Author's Note: So, new chapter. And perfect timing too, because, my god, after last nights episode, and the promo for march 8th, I'm just … wow.

Spoilers for those who haven't seen Kindred yet from here until when the underline ends. That was so good! I loved the last scene. It's been so long since we've had some good obvious Jemily. I mean, I get that they had to rebuild their friendship, and there was craziness going on, and Emily had to mourn for Aiden, and Daniel, but it's been so long since we've had a scene where it was clear that there was feelings. But Jack's face when he saw Emily and Ben was priceless. Nothing against Ben. I see the appeal. There is no history, no ulterior motive, no dark past. He has nothing to do with her life up until this point, which I'm sure she finds refreshing. And he's been a good friend to her, and he's not a bad guy. I had some doubts about him, but after his reaction to finding out the truth, helping, and not turning them in, I was impressed. I like Ben, and I like them. I just, you know, like Jack and Jemily more. But sometimes you need a catalyst, and it looks like Ben might serve this purpose, which kind of makes me like him more. I am so excited for when the show comes back. I know the promo could be a red herring, but still. I'm just so happy, and so excited, and so I obviously had to work on this story. Plus I had some free time, so.

I hope you guys like this chapter. Longer author's not at the end.

To Those Who Reviewed:

Simy,

Thank you. I am glad you liked it.

I love them too. Really? Where? I hope that's just a rumor. I love her.

Yeah, that will be in this chapter, but I'm glad I got you curious.

I really like that part too. I am glad you did as well.

Thank you for reviewing.

Guest from Dec 17, 2014

I know. I love little kids. They are so cute, and so pure.

Oh, that. Emily wasn't actually sick. She was just coming up with an excuse for why she canceled Paige's play-date with Carl. She didn't want to say "Sorry sweetie, but I think your friends daddy might be a psycho like my ex Aiden, and until I know for sure, I don't want you playing with him." I will consider the pregnancy idea, because a lot of people have suggested it. I think I want to see where the story goes naturally for a bit, but I'm hoping this one will be nice and long, so maybe a few more chapters in, I don't know. It's possible. It would definitely change things. Make them interesting, as you said.

Thank you, and thank you for reviewing.

Chapter Six

"Your mom seems pretty cool." Carl said, passing a cereal box to Paige. After Carl showed her around his room, Paige said she wanted to know about the kingdom he and his father ruled. It had not taken long before the two hatched an idea to build a model of the town. They had come downstairs to raid the recycle bin, about twenty minutes ago. Paige's mom had seemed upset, but she shrugged it off, saying she would be fine, and the two resumed their mission. Now, they were hard at work, putting together a small model of the town King and Prince Porter reigned over.

"She's the best." Paige said, carefully pulling up the ends of the cereal box to create a pointed top for the building she was creating.

"I like how happy my dad gets around her. I haven't seen him smile like he is now in I don't know how long."

Paige looked at Carl curiously, "What about with your mom? Doesn't she make him smile?" Daniel and Emily always made each other smile. That was what parents were supposed to do for each other. That was what families were for.

"I never knew my mom." Carl said matter-of-factly. "She died when I was a baby."

Just hearing those words made Paige want to cry. She walked over to Carl and hugged him. He seemed surprised, but he welcomed her hug, hugging her back. "I'm so sorry." She said.

Carl nodded, "It's okay. I have a great dad."

"Still, that's not the same."

"Wow. I forgot how good you were at that." Jack said as he watched Emily. She was chopping celery with such precision and speed that he was getting dizzy trying to keep up. He wondered briefly how she'd learned. Emily could obviously take care of herself, in every way, so no doubt she had been cooking for herself for years, but he knew that her reflexes and prowess with a knife did not come from working in the kitchen. She had never gone into detail on exactly how she had trained for her quest to take down the Graysons. Jack had never asked her; he hadn't wanted to know. Another question he now regretted not asking.

Emily chuckled, "What can I say? I'm the stereotypical Connecticut housewife, complete with cooking superpowers."

Jack tried to smile, but it came out more like a wince, "That's not how you really see yourself, is it?" Emily looked up at him, curious, "I mean, you're so much more than just a housewife. You must know that, right?"

Emily wasn't sure how to respond, so she didn't. Jack was looking at her that way again, and it made her nervous. It wasn't like how he had looked at her earlier, when he had traced her tattoo and their eyes had met, but it was similar. "I'm sorry for breaking down like that earlier." She said, both to change the subject, and because she was genuinely sorry. She was also embarrassed, but nothing could really be done about it now.

Jack shrugged, "S'okay. Everybody needs to break down once in a while, and I figure you have more right than most. You've, uh, been through a lot." Jack paused before continuing, "But, I mean, you're happy now, right?"

"Well, it's not always easy, but, I manage."

Jack nodded, "It's just, playing the dutiful housewife, waiting on Daniel, I wanted to make sure you-"

Emily stopped chopping. She slammed the knife down, and turned to Jack, her fight-face on, "Hey, let's get something straight right now, okay? I do not wait on Daniel. Yes, I cook, and yes I clean, but I don't do it to serve him like some woman from the 1950s. I like to keep busy, I like to take care of myself, and be self-sufficient. Daniel and I have more than enough wealth between the two of us to hire somebody who could do the laundry and clean the bathroom, but I choose to do those things because I don't want to be dependant on anybody else. And I don't want Paige to be either, which is why she has been taught to clean up after herself. I cook for myself, and I cook for my family. And sometimes, Daniel cooks. He cooks for himself, of he'll cook dinner for us. I'm better at it, so I do it more, but he's learned over the years, and he does his part.

I'm not some slave to my husband. I'm not some damsel that needs rescuing, and there is nothing wrong with the way I've chosen to live my life. Whatever you think you know about Daniel, or me, don't doubt that I can take care of myself. If Daniel mistreated me, or made me feel small, and weak, I would walk out. But he makes me feel strong, and I love him for it. I have a good life, and a good family, and I don't need you judging me because you don't know anything about my life. I didn't even know you existed until about a week ago. So don't judge me, or patronize me, or try and manipulate me into thinking I'm unhappy. Because I am happy, and I have a right to be."

Jack stared at Emily for a minute. Then, he nodded, "Okay." Emily returned to chopping vegetables, "Emily, I'm sorry if I-"

"Let's just forget it happened, okay." Emily said. Her voice sounded a little off, like she was trying to school her emotions and wasn't sure how. It was so strange. The Emily Thorne he knew had been a master at that. To her credit though, the girl before him didn't look up, and her hands didn't shake. She kept her eyes trained on the task before her, "Pass me the garlic?"

"Yeah. Okay. I love you too. Have fun. Bye." Daniel hung up the phone, frustrated. How did this keep happening? No matter what he did, Jack Porter kept finding ways to be alone with his wife.

"Everything okay?" Daniel turned. He had forgotten Charlotte was there.

"Why wouldn't it be?" He asked, avoiding her question.

"Well, you kind of growled, and you look a little like you want to punch someone, but if that's what you think of as okay …" Charlotte shrugged.

Daniel sighed, sitting back down with his sister, "Emily and Paige are stuck at the Porters because of the weather. I don't know why. It's not like it's a hailstorm of anything." He bit the inside of his cheek thoughtfully, "Maybe I should go over there."

"Daniel, no." Charlotte chastised.

"Why?"

"Because, if you go over there now, Emily is going to think it's because you don't trust her."

"I -"

"Daniel, look, I know you haven't trusted him around her since that kiss that broke you guys up the first time around-"

"You knew about that?"

"Mom told me." Charlotte said, awkwardly, "Back when she was trying to convince us all that Emily didn't really love you." both Grayson children shuddered at the thought of all the terror their mother had caused. Victoria had never liked any of Daniel's girlfriends, and for whatever reason, she seemed to despise Emily more than the rest. She had claimed that Emily had an ulterior motive for going after Daniel, that she wanted him for his money, or his status, or something else of that sort. She had tried to convince Daniel and Charlotte that Emily was a just a manipulative schemer who wanted to be a Grayson, and when she had been unable to prevent Emily from marrying her son, she had shot her on the honeymoon. Or so the story went. Charlotte believed it, but Daniel knew better. He knew that he had late his mother get to him. She had gotten inside his head, and in one horrible moment, he had almost lost everything.

"You did this!" He screamed at his mother. Or maybe he was screaming at himself. He didn't know. He didn't know anything anymore.

"Daniel, I swear to you, I did not do this." Victoria cried, desperately, "I did not shoot her. I -"

"I know you didn't shoot her." Daniel said coldly, "You just aimed and loaded the gun."

Victoria started, confused, "I … I don't …"

"I heard you two talking on the boat, about how Emily faked her pregnancy to force me to marry her. How did you do it, huh? How did you get her to say those lies?"

"Those weren't lies, Daniel. The lies came before. Emily was never pregnant."

"Really? Because the doctors beg to differ." Victoria's eyes widened in shock, "They told me she was lucky. That the bullets came so close …" Daniel winced, trying to fight the tears. "She almost lost my baby, because for one stupid moment, I took your word over hers. And now …"

"Daniel, are you saying … did you-?"

"Sara tried to kill herself. I got the phone call from her roommate, and I freaked out. I went outside to get away. I was drunk. I was upset. And when I heard you two I just … I just lost it."

"Oh, Daniel." Victoria placed her hand on her distraught son's arm. He jerked away.

"Don't! Don't you dare! You did this!"

"Daniel, I –"

"This is what you wanted, isn't it? For me to turn on Emily? For me to believe all the horrible things you've always said about her? Well, congratulations mom. I did believe. I believed you, and now Emily is fighting for her life, and my child … " he trailed off, losing steam, "My child." H whispered.

"Daniel, I understand that you're angry with me, but, we need to come up with a plan."

"A plan?" Daniel asked, somewhat dazed.

"You can't go down for this. I won't let you."

"I deserve to. I shot her, and now-"

"Daniel, if it's true, if you are going to be a father, then your baby needs you. You can't be a father from jail."

"I'm not dad! I can't just siphon the blame off on someone else."

"Daniel-"

"No, mom. I'm going to turn myself in. I have to."

"You think that will change anything! It won't. You can't undo what you've done; you can only move forward."

"How can I move forward, knowing what I did? The second Emily wakes up-" he was cut off by the ringing of his cellphone. "Hello." He barked.

"Mr. Grayson. This is Dr. Stanton. Could you please come down to the hospital? It concerns your wife."

"Yes. Of course. I'll be right there."

Once he hung up, Victoria grabbed his hands, "Daniel, listen to me. I know you're angry with me, and with yourself, but it is imperative that you are the one with Emily when she wakes up. If she says something to a nurse or doctor about who shot her, it's all over. Don't do anything rash until we know where she stands. This may never have to come out."

"Daniel." He started at his name, "Are you okay? Where did you go just now?"

Daniel shook his head, "I was just … thinking about mom."

Charlotte nodded, "I'm sorry for bring her up."

"It's okay. I asked a question, you answered it honestly."

Charlotte smiled, "Anyway, my point is, the last thing a girl wants it to feel like her husband doesn't trust her."

"That's not-"

"But that's how she'll see it. Don't be that guy Daniel. Promise me."

Daniel sighed, but nodded.

By the time Paige and Carl came downstairs, it seemed like everything had mellowed. Emily was smiling as she finished up setting the table. It looked really nice too. There were flowers, and fancy napkins, and the plates were drizzled with some sort of colored jelly squirted in the shape of flowers. Their cups were plastic, but they looked like glass, and the silverware, also plastic, looked like real silverware. The plates looked like china, even though they were paper. The napkins were folded like some kind of bird. And there was some weird music playing that Carl didn't recognize. It was all a little weird, but it was still pretty neat.

"This is awesome." Carl said.

"It's a lovely table." Paige said, politely.

"Thank you." Emily said, placing the last fork down.

"The banquet is served." Jack said, carrying a plate of food out. There were two vegetable dishes. One was green and white, the other more red and orange. Carl didn't like vegetables, but Paige graciously accepted what Jack put in her plate, so Carl figured he should do the same. "Careful. It's hot." Jack said. He wore a smirk, which Carl knew had to do with his lack of protest at the vegetables. He didn't care though. He'd scarf them down as fast as he could … and maybe hide some in his napkin if they were really bad. The most important thing was that Paige didn't see.

He noticed Jack gave himself and Emily larger portions than he and Paige, but that was normal for adults. Then Jack placed a thin slice of meat on each of their plates, which smelled a lot better than the vegetables.

After Jack served Paige, Carl, Emily, and himself, he returned the plate to the kitchen.

"My dad's really happy you're here." Carl said to Emily, "You guys should come to dinner every night."

Emily laughed, "Somehow, I think that would be a little difficult. Besides, do you really want girls to keep intruding on your all boys dinners?"

Carl shrugged, "Girls aren't so bad." He said, shooting a smile at Paige.

"No, they're not." Jack agreed as he returned to the table, "I don't think anyone's going to have room for the soup."

"Yeah. I guess I kind of overdid it." Emily said, chuckling.

"I still can't believe you did any of this. That kitchen had, like nothing."

Emily shook her head, "That's not true. You just need to know how to make the most of what you have. You run a restaurant slash bar. You should know that."

Jack laughed. It was true. He had had his fair share of moments, needing to find something to serve when his suppliers crapped out, or trying to find a way to get rid of some ingredient that was nearing expiration and didn't seem to belong in any dish he served. Carl had helped him. Well, sort of helped. He was still a kid; and he could admit he wasn't always the most helpful one. But he did his part.

Carl looked at his dad. It was nice to see him like this. The way he laughed, the way he looked at Paige's mom. For as long as Carl could remember, his father had seemed sad. He was a great dad, and he made the most of things, but even when he smiled, there was always a hint of sadness. He didn't see that now. His father was happy in this moment. And Paige's mom was awesome. Looking around the table, Carl knew he was supposed to pretend he was at a banquet, but to him, he couldn't help imagining something else. He imagined this was his family, and they were eating a simple meal together, and this was how it had always been. His father was happy, and he had a mother, and Paige was there, and this was how it was supposed to be.

When the meal ended, Paige insisted it was time for dancing. Of course, Carl had no clue how to dance, but Paige instructed him as best she could. Emily and Jack helped. After a while, Carl seemed to have it down. He was no Fred Astaire, but he danced well enough. Both of them stumbled a little, but Carl seemed to have grown some confidence. He didn't let the stumbling bother him, and neither did Paige.

Emily watched her daughter dance awkwardly with her new friend.

"They look good together, don't they?"

Emily nodded, "Paige has always made friends easily. But this is … different."

Jack smiled, "Yeah, it is." After a minute, he added, "Different can be good."

"I'm just glad they didn't make us dance." Emily said, chuckling.

"Why? You think I'd be that bad? I'll have you know, I've been known to cut quite a rug."

Emily laughed, "No, it's not that. It's just with our … history. It seems like it would be awkward." Jack nodded, grimacing. "But I'm sure you're a great dancer." She added, trying to lighten the mood.

He smiled, "Listen, um, there's something I wanted to give you. I … it's something from your past. I thought maybe …" He trailed off.

"What is it?" Emily asked curiously.

"Um, I left it upstairs. I'll be right back."

"Why not just give it to her with the names as they are?" Nolan asked, examining the papers.

"First of all, I need her to know it's real. She'll recognize the handwriting, or she should." Nolan nodded, "Second, I just … this is her. She wont remember it if it's not her."

"Yeah but, that was her two lifetimes ago."

Jack nodded, "You think I don't know that? You think I don't know how insane this all is?" He looked at Nolan, his eyes pleading, "I've lost her so many times. When we were kids. After my wife died and I … I pushed her away. When she forgot everything and moved away. Each time I let it happen. I didn't do anything to stop it. Hell, I made it happen! I can't let her go this time."

"Jack, when Amanda … you were kids. You couldn't have done anything … and even if this works, even if she gets her memories back … that doesn't mean she'll stay. She had a child now, Jack, a life. That changes things. We don't know-"

"We know she wouldn't want this. She couldn't. The society girl was her cover, it's not who she is." Jack shook his head, "Look, none of that's the point. Can you do it or not?"

Nolan smirked, "But of course."

When Jack came back down stairs, he was met with a hilarious sight apparently Paige and/or Carl had convinced Emily to join them. The 17th century playlist Emily had found online had been replaced by a cheerier tune. Emily, Carl, and Paige were doing the Macarena.

"Well, that's a bit rude." Emily said teasingly. Jack realized he was laughing.

"Dad, come join us." Jack shrugged. He placed the folder on his chair, and joined the group. Carl shot him a smile that he returned. He honestly did not remember the last time he had this much fun.

"They always look so elegant." Amanda said wistfully.

"Who does?" Jack asked. He was sleeping over tonight. It was the first time he had slept over at Amanda's, and it was a lot of fun so far. They had ice cream and watched movies. It was the best day.

"The people who go over to the big house over there." She answered. "Daddy's always going for big parties, like the one in The Sound of Music. He skipped tonight, because he couldn't find someone to watch me-"

"I could watch you."

Amanda giggled, "You're barely a year older than me, Jack. You can't babysit."

"Sure. But I can watch you." He started staring at her not blinking, and Amanda broke into a fit of giggles. "They're probably boring, you know? Those parties, I mean. There probably a bunch of grown ups, being boring and grown-upy."

Amanda nodded, "Yeah, but the ladies get to dance with the gentlemen, and they might fall in love and live happily ever after."

Jack shrugged, "Well, we could dance."

"Do you know how?"

Jack shook his head, "You?"

"Only on my daddy's feet." Amanda said sadly.

Jack hated seeing her sad, even for a moment. She was the happiest person he knew. She had the best smile, the best laugh. Then, he remembered something. "Actually, I do know one dance. I learned it in gym class. I can teach you."

"There's no music."

"We can just sing. I don't know all the words, but … I could hum."

Amanda jumped up, "Teach me! Teach me!"

Jack laughed, her smile was back.

"Wow. I haven't danced the Macarena in a long time." Jack said, sitting back down. When the song ended, they had convinced Paige and Carl to take a break. The duo happily went upstairs as Emily and Jack prepared dessert.

"Well, it's good practice. They usually have those sorts of dances at weddings."

Jack nodded, smiling. It was nice, thinking back. He wondered if, on some level, Emily still remembered him teaching her the Macarena. He hoped to someday have the chance to ask her.

"So, you went to get something before. You said-"

"Yeah." Jack took the folder out from under him, "It's, um, well … I should probably explain. Do you … do you know how you met my wife?"

Emily looked at him, confused. He knew it was a weird question, but it was necessary information, "I would assume when you two became involved."

Jack shook his head, "That's what I thought initially too, but, um … did you … did Daniel ever tell you that you were in juvie?"

Emily nodded, her face dropping, "He mentioned it."

"So was she. I didn't know it, but, you two were actually roommates." Emily looked at him, surprised. "You, uh, became pretty close. After she," He looked down sadly, "I found these among her things. Well, not these. I, uh, I kept the originals. They were important to her and, I guess, I couldn't part with them." He paused, and Emily touched his hand, comfortingly, "Anyway, you got out of juvie before she did, and, you sent her letters." He handed her the folder, but she didn't take it, "There a bit smudged, just from, age, you know, but, they're yours. Your handwriting. Your words. I thought it might … trigger something. Some memories, or …" Jack looked at Emily. She seemed frozen, "I'm sorry if I crossed a line here. I just thought-"

"No, I …" She shook her head, coming back to herself, and took the folder, "Thank you."

"You can keep those. Like I said, they're copies."

Emily nodded, "Thank you Jack." She said again.

He smiled at her, "I just want to help you, in any way I can. If there's ever anything you need, or any questions you have." Emily nodded, "I should have been there for you. After the accident, I should have. I just …"

"You just what? Why didn't you keep in touch, Jack?"

"You had this new life. A husband, a baby on the way. I didn't … I didn't want to get in the way of that."

"You wouldn't've been in the way."

Jack smiled, "Thanks for saying that."

Author's Note: Okay. So, incase it was not obvious, Jack had Nolan make copies of those letters, and smudge the names, because Amanda wrote the letters, and would refer to herself as Amanda, and Fauxmanda as Emily. Also, if there were any parts that are to specific to Amanda's life, that would need to be smudged up too, and then a couple other places so it seems random. Jack would need Nolan to do that on the computer, because he wouldn't want to smudge up the originals. I don't know if that sort of thing is possible on the computer, but if anybody can do it, Nolan can.

I know it's a little weird to have them stay there with just a thunderstorm, but they were planning to spend some time anyway. They're just staying a little longer to avoid the storm.

I'm sorry we didn't get a slow dance with Jemily. I did think about it, but it seemed too predictable. Plus, with everything Emily just found out about her and Jack, I didn't really think she would put herself in that position. I think the Macarena worked better, because it was fun and light, as opposed to awkward and charged. Plus, the Macarena rocks, so, yeah.

I hope you liked the chapter, and I look forward to reviews.