Unstoppable 

By: Ticia

First in the Jacony Saga

Diary Entry #1

I never understood why I ever hooked up with the Mallrats. I was queen of the Locos. I didn't need a bunch of 'rats' to take care of me. After all, rats are always the first to escape a sinking ship. I had a feeling that these losers were going to be the same. Somehow, they surprised me. They defeated The Chosen and The Technos. Now that I think about it, I do deserve the credit. I did help to lead the rebels and I did get Ram to fall in love with me. Without me, they would be nothing. I was their true leader. I lead them behind the scenes as Bray and Amber stumbled through the years. I was the true reason they succeeded at anything.

A year ago, The Mallrats want me to step down as City leader so that Jay can take over. They say that he has experience leading a massive successful tribe. What the he.ll did they call the Locos? It seemed to me like The Locos achieved what they set out to do. Weren't the Mallrats afraid of the wrath of the tribe that Zoot and I led? That sounds like success to me. Anyway, I fought against them, but in the end I lost. For the first time since Bray, I lost something. But, I sucked up my bad feelings. I smiled as my boyfriend shined in the spotlight. He brought a higher standard of living for the city and no one disliked him. He was the leader that everyone had hoped and prayed for. He was amazing. He made me look bad, but I couldn't help but love him. After all, he's a hero.

Apparently, I wasn't the only one that loved Jay. He actually had a fan club that consisted of two Mallrats. Can you guess who they were? If you said, the scheming bit.ches, you've just won one million dollars. Amber and Trudy were all over my man like ugly on The Guardian. First, Amber kisses Jay. I over looked that because she has a son and can't take care of him with broken arms and legs. Then, Trudy sleeps with Jay. That was the last straw. All Amber and Trudy ever want to do is take something from me. Amber gets Bray and Trudy got both Bray and Martin. I was always second best to them. They were perfect and needed protecting. So, I'm not perfect, I have lusts and I don't deny them unlike Trudy and Amber trying to play angels. Then again, they both have children and I, the sl.ut, as they call me, am still free to roam and taste the creme of the crop.

I cut Jay loose. It could only benefit me. He would be tied down to Trudy, whiny bit.ch, and her daughter. Although, I hate to admit it, but I would have loved to have created a reason for Jay to be tied down with me. Could you imagine a child between me and Jay? It would be so beautiful...and powerful. It would have its mother's influence and genius, its father's love-ability and a mix of both mine and Jay's ambition. The child would be unstoppable.

I guess Jay will never get to find out because he is too busy ballin Trudy. That's fine with me, like I said before, I am back in the running and better than ever. Jay helped me pick up a few more techniques to drive the men even wilder. No man will be able to resist me again. This time, I will be unstoppable in whatever I decide to do. No one will stand in my way, least of all Amber and Trudy. Their reign of sugar and spice is over. It's time for some heat in the mall.

Ebony's come out to play.

Chapter One

Jay walked into the room still wearing that da.mn Techno uniform. You would think he would have given it up when he became a Mallrat, but no. He's too strait laced and boring for that. Now that I think about it, he was always better out of his uniform. I smiled to myself thinking of all the things we did and all the things that I wanted to do to him, but never got a chance.

"Ebony?" Jay was now standing in front of me saying something but I couldn't hear him because I was thinking of him naked and asleep in my bed. "EBONY!"

Great, now's he's really done it. I can't even think around this place in quiet. "What do you want?" uhoh. Now he's looking at me with the look. You know the one where his jaw gets all tight and the veins in his forehead get thick?

"Ebony, I don't have time for this. I need some people to go to the old hospital." He stated in a calmer voice.

"Okay, I'll go. What do I have to do." I wasn't doing anything this afternoon. Well, besides taking my braids out and polishing my boots.

He looked at the clipboard in his hand before looking back at me. I would be irritated that he was taking so long if it was anyone else, but for Jay, at least I was getting a view. "You, Jack, Pride, Cloe, and Ved are going to the hospital to see what we can use and what machines still work."

"Getting the hospital back in shape, finally?" I asked. I knew he hated it when someone said anything about him taking a long time to do anything. Especially about hospitals and schools.

His face screwed into anger again. "You'll meet them in five minutes next to the statue. Pack some things for over night. You'll be staying there for a few days." With that he turned and left in march, ever the General.

I couldn't believe that I was going to have to stay overnight with tofu boy, the nympho maniacs and geek boy. At least I could stand Jack. No matter who was going, I had to get to packing. I walked out of the cafe and down the steps to my room. What should I take? I looked through my things packing a nightgown, toothbrush and paste, brush, bands for my hair, ink pen and the diary I had just begun. Maybe we would have some free time tonight so that I could redo my braids. I wrapped one of my braids around my finger before remembering that I had to meet the group to go to the hospital. I grabbed the bag off my bed and slung it over my shoulder.

I ran from my room and over to the steps. I looked around to make sure that no one saw me run. If anyone saw me, Ebony the badas.s, run, my reputation would be over. Luckily, no one saw or so I thought. When I got half way up the steps, I noticed that Jack had been leaning over the rail watching me. I had to come up with a way to make him forget what he saw. Gossip was something bad in the mall and I couldn't have them talking about me being an excited child like the rest of the 'rats.'

I walked up the steps swaying my hips trying to make Jack forget about what he saw. Instead of watching me, Jack took only one look and turned with his back leaning against the railing. He was never like that before. He usually watched me for a glimpse of what the more powerful guys got. Now he was giving me the response that I gained from men like Bray.

When I reached the top of the stairs, I dropped my bag in front of Jack. He didn't make a move to get it. He was really making me angry. He was being odd even for himself. So, I decided I would make him watch me. I leaned over without bending my knees and picked up the bag. My actions were sure to give Jack an excellent view. There was no way that he couldn't be looking at me. I turned around to find him watching me with a smirk on his face before adjusting the messenger bag across his chest and walking across the hall to the cafe.

Normally, I would walk away and let him think about what he saw, but I need to gather food for the trip. I followed him into the kitchen area and to the food store. He was reaching for the top shelf of the panty taking down several cans of fruit. His shirt came up revealing a tanned, trimmed stomach. As I was staring, I tried to remember the last time I saw him without his shirt. It had been years, but I knew he didn't look as fit as he did now.

"Do you need something Ebony?" Jack asked now looking at me.

I tried to think fast. He caught me staring. What could I say? "Yes, I do. But its nothing that you can help me with." I walked over to him and slid my body between his and the pantry looking for a can of stew. He still stood over me. "Excuse me." I pushed my butt out to push him out of the way and made contact with his thigh, but he didn't move an inch. He was solid.

"I was only asking if you needed something off the top shelf, but if you are going to be like that, I'll leave you." With that he turned to leave. He went back to the cafe and sat where he could watch me struggle.

I glared at him as I tried desperately to reach the fruit on the top shelf. Finally, the thought to grab a chair hit me. I took a chair from the table that he sat at and placed it in the right position. I climbed up on the chair. With the chair, I was able to barely reach two cans of fruit. Just as I wrapped my hand around on of the cans, I felt the chair move and a feeling like I was falling. The next thing I know, I am being held off the ground by Jack. "Thank you." I whispered. Those words were seldom heard from my mouth, but Jack deserved the kinder side of me. He was after all, one of the few people I could tolerate.

"You're welcome." He set me on the floor , then he moved the chair. "Tell me what you need and I'll get it." He offered kindly forgetting my comment from before. He once again reached up to the top shelf taking down two cans. I told him the rest of what I needed and he took it down. "I'll take some of those in my bag. I don't want you to carry anything too heavy." Without even waiting for me to say anything, he took half of the cans and put them in his bag sitting on the counter. He closed his bag and threw it over his shoulder. "Are you ready? Pride is probably already steaming because we are late." He walked out of the room and the only thing I could do was follow him.

We both hurried down the steps to get to the statue before Pride did. Luckily, he was late also and we were the first ones to arrive. Jack took a seat on the fountain as I stood before him. "So, how's Ellie?" I asked attempting to make small talk. It had been a while since I had paid any attention to Jack. I had no idea what to say to him.

"We're not together anymore." He simply stated without a trace of emotion. "We've been broken up for almost three months."

"Oh. I guess I'm out of the loop." I stated feeling bad for bringing up Ellie after he'd broken up with her. She was the love of his life.

"It's okay. Nothing big. I broke up with her, actually." Before he could say anything else, Pride joined them with Ved and Cloe behind him holding hands.

"Okay, everyone ready to leave? Jay said we would be staying there for a few days. So make sure you have everything." Pride asked looking to the young couple. They would more than likely be the ones to forget something.

"Yeah, yeah." Ved replied with a cocky attitude. "We've got it. Can we leave?"

"Yeah, Let's go." I ordered heading for the main entrance.

*~~*~~*~~*~~*~~*

Chapter Two

Pride surveyed the hospital as he looked down the littered hall. The interior of the hospital was like something from one of those old horror movies. I almost shuddered at the thought that we might find some bodies in the beds. I moved to the front of the group to let Pride know that I was in control.

Apparently, it didn't work because Pride turned to us and began to give orders. "Cloe, Ved, you two check the computers and equipment on this floor." The two turned holding hands and started to walk off. "Be sure to actually do some work. I'll be on the same floor." He stated winning a glare from both Ved and Cloe as they walked off to find the information desk. "Jack, Ebony, could you two check out the computers and equipment on the second floor?" Jack nodded and walked a few steps before he noticed that I didn't follow.

"And what will you be doing, Pride?" I asked with fake resentment. I had to at least pretend that I didn't like someone else being in control. In reality, I could care less that Pride was handing out orders.

"I'm going to be looking for medicine that is still usable." He stated calmly showing no fear or any emotion at all.

I didn't say anything. I just walked past Jack looking for the stairs. At the end of the hall I found the stairs, but the door was stuck. The hinges had rusted shut with time. I wasn't strong enough to work through the rust. "Jack, the door is rusted shut." I simply stated. Maybe he would have a screwdriver or something that we could take the hinges off with.

"Stand back." He placed his hands on my shoulders, pulling me away from the door. He came forward and turned the knob and pushed at the same time. Nothing happened. Next, he turned that knob and butted his shoulder against the door. It moved slightly. He walked back to me putting out his hand to let me know to move back some more. He looked at me one more time then kicked the door. The door swung into the stairwell with a screeching noise that hurt my ears.

I was proud of Jack's display of strength. I never knew that he held such strength. Sure, I had seen him pick up large computer monitors and fight against large men, but I never had time to think about what he was really like. I always saw him as the scrawny geek boy that he was when I met him. "Are you going to come with me or just stare at me?" Jack asked after I didn't move for a few seconds. I could feel myself blush, but hoped that it didn't show as I walked past him and up the stairs. "So, what do you know about computers?" He asked coming up behind me.

"I know how to turn them on and I don't remember anything else." I answered. I never liked computers that much, but what I did know, I forgot over the last six years.

"Well, you are about to learn more." He stated in a commanding voice. It almost made me smile that Jack was taking control. We finally reached the second floor and reached another door. I let Jack pass me and he pulled on the door. It opened on the first try although Jack did exert quite a bit of force. He held the door open for me to pass through.

The nurse's station was right in front of us as we exited the stairwell. Jack immediately went to work. He turned on all of the five computers on the desks. They each opened to a black screen with orange writing. "Okay," Jack sat in one of the rolling chairs as he moved his chair next to the empty one in front of the first computer. "Ebony, sit down and let's get to work." I did as I was told feeling rather vulnerable. Someone was stronger than I at something. I was subject to Jack's knowledge. "See the menu at the top." I nodded. "Each button has a meaning. F1 means the name look up. You can find the files for patients." He got up from his chair and stood over me. "Press F1 and we'll see what happens." I did as I was told and a thing popped up on the screen. I think those were called windows. "In this window you can type the patient's name. Type in Jack Thompson." I typed in his name very slowly as I could barely type. A list of files showed up in the window, Jack reached over and scrolled all the way to the bottom. His birth records were in this computer. "Press enter." I did and a computerized version of his birth certificate was on the screen. He was eighteen inches long and weighted 8lbs and 7 ounces. "Okay, this computer is good. I want you to go through all of the computers in this station and do the same thing. I'll be right behind you to check other parts of the system." I did as I was told and moved onto the next computer.

*~~*~~*~~*~~*

I had finished my part of our tests in about thirty minutes, but Jack was still working on other parts of the system almost two hours later. He worked diligently as I sat in the last chair watching him. I noticed many things as I watched him work. When he was deep in thought, he would bite his lip then lick over where he had bit as if he had hurt him self. That would clearly be a possibility as he appeared to biting his lip rather hard. When he was lost as to what to do next, he would reach up and run his hand through his read tipped hair. The look that was on his face reminded me of Jay. Nothing in the world could break him from what he was doing. He was in his element. He was doing the one thing that he loved most in the world.

As I watched him, I could tell why Ellie fell in love with him. He was so adorable when he was concentrating. He seemed as though he was one of those office people from before the virus. I could imagine him in a suit with no tie always making his boss angry because he worked too much over time and he refused to get rid of the red tips to his hair. I laughed out loud at the thought.

Jack looked up at the disturbance, but looked quickly back at the computer he was working on. He hit a few more keystrokes and then rolled back. "I'm finished." he looked around to the window through one of the patient rooms. "Wow, it's almost dark. Maybe we should meet up with the other guys." With that he stood and walked out of the nurse's station waiting for me to follow. I caught up to him and we made our way to the stairwell.

"So how are the computers?" I asked not wanting to know the real answer. All I wanted was to hear someone talk for a while. The silence was about to kill me now that I had nothing to look at.

"They are in great condition. I think that if we wipe out...." I listened to what he was saying but nothing made sense. I wasn't about to tell him that either. I just let him have his moment. See, everyone thinks that I am so evil and here I am boosting Jack's ego. Does that sound like the actions of an evil woman? No, it doesn't. I was actually enjoying Jack's company. He wasn't ignorant like most of the people I knew. He was very educated and I respect that. He could be useful, but most of all, he didn't kill brain cells to listen to like Lex would. "You don't understand a word I am saying do you?" He asked as we exited the stairwell.

I looked up at him with a sad expression. "I'm sorry. I really don't, but I know it was making you happy. So, I didn't want to burst your bubble." I let out a little laugh at the confused expression on his face. "Jack, I'm not as bad as everyone makes me out to be. You just have to give me a chance." He smiled back at me and told me that he would. His smile was contagious and I found myself smiling back at him widely. He laughed as he noticed that I smiled back at him.

"What are you two laughing about?" Cloe asked as she came up to us.

"Nothing." I stated containing my giggles. "What has Pride sent you to tell us?"

"He said that we should all sleep two to a room so that we can be safer." Cloe announced before turning her back to us to walk away. She turned to look over her shoulder. "Don't come round mine and Ved's room." She warned and I could almost feel myself become physically ill at the thought of what they could be doing.

"Well, I guess we need to go find some rooms." Jack stated walking down the hallway. I walked beside him so as not to be left alone in the hall.

"Will you be my roommate? I just can't stand Pride." I stated giving him the look that I used to pull Jay in. The look screamed that I needed protecting. I knew that Jack knew different, but it still worked.

His eyes grew soft again as he looked at me. "Sure. I'll stay in your room." We started looking in the rooms until we found a room that had two beds and bathroom. It was the perfect room. It had a great view of the city as the lights switched on for the night. It was breathe taking as I stood in the window high above the city on Hospital Hill.

*~~*~~*~~*~~* 

Chapter Three

It was late now and most of the lights in the city below were out. i had showered and taken out my braids while Jack was going to find the kitchen and try to cook our stews. The quiet was calming now that I forgot about the likeness of this place to a horror movie. I used to like it away from the mall. At the mall, the night was filled with crying babies or screaming children. There was always a baby! It was like the men in the mall couldn't keep it in their pants. Jack was the only original living mallrat not to father a child. Ellie never let him in. The way I look at it, she was stupid to sleep with Luke instead of Jack. Luke could never take care of her. He was dead the moment the Chosen were over. Jack on the other hand,

"I'm back." Jack stated pushing the door open with his foot, carrying two bowls. "There was a gas stove and there is even some food left in their store room. Looks like we hit another jackpot." I could hear him set the bowls on a table, but I couldn't see him for the curtain. "Ebony? Are you over there?" He asked just on the other side of the curtain.

"Yes." I pulled back the curtain to reveal myself in a long black, silky nightgown with my long golden hair slowing about me in crimps from the braids that constrained it. I expected him to turn away as most men would, but he just looked at me.

"Well," he reached over to the table. "Here is your stew. I hope I didn't scorch it." He stated handing me the bowl. "I tried my best to make it good. I can stand my cooking, but most girls can't."

I walked over to him and took the bowl placing it on the hospital table next to his. "I'm not most girls, now am I?" I asked and she shook his head agreeing.

I wheeled the table over to his bed and sat on the edge leaving room for him. He only looked at me for a moment. "Are you going to join me? You're food is getting cold." He crossed the room to me and sat beside me as I slid the table over our laps. We silently ate the food that to my surprise was very delicious. As I finished I laid back against the bed beside Jack while he finished eating.

"Tomorrow we are going to go to the monitoring room to check all of the monitors in the patient rooms." Jack stated placing his bowl on the table and pushing the table to the end of the bed. "You get to learn more about computers." He stated with a sly smile. He knew what my reaction would be.

"Ughh." I groaned causing him to smile widely. "So what do I have to learn?"

"Well, first we are going to start with..." As I listened to Jack tell me about the heart monitors and breathing machines, I decided to braid my hair. It wasn't as if I could understand what he was saying. I'm more of a hands on kind of girl. I have to experience things for myself. That could be how I got a reputation as a sl.ut.Opps! Anyway, after a couple of minutes, I had finished the first braid and moved on to the next. When I looked up, Jack was staring at me silently. "Why'd you stop?" I asked thinking he was annoyed with my lack of attention.

"You don't understand why I am saying. You'll understand better when I show you tomorrow." I guess someone does understand me. "How can you braid your own hair?" He asked in amazement reaching out to touch one of the two finished braids. I half expected him to pull, but his touch was gentle as he ran his thumb and forefinger over the braid. He looked over it with a mechanic's eye. He seemed to be wondering how it was possible.

"I guess you and me are the same now." I stated with a laugh as a look of confusion came over his face. "You don't know how to do my braids and I don't know how to do those computer...things."

"Would you show me how to braid your hair?" he asked sheepishly. I was utterly shocked one of the mallrats actually wanted to know something about me. Jack really was giving me a chance. I guess he saw the look of shock on my face because he began to explain, "I've been teaching you stuff all afternoon. I thought you might like to teach me something."

"I would love to." I stated finishing the third braid. "Okay," We moved so that we were facing each other. "You take a bit of hair and separate it into three parts. Then just braid like it is a bit of rope." I demonstrated. He seemed to enthralled.

"May I try?" He asked eager to learn something new.

"Sure." I turned so that my right side was to him. He raked his fingers through my hair gently. As he worked on my hair, I could feel my eyes closing at the calming sensation.

"I'm finished." He stated much sooner that I had expected. I examined the braid to find it as well crafted as mine. "Did I do okay?"

"You did great! I didn't know guys could braid that well." I said in an amazed voice. It never failed that Jack would amaze me.

He looked down at his lap. "I'm good at things like that because I work on the small parts of the computer."

"Don't be embarrassed. Be who you are. You should be proud that you have the education and the intelligence to do such a thing." I advised.

He looked at me seriously. "You should follow you own advice."

"What do you mean?"

He reached over and took my hand. "You put up a front all the time. You pretend you don't like anyone. Yet, today you've been nice to me all day. Almost like a friend. "

I was touched by what he said. He didn't see me as evil even though he has seen all of the things that I have done. He sees it all as an act. I guess he is right. I do act like I am tougher that I really. Day after day, I see the girls of the Mallrats that need protecting and I wish that I could give up my image for only a day to be like them. So show my vulnerable side. "I only wish I could." I answered his truthfully.

He looked down at our hands and I did the same. Somehow, our fingers had intertwined without either of us knowing. "You can with me. I can be your friend."

"Are you sure you want to do that?" I asked remembering how I had given people up for power. "Could you afford to have a friend like me?"

"All you need is some care and love. I can afford to give that to you. After all, I don't have any friends either. It would be beneficial for the both of us." he stated with a kind voice.

"That would be great. What would I do with a friend?" I asked in a joking manner.

"You are already doing a great job." Jack stated with a smile on his face. I could help but hug him. It just seemed like the right moment to. Like I would know when the right moment for that would be. It had been years since I had hugged someone that I wasn't in a physical relationship with. It felt great to have that kind of feeling. His hug was loving and warm. It wasn't like Jay's. Jay was always too rigid. It wasn't like Bray's. Bray was always thinking about something else. Zoot didn't hug. Jack was another first on my list. He was the first person to hug me and mean it.

"Thank you." The words slipped from my mouth again before I could think. Jack seemed to be making me do a lot of things without thinking lately.


*~~*~~*~~*~~*~~*

Diary Entry #2

The time at the hospital was great. Jack and I spent all of our time together. We rarely saw Pride or Cloe and Ved. It almost seemed like we were part of some snooty high school clique. Jack taught me how to use the computers and I taught him how to fight. But soon it was time to go back to the mall and we would have to share our time with each other with other people. I was slightly sad. He was the first real friend that I ever had and I didn't want to go back to the place where people would try to tell him I was the devil. I kept thinking that he was too intelligent to believe them. That he knew me longer than most of the people at the mall. He was a better judge of character than they were.

I was right. One by one the `rats' began to notice that Jack and I were acting like friends. We were almost inseparable. They tried to tell him that I would betray him like I had when the Technos took him. He would tell them to mind their own business with an attitude that no one saw in him before.

Everyone thought I had already corrupted him. They were wrong. I had little effect on Jack. His changes were due to the fact that he wanted to change. Jack was the one changing me. I saw myself treating people with respect. I stayed in the background, and I allowed someone to know everything about me. Jack knew everything about. I told him my every thought and my every emotion. He was the friend that I never had.

In turn for his listening, I listened to him. Can you believe it? I actually listened to someone and cared. He told me about Ellie. How she had turned him down. How she caused him to decide that he needed a change. He sat proudly as he explained how he defended me. I was proud of him. He had grown strong and I don't know if it was because of or despite me. All I know is that it is the only thing that I accomplished that I could be proud of.

*~~*~~*~~*~~*

Chapter Four

Jack and I were enjoying another one of our little rituals. Every morning, we get a cup of tea and sit on the couch in the cafe talking about our lives and observations about the people around us. It was a rather odd ritual for the both of us. Neither Jack nor I were much for the gossiping, but they spent so much of their time talking about us, it was only natural that we were to talk about them.

"What did Ellie say? I think I missed that." I stated in between laughs.

He calmed a bit so that the words were understandable. "She said that I was only with you to get some." I calmed down. That was no laughing manner. Everyone though I was being friends with Jack for something evil. Not that I finally found a friend that I could trust. "Ebs," he took me into a hug. "What's wrong?"

"What's wrong?" I pulled away and moved to the other end of the couch.

"Jack, they think that I have no legitimate reason for being friends from you. Doesn't that hurt you?" I almost whispered. I didn't want the others to know that they were actually affecting me. Their thoughts never mattered to me before, but for a while, I had started to think of them as family. But they were only family to Jay, not me.

"It doesn't matter to me." He leaned back stretching his arms out on the back of the couch. "I could care less what they think about you and me. You are my best friend. I lost Dal because of them. I'm not going to lose you, too. Now come back over here." He beckoned me back to him with his finger.

I did as he asked leaning against his chest as I finished my tea. The mall was almost silent as we were the only ones up. Or so we thought. After five minutes of silence, Jay walked into the room with a purpose. He was seeking Jack.

"Jack, I have a question for you." Jay came over to stand in front of us.

"Yes?" Jack asked wrapping his arm around me in a protective manner as if Jay would say something against us.

"Do you have anything important planned for today?"

"Nothing but giving Ebony a computer lesson." Jack stated gripping my shoulder as he said my name.

Jay looked at his feet. Could he be feeling bad for the way that `his' tribe was treating me? "When you are finished with Ebony's lesson, could you go to the farm? Pride needs someone that is tall to work in the barn."

Jack looked at me to make sure I was okay with it. I shook my head `yes'. I could always wait until later to learn how to make a spreadsheet. "Sure. I can go right now. When are the others leaving?"

"They are leaving in an hour. Thank you so much. I hate to tear you away from Ebony. Especially with how people are treating you." Jay looked down again.

I actually saw the old Jay. Not the one that was persuaded by Trudy and Amber to forget her. "It's okay, Jay. We all have to do something to make this work."

"Thanks. I'm glad you think that, Ebony. You really have changed."

"We can't all stay the same." I stated before he turned and left. Jack turned to me with apologetic eyes. "Don't worry about it. The farm is more important. That is where we get our food. The computer can wait."

"Okay, but will you be okay here by yourself?" He still held me close.

"Of course I will! Do you not remember that I was the warrior queen?"

"Haha. You know these women are far more vicious than any warrior."

"That they are, but I know where you are when I need you." I stood up taking the arm that was around me and pulled him up. "Now, let's get your bag packed just in case you have to stay the night."

"Ughh! Okay." With that the two of us were out of the cafe and down the steps.

*~~*~~*~~*~~*

"What do we have here?" Ellie asked from the doorway to Jack's bedroom. I was sitting in front of his computer writing him a letter so that when he came home he could find it.

"Well, it looks like it is none of your business." I stated with a sarcastic tone. Out of all of Jack's `protectors' Ellie was the worst. As if she had anything to say. She was the one that cheated on him with Luke. I ignored her as I signed my name and drew a little computer with a smiley face.

"This doesn't look like your room. You don't need to be here." Ellie warned walking into the room.

I sealed the letter and stuck it to his computer with a piece of tape. "You don't have a place here anymore, either. I remember you breaking up with him about three years ago."

"You're not his girlfriend."

"But I do have a reason to be here. I've never treated him wrong."

"You got him captured by the Technos."

"And you got him taken by the Chosen." I smiled as the look of shock hit Ellie's face. "Yes, honey, that's right. You are no better than I am. At least I treat him like an adult and let him make his own decisions."

"Whatever." With that Ellie was out of the room as fast as she had shown up.

That wasn't the first time that Ellie had said something to me. Her favorite past time was to make me feel like I didn't belong. But that is okay. I don't need them. Jack is the one that I worry about. They used to like him and now they were leaving him alone one by one. He was slowly losing the people that he thought of as friends and family. I didn't want to take that away from him. I have to do something to protect him.

No matter what I do to help Jack in the future, I have lunch cooking duty with Trudy, yay!

When I got to the kitchen Trudy was waiting for me with her hands on her hips. She had an angry look on her face and I didn't want to mess with her. As if it wasn't enough that she had my man, she was always giving Jack `advice' saying that I am not good enough for him.

Good enough for what? All I am is a friend. "Hi. So what are we cooking?"

"Where have you been?" Trudy asked walking back behind the worktop. She picked up and apron and threw it to me.

"Ellie decided to pay me a visit." I stated tying the apron behind me. "Now, that were are through with the interrogation, can we cook?"

"Here, make the salad." She passed the carrots and knife to me. "So, where's Jack? I thought you two were connected at the hip."

"He's at the farm doing a favor for Jay." I answered. It was none of Trudy's business, but I didn't want to start anything. Jack's taught me the art of goodness. I mostly used him as my excuse to do good. I hated the look on his face when I started something.

"Jack's a good man. " She stated in passing, but I know that voice. She was trying to make me feel bad about something.

"Yes, he is. A good friend too. He was kind enough to show me a little decency. I didn't think anyone would care for me after Jay and I were over. Jack was there to show me that I wasn't as bad as everyone thought I was. He showed me that I wasn't as bad as I thought I was." I finished my speech to find Trudy looking at me concerned.

"I've noticed the change in you. You've been happy and helpful since you and Jack have become friends. I guess, what I want to say is that I am sorry. It's just hard to get past the things that you have done."

To say the least, I was shocked. Trudy apologized. What would happen next? Would the ground grow cold from he.ll freezing over? "I am still trying to make that up to myself. I just want people to give me a chance. Maybe, I can prove Jack right. Maybe I can prove that I am worth his time." I put the carrots into the bowl of lettuce and then began on the radishes. "I feel like Jack is getting the bad end of the deal with our friendship."

"Why's that?" Trudy opened the stove and placed the bread inside.

"Everyone is treating like he doesn't belong. I thought that if it continues, I’d leave." I put the radishes in the bowl. "I can't stand to watch him treated badly for being the best person that I have ever met."

"I'll talk to everyone about it. It should stop. Jack is the nicest person here. He does deserve better." Trudy looked around. "You know, I can finish everything here. You can go do something else."

"Thanks. I would only burn something anyway." I joked walking over to her and giving her a hug. "Thank you for giving me a chance. But thank you most of all for wanting to stop all of the things being said to Jack. I hate to watch him hurt over what is said about him." With that, I turned to leave not giving Trudy a chance to say anything.

*~~*~~*~~*~~*

*~~*~~*~~*~~*

Chapter five

*~~*~~*~~*~~*

I lay on my bed with my diary open before me. For some reason the words just wouldn't come. Trudy's words kept replaying over and over in my head. She was sorry for treating me badly. She was sorry for treating Jack badly. I could care less what they said and did about me. They have done all before. But what they did to Jack was new. He acted like it didn't bother him. How could it not?

Last week, he actually talked about it. He was sitting in Cloe and Patsy's old room, which is now the living room. He was sitting on one of the couches talking to Ved when Brady climbed into his lap. Brady talked to her "Uncle Jack" about the bad woman that he was a friend with. Jack asked her where she had heard about the bad woman. She answered "Mommy told Aunt Amber about the bad woman. But Daddy says that the bad woman isn't mean anymore." Jack set her on the floor again and looked at Ved as his brother is now Brady's "Daddy." He didn't know anything. The only other logical place for Jack to go for information about the revelation was to Trudy. The two argued until Jay came home and asked Jack to leave.

He came into my room and fell to the bed. I was standing by the window and immediately came over to him. He told me what happened. He asked, "What did I do that was so wrong? Trudy told me to stay away from her daughter. What could I do to Brady that would hurt her? I took care of her after she was born. I am the reason that she had fresh, clean water to drink and to bathe with." I didn't know what to say to him. I just lie down beside him and let him hold me. They hurt him and I wanted to hurt them. But I couldn't do that. That would just give more reason for hate. I just let him hold me as I ran my hand over his hair and down the side of his face. He fell asleep like that. It was the most beautiful sight I had seen. I made him feel better and he was able to sleep peacefully. I made someone feel better instead of worse. That was other first that Jack gave me. The first time that I made someone feel loved.


I looked down at the page as it filled with the words of a poem. I closed the book and stood up from my bed. I wrapped my robe around myself and walked across the corridor to Jack's room. It was comforting to know that he was the owner of the room closest to mine. I leaned against the door jam. He was still at the farm. I missed him today. I wished he could have heard Trudy's words with me. He would have freaked out. He would have given one of his innocent smiles and then hugged me tightly to him.

I walked further into the room. His tools were everywhere. I picked a few up and put them in the toolbox. Then I put all of his CDs into their cases and then into his CD holder. Next I put all the small parts into the bins they belonged in. Soon, the room was clean. It didn't look much like Jack's room without the clutter, but I could still see him rushing about too caught up in what he is doing to notice that I am watching him.

I sat down on his bed. It was red. His favorite color. Two months ago, I couldn't have told you that. I would have guessed orange, if I guessed at all. In a split second decision, I decided that I would sleep in Jack's bed. That way when he came in, he would wake me up and I could tell him all about Trudy. I lay back on the bed pulling the sheets and blanket up around me. His smell was everywhere. The sheets smelled of Irish Spring soap and CK One cologne. The pillow smelled of Paul Mitchell shampoo. Before long, I could feel myself falling asleep.

*~~*~~*~~*~~*

The next morning I awoke disoriented. I wasn't in my room. The walls of this room were green. Then I remembered that I fell asleep in Jack's room. I tried to move, but I was anchored to the bed. I looked to my side to see Jack was in bed with me. His arms surrounded me. I didn't struggle anymore, but laid my head on his chest. The simple movement woke him.

"Good morning." He greeted with a deeper voice than normal. "I hope you don't mind that I didn’t wake you and send you to your room.”

"That's fine." I snuggled closer to him. "I'm actually comfortable."

"I'm glad you are." He reached to touch my braids wrapping one around his finger. "Because so am I."

"Good." I smiled as he continued to play with my braids. "You missed something monumental yesterday."

"What's that?"

"Trudy apologized to me for treating us badly." I sat up propping myself up on my elbow to look at him.

"Really?" He was as shocked as I was. Then came the smile that I imagined from the night before. His cheeks turned red. I reached up and touched them.

"Yeah." I smiled back at him. "It was amazing. She also said that she would talk to the others about treating you better."

"Are they going to treat you better?" He asked with concern running his hand over my hair. "I can take care of myself. I am used to people hassling me. You aren't used to this."

"I was a war..."

"I know, you were a warrior. But you were never a follower. Now you are. This is my realm. Let me take care of you." He brought me back down to lie on his chest again.

"Okay, but I am not used to depending on men. They let me down." I stated throwing my arm across his waist as he wrapped his arms around me.

"I'll never let you down,” he almost whispered making me believe that he would keep his promise.

It could have been hours or minutes later, I wasn't sure. Ellie's voice brought us out of our silence. "What have we here? Ebony being a little slut again?"

I sat up quickly ready to fight, but Jack pushed me back so that I sat back against the wall. He sat up in front of me. "Ellie, you haven't been asked to enter my room, so please leave."

"Afraid to let people know that you and Ebony are sleeping together?" She stated with an evil smirk.

"No, " The smirk left her face. "If Ebony and I were having sex, I would shout it from the rooftops. But we are just friends, so you can leave."

She stepped forward once again regaining the smirk. She ran her hand down his cheek to his chin. A gesture that used to make him melt. "Well, be careful." She looked past him to me. "She is nothing but a slut." With that she turned to leave.

I jumped past Jack before he could grab me. "I'm the slut? You cheated on him for Luke. You were going to save yourself. You never loved him." Ellie reached out to slap me, but I grabbed her arm pulling it behind her. "Never call me a slut and never insinuate that I am with Jack for sex. Some of us have feelings and friends. Not that you would know what either of those are." I let go of her arm and she just stood there. I ignored her as I walked back to Jack. He pulled me to stand between his legs laying his head against my stomach. I ran my hand from the top of his head, along his cheek and to below his chin. I pulled him to look up at me. For some reason, I sat on his knee and he raised his head to mine kissing me. It was quick and gentle. But it caused the forgotten Ellie to storm from the room.

I jumped out of his arms. "What was that?"

"I think it was a kiss." Jack stated running his hand through his hair. "I don't know why I did it though."

"We'll just say that it was to make Ellie go away." I was freaked out. I didn't know what to say. The kiss was good, just unexpected. I didn't want this to hurt anything, so I walked back to him and climbed in bed behind him. "Lay back down for a while. We don't have to be up yet." He lay down with me and we resumed our position with my head on his chest. Neither of us said anything. We only thought of what just happened as the sensation of Jack running his hand over my hair and me playing with his fingers cause the both of us to fall back to sleep.

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