Okay everyone, as promised, here is a chapter from Jessica's POV. I will actually have several of these - I don't see how I could write this and not include her story. I hope you enjoy it, and don't forget to leave me some feedback! Thank you!

Chapter 7 Jessica – a Life: Part I

Jessica remembers the first time she met her. Her mom had dressed her in a pretty pink dress, and insisted on brushing her hair and fastening it with a bow. Jessica was so excited to wear the new dress, that she didn't care who came to their home. She vaguely remembered her mom pushing her forward, and then a regal blonde stooping down to Jessica's eye level. "Hello Jessica," the blonde woman said. "I'm Carol." Carol smiled and took Jessica's hand daintily. Jessica had noticed the shiny earrings the woman wore, and lifted her hand to touch them when her mother swatted her hand away. "Don't do that!" her mother had whispered raggedly. But Carol just laughed and responded, "Do you like them? You can touch them, its okay." With that, Carol won over Jessica as a four year old child.

After that, Jessica always got excited any time her parents told her she would get to see their friend, Carol. Carol always paid extra attention to Jessica, and smiled at her. She brought little books about famous historical figures, and told Jessica that maybe she too would be significant to America's history as well. Carol made Jessica feel important and cherished, unlike her own parents. Jessica knew Carol had studied and taught history, and Jessica always look forward to discussing what she was learning at school with Carol whenever she could.

As she got older, Carol began asking to take Jessica out on the town, just the two of them, and Jessica begged her parents to let her go. Jessica's parents had no qualms – after all, it was Carol's step-brother who had helped cure Jessica's brother from a deadly disease. They told Jessica that whatever Carol or her step-brother wanted from them, they would be more than happy to do in appreciation for their actions. Carol began taking Jessica to book sales, cafes and movies. She always found a way to put a historical spin on their outings, particularly related to American history. Sometimes they would get into philosophical discussions, hypothesizing how a change in history would change America's present status, such as if Abraham Lincoln had survived, or if the Vietnam War had never occurred.

Carol helped inspire Jessica to be something great. But when Jessica met Wyatt at the tender age of 14, her world narrowed down to only him. She was absolutely smitten with him, and fortunately for her, it seemed he felt the same. They would meet under a large oak tree sometimes close to their high school, and it was there that one day he suddenly leaned in, and gently kissed her lips. She was an absolute goner, and was absolutely, madly in love with Wyatt Logan.

Jessica walked next to Carol, as they casually shopped through a trade fair looking for antiques. She had just earned her license the week before, and Carol had graciously let Jessica drive her sporty little red convertible. "I'm in love." She blurted out.

Carol stopped in her steps and cocked her head. "Oh? In love? And at such a young age?"

Jessica blushed and nodded, tucking her hair behind her ear. "I know, I know. I'm only 16, my parents already told me. But, you would really like him. I mean, he's come from a tough background, but he wants to be a soldier, just like his granddad. It doesn't get much more patriotic than that, right?"

"Yes," murmured Carol. She grabbed Jessica's arm and tucked it through hers, then urged her forward. "And just what is this young man's name, exactly?"

"Wyatt Logan" Jessica answered. She felt Carol stumble next to her, and she steadied her. "Are you okay?" she asked.

Carol nodded, and took a breath. "Yes. Yes, of course. And Wyatt. What a nice, classic name for a boy. Reminds me of Wyatt Earp."

Jessica grinned. "I told him that, and he just rolled his eyes. He doesn't really get the whole history thing, you know?"

Carol looked deep into Jessica's eyes "Imagine that," Carol replied.

As Jessica's relationship with Wyatt deepened, Jessica felt Carol was the only one who supported them. Wyatt's dad was a lousy nobody. Jessica's own parents constantly nagged her about how serious they were and how hot-headed Wyatt could be. They warned her that he could drag her down. But not Carol. Carol seemed to be the only one who encouraged their relationship. Jessica called Carol one night and asked that Carol be there the night of their junior prom to meet Wyatt and take pictures, but Carol declined, one of the only times in her life she could recall Carol doing so. "My own daughter is having her prom, and I need to be there for her."

"You have a daughter?" blurted out Jessica. All these years, and Carol had always evaded any questions about herself. She had never revealed anything so personal.

Carol cleared her throat over the phone. "Yes. She's close to your age."

"What's her name?" Jessica asked. She couldn't say why, but suddenly she felt jealous.

"Lucy," responded Carol. "Her name is Lucy."

Her senior year, Jessica began seriously considering what she wanted in life. She would go to the bookstore and glance at the wedding magazines, but then purchase Smithsonian magazine instead. She started to work at the local library in order to boost her resume, and earn some cash. She spent money on typical girl stuff, but she also saved away some for college. She wanted to become a history professor, just like Carol. She was working at the library counter the week of her 17th birthday, when Carol suddenly walked up. "Carol!" shrieked Jessica. "Hi! What are you doing here?"

Carol reached over the counter and grasped her hand. "I think I caught you near the end of your shift. Do you think you could take off a few minutes early, and we could go grab a coffee?"

Jessica huffed slightly. "Sure, I guess. It's a slow night. I'll check with my supervisor."

Jessica's supervisor acquiesced, and Carol drove Jessica to pick up a coffee. However, instead of parking and relaxing in the coffee house, Carol ordered through the drive through, then drove them to a dark park, quieting Jessica when she started to ask any questions. Carol finally parked and stepped out of her car. Jessica stepped out as well, and noted a red haired woman facing a fountain. Carol grabbed Jessica's hand, and led her towards the fountain. "Jessica," she said, "I want you to meet my friend, Emma."

The red haired woman turned and smiled at Jessica. Emma was young, and appeared to have a scattering of freckles over her face. "Hello, Jessica," Emma purred, "I've heard so much about you."

Carol glanced at Emma, and then pulled Jessica so that they were completely facing each other and clasped both of her hands. "Jessica," Carol started, "I've known you almost your whole life. I've listened to you, I've supported you. Now, I ask that you do the same for me."

Jessica began to feel concerned. "Of course. Anything. What is it?"

Carol took a deep breath. "You matter more to this nation's future than you know. You don't know it yet, and it won't be for some time, but America may depend on you."

Jessica shook her head. "What are you talking about?"

"I'm part of a society called Rittenhouse. We have helped shape this country from the cradle. We have done the best we could, but there are points in history where we could have done better, and if we had, this world would be an even better place. We just have to fix history."

Jessica let go of Carol's hands. "Fix history? A society named Rittenhouse?" Jessica nervously glanced at Emma, and laughed. "What is this, some kind of birthday prank?"

Emma shook her head. "Carol is telling the truth. She's only your friend because I came to 1980 and sent Bartholomew to your family and to her."

"Bartholomew? The – Kevin's cancer doctor? What- that's crazy." Jessica took a step back. "Carol, tell her that's not true."

Carol began to step closer. "We aren't lying, Jessica. We can prove it."

"How?" gasped Jessica. "What in the world could make me believe this?" What did Emma mean, the ONLY reason Carol was her friend? Surely she hadn't deceived her for nearly a decade.

Emma grinned, "How about a time machine?"

Jessica retched as she fell out of the time machine. "Oh, God. Are we home?"

Carol gently rubbed her back. "Yes dear. We were only gone through the night."

Jessica closed her eyes. "We did it. We actually saw Amelia Earheart fly."

Jessica heard Emma laugh. "Yup, we sure did. And if you help us, you may get see a lot more."

Jessica straightened. She glanced back at the time machine, and then glanced at Carol. "And your society, Rittenhouse. They want to make the nation better?"

Carol nodded. "Of course we are."

Jessica grinned. What she just experienced was the most thrilling, exhilarating experience of her life – even better than sex with Wyatt in the back of his car. "I'm in," she said. Carol smiled and hugged her. "Welcome to Rittenhouse."

Stay tuned for another chapter about Jessica!