Chapter 2
Janet was nervous about flying, yet she was excited. Three whole weeks in Europe. She sighed as she looked out the window and was instantly horrified upon seeing nothing but water. Janet quickly closed the shade to the window and closed her eyes tight. Margaret reached over and grabbed Janet's hand.
"It's ok, I'm here. Just think about the movie," Margaret let Janet squeeze her hand through the rest of the flight. Margaret was relieved when Janet slowly faded into a deep sleep.
I wonder why Janet is so worked up over this trip. Margaret laid her head back on the chair and fell right to sleep.
As Janet slept, she had an amazing dream. She was in this beautiful restaurant over looking the ocean. The breeze blew through her hair as she sat there drinking some red wine. A man's voice came from behind her. Taken by surprise, she turned around to see a very well-dressed businessman. His sandy blonde hair groomed back, a subtle beard on his face. Something about the man perplexed Janet. His eyes. They were a bright blue, like the sea and sky combined. She couldn't keep herself from staring at him as he approached her. His voice was deep and sincere. "May I join you miss?" he asked as he leaned over and kissed her hand.
"Janet….Janet?" Margaret's voice caused Janet to open her eyes. She was relieved to see the plane had landed and the passengers were now exiting. "Come on, we're here."
Jack inhaled deeply as he grabbed another bag. Packing the bags in the trunk, he turned around. He felt as though someone was watching him. A cold wind brushed the side of his face as he scanned the side yard. The whistling of the breeze through the tree gave him gooseflesh.
"Jock? You re'dy?" Michelle's voice came from the pouch as she walked over to him.
"Yeah, I'm sorry I zoned out for a sec," he said as he continued searching the yard. Michelle rubbed his back and asked if he was okay.
"Yeah, I just have a lot on my mind," he gave her a smile and a kiss.
They arrived at the airport right on schedule, got on their plane, and settled in for the two-hour flight. As Jack looked out the window, he had the same feeling of being watched. He shook the thought from his head and continued to look out the window. He asked the flight attendant for a pillow. Fluffing it, so it fit perfectly between him and the window, Jack rested against it and fell asleep.
He soon found himself in Apartment 201. Dazed, he slowly stood. He inspected the room, inhaled the scent, and walked over to touch one of Janet's plants. As he reached out to touch it, the cabinet door in the bathroom slammed shut, causing Jack to jump. When he turned around, there was Janet, walking out of the bathroom in her towel. Jack smiled, snuggling into his pillow more. Jack observed the sight of her, as she sang to herself. He grinned and walked over to her. With her back to him, Janet kept singing, slowly swaying to the tune in her head. Jack bit his lower lip. He reached out to touch her.
"Jock, darling…ve're here," Michelle's voice came from the abyss. Jack tensed as Michelle touched his arm. "Are yo' okae?" Jack nodded his head and stretched. "You ready babe?" He smiled.
Michelle smiled as her blonde hair fell over one of her eyes. Her tan complication and blue eyes, caught Jack off guard. He smiled again and stood.
"Let's go." He ushered her towards the door.
"Isn't this beautiful," Margaret asked rhetorically as she spun around, taking in the scenery around them. Margaret and Janet walked to the Trevi Fountain. A light mist sprinkled across Janet's face, as they grew closer. Janet was having the time of her life; she finally saw the Sistine Chapel, The Colesseum, and the countryside. Everything was so beautiful. Janet closed her eyes as more mist brushed upon her face. She basked in the moment and closed her eyes. As she did so, she imagined the man from her dreams. She gasped and opened her eye; her breathing has become shaky.
"What is it Janet?" Margaret asked as she saw Janet slump on the edge of the fountain.
"I feel like some one is watching me," Janet was short of breath. Margaret looked to the other side of the fountain and all around them.
"I needed this vacation," Jack thought as he pointed out a cute little restaurant for the two of them. After finishing their lunch, Michelle couldn't wait to the Trevi Fountain, she could have practically dragged him there.
"Please….Please….per favore..?" Jack, giving his famous groan, looked at her.
"Ok-ay," he said. Michelle squealed with delight and grabbed his arm.
As they approached the fountain, Jack had the feeling again, only this time it was different. He was almost certain something was going to happen. Pushing his thoughts aside once again, he got out the camera.
"I want a picture of us!" Michelle said to Jack after taking a couple of the fountain and one of each other. Jack smiled at Michelle's enthusiastic behavior with him. Jack turned around and asked a tall, dark hair man to take their picture. The man ignored him. Jack asked him again.
"Potreste prendere la nostra immagine?" Jack asked, giving a half smile. The man smiled and nodded. He took Jack's camera. Michelle and Jack sat on the ledge as the man took their picture.
"Grazie molto!" Jack said to the man. The man smiled and handed Jack his camera.
"No trouble at all," the man said and walked off with his wife.
"How about that," Jack chuckled and kissed Michelle. As embraced her, he looked at Michelle, only to have something catch his eye. There on the opposite side of the fountain was a young women looking at him. A tall, chocolate-haired woman was comforting someone.
"Janet?" Margaret gazed to the other side of the fountain.
"Yes?"
"Remember that guy you were telling me about, the one from your dream?" Margaret asked.
"Yes."
"Uh, what did you say he looked like," Janet froze. She dare not look up. A billion thoughts poured though her mind as she sat there. Who is he? What does he want? Am I losing my mind? Janet finally came to her senses. She slowly turned. Her head spinning, her heart was pounding.
She looks so much like Janet, Jack thought, It couldn't be. As Jack strained to get a better look, he lost his balance.
"Ugh!" Jack cried as he fell over the edge of the fountain.
"Jock are you okae?" Michelle bent down over Jack, holding his head. Jack shook his head a little and then sat up.
"Yes, I'm…I'm fine. I just slipped." His nose began bleeding as he stood.
"Oh, Jock! Il vostro naso sta sanguinando!" Jack immediately felt his nose. His head began throbbing; he knees became shaky and about gave out.
"I need to sit down," he said suddenly feeling light headed.
What he didn't know was there was another experiencing just as much pain and trauma as he. If Jack had only known this happening, he probably would have stayed
"Janet?" Margaret said as she looked back at Janet. "Janet!" she said again. "Janet, are you okay?" Margaret tocuhed her friend's face. "Janet, hon? Janet?" Margaret continued. "Janet you're scaring me." Janet slowly swatted at Margaret.
"Non ritengo buon. I can't breath," Janet struggled to speak.
"Come on we need to get back to the hotel," Margaret stood and took Janet's hands to have her stand up. As she did, she immediately fell over onto Margaret.
"Help! Somebody Help! Ho bisogno prego dell'aiuto!" she yelled a second time, thinking that she might get a greater response using Italian.
Back at Locanda di Paradice.
"You scared me Janet." She heard Margaret's voice as she felt a cold wet washcloth dap the side of her face.
"W-w-what happened," Janet asked softly.
"We don't know. They said you were dehydrated, but I know there was something else happening. That man you told me about…was there. I saw him, but when you turned around he was gone." Margaret sat on the bed where Janet was laying.
"I didn't see him," she said as a tear ran down her cheek, "But I had that feeling he was there, watching me."
"Have you ever had the feeling before?" Margaret asked, concerned that Janet was on to something.
"No, but I'm probably just letting everything get to my head. Trust me I'm fine now."
Just across the street, Jack was being tended to as well.
"Jock, how are you feeling?" Michelle came out of the bathroom and walked over to Jack with fresh tissues, a washcloth, and an ice pack. "You really tok a dive!"
"I'm sorry. I'm completely out of it. I guess I'm too caught up in work, I-I- just can't clear my mind." He slowly stood and inspected his reflection in the mirror on the wall. He dabbed the small gash on his eyebrow. Michelle walked up behind him and hugged him around his waist. He applied ointment to his eyebrow; he grimaced as it stung.
"So we're going home tomorrow?" she asked holding him close. Jack smiled as patted her head.
"Yes, darling, we are," He said and then planted a small kiss on the end of her nose.
Jack crawled into bed next to Michelle. As they lay there, Michelle cuddled close to Jack as he stared up at the ceiling. I could have sworn it was Janet. He rested his hands under his head and crossed his feet on top of the covers. A breeze came in through the open window and blew through his hair. He shut his eyes tight and imagined the previous day's events. Why am I being so paranoid? I haven't thought about her in years. Jack slowly got out of bed and walked over to the window. After several minutes to himself, he returned to the bed. He leaned over and turned on the radio. The soft melody soon faded as a new song began to play.
Somewhere out there Beneath the pale moonlight Someone's thinkin' of me And loving me tonight Somewhere out there Someone's saying a prayer That we'll find one another In that big somewhere out there
Jack sighed and walked back to bed. He laid down and closed his eyes. Jack drifted into a deep sleep. Jack looked at Janet as she continued to sway to the music. Her beautiful voice hummed the melody as she walked to her room. Jack was still stand in front of the bathroom door when Janet strolled into her room. Jack paused and followed her. Janet, still singing, turned her back towards Jack. He smiled and grabbed around her waist. No sudden scream or "Jack" escaped her lips, just a faint giggle, as Jack kissed her neck. "Mmm, that feels good," she said teasing him, letting him continue.
And, even though I know How very far apart we are It helps to think we might be wishin' On the same bright star And, when the night wind starts to sing A lonesome lullaby It helps to think we're sleeping Underneath the same big sky
Janet awoke and walked to the patio. She looked up at the stars as she recalled her dream. The man sat in front of her and smiled. "I'm glad I saw you," he said. He called the waiter over. "Due paste, un altro vetro di vino rosso, e un azzurro bello è aumentato per la signora," the man said to the waiter. His Italian tongue impressed her; it lit a spark in her soul. "A blue rose? How did he know my favorite color was blue?" He smiled as the waiter brought out the food and the blue rose. Janet smiled brightly. They continued eating. A violist began to play a slow romantic song. Grinning, the man stood. He walked over to Janet and asked for a dance. She nodded her head and was pulled close by the beautiful stranger. She rested her head on his shoulders as they slowly danced around the patio. Waves crashed upon the rock and the sun sank slowly below the horizon. She tilted her head to meet his. His blue eyes reflected the ocean waves. Janet closed her eyes as they slowly brought their lips together. She was ripped out of her daydream by a car horn. "Maledizione del dio esso," She quietly cursed the person. Leaning on the railing, she heard the soft melody across the street.
Somewhere out there If love can see us through Then we'll be together Somewhere out there Out where dreams come true -
Jack continued to kiss Janet. "Il mio dio Janet, voi così bei." Janet giggled as he spoke Italian, with a low husky voice; his hands roamed her petit body.
"Oh Jack," she said trying to catch her breath between his kisses. Jack pulled her hands to his side, as her towel slipped lower.
"Li desidero," She said and she let Jack have her body.
And, even though I know How very far apart we are It helps to think we might be wishin' On the same bright star And, when the night wind starts to sing A lonesome lullaby It helps to think we're sleeping Underneath the same big sky -
Janet closed her eyes tight as she listen to the beautiful love song from the abyss of the cold night sky. A tear ran down her cheek as the words danced in her head. Images of Jack soon followed. She sighed and looked up at the moon. "I know you're out there Jack Tripper, and I intend to find you one day." She sighed and went back inside. She curled up under the covers, hugging her knees, and hummed the soft melody of the song to herself as she drifted into a restless slumber.
Somewhere out there If love can see us through (love can see us through)Then we'll be together Somewhere out there Out where dreams come true