Man Down

Don was startled awake again. It was the same dream that usually woke him. Don didn't usually have nightmares, but they did show up every now and then. And it was almost always the same.

"Iche liebe dih." He said and tried to walk past her. She reached out her arm and stopped him, a small fronw on her face.

"You keep saying that." She stated firmly. Don met her slight glare with a firm look of his own. "You keep saying that at the oddest times." She noted with a small smile of victory. "Like you didn't want to give me a chance to respond." She rested her hands on her gun, imitating his stance. His mouth twitched into a smile.

"So you figured it out?" He asked, amused, stepping into her personal space. Jack smiled bright. She looked so beautiful with that smile. That small blush flushed her dirty cheeks and a small laugh left her mouth.

"Yeah." She answered "Yeah, I did. And I gotta be honest, Don, I-" The bullets burst through her for the hundredth time and grazed past him. Jack was I his arms, bleeding out, eyes closed. He was kneeling down, holding her.

"Jack? Jack!" He yelled to her in his firm voice. "Jack, stay with me, stay with me!" He said and shook her. Someone had taken out the shooter but no one was helping. Jack was dying! Didn't they see that? "Jack!" He called out. The gunshot echoed in his ears.

Don was startled awake by the gunshot. When he closed his eyes again he say her face, white as a sheet with flecks of blood on her. Every time it was the same nightmare. Every time she was silenced, every time he saw her dying on the ground. He grunted and reached out for Jack. His eyes snapped open when he found she was gone.

His was back in his apartment and Jack was supposed to be, but he didn't see or hear her. He sat up and made his way out to the kitchen. He let himself relax and lean against the doorframe and smile. She was sitting at the table, on the phone and smoking a cigarette.

She was ok. She was always ok.

The two had been home for a few days, they had returned from the Lake house. Jac had spent the last few days on the phone with people, planning something. Jack rarely got off the phone in a good mood. Don let her be and didn't ask, trying to respect her privacy. He let her be and got ready for the day. When he returned, Jack was off the phone and making him breakfast. He kissed her forehead before sitting with a cup of coffee. Jack gave him food and smiled sweetly at him. He smiled back and the two ate in a comfortable silence. Don looked at her and watched her as she read the newspaper. She caught him staring.

"What?" She asked, oblivious. He gave her a small smile and stood, taking his dishes to the sink. He gave her a kiss as he passed.

"You're beautiful." He told her before dropping his dishes into the sink and grabbing his things. "I'll see you later. Call me if you need anything." He told her before leaving. Jack smiled and waved as he left. She put her head in her hand and sighed, staring where he had been standing. She needed to tell him. The thought made her want to smoke, so she did. She picked up the phone and dialed the number she thought she would never call again. She held the letter from Richard Edwards and waited until the man picked up.

"Hi, Uncle Richard? This is Jacqueline."

Jack had been in a bad place the last few days. They had returned home but she did not improve. She somehow managed to hide it from Don who was thankfully giving her space. Jack felt as if her whole world was falling apart. Jack felt she was losing her grip on reality and on top of that, her estranged uncle was trying to claim ownership over the land where her and her family once lived. Richard was disgusting human and Jack wanted nothing to do with him.

The stress of the past few weeks, the uncle, the flashbacks, the nightmares, had grown to be too much. She couldn't breathe easy and she felt as if she was drowning most days. Her pride kept her from reaching out for help. She felt like she was at the end of her rope and she had no clue how to fix it. She was overwhelmed, she was so tired.

The second day they were home, Don was at work and Jack was home alone. She didn't have work that day. Jack found herself sitting on the edge of the bed, messing with the object in her hand. She had found a way out.

Jack had come to the conclusion that there was nothing she could do, no way out. She didn't know what to do. Everything was crashing around her and drowning her. Tears fell as she looked at the gun in her hands. It was Don's, the one he took to Germany. Her fingers traced over it, studying it. It was her way out, it was her only solution.

She didn't have the strength to keep going on. Why was she even alive? Her job was done, she didn't have any reason to stay. She got her boys out of Germany and they were doing ok. The girls at the library were doing fine before she came along. Why was she even there? No one needed her, she wasn't important.

Jack was so tired. She hated those flashbacks, even after they lessened. But the stress of worrying if they were ever going to come back and when wore her out. She needed to get out but where could she go to escape them? She cried for an hour, looking at the gun in her hands. She didn't know what to do. Jack didn't think she had the strength to go on, to fight with her uncle, to handle Norman's parents. What could she do anyway? She was no longer needed.

Jack put the gun in her mouth, mind made up. The only thing she regretted was not telling Don she loved him, just one last time. Jack closed her eyes and sat there for a few seconds. At least she saw her boys one last time.

Then she pulled the trigger. A million things flashed through her mind, things she still needed to do. Suddenly, she realized that the problems that seemed so big, weren't so big after all. Dealing with her uncle wasn't going to be so difficult. She needed to stay alive to make sure Norman could come to University in D.C. Her boys still needed her but not in the same way as before. If she died, what would that tell them?

Don. How could she do that to Don? To have him come home and find her head blown out by his own gun on their bed? How could she do that to the man she loved? Then she remembered that she pulled the trigger. Jack was confused. Was she dead? Was she having an out of body experience?

She turned around, wondering if her body would be on the bed behind her, covered in gore. There was nothing. Why didn't it shoot her? She was glad it hadn't worked, now seeing her mistake, but she was confused. She took the gun out of her mouth and looked at it. Jack opened the chamber and started to laugh at herself.

The gun was unloaded.

In her sadness, she hadn't loaded it. Jack sat there in relief, realizing how terrifying the last few minutes had been. Jack shook her head and put the gun back. She would not be doing that again, she promised herself. Jack dried her tears and stood, breathing for a few minutes. She needed to do something to distract herself.

Don never found out about her attempt, she made sure to hide it from him and swore to herself she would never tell him. Looking back, she was terrified that she had nearly died and only survived because she forgot to load it. She felt foolish and beat herself up over it for a while. When Don came home, she made sure to have bright eyes and a large smile. She would never do that again. She would fight through this and she would win. She promised herself she would not give up. She silent promised her boys from Fury that she would fight and she would win, no matter what life threw at her.

Don returned home after work and found Jack writing something on a piece of paper. She had her purse on a seat and a hat on her head.

"Oh! Hello!" She said, seeing him walk in and giving him a smile. "How was work?" She asked.

"It was fine. Where are you going?" he asked, confused.

"I was thinking we could go for ice cream." She said as she walked up to him and put her hands on her shoulder. HE smiled.

"Ice cream?" He asked as he rested his hands on her hips. "Before or after dinner?" He asked. Jack smiled and bounced slightly.

"Hm. After." She told him. He laughed quietly and kissed her. They went to a small Italian place for dinner and enjoyed the food. The conversation and mood was light. Jack was smiling a bit more and it was a nice change from the frustrated and worried expression she had been wearing lately. But he could still tell she was worried about something.

She didn't bring it up until they were walking around, enjoying ice cream. They were walking around a park, eating ice cream and enjoying the sunlight as it slowly set.

"Don." She started. Don looked at her. "I have to go back to Pennsylvania for a few days." She blurt out and bit her lip, worried about his reaction. He just looked at her before sighing through his nose and nodding.

"Ok." He said and ate some ice cream. "When do you plan on going?" He asked.

"This weekend. I'm taking the train. I have a friend whose house I'm going to be staying at. It'll only be a few days." She told him and ate some of her own ice cream.

"Jack," He said and looked at her. "Why are you going to Pennsylvania?" He asked her and she sighed. They sigh a lot.

"My father had a brother. He wasn't considered family, hasn't been for a long while. However, with my parents dead and no one using the property, it is being sold." She paused and ate some ice cream. Don nodded at her urging her to continue. "That's fine by me, except, now he is trying to claim he was part of the family and should get the money from the property. I'm going to settle the issue. I have everything else set up. I just needed to tell you." She explained.

"Why isn't he part of your family?" Don asked.

"Something between him and my father. In all honesty, it takes a lot for my father to dislike someone. Being cut out from the family? Richard must have done something really bad. I just don't like him. He's a creep, and a violent drunk." She told him. Don stopped walking and put a concerned hand on her arm.

"Do you need me to go?" He asked her. Jack smiled at him and shook her head.

"No. Don't worry I can handle him! I did survive Germany." She reminded him with a bright smile. He smiled back but was still concerned. He trusted her though, and took comfort in knowing she wouldn't be staying at the man's house.

It was one of the longest weekends he had faced. Jack didn't call all weekend and Don found himself going stir crazy, though he would never admit it. HE spent Sunday over at Betty's. Jack would return Monday evening. Don worried about her. He knew Jack could handle herself, but that didn't keep him from worrying.

Don nearly lost his mind when Jack returned home with a black eye.

Jack opened the door and walked in. She still had her large sunglasses on and she set down her suitcase in the hallway. Don walked down it and greeted her. He wrapped her in a tight embrace and she laughed.

"Didn't realize you'd miss me so much." She teased as he released her. That was when Don caught a glimpse of what was under her sunglasses. He looked at her firmly and she bit her lip. Don slowly removed the sunglasses and rage filled his veins.

"What happened?" He asked quietly. Jack put her hands on his arms and stared up at him with a comforting smile.

"Nothing I couldn't handle." She lied. She also had bruises on her side and back from being thrown into a coffee table. She was not looking forward for him to see those. "Don't worry about it. I don't ever have to see him again and I got the money from the property being sold. I nearly fell over from the amount-"

"Jack." Don told her quietly. "I don't care about the money. I want to know what happened." He told her quietly. His tone had calmed and Jack sighed through her nose.

"Richard and I got into an argument. I hadn't realized he had been drinking, otherwise I would have left before we began arguing." She told him. She put a hand on his face and looked him firmly in the eye. "It's over now. No use dwelling on it. I will never have to see him again." She told him. He looked at her and sighed before pulling her into another tight embrace. Jack knew he had worried and almost felt bad about it. However, it was something she needed to do on her own.

She realized she had made the right choice to keep going. Everything clicked when she fought with Richard. She still had work to do. And when she was done, her next job was to live happily ever after. That was her task.

That realization seemed to help Jack get by. Her flashbacks lessened even more and her nightmares damn near disappeared. Jack got better rest, was more productive at work and home, was more upbeat in general and Don noticed. He felt relief at Jack's sudden change of attitude and didn't question it. She knew what she was doing.

However, there was one day they both were dreading and looking forward to at the same time. They were excited for Norman to be so close by, but they were not excited to meet his parents. Don didn't mind so much, but Jack took every opportunity to btich about it. Some days Don laughed and other days he just stared at her, amused.

Jack really didn't want to meet his mother. Part of her realized it was because his mother was much like her own. Another part realized Norman's mother was probably worse.

The came in mid August. Jack was in a simple brown dress and don was in a simple suit. They met Norman and his parents at a nice restaurant for lunch. They were seated outside to enjoy the sun. Norman stood to greet them and Jack gave him a hug and a bright smile.

"Oh, it's been too long, Norman." She told him and he laughed at her as they sat. Don and Jack introduced themselves to Norman's parents. Jack went by Jackie as so to avoid criticism from the mother.

"Norman, where is your sister?" The mother, Nancy, asked irritably. "I did not send her to that French school so she could completely forget her manners."

"She'll be here soon, darling, I'm sure." Her husband assured her.

"That child doesn't have a serious thought in her brain. Head's always in the clouds." Nancy stated. Jack looked to Norman. His sister didn't sound like a scatterbrain when Norman talked about her. Soon enough his sister arrived. The girl was only a year or two older than Jack and had her dark brown hair styled simply with curls. She wore red lipstick and a light blue dress. She smiled and made her way over. She hugged Norman and shook Jack and Don's hands.

"Renee, where have you been?" Nancy asked accusingly.

"Sorry, mother. The train was late." She stated simply before sitting. Renee sat between her father and Norman. Her mother hummed in disapproval.

"I hear you two are signing for Norman?" Renee asked excitedly. "I'm so glad. I think it will do Norman some good to be away from home, be on his own." Renee stated as she sipped some water.

"We thought so as well. He has a level head on his shoulder so we trust him not to get into too much trouble." Jack told Renee. Jack could see Nancy roll her eyes but ignored the woman.

"So where did you meet Norman?" Renee asked curiously. Jack hesitated and Don answered.

"He was assigned to my tank as an assistant driver by mistake. By then there was nothing we could do. Norman worked with us until the end of the war." Don explained.

"And Jackie? Where did you meet him?" Renee asked, not realizing she too was in the tank. Jack gave her a kind smile.

"I worked in the tan as well. Norman was actually sent to replace me. There was a mistake and the Army thought I was dead." Jack explained and she saw Renee's eyes flash with intrigue.

"You mean, you worked in the tank as well?" She asked excitedly. Jack laughed softly and nodded. Jack liked this girl. "Oh, you must tell me all about it!"

"Absolutely not! It's not right for a young lady to work in such close quarters with men! And in war no less! That is no place for a woman, if you ask me!" Nancy exclaimed and Jack turned to face her. She stared the older woman down.

"Then I believe it is a good thing no one asked you." Jack stated before turning back to Renee with a smile as Norman and Don had to do their best to keep from laughing. "Renee, I would love to tell you about it sometime. I hear you went to school in France for a while. How was that?" Jack asked, trying to steer conversation away from Germany. Nancy was floundering, astounded the young woman would dare talk to her like that. Renee, the bright girl she is, knew what Jack was trying to do.

"Oh, perhaps another time. We aren't here to talk about me." She said sweetly. "I believe we are here to meet the two incredible people who are allowing my baby brother to go to school here." She said kindly and put a hand on Norman's arm. Norman looked to his older sister fondly. Jack could see the two had been close.

"That would be your father and I, Renee." Nancy stated.

"You were not the ones who signed the papers." Renee told her firmly. She turned back to Jack and Don. "So how long have you two been married?" She asked and Jack nearly choked on her water. Now it was Jack's turn to panic and flounder.

"We aren't married." Don answered simply. Renee apologized, but they assured her it was ok.

"It is not ok! I'm becoming less and less impressed by you two. First, she spends who knows how long in a tank full of men only to come home and live with one of them! I will not have my son be further influenced by some floozy! Heaven knows it's not right!" Nancy exploded. Jack could handle that and she kept her posture relaxed as the woman bitched. Don sighed through his nose, tired of the woman attacking Jack. However, he knew if he stepped in to defend her, Jack would chew him out. She liked to fight her own battles. Norman leaned over to his sister and whispered to her in French, a language both knew but their parents didn't.

"Jack can have just as bad a mouth as any sailor. I'm just waiting for her to stop holding her tounge." Norman explained. His sister tried to hide a smile.

"Mother will have a heart attack." Renee stated.

"We can only hope." Norman added and Renee laughed quietly and the two listened in on the conversation again. Their mother was still going on.

"To think, a woman as young as you in that tank for so long with men! No doubt they couldn't control themselves" Nancy stated and Don frowned, tempted to jump in and stop the woman but he saw Jack tense in anger. How dare she question the integrity of the boys in Fury! "And to think my Norman was exposed to such sin! I can't imagine how many children you could have conceived or did you have an abortion?" The mother whispered harshly. Jack had had enough but Renee beat her to it.

"Mother!" She shouted and stood. "How dare you!" Renee started. Norman gently grabbed her arm and tried to get her to sit.

"Renee, stop. Sit down." Norman told her quietly. Renee shook him off.

"No! I will not sit down!" She turned to her mother. "Who do you think you are? Here are two kind, brave people who protected Norman, fought in the war and more than willing to take him as their responsibility which is more than you have ever done for him ad you sit here and criticize and attack them! How dare you!" Jack looked at the woman, slightly surprised at the outburst.

"Renee, you will sit down and stop making a scene!" Her mother told her standing herself.

"I will not! I refuse to sit here in silence while you attack this woman who has more courage and honor than you! Just because they don't fit into your perfect idea of what people should be like doesn't mean the deserve to sit here and be verbally assaulted by you!" She shouted before turning and leaving. Nancy began to call after her daughter but her husband finally stepped in.

"Nancy. Sit down. You are embarrassing yourself." He told her firmly. She looked at him with an open mouth, shocked. Nancy seated herself and collected herself before sipping some water and speaking.

"I apologize. I don't know what comes over that child." Said and Norman actually glared at his mother. "She never thinks before she speaks." Jack was tired of this woman and leaned back, a picture of complete calm. Norman and Don knew that look and she was eather going to rip this woman a knew one or lunge across the table and strangle her. She turned and looked at Norman with a small, mischievous smile.

"I like your sister." Jack said and Norman smiled slightly at his friend.

"Of course you would." Nancy mumbled but Jack heard it and snapped her head to the woman.

"Why? Because I did something as outrageous as join the army? I wasn't the only woman in that war. Or is it because you are convinced I sleep with as many men as I come across? Or perhaps because you are convinced I must have had many abortions during my time in Germany. Your daughter is more intelligent than you think. The men I worked with while in Germany respected me and saw me as an equal. Shocking I know. They never took advantage of me and I am offended on their behalf that you would think so little of the men who sacrificed damn near everything to assure your safe while you sit comfortably in your home, enjoying the daily comforts of American life. And as for as many men you think I have slept with? Really not as many as you think and quite frankly, I don't see how it is any of your business." She paused and sipped some water. "And as for the abortions you mentioned," She paused and gave the woman a grim smile. " I have no need for them. In fact, I have no way of bearing a child. You see, a few years ago, I was in a horrible car accident with my fiancé. I ended up losing him and any hopes of bearing children." Jack enjoyed watching Nancy shift uncomfortably. "And if you are unimpressed by Sergeant Collier and myself, and find you will not let Norman attend this school by any means, and if you try to threaten him by not paying for this school, please take into consideration that I have recently come into a fairly large amount of money myself and would be more than happy to step in where you cannot. So I suggest you stop being such a persistent bitch." Jack finished and sipped her water before looking at the woman innocently while Don and Norman had to fight back a smile. "Any questions?" She asked and turned to Norman. "Norman, I'm going to go check on your sister. Excuse me."

Jack excused herself and left the table. She headed out of the restaurant and found Renee smoking out front. The girl had a few tears running down her face and fear flashed in her eyes when Jack approached her.

"Jackie, I am so sorry for that." The girl began but Jack smiled brightly at her.

"Renee, please. It was no trouble. I only wish you were there for what I had to say." She teased and Renee smiled a bit. Jack pulled out her own cigarettes and began smoking. "Don and I are fond of your brother. We will make sure he attends this school." She promised the girl and she smiled.

"Thank you, thank you both." She breathed in relief. "It means so much to Norman and I think it will be good for him to be so close to friends. As you can see, our mother isn't the most kind person." She added.

"Yes. I am confused as two how she could have raised such kind, gentle children." Jack added honestly with a smile and Renee laughed.

"I wouldn't say my outburst was kind." Renee admitted and Jack laughed.

"It was. Sometimes you gotta stand up for what you feel. Your heart was in the right place." Jack assured her. "Call me Jack." Renee smiled.

"Alright, Jack." Renee nodded and started another cigarette. "Norman told me a lot about you two. Said you two and the others kept him alive." Jack smiled.

"He didn't tell you he kept us alive too, did he?" Jack asked. Renee shook her head, confused. Jack looked at her kindly but with sad eyes.

"Renee. Germany was a mess. It wasn't good. Quite frankly it was hell. Sure we had good days, but there were more bad days. We lost people, good people. We were the lucky ones who got out ok. We couldn't do that without helping each other out." Jack told her, trying to avoid the gore. Renee smiled at her.

"Jack, I know." Renee told her. Jack was about to ask how but Renee finished for her. "Jack, I was in Pearl Harbor when the Japanese attacked." Jack damn near dropped her cigarette.

"What the hell where you doing there?" Jack asked, forgetting her manners and Renee laughed.

"I was training to become a nurse. I wanted to be a military nurse so they trained me at a military base. I was engaged to a man who was stationed there, in Hawaii." Jack caught the past tense.

"Was?"

"Yes, he didn't make it through the attack." Renee answered sadly. "He was one of the men who were trapped in the ships." Jack stared at the girl in horror. "I had to tend to the wounded soldiers while we were being bombed. We had to choose who got help and who were too far gone to save. It was a mess." Renee told her. Jack put a gentle hand on her shoulder. "When mother heard, she almost didn't let me continue my nursing education. I am so afraid that she will do the same to Norman."

"Renee, if need be, I will pay. I have enough to at the very least help." Jack had been completely taken aback from the girl's story and wondered why Norman never mentioned it.

Jack and Renee stood outside smoking and talking. Jack decided she really like Renee. She was a gentle, kind creature. She had a good heart. And it took some guts to be able to be a nurse. Jack learned that Renee spent most of the war in Hawaii. Both she and Norman spoke and read fluent French when they were younger and that her and Norman were thick as thieves until she was shipped off to France for schooling. Norman, being the quiet boy he is, caved easily under his mother's pressure as a child and his sister would often stand up for him.

Renee like Jack. She liked that Jack was brave enough to fight in the army and strong enough to be considered and equal by the men she worked with and confident in her own self to stand up to people who questioned her actions. Renee admired Jack. Eventually the two decided to go back to the group and approached arm in arm. Norman looked terrified seeing the two women get along so well. Jack laughed and sat down, bright smile on her face. Norman's mother didn't say another word the whole time.

Norman's father was alright. He wasn't a bad man and Jack actually didn't mind him. He was a bit of a pushover with is wife, but now that she was silent, he had found his voice.

The rest of the day went smoothly. The parents left after lunch to go home. His mother just looked at him before boarding the train and his father actually gave him a hug before boarding. Renee was going to stay for a while and help Norman unpack in his dorm. Don and Jack offered to accompany him.

The four entered Norman's new dorm and saw it was empty. His roommate had not arrived yet. They set the trunks down on his bed and Renee and Norman began to unpack them. Jack and Don just stood aside and let them unpack. The two siblings were in synch and Renee knew where Norman wanted everything without even having to ask. Norman began taping pictures to the wall and Jack spotted the one of the group. She smiled.

Renee walked over to look at them and she spotted the one of the group. They were all sitting on Fury and looking at the camera. It was taken the day the war ended and each tired face held a triumphant smile. They were covered and mud and banged up but alive.

"Ooh, Norman, who is that handsome devil?" Renee asked letting her finger land on Grady. Norman's face flashed to one of fear.

"Renee, no. Trust me you won't like him." Norman tried to argue. Jack walked over and looked at the man she was pointing to and laughed.

"Oh, that ass hole. That's Grady." Jack told her. Renee looked to her.

"Grady as in "Coon-ass"?" She asked and Jack nodded. She shrugged. "Haven't heard anything I don't like yet." sHe said teasingly to Norman and the poor boy looked about ready to die.

Jack and Don were going to give Norman hell for that. No way there were giving that up. After Norman was settled in, the four found themselves at Betty's for dinner. Betty loved Renee to death. Don told Betty all that had happened at lunch and the woman laughed. Betty congratulated Renee on standing up to the woman.

The day was pleasant and they dropped Renee off at the train and said goodbye. She promised to visit soon and Jack gave her their number so she could call. The next task was to drop Norman off at his dorm. He too received the number to call incase there were any emergencies. Norman gave them his dorm phone number as well in case they wanted to call. Jack hugged Norman and wished him luck.

It was a good ending to an eventful day and Jack and Don climbed into bed. It had been a good day and a lovely evening and the two fell asleep peacefully and stayed asleep.

Before Don fell asleep, his thoughts first drifted back to the lake house and the favor he asked Boyd to do. He needed to talk to Jack about it and soon. But when? How? He was still trying to figure it out. Had he waited long enough? Was it too soon? He would have to take a leap of faith and hope to God Jack would still have his back.

About a week later, Don made sure he got home early enough to set everything up. He made dinner and set it on the table. He had stopped by Betty's for some candles and Betty had bought him a bottle of wine. She said it was the best she's ever had so Don trusted her judgement. He poured himself some to calm his nerves and make sure it was good enough.

HE didn't know why he was so nervous, he knew he had no reason to be. It's not like he was about to face those SS soldiers again. But it felt like it. It felt as if he was back in that tank. He refiled his glass and set it by his plate and filled a glass for Jack. He shut off the kitchen lights. The candles and sinking sun would give them enough light.

He heard the front door open and close. Jack made her way to the kitchen and stopped when she saw him and his creation. She laughed gentle as he approached and held her close. He kissed her gently.

"What's all this for?" Jack asked with a sot laugh. Don smiled at her and lead her to her seat.

"Just wanted to do something for you." He explained as she sat. He walked over to the corner. He had moved the radio into that room and turned it on low. Music played softly and Jack was smiling. He found himself thinking of how beautiful she was all through the meal. About halfway through, Fly Me To The Moon came on and Don had an idea. HE stood and offered a hand out to a confused Jack. She took his hand and he gently pulled her up and into his arms. She blushed and laughed softly, letting him lead.

They were dancing slowly in a dimly lit kitchen. Jack could feel her heart beating loudly and swore Don could hear it. If he could he didn't show it. He was too worried that she was hearing his beat loudly. Towards the end of the song, Don knew it was now or never. He stopped Jack and held her shoulders gently and looked into her face. She looked up to him, confused as to why he stopped.

Don slowly sank until he was on one knee, holding Jack's hand. Jack's heart was racing wildly and she wondered if she's have a heart attack or some shit.

"Don-" She spoke softly but stopped.

"Jacqueline Edwards," He whispered softly and pulled something out of his pocket. He opened it and Jack stopped breathing all together. "Jacqueline Edwards, will you marry me?" He asked quietly. Jack's mouth hung open. Tears began to spill out of her eyes and she couldn't speak. All she could do was nod. She nodded furiously as a laugh ripped through her chest and Don smiled softly at her and stood. She nodded again.

"Yes." She finally breathed as she wrapped her arms around his neck. Tears of joy spilled. "Oh, Don, yes!" She laughed. He held her before letting her step back. He was laughing gently and Jack swore he had tears of his own threatening to spill. He took the ring out of the box and slipped it on her finger and Jack admired it. It was so simple and so elegant. "Oh, yes. Oh, don, I love it, I love you!" She said and Don laughed as she stood on her toes and kissed him. He held her close and kissed her passionately.

Jack made a few phone calls the next day. Norman was first. Don called Betty and told her Jack's answer. Jack then called Boyd. Lastly she called Gordo and Grady. Gordo cried, talking about how his little assistant driver was getting married. Jack laughed her ass off.

Jack was getting married. Jack Edwards was marrying Don Collier. Jack was getting married.

Figured I should end it happy for now. Btw's Caps won against bruins and I was there! Ohmygod so satisfying.

Let me know what you guys think!