Okay. This chapter is kind of short :( but that's because there's just one thing that I wanted to tackle in it before moving the story on. I did slip a sweet Jack/Janet moment in it though. :) So I hope you at least enjoy that little bit!

I want to take another opportunity to thank everyone who has reviewed my story. You're all saying such nice things and I'm so shocked and overjoyed that you like it so much! I thank you all from the bottom of my heart!

Legal: I do not own the rights to Three's Company or its characters, thanks.

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Chapter 15: A Hard Decision

The next morning when Janet awoke she didn't open her eyes just yet. She was far too afraid that she had dreamed up the previous night. She had to have! It was just too good to be true.

After savoring the sweet memories of the dream she opened her eyes. Jack was sitting on her bed cross-legged, facing her. He smiled. "'Morning, Janet!"

She smiled as well and sat up, yawning. "Good morning, Jack."

She had just gotten the words out when he leaned forward and kissed her on the cheek. And then Janet stared at him, wondering if it hadn't been a dream. Suddenly she leaped off of the bed and ran into the main area where Mr. Roper was watching television, Mrs. Roper was painting her nails, and Chrissy was trying to sew something. "Mrs. Roper, what happened last night?" Janet burst as soon as she had entered.

Mrs. Roper looked up in slight shock. Stanley glanced over and then looked back at the T.V. Chrissy stood and grinned, dropping her project on the couch. "Oh, Janet, don't you remember? You and Jack..." she put her two index fingers together.

Mrs. Roper nodded in agreement. "Had you forgotten?"

But Janet still couldn't believe it. "Mr. Roper"--he looked up--"what woke you up last night?"

Mr. Roper suddenly didn't seem to care what was on the T.V. His brow furrowed. "That looney"--he pointed to Jack--"woke me up by coming in here and--"

"Picking me up?" Janet asked breathlessly.

"Yeah. And then he shouted--"

"That he loved me?"

"Yeah! I mean, what kind of nerve--"

But Mr. Roper was drowned out by Janet's excited screech, "It wasn't a dream!" She flung her arms around Jack's neck and looked up into his eyes. "You do love me," she said quietly.

Jack laughed. "Of course I do. You're so silly, Janet."

She laughed as well and rested her head against his chest. He put his arms around her.

Chrissy giggled, a small snort finding its way out, and then sat back down. Mrs. Roper looked at the two with longing. "Oh, Stanley. Why can't we have moments like that?"

Mr. Roper had turned his interest back to the television. "Not now, Helen, I'm watching--wait a minute." He turned his eyes to Jack and Janet. "I thought he was...well, you know. I thought he didn't like girls."

Janet whirled around suddenly, wondering how she would cover up for Jack's behavior. Sure, it didn't matter what Mr. Roper thought anymore, but what if he mentioned it to Mr. Furley?

Luckily Janet didn't have to worry about it. Mrs. Roper waved her husband off. "Stanley. Jack is sick, remember? He's not himself." She turned her head to wink at Janet.

That was all Mr. Roper needed to hear. He nodded. "Oh yeah. And when he's cured he'll be just as...weird as he used to be." He chuckled.

As everyone else went back to their own activities, Janet's thoughts raced. *Maybe he won't be gay when he's cured, but he won't love me.* She shook her thoughts off as Jack brought Janet into the kitchen for some breakfast.

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The next few days were heavenly. Jack and Janet did everything together. Janet taught him how to ride a bike and they rode down to the beach. Then they played in the waves. The animal in Jack returned a little bit when he saw a jellyfish. He spent most of his time then trying to catch them. Janet just lay on the beach on watched, giggling every once in a while. Finally Jack got bored of the jellyfish and ran up the beach to Janet. When he got there he shook himself out, spraying her with salty water. She sat up. "Jack!"

He cackled like a madman and ran back down the beach. She ran after him. "You get back here!"

He suddenly turned around and picked her up. He carried her down to the water as fast as he could. She kicked and pounded his chest with her fists, but she was laughing the whole time. He waded out into the ocean. "Oh, Jack, don't you dare--" she hadn't even finished when he dropped her in the water, a small scream emitting her mouth.

He chuckled, but only for a moment. She grabbed his ankle and pulled him under. They emerged happily and went back up to the beach.

As the sun set and the crowds left they cuddled together under a blanket and watched the waves lap up on shore. Neither had anything to say. Janet didn't mind. She was enjoying just being with him...feeling his heart pound against her... She sighed contentedly and leaned her head against his chest. He laid his head on her head. And all was right with the world.

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Jack and Janet couldn't date much, though. Thanksgiving was rapidly approaching and they had to do a lot yet. The house needed to be cleaned, they had to somehow figure out how they'd have room for everyone, Jack needed to be reviewed on his manners.

One day Mr. and Mrs. Roper were out looking at tables, Larry went downstairs to ask Furley for some more furniture polish, Jack was in his bedroom reciting the rules for proper table etiquette, the girls were vaccuming and dusting the living room, and Jerry was in the kitchen making a phonecall.

Janet was watering the plants while Terri and Chrissy moved the couch aside so they could clean anything out from underneath it. "Oh, gross." Terri wrinkled her nose.

"Ewwww," Chrissy added.

"What is it?" Janet came over.

Terri pointed. There was a half-eaten, moldy tuna sandwich. Janet's nose wrinkled as well. "I'll bet that was Jack's."

"Well, seeing as how you're the girlfriend I think you should take care of it," Terri teased.

Janet was too pleased to be "the girlfriend" to object. She carefully picked up the sandwich and crept into the kitchen. Jerry was pacing back and forth in front of the sink. His phone was a smashed heap on the table. Janet dropped the sandwich in the wastebasket. "Oh, hello, Janet," Jerry said as he moved out of the way so she could wash her hands.

Janet felt uneasy. Between Jerry's broken phone and the pissed-off tone of his voice she wasn't sure she was very safe in there. "W-what's wrong?" She queered.

He sighed. "Well, you know that cure we've been trying to come up with for Jack? Well, it should only be about a month or so before it will be ready. I figured that since we know he'll be back to normal with the antidote there's no need for him to go to the charity ball, right? So, I was just talking to the government about that and they say that he has to go to that ball as long as he hasn't been cured yet. Can you believe that?"

Janet smiled and patted his arm. "Is that all? Jerry, Jack behaves like a gentleman. He'll be fine. He'll go to the ball, impress many, and everything will be fine."

"After the ball he'll be cured," Jerry added.

Janet didn't nod. She just turned to leave. "Hold on just a minute," Jerry said.

Janet stopped and turned to face him. "Yes, Jerry?"

"Why is it that you don't get excited about Jack getting cured these days? I think I've mentioned the antidote about four times this week. Not once did you say anything about it. What's going on?"

Janet looked down. "It's nothing, Jerry."

"If it were nothing we wouldn't be having this conversation."

Janet nodded and looked up. "Well, when Jack is cured he'll forget all about learning all of this stuff...he'll forget all about Terri and I giving him a bath...he'll forget all about Jenny, but...he'll forget all about loving me, too. I just want things to stay the way they are. I don't want Jack to not love me."

Jerry sighed and scratched his head, unsure of how to answer. "Janet...if you don't want to cure Jack we don't have to."

"Really?" Janet asked in surprise.

Jerry nodded. "Yes, of course. He doesn't have a say in it, does he? Even if he did he would just go with whatever you say. No, Jack doesn't think for himself these days. But perhaps that's okay. Then you can get married and live happily ever after. Why, he'll even take the garbage out whenever you want him to. All he knows is following orders, believing whatever anyone tells him. But all of that is worth it as long as he loves you--as long as you get what you want."

Jerry spoke like everything was great and dandy, but guilt washed over Janet at his words and she knew that was what he meant to happen. She was angry that he would speak to her like that, but she couldn't say anything back. It *was* selfish for her to want to keep Jack an animal because she would be happy. Not only that, but it was wrong. Like everyone, Janet did a lot of wrong things in her life, but she couldn't do something that would wrong Jack. She sighed and fought back those darn tears that kept coming. "Jerry, when that antidote is ready I want it used on Jack as soon as possible, do you understand me? No 'buts'!" She said firmly, turned on her heel and left the kitchen.

Jerry sighed and shook his head. "Poor girl."

Janet tossed and turned in bed that night. The very next day was Thanksgiving. She was stressed over it. She trusted Jack and was sure he would be great, but there was still that little bit of doubt that crossed her mind contstantly; it was that tiny voice that started each sentance with, "What if..."

And then there was that selfish part of her that was furious because she was just going to let Jack go back to normal. Yes, she loved Jack the way he used to be: fun-loving; full of life, love and humor; easy going; playful; smart and sexy; a great cook...she loved him like that! But the problem was that...he didn't love her like that. How could she go on every day after he was returned back to normal? Everytime he said hi to her...whenever they passed each other...everytime he got flirty with her...she would always remember that he once loved her. But Jack? He wouldn't remember anything. For him their physical contact was just like a fun game. For Janet it would be like a small taste of what could have been.

But she had to be strong. She couldn't think of how things could be if he didn't take the antidote. She just had to be strong for Jack...for herself...for her broken heart.

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*sniff* Poor Janet. I just can't give her a break. Well, maybe. Keep reading! ^.^