He'd collected most of his things, but they'd need to stop back in the morning to close out the disaster of lodging he had. Jack had never been so glad to get out of a place, both because he hated his rental, but also because it meant he was going to be spending the next couple of weeks with Lisa, just Lisa, before they hit the road for home. No travel plans had been made yet, but it didn't matter. The two of them would figure it out, and they would do it together. Together, just what both needed, to be together. He looked over at the pile in his rental truck; he'd literally just thrown things in there for now, and he picked up the pile there on the front seat to take in, repack, and sort. He also needed to do laundry, all of which he and Lisa could sort out. He was just so happy and so relieved to be on a path forward with the woman he loved, even with his health and future in question. Lisa still refused to give up on them, on him, and she refused to leave his side.

It had been a long day, but thankfully, they'd gotten a good meal. As Jack walked to the door of the motel, he could feel the exhaustion settling in. There was so much to discuss, but he suspected Lisa was tired too. He didn't have to knock; she was waiting for him and opened the door with a bright smile on her face.

"Hi," she looked him over and gestured, "where is your suitcase? You're just carrying things in your hands?"

He shrugged, "It's in the truck. My things are a mess. I was hoping I could spread them out on the second bed and repack. I need to do some laundry too. I haven't exactly been on top of things."

She nodded and gestured for him to come inside, looking back to the truck, "Well, let's get all of your things, and I'll help you." It just took a couple of minutes to bring in what he had, Jack explaining to Lisa they needed to go back over to his lodging in the morning to close things up.

"Let's worry about all of that in the morning," she said, turning around and presenting him with a glass of wine. "We're both exhausted. Let's just sit and relax tonight." He eyed her, still in that lovely black wrap dress she'd worn to dinner. She was so beautiful, and she'd chosen him. He almost couldn't believe it. As he accepted the wine, he smiled at her.

He tilted his head at her and gestured to the wine, "Where did you get this, wine glasses even? I know this place didn't provide that," he chuckled.

With her own glass in hand, she gestured, "Well, I stopped at the pitiful little market down the road and picked up the wine. It's halfway decent," she nodded, grinning at him. "Might have tried it already, purely to make sure it was something worth drinking," she winked, and they both laughed at that. "As far as the glasses," she gestured to the dresser where the television was, and Jack looked over and saw her almost makeshift kitchen area. Lisa continued, "I travel with quite a few of my own things when on the racing circuit, especially if I'm driving. I hate not having some of my comforts from home, so I have this travel Keurig for coffee," she gestured to it, "bottle opener, wine glasses, coffee mug, a set of silverware, and all that," she shrugged, glancing back at him. Jack saw quite the pile of kitchen items. Leave it to his very organized Lisa to travel so prepared.

"What, did you bring your kitchen with you? I mean, this is quite the setup, Lise. I can't believe all this time, I didn't know you brought all of this on your trips," Jack shook his head at her and frowned. "That only makes me realize I haven't traveled with you for work at all, and I am sorry, Lise. I really should. I mean, we're not going to talk about that country you love so much. We know how that went, but you travel around Canada and the United States plenty. I am sorry I had no idea about you doing this because I haven't traveled with you. I will try to do better. I'm quite impressed with all of this you brought. I need to travel with you because it's important to you, for work, yes, but important to you."

Her eyes widened, "Well, I'd love that. It gets really lonely traveling for work. Sure, it's exciting, but at the end of the day, when I'm back in my hotel room, it is lonely, and you would be very welcome on any trip with me," she said, leaning up and kissing him quickly.

As she stepped back slightly and smiled at him before drinking her wine, Jack pursed his lips and gave her a look, "You have two wine glasses. Do I dare ask why?"

Lisa burst out laughing and shook her head, "They came that way, a set. That's all. I promise you," she said, looping her arms around his waist and grinning up at him, "I'm alone way too much. I'm glad you are here and can enjoy some wine with me. Let's sit down and get off our feet."

Jack nodded, agreeing with that, and both groaned as they collected the pillows from the other bed and sat against the headboard of the one bed. With both heads against the headboard, they turned their heads toward the other, chuckling. Jack nodded and spoke, "If I fall asleep here, just make sure I don't spill the wine."

"Same," Lisa sighed. "Haven't slept well in a long time. I hope tonight is better. I'm thinking it will be because you're right here, it will be," she said, clasping her hand in his there as they sat. He winked at her and nodded in agreement. "So," she said drawing out the word before she continued, "can I ask you something?" She eyed him and pursed her lips.

"Anything, Lise. You know that," he nodded, encouraging her. Jack wasn't sure what she would ask, but he could see some hesitation in her expression.

"Earlier, at dinner, you caught me off guard," she started, and he nodded at her. "You called me the love of your life, more than once, I might add." Jack eyed her but let her finish. "Did you mean that?"

He was quiet for a moment, knowing that Lisa asking that, she was getting to the heart of something he'd come to terms with, had to realize and accept, but it was definitely true, as he'd been telling himself, he'd never admit that to any of the family. They didn't need to hear that knowing what it meant, It didn't matter of those crazy women heard him say it. He believed it and wasn't ashamed of it, but it did touch a nerve with those at home.

He tightened his grip on her hand and met her gaze, nodding, "Wouldn't have said it if I didn't mean it."

Her eyes gave away her surprise, and she just shook her head at him, "I'm not sure what to say about that, I mean, knowing what that means, you saying that. I," she paused and her eyes seemed to search his. "I'm truly touched you said that, knowing what a long and happy marriage you had before you met me. I would never have expected you to say that," she admitted, "and I know that's not something you would ever say around the family, and I understand that and why. I really can't believe you said that," she smiled warmly at him." Jack nodded, glancing at her again.

He shook his head, "I can't explain it other than to say what I'm feeling. I absolutely love you, Lisa, even with all our ups and downs, the different worlds we come from, the different generations," he sighed and rolled his eyes. That had Lisa chuckle as she nodded in agreement. "There's just something about you, Lisa Stillman, and man, I'm glad you came into my life."

Jack watched as Lisa's smile widened, and just when he thought it couldn't get any bigger, it did. Her smile seemed to grow and grow. She leaned over and pulling her hand from their grasp, she cupped his face, "You, Cowboy, are the absolute love of my life. Now, with the different circumstances, with my being divorced, that shouldn't be as big of a surprise as your admission," she grinned and Jack rolled his eyes, teasing her, before Lisa continued, "but know that I'm so in love with you I can't even describe it."

She kissed him. He kissed her. Repeat, repeat, repeat, until Jack pulled back slightly to just look at Lisa, smiling at her, both sitting there, enjoying their evening finally. He nodded over to his glass of wine.

"Let's try Quartzite's finest wine," he winked, and Lisa chuckled at that, the two raising a glass to each other.

"Not bad," Lisa nodded, as she sipped at hers.

"Not the best either. That stuff you always ship home from Toulon is much better," he told her.

"Well, yeah, Jack, I mean, come on, I get that from my favorite winery in France. Did I just hear you admit to liking something about France? I mean, most wines are better than this, but we're talking middle of the desert here, barely anyone in town. By the way," she rolled her eyes at him, "how did you pick this place? I get you cancelling our reservation, but here? Arizona is huge. This is depressing, and there are some beautiful places in Arizona."

"I don't know," he shook his head and threw up his free hand. Jack sighed before answering, "You know I'm not much for using the Internet. I did a quick search and booked the first thing I saw."

Lisa made a face and gestured at him, "Okay, from now on, I do the bookings, and you are not going to cancel them. Got it?" She gave him a teasing look, and he chuckled lightly.

"Oh, no arguments here," he waved his hand. "I've learned my lesson. I am not the one to book anything." Lisa laughed at that, turning slightly to curl up next to Jack. He put his arm around her, and the two hummed as they enjoyed the closeness.

"So, another question," Lisa glanced up at him from where she was settled into his side.

"You seem to have a lot of those tonight," he laughed quietly.

"What do you expect?" Lisa asked, eyeing him from her spot at his side. "We have some catching up to do. Do you realize that this was our first date in months? This was our first meal together, minus my watching you eat hospital food, in I don't even know when. Jack, we have some ground to cover."

"You're right; we do," he nodded. "I hadn't even thought about that, it being our first date in a very long time. More to come," he said kissing her head. "Remember, you're dealing with an idiot." Lisa burst out laughing and turned to lean up and kiss him.

"My idiot," she grumbled, smiling at him, and then, she nodded, "My question-how is your heart doing? I really want to know. I'm not asking as your nurse, by the way."

"I know you're not," he sighed and continued, "and I know that was the wrong thing to say back at home you know, when everything fell apart. I know you are worried about me, just as I'd be worried about you if the roles were reversed. I'm sorry I said that and lashed out at you. I was just feeling smothered by everyone, not just you, and I was frustrated at the situation. I didn't want to be home in my bed, especially with you there. That wasn't the strong man I want to be, I need to be for you."

"You don't always have to be strong," she said, reaching for his hand and intertwining their fingers, glancing at him. "You'd tell me the same, and it's no different for you."

"I'm just not going to comment my feelings on that," he frowned. "As to your question, my last checkup was when you took me, and that's not changed. I'm doing okay. Doc wants to see me when I get back. If all checks out normally, I can be followed back at home by Tricia Virani, since she's the new general practitioner, haven't met her yet. If there are any further issues, I'll get referred back to the cardiologist, but he said, as you were there, I'm doing okay. I'm still on the same meds, and he's hoping to drop me down to just a basic pill if I'm doing well after my little trip to Arizona here."

She made a face and looked up at him, "Well, it's a good thing I came down here to rescue you because you wouldn't be doing well after another few weeks of this place." She poked at him, "For starters, Jack, you're skin and bones. You lost weight in the hospital, and you need that weight for strength, so that is one of my goals, to get you eating again."

"I'll agree to that as long as you eat with me. You told me yourself that you haven't been eating."

She nodded, "That might be true. That steak tonight was decent, and I'm glad we had a good meal."

"Me too," he kissed her head. "You can go with me to my appointment when we get home. There's no point in you not going. You're just going to interrogate me for information from the doc if I don't take you."

"I'm not that bad," she poked at his side, but they both started to laugh. "Fine, I am just really worried, Jack. I want you around for many, many years. We didn't go through all the mess we have to have something happen. I need you around. You can't leave me alone to deal with Tim." That had both of them laughing, and they settled into a comfortable silence. It was almost too silent, and Lisa looked up to see that Jack had fallen asleep, his head back against the headboard. She just studied him, there. After several moment that, she reached for his wine glass, still in his other hand and took the last swig of that one and hers before gently climbing out of his grasp to get ready for bed.

Jack didn't realize he'd nodded off until he felt the bed shift and realized Lisa had jolted up from her sleep. He turned on his side and saw her there, sitting up, wiping at her face. The room was dark, no idea of the time. He realized he'd been talking to her, and that was the last thing he remembered. He was still in his shirt and jeans, there but he could see from her outline that Lisa had changed for bed. He reached over to put his hand on her back when he heard whimpering.

"Hey, Lise, what is it?" Jack sat up and moved toward her, pulling her back toward his chest.

"I'm fine," she sighed, waving her hand at him, and he could tell she most definitely was not fine.

"You're not. What happened?"

"I haven't been sleeping, as I mentioned," she sighed. "I keep having this recurring nightmare."

"About?"

"You," she admitted, shaking her head. "Tim told me how he found you. In my nightmare, I am the one to find you, but it's too late," she said, and he heard her crying quietly now. Jack reached over and turned on the bedside light, and as he did, he glanced at his watch. It was 2:30 AM. He'd been asleep for a few hours and hadn't even heard Lisa come to bed. She was in a floral pajama pant set that matched her favorite robe. It was silky to the touch as he rubbed at her back while she tried to calm down.

"It's not real, Lise. I'm right here. I'm sorry that's been plaguing you at night. Why didn't you tell me before now? I would have held you to go to sleep, still will."

She shook her head, still facing away as he rubbed her back, "I just keep hoping the nightmare will go away. I know you're here. I can't get through a night without it, the same scene. I'm the one finding you in the field, but," she stopped talking and shook her head, crying again. Jack shifted and turned her to pull her toward him. She buried her face in his chest, and he just held her.

"Hey, it's been a long road for both of us. We both have healing to do. I should have realized this was traumatic for you too. It's not like you just turn off your feelings, and I haven't been acknowledging that. I'm sorry," he said, and she nodded there, buried in his chest. Lisa finally pulled back and looked up at him.

"I've been trying to be the strong one for you," she shrugged. "We both need to talk more and lean on each other."

"We do," he smiled softly, brushing her hair from her face. "Sorry I fell asleep earlier. We were sitting here talking, weren't we?"

She nodded, "Yes, and I must have really bored you to tears. You just fell asleep on me." Jack chuckled at that and leaned in to kiss her sweetly. "Come on," he gestured to her. "Well," he frowned, "first let me get ready for bed. Idiot here sleeping in my shirt and jeans." Jack stood and gathered his things from the bed where they'd started to, but not finished repacking his clothing. He disappeared to brush his teeth and change, returning to see Lisa with her head on the pillow, studying him, and giving him a small smile as he settled again, now in pajama pants and a t-shirt. He pulled her to his side, and both shifted to get comfortable.

"Now, maybe if I'm holding you, you won't have that nightmare. Want to try that?" She wrapped her arm around his middle and settled her head on his chest.

"That's a good start," she said, yawning. "It's just like our date tonight. I can't remember the last time I fell asleep like this, and it feels like this is where I belong."