Rifiuto: Non Miriena

Thanks to Ghostrider for reviewing 33.

"Hi Daddy."

He looked up, to see Jenna enter the kitchen. He smiled at her and poured a second cup of coffee. She sat next to him and took a sip.

"Hey sweetie. Mommy still asleep?" She nodded. They sat in silence for several minutes before she turned to him and asked,

"Daddy? Mommy's going to be okay, isn't she?" He reached out and took her hand.

"Mommy is going to be fine, Jea. She's strong. She'll get through this. Just... give her time." They drank their coffee in silence, enjoying the time together, without the three youngest talking or trying to engage them in conversation. It reminded Jack of when it was just he and Jo and Jenna, even before Erica had been thought of. Back when Senator Wen called off the search for the Astreaus crew and Jo and Jack had needed someone to turn to. Back when they first found comfort in each others' arms. Back when they fell in love.

And now, he looked at the little girl sitting across from him; the little girl he'd helped raise from the time she was born. In another year, she'd graduate from high school and go off to college. It didn't seem real, that his children were growing up. After a moment, he said,

"Everything going okay, Jea?" She nodded.

"Yeah. I... I just... I'm worried about Mommy. She... she hasn't..."

"I know. She hasn't been doing well since she found out about Alex's death. Working and shooting, but that's about it."

"Can't you do something, Daddy? Talk to her?" Jea asked, leaning towards her father.

"Talk to who?" The pair looked up, to see Jo enter the kitchen, in a tank top and a pair of shorts. Her hair was pulled back in a messy ponytail. Even two weeks after learning about Alex's death, she was still crying herself to sleep. Her eyes were red and she sniffled, making her way towards her husband. He motioned to her, and she went to him, settling on his lap. Sighing, she rested her head on his shoulder and closed her eyes briefly.

"How are you doing, Jojo?" He asked softly, gently squeezing her waist. She shrugged.

"You okay, Mommy?" Jea asked, worried. Jo nodded.

"I'm okay, baby. Just tired." She yawned, before getting up and grabbing a cup from the cupboard. After a moment, she poured a cup of coffee and took a seat between her husband her daughter. They both watched her for several minutes before Jack reached out and took her hand, squeezing. She gave them both a quick smile. After finishing her coffee, she got up and went to the stairs. "I love you, both of you, you know that?" She asked, turning back to them. Jack nodded.

"We know."

She looked up at the sound of her door closing. Allison stood in the doorway, watching her.

"Yes? Is there something I can help you with, Dr. Blake?" She asked, sitting up from her paperwork. Allison nodded, tucking a strand of hair behind her ear. She went to the desk.

"Actually, there is, Jo. We need to talk." The head of security narrowed her eyes.

"We don't need to talk about anything." Allison closed her eyes, sighing.

"Please, Jo. Just... just hear me out. That's all I'm asking. Please." The younger woman thought a moment, before tossing her pen onto her desk and leaning back.

"Fine, you have five minutes. So talk."

"Five minutes! Jo, be reasonable!"

"Talk!"

The doctor fell silent for a moment, before nodding. "Look, Jo, I know... I know that when we first returned, I was... horrible to you about Jack."

"Horrible?" Jo asked, crossing her arms over her chest and raising her eyebrows. "You weren't horrible, Allison, you were a complete and absolute bitch."

"I... I know, and I'm sorry... I just... I was... going through a lot. Coming back after four years and seeing you... kissing Jack in the living room that night... it..."

"Wait, you saw us?" Jo said, sitting up and leaning on the desk towards her nemesis. "And you didn't say anything?"

"I told Jack the next morning at breakfast. And he... gently informed me that he was in love with you. And that... he wanted to spend the rest of his life with you. I didn't want to accept it, so for a time, I didn't."

"Obviously, from the way you acted afterwards." Jo said, standing.

"I know. I'm sorry, Jo. I just... I didn't want to believe that... that he..."

"Loves me." Jo finished going around the desk and stopping in front of her, arms crossed over her chest. Allison nodded.

"And you're in Jenna's life... and I didn't want to take her away from you. You were a family, and I didn't fit in anymore. I was jealous and hurt and..."

She relaxed when she shut the door behind her and her children rushed towards her. After a long day at work, all she wanted was to spend time with her family.

"Hey Jojo." She accepted the kiss Jack gave her as he joined their kids, wrapping her in his arms. "How was your day?" She gently pushed her kids back towards the kitchen and turned to him.

"We need to talk."

The strong aroma of coffee wafted up towards her nose, and she sighed.

"Wait, back up, so Allison came by your office and apologized for all the pain she'd put us through?" Jo nodded as Jack returned to his seat. The kids were outside playing; Jenna and Erica sat together on a rock, gossiping.

"Yes. About everything. From... going after me to... trying to disrupt our wedding... all of it. Every last detail. She admitted to all of it." After Jack listened to Jo's account, he asked,

"So, what did you do?" She sighed, looking down at his wedding ring and reaching out to lay her hand over his.

"I accepted her apology and we... called a truce. We're... going to try to be friends."