Title: Love and War, 8/28

Author: Goddess Evie

Date: October 26, 2016

Category: JJHR, Adventure

Summary: Christmas in Prague doesn't go exactly as anybody planned.

Disclaimer: I do not own JQ. I make no money off this story. I am only using the characters for my own unique story.

Author's Notes: Are you all ready for more cuteness? Enjoy reading about Jonny and Jessie's date as much as I enjoyed writing it. And thank TJ12398 for her input. She infused more magic in this scene. She's the best.

Chapter 8

Jonny felt ten feet tall as he escorted Jessie down the grand staircase that led to the huge, double-doored entrance to the ballroom. Around them other guests were also making their way to the party in tuxedoes and evening dresses and Jonny couldn't help thinking they were all jealous of him.

He kept glancing at Jessie, and catching her glancing at him. Would they ever get over the nervous smiles and the blushing? A part of him hoped not. He liked the way Jessie looked with a rosy tint to her cheeks, especially when it was there because of him. Another part of him couldn't wait to smile at her again as much as he pleased without all the blood in his body rushing to his face.

They reached the bottom of the garland and light draped staircase and proceeded to the entrance of the ballroom. Jonny looked around for Race. He wouldn't be surprised to see Jessie's dad waiting for them to arrive. But the only white hair he spotted was atop the more elderly guests at the event.

So Jonny was caught off guard when Jessie pulled on his arm, dragging him away from the party and behind some decorative topiary out of sight of the entrance.

Jonny frowned at her. "What's wrong?"

"I spotted Baron Reznicek strolling past and I kinda wanna avoid him," Jessie explained, peeking around the foliage. She turned to look at Jonny. "Here's the plan: avoid the baron at all costs tonight."

"With pleasure," Jonny agreed. He was still a little on edge about the way Reznicek had asked her out that afternoon. Jealous wasn't quite the right word. He knew Jessie had no interest in the baron. He simply felt…protective. "Anything come up on your background check?"

Jessie shook her head. "Nothing yet. But it's still running." She peeked again and relaxed. "Coast is clear."

"Do you see your dad anywhere?" Jonny asked, letting Jessie lead him out from behind the topiary.

"No, but I'm sure we'll run into him at some point tonight," Jessie teased.

"Great. A sneak attack," Jonny groaned. "None of your other dates had to worry about your dad showing up out of nowhere. I deserve extra points for that."

There was something about saying the word "date" that sent a rush of nerves and excitement blowing through him. It made him feel a little heady.

"Relax," Jessie told him. "I'm here to protect you, remember? Besides, you don't need extra points. Anyone else was always ever playing for second."

Jonny made a show of working his shoulders and tried to hide his grin. "I guess that makes me feel a little more secure."

Together they stepped into the ballroom. The spacious gallery rose two stories, with a balcony running around the second floor. Garlands and lights were strung everywhere, mimicking the decorations on the stairwell. Multiple Christmas trees were scattered around the room on both levels decorated in the Czech Republic national colors of red, white and blue. Humongous wreaths with crimson bows and twinkle lights hung from the balcony of the second story. The large multi-tiered chandelier hanging in the center of the room had been strung with more garland dotted with little red bows.

At the far end of the room on a raised dais a small orchestra played classical music. Waiters and waitresses bobbed through the crowd, gracefully wielding trays of hors d'oeuvres, champagne flutes, and other goodies for the guests to enjoy.

"Madame President sure knows how to throw a party," Jessie said appreciatively as she admired the room.

Jonny happily spent the time admiring her.

Jessie turned to smile at Jonny. "Memorable first date already."

He winked at her. "I aim to please."

They let themselves get swept along by the crowd. The center of the room was left open for dancers, and for the first time in his life Jonny looked forward to going out there. Knowing he'd have Jessie as his partner made a huge difference.

"Angel! Jessie!" President Stasny greeted as she spotted them.

She wore a dark blue strapless gown, the bodice twisted to form a slight sweetheart neckline, the skirt poofing out like a bell from her waist. She dripped with diamonds that twinkled like stars against the dark blue of her dress. She greeted the teens with her customary embrace.

"Jessie, you are a vision," President Stasny exclaimed.

"And you are absolutely beautiful, tonight," Jessie returned the compliment.

President Stasny turned her attention to Jonny. "And Angel, you look handsome as always."

Jonny smiled. "You look lovely."

"Have you run into any of your family?" the Madame President asked.

"Not yet. We just got here," Jonny answered.

"Jessie, your mother, oh, she will not want for dance partners tonight," President Stasny said. "I can see where your own looks come from. And why your father fell in love with her in the first place. I will be surprised if I don't see them dancing at least once, tonight."

"You are too kind, Alena," Jessie insisted.

"For a national hero like yourself? Never," President Stasny insisted back. "I do wish you would let me do something to show my thanks for your heroic actions today."

Jessie shook her head. "Knowing nobody got hurt is thanks enough."

President Stasny took one of Jessie's hands in both her own. "Someday, I promise, you will visit my country without any terrible things happening."

"I look forward to it," Jessie replied. "I haven't had a chance to do much sightseeing."

"A tragedy for sure," President Stasny agreed. "Ah! Look at me! Talking your ears off when neither of you is here tonight for me."

"You're exactly the reason we're here," Jonny protested.

"Go," Alena said with one last squeeze of Jessie's hand. "Enjoy yourself."

She left them, already calling out to another of her guests.

"No wonder her people love her," Jessie said fondly as they continued their walk around the ballroom.

"She's right about the sightseeing. It is a tragedy you haven't been able to see much of Prague," Jonny lamented.

Jessie pouted prettily. "I want nothing more than to spend a few days exploring Prague. But every time we come there seems to be some incident we end up looking into."

"Maybe the problem is that we keep announcing we're coming," Jonny suggested. "Next time we should come in secret. We won't tell Alena that we're coming. We won't even tell our parents. We'll stay in a hostel instead of the royal palace."

"We'll use fake names," Jessie interjected.

Jonny caught her eye. "Just the two of us."

Jessie nodded her agreement. "Just the two of us."

Jonny felt like his chest was expanding and that he was never going to stop smiling. For a moment it was like they were the only two people in the room.

"Jonny? Jessie? Is that you?" a delicate voice asked.

The pair turned from their secret smile to where the voice came from. Around the perimeter of the room circular tables draped in snowy tablecloths provided places for guests to sit or set their drinks down. Irina Kafka was rising from one of them, smiling and waving at them. A young man accompanied her and Jonny tried to decide if he was her brother, her cousin. Or maybe her significant other. He prayed the guy was the latter.

"I hoped I would run into you tonight," Irina exclaimed, greeting the pair with a hug for each. "It has been years since the last time you visited Prague and Madame President assured me you would be here."

The young woman looked lovely in her pale blue dress with her hair pulled to one side in a low ponytail, the curled end hanging down over her shoulder. Jonny should have been happy to see her again, but all he felt was awkward.

It probably had to do with the fact that the last time he'd seen Irina, just after discovering the truth about the famed composer Franz Duncek and Irina's ancestor Anna, he'd accepted her invitation to have breakfast. And then done just that. All to spite Jessie after her mooning over Milos. A decision he was now regretting. It had been stupid of him to act so petty.

He wanted to explain to Jessie, now, that he hadn't kept that much in contact with Irina. They'd exchanged less than a dozen emails in the last couple of years. Their breakfast had meant nothing to him.

But in the few seconds of panic he'd been mentally suffering, the two girls had already started a conversation.

"Jessie, is it true what I've heard about you?" Irina asked, her pale blue eyes wide behind her wire-framed glasses.

Jonny could see the way Jessie suddenly looked guarded, but knew Irina wouldn't notice. "What have you heard?"

"You were involved with that shooting in front of Café Louvre?"

Jessie's smile tightened, but she answered Irina's question. "I was, unfortunately. We both were." Jessie tightened her grip on Jonny's arm. He placed his hand on hers.

"I am so glad you both are alright," Irina cried in her delicate voice. "I have missed you both so. Come sit with Silvestr and I. I want to hear all about what you've been up to in the last few years."

Dark hair and olive skin caught Jonny's attention and he narrowed his gaze as he spotted Baron Reznicek heading for them.

"Actually, Irina, I haven't seen my dad yet tonight and I really should go find him," Jonny said, already tugging Jessie away. "After the incident this afternoon he's been a little concerned."

Irina's face fell, but just for a moment. "I understand. But promise me you will find me later so we can catch up."

"I promise," Jonny lobbed back over his shoulder, already on the move with Jessie.

"What was that about?" Jessie asked.

"Baron alert. He was bearing down on us," Jonny explained, checking over his shoulder.

The baron was no longer in sight, but Jonny didn't stop scanning the crowd around them, just in case.

"I can't believe how much Irina's grown. She looked lovely, tonight, didn't she?" Jessie asked with feigned nonchalance. "Have you been keeping in touch with her?"

Jonny zeroed his attention in on his best friend, not liking her tone of voice, the slight frown to her mouth, the fact she was looking anywhere but at Jonny.

"I dunno. I guess. I wasn't really paying attention," Jonny answered. "I think the last time we emailed was…I don't know. I can't even remember."

Jessie glanced at him.

"You think she was dating that guy?" Jonny asked, hoping he was coming off totally natural.

Jessie glanced over her shoulder in Irina's direction, though the girl and her companion had disappeared within the crowd. "I don't know. I was trying to decide."

"I don't remember her mentioning any family, so I don't think he's her brother or anything. Do you think they looked alike?" Jonny added.

When Jessie looked back at him, the frown was gone. And she willingly met his gaze once more.

"I'm not sure. I didn't get a good look at him," Jessie admitted.

"I have an idea. Let's discuss it out on the dance floor," Jonny suggested.

He was rewarded with Jessie's beaming smile.


Race stepped nonchalantly up to his ex-wife as he innocently surveyed the dance floor. Or not so innocently. He had his eyes trained on a couple: she with red hair, he with blond.

"I need you to dance with me," Race said before Estella even realized he was there.

She started as she looked at him with surprise. Race turned a completely serious face on Estella.

"That's a pretty bold statement coming from you," she mused, arching an eyebrow.

"I promise you this is not a come on," Race said, then almost kicked himself.

What was it about Estella that made him into a sudden oaf?

"What I meant to say," he spoke before she could snap at him again, "is I need a reason to do a little spying without looking conspicuous."

"And you think dancing with me won't be conspicuous," Estella snorted. "The moment Jessie sees us…"

"Who said I was spying on Jessie?" Race asked with mock offense.

Estella rolled her eyes in a way that reminded Race of their daughter.

"Who are you trying to spy on, then?" she asked, turning to look at him full on while waving the champagne glass she held at the dance floor.

Race frowned, then shook his head, knowing he wasn't going to get this one past Estella.

"There are plenty of beautiful women here. Many I know you could weasel into dancing with you in a much shorter amount of time than it would take to convince me. Why aren't you schmoozing one of them?" Estella asked, her expression polite, but her tone dangerous.

"I figured you were as curious as me," Race said simply.

Estella looked at him a moment, then turned and deposited her half full champagne glass on the nearest table.

She held her hand out to Race. "Fine. Let's dance."

He took her proffered hand and led her out among the other couples twirling or swaying around the dance floor. With a flourish he spun Estella and then pulled her against him.

For just a moment fifteen years melted away, the ballroom along with it, and Race was dancing with Estella—the salsa—in their tiny kitchen in Colombia, two-year-old Jessie jumping and dancing around them.

But it was just a moment and then he was back in the grand ballroom of Prague Castle.

Race danced Estella around the other couples, keeping an eye on Jessie and Jonny while keeping out of their sight. So far his daughter and his charge seemed to be just dancing, lost in their own little world.

"I think you're worrying a little too much," Estella said, pulling his gaze back to her.

He was surprised at the tiny wrinkles around her eyes and mouth, though she was no less beautiful than the day they'd met. And he was surprised at his surprise.

"She's my baby girl. I have every right to be worried," Race reasoned.

"She's not a baby anymore," Estella reminded gently.

"She'll always be my baby girl. Even when she's ninety-nine and I'm-"

"Dead in the grave?" Estella suggested, arching both eyebrows and wearing a mischievous little grin.

Race twirled her around, dipped her, and brought her back up again before replying, "Yes."

Estella shook her head. "You raised her well."

"We both did," Race argued.

Estella smiled at the compliment. "You raised them both well."

Race's mouth worked as he stared at his daughter and Benton's son, still dancing, still blissfully unaware of his scrutiny or the world outside their own little bubble.

"Doesn't make it any easier," Race said softly around the lump in his throat.

"You've got nothing to worry about," Estella gently chided him.

"I know," Race admitted. "I'm just having a hard time…"

"Watching her grow up. Realizing she's not a baby anymore. Letting her go. Giving her up to someone, even someone you know and love and trust."

"How do you know all that? How do you understand all that?" Race asked, searching Estella's—Jessie's—green eyes.

"I went through it all when she started living with you again," Estella explained. "You left and I had her all to myself for six years. When it was hard, when she made me the proudest mama alive, when she hurt and when she won. Every little thing that happened to her was all mine.

"And then the two of you came crashing back together. You're like a pair of magnets, the two of you. You couldn't have stayed apart forever. Something would have dragged you back together. And something did."

Race's face darkened.

"And I had to go through losing her to you, and that was hard enough and you're her father."

Race took a slow breath in, then exhaled it. "I didn't get enough time with her."

"It's the complaint every good parent has," Estella assured.

"But I abandoned her for-"

"Don't," Estella cut him off. "Don't do that. You didn't abandon her. And you had your reasons. And when you got the chance, you both let each other back in. And it was the best decision both of you ever made. And now our baby is making another 'best' decision."

Choosing to ignore Estella's final statement, Race asked, "How did you handle it?"

"Honestly?" Estella laughed. "Not very well. I was jealous. I wanted Jessie to hate you. I thought you deserved that. It was selfish, but it was how I felt."

"So how'd you get over it?" Race asked, taking a deep breath to try to ease the pang of his heart.

"I focused on her happiness and made it my own," Estella told him. "She was truly happy with you. Well, and with Benton."

Race chuckled.

"And with his boys," Estella inclined her head in Jonny and Jessie's direction.

Race chose to ignore that statement as well.

"And I realized I wasn't really giving anything up. Sure, I don't get to have her with me all the time, but she's still growing, she's still winning and hurting, and she still shares it all with me. And it'll be the same for the two of you. You're not really losing her, even if that's what it feels like right now."

Race "hmphed" and shook his head. "You know, you're a smart lady."

"There have been some people who say I'm down right intelligent," Estella parlayed, playing along.

"They aren't very far off the mark," Race remarked.

Despite the tempo of the music, Race extended his hand holding Estella's, pressed his other to the small of her back, began the salsa step.

Estella was right here with him. Race pushed her away, flinging her out in a twirl.

She never came back. She let go of his hand and drifted away from him between the dancers, leaving him standing by himself with an ache in his heart as wide as the chasm between them.