One More Chance

[baby gurl]

aaaawww great chapter!! i hate sam as alot of you do but she was funny in the dina!! update soon....

[-ParaisGal-]

Chapter Eight

“I can’t believe Ash did that.” Belle said, stunned. Martha and Jack’s family and friends sat around the table. Martha had agreed that Jack could tell everyone, but she was upstairs, upset.

“I’m going to kill him.” Ric said, getting up and heading towards the door.

“No Ric!” Tilly said, panicking. She didn’t want her boyfriend getting himself in loads of trouble “Sally doesn’t need this!” She warned Ric.

Ric sighed, sitting down. He knew that Tilly was right he just didn’t want to believe it “I don’t want him hurting her ever again!”

“I can’t believe Sam is trying to break you guys up. I thought she was so nice, helping you with everything. She should understand, she was married once.” Tony said, quite unhappy that someone was trying to ruin his son’s marriage.

“Yeah well we all know she and Ash are nasty pieces of work.” Jack said evenly “As long as they stay away from Martha, me and Isabel I’m fine with that.” Jack said with a sigh “I can’t believe them though, why don’t they back off? Ash even tried to get back with Martha!” Jack said, outraged that a man who had abused his wife would try to get back with her “He didn’t care that she had a kid, apparently he really wanted her back but he was tailing her, and not leaving her alone. She was terrified. She’s already scared enough of him.” He fumed.

“So that’s why Martha’s been acting a bit strange around men for the past two months?” Lucas asked his brother “Because of this sicko abusing her?” He asked, unable to believe that Chooka would harm a woman.

“Apparently his marriage broke up, Jess found out and also found out that he’d abused Martha so she took Declan and Jess and left.” Jack informed them all.

“So Morag was right this whole time. Ashton was hiding plenty of things.” Alf said, stunned. He should have believed his sister, not accused her of lying.

“He’s very good at fooling people, Alf. Fortunately Morag is one person who he couldn’t fool, not many people can fool Morag.” Jack said.

“I’m glad you think that, Jack.” Morag said, bustling in.

“Morag.” Jack said simply in greeting.

“Where is my niece? I’ve heard.” She said briskly.

“She’s upstairs, she’s even nervous around me now.” Jack admitted.

“I’m sure her old feelings that she felt during that abusive relationship are coming back Jack. I know for a fact that she loves you very dearly, and that Ashton Nader was playing on those feelings. He used her and spat her out, fortunately his wife saw through him and divorced him promptly.” Morag said, delivering the news to the rather relieved crowd.

“That’s good, he flamin’ deserves to rot in hell.” Alf said, his fury showing in his voice “I trusted him with my granddaughter, how could I have been so stupid?” He asked himself “I should’ve noticed the signs!” He continued blaming himself.

“Alfred this isn’t your fault. You couldn’t have stopped her being beaten up. I’m just relieved she is finally out of that relationship and into a safe and stable one.” Morag said, her relief showing on her face.

“Thanks Morag.” Jack said gratefully, relieved that Morag thought him to be safe, reliable and stable.

“You’re welcome. Now I’m going to see my niece.” She declared, heading upstairs.

-------------------------------------

“Sweetheart how are you?” Morag asked her niece tenderly.

“Alright.” Martha’s muffled voice came, she was face down on the bed sheets.

“Sweetheart it’s okay, you don’t have to put a cover on for me.” Morag assured her niece “Tell me whatever you want.” She said to her.

Martha sat up “I just don’t feel safe anymore.” She said, hugging her knees to her chest “The worst part is that I know Jack would never hurt me but I feel scared. I’m not ready to be in a relationship Aunty Morag. Today made me realise those feelings are red raw. I can’t even be around someone like grandad and I feel so bad!” She said, sobbing onto her aunty’s shoulder.

“It’s always fine to tell Jack how your feeling, and if you’re not ready for a relationship then tell him! Jack will understand! So will everyone else. You’ve been through a major trauma Martha, he’s your husband, he’ll understand! So will your friends and family!” She promised her.

“But what if he goes back to Sam?” She whispered, tears falling afresh down her cheeks.

“How about I tell him how you feel if you can’t.” Morag said gently.

“Thanks.” She whispered tearfully.

-------------------------------

“Jack.” Morag said softly as she went downstairs. It was just Ric, Alf, Cassie, Macca, Tilly, Jack, Tony, Lucas and Belle in the room now.

“How is she?” He asked, turning immediately.

“I’ve got some bad news.” She said, reluctant to give the news “She says she’s not ready for a relationship right now, she’s not even ready to be around any men. One thing she does know, is that she will be ready, it’ll just take time. And also that she does want to get back with you when this is over, but she’s worried about all the Sam pressure.” Morag told him.

“She doesn’t need to worry I’m never going back to Sam.” He promised them.

“Good, she needs your support.” Morag said, satisfied.

NEXT CHAPTER: Will Martha learn to trust Jack again? Or will it take years?

PLEASE RATE AND REVIEW!

[Tasha]

Yes, Martha better trust Jacky. I dont want to wait years Great chapter though. Oh poor Martha

PLease update soon

[Adia]

Another great chapter. I love how everyone wants to help defend Martha against Ash! Good stuff! Morag was really nice too.

Martha has to trust Jack again she just has too! I just hope it's sooner rather than later...

[gawguss_tiff]

aww poor martha i hate ash!! at least his wife left him and took the kids as well aww i hope jack and martha get back together soon she has to trust jack he's JACK for goodness sake lol but i know it would be hard lol aww ric is soo cute wanting to go and hurt him lol o and i love morag in this chpater she was soo nice well excellent chapter update ASAP

[-Laura-]

Poor Martha! Update soon!

[caitrules]

poor Martha, she better realise she can trust Jack anyway, now Ash is all alone, and Sam is all alone... they should hook up, and leave Jack and Martha alone

[~Rosey~]

Wow. Its not normal that you see Morag in a fic...unless of course its one of Natashas.

I'm still not sure if I like this fic. I'm not being mean or anything, but i'm just saying.

I'll think about it. Maybe if the name Rachie was mentioned

[-ParaisGal-]

Rosey I shall pretend I didn't hear that and promptly begin throwing beer glasses at you.

[-ParaisGal-]

Chapter Nine

Martha lay on that same bed a week later. She’d barely left the bed, terror filled her body every time she got off, leaving her feeling distraught. She was under the wing of her Aunty, who was the only one who’d come near her for the past week. She couldn’t handle it. Isabel wasn’t allowed to leave her sight, except when Jack sent Morag up to bring her down. She took a deep breath, knowing what she had to do. She had to see Jack. He had been sending her letters, the only way he’d been able to communicate with his wife. His letters were getting more and more desperate, and she knew that she couldn’t stay away from him forever, she couldn’t be that cruel. To Jack or to herself, she knew he wouldn’t hurt her, but she just didn’t want to take the risk, she could risk being hurt that badly ever again, she couldn’t stand the pain she’d feel. She looked at Morag when she entered, her determination clearly visible in her deep blue eyes “I need to see Jack.” She said softly “Could you call him please?” She asked.

Morag was surprised by her niece’s comments but offered no resistance “If you’re sure that you’re ready, of course I will ring him.” She assured her, leaving to get the phone.

Morag went downstairs, and held the phone, dialling the familiar number of the Holden residence “Hello Jack, could you come over to Sally’s please, as quickly as you can?” She asked him.

Soon Jack’s car was speeding into the driveway and Jack was coming out, jogging “What’s wrong?” He asked, slight fear visible in his eyes.

“Nothing, except for that fact that you’re wife, wishes to see you.” She said, pausing between the news.

Jack’s face was one of complete and utter disbelief “You can’t be serious. She hasn’t wanted to see me for the past week.” He said, his voice flat.

“She wants to see you now, unless you don’t want to see her.” Morag snapped, her earlier gentleness gone.

“Of course I want to see her, but, now?” He asked, quite relieved.

“No, Jack, at Christmas time.” She said, the old Morag starting to return.

Jack smiled, as he headed up the stairs. He knocked cautiously on the door, hearing his wife’s frail voice call out his name. He opened in, looking at his weak wife lying on the bed. She obviously hadn’t been taking good care of herself; she looked thinner than usual as well. He stood unsurely at the door, till she sat up and patted a space near the bed. He immediately went to it, making sure not to touch her.

She watched as Jack looked at her, not knowing what he thought of her. She couldn’t see him properly, the room was slightly dim and dismal, reflecting her immense distrust in people.

“How are you?” He asked, making a stab at conversation with the most common starting point.

“I’m okay.” Came her voice. Gone was the determination in her eyes, they’d returned to the same lifeless look. She’d been like this for over a week, and she knew she had to get out of it she just didn’t know how.

“Are you okay with me being here?” He asked, remaining cautious.

“Jack, if I wasn’t I wouldn’t have asked you to come.” She said flatly.

“I’m just making sure. I don’t want to push you or anything.” He assured her.

“You’re not.” She said softly, looking at him “I hate feeling so powerless all the time.” She muttered, ashamed at the fact she couldn’t even be around her own husband.

“Hey, it’s perfectly fine.” He assured her “I will always be here for you, I’ll always love you. I’ll also never lay a finger on you in violence. That I can promise you.” He said.

She looked at him, believing what he said. She looked at his hand, her heart pleading with her to take his hand. She hadn’t touched anyone in a week, her aunt had kept her distance, understanding her reluctance. She tentatively reached out, hesitating often.

Jack watched as she began to slowly reach for his hand. He didn’t dare move, or even barely breath. To some this may have been petty and stupid, but he knew just how hard it was for Martha to come into contact with a man, especially so soon after being treated so horrible. He felt as her fingers smoothly ran across his hand, and he didn’t move his hand, he just looked at their hands as they stayed, partially joined.

She realised that he wasn’t going to push her when he didn’t grab her hand, she smiled in relief. One obstacle over. She picked up his hand, and rubbed it slowly. She felt him slowly tighten his grip, very slowly, and she tightened hers, looking him straight in the eye the whole time.

Jack smiled at her, she was finally rebuilding her trust, slowly but surely, and he knew it would be a long road but he knew that in the end, it would all be worth it.

PLEASE RATE AND REVIEW!