30 Rock, Jack/Liz, Random One, Prompt #20. Writer's choice
Title: Weighing the Benefits
Author: michellek
Challenge: drabble123
Fandom: 30 Rock
Pairings: Jack/Nancy, Jack/Liz (friendship)
Table: Random One
Prompt: #20. Writer's choice
Rating: PG
Word Count: 300
Summary: "She doesn't want to have any more children." Spoilers through 'Winter Madness.'
Disclaimer: Not mine. Don't sue.
*
"She doesn't want to have any more children."
"Is it a case of want or can't? Because, Jack, she is fifty--"
"I'm aware of her age, Lemon. She's yet to go through menopause, but there are ways for women who have to procreate. I'll send you the literature."
Liz wonders if he's joking, or if Jack has investigated ways to impregnate a possibly post-menopausal Nancy. Then she wonders if the act of planning a future with a woman he knew decades ago and only recently reconnected with, a woman who until a couple of days ago still hadn't committed to seeking a divorce from her absent husband, is incredibly sweet or deeply sad.
"What are you going to do?"
"I don't know," Jack replies. "Should I really not explore the possibility of having a meaningful relationship for the sake of children I spent years certain I didn't want? And she could change her mind. And, quite honestly, she should. Our children would surely be more attractive than the ones she had with Mark."
"If you try to broach the subject again, I don't think you should lead with 'your kids are ugly.'"
"I never described them as 'ugly.' I implied that I'm better looking than her husband. That is demonstrably true."
She hesitates. "Are you in love with her?" she asks, though love is different for Jack. Love comes easily and leaves just as abruptly. But that doesn't mean this can't be actual love, right? That doesn't mean it won't last.
She wants him to find something lasting. Almost as much as she wants it for herself.
So when he says, "I wouldn't be worried about this if I weren't in love with her," Liz replies:
"Then I think you should see where this goes. I think you should give it a shot."
He nods; smiles. She hopes for the best.
END
Author: michellek
Challenge: drabble123
Fandom: 30 Rock
Pairings: Jack/Nancy, Jack/Liz (friendship)
Table: Random One
Prompt: #20. Writer's choice
Rating: PG
Word Count: 300
Summary: "She doesn't want to have any more children." Spoilers through 'Winter Madness.'
Disclaimer: Not mine. Don't sue.
*
"She doesn't want to have any more children."
"Is it a case of want or can't? Because, Jack, she is fifty--"
"I'm aware of her age, Lemon. She's yet to go through menopause, but there are ways for women who have to procreate. I'll send you the literature."
Liz wonders if he's joking, or if Jack has investigated ways to impregnate a possibly post-menopausal Nancy. Then she wonders if the act of planning a future with a woman he knew decades ago and only recently reconnected with, a woman who until a couple of days ago still hadn't committed to seeking a divorce from her absent husband, is incredibly sweet or deeply sad.
"What are you going to do?"
"I don't know," Jack replies. "Should I really not explore the possibility of having a meaningful relationship for the sake of children I spent years certain I didn't want? And she could change her mind. And, quite honestly, she should. Our children would surely be more attractive than the ones she had with Mark."
"If you try to broach the subject again, I don't think you should lead with 'your kids are ugly.'"
"I never described them as 'ugly.' I implied that I'm better looking than her husband. That is demonstrably true."
She hesitates. "Are you in love with her?" she asks, though love is different for Jack. Love comes easily and leaves just as abruptly. But that doesn't mean this can't be actual love, right? That doesn't mean it won't last.
She wants him to find something lasting. Almost as much as she wants it for herself.
So when he says, "I wouldn't be worried about this if I weren't in love with her," Liz replies:
"Then I think you should see where this goes. I think you should give it a shot."
He nods; smiles. She hopes for the best.
END