Jack's Confession – Part 4
A/N: All previous disclaimers still apply; I don't own any of the characters. Thanks again to all my reviewers, you all keep me writing. The song What Might Have Been belongs to Little Texas, thanks for such a beautiful song. P.S. if you haven't noticed I'm a hopeless romantic so sorry to all those who aren't.
"So what did you decide?"
Jack looked up at the bartender and paused before continuing. As he looked back down at the paper in front of him he spoke.
"Screw the odds against us. If we really love each other we'll make it work right?"
"Sure you can. You late for something?" he asked as Jack looked at his watch.
"Yeah, the beginning of my life if I don't hurry up. What do I owe you?"
"6.00 even. Good luck man."
"Thanks, I'm gonna need it."
Jack paid the bartender and got up to leave. Just as he was about to head out the door a tall man in a black leather jacket stopped in front of him. Jack tried to excuse himself but the man wouldn't move. He took a hold of Jack's arm and led him out of the bar. Jack knew he was in trouble and saw that he was now being very forcefully pulled into an alleyway. Rain was beginning to fall again and Jack could hear the low rumble of thunder in the distance. Once in the alley, the man in the leather jacket threw Jack against the wall and put his hand over his throat. Then he pulled out a knife and held it to his throat.
"Give me your wallet and you won't get hurt."
"Take it, it's in my inside coat pocket."
The man reached into Jack's coat and took out his wallet. He loosened his grip on Jack and he made his move. He pushed the guy across the alley and made a run for the exit. He knew this man was here for more than his wallet, he could sense that he had been sent by Tru's father to take care of him and make sure that it looked like robbery.
Three blocks away Tru was waiting for Jack at the Karma Café where they had agreed to meet. She had hoped to beat him there so she could have some time to think about what she was doing. All she could think about was that he was her opposite, death, and that it was his job to make sure that people didn't survive. It was her job to make sure they did. This had been the situation for her mother. How did she make it work, how did she balance everything and still deeply love the man who would eventually have her killed? How she wished her mother could be here now to give her advice on what to do.
There was no denying on her part that she had been attracted to Jack when she first met him all those months ago. She had thought that she had found a kindred spirit, someone with whom she could share her burden, until Jack revealed himself to be other than the helping hand he pretended to be. On the day of Luc's funeral she had hardened her heart to him, vowing war between them and vowing to herself never to let him win. This battle had been exhausting. The first time in months she had felt rested was last night in his arms.
Making love with Jack had felt so right; yet she was torn between her gift and her heart. Should she really risk it all? From where she was sitting she could hear the radio from the kitchen. As she pondered these things she could hear a song by Little Texas playing. She listened to the words and realized how well they fit her thoughts.
Sure I think about you now and then
But it's been a long, long time.
I've got a good life now, I've moved on
So when you cross my mind...
Chorus:
I try not to think about
What might have been
'cause that was then
And we have taken different roads
We can't go back again, there's no use giving in
And there's no way to know
What might have been.
We could sit and talk about this all night long,
And wonder why we didn't last
Yes, they might be the best days we will ever know
But we'll have to leave them in the past.
Chorus
So try not to think about
What might have been
'cause that was then
And we've taken different roads
We can't go back again, there's no use giving in
And there's no way to know
What might have been
That same old look in your eyes
It's a beautiful night
I'm so tempted to stay
But too much time has gone by
We should just say goodbye
And turn and walk away.
Chorus
and try not to think about
What might have been
'cause that was then
And we've taken different roads
We can't go back again, there's no use in giving in
No, we'll never know
What might have been
Tru had a tear running down her cheek. She didn't want to look back on her life and wonder what might have been with Jack if she didn't go for it. She decided that she was in love with him and somehow they would be together and he would be free from her father's grip. She heard the door to the diner open and saw Jack stumble in. He did not look very well and it was then that Tru noticed he was hurt.
Rewind 5 minutes
Jack made it to the exit of the alley with the man in the leather jacket hot on his heels. He kept the knife hidden in his pocket so as not to attract any unwanted attention. Jack raced for the diner hoping to make it before the man could catch up with him. An elderly woman stepped out in front of Jack just as he was 10 yards from the diner's entrance and stopped. He quickly skidded to a halt so he wouldn't knock her down and went to move around her. A hand grabbed his arm from behind and pulled him back. He felt the knife's blade pierce his flesh and dig in. Though it hurt he was unable to scream.
"Mr. Davies sends his regards Jack. You shouldn't have slept with his daughter" the man whispered cruelly into Jack's ear.
His assailant took the blade out of Jack's rib cage and pushed him towards the diner. He opened the door and scanned the place for Tru. He spotted her in the back booth waiting for him, he stumbled towards her and things started to go dark.
Present
Tru saw the blood on Jack's shirt, got up from the booth and ran towards him.
"Jack!" she screamed as she caught him. "Some one call 911 now," she said to the other patrons there.
She lowered him to the ground and took the towel the busboy handed her to apply pressure to the wound. While they waited for the ambulance she kept pressure on the wound and kissed his forehead. He was unconscious now and his breathing was shallow.
"Jack, please hang on. I need you with me. I love you," she whispered to him.
The sirens could be heard getting closer. When the paramedics arrived they put Jack onto the stretcher and into the ambulance. Tru looked across the street and saw her father's car. She told the paramedics to go ahead and got the name of the hospital they would be taking him to. She had something to take care of before she went.
She walked over to Richard Davies car, opened the door and pulled her father out of the car with all the strength she had left.
"You sick bastard, first you kill my mother and now you try to kill Jack. If he dies know this, I will do everything in my power to destroy you."
"That's no way to talk to your father Tru. Whether you like it or not, I am a part of you. I took care of your mother, which I had hoped you would never find out, and I can and will take care of you."
"Someone else will take my place. There must always be a balance between good and evil, life and death."
"Only you can pass on the gift Tru, you are the only one who got it from your mother."
"Stay away from Jack and I, he doesn't want to work for you any longer."
"Once you work for me, you're with me for life Tru."
"Not any more," she said as she walked away.
Tru flagged a cab and climbed in. She told the driver where she wanted to go and proceeded to the hospital. When she arrived she went to the desk and inquired about Jack. When asked if she was family she told them she was his girlfriend so they would tell her where he was. The nurse told her that he was in surgery and that he was not stable yet. She took Tru to the waiting area and told her once he was out of surgery the doctor would come see her. Tru sat down and had never been one for praying, but now she closed her eyes, began to cry and beg for Jack's life.
TBC