What have you been through, Jack Daniels? Raina questioned, but didn't utter out loud. The way he spoke about real pain and the people she loved dying jumped out like a rattlesnake that sunk it's teeth into her skin, slowly spreading venom through her body. The pieces were easily put together as she remembered one of the reasons why he said guys get drunk. One of them had involved a dead ex-girlfriend. She was curious if that had been what happened to him. He spoke of being there and watching someone die. The pain of that had to be unbearable, and what she was going through was nothing compared to that kind of ache.
He said the real question was whether she was going to follow it up with what she wanted to do. For Raina, the real question was how hadn't she gone after it before now. She had tried and tried to tell Desmond that she knew what she wanted and that he was it, but she never really went after it. She told him, sure, but that wasn't the same. She thought about her options as she listened to Jack speak. Every word he said made more sense then the one before.
If she wanted to be like him and just do what she wanted to do, then that's where she had to start. She needed to just do it. In the end, it may not be the entire future she saw for herself but it would make her stronger. And isn't that really what Jack represented to her? The ability to be strong and to be fearless about getting what it is you desire. That's definitely where she needed to start. "You know, you're pretty good at this counseling thing, Mr. Daniels." Raina walked over to the rock he sat on and put her hands on his knees. She was well aware of the position she was in and what it would be good for considering the angle he was at and her short stature.
Using his knees, Raina lifted herself a little and leaned in to give him a kiss on his cheek. "I want to do that first. And say thank you." She had needed the things he had said much more than she could have thought. "This little alcohol therapy cursing session was just what the doctor ordered." Stepping back, Raina leaned to pick up her shoes and held them in her hands. She didn't have a moment to waste with stopping to put them on. However, as she started to walk off, she looked back at Jack. She considered what he said about taking Desmond and then saying he was a lousy lay and turned it a little. Smirking, she said, "Oh and that little feeling up session we had? Worst one of my life." It was a tease and her smile said as much.
It wasn't just the alcohol talking when she said she hoped that they could meet up again. Jack was something unique and she appreciated that about him.
As she thought about him though, a movement in the shadows by the tree line caught her attention. Tell me it wasn't this easy, Raina thought as she stopped walking and turned. It felt like her heart stopped and Raina could only assume that he meant to be seen. Surely if he hadn't she wouldn't have laid eyes on him. "I shouldn't be surprised," she said, voice only slightly holding that edge of slurring from the alcohol. Jack's words were in her head.
..you let him call the shots.
..instead of listening to someone else for a change..
..think about what you want to do and just do it.
Just do it. Dropping her shoes, Raina walked over to him and refused to let any inhibitions get in her way. She was angry that he got to dictate what happened and was going to make up for it now. She closed the short distance between the two of them, leaned up on her tippy toes when she was close enough and fell against his chest. Her fingers curled into the long duster that she knew he'd be wearing, tightening into fists to hold him close. She pressed her mouth against his with an aggression she wasn't exactly known for. But it felt incredible. No matter what happened. Everything in this moment felt unbelievable.