Nathan couldn't help but smile as he watched Jack tug at the collar of his tuxedo. He was handsome standing with the other members if the wedding party, but Nathan thought he was the best looking one.

"And he's mine" he thought with a smirk that Jack caught as he looked over the crowd.

Smiling back, Jack could only wonder what was going through his lover's mind. His only wish now was for Catlin's wedding to be over so he could get out of his jacket. Jack had been stunned that Cat wanted him in the wedding but he had drawn the line at being on the bride's side. Fortunately, Clint didn't have a problem with sliding Jack in and after a wild bachelor party, Jack had made a group of friends for life. Now standing in front of everyone, Jack's thoughts wandered, all focusing on the smirking man sitting out in the audience.

Nathan moved to DC for good in February. His transfer from Eureka was met with some protests but it was pushed through with a little help from a cousin Nathan hadn't really mentioned before now. He was now safely ensconced in a DOD lab, doing the work he dreamed of, experimenting instead of being the administrator. He was more relaxed and content for the first time in a very long time although it had taken some adjustment to living with someone. Even when he and Jack were a couple in Eureka, they didn't do overnights very often. Jack didn't want Zoe to wake up alone or try to explain to a teenager why Nathan was there when she got up in the mornings. They did wrong so many things the first time in Eureka, so many secrets they kept from everyone and each other. Nathan knew this was the second chance he had prayed for and he was determined to make it work and to do right by Jack

It had been a transformation for Jack in many ways. He had to learn how to re-share his space after the years of living alone. It wasn't as hard as Jack feared it would be. They moved into a new place a week ago that was theirs together. It was a room for Zoe and more space than Jack ever imagined living in at any stage of his life. His bigger fear had been his rapid coming out. Over the years, he had never discussed his personal life and suddenly it was out in the open for everyone to pass judgment. Catlin, of course, embraced him wholeheartedly. Some agents didn't let it phase them and treated Jack no differently. A few however, made their bigoted displeasure known. Jack thoroughly whipping the hate monger's ass, settling one particularly brutal conflict in the gym's boxing ring. After that, nothing was said directly to Jack and he let everything else slide. Nathan didn't know about that incident because he had been in Eureka at that time and Jack was grateful that Catlin had been too busy with her wedding planning because he was sure she would have spilled the beans.

After the cold winter, spring roared in and even though it was only April, the heat had no problem making itself known. The ceremony was quick, to everyone's relief and they all quickly moved inside to the cooler reception hall. After spending what felt like hours in the receiving line, Jack was finally able to get way and find Nathan in the crowded room. He was parked at a table close to the food but away from the DJ that was getting ready to turn the reception to a party. Jack sat down and smiled at Nathan.

"I am so ready to get out of this tux." Jack said, still tugging at his collar, looking more like a schoolboy than a grown man,

Nathan smiled in return. "I'll be glad to help you out of it later." He said with a leer in his eye. "Right now, let me untie your tie. That might help out."

Gratefully, Jack turned towards his beau and let out a sigh of relief as the knotted tie was swiftly undone. Sliding out of his jacket, he was instantly more comfortable. Before Jack could comment on grabbing a bite to eat, he heard a groan come from Nathan. Seeing where Nathan's attention was drawn, Jack saw one of the groomsmen making his way to their table. Frowning slightly, Jack, for the first time, noticed there was a slight resemblance between him and Nathan. The man reached the table, his smile wide but devious.

"Well, well. I certainly wasn't expecting to see you here, Nathan."

Nathan smirked. "Imagine my surprise as well." Turning to Jack, he did a quick introduction. "This is my cousin that helped with the paperwork for my transfer, Tony. Tony this is my boyfriend, Jack."

Jack couldn't hide his surprise. "Cousin?"

Nathan rolled his eyes. "Our fathers were brothers. I was more of the black sheep of the family."

Not waiting for an invitation to sit down, Tony pulled out a chair, much to Nathan's annoyance." It really depends on whom you talk to. My father always thought you were the 'responsible' one."

That comment only got a 'humph' from Nathan. Undeterred, tony continued. "I see why you were in such a hurry to get the Washington now. mm-mm, boyfriend." he murmured, giving Jack an appraising once over. No wonder you wouldn't play with anyone." Catching his cousin's now steely glare, Tony's smile took on devilish proportions. "I met Jack the other night at the bachelor party. He should have bought you. It was a wild time had by all."

Not missing the gaze from his cousin and his boyfriend's blushing reaction to it, Nathan bit down on the surge of jealous that shot through him. . He knew Jack would fuss about his "alpha man" response but Nathan couldn't stand the feeling of Jack possibly being interested in someone else. The first time around, a lot of his reaction came from the insecurities they both experienced in their relationship. This second time around, however, it came from knowing his cousin. Tony was quite notorious for his very public dalliances with the ladies and although more private, no less notorious with the men. Based on both of their reactions, Nathan was certain that Tony had probably hit on Jack at the party. Filing it away for later, Nathan focused on his cousin's words.

"I still don't know why I can't convince you to join Stark Industries." Tony was asking.

Nathan shook his head. "You know I'm not a fan of New York and with your other 'activities', I think Washington is the safer option."

Tony shrugged and gave a dazzling smile, then his smile faded and his tone turned serious. "Who knows? Maybe my 'activities' as you so nicely put them, will curtail and I'll just focus on research. I could use your expertise."

Nathan smirked. "Not biting, Tony." Glancing at Jack, Nathan's smirk softened into a smile. "I'm fine right here."

Tony stood. "I had to try. Jack, I'm sure I'll see you again now that I intend on getting under my cousin's skin." With a nod, Tony moved into the crowd and Nathan gave a pained sigh.

Jack chuckled. "Your cousin, eh?"

Nathan shook his head. "Don't remind me. I certainly wasn't expecting to see him here. I called in a favor from him to help push my paperwork through and I know he won't leave it alone now."

Jack patted his hand sympathetically. "Why don't we leave, grab dinner somewhere else and just go home?"

Nathan grabbed the hand that was on top of his. "Home. I like the sound of that."

ooOOoo

Dinner wound up being in a tiny cafe that served American classics and good wine. They arrived home, with the sunset and true to his word, Nathan helped Jack out of his tuxedo. As they undressed, the hungry look Tony had given Jack popped into his mind and Nathan took the opportunity to remind Jack to whom he truly belonged. The sex was playful and hard ending with Jack calling Nathan's name once he was finally allowed to come. After dozing for an hour, dragging himself from bed, Jack looked at his now sleeping lover. Wincing slightly as he went to grab a quick shower and went through the dark house to grab a beer, he was reminded of times past when someone had sparked Nathan's possessive streak and usually that was taken out on Jack's ass. During sex, the rough was good but afterwards, oh boy.

The condominium they found had a balcony and Jack loved the view. Settling in a chair, he drank his beer and was lost in his thoughts until Nathan came out half an hour later.

"I figured I'd find you out here." Nathan stated as he sat in the chair beside Jack, holding his own beer.

"It has cooled off so I'm enjoying it while it lasts." Jack replied, taking another sip of his beer.

They sat in silence, watching to quarter moonrise from the horizon.

Nathan watched as the moonlight turned Jack's blond locks silver. Everything felt surreal and not for the first time, Nathan wondered if it were a dream.

"Earth to scientist." Jack interrupted Nathan's thoughts.

"I'm still here on Earth, agent." Nathan replied, smiling at the banter between them. Growing serious for a moment, he started to apologize. "If it was too rough earlier, I'm sorry."

Jack laughed a huge booming sound in the dark of night. "Believe me, if there had been a problem I would have stopped you." Taking another sip of his beer, Jack added. "Besides, I knew what was coming. Always the alpha male."

Nathan joined in the laughter. "Yes but I'm your alpha male."

Nodding Jack agreed. "That's true. You don't have to worry about Tony. He'll flirt to aggravate you but he's not my type."

Raising a brow, Nathan asked. "Oh? What exactly is your type?"

Pondering for a moment, Jack finally answered. "Dark haired, green eyed, arrogant scientists who are willing to pack up and move clear across the country."

Nathan stood up and pulled Jack into his arms. After sharing a tender, lingering kiss, they separated but Nathan kept his arms tight around Jack.

"What have I done to deserve you?"

Jack shrugged. "I could ask the same question. Maybe we weren't ready the first time around."

"I had to lose you to realize what I had." Nathan was surprised to hear his long kept private thoughts blurt from his mouth.

Jack was surprised too. He wasn't expecting Nathan to be so forthcoming. They had talked a lot about the time they had been apart but Nathan was always more stoic about his feelings. They stood quietly, just holding each other. Jack eventually broke the silence.

"This is our do over, our chance to move on from the past and get it right."

Nathan concurred. "I'll do everything I can to make you happy.'

Shaking his head, Jack lightly hit Nathan in the chest. "I don't need you to make me happy. I just need you to love me as much as I love you."

"You know I do love you. I always have, I always will." Nathan replied.

Jack felt his heart swell. The changes they both had to make to be together had been trying but Jack knew they would come out on the other side just fine.

"Then I'm happy. I'll always be happy."

So ends the saga of "Secrets". I'm so glad to those of you who stuck it out to the end. I know at some point, I'll be revisiting this universe again. I sincerely hope you enjoyed it!