Chp. 15

Jack eased the chopper down softly, 100 yards from the Delkos beach house. "Nice job, son." Horatio said, from the passenger's seat.

"Thanks, dad. Any landing you walk away from…" Jack said, not finishing the sentiment.

"Is a good one. Yes, indeed."

The rest of the team got out of the helicopter and the men attended to their families. Jack and Mike walked to the other helicopter and helped Ken unload their weapons and equipment. They could all see several all men, presumably Pavel people, guarding the house. Pavel walked over while they were unloading. "You can set up in the kitchen. Then I will show you the bedrooms." He said this mostly for Jack and Ken's benefit, as neither had ever been to the house.

Jack nodded. "That's fine. Thanks, Pavel."

Once everything was situated in the kitchen, Pavel showed each of them their rooms. Mike and Kenny didn't seem surprised when they ended up sharing rooms with Natalia and Valera, respectively. Pavel put Jack in the same room with Alexx and Sam. This caused Madison to wonder out loud to Meagan when the two were getting ready for bed. "Aunt Meagan?" Even though she wasn't her real aunt, Madison had always called her that and Meagan treated the little girl like the daughter she'd never had, but always wanted.

Meagan smiled, as she knew where the conversation was heading, but she played along anyway. "What, sweetie?"

"Do you think Jack likes Dr. Alexx?"

Meagan shrugged. "I don't know sweetie. I suppose he does."

Madison sighed, exasperated. "No! Not 'like' as a friend, I mean like as a girlfriend."

Meagan raised her eyebrows and nodded. "Ah, I see. Well, I think your cousin is very complicated. He doesn't like to show his feelings or let people know what he's thinking, does that make sense?"

Madison nodded. "I think so."

"Ok. I think its time you went to sleep, little miss matchmaker." Meagan said, laughing.

Madison giggled and slid down under the covers. Meagan joined her and a few minutes later, she heard the kid's deep even breathing. While she watched Madison sleep, she reflected on the conversation and he relationship with Horatio. She knew that he cared for Madison deeply, and wouldn't have involved her in the child's life if the relationship wasn't serious. But at the same time, while she didn't want to push him, she wanted to be more than a girlfriend. Finally Meagan decided that once the situation with Clavo was resolved, she would sit down with Horatio and discuss their relationship. With that decision, she was able to let her mind go and fall asleep.

000

Jack sat by the window, his rifle in front of him. He alternated between watching the area in front of him with the naked eye and his scope. Alexx was sitting on the bed, leaning against the headboard, holding Sam, who was still asleep. Jack could feel eyes on him, and he turned and watched her watching him. She looked at the child in her arms and mouthed 'thank you' to Jack. He nodded in response as Sam stirred, whimpering in Alexx's arms. "Shh, it's ok, baby. Mommy's here, you're safe." Alexx crooned, rocking him gently.

Jack had turned back to the window and was glad he did, because his mouth fell open at Alexx's words, and he froze. Not because of what she'd said, but what her statement implied. Jack was afraid this might happen, and curse himself for not making sure it didn't. He didn't want to see Alexx hunt, because he knew his father cared for her, and he himself cared for her. He'd liked her from the moment he'd first met. First the attraction had been purely physical, but as he'd come to know her it had progressed into an emotional and mental attraction. He knew if he allowed himself to, he see himself having a life with Alexx and Sam. It wasn't that he didn't want one, it was just that the world wasn't a fairy tale. Bad things happened to good, innocent people and there was nothing anyone could do about it, Jack included. Jack stayed where he was for a full ten minutes, before he stood and left the room. He found his father in the kitchen, talking to Pavel.

He waited for the two men to notice him before speaking. "Jack, what is it?"

"Could I talk to you for a minute, in private." He said, glancing at Pavel.

The older man nodded in understand, taking no offense. Father and son went out on the back porch. Horatio turned and face Jack, a question on his face. "What is it, Jack?"

Jack sighed. He hadn't wanted to do this, but he knew he must. "Sam was having a nightmare and Alexx…" He stopped.

"Alexx what?" Horatio asked.

"Alexx told him 'mommy's here.'" Jack said.

Horatio sighed. He was afraid this would happen. He knew his friend well enough to know that she missed her husband and children dearly. But he also knew that getting attached to Sam, when it was possible she could lose him, could destroy them both. Like Jack, Horatio would do whatever it took to see that that didn't happen.

Finally, Horatio spoke. "I'll um…I'll talk to her."

Jack nodded and turned to go inside. "I'm sorry, dad."

"So am I, son. So am I." Horatio said. He stayed where he was for a longtime, looking at the ocean, wondering if he'd done the right think in allowing his friend to keep Sam.

000

A/N: Sorry if this chapter is kinda depressing. Two questions: do you want Horatio and Meagan to stay together and eventually get married, and do you want Alexx and Jack to start dating? I leave it to you, beloved readers, to decide.