As the next few days went past neither realised just how much they loved the others company, until it was time for Xan to go back to school. Jack had called and told them she was out of hospital, but on doctors orders she had to stay at home the rest of the week, which they accepted and were utterly grateful that she was ok. So here she was gripping Jack's hand ever so tightly as they made their way through the school to report to the office just after the bell had rung.
"Jack," she whispered before they got to the office window. Looking down at her, he could see her fear of being back, and her sadness for leaving him, after the great week they'd had together.
"Come on, once your back in class you'll forget about everything," he smiled. Moving to the window, one of the ladies looked up and gasped which sent the others spinning around to see Xan standing there.
"Xantheia!"
"Hallo," she whispered, with a shy smile.
"How are you dear? We all heard what happened a few weeks ago now."
"I'm good, Jack looked after me, and kept me company," she smiled sweetly, as the lady nodded and looked at Jack with a shy, slightly seductive smile. Wincing inwardly he smiled back.
"Ah, is she in the same room?" He questioned trying to get away as fast as possible.
"Ah, yes she is. Sorry!" She smiled at him once more. Nodding Jack looked down at her and grinned.
"To Oz?" Groaning she rolled her eyes but smiled nevertheless.
"No, we have to see the Wizard!" She stated as they walked off, with the three office ladies watching them.
"Ahh, sorry I forgot," he smiled to which she giggled.
"He's really good with her,"
"Wish he could be good with me,"
"EMILY!"
"What?" She laughed. "He's hot! AND he's good with kids!"
"He was SO sending out the 'not interested, I'm taken' look to you!"
"What? He was not!"
"Was too!"
"He so was Em!"
"Georgia!"
"What he was!"
"What ever! You're both just jealous that he was talking and smiling at ME!" She huffed and moved back to her desk, while the others simply rolled their eyes.
"Ok, when I knock on that door, I'm going to have to leave you ok?"
"Please stay Jack,"
"I can't angel you know that!"
"But then I..."
"Ah! Don't Xan, you need to be here and I need you to be here!"
"Jack, I want to go home with you, please!"
"You're safe here munchkin! It's better this way! Plus if I can't make it, you know someone will be here that you know." He stated as Emily walked up to just being within earshot, and listened to them.
"But what about mum?"
"I'll be looking in on her today, I have to talk to Fraiser about you anyway ok?"
"I don't want that test done Jack,"
"I know but let us work things out first ok? You might have to if mum can't pull through this," sighing she nodded.
"I really wish you could be my dad," she whispered bowing her head.
"Hey, in every meaning of the word I am, just..." Wincing he looked at her wondering how he was going to phrase it.
"Just you didn't father me," she stated staring at him.
"Exactly," he stated.
"Are you coming to baseball practice today?" Laughing he shook his head.
"Only a Carter can change subjects so quickly!"
"Hey!" She huffed. Smiling he hugged her tightly.
"I'll try but no promises ok?"
"Ok! Love you Jack!" She whispered before he stood, and knocked on the door. Opening it and letting her walk into the class that all greeted her warmly.
That afternoon, Emily had made sure all her work was done and headed out to watch the baseball team practice. As Xan walked towards the group in her uniform, the coach stopped mid sentence as he saw her. As they noticed he was looking at someone the whole team turned around and grinned as they saw her.
"Xan!"
"Xan, Xan, the elephant MAN!" At the shouts she looked up and smiled at her team mates. Dropping her stuff with the rest of the equipment, Xan jogged slowly over to them.
"Coach," she smiled. Nodding he grinned at her.
"How are you Xanthie?"
"I'm good coach! Jack looked after me real good!" As laughter erupted she grinned at him. Shaking his head he sighed.
"I'm going to need to check your fitness levels ok?"
"Sure thing coach, where do I run too?" She asked grinning at him.
"The normal run, but take it slow Xanthie! I don't want or need you off for another nearly two weeks! We need you this week!"
"Sure thing coach!" She grinned and started out in a slow jog, around the field. As she was slowly speeding up into a run, Jack came in and took a seat a few rows in front of Emily, who couldn't help the grin on her face. Shifting slowly and casually over the next 15 minutes she was suddenly sitting next to him, while the team started their practice game.
"Hi! Didn't know you would be here!" She grinned at him. Turning he smiled slightly at her.
"Yeah hey,"
"So is Xantheia on the team or something?"
"Yeah, she is."
"Wow she must be pretty good then!"
"She's ok," he smiled slightly, before turning to watch the small game.
"She's the first girl I've met who's interested in sports! Did you teach her?"
"Yeah, just after her mum got sick, and she started living with me, it was the only way to keep her sane. That and hockey."
"Wow, must be hard on both of you!"
"Nah she's a great kid! Takes after her mum, way too much but," smirking he shrugged as he watched her. Taking her eyes off him for the first time, she looked out to watch Xantheia as well.
As she was running Xan had noticed Jack walk in, and when that office lady sat next to him and started talking she couldn't help her eyes roll. So when it was her turn to bat, she had her eyes set and knew exactly where the ball was going. No sooner had she hit it, did Jack realise what was happening, pushing Emily down, he reached over her slightly and grabbed the ball that would have hit her square in the face. Jumping up he moved to the field. Grabbing her arm and pulling her away from the others.
"What the hell was that?"
"She's hitting on you Jack!"
"What? No she's not!"
"Yes she is! And I don't want her to think that she can have you! You belong to mum and me!" She huffed glaring at him. Raising his eye brows he shook his head.
"Practice is over, we're going home,"
"Fine!" She huffed and moved back to tell the coach that she had to go. Watching them leaving the field Emily jumped up and moved off after them. But froze as she heard Jack talking to Xanthie.
"Look Xan, she was just being polite!"
"No she wasn't! She was hitting on you Jack!" Grumbling he shook his head.
"Ok, fine! She was hitting on me!"
"Just because I'm right doesn't mean you have to agree with me!"
"ARGH! Carter!" He snapped.
"Don't call me that! That's what you call mum, to stay away!" She huffed, turning to glare at him.
"What?"
"You never call mum, Sam, you always call her Carter! And that's so you don't get too close!"
"That's her name Xan!"
"No Sam is her name Jack!"
"She's my 2IC!"
"And?"
"Oh I am so NOT having this conversation with you!"
"Why not? I know you like mum, and I know she likes you, what's the problem?"
"She's my 2IC Xan! That's the problem!"
"Then quit!"
"Didn't I just say I was NOT having this conversation?"
"Jack, I want you to be my dad! And the only way that can happen is if you and mum marry!"
"WHOA! WHAT? You have me married? Did I miss something there? How about we take 6 months back and start again." Laughing at him she sighed.
"Mum, loves you Jack! You belong to us! You're family! Right now I only have you! And when mum gets better she's going to NEED you," Xan stated watching him briefly, before heading into the change rooms. Groaning Jack ran both hands down his face, as he turned. Moving back so she could watch him but not be seen Emily bit her bottom lip.
"Christ Xanthie!" He huffed glaring at the door. "You really know how to screw things up!" He whispered. Shaking his head, he bowed it and started to think. "And I really need to talk to you about Sam," he muttered looking up just as the door opened.
"What's happened is she alright?"
"Yeah actually she is," he smiled. "You wanna pay a visit to the hospital on the weekend?"
"She's awake?" She cried grinning at him.
"This afternoon, when I was there. She really wants to see you. I told her maybe on the weekend depending how she feels." Dropping her bag, Xan jumped on Jack, who laughed at her and picked her up. Hugging him tightly she started crying.
"I want to see her Jack, but I don't want to leave you," she sobbed.
"I know munchkin, I know," he said gently as he grabbed her bag, and carried her towards the waiting military vehicle.
