The next night Nessa was getting ready because soon everyone was going to be there for the party that she and Joe were throwing.

"Babe you ready?" Joe yelled up the stairs.

"Just about, I'll be down in a minute!" Nessa called back. She put the finishing touches on her make-up then went downstairs. He saw the red strapless mini dress that she was wearing and whistled. "You like baby?" Nessa asked, spinning around so he could get a full view.

"I love. Too bad we don't have enough time for me to show you just how much." Joe whispered, kissing her neck.

"Baby stop they'll be here any minute." As if right on cue the doorbell rang.

"Dammit." Joe hissed and went to the door.

"Hey Joe." Allen said. He, Chris and Monty were standing in the hall.

"Hey guys, come on in."

"Allen, Chris, Monty." Nessa greeted them with a hug. "Where's Harris?"

"He couldn't make it but we have a surprise for you." Chris stated, smiling.

"Oh yeah? What is it?" She asked.

"Not what...who." Allen spoke up and pointed towards the door. Nessa looked over and saw Andy Douglas standing there smiling at her.

"Andy!" Nessa squealed and ran to him, hugging him tightly.

"Nessa, it's been a while." Andy said, hugging her back.

"Too long. How have you been?"

"I've been good, seems you have too." He stated, looking at Joe.

"Yeah I have. I hit it lucky this time Andy, I really did." Nessa sighed, looking lovingly at Joe who smiled sweetly at her. "Joe you know Andy but what you don't know is that he used to be the fourth person that hung around with me, Chris and Allen." Nessa explained. She walked back over to Joe and cuddled up to his side.

"Nice to see you man." Andy said, shaking Joe's hand.

"You too."

"We going to stand around talking all night or we gonna get something to drink and get in the hot tub?" Monty asked and they all laughed.

"Sounds good to me." Nessa said and everyone agreed.

They grabbed some beers out of the refrigerator and the guys changed into their swimming trunks while Nessa changed into a bikini.

"So how long have you guys been together?" Andy questioned once they were all in the hot tub.

"Just a little over a month." Her cell phone rang before Andy could respond and Nessa sighed. "Hello?"

"You're not rid of me yet. You know you should keep a better eye on your dog." She recognized Sabin's voice right away and her eyes went wide the minute he mentioned Harley. Nessa snapped the phone shut, jumped out of the hot tub and ran into the house. What she saw brought tears to her eyes and she screamed. Harley laid on the floor in a pool of blood with a knife sticking out of his side.

"Ness what is...oh my god!" Joe exclaimed as he came running into the apartment. Nessa ran over to Harley and dropped to her knees by his side.

"Harley baby, come on wake up for Mommy." She pleaded with him through tears.

"What's going on?" Chris asked when he walked into the room. "Oh fuck." He hissed when he saw Harley. "Joe go get Monty, please." Chris whispered. Joe ran out of the apartment and came running back in with Allen, Monty and Andy trailing behind him.

Monty had just gotten to Nessa's side when she suddenly stood up, anger and pain in her eyes and she ran straight upstairs. A few minutes later she came back downstairs carrying a small pistol. Andy was the first one to spot it and gasped.

"Uhh guys..." He trailed off, pointing to the gun.

"Nessa what are you doing?" Allen asked, running up to her side.

"I'm going to end this once and for all." Nessa stated, her voice low and deadly.

"Vanessa Callahan don't you even think about it!" Monty warned her.

"Fuck off Monty."

"Nessa please listen to them." Andy pleaded with her.

"I have for long enough." She was heading for the door but was stopped when Chris stepped in front of it.

"Nessa we're not going to let you do this." Chris stated.

"You're not going to stop me." Nessa turned around and started for the back door but was blocked by Joe. "Move Joe."

"No."

"Joe, move dammit." She hissed.

"No. Look at me." Nessa looked up into his eyes and he reached out, running his hand over the side of her face. "I know you are hurting right now but killing Sabin isn't the answer. True it'll make you feel better for a while but you'll regret it in the end. Please babe...for me, for us put the gun down and we'll get through this together." Tears clouded her eyes as she fought to keep them from falling.

"He killed my dog Joe." Nessa whispered.

"I know babe and I don't feel any better about it than you do but I'm here for you. I'll help you through this...we'll help each other, I love you babe and I hate to see you hurting." Slowly the gun slipped from her hand and landed with a loud thud on the floor. Nessa flung her body into Joe's arms as the tears fell.

"I love you so much Joe."

"I love you too babe, I love you too." He whispered, hugging her tightly. Neither of them noticed the guys take Harley outside and leave for the night as Joe stood there holding her while she cried.

"I'm tired." Nessa said after her tears subsided.

"Let's go to bed then. The guys left and they took Harley with them, we'll clean the place up tomorrow." Joe said. He picked her up, carried her upstairs and placed her on the bed. Before he even had the chance to get in bed Nessa was fast asleep. Joe chuckled softly and climbed in bed beside her. He kissed her forehead, wrapped his arms around her and fell asleep himself.