Níl aon tintéan mar do thintéan féin (THERE'S NO PLACE LIKE HOME):

4am came much sooner than either Jess or Joe were prepared for. When they got home late last night, they simply crashed together in Joe's bed. They figured that if they were together, they couldn't miss the alarm going off. They were so tired, that they didn't even change into their pajamas…they slept in the clothes they wore to O'Brien's. They just got their shoes off before they fell asleep. They barely got three hours of sleep, but they didn't care. Jess and Joe had to be in Rosslare early, since the ferry left at 8:45am. What sleep they didn't get tonight, they figured they'd just get on the boat…Joe had reserved a private cabin again.

Jess grabbed her shoes and went back to Fiona's room. She wished she had time to take a shower, but they needed to get on the road. So she changed her clothes, and thought of taking a shower on the boat. She packed up the few things she needed to pack, and met Joe out in the hallway. He grabbed their bags, and down the stairs they went. His parents met them downstairs. Heartfelt and tearful farewells were made. Jess didn't want to leave…yet at the same time, she missed her family. And before she knew it, they were in Joe's car, and the Blarney slipped from view…and tears slipped from Jess' eyes.

"What's wrong love?"

"I don't want to leave…I've had such a good time. But at the same time I feel guilty for wanting to go home to my family."

"I know the feeling. Anyway, we'll be at your parent's house before you know it. I don't know about you, but I can't wait to get some sleep. Just promise you stay awake until we get to Rosslare, because I don't know if I can stay awake if you stop talking."

"It will be tough, but for you, I'll do anything."

"That's my girl." Joe winked at her.

"Thank you Joe…these past few days are some of the best of my life."

"Some? Don't you mean simply the BEST days of your life?"

"Okay, you win. They have been the best of my life. And speaking of the best days…about the ring?"

"Yes, what about it?"

"It's absolutely beautiful, but it's too expensive, and I don't…"

"Jess, it's yours. And don't worry your pretty head…I had some lucky savings set aside, plus I've started drawing my pro coach salary. Besides, I can't take it back…it's engraved."

"Engraved?"

"Look on the inside of the band love."

Jess took off the ring. And as Joe had said, there was something engraved on the inside of the band. There on the inside was etched 'A stór mo chroí'…although she had no idea what it meant. She guessed it was something in Irish.

"What does it mean?"

"It translates to 'love of my heart.' I figured that sounded about right."

To show her gratitude, Jess leaned over and placed a kiss on Joe's cheek. Joe placed her right hand in his, and held it the rest of the trip. Somehow, they both managed to keep each other awake. Before they knew it, it was 7am, and they pulled into Rosslare harbor. Since they already had their tickets, they didn't feel as rushed today. They simply pulled the car into the hull of the large ship, and proceeded to the public areas of the Isle of Inishmore. Luckily for them, the boatload on the early morning trip from Pembroke was pretty small, so they were able to go right to their cabin. Jess figured the lady at the reception desk felt sorry for her, because she was sure she looked like death warmed over from getting so little sleep. And because they were both so tired, Joe asked for a wake-up call about one hour prior to docking in Wales.

Joe carried their small bags to their cabin, inserted the key, opened the door, and pushed Jess inside. Once they were both inside, Joe dropped their bags, and locked the door. Jess walked over to the bed in an almost zombie-like fashion. She plopped down on the bed, shoes and all. Joe wanted her to sleep, but he knew Jess would be uncomfortable if she slept as she was.

"Jess, love…wake up."

"No…you said I could go to sleep once we got here."

"I know I did…but you can't sleep in your clothes and with your shoes on. You packed your pajamas in your small bag, right?"

"Yes…but I'm too tired to change."

"Get up…go in the bathroom and change. Trust me, you'll sleep much better if you do. And while you're in there, I'll change out here, okay?"

"Why are you always right?"

"I guess that's my job."

"If I wasn't so tired, I'd beat you up for that…"

"Go…the sooner you get up and change, the sooner you can go to bed."

Somehow those words lit a fire underneath her. She grabbed her bag, and into the bathroom she went. Joe knew he had to hurry, because the way she ran for the bathroom, he knew it wouldn't take her much time to change. He quickly changed. He thought to himself, that they would be sound asleep before the ferry even left Rosslare harbor.

"Are you decent?" Jess called from the bathroom.

"Yeah, you can come out."

Joe had his back to her when she came out. He was putting his stuff back in order just in case they overslept. When he turned, he wasn't prepared for what he saw. While she had on regular pajamas, it was her hair that took his breath away. In the short time she was in the bathroom, she had brushed out her hair, and instead of pulling it back to sleep, she left it down. It was soft and shiny, flowing around her shoulders…and all Joe could think of was to touch her hair. He stopped himself by looking away.

"Joe, can we go to sleep now?"

"Sure thing…let me turn out the lights, and close the curtains."

Joe quickly turned out the lights and closed the curtains…then he turned his attentions to Jess. He got her into their shared bed, tucked the blankets around her, and kissed her forehead. Joe then got into bed himself, and laid on his side so that he could hold his love until they fell asleep. However, Jess smiled at him. That smile, and the way her hair was spread out around her was Joe's undoing. Joe kissed her, and suddenly Jess was awake and kissing him back. They pulled each other closer, needing each other. There was no way they were going to be able to stop the direction in which they were headed. And in that moment, neither of them wanted to stop…all they wanted was to love and be loved. And that's exactly what they found…love. When they were finished, they finally fell asleep in each others arms.

Something woke Joe up. And that something was the telephone.

"H-hello?"

"Yes Mr. O'Sullivan…this is the wake-up call that you requested…we're about one hour out from Pembroke."

"Oh, yes…thank you."

Joe hung up the phone. He needed to wake up Jess. Jess. "Oh, bloody hell" he thought to himself. "I've betrayed her and her father's trust. Why couldn't you just go to sleep like a normal tired person…but no, you had to let you bloody hormones take over when you saw her hair down. And to top it all off, you didn't even use protection…you're a real wanker Joe O'Sullivan." Of course while he was having all of these guilty thoughts, Jess snuggled up closer to Joe, with no clue as to the torment she was causing him.

"Jess…Jess, love you need to wake up."

"Mmmm…"

"Jess, wake up." Joe said more sternly. "We don't have time for this…we're about one hour out…and I think you're going to need all that time to put yourself back together."

"Joe…what's wrong? Are you mad at me?"

"Jess…I'm not mad at you. I'm mad at myself, and I'm mad at the situation we're in."

"What are you talking about Joe?"

"Jess…uh, look at how we're dressed…or should I say undressed. I took advantage of an emotional situation, betrayed your father's trust, and to top it all off, we didn't use any protection. I'm afraid I might have gotten us in a situation that neither of us is ready for. I'm so sorry Jess…" Joe went silent, and he couldn't look at Jess.

"Joe…look at me. You did not take advantage or me or the situation. I could have stopped what happen if I wanted to…but I didn't want to. I wanted to make love to you Joe. We've shared so much these past few days, that I wanted to share this as well." Jess grabbed his hand. "And don't worry about protection Joe…I have that under control."

Joe couldn't believe what he was hearing. Suddenly a huge weight was lifted off his shoulders. And because he suddenly felt lighter, he was able to look at Jess…and take her in his arms.

"Have I told you lately how much I love you Jess?"

"Oh, just about every minute of the day."

"You are an amazing woman. However, if I was you and I had to see my overprotective father in a few hours, I would take a shower."

"Do I look that bad?"

"No…you look gorgeous. However, I would prefer that your dad didn't see you with the fresh afterglow of lovemaking. Now go…before I take advantage of you again." Joe teased.

Joe tossed her , her items of clothing that were strewn about. After she had them on, she went to the bathroom and started the shower. Joe told her to hurry, because he would like to take one as well before they landed. After a quick, albeit refreshing shower, Jess came out…she was back in her pajamas, her hair was wrapped in a towel. She told Joe, that she would change in the room while he took his shower. When Joe was finished with his shower, Jess was dressed, packed, and ready to go. Since Joe had taken his clean clothes into the bathroom with him, all he had to do was pack up his few things.

When they were sure they had all of their belongings, they went on their way. First they dropped off their key at reception. They had just enough time to grab a hot cup of tea while they waited for the ferry to dock. Once again, their car was one of the first to be unloaded, so they were on their way sooner than expected. Joe needed to buy gas as soon as they got off the ferry, and since it was almost noon, they decided to grab a quick bite to eat. But once that was accomplished they were on their way.

Around 4 pm, they hit the outermost suburbs of London. They were almost home…well home for Jess. She couldn't wait to see her family…she had missed them these few days. Almost more than she missed them the entire first semester of school. She needed to talk to Pinky…to Tony…her mum and dad…and to Jules as well. So much had happened in these short days, but she had been with Joe. She decided she could handle anything that life might hand her now…because of Joe. He was now officially her foundation. Oh, wait until the extended family finds out on New Year's Eve. That will be an interesting party, however the people in her life that really matter are behind her and Joe. All was right with the world.

She had gotten lost in her thoughts, so she hadn't even noticed that they had taken the exit for her parents' house. When she turned to smile at Joe, she was shocked to see she was in front of her home.

"What's wrong love?"

"Oh nothing…I just had no idea we were here. Oh, it feels good to be home…"

"I know what you mean…thanks for coming with me Jess…it has meant the world to me. Ready to go in?"

"Yes."

"Do you think your mom has dinner ready?"

"If not ready, it's almost ready. You know you spoil my mum with your compliments on her cooking.?"

"In that case…let me go spoil her some more. Come, love."