Chapter 12

Jack stood there, his azure eyes sparkling with delight. Janet's emotions seceded to function. The fantasy of the matter elated her; the reality did not.

"What are you doing here?" she demanded in a harsh tone.

"I came to see you; well, I came to the States for business, but I had to see you."

"That gave you no right to come to my house." She placed her hand on one of her hips. Jack stood there a second, pondering why Janet was being so callous. He hadn't expected her to leap into his arms, but he didn't expect to be slapped across the face either.

"Janet I-"

"You had to have a business trip pull you away from your busy schedule to be able to come see me. Is that it?" She swung the door closed and walked away. Jack caught it and followed her into the living room. Lightning streaked across the sky as Janet stomped into the living room.

"What are you doing?" she demanded, now raising her voice.

"Janet, listen!" Jack raised his voice, immediately regretting it. He sighed and rubbed his nose. Janet looked up at him in disbelief. Her eyes searched his face angrily. Her brow wrinkled in fury, her mouth hung open at him.

"You know what Jack Tripper, you have some nerve coming in my house and harassing me."

"HARass! Moi? I'm just trying to talk to you but you keep tuning me out!" He raised his voice and stepped closer to Janet. Janet stepped back slightly. She was scared; why was the man she loved yelling at her? Why had he come to see her? Another step interpreted her thoughts. Her brain started working, telling her to run. She didn't want to run, she couldn't run. Why should she have to be the one to run? Her emotions came flooding back. Tears burned in her eyes and Jack took another step.

"Tell me Janet, after all these years," Jack took another step towards her. She couldn't let him know she was scared. "Why? You always led me on, hated seeing me with other women," his tone was harsh yet sad. He paused for a moment.

"So you could have control." He asked. Janet backed again, the tears ran down her cheeks. "Seems more like Greedy Gretchen to me." Janet's eyes grew wide at his comment.

"Oh God, Janet that came out all wrong." He walked towards her. "Janet I didn't mean it like that," Janet looked at him like he was crazy. The ticking in the back of her mind was now a cold blood hissing. She advanced towards Jack.

"HOW dare you come into my house and call me a tramp!" She clenched her teeth as she spoke, pointing her index finger in his face. Jack moved Janet's hand out of his face and placed his hand on her shoulder.

"Don't you touch me!" her tone was now pure fury. "Get out!" She walked towards Jack, pushing him towards the front hall.

"Janet please liste-"

"I said GET OUT! Get out of my house, get out of San Diego, get the hell out of my LIFE!" Jack stopped dead in his tracks. He grabbed her petit body. There was a pause. Jack pressed his lips to hers, releasing the fury each felt. Janet, on the other hand, wasn't putting up with this. She pushed on his chest as his lips searched for a rhythm. Janet broke away; Jack's hands still wrapped tightly around her waist.

"Don't touch me!" she cried. Jack pulled her close again, tightening his grip on her. Capturing her face, he brought his lips to hers again. Janet pushed away a little, but Jack soon found a languid rhythm. Slowly, Janet relaxed and her mind went blank at the sensation of his warm mouth. Her insides were on fire. She gradually gave into his seductive kiss, raising her hand to meet the side of his face. Jack pressed Janet gently on the hall wall.

"I-told-you, I-wanted-to-talk." he spoke between kisses. He nibbled on her earlobe as his hands traveled the curves of her petit body. Janet finally pushed him away and stared breathlessly into his eyes.

"So you want to talk?" Jack nodded his head. "Ok. Come here and talk." Janet pushed him further away so she could walk freely past him.

"Janet I didn't-"

"Sit. I'll go get coffee."

Great, you're here, now just tell her. And don't make an ass of yourself. Jack's eye slowly scanned the room, taking in every detail. He walked slowly over to a picture and held the small frame in his hands. It was Janet, a few months after marrying Phillip.

"You like, I presume." Jack jumped, almost dropping the frame in his hand.

"Yes, it's very elegant," Jack said, placing it back down on the oak table. Janet chuckled softly as she sat on the black leather sofa.

"Phil was never fond of that one. He always said black was 'overrated'." Jack slowly walked over to the couch. He took a seat and reached for the coffee. Another flash of lightning pierced the dark sky, allowing Jack to see Janet's red eyes.

"Listen, about what I did…I just- I'm sorry." There was a moment of silence; a clap of thunder shook the room. "You always were outspoken with your feelings," Jack blew and sipped some coffee.

"You always let your playboy nature take over don't you."

"Got me here didn't it?" Janet rolled her eyes and took a light sip of her coffee.

"So, what did you want to talk about?" She placed her cup on the glass coffee table, never taking her eyes off him; she sat back in the couch and grabbed a pillow. "That's why you came, right?" She hugged the pillow and watched Jack intently as he placed his cup on the table.

"I've been pretty, stupid. And well, I was hoping I could see you more. I'm here for several months on business for one of own new restaurants-"

"I KNEW IT!" Janet threw her head back and laughed. "Pressli & Ramón… I should have known."

"How did you know?"

"The sign, I can see it from the shop."

Lightning flashed outside the windows and a thunderous roar quickly followed. The lights went out. Janet's heart pounded in her chest as she sat there, the sound of their breathing seemed louder than normal.

"Do you have any candles?" Jack asked gently, breaking the thick silence.

"Uh, s-s-somewhere in the kitchen," Janet spoke, shaking as she tried to sound unscathed from her ordeal. "I'm sure I'll find some." She stood and reached out her hand to make sure she wasn't going to run into something.

"Are you sure? 'Cause I can help." She heard Jack stand from the couch and walk towards her.

"Jack, I'll find something, besides I don't want you to get hurt." Janet continued to the kitchen, where she managed to find the counter. Another bright flash illuminated the room. Janet saw a candle on the counter top. As she blindly reached for it, she knocked over a couple of dishes. Half landed in the sink and the rest crashed to the floor.

"Janet!" Jack called out, "Babe, are you alright?"

"Yeah, just watch for the pieces. I have a candle, but, uh, no way to light it." Janet froze as the ceramic crunched under Jack's feet.

"Jack, really-"

"Hold it out," Jack moved closer to her. Janet extended her hand, to find Jack's warm hand. The lighter made a small hiss. Janet now found herself in presences of Jack.

"There," he said, letting go of her wrist. Janet smiled and looked in Jack's eyes.

'Thanks."

"No problem. Now let's find some more."