Author's Notes: I am completely and totally psyched that people wanted to read this. Thanks to all of you so, so much. It made my week. Obviously this is the second chapter, and the last of the prewrites, as I'm really unhappy with the current Ch 3. So you may have to wait a little longer to get that, because I go back to school on Tuesday and I have exams. So, yeah. Exams do suck, but there's really nothing I can do about that.

I know I will get some sort of fine from the council; I broke the speed limit several times over. I just had to see Zack. It was like the heat cycle I had gone through two months before had decided to come back with a vengeance.

Or maybe my body finally realised how soon I'd be doing really naked things to my boyfriend.

I parked my car in the car park under Zack's building. All the security guards seemed to know me, so either Zack's been talking, or they recognize me from autumn.

I grabbed my laptop and my backpack; I'd worry about the rest of my stuff later. I just wanted to be in Zack's arms - or bed. Really, I'm not a picky girl.

I jammed my keys in the door, before the elevator had even shut behind me.

"Zack?" I called out, dropping my bags by the door. "Zack, are you home?"

He wouldn't go out the one night his beloved girlfriend comes home from L.A. He couldn't. Logan's more sensitive than to send him out on an Eyes Only gig the same night I get back; Logan lives with Max. He knows how physical a relationship with an X5 is. Between two X5s, more than half our relationship consists of touching of some kind.

Preferably the dirty kind.

"Jondy." Zack comes out of the kitchen, looking tired. "Jon." In three strides, he had me cradled against him, holding me tightly. "No way in hell am I ever letting you go again."

I wrapped my arms around his neck. "You missed me, I presume?" I asked coyly, kissing him gently.

Well, I started it gently. He continued it a bit more roughly. I'm not sure how Zack managed, but he managed to get me sitting on the kitchen table, with my jeans unbuttoned and around my knees.

"It's been way too long," Zack almost growled at me.

I laughed, kicking my jeans off and pulling him closer to me, kissing him deeply. "God I missed you," I breathed. Zack scooped me up into his arms and carried me off to the bedroom.

Where I totally made good on my promise.

"Dee... Dee, wake up."

I moaned lightly, rolling onto my side. Okay, so after a week of 3am nights and one entire 24 hour period of driving, a girl needs her sleep. Desperately.

"What's wrong? Is the world ending?" I moaned, curling up against his body, burying my face in his shoulder.

"I've gotta go to work," Zack replied, tenderly smoothing my hair.

"Do you absolutely have to?" I asked, pressing against him harder.

"I do. I should be home about six. Logan and Max are having a family dinner tonight."

I nodded sleepily. "I should be awake then," I replied drowsily, slowly drifting off to sleep.

I heard Zack chuckle and mutter, 'like a kitten,' under his breath before I went straight back to sleep. For another five hours.

It was wonderful being back at the loft. I showered and changed into a tank top and sweat pants, and then went and made myself pancakes, and ate them with chocolate syrup and ice cream, which Fiona never let me do.

I went down stairs and lugged all my boxes and bags back up to the apartment, putting all my new clothes and shower away. Man, I had done some shopping while I was in L.A.

But then, all girls need five pairs of flared hipster jeans with diamantes down the seam. And Max and I are almost the same size - when she's not pregnant and all - so maybe she can have a pair or two when she's had the baby.

And Brin can have one of my three black skirts.

Syl likes tank tops. And boots.

God, I feel like a personal shopper. By the time my sisters go through my new clothes, I won't have anything new left for myself.

But having a whole day to myself when I've been away the entire summer wasn't the most fun you'd think it was.

Zack was home at about six and I was ready to go to Max's, I was so bored. I'd checked my email - a couple of junk emails and one from Fiona, wanting to know if I'd made it to Seattle okay, but not wanting to call and interrupt any reuniting between me and Zack.

Smart girl.

"Zack!" I practically threw myself at him, my arms wrapping around him.

"Whoa!" Zack said, his hands settling on my hips. "Happy to see me, I take it?"

"I think it's totally evil that you had to work my first day back in Seattle," I replied. "Suppose you can make it up to me tonight."

"After we have dinner at Logan's," Zack ran his fingers through my hair.

I pouted. "You know I want to see Maxie and everyone, but..."

"Don't finish that thought, Jon," Zack pulled my arms from around his neck. "Or we'll be very late. Now I need to shower."

"Want some help?" I asked archly.

"Jon," Zack said in a warning voice.

"Okay, okay, I'll be good!" I said, beginning to giggle. "I'm ready, so I'm going to watch TV."

When Manticore created Zack, I swear that they added this special DNA which makes him great in bed, and have the ability to have ridiculously quick showers. Just as I found an interesting television show (I love the Law and Order shows. Ooh, maybe I could become, like, a psychologist...) Zack was ready to go.

We took Zack's bike. M-an. Maybe I am going into heat again, because all I can think about is getting into Zack's pants again. And again, and again.

And maybe some more.

"Jondy!" Max was talking to Brin when we arrived. And she practically leapt across the room, throwing her arms around me.

"Max!" I hugged her tightly and then pulled back. "You're pregnant!"

Max beamed at me, resting her hand on her swollen stomach. "In four months, there will be another Guevara-Cale in the world."

"Or two," Logan said with a grin. "There's a small chance it's twins. Good to see you back in Seattle, Jondy." Logan leant over and kissed my cheek. "It's been quiet without you around."

"I resent that comment!" Syl appeared at my side, grinning wildly. "I can be noisy and wild when I want to be."

"Am I considered crazy and wild?" I asked, as I hugged Syl.

"Sometimes," Syl shrugged, flipping her hair over her shoulder. "It's been deeply boring since you ran off to L.A. Any hot doctors?"

"One," I winked at her.

"Excellent," Syl grinned. "Maybe I should become a doctor." Krit whacked Syl gently on the back of her head as he came over.

"When did you get back?" Krit asked me, slinging his arm around Syl's shoulders.

"Last night," I replied. "The freeway was a total bitch."

"Last night?" Krit smirked at me. "So that's why Zack's cell was off." Zack looked away.

I stuck my tongue out at Krit. "As if you wouldn't have turned your phone off in the same circumstances, Krittens."

Syl smirked. "Ask Krit what happened last time he left his phone on while he and I were... getting friendly."

Krit looked at his shoes. "I thought you said you wouldn't ever mention that again," he muttered at Syl. Syl smiled angelically and kissed him.

"I'll get the wine. Rain took Evie off to the movies, they should be back soon. "Brin, Tinga and Zane are in the lounge room; Zane's been dying to talk to you." Max grabbed my hand and dragged me off to Zane, apparently. For a pregnant woman, Max was awfully strong.

"Zane! Jondy's home!" Max grinned. Zane looked up, grinning at me. Tinga and Brin instantly stood up, hugged me and followed Max back into the kitchen. Zane and I are always having deep and meaningfuls. We've always been close; while Zack had to watch out for the entire squadron, Zane looked out for me.

"Jon, I've missed you!" Zane wraps me in a bear hug. "How was L.A.?"

"L.A. like," I shrug, dropping onto the couch next to him. "How have you been going?"

Zane shrugged and picked up a bottle of beer. "Things have been interesting. Rain's applying to college, wants to become a social worker. I'm happy with that; she good with all sorts of people, she got good marks all through high school and she's transgenic, which means she can work with Nomalies and X series."

"Rain? I didn't think she liked school much. I never pegged her for one to sign on for three more years of school," I shrugged. "That girl will always surprise me."

"Yeah," Zane looked at me. "Jon, you know I don't like asking..."

"You need money for Rain and the college deal?" I asked simply, taking his beer.

"Quite a bit," Zane admitted. "Being a mechanic isn't exactly a high paying job and higher education in Seattle..."

"Point the bills in my direction," I patted Zane's arm. "You look after your girl."

"I will pay you back, Jon," Zane promised. "I swear. It might take awhile."

I waved his promises off. "Just rebuild my BMW for me and all will be forgotten. I'm talking new air conditioning, new brakes, a DVD, CD player, satellite navigational system... the whole lot."

Zane grinned at me. "You know you can get all that stuff for a couple of bucks, right, and install it yourself?"

"Yeah," I shrugged. "But I can't stand the work involved with it. You redo my car, I'll pay for your daughter's college fees."

"Rain's not my daughter," Zane reminded me absently. "I'm barely ten years her senior."

"Minor details," I rolled my eyes. "You gave her a home, an education, a family. I think that counts as father-daughter-ship."

"Yeah, I guess," Zane said doubtfully. Then he looked at me. "You look really hot, Jon. L.A obviously agreed with you."

"Oh, you mean the eighteen hour shifts I had? The weekends I'd work from six in the morning on Friday straight through till midnight Monday?" I rolled my eyes. "It was a killer. I swear I almost didn't live through it."

"Poor angel," Zane punched my shoulder gently. "I'm sure being in the shopping capital of America was a harsh, horrible place for you, Jon."

"She could take a second job as a personal shopper," Zack appeared by my shoulder. "The loft looks like a sample sale."

"How do you know about sample sales?" Brin gave Zack a funny look.

"When my credit card bill came back with five hundred dollars and ninety eight cents at a Prada sample sale, I wanted to know what I'd invested in," Zack said pointedly.

"It wasn't Prada," I said defensively. "It was in the Prada building."

"What did you buy then?" Zack asked, giving me a pointed look.

"Boots," Brin grinned at me.

"I'd have to say you bought boots there, too," Syl grinned.

I pouted. "You think I spent five hundred dollars on a seventh pair of boots?"

"Sixth," Tinga grinned sheepishly. "I really liked your black leather ones so I kept them."

"Fifth," Max butted it. "Jace took the purple suede ones."

I bit my lip. "Huh. So I only have four pairs of boots?"

"Yeah," Brin said.

"Okay then," I stood up with a bright smile.

"What did you buy Jondy?" Zack commanded.

"A new pair of Prada boots. I mean, I've only got four pairs, I needed new boots," I said angelically.

Zack rolled his eyes. "Five hundred dollars for boots?" he said.

"And a leather jacket. And the cutest little red skirt for Brin. And some make up," I shrugged. "The usual."

"That's the usual?" Krit said faintly.

"Thank god I can't stand large crowds and salesgirls," Syl shrugged.

"My credit card thanks them," Krit said, kissing Syl's cheek.

"Once you have kids," Logan said, his arm around Max's shoulders, "A whole new world of shopping opens up."

"Kids?" Krit said faintly.

"Kids," Zack echoed, looking slightly pale.

A grin spread across my face. "Sex."

"Jon, please stop over-sharing about your sex life," Brin said. "Please. For the love of me not ending up in therapy, stop."

"It's not like you're not getting any, Brinny..." I began.

"JONDY!"

"Okay, okay, I'll stop," I said, leaning against Zack.

"If only we could believe you," Zane said with a grin.

Rain and Evie came home a bit later, in time for dinner. Evie flung herself into my arms, absolutely thrilled to see me (maybe that was partially the birthday present I gave her.)

Rain wasn't so thrilled to see me. But then, she didn't look like her usual upbeat self. Her once red hair had been molested into this dark chocolate-y brown color with bright blue tips. Anymore make up on her face and she'd suffocate. She just didn't look her usual happy self anymore.

I volunteered to help clean up the kitchen with Rain, to make sure everything was okay. When she was younger, she and I were close. A long time passed since then, and I know we're not close anymore. Friends, but not 'sisters'.

She looked preoccupied as she stacked the dishwasher. Okay, so this bonding session was up to me...

"Heard you're going to be a social worker," I said casually, rinsing some plates.

"Yeah," she replied unenthusiastically.

"Where are you going to college?" I pressed.

"The community college," she replied.

"Cool. You should have fun and get a half decent job," I nodded. Rain straightened and span around.

"Don't talk like that!" she said. "You don't know what it's like! Manticore and then being with Ordinaries. High school finishing and now I'm forced to go to college, and study harder stuff for another three years. You don't know what it's like to be alone, trying to study enough to pass but work enough hours..."

"Rain, it's me. I worked in bars to get myself through one year of high school before dropping out, put myself through two years of community college, got engaged, got dumped, put myself through medical school and got a boyfriend. It is hard work, but nothing worth having isn't," I said.

Rain glared at me. "But you X5s were built to be quick learners. It takes time for me to learn stuff. Zane barely earns living expenses – I bet he hit you up for the college fees cause there's no way he'll leave his beloved garage to actually earn a living."

"Zane took you in off the street," I interrupted. "You're an X series, you can be self sufficient if you chose to be."

Rain stared back at me. "You're all family. Zane's playing Daddy, you're playing Big Sister. I am not your family. I'm not related to any of you in any way."

I stared at her. Who was this person? Not the Rain I left behind. "It's more than blood, Rain. I don't know exactly what's going on in your head, but we are your family, no matter who you are or what X series you were apart of. Zane saved your ass. I'm definitely not your big sister, but I am your friend."

Rain looked away. "I know."

"You want to talk now?" I offered.

"No."

"Okay then," I said, shutting the dishwasher. "Maybe another time then."

"Maybe."

And I left Rain in the kitchen. I remember being a teenager; it was a bitch, honestly. I sort of feel sorry for Rain. Not much I can do for her unless she wants to talk to me.

I grabbed my glass of wine and went back to the lounge room, where everyone was talking about Max and Logan's baby.

"...so, are you excited?" Brin asked, with a grin. "I am! It's the first niece or nephew I'll actually be a proper aunt to."

"I'm tired," Max said honestly. "Tired and hungry all the time. I just want to sleep through the night. Normal told me to get some herbal sleeping pills."

"Those can be risky, Max," I said, sitting in Zack's lap. "Try some sort of herbal tea. It tastes totally nasty, but I hear it works."

"I'll track some down for you tomorrow, Max," Logan stroked her hair.

"What's it like having a baby?" Syl asked thoughtfully.

"Stop. Stop that thought right now," Krit said, pulling on Syl's hair. "Can we change the subject?"

"It hurts like hell," Max said. "I almost broke Jondy's hand when I was having Evie."

"Aunt Jondy was there?" Evie appeared in the doorway. "Where was Daddy?"

"Running around like a chicken who had lost it's head," Alec grinned.

I rolled my eyes. "I remember that night well. My hand was black and blue for days."

"And Logan went pale when Max actually had Evie. Krit and Syl were caught making out in the broom closet and Zack and Jondy tried to have sex in the janitor's closet but got caught," Alec leant back. "Those were good times."

"And you got drunk and ended up having sex with that blonde nurse in the dispensary," Max shot back. "Don't think I don't know. That nurse walked around starry eyed for days."

"What can I say?" Alec grinned. "Women love me." Brin socked him in the shoulder.

"No violence," Zack held up his hand.

"When are you and Jondy going to reproduce?" Krit said with a grin.

"We're not," Zack said bluntly. "Don't get any ideas."

Excuse me? We're not... having children? Ever?

Breathe and smile, Jondy. Laugh and just look natural. Breathe in and out and don't kill Zack. You so do not want blood on these jeans. Blood does not come out of suede.

Zack said we weren't having children. Ever? God. God! I want kids. And apparently, Zack never wants... oh my god. I cannot believe we never discussed this. Ever, not even before.

I need chocolate. And sex. They always cheer me up.

"Jon, we should probably go," Zack's hands rested on my hips.

"The sector police slapped us with a five hundred fine for being home ten minutes after curfew," Zane rolled his eyes. "It's getting ridiculous."

"I'll hack into the police mainframe tomorrow, Zane, and delete than fine for you," Logan said.

"I'll do it," I said sweetly. "I need to use my hacking skills for something."

"Won't you be too busy working at Metro Medical to bother with hacking?" Tinga asked, surprised. "I thought you'd transfer right to work in one of Seattle's hospital."

I shook my head. "Nah. I'm taking a break for a few weeks. Then, maybe I'll apply at Metro Medical or maybe a private practice," I shrugged. "I just need a rest for awhile."

I stood up and Zack grabbed my wrist. "You're not going back to medicine, Dee?"

"Their first lovers' tiff," Alec grinned. "So cute!"

"Yeah, just not at the moment. I didn't study for so long just to give it up once I've finished it," I said. "Give me a week or two and I'll get a job."

Zack shrugged and his arm slung around her waist. "Whatever makes you happy."

"That was a boring argument," Syl pouted. "I was hoping for tears and torment."

"Lovely," Max said. "You want Jondy and Zack to have a huge fight?"

"It wouldn't have been tears or torment either," Alec shook his head. "It would've been a full on fist fight. That would've been cool."

"We have to go," Zack said, "talk to you tomorrow?"

"Of course," Max said with a grin.

"Hey, Jon," Alec called out, his arms around Brin. "Are you still Ms Jondy De Luca or Dr Jondy De Luca?"

"Still Miss Jondy De Luca," I shrugged. "I flaunt my 'unmarried' status with pride."

"And?" Brin asked.

I shrugged. "This is Seattle. People rip you off when they think you're earning doctor's wages."

It was a quiet ride back to the loft; this time I was driving, Zack was trying to unzip my jeans – go him – and I wasn't exactly trying to stop him. Hell, I was encouraging him. I seriously think undoing my jeans while I was driving is a seriously marketable skill for Zack. I wonder if it was a part of Manticore training I missed for some reason.

We pulled up outside Zack's building and Zack had his hand up my shirt and my jeans had started to obey the laws of gravity. Damnit, I think Zack broke the zip.

"Inside?" Zack whispered in my ear, his arms around my waist.

"Hell yes," I said, pulling his face down to mine for another kiss.

Another one of Zack's never ending list of marketable skills is managing to juggle me when I'm feeling frisky, his motorcycle and get us back to the loft. I don't remember much between the street and the bedroom (well, except the good parts. I lost my jeans somewhere between the street and the elevator. They were nice jeans, but it was a sacrifice I was willing to make.) Zack lost his shirt.

It was a damn good night, actually.

I couldn't sleep though. Zack crashed like a total guy (sometimes he is a total guy – food, sex, sleep. Usually he was caring and sensitive and cool, but sometimes he went into guy-mode.) I lay awake for what felt like hours. I just could not sleep.

Zack did not want kids. He wanted us to be together? Just a couple. No children. I want children. I mean, not in the next nine months. Hell no. I'm not that responsible yet. But I did want a baby one day. Obviously Zack didn't.

I slipped out of bed, pulling on my robe and going out to the lounge room and curling up on the couch and switching on the television. We so should talk more. We don't talk enough. Communication is something we seriously need to work on.

Good god, what is on television at one in the morning? Porn, infomercial, porn, porn, infomercial, porn, porn, porn, infomercial... geez. Sixty six channels of unadulterated crap.

"Jon?"

Zack appeared in the door way, looking something like a sleepy bear. "Jon? What are you doing up?"

He came over and sat on the lounge next to me, his arm snaking around my shoulders.

"You know I don't sleep," I said, settling on an average looking art house movie and tossing the controls on the coffee table.

"I also know you don't watch television after midnight," Zack said, kissing my neck. "Something about porn and infomercials."

"For your information," I said, shoving him off, "I was watching this wonderful, informative film."

"Really?" Zack said doubtfully.

"Yup," I said stubbornly, focusing on the screen. "I love this movie. It taught me so many life lessons." We both watched the movie for a few moments.

"Oh my god," I said, my eyes widening.

"Can an Ordinary actually bend like that?" Zack asked.

"Zack, I can't bend like that," I said, wide eyed. "There is no way she can really be doing that. It has to be CGI."

Zack was staring at the screen, his mouth in a perfect 'o'. "Damn. And I mean, d-amn..." he said quietly. I whacked him across the chest.

"Oh, grow up," I said, grabbing the television controls and turned off the television. "We have to get cable."

"So we can have sixty six more channels playing porn or infomercials?" Zack asked dubiously as I got up and went to the kitchen. "Want to talk?"

"About what?" I said, grabbing a soda.

"Jon, it's one in the morning, you're watching a questionable French movie and drinking soda. You never stay home when you're awake at night," Zack said, watching as I balanced on the arm of the couch, sipping my soda.

"So?" I said, looking at the red color of the soda in the tin. Hmm. Probably not the best thing to drink when I wanted to sleep.

"Jondy, something is bothering you. I want to help if I can," Zack stood up.

I sighed and put the soda can on the coffee table. "When we were at Max's... you said... you said we weren't going to have kids. We never talked about that but I don't like you to presume that I don't want kids. I do. I really want children with you." I looked at the floor. "And we've never ever discussed us having children before, like properly."

"Jon," Zack sighed, pulling me to my feet and hugging me. "When I said we weren't having kids, I didn't mean ever. I meant we're not at the moment because we just got into this relationship. We can talk about it when we're both ready. But at the moment... you and I need to spend time together before we make decisions like that. Okay?"

I leant against him, wrapping my arms around his neck. "I love you, you know that right?"

Zack grinned at me. "I know. But... if you wanted to try some of those things in the movie..."

"Like gratitude?" I smirked.

"I wouldn't complain," Zack said, grabbing me around the waist.

Make up sex is the best. Especially when we weren't fighting in the first place.

Author's Notes: Writing Jondy is so much fun. I really enjoy it. I actually have to hand in this fic (as a WIP) and PissOff as school assignment in a month, so I'd really appreciate any critiscm on either fic. Really. Just hit the review button and say, "I read it." And I'll seriously be happy.