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Katherine is trying her best, she really is, to ignore Jack's consistent pestering.

"Tell me again why we're hangin' out in the children's section of the library?" Jack asks again as he flicks her hair.

She can't help the smirk that plays across her face as the curl Jack just flicked falls in to her line of sight. She slams the book in her lap shut before turning to give Jack the attention he apparently desperately desires.

"Jack, what are you doing!" She whisper shouts at her illustrator as his current position sets in. He's draped himself upside down over the back of one the stuffed children's chairs. His back rests on the seat, his head on the floor, and his knees are hooked over the back.

"I'm bored," he whines in a tone more appropriate for the clients this section of the library is intended for than for a professional artist.

She refuses to humor his antics and tries to keep a straight face as she instructs, "Please sit normally Jack. We're in the children's section and you're setting an awful example."

Jack chuckles before rolling sideways off the chair. He lays there on the floor for a moment before lazily standing and flopping back in to the chair with his arms held out in a gesture of defeat.

"Betta?" He smirks before crossing his arms back over his chest and rolling his eyes.

"Yes, thank you," she responds before appending, "and, once again, we are here in the children's sections because we are writing a children's book and I thought it would be good to get some inspiration and see what our target audience is interested in." Jack opens his mouth to speak, but she cuts him off, continuing, "and I was hoping that maybe you'd draw some characters instead of just drawing me."

Jack's cheeks immediately blush, but he doesn't miss a beat in replying, "Well you's not given me any characters yet and I like drawin' you."

Katherine sighs. They'd been at this for three weeks now, meeting every couple of days to try and come up with a solid premise, but so far inspiration has not struck. Jack's been incorrigibly charming each time they've met and she tries to push down the little inkling in the back of her head that's telling her she's starting to care for him too much. As more than a partner - more than a friend. He's so damn touchy too, always pulling at her curls or taking her hand; it's near impossible to not think that maybe he feels something more too.

Suddenly Jack is sitting on the couch next to her. His arm drapes itself across her shoulders and he absentmindedly rubs circles in her upper arm, as if sensing her frustration. With his other hand, he pulls the book from her lap and quickly leafs through it.

"Ah, we'll get there eventually. Can't force it out," he encourages. "And whatever we do is sure as hell going to be better than whatever this is."

She whips her head around to face him directly, "Jack!" She whisper yells once again, trying to convey her disappointment. "We are in the children's section. Language!"

He drops the book on the floor before rolling his eyes and drawing his fingers across his lips in a 'zip it' gesture and slumping back in the couch cushions. His other arm, which is still draped across her shoulder, stops rubbing circles and goes limp.

Katherine leans forward and rests her head in her hands before groaning in frustration. The situation is starting to feel a little hopeless. Maybe she should just let Jack be until she's got a solid idea, then try and see what he says.

"Maybe, maybe – we just need to call it a day Jack. Try again tomorrow," she suggests.

Jack goes taut besides her and he sits up. "Nuh-uh, I can't tomorrow."

She turns her head to weakly glare at him from where it is still resting in her hands. "And why not?"

"I told ya that I'm busy the first and third Saturdays of the month. Any other time you want me; I'm yours. But not those two days."

Katherine turns her head once again so that the heels of her palms can push in to her eyes and lets herself get distracted by the colors that flash in the darkness from the pressure. Taking a deep breath, she responds, "Sorry Jack, I forgot. Maybe we can try a little bit longer today then give it a rest for the weekend then?"

Katherine is focusing to her left, expecting to hear Jack's response, when a familiar voice comes from her right, putting her a bit out of focus.

"Katherine?"

She sits up, momentarily squishing Jack's arm behind her. She shifts forward so he can move it and he once again drapes it across her shoulders. Smiling, she replies, "Hey Darcy. What you doing here?"

Her friend very obviously looks between her and Jack and smirks, "Am I interrupting something?"

Jack removes his arm from her shoulders and not so subtly shifts away, before in a too-friendly voice responding, "Nah, just another failed brainstorming section."

Darcy looks uncomfortable, even with Jack's statement, so Katherine prompts, "What are you doing here? Don't you have class?"

He shakes his head, "Not today. Got cancelled because the professor got walking pneumonia so I thought I'd come here and pick up some more books for my research project."

"Oh. Hopefully he gets better soon. It must be awful to get sick when all your students are getting ready for finals and I can't imagine that makes your studying any easier."

Darcy shrugs. "Not too concerned. Probably better for me honestly since this means the TA will be hosting the study hours and he's a bit more up to date with the material." He pauses before continuing, "Anyways, you aren't answering your phone apparently? Your father called me because he couldn't get a hold of you. He says it's urgent."

Katherine rolls her eyes. "That man thinks apricots coming in to season requires urgent action; I'm not too concerned. Anyways, I told him I was working at the library with Jack today. And you know, it's a library, so I turned my phone off."

"Well if you could call him so he would stop calling me, that would be great," Darcy straight-faces, his annoyance at having to deal with her father apparent.

Katherine stands and grabs her phone from her purse, "I'm sorry Darce. I'll step out and give him a call now. We were just needing a break I think anyways."

She glances back at Jack to find him curiously watching her and Darcy. He meets her gaze and shrugs before slouching back even further in to the sofa and mumbling, "Not like we're making any progress."

"Well I've got to get going," Darcy says as he glances at his phone. "A group wants to get together and study in about an hour and if I leave now I'll just make it in time. See you for lunch something this week Kath?"

"Absolutely," she confirms. "If you're heading that way anyways, walk me out?"

Darcy nods and they lazily exit the children's section and make way for the front door. Katherine turn on her phone as they walk and waits for it to boot.

"So that's Jack?" Darcy asks.

"Yeah. I should have properly introduced the two of you, but that's him. Really talented, but I swear the actual children here have more patience than him," She comments as Darcy pauses to scan his books and his library card at one of the scanning stations.

"He likes you," he teases, drawing out each word and pausing his scanning to poke her in the side.

Katherine pokes him back and tries to suppress her blush but can't find the proper words to respond.

Darcy finishes up scanning and tucks his book and receipt in his bag. "Well I'd like to meet him properly at some point."

She walks through the glass door as Darcy holds it open, mumbling a thank you as they continue to the front steps and pause. "Maybe I'll get him to come to lunch this week? Maybe we just need to get out and see some other people to get some ideas."

Darcy chuckles and rolls his eyes as he steps down a step, "Stop denying you like him Kath and just ask him out for a real date, and not one with me? I don't want to be the third wheel."

Katherine blushes, embarrassed that Darcy has such a good read on her. "I didn't-"

Darcy fully laughs now. "I'd love to meet him Kath, but next time you better be introducing him as your boyfriend. It's painfully obvious you like each other." He glances at his watch. "Shoot, I've got to get going. Please call your dad so he'll leave me alone?"

She simply nods as she watches Darcy bound down the steps, off to catch the next bus or train she imagines. She takes a minute to compose herself and slow her rapidly beating heart. Did she really like Jack? Was it that obvious?

Katherine pushes the questions to the back of her mind and dials her father's number, preparing to chew him out for stressing out Darcy so close to finals. Med school is stressful enough and he doesn't need the extra load from her father.

The phone picks up right after the second ring.

"Kitty? Where are you? Why aren't you answering my calls?" Her father's voice echoes.

Katherine sighs and shifts her weight in to one hip, "I told you earlier I was going to be at the library with Jack brainstorming today. And it is the library so I had my phone off. You know, be respectful of the quiet place and what not?"

"Jack? As in Jack Kelly?"

"Yes father, how many other Jacks do I know?" She growls, her frustration growing. "And if I knew another Jack why would be brainstorming at the library together for a book that Jack Kelly and I are working on?"

"Kitty-I want you to leave now. Leave your stuff, I'll replace whatever you brought with you, but please leave."

"And why would I do that? Sure, we haven't been having a terribly productive day, but we made plans and I'm not ditching him just because you want me to."

"Please Kitty-"

"We've been over this. For goodness sakes Father, stop calling me Kitty; I'm not a child!"

"Fine, Katherine, but please leave. And stay on the phone with me until you get back to your apartment or in a taxi or something. Please?"

Anxiousness starts to set in at her father's persistence and she frowns, "What is it Father? What's happened?" Why do you need me to go home so desperately?"

"I want you as far away from that piece of scum-"

"Excuse me?" Katherine exclaims, shocked. "What did you call Jack?"

"Katherine, stop interrupting me, please. I want you to get as far away from his as possible. I'll find you a new illustrator. Are you leaving yet?"

"I'm not going anywhere until you explain this ridiculousness and I don't want another illustrator. Jack is fine, excellent even and he's going to help me meet your ridiculous demands to get my novel published."

She can hear her father sigh on the other end of the line. "He has a record. I pulled some strings and had a friend look in to him – you've been spending so much time together - I wanted to know everything about him."

Katherine gapes a moment in shock. Jack? A record? That didn't make sense. She can't imagine him having done anything illegal, so she pushes back, "And what does the record say? I trust Jack; surely it's just something stupid."

"…I don't know. It's a juvenile record so it was sealed once he turned eighteen."

"And nothing since he turned eighteen?" She questions, now thoroughly annoyed by her father's overprotectiveness.

"No, but-"

"But nothing Father. I trust him and if there's nothing since he's turned eighteen and his record was sealed then it was obviously some stupid adolescent mistakes. Now I'm going to go back inside and continue to brainstorm with him."

"Kath-"

"No. Whatever you are going to say: no. I'm going to hang up now, turn off my phone, and go back inside. If you want to talk later, then call me after you eat dinner."

Katherine jabs her finger in to the red "end call" button harder than necessary, cutting off the beginning tones of more of her father's insistences. Her father is insane, that's it. And him using his connections to pull info that's not even publicly available on Jack is not okay. She's sure he's never done anything like this to any of her other friends…or has he?

She shakes her head in an attempt to clear her thoughts. Jack's good at reading people – or at least thinks he is, so if she goes in there all riled up he's sure to ask. But there is no way she's just leaving now, if only to spite her father.

Katherine tucks her phone back in to her pocket and walks back in to the library, purposely trying to appear casual.

"What's up?" Jack asks from where he has once again draped himself over a children's chair.

She shrugs. "Not much, just my father being an overprotective jerk."

Jack cocks an eyebrow at her – a strange look from how he is hanging upside down – and asks, "Overprotective jerk? Isn't that just part of the 'good parent' job description or whatever?"

Katherine sighs and falls back in to the couch she had vacated earlier. "Sure. I guess. He just takes it a step too far. Can we change the subject?"

"Nope," he says, popping the "p". He ignores the glare she sends his way and continues, "It's obviously bothering you and you're not going to be able to think about book ideas until it stops bothering you."

Katherine nods uncomfortably. Jack's right and she absolutely hates it.

"Come on, spit it out," Jack eggs from his still-ridiculous position draped over the children's chair.

She hums in thought for a moment, "Can – can I ask you something personal?"

Jack hesitates and his face shows his discomfort, "You can ask, but I might not answer."

Katherine groans. Why does he have to make it so hard? "No, I've changed my mind. Let's just call it a day and meet up again on Monday." She stands and starts to gather her notepads and pencils in to her bag.

Jack stands too and comes to stand at her side, hands stuffed in his pockets. "Well now you've got me curious – what's the question?"

"Just forget I ever said anything Jack," Katherine groans as she starts quickly walking towards the front door of the library.

She's made it outside before Jack has gathered his things and has caught up. His hand on her shoulder stops her in her path and Katherine turns around to face him.

"Did I say something wrong?" Jack asks, desperation clear in his face. "If I did – I'm sorry. I'm so sorry and I'll try and make it up to you."

Katherine can't take the desperation on Jack's face. She shouldn't have ever said anything. If she leaves him now he'll continue to think he's the problem, but if she asks the question she could just make it worse.

She places her hand on his upper arm and tries to calm him as she slowly says, "No Jack. You're fine and you've done nothing wrong. It's just my father-"

"He say something to upset you? I'll go give him-" he continues with a smirk on his face.

"No – well ,yes, he-", she pauses to take a deep breath before spitting out, "he said you had a record and didn't want me to be work with you anymore."

Jack steps out of her grip and stares at her, the expression on his face breaking her heart. His face is quickly draining of color and his eyes are starting to tear up.

"Jack – I told him I don't care and I definitely want to keep working with you – I was just upset he thought that was even an okay thing to do in the first place."

"Those records are supposed to be sealed. I was just a kid-" he whispers out, his voice shaky.

Katherine steps forwards to place her hand on his arm again but he quickly jerks away. "Jack, please-"

He doesn't even look at her before turning, mumbling out "I'm gonna go", and nearly running away from her.


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