AN: Another chapter done! Hope I didn't get too cheesy with Johnny's date. I don't know Mario Batali and taking creative license.
By the fifth day Jessie was gone. Aisha was ready to make plans to get her favorite of uncle Bobby's girlfriends back. Jess was ….no other way to describe it one of a kind. Jess didn't try to get her to like her. She didn't hold with pretenses, if you asked for her opinion, you'd best prepare to have your mind broken because Jess could tell you things even you wouldn't realize about yourself. She had no clue about what her godfather did for the government; but she was tired of seeing her godfather going from wanting to storm Chozen's stronghold, or holding off for another week.
"I hope you aren't planning on getting involved?" The soft Australian voice drew her attention to the wife of the newest member of Bobby's team. Kat...as the blonde bombshell preferred to be called. Aisha didn't know her well enough to trust her much, but if Jess liked her enough to be friends with her she couldn't be that bad.
"Uncle Bobby is driving me nuts!" Was all she said to the blond ex ballerina. "Ah..I see." And from the look on Kat's face she did see. "So what's your plan?" Kat asked as she took the seat next to her infront of Jimmy's incubator. He was doing better than he did when he was born, and tomorrow they are going to move him to the regular nursery.
"I haven't made any solid ones yet." she admitted the truth. "You remind me of an old friend. Billy would always have five plans in place for everything. He was the go to guy for everything." Aisha caught the sadness in Kat's tone. "You miss him." Aisha said. "Yes he had to go somewhere far away when we were high school seniors." Kat must've seen the shocked look on her face.
"He isn't dead, he just moved back to Angel Grove according to Kim." Kat explained as she stood up. "Whatever you plan to do, be safe and run it by Jason first." Kat nodded to the people behind her.
"So what's our plan?" Miguel asked as he, Hawk, Moon, Sam and Robby came in. She wasn't exactly shocked that Miguel turned to her for the plan. Demetry followed them in looking unsure of the current company.
She looked to the shadows where she saw a man in a hooded cloak observing Jimmy. He didn't say anything but she felt one of her pockets get heavier. His slight nod told her he was going to back them up on this mission. "Demetry keep watch." She wasn't going to include him in her mission. He was too weak willed to be a good factor anyway.
"I've been thinking of several.." She spent the next hour bouncing plans off of her friends. Robby had some interesting ideas that made her look at him with even more respect. "So when do we set it in motion?" Miguel asked. The shadowy man held two fingers up.
"Two days." Her friends nodded as Demetry came back in with the heads up that Dr. Schwarber was coming.
After the younger generation of schemers left and his old friend examined his namesake; Jimmy was finally able to leave. The decision to bring them in came as the guards from the fortress complained that Jessie was getting on their last nerves. It came to a point that the only ones who could handle her...exuberance was him, Mike, Cheng, and Kreese.
When he got back to the fortress he went straight to her rooms next to Dre's and Mr. Han's. He nodded to Kreese who went elsewhere. Inside he saw that she was pacing a hole in the stone floor, and that her bed was pushed against the wall. Which was against the rules laid out for her safety, but he wasn't going to rat her out either.
"Jess." He let her know of his presence from a safe distance. The last few guards who caught her unaware were out of commision for the foreseeable future. "Kage." She used the codename he told her to use when others could hear.
After he shut the door she stopped pacing. "I know I'm not supposed to have the bed against the wall." She had a sheepish look on her face. "Jess.." He began but she continued. "And I'm supposed to be on bed rest per Dr. Feelgood's orders." He snorted at her nickname for the swarthy doctor. "You need to cooperate with the other guards more. Your favorites won't always be able to guard you." Her mutinous look told him clearly how she felt about that.
"The ones you didn't neuter, are threatening to keep you tranquilized if not outright getting rid of you." He didn't soften at the way she paled, she needed to realize how serious her situation was. "I'm just so bored! I'm not one to sit idle!" She bounced back from her shock.
"I'll arrange supervised walks around the compound in the mornings and evenings, as long as you limit your pacing and put your bed back in the right place." Jess sulked as she efficiently put her bed back in it's rightful spot.
"I'll also see about getting you some books and DVD's as well. I'll even see if you can visit your 'neighbors'." Jessie lit up at the last suggestion. She briefly met Dre and Mr. Han, she liked both of them but they were kept separate to prevent escape attempts.
"Do you think they like me?" Jess asked as she sat on the bed in the 'lotus' position. "According to Cheng, Dre thinks your 'cool for an adult'. So i would say yes they like you." How he found himself in the position as her confidant was beyond him.
"So what are they planning?" Jason asked his wife as they set about getting dinner together. "She didn't say exactly. I haven't earned her trust that much yet." Kat admitted in a weary tone. Jason shook his head. His wife is a ten and then some. Which makes it hard for her to make lasting friendships. Jessie is a rare exception among the women of Encino.
"Nevermind the ones who can't see past your looks to the wonderful woman you are on the inside. Besides the ones who do know you, love you very much." Once Kim and Tommy move out here Kat will have someone else in her corner.
"I know, but it still hurts sometimes. Anyway she does have a couple plans. Nothing concrete yet. I told her to run whatever they come up with by you first." Jason hid his smirk. Normally he would nip such behavior in the bud. But since this concerned Jessie, he knew they couldn't wait two weeks to get her back. Jessie had a way of pissing people off like you wouldn't believe.
"I give them another two days to come up with a solid plan." Jason decided. Kats smirk told him she had a similar idea.
"I'd give them a couple hours, her friends came in as I left." Jason nodded, if Aisha's friends were anything like his, then they'll have an interesting plan in no time.
Johnny nervously adjusted the tie that went with the midnight blue suit Helen mandhandled him into. "Stop it!" Helen slapped his hand away as she stepped back and snapped a photo with her camera.
"I can't help it! I haven't went on a date since Shannon.." Bitterness welled up in him.
"I'd like to give that thot a piece of my mind!" Helen hissed fiercely. Johnny reflexively took a step back. "Tommy is taking care of her." Helen took a deep breath before she got back to the matter at hand. "Sorry hormones." Helen circled around him.
"Don't you think I'm overdressed for my first date?" He asked. Helen glared at him.
"The Johnny Lawrence I know isn't a pussy! Appearences are important on a first date you know. Besides Mario's has a dress code. While he'll accept 'Dress Casual' he draws the line at shabby. Besides it's not like I'm putting you into an Armani suit." Helen crossed her arms with a sharp look at him.
"What if I scare her away." Helen sighed before placing a hand on his shoulder. "She isn't like Ali or Shannon. She seems to be an intelligent and classy woman who likes you. So put on the old Lawrence charm, and just take things slow." He let out a relieved sigh as her words did the trick.
"Spoken like the multi-time bestselling romance novelist." She chuckled, "Spoken from experience. I..uh never thanked you." She nervously scratched the back of her head.
"For what?" He was honestly confused if anything he owed her and Jessie so much for helping him turn his life around the last couple weeks.
"For sitting us down and telling us to either let each other go or find a way to make it work." Dutch said as he came up and put an arm around Helen's shoulder. Oh..that was a more eloquent way to put what he said back then. "I think I added a couple curse words, I vaguely remember that day to be honest?" Now he scratched the back of his head sheepishly.
Dutch chuckled as he looked to the heavens "Leave it to Johnny to forget the one time he gave good advice!" Helen chuckled along with him. "Still it was a turning point for us. And we owe you big time." Johnny didn't know what to say to that so he instead turned to observe himself in the mirror. He had to admit that the suit brought out the color in his eyes.
"How about this one?" Julie asked her exes partner. It was a little black dress that stopped mid thigh with a low cut exposing her cleavage.
"Unless you're only interested in a hookup that isn't the one." Ned bluntly told her as he trolled through her closet. This was the fifth dress she tried on, her bed was covered with three rejects and one maybe.
"Maybe I should cancel?" She hesitantly asked.
"Your going on this date Jules!" Eric spoke from the doorway with a garment bag in his hands .She narrowed her eyes at him, she knew a set up when she saw one.
"Who all is in on the set up?" She set her fiercest scowl on her two best friends. And boy was she surprised that she could consider them that after everything was said and done.
"Bobby, and the Dutchersons." Eric gulped as she digested this bit of news. Ned however wasn't affected by her scowl. Ned was aways the stronger one in the pair.
"Jules we love you, you've been on our side despite all odds. Everyone else would've written us both off, especially with our history." Julie opened her mouth to refute, but the reason she forgave her ex and his partner, was Miyagi-sensei. "Besides it's been what? Five or ten years since you've been on a date?" Ned continued as he came out of her closet. She sighed as his words washed over her. While yes.. She was driven to be the best she could be. She sacrificed most chances at a personal life in favor of fast tracking her career.
"Way too long." she admitted. Ned and Eric nodded to each other. "Look you owe it to yourself to see where things could lead. Whether it be a permanent relationship or only temporary, we want to see you be happy." Eric finished. Julie sighed as she set her eyes back on the garment bag.
"Let me see the dress." She gave in to them. Eric smirked as he unzipped the bag. Her breath caught as the stunning silk midnight blue cocktail dress was revealed.
"Go try it on!" Eric didn't need to tell her twice as she sped off to her bathroom. Swiftly she changed out of her little black dress and into the knee length dress. It was an off the shoulder design that showed the graceful length of her neck to perfection. Hopefully she isn't too dressed up for their first date.
"I have a couple more surprises when your ready!" Eric called after he knocked on her door. Taking a deep breath she came out of the bathroom.
She saw three boxes on her bed. Eric was alone with her now. "Ned had to leave for his shift at Mario's." Instead of annoying her, it made her feel relieved. At least if it goes south she has a ride back to her condo. Choosing to live close to the hospital was smart except she had to take the bus to work.
"What's in the boxes?" Julie asked. Eric went to the first of the three boxes and she saw it was a jewelry box. She scowled at him. "Your Grams gave it to me to hold onto when she was diagnosed with Alzheimers." Julie felt the familiar prick of tears as she thought of the reason she became a Neurosergeon. Her indomitable grandmother barely knows her anymore. Even before then she wasn't as close with her as she should've been. Miyagi-sensei helped alot but when he died the constant fighting started back up.
"Jules. She loves you so much, Anyway this belonged to your mother." Julie had a feeling she knew it was one of her mothers favorite necklace's. He opened it up and she saw the blue sapphire and diamond studded necklace her mom always wore to fancy parties.
After he gently placed the necklace on her he went to the second of three boxes Julie knew it was the matching haircomb her mom used to pull her hair up with. "She entrusted most of her prized possessions with me when her mind started to go." Eric explained, Julie felt like laughing and crying at the same time. When they were together she always thought Grams loved him more than her.
"Why tonight? It's not like I'm getting married." Something Julie never really thought of happening for her.
"No but, Jules you are the best friend I never had growing up. Something I thought I'd lose when our relationship ended. To be honest I was surprised when you told me you had a date. So if this guy is good enough for you to give more than a passing glance. Then I want you to look your best tonight." That said Eric sat her down in front of her mirror and pulled her hair up into an elegant french twist like her mother favored.
"Thank you." She said as tears leaked out of her eyes, as she felt like the princess she always thought her mother was.
"You deserve the best Jules." Eric said as he secured her hair with the Sapphire and Diamond studded comb. She wiped away her tears before she applied a light coating of makeup, she rather liked the natural look.
"What's in the last box?" Julie asked but she had a feeling it was matching shoes. She was right as he opened the last box to reveal Midnight Blue silk stilletos.
"I know you normally don't do heels but these will be stunning on you." Eric said as he helped her into them.
Johnny paced nervously in front of the restaurant as he waited for his date to show up. But when she did, his breath caught in his chest, cliche as it sounded. She stepped out of her friends car a vision in midnight blue.
"You look ...wow!" Internally he winced at how lame he sounded. But it didn't seem to offend her as she gave him the once over. "Same could be said for you." Her smile was radiant as he offered her his elbow like the gentleman he was supposed to be. Resolutely he refused to blame La..Daniel like he used to. Daniel and him had come a long way the last few weeks. They even managed to hammer out a training regiment that reflected both their styles. Still it was a force of habit to blame him for everything that has gone wrong in his life.
"Reservations for Dr. Pierce." She told the Maitre'D who barely looked at his IPad and nodded at her. "Your usual table?" The Maitre'D asked with a wink at Julie who rolled her eyes. "Johnny Lawrence meet Ned McGowan, an old friend of mine. Actually he is married to my ex." Johnny chuckled as he held out a hand for the olive skinned, raven haired man to shake. Ned shook his hand with a smirk on his face.
"I think I did some Handyman work for you guys a couple years back." It was hazy but he vaguely remembered the stunning couple. Ned chuckled, "Yeah back when we bought our house in Encino and needed the place upgraded to code. You worked with a team." Ned then seemed to notice the line forming behind them.
"Right this way." He led them into the tastefully decorated interior. It was somewhere between warm and cool in color. Not too dark to be intimate, but not to bright to be offputting to the appetite.
"I can see why it's invitation only." He commented as he momentarily forgot that he was making a lot more money working for his old friend.
"That's what Jessie said when she convinced me to reinvent myself. Your table is ready." The proprietor himself came out of the kitchen. Johnny saw that the table was near the back in a fairly secluded corner.
"Dr. Pierce is my most frequent customer." Mario said and handed them menus after they were seated.
"...and then he taught me how to waltz in the guise of a kata!" Julie spoke of one of her fondest memories of her sensei. Instead of looking bored Johnny had a smile on his face as they were walking down the boardwalk. After they ate they decided that they wanted to keep the date going.
"Man I wish I could've known him better, Even after everything, he saved my life when my own sensei tried choking me out." The bitterness in his tone made her want to track Kreese down and give him a piece of her mind.
"Hey its in the past, besides despite everything your still a decent guy." The relief in his eyes let her know that was the right thing to say. The walked in comfortable silence until her phone buzzed. She took it out and rolled her eyes as she saw the text. It was Eric reminding her that she had an early shift in the morning. Her eyes widened as she realized why he sent the text. It was past one in the morning. "Shit!" She ignored the amused chuckle from her date. Who had a similar reaction. "I have a meeting at noon." She heard him as she sent a text to Eric letting him know where she was so he could come pick her up.
"Need a ride home?" She bit her lip at the question. There was a reason they agreed to meet up at Mario's. She wasn't comfortable having a stranger know where she lived just yet; even if they were weirdly compatible.
Her phone buzzed and it was Eric's response, Ned will drive her home. "Ned will pick me up here." Johnny nodded.
"First date in a while?" He asked after a few minutes as they waited for Ned. "That obvious?" She hoped she wasn't obvious. "Same here." He admitted as Ned pulled up in his red Ferrari.