Maria Malone POV:
Samantha Spade Residence
February 3, 2004
8:05a.m.
"Sam," I hear Jack's voice in my ear and my eyes open at the name that slips off his tongue.
"What?" My eyes widen in outrage as he glances at the clock.
"Samantha," he corrects himself, "we're running late for work."
Sitting up in bed, my jaw drops to the floor when I see how exposed I am. My eyes flash around the bedroom, seeing I'm not in my bed. Did Jack and I go to a hotel last night? I certainly don't remember, and this doesn't look like a hotel. Was I completely drunk or drugged? Jack would never do that or allow that to happen.
I stand up, taking the sheet with me to cover my exposed skin. I slam the bathroom door shut, gasping aloud when I see a face with blonde hair staring back at me.
"Jack!" I scream, holding the sheet securely as I go into the bedroom to face him. "How dare you!" I shout at him. "You bastard! I should have known you'd do it."
"Do what, Sam?" He stands up, grabbing his clothes from the floor.
"Sleep with her!" I shout, heading back into the bathroom to shower and try to make some sense of this situation.
"Samantha, what's wrong?" He knocks gently on the door, turning the knob and letting out a sigh. "Why'd you lock me out?" he whispers. "We both need a shower before we go in to work."
"I can't go in," I answer, shaking my head and running water in the sink. I grab the soap, scrubbing at my own face, trying to get off this mask. "What the hell?" I whisper, shaking my head in confusion.
"Sam, what's going on?" he questions. His hands rest firmly against the other side of the door, wanting to come inside.
"Go away," I respond, not knowing what to do. What is going on? I don't understand any of this. Am I living in an episode of the Twilight Zone? Is this where Jack would have ended up if I never married him? Maybe I'm supposed to see what he's been doing since I kicked him out.
I hear a knock at the door and glance around at what I can put on. There's a robe hanging on a hook, but no other clothes.
I hear his footsteps heading for the door.
***********
Samantha Spade POV:
Samantha Spade Residence
February 3, 2004
8:18a.m.
I try the key with no luck; the door doesn't budge. I let out a soft breath. What am I going to say? Do I tell Jack that I'm not really his wife? He'll think I'm insane!
I knock briskly on the door, waiting to make sure my place hasn't been altered in any way.
"Maria." Jack looks surprised to see me and I feel sick from the name on his lips. "How did you--"
"I don't care that you've been here," I shake my head, remembering what I must do. If I will be forever stuck in this utter nonsense and in Maria's life, I want to be with Jack. Maybe it's the only true way I can be with him. I don't know exactly what the fight was about last night, but I know whatever was said, he was emotionally hurt. "I came by to apologize about last night, Jack." I feel the words on my lips and hear the peculiar voice speaking them. It seems so strange, but I have to do this. I can only hope I won't burn myself in the end.
"There's nothing to apologize for," he coldly states. "You told me how you felt."
"I still love you," I tell him, wishing I could be 'me' and telling him these things. "Jack," I pause, knowing what I must say and do. "I know I said some awful things last night and I feel terrible about them."
"You should," he accuses.
"I haven't been fair to you," I state, hoping I can change his mind. "I haven't been making the effort that you have. I want you to come home tonight, for the girls and for me." I take his hand giving it a soft squeeze and hoping he'll agree.
He closes his eyes for a moment and nods his head. "I'll try not to be late."
"Thank you," I whisper softly and turn my back to walk away.
"How'd you know where to find me?" I glance back at Jack's sad eyes.
"I just did," I answer, not giving him any other response. I smile sadly, wondering if Jack and I can be the way we were before I was somehow switched with Maria. Is this all some sort of dark, mysterious joke with the universe? Was it because of some fateful wish I made about wanting to be a part of his life?
I head out to the car and take a seat behind the wheel. I can't find the energy to move or go anywhere. Last night I went to bed with Jack, and now- --I shake my head, lost in confusion.
I start the car and head out towards the Bureau when I realize I can't exactly go into work looking like this. I can only hope that if and when we get switched back, I'll still have my job. After all, I can't expect her to do it well for me.
If things do go back to normal, where will Jack and I stand? If I fix his marriage, what happens when Maria is Maria again? Will they be back in a standstill and fighting? Will things really be changed or am I only delaying the inevitable? What if we don't switch back? Shouldn't I be able to live happily with Jack?
I know he'd never leave his wife because he believes in having a family. Does that mean that I have a chance to be a part of it? He'll have to know I'm not Maria. It's only a matter of time. All he has to do is ask me to remember something from their life before and he'll know something's wrong.
I make a U-turn, trying to decide where to go. I have plenty of time until I need to pick the girls up from school. I hope I remember how to get there.
***********
Samantha Spade POV:
Malone Residence
February 3, 2004
6:08 p.m.
As the day progressed onward, I brought the girls home and started in on dinner. I eye the front door and I see Jack coming inside.
"Daddy!" Hannah exclaims, running over to give Jack a hug. "You're home," her smile is wide and I stir the food on the stove, glancing over to see him watching me reluctantly.
Kate comes out from her room to see what all the commotion is about. She sees Jack and he lowers himself to embrace her. "How's my girls?"
"You came home," Kate smiles. "I thought you left for good." She chews on her lip.
"So did I," he states. "Girls can you give your mom and me a few minutes to talk?"
"All right," Hannah sighs. "Be careful, though, she hasn't been herself today. I think she might be sick."
The girls head into their bedroom and glance back to see Jack making his way towards me. He stands at the edge of the kitchen, afraid to come any closer.
"How was work?" My eyes meet his. I'm curious how 'Samantha' was, but to afraid to ask him.
"Strange," he shakes his head. "I'm sorry I went to her place." He pauses and I approach him.
"Don't be," I whisper, remembering that we spent the night together and how wonderful it was. Is he truly sorry for staying with me? I can't ask him, especially if I'm now married to him and want this to work between us. "I've been thinking."
"Uh-oh." His eyes look slightly frightened.
"It's not just you never being home; it's me too," I tell him, hoping I'm not completely off. "I want to see you more, Jack, and I want us to be a family again," I let out a soft breath. "I've been toying with the idea of quitting my job."
"What?" he chokes on his words. "You love what you do."
"I'm tired of it," I lie. If I am going to be Maria, I can't very well work where she did. I wouldn't know what I was doing. I can't work with the FBI; he'd think I was crazy.
"Okay," he nods, "if that's what you want."
"Jack," I take his hand. "I want this to be a mutual decision." I try and sound like Maria, not wanting him to think something's up. He's looking at me as though I've lost my mind. I suppose I have. "You're not happy about this?" I question, seeing him take a seat and trying to sort through everything in his mind.
"It's been a strange day."
"Tell me about it," I whisper in response.
He eyes me curiously. Does he know what's going on? Did the real Maria try and tell him that she wasn't Samantha? As strange as it sounds, at least then I wouldn't have to do it.
"I want us to get through this," I tell him, letting out a soft breath.
"For the girls?" he questions.
"For us," I reaffirm. "I love you, Jack."
He looks slightly surprised by my words. Does Maria normally not say such things? How long has it been since he heard those words from these lips?
After we finish dinner and the girls are in bed, I take a seat on the couch, relaxing into the cushions.
"Hannah's right."
"About what?" I question.
"You haven't been yourself today."
I'm quiet. Do I tell him what's going on? "I guess I have a lot on my mind," I answer.
"You want to talk about it?"
"You wouldn't believe me," I laugh softly. "So, how was work?"
"You know I can't discuss the cases."
"You mean the one with Nelson?"
His eyes bore into mine with a look of utter confusion. "How did you--"
"The same way I knew where Samantha lives."
"Vivian?" he questions aloud.
"No," I laugh softly, hearing the strange voice coming from my lips. "I suppose it doesn't matter much. You still haven't answered how your day was," I probe.
"Strange. One of my agents was acting bizarre."
"Samantha?" I question.
He nods gently, his eyes falling to the floor. I capture his hand in mine, telling him it's okay. "Why was she acting so strange?"
"She kept insisting she couldn't come in today and when I told her I knew she wasn't sick, she lost it." He shakes his head. "I sent her back to the Bureau therapist for a psychological evaluation," he pauses, eyeing me intently, "I let her out early today, and I got a call from the girls school. She tried to pick them up, claiming to be their mother."
I bite down on my lips. Do I confess that she really is their mom and we're both imposters to the bodies we're in?
"I'm not surprised," I answer honestly.
"What?" His eyes widen. "I sure as hell am. I know my team and they would never betray me."
"Maybe she wasn't betraying you, Jack."
"What are you saying?"
"Maybe things aren't as they seem," I answer, dropping his hand and heading off into the bedroom.
"Maria?"
I shut my eyes and stand in the doorway with my back to Jack. I feel his hand on my shoulder from behind. Her name on his lips sounds so awful to my ears. Do I tell him the truth? He won't believe it. I once heard about another division in D.C.---the X-Files. Maybe they could help. I don't even know if I can help myself, though. I let out a soft breath, taking his hand and leading him inside the bedroom.
I glance around the room. It feels so foreign and wrong to be here. Do I allow myself the pleasure of Jack in such a place? Isn't it wrong, since he's not really mine to have?
I let out a soft, frustrated sigh. What do I do?
Samantha Spade Residence
February 3, 2004
8:05a.m.
"Sam," I hear Jack's voice in my ear and my eyes open at the name that slips off his tongue.
"What?" My eyes widen in outrage as he glances at the clock.
"Samantha," he corrects himself, "we're running late for work."
Sitting up in bed, my jaw drops to the floor when I see how exposed I am. My eyes flash around the bedroom, seeing I'm not in my bed. Did Jack and I go to a hotel last night? I certainly don't remember, and this doesn't look like a hotel. Was I completely drunk or drugged? Jack would never do that or allow that to happen.
I stand up, taking the sheet with me to cover my exposed skin. I slam the bathroom door shut, gasping aloud when I see a face with blonde hair staring back at me.
"Jack!" I scream, holding the sheet securely as I go into the bedroom to face him. "How dare you!" I shout at him. "You bastard! I should have known you'd do it."
"Do what, Sam?" He stands up, grabbing his clothes from the floor.
"Sleep with her!" I shout, heading back into the bathroom to shower and try to make some sense of this situation.
"Samantha, what's wrong?" He knocks gently on the door, turning the knob and letting out a sigh. "Why'd you lock me out?" he whispers. "We both need a shower before we go in to work."
"I can't go in," I answer, shaking my head and running water in the sink. I grab the soap, scrubbing at my own face, trying to get off this mask. "What the hell?" I whisper, shaking my head in confusion.
"Sam, what's going on?" he questions. His hands rest firmly against the other side of the door, wanting to come inside.
"Go away," I respond, not knowing what to do. What is going on? I don't understand any of this. Am I living in an episode of the Twilight Zone? Is this where Jack would have ended up if I never married him? Maybe I'm supposed to see what he's been doing since I kicked him out.
I hear a knock at the door and glance around at what I can put on. There's a robe hanging on a hook, but no other clothes.
I hear his footsteps heading for the door.
***********
Samantha Spade POV:
Samantha Spade Residence
February 3, 2004
8:18a.m.
I try the key with no luck; the door doesn't budge. I let out a soft breath. What am I going to say? Do I tell Jack that I'm not really his wife? He'll think I'm insane!
I knock briskly on the door, waiting to make sure my place hasn't been altered in any way.
"Maria." Jack looks surprised to see me and I feel sick from the name on his lips. "How did you--"
"I don't care that you've been here," I shake my head, remembering what I must do. If I will be forever stuck in this utter nonsense and in Maria's life, I want to be with Jack. Maybe it's the only true way I can be with him. I don't know exactly what the fight was about last night, but I know whatever was said, he was emotionally hurt. "I came by to apologize about last night, Jack." I feel the words on my lips and hear the peculiar voice speaking them. It seems so strange, but I have to do this. I can only hope I won't burn myself in the end.
"There's nothing to apologize for," he coldly states. "You told me how you felt."
"I still love you," I tell him, wishing I could be 'me' and telling him these things. "Jack," I pause, knowing what I must say and do. "I know I said some awful things last night and I feel terrible about them."
"You should," he accuses.
"I haven't been fair to you," I state, hoping I can change his mind. "I haven't been making the effort that you have. I want you to come home tonight, for the girls and for me." I take his hand giving it a soft squeeze and hoping he'll agree.
He closes his eyes for a moment and nods his head. "I'll try not to be late."
"Thank you," I whisper softly and turn my back to walk away.
"How'd you know where to find me?" I glance back at Jack's sad eyes.
"I just did," I answer, not giving him any other response. I smile sadly, wondering if Jack and I can be the way we were before I was somehow switched with Maria. Is this all some sort of dark, mysterious joke with the universe? Was it because of some fateful wish I made about wanting to be a part of his life?
I head out to the car and take a seat behind the wheel. I can't find the energy to move or go anywhere. Last night I went to bed with Jack, and now- --I shake my head, lost in confusion.
I start the car and head out towards the Bureau when I realize I can't exactly go into work looking like this. I can only hope that if and when we get switched back, I'll still have my job. After all, I can't expect her to do it well for me.
If things do go back to normal, where will Jack and I stand? If I fix his marriage, what happens when Maria is Maria again? Will they be back in a standstill and fighting? Will things really be changed or am I only delaying the inevitable? What if we don't switch back? Shouldn't I be able to live happily with Jack?
I know he'd never leave his wife because he believes in having a family. Does that mean that I have a chance to be a part of it? He'll have to know I'm not Maria. It's only a matter of time. All he has to do is ask me to remember something from their life before and he'll know something's wrong.
I make a U-turn, trying to decide where to go. I have plenty of time until I need to pick the girls up from school. I hope I remember how to get there.
***********
Samantha Spade POV:
Malone Residence
February 3, 2004
6:08 p.m.
As the day progressed onward, I brought the girls home and started in on dinner. I eye the front door and I see Jack coming inside.
"Daddy!" Hannah exclaims, running over to give Jack a hug. "You're home," her smile is wide and I stir the food on the stove, glancing over to see him watching me reluctantly.
Kate comes out from her room to see what all the commotion is about. She sees Jack and he lowers himself to embrace her. "How's my girls?"
"You came home," Kate smiles. "I thought you left for good." She chews on her lip.
"So did I," he states. "Girls can you give your mom and me a few minutes to talk?"
"All right," Hannah sighs. "Be careful, though, she hasn't been herself today. I think she might be sick."
The girls head into their bedroom and glance back to see Jack making his way towards me. He stands at the edge of the kitchen, afraid to come any closer.
"How was work?" My eyes meet his. I'm curious how 'Samantha' was, but to afraid to ask him.
"Strange," he shakes his head. "I'm sorry I went to her place." He pauses and I approach him.
"Don't be," I whisper, remembering that we spent the night together and how wonderful it was. Is he truly sorry for staying with me? I can't ask him, especially if I'm now married to him and want this to work between us. "I've been thinking."
"Uh-oh." His eyes look slightly frightened.
"It's not just you never being home; it's me too," I tell him, hoping I'm not completely off. "I want to see you more, Jack, and I want us to be a family again," I let out a soft breath. "I've been toying with the idea of quitting my job."
"What?" he chokes on his words. "You love what you do."
"I'm tired of it," I lie. If I am going to be Maria, I can't very well work where she did. I wouldn't know what I was doing. I can't work with the FBI; he'd think I was crazy.
"Okay," he nods, "if that's what you want."
"Jack," I take his hand. "I want this to be a mutual decision." I try and sound like Maria, not wanting him to think something's up. He's looking at me as though I've lost my mind. I suppose I have. "You're not happy about this?" I question, seeing him take a seat and trying to sort through everything in his mind.
"It's been a strange day."
"Tell me about it," I whisper in response.
He eyes me curiously. Does he know what's going on? Did the real Maria try and tell him that she wasn't Samantha? As strange as it sounds, at least then I wouldn't have to do it.
"I want us to get through this," I tell him, letting out a soft breath.
"For the girls?" he questions.
"For us," I reaffirm. "I love you, Jack."
He looks slightly surprised by my words. Does Maria normally not say such things? How long has it been since he heard those words from these lips?
After we finish dinner and the girls are in bed, I take a seat on the couch, relaxing into the cushions.
"Hannah's right."
"About what?" I question.
"You haven't been yourself today."
I'm quiet. Do I tell him what's going on? "I guess I have a lot on my mind," I answer.
"You want to talk about it?"
"You wouldn't believe me," I laugh softly. "So, how was work?"
"You know I can't discuss the cases."
"You mean the one with Nelson?"
His eyes bore into mine with a look of utter confusion. "How did you--"
"The same way I knew where Samantha lives."
"Vivian?" he questions aloud.
"No," I laugh softly, hearing the strange voice coming from my lips. "I suppose it doesn't matter much. You still haven't answered how your day was," I probe.
"Strange. One of my agents was acting bizarre."
"Samantha?" I question.
He nods gently, his eyes falling to the floor. I capture his hand in mine, telling him it's okay. "Why was she acting so strange?"
"She kept insisting she couldn't come in today and when I told her I knew she wasn't sick, she lost it." He shakes his head. "I sent her back to the Bureau therapist for a psychological evaluation," he pauses, eyeing me intently, "I let her out early today, and I got a call from the girls school. She tried to pick them up, claiming to be their mother."
I bite down on my lips. Do I confess that she really is their mom and we're both imposters to the bodies we're in?
"I'm not surprised," I answer honestly.
"What?" His eyes widen. "I sure as hell am. I know my team and they would never betray me."
"Maybe she wasn't betraying you, Jack."
"What are you saying?"
"Maybe things aren't as they seem," I answer, dropping his hand and heading off into the bedroom.
"Maria?"
I shut my eyes and stand in the doorway with my back to Jack. I feel his hand on my shoulder from behind. Her name on his lips sounds so awful to my ears. Do I tell him the truth? He won't believe it. I once heard about another division in D.C.---the X-Files. Maybe they could help. I don't even know if I can help myself, though. I let out a soft breath, taking his hand and leading him inside the bedroom.
I glance around the room. It feels so foreign and wrong to be here. Do I allow myself the pleasure of Jack in such a place? Isn't it wrong, since he's not really mine to have?
I let out a soft, frustrated sigh. What do I do?
