Funny where Lance isn't involved (as usual). Look forward to it!
Hopefully, this will answer some of your questions.
The sound of a rooster in the distance called Jack to the world of consciousness. She opened her eyes one at a time and stretched – after being cooped up on the couch all night, she found it was more difficult than it seemed, and ended up pulling a muscle in the process.
"Ow, ow, ow …!" she muttered as she sat up and rubbed her leg. Looking around and seeing her clothes strewn haphazardly around the room, she deduced it looked like there was a lot more than sleeping done here.
Laughing at her own embarrassing joke, Jack stood and searched for her overalls and shirt, leaning on her sore leg to try to pull out the muscle.
After he finished getting dressed and tying his hair back, Jack went to get breakfast – but was interrupted by a loud, rapping knock at the door.
"J-Jack! Open the door – please!" he heard Lillia cry out.
He ran over and swung the door open. "Lillia, what's wrong?" he demanded, concerned.
"I-it's Zack – Greg says he didn't come home last night," she replied, breathless. "Please help us look for him, Jack – we think he may have collapsed in the mountain!"
Jack bit his lip and nodded. "Don't worry, Lillia, I'll find him!" With that, he turned on his heels and ran towards Mother's Hill.
"I'm so sorry, Jack …" Lillia whispered under her breath as she watched him run off.
--
Jack passed the steps up to the waterfall, and was about to turn down the path that leads to Gotz' when Anna ran up to him from said path.
"Jack, are you here to help look for Zack?" she asked, putting a hand to her chest. When she was replied to with a nod, she continued. "I just asked Gotz, and he says he saw him, drunk, here last night. He tried to follow, but it got too dark, and he had to turn back." She pointed up the pathway. "He was headed up to the summit, Jack – he may have fallen off!"
Jack's eyes widened, and he clenched his teeth. He tried to reassure the woman that Zack was alright, but he couldn't even reassure himself. He simply nodded and took off running. The farmer bit his lip as he ran, trying not to let the tears fall.
Damn you, Zack – why did you have to do this? He wondered. He was probably trying to get to my place, and got turned around … Goddess, Zack, why are you such a drunk?!
Jack listened to his own heartbeat as he bounded up the last stretch before the mountain. He hoped with all his heart that Zack would be lying there in a heap, happily snoring away.
But he wasn't.
Jack slowed to a stop as he came to the empty summit. One tear slowly made its way down his cheek as worry took over. He looked over the edge and inspected every inch of the rocks before sitting down. He brought his knees up to his chest and buried his face into them, letting the tears fall. He was stricken with guilt and regret – why hadn't he done something more to stop Zack from going out?
"Isn't this a sorry sight?"
Jack's head whipped up to see a smirking Lance. The smirk widened as the farmer scowled. "What are you doing here?" he demanded. When he went to stand, he was pulled back down and arm locked by two people. He tried to see who it was, but his head couldn't turn that far – all he saw was long blonde hair and short black hair.
"What do you want done with her?" the blonde asked – was that Sasha's voice?
"Just hold her still for a second," Lance replied, pouring some liquid from a bottle onto a napkin, both of which he had had in his pockets. He made his way to Jack and the brunet immediately started to try to pull away.
"You're nothing but scum!" Jack screamed as Lance kneeled down.
Jack flinched as the black-haired woman slapped his cheek. "Don't you talk to Lance like that!" she scolded.
That was definitely Manna's voice, Jack thought as they held his head still. He tried to pull away again, but it was futile. Lance closed the wet napkin around Jack's mouth. The farmer struggled to stay conscious, but to no avail – after only a few seconds, everything went black.
--
The Goddess stood before Jacquelyn, who was nude and standing in water that came up to her hips – but she didn't seem to mind.
"Why did you let this happen?" Jacquelyn asked.
The Goddess shook her head. "It is your destiny. It is ebbed in your bones and your soul."
"I'm not ready to be revealed."
"You can't keep running away."
"I'm scared."
"Don't be."
The last words echoed around the endless darkness surrounding them. The Goddess and Jacquelyn locked eyes and they stared at each other for an eternity.
"How?" Jacquelyn finally asked.
"By staying with those who are strong for you."
"Who?"
"Everyone in the village loves you, but there is one who will do everything to protect you."
Two strong arms wrapped themselves around Jacquelyn, and a warm body pressed up against her back. She knew who it was.
"What?" she asked the Goddess.
"He will love you." She replied.
"Where?"
"In the world you both create."
"When?"
"Since the beginning of time."
"Why?"
Again, the words echoed around them. The Goddess let them die out before speaking.
"Because it is your destiny. It is ebbed in your bones and your soul."
Jacquelyn gasped as the Goddess, the water, and the strong arms disappeared. She was left standing on the cold, hard ground, all alone. It was suddenly very cold, and she held her own, shivering body.
Suddenly, light shone around her. She shielded her eyes as she heard the curious voices of a crowd.
--
Jack's eyes blinked open, but he quickly squinted as the sun beamed down on him. He grunted as he tried to sit up, but found it impossible as his hands were tied back. Giving up, he sighed and looked around. There were three pairs of feet standing in front of him – two women and one man. He could feel one or two pairs shuffling behind him. They were all standing on a raised platform, and he could see the entire town standing in a crowd before him.
One of the women, who was wearing a dark blue dress, twisted towards him. "She's awake," she informed the man standing next to her.
"Oh, good," the man replied, also twisting towards Jack. "Now we can get on with the show. Would you ladies mind sitting her up for me?"
Jack could feel three sets of hands pulling him up. Though they were the reason why he was drugged and tied up, they were being surprisingly gentle with him. When they were done, he looked up to see Anna, Manna, Lillia standing at a distance (Probably because she's too weak from illness to help out, he thought) Lance, and … Is that Sasha? Why is her hair down? Jack thought curiously, still too out of it to sense the danger he was in.
"Ladies and gentlemen – thank you very much for showing up here," Lance announced.
"What's this about?" Thomas demanded. "Untie Jack this minute!"
"Please, Mayor, just wait a moment," Lance replied, waving him off. "I'm certain you recognize this young man, am I correct?" When he was replied to with nods and agreeing murmurs, he continued. "Well, let me share a story with all of you." From his back pocket, Lance pulled out a large pair of scissors. "In my younger years, I had met a young town girl named Jacquelyn. I fell madly in love with her, so my father – whom you may or may not know, is the richest man in state – and her mother arranged a marriage for her twenty-first birthday. My parents were happy, her father was pleased, and her mother was ecstatic, to say the least. The only one who wasn't happy …" Lance kneeled down and placed a hand on Jack's inner thigh and traced the farmer's jaw with the scissors. "… was her."
"I'll break your nose again," Jack threatened under his breath.
Lance smirked and stood, taking Jack's hat with him. "She disappeared on her twentieth birthday. There were rumours – some said she had eloped, some said she had committed suicide. But I knew in my gut that none of those stories were true – no, I had a feeling she simply ran away, as cowards do. I began my search – I looked all over the inland for any sign of her. After three years of searching, I realized what I was doing wrong." He paused for dramatic effect, and to make sure everyone was still listening intently – which they were. "Eighteen years ago, a young boy visited his grandfather's farm during the summer. He had a sister, who was in hospital during that time."
"What does this story lead to, scumbag?!" Karen called out. She was met by a quick glare from her mother.
"Why are you talking about Jack's sister?" Mary asked. Anna gave her a shushing glance.
"Calm down, you two," Lance said softly. He spoke up again. "Now for the climax of our story – Jack died five years ago in a car crash while on his way to give blood to his sister." The young man paused again as the villagers murmured. Some even cried out in outrage.
"That's impossible!" Doug called.
"Jack's right there – he wouldn't lie to us!" Stu screamed, and Elli brought him closer.
"I'm still not seeing the point of this story!" Karen yelled.
Lance waved them to silence and walked over to Jack. "Meet Jack's sister, and my fiancée – Jacquelyn."
"What do you think you're doing?!"
Everyone turned to see Zack, who was looking furious. He stormed his way to the platform, gently pushing his way through the crowd, and jumped up. Lance kneeled down to Jack again and nodded to Lillia, who held her hand out to Zack. He stopped in his tracks as he looked down at her.
"Lillia, why …?" He muttered.
"The villagers have a right to know the truth," she stated simply.
Zack was obviously torn between saving Jack and respecting Lillia. When Lance leaned in with the scissors, and Jack started to flinch away, the older woman had to strengthen her arm against Zack's chest.
"Lover-boy's not going to help you now, Jacquelyn," Lance whispered.
"I'll kill you!" Jack hissed as he squirmed away. Sasha, Anna, and Manna went to reach for Jack, but he kept fighting them off.
"Locke! Bault!" Lance called out, and two burly bodyguards emerged from the sidelines. "Keep her down," he ordered. The two men complied without hesitation. He grinned when he watched Jack try to free himself from their grasp, but, finding it useless, gave up. "Good girl," he whispered as he cut one of the overalls' straps.
"I hate you," Jack whispered as she glared at him. Tears were forming in her eyes, and one managed to slip out.
Lance smirked as he cut the other strap, then Jack's hair string. "Now for the fun one," he whispered in her ear as he reached up under her shirt. "Brings back memories, doesn't it?"
"Stop it!" Jack screamed in horror as more tears fell. She glanced around at the faces – most were angry, some were curious. Karen was being held back by the other girls. Jack flinched as the cold metal of the scissors touched her skin. Lance pulled out the cut pieces of gauze, and Jack hunched over in an attempt to hide her breasts.
"Stand her up," Lance ordered the two guards. They did as they were told and Lance pulled Jack's shirt tight around her to show off her bulging chest. He smirked as gasps emanated from the crowd.
"That's it!" Karen screamed as she shoved Elli, Popuri, and Mary off of her. "Get out of my way!" She ordered, and the crowd moved to let her to the platform, and Ann followed closely. "Nobody treats any woman like that in this town and gets away with it!" She screamed.
Lance dropped Jack's shirt and stepped back as the two girls neared him. Ann caught him as he tried to run away and wrapped her arms around his shoulders. "Fire away, Karen!" she announced, grinning.
"With pleasure," the blonde replied, bringing her fist back. She swung it and hit the side of Lance's mouth. Ann let him go and he stumbled around for a few seconds before falling. "Clean him up!" Karen ordered Locke and Bault, both of whom were staring at her in amazement. They nodded and let go of Jack, then stood Lance up. As Ann and Karen went to untie Jack, Lance hobbled over using Bault as leverage.
"I'm coming back for you – you will be my wife," he threatened before being carried off to the beach. "Wait until summer!" he called out.
As soon as he was out of sight, the villagers rounded on Jack, who was hanging her head in shame. She listened to the questions and demands that were being shot at her.
"Is any of this true?"
"Why did you lie to us?!"
"Are you still going to get married?"
"Tell us your story!"
"How could you deceive us like this?!"
Jack's face scrunched up and she fell to her knees, cupping her hands over her face. She sobbed silently, still listening to the cries of outrage she felt she deserved; until a warm hand was felt on her shoulder.
The farmer looked up to see Mary smiling at her, and the other four girls standing around her defensively.
"You should all be ashamed of yourselves!" Elli scolded. "Give the girl some room – she's had a rough day!"
"How would you feel if all your deep, dark secrets were revealed in front of everyone?!" Popuri demanded, shaking a disapproving finger at the crowd.
"Give her some room!" Ann shouted, going around in a circle to push everyone back.
"In other words – back the hell off!" Karen scowled as she put her hands to her hips, and she stared at the four gossips. "And you four – Anna, Manna, Lillia, and Mother – how could you team up with a shit-brick like that?!" She cocked her head towards the beach. When they looked at each other but said nothing, Karen shook her head and grunted in disgust.
"Let me through," Zack mumbled as he pushed past the women. "Jack, are you alright? I …"
"Am I alright?!" Jack demanded, her head whipping up. "Oh, well, let's see – Lillia came to my door this morning, telling me you collapsed in the mountain; I ran as fast as I could, worried sick about you; when I reach the top, I didn't see you, so I thought you were – I don't know – dead; I get drugged and kidnapped, and I have a crazy-ass dream; then the one person in the world – nay, the universe – that I hate reveals to everyone my entire library of secrets!" Jack nodded. "I'm actually doing pretty good – yeah, thanks."
With that, Jack turned on her heels and stormed off, shoving her way through the crowd.
--
When she arrived home, she decided to let the door open to let air through the screen door. She flung herself onto the couch and buried her face into the cushions. She didn't want to cry, but that horrible "just-kill-me-now" feeling was still burning a hole into her gut. She sighed as she felt around for the remote. Not feeling it on the floor, she slid off the couch and looked around the piece of furniture. Still, no sign of the remote, she sighed again, thinking of someone to blame.
"If you were here, Zack, I'd tell you I have never lost the remote before you started watching my TV," she mumbled as she pulled the cushions off the couch. Sure enough, she found the remote squished in the back of the chesterfield.
She stood up and gasped when she saw the five girls standing there. "What was that about Zack watching your TV?" Karen asked, grinning.
"What are you doing here?" Jack asked.
"You're a young bachlorette now, Jackie," Ann said. "So you have to learn the Dance of Prayer for the Goddess Festival." She hesitated. "Or try to – you have three days, and we've been doing this since we were thirteen." The redhead grinned sheepishly.
Mary walked up to Jack and pushed a book with an embroidered goddess and flowers on the cover. "It's best to read the book, so you know what to give thanks for when you're dancing," she smiled brightly as she spoke.
"C'mon – we have to find something easier to move in for you," Karen stated as she linked arms with Jack and dragged her towards the bedroom. "Nobody reads the book," she mumbled, then added, "Well, except Mary – but she's read it enough times for us and our daughters." Karen grinned as she opened the door. "Woah – pink," she muttered as she halted in her steps. "And it comes with a vanity."
"Gotz did it all – I think he may be a little … you know," Jack said, walking into the room and up to the dresser. She grinned when Karen laughed. "I don't have much in the area of shorts – I do have these from high school volleyball, though." She flung something small and black at Karen.
"Holy Toledo!" Karen exclaimed as she tried to find which teeny hole was the top of the spandex shorts. "Don't these let your ass hang out too much, and give you frontal wedgies?"
"No and no – they're actually quite comfy. Well, after they stretch out a little," she added, grinning again.
Karen shrugged. "Whatever you say, Jackie-dear," Karen said with a shrug and handing back the little shorts. "Find a t-shirt and change. We'll go make room for movement in your living room." With that, the blonde winked at left.
Jack found a black tank top to match the shorts, and she changed as quickly as she could. Exiting the bedroom, she found the girls had moved her couch up to the TV, and moved the table closer to the kitchen, and still had time to change into shorts and t-shirts themselves. They had also closed the door for privacy.
Popuri whistled at the farmer as Ann spoke. "Zack would be tripping over himself to get to you right now," she commented, sounding almost singsong.
Jack blushed as she crossed her arms. "Sh-shut up!" she stammered, essentially leaving an invite for the girls to tease her more.
"I wonder if they have spandex boxers and panties with little hearts on them," Elli thought out loud. "Then Zack and Jack could buy a matching pair!"
"Or spandex corsets and thongs – I'm sure Zack would appreciate that, too, if you know what I mean!" Popuri added, simultaneously smirking, winking, and tapping a finger to her nose.
"I'd like to see a spandex wedding dress," Mary joined in to the teasing. She smirked sheepishly.
"I'm pretty sure Zack has an entire inner, outer, and under wardrobe made entirely of spandex," Karen noted. "And I'm pretty sure every birthday and anniversary gift he gives Jackie would be somehow related to spandex."
"Like plates with spandex mixed into the glass – for durability," Mary piped in.
"Or a horse blanket made of spandex, so your horses will feel warm and sporty," Popuri added.
"Or a coupon for a discount pair of spandex shorts!" Elli said, barely keeping the giggles down.
"Or a 'Zack Coupon'," Ann purred. When everyone looked at her questioningly, she finished her suggestion. "To let Jackie cut a pair of spandex shorts off him."
Everyone burst out laughing – even Jack, but she was covering her face and blushing a bright red. When she managed to calm down enough to breath, she spoke. "C-come on, guys – are you going to teach me to dance or not?"
"True, true," Elli said, wiping a tear from her eye, "I suppose you do have to learn sooner than later."
Everyone got into place with Jack watching. They did a demonstration, and then re-did it slower while Karen explained every movement and how they should flow. As Karen spoke, Jack smiled to herself.
It's been a rough day, she thought, but I'm glad to have friends like these. The truth didn't hurt our friendship as mush as I thought it would.
--
By the time evening fell, Jack had picked up most of the simpler moves, and was learning fast.
"Wow, I'm impressed!" Elli praised as they took a break.
"It took me a season to learn most of what you know now," Popuri added, grinning.
"I still don't know the moves!" Ann laughed, and the others joined in, agreeing amiably.
"I'm just a quick learner – I have to be for a first time farmer," Jack said humbly. She took out six glasses and started the cold water as Mary spoke.
"That's right! You cam from the city!" she said.
"Technically, no; I came from a town near the city," Jack corrected gently, filling each glass with water. "Lance came from the city."
"Shit-brick," Karen mumbled under her breath. She spoke up to ask, "Why is he so Goddess damned obsessed with marrying you, anyway? He has enough money to hire 300 hookers off the city streets to marry him."
Jack shrugged, putting glasses on the table two at a time. "Probably because I'm strong and able-bodied to mother lots of little rich snobs, and I can do as many dishes as needed." The farmer rolled her eyes, as did the other girls.
"Men," Karen sighed.
"I think in Lance's case it's 'boys'," Elli corrected. She turned her attention back to Jack. "Now, if you want to talk men, I'd say Jackie has the best of the bunch."
Jack stared at her quizzically as she brought the glass of water to her lips. Elli exchanged glances with other girls before speaking. "Zack – you guys are dating, right?"
Jack spat out her water, causing the others to jump back. "W-what?!" she demanded, blushing and wiping away the water from her mouth and nose. "Why would you think that?!"
"He's always here …" Popuri said.
"He's always helping you around the house …" Elli pointed out.
"And he helps you around the farm …" Ann added.
"You guys are really close …" Mary mumbled.
"And you took him home when he got drunk," Karen finished. "Face it, sweetheart – you're dating someone." She smirked. "And he's really great for you."
Jack blushed and wiped off some of the water on the table. "What about all of you? What about your men?"
Karen sighed. "We all have our problems with them – Rick complains too much; Kai's gone for most of the year; Gray is too macho to accept help; Cliff is a horrible emo baby; and the Doctor is way too serious." The other girls nodded in agreement.
At that moment, as if on cue, excited male voices were heard outside – and you could hear the temper rising. In the midst of the commotion, someone gently knocked on the door. The girls exchanged confused glances and Jack made her way to the door. She opened it and furrowed her brow at the sight.
Gray had Cliff by the collar and had his fist pulled back as if to punch him; Cliff was pulling Rick's hair; Rick was jabbing the Doctor in different places, screaming different Vulcan fighting maneuvers; and the Doctor had Gray's arm with the fisted hand, giving him a nasty Indian rope burn.
And beside the pile of testosterone was Carter, smiling warmly and holding a cake.
"Good evening, Jacquelyn!" He greeted warmly. "I believe we owe you a proper welcome to Mineral Town – so here, I baked you a rainbow cake with chocolate icing." He handed over the baked good and spoke again. "Don't mind them," he added, waving off the young men who were still bickering.
Jack smiled. "Totally un-minded, don't worry," she confirmed. "Thank you very much for the cake, Carter."
The priest nodded and said his farewell, leaving the mess of men on the ground. Jack sighed and turned around – to the sight of Karen, Elli, Mary, and Ann glaring at her.
"Oh, please," Jack said. She raised her free hand. "You want them? They're yours." She placed the cake on the table.
Ann sighed. "I guess we should break them apart now." She made her way to the door. "See you tomorrow, Jackie – we'll do some more practice then."
They bid their goodbyes, and as Jack closed the door, she heard Mary speak. "Gray, are you biting Cliff?"
Jack chuckled slightly and walked over to the cake. She really wanted to eat it, but it would be a far too guilty of a pleasure to eat alone. She sighed and went to get a display dish to put it in, and as she returned to the table, there was a soft knock on the door.
Figuring it was one of the girls coming to retrieve something they had forgotten, she called out, "Come in!" and waited for the door to open. After a few seconds, the door remained still, and Jack walked over to greet whoever it was.
She opened it to see a very guilty and shameful Lillia. "Hello, Jack," she said, trying to sound as chipper as usual. "Or do you prefer Jackie or Jacquelyn?"
The farmer eyed the woman suspiciously. "Jack's fine," she said. "Why are you here?"
Lillia's shoulders dropped as she sighed. "I've come to apologize for what I did to you this morning."
Jack opened the screen door and peered around for any moving shadows that would indicate deception. "Come on in," she finally muttered, holding the door open for Lillia.
The older woman hesitated for a brief second, but complied anyway. "I didn't want to do it – and I'm fairly certain the others didn't either. Lance made them do it, and they made me." She sighed again. "I'm really, very sorry, from the bottom of my heart."
Jack bit her lip as she looked down at Lillia. "You're being sincere, right?" she asked. Lillia nodded solemnly. "Then I forgive you – you and your family mean far too much to me to stay angry."
Lillia looked up and smiled. "Thank you, Jack. I had to come right away, or I'd never be able to sleep."
Jack hugged the woman, feeling sorry for her. It was wrong of the other women to take advantage of her frailty like that.
"Oh."
The two looked back at the door to see Zack standing there. He was wearing dark jeans and a white polo, and Jack knew he had tried to dress up for her – and he actually looked good.
"I-I can come back tomorrow or …" he trailed off, not knowing what to say.
Lillia glanced between the two, who were locking eyes. "Oh, no – I was just leaving," she said, "Have a good night, you two – and thank you again, Jack." She smiled when Jack glanced at her and smiled slightly then returned her gaze back to the man. She had to hide her grin when she went to walk by Zack, and he simply swung out of the way, not taking his eyes off the woman.
Lillia disappeared into the night, and the two continued to stare at each other until it got awkward.
"I …" Zack began.
"You …" Jack started at the same time.
Both clamped their mouths shut. Jack bit her lip, and Zack scratched the back of his neck. "You first," he mumbled.
"No, you first," Jack muttered, motioning to him with her hand.
Zack hesitated. "I brought you chocolate," he said simply. He pulled the treat out of his pocket and fumbled with it for a second. "It … it has strawberry flavour … like your candle." He held it out to her and she took it, nodding.
"Thank you," she said. She ran her finger over the label, at a loss for words.
"So, um … what were you saying?" Zack finally asked.
Jack's head whipped up. "Oh! I was going to say … nice shirt."
Zack's eyes flashed suspicion. "No, you started saying 'you'."
Jack blushed. "Well, I was going to say … 'You have a nice shirt'. But then I shortened it to … 'nice shirt'."
There was another moment of silence – Jack continued to run her fingers across the label, and Zack put his hands deep in his pocket.
"Well, I suppose I should …" Zack started, but Jack interrupted.
"You look really …" she faltered, realizing what she had done. "… good," she finished, blushing.
Zack blushed and looked at his feet. "Thanks – you, too," he mumbled, smiling to himself.
There was a long pause. Finally, Jack started to laugh. "Oh, Goddess – I just realized how much it seems like we're in junior high," she said through giggles.
Zack looked at her and thought it through, and then he joined in, too. "You're right!" he agreed.
They grinned at each other, and Jack spoke up. "Carter brought cake – do you want to help me eat it?" she asked.
Zack's eyebrows rose. "Yes, I'd love to!" he stepped inside and closed the door as Jack walked towards the table. "Nice shorts, by the way," he complimented.
Jack spun around in time to catch Zack raising his eyes back up to her face. She put a fist to her hip and cocked an eyebrow. "Excuse me – were you staring at something?"
"No, absolutely not!" Zack replied, grinning foolishly. He walked up to her as she laughed. "Need help with the table?" he asked.
"Yes, please and thank you," Jack replied, grabbing one side. Zack went around and grabbed the other side.
Suddenly, he whistled. "Woo, I like this angle."
Jack looked up at the smirking man, then down – her neckline on her tank top was so low, he could see right down her shirt. "Stop that – that's disgusting!" She said, but she couldn't help but smile. "I'm going to have to put on a shirt." She returned her attention to the table.
"Oh, here."
She looked up – and stumbled as her knees buckled. Zack – the big, burly shipper, who carried around heavy crates all day, everyday – had taken off his shirt and was holding it out to her innocently.
"P-p-put y-y-your shirt b-back on!" Jack stammered, covering her cheeks but not taking her eyes off the tan body in front of her.
"Huh? But I thought you …" Zack realized why she refused the shirt, and a sly smirk crossed his face. "Do you really want to cover this up?" he asked, flexing.
Jack blushed brighter, but smiled widely. "S-stop it!" she begged.
"You'd better call a vet, 'cuz these snakes are sick." Zack posed and flexed his arms.
Jack laughed and hid her face, which was undoubtfully a single shade below crimson. "P-please – no more!" She pleaded through giggles.
"No more of what – this?" Jack looked up to see Zack in a silly pose and bouncing his Pecs.
She couldn't handle it anymore. Jack fell to her knees, laughing and her face burning bright read, and crawled under the table. There she balled up, and continued to laugh. Zack laughed, too, and she could hear him getting out some forks. He walked back over to the table and, after a few seconds, crawled under, too, holding the cake and wearing his shirt.
Jack removed her hands from her face and took the fork Zack was offering her; she was still giggling slightly and grinning brightly. Under the table, the two ate the homemade cake, laughing at each other and glad to have each other's company.
--
Lillia walked up the path, smiling to herself. She was happy for Zack – she hated to break his heart simply by being in love with her husband. She sighed as she rounded the corner to her home, but halted in her tracks when she saw a lone figure sitting on her doorstep, looking downcast.
"Hello?" she called from a distance. "Who's there?"
"Lillia? It's me – Lance," the shadow called back.
She stepped closer to see it was, indeed, the young man. "What are you doing here?" she asked suspiciously.
He shrugged. "Just wanted someone to talk to," he mumbled. "I can leave, if you want."
Lillia shook her head. It was dangerous, since she met Karen, Rick, and Popuri on the path declaring that they're going to the Inn, but she was going to give Lance a second chance. "Come inside, we can talk there," she said, unlocking the door.
She held it open for her guest as he walked in. "Thank you," he said, with a nod.
"Sit down – do you want some water?" she offered.
"Do you have coffee?" Lance asked, taking a seat at the table.
"No – it's bad for the health, so we don't have any caffeine in this house."
"Oh. Then water will be fine, thank you."
Lillia set a glass in front of Lance and sat on the other side of the table. She waited until he finished taking his sip before speaking. "What do you want to talk about?"
The boy shrugged. "I don't know … do you love your husband?"
"Of course I do."
"Why? He's halfway around the world, isn't he? How could you love someone so far away?"
"Love isn't simple, and it isn't trivial. You can't just love someone until they're out of sight. It's more complex than that."
"He's been gone for twelve years!"
"And I love him every second of the day, all year, and every year."
"But how can you love him?"
"Because it's fate, destiny, chemistry – whatever you want to call it, we're made for each other."
Lance stood suddenly and rushed over to the woman. He kneeled and took her hand in his. "You must be so lonely, though, Lillia," he muttered, looking up at her.
"I have my children, Lance." She gently touched Lance's fat lip, trying not to smile at the memory of the girls teaming up on him.
Lance smiled, mistaking her gentle touch. "I don't mean lonely like that, Lillia – you must be lonely for the touch of a man."
Lillia snatched her hands from Lance's grasp. "Absolutely not," she rejected. She stood and walked over to the door. "If you think you're going to do to me what you've done to the other women, you can just get out now."
Lance stood and walked over to Lillia, anger flashing in his eyes. "I don't understand," he said stiffly.
"Then let me make it simple for you," she pointed to the door. "Get out of my house."
In a flash, Lance pinned her to the door. "Do you know why I've chased after all the older women in this town?"
"I can only assume because they all have incompetent husbands, in your mind," Lillia muttered, meeting his gaze. "What I want to know is why you're still after Jacquelyn."
Lance smirked. "I broke her once – she got free and reunited with her strength, so I feel I have to break her again."
"You're a horrible boy," Lillia spat, trying to free herself.
"We'll see how you feel once I'm done with you," he whispered, forcing a kiss on her.
God, I hate Lance. Ruins all the fun – I'm glad he's going to be out of the story for a little while.
You know Zack's "these snakes are sick" line? Got it from Gaia Online – and it's the greatest friggin' pick-up line ever.
Also, Karen's "shit-brick" is my own creation. If you want to use it in your fic or whatever, tell me first!
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