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
When Jack finally returned home, he found Lexi and Alex asleep on the media room sofa. He lay his jacket and tie across the back of the couch then came around the front. This scene filled him with so much joy that he could feel the heat and warmth fill in at the center of his core. Henry's human bombshell still worried him, but this moment outshone those worries completely.He pulled a blanket over Lexi then knelt down in front of Alex. Her delicate features looked strained in her sleep. He imagined all those secrets held behind that tension. And to leave their child? How hard must that have been? He was finding it hard to not run back to the Sanctuary this very moment.He trailed a finger over her forehead, trapping a bit of stray hair. He pulled it back from her face. Her reactions were lightning quick as she snatched up his hand. Her eyes focused and she smiled when she realized it was him. She didn't release his hand though, instead, she slid her fingers across his skin.That fa
He slid his tongue into her parted lips until they filled each other. He pressed her against the door to give him more leverage. His tongue brushed over, under, and around hers, the taste buds creating that smooth yet rough texture as he savored her kiss.Her hands moved from his face to his neck. They pulled him ever closer. He moved his hands to her sides then pressed her tightly to the door. He could feel every curve of her frame pushing against him. He was hers now. He would never be with another. He could never love another. From the first day he met her, there was no other choice but her.His hand followed the curve of her rounded hips. He stroked her hip bones with his thumbs. She made a little noise against his mouth. He pulled his kiss back and grinned. He kissed the gentle curve of her top lip, teasing her with his light touch. Her eyes sparkled in the light of the chandelier behind him. She was so beautiful. He couldn't believe anyone would ever pass her over.Alex became
Alex slipped away from Jack before the light of pseudo-dawn. She pressed a single kiss to his lips while he slept. She dressed quietly then left in her pod. She didn't want to go. She could sleep like that with him forever, but she had to finish this mission. It would fix everything. She focused on that and worked on pushing her desire to be with him to the back of her mind.When she arrived home, the guards gave her a nod as she entered the house from the lower garage. Henry's pod was home. She hoped he was too drunk to notice her arrival. She passed through the kitchen and walked by his room. She pressed her ear to his door and listened. It took some time to work out but eventually she heard two heartbeats. A breath of relief escaped her lips. She turned and walked down the hall towards her room.Footsteps ahead of her drew her eyes. Henry walked around the corner.His emerald eyes found hers. "You're just getting back now?"She nodded."Did you do what we discussed?"She nodde
Jack sat at his desk in his office reading the bill on his table screen. He flicked his fingers at the bill to close the loopholes before he presented it. With any luck, this one would get through and improve education for humans. A smile touched his lips as thoughts of Alex drifted through his mind. He wanted to see her again. Even just a few days away seemed like an eternity.One of the doors to his office cracked open. He didn't look up but he heard the click of heels across the floor. Instead of stopping in front of the desk, they came up to the side.He looked up to find Alex standing there as if his mind had summoned her. Her fingertips rested lightly on the desk. Her lips curved in a coy smile as he looked her over. Her lavender dress fit tightly beneath the matching business jacket."Is there something I can do for you?" He asked.Alex flicked and the screen fell back into the table. She sat on the edge of the big desk facing him. The muscles in her legs tensed as she cross