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Jallison in Wonderland
Chapter 6: The Best Laid Plans
"Beware the wrath of the patient man." - John Dryden
The week following their impromptu getaway had yet to produce any desirable results concerning their unique predicament. If anything, it only yielded in making matters worse.
Allison; still basking in the glow of her secret tryst with Jack, was finding it hard to maintain her composure. Her demeanor had changed so drastically from the previous weeks, that Nathan had even commented. Previously attributing her strange behavior to a phantom "bug" she'd caught, he was relieved that at last, she appeared to be returning to her old self. Not oddly enough, he also made sure to voice that he hoped it also meant an end to their sex drought. Little did he know, Allison had no intention of granting his request. However, she couldn't focus on that right now. Now that Henry was firmly on their side, for the first time in weeks, Allison felt optimistic.
Henry Deacon had always held a special place in her heart. No, she'd never been attracted to him in that way; nor had he ever appeared to be interested in her either. Nonetheless, she was enamored with him. Henry had always been the voice of reason, an opinionated man who made sure they kept the human, compassionate side in mind with anything they conjured up at GD. He was someone she could count on; even when they didn't see eye-to-eye. And although their mannerisms and dispositions were polar opposites, he so reminded her of her father.
Both her father and Henry were extremely brilliant men and professionally accomplished, but that was where the similarities ended. As much as Allison loved and respected her father, she longed for him to exhibit some of the traits that made Henry such a well loved and respected man. Henry was tender, open, and his displays of self sacrifice for his friends and loved ones were undeniable. On the opposite spectrum, her father was known to be tenacious, a stern disciplinarian, and at times snobbish. When her brother visited them recently, it was merely a glimpse of what their dad was like; which meant it was ten times harder for Jack to win him over, but win him over, he did. The only time her father readily let down his guard, was for his grandchildren, and upon learning that there was to be another on the way, had filled him with exuberance.
Jack on the other hand, was on an emotional roller-coaster. He couldn't look at Tess without the guilt of his recent actions tearing at a part of his soul. He so wanted to unburden; confess the truth. Tess was a wonderful woman and he felt no ill will toward her. She just wasn't the woman he loved and it hurt him to have to lie.
No closer to a resolution, Jack thought it wise that he sleep on the couch. It wasn't like he could up and ask Tess to move out without a plausible reason, so for now, this would have to do. Besides, Allison told him to play along with the charade; up to a point. Allison told him that is wasn't that she didn't trust him; she didn't trust Tess. She'd know Tess for a long time and her she would not be rebuffed for long. And yes, she was still sharing a bed with Nathan, but Jack had no doubt in his mind that when she said nothing was going on, she meant it. Anyway, Nathan; his best friend, had confirmed it.
All the same, Jack put that drama behind him. He and Allison had a scheduled meeting with Henry directly before the end of the workday to find out his progress. So with a little more pep in his step than usual, he headed over to GD. Jack was confident Henry could fix it...Henry could fix anything.
Over at Global Dynamics, Henry sat behind his desk, a small frown creased across his brow as he contemplated how to break the news to Jack and Allison. Known as someone who could solve some of GD's more complex issues, he wasn't sure he'd be able to find a way out of this particular debacle. He'd gone over the findings, took into account what Allison and Jack detailed, and still, found himself at a crossroads.
Those preceding weeks, he'd become highly suspicious of Allison and Jack. It seemed as if their recent business trip had turned into something more personal. Henry was sure it had to have been that as he was very observant, and would have taken notice of any hanky-panky before now. Coincidentally enough, that's what made their story that much more believable.
His Allison would have had nothing romantic whatsoever to do with Sheriff Carter. She'd confided in Henry on several occasions that she thought he was arrogant, vain and none to bright. Henry had his own misgivings about the good Sheriff. One of which was that he also had an eye for Allison. Known as somewhat of a ladies man, how could he not lust after her. What man in his right mind didn't. He too had fallen under the spell of her beauty, her charm, and her intellect. Alas, his longing for her resulted in more than a mere crush, and frankly, he was content just to be friends with her. And even though there were a few years between them, he grew to care for her almost as if she were his child...well, younger sister.
When he arrived at the cabin to confront them, their response that they'd been victims of a time warp as a defense, was the furthest from his mind. On the ride over, he swore nothing they'd say would sway him from his duty as faithful friend to Nathan. Full of piss and vinegar, he was ready to tell them off. He so wanted to pop the handsome Sheriff in face and let Allison know just how disappointed he was with her. Yet, upon hearing their tale, his resolve broke. Once they began to talk about their former lives, and their baby, Henry just about lost it. The look of utter devotion in their eyes was undeniable. This was no elaborate ploy, and he was sure if they'd been attached to a lie detector, they'd pass the test with aplomb.
In the days following, he paid closer attention to their relationship. Of course when they were around Nathan and Tess, it was very controlled, but the moments they were able to share a bit of what they had, it was obvious to see. The attraction, the flirting, the banter. Now that he knew the truth, he had to make sure they got back to their real lives.
The only thing that made him pause, was the fact that he couldn't enlist the aide of his good friend, Nathan Stark.
Henry had know Nathan personally for almost fifteen years. His reputation came into prominence while he was still in his early teens. He'd first met Nathan during a tour of the college where he was teaching, and had been so impressed by the lad, he persuaded the selection committee to offer him early admission. Anything to make sure his talents did not go elsewhere. It's wasn't long before Henry became his mentor. The strapping, handsome young man; at least according to his stable of admirers, and several of the female faculty members, was light years ahead of his peers intellectually.
He and Jack had a long conversation about the two Starks. Henry noted that both versions, much like his moniker, were firm, at times unyielding and fiercely determined. The main differences between the two being that this Stark had never been a rival for Allison's affections with Jack. Strange how that one small difference, had such a huge impact on their dynamic. Learning this information, Henry felt as if her were in a parallel universe of his own. Oh, it didn't change how he felt about Nathan, in fact, it made matters worse.
Leaning back; his hands clasped behind his head, he contemplated the situation, when a rap on the door snapped him back into reality.
"Jack," it didn't take him long to get used to calling him by his first name. Frankly, it felt comfortable as it rolled off his tongue. "...come in."
"Hey Henry. Any word from Allison yet?"
"She'll be here momentarily, have a seat."
As he and Jack waited for Allison's arrival, Henry took the opportunity to learn a bit more about their counter lives. Henry knew the less he knew of his previous life the better, but he couldn't help but be curious of their friendship. The other Jack was courageous and steadfast; much like his, and the more Jack detailed, the more Henry realized that much of the idiosyncrasies of a person didn't change. It was eerie, but somehow surreal. Henry devoured his tales, and frequently let out a genuine chortle.
Now this Jack, he would could have been friends with.
Not long before Jack delved into his next story, Allison walked in and closed the door behind her, just in case prying eyes were near. Dressed in business attire, she still succeeded in looking alluring; an enticing sight, and as she took a seat in the chair next to Jack, her eyes flashed bright. A reaction that had not go unnoticed by Henry.
Now that they were all settled, Jack arched forward in anticipation of the news.
"So Henry, what'ca got?"
"Well, there's good news, and bad news."
His head wobbling back and forth, Jack balked. "You know, I've always hated that saying."
Sadly, what Henry had to tell them didn't fill them with hope. He explained the theoretics of how time travel worked, and consequently how difficult it would be to recreate the conditions which brought them here.
Jack listened intently, understanding only about every other word, but with each factor Henry identified, the uncertainty deepened. "So, what do we do?"
"Give me another week."
"Henry," Allison sat on the edge of her seat. Voice wavering, she clasped her hand over her belly. "I fear we don't have another week. Whatever this is, whatever has happened, this is becoming our life."
Henry could feel their pain. "I'll see what I can do, but honestly, I could really use some help." His eyes pleaded, but he knew what their answer would be before he asked. "I know I can't enlist Nathan or Tess..."
"No. Even if they did believe us, it's too risky to involve them." She said.
Jack interrupted, "What about Fargo?"
"Fargo?" Peering quizzically as if he'd never heard the name before, "Douglas Fargo? I don't think he could handle the sensitivity of this situation."
"You'd be surprised. Just give him a chance."
Reassured by Jack's assuredness, he relented. "Okay, I'll...bring him into the loop. I just hope you know what you're asking, Jack."
"Don't worry. Fargo's the right man for the job."
"Hum...we'll see."
"So, how soon can we get this started. Should I have him meet us at your house tonight?"
"I-Ah, I'm afraid that's impossible."
"Why?"
"I have a date."
Allison and Jack responded in unison. "A date!"
"Yes, with Dr. Monroe."
Allison turned to Jack, her lips curled up in mock disapproval.
"I swear. I didn't say a thing." He held his hand up and formed the Boy Scout Salute, "At least I don't think I did."
Allison playfully poked him in the ribs.
Taking hold of her hand, his tone became serious. "What about you? Can you get away tonight."
"I don't think so. Nathan's already suspicious of my behavior. I can't keep disappearing without an explanation."
Now feeling like an intruder in an intimate scene, Henry pretended to look though some papers as they talked in hushed tones.
"Then when, it's been days since I've had you to myself."
"I don't know honey. We need to be extremely careful."
Jack stood abruptly; his frustration evident. "I can't take much more of this. I'm sick of the way Stark touches you; the way he looks at you."
"What do you want me to do Jack!"
"Tell him you love me. Tell him you belong with me." Realizing the ridiculousness of his proposal, he backpedaled. "I don't know, but I can't do this any longer. I'm tired of being stuck in limbo."
Allison moved toward him and cradled his face in her hands.
"Jack, we are destined for each other. I'm more sure of that now then ever before." Then she smiled at him. "No matter what place, or where in time...we belong together."
Seemingly reassured, Jack embraced her, when a knock at the door broke the spell.
Lightening quick, they wisely separated, and not a moment to soon.
"Here you all are."
None of them could deny the tenseness in the air; it was palpable, and when no one replied, Nathan became wary.
"Am I interrupting something?"
Scratching the bridge of his nose, wondering how he could stall, this was one time Jack's quick wit didn't kick in.
"Err, no. Everything's fine."
Thankfully Henry, trustworthy Henry, offered his two cents. "Nathan, I assure you. There's no cause for concern. It was an impromptu meeting. We didn't feel it necessary to involve you."
They all waited with baited breath as he viewed them all.
"Okay then. Allie, I'm heading out," his tone was mechanical, as if he'd said it a thousand times before, "I'll see you at home."
"I'll be right behind you."
Her eyes downcast, Allison turned to leave when Jack reached out and grasped hold of her forearm.
"Jack, I have to go." She uttered, as a single tear slid down her cheek.
Though he wasn't hurting her; Jack would never hurt her, he promptly loosened his grip, and watched her walk out the door.
Throwing a comforting hand on his shoulder, Henry led him out.
"Come on Jack. I've got time for one beer before my date..."
Next: Chapter 7-Time Will Reveal
A/N: Oh my goodness! I can't believe it's been 3 months since I've updated this story. I apologize, but what can I say...it's been a rough summer.