AN: Yea, so I've made a little mix up in the last couple of chapters. Obviously, Jack is going by a

different name Francis Sullivan (his real name actually) and so Denton would be doing the same

thing, especially with his higher profile. So, from now on, Sotheby will be referring to Denton as

Mr. Villager but when his actions are described through the eyes of Tess or Jack I'll use

Dentonconfused? Nah, you'll be all set


Disclaimer: Ahh! you know the drill...


Chapter 10


As Tess drifted away from the kiss, wide eyed and blushed, Jack told himself that he'd initiated it

because of the performance. Denton and Sotheby had been watching them and it was a married

couple thing to do, kissing that is. And that was okay with Jack, he'd kiss Tess again, any day.

She'd held the open sides of his suit, tugging in surprise and in effect deepening the kiss. Noses

had bumped, but it was in an affectionate way that made Jack smile through the whole event. He'd

never kissed anyone while smiling and by the way Tess' eye brows were raised, he guessed she'd

hadn't either.

But what worried him, what made his hands a little sweaty, was her reaction. He continued to pull

the suave young man in control of his destiny' role that Sotheby loved so much but Tess, taking a

spin around the garden on Denton's arm, wobbled slightly in her heels. From where he followed

behind the pair with Sotheby, he noticed how her eyes followed the movement at her feet, Denton

doing most of the talking.

If you don't mind me saying, Francis, Sotheby interrupted, offering a cigar to Jack as he spoke,

your wife is very beautiful.

Jack declined the cigar and never let his eyes leave Tess' responsive features as she smiled lightly at

something Denton had said. he said softly, Yes she is.

The two fell into any easy silence, following the two in the lead around the garden. Eventually,

Sotheby cut in on Denton, and Tess was passed off. With Sotheby, Jack noticed her posture tense

slightly. The conversation was dominated mostly by Sotheby, not because Tess was still in shock

from the kiss but because she was trying hard to restrain any remarks.

Denton fell in step with Jack, his hands hidden in the pockets of his coat. The sun was high above

and he squinted into the sky before glancing at Jack a couple more times. Jack asked,

slowing the pace so that Sotheby and Tess advanced further. Denton grinned as if he knew a secret

and nodded his head. No, now you have to tell me.

The older man laughed. A kiss, huh?

Jack rolled his eyes; he should have expected a question along those lines. Squaring his shoulders,

Jack focused ahead of him. Yea, convincing don't you think.

Denton shrugged, But then again Sotheby wasn't doubting the fact.

It just seemed like the right thing to do. If I was really married to her I woulda kissed her at dat

point. I'm acting on those instincts. Jack countered, the tone of his voice becoming slightly

defensive. And it's woiked this far, so no complaints.

Denton held up his hands in defense, chuckling lightly to himself. Jack bit on his lower lip and

mused over how heated he'd become at such a simple question. Before he could really move deeper

into his confusing feelings, Tess and Sotheby returned, having walked to the edge of the garden and

choosing to turn around.

It was at the sight of Tess, one hand delicately looped through Sotheby's and the other pulling up

the hem of her dress to stop it from brushing the ground, that Jack stopped also. Hands resting in

his pocket, he chose to watch her approach, the gentle sound of her laugh filling his ears as she tried

to scuff off a leaf that had become attached to her boot. The scene was comical, and he couldn't

help smiling also, as her and Sotheby came to a stop in front of him.

Sotheby bowed, comical in his own right if not so evil in others and offered Tess' hand for Jack to

take. She is returned, safe and sound.

Smiling as usual. He joked, grabbing hold of the hand.

Her grin grew wider as she remained in the position she'd stopped in. The way you like it, so I'm

told.

Ah yes, from a reliable source, no doubt. The two began walking in the opposite direction,

enjoying the other's company in easy silence as Denton and Sotheby discussed world events. Jack

caught Tess a couple times staring at him, quickly looking away and pretending to be fascinated

with her fingers. But the way she nibbled on her lip to suppress her smile made him wonder if she

was thinking of the kiss. He was, he couldn't stop his mind from somehow making a connection.

Eventually they returned to the house, spending the rest of the evening in the sitting room until Race

returned with their bags. The butler led the pair up to their room and Tess began to unpack the

things she guessed Bessie had frantically shoved together. In the corner, Jack was fixing his tie,

looking at her in the mirror as he did so. She tried to ignore him, folding and refolding the one

other nice suit he had. Finally she sighed in frustration and turned to look at him, hand on hip. Do

you need some help?

He faltered at her question, unaware that his staring had been so obvious. yea. I think I

messed it up.

She walked over to him and brushed his hands away so that they hung limp at their sides. Working

carefully she knotted and looped the tie appropriately, all the while aware of how close Jack was and

how thoroughly he was tracing her features. she smoothed the fabric and looked up at

him. He smiled faintly, brushing the sides of her dress with his fingertips. All better

His voice was of equal softness to hers as he shuffled closer. Her fingers, still resting

on his chest from finishing the tie, fumbled for the sides of the suit coat, familiar territory, but

settled for his suspenders as a suitable substitute. It was déjà vu all over again, but still strange and

exciting, something Tess had been hoping for and something Jack hadn't known he'd been hoping

for.

Tess! Jack! Time for dinner Denton opened the door and the two jumped apart, Tess

returning to her abandoned clothes and Jack to the mirror. are you ready yet?

Jack cleared his throat, turning away from the mirror and reaching for his suit coat that was resting

on the bed next to where Tess was still folding. Yes, I'm ready Denton. Tess refused to lift her

head, allowing herself to simply watching his hands lifting the coat.

How about you Tess. Would you like us to wait?

she resumed folding, placing the suit that had been sitting in her hands for the past few

seconds into the open drawer. I just need to finish this. You head down and I'll catch up. The

door clicked shut and Tess heaved a sigh of relief, collapsing onto the bed and placing a hand to her

forehead. She sat focusing on one breath after the other until the door opened again and her head

shot up.

At the sight of Dakki, Tess fell back to the bed. Wow, he gave you the nice room.

her friend bounced on the bed, giggling in delight at how much high she flew. He

kissed me.

Oh yea, Dakki gushed. I saw that. So cute, you two are sooo cuuuute! Ack!

Tess jumped up quickly at the sound of Dakki tumbling to the ground. Oh, are you she tried

to suppress her giggle but failed as the girl stood, fixing the skirt so that it sat correctly on her

waist. Are you alright?

Yea, I'm fine. Now what's so big about this kiss. She grasped Tess hand reassuringly and

spoke as one would to a child. Dat's what boyfriend and goilfriend do, Tessie.

Yea, but Jack and I aren't she waved her hands around for lack of the correct word.

She finished lamely.

Your not?

No! It's just for the trick.

Dakki rested her chin in her hand. Really, cause I could of swornI mean, you two are just

she shrugged. I dunno. You fit.

Yea, well if it happens you'll be the first I tell, She stood and checked her reflection in the

mirror. right after that pig with wings and his unicorn friend.

Ah! So you do like Jack! Dakki caught Tess' arm and stopped her from leaving the room.

Dakki waited patiently as Tess battled the smile spreading across her face. Another secret you

have to keep. Tess ordered, sticking her tongue out before slipping out of the room and down the

stairs.




Dinner that night was similar to lunch. The men talked while Tess zoned out and enjoyed being

ignored. She mused over the kiss, of course, and her conversation with Dakki. Consistently,

throughout the dinner, Jack had to casually stop her from nibbling on her fingers.

There was another kiss, that night. This one slightly more calm, a simple on the cheek darling I'll

meet you upstairs' type kiss. Jack initiated it again as he, Sotheby and Denton returned to the study

for cigars and finalizing business.

Tess didn't object. As soon as they had disappeared behind the large wooden door she flew up to

her room, grabbing Dakki on her way. Chores were forgotten and ettiquitte was ignored in the room

as the two girls explained their own backgrounds. It was far past dark by the time Denton and

Jack's footsteps were heard ascending the steps. The door pushed open and Dakki was mid

handstand, Tess giggling on the bed in the extra large shirt Bessie had packed for sleeping.

Maybe I should leave you two aloneJack joked, pretending to step out of the room and close

the door behind him.

Dakki tumbled to the floor as Tess swallowed her laugh. Dakki stood, straightening her

skirt and smiling evilly at Tess. You two need to talk Tess' eyes widened in protest and Jack

couldn't help his blush. about Leif of course. She finished, sauntering out of the door in a

distinctly Dakki way.

Tess fell back onto the bed, puffing the pillows before collapsing into their softness. Jack laughed

at how exhausted she looked, lying among the mountains of pillows.



Jack dressed, explaining the conversation that had unfolded downstairs and Tess seemed to

instinctively know to keep her eyes closed. Only when he jumped onto the bed, bouncing her higher

than she expected, did she break from her semi-slumber. he settled next to her on the

pillows. I'll roll ya for the bed.


She laughed. I ain't using your dice. She hit him playfully with a pillow, the tassels catching

around his ear. You cheat.

Oh really, he stopped her from another swing and managed his own hit.

Falling back and holding a pillow in front of her face as a defense. Okay, okay. The

only fair way to settle this is to let me have the bed.

Oh really! He laughed, slipping under the covers as she continued to hide behind the pillow.

Why's that?

she shrugged. I'm the brains behind the plan. Again he huffed a disagreeing laugh.

You're just the pretty front.

I think you have the roles reversed. He sunk into the mattress, now fully under the sheets. And

yes, I did just call you pretty.

She chose not to comment, grateful once again for the large pillow blocking her face. Neither spoke

and Tess peaked her head over the edge of the pillow, curious as to his silence. At the sight of him

relaxing with his eyes closed and arms resting behind his head, she cried in protest, beginning

another round of hits. But he remained calm accepting the hits and keeping his arms closed.

She ceased swinging and he chose this moment to say, in an annoying calm voice. I'm find with

sharing.

Her eyes widened at his statement as she realized the situation facing her. But after a moment that

stubborn pride he loved so much took over and she huffed in abhorrence, squirming under the

covers. Well, me neither.

With her back turned towards him, she wrapped the covers safely around her shoulders and

focused on sleep, unaware of the one eye he opened to peak at her. Deciding to have a little fun with

the situation, and consequently ignore the longing burning in him, he tugged harshly on the sheet so

that they spun away from her shoulders. She pulled back and this exchanged continued for some

time before she tried another tactic. Cold feet! Cold feet! Jack exclaimed writhing away from her

extended legs.

She chuckled in triumph and turned to face him, wrapping the sheets around her arms and tucking

them underneath her chin. He did the same, matching the smirk on her face.

I try.

They lay there, examining the person across from them and reflecting on their surroundings.

Look at us McCoy. In this fancy housesharing the same bed

Against my will

He smirked. Come on, you don't mind. This bed would be too big for you alone. You woldn't be

able to sleep knowing I was laying in agony on the floor.

She rolled away from him again, the only defense she had to where she feared the conversation was

heading. He shifted to his back, staring at the ceiling that was masked in darkness. Two, three

months ago we would have killed each other by now.



She felt his roll towards her and as his hands touched her waist she slowly did the same.

I don't normally do this.

Really? Cause I thought that reputation of yours was legendary.

He could see the wall again, her comments a form of defense he was finally willing to tackle. Oh,

you think so?

I know so! She countered, propping up on her elbows and jabbing with her finger.

He caught the offending pointer, wrapping his own around in and bobbing it up and down. You

wanna know, what I know She imitated an interested expression. This is different. Still

holding her finger he motioned between them. You're different. She shrunk back as he

continued. I'm different with you and I like that

I like you. She finished. He paused in shock at her soft voice whispering in three words what

he'd been rehearsing in his head as an elaborate deal. Her face was pale and frightened beyond

reach because of his silence and he laughed at how worried she's suddenly become. With the point

of relieving that worry he chuckled giddily and kissed her quickly, the hand once holding her finger

now lost in the curls of her hair.

She smiled also, pawing at the side of his face as he fluttered little kisses on her lips. And as she

was wrapped in his arms, settling in for a blissful night of sleep, she could of sworn she heard the

flap of wings, baying and Dakki's cry of glee mid Happy Dance'.



AN: Every reviewer has to take a class, the How to Review 101 class taught by Dakki.

Cause I read that review at work, laughed my ass off, and drew some suspicious stares.

Hats off to the master. *fancy bow*