<Episode 46>

Lunch time was it’s usual controlled chaos. Despite her limited insight into human, and Drakan, nature Emily was still surprised at how often somebody wanted to fight over the last bit of whatever they wanted. It must have happened more times than she was aware of seeing how Melissa would catch the eyes of whoever was involved and get them to stop in their tracks. On more than one occasion she heard the child utter, “How did we get so many Alpha males?” Living underground was rough enough as it was, but being in a war at a same time, well she was just grateful emotions didn’t explode more often. When they got their food, Melissa always insisted on waiting in line with the others, so much like her brother, the child stop as she saw something, “When did that happen?”

“When did what happen?”, Emily asked. Holding both of their trays Melissa gestured as best she could to the other side of the room. Emily looked in that direction and saw Rachel and Jack sitting next to each other. Jack leaned in and said something to Rachel that made her laugh. Emily wasn’t seeing anything out of the ordinary. “They always sit together child. They have done so ever since they started living with us.”

“I know that,” Melissa informed her. “But they always sat across from one another in here. This is the first time I have ever seen them sit next to each other.” Watching them a bit longer she started smiling, “You’d almost think they were a couple or something.”

“Well don’t push them child,” Emily told her. “It will happen if it’s going to happen.”

“I know but the will they or won’t they crap is getting on my nerves.” Melissa headed over there, “Come on let’s see if we can join them.” Emily hesitated for a second trying to think of an excuse. “You can’t keep avoiding him forever. Look Jack’s even been asking about you. I’m getting genuine concern from him when he does. I think he wants to bury the hatchet.”

“It’s not wise to open old wounds child.”

“Emily,” she said firmly, “what would you be telling me to do in this situation?”

“I do believe that is what they call dirty pool,” she said but she headed over there with her. Rachel smiled as she saw them, as did Jack. Although to be totally honest she was watching for any sign of the anger he showed before his final confrontation with Mitchell.

“I was wondering where they were hiding you,” Jack said. “I’ve been meaning to talk with you.”

“No better time than the present,” Rachel said. Melissa quickly agreed. Emily eyed the both of them, almost thinking this was a set up. If it was both of them was going to feel her cane.

“I’ve been thinking a lot about what happened,” Jack began. “I’m still angry about what happened, but I think I was more freaked out that somebody died for me more than anything. I’m not used to having that hanging over my head.”

“Maybe if I had worded things different Lance would still be with us,” Emily admitted

“I think Lance would have done it any way,” Melissa said remembering him.

“I can’t take back what I said,” Jack continued. “We might not have been the closest of friends but I hate to think that ended it.”

“I hate to think our friendship ended as well,” Emily admitted.

“See,” Melissa said, “I told you this wasn’t going to be as bad as you thought.”

“Fortunately Jack’s grown up a bit,” Rachel joked. Jack looked in another direction entirely. “Are you actually getting embarrassed? Mark the date down because I never thought I see the day.”

“Leave him alone child,” Emily told her. “It’s hard enough for one to admit their maturing without somebody rubbing it in.”

***

Over the next couple of days Jack and Emily talked more and more. Before long things were close to back to normal as they got around here. Which made Melissa’s job a little easier without that potential powder keg hanging over their heads. Personally it was great to see Emily back to her old self and not see her watch which way Jack was going. Walking into the common area Jason stormed past her in a huff and then she saw Jack with a satisfied smirk on his face. Yeah things were back to normal alright. “Do I want to know?”

“It would probably be better if you didn’t,” Rachel said shooting an annoyed glance toward Jack. He tried to look innocent.

“I’ll hear about it later more than likely,” Melissa sighed. She looked around the room, she was getting something from somewhere she just couldn’t place it. She knew she felt this before she just couldn’t remember what it was. Jack turned his attention back to a group that was trying to fix this old radio that hadn’t worked for awhile.

“I think I almost got it,” one of them said. “All we need is an antenna and we should be set.”

“I think I saw an old television with some rabbit ears in that closest over there,” Rachel offered.

“It’s worth a shot, I think I might be able to jury rig something. I’ll go get it.”

“I’m right here,” jack said. “I’ll go get it.”

He went over to the door as Melissa watched. The moment he put a hand on the doorknob she suddenly realized where the source was coming from. And more importantly what it was. “Jack wait…”

She was too late as he already opened it. Everybody saw him pale. “Whoa!”, he quickly slammed the door shut and pressed his back against the wall his eyes as big as saucers.

“Jack what is it?”, Rachel asked as she hurried over to him.

Pointing a shaky finger toward the door all he said was, “Old people doing it.”

Dusty rushed out of the closest cramming his shirt back into his pants. Closing the door before anybody could see inside he looked at Jack and snapped, “Boy have you ever heard of knocking?!”

“It’s a closest, you ever heard of a lock?!” he shot back. He looked Dusty in the eyes then his gaze went south before quickly turning away. Grinding the heel of his hands into his eyes he said, “That’s going to give me a whole new set of nightmares.”

“Oh grow up son,” Dusty said getting defensive. “That was a beautiful act.”

“There nothing beautiful about your old wrinkly ass!” Jack walked away saying, “I have to go bleach my eyeballs.”

“Would you go talk some sense into that boy,” Dusty told Rachel. She muttered something but stayed where she was. In fact everybody was looking at the closest door with some interest. Dusty noticed and got a little huffy, “Don’t y’all have anything better to do than just stand there?”

“No not really,” somebody answered back.

Looking defeated Dusty opened the door a crack and told the person inside, “You might as well come on out. I don’t think these perverts are leaving until you do.” Melissa walked foreword and joined the rest as they waited. She knew she should get them out of there, just for the other person’s dignity if nothing else. But she was too curious to do anything. Eventually the door opened and the other person came out.

“Emily?” Melissa and Rachel both cried out.

“I have needs too,” was her only explanation before walking off. Dusty started to say something before thinking better of it and following her.

Everybody was stunned for a few long moments. Breaking the silence Rachel said, “I have got to tell his to Jack,” and went to find him.

“Emily?”, Melissa repeated, still not believing she just saw that.

“It’s kind sad those two,” the guy working on the radio gestured toward the retreating Dusty and Emily, “are getting more action than those two,” he pointed in the direction Jack and Rachel went.

“Don’t push them,” she said without thinking. But the more she thought about it the more she had to admit, it was really sad.

***

After an awkward couple of hour that whole situation with Emily and Dusty finally blew over. But Rachel still couldn’t get that image out of her head, and she didn’t even see them. At the moment she found herself without anything to do. Anderson was keeping quiet for some reason, and that made everybody a little nervous. They had more than enough people in the garden center at the moment and they really didn’t need her. She really didn’t feel like hanging out in the cafeteria or the common area. So she headed for her room.

When she got there Jack was sitting on his cot talking on the phone. Rachel knew who it was so she kept quiet while she entered, only waving a greeting when he did. “Yeah Mom everything is fine now. Now when have I ever done anything stupid? I didn’t ask for a list.” He listened for a few more minutes before saying, “OK Mom, I love you too. Bye.” Hanging up he smiled a bit.

“How is she doing?”, Rachel asked as she sat on her bed.

“She’s doing great,” He answered. “She says hello by the way. Thanks for keeping her updated on things while I was out of commission.”

“I didn’t want to keep her in the dark,” Rachel said. “Especially after going through everything to get you back in contact with each other.”

“Yeah she still gives me an earful about that every so often.” Rachel watched the expression on his face then looked down a bit. Jack noticed looking confused, “Is anything wrong?”

“No, I’m fine,” she quickly said. “Why would you ask?”

“You look a little down about something.”

“Jack nothing’s wrong,” she told him, hoping he’d drop it.

“And I’ve seen that look one too many times in the mirror.” He got up and sat next to her on the bed. Putting an arm around her he said, “Come on now, tell you buddy Jack what’s the matter.”

“It’s stupid,” was all she said.

“It’s not stupid if it’s bothering you like this. That no more secrets thing works both ways you know.”

Reluctantly she told him, “Sometimes I get a little jealous of you and your Mom.”

“Ok I wasn’t expecting that one.”

“I told you it was stupid.” She really wanted to drop the subject but he encouraged her to keep going. “I’m just amazed at how close you and your Mom are. Even after everything you’ve been through. I thought me and my parents were that close. But I don’t think we ever were.”

“Have you called them?”, he asked. When she didn’t reply right away he held out the phone in his hand. “Give them a ring. I’m sure they’d loved to hear from you again.”

“I did,” she finally admitted, “a little while after we got your mom safe. It didn’t exactly go like I thought it would.” He kept quiet so she could continue. “I got a hold of my Mom. She called me a disgrace to the family. I tried to tell her what was going on. She wouldn’t listen, she kept saying innocent people don’t run.” Her voice started to crack a bit, “She said I was a whore for hanging round a known criminal.”

“You should have told me,” Jack said holding her close as he tried to comfort her. Out of the blue he said, “Give me their number.”

“What?”, she asked.

“Give me their number,” he repeated. “If you got a way to get a direct line to your mom tell me now ‘cause I’m going to give her a piece of my mind. Who in the hell does she think she is talking to you like that?”

“Jack no,” she said trying to get the phone out of his hands. He stood up and walked to the other side of the room.

“Is there a memory function on this thing? How long ago was it?”

“Jack just drop it,” she told him. “I know my Mother and it would only make things worse.”

“Alright I’ll do something better then,” he started dialing a number. She started to protest but he held up a finger while he held the phone to his ear. “Hey Mom, sorry to call again so soon but I need some help here. I don’t want to impose or anything but Rachel having some family problems and it’s a little out of my league.” Rachel hid her face in her hands from the embarrassment. “Yeah she’s right here. Rachel Mom wants to talk to you.” She mouthed the word no. “Come on you need to talk to somebody who knows what their talking about.” Again she mouthed the word no. “Sorry mom,” he sighed, “apparently I jumped the gun, so you can add it to the list.”

Looking at her funny he turned around, “Mom I’m not saying that to her. Mom… Mom would you listen… Mom… Mom… All right.” Turning back around he said, “Rachel, Mom said if you don’t take this phone right now she’s going to come down here, drag you in front of everybody and beat you.”

“She wouldn’t… would she?” Jack nodded. Thinking it over she held out a hand.

Putting the phone in her hand he told her, “You’re lucky she considers you to be like family. Otherwise she would have just hung up on me and not even bother with that threat.”

***

How did he let Sparky talk him into this again? That thought raced through Jack’s head more than once as he sat in the chair while Angie carefully applied the scar make up to his face. It was more elaborate this time around since Sparky explained his absence as him traveling around and getting into another accident apparently. After his breakdown and his six month goop nap Jack really hoped he was done with the underground racing circuit. But Sparky mentioned they were a little low on hard cash and could use the funds. Trying to convince himself that it was all part of the whole champion thing he reluctantly agreed to go another round. Angie stepped back to admire her work, “I don’t usually blow my own horn, but this is the best job I’ve done so far.”

“You won’t hear me complain,” he told her.

“Jack what in the hell is going on?”, Rachel demanded as she came into the room.

“I’m just doing a couple of races to get us some money,” he said. “I’ve done it before.

“And what’s this crap about an after party?”

“I’ll leave you too alone,” Angie said.

“Thanks a lot,” Jack said as she left the room. “Sparky said this set of races was different. They’re only going to give the winners their money if they attend the party. I don’t like it either but Sparky said that’s how this one was done.”

“Then don’t go,” Rachel told him.

“If they really didn’t need the money I wouldn’t even think twice about it.”

“It’s too big a risk,” she persisted. “You’re still a wanted man, somebody could recognize you.”

“I’m going to have Sparky watching my back.”

“Then I’m going too,” she informed him. Jack stuck a finger in his ear trying to clean it out. There was no way he heard that right and said as much. “If you’re going to be an idiot you’re going to need all the eyes you got watching your back.”

“You’re going to go to an underground bike race?”, he asked.

Getting a weird look in her eyes as she rethought the things she said, “Maybe I should get Arron to go instead.”

“Too late you already volunteered.” Jack grabbed her before she could run. “Angie!”, he called out. When she came back he pointed right at Rachel, “Slut her up.”

***

She had never been so embarrassed in her life, and she was going to make Jack pay if it was the last thing she did. The “outfit”, if you could call it that, Angie came up for her was nothing like she usually wore. A pair of leather shorts, stockings, knee high boot, a tight shirt and a vest to go over it. Not once did Jack say they went a little over board with it. She was going to kill him. At least Angie found her a brown haired wig to go along with Jack’s blond one. So she could at least pretend she was a different person. She was so going to kill him.

When they got to the races she saw other dressed like she was. So maybe he knew what he was doing. But she was still going to kill him. Jack looked around as he took his helmet off. They both got off the motorcycle as Sparky took a deep breath and took it all in looking totally in his element. “I think we’re early for a change, now we can relax a bit before racing.”

“Oh joy,” Jack deadpanned. “I just want get the money and get the hell out.”

“Dude would you chill out, we got this.” Sparky patted him on the shoulder as he passed him, “I’ll go get you set up. And don’t blow any races this time.”

“And they’re going to ask questions if I win them all,” he said to his back. Looking back at her he said, “You’re standing out a bit and not in the good way. I know the first time the hardest because of the nerves. But you have got to try and relax and not look quite so guilty.”

“I am really uncomfortable right now,” she said. “It’s bad enough I look like this, I don’t need any extra help from you.” Not to mention she was cold. Jack tried talking to her, tried cracking a few jokes to get her to relax a bit. It worked a little but she still hated the fact she was dressed like this. They settled into some crowd watching where Jack pointed out a couple of people that the “Masked Rider” beat. She barely paid them any attention. On the other hand she was paying very close attention to how some of the other riders were treating the women with them. Especially this one particular act and how Jack reacted to it. She was going to put a stop to this before it even got started. Standing right in front of him with her arms crossed and giving him her sternest look she told him, “You even think about slapping my ass and I will wring your neck.”

He looked slightly insulted, “That never crossed my mind thank you very much.”

Feeling satisfied she told him, “As long as we understand each other.”

Jack walked past her and didn’t see the smile cross his face. “But now the thought’s in my head.”

“What?” Rachel jumped foreword a bit as his hand popped her on the butt. He wisely started running for his life. She quickly gave chase, “You are SO dead!”

Hours later the races were over and everybody moved to this huge mansion where the after party started. Jack ended up being in eight races, winning six and losing two by close margins from where she was. That caused Sparky to drop a few choice words. But she just wanted this night to be over with already. During the party itself a couple of guys tried to get her away from Jack if not feel her up right then and there. Jack immediately put a stop to it, almost getting into a fight a couple of times. After awhile she found an open and empty balcony and decided to hide out there to get away from the chaos inside. “There you are.” She turned around and saw Jack join her out there. “What are you doing out here? We got a cover to keep,” he put his arms around her but Rachel pushed him away.

“Don’t touch me,” she said turning around.

“You’re still not mad about that little pat on the butt are you?”

“That wasn’t a pat Mr. One Sixty fastball.” Rachel knew he couldn’t do that anymore but damn it she was getting groped tonight and didn’t care anymore.

He looked apologetic as he told her, “I held back.”

“It still hurt.”

Giving her that stupid half grin of his that she missed while he was out he said, “Want me to kiss it and make it better?” She pushed him a bit but ended up smiling back any way. Putting his hand on her hips he pulled her closer. “We’re supposed to be a couple, can we at least try and act like it?”

Rachel grabbed his hands and slid them up her sides, “Keep them above the Equator and below the Tropics.”

“You’re no fun.” He said faking a pout. They could hear the music from the party in the background and slowly started to dance in place. Out of the blue Jack said, “It just occurred to me, I think I missed your birthday again

“It’s not that important,” she told him

“It’s the day you were born of course it’s important,” he told her. “The entire time I’ve known you and I’ve only given you half a muffin that you gave me.”

“I got the present I really wanted,” she said with a smile. He smiled back, maybe that half grin of his wasn’t that stupid looking. She looked behind him and she panic a bit and pulled him close so her mouth was by her ear. “I think we’re being watched.”

“Bald headed guy, tattoo over his right eye and uglier than sin?” She confirmed it was the same guy. “Dude’s been eyeballing me all night. I already got my winnings so let’s get the hell out of here.”

“That’s the best idea you ever had.” Going back into the house they made their way through the crowd to the first floor and the door. Along the way Jack got Sparky attention as they passed and said they were leaving. Taking longer than either of them would have liked they finally made it outside. Heading to where all the motorcycles were parked they both stopped and looked between them when they realized something was different. When did they start holding hands? Both looked confused and a little embarrassed as Rachel said, “We’re staying in character, right?”

“Yeah,” Jack quickly agreed. Rachel started to head for his bike again but he held on to her hand. “Wait no… I have to tell you something.”

“Jack it can wait until we get back,” she told him.

“No I have to tell you now while I still have the nerve. Rachel I…,” he wasn’t sure where to go. “I’ve been… I…” Lowering his head a bit he said, “This shouldn’t be this hard. I’m really grateful for the friendship we have, in fact you are my best friend and I’m afraid if I say this it’s going to ruin it. I’ve done it before. But I have to say it. Rachel I…”, he stopped again. Without any warning he reached up and took the wig off her head. She protested but he wasn’t hearing any of it. “It’s bad enough I have to look like this while I’m trying to tell you, I need you to look like you.” He lowered his head again before taking both her hands, “Rachel I nearly died…”

“Jack,” she tried to stop him, but the look in his eyes when he looked up stopped her.

“I nearly died,” he repeated. “And the last thought I remember having was about you. How I never told you. How I’d never get a chance to tell you.” His head went down again before looking her straight in the eyes, “Rachel I’m in love with you.” Rachel’s heart nearly stopped. Jack… loved her, actually loved her. Her mind was reeling so much she couldn’t speak. “I’ve been in love with you for a long time now. You don’t have to feel the same way. But I had to tell you before I never get another chance to.” She wanted her mouth to move, to say what she really wanted to say. But nothing was working the way she wanted it to. A shout of pain that sounded like Sparky’s voice caught his attention and he ran for the source. It took Rachel a couple of seconds to get her legs to work so she could follow.

The source was on the other side of the garage. The bald guy she saw watching them stood in front of Sparky while two of his friends held him up while he pounded on him. “Why are you hanging around the Killer?! Why did you bring him here?!”

“Henshin!” Jack activated the system as he ran toward them. Some of the fingers on the bald one’s hand fused into flippers as tusks grew out of his mouth as he changed into a blue walrus. Jumping up at the last second Jack smashed his knee into his face. It recoiled from the blow as Jack came in swinging his elbow into the side of it’s head. He ran in again and was caught off guard as the walrus bent down and flipped him over it’s head. He was surprised again when it jumped up and plopped right down onto his chest a couple of times. As he shakily got to his feet the walrus ran for one of the bikes and took a long length of chain from one of the compartments and started swinging it around. Jack tried to avoid the end being whipped at him as best he could.

Rachel looked around and saw the KR-1000 close by and ran for it. Grabbing the staff from it’s holder she ran back. “Jack catch!” she shouted as she threw it. He caught it and snapped it to it’s full length. He tried blocking the chain with the staff but the walrus was just too quick with it. Suddenly it ran in and hit him with a shoulder that knocked him up against a wall. The chain came at him again and he got his left arm. It wrapped around his forearm, Jack grabbed it and they both started pulling. Rachel heard a humming in the air right before seeing him pop the electrode on the end. He swung the staff around and nailed part of the wall behind his head with the electrode. With one more pull of the chain he got the walrus staggering foreword, he swung the other end of the staff into the back of the Drakan’s head making it stumble foreword more. Part of the wall exploded and a sizeable chunk nailed the walrus between the eyes, stunning it long enough for Jack to unleash a haymaker of a right hook that knocked it out. He turned to the ones holding Sparky, who promptly let him drop to the ground and ran for the hills.

“That was faster than usual,” Jack commented as he deactivated his armor. Going to Sparky he asked, “You all right?”

“Am I still pretty?”, he asked as Jack helped him back to his feet.

“They can’t make you any uglier,” he said getting under his arm. “Do you think you can ride your bike back?”

“Give me a little time, I’ll be good to go.”

“I hope we get that time,” Rachel said looking where they went. Sparky looked up and asked where her wig was. “It’s a long story.” She and Jack looked at each other briefly. Why wasn’t her voice coming out of her mouth?

***

When they got back to the habitat Jack tore the wig and makeup off his face almost immediately. Between that, getting Sparky some medical help and telling Melissa what happened he lost track of Rachel. He got back into some normal clothes and headed for their room. He stood in front of their door for a long time silently debating to himself. Finally making up his mind he walked into the room. Rachel was already in bed, and facing the wall. After a bit of waiting he started getting ready for bed himself when she finally said, “What did Melissa have to say about what happened?”

“I think I scored some points back with her when I was able to save Sparky without killing anybody.”

“That’s good,” was all she said. Rachel didn’t even turn around to look at him. Jack kicked himself, it looked like he ruined a perfectly good friendship by putting that out there. Getting in his cot he wondered if either Sparky or Arron wanted a roommate. After a few minutes he heard movement and looked over to see her sitting on the edge of her bed. He sat up and faced her. Neither of them said anything before she said, “Why didn’t you tell me sooner?”

“I was afraid,” he told her honestly. “I threw a one sixty two fastball and I was scared that if I ever got lost in the moment I’d accidently hurt you. I wouldn’t be able to live with myself if I did that.” He looked at the scars on his arms and legs, “I’m not even totally human and you deserve better than this.”

“I told you you’re the most human person I know,” she said.

“I know.” They were quiet again for a moment before Jack asked, “So where do we go from here? I can’t put this genie back in it’s bottle and forget it happened.”

Rachel didn’t say a word. She got up and walked over to him. Jack watched her wondering how much this was going to hurt. She grabbed his head, leaned in and kissed him. He was stunned but only for a moment before he started kissing her back. Jack gently pulled her down until she was sitting on his lap. He didn’t want this moment to end. She finally pulled away resting her forehead on his. She told him, “I’m in love with you too.”

“Why didn’t you tell me?”

“Because I was afraid part of you still saw me as part of World Inc.”

“Oh Rachel I’m so sorry,” he said holding her tight. “I never wanted you to think that. They are the farthest thing on my mind when I look and think about you.” He kissed her again, he‘d been wanting this for so long he couldn’t believe it was actually happening. If this was a dream he didn’t want it to end.

“So what do we do now?”

“This might sound a bit strange,” he began. “Considering the position we’re in and especially how I don’t want to let you go. But maybe we should take things a little slow. I know we’ve been through a lot but…”

“But you don’t want us to rush into anything just yet,” Rachel finished for him. He nodded. Caressing his check she said, “I guess we’ll know when the time is right.”

“Yeah,” he agreed. He got off his lap and sat next to him. They stayed there talking for hours, almost until the sun came up. They both told each other they confided in Melissa about how they felt. Neither wanted time to move forward at that moment. They just wanted to stay in this moment for as long as they could. It almost felt like this huge weight had been lifted from their shoulders. A new chapter in their life had started and they didn’t care what the future was going to bring. Right now they had what both of them really wanted, each other.