He's Said It Better, Certainly (30 Rock, Jack/Liz)
Title: He's Said It Better, Certainly
Author: michellek
Rating: PG
For: fic_variations
Claim: 30 Rock, Jack/Liz
Prompt: Magic
Spoilers: S1
Word Count: 490
Summary: "...this would be a good time to bring up a matter that's been on his mind."
Disclaimer: Not mine. Don't sue.
*
Jack folds his hands on his desk, exhales as he stares at Liz. She's not currently irritated with him, so he supposes this would be a good time to bring up a matter that's been on his mind. "I don't fall in love with women like you."
She makes an odd sounding grunt. "I get it; you would never go out with me. Give it a rest."
This is not starting off well. His first instinct is to shut this conversation down and let her go back to the floor of her show, while he steps back and reassesses the situation. But more time will not make it easier to figure out how to confess this to Liz Lemon; for better or worse, she's unlike any other woman he's ever been attracted to.
Plus, Jack Donaghy is not a quitter. Especially when it comes to love, business, and finding a way to bridge the communication gap between humans and manatees.
"I phrased that poorly. I wasn't trying to insult you. What I was trying to say is that you aren't the type of woman who would usually captivate me, what with your passion for greasy foods and acceptance of Canadian values--" She still looks displeased. He should move this along. "But you have captivated me."
She stops looking like she's about to go for his jugular, but it's not replaced by the delight he had hoped for. "Oh," she says, brow furrowed. "You're... in love with me?"
"Falling in love with you. I can't figure out why it's happening, but I also can't seem to stop it. It's like that summer I spent riding the rails. Except I'm not carrying a bindle or keeping one eye open while I sleep to avoid getting stabbed."
"I'm going to be honest; I don't know how to react to any of that information." She pauses, eyes narrowing. "Is this some sort of trick?"
"To what end?"
"I... don't... know." She exhales. "You're really interested in me?"
"Yes."
"Okay, I still have no idea how to react."
"Well," he says, "you can take time to figure out how you feel."
"Um, yeah. I'm going to do that." She gets up and starts to walk to the door. She stops, turns around. "Riding the rails? Really?"
"Looking back, I think my actions were primarily motivated by my fascination with the hobo lifestyle."
"Huh. Maybe you should get together with Lutz. Not romantically. I mean, he's obsessed with hobos." She stands there for a moment longer, just looking at him. "I'm going to go and think about things."
She leaves, very slowly and very quietly closing the door behind her. He has no idea if this baring of his soul has gone terribly awry or rather well, but it's not like things were crystal clear before. At least he has a chance of not having to deal with unrequited love; he's never been a fan.
END
Author: michellek
Rating: PG
For: fic_variations
Claim: 30 Rock, Jack/Liz
Prompt: Magic
Spoilers: S1
Word Count: 490
Summary: "...this would be a good time to bring up a matter that's been on his mind."
Disclaimer: Not mine. Don't sue.
*
Jack folds his hands on his desk, exhales as he stares at Liz. She's not currently irritated with him, so he supposes this would be a good time to bring up a matter that's been on his mind. "I don't fall in love with women like you."
She makes an odd sounding grunt. "I get it; you would never go out with me. Give it a rest."
This is not starting off well. His first instinct is to shut this conversation down and let her go back to the floor of her show, while he steps back and reassesses the situation. But more time will not make it easier to figure out how to confess this to Liz Lemon; for better or worse, she's unlike any other woman he's ever been attracted to.
Plus, Jack Donaghy is not a quitter. Especially when it comes to love, business, and finding a way to bridge the communication gap between humans and manatees.
"I phrased that poorly. I wasn't trying to insult you. What I was trying to say is that you aren't the type of woman who would usually captivate me, what with your passion for greasy foods and acceptance of Canadian values--" She still looks displeased. He should move this along. "But you have captivated me."
She stops looking like she's about to go for his jugular, but it's not replaced by the delight he had hoped for. "Oh," she says, brow furrowed. "You're... in love with me?"
"Falling in love with you. I can't figure out why it's happening, but I also can't seem to stop it. It's like that summer I spent riding the rails. Except I'm not carrying a bindle or keeping one eye open while I sleep to avoid getting stabbed."
"I'm going to be honest; I don't know how to react to any of that information." She pauses, eyes narrowing. "Is this some sort of trick?"
"To what end?"
"I... don't... know." She exhales. "You're really interested in me?"
"Yes."
"Okay, I still have no idea how to react."
"Well," he says, "you can take time to figure out how you feel."
"Um, yeah. I'm going to do that." She gets up and starts to walk to the door. She stops, turns around. "Riding the rails? Really?"
"Looking back, I think my actions were primarily motivated by my fascination with the hobo lifestyle."
"Huh. Maybe you should get together with Lutz. Not romantically. I mean, he's obsessed with hobos." She stands there for a moment longer, just looking at him. "I'm going to go and think about things."
She leaves, very slowly and very quietly closing the door behind her. He has no idea if this baring of his soul has gone terribly awry or rather well, but it's not like things were crystal clear before. At least he has a chance of not having to deal with unrequited love; he's never been a fan.
END