Chapter Twenty
Bobby sat at the table, waiting for Lock and Jack to get home. They weren't late, he just wanted to see them when they walked through the door--to judge for himself how things went.
"Robert," Ma scolded softly, "get to bed. Leave those two alone."
"I will, Ma," he sighed. "I just wanna see how stuff went. . .Jackie put a lot of effort into this."
"Bobby, don't give them the third degree when they walk in. I mean it."
"Ma! Honestly, I wasn't going to! I just wanna know if it went well."
"All right, Bobby," she kissed his head. "Then bed."
He nodded as his mother went back upstairs, checking the time. The familiar purr of his car floated down the stress and headlights flooded the house as Jack swung into the drive. Ten minutes passed, they were still outside, and Bobby started to get antsy.
Maybe they're just talking. . .he tried to ease himself. Jack already told me that tonight wasn't for that. . . .
"Told you, Jack!" Lock laughed, walking in. "Look at his freakin' face!"
"Priceless," Jack laughed. "How much longer do you think he would have waited?"
"What the hell you two?!" Bobby demanded, missing the big picture.
"We've been standing out there watching you for the past ten minutes, Bobby," Jackie smirked.
"So, started to trip out a tad, huh?" Lock giggled. "You should know better, Bobby!"
Those little shits! he mused. Leading me on!
"If five more fucking minutes had gone by," he growled. "I was gonna kick your asses!"
"I figured," Lock smiled. "Which is why we came inside. . .Just wanted to have some fun first."
"Mmmm," he growled. "So, aside from the 'Torture Bobby Game', how did it go?"
"Good," they both said.
"A'ight, all I wanted to know," he got up. "You should get to bed. . .your own beds."
"Geez! Paranoid!" Lock shook her head.
"Don't give me a reason to be paranoid, Stray," he shot back. "That's all I'm asking for."
"No problem there, Bobby," Jack called after him. "I'll be up in a few!"
Right. . .Bobby couldn't help but grin. I guess things did go well. . .Not too well, but well enough for those two at this point. . .
To confirm his thought and settle his small worry, he watched from the stairs. Jack was whispering something to Stray, holding her hands, and stood real close to the teen. Lock didn't seem nervous or uncomfortable with what the youngest brother was doing, holding his hands in return and looking into his eyes. Jack leaned in and Bobby decided to leave them alone, he'd seen enough to be put at ease.
"Night, Bobby," Lock called.
"Night, Stray," he called back.
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Lock went to go downstairs, just after she had told Bobby good night, but Jack had her again. She let out a tiny squeak as he pulled her back, arms slipping around her waist, and he nuzzled her neck.
"Jackie!" she hissed, smiling. "C'mon, we've been together all day! It's bed time."
"I know. . ." he whined, still holding onto her.
He does have my trust. . .but there's still that last wall. . .that one needs to stay up for a little longer. . .she thought as Jack's mouth slowly attacked her neck.
She shivered immediately, tingling everywhere, and realized that the sensitivity of her wrists was nothing compared to that of the neck. Teeth grazed her skin and she closed her eyes, scared but not all at the same time. Lips moved up to her ear, then back down to her pulse, and a small growl emanated from Jackie boy as he lightly bit her--her heart stopped.
"Jack," she gasped, "seriously, it's time for bed. . ."
She turned around in his arms, hands on his chest, her heart resumed a frantic beat, and Jack's eyes went wide with shock. He then closed them, jaw clenching, and his head dropped in shame.
"Dammit all," he breathed. "Lock. . .hell. . .I'm sorry. . ."
"I'll let it slide this time, Jackie boy," she smirked. "I should have stopped you before. . ."
"I'm still sorry. . ." he mumbled, nibbling his bottom lip.
"Night, Jackie boy," she murmured, running her hands in his hair.
"Night, Lock," he muttered, still biting his lip.
She smirked and shook her head, at the same time leaning up and kissing just under his jaw. Jack jumped, but relaxed quickly, and snickered as she nuzzled into him.
"Night," she whispered into his neck.
"Night," he smiled, kissing her mouth briefly.
They let go and went to their own rooms, Jack darting up the steps and Lock walking down hers. She quietly shut the bottom door, leaning back on it afterwards, and tried to slow her mind down. She touched the key at her throat, letting her fingers explore it, and felt a smile form on her lips.
Jackie boy. . .she sighed, moving to get ready for bed. You're making me fall hard. . .you know that?
She crawled onto her bed, slowly took the necklace off to look at it more closely, and grabbed her cell phone. She needed to talk to someone and now.
"Hello?" Ransom mumbled.
"Shit, did I wake you up?" Lock asked, laying back on her bed and holding the necklace up in front of her.
"Not really. . .wait. . .you sound different, what's up?"
"Ransom. . .I ummmm. . ." she was hesitant.
"You're getting close, aren't you?" Ransom screeched.
"I think so. . ."
"It's Jack, isn't it?" Ransom was high pitched, like she could get when thrilled about something. "Details!"
Lock carefully explained everything to her friend, leaning nothing out. She told of the first kiss and ended with what had transpired tonight, examining the key the whole time.
"Lock, what seems to be the deal?" Ransom seemed stunned. "I mean, Jack seems like he's perfect for you. . ."
"Ransom," she sighed, "with everything that's happened to me in my life. . .I'm scared. . ."
"I understand that," she was sympathetic. "What do you feel when you're with him?"
"Happy. . .ecstatic. . .but scared as hell too. . ."
"What's the dominant feeling?"
"Complete bliss. . ."
"If he makes you that happy, how can he be bad. . .Lock, do you see what I'm getting at here? He is not the men of your past. . . He's a whole new experience."
"I know. . .but still. . .the fear is always there in the back of my mind. . ."
"And it may always be there. . ." Ransom yawned a little.
"I'll talk to you about this later, OK? You sound really tired. . ." she yawned herself. "Night, Ransom."
"Night sweetie. . .things will get better for you. . .I'll talk to ya later."
Lock flipped the phone closed, putting it on the night stand, and put the key back on her throat. She wasn't sleeping well lately, all week she'd been tortured by nightmares, but refused to stay in Jack's room. Bobby had make it clear to not allow that to become a habit.
I'll be fine. . .she prayed, pulling the blankets over her head and shutting the lamp off.
She woke hours later, going upstairs and barely made it to the bathroom in time. Her memories had made her sick this time. She brushed her teeth several times, washed her face, and went to go back to her room. As she crept past Jack's open door, she felt herself cave in, and snuck into his room.
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Jack felt someone slip into bed with him and he knew immediately that is was Lock. He opened his eyes in the darkness, allowing them to adjust, and saw her curled up on the edge of the bed, no blankets covering her or anything. She sounded as if she were still trying to get the tears under control and having a rough go of it. He moved the blanket behind him and gently put his arm around her middle, pulling her close.
"Lock, come here," he murmured. "It's OK. . .More nightmares?"
"Bobby's gonna be pissed. . I should go to my own room," she muttered, trying to leave.
"Bobby's not gonna be mad," he said, tightening his arm. "The door's open, right?"
"Yeah. . ." she whispered, letting up on leaving.
"How long has it been since you slept well?" he asked, slowly brushing hair from her face.
"I've slept like shit for the past week," she mumbled.
"Lock. . .why didn't you come in here earlier?"
"I don't. . .wanna make this a habit, Jackie boy. . ."
"We'll figure something else for us to do, I swear," he whispered, kissing her temple. "But for tonight you're staying in here."
"All right," she mumbled.
Jack pulled his blanket up and over both of them, Lock moved and melted into his chest, her arm snaking his waist. They got settled into his bed, his heart racing a little, and Lock relaxed noticeably. The teen put her face in his neck and her hand kept drawing patterns on his bare back, making him break into goose bumps.
We really can't let this become a habit. . .he told himself. Even if something about being curled up with her feels so god damned right. . .I can't risk it. . .
"Lock, get some sleep," he gently commanded when her jaw clenched. "You'll be all right now, you're with me."
"I know, Jackie," she snuggled closer, "but it's not as easy. . ."
"Yeah I know that. . ." he whispered. "Do you wanna talk about it?"
She shook her head violently, her whole body tensing up, and he rubbed her back. She dug her nails into him without knowing, making his heart stop and his breath catch.
"All right, all right," he soothed with an odd voice. "You don't have to. . ."
She relaxed again, removing her nails from his skin, and he could breathe again. His heart was going so fast he thought it would explode and Lock must have heard it or felt it.
"Jack?" she pulled back and looked at him, clearly nervous.
"It's all right," he smiled. "Not used to having claws in my back, you know?"
"Fuck. . .I'm sorry. . ." she pulled her hand off his back.
He shrugged and rolled to his back, extending his arm to her. She smiled weakly and let him pull her to his chest, where she toyed with the necklace she got him. His hand caressed her arm as she messed with the guitar pick, slowly calming her down. He watched her, cocking his head to the side in order to do it, and saw her eyes close. Immediately, she opened them again, fighting the sleep that she direly needed.
"Don't fight it, Lock," he murmured.
She set her jaw defiantly, she was going to fight it, and he knew that she needed to sleep. He shifted, causing her to look up, and he pulled her face to his. She let him move her closer, closing her eyes as he placed gentle kisses on her, and he felt encouraged to keep going. Their mouths found each other, soon she took over kissing him, and he teased her by breaking the contact and trailing to her neck. She made a small sound as he tended her neck, but he was experienced enough to know it wasn't an uncomfortable sound and kept going.
"Jackie," she said breathlessly.
"Mmm?" he nibbled her skin, relishing the sounds he could thus produce.
"I think. . ." another small sound as he found her ear, "we should stop now. . .before it gets out of hand. . ."
"Right," he agreed, placing one last generous kiss on her neck, briefly sucking on the sweet taste and then collapsed back. "Are you all right?"
She had her head on his chest, facing away from him, but she nodded. He couldn't tell if she was embarrassed or scared, so he asked again.
"Seriously, you're OK? I didn't push it?"
"I'm fine, Jackie boy," she moved and lay her head beside his on the pillow. "Really."
"I just wanted to be sure," he grinned, rolling to face her.
"I know," she smirked, eyes closed.
"Shit," he snickered, seeing the mark on her neck.
"What?" she mumbled.
"Hickey," he touched the mark. "You're gonna have to hide that."
"Great," she smiled a little. "Thanks, Jackie boy, my first one."
"Really?" he laughed, curling up to her.
"Truly," she yawned and got comfortable.
"Night, Lock," he kissed her lips briefly.
"Night, Jackie," she kissed back just as briefly.
"Sweet dreams. . ."
"They will be now," she snickered.
"Mission complete," he smiled, hugging her closer.
She was already sleeping, breathing steady and completely relaxed with him. He wrapped a possessive leg over hers, bringing her even closer, and closed his eyes.
She has no idea. . .he smirked. That she's the best damn thing to happen to me since I got this family. . .
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Bobby dragged his lazy ass out of bed, stretching slowly, and walked down the hall. He passed Jack's room and peeked in at them.
THEM?! he did a double take, leaning on the door frame.
"Man," he muttered with a grin. "Much as I hate to admit it. . .those two are cute as hell together. ." he shook his head. "Damn it, I'm getting too soft in my old age. . ."
He stood, keeping careful watch of Stray, playing protective big brother. Stray whimpered, twitching in her sleep, and Jackie tightened his arm around her, rolling and pulling her close. Bobby smiled as he saw the girl snuggle into his baby brother, obviously put at ease by him, and couldn't resist messing up Jack's hair. The hazel eyes flashed open and filled with terror.
"Easy, Jackie," he smirked, still messing up his hair.
"Don't be pissed, Bobby!" he whispered. "She hasn't slept well all week. . .I told her to stay in here with me for the night."
"Jack," he laughed lightly, "you're good for her. I just saw that. . .Go back to sleep, kiddo."
"Thanks, Bobby," he muttered, relaxing.
"No problem. . .I'll let Ma know what's goin' on."
"Bobby. . .I told Lock that we'd figure something else out for her to do when she can't sleep. . .We don't want this turning into a habit either. . ."
"All right, Cracker Jack. We'll think of somethin'," he whispered, letting the boy get back to sleep.
He went into the kitchen, poured himself some coffee, and sat down at the table. Evelyn was already up, her own coffee steaming in front of her.
"Stray slept in Jackie's room again," he said casually, drinking his coffee.
"Did she?" Ma was just as casual.
"Yeah. . .I guess she hasn't been sleeping all too well."
"Mmmm," she sipped her coffee. "Do you remember when Jackie used to crawl into bed with you?"
"Yeah," he mumbled.
That was always an odd feeling. . .even though by that time he was pretty well trained and knew that I had no interest in him like that. . .still made me feel like a perv. . .
"They're good for each other, Bobby," Ma's eyes shone brightly. "Lock's not like that man Kett."
Hell. . .so she did know. . .
"Jack. . .he makes her feel safe. . .Have you seen them together?"
"I have," she smiled. "Don't pick on him too much, Robert. Let him be happy."
"I haven't been torturing the little fairy too much, Ma. I've mainly been. . .looking out for them. . ."
"Protective Bobby," she laughed, getting up and kissing his forehead. "Don't call Jackie a 'fairy', Robert Mercer."
"Oh, Ma," he smirked. "I only call him a 'fairy' outta love. If he asked me to stop, you know damn well I would. And being protective is a habit."
"The best one you have," she snickered.
Shoe: TA DA!! I have like 23 chapters written down in my notebook, it's just a matter of getting them typed up and put up! Have patience! They will be up!