"It was romantic," he said rolling the ball around in his hand, " though short lived."


Sarah felt tears spring to her eyes, " oh Jack...." if he hadn't been driving she would have planted a firm kiss on him

DANNY: " Had your girl made a definite promise to you, the way mine had made one to me?"


JACK: " You already know the one thing which IS in your power to do, that will add to my consolation and lessen my pain when you cross over to glory. But I will love you while you're here, whether you do that thing or not."

A tear spilt over, " its too dangerous Jack."


Nate shook his head. why was he telling this man all this? he didn't understand the compulsion to tell this man honestly whatever he asked. it made his week and vulnerable

~ ~ This would have been posted much, much sooner if my EVIL TRAITOR computer had not AGAIN chosen to crash for NO reason.



Jack suspended argument for awhile. He made his purchases, and on the last leg of their drive he spoke about the different blends he was going to make for her, some of which she could freeze and save for next week. "Which reminds me: I ate that leftover Chinese carry-out for breakfast."


" Now, Nate, I admit to speaking in ignorance with my next question; but maybe it's something you need to consider. Is it possible that you unknowingly did something to drive her away?"

Sarah managed a smile, " I'm glad you are well fed."

Nate looked at Danny, " like what?"

"Home?" she asked him confused


Nates eyes dropped, " I don't know...she just...one day just ended it."

"All I mean is, we're almost at your building. Nothing deeper than that." And soon they were parked.


" Well, Nate, we may never know in this life whether that breakup was in any degree your fault or not. Either way, we can't change it now. But for the good old motivational punchline, you still CAN change your future."

"Oh," she said feeling strangely disappointed, but why? she got out of the car and grabbed a few of the bags as she headed for her building


Nate shook his head, " what for?"

* * Why should Sarah feel disappointed, when SHE'S the one refusing to MAKE a home with Jack??? And in the other subplot: does Nate mean DAKOTA? But I had the impression he was already a loser even before Dakota.



Having made sure he held the heaviest items, Jack let Sarah carry what she was holding. He made no physically amorous move on the elevator ride, but did repeat "I love you" as they ascended.


" What for? Only for _everything!_ Look, Nate, this breakup was obviously a blindside blow for you; but there are also such things as _good_ surprises. Look at me: do you think I was _expecting_ to get a wife out of it when I ran into the crossfire on Halloween night? But now I have Tashonda--who is equally surprised to have me! Son, you don't know what good thing might be almost within your reach. It would be an even sadder thing than your breakup, if you lost hope and let yourself die--when without knowing it, you were only weeks or days away from some change of fortune that would have healed your wounds."

~~ she wants a home with him more than anything but she is talking herself out of it, hence being disappointed. Nate wasn't really a looser just a slacker


Sarah nodded, " I know." she said as they stepped out of the elevator and she opened the door to let them both in. she turned on the lights and set her bags on the counter


"There is no future Danny. it's not just her...its....its so much more."

Sarah watched him silently. he was stand offish today and she didn't blame him. he was finally taking her advice. she would be gone so soon....why get more attached?


Nate looked down, " you were too persistent."

Sarah had misjudged Jack; he wasn't being stand-offish, only practical in the face of HER stand-offishness. He made the first batch of nutrient beverage...poured it into jars he had also brought, with air space in each to allow for expansion from freezing...placed these in her freezer...and then, as deliberately as a kung-fu exercise, turned toward Sarah and swept her into his arms.


" Well, I'll give you a break, son. But I intend to visit you again soon. And right now, there's still the question of what food you would be willing to eat."

"Oh!" Sarah gasped as he took her into his arms, " well...hi..." she smiled her heart accelerating


he shrugged, " I don't care."