I do not own EUReKA. Warning...If you are a fan of Tess, beware. It's not that I hate her. I'm just indifferent.

Blame It On The Hormones

Chapter 3: What Goes Around Comes Around

Allison rotated the faucet handle with her foot once last time to heat the water that had grown cold. She had been lounging in the tub for over an hour and still had no desire to get out. Kevin had been asleep for some time so she took advantage of these precious moments of solitude and performed one of her favorite rituals. She pulled her hair into a disheveled bun that rested a top her head, slathered on an organic face cream, and poured a generous amount of lavender oil into her bath. It always managed to help relieve her stress and right now she needed it...badly. It had been a particularly difficult week with all she had to deal with at work, home and personally.

The week started off pleasantly enough. That Monday she'd had her bimonthly appointment with her ob-gyn and her baby girl was doing fine. Kevin had started with a new therapist who had some interesting theories in connecting with and understanding Autistic children. Her staff was making progress in deciphering the data brought back by Henry's ship–along with a reconstructed version of Kim from it's voyage around the universe. Henry was back to his old self. He'd seemingly come to terms with Kim's reappearance and subsequent disappearance. Overall not a bad start...then it all came crashing down.

It all kicked off when Tess came by her house for dinner after work that Tuesday. Allison had planned to have a leisurely chat with her. She wanted to talk to her about their friendship in order to gage her state of mind before deciding how to confess to her. Unfortunately Tess found another topic of conversation she wanted to dwell on which was of course Jack Carter. The entire time she griped to Allison about how infuriating he was being lately. What once showed signs of turning into a relationship, now seemed to be falling apart. He'd suddenly become standoffish, disconnected, unpredictable. Tess said she thought she'd made the situation worse by insinuating that he was intimidated by her. She knew it wasn't true, but she wanted to say something, anything to get him to show some emotion towards her.

Allison halfheartedly listened to her babble on and on about her troubles with Jack. She did all the obligatory things a friend was supposed to do in this situation. Every so often she would give her a forced smile or a nod of encouragement. It wasn't that she was trying to be insensitive, she was too busy wondering how she'd managed to entangle herself in this mess. If she'd had done what she should have when she saw that Tess and Carter were starting to couple up, they could have avoided what was inevitably a disaster in the making. Allison felt like a heel. There she stood as Tess poured her heart out and all she could think about was herself. How this affected her. How the level of respect she'd earned may diminish. Not once did she consider that Tess would have developed strong feelings for Jack. Right about now all Allison wanted to be was left alone. No, that wasn't entirely true. She wanted to be alone with Jack. Thankfully Tess seemed to pick up on her vibes as Allison apologized, said she was exhausted and thought it be best they call it a night. Tess volunteered to stick around and hang with Kevin while she got some rest but Allison told her she'd be fine and tactfully sent her packing.

After locking the door behind her, Allison realized that she was indeed worn out. She checked in on Kevin who was busy with his favorite activity. He sat at his desk quietly–as usual, working on computations in number theory. The current brainteaser he was attempting to solve was the Collatz Conjecture which no doubt he will have solved in a relatively short amount of time. Allison sat with him for a while just observing. Even though he barely acknowledged her presence she knew he was aware of her as he titled his chair at a forty-five degree angle as he routinely did when she kept him company. It wasn't long before he had tired himself out as he wandered over to bed. Allison read to him as he dozed off, kissed his forehead and headed up to her room.

She plunked down on the mattress with the intent of undressing and putting on her night clothes. Her lids heavy, she stretched across the bed and even though her body had conceded, her brain resisted. All she wanted to do was sleep. She tried to think pleasant thoughts in an attempt to coax her mind to relax and let go. She pictured Jack–his face, his smile, his eyes, his hands, his body...everything she had been immediately attracted to. She thought back to that Wednesday and the time spent with him. He drove her home after birthing class and ended up hanging with her for most of the night. They knew it wouldn't fair well for them if they suddenly began spending massive amounts of time together. The conditions couldn't have been more perfect as their classes explained their renewed closeness and it wouldn't seem inappropriate for him to be at her house this late. Allison made the three of them some dinner, spent some time with Kevin, and after he'd gone to his room they engaged in some heavy petting on the couch. They had planned to talk about Tess but ended up making out the entire time.

Jack's hands groped her as they journeyed over her frame. Earlier those same touches were comforting, deliberate, meticulous as he learned how to assist in the birthing process. Now they were greedy, heedless, tormenting as they clawed her. He started at the curve of her spine, slowly wandering down to her waist, passing over her hips where they settled squarely on her rear. Allison could feel the stirring between her thighs and noticed that he to was heated as his breathing become harsher. He had his hands braced around her face as his kissed her forcefully. As Allison laid her hand on his inner thigh he let out what she was sure was an unintentional moan and without warning pulled away from her.

Allison was stymied. "What is it?"

"Nothing."

The look on his face certainly didn't convey that message as he abruptly stood and walked to the kitchen. As she approached he swiftly turned toward the sink and poured himself a glass of water. Allison scanned the area in an attempt to ascertain the problem, utterly confused at what could have happened.

The glass still to his mouth he emitted an unintelligible word. "Mmm."

"Jack tell me? Did I do something wrong?" Allison advanced on him and as she reached out to touch him he halted her.

He waved her off. "Don't!"

Now she was getting worried. "Jack what is it?"

"Its nothing..."

"Jack!"

"I um..."

She saw his head gesture in the direct of the floor.

Allison threw her arms up and out from her sides having no clue as to what he was trying to indicate.

"What!"

He grimaced at her then cast his eyes down more slowly this time. As she followed the path she finally saw the bulge protruding from his pants.

The realization hit her as she audibly gasped. "OH!"

She tittered as he looked skyward, his humiliation obvious.

"Jack."

"Eh..." He held his hands up almost as if he were fending her off.

"Jack, it's okay."

"Okay! I'm mortified."

Allison crossed over and gently placed her hands on his chest in reassurance.

"It happens. Besides, I'm amazed you had any reaction at all. I mean, look at me."

Allison peered down at her very pregnant belly and the toes she could no longer see.

He was incredulous. "Are you kidding me? You're gorgeous."

Blushing profusely she admonished him. "Shut-up."

"What? You are."

A smile tugged at the corners of her mouth. "You're not so bad yourself."

Jack held out his arms. "Come here."

"Why?"

"I wanna hold you."

"Is that all?"

"Well, for starters anyway."

Allison cuddled up next to him, collapsing into his frame.

His chin resting against her head he confessed, "I never thought this would happen."

"Me neither."

"I wanted to ask you out the moment I met you."

"Why didn't you?"

"I tried to build up the courage to tell you how I felt, but like you said, I didn't make the best first impression."

"I know we started off on the wrong foot and it was partly my fault. I wasn't very friendly."

"No, you were not. But...you're forgiven."

Allison swatted at him playfully.

"I should've just gone for it. Besides, you would have said yes anyway."

"Uh, doubt it."

They laughed heartily allowing the sound to fill the room.

Allison chose to take this moment to revel a matter that she had been struggling with. "Jack, if I tell you something will you promise not to get upset."

"I promise."

"I'm glad we happened this way. While I'd always dreamed that we'd come to together, the likelihood of it happening became slimmer as the days passed. Things may have gone differently and I admit, I'm happy with what we have now."

At her avowal he reached down and rubbed her belly. "I know what you mean."

Then she kissed him just because he was so considerate, so caring, and so understanding.

"Jack. I don't want to sneak around. It's not fair to Tess and it's not fair to us."

"I know, you're right. I don't even know how to start that conversation with her."

"I think I should be the one to talk to her."

"I'm not sure thats the best idea."

"I do. Trust me, I have lots of explaining to do."

Allison had every intention of speaking to Tess that next day, but an unforeseen matter needed to be attended to.

She had been sitting in her office finishing up on paperwork when her phone rang. She didn't know why but a chill ran down her spine. Larry transferred it in explaining that the caller didn't want to give her name. When Allison picked up the line, she knew immediately who it was. Jenna Stark, Nathan's mother lay on the other end. She apologized to Allison for not calling nor keeping in touch, but assured her that she and Kevin were always in her thoughts. She told her that things were going well and asked how her pregnancy was doing. They talked for several minutes exchanging pleasantries then she gave Allison some news.

Apparently Nathan's will had just finished going through probate and she wanted to let her know his final wishes. She said that Nathan had never changed his will from their first marriage. Jenna told her that Nathan loved her so much and always hoped that you'd be a part of his life again. She told Allison that Nathan had spoken to her before he died and now it seemed quite prophetic. He knew what he did was dangerous, but he loved the risk because it allowed him to pursue his passion. Apart from a few sentimental items and a pecuniary for his mother, he left everything he owned in the world to Allison and Kevin.

Allison was beside herself. She knew that they'd talked about updating their wills and she had meant to, but Nathan had never let on that his had always remained the same. Sensing a heaviness in her heart, she suddenly felt guilty for having feelings for Jack. When Nathan was alive, she was aware that he had been jealous of him. Yes, Nathan had intelligence and good looks, but Jack had that and so much more. No, Jack wasn't Eureka scientist smart, but he had a unique way of looking at situations and finding solutions when no one else could. He was a gorgeous man who had piqued the interest of many a woman in town and unbeknownst to him, a few men–she even believed that Vincent had a crush on him. In addition Jack had many other admirable qualities. He was a gentleman and not intimidated by strong women. He was a man of his word, friendly, and in touch with his sensitive side. He was funny and goofy, yet he was serious about and took great pride in his work. Above all he was faithful and unbelievably loyal. With all that he had going for him, he managed to not have an ego. Allison wondered how Nathan would feel about her getting involved with him now. Would he approve? Would he even care? Would he hate her?

She knew that Nathan realized that his window of opportunity was closing as she became more connected to Carter. They were growing closer and closer day by day. In her heart she knew that if Nathan hadn't gone after her with such fervor, she would have readily given her self–mind, body and soul to Jack Carter, of this she was sure. Allison had many unresolved issues to contend with. Once she said her goodbyes to Mama Stark, promising to visit when the baby was old enough to travel, she headed up to her room. There was something extremely important she had to do.

As she entered the bedroom, she went straight to her bureau drawer. She reached beneath the layer of silk camisoles and pulled a small velvet box from it's resting place. Holding it tightly in her hands, she sat on the edge of the bed. She slowly opened it revealing the beautifully crafted logic diamond Nathan had created for her as a wedding present. It was the same necklace Jack presented her with several weeks after his death. Jack held onto initially because he thought it may be to hard for her to deal with. The pain was still too new, too raw, so in her best interest he made a choice. When she thought about what he'd done, she loved him even more.

When she first put the necklace on she'd heard and seen visions of Nathan. Of course she hadn't realized it at the time, but her touch was the catalyst for his images being brought to life. When she learned the secret of the necklace she was overcome with emotion. Over the last few months she'd periodically taken it from it's hiding place and sat with it...and him. The odd thing was, since Tess had taken an interest in Jack, she hadn't once used it. In the beginning she used it because she missed him so, then because she was lonely. All that aside, she knew what she had to do.

She moved around and stood at the foot of the bed and for the last time she placed the diamond around her neck. Allison touched it again allowing Nathan's likeness to appear. She inhaled sharply, for what she was about to do took a strength like none she'd used before. Talking as if he were really there with her, she began...

"Nathan I want you to know that I love you and I miss you. I would have proudly and happily been your wife. Even though you are gone, you have left me with a gift that that I will forever cherish. I will love this child and make sure that she knows what kind of man you were. Your memory will live on...but so must I. I'm in love. I'm in love with Jack Carter and I always have been. I want you to know this because I'm letting you go. What we had, though difficult at times, was beautiful and special. You have made an impact on my life and you will always hold a special place in my heart. This will be the last time that I will see you for my own purposes. This gift you so lovingly gave to me, will be hers."

With that said, Allison placed the necklace back in it's case, closed the lid and placed it back in the drawer to be taken out when their child was ready and able to understand.

A lightness overcame her, as if a burden had been lifted and she knew deep down in her heart the Nathan would accept her decision. She knew that even though he didn't want to show it, he knew that Jack was an admirable man. With her courage and strength renewed her next call would be the most difficult. What she had to say had to be done face to face.

Allison invited Tess over for dinner Friday with the hopes of having a civil conversation. She waited until that night for two reasons. One, it was a relaxed atmosphere where she knew Tess felt safe and comfortable. Two, it allowed Tess the weekend to digest what she'd heard. The problem was, Tess was about to be blindsided by the real reason she was here. They didn't start in on the subject of Jack right away which Allison was not happy about. Tess seemed to want to talk about anything but. She asked about the baby, she asked about Kevin, and she wanted to know how Allison was holding up without Nathan. Allison thought she would lose it. Why did she have to be so considerate when Allison was about to rock her world? Allison couldn't put it off. She assured Jack that she would do this tonight, so she bit the bullet and dove in.

"Tess I need to talk to you about Jack."

"Oh my God. Did he ask you to talk to me for him? Look Allison I appreciate you trying to help but if he wants to talk to me he can do it himself."

This was going to be much harder than she thought. "No Tess, Jack didn't ask me. It was my idea."

"Your idea? And since when have you started calling him Jack?"

Allison could feel the lump forming in her throat. She had run through the scenario in her mind repeatedly in hopes of foreseeing any obstacles. She intended on appealing to Tess' intellectual side, but she knew that it wouldn't matter. She sat unmoving, her eyes squeezed shut.

Tess reached out and placed a comforting arm on her shoulder. "Al are you okay?"

Allison freaked and blurted it out. "I've been calling him Jack...since I told him I loved him."

You could literally hear a pin drop. Allison naturally assumed that Tess would yell, or run out, or even slap her face, but what she did do shocked her even more.

"You love him? Al, when I asked you if anything was going on between the two of you, you said nothing. You said you were just friends."

"Nothing was going on."

"So you blatantly lied to my face."

"No, it's not like that."

"Oh. So suddenly, out of the blue you love him."

"I guess I've always loved him."

"You guess? So you're telling me you never loved Nathan."

"Of course I did. How can you say that?"

"I get it. Not only did you have one of the most eligible men in town, you somehow managed to fall in love with the other."

Allison could hear the sarcasm drip from Tess' mouth like sap from a tree.

"Tess..."

"You saw your opportunity and you took it. You manipulated him."

"Thats not true."

"God Al, you can't let me have anything can you. You always have to one up me."

"What are you talking about?"

"Don't play dumb with me, you don't pull it off very well. It was you who got the highest accolades in school, you who was valedictorian and me as usual the runner up. It was you who got recruited by the DOD and offered a position in Eureka when you knew I had been longing for the chance to work in this sort of capacity. I met Nathan first. I told you how brilliant he was and how handsome he was. You're the one who got the husband–oh, correction...husbands, the children, the beautiful home, the powerful and prestigious job. But noooo, that wasn't good enough. You had to have him too."

With every accusation, Allison could feel the physical manifestation of her words as if she were poking her in the chest.

"Just watch it Tess."

"I've always known you were aggressive, but I didn't know you were conniving. You stabbed me in the back."

"Tess, I didn't do anything wrong."

"You didn't do anything wrong? Wow! That ego of yours is beyond measure."

"Excuse me."

"Perfect Allison Blake. Don't play the innocent victim with me. You always gets what you want."

Angered, Allison could feel the blood rushing to her face. "Tell me Tess, do you love him?"

"I guess I'll never know...will I."

As she turned to leave Allison yelled out to her. "Jack loves me."

Tess turned on her heels. "So Nathan's been gone less than six months and you're already moving on. Geez Al, how many men are you gonna put in the ground?"

Allison could no longer control her temper as she screamed at her. "You bitch! How dare you!"

"How dare me? How dare you! You expect me to just step aside and let you have him?"

"He loves me Tess."

Tess scoffed. "Are you sure he really loves you, or is he just taking pity on you because of your situation."

"God Tess. I was so worried about hurting you. You never had interest in him until I suggested you get to know him. I see what a mistake that was now."

"I knew you were lying when you said nothing was going on. I should have listened to my instinct."

"Look Tess, I know this is hard on you. It'll be hard for all of us, but we can get past this. I have a history with Jack and I want a future with him."

"We'll see about that."

"What is that supposed to mean?"

"It means you better be careful because things in Eureka have a way of not turning out the way you want them to."

"Is that a threat?"

"That's up to you now...isn't it."

With that Tess left out, the door slamming shut behind her.

Allison felt a surge of epinephrine bubble up inside. The audacity of her to insinuate, let alone accuse her of such actions. No, she hadn't been a very good friend in allowing Tess to grow an attachment to Jack, but Allison never expected her to take it this way. Yes, she knew she would be upset, but to unabashedly say she was going to fight for him was another story. Allison knew she didn't have anything to worry about. Jack wouldn't fall for that. He couldn't be cajoled...could he?

Allison didn't know if it was fate or karma, but she was sure of one thing–she wasn't about to cry, she had no tears for Tess. If Tess wanted to go there, then so be it. She wasn't going to sit idly by and allow her to turn Jack against her. As far as she was concerned, their friendship was beyond repair. There was no way she was giving in.

She was going to fight for Jack Carter.

Next - Chapter 4: Let The Games Begin