I do not own EUReKA and I miss it dearly everyday.

Blame It On the Hormones

Chapter 11: O' How the Mighty Have Fallen

Jack angrily tossed another dish into the sink, the resulting clatter had hardly gone unnoticed by Allison, the kids or S.A.R.A.H for that matter. Each crash punctuated by a frustrated sigh, Zoë turned to Allison as they sat on the couch, a puzzled look on her face.

Leaning over, she whispered to her, "Allison, what's wrong with my dad?"

There was no point in dragging Zoë into this she surmised.

"Nothing sweetie. He...has something on his mind."

"Ya think. He barely said two words at dinner and that's certainly not like my dad."

Even she found it difficult not to snicker at Zoë's astute observation. Jack was still ticked with her about her plans to get even with Tess. Sure, she could see it from his point of view, but he didn't know Tess like she did. Allison was sure he'd at least gotten a small taste of it before the two of them began dating. Face it, Tess was rude and condensing toward him when they'd first met. It was only with Allison's insistence that he was a great guy that Tess allowed herself to be pursued. Besides, Allison had spent too many years ignoring the signs and when it finally slapped her in the face, it was a bitter pill to swallow. Once this was all over, things would go back to normal and hopefully they would be able to put all of this ugliness behind them.

For Jack, getting past this was going to be a bit harder. He was having mixed feelings about the entire affair. Yes, he could understand the anger Allison felt and her determination to make sure that all she had accomplished and worked for were not for naught, but on the other hand he found he was astounded by how devious she could be. Maybe devious wasn't the right word, but it was the only one that seemed to fit at the moment. The last thing he wanted to do was lose faith in her so, he resolved to give it another try. He had to persuade her to stop this madness or at least alter her plans and since there was no time like the present, he steeled himself for what he imagined would be a battle of wills.

Entering the living room, hands on hips, from the expression on their faces, they knew he was about business. As he glared at them, an unintentional scowl upon his face, he was reminded of a quote that regrettably but appropriately fit the situation - He who seeks vengeance should remember to dig two graves. One for his enemy and one for himself.

Jack never claimed to be much of an existential thinker, but he couldn't ignore that sixth sense of his that warned him and it practically screamed in his ear that this was wrong.

"Zoë, can you take Kevin upstairs, I need to talk to Allison."

When Allison saw Zoë look to her with obvious concern on her face and place a comforting her hand on hers, Allison was deeply moved to say the least. She had always been fond of Zoë and now had grown to truly appreciate, care for and love the tenacious, independent young girl who had stepped into their lives those two years ago. Allison's own hand covering hers in response, she mouthed wordlessly that she would be fine and with that Zoë led Kevin upstairs, leaving their respective parents alone for a private chat.

Once the kids were out of ear shot, instead of taking a seat next to Allison, Jack crouched between her parted thighs and placed his hands on either side of her belly.

"Baby, I know we talked about this already, but I have to try again. You can't go through with this. General Mansfield is a power mad lunatic and I'm sure if you explain to the powers that be they would side with you. The DOD would never get rid of you, you're too valuable to them. All that you've accomplished, the progress made under your watch is astounding. I know we hurt Tess and obviously she is not taking it well, but you can't let her take you down this path. I fear that once you go there, you'll never be able to come back."

Allison lovingly caressed the face of the man she had come to rely on, trust and love like no other before him.

"Honey, I want you to listen to me. I know you're worried about me and you think that this is getting out of control, but this is my only recourse. If I sit back and allow Tess to run rampant without even attempting to circumvent her, then I've already lost. I know you think you know Tess, but you don't. She...is...dangerous."

"Allie, I'm not just concerned about you, I'm concerned about the baby. You're due to deliver any day now and this is only adding more stress to an already stressful situation. Your doctor has already made it clear that you should be resting and I know you wouldn't do anything to jeopardize the baby's health, but if anything ever happened to you or the baby..."

He trailed off, his head lowered in despair, Allison not only saw but felt for the very first time the anguish he was experiencing. He wasn't only unsettled about her and the baby, and even though he hadn't said the words aloud, he was concerned about them all. And that's when she knew he was truly the one she had been waiting for. She wan't to spend the rest of her life with Jack Carter, and it was a wonder-us feeling indeed.

Staring deep into his eyes, her resolve melted. Out of respect for him and their relationship, how could she not side with him?

"I love you so much Jack and if you feel this strongly..."

"I do."

"...then I'll come up with another way."

Simultaneously they leaned forward to kiss, thereby cementing the deal made between them.

The remainder of the evening, they sat in front of the fire, talking of plans for when the baby arrived as Zoë and Kevin filtered in and out. Periodically consumed by his own thoughts, Jack had to admit he was extremely excited. Though the child would not biologically be his, he would love it as it were his very own, just as he did Kevin. These past months had been a dream. Every day, he fell more deeply and passionately in love with Allison. Truth was he wanted her and Kevin to stay and after she delivered, he was going to do just that.

Allison on the other hand was worried about how to tell Lana of the change of plans. Lana had come to Eureka with the expectation of at last getting revenge. How could Allison now tell her that her boyfriend had talked her out of it? However she told Lana, the outcome was sure to be unpleasant.

Both of them tuckered out, Jack took her by the hand and led her upstairs to bed. Her eyes piercing his form as he strode in front of her, Allison knew she was making the right decision. Her small and delicate hand wrapped in his, comforting and strong she did what did what she never had before and relinquished complete control of her heart.

The next morning Allison woke feeling more anxious than usual. She was sure it had to do not only with the pregnancy, but the conversation she was supposed to have with Lana today. After their plans and the promise to make things right, Allison would be letting her down yet again. Jack was of course worried about her mental and physical state but she assured him that she would make the call, so that it would be done and over with.

Fate had another plan in mind.

Though she intended to call Lana first thing that morning, she was having trouble formulating just the right words to say. Lana would surely be upset and more than likely, hurt at having her chance at retribution snatched away when they were so close to the end goal. Allison puttered around most of the day watching as time slowly ticked by. It came to a point when time was no longer on her side as the clock had wound down to late afternoon. Building up her nerve, she at last picked up the phone and dialed Lana's cell.

"Allison, I didn't expect to hear from you today. Is everything all right?"

"Actually, no."

Allison dreaded what she was about to do, but deep down, she knew it was the right decision.

"Lana, I need to talk to you about our plan."

"Hum, what about it?"

"I'm calling it off."

Silence met Allison and for a moment she thought Lana had hung up on her and of course she couldn't blame her.

"Lana...are you there?"

"Yeah, I'm here. I'm just...stunned."

Allison knew she'd be confused about the turn of events.

"Lana, I want you to know that this wasn't an easy decision for me to make. Truth is, we can't stoop to her level. If we do, we're no better than she is."

Then she laughed in a hauntingly eerie manner that caused a shiver to traverse Allison's spine.

"You know Allison, you're captivating, brilliant and pertinacious, but it appears you lack the killer instinct. Somehow, I knew you'd back out so I went ahead with a plan of my own."

"What do you mean a plan of your own?"

"Allison, you may not want satisfaction, but I do."

"Lana rethink this. It's not to late to stop whatever it is you're planning."

"I'm afraid it is."

"Lana...what did you do?"

"After today, Tess will never be able to hurt anyone else ever again."

The next sound Allison heard was the click of the phone as Lana hung up. She tried ringing her back but her calls went unanswered. Allison was tempted to call GD security or even Jack, but belayed the thought. What if their appearance only exacerbated the situation. Allison couldn't let this happen. She had to stop Lana herself.

Already dressed, she dashed upstairs and threw on a pair of shoes and grabbed a sweater off of the coat rack. Kevin wouldn't be home until later that evening. He had a therapy appointment after school so she wouldn't have to worry about him. The nanny would drop him off and if she hadn't yet returned, Zoë would be home soon, and as she headed for the door as if on queue Zoë walked through.

It was plainly obvious on Zoë's face that she'd caught Allison in the midst of doing something her dad surely wouldn't approve of.

"Uh Allison, where are you going?"

She looked like a deer caught in the headlights.

"I have something very important to take care of and I'll be back as soon as I can. Kevin's at an appointment and will be home late."

"Do you want me to call dad?"

"No!"

Allison knew her explosive reply signaled that what she was attempting would be frowned upon and was confirmed by the look on Zoë's face which was a mixture of fear and disbelief.

"Zoë, I can't explain now but...I'm sorry, I have to go."

Before Allison could head out the door, a defiant voice called out to her.

"Then I'm going with you."

Allison spun toward her, "What? You can't."

"Why can't I? Look Allison, if you won't let me call dad, then I'm coming along. Someone should be with you right now."

Allison stared at Zoë, her arms folded across her chest, the Carter stubbornness radiating through. At that point, she knew there was no sense in arguing.

"Okay, you can ride with me, but you will follow my instructions. Do you understand me?"

"Yes."

"Come on then."

They arrived at GD in record time and Allison wasted no time in heading toward her destination. Zoë, who had been told to stay behind in Allison's office, of course disobeyed and followed. What could Allison say, she was a Carter.

The entire way over to GD, Allison had tried to get a hold of Tess so that she could warn her. Again, her calls went unanswered. Yes, she wanted to get back at Tess, but she didn't want her hurt, regardless of what she'd tried to do to them. Right now, Lana didn't sound as if she were in her right mind, so moving as fast as her feet would carry her, Zoë on her heels she commanded her to wait in the corridor. Thankfully, Allison reached the section four lab just in the nick of time for inside stood Lana and an unsuspecting Tess.

"Lana, stop!"

Lana peered at Allison, her eyes cold as steel.

"Allison, what are you doing here. I told you, I've got this handled."

"Lana, you don't want to do this."

The two of them stood unmoving, the tension in the air apparent.

"Tess, I need you to leave."

Allison had to get Tess out of there but Lana would have none of it.

"She is not going anywhere!"

Almost as if she were an intruder in the scene, they eyed Tess suspiciously as she spoke.

"What in the hell is going on?"

"It seems that goody two shoes Allison is attempting to come to her friends rescue once again."

Tess viewed the two of them, her eyes rolling in her head at the spectacle before her.

"Oh my God. You two are pathetic. What did you think you could scare me with this act?"

"Tess, this is not an act. You are in danger."

The look Allison gave Tess left no doubt that her words were indeed true as she finally realized the peril she was in.

"Lana, this is not what we want. I don't want you or Tess hurt."

"Allison, I'm only going to warn you one last time. Take Zoë and leave, now! You have to hurry."

Apparently during their exchange, Zoë had entered the lab, unbeknownst to Allison and before she could order Zoë out and plead for Lana to abandon her scheme, it appeared their time was up.

The blast of sirens pierced the air as all hopes of a quiet evening alone with his loved ones vanished. Jack had been heading home when he received the frantic call from Fargo. Currently breaking every traffic law on the books, he speed to GD, Jo and Andy ahead of him in the lead car, assuring him a clear path. How could this have happened? Maybe he had caused the escalation of events by butting in. Blaming himself, he never should have forced the issue, but should have allowed Allison to deal with it on her own terms and now Zoë was mixed in. Bringing his jeep to a screeching halt, he had lost all semblance of space and time, their destination finally reached. As he ran through the facility, Zoë and Allison on his mind, Jack prayed silently to himself...

"They have to be okay. They just have to be."

Next - Chapter 12: Redemption

Sorry to have been away so long. I finally feel like I'm back in the grove. I assure you, there's lots more to come.