Sorry, this second chapter took so bloody long for me to get up here. This is quite a bit longer than that first one, I just noticed. Hmm. Anyway, let me know what you guys think when you're done. Each chapter is going to sort of focus on one person more than the rest. This one is for Jack...there's a couple of flashbacks and I wanted to indicate those with asterix marks but it wouldn't let me so it's just double dotted lines - hopefully it's not confusing; I don't think it is, though. Anyway, enjoy...


THANKS FOR THE MEMORIES

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"Would ya turn that off?" Jack asked irritably as he skulked through the row of cots until he reached his own.

"What the hell is your problem, Kelly?"

"Nothin' – only I'm tired of hearin that damn song over and over," Jack snapped back as he flung himself onto his lumpy excuse for a mattress.

"Hey –" Skittery defended with a jerk of his head. " 'Forget If You Can' is one of her most poignant ballads!"

"Well, I ain't in the mood to hear it. And what's with your obsession with Billie Holiday, anyway? Why don't you go out and get ya'self a real life broad?"

Skittery scoffed. "Ha – that's real rich comin from you. Ya can't even forget a goil that dumped ya years ago! So, don't talk to me about obsessive." The song ended and Skittery sat up, carefully picking up the record arm, ever so mindful that the needle didn't put a scratch on his sacred music. He gently lifted the record with an unexpected fervency, carefully depositing it in it's designated place of adoration – a record book that held an all important place underneath his cot. He stood up, shooting daggers toward Jack.

"'Sides, I didn't know you'd be back so early. I thought ya had a hot date earlier?"

Jack shrugged slightly from his place in his cot. "Turns out I wasn't interested..."

Skittery snorted. "Whaddya mean ya 'weren't interested'? She was a real looker...so was her roommate that Spot was with."

"Yeah, well – her looks was all she had goin' for her. Not too much upstairs."

Skittery leveled him with a hard look. "When are ya gonna stop comparin' every dame to her?"

Jack waved a hand in impatience. "Ya don't know what you're talkin about."

"Don't I? When's the last time you even heard from her, huh?"

"Knock off, will ya?" Jack closed his eyes, hoping to shut out the rest of the world. Skittery took the hint.

"I'm gonna head out – it ain't every day we get a night off." He left Jack alone to dwell in his thoughts.

A myriad of memories assaulted Jack's senses all at once, but he was used to it. It's what happened almost every time he closed his eyes. Various scenes would be splayed out on his lids for him to relieve – all of them having one thing in common – they always featured her.

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"Jack...oh, Jack, you're such a fool," she laughed, the mirth sparkling in her eyes, lighting up her entire face. "I can't believe you did all of this for me!" She was so delighted that her entire body seemed to buzz in contentment.

"Ya know I'd do anything for ya, Sarah." Jack enveloped her in his arms, spinning her about madly.

"Jack Kelly – you put me down this instant!" She pretended to scold, but the giggles ripping out of her gave her away.

He nudged her hair gently with his nose, breathing in her daffodil scent. "I ain't never gonna let ya go..." he murmured, drinking in everything about her.

"You had better not!" She turned her head slightly to place a tender kiss on his temple.

Jack reluctantly lowered her feet back to the ground, but he didn't release his hold around her waist. His fingers brushed the soft cotton of her sundress as he gazed at her. "So, ya like the picnic then?" He asked coyly, a strand of hair brushing his lashes.

"Of course! How many girls have a guy that will set up a picnic in the most romantic part of Central Park?" She fingered the lapel of his jacket affectionately, smiling up at him through big eyes.

"I got somethin' else to ask ya..." he cleared his throat forcefully and inhaled deeply. "Sarah?"

"Yes?" she asked quizzically, wondering where his sudden onslaught of nerves came from. It was almost as if he was about to pro...her heart picked up the pace frantically as realization as to what he was about to ask hit her. Her eyes widened into saucers as her breath hitched.

"Sarah – Sarah Jacobs...would ya – I mean, wait a minute," his words were shaky and he abruptly dropped down to one knee. His hand darted into his breast pocket and he pulled out a tiny box. His long fingers fumbled as he lifted the lid, revealing a small ring. His hand reached out in trepidation, grabbing hold of her own. "Sarah, I love you – I know I don't have much...hell, I don't have anythin, really, but I don't care about none of that..." His vulnerable gaze searched hers as his other hand held up the unimpressive ring. "Sarah, will ya marry me?"

She felt herself quake with excitement. She nodded, trying to answer but words failed her for a moment. "Yes! Yes, I'll be Mrs. Jack Kelly!"

He lept up in an instant, engulfing her small frame in his dangly arms. He spun her around again, with so much ardency that her limbs were flailing about dangerously. He stopped, putting her back down with a reverence that she had never seen. He let go of so that he could reach down and pick up her left hand.

"I'm glad I didn't drop this – I almost forgot to give ya the ring," he grinned at her nervously. He slipped it onto her ring finger, and his eyes stared transfixed at the little piece of metal now residing on her delicate skin.

The cool 14kt gold soothed her nerves, anchoring her to the boy in front of her in a glorious way. "Oh, Jack..." she rested her head on his shoulder, unable to finish her thought due to the varying emotions swaying within her. "I love you," she finished off softly.

"I love ya, too, kid."

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Jack snapped his eyes open, his head still foggy from his favourite daydream. He peered about the stark barracks, the dark contrast of reality flooding out the airy brightness of his memory. He reached an arm up to try to fluff the mangy pillow stuffed behind his head before settling his hands back on his stomach in front of him. His lids grew heavy once again with another recollection playing in his mind.

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"I'm sorry, Jack. I never meant it to happen this way."

Jack stared at her numbly, his teeth chattering in the chilled air. "You don't love me anymore?" His voice echoed in the night.

"I do love you. I always will."

His brows furrowed. "Then why, Sarah? Why are ya doin' this? Why are ya leavin?"

Tears pricked at the corner of her lids. "I have to."

"Why do ya have to leave me?"

"I don't – I'm just not – I can't settle down, yet." Sarah's pleading gaze spoke volumes.

He looked at her closely. She was just a scared little girl, she was scared of missing out on something if she settled right now – scared on missing out if she settled for him, he thought ruefully. "How did we get here? A few months ago you said you wanted to be my wife – what happened?" His emotions were becoming raw, the numbness beginning to melt away into a puddle of anger and confusion.

"I just – I need to do something for myself before I can share my life with you; don't you see?" her tone was desperate, willing him to understand; but he didn't.

"Ya just don't want me."

She shook her head profusely. "You know that's not it. Things are getting crazy, Jack. The war breaking out in Europe – what if we get involved soon, too? I want to know that I did everything that I could to help."

"And ya think goin off on this fancy internship is gonna change the world?"

"Why can't you be happy for me? You and David are the ones that got me interested in the news world in the first place, remember? When David brought you home with him that night to dinner...he was so excited about you showing him the ropes. He thought being a reporter was the most exciting thing in the world – how was I not to fall in love with it all? With the thrill of catching that big story. You showed me that world, Jack. And now, I have an opportunity to really make a difference. To go over to London and report what's going on so that we'll be ready when it's our time to go."

"You're so sure that we'll have to get involved?"

"Yes – Hitler isn't just after Europe, Jack. He wants to control everything. I have to go – I have to do this."

"Yeah, and I'm sure that your boss likin ya has nothin to do with his picking ya over all the other interns to go," his bite was sarcastic, and he knew that his comment would hurt her.

She blinked back the tears forming more rapidly. "I was chosen to go because I can do a good job, not because of anything else. And I resent the fact that you would even imply that would be a factor!"

"I'm just sayin, one minute you're engaged to me – and the next, you're runnin off to Europe with your boss and leavin me behind."

"I'm sorry you feel that way, Jack." She slowly reached down and tremulously tugged the ring off her finger. "Here – I'm sorry." She took his hand, and turned his palm upward, placing the symbol of broken hope there. "I'll always love you," she whispered before turning around leaving quickly.

Jack stood there like a lead weight, wondering what had gone wrong. Wondering if he should run after her right now and tell her he'd wait for her – that he'd wait for however long it took. But he didn't. He put the ring in his pocket deadened to any more feeling.

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Jack sat up, rubbing a calloused hand roughly over his face. He swung his legs over his cot, taking a few steps to Skittery's bunk. He crouched down, pulling the record book out of it's place and opening it deftly. Reaching in he grabbed the record and placed it on the portable player. He hoped his comrade wouldn't mind him borrowing his music, but he had a feeling he'd understand. He needed some comfort and Skittery always said that Billie's dulcet tones were the best source of that. As her words began lilt across the still air, Jack settled back down on his cot, but forgetting was the furthest thing from his mind – his memories were all he had left.

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I know, this was depressing – poor Jack! I even want to give him a big hug and say sorry for making him so depressed ! Anyway, let me know if you guys are liking this or not! A review would be much appreciated!