Everything Happens For A Reason...

[vale4eva]

Ahhhhhhhhhh! How could you be so mean and leave it there!

Excellent chapter! Cant wait to see what happens next!

Hopefully something good

[beckyboo]

You seriously did not just leave it there no way what so ever

Omg Seriously update NOW

Great chapter Puja

Erm…who and…why…why is she back?” Jack questioned, trying to curb his enthusiasm which was waiting to burst

I can soo see Jack doing that

Update soon Now

xxxx

[Tasha]

Puja you suck so bad right now.

Update NOW -angelic look- please

[gawguss_tiff]

you left it there im about this annoyed |-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------(never ending line)| lol just joking that was a great chapter can wait til they talk please update ASAP

xoxox

[Jacksthehottest]

Can't believe you left it there lol. Great chapter though, please update soon, can't wait to read more

[beckyboo]

Hey

I really think

I really do!!!!!

Update soon hunni

xxxxxxx

[puja]

Sorry for the lack of update guys. I have been really busy with uni. We've been making our module choices for the final year and sorting out our dissertations, so it's a very stressful time. Plus, I have assignments coming out of my ears.

There probably won't be an update for a while yet. I know that sucks, and I'm really sorry- especially with the way I left things. I'm thinking of wrapping this fic up quite quickly- no more messing about- so the next update (whenever I post) will be the mother of all chapters.

Hope you all understand

[vale4eva]

Sorry for the lack of update guys. I have been really busy with uni. We've been making our module choices for the final year and sorting out our dissertations, so it's a very stressful time. Plus, I have assignments coming out of my ears.

There probably won't be an update for a while yet. I know that sucks, and I'm really sorry- especially with the way I left things. I'm thinking of wrapping this fic up quite quickly- no more messing about- so the next update (whenever I post) will be the mother of all chapters.

Hope you all understand

Completley understand, ive got assignments and presentations coming outa my ears aswell! So i know how you feel. It sucks majorly.

Dont worry bout it, your uni works more important, take your time.

The next one is the 'mother of all chapters'! lol. That made me laugh.

Looking forward to it.

[baby gurl]

I was just going to ask when the next chapter was going to be but then I saw your post!! Don't worry Miz P I'm sure Uni's stressful (not like I know personaly) but my brother finished and he was under ALOT of stress!! poor me coz my room got jacked!! Personally I don't think you should finish yet, I think you should just update when you can coz I don't want this fic to end yet!!!! XxX

[puja]

Hey, I’ve finally got the chance to update!

I’m so sorry for the long wait. I’ve been snowed under with work and laziness also played a part.

I actually had most of this chapter written a couple of weeks ago, but it didn’t flow, so I didn’t post.

Special thanks to both Nicole and Krystal And, this is dedicated to all those who are stressed with assignments, exams or just generally stressed

Chapter 9

“Are you going to stand there in awe admiring my hotness or are you going to invite me in?” Jack laughed as he continued to examine Martha’s shocked facial expression. ‘Did I just say that? I’m such an idiot’ Jack immediately thought to himself as he berated his tactless approach. But the truth was, he couldn’t help it. Although the years had flown by and so much had occurred, Jack surprisingly and subconsciously carried on from where they had left off- acting childish and sarcastic. All the nerves he had been feeling previously disappeared; without a moments hesitation. It was like they had never been apart.

“Hello, earth to McKenzie,” he said, waving his hand millimetres away from Martha’s face, “I see that your manners are as backwards as ever” he remarked, folding his arms in defeat.

“Ummm, I’m sorry,” said Martha, recollecting her thoughts, “Please come in,” she gestured with her hand as she moved away from the door, unblocking Jack’s entrance.

“Thanks,” grinned Jack, making his way to the sofa and sitting on the single seater. Martha followed him closely behind and sat opposite him. She shuffled in her seat trying to get comfortable, but she couldn’t. She couldn’t help but feel uncomfortable around him and the fact that he kept on staring at her didn’t help matters. After several minutes of silence, Martha finally relented.

“Must you do that?” Martha asked with a hint of agitation in her voice.

“Oh, it speaks!” said Jack, secretly thankful that Martha had resumed the conversation, “And what is it that I am supposed to be doing?”

“You keep staring at me like I’m naked or something, it’s putting me on edge,” she answered truthfully. Jack responded by laughing; laughing at her innocence. His laughter, however, soon subsided when he carefully analysed Martha’s appearance; she was dressed in her robe, her hair was slightly ruffled and her cheeks were a rosy pink shade.

“Maybe I’ve ummm come at a bad time,” Jack said as he jumped up from his seat, “I think you’re in the middle of something,” he said, breaking the eye contact and looking away in embarrassment.

“What are you going on about?” a genuinely puzzled Martha asked, not understanding the sudden change in Jack’s behaviour, “You’ve not come at a bad time, I wasn’t doing anything important anyway”.

Jack scoffed, “I’m sure your boyfriend won’t appreciate you saying that.”

“Boyfriend?!” Martha exclaimed, “wha- ooohhhh” she said, realising the misunderstanding after Jack refused to look at her. She could see the embarrassment in his eyes and giggled, “No you dork! It’s nothing like that. The reason why I’m dressed in my robe is because I was just about to get in the shower before you arrived. I was at the beach earlier and I’d forgotten how salty the air was. So I-” but before Martha could finish, Jack cut her off.

“Pheeew,” He sighed as he resigned back to his chair, “I thought that it was strange, I mean, what would a guy with half a brain, be doing with you upstairs?” joked Jack.

“Hey!” yelled Martha, throwing a cushion in Jack’s direction.

“God McKenzie, you still throw like such a girl,” Jack continued to tease.

“Well ten out of ten for Mr. Perceptive; you go to the top of the class,” Martha replied, repaying the sarcasm.

“Hmmm, so even after all these years, your manners are as bad as ever, you still have a girly throw, but…” Jack stopped, stood up and walked slowly towards Martha. He crouched down and rested on his knees only a few inches away from her. Jack looked deep into Martha’s eyes, refusing to glance away. Moving his head closer to hers, their noses were almost touching when he spoke again, but in a more hushed tone. “But…are…you…still…ticklish?” With that, Jack moved his hands from the edge of the sofa and towards Martha until it found its destination- Martha’s stomach.

“JACK! Jack, you’d best stop it now!” she screamed through fits of laughter, “I mean it Holden! If your life is precious to you, then give up tickling me; now!” Martha managed to wriggle away from him and ran towards the table. Martha needed a weapon to fend him off; she knew Jack wouldn’t give up so easily. Making sure that he was at arms length, she grabbed the first object that came to hand on the table; a banana.

“That the best you can do? A measly banana?” smirked Jack.

“I wouldn’t get so smug if I were you” grinned Martha, “You know as well as I do that in my day, I could make the most macho boys cry with my bare hands. So…a banana…that would assist me very nicely,” She gloated.

Jack took a step back and gulped. He knew she was right; he’d witnessed many of them first hand himself. Changing tact, he put his hand up in the air and conceded, “Ok, ok, you win, I lose. I promise I’ll keep my hands to myself. Come on, let’s sit down,” Smiled Jack as he stuck out his hand, hoping Martha would oblige; she did. He took her hand and escorted her back to the seating area.

************************************************************************

(Two hours later)

Martha and Jack had spent the last few hours talking about the past and consuming alcohol. They swapped and reminisced stories from their high school days as their laughter roared and threatened to cause the people of Summer Bay some problems- even behind closed doors.

Both had avoided talking about the one thing that meant they still couldn’t fully act their normal selves. Martha distanced herself from bringing up the issue because she didn’t know how to tackle it and Jack; he didn’t want to upset Martha. With his final mouthful of wine, however, Jack managed to find the courage.

“Martha,” He began, “You know the whole episode from earlier, me trying to tickle you? Well, it wasn’t me just acting like an idiot,” He smiled, “There was a reason for it,” He said, standing up and walking towards her.

“What do you mean?” asked Martha, raising her right eyebrow as she too stood up.

“When I first got here” Jack started to explain, “You were really shocked to see me and well basically, you were acting very, ‘un-you-like,’” He confirmed as Martha smiled. “I was kind of worried that with time, our friendship would have changed, and I didn’t want that.” Jack continued as he moved nearer towards her. “The comments I made about you still having a girly throw and bad manners made me think and realise that possibly the old Martha was still there, still existed; my Martha. And, the only way I could know for sure was if you did something that the Martha of nine years ago would have done; make a threat,” Laughed Jack. “And you did,” He said, touching her hand.

Turning serious, Jack continued. “Martha, only I know what I’ve done to get through these years without my best friend. I remembered you in my happiest and my darkest moments. It’s funny you know. I was so angry and upset when you left. I felt betrayed by the one person who I thought could never hurt me; especially to that degree and, I’ll be honest; it hurt like hell,” He whispered as he clasped his hand and entwined it with hers. By this point, Martha was looking down at the floor. Just listening about his sorrows made her heart wrench, so there was no way she could look at him.

“Jack I…I don’t, I can’t…,” Martha stuttered through her tears that were beginning to flow.

“Shhh,” Jack hushed gently. He put his index finger under her chin and gradually allowed it to escort her moist face, so it was facing his. “I don’t want to force you into giving me an explanation. I know you had your reasons for leaving and I respect that, but please let me finish. I need to get this all out in the open. I’m not doing or saying all this to intentionally hurt or spite you. It’s just, it’s my way of getting closure; please,” He pleaded, as he used his other hand to wipe away her tears.

“I understand,” Martha nodded. “Please go on.”

Jack paused for a few seconds before he continued. “You know I was never one for cliché’s but, it’s true what they say, you don’t realise how lucky you are until something is taken away from you. Usually someone will experience that much hurt and pain once in their lifetime but I’ve been doubly unlucky. First you left me and then Tina…,” He paused again.

“Tina?” asked Martha confusingly, “I just assumed that you guys were still together,” She said honestly.

“She died Martha, eight years ago,” Jack conceded solemnly. It was now his turn to shed the tears.

Martha took a step back and gasped. She couldn’t believe it. Had she heard right? “Jack…I’m so, so sorry,” she sympathised, pulling him in for a warm embrace. “I had no idea.”

“How would you, you weren’t here,” He reminded her, moving away from her hold and placing his hands on her shoulders. “You know how I said earlier that I was really angry with you after you left? That bitterness came back after Tina’s death and took over Martha. I became a horrible person. I shut people away, put my family through hell and became segregated,” Jack confessed.

“People grieve and deal with things in different ways Jack. You don’t automatically become a bad person because of it. In those kinds of situations, we do whatever it takes to cope. That was your way of coping,” proposed Martha.

“But what about revenge?!” Jack shot out, catching Martha off guard, “Did you ever wonder why I never tried to find you, or get in contact with you? I knew you had family here in the Bay but I still didn’t go down that route, do you know why? For revenge. I had got it into my head that if I ever saw you again, I would be able to hold my head up high and say, ‘look Martha McKenzie, I managed to get through my wife’s death without your lousy support, so I sure as hell don’t need it now!’” Jack shouted, tightening his grip on Martha’s shoulders. “What kind of a person does that make me?!” He said through his unrelenting sobs. “I had already decided you were the culprit without giving you the chance to explain. I made you the bad guy without hearing your side of the story”.

Martha took her hand and put it to Jack’s cheek. She stroked her thumb around a specific area to try and sooth him and spoke. “It makes you human Jack,” She assured him through teary eyes. “I’m just so, so sorry that I was the root cause of you becoming that confused person and for that, I will never, ever forgive myself,” Martha cried.

Jack pulled Martha in towards him. His firm hold of her petite frame represented years of anguish and unfulfillment. He placed his head between her shoulder and neck. “I don’t want you to apologies, and I don’t even want you to think about it. All I want is a promise; please don’t leave me again like that. This time, I wouldn’t be able to cope with the rejection,” He whispered.

“I won’t, I promise,” Martha replied, closing her eyes and maintaining the embrace. She too needed Jack a few years ago, like he needed her after Tina’s death. But, she couldn’t tell Jack about that. It wasn’t the right time or the right place; not yet anyway. For now, Martha was going to do something which she hadn’t done for a very long time; put Jack first.

Chapter 10- Martha meets Emma.

A ‘familiar’ face has someone intrigued…