Again I do not own "Miracle" or any of it's characters. Tara is mine.

Thank you to all that read and review this story. They keep me going (hint....hint).

Chapter 15: Talk

My eyes are fixated on my feet and I swear I can hear the funeral march as I follow my dad to his room. My mind is racing. How in God's name did he find out? I am positive that no one told him....so he must have seen us....but how? We were so careful. I am jolted out of my thoughts by the sound of Jack's voice.

"Coach! Coach! Wait up! Can I talk to you for a second?"

I turn to face Jack....my eyes bulging out of my head. My dad has turned around too. I quickly head towards Jack. I try to sound normal and calm....the exact opposite of how I am feeling.

"What are you doing? The Doctor told you to take it easy. Trying to run with crutches does not constitute rest."

"I want to talk to Coach."

"No. You need to rest. Now go back to your room."

"She is right OC. Go rest. We can talk tomorrow."

"But I would really like to talk to you right now."

"Whatever it is I am sure it could wait. Tara, why don't you make sure Jack gets back to his room and then we can talk."

"Ok Dad. I will be right back."

I turn towards Jack and with the sternest look I can muster I point towards his room. As we enter his room I slam the door shut. The sound makes Rizzo look up from is bed. He can tell by the look on my face that he needs to go somewhere else. So he quietly gets up and heads out the door....I will have to thank him for that later.

"What the hell did you think you were doing?!"

"If your dad knows I am sure as hell not going to let you face him by yourself."

"We don't even know what he knows....he just said he needed to talk to me....I am his daughter...."

"Don't give me that....you were thinking the same thing I was....he knows."

"Even if I was thinking that I don't know for sure and you running down the hallway, on crutches....which by the way was not too smart....was not helpful."

"I am not going to let you face him by yourself...."

"Why not? I have dealt with him my entire life. Why should this time be any different?"

"Because....you are not alone anymore. You have me. We are a team and we will deal with your father together."

I am completely speechless. Jack never ceases to amaze me.

"I don't know what to say....I know that we are in this together."

"Good....now lets go see your dad."

"No."

"What? You just said...."

"I know what I just said and I meant it. But right now we have no idea what he wants to talk to me about. I am not willing to risk everything on an assumption. So please get into bed and let me go talk to my dad. I will come back here as soon as I know more."

"I am not going to change your mind on this, am I?"

"Nope. You know I am stubborn."

"Yes I do....and you know what....it is one of the things I love about you."

"Later you are going to have to tell me the rest of the reasons....now get to bed!"

"Ok....you better come back here as soon as you are done with Herb."

"I promise."

I turn to head for the door but Jack grabs my arm, turns me around and kisses me.

"I love you, baby."

"I love you too."

As I close the door behind me I lean back and smile. Even with the fear of what my dad has to say I have never been happier in my life. I take a deep breath to muster some strength and I head down the hall.

"Hey dad. So what's up?"

"Take a seat....When all of this started I ask for you to be a liaison between me and the team. I needed for you to get close to the boys and let me know if there were any problems."

"I know. Do you think I have not been doing that?"

Oh god....here it comes....he is going to say that I got too close."

"You have built a very strong bond with this team....I can see that. They accept you as one of them and I trust that you would come to me if there was a problem."

"Of course I would."

"Good, because these next two weeks are critical. I need to know about a problem before it occurs. I need you now more than ever. Can you do that for me?"

Whew! He doesn't know. Thank God!

"No problem dad....Is that all....because I am really tired."

"There is one more thing....it is about OC."

Cue the funeral music.

"What about him?"

"You have gotten pretty close to him over these last few months."

All I can do is nod.

"I need for you to look out for him now. I am not going to have a lot of time to give him and with his injury I am worried that he may get depressed. I need....the team needs for him to stay optimistic. Can you do that for me?"

My head is spinning. Is he asking me to stay close to Jack? Am I hearing things....this is not what I expected.

"Hello....Tara....did you hear me? Are you ok?"

"Oh....sorry...yeah....I am just tired....I can stick by Jack....if that is what you want?"

"It would be a big help."

"No problem."

"I knew I could count on you."

We both get up and hug.

"I love you daddy."

"I love you too....now go to bed....I thought you fell asleep there for a minute."

"Sorry. Night."

"Night."

I head straight for Jack's room. I have never been more confused and relieved....all at the same time....in my entire life. That was not the conversation I was planning on having with my father. My face must be showing my emotions because as Jack opens the door he looks concerned.

"Oh Shit! I knew I shouldn't have let you go alone. What did he say to you?"

All I can think to do is hug him.

"Hey....you can tell me....what did he say?"

I pull away and look into Jack's eyes.

"You are going to want sit down for this one."

He looks at me with concern....fear....and....love....mostly love. He says nothing as he heads for his bed.

"Ok....what did he say?"

"You are never going to believe this...."