Lost Sons Return Home

Gallows and Laura woke up the next day with killer hangovers. However, they barely had time to rest before Virginia and Jessica came in and dragged them out of bed. When Gallows asked his leader to lay off of him until he felt better, the girl replied with, "It's your fault for getting punch drunk last night."

On the way out, they met Alfred. He smiled as he saw Jessica. "My sister is planning on leaving here soon so we can hunt down some more treasure. So, I guess I won't be seeing you for awhile. But I want to ask you to be careful in your travels. I mean, I don't want to find out that you were hurt or killed."

"That's sweet of you Alfred," Jessica answered, "But I'll be ok. First I've got to see my mom and tell her about finding my brother. We also have to meet with a friend of the family on another matter. So I'm just gonna cruise on back to my hometown for some good old RnR. However, once things are settled in there, I plan to return to my adventures. Perhaps we'll be fortunate enough to see one another again someday. You be careful too out there. And tell your sister that I hope she finds what she's looking for."

Alfred smiled and ran downstairs to meet Maya and the others. Jessica just stood there and watched him go. There was no way she would hold him back; his sister needed him more than she. The young woman remembered something her mother had told her long ago. "When you love someone, you will sometimes have to let them go. But that doesn't mean that your love dies. Rather, if in his absence you continue to have that feeling, then your love will stay strong. And someday, either here or in the next life, you will meet again. Then, you can confess all of the feelings locked inside your heart for so long."

Laura, upset that Jessica woke her up, began to tease her. She mocked, "Jessica's got a crush. Jessica's got a crush!" Of course, that did little to phase the young woman. Rather, Laura had stood to near the door to the Maxwell Gang's room, and when Jet opened it up to go downstairs, he knocked her over. Then Gallows tripped over Laura since he was paying more attention to his headache than his feet. Poor Virginia was stuck casting her Hi-Heal spell from her Crestboard; as it was stronger than the Arcana in her possession. However, Jessica didn't move until Jet tapped her on the shoulder and glared at her.

He looked his little sister right in the eye. "Remember, we have to get a move on to see the old lady. Man, and I spent years thinking I had no mom. But I want to get this over with; I'm not one for crowds and big gatherings. The only reason I'm going is that you and Virginia would force me if I didn't. I could live without a parent; have done so for nearly six years now." With that, he left for the downstairs.

"He doesn't mean that," Virginia informed Jessica, "Jet just doesn't like to look soft. I know that deep down he wants to meet his mother. His barriers are almost impossible to penetrate and it's hard to find out what he really wants or feels. But I can see the inside of his fragile soul. There is a pure heart underneath all that bravado. However, he's been hurt one too many times and tries to prevent it from ever happening again. The pain he feels often makes me cry. I'd do anything to help him ease it off."

"Well of course you would. After all, you are in love with Jet. It's not that hard to see; even if he and you are trying to cover it up for this image thing. Perhaps love will eventually allow him to trust again. I mean, he had to go through harrowing experiences when he was just a young boy," Jessica responded.

Then, she too went downstairs; leaving Virginia with her thoughts. She mused, 'Is it really love? I always wondered what I felt for Jet. Why was I so upset every time he told her that we weren't going out? It is the truth; we're not a couple. Is that what I want? And does he really feel the same way about me?'

S...S

Since Jessica, Virginia, and Jet had each been to Doria, they didn't need to go by foot. Instead, the young priestess took out her Teleport Orb and concentrated. Instantly, they found themselves back in the forests surrounding the Secret Garden. Shortly after traveling through it, the eight came upon the town itself. Being as it was early, not too many people were out of their houses; most still were sleeping.

Jessica was leading with an excited smile. "First we need to find Aunt Victoria. She gets up early because she works as a midwife. If someone needed her help in the morning, she has to be there. Mom might be busy with work and it could be difficult to get an appointment immediately. So let's go for Auntie's house. I'm sure she'll be happy to see Virginia again; hasn't been to visit in nearly eleven years.

So the little group headed for a nice little house not too far down the road from the one Virginia had inherited from her mother. Excitedly, Jessica knocked on the front door. Soon, a young woman answered. She looked to be about the same age as Virginia and Vincent, with long blue hair and dark blue eyes. She was dressed in a long green robe that was tied around the middle with a long gold scarf.

"Hey Jessica," the girl called, "I'm happy to see you again. You left so suddenly and I wondered what was going on. Then I asked your mother and she said something about a vision that would lead you to your big brother. So, did it work? Or are you back here to find out another hint from your mother?"

"Business Emily. Where's your mom? I have to talk to her on an important matter concerning the late princess's family. And don't worry, Virginia isn't hurt. She's with me, my bro, and our friends. We have a few questions that could help Ginny out. But your mother is the only one left to answer them since her mom is gone. Is she up yet? I know she doesn't sleep late since she has to work," Jessica stated.

Emily replied, "Hold on one minute Jessica. But first, hey Ginny how's it going? Haven't seen you in a long time. We'll have to talk later and get caught up. Especially about our love lives. I found a boyfriend recently and want you to meet him. So how 'bout you, anybody special taking up your heart?"

Virginia was tempted to say yes; to tell Emily all about her longing for Jet. However, not only did she not want to embarrass herself in front of Gallows—as he would probably tease the two of them for the rest of their mortal lives—but Jet was staring right at her. "No. I'm too busy traveling to have one now."

Emily nodded and went inside. However, Jet was staring straight at Virginia all the while. He was feeling surprisingly angry at her statement. Why? Why should he care whether or not she liked him. Not that he liked her in any way like that. But deep inside of his tormented mind, he knew he was lying.

Teefa's Last Words...

Well, we get into the actual reunions in the next chapter. I just wanted to have Jet and Virginia think over their feelings. Especially Jet; he never knows why he does things.He's a lot like Inu Yasha.

Dang! Now I'm thinking of the episode when Shippo was challenged by Soten of the Thunder Demon Tribe, and Inu Yasha took an arrow of lightning for Kagome. Then he found out it wasn't anything and told her to poke herself with it to see for herself and she thought it felt good; like a massage more than a shock. They were sitting around like Jet and Virginia in most any given fanfic.