A Lost Scene from "A Weekend In The Country"
By Steph ([email protected])
Summary: This takes place at the end of the episode after the montage of characters where Jack is packing and Jen is talking to Henry.
Author's Note: Thanks to J, Roxy, and Sian for beta-reading this one. This is only my second fanfic. I hope I am getting the hang of it. As always, love the feedback. Makes my day brighter and also makes me want to write more. Just be kind, please. :)
Jack picked up the box full of his things, turned out the light, and shut the door to his room. He hated leaving Jen and Grams, but Andie needed him. She was his sister and he hadn't been there for her when she had needed it this year. He vowed to never let that happen again.
As Jack walked into the kitchen, he saw Jen coming in the back door. She had a strange look on her face, like something unexpected had happened.
"Jen, what's with the look?" Jack asked as he sat the box down on the table.
"Oh, nothing," she said, completely oblivious to everything around her.
"Wait a minute. Your mind is completely somewhere else. This wouldn't have anything to do with Parker now would it?"
Jen snapped out of her mindless gaze and came back to reality. She sat down at the table and motioned for Jack to do the same. She needed someone to talk to, and she knew that Jack would listen without judgement.
"The strangest thing just happened, Jack. I told Henry about my past, and he didn't even blink."
"Jen, excuse me for stating the obvious. Why is that a bad thing?" Jack couldn't understand why Jen just wouldn't accept that Henry's feelings were for real.
"Oh, I don't know. This is all new to me. Things aren't normally this easy for me in the relationship department."
"So, this is a relationship, huh?" Jack scooted his chair back, waiting for the shove that would be forthcoming from Jen.
"Don't make me bring up a little excursion to Capefest last week, Jack." She playfully slapped him on the arm.
"Well, as I recall, it wasn't your most shining weekend either, my dear Miss Lindley."
"But, I wasn't the one who kicked me out of our tent for a beautiful pair of blue eyes."
"You're never gonna let me live that one down, are you?"
"Not planning on it."
Jen and Jack both laughed at themselves and their situations. They both couldn't help but laugh at where they now found themselves, considering the events of the past year.
"Well, I better get going. Andie will be calling half of Capeside if I'm not home soon."
Jen hugged Jack goodbye one last time. She was going to miss him. Granted, she would still see him everyday, but it wouldn't be the same. She liked having him to come home to every night.
"Take care of yourself, Jack. And, if you need any Jack milk, you know who to call."
Jack remembered his earlier conversation with Andie about the special Jack milk. It was the conversation that had spurred him to make this decision.
"Be good, Jen. And, don't think about this thing with Henry too much. Just let things happen."
Jack picked up his box and headed towards the door. As he turned the handle, Jen's hand stopped him.
"Hey, wait. Don't forget this."
Jen was holding his handmade Jack mug. As she placed it in the box alongside his other stuff, tears began to form at the corners of both their eyes.
"Thanks, Jen, for everything. I love you."
"I love you too, Jack. Now, go home." She repeated the words to him that she had spoken earlier, words that she hadn't really wanted to say. But, she knew that this was for the best.
As she closed the door behind him, she thought to herself that maybe, just maybe, they were both going to be okay.
The End