Dazed

[~Amy~]

You know you don't come into the fic section for one day & theres old fics coming alive new ones popping up, not to mention the ones that are still going!

I love how you bring humor into, your writing is wonderful & discripitve.

Ash the Arse, I nearly spit out my drink, it suits him very well.

Post the next one when you can.

[Nicom]

Thanks for all the great comments.

Well, seen as though some people can't read (*cough* Becky, Puja *cough*) and have had to ask me on msn when my update is, I'll clarify again here.

I'll not be updating this as often as I should. Count on once a week.

However, due to the fact that this fic doesn't really start getting into anything until the chapter I'm writing now, I'll probably update soon-ish so I can get to the more interesting bits sooner.

[irish_angel]

Woo Hoo.... Another J/M fic by Nicole

Great 1st chapter Nicole and looking forward to reading more.

[vale4eva]

Thanks for all the great comments.

Well, seen as though some people can't read (*cough* Becky, Puja *cough*) and have had to ask me on msn when my update is, I'll clarify again here.

I'll not be updating this as often as I should. Count on once a week.

However, due to the fact that this fic doesn't really start getting into anything until the chapter I'm writing now, I'll probably update soon-ish so I can get to the more interesting bits sooner.

Soonish! ..... Like today!? Hehe

[*J&M*]

Great start Nicole, can't wait for the next chapter

[Nicom]

Update number 2, as some people (BECKY) have been pestering me.

Martha is never been pregnant in this fic. And Mike (the owner of the club) is her boyfriend, if you hadn't of guessed from the last chapter.

Chapter 2

Martha looked down at her watch, knowing already that it was time to be heading back home. She was meeting up with Mike later and it was going to take her ages to apply her make up.

She turned around to find Jack walking up to her, a smile on his face.

“Don’t tell me you’re going now I found you,” Jack asked, out of breath as he leant against the fence.

Martha shook her head, “I’ll stay around for you. You shouldn’t have come looking for me though; I’d have met up with you somewhere.” She told him.

Jack shook his head, “It was fine. To be honest it’s nice to be walking around; there was a time I thought I’d never be able to again.” He sighed, “Plus I’ve got to improve my fitness for work. I’m going for a meeting with McGrath in two weeks, and if I’m well enough I’ll start work again.” He said happily.

Martha grinned, “That’s great news!” She exclaimed.

Jack nodded, smiling back at her. “It is.”

He cleared his throat, signalling the change of topic, “How are you?”

Martha shrugged. “I’m fine thanks.”

“Heard anything from Ash?” Jack asked carefully.

She scoffed, looking up to the sky. “No, thank God.”

“Good. If you do, let me know.” Jack told her, “He has no right to even exist in your thoughts, let alone on the end of your phone line. Moron.” He grumbled, forcing Martha into a laugh.

“Thanks,” She smiled. “Thanks for being around. Thanks for having the guts to tell me about Ash, and thanks for being my friend. Even after all we’ve been through.” She said gratefully.

Jack blushed, grinning gently. “You’re more than welcome. Best bud.” He laughed, lightly punching her arm. He watched as Martha giggled and smiled at her happiness. He was happy they could still be friends; he wouldn’t know what he’d do if they weren’t. Their shouting and argument phase had been the worst part of his life. Well, apart from when she officially ended the marriage at the hospital; that may have been the worst. But since then things had slowly gotten better; he’d moved on from the heartbreak and hurt and adapted to a new lifestyle. A new lifestyle that thankfully still involved Martha in some sense.

“So, buddy o’ pal, where are you working now?” Jack asked playfully.

Martha paused, shifting her eyes back to the sea. “Um, somewhere in Yabby Creek. It’s a bit above you; you wouldn’t fit in with the tuxes and bow ties.” She smiled cheekily.

Jack laughed, “Thanks.” He said sarcastically. “I’m surprised you’d like that, with the snob’s and all. I hope you’re not rude to them, Martha.”

Martha forced a smile as she brushed her hair behind her ear, trying to pass the topic. She didn’t like to lie to him, but she knew she couldn’t tell him where she worked. He’d try to convince her to quit. So she’d just avoid answering questions for now, and leave the work subject alone.

She pushed away from the fence, “I better get going.” She told him with a nod.

Jack watched her intently as she forced another smile; something wasn’t right.

“Are you sure you’re okay?” He asked as he stood straight.

Martha nodded, “Yes.”

Jack raised an eyebrow. “Promise?”

Martha smiled, “I promise.” She told him, moving closer and giving him a kiss on the cheek. “Take care. And good luck for next week!” She exclaimed, walking backwards.

Jack nodded with grin, watching as she turned around and left.

“Seems okay to me,” He said to himself, “Ric’s just paranoid.”

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

“And where do you think you’re going?” Alf asked from the sofa. Martha stopped where she was, putting on a smile and taking a detour to the side of her granddad. She had been trying to sneak out without anyone noticing, but she’d unfortunately been caught out.

“Just going to meet some friends.” She told Alf with a smile.

He scrunched up his eyebrows, “dressed like that?” He asked, gesturing to her revealing, red dress.

Martha blushed, “Granddad, you do know how to make a girl feel uncomfortable.” She said, forcing a giggle. “It’s all the fashion.” She assured him, leaning forward and kissing him on the cheek.

“Alright then, have a good time. Will you be back before you go to work?” he enquired.

Martha shook her head. “No, I’ll go to work from there.”

“I hope you’ve got a change of clothes. Fashion or not; a business is a business.” He grumbled.

Martha laughed, heading to the door. “My uniform is ready for me at work.” She told him before leaving.

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

She strolled into the double doors behind Mike, watching as his powerful arms smacked through the doors. As soon as the people inside saw him they flinched, mentally checking the past 24 hours to make sure they’d done nothing that would get Mike angry with them.

It was pathetic and stupid; but it was a desired control. Who wouldn’t want that impact? That superiority that glowed from him as soon as he set foot on the ground. They all did; which kept Mike on his toes.

He spun around to Martha, immediately putting his hands either side of her hips. “We should do that again soon,” He smiled.

Martha giggled, flicking her hair back with a nudge of her head. “We should.” She agreed.

He lifted his hand and put it on her cheek, moving her hair back. “But for now, why don’t you go get ready? The punters will start coming in soon.” He told her as he kissed her lightly.

She nodded, moving away from his hold. She made her way through the bar area and slipped in an open door, glancing back at him quickly before she did so. He was still staring at her; of course. She smiled to herself as she walked into the dressing rooms, as if she were proud of what she’d become. It was only when she opened her locker and saw her uniform that the smile weakened and her eyes shut with sadness.

As much as she fought it; part of her knew this was wrong. This wasn’t her; it surely wasn’t what anyone expected of her. She looked across the changing rooms at another of the girls applying her make up at the mirror. Dressed in hot pants and killer high heels her stunning legs were emphasised; but for all the wrong reasons. She was a pretty girl, probably about 23, with soft blonde hair. These features were wasted with the make up and hair spray, not forgetting the tarty attire. She could be elegant and beautiful, but instead she was a $15-an-hour pair of legs with no name.

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

As Martha changed her boyfriend sat upstairs, accompanied by one of her so called friends at the club. Hannah sat on his lap as he gently rubbed her thigh, whispering sweet words into her ear through her locks of hair.

“Hey, gorgeous,” He uttered with a smile, planting kisses up her neck.

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

Next Chapter - Can Jack go back to work? How good of a friend is Hannah? Where is Jack taken?

[Zetti]

Very good chapter!

Yes Jack can go back to work! He is soo hot in his uniform

[beckyboo]

Right you can all thanks my later for telling Nicole to update

Well here goes:

Next Chapter - Can Jack go back to work? How good of a friend is Hannah? Where is Jack taken?

1st one - No he can because then he cant look after Martha

2nd one - she aint no friend

3rd one - Jack and the summer bay boys go to see pole dancers (Martha)

There ya go nic

Brill chapter this made me laugh

Martha paused, shifting her eyes back to the sea. “Um, somewhere in Yabby Creek. It’s a bit above you; you wouldn’t fit in with the tuxes and bow ties.” She smiled cheekily.

I hope you’re not rude to them, Martha.”

Oh yeah updates due sunday Nic

[linzie_mac01]

Wow! That was fab!

I really thought i was there in the club with Martha...i feel so dirty and demoralised...urgh she needs to get out of there

Hopefully if Jack does go back to work then he might get involved with some sort of case that involves the club and then sees Martha there! Then he take sweep her off her feet (in an 'angry and disappointed in you' way) and throw Martha over his shoulder and march out with her and save the day, of course

[baby gurl]

Great chapter Nicole I would be answering your question at the end but Becky already did xx