Third Time's A Charm (Read 6,918 times)

[blueyed358]

This is my first attempt to write a story. I have had this idea in my mind so I thought I would give it a try.




Chapter 1...


It was late but Jennifer, alone in the Horton living room was on the couch reading. Something was stopping her from going to bed, she just didn't know what. She saw the headlights first then the knock on the door. It was Bo and Hope. The look on their faces had Jennifer's heart racing. Hope was first to speak "Jen we're sorry for coming by so late but.." Jennifer cut her off "what is it? What's wrong?" Bo took Jen by the elbow "Leta's go inside and talk"

With her mind already going in a million directions she followed her cousin and her husband to the couch. " What's going on?" They sat on with Jennifer between them. " Jen before Jack left, did you talk to him about What happened between Carly and Lawrence?" What an odd question she thought,where is this going? "well yes I told Jack about what happened, we discussed it a few times after that as well. What is this all about Bo?" Bo looked to his wife who nodded for him to continue. "We got a call from Shane earlier, It seems Jack was not on any walkabout." Although she heard those words her head couldn't get wrapped around it.

"what are you talking about? Of course he did, he left us again!" Now Hope took over " Not exactly, Shane said that Jack was suspicious and contacted another reporter who was covering the story. Jack apparently talked her into doing some more investigating.This reporter already was questioning the apparent 'death' of Alamain." Now Jen was really listening, she nodded giving Hope the sign to go on."Well with their combined findings they felt they had enough to go to the ISA. Shane told Jack to go to Alamains country and report back to him. It was weeks later when the other report contacted him stating she had lost contact with Jack."

"You mean to tell me my husband was missing and Shane didn't think that was information he should share with me? Why didn't Jack tell me what was going on? Is he alright?" Her face a sea of emotions..fear, anger, confusion all flashing on those soft features now hardened with the information coming her way, information not penetrating the fog of emotion. " Those are all questions you can ask Shane when he gets here." Bo was now looking into Jen's eyes " He and the reporter are on their way to Salem. They are bring Jack home."

Now Jennifer was truly drowning in a sea of emotions. She was going to see Jack again, hear that voice she so loved,look into the eyes that she had lost herself in time and again. But she was also angry. Hope saw all that play across her face in a flash."Jen there's more.." Jennifer looked up into the eyes of her much loved cousin. " Jack is in a coma" Jennifer gasped out loud not even realizing it. " He is in bad shape, and ..well.." Hope looked to Bo now. "Jen, Lawrence Alamain is alive"

"What are you talking about and what does Jack have to with this? How badly hurt is Jack?" Hope now holding Jennifer's hand said "that's all the information we have right now.They are obviously bringing Jack straight to the hospital. Their plane should be landing in about twenty minutes, Shane wants us all there, he said he would explain everything." Bo added "he seems to think we are all in some sort of danger from Larry."

Why after all these years would Lawrence come after them..again."Is he responsible for what happened to Jack?" "We don't know..we are guessing that to be the case." "Oh my gosh..does Jack know..does he know that I divorced him?" Hope looked at her very distraught cousin "we don't know." Jennifer's eyes welled up with tears now. "come on, let's get going" Bo rose then Hope, only Jennifer remained frozen it seemed with all that was now going on around her. "Jen come on, let's get to the hospital." Jennifer rose from the couch "yes..yes I need answers, I need to see Jack." With that the threesome left, with Jennifer desperate to know the truth. Wondering what it will be like to see him again and where was all this going to lead. She knew of course she will have to call Abby and Adrienne and then of course there is Daniel. She pushed those thoughts out of her mind right now. It was all about seeing him now and getting the truth of what he had really been up to and what happened to him. She turned off the lights and locked the doors. " Oh Jack what have you gotten into and why didn't you tell me?"




I will be posting daily

[sportsgirl]

Great start!!! Poor Jack, he just seems to find trouble doesn't he..Looking forward to more.

[Kpatch]

I agree. Great start Blueyed. I could even picture the range of emotions you described on Jennifer. Looking forward to a daily dose of this story.

[fluffysmom]

Great start to your story Blueyed. I am looking forward to reading more. Thanks for posting it here at MH.

[jaysdelina]

Great start to your story!
Being a huge Jack and Jenn fan,I love the range of emotion you showed,I LOVE that Lawrence is tied into this,and that she's not even really thinking about Daniel,only about getting to Jack.While I loved the explanation for Jack's absence the show has given us in the last few weeks,I did wish that his absence had had something to do with Lawrence still being alive.Since that's not the case,I'm looking forward to seeing it unfold in your story

[ghoulgirl]

Great start to your story! I am looking forward to reading it daily!
I am happy you decided to post your story with us! A lot of us here LOVE fanfic!

[blueyed358]

I should mention that I had started this story over the summer so I have a a lot already written. Thank you for being so welcoming






The ride to the hospital felt like an eternity, in fact it was only fifteen minutes. Jennifer's mind was a swirl of memories, incredible highs and horrible lows. That was, she thought what life with Jack Deveraux was all about. Nothing about their lives together, or apart from one another for that matter, had ever been simple. She had to admit though that even the lowest points in their relationship were times she would not have given up. When they finally arrived they rushed to the emergency room and there was Shane talking to a doctor. Beside him stood a small, petite woman. Jennifer noticed that she was a few inches smaller than herself. Her hair was long and reddish brown. When she turned to see them approaching she had very large blue-grey eyes. She had minimal make up on and was attractive in an understated way.

Jennifer reached them first " Shane what the heck is going on, where's Jack?" Jennifer,Bo,Hope come into the lounge, I'll explain everything as best I can." When they entered the privacy of the lounge and had closed the door Bo spoke "All right Shane let's skip the greetings and get straight to the point ok" "Yes well first I would like for you all to meet Sara Jamison, she is a reporter for.." Jennifer finished his sentence "The New York Times, I have read most of your articles. Jack has always admired your work and that of the photojournalist you work with." "This is Jennifer, her cousin Hope and her husband Bo," Sara stuck out her small hand "Hello, I'm sorry we had to meet under these circumstances."

Jennifer knew of Sara Jamison for years. Jack would make her read her articles when she was a cub reporter. He would tell to soak up the way she wrote and how she would present her stories. She always thought he might have even had a slight crush on her. Sara was an award winning journalist who was there at ground zero on 9/11 and even went to Iraq and Afghanistan. Why then would she be involved with the Alamain story?

"Alright now that the introductions have been made, can we please get to it, what the hell is going on here Shane?" Hope was looking at Shane waiting for an answer. "Well it all started when Jennifer told Jack that Carly killed Lawrence."Shane began to lay out the events as best he knew them.

Jack's natural curiosity and mistrust of the good Dr Manning lead to him doing some investigating of his own. He found out that there was no one in fact who had seen the body other than Lawrence's personal doctor and a few high placed police officials.Jack found out that Sara Jamison was also looking into the so called "death". She had gotten a tip that there was speculation that Alamain was faking his death and that he planned to track down his wife and make her pay for her attempt on his life.

"Jack contacted me through the Times and I told him that I was going to Alamain's country to see what I could find out. I found out that Alamain was not playing with a full deck for quite sometime,he was paranoid and violent. He had even told a number of people that he had a list of enemies that he was planning to go after. That the 'good people of Salem' were high on that list starting with you Jennifer,he still hated you and Jack and Bo for all the trouble you had caused him. When I told Jack what I had heard he was worried for you and your children. He thought that if Alaimain was going after Carly maybe he would continue his vendettas again you and your families. He decided to meet me and see what more we could find out but he didn't want you involved." Shane took over now. "Jack had already contacted me and I told him to go over there and to let me know what he found out." Jennifer was shocked.How could Shane let Jack go over there alone? He knew how dangerous Lawrence could be. What's more Jack lied to her. He made up that whole story about going to Australia. All her actions in these last few months were based on that one assumption,that one lie, that he selfishly left her and their children to "find himself". How could she not have seen it.

"Before you go on Shane, please tell me how Jack is doing?" Shane took a deep breath."Well we found out that his coma was induced. He has a broken wrist and two fractured ribs and multiple lacerations on his face and body." Jennifer's mouth hung open and she wouldn't even find the breath to make a sound."how did you find him?" Shane looked at Sara and then back to Jennifer. "Sara found him." Jennifer looked at her and started to open her mouth. Sara put her hand up and said "Let me tell you what happened when Jack arrived."


Sara took a deep breath and resumed her account of the events that transpired in Alamain's country."I met Jack at the airport. He wanted to know what else I had discovered."Jack listened intently as Sara recounted the stabbing and subsequent recovery and faking of Lawrence's death. She had found a guard who had become enamored with her one night in a local bar, she got him drunk and doing what she did best got him to talk to her. He recounted how paranoid and violent Lawrence and become after finding out his wife had an affair. After that he kept her a virtual prisoner in his compound. One night after a very loud argument the couple got into a physical altercation. The guard said they didn't know exactly what happened but Mrs. Al amain ran out of the room , when the guards found him in a pool of his own blood they went looking for her but she some how got out and had vanished into the night.

Al amain wasn't really dead but was in need of immediate care. After many stitches and a blood transfusion Alamain was up and moving around. It had been reported he was killed and everyone was looking for his wife. He decided to let everyone believe that and even staged a funeral. Of course everyone who worked at the home were no longer allowed to leave, as it happened on a weekend there was a minimal staff on hand. Since he owns the officials and everyone else wouldn't dare cross him it was difficult to keep up the charade.

Sara told Jack how the guard would hear him talking to his new right hand Martin. He talked about how a brief encounter with a man named Bo Brady started to unravel his tightly wound life.He spoke of how a young woman he thought he had under control and her then boyfriend got him sent to prison. He had never gotten over that but to appease Katerina and make her believe he had changed, he had to postpone his his plans to get even for a while. She said Jack was more certain than ever that he and Jennifer and quite possibly their children were in danger. When Sara asked Jack if he was going to get Jennifer involved now he had told her " I don't want Jennifer anywhere near this place again. I have to keep him away from my wife at any cost." They met with Dean Micheals the photographer Sara worked with and he had gotten many shots of the villa and surrounding area. They had a photo of a man they believed to be Lawrence riding a horse. Jack was adamant about going to the villa in the morning only Sara had no idea he meant to go alone. That was the last time she spoke to him.after weeks of not being able to locate him they contacted Shane who said he would be there as soon as possible. As Sara went on Jennifer could barely speak but for the low gasp followed by tears . Bo and Hope listened intently for the remainder of the story.

Then one night there was a lot of commotion in town.They ran into a local policeman who when asked about it told them that the Alamain villa was on fire. Sara and Dean had rushed out there as fast as they could. When they got there the villa was engulfed with flames and was burning to the ground. They saw beyond the flames, approximately ten miles away a helicopter leaving the area. When they arrived at the hanger they saw that the building was also on fire.The fire department was right on their heels and after a few moments they carried someone out of the building and drove the figure away in an ambulance.

Sara had to speak to this survivor she knew, so her and Dean tried to follow the ambulance.At the hospital they were repeated denied any information.After a few days of hanging around the hospital Sara made friends with a nurse who told her the only thing she knew was that the man from the hangar was an American.

Sara was sure it was Jack and when Shane arrived told him so. Finally after much red tape he was able to gain access to Jack who was in a coma. Shane had him released to him and we flew out that night.

They all sat for a moment trying to process all that had been said. Hope spoke first "so you think Alamain escaped and is on his way here?" "Well from what we could gather he had assumed that Carly would come to Bo once again for help." Hope looked at her husband " I told you not to trust her." Bo looked down and stared at his boots for a moment. "We'll talk about that later. Have you told Carly about this yet?" "Of course you would think of her first." Bo turned to Hope and said " A possible homicidal maniac is on his way here looking for her , I think that would be something she needs to hear." Shane informed them that an ISA agent was with her now.Jennifer finally got her voice back and said " I want to see Jack." Shane explained that they were running tests right now and would know within the next twenty four hours if there would be any damage from the drug used to keep Jack in a coma. Jennifer shook her head and looked at Sara. " I still don't understand why you were involved with this story?" Sara looked at Jennifer and with slightest smirk answered " a millionaire maniac who stages his own death to seek revenge on the people he feels wronged him. Makes good copy, wouldn't you say?" Jennifer nodded "yeah I guess it does. May I please see Jack now?" Shane stood "of course." Hope rose "Jen do you want me to call Adrienne and Abby?" Jennifer thought for a moment and said "Can you call Adrienne, I think it would be best if I told Abby myself." "Sure Jen whatever you want." Shane then stopped Jennifer "There is one more thing Jennifer. I hope you don't mind but I sent an agent to bring your son back home as well. I thought it best for everyone to be close by ..easier to keep an eye on." Jennifer froze , "JJ" how could she have forgotten about him." yes of course thank you Shane. When will he be arriving?" " Sometime around one this afternoon." All Jennifer could do was nod. She was exhausted more mentally then physically. "Will you take me to Jack now, please." They all rose to leave only Sara remained."Thank you for everything you have done for Jack. Will you be returning to New York now?"
"No, not yet there is still a story here. I would also like to talk with Jack." Jennifer looked past Sara and said "Yeah so would I." With that they were gone.

Sara wondered how much of her own story would come out when Jack woke. She knew that they would all know that she and Jack,Dean and his wife Camille had all gone to college together. They were in fact inseparable. They would not need to know that when she received his email, the first in many years, that her heart raced. Nor did they need to know that the first sight of him exiting the plane, still so handsome was enough to steal the breath from her lungs. No, she thought, no one need know that she had been in love with Jack Deveraux and had never truly gotten over him.

[Kpatch]

This is a fabulous story. Very realistic backstory and characterizations. Love it!

[fluffysmom]

Great chapter. I am hoping to find out even more about Sara. I love a story that has Shane in it.

[jaysdelina]

Fabulous chapter!Why do I get the feeling Sara is going to be trouble for Jack and Jenn?

[sportsgirl]

I do not trust this Sara at all.... Took them long enough to let Jenn see Jack. Jenn better get her reporter skills back on this whole matter.

[blueyed358]

Chapters 4-5



Sara entered the cool hotel room, her bags already there, fell face first on the couch. Shane had gotten her a suite, per her request, so she had a living space and separate bedroom.The Times usually made sure she had ample space wherever she went, her editor knowing she needed it to keep her working and sleeping area apart.Dean would be arriving soon she knew and so she had to organize her thoughts. Both personal and professional were racing through her mind. She decided to focus on the personal first while she was still alone. Getting up and looking for that special bag she was relieved to find it under her carry on.

Pulling it out and opening the large metal case she sighed at the sight of her memories. That is what she called this,her memory box. She had several others like it at home in New York but these where her prize possessions. To anyone else they looked like junk. Stones and buttons,pieces of metal and cement. All labeled with a date and some initials. Sara had started collecting rocks as a child. Whenever something happened of importance in her life she would look around and find something on the ground to mark that day. There was a piece of rubble from ground zero, metal from a bomb that went off in front of her jeep in Iraq. But these were not the memories she wanted now. No she was looking for something else. There it was the small ring box she had kept it in all these years. Labeled JD#1 YFY. She ran her fingers over the letters that only she knew the meaning of. JD#1...Jack Deveraux #1. Sara had labeled this #1 somehow knowing that more would follow. YFY...Yale freshman year. The button inside was removed with reverence. Sara smiled at the memory brought forth with a simple touch of that button.

Sara was the only girl and the youngest. Her brother Patrick was twelve years older and her brother Vincent was eight years older. Patrick a lawyer had moved to Houston and Vincent was a career Marine. Her mother had died when she was eight so it had been just her and her father for quite some time. Martin Jamison was a quiet well liked man in his Brooklyn NY neiborhood who owned a corner deli. Sara had helped out there most of her life until she had received a full scholarship to Yale. She hadn't wanted to leave her dad but he insisted she go. " Find your stories and tell them to the world " he would say.

Rubbing the button between her fingers she thought about that fateful night that had brought Jack front and center into her life. Her roommate and best friend Angela had requested she stay at the library a bit longer tonight as she wanted to spend some time with her boyfriend Dean. Sara had introduced them and was thrilled that they fell in love with each other as Dean happened to be her best friend as well. Dean and Sara had become close friends even before she had become close to Angela.Sara always had an abundance of male friends.being adept at being one of the boys. But she was very attractive and one or more of her male friends would always want more than friendship and she hadn't found anyone that fit her . So she just stuck with Dean and Angela mostly now and studied, determined to be the best reporter she could be.

The library was closing now so she had no choice but to leave. She walked across campus and rounded the corner to her dorm when see ran directly into one very naked Jack Devora's!Sara knew "of" him. She was in a writing class with him and they would nod hellos when they came across one another. Jack was a frat boy. He was rich, spoiled and had an arrogance about him that Sara found distasteful.He was also quite the ladies man. Many of the coeds wanted to be on or at the very least seen on his arm.

Jack looked at Sara, those beautiful blue eyes wide as saucers.His hands firmly clasped in front of him. " Well...hello there. Please don't scream!" Sara's eyes roamed his body. He was smooth skinned and had just the right amount of muscles. She hated those guys with the sculpted bodies, the ones who couldn't even move their arms. No Mr Deveraux had just the right amount of muscles in all the right places! Eventually her eyes got to his feet which curiously were clad in dark brown and yellow argyle socks.

Without missing a beat she looked back up into his eyes and said " nice socks." "Ahh..Thanks. I know you ..don't I?" "We are in writing 101 together. I'm Sara Jamison." She stuck out her hand, with a small smile, knowing full well he couldn't shake it. "Jack Deveraux..you will understand if I don't shake your hand at this time." " Oh yeah sure no problem. Well you have a nice night Jack." Sara started to walk away."WAIT!!! Please can't you help me, I will compensate you for any inconvenience you might suffer." he said "I will help but I don't want your money. But I do want to hear the story of how you came to be skulking around the bushes naked." Jack looked her over but he could not see anything but kindness and humor in her large blue eyes. "Why?" he asked. Sara smiled and her eyes twinkled in the moonlight " what can I say, I love a good story and this one looks like it will be a doozie." Jack smiled back "ok you got yourself a story." She started toward the door of the dorm and told Jack " You wait there, I'll be right back with a pair of pants." Jack ducked back behind the bushes with no choice but to wait.

Sara laughed all the way to her room. She announced herself and opened the door. Dean was in boxers sitting on the bed and Angela was at her desk."Dean I'm going to borrow your jeans for a second ok?"Dean looked at her like she had two heads. "what the hell for?" Sara rolled her eyes and said " don't worry I will bring them right back....of course someone will be in them when I do." The look on his face when she quickly closed the door was enough to bring tears to her eyes.

"Well that was fast.How did you manage to acquire mens jeans so quickly may I ask." Jack stared up at her "do you mind turning around..believe it or not I'm quite modest." Sara turned around and smiled "yes I can see that. To answer your question I took them from roommate's boyfriend." "That must have been awkward." She laughed "not so much." Jack emerged from the bushes and stood before her now. How handsome she was . "Well come on up and we will get you some more clothes to wear back to your room.Jack touched her shoulder to turn her around, sticking his hand out " Sara,nice to meet you and thanks for the help." With a smirk on her face she shook his hand "you still owe me a story." Jack cocked his eyebrow and gave her a lopsided smile "Indeed I do."

When Sara opened the door she found Dean and Angela seated in the desk chairs facing the door awaiting her return.They entered the room and Jack was introduced."This is Jack Deveraux, I found him naked in the bushes" she said in a matter of fact tone. "This is Angela my roommate and this is Dean who's pants you are now wearing." Angela eyed him up and down "are you keeping him?" Jack's eyes opened and his jaw dropped. "Never mind that" Dean said " is he keeping my pants because those are my favorite pair." Rolling her eyes she responded " no to both your questions but he is going to regale us with the tale of how he came to be in the state to which I found him. Aren't you Jack?" "Ahh yes..yes I believe I have no choice."

Dean offered Jack a soda which he excepted. The three sat and watched Jack who gave a nervous chuckle " oh you mean you want me to tell it now?" Sara nodded. "Ok ...no time like the present I guess." Jack explained about the French transfer student that his Frat brothers were all talking about. They had decided to bet who would be the first one to get "lucky". The young women just shook their heads, Dean laughed, until the two women turn their gaze on him. He tried to cover by coughing. What the other guys didn't know was that Jack already had a date with her. "Sneaky.." Jack smiled at Dean and shrugged. When he told the others he had a date with her, they decided to get even so they followed him. They waited till they were "studying for an anatomy exam" and took his clothes. Sara laughed out loud "well you shouldn't have cheated." he liked her laugh and he also liked that she didn't seem to judge him for his actions. Dean lent him a shirt and a pair of sneakers and he was on his way after spending two hours talking with the trio.When he had returned the shirt to Dean Sara had removed one of it's buttons for her memory box.

He approached them two nights later at a local bar and asked if he could join them. From that night on they were always together. Sara took out her photo album and looked at the photos of them all. Pictures of them on "Thirsty Thursday's" at the local bar, watching football games, playing Frisbee. There were sweet photos of Jack and Sara asleep with books across their chests, and of them in the heat of political discussions. Dean and Jack with pool cues in hand. There in the box was the chalk she had taken that night when they won the tournament. It was the first time they had kissed first kiss. Sara began to noticed that every time Jack would go home for whatever function his father needed him, he would come back different. Her Jack was funny, intelligent and confident. He would return serious and angry or wounded somehow. It would take days to bring him around again.This one night he returned from Washington, very angry and so very hurt. He had refused to tell her what had happened but he did tell her that his father had summoned him not because he just wished to see him as Jack had thought but because he needed him for a photo op. He wondered if his father would ever call him one day for no reason other than to talk to him. Agitated now he said everyone just wants something from him.Turning on Sara now he demanded an answer "what do you want from me?" "Nothing ...nothing but to be your friend and for you to be mine." Jack looked at her for a moment "you really mean that don't you?" Nodding all she said was "I do." Flopping onto the bed head in hands he seemed to be on the verge of tears. Sara came to him and put her arms around him, looking up into her eyes he kissed her. They made love that night and it was more then that, it was passionate and tender all at the same time. They had made the leap from friendship to lovers and Sara was thrilled how seamlessly it had happened. She had been there for him and now they were a couple. She was in love she knew but didn't need to hear it from him nor had she uttered those words to him. It was felt that's all that mattered. Then one day Jack came to her with a large box . Inside the box was magnificent black gown encrusted with crystals. He was taking to Washington to attend a gala that his father and stepmother were hosting. He wished for her to meet his father. She was thrilled and would of course attend with him. There was a feeling though that Sara could not shake, a feeling that this was not going to turn out the way they both wished. As it would turn out, she would be right. Meeting Harper Deveraux would be the beginning of the end for her and Jack. She held the crystal from that gown in her hand and tears started to form.

The knock on her door brought her back to the present. She replaced the item and closed the box, time to come back she thought. Opening the door she found Dean Micheals leaning against the door jam. He was tall, in good shape and had dirty blond hair and hazel eyes, looking more like a football player rather than a photographer/reporter .

"How's Jackie doing?" Sara shrugged "same." Dean looked at her with sympathy. "Did you meet her?" Of course he meant Jennifer. They had followed Jack's life closely but not too close. "Yup, I wasn't impressed." Shaking his head at her he said "you wouldn't be." Glaring at him she asked "well what have you got?" Taking a bottle of water he turned to look at her and said " get this, his loving and devoted wife never even looked for him." Sara's mouth hung open "What? You mean she bought that walkabout story and all the Internet blogs that Alamain's people put out?" Swallowing his water he nodded. "Oh yeah so much so that she divorced Jack in absentia, she even used his own brother in-law to do it! Plus she is sleeping with a doctor. Not just any doctor mind you but the doctor that Alamain's wife had an affair and child with. Good stuff huh?" Sara was shocked into silence for a moment. "It's like a badly written soap opera." Well Sara thought Jack Deveraux was divorced and he didn't even know it. "I guess we will be hanging around for the fireworks?" Sara smiled at her friend "Hell yeah!"










Shane led Jennifer down the hall to Jack's room. She felt like she was walking through knee deep sand. Every step brought her closer to him. What would his reaction be when he finally opened his eyes and saw her there? "Mom?" Abby came running over followed by Adrienne. Jennifer had spoken to Adrienne and asked her to bring Abby over, giving her as little information as possible. "Hi baby". This can't be good Abby thought. Whenever her mother called her that she knew her mom was trying to comfort her in someway. "What's going on? Aunt Adrienne said there was news about Dad." Jennifer stopped in front of Jack's door, taking a deep breath she began laying the story as she knew it to her daughter.Abby's eyes welled up with tears " I knew it" she whispered. Jennifer and Adrienne stared at her. "What do you mean you knew it?" "I couldn't believe Dad wouldn't come when you were in trouble,no matter what. He had to be in trouble so I amped up my friendship with Chad. I wanted everyone to think I was mad at Daddy, especially the Dimera's. I thought that maybe they would let me in and I could snoop around, you know, see if they had Dad or knew where he was." She was rambling now almost hysterical. "Abby calm down. I don't understand, what about all those things you said to me ? You told me I should start dating." Abby looked down, starting once again to cry. "I had to make you believe I was angry too. I didn't really think that you would move on so fast. Once you started dating Daniel , I had no choice but to pretend like I was happy for you." Jennifer put her hands over her mouth. "Oh Abby!" was she could manage. Adrienne finally spoke now. "Look we all jumped to the same conclusion, not one of has faith in Jack and all we can do now is hope he understands that. How is he?" Shane who had stepped aside to speak to the doctor walked over now."Well it seems the drug they gave Jack is starting to wear off now. The doctor said he has been experiencing REM, they have hopes he will be waking up soon. When you see him it may appear that he is in distress but the doctor assures me that he is only dreaming. You all can go in now if you like." Adrienne asked " is there ant news on Alamain?" Taking a deep breath he responded "No not yet but I have gotten the FBI involved as well. Hopefully we will locate him soon. Oh yes and Jennifer Jack Jr's plane will be arriving at 12:45. Did you want to go to the airport or would you like me to arrange transportation for him?" The thought of her young son, who must be so frightened not having anyone at the airport for him was to much to take. "No thank you, I think it would be best if his family were there to get him. " Looking to Adrienne with sadness in her eyes she asked her if she could go. "Of course I can, perhaps Abby will come as well?" Abby thought of her young brother and how confused and frightened he must be. "Yes I'm sure JJ will feel much better If I were there." The three entered Jack's room.

Finally there he was, lying still before them. His wrist had a cast on it, that handsome face bruised and cut. The strong chest that Jennifer and rested her head on so many times also bruised and battered with his ribs bandaged. Jennifer gently pushed the hair off his forehead. He needed a shave and a haircut she thought with a small smile on her face. "Daddy" Abby kissed her father on the cheek spilling a tear onto his face. Adrienne had Jack's hand in hers. "You're home now Jack, It's going to be ok." But Jennifer knew different. She would have to tell him that she had so little faith in him that she had divorced him. That would break his heart , of that she was certain. Would he forgive her or would he turn away from her. Then there was Daniel. How would she explain him to Jack and did she still even want to be with Daniel? So many questions to be answered. "Abby You should go to Aunt Maggie's and let her know what's going on before you go to the airport." Abby didn't want to leave her father just yet and started to protest. "Please I need you to do this, I need to be alone with your father." Adrienne asked Jennifer to call if there was any change and then they were gone. Before she could be alone with Jack, Shane came back in to inform Jennifer he would be leaving for a while but he had an officer outside..just in case."Why...Why didn't you tell me. When Jack went missing, why didn't you tell me?" His face heavy with regret he told her " I wanted to Jennifer I really did , but you know Jack. He was adamant that he didn't want you coming back to that place ever again or anywhere near Lawrence Alamain. Admit it, if I told you, the first thing you would have done was hop on the next flight. Jack would have had my head." Jennifer looked at him and couldn't argue the point. Shane said he would be back a bit later and left.

Jennifer sat by Jack for a long time until he started moving his head slightly and began to mutter. "Jennifer, Jennifer." His face contorted now, a mask of anger and fear. " you stay away from my wife"
"It's ok Jack, your safe now" Moving about he began rambling again " Sara , Sara where are you? He's getting away" All Jennifer could do was hold his hand and try to bring his mind some comfort. Then his eyelids fluttered. He opened his eyes and looked around. Then he saw her, his angel, his salvation. "Welcome back" she said in a voice just above a whisper. He smiled and gave a small sigh, saying the words that sank her heart like a stone. "Hello Mrs Deveraux."

[Kpatch]

Wow, this is phenomenal. Are you sure this is your first attempt at writing a story? And it's so timely too, given what's happening on air right now.

I loved reading about Sara and Jack's college days. Great setup, and I'm eager to find out what Harper did.

LOL at your line about a bad soap opera. Thanks for the new chapters. Looking forward to more.

[ghoulgirl]

Wow. I don;t like Jack at all but I do like this story!
Keep 'em comin'!

[fluffysmom]

Great chapters Blueyed. I liked finding out about Jack's college days. I'm glad that Abby and Adrienne found out about Jack.