He left her speechless, her eyes not leaving his face. She knew he meant it because Jack wasn’t the type to say hollow words from what she had learned of him. Without thinking she reached a hand out hesitantly until her palm touched the skin of his cheek.
Her eyes were full if love yet mixed with sorrow. “..I still love you too…I thought..Jack I had thought I was hurting you too much..I don’t even know if I deserve someone so wonderful..but I wanted to see you..I missed you so much..I at least wanted to talk it out..”
“O-of course,” he stammered quickly. Just having her come to him now was enough to give him hope. And oh god, she still loved him too?
Yes, they could talk this out.
“We can talk as much as you need. Here,” Jack got to his feet, and offered her a hand. “Let’s go inside.” Please come inside. Please come home.
Staring at his hand for a long moment, Katelynn couldn’t help but wonder if perhaps she were dreaming, if she would wake up in Destruction Worker’s home alone as she had been. A part of her was used to the solitude however much she hated it while another found herself feeling so at home with him, as if she had never left his side.
Finally the hand that had been upon his cheek slid down and into his palm, using him as a bit of a crutch to get up. She was still so tired from the rescue and slightly sore but this was much more important.
“…Thank you..” She told him sincerely, giving him a tearful smile as she was led into the apartment. “For being so understanding and wonderful…”
Jack gently led her into the apartment, and over to the big couch in the living room. With his arm around her waist – the most contact he dared have yet – he guided her to sit down.
“You don’t need to thank me,” he said gently, trying to keep from tearing up himself. “I know I haven’t always been there for you in the past, but I will be now. However you need me, I’m here. I promise.” Oh, he couldn’t keep from touching her any longer. He reached up and stroked his fingers through her messy brown hair, brushing some of it back from her face.
Jack Maple 