Thanks for the reviews. I appreciate it. Jesse/Diana chappie.

Chapter 21-Brave Intentions

"Jesse! Jesse where are you?!" Diana screamed as she searched for her missing husband throughout their house. For the past few weeks, things with Jesse and Di had improved immensely. He wasn't staying out late anymore. She hadn't seen him glance at a beer bottle and she hadn't heard from Ralph or Jeremy since Jesse came home. She was extremely proud of his sudden recovery. But it also made her even more suspicious. Was he still hiding his addictions from her? Had he just become more skilled at hiding them? She didn't know.

"In here babe," Jesse replied, standing over the stove. He was cooking breakfast for his family. Diana entered the kitchen, young Jessi on her tail. She wrapped her arms around Jesse's waist, kissing his ear slightly. He turned back and smiled, placing one hand over hers.

"Daddy!" Jessica screamed, reaching her arms out for Jesse. Jesse beamed as he lifted his little girl into the air.

"Hey baby girl," he said, attacking her face with sloppy kisses. She let out a rift of laughter. Diana took over the food while Jesse played with his daughter. I missed so much, he thought. He was in the process of tossing her in the air when the phone rang. "I'll get it," he said, a smile still plastered on his face.

"Hello?" he answered.

"I hope you don't think it's that easy to just up and leave," a grave voice said in the receiver.

"What do you want?" Jesse said, taking the cordless out onto the deck.

"Where'd you go that day huh? We told you, there's no way out Jesse. You made a pledge that day that you roll with us from now on. There's no getting out of that," Jeremy said.

"Fuck you all right. You don't own me! I'm done," Jesse yelled, feeling proud of his sudden bravery. Jesse clicked the phone off and ran back into the house. The phone rang again.

"Stop fucking calling me! I said I'm done, I'm out!" he yelled, clicking the phone off once more.

It rang once more.

"What the fuck do you want?!" he yelled, causing Jessica to cry. He whispered 'sorry' to Di as she carried her daughter upstairs. She came back downstairs empty handed.

"Don't hang up on me again. And is that any way to answer your phone?"

"Oh hey, sorry Dominic," Jesse said, waiting for Dom's screaming reaction. He was happy when he didn't get one.

"What's goin' on Jess? Who's calling you?" Dom asked, sincerely concerned.

"Just some people I got in bad with. But everything's settled. But how are things goin' in L.A.?" Jesse wanted to switch subjects real fast.

"Dunno, I'm not there."

"Where are you?" Jesse became worried.

"Vince where are we? Somewhere between Phoenix and Tuscon," Jesse heard Vince say.

"Oh is that V? And why are you guys in Arizona?"

"Yeah that was V. He's in his car, we're on the talkies. We're on our way to Florida," Jesse became panicked. If Ralph and Jeremy found out that his family was in town, what would they try? Or would they try anything at all? He didn't know.

"What for?" he asked, hoping to get something out of Dom.

"To see you of course. Heard you're having a rough time, wanted to come see how things were going," Dom answered.

"I don't know if that's such a good idea Dom," Jesse said, running his hands over his short hair.

"Of course it is. Look Jess, all the guys are coming. You have nothing to worry about. Even Elijah's coming."

"Ok Dom. When do you think you guys will be in?"

"Probably sometime late this week," Dom replied. "We just pull in to our motel so I'm gonna go. Call your brother Jess. He's worried sick." Dom hung up.

Jesse ran his hands over his buzzed hair for what seemed like the millionenth time. He knew he would have to talk to Leon sooner or later, but he was dreading it. He had a bitching with his name on it. Jesse wasn't prepared for that just yet. He sat back down at the breakfast table.

"Everything alright?" Diana asked, sitting a plate down in front of him.

"I have to call Leon," was all he said.

"Ouch. Well eat something first. I'm gonna go get Danny," Diana replied, jogging up to her daughter's room.

Upstairs, Diana took a detour to her room to check her cell for missed calls. One missed call. Curious to who called, she dialed her answering service.

Hey Di, it's me. Just seein' if everything was going good with Jess. Call me and let me know what's up.

Peace

Ugh, Tej. You're bustin' my balls man, she said to herself. Suddenly, the sound of crashing glass was heard coming from the room next door, followed by cries from baby Jessica. Her cell phone smashed into pieces as she dropped it, running to Jessica's room. Jesse roared up the steps as he has the same reaction to the situation. When Diana entered the room, she found Jessica on the floor crying, unharmed. Her bedroom window was broken, glass all over the floor. A brick lay near her bed, a note attached to it. As Diana picked up her still crying baby, Jesse picked up the brick.

"Those bastards!" he yelled, his face red from frustration.

"What is it Jess?" Diana asked, cradling her baby in her arms.

"They want to me with me. They said if I do, they're gonna hurt Danny," he ran his hands down his face. He didn't want to be intimidate by his 'friends', but he wouldn't dare jeopardize his family's health. "C'mon, get her stuff ready," he said, making his way to his bedroom.

"Where we goin'?" Diana asked, following him.

"Just get her shit together!"

Fifteen minutes later, bags were packed and ready to go. Jesse tossed Diana and Jessica's bags in the Volkswagon Beetle as she loaded Jessica inside.

"Go to Tej's ok. Go straight there. Don't stop for anything," he said, pulling his cell phone out his pocket.

Diana didn't object. He waited for her car to get out of sight before he ran back in the house. He ran down to the basement, praying it was still there. He reached onto the top shelf, fumbling his hand over tools and dust. Finally finding what he was looking for, he ran back upstairs, tucking his 9mm pistol in his waistband. Jesse ran back outside, keying in numbers on his cell.

"Pick me up in fifteen minutes," was all he said into the phone. He hung it up and sat on the porch, nervously waiting for their arrival. Would his brave intentions get him killed? He was soon to find out.

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Short one, I know. Just review it k? Next one up tomorrow.

-Kita