved him – nothing would ever change that, but damn it, she wasn't given him a pass.

"You can't justify this! This is not the way to handle it!"

"So, what then? I'm just supposed to wait until after something happens?"

"No! I didn't bloody say that! But putting someone in the bloody morgue - and in the damn hospital - isn't the way to do it!"

"So, I guess it's all up to you and your magic."

Alena narrowed her eyes. "What the hell is that supposed to mean? You know that I'm supposed to help break this curse – and you supported me, Jack!"

"And I do – I still do! That hasn't changed – but it doesn't mean I'm not terrified something could happen to you."

"And I love you for it – but you can't just kill off Coven members one by one. That doesn't solve anything."

"It means there's less of a threat to you and our family. I won't apologize for that."

Alena crossed her arms. "I guess I shouldn't expect any different, given how you want to handle everything yourself."

Jack let out a humorless chuckle. "That's rich coming from you – you are so infuriatingly stubborn and would go off half-cocked if your temper got the better of you."

"At least I know how to control it!"

"At least I know what's really at stake!"

New Enchanted Forest, Four Years Ago

Jack made his way through Tent Alley. He stopped in front of Facilier's dwelling. His brown eyes blazed as his hand tightened around the hilt of his sword.

"He is not getting away with this."

He balled his fist and made a move to pound on the door – only for it to open by its own accord.

Before he had a chance to react, the witch doctor called out: "The cards were right – not that I find it surprising. You did decide to pay me a visit."

Jack unsheathed his sword and marched inside. He held the blade against Facilier's neck.

"You better leave Alena the hell alone. She is never going to make any deals with you."

He only grinned. "Never say never. You have no idea what the future holds."

"And I guess you think you do?"

Facilier spread his hands wide, gesturing toward the many trinkets. "With help from my friends on the other side, I can tell you anything you wish to know."

His sword still raised, Jack quipped, "Like I'd ever listen to anything you have to say."

The witch doctor grinned once more. "Perhaps you'd change your mind if it had to do with your protection of your dearly beloved."

Jack's hands trembled. He then took a breath and managed an eye roll.

"It doesn't take calling on the occult to figure out why I'm here, Facilier."

He folded his hands on the table. "You are right, of course – but something else could be lurking just underneath the surface."

Jack stiffened his shoulders. The gesture soon became overshadowed with a clenched jaw and gritted teeth.

"Leave her alone. She's tortured enough by these nightmares without you making it worse."

"I only wish to help her – if she accepts, these nightmares will no longer plague her."

"Save it – you're not going anywhere near her, and she damn sure isn't paying your price."

Facilier only chuckled before he waved his hand. Jack's eyes widened as his sword disappeared. He then slammed his hands on the table.

"What the hell did you do with it?"

"I thought a more civilized conversation was in order."

He then gestured toward the tarot cards lined on the table. "But given your…emotional reactions, it may be wistful thinking."

He leaned forward on the table. "I do have to wonder what you'd be capable of should you be pushed over that edge."

The veins in Jack's arms popped out. He seethed, "You don't know anything about me."

"Oh, I know a great deal about you, Jack. Or perhaps there's another name I should call you."

Confusion marred his features. He opened his mouth to speak – but found himself struggling to breathe.

Facilier held up his hand – his magical grip became tighter and tighter.

Jack managed to strangle out: "So much for civilized."

The witch doctor only tightened his grip. "Well, you see, I needed to send a message. I get what I want – and you or your love aren't going to stop me."

Jack smiled. "You don't know who you're dealing with."

Facilier chuckled. "Still so confident though I hold your very life in my hands. I suppose we'll see just how long it lasts."