Chapter 5
They mingled with other guests but they always ended up finding each other.
"Why? It's you again." she chuckled softly.
He chuckled. "Yes, I'm afraid so. You have to get used to it ... it's a long night."
They obviously enjoyed each other's company. Clearly, there was an attraction between them that they could not admit. Not just yet.
"I'd like to see you again, if that's okay with you?" he asked.
"Yeah, I'd like that." Her lips curled into a smile as she eyed him with a glint of pleasure.
"Is tomorrow so soon?" He cocked his eyebrows.
"No, that's fine. We can have dinner at my place and watch a movie maybe?"
"Sure, that will be nice." he answered, flashing a warm, broad smile at her.
"Hey Rach! I've been looking for you." It was Helen, her assistant and her close friend. She was in her late 20s, has auburn hair, enormous, green eyes. She's British but have been in the United States for ten years. Rachel excused herself and sauntered over to Helen.
"Listen, my brother was on his way home and his car broke down, I need to pick him up. Is it okay if Max takes you home?" Helen lived close by her house so they shared a ride to get here. Max was another co-worker from the Senator's office.
"Go ahead, Helen. I'll be fine." Rachel said
"Are you sure?" Helen asked as she flashed a knowing look towards Jack. "He can take you home, can't he?" she whispered. "God, Rach! Why do you always get the good-looking men? I'd love to take him home if I were you!" she snickered.
"Stop! He's gonna hear you." Rachel said quietly.
"Okay, tell me about it before you leave Monday." She winked at Rachel, then waved at Jack.
"It was nice meeting you, Jack." she spoke louder for Jack to hear.
"Nice to meet you too." He waved back at her as she hugged Rachel and turned to leave.
He overheard Helen so he volunteered, feeling grateful that he can keep her company much longer. She agreed and told Max that Jack will take her home instead.
The drive to Rachel's house was filled with friendly chatter ... talks about what they liked and disliked. They discovered that they preferred being at home, a relief from their hectic jobs. He had told her how Kim convinced him to take cooking lessons months before she moved in with Chase. And he admitted that he enjoyed it, while Rachel also admitted that she loved cooking. They further talked about how they enjoyed music; he recently started playing the guitar again. He was surprised that Rachel did skydive and liked it. She only did it once, but she would like to do it again. He promised to do it with her someday.
Moments later, they arrived at her house. Jack helped her out of his SUV and led her to the door.
"Do you want to come in for coffee before you go?" she offered without thinking where this will take them. She had a wonderful evening with this man and she couldn't get enough. She had to admit though that she could be making a rash attempt to 'move on'.
"Yeah, sure." He replied as she led him inside.
When he was inside, he took off his jacket and laid it on one of the armchairs. Briefly scanning the living room, he noticed a row of picture frames on the mantle. There was one with Walsh and a younger Rachel in her teens. And a picture of a woman, who resembled Rachel, definitely her mother, with the Statue of Liberty in the background. There was a stack of pictures on the table, he thought he recognized one picture on top of the pile, so he walked over and picked it up. It was him and Walsh, he smiled, it must have been taken after he passed his training.
"I was fixing my Dad's stuff and I saw a bunch of old CTU photos in his office. There's a few with you there." Rachel called out to him from the kitchen.
He continued going through the pictures, stopping sometimes to look at something he remembered. When he saw a picture of himself and Nina with Walsh, he quickly flipped it to the bottom of the pile. He stopped himself from looking any further. He didn't need to see any of this now, he couldn't afford to ruin this night with 'ghosts' from his past.
A few minutes later, Rachel came back to the living room with a tray of coffee, creamer and sugar. He noticed that she had already removed her sandals and was walking with her bare feet. There's just something attractive with bare feet, he thought as he smiled secretly to himself.
"Cream on your coffee?"
"Yeah, no sugar. Thanks." She handed him his cup, then prepared her own.
They sipped their coffees quietly, when Jack saw the piano against the wall, he asked, "Do you play?"
"Yeah." she admitted shyly.
They walked towards the piano and he found a couple of music sheets on top. It looked like she's writing a song, he thought.
"Did you write this?" he pointed to the sheets.
"Um, yes I did, but it's not finished yet."
"Can you play it?" he smiled warmly.
It was a gorgeous smile, how can she resist? She had always loved singing even when she was young. Writing music became a hobby for her, it was a form of healing for her. She wasn't prepared to do this, but she relented anyway. Sure, anything for you Jack, she mused. She sat down and started tapping the keys on the piano as she sang.
Every time I look at you, the world just melts away
All my troubles, all my fears dissolve in your affection
You see me at my weakest but you take me as I am
When I fall you offer me a softer place to land
You stay the course, you hold the line, keep it all together
You're the one true thing I know I can believe in
You're all the things that I desire
You save me, you complete me
You're the one true thing I know I can believe in
He leaned over the side of the piano and listened as he watched her with admiration. Her heart was pounding like crazy, she felt like it was expanding rapidly up to her throat, she thought it was louder than her voice. Oh God, will you stop looking at me, Jack? she thought. When it was finally over, she breathed in deeply, relieved that she made it.
"That was wonderful. I liked it." he beamed at her.
"Thanks." she said, quite breathless. She stood up and walked towards the couch while he followed closely behind.
They sat down, inches away from each other. He laid his hands on her shoulders and she turned to look at him. Their eyes locked as he gently lifted her chin, his heart beating rapidly. He dipped his head as if to kiss her but paused to smell her perfume. He glanced at her slightly parted mouth, then up to her eyes, closed now. He also closed his and lightly kissed her, slowly coaxing her lips apart. Then he moaned as he deepened the kiss, framing her face with his hands.
Pulling back for a moment, he whispered, "God, I want you!", then kissed her again.
He ran his hands over her body, then cupped her breast beneath her dress. Still with her eyes closed, she returned his kiss hungrily, passionately … when a cloud of darkness engulfed her. It was no longer gentle and soft; she was in pain, she was fighting and pushing this 'beast' then she yelled and pushed hard, "No, stop it!" 'It' came off her immediately to her astonishment. She quickly she opened her eyes -- she was shocked to see it was Jack in front of her.
He immediately stopped and pulled away, feeling dejected. He stood up and turned away from her, not letting her see the rejection in his eyes.
"I'd better go. It's late." He took his jacket and walked towards the door. She stood up and followed him to the door.
"Jack, it's not like that." She explained, at a loss for words. "I'm sorry, I didn't mean to..."
He stopped without turning to look at her. "It's been a long night, get yourself some sleep."
She tried to stop him but how? She didn't even know where to start. It had been the perfect evening; it was tender, romantic and sweet. And she ruined it in her desperation to "move on" or "lighten up," like what they kept telling her at the counseling meets. She had dated once, a few months ago, but she never felt the connection like she did with Jack, so it never went this far. She had sensed a mutual attraction and now she had hurt him because she thought she was ready for "it". She brought her hands to her face and sobbed uncontrollably, as the feelings she'd been dreading haunted her again. It was too much to bear alone. Her "Pandora's box" lay open again, its demons shrieking at her -- will she ever shut it close completely?
Acknowledgment: Song lyrics from 'Push' by Sarah McLachlan
Thanks for reading and your comments are always welcome.