bA/N: So all the positive reviews for Pictures and Memories have really encouraged me, and I thought I would start dipping into Jessie's background. She's really a complex woman (which I hope I convey in P&M) and I figured you might all like to get a little peek into her whole story, especially when it comes to Marlowe and her death.

This basically will be oneshots from different aspects of her life up until she discovers she's pregnant with Marlowe, and then it will continue through her life in Vegas and the days leading up to her coming back to Charming. I want to show the background of her history with Jax, Tara, the club, and Charming, just so everyone can get to know her a little better. Think of it as a prequel to P&M.

I'm also trying a new writing style ( I think that's what you call it), so let me know what y'all think! As always, reviews are greatly appreciated. Nothing makes me happier than to see reviews on my work. The more detailed, the better. I love sharing my thoughts with y'all, and I love when you share your thoughts back. I want to know how my writing came across to you, how it made you feel, as well as any ideas you have or anything you'd like to see me include in Jessie & Jax's story. It doesn't take much time to fill in that little box and your critiques only help to make my stories better.

Love you all,

- Lacey/b

Oakland, CA - August 1997

"We're moving, kids." Michael James looks at his two kids, Jessie and Weston looking at him like he's insane. The already-packed moving truck sits in their driveway, where it had been when they got home from school.

"Why?" Weston speaks up first, his voice reaching a whine. He's younger than Jessie by two years but acts like he's five.

Jessie rolls her eyes, scoffing at her brother. "Jesus, Weston, stop fucking whining, it's annoying as hell."

Weston raises an eyebrow, his voice stern. "Jessica Marie, you better watch your mouth."

The older of the siblings stands up from the table, shoving the chair back so that it clatters into the wall. "It's stupid that we have to move just because you've drank us into poverty since Mom died!"

Before he thinks about it, Michael slaps his daughter across the face. Jessie falls back against the counter, tears beginning to well in her eyes. Her father had just hit her, slapped her across the face. When she turns back around, the red mark on her face stares back at Michael accusingly. The venom in Jessie's voice is obvious as she speaks.

"Well what are we waiting for, let's get a move on. It's not every day we have to move because we don't have money!"

Her footsteps are heavy on the stairs as she storms upstairs to her bedroom, returning moments later with a stuffed duffel bag. "I see you already packed all my stuff up, so I'll be waiting in the truck."

Weston looks at his father as his sister storms outside, his lip poked out. "Dad, do we really have to move?"

Michael sighs, ruffling Weston's shaggy hair. "Go get in the truck, son. We've got a trip ahead of us."

Two and a half hours later, the family drives past a sign that read 'Welcome to Charming'. Jessie looks around from her window seat, leaning back and finally smiling. "We're moving back to Charming?!" Her attitude has completely changed, and Michael smiles over at his daughter.

"Yes, Jessie, we're moving back to Charming. I thought it was time we went back home."

Jessie stares out the window, her smile getting wider as they begin passing familiar buildings. "Dad, are we going to Teller-Morrow?"

Michael nods, causing Jessie to emit a high-pitched squeal. He can only laugh as his daughter's excitement level rises. Finally they arrive at the garage, Jessie bounding out of the truck while Weston clings to their father's hand. Gemma Teller-Morrow appears in the doorway, and smiles widely when she sees her former husband's old friend and his children.

"Michael James, is that you?!" Crossing the parking lot, she hugs Michael, then looks down at the two James children. "Jessie and Weston, you two have grown so much!" She gives each of them a hug, looking at Jessie. "I have somebody that's gonna want to see you, Jessie." Turning towards the shop, she yells for her son. "Jackson!"

After a moment, Jax rounds the corner, his face lighting up when he sees his old friend. "Jessie?"

The blonde nearly jumps for joy. She runs across the lot, Jax catching her and swinging her around. She's missed him, her constant playmate and confidante in her childhood. Once they've separated from their hug, Jessie smiles, opening her mouth to say something, but her father pulls her away as he takes her and her brother inside to meet his club members.

After a monotonous twenty minutes of meeting Clay Morrow, her father's new boss and President of the MC Michael belonged to (and was also a First 9 member of), and the other club members, Jessie finally manages to escape them, heading outside to try and find Jax. He's leaning against the side of the clubhouse, and upon seeing her come outside he takes her hand and leads her behind the garage. Once they're out of sight of the adults, Jax lights up a cigarette, offering one to Jessie which she accepts. For a moment, they're quiet, just standing there and exhaling smoke, until Jax speaks.

"So you're back for good this time?" His eyes flick over to Jessie, and she nods.

"Dad says we're home and that's where we're staying." She knows her father has tired of living in Oakland since her mother died, four years of trying to make a legitimate living as a deliveryman while supporting two children alone. He's been desperate to return to the MC life, to the club he'd helped found and been a part of until he met Pamela and she forced him to choose.

Jax cracks a smirk. "Good. I miss my Tinkerbell." He then bursts out laughing, Jessie blushing at his memory. In second grade, she'd had the misfortune to be cast as Tinkerbell in the school's production of Peter Pan simply because she'd been the smallest and lightest kid. Two and a half hours suspended from a rope harness with fake wings on her back had been the ultimate embarassment when she peed her costume in the middle of the play. Jessie has tried to forget that while Jax has always reminded her of it and called her Tinkerbell to boot.

"Hush!" Laughing as well, she playfully shoves his shoulder, brushing her hair back as it falls in her face.

Jax can't help but notice how much Jessie has changed since he last saw her seven years ago. The short, skinny nine year old who had cried the day she was forced to move away from her best friends (at that time Jax and Opie) had been replaced with a curvy blonde bombshell, looking older than her sixteen years. She's easily prettier than most of the croweaters he's seen around the clubhouse, with full hips and an even fuller chest. Her blue eyes are even more enchanting now, sparkling with a flirty mischief that has probably brought many boys to their knees. Tight jeans and a red tank top are showing off more of her curves than Jax can ignore, although it feels slightly strange to be sizing up his best friend as if she were just a croweater.

"I'm guessing you and Tara are a thing now?" Even from years ago, she remembers Jax relentlessly teasing Tara, expressing his attraction to her the only way a twelve year old boy knew how.

There's a moment of silence, Jax dragging on his cigarette before he replies. "She skipped town a few months ago. We're done."

She doesn't know how to reply, but gives the best answer she can think of. "I'm sorry."

"Doesn't matter." He doesn't seem to want to talk about it, so Jessie quiets. For a while, they just stand there and smoke, the silence like a blanket over them. Then it's broken by the sound of Michael calling Jessie's name, the blonde stomping out her cigarette as she turns toward the garage and begins to walk away. Jax catches her arm, stopping her progress as if he's forgotten to tell her something.

"Hey, Jess, one last thing-" When she turns to look at him, she's surprised by the kiss he presses to her lips. After a moment, he steps back, smiling sheepishly. "Sorry, I couldn't help myself."

In response, she grabs his shirt and pulls him close to her, smirking. "I don't mind at all." Seeing her reaction is one of encouragement, Jax leans in, pressing his lips to hers again. Her body is pressed to the cold wall of the garage, a sharp contrast to the heat of Jax's body against her. One of his hands has slid up from her hip to her chest, resting on her ribcage.

Jessie's only sixteen years old, but she's pretty sure that she just realized what love is.

When they finally part, Jessie's cheeks are flushed, and she smiles that pretty smile before turning and walking away. "Bye, Jax, I'll see you tomorrow." And then she's gone, the sound of Michael's truck driving away a moment later.

It's good to have Jessie home.