This is technically two chapters, but I don't think they work as individual chapters so I've just combined them.
Very badly writen, I know - I'm just trying to get over a massive spell of writers block. It's not been fun but please please review.

Thanks to everyone who has reviewed.

Chapter 8

Making his way up the three floors that led to his fiancé's apartment Jake found himself worried. He was worried of Abby's reaction to his return – not that she could have found out something of the bachelor party, because he had actually been good. She had been different that night at his parents – distant almost; and he feared she would be the same way again. He hadn't seen her so distant since their trip to Paris; the one trip he had hated the most. He always knew she carried 18 tonnes of baggage but he was never entirely sure of its contents until, of course, Paris. She had been so quiet and un-enthusiastic about everything. She had acted as though the life had been sucked from her. It took him a good few days before he realised the source of the problem.

You see, Abby had been stranger than normal. She had been down and out in Paris, finding it hard to watch the love of her life walk down the isle with someone else and whether she knew it or not she was jeopardising her own relationship simultaneously. Jake was a jealous man and he was very possessive over Abby. He was incredibly forward and normally spoke out about what was bothering him, and once both Jake and Abby were safely on their way home he had found an opportune moment to confront Abby.


"What's the deal with you and Carter?" Jake asked.

"Excuse me?" Abby replied.

"It's just; well what happened with you two? Because whether you know it or not, you act totally different when you're around him."

"No, I don't Jake." She snapped back, fearing he was beginning to notice how she was feeling.

"Abby, you do. You spent the last week sulking around and barely speaking to me, and now all of a sudden you're back to normal." He replied.

"It was nothing…just jet lag or something." She spoke anxiously.

"I'll be the same way once we get home; I guess I don't cope well with travel" Abby added.

Jake glared at her in reply; too frustrated to produce a reply. He turned his attention from her once he had realised she wasn't going to speak again. Both Abby and Jake sat staring straight ahead of them for a while until Jake broke the silence once again.

"It's Carter isn't it?" He asked accusingly.

"What the hell is that supposed to mean?" Abby snapped back.

"You! What's been bothering you. It's Carter, it's always Carter…"Jake continued.

"…and what the hell is that supposed to mean" and replied.

"He's your ex…" Jake started.

"…yeah, you're right he is my ex so I really don't understand what any of this has to do with him!" Abby began to raise her voice.

Jake sensed her anger and instead of pressing on with his allegations he stopped to allow Abby to calm down.
Together they sat in silence watching the small screens in front of them – laughing casually every now and then. They both picked at their in-flight meal and both tried to sleep before Abby had calmed down enough to talk to Jake.

"I guess I was just finding it hard to say goodbye…" She spoke softly and quietly.

Jake turned his head and smiled at her, thankful for her honesty. That was all Jake really needed to know. He didn't want the details of anything else that might have happened, terrified of what they might be.
He stretched his arm out and hugged Abby before letting her fall onto his shoulder to sleep. He soon followed her lead and fell asleep comforted by the knowledge that Carter was a million miles away from him, and most importantly – Abby.

With one hand he put his relatively heavy suitcase down and with the other he simultaneously knocked on the door. He stood and listened for any movement inside. He heard nothing and instead of getting his key out he continued to bash on the door. Once and again he waited for some movement and once and again he heard nothing. He began to rummage about in his pockets until he produced a small key out of his back pocket. He put it in the lock and opened the door to find an empty apartment.

"Abby?" He called out as he placed his key on the counter and pulled his suitcase in from outside.

"Abs you in here?" He continued.

With no response he began to move around the apartment to check she hadn't fallen asleep anywhere. He quickly scanned the kitchen and Living Room, followed by him sticking his head in the bedroom. Unsuccessful in his quest he returned to the Living Room and sat on the couch. As he leant back to rest his head he hit his head off something hanging over the couch. He leaned forward and pulled the dark jersey from the couch. He examined it for a while, trying to work out whether or not it was his. It was far too small to be his. His mind began to race trying to work out why a guy's sweater would be in his apartment, especially if it wasn't his. He then began to think of anyone who could have left it – ruling out Luka since it was far too small. It looks like something Carter would wear he joked inside his head before stopping, realising what he had said was bang on target. He clenched the sweater in his hands before groaning in frustration.

"You're home!" Abby exclaimed as she entered her apartment.

Jake smiled in response.

"Now, that's the kind of welcome I could easily get used to" He replied as he stretched his arms out and took her into a hug.

"Miss me?" He asked before leaning in for a kiss.

Abby smiled at him and shook her head.

"Nah…I had some company" She winked jokingly.

Jake laughed a little though he was gritting his teeth.

"Oh yeah, anyone I know?" He asked, playing along with the joke.

Abby smirked as she thought of telling him the truth before quickly disregarding that thought.

"Yeah, actually. Frank!"

Jake half laughed in reply as he was somewhat disappointed that she hadn't used that opportunity to tell him about who he only suspected to be Carter. He continued to smile at her as he thought of his next action.

"Why are you smiling like that?" She asked him.

"Frank, right?" He asked looking for confirmation.

Abby rolled her eyes and smiled.

"Of course. He's always been my bit on the side" She laughed a little as she spoke.

And as she did so Jake moved towards the couch and picked up the navy sweater and held it in front of Abby's face.

"It's just, this is a little small for Frank isn't it?"

"Good to be back home?" Jack Carter asked his son, standing from the doorway of his house.

"Yeah…it's a little weird too" Carter replied as he ran his right hand through his hair before continuing to wander through his home – running his hand over the dusty table tops on his way by.

"You know, you could have hired a housekeeper while you were away…" Jack said.

"Dad…" Carter groaned.

Jack rolled his eyes and smiled at his son. "Right"

He then followed his son in inspecting the house that had been left dormant for so long. There was a funny smell to the place, almost like stale air freshener. Once Carter had made his way into the kitchen the smell had become to much for him and he opened the window.

"So how was Europe?"

"Great. I spent some time in Paris." Jack replied. Carter smiled and nodded his head in response.

"Sorry I wasn't here when you got here" Jack said apologetically "Why did you come out early?" He asked.

Carter laughed doubtfully and shook his head.

"Uhh…Kem and I got into a fight and uhh, I just figured I'd hide out here for a bit." Carter smiled at his father – trying to assure him that nothing was wrong.

"Was the hotel comfortable?" Jack asked in hope of dodging the topic he was so sure his son didn't want him to bring up.

Carter nodded his head. "Yeah, it was great – besides I was only there one night…"

"One Night?" Jack exclaimed. "I thought you got out here on Monday." He added.

Carter shifted his weight as he stood and again ran his right hand behind his neck.

"I did. I uhh…I stayed with Abby"

"Abby? Does Kem know?" Jack asked

"Dad…" Carter groaned.

"Well does she?" He added, refusing to let the question go.

"No!" Carter snapped. "…and I don't care of she does" Once he had finished speaking he began to wish he hadn't opened his mouth to begin with.

"Are you ok?"

Carter sighed before pulling a chair out from under the breakfast table. He shook his head as he sat down.

"She doesn't trust me…" Carter said quietly.

"Who doesn't?...Kem?"

Carter laughed a little as he nodded his head in confirmation.

He sighed again before continuing with his story.

"She thinks I'm hung up on Abby. She doesn't like me keeping in contact with her…"
"That's understandable" Jack butted in.

"Excuse me?"

"Well, how would you feel if Kem phoned her ex every day?"

Carter shook his head and screwed up his face.

"She's my best friend, dad; I miss her out there."

Jack smiled at his son, noting how compassionate he was.

"Do you love her?" Jack asked

"Yeah…I know I shouldn't, but I don't think I ever have stopped loving her…and I know I'm married, and she's getting married…it's just…"

"John! I was asking you if you love Kem…"

"How long was he here for?"

"Three days; two nights…"

"Did you sleep with him?"

"Oh my god…" Abby said in shock. "No I didn't sleep with him" She snapped.

Jake paused for a moment and smiled to himself.

"You're lying." He said full of contempt.

"You know, I don't have the energy to fight this one out – I thought you knew me better than that" She said sadly.

"Don't make this about me." He replied. "So where is he?"
"Hotel I think…" Abby replied quietly.

"What hotel?"

"I don't know" She spoke a little louder.

Jake shook his head at her as his face grew redder with anger.

Abby sat watching his reaction, her brain ticking over a thousand times a minute trying to work out what he'd do next.

"Why are you so threatened by him?" She asked, her face also bursting with anger.

Jake pretended not to have heard her. He continued to search the apartment for something he wasn't sure of. She asked him again and this time, instead of ignoring her he turned and faced her, hitting his hand off the back of the couch.

"Because, you're still in love with him!"

Abby jumped back, afraid of what he'd do next. She stared into his eyes, hoping he'd calm down even though, at the same time her head and her heart were screaming that he was right. Her breathing got heavier as he began to move towards her and for once she was actually frightened of him. His jealous paranoia had finally taken over. Before he could get any closer to her she grabbed her coat from the hook and ran out the door.

Jake thought of chasing after her for a moment, but instead realised he needed to calm down – aware that he had frightened her.

"What are you gonna do?"

"I dunno…I guess I just need to think"

Jack nodded his head in agreement as he reached his hand up to his sons shoulder and gently rubbed it.

"Do you want to know what I think?" He asked.

"Sure. What have I got to loose" Carter replied quietly.

"I think you need to stop thinking of the right thing to do. I think you need to stop worrying about what everyone else wants and focus on you. What do you want?"

Carter smiled at his father before nodding his head.

He watched as his father stood up from the table and make his way through to the living room. Carter quickly followed him. Jack Carter collected his belongings and made his way to the front door – leaving his son alone with his thoughts. Carter tried his hardest to come up with an answer to his fathers question as he prepared to leave.
Jack Carter reached for the door and just as he opened it he heard his son call out.

"I want…Abby"

Jack nodded his head and smiled at his son.

"Then go get her"