2ND Chances...(A EUReKA Fanfic -Jack/Nathan) [9A]
2nd Chances…
*Once it has begun...does it matter under what circumstances true love began?*
A EUReKA Fanfic
by
snarkyandsparky
Catagory:
Angst, humour, romance, slash
Rating:
NC:17
Word Count:
800
Disclaimer:
I don't own them, but I like to play with them once in a while...
*
special thanks to
brighids_fire, molleo, d0kt0ravalanche & CokeHead
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Note:
All chapters are linked to each other at the beginning and end.
**
Chapter 8: Recognitions…
Chapter 9A: Expectations (An interlude)
*Love is a choice you make from moment to moment.*~ Barbara De Angelis
When Jack Carter first woke up in the Global Dynamic’s infirmary 15 months prior, Nathan Stark had expected a lot of things.
In the medical sense, he had expected that Carter would have memory problems when it came to his daughter, that there would be overall physical immobility and general musculature weakness. He also predicted the resulting frustration and helplessness that the normally very energetic town Sheriff would feel because of these.
On a more personal note, he expected that Carter would be utterly mystified as to why Dr. Nathan Stark, of all people, was the one primarily in charge of his recovery. He fully expected Carter to demand that Allison or someone else be put in charge of him. He expected harsh questions and for the Sheriff to demand to know who exactly was to blame for the accident.
Nathan also expected to feel that fresh surge of gut-wrenching guilt every moment he was around him, for no matter what anyone said to him, he knew that he was the one to be held responsible for Zoe Carter's death.
And most of all, he expected Carter to know what he had done, even if only on a subconscious level and to resent him for it.
When the time came for Carter to wake up, Nathan was however blindsided by so many other unexpected reactions.
He never expected to feel for him when the small hospital room was overcrowded with visitors from the town and Carter was shifting uncomfortably, clearly just wanting to be left alone. He didn’t expect the fierce waves of protectiveness he felt every time someone almost let a question about Zoe slip out.
He didn’t expect Carter to wordlessly accept the fact that he, Nathan, had been the one putting him through his daily physical therapy for months now, or even - once he had gotten his bearings back - the curious, friendly questions that Jack began asking him, within days of regaining consciousness.
He really didn’t expect himself to begin slowly realizing what had attracted Allison to Jack Carter from the beginning. The man’s boyish charm and irrepressible friendliness that shone through despite his weak condition, coupled with a sharp mind and infectious smile, now made it so clear.
Given what their relationship used to be, he didn’t expect that Jack’s face would ever lighten when he entered the room, or be relieved that it was Nathan and not someone else, coming in to see him.
He didn’t surmise that their conversations would become easy and light, or anticipate the blatant teasing that Jack began directing at him on his lighter days.
He didn’t expect them to laugh.
He didn’t expect Jack’s hand to tighten on his shoulder in silent thanks, as Nathan worked him through his daily exercises, or to be the one that Jack turned to for support as he began pushing himself through his own recovery and back to 100%.
He didn’t expect that after a few weeks, Jack would sometimes look at him so intently that it felt as though those blue eyes were staring directly into his soul, or the sudden awkwardness that filled the room only because nothing about it felt awkward at all...
He didn’t expect himself to wonder why he never noticed how blue those eyes were before.
He didn’t expect to confess that he still felt absolutely wrecked with guilt every second of every day, even though Jack did not remember his daughter, Lucas Asher or even Dr. Kutcher.
He'd never expected Jack to open his arms and catch him as he fell into his own grief, or to hold him there firmly while he worked through the tears that he finally allowed to fall.
He didn’t expect the electricity that began coursing through his body every time Jack touched him, or even looked at him after that, or the fact that he found himself wanting to return the touches and looks just as desperately.
When Jack kissed him for the first time, Nathan didn't expect to feel panic at the thought of letting go. He didn't expect to feel so connected for the first time in his life.
He didn’t know that the brush of lips or the smiling curve of a mouth could draw him into someone so utterly that he never wanted to find his way out.
Above all, when this all started, when fifteen months ago, Nathan had gone about trying in his own way to make things right and to be there for Jack every step of the way....
He didn’t expect to fall in love with him...
But even more than that; after everything that he had done, everything that he was about to do, everything that he was guilty of, Nathan never expected for that love to be so completely and unconditionally returned.
Chapter 9B: Nathan’s Story (An interlude)