You Can't Tell Me What to Do Anymore (Jack Lex)

The rush to the kitchen in hope to avoid the family left Faith with no time to examine Jack's facial expression which would of answered her question a lot faster. Jack's disappointed tone of not finding a job burns Faith's heart who couldn't help but feel guilty over the entire situation. If only she said something, the same thing repeating in her head like an annoying tape since the very beginning. Putting all the clean dishes on a rack to dry, Faith didn't know how to respond because she only wanted to refuse acceptance to Jack's departure.

"Of course I will." Faith sighs a promise because there was no doubt that she would check up on his entire family on a daily basis. "I've never even been near the fence, it just doesn't seem safe." Faith shares her worries, she heard of all of the dangerous beyond the district especially during the winter.

"What's in district 11 that you could bring back?" Faith jokes because it didn't seem like there was anything special there on account their own district held nothing of importance really. "I'd like that." She corrects not wanting to give all trouble about Jack's new job, he didn't need that and she didn't want to waste how ever much time they had left.

With the cloth down to declare Faith's retirement of that chore, she was done with them all wanting to enjoy Jack's presence while he was still there. "When do you go?" She asks finally facing him, with her expression settling down to acceptance though still with a hint of sadness. "We need to do something fun before you go." Faith suggests though it was more of a demand because she wasn't going to take no as an answer.

"I know." Faith lets out a sigh, sometimes she wished she wasn't so understanding. But it was time for Jack to to fill his obligations of supporting his family just as any good guy would do, if only it didn't involve such a distance. It was reassuring that Jack was convinced of his job, especially the part of not going alone. "Just promise me you'll be safe." She attempts to get out of Jack because it would slightly ease her worries.

It was almost like a jinx when Jack mentioned repeating the night at the dance with a unwanted fight and guy. "That was a really fun night." Faith smiled remembering the night filled with so much good and bad all rolled into one. The mood shifts when it brings up the fact they never did compromise with Faith's father, and now she wasn't the only one that had to worry about what would happen while Jack was a way.

"I'll try." Faith reassured because there was no guarantee that she wouldn't have to go on some pointless date that she would simply put up with. "I'll keep my distance from which ever new stupid guy my Father likes." Was a promise the Faith could keep easily and Jack had to of known that, it was a cute girl in District Eleven that was the real concern. Then of course Jack adds the exception if I actually liked them, which made Faith chuckle a little in disbelieve. "I don't think you have anything to worry about."

"That sounds like a lot of fun." Faith agreed because she wanted nothing more then to have Jack leave remembering an amazing night. "When?" She asked knowing that Jack wasn't leaving for a few days.

A repeat of the dance night without Jack there did seem a little intimidating, and with him being gone for such a time-period Faith knew she had to keep far distances from disrespectful guys, not like that was going to be a problem for her. "I'll figure something out." Faith reassures again because that last thing she wanted was for Jack to be worried about her while he was the one on a risky journey. "It's you that needs to stay safe." She shifts the conversation to the real concern, with Jack gone maybe her Father would even ease up on the whole dating thing.

Feeling Jack's secure arms, a hug was exactly what Faith wanted especially knowing she wouldn't receive them for a while. "I'll miss you to." Faith repeats the mutual feeling to Jack's statement and even feels a little giddy inside about the fact he'd actually miss her. Faith wanted nothing more then to request simply going with him, then she could make sure Jack would stay safe. But that was what someone that was his girlfriend would do, a tittle that Faith didn't have. Instead she bit her tongue, and only wished the hug would last longer.

"That sounds great." Faith agrees because she preferred seeing him right before he left anyways. "And tell your parents I'd be more then happy to babysit Josh and Briar a few nights a week while you're gone." She offers because if anything it was a privilege to see the two bundles of joy that always brought a smile to Faith's face. The twins would be especially needed when Jack was a way, both were spitting images of their handsome Father.

Sadly the conversation is changed to an unwanted subject of Faith's father, the last thing Faith wanted to discuss before Jack's departure. "He's on a drop-off run, but he left you the money." Faith told digging into the cabinet for the envelop that she forgot to deliver the first day her Father handed it to her. "I'm sorry I forgot." She apologized handing him the check that she managed to sneak a bit of extra money into, after-all it was her fault Jack was unemployed.

The worst part of any day, Jack had to say his goodbyes and exit back to his children. "Thanks for visiting to tell me." Faith gave Jack one last small smile before he left. It was a bit disgusting how much an influence her Father had on her younger siblings and step-mom, except for tiny Hope of course. "He's gone, you girls can take off your disapproving looks now." Faith suggested staring at her supposedly family sitting around the living room.

"I don't understand why you like that boy." The horrid step-mother shook her head in disappointment.

"I don't understand why my Father likes you, but he still ended up marrying you." Faith spits out before going up to her room, it was most likely not the smartest thing to say, but she could no longer hold it back.

There was no surprise when there was a sudden door opening, with the step-mother's head just barely popping up with laziness to climb all the way up to the very top level of the house that Faith called her room. Kind, sweet Faith wasn't the type to snap especially towards authority, but she just about had it with her family's discrimination. "Like what?" Faith counter-asked her step-mothers statement of being nothing but good, last she checked the old lady had been spending money and sitting around since the stupid marriage.

It was a new side of Faith that even shocked her step-mother, neither of them having a happy relationship from day one. Now Faith had grown the courage to object and talk back with the help from Jack, and she wasn't quite sure if it was a good thing or not. Still the last thing Faith wanted was to be isolated inside without the opportunity to say goodbye to Jack, and would hold the conflict until his departure. "I'm sorry." Faith faked in order to get the evil witch out of her hair.

After a little time to mope over the lack of acceptance for who she wanted to be with, Faith returned to her chores to endure the longest day and a half. Preparing dinner Faith couldn't help but be concerned that Jack hadn't shown yet, unsure of what time they determined on. The table was quiet except for the younger girls' babbles of course, as it has been for a bit now. Bringing the cleared plates to sink, a spot of the handsome cowboy brought a huge grin to Faith's face and a rush in her steps to be the one to answer the door.

"Faith." Mr. Campbell stopped his daughter in the doorway simply by his voice. "Haven't we discussed about that boy." He scolded her desire to go out with him, though it was only as friends.

"You already fired him." Faith responded in a low voice. "Are you really going to do this to?" Her eyebrows were arched inward with anger and sadness that her father continued down this path. "He's my friend, and if you can't accept that you can fire me to." It was in her sweet, calm voice but the words still managed to get the point across. With that Faith grabbed her jacket and left the house with no concern of what her Father would do, she couldn't take the confinement anymore.

"Hey." Faith greeted Jack with a smile because he was the very few that could still manage to pull her to being happy, the others being Briar and Josh of course. "How's preparation going?" She asked wanting to know as much as she can about the dangerous trip in hope it would bring a little more confidence to Jack's safety.

It becomes a bit nerve racking when Jack wants to talk to Faith's Father before they left, and Faith almost wished he would of waited until after. With a gulp she stayed in the door frame and simply watched. No matter what Jack was always so daring and as attractive as it was, it only made Faith worry more. By her Father's wrinkles in his face Faith could tell he just wanted Jack to go on his journey for a month.

At least Jack had a way with words, and though Mr. Campbell was already angry over his daughter his temperament certainly calmed. "I know how to protect my daughter Lexington." He confirmed a bit frustrated he was being told how to handle his own daughter. "That doesn't mean I approve." Faith's Father stayed stubborn probably because he could tell that his daughter still had feelings for the young man, even if nothing was going to happen. "Don't stay out to late." He gave one last demand though it was at least a small approval.

Exchanging one last look with her Father Faith couldn't wait for Jack to exit and the door to be closed, as long as the last night wouldn't be ruined. Knowing it was still very cold out and they were riding her horse, for once Faith didn't wear a dress as usual. Making her way to the farm Faith wasn't quite sure how to respond to Jack's decision to talk to her Father, though it seemed to of gone well. Sliding the large wooden door she finally cleared her throat. "So what's it like beyond the fence?" Faith found it best to continue the old conversation, plus she was always curious and they were in a barn that no one could possibly be listening to them in.

It was a simple answer that didn't fill much of a picture in Faith's head as she already had before, similar to by the lake when you loose yourself among the trees. The idea of no civilization did sound peaceful, a possibility of escaping occasionally floating around her head since she was young. Having only basic responsibilities, without the concern of what other's think or believe. Still it wasn't ever an option, and looking at Jack's face more laid beyond the fence that he was keeping from sharing, most likely to ease her thought about his trip.

"Knowing you have protection is a little more relaxing." Faith brought in a little positivity because that even lower her fears a lot. The way Jack prepared the horse was as if second nature and the process didn't even go through his head. He didn't belong escorting cows to and from districts with the strong instincts on horses he had. "Are they going to give you a horse?" Faith asked curiously.

Completely forgetting about the small sleigh behind the barn it had been quiet a few years without being on it herself, though she was pretty sure her Father cared for it monthly. It was the good times of being a care-free child who was a complete daddy's girl and enjoyed those times with him. "I think my Father still goes on rides with Hope." Faith shared with high hopes that her little sister was experiencing the joys she did, bringing a bit of disappointment that Faith didn't even know.

The warmth from inside the barn makes it twice as cold stepping outside, and Faith could feel her face freezing into place. How is Jack going to survive with a simple sleeping bag? "Are you sure you can't wait a few weeks for it to warm up?" Faith joked with a small laugh the formed fog. "It would be a shame if you get frostbite on your nose and it falls off."