Jack & Erica

"Should I have stayed and he wouldn't be here at all? I pissed the Capitol off, you know that doesn't take much. I'm sorry for everything...I really am. If I wasn't sorry I wouldn't have came here looking for you."

"No, I'm saying I deserve an explanation. But just save it, you're obviously not going to tell me. You know, you could've at least left a note. Would that have been too hard?"

"I was in a slight hurry to keep my son safe so forgive me." I sighed "Dammit, Selma. I don't want to argue with you."

I sighed. "I don't want to argue either," I said and stared into the fire for a few minutes. "He doesn't know you're his father," I said quietly. "Carl's dead. He died over a year ago."

"Brady mentioned you were seeing someone so I figured something had happened to him. What was it exactly?"

"Peacekeepers," I said quietly. "I'm seeing a guy named Brett. I met him out here and me and the girls have moved in with him."

"How are your girls?" I asked her "Is Quin my only child?"

"I don't... really know how to answer either question. Raine is... she's getting better. Zoey is great, growing like a weed. I... I don't know if Raine is yours or not. Zoey isn't though. Zoey isn't Carl's either," I said quietly, feeling that old familiar rush of shame coarse through me.

"Don't do that, Selma. Don't beat yourself up...it's been awhile but I can still read you like a book."

"You don't understand Parker," I said softly. "Zoey isn't yours and she's not Carl's. She's the daughter of a Peacekeeper," I whispered, still not looking at him.

I just sat there for a moment, taking that in. "Which one?" I asked, my voice turning cold.

"It doesn't matter," I whispered. "Jasper's dead and I don't know what the other one's name was. That's... that's how Carl died though... He... he walked in on it and... and he attacked them... They shot him in the heart... then in the head... Then... then Quin walked in..." I was still whispering, not even noticing the tears falling down my cheeks. I'd never told Erica exactly what had happened either. Now she knew too though.

My temper exploded "Are you fucking kidding me!? Those bastards!"

I flinched and wiped my tears then heard Zoey fussing in the other room. "I'll be right back," I said and got up, not looking at him, and went in there.

"Dammit. I disturbed the baby..." I said and turned to Erica "Did you know?"


I shook my head, still stunned. "I knew some but not the details. I'm as infuriated as you are."

I fed Zoey and got her settled down and back to sleep. It was a few minutes before I went back in there. I crossed my arms over my chest and leaned against the wall, staring at the floor. I felt an urge to keep talking, to just spill everything, and before I knew it the words were pouring out of me and I couldn't stop them. "The other one... held Quin back... while Jasper finished..." I whispered. "He had a gun to his head and... and everything, but... but Quin still fought him... Then they... they switched again... They made him watch.... When they finally left... I couldn't move... Quin had to... to hurry and... and get me cleaned up... and get Carl's body out of there... before Raine came home... I don't think she knows what really happened... I've never told her. We told her it... it was a mining accident." I wiped away more tears but they just kept coming. "He's always right there, trying to protect me. No matter what. He's been... he's been shot and... and beaten... tortured and... and almost killed... all because he was trying to protect me and the girls. He..." I finally lifted my head and looked at Parker. "He is just like you," I whispered.

I stood there for a long time and finally shook my head "No. He's much better than I'll ever be." I said and looked back up at her. I had the urge to do something...but I wouldn't. That wouldn't go over very well. "I should probably get going."

I nodded and looked down again. "Let me know um... where you're staying. I need to talk to Quin. I'll let you know when I do," I said softly.

"I'll let you know in the morning. Goodnight, Selma." I said then nodded to Erica "Later, Erica." I told her and left.


"Oh, my God. You're still in love with him." I said as soon as he walked out the door. "What in the hell are you going to do?"

"What are you talking about? I'm in love with Brett. I... I haven't had feelings for Parker in years," I said quietly, knowing she'd see through my lies, and went to wash my face off.

"Not until you laid eyes on him."

I sighed. "What do you want me to say Erica? That seeing him again brought back all those old memories? You're right, it did. But it doesn't change anything. I am with Brett, and I love him, and he loves me, and he's incredible with the kids. Just because Parker's back around doesn't mean I'm going to jump back into his arms again."

"I didn't say that, I'm just stating the obvious. No one in their right mind would expect you to get back with him just because he's made an appearance."

I sighed and sat down, putting my head in my hands. The whole time he'd been here all I'd wanted to do was go into his arms and let him hold me again... "Oh my god I am still in love with him. Fuck Erica, what am I gonna do."

"I...I have no idea. Being honest with yourself is a good thing but...what about Brett?"