I do not own EUReKA. As I'm sure you've already guessed.
Blame It On The Hormones - Chapter 4: Let The Games Begin
"Are you okay? You're awfully quiet tonight."
Approaching her from behind, Jack placed his chin on Allison's shoulder, his arms wrapped securely around her waist. Immediately falling into his embrace, she caressed his hands as they lay across her belly.
"I'm fine baby, just tired."
That night Allison and Kevin dined with Jack, Zoë and S.A.R.A.H at the smart house. Lately the four of them had been spending an increasingly large amount of time together. The majority of it at Jack's house only because it was just easier that way. Jack lived in a secluded area so her frequent comings and goings went unnoticed by the general population. They used the guise of birthing class when outside of work to devote time to each other. Here they were free to be themselves and take the time to learn more about each other. So while he and Allison cleared the dishes, Kevin and Zoë holed themselves up in her room, currently being entertained by S.A.R.A.H.
Allison craned her neck and took notice of his furrowed brow, his concern for her plain to see.
"Allie, are you sure?"
"I'm fine...really."
"Yes...you...are."
With each pause, he kissed the slender sloping curve of her neck. Allison couldn't help but smile. He'd recently begun calling her Allie and it felt so natural as if he'd been saying it all along.
The past few weeks they'd made up for missed time. Since Allison's talk with Tess, their romance was on the fast track. They were unburdened by the pressure of keeping their love a secret from the one person they were most worried about hurting. The only other people who knew were Kevin, who barely talked to anyone and Zoë, who true to her word hadn't blabbed at all.
The day after her talk with Tess, Allison called Jack to let him know how she faired. She planned to tell him verbatim what transpired, but for some reason she held back. Oh, she told him how upset Tess was and how betrayed she felt, but she left out the most important detail, that being how Tess vowed to compete with Allison for Jack's affection.
Did she do it because she was afraid Tess was right and she'd somehow manipulated him? Did she do it to discover if he was in fact with her out of pity? Did she do it as a test, to see if he really loved her? Allison knew she was playing a dangerous game. She should have been upfront with him from the beginning but she'd had her heart broken so many times, she was feeling gun-shy about the whole love thing. She decided to let the situation evolve on it's on. She didn't want to sway Jack in either direction. If he did love her then she had nothing to worry about.
As they ambled over to the couch, Jack positioned himself on the chaise so that Allison could recline against him. He relished these moments the most. They sat quietly, Allie usually caught up on some reading while he watched something on television, but tonight he couldn't concentrate. With Allison resting comfortably between his thighs, leant back against his chest, Jack too was consumed by the recollection of a recent talk he'd had with Tess.
The Monday after her talk with Allison, Jack ran into Tess in Café Diem as he was picking up his usual Vinspresso. Jack knew he'd run into her eventually, but first thing in the morning after her best friend had just informed her not forty-eight hours ago that she and her "boyfriend" were in love was not a good sign as to how his day would progress. Jack was already prepared for an attack from Tess, not physically but at least verbally. Jack braced himself for an on-slot of obscenities hoping that he could somehow steer her to a secluded area so they could talk in private. The last thing he wanted was their business aired to the entire town. As sure as there'd be a catastrophic occurrence in Eureka, the news of he, Allison and Tess would spread faster then wildfire.
Her attention focused solely on Jack, he watched as she strode over to him, her expression indecipherable.
Taking the seat next to him at the counter she faced him dead on. "Hey Jack."
Jack waited for her to continue, hoping that she'd maintain control of her emotions. When he failed to respond to her greeting she tried again.
Waving her hand back and forth enthusiastically in front of his face she tried again. "Uh, Jack. Are you all right?"
Jack checked over his shoulder to make sure she was speaking to him. He was mystified to say the least.
"Uh...um...hi. Tess?"
"Yeah, that's right it's me Tess."
Jack didn't understand what was going on. She was smiling...at him. "Tess...are you okay?"
"What? Did you think I'd come in here yelling and screaming at you, all teary eyed and make a scene?"
"Well, no but..."
"Come on Jack we're all adults here."
"Yeah..." Jack was shocked that she was being so blasé about the whole situation, "...what?"
"Look Jack, after my talk with Al I spent some time thinking. There's still a lot for me to process, but I'm confident we'll get past this."
Before he could respond she got up from the stool, swiped his Vinspresso from the counter and bounded out the door. Jack knew he must have looked absolutely nuts. Unmoving, he carefully scanned the area to see if there was anything else unusual happening. It had to be a paradox, or a temporal time loop, or some other thingy he couldn't explain let alone understand which would explain her strange behavior. It had to be an outside force controlling her because no woman in their right mind would react to the news she'd received in that manner. As the seconds ticked by, nothing out of the ordinary occurred so Jack just shrugged it off and ordered another Vinspresso to go.
The rest of that week whenever he saw Tess, she would go out of her way to speak to him. Jack couldn't be sure but he thought she even winked at him a couple times. When the three of them were in the same vicinity, she and Allison behaved professionally and surprisingly Tess was cordial and welcoming of her. This was all contradictory to what Allison would tell him when they were alone. She told him when they had to confer on issues or meet for the sake of a project where it was just the two of them, Tess was aloof but never disrespectful. If she did harbor any harsh feelings toward Allison, Jack hadn't seen it.
Though they were pleased that Tess now knew, they still hoped to keep it hidden from everyone else a while longer. Tess certainly wasn't going to tell anyone. But they should have known it wouldn't stay quiet for long. As what typically occurs in a small town, word got out. The first person to confront him was Jo. They were at the Sheriff's station handling day to day business in what had been an unusually slow week. Jo said she'd noticed that he appeared more upbeat, if that was even possible. It was like he was walking on air.
"Okay Carter, what's going on?" Jo glared at him from across the room.
"What are you talking about?"
"Don't play dumb with me. I know you. Somethings different." She walked over to his desk, her hands perched on either side and peered at him as if she could see straight though his soul.
"I have no idea what you mean." His statement hardly convincing as a smile tugged at the corners of his mouth.
Jack knew Jo when she had a target in her sights. She was tenacious and unrelenting when it came to accomplishing her mission.
"Let's see now." She crossed her arms and fervently began pacing the length between their desks.
"It's not work" she waved her hand dismissively at the thought, "and we haven't had any disasters lately. Zoë hasn't been in any trouble. You and Tess seem to be going along smoothly."
Jack studied Jo as she stopped dead in her tracks. She'd seemingly had an epiphany as she turned to face him, her eyes wide and bright.
She pointed an accusatory finger at him. "As a matter of fact you and Tess haven't been spending much time together lately...but you and Allison have."
Jack knew he was caught–it was written all over his face.
"Oh...my...God! You and Allison, it's you and Allison isn't it." She practically screeched at the top of her lungs as she giddily hopped up and down.
Jack rose from his chair and rounded on her.
"Why didn't you tell me?"
She playfully punched him on the arm.
"We're trying to keep it on the down low."
"Who else knows?"
"Just the kids...and Tess of course."
"Eww. How did that go?"
"Initially not good, but she seems to have come to terms with it. I mean she speaks to us, she's friendly and she doesn't appear to be holding any grudges."
"Really?"
Jack shrugged his shoulders since he could give no other explanation for her acceptance.
"Well, I'm really happy for the two of you Carter."
"Thanks Jo."
Jack had to admit, it felt better now that Jo knew their secret. He didn't think of her only as his Deputy but as his partner, his friend, and a surrogate pain in the ass little sister. Since Jo had been inducted into their circle of trust, Jack didn't see the harm in letting one other person know.
Jack leaned against the workbench which was scattered with tools, some of which he could easily identify the rest surely creations of Henry's, arguably the smartest person in Eureka. The town's Jack-of-all-trades and his best friend. Cold brews in hand, he and Henry often got together to shoot the shit. Unlike many of the male population, Henry had an appreciation of Jack's interests which included sports and action flicks along with his love of anything scientific.
Jack started his confession by apologizing to Henry for not bringing him in the loop. He told him out of respect for Tess, he and Allison agreed not to divulge the particulars to anyone. Jack knew Henry wouldn't be upset and in fact Henry told him he understood the reason for secrecy. What surprised him was when he told Jack he knew it would happen sooner or later. Henry told him that the universe had a way of righting itself and Jack thought he glimpsed a knowing look on Henry's face almost as if he had a secret of his own.
With the news of their paring revealed to those closest to them, they took those next few weeks to test their relationship out on the rest of the world. They ventured to locations other than birthing class, GD, or Café Diem. Jack even boldly held her hand on several occasions confirming that he was more then just a good friend. When Allison gripped his tightly in return he beamed like a kid on Christmas morning.
For Allison it was the culmination of years of longing for him. Being with him was even more wonderful than she dreamed. Jack was attentive and sweet, always asking if she needed anything. After a long day at work he'd massage her neck and her feet. If they ate at her house, he'd cook for the four of them. He'd let her rest while he kept watch over Kevin. He listened to her when she discussed work, and even though he didn't comprehend much of what she talked about, he was genuinely interested. All in all, she didn't have one complaint about Jack Carter...well, that wasn't exactly true.
Of all their activities–the long walks, the late night phone calls, the dates to the movies, the dinners, the sleepovers, whatever it was they'd done, they'd yet to make love.
From the first instance Allison met Jack Carter, she wanted to take him to bed. Each time she saw him was an exercise in futility. It was if there was something keeping them apart. If it wasn't Nathan it was Callie or Tess or their own fears. Now that she had him, she wanted him all the more. She tried to give him subtle hints, a touch here, a lingering look there, but no dice. Maybe he thought it was too soon. Maybe he thought she didn't want to. Maybe he didn't find her sexually attractive while pregnant. The closest they'd come to sealing the deal was one Saturday night at his place.
Zoë was having a sleepover which meant the house was filled with teenage girls who with their collective knowledge could probably orchestrate world domination. Jack knew that was unlikely to happen but girls were girls. So even though S.A.R.A.H could easily monitor them, he felt his presence was necessary. That didn't mean he wanted to listen to ten teenage girls squealing all night long, so he planned on an evening of movies and making out with Allison. Kevin was staying over at friends house so it was just the two of them up in his bedroom. S.A.R.A.H set up a holographic image of a movie screen then he promptly banned her from the room instructing her to supervise downstairs.
Jack gave Allison first pick and was pleasantly surprised when she chose to watch Bull Durham. He teased her saying he hadn't realized she liked sports movies whereby she told him for her it wasn't a movie necessarily about sports and romance, but the metaphysical approach to life. She then added that it didn't hurt that Kevin Costner was hot. On the meaning of the movie, Jack said they would have to agree to disagree. With her legs thrown across his lap, he was content to stay in this position forever.
Allison was the one who started it. She gradually inched closer and closer until she was tucked snuggly under his shoulder, her lips pressed against his collarbone. What started as light brushes of her lips across his skin graduated to love bites as they canoodled on the couch. She managed to find one of his more sensitive areas and languished over his collarbone. Jack was beside himself, eyes closed, he was enraptured. Each time she nibbled he could feel his cock grow stiffer. This time when she moved her hand to his thigh, he didn't flinch. Encouraged by her actions he covered one breast with his hand. The more he fondled, the more animated she became. Her own movements intensifying, her lustful moans sending chills throughout his body.
When she tilted her head back and stared into his eyes, Jack saw what he'd always longed for, a wanton, immodest desire for him. With his reserve broken, he ventured on. He slowly unbuttoned her oxford shirt exposing her white lace bra. Jack could see her chest heave in anticipation as he unhooked the clasp, lowered his head and engulfed her. The crest of her bosom covered by his mouth, Jack lightly flicked the rigid nipple with his tongue. It was apparent that she craved the attention he lavished on her bountiful bosom as she grasped the back of his head in an effort to egg him on. Moaning softly in his ear Jack grew harder by the second. His flesh burned hot, his breathing already labored, it didn't help matters when she grabbed hold of his cock and began stroking him. He was sure she could feel it pulsate and throb throughout the denim material of his jeans. Jack wasn't sure about her, but he wanted to fuck her so bad it made his head hurt...both of them.
Jack peeled back her top then slid off her bra. Their positioning was awkward, movements stilted and jerky. Hell, Jack hadn't made love to a pregnant in over fifteen years and the one and only had been Abby. He pulled his own shirt off then took her by the hand and led her to his bed. As she settled herself, Jack unsnapped the closure on his jeans and stepped out of them. He blinked hard at the sight before him. She was for lack of a better word...mouthwatering. He hadn't yet removed his undershorts for fear that his erection would scare her off. Not because of it's length and girth–she'd no doubt had a preview, but because if he were to take them off now, he would surely stand at an angle any other man would find almost impossible to achieve.
Jack crawled next to her and promptly resumed with their make-out session. He felt this was it. They were finally about to become one. As he nudged closer, wrapping his around her they were both interrupted by a swift and seemingly deliberate kick. Sure he'd felt the baby kick before, and usually when he put his hand on her there was an immediate response. This was definitely different. She continued to kick as Allison winched in pain and only halted when they rolled away form each other. Jack knew it was a sign, but didn't know if it was a good or bad one. All they knew was with that one act, the mood was killed. Once they thought about it they admitted it wasn't the right time. Zoë had friends downstairs and they'd certainly notice if the head of GD snuck out in the middle to the night. So they moved back over to the couch and stayed there never moving pass first base.
That next morning as Jack stood in the shower he slipped into reverie thinking about their date. He took her home not long after, their evening closing on an anticlimactic note. They ended up missing the majority of the movie anyway. As he walked her to the door, he was sure she was going to invite him in to spend the night but for whatever reason the words never came out of her mouth. Besides he wasn't to comfortable with leaving the girls unattended. Sure S.A.R.A.H was there, but for him it wasn't the same.
As he lathered up, he closed his eyes and began fantasizing about what might have been. When he reached his cock he couldn't help but to stroke it, the image of her seminude form forever burned in his mind. He thought about her how skin glowed and how smooth it felt beneath his hands. Emitting her own natural scent he was drawn to her like a fly to honey. To be frank, Jack was sexually frustrated. He would never think of pressuring her nor would he pester her about it. When she was ready again, he'd be ready. Besides it wasn't an experience he hadn't dealt with before. He had gone months, hell more than a year without sex, and that was while he was in a relationship. This was different. He had never wanted any woman as much as he wanted Allison Blake. As he thought about her, the water pounding down, he unconsciously tugged faster and harder at his shaft until the sensation over took him and he came violently. He stayed there for some time trying to regain control of his senses. He knew one thing to be true–she was the only fuel needed for his fire.
He decided to head over to Café Diem for breakfast, leaving Zoë and her friends to fend for themselves. He'd already planned on going to the firing range with Jo anyway so he figured he'd get an early start.
As he sat at the counter devouring his meal he felt an undeniably delicate female hand curve up and over his shoulder blade. At once he assumed it was her, the grin on his face widening beyond it's limits. He whirled around on the stool, a goofy look plastered on his face which quickly diminished, his disappointment evident at the person standing before him.
"Wow! Did I really deserve that kind of reaction?"
"I'm sorry Tess. I was just surprised to see you."
"Uh-huh. Do you mind if I join you?"
"No, no please."
She gave her order to the server then wheeled around so that her knees grazed against his thigh.
"Jack, I've wanted to say something to you for a while."
Jack edged his plate forward and placed his coffee mug down so that he could give her his full attention.
"I just want you to know that I understand this is difficult and I know you never meant to hurt me."
"No, I didn't."
He hoped she could sense his sincerity. He never wanted to hurt anyone intentionally. As he tried to read her, he did notice something else. Vincent stood ominously nearby wiping a glass with a towel that was clearly bone dry.
"Uh, do you need something vince?"
"No Sheriff."
"Do you mind?"
"Oh, of course not." Vincent sidled down two stations, still well within earshot. Wisely Tess ushered them over to a side table.
"Jack, I know you wouldn't hurt me, your'e just not that kind man. I wanted to say that I'd really like it if we could remain friends. I know this is a complicated situation and I want you to know that I don't blame you."
As she uttered her statement she placed her hand on top of his bare forearm as it lay on the tabletop. It wouldn't have been so odd if not for the fact that she left it there and used her thumb to faintly stroke the hairs.
Clearing his throat, he hoped she couldn't see how uncomfortable he was.
"Tess, it's nobody's fault. You know I never wanted to come between you and Allison and she didn't mean to hurt you either. You know that right?"
"Yes, I know."
"I was hoping we could talk. Let me tell you my side."
"Jack, thats not necessary. I know this wasn't your doing."
"Well, thats not entirely true..."
"Jack you don't have to protect Allison."
"I'm not. Tess, I went in fully aware of the choice I was making. I don't want this to ruin your friendship with Allison. That was never our intention."
"Jack don't worry. Al and I are going to be fine. We're already on the mend. Our friendship is strong. We'd never let a man come between us."
"I'm glad to hear that."
"I mean, it's gonna take a some time for us to get back to where we were, but I'm confident that everything will work out just like I plan."
"O...kay?"
"Look Jack. Even with everything that's happened, we've developed a close friendship...haven't we?"
"Yeah, sure."
"We have common interests. Heck, you're dating my best friend. If that's not commonality, I don't know what is."
Jack laughed uncomfortably at her apparent attempt at a joke.
"I know this may seem strange, but we had a good time together...didn't we?
"Uh..."
"We had fun, we laughed a lot, we got...along well...extremely well if I recall. Why shouldn't we hang out sometime?"
"Um..."
"Oh come on Jack. We're not children. You spend time with Jo."
"Yeah, but that's different."
"Look I was just putting it out there. Al's gonna have the baby soon and she's gonna have her hands full. She'll be far to busy caring for a newborn, not to mention Kevin, plus she's head of GD. I'm sure she wouldn't mind if we kept each other company. I mean unless you planned to help her with the baby too."
"Well, yeah."
"Do you think that'd be appropriate?"
"What do you mean?"
"Well, it's not your baby. It'd be weird, if not uncomfortable for both of you. Look I know Al better than anyone, she's strong and independent. She may feel like you're being intrusive. I know she asked you to be her coach but honestly, you were at the top of a very short list."
Jack felt like he'd just had the wind knocked out of his sails. "We haven't discussed what happens after the baby's born."
"Wouldn't it be a good idea if you did? I'm sure this isn't how she planned it. Remember she'd hoped to spend the rest of her life with Nathan. As a friend to both of you, I think you should talk to her."
His answer was barely above a whisper. "Yeah."
"I'll see ya later Jack."
With that she left out, leaving him disconcerted. Her pronouncement came across as sincere, but Jack felt there was something dubious about the intent.
"Hey Carter."
"Hey Jo."
Jo arrived earlier than expected and he honestly he was glad for the diversion. He didn't want his conversation with Tess to be the focal point of his day.
"I see Tess just left out and you're still in one piece."
"Yeah. She said she wants to remain friends and maybe hang out sometime."
"Excuse me?"
"I know. It's sounds crazy but I think she was serious."
"Well, she's a better woman than I am because I would've drop kicked you a long time ago."
"Well, it's a good thing that it's not you."
"Yuck, creepy." She shuddered, her face contorting they both broke out in uproarious laughter as they headed out for some much needed training and stress relief.
Ultimately Jack was glad for the distraction today. The issues Tess brought up, admittedly he'd thought about a lot lately. As he drove home his insecurities intensified. They were dating, but what would happen once the baby was born. Did he have a role to play? How involved did she want him to be, if at all. He certainly couldn't compare or compete with Stark. What did she see in him anyway? She said she'd always loved him, but her years of inaction had been contrary to her profession.
Maybe Tess was right about one thing...he should have a talk with Allison.
Next - Chapter 5: The Seeds of Doubt Have Been Planted