Third Time's A Charm (Read 7,126 times)

[MrsM]

Poor Jack.

Great chapters!!

[jaysdelina]

AMAZING chapters!I love the action,the romance,and the heartbreak.Oh,and I LOVE that Jack was the one to take out the psycho!

[fluffysmom]

Great chapters. I am looking forward to the next chapters.

[krw627]

Wow, what a cliffhanger...mid-conversation! More please, soon! :-)

[blueyed358]

Jack and Sara laid on the couch, knowing this was their final night together, Jack's throat was tight with emotion. " We could just see each other on weekends until we decide.." Sara's head shook. " I believe we tried that once before. " Jack heart fell , " That was different.. Harper was involved. " Sara could hardly breathe , she knew that their time was over , there was no way to make both their lives come together in a permanent way. " Jack ,
now Jennifer is involved. Look this isn't about her or Ben, but I would be lying if I didn't acknowlede the fact that you love her, you always will...I get that. We have both lived entirely separete lives from one another. But for these past months our lives converged again. The same place, the same course. The reason for that is gone now. Can I or should I give up a job and friends that have in more ways then one kept me going , kept me sane through my darkest times ? Tell me..tell me, you honestly think that we can make a life here together." Jack could only shake his head . He knew the reality of their situation just as she had. Of course Jack did not wish to face it and lashed out at her. " You certainly don't sound very upset about it. All you point out is how we CAN'T make it work. I don't think you even want to try. " Now the tears came to her, she was trying so hard to be strong , to be adult about it. How could he even say that to her ? Didn't he know that was all she wanted ? " That's not true and you know it. You know that it would never work here. Why have you not mentioned coming to New York ? Would you even consider it? " Jack turned his head away , " I am considering it. It's just I would need to work out somethings about the children. " She knew he was grasping now. " You know you say that now but with everyday that passes , that posibility will become more and more remote. I am upset Jack, but I knew when we started this that it was going to end..so did you. I would not change one minute I have spent with you. I think we both needed this for different reasons.For you..you needed to find yourself again. To know you can be without her. I think you rediscovered what an amazing man Jack Deveraux really is and it's ok to be your own person. For me..I never really moved on from you. I think it was because ...it never really ended in my mind. You were there one day and gone the next. No goodbyes , no I am sorry, no fight , no closure. I know I am not expressing this right....It's like we left an open ended story. I needed the final chapter to be written and boy did we write a one hell of a chapter. " Jack grabbed her to him , " Sara..." was all he could manage. She pulled back and stood , taking his hands in her own , she kissed them. She was openly crying now, " I want to make love to you Jack , I want to you to feel how very much I love you , I want you to make love to me , one last time. I want to memorize the feel of you and keep it with me always. " Jack swallowed hard and standing up leaned down to her and swept her up in his arms.




They both knew tonight needed to be slow , full of purpose , a night for them to remember forever. They removed each others clothing slowly. She wrapped her arms around his neck , and he lifted her up and over to the bed. Jack ran his hands up and down her body both with his eyes open and closed. He wanted to remember every inch of her, how soft her skin was , how she smelled and the way she melted under his touch. For Sara she needed to memorize the feel of his hands as they glided over her. The way those long fingers danced across her skin. She felt his mouth on her now. His warm , ragged breath giving her goose bumps as it made contact with her skin. Those moans and sighs that escaped from him brought tears to her eyes. She would only hear them in her dreams now.
Jack listened to her too , her breath was shallow , her little moans too burned into him , the way she ran her fingers into his hair and tugged on it. Every single detail of their foreplay was performed slowly giving each other the opportunity to focus on it and remember it all. Then when neither could wait no longer , Jack rolled on top of her ,positioning himself , he looked into her eyes and as he entered her, their eyes not even blinking as they lookd at one another he whispered " I love you Sara." She drew in a breath and when she released it she answered back " I love you , Jack." So slowly did they move at first , that neither was sure there even was any motion. But then they moved against one another , faster , harder, with a desperate need . Holding so close together that Jack thought their bodies would meld into one. Their faces were wet, a mixture of sweat and tears. When the end came for both, they lay panting , gasping and crying, neither willing to release the other.




They were downstairs and Dean and Angela were saying goodbye to Jack. Dean hugged him first , " Don't be a stranger Jackie, I will cal you and I expect you to answer me and call me as well. I don't want to lose touch again. " Jack returned the hug, " I don't either. I will call you, promise. " Then Angela hugged him , " I can't believe I am going to say this but..I am going to miss seeing you Jackie. " Jack laughed, " I can't believe you said it too. I will miss you too , Please...please take care of her for me. " his voice cracking. " You know we will. " She said her voice catching a bit.


With Dean and Angela waiting in the car, they stood alone in the room. " I have something for you, " she said handing him an envelope. " I just got it yesterday, don't open it until I leave ok? " He could not find his voice , and his vision was blurry with tears. He grabbed her hard and held onto her with everthing he had. " Thank you, not just for everything you did and went through for me with Lawrence , but for what you gave back to me. You gave me back myself, if that makes any sense. " Sara was crying too, " Promise me..promise me you won't lose that again. You are an incredibley talented , kind strong and loving man, and if ANYONE can't see that and love you enough to let you be who you are then screw them." Jack chuckled at that. Then she added, " Don't forget what I told you, Nobody else defines who you are...you define who you are. I will always love you Jack. " He pulled his head back, " I will always love you too. " He started kissing her all over her face and she him. Then pulling back from him , she pulled a button off his shirt , looked at and closed her hand around it. She looked up at into those blue eyes she loved so much . Throwing herself into his arms once more and kissing him passionately on the lips. She pulled back quickly and said " See ya around Jack. " and she ran for the door. " No..Sara..wait...don't "
but she closed the door and ran to the car. Jack reached the door, turning and leaning his back on the door. Sliding down to the floor he sat there for a long time. She was gone from his life once more.



I started this story on a Jack and Jennifer website but I started to love Jack and Sara. For obvious reasons I could not continue with Jack and Sara so I started another story where Jack leaves Salem to be with Sara. I had to put it on a website here is the site jackandsara.webs.com. If you guys are interested leave me comments and I could post it on here if you prefer.


From this point on it's all Jack and Jennifer.......




Jack opened the brown envelope Sara had left for him. In it were two white envelopes. One said " Open first" It was her handwriting , he read it through blurry eyes.....



"Jack,
I have been working on this for quite sometime now and finally with the help of the FBI ( yes him !) I was able to do this for you. I wanted to leave you with one last piece of the puzzle , the missing piece that made you the Jack Deveraux , you were , the one you have rediscovered. When I had learned you lost your money and how...well you know me , I had to look into it. Howard Hawkins III has been in one prison or another for years. So when I found out he was released from a Texas prison I watched him. He was pretty sneaky..but then so am I. I finally tracked him down ..he was in Switzerland . Let's just say the FBI had a talk with him and ..well. Use this to keep Jack Deveraux alive and confident. Use it to follow your heart's desire. You will always be in my thoughts, my heart and my dreams.

All my love ,
Sara "

Jack wiped his nose and opened the other letter. In it was a cashiers check for 5 million dollars! It was the amount of money that they had stolen from him. He sat mouth hanging open. " Oh Sara ,"




Jennifer knew that Jack was thinking of leaving for New York. She had to think of a way to get him to stay here in Salem. She knew that she could mention the kids but Jennifer would not use them like that. Then it came to her. She would do what Jack had done all those years ago.




Jack was eating lunch when he heard his front door burst open. Running into the living room he froze at the sight before him. There was a very small person, in a fireman's suit waving their arms and gesturing him to follow them. He of course knew that it was Jennifer. " I certainly hope you are not thinking of throwing me over your shoulder. That , I believe would result in serious injuries for both of us. Jennifer , hello..Jennifer. Tell me is Rodney out there with the firetruck too ? Jennifer removed her facemask , " It was Bradley Jack, not Rodney..Bradley. " Jack turned back to her, " Right that's what I said. What are you doing here dressed like that , may I ask ? " Jennifer looked down at the floor. " I am doing what you did..trying to stop you from making the wrong choice. " Jack walked over to the couch and sat down. " She is gone already Jennifer. I can't go to New York and she can't stay in Salem, so that as seems is..the end of it . " Jennifer saw the saddness in his eyes. She sat next to him, " I am sorry that you are so upset, but I am not sorry you will be staying. " Jack smirked, " Look at what she left me. " He handed her the check. Jennifer's mouth dropped open. " Jack..what is this? " He told her how Sara had tracked down baby Howie and that Agent Todd "persuaded" him to hand over Jack's money. " Gosh jack..this is amazing..what are you going to do? " Then her eyes lit up , " Are you going to try and get the paper back? " Jack swallowed, for so long now he had dreamt of the day that he could do just that. Now it was within his reach. " I believe I am. I will will of course have to find another place to live I think. This house is too big for just me and Jack Jr. " Jennifer moved closer to him, " You know you could move in with Abby and me." Jack shook his head,
" No...I can't do that . I am not ready for that..I need a bit of time Jennifer can you understand that? My life these last few months seems to have just sped by me. I need to process everything. " Jennifer gave him a small smile, " Sure Jack, I can understand that. "
Jack smiled back , " I tell you what..when I am ready , I will let you know. But I think this time, maybe we should do something we have never really done before." Jennifer tilted her head , " And that is ? " Jack chuckled and walked over to the window gazing outside ,
" I think..maybe we should date and I promise when I am ready..I will ask you out on a real date. " Then turning back around to her he stuck out his hand and said " Deal ? " Jennifer smiled and walked over to him, placing her hand in his she shook it firmly. " Deal."



Jack climbed into the shower and let the hot water wash the sorrow away. He missed her..but she had given him back...everything. He was his own man again. Not just the money which was unbelievable to him, no it was far more than that. She gave him back his sense of self. His confidence , he knew he would be all right no matter what. It felt good to be able to stand on his own again. But this time..this time he also had his family , Jo , Steve and Adrienne. He had children , they were the greatest joys of his life. There would be more for him too..someday. He was no longer afraid and looking at a life filled with loneliness. No Jack Deveraux had a full life , and when his heart began to heal with the loss of Sara..there was still the possibility of more to come.




He moved into bed. He could smell her there. Her perfume still filled the room, his sheets and pillow cases. He closed his eyes his heart was heavy and he missed her. " Goodnight Sara." he whispered. But he knew as she had that Jack Deveraux would be just fine.

[MrsM]

Love it!! I like Jack and Sara too, but I think I like Jack and Jennifer better.

[fluffysmom]

Great chapters. I really like Sara so I'd love to read the other story as well as the J&J continuation of this story.

[jaysdelina]

I'm kinda torn,I love both the pairings,lol.The thing is,I love him with THIS Jennifer,if that makes sense.

[fluffysmom]

I'm torn too Delina. That's one of the great things about this story.

[krw627]

I am torn about who Jack should be with...I would love to read both endings!

[blueyed358]

This is a short chapter I used to skipped ahead three months..Jack owns the Spectator again and Jen is working with him.






"Janice !" Jack shouted for his secretary. " Yes Mr Deveraux? " she asked peeking her head in the door. Janice looked like a librarian right down to the bun and glasses. She was pretty though in a mousey way. " When Jenkins gets in tell him I need to see him, also could you make another pot of coffee...please? " Jack added with a smile. " Of course Mr Deveraux..don't forget you have a staff meeting today at ten to allow for you nine o'clock
meeting with the advertising department. " Jack looked up from his desk , " Oh yes , thanks. Has Jennifer come in yet? " he asked casually. " Yes she is down in art. Did you wish to see her when comes back up ?" Jack nodded.." I do yes. " It had been a few months since Sara had left , and Jack was getting back into the routine of his life. The work at the paper kept him busy all day and JJ kept his nights busy. Jennifer had made good on her agreement to wait for Jack to be ready and he had made her his city editor and thoroughly enjoyed working with her again and spending family time with her. He would ask her out to dinner tonight, he had decided. He was practically certain she would say yes but..he was still nervous. At that moment Jennifer came bursting into his office with his pot of coffee , " Jack ! , They found another woman's body today. I have Rogers going down to the crime scene. This is the third one , I hear they may call in the FBI if they don't get a break soon. Here's your coffee. " Jack smiled to himself..somethings never change , he thought. " Knock..why can't you ever knock ? Do we know what the circumstances surrounding this murder are ?" Jennifer pour each of them a cup of coffee , handing Jack his , " Well it seems the same as the other two. " The had found two women in their apartments stabbed and positioned . One was seated on the couch the other in front of her laptop." The details of the third have yet to be released." There was a knock at the door , " See , people do knock. Come in." Lara Walker came into the office smiling brightly at Jack , " Mr Deveraux I finished the article on City Council meeting , I was hoping to go over it with you. " Lara was a political reporter for the Spectator , in her mid thirties with strawberry blond hair and she was subtly attractive. " Oh..hello Jennifer, I didn't see you there , I will just leave the article with you and perhaps we can go over it later? " she asked, a bit hopefully. " Sure that will be fine. She left the paper on his desk smiled again and was out the door. " Well..I have to get back to work..I need to go through some art for the roadwork article." Jack stood up " Ahh... Jennifer.. I was wondering..." Jennifer's heart was racing, would he ask her today? Will they finally start on the road back together. " Yes Jack ? " Jack loosened his tie , this was ridiculous he thought , they had married..twice had two children, why was it so difficult to ask her out to dinner? Oh what the hell , go for it ,he told himself. " I was wondering if you weren't busy, if you would like to have dinner with me this evening? " Jennifer smiled then , she had to make sure , " With the kids? " Jack shook his head slowly , " Well , no..just us. " Jennifer's smile lit up the room , " I would love to have dinner with you Jack. " Jack lifted his hand and brushed a stray piece of hair from her cheek. " Say about seven thirty? " Jennifer sighed lightly at the intimate gesture , " That would be perfect." They stood staring at each other , then another knock on the door , " Mr Deveraux , your nine o'clock appointment is here . " Jack smiled , his eyes never leaving hers , " Send him in."



Jennifer had just sent Rogers article to copy and the paper was going to bed soon. She was going down in the elevator , excited for the night ahead. When Lara stepped in before the doors closed , " Hey Jennifer. "she said with a small smile. Jennifer smiled back , " Hey Lara. Night work on the city council piece. " Lara pressed the button for the garage. " Thanks , you're leaving early tonight. " Jennifer couldn't help but smile , " Yes...I have a date tonight. " Lara knew of course that the date was with Jack. Everyone at the paper knew about Jack and Jennifer's history both with the paper and with each other. They all watched them everyday stealing glances at one another. " Well I hope you have a wonderful time. " she said . Jennifer didn't even notice the woman was staring at her. In a dreamy voice Jennifer said , " Oh I intend to. "

[MrsM]

[jaysdelina]

Very sweet.I love Jack's nervousness despite the fact that they'd been married twice,with kids.It's very true to his character.Thank you for writing an amazing chapter.

[fluffysmom]

Great chapter. I liked Jack being nervous and Jennifer trying to wait patiently for him. I look forward to their date.

[blueyed358]

chapter 80






Jennifer was ready an hour early. She fidgeted around the room waiting for his arrival. "Mom , relax " Abby laughed , " This is DAD, not some blind date. " Jack drove around a bit having been ready too early. There was no reason to be so nervous he thought. He knew her almost all of her life, he knew everything there was to know about Jennifer Rose . He smiled , knowing she was pacing around waiting for him , having been ready well advance as well.

The bell rang and her heart began to race. Abby ran for the door and throwing it open yelled, " Hi Daddy , " then whispering to him , " She is a nervous wreck. " Jack nodded and smiled at his daughter , he muttered , " She 's not the only one. When Jack entered the living room Jennifer smiled at the sight of him. He looked so handsome , Royal blue shirt , black slacks , holding a bouquet of her favorite flowers. " For you, " he said , handing her the flowers . She looked lovely , floral print , long dress , hair down, yes very lovely indeed. " Well , I have made reservations at Tuscany , is that alright? " Jennifer nodded quickly , " Oh yes that is perfect. "


The car ride there was pleasant , they talked about the paper and what was coming up tomorrow, JJ and how he was liking school and Abby and her search for a job. When they got into the restaurant the hostess addressed them , " Good evening Mr Deveraux, your table will be ready in a moment. " Jennifer looked at him with a question in her eyes and Jack just shrugged.

When they were lead to their table , Jennifer understood what "his table " meant. it was "their" table. The table that they sat at when Jack surprised her for her birthday and proposed ...again. He had been so sweet with the picture clues to all his other proposals. Jennifer felt her heart sink a bit at the way she had treated him and how she had not even gotten the meaning of the pictures. They ordered and their wine was served. " To...The beginning , " Jack said , glass aloft and poised for her to clink hers to. Jennifer smiled sweetly , " The beginning , " she whispered and touched her glass to his.


The meal was as good as expected and while each had been nervous at first, they both had became relaxed and comfortable. Dessert was brought with coffee. Jennifer watched Jack and chuckled as he scraped the frosting of the chocolate cake before him , " What? " he asked with a grin. " I do love watching you eat cake , Jack " He leaned over slightly and wiping the corner of her mouth said , " Yes well , at least I can find my mouth. " Jennifer felt as if a bolt of electricity ran through her at his touch. He felt it as well and lingered there a moment longer than needed. " Would you like to dance ? " he found himself asking.
" Oh yes..I would love too." she responded quickly. Jack took her hand and they walked over to the dance floor. They began dancing with a distance between them first, their eyes never leaving each other. Then as they danced , the distanced closed between them, their bodies touching now. His arm tightened around her waist and she rested her head on his chest and they both released a small sigh. The feeling of his arms around her so familiar , the smell of his cologne making her heart skip a beat. For him the smell of her hair and the feeling of it against his cheek gave him that familiar ache in his heart.

After dinner Jack took Jennifer to the waterfront for a street fair. They walked around and shared a bag of popcorn. Jennifer stopped at a photo booth and looked at Jack , " No..you know I hate pictures." Jennifer said nothing , only smiling. " Jennifer..no ." She took his hand and said one word only , " Please? "

Jennifer sat on Jack's lap and they made silly faces for the first three and for the last one Jennifer said, " A nice one now Jack ." She rested her head next to his and they smiled sweetly for the camera. " When the strip of photos came out the both laughed . As they were leaving , Jack stopped at small booth selling chocolates and bought her a bag. " For you..for later" Jennifer took the bag and looked inside , " OOh yum ! Thank you Jack."



He walked her to the door , and unlocked the door for her. As he opened it for her , Jennifer looked up into his eyes , she knew she wanted him to stay the night, but knew he was not ready for that...yet. " Would you like to come in ? " Jack smiled , " It's late..I need to get some sleep..so do you. Don't eat too much of that chocolate tonight. " Jennifer looked at the bag , " I wont .. I had a wonderful time Jack, thank you. " Jack moved closer and put his hands on her shoulders , " You are quite welcome. I had I great time as well. " Then he leaned down and kissed her softly , her hand came up and she placed it behind his head putting more pressure into the kiss. His arms went around her and they kissed until the needed to breathe. His hand on her face, " Ahh.. well goodnight " Jennifer put her hand over his , " Goodnight , see you tomorrow Jack. " he walked backwards looking at her , "See you tomorrow , lock the door. " Jennifer closed the door and locked it. Yes..that was a very nice beginning she thought, " I love you Jack Deveraux" she whispered into the quiet of the house.