Is Love All or Nothing? Ch. 14

Yes, chapter 14 is finally here and it is my longest chapter. Sorry for the delay but life has been keeping me busy. I have just bought my first home and been very busy getting ready to move in. That and working two jobs with the second job asking me to cover on my days off gives me very little time to write. I thank everyone for their patience and for my editor Tigersman for doing another great job making this much better than the first version I sent him.

I do always appreciate feedback whether comments, votes, or emails and I do my best to respond to emails when I have the chance.

*****

Keith smiles thinking about the weekend he just had. Not only did he and Jackie not kill each other, they grew closer together. Sure, the sex was amazing and he lost count of how many times he made Jackie cum in the shower and in bed, but the growing trust they continued to build with each other was approaching unbreakable in his mind.

He stops at the next red light and turns his head to see Jackie still fast asleep with her head against a pillow. She looked so peaceful while she slept. Keith couldn't help but remember waking up with her still asleep in his arms, her head buried into his hairy chest. The only thing more beautiful was when she smiled at him. That smile could illuminate any dark room to full brightness.

His phone starts vibrating in the cup holder between him and Jackie and he quickly answers it as to try to not let it wake Jackie.

"Hello."

"Hey Keith, are you two close to Jackie's place yet?" Luke asks.

"Not yet. I just got off the freeway and I should be at Jackie's apartment in about ten minutes."

"Ok. Well Melissa and I there already."

"Is something wrong?" Keith asks, concerned Jillian might have shown up again to terrorize them.

"No, I think Melissa just needs her best friend right now. She is still a little shaken from Friday night."

"We'll be there soon. I still want to hear what happened from your perspective."

"Why? Didn't Andy tell you what happened?"

"He did but he is already biased against Jillian to begin with. I know you might be too but I still want to understand everything that happened."

"Ok. Text me when you get here. Melissa is taking a shower right now to try to relax."

"Will do."

Keith ends the call and gently nudges Jackie to try to wake her up. She slowly opens her eyes and looks at her boyfriend with that smile he loves to see.

"Are we at my place yet?" she asks, unaware of the phone conversation that just took place.

"We'll be there soon. Luke and Melissa are there waiting for us. She is still a little shaken and she needs you."

Jackie nods her understanding of the situation. "That bitch really has it out for us."

"I don't know what her play is," Keith turns to look at Jackie as they stop at another red light, "but I'll be damned if she gets away with trying to wreck our relationship or our group of friends."

Jackie is happy to hear Keith say those words with such confidence. Only a month ago he was worried about how Jillian could wreck everything. Now he was determined to never let that happen. She knew however that she needed to get ready to be there for her best friend now.

Once they arrive at Jackie's apartment complex they park the car. Keith sends Luke a quick text saying they are there and tells Jackie that he will get her luggage so she can help Melissa out. She doesn't argue with him and heads into her apartment. Luke comes out the main door as Jackie walks in. He meets Keith at the trunk of his car and helps him get Jackie's suitcase out.

"So how was it?" Luke asks as they walk.

"It was amazing," Keith says with a big smile. "We definitely grew a lot closer to each other and got to know each other a lot better."

"That's good," Luke says as he opens the door into the building. "What stuff did you two do?"

"Made each other dinner, watched anime, and some fun activities."

"Sounds like a good time, except for the watching anime part."

"Believe it or not, that was Jackie's idea."

Luke looks at Keith in disbelief. "Jackie's idea? Are we talking about the same woman?"

Keith lets out a small laugh. "Yes we are. She wanted to know why I like anime and suggested we watch one of the shows I like. I was just as surprised as you are but I wasn't going to complain about it."

"I guess you had no reason to."

They walk into Jackie's apartment and don't see her but hear Melissa crying in Jackie's bedroom. A few seconds later Jackie's voice is heard trying to help calm her best friend.

"How's Melissa been since Friday night?" Keith asks very concerned.

"She was fine yesterday. She and Lauren went out shopping and got their gifts for our little gift exchange. She was fine most of the evening with me but started crying in the middle of the night. I let her cry into my chest and just did my best to be there for her. I knew why she was crying and figured I just needed to let her get it out of her system. I didn't think it would continue this long."

Jackie comes out her bedroom and comes towards Keith and Luke.

"Well, the timing of everything could not have been any worse."

"Why do you say that?" Luke asks confused.

"It was around this time that her brother took his life," Jackie states. "Right now all the memories of him, good and bad, are coming back and she is just trying to get through this."

Both Luke and Keith look at each other knowing that this isn't good.

"Is there anything I can do for her?" Luke asks feeling helpless at that moment.

"Just be there for her like you always have been. Everything you've been doing is what she's needed and wanted from you." Luke nods taking in the information while still feeling helpless that his girlfriend, his love is in the other room and he can't do a thing about it. "I know you want to do more Luke but you can't right now. I can't even do much for her other than just let her tell me whatever she wants to tell me."

Luke simply nods and looks down at the ground not sure what to do next. However, Keith is feeling very different emotions.

"I think I'm going to get going," Keith says remaining as calm as he can. "She has the two people who love her most right here and I'm not sure there is anything I could do to help."

"Just being the true friend you are is more than enough," Luke says.

"Thanks Luke. I'll call you later tonight sweetie."

Keith and Jackie hug and kiss before he heads out the door. His anger starts to take hold and his mind focuses on it as he gets in his car. He exits Jackie's apartment complex but instead of driving back to his place he heads somewhere else.

During the drive he thinks of all the ways he can approach and handle the conversation he is about to have. His blood races as he grips the steering wheel tighter.

Ten minutes later he arrives at his destination, but remains in his car to try to calm himself down.

"You will only make things worse if you go in angry Keith," he says to himself. "Count to ten and breathe."

He does that and feels more in control of his anger and emotions. He gets out of his car and makes his way towards the door of a condo. He sees the person's car in the carport so he is very sure she is home.

Before he gets the chance to ring the doorbell the door opens.

"What the fuck are you doing here?" Jillian asks. "I don't seem to remember inviting you over."

Keith takes a deep breath, trying to keep his composure. "I want to know why you are harassing my friends. They have done nothing wrong to you."

"They're your friends. That is reason enough to me."

"You're issue is with me. Not with them."

"Do they even know you have Asperger's and how crazy it makes you?"

"Yes, they do know I have Asperger's, but they don't think I'm crazy."

"Wait until they meet the real you."

"You don't know the real me and you're too blinded by anger by the letter I left to even try to see what they see."

Jillian laughs at that statement. "The real you? You mean the real you that couldn't handle rejection from a woman and had to accuse her of having Asperger's to make yourself feel better? The real you that wouldn't leave me alone?"

"And how the tables have turned now that you couldn't leave my friends alone Friday night and tried to make a scene," Keith says seeing her hypocrisy. "What does it matter to you that I was making new friends? If you really claim that you want nothing to do with me then you will leave them alone."

"You can't tell me what to do!"

"I'm not telling you to do anything Jillian other than to let your rage against me go. You're dragging your own name through the mud, not mine."

"Get off my property before I call the cops for trespassing and harassment," Jillian threatens, ready to end the conversation.

Keith shakes his head in frustration and gets in his car. He drives back to his apartment and pounds his hands against the steering wheel in anger. He really wished that could have gone better, that Jillian would have agreed to leave his friends alone. He was planning on telling her about Melissa's brother but was content with the fact he didn't have the chance. That information would have probably just reinforced what Jillian already believed to be true, that people with Asperger's don't take into consideration anyone else's feeling or needs. He knows that to not be true, but he gave off that impression.

He exits the car, get his suitcase and walks into the apartment building. He goes to unlock the door, but when he puts his key in to unlock it he sees that it is already unlocked. He opens the door and talks before his uninvited guest has a chance to speak.

"I'm not in the mood and just want to relax."

Andy looks at Keith quizzically wondering where the hell that came from. "I thought you and Jackie had a great time at the lake house. Did something happen today?"

"Yes, but not with Jackie," Keith says as he rolls his suitcase next to his couch. "I really don't want to get into it."

"Keith, spit it out. I'm not leaving until"

"I said I don't want to talk about it!" Keith screams in anger. Silence falls between the two best friends for several minutes. Andy just sits in the kitchen chair waiting for Keith to relax and collect himself. "I'm sorry. You didn't deserve that."

"I forgive you, but now you have to tell me what is going on."

"Please Andy, not tonight," Keith begs.

"That didn't come from nowhere Keith. One thing you have taught me is that when someone says something, especially in anger like you just did, there is always a why."

Keith hated the fact Andy was right. As much as he just wanted to not talk about it, he knew he had to. He sits down on the couch with Andy and began with explaining with what he saw when he dropped off Jackie at her place and how Luke felt down in the dumps because he couldn't help Melissa. He then explained in too much detail why he felt like he needed to confront Jillian about what happened and how things didn't go well at all when he want to her place.

"Well can you blame her for reacting the way she did?"

"I don't blame her for the way she reacted, but she is acting hypocritical," Keith argued. "She wants so badly to have nothing to do with me yet she went out of her way to go after my friends."

"Just let her do what she wants," Andy says trying to calm down Keith. "I'm sure after that bitch slap from Lauren she'll think twice before coming around again anyway."

Keith turns to face Andy with a grin on his face. "So how hard did Lauren slap Jillian?"

"Hard enough that I saw a nice palm print on Jillian's cheek," Andy says, proud of his girlfriend. "I also know now to never ever mess with her because she will kick my ass."

"I would love to see her kick your ass," Keith says laughing at his friend.

"But seriously, why would you go and poke the bear?"

"Because I'm sick of letting her control my life."

"Control your life?" Andy asks, wondering what Keith is talking about. "She doesn't...oh you mean in your head?"

"Yes. I'm sick of what I did to her controlling my actions and that is not fair to Jackie. Confronting her was more therapeutic than actually trying to solve the issues between me and her."

"Where did this brave man come from?" Andy teases. "Seems like your grew up a little over the weekend."

"I did," Keith says smiling, remembering the conversation he and Jackie had over their stir fry dinner. "She and I both did and I think are starting to let go of the past that haunted both of us."

"I was hoping sooner or later you would get over Jillian. I'm just glad it is happening sooner."

*******************************

"So your mom's name is Diane and your dad's name is?" Jackie asks, trying desperately to remember.

"Aaron and no you cannot call him A-Aron. He shot that down the first time he heard it."

"That might be a good way for me to remember it and I won't call him that."

"I know you won't."

"Is your sister going to be there too?"

Keith lets out a sigh remembering who she is bringing. "Yep and Andrea is bringing her boyfriend."

"Do you not like him?" Jackie asking sensing some hostility.

"I don't like him at all. He rubs me the wrong way, but my parents love him."

"Does he treat your sister like shit or something?"

"No." Keith is hoping Jackie drops it because he is starting to relive some bad memories.

"Then why don't you like him?" Keith doesn't answer right away and Jackie tries to think of why he doesn't answer the question. She thinks back about how Keith interacts with everyone he comes in contact with. He's always friendly and nice, even when someone gives him a reason to not be. Even when her younger brother acted like a douchebag he tried so hard to not show how much it was getting to him. Then the thought crossed her mind that maybe this guy had gotten to him. Just maybe, Andrea's boyfriend is nice to everyone but Keith and he just holds it in. "Is he that mean to you?"

Keith nods slightly with his hand on his head and his elbow against the driver's door window. All the previous holidays where Andrea brought her boyfriend always ended up with Keith spending time away from everyone or leaving early. His parents told him to try to grow some thicker skin as people will provoke him whether they know he has Asperger's or not. He told them they were right, people would provoke him no matter what, but Mike took it to another level by making fun of his Asperger's. His parents and sister never saw it happening because he would always do it when they were not around and out of earshot. His sister didn't believe him when he told her and he gave up trying to convince them after that. He just hoped that one day the nightmare would end.

Soon they arrived at Keith's parent's house and parked in the driveway. They get the presents out of Keith's trunk and headed towards the front door where they are greeted by Keith's dad.

"I see you made it here in one piece," Keith's dad says teasing is son.

"I had to or else you wouldn't have finally met my girlfriend."

"You mean she is real?"

"Oh stop it Aaron," Keith's mom says, chastising her husband. "Help him carry the presents in or get out of the way."

Aaron stops his teasing, grabs the stack of wrapped presents from Keith and carries them into the house. Jackie followed Aaron into the house and placed the stack of presents in her hand next to the Christmas tree where Aaron placed his stack.

"So if you haven't figured it out yet, I'm Keith's dad and my name is Aaron."

"I thought your name was Steve," Jackie replies quickly. "Are we at the right house?"

Aaron has a good laugh at her response. "I can see why Keith likes you, beautiful and funny."

"Why thank you. I do like to think I'm funny sometimes."

"You are very funny sweetie," Keith says as he walks into the family room. "Sometimes you are funny in who you think is the better chief engineer of the Enterprise."

"What, she can't think La Forge is the better chief?"

"Because he is!" Jackie defends. "He constantly improves the Enterprise D and also gets them out of dangerous situations with solutions of a low chance of success."

"No Star Trek debates!" Keith's mom shouts, catching the attention of everyone. "You three can have this debate another time, not during this holiday season. Am I clear?" All three of them nod sheepishly. Diane takes a deep breath to calm herself. "Now, have you and Jackie had dinner yet? Your dad was going to get some Little Caesar's."

"Pizza does sound pretty good Mrs. James."

"You can call me Diane Jackie and it is finally nice to meet you." Diane gives Jackie the once over. "Keith is right, you are beautiful."

Jackie blushes at the compliment from Diane. "Thank you."

"You're welcome. Now come and sit with me on the couch while Keith gets your things into your bedroom. I want to get to know you more and have you fill in the whole of how you and Keith actually met."

"Mom," Keith says exasperated. "I told you everything. No reason to interrogate her."

"You've been known to leave out details and I'm pretty sure the first time you met her wasn't at the hibachi restaurant. Now let us women have our time and you get everything else you need to out of the car."

Keith just rolls his eyes and heads back to the car to get the rest of their stuff. Jackie and Diane sit on the couch with Jackie telling Diane the whole story of how they met, from their first meeting at Brownstead, to the encounter at the hibachi restaurant and the date with the guy who tried to drug her. She then explains how they then started dating and the fateful night in which Keith revealed he has Asperger's Syndrome to her.

"Keith has had his moments where he lets his temper get the best of him."

"Still, I shouldn't have pushed him as hard as I did," Jackie says, regretting hurting Keith like that.

"Maybe, but it turned out to be a positive thing." Jackie gives a confused look to Diane. "Well, you two were able to meet up again and hash out what happened and from what I understand talk about some of your more negative life experiences. Sometimes you need to go through rough patches to get to greener pastures."

"I guess you're right. Sometimes I still feel like my past is going to come back to haunt me."

"Can I ask what happened in your past?"

"Well, I was cheated on and I didn't know for the longest time."

"Oh honey," Diane puts her hand on Jackie's arm and starts gently rubbing it. "I'm sorry that happened to you. I know how devastating that can be and ruin your confidence."

"Did you have a friend that you had to help getting over being cheated on?"

"Actually, I was the one who got cheated on." Jackie's face immediately turned to shock. "Yep and I had been with the guy for almost three years."

"How did you find out you were being cheated on? Did you walk in on him or something?"

Diane grins as she remember the events. "Actually, I was told by his best friend that he was cheating on me. He had walked in on them doing it on the couch in the living room of the apartment they were living in together. His best friend called me right away and told me what was going on. I didn't believe him until he put the phone out far enough into the living room for me to hear them going at it and what they were saying to each other.

"It didn't take long for me to recognize his voice. The next day I told him we were done and gave him back everything he had ever given me. The following week his best friend moved out of the apartment and started living on his own. I was so hurt by what had happened I didn't leave my apartment for a week."

"How did you end up recovering from that?"

"Well, the cheater's best friend called me after that week to check up on me. He didn't like the fact I hadn't left my place and he insisted he take me to dinner just so I could get out and get some food in my belly. Stubborn fool wouldn't take no for an answer. I ended up giving in and he took me to a very nice place to eat. He told me I could get anything I wanted and boy did his wallet get a lot lighter after that meal. He treated me so well and pushed nothing on me. I felt so comfortable with him that I ended up marrying him and having two wonderful children with him."