Fool's Gold: A Fourth Take

I know, right?

She clung to him hungrily as she whispered urgently in his ear. I love you. I love you. I love you.

Jessica woke with a start, disoriented and aroused, feeling as though she was on the cusp of riding a powerful wave. But it wasn't David she'd been clinging to.

The fourth anniversary of Frank's death had come and gone, with no one but Seth acknowledging her loss. His small gesture never failed to move her. He'd been with them at the house the night Frank died. Seth had only just moved back to Cabot Cove, and she hadn't known him all that well. She'd had little need of a GP; Frank would always take her up to Portland for her annual physical. But Frank had known Seth when he was a boy; Seth had been friendly with his older brothers, so he felt comfortable seeing Doc Hazlitt for any little thing.

Jessica remembered how kind Seth had been that night, allowing her private time with Frank before he died, and after. He'd called the funeral home for her, authorizing the director to come to the house and take the body of her beloved husband. Seth stayed as the men worked quietly to move Frank from the house to the hearse, and, when it was done, he squeezed Jessica's shoulder and left. "You know where to find me," he said gruffly, then walked out the door.

Frank died in the fall, and that first dark winter was definitely the hardest. Grady came up for a few weekends in a row and would have continued indefinitely until she tactfully encouraged him to visit less frequently. She loved him, but it took so much effort to pull herself together for those visits. Far easier to curl up in a ball and cry, sing, sleep.

Seth began dropping by unexpectedly, bringing by the odd meal from the diner, a pie from the bakery, and most surprisingly, a stack of murder mysteries he'd picked up from the library. She smiled as she remembered him knocking firmly on the front door, then barreling in as soon as she'd opened it a crack.

"Brought these over for you," he'd said in that gruff, almost belligerent tone, and he placed the books carefully on her coffee table. "Jane said you'd like these." She remembered feeling so disoriented, unable to extend even the basic civilities to this kind, remarkably gentle man. "Well, woman! You haven't forgotten how to read, have you?"

Jessica, startled into a response, snapped back tartly. "Certainly not, Dr. Hazlitt! But you certainly seem to have forgotten your manners."

She smiled as she recalled the sudden grin that brightened his face. "Well, now, Mrs. Fletcher. I believe my work here is done." He nodded to the stack of books. "Lemme know how you like 'em." And he'd turned on his heel and left her standing in the middle of her living room wearing a pair of worn dungarees and wrapped in a grubby old cardigan of Frank's. She'd put her hand to her hair, surprised to discover how long it had become. She'd walked to the phone right then and asked Letitia to connect her to Loretta.

She sipped her coffee thoughtfully. It had taken more than a few minutes this morning for her body to settle down after that vivid dream. She hadn't expected to feel that way again, to feel for another man even a little of what she'd felt for her darling husband.

She'd admitted to herself that David's impromptu and thrilling kiss had woken something in her. At first, she fancied it was David himself who'd called forth that fresh, eager young girl who'd loved him the way only a teenage girl can. He was handsome and compelling; Jessica had to admit that. He made her feel a frisson of excitement, and she couldn't deny that it was nice to be kissed. She'd almost forgotten the feel of a man's lips against hers.

But she'd been conscious of Seth's gaze and had felt her face flush in response. Jessica wasn't a prude, but she was private. She excelled at drawing people out, yet she kept her own cards very close to her chest. Only a handful of people had ever gotten close to her. Frank, of course. And Seth.

She'd given a good deal of thought to that dream this morning and found she couldn't feel embarrassed or ashamed. And, because she was ruthlessly honest with herself, she wasn't surprised, either. The only question left was what to do about it.

Jessica leaned over and refreshed Seth's coffee. The light perfume she wore tickled his nose, and he shifted uncomfortably in his seat. He knew she knew he'd been avoiding her. He suspected she knew why. It had taken every bit of gumption he had to walk through her back door this morning. Last night, Beverly told him that David Everett had pulled anchor.

Jessica was down to the docks, but she didn't stay long.

What's that to do with me? asked Seth irritably.

Plenty, since you asked. Evenin' doc, and he watched as she strode out of his office and through the front door before he could gather his wits to make a reply. Was he really so transparent?

"Seth? Seth?" He turned sharply, startled again by the blue of her eyes. No mistaking the Irish in her, and he grinned before he could stop himself. "What?"

"What's lit a fire under you this morning?"

"I've only been trying to get your attention for the last five minutes. Where did you go?"

"Nowhere."

"Don't you think I know by now when you're lying to me?"

He felt like a butterfly wriggling on a pin under the gaze of those unyielding eyes. "Just mulling over something Beverly said."

"What did she say?"

"Aww, Jess." She stared at him, unblinking. "She only mentioned that Everett left town. David. David Everett, I mean." Still she stared. "And that you hadn't spent long saying goodbye."

"And?"

Seth shifted in his chair and cleared his throat. "You know how Beverly is."

Jessica nodded. "I do, and I'd still like to hear exactly what she said to you."

"Why? Why is it so important to you?"

Jessica turned to set the coffee pot back on the stove, then sat down beside Seth. "Because it's important to you," she said softly.

"What?"

"Seth, you've just spent the last five minutes thinking hard about what Beverly told you. I can tell you've only told me part of it. Whatever it is, I can tell it's important to you. That makes it important to me."

Seth covered her hand in his. "You're important to me, Jessica." She nodded, and Seth stared down at the table. "Probably the most important thing in my life," he whispered. He felt gentle fingers cup his chin and lift his face.

"Seth? You've become the most important thing in my life, too." Jessica gently stroked his face with her hands, brushing cool fingers across his lips. She leaned in close, until her lips brushed his. Her touch was feather-light, and Seth had to keep himself from bounding out of the chair and lifting her to her feet in a crushing hug. He willed himself to stay calm.

Jessica felt his arms wrap around her, and she leaned into him, deepening their kiss. Seth moaned into her mouth and suddenly they were standing, pressed close to one another, Seth's hands kneading her back and hips and her arms clasped tightly around his neck. They broke apart after a few passionate moments.

"Jessica, I love you."

Jessica rested her forehead against his. "I love you, Seth."

Seth laughed and squeezed her to him. "I thought…I thought…"

Jessica drew back so that she could see his face. "You thought I was in love with David?"

"Not exactly. I worried it could happen, but I didn't think you were in love with him just yet. I just felt like I couldn't compete."

"And that's why you stayed away?" Seth nodded miserably. "Seth, look at me." He raised his eyes to meet hers. "David only served to make me realize…" she paused, and Seth began to look worried. "Darling, he made me realize how much I love you. How deeply. That we aren't simply friends. We're more than that, and he helped me realize how much I want that. With you," she clarified.

Seth drew in a shaky breath. "This is more than I hoped for, more than I dreamed."

Jessica smiled and put her lips close to his ear. "It's not more than I dreamed." She laughed as she drew back and saw the expression on Seth's face. She kissed him firmly on the lips. "I love you. I'm attracted to you. And I'm ready to move forward anytime you are."

"Jessica, I—"

She put two fingers on his lips. "I'm patient, darling. I can wait."

"But I'm not sure I can, woman," and drew her into a bear hug. Jessica squealed with delight. He dropped kisses along her face and neck, then drew back so he could look into her eyes. "I'm sure, Jessica. Are you?"

"I am, my darling. You've loved me for a long time." Seth nodded. "I think I've loved you for longer than I realized. And I realize now." She lifted one shoulder in an elegant shrug. "What should we wait for?"

"I want it all with you, Jess." He narrowed his eyes. "How do you feel about that?"

"I'm not quite ready to marry again, but the only man I could ever marry is the only man I could love. Can you be patient with that?"

Seth nodded, then cupped her face and drew her close for a kiss. All his dreams were coming true. He'd been patient this long. What was a few more months or years when he had this woman in his arms?

Jessica broke their kiss. "Shall we?"

Seth nodded, and she took his hand in hers and led him upstairs.

A/N: This idea just came to me and I thought I'd try to write it out. How would Jessica feel about kissing David in front of Seth? What would she do? Of course, this is all dependent on the idea that MSW was a show that could cultivate relationships alongside murder…ah well. Fanfics take care of Jessica's relationship problems. Hope you enjoy!