Chapter 8: Suspicion
Disclaimer: These other characters are the characters
that were mentioned in the last chapter, therefore they're mine, SO don't
touch!!!!! (Also, some other ones as well)
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Later
that day…………
When
Jessica got home in the afternoon, she found Zack sitting hunched over a
laptop, that he had stolen just two weeks ago. "Hi, honey." she said. Zack got
up, and hugged her. "What's up??" he asked slyly, noticing the various shopping
bags that she was holding. "Oh, nothing," Jessica replied wearily. "I just went
shopping, and I guess I bought too much." Zack smirked, "You sure as hell got
that right." Sighing, Jessica sat down, and briefly glanced at the laptop
screen. "What's going on??" she asked. Zack sat down and reached to take her
hands. "I just contacted Krit, to tell him that I'm alright, and to find out
the status of Manticore." Jessica gently pulled her hands out of Zack's grasp.
Frowning, Zack moved closer to her on the couch, and gently slid two fingers
under he chin, and tilted her head up to meet his eyes. "Babe, what's wrong?" Jessica
sighed, trying hard not to look into Zack's eyes. But when she did, all she saw
was concern, compassion, and unconditional love. Swallowing her discomfort, Jessica looked at
Zack straight in the eye, and simply replied "This ain't going to work." Zack
stared at her, trying hard not to comprehend what it was that she was trying to
say. "What do you mean Jess??" "Us" she replied. "Us, being together like this,
isn't going to work." Pain and confusion
shone through Zack's eyes, gripping Jessica's heart like a vise. "Why, Jess,
why are you thinking like this?? We belong together, I love you!!" Jessica
turned away from Zack, and started absently fiddling with the necklace that her
sister, Risika had given her for her birthday. Zack gently took her arm and
turned her around to face him. "You're worried, aren't you, about MY family."
Jessica nodded. "You should know Zack, that they'd never accept us, least of
all being Max, from what you've told me about her." Zack nodded, finally being
able to comprehend what had his girlfriend so scared. "None of them will be
able to, Zack, and do you know why??" Regretfully, Zack tipped his head in a
nod. "It's because, I've always taught them, that people are liabilities, that
emotion weakens you, and that we can't afford to get involved. And, now," Zack
sighed. "I'm the one who gets involved with
someone, the one who knows what it feels like to fall in love." "They're going
to think that I'm hypocritical." Jessica moved closer to Zack and wrapped her
arms around him, giving him whatever support that she could. Zack turned his
head to face her. "But that's no reason, to give up what it is that we have. I
can't do that Jess, I won't let you give up on us, I'm not letting you go, not
now, not ever." Sighing with relief, Jessica kissed Zack gently on the lips,
"that's a relief." Zack frowned, lines creasing his forehead. Jessica, noticing
this, hugged Zack tightly. "What's wrong??" Still frowning, Zack replied, "You
know that guy from this morning??" Jessica nodded, wondering why Zack would
want to bring up something that got him so worked up. "Well, a friend of his
called today, claimed to be his co-worker, or something, and said that this
guy, your ex, apparently, wants you to meet with him tonight." Jessica looked
shocked, 'Brian' she thought, 'Why are you doing this??' 'What we had was over
a long time ago.' Jessica was snapped from her thoughts, when Zack said her
name. "Jess," he said. "Huh, what??" Jessica said, still shocked. Zack looked
at her quizzically. "Why didn't you ever tell me about him??" Zack asked,
looking suspicious. "Are you trying to hide something from me??" Jessica's
heart started pounding, "Of course not, Zack, why would you ask me something
like that??" 'Oh, what am I supposed to say??' 'Well, Zack, I have been keeping
something from you, but, telling you would kill you??' 'I don't think so.' Zack
glanced at her impatiently, "Well??" Jessica looked up at Zack, swallowing her
nervous feelings, and kissed him. Zack
pulled back, a happy grin on his face, and said "I'm sorry for doubting you,
Jess." Jessica sighed, "Well, I just thought that the past, would be better off,
buried in the past." Zack nodded, "I could see, why you'd think that, given
your situation." 'No, Zack,' Jessica thought silently, 'you don't even know the
beginning of what my situation is, and I plan to keep it that way.' "Well," she
said, getting up from the couch. "I've gotta go make dinner." Zack got up from
the couch and followed her to the kitchen. "Your sister called," he said. "Oh,
really, which one??" Jessica replied, keeping her eyes on the vegetables she
was chopping. "Yeah," Zack answered. "Said her name was Risika, and that she
wanted you to call her back." "Okay," Jessica replied. "Why didn't you tell me
about her, or your ex??" Zack asked. "Oh, it just never came up," Jessica
replied, avoiding Zack's piercing gaze. She could feel her face flush. "Could
you give me a hand??" As Zack moved silently to help, he couldn't help but ask
himself, 'Why does it feel like you're keeping something from me, Jess??' 'And
if you are, why are you doing it??' 'What is it you're keeping from me??'
TBC…………….