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Tell me Lies (Mali & Jacob)

He was pleased to see her rise easily, despite her rough night.

"Well, I wasn't sure what you liked. You can have as much or as little as you would like. The coffee is decaf, because you had a concussion. And that is my only pushy-doctor thing." He took some toast set to the side and had a bite. He watched her eyeing the sandwich. "Don't be modest. Really. I won't judge." He smiled at her, hoping she would relax around him.

'How is she still so pretty, even in the morning?' he thought. 'She's unnatural,' he decided. She was cute, and pretty, and intense, and woke up amazingly. He hoped he would get to see more of her more often.
 
She managed a weak smile at his doctor comment. “Decaf is fine.” She said softly, still eyeing the breakfast sandwich like it was a baby gazelle and she a lion, ready to pounce. When he gave her the green light, she looked at him a little shyly before reaching over and taking the plate, settling it in her lap and taking a bite. It was heavenly. Sure, she liked the cooking that the kitchen staff did at the estate. But she always got happy when she could eat something a bit more home cooked, by her mom in particular. There was something special about that kind of cooking. She could taste the love.

“Mm, this is good.” She said softly, taking another big bite. He said not to be modest, so she took that to heart and ate like she hadn’t eaten in weeks. It hadn’t been that long. But she didn’t eat much at all yesterday. Yesterday was a calamity of chaos, betrayal and heartbreak. And even as she ate, her eyes watered. Tears began streaming down her cheeks but she only sniffled and never stopped eating, chewing and swallowing. Within short minutes, the sandwich was gone and as she swallowed the last bit of it, she wiped her eyes and sniffled. Today was a new day, sure, but everything came back. It would be hard to forget and take time to do so.

“That was delicious.” She sniffled, wiping her eyes again. “Goodness, I’m such a pathetic mess.” She pushed the covers aside, embarrassed that she was such a wreck in front of him and made a quick dash to the bathroom to hide, recuperate and find some semblance of her strength if there was any left.
 
He was about to ask her if she was ok, but before he got the chance, she was already in the bathroom. He came to the door and knocked. "I don't normally bother someone while they're in the bathroom, but you seemed upset. I know you have a lot to work through, and I promise I will do what I can. Please, tell me anything I can do. Take your time and come out when you are ready. I placed some clothing in there, so if you decide you want another shower or just want to change, go ahead." He stepped away then, hesitant to do anything to upset her...recovery. She was delicate right now, anyone would be. And he was looking to help her. Any way he could.
 
He was so kind and patient. But she needed this time. So she took up on his offer and moved to the shower, turning it on. Stripping out of the clothes she wore, she moved into the scalding hot water pouring down and let out a shaky but heavy sigh, closing her eyes, her tears dissolving into the water. Five minutes later, she had finally calmed down and finished her shower.

Turning the water off, Chloe stepped out, dried herself and took the clothes he laid on the bed and put them on. She towel-dried her hair and let it stay that way, combing it so it was out of her face and didn’t dry into a frizzy mess. It was naturally curly and if she didn’t comb it when it was wet, it turned into a wild afro of a mane.

Walking out of the room, she found her way wherever Jake was and stepped into view, looking at him. “Hey.” Her eyes were a little puffy but she seemed a lot better than she had been before that shower. “I’m sorry. I’m sorry I broke down.” She shook her head. “I don’t want to be a problem for you Jake.”
 
He had finished eating and drinking his own coffee, filling his cup back up as she entered. He turned and looked at her, showered, still a bit battered and bruised, and puffy eyed. But, still so beautiful. He actually was jealous he wasn't able to share the shower with her again like he did last night. But he understood, and chastised himself, before looking her in the eyes again.

He shook his head. "Don't apologize. I am just glad to be able to help you." He smiled at her then, and offered her her decaf again. Sitting down himself, he readied himself. "So, you want to kill them. Right? Because that's something you can't really go back and change later. Once it's done, you have to live with it. And I'm not sure you really want to carry that burden."
 
She nodded her head, graciously accepting the decaf mug of coffee. She sipped it and walked over to the table, sitting down, wincing a little. She was a lot more sore today than she was last night. The adrenaline washed off and she could feel everything now. It wasn’t very pleasant. “I know.” She said softly, looking at him, not a hint of trepidation or second-guessing in her eyes. She was serious about making sure they were dead.

“It’s the only way to solve this. They’ve killed. They have killed my entire family.” There was a raise in her voice, not too noticeable but not avoidable and her grip tightened on the coffee mug. “They have to pay and prison is too good for them!” Now the raise in her voice was very noticeable. “They have to die. Painful. Slow. Too quick and they won’t know how I’ve suffered, having people I love taken from me.”
 
He nodded at her. He still wasn't sure about this, but they had to pay somehow. "Tell me what you need. How do I help?" He was firm faced, but underneath he was still hesitant. She was, well, everything he wanted. But he was scared of what he might do for her. He hated the pain he felt from her in every movement. In every gesture. He wanted to do anything to protect her, to take away her pain. But he was worried about how quickly he was falling into his old habits with her, doing whatever she said because of how he felt about her. He was inside his head, with all of these feelings, waiting for her to respond.
 
Chloe looked at him, worrying her lower lip. She then looked away and shook her head. “You’ve done enough Jake. I won’t involve you. I just...I knew I would be safe here.” She said softly. It wasn’t fair to ask this of him. And she wasn’t going to. She could tell he didn’t approve of the idea of killing just to get justice. She wasn’t sure what she was going to. Every angry fiber of her being said that Alden and Anastasia had to die. But when it came down to it, in the very moment, she wasn’t sure if she would be able to do it. She wasn’t a murderer. But she didn’t know how else to make them go away.

Having Jake go in via cybertronically and ruin them didn’t seem like enough. She wanted them to suffer for what they did. She wanted them to know what it felt like to lose what they loved most. But none of that was really possible in her current situation. She didn’t have the resources. She was on the run. She was deemed as the depression and possibly suicidal wife of Alden, too broken up about losing both of her parents. No one would believe her. Jake did. But there was only so much she could ask in relation to her problem.
 
He shook his head, coming back to the present. "You won't do this alone. I won't allow it. We will get them. I promise. You of course will stay here for as long as you are comfortable. Goodness knows I don't see many people, so prying eyes will be in short supply. You are safe here. I promise." He smiled at her, then sat down in front of her. "I-I know this is weird, and off topic, but why haven't we kept in touch? I...missed you...I mean as a friend!" He said a bit too loudly and started to laugh nervously. "It's just, been so long, you know? And we used to play together as kids all the time! Just seems like a waste to have waited so long to talk, even under the circumstances."
 
She looked at him and nodded. “We don’t need to kill them. We can find a different way, a worse way, to destroy them.” She said softly. “I know you don’t like that idea and to be honest, all anger and vengeance aside, I don’t know if I could go through with it either.” She said softly and looked down at her mug of coffee.

And then the subject was changed and he looked at her so intently as he asked. She bit her lower lip and looked down again, unable to answer, or at least unsure of how. “I don’t know…” She said softly. “Life just sort of happens, Jake.” She looked at him, a little bit of shame evident in her eyes. “Why didn’t you stay in touch?”
 
He was taken aback at her question. And a bit annoyed. "You are Chloe, and you should know just how hard it is for anyone to approach someone of your status. Yeah, I have a bit of status of my own, but you are on a different level. Once my parents passed, there was no way for me to stay in touch with you. I was cut off, and your father..." he stopped himself then. It wouldn't help to tell her he was told to back off from the man. He must have seen, must have known, that Jake was interested. But she was meant to be with another, and the old man was SURE to tell him to disappear. So he did. "...your father kept you busy, and then he died. So there was never a good moment. Never a chance to talk to you." He drained his coffee and got another cup, running his hand through his hair. He looked back at her. "I would never have stopped talking to you. Never."
 
Now Chloe looked annoyed. “Oh don’t even pull that bullshit Jake. You and I were best friends since diapers. Best friends don’t just stop talking to each other, regardless of status. I am no different than you. And frankly, you don’t know me anymore to make those assumptions and judgments.” He didn’t know that she cut herself off from her father financially when she was eighteen. He didn’t know that whatever fortune she had was of her own through her art gallery. Sure, she would always be a Mikaelson and that would carry weight--it was the initial reason her gallery was such a success--but once they saw past that, they saw she was a woman of her own merit, through her name. She only moved back into her father’s house after her mother died but she never took his money, she was her own woman since she was eighteen.

But what struck her was how he mentioned her father and then back tracked. Chloe wasn’t a fool. She knew what kind of man Wayne Mikealson was and what he was capable of. It wouldn’t surprise her if he said something to Jake after his father died. “What did he tell you Jake? Because he told me something different as well…” She whispered. They were both guilty of one thing; believing into her father’s deceit to keep them apart. They should have known better.
 
He shook his head. It would make no difference to bring up a dead man's harsh words. Much less her own father's. "It doesn't matter, we are here now and you are here now. I don't want to waste any more time with the past. I want to know about you." he flushed again at that admission, maybe revealing more about his feelings than he intended. He looked away. He didn't like to see her so frustrated at him, but he wasn't about to drudge up the past. He looked at her plate. "Are you hungry? Did you have enough to eat?" He was trying to change the subject in any way he could. He didn't want to talk about her father.
 
Chloe sighed and nodded her head slowly. "You asked. I answered." She said simply, sipping her decaf coffee again. She licked her lips while setting the mug down and looked a him. "No I'm okay. That egg sandwich was delicious. Thank you." She said softly. But it was still on her mind. What her father said. And she wanted to know what he said to Jake.

"He told me that you didn't want to see me anymore. After your dad died, he said you told him it was too painful and to be near me...or my family..." She shook her head. "You have to tell me what he told you. I wouldn't consider it you insulting his memory. I will be the first to admit that he was an asshole and that was limited to his peers but his own family as well." She said softly. She reached forward and took his hand in hers. "Please?"
 
His stomach flipped when she grabbed his hand, goosebumps erupted across his skin. "He...he said to stay away from you. That you were meant for bigger and better things. And that, without my family, I was not the man I once was. Not the right friend for you. And you want to know the sad thing? Despite the way he told me, the way he made sure I was never around you even in the same place, he was right. I wasn't right for you. I wouldn't be the friend you wanted, or needed. I wasn't the same man after that. But I have learned to live with that. And change what I hated about myself." He stopped talking then. For a while. And just looked at his mug. After a few moments, he got up and headed to the bathroom. "I need a shower, I'll be out soon." He shut the door, unwilling to face her again. What he didn't tell her is that her father didn't say he wouldn't be the right friend. He said he wouldn't be the right man, the right mate, for her. And that was too painful to repeat, even to himself. He turned on the shower, forgetting to lock the door, undressed and got in. He needed the hot water and steam to distract his mind, cloud his feelings. He was ready to be numb for the next few minutes.
 
Friend? Why would her father care so much if she and Jake were still friends? Watching him go, Chloe frowned, feeling sadder than she already was. “Jake…” She started but stopped herself, watching as he disappeared. She got up and followed after him, finding him going to the bathroom. She hesitated a moment, wanting to give him his privacy. Plus, he would be naked in there. But she needed to make sure as well that he was okay…

Trying the bathroom door, she was surprised it was unlocked. Walking inside quietly, she shut it behind her and moved to the shower. She didn’t care he was naked. She didn’t care she was still dressed. Moving into the shower behind him, Chloe slid her arms around him, resting her hands on his stomach and pressed her cheek to his shoulder. “What are you not telling me?”
 
He jumped, yanked out of his reverie by Chloe's hands on his stomach, her tender presence on his shoulder. His heart beat rapidly from the shock, he almost felt it rip right out of his chest. Panting, trying to catch his breath, he looked back at her. "You scared the hell outta me! You are like a freakin ninja!" It was then that he realized he was naked...very naked...and unintentionally erect. "I,uh..I'm very naked right now..." he was beet red, and not from the heat of the shower. Still, it felt so good to feel her arms around him, hugging against his back, her cheek so gentle, even on his wet skin. He had forgotten all about her question.
 
She pressed the palms of her hands over his chest, a silent way of calming him down since she didn’t mean to scare him. She smiled a little bit. “Yeah I know. I figured I had to get you back since you saw me naked last night.” She teased. “I showed you mine, now I caught you with yours.” She giggled, obviously just messing with him. Hopefully it was clear to him that she did come to just see if he was alright, but couldn’t wait until he was done with his shower.

“Are you doing okay Jake?”
 
He laughed at her joke. "Yeah right, you just were wondering if I was really a man. I see right through you." As his laugh tapered off, he thought about her questions. Obviously it was a bit more complicated than that. But it didn't need to be. She was his friend, had always been, despite her father's words. "I will be ok. Promise. Besides," he turned around, careful to stay close so she didn't sneak a peek, "you are the one who should be taken care of." He hugged her, a friendly hug, he decided. "What do you want to do? What is your first move?" He wasn't scared anymore. Because he knew what he would do didn't matter. Only that it was done for her. And that gave him strength. And purpose.
 
She made an oops face and ticked her tongue. “Shoot, you saw right through me there.” Her tone was sarcastic, and she laughed softly. As he turned around, her kept his body so close to hers so even if she wanted to she couldn’t sneak a peek. Darn. She smiled up at him, hugging him back and resting her head on his shoulder. She missed his arms. His hugs were like no other’s. Not even Alden’s arms felt this good before he revealed his true colors.

“You have been taking care of me. I want to take care of you too. Friends take care of each other.” Chloe looked up at him, cupping his cheek gently. “I want to get to know my friend again. Make up for lost time.”
 
He smiled at her. "I would like that. A lot." He continued to hug her as the shower pounded away at his back. He missed this, missed hugging her. She was so warm. And comfortable. And fit so perfectly in his arms...he shook his head out of his reverie, again. He needed to get her away from his nakedness. "Mind if I...finish my shower? I'll come talk to you about what we will do next." He tweaked her nose, like he used to do as a kid, and turned around, so she could leave without any damage done.
 
“Okay.” She said softly, offering a kind smile. As he pulled back and turned around, kindly asking her to leave, she let her gaze drop a little. From his back to his finely toned derriere. She bit her lower lip and swallowed carefully, noticeable movement in her throat. Jake certainly grew up very well. She was looking at him in a way she had never looked at him before.

Turning, she quickly exited the shower. She wasn’t too badly soaked but she was a bit wet. She found some other clothes, figuring he wouldn’t mind and put those one while she put the wet ones in the dryer to dry off.

Going back to the kitchen, Chloe sat down back at the table and finished her coffee.
 
He came out soon after, shirtless and wearing just pants. Grabbing his mug, he sat back down. "So, what is he plan, boss?" He smiled at his little joke. He was all business now. He would have to think of their plans now. His feelings for her would have to wait. Although, he hoped it wasn't the last time they were in a shower together. He thought for a second, and then looked her over. "Are you sure you are feeling alright? Those really were some nasty bruises and cuts. I don't want you having any trouble from them." He thought about how bad she looked last night. She looked totally different, although not without her marks.
 
She looked at him. “We spend a day together and if we can survive, then surely there’s still something there from our childhood.” She grinned. Commenting on her scars and bruises, she touched her face, feeling one of the scars that had dried. It was a slice to her cheek. She nodded her head. “Yeah, I’m fine. My head is a little woozy from the accident, but otherwise I’m fine.” Minus the soreness and the depression she felt, of course. “That’s why I am saying we stay in. I don’t have it in me to go anywhere. I just want to spend the day with you.”
 
That was a surprise. Again. But maybe that was just his old perceptions rearing their ugly head. This Chloe was the true one, the one that wanted to know him. And he so desperately wanted to know her. "Ok, but the last time we saw a movie together it was rated G. Or PG. So if we are having movies, I need to know what you like." He winked at her and got up to put the dishes in the sink. A day with Chloe! What a treat! He never would have thought this possible before. But, he needed to temper that with the fact that they were just friends. Oh, and the bigger point that she was raped and nearly killed last night. He stuffed that emotion away, not wanting Chloe to see it. He turned around when he was done to look at her. "Or do you like video games? Or board games? I try to keep a regular collection of all three, just in case old friends decide to pop in, declare that they never wanted to stop being friends, and need a day with just me."
 
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