Disclaimer: I don't own Will and Grace or its characters.

Chapter Three Into the Night

After stopping at Katherine and Amber's apartment to get some clothes for the little girl, Jack and Karen took Amber back to their penthouse.

On the way there in the limo, Amber asked them, "What will happen to me

if Mummy dies?"

"I'm sure your mom wants you to stay with Karen," Jack answered.

"Will you let me live in your house if my Mummy dies Auntie Karen?" Amber asked a little tearfully.

"Of course," Karen said, putting her arm around the child. "But I'm sure that Kath will get better soon." She looked over at Jack and gave him a weak smile.

When they had gotten to the penthouse, they were greeted by Essex, Katherine and Amber's pug, running to them.

"Hullo Essie boy," Amber said, kneeling down and wrapping her arms around the dog's neck.

"Are you hungry at all Amb?" Jack asked as he handed a servant Amber's suitcase.

"A little," Amber said, standing up.

Jack looked at Amber and then at Karen, seeing the saddened looks on their faces. He then decided that he would try and cheer them up. "Come on, we're going to make our own dinner tonight," he said suddenly. He took Amber's hand and then put his free hand on Karen's back, leading them to the kitchen.

"Why would we want to do that?" Karen asked, confused.

"You'll see," Jack said, grinning.

An hour later, Jack, Amber and Karen had eaten their simple dinner of sandwiches that they had made themselves on the terrace of Karen and Jack's room.

"This was a good idea poodle," Karen said, leaning against Jack.

"You don't come out on this balcony too often do you?" he asked.

Karen shook her head, and looked over at Amber, who was sitting on a bench next to the railing with Essex. "Jack," she said. "If Kath... dies, I want to adopt Amber."

Jack didn't say anything for a moment, then he nodded. "I'd like to adopt her too if you want me to," he said.

"I do," Karen said softly.

"But hopefully we won't have to," Jack said, rubbing Karen's back with his hand. He kissed her on the temple and then said to Amber, "It's getting late Amb, you need to get to bed."

Amber got off of the bench and hugged Karen. "Good night Auntie Karen," she said.

"Night Amber," Karen answered, kissing the top of her head. After Jack

and Amber had left the balcony, she got up from her chair and walked into her room, changing into her pajamas.

After Jack had tucked Amber into the bed in one of the guest rooms, he went back to his and Karen's room. He saw that Karen was standing at the window next to the bed, looking out. He walked over to her quickly and put his arms around her. "How are you feeling Kare?" he asked.

"I'm upset," Karen said. She shook her head and then walked over to the bed, getting under the covers.

Jack was going to say something, when he stopped and then walked over to his closet, changing into his own pajamas. When he came out, Karen was lying with her body turned away from him. He went over to the bed and lay down next to her, reaching out and sliding his hand over her waist. "Tell me Karebear, tell me what's wrong," he whispered, going up to her.

"Oh god," Karen said, choking back a sob. She turned over and buried her face in Jack's neck. She started to cry and it was a while until she was able to stop. "I don't want her to die," she said, pulling back slightly from Jack. "I know I'm always bugging her about the way she dresses and things like that but... she's my sister. And I love her." Tears started to roll down her cheeks again, and she covered her face with her hands.

"It'll be okay Kare," Jack said, putting his arms around her. "Kat's a

strong woman, she'll pull through this and be back trying to get you to wear blue before you know it."

Despite the fact that she was crying, Karen laughed and hugged Jack tightly. "Thank you poodle," she said. "You always know what to say to make me feel better."

"Well you're not marrying me just for my good looks I hope," Jack said,

grinning.

Karen smiled and let go of Jack, resting her head on his pillow and looking up at him. "You know we'll have to postpone the wedding again," she said.

"I know," Jack said, sighing. "But it's okay, sooner or later we'll get married."

Suddenly, there was a soft knocking on their door. "Who is it?" Karen called out.

"It's me," a tiny voice said from the other side.

Jack got out of the bed and opened the door, revealing Amber who was standing outside, holding a stuffed dog. "What's wrong Amb?" he asked.

"I can't sleep," Amber said in a small voice. She sniffed, and it was obvious that she had been crying.

Taking her hand, Jack led he over to the bed and lifted her up onto it.

"You can sleep in our bed tonight," Jack said.

"I can?" Amber asked as she settled under the covers next to Karen.

"Yep, but just for tonight okay honey?" Karen said as she put her arms around the little girl.

"Thank you," Amber said softly. She then put her stuffed dog next to her on the bed.

"Who's this?" Jack asked, indicating the dog.

"That's Eliza," Amber answered. "She was my Mummy's before I got her."

"Jack, she should go to sleep," Karen said. "Try and sleep Amber."

They were all quiet as they each tried to get some sleep.

After fifteen minutes, Karen, who still hadn't fallen asleep, felt Amber start to shake. "Open the light Jackie," she said. She then sat up and gathered Amber in her arms, holding the child to her as she cried.

Jack hurriedly turned on the room lights and then went back to the bed,

wrapping his arms around Karen and Amber.

"I don't want her to die," Amber managed to say.

"None of us do honey," Karen said, stroking her hair. "And besides, your mom's strong, I'm sure that she'll get better soon."

"Do you know for sure that she will?" Amber asked.

Karen looked up at Jack and then kissed the top of Amber's head.

"There's nothing we can right now but hope Amb," Jack said.

"And pray," Amber said softly.

For a long time, the three of them remained sitting on the bed, holding

each other, hoping and praying that things would turn out all right in the end.