Title: Keeping Up Appearances
Author: Mindy
Rating: K
Disclaimer: Tina's et al.
Spoilers: Nada
Pairing: Jack/Liz
Summary: Jack needs a wife for the night. Liz is it.
-x-
Jack continues talking after their drinks arrive:
"Okay, one more time before they get here."
Liz slumps in her sleek navy dress. "Come on, Jack, we went over this a zillion times in the car."
He slides her drink toward her. "We need to have our stories straight if we are to pull this off."
"Our stories are straight, " she mutters, slithering up onto one of the barstools. "They're straighter than straight. In fact, they're so close to the truth in parts that they're barely even a lie."
Jack adjusts his tie in the mirror over the bar, smoothing a hand down the length of it. "I just figure the less we have to fabricate the easier this will be on both of us."
"Sure, I get that," she nods, distracted by a heaped bowl of bar snacks.
"So then-" He takes a sip of his drink, levels her with a look: "When did we meet?"
Liz rolls her eyes and begins to graze. "Three years ago. When you became my boss. We liked each other immediately. Well, you liked me. I wasn't so sure. I'm still not-"
"And-" he interjects sharply: "how long have we been married?"
"One year, next Wednesday," she answers with a sigh. "We're celebrating with a trip to Europe."
"And?" he presses.
"And we've started trying for kids," she adds obediently.
"Good," Jack bobs his head, moving on. "Now…you were attracted to my-?"
"Wit and power," she replies by rote.
"Naturally." His brows lift in expectation: "And…?"
"Um…" Liz winces, thinking.
"Lemon-"
She waves a hand in the air. "Wait, wait! I know this one."
"Lemon, we went over this!"
"You're not supposed to call me that," she huffs.
"In company, I won't."
"Hey-" she points out suddenly, eyes narrowed: "here's something we haven't clarified."
"What?"
"What were you attracted to? In me?"
Jack fidgets with the ring on his finger. "I beg your pardon?"
"Well…" she shrugs, waving a pretzel at him. "these people know you, right?"
He nods once. "For some years."
She examines him, the bowl of bar snacks she's commandeered cradled to her breast. "So? Aren't they going to wonder why you're with me? Why you all of a sudden married me, out of aaaaall the women you've dated over the years?"
Jack sips his drink, brows furrowed. "Now why must you say it like that?"
She glances around the fancy, buzzing bar. "Come on, Jack, it's pretty unlikely."
"What is?"
"This," she says, mouth full. "You. Me. We're an unlikely match."
He smiles slyly. "Says who?"
"Says you, for one."
"I think it's time you let that go."
"Whatever," she mumbles, leaning around him to check the entrance. "I just hope you've thought of what you plan on telling these people when they ask what made Jack Donaghy, the confirmed bachelor and acclaimed womanizer finally get hitched again. Because my bet is they will."
Jack's smile becomes smugger. "I wouldn't worry about me, Lemon. I can sell this."
She arches a brow. "You can sell being in love with me?"
"Madly. If I must."
"We don't have to be…madly in love," she mumbles, shifting in her seat. "Just a little in love would do it, don't ya think?"
"What's the problem?" he smirks, eyes twinkling. "You don't think you can sell being madly in love with me?"
She meets his gaze blankly. "With you? Or with your wit and power?"
His head cocks. "Just laugh and touch my chest."
"Huh?"
He indicates the mirror over the bar. "They're here. Show time."
"Oh." Liz sits up straighter, abandoning her half-emptied bowl. She dusts off her hands, places the one with her phony engagement and wedding ring on his lapel. "Here…? S'that good?"
"Perfect," Jack replies. "Now laugh."
She shoots him a dubious look. "I don't give it away, Jack."
"You know…" He shuffles closer, looks her up and down then slides one warm palm about her body: "you look very beautiful in that dress."
"Ha." She nods a few times, grinning approvingly. "You are good at this."
"I told you I could sell it."
"And I believed you."
He leans into her ear, whispering smugly: "Just try to keep up…Mrs Donaghy."
TBC...