AN: Hey guys, thank you so much for continuing to read the story. Sorry for the lengthy chapters, but bear with us. The conclusion of part one will be soon, hope you all enjoy.

"You're live in five, four, three…" The producer said, counting them down silently to one.

"Welcome to the preshow for IWMMA: The St. Pattie's day Massacre. I'm your host Peter Joh. Joining me is Tamara Greene, our field reporter. The main event is shaping up to be the fight of the year. The highly anticipated rematch between Jessica "The Blade" Reynolds and Kelly "The Machine" Walsh." Peter read off of the telepromter.

"It is definatly going to be quite the battle, Peter. The last time these two squared off was six months ago in Las Vegas, and Blade barely eked out a submission victory against the Machine." Tamara said, excitedly.

"Anytime these two meet, it's a fight to the finish. Later on, in the tale of the tape, we'll show you exactly why, but both seem to have a nearly endless amount of endurance and resilience." Peter said.

"That's for certain, Peter. Both looked relaxed and ready at the weigh in earlier today. With Kelly's incredible ground offense and Jessie's seemingly endless submission repertoire, this is shaping up to be the fight of the year." Tamara said.

()

Jessie nervously paced the locker room, going over the game plan in her head. Her fights with Kelly were some of her most difficult. She pounded her fist into her hand, staring blankly into space. She wanted this win, but more than that she wanted to impress Elphaba. Elphaba had never seen her in a real fight. Jessie wanted to show her why she was ranked number one in the IWMMA and fifteenth in the world. A knock on the locker room door broke her thoughts.

"Come in." She said, rolling her shoulders and throwing a few punches.

"You ready?" Elphaba asked.

"As ready as I'm going to be. Wish my fans were here." Jessie said, matter of factly, as she slid off the taping table on her feet.

"Marcus thought you might feel that way." Elphaba said, opening the door.

"WHAT ARE YOU DOING HERE?!" Jessie asked, scooping her up in a tight hug, as Elphaba stepped outside, closing the door behind her.

"Getting my ribs broken," She said, laughing, as Jessie let her down, "Glad to see me?"

"I'm always glad to see you, sis." Jessie said, rubbing her head.

"Good...you nervous?" She asked.

"I'm always nervous before a fight." Jessie said.

Josey raised an eyebrow, "Didn't look nervous when you faught Maria."

"I'll let you in on a little secret. I was more nervous with Maria than I was now." Jessie said.

Josey scoffed, "My ass."

"No, really, I was." Jessie said, sitting down on the locker room bench with her.

"Why? You knew you had her beat." Josey asked.

"No, I thought I had her beat. But what I was fighting for was more important that the IWMMA, this belt, or almost anything else. That was about Elphie's honor. I couldn't loose, and it scared me that I might." Jessie admitted.

"What about tonight? You're not just as nervous?" Josey asked.

Jessie answered her with a shrug. "Not really. Kelly and I are evenly matched. I hope I have a good showing, win or loose. Plus, she's pretty cool. If I lost to her, it wouldn't bother me. Not that I'm loosing."

"You better not! I didn't come from California to see my big sis loose." Josey said.

Jessie gave her a hug, "Hey, do me a favor. Tell Marcus you're coming to the ring with me, and ask Elphie to come here a second."

"Getting your good luck kiss, huh?" Josey asked with a smirk.

"You're crazy, and I love you." Jessie said, kissing her head.

"I love you too, sis. See you out there." Josey said, leaving.

Jessie got up, throwing hard punches at air, until Elphaba came in.

"Josey said you wanted to see me." Elphaba said.

Jessie dropped her fists, taking Elphie's hands. "Yeah, I did. Sit down," Elphie looked at Jessie questioningly, but did as she was asked, "Elphie, this is not going to be an easy fight." She said, nervously.

"I know that, Jess. But you're ready." Elphaba said, putting her arm around Jessie.

"No, I know I am. I just….if this gets as brutal as I think it will, please take Josey and come back here. Our last fight, there was almost no winner because we both came close to being counted down. Normally, for the fans at home, that's a great fight. But I know Josey, and I know you. I don't want you two getting as hurt as I am." Jessie said, sure that didn't sound right.

Elphaba nodded her head slowly, "I promise. If it's too ugly, I'll bring her back to the locker room.

"Thank you." Jessie said, breathing a sigh of relief.. She hugged Elphie tightly, kissing her gently, "I'm sorry for what you're about to see." Jessie said.

"Why are you sorry? You're going to do what you always do. Win." Elphaba said, kissing her head.

()

"Now we go to the tale of the tape. Blade, at six foot, has an inch on the five eleven Machine." Peter said.

"The fight isn't determined by height alone however. Machine has an inch reach advantage on Blade. An advantage that she uses well." Tamera reminded him.

"That's true, Tamara. Especially in her ground and pound technique. She nearly knocked Blade out three times last time." Peter said.

"It should be an intresting fight." Tamara noted.

"Now we go to Micheal Thorne in the ring." Peter said, as the director cut.

()

"And now, tonight's main event! The heavyweight championship match! The match will be five rounds of five minutes each. The Challenger from Venice Beach, California... weighing in at 275 and one half pounds. Former IWMMA Heavyweight Champion of the WOOOORLD! Kelly "The Machine" Walsh!" As Kelly walked out, there was a huge pop from the crowd. She got into the ring, throwing warmup punches and kicks to the delight of the crowd.

"And now, weighing in at two hundred and eighty pounds, from Los Angeles by way of Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, the IWMMA Heavyweight Champion of the WOOOORLD! Jessica "The Blade" Reynolds!"

The minute her theme hit, her hand drifted to the tags around her neck. Lifting them, she kissed them before stepping out throwing punches. Hearing the crowd chanting her name had her buzzing like it always did. Her game face was in full effect as she walked down the aisle, throwing warm up punches and kicks. Her face was a mask of concentration; if it hadn't been, Kelly and the cameras would have seen how nervous she truly was.

Elphaba walked a few steps behind, with Marcus and Josey. She wasn't a fan of massive crowds, and the arena was standing room only. If they had an advantage, the crowd seemed to be very pro Jessie. Elphaba stood back, as Jessie and Marcus got into the ring.

"She looks nervous." Josey said to Elphaba.

"I think she is, but she's not about to admit it." Elphaba said.

"She's not the only one. See the way Kelly keeps flexing her fists. She only does that when she's fighting Jessie. I think it's a nervous tick." Josey said.

Elphaba nodded as they watched Jessie and Kelly touch gloves in the middle of the ring. Jessie came back to her corner, kneeling and making the sign of the cross. After bowing her head she stood up, and waited for the bell.

As soon as the bell rang, they began throwing haymakers one after the other. Jessie landed a hard knee to Kelly's stomach. When she went for a second, Kelly dropped her with a single leg takedown. The remaining two minutes of the round Jessie spent trying to get out of the ground and pound, and cover up from the haymakers Kelly was throwing. As soon as the bell was rung Kelly got up and offered her a hand up. She took it, to the cheers of the crowd, and made her way to the corner.

"OK, Jess. Try to stay on the offence. Stick to your hands, and guard your legs. You can't afford another round like that." Marcus said, wiping the blood off her nose and swelling eye. He applied some sab to stop the swelling and bleeding, but her nose was flowing, there wasn't much he could do about that.

"Jessie, she's a southpaw. She leads with the left half of her body. When you see her lean in, come up with a knee." Elphaba said, holding Jessie's hand through the open door.

"Thanks Elphie." She knew it was going to get rougher before it got better.

As the second round began, Jessie let herself get taken down again. This time, though, she scrambled to the right, working her way out of it with knees to the guts and fists to the head. With Kelly reeling, Jessie locked her in the armbar. Before Kelly tapped, the second round ended. Jessie broke the armbar, and helped Kelly up.

"Good round." Kelly said, going back to her corner.

Jessie did the same, as Marcus handed her a bottle of water. She drank a little, spitting most of it out.

"Jessie, you're doing great. That was your round. You gotta get her in that armbar quicker." Marcus said.

"I know, I'm trying." Jessie said, winded.

"Deep and even. Deep and even. If you're winded, she's worse." Marcus said, applying sab to her knuckles, "You've been training in this, she hasn't." Marcus said, patting her shoulder. She nodded, getting up.

As soon as Marcus and Kelly's trainer left the ring, round three started. Jessie was taken off guard, expecting Kelly to come out swinging. Jessie moved in when Kelly hesitated, and ate a hard right side kick straight to her ribs. The kick landed with a sickening thud. A second roundhouse landed against her temple, sending her tumbling face first into the cage. The metal split her forehead and lip. Kelly followed up, driving her head into the cage a second time.

"Come on, Jessie! You can do it!" Josey yelled, excitedly.

"THIS IS AWESOME!" The crowd chanted, as Jessie shook out the cobwebs, and finally started firing back. Jessie landed six hard head shots, sending Kelly against the cage. She moved in, beginning to bury knees and kicks against Kelly, as Kelly tied her up in a grapple. Jessie suplexed her using her strength and weight, and locked in a rear naked choke. Seconds after Jessie locked in the hold the bell rang, Jessie released immediately. Kelly was red faced as Jessie pulled her up, and helped her to her corner before going to her own.

"Jessie, you had her. Stay on her." Marcus said, getting a nod, as she gulped down more water. Her arms and legs were getting heavier, and the sweat was pouring painfully into the cuts Marcus was trying to close up. She glanced over and saw a serious look of concern on Elphaba and Josey's faces. She knew she was in as much, if not more, trouble than Kelly was in. She could see Kelly gasping for breath, "How are your ribs?" Marcus asked.

"Probobly cracked. Hurts to breathe." Jessie said, truthfully.

"Try to get her in the armbar early. Don't go blow for blow with her, you're both too tired for that shit." Marcus said.

"I'm…OK." Jessie said, getting up.

When the bell rang, Kelly went back to her kicks. Jessie blocked, answering with one of her own. Kelly grabbed at her leg Jessie recoiled and brought her knee between Kelly's eyes breaking her nose, and sending her tumbling backwards. Jessie followed it up with more body and gut shots, all of them landing on Kelly with devastating results. Kelly returning the favor before Jessie took her down again, putting her in a modified chicken wing armlock. Jessie ground Kelly's head into the mats. The crowd began to cheer her on, they began counting down to the end of the round. Right at the five second mark she heard a loud crack from Kelly's arm. Jessie released immediately the bell signaling the end of the round rang a second after Jessie released the hold.

Jessie was unwilling to seriously hurt her friend for the belt. Jessie stayed at Kelly's side in the ring until she got up.

Kelly patted Jessie's shoulder as she made her way to the corner.

"WHY DID YOU LET HER UP?" Marcus yelled, as she collapsed, breathless in the corner.

"I think…I hyper extended ….her elbow." Jessie said, drawing in deep, greedy breaths.

"Damn it, Jessie, this fight could be over right now." Marcus said.

"Not like that." She said, shaking her head.

"You've only got one round left, and the scoring could go either way. Focus on that arm." Marcus said.

"No. I'll knock her out, but I'm not going to injure her." Jessie said, matter of factly, before coughing up a mouthfull of blood. She lowered her head, catching her breath.

"Jessie, are you OK?" Marcus asked, the concern for her safety evident in his voice.

"I'm …. fine. Just….hurting." Jessie said, her head spinning. She looked at Elphaba and Josey, both looking at her with worried eyes. Jessie made her decision. No matter what happened, she wasn't going down to Kelly.

When the fifth round began, Kelly attempted a single leg takedown. Jessie sidestepped, and she went arm first into the cage with a loud scream. Jessie could have moved in, and taken command of the match, but she didn't instead she waited for Kelly to stand up. Jessie came in with a right hook to her body landing it flush, as Kelly landed a hard right to her head. For the next five minutes, they traded punches neither going down, but both just about out on their feet. When the bell rang, they fell against each other in a hug absolutely exhausted.

"You … had me." Kelly said.

"Not like that. You deserve better than that." Jessie said, breathlessly. Jessie took her right hand, lifting it with a nod to the crowd, as the trainers came in, separating them into their corners.

"Damn it, Jessie. We're going to work on your killer instinct next time. You OK?" Marcus said as he worked on cleaning Jessie up.

"I think she broke a couple of ribs. I'll be OK, Marcus, honestly." She said, collapsing with her eyes closed in the corner.

Elphaba was in the ring, her hand tracing Jessie's swelling cheek. "I'm so proud of you. You were amazing, Jess." She said, earning a kiss to her cheek from an exhausted Jessie.

"I love you, baby." Jessie said, holding her. Elphie could feel how weak Jessie was in her grip alone. Jessie got up, seeing the referee calling them both to the center of the ring. When Kelly got there, they hugged each other again, getting an eruption from the crowd.

"The judges have scored this bout 42-31 Reynolds, 41-30 Walsh and 42-31 for the winner, by split decision, JESSICA "THE BLADE" REYNOLDS!" When the referee raised her hand, Jessie cried out in pain, and Kelly pushed him out of the way.

"Jesus, Jessie." Kelly said, seeing those angry welts.

"No big deal. Good fight, man." Jessie said, pulling her into a hug, as the in ring interviewer came over.

"Blade, how are you feeling?" He asked.

"Like I got hit with a monster truck named Machine." Jessie said, getting a laugh from her audience.

"Is this how you saw this fight ending?" He asked.

"Not really. With Kelly, as tough as she is, you never know how these fights are going to end. She's such a talented martial artist and fighter, it's never predictable." Jessie said, raising Kelly's hand with hers.

"How about it, Machine? Do you think you should've won tonight?" The reporter asked.

Kelly rolled her eyes, "Of course you want to win. But Jessie is as tough as they come in this or any division. I came in expecting a war, and that's exactly what I got."

"Blade, you broke that chicken wing before Kelly tapped and just seconds before the bell. If you had held it, do you think it would have ended with a submission?" He asked.

"I don't think so. I think Kelly and I both came in with the mindset that we don't quit, and I think I would've had to break her arm to stop her. Not something I was willing to do." Jessie said, getting her hair messed up by Kelly.

"Kelly, would you have released it, if the tables were reversed?" He asked.

"No chance. I would've held it until she tapped or until the round ended." Kelly said, honestly.

"Thanks, dude, I feel so honored." Jessie said with a laugh.

"You should. I know what Jessie can do if given the opportunity. I wouldn't dream of giving her the opportunity." Kelly said, grinning.

"You two seem to have a lot of respect for each other. Can we expect to see Blade Machine 3?" He asked.

Jessie looked at Kelly with a grin. "She can have a title shot anytime she'd like one."

"And when I win next time, she can have the same." Kelly said, winking at Jessie.

They bowed to each other, before clearing the ring, to a standing ovation.

()

Jessie hated doctors. She normally avoided them like the plague, but Elphaba and Josey forced her to stick around for this one. After the examination, Jessie laid on her back on the training table, tempted to pass out. The adrenaline rush from the match wasn't worn off yet, and she'd prefer to be in her bed at the cabin when it did. She saw the look of concern on both of their faces when he read off the list of injuries. A busted lip, broken nose, fractured jaw, three broken ribs, two black eyes, and three sprained fingers.

"Shit, doc, you'd think I'd been in a fight or something." Jessie said, chuckling.

"I'm glad you find this funny, Jessie. If you keep going like this, you're only going to have a few years to defend that belt before your injuries force you to retire." The doctor said, concerned.

"Retire? What's that?" Jessie asked, looking at Josey, who didn't look nearly as amused.

"Jessie, are you sure you're OK?" Josey asked.

"I'm fine, sis. Really." Jessie said.

"I understand you're her personal assistant?" The doctor said, looking at Elphaba.

"Yes, I am." Elphaba said.

"You make sure she rests. No training until those ribs are completely healed." The doctor said.

"Yes, sir." Elphaba said, nodding, as the doctor taped up Jessie's ribs. Jessie sipped a bottle of water, not so much as flinching. Not that it didn't hurt, it hurt like crazy. Jessie just had a lifetime of experience tuning it out and working in spite of it. When the doctor was done, Marcus came in.

"How's Kelly?" Jessie asked.

"You were right, you did hyperextend it, and tore two ligaments." Marcus said.

"Oh, fuck. Is she going to be OK?" Jessie asked.

"Jessie, she's fine. Go down and see for yourself." Marcus said.

Jessie slid off the table with a groan of protest, before walking down to Kelly's locker room. Kelly's daughter was on the bench with her.

"Hey, Jess." The young girl said.

"Hey yourself." Jessie said, grinning, as the girl hugged her, "You OK, Kelly?"

"Just the usual after a fight with you. We should get together for training. I'll work with you on ground defence, and you help me figure out the submissions." Kelly said.

"Anytime, girl, you know that." Jessie said.

Kelly grinned, "I'll swing by the dojo sometime."

"Open invitation, especially if you bring my buddy." Jessie said.

Kelly chuckled softly, "Thanks Jess, now get out of here. Take your girlfriend homeand celebrate."

()

When they got back to the cabin, Elphaba took Josey to one of the spare rooms upstairs. Making sure Josey was comfortable Elphaba headed back downstairs.

Josey smiled after Elphaba had left as she unpacked her overnight bag. She freshened up in the bathroom before looking around the guest room a little more thoroughly. She found a small box under the night stand next to the bed. It was addressed to her from Mike.

The note on top read, 'Jessie Victory Supply Kit'. Below that was some more writing, 'Josey, here are a few things to assist you tonight in case Jessie won the title match'. Josey chuckled as she opened the package. Inside were soft foam earplugs, sound canceling headphones, and a sleep eye mask. Josey chuckled as she shook her head slowly, Jessie was right Mike was a goofball.

Josey had settled into her bed and was reading a book quietly. She hadn't heard anything from downstairs for quite some time. She had been a little hungry for awhile now, but didn't want to disturb anything. Perhaps she could sneak down and grab a little something without them realizing it.

()

When Elphaba had come down the stairs from helping Josey she found Jessie stretched out on the couch. She sat down next to her a bit surprised when Jessie motioned her into her arms. Carefully, Elphaba did just that. Once she was settled, Jessie kissed her gently on the head.

"I'm sorry." Jessie said, quietly.

"For what, Jessie?" Elphie asked.

"I knew this was going to be a hard fight. I should have insisted you not come." Jessie stated.

"I wouldn't have missed that for anything. You were awesome." Jessie blushed brightly, as Elphaba kissed her softly.

"I'm glad you liked it." Jessie said, holding her, "I just hope that Josie isn't scarred for life after that."

Elphaba smiled gently, "She had the time of her life today Jessie, I wouldn't worry about her. Besides the beating you took in your first match was worse. How do you do that?"

"Do what, beautiful?" Jessie asked, confused.

"Take that kind of beating, and keep fighting?" Elphaba asked, her fingers stroking that swollen cheek gently.

"I don't know. I've been beaten in one form or another most of my life, I guess my body is just adjusted to it." Jessie said, truthfully. The words brought tears to Elphie's eyes, as she looked down at Jessie. It hurt her to think that Jessie had been hurt like that, "At least now it's only in the ring." Jessie said.

"I'm glad it's only in the ring. I love you, Jessie." Elphie said, holding her close.

"I love you, too. But we do need to talk." Jessie said, sliding out from under Elphie. Jessie sat up on the sofa, "Baby, would you bring me something to drink, please."

"Sure, Jess." Elphaba said, walking to the kitchen nervously. In her experience, the words 'we need to talk' never lead to anything good. She took her time pouring the drinks, not sure if she wanted to go back out there just yet.

Jessie sat on the couch, palming her dog tags in her right hand. It was the last thing she had from her life with Sonya, the thing that made it real every time she touched it. It didn't seem like enough, maybe she should just forget it.

"I got you a sports drink. What did you want to talk about, Jessie?" Elphaba said, sitting across from her.

"I don't think I can keep you on as my assistant anymore," Jessie took her hand, watching her face fall, "Tonight at the fight I realized something. I can't make it without you anymore," Jessie slid off the couch with a groan and went to one knee, "I need you, Elphie. Not as my assistant, but as my partner in life," Jessie laid the dog tags she'd been palming in her hand into Elphie's, "These are the only things I have left of my life in Sonya's world. They mean more to me than anything, except you. I want to spend every day making your life as good as you've made mine. Elphie, will you be my partner in life?" Jessie asked, lowering her head, and waiting on her answer.

Elphaba's stomach drops when Jessie begins to speak. She immediately begins to wonder what she could have done to upset Jessie so much that she fires her. However, when Jessie made her way to her knee Elphaba's heart began to race. She now understood that this wasn't truly about her job as Jessie's assistant. The question leaves her breathless for a few moments. When the feel of cool metal from those dog tags touches her skin, she realizes that Jessie is still waiting for her to answer.

She nods her head as she finally finds her words. "Yes, I will be your partner for life Jessie."

Jessie's world seemed to stop, and it was almost like her words came in slow motion. She felt dizzy, her heart racing. Then she heard Elphie's answer, "You said….."

"Yes." Elphaba said, a touch breathlessly.

"YES!" Jessie screamed, lifting her off the couch completely forgetting her injuries. With a pain filled scream, she nearly dropped Elphaba. Elphaba caught herself and pulled Jessie into a hug. Elphaba began chanting immediately the green mist flowing around them both. In a few moments, Jessie would find herself completely healed.

Josey was at the top of the stairs when she heard Jessie yell in excitement followed by pain. Worried she rushes down the stairs and sees some kind of green mist covering both Elphaba and Jessie. Once the green mist disappears, Josey notices that Jessie looks a lot healthier.

"I KNEW IT! That's what you did to me, isn't it?" Josey sounded a bit accusatory; however, she looked like she was in awe at what she just witnessed.

Elphaba looked up, seeing Josey. She lowered her head, debating. "Yes." She said, lowly.

To her shock, Josie ran to her, wrapping her in a hug. "You saved my life, Elphie. Thank you."

"You're welcome." Elphaba said, hugging her back, and kissing her head softly.

"Josie, you can't tell a soul." Jessie said, dead serious.

Josey scoffed lightly, "Please, like I would tell anyone? She's my friend too, you know."

"I like you, too, Josie." Elphaba said, letting her go, and messing up her hair.

Josey grinned up at the pair of them, "Sorry for interrupting, I just wanted to grab a quick snack." Josey gathers a few snack foods and heads back to the stairs. "See you two in the morning." Josey chuckles softly to herself as she heads back upstairs. Now that Jessie is 100% again, maybe she WILL need to use that care package from Mike.

()

Elphaba smiled as she watched Josey gather some food and head back upstairs. She quickly slips the dogtags on around her neck. "See you in the morning Josey."

Once Josey is upstairs, Elphaba pulls Jessie into a deep kiss. Pulling back slightly she smiles up at Jessie brightly. "How shall we celebrate your victory tonight now that you are healed?"

Jessie is a bit surprised by the kiss, but happily returns it. Elphie's question brings a grin to her face as she picks Elphie up and carries her into the master suite which is next to the kitchen. "I have a few ideas, but all of them require a bit more privacy." Jessie kicks the bedroom door shut with the heel of her foot once they are clear of the door.