Jessie was downstairs setting up for her lesson. What Sam had said was still bothering her. What in the blue hell did who she was sleeping with have to do with who she was? Why would she be any different? Jessie shut it down when she saw her regulars coming in, along with a lot of new faces. She didn't see Sam, or four of her other students.
Jessie taught the class, making a mental note to go find them later and find out exactly what was going on. When the class was over Jessie went to the office, and called the missing students. She knew there was a lot of stupid people in the world, she just never imagined the kind of ignorance in her own neighborhood. After being called a freak, a filthy whore, and a skank; Jessie lowered her head and cried. She couldn't believe these same parents that thanked her for helping them with their kids were now hating everything about her. For the life of her, she couldn't understand why. Walking into the gym, she began pounding on one of the bags each shot getting harder than the last.
Elphaba stood off to the side, watching her girlfriend. She had learned when Jessie had stress to release, a bag was usually in iminent danger. Elphaba had been watching her angrily wail on the bag for over an hour with no signs of stopping.
"Jess?" Elphaba called out, not approaching. Jessie continued to punch the bag alternating the punches with a few kicks, but didn't respond.
"She can't hear you." Marcus said, motioning Elphie to the office.
"What happened? She was happy this morning. Especially with Josey being home." Elphaba asked confused.
"Yeah, but her class didn't go so well." Marcus said, wondering how much he should tell her. He was certain Jessie wouldn't want her to know too much about it.
"What happened?" Elphaba asked, worriedly.
"She had five drops." Marcus said. Elphie lowered her head, having a good idea of why, "But she also had sixteen new enrollments." He said, on the plus side.
"But it's the five that bother her." Elphaba said, understandingly. She began to feel bad for putting Jessie into this position.
"Yeah. She takes these kids personally. She doesn't like to loose one of them." Marcus said, watching Jessie from the window of the office.
"It's because she's with me, isn't it?" Elphaba asked, getting a shrug.
"We get drops from here all the time. It might not have anything to do with you at all." Marcus said, trying to get Elphaba to stop worrying about it.
"If it didn't, would she be pounding the bag like that?" Elphaba asked.
Marcus nodded, "Yeah, she would. Trust me, she takes this place and all of those kids as personally as she takes you. It's just the way she is." He saw Jessie stop, leaning on the bag for support. A few minutes later, she walked over to the cooler, pouring herself a glass of water. Feeling brave, Elphaba walked over.
"So, how long were you and Marcus watching?" Jessie asked, with no preamble.
"You knew we were watching?" Elphaba asked.
Jessie nodded, "Elphie, I can feel eyes on me, too."
Elphaba looked over Jessie carefully, "Then why didn't you stop?"
"Just some things I needed to get out of my system." Jessie said, dismissively.
"I guess dating the green girl brings it's problems here, too."Elphie said, sharper than she had intended.
Jessie's face got serious. "It had nothing to do with you, and don't ever let me hear you say that about my girlfriend again." Jessie walked out without saying another word.
Elphaba was on pins and needles until Jessie came back three hours later. The minute she saw Jessie, she hugged her tightly. "I'm sorry." Elphaba said, near tears.
Jessie had gone for a long drive on the bike to clear her head, she had ended up making a stop along the way that she hadn't been expecting to. She was surprised to find Elphaba hugging her tightly and in tears. "Sorry? About what, beautiful?" Jessie asked, she was very confused by this turn of events.
"I didn't mean to make you mad…" Jessie pulled back, looking her in the eyes. Seeing those tears beginning to fall, she wiped them away.
"Baby, I'm not mad about anything. Please don't cry." Jessie said, kissing her eyes, before pulling her back in.
Elphaba clung to Jessie until her tears were back under control. She looked up at Jessie with a bright smile. "So, where were you?"
"Working on something. I don't know if it's going to work or not, but I felt like trying something new." Jessie said, with a shrug.
Elphaba grinned at Jessie, her curiosity piqued. "What is it?"
"Would you believe a music class? I used to play guitar back in the day. I was thinking about picking it up again." Jessie was a little nervous that Elphie might laugh at her for doing that.
"Sounds like fun." Elphaba said, leaning into Jessie's side. Honestly, Elphaba couldn't wait to hear what Jessie had been working on in the class.
Jessie inwardly breathed a sigh of relief. She led Elphie upstairs, "Come on, I'll cook you lunch, beautiful. I didn't mean to scare you." Jessie said, kissing Elphaba's head. She pulled some chicken out of the refrigerator, when the phone rang.
"I'll get it." Elphaba said, walking towards the phone.
"No, let the machine get it. I'll call whoever it is back." Before she finished her statement, Elphaba had already picked up.
"Hello?" Elphaba asked with a smile.
"Hey, where's two ton?" Asked a man's voice ask.
Elphaba frowned at that, she hated prank calls. "Two ton? I think you have the wrong number." When Jessie heard that name come out of Elphaba's mouth, she headed towards the living room quickly.
"Oh, you must be Elphaba." The voice said, with a laugh.
Elphaba clenched her jaw before responding. "Yes, I'm Elphaba, can I help you?" She didn't like whoever this was on the other end of the phone.
"You can put Jessie on the phone." As he said it, Jessie reached for the phone.
Elphaba shook her head, stepping back. "Jessie is busy right now. Can I take a message?"
The voice sounded a bit irritated, "Yeah, tell Two Ton we need those rooms paid for ASAP."
"What rooms are those?" Elphaba asked, seeing Jessie roll her eyes defeated. She went back to the kitchen, and began stripping peppers and onions for the fajitas. She knew that Elphie would want a full explanation once she hung up.
"That's really none of your business, Elphaba." The voice snipped.
"It is if you want her to do that." Elphaba said, annoyed.
"Look, I know you're new to Two Ton's little team. If you want to keep your job, you'll give her the message." His voice was filled with anger.
Elphaba's eyes harden when she hears his voice change in tone. "I don't think I like your tone."
"I don't think I care what you like. Put her lazy ass on the phone." The anger in his voice is unmistakable now.
"I was right. You do have the wrong number." Elphaba said, hanging up without another word. She walked back to the kitchen and saw Jessie in tears. She wasn't sure if Jessie was upset, or if it was from the onions she was slicing.
"Was it a guy or a girl?" Jessie asked, curiously. It really was the onions she was cutting...mostly. The juice really aggravated her eyes.
"Guy but don't worry, it was a wrong number." Elphaba said, sitting the cordless on the counter. As soon as she sat it down the phone rang again. Jessie sighed as she picked up, "Hello?"
"Two ton! Your assitant, fire her." The voice was cold and firm.
"Oh, I don't think so. What do you want, Lucas?" She asked, annoyed.
Lucas sighed, "The rooms, Two Ton. I got a call from the resort saying they hadn't been paid for yet."
"I haven't had a chance…." Jessie couldn't finish her sentence before her brother spoke again.
He scoffed, "Well, get your head out of your assistant's ass, and get it done."
"Fuck you, Lucas." Jessie said, hanging up. She picked up on the fifth ring when the phone rang again, "Yes?"
"Jess, we need this. Mom and dad need this." Lucas's tone was almost pleading.
"You NEED a resort vacation? Nobody NEEDS a resort vacation." Jessie said angrily.
Elphaba raised an eyebrow, hearing Jessie say that, but stayed quiet.
"We do. We need the family to be there to celebrate mom and dad. We can't do that without your help. Come on, Two Ton, come through for us for once in your life." Lucas was trying to lay in the guilt trip that always got Jessie to pay for these get togethers.
Jessie shook her head. "I'll book it tonight, but you owe Elphaba an apology first."
"I'm not apologizing to that rude bitch." He sneered.
"Must not want the rooms, then." Jessie said.
Hearing a sigh on the phone. "Put her on." Jessie twirled the phone, handing it to Elphaba.
"Can I help you, Lucas?" Elphaba asked.
"Listen carefully, bitch. The next time you don't get my sister when I tell you to, I'm going to make sure you regret it." His voice was filled with anger and hatred.
Elphaba kept her face emotionless, "I see."
His venomous tone continued, "You might be Jessie's flavor of the month, but that doesn't mean anything to us."
"Apology accepted. Did you need anything else?" Elphaba asked, her face and voice revealing nothing of the actual conversation.
"Yeah, tell Two Ton the family thanks her." He stated.
"I'll relay the message." Elphaba said, hanging up, as Jessie stripped the chicken breasts, "Lucas said the family thanks you."
"Yeah, I'm sure they do." Jessie said, her voice distant. She hadn't told Elphaba anything about her family, and hadn't really expected to have to. They weren't interested in anything to do with her other than the money, and usually stuck to her cell phone.
"So what rooms are you booking?" Elphaba asked curiously.
Jessie put down the knife,"Mom and dad's wedding anniversary. I'm flying everyone in and paying for a week at the resort for them."
Elphaba smiled brightly, "Sounds like fun. When are we leaving?"
"The party is in April. It's only October, so a few months." She honestly hoped that Elphaba would forget by then. Jessie wasn't invited, and knew the circumstances would piss Elphaba off. "To be honest, I rarely go to these things. A bunch of drunken family members taking shots at each other isn't my idea of a good time."
"So what? There's a lot at a resort you can do that's got nothing to do with them We don't even have to leave the room. Although if they have a topless beach….." Elphaba's smirk and mischief filled eyes finished that sentence.
Jessie grinned at the thought, but still shook her head 'no'. "Yeah, but they're there. Elphaba, these are some of the most greedy, petty, nasty people I've ever known in my life. I'd really rather you not be exposed to them." Jessie said, dropping the chicken into the sautéing onions and peppers.
Elphaba pouted, "I've already been exposed to them Jessie. Speaking of, who was that...charming man on the phone anyway?"
"My brother, Lucas. He's an attorney." Jessie said.
Elphaba rolled her eyes, "You'd think that an attorney would have better manners. How on Earth do they get clients if they actually act like their stereotype?"
Jessie smiled at that, "He does with everyone but me." Jessie said, continuing to stir the food. When the chicken was done, she held out a forkfull for Elphie to try, "Be honest, I'm trying a different seasoning blend."
She watched Elphaba eat it, giving her a thumbs up. "Really good." Elphaba said, after swallowing, "Where'd you get the new seasoning?"
"Tyrone's mom. He's one of the kids at the boys and girls club. She's a professional chef, and passes stuff on for me to try. We kinda trade off." Jessie said, getting out some pocketed pita bread, lettuce, tomato, and cheese.
"Can I help?" Elphaba asked enthusiastically.
"Yeah, would you get the corn and bean salsa out of the fridge for me, please." Jessie asked, chopping the tomatoes. Elphaba brought it to her. She busted out ten pita pocket fajitas in a matter of mintues.
"Where did you learn this?" Elphaba was genuinely impressed with Jessie's speed.
"One of my many jobs was a short order cook." Jessie explained, she wrapped all but four of the pockets in individual foil packs. She would bring them down for the boys after Elphaba and her ate. Jessie got two sodas from the fridge, opening them. Elphaba was already two bites in, brining another wide smile to Jessie's face.
"This is really good." Elphaba said.
"Thanks." Jessie said, eating one of her own.
()
Elphaba agreed to take down the sandwiches for the guys, leaving Jessie alone for a bit. She took the time to book the rooms and plane tickets. She groaned, seeing they ran a little better than 150,000 total. She had managed to amass enough in her savings to pay for most of it, but she was still twenty thousand short. That meant she had to ask Marcus. Going downstairs, she found Elphaba working with some of the kids on basic punches. She was actually impressed that Elphaba had picked up well enough to help teach. She saw Marcus sitting in the office, and walked in.
"Hey, boss. Whatcha doin?" Jessie said, smiling.
"Paying bills." Marcus said, not looking up.
"I need a favor." Jessie said, sheepishly.
"What's wrong?" He asked, worriedly.
"I need twenty thousand dollars." Jessie said casually.
Marcus raised an eyebrow. "For what? Or should I guess?"
Jessie almost pleaded, "Come on, Marcus. I'm good for it, I just don't have it today."
"I don't have it either. Didn't Elphaba invest some money for you? Ask her." Marcus wasn't going to help Jess out to spoil that rotten family of hers when they treated her like a dog.
"I would, but Lucas managed to piss her off." Jessie said, sheepishly.
"Ask her anyway. Jess, I'd give it to you in a heartbeat, but I don't have it. We only profited five grand this month." Marcus said, getting a sigh.
"Shit. And the students we just lost isn't helping, either." Jessie said, still a bit irritated and sad about losing those kids.
"Don't worry about it. We've been getting calls all day. Apparently a lot of people want to be trained by you. You've got twenty two more in your kids class, and another fifteen women for your self defense class on Thursdays." He said.
"Cool! You really think I should ask her?" Jessie asked, nervously.
"I would. It's your money, even if you just want to waste it on those assholes. How much is it running you this year anyway?" He only asked out of curiosity.
"Hundred and fifty thousand." Jessie said it so quick she hoped Marcus wouldn't hear the full price and freak out.
"HOLY FUCKING SHIT!" Marcus said, slamming the book, "Where the hell are you taking them?"
Jessie grimaced, so much for him not freaking out. "An all inclusive five star resort in Hawaii."
"Hell, can I go?" Marcus said, dead serious.
"I'll send you if you want to, but I'd recommend avoiding it while my family's there. They have this way of fucking up a wet dream." Jessie said bitterly.
"It's Hawaii, Jessie. Fuck them. You better go this time." Marcus warned.
"Yes, sir." Jessie said, winking before she headed back out.
Mike was wrapping up his class. "And a big thanks to Elphaba for helping out." Mike said, as he and the students bowed to her.
She returned it, before seeing Jessie. Smiling brightly she walked over. "I thought you were napping."
"I am. I wanted to book the resort first, and I'm a little short." Jessie said sheepishly.
"Jessie,you've got a hundred thirty thousand in your account." Elphaba said.
Jessie shifted a bit uncomfortably on her feet. "I know. I need twenty thousand more."
Elphaba's eyes widen, "For a vacation?"
"Well, we have fifty people coming, and I'm flying them all in and then the rooms. Do we have enough with what you invested?" Jessie said softly.
"I think so. When I checked it last week, it was seven hundred and thirty two thousand and fifty eight cents." Elphaba said, casually.
Jessie's jaw hit the floor. "Seven hundred thousand? You're kidding right?"
Elphaba smirked at Jessie's reaction. "Nope. I want the names and numbers of everyone you're flying in so I can get an accurate count for rooms and tickets."
"OK, but let's get the rooms booked first." Jessie said, leading her to the office. Seven hundred thousand out of one hundred thousand? .Jessie couldn't have been more impressed.
Elphaba sent Jessie off to teach her next class while she booked the rooms. She called Marcus into her office so that she could add four extra rooms to the list.
()
When Elphaba came downstairs, she thought she had walked into a different world. There were cobwebs, coffins, and a makeshift laboratory. In the middle Jessie and Mike were setting up a lighting machine, Marcus was coming in with another lighting machine, and more mats.
"Jess, what's going on?" Elphaba asked, once she climbed down the ladder.
"It's Halloween! We always turn the dojo into a haunted house on Halloween." Jessie said, grinning.
"A what?" Elphaba asked, still not quite getting the concept.
"A haunted house. We're going to set up the mats to make six different rooms, and we try to scare the trick or treaters." Mike said, grinning.
"Trick or treaters?" Elphaba was thoroughly confused right now.
"I'll explain it later." Jessie said, dismissively.
"Where are you from that they didn't trick or treat?" Mike asked, with a scoff.
Jessie saw Elphaba start to panic. "Her dad was a minister. You know, one of those fire and brimstone, Halloween is the devil ministers." Jessie said.
Mike shook his head slowly, "Now that's not right. It's OK, Elphaba, we're going to have your first Halloween here." Mike promised, before going to help Marcus set up.
"Thanks, Jess." Elphaba whispered, after Mike was out of earshot.
"No problem. I should've warned you." Jessie said, putting her arm around Elphaba.
"It might have helped." She agreed.
"Well, little kids get dressed up in costume, and go around house to house asking for candy. It's a lot of fun, usually. Marcus and I set it up for the kids to walk through and get their candy. Rick plays Dracula, and pops out of the coffin. Marcus plays the mad scentist, and is working on an experiment for the kids. I play the crazy lady. Mike plays an ax murderer, and we hire some of the older teenagers in the neighborhood to roam around the rooms or whatever they feel like doing."
"That sounds absolutely grizzly." Elphaba said, shaking her head.
"Ah, it's all in fun. We charge five dollars or three cans of food to come in, and we match donations, so the food bank and shelters get a little boost for Thanksgiving and Christmas." Jessie said with a smile.
"What are those?" Elphaba asked, a little confused.
"Holidays. You've never heard of them?" Honestly Jessie was surprised that Oz didn't have holidays that were at least similar.
"No, but I can find out. The IWMMA called yesterday. They want your next title defense to be in March. Then they want you to do a PR tour in Hawaii." Elphaba said casually.
"The PR tour sounds like fun. A little surfing, a little tanning." Jessie said, grinning at the thought, "I've always wanted to go to Hawaii."
"The only problem is, it's in the same week as your family reunion." Elphaba said, watching Jessie's face fall.
"I really would rather not. Tell them to reschedule, if they can." She would rather be ANYWHERE else than Hawaii during her family reunion.
"Jess, you can't just avoid them your entire life." Elphie said softly.
"Why not? It's worked so far." Jessie said, before going to help Marcus set up.
Elphaba had a lousy family herself, but Jessie seemed to really dread being around hers. Shaking that off, she went into the office. If there were important holidays Elphaba needed to know them to fit into her new persona. She would do what she had always done, study. Signing onto the computer she began searching for study materials. It was a few hours later that she heard a knock on the door. Looking up she smiled when she saw Jessie.
"Hey, come on! I need your opinion on something." Jessie said, getting a smile. Elphaba followed Jessie out and down to the main floor of the dojo. Jessie led her on a tour of the makeshift haunted house. Elphaba chuckled softly, it wasn't quite as scary as she had originally thought. Although some of it did look gruesome. The middle room in particular was made to look like a torture chamber with a skeleton on the wall, and a rack in the middle of the room. Jessie looked back and saw a distant look in Elphie's eyes.
"Come on, this one's a little less." Jessie said, showing her the gravestones made with styrofoam.
Marcus was painting names on the different stones. "Elphaba, do you want a headstone?" Marcus asked, looking back at her.
"No, thank you." Elphaba said, shaking her head. This was far too macabre for her tastes.
"Oh, come on, Elphaba! It's fun. Jessie's got one, Mike's got one..." Marcus was trying to casually get her to agree to one.
"I don't want one, but thank you." Elphaba insisted.
"Your choice." Marcus said, as Jessie led her off.
"BOO!" Rick yelled, jumping around the corner dressed like a burnt man with a sweater and a glove of blades. Unfortunately, he had actually scared Elphaba, and gotten kicked in the groin for his efforts before she thought about it.
Jessie laughed. "You OK, Rick?" She asked, seeing Elphaba looking mortified.
"I'm wearing…ah…a cup tonight." Rick said, still not getting up.
"I'm sorry, Rick." Elphaba said, as Jessie helped the poor man up.
"I'm fine. Sorry I scared you that much." Rick said, limping off.
"Something tells me he won't try it again." Jessie said, laughing, as they exited the little haunted house.
"ELPHABA! I found it!" Mike said, excitedly.
"Found what?" Elphaba asked, curiously.
"You costume! It's perfect!" Mike said, handing her a bag. She opened it, finding a 'Wicked Witch of the West costume. Jessie snatched it away, throwing it at him, "What's your problem, Jess."
"You think you're funny? You think you're funny, asshole?" Jessie asked, getting in his face.
Elphaba placed her hand on Jessie's shoulder. "Jessie, it's OK."
"Back off, Jess. Damn." Mike said, backing up with his hands raised. He had learned when Jessie was angry, it was the best option, although he was confused why she was so upset by that. Elphaba stepped between her and Mike, to Mike's relief, "I just thought, with the tattoo, it was a perfect choice. Sorry, Jess." He said, truthfully.
"Jessie, it's OK, really. He's right, it would be an ideal costume." Elphaba said, hoping to calm Jessie down.
"You like it?" Jessie asked, a little shocked by that.
"Why not? It's just for fun, right? I'll go try it on. Mike...you two kiss and make up while I'm gone." Elphaba said with a wink before taking the bag with her up to the apartment.
"I'm sorry, dude." Jessie said, getting a nod.
"Don't worry about it. I should've known you'd be touchy about your girlfriend." Mike said, going back inside to help Marcus. Jessie shook her head. She had been touchy lately anyway, but she really felt bad about this. Ten minutes later, Elphaba walked out in what she had originally been wearing.
Mike looked a bit sad, "You didn't like it?"
Elphaba smiled softly, "It was a bit tight. I think I have something up in the apartment that will work though."
Mike smiled brightly at that, "So you liked it? I'm glad to hear that."
Elphaba smiled, "I did like it, thank you Mike."
Marcus walked over, "Elphaba, would you like to be our Hostess this year?"
"Hostess?" Elphaba asked, confused.
"Yeah, you collect the money or canned goods, and let them in the door." He said with a smile.
"I can do that." Elphaba said, smiling brightly.
"Good! We open at six." Marcus said before walking back in to do the final touches.
Elphaba smiled at Jessie, "I'm going upstairs to change, I'll be back down in a bit."
When five thirty rolled around, Elphaba came down from their loft. She was wearing a very long, form fitting black dress that covered almost her entire body, except her hands and face. However, there was still an unusual sex appeal in how the dress hugged her body. There seemed to be multiple colors imbeded into the black fabric that made the dress look...stunning on her. To top it all off she was wearing a pointy black hat and had an old gnarled broom in her hand. Jessie was being strapped into a fairly real looking straightjacket when she saw Elphaba.
"Holy ….." Jessie looked at her, floored.
"You like it?" Elphaba asked, most of the time this particular dress invoked fear.
"I love it." Jessie said, her voice distant, as Mike and Rick laughed.
"That's why you're thinking about peeling it off her." Mike said, after he was sure the straps were secure, getting a blush out of both of them.
"These straps come off in a couple of hours, remember that." Jessie said, getting a laugh from the boys.
Elphaba smirked, "You better make sure those straps are secure. She almost tore down a MMA cage remember?"
Mike and Rick were satisfied with the security of the straps on Jessie's jacket before walking off to set up in their sections. Elphaba walked up to Jessie with an absolutely wicked smirk on her face. She gave Jessie a kiss on the cheek before whispering in her ear, "Perhaps you should leave the jacket on all night Jess."