Jax got to the sidewalk, looking down both ways as he tried to figure out where Keesha must have disappeared to. He ran back into the building, going into the parking garage and heading for his car.

"What..." Jax turned as he was yanked back, behind the pillar.

"Looking for me." Keesha stared at him.

Jax blinked. "Keesha..."

"Why are you wet?"

"What?"

"I mean at first I doubted even you would be stupid enough to...bond...with that bimbo...I mean your ex-fiancee, no matter how angry you were at me."

"Don't underestimate you." Jax remembered, a smile growing across his face.

"Bingo. But she said you were in the shower, and here you are, with wet hair."

"Don't underestimate me."

"Okay..." Keesha relented.

"I was running water over my face, I was hot from having too much burbon."

"Why did you have too much to drink in the middle of the day?"

Jax just stared at her.

"Oh, because you were angry..."

"I am angry. But I'll get over it. Why didn't you stay?"

"I just figured it was best to get you out here than start something with her there...especially seeing as how I already have delt with Cameron, my mother, and Jerry today, and really am not in a very good mood. And you have such nice things in your place, I would have hated to break one of them over her head."

Jax laughed, shaking his head at Keesha. "I have an idea, if you think you're up to it."

"Okay."

"Why don't we have dinner....with Jerry."

"Whoa..." Keesha blinked. "Wow...I..." she looked up into Jax's eyes. "Tonight?"

"Yes. Tonight is as good of a night as any. We'll have it here, so I can kick him out if need be...okay?"

"Alright,." she agreed. "Okay...I'll go home now...and get ready...I guess...what should I wear?"

"What you have on is fine, it's just dinner."

"And it's only Jerry...but still you're no help..." Her voice trailed as she thought, walking over to the exit. Jax watched as she went through the door.

Jax walked over to his door, opening it. " 'ello." Jerry slugged Jax in the shoulder, walking in. "What are we eating, I'm starved."

"Dinner's not for another half hour."

"Then why am I here early."

Jax closed the door. "Sit."

"Oh oh...am I in trouble?"

"I shouldn't have said that, should I have?" Keesha stated into the phone to Mrs. Sellers.

"I think it was funny myself."

"Yes well Jerry didn't think it was funny."

"Then he shouldn't have gotten in your way. Besides, now you have a chance to have a whole new slate."

"I doubt that, I shouldn't have said it, but I meant it. If push comes to shove I may forget my manners and tell Jerry what I think of him. And they aren't very nice thoughts. As for what he thinks of me, well that isn't pretty either."

"Keesha...dear...in the end, all that matters is what Jax thinks of you. Everyone else will fall into place."

"Keesha's coming to dinner."

Jerry stood from the couch, his eyes clouding over. "Haven't you learned anything?"

"Actually I've learned a lot. You were right about Bridget all along, happy now? I've said it."

"Thank you..."

"But you were wrong to pay her off to get rid of her. I am capable of making my own decisions and my own mistakes. I am a grown man, you and Dad and Mum instilled in me what you could, there is nothing more for you to do."

"Jax..."

"If I want your help I will ask for it. If I am wrong about Keesha...which I am not...then I am wrong. Eventually I will heal, my life will go on. I don't need you to wrap my wounds with bandages and tell me everything will be fine, I am not a little boy. And instead of worrying about my life and the choices I make, why don't you take a look at yourself...because frankly you are in a hell of a lot worse shape than I ever have been."

"Jax..."

"And as for Keesha, I love her. Nothing you can do or say will change that. And if you get in our way, or bother her with your demands, either you or Dad, then I will be tempted to rid myself of the lot of you...that's how serious I am."

"About Keesha? You would cut off all ties from your family for Keesha?!"

"No. For myself. Because I am sick and tired of your interference and I will not have any more of it."

Jax looked over at the sound of the doorbell. "If you plan to stay for dinner, then you will treat Keesha with respect. If you don't think you can do that at this time, feel free to get the hell out of my apartment."

Jerry stared at Jax, in awe of just how serious he was. He watched as Jax went over to the door, opening it.

"Keesha." Jerry smiled as he walked over. "Have a nice dinner." he finished, walking out.

"Bad idea." Keesha looked back as Jax's eyes darkened.

"No matter." He closed the door. "We can have a nice dinner anyway. In fact, now we can have a romantic dinner. Those are a lot more fun."

"What did you say to him."

"To give you the proper respect or leave."

"That's very sweet...but you shouldn't have done that. He's your brother, and obviously you love him, because I can see the pain in your eyes."

"He'll come around, or I'll get over it. One or the other. But I will not allow him to treat you just anyway he wants to. You don't deserve it." Jax left the room, heading into the kitchen. "I don't cook by the way...if I did, I would have fixed you something...hopefully I have something to tide us over..." he called loudly.

Keesha leaned up against the doorway, watching as Jax stared blankly at the refrigerator, deep in thought. He cleared his throat, opening the door. "Does that mean you are no longer upset at me?" she asked, trying to lighten the mood. She walked over to him.

Jerry walked back into the apartment. Hearing voices coming from the kitchen he headed in that direction.

Jax shrugged. "I made a bigger deal into it than it was."

"Yes..." Keesha agreed as she stood behind him.

"Hey..." Jax turned, facing her.

"But - " she admitted. "I understand that I hurt your feelings, and I am really sorry about that. Really."

"How can you do that?"

"Do what?"

"After...last night, how did you say so simply that I was your boss...implying there was nothing more."

"It wasn't simple, Jax." Keesha looked into his eyes. "But...Jerry was there...and I didn't want to let him in on...how I feel about you, without giving you the chance to talk to him yourself. I didn't think that was fair. So my plan was get everyone away from each other, and straighten things out later. But it wasn't easy to say...not to say..."

Jerry listened as Keesha struggled...sounding as if she was actually struggling.

"What?" Jax asked quietly, wrapping his arms tightly around her. He stroked her hair softly.

Keesha sighed, relaxing against him as always. She rested her hands against his back, and the words just flowed. "...not to say that you were the man I was in love with."

Keesha felt Jax's body tighten. "What?" he mumbled. Did she say what he thought she said?

She pulled away. "It's true...I do love you..." She looked into his eyes. "...but that doesn't mean I expect to hear the same...so please don't freak out on me..."She stopped speaking as Jax placed his finger on her lips.

"I love you too." he whispered in reply. He wrapped his arms around her once more. "I love you Keesha." he repeated, closing his eyes and holding her.

Keesha's eyes shut as Jax's words repeated in her ears. Jax loved her too...she exhaled deeply, hugging him tightly.

Jax opened his eyes, noticing his brother standing for the first time. Without a word, Jerry left.

Jerry closed the front door silently, pulling his phone out of his pocket.

Jax took Keesha's hand, leading her back into the living room. "Dinner should be ready in just a few minutes..." He looked over as his answering machine clicked on.

"Yeah, do me a favor." Jerry's voice came over the speaker. "...see if Keesha is free for lunch tomorrow. I'll treat you guys." Jerry hung up.

Keesha looked over at Jax, smiling as he looked down to the floor, obviously happy.

Jerry continued down the road, taking a breath. Give her a chance. Jax wanted him to give her a chance, and he would give her one. But only one and only because Jax wanted it that way.

That, and he admitted reluctantly, as she spoke, even Jerry had to admit that she sounded sincere.

Maybe she did love Jax.

He would see.