AN: First ever Ned's for me, so yeah. Not sure where its going, but it was a good idea that randomly popped into my head today, so I just ran with it. Enjoy and Review!

Disclaimer: Nick owns, I don't... Enough said...

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xXx Chapter 1 xXx

Silence... silence was golden. Silence was something that should never be taken for granted. Silence spoke volumes to many people in many ways, some good, and some bad. This silence was indifferent, neither good, nor bad. It just was. It lay over the scene as if it were trying in concealing something. What that something was, she wasn't sure, but she wanted to know.

A 16-year-old Jennifer Mosely lay on her bed in the heat of the June sun, drenching her body with enough heat to keep her warm in her air-conditioned home. The silence was never ending, nor did it seem to have a beginning, it was just there. Looking at her watched, she wondered where he was. It was nearly 9 o'clock, and he should have been here by now. He promised he wouldn't be late today, not on a very important day such as this. She lay her head back on her pillow and stretched out; yawning and suddenly feeling the heat take over her body. Her eyes were falling and she tried continually to stay awake. Then she heard it, a light not on her door. She continues to lie there as she murmured something remotely like "Come in."

Her door opened up to show the figure of a 16-year-old male. Standing tall, he looked very different then he had a few short years ago. His hair had grown, slightly puffy with a bit of curl in it. In the few short years between childhood and the entry of their adult lives he had grown to stand nearly 6 feet tall. No longer was he what you would call a "shrimp", but the last few years of sports had done him good. Finding his niche as a varsity swimmer, the long workouts had left his body rather toned and sculpted. He looked at her, the room still engulfed with silence, and walked over to her bed. He lay down, his body going the opposite direction, his face even with hers and his legs hanging off the side of the bed.

"Are you okay?" He asked, concern and other mixed emotions coming out in his voice. He knew by her eyes that the answer was no, but she jus shook her head and still laid in silence. His watch chimed 9 o'clock; this was the time, the time that oh so many years ago, on this fateful day, the world of Jennifer Mosely came crashing down.

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The year was 2003, twelve year old Jennifer Mosely lived a carefree life. Everything was going great, in three months time she would be starting middle school at James. K. Polk, she was playing summer volleyball at the local YMCA, where she also swam during the fall and winter, and her best friend in the world was spending almost his whole summer vacation with her, which for some reason mad her very happy. Ned Bigby was that best friend; he lived just next door. Their other best friend, Simon Nelson-Cook, or Cookie as he was known, was spending a good part of summer at a camp for "Gifted Children." Cookie was a genius, and at the tender age of 9 he completely designed a new computer software program just for the three of them.

Today was going to be a special day at the Mosley household. Jennifer's mother had found out she was pregnant 7th months ago, and today was the day. Carla Mosely had been taken to the hospital early this morning, and Jennifer was sent to the Bigbys. Ned was awake, surprisingly, when she arrived and they went upstairs to his room to e-mail Cookie and let him know what was going on. Eventually the two tired out, it being 2:30 am when Jennifer got there, and settled down on Ned's bed, falling asleep.

In the early morning hours Ned's mother Abbey came upstairs to wake the sleeping preteens. She had worried look on her face as she told Jennifer that she would be taking her and Ned to the hospital, and that her father was there waiting. Not being overly concerned, the two grabbed their stuff and headed for the car.

The hospital was all a buzz, and as soon as they got there, Jennifer father came to take them upstairs. Asking a million questions at once, neither twelve year noticed the somber looks on the faces of the adults. "So, Dad, when can I see mom? I want to tell her that I love her and the baby." Jennifer said, her attitude unchanged by the grim appearance of her father.

"Jenny, honey, there's no easy way to tell you this..."Her father started, stopping Jennifer before they reached the nursery. "There were some complications during delivery..." He said as Jennifer stopped him mid sentence. "Is the baby okay?" Was the first thing that came to her innocent mind? "Yes, the baby is fine Jenny. But your mother..." He said as he started to cry. "What about my mother? Dad, moms okay right? She just is sick and I cant see her at the moment, is that it?" She asked, knowing in her heart the worst was about to come, but all the while denying it in her head. "Jennifer, mommy's gone. She died. She lost too much blood and there was nothing that they could do." Her father said, holding her, sobbing as emotion poured out of him.

Jennifer pulled away. She ran as fast as her feet could take her, she ran out of the hospital, heading in whatever direction felt right. Turning she found herself nearing a park, and as she reached the park she settled down underneath a tree, wrapping her arms around her legs, hugging them tightly. She sat there and cried, letting everything flow out of her at one time. "Moze?" Came a voice behind her, then she felt someone sit next to her, placing a protective arm around her.

"Ned, my mothers gone. She's GONE! She'll never see me go to middle school, or go to prom, she wont see me get my first real boyfriend, and she wont be there when I get married. What am I going to do?" She cried as she sobbed into the comforting arms of her best friend.

"I don't know, but I'll always be here for you." Ned reassured her.

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The two sat in silence for a few more minutes. Jennifer let out a sob and then buried her face in the neck of her friend. Ned Bigby meant the world to her, through all the good and bad times in the past few years, he never left, just as he promised. He moved his body so they were laying side by side, her head still nuzzled in his neck. They just laid there, in the silence of the moment. Ned pulled Jennifer closer, keeping her in a tight embrace, running his palm up and down her arm, and wiping the tears as they fell. He kissed her forehead lightly, and absentmindedly started running his hand through her hair. Breathing in deeply, he took in the scent of Jennifer shampoo, which smelt of lilacs, and her perfume, sweet peas. He tightened his embrace again, never wanting to let go.

Jennifer moved slightly, rearranging herself into a more comfortable form. Her hand slipped up around Neds neck, while her other hand laid across his chest. She kept her head in his neck, noticing how perfectly they fit together. Letting out a huge sigh, she breathed back in deeply, taking in his scent of soap and cologne. She smiled slightly, when her mind wondered what it would be like to kiss Ned. Sure, they had kissed before, but nothing romantic, it was either an accident or a dare, never the real thing.

After an hour of just laying in silence, Ned let go of Jennifer, much to the dismay of both of them. They sat up, and looked at each other. Both had the same idea, but neither acted on it. Pushing himself off her bed, he extended a hand to help her up. Taking his hand, she reluctantly left the comfort of her warm bed. Their ands still intertwined, Ned led the way down the stairs of the Mosely residence. Walking into the living room, Jennifer let go of Neds hand and extended down for her baby sister. Ashlyne Hope Mosely was four years old today, and Jennifer never spent a day without telling her sister of their mother. Sittig down on the couch, Ashlyne sat on Jennifer's lap, and started talking to her about her day. At age 4, she was rather smart, and extremely independent. She was a tomboy, and she hadn't getting dressed up, but today was her birthday, and today meant she was having her day care friends come over to play. Setting Ashlyne back on the floor, Jennifer motioned for Ned to take a set. Sitting beside her, he grabbed her hand and gave it a reinsuring squeeze. Ned knew that she wasn't okay, but pushing her now was not a good idea.

The door to the front of the house opened and in walked Andrew Mosely, Jennifer's father, and Virginia Herring, his girlfriend. Jennifer like Virginia alright, but no one could replace her mother. They had gone shopping to pick up some things for Ashlynes party, and in a few short hours all sorts of guests wold be in their house enjoying themselves. As always on Ashlynes birthday, Jennifer would spend the day somewhere else. Normally with Ned, and on occasion Lisa and Cookie would join them. Generally it just consisted of the two of them, doing something together for the day while jus enjoying each other's company.

"Dad, I'm out for the rest of the day. I have my phone on, and I'll be with Ned. He has his phone too, you have the number. Tell Nana and Poppa I will be back before they leave, and remind Stacy that I left my jacket in her car two days ago and she said she would leave it here." Jennifer said as she went to grab her house keys, giving her father a kiss on the cheek, and hugging Virginia lightly. She grabbed Ashlyne up in one motion and hugged her baby sister, kissing her on the top of her head. In one fluid motion she went to the door with Ned behind her and left the house.

"So, what are we doing today? Lisa said she and Cookie would be at her house for awhile and to stop by if we wanted to." Jennifer said as they made their way over to the Bigby residence.

"Well, actually. I was thinking we could go see Cookie and Lisa for some lunch, then just randomly wander throughout town for the next 12 hours." Ned replied, heading into his house to go and grab his car keys. His car, the best car ever, it was a 2004 Saturn, and it drove like a dream. He pulled his car keys off the hook in the kitchen and headed out the door.

"Okay, you're driving, so whatever you want to do, I honestly don't care. Lets go to Lisa's now and then wherever you want to go its up to you." Jennifer said as she got into Ned's car.

The two drove to Lisa's in near silence. Silence again, the thing that Jennifer most feared, but also the thing she loved the most. She sat and studied Ned's features, trying to remember him this way, the way they were right now, in his car, driving in silence. He turned and looked at her while he came to a stop in front of the Zemo residence.

"What? Do I have something on my face?" He said, noticing Moze staring at him.

"No, nothing at all." Jennifer said with a smile. She pulled her seat belt off, opened the door, and waited for Ned to do the same. Together they headed for Lisa's door, not knowing what to expect on a day like today.

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A/N: END CHAPTER ONE! I know not expected right? Well, it will get better. I wonder what Lisa and Cookie have planned? Review and you will find out! Thanks!
Bexx