Chapter Five

The door unlocked with a small clicking sound. Before the alarm could go off, Jonny punched in the entry codes. He dropped his bags and sighed deeply. Bandit had already raced in and was running around through the rooms as if he was checking to see if everything was still there. Even though it still felt good to go to the compound, it was nice to have a place to call his own. It wasn't very big, but just big enough for him and Bandit. It had one bedroom, a living room/dining room, a balcony, a bathroom and a half, and a roomy kitchen.

Jessie came in slowly behind him. She took in her surroundings and wasn't at all surprised at what she saw. Every corner of the good-sized condo was vintage Jonny, down to the small model of a stealth jet and the high-tech computer set up in one corner. She sat down on the comfortable overstuffed rust-colored suede couch. There was a matching armchair and a handsome black iron and glass coffee table to finish off the living room. It had a comfortable, yet modern look about it and she approved.

"This is a great place, Jonny," she told him.

"Thanks. A lot of thought went into this."

She stroked the soft suede, a teasing smile playing around her lips. "I couldn't have done better."

He rolled his eyes. "Sure, Jess."

He went to put his bag in the bedroom and Jessie followed him. Bandit trailed behind both of them.

Jonny's room was done in dark blues and grays. He decorated it in such a way that despite the color scheme, it wasn't gloomy. Bandit's cushioned doggie bed was in its own corner and he curled up in it. There was a blue bean bag chair on the floor and Jessie laughed when she saw it.

"Your dream chair," she said, pointing.

He grinned and sat in it. "I know. I finally found one with real beans inside. Cool, huh?"

"Yeah."

Jessie walked along the bookshelf that took one entire wall. Encyclopedias, dictionaries of various languages, books on places, histories, fiction…Jonny had every type of book she could think of. But then, what else would a writer need? She smiled as she thought that if someone had told her ten years ago that Jonny would become a writer she would have died laughing. He was the last person she could think of who would have his head stuck in a book. Jonny was a mover and a shaker. But somehow, in the time they were apart, he had grown to love the written word. His travels only fed his imagination, and helping create the best-selling books that now made him famous. However, in the background, he was still working with Quest enterprises in several top-secret projects that even she didn't know about. He was still a Quest, and he couldn't stay grounded for long. He needed to be able to help those around him, at the same time making himself happy as well.

All in all, Jonathan Quest had become a very busy man, but to her, he would always be the childhood friend that she could get in trouble with.

"Like it?" he asked.

"Yes, it's very male," she said looking around the room. "Very you."

"Well, I was born that way."

Jessie chuckled. "Too bad, too."

Jonny nudged her with his elbow. "C'mon to the kitchen. It'll get you something to drink."

Jessie followed him to the bright kitchen. It was done in white tile and oakwood. Jonny had bought every possible electronic kitchen appliance known to man and they filled the counters. She wondered if he knew how to use it all. He opened the fridge and took out two cans of orange soda, then led her out to the balcony and they looked over the city.

"Time flies, doesn't it, Jonny?"

Jonny nodded. "Faster than anyone can believe. I hardly believe I've become what I am. Imagine…me, a writer. I used to hate books."

"You are going to write some more, right?"

"Yes, the next time the mood takes me, but going along with Pop on his investigations is my top priority. If I don't, what will I write?"

"Romance novels?" Jessie offered.

He smiled wryly. "Don't get me started."

Jessie eyed her tall, handsome friend. His blond hair rustled in the light breeze and his bright blue eyes gleamed in the semi-darkness. How could any woman resist him? He was charming, successful, and he didn't have a lying bone in his body. He was the epitome of the perfect man.

Jonny turned and saw Jessie's emerald eyes studying him. Tendrils of red hair tickled her face as she watched him and it took all his strength not to reach out and brush them from her face. He could feel his heart pounding hard in his chest and he could barely breathe as his eyes met hers.

Jessie looked away quickly. Having Jonny's eyes focused on her was making her nervous. There was something in them that she had never seen before and something deep inside her answered to it. She turned to look back out into the city. He did the same. Something floated in the air between them, unknown and terrifying to both.

Bandit squeezed through the open door and flopped down in between them. Jessie got down on her haunches and scratched behind his ears.

"How old is he?" she asked, trying to forget what happened between them.

"Probably the equivalent of Pop's age in dog years," Jonny replied.

"Not a puppy anymore, are we, Bandit?"

Bandit growled pleasantly in reply and started to doze. She continued scratching his ears.

"What time is our flight tomorrow?" she asked.

"Eight o'clock in the morning."

Jessie nodded. "I can't wait to go. That's one place I've never had the chance to explore thoroughly. Are we taking the Quest jet?"

"Yes. Dad and Race didn't want to fly this time. They said they wanted to be pampered," Jonny replied with a smile.

They stood in a more comfortable silence. Jonny studied his friend's face and saw a peacefulness that wasn't there before. I hope it's because she's enjoying my company, he thought. She caught him looking at her and smiled.

"Why did you decide to get an apartment, Jonny? You were always happy at the mansion and I doubt your dad would ever kick you out."

"I needed to see what if felt like to be on my own. I have to tell you, I like it."

Jessie tilted her head thoughtfully, her eyes focused on something beyond the city, beyond the stars, beyond Jonny's eyes.

"It must be the independence. Being able to go and do whatever you want." Her mouth curled wickedly. "You can also take home anyone you want and no one will be the wiser."

Jonny feigned shock. "Jessica Bannon, a proper lady does not discuss these matters."

Jessie pretended to flick away a cigarette. "I ain't no lady," she drawled, imitating her father's Texas accent perfectly.

They laughed chummily, the unnamed something that came between them earlier was gone. Jessie reached down and brushed a pink rose bud with her finger. Around her, green plants blossomed and it was only now that she noticed.

"I didn't know you had a green thumb, Jonny," she said.

"Neither did I," he admitted. "Not bad, huh?"

Jessie rested her elbows on the railing. "Not bad at all." She looked at him. "You have no idea how lucky you are."

"Actually, I do," he said, his eyes twinkling.

The Quest jet rumbled silently as it was getting prepped for lift off. Race, Jonny, and Hadji were loading bags in the cargo hold as Dr. Quest spoke with the pilot and stewardesses. Jessie and Eiko stood to the side talking. Jessie found herself liking the Japanese woman more and more. She glanced at Hadji and realized that the weight on her heart had lightened somewhat. She still had feelings for him, but not as strongly as she had in the past. His bringing Eiko home made her realize that nothing could ever happen between them and she knew that deep down she had known that a long time ago. She had just held on to him out of habit.

Out of sight, out of mind, she mused. I've finally outgrown him.

Finally, the jet was ready for take-off and Hadji and Eiko said their good-byes.

"We will meet you in two weeks, my friends," Hadji said. "Until then, take care and have a good time."

"'Course, Hadj," Jonny assured him. "We wouldn't have it any other way."

They boarded the jet and buckled in. Jessie sat by the window seat, with Jonny across from her. The armchairs they sat on swiveled around and were spread liberally around the plane giving it a living room look. Race and Dr. Quest settled down near the cockpit, talking amongst themselves. The stewardess walked around making sure everyone was ready for take off.

"Hadji told me we should go see some rock gardens," Jonny said. "He says they draw out the peace from your inner-self."

"I want to see some Japanese art museums," Jessie said. "Brush paintings are so beautiful and delicate, and I want to see some prints by Sekino Jun'ichiro."

"I want to check out some dojos," Race added.

"I hope this will be a peaceful trip," Dr. Quest mused. "I'd like to have a relaxing vacation for once. We never get a chance to sightsee every time we come here." He glanced at Jonny and Jessie. "Hopefully, you two will be able to stay out of trouble since you're older."

The younger adults exchanged amused glances.

"We'll try, Pop," Jonny said.

"But we make no promises," Jessie chuckled.

Dr. Quest smiled at them. He took out his laptop computer when the plane was in the air and turned it on. Jonny rang for the stewardess and asked for an orange soda. The stewardess was blonde, blue-eyed, and large chested, which she stuck as close to Jonny as she could without smothering him. Jessie thought she looked like a Barbie doll. Not surprisingly, she was eyeing Jonny like he was Ken. This was the first time Jessie had ever seen the typical woman's reaction to her friend.

I never liked Barbie dolls, came the unbidden thought.

For his part, Jonny didn't appear to notice her. She left and they returned to their conversation.

"How about we go poke around the Japanese countryside just to see a different side of it," Jessie suggested.

"That sounds like a good idea," Race said. "We can ask James or Eiko where we can go."

Jessie grew silent at the other woman's name and Jonny glanced at her. There was nothing bitter in her expression, but she seemed more thoughtful.

Dr. Quest and Race lapsed into their own conversation about something or other and Jonny leaned back in his chair. The stewardess stopped at his side and smiled.

"Is there anything you'd like?" she asked.

"Could you pass me a pillow and a blanket," Jonny asked gruffly.

"Sure." She stretched more than she needed to reach the overhead compartment. "Would you like me to fluff it?" she asked. She started to lean towards him and Jonny felt his face redden.

"Uh…"

Jessie watched the exchange and when Jonny threw her a help-me look, she only smiled. He seemed to notice Barbie now. Dr. Quest's and Race's voices stilled and Jonny knew they were listening to them. He straightened in his seat.

"No, thank you," he said smoothly. "I can take it from here."

Barbie was about to say something, but Race interrupted, asking for a glass of mineral water. The stewardess' eyebrows rose when she saw who was speaking to her. She immediately forgot about Jonny. The pillow and blanket fell on his lap when she moved on to Race's needs. Jonny sat in a stunned silence.

"I feel about three years old," he muttered.

"Don't worry. I'm sure you'll have that effect on women when you're older," Jessie teased.

He made a face at her and made himself comfortable, fluffing up the pillow himself.

"Would you like me to fluff your pillow for you?" Jessie mimicked.

"Shut up, Jess."

Jonny leaned back and closed his eyes. Soon, he was fast asleep.

Twenty hours later, they landed at Tokyo International Airport rumpled and exhausted. Wearily, they gathered their bags and went to the car waiting for them at the edge of the tarmac. It was a good-sized Nissan Pathfinder.

"Just drive as fast as you can, Race," Jonny said sleepily.

"I guess that nap didn't help much," Jessie said between yawns.

"Nope. What time is it in Maine?"

Race pressed a button in his watch. "About four in the morning."

The sun shined brightly in the sky, as it was about four in the afternoon then. Race drove through the streets, giving them a quick tour of downtown Tokyo. Jessie glanced at everything through half-opened eyes. Jonny's head had dropped to her shoulder and was snoring softly. Dr. Quest had his elbow propped on the arm rest, his chin cupped in his hand and his eyes fluttering closed.

Finally, they reached the townhouse in Komae, a city ten miles out of Tokyo. Dr. Quest had rented it for a month. Race parked the Pathfinder in the private parking area and they filed out.

"Can't we get the bags later, Dad?" Jonny asked.

"No. We don't want to get broken into when someone sees all those bags in the car."

Race opened the trunk and they took as many bags as they could, succeeding in getting everything in one time. They somehow made it to the door and to their rooms.

"It's too far," Jonny said weakly.

"You can do it, Jonny," Jessie encouraged, sounding just as weak. "You're a man, take it."

"I think she means, take it like a man, son," Dr. Quest clarified amusedly.

"That's it," Jessie agreed, her voice slurring slightly.

Jessie and Jonny took some time making it to their rooms, but they made it. Race and Benton watched them with amusement. They were just as tired, but years of this type of travel steeled them.

"I thought they'd be able to handle it," Benton said.

"They got as soft as a rabbit's fur," Race chortled. "See, if we ever stopped working for a year, we'd be dead on our feet right now."

"I would think Jonny would be more awake then he is. He hasn't taken a break like Jessie has."

Race shrugged. "Maybe he was up all night writing another book."

Upstairs, Jessie managed to wriggle into her pajamas and crawl into the nice warm bed that was already made up. Next door, Jonny had fallen asleep still fully dressed.

Dr. Quest checked up on his son. It didn't seem like it was too long ago when he would have helped Jonny into his pajamas. Now, his son was taller than he was. Benton felt more than a little nostalgic. He shut the door quietly and went to his room.