Jack pulled up to the national exchange center with his unmarked pod. He stopped in the travel center to relieve himself and grabbed a bag of potato chips. He didn't really notice the taste as he absently popped them into his mouth on the way back to the pod. He stopped mid-step as he noticed a person standing next to the pod he just left.He eyed her warily. Her hair was short and dark. She wore jeans and a T-shirt. She leaned against his pod with arms crossed and a bag at her feet. He stopped and ate from the bag of chips so he could watch her. She was staring right at him. Whomever she was, she was looking for him. She seemed tall and slender, but without getting much closer, he couldn't tell if she was a threat. He cursed himself for parking the unmarked pod so close to his actual one.She continued to stare at him and he continued to avoid her gaze while he ate his chips. After a time, he strode forward. He kept his head down and walked toward his real pod. He could feel her eye
Jack walked downstairs and joined Lexi at the kitchen table. The chef was nowhere to be seen."Did you see Chef Randall?""I gave him the day off.""You what?""I told him I would make you breakfast. Isn't breakfast made by your favorite daughter way tastier than some hired help?""You don't have to do that anymore."Lexi slapped the table and gave him a look. She was way more of a teenager than he had ever dealt with before. He was beginning to be just a little scared of her."I mean. Of course, I would love it if my favorite daughter made me breakfast.""That's more like it." She stood and started making eggs, toast, ham, and a few other things.Jack watched her while she worked. She was tall and lanky, but she moved with the same grace Alex did. It was almost like watching someone doing ballet."Muffin, do you know how much I love you?"The clattering behind him made him jump. He turned to find Dyna standing there with shopping bags around her feet. Dyna blinked and reach
It had been a few days since Jack's breakdown. He'd given the excuse that he needed to see his daughter and of course, now Henry wanted to meet her. Henry insisted, saying Alexis needed another player to make the sports game happen and Maya just had to come."I want you to be careful with what you say. Usually, the less you say the better it is," Jack warned."I don't even want to meet her anyway. Who's idea was this?" Lexi asked."It was Henry's. I didn't get much say in it.""I can't just fake sick or something?"Jack smiled tightly. "I wish, pumpkin. But if something really bad happens, then you can, okay?"Lexi sighed. "Okay."The pod opened and they stepped out."Got all your gear?"She rolled her eyes and heaved the bag over her shoulder. "Why'd it have to be laccor ball of all things? Not like chess or poker. Something with a little less bloodshed?""I think Henry likes the bloodshed. Just do your best, okay?"She frowned. "I always do."They walked down through the
"Good morning, muffin!" Jack chirped as he waved the door open to Lexi's room. He sat a plate of blueberry pancakes down on her nightstand.Lexi grumbled something as she pulled her blankets closer to her chin and rolled over."Guess what day it is?" He paused a moment. "Birthday girl."She grunted something unintelligible and waved her hand at him despondently.Jack frowned. "Are you feeling sick?" He sat on the bed.Lexi moaned. "No- it's six in the freaking morning. Go away."He laughed. "Is that all? Come on, you were so excited for your birthday last year."She rolled her eyes and sat up in the bed with a huff. "That was last year." Her voice was deep and gravelly with sleep.Jack patted her head. "It was only a year ago." He was surprised how much she had grown up in that one year though.Lexi batted his hand away. "It's too early for pancakes. Can I just have some coffee?"He chuckled. "Coffee? You drink coffee now?"She groaned and sank further in her covers. "Dad, c
Jack slept poorly that night. His dreams were plagued with images of Alex. He chased her, but could never catch her. She smiled and giggled like it was a game, but the more he ran the more frantic he became. He woke drenched in sweat. After a shower, he joined Lexi downstairs in the kitchen.One look at Lexi told him she was in a bad mood. It was something in the eyes. He was too exhausted to pry so he sat down next to her. The chef deposited food in front of him. He nibbled at it without enthusiasm."Dad?"His eyes flickered up.Lexi's face softened. "What's wrong?""We had a fight."The corners of her mouth twitched with a smile, but she straightened. "That's too bad. Are you going to break up?""Probably.""Are you sad about it?""I don't feel great."Lexi leaned forward. "What I mean is, will you regret it?""When did you get so grown up?"She plopped her elbows down on the table and lay her chin on top of it. "Not grown-up enough.""What do you mean?"She sighed. "Ne
"Take me with you," Lexi gripped Alex's hands. "Please.""What exactly are you going to do down there? I can't hide you in my pod for months and I can't give you a job.""I already have a cover. I'm Maya Monroe. I'll just go and live with Jack."Alex shook her head. "He has enough on his plate right now. He's even got a girlfriend."Lexi set her hand on Alex's arm. "I'm sure she's trash.""She's not. She is very similar to how I used to be. He's just coping with the loneliness.""Is that why you're going down there?""No. I need to start setting up Henry. Now, I don't want you to repeat any of this to anyone. Not a single word.""Even Jack?""And when are you going to see him?"Lexi shrugged. "What if I do? Can I tell him?"Alex sighed. "No, not even Jack, but I don't want you to come to the Undersea under any circumstances." She grabbed her shoulders and looked her in the eye. "I need you safe. I cannot lose you again. Besides, who is going to watch over your brother?"Lex
Jack felt energized for the rest of the day and sped through the bill he was reading. He didn't get much done though. His mind swirled around Alex and their child. His child. How could that be? His heart raced and his mind zipped. He had to figure out how to get her alone. This day had turned out better than it started. Instead of being sad for breaking up with Dyna he was exhilarated for the thrill of Alex. He could finally be with her, and what was more, she wanted him. Or at least he hoped she did. Otherwise, she wouldn't have come to see him, right? Maybe it was just because of the mission. Panic strangled him and he fought it. He needed to stay rational, no sense in freaking out about nothing. He had done so much assuming in the past. That was what got him in this mess. He ran his hand through his hair. He would ask her straight up. No more games, no more worrying about hurt feelings, no more running away. He would be direct this time.The clocked ticked seventeen and he stood
He found Lexi lazing on a couch in the living room and plopped down next to her. "I saw your mom today."Lexi looked over to him and whispered, "The fake one?""She's not fake. She told me everything.""Everything?"Jack nodded.Lexi scrunched up her nose. "This feels like a trick. I'm still not telling you anything."He shrugged. "That's fine."They sat and watched the movie. It was a very old one portraying a future that was long since passed. It had explosions and a love story, even some neat ideas that had never come to fruition. Lexi curled up next to him with her head on the side of his arm. For the first time in a very long time, he finally felt happy.The doorbell rang, making both of them jump. Jack went to the door and opened it. It had only ever been one of two people, Henry or Dyna. This time, it was Henry and to his surprise, Alex. She kept her face neutral but her eyes flashed with delight."Hey old pal, I heard you broke up with your girlfriend. I thought we cou