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Jallison in Wonderland

Chapter 8: When the Levee Breaks

Allison woke the next morning with what felt like a warning in the pit of her stomach. She turned over to see that Nathan was already up and gone. The only reason she knew was because his side of the bed was made, his robe slung over the back of a chair, watch and wallet gone from the side table.

She didn't know if she was relieved or dismayed. All day yesterday, she keep getting a peculiar vibe from him. It was almost like… he knew.

She needed to talk to someone. She needed to talk to Jack.

Allison took the chance and rang his PDA and prayed that Tess was no where near it to see who the caller was.

"Hello?"

He answered on her first ring and she let out a sigh and found solace.

"Jack. Is everything okay?"

"Um, as far as I know it is. What's wrong Allie?"

"I don't know. It's just a feeling." Allison had every intention of leaving it at that, but she had to proceed, regardless of how paranoid she sounded. "Jack, I think he knows."

"Knows?"

"About us."

There was silence on the other end as he pondered her statement.

"No way. It's not possible."

"Jack I'm telling you, something is strange. Yesterday Nathan came home and he appeared… off. I can't quite say what it was, but he looked at me differently."

"Allie, you're worrying over nothing. We've been careful and I've made sure to thoroughly cover our tracks. Besides, we have Henry on our side now. He'll make sure we're protected until we find a solution."

"Baby, we can't keep going on like this. At some point, we're going to have to be honest with them. We owe them that."

Jack scoffed as the idea. "How do you figure? Allison, we don't owe them anything. Remember, this isn't our life. We don't belong here and honestly, I'm not sure how much more of this charade I can put up with."

"Jack, I'm just so worried. Nathan's been very quiet. What if he spoke to Tess?"

"Allie, I know the situation isn't ideal, but this is where we are."

Allison could hear the terseness in his voice, and she knew deep down he was right. But what if they never got home. There was no way she could stay with Nathan, not after having Jack's love.

"Jack, I love you with all my heart, but I love and care for Tess and Nathan. She's my best friend and he's the father of my child and a good man to boot."

"Is that right?"

"Don't. You know exactly what I mean. I just don't want them hurt."

His tone softened. "I know."

"We made a mistake. We should have been honest from the very beginning."

"I think you know we're way past that point now. Hey, we'll be back home soon and this will all be a distance, but ugly memory."

"I guess you're right."

"Of course I am."

Allison could hear the smile in his voice. Then she knew. If there was one person without fail who never let her down, it was Jack Carter. Her husband. Her lover. Her best friend.

"Listen, Henry and I are meeting with Fargo today."

"Fargo! Oh God, please tell me you didn't clue Fargo in."

"No, of course not. He's under the impression Henry is on some ultra-secret project. He's excited just to be included."

"Alright then. I guess I'll see you later today?"

"I'll be by GD this afternoon. Make time for me."

"I will." Allison didn't want him to hang up. "I love you."

"I love you too. But before you go, I just have one question."

Allison chuckled to herself. She knew where this was heading.

"What do you have on?"

"You are incorrigible, you know that right?"

"You're my weakness, and what's wrong with that?"

He laughed infectiously and Allison giggled girlishly in response. How he managed to reduce her to a mass of goo she'd never know.

"Bye, Jack."

"Bye."

Over at Global Dynamics, Nathan and Tess had planned on getting together later that morning to discuss their options. So, Nathan left the house a bit earlier than usual to get some much needed work done.

It had been a grueling evening for him now knowing what he knew. He wanted to confront Allison; catch her in a myriad of lies and he had been tempted to but for the kids. He didn't want to get them involved in this mess, nor would it be fair to them. He'd tried to broach the subject last night in bed but she continued to be aloof to his advances. He reckoned that's when his fears were brought to fruition.

Allison must have thought him a fool. He knew her better than anyone; so he thought. They'd gone weeks now without having sex and Allison was not one to go days without it. She was an animal in bed. The connotation of her actions only added to his worries.

"Nathan!"

Tess called out to him just as he crossed the main hub, coincidentally right in front of Allison's office.

"So, are we going to do this?"

"I think its time. I was hoping we could wait and gather some intel, but they've crossed the line. I just know it."

And as if on cue, he glanced up just in time to see Jack walk in and the large glass partition go dark.

"Hey there beautiful."

Jack entered the office uninvited, with near a knock; just like the old Jack would do.

He immediately took Allison in his embrace, pressed his lips against hers and greedily kissed her.

Finally breaking for air, Allison greeted her husband. "Mm, that was nice."

"How are you doing?"

"Better now that you're here."

"Good." Jack stepped back just enough feet so that he could admire her form. "I must say, you are looking right sexy today. Did you do this for me?"

Allison was wearing a black and white floral dress with a cropped oversized bow jacket and red pumps for a pop of color.

"What do you think?"

Jack leaned forward and cocked his head so that he could see her backside.

"I think you have the cutest ass."

"Don't make me report you for sexual harassment."

"I'm you're husband. Besides, I don't work for you."

Allison laughed vampishly, "Well, I can still make a big stink anyway."

Whatever smart remark Jack was going to reply with, he never got the chance as Nathan stormed into the room, a wild look in his eye, Tess hot on his heels.

Jack turned and when he saw his expression, knew the jig was up.

"Whoa, whoa, whoa! Just wait a minute Nathan."

And that was the last thing Jack said as Nathan reared his fist back and punched Jack square in the jaw.

Then for Jack, everything went dark.