LOVERS: PAST, PRESENT & FUTURE
Summary: Jack has always had a thing for Will, but are the feelings mutual? Meanwhile, Grace bumps into an old flame
Disclaimer: I do NOT own anything to do with Will Grace
Chapter details: Chapter 7, SORRY JACK
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JFK TERMINAL 7"Grace Adler, you haven't changed a bit…" replied Nathan, nodding towards her luggage. "…so where's my hug then?".
Grace put her arms around Nathan and they held each other tightly.
"It's so good to see you" Grace said, breaking away.
"It's good to see you too. Where on earth are you going with all that?.
"Oh, um, to Cambodia. My husband's working out there" Grace informed him.
"Husband? Poor guy…" Nathan joked. "…but seriously… you look well".
"Thanks, so do you… are you off somewhere?" asked Grace.
"Yeah. To London to see my sister. She lives there now.".
"London? What's your flight?" Inquired Grace.
"British Airways one eight two" Nathan replied.
"That's my flight too!" Grace said enthusiastically.
"But I thought you were going to Cam… booy… do" Nathan said, thinking he remembered the place correctly.
"Oh I am. It's just, I couldn't get a direct flight".
"Cool, then we'll either have seven hours to drive each other nuts… or catch up".
Grace laughed. Nathan was smiling at her and she suddenly felt a little uneasy in the stomach area. She, also, surprisingly, felt excited at the prospect of spending seven hours with Nathan. But a horrible thought entered her head.
"Are you travelling with others?" she asked, as casual as she could.
"Nope. Just me".
"Thank God" Grace thought to herself.
"Let's check in then, shall we?" Nathan said, grabbing Grace's luggage and guiding them towards the check in desk.
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WILL'S OFFICE (Thursday)
Will was sitting at his desk, slumped down in his chair and staring into space, thinking about Jack. Jack was the only thing he'd been thinking about all week. He was getting hardly any work done, but he just didn't care. He hadn't seen Jack since Saturday night, he thought he would have gone to Karen's but Karen hadn't seen him either. Will jumped as the phone began to ring, bringing him back into the real world.
"Hello, Will Truman…" he said, picking up the phone. "…hey Gracie, how's things? Can't wait to see you tomorrow, I've missed you".
Whilst listening to Grace speak, Will took a sip of his coffee and straightened up in his chair.
"Oh my God… wow, that's… great…" Will said, surprised, but also disappointed. "… and you're sure Leo's okay about it?…" Will asked, wanting to make sure. "… do you have time to give your best friend some advice?… yeah, I got really drunk and practically threw myself on him… no, I haven't seen him since, what do you think- Grace? Grace?".
The phone had gone dead and Will replaced the receiver, letting out a sigh of annoyance. Will began tapping his pen against his desk, thinking. He picked up the phone again and dialled out a number, then continuing to tap his pen against his desk.
"Karen?…" Will said, on hearing a voice at the other end. "…could you come over to my office, please?… oh… it's Will Truman… yes, the gay one".
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HOSPITALJack was sitting in the staff canteen, eating a banana and looking utterly miserable. A fellow student nurse joined him at his table.
"My God Jack, you look terrible…" Clark observed, looking worried. "…did your date with that gym guy go badly?".
"No, I cancelled" Jack replied as miserable as he looked.
"What? Why? He was hot".
"He wasn't really my type".
"Oh… so can I ask him out?" Clark asked.
"Sure".
"So what or who has made you look so bad?" Clark asked stroking Jack's arm.
"Firstly, thanks…" Jack replied sarcastically. "…but it's nothing, just a really bad headache" Jack lied, wishing people would stop questioning him.
Jack's lie seemed to convince Clark, as he began eating his lunch and babbling on about all the great clubs he'd been to lately.
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WILL'S OFFICEWill was impatiently pacing around his office, and looking at his watch every ten seconds. It had been over two hours since Karen said she was on her way. Will sat in his chair and was about to grab the phone when Karen walked through the door.
"Karen, where have you been?" Will asked, annoyed.
"Oh, shopping honey…". Karen held up numerous designer bags to show Will. "...wanna see what I've got?"
"No. Karen, I thought you were coming straight over" Will said, his anger boiling away.
"Oh honey… no…" replied Karen, sitting in the chair opposite Will. "…so what are we talking about?".
"I want to talk about Jack, and with Grace away, that leaves… you".
"But she's back tomorrow, right?".
"No. She's staying in Cambodia for a few more weeks. She said her and Leo have the spark back in their marriage. Anyway… back to Jack, it's pretty bad Karen".
"Oh, well shoot away honey" instructed Karen, looking serious all of a sudden.
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HOSPITALJack was on his way to the hospital pharmacy. He was walking through reception and suddenly stopped to take a second glance at somebody sitting there. It was Elliott! Jack rushed over to him, crouching on the floor.
"Elliott, are you okay? Have you been seen yet?" Jack asked, panicking.
"Jack, I'm fine. I'm here to see you" Elliott replied.
"Oh, but shouldn't you be at school? Your mum is gonna kill me".
"She won't find out. Jack, there's something wrong and I'm not leaving until you tell me what it is. I care about you Jack, I don't like seeing you like this".
For the first time in five days, Jack broke out into a huge smile. He hugged Elliott and led him off somewhere where they could have some privacy.
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WILL'S OFFICEWill had finished telling Karen the whole sorry story. Karen got up and walked over to the window, thinking. After a few moments she turned back to face Will.
"Well, I'll tell you this for free, you're wasting your time being here with me. You should be with Jack, fighting for him".
"Karen, I don't know where he is" Will responded, wondering why on earth he thought talking to Karen would help.
"But you know where he works" Karen replied.
"Yeah but… Karen, if you weren't drunk, I'd kiss you…" Will said happily. "…so you don't think I should forget about this thing with Jack?".
"No. Honey… you're the one for Jack. I know it, you know it and Jack knows it. All you have to do now is convince Jack, without being blind drunk or jumping on him".
"I'm gonna do it" Will decided, looking nervous and excited, and walking towards his door.
"Honey?" Karen said quietly as Will was about to leave.
"Yeah?" replied Will, turning back to face Karen.
"Just… be gentle with my poodle. We both know Jacks always had a thing for you, but… don't assume he'll just fly into your arms… 19 years is a long time to wait for the man of your dreams".
"Thanks Karen".
"You're welcome… Will"
Will walked over to Karen and gave her a kiss and a quick cuddle. He then headed for the door, turning and smiling at Karen, before he opened it and left.
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HOSPITALHaving finished work, Will took Karen's advice and headed to the hospital, in the hope of catching Jack on his way to wherever he'd been staying lately. Will pushed through the hospital doors and sat on a very uncomfortable plastic chair, looking all around him for a sign of Jack. After forty minutes, just when Will was about to give up, he saw Jack, with his coat on, heading for the exit. He jumped up and ran over to Jack, tapping him on the shoulder just as he was about to go through the door. Jack spun around and found himself standing in front of a very nervous looking Will.
"Will, what are you doing here?" Jack asked in an abrupt tone.
"Jack we need to talk-"
"Will, I'm really tired, I've had hardly any sleep this-"
"Please…" Will interrupted grabbing both of Jacks hands. "... please Jack. Just give me five minutes and I swear I'll leave you alone after that".
Will let go of Jack's hands and fixed his eyes onto Jack's shoes. He was waiting for the shoes to turn around and walk off.
"Ok…" Jack finally replied. "…but give me an hour, I'll meet you at my apartment".
"Thanks Jack" Will replied, relief washing over him.
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JACK'S APARTMENTJack came out of his bathroom to find Will sitting on his sofa. Will couldn't see him. Jack swallowed and took a silent deep breath.
"Hi" Jack said.
Will jumped slightly and swung round to look at Jack.
"I let myself in, I hope that's okay".
Jack didn't reply. He joined Will on the sofa, but sat as far apart as he could. Jack started fiddling with his watch and glanced at Will briefly.
"So?" Jack prompted.
"I'm so sorry about Saturday. I didn't mean to upset you" Will told Jack.
Jack looked at Will and let out a sigh.
"Well you did. I know your sex life has been pretty non-existent lately, but do you have any idea how it felt, you wanting to use for sex?" Jack replied, almost whispering.
"Oh Jack, no you've got the wrong end-"
"I thought our friendship meant more to you than that. Obviously not…" Jack cut in. "…and just because once, like a million years ago, I tried to seduce you, it doesn't automatically mean I'm waiting to finish off what I started".
Jack turned his face away from Will's stare.
"Jack, sweetheart, look at me… please" Will whispered
Jack didn't move, he closed his eyes and wiped a tear away from his cheek. Will shuffled along the sofa so he was right next to Jack.
"Jack? Look at me. There's something I have to tell you, but I want you to be looking at me when I do" Will said, his heart racing as Jack slowly turned his head to look him in the eyes.
As Will wiped Jack's tears away with the back of his hand, Jack closed his eyes. Will then took one of Jack's hands in his own and waited for Jack to reopen his eyes.
"Jack, I wasn't using you for sex. I drank too much and things didn't go as I'd planned that night. What I wanted to tell you then… and now, is…"
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I hope you liked the seventh chapter!
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I want to say a BIG thank you to those who not only read chapter 6, but also took the time to review it.
Please note: If you're confused about something or want anything answered, just ask!
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