Disclaimer: I do not own the characters within this story. All rights and much respect go to Crown Media, Hallmark, Brian Bird, Michael Landon, Jr., the actors, creators, and writers of the show "When Calls the Heart."

Chapter 16- Truth or Accept the Consequences

Elizabeth had already prepared her parents for the fact that she would not be home for Thanksgiving this year. Initially she and Jack were going to his partner's house for dinner. However, their trip to New York made this the best Thanksgiving ever, even if there was no turkey dinner in their plans. Now she was looking forward to some quiet time before school started again on Monday.

Jack followed her home from the airport. He walked her to the door as he carried her suitcase, and her bag of souvenirs for Rosie and her other friends.

"I have to head home. I'm expecting a call from work. I'll talk to you tomorrow," he said quickly as he backed away and headed down the hallway.

"Jack, can't you stay for awhile? If they call from work, you can have all the privacy you need," She asked, almost begging. She hated to see their time together end.

"I have something I need to do," He said before turning back around and walking out of her building.

The door opened, "Let me see it…let me see it," Rosie screamed as she immediately reached for Elizabeth's left hand. Surprised, she looked up…

"No, he didn't propose," Elizabeth responded.

"Well, did you at least…you know?" Rosie asked.

Elizabeth put her stuff down on the sofa as she started looking through the bag for Rosie's gift.

"Elizabeth, spill…"

"We had a very nice time, but no…we didn't…"

Rosie took her by the hand and encouraged her to sit down, "If you aren't ready, that's okay."

Elizabeth exhaled hard, "Truth is, I think it was him and not me."

"Are you serious? He didn't try anything?" She asked.

Elizabeth took a deep breath, "Don't get me wrong, we had a great time. I think we came close, but he always backed away."

"I like Jack, but Elizabeth, he is a warm blooded male, and if he isn't sleeping with you, he's sleeping with someone else." She stated nonchalantly as if she had just told her about the upcoming weather forecast.

"I don't believe that, Rosie. He's sensitive, and he wants to make sure that I don't regret my decision. You know, that's something that you can't get back," she stated.

"I like Jack, so I hope you're right."

Jack didn't go directly home…

"Knock, knock…

"Oh Jack, what a pleasant surprise," she said as she opened the door and invited him inside.

"Is he here?" He asked as he walked inside looking around for signs of her husband.

"No, you just missed him. What can I do for you?" She asked as she closed the door behind him and locked the deadbolt.

"I'm just looking for some company," he walked over and sat down on the sofa. "How long will he be gone?"

"About an hour," she replied.

"Okay good I've got time. Are you busy?" He asked, as they settled down together on the sofa.

The next day, Elizabeth found herself alone. It was Sunday, and she had one more day before she had to return to work. She had forgotten that Jack had promised to work for a fellow officer who had children and was travelling back home today from their holiday with family. Her apartment was empty. Rosie was with Lee and wasn't coming home until later in the evening. Quickly realizing that solitude was highly over rated, she decided to head to the barn.

She walked out in the field to bring Bugsy in and heard her phone chime…

"Happy Sunday…"

"Happy Sunday 2 u. I missed talking to u last night. Hard 2 sleep when I don't talk 2 u…"

"Sorry, I had a work thing to take care of. What u doing…?

"Is everything OK at work? Not like u to be so secretive…"

"No secret…just stuff building up. Needed to blow off steam. What u doing…?"

"Oh no," Elizabeth thought as she stepped in a mud puddle and the suction pulled her boot off.

"Rolling n the mud…"

"Rolling n the mud…? Thanks for the visual…"

"Excuse me…?"

"Y r u rolling in the mud…?"

"I'm not rolling in the mud…"

"U said u were…"

"I hate talk 2 text…I'm pulling my boot out of the mud…"

"OK, but visual remains. 2 late…"

"U busy 2night…? I'd like 2 c u..."

"Of course. What time…?"

"I'll b over around 8…"

"Do u want me to cook…?"

"No, I'll bring Chinese, OK…?

"Nothing says Thanksgiving holiday like Chinese food… LOL"

"It does if u r Chinese…"

"Ha Ha funny…"

"Sorry, we can go out for turkey if u want…"

"Nope, Chinese food and u in my den beside me is all I want…"

"Love u…"

"Love u back. B careful…"

Elizabeth put Bugsy's bridle on and rode bareback in the ring. The barnyard was quiet. The only other people milling around were the employees who kept the facility moving like a well oiled machine. Elizabeth helped out with the chores then headed home to meet Jack.

8 PM rolled around; the doorbell was quiet, her phone was quiet, and the only thing making noise was her heart, THUMP, THUMP, THUMP. In fact it was so strong that she could feel it pulsing in her ear.

9:15 PM and the doorbell rang. She ran to the door and threw it open…

"Jack, you're okay," she screamed as she wrapped her arms around him and he carefully walked inside carrying her and their dinner, pushing the door closed behind him with his hip.

"What's wrong?" He asked.

"What's wrong? Jack, it's an hour and fifteen minutes past when you were supposed to be here. I was frantic that something had happened to you. Are you okay? Why didn't you call? The least you could have done is call?" Her questions were presented in between her thankful kisses.

"I tried to call. Your phone went straight to voice mail," He stated as she pulled out her phone only to realize that the battery was indeed dead.

"What happened…oh never mind, the most important thing is that you are okay and you're here," She rested her head on his chest trying desperately to calm her erratic breathing.

They shared the Chinese food, and snuggled on the sofa while Elizabeth watched The Bodyguard on TV. She'd like to say that Jack watched with her, however, he fell asleep halfway into the movie.

"Jack, it's late. Do you want to just stay here?" She asked.

"No, I need to get going. I have to be at work early," he slowly stood trying to focus.

If she weren't worried about him she would have giggled watching him look more like a drunk who had inadvertently slipped off the bar stool. "Are you okay, Jack?"

"I'm fine, just sleepy. I guess the late nights in New York have caught up to me. I was up late last night too," he advised. "I'll get home and get right to bed, I promise."

As the holidays came and went, Rosie and many of her friends wondered why Jack had not yet proposed. They spent almost every waking moment together and it seemed evident that they would eventually make that leap.

Not that Elizabeth was expecting a proposal, because part of her still felt that their relationship was quite new, but when they first started seeing each other, she sensed a certain closeness with him. However, recently she had felt him distancing himself from her, and she didn't know why. Whenever she brought up the subject she was met with head shakes, harsh breaths and eye rolls. He mentioned on several occasions that it was work related, nothing for her to be concerned with, but she was.

As a dating couple, they considered themselves to be very lucky. He generally worked the day shift and was with her most evenings. She worked during the day, hung out at the barn in the afternoon, and was home before he arrived, usually bringing with him a bouquet of flowers or a bottle of wine.

Given the uneasy feelings she was beginning to have, she wondered if the gifts were an attempt to make amends for something he'd done, or was preparing to do.

Elizabeth spent much of her free time with her nose in a cookbook, doing her best to improve her cooking skills. She realized that if she and Jack were ever to make that permanent step, she would need to know how to cook. She had mastered several dishes, spaghetti, lasagna, and an occasional chicken recipe. However, she still felt like a foreigner in the kitchen.

It was Thursday night and she was sitting at the kitchen table trying to formulate plans for dinner when her phone rang…

"Hi Honey. Do we have dinner plans?" He asked.

"I was just trying to come up with something now," she sadly confirmed.

"Some of the guys are going out to dinner. Do you want to go?" He asked.

"Not really. I have work here to do. You can go ahead. Enjoy yourself!" She suggested.

"Are you sure?" He knew what she was saying, but would she be upset if he went?

"Yes, I'm positive. Go out and have some fun," she assured him.

That made her dinner plan decision easier. She took her plate into the den, sat down on the sofa and graded papers while she choked down an overly packed peanut butter and jelly sandwich.

Several hours later she finally finished grading the multitude of papers, and entering their results into her grade book. She found it difficult to keep her eyes open but was trying to stay awake in case Jack called, or texted or maybe even stopped by…but nothing. She picked up her phone, no messages or missed calls…nothing.

"U still out w/ the guys…?"

"Not just guys… Who's this…?"

Elizabeth checked the number, assuming that she must have misdialed. Nope, it was his number.

"Jack, what's going on…?

"Sorry, thought this was my phone…"

"Where's Jack…?"

"Dancing. Who is this…?"

"Dancing? With who…?"

"Some hot chick. Who is this…?"

"His former girlfriend…"

"Oh shit… Really, he's in the bathroom. Want him 2 call u…?"

"NO…!"

She stuffed her papers and grade book into her bag and sat it by the door for the morning. She was angry, Rosie had long since gone to bed, and she had no one to talk to. It was only 9:30 pm, she was now fuming and wide awake, and she knew that she would be unable to sleep. She stormed back to her room, sat on her bed and pulled out her journal…

"Why is honesty such a difficult concept? The word itself is easy to say; it flows off the tongue and through the lips like a calm whisper of a breeze. However, what the words don't say, the actions speak in volumes. People are quick to voice their terms of endearment, stringing others along with half truths and sentiments that they clearly have no intention of keeping. If the one you're with is not giving you what you need, be honest, say so and move along. There is no crime in needing more from someone than you want to take, or that they can comfortably give. When presented with an option of complete love, release or betrayal, I'll always vote for complete love. Anything short of that leaves you uncertain, insecure, and unsatisfied. However, if the only options are release or betrayal, I'll vote for release. The heart will ache but is designed to recover. We can't expect everyone to want, need or desire what we have or what we have to offer. The crime is not in walking away, it's in staying when you don't want to."

Usually her time writing calmed her, eased her angst. However, this entry left her drained, concerned and feeling the need to explode. She needed to talk and to someone who would understand and not pass judgment.

Ten minutes later she pulled into the barn. She made her way into the tack room and pulled her grooming supplies from her box. As she walked down the aisle way to Bugsy's stall, she wiped away the tears that fell.

"Hi Bugsy, how are you tonight?" She asked as she stood there waiting for an answer, but he seemed unconcerned as he munched on his hay.

She continued, "I think I may have been making things too cozy, like we're already married or something. After work he comes to the apartment and we have dinner. We sit and watch TV, and when the time creeps up on us and it would seem more logical for him to spend the night, he pushes away and heads home. Bugsy, you don't have to worry about this, but I know that being close, but not too close has been difficult. It's been hard for me too, but he pulls away. So when am I going to know the time is right for us?"

Still there was nothing from Bugsy except the continued sound of his teeth grinding away on the hay.

"Now he's out with the "Boys" (she flipped her fingers to denote quotation marks) but I'm not so sure. What should I do?" She asked, but she knew that this was one question she would have to answer on her own.

"Well buddy, I'm heading home. You sleep well. Looks like it may be back to just you and me," she hugged his neck. As she stepped outside the stall door she turned back to face him, "Just know that when I say 'I love you,' I truly mean it."

Elizabeth slipped back into her Jeep and sat momentarily taking a deep breath before turning the key in the ignition. Her phone kept chiming and she was afraid to look…

"Where r u…?"

"Y…?"

"At ur apt. ur Jeep isn't here. Where r u…?"

"Again, Y…?"

"What r u talking about…?"

"Scroll up. You'll understand…"

"Huh…?" Jack was clueless until he scrolled up…

"I left my phone on the table…"

"While u were dancing…?"

"No dancing. Jimmy was goofing off…"

"We'll talk later…"

"Where r u? It's getting late. I'm worried about u…"

"We'll talk later, maybe 2morrow…"

"I love u, Elizabeth…"

"Good night, Jack…"

She pulled into her parking lot and his truck was sitting next to her spot. Her heart started pounding…

As she turned her Jeep off, Jack was standing by her door.

"Where did you go?" He asked. "I thought you didn't want to go out tonight."

"It's not that I didn't want to go out with you, but I had papers to grade for school. I know that I've been monopolizing most of your evenings and I thought you'd enjoy some time with your friends. I didn't know that it would be guys picking up girls," she remarked as she grabbed her purse and headed for the courtyard.

"Wait, don't walk away. Are you calling me a liar?" He asked. He shook his head, "You're being silly."

"Silly? You are calling me silly? Jack, all I know is that I texted you, and the message I got back was, oh I don't remember the exact words, but something to the effect of 'you could not come to the phone because you were out dancing with some girl who was really hot.' So what am I supposed to think?" She asked as she continued walking.

"Elizabeth, you're supposed to trust me. Talk to me, please," he implored.

"Jack, if you had texted me, and you received a text back that I was busy dancing with some hot guy, what would you think?" She yelled.

"I would think that there was a logical explanation, and I would trust you," He put his arm out and grabbed her elbow, but deep inside he knew he'd be angry.

She turned around and folded her arms across her chest. It was obvious by her body language that she wasn't receptive to his explanation.

He walked closer and cradled her face in his hands. Her eyes were colder than he had seen them in a long time. He pressed his lips to hers. He didn't feel the usual warmth and when he leaned back slightly her stance was still rigid.

Her body was cold and she simply turned to walk away.

She walked into her apartment and straight to her bedroom. She looked out her window which faced the parking area, "He's gone."

She sat on her bed and thought I know I should believe him. He's honest, his friends…not so much. Did I just make a big mistake? Elizabeth changed into her shorts and tank top and slipped into bed. Tomorrow was a new day and she would see how she felt then. Maybe an apology would be needed but she was too upset to think about it now...

She was up early the next morning. She pulled out her phone…no messages. She initiated a text…

"Jack, I'm sorry…"

"Sorry for what…"

"U kno what 4…"

"I want u to say it, or rather type it…"

"I'm sorry. I believe u. I didn't mean to imply that u lied…"

"Going n 2 meeting. Gotta go. Dinner 2 nite…?"

"Sure, I'll cook…"

"Really…? Just kidding. B there around 6…"

"OK, love u…"

"I love u 2…"

Today was a teacher work day and she jumped up, got ready for school and headed out the door. She had plans to go to lunch with many of the teachers on her grade level. The end of the school day and her evening with Jack couldn't start soon enough.

The women met in the main office and split up into groups. As word leaked out that they would be going out to lunch, many other teachers asked to go. By the time lunch rolled around, there were fifteen women looking to fit into as few cars as possible.

They made their way to Cazadores Mexican Restaurant. It was a family run establishment and their food was always exceptional. The women took over several tables in a side room and began talking while they waited on their food. There were many topics of conversation, but none seemed to deal with children, parents or teaching.

"Elizabeth, I haven't had a chance to ask, how did your trip go with Jack?" Ashley asked.

"It was very nice," she replied.

Ashley looked at her left hand, "I hadn't heard about an engagement, so I guess it didn't happen."

"We aren't ready for that step just yet," Elizabeth confirmed as she wondered if they ever would be.

"Did you see any shows?" Ashley asked.

"Yes, we saw several. The entertainment there is wonderful," she replied.

Maggie leaned in and whispered, "What about the sleeping arrangements…"

Elizabeth was shocked. She laughed nervously, "oh, uh…um…"

Suddenly the topic turned to sex…

"Hey, did you see the Dr. Phil episode last week about men and their relationships?" Melissa asked.

Most of the women had not, so they were all interested in her synopsis.

"Well, they were talking about men who are in relationships but are not being satisfied sexually. They were saying basically that if your man isn't getting taken care of sexually at home, they are getting it from someone else," Melissa stated. "It had me thinking about Ruby. Do you guys remember her? Well anyway, she and her boyfriend were having problems and he was acting all understanding and everything. She said that they weren't having sex to keep their minds clear, or some kind of crap like that. Anyway, all the while he is telling her how much he loves her and will wait for her forever; he's having sex with his old girlfriend."

The women gasped, as several others discussed similar situations which led them to believe that the information was true.

Elizabeth sat back and said nothing, but couldn't help but wonder.

That evening, Jack arrived ten minutes early with a newspaper under his arm. When she wasn't worried, Elizabeth did enjoy their evenings together, and envisioned this to be what their married life would be.

"Jack, dinner will be ready in a few minutes. Would you mind setting the table?" She walked out into the den and called to him as he sat on the sofa reading the sports page of the Virginian Pilot newspaper. "Jack," she called out again trying to gain his attention. She pushed her hand down on the paper and caught his gaze before she unfortunately smelled what she could only assume was the Chicken Parmigiana that she had in the oven.

"Whoa, looks like maybe a Pizza Hut night?" Jack remarked as he walked into the kitchen and observed her waving a towel at the oven in hopes of dissipating the smoke.

"That's not funny, Jack. If you had gotten up when I called you I would have pulled it out of the oven in time. Now it's ruined," she angrily huffed.

"I'm sorry Elizabeth. I didn't hear you call. Come on, let me take you out to dinner," he suggested as he took the towel from her hand and placed it on the counter.

"Jack, do you have something on your mind? You've been a bit distant lately," she asked as she threw out the ruined food and rested her hands on the counter in defeat.

"No, I'm fine," He said as he approached her.

She wanted to believe him; she felt deep down inside that something was wrong, but right here, right now, he was her's.

Jack picked her up and sat her on the counter. His hands were on either side of her neck as his thumbs gently stroked the soft skin on her cheeks. Her legs separated as he moved his body closer to her. She wrapped her legs around his waist and giggled…

"You're mine now. I'm holding you captive," she teased him as her tongue slowly wet her lips before she pressed them to his. She playfully nipped at his bottom lip as her fingers traced the line from his neck, over his shoulders, and down his arms. Each one was beginning to feel their skin tingle as the electricity coursed through their bodies. He wrapped his arms around her waist and picked her up from the counter, slowly walking back toward the sofa. His mouth covered hers as their tongues lightly danced, no one paying attention to where they were going…

BAM…

Jack pushed the door open and it smacked Rosie in the face, "I'm sorry."

"AAHHH, OUCH," Rosie yelled.

"Did I interrupt something?" She asked as she observed Elizabeth with her legs wrapped around his waist.

Jack released her and gently placed her feet on the floor, "No, nothing."

"Well actually Rosie, Jack and I were getting ready to make mad passionate love before you interrupted us," she advised.

Shocked, Rosie replied, "I'm sorry, I can leave."

Elizabeth saw the look of horror on Jack's face, and sudden surprise on Rosie's, "I'm just kidding you guys."

"Oh, okay. Well in that case, how did the chicken turn out?" She asked as her sniffing nose in the air suspected that it was not a success.

"Not good, I burned it," Elizabeth replied. "Jack and I are going to Pizza Hut."

Elizabeth took Jack's hand as they walked out toward the den.

"You just need to keep practicing, Elizabeth. You'll be able to fix something edible before you know it," his statement may not have been intended to be a slam, but it certainly came out as such.

Jack approached her and placed his hands on her hips turning her around to face him, "In case I didn't say anything about dinner the other night, it was wonderful."

Elizabeth glared, "Jack, you don't know what you're talking about. I made Mushroom Split, and I forgot to add the mushrooms. Technically speaking, I only made Split!"

"But it was really good. I think you should make it like that again," he replied. "Mushrooms are okay, but I can do without them."

"I know you're trying to be nice, but I just feel useless," she stated as she wiped her eye before the waiting teardrop spilled over.

His finger under her chin lifted her eyes to meet his, "If I have to eat peanut butter and jelly every evening, I'll be fine." He captured her lips with his, as his hand pressed behind her head deepened the kiss.

Jack took her hand, "Pizza Hut?"

"Ice cream for dessert?" She finally smiled.

Jack and Elizabeth left Pizza Hut, and as promised, they headed for the park and her favorite ice cream parlor, Cold Stone Creamery. Jack dug into his banana caramel nut ice cream cup, while Elizabeth settled for a homemade strawberry cone.

He took her hand and they walked along the path leading to Princess Anne Park. Once they broke through the tree line, they sat on a bench and talked.

"How has work been going?" Elizabeth asked. She felt deep inside that something was bothering him, and she prayed it was work and not her.

Jack proceeded to tell her about the detective position that was opening in the third precinct. "Sgt. Sanderson really thinks that I should take the test. He thinks I have a good chance of getting it."

Elizabeth smiled and gave his jacket a little tug, "I have no doubt. They'd be lucky to have you. Well, they're already lucky to have you, but I mean as a detective. Would your shift change?" She asked.

They had been dating for seven months and their work schedules had always allowed for them to see each other almost every night of the week.

"Elizabeth, I think as a new detective, and low man on the totem pole, I may have to work some of the undesirable shifts," he stated preparing her for the possibility that things for them could change.

Elizabeth took a bite from her ice cream cone, "Jack, you need to do what you feel is best for you…"

"For us," he interjected. He leaned forward and captured her lips with his. Her mouth was both cold and warm, and the taste of strawberries flooded him.

Once they finished their ice cream, Jack and Elizabeth walked the perimeter of the park. Elizabeth slipped her arm through his and he drew her in close to his body.

"I'm sorry about dinner Jack," she whispered.

Jack leaned over and kissed the top of her head, "Please don't worry about it. Elizabeth."

She looked up and his eyes seemed distant. He was looking right at her, but it was as if he were actually looking through her. "Jack, are you okay?"

"Can we talk about something?" He asked as he pulled her gently off the path.

She slipped away from him slightly and suddenly felt uneasy, "Is something wrong?"

"No, it's about the meeting I had today. I have to go out of town for work," he informed her.

"For how long?" She asked.

"I'm not sure. I can't say much about it, other than its training and it will help me if I want to move up to detective," he advised.

"Maybe you could come home on weekends, or I could come visit you," she offered.

"Maybe, we'll see," he replied quickly, but she noted that his voice lacked enthusiasm and he made no eye contact.

Her smile quickly faded at his apprehension.

"When do you have to leave?" She asked, feeling in the pit of her stomach that he was keeping something from her.

Jack rubbed up and down her arms from her shoulders to her elbows, "Sarge is going to let me know, but I probably won't get much notice."

Elizabeth couldn't help but feel worried. He wasn't telling her everything, and he was hedging on her coming to visit. Why?

They stopped at the water fountain for a drink…

Elizabeth couldn't help being flooded with the statements and stories that she had heard from her friends recently. Before she knew it…

"Jack, are you seeing someone else?" She asked.

Jack spewed water as he turned away from her. He wiped his mouth and then turned back to face her, "Don't be silly, Elizabeth."

"And don't patronize me, Jack," she replied.

He took her hand, squeezing it slightly, "Come on, it's late. We should get back home."

Elizabeth stopped, "Jack, what aren't you telling me?"

Jack frowned and blew a burst of hot air through his nose, "Elizabeth, I can't talk about some things that pertain to work."

"You can't or won't?" She asked.

"Can't…" he responded, as he started walking back to the truck with her hesitantly accompanying him.

They spoke minimally on the way home. His questions were met with short, curt answers from her. The few questions she asked, he attempted to answer without providing too much information. The more he tried to hedge, the more it appeared that he was hiding something.

They arrived at Elizabeth's apartment, and she quickly stepped outside the truck. Jack joined her as she reached the courtyard.

"Jack, there's no need for you to walk me to my door. Goodnight," she pressed her lips to his cheek.

"Elizabeth, what's wrong?"

Elizabeth looked around and saw that they were alone, "You tell me! I understand that you have to travel for work. I understand that you can't tell me everything about your job. I even understand that your job requires you to leave at a moment's notice. What I don't understand is why your statement that you aren't seeing anyone else doesn't sound very convincing."

Jack called out, "Elizabeth, wait; can't we talk about this?"

Elizabeth kept walking, "Go home Jack. I'm tired and I don't want to say something that I'll regret. If you're still in town tomorrow, maybe we can talk then."

Jack watched as Elizabeth walked away. He felt helpless. He wanted to tell her that he would be working undercover; he wanted to tell her that his assignment required that he pose as a married man, and he wanted to tell her that he would love for her to visit him, but he couldn't.

Elizabeth walked into her apartment and slammed the door.

Startled, Rosie came out of the kitchen, "What in Heaven's name is the problem? You just scared the life out of me."

"It's Jack. I think he's seeing another woman," Elizabeth said as she plopped down on the sofa.

Rosie sat down and wrapped her arms around her, "Elizabeth, that man cherishes you. There is no way that he is seeing another woman."

"How can you say that? You're the one who told me that if I wasn't sleeping with him, someone else was," Elizabeth argued.

"I was teasing," she stated.

"Then why does Dr. Phil say the same thing?" She asked in between attempting to catch her breath and wiping her tears.

"I don't know about Dr. Phil but what did Jack say?" Rosie asked.

Elizabeth pulled some tissues from the box on the table, "He told me that he has to go out of town, and he isn't sure how long he'll be gone. When I mentioned that maybe he could come home or I could drive out for the weekend, he almost spit up a lung."

She continued, "I came right out and asked him if he was seeing someone else and do you know what he had the audacity to say?"

"What?" Rosie asked.

"He told me that I was being silly. Me…silly," she was fuming as she stood up and headed for her room. "I'm going to bed."

Elizabeth sat on her bed and went through her bag, pulling out her journal. She was angry, and realized that her journal was taking a hit recently with her emotions. She wasn't certain that she would be able to adequately convey her feelings on paper, but she had to try…

"As a child you tell your parents everything, often forgetting to utilize any type of filter. What comes to mind is immediately disseminated without a conscious attempt to conceal information. As you barrel into adolescence, you become more particular about the information you convey, careful to keep it out of the wrong hands. As you move into adulthood and seek a lifelong partner, you want someone to whom you can pour out your soul, without fear of persecution and condemnation. Love simply cannot exist without honesty and trust. The loss of either will shake the very foundation of any relationship. A friendship which leads to a true emotional connection can only exist when you can tell someone anything and everything, knowing full well that there are no secrets or lies."

Jack walked into his apartment and slammed his keys down on the table. He'd had other undercover assignments before, but he had never been involved in a relationship at the same time. He was hoping that Elizabeth would eventually understand but he was concerned that his secrecy would push her away. If he'd had the option, he would have turned down the assignment. He picked up the phone and dialed…

"Hey, I need to talk. I know it's late, but can I come over? I really need to see you," Jack asked; then listened before grabbing his keys and heading out the door.

"Come in Jack," she suggested. "Twice in one week. How lucky am I?"

He wrapped his arms around her neck for a hug. As they separated, he kissed her on the cheek, and then took his usual seat on her sofa.

"Can I get you anything?" She asked.

"Scotch if you have it," he replied.

To be continued…