>Sudden Insight
>Chontell Ungerer
>
>This came to me as I was on my way home from Sydney, our bus broke
>down right outside Tamworth at 10.30 at night and I was thinking of
>all sorts of things to keep my mind from looking at the time. Finally
>three hours latter we left Tamworth and I had this fic in mind.
>
>Disclaimer: I don't own any of the characters you recognise or places
>for that matter, they all belong to Hal, Southern Star and Channel
>Seven.
>
>"Ok Stretch you ready yet?" An impatient Jo bangs on the Imperial room
>door.
>"Hang on" came the muffled reply. Jo can hear a lot of rummaging,
>something fall over and a few vulgar words escape the usually reserved
>Jack Lawson. A few minutes latter he opens the door, his shirt
>untucked, buttons done half way up and shoes untied. He stumbles out,
>trips over one of his laces and falls into Jo, who catches him and
>holds him upright. Jack looks kinda sheepish.
>"Sorry Jo, kinda over slept then the button feel off this and the
>other one's at the laundry and…"
>He stops mid sentence and looks at Jo, who has raised eyebrows, then
>begins to laugh. He shakes his head and starts to do his buttons back
>up. Jo leans down and ties his shoes for him, in a few seconds both a
>ready to go.
>They make their way down to the dining room of the Imperial, Chris is
>already bustling around getting things ready, she looks up and sees Jo
>and Jack walk down the stairs together laughing.
>"Morning you two, getting a bit late isn't it?"
>"Yeah Jack had a little trouble this morning" Jo says nudging her
>partner and beginning to laugh.
>"Hey it's not funny alright, it's alright for you to have a bad
>morning but if I have one it's the bloody headline news"
>"Alright Stretch carm down" Jo looks over her shoulder and winks at
>Chris as they both head off to the police station.
>
>~#~#~#~
>That morning at the police station
>~#~#~#~
>
>Ben and PJ have gone to investigate a burg, Jack is at the local high
>school and even Tom has gone out to straighten out an old mate of his
>who's in a trouble. It's only Jo and Tess at the station.
>When Tess first moved here Jo and her hadn't gotten along but they had
>gradually warmed to each other and had become firm friends over the
>last couple of months.
>This morning all the paper work is up to scratch and there are no
>calls, Jo and Tess are standing at the sink a cuppa in hand talking.
>
>"I don't know there don't seem to be to many single guys around Mount
>Thomas"
>"Sure there is Tess, you just got to look"
>"No ok let me rephrase that, there don't seem to be to many single
>good looking guys around"
>"Ahh well now you have a point."
>"What about PJ?"
>
>Jo nearly spits out her coffee. She puts the cup on the sink and turns
>towards Tess.
>
>"PJ? I guess but… He's been through a lot over the last year or so and
>I don't think he's ready to move on yet"
>"Oh yeah right Maggie"
>
>The two both have a drink out of their mugs.
>
>"I don't know Tess maybe your expectations are to high"
>"What? All I want is a man who will look after me, doesn't mind me
>working, doesn't want to have kids and can clean"
>
>Jo smiles and shrugs her shoulders.
>
>"All I want is a man that knows exactly what I want. You know we've
>both had a hard day at work and I'm dead beat thinking about what to
>cook for dinner so my husband will think I'm a great wife then he
>comes waltzing through the door with Chinese"
>"Good luck"
>
>Just then Tom returns followed closely by Ben and PJ who have the
>lunches. Everyone jumps for the box and quickly devours it's contents.
>
>~#~#~#~
>That night at the Imperial
>~#~#~#~
>
>"Yeah and you should of seen the women, she couldn't take her eyes off
>Jacko here" PJ says thumping Jack in the back
>"Our Jack the stud muffin" Jo teases. Jack's turning bright red and
>tries to ignore everyone. At that moment a tall man enters, he has a
>bag slung over his shoulder, jeans and a black t-shirt on with a
>leather jacket over the top. Jo's sitting with her back to him and
>just happen to turn around.
>
>"Cory!!" Jo cried jumping up and running over to him.
>"Joanne!!!" He throws his arms around her, both giving each other a
>huge hug.
>"What are you doing here?" She asks him after recovering from her
>initial shock.
>"Not much, I'm sort of travelling around Australia and came through
>here and thought I might stay a couple of days"
>"Oh wow I can't believe it, I mean we haven't seen each other since…."
>"Since you left for the Academy" He finishes for her. Their faces look
>reflective as they think back. After a moments silence Jo speaks up.
>"Come here I want you to meet my colleagues"
>She brings him over to the table where everyone is looking rather
>curious.
>"Ok well that's Tess, Jack, PJ, Ben, and my boss Tom. Everyone this is
>Cory, we went to school together"
>"Hi" came the response from everyone.
>Jo turns back around and faces Cory,
>"Wow I can't believe you're here"
>The both head back over the bar. Jack is continually looking over at
>them a look of jealousy on his face. When everyone is leaving Jack
>looked over at the bar, for Jo. Often when everyone went home and
>Chris was closing up they would stay and help her, Jack really liked
>that, it was like their special thing. But Jo wasn't there, he looked
>over towards the stairs and seen her and Cory disappear towards her
>room. Jack sighed. He cleared the table and took the glasses over to
>the sink.
>"night Chris!" he called out.
>"What your not going to stay and help me?"
>"Not tonight, I'm really buggered, thought I might hit the sack early
>you know?"
>"No prob. Hey listen do you still want me to wake you up at 6?"
>"Nah, I'll be right"
>He barely whispered as he walked towards the stairs, alone, feeling
>sorry for himself. Chris watched and shook her head, why wouldn't they
>just admit to each other that they had feelings? Chris smiled as she
>thought of Maggie and PJ, how she had seen the same look on each of
>their faces when either one bought a date to the Imperial, trying to
>cover the feelings they had. Chris hopped that this pair would realise
>sooner than Maggie and PJ did, she didn't think she could bare it all
>again.
>
>~#~#~#~
>In Jo's room
>~#~#~#~
>
>"I really missed you when you moved away" Cory said leaning over
>towards Jo a bit, she makes no attempt to move away.
>"I know I missed you, but it just wouldn't of worked"
>"why? Jo we loved each other we could of made it work"
>"I know"
>"I never stopped thinking about you, everyday I would think of you and
>wonder where you were, what you were doing."
>Cory whispers and moves in closer
>"I never stopped loving you"
>He says, leaning in and kissing her passionately on the lips. Jo moves
>back, a bit shocked at first. Cory looks deep into her eyes, putting
>his hand gently on her arm, then leaning in again and kissing her.
>This time she doesn't pull back.
>
>~#~#~#~
>In the morning
>~#~#~#~
>
>Jack's already sitting at the bar eating jam on toast when Jo rushes
>down the stairs breathlessly, Jack barely looks up.
>"Hey Jack why didn't you wake me up?" She says playfully
>"Forgot" he answers in very sullenly. Just as Jo sits down and takes a
>bite out of her toast, Cory comes down the stairs, leans over and
>kisses Jo on the neck
>"Hey beautiful"
>Jack gets up and leaves without even looking at Jo, or saying goodbye
>to any of them.
>
>~#~#~#~
>3 weeks latter
>~#~#~#~
>
>Everyone is sitting at the Imperial, including Cory who had decided
>that he was going to stay in Mount Thomas a little longer now.
>Everyone is chatting and laughing about the days advents when Cory
>speaks up.
>"Hey Jo, come here I've got to ask you something" He calls out to Jo
>who was at the bar. She returns a few seconds latter with a round of
>drinks for everyone.
>"What?" She asks sitting down cautiously. By this time everyone is
>silent and looking at the pair.
>"I want to know if you'll be wife? Marry me"
>He produces a ring from his jacket pocket and places it on her finger.
>Everyone is dead silent, especially Jack, waiting for the answer.
>"Yes!" She cries diving across and giving him a huge hug.
>Everyone at the table starts to cheer
>"yeah go Jo!!"
>"Whooo"
>"Congratulations"
>"Yeah!!"
>Jack says nothing. After a couple of minutes he excuses himself from
>the table to go to bed. He walks around to Jo and leans down and gives
>her a kiss on the cheek
>"congratulations" he whispers
>"Thanks"
>He leaves and goes to his room.
>
>~#~#~#~
>a month latter
>~#~#~#~
>
>Jo is sitting in her room in the Imperial flicking through a book
>which has invitations in it.
>"Hon, which one do you like? I think 7 looks alright and 10 but I also
>like 2 and 4"
>Cory comes out of the bathroom barely looks at the book, he leans down
>and kisses Jo on the cheek.
>"Which ever one you like I'll love" He picks up his bag and disappears
>out the door. Jo sits on the bed frustrated, trying to make a choice.
>After a couple of minutes she gets up and goes next door, knocks on
>Jacks door.
>"Coming" he calls, a few seconds latter he answers the door and looks
>rather surprised but disappointed to see Jo there.
>Over the last few weeks he had been keeping his distance from her. How
>on earth could he tell her the way he felt now? She was engaged to be
>married, and it wasn't to him. Jack realised that he had left things
>to late, and now he would never have the chance to tell her that he
>liked her, that he loved her even. He figured it'd be best if he kept
>away now.
>
>"Hey Jack I'm in a bit of dilemma can you help me?" She asks
>pleadingly.
>"I guess" He lets her in and she sits on his bed.
>"I can't decide what invitations I like. See I like these ones with
>the cherubs around the edge, but I like this one, it's got that old
>classic look to it, but on the other hand I also like this one, it's
>very modern and shick"
>She looks up at Jack all confused.
>"What did Cory say?"
>"He said I could have which ever one I liked, he'd like it too"
>"Oh. Well since when have you like cherubs? And it's in black and
>white, you hate the colour black. And this one is way to bright for a
>wedding invitation, it's got pink and green and yellow all over it, it
>looks like a 8 year olds party invitation. Why don't you go for that
>classic one, it's on marble paper with silver writing, you really
>liked that on Sue and Rays invitations, it's not too fancy or over
>done, it's very you, Jo"
>"So you reckon the classic one?"
>"Yep"
>Jo flicks back to the page with the invitation on it and stares at it.
>"You know, I really do like this one. Thanks Jack"
>She leans over and hugs him.
>"Anytime" he says softly.
>She gets up and leaves, Jack just watches her.
>
>That night Jo rushes into a fancy restaurant all dressed up but late.
>She spots Cory in the corner and goes over to him.
>"Hey sorry I'm late" she says kissing him on the cheek
>"It's ok. I already ordered though, Italian Pizza sound good?"
>Jo looks up at him
>"Ahh I don't eat pizza"
>"Really? Oh well I…"
>"It's ok I'll order something else"
>"Jo there's something I've got to tell you"
>"What?" She asks quickly suddenly getting all worried. What if he was
>calling off the wedding? What if  he wanted her to sign a pre nup?
>"Don't look so serious"
>"Sorry" she said exhaling a little.
>"It's just well, I've got to go the Perth for a couple of weeks, to
>sell the house and tie up a few lose ends so I can move here
>permanently"
>"Ahh ha and when are you going?"
>"3 days and I'll be gone for about 3 weeks"
>"3 weeks?! But our weddings in 4 weeks. How am I supposed to plan it
>if you're not going to be here?"
>"I'm sure you'll do a fine job, I trust you"
>
>~#~#~#~
>3 Days latter
>~#~#~#~
>
>"Hey Jack, what are doing after work?" Jo asks, sliding her chair
>around to his side of the desk.
>"Nothing much why?" he asks barely looking up from his paper work.
>"It's just well I'm going looking for my wedding dress, but I want a
>males opinion, so you wanna come?"
>"I don't know Jo, why don't you get Cory to go with you?"
>"Here's gone back to Perth to tie up a few lose ends he won't be back
>until just before the wedding, so come on pllleeeeeaaaaasssseee??"
>She begs.
>"Alright"
>
>~#~#~#~
>At the Bridal Store
>~#~#~#~
>
>"How about this one?" Jo asks coming out of the dressing room. She's
>wearing a white gown that's straight has a very small train with a lot
>of embroidery work on the back.
>"I don't know, it makes you look really short….."
>"Thanks" she says defensively. She goes back into the dressing room
>and returns a few minutes latter in another gown.
>"Hmm you look like a marshmallow"
>This goes on for an hour or so, until Jo has had enough.
>"Ok then Mr, why don't you find one that you think will suit me?"
>"I don't know Jo…"
>"No go on"
>
>Jack looks around the bridal shop, dresses everywhere. He walks around
>a bit and looks at a few, finally he decides on one that a manikin had
>on.
>"Here try this" he said handing her the dress.
>She disappears into the dressing room and returns a few moments
>latter. Jack had picked out a simple white strapless gown, with
>embroidery work on the front, dropping down into a full A line skirt
>with diamantes placed strategically all over it.
>"Wow hey Jack this is really nice"
>Jack is speechless
>"You look beautiful" he whispers then realising what he said
>"I mean Cory will think you look beautiful. Jo that's really nice"
>The shop assistant agrees.
>"I think I'll get it"
>A few minutes latter they leave the shop with the gown.
>"Hey Jack, how about I buy you dinner, as a thanks"
>"It's getting late…"
>"Come on Stretch"
>"Alright"
>"how about here?" She said as they pass a little café
>"Yeah fine"
>"Why don't you find us a place to sit while I take the dress to the
>car"
>"Ok"
>
>About 15 minutes latter Jo returns.
>"What happened to you?" Jack asks as she finally appears.
>"I ran into Tess and just had to show her then I had to explain why I
>hadn't asked her to come."
>"Oh right then. I already ordered, sorry the waiter was getting kinda
>annoyed. Got you Spaghetti Bog, vegetarian with no garlic and
>wholemeal spaghetti right?"
>Jo smiles
>"Right"
>They sit down and soon their meal arrives.
>
>~#~#~#~
>A few days latter
>~#~#~#~
>
>"Hey Jaaaccckkkk" Jo said from her desk.
>"Ah oh what now?"
>"Well um you see, tomorrow I've got to go to the florist and she
>suggested that I bring my fiance with me, but when I said he's not
>here she suggested a male friend. Something about males having
>different colour sense and views or something, so ahh you wanna come?"
>"Do I have a choice?"
>"Nope"
>"Thought so"
>
>~#~#~#~
>At the Florist
>~#~#~#~
>
>Jack looks incredibly bored as the florist and Jo are talking about
>colours and stuff. The fiddle around with a few flowers then Jo turns
>to Jack.
>"Waddaya reckon?"
>She's holding salmon coloured roses and purple daisies with babies
>breath.
>"Yuck"
>That was his reply for almost everything she showed him.
>"Listen Jo, what colour are your bridesmaids dresses?"
>"burgundy"
>"Well have bright flowers that stand out umm white roses and maybe
>yellow or something."
>The florists makes up the combinations and shows Jo.
>"That different. I actually like it."
>"It's a strange combination, I would of never thought of putting it
>together like that. See I told you to bring a male along"
>So it was set, white roses and yellow tiger lilies.
>
>~#~#~#~
>The next day
>~#~#~#~
>
>"Hey Jo, Jo, wake up come on you'll be late for work"
>Jack said banging on Jo's door. A few minutes latter she answers,
>still in her PJ's and obviously been woken up.
>"Jack I'm not going to work today, the boss gave me some time off,
>I've got to find a place for my wedding, figure out how I'm going to
>wear my hair, how the bridesmaids will have their hair, what food has
>to be ordered. Ahhh"
>"Whoa, ok well have fun. And Jo?"
>"Yeah"
>"If I ever think about getting married remind me not to ok?"
>"Ahh ha" She smiles and he heads down the stairs.
>
>That night Jo's sitting in her room flicking through pictures of
>gardens and churches. She suddenly closes her eyes and lies back and
>sighs. She was so tired. Just then there was a knock on the door. She
>smiled knowing it would be Jack.
>"Come in Stretch" she calls out. Jack comes in with two white bags.
>"What ya got there?" She asks him curiously.
>"I thought you would be to buggered to go down stairs and eat so I
>bought some Chinese for you. We've got honey chicken, chicken chow
>mien, and friend rice."
>"Oh yum my favourite" They settle on the floor and open up the
>containers, both quickly devouring it all.
>"So have you decided where the weddings going to be?"
>"Not yet, I really like St Angela's church but then the botanical
>gardens look lovely." She shows Jack the pictures.
>"I reckon the gardens look nice. And anyway you don't like churches"
>"I know, I was actually thinking of the gardens myself"
>"Why don't you ring Cory and ask him?"
>"Ok"
>She picks up the phone and dials.
>"Hey darl it's me. Hey listen I was just deciding wear to hold the
>wedding, now do you want a garden wedding or in a church?"
>It's silent for a few minutes.
>"Ok. When will you be home?"
>"Oh ok umm by, love you"
>"So what did he say?" Jack asked after Jo hung up the phone.
>"He said we could have it where ever I wanted to."
>"The gardens?"
>"The gardens. Now all I've got to do is decide hair up or hair down?"
>"Show me what you where thinking of" Jack said.
>Jo disappears into the bathroom for a few minutes and returns with her
>hair up in a ponytail with it falling behind so it looked like it was
>short and not up.
>"mmm" was all Jack said.
>She goes back into the bathroom, Jack can hear the blow drier going.
>"Jo what are you doing? This isn't the real thing you know?"
>"I know I just want you to see something and tell me how it looks"
>"Whatever" he sighs.
>"Stretch close your eyes" Jo calls out about 10 minutes latter.
>"Why?"
>"Just do it ok don't ask questions"
>Jack shuts his eyes. He can hear Jo run across in front of him.
>"Can I open them now?"
>"Only for a few minutes then you've got to shut them" Jo calls out
>from the opposite end of her room.
>"Now shut them" She says finally.
>Jack obeys.
>"Now open" She says.
>"Wow" jack barely whispers.
>"So what do you think?" she says twirling around.
>"You look really good, I mean gorgeous" Jack says still not taking his
>eyes off her. Jo has put on her wedding dress, blow dried her hair
>straight so it's now sitting at nearly waste length and put the terra
>in her hair with the vale. Her terra sits like a crown around the top
>of her head and the vale falls down in front of her face as well as
>behind.
>"It's really just an excuse to put my dress on, I feel like a princess
>you know? All done up looking glamorous"
>Jack can't take his eyes off her, he just watches her.
>"I better get it off before I spill something on it"
>"Yeah, ahh that's a good idea" Jack says snapping back to reality.
>While Jo's getting changed Jack calls out to her
>"Hey Jo, it's 11, I'm going to bed"
>"Ok night stretch, see ya in the morning"
>"Yeah night Jo" He says before leaving.
>
>That night Jo's laying in bed and thinking. Suddenly something hits
>her and she sits dead upright.
>'All I want is a man that knows exactly what I want'
>'Italian Pizza sound good?'
>'I don't eat pizza'
>'Got you Spaghetti Bog, vegetarian with no garlic and wholemeal
>spaghetti'
>'Which ever one you like I'll love'
>'it's very you, Jo'
>'You look beautiful'
>'I'm dead beat my husband will comes waltzing through the door with
>Chinese'
>'got honey chicken, chicken chow mien, and friend rice.'
>'Oh yum my favourite'
>'I reckon the gardens look nice. And anyway you don't like churches'
>'You look really good, I mean gorgeous'
>'All I want is a man that knows exactly what I want'
>This kept running through her head.
>"Jack" She whispered.
>
>~#~#~#~
>The Next Morning
>~#~#~#~
>
>"Cory it's Jo, I have to talk to you"
>"Listen, I…I don't want to marry you anymore. We barely know each
>other and what if it doesn't work. We're not at high school anymore
>Cory, we're adults, I've changed a lot and so have you"
>"Of course I love you, but I'm not in love with you. I think it would
>be best if you stayed in Perth. I'll send all your things over to you"
>"Cory please? It's for the best"
>"Ok, ahh ha. Yep bye"
>She hangs up. Just then there's a knock at the door.
>"Hey Jo wake up, come on get up" Jack says banging on the door.
>She gets up and answers the door. Jack takes one look at her and can
>see she's been crying.
>"Oh god Jo what's wrong?"
>"I… I just called off the wedding." She puts her head on Jacks
>shoulder and begins to cry, he puts his arms around her and suddenly
>she feels safe, like no one can hurt her.
>He takes her inside and sits down on her bed while she cries.
>"Oh god I've got to cancel the caterers and the bridesmaids dresses,
>tell everyone that it's been cancelled take my dress back."
>Jack just holds her. After a couple of minutes Jo gets up.
>"Well we better go to work." she looks a mess but Jack's not going to
>fight with her, she's too strong minded.
>A half an hour latter they arrive at the station, everyone is already
>there.
>"Lawson Parrish in my office now" Tom calls out as he sees the pair
>arriving late. Both scuttle into his office.
>"Now Jo I know you've got a lot on your mind with the wedding and all
>but I do expect you to be here on time. And Lawson you have no
>excuse,"
>"Umm boss, can I have a minute with you, just outside I want to tell
>everyone together"
>Tom looks slightly confused but as if he knows what she is about to
>say.
>"Umm everyone can I have your attention for a minute?" Jo steps out of
>Tom's office, everyone stops what they're doing and looks up at her.
>"Umm This morning, I called off the wedding, I'm really sorry guys but
>I think it's for the best"
>She begins to cry again, and again Jack is there for her. Everyone
>offers her their condolences.
>Latter on in the day, both her and Jack are in the locker room.
>"Jo, ahh if you don't mind me asking what changed your mind, about the
>wedding"
>She looks up at him and says softly
>"I feel in love with someone else"
>He looks down at her
>"With you" She whispers even softer.
>