U.S.C. Berkeley Campus, White Hall Dormitory

Loud music travelled down the not so white halls of White Hall Dorm, accompanied by the excited voices of its occupants. Inside room 234, Jessie Bannon finished zipping up her last suitcase. She sighed and sat on her twin bed. The day had come. She had finally finished her Masters course. All that was left to do was wait for her pickup.

Her roommate, Heather Stone, heard the sigh. She giggled the high-pitched giggle that had always grated on Jessie's nerves. There had been a shortage in rooms which was why she was stuck with a junior.

"Like, I wouldn't be so sad, Jessie," she said, her way of speaking immediately tagging her as a 'valley girl'. "You should be, you know, like, cheering about getting rid of all that hard work and sleepless nights." She popped her gum and Jessie gritted her teeth. "Besides, if I were you, I'd be more worried about what I looked like if that Jonny Quest guy is coming to pick me up."

Jessie had to admit that she didn't look her best. She'd just pulled on an old pair of faded jeans and a baggy navy blue sweatshirt. She had tied her thick red hair back hurriedly, and strands kept on escaping no matter how tight she tied it. Then again, Jonny was someone who wasn't too big on looks, and besides, he was just a friend. He'd seen her when she had the chicken pox and as far as Jessie could remember, that was not a pretty picture.

As if on cue, there was a knock at the door and before either woman could answer, a pair of footsteps entered uninvited. They made their way through the living room. Jessie shot out of her room and threw herself in the arms of the visitor.

Jonny Quest greeted her just as enthusiastically and Jessie was lifted clear off the ground. In the not too distant past, a greeting such as that would never have occurred due to discomfort on both sides no matter how strongly they felt about each other, but long-term separations taught them the value of a hug, a touch, and especially a laugh.

To prove that point, she whispered something in his ear to the effect that Heather was going to eat him alive. He laughed and was instantly glad he agreed to pick her up. They disengaged but Jonny kept her close to his side. They had not seen each other for nearly a year, not even during Thanksgiving or Christmas due to unforseen circumstances.

"Jess, it's good to see you," he said with a warm smile.

She took a better look at him and at once felt the need to change. Jonny was wearing just a pair of jeans and a black shirt, but he looked good. She touched his hair.

"Did you get a haircut?"

Jonny touched his hair where her hand had been. "Yeah," he replied, sheepishly adding, "Do you like it?"

It was shorter than what she was used to, but Jessie decided it brought more attention to his handsome face and striking aquamarine eyes.

"Yes, I do."

Heather watched the exchange from Jessie's room's doorway. She saw a chance to leap in when the two friends paused and cut between them. Jessie threw a murderous glance at the back of Heather's obviously bleached blond hair. Her elastic features mocked silently as Heather spoke.

"Hello, Jonny," she said throatily.

Jonny remembered Jessie remarking that Heather always sounded like she needed a cough drop when she started to talk to him. He wanted to scream with laughter, so when he returned the greeting his voice came out strained.

Heather thought he was fighting his growing passion for her.

"C'mon, Jonny," Jessie said. She had moved behind him and prodded him towards her room. "We have to get my stuff so we can get out of here."

She all but pushed him and slammed the door behind her. Jonny gave in to fits of laughter, falling onto her now stripped bed. He wiped the tears the filled his eyes.

"Geez, that girl is hilarious," he gasped.

"She was trying to be sexy," Jessie said, smiling.

It only made Jonny laugh harder. Jessie playfully smacked his leg. "We really do need to go. Dad'll be waiting."

Jonny propped himself up on his elbows.

"Yeah, and Hadji will be waiting too." He didn't bother hiding his scrutiny of her expression.

Jessie threw him an exasperated look. "I really wish you would stop that."

"Stop what?" he asked innocently.

Don't that act with me, Quest," she growled. "You know what. Your stupid idea that I'm in love with Hadji." Her skin took on an interesting pink color. "I'm not, you know."

Jonny cocked his head to one side. He put on a maddeningly understanding expression.

"Whatever you say, Jess, but I wish that you'd just admit it. If you don't love him, you sure are carrying a huge torch for him." More like a bonfire, he added silently.

She hurled a pillow at him. She didn't feel like discussing this subject with him for the thousandth time. If it was slightly annoying at first, after two years it had become unbearable. Especially when he was so close to the truth.

"Just help me with my bags." She couldn't look him in the eye.

Jonny looked properly chastised. "Yes, madam," he said without any sarcasm. He looked around the empty room. "Where are the boxes?"

"I sent them ahead," she replied stonily.

Jonny cursed himself for goading her, but he couldn't help it. They divided her six suitcases evenly between themselves.

"You sure you got everything? I thought I saw a dustbunny under the bed," he joked lightly.

Jessie ignored him and tilted her proud chin higher. When they walked out of the room, Heather was waiting for them. She sensed the tension and decided to use it to her advantage. She laced her arm through Jonny's and babbled to him all the way to his rented car. Jonny didn't pay any attention to her. He just stared at the back of Jessie's red head.

They loaded the car and Jessie bid her roommate a chilly goodbye. They drove off. Jonny turned up the radio to lessen the silence. Jessie was intent on giving him the silent treatment and he wasn't about to give in....

"That was a nice way of telling Heather not to keep in touch," he said, unable to help himself.

"I don't know why you put up with her flirting," Jessie mumbled.

"Because like a good gentleman, I try not to be rude to ladies."

"And I'm not a lady, Jonny?" she said quietly, sounding more hurt than she meant to.

Jonny was startled at what he heard in her voice and felt like a bigger jerk.

"I'm sorry," he said, meaning it.

A small smile grew on Jessie's face. "So am I." She turned in her seat so that she could look at him. "Not a good way to start a summer with an old friend."

Jonny patted her hand. "It's already forgotten. I'll leave you alone about Hadji from now on."

At the mention of the name, Jessie seemed to crawl back into herself again. Jonny stifled a sigh and consoled himself with the knowledge that at least she wasn't mad at him anymore. The remainder of the ride to the airport was silent.