*[i]Disclaimer: First six paragraphs are from the actual show

The next day, Ved stared at the computer monitors with Java next to him. He shook his head, seeing that the virts had gone out of control. Whoever their rivals had become in the game, became their rivals in real life. "This is not good," he muttered.

Java chuckled, marveling at the fact that Ved had failed. It especially proved that he was unfit for the job and that Noelle would have done a better job. After all, the concept of the game was her idea. "This is great," she replied with a smirk.

"Look, if this carries on, there won't be any more need for a game. Nobody else will be left to play it," he said.

"So what? It's more real this way."

Ved shot a look down at her, "Ram wanted a community he could control, Java. Not one that can control itself. He's not going to like this one bit."

Just as he was about to shut off the monitors, Java grabbed his arm and pulled him back, "Wait, I wanna see what's gonna happen."

He glared at her slightly while she chuckled a bit more. "I know what you're thinking. Noelle would've done a better job. Well she's not here, is she?" he growled.

"She may not be but at least with her, this wouldn't have been a major fail," she smirked and walked past him, brushing shoulders with him along the way. "Remember, it's your neck that's on the line, not mine. You wanted this job and you got it."

He watched her leave then went back to his work.

On her way to her room Jay stopped her. "You alright there, speedy?" he asked with a grin on his face.

Java smiled slightly, "Yeah, of course I'm fine."

"Ved hasn't been giving you trouble?"

She smirked as he grabbed her and led her to a corner of the hallway, "I think I'd be able to handle it, Jay."

He shrugged before he gave her a small kiss on the forehead, "I'm just making sure."

In all honesty, Jay did feel guilty for Noelle's departure. It was, after all, his brother that told Ram about her pregnancy. Yes, maybe Ram would have found out about her baby eventually but never like this…ever. He only heard the news out of spite and while Noelle had a big project on her hands and that was the reason why he exploded.

Jay sighed deeply before he looked back down at Java, "Do you want to go for a drink?"

"At the casino?"

He shrugged, "Yeah, why not?"

Java smiled and nodded, allowing him to lead the way to the casino now.

Flashback

Java heard the door to her room open quietly. She grew a bit apprehensive since she was already in bed and with Noelle gone, no one really came into her room. She sat up now and found Jay at her bedside. She smiled now, relieved that it was only him. "You know you're really creepy when you do that."

He grinned as well and comfortably plopped down on her bed. He snuck up next to her, extended his arms, grabbed her, and pulled her closer to him.

"You're smothering me," Java laughed.

"All the more reason to hold you tighter," he joked, squeezing his arms around her tighter. He then lay his head between her neck and shoulder. "I barely saw you today. What were you doing?"

"I was testing some stuff out for Ram…for this thing called Paradise," she replied.

"How was it?"

Java shrugged then turned around so she was face to face with Jay, "It's nothing you haven't seen before. It's just another way for Ram to live out one of his many fantasies."

"And you? Did you get to live out one of yours?"

She shook her head, "No, I didn't."

"Why not?"

"I'm just not like that. I'm not the type of person to come up with some sort of dream or fantasy. I mean, what if you make up a fantasy and suddenly realize that it's really something that you don't want? Or maybe when you come to live out this fantasy that it's not all that great? I'd rather live not having something like that. Instead, my so-called fantasy would be…something like…an unexpected event that creates a feeling of overwhelming contentment," she explained. She grinned now as she saw Jay nod along in agreement.

He stared down at her for a few moments, "Then what would you call this?"

"A fantasy," she simply replied.

End of flashback

Java stared at Jay for a few moments before she took a sip of her second cocktail, "You know, it's funny how we go way back and yet we never really got together."

Jay smirked, "Yeah. In all honesty I thought I was never your type."

She chuckled quietly as he set down her drink, "Actually I thought it was the other way around. I thought you'd never go for a girl with a kid."

"Hey, but I was there wasn't I?" he smiled.

"You're not like the other guys out there and I think that's why I like you so much. You were there when Noah wasn't and I really appreciated it."

"It's really no problem," he sighed softly, "Listen, Java, I asked you to come out here for a reason. You know…I've been thinking about it for a long time actually and…well-"

"What is it, Jay? You're beating around the bush again," Java smiled.

Jay stopped for a moment, took a breath, and finally grabbed her hand, "I want you to leave the Technos with me. I know it sounds crazy, Java, but you have to listen. Neither one of us is happy here. We can start a new life with you, me, Noelle, and Noelle's baby."

She stared at him for a few moments, just stunned by his proposal, "Jay are you crazy? I can't just pick up my things and leave…it's…it's too-"

He grinned for a moment, "Am I crazy? I don't know...maybe I am. But all I know is that I want to leave this hellhole and be with you, build a new life, and just be happy."

"I don't know what to say," she sighed.

He held her hand even tighter and looked at her with his bright blue eyes, "Just say yes."

She couldn't help that he brought a smile to her face. She finally nodded, "Yes."

Her smile soon faded once she heard Noah's voice echoing behind her. "Well what do we have here?" he asked, stumbling their way.

"No….not now," she muttered under her breath.

"Janelle and…the General…I never knew you two were quite the m…match," Noah said, his words clearly slurred. He approached Jay now and placed his hand on him. "Be careful with this one, man. She's quite the fireball. Ever wonder how…Noelle came along?"

At that moment Jay stood up and faced the drunk mess, "Why don't you get out of here, Guard?"

"Not a chance. You're here with my woman…mother of my child," he smirked.

"I'm not your woman, Noah. Just get out of here and save yourself some trouble," Java said, her temper beginning to rise.

"Janelle, shut up and get over here," Noah repled. He moved over to her and grabbed her hard by the wrist in an attempt to drag her his way.

Jay immediately pushed Noah off of her. "Don't you dare touch her," he said lowly.

Suddenly Noah pushed back and Jay finally took the initiative to punch him in the face. He grabbed the drunk by the collar now and threw him out of the casino doors. He followed him out, picked him up and punched him some more until he drew blood.

Java ran out of the casino doors, grabbed Jay by the arm, "Jay, stop."

He huffed as he stared at the man before him. "Touch her again and you're dead," he warned. He suddenly let go of him and let him fall to the ground. Jay then turned to Java, gently grabbed her by the wrist, and examined it, "He didn't hurt you did he?"

"No, he didn't," she replied. As he was about to lead her back to base, she stopped. She turned around now and moved over to Noah. She bent over and helped him up. "Noah, I just want to tell you one thing," she whispered in his ear.

She smirked now and swiftly gave him a back-hand slap across the face, "You're so goddamn full of it. There's no way I'd come crawling back to you."

With that, she let him fall to the ground once more. She moved back over to Jay and happily followed him back to base. Once they reached the entrance to Java's room, the two of them kissed. "Two days, Java, just two more days," he whispered and finally left.

"Alright," Java simply replied. "I've got to get away. This whole…wife of a creator thing…was fun while it lasted. But think about it, Java. Do you think you could go the rest of your life catering to a temperamental, somewhat abusive husband? He is the reason why Max is dead and he even got close to killing your daughter…twice. Now what kind of husband is that? There are so many things you could be doing, yet you can't summon up the courage to do so. Well this is it; you're not going through any more of this. After these two days, you're a free woman and for once…you're going to be happy."