The Truth | A 36 Questions Musical Podcast Fanfiction

Chapter 1

"The truth is, Cooper, the truth is hard to explain. It can change based on what a person sees in their world. For an example, Natalie's world is different than mine, which makes her truth different than mine. She may know more about things than me, and I, her." Jase says, looking Cooper in the eye. "Now, Natalie and I are almost done here, so how about you play two more levels of your game and then we'll go home. How does that sound?"

Cooper seemed content with that answer, so Natalie says, "And so we'll begin. A timer has been set on my phone. Ready, set go." Natalie clicks start, and they begin to stare into each other's eyes.

What is she thinking? Where does she live? What does she do for a living? Has she met up with her parents? Does she miss this? Does she miss us? Jase's thoughts swirl in his mind. After what seems like a second, the timer goes off. There is something Jase wants to do, but knows what Cooper might think. Instead, he inhales and leans back in his chair.

"There is something else. Something that the original writers of the article posted years later. After four minutes, if both parties agree, they can-" Natalie looks over at Cooper, "K-i-s-s. But, considering the present company, I think that must be saved for a different day."

"A different day? You're saying you want to meet up again?" Jase asks, surprised that she even offered.

Natalie chuckles. "Yes, because after so many years of waiting, Jase Connely wants to actually talk to me!"

"Daddy can we go?" Cooper asks, tugging on Jase's sleeve. "I'm bored and I want to go home and play!"

"Just a minute Coop. I will say goodbye and then we will go." Jase says. "Here, you should have this. It's yours, and you should probably take a listen back. You have my email in case you want to contact me. I hope it will be sooner rather than later." Jase hands Natalie the iPhone and stands up. Natalie does the same and Jase reaches over to hug her. Natalie hesitates, before leaning into him. He breathes in, kisses her on her forehead, and sighs before letting her go. He holds Coop's hand and turns to go.

"I'll be in touch. Thanks. For finding me and everything." Natalie says, tucking the phone into her purse.

As Natalie enters her car, she contemplates listening to the tapes, but decided that it's better to drive safely than only be paying attention to the phone. Unfortunately it didn't end up working like that, because all she could think about on the way home was what she would find on the record. Since almost ten years have passed, she hardly remembers what could be on the record. How long is it? Did Jase add anymore after he drove off? How long is the record? Despite what Jase may think, she never listened back to the record, and she didn't think she ever would.

At first, Natalie created the record so she could remember the character she was playing, but after a week or so, Judith became Natalie, and didn't have to think about her new life anymore. With Jase it was so easy. She didn't have to worry about her past, and she didn't have to explain anything to him. He just got her, and Natalie would always wonder what would happen if she hadn't decided to be Natalie that day.

Natalie sits in silence for the four hours or so it took to listen to the entire record. So many memories have been saved, and even though their love story ended tragically, Natalie is happy she caught some of it on tape. Even though most of it was in the last chapter. The subtext is clear: Natalie was trying so hard to get Jase back that he didn't listen. Back then she thought it was so obvious that he should take her back because she was still the same person, but Jase did not understand. She was shoving so much in his face and didn't let him process. At least, after the two months of being alone in his mom's house. Now on the other end, Natalie thinks she would side with Jase. At least for a breather, but not for a divorce.

The divorce was relatively painless. At least, the process. They didn't see or talk to each other directly, just split everything down the middle, fair and square. Natalie felt like she was ripped in two. Jase was the reason why all those years ago she decided to live instead of dreaming about death. He brought her up and made her whole, so when he was out of her life for good, Natalie didn't know what to do with herself. First, she moved to Dallas. She got a job managing various stores around the state, so she frequently visited Austen. Natalie also changed her middle name to Natalie. She was now Judith to her new friends, but she wanted to keep her life with Jase. He changed her life, and now she is still living Natalie's life, so she wanted to keep the name.

She definitely felt the loss of Jase at times. Natalie had made new friends which her coworkers and neighbors but sometimes she missed Jase and wanted to call him. She had to get a new phone after she left her old one in his mailbox. It worked wonders because not only could she start on a new slate, but she could call Jase and hear his answering machine voice without the phone number recognition. She didn't call often, just three times over the years, to hear his voice during the hard times. All three had to do wither her parents, two highly selfish people who did't care for others, especially Judith. She knows they will be brought up with Jase in their next meeting, so she doesn't dare to think of them now.

Both Jase and Natalie are counting down the days until they could see each other again. Natalie emailed and let Jase know she'd be in town again two weeks from their previous meeting. She told him not to bring Coop, even though she's fond of hum, the two had some unfinished business to take care of that would have raised too many questions from his son. To Natalie's surprise, Jase invited her over to his house. Natalie hopes that the more intimate setting will help the two of them get to the root of their meetings faster.

Natalie gets out of her uber and walks nervously up to Jase's quaint house. She is more nervous than she's ever been in her life, because now she knows Jase has fully though through their whole story. She misses him, and she knows their relationship is painstakingly being put back together. Or so she desperately hopes. Her best friend lives inside of these walls, and she doesn't want to lose him again. She rings his doorbell, and when he answers the breath she was holding came out in a huff. She forgot how handsome he is, which doesn't help her clear minded thinking one bit.

"Come in Natalie," Jase says, closing the door behind her as she steps in. "I decided to do something that may surprise you for our first meeting. Let's hope we can finish these in time before your next business meeting." He hands Natalie a piece of paper. They make their way to the kitchen table, where they sit opposite. Natalie looks at the paper and sees the familiar 36 questions.

"You want to start over?" Natalie asks. "Remember the last time we did these? It didn't go very well as I recall." She skims the questions, those old memories flooding back to her.

"It's been almost ten years Natalie. We should start over and learn more about ourselves. The first time you did these questions as Natalie. The second time was with a brand new Judith, and now, this time, will be with the real you. And I've changed over the years. Heck, I have probably changed more answers than you." Jase replies, reaching for her hand. "Pretend we're at some bar, and I've just met you. We're getting drinks like we did so long ago."