Between You & Me: 4

"Thank you." Lark smiled as Keesha handed her the jacket. "Do you want to come in?"

"Actually...yes." Keesha stated softly. She walked inside of Lark's house and Lark closed the door. "I decided something." Keesha turned, looking at Lark once more. "I don't think this is such a good idea."

"This..."

"Like I said when we first met, I have so much going on...and I don't think, right now at least...that..."

"This is about your husband isn't it?"

"Jax is...a factor. Yes." she admitted.

"He doesn't like me?"

"He doesn't know you."

"And how is he supposed to get to know me...or does he not want to?"

"Jax's primary concerns are Jalyn and Jordan."

"And you?"

"I can take care of myself."

"So what...he convinces you that I'm bad for the children?"

"No...listen..." Keesha didn't feel like explaining anything to Lark. And really, why should she have to. "I just have too much going on, and my family comes first. That's the way it is."

"And I'm not family?"

"No. You're not."

Lark dropped her gaze to the floor. "I gave birth to you..."

"And then waited 29 years to contact me again...I have a mother already...."

"She killed your father Keesha."

Now Keesha looked to the floor. "I'm well aware of that...but she's still my mother...and I...I'm going. I'm really sorry."

Lark waited until Keesha got to the door. Then she stated simply. "Not as sorry as I am."

Keesha froze, her hand on the doorknob. And then, without looking back and without one more word, she left.

"And not as sorry as Jax is going to be." Lark mumbled once Keesha closed the door.

Jax looked up from the papers on his home office desk. He got up, leaving the room quickly. "I'm sorry."

Keesha stared at Jax. "Me too." she smiled. "I hate fighting with you."

"No you don't." he grinned.

"Seriously...yes I do."

Jax closed the space between them, touching her cheek softly. "I don't have the right to tell you how to handle Lark. And I trust that you know what you're doing...I just...worried that perhaps..." Jax struggled. He didn't know what to say. He still didn't trust Lark, and he still didn't want her dropping into Jordan's and Jalyn's lives...let alone Keesha's...whenever the mood suited her. But..."Let me try again..."

"Don't bother. I'm not seeing Lark anymore."

"Why?"

"Because...I hate fighting with you."

"Keesha..."

"You are right-she really shouldn't...push so hard. And though I don't think there is anything more behind it than wanting to...know us, her pushing puts you on edge..."

"Sweetheart..."

"And Tiffany...God, I would hate to see how Tiffany would have reacted...it's not worth it....it's just not worth it..." her voice broke and she dropped her eyes from his. Keesha stepped in even closer and Jax wrapped his arms around her. "...it's just not worth it..."

"Then why are you crying?" he whispered.

"I'm not crying." she mumbled in reply, even as a tear fell down her cheek.

"Keesha...you shouldn't stop seeing Lark all together...."

"I hate fighting with you," she repeated, tightening her hold around Jax's waist.

Jax pressed the button to his intercom. "Yes, Carl."

"There's someone insisting to see you."

"I'm busy..."

"I don't care how busy you are..." Lark's voice came over on the intercom.

Jax's eyes darkened. "Send her in." he disconnected, going to the office door and opening it just as Lark was about to knock. He moved out from the doorway and she walked in. "What?"

"What did you say to my daughter?"

"What I say to my wife is between me and her, unless she wishes to tell you."

"She won't see me anymore."

"I know that. She told me."

"That's your doing...she even said so."

Jax was taken aback. It wasn't the fact that this was because of him; Jax realized it was mainly because of him and that fact had been bothering him for days now.

But right now what bothered him more is that Keesha would tell Lark, a woman she barely knew, something so intimate.

"All I wanted was to have a chance with my daughter..."

"Then perhaps you should have given her some space instead of being everywhere at every turn."

"Space?! She's my daughter! And I waited for 29 LONG years to finally get up the nerve to go see her....and you want to know why?! Because, like you, her father was selfish and controlling and wouldn't let me anywhere near her!"

"Get out..."

"Keesha is my flesh and blood...she's my child, and you're taking her away from me...how long do you think it will be before she starts to resent you?! If it hasn't started already..." Lark turned at the knock on the door.

Jax moved past her, opening it.

"I could hear yelling all the way down the...Lark?" Keesha stared, stunned. "What are you doing here?"

"Having a chat with your darling husband." Lark hissed. "I see the addage is true, girls marry someone just like their daddies..."

"What the hell does that mean?" Keesha looked back at Jax. Jax continued glaring at Lark.

"It means that just like your father's controlling behavior kept me away before, you found someone just as controlling to keep me away from you now..."

"Leave." Keesha crossed her arms.

Lark shook her head. "You know how to reach me...when you finally gather the courage." She left, slamming the door behind her.

"I'm sorry..." Keesha turned, looking at Jax again.

"It's not your fault." Jax walked over to his desk as Keesha watched. "It's mine," he sighed.

"Jax..."

"She's right. I'm being selfish, and I used emotional blackmail and you..."

"Jax, I have made up my mind."

"You should go after her."

"I don't want to. I want to have lunch with you." Keesha smiled softly. "So..."

"Keesha..."

"Please."

Jax sighed once more. Then, with a nod, he stood. "Actually, I have to make a quick call."

"Okay...I'll see you in the car."

Jax waited until Keesha left and then walked over to his door, shutting it. He went back over to his office phone. Looking through his computerized address book, he found the number he was looking for.

"...leave a message..."

"Lark...this is Jax..."

"Hi Lark!" Jalyn waved as Lark sat down on the bench next to the sandbox at her pre-school.

"How would you like to take a trip?" Lark grinned.