Mark's heart sank to the pit of his stomach.  Turning soft eyes on the woman, he asked solemnly.  "What will it do to us"?  The woman slowly sank back down into her chair, before answering tenderly.  "That depends on both of you. Understand this. Love potions 'stimulate' love in any person that drinks it to fall in love with each other.  Whoever they may be.  Love potion number nine, however... only works for those that TRUELY love each other. Otherwise... it takes love from you... forever".  Mark put a hand over his heart, clasping at his shirt, when he asked in a curious low wisp of a voice.  "How does it work"?  The woman rested her arms on the table, replying honestly.  "You pour all of potion number nine into a glass of any drink. You drink from it. Then you get him to drink from it. Immediately, potion number eight will be overpowered. Broken. Replace. Whatever. If he has ever had feelings for you... potion number nine will give him back to you... but...".  The woman trailed off and lowered her head grimly.  Mark waited, but when she didn't finish, he prodded her on.  "But what happens if he has never loved me"?  The woman sighed heavily, raising her eyes to meet his as she answered stone faced.  "Then you will love him for the rest of your life... and he will hate you for the rest of his". 

Mark dropped roughly back into his chair.  He couldn't imagine Jack hating him for the rest of their lives.  The woman tentatively added gently.  "If he doesn't love you. You will never be able to love another for as long as you live. You'll ache and yearn for him... forever. Any affection you receive from anyone else will cause you physical pain. That includes your family. No more hugs, kisses, holding hands... you won't even be able to hear the word 'love' without under going physical pain. I doubt you'd live past a year, before the pain would kill you. Does he mean that much to you? Think it over carefully".  Mark lowered his face into his hands, asking her shakily.  "You said you might know where she'd take him? How much time do you think I have to decide"?  The woman answered in a regretting voice.  "I saw him in a church getting dressed... Knowing her, she'll marry him in the next hour or two".  Mark lifted his head trying to fight back tears as he covered his mouth slightly with his hand, asking hopefully.  "If he hates me... Will he at least be free of all this"?  The woman gave him a genuine nod, before softly saying.  "He won't know why or even care why he hates you... but he will be himself again. What will you do"?  Mark lowered his hand down onto the table, staring blankly down at the floor.  He had a choice... but he could only live with one of them.  Swallowing his fear, he told himself... For Jack.

Mark nodded his head and pointed to the safe.  He just couldn't bring himself to speak.  His throat felt tight and he just wanted to do this before he couldn't.  The woman silently slipped from her chair to the iron safe.  Twisting the dial around a few times, she opened in and walked back with it in her hand.  Sitting back down, she set the small bottle down on the table.  Inside it was a blood red liquid and stuck to the cork was a little white tag with the words; 'No. 9' on it.  Mark stared into the bottle, almost too afraid to take it.  So, he asked the woman to stall a bit.  "Has this ever been used before"?  The woman nodded grimly, telling him in a serious voice.  "Yes. Helen of Troy. You should know it didn't end well. She shared the drink with the man she desired and they fell madly in love... but she didn't get rid of the glass and her husband drank from it. Her husband ended up destroying the city of Troy, because he couldn't let her go. I hope you turn out like the lovers... and not her husband".  Mark straightened up, reaching out for the bottle.  Curling his fingers around the cold bottle, he told her much more confidently than he felt.  "There won't be anything left of it, I promise. Do you know what church she'd go to"? 

Mark climbed to his feet starting for the door, but still waiting on her answer.  The woman climbed to her feet to follow him.  Turning him gently, before cupping his face and kissing his cheek lovingly.  When she pulled away, she told him sweetly.  "For luck and just in case things don't work out. You're very kind. Not many would risk so much for another. She's at a small church called the 'Lover's Den'. Hurry".  Mark nodded, hurrying out the door, but telling her over his shoulder.  "Thank you".  Slipping the bottle into his pocket, he ran as fast as his feet could carry him back to his car.  Once inside it, he typed in the location in on the G.P.S. feature of his phone.  The second it started to tell him where to go, he tossed it into the passenger seat and quickly shifted his car into drive.  Racing out of the parking lot, he was thankful that the roads were clear enough this early in the morning.  Yet, even still he felt like the car just wasn't going fast enough.  How much time did he have left?  He couldn't imagine very long.  Finally, he arrived at a small white church and parked roughly against the curb.  He had to be sure this was the one. 

Jumping out, he ran into the door and was stopped by a man in white robes.  The man looked over Mark a second, before asking nervously.  "Where's the fire, my son"?  Mark panted out in a panic.  "Are you preforming a wedding here? Is the groom named Jack"?!  The man took a step back from Mark uneasily, as he answered.  "Yes... I was just on my way to tell them I was ready".  Mark sighed in relief, muttering softly.  "Thank god, I didn't miss it"!  The man nodded, chuckling out a little.  "This is the place to thank him. I assume you're with the groom"?  Mark nodded, rushing out again.  "Where is he"?  The man pointed off to a door, starting to tell him calmly.  "Well, he's in the room there getting dressed. Will you tell him-".  Mark dashed away, cutting him off as he stated loudly.  "Ya, sure. I'll tell him".  Mark raced to the wooden door, feeling like he was so close and yet so far!  Barely turning the lever, before his body slammed into the door, he stumbled into the room.  Gathering himself together he looked up and his breath left him.  Jack was standing beside a long mirror, staring at him with surprise on his face.  Not only had he found him... but he looked breathtaking in a blue suit and white button up shirt.  For a moment, Mark had lost his voice.  So, Jack was the one to ask him curiously.  "Mark? What are you doing here"?  To Be Continued...