"Amanda, I think this is a bad idea," Josh says as they wait in the elevator.
"I told you that you could have stayed in the car," Amanda replies flatly.
"You know, actually, I think you should stay," Andy says.
"What, why?" Josh questions.
"Well one, you'll probably make an asinine comment; two, this is going to be whole lot of 'girl talk' and three, if she is still here someone will need to rally the troops." Andy retorts.
"No, I'm not going to let you go in by yourself with Jessi going Carrie on people," Josh says emphatically.
"Aww I love you too, but your not coming," Andy says after kissing Josh on the cheek.
"Fine, but if you're not finished or I don't hear from you in 30 minutes I'm kicking the door in," Josh relented.
Amanda and Andy go to the apartment while Josh heads down to the lobby. When they reach the door they go to knock but it opens from the inside.
"Is Kyle okay?" Jessi asks looking at Amanda.
"He's not hurt- at least not physically," Amanda replies curtly.
"What does that mean, not physically?" Jessi asks, concerned.
"Not out here," Andy says as she pushes everyone into the apartment.
Later that afternoon Stephen and Nicole return home, having found no evidence of Jessi. Their concern grows when they only find Lori home.
"Where are Josh, Andy and Amanda?" Stephen asks.
"They weren't here when I got back," Lori replied. Before anyone could say anything, Lori's phone went off. "Where are you? What, are you stupid? Okay, bye," Lori said into her phone.
"What was that all about?" Nicole questioned
"Apparently Josh, Andy and Amanda went to Jessi's old apartment to find her. They are on their way back with her now," Lori responded.
"They did what?" Stephen exclaimed, his voice raised.
"Stephen," Nicole said in a soothing tone. Stephen and Nicole shared a look that made Lori not envy her brother.
"Kyle, you need to focus," Foss admonished.
"Sorry," Kyle says as he picks himself off the floor.
For the last hour and a half, Kyle has been attempting complex physical drills while trying to manipulate various object in the warehouse. Kyle begins the exercise again, but he misjudges a simple jump and only his heightened reflexes prevent him from serious harm.
"Enough. It is obvious that you're too distracted to actively train. Sit and watch while I spar with Declan before you hurt yourself," Foss says with annoyance.
Kyle does as he is told and is inwardly glad that Foss told him to stop. He had not been able to focus on anything. All he could think about was Jessi and Kesia- where they were, if they were safe- he couldn't remember ever being like this before. Yes, he constantly worried about Amanda, but he was always able to function- unlike now where he was practically paralyzed with worry and uncertainty. After a few moments he understood why he was unable to think of anything other than Jessi, but his introspection was cut short when Foss yelled, "Kyle, pay attention!"
Kyle nods sheepishly, and when they begin he notices that in the time Declan has been with Foss he has gained considerable combat skills. Kyle takes note of some techniques being used during the short sparring session.
"Kyle, come here and let's see if you learned anything," Foss says gesturing to the sparring area.
As Kyle enters the sparring area, Declan's phone rings. "Hello. Good, yeah hold on. Kyle, they found Jessi. She is in a better state of mind and is asking for you. What do you want to do?" Declan asks, holding the phone away from his face.
"Go, we are done here. You need to sort this out before you'll be useful to anyone. I expect the three of you here by 5:30 tomorrow morning," Foss says sternly.
"We are on our way," Declan says into his phone before hanging up.
Back in the Trager's living room, the family is waiting. Jessi is sitting on the couch next to Amanda, who is offering her support.
The others are standing in the kitchen when Lori asks, "Okay am I the only one that sees something wrong here?"
"What do you mean?" Nicole questioned.
Pointing towards Jessi and Amanda, Lori rants, "Them! A few hours ago, they were mortal enemies and now, they...its just that the balance of nature has been disrupted. Don't get me wrong, I'm glad they aren't at each others throats, but what the hell did you two do to her?"
"Like I said, we talked to her- well, I talked, Amanda kinda yelled...but the point is we got through to her. Aside from that I cant say anymore," Andy replied, glancing at Stephen and Nicole.
"Well whatever the case, I hope they get here soon. Jessi seems to be barely holding it together," Nicole said with concern.
They all take a good look at Jessi and notice that she is a shell of her usual self. Her skin is pallid and her eyes are puffy and red.
"Has she been crying?" Lori asked incredulously.
Before anyone can say anything, Jessi jumps up, startling everyone. "Kyle," Jessi says, her tone tinged with hope and dread.
Moments later, Declan walks in, followed closely by Kyle. As soon as he enters the room Kyle and Jessi's eyes meet and they stand in awkward silence for a time. Nicole interrupts by sayin, "Kyle, Jessi, maybe you should talk in Kyle's room. Josh, your father and I need to have a word with you in your room."
"Andy and I will look in on Kesia," Lori said while she dragged Andy off.
"I should get home," Amanda said, then turned to Jessi and added, "Remember what I said," in a contemptuous tone that confused everyone but Andy.
Everyone left to go to their destinations. As Amanda passed Declan she said, "I need to ask you something, walk with me."
In an office a man in his early 40's is sitting behind a desk, when another man enters with several files and says, "Sir, we have not found any new information about the plans of Mrs. Kingsley. However, we did find information about the two teens that were speaking to Kyle."
"Good, for now keep your distance from Kyle, Jessi and the Tragers. The last thing we need is to arouse their suspicion. Only reveal yourselves if Latnok makes a move," the man orders.
Kyle and Jessi stood in his room, neither sure about what to say or how to say it to the other. After a few minutes of silence, Jessi finally says on the verge of tears, "Kyle, I'm so sorry for how I have been acting. I just couldn't take being so close to being with you and then losing you."
"Jessi you'll never lose me," Kyle says warmly pulling her into a gentle hug.
"But you chose and I thought...," Jessi trailed off.
Kyle pulled back just enough to look into Jessi's eyes and said, "I know what you thought, that I chose Amanda, but i've been trying to tell you since I made my choice that I chose you."
"But why me?" Jessi whispered in shock and disbelief.
Kyle smiled slowly and said, "It's simple Jessi, I love you."
Jessi stood there too stunned to speak. She had known that she was in love with Kyle for some time, but never did she imagine he would reciprocate those feelings. She felt an unimaginable rush from hearing him say those words.
In the living room everyone has gathered and is awaiting Kyle and Jessi.
"So it's agreed then, Josh?" Stephen asks, to which Josh nods.
"What's agreed?" Andy asks with curiosity and concern.
"They will talk to your moms about you staying longer for what you did to help Jessi, but once you leave I am grounded for the rest of the summer for not calling before going to the apartment."
"And you agreed, wow," Lori says stunned.
"They've been in there awhile now," Stephen says looking at Nicole.
"Maybe I should go check on them," Nicole says concerned.
"Mom, its only been like half an hour. They have a lot to get off their chests," Lori says stalling.
A minute later, the lights near Kyle's room begin to glow brightly, before some blow out. "Oh, no," Nicole says sharing a look with Stephen and moving towards Kyle's room. Before they move across the living room the lights have returned to normal.
Both Kyle and Jessi are out of breath as they separate from their kiss. Jessi fights with herself wether to tell Kyle the truth, but remembers Amanda's words. Kyle senses something wrong with Jessi, but before he can ask she says, "Kyle, I have to tell you something." Before she begins, she completely lowers her mental barriers, allowing her feelings and thoughts to flow unfiltered to Kyle.
"Jessi what are you...," Kyle starts to ask stunned by the vulnerability she is showing.
"It's the only way for you to understand," she replies.
Jessi starts pacing the room and Kyle feels her emotions as though they were his own; fear, panic, terror, hope.
"Jessi what is going on?" Kyle asks full of concern.
"I..it's..." Jessi stutters overwhelmed. She sighs and closes her eyes as a wave of calm envelopes her and says, "Kyle I lied to you, about Kesia."
"What do you mean?" Kyle asks.
Jessi takes a deep breath and says, "Kesia. She's your..."
"Daughter, I know," Kyle says cutting in.
"You know? How?" Jessi questions more unsure than ever.
Kyle squeezes Jessi's hand in reassurance and says, "Two days after Amanda came back, Adam helped me."
A/N: Sorry for the abrupt ending but I decided to break up the chapter as I writing, it was becoming too long. I'll try to finish and post the other half in a few days. As always please review.
