Jo was going to kill Theodore Laurence III.

Well, maybe not kill, exactly. Probably just injure. Or paralyze.

The jerk was going up to New York for a few days for his grandfather's business meeting.

Now Meg and Teddy were in New York while Jo had to work for stupid old Aunt March for the remainder of Spring Break.

"It's just for the weekend," Teddy told her apologetically. "I won't have time to have any fun, I promise. I'll be back for your birthday too."

Jo had laughed, though most of her was still bitter.

Her bitter thoughts were her company as she sat in her Aunt March's dank office building working on papers.

She glanced at the clock.

Two more hours. Just two more hours and she was free for the rest of the day.

"JOSEPHINE!" Shrieked the shrill voice of Aunt March. For one so old, she still had a great pair of lungs. "JO-SE-PHINE!"

"I'm coming!" Jo hollered down the hall. "Give me a minute, will you?" She grumbled to herself. Jo stepped out of her little office and down the hall to her great aunt's.

Aunt March was sitting at her desk, her beady eyes squinted beneath her cat eye glasses.

"Josephine," she said. Aunt March refused to call Jo by her nickname. Apparently, it was too masculine. Nicknames weren't for ladies. "What in God's name are you wearing?"

Jo looked down at her outfit. Red chucks, jeans, and a loose navy sweater. "What about it?"

"Pants," The word sounded poisonous. "Ladies wear skirts or dresses in the office place."

Jo snorted, "You don't want to see me in a skirt. I haven't shaved in, like, three weeks."

Aunt March pursed her lips. Humor wasn't her style. "You'll never be wanted by any man if you behave the way you do."

"Thank you."

"Cheeky girl," she spat. Her hawk like eyes moved their way over Jo, investigating every part of her. She suddenly felt naked, every flaw visible. "Maybe the Laurence boy will have you. Heavens knows your family needs the money."

"Are we done here?" Jo said simply. "I've papers to file."

Aunt March sighed and tapped her bony fingers on her desk, "Nearly. I wanted to ask you something. My company is having a meeting in San Francisco soon. If you behave yourself, you may possibly be able to accompany us."

Jo stomach felt like it was twisting inside out. A trip! Traveling! All she'd ever wanted laid out before her!

She could network in San Francisco. Meet writers. Meet publishers. Yes, she could meet important people there. Shape her career. Change her life.

"I'd love to," Jo smiled.

Aunt March nodded, "But if you're representing us, I need a lady."

"Yes," she nodded. She could be a lady. At least play the part of a lady. Wear a dress. Put on some makeup.

If it meant travel, she'd do anything.

"Get back to work then," Aunt March cleared her throat. "I can't have you standing here wasting time."

...

"She said that? That's amazing, Jo!"

Jo giggled and laid across her bed. Teddy smiled at her behind the glass on her laptop.

"I know," Jo agreed, situating herself. The Skype camera always made her look so awkward.

Teddy squinted, "You're going to have to wear skirts and makeup."

"Of which I own none!" Jo laughed, tapping her fingers on the keys. She'd told him all about what Aunt March had said.

Well, everything except the bit about him. That would be weird.

"Anyway," Teddy, fell back against his chair. He was wearing a nice suit, something he hardly ever wore. "I've got a story for you." He had that look he always made when he had a secret. That sly, knowing look. "It's about Meg."

"Did you see her?"

"Oh..." Teddy laughed in an odd way. "I saw her alright."

Jo raised a brow, "Continue..."

Teddy situated himself, easing into his bed, ready to tell his story.

"You may," he said, "deny that this story is true. But I promise it is 100% percent true.

"Grandpa gave me a night to myself, so I just went driving-"

Jo snorted, "Do we live in the nineties?"

"Just shut up and listen. Anyway, I found a party at some upscale house. As it turns out, it was the Moffat's house and they let me into the party. I think Annie had a thing for me. Actually, I think a lot of girls did..."

"Get on with it."

Teddy smiled smugly, "Anyway, the party. It was crazy. You know, people trying to fill the tub with booze, mattress surfing down the stairs. And sex. Lots of that. Seriously, I walked in on like ten couple. You don't know awkward until..." Jo glared at him. "Yeah," he coughed, "on with the story.

"There was this one girl. All the boys kept talking about her. How hot she was and that they wanted to...you know. They never said her name. So as I was walking around, I saw a girl from behind. A short tight black and pink dress and long brown hair drinking a beer. All these boys were around her. She look familiar, but I couldn't figure out why.

"And then I did. It was Meg. Meg, looking very unMeg."

Laurie saw Jo's face twist through ten emotions in a matter of seconds. Anger, confusion, amusement, and disbelief. Mostly disbelief.

"I swear on my life," Laurie crossed his heart to ensure it. He smiled deviously. "So I went up to her. Big surprise I was.

"'Laurie?'" She'd sputtered. Her cheeks turned as pink as the dress she had on. 'What are you...I didn't know you we're in New York.'

"And then I said..." Laurie bit his lip.

Jo poked at the camera, "Tell me!"

He laughed, "Fine. It wasn't my best line though, okay?

"Meg tried to cover herself up a bit in front of me. She crossed her arms and pushed her hair forward.

"'Please,' I'd scoffed, 'You let everyone else see your charms. Why hide them now?'

And then she dumped her drink on me. I deserved it, I know. It was a dumb thing to say. Well, she ran off and a few minutes later I followed. I found her outside sitting on the sidewalk.

"She'd taken off all the jewelry. With her hands she'd cleaned off most of the makeup. She was just sitting there freezing.

"I placed my jacket on her shoulders.

"'Sorry,' I muttered, sitting next to her. Her face was shiny. She'd been crying.

"'Why? You were right,' she sniffed. 'Please don't tell John how stupid I've been. And don't tell Amy or Beth or Marmee. I know you'll tell Jo. When you do, tell her I'm story I'm such an idiot.'

Jo softened, "She's not an idiot."

Teddy nodded, "That's what I told her.

"'You're a good guy, Laurie,' she ten said. 'Jo's lucky.'"

Jo rolled her eyes, "Except we're not a couple."

Laurie ignored her, "Then she said, 'I just wanted to know what it was like to be Annie and Sally Moffat.'

"'How was it?' I asked

"'Fun,' she said. 'I mean, you hate yourself. But I guess it was fun.'"

Jo was thinking a thousand thoughts. She couldn't be mad at Meg. Meg had just wanted a different life. A life where she had money and power. A life where she could just be a kid and not have to worry about her sisters all the time.

Jo felt a new respect for Meg. She whined and complained, but when it came down to it Meg did what was needed. Even if it wasn't easy.

"Grandpa's home now," Laurie said, lowering his voice. "And I'm supposed to be sleeping. Talk tomorrow?"

"Yeah," Jo said. "Love ya, bro."

"Love ya, sis."

Jo closed down the computer and reached for her cellphone. There was a text from Meg.

Meg March: Heard about the thing with Aunt March. Hope you get it!

Jo smiled and for some reason felt like crying. Meg was a good sister. She was preppy and girly and flirty, but she was a wonderful person.

Jo March: Thanks :) Have a fun last few days. Love ya, sis.