I do not own EUReKA.

Friends and Lovers

Chapter 3: The Heart Wants What It Can't Have

Jack felt as if he was floating on air upon waking after a well deserved nap that Saturday afternoon. His body rejuvenated, he bounded downstairs two at a time. His mind, now clearer than it had been only hours before.

Initially, he was worried that the events of that evening had all been a glorious dream, and to be honest, it left him a bit panicked. Sure, he was worried that he and Allison's sleeping together would ruin their friendship, but on the other hand, it could also mean the beginning of something wonderful.

For years, he'd pined away after Allison Blake. Never before had a woman made him feel as she had, not even his ex-wife, Abbey. Sure, he'd loved Abbey, but that love had grown over time; Allison was different. He knew from the moment she walked into that RV to investigate the disappearance of Brian Perkins, he was in smitten. Yes, she was beautiful, but it was more than that. Since that faithful meeting, whatever he did, wherever he was, whomever he was with, she was never far from his thoughts. But this...this was a scenario he'd only dreamt of. The moment he wrapped her in his arms, the culmination of all his wishes had come true.

When he breached the confines of her bedroom and enveloped her in his arms, it took everything within his power not to throw her down on the bed and ravage her. Even though she'd made the first move, he was afraid that his inaction downstairs had brought her to her senses, and the moment had passed. But, when she tightened her arms over his shoulders and caressed the nape of his neck, his fears disappeared.

Slowly, he peeled off each layer of clothing as if he were unwrapping a fragile gift. Each time a new portion of her creamy skin was exposed, Jack would accent its unveiling with a light kiss. Removing her blouse, she let out an anguished moan when his lips pressed against her inner wrist; the fragrant scent of the perfume she'd applied that morning still lingered. When his mouth met the swanlike curvature of her neck, she inhaled sharply, and he couldn't help but take note how her body quivered when his lips parted slightly, and his tongue brushed against her collarbone.

He couldn't tell you how long they engaged in foreplay, but when she reached down to unbutton her jeans, he politely pushed her hands aside. Jack wanted the pleasure of tending to her; there was no need to rush. Besides, the slower he moved, the longer this; whatever this was, would last.

Reliving their encounter, he closed his eyes and allowed a salacious smile to grow over his features, and just as thought of the moment when things began to escalate between them, his thoughts were interrupted.

"So, you finally made it home."

It was a statement more than a question, as Zoë stared accusingly at him.

Pouring himself a cup of coffee, he pretended to be oblivious. "I'm sorry...?"

"Oh, don't try to play coy with me. Someone didn't sleep in their bed, which begs to reason...who did you sleep with last night?

And as if she needed further confirmation, S.A.R.A.H felt inclined to chime in.

"Zoë is indeed correct, Sheriff. At precisely 4:07 am, your vehicle arrived on site and..."

"S.A.R.A.H, thank you, but I don't need a minute by minute detailing of my movements."

Turning, he focused his attention back on Zoë. "And as for you, stop prying."

Jack should have known better that his request would be ignored as Zoë folded her arms firmly across her chest as she continued.

"So, who is she? Do I know her? Have you been dating behind my back? Oh my God, it's not Allison, is it?"

The rapid firing of her questions caught him off guard; damn, she'd make a good interrogator.

Jack waved at her off. "All right, all right, enough. Yes, I did stay out last night. Yes, you know her. And no, it's none of your business what I did."

"Un-huh. Well, whatever it was you were doing, it sure put you in a good mood." Lips pursed, Zoë gave him a final once-over before she headed upstairs. "Maybe you should stay out more often."

Jack couldn't hide his bemusement at her statement as he swatted at her with a tea towel. What he could he say, he was happy. The culmination of years of wanting hadn't been for naught. He and Allison had finally connected in that special way and he knew he had to take advantage of this chance. But in the back of his mind, his conscious began to plague him, and he had to put himself in her shoes.

What was the proper time to wait after someone you loved had died before moving on? Would she feel as if she were dishonoring Starks memory if she pursued a relationship with him? Should he give her some time to process everything? Just because he was ready to dive into a relationship with her, didn't mean she was, regardless of what had occurred. As much as he wanted to hear her voice, maybe calling right away wasn't appropriate; or was it. It wasn't as if they had been on an official first date and the obligatory, will he or won't he call was an option.

And that's when it hit him. He was doing the same thing he'd done for the past three years...waiting. Well, to hell with waiting he thought as he bravely picked up his phone and dialed the number he knew all to well.

Allison had a feeling she knew who was on the other end even before she glanced at the display. Stretching out her hand, she paused and allowed her thumb to hover over the answer button. Frankly, if she did answer, what was she supposed to say?

"Oh hi, Carter. What's new?"

God. That would go over like a lead ballon.

And as much as she wanted, no, needed to speak to him right now, she couldn't. He was usually the one who was her voice of reason. The one she'd come to rely on during periods of indecision and strife. Allison considered herself a strong independent woman, even through her first two marriages and her reconnection with Nathan. But Jack...Jack was different. She'd never felt the need to compete, the need to be anything but herself around him, and readily, she let down her guard. And for once, it felt so right.

Just who in the hell was she supposed to turn to now?

So, maybe against her better judgment, she declined his call. She knew he'd be hurt, but right now, she couldn't face their reality. And that's when the idea came to her.

After Nathan's death, she decided to delve right back into work, hoping that it would somehow force her back into normalcy. She realized how wrong a decision that was as it never allowed her the proper time to grieve. So, before she could talk herself out of it, she made the call.

"Hello? General Mansfield?" Unsurprisingly, he answered on the first ring.

"This is Dr. Blake."

She could here voices in the background.

"Yes, Sir. I'm doing well, thank you."

Allison was in no mood for small talk, especially with him, as it was no secret he was not one of her favorite people.

"No, General. No issues here. I've actually called to speak to you regarding another matter..."

And just like that, it was done. Sure, she was taking the cowards way out, but the situation had forced her hand. She'd saved up a considerable amount of vacation days and this was an opportune time as any to use them. She knew this was not a solution, but merely a means to an end. Besides, GD would run just fine without her for a while. There was already a contingency plan in place in case something happened to the head of Global Dynamics; a list of personnel to contact, an interim Director to act in her stead. Heck, she already had a Go Bag ready for her and Kevin; as did every other occupant of Eureka in case of evacuation. So, moving swiftly, she put her plan in action.

Six hours later, leaning over Kevin to make sure he was securely buckled in, she shed silent tears, as a waves of doubt crossed over her. She hesitated for a moment, and immediately thought of Jack.

What they'd experienced was beautiful, nonetheless, she felt guilty. There was no point in lying to herself, she'd always had feelings for him. They had been there from the very beginning. Yet, there was also Nathan. He was gone and nothing she could do would bring him back. But yet, it felt like a betrayal.

She couldn't keep doing this to herself. She needed to clear her mind. So, without even telling the one person she had shared almost everything with over the past three years, she backed her vehicle out of the driveway and headed for the airport.

Peering at his watch for the umpteenth time, Jack sighed, then reluctantly focused his attention back on the baseball game he was mindlessly watching. He had tried to call Allison several times that day, to no avail. At one point, he even got in his jeep with the intention of going to see her, only to chicken out.

Maybe this was all for the best. Give her a little time to herself. And if she didn't answer his calls tomorrow, it meant that he only had to wait one more day until he saw her again.

Monday, things would be different. Of that he was sure.