Cpt 5

"Tell me Juliet," Jack said, his one hand cuffed to the surgical table, his other firmly around her wrist, "Who am I here to save?"
Juliet stared into the eyes of a determined Jack. He had been both kind and cruel to her that day and she wasn't sure which Jack was starring back at her now. She wanted to tell him, just pour out the whole truth, smash Ben's big plans and destroy them. Juliet's eyes clouded with tears and she fought them back as she stood up and turned from Jack.

"Don't walk away from me," Jack demanded as he stood from his chair. He reached out and grabbed Juliet above her elbow, turning her and yanking her back to face him.
"Jack don't," she pleaded but his look was intense as he tangled his fingers in the back of her loosely tied hair. He pulled her forward as he cupped her cheek roughly. Juliet gave a slight whimper as Jack's mouth found hers, his lips covering her own. His mouth was dry at first, days of not enough water taking its toll on his skin, but as they moved over the tenderness of Juliet's lips his mouth grew moister. Jack's free hand slid down to her neck, his thumb resting dangerously at the hollow of her collar bone. He could easily be choking her as kissing her and it turned her on thinking about it. The danger. It excited her, why?

Juliet sighed as she felt his tongue move forward, searching deep and aggressively, urging her to give in. She had waited so long for Jack's kiss, for something to happen, something like this. Now that it was, now that her body was pressed close to his, now that his stubble scratched at her cheek, she wasn't quite sure of it. Not quite sure what to do.
"Jack," she said but it was muffled by his kiss as he took more of her in. Juliet's hands went to his hips. She wrapped her fingers into his belt loops and pulled his groin into hers. Jack groaned but stepped back leaving her confused until she realized why he stopped as the door opened and Tom stepped in.
"I'm here to take Jack back," he said, "Ben would like you to return to work Juliet."
Juliet looked back at Jack who was licking his lips. He nodded reassuringly and she left in silence.
….

Juliet walked quickly back to the neighborhood, her head down to avoid any stares. She felt like everyone knew what she and Jack had done, what they might have done if Tom hadn't come in; and with Colleen dead beside them. She felt their judgmental stares pierce through her, only no one knew. No one stared, except one.
"You don't actually think he cares about you?" Ben asked her just before she reached her home. Juliet raised her eyes to look at him.
"Do you?" he asked.
Juliet stood silent but defiant.
"He only kissed you to get you to trust him. He's trying to best you at your own game."
"Not my game Ben, yours," she said as she opened her front door.
"Still," Ben said before she walked inside, "You were nothing but meat."
….
Juliet walked into the Hydra the next morning, Jack's breakfast in hand, Ben's words pounding through her brain.
"Hey," Jack said softly as she walked in.
"Good morning Jack," she said coldly.
Jack felt the shift immediately. It was Juliet's turn to put up the wall.
"What's wrong?" Jack asked.
"Nothing," she replied, "In fact it's a wonderful morning. For once I didn't burn the muffins."
Jack looked at the plate of blueberry muffins still steaming warm.
"I don't understand," he said.
"Understand what?"
"Why are you being like this? Was it the kiss?" he asked, his forehead scrunched in confusion, "I thought that's what you wanted, that you liked it."
Juliet's shoulders trembled as her emotions broke her icy demeanor. She was never good at hiding them, never quite mastered Ben's skilful level.
"How could you?" she cried but Jack stood more confused than ever.
"How could I what?" he asked and reached out to her but she slapped his hand away.
"How could you try and take my sorrow when you know you didn't mean it?" she spat, "Was it revenge? Or was it like he said? Were you trying to play me?"
"I don't know what Ben told you but the only one playing games here is him," Jack yelled.
"Juliet," his voice softened as she shook her head.
"I thought with you," she said looking into his eyes, "I wouldn't have to keep hiding."
"You don't," Jack said.
But there was a veil of pain and doubt between them as she ran for the door.
"Juliet, don't you see what he's trying to do to you? He likes tearing you down. He like's killing you after you've already died inside," Jack said desperate to get through to her.
"I don't know anymore," Juliet said but she opened the door and walked away. Away from Jack and towards Ben.