Twice in A Lifetime - Part 4/9 - Chapter Three

[serene_quill]

Title: Twice in a Lifetime – Part 4/9 – Chapter Three
Pairing: Jack/Nathan
Rating: this segment hard R, overall NC-17
Word Count: ~5000
Warnings: AU, general insane plot bunny that got out of its cage when it’s highly likely that it shouldn’t have.
Disclaimer: No, I don’t own them. If anyone who does own them finds me witty enough to give them to me though, I won’t object!
Summary: When you’re messing with quantum mechanics and looping in time, you never can be sure how many times you’ve tried to correct the same mess. Because it is a time loop, because only a select one or two carry the memories, maybe the events of “Once in a Lifetime” were just one loop. This story is one time where Henry got it just right for himself and Jack, Nathan and Allison didn’t manage to stop Henry when they sent someone back, causing the next loop, the events of episode 112, “Once in a Lifetime”. But those events don’t matter now. Because this is the story of the loop before. And while in quantum mechanics, it didn’t actually happen, in the heart, it did actually happen.



Chapter the Third, In Which There Occurs A Plethora of Free Advice, An Unexpected Visitor, and A House Plotting a Romance

7:30 am, October 5, 2006

Nathan woke up suddenly, his mind going from zero to overdrive in seconds. He had stayed awake for a long time, his mind playing and replaying the kiss from the night before in front of his eyes. He was trying to piece together his scattered thoughts, figure out what had motivated Jack to kiss him, when he became aware of a low argument, filtering up the stairs. He made out the words ‘boy’, ‘date’, and thought he heard Jack say something about Jasper, and decided to get up. He climbed into shower, the sonic shower’s hum filtering out the argument.

He sighed, his mind replaying Jack pulling him into the quick kiss, looking just as surprised as Nathan had felt. What if he hadn’t gone upstairs, Nathan thought to himself, trying to imagine really kissing Jack. The effect was staggering—after a handful images, Nathan was hard. He cursed, flipping the nozzle to cold, trying to think of anything other than Jack pressing against him.

He let his head fall forward, turning the sonic stream warm again. He was a scientist, he ought to test this hypothesis, he decided. He closed his eyes, stroking himself slowly as he imagined stripping the sheriff’s uniform off Jack’s body, revealing his skin, pressing kisses to the other man’s body. Nathan came with a soft cry, his eyes flying open in surprise. “Theory of being attracted to Jack Carter confirmed as plausible,” he said, as though noting a scientific result.

When he got out of the shower, the house was silent. He changed into jeans and a button up shirt, which he left open as he headed downstairs, figuring the other two had left. He paused on the second to last stair, surprised to see Jack, head in hands, still sitting at the breakfast bar, his cereal untouched. “I’m sorry if we woke you,” he heard Jack mumble through his fingers.

“You didn’t,” Nathan replied, making a beeline for the coffee. He didn’t want to face the other man just yet; he needed some time to think first, especially after his experiment. He poured a mug, turning and finding Jack now watching him. He drank slowly, and then realized that his shirt was unbuttoned. He hastily set the mug down and did up the buttons, feeling his face heat a little as Jack watched him do it.

Jack turned back, looking at his cereal with a bit of disgust, picking it up and setting it in the sink, his stance carefully holding himself a bit away from Nathan. Nathan felt his insides tighten. Apparently there wasn’t much to think about after all, he decided, fighting the urge to flee back upstairs the way he had done last night.

“I should get going,” Jack’s voice was quiet, and a little uncertain. Nathan examined the careful way the sheriff was avoiding him a second time, no longer seeing disgust but a genuine attempt to respect Nathan’s space. Jack’s head drooped a little as he scraped mush that used to be cereal out his bowl, and Nathan knew what was coming.

“Look, I’m sorry about last night,” Jack started, still looking at the water swirling down the drain and not at Nathan. “I’m not sure—”

“I’m not sure yet either,” Nathan broke in, not wanting to be brushed aside. “I need to think this through. And I suspect you do too.”

“Yeah,” Jack agreed, finally looking up and meeting Nathan’s gaze. “But, for clarity’s sake, you’re not saying no yet, right?”

“I—” Nathan paused, shrugging. “Not yet. I need to consider it.”

“As long as we both want to consider and there’s something to consider, I mean…” Jack was babbling, looking a little frustrated. “You know what I mean,” he concluded finally.

“As eloquent as that was,” Nathan replied, rolling his eyes. “I got it.”

“Yeah,” Jack shrugged at the sarcasm, his voice instantly picking up a self-deprecating tone that Nathan couldn’t remember hearing before. “And we both know thinking is going to take me a lot longer than you, so on that note, I’m going to go to work.”

Nathan wasn’t sure what made him move then, but Jack’s attitude had given him the impression that Jack would walk away from this, and that sent a jolt of genuine panic through him. He reached out, closing his fingers around Jack’s forearm. “Wait,” he whispered, his voice failing him as Jack turned into him, looking up at him.

He caught Jack’s lips in a kiss that he had meant to be a quick gesture to demonstrate his interest, but as soon as he felt the sheriff’s lips move under his, he was caught in a wave of lust. He slid his free hand to Jack’s waist, closing the distance between them, and parting his lips when he felt Jack’s tongue pleading at his lips.

The kiss stayed soft and gentle, exploring rather than trying to dominate. Nathan pulled away reluctantly, his forehead still resting against Jack’s. “I wanted to try it once, at least, in case you decide…” he admitted, feeling awkward as he said it. He started to pull back, but Jack’s hand came up to cup his face, his thumb sliding across Nathan’s cheek.

“I thought you were just trying to make it harder for me to say no,” Jack quipped, but the teasing didn’t reach his eyes, which were still too intensely focused for Nathan’s comfort. Was this how Allie felt when… the thought of his ex-wife halted everything quickly. “What?” Jack asked, looking concerned by the way Nathan had tensed.

“Allison,” Nathan replied, shrugging. “Like I said, we’ve both got a lot to think about.”

“Yeah,” Jack agreed, suddenly looking a little lost, the boyish look that Nathan was beginning to find so attractive slipping out.

“You better go,” Nathan growled, his voice rougher than he liked to admit. He felt Jack shudder under his hand, and let go, noticing that Jack’s pupils were wider and he was looking at Nathan like a chocolate treat to be devoured. “Seriously, before we do something without thinking it through,” he added, deliberately stepping away.

“You started it,” Jack pointed out, even as he grabbed his gun belt off the counter and strapped it on.

“Of course I did,” Nathan retorted cheerily, forcing himself to act normal when he felt anything but. “And now you get to go catch me that murderer you promised me yesterday.”

“Attempted murderer,” Jack replied, looking at Nathan carefully. “I’ll see if Henry can stop by with some more work for you.”

“I appreciate it,” Nathan said, pulling out a box of cereal and starting his breakfast.

Jack lingered for a moment, looking uncertain, then turned quickly to the door. “S.A.R.A.H., door.”

Nathan watched the other man leave, then braced his arms against the breakfast bar, letting his head drop. “If I may offer my opinion, Dr. Stark,” S.A.R.A.H. offered, and Nathan tried not to groan.

“Yes, please, I could use advice on my love life from a house,” Nathan replied sarcastically.

“Based on my compatibility algorithms, you are statistically a much better match to Jack than either Dr. Blake or the former Mrs. Carter. And I would prefer you as well.”

“I’m glad I have your approval,” Nathan replied, a bit taken aback by the house’s assessment.

“Does that mean you’ll undo your reprogramming of my voice?” The house suggested hopefully, and Nathan bit back a grin.

“Well, for now I’ll undo the improvements,” Nathan conceded, crossing over to the side of the living room and removing a wall panel.

“Does that mean you still want to reprogram me?” S.A.R.A.H. asked, and Nathan shrugged.

“You don’t want your own voice?” he asked, slyly hoping the idea might appeal to the A.I.

“You mean I could create my own vocal pattern?” the house certainly seemed intrigued. Nathan removed the program he’d laid in the day before, trying not to chuckle while S.A.R.A.H. began running through various vocal sounds at random. He was absorbed in his work, looking through Fargo’s programming and determining how hard it would be to write in a new vocal identity that he nearly jumped when S.A.R.A.H. addressed him directly.

“Dr. Barlowe is approaching the bunker, Dr. Stark,” she informed him. “Please go upstairs to the guest room so that I may cloak your presence.”

“Patch the conversation through to me upstairs, S.A.R.A.H.” he ordered as he took the stairs two at a time. The guest room door swung shut behind him, sealing tightly. “S.A.R.A.H., what are you doing?”

“The sheriff and I decided to set up the guest room for witness protection,” the house explained. “Your presence cannot be detected from outside or even internal scans.”

Nathan frowned, considering the setup. He wouldn’t have pegged Fargo as having the foresight to set up a system as complicated as this must be just for the sheriff, and wondered if it was something Jack gotten S.A.R.A.H. to scrap together from B.R.A.D. “Good morning, Dr. Barlowe,” S.A.R.A.H. greeted Beverly, and the visual screen in one wall slid open so that Nathan could see the therapist standing at the front door. “Sheriff Carter and Zoë have already left for the day. Would you like to leave a message?”

“Oh, thank you, S.A.R.A.H.,” Beverly said, drawing out her cell phone. “But I’ll just try to reach Sheriff Carter on his phone. About how long ago did he leave?”

“Sheriff Carter departed a little before 8 this morning.”

“Thanks, S.A.R.A.H.,” Beverly replied. Nathan saw her pause, leaning against the wall for a moment, looking like she was pausing to leave a voice message. “Sheriff, this is Beverly. I thought of something else I should have mentioned yesterday, but I’m not having much luck finding you.”

“Cell phone signal is not active,” S.A.R.A.H. observed, and Nathan was relieved to note that the house was only projecting that observation to him.

“What is she up to?” Nathan wondered aloud, tapping on the screen to enlarge the image, noting that S.A.R.A.H. was correct. The cell phone was clearly not transmitting, displaying a dark screen. He frowned, readjusting the image to focus on her free hand, which had pressed against the wall of the bunker briefly. “S.A.R.A.H., scan the area she was standing in. Did she plant something?”

“Negative, Dr. Stark. No foreign objects detected.”

“Hmm,” he readjusted the image again, reversing the tape and watching closely. If anything had been in her hand, she’d kept it well concealed from the camera. Pulling up the current image of the wall, there was no sign that anything had been planted. “Maybe I’m getting paranoid, but can you patch these through to Carter and Henry?” he asked, turning as the guest room door unsealed itself.

“Of course, Dr. Stark,” the house agreed, and Nathan went back downstairs. He got out the laptop and pulled up the specs on the chip, redoubling his efforts to analyze how the chip had worked or been planted. S.A.R.A.H. chimed in half a dozen times with pointed reminders about Jack, which he ignored and continued working.

Around noon, he had a few scribbled notes that he wanted to ask Henry about, so he paged the other scientist before starting to make himself a sandwich. He was surprised when only a moment later, S.A.R.A.H. announced, “Dr. Deacon is at the door.”

“Make sure he’s alone and let him in,” Nathan said, checking the screen and seeing it was indeed Henry. The door hissed open and Henry entered. “That was unusually quick,” Nathan observed, setting his lunch down and crossing the room to join Henry.

“I was on my way here already,” Henry told him, handing him the large silver case. “Plans for the multiverse analytical porthole generator. I could use your thoughts on it, even though a MAP-G is still a completely theoretical idea. And Jack said you were bored.”

“I may have done some reprogramming on S.A.R.A.H. yesterday,” Nathan admitted wryly, gesturing to the kitchen. “Want to join me for lunch? I’ve got a couple of questions on the chip specs.”

“Sure,” Henry agreed, looking a little surprised. “What’s on your mind?”

“Dr. Stark is trying to avoid addressing personal issues by focusing on his work,” S.A.R.A.H. said, which made Nathan groan, and Henry started laughing.

“S.A.R.A.H., I told you, I’m not avoiding anything,” Nathan said, shrugging at Henry. “And those voices can be programmed back in.”

“Well, I’m intrigued,” Henry remarked, raising an eyebrow. “You want to tell me, or should I just get the information from the house?”

“Can we start with the chip?” Nathan asked, hoping that redirecting Henry’s attention would make the other man forget about S.A.R.A.H.’s remark.

“Sure,” Henry agreed, reaching for the mustard and starting to build his own sandwich.

“I have a theory about the chip being planted,” Nathan started, crossing over to S.A.R.A.H.’s hub, pulling up the security footage from that morning. “S.A.R.A.H. sent you a copy of this?”

“Yeah,” Henry confirmed, joining Nathan at the screen. “Take a look at this image,” he tapped a few keys and pulled up Beverly arriving at the door. Her left hand was curled, looking as though she was palming something small and shielding it from the camera. “It definitely looks like she’s holding onto something, but there isn’t ever a shot that gives me any idea about what it would be. What concerns me is that she may not have planted anything at all, but was checking to see if she could manage to do so without being spotted by the cameras. See how she looks directly at the camera? She’s aware of its position.”

“After the incident where she was trapped in here, I wouldn’t blame her for being cautious,” Nathan observed, and Henry shrugged, looking like he agreed.

“To tell the truth, I have the smart house specs now as well, just in case,” Henry admitted. “If you don’t think she’s involved though, why bring this up?”

“I’m wondering about your assessment that someone would have had to be in close proximity,” Nathan admitted. “Could the chip have been planted on something I touched and moved subcutaneously through my system into a position to later cause an aneurysm?”

“I doubt it,” Henry replied, crossing back over to the table, grabbing the laptop and plugging it into S.A.R.A.H.’s hub so he could pull up a large form of the specs. “This just isn’t complicated enough for tertiary functions like that. From what I can tell, the secondary program would have maxxed out this bit of technology.”

“It’s advanced, but not as highly advanced as we’ve been assuming,” Nathan concluded. “Judging from the circuitry, the level of work on it, I’d rule out Fargo. He’d be able to manage something more complex than this.”

“Exactly,” Henry replied, shrugging. “We need a new theory on how someone could get close enough to you to plant this without you being aware.”

“Here’s the thing,” Nathan frowned, shaking his head. “The only person I remember physically touching during the morning was Kevin.”

“You’re wondering about holes in your memory,” Henry realized, picking up on his choice of words. “You don’t think Kim…”

“No,” Nathan reassured him quickly. “No, I saw what happened between her and Jason. I doubt she’d touch that technology again given the choice.”

“Well, engineering it isn’t too complicated, especially if you’ve seen the specs, which probably half of GD has,” Henry replied, sighing. “That balloons our suspect pool to over a hundred people.”

“You want to tell Jack that or shall I?” Nathan asked dryly, and Henry grinned, shaking his head.

“Oh, he’ll love this,” Henry agreed, his smile suddenly fading, replaced by a sharp look, his head tilting slightly. “Jack, huh? This experience helping the two of you work out your issues?”

“People in this town are too damn perceptive,” Nathan grumbled, thinking about Jack’s slip to Beverly the day before.

“Ahh, these would be the personal issues you’re dodging?” Henry observed, looking amused.

“You don’t seem surprised,” Nathan replied, leaning back against the breakfast bar as Henry sat down at the table.

“I’ve seen this coming for awhile. I remember your first crush on a man,” Henry replied dryly. “That Air Force ROTC kid, what was his name? The undergrad you hung out with during your PhD?”

“John,” Nathan grinned, shrugging. “Hadn’t thought about him in forever.”

“First time I met Carter, he reminded me of him,” Henry replied. “And that kid threw you for such a loop,” he chuckled. “Anyway, I was hoping you and Carter would be friends, bring back some of that trouble maker I remember from MIT.”

“So you think I’m just reliving an old crush?’ Nathan asked, thinking back to the sloppy dark hair and troublemaking boyfriend.

“No,” Henry said, shaking his head grimly. “There’s definite sparks between you and Jack, Nathan. But if it’s just sparks and a fling, then maybe you’d be better off leaving it alone.”

Nathan glanced up, suddenly confused. “You and Allison just divorced, and he’s got a lot of emotional baggage too,” Henry reminded him gently. “I don’t think a quick rebound or fling would be good for either of you. But if it’s more than that…” Henry watched Nathan closely for a moment, and nodded, seeming content with what he saw. “Well, then I guess you have my blessing.”

“Thanks, Henry,” Nathan replied, genuinely surprised by the other man’s simple assessment. “I just have to think a few more things through.”

“Just don’t go making it complicated unnecessarily,” Henry advised him. “You over think things, Nathan.”

“It’s one of my better traits,” Nathan quipped, grinning. “Okay, back to the chip specs. Did you notice the circuitry layout?”

By the time Henry left, Nathan had added several pages to his notes on the bug, and several more thoughts on delivery method and motives. He continued to work, now pulling up the MAP-G plans that Henry had left with him. “Dr. Blake is at the door,” S.A.R.A.H. announced late in the afternoon, and Nathan paused, surprised. “She is alone and unarmed,” the house added, and Nathan again wondered what kind of security it had picked up from B.R.A.D. and what had been Jack.

“Let her in,” Nathan replied, a thought occurring to him. “S.A.R.A.H., you didn’t say anything about Henry or Beverly being unarmed.”

“No, Dr. Stark,” S.A.R.A.H. replied, the door swinging open to admit Allison. “Dr. Deacon carries several knives and tools on his person at all times, and Dr. Barlowe had a small handgun in her purse.”

“Well, that’s fairly disturbing news,” Allison said, looking at Nathan. “Beverly came by?”

“Don’t worry, S.A.R.A.H. locked me in upstairs,” Nathan informed her. “Shouldn’t you be at Global?”

“I’m running home to change and get some supplies,” Allison told him. “I figured I’d stop by to see you.” She was shifting her weight from foot to foot, which Nathan recognized as a sign that she was holding something back. He crossed his arms, leaning back and waiting expectantly.

“The DOD felt that in light of your coma, a temporary head of GD should be appointed,” she told him, crossing her own arms defensively.

Nathan shrugged. “I’m honestly surprised it’s taken this long,” he told her. “Who’d they pick?”

“Me,” she said, sighing. “I’m the acting head of GD.”

Nathan knew his face was showing his surprise, but he kept his tone light. “Congratulations.”

“It’s just temporary,” Allison replied quickly, still looking uncertain. “I’m sure once we figure out—”

“Allison, it’s fine,” Nathan burst in, surprised by how true the words were. “If anyone were going to replace me, I’m glad it’s you. You’ll do a good job.” Seeing her worry melt, he added, “Not as good as me, naturally…”

“Thanks,” Allison narrowed her eyes at him, but her lips were twitching. “I also figured I’d pass on an update from Carter. Fargo’s sober and talking, and genuinely shocked by the implication that his drunkenness was the result of anything other than his concern for you and being shut out.”

“Jack broke the cover?” Nathan asked, puzzled. It didn’t seem likely.

“No, Fargo put it together himself,” Allison replied. “Seems Fargo doesn’t buy the stress aneurysm the way everyone else does. He had your vitals from the mental mouse incident. He brought up the idea of poison, and Deputy Lupo ran with it from there. The two of them have worked up quite a set of conspiracy theories. Carter thinks we may need to bring her in on this conspiracy we’ve been running before the two of them turn into Mulder and Scully.”

Nathan sighed, shrugging. “It’s his call,” he decided. “I know he was hoping to keep her clear of this in case anything goes from bad to worse.” He noticed that Allison was looking at him very carefully, but chose to ignore it. “By the way, you should take Fargo on as your assistant for the duration,” he added. “See if we can’t keep him out of trouble.”

“Nathan, is something going on?” Allison asked, her sharp eyes still watching him closely.

“Like what?” he asked, deflecting instead of answering.

“Like you answering a question with a question,” Allison remarked dryly. “You and Carter are both acting a little… off.”

“Maybe being locked in the same space is having an effect,” Nathan replied, aiming for innocence.

Allison’s eyes narrowed suspiciously. “Come on, Nathan, talk to me. What’s going on? This is more than you being a little stir crazy.”

Nathan sighed, gesturing for her to take a seat. “We should probably talk about it,” he admitted, squirming internally as he tried to find the words. “Jack… well, actually I—”

Allison’s eyes widened, and Nathan’s heart sank into his stomach. “Oh my god,” she said, sucking in a quick breath.

“What?” he asked, aiming for ignorance.

“Oh, I hope you’re just pretending, Nathan. I know it takes you a while to figure out personal things, but…” Nathan noted that the look on Allison’s face was approaching murderous.

“I know, Allison. I just haven’t decided what I want to do about it yet,” Nathan said soothingly. “In case you hadn’t noticed, he and I have been competing for you.”

Allison was lost in thought. “I should have seen this coming,” she remarked, looking a little shocked. “I don’t really even need to be in the room anymore when the two of you are around each other.”

“That’s not…” Nathan started to protest, cutting off when she shot him a pointed look. “Okay, maybe it’s a little true. Allie, seriously, if you say there’s a chance for you and me…”

“We both know there’s not, Nathan,” she replied, sighing. “You and I aren’t going to start competing for him though, are we?”

Nathan raised an eyebrow. “I’m pretty sure he’s made his choice,” she continued, lacing her fingers together. “And as much as I hate to admit it, I’m relieved.”

“Relieved?” Nathan asked, incredulous.

“Yes,” Allison replied, a bit of a smile on her lips. “I honestly had no ability to make a decision between the two of you. And I am starting to believe Beverly was right when she said that my inability to choose was more about indifference rather than desire.”

“She was drugged when she said that!” Nathan protested, though he was tempted to agree.

“It doesn’t make it any less true, Nathan. I haven’t found anything I’m completely passionate about, except my son,” Allison pointed out, offering a hand to Nathan. “Come on, tell me about what’s happened and I’ll try to help you not screw it up monumentally.”

Nathan winced, accepting the hand she offered. “We were waltzing last night,” he told her, rolling his eyes at the arch look she gave him. “Zoë is failing her gym unit in ballroom dance. By the way, remind me to take a look at what is being included in the curriculum at Tesla.”

“Nathan,” Allison warned him, sensing him veering off topic.

“She went to bed, and he kissed me,” Nathan said quickly, keeping his tone very matter of fact.

“He kissed you?” Allison repeated, sitting back, looking shocked. “Oh. What did you do?”

Nathan ducked his head, mumbling inaudibly. “What?” Allison asked, reaching out and lifting his chin.

“I effected a very dignified retreat,” Nathan said archly, flushing a little when Allison began laughing.

“You ran away as fast as you could, probably locked yourself in the guest bedroom,” she summed up, suppressing her laughter. “He didn’t look like you’d shot him down though, which I assume is the message your… retreat sent.”

Nathan rolled his head down, trying not to frown. “We agreed we needed to think about things,” he told her.

“That’s it?” Allison asked, obviously not buying it.

“He had to go to work,” Nathan replied. “Obviously I’ve been thinking about it.”

“I have endeavored to offer Dr. Stark advice,” S.A.R.A.H. chimed in. “As did Dr. Deacon when he visited earlier.”

“Ah, you’re in good shape then,” Allison observed, grinning. “So what’s your plan?”

“Plan?” Nathan asked blankly.

“You can’t seriously be thinking you’re just going to let him think this out,” Allison admonished him, shaking her head. “Nathan, if he thinks you’re waffling, he’ll run. You’re both a little alike in that respect. If your mind is made up, let him know.”

“I believe Dr. Stark’s approach this morning bears repeating,” S.A.R.A.H. suggested, and Allison’s eyebrows shot up. “Or perhaps a romantic dinner.”

“I knew it,” she said, a glint of interest in her eye. “You kissed him.”

“You didn’t know it,” Nathan retorted. “And S.A.R.A.H., I can’t take him out for a romantic dinner, I’m sort of under house arrest right now.”

“Tonight is Zoë’s sleepover at Pilar’s. She will be home this afternoon for her overnight bag, but is usually gone before Jack returns home,” S.A.R.A.H. said.

“Perfect,” Allison said, smiling. “S.A.R.A.H., would you be too insulted if Nathan cooked this meal for himself?”

“No,” S.A.R.A.H. replied cheerfully. “It will give me time to choose music selections.”

Nathan shot his ex-wife a pained look, but his mind was already working quickly. “All right,” he agreed, suddenly committing to a choice. “You go be the head of GD,” he told Allison, pulling her up and brushing her cheek with a kiss. “Good luck,” he added, serious.

“Thank you,” she replied softly, pulling him into a hug. “You too.”

Nathan set to work dicing garlic and slicing mushrooms, building a rich tomato sauce. He had the completed sauce simmering, and was rolling handmade meatballs when Zoë bounced through the door. “Afternoon, Dr. Stark,” she called out, stopping short when she saw him. “Wow, you do the whole kitchen thing really well,” she observed. “Is this ‘cause I’m gone tonight?”

He looked up, seeing her bouncing excitedly on her heels. “You’re gone tonight?” he bluffed, enjoying the look of surprise on her face.

“Oh, yeah, sorry I figured Dad or S.A.R.A.H. would have told you,” she said easily, sliding in next to him, stirring at the pot. She tasted it, fluttering her eyelashes. “Wow, that’s good. Maybe I should stay for dinner.”

Nathan glanced over at her, gauging her reactions carefully and deciding she was bluffing him in return. “If you’d like,” he agreed pleasantly.

“Oh,” she turned and punched him in the arm. “Come on, Nathan, I saw you two last night while you were dancing! Please tell me you’re not gonna bail on him after that!”

“We’re going to talk about it,” Nathan said, deciding to err on the side of caution with the overjoyed teenager. “Look, Zoë, it’s complicated. We’re not going to rush any decisions here.”

“But you want to date my dad, right?” Zoë asked, her voice ending in a high-pitched squeak.

“Yes, I’d like to date your dad,” he admitted, ending up with an armful of blonde teen.

“Thank god,” she said, sighing happily. She drew back quickly. “Sorry.”

“It’s okay,” he told her, even though he was surprised by the gesture. He paused in the middle of rolling a meatball. “I’m not sure I understand why you’re so excited by this idea.”

“Sometimes you two remind me of how him and Mom used to be, when things were good, and I want him to have that again, even if it can’t be with Mom,” Zoë bit her lip, before continuing. “And before you came to stay here, when he complained about things, when he’s happy, any of the things that go on, he mentions you,” Zoë told him. “I don’t know if he’s figured it out yet, but last night when you were dancing, I think he started to get a clue.”

“Yeah,” Nathan agreed, feeling his face heat a little, so he went back to making meatballs quickly.

“Dr. Stark, are you blushing?” Zoë asked, a little incredulous.

“Go pack for your sleepover,” he told her, schooling his features. He could hear her laughter as she ran upstairs.

“Hey, you got that dark gray button up shirt you were wearing at Henry’s birthday party a few weeks ago with you?” Zoë asked, when she came back downstairs, duffel in hand.

“Yes,” Nathan replied, puzzled for a moment. “You think I should wear it.”

“Oh yeah,” Zoë replied, giving him a thumbs up. “Jo said you were wicked hot in it.”

“Huh,” Nathan had never thought of himself as particularly hot. “If she says so.”

Zoë rolled her eyes, headed for the door. “Hey, Zoë?” Nathan called after her. “You and your dad were talking about Jasper Kincaid this morning?”

“Yeah?” she asked warily.

“You can do better,” he informed her, making sure he was keeping his tone neutral.

“He’s totally hot!” she protested.

“And shallow,” Nathan replied, shrugging. “And not so bright. You can do better.”

“Even if you’re right, how do you know?” Zoë asked, crossing her arms.

“He helps out his dad at Global sometimes,” Nathan told her. “I keep track of who I want to hire and who to avoid.” He looked up from his cooking, smirking a little. “And Fargo hates him.”

“Just… don’t tell my dad he was right, okay?” Zoë said, sounding pained.

“Can’t have him getting too sure of himself,” Nathan agreed, trading a grin with Zoë. “Go have fun.”

Zoë paused halfway to the door, looking back. “Hey Nathan?” He looked up, waiting. “You’ve got my permission, but if you hurt him, Jo and I will make sure they don’t find the body.”

“Understood,” Nathan agreed.

Zoë headed out and Nathan finished the meatballs, dropping them into the sauce. Having now successfully managed to spatter his shirt with sauce, he changed shirts and came back down, finding the lights slightly lower. “Thanks, S.A.R.A.H.,” he said, taking a deep breath to steel his nerves. “Here goes nothing.”


Next Part