Sisterhood

[JACK ROCCOGRANDI]

“Is it weird working with your boyfriend? I mean, being police officers…that can’t be easy! It’s one thing for me to date a guy in the office, which I’ve learned my lesson about, but for you guys—that’s a whole different story.”[/b] Jack smiled at Sophie’s question, relieved she was switching the topic and amused that it was so easy for her to do so. He started cooking the chicken but kept his eye on Rebecca as she attempted to answer the question. “Not weird, really. Maybe a little difficult. We only recently let other know we were an item , and we’ve been dating for…Jesus, like two years.” Had it been so long? It felt like they’d been together forever and for a minute at the same time. Her eyes came to him and he simply nodded, unable to see the shocked look on Sophie’s face. “Two years?! And you’re just telling people? Man you guys are tight lipped! I can barely keep my dates a secret for a day unless I have to! That’s discipline right there.”[/b] The surprise in her cheery voice was obvious and Jack smiled down at the chicken sizzling in the pan. “Umm…uhh, I wasn’t a fan of others knowing. It’s hard enough being a woman in this career without everyone knowing you’re sleeping with a colleague.” Her voice trailed off and Jack glanced over at her. He noted the blush in her cheeks and had to resist the urge to go over and kiss them. She had taken on a lot of trouble when she let him weasel his way into her heart…and pants. It just convinced him further how much she cared for him and any show of it, from her words to the pink in her cheeks, sparked his need for her. He had to remember Sophie’s presence before he did something he’d get in trouble for. “But it’s fine now. The captain just keeps us separated since being intimate with a fellow officer can be a conflict when on a scene. Occasionally we end up at the same scene because several squad cars are called, but it’s rare and we’re professional when it does happen.” He nodded in agreement, turning around to grab the measuring cup of water and smiling at Sophie as she absorbed the information.

The wheels were turning in Sophie’s head, pondering her next question when Rebecca jumped in again. “And when were you going to tell me about maybe moving to be closer to Owen? I didn’t think it was that serious yet.” Jack looked back again to see Sophie’s cheeks turn pink, something he was sure didn’t happen easily. He was grinning when he looked back at the chicken and dumped water over it before stirring in the spice packet. “Well…it’s not…I mean, I don’t know if it is…”[/i] The uncertainty in her voice raised both Jack’s and Rebecca’s eyebrows as they turned to look at her. She was definitely uncomfortable with the question and Jack was surprised Rebecca had brought this out of Sophie. “I just…Ugh, I like him so much. It’s weird for me! I’m not used to sincerely liking a guy this much! Normally at this point it’s just lust and infatuation and it’s usually starting to fade, but it’s…I don’t know. It’s just different with Owen. I haven’t even told him I’m considering moving. I’m afraid he’ll think I’m crazy. But it’s not just about him! I want to be closer to you too! I hate being so far away…Fresno isn’t much closer, but it’s a few more hours off my drive. I’ve even looked at Sacramento and Scriptor Bay and Portland…anywhere that’ll get me a good job and a decent distance from you. And Owen…I just want to be able to build my relationship with you and work on my relationship with him too without having to rely so much on my phone.”[/i] It was a sound argument and actually quite sweet. Sophie looked legitimately bashful about admitting all of that and Jack smiled to make her feel a little better about her confession. “We’re not judging you, Sophie. I actually think it would be pretty awesome having you closer. I’m sure Becca agrees.” He smiled at his girlfriend and noticed once again that she looked uncomfortable. It wouldn’t be that bad. He thought she would be more excited about her sister living closer! Sure, that would mean more visits and more uncomfortable questions for Rebecca, but that was a necessary part of having family close by. Verbally, though, she did agree and Sophie seemed a little comforted by that. “As for telling this Owen guy about it…I’m sure you’ll find a good time. If anything you can use Becca as your excuse.” He grinned between his girlfriend and her sister and Sophie smiled wide too. “I suppose that’s true!”[/i]

Within fifteen minutes they were all sitting down at the table to eat lunch, continuing their talk of Sophie’s potential move and what jobs she was looking for. In Style certainly wouldn’t have multiple offices up and down the west coast. As she talked, Jack realized there were a lot of magazines in Portland looking for writers—some fashion ones, but she was looking at music magazines too for a change of pace. She was so much like Andy! A free spirit with a good head on her shoulders and more information in it than she could likely handle—Jack could easily see her becoming part of the family here in Scriptor Bay. Well, the family he was trying to build with Rebecca. In five years he was hoping Rebecca would have his last name and Sophie would be his funny sister-in-law that his family would get a kick out of at holiday gatherings where she was invited. Thoughts of this happy future floated through his head until they had finished their meal and packed away leftovers. Sophie stayed another hour or so, still inquiring and chatting until the moment she was at the door and saying her goodbyes. He and Rebecca both got big hugs from her before she left, promising she would see them again for dinner and a game the following night. She had a card game called Cards Against Humanity that she couldn’t wait to play with them! Jack thought maybe he would invite Andy over just to see how well they got along. First he would have to convince Rebecca…

Closing the door behind Sophie, he turned to Rebecca and smiled. “She’s a trip. I’m tempted to invite Andy over tomorrow just to see how the two of them are together. What do you think?” He was grinning, but it faded when he noticed the less-than-enthused look on Rebecca’s face. His brow furrowed and he stepped closer to her, placing his hands on her hips. “What’s wrong? You’ve been acting strange all day. It’s almost like you’re worried or upset about something.” At first he’d tried to brush it off, but he was starting to really get concerned. He hoped he hadn’t done anything to upset her…

[REBECCA TAYLOR]

“Well…it’s not…I mean, I don’t know if it is…” She cocked a brow at her sister, never having seen her get so flustered over a question. It felt gratifying on some level to make Sophie feel the way she always made Rebecca feel. “I just…Ugh, I like him so much. It’s weird for me! I’m not used to sincerely liking a guy this much! Normally at this point it’s just lust and infatuation and it’s usually starting to fade, but it’s…I don’t know. It’s just different with Owen. I haven’t even told him I’m considering moving. I’m afraid he’ll think I’m crazy." Rebecca had to bite her tongue as Sophie spoke. She was pretty sure Owen would have already realized he was seeing a nut. Not in a bad way, but Sophie was a crazy girl, at least in Rebecca's eyes. "But it’s not just about him! I want to be closer to you too! I hate being so far away…Fresno isn’t much closer, but it’s a few more hours off my drive. I’ve even looked at Sacramento and Scriptor Bay and Portland…anywhere that’ll get me a good job and a decent distance from you. And Owen…I just want to be able to build my relationship with you and work on my relationship with him too without having to rely so much on my phone.” Her brows rose ever so slightly. It was sweet.. No one had ever wanted to be closer to Rebecca. Except maybe Jack. Maxi had never offered to move closer to Becca, but Max wasn't her sister and she had a life in Scriptor Bay. She never expected that of her best friend. But to have someone tell her they wanted to move closer just to simply spend more time with her.. it felt good. Sophie didn't have the same things to gain from a relationship with her as Jack did. She satiated Jack's needs physically and mentally. If she walked out of his life it would be difficult. If she walked out of Sophie's life, she couldn't imagine it would be a big blow, so the fact she wanted to be closer was a kind sentiment she appreciated.

“We’re not judging you, Sophie. I actually think it would be pretty awesome having you closer. I’m sure Becca agrees.” And just like that the reality of it all came crashing down and ruined her happy moment. She looked at Jack suddenly feeling uneasy with her sisters closer proximity. He thought it would be "pretty awesome" having her near, probably so he could get to know her better, and as soon as he did.. She pushed a smile on anyway looking back at the enthusiastic, younger version of herself and gave a nod. "I'd really like that." It was a half truth, of course. Sophie seemed safer at a distance. “As for telling this Owen guy about it…I’m sure you’ll find a good time. If anything you can use Becca as your excuse.” Why was he making excuses up for her? Did he really like the idea of her being closer? Was it for his sake or for Rebecca's? She felt so completely divided over this. “I suppose that’s true!” She pushed that famous Rebecca smile on her face and went along with it all silently, trying not to think about how much longer Jack would be cooking her meals and not someone else. Like Sophie.

Rebecca had a hard time through the conversation during lunch, but spoke as much as she could so as not to draw attention to herself. The last thing she needed was for either to confront her and then gang up on her. Both Jack and Sophie were the probing type, and together.. the very thought of them ganging up on her gave her heartburn. They finished their meal and she managed to skate by without causing too much concern from either of her company. It wasn't long before Sophie was saying her farewells, giving Rebecca a lingering hug and peck on the cheek before disappearing with a promise for dinner and games the following evening. Just the thought of doing this all over again with Jack made her want to crawl into a corner.

“She’s a trip. I’m tempted to invite Andy over tomorrow just to see how the two of them are together. What do you think?” Of course he wanted his sister to meet Sophie. How long had it taken him to introduce her to his sisters? He probably wanted a second opinion, and Andy was of course going to side with choosing Sophie. Why wouldn't Andy want a sister-in-law like herself? Andy probably didn't like her too much, and Rebecca knew that. They were too different, and Rebecca was certainly not who Jack's family probably saw him settling down with, not that Rebecca thought of herself as ever settling down, but if she was ever going to do that at all, it was likely going to be Jack. No one would push through her walls like he had again. He was her only fighting chance at a "normal" life.

"Yeah, that'd be fine." She attempted nonchalant, moving to start cleaning up, something that wasn't typical of her but if Rebecca didn't occupy herself with something at that moment she would probably just burst. Before she could get started though, Jack grabbed her hips, keeping her put and all but forcing her to look up into those deep, dark puppy dog eyes of his. “What’s wrong? You’ve been acting strange all day. It’s almost like you’re worried or upset about something.” His brow was furrowed in that concerned way and she knew she'd been caught. "I'm not, I'm fine." She insisted, twisting herself to escape his clutches, but he held firm. It was the typical Rebecca answer, they both knew it, and the look he gave her said he wasn't buying it. She clenched her jaw and looked away, furrowing her own brow as the probing began. She stood silently weighing her options. He wouldn't give up. This would eat away at her all night, there was no faking anything with Mr. Intuitive, and he wouldn't quit until she spilled. Just the way he said her name was like asking for a confession. "Look it's nothing. Really. It's not a big deal." she insisted, though clearly it was and the look he gave her said her subtlety wasn't a good enough answer. "It was just weird seeing you with someone who I was supposed to be like." She finally confessed. "She would've never put you through what I have, that's it. It was just strange to watch. That's all." She kept those sea green eyes anywhere but on her counterparts. Again she twisted to try and escape him. "We should clean up.."

[JACK ROCCOGRANDI]

“I’m not, I’m fine.” Jack wasn’t buying that for a second. Rebecca tried to twist away from him, but his large hands held firm on her hips. She wasn’t escaping him this time. His eyes were stern but warm with concern, his mouth frowning. Her jaw clenched, her brow furrowed as she almost looked like a pouting child. “Becks…” he pleaded quietly. That broke her silence. “Look it’s nothing. Really. It’s not a big deal.” He lowered his chin and raised his eyebrows, giving her a look that said he wasn’t convinced. What was eating at her? “It was just weird seeing you with someone who I was supposed to be like.” Now his look became confused. What she was supposed to be like? Was there any universe where she could have turned out like Sophie? “She would’ve never put you through what I have, that’s it. It was just strange to watch. That’s all.” Her eyes were focusing everywhere but his own and Jack was trying to decipher what she was saying. It wasn’t just that Sophie made her think that maybe she could have been that bubbly once. She regretted that the person she was now had treated him as she had. Jack had put up with a lot and fought hard to get his place in her heart. It was worth every minute of it. Did Rebecca think he would be happier with someone like Sophie? Or with Sophie herself?

“We should clean up…” He let go of her hips and moved his hands to her upper arms to keep her from going anywhere. “The dishes can wait.” The voice he used was gentle but it was firm and made it clear she wasn’t going anywhere until they talked this through. “Becks I don’t care what a woman like Sophie would have done if I had decided to pursue her. In fact, I know what would have happened because I’ve been down that road before. Women like Sophie know how to draw others to them. They’re fun and funny and their confidence in their own abilities promises that they get what they want. But when they have what they want, they suddenly don’t want it anymore, no matter how good it is.” Rebecca still wasn’t looking at him, so Jack brought his fingers under her chin to lift it up. When their eyes met, he smiled a little. “If things had been different and I had met Sophie instead of you, she would have tossed me to the roadside a long time ago. Women like that don’t want a nice, attentive guy like me. They need someone as energetic and crazy as they are to keep up with them. I hope that’s what this Owen guy can do for her. If not maybe the next one.”

Jack’s hands slid down Rebecca’s arms, slipping past her fingers and settling back on her hips. His voice was even softer when he spoke again as his hands pulled her closer. “You were never meant to be that way. I don’t think you would have ended up that way even if you had been blessed with a normal childhood and adolescence. You’re just too different, Becks. And I wouldn’t change a thing about you.” One hand came to her hair, pushing some of the dark chestnut strands behind her ear. “Yeah, you’ve put me through a lot of shit to get this far with you. You are by far the biggest challenge I have ever encountered in my life.” He smiled wider, showing that he was teasing her. But when his fingers wove through her hair, his face softened into a serious, genuine look. “But I wouldn’t want it any other way. Every challenge you put in front of me forced me to rise to meet it. It made me question my commitment to you every time. And every time the answer to those questions has been obvious to me—you are worth any challenge. A woman like Sophie knows how to draw hundreds to her and she’ll maintain those relationships as long as she can until they give way to other more important or fulfilling relationships. A woman like you may not draw as many people, but the ones who do get close to you know the worth of that relationship because of what they have to do to earn it. It makes a relationship with you a hundred or a thousand times stronger than ones with Sophie.” His fingers slid from her hair to cup her cheek, letting his thumb trace along her cheekbone. “That’s the kind of woman I want. One that will show me, not always tell me, how she feels about me. All of the questioning I’ve done and all of the advances we’ve made through everything have proved to me and should prove to you how much I love you. At this point I’m so attached to you that I can’t imagine a single day without you. I hope I’m lucky enough to never know what that’s like again.” He leaned down and rested his forehead against hers, his eyes still open and holding her gaze. “Don’t ever think I would prefer anyone to you. I could never love any other woman more than I love you, Becks.”

[REBECCA TAYLOR]

His hands slipped from her hips to her arms, causing Rebecca to clench her jaw tighter. His body language made it clear that she was about to receive an infamous Jack Lecture. “The dishes can wait.” Those words sealed her fate. He was going to set her straight, something that only made her tense more. Couldn't he just let her wallow in her own fear and be done with it? “Becks I don’t care what a woman like Sophie would have done if I had decided to pursue her. In fact, I know what would have happened because I’ve been down that road before." For a moment she was confused. Had he met her sister before? It took a second for her to realize he was categorizing Sophie with other women he'd been with. "Women like Sophie know how to draw others to them. They’re fun and funny and their confidence in their own abilities promises that they get what they want. But when they have what they want, they suddenly don’t want it anymore, no matter how good it is.” Rebecca shifted uneasily on her feet, still looking anywhere but at Jack. That is until his fingers clamped softly around her chin and nudged it upwards until she was gazing into those kind, dark eyes. Why did she have to love him so much?

“If things had been different and I had met Sophie instead of you, she would have tossed me to the roadside a long time ago. Women like that don’t want a nice, attentive guy like me. They need someone as energetic and crazy as they are to keep up with them. I hope that’s what this Owen guy can do for her. If not maybe the next one.” Though the words were meant to relieve her, they did anything but. He wasn't saying he wouldn't want to be with Sophie, he was saying a woman like her was unattainable for the long haul. Unlike Rebecca, who forced people to push and push to get into her good graces. All she was getting from him was that if Sophie wouldn't push him away, he'd probably prefer her.

The gentle stroke of his digits down her arms and back to her hips made her heart ache. She wasn't good enough. He was settling for her because he probably felt he had to. “You were never meant to be that way. I don’t think you would have ended up that way even if you had been blessed with a normal childhood and adolescence. You’re just too different, Becks. And I wouldn’t change a thing about you.” She continued to watch his face, still not entirely sure what he was getting at. Was he trying to reassure her it was okay that she wasn't like Sophie? Because if she had been, she would have just pushed Jack away too? Because she had pushed Jack away. For a good solid year before even really letting him close in on her. “Yeah, you’ve put me through a lot of shit to get this far with you. You are by far the biggest challenge I have ever encountered in my life.” His teasing did little to ease her burdened heart, feeling her shoulders slumping more with ever second.

“But I wouldn’t want it any other way. Every challenge you put in front of me forced me to rise to meet it. It made me question my commitment to you every time. And every time the answer to those questions has been obvious to me—you are worth any challenge. A woman like Sophie knows how to draw hundreds to her and she’ll maintain those relationships as long as she can until they give way to other more important or fulfilling relationships. A woman like you may not draw as many people, but the ones who do get close to you know the worth of that relationship because of what they have to do to earn it. It makes a relationship with you a hundred or a thousand times stronger than ones with Sophie.”

Rebecca felt shaky. Her eyes finally pulled away again, unable to look at him as he showered her with kind words she felt undeserving of. It had never made sense to her why he was so willing to fight for her. What had she done to deserve a relationship with him? His thumb grazed her cheek and her head bowed slightly. “That’s the kind of woman I want. One that will show me, not always tell me, how she feels about me. All of the questioning I’ve done and all of the advances we’ve made through everything have proved to me and should prove to you how much I love you. At this point I’m so attached to you that I can’t imagine a single day without you. I hope I’m lucky enough to never know what that’s like again.” Rebecca felt the heat of the hot tears pooling in her eyes as Jack rested his forehead against hers. She swallowed the hard lump in her throat, shutting her eyes and willing those tears to go the hell away. When she opened them again, his dark orbs were piercing hers. “Don’t ever think I would prefer anyone to you. I could never love any other woman more than I love you, Becks.”

The right response was to hug him, kiss him, shower him with words of love and promises of never leaving his side. Deep down she knew that was what a woman was supposed to do in her situation, but that wasn't Rebecca. She felt conflicted and terrified with those confessions of love. She'd spent far too many years unwanted and unloved by everyone around her and in the end it had ruined her. Those people had destroyed her on so many levels. She couldn't handle what Jack was saying. She couldn't process any of it.

"I.. love you too." The words were practically whispered, her voice quivering as she pulled away. She did love Jack. She loved him more than she'd ever loved anyone, but she needed to breathe. "We're, uh.. nearly out of milk." The words were strained with the emotion behind them, still refusing to look back into his eyes. "I'm just going to.. I'll be back. I'll be right back." She didn't look back, slipping past him and out the door, practically sprinting down the hall the second the door closed. What she would give to go running now.

---

It was nearly two hours before Rebecca returned home. She'd gone to the bar, a safe place she'd decided, and nursed a beer. Just one. It was enough to take the edge off and the atmosphere was right for her to do her thinking. Not too quiet, but not terribly loud at that time of day. She reflected on the evening, on Jack, on Sophie, on her future with him.. Would he really never prefer anyone to her? Jack was too good to be true. If he really was as in love with her as he said, as he'd shown over and over, then he'd probably just drop dead. Likely on the job. Knowing her luck she'd let her guard down and he'd get shot and killed on her watch. That's how her life had gone; Becca, always the lone survivor. But could she keep running from potential heartache and giving up a life of happiness? Happiness she'd only briefly known as a young girl?

The more she thought, the more she knew she needed him and the more she realized how terrible she'd been to leave. Would he be angry? Knowing Jack, the saint he was, he'd understand completely. She wasn't other women, she was Rebecca and she had her own way of doing things. Patience was something he'd grown to do well in the last two years. Rebecca stopped at a convenience store on the way home and grabbed a half gallon of milk before making her way back to the doorstep she shared with her best friend. When she opened the door she was met with worried eyes that immediately made her feel heavy for burdening him. "I'm sorry." She offered in a weak, sad voice before going to him, dropping the bag on the floor before reaching up to wrap her arms around his neck. "I never should have doubted you." Her voice quivered into his ear, words pouring out that she had no intention of really saying. "I'm sorry.." She repeated, burying her face into his neck as she did something she seldom did at all, let alone in front of anyone; she began to sob. "I love you, Jack." She whispered, her grip tightening around him.

How foolish she'd been.

[JACK ROCCOGRANDI]

“I…love you too.” Rebecca’s voice wavered and she was pulling away before Jack could notice the hesitation in her voice. “We’re, uh…nearly out of milk.” Emotion was choking her voice and the way she avoided his eyes made Jack’s brow furrow. “I’m just going to…I’ll be back. I’ll be right back.” As much as he wanted to stop her again, but the way she slinked to the door and disappeared so suddenly told him she needed space. What had he said wrong? He was sure his words would reassure her. Perhaps he wasn’t the wordsmith he thought he could be. His heart was heavy as a hand passed through his short, dark hair, sighing deep. He looked to the dishes and resolved to clear them away while Rebecca took her time to breathe. Perhaps his emotional outpouring was just too much for her to handle. That was probably it. He just hoped she wouldn’t be upset about it when she returned.

Two hours passed and the apartment was clean once again. Jack was sitting on the couch with a beer, passively watching X-Men First Class on one of the movie channels. It held his attention most of the time, but occasionally he would glance to the clock and wonder if Rebecca was alright. Since it was only two hours, he wasn’t terribly worried yet, though he considered where she’d gone. Perhaps she was at Maxi’s house talking or maybe she was just wandering the streets to clear her head. Maybe she went for a drive before actually stopping to get milk. He knew whatever she was doing, he could trust her to come home. He just didn’t know in what state of mind she would be in when she returned. Would she be receptive to spending time together the rest of the day or would she want to hide away? Whatever she wanted, he would accommodate. Yeah, it stung that she didn’t want to hear his words of comfort, that she couldn’t allow herself to let go of her walls and reservations long enough to truly appreciate his sentiment. But he was used to Rebecca’s avoidance on her off days, and he supposed worrying about her sister stealing his heart for several hours warranted an off day. The last thing he had meant to do was push her to her emotional limit.

Suddenly he heard rustling outside the door and then keys in the lock. Jack jumped to his feet, relieved that Rebecca had made her way home at last. When she walked in, their eyes met, his worried and hers ashamed. “I’m sorry.” She didn’t have to be. Before he could say that, the bag of what he assumed was milk dropped to the floor and she was falling into his arms. The feel of his love’s arms about his neck set his mind at ease and he immediately wrapped her in a strong embrace. “I never should have doubted you.” He sighed and rested his chin on her low shoulder, the emotion in her voice telling him just how genuine her apology was. “It’s okay, baby,” he assured softly. “I’m sorry…” she repeated before burying her face in his neck. He could feel the dampness of her cheeks against his pulse and his brow furrowed deeply. The sound of her sobs was so foreign and so heartbreaking he could hardly stand it. He held her tighter, one hand coming to the back of her head to encourage her to remain as she was until the tears stopped. “I love you, Jack.” There would never be a time when he was tired of hearing that. Those words meant even more now as they bubbled up from the depths of her heart on the waves of her sobs. He refused to let her go as her body trembled with her sharp intakes of breath. Turning his head, his nose buried in the dark strands of her hair and his fingers combed through it to try and calm her. “I love you too, Becca. More than I could ever possibly say.” His words were a soft rumble in her ear, his forehead a gentle weight against her hair. He knew she hadn’t meant to hurt him in questioning his loyalty, but he also knew she needed to trust his devotion to her. This was a lesson for both of them. It showed them how far they had come and how far they needed to go.

He let her sob a few minutes longer, simply holding her close as she let out her emotion. As it began to slow, Jack planted kisses on the top and side of her head. His hand cupped the cheek furthest from his, keeping her close as his lips touched her jaw and then her cheekbone. He moved inward, brushing his mouth over the salty stream of her tears. Fingers pushed into her hair, his thumb still brushing along her cheekbone as he tilted her face up more towards his. He looked into her red-rimmed eyes, noticing how very bright they were when swimming in tears. It broke his heart to see them and he leaned in to try and kiss them away. His mouth was gentle as it pressed to hers, his arm about her waist contrasting in how tightly it held her against him. To his pleasant surprise, he found her lips eager to return his kiss. Soon it escalated to a desperate show of love, his mouth firm as her lips parted for his tongue. He hoped this constant heat between them never faded. His nose brushed along hers as he pulled away just enough to breathe against her lips. “I love you.” When she whispered back to him, his mouth was drawn right back into hers. The longer their liplock lasted, the more he ached to show her just how much he never stopped needing her. His fingers twisted lightly in her hair, the arm about her waist loosening just enough to let his hand wander over her backside. If she gave any sign that she wasn’t in the mood, he would stop, but the biggest part of him was increasingly hoping she wouldn’t.

[REBECCA TAYLOR]

There was little in this world that was comforting to Rebecca, but the feel of Jack embracing her completely, cocooning her in his bearlike hold, was probably top of the short list. In fact, most of the list contained things that only Jack was capable of. She hated how dependent on him she'd become, but being vulnerable with this one person felt so strangely right. His nose was nuzzling into her hair and she couldn't help leaning her head into him as his fingers stroked through the dark strands. “I love you too, Becca. More than I could ever possibly say.” Could she ever doubt a confession so sincere? It was easy in the moment, nestled there in his arms, but the insecurities of the world eventually grabbed her and pulled her back into the dark places of her mind. How easy it had been to forget the words whispered only to her when an illogical potential threat had gotten too close. In a poor attempt at making amends she held tighter, pressing her body into his safe haven as she attempted to control the hot tears slipping from her stormy sea eyes.

In no time Jack was showering her further with affection. His hand cupping her cheek as gently as if it were made of china, his kisses delicate strokes of a feather across her cheek and jaw. Her chest had slowed its heaving and Rebecca was attempting to compose herself, not nearly as embarrassed as she'd expect to be after a fit like that. Ever so gently he pulled her face up and Rebecca, albeit a little bashfully, turned her head to gaze up into those warm brown eyes, her stomach twisting with raw emotion she often refused to feel. Her eyes slipped closed as his lips pressed to her below her eyes and finally landed on her mouth, a short sigh wheezing through her nose as he held her tighter. She felt guilty with the way he held her so close, feeling as though he felt he needed to for fear she'd back away. It was a logical fear to be fair, but she hated that she hurt him with her childish behavior. In an attempt to apologize, she deepened their kiss. Showing how much she needed him by pouring all her energy into actually, physically showing him. “I love you.” The whispered sentiment made her throat tighten again and all she could do was offer a shaky, whispered "I love you." In return.

Rebecca was eager to pull his lips back against her own, and she wasted no time showing him how much she really did love him. Her lips parted for his tongue, caressing it with needy vigor with her own as her hand slipped up into his hair just behind his ear. Jack kept her near, those strong arms pulling her in while running down over her backside. She pressed her entire body into his, not a single part of her not touching him in some way. If she could crawl up into him in that moment she might have actually tried, desperate for his closeness, his touch, to be completely wrapped in him like a sweater. The hand in his hair circled to the back of his head, pulling him into her mouth and making it clear she didn't want him to stop. Not tonight, not ever. Her other hand slipped away from his neck and pressed down his hard chest, her fingers digging into the sculpted, muscular flesh. Why didn't she appreciate his physique more often? Would it be so hard to compliment him once in a while? She flinched a little, wincing at her own mental attack. Sophie had no problem going on and on about how perfect he was, and she wasn't wrong. Why couldn't she do that for the man she loved? Rebecca felt her body heat and only partially from her arousal. She hated herself. She hated the way she treated him, and she hated that she had no idea how to fix it. Her tongue faltered in its wrestling match with his and her body almost instinctively went more slack as if to push him away somehow, but the strong arms around her wouldn't give in. He was stronger than her, and not just physically.

Her face pulled away from his, her heart beating and her chest heaving from make-out session. She looked up at him again, meeting his eyes as her fingers clawed absently at his chest. How would she ever be good enough for him? How did he not see he could do so much better? The fingers in his hair slipped down to touch his cheek and she knew she needed help. Professional help. She would never be what he needed without some sort of guidance and she silently vowed to do whatever it took to be better to him, for him. She didn't want to ever be without him. "I'd do anything for you." Her voice was hoarse and soft, almost as if the words made her sad to say, and in a way they did. She would do anything for him because she was terrified of losing him. "Anything, Jack.." She swallowed hard, her eyes brimming with tears again as the hand at his cheek stroked as gently as his had earlier. "I know I don't always act like it, and I'm sorry.." She croaked, licking her lips. Why did her heart ache so much? "Whatever you want, I want it too. Even if.." A chill ran down her spine making the hairs on her arms stand on end. "Even if it seems like I don't. Whatever it is you want, I want to do it too, I want to be standing there with you." She leaned into him again, not so desperately this time, and after a second of hesitation she pulled his lips back towards hers. "I need you.." She whispered before kissing him again, the hand at his chest sliding to waist. She pushed the tips of her fingers into the hem of his jeans, feeling the hard, hot flesh at his hips. Her hips pressed harder into his, letting him know how much she did need him. All of him.

[JACK ROCCOGRANDI]

Jack let his tongue slip between Rebecca’s lips and she was eager to let him, returning the deep kiss with gusto. He pulled her tighter against him, wanting nothing more than to simply melt with her. A hand combed its way through his hair and the nails scraping along his scalp sent chills down his spine. One of his own hands boldly groped her backside, squeezing the flesh gently as a wave of lust overtook him. There was no denying how much he wanted her. She was pulling him harder into the kiss and he sighed through his nose, tugging about her waist even as she pressed her body into his. Rebecca fit against him perfectly, like a custom made glove. Feeling her hand slip down his chest, her fingers digging into his muscle with lust, made his blood boil. Would he ever stop needing her so fiercely? His heart nearly ached with how much he loved her and his body craved to prove it. But somehow her body was going loose against him, and not in a yielding sort of way. It felt more like reluctance. He wouldn’t give up so easily. His arm about her waist held firm, his hand on her ass pushing her hips into his slightly.

Before he could recapture her lips, Rebecca was pulling her mouth away from Jack’s. The sound of her breathing calmed his fear that she suddenly wasn’t in the mood, that he’d done something to put her off. But for a long time she simply stared into his eyes, bringing her hand to his cheek and her fingers clinging to his chest like she was holding on for dear life. Jack gazed back, letting his hand on her backside move up once more, slipping under her shirt to let his fingers feel along the warm, soft skin of her lower back. “I’d do anything for you.” Her voice bordered on sad and Jack’s brow furrowed, his hand in her shirt coming free to touch her cheek. It was a mutual feeling, as deep as any he’d ever felt. There was nothing he wouldn’t do for Rebecca—absolutely nothing. “Anything, Jack…” Her eyes were brimming with tears and he frowned slightly, letting is thumb travel over her cheekbone once more. She stroked his cheek in return, her touch so gentle it made his heart hurt. “I know I don’t always act like it, and I’m sorry…Whatever you want, I want it too. Even if…even if it seems like I don’t. Whatever it is you want, I want to do it too, I want to be standing there with you.” It was such a deep confession, right from the furthest corners of her heart. He could see that in her eyes as she leaned in toward him again. His heart was racing with her words. She wanted to stay by him, no matter what. There was nothing more he wanted in the world and to hear her say it meant more than Rebecca could ever know. She was in this for the long haul—and so was he. A vision floated into his mind of them holding hands on a park bench when they were old and gray. It was a vision that suddenly seemed possible. He’d never wanted anything more in his whole life.

They’re lips were touching and Jack was still watching Rebecca’s eyes. “I need you…” Her mouth pressed into his and Jack finally let his eyes slip closed, the hand at her cheek slipping into her hair. His fingers tightened around a handful of the dark strands when her hand slid down his body to his waist. Her fingers slipped into the hem of his jeans and he couldn’t stop the grunt of approval that sounded as her fingertips came in contact with the hard, hot flesh beneath. His jeans felt tight as her hungry hips pushed up into his. The arm about her waist pulled her in tight once more, not wanting to leave any part of her untouched. Their kiss was soon as deep and hungry as the first, Jack tugging gently at Rebecca’s hair while he ravaged her mouth. Every ounce of desire and love poured onto her lips. “God, I need you too…” he groaned into her lips before guiding her head aside to give him access to her neck. His mouth went to work sucking and nipping at the sensitive flesh, his tongue occasionally joining in to taste the salt on her flesh. The hand about her waist slipped down to her ass once more, kneading the soft globe of flesh.

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