Jessie went downstairs and waited for Micheal, Rick, and Marcus. She thought over Elphaba's dilemma as she waited. A long time ago Jessie did the occasional bouncing/bodyguard gig. It was a quick score when Kathy needed money back home, perhaps some of those old connections could help Elphaba. Getting out her cell phone, she dialed a number.

"Big K? This is Jess. Swing by the dojo when you get a chance. I need to talk to you about something." She said, before hanging up.

Marcus walked into the dojo and saw Jessie setting up the practice dummies. "Good to see you made it in one piece." Marcus said, hugging her.

"Yeah, I hid all the axes." Jessie said with a wink before returning the hug.

"How's she doing?"

"Still a little shell shocked, I think. She's sleeping upstairs." Jessie said, closing the door behind Marcus.

Marcus nodded his head as he put a hand on Jessie's shoulder, "She'll be OK, Jess."

Sighing softly, "I know, I know, I called K. Hopefully he can get her what she needs."

"If he can't, I don't know anyone that can." Marcus said, truthfully.

Shaking her head, Jessie decides to change the topic. "Did you run the pack over to the hospital?"

"Yeah. Josie says come see her, by the way."

Jessie grinned, "I'll go by some time this week. I gotta call Kathy, and get the money wired." Jessie said, more to herself than Marcus.

"Why don't you keep some of it this time?" Marcus suggested.

"I just might. I've got an extra person on the payroll now." Jessie said, helping him set up the dummies and the bags, "And I want her to get herself a wardrobe. All she had was a backpack, a book, and a broom. Apparently Tony took care of everything else for her." Jessie landed a punch on one of the bags, sending it swinging. She wished that she were punching that sleaze bag instead of the sand filled punching bag.

"She's going to be OK, Jess." Marcus said, patting her shoulder.

"I know she is. I just…I don't know."

"Yeah, you do." Marcus said knowingly as he unlocked the doors.

()

Elphaba woke up, not wanting to. She snuggled back into the sheets and the warm blanket. This felt so much better than the cot and old wool blanket she was used to in the back of the club. In fact, Elphaba couldn't remember a time when she felt so rested and comfortable, not even in Oz. With a low groan, she forced herself to get up. Going to the kitchen, she found a pot of coffee made. She smiled as she read the attached note.

I'm downstairs if you need anything. I help Marcus instruct during the day.

Elphaba made herself a cup of coffee, and sat on the couch. Turning on the TV, she absently flipped through the channels. She was having trouble wrapping her head around this. How could anyone be so willing to help her and want anything in return? She did three shows a day just to be able to live in the club. Tony took better than half of the money she made every night for the rent. Jessie, on the other hand, just told her to make herself at home. It was an absolutely amazing difference.

()

"Hai!" Jessie shouted, demonstrating a kick for a group of students. As it connected on the bag, she saw a tall black man in a leather jacket enter the dojo.

"Watch out!" One of the kids called out. Seeing the bag coming, Jessie bent into a backbend, catching the bag with another kick. She flipped back to her feet, and steadied it.

"Whoa! Cool!" Jessie heard, bringing a grin to her face.

"Marcus, take over for me." Jessie said, before bowing to the kids and Marcus.

"Can you show us how to do that?" Jessie laughed, hearing that, as she made her way to the man.

"Sup, Jess?" He said, giving her a quick hug.

"I need a favor." Jessie said, leading him to the office.

()

When Jessie finally made it back upstairs, she was absolutely exhausted. All that she had in mind was to go to sleep. She loved teaching the kids and the self-defense classes, but they wore her out. Especially right after a fight day. Walking in, she was shocked to see Elphaba cooking.

"Hey!" Jessie announced herself with a grin, "I would've cooked for you, you know."

Elphaba grinned, "I know. After everything you've done, at least I can have a hot meal waiting for you." She set the plate she had made for Jessie on the table. Baked chicken, mashed potatoes, green beans, rolls, and a glass of wine.

"Damn, that looks good." Jessie said, as Elphaba made herself a plate, "Thank you."

"You're welcome." Elphaba answered as she carried her plate over to the table.

Jessie pulled Elphaba's chair out before going to sit in her own chair. "I was talking to Marcus earlier. We both think an advance is in order. You need some clothes." Jessie said, getting a sigh.

"Jess…."

"No, really. You can get both casual and business attire. We've got a business credit card, we're getting you a wardrobe."

"Jess, you just gave me fifteen thousand dollars." Elphaba reminded her.

Jessie shook her head, "Not for that. I want you to put that away for a rainy day."

Elphaba's jaw hung open for a few seconds, how could this woman afford to just give away this much money? "If you say so."

"I do. I'll go with you tomorrow morning." Jessie stated with a smile.

Elphaba frowned a little, "I don't need an escort."

"You're new in town. What kind of friend would I be of I just turned you loose?" Jessie said casually.

"A good one. Jessie, I can do this on my own. I don't need a chaperone." Elphaba said, as they ate.

Jessie held her hands up in surrender, "OK, if that's what you want. I just wanted to offer some help."

Elphaba felt a little guilty for snapping at her like that, "Thanks for the offer, but I'll be fine on my own."

Jessie considered arguing but decided to drop it. One thing she learned well was to pick her fights carefully. They were getting along too well to risk everything blowing up over something so simple as clothes.

()

Elphaba had never enjoyed shopping, but she found herself enjoying this tremendously. She would have been hard pressed to say if it was because her new friend was picking up the tab or if it was the fact that no one in the stores batted an eye at her. Of course, compared to some of them, she looked fairly average. Perhaps she had picked the wrong city to start over in. Elphaba thought all of this over as she left the shoe store and headed towards a store that had women's business suits in the window.

()

Jessie didn't bother to argue with Elphaba; especially not over something she was going to do anyway. Working in OIA taught her how to disguise herself and blend in fairly well. The long blue wig she was wearing and black leather jacket blended in with the rest of the crowd perfectly. She kept her distance from Elphaba, but didn't feel comfortable just letting her roam yet. A part of her was still worried that the scumbag might try something.

()

Elphaba had a wide smile on her face, as she excited the store in a business suit. It fit her to a tee, and she felt more confident than she had in a long time. The short heels she was wearing clicked on the sidewalk as she made her way towards the next store.

"Whooo, you clean up nicely, Elphaba."

Elphaba's jaw clenched when she recognized the voice immediately. Turning she sees one of Tony's goons. "What do you want?" Her voice is hard as she glares at the scrawny man.

"Tony wants to know when you're gonna be done with this little vacation. You've got a show tomorrow night." The man said, getting a laugh from Elphaba.

"I'm not sure if you heard, but I quit." She stated.

He quickly grabbed her arm roughly. "No one quits on Tony." He said, flatly.

Elphaba's glare deepened as she shook her arm out of his grip. "I did yesterday." She said before walking away from him. She hoped that he wouldn't keep pursuing her; she needed to duck into a store and change her skin color at the nearest opportunity. Perhaps she should have let Jessie come shopping with her.

Pissed that she walked away from him, the man moves towards her. He walked in front of her to block her path. "Just come on. If you're banged up, Tony's gonna have my ass." He said, reaching for her arm again. Without hesitation she pushed it away, and kicked him in the groin. Seeing two more approaching, Elphaba ran off towards the nearest store.

()

Jessie moved the moment that Elphaba kicked him. Tossing her blue wig as she sprinted after the other two, tackling the first one to the ground. With one hard punch, he was out. Jessie looked up, seeing the other running right at her. Grabbing him by the waist, she used his own momentum to drive him headfirst into one of the carts on the side of the road knocking him out.

"Sorry, dude." Jessie said to the vender, before running off. She could see Elphaba in the distance enter one of the stores. She ran into the store right behind her, back to the changing rooms. Seeing one of the doors shut, she knocked on it, "Elphaba?" When the door opened, Jessie's jaw hit the floor, seeing the same white skinned woman she saw running from the diner the other day.

Elphaba's face fell a little when she saw Jessie's reaction, holding her hands out she talks in a calm voice. "Jessie, don't panic."

Jessie recognized the voice, but was completely confused right now. "How?"

"I'll explain it, all of it. Just not right here, OK? We've got to get out of here before they come in here." Elphaba said, taking her hand, and leading her out. She needed to get both of them out of here as quick as possible. To anyone else, they were two girls walking to the car. Even Jessie had a hard time believing the green woman that walked in was the white woman walking out.

Jessie followed behind her in stunned silence. "My bike's over here." Jessie said, motioning to it. They got on, and rode off. When they got away from the stores, Jessie heard Elphaba mumble something. She nearly wiped the bike out when Elphaba turned from white to green on the back of her bike. What the hell was going on?!

By the time they got back to the dojo, Jessie was more confused than ever. She carried Elphaba's bags upstairs. Neither had said a word since they rode off. Jessie didn't even know where to begin. She was upset, unsure of what to make of any of this. Putting the packages in the bedroom, she looked at Elphaba.

"You said you would explain." Her voice is hollow as she finally brings herself to look at Elphaba.

Elphaba took a deep breath before looking at Jessie, "Yes I did. Let me ask you what you think it was." She remembered Jessie talking about a God healing her in the past. Perhaps she knows magic when she sees it and Elphaba won't have to talk about her past in Oz right now.

Jessie looks over the green woman carefully, "It looked like magic to me."

With a short nod, Elphaba breathed a sigh of relief. "Yes, it was magic. I have the ability to use magic." She sees Jessie stiffen at that statement and adds, "But I don't like using it unless it is absolutely necessary."

Jessie stiffens as she remembers the last time she had met a magic user. It still haunts her at how evil that bastard Shang was. She sets her jaw as she really looks over Elphaba, her eyes watching the green woman carefully. "How can you use magic?"

Elphaba becomes worried when she sees Jessie looking at her like that. It reminded her of how some people would look at a dangerous animal that was about to kill them. "I was born with the ability to use magic."

Jessie is still nervous, but doesn't want to believe that the nice lady sitting near her is as evil as that bastard Shang. "What do you use it for?"

Elphaba senses that Jessie is very nervous about this topic. "I don't like using my magic unless it is absolutely necessary. As a rule I don't use it on anyone else." At least not anymore, her results were not so good when she used it on others back in Oz.

Jessie thought that over. If Elphaba were anywhere close to as evil as Shang is, Tony would be dust in the wind, and so would anyone else that dared look at the woman wrong. She wasn't overly comfortable, but she didn't hate it either.

"So I don't have to worry about waking up as a frog?" Or soulless, or dead Jessie added in her mind, smiling a little.

"No, I wouldn't turn you into a frog." Elphaba said, chuckling, "You would make a far better eagle." She said with a playful grin. Now that Jessie seemed to be relaxing Elphaba smiled. At least she didn't seem to mind too much that she could use magic. Hopefully whenever she finally told Jessie that she was a witch she would take it just as well.

"So what's the real deal with that asshole?" Jessie asked, getting Elphie a beer out of the fridge.

"He hired me when I first got to Vegas. He hates loosing his performers, especially me. I'm what they call a one of a kind attraction." Elphaba said, bitterly. Even here she was on display, it absolutely disgusted her.

"He must be pretty connected to try to force you from here." Jessie observed, as they sat on the couch, sipping the beer.

"He likes to think he is." Elphaba said as she sipped on her beer, "He's connected enough to block me from getting my documents."

Jessie hadn't taken her eyes off Elphaba, trying to process the magical information. "What else can you do?"

"Just move and try again." Elphaba sighed; honestly she had hoped that she could start over here.

"No, with your magic. What else can you do?" Elphaba looked at her with a small smile. Jessie heard the refrigerator open, and stared open mouthed when two beer bottles flew into view.

"You looked like you needed a refill." Elphaba said with a smirk.

"Now that was cool!" Jessie said grinning wide, as she grabbed both beers.

"Thanks." Elphaba was happy to see Jessie relax a little.

"Magic is cool, as long as it's not trying to kill me." Jessie said, getting an eyebrow raise.

Elphaba couldn't help but wonder who had tried to hurt Jessie with magic. Perhaps she could discuss it with Jessie later. "I couldn't imagine trying to hurt anyone with it." Not that she hadn't when she used magic, however unintentional.

Jessie nodded, "I believe you, Elphie." Jessie silently studied her. Magic? Anything else would be easier to accept than magic. Perhaps she should have asked a few more questions before just accepting her as her new personal assistant.