Til' Death and Deception

"And what is it that you want?" Klara asked, curiously, Jack couldn't help but smile at her innocence while he listened, it was obvious that she didn't understand Daniel's meaning.

"Well, I should think tonight made it obvious, I want you. When this war is over, when the running is over, I want you. I want to come home to dinners with you, and a life with you. I'm sorry if I embarrassed you by telling those men what I thought of you, but it's true, all of it. I think you're wonderful Klara." he smiled, reaching a hand up to her face.

Jack stood in the doorway out of sight, his mouth hanging open in shock. Unless Daniel had come over a lot before he had met Klara, or came over a great deal while he was at work, he couldn't fathom that Klara knew him very well. She never spoke of him, and didn't spend too much time with him when he dropped off the wounded men he was accountable for. Of course, Klara showed him nothing but kindness, but that was just her disposition, he had never seen her be unkind to anyone.

He waited for a response from Klara, and when he didn't hear one, he wandered into the kitchen. Finding Daniel stealing a kiss from Klara, he cleared his throat to announce his presence.

"Good bye Jack." Daniel said, peeling himself away from Klara, a triumphant grin on his face. "Goodbye Klara." he whispered.

Klara stumbled back into the house, one hand to her lips, the other raised in a still wave. She fell into a chair at the rickety kitchen table, letting her head fall heavily into her hands. Jack closed the door, pulling out the seat beside her, waiting for her to regain mental ability.

"Sorry for interrupting."

"Are you kidding? I was just about to thank you!" she let out a nervous giggle.

"Oh, by the way he was kissing you, I thought you were enjoying it, or had at least allowed it."

"Well, perhaps I allowed it purely because I didn't know what else to do, and didn't want to appear rude, because I have no idea what to think!" she cried, letting her head fall back again.

"You're not sure if you want him?" he asked, surprised by the twinge of hope he heard in his own voice.

"Of course not!" she answered quickly. "Wait, did you hear him?"

"Yea, sorry. He was just acting so strange at dinner, I didn't know what he'd do with you alone, I just wanted to make sure...well, you know."

"No I don't know, you wanted to make sure what?"

"I just wanted to make sure that he didn't make a pass at you without you wanting him to." he shrugged.

"And what a job you did on stopping that pass."she laughed, nudging him.

"Well, you didn't exactly put up a fight! I thought you were trying to think of a response, I didn't think you were locked in a steamy embrace."

"It wasn't steamy! It was awkward." she giggled. "Just like this conversation, how about we get to all the dishes. Grandmere will be stitchin' up those soldiers, which leaves the whole mess for me."

"I can help." he offered.

"I'll wash, you dry?"

"Deal." he stood, walking to the dinning room, to help clear the plates. "So, now that you've had another kiss, how does mine rank?"

"You are unbelievable! Here I am in a moment of crisis and confusion, and you're asking about ranks!"

"Well of course. How else do you expect to get over the awkwardness of the situation. We've got to have a little fun with it, and I'm sure you've thought about it."

"You've got first place."