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Fan Fiction

 Title: True love
Author: Trang
Genre: Romance/Drama/Humour
Started: 29. July 2001
Finished: 06. November 2001

CHAPTER 12 - Hard choices

Paddy woke up and glanced at the clock. The sudden movement made his head pound.
"It's already two o'clock, Angelo." He said. "Angelo?" he looked on the floor beside the bed, and Angelo was laying there, asleep in his boxers and socks.
He squeezed his eyes shut, and tried to remember everything he did the night before. He remembered going down to the bar, counting his abs... The rest was a blur.
He got out of bed, and stepped on Angelo.
"Ow" Angelo said, opening his eyes. "Paddy, get off me."
"Sorry" Paddy said, stepping off him. "I need Tylenol. My head is pounding."
"Mine, too" Angelo said. "Get me a couple."
Paddy walked over to his bag, and got out some Tylenol. He got some water in two glasses and brought them out.
"Thanks" Angelo said, taking a glass and a couple pills.
"Do you remember last night?" Paddy asked. "Because I don't."
"No" Angelo said. "I remember sometime about us ripping our shirts, and making a song."
"A song?" Paddy laughed. "What about?"
"I don't remember" Angelo said. "Are you still mad at me?"
Paddy thought about it.
"No" he said finally. "I'm hurt that you went off with Marie, but I'm over it. You're my brother, I can't stay mad at you forever."
"Thanks" Angelo said. The phone rang. "Hello?"
"Hello, this is the front desk. We have two messages for you. One is from last night. Your sister and brothers are staying over at the hospital."
"Thanks" Angelo said, sarcastically. "I'm glad you gave it on time. What is the other?"
"Well" the lady continued. "They said they would be home by two thirty."
Angelo looked at the clock.
"So in ten minutes? Great, on time. See you." He hung up. "Those people are so stupid."
"I know" Paddy said. The door to the room opened, and Jimmy, Joey and Patricia walked in.
"Hey" Angelo said, running over to them. Paddy was right behind.
"How's Patricia?"
Joey explained what Patricia had. 
"That sucks" Paddy said. "So we have three month break?"
"Yeah" Joey said.
"How are you, Patricia?" Paddy asked.
"Tired" Patricia said, sleepily. "Listen, I am going into the other room to sleep."
"Are we staying here for three months?" Paddy asked.
"No" Jimmy said. "We don't know yet."
"Let's split the rooms" Jimmy said. "Who is where?"
"I'll stay with Patricia" Maite volunteered.
Everyone agreed that it was a good idea, and Patricia and Maite moved into the other room.
"So are you guys getting along now?" Jimmy asked.
"Yeah" Paddy said. "We're over that petty fight."
"Are you still mad at Marie?" Jimmy asked.
"A little" Angelo said. "I still care for her, though."
"I want to get back with her." Paddy said. "But I need more time. I don't want to now, I'm still a little mad."
"Oh" Jimmy said, thoughtfully. "Okay, then."
"Why do you want to know, anyway?" Paddy asked.
"No reason" Jimmy said.
"There has to be a reason" Paddy said.
"I said, no reason" Jimmy answered.
"Jimmy... come on" Paddy said. "There has to be a reason."
"Listen, Paddy" Jimmy said. "I was just wondering. Screw off."
"Sorry" Paddy said. He turned around as the door opened. "Hey Joey."
"Hey" he answered. "Patricia is asleep. I wanted to ask you guys... the doctor told me that after about three months, Patricia can handle a vacation. Do you want to go somewhere? Somewhere warm?"
"That would be good" Paddy said. 
"Sure" Jimmy said. "That would be fun."
"And I was thinking" Joey said. "Maybe we could invite…"
"No way" Angelo said, cutting off Joey.
"You don't even know what I was going to say" Joey protested.
"Marie and Jess" Jimmy filled in. "Right?"
Joey looked down.
"Right."
"I don't know" Paddy said. "I mean, Jess and Marie... we aren't friends with them really anymore. But why don't we wait until it's closer till when we go?"
"Fine" Joey said. He turned around and opened the door.
"Wait, Joey" Paddy said, walking up beside him. He lowered his voice. "I'll work on them. I'm sure Marie and I will be okay by then. Don't worry. If you want, call a resort and book eight people, okay?"

"Hello?" Jess asked, picking up the phone.
"Hey" Joey said quietly.
"Hey Joey" Jess smiled. "I've missed you so much."
"You wouldn't believe how bad I want to see you" Joey said. "It feels like it's been so long."
"It has" Jess replied. "How is Patricia?"
"Tired" Joey answered. "But good. I have an idea. Dr. Johnson, the doctor that helped Patricia, said probably after about three months, it would be good for her to take a vacation. I want you and Marie to come with us."
"That would be great" Jess said. "But what about Marie and Paddy and Angelo?"
"They'll get over it" Joey said. "By then, for sure. But will you be okay with Jimmy around?"
Jess's stomach dropped.
"Um, of course, Joey" she said.
"Good" Joey said. "I'm going to call later on tonight."
"That would be great" Jess said. "When is your next concert?"
"It's booked somewhere... I forget where, but in about five months" Joey said.
"Oh" Jess answered.
"Jess, there is something I've been meaning to tell you" Joey said.

"Who's on the couch, and who gets the beds?" Jimmy asked Angelo and Paddy.
Paddy shrugged. "Doesn't matter."
"I'll take the couch" Angelo said. "I'm the shortest... I can fit."
"Okay, I will take that bed" Paddy said, pointing to a bed.
"I guess I'll have the room" Jimmy said. "I have to make a phone call."
"Okay" Paddy said. "Do you know how long we are staying here?"
"I think a few days" Jimmy said. "Then I don't know."
"Okay" Paddy said. Jimmy walked into his room.

"Is something wrong?" Jess asked, concerned.
"No" Joey said. "I just wanted to tell you something. About the way I feel."
Jess smiled. "Okay."
"Jess, I really care about you."
Jess smiled.
"Thanks, Joey. I really care about you, too." Her phone beeped. "Damn it, I have another call coming in."
"Okay" Joey said. "I'll wait."
"Thanks" Jess said. "I'll be quick." She clicked over. "Hello?" She waited and there was no response. "Hello?" she said again.
"Jess?" the voice asked.
"Yeah" she said. "Who's this?"
"Jess, it's Jimmy" Jimmy said.
"Are you calling for Marie? Because I am on the other line right now, and…" Jess started.
"Jess, I am calling for you" Jimmy said.
"For me?" Jess asked, surprised. 
"Yeah, I really need to talk to you" Jimmy said.
"Jimmy, I am really busy" Jess said.
"Are you talking to Joey?" Jimmy asked.
"Even though it's none of your business, yes I am" Jess answered.
"Please, let him go, I really want to talk to you" Jimmy pleaded.
"Jimmy" Jess said. "No."
"Fine" Jimmy said. "I just wanted to talk to you and…"
"Don't try to make me feel guilty" Jess warned.
"I'm not" Jimmy said. 
"Fine, call me back in six minutes" Jess said, and hung up. "Joey?"
"Hey" he said.
"Sorry about that" she said. 
"That's okay" he answered. "Who was it?"
"J…" she began. "I mean, just a person, trying to sell me something."
"They are hard to get off the phone" Joey said. "So I understand."
"I know they are" she said. 
"Oh, crap, hold on, I have to give Maite some medicine for Patty" Joey said.
"Holding" Jess said. A few minutes later, Joey came back on.
"Sorry" he said.
"It's fine" she answered. "I have another beep, hold on, okay?"
"Actually, I better go" Joey said. "Patricia is up for a bit, I am going to get her something to eat."
"Okay" Jess said. "Bye. I'll talk to you later."
"Bye" Joey answered, hanging up the phone.
Jess clicked over. "Hello?"
"Hi" came a voice.
"Jimmy..." Jess groaned. "What do you want?"
"To get back together with you" Jimmy answered.
"What did you say?" Jess asked, hesitantly.
"I want to get back together" Jimmy said again.
"Have you been drinking? Is this some kind of joke? I swear Jimmy, because if it is…"
"Jess!!" Jimmy interrupted. "Honestly. I was thinking about it, and I don't know why we even broke up."
"Jimmy!" Jess exclaimed. "You broke up with me. Why are you doing this? Because I am with Joey?"
"No!" Jimmy said. "Listen…"
"No, you listen" Jess cut him off. "Call me back when you are sane." She slammed down the phone.
Jimmy put down the phone and stared at it. 'I have to get her back' he thought determinedly. 

"Who was that?" Marie asked, walking in the room.
"Jimmy" Jess replied. 
"Jimmy? What did he want?" Marie asked.
"I don't give a damn" Jess said. "God, what's his problem?"
"Jess, what did he say?" Marie asked.
"I think he was drinking" Jess answered. "He said he wanted to get back together, and stuff like that."
"I don't think he was drunk" Marie said quietly.
"Why do you think that?" Jess asked.
Marie took a deep breath.
"Well, I was talking him the other day. Don't say anything to anyone, but he told me he still, um, has, you know, feelings and stuff."
"He does?" Jess said, surprised. 
"Yeah!" Marie said, feeling guilty. "He made me promise not to tell, but he already told you."
"Well, I think it's just because I am with Joey" Jess said, starting to get mad. "I really like Joey, and he's just trying to ruin it!"
"I don't think that's it!" Marie said, defending Jimmy.
"Well, I do" Jess insisted. "I know, it's because he is jealous that I have feelings for Joey. He wants me to still love him. If I loved him, he wouldn't love me. He's such an ass."
"Jess!" Marie chose her words carefully. "Do you think... well, if Jimmy loved you, you know, for real, and you weren't with Joey, then what?"
"Nothing" Jess said. "I like Joey, and that's all that matters."
"Is it?" Marie said. "Or are you trying to cover something up?" She looked Jess in the eye. 
Jess bit her lip. "No!" she said, indignant.
"Come on, Jess" Marie said. "Tell me the truth."
"I am!" Jess insisted.
Marie looked hard at her friend.
Suddenly, without any warning, Jess burst into tears.

The phone rang in the hotel room, about ten minutes later.
"Hello?" Jimmy asked, answering the phone.
"Hey Jimmy" came a voice.
"Hi" Jimmy said.
"Listen" hotel's director said. "I'm sorry Mr. Kelly, but I'm afraid you must leave our hotel because fans will soon bound to figure out that you are staying there."
"Okay, I understand, by when?" Jimmy asked.
"By tomorrow afternoon if it's possible" the director said.
Jimmy walked out into the front room, where Joey was.
"Did you make vacation plans?"
"Yeah" Joey said. "In two days at this small beach house in Kiel. It's totally private, and it belongs to a couple who went to USA. We have it rented for two weeks."
"Great" Jimmy said.
"Are Jess and Marie coming?" Angelo asked.
"I don't know, I think so" Joey replied.
"Damn it, Joey" Angelo said. "Why do they have to come? If I'm around her..."
"Don't worry" Joey said. "It will be fine. Everything will be worked out by then anyway."
"I hope so" Angelo muttered, walking into the other room.
'So do I' Paddy thought. 'So do I'.

Marie reached over.
"Jess, what's wrong? Come on, Jess" Marie said.
The phone rang, cutting her off.
"Damn, hold on." She picked it up. "Hello?"
"Hey, Marie. It's Joey" Joey said.
"Hey Joey" Marie answered, empathizing his name. Jess looked up, her eyes wide.
"I was just going to tell you, that we have a beach house in Kiel. We are going to pay, so don't worry. It's a vacation for Patricia."
"That sounds great, Joey" Marie said. "But do Angelo and Paddy want me there?"
Joey hesitated.
"I don't know" he said finally. "I mean, Paddy hasn't said anything, but Angelo is sort of scared that he is going to start liking you or something. I don't know what he said."
Marie frowned.
"Okay" she said. "But you are all going, right?"
"Right" Joey answered. "Are you coming? Well, both of you?"
"I have to talk it over with Jess first" Marie said. "But probably."
"Is she home?" Joey asked.
"Yeah" Marie said.
"Can I talk to her?" Joey asked.
"Sure" Marie said. She handing Jess the phone.
"Hey" Jess said.
"Hello, Jess" Joey answered. "How are you?"
"Okay" she said. "Not great, but..."
"Did I do something?" Joey asked immediately.
"No" Jess answered. "Listen, me and Marie, we were sort of in a deep conversation. Can I let you go?"
"I guess" Joey said. "I miss you."
"I miss you, too" Jess answered. "Bye."
"Bye" Joey answered, puzzled and disappointed.
Jess hung up the phone, and turned back to Marie.
"Sorry."
"You didn't do anything" Marie said. "Now tell me, Jess. What's wrong? You're my best friend, I want to know what is going on."
"Okay" Jess took a shaky breath. "You know how you told me, that you didn't really like Angelo? He was just a fling?"
Marie's comforting smile turned into a frown.
"Jess, I don't want to talk about Angelo. Or Paddy. Or anything about them."
"Forget it then" Jess said, getting up.
"Sorry, I mean, tell me." Marie grabbed her arm.
"Do you really want to know?" Jess asked.
"I want to know" Marie said.
"Fine" Jess answered. "Did you like Angelo?"
Marie thought it over. "Yeah."
"A lot?" Jess asked.
"A lot" Marie confirmed. "I wanted to get back with Paddy so bad, that I made myself believe I didn't. But I did. He was a great friend, and a great kisser, and I wanted to be with both of them. Paddy more, though."
"What about now, Marie?" Jess asked her.
"Jess, what does this have to do with you?" Marie countered. "I mean, come on."
"It does" Jess said. "You'll see. Just tell me. If you could choose, right now, Paddy or Angelo... who would you pick?"
"Paddy" Marie answered, without hesitation.
"And you wouldn't have a thing for Angelo?" Jess asked.
"No" Marie said. "Well, yes. I would. I just wish me and Angelo were friends. Well, I don't know. They hate me, so forget it."
"Do you love Paddy?"
"I do" Marie said. "I have for a very long time."
"Do you love Angelo?" 
Marie stopped.
"No" she said finally. "I like him, but I feel more with Paddy."
"Okay, now pretend you were me" Jess said. "Angelo is Joey, and Paddy is Jimmy."
Marie opened her mouth, then closed it.
"Wait, a second... what about Jimmy?"
A single tear slid slowly down Jess's cheek
"I still love him" she whispered hoarsely.

"Patricia, how are you feeling?" Maite asked him.
"Pretty good, and not too tired" Patricia answered. "I slept for awhile, what's today?"
"Moving day" Maite answered. "Friday."
"Can you get my stuff together?" Patricia asked. "I don't want to be a pain in the ass, but…"
"Don't worry" Maite said. "I'll do it. I'll come help you when we are leaving, okay?"
"Okay, thanks" Maite said.
Maite picked up some of Patricia's clothes that were lying across the other bed, and threw them in the suitcase. He picked up her full bag, and walked out of the room. Paddy and Angelo were in the hall, and the three of them walked outside and tossed the suitcases in the bus.

The bus pulled away from the hotel, and Joey picked up the phone.
"Who are you calling?" Paddy asked, walking over to him.
"Jess" he said, beginning to dial.
"Okay, will you let me know, when you are done? I want to talk to Marie" Paddy said.
"You do?" Joey asked, raising an eyebrow.
"I was thinking today" Paddy said. "I mean, she didn't really like Angelo. I'm over it, and I want to see if she still wants to get back together."
"Okay" Joey said, shrugging. "I'll tell you." He pressed the last number, and listened for someone to pick up.

Marie ran to the phone, and picked it up before the answering machine got it. "Hello?" she said, breathlessly.
"Marie, it's Joey" Joey said. "I just wanted to know if you and Jess were going to come on vacation with me and the rest, because I still have to finalize the reservations."
"Um, can you hold on? Actually, I'll get Jess" Marie said. "Because it's up to her. I want to go..."
"Okay" Joey said.
Marie walked into the living room. Jess was clutching a pillow and softly crying into it.
"Jess?" Marie asked quietly.
"Yeah?"
"Joey is on the phone, can you talk?" Marie asked.
Jess groaned.
"I guess" she answered. She picked up the cordless. "Hello?"
"Hi Jess" Joey said. 
"Hey Joey" she said, her voice cracking.
"Is something wrong?" he asked.
"No" she said.
"Are you sure? Are you crying?" Joey asked.
"I'm fine" she insisted. "Leave me alone."
"Sorry" he said immediately. "I was just wondering if you were going to the vacation. I have to finalize."
"Sure" she said. 
"Great" he said. "We'll be passing Cologne tomorrow night, are you going to home?"
"I don't know" Jess lied. "I think I am working."
"Oh" Joey said, disappointed. "Well, I hope you are home."
"How's Patricia?" she asked, changing the subject.
"Okay" he said. "Still pretty bad. I have to go, though. I need to make sure Patricia is alright."
"Okay, bye" Jess said.
"Wait" Joey said quickly. "Can I talk to Marie again?"
"Sure" Jess said. "Hold on." She covered the receiver. "Marie! Joey wants to talk to you!"
Marie picked up the phone. "Thanks Jess. Joey?"
Jess hung up the phone.
"Yeah" Joey said.
"What did you want?" Marie asked.
"Um, Paddy told me he wanted to talk to you" Joey said. "But if you don't want to, I can say you aren't at home... do you want to?"
"I guess" Marie said. "Put him on."
"Okay" Joey said. "Bye." She heard Joey give Paddy the phone.
"Hello?" Paddy said. 
"Hey, Paddy" Marie said.
"Oh, I am so glad you are talking to me" Paddy said.
"Why wouldn't I?" Marie asked.
"I don't know, I took so long to tell you this" Paddy said.
"Tell me what?" asked Marie.
Marie, I was thinking…
Paddy began.
"You told me, and you told Angelo, that you didn't really like him. Well, I thought about it, and I am over it. If he didn't mean anything, that means I want to get back together. I'm sorry we took this break. I love you, Marie. I always have."
"I love you, Paddy" Marie said. "But I don't think we should get back together."
"Why not?" Paddy asked.
"Well, I was thinking, too" Marie said. "When you cheated on me twice I turned to Angelo… When you broke up with me, because of the picture thing with Madeline... I felt really shitty. The person I turned to was Angelo again. Angelo was a great friend, and soon, we started having more. When we got back together, I couldn't stop with him. I realized, although I told Angelo that I didn't really feel anything, I did. A lot..."
"Really" Paddy said. "Well."
"I'm really sorry" Marie said. "But I had to tell you the truth."
"Marie, forget anything I said. Come on, can't you stop lying?" Paddy asked.
"I didn't lie…"
"Yeah, you did. You told me that you didn't feel a damn thing for him. A damn thing!" Paddy sighed. "Marie, you know what? Call me when you decide to stop your compulsive lying."
"But Paddy…" she began. All she heard was the dial tone.

Paddy walked past them, down to his bunk.
"What's wrong?" Patricia asked him.
"Marie" Paddy said.
"Marie's wrong? What did she do?" Patricia asked.
"I just called her, to tell her I wanted to get back together" Paddy said, sighing. "It turns out, she still has a thing for Angelo! I can't believe her."
"Ouch" Joey said. 
"I know" Paddy said. He sighed again and walked into the back room.
"At least I know my girl doesn't change her mind all the time" Joey said with a smile.
"This is great!" Paddy said, stepping out of the bus, and taking a deep breath.
"I know" Patricia said with a smile. "I'm going to like relaxing up here."
Jimmy stepped out of the bus and smiled.
"It smells good up here. Like pine and stuff."
"This is wicked" Joey said. "Let's go inside and pick rooms."
The Kellys walked inside, and chose their rooms, then put away their stuff. Patricia fell asleep seconds after, and the others sat in front of the TV.

"Jimmy, is your laptop here?" Paddy asked. "Mine is on the bus, I forgot it."
"I forgot it, too" Jimmy said. "Sorry." He reached into the fridge and pulled out a can of pop.
"That's okay" Paddy said.
"Did you want to email Marie?" Jimmy asked, opening it.
Paddy nodded.
"I feel bad that I blew up on her."
"I'm sure she'll get over it" Jimmy said.
"Yeah" Paddy said, uncertainly.
Jimmy walked out of the room, and Angelo walked in a few minutes later. 
"I talked to Marie yesterday" Paddy said.
"Oh really?" Angelo asked, raising an eyebrow. "How is she?"
"Liking you, apparently" Paddy said.
"What do you mean..." Angelo said.
"I mean, she still has a thing for you" Paddy said bitterly.
"Still? She never did!" Angelo answered.
"Well, she told me she did." Paddy said. "She said something like, I like both of you."
"Oh" Angelo said. He smiled to himself but didn't show it. "Sorry."
"It's not your fault" Paddy said. "Would you be mad if we got back together?"
"Mad? No" Angelo said. "Happy, for you."
"Really? I mean, I feel really bad" Paddy said.
"No, I am totally okay with it" Angelo said. He forced a smile. "I hardly like her."
"Seriously?"
"Definitely" Angelo said, leaving the kitchen.

Jess opened the front door and reached into the mailbox. She heard a noise from the driveway. Jess looked, and saw a figure walking down the driveway.
"Hello?" she called.
Jimmy stopped walking at the sound of Jess's voice, and slowly turned around.
Jess dropped the newspaper, and the sections flew all over the ground, landing in the small forming puddles.
"Jimmy?" she whispered.
"Jess..." he said softly. 
"W-what are you doing here?" she asked, her voice quiet but her thoughts banging around in her head.
"I came, um, I came to see you" Jimmy answered, hesitantly. "I mean..."
"Who are those flowers for?" Jess asked, staring at Jimmy in awe.
"No one" he said. "I mean, you, they are for you."
Jess walked over to Jimmy, and took his arm.
"Come inside."
"Thanks" he said, following her inside. "Listen, though, just tell me if you want me to leave. I don't want you to get mad at me, okay?"
Jess leaned over.
"Breathe."
She smelled the air that he breathed out through his mouth.
"Okay, you're not drunk. What's the story, Jimmy?"
"I first want to apologize" he said.
"Why?" she asked. 
"Well, I was really mean to you, when we first broke up and I feel really bad" Jimmy said.
Jess smiled.
"That's sweet" she said. "But unnecessary. You don't have to apologize."
"I want to be friends…"
Jess cut him up and kiss him.

"What's going on Jimmy?" Jess asked.
"Jess..." Jimmy took her hand. She made no movement to take it away. "Do you love me?"
"Jess, I wanted to ask you..." Marie's voice drifted off, as she walked into the room. Jimmy dropped Jess's hand.
"Wait a second. Jimmy?"
"Hey Marie" he said.
"Jimmy" Marie said, surprised. "Hey. I think I should leave you two alone."
"Thanks" Jimmy said. Marie turned around and walked out of the room. "Jess? I know this comes as a surprise, I told you I loved you before and you didn't believe me. But when you are with Joey, I feel like, it should be you and me. I can't get enough of you. I know we fought... but I really think we were meant to be together... and... I love you." He looked in her eyes.
Jess gave him a small smile.
"Jimmy..." she whispered. "I waited for this moment, I wanted this to happen."
"Why didn't you say anything?" Jimmy asked her.
"Let me finish" she said. "I waited for the moment, but I stopped waiting. I found someone new, and Joey is everything that you were. I loved you, Jimmy. I don't love Joey, but I really, really like him. I can't stop seeing him just because you changed your mind."
Jimmy's face fell and he couldn't meet her eyes.
"I understand." 
"I'm sorry" she said. "I am."
"I better go" he said. "I... better go." He picked up his jacket. "I'll see you in a month."
"Are you mad?" she asked, walking behind him.
"Hurt" he said. "Not mad. Come on Jess. Do you expect me to stand here and say that I don't love you?" His eyes filled with tears. "I do love you. And I won't stop. I wish we could have worked things out. It's so hard to see you two together. I love you more than anything." He slipped his feet in his shoes and opened the door. Glancing back at Jess, he gave her a withering stare and shut the door.
Jess fell to her knees and began to cry.

"Jess!" Marie said, running over to help her up. "What's wrong?"
Through tears, she hastily explained what happened between her and Jimmy.
"Why are you crying? Do you still love him?" Marie said, opening the door behind her.
"Love him?" Jess asked, incredulously. "Love him? Of course I do. I love him so much. I can't lose him."
"You haven't" Jimmy said, wrapping his arms around her from behind.
Jess turned around in surprise.
"Jimmy?" she whispered, a small smile forming on her face.
He smiled back and pulled her close.
Marie's eyes filled with tears of happiness.
"This is so sweet. I mean, I always thought you guys were meant to be, but I totally didn't expect this. Like, Jimmy, Jess... together again? This is crazy! I love it. Damn, you guys."
Jess looked at Marie with wet eyes. "Marie..." she said. "I think, you know..."
"Oh, yeah" Marie said, blushing. "I will leave... you two alone." She smiled and left.
"Jess..." Jimmy said. "Do you love me?"
Jess nodded, unable to speak.
"Then what's going to happen to Joey?" Jimmy asked.
Jess's smile disappeared.
"Joey..." she repeated. "I don't know."
"I want to be with you" Jimmy said.
"I want to be with you... and Joey" she said. "And we know that isn't going to work. Jimmy... I really care about Joey. I can't break up with him."
"I know that." Jimmy nodded.
"And I do love you, but I am not going to cheat on him" she said. "We are going to have to try to... I don't know. Hide our feelings."
"Okay" he whispered. "But remember. Whatever happens... I will always love you. No matter what, okay?"
"Okay" she said softly.
Marie walked back in. "Jimmy..."
"What?" he asked, his eyes still focused on Jess.
"Well, I thought I would let you know, that you have a phone call" she said.
"Oh, shit" he panicked. "Who is it?"
"It's Joey" she said. "He is wondering if we know where you went. I said I would go ask Jess. What should I tell him?"
Jimmy lowered his voice.
"Um... just tell him that... tell him you don't know where I am."
"Okay" Marie said, turning around and walking back to the phone.
Jimmy looked back at Jess.
"Okay, Jess, I better go. I need to get to groceries... I have to come home with something."
"Thanks for coming" she said. "I really mean it."
"Thanks for listening to me" he said. He hugged her. "I'll see you soon. I love you."
Jess nodded. "Bye."

Jess closed the door behind Jimmy. 
"This is so cute" Marie said, breaking the silence.
Jess turned around. "Not really."
"Why not?" Marie asked.
"One word. Joey" Jess said. "I still really care about him."
"What are you and Jimmy going to do?" Marie asked.
"Nothing. Be friends, I guess." Jess answered. "I don't really have a choice. But I want to be close with Jimmy, so I guess friendship is good enough."

The next day.
"Come on, Marie" Jess said. "They are going to be here in like twenty minutes."
"I'm all ready" Marie said, walking out of her room, holding two suitcases.
"Great" she said. "Let's go make sure doors and windows are locked."

There was a knock on the door and Jess ran over to open it.
"Jimmy!" she said hugging him. "Hey!"
"Hey" he said. Joey walked up behind him. 
"Hey Jess" he said.
"Hey Joey" she answered. He wrapped his arms around her waist and kissed her. "How are you?"
"Great!" he said. "I'm so happy to see you."
"So am I" she said. "I mean, I am happy to see you, not happy to see me."
"I get it" he said, laughing. He picked up her suitcases, and Jimmy got one of Marie's. "Let's jet."

In the plane to Kiel.
"I'll take beside a window, so I can lay on it" Patricia said.
"Okay" Maite said. "I'll sit beside you."
"And me too"
"I'll sit in the three" Jess said. "I don't care with who."
"I'll sit with you" Jimmy offered.
Jess smiled. "Okay."
"And I will too" Joey said.
"Great" Jess said, slipping her hand in his.
Angelo looked at Marie then back at the group.
"I don't like this arrangement."
"Why not?" Paddy asked. He looked at Marie, whose face went red. "Oh."
"Sorry" he said "But, I just..."
"It's a three hour ride" Paddy said. "But if you really don't want to, Patricia and me and you and Marie and Maite can work something out."
"This is retarded" Marie blurted out. "Why the hell won't you sit beside me? You don't have to talk to me or anything."
"Sorry" Angelo said embarrassed. "These arrangements are fine."
Marie shot him a dirty look and walked to an empty place that left.

Joey smiled and took Jess hand. "I'm really happy."
"So am I" she said.
"Can I ask you something?" Joey said.
"Sure" she answered.
"What's with you and Jimmy lately? Talking on the phone and stuff... you guys are getting pretty close again?" Joey asked.
"Are you jealous?" she teased.
"No!" he answered quickly. "Just wondering."
"We're good friends, and that's it!!" she said. "Don't worry, Joey." She leaned over and kissed him. "I'm with you, not him."
Joey smiled, and leaned back in his seat. He wanted to trust her, but couldn't shake away the bad feeling that was in the pit of his stomach.

Marie stared straight ahead and grabbed the arms on her seat so hard that her knuckles turned white.
"One minute until take off" the pilot said over the speakers. "Please fasten your belts in you haven't already."
"Oh shit, oh shit, oh shit" Marie muttered, closing her eyes. She began to pray.
"Um, Marie?" Angelo asked.
"What?!" she said quickly, facing him.
"Are you alright?" he asked.
"Have you ever flown?" she asked back.
"Yeah, lots" he said. "Have you?"
"Once, a long time ago" she said. "I'm really scared."
"Well, if we were friends, I would help you out, but we aren't, so have a nice flight." he said, putting on the head phones.
The plane picked up speed and Marie closed her eyes and tried to steady her breathing. 
Angelo looked over in concern and took of his headphones.
"Okay!" he said. "I'll help you through the fight under one condition."
"Anything" she said desperately.
"We can be friends again" Angelo said.
"Sure!" she said.
"No, not because you are scared, but because I want to be friends with you." he said.
"No seriously, so do I" she said. "But right now, the plane is about to take off. When we are in the air, we can talk about it, but please, Angelo, help me."
He looked at the fright in her eyes.
"Okay." He said.
He held out his hand. Marie took it and smiled
"Breathe slowly" he said. "And close your eyes."
Marie did as Angelo said, and seconds later, they were in the air.
"Is it better now?" Angelo asked.
"Yeah" she said. "I just don't like taking off and landing."
"I'll be prepared for the landing!" Angelo answered. "So how have you been?"
"Good" she said. "And you?"
"Great" he answered. "Well, not great. Okay."
"That's okay, then" she said. "So..."
"So..." he said. He looked down at their hands, still entwined between the seats. Marie noticed him looking and took hers away.
"Sorry" he muttered.
"Angelo, I still like you" she blurted out.
"What?" he asked. "I mean, I heard you and everything but..."
"Yeah, I still like you. The same as always, and I wish that sometimes, me and you could be together!" she said quietly.
"I can't believe you are saying this." Angelo shook his head.
"I can't believe it either" she said.
"What about Paddy? How do you feel about him?" he asked.
"The same as with you" she answered.
"Oh" Angelo frowned. "Well, I'm glad you told me how you feel."
"Do you want to know something?" Marie asked. "I really wish I could have you and Paddy at the same time... like before."
"Too bad you were cheating on him." Angelo said.
"Too bad." Marie agreed. "Listen, remember back in the day, when we were really good friends?"
"I remember" Angelo said.
"Do you think we will ever get like that again?" Marie asked.
"I think we have right now" Angelo said, smiling.

"Please put on your seat belts" the pilot's voice came over the speakers. "We are landing in thirty seconds."
Marie put on her seatbelt with trembling hands.
"You'll be okay" Angelo whispered.
She flashed him a nervous smile and looked strait ahead at the seat in front of her. He took her hand in both of his, and closed her eyes. Seconds later, they were landed.
"Thanks" she said, still holding his hand.
"What are friends for?" he said.

Paddy picked up his suitcase and looked over at Marie and Angelo who were deep in conversation. He felt a twinge of jealousy, then dropped his bag when he saw that they were holding hands.

"I can't believe we are here!" Marie exclaimed. "This is great." She took her hand away from Angelo's and picked up both of her suitcases.
They all walked out to hail a taxi to take them to the private cottage on the beach. 

Jimmy sat in the front, and Marie and Paddy sat in the back. Marie rolled down her window and breathed in the ocean air.
"Aren't you happy we are here?" she asked Paddy with a smile.
Paddy frowned. "No."
"Why not?" she asked.
"Are you and Angelo together now?" Paddy asked.
"No" she said. "We're friends, and that's it."
"I'm sure it is" Paddy said. 
"What are you talking about?" Marie said.
"Nothing" he answered with a sigh. "Don't talk to me this week." He shifted his body so he was facing out the window and not straight-ahead.
"You're acting like you are twelve" Marie said. "What's the deal?"
"Forget it!" Paddy said. "I can't believe you treat me like this, especially how much I care about you."
"You don't care about me!" she said. "Don't be an ass."
Paddy muttered something, and ignored her for the rest of the way. Marie rolled her eyes.

Jess sucked in a breath of air.
"Oh my... this is so beautiful" she said as the taxi's pulled up in front of the cottage. It was a white cottage with a small picket fence. The cottage looked huge, and the back yard was a huge beach with the ocean right there. There was a boat and two docks.

Chapter 13 - Please don't leave me, please don't go