Disclaimer: I own nothing. All characters and stories belong to NBC and Dick Wolf.
A/N: Another chapter. Well...we finally get to see her again. Pay attention to the chapter. This is what takes the story on a collision course. I took the name Jessica Cavanaugh from my original story Clock Back Years. Please review. Thanks. Love, Lawabidingchild.
In darkness
And in light
You were the guide
That took me in flight
Yet I left
And you stayed behind
I have someone else
Yet you'll always be mine
Abbie, Connie, Jack, and Mike made their way through the airport with their luggage in tow the next day. It was nearly one-o'clock and they needed to find their plane. "You think we should tell him now?" Mike asked impatiently.
"No," Connie hissed back, squeezing his hand painfully so he'd shut up, "we agreed to wait until the hotel."
"What are you two whispering about?" Abbie asked.
"Nothing," Connie said. Her tone was innocent, but her eyes told Abbie everything. Abbie shot Mike a scolding look. Mike returned it with a shrug of indifference. Nothing more was asked about the matter.
When they approached their gate, it was twelve-thirty. They found a woman who was patrolling the area like she was waiting for something. Or someone. Abbie cautiously approached her. "Are you waiting for us?" she asked.
"That depends. Are you Abigail Carmichael?"
"Yes," Abbie confirmed.
"And I assume that behind you stand Jack McCoy, Michael Cutter, and Consuela Rubirosa?"
"That would be them, yes."
"I'm Marshall Jessica Cavanaugh," she introduced, shaking Abbie's hand. "Follow me. We're just about to board."
They'd spent the majority of the flight being debriefed by Marshall Cavanaugh. She heard from Abbie that she was banned from saying the witness's real name until they touched down in St. Louis. Cavanaugh understood that and only told them that they were going to see someone in Witness Protection and that revealing anything without the permission of the government was punishable by law. The four of them understood that, with three knowing who they were going to go see.
When they landed, they collected their things and got into a car provided by the Marshall Service, with Cavanaugh at the wheel. "You know our witness is excited to see you," she noted. "Especially you, Mr. McCoy."
"Call me Jack," he ordered her.
"Okay," she giggled and clutched the steering wheel. Jack now had a confused look on his face. Abbie clutched his hand.
"Don't worry about it," she whispered into his ear. "Just take baby steps in the direction of the witness and you'll be fine."
"Okay," Jack promised. Abbie kissed his cheek and rested her head on his shoulder. She wondered if they would still be together after this.
The five of them reached the motel. They were assigned their rooms and then instructed to move accordingly to the plan. "Remember, no funny business. My partner and I will be right next door if something goes wrong."
"Understood." Abbie looked at the other three, who also nodded in response. Once Cavanaugh left, Abbie turned to Jack. "Jack. Connie, Mike, and I have been keeping a small detail from you…okay…a large detail from you. It's better you find out here. When we open the door, you'll see someone you know. Someone you once loved. She's been in hiding all this time, Jack."
"Who has?" Jack asked.
Abbie kissed him. "You'll see. Once I open that door, there's no telling what will happen."
Jack stared at them. Abbie clutched his arm and opened the door with a key that Cavanaugh gave her.
When the door opened, they found a woman facing the wall. She had long, flowing curls down her back and tan skin. She was older than Abbie and Connie by a few years. Connie and Mike stared at each other. They knew who that woman was. Abbie knew who that woman was. Jack only knew they were visiting Clarissa Karlton.
When the door shut behind the four DAs, the woman turned around. It was a face they all recognized, but with a much older expression. She had laugh lines around her light brown eyes. Her hair was longer and in soft curls around her face. Her face had subtle creasing, but there was still a youthful look to it.
Jack's mouth dropped open. His long lost Claire. "It was better this way, Jack," Abbie whispered at his side. She slowly loosened her grip on his arm so Jack could move forward to greet Claire. She knew he would want to.
Claire approached Jack with outstretched arms. "Jack?" she whispered. She traced her hand along his face, feeling every one of his features. "Jack." She confirmed her vision in a whisper. When she could no longer stand the anguish of not being able to greet him, she collapsed in Jack's arms, crying. Jack held her. Something he'd wanted to do since she died.
Mike and Connie looked toward Abbie. A look of subtle jealousy fell on her face. But they knew Jack and Claire wouldn't happen. It couldn't…especially since Claire was now married and had three children.