OK, final chapter. The ending is quite bad because after writing this something happened to my imagination...if I get it back at some point, I'll write more.
I hope there aren't any big mistakes in this chapter - I'm so depressed because of Katrina that I didn't bother to read it through.
Ninawas shaking with nerves the next morning, kissing goodbye to her brother and promising to come to Louisiana to see him soon and shifting though the three big boxes full of her clothes and other things he and her father had brought back from her apartment. Her parents also had a flight back today and on top of everything it was the day preceding Teri's funeral, which scared her to no end, not because she was worried about attending, even though she would do that too. It was moving to Jack and Kim's house on this particular day that worried her; it would be so difficult for them.
"Are you sure you don't want us to drive you to Jack's? We would have time before going to the airport", her mother asked for a millionth time, but Nina shook her head.
"This is something I have to do alone."
Jack had called her that morning to confirm Kim had accepted the plan of her moving in; she hadn't been thrilled about it but then again she wasn't thrilled about anything right now. Nina understood her reluctance; they didn't know each other at all, having just spent under an hour together in the safe house on the day of the primary and she hoped to get to know Jack's daughter better soon.
"I know it is but I'm still worried about you." Her mother sighed. "I wish we could stay for a little bit longer but we have to get back to work."
"It's OK, mum. You already sacrificed your holiday to come here; I don't want to hold you back any longer."
"You're not holding us back, sweetheart; it's been so wonderful to spend time with you. And remember, anything you need, just ask."
She nodded, just as Jack emerged from the elevator, followed by her father, both carrying a box.
"For a woman you have surprisingly few clothes", he grinned, setting the box down and going back upstairs to get the last box.
"We're all set", Paul said. "I checked the rooms to make sure nothing's left behind."
He pulled Nina into a hug. "Are you sure you don't want us to get a later flight?"
She smiled. "Yes, dad, I'm sure." She buried her head under his jaw for a moment, closing her eyes and sighing as he kissed her hair.
"All right then." Jack came back downstairs and Paul released Nina with one last kiss on her forehead and grabbed one of the boxes to carry it to the car.
"Remember, I want both of you, and Kim, to visit us in Hartford soon", Christina smiled, giving Jack a hug. "You're welcome anytime."
"That sounds like a good plan", he smiled back and shook hands with Paul. "And I promise to take care of Nina."
Paul nodded. "Thank you."
Christina pulled her daughter a bit further from the men. "I was thinking…you really should see a psychiatrist for a while. It would help to get an opinion of someone who's not involved. I know you don't like the idea but consider it, OK?"
Nina nodded. "I promise." She hugged her mother. "I'll miss you."
"I'll miss you too, sweetheart. I'll call you in a couple of days, see how things are going."
They walked back to the cars and Nina hugged her dad. "You should go. The traffic's quite heavy."
"We will. All the best for you, Jack, and Kim as well."
"Thank you." He nodded and watched them get into the rental car. Nina waved and her parents drove away.
"Are you OK?" He asked on a low voice, watching her face. Nina shrugged.
"I'm fine."
He didn't really believe her but decided not to press her.
"Ready to go?"
She took a deep breath as he parked on the driveway of his house, not wanting to get out of the car at all.
"Are you coming?" He opened his door and turned to look at her. "Nina?"
She didn't say anything, just staring out of the window and Jack sat back down.
"Look, Kim's not in yet, if that's what you're worried about. I managed to persuade her to go out with one of her friends."
"She'll be home at some point." Nina looked at her hands, feeling uncomfortable. He sighed.
"I thought you were OK with this. What's different now?"
She shook her head. "I just…I don't think this is a good idea. Maybe I should just…"
"Just what? The other option is to go back to your apartment, remember? Would that be better?"
"I don't care." She lifted her eyes from her hands. "I really don't."
"Fine. In that case, why don't you stay out here? I really don't have time or patience for your mood swings now, Nina."
He slammed the car door shut and headed inside as she bit her lip to stop herself from crying. He was right; who was she to make him deal with her indecisiveness, when he had generously offered his house to her? Who was she to just throw away his help at such difficult time of their lives?
Slowly she got out of the car, closing the door and walking to the front door, steeling herself before stepping inside. She found him in the kitchen, nursing a glass of water.
"I'm sorry." Her voice was barely loud enough for him to hear. "I had no right to behave like that."
Jack shrugged. "It's fine."
"No, it's not." She took a step closer. "I don't want you to think I don't appreciate your help, because I really do, so much, and I know I'm rubbish at letting you know that."
He gave her a wry smile. "Nothing new there."
His comment hurt her slightly but she fought back an angry reply and turned away. "I'll get my stuff."
"Nina, wait." He walked to her. "I'm sorry, I shouldn't have said that."
She scoffed. "It's true though, isn't it? That's what you've been saying all along. I guess we really don't know each other, Jack. Not like I thought we did."
He frowned. "What makes you say that?"
She sighed, experasted. "We never talked about anything but work, and when we weren't talking about it we were having sex. I'm sure you remember that."
He nodded. "Well, maybe this will give us an opportunity to get to know each other better. Who knows what we might find."
"Indeed." She turned away. "Maybe we'll end up hating each other and you can kick me out."
"Nina, stop that."
"Just kidding." She stepped out of the door. "Just kidding."
She arranged her things in the guest room, leaving most of them into the boxes, not wanting to get too comfortable in the house that wasn't hers, house in which she had always felt like a stranger. Even though she wanted to help Jack as much as possible, she also hoped she wouldn't have to stay here too long.
Shivering, she pulled on a woollen cardigan; the weather had taken a turn into a cooler direction and she was always cold nowadays, having lost a lot of weight in the hospital. Walking to the window, she looked at the garden and sighed; Teri's handprint was so clearly present there.
"Nina?" Jack pushed open the door. "All done?"
"Yeah." She pulled the cardigan tighter around her. "Do you have the air-conditioning on?"
"No." He frowned. "Are you cold?"
"A little."
"It's quite warm." He placed his hand on her forehead. "Do you feel feverish?"
"No."
"Let me see the wound." He pushed the cardigan aside.
"I'm fine, Jack." She tried to wiggle out of his grasp.
"I want to check the infection hasn't come back, OK? I promised your doctor to keep an eye on it."
Nina sighed. "Fine."
She pushed down the shoulder strap of her top and he leaned closer, his fingers brushing over the stitches. She swallowed; he hadn't been this close to her in a long time and it was playing havoc with her mind.
"Well, it doesn't feel hot or anything. Maybe it's just nerves, but if you get any other symptoms we have to go back to the hospital."
"I know."
He drew back to look at her face, his fingers still on her skin, still too close. She closed her eyes, trying to control her racing heart, which she was sure he could feel under her skin.
"Look at me, Nina." His voice was quiet but she detected an undertone that made her even more uncomfortable.
"Don't do this, Jack. Please."
"Do what?" He withdrew his fingers, finally, and she dared to open her eyes, only to find his face very close to hers.
"Do what?" He repeated; a slight smile on his lips. "What do you think I'm going to do?"
She shook her head to clear her thoughts. "Whatever it is, it's too early for it."
His blue eyes narrowed. "Walk away then. Walk away if you're so sure it's too early."
"Jack, your wife died less than three weeks ago", she objected weakly. "You must feel like it's too early."
His lips twitched. "What if I don't?"
She couldn't think of an answer and he sighed.
"I don't know what I feel, Nina, and I'm sure you don't either. You're probably right."
He looked down and she lifted a hand on his arm.
"In the hospital…I felt like such a horrible person for thinking things like that…assuming that now that Teri's out of the way…" She shook her head. "I'm sorry."
He gave her a tired smile. "Don't worry. It doesn't make you a horrible person. Not at all."
"Thank you." She leaned to press a kiss on his forehead.
He rubbed her arms. "Feel warmer?"
"Yeah."
"Good. Well, I'd better make a start on dinner; Kim should be home soon."
"Can I help?"
He started out of the room. "You need to rest."
She rolled her eyes but he turned back. "You can keep me company while doing that though."
"Thanks." She pulled the cardigan back around herself and followed him to the kitchen.
