Relations

"You're leaving me with who?"

"Zulu. Frankenstein. And Jinx." Jack answered slowly. He and Gigi were waiting in a darkened SUV while his teammates swept his house for bugs and explosives. The plane trip to San Diego was uneventful, except for Sam flirting with all of the flight attendants. He caught a ride to Coronado with Hoss, to go over some last minute plans for the operation. Jack took Gigi straight to the small two bedroom house he rarely occupied. He had never called the boys by their nicknames before, simply telling Gigi that three of his teammates would assure her safety in his absence.

"Jinx?" Gigi eyed him suspiciously. "That's a bad omen, Jack."

"His name is Jenkowski." Jack explained, with a slight twitch of his lips.

"Zulu? As in the African warriors?"

Jack nodded, had to glance away from her, to avoid laughing. This was no time to be so amused, but the expression on her face was priceless. "It fits. Zulu is the toughest man I've ever met...a true warrior. Always welcomes a challenge. Always takes down the challenger."

"Uh-huh. Okay. Those two make sense, but Frankenstein? Don't tell me that just happens to be his real name."

"No...no, it isn't. Comes from the sci-fi story."

"So, your Frankenstein...Frankenstein as in the doctor, or the monster?" She was really hoping for the former.

"He started off as one, then kind of...morphed into the other." Jack did laugh then. Her wide eyes turned to saucers. He took her hand and kissed the palm. "I'm sorry Gigi, but these guys are harmless to you. Especially Frankie. He's a genius...simply put... an absolute genius. That's the Doctor Frankenstein. That's how he got his nickname."

"And the monster came about, how?"

"He broke up with his girlfriend and it hit him hard. Frankie looked crazed and dangerous, hair sticking up all over, barely talking to anybody, just grunting all the time. That's all. He hasn't freaked out yet." Jack cupped her chin, gave her a serious, penetrating gaze. Those aqua eyes were all Master Chief. "They're some of the best men I know...that I will ever know. You can't comprehend how safe you are with them. They've got their quirks like anybody else, but when it's time to shut down a threat...there's nobody better."

"I believe you. I trust you." She glanced toward the house. "I even trust them...whoever they are. Just one more thing I want to know." Gigi turned an odd smile to Jack. "Why did Sam and Hoss call you 'Mack'?"
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Gigi was relieved to know that no one really expected to find any kind of explosives or listening devices in Jack's house. The search was just a precaution. A rather unnerving precaution. However, the bomb sweep was less unsettling than three large men and one smaller, but equally lethal man, who were all adorned with weapons. Occupied holsters...shoulder, sidearmour, waistband, and probably ankle...all strapped with big black guns. Even Jack, as sexy as he looked armed to the teeth, sent a slight chill down Gigi's spine. A menace in black, he had a holster lashed across his broad back and one at his hip; both nearly invisible. But he arranged all this security for her. Had called on his friends to help keep her safe. Her life may be in danger and that hadn't hit until now. Did her father really hate her that much? Was the money that fucking important to him? Suddenly, Gigi felt a nervous breakdown coming on, but she had keep it together and meet the crew.

Jinx Jenkowski was an ethereal looking blue-eyed blond, but there were shadows in his glacial eyes that reflected some kind of...disillusion. Clearly, this was a man who had seen and done too much. A fallen angel. Gigi wondered if that was the kind of fleeting, unbearable lightness that Lucifer possessed...during his descent into hell. Jinx didn't have the soul for the kind of work he chose, but he was a SEAL. He couldn't just quit. Quitting was worse than death to these men.

Zulu Santana was the clone of a crush Gigi had from a television series. Everything about Zulu screamed...Detective Baldwin Jones, from 'NYPD Blue'. Same gorgeous face. Same height and musculature. Same intense eyes. Damn! Gigi had to make sure she wasn't drooling like a fool, as she shook his giant hand. An acute competitive spirit shone in those chocolate eyes along with an incomparable will. It was easy to picture this man as a great, fearless warrior.

And Frankenstein 'Frankie' Mahone was the slightest of the four soldiers, but just as commanding in his presence. Being shorter and less brawny was not a hindrace to Frankie. He was quick and wily, clever beyond comprehension. His dark hair was reminiscent of Colin Farrel on a bender, but the sharp hazel eyes shone clearly through any lunacy Frankie's dual identity may elicit. Doctor Frankenstein was in the house, but he wouldn't hesitate to summon his monstrous alter ego, if need be. He actually had the face of a twelve year-old...a very mischevious and brilliant twelve year-old. Freckles across the nose and all.

Each man had his thoughts about Gigi, but nothing that detracted from their promise to Jack. Although their chief wouldn't admit it, she was his woman. Therefore, Gigi was their sister. No protests or questions asked. All these men wanted to know was, what they could do. Jack had done the same for them in the past and would do the same tomorrow. Team 23 was a band of brothers and would behave as such as long as they all drew breath. Anyway, Gigi was fine-looking, friendly and generously grateful. She brought them cases of their favorite beer and liquor. Damn! Where did ole Mack find a woman like that?
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Jack's house was small, neat and comfortable. He showed her each room, told her that every window had been replaced with bulletproof glass. Each entrance to the house and the garage had an armored door. An intricate motion detection secruity system -Frankenstein's brainchild- covered the front and back yards. Gigi would be sleeping in Jack's bedroom, which had a lock, in case she wanted to use it. On the other side of the bathroom, was the room Erin used whenever she came to San Diego. One of the guys would sleep there each night, while the other two stayed downstairs. One would sleep on the couch, the other would take the night watch.

Gigi was amazed at the organization Jack achieved in such a short amount of time. She gazed up at him in wonder. "How did you do all of this? In one day?"

"I knew what needed to be done. Called these guys and they got on it." Jack answered with a shrug. "Didn't have the time to sit on our hands."

"All this... for me. Thank you, Jack."

He contemplated her thanks, tried to get a clear perspective on what was fueling her gratitude. "I told you not to thank me again." Jack reminded her quietly, taking her face in his hands. They were alone, having ended the tour in his bedroom.

"That was for rescuing me from the fire." Gigi's arm's slid around his lean waist, made contact with a hunting knife sheathed at the small of his back. So, this was Mack. "All of this...is totally different. I need to thank you. I don't know what I would have done without you. Just let me appreciate you." She pressed closer to Jack and touched her lips to the base of his throat, where his pulse throbbed.

Jack's eyes slid shut and he suppressed a groan. His fingers wove into the thickness of Gigi's hair and gave a gentle tug, pulling her lips away from his hot skin. Damn, she could set him on fire in an instant. When his eyes opened to focus on her, the blue-green gaze was serious, almost severe. "You know this isn't about sex, don't you, Giavanna?"

The blunt absurdity of the question took her back...and Jack was so austere. He even used her full name, which he hadn't done in quite some time.

"About sex? You think...that I think...you're just trying to get laid? That you're doing all of this to get me into bed?" She stepped away from him, planted her fists on her hips. Gigi didn't doubt that another man would use her vulnerable situation to his own sexual advantage...but not Jack. He had an intrinsic regard for women; probably because of his daughter. But did he really believe that she thought his motivations were salacious? She would start thanking him with her body? There were some serious crossed signals here. "And you think I'm offering myself up for that kind of payback?" Her voice rose with each word.

Oh hell. Gigi was about to unleash a major attitude and Jack wanted to stave off any conflict. "Don't flip out on me." He kept his voice calm, determined to get everything straight. "I don't want to consider any of those things...which is why we need to clear the air between us about this gratitude and appreciation you feel." Jack took a deep breath, then took a huge chance with the next question. "Tell me honestly Gigi...were you attracted to me, in any way, before I got you out of the fire?"

Her mouth fell open. Gigi was genuinely stupefied. Was she attracted to him before the fire? Was the sky blue? Was O.J. guilty? "Of course I was. I meant what I said at the hospital, Jack. I've always wanted to know more about you. You're gorgeous, smart, compassionate and fearless in my eyes. You have such varied interests, you're well aware of yourself and what's going on around you. And most of all, you haven't given yourself over to your ego. You know that you're a man, Jack and you carry yourself that way without a bunch of insecure machismo. Of course I was attracted to you before! You're like a magnet to my senses. My God, I can...actually feel a shift in the air, when you're around. But what could I do?"

She threw her hands up in exhasperation. "At first, I thought you didn't like me...didn't like having a woman roam your secret male bastion of SEAL training. When I saw your daughter's picture, I thought you were married or separated. You clearly didn't want to discuss that situation. Then, you had the Condom Lady and soon after that...Sheila. Or so it seemed. And I have to admit, she was a little off-putting. I just figured you were the kind of person who had a firm grip on his career, had clear goals, worked hard and advanced. On the other hand, your personal life was just the opposite. You didn't manage affairs of the heart so smoothly...didn't choose your partners very well." She shrugged at his rueful smile. "The way I saw it, I didn't have a chance with you on a close, personal level." Gigi gave him a twisted grin. "And for a minute there, it felt like you just wanted to father me. On top of all that...and the real kicker...I have a husband." A dour tone emphasized the last statement.

He did want honesty, didn't he? Well, damn! Gigi laid her cards on the table and turned them all face up. She had been interested in him all this time? Thought she didn't have a chance with him? If Jack could still logically use her age against her, Gigi wouldn't have a chance. But she wasn't the ignorant, immature kid he once wanted her to be. She had that 'old soul' mystique and was well learned on the intricacies of human behavior. Too bad her father and husband were the jackals that taught her. Husband. Jack had trouble even associating that word with the woman who opened herself up to him, despite being used by the men closest to her. And Gigi though he was fearless?

"Clears up any concerns I had. I just didn't want you coming to me out of obligation. I didn't want to force myself on you...but I guess I already did that by bringing you here. I want you to understand that I don't expect anything from you." He pulled her back into his arms, rested his chin atop her head. Had it ever felt this good to hold someone? "You're giving too much of yourself to too many people already. You and I can...decide what we want to do when your divorce is final and your father is...neutralized."

"What we want to do? You mean sleep together?" She toyed with the buttons on his shirt.

Jack had to smile at her frankness with him. "Yes." He answered huskily. "And after that."

"After is the big question mark." She murmured. Both of them knew a physical relationship was inevitable, but what about when she was in San Francisco and he was...wherever his team needed to be? "Are you back with your team permanently?"

"Don't know yet." For the first time, that uncertainty didn't bother Jack. He just wanted to get this operation over with and get back to Gigi. "I'll be on personal leave for a while after this. I'll get orders when I report back to Santa Octavia."

Gigi had been uneasy about this mission Jack was called in on. The whole thing seemed unorthodox, but Jack showed no trepidation. As if he would, anyway. This was the life he chose and she had to make peace with it. The danger was an aphrodisiac to men. Gino sated his passions by racing cars. Jack's lust fed on the physical and mental challenges of unconventional warfare. It scared Gigi to think that she may lose another good man who lived in pursuit of an aderenaline rush, but she knew enough to hold her tongue. Jack had been a SEAL since Gigi was a toddler. The man knew his work. His competence was a huge comfort.

"I'll miss you." She hugged him tighter. "I'll be thinking about you...all the time. You make sure you get your fine ass home in one piece."

"Yes, ma'am." A smile lilted his voice. "But before I go," Jack paused, tilted Gigi's face up to his, "I want to hear all about this 'Condom Lady'."