Chapter 9: No Regrets

Current Day: Lucia's Apartment - 7:00PM

Lucia insisted that Haggar get a lowkey celebration for his upcoming birthday at her apartment - long before Cody's successful unveiling. Café Lucia was open for business, though it could stand to apply for a health inspection…

The previous mayor had almost forgotten about the semi-soiree - but he did not want to disappoint - it meant a lot to him that she was willing to get a full-course meal going on despite her developing culinary skill. He already agreed to it before he knew Jessica's flight schedule and wasn't the type to go back on his word…

Lucia truly looked up to Haggar. His belief in her when she was wrongly accused of police corruption in her genuine efforts against crime in her rookie days meant the world to her – Haggar just cared so deeply about everyone he took under his wing – so why not gather as many of his protégés in one room so he can bask in the glory of his legacy? Well…except for Lucky. He messed up their bond the minute he spoke ill of Jessica – and no one would ever survive such blasphemy.

She claimed that it was the least she could do after all he'd done for her and the entire town over the last decade. She was preparing his favorite curry rice, and Carlos and Cody were invited as two shining examples of folks who had undergone Haggar's tutelage and thrived.

Carlos mastered many styles of fighting, and moved to Metro City from Brazil shortly after the rescue of Jessica and had been an invaluable friend to Mike since. He regularly supported the security of Metro City, eternally grateful to Haggar's hospitality, guidance, and support over the last decade. Metro City was a land of opportunity and Haggar made sure of it for anyone who wished to make a living here.

Little did sweet Lucia know of the residual tension that still lingered between the mayor and ex-mayor…

"So, uh," Cody adjusted his necktie as he sat across the hulking man. "Long time no see, Mike."

"Right back at ya, Cody."

The two men sat across from each other uncomfortably as Carlos looked on. Cody agreed to this get-together mostly at Lucia's insistence, as in his mind, he was all squared away with Haggar. However, he figured this could also be a chance for him to…perhaps not only ease a little tension on the old man's special day, but he would also be able to wiggle some information out of his old predecessor…namely, where the heck Jessica was staying and how long she'd be in town for. Birthdays were a happy occasion after all - what better time than now? Carlos, on the other hand, was actually looking forward to dinner…

"No need to act like strangers, now," Carlos said, familiar with the history between the two gentlemen - but it was too late - the unfolding battle of wits had already started. "Every birthday comes around just once, after all. Surely we can have a good time tonight, especially after your rousing dedication the other day, Mayor Travers."

"Don't havta call me anythin' but Cody, Carlos. Just doin' my duty."

"You implying I didn't?" Haggar's lips curled into more of a frown than they already were in.

Cody couldn't hide the visible clenching of his jaw. This was not going to go as smoothly as he hoped it would.

"You know I didn't mean it like that, Mike. For the record, I didn't do that to get on your good side or anythin'...just restorin' the balance between us."

"Make nice, you two!" Lucia called out from the kitchen. She huffed in a mild panic as she looked at the results of her…creations. Haggar went through the effort of exonerating Cody and Cody succeeded him as mayor, finally allowing Haggar to retire to live the good life. In her eyes, they should have been over it already - if anything, they should be grateful to each other!

Oh, what spice was it again that Roxy said I should use? And NOT use… The kitchen didn't smell particularly great - Lucia was notoriously bad at cooking, but how could they possibly turn her down? She worked hard on the force, and even harder in the kitchen…apparently. She insisted. "This is a happy occasion, ya hear?!"

"Yes, Officer Morgan," all three men responded dutifully.

"Mike, if you don't mind me askin'…" Cody cleared his throat. He had nothing to lose. "Is, uh…Jessica stayin' with you right now, by any chance?"

The former mayor narrowed his eyes. Carlos took a drink - he figured he might not want to be completely sober for this one.

What's he plottin'? Haggar thought. Judging by the pensive look that had been etched into the blond's face, he just knew that his Dad-sense had been going off for good reason. "You're the last person who should be asking me that, chump."

Carlos took a large bite of the starters on the table.

The former and current mayors stared daggers at each other as they were presented with their…questionable appetizers.

What is this…? they both seemed to think simultaneously, as they grinned at Lucia, who was far too proud of herself.

"It's the beginner course! Eat up!" the excited blonde beamed as she ran back into the kitchen with haste, her exit followed by the wailing of the smoke detector.

"Heheh, uh, no need for alarm!" she yelled. "JUST EAT UP!"

"Thanks, Officer Morgan!" they yelled back in unison, recoiling from the noise.

Cody and Mike were at it again. Carlos was already halfway through his second plate.

"Go on and eat your appetizer, Cody," Mike smiled through gritted teeth.

"After you, birthday boy!" Cody also smiled in full mayor persona. His eye was twitching.

Carlos piped up. "I mean, if neither of you are gonna get that…"

"I know I saw her the other day, Mike," Cody said as he poked his dinner hesitantly. It certainly looked…opposite of appealing.

"What's it to you?"

"Mike…"

"The main course is coming up!" Lucia yelled from the kitchen. They started sweating.

"I thought we were here to celebrate, not interrogate," Haggar leaned in as he glared at the blond.

"We are!" Cody said through gritted teeth. "I'm just askin' a simple question."

Mike wasn't budging. But Cody's stomach growled. He was hungry…he deliberately cut his schedule today for this dinner, after all. Perhaps ol' Mike was right. Now wasn't the time…so when would be? Cody sighed with exasperation. Haggar may have won the battle, but he didn't win the war. This wasn't over.

"Eh. Couldn't hurt any worse than prison food."

Oh, how mistaken he was.

"HAPPY BIRTHDAY, MR. HAGGAR!"

"C-Call me Mike…! And an ambulance, probably…"

Uptown: Thrive Restaurant - 7:30PM

After the mayor's speech earlier in the week, there was no way Jessica could face Cody with any semblance of emotional consistency, a far cry from the muscle she developed in poker. It took her long enough to admit to herself that she had been a mess since she'd seen him last. She was only going to be in Metro City for a week, and her time was concluding quickly – it was impossible to explore all of what had changed in her hometown in recent years in a single week.

She made reservations with her father at the newest steakhouse he wanted to try for the following night, as she also didn't want to hurt Lucia's feelings by overshadowing her organized meetup for her dear father by pretending to eat her love-filled, but not-so-great cooking…she hadn't forgotten and was thankful for her father's gentle heads up. She absolutely had to thank Lucia later for making him as special as she did.

She couldn't be more grateful to be Mike Haggar's daughter.

Unfortunately, knowing that Cody would also be there made it a definite non-option, but that also meant that her old friend Marlowe would be available. Lucia understood completely, and they made sure they'd catch up before she left for Paris again. For now, Jessica and Marlowe arranged for a dinner date that evening to catch up since her last visit to Metro City - which hadn't been since before Cody's exoneration.

Jessica was mildly frustrated that her mind was saturated with thoughts of that one, and she refused to let it dominate her evening. She sipped her red wine.

The newer restaurants all had to have some sort of niche or gimmick to them. Marlowe picked out one with heated rooftops and a gorgeous view across the entirety of Metro City. The menu was created by a world-famous chef - apparently, the seafood and dessert was to die for. With globally curated cocktails and modern, vibing tunes, it was one of the best escapes from reality on the Upper West Side. Jessica had flown in from Paris after all - coming home shouldn't ever feel like a downgrade. What better way to catch up one-on-one?

The two of them met abroad in France when they attended a few classes together during undergrad, not having realized they both hailed from Metro City University at first. It was a wonder they got along so quickly then. Maisie ended up returning to Metro City after the initial semester as originally scheduled for the students abroad, but Jessica…stayed.

"Jessie! Long time no see! It was pretty unlike you not to pop by in the last couple of summers. You go back this weekend, don't you?"

"I know! I'm sorry I've been away for so long this time…things just got a bit busy overseas once I came back from my tournament games."

"And I want to hear all about them. Here I am still at City Hall with a boss who has zero political experience when I could literally be doing anything else," Marlowe tilted her head, her cool, collected demeanor never breaking as Jessica took a bigger sip of her wine. She hadn't been complaining, really. "I figured I'd be on my second business venture by now, but honestly, with the way Metro City's headed, I'm actually glad to be there at its turnaround…"

The redhead was the daughter of a top executive at the Hugger Investment Bank, but she insisted she take over by her own effort and means, not because of nepotism. She wanted funding to be distributed for the betterment of the city she so loved and she was going to do it by the book. The challenge of being assistant to an ex-convict was an opportunity she couldn't turn down - but it turned out to be more of a growing experience for the both of them.

"Cody…" Jessica trailed. Politics were the furthest thing from his mind in the entire life she'd known him. Her glass swirled.

"Ah - sorry I broke our first rule - no work talk!" Marlowe tilted her head, tapping her chin. "…But I know all of this is probably quite relieving for you, with your dad no longer at the helm, huh?"

Au contraire. Jessica couldn't stop thinking of her last few encounters with the current mayor. Everything was nothing she'd known in the last decade. She had no faith in him for so long, and yet something deep inside tugged at her to look that way again.

Jessica couldn't stop thinking of her last few encounters with the current mayor. Everything was nothing she'd known in the last decade. She had no faith in him for so long, and yet something deep inside tugged at her to look that way again.

His face the other day had been stuck in her mind...the way he looked at her. It seemed that he was all there. There was no way that the same man she convinced herself she hated was looking at her as he had. His eyes were full of life and…what almost looked like yearning. He'd been so angry last time she saw him…it just didn't add up to her.

Did they even have closure? That might have explained why her heart and body screamed to go see him - but her mind was resisting with a resolute no. She didn't know what she was going to do, but she did know that it was likely inevitable that she would run into him one of these days.

Her life was just too…connected to him, no matter how hard she tried to sever the ties. She sighed. And Marlowe noticed.

"Maisie, can I ask you something?"

"Go on, Jess."

"Does Cody still have violent tendencies?"

"I had to chastise him just the other day," Marlowe laughed bitterly.

"I guess some things never change," Jessica groaned into the starry sky, recalling her last painful visit to his cell. "Oh, Maisie…I'm so sorry for being such a downer - I don't mean to ruin our catch-up time together. I'm just all out of sorts about that one."

"To be fair…he is a piece of work."

"That's one way to put it," the blonde laughed nervously, twirling her hair. Unlike herself, Marlowe was always so put together. She just always knew what to do. "I can't believe what he did. Opened a library in my mother's name? I'm sure there were plenty of other things he could have prioritized in his first few months as mayor."

"Probably," Marlowe reflected. "But he chose to elevate the library, even through all the pushback. He insisted it all happened by your dad's birthday, that marshmallow. He'd be an indomitable adversary in the office if only he'd stay a bit more focused."

"Give yourself more credit, Maisie," Jessica grinned. "Your signature is all over the base of operations. You two make quite the team. I hope he's handling everything okay since the last place I ever expected him to end up was behind a desk." She didn't expect behind bars, either…

"I'm sure he'd be happy to tell you all about it," Marlowe replied with a gentle air of resistance as she reviewed the stellar dinner menu. "He's got an open door policy - appointment willing - because I, for one, would love to stop talking about my boss. You know where he works."

"Maisie!" Jessica blushed, the red started getting to her cheeks. "I'm so sorry - you're right. We broke up on such awful terms, I just…I don't know if it's worth it now. He's the freakin' mayor of the city for goodness' sake. If my dad was stressed out all the time, I can't even imagine what he's dealing with right now…"

"You might be surprised," Marlowe bit her lip, realizing she may've crossed the personal-professional boundary she worked so hard to maintain. It was tough when her friend was the daughter of her mentor, after all. She was also her boss's ex-girlfriend from way back…when she thought about how work went in the last couple of days, other than the celebratory start of the week, her boss's perpetually pouty and pitiful visage in the last 72 hours couldn't have been solely attributed to the stress of his compiling mayoral duty.

"After all these years!" Jessica exclaimed. "C'est pas vrai, I wouldn't even know what to say." Or where to start…

This particular week, his usual sulking had a different sort of weight to it - he might as well have been parading around City Hall with a "has anyone seen Jessica?" sign and city employees wouldn't be able to tell the difference. Meanwhile, Jessica was sitting across from her, pouting, in the #1-rated restaurant in town, worrying about an ex-boyfriend.

Marlowe almost felt sorry for them…but not as sorry as they would be if she didn't get to experience the menu within the next hour.

"Listen, Jessica," Marlowe lowered her glasses. "You did what was best for you and your physical, mental, and especially emotional safety at the time. People change. You really can't blame yourself for acting on what you knew then," the redhead shrugged her shoulders. "This lobster, however…needs to make its way in front of me, posthaste."

"…You're right," Jessica sighed. She certainly didn't want to be lousy company, but damn it he couldn't escape her mind, no matter how much she tried to resist.

"I get it, Jessica. So enough about my boss," the redhead teased, clearly wanting to switch topics. "Just trust your intuition. Now can we get on with our order? I need to know all about your latest excursions in Paris. I want to visit sometime soon and would love to update my list."

"Right…my intuition…"

The next evening…: Tom's Gym, 7:00PM

Cody won his initial set against Luke when they first encountered each other by City Hall a couple of weeks ago. No way he was going to do all that smack talk and have nothing to show for it.

It had been a very close set that could have gone either way, and Luke demanded a rematch and barely won the second. For the sake of bragging rights, they scheduled a third set - the set of all sets - and today was time. At least it was scheduled this round…

"You're a real persistent one, aren't you?" Cody rolled up his sleeves and flexed his hand. He had a neutral expression, but he was itching for the battle. It was certainly one way to unwind all the pent-up energy after the sort of week he had.

"How else d'ya think I got these scars?!" Luke beamed.

"I really hope you're not gonna say from fightin'."

"Psh," Luke scoffed, as if there'd be any other reason. "Where else would they be from?"

"Sheesh, kid," Cody facepalmed. "That means you're leavin' yourself way too open. I'm gonna push you on your defense."

"Like I need a lecture from you! Let's go, pops!"

Cody pinched the bridge of his nose. "Quit callin' me that, would ya?"

It was another close match. Luke had the upper hand this round, having been familiar with Cody's reads from earlier - which officially put him one over the mayor of Metro City - he'd have bragging rights for days! He certainly had improved since and most definitely had potential. Cody knew he probably could have done better, as he hated having excuses for a loss, but this week had been a debilitating one.

"Good matches - but are ya gettin' sleepy on me?" Luke elbowed him after one of his obnoxious Click Clock dances (or whatever the kids called it these days), as Cody suppressed any hint of annoyance - not that he was traditionally sportsman-like…

"Nah, just a little rusty is all. I'll kick your ass once I'm back in the groove. Just been a little more hectic than usual lately."

"So I saw! Didn't expect to go viral the other day, did ya?"

"Not really, no," Cody replied sorely. It'd felt like a hassle, and not anything he'd considered when putting together the plan for the reveal. "I don't see what the big deal to the rest of the world was."

"Ah, give yourself some more credit, my dude. You've got a way with words and the internet just took 'em and ran. In fact, it kinda gives me an idea…"

"Uh oh. Your ideas can't all that sound if your face is any indication…"

"Nah nah nah, hear me out," Luke started. "I was thinkin' of inviting you to my channel. You know. Shine a little light on Buckler Security services. Commentate on my fights. Pop by some live streams here and there. Build a rapport with chat. Nothin' like the sound of a ringing endorsement from the ol' fighting mayor of Metro City, huh?" It was an interesting proposition.

"A fightin' channel, huh? I don't see the harm in that…but as tempting as that sounds…what's the catch? I'm pretty sure we'll need to sign a media agreement of some sort…"

"No catch, no catch. Just a little bit of your time, public official. I figured I'll stay in Metro City for a bit before I head out on my own world tour. You're kickin' ass as mayor…figuratively, anyway," Luke smirked.

"Watch it…" came the glare. "But thanks. A world tour, huh? That's pretty impressive. You're just livin' your best life, ain't ya?" Cody rubbed his chin, realizing that at about Luke's age…he was confined. That kid wouldn't last a day in prison, yet he exuded the sort of strength he wished stayed with him through harder times…

"Haha, yup. I was raised to always forge my own path, so that's exactly what I'm gonna do."

"I can respect that."

Their relationship had been all fun and games - and each of them learned something new about each other every time they fought. Cody leaned back on the bleachers as the next pair of sparring partners entered the ring. He had time before heading back to the office to wrap up for the night – he swore it would be his last late night given all the catch-up he's had to do. Luke seemed to be posting his post-fight hashtags or whatever it was that kids did these days. Things sure were different in his time in the pen…he figured he'd try to make sense of it all while he could.

"So, what drives you to fight, kid?" It was a genuine question. The gym really did feel like home through everything he had experienced. He was thinking about his journey, and all of the interesting folks he'd met over time and how they came to where they were. One of them, a particularly straight-laced fighter once told him, "a fight without meaning serves no purpose." To him…fun was plenty enough purpose - he figured folks were here for a good time, not a long time, so why the hell not?

"My dad, Robert Sullivan…he's my hero."

"Ah - who could forget that name. Now he was a hero. He saved so many lives that day. I'm sorry for your loss."

"I appreciate it, bro. As a kid I had no idea of the depths of his courage. He really taught me to make sure to live your life with no regrets, and I tell ya - that's the way to live."

"No regrets, huh?" Cody couldn't agree more.

"Yup. That's why I do what I do. I figure he can live on through me and I'll always give it 110%," Luke stopped, his curiosity getting the better of him. What was the mayor's dad like? Cody went from being a hero, to convict, and to a mayor. That must have been a hell of a transition for his family. All Luke knew was that the mayor started martial arts training even earlier than he did - aged 9! - but somehow he ended up in prison after saving the city. This guy had to have a story.

"What about your parents, mayor? If you don't mind me asking. You never talk about 'em in any of your speeches and you must've been hell to raise," he grinned.

"Ha ha," Cody retorted dryly. Ah, the dreaded question. Cody hated opening up to folks not necessarily because of the reopening of the wounds, but mostly because he couldn't stand to see the look of pity when they realized how merciless life was for him, growing up on the streets of Metro City. The last thing he needed was anyone's sympathy. He could take care of himself - always did, always had. Not that he wanted to discount his social workers, his teachers, and even Haggar…

"My mom was sick and died when my little brother, Kyle and I were just kids. We couldn't afford the treatment, ya know? My dad…wasn't really around," the mayor said as Luke leaned forward. "Drank himself to death before I finished junior high. Kyle and I always just had to sort of figure it out."

Luke didn't exactly express the immediate I'm so sorry gut reaction he'd grown accustomed to, but he knew it was on the verge of surfacing. The young man's eyebrows were knitted as his gaze was fixated on the ground.

"Oh…shit, sorry for bringing that all up. I…I didn't–"

"Really - it's fine," Cody stopped him right away, having a lifetime's worth of condolences stashed deep down. "I don't talk about it much 'cause I don't need anyone feelin' sorry for me. Never have. I know that losin' your dad as a kid must have been hell for you too - but look at you now. I know he'd be proud of you."

"Gettin' all sentimental on me, pops?" Luke looked away as he blinked away unprecedented tears, unable to hold back a wistful smile. "Thanks. Like I said before…you're not doin' so bad yourself, y'know - I mean, you've got a whole-ass city behind you."

"Heh," the mayor chuckled. "For the most part. My opposition tries to take me down any chance they get - tired of all the fightin' mayors and all that. But honestly…as much shit as he gives me, Mike really did have my back the whole time, so it's not like I had no one…ya know? I think we're even now."

"The ol' Macho man always did seem pretty cool, especially back in his wrestling days," Luke reflected as he leaned back. "You should introduce me sometime! He and the Grater were my dad's favorite tag team duo - the Knuckle Busters were so badass! Then again, he's trusting a jackass like you to run this city so maybe I should take that back," Luke grinned, looking over to see Cody's reaction. He was so easy.

"Hey…you pickin' another fight? I've got better things to do…"

Friday Night: Eastchester Drive (15 minutes north of Metro City) - 11:45PM

Cody was going to do it.

He was going to make sure he saw Jessica before she left this time.

He missed his chance at the detention center all those years ago, but he was no longer bound - neither by wrists or by will. He was a free man now, and one who intended to live with no regrets. If he didn't, he wouldn't be able to forgive himself. He became the mayor after all - and no one saw that coming.

…Except for Haggar, perhaps.

Cody pulled up to Haggar's house and parked on the street at the risk of incurring the elder's wrath. He never was hesitant to stand up for himself despite the former wrestler's dominating presence. He chuckled to himself as he often wondered if that's what truly steeled him for the rough roads he endured in his lifetime.

Lights were still on - he must have just made it. The drive north of Metro City was always clarifying - not that Cody came outside city borders much. He never felt the need to when there was plenty to do in the city…

Haggar emerged from his home and he crossed his arms. He stood tall, strong, and unmoving. Cody drew in a deep breath through his nostrils, approaching him as confidently as he could muster. Normally, this would be effortless, but…he knew that Haggar knew there was only one reason Cody would be here at this hour - and he was going to let him know it was unacceptable.

"What."

"I've got to see Jessica," Cody said, noting to dial down the desperation in his voice. "I've gotta see her before she goes back."

"Get off my property before I kick your ass," Haggar grumbled, arms still crossed. "Or I could just call the cops."

"Oh, that's rich. Gimme a break, Mike!" the blond threw his hands up in exasperation, turning his heel as he shook his head. Cody anticipated that this was going to be difficult, but even that stung. He shrugged with one arm, his other hand resting at his waist. "There you go, treatin' me like a kid again. I thought we had an understanding."

"We do," Haggar rubbed his chin. "Just not when it comes to my daughter."

Happy place…happy place…think of your happy place…

"I know for a fact that I saw Jess at the unveiling," Cody pushed. "I can't NOT see her. I drove all the way out here! In the rain!" the mayor gestured wildly to the lightest rainfall that barely splashed the roads. "I bet you the city budget if you'd just ask her, she'd at least be willin' for me to get her number. I'd contact her myself if I could!"

Haggar narrowed his eyes. How dare he speak so flippantly about the sacred budget. The man that destroyed his daughter's soul was going to have to make a stronger case than that.

"You obviously can't contact her for a reason," Haggar retorted. "Don't you have a city to run?"

The current mayor groaned.

"The ol' Metro's gonna be just fine," Cody said assuredly. "I waited 'til the end of the week, Mike!" he pointed out. "I knew you were gonna give me crap about unfinished work. Cut me some slack, will ya?"

"There's no slack when it comes to my daughter," Haggar grumbled, almost impressed with his level of preparation. "She would have reached out if she wanted to. You got yourself into this mess. I'm not meddlin'."

"Don't patronize me, Mikey - I'm tryin' to get out of said mess," the mayor sighed through gritted teeth. "Where else would Jess be stayin'? I mean…ya kinda are literally standing in my way."

Mike glared. Cody glared.

"Don't push it, smartass."

"All I'm askin'...is for you to just check in with her. That's all." Cody backed up and held up three fingers on his right hand. "If Jessica doesn't want me here, I'll be outta your hair faster than you can blink. Scout's honor."

"So…you're takin' the off-chance that she might want to talk to you?" Haggar frowned. "That makes no sense."

"It makes sense to me!" Cody lashed out, quickly feeling the pull to cool his temper. He sighed as he scratched the side of his head. "Mike, whether you like it or not, I still…care about Jessica. I never wanted her to have to deal with my shit. She stuck by me 'til she couldn't anymore - can't blame her there. So I have to apologize - she deserves that much. Don't mean to sound selfish, but I'm just doin' my best, alright? I'm just not the kinda guy to live my life with regrets, and I…I have to do this," he insisted, despite his bravado withering.

"Please. Can't ya see that I'm tryin' here?"

Haggar crossed his arms in deep thought, his eyes drilling into Cody's. The sincerity was there…but the damage was already done. He would never forget the night Jessica broke down into his arms after the prison visit he warned against less than 24 hours before her flight to the other side of the world. It was like reliving the loss again…the hitched cries he hadn't heard since his wife's passing, followed by Jessica deciding not to return home…her pain was his, after all.

It was unbearable.

"Bah! Good night, Cody!"

"Haggar, wait—"

Haggar fumed and turned around. It was because of this guy his baby girl lived so far away from him to begin with - though he could stand not to see her as just a child. Cody seemed speechless for a moment there - atypical to his usual sardonic, quippy nature. He saw the face of a man who seemed to think this really was his last-ditch effort.

The last time he remembered seeing Cody this defeated was the night before they rescued Jessica from the grasp of Belger in a rare moment of weakness. They'd gotten through it together near the Bay Area at the time right after their initial encounter with Abigail. They'd shared what drove them to fight…and continued to do so until they reached her.

Jessica likely wouldn't be here today if it weren't for this young man…who took the helm of the city so many years later. Mike knew he would be remiss if he didn't address his address from earlier in the week…the larger man sighed as he gave in.

"You know…I never got to thank you for what you did the other day. For our city. For my wife. I…sincerely appreciate it."

"Couldn't be more honored to do so," Cody replied, quieter than usual. Nancy's library was special and finally open to the public. He realized that it must have meant the world to Haggar to name it in her honor, but his ego didn't allow him to check-in with him since. He just…knew what had to be done. He wasn't looking for gratitude.

"It's not easy, is it? Having to make decisions that impact the lives of people you know…and don't."

"…No kiddin'."

"I've given it all I've got, so I get it. I can see you're puttin' in the work…even when it feels like my standards are always out of reach." Haggar sighed, his shoulders dropping. "I suppose I'm far too old-school for what the world needs these days, so I couldn't be prouder of you. But…goddamnit, I can't stand to see her hurt again, kid."

"I…can't make any promises, but I swear on my life I just want to do right by her."

The men stared at each other, the sentiment resonating.

"I'm gonna check in with Jessica," Haggar harrumphed suddenly, straightening his back before he leaned in. He knew he couldn't shield her forever - but this didn't stop him from feeling what she felt when she felt them. She may have been his child…but she was her own woman.

"But so help me, if you know what's good for you—" his towering figure leaned as his giant finger poked hard into Cody's shoulder.

"I got it, Mike, I got it…"

Haggar pulled back and turned his heel, grumbling something incomprehensible about 'kids these days' as he exited to the lakehouse Jessica was staying in his backyard.

Cody leaned against the house and sighed with relief. Why did he feel like he just came back from doing a million sets at the gym? "Well, that was embarrassin'. Not that I expected anything less from ol' Mike," he rolled his eyes. "Always the hardass…"

Despite that, he couldn't help but hold out hope that he'd have a chance to really see her…even if it had to be for the last time. It was a risk he was willing to take.

He had to see this through, one way or another.

Back at the lakehouse, Haggar knocked on Jessica's door, reeling at the last thing he expected to have to deal with on what was a quiet, Friday evening. Carlos had been with family since Haggar's birthday celebration to ensure he and Jessica had as much catch-up time as possible, but it was well into the night – everyone needed their sleep.

"Dad? Is everything OK? I'm surprised you're still up!" Jessica almost scolded as she opened the door enclosed in a blanket, rubbing her eyes as she yawned. "It was about to be lights out for me - the same ought to be true for you…"

"Oh, trust that I'd be asleep by now, but…think you're up for a visitor right now?" Mike started, mustache twitching.

"Now? At this hour?" Jessica scoffed. "Who in their right mind would—" she stopped in her tracks as Haggar's unamused face said it all. She hadn't seen that face in a long time, not since she was so much younger…

"No—you're kiddin' me?" she gasped.

"He's unbelievable! I shoulda never bailed him out," Haggar fumed. Jessica laughed, mostly from bewilderment - and partially from panic.

"My goodness," she breathed. "I'm hardly decent and I haven't seen him in years."

"Princess, you know you don't have to see him as you're obliged to no one, not even that doofus—but…I didn't want to assume otherwise given our talk the other day…it's up to you. What do you want to do?"

Jessica was in disarray. It was always "up to her." She was a grown, adult cosmopolitan woman and yet somehow, none of it ever felt quite up to her. She ran her own consulting firm, yet she never took the time to consult herself. The men in her life…always wanting what's best for her at her expense.

Her shoulders dropped as she pinched the bridge of her nose, eyes to the sky. She quickly weighed the pros and cons of succumbing to Cody's summon. What could they possibly hash out at this midnight hour? Leave it to him to always wait until the last minute - he sure was bold…and selfish.

"I…I don't know…"

"Great! He's outta here—"

"Father, wait," Jessica almost yelped, grabbing Haggar's wrist before he could speed away. "I can't believe he even considered coming here since I know you're on the outs," she laughed gently. "I thought he was a mayor now, not a freakin' detective. But you don't have to feel the need to protect me you know…it'd been such a busy week, it's not like I could have seen him even if I wanted to."

She wanted to.

"Listen, he's been real ballsy since takin' the reins, knockin' at my door into the midnight hour like he runs the place. He's lucky I'm too tired to piledrive the shit out of him," Haggar grumbled.

"I know you were probably already extra tough on him," Jessica shook her head, almost feeling sorry for him. "Seriously, dad. We're all adults here. It'll be okay. In fact…I think it'll be good. For both of us. We ought to set the record straight. I'd be foolish to think I could avoid him forever."

She wasn't sure that she wanted to keep trying to do so anymore.

"Hmph. But you know I can knock him out at your command," Haggar called out.

"Dad, it's fine," she grunted as she pushed him out the door. "Don't get all knightly on me, now. Let me just grab a sweater…it's freezing out here!"

Haggar shrugged his gargantuan shoulders, wondering how he got roped into being a middleman. Playing pseudo-cupid was not something he wanted on his list of accolades. The last thing he wanted to do was get involved with their reckoning. With their impulsive natures…

The retired life was something else. Mike Haggar had high expectations for the current mayor of Metro City, but the minute he crushed his daughter's spirit would likely be his last. That would be non-negotiable until his last breath.

"Make it quick - you've got 10 minutes, tops," Haggar growled as he crossed his arms. "I'm timing you."

"Hey now - remember that I don't answer to you, old man! You're good for lookin' out, though!"

"Nine…"

Cody practically bolted as he approached the miniature lakehouse the former mayor built by hand - Haggar sure was a man of many talents. He wondered if he could ever live up to him. That didn't bother him right now, though. He was finally going to see Jessica.

"That ungrateful…"

Right now…as much as he would never admit it to Haggar, Cody did feel like a kid again, but in a happy sort of way he hadn't experienced for a very long time. The smell of the water clarified his senses as the chilly evening air filled his lungs.

His mind was racing a mile a minute of the things he wanted—no, needed—to tell her, accompanied by the fleeting, aching feeling that was forming at his core. It felt like pleasure and pain all at once, topped with the harsh sting of dreadful anticipation and…hope. If Jessica willingly wanted to see him as he pulled off this stunt, what did he have to lose? He closed his eyes and drew in another deep breath to steel his nerves. Finally…after all this time…

His knuckles were just inches away from the door before Jessica opened the door wordlessly, bright blue eyes looking up right at him, her hair loosely tied up, as a few of her wavy golden tresses dusted her slender shoulders. She was gripping her cozy, ankle-length sweater as the chill of the night blew between them.

His breath hitched in his throat. For someone who was clearly ready for bed, she was illuminating. He'd been in more fistfights in his lifetime than he could possibly count, yet all it took to bring him to his proverbial knees was the sight of her face.

"Cody…"

"Jess," he swallowed, the sound of her voice saying his name was enough to shut out the rest of the world. He never could quite describe the sort of effect she had on him, yet it was all he could try to figure out in that moment. "Hi."

"Hi yourself, stranger."

A few, quiet seconds passed.

"Where ya been…?" He repeated the question he'd ask himself every night, and not quite in the way he rehearsed it to himself. He couldn't seem to restrain the pain that came with the inquiry.

"I was just here for a couple of days to see my father," she looked away.

Not you, she didn't have to say.

She didn't even have to look at him to know the look on his face - she couldn't bear the forlorn expression, despite the truth in her statement. Yet, she still felt as if she'd kicked a puppy.

This was not what she prepared herself for.

"I'm flying back to France tomorrow. But somehow…I think you already knew that," she prepared herself to look back at him. She already knew that Cody was giving her that look - as if she were the only woman in the world - and that he was. Her defenses were falling much more quickly than she anticipated. The insufferable image she had in her head for so long was decimated in his presence.

"I swear I had no idea you were in town until I had to give my speech on Monday," he blurted hastily. "I had to see you for myself. Just wanted to make sure you were doin' all right…"

Jessica rubbed her shoulder, looking away again. She thought she was ready to face him, but she was far from "all right." You've been on my mind since, she thought. She couldn't bear to admit it, not when there was so much unsaid. She owed him nothing, but she was glad to see for herself that he was holding up.

She knew it was selfish. But he'd been selfish, too. Yet, memories of their being together flooded her like an ocean. From the moment she opened that door - she knew immediately that he had no ill will toward her…not nearly as much as she had.

So much for being an adult.

She looked back at him - again, the silence was louder than the night. Jessica hoped that her elevated pulse didn't betray her poker face. She could hardly believe who was standing in front of her, after the better part of a decade, in her father's backyard. Yet he was all there - in all his confidence, strength, charisma and swagger…

A younger, more naive Jessica would have ran into his arms and cried. Adult, hardened Jessica managed to peer into his face with muted scrutiny. Being a poker champion and soulless supermodel had its advantages. Yet, despite the heads-up from her father, she knew she was woefully unprepared to see Cody in the flesh after an entire decade.

It felt so strange, so surreal, to finally see each other after all this time. She almost made it out of the city without having to deal with it. Despite the almost…comfort of his presence, as always, she then remembered the sharp contrast of their last encounter before he was initially incarcerated.

"I'm just fine. I just hope my dad didn't give you too much trouble out there," she finally responded to fill the silence, amusement brightening her tired features as she distracted herself from her attraction to him. He'd just sort of been…staring, as if he couldn't believe he was standing before her, either, absorbing every word she spoke.

Why'd he have to look so good in a three-piece? It wasn't a look she got to see often in their youth, save for the formal events they had to attend on behalf of her dad's campaign or attending the high-end restaurants on the summer-length vacation overseas. It…was unlike him, and yet it somehow managed to fit him all the same. Metro City knew how to pick their mayors…

She had loved him either way through anything formal or casual - whether he would be in simple training tracksuits, or his favorite t-shirt and pair of jeans. Her love for him hadn't even changed even when he was in his prison uniform, as mad as she was…until he decided that that was exactly where he wanted to be - instead of with her.

She couldn't understand how her emotions were betraying her years of frustration and disappointment in him. She had to get her chaos under control.

All her heart wanted to do right then was kiss and forgive him, but her head…she couldn't. She wouldn't. The last time she trusted that feeling…it was broken into a million pieces, and she never could quite put it back together.

"Dad seemed a little grumpy considering the time. I was just checking into tomorrow's flight before I hit the sack," she said softly, hoping he wouldn't take it personally. "It's been busy on my end, this week, you know, catching up, checkin' in on him…"

"So…you were really gonna leave without sayin' hi?" Cody asked with hesitation, bracing himself. He couldn't read her, like he was so certain he could. Guy was right - as much as he thought he knew Jessica, he had no idea how she felt after all this time.

"Did you honestly expect me to just come running after all this time?" she couldn't help but frown, despite his pleading eyes. "I…hated the way we left things," she said, her gaze fixated on the ground. She couldn't look at him again - not when he was looking so concerned.

"I hated it too," he said, reaching for her hands. "That's why I'm here. So we could talk."

She was willing to see him now, right?

He hated how desperate he was feeling. He knew he was out of touch, but certainly, he couldn't be that off. He had so many questions…but he realized that all he could have ever wanted at that moment was to make sure her heart was okay. Their end was…brutal.

"Talk, huh?" Jessica looked up at him, taking his hands, but resisting the urge to rub his calloused palms like she always used to. Did he not understand how long the pain that resulted from his choices stuck with her? So why did she feel such a pull toward him? She hated it. "Now…you want to talk?"

Why did he care? How could he obviously still care? After those horrible things he said and did…she hated it.

"I guess I don't know how to say this any other way," his gaze never leaving her face. The pained hitch in her voice compelled him further. "Just — I know I made mistakes, and lots of 'em…and I'm sorry for hurtin' ya, Jess," he looked straight into her eyes. "I know a lot of time has passed. I know a lot of things have changed. I left you with some shitty words. And, I just need you to know…that I'm sorry for all of it. For the broken promises. For lettin' you down."

Her eyes welled up. Her poker face was long gone. As if an apology could make everything all better. As if an apology would undo the last decade. Yet, the apology was made - it had to count for something. Cody wouldn't have bothered if he weren't actually sorry. That just…wasn't who he was. Then again, what did she know after all this time?

It still didn't stop her from feeling the pull that drew her to him in the first place. She hated it.

Jessica couldn't fathom, after all these years, what made Cody tick the way he did, after she thought she knew him best. After the better part of a decade, he tracked her down, wanting to talk, right before she was going back to her siesta of a life on the other side of the world…he was just so disruptive. She never knew what was next with this one. It used to be that his unpredictability exhilarated her…now it was just chaotic.

So much time had passed…

"Cody," her eyes scanned his desperately, the tears falling. She was so certain of her resentment until this moment. "I don't know what to say."

Her bruised heart wanted to forgive…but there would be a lot of hurt that needed to be worked through. Where was she going to start? That she was reckless after their breakup when she tried to redefine herself in France? That her body couldn't handle the pressure of her grief? That she almost gave up on life? That she spent so much energy trying to forget him that it backfired on her very soul? That she worried about him each day he spent in jail? That she remembered his birthday every year and couldn't be bothered to see him? That she would be lying right now if she didn't feel so angry and yet still so in love with him at the same time? That she was terrified of the fact because she knew how much it all hurt?

"You don't have to say a word unless you want to," he pleaded. "And you definitely don't have to be obliged to forgive me. I'm not tryin' to atone for anythin', just want you to know you didn't deserve any of the pain. Even if…" he inhaled sharply. "Even if that means this has to be the last time we see each other. I wouldn't blame you in the slightest if you don't want anythin' to do with me. I just need you to know…that I'm sorry."

He came here, willing to take the risk. It didn't occur to her until that moment that not ever seeing him again was a reality she was unwilling to face.

"I…loved what you did for my mom and the kids of this city," Jessica held her mouth as her tears fell right onto the arms of her sweater. How did he do that to her, even after all this time? She still couldn't believe it. "Didn't see that comin'…just hopin' that wasn't all part of some 'grand plan'…"

Jessica's trust had clearly been bruised.

"Aw, c'mon Jess, you know me better than that," he swallowed, realizing that perhaps she didn't see it that way after all these years. "I swear I'm not tryin' to pull any stunts here. I just wanted to do somethin' meaningful for once, y'know…it was the least I could do after all your dad did for me," Cody grinned that charming grin of his, his eyes glassy now. "'Sides, I know you know it, but your mom was amazing," he reminisced with a nostalgic smile. "She was the only teacher that believed I actually could amount to somethin' and made school just a little less shitty…so I just wanted to make sure her memory and her lesson stayed with us forever, as a city, 'cause we really can take it to great heights. You'd know. She'd say it at least once a week in class…"

The clarity, honesty and spirit in his voice was shining through. Cody clearly grew since she saw him last. To say she was impressed was an understatement. She really hated it.

"I would have ran the idea by you, but…well, ya know," he swallowed. "Was that okay? How are you holdin' up?"

"I'm feeling so many emotions right now, I can't get my head straight," Jessica admitted. "Between you just showin' up outta the blue, and me about to leave my dad again because I feel like a coward running from my own hometown - I just miss her so much, Cody. She always knew what to do, and I'm just lost," she exhaled sharply. "I…don't know what to do."

He knew that feeling all too well. He gently pulled her in as she leaned into his strong arms, burying her head into his chest as the cold surrounded them.

It felt so natural. She forgot how good it felt to feel so…safe.

"You don't have to do anythin'."

She hated that she missed him so much. But, this wasn't right. They hadn't been together. This was just an old habit from their many years past. Many years they didn't have to lose…many years he chose to lose.

"S-sorry about that. Thank you," she pulled away suddenly and gripped his hands. "Didn't mean to be such a downer," she strained a chuckle. She couldn't allow herself to get lost in him as she used to. She felt so fickle. She was so familiar with his bandaged, beat-up, and bruised knuckles that the glisten of his watch on his smooth skin almost startled her.

"I get it…"

"Hey…I recognize this watch," she breathed, distracting herself from his longing look. "Did my dad give this to you? This is from my Grandpa Jack's collection," she smiled. "This one's been repaired a couple of times...I used to take it to ol' Marco around the corner from our apartment downtown. I'm genuinely surprised he gave this one up. He even got it resized for you…"

"Really now? Mike didn't tell me all that," Cody looked at it with a new sort of appreciation. "Now that you mention it, he was givin' me a whole spiel about passin' the torch, though, so maybe I missed that…"

"You were never one to be lectured," Jessica poked his shoulder playfully as she wiped the last bit of her earlier tears - she held his hand again. "But you must be a really big deal to my father if he gave you this watch. I think that's so sweet…"

"I'm actually havin' a hard time with this whole shtick your dad got me roped into," he laughed, though he felt honored that Haggar thought that highly of him. She was so easy to talk to…

Cody made a mental note to thank Haggar later - somehow, even the library hadn't felt like enough to express his gratitude in that moment. "Just so you know…your dad is not makin' it easy for me. But ya know! Gotta keep up the optics, yadda yadda."

It was impossible to stay furious at this one. She had to give him credit. He seemed to really be trying in all aspects of his life. The fact that he sought her to apologize…she hadn't anticipated it. Their hands were still joined.

"I think you're doing a wonderful job, Cody," Jessica said sincerely, as she stepped back, looking directly into his eyes. He loved it when she said his name. "The ol' Metro's lookin' better than ever. You know I don't say things I don't mean."

Cody felt like what ice might have built up in his veins over the last decade almost melted completely in that instant. She was as beautiful as he remembered, perhaps even moreso. He found himself captivated by her softness, her scent - everything about her was intoxicating. He knew right then as his view was clear - his feelings weren't just some distant, mixed-up memory. It felt right just to be in her presence. She felt exactly like…what he had been missing.

He knew now that he wasn't afraid of anything anymore. Life had a tough time knocking him down to begin with - and now he just felt invulnerable. Yet he found himself hesitant - could she…would she even consider giving him another chance? Was he just being impulsive as he always had been? Was he going to be wrong to go by how he was feeling at that very moment?

Surely…it couldn't be just him, right?

"I can't even begin to tell you how much I appreciate that…" he scanned her face as a familiar fluttery sensation bloomed rapidly in his core. Before he saw her face, his old feelings came into his blood at the pace of a slow and steady, intravenous drip. But now, everything he stood and fought for had pushed its way to the surface beyond his renewed priorities.

All of the emotions of want, love and desire he deliberately suppressed over the last decade hit him like a truck as he stood before her. It was almost as if the floodgates burst open inside. He was almost faint from the concession.

"How much…?"

"I think I…"

"Ahem," Haggar cleared his throat, half-asleep as he walked up behind Cody, startling the both of them. "Time's up."

"Mike! How lovely it is to see you in your jammies," Cody remarked bitterly as he was shocked out of his blissful epiphany. "Jeez. You took like 5 years off my life, man…" he rubbed the back of his head, hardly recovering from his near-death experience. He didn't actually count 10 minutes down to the second, did he?

"Father!" Jessica blushed. "We are grown adults, y'know…were you clocking us?" She realized they were standing at the entrance the whole time - it hadn't struck her given that Cody's proximity was so cozy on this chilly evening…so right. Time hadn't felt real when it was just the two of them.

"You two standin' out here in the cold like you're not gonna get pneumonia. Citizens need their sleep, bucko," Haggar grumbled. "Let's go."

"As you can see, Dad's still the King of Embarrassing," Jessica whispered in an exasperated tone. Cody smirked, reining in his annoyance. An understanding was an understanding, after all…

"...We'll talk?"

"We'll talk."

They looked at each other with cautiously placed hope that perhaps this was only the beginning. Cody pressed a business card from his pocket, adorned with a hastily scrawled cell phone number into her hand. Call me, he mouthed as he turned to walk away.

"Good night, Cody," Jessica smiled. He smiled back at her, and his boyish charm seemed to have never waned. She…didn't hate it.

She hated that she didn't hate it.

Cody turned on his heel to pass Haggar.

"Told ya seeing her would be totally worth it," Cody teased. He was far too proud of himself.

"Don't push it…get outta here, kid."

"Worth it!" he hollered, speeding off into the night. Haggar shook his head. Based on the smitten look that adorned Jessica's face, he already had a hunch his daughter's plans were changing.

"Did he say anything that would warrant me kicking his ass?" Haggar asked, arms folded. He could barely keep his eyes open.

"Daddy," Jessica chided. "It's time for bed."

She tiptoed to smooch him on the cheek goodnight and ushered him back into his abode. Turning back to exit, Jessica leaned against the door as she closed it behind her, hand over her chest as she attempted to steady herself. That was a near miss - she almost let herself get carried away there. This was…going to be rough.

How did he do this to her, without fail, each time? "Oh my god, Cody."