"You've been awfully quiet since what happened with Monty last night...is it bothering you?" Joe asked. He and Nessa were sitting on the couch, cuddled up and watching tv.
"Yeah it is a little I suppose, I mean he is my ex husband and a part of me still loves him but...that's not what's really bothering me."
"Then what is?"
Nessa sighed and got off the couch, grabbing a tape off the top of the tv she turned to Joe, her face unreadable. "I'm going to show you something and I hope that you'll at least let me explain what's on it before you get angry."
"Okay..." Joe was going to try his best to keep an open mind about what ever it was but he knew by the way she was acting that it wasn't going to be good. Nessa put the tape in the VCR and went to sit back down beside him. After taking a deep breath she pressed 'play' and Joe saw the Impact taping from that week start up.
He sat watching the four-way X Division match that Brandon was in, wondering what she wanted him to see until it finally became clear to him when he saw Nessa making her way down to the ring. "What the hell?" He questioned, looking over at her.
"Just watch then I'll explain."
Joe watched in utter confusion and horror as he saw Nessa attack Alex Shelley to keep him from climbing back in the ring and stop Brandon from getting the pin. After the match was over he turned to Nessa again a questioning look on his face. "Care to tell me just what the hell that was all about?"
"I knew that was the only way to get him to believe that I was going to truly turn my back on you so I spoke to Alex before the match and he agreed to help me. That's why I singled him out, after we got to the back Brandon stopped me and said that he saw I truly made my decision...that it was a wise one. Alex called him stupid to get his attention long enough for Kelly and Nicky to step up beside me then they took care of him while Alex walked me back to the locker room."
"Why didn't you tell me about this?"
"Because I knew if you found out about it you would've tried to stop me and I just couldn't let you do that. I love you with all my heart Joe but sometimes you treat me as if I'm made of glass, you have your fun each week by getting in that ring and kicking people's asses...I just needed this for me." Nessa stated and he sighed.
"I know I do and I'm sorry but I'd hate myself if anything ever happened to you again. When Silvestry attacked you and I got that phone call from Chris it nearly killed me because I felt like it was my fault."
"It wasn't though. I wanted to go home by myself that night because of what he did in the hall and also to think about my feelings for you. I knew I needed you in my life, there was never any doubt about that but I just wasn't sure of exactly how I needed you. Then when you got hurt it was like everything became so clear and I realized that I couldn't live my life without you by my side." Nessa kissed him gently and smiled. "You're the only man for me I hope you know that."
"I do. What time did you say Shelley was coming over?" He asked, glancing at the clock.
"Six."
"It's five now."
"Dammit!" She hissed, jumping up off the couch. "I gotta go put the chicken on." Nessa went into the kitchen and began preparing things for Rattlesnake Pasta. She heard the front door open and ran back into the living room only to find Nick and Kelly walking in. "Hey boys! Just in time, I'm starting dinner."
"Sounds good. What are we having?" Nick questioned, following her back in the kitchen.
"Your favorite...Rattlesnake Pasta." She said, putting the Alfredo sauce on to warm-up. Joe and Kelly came in to join them and sat down at the kitchen table.
"Did I hear you mention Rattlesnake Pasta?" Kelly asked and Nessa giggled.
"Yeah, Alex is coming over for dinner so I figured that's what I'd make. Could one of you get that pot and fill it a little over halfway with water?" She requested, pointing to a pot sitting on the counter.
"Got it!" Nick announced. He filled it up and sat it on the stove, discreetly giving her a kiss on the cheek while Joe was talking to Kelly. "Remember the first time you ever made this for me?" He whispered and she blushed as she thought back.
It hadn't been long after they started having their affair and they were at his house one night when he mentioned that he was hungry so Nessa offered to cook for him. Nick had walked into the kitchen to find her standing at the stove cooking away in nothing but an apron.
"I remember." The doorbell rang and she sighed in relief. "I'll get it!" Nessa raced into the living room, wanting to put as much distance between her and Nick as she could at the moment. She opened the door and smiled when she saw Alex standing there. "You made it."
"You know, you have very perverted neighbors." Alex stated, walking in the apartment.
"I do?"
"Yeah. The old woman at the end of the hall asked me if you were holding some kind of orgy in here because of all the men coming in here...are you?" He asked, his eyes lighting up.
"Alex!" Nessa gasped, blushing and he laughed.
"I'm just kidding, I know Joe would kill before he let something like that go on."
"Something like what?" Joe questioned, walking into the room.
"Old Mrs. Thomas asked Alex if we were having an orgy because of all the men that keep coming through here." Nessa told him and he chuckled.
"Doesn't sound like too bad of an idea."
"Joe!" She yelled, smacking him in the back of the head.
"Ow! Hey, I was just kidding."
"I know but still..." She trailed off, going back in the kitchen as he and Alex followed her.
"I didn't know the whole family was going to be here." Alex commented when he saw Kelly and Nick.
"They're not, we're missing three members."
"We are?" Kelly questioned.
"Of course. We're missing Chris, Allen and Andy. One night before you guys go back home we're all going to have to get together...you too Alex, you're part of the family now." Nessa said, smiling at him then turned her attention back to dinner.
"Aww I feel so loved."
"Yeah well, you better. She doesn't except new people in our family just like that...it usually takes a while." Nick spoke up.
"So, why me?" Alex asked.
"I told you last night that I'm quite fond of you. I like your style and your ring ability plus you just seemed like a really fun person to be around." Nessa stated and he blushed a little.
"Thanks. What do you have to do around here while we're waiting for dinner?"
"Joe, honey why don't you take Alex out and show him what's on the deck?"
"You got it babe."
She watched him walk out of the apartment with Alex trailing behind him then she turned to Nick. "I don't know what you're trying to do but whatever it is...you need to stop."
"What do you mean?"
"You know exactly what I mean Nicky, reminding me of the first time I made this for you wasn't right to do and you know it."
"Aness we have always done stuff like that when we get together so what's so different now?" He asked.
"The difference is that I'm engaged to be married."
"You were married when we had our affair!" Nick pointed out, standing up and walking over to her.
"It's not the same Nicky...I'm not the same."
"Yes you are! If you're so different then why did you do what you did to Kelly and I in the locker room last night?"
"I shouldn't have, that was my mistake and I admit it. All I'm asking is that you respect me enough to stop what ever it is that you are trying to do." Nessa stated.
"Fine. I promise not to do anything else to you that you don't want me to...unless you choose to start something."
"Thank you. Now, will you please go tell Joe and Alex that it's time to eat?"
"Sure." He went out on the deck only to return a few minutes later with Joe and Alex following him. The five of them sat down and ate dinner then decided to go back out on the deck and spend some time in the hot tub where they talked about what their moves would be should Monty or Brandon choose to retaliate.
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A/N: For anyone who doesn't know the dish that Nessa made for dinner it is made with chicken cut up into pieces then put in Alfredo sauce and it's all mixed together with spaghetti noodles. It's quite delicious and I've made it a few times for my family who loves it!
