Mark shook his head to clear it and closed the door.  Sliding the iron lock in place, he heard Jack's nervous voice ask him cautiously.  "Mark? What are you doing"?  Mark stared blankly at the door for a moment.  He couldn't tell Jack he was trying to keep out his ' crazy bride'.  That would make him want to leave.  Biting his lip for a moment, he slowly turned back around to tell him cheerfully.  "I'm here for you".  Jack relaxed a little, slipping his hands into the pockets of his pants, asking suspiciously.  "Sure, Mark. Rosemary already mentioned to me how you feel about this. I love her and you're not going to change my mind".  Mark had to bite his tongue to keep from coming out and saying it was all fake.  If Rosemary had made Jack think he was against him...trying to disprove it could push him farther away.  Caging his jealous rage, he simply told Jack sweetly.  "I only meant that I've had a change of heart. You're more than just my best friend. I don't want to loose you. So... can I stay"?  Jack gave him a puzzled look.  Jack must have been waiting for him to say something much different.  He looked a little confused, but nodded. 

Whatever Rosemary had told Jack that he'd say, he managed to dodge it.  Time was running against him though.  The priest was probably already telling her that he was ready... which gave him very little time to fix this.  Glancing around, Mark tried to sound casual as he asked Jack.  "You know. We should have a drink! To celebrate your last day as a single guy? You got anything here"?  Jack pointed to a small bottle of Jack Daniels, dryly stating.  "Rosemary gave that to me for the nerves... but I'm not nervous. Why would I be? I love her".  Mark felt another stab in his heart and strolled over to the bottle.  He'd thought he'd throw up if he heard Jack say that canned line again.  Twisting off the cap, Mark discreetly pulled potion number nine from his pocket.  Pulling the small cork off, while he asked Jack with a heavy heart.  "Jack... What do you think about me".  Jack's voice sounded casual as he answered.  "I've told you all this before. You're a great guy. You help a lot of people and you are the reason I started my channel on youtube. Which I'm going to have to stop now, by the way. Rosemary feels I need to be around her more. She's so sweet isn't she"? 

Mark gripped the bottle of Jack Daniels tighter, pouring the potion in as he muttered under his breath.  "Oh, she sure is something...".  Slipping the bottle back into his pocket, Mark placed his thumb over the bottle and shook it a little.  This was it... no going back now.  A knock came at the door and the door handle jiggled, before the priest asked aloud.  "Mr. Mcloughlin? We are ready for you. Is everything alright"?  Mark quickly turned to Jack, who calmly told the priest.  "Be out in just a second".  Taking one strong breath, Mark brought the bottle to his lips and drank down a few deep swigs of it.  Lowering the bottle to hand it off to Jack, he watched his hand shake.  He didn't feel any different... but Jack hadn't taken it yet.  Jack took the bottle from him carefully, raising it up to tell him with a smile.  "To my last day single and to you Mark. I'm glad you're here".  Mark held his breath as Jack pressed the bottle to his lips.  Watching closely as the liquid flowed smoothly into his mouth.  The second he swallowed the door burst open, crashing hard against the wall. 

Mark grinned proudly at Rosemary.  She was too late.  Jack was free.  Rosemary's eyes locked in on Mark as she extended a hand for Jack.  Mark shook his head, telling her softly.  "You're too late".  Her eyes left him to softly stare at Jack, asking him sweetly.  "Jack? Are you ready to be mine"?  Mark watched Jack's hand take hers like it was in slow motion.  WHAT?!  He drank it!  Why didn't it work?!  Jack stepped in closer to Rosemary, telling Mark happily.  "Are you going to stay and watch, Mark"?  Mark shook his head in disbelief, pleading out to Rosemary desperately.  "Rosemary, please! I'll give you whatever you want! Just not him"!  Rosemary rolled her eyes sarcastically, before stating firmly.  "I want him. That's the whole reason I took him. Did you really think you could take him back by using number eight on him? It doesn't work that way. He's already permanently in love with me".  Rosemary took the bottle from Jack and smashed it across the floor.  Mark fell to his knees, listening to her laugh and take Jack away.  What did he do wrong?  Did Jack not drink enough of it?  He felt like his heart was taken from his chest...

Mark slammed his hands on the wooden floor in frustration... before he decided to do something crazy.  He wasn't going to let this happen.  Jumping to his feet, Mark dashed out of the room and into the main chapel.  Rosemary stood at the far end holding Jack's hands in hers as the priest was talking.  He couldn't take it!  Jack was under her spell!  He couldn't let this happen!  Dashing down the aisle, Mark only felt slightly bad for shoving Rosemary into the priest.  Jack shot him a horrified stare, before trying to lean down to help Rosemary up... but Mark snatched his wrist and yanked him upright.  Staring into Jack's terrified blue eyes, he rushed out desperately.  "I can't let you do this! This is all my fault! Don't leave me...I love you"!  Taking Jack's face in his hands, Mark gently pressed his lips to Jack's.  Tears slid down his cheeks, but he wanted to savor this.  He was loosing Jack and he didn't know how to stop it!  Jack jerked away from his kiss, disgust forming on his face mere seconds before his fist went up.  Mark fell emotionally numb, just as Jack's fist slammed hard into his cheek.

Mark pressed a hand to his throbbing cheek as Jack spat at him aggressively.  "Get the fuck out"!  Mark swallowed the lump forming in his throat.  All fight had left him.  Jack's words had cut him too deeply.  Jack bent down to check on Rosemary and Mark took his walk of shame back to his car.  He had failed.  He couldn't save Jack... The potion seemed to work on him though... he felt emotionless. Numb to the core.  He couldn't recall any joy or pleasant thought.  His mind was just blank, or haunting him with visions of Jack's anger and harsh words.  Slipping into his car, Mark just stared at the wheel for a long moment.  Then as the feeling of rage swelled in him again, he began to beat on the steering wheel and cry out!  He had done everything right!  Was it possible that he really did love her?  Mark took hold of the steering wheel and dropped his head against his hands.  He couldn't drive like this.  He needed to just let himself cry this out.

After what felt like forever... but according to the clock it was only about five minutes.  A soft knock tapped on his window.  Mark didn't have the energy or will to look up, so he just pressed the button to roll down the window.  He didn't bother to say anything either.  Whoever it was could just tell him and go.  That's when a familiar voice asked him sweetly.  "Mark, do you think you could give me a ride home"?  Mark opened his eyes and his heart felt like it had started beating in high gear.  He knew that voice... but if didn't sound right.  Was his mind creaking?  A side effect to the potion?  Lifting his head slowly to take a peek, he exhaled sharply.  It was Jack!  Mark opened his mouth to say something... but nothing came out.  His throat was too sore from yelling.  Jack braced his arms on the open window, telling him lovingly.  "So? How about that ride"?  Mark carefully opened his door, to climb out stiffly.  Jack smiled back at him, before wrapping his arms around his neck.  Mark squeezed Jack tightly, when Jack whispered in his ear softly.  "I love you too, Mark". 

Mark kept hold of Jack like he was afraid this was a dream.  He had so many questions... but he wasn't sure Jack was the one to answer them.  Glancing at the church, Mark stopped breathing.  Rosemary stood at the doors with a smile on her face.  She seemed so different now.  Innocent.  She made a heart with her hands and even from where he stood, he could read her lips.  "Happy Valentine's Day".  She turned then to pick up a black cat, before walking slowly away.  Mark felt like he had missed something... but he was just happy to have Jack back in his arms.

Rosemary continued to walk casually down the street, stroking her cat.  When her cat asked her curiously.  "Rosemary? Were you ever going to tell Mark that you gave him the potions"?  She shook her head and kept walking.  So the cat asked her again.  "Why put him through this? I don't understand".  Rosemary sweetly answered him.  "Because he was looking for love in the wrong places. He was looking for a woman. I helped show him the man he already had".  The cat chuckled softly, flicking his tail devilishly as he said.  "Did you deliberately not tell him how number nine worked"?  Smiling she answered.  "I told him everything... expect the part about having to kiss him. A real shame. I really wanted to keep Jack".  The cat rolled his eyes, but stated simply.  "Yes... well, you owe me. You can't just turn me into a priest and tell me to 'guard' him... I'm not a dog".  Rosemary stroked his small head, whispering to him.  "I know that. You played your parts well. Now, let's go home".  The End. 

*Out Now*  The Sequel;  "Double Trouble Brew".