Chapter 7: Jonesy's Heart

Whew! Sorry bout the wee wait, guys. Been working like a dog for the last couple of days. But here it is, updated at long last. Enjoy!

Friday was usually the best day of the week for everyone, looking forward to the weekend, right after closing up early. But today, with the absence of Jonesy still stinging, everyone dreaded when lunchtime rolled around as they went about their respective businesses.

Nikki found herself wandering towards the food court at shortly after twelve, when she caught sight of him, hands in his pockets and face towards the ground.

Seeing as how someone had to talk him into coming back, Nikki approached him and gestured a sheepish "Hey, Jonesy,"

"Hey." He replied, solemnly.

"How's life?" Nikki asked, trying to establish some sort of repertoire with him.

Jonesy shrugged. "Got fired again. Ron saw the tape of you two making out and dismissed it as 'near pornography'." He made a wavy hand gesture as he spoke. "He fired me on the spot."

This new information only made Nikki feel even worse. "Oh, Jonesy." She said. "I'm sorry…"

"Ahh, it was bound to happen anyway." Jonesy dismissed it. "But thanks for the apology. Not that it makes me feel any better."

Nikki sighed. "This is still about Jen and I right?"

After the slightest hestation, Jonesy nodded. "Why, Nikki?" He said, a sob wracking his normally cocky and cool voice. "Why Jen? What's wrong with guys?"

"Nothing," Nikki said, trying to reassure him. "It's just, I love Jen. She loves me. I can't explain it too much better."

"I love you too, Nikki." Jonesy said. "I can't explain that either."

To be perfectly honest, deep down, Nikki wasn't surprised. Though Jen was the apple of her eye, Jonesy was something special. She let off another sigh. "Jonesy, I'm truly sorry. Believe me; I never wanted to hurt you…"

"Well, it just kinda caught me off guard." Jonesy said. "I mean my step sis and my ex-girlfriend. I just wasn't ready. I'm happy for ya, Nik. I really am. But… I also can't help how I feel."

"Jonesy," Nikki took his hand. "I don't want to lose you as a friend. Look, everyone's miserable without you. Myself especially. You actually made me cry last night, if that counts for anything. And you know what a hard-ass I can be."

Jonesy let out a weak chuckle. "Yeah, I guess you're right. Thing suck without you guys around."

"You'll come back?" Nikki said, hopefully.

Jonesy nodded. "The Jonesmeitser is back on the scene." He said, his tone returning to what Nikki knew it to be.

"Thanks, Jonesy." Nikki said. She leaned in to kiss him on the cheek. "For old time's sake." She whispered in his ear. "Y'know, there'll always be a special place in my heart for you."

"Really?" Jonesy smiled.

"Naw," Nikki grinned. "More like in the lower end of the intestines."

Both of them let out a good laugh, both out of the old joke they used to share and to relieve the tension that had built up.

"Just don't let it go to your head." Nikki said as they began to walk back to the Squeeze. "Besides, you know you'll be able to score with any chick."

"Oh, right." Jonesy said. "Now I KNOW you're trying to cheer me up."

"No, I mean it." Nikki said. "You managed to get me to go out with you, remember?"

"True that!" Jonesy smiled as they reached the table everyone knew.

"Look who's back!" Nikki threw out her arms to present Jonesy to the group.

"Jonesy!" Caitlin and Jen called simultaneously.

"DUDE!" Jude held up his fist.

"Jude." Jonesy connected their fists in their own secret handshake.

"Good to have ya back, man." Wyatt greeted.

"Good to be back." Jonesy took his usual station and lay back. "So, what's on the go for tonight?"

"Movie?" Caitlin piped up.

"Movie." Everyone agreed, Nikki and Jen sharing a small smile.

…

As was to be expected on a Friday night, the Gigantoplex was full to the brim. It was only natural where everyone of the working class wanted to escape, to forget about what they did for a living for at least a couple of hours and hope the feeling held up until late tomorrow evening.

To fully appreciate this dulling of the sense, most people were into the new action thriller, which contained a healthy compliment of gunfights. Which of course, everyone had checked in to see.

"Duuude!" Jude hissed to Wyatt after an overly large explosion. "Did you see how far that guy flew?"

"Shh!" Wyatt hissed in return. When Jude appeared as if Wyatt had just hashed on his mellow, he pointed down into the next row. "Oh," Jude whispered and let out a bashful chuckle.

Below them, Nikki and Jen were currently ignoring the film, concentrating on each other while locked in a passionate embrace. It was not only one of know that either one loved each other, but also of that everyone accepted them for who they chose to be.

End of chapter.

OK, mayhap that was a wee bit short, but my model Y-wing is calling my name. And the Joneslheimer be back in the game! I shall update with the final installment shortly, (Unless you guys want to see anything else. If that be the case, I can't write it unless you tell me what it is. Reviews aren't just meant for compliments, donchya know.) Ok, bit of fine print there. Remember on of my own personal laws of physics: Small print leads to great risk. That being said, don't forget to review. Thank you all very much!