Thanks for the reviews. Nothing to do with the story, but did anyone ever notice how Jen's last name in the show is similar to Jason from MMPR's last name? Just something I noticed. Hmm… Anyways, the story.

Disclaimer: I do not own Alex, Jen, Lucas, or Ransik. They are property of Saban/Disney. I do own Christy and Chris Collins, Dr. Stein, Commander Steinback, both of Alex's grandmothers, Alex's grandpa, Jesse, Jerry, and Jessica.

Work and an Unhappy Occasion

* * *

Alex was sleeping peacefully when his alarm clock went off. He groaned quietly and hit the snooze button. He rolled back over on his side and pulled the covers over his head. It did not take long for him to fall back to sleep.

Outside Alex's room, Jesse put on his shirt and jacket. He looked at the time – 5:20. Hmm…wonder why Alex isn't up. If he wants a ride, he'd better hurry. My shift starts in forty minutes. Better go check on him. He noiselessly opened Alex's door and peered inside. Realizing Alex was asleep – his alarm clock was on again – he turned off the alarm. He pulled back the covers and yelled loudly, "Wake up, sleepyhead. You want a ride to work?" Alex nodded slowly and sat up stretching. "Then, you'd better be ready in ten minutes."

"Ok, ok." Alex replied groggily. Absently, he got up and got into the shower. He was definitely awakened when the water came on and was for a second freezing cold and then hot. He yelped loudly.

"You alright in there?" Jesse hollered from the kitchen.

"Yes!" Alex yelled back. He continued to shower. Ten minutes later, he was ready to go to work.

"Better hurry to the car, or I'll be late! Race ya!"

"Okay." Alex ran and the cold morning air stung his already cold face. He won, and was already buckled when Jesse opened the door.

"I let you win that one." Jesse declared.

"Sure, Jes." Alex replied, rolling his eyes.

"So, where's Jen's place?"

"You knew that's where I'm working."

"Yeah, man, you left the ad on the screen."

"Oh." he said flatly. "I see. Keep going straight."

"You got to missing her that much in one week?"

"Yes." Alex admitted. Glancing at Jesse, he added, "Pretty pathetic, right? I know."

"Yup. It's very pathetic, extremely so, but it's normal."

"Oh. So, how's Jessica?"

"Jezzi? She's doing well."

"That's all you have to say about her?"

"What's that supposed to mean?"

"You usually go on and on about her when I bring her up."

"Well, it's just that –"

"Oh, turn right here."

"It's… We kind of broke up."

"Turn right again, next street. I'm sorry, Jes, I didn't –"

"That's alright. You didn't know. Besides, I broke up with her. She was flirting with all the other guys all the time, way too much for my liking. 'I gave commands, and all smiles stopped,' to quote Browning's poem, but not to the same extent as that duke guy."

"Yeah, obviously, or you'd be cryogenic containment right now. It – it's right here."

"Well, bye." Jesse said when he stopped, and Alex stepped out of the car.

"Bye." Alex approached the door confidently. He knocked; the maid let him in. "Good morning, Mr. Scotts."

"A good morning, indeed, it is, Alex."

"What can I do for you this morning, sir?"

"Ah… An eager young lad, I see. Well, first, I'll give you a tour, and then we'll find out what my wife would like you to do. Sound like a plan?"

"Yes, sir." Alex replied eagerly.

Jen walked into the room, her nose in yet another book. "Jennifer, come here. Alex, this is my daughter Jennifer."

"Nice to meet you, Jennifer." The two shook hands.

"Same here." Jen replied, smiling happily.

"Well, let's go on that tour, Alex." Mr. Scotts said, seeing how friendly his daughter was acting with Alex, and not liking it one bit. I'll have to talk to her later. he thought as he was shepherding Alex outdoors. "Here, we are, the front yard. I'm sure you know that." They walked a few more paces. "The backyard." Alex's eyes widened at the beautiful garden. Lilacs, lilies, roses, and daisies were all around him. A small playhouse that Jen used to use when she was younger lay in the middle with a rock path leading to it, flowers on either side. Soon, they were back inside, and Alex was getting showed around the house. Finally, the tour was done.

"Thank you, sir."

"You're welcome, Alex."

Mrs. Scotts entered the room. "Hi, Alex."

"Hello, ma'am. Can I do anything for you?"

"As a matter of fact, you can. Could you please help me move these boxes?"

"Yes, ma'am." Alex carefully moved the boxes to wherever she asked him to, and helped her unpack them. Afterwards, Mrs. Scotts had Alex trim the rose bushes and mow the lawn. Then, he was done for the day. Mrs. Scotts asked him to stay for dinner, which would be served in a few hours, and he accepted the offer gratefully. He walked outside.

* * *

Alex sat on the porch steps. He was drinking out of a large bottle of water thirstily. It was a hot day; he had never imagined that gardening and moving boxes all day could be so tiring. He was deep in thought. Jen approached him from behind slowly. Kneeling down, she threw her arms around his neck and placed her chin on his shoulder with a content smile on her face. "How'd you do it?" she asked happily.

"Do what?" he asked, pulling away from Jen.

"Get my dad to like you so much." she said, sitting next to him and lacing her fingers through his.

Alex pulled his hand away and scooted a few feet away from her. "I just was being my normal, serious self, and I was being respectful. I need the job, Jen."

Jen scooted next to him and leaned against him. Alex stood and sat on the bench behind her. "I see. Alex, why are you acting so funny? It's not like we've never kissed or held hands before."

"No reason." he replied absently.

Jen leaned against a pole. "There has to be a reason."

"It's over Jen. It's over between us, okay?!" he exclaimed, his voice quavering slightly. Jen looked taken aback; her entire face fell. He stood up and walked over to her. Lifting her chin up, he said softly, "Your dad asked me to stay away from you."

Jen fell into his arms. Instinctively, Alex hugged her tightly. "Oh, Alex." Jen said sadly. She began to cry. "They don't have to know."

"Jen," he said, pulling away from her. "I have to respect your father's wishes. This – relationship – between us can't be. It was only a dream, no more."

"But, Alex!" she began, but he cut her off.

Alex turned so she could not see the tears that he was holding back. "No 'buts,' Jennifer! You're only eleven! I'm already a teenager! This was nothing more than a dream."

Jen walked up behind him and placed her hand on his shoulder, attempting to turn him around. "So this it is, huh? No more?"

Alex allowed her to turn him around. "Yes." he said sadly.

"Fine! Give up on us! I don't care! Don't fight for us!" Tears were falling down her cheek. She turned her back on him. Quietly, she added, "I won't give up on us. Not ever."

"Jen," he said, approaching her. "There will be some other guy your own age. Maybe even a better guy than I am, you'll see. This was never more than a dream to begin with."

"Alex, please…" she moaned.

"No, Jennifer." he said as harshly as he could, hiding his emotions.

"But, Alex…What about 'You and me, forever?'" she said through tears.

"No, Jen. Don't use that as ammunition. I meant it before, but now it can be no more. I can't tell you a lie, Jennifer!"

Jen placed her head against a pole. Her whole body shook from crying. "Fine." she said, her voice low from yelling before. She walked toward the house. "My father likes you. He would have eventually come around." She opened the door and shut it behind her.

"Jen…" he said quietly, barely more than a whisper. He placed his face in his hands, thinking of all the good times he had with Jen. "Why?" he whispered to himself. "Why did I have to be so dumb?"