Chapter 16: Girls night out

1 month and 3 days until deadline

Tommy woke at little after 3am with a desperate need in his bladder. But once he opened his eyes he did not want to move. Jess was nestled into his chest, her head resting over his heart, her hand resting just next to her lips. She looked so beautiful. If anything he wanted to wake up like this every morning but his bladder had other ideas.

Tommy moved slowly careful not wake her as he slipped from underneath her and out of the bed.

Jess moaned a little in protest but she never opened her pretty eyes. Tommy looked at her for a moment longer. He thought that his need to be with her would ease after they made love but if anything that just made him want her more. God he loved her. She was his world.

He tore his eyes away from her to look around for some clothes. The last thing he wanted was to bump into Sara in nothing but his birthday suite.

Tommy found his trouser by the door right where Jess had taken them off him. Hot flashbacks ran through his mind and if he hadn't been so desperate for the bathroom he might have woken her just to make love to her all over again.

Tommy slipped on his trouser before slipping out of Jess room and making a beeline for the bathroom.

He froze when he step out of the bathroom. There were clothes scattered all around the room and as much as it made him happy to see he knew Sara was be less than impressed.

He walked into the kitchen and whipped down the breakfast table and picked up a stall they had knocked over in the heat of the moment before walking round the room and picking up clothes as he went; his shirt, Jess's, her green knickers.

He smiled in memory. He and Jess were going to make so many more memories together.

Tommy slipped back into Jess room and placed their missing clothes on her dressing table.

He took off his trouser before slowly getting back into bed with Jess. She curled into him immediately and Tommy smiled. He couldn't believe how good it felt to have her in his arms.

"I missed you." she mumbled sleepy into his chest.

Tommy pulled her closer and pressed a kiss to her head.

"Sorry." he whispered knowing she had already drifted back off to sleep.

This was how he wanted his life to be every morning and every night and he would do anything to make sure it stayed like this.


Jess woke to the sunlight slipping through the gap in her curtain. Normally she would have groaned but today she was ridiculously happy with Tommy's arms wrapped tightly round her.

She pressed a kiss to his chest and his arms pulled her in tighter. She looked up at his face but he was still in deep sleep. He looked so peaceful. She liked that look on him, his face relaxed. She could have stayed like this forever but she could hear Sara moving around in the kitchen. Her friend had been so worried about her, Jess knew she needed to tell Sara everything was fine.

Jess slipped out of Tommy's arms.

It was better than fine, it was amazing. She knew they still had to talk but now she knew everything would be fine in the end.

Jess pulled on a pair of clean kickers before picking up Tommy's shirt. She could have sworn she took his shirt off in the kitchen. Jess couldn't help but smile as she realised that Tommy must have gone to get all their stuff at one point. That was so sweet. She knew Sara would have freaked if she had woken to that seen in the morning. Jess pulled Tommy's shirt on to her body and did it up. It smelled of him.

Jess looked back over at Tommy. This was how she wanted every morning to be.

Jess reluctantly walked out of her room to look for Sara.

She found Sara sitting at the breakfast bar eating cereal and Jess couldn't help but blush as she remembered everything Tommy had done to her on that very table.

Jess shook her head clearing her mind.

"Morning." she said happily as she walked into the kitchen.

"Your happy." she commented turning round to face her.

Sara gaped and dropped her spoon.

"You're wearing a man's shirt." Sara stated in surprise.

Jess bit her lip to stop herself from laughing.

"Tommy's?" Sara asked and Jess nodded.

Sara beamed at her.

"He chose you?" Sara asked and Jess nodded again.

Excitement built within her. There was a part of her that wanted to squeal with happiness.

"What happened?" Sara questioned, she was sitting on the edge of her seat as she waited for Jess to spill the beans.

Jess shook her head. Tommy could wake up any minute.

"He could wake up any minute I'll tell you later when we go out." Jess promised.

"Wait lover boy is still here?" Sara asked and Jess laughed as she nodded.

"But I expect full details when we go out tonight." Sara replied.

Sara stood up and froze.

"We're still going out tonight right?" Sara asked.

"Defiantly." Jess replied.

"Yay." Sara cheered before moving to place her bowl in the sink.

"Well I'm going to get ready for work." Sara added before disappearing into her room.

Jess walked over to the coffee pot and turned it on.

"What's going on tonight?" Tommy's deep rumble asked as his arms wrapped round her waist.

She hadn't even heard him come out.

Jess turned in his arms and hugged him back. His chest was bear and she couldn't help but press a kiss over his heart.

"Me and Sara are going out with Jenna and Andy's new girls friend Hannah." Jess told him.

Tommy sucked in a breath.

"Jess." he whispered. He pulled away and looked down at her. He looked concerned.

"Look I know you worried about Check but you said you could deal with your fear." Jess reasoned.

Tommy shook his head.

"I'm trying Jess I really am but I need you to compromise too." Tommy argued.

Jess nodded it was a fair thing to ask.

"How about we have the girl's night at Vendetta?" Jess suggested.

"That way I get to have my girl's night and you get to make sure I'm safe." Jess added.

Tommy thought about it for a moment before nodding.

He leant forward a kissed her.

"Thank you." He whispered in between kisses.

Jess wrapped her arms round Tommy's neck and deepened the kiss.

"Seriously if you guys are going to be at it like rabbits can you please keep it to your room?" Sara ordered.

Jess blushed and buried her face in Tommy's chest.

"Sorry Sara." Jess mumbled as Tommy laughed.

"Whatever I'm happy for you guys." Sara replied.

Jess looked over at her friend something was off with her tone.

"You ok?" Jess mouthed and Sara shrugged.

"I have to go, but I'll see you both tonight." Sara said.

Jess nodded she would find out what happened tonight.

"See you Sara." Tommy called out.

Sara nodded and walked towards the door.

"Oh and Queen wear a dam shirt in my kitchen." Sara called over her shoulder before leaving.

Jess and Tommy burst out laughing.

"You know I think you look better in my shirt then I do." Tommy told her, his eyes darkened with desire.

Jess bit her lip and Tommy groaned.

"You can't ever do that in public." He told her.

They both knew how much it turned him on.

Jess shrugged her shoulders.

"We're not in public." she reminded him.

Tommy smiled.

"Your right and as much as I like seeing you in my shirt I would much rather see you out of it." He replied and before she could say or do anything Tommy was carrying her back towards her bedroom.


Connor looked up as Jenna entered his office.

"What's up?" He asked.

Jenna had been working hard on something all morning.

"So I have Jess's night at the circus sorted." Jenna informed him.

Connor smiled.

"Really?" he couldn't help but ask.

Jenna nodded but he could feel there was a but coming.

"But?" He asked.

Jenna sighed.

"But the thing is they can only do next Friday night." Jenna told him.

It didn't leave them a lot of time to get everything covered by then but he didn't have any other choice.

"Next Friday will be fine." he reassured her.

Jenna smiled.

"Great I will let my friend no." Jenna replied.

Jenna turned to leave but froze. Connor frowned and looked up to follow her eye line.

Tommy stood in the doorway his arms folded across his chest. Connor cringed he had been waiting for this moment since Jess let his office yesterday.

"Hey Tommy." Jenna greeted.

Tommy nodded at her clearly not in the mood to talk.

Jenna looked over at Connor with question in her eyes. When Connor remained silent she looked back over at Tommy.

"You sure this can't wait till later, Connor has meetings all day." Jenna told his brother.

Tommy narrowed his eyes at Connor.

"Oh I'm sure my big brother could make time for me right Connor?" Tommy asked his voice dripping with sarcasm.

Connor walked to Jenna.

"I'm sorry." he started he was about to make the rest of her day difficult.

"Tommy and I need to have a chat and I am not sure how long it will take." Connor told her. They would not be having a private discussion at his office.

Jenna shot Tommy a glare, clearly blaming Tommy for her sudden hard day.

"I will rearrange what I can but there are a couple of meetings you should really go to." Jenna argued.

Connor nodded his head, she was right. But family came first.

"Family comes first." Connor told her as a fact.

"Can you take notes in those meetings and I will get back to them as soon as?" Connor asked giving Jenna his sweetest smile.

"Sometimes I hate you." She replied, already walking out of his office.

Even though he knew she was joking it still hurt and Connor couldn't work out why.

She stopped when she got to Tommy.

"Whatever he did, remember he loves you." She whispered but Connor still heard her.

Knowing that she cared enough to defend him to his brother, meant so much to him.

Someone of the tension left Tommy's body as he looked down at her.

"Always." He promised her.

Jenna nodded before slipping pass Tommy and out the door.

"Let's go to the foundry, I'll grab lunch." Connor suggested.

Tommy nodded and left without another word.

Tommy was sitting in his chair when Connor got to the foundry. Connor walked towards his brother and fell into the chair next to him.

Connor took a deep breath readying himself.

"I know you're mad." Connor started.

Tommy shook his head.

"I am more than mad Connor, I almost lost Jess yesterday because you couldn't keep your mouth closed." Tommy yelled.

Connor frowned how could what he said almost make Tommy lose Jess.

"What happened?" Connor asked his brother.

Tommy sighed.

"She asked me to decide whether I can deal with someone going after her to get to me or let her go." Tommy informed him.

Connor understood her reasoning. Living a life in fear wasn't good for anyone.

"What did you decided?" Connor asked slowly.

"I love her Connor more than anything, I choose her." Tommy informed him, some of his anger fled his body. Even the thought of Jess made Tommy happy.

Connor smiled. He was so proud of his brother. He never thought that Tommy would ever say something like that.

Tommy glared at him.

"Don't smile. If things were different I could have lost her." Tommy argued but there was still a part of his brother that was clearly happy.

"I am sorry that you nearly lost her." Connor said.

But he couldn't apologise for telling Jess the truth.

"You shouldn't have told her anything about Check." Tommy stated.

Connor shook his head. Keeping his fears about Check a secret was no different than Jess coming to him with her fears for Tommy. They both wanted to protect the other.

"Tommy I told her because she was worried about you." Connor told his brother honestly.

Tommy sighed.

"I know." He replied.

"I just came so close to losing her last night." Tommy added the fear was clear to see. All his anger now gone.

"You guys ok now though right?" Connor asked.

Tommy smiled and nodded. His eyes far away like he was remembering something wonderful.

"Yeah but it's going to be hard." Tommy admitted.

"Anything worth having is hard work." Connor told him.


Jenna looked up when Connor step out of the elevator. She stood up as he walked towards her and she did a quick sweep over him. He didn't seem hurt at all. When Tommy had arrived that morning she had been afraid of what he would do to Connor.

"So Tommy didn't kill you then." Jenna muttered as he got to her.

She was still mad at him for leaving her in the lurch.

Connor raised his eyebrows clearly not impressed by her.

"How did it go today?" He asked ignoring her sarcasm.

Jenna sighed and followed him into his office.

"I managed to rearrange three of the five meetings." She told him.

Connor slid of his coat and Jenna had to close her eyes to keep her from staring at his broad shoulders through his tight white shirt.

"And the other two?" he asked bring her out of her thoughts.

Jenna cleared her throat.

"Were with you father over and finance issues, he says we are spending too much money in applied sciences but he will discuss that with you in person tonight." Jenna informed him.

Mr Queen had been completely understanding about Connor not being present when she explained that Tommy had needed him. But the last meeting of the day still gave her the creeps.

Jenna involuntarily shivered in disgusted.

"You ok?" Connor asked noticing her distress.

Jenna took a seat opposite his desk.

"Sorry just thinking about my meeting with Mr Walker." Jenna told him honestly.

Mr Walker ran the human resources department, which was a joke considering how much of a sexist pig and a creep he was. Mr Walker never failed to make her feel uncomfortable but he was exceptionally good at his job.

Connor narrowed his eyes. He didn't like her going to see Mr Walker alone.

"Why didn't your reschedule?" Connor demanded.

Jenna sighed.

"You didn't really give me enough time." Jenna defended. If he hadn't of left her by herself all day she wouldn't have had to deal with Mr Walker.

"Then you should have cancelled." Connor argued.

"I tried but Mr Walker said it was urgent." Jenna explained.

Connor took a frustrated breath.

"And was it?" He asked.

Jenna shook her head. All Mr Walker had done was complained about Connor's lack or presents and either insulted her with his sexist remarks or looked down her top.

Connor met her eyes.

"Did he hurt you?" Connor asked concern laced his voice.

Jenna shook her head. He may have hurt her pride a little and gave her the creeps but she had dealt with worse.

Connor rubbed his head. He didn't look like he believed her.

"I think I am going to talk to my dad about him." Connor mumbled to himself.

Jenna shrugged. She wasn't going to complain about not having to deal with Mr Walker but it really wasn't necessary

Connor sat back in his chair.

"Don't you have a night out to get ready for?" Connor asked changing the subject.

Jenna looked down at her watch.

"Dam it." she yelled. She was meant to meet Jess in half an hour.

"You have your dress here right?" Connor asked and Jenna nodded.

"Then don't worry, get dress and I will drop you off at Vendetta. I have to help my aunt out with something there anyway." Connor told her.

"Thank you." Jenna whispered.


Jess slipped into her dress and smoothed it out. She didn't have many dresses so Sara had learnt her one of hers. When Sara had first handed it to her Jess hadn't been sure but looking at her reflection Jess could see what Sara meant by how good it made you look. It was a simple long sleeve red dress that cut low at the front before hugging her chest, then falling loosely from her waist to just above her knees.

"Jess we should get going." Sara called from the living room.

"Coming." Jess called.

She pulled on her matching red heels and clutch before heading for the living room.

"What do you think?" She said as she entered the living room.

"You look great." Sara replied.

Jess looked up and smiled at her friend.

"Thank you so do you." Jess said.

Sara had chosen to wear a beautiful yellow boob tube that showed off her stunning curves, with tight black jeggings that made her arse look great and a pair of killer yellow heels. She was out to break hearts tonight.

"What happened with Clay?" Jess asked.

Sara opened her mouth to speak when a knock on the door had them both looking confused. Jess looked at Sara and Sara looked back at Jess neither of them were expecting anyone, Hannah and Jenna were both meeting at the club.

Jess moved towards the door, Sara following closely behind.

"Do you think I should grab a bat or something?" Sara asked.

Disparate her determination to not let the idea of someone coming after her worry her sometimes it was inevitable.

Jess nodded and Sara fumbled with someone behind the sofa before pulling out their security bat. Two women living by themselves needed some protection.

"Let's do this." Sara said the bat raised in her arms.

Jess took a deep breath before she opened the door and froze. Jay Anderson stood by the door. Jay worked with Diggle at the security firm. Jay was tall with broad shoulders and jet black hair. He had dark eyes that seemed to always be filled with sorrow.

"Are you planning to beat me to death or are you going to put the bat down?" Jay asked holding his hands in mock surrender.

Jay had done four tours in Afghanistan before returning to Starling City six months ago. He was a quiet man with a dry sound of humour.

"Dam it Jay." Sara muttered before chucking the bat down. Jay always had a way of rubbing Sara the wrong way.

Jess let Jay into the apartment.

"What are you doing here?" Jess asked.

Jay sighed clearly not any happier than they are about being here. He shrugged his shoulders.

"All I know is that it's my job to get you both to and from Vendetta." Jay told them.

"Who gave you the order?" Sara asked.

"Your dad." Jay replied.

Jess met Sara's eyes clearly they were more worried about Check being free if Diggle was making them have a chaperone.

"Look I really want to keep my job so if you guys can make this easy on me I promise not to be too overbearing." Jay offered.

Jess agreed instantly. She liked Jay and if Diggle had arranged this then she would do what he wanted. Sara on the other hand had a reputation for ditching guards quicker than Oliver used to. She liked to be free.

Sara narrowed her eyes at Jay.

"Fine but I am planning to get lucky tonight and if you mess that up all arrangements are off." Sara told him and before he could reply Sara picked up her clutch bag and walked towards the door.

"Are we going or what?" She demanded over her shoulder.

Jess looked over at Jay and bit her lip to keep from laughing. Jay looked like he wanted to murder Sara right here and now. It was going to be an interesting night.


Connor tried not to gape as Jenna walked out of his private bathroom. She wore a sleeveless green dress that hugged her breast tightly before falling loosely to just above her knee. The green complimented her auburn her lovely.

"You look beautiful." Connor admitted, remembering Jess's comment that no girl liked to be called just nice.

Jenna smiled.

"Thank you." She said happily.

"Should we get going?" she asked and Connor nodded before following her towards the lift.

He had always known Jenna was pretty but over the last month he couldn't help but think that maybe he had underestimated her beauty. Jenna was stunning and he could no longer deny that he was attracted to her.

Jenna talked happily as they made their way towards the club. She was happy and for some reason that made him happy.

Connor shook his head. It was too soon to be over Katie and he wasn't about to risk everything Jenna was in his life for a rebound. Jenna was too important and not just because he couldn't function at work without her but because she was his friend and that meant more then she would ever know.

"Thanks for the ride." Jenna said as they reached Vendetta.

Connor followed her out of the car and handed his keys to the valet and led Jenna into the club.

"I will probably have to keep Tommy company until Jess wants to go home so I can give you a ride home if you want?" Connor offered not that he was planning on letting her go home alone, if she refused his offer then he would have a driver waiting for her.

Jenna frowned like she knew there was more to it than that but she nodded anyway.

Connor smiled.

"Great well have fun." Connor told her when he spot Jess and Sara downing shots.

Jenna said her goodbyes before heading over to the girls were she was greeted with happy smiles and hugs.

Connor glanced at her one more time before heading downstairs.

Andy and Tommy were already downstairs talking something over.

"Let's find Check." Connor said and both the boys nodded.


Sara liked Jenna. She was fun, flirty and so much nicer then Katie. Hannah had cancelled on them after she broke up with Andy earlier that day because he was always running off to do things and not telling her where he was going. Sara couldn't blame her but it still sucked for her brother. Andy deserved to be happy.

They had been drinking for over an hour and Sara could feel the alcohol really getting to her. She knew the fact that Clay still hadn't called her was the main reason for her drinking.

"I am going to get another drink." Sara told the girls who both still had full glasses.

Jess looked at her with concern.

"You want me to come with you?" She asked.

Sara shook her head and looked towards their bodyguard.

"That's..." she said pointing towards Jay.

"Is what he is for." She stated.

Jay narrowed his eyes at her. She had known Jay for years but seemed to clash at every turn.

"Come my human shield, defend me to the bar." Sara insisted.

Jay sighed and looked at Jess.

"Don't move." He ordered her and she nodded.

"Just look after her." Jess insisted.

Jay followed Sara too the bar.

"Don't you think you've had enough?" Jay asked.

Sara scoffed.

"Not nearly enough." Sara replied just as a barman came to take her ordered.

"Sara whoever is making drink isn't worth it." Jay mumbled next to her.

Sara looked at him. His eyes met hers and she could see he met every word.

Sara swallowed. It seemed too intimate.

"Thank you." she replied before tearing her eyes away from him and looking back towards the bar.

The barman handed her drink and they head back to the table. Jay's hand burning into her lower back as they walked. Maybe it was the alcohol but suddenly Jay was more than just the man that always had something to say back.

"What happened with Clay?" Jess asked when they reached the table.

Sara looked round. Jay had already faded into the background but somehow Sara new he was listening.

She sighed and sat between her best friend and her new friend as they waited patiently for her explanation. She told them all about her night with Clay and Tommy's text and how he didn't understand how important her friends and family were to her.

"I'm sorry." Jess said the same time Jenna yelled,

"What a dick."

Sara smiled she really liked Jenna. Sara looked towards Jess and shook her head.

"It's not your fault." Sara told her adamantly.

"Any man who wants to be with me has to understand that my friends and family are important." Sara insisted.

Jenna and Jess both nodded their heads in agreement but somehow Sara found herself looking for Jay's reaction.


Tommy sighed as he re-entered the lair Andy following him, another night and still no sign of Check.

"We will find him." Connor told them both but Tommy was really starting to doubt his brother.

"I have to take Jenna home, but call me if you need anything." Connor told them before heading out.

Tommy watched his brother leave. There was something between Connor and Jenna he was sure of it.

Tommy headed to the bathroom to get changed and when he returned Jess was in the lair talking to Andy. She looked happy but not drunk.

"What happened to Sara?" Andy asked.

Jess smiled.

"I said Tommy would take me home so Sara left with Jay." Jess told them.

"Jay Anderson?" Andy asked.

Jess nodded and Andy laughed.

"They hate each other." Andy said.

Jess shrugged but didn't say anything. Clearly she had other opinions.

"Well I will leave you guys to it." Andy said and before either of them could say anything he was gone.

Jess looked over at him.

"Did you have fun tonight?" he asked as he slowly made his way towards her.

Jess nodded.

"But I missed you." she added wrapping her arms round his waist.

Tommy smiled and hugged her back, he had missed her too.