Yeah, she said, already knowing where he was going with it. That was one thing about Jack that could always be counted on: he was persistent to a fault.

I think so, too. And with that in mind, Im going to ask this and Im only going to ask it once.

Jack…

Are you and Peter finding out that a new baby might not be in the cards? Because if thats the case, it makes a world of sense that this case would be affecting you the way it is. Hell, Id even go to bat to have you taken off the case.

Thats not it, she said. Though, in a very roundabout way, she supposed it was at least part of it. Having a second kid was very much off the table, given that she wasnt expected to be alive in about a years time.

Okay, Jack said. He nodded, as if to say: see, I just asked the one time and now its dropped. But that okay seemed to hold a lot more weight, and Rachel did not like the implication behind it.

This case is just…its landing at a very odd time for me, Rachel said.

Okay. And thats your business. You apparently dont want to talk it out, so

Why are you getting like this?

Me? he asked, surprised. Its you thats off-kilter and a little defensive.

Believe it or not, Jack, there are some things in my private life that I prefer not to bring into work. I dont have to tell you everything.

Yes, I know, Rachel. I know that, but

Look, Im very tired, she said, fishing into her wallet and dropping a twenty on the bar. Im going back to the hotel.

He looked taken aback, and she was afraid that she may have offended him. But in that moment, she didnt care. She left him staring as she walked away while the bartender brought him another drink.

***

As shed fully expected, she felt guilty about the way shed reacted the moment the door to her hotel room closed behind her. She also did not like the fact that the one beer shed had seemed to be teasing her. Apparently, it was one of those days where one beer simply wasnt going to cut it. She toyed with the idea of heading out to a convenience store to grab a six pack but before she could act on it, her phone started ringing. She figured it would be Peter again and this annoyed her for reasons she did not understand or trust. She saw his name on the caller display and tried to hide her annoyance that it was a Facetime call. Still, she answered it.

When she saw Paiges face on the screen, smiling brightly, Rachel nearly burst into tears. She blinked them back at once and took a few steady breaths to keep herself under control.