Part III
Tru shook her head as she followed Jack across the street. Even if he wasn't countering her every move, he was going to make her day hell.
"So, you ever think of leaving your brother out of your job?" Jack questioned.
"Nothing says I can't have allies."
"That's true. But come on, you have to admit that Harrison finds himself in dangerous situations quite frequently."
"Most of them thanks to you, Jack."
"I've told you before and I'll you again, it's all about keeping the balance of the universe."
"So you say but you've never explained what the hell that means."
"Who says I have to?"
"I'm the one saving your ass here. I think maybe I deserve some explanations."
Jack shook his head. "That's not the way it works, Tru. We're told what we need to know."
"Well I need to know. So start talking. Or...I might just change my mind and push you in front of the next bus."
Jack just laughed as they crossed a side street into a park. Tru stopped at the first bench she spotted and sat down. Jack took a few more steps before realizing she wasn't at his side anymore.
"Tired already?"
"I'm not going anywhere until you tell me the meaning of this balance of the universe crap."
"Even if I tell you, it's not going to change anything. You'll still do your job and I'll still do mine. And it doesn't mean either one of us is going to win more often."
"Jack, just tell me."
He let out a long sigh before sitting down beside her. He wasn't sure how much to tell her. He knew how well secrecy had worked the last time around.
"Like most forces in nature, we can't exist without the other. You and I both have to do our jobs to keep the balance."
"I get that. Good and evil. Right and wrong."
"I don't see it that way. The way I look at it...we're both trying to preserve something. You, try to preserve life. While it's commendable, it's not always the way things are supposed to go."
"I'm not wrong, Jack. The people I've saved-"
He cut her off. "And I work to preserve what fate wants. And let me to tell you, it gets grumpy when you try and change things."
"So that doesn't make what you do right either."
"It's all about how you look at it. And I think we should agree to disagree on who's right and who's wrong. It's all so subjective."
"Fine. We'll agree to disagree."
With that, Jack stood up. Tru didn't move.
"I'm not done. There's more I need to know."
"No Tru. There isn't."
"You and I both know my mother had my gift. Somehow, she passed it on to me."
"Why don't we go for a walk? It's such a nice day out."
"You are going to tell me what I want to know, Jack."
He said nothing as they began to meander through the trees. On the other side of town, Richard sat in his office, tapping his fingers on the edge of his desk. Something had happened the day before, something he hadn't experienced in a long time. Not since Jack had come along. He'd known a day had rewound. He'd seen the flashes, bits of memory. He'd seen Jack get hit by a car. He was pulled from his thoughts by a knock on the door.
"Come on."
The door opened and Harrison stuck his head in. "Hey, Dad."
"Good morning, Harrison. Is there something you need?"
"Oh...no. I just wanted to let you know that I saw Meredith this morning. She's doing good and should be out of rehab in a couple weeks."
"Good for her. You're a very dedicated brother, Harrison."
"Thanks." Harry walked into the room and shut the door behind him. "I was thinking maybe we could throw Mer a little party."
"A party? For getting out of rehab?"
"Yeah...you know to show our support."
"Harrison, this isn't the first time she's come out of rehab. You know that."
"But Dad we should be there for her. Positive reinforcement. Maybe if she sees how much we care, she won't feel the need to use anymore."
"Should we throw you a party when you stop drinking and picking up strange women?"
Harrison's brow furrowed. "Dad, what are you-?"
"I'm sorry, son. I...I didn't mean that. I just have a lot on my mind."
"Ok...so...you want me to leave you alone then?"
"You know...maybe we should go out for lunch?"
"Lunch? Sure. Why not."
Richard gave his son a nod just as the phone on his desk began to ring. He picked up.
"Richard Davies." A pause and he looked at Harrison. "I have to take this."
"Yeah of course. I'll see you for lunch." With that Harrison ducked out of the room.
"Go ahead," Richard said, leaning back in his chair.
"He was spotted heading into the park."
"Was he alone?"
"He was with your daughter."
Richard ran a hand over his forehead. That made things complicated. "It's not completely unexpected. But it does make things difficult."
"What should I do, Mr. Davies?"
Richard thought for a moment. He hadn't had to ensure death for some time, now that Jack had taken over the role.
"Don't do anything. Just keep an eye on them. I'll handle the logistics."
"Understood. Have a good day, sir."
"Thank you."
Morning slowly drifted into afternoon and Tru was getting restless. Jack had been leading her all over town without so much as a word about where they were going.
"Jack, stop a minute."
"I already told you, Tru. I'm done answering your questions."
"I just want to know one thing. Did you know the person who did your job before you?"
"No."
It wasn't a complete lie. When he first realized he relived days, he hadn't known about Richard Davies. Now that he knew the truth about Tru's father, it seemed easier. He had Richard's support and guidance.
"I have some things I have to take care of so...come on," Tru said, starting to drag Jack towards the nearest bus stop.
"You're sticking with me, Davies."
"Allies remember."
A short time later they were standing just inside Davis' office.
"No."
"Davis, come on. You said you'd help."
"I'm not going to babysit him."
"I have to agree, Tru. I don't need to be watched by Davis. No offense."
"Offense taken."
"Davis, please? He'll be good. I promise."
Davis let out a groan and stood up. He pulled Tru aside, out of Jack's hearing.
"Why can't he stay with you?"
"Because I didn't really imagine trying to break up with my boyfriend with Jack hanging around."
"You're...I thought you two were happy."
"Don't make more of it than it is, ok? Please can he stay here? I mean seriously, who dies in a morgue?"
"Well there was that time...on your birthday."
"One time. Besides, no one knows he's here. Seriously it will take like half an hour."
"Alright but you better be back fast. I couldn't stand him when he worked here."
"Thanks, Davis."
"Yeah."
He watched Tru disappear around thee corner and ran a hand over the back of his heck.
"So, boss. What's the plan?"
"The plan...there is no plan. Stay put and out of my way until Tru gets back."
"Well that doesn't sound like any fun, Davis. Come on, we used to work together. Show a little kindness"
"There are some people in this world that aren't deserving of kindness or forgiveness."
"You're saying I'm one of them?"
"Yes. For all intents and purposes you are the Reaper. You are death."
"I don't kill people, Davis. I just guide them on their path...same as Tru."
"You're nothing like Tru."
Tru had just enough time to get to her car before her phone rang. She pulled it out of her pocket and checked the caller ID.
"Hello?"
"Tru, it's your father."
"Dad...what's...what's up?"
"Your brother and I are going out for lunch and I thought you might like to join us."
"I can't...now isn't really a good time."
"You sure? I'd love to see you. Catch up on things. Like med school. And your job."
Tru bit the inside of her lip. Jensen would be there later. He could wait.
"I guess I could swing by for a little while."
"Great. We'll see you in twenty then."
Tru closed her phone and exhaled. Something was telling her the universe didn't want her to see Jensen. She couldn't think like that. The universe wasn't out to screw her. That was Jack's philosophy.
"Hey, Tru over here!" Harrison called, waving his hands over his head.
"I could see you from the parking lot, Harry. Jeez."
"So...how are things going with Jack?"
"He's with Davis at the morgue right now."
"You sure that's a good idea?"
"What else was I supposed to do, Harry?"
"I told Dad I thought we should have a little party for Mer when she gets out of rehab next week and he freaked."
"Really?"
"He was acting kind of weird...almost like when he gave me the new apartment. Hey, maybe he bought you one too."
"I doubt it, Harrison."
"You never know."
"Speaking of...where is Dad?"
"Bathroom. He'll be back in a few minutes. Said we could order without him."
Tru picked up the menu in front of her and flipped through it. She realized just how hungry she was, her stomach growling loudly.
"I'm so glad you could make it," Richard said, walking up behind them.
"Had some free time. How've you been Dad?"
"Good. Yourself? Harrison tells me you're still working at the morgue."
"Pays the med school bills."
"How is that going for you?"
"Ok...I'm just auditing this year."
The table fell silent as Richard nodded and turned his attention to his menu. The only sound came from the subtle turning of pages.
Just as the waitress approached to take their orders, Tru's phone began to ring.
"Just a sec," she said, holding up a hand. "Hello?"
"Tru, you better get back here."
"Davis, slow down. What's up?"
"There was someone here...in the morgue."
"Live people do work there, Davis."
"I saw a gun, Tru."
Tru's face paled for a moment. "I'll uh see you soon."
"Something wrong, Tru?" Richard asked.
"Work emergency."
"In the middle of the day?"
"I get paid overtime."
She turned to look at Harrison, trying to get him to go with her without having to ask.
"I'll walk her to her car."
"Thanks for lunch, Dad," Tru called as she and Harry raced off.
"What happened?" Harry asked once they were in Tru's car.
"Someone was at the morgue, after Jack. Davis said he saw a gun."
"Is everyone ok?"
"I don't know. He didn't say. Look, I need you to take Jack and get him someplace safe."
"Safe? Where the hell is safe?"
"Take him to my place. No one should think to look for him there."
"You got it. I...don't have to be nice to the guy do I?"
"Nope. Just keep him there."
"Hope your fridge is stocked."
Tru just rolled her eyes as the car sped off down the street. They reached the morgue in record time. She tossed Harry the keys as they walked in.
"Everything alright?" she asked.
"We're...fine," Davis answered.
"Someone's working to make sure I die today," Jack commented.
"Not if I can help it. Go with Harry. He'll take you somewhere safe."
"Tru, they'll find me wherever I go."
"Then I'll just have to stop them. Now get out of here."
Harrison and Jack shared a look before walking out. Davis pushed himself to his feet and looked at Tru.
"You sure that's a good idea, leaving the two of them alone together?"
"It's the only option I've got. Look, I found a few things out from Jack today."
"He finally decided to talk?"
"I didn't give him much choice."
"He said that we're both working to preserve. He made it pretty clear that it's not clean cut good and bad."
"Well…maybe I shouldn't have called him Death then."
"He said there can't be one of us without the other."
"Yin and yang. Like we thought earlier."
"Yeah…I don't know what this means for me, Davis. I save Jack's life…does the universe go spiraling out of control?"
"Well you've saved other people before…it hasn't gone spiraling yet."
"But this is Jack."
"Maybe…the universe will give you a pass. You are trying to preserve the balance. That's what he's so worried about, isn't it?"
"Yeah…guess so."
Time seemed to pass slowly. Tru paced around the morgue, trying to figure out who was after Jack. If it was indeed death, someone in Jack's position who was it? Could there be more than one? She was so lost in her own thoughts she didn't hear her cell phone beeping.
"Tru, your phone is beeping," Davis said, snapping her out of her thoughts.
She picked it up and flipped it open. "It's from Harrison."
"What does it say?"
"'Help'"
"You should go."
"I don't have a car. He took it."
"I'll drive you."
The drive back to her apartment seemed to take forever. She nearly dove out of the passenger side when the car screeched to a halt outside her building.
"Stay here."
"You sure you don't want me to go in with you?"
"Just stay in the car."
Tru took the stairs two at a time. She reached the landing and saw her apartment door ajar. It sounded quiet but she could feel the dread building. It was as thick as smoke, choking her. She moved to the door and pushed it open. A man stood with his back to her, gun raised. At the sound of her footsteps he turned around and Tru's jaw dropped.
"Dad?"
