I do not own EUReKA. But if I did, oh boy...

The Law of Attraction

Chapter 6: And Then There Was One

Jack took a seat at the counter in his usual spot. Maybe it was the cop in him, but he didn't like to sit with his back to the door, nor so far off in the corner that he couldn't leap into action if necessary. Jo sat next to him, her lunch consisting of half a grilled chicken sandwich and blueberry-pomegranate protein shake almost complete. He enjoyed having lunch with her and basically being in her company in general. And unlike his relationship with Stark, when he and Jo took verbal stabs at each other, it was good-natured. It reminded him so much of growing up with his siblings; Lexi in particular. He and Jo had established a bond, one that he sorely missed with his own sister and brothers. Besides, after yesterdays fiasco, anything that kept his mind off of Allison was a welcome distraction. He was appreciative that she didn't press him for details about their date. She'd asked him earlier how everything went and when he responded with a non-descriptive "eh", she left the subject alone. Anyway, he didn't want to dwell on it any further as he'd spent the majority of the night mentally torturing himself.

When he arrived back home, as luck would have it, Zoë was holed off in her bedroom, music blaring out through the open door. To be honest, he was grateful. He didn't feel like talking to anyone or explaining how he'd managed to turn the evening into a complete disaster. He grabbed two bottles of beer from the fridge and heavy-footed, climbed the stairs, peeled off his damp clothes and slumped onto the bed. To say he was depressed was an understatement. He'd be nonplussed if she ever talked to him again. If it happened that he'd successfully hammered the nail into his own coffin, he'd make sure that she knew none of it had been deliberate; only a fool would think that and Allison was definitely no fool.

Presently, as he sat consumed by memories from the day before, something Vincent said caught his attention. He didn't know what he'd said prior, but he managed to overhear the tail end of his conversation. Positioned between Mona and Lisa, members of his wait staff, he pressed on.

"...and apparently she was seen leaving his house in the wee hours of the morning looking a hot mess."

Normally Jack avoided town gossip; it just didn't interest him, but what Vincent said next sent him reeling.

"I would've bet anything that Allison and Dr. Stark were through. I guess old habits are hard to break."

Jack wanted to throw up. Certain his complexion had gone ghost-white, he could feel Jo's eyes rest upon him. Relieved it was her, she didn't offer any meaningless platitudes or regard him with a look of pity, but with one of concern. Today, the plate of food he customarily devoured would be left unfinished, his appetite lost. Excusing himself, he rose from the barstool and walked out the door.

Once outside, he stood transfixed on the sidewalk. He was devastated. Momentarily incapacitated, he considered his options. What exactly was he supposed to do now? He could go profess his love to her, beg for another chance. Or, he could be the bigger man and congratulate Stark, but how could applaud him for achieving what he couldn't; winning Allison's heart. Now that he knew they were back together, he supposed playing dumb was out of the question. What he had to do was confirm the fact. Yes, it all sounded very procedural, as if he were in the mist of an investigation, but he had to distance himself somehow. He needed to talk to Allison face to face. He wasn't one to play games and frankly, he'd tired of the whole affair.

Arriving at GD ten minutes later he wasted no time. As he rounded the corner toward her office, he was jolted at the sight before him. At the end of the corridor stood the two of them; Allison and Stark. Jack noiselessly took a few steps back, thankful that they hadn't seen him. Oblivious of him, they appeared to be engrossed in deep discussion. He knew he should have left but he was paralyzed as he glanced around the corner. What they assumed was a private moment had captivated an audience of one. Stark stood close to Allison; so close that she no doubt could feel his warm breath on her neck. Their proximity gave the impression that this had nothing to do with work. Jack stirred uncomfortably as he watched. He should have left but his feet were rooted to the floor. When Stark inclined his head and kissed her briefly on the lips, he knew. It was all the evidence he needed. Resigned, he nodded to himself and left as he had arrived...unnoticed.

The rest of his afternoon dragged on; it was an odd feeling. He had been hopefully optimistic all this time that he would be her choice. Was he shattered? Yes. Crushed? Sure. Would he go on? You goddamn right! Her mind had been made up and Jack wouldn't interfere. If she wanted to be with that narcissistic pretty boy, then more power to her.

When he arrived home, Zoë's behaved uncharacteristically kind toward him. Considerate of his mood, it's not that he wasn't appreciative, but he would have preferred she be her normal teenaged sarcastic self. Apparently word had spread around town and she was graciously allowing him to save face. They hung for a while; S.A.R.A.H made cheeseburgers, they watched a game, then he released her from her self-imposed obligation. He had to laugh to himself. Coming to Eureka had been the best thing for their family. They were closer than ever before, and though they still had their moments, he wouldn't change their current circumstances for anything in the world.

He sat on the couch after she'd left, mindlessly watching television. He wondered how at this stage in his life, he was still alone. He was a nice guy, polite, did the right things, pleasant to look at, but it seemed that most women ended up wanting the bad boys. He'd move on from this and it would take some time, but that didn't change the fact that he longed to have someone special in his life; someone he could share a future with. The time had past for him to sit and pine away; he wasn't getting any younger that's for sure. As he contemplated how to move forward, his rumination's were interrupted.

"Sheriff Carter, Dr. Blake is at the door."

What usually set him salivating like Pavlov's dog, now filled him with dread. Here she was, for the inevitable kiss off. Geez, couldn't she even allow him a small grieving period for what might have been? He could continue to sit there, pretend to be unavailable and sulk the rest of the evening, but what would be the point in that? Regaining his composure, he instructed S.A.R.A.H to let her in. What a big mistake that had been. She breezed through the doorway, looking as beautiful as ever, as if the world were her oyster; talk about twisting the knife. Catching a whiff of her perfume, she gleamed at him, yet he couldn't muster enough enthusiasm to return in kind. Whatever she had to say, he hoped she'd say it quickly and be on her way.

"Allison." She didn't seem to take notice of the terseness in his voice. If she did, she never mentioned it.

Hey eyes alight, she elongated his name. "Jack."

Boy, she was really rubbing it in. Calling him Jack like that, at a time like this. Was that supposed to make him feel better, put him more at ease?

"I know it's late and I'm sorry to barge in on you like this but I got sidetracked at work and I really needed to speak to you."

His attitude blasé, he wasn't about to make this any easier for her. "What's up?"

"Well,...um, I...wanted to tell you something. Can we sit?"

Jack let out an exhausted sigh but stood his ground. He didn't want to drag this out any longer than required. "Don't worry, I already know."

"You know?"

"Yes, I know. The town that's such a big secret to the rest of the world, apparently has trouble keeping secrets within it's own walls."

He had to admit, she was really acting the part of the sorrowful suitor. The look on her face was one of utter confusion.

"Vincent has been spreading the good news to anyone who will listen."

"Good news?"

"Come on Allison don't patronize me. You and Stark. Vincent said you were seen coming from his place early this morning looking...disheveled."

"Wait a minute..."

"Please Allison, don't deny it. Besides, I saw you two today."

"You saw us?"

"Yeah. At GD. I came by to talk to you and I saw the two of you kissing."

"Jack, you didn't see what you thought you saw."

"You know regardless of what people think, I'm not stupid."

"Well, you're being rather stupid right now!"

Jack swallowed hard. Here it was, the brush off. He went to tell her precisely what he thought of her choice, but she held her hand up for him to stop.

"Regardless of what you've heard or think you saw, I'm here to tell you that your assumptions are all wrong. Yes, I did go see Nathan last night, but it wasn't to tell him that I wanted to be with him. My intention was to see him first and explain my decision. I wanted to be frank and honest, but he misinterpreted my presence. When I went to him, I was over the moon. I couldn't hide my excitement and I realize now it was unfair to him, but I couldn't contain my joy. We ended up talking most of the night and yes, I did leave there late. Jack, I wasn't reconciling with Nathan. On the contrary...I wanted to be here...with you."

Jack was dumbfounded. This had to be a joke. "I don't understand. I saw you today."

"What you saw was a kiss between a woman and a man who'd came to the realization that what they'd had before would never again be. It wasn't a hello, it was a goodbye."

He was speechless. Was he hallucinating? Was this a cruel prank she and Stark had cooked up? He uttered her name wordlessly; the preverbal frog caught in his throat. When he failed to react in any way, she took matters into her own hands. Reaching up she stroked his cheek, and when her lips met his, it wasn't a kiss that signified an ending, but the beginning of something new.

It was him. She had chosen him.

She stepped back, awaiting his answer. Now fully aware and in the moment, Jack wrapped his arms around her waist and lifted her off the floor. He could feel her smile as their mouths engaged in a lingering kiss, and at last he could say for certain that he was the one who had put it there. Their tongues spared in a battle neither cared to win and as his hands began to roam over her curvaceous body, Allison pushed him away.

Both panting heavily, she offered a suggestion. "Why don't we take this upstairs?"

"Upstairs? Wha...are you sure? I mean, I can wait. That is, if you wanna wait. I don't want to pressure..."

Placing a well-manicured finger on his lips, she cut him off, her words urgent. "I don't wanna wait."

Jack was no dummy. He didn't need to be told twice. So, he led her to his room. As they crossed the threshold, she leapt into his arms, the force propelling them backward onto the bed. Jack felt like he'd just had the wind knocked out of him and in those next few minutes, everything became a complete blur. Clothes strewn in every direction; her blouse and slacks tossed haphazardly in one corner, the shirt and pants he'd yanked off landing somewhere behind the couch in the room. When she removed her underwear, Jack watched gleefully as it fluttered to the floor, his not far behind.

Both completely undressed they studied each other's reactions; once they took this step, there was no going back. They tentatively came together and what they had before been unsure of, now seemed natural, as if it was always meant to be.

"I want you so bad." And it was true. Jack had never wanted anyone at much as he did Allison Blake.

"Jack...I'm yours."

Jack could practically feel his heart burst through his chest. Though they moved in sync, he let her take the lead. He was helpless to resist her advances; not that he wanted to anyway. What took place next was the most beautiful experience either had ever had. Jack, who'd never taken an illegal drug in his life, imagined that this is what it probably felt like to be on a high. It was disconcerting; they knew each others bodies, their likes and dislikes, as if they had been lovers for years. She did things to him that had taken Abby quite some time to discover. He was assured that what he did pleased her too; that is if her desperate moans, shameless screams and animalistic clawing of his flesh were any indication. Her appetite for him was ravenous, as was his for her. They continued that way for the majority of the night; touching, tasting, teasing. Sometime later they dozed off, an evening of passionate love making left them both spent.

Jack woke an hour later and picked up his watch from the bedside table; twelve o'clock. They had been making love for hours and now lay wrapped in each others arms. He was sure she hadn't planned on ending up in bed with him tonight, but they were swept away in the moment. Jack eased his arm from underneath her head and stepped into the bathroom. He stared at his reflection in the mirror; wow! He had a serious case of bed-head. He decided to take a shower as no doubt she'd be up shortly, and he only thought it proper that he escort her home; they'd worry about her vehicle later.

It seemed she had something else in mind.

Ever alert, he could sense her as she tiptoed across the slate tile floor. Just the thought caused something deep inside of him to stir. Though they'd recently made love, he still felt that unmistakable urge creep through his core. She stood there silently as he showered, presuming he was unaware of her presence. The muscles in his arms flexed involuntarily reminding him of how those same arms not long ago held her tight within their grasp. Hesitantly she walked forward in an attempt to sneak up on him. Hell, she didn't have to sneak at all. Jack didn't object to her joining him. After making love they'd fallen asleep, so she was still in a state of undress. Besides, the desire to put on any clothes was the furthest thing from either of their minds. His shower was walled on two sides with clear panes of glass and using his peripheral vision he spied her still nubile form. As she opened the stall door, he felt a cold rush of air as she entered, but pretended to feign ignorance. She pressed her body firmly against his, her hands navigating from his manly shoulders and back to his defined pelvis, up and over his smooth chest. An arduous task, he remained static as she used a light touch to stroke him.

"Hey you."

"Mmm."

His skin slick from the soap, her body glided against his; it was a luxurious feeling.

"Why'd you leave me?"

"Trust me, I didn't want to, but I thought I should get you home."

She laughed that throaty, sensuous laugh that he loved. "I am an adult you know. I am perfectly capable of seeing myself home safely. Besides, I still have a few more hours until my curfew is over."

"Oh yeah? Well, in that case, let's make the most of the time we have left."

Jack spun on her and raised one slender leg so that it rested around his waist. Her back pressed flat against the cold tile wall, she begged for him to fuck her. Jack was taken aback. He had never heard her utter such a word, but the truth was, he found it arousing. It was such a turn on to see her behave so wild and free. She desired him, and he would deliver.

He wrapped her other leg around so that they clasped above his hips. He didn't need foreplay, and from the look in her eyes neither did she. He slipped effortlessly inside of her, fighting hard to resist the overwhelming urge to cum. His hand braced on the wall for support, he held her steady with one arm as she bounced relentlessly on his rock hard cock. Jack licked at the beads of water as they glistened off her skin; she was delicious. He stared deep into her rich brown eyes, both of their mouths open, they breathed each other in, their hungry mouths barely touching. She reached up and grabbed hold of his shock of blond hair and yanking his head back, she forcefully bit at the exposed skin of his neck. Jack sucked in a satisfied breath through clenched teeth; the pain was exquisite. He was sure to exhibit the marking of her territory in the morning.

Jack withdrew from her, electing whimpers of protest from her pouty blush-colored lips. Believing he was done, she was mercifully amused as he sank to his knees and like the queen she was, he happily bowed to her in servitude. He was desperate to taste her but dare not encroach until she blessed him with permission. His lips quivered slightly as she gestured for him to begin. Jack felt a rush of adrenaline as his lips met her. He wanted to please her, so he took his time as he navigated her regions. Working his tongue so that it lay long and flat, he manipulated the sensitive spots. As she cried out lustfully, he kissed, nibbled and sucked at the plump sweet flesh. Jack ignored the pain in his knees as he genuflected on the tiled floor. His skillful tongue flicked her nub, teasingly making circles as it swelled in his mouth. Not satisfied until she climaxed, he greedily drank her in, her bud palpitating as he played. Grabbing hold of her buttocks, he jerked her body forward, longing to taste every ounce of her orgasmic emission. He relished in glee as she drew in lungfuls of air, her body spasming violently.

He kissed a path over her abdomen, past her breastbone, ending at her inviting mouth. His fingers entwined in her hair, she whispered just one word to him, "More."

Jack would not disappoint. Positioning her so that her back was to him, they achieved a stance that was quite the balancing act. She stood on the balls of her feet, her breasts pressed solidly against the glass partition, Jack held firm to her waist as he began his stroke. He didn't hold back as he grunted primally, exerting all of his force with each thrust. Like the pound of a drum he rhythmically moved at a steady beat. He closed his eyes; he never wanted this feeling to end. Each chance he could, he would glance down at her ass. Whenever they connected, her cheeks would jiggle just a little; he found it mesmerizing. This wasn't the first time he'd found himself staring at her sexy curves. Whenever she'd walk in front of him, he became hypnotized. He couldn't help but remember all the times he'd wished he were in this exact position...well, maybe not this exact position, but in the act itself. He'd always imagined that she would be a generous, skillful lover. How thrilled he was to find that she was all and more.

"Baby. Please. Don't stop."

He couldn't help but grin. What could he say, he was feeling rather proud of himself. To elect that kind of response from her made him feel all the more a man. He had to see her face. He had to look into the eyes of the woman he had so long ago fallen in love with. He shut the water off, whirled her round and hoisted her up in his arms. Carefully he stepped out of the shower and carried her off to his bed. Still dripping wet, he made a joke about how they wound up submerged in the lake yesterday. She told him that getting wet with him this way was more appealing and she wouldn't mind if he wanted to do it again.

Naturally he assumed his linen would get soaked, but like most Eureka inventions, magically the sheets remained dry as a bone, absorbing the water from their bodies then evaporated into the air. They rollicked and rolled as the sheets tangled around them, eventually kicking them to the floor. Allison straddled him, rocking her hips to and fro. They clasped hands, seemingly becoming one. Jack willingly let her set the pace. He didn't care if they ever left his room. All he wanted was to ravage her body over and over again. He let out a low-pitched wail as her legs tightened around his thighs. She stopped moving altogether as she used her Kegel muscles to clench and release his engorged member. No longer able to hold back, he thought he'd melt clear through the mattress as he exploded inside of her.

Flipping over next to him, they gazed lovingly at each other. Simultaneously, they began to laugh uproariously as the realization of what had just occurred hit them. Basking in the glow, Jack traced the contours of her body; her well toned arms, her silky soft thighs, her graceful swanlike neck, the shallow dip between her hip and chest as his light touch caused her to giggle girlishly.

"What?" He asked her. It was hard for her to hide the question that lurked within her heavily lidded eyes.

"Nothing."

"It's something. Come on, what is it?"

"I was just thinking...we should have a do-over."

"A do-over!" Jack assumed that she was talking about the sex. "What did I do wrong?"

Chuckling, she reassured him. "No, not that. I meant our date. I know you thought I was angry with you yesterday..."

"And you weren't?"

"Well, let's just say I came to my senses. Jack, I had a really good time...despite the mishaps."

"Oh yeah?"

"Yeah."

"Okay then. I'd like that."

"One thing though."

"What's that?"

"I think we should stick to Copernicus Park. It's much safer."

"Ha-ha." Jack enveloped her in his arms, her head tucked neatly in the space between his jawline and shoulder-blade, his lips perched on the top of her head. This was nice. So nice in fact that he couldn't remember the last time he'd felt such a euphoric feeling. Just as he nestled in further, she acquiesced.

"Baby, I have to go." Swift as a shadow, she eased from within his grasp.

Playfully whining like a toddler, he pulled at her arm. "Nooooo, don't go."

"I have to. I want to be there to make breakfast for Kevin in the morning. Besides, his nanny didn't plan on me being gone all night long."

"Okay, but at least let me see you home."

"Jack, I'll be fine. And don't worry" she added with a wink, "I'll be back."

Jack strolled into Café Diem early that next morning, the post coitus grin still plastered on his face, he bellied up to the bar next to Jo.

"Morning Sheriff Carter. Coffee?"

"Morning Vince. Yeah, hit me up."

"How are you today?"

Jack recognized that empathetic look on Vince's own face and his sympathetic tone. Obviously word had not yet gotten around that the stories of Allison and Stark reconciling had been a fabrication.

"I feel great!" And Jack meant every word.

Jo peered at him from the corner of her eye. "So, I see somebody's in a good mood this morning."

"You could say that?"

"Am I to assume there has been a changing of the guard."

"I'd say your assumption is correct."

And though they never faced one another, they knowingly each had a smile that was wide and bright.

She snickered as she took her next sip of coffee. "Way to go Carter."

"Thanks Jo."

Vincent wandered back over after attending to another customer. "Would you like some breakfast Sheriff?"

"You know Vincent. As a matter of fact, I'm starving."

Next - Chapter 8: A Gentleman's Agreement