Hello again! Thanks to everyone who reviewed my story! ^_^ But before I get into personal responses, I would like to apologize. My mind totally skipped the fact that: a) Jesse is really sick b) Mark and Steve leave him ALONE. Hmm… Something's not right here! ;) I would like to thank Bev and Indigo for bringing this to my attention. I always appreciate constructive criticism! ^_^ I should let everyone know that there will be at least 2 more "unbelievably unbelievable" parts. (Or, at least, that's what I call them! lol Last chapter was one of them.) You see, I used to write Star Wars fan fiction, so I've gotten used to having my characters use the Force to aid them. In this story, I just like to think that it was because of adrenaline! Hope you'll cope with me! lol Anywho, on to thanking reviewers…
Lozza: I'm glad you like it! You'll find out soon enough! ;)
Britt-Angel: Hi! Thanks for reviewing!! ^_^ Thanks also for the complement. Oh, and I haven't forgotten about the poem for your site! It's just taking a while to get it all down! lol
Mellon-nin: Wow. You must have really liked the chapter! lol You shall find out soon enough! (as if you don't know already! ^_^)
Mellon-nin2: Hmm… I think I know you! ;)
Strange Penguin: Aw… thank you!! ^_^ I LOVE your story "Not Again"! I feel honored to have my story reviewed by you! ^_^
DMFAN: Thank you! ^_^ How about if I update fast, you will too! ;)
Indigo: Of course, thank you for bringing the whole sickness-with-no-one-there thing to my attention! ^_^ I'll try to keep anything else like that from happening! Hope this chapter is better! ^_^
And on with the show! ^_^
Chapter 3
"I can't believe I agreed to come to the lab at such an hour!" Amanda said as a way of greeting Steve and Mark. "CJ would not fall asleep last night!"
"You would change your mind if you saw him at 5:00 this morning." Steve said.
"I know." Amanda said. "Sorry." She apologetically smiled at Steve.
"Here's his milk and cereal." Mark said, handing them to Amanda.
"I'll get started on it." She said, "It should take about 10 minutes. In the mean time, you should call Jess and tell him not to eat anything."
******
Jesse was sleeping blissfully, when the harsh sound of the phone ringing woke him up. Groggily, he reached for the torture device and answered it.
"`ello?"
"Hey Jess, it's Mark."
"Hey," Jesse said, rubbing his face, trying to wake himself up.
"Don't eat anything, okay? We're having your milk and cereal being tested. I'm sure you wouldn't want to repeat what happen this morning."
//This is morning!// Jesse wanted to say. Instead, he just said, "Yeah."
"We'll be over when we get the results of the tests, okay?"
"`kay. I'll see you guys then!" Jesse said, hanging up. Putting the phone back into the receiver, he fell back onto his pillow. As much as he hated to admit it, he figured he better make himself look presentable. Getting out of bed, he headed over to the bathroom and put his head under the faucet. After rubbing it dry with a towel, he combed it out. It was probably the neatest his hair had been in a long time Jesse thought, chuckling. He finally was feeling much better. He then shuffled to the living room to watch TV until his friends came. It wasn't long until he heard a knocking at his door. Turning off the TV, Jesse went to the door and opened it to reveal his 3 closest friends.
"You actually answered the door this time!" Steve kidded.
"Don't make me shut it on you.' Jesse said, getting out of the way so they could come into his apartment. "Do you guys have the results?" He asked once everyone was inside.
"Yes," Amanda said, getting the papers out of the file she kept them in. Jesse motioned for them to sit in his living room.
"Mark was right." Amanda announced. "The milk tested positive for salmonella. The cereal didn't though. I guess our person didn't know what cereal you had in the morning."
"Doesn't take a rocket scientist. I only have one cereal in my whole house." Jesse mumbled.
"It's good to see that you still have your humor!" Mark said. Jesse smirked.
"Can I eat now? I think I'm actually hungry." Jesse asked.
"Why am I not surprised?" Steve jokingly asked.
"I don't think you should eat any of the food you have here, because it all might be poisoned," Amanda gave a look at Mark.
"Why don't you come to the beach house?" Mark asked, interpreting Amanda's look.
"Thanks Mark. Remind me of this when I'm mad at you." Jesse said with a grin.
"You've been mad at me?" Mark asked, frowning surprised.
"Only when you won't believe I've been abducted by aliens!" Jesse said, with an even bigger grin. The whole gang couldn't help but laugh.
****beach house****
"Hey Dad. Where's Jesse?" Steve asked, entering the room after coming back from work.
"Sleeping in the guest room." Mark said with a smile. "After eating a sandwich, he seemed completely worn out!" Steve chuckled.
"Dad, I'm going to ask you a question, and the answer can't be 'I don't know' or 'nothing', okay?" Steve asked, sitting beside his father.
"Okay son." Mark said, already knowing what was coming next.
"What do you want for Father's Day?"
"I do not need anything, Steve."
"Dad!" Steve said exasperated, falling back onto the sofa. "Do we have to go through this every year?"
"Guess so." Mark said, chucking, back to reading his paper.
"Hey guys." Steve and Mark turned their heads to see a groggy Jesse emerge from the hallway.
"Hey Jess," Mark greeted, "how did you sleep?"
"Wonderful," Jesse said while trying to muffle a yawn. "I think I'm going to grab some orange juice and sit out on the deck, okay?"
"I think I'll join you," Steve said, also heading towards the kitchen.
As Jesse walked onto the deck, the soft ocean breeze greeted him. Sighing contently, he sat in a chair, and rested his cup on the table. Steve followed suit.
"Hey Jess, can I ask you something?" Steve asked, turning to Jesse for him to answer his dilemma.
"Sure, Steve. What?" Jesse asked, taking a sip of his orange juice.
"What do you think I should get my father for Father's Day?" Jesse felt a lump rising in his throat. He knew it was coming. Even before Steve asked it, he knew what the question would be. It happened every year. Normally, it didn't bother him, but this year was different. He thought he had gotten over it, but it still remained in the back of his mind; like a constant tap on the shoulder. His dad had forgotten his birthday. Every year, no matter what, he had always gotten a birthday card from his father. It was the only thing he could count on his father doing. But this year, there was none. No plain white envelope inclosing a cheesy card with a sloppy signature. Nothing.
"Jess?" Steve asked, frowning when his friend didn't answer.
"What? Oh, sorry. Kinda zoned-out there." Jesse said shaking his head, as if that would get rid of the thoughts there. "Have you asked your dad what he wanted?"
"Yeah, he said nothing." Steve said, gazing out to the ocean. "Maybe I could just give him a card." Jesse could barely stop himself from flinching. //Maybe I could just give him a card.// The words echoed in his mind. Only they weren't said in Steve's voice, they were said in his father's. //Maybe I could just give him a card.//
"No, that just means you don't care. But it's better than nothing." Jesse finished his orange juice with a big gulp, and quickly headed inside.
"Jess?" Mark asked as he saw Jesse quickly walk into the house. "What's wrong?"
"Oh, nothing. I'm just a little woozy, so I'm going to lay down for a little." Jesse said in a rush as he washed out his glass and started walking towards the guest room.
"Do you want some more of the medicine?" Mark called after him. Jesse waved his hand behind him and said something that Mark didn't understand.
"Steve, what went on out there?" Mark asked as Steve came in.
"I don't know." Steve said, confused. "All I said was 'maybe I could just give him a card' and he said something like that would mean you don't care, but it's better than nothing." He sat down next to his father. "Maybe I should go talk to him."
"Not right now. Let him have a moment to himself." Mark said, still frowning. //What could have upset Jesse so much?// He wondered.
*****
//Oh, pull yourself together, Travis!// Jesse thought to himself as he lay on his stomach on the bed. He still couldn't shake off the depression that had settled over him. It's just a stupid card. //It's not the end of the world!// But it was the end of the small father-son relationship that Jesse had with Dane. It was fragile enough. But now, Jesse feared that it was now totally broken. It would have to be some miracle for Jesse to trust, or even talk to, his dad. His mother wasn't much better, either. //But then again,// Jesse though, //how could she? She's dead.// That thought didn't help much. Jesse's mother died about 2 years ago in April. He even didn't attend her funeral. He thought she wouldn't attend his. But now, he regretted that decision. That was another thing that haunted him. //But this whole card thing should be easier to live with!// Jesse thought, turning onto his side. He then heard a knocking at the door.
"Jess? Can we talk?" It was Mark. Struggling to sit up, he tried to wipe away his tears.
"Uh, come in." Jesse called out, wiping away the last of his tears.
"Jess," Mark said compassionately, closing the door behind him. "Do you want to tell me what's wrong?" He sat next to Jesse on the bed.
"It's my dad." Jesse said softly, not trusting his voice to be any louder. He shrugged. "It's really no big deal."
"Tell me anyway." Mark convinced.
"He…" Jesse started, determined not to cry. "He forgot my birthday this year." Mark sucked in a breath, and let it out slowly.
"And when Steve said something about getting you a card, it.. Just came out." Jesse said, getting softer. He bowed his head.
"Oh Jess," Mark said even more compassionately. Things were fragile enough with Jesse's father. Mark himself never really cared for the man, but always tried to be kind. Suddenly, he was reconsidering his ways.
"I… I think I'm going to go home now." Jesse said, getting up.
"Are you sure, Jess?" Mark said, also getting up.
"Yeah. I'll be okay. Thanks Mark." Jesse grabbed his coat and keys and headed toward the door. "I'll see you later, Steve." Jesse called over his shoulder, shutting the door behind him.
"Okay Jess…" the sentence died on Steve's lips. "Did you find out what happened?"
"Yeah. It seems Dane forgot Jesse's birthday." Mark said. To anyone else, it would have seemed that Mark was just sad, but Steve knew better. He could tell that his father was becoming increasingly mad at the man. Steve could understand why. He felt guilty bringing up the subject of a card.
"So that's why he was so upset." Steve said, looking at his father. Mark nodded. He knew that Jesse should stay at the beach house, but he also knew that Jesse needed his space. Sighing, Mark sat down next to his son. As hard as it was, he admitted that there was nothing he could do.
*******
Kinda had a lot of dialogue, but I hope it was okay! ^_^
Now that I'm more aware of leaving Jesse alone when he shouldn't, I wondered whether I should let Jesse go home. But I thought that since he had medication and was fully rested (even though he was in emotional angst) I would let him go home! ^_^ If you think other-wise, please let me know! ^_^ Thanks! ^_^
Lozza: I'm glad you like it! You'll find out soon enough! ;)
Britt-Angel: Hi! Thanks for reviewing!! ^_^ Thanks also for the complement. Oh, and I haven't forgotten about the poem for your site! It's just taking a while to get it all down! lol
Mellon-nin: Wow. You must have really liked the chapter! lol You shall find out soon enough! (as if you don't know already! ^_^)
Mellon-nin2: Hmm… I think I know you! ;)
Strange Penguin: Aw… thank you!! ^_^ I LOVE your story "Not Again"! I feel honored to have my story reviewed by you! ^_^
DMFAN: Thank you! ^_^ How about if I update fast, you will too! ;)
Indigo: Of course, thank you for bringing the whole sickness-with-no-one-there thing to my attention! ^_^ I'll try to keep anything else like that from happening! Hope this chapter is better! ^_^
And on with the show! ^_^
Chapter 3
"I can't believe I agreed to come to the lab at such an hour!" Amanda said as a way of greeting Steve and Mark. "CJ would not fall asleep last night!"
"You would change your mind if you saw him at 5:00 this morning." Steve said.
"I know." Amanda said. "Sorry." She apologetically smiled at Steve.
"Here's his milk and cereal." Mark said, handing them to Amanda.
"I'll get started on it." She said, "It should take about 10 minutes. In the mean time, you should call Jess and tell him not to eat anything."
******
Jesse was sleeping blissfully, when the harsh sound of the phone ringing woke him up. Groggily, he reached for the torture device and answered it.
"`ello?"
"Hey Jess, it's Mark."
"Hey," Jesse said, rubbing his face, trying to wake himself up.
"Don't eat anything, okay? We're having your milk and cereal being tested. I'm sure you wouldn't want to repeat what happen this morning."
//This is morning!// Jesse wanted to say. Instead, he just said, "Yeah."
"We'll be over when we get the results of the tests, okay?"
"`kay. I'll see you guys then!" Jesse said, hanging up. Putting the phone back into the receiver, he fell back onto his pillow. As much as he hated to admit it, he figured he better make himself look presentable. Getting out of bed, he headed over to the bathroom and put his head under the faucet. After rubbing it dry with a towel, he combed it out. It was probably the neatest his hair had been in a long time Jesse thought, chuckling. He finally was feeling much better. He then shuffled to the living room to watch TV until his friends came. It wasn't long until he heard a knocking at his door. Turning off the TV, Jesse went to the door and opened it to reveal his 3 closest friends.
"You actually answered the door this time!" Steve kidded.
"Don't make me shut it on you.' Jesse said, getting out of the way so they could come into his apartment. "Do you guys have the results?" He asked once everyone was inside.
"Yes," Amanda said, getting the papers out of the file she kept them in. Jesse motioned for them to sit in his living room.
"Mark was right." Amanda announced. "The milk tested positive for salmonella. The cereal didn't though. I guess our person didn't know what cereal you had in the morning."
"Doesn't take a rocket scientist. I only have one cereal in my whole house." Jesse mumbled.
"It's good to see that you still have your humor!" Mark said. Jesse smirked.
"Can I eat now? I think I'm actually hungry." Jesse asked.
"Why am I not surprised?" Steve jokingly asked.
"I don't think you should eat any of the food you have here, because it all might be poisoned," Amanda gave a look at Mark.
"Why don't you come to the beach house?" Mark asked, interpreting Amanda's look.
"Thanks Mark. Remind me of this when I'm mad at you." Jesse said with a grin.
"You've been mad at me?" Mark asked, frowning surprised.
"Only when you won't believe I've been abducted by aliens!" Jesse said, with an even bigger grin. The whole gang couldn't help but laugh.
****beach house****
"Hey Dad. Where's Jesse?" Steve asked, entering the room after coming back from work.
"Sleeping in the guest room." Mark said with a smile. "After eating a sandwich, he seemed completely worn out!" Steve chuckled.
"Dad, I'm going to ask you a question, and the answer can't be 'I don't know' or 'nothing', okay?" Steve asked, sitting beside his father.
"Okay son." Mark said, already knowing what was coming next.
"What do you want for Father's Day?"
"I do not need anything, Steve."
"Dad!" Steve said exasperated, falling back onto the sofa. "Do we have to go through this every year?"
"Guess so." Mark said, chucking, back to reading his paper.
"Hey guys." Steve and Mark turned their heads to see a groggy Jesse emerge from the hallway.
"Hey Jess," Mark greeted, "how did you sleep?"
"Wonderful," Jesse said while trying to muffle a yawn. "I think I'm going to grab some orange juice and sit out on the deck, okay?"
"I think I'll join you," Steve said, also heading towards the kitchen.
As Jesse walked onto the deck, the soft ocean breeze greeted him. Sighing contently, he sat in a chair, and rested his cup on the table. Steve followed suit.
"Hey Jess, can I ask you something?" Steve asked, turning to Jesse for him to answer his dilemma.
"Sure, Steve. What?" Jesse asked, taking a sip of his orange juice.
"What do you think I should get my father for Father's Day?" Jesse felt a lump rising in his throat. He knew it was coming. Even before Steve asked it, he knew what the question would be. It happened every year. Normally, it didn't bother him, but this year was different. He thought he had gotten over it, but it still remained in the back of his mind; like a constant tap on the shoulder. His dad had forgotten his birthday. Every year, no matter what, he had always gotten a birthday card from his father. It was the only thing he could count on his father doing. But this year, there was none. No plain white envelope inclosing a cheesy card with a sloppy signature. Nothing.
"Jess?" Steve asked, frowning when his friend didn't answer.
"What? Oh, sorry. Kinda zoned-out there." Jesse said shaking his head, as if that would get rid of the thoughts there. "Have you asked your dad what he wanted?"
"Yeah, he said nothing." Steve said, gazing out to the ocean. "Maybe I could just give him a card." Jesse could barely stop himself from flinching. //Maybe I could just give him a card.// The words echoed in his mind. Only they weren't said in Steve's voice, they were said in his father's. //Maybe I could just give him a card.//
"No, that just means you don't care. But it's better than nothing." Jesse finished his orange juice with a big gulp, and quickly headed inside.
"Jess?" Mark asked as he saw Jesse quickly walk into the house. "What's wrong?"
"Oh, nothing. I'm just a little woozy, so I'm going to lay down for a little." Jesse said in a rush as he washed out his glass and started walking towards the guest room.
"Do you want some more of the medicine?" Mark called after him. Jesse waved his hand behind him and said something that Mark didn't understand.
"Steve, what went on out there?" Mark asked as Steve came in.
"I don't know." Steve said, confused. "All I said was 'maybe I could just give him a card' and he said something like that would mean you don't care, but it's better than nothing." He sat down next to his father. "Maybe I should go talk to him."
"Not right now. Let him have a moment to himself." Mark said, still frowning. //What could have upset Jesse so much?// He wondered.
*****
//Oh, pull yourself together, Travis!// Jesse thought to himself as he lay on his stomach on the bed. He still couldn't shake off the depression that had settled over him. It's just a stupid card. //It's not the end of the world!// But it was the end of the small father-son relationship that Jesse had with Dane. It was fragile enough. But now, Jesse feared that it was now totally broken. It would have to be some miracle for Jesse to trust, or even talk to, his dad. His mother wasn't much better, either. //But then again,// Jesse though, //how could she? She's dead.// That thought didn't help much. Jesse's mother died about 2 years ago in April. He even didn't attend her funeral. He thought she wouldn't attend his. But now, he regretted that decision. That was another thing that haunted him. //But this whole card thing should be easier to live with!// Jesse thought, turning onto his side. He then heard a knocking at the door.
"Jess? Can we talk?" It was Mark. Struggling to sit up, he tried to wipe away his tears.
"Uh, come in." Jesse called out, wiping away the last of his tears.
"Jess," Mark said compassionately, closing the door behind him. "Do you want to tell me what's wrong?" He sat next to Jesse on the bed.
"It's my dad." Jesse said softly, not trusting his voice to be any louder. He shrugged. "It's really no big deal."
"Tell me anyway." Mark convinced.
"He…" Jesse started, determined not to cry. "He forgot my birthday this year." Mark sucked in a breath, and let it out slowly.
"And when Steve said something about getting you a card, it.. Just came out." Jesse said, getting softer. He bowed his head.
"Oh Jess," Mark said even more compassionately. Things were fragile enough with Jesse's father. Mark himself never really cared for the man, but always tried to be kind. Suddenly, he was reconsidering his ways.
"I… I think I'm going to go home now." Jesse said, getting up.
"Are you sure, Jess?" Mark said, also getting up.
"Yeah. I'll be okay. Thanks Mark." Jesse grabbed his coat and keys and headed toward the door. "I'll see you later, Steve." Jesse called over his shoulder, shutting the door behind him.
"Okay Jess…" the sentence died on Steve's lips. "Did you find out what happened?"
"Yeah. It seems Dane forgot Jesse's birthday." Mark said. To anyone else, it would have seemed that Mark was just sad, but Steve knew better. He could tell that his father was becoming increasingly mad at the man. Steve could understand why. He felt guilty bringing up the subject of a card.
"So that's why he was so upset." Steve said, looking at his father. Mark nodded. He knew that Jesse should stay at the beach house, but he also knew that Jesse needed his space. Sighing, Mark sat down next to his son. As hard as it was, he admitted that there was nothing he could do.
*******
Kinda had a lot of dialogue, but I hope it was okay! ^_^
Now that I'm more aware of leaving Jesse alone when he shouldn't, I wondered whether I should let Jesse go home. But I thought that since he had medication and was fully rested (even though he was in emotional angst) I would let him go home! ^_^ If you think other-wise, please let me know! ^_^ Thanks! ^_^