"So, now where do we go?" Keesha asked softly. "It's rather late...I don't think I'm heading back home." Keesha nodded. "We could go to Mrs. Sellers I suppose." "Yes, that's an excellent idea." Jax stood, walking behind her and pulling her chair out. "Or..." he whispered into her ear as she stood. "We could go...somewhere else." he trailed his fingers lightly down her sides. Keesha turned, looking into his eyes. *Somewhere else* sounded like heaven to her. And she couldn't imagine anyplace else she'd rather be, than *somewhere else* with Jax. But they still had no idea how they were going to handle this...how they were going to handle Jerry and her mother. "We could...but perhaps we should wait." Jax nodded. "Whatever you wish." he took her hands in his, lacing their fingers. "I'll walk you to your car." Keesha turned on her answering machine, putting it at full volume. She went into her bedroom and started changing her clothers. "Keesha...are you there..." Keesha went back into the room at her mother's voice. "I hope you're doing something worth while..." Keesha smiled at her mother's laugh. "...I need a favor, Baby. I can't stand it here anymore....And that's what I told them, I want to go to that private wing like Cameron had promised me before you two went on your vacation...You have until the end of the month...I know about your new position, that should help...and besides I'm sure Cameron would lend a hand if...." Keesha erased the rest of her mother's message. She picked up the phone and dialed the nursing home. Jax got off the freeway, heading to his condo. Despite his plan to stay in town, he knew he needed to think. And he thought best while he was moving. Hiding was not an option, it would hurt Keesha too much. And he wasn't willing to cause her pain. Jerry and the rest of his family, he obviously just needed to handle. Keesha shouldn't have to deal with any of them. The question was how was he going to do it. The direct approach didn't work when it came to Bridget-but perhaps that was because it was Bridget, and not Keesha. He couldn't see Keesha running off and leaving him for money. Then again, that very well may be the problem. Using a payoff was likely the last resort his family had thought of with Bridget-and if that last resort wasn't going to work for Keesha...who's to say that his family just wouldn't try an even worse one. Jax parked his car and started the walk to his door. "The thing is the arrangements have already been made. Your mother said that everything was a go." "But everything is not a go. You can't move her now." "We have to move her soon, because we already accepted another person to live here in her place. If she can't go to the private wing, then she'll have to go somehwere else. Her lease is up, and we've cancelled it....Ms. Ward?" "Yes. Alright, I'll see what I can do." she hung up. There was no way she could afford to pay for a private wing. That left two options-both of which her mother wouldn't approve. Her mother would have to move in and Keesha would have to take a part-time job so that she could spend the adequate time nursing her mother when needed-which means that she would have to find a cheaper place...perhaps move out of state....away from Jax... "No way." she sat down on the couch. Or she would have to move her mother into another home...and her mother still wouldn't get that private wing she had said Keesha would provide. Keesha leaned up against the table. The third, most likely avenue hit her. "Maybe I just get another job...." With two jobs she could afford to put her mother where she would be happiest. She had worked two jobs before, and gone to school...it shouldn't be a problem. But she was so tired now. Her mother cost her everything it seemed. She almost didn't get to finish college because she used her money to pay off her mother's debts. She stayed with Cameron a lot longer than she would have, because her mother was so good at convincing her to give Cameron just another chance. And if she ever met Jax, her mother would cost her him to...she wasn't sure how, buit it would happen. Another job. Hell, obviously she was going to cost her him now. The only way her mother would be happy is in that private wing. And the only way to do that was to get another job-so she would have to. And that would leave no time for a decent relationship with Jax. Jax opened the door to his place. "Where have you been?" Jax leaned up against the doorway. "Out." Bridget stood from the sofa. "Jax...I missed you..." "That would mean your money ran out. Give me my key, and get out." he looked at her again. Bridget shifted nervously. "What money?" "What money? The money my family gave you to leave me." "I didn't take any money. That's a lie." Jax left the doorway, closing the door. He stared at Bridget. "You never receieved any money." he asked flatly. "No. I don't know what they told you but..." "They didn't tell me anything. I found out on my own." Bridget blinked. "Then someone set me up." she stammered. "Allright." his voice grew deep. "Then why did you leave me?" "Beacuse I mistakenly thought that your family was too much of a price to pay for being able to love you. But I do love you, I love you more than anything in the world. And I wanted to come back earlier, I just...didn't think I'd be welcome." "You're not." "Jax..." "Whatever the reason, you left me. The decision has been made. There's no turning back now." "Do you know what your family put me through!" she yelled. "They dug into my history, they questioned everyone who ever knew me, no matter what I did, no matter what I said, I knew I would never measure up, I was tired Jax...I was tired of trying to impress them, to be worthy...but I know now that doesn't matter. What matters is that we love each other..." "I don't love you." "You don't mean that. You're hurt, so you want to hurt me now...but you don't..." "I want you to go." Jax interrupted her, going back to the door and opening it. "I don't love you Bridget. You made a decision, and it was the best one, because we aren't meant to be together. I deserve more." "More than love, Jax?" "Yes. I deserve to be with someone I can trust, someone who won't leave because it suits whatever need she has, I deserve not to be alone. Besides...I don't love you. And you don't love me." "I promise, I won't ever leave you alone again." "You just don't get it. You're in the room with me, but I'm still alone. I was always alone with you. And I deserve better. Get out." Bridget continued looking into Jax's eyes. Looking for something, any sign of hope. But there was nothing there to see. She took her purse from the sofa, moving past him. "Jax?" "Key, Bridget." he looked down at her, waiting. Bridget handed him his key and left without another word. Jax closed his eyes, the soft violin music filling his ears. He had to keep Keesha safe from his family... He sat up as his cellular rang. Who would call this time of night. "Hello?" "Hi." Keesha whispered softly. Jax turned down the stereo. "Hi...what's wrong?" Keesha took a deep breath. "I'm sorry I called so late." she walked over to the mantlepeice, looking her high school graduation picture of her and her parents. She missed her father so much. They didn't have much money, but he loved her and her mother so much. It was the happiest she ever was...until she had met Jax. Despite their petty arguments-she was happier when Jax was around than she had been in a long time. "That's okay. I can tell there's something wrong." Jax sat up, ready to leave his place. "Where are you?" "At home." "Oh...I thought you weren't going home..." her voice trailed as she tried to think of the best way to say it. "Okay...you have me worried now Keesha. What is wrong?" "Jax..." "That does it, I'm on my way..." Jax decided, standing. "What?" "I'm coming there now..." "No...no don't come. I can't beleive you sometimes...I know how sweet you can be, but you surprise me still." "I'm coming Keesha. Obviously something is on your mind..." No. "No. Not anymore." She had come to that restaurant, Jax gave her all day to think about whether she wanted to come. He had said no turning back. And why should she? Why should she have to give up Jax? "What are you doing tomorrow?" she sung. "Okay..." Jax arched his eybrow at her change in tone. "Nothing. Are you sure you're okay..." "I'm better than okay. I'm doing something my father would say is a long time coming." "What's that?" Putting her happiness first. "No matter." She wasn't giving up Jax now, not even for her mother. "I'll call you tomorrow at...8:00?" "AM?" "Of course." "Okay.. .I'll just sit here and wait." he smiled, hanging up. Shani