by Mckoy, Cate
He had to catch her. Ignoring the pain to his nuts he took off after her. She was gaining distance from him. Jack made a flying tackle at her, bringing her down. To protect her he turned their bodies in midair, ensuring his body was on the bottom and taking the brunt of the force as they slammed into the ground.
Still in fight mode, she scrambled away instantly. Jack caught her arms so she couldn't throw anymore fists at him. They weren't exactly love taps she was giving him. She fought him like a wildcat. She gripped his arms too, trying to prevent him from getting a more stable hold on her.
Jack felt like a bully. But when he tried to convey his harmlessness towards her with his eyes, he felt more than a bully, he felt like an evil, child molester or something equally monster-like. As she looked over his shoulder at J.T., the look of horror, fear and betrayal defied description. Jack swore he could feel her pain.
He couldn't stand her terror for one second longer, Jack slipped behind her as she got back on her knees. Quickly and efficiently, he applied the sleeper hold, putting her out in seconds. The very millisecond he felt her body go limp, Jack released the pressure and caught her up in his arms. He stood, holding her close to his chest.
"What the bloody hell is going on? Why did you do that to her? Why did she run like a bat out of hell?" J.T. demanded confused. "And, why are you guys wet?"
Jack began walking back to the house, carrying his precious cargo as he answered J.T. "Catlyn thinks we wish her harm. It is why she ran. I gave chase to calm her down. I put her out because I was dying a little inside every second I had to witness her fear and also to stop her fear."
Jack carefully angled around the broken glass as he entered through the broken patio door. He was so thankful the temporary glass was in place rather than the expensive shatter-proof glass he had on back order. No telling what kind of damage she could have inflicted upon herself if it hadn't been the temporary glass.
He made his way to the sofa in the living room. Gently he laid her down and pulled the blanket thrown across the back of the sofa across her prone body. He went to the phone on a nearby end table and dialed a number he just recently committed to memory. His call was answered in the middle of the first ring. Without any preamble he said curtly. "Come to 220 S. Seneca. It's a dead end road on the North edge of the city. And, bring your gun." He hung up.
"What the bloody hell is that about? And, you still haven't explained why you're wet."
Jack turned to J.T. "I am wet because when we were struggling on the ground out there, Catlyn looked up and saw you coming towards us."
"So," J.T. shrugged his confusion.
"Because of my tackling her, Catlyn was on top of me when she saw you."
Again J.T. shrugged. "So?"
"So, you're her walking, talking nightmare and you literally scared the piss out of her!"
J.T. looked at the woman lying on the sofa. "Oh, God, don't tell me…"
Jack gave a heartfelt sigh, "That's right J.T." Jack amended when the blue eyes flashed at him, "That's right Jason Catlyn was one of your brother's victims when she was a 15 year old girl."
****
Catlyn was sleeping comfortably on Jack's bed. She came awake slowly. Her body ached from head to toe. Slowly her eyes opened. Brown clashed with green. At first she started to smile, seeing Jack sitting in a chair next to the bed. But, suddenly, her memory swamped her. J.T. was here. J.T. was here with Jack, shaking Jack's hand, smiling with Jack.
She inelegantly scrambled off the bed. Speed was more important than finesse. Jack stood and went towards the doorway, blocking and stopping her flight. Catlyn backed up, shaking her head in denial. She was brought up short by the wall opposite the doorway.
"Kitten—"
"Don't fucking call me that!" Catlyn hysterically screamed, "You sick, twisted piece of scum!" Catlyn's eyes scanned the room for another way out. She calculated the distance to the bathroom door. Jack seeing her glance towards the bathroom door moved to the halfway point between the bathroom and doorway of the bedroom, anticipating her plan to flee. Knowing she would never be able to outrun him or out maneuver him, she cried harder. "I will never let you guys touch me. Whatever you have planned, I will not make it easy for you. You'll have to rape my dead body."
Jack's eyes sparked angrily. "Oh, sweetheart, I don't have to rape you. I spent most of last night fucking every orifice you have." His chest heaved as he took a menacing step towards her. "And, you loved every minute of it, lost count how many times you came and begged me for it."
His words totally flayed her raw. In both physical and emotional pain, Catlyn simply crumpled to the floor along the wall. Jack had used the same words J.T. had used just before he had violated her. 'Fuck every orifice'. God, she was stupid. She can't believe she fell for the green eyes, sexy smile and boy next door charm. Now it was going to possibly cost her her life, if not worse. Because, Catlyn would rather die, than be raped again, especially not by the man she thought she had fallen in love.
****
Jack stood in his bedroom feeling stupid, useless and emasculated. He can't believe he let his anger get the best of him. He can't believe he had thrown their wonderful lovemaking and Catlyn's incredible responsiveness to him in her face, belittling their magical night with a few uncaring words said in the heat of anger. But, how could she possibly think for one second he wished her harm? Shit, he'd die for her if the need arose.
He knew, regardless of what she said about her healing, that Catlyn suffered from PTSD. He'd seen it enough over the years with his fellow brothers who served. Hell, even he had suffered from it when he first returned to the states. Unlike Catlyn, Jack was treated for his PTSD and had a successful end. An essential part of the healing had to do with some form of closure. Catlyn never got that. She never got justice. She never got to confront her attacker.
He also knew that coming face to face with your rapist in you lover's home after making love with that lover all night was more than enough to send anyone over the edge, especially not knowing where your lover stood. Jack also acknowledged his lack of sensitivity in handling the situation. He needed to explain things to Catlyn make her understand about J.T. His colossal FUBAR moment had been when he decided to wait to tell Catlyn everything about his investigation. If he had told her and been completely honest with her like they had promised each other, they'd still be cuddling and making googoo eyes instead of her on the floor crying gut wrenching sobs in defeat while he stood several feet away feeling low, slow, dumb and numb.
Where the hell was—
"Hey, chief, what's with the strange call? Yo, Gard, what's the frigging deal?"
Jack looked at Catlyn as soon as he heard the voice on the steps. Catlyn came to her feet, hope filling her eyes. "Mack?!"
Mackenzie came into the room. "Hey, Cat, nice digs. What is with—"
"Mack!" Catlyn screamed.
Jack watched Mackenzie take in Catlyn's extremely disheveled appearance, wildly tangled hair, mussed t-shirt, face ravaged with tears, snot running down her nose, various cuts and bruises all along her arms and legs, blood on one of her feet.
In swift motions that almost appeared as one, Mackenzie drew her weapon from her hip and pulled one from an ankle holster. She took careful aim at Jack while tossing the smaller weapon to Catlyn who caught it in mid-air. She never even took her eyes off Jack as she tossed the gun.
"Hands in the air chief!" Mackenzie demanded.
It was an amazing thing to watch. The strong bond and friendship between the two women was so ingrained, Mackenzie knew instinctively what actions she should take just from the tone of Catlyn's voice. She didn't know what was going on, yet she trusted her friend and knew what her friend needed. Even as he stared down the barrel of two guns he could appreciate the symmetry in which the ladies worked.
He wanted that with Catlyn. He wanted Catlyn to know what he was thinking just from one word or a tone. He wanted her to never doubt his loyalty and love for her. And he was going to get tha
t with Catlyn. He was determined, even as he raised his hands in the air.
"Talk to me, Cat." Mackenzie said, keeping her gun steadily pointed. "Are you alright?"
"H-he's here, Mack. I saw him. Jack was laughing with him in the kitchen." In stark contrast to Mackenzie's sure aim, Catlyn's hands shook visibly and hard, making her aim skewed at best.
Mackenzie's eyes darkened in pure rage. She obviously knew who he was without further explanation. "Where is he now, Cat?"
"I-I d-don't know? He was here. I swear."
"I believe you." Mackenzie spoke softly but with threat, pulling cuffs from behind her. "Ok, chief, nice and slow, on your knees."
Moving slowly towards him, Mackenzie checked to make sure Catlyn had her gun aimed before holstering hers, gripping Jack's wrists tightly in the cuffs, securing his hands behind him.
Mackenzie took her place next to Catlyn again, re-aiming her gun. "Now, chief, what the hell is going on in here? Can't leave you guys alone for a minute, huh?" Mackenzie directed her question at Jack while splitting a look between them.
Jack regarded Mackenzie curiously. He could tell that Mackenzie didn't think he was the bad guy, regardless of her protecting her friend. Looking directly into Mackenzie's eyes he said, "You know I love Catlyn and I'd never do anything to hurt her?" It really wasn't a question but he still waited for Mackenzie to answer.
Mackenzie nodded acknowledging his truly spoken words. "But, also chief, you have to admit you've fucked up somewhere along the line." Mackenzie indicated him on his knees and cuffed with a tilt of her chin. "Dude, you've really screwed this up, you got my girl thinking she's about to die here." Mackenzie put her gun away laughing. "Real smooth, Slick, you should write a book on wooing your woman."
Feeling a thousand times lighter and liking Mackenzie that much more he frowned at her, "You're a real comedian." Jack pulled his hands towards her as much as he could. "Get these things off me."
Mackenzie laughed hard, reaching in her jean's pocket for the cuffs' key. "Now, chief, if I take these off, you promise to play nice with Cat."
Jack stood and rubbed his wrists, glaring at Mackenzie as she put away her cuffs and key. "Oh, you should be on the stage with that routine."
Mackenzie laughed again and took a seat on his bed. She waved a hand towards Catlyn. "Handle your business, Chief. Try not to fuck it up again." Mackenzie threw a glance towards Catlyn and leaned forward to Jack and stage whispered, "Try not to get shot too."
Jack turned to Catlyn who was watching them both closely in profound confusion. She still held the gun on him and although she still shook, it was not as much as before. Jack knew he owed Mackenzie big for handling this situation with levity and calmness. Mackenzie taking their situation in stride helped Catlyn to calm down and take a closer look. Catlyn knew Mackenzie to be very astute. So if Mackenzie didn't see a threat Catlyn shouldn't either.
"But, I-I saw you with J.T." Catlyn strengthened her stance, lifting the gun higher. "I saw you laughing with the man who raped and almost killed me."
Hurt coursing through him, he probed Catlyn's eyes. "Do you honestly believe that I'd smile at and shake hands with the person who nearly destroyed the woman I love?" Jack bowed his head, still shocked she could believe such a thing. He looked back up into her eyes, his eyes pleading for her understanding. "I would kill the bastard if he stood in front of me."
Catlyn was beyond confused. His eyes reflected, love, pain and a wish for understanding. But she had not been hallucinating. "I know what I saw. It's one of my nightmares. How do you explain that?"
Jack opened his mouth to speak but was cut off by a voice coming from the doorway. "It's explained very easily with two words 'identical twin'."
"I asked you to wait in the bedroom next door." Jack growled. He saw all the color drain from Catlyn's face, which revealed a lot, as most of the time you couldn't really see Catlyn's emotions in her coloring. Jack went to her and grasped her under her elbow. "Mackenzie." Jack indicated Catlyn's other side with a tip of his head. Mackenzie immediately supported Catlyn too while gently removing the gun from her trembling fingers.
Jason Tyler Dark moved into the room, stopping about a foot directly in front of Catlyn. The closer he came, the more support Catlyn seem to need. Her eyes grew huge. She leaned back as to keep distance from her and her manifested nightmare. There was nowhere to go. Jack aligned his body along hers, his front to her side, buffering her shudders, moving his hand from her elbow to her waist.
"Steady on, sweetness. This is Jason Tyler Dark. Actually, he is a chief inspector with New Scotland Yard. He's pursuing the fugitive Jon Taylor Dark in a joint investigation with Interpol. Jon Taylor Dark is wanted for a series of rapehomicides in London and Liverpool, England, Paris, France, Rome, Italy and several in the states of NY, California, Florida and Washington."
Jack wasn't sure Catlyn was taking any of the information in. Her stare was direct and piercing as was Jason's. There was an almost tangible connection flowing between the two as they continued to stare at each other.
Jack looked at Mackenzie as the stare between the two antagonists extended. Mackenzie shrugged, not sure what they should do.
Before it became completely uncomfortable watching his woman devour another man with her eyes, she spoke, "Your eyes are darker, kinder and have a dark gray ring around the blue."
Jason's eyes widen in shock and then the guy blushed. Jack couldn't believe it. The man stood there looking his fill at his woman and now blushed at her first words to him. Well, there goes another one under the Lyte spell.
Jason spoke in a raspy whisper, "Not even my fiancée could tell us apart, even when Jon was slitting her throat, she died thinking it was me."
Catlyn gasped and tears came to her eyes. "I'm sorry." She whispered back to him.
Jason shook his head. "Not your fault no one can tell us apart." He gave a wry smirk, "Not even family members see a difference."
Astoundingly, Catlyn reached a comforting hand out and touched Jason's chest. "I see one Jason."
Jason's chest rose and fell in a deep breath. He didn't touch Catlyn but he closed his eyes at her contact and then opened blazing eyes to stare intently into Catlyn's.
Jack rolled his eyes. Enough of this shit. "Ok, now that we know I am not harboring 'Jack, The Ripper' and not having breakfast meetings with your rapist, can I get some of that sweet understanding?"
Catlyn let her hand fall from Jason's chest and gave Jack her full attention. Just the way he liked it. She put her hands on her hips. "No, I don't understand you!" Catlyn glared at him. Well, maybe she wasn't looking at him exactly like he liked but at least she wasn't looking at Jason anymore and that horrible fear wasn't lurking in her beautiful brown eyes.
"Jack, how many times did I ask if there was anything I should know?" She glared at him now as her speech picked up and she stepped pass Jason to start pacing. "You didn't think an exact double of my rapist roaming around wasn't something I needed to know?" She asked while her pacing stride got longer and stronger. Not waiting for him to answer she continued her dressing down, "And, I asked over and over if there was something I could do to help with your 'investigation'." She threw brown daggers at him as she remembered a new infraction. "Oh, my God, your friend Bob was killed by J.T.!" She continued her rant and pacing. "Men! Always think they…"
Jason stepped next to Jack, watching Catlyn. He spoke quietly to Jack. "You're in serious trouble."
Jack sighed as he also watched the love of his life attempt to tear him a new one. Just as quietly he spoke to Jason, "Yeah, I know. But, I was protecting her."
"That never goes over well with women." Jason unnecessarily informed Jack.
"You think?"
"Man, she's pissed. She's beautiful though. She finally grew into those big brown soulful eyes."
Jack narrowed his eyes suspiciously on Jason. "Keep your eyes off. She is taken."
Jason gave a laugh that wasn't really a laugh, "Like I'd even have a chance
. I am the carbon copy of the man who stole her innocents and almost killed her."
"Just letting you know in case you get any ideas."
"Don't worry, Chief. I like the lady," He added with a soft smile as he continued to watch her, "a lot, but I don't believe in mixing business with pleasure or going after unavailable women."
"Good. Just so that we understand each other," Jack cast a glance at Jason.
"Understood Jack," Jason offered his hand. Jack shook it quickly, looking back at Catlyn as she started to wind down from her ranting.
"…and, if you were honest like we had agreed, I wouldn't have had one of the biggest frights of my entire life."
