Between You & Me: 3

"...and then..." Jax looked up at the sound of footsteps coming down the hall.

"Mommy!" Jalyn jumped off of Jax's lap, running over to her.

"Hi sweetie." Keesha grinned as she picked her up. She walked over to the middle of the room, setting Jalyn down. She knelt, ruffling Jordan's hair as he sat quietly, chewing on his teething ring. "Go tell Daddy night night-he won't be back until way after you've gone to bed."

Jalyn nodded, running back over to Jax. He bent and she kissed him on the cheek. "Night Daddy!" she grinned and then ran upstairs to play.

"Am I late?" Keesha walked over to Jax, sitting down next to him.

"A little." Jax put down the book he had been reading to Jalyn. "But it doesn't matter, I may not go to my meeting," he decided on the spot.

"Why?"

"I met your mother...your birth mother."

Keesha blinked. "How did that happen?"

"She was at Jay's day care center."

Keesha's eyes clouded. "Why in the hell was she there."

"Looking at her granddaughter."

"Oh that does it..." Keesha stood, but Jax pulled her gently back down on the couch.

"Any decision you make is fine with me." he reiterated. "However, have you really given this enough thought?"

"Yes." Keesha stood, groaning as Jax pulled her back down on the sofa once more.

"She gave birth to you Keesha..."

"So? I have a mother, a mother who will be coming to live here in one week. A mother who..."

"Who wouldn't want you with..."

"Lark." Keesha finished for Jax. He nodded.

"Yes. But, why does Tiffany get a say in this? Lark is your birth mother, why should you deny yourself the chance to get to know her-and make your own decision on whether you want to have a relationship with her. Why should you shut Lark out just because Tiffany won't like it? Why do that to yourself?"

"You've thought about this more than I have..."

"I doubt that. You haven't been all here since you met Lark...don't think I haven't noticed. Half the time, your mind is a thousand miles away."

"Okay, I will consider your points. Because they are valid..."

"Of course they are. I'm always right as you well know..." Jax jumped up off the couch before Keesha had a chance to hit him. "Are you okay?"

"Yes-go to your meeting. You're going to be late as it is."

"Okay." Jax walked over to Jordan, picking him up. "Walk me upstairs so I can change?" he asked Jordan, grinning as Jordan smiled. Keesha watched as Jax carried him up the stairs.

Jax looked at his watch as he walked up the stairs to his home. It was almost midnight and he was exhausted. "We have some more things to discuss..." Jerry said from behind him, waiting for Jax to open the door.

"Yeah I know, just let me check on the kids and I'll see you in the study..."

"Jax....Jerry," Kelly, Jocelyn's and Jordan's nanny greeted them in the foyer.

"Why are you here?" the brothers asked simultaneously. "Where's Keesha." Jax added.

"She went away for the weekend. She went to go see...Lark?"

"Who's Lark?" Jerry looked over at Jax.

"I'll fill you in later. Did she leave a number or a note or something?"

"She just said her celluar would be on and you could reach her there."

"She went for the whole weekend?"

That couldn't be right. Keesha would not just get up and leave for a weekend and not tell Jax-at least not call and say goodbye.

"Yes. She called me and asked if I could come over until you got home. That she needed to, qoute "do this now, before I change my mind." "

Jerry looked over at Jax, watching as Jax started to fume. "Well, we're home. So you can go." Jerry answered for Jax. "Thanks for coming on such short notice..." Jerry's voice trailed off as Jax walked up the stairs.

"Jalyn's been looking forward to the backyard picnic we have planned for Sunday." Jax mumbled as Jerry walked over to the bar.

"And you're mad beecause Keesha won't be there?"

"It's not like her to disappoint Jalyn."

"Who's Lark?"

"Keesha's birth mother."

"Well, that does sound kind of important Jax."

"My problem is not with Keesha going to see Lark. My problem is how she has a tendancy to just up and leave without notice or explanation sometimes. When it was just me and her, then fine..."

"You mean the wedding..." it was years ago, but as John always said-a Jacks never forgets. And the fact was that Jax was hurting while he waited for Keesha to come back.

"Almost wedding. She didn't tell me where she was going-but at least she told me she was going. This is the second time in two weeks that she's just took off without notice." Jax walked over to the window. "And Jalyn was looking forward to our picnic..."

"This isn't about Jalyn. Not really." Jerry noted.

"Okay all knowing one." Jax turned, looking at Jerry. "What's it about?"

"You."

"Yeah...whatever."

"Things are changing and you don't like it."

"Whatever..."

"Tiffany is coming, and we all know how well you two get along. We know how well Keesha and Tiffany get along..."

"Things are different."

"How do you know? Tiffany's been in jail all this time. She could be just as awful as ever...*plus* there's this Lark person, I'm sure Tiffany will just love having her around. Keesha is going to be spreading herself rather thin running interference with all of you...you don't even know Lark yet, what if she is a problem..."

"She's already a problem." Jax mumbled.

"Because Keesha is already running off to see her..."

"No. Because she showed up at Jalyn's school, after Keesha asked her to stay away, that's why." his voice lowered. "I don't trust her."

"Why?"

"Instinct."

"Then shouldn't you have told Keesha this..."

"No. It's Keesha's decision, just because I don't trust her doesn't give me the right to try and sway Keesha's feelings on the matter. Which is why I told her to give her a chance..."

"Wait a minute! You're mad because she went, but you told her to go..."

"I didn't tell her to go right at this minute!" Jax snapped. "I wanted her to think about it...and her just going has me convinced she didn't really think at all."

"So what are you going to do?"

"Nothing. It's not my place."

"You're married. You have children..."

"Do you know how much I hated you interfering when you didn't have the right. I don't have the right to get involved in this. Keesha will make her own decisions and I am just going to leave it up to her...there's no reason in hell she couldn't have told me where she was going herself..." Jax's voice trailed off and he looked out the window again.

Jerry watched. Jax told him once how he never felt alone since he met Keesha. He also told him that now that he knew what it was like to not be alone, it was not something he planned to give up.

As Jerry had said, this anger Jax was feeling was about Jax.

And his fear, not so much that Keesha would leave him, but that things were already changing between them. And where would that leave him.

Early Sunday Morning

Jax shifted as he heard movement in his bedroom. He started to lean up in bed, wondering if Jalyn had a nightmare. "Jay..."

"Did I wake you? I'm sorry," Keesha whispered.

Jax looked at the clock. It was almost three in the morning. "I thought you were going to be gone all weekend." He turned on the lamp next to his side of the bed.

"We have a backyard picnic, remember?" she smiled. "How are the kids?"

"Fine. Jalyn will be happy you're here. She kept saying that you would miss the picnic."

"No way. She's been talking about it all week." Keesha laughed. "She'd never forgive me had I forgotten..." she sat down at the edge of the bed. "Miss me?" Keesha smiled.

"Yes." Jax answered seriously. "Why didn't you tell me you were going?"

"Spur of the moment." she shrugged. Keesha sighed, touching Jax's cheek lightly. "Thank you. I would never have gone had it not been for you."

This time Jax shrugged. "It went well?"

"Uh huh." Keesha bent forward and Jax closed his eyes as she kissed him softly. He pulled away, his eyes warming as he looked at her. "We have lunch planned next week...I think that if I do this slowly you know...maybe it will be easier. Besides. That will give me time to see if it's something to pursue."

"I'm glad you made it back." he whispered.

"Go back to sleep, you look exhausted."

"Thanks," he answered sarcastically.

"Not to say you're not the most gorgeous exhausted husband I have..." Keesha giggled as Jax reached out, tickling her side. Then her smile faded. "Why are you so tired? Is something bothering you."

"Not anymore." Jax didn't know why he allowed himself to be so riled all weekend. Keesha had come back, she always came back-always when she said she would be.

Yes, he wished she wouldn't just disappear-but she always came back and that was what was most important.

"Why not anymore?"

"Because you're here." he grinned, pulling Keesha on top of him.

"You're supposed to be going back to sleep..."

"Uh huh," Jax mumbled, leaning up and kissing Keesha passionately.

"Daddy Daddy Daddy..." Jalyn called as she came running over to him.

"What what what...." he teased, picking her up. "You want me to dunk you in the pool again..."

"No!" she sqeualed happily. "Look!" she pointed.

Jax turned, staring in the direction his daughter pointed. He placed her down slowly.

"Thanks."

"Welcome!" she ran over to Jerry.

Jax walked quickly over to the security gate. "Hi..."

"Did Keesha invite you here?" he asked Lark curtly.

"Well, no...but..."

"Then, why are you here?"

"I didn't think you would mind."

"I do. This is the second time you've been somewhere you weren't invited. If Keesha wants to bring you, that's fine, but until you know each other a little better, do not...I repeat...do not just show up unannounced...."

"Lark?"

Jax turned at the sound of Keesha's voice.

"What are you doing here?"

"I only dropped by...but I can see that you all are busy..."

"Well...yeah...but..." Keesha shifted, she didn't really want Lark here...but she was here so..."why don't you stay. We have plenty of food..."

"Is that Jordan?"

"Oh...yes." Keesha handed Jordan to Jax. She walked over, pressing the code to unlock the back gate.

"He's so adorable...now he...he looks like you." Lark noted to Keesha as she stared into Jordan's dark brown eyes. "Can I hold him?"

"Sure." Keesha smiled.

Jax continued to stare at Lark. Keesha noted his reluctance as he handed Jordan to Lark. "I'll check on Jay." he said simply, walking away.

Keesha turned, looking at him.

"Is something wrong?" Lark asked her, despite already knowing the answer. Jax had made himself very clear.

He was going to be a problem.

Yes something was wrong, Keesha realized.

"No." Keesha said out loud. She'd talk to Jax later.

Jerry watched Jax, and as the day drew to a close, Jax's anger grew more and more obvious. "I say we go inside!" Jerry finally called.

"No..."

"Yes..." he answered Jalyn in the same singing tone she had used.

"The day is over so soon?" Lark looked at her watch.

"Jalyn has day care tomorrow-Jax, Jerry and I have work...Jerry's right. We should head in. But..." Keesha looked over as Jax leaned up against the side of the pool. She was planning to invite Lark in however..."Never mind. I forgot what I was going to say. Daddy used to say I'd forget my head if it wasn't attached."

"Yes, your father was very pulled together...too much so if you ask me. Well, you take after me in that regards-I forget stuff all the time..."

"Thanks for dropping by." Keesha stood, interrupting Lark. She didn't want to hear about any similarities-the fact that they looked so much alike was bad enough. She wasn't ready to actually deal with the fact that her mother was here.

"Oh, thanks for letting me come in. I'll see you for lunch."

"Thurday. Right..."

Jax got out of the pool. He gave a polite nod to Lark and walked inside.

"He must have a lot on his mind." Lark venturned.

Keesha looked at her. "Jax is fine." she stated. She was not going to be discussing her husband's moods with some woman she barely knew. If she wanted to talk about Jax she would call Mrs. Sellers.

Or talk to Jax herself.

Keesha walked into their bedroom. "Do you want to tell me what's going on here?"

Jax walked into the bath, running the water to take a shower. "Did you invite Lark here?"

"No."

"She shows up a lot where she's not invited."

"So?"

"So? I can't beleive you stand for that. You just told me this morning that you want to take this slowly...yet this is the second time she's snuck around somewhere-three times if you count finding you after almost thirty years have passed. Doesn't she seem pushy to you?"

"Well...yes. But she just wants to get to know us all better."

"I'm sure she does. But why on her terms?"

"Why not? What difference does it make?"

"The difference is that it shows a complete lack of disrespect for your feelings and desires. And the difference is that you have so far let her get away with it. And..."

"And?"

He didn't trust Lark. And trusted her less and less as time went on. However, it should be up to Keesha...some things, he decided and finally added, "I will not have her just showing up around my family..."

"Your family? Jordan and Jalyn are our children."

Jax groaned. He didn't just mean their children.

He meant Keesha as well.

"Never mind." he mumbled, taking off his shorts and tossing them down the shute to the laundry room.

"Oh, I don't think so..." Keesha, fully clothed, followed Jax into the giant shower, standing behind him against the wall. He turned around, staring at her incredulously.

"Why are you in here?" he called above the water.

"Because you're upset over something yet everything you says makes no sense. Unless there's something about Lark you aren't telling me."

"I don't know anything about her."

"Really?"

Jax cut his eyes at Keesha. "No. I did some sort of background check and am holding information from you," he stated sarcastically as his anger at the whole situation grew.

"It wouldn't be the first time."

Jax felt his jaw start to twitch and he opened his mouth to answer. "Never mind," he decided, turning off the shower and walking out.

"See..." Keesha got out as well. "This is not a pattern we're going to have. You just don't walk out on me."

"Why not? You've gotten pretty damn good at it!"

"So that's what this is about. You're pissed off because I left without telling you. Fine, I am sorry, I will check in every minute of every day does that satisfy you?!"

Jax wrapped a towel around his waist. "Your walking out is just a small part of this. No, I take that back. It's a rather large one and I do not have to take that kind of selfishness from you or anyone else!"

"Jax, I've done this twice and for damn good reasons. In fact had it not been for you, I would never have gone to see Lark again to begin with. So you encourage me to do something..."

"No, I encouraged you to think about it-I did not encourage you to bend to that woman's every will...and I sure as hell do not want her coming around our children unannounced until you know her better! You don't know her, you don't know what she wants, or why it took so long for her to come looking for you...yet you're willing to just run off at the drop of a hat or invite her into your home because she happens to show up without warning...again...that's not going to work..."

"Daddy?" Jalyn said softly from the doorway.

Jax took a deep breath and Keesha turned, looking at their daughter.

"What's wrong?"

"Nothing," they both answered in unison.

"I'll be in there in a moment and we'll decide what to wear to bed," Keesha promised.

Jalyn's eyes lit up slightly. She walked down the hall.

Keesha looked at Jax. "And you have the nerve to call me selfish?" she whispered harshly.

Jax dropped his voice. "If taking care of our children is selfish than fine. Until you know her better, I don't want her near them unless she's been invited. And self invitations don't cut it." Jax dropped his towel, throwing on his robe.

Keesha watched as he stormed out of the bedroom and soon she heard him bounding down the stairs.

She sighed deeply, going over to the phone. "Hello?"

"Hi, it's Lark."

Keesha rolled her eyes. She was tired of all of this already. "Yes?"

"Who wants a bedtime story?" Jax stood in the doorway as Keesha finished brushing Jalyn's hair.

"Me!"

"You?" he smiled, walking over to the bed. He kissed Jalyn on the cheek and she laughed.

"Is Jordan sleeping?" Keesha mumbled.

"Yes."

Jalyn watched as her parents spoke to each other, without actually looking at each other. She leaned back against Keesha's chest, staring at Jax.

First Daddy was yelling and now he wouldn't even look at Mommy.

"Good night!" Keesha smiled. She bent over, kissing Jalyn's forehead. "I love you."

"I love you." Jalyn turned, smiling at Keesha.

Keesha stood and Jax moved over to Jalyn. "I'm going to Lark's. She left her jacket." Keesha said simply.

Jalyn looked at Jax, watching as he stared when Keesha walked out the door.