Here's chapter 14! It feels so good to be writing and uploading my stories at a somewhat-steady pace. I just love it!
Legal: I do not own the rights to Three's Company or its characters, thanks.
=-=
Chapter 14: Jack's Announcement
Janet awoke the next morning and light flooded her vision. She shut her eyes and opened them once more, slower. Jack was sitting on the foot of her bed, watching her. He grinned when he saw that she was awake. "Morning, Janet!"
She smiled and sat up. "Good morning, Jack. What are you doing in here?"
"I need help, Janet," Jack's smile faded suddenly.
"Why?"
Jack sighed and got off of Janet's bed. "Jenny called this morning. She wants to go dancing after we skate on ice. Janet, I don't know how to dance!"
Janet suppressed a laugh. "Oh, Jack, is that all? Well, I'll teach you."
Jack gasped. "Really?"
Janet nodded. "Of course. Right after breakfast."
Jack leaped into the air. "Yipee!"
This time Janet didn't supress her laughter.
=-=
After breakfast the Ropers, Jerry and Chrissy went out grocery shopping. Terri and Larry were both at work, which left Janet and Jack at the apartment alone. Janet set up the record player in the main room and first they danced to a series of upbeat songs. Janet laughed at the wacky way Jack danced when she told him just to go with the music. They had a geniune good time, laughing and being goofy. And then Janet put in a slow song. Jack was ready to go with the music, but he looked confused. "How do I dance with this?"
Janet came over and grabbed his hands. She put them on her waist and wrapped her arms around his neck. "This is how you dance to this, Jack. If a song is slow you dance slowly."
"Ohhh," Jack said as he understood.
They slowly moved. Jack stood straight and tall, his hands never leaving Janet's waist. She looked up into his eyes and saw that he was looking down at her. He smiled and she blushed, leaning her head against his chest. He tightened his grip on her slightly.
Janet wished that the song could have gone on all day, but like all songs and like all great moments it stopped. The record started over again and Jack let go of Janet to stop it. He turned to Janet, slipping his hands in his pocket. "Is that it?"
Janet nodded reluctantly. She knew she might have lied to him and told him they had many more slow songs to go through, but she just couldn't lie to Jack.
Jack plopped down on the couch cross-legged. He looked over at Janet and then vigorously patted the spot next to him, a goofy grin on his face. Janet chuckled and sat down next to him. They were quiet for awhile and then Jack spoke. "Janet, can I ask you something very important?"
Janet turned to face him and leaned her elbow against the back of the couch so she could rest her cheek against her hand. "Sure, Jack."
He sighed and seemed to be thinking hard on how to word his question. After a few seconds he finally asked it. "Janet, what is love?"
Janet felt her heart skip a beat. He was asking her about love...after they had danced...could it be? Were her feelings toward him reciprocated? She lowered her arm and put her hand on Jack's. "Love is hard to explain, really."
"Why?"
"Well, because it's...it's beyond human understanding."
"How come?"
"Because it just is."
"But why is it?"
"I don't know, Jack! I honestly don't know. Love is...love is the only thing on this earth that hasn't lost its true value over the years."
Jack looked down. He looked back up, a slight blush in his cheeks. "Janet, what if, whenever I'm with someone I feel funny? Is that love?"
Janet smiled. "Oh, Jack. Love isn't a feeling--it's a fact. Feelings come and go, but love stays."
"But then how do I know if I love someone?" Jack's voice had a hint of urgency in it.
Jack had to look into her own heart for the answer. How did one know if they loved someone? She sighed. "Well, I guess it's someone that you can stand to be around for long periods of time. Someone that...even when they do get on your nerves you're quick to make up. Someone you aren't afraid to grow old with. Someone you take care of and are always there for. Someone you love in spite of their flaws. Someone you would...die for."
Jack nodded. "What if I want to make this person love me?"
"You can't make anyone love you, Jack. They have to love you on their own. Love isn't forceable because then it isn't love anymore. Do you understand?"
"Okay. When I see her how should I act?"
Janet started to answer, but the words got stuck in her throat. *When I see her...he's talking about Jenny. Of course. He's talking about tonight.* She fought back the tears as she answered. "Treat her like she's the most important thing in the world to you," she said, mentally cursing herself for giving him good advice.
He smiled brightly and hugged her. "Thank you, Janet. You're the bestest friend ever!"
Janet blinked back tears and nodded. *I should have told him to treat her like dirt. Oh, but he would be unhappy and I can't stand to see Jack upset. He's so different that way, so glum. Why do I even have to love him?*
And, of course, Janet couldn't answer her question.
=-=
Sunday night came too fast. Everyone was excitedly talking about how great it was that Jack was going out for a second date, this time without Larry. During the week he had shown Chrissy, Terri and a delighted Mrs. Roper how he could dance fast and slow. He was definitely excited about his second date.
That afternoon everyone helped him brush up on his people skills. Soon night fell and he came out of his room, once again dressed in a suit and smelling heavenly. When Jerry was sure Jack knew where to find Jenny he let him leave. Jack left, hollering one last goodbye to Janet. She didn't respond. He looked so good, he was so good to her, he felt so good holding her...he even smelled so good! But she couldn't have him and it just killed her. She fell into a restless sleep on the couch.
She awoke a few hours later from the doorbell ringing. She groaned and stumbled over to the door. She opened it and saw the smiling face of Jack. She quickly tried to fix her composure, but she had barely begun smoothing her hair down when he grabbed her around the waist and picked her up, swinging her around (and nearly falling because of that awkward step...). He was laughing gaily and Janet wondered if he'd had too many beers.
Jack's bedroom door opened and Mr. and Mrs. Roper emerged. "Can't anyone sleep around here?" Mr. Roper exclaimed angrily.
But Mrs. Roper saw Jack with his arms around Janet and sleep was the furthest from her mind. "What's going on here?" She asked specifically to Janet, a smile creeping up on her.
Janet knew about as much as Mrs. Roper did. But Jack knew more and he told them. "Mrs. Roper I was just going to tell Janet that I love her!" He exclaimed proudly.
Mrs. Roper gave a squeel, arousing the interests of Chrissy, Terri and Jerry, who were in the kitchen talking. Mr. Roper looked completely unfazed. And Janet wasn't quite sure she wasn't still asleep on the couch.
"What's going on?" Chrissy asked.
"I love Janet," Jack grinned.
Chrissy's eyes grew wide and she, like Mrs. Roper, gave a loud squeal. "Oh, Jack! Janet!" She ran over to them and tried to wrap her arms around both of them.
Terri sub-consciously threw her arms around Jerry and exclaimed, "I knew it! I knew it!"
The door to Apartment 201 opened and Larry and Mr. Furley came in. "What's all the noise about?" Mr. Furley said shrilly.
"That's what I'm still trying to figure out!" Mr. Roper said, still upset that he was awakened.
"Jack loves Janet, Larry!" Chrissy shouted as she bounced over to Larry and hugged him, too.
Larry parted Chrissy's blinding blonde hair so he could have a good look at Jack and Janet. Jack was grinning from ear to ear, his blue eyes brighter than usual. Janet was looking particularly dumbfounded, still wrapped in his arms. "Wait, Jack-O, what happened to Jenny?"
Janet awoke from her stupor. Indeed! If Jack was suddenly proclaiming love for her Jenny had to be out of the equation, right?
"Well, we went skating and dancing and I asked her about love on the way home," Jack began his story.
He had asked Jenny about love, too?
"I said, 'Jenny, if you love someone, what should you do?' And she said, 'You should tell them, Jack! You should always tell them.' And I said, 'Good, because I love Janet and I want to tell her.' And she said, 'That's wonderful!' We went to her home and she kissed me on the cheek. She said, 'It was fun (whatever *it* was),' and I came here," he explained.
"Would you all please excuse me?" Jerry said as he slipped out the door.
But no one even seemed to notice. When Jack had finished his story everyone had burst into conversation. Jack took Janet's hand and led her outside. Jerry was nowhere to be found.
"Janet, can I ask you something very important?" He said as he placed his hands tenderly on her hips.
Janet nodded destractedly, still trying to grasp everything that had just happened.
"Janet, do you love me too?" Jack queered, looking at her solemnly.
She groped for the right words to say. And then realized it didn't matter. She loved him, too. "Oh, Jack, I've loved you from the beginning, even if I didn't know it!" She exclaimed, tears of joy finally escaping her eyes.
The smile that had erupted on Jack's face when she confessed faded and he quickly tried to wipe away her tears. "Why are you crying?"
She just shook her head and buried her face in his chest. He put his arms around her and held her.
When she'd had her good cry in she finally told Jack how she hadn't believed he loved her in return. Jack laughed and said, "Janet! You took care of me. I know my problem and no one would have loved me but you did. I have loved you since you brought me here." He grinned.
Janet laughed at herself. All this time she had been beating herself up, believing Jack didn't love her! Even worse, she thought he loved Jenny! Apparently she had been wrong the whole time. But for once, Janet was glad to be wrong.
She and Jack sat on the step outside and talked for hours until Jack started to nod off against Janet. She ran her fingers through his hair for awhile, thinking on how her circumstances had so greatly improved. Finally Jerry came out and told them they should get inside. Jack kissed Janet's cheek for a goodnight and she went into the girls' room. It was another hour before she got to sleep as they were all jabbering excitedly about Jack and Janet's new situation.
Finally Janet dropped off to sleep, hoping once more that she wasn't just dreaming.
=-=
NOT the end! It all looks happy now, but they still have to find out just what happened to Jack, who Jerry and Elias really are (not to mention Jenny), and if Jack can stay as civilized as he has been when it comes time to go to the charity ball. As the saying goes: "It's not over 'til it's over." And it's not over. ;-)
Legal: I do not own the rights to Three's Company or its characters, thanks.
=-=
Chapter 14: Jack's Announcement
Janet awoke the next morning and light flooded her vision. She shut her eyes and opened them once more, slower. Jack was sitting on the foot of her bed, watching her. He grinned when he saw that she was awake. "Morning, Janet!"
She smiled and sat up. "Good morning, Jack. What are you doing in here?"
"I need help, Janet," Jack's smile faded suddenly.
"Why?"
Jack sighed and got off of Janet's bed. "Jenny called this morning. She wants to go dancing after we skate on ice. Janet, I don't know how to dance!"
Janet suppressed a laugh. "Oh, Jack, is that all? Well, I'll teach you."
Jack gasped. "Really?"
Janet nodded. "Of course. Right after breakfast."
Jack leaped into the air. "Yipee!"
This time Janet didn't supress her laughter.
=-=
After breakfast the Ropers, Jerry and Chrissy went out grocery shopping. Terri and Larry were both at work, which left Janet and Jack at the apartment alone. Janet set up the record player in the main room and first they danced to a series of upbeat songs. Janet laughed at the wacky way Jack danced when she told him just to go with the music. They had a geniune good time, laughing and being goofy. And then Janet put in a slow song. Jack was ready to go with the music, but he looked confused. "How do I dance with this?"
Janet came over and grabbed his hands. She put them on her waist and wrapped her arms around his neck. "This is how you dance to this, Jack. If a song is slow you dance slowly."
"Ohhh," Jack said as he understood.
They slowly moved. Jack stood straight and tall, his hands never leaving Janet's waist. She looked up into his eyes and saw that he was looking down at her. He smiled and she blushed, leaning her head against his chest. He tightened his grip on her slightly.
Janet wished that the song could have gone on all day, but like all songs and like all great moments it stopped. The record started over again and Jack let go of Janet to stop it. He turned to Janet, slipping his hands in his pocket. "Is that it?"
Janet nodded reluctantly. She knew she might have lied to him and told him they had many more slow songs to go through, but she just couldn't lie to Jack.
Jack plopped down on the couch cross-legged. He looked over at Janet and then vigorously patted the spot next to him, a goofy grin on his face. Janet chuckled and sat down next to him. They were quiet for awhile and then Jack spoke. "Janet, can I ask you something very important?"
Janet turned to face him and leaned her elbow against the back of the couch so she could rest her cheek against her hand. "Sure, Jack."
He sighed and seemed to be thinking hard on how to word his question. After a few seconds he finally asked it. "Janet, what is love?"
Janet felt her heart skip a beat. He was asking her about love...after they had danced...could it be? Were her feelings toward him reciprocated? She lowered her arm and put her hand on Jack's. "Love is hard to explain, really."
"Why?"
"Well, because it's...it's beyond human understanding."
"How come?"
"Because it just is."
"But why is it?"
"I don't know, Jack! I honestly don't know. Love is...love is the only thing on this earth that hasn't lost its true value over the years."
Jack looked down. He looked back up, a slight blush in his cheeks. "Janet, what if, whenever I'm with someone I feel funny? Is that love?"
Janet smiled. "Oh, Jack. Love isn't a feeling--it's a fact. Feelings come and go, but love stays."
"But then how do I know if I love someone?" Jack's voice had a hint of urgency in it.
Jack had to look into her own heart for the answer. How did one know if they loved someone? She sighed. "Well, I guess it's someone that you can stand to be around for long periods of time. Someone that...even when they do get on your nerves you're quick to make up. Someone you aren't afraid to grow old with. Someone you take care of and are always there for. Someone you love in spite of their flaws. Someone you would...die for."
Jack nodded. "What if I want to make this person love me?"
"You can't make anyone love you, Jack. They have to love you on their own. Love isn't forceable because then it isn't love anymore. Do you understand?"
"Okay. When I see her how should I act?"
Janet started to answer, but the words got stuck in her throat. *When I see her...he's talking about Jenny. Of course. He's talking about tonight.* She fought back the tears as she answered. "Treat her like she's the most important thing in the world to you," she said, mentally cursing herself for giving him good advice.
He smiled brightly and hugged her. "Thank you, Janet. You're the bestest friend ever!"
Janet blinked back tears and nodded. *I should have told him to treat her like dirt. Oh, but he would be unhappy and I can't stand to see Jack upset. He's so different that way, so glum. Why do I even have to love him?*
And, of course, Janet couldn't answer her question.
=-=
Sunday night came too fast. Everyone was excitedly talking about how great it was that Jack was going out for a second date, this time without Larry. During the week he had shown Chrissy, Terri and a delighted Mrs. Roper how he could dance fast and slow. He was definitely excited about his second date.
That afternoon everyone helped him brush up on his people skills. Soon night fell and he came out of his room, once again dressed in a suit and smelling heavenly. When Jerry was sure Jack knew where to find Jenny he let him leave. Jack left, hollering one last goodbye to Janet. She didn't respond. He looked so good, he was so good to her, he felt so good holding her...he even smelled so good! But she couldn't have him and it just killed her. She fell into a restless sleep on the couch.
She awoke a few hours later from the doorbell ringing. She groaned and stumbled over to the door. She opened it and saw the smiling face of Jack. She quickly tried to fix her composure, but she had barely begun smoothing her hair down when he grabbed her around the waist and picked her up, swinging her around (and nearly falling because of that awkward step...). He was laughing gaily and Janet wondered if he'd had too many beers.
Jack's bedroom door opened and Mr. and Mrs. Roper emerged. "Can't anyone sleep around here?" Mr. Roper exclaimed angrily.
But Mrs. Roper saw Jack with his arms around Janet and sleep was the furthest from her mind. "What's going on here?" She asked specifically to Janet, a smile creeping up on her.
Janet knew about as much as Mrs. Roper did. But Jack knew more and he told them. "Mrs. Roper I was just going to tell Janet that I love her!" He exclaimed proudly.
Mrs. Roper gave a squeel, arousing the interests of Chrissy, Terri and Jerry, who were in the kitchen talking. Mr. Roper looked completely unfazed. And Janet wasn't quite sure she wasn't still asleep on the couch.
"What's going on?" Chrissy asked.
"I love Janet," Jack grinned.
Chrissy's eyes grew wide and she, like Mrs. Roper, gave a loud squeal. "Oh, Jack! Janet!" She ran over to them and tried to wrap her arms around both of them.
Terri sub-consciously threw her arms around Jerry and exclaimed, "I knew it! I knew it!"
The door to Apartment 201 opened and Larry and Mr. Furley came in. "What's all the noise about?" Mr. Furley said shrilly.
"That's what I'm still trying to figure out!" Mr. Roper said, still upset that he was awakened.
"Jack loves Janet, Larry!" Chrissy shouted as she bounced over to Larry and hugged him, too.
Larry parted Chrissy's blinding blonde hair so he could have a good look at Jack and Janet. Jack was grinning from ear to ear, his blue eyes brighter than usual. Janet was looking particularly dumbfounded, still wrapped in his arms. "Wait, Jack-O, what happened to Jenny?"
Janet awoke from her stupor. Indeed! If Jack was suddenly proclaiming love for her Jenny had to be out of the equation, right?
"Well, we went skating and dancing and I asked her about love on the way home," Jack began his story.
He had asked Jenny about love, too?
"I said, 'Jenny, if you love someone, what should you do?' And she said, 'You should tell them, Jack! You should always tell them.' And I said, 'Good, because I love Janet and I want to tell her.' And she said, 'That's wonderful!' We went to her home and she kissed me on the cheek. She said, 'It was fun (whatever *it* was),' and I came here," he explained.
"Would you all please excuse me?" Jerry said as he slipped out the door.
But no one even seemed to notice. When Jack had finished his story everyone had burst into conversation. Jack took Janet's hand and led her outside. Jerry was nowhere to be found.
"Janet, can I ask you something very important?" He said as he placed his hands tenderly on her hips.
Janet nodded destractedly, still trying to grasp everything that had just happened.
"Janet, do you love me too?" Jack queered, looking at her solemnly.
She groped for the right words to say. And then realized it didn't matter. She loved him, too. "Oh, Jack, I've loved you from the beginning, even if I didn't know it!" She exclaimed, tears of joy finally escaping her eyes.
The smile that had erupted on Jack's face when she confessed faded and he quickly tried to wipe away her tears. "Why are you crying?"
She just shook her head and buried her face in his chest. He put his arms around her and held her.
When she'd had her good cry in she finally told Jack how she hadn't believed he loved her in return. Jack laughed and said, "Janet! You took care of me. I know my problem and no one would have loved me but you did. I have loved you since you brought me here." He grinned.
Janet laughed at herself. All this time she had been beating herself up, believing Jack didn't love her! Even worse, she thought he loved Jenny! Apparently she had been wrong the whole time. But for once, Janet was glad to be wrong.
She and Jack sat on the step outside and talked for hours until Jack started to nod off against Janet. She ran her fingers through his hair for awhile, thinking on how her circumstances had so greatly improved. Finally Jerry came out and told them they should get inside. Jack kissed Janet's cheek for a goodnight and she went into the girls' room. It was another hour before she got to sleep as they were all jabbering excitedly about Jack and Janet's new situation.
Finally Janet dropped off to sleep, hoping once more that she wasn't just dreaming.
=-=
NOT the end! It all looks happy now, but they still have to find out just what happened to Jack, who Jerry and Elias really are (not to mention Jenny), and if Jack can stay as civilized as he has been when it comes time to go to the charity ball. As the saying goes: "It's not over 'til it's over." And it's not over. ;-)
