Gina tore down the few steps she had climbed and plodded through the hallway as fast as she could. She froze and gasped in unheard shock as she watched some familiar looking grey haired man dragging Jack up from the ground. Jack allowed himself to be pulled and then thrown into the wall and she couldn't understand why. Half of her wanted to yell for Jack to fight back and the other to join in herself. Gina started to panic as she wondered if Jack was hurt, he was a strong man yet this ageing stranger was tossing him about like a weightless sack of meat. She silently hurried towards the back of the house knowing she had to find a phone and call the police.
Heller's fury gave him a surge of strength he hadn't felt in years. He grabbed Jack by the front of his sweater as he slammed the man into the wall while roaring in anger. He was aware that Jack was still under his grip, not fighting back; it made the hurt in his heart stronger.
"You son of a bitch," he yelled, trying to ignite him, wanting him to show some resistance, some emotion - anything. Failing to do so he pulled the younger man forward and slammed him back into the wall again with all his might. "You God damn son of a bitch…" He trailed off, spit flying from his mouth as he mimed his curses silently under his breath as he continued to pull Jack back and slam him forwards into the wall. He was out of breath and his energy was quickly leaving him.
Reaching the back door Gina froze in sudden thought with her hand grasped tightly on the doorknob. Would calling the police put Jack in danger? She stayed still a moment, the sound of the intruders yells drifting away in the background as she wondered what the hell she should do. Deciding that she would take no chances she scuttled over to the kitchen and began rummaging messily through one of the drawers.
Jack stayed still against the wall, watching as the older man released his grip given his weakened state and tried to throw punches at the mans chest instead. Jack flinched but the man didn't any power. "You left her Jack," he yelled, grabbing hold of Jack again and staggering backwards with him in the darkened room. Thinking Heller was about to fall Jack grabbed hold of him. Heller fought the grip sending misplaced punches into his arms as he tried to get Jack off of him. Now with his own back against the wall he slid down it, Jack holding him up as best as he could, almost lowering him to the floor to prevent any harm.
On the floor Heller's emotion seemed to peak as a large sob sounded out. Jack felt a lump grow in his throat but pushed it away as Heller again struggled in his grip. Jack didn't know why he was still holding on to him, both arms wrapped tightly around his midsection but as the Secretary of Defence started to cry out loud he realised he couldn't let go even if he wanted too.
The man went weak in his arms as large sobs rocked his whole body. "She'd dead Jack," he cried, "she's gone forever, she's gone!"
Finding his voice Jack bit back his emotion, "I know sir, I know…" Despite his attempt he realised his own voice was thick with guilt and sadness.
Stood at the end of the hallway armed with a butter knife in each hand Gina watched cautiously as the intruder leant into Jacks arms, his cries a sharp wail that made her own eyes water with pity. Jack could feel Gina's eyes on him. He turned his head to face her and slowly nodded his head to her, she took it as her que to leave the two men alone. Looking back at the red faced Heller he could see and feel the man straining for breaths between his sobs. He eased off on his grip and tried to move away from his crouched down position when Heller grabbed him instead and clung to him as though afraid of falling from a great height if he let go.
"I'm so sorry Jack," he said as he pulled into the man, sniffing back the sobs as he tried to control himself. "I'm sorry for this… but I couldn't help but blame you… God I'm sorry," he said as the tears broke through again. Jack watched the grief wrecked face through the darkness as a sadness rolled through his stomach at seeing this man, normally so formal, controlled and powerful whimpering in an emotional agony that can only be caused by death.