Disclaimer: I don't own New Girl or any of its characters. All rights belong to the creators of the show.

…..

Past

Her outfit was laid out for her on the bed, and the hair dresser had put her hair up in some curly up-do that she figured would take at least an hour to undo. Her makeup was also done a professional, and while she wouldn't usually wear makeup this fancy and overdone, she had to admit it looked good.

Her dress was also super fancy. It was deep red, the same shade her lips where. It was a strapless dress with a sweetheart neckline. The skirt pat of the dress was a mermaid style, and she already knew she would hate trying to walk in it. Not that she would dare wear anything else. Mitch was so picky about these things.

After she was in the dress, and no, she couldn't really breath thank you, she looked in the mirror. The dress had a diamond belt that hugged her waist, and that wasn't the only diamonds she was wearing. The diamond necklace on her neck was heavy as it draped down her chest and back. Her shoes had diamonds as well, and yes, she was sure they were real as well.

"Where is he taking me? To an audience with the queen?" Jess said to Cece who was on the tablet. They were face timing for the first time in forever.

"Maybe. You look hot, babe."

"I feel like a princess. And also a little ridiculous." She tugged at her dress, but there was no moving it. The dress was so snug she was sure they would have to cut her out of it.

"Don't. You look great!" Cece smiled. "I hate to cut this short, but I need to get dinner started. Lana needs to eat or she will have a meltdown. I swear she has the worst case of 'hangry' ever.

They both laughed as they exchanged goodbyes. Just as Jess hit the end button, Mitch showed up. He too was done up in fancy clothes. "Aren't you looking fancy?"

"You looked ready to meet the queen yourself." Mitch Kissed her deep. "You are going to look great on my arm tonight."

Jess smiled. "So, where are we going?"

"To dinner. In the Eiffel Tower."

"Wait, seriously?"

Mitch laughed now. "Yes, seriously. Come, we have a bit of a way to go."

…

It was beautiful. Looking down on Paris at night was the most breathtaking sight she'd ever seen. And dinner was fantastic. As she stood there overlooking Paris, she hadn't noticed that Mitch knelt down. He cleared his throat, causing her to look over, then down. She gasped, covering her mouth.

"Jessica Day, you are a prize. You make me happy, and bring joy and a little bit of funk into my life. Would you do the honor of becoming my wife?"

Jess cried as she nodded, and they embraced. "Yes. I will!" she said happily. She pulled away, looking at the ring. It was huge, and a bit goddy, but for him she would wear it. For him she would do anything.

…

Now

"Are you serious?" Jess asked, looking down the side of the mountain. There were ropes that were meant for people to climb down so they could sit behind the water fall. Jess couldn't believe that Nick was actually wanting to do this.

"I'm down if you are."

"We could fall."

Nick nodded. "We could."

Jess looked back down. Her heart pounded in her chest, but she didn't care. She wanted to do it. Even if she was scared. "Okay. Let's do this!"

The climb down was scary, and there were a few moments that Jess asked herself what the hell she was thinking. And the one time Nick slipped a little scared her so much, she thought she was going to be sick. But this was so worth it. The little cave behind the waterfall was surreal. She felt transported from earth to a whole other planet.

"Tell me what you're thinking," Nick said.

Jess looked at him. He was still soaked, and currently shirtless. His hair fell a little into his face, and his beard was longer than usual, but she loved the way he looked just now. Maybe it was the surreal feeling of being somewhere else, but she felt like she could tell her secrets and fears here and she would be safe from them forever.

"I was just thinking how amazing this is." She looked down at her hands. "How amazing you are."

Nick did that half smile he did. "You're making me blush," he teased.

"I listened to every voicemail you left me." Jess looked at him now. Surprise was clear on his face. "Every single one you left. I should have responded, but I was hurting, and then I fell in love with Mitch…" Jess trailed off for a moment. "He got really mad one time when you left a voicemail. You found out that I was getting married and you asked if I was sure if it's what I wanted."

"I remember," Nick replied softly. The idea of her marrying someone else made his heart ache, and he never liked Mitch. He'd only ever met him once, but it was enough.

"I listened to the voicemail over a dozen times. Mitch heard it and he took my phone, and threw it against the wall. We got into aa really big fight over it." she laughed. "I can't believe I ignored the signs. They were there. All along, and I just over looked them."

"You loved him. Love is bli…."

"I loved what he represented," Jess cut in. She stood now, pacing in the little space. "He represented marriage and a family. Stability and companionship." She shook her head. "I thought I loved him, but looking back now, I feel like I loved what he represented. And I wanted that so bad I allowed myself to overlook the bad. I was so stupid."

"You're not stupid, Jess."

I am!" She spun toward him. "I am stupid because if I would have been honest with myself. Honest about why I…" Jess let out a frustrated sigh. "I don't think I ever loved him, and I don't think I ever got over you."

Nick sat there saying nothing. Yes, his heart leapt with joy, yet it broke at the same time. If both of them had just been honest with each other, then none of this might not have happened. "I never got over you either."

Jess sat now, burying her face in her hands. She was grateful that Nick didn't attempt to comfort her, because she didn't think she could handle that. She felt like a wet piece of paper. If someone tried to pick her up, she would fall apart.

After a while She put on a brave face and stood. "Come one, lets get beck. I could use a shower."

Nick followed behind her the entire way back. He watch the way she moved and couldn't help but smile to himself. She was as she had always been. Every curve of her was forever engraved in his mind. Very freckle. Every scar. She was forever engraved in is mind.

Even this Jess who was a far cry from the on he had fallen in love with was perfect to him. He wished he could make her see herself though his eyes. She would finally understand that his love for her is forever.

She stepped on a large rock, pausing to look back at him. She smiled at him, but her eyes were haunted. She waited until he caught up before continuing on.

Nick took her hand now, and was glad she took his has well. They made it back to the beach and as Nick looked out into the ocean and decided that the needed to go to the other side of the island and watch the sun rise.

Once back at the cabin, Jess excused herself so she could shower, and Nick settled down at the desk in the living room. He opened his laptop to the book he started writing the night after they arrived here. It was about a woman who's life was turned upside down and the man who was there to pick her back up again. Yes, Jess was is inspiration, and no he wouldn't publish it without her permission.

After about thirty minutes he realized she still hadn't come out of the room, and while he hated to think she ever would, he suddenly got anxious that she might have harmed herself.

Trying not to allow fear to get the best of him, he walked quickly to the room, relieved to find her sleeping, wrapped in the towel, on the bed. He watched her for a minute, unable to stop his smile. She looked peaceful in sleep, and it was nice to see. Even if the moment she woke back up, that haunted look would return to her eyes.

Nick returned to the laptop, and opened another page. He let all the anger and sadness seep out on him and into words. Words that played out the scenario that had gone round and round his head a thousand times over. One that would no doubt put Nick behind bars.

….

"I won't do it!" Jess insisted as she tries take off the ridiculous pant suite Mitch was trying to force her to wear. She hates them, and she couldn't believe she even put the damn thing on.

"You will do as I say!" Mitch laughed as he lounged on the bed. He shifted the pillows, making them neat and tidy like always. All the pillows always had to sit just right on the bed. It was an impulsive thing for him.

"Not anymore I won't!" Jess spun around, looking right at her closet. She rushed over to the closet, pulling scissors out and tried cutting the outfit off, but somehow, the fabric broke the scissors. "What the hell?"

Mitch laughed again. The deep sound she grew used to taking on a more evil tone. "Face it Jessica, you can't fight me. You will never win."

"Don't call me that!" Jess snapped. I hate when people call me Jessica and I hate the way you way it even more!" With that, Jess went to the door, but it wouldn't open.

"You can't go anywhere without asking first."

"Leave me alone! I don't belong to you!" She tried pulling at the pant suit again.

"You don't belong to me! Then why can't you seem to move on? Why am I still in your head? You haven't changed your hair either. You might have gotten away physically, but your mom in every other way!"

"No!" Jess called out. She jerked awake, and before she could give anything much thought she was out of the bed, and running out of the cabin. She ignored Nick as he called after her. She knew by his tone that he was confused and worried, but she couldn't stop. She had to do this.

She ran right to the path that lead up to the cliff Nick had taken her. She tricked a couple time, slipped on a few of the large rocks, and her ankle screamed in protest due to the fact the she twisted it. Still she pushed on. She had to do this. She just had too.

….

"Jess!" Nick called after her frantically. She left the cabin like it was on fire, and startled the shit out of him. He wished she would stop and tell him what the hell was going on.

He cleared the trees the lead to the cliff just in time to hear her scream, "I belong to me!" Before jumping off the cliff.

Nick knew people jumped off this cliff all the time, but that didn't stop his heart from dropping into his stomach. He ran to the edge, and waited the heartbeats that felt like eternity before he saw Jess' head break the surface of the water.

She started swimming to the beach. After a moment of relief, Nick jumped in after her, and the fall was terrifying, but not as bad as he thought it would be.

He started for the shore, but by the time he reached it, Jess had already made it, and was at the cabin. He wondered if she had some kind of super swim skill because she swam way fast.

Once inside the cabin, he ran for the bedroom and found her in front of the full length mirror. Water dripping from her clothes, and scissors in her hand. Nick saw the hair on the floor before looking at her reflection in the mirror. She cut her bangs and when her eyes met his she said slowly, "This is me."

…..

I hope you all enjoyed the chapter. Reviews and comments are greatly appreciated. Thanks :D