Disclaimer thingie. Don’t own the Quests, not making money off this. Don’t sue.

Archivers: Just tell me.

Rating: HR.

Doug Wildey put one arm around Jonny’s shoulder and the other around Jessie’s. Their suitcases had been packed and they were ready to leave. Just then, there was a knock on the front door. The door opened. It was Jade. She looked all cried out. Now there was a determination in her eyes, and a strange, silent confidence.

"I’m here to take Jessie." She said in a square voice.

"What?" asked Doug. "But she’s going with me and Jonny."

"She’s coming with me. It’s what Race would’ve wanted. I know it."

"Why don’t we leave it to Jessie."

"OK, don you want to come with me, Jessie? Or do you want to go with Doug?"

Jessie was unable to say anything. She wanted to scream, but her mouth wouldn’t obey. She wanted to be with Jonny. She didn’t want to leave him. But before she could say anything, Jade silenced her permanently with:

"Jessie, your father loved me. I came very close to becoming your stepmother. If you want to make your old man happy, come with me."

Before Jessie could reply, Jade took her hand and pulled her toward the door.

"I’ll send her suitcase to your car." Said Doug.

As Jessie turned to look at Jonny one last time, she saw the hurt in his eyes. But then he gave her a weak smile that she was unable to return. His lips moved silently, but she easily read them.

Goodbye.

Saying goodbye to the Quest Compound was the hardest thing Jonny had ever done. Saying goodbye to the memories of his mother. He remembered the times he and Jessie had hovered into the woods. The hours they spent in the VR lab. Driving around the mansion with Race. The first time he’d met Jessie. All those times were gone with the wind. He’d never do any of those things again. The mansion was intact, the woods, the lighthouse, everything was there. Only the people had gone. His dad and Race were now mounds of mud.

It had been two months since that dreary afternoon, when she had said goodbye to all the times she’d spent in the Quest Compound. She was in L.A with Jade.

Jade had a beautiful condo near the beach. Jessie went to the beach at sunrise and sunset everyday. It calmed her. And the evening sky reminded her of Jonny’s eyes.

She missed him so dreadfully. She’d never ever realized how close they’d been and what their friendship had meant to her. But now that they were far apart, she discovered that she needed him.

Jade was being very, very nice to her. Just like a mother. A few heart-to-hearts and long drives had helped Jessie, but Jade was a busy woman, and wasn’t always around. But Jade was doing her best. She’d given Jessie a great room, with an enormous walk-in closet filled with all sorts of fantastic clothes, shoes and accessories. They went for a movie every Saturday. Jade gave a makeover, and Jessie had to admit that she looked better than she ever dreamed she could.

Jessie also had to start at a new school, which would have been extremely tough for a home schooled person, but Jade’s advice had made it easier, and Jessie had already made a few good friends.

There was Teresa, the school’s social director. Kathleen, the star and captain of the school’s volley ball team, Natasha, the editor of the school paper. The handsome Tony Keyes, who was the quarterback of the school team. Celine, the junior class president. Eric and Todd were on the school basketball team.

They were all really great friends, the most popular students in the school, and now Jessie was one of them. The teachers had recognized her high intelligence and she was now the chemistry, biology, physics and math teachers’ TA.

But none of these people were like Jonny. She had had such a close bond with him, a bond no one could understand. She desperately wished he could come here. Her heart longed for him. She didn’t need to say that she loved him. It wasn’t love love, but it was something this world couldn’t understand. They didn’t have to make out to prove it. The silent comradeship when they were together said it all. Their relationship was above all the soppy kisses and stuff. .

Tony was a constant reminder of Jonny. He had the classic Californian sun-bleached blond hair and fun filled blue eyes. Tony was more muscular and he reminded Jessie of Race as well. Tony was a great friend, and had helped her recuperate, but then he had developed a crush on her. He was the most handsome boy in the school, probably in all of L.A and the girls at school would give anything to date him, but Jessie couldn’t pretend. Her heart belonged to someone else, and she always would, even if that person didn’t know it.

Jonny Quest was sitting on the edge of a cliff, watching the sunset. The twilight reminded him of Jessie’s hair. He missed her. They hadn’t talked in more than two months. Maybe he’d write her a letter. So he went inside and started writing.

Dear Jessie!

P.s. write soon!

Dearest Jonny!

Jonny sighed as the plane took off. Ever since his dad’s accident, he’d been nervous around planes. But now, he actually felt great. He was going to LA to meet Jessie! He’d missed his best friend so very much! They’d have such a great time together, they always did.

As he got out of the plane, he spotted a bright red head. Jessie! He ran all the way to her.

"Hey!" he exclaimed, hugging her tight.

"Hey!" she said, hugging him back. "The flight was late, Jade went for a soda."

"I missed you."

"Ditto."

"So how is Doug’s ranch?" asked Jade.

"Really cool!" Jonny exclaimed with a grin. "Actually, it’s pretty hot in Arizona."

"Such certainty." Commented Jessie, with a warm smile.

"So, how is everything here, in LA?"

"Pretty cool. I want you to meet my new friends, I’m sure you’ll like Teresa. She’s pretty. Celine and Kathy are really cool, too. And Tony is so cute!"

"Who’s Tony?" demanded Jonny with faux anger.

"He’s my future boyfriend!"

"Yeah. Okay."

Jonny really did like Teresa. She had long, wavy dark brown hair, deeply suntanned skin, and legs about a mile long. She smiled warmly at Jonny the whole evening. Celine was very pretty, too, in a French way. Soft golden curls framed her heart-shaped face. Her dark brown eyes contrasted sharply with her fair skin and dark lips. Kathleen was very exotic looking with thick, straight jet-black hair and big dark green eyes. She too was fair-skinned and dark lipped. But she was the strong, silent type. Natasha was very sweet, but as restless as a bee. Her honey-colored hair was tied back into a ponytail, from which short bangs escaped. She had a habit of pushing her glasses up the bridge of her nose about every five seconds. Her soft brown eyes were always looking around, searching for something new.

Todd and Eric were Mr. America handsome. Todd had wavy dark brown hair, a broad, suntanned chest and fabulous muscles. He had a really nice, dimpled smile. Eric was a dark haired hunk. He wasn’t very tall, but he had a fantastic physique.

Tony Keyes looked quite a bit like Jonny. But Jonny didn’t like Tony one bit. He was obviously in love with Jessie, but Jonny felt that Tony didn’t deserve her one bit. Luckily, Jessie kept her distance from Tony.

When all the kids had gone home, Jade, Jonny and Jessie had dinner together. They talked of their adventures. There was a lot of laughter, but there were tears in their eyes at the same time.

Jonny was really tired, and went to bed at ten. But then, he suddenly woke up, around midnight. The wind coming from the window was so pacifying, so cool. He decided to go outside.

He found Jessie sitting on the small wooden piazza on the beach. She was staring out into the ocean, a pensive look on her face.

"Hey," he whispered.

"Hey," she said looking up at him. He sat down beside her. "What are you doing up so late?"

"I was about to ask the same question."

"I don’t know… I miss Dad and Mom. And my life. I miss the Compound. I can’t believe it’s over, Jonny. You, Hadji, Dad, Dr. Quest and I will never be together again."

"I know." He swallowed the annoying lump rising in his throat.

"The ocean is so beautiful." She whispered, her eyes narrowing in concentration. The wind blew back her long red hair.

Wow, he thought. She’s really beautiful. He wondered why he never noticed it before. She was stunning. He couldn’t get over it. Without entirely intending it, he raised his hand, and caressed the side of her face. He leaned into his touch, closing her eyes. He swept her soft hair aside with one hand, and cupped the nape of her neck. She turned to face him. Once again he was awestruck by her unbelievable beauty. He leaned closer to her. She did too. Love was in the air, and they could feel it. They both wanted it so bad. Jessie felt these insuppressible feelings, animal like impulses, such longing. Then he kissed her. It was a glorious feeling for both of them. It felt so…right. His lips were very soft and comforting. Then, the kiss ended, and they looked into each other’s eyes. They couldn’t really believe what had happened.

"Jess, I’m sorry…" he started to apologize, but she stopped him.

"No, don’t be. I’m not."

"Huh?"

"Jonny… look, we were the best of friends, right? So why is this so wrong? Our dads would’ve wanted this, Jonny. They were best friends, too. They would’ve wanted us to be together. Do you know what I mean?"

"Yes. Jess…Can I ask you something?"

"What?"

"When we’re older… Jessie, will you marry me?"

"Jonny, of course. We’ll keep our dads alive-in us." She gave a sad smile.

Then suddenly, they leaned in and kissed passionately. As he backed out, she grabbed his lapels and pulled him deeper into the kiss

"Promise me…" she whispered.

"Anything."

"You’ll be mine forever. And you’ll visit very month."

"Sure, promise me that’ll you’ll visit every month, too."

"I promise."

They lapsed into a comfortable silence, and stared out into the ocean.

Jessie was running. She was scared, and lonely. The world was after her, and she could not face it. Her heart was beating so fast, she thought it would beat its way out of her chest. She was out of breath and tired. Then she saw him. The most beautiful human being she had ever seen. She couldn’t stop herself from falling in love with him. He face shone with love and warmth. But he looked confused. She knew what he wanted. It was what she wanted too. Comfort. She slipped her hand into his and they started walking. Everything was lucid. The mist had cleared up.

How’d you guys like it? Comments to mmmbabe83@hotmail.com.