CLOSER THAN EVER [Jack and Janet FF]

[fabernash]

Wow this is getting so good! I'd have to say that's the best chapter so far! Please continue as soon as you can!!

[ModGenie]

WOW, I love the story so far! I can't wait to read more!!!

[Janet Tripper]

*A TV People* ,fabernash, PinkDjinni


THX! Thx for reading our story! I am so glad you'll are liking it!

[*Pleasant Tomorrow*]

OMG, what an awesome chapter. I loved it, it was perfect

[Janet Tripper]

Originally posted by *A TV People*
OMG, what an awesome chapter. I loved it, it was perfect

Thx! JackandJanetforever, adds the detail! She is really good at
it!

~Thx!~

[Janet Tripper]

Chapter 5

As they walked up the stairs to their apartment, they met up with Larry.

"Jack! Janet!" he exclaimed with a grin.

"Hi Lar, what have you been up too?" Jack asked, not really sure if he wanted to know the answer.

"Hey, Larry," Janet said, unspeakably grateful for his presence. Normally, she couldn't stand Larry and his sexist attitude toward women, but she could put up with it tonight. Anything to take the sting out of the awkward silence that had loomed over her and Jack ever since they left the Bistro. She couldn't get that hurt look out of her mind, and she hated herself more for knowing that it was her fault.

"Jack.guess whom just graced me with her presence last evening?" he asked, still smiling.

"You know what? I don't think I want to hear this, so I'm just going to go. Goodnight Larry," she called, running upstairs.

"Hey. What's up with her? You guys in the middle of a fight or something? I was watching you and you didn't say a word to each other for a block."

"You were watching us for a block? That's very stalker-esque, Lawrence."

"Jack."

"Oh, it's complicated," he told his friend, dismissing it with a wave of his hand. "We'll figure it out later. But, right now, your life is much more interesting, and worthy of direct attention, I might add. Who's the girl and why are you suddenly talking proper English?"

"Her name is Annie."

"Little orphan Annie," Jack joked. "They made that into a movie, you know."

"Oh, no bud. This girl is anything but orphan," he said, biting his lower lip as he pantomimed a woman's curvy silhouette.

"C'mon Larry," Jack said, taking steps toward the apartment.

"Hey buddy. Before I forget, are you guys okay?" he asked, seriously. "Mrs. Smith from 208 told me that there were some cops over at your place Friday night."

"Uh………yes………yes everything's fine." Jack answered nervously. He happened to be mad at Janet at that particular moment, but he was still in love with her. He still respected her, and he could pretty much guarantee that she wouldn't want anyone to know what had happened that night.

"Well, Mrs. Smith said that a guy was arrested and there were two cops here and everything."

"Yes, someone tried to break in. No, nothing happened. And tell Mrs. Smith to mind her own business!"

"Okay. Somebody's in a bad mood. I don't blame Janet for being mad at whatever she's mad at. Anyway, buddy, I have to go. My second shift is probably waiting," he said as he looked at his watch and winked at Jack.

Jack simply shook his head and went inside.

Some people never change.

But some people did. And that scared him the most of all. Maybe whatever was happening between him and Janet couldn't be fixed.

*~*

Back at the apartment, Janet was in the kitchen proofreading the letter she had just written Terri, telling her of the events that had consumed her last days.

Hey Terri,

How are things back home? I hope you are enjoying the holidays with your family. At least then someone will. Jack and I really miss you and are counting the days till you get back where you belong. Well, I guess it's my duty as your friend to inform you of what has been going on in your absence. Some of it is bad. Most of it confusing. I don't exactly know how or when this came about, but I think I have a crush on Jack. NO.I think I'm in love with him. I know this goes against our number one house rule but I can't help it. Ever since you left we've been just hanging out after work and stuff, and I've been having the best time! Being around him………I don't know. It just makes me feel so secure and happy, like nothing else in the world matters. And then this past Friday, someone broke into our house, and he tried to hurt me. Ever since then Jack has been,……….well, I'll be honest. It's kind of freaking me out how attentive he is now, and how caring. But in a good way! I'm afraid, though, that all Jack has ever seen me as is a sister, and now he feels like he has to do this big brother - protection thing. Terri, I am so confused. I really wish you were here. We have been living together for so many years; we are best friends. Best friends don't fall in love. That is not supposed to happen. It just doesn't work like that. Maybe I am just taking this too seriously. Hey, I'm a girl, I'm allowed to get emotional, right?! Maybe the reason he is acting like this is because you're gone, and I am his only choice for someone to hang out with, other then Larry or RF. Well Terri, I am probably boring you to death with this letter. Sorry. We miss you. Give everyone our love.
Sincerely,
Janet

Janet got up, took a deep, shuddering breath, and put the letter in a long white envelope. After she got a glass of water, she picked up the envelope and started to walk towards the living room.

"Hey Jack?" she asked when Jack came into the room.

"Yes?" he wanted to know as he saw a white object in her hand.

Her heart sank. He was being polite and cordial with her, but it was obvious that he hated her. She couldn't blame him. "Uh, I just finished writing a letter to Terri. I told her that we missed her and hopes she comes back soon," she said, putting the letter on top of the brown table next to the door. "Would you put a stamp on it and put it in the mail for me tomorrow?" she asked him, running a hand through her hair.

"Sure," Jack answered.

They fell into awkward silence once again. She hated that. One of the things she loved about Jack was that she could talk to him about anything, and now they could barely say two words to each other. "Um………so I'm going to bed. I'll see you tomorrow."

"Janet, hold on!" he suddenly said, crossing over to her and touching her arm. "I know what you think, but you're wrong. I don't hate you. I couldn't even if I tried."

"Thanks," she said softly, tears brimming her eyes once again. She was crying so much lately. Maybe she was making up for lost time or something. She never cried when she was little. "I needed that."

"So……….are you going to be okay tonight?" His hand reached up to caress her cheek, sending a wave of electricity down her spine.

"Y-yes………Yes! I'll be fine! Really……….just………just know that I might need you later."

"Of course. I'll do anything you need, hon."

*~*

Both Jack and Janet ended up having a pleasant night. Janet was a little scared at first. However, she knew that the only way to get through this was by facing it head - on, by confronting her fears. She did sleep through the night without having one nightmare, but she left her door open and the lamp next to her stayed on all night. Jack left his door open as well. The next morning, Janet had to be at work at 7:30 in order to receive a new shipment of flowers, so Jack had to have breakfast by himself.

After he was dressed, he heard the doorbell ring. "Hi, Mr. Furley, how are you?" Jack asked. "How did it go this weekend in San Francisco? Did you get any girls?" He wasn't really interested in his landlord's activities, but he needed to ask to discover how much he knew about what had happened to Janet that weekend.

"Well!" he exclaimed, grinning in his usual Macho Man form. "I had chicks all over me. I actually kind of felt sorry for the other bachelors!" he said, smiling.

"Why?" Jack asked, trying to hold in his laughter.

"No one warned them that RF 'Swinging Bachelor at Large' was going to be there."

Jack laughed out loud, and then asked him why exactly he was here. "I don't remember the sinks being clogged up. What are you coming to fix this time?" Jack asked curiously.

"Janet told me that you've had problems with the window."

"Yes, we have been having problems with that same window ever since I moved in! Roper was as good as fixing things as you are." The last part was supposed to be sarcastic, but Furley didn't seem to notice.

"Hey! I'm here, aren't I? It's not my fault if everything here always breaks down!" he retorted, giving Jack his usual bug - eyed impression.

"Yeah………well Mr. Furley, have fun fixing the window. I have to go to work," he said, starting to rush out the door but then remembering he also had to put Janet's letter to Terri in the mail. Jack hurriedly picked up the letter, but as he picked up the envelope from the tabletop, a white sheet of paper fluttered out. He bent down to pick it up and put it back, but stopped as he saw that it had his name written down several times.

[fabernash]

Oh wow you have to continue this as soon as you can! It's getting soooooo good!!

[Janet Tripper]

Originally posted by fabernash
Oh wow you have to continue this as soon as you can! It's getting soooooo good!!

THX! I will post Chapter 6 on the 7th!

THX again!

[ModGenie]

I want more! I want more! *banging on desk.. LOL.. this is so good, I think I've read it over like 3 times!
~Vanessa
http://jeannieworld.tripod.com

[Janet Tripper]

Chapter 6

"Jefe! What are you doing??!!" Felipe asked, his voice laced with concern. "What's the matter with you today? First you forgot to turn off the alarm when you ………"

"I didn't!" Jack interrupted. "I just wanted to make sure it was still working!"

Felipe rolled his eyes as he continued, "………and then you took out the meat from the freezer to put it in the refrigerator, and NOW you are putting the potatoes in the fruit salad, instead of the apples I left next to you!"

"Ummm……..well I am just trying some recipes. They're new. " As soon as the words were out of his mouth, Jack knew Felipe wouldn't buy it. It was the lamest lie he had ever told. They both knew that the reason he wasn't concentrating was because he couldn't get Janet off his mind.

"C'mon Jefe, you can trust me. Are you having girl problems?" Felipe asked.

Jack looked at Felipe and sighed. He didn't have anyone else to talk to. Larry would probably laugh in his face if he knew that his friend was falling in love with Janet, and he could never tell RF anything. Felipe was his only option. Jack let go of the knife, and took a napkin to wipe his hand. He took a deep breath before turning around to face Felipe, "Janet………she's my best friend in the world. You know that. But all of a sudden I can't stop thinking about her, and I don't know why."

Felipe gave Jack a sneaky smile, "I told you, Jefe; you and Janet had a thing."

"Felipe! We don't have a thing………well not at this moment. Maybe later," Jack responded with a devilish smile.

"That's what you told me last time!"

"Did I?"

"Yes, you did, " Felipe said in a fatherly tone. "Jack, if you like Janet……….you should tell her. Take a chance. She might even feel the same way."

Jack pondered for a moment, wondering if he should tell Felipe about the letter he had read that morning. True, the way he had come about this knowledge was under questionable circumstances, but it didn't matter to him. Janet had all but admitted that she loved him too. But if she had had these feelings for a while, for as long as she said she had, how did he not notice? Why didn't she ever say anything? She had never acted differently around him.

"Has she said anything or acted any different around you?" Felipe asked, breaking Jack out of his reverie.

"Well, no not really."

"How about yesterday? When I went upstairs, you two looked like you were really enjoying yourselves. Not to mention that both of you sounded too much out of breath."

"Nothing was going on in there………we were fighting over the remote. That was all," he said, a tinge of disappointment in his voice as he finished the sentence. "But………" He started to say, but stopped before mentioning their kiss. "But………but nothing happened."

*~*

All through out the day, Jack couldn't do anything but think about Janet. About their relationship. The day they first met. The dance they shared after Michael had crushed her dream. Their "first date". That night she was in trouble. The moment they slept together. And the kiss they shared last night. Janet arrived just in time to see Jack trip over a chair and slip on the fruit salad some customers had ordered. She couldn't help but smile as she walked over to him. He was so adorable. "Having fun?" she asked him.

"Janet! Hi!" he said, a little embarrassed that she had just seen him fall. "What are you doing here this early?"

"Well, we were done with our orders early, and Mr. Compton said that I could leave early, since I had came in before I was supposed to," she said, as she helped Jack pick up the broken bowls.

After Jack was somewhat cleaned up, and Janet had helped him clean the floor, Jack asked her if she wanted anything to eat. "No thanks. I am not very hungry," she answered, wiping some fruit from his cheek with a wet white napkin. "Well Jack I am going to head upstairs, alright? If you need any more help just let me know. I'm already here, so I can help with whatever. There must be some sort of food I can't ruin." she said, not noticing that Felipe was watching them.

"I'll keep that in mind," Jack laughed, before leaning over to give her a kiss.

*~*

After all the customers had left, Jack and Felipe were cleaning up. "I saw the way you were looking at Janet." Felipe said. "I also saw the way she was looking at you. I may not be very smart, but love is love. I think you should tell her what you feel."

Jack stood thinking for a moment. "You really do?" he asked. "You think she likes me too?"

"Of course she does" Felipe answered.

Jack thought about the letter. He had kept it in his pocket all day long. He lifted his hand to his chest to make sure was still there. "Okay, Felipe. I am going to do it. I'll tell Janet exactly how I feel about her."

"Ole, Ole, Ole!" Felipe exclaimed. "Oh, one more question, Jefe……….do you two always kiss like that?" he asked, raising his eyebrows.
*~*

As Jack walked up the stairs, he couldn't stop the nervousness from setting in. "You HAVE to tell her. You HAVE to tell her. YOU HAVE TO, HAVE TO, HAVE TO TELL HER" he coached himself before talking a deep breathe and turning the doorknob.

When Jack entered the room, Janet was laying on the bed, reading Dr. Zhivago. "Hey, Jack!" she said, looking up at him with a bright smile. "Are you ready to go?" she asked reluctantly, as she got up from the cozy bed and made her way to the chair next to the door.

"Janet." he started to say, suddenly sounding eager to say what was in his heart. He put his hands on each of Janet's shoulders. Janet felt the butterflies in her stomach going wild again. "Janet, I………I have to tell you something very important………something I have been feeling for a while now………something that I know you have been feeling too."

Janet felt her body tense up. He couldn't know! He just couldn't! "Something that I have been feeling too."

"Janet, look, I know we've been living together for a really long time, and we agreed that as long as we were living together, that we'd just be friends. But I………I can't do that. I can't be your friend anymore."

Janet's heart dropped. "Jack………why? Is it something I did? What's wrong?"

"Oh, sweetie, no!" Jack assured her, now playing with her hair. "You didn't do anything. That came out………totally not how I wanted it to. Janet………I can't, okay? We can't be just friends anymore. I don't really know how or when, but I fell in love with you. I fell for you. My love for you went from the love you feel for a sister to the love you feel for the woman you want to spend the rest of your life with."

"Jack." Janet whispered softly, turning to face him and trying as hard as she could to keep her tears at bay.

"Please, Janet………let me finish," he requested, placing his index finger on her soft lips. "I know you think this is all happening because of what happened last Friday," he said, caressing her cheek.

Janet's eyes grew wide as the thought of him reading her letter ran through her mind. "But I promise, hon, that this has nothing to do with that. As I was about to put your letter in the mail today, it fell out. Honestly by accident." Janet's heart seemed to be pounding so hard, she was surprised Jack couldn't hear. "When I picked it up, and saw my name in it more than a couple of times. I read it."

Janet quickly stopped Jack's speech and snatched his hand off her face. "Jack Tripper, you had no business whatsoever reading my letter! That was none of your business! It was something personal. Something………" She couldn't continue anymore. Her throat felt like a gigantic rock was stuck in it. She buried her face into her hands as she started to cry. "Oh, god!"

"Janet, honey, I'm sorry if I invaded your privacy or whatever you're crying about, but I'm not sorry I read that letter." Jack said as he took a step closer to her and placed a hand on her back. "Come on, now you've got nowhere to hide. Talk to me."

Janet stepped away from him, walking closer to the mirror without realizing it. "Look………Jack, forget what that letter says. Please. I wasn't thinking………I was emotional, okay?"

"Oh, so you weren't thinking when you said that you were in love with me?" Jack retorted. He loved her more than anything, but she really got on his nerves sometimes. "Janet………you can't deny this forever!"

"I can try, can't I?"

Jack shook his head. "I don't understand you. You've liked me for what seems like a while. I love you and you love me. This can work, Janet! You know I feel the same way………but now you're running scared. Maybe I'm just being a guy, but I don't get it."

"You don't understand Jack! You just don't understand!!" Janet cried, tears in her eyes as she turned to leave, but Jack pulled her back by the arm, and soon they were both facing each other.

"Then make me understand!" he demanded.

"This isn't fair! It just isn't, okay? You and I are friends. Friends. Friends don't fall in love with each other." She said as she cried even harder. "Life doesn't work that way."

"Why not? God damn it, woman, I love you! Okay?? I LOVE YOU!! Have you ever heard me say that to anyone else?"

Janet recoiled almost immediately, as if being slapped. Jack had never talked to her that way before. Never. "Is this supposed to make me like you more or something?"

Jack took a deep breath. "I'm sorry, Janet. I really am. I shouldn't have yelled. But you make me so mad sometimes. Janet, I………why can't you just take a chance? Take a chance on us. Stop lying to yourself."

"OKAY!!!" she finally yelled, tears streaming down her face. "You're right! I'm in love with you! I admit it! Jack………I've loved you since God knows when! But this is ridiculous! We are best friends; it will never work."

"There you go again with the negativity. Enlighten me, Janet, why won't it work?"

"Because! Jack.don't you see? We've built our relationship on the fact that we'd always be friends, and we both swore we'd never cross that line."

"I remember no such promise," he interrupted.

Janet glared at him, and he shut up immediately. "By being friends, we were able to have a solid relationship that would hopefully never break. I don't want us to break. I don't want to lose that, Jack. I don't want to lose that thing that makes us 'us'. and I feel like if we do start dating, and give into what we feel for each other, then we crossed the point of no return. We can't go back if we mess this up, Jack. If this doesn't end up working out the way we want or expect it to, our friendship will be down the drain. Do you want that to happen?" she asked, staring him straight in the eye.

"Of course not, Janet. You know I wouldn't want our friendship to disappear. But that wouldn't happen. You and I will always be friends."

"Yeah………you say that now, but it won't end up like that. We'll be in love for a while, then you'll find someone prettier or sexier or find some reason to get rid of me, and we'll have a big fight, break up, and vow never to speak to each other again. All of our years of friendship won't mean a thing. I've seen it all before."

"Janet, honey." he said softly as he pulled her into his arms and held her close. "Baby, look………do you believe in fate? That everything happens for a reason?"

She sniffled. "Sometimes."

"So do I. And whatever destiny chooses to happen between you and me………that's okay. You know? Because no matter what, we can feel good about the future, knowing that we gave our relationship a chance." He said, wiping away her tears gently with his thumb.

"Jack………I get what you're saying and it sounds good in theory, but………I'm scared to death," she told him softly. "I really do love you more than anything. But if being with you means giving up all that we have now, I can't take that chance. I can't risk it again." She looked at the ceiling and took a deep breath before continuing. "You want to know why I'm so hesitant?"

"That would be nice."

"I'm not good at risk - taking. I've only put my heart on the line once, and that was a disaster. It was high school, and pretty much the same situation. We went out a couple of times, but then he dumped me for Nicole Faith Sampson. We never spoke to each other again. I love you too much for that to happen. So………I would rather we be a "you" and "I," not an "US".

Jack let go of her slightly and with his thumb lifted her face to his so that he could look at the woman he had grown to love more then his life. "Janet………I can't guarantee that we won't end up the same way. Well, except for the Nicole Faith Sampson part." Janet smiled. A little one, mind you, but it was a start. Jack nodded. "There's the Janet I know and love. No, seriously, baby, we can't guarantee anything. But what I can guarantee is what I feel now, and most likely that'll never change. No matter what happens between you and me. Even if you don't want us to be together, I'll always love you. If you say you don't want us to be together as a couple, that's okay. I'll move on. I may even fall in love with someone else, but I can assure you, no one, absolutely NO ONE can, and would ever be able to take your place. You will always be my biggest love and my biggest success."

Janet's eyes started to tear up again, but she didn't care anymore. She knew perfectly well that she may end up regretting this tomorrow, but she was starting to understand what Jack was teaching her. Seize the moment, because you never know when it will be your last. Forget about tomorrow and live for today. Go for it. She knew that it would be hard to keep their newfound feelings from Furley, but she didn't care about anything anymore, now that she knew that Jack loved her. She shakily took her hand and lifted it to Jack's face as they captured the love and passion that they were both definitely feeling in a heart-warming kiss.

[Janet Tripper]

Originally posted by PinkDjinni
I want more! I want more! *banging on desk.. LOL.. this is so good, I think I've read it over like 3 times!
~Vanessa
http://jeannieworld.tripod.com

THX!LL! I am so glad you like our story! I hope you enjoy CHAPTER 6!..........IT'S MY FAVORITE ONE! ...WNDER WHY! LOL!

THX AGAIN!

[fabernash]

This is soooo perfect! I love it! This is the way the show should have been Please continue!

[*Pleasant Tomorrow*]

That was so awesome. Ugh, it made me so happy because I've always wanted them together soo bad and that was perfect

[Janet Tripper]

Originally posted by fabernash
This is soooo perfect! I love it! This is the way the show should have been Please continue!

THX!! that is def. my fav. chapter! I will try to post the other chapter as soon as possible!

[Janet Tripper]

Originally posted by *A TV People*
That was so awesome. Ugh, it made me so happy because I've always wanted them together soo bad and that was perfect

I am gald you like that! I know I have said it a lot, but it really is my favorite chapter in the story! Probably b/c I really wanted Jack and Janet to get together at the end! I will try to update prettty soon! Thx again for reading our work!