Once again, sorry for my tardiness. Here's the next chapter. I'm actually at home resting a bit before heading to work. It's been a crazy couple of weeks and it continues! Hope you like this next installment.

Tj12398: Girly! Hope you like this chapter. I thought about you the entire time I was editing it. ;)

DotNetDemon: You're so sweet. Hope you like this chapter. It's kind of girly. LOL!

jdCocoagirl: Well…let's see what the doctor has up his sleeve. He's just not a very nice person. You'll see soon.

Goddess Evie: There's a reason (in my mind) why Jessie would tell Phil and that's because she considers him as part of the family. To me the group is very close to each other and I'm sure that in those five years of searching for Jonny, Phil would have entered the nucleus of the family. So she probably didn't think twice about telling him. But, let's see what happens when he wakes up!

Playlist

Stay with me-Clint Mansell

Memories-Clint Mansell

Summer-Ghosts of Things to Come-Clint Mansell

Yes, I totally love Clint Mansell!

Chapter 20

"Jonny!"

Walking toward the car with the bags in hand, Jonny heard Hadji call for him. He put the bags down behind the black Land Rover, before turning around to watch the man Jessie said was his brother walk toward him.

"I need to ask you something," Hadji looked straight at him when he caught up to him.

"And that would be?" He asked carefully.

"I need to know who you work for," Hadji inquired directly.

"You know I can't answer that Hadji," Jonny replied unfazed by the other man's seriousness.

"You can't or you won't?"

Shaking his head, Jonny answered, "What good will it do to know more than what you already know?"

"Jonny, I can help you. I really can help you and Jessie," Hadji answered. "Why can you not realize that? Do you really want to continue the life you are living right now? You must want to know who you really are."

Looking at the man in front of him, Jonny answered Hadji with a tone that held no emotion, but an eerie calm that frightened the Indian man, "The only thing I know is that I want to help Jessica. She needs my help and I don't want to put her in anymore danger than she already is in." He shrugged, "And, in terms of my life, it is the only one I know. I already know who I am. I'm an assassin. That's all I've ever been. That's all I will ever be."

Shocked by what he had heard, "You are no killer my brother. Those people may have made you one, but you never were. Not with us." Then, a hint of realization hit him and Hadji asked, "You are not planning on returning to her, are you?"

"I can't stay," he replied shaking his head, "I've compromised the mission and Jessica. If he accepts my conditions, if he allows her to live, then chances are that he'll want me back with the agency and I'll be on my next assignment."

"And if he does not allow Jessie to live?"

Jonny stayed quiet for a moment, "I'm sure I can convince him."

"How do you know that?"

Jonny smiled a little, but there was no humor in that smile, "He and I…I just know that he will. She'll be safe as long I go back to him. Jessica will be safe."

"So what you said back there‒"

"It was just to keep up appearances," Jonny explained. "Jessica really cares about this Jonny. She believes I'm him so much that if I tell her I'm not coming back…she doesn't understand that I'm a liability to her."

"If you do not come back, she will be destroyed," Hadji tried to reason.

"If I stay, she'll be dead," Jonny reiterated firmly.

Now this time it was Hadji's turn to be quiet for a moment, "What will make you believe that you are Jonny? That you have a family that wants you back home. It is not only Jessie that believes you are him, but me as well. You are Jonathan Benton Quest. You are Benton's Quest son. You are my brother."

Looking at him, Hadji could tell that Jonny's stare was one of sympathy, "I'm so sorry that I remind you of him. But, I am far from being the son of a scientist."

Shaking his head in frustration, Hadji continued, "She loves you!"

"She's infatuated with a killer," Jonny replied, "You need to understand that is what I am. A killer. I don't belong here. I just don't belong with her. I don't belong anywhere."

XXXXXXXXXX

By the plane, Claire and Jessie stood as they watched Hadji and Jonny talk to each other.

"What do you think they are talking about?" Claire suddenly asked her friend.

"Well," Jessie answered with a huff, "Hopefully, Hadji will be able to get the information we need to track down the people Jonny works for."

Looking at the pair, Claire said, "I don't think they are talking about that. Hadji seems tense."

"He's trying to convince Jonny to talk, and that won't be easy," the red head replied with a sigh. "Jonny is so distant and very unwilling to let people get close to him."

"Have you been able to get anything from him?"

Jessie shook her head, "Not much."

Turning to face Jessie, Claire asked, "Then, how on Earth do you plan on convincing him to talk to you?"

Looking back at Claire, she responded, "Do you have any ideas you want to share?"

"Jess, he doesn't believe any of us," Claire raked her blonde locks with her finger, "He doesn't believe he is him. Whatever they led him to believe is so engrained in his mind that it will be hard to undo. You're talking five years of conditioning, programming…maybe a deep memory wipe. What are you going to do?"

"I'm not sure Claire, but I'll find a way," Jessie nodded as if convincing herself. "Right now, I just have to convince him to stay."

"You think he's going to bail?"

"Oh, I'm sure," she nodded, "I'm not sure what's going to happen when he meets his boss, but what I do know is that he'll disappear. The only way he'll stay at this point is knowing who he is and why he was taken. I need to find a way to convince him that he is part of this family and that Dr. Quest is his father."

Shrugging, Claire responded, "Articles, pictures from news, media…do you think that's enough?"

"That's all I have for now."

Turning to her friend, the blonde responded, "Well, how about this?" She withdrew the picture of Jessie, Hadji and Jonny at a school dance from her pocket. "When Hadji and I were trying to get Phoenix back online within QuestWorld I had to go to your room to find more of your notes. I found the picture on your desk. For some reason…I don't know, I thought that maybe…it might be useful."

"Oh my God, Claire!" Jessie exclaimed as she hugged her friend, "You're wonderful! This is going to help me tremendously."

"Good," she nodded. "Show it to him as soon as possible. And, here is your wallet. Your ID and credit cards are in there. I thought I'd take them, just in case."

"Thank you and don't worry," Jessie concluded taking the items from Claire, "I will show him this picture, but it will need to be at the right time."

XXXXXXXXXX

"I need to know something else," Hadji told Jonny as he was about to call Jessie.

Turning to Hadji, Jonny's cold eyes stared back, "What is it?"

"I need to know the name of the person you work for," Hadji directly asked. "I need to know who we are up against."

"I can't tell you that," Jonny answered.

"Why not?"

"Because," he sighed, "I don't know his name."

Hadji knew that he shouldn't have been shocked. After all, the people who had taken his brother would make sure that he'd be kept in the darkness for as long as he could. Still, he had to force something, some information out of him, "Jonny, you must know something about him. You have been working for him for almost five years. You have to have heard a name or an alias of sorts."

He thought for a moment, "Master has never released his name to me." Then, thinking a bit more, Jonny continued, "He does have an accomplice."

Hadji's eyes widened, "Who?"

"I don't know his name either," Jonny shook his head. "He's a physician. He takes care of all the operatives. But I do remember once…a year or two ago, while on assignment in Poland, I was hurt. Stabbed." He shook his head absentmindedly remembering the rookie mistake that almost cost him his life. "Master brought the Doctor to help. He healed me. I was laid up in bed, with morphine. I was in and out for hours, but while lucid, I remember them having some type of argument. I remember Master calling the doctor, Oliver."

"Oliver?"

He nodded, "Yeah, I remember him calling the doctor, Oliver. That's all I have, it's not much."

"But it is something," Hadji sighed.

"I'm not sure I can help you with anything else," Jonny replied. "But…if I do remember something that can help you, I'll let Jessica know."

Hadji didn't want to let his brother go just yet, he wanted to know one last thing, "Just one last thing before you leave with Jessie."

"What's that?"

"Why are you helping her?"

Jonny looked at him in question, "She helped me and has saved me‒"

"You could have left her," he reminded him. "You care for her, don't you?"

Jonny sighed with frustration, "This is hardly the time for this!"

"Just tell me," Hadji continued, unfazed by his brother's tone, "I need to know. Jessie would have never gone through such lengths to do what she did. I know she cares for you more than she lets on. I swear to you brother, I believe that she is in lo‒"

"No!' Jonny immediately interrupted him. "She's not. She is a very confused woman and all I'm here to do is make sure she is safe so I can go on my way. This conversation is over." With that he turned around and called Jessie. Then, he turned to Hadji, "We need to go now."

XXXXXXXXXX

A Few Hours Later…

"Ladies and gentlemen, welcome to Manchester-Boston Regional Airport. Local time is…"

The doctor opened his eyes as he heard the flight attendant's voice over the speaker. He had fallen asleep for about two hours prior to landing after researching for the latter part of the flight. The Doctor read any piece of information that would help him find DR128 or the Bannon girl.

As he sat up and put on his glasses, he continued hearing the attendant's voice, "For your safety and comfort, please remain seated with your seat belt fastened until the Captain turns off the Fasten Seat Belt sign…"

During the flight, he had managed to get online and rent a car which was ready for him for pick up. He had also managed to erase anything that could lead agents to him. The doctor seemed ready for anything. Within minutes, he noticed all passengers begin to stand up and gather their things. He waited patiently, wanting to make sure that no one from the plane followed him. You could never be too careful. He could have had an operative within the flight.

XXXXXXXXXXX

After leaving Hadji and Claire behind, Jonny and Jessie drove to the cabin. On their way, they had stopped by a local Italian restaurant where they had an early dinner. Jessie shared with him stories about Claire and Hadji. How'd she met each one and why they were so special to her. Jonny listened and noticed Jessie even more as she spoke. Her smile wide and radiant as she spoke about her best friends with such love and devotion that Jonny knew she loved them dearly.

Love. What a hard word to understand, at least to him. Jonny watched and listened to the woman across from him. Jessie was special. He knew that there was something about her that was captivating and very tempting. Jonny knew right then and there that he wanted to stay with her. He wanted to know her more. He wanted to know her favorite color, tastes, pet peeves. Did Jessie like reading as much as he did? Did she like exercising? She is certainly fit, Jonny admonished as he thought more about her.

"Hey?" Suddenly his thought fizzled as she looked at him, "Are you alright?"

"Yes," he immediately nodded, "Why do you ask?"

Jessie shrugged, "You seemed far away for a moment. Just wondering."

"I'm fine Jessica," he nodded. "You were talking about Claire?"

She smiled, "Yeah. She had this incredible idea…"

She continued talking and he listened. Jessie told him every story she could think of so that Jonny would know more about them. He listened attentively and even, from time to time, asked questions about them. But, no matter how much effort he put to listen to her, Jessie felt a detachment from him so powerful, it pained her. After a while, the discussion casually switched to the much needed supplies they would need to buy for the cabin.

After, Jonny paid for dinner and the two got back in the car and headed for the cabin.

XXXXXXXXXX

The cabin looked more like a cottage sitting on a secluded bluff that overlooked Geese Cove. It had two bedrooms and one bathroom in between that connected both rooms, a screened porch and a small, but complete kitchen. But what Jonny was in awe with was the view of the cabin-a beautiful lakeside view, surrounded by oaks with paths that would lead to the lake.

"It's pretty nice, isn't it?" she offered a smile as she noticed him walking towards the sliding glass door that led to the porch.

"I've never seen anything like this," he answered as he continued looking out. "It's absolutely beautiful."

Jessie stopped by a convenience store and purchased some food, snacks, water and drinks for a few days. She was putting the groceries away when his statement stopped her. She looked up and walked up to him, "I'm sure that Europe has much more beautiful scenery."

"Europe has its wonders," he replied, "But, for some reason, this place …"

"This place what?" she asked curiously.

"This place…makes me feel at peace."

Carefully, she asked the next question, "Why is that Jonny?"

"I'm not sure," he shook his head, "It feels peaceful. Quiet." Turning around, he looked around, "So, Dr. Quest stays here for a couple of months a year?"

She nodded lightening the mood a little, "Yes. When he teaches at the university."

Jonny walked to the living area and sat down on one of the sofas, "Are you sure you'll be safe here? No one knows about this place?"

"No one Jonny," she answered firmly, "This place isn't even registered under Dr. Quest's name. It belongs to the University."

"Good," he sighed, trying to sound convinced. "Don't leave the cabin too much. Try to remain indoors as much as you can."

Jessie dreaded asking the next question, but she had to make sure to know what he'd do next, "You're not staying are you?"

Jonny looked at her, "I'll need to leave by mid-day tomorrow‒"

"No," she interrupted as she sat down next to him, "I meant…you're leaving forever."

He remained quiet for a moment, carefully constructing an answer in her mind, "Jessica, you'll be in danger if I stay."

"I'll be in danger if you leave," she countered. "Don't you get it Jonny? You, me, all of us will be in danger. Whoever you work for will do anything in his power to make sure you never come back to us."

"You're wrong," Jonny replied leaning closer to her. Gently, he put his hands over her shoulders, "Jessica, you need to understand that you are confusing me with another person. I am not the man you think I am. You will all be in danger if I stay. Once I leave, Master will leave you alone. I promise you that."

Determined, Jessie looked at Jonny directly in his eyes, "What if I could prove to you that you are Jonathan Quest?"

"You can't," he shook his head.

Standing up and walking away from him, Jessie went directly to his bag, "You have your computer in here right?"

"Yes," he replied following her, "What are you doing?"

"Proving to you who you are," Jessie responded. Taking the laptop out of the bag, she walked over to the dining room table where she turned it on. "I'm going to show you who you are Jonathan Quest." Logging in she checked to see if the WIFI in the cabin was working. She smiled a little when she discovered that it was. Then, accessing the Internet, Jessie began checking the archives of a number of prominent newspapers in the country. Entering one of the newspaper archives, she typed the name "Jonathan Quest", seconds after, the results yielded, zero results. Her eyes widened with shock, "What?"

By this time, Jonny had sat down on the chair next to her and watched as she continued opening tabs and windows of other newspapers and magazine websites searching for Jonny's name, Quest Industries or even Benton Quest. All of them yielded zero results to articles that would mention anything about Jonny. "This is impossible!" she finally shouted out after several minutes of searching.

"Jessica, It's alright‒"

"No!" she shouted back, "It's not! Don't you see? Somehow they've managed to do the impossible. Public articles about you were all over the world. There were articles about your disappearance, articles about your father searching for you. They've managed to erase them from the archives. They don't want you to know Jonny!"

Jonny remained quiet, watching her.

Looking at him, Jessie realized that the man probably thought she was crazy, "Don't look at me that way!"

"How?"

"Like I'm some crazy lunatic. Like I'm some girl who fantasizes…who makes up things?"

"I don't think that you're a crazy woman, Jessica," he answered calmly. "I just think that…you must care a great deal for this man to believe it is me."

"I do! I care about him. I care about you!" her eyes began to water, her voice began to crack. "Damn it, why can't you believe me when I tell you that you are Jonathan Quest!"

"Jessica," he shook his head in regret.

"Prove to me that you aren't him!" Jessie replied standing up abruptly. "Tell me something about your childhood. Tell me something about your parents. Tell me anything beyond five years ago!"

At this point Jonny remained silent, for he knew that he had no memory of anything she had asked him to share. He toyed at times with the idea of thinking about a family, a childhood, but he never allowed himself to think or even ask. Master always told him that he, along with his counterparts had no family, had no childhood. They all belonged to the agency.

"Well?"

"I don't have one," he suddenly found himself replying.

"Bull!" Jessie angrily countered. "You, Jonathan Benton Quest, were born on September 18th in Palm Beach, Florida in the middle of a hurricane. Your dad Benton Quest is a world renowned scientists and adventurer. You are the spitting image of your mother Rachel Quest who was a doctor and a scientist herself. She was your father's first and only love and she died when you were eight. Your brother Hadji was adopted a year later in India while you and your Dad spent a year travelling all through Asia."

He kept staring at her, unable to stop her from continuing.

She paused for a moment before she took a deep breath and began speaking, "Five years ago, our fathers, your brother, you and I went on an expedition to Peru to investigate an increase of earthquake activities in the ruins. You and I, one morning went out to the ruins when a quake occurred. The ground split open," Jessie began to cry, "You…you saved me, but I couldn't save you! You fell and the Earth took you. You disappeared Jonny!"

"That's impossible," he answered, starting to feel defensive. He didn't know why, but somehow, somewhere very deep within him, Jonny felt that Jessie's story made sense. Maybe, I want to believe her? No, I can't allow her to live a fantasy. He, however, couldn't bring himself to agree with her. What she was saying was ludicrous. Earthquakes? The ground swallowing you? He shook his head fiercely, "No, what you're saying, it could never happen, Jessica. Things like that don't happen."

"I'm not lying," Jessie exclaimed shaking her head vigorously. "I'm not lying to myself or you and I'm sure as hell not going to let you lie to yourself! The sooner you accept the truth, the sooner we can all get on with our lives."

Turning around, Jessie headed straight to the Master room and slammed the door before locking it, leaving Jonny speechless.

XXXXXXXXXX

"Ladies and gentlemen, the Captain has turned on the fasten seat belt sign. We are now crossing a zone of turbulence. Please return your seats and keep your seat belts fastened. Thank you."

Race rolled his eyes, annoyed, "You have to be kidding me!"

Zack wasn't too happy either, "This has got be the longest trip I've ever taken."

"Let's try to control ourselves," Race responded as he felt the first waves of hits the plane was taken. He looked at the map toward the front of the plane that depicted the route they were taking. At least he knew they were already in states, passing California. "At least we are in the good old US of A."

"Let's hope we get home in one piece," Zack sarcastically retorted. As soon as the agent said those words, the plane shook. It wasn't very harsh, but it did somewhat surprise him. He held on to both arm rests tightly until the shaking ceased.

Race noticed his friend suddenly become tense as the plane shook, "You alright?"

"I'll live," Zach answered, "I hope."

Race smiled a bit, "You had me fooled, Zachary."

"Yeah," Zach answered as he looked at Race across from him. The plane shook again, "How's that?"

"I thought your fear of flying was in the past," he answered as the plane continued shaking, "You lied."

"I didn't lie," Zack replied, looking at Race, "I just didn't tell you that turbulence is something that still bothers me."

The plane shook more before it finally balanced. After a moment, neither men felt anything. The seat belt sign turned off and soon the stewardess' voice filled the entire airplane, "Ladies and gentlemen, thank you for your cooperation. We have now crossed the turbulence zone. It is now safe to walk about the plane."

"How long this we land?" Zack finally spoke out.

"Too long," Race signed.

XXXXXXXXXXXX

It had been over an hour and a half since Jessica locked herself in her room. Jonny hadn't tried to talk much less knock on her door. He didn't think that she'd do more than throw him out if he much as dare speak to her.

After putting the rest of the groceries away, he decided to jog around to survey the area. He felt tense and completely confused. A run will help, he thought as he quickly changed and went out the door. Running through the area, his thoughts always came back to Jessica. There had been something about her that attracted him to her since he first laid eyes on her at the night club. Yes, she was beautiful. And, he had always had a thing for red heads, but this felt different. This woman had literally captivated him. Jonny had a need to protect her, to make sure no one, not even the Master could harm her.

As he ran, he looked up at the sky. Grey clouds were beginning to cluster and cover the little blue that was left in the day. The day looked like he felt. So many grey areas in his mind where there used to be only black and white. But now, so many questions, so many thoughts prevented from just letting things go.

Jonny picked up his pace. He had never cared for anyone. Yes, he felt sympathy, at times, remorse, but to actually care? To give up part of himself for another person? Jessica was different. He never felt anything like he felt for Jessica. For the first time, he really did care for another human being. He cared for this woman. He wanted her safe, happy and loved. Loved? Why would that word enter his mind? Jonny abruptly stopped running. He shook his head as if attempting to clear his mind. He took a deep breath and resumed his regimen.

"No," he muttered between breaths as he began to run faster. I can't be in love…with Jessica? Love? What the hell is that? He had never been in love, or had he? In his many assignments during the years he had met a number of women. Many of them beautiful, but none he ever thought he loved. Jonny didn't doubt that if he needed to save them from harm, should he need to, he would do it. But to go to the lengths he had done with Jessica? To blow his cover? To risk the loyalty he had to the agency? No it would never happen.

He ran harder, faster.

Jessica was so different. When he looked into her eyes, Jonny genuinely knew her eyes transmitted care, love. And, for a moment, earlier today, he thought he felt that same way about her. She was beauty beyond the physical. He longed for her. Not the way he lusted for other women he had encountered in his assignments. For him, those women were part of the assignment. Or, they were a mean to quench the needs any young man would feel should his eyes fall on the sights of a beautiful woman.

No, Jessica was different. Jonny wanted to love her, to give her body the proper attention it deserved. He wanted…no longed to make sure her needs were met.

Faster, harder. His breathing became erratic as he pushed his legs harder.

But there couldn't be a future with her. If he really loved her, he'd need to leave. If he stayed, she'd die. Master would make sure of that. Jonny felt his heart ache at the thought of never seeing her again. It literally pained him. But he knew that if he really loved her, he'd need to.

Faster. Harder.

He couldn't go without feeling her. He couldn't go without knowing what it would feel to have her just once. But would she want to?

Faster. Faster.

He'd have to try. She loved this Jonny Quest. He apparently looked like the bastard. But, had she loved him in that way? Or if she accepted him, would she love him?

Faster.

He didn't care. All Jonny knew was that he loved Jessica and he wouldn't leave, couldn't leave without having her for just one night.

Faster.

Because wherever he would go after. All he would have would be memories of her.

He stopped.

Breathing erratically after running like he was running for his life, Jonny fell on the ground. His arms resting on his knees, "Jessica, what have you done to me?" He whispered.

Jonny closed his eyes. She made him literally fallen head over feet for her.

XXXXXXXXXXX

When he came back, he checked online to see if the Master sent him anything. He had, an E-ticket to Amsterdam and an email telling him the location and the time to meet. Master had also provided for him a locker at the airport that carried his passport, his ticket and money should he need some. The email had the entry code. Jonny quickly put the computer away and looked at the closed Master bedroom. She was still in there. He wanted to go in there to see her. Jonny sighed, "This is ridiculous!" he muttered.

He looked outside the window and noticed night covered the already dark skies. Lightning flashed the sky. Jonny stood up from his chair and headed to his room. Grabbing his bag, he pulled out a pair of black satin pants and headed to the bathroom where he showered.

After about fifteen minutes, he walked out just as Jessie opened the door to her room. They looked at each other for a moment, before Jessie realized that her eyes had travelled down his bare toned chest. She also noticed his muscled arms and perfect six pack abs. Quickly, she looked away, "I was about to take a shower," she muttered as she went to pick up her bag from the living room.

"I just finished taking one, myself" he nodded and pointed to the bathroom. "It's all yours." Jonny stepped aside and allowed her access. She walked in and closed the door. Once he heard the shower run, he walked over to her room and waited for her.

Looking out the window, lightning continued filling the sky, thunder echoed around him and the drizzle of rain hit the window pane. Jonny stood watching the darkness, the lighting and the rain, pondering his next move. Would she accept him? And if so, would he be able to leave her tomorrow?

"What are you doing here?" he heard her voice.

Jonny's eyes widened a bit. Had he spaced out that long?

Turning around, he found her wearing just a towel wrapped around her body. Her hair fell loosely down to her waist. The faint smell of lilac hung in the air. Jessie wore no makeup. Her porcelain skin looked smooth and silky from afar. Her green eyes shone with question and intimidation. Jonny mesmerized by her beauty, longed to touch her skin.

They looked at each other and for the life of him, he thought that she had read everything going on in his mind. Jonny walked up to her, took her into his arms and kissed her with such fervor that for a moment, he thought that he'd frightened her. But to his surprise, Jessie wrapped her arms around him kissing him back with equal passion.

Lost in a complete feeling of bliss, excitement and surprise, Jessie didn't feel her towel come off.