xx--
Samantha sat in her big comfy armchair, idly surfing through the TV channels. Jack was going to be arriving late, so there was no point in hanging around the office.
She let out a deep sigh. So: Jack was making a guest appearance finally. It'd been bound to happen sooner or later. She had accepted the fact that he had gone to Chicago, with his wife and kids. It was a fairly large fact to ignore.
Things had happened while he was gone; Martin, for one. Then there wasn't Martin, for two; that was the way life went. She had been surprised being dumped like that. She was glad she hadn't gone out and bought clothes for the special occasion of officially meeting the Fitzgeralds. Being dumped by Martin hadn't hurt as much as Jack leaving her, either after their affair, or when he announced he was going to Chicago. Those times had been much worse.
She had gotten used to missing Jack, and then she'd remember that she had forgotten to think of him, with a twinge of guilt. She would then be bothered by why it bothered her.
She sighed again, and continued her flicking on the remote. As usual, a million channels and nothing to watch. Flick, flick.
Yesterday, when Vivian had first pondered consulting Jack about the case, Samantha had nearly gasped aloud, delighted, but had coolly covered her reaction. She had nodded and said it was a good idea. Her internal reaction had bothered her then too. She had noticed the sideways look Martin gave her. Bastard.
There shouldn't be any feelings left for Jack. She was all cried out and tired of men and relationships. When she had spoken to Jack in his office as he packed, she had got plenty of closure. Hooking up with Martin had also helped with that, but she regretted it now.
She stopped surfing and stared at the screen, not noticing what was on.
"Damn you Jack Malone, you are not going to mess up my life again," she said aloud, because saying things aloud made them real -she hoped.
She turned off the TV, and picked up the case file, and leafed through it again. Why did it have to be this case? She tossed the file on the floor, the pages scattering. It was bringing Jack back to New York, which was the only good thing about it.
She stared at the photo of the man they were seeking. She was determined to find him if only to resolve past wrongs; for her sake, for Jack's sake. And for the sake of a dead woman.
She looked away, wondering what Jack would think of this case being involved with the new one. He probably wasn't concerned about the significance it held for her. He had moved on, literally and figuratively.
She sighed and got up. It was time to iron a blouse for work. There was a blood red one she knew Jack liked, and a forest green one he had commented on one day. Once upon a time.
She shook her head, exasperated. He was inside her mind again. She slammed her hand down in frustration. Damn it, damn it, damn it!
xx--