The Program

Chapter Twenty-Nine

The amount of which Jack's jaw dropped whenever we made our way to the front of the building was priceless.

I had expected something to be happening between Annie and John while we were gone. But I figured it would be along the lines of Annie trying to decide which way would be most efficient to cut off John's head with.

And yet, I had to hold back a smile as I saw them kissing for the second time today.

Neither one had noticed us yet, or maybe they had and were just not caring, both of them basically making out with us and a police officer -one that paid no attention to us may I add- in the room. Jack eventually quit staring with a shocked expression, instead leaning over and whispering in my ear, "Hey, princess. Just a heads up, but I think John's cheating on you."

I rolled my eyes. "Oh, poor me." I joked. "How will I ever go on? Mary will be so disappointed."

Jack laughed too and removed his hand from my own, wrapping it around my waist. "I'm fine with my brother finding someone else. It means I can have you all to myself, less competition."

I turned my head to his. "There was never a competition, Jack." I smiled. "Just you."

"Dang right," Jack muttered in a smug way, us looking back to the kissy couple again only to see that now John was not only kissing her cheek and smiling, but Annie giggled in a flirting fashion. "God, they're gonna be one of those kind of couples. I mean, when did they even become one?"

"Today," I answered. Knowing there was more to the story than that, considering the kiss me and John shared when he thought I was Annie. The thought made me feel a bit guilty. I wanted to tell Jack, but I didn't want to hurt him. "Kinda."

"You okay? Your mood changed." He noted.

I bit my lip, shrinking away from his grasp. I wasn't going to lie to him, not ever again. But I probably should save this conversation for later, perhaps when Natalie could help explain all that happened. I didn't do that, being the dumb person I was in that second and all. "I kinda have something to tell you. It's about John."

"If it's the fact that he's an idiot, I know." Jack placed his hands in his pockets. "But given your reaction right now, it seems serious. What'd he do this time?"

I fidgeted with my hands, placing them at my side to stop my nervous habits as I said, "He kissed me." I released a long breath after I told him, watching as the expression on his face changed, not much, but slightly.

"God, i'm sorry." He joked. Why wasn't he mad?

I was confused but explained myself anyway. "It didn't mean anything and I know that's what all the lame liars say in the movies, but it really didn't and it was an accident-"

"Is there a reason why he did it?" He cut in.

I tried to calm my speaking and answer him coherently. "It's a long story, but the short version is that doing so saved our lives."

"Okay," Jack said, hands now out of his pockets and instead crossing his arms. "I believe you."

"You're not mad?" I asked.

He shook his head. "You're alive because of it, even if the thought is revolting. How could I be mad about that? And, no offense, even you two as friends seemed unlikely. Thinking you would willingly kiss the other is a little far fetched."

"Um, good then." I wasn't really sure how to take this. In my head, this is not how this conversation went. "That was easy. I mean, you're kinda taking this the same way as when I revealed to you that I could disrupt."

"That's because i'm the most understanding boyfriend in the world, princess." He smiled. "I mean, don't get me wrong. I'm gonna punch John no matter what the reason is, just because I can. But i'll wait til I hear all the facts first." He grinned. And then the teasing started. "Was it any good?"

I pinched between my eyebrows, not wanting to reply. "One, why would you ask such a ridiculous question? And two, if you really do love me, you will never ask me that question again. All it does is bring that image back to my head with all the other things I felt with it, and i'm internally gagging from the thought."

"That's all I needed to hear."

He smiled and I did the same. "Why are you being so cool about this?"

"I told you, i'm the whole package. Good looks, killer smile, hot girlfriend... Might as well add insanely understanding to the list as well, just to seal the deal of the man of your dreams."

I rolled my eyes and shoved him a bit at the whole hot girlfriend thing, then mumbling, "Yeah right. You'd have to be a man to be the one of someone's dreams, idiot. And don't even get me started on your supposed good looks..." Which Jack obviously heard but just did a half grin about. "But seriously, most guys would beat the crap out of another for doing what John did. Or be mad, or something."

"Oh, you mean like this." Jack held up a hand, signalling me to wait a minute as apparently, he got into character. "Could you possibly hold that thought for just one tiny second? I gotta go tell my brother that he better be enjoying that kiss with Annie because that's the last thing he'll ever do before I kill him." He smirked again and continued. "Better?"

I nodded, walking closer to him and lacing my hand with his. "Maybe. But it's sure not the kind of thing you should say in a jail."

"Dang, princess. So hard to please." He whispered in my ear as he too leaning closer. "But don't worry, it makes things interesting."

Suddenly Annie and John decided to finally come up to us, at the wrong moment may I add, me and Jack backing away from the other. They were both smiley and cheerful looking, Annie looking like she could literally fly at any moment due to the large smile present on her face.

"The um, guard is waiting outside to take us back to Bridget, Lexi. I'm sure the data will be complete soon, so we should get a move on." Annie told me.

"Sure, sounds like a plan." I agreed.

John spoke next, running his hands through his hair. "Annie said that Natalie will probably want to run some more tests on us." He began, then turning to Jack. "Hey, bro! Come on, we'll catch you up on everything on the ride over."

"I've already been caught up on a few things," Jack lightly joked.

John looked confused at first, and I noticed that Annie was the first one of either of them to realize what Jack was talking about, her eyes widening. John eventually figured it out too. "Oh crap. Lexi, why in the heck would you tell him? I was gonna do it."

"Well, sorry if I felt guilty, John." I snapped.

John turned his attention back to Jack. "Listen, dude. I didn't know what I was doing-" 

Jack cut him off though. "It's fine, just explain to me on the way to this Bridget person." Then, even though John didn't catch his tone correctly at first -probably because it wasn't a full joke-, jokingly added, "After that, i'll decide how hard I need to hit you."

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So, some people don't want this book to be the last one(some are even talking about wanting a prequel about Natalie)...interesting. I'll think about it. No promises. But anyway...

I'm a sad person, I can't remember who all i've dedicated chapters to. I need to start keeping a list because sometimes I think I already dedicated to someone and turns out I only thought I did and didn't actually do it because I forgot. In other words, I can't remember if I already dedicated to @_Hidden_Dreamer_ but I know i've been meaning to do so for a LONG time because they're an awesome reader. Duh!

But seriously, guys! If you want a chapter dedicated to you and I haven't done so already, say something. I honestly love dedicating to my fabulous readers, ya'll always make me smile in a way that you have no idea.

And for some reason people think i'm one of those people that will withhold already written chapters because I won't post unless I get a certain amount of reads and comments and votes. Let me tell ya, it ain't true! I do have four chapters already written past this one, but it's for the purpose of keeping me from getting behind on this story again, not because of the stated reason. Glad we cleared that up.

Thank you guys for reading. Vote and comment if you can. And it's not because i'm an evil person who won't update if you don't but because when you do, it actually makes it where this story starts showing up to more people and then maybe they'll read it and enjoy it like you have. And not gonna lie, I love reading what you guys have to say. But anyway, hope you liked it and yes, I feel that the way this is written is exactly how Jack would have acted. He knows when it's the proper time to flip out over something or not... :)