Elphaba respected Jessie since she saw her disassemble that gun, but watching her train was absolutely astounding. The only person she'd ever seen with more dedication was herself studying the Grimmerie. Jessie ate, slept, and breathed the fight. In six days, despite living together, Elphaba hadn't seen her outside of her fight schedule. Elphaba tried her best to keep the household things up, and made sure that Jessie had a decent meal every day. She was just glad the fight was tomorrow. Jessie was usually easy going, but she never stopped studying her opponent and practicing. It would be nice to get her normal roommate back, not to mention spending some alone time with Jessie would be nice again.
"Hey, Elphie." Jessie said windedly as she sat down on the couch.
"Hey yourself. I just finished up your itenery for tomorrow." Elphaba handed her the two pages.
"Gonna be a busy day." Jessie noted as she looked over the itenery for fight day.
"Very busy. You've got the autograph session from nine until eleven. Then the press confrence for the charity. You did say you were open to anything they need, right?" Elphaba was willing to change a few things around if Jessie really needed it.
"Yeah, I'm game for anything." Jessie said, nodding.
"They need someone to do their PSA and fund raising. You're one of the biggest names on their list, I assumed it wouldn't be a problem." Elphaba continued looking through her copy.
"You assumed right. I don't mind helping them out with that." Honestly Jessie wished there was MORE she could do to help. However, this was all they were asking for right now.
"OK, because you're going to be shooting until about an hour before the fight. After the fight, they're doing the banquet. Do you want me to get any extra tickets? They are five hundred dollars each." Elphaba expected Jessie to try to wiggle her way out of the banquet. She really didn't like pulling attention away from charities.
"Yeah, five more. One for Mikey, Rick, their dates, and one for you." Jessie said, getting a frown from Elphaba.
"I'd rather not. I really don't care for public events like that." Some of the buzz around the social media was a little negative towards her being around Jessie so much, Elphaba really didn't want to hurt Jessie's fanbase.
"I might need you, though. You are my personal assistant, after all." Jessie said, getting a frustrated sigh.
"Fine, if you inisist." Apparently Jessie's stubborn streak wasn't lessened during training week.
"Besides, I try not to go anywhere without my good luck charm." Jessie said, getting a shy smile.
"I enjoy spending time with you, too. I guess I can go. Even in Oz, I wasn't fond of going out. The looks I get bother me. From what I've heard about your opponent, you won't need too much luck to win." She gives Jessie a playful wink as she tries to keep the mood light.
"You don't get many here. In fact, a green woman in Los Angeles is considered tame." That drew a hearty laugh out of Elphaba.
"All it took was disappearing from Oz to find a place I fit in." She couldn't help but see the irony in that.
"Maybe, or maybe Earth is the place that your color doesn't matter."Elphaba had never thought about it like that before. All she knew was she wanted to get out of Oz, and the only other place she had heard of was Earth. Wanting to avoid coming across that dimwitted Dorothy and the sleazy Wizard, she adjusted the portal spell to insure that she didn't end up running into either of them. For the first six months on Earth, she thought she had made a mistake. At least, until she met Jessie.
"I have to admit, I am treated like a perfectly normal person here. For the first time in my life, I feel normal." Elphaba admitted, choking up. She found a massive arm wrapped around her shoulder.
"You are normal. It's the rest of us jack offs that have the problem." Jessie said, laying her head on Elphie's shoulder with a silly smile. It got the laugh Jessie was looking for.
"You are silly." Elphie said, shaking her head.
"Of course I am. Would you really know how to deal with me if I were serious?"
"I could learn." Elphie fired back with a teasing smirk on her face.
"OK, then." Jessie shook her entire body, before looking back at Elphie.
"Now, what is the schedule for the banquet?"
Elphaba rolled her eyes at Jessie's antics, "You are up for the humanitarian of the year award."
"That's easy. Decline." Jessie said, matter of factly, "They tried to give it to me last year, too."
Elphaba was a little shocked at that quick answer, "It's quite an honor Jess."
"It's an honor to do the work. To see the smiles on those kids faces. That's an honor. This is a bunch of pompous assholes patting each other on the back." Jessie said, mildly irritated.
"I don't understand you, Jess. You do so much for all these charities, but you won't even acknowlege it. It is OK to admit you're a good person." Elphaba would absolutely jump on an opportunity to be awarded for being good.
"I'm not a good person, though. I'm a coward. I left Sonya in Shang's hands. Let that bastard hit my best friend. I don't deserve any awards. Not until Sonya's free and my friend is OK. Both will never happen." Jessie's fists had clenched. Marcus had pestered her for years about why she would never accept these type of awards. She could never bring herself to say it to him, but when Elphie pushed she just opened up. A part of her was a little scared at how right it felt to tell Elphie everything.
"Jessie, you can't live in that part of your past. It'll make you crazy." Elphaba said, concerned, "And you're no coward. The way you stood up to Tony proved that." It both saddened and worried Elphaba that Jessie thought of herself as a coward when she was by far one of the bravest women she had ever met.
"Tony is an even bigger coward than I am. If he thought he was going to harm one hair on your head in front of me, he had another thing coming." Jessie said, taking Elphie's hand.
"See, that's not a coward." Elphaba said, squeezing her hand comfortingly.
Jessie sighed in defeat, "I know. Sonya used to tell me the same thing. She said I was one of the bravest people she'd ever known. I … it's hard to explain." Jessie found herself wrapped in one of Elphie's comforting hugs. Lately, when she woke from one of her nightmares, she found herself in one of these. It was actually very pleasant and comforting. Two emotions Jessie wasn't used to feeling very often.
"Stop putting my friend down." Elphie whispered, kissing her temple on instinct.
"Yes, ma'am." Jessie said, smiling.
A bit eager to get back to the previous topic, "Good. Now the entire banquet should be over at ten, and I'm assuming we're coming home immediately afterwards?"
"Yeah. I still owe you a celebration night. We could cut out of the banquet entirely. Come back, and I can cook you that dinner I promised you." Jessie threw out, hoping Elphie would take the bait. She didn't want to be there for any stupid award. She let Marcus collect those.
"No, I'm buying the five tickets, remember." Elphaba reminded her.
"Oh, come on. Rubber chicken and veggies or Filet Mignon, twice baked potatoes, and homemade chocolate cake." Jessie grinned, seeing Elphaba's mouth practically water at the thought.
"As tempting as that is, I don't think so. I want to get to cheer you on." Jessie groaned. Not at the thought of Elphie getting to cheer her on, but because she HATED acknowledgement.
"Fine, but I'm not accepting the award." Jessie stated firmly.
"Yes, you are. Jessie, you deserve it. Ninety percent of your free time is spent doing charity work. Plus, if you're dragging me out to a banquet, it's only fair I get to watch you collect your reward." Seeing Jessie about to argue again, Elphaba points to the paper, "Besides, it's clearly printed on your itinerary that you will accept the award. You know my primary job is to keep you following this on a daily basis right?"
"Fine." Jessie said, rolling her eyes.
()
Jessie thrived on busy days like this. She signed autographs for each and every fan, posing for pictures, and ended up being an hour late for the press conference. Not that it stopped the media and ESPN from covering the autograph session. Marcus and Elphaba had to practically drag her to the press conference. Other than introducing Elphaba as her new personal assistant, and letting Elphaba pick the reporters to ask questions, she stuck to the charity. It wasn't that she was trying to be intentionally evasive, but she wanted the attention where it belonged, on the charity. By the time the fight rolled around, Jessie was ready to call it an evening. Her patience level was absolutely zero, but she was happy to have an opponent.
"Good luck." Jessie said, as they touched gloves.
"You're gonna need it." The woman said, going to her corner. Jessie chuckled. She did love arrogant fighters. They were so much easier than the mellow ones.
"What's so funny?" Marcus asked, seeing Jessie still grinning, as she sat in the corner.
"Arrogant little shit taking this too seriously." Jessie said, she was really looking forward to messing around with this fighter.
"Just remember, make it look good. These people paid a hundred a seat, they want to get their money's worth." Marcus said as he looked around the stadium. It really was packed in here, this was going to bring in a lot of good PR if Jessie made it look good.
"I'll draw it out." Jessie said, looking at Elphie over to her right. She got a warm smile.
"Good luck, Jess." Elphie said, giving her a wink. Jessie had a smile on her face that no one could've taken off. Marcus chuckled.
"OK, lover girl, focus." Jessie looked back at Marcus, blushing a little. She knelt in the corner, making the sign of the cross. As she did, Elphie got a better look at the woman Jessie was facing. After staring for a few seconds, her stomach dropped as she recognized the other woman. There wasn't anything she could do before the bell rang. Jessie danced around the octagon, throwing half punches and kicks, and letting the smaller girl land punches and kicks that she would never land otherwise. Jessie had taken her down four times when the bell rang to signal the end of the round. Jessie got off, offering her a hand, and got kicked in the right knee for her efforts, drawing boos from the crowd. Jessie was laughing, as she walked gingerly back to the corner.
"You OK?" Marcus asked, getting a nod.
"That girl really needs to work on her kicks." Jessie said, trying not to wince. To her surprise, Elphie got into the cage.
"Jessie, there's a problem." Elphaba had thrown a glare at the other fighter for the cheap shot to Jessie's leg.
"Don't worry. The shot she landed didn't do much." Jessie said, grinning over at her. Jessie saw the other fighter's trainer whisper something.
"No, Jessie. She's with Tony. She used to be a bouncer at the club. You need to knock her out, now." Elphaba's eyes revealed fear if Jessie didn't heed her advice.
"Elphaba, these people paid for a three round exhibition. A hundred a ticket. We need to give them their money's worth." Marcus said, he really didn't want to lose money by the fight not going three full rounds.
"Jessie, this is a test. If you don't knock her out, he's going to send reinforcements. All the people on her crew work for Tony I'll bet." Elphaba said, nervously.
Forgetting where she was, Jessie put both gloved hands on Elphie's shoulder, and looked her square in the eyes. "It's done." Jessie said, hearing Marcus groan.
"I hope the wrestling match makes up for it." He said, knowing that Jessie made up her mind.
Elphaba hugged her, "Thank you, Jessie." She whispered, before getting out.. Jessie looked over at Marcus.
Marcus grinned, seeing her serious fight face looking back at him. "If you're gonna do it, make it a good one." Marcus said, patting her shoulder, as he stepped out. Jessie came into the middle of the ring.
"You like my sloppy seconds?." The latino woman said, motioning to Elphaba. Jessie's expression didn't change, but her fists did tighten. As soon as the bell rang, Jessie landed an uppercut. The woman flew two feet back before landing unconscious. Jessie looked at the crowd with a sheepish grin, and went back to her corner.
"Damn, she pissed you off." Marcus said, getting a nod.
"Bitch needs to watch her mouth." Jessie said, opening the cage, and offering Elphie a hand inside. Jessie walked her around the ring, holding her hand up in a sign of victory, as the referee and the other corner worked on waking up her opponent.
"Jessie…." Before Elphie could protest, Jessie lifted her onto her shoulder, flexing and posing for the crowd. Waves of flashes went off as thousands of pictures were being taken.
"You deserve it." Jessie said, working the crowd up. Jessie didn't see the woman coming, but Elphie did out of the corner of her eye. With one motion Elphie dove off of Jessie's shoulders and landed on her before she could chop block Jessie's knee. Turning her over, she began wailing the woman with punches, to the delight of the crowd. It took Jessie a few seconds to realize what happened, it took her AND Marcus to pull Elphie off. It took security about five minutes to get the ring back under control after that. Jessie led Elphie out of the ring, to the cheering crowd.
"Jess, we need to get a pair of gloves on her. That was incredible, Elphaba." Marcus said, leading her out.
"You work for Tony, you learn a few things." Elphaba said, as Jessie pulled her towards the locker room.
"Hey Blade! You always let your putas do your fighting?" Jessie heard over the loudspeaker.
"Let it go, Jess." Marcus warned, seeing Jessie turn around.
"Or maybe your personal assistant wore you out before the match." Jessie stopped dead in her tracks, and had a look in her eyes Elphaba had never seen before.
"Take her back to the locker room. Elphie, call K. Tell him the bitches from Vegas are here." Jessie said her voice flat. Her eyes were filled with darkness.
"Jess….." Before Elphie or Marcus could stop her, she went into a dead sprint for the ring. The security had locked the cage door in anticipation. Jessie grabbed it, and began jerking on it. The whole cage shook.
"Blade, calm down." The security guard said. He'd never seen her this angry.
"LET ME IN! LET ME IN!" Jessie said, getting the crowd into it. Soon enough, they were all chanting 'let her in'. Jessie continued to pull on the cage, the posts creaking in protest. The woman and her manager looked panicked. Suddenly, Jessie was being flanked by Rick, Mike, and Marcus, all trying to pull her away.
"Yeah, you look real tough, puta." The woman taunted her. It took all three to drag Jessie off, kicking and screaming. When she got back to the locker room, she punched the brick wall, crumbling off some of the brick. She was beyond pissed.
"Jessie, calm down." Marcus said calmly.
"Calm down? Calm down? Did you hear the shit that bitch was talking?" Jessie was glaring at the three men. She wanted a piece of that bitch for those words.
"Jess, who cares? No one's ever heard of her. She's just trying to get noticed by making a scene. This isn't the WWF, Jess. I wouldn't be surprised if the IWMMA gives her walking papers over this." Marcus said, putting his hand on Jessie's shoulders.
After a few more moments of seething, she noticed that Elphie wasn't around. "Elphie! Where's Elphie?" Jessie asked, nervously. With Tony's people around, she didn't want Elphie out of her sight.
"She went to get your clothes for the banquet. Don't worry, two of K's friends are with her." Marcus said, as Elphie walked in. Jessie walked over, hugging her protectively.
"No where without me tonight, please." Jessie said, practically begging.
Elphie hugged her back, comfortingly. "I'm OK, Jess. It's over." Elphie reassured her.
"No, it's not. But it's going to be. Marcus, give my usual 'she's flattered, but a prior commitment' bulllshit." Jessie wanted to get Elphie back to the loft safely.
"No, Jess. You're accepting that award, and I get to watch." Elphie said, matter of factly.
"But, Elphie…." Really she just wanted to get away from this place.
"No buts. I didn't run from this bastard when I was in Vegas. I'll be damned if I'm going to in Los Angeles. We are going to that banquet. Besides that, K said he was sending some people, and five minutes later, I had two escorts." Elphie said, motioning to the two guys standing at the door.
"Thanks, guys." Jessie said, getting a nod from both, "But wouldn't you rather go home?"
"No, I'd rather see you get the award you deserve." Elphie said, getting a laugh from Mike.
"She's going to accept? That's worth paying five hundred to see." Mike teased, getting flipped off.
"I'm going to the banquet. Accepting the award, now that's up for debate." Jessie said, taking the offered garment bag from Elphie.
"She's accepting the award." Elphie said, as fact, cracking the boys up.
"Damn, Jess. You two aren't even dating yet, and she's got your chick card." Rick said, getting a laugh from Mike.
"I got your fucking chick card right here." Jessie said, flipping them both off.
"You keep inviting me, I'm gonna take you up on it." Mike said, getting an eye roll.
"Please, I'd break you in half and look for another toy to play with." Jessie said, before going back to change. She could hear the laughter from the boys as she walked.
After twenty minutes, Jessie emerged in a tux. However, the long, purple dress Elphaba was wearing that really knocked her silent. It hugged her body like a glove. The low neckline giving the eyes something to look at while remaining tasteful. The skirt went down to the floor and Jessie couldn't take her eyes off Elphaba, she looked stunning. "You look….."
"Silly? Out of place?" Elphaba fidgeted a little. She really wasn't used to wearing things like this.
"Amazing." Jessie breathed, her eyes locked on Elphie's. The boys looked at each other, smiling. Jessie liked her, and they couldn't be happier because it seemed to be mutual. Elphaba was staring back at Jessie with the same doe eyed look.
"So do you." Elphaba said, smiling. She blushed a little, when Jessie offered her arm.
"We've got a banquet to get to." Jessie said, breathing a sigh of relief when Elphie took her arm.
"Jess, the press is outside. Tamara wants an interview for the weekly show." Marcus said, knowing she wasn't going to like it.
"Tell her I'll get back to her on that. I'll give it to her, though." Jessie said, looking at Elphie apologetically. Jessie knew it was going to be a zoo on the way to the limos. Leading Elphie into the hallway, she tightened her grip as they reached the back door. When Jessie opened it, they were illuminated by lamps and flashes. All of the reporters were shouting questions at once, and it nearly gave Elphie a flashback to the lynch mob that came looking for her in Oz. She was grateful Jessie didn't even acknowledge them, and got her into the limo. Marcus, Rick, and Mike were right behind them. Seeing that Elphie looked nervous, Jessie slid closer, "You OK?" She asked softly, as her arm slid around Elphie's shoulder.
"Yeah, I'm just….not used to that much attention." At least not directed at her, or meant to NOT hurt her.
"I'm sorry. That bitch made this hot news tonight." Jessie said, apologetically.
"It's not your fault." Elphie said, rubbing her arm. The rest of the ride was comfortably quiet. Luckily the limo driver took the scenic route, dropping them off in the back of the hotel. The manager was waiting to let them in, avoiding the reporters out front.
"Miss Reynolds, we have your usual suite ready." The manager said.
"Come on, Jack. Cut the Miss Reynolds crap." Jessie said, hugging him once they were inside.
"Hey, I never have you in for the banquets, just trying to show some respect." He opened the door for the two women as they walked through the building.
"I'd rather you show me the exit and tell them I didn't make it." Jessie said, getting a laugh.
"No such luck. But don't worry, it's just going to be the media covering the banquet." Jack said, getting a nod.
"Thanks. You guys go ahead, I need to talk to Jack a minute. Marcus, escort her to my table." Jessie said, pulling Jack aside. When they were out of earshot, "Is Miguel working tonight?"
"Yeah, who else would I trust to run the kitchen on an important night like this." Jack said with a grin.
"Mind if I talk to him?" Jessie asked.
"Of course. He'll be glad to see you." Jack said, leading her to the kitchen. After a few words with Miguel, she went to the banquet room. Jessie felt extremely uncomfortable, as she received a standing ovation upon entering. Face red, she sat next to Elphaba. They chit chatted, as the awards progressed, and dinner was served. To Elphie's surprise, instead of the chicken and veggies everyone else had, she had a lobster. "Jess…."
"The cook's a friend of mine." Jessie said, with a shrug. Elphaba took her hand under the table, squeezing it.
"Thank you." She said, with a warm smile.
"You're welcome." Jessie said, blushing again. As the meal continued, they began giving out their awards. Jessie groaned, knowing hers was coming up. The MC stepped up to the podium.
"And now for the Humanitarian of the Year award. This is the second year in a row our decision was unanimous. Jessica 'The Blade' Reynolds embodies what we wish more people were like. On a moments notice, she will drop everything for anything we ask. When she isn't working with us, she teaches martial arts to inner city youth, helping to instill the dicipline and respect that serves her so well. In addition, she volunteers at many of the local area boys and girls clubs, homeless shelters, and answers the phone for the domestic violence hotline. Somehow, even with all of that, she finds time to train and maintain a one on one relationship with as many of her fans as possible. Truly, if more people were as generous with their time, there wouldn't be a need for Make a Dream Come True to exsist. Please help me to welcome our Humanitarian of the year, Jessica Reynolds." Another standing ovation had Jessie beat red, as she stood up, and walked to the podeum.
"Thank you all for this award, even if I don't agree with it. I do everything I do because these people need help. The kids need to know that someone believes in them. It makes all the difference in the world. I don't think I'm special. I think my notoriety is the only reason people notice. I see people everyday that do the same, and I see parents and kids learning how to give the same. I've never accepted an award like this because I don't feel I deserve one. I'm doing what I hope anyone that could would. I'd really rather you guys take this, and give it to one of the kids. They deserve it more than I do. I'm very grateful that Make a Dream Come True thinks highly of me. I think equally highly of each and every one of you and the amazing work you do with sick and needy children. I'm truly honored and humbled to be a part of this. Thank you all so much." Jessie said, getting another round of applause. She took a bow, and went back to the table. She sat the plaque on the table, showing it to Elphaba. She actually felt like she was going to throw up, as the waiters passed out desert.
"Are you OK, Jessie?" Elphaba asked, seeing Jessie sweating.
"Yeah, just don't like speaking in front of crowds like that." It was one of the underlying reasons she really didn't lke getting awards. Speeches made her nervous.
"You do it every fight." Elphaba stated.
"No, I go out and hype the crowd every fight. There's a difference." Jessie said, shaking her hands out. She didn't touch her desert, grateful when Jack dropped her key off.