A/N: Apologies for the serious delay in this chapter. I wrote it up last week, read it, hated it and started over! It's a pretty long chapter (and I did some serious cutting down lol) so I hope you guys stick with it! As always love to know what people think.

As June drew to a close things really started to heat up, and not just between Nick, Jess and office machinery but L.A. was well on its way to one of the hottest summers in years. Every day was in the late-80s, the city had become an unbearable hot sweaty mess and Nick hated it. He hated it even more due to the fact this supposed 'glorious' weather was the reason he was now sat at his least favourite place in the world.

It may have taken Jess a little over a month but she had made good on her promise and finally dragged her unwilling boyfriend to the beach. Nick had protested vehemently against the idea but quickly found himself outnumbered four to one as Jess had enlisted Schmidt, Elizabeth and Winston in her scheme.

It was undeniably glorious day; the sun was blazing in the cloudless blue sky, the water a sea of sparkling azure. Beautiful people frolicked and laughed all around them, tossing Frisbees and lounging beneath the golden rays. It was like a scene out of one of those teen drama shows Schmidt loved so much, where high school kids were played by thirty-something's and no one ever actually went to class.

Nick couldn't have looked more out of place if he had tried, sat practically fully clothed in a t-shirt and knee-length cargo pants on his old, faded and hole ridden 'Chica go Bills' beach towel, another dubious memento from Walt. More miserable and surly than he'd been in quite some time, Nick observed the fun and joyful scene around him.

How did people think this was so much fun? Nick was hot and sweaty; he had sand scratching in between his toes and had already been hit by a volleyball, admittedly it was thrown by Winston on purpose but still Nick took it as another sign he and the beach were not meant to be.

What riled Nick most of all is that he and Jess could have had the loft to themselves for the whole day, something that had been a rarity lately. Schmidt and Elizabeth appeared to have taken up permanent residence in the kitchen, enjoying nightly food tastings and Winston had practically turned into an agoraphobic puzzle-obsessed lunatic once more after a series of disastrous internet dates.

Through squinted eyes Nick (of course having forgotten his sunglasses) spotted his un-lucky in love roommate a little further down the beach watching as Winston attempted to flirt with a group of uninterested and quite frankly uncomfortable looking college girls. Nick cringed as he watched Winston attempt to show the girls some volleyball moves only to hit one of them in the face with the ball.

Nick sighed; maybe he should just give up on girls and get a cat or something.

As a small crowd began to gather around Winston, the injured girl and her friends Nick peeled his eyes away, disapprovingly scanning the rest of the beach filled with people joking and laughing. A young family splashing happily in the ocean caught Nick's attention. They seemed just like any other, a young couple with two kids, a little girl playing in the sand whilst her brother tossed a ball with his dad, the mom smiling as she unpacked a picnic. They smiled and laughed with one another, nothing out of the ordinary but it was the only thing today so far that hadn't pushed Nick's buttons. In fact, it looked…nice.

Something suddenly drew Nick's eyes away as a figure slowly emerged from the waves. It was as though there was some sort of magnet between his eyes and Jess; he could feel it when she was near.

Nick watched as she strolled out of the surf wearing the teeniest floral print bikini. She looked incredible, water dripping off her petite body, the sun highlighting her porcelain skin. Nick was completely captivated by her and he quickly found he wasn't the only one; almost every guy around them was staring at her.

His eyes darkened noticing a group of ridiculously ripped twenty-something guys who actually stopped tossing their football to drool over Jess. Jess of course was entirely oblivious to the number of eyes fixated on her, it baffled Nick that she couldn't see how incredibly beautiful and sexy she was. Clearly everybody else could see it.

"Put your tongue away Nick." A bored sounding voice snapped beside him.

Nick shot a furious glance to his right where Schmidt lay bare chested in shorts far too tight for Nick's liking. Schmidt had prepared a typically lavish picnic for them all, consisting of teeny tiny sandwiches, weird looking meats and smelly cheeses. Watching Schmidt and Elizabeth sensually hand feeding each other for the past twenty minutes had done little to improve Nick's grouchy mood.

"Shut up Schmidt and pass me one of those white cookies." Nick snapped back.

Schmidt's face scrunched up, seemingly affronted by Nick's request.

"These are not white cookies you buffoon, they're parmesan shortbreads!"

Nick rolled his eyes, "Whatever just give me one!"

"Careful Nick, comfort eating is never the answer." Schmidt said patronisingly offering Nick the Tupperware box. "And jealousy can make you the hungriest of all, such an ugly emotion."

Nick snatched the small plastic box, his face scrunched into a fierce frown, "What?"

Schmidt scoffed, "Look Nick I know it must be hard with your girlfriend being a little nerd pin-up and you're…well you."

"Schmidt!" Elizabeth scolded frowning at her boyfriend.

Nick's glare darkened and opened his mouth to send an equally unpleasant barb back about Schmidt's appearance when a bright yellow disc landed suddenly in his lap. Looking down Nick frowned identifying the flying object, another damn Frisbee.

"Hey dude, sorry about that." A young sounding voice said appearing beside him.

Looking up with a full on old-man frown on his face Nick narrowed his eyes at the boy. He was no more than eighteen, tall with ridiculously muscular arms and what Nick was pretty sure was an eight pack. Nick hated him instantly.

The boy flashed a friendly half-smile, casting a quick glance down at his Frisbee now grasped firmly in Nick's hands.

Looking up he raised his eyebrows, "Err can I get that back?"

"No." Nick said firmly, tightening his hold around the plastic disc.

"What?" the boy asked, clearly shocked by Nick's response.

Schmidt rolled his eyes, shaking his head at his grumpy best friend. "Nick…"

"D'ya have sand in your ears?" Nick snapped. "I said no. Now go away."

"Nick." Schmidt said again. "Quit it with the Archie Bunker thing and give protein shake back his toy."

Nick ignored Schmidt, scrambling to his feet. "No."

"What the hell is your problem man?" The boy snapped back, reaching to grab his Frisbee back.

Nick instantly turned his body away, clutching the Frisbee close to his chest.

"Give me back my Frisbee you weirdo!" the boy yelled.

"No!" Nick yelled back stepping back as though he was about to actually make a run with the boy's Frisbee.

"Hey guys, what's going on?" A familiar if confused sounding voice asked.

Nick turned to see Jess looking from him and the annoyed looking boy with a perplexed expression. She had tied her wet hair in a messy bun atop her head, with loose curls falling around her slightly flushed cheeks, her skin still glistening with the water of the ocean. She looked even more incredible up close, something the Frisbee boy seemed to have noticed the instant she appeared, as he stared, unashamedly eyeing her up from head to toe.

With a satisfied smirk the boy stepped a little closer towards Jess, puffing his chest out slightly like some animal mating ritual.

"It's nothing darlin' your wacko friend just won't give my Frisbee back that's all."

Jess rounded on Nick, "Really Nick?"

She had her hand on her hip and had instantly morphed into teacher mode; she gave Nick a look that said I'm not angry just disappointed.

Nick knew himself how ridiculous this was yet he just shrugged and mumbled, "It hit me."

Jess let out an exasperated sigh, muttering something Nick couldn't quite make out but sounded a lot like immature jackass before snatching the Frisbee roughly from his grasp. Turning back to the boy Jess flashed an apologetic smile handing him back his plastic disc, either choosing to ignore or as usual oblivious to the way he checked her out.

"Sorry." Jess said genuinely. "My boyfriend has severe mental problems."

Jess cast Nick an unimpressed look over her shoulder. The boy's face fell into an expression of genuine astonishment as Jess referred to Nick as her boyfriend, eyes wide and eyebrows raised as though this were the most shocking thing he'd ever heard. Nick wanted to punch him, not only for his incredulous reaction but the way the slime-ball kid shot a quick glance at her chest as she lent close with the Frisbee. It took all of Nick's willpower not to snatch the Frisbee back and beat the cocky boy with it.

"Whatever." The boy said with a bored shrug before turning to Jess and giving a small nod. "Thanks."

And with that he trotted off back to join his pack of fellow juice-monkey pack. Nick kept his eyes firmly on the boy as he jogged away, his mind already having decided he would knock the kid out if he looked back to check Jess out one more time. However Nick's death-stare concentration was broken as he felt a light whack against his shoulder. He turned to find Jess staring at him questioningly.

"What the hell Nick?" she asked, eyebrows raised.

Nick stared back defiantly, "I told you, that idiot threw his stupid Frisbee at me."

Jess rolled her eyes, "I hardly think he did it on purpose Nick! There's like a gazillion people on the beach you can't steal their stuff every time something accidentally lands near…"

"It hit me!" Nick protested.

"Fine. Hits you Nick." Jess added.

"This is why beaches suck." Nick said petulantly. "They're dangerous."

"God." Jess said rolling her eyes again tossing her head back.

Jess felt as though they had had the same argument a hundred times, most likely because they probably had.

"Well you better sit down quick before a rogue beach ball kills you." She snapped.

Nick pulled a mocking face before collapsing back down on his faded towel. "I'm glad you find my safety such a laughing matter Jessica."

Jess sighed; she really didn't feel like having argument a hundred and one right now, not when she was having such a good day. Carefully she sat down on her polka dot patterned towel laid out beside Nicks, shuffling her body closer to his on her knees.

"C'mon Nick don't be such a grouch." She said with a warm smile. "It's a beautiful day; we're all out together having fun, loosen up a little Miller."

Nick rolled his eyes, "I'm plenty loose Jess, I just don't see how sweating it out in a ninety degree heat can be anyone's idea of fun."

"Then take your shirt off." Jess said simply.

Nick cast a quick glance to Frisbee boy and his shirtless group of ridiculously cut friends.

"C'mon Jess you can't really expect Nick's Sasquatch styled torso to compete with this." Schmidt interjected pointing down to his oil covered torso.

"Ew." Jess said scrunching her face up and shook her head. Ignoring Schmidt completely (as usual) she shuffled closer to Nick. "I know what will cheer you up, a quick dip in the ocean."

"That sounds awful." Nick said.

Jess frowned and tugged on his arm. "Nick the water is a-maz-ing! You have to go in."

"I've been in the sea before Jess, I'm good." He replied in a jaded voice.

Nick saw the disappointment on Jess's face and felt bad. He knew he was being an ass but he felt he'd already given in by coming to the beach in the first place, couldn't she just leave him alone to sit and be grumpy if he wanted? Why could she never let things go?

Jess sensed Nick's growing annoyance, she knew he didn't want to be here but he had come for her. And though it was a sweet gesture it didn't really matter if he just sat on his own all day looking irritated and stealing people's stuff. The whole point of this day out was for everyone to have fun together and Jess wanted to have fun with her boyfriend. She decided it was time to pull out her ace card.

Shuffling a little closer across his towel so her bare leg touched Nick's Jess lent her body towards him.

"C'mon Nick it'll be fun, a little motion in the ocean." She said quietly wiggling her eyebrows at him.

Nick looked at her with an unconvinced turtle face. "That sounds like the least sexy thing ever."

Though Nick's mind wasn't so convinced, thinking a swim in the ocean with Jess in her teeny bikini didn't sound like the worst idea in the world. Jess pressed herself closer, unable to stop himself Nick's eyes raked up her perfect body noticing the playful questioning look on her face, the slight pout of her full lips, the way her arms rested across his leg pressing her cleavage even closer together in her tiny bikini top.

Well played Jessica, he thought.

Nick opened his mouth to give in, Jess had won (again) but his attention was taken as another figure flopped down in front of where he and Jess sat.

"Well that was a total bust." Winston said. "Watching all those YouTube volleyball videos was a waste of time."

Jess pulled away from Nick, sitting back on her hands. Whilst Nick wanted to punch Winston for his typical worst time appearance, Jess gave him her usual sympathetic look.

"I'm sorry Winston." She said soothingly. "Is that girl ok?"

Winston grimaced, "Her nose is kinda…fractured."

Nick snorted. "Smooth as always Winston."

Winston's face fell; he stared despondently at the beach ball in his hands. Jess shot Nick a disapproving look.

"Hey don't worry; CeCe's coming along later with some of friends." Jess said with an encouraging smile hoping to cheer her friend up.

Winston smiled his spirits seemingly lifted by Jess's words. Nick fought the urge to mock Winston again though he doubted he'd have better luck with CeCe's model friends.

An hour later and Nick was proved right as Winston's luck took an even worse turn. CeCe did indeed bring two model friends along, two male model friends. Two ridiculously hot male model friends.

The first was seriously tall; Nick guessed at least 6 foot 5, with olive skin, long messy dark brown hair and one of those silly goatee beards. The second was shorter, closer to Nick's height though this was the only similarity between the two men. The second model was blonde, tanned, and muscular with teeth so white Nick was practically blinded from where he sat.

Through intensely watchful and glowering eyes Nick watched as CeCe flirted non-too subtlety with the taller, laughing loudly at everything he said though Nick suspected very little of it was intended to be amusing. She would constantly touch him, pressing her barely covered body into his.

Of course this over the top performance was for Schmidt's benefit and Nick was actually impressed with the way Schmidt appeared to remain calm and uninterested in her one woman show. Particularly considering the two-size too small leopard print bikini she was wearing. Winston nearly choked on his pretzel when CeCe arrived. Maybe Nick should have given Schmidt more credit, despite CeCe's blatant attempts to make him jealous his attention remained focused on Elizabeth, who also appeared unfazed by CeCe's appearance.

Though Nick did notice the slightly violent way Schmidt chopped up the fruit when CeCe passionately kissed the dark haired guy.

Nick however was not doing so well at keeping his cool as he watched from afar as Jess chatted with CeCe and her model sidekicks. The blonde guy had clearly been dragged along to be a good wing man for his buddy, his mood definitely lifted once he was introduced to Jess.

Nick felt such a rage unlike anything he had experienced before vibrate through his body as he watched the blonde hair moron blatantly and smarmily flirt with his girlfriend. As usual Jess appeared to be too naïve to notice. Nick was so lost in his angry fixation he barely registered than Winston was speaking to him.

"Nick!" Winston yelled flicking sand at his distracted friend.

Nick begrudgingly turned his attention back to Winston who was staring at him expectantly.

"What?" Nick snapped.

Winston scowled, "I asked if you've got any fives?"

Nick gave him a perplexed look before he remembered they were half-way through a game of Go Fish. Not that Nick had been paying attention for the past ten minutes.

"Err no." Nick replied without even looking at his hand.

"You're meant to say 'Go Fish' Nick." Winston said shaking his head, "It's like the only rule."

Nick rolled his eyes, "How about you Go Fu…"

"Hey hey don't take it out on me just because you're jealous of mini-Thor drooling over Jess." Winston snapped.

"I'm not jealous." Nick bit back, the lie sounding hollow to his own ears.

"Sure Nick. You've got the same look on your face when Rebecca Wallace asked me to the Sadie Hawkins dance instead of you." Winston said with a slight smugness.

Nick scowled and was about to launch into the same argument the two friends had had about this incident over the past fifteen years when his attention was suddenly captured by a familiar sound; Jess laughing. He whipped his head back to see her giggling and shaking her head at something the blonde boy had just said. What Nick had always found to be such a charming and wonderful sound suddenly felt like a knife twisted in his gut.

Without another word he tossed his cards down on the floor and sprung to his feet, marching determinedly towards the attractive chatting foursome, ignoring whatever it was Winston yelled after him.

"You lying son of a…" Winston shook his head. "I knew you had fives!"

Jess was barely listening to the guy CeCe had introduced as Trey as he spoke. She knew it was rude and she was usually nothing if not polite but she was too busy giving her best friend disapproving scowls as she watched CeCe blatantly flaunt herself and her new 'boyfriend' in front of Schmidt and Elizabeth.

Though Jess doubted CeCe and Alec's (as her new beau was called) relationship held much of a future. Sure he was incredibly good looking, he was a model after all, an underwear model CeCe had boasted loudly but he was as dull as dishwater and exceedingly dim. Unfortunately Alec did little to rebuke the myth that models were little more than pretty faces. Mostly he just stood there looking bored whilst CeCe practically gave him a lap dance whilst bragging about all the fancy magazine covers he'd done.

Jess shook her head disapprovingly as CeCe whispered suggestively in his ear before kissing him in a way that was way too inappropriate for public viewing.

This is ridiculous, Jess thought, she's making a total fool of herself.

Jess was about to scold her best friend and put an end to this embarrassing display when she was vaguely aware Trey had said something to her which required a response. Jess only just caught the tail end of what he'd said, something about he couldn't believe it.

"Sorry what?" Jess asked shaking her head lightly as she turned away from CeCe and Alec's fervent make-out session.

Trey just smiled at her seemingly flustered response, flashing a set of near blinding and perfectly set teeth. "I said I can't believe that you're not a model."

Unable to stop herself Jess let out a squawk of a laugh at his words and shook her head vigorously. The idea was beyond preposterous, could he not see what she looked like right now? All hot sweaty and covered in sand, with her pale skin with slightly pink patches of sunburn and her hair a tangled mess on her head. She was the complete opposite of CeCe's flawlessly tanned and toned statuesque model form.

"Nope, really not a model." She replied with another disbelieving chuckle. "Tried it once, couldn't even handle the lashes. Just a little old teacher I'm afraid."

Trey lent sideways against the wooden fence which separate the beach and parking lot, the muscles in his arms flexing perfectly as he did so.

"I'm sure there's a thing or two you could teach me." He said suggestively, eyeing Jess up hungrily.

Jess frowned; confused at the turn the conversation had taken. Was he asking her to tutor him?

"Well she teaches sixth grade so the mental aptitude's almost there." A snarky voice snapped in Jess's ear.

"Nick." She said brightly turning to face him.

She was genuinely pleased he'd come to say hello. His already tetchy mood had seemed to turn even sourer when CeCe had arrived.

"This is CeCe's new…friend Alec and his roommate Trey." Jess said making friendly introductions.

Nick offered a curt nod to CeCe and Alec who broke apart for only a few moments to nod hello back before returning their attention to one another whilst he glared darkly at Trey.

Jess knew something was up but just assumed Nick was still wallowing in his anti-beach grumpiness and ignored it.

"This is Nick, my boyfriend." She said proudly unable to keep the delighted grin from her face, she still loved saying that.

Trey's smug grin fell instantly into a stunned expression, though unlike the Frisbee boy Trey couldn't keep his disbelief to himself.

"Seriously?" he asked.

"Seriously." Nick replied through gritted teeth before turning his body to Jess, effectively blocking her from Trey's view. "I've gotta go to work."

Jess's face fell into a confused frown. "Err ok, I'll come with you. Let me just grab my…"

"No, stay." Nick snapped. "Looks like you're enjoying yourself."

Nick shot Trey a snide glare over his shoulder before brushing past Jess without another word, leaving her feeling confused and a little hurt.

"For the love of…" Nick muttered to himself furiously, struggling to find his car keys in the ridiculous number of pockets in his stupid cargo pants.

Finally Nick located the keys and roughly wrenched the driver door open, baffled as it suddenly slammed shut again. Nick turned to see Jess standing beside him, appearing breathless and very pissed off.

"Didn't you hear me calling after you?" she asked, her breath coming out in low shallow puffs.

Nick just shrugged in response, his face an indifferent turtle expression. Jess glared furiously at him, she knew today hadn't been his idea of fun and had tolerated his prickly mood because he had made the effort for her but now she'd had enough. Nothing could excuse why he was acting like such a total ass.

"What the hell is your problem Miller?" she snapped though she didn't actually allow him time to answer before she continued with her telling-off. "Everyone's having a great day but you. All you've done is sulk and complain and I've had enough!"

Nick let out a dismissive scoff, "Whatever Jess."

Nick reached out to open the car door again but Jess swiftly kicked it shut.

"Jessica!" Nick yelled. "Watch my car!"

Jess rolled her eyes, "Please it'd take more than my flip flops to damage that piece of junk."

Nick ignored her swipe at his well-used vehicle. "I need to get to the bar."

"Your shift isn't until six." Jess said, having already memorised Nick's works schedule for this week. "Stay."

"Jess I…" the refusal clear in his voice.

"C'mon Nick, jut suck it up and have a little fun like a healthy functioning person." Jess snapped her patience with his gloomy demeanour all but gone.

Nick eye's narrowed furiously at her. "You know what Jess somehow watching guys drool over you all day isn't my idea of fun!"

"What the hell are you talking about?" Jess asked perplexed.

Nick rolled his eyes, "C'mon Jess even you can't be that naïve. Half the guys on this damn beach have been checking you out all day! The stupid kid with the Frisbee couldn't keep his eyes off you!"

Jess resented the thinly veiled insult in his words, still not entirely convinced. "No they haven't Nick."

"What about CeCe's idiot pretty boy friend? He was totally hitting on you!" Nick barked.

"No he wasn't Nick." Jess protested. "He was just being friendly, making conversation…"

Nick cut her off, "Really, about what?"

"Well he said he couldn't believe I wasn't a model and I laughed and said no I was a teacher. Then he said he thought I could teach him a few…" Jess's words trailed off as the realisation hit her. "Oh."

"Yeah." Nick snapped bitterly.

Jess frowned, going over the events of the day chastising herself for not seeing Trey's blatant (and as she thought about it quite slimy) attempt at hitting on her.

"Fine whatever so he was hitting on me, it's no big deal Nick. I don't get why you're so…" Jess said pausing as another burst of realisation became clear. "You're jealous."

It was a statement not a question. Jess let out a half-laugh of disbelief suddenly understanding Nick's increasingly gruff mood this afternoon, finding she was no longer angry with him but now couldn't help but grin at him.

"You're jealous." She said again.

Nick shook his head with an annoyed huff, "I'm not jealous Jessica."

"Yes you are." She said still smiling. "That's why you've been acting like such a cranky old loon today."

"I have not…" Nick began. "I'm not cranky and I'm not old. And I am most certainly not jealous."

They both knew he was lying, his actions of the past few hours having betrayed his feelings utterly. Of course he was jealous of all the guys who looked at Jess, how could he not be? Jess was the most amazing, beautiful and precious thing he had been lucky enough to possess, he was filled with a near uncontrollable rage any time another guy so much as cast her an admiring look.

But Nick couldn't admit it, jealousy was another of those ugly emotions Nick tried to keep buried in his internal vault of self-doubt. Admitting he was jealous meant he also acknowledging why he felt this way, that deep down he was terrified someone was going to snatch this incredible woman away.

"Nick." Jess warned. "Admit it."

"No."

Jess's face fell into a sulky pout. Why wouldn't he just admit he was jealous? It wasn't a bad thing; on the contrary Jess was overjoyed to see just how much it bothered Nick. She knew she shouldn't have been pleased to see him so agitated but Jess had never experienced someone being jealous over her before. She'd never been the girlfriend guys went crazy and possessive about and if Nick felt that way about her then that was…well amazing.

It just drove her crazy he wouldn't admit it, why did he insist on making everything so difficult all the time?

"Nick…" she began but he cut her off again.

"Look Jess I really I gotta go." He said turning away.

Jess scowled and made a sound like a small squeal as she reached out and grabbed his car keys from his grasp.

"Nope." She said clutching the shiny object to her chest. "Not until you Nick Miller admit you are a jealous Johnny."

"How can I be Nick and Johnny at the same time Jess?" Nick snapped.

Jess ignored him, "C'mon Nick it's not a big deal. Just admit it."

Jess stared at him challengingly; eyebrows raised setting her key-free hand on her hip. Nick stared back blankly, considering her words. He knew from the fixed and determined look in her eyes she wasn't going to let this go. Though he often complained he hated her single-minded and stubborn nature secretly it was one of the things he loved most about her.

Alarm bells rang in his mind instantly; no not loved…what he meant was...

Nick's mind and heart continued to tussle with the truth they both knew to be true. Jess scowl deepened taking his silence for refusal.

"Whatever Nick, well good luck getting to the bar when your keys are in the big bad ocean, with the scary waves and sharks…" she ranted turning away from him jinglingly his keys tauntingly in her fingers.

Nick tugged at her elbow forcing her back to face him.

"God! Fine Jess, you win." He relented, his hands slapping against his thighs.

Jess didn't speak but looked up at him expectantly. Nick took a deep breath.

"I'm jealous ok?" he practically roared. "I can't stand it when another guy looks at you or talks to you or god… it drives me crazy. I hate it." Nick lent back against the car with a sigh before looking back to Jess, a tired look in his eyes. "Is that what you wanted to hear?"

"Nick." Jess said soothingly stepping close, leaning her body into his, handing out his keys. "You have nothing to be worry about. Those other guys, like Trey, they're not my type…"

Nick scoffed, snatching back his keys, "What successful, good-looking…"

"True. But I like my guys are little more…" her voice fell lower as she pressed her body closer. "…grumpy."

Nick shook his head a half-smile appearing on his face as his cast his eyes to the ground, he knew she was trying to lighten the mood between them but something still felt…off. Jess felt the tension in him. Reaching out she brought his face level with hers, one hand cupping his face.

"Hey, I mean it Nick; you have nothing to be jealous of." She said sincerely. "Not of Trey or any other guy. I'm with you Nick…I wanna be with you, nobody else."

Ever, a small voice added at the back of her mind, Jess did her best to push it back.

Her words hung in the air between them, Jess wanted to say more, to say everything she felt but she was scared. All she needed right now was for Nick to know he was the guy for her, to make sure his old insecurities didn't creep back in. Yet he didn't say anything and his face was unreadable, he just looked...drained.

"Nick please…" Jess began.

Nick brushed her hands from his face and smiled softly, though it didn't quite reach his eyes.

"Everything's good Jess, really. I'm just being an idiot, as usual." He said.

Jess nodded, knowing things still weren't quite right.

"Ok, maybe I'll swing by the bar later. Have a few glasses of wine and hit on the hot bartender?" she said doing her best to be flirty and light.

"Sounds good." Nick said with a quick nod before opening the car door and getting inside without another word.

Jess stood and half-heartedly waved as he drove away, trying to silence the unsettled voice in her head that questioned why he hadn't kissed her goodbye.

When Jess arrived at Clyde's a little while later she was relieved to find the bar practically empty save the few regulars. Clearly most people would rather be out enjoying this beautiful day than stuck in some dark dingy bar.

Casting a quick glance in the smudged mirror at the bar entrance Jess groaned, she was definitely not looking her best right now. After Nick's awkward departure Jess had returned to the others feeling more than a little downhearted.

CeCe had continued her increasingly lewd performance with Alec until she realised Schmidt wasn't going to break. Begrudgingly she finally stopped and collapsed down on her towel to sunbathe. Jess shook her head at her best friend as she lay out, casting dark scowls every now and then towards Schmidt and Elizabeth as they played cards with Winston, seemingly no longer interested in Alec's affection. Jess knew as part of her best friend duties she should probably go and talk to CeCe but she was still reeling from her own relationship issues to worry about her friends right now.

Instead Jess re-joined the others and played a couple hands of cards but her mood remained glum. Winston, sensing Jess's mood (and the reason behind it), tried to cheer her up by suggesting they play some volleyball. And though she appreciated the kind intent, she didn't appreciate that he kept constantly hitting her in the face with the ball.

After one particularly painful shot to the back of her head which ended with Jess face down in the sand she decided to call it a day. It baffled her how someone who once played professional basketball could have such awful aim; maybe Latvia had different standards than the NBA.

So here Jess stood, looking more than a little dishevelled, with sand in her hair, her cheeks slightly red and shiny from the sun. She could have popped back to the loft to freshen herself up but she was eager to Nick after earlier. Also she didn't feel she need to freshen herself up, Nick and her having gotten past the point where they constantly tried to look perfect all the time. Nick told Jess she always looked beautiful no matter what and she liked it. Though she was still shaving above the knee, she was a lady after all.

Making her way around the bar Jess waved a quick hello to Sid, slumped in his usual stool.

"Miranda." He murmured with a nod.

Jess just smiled and didn't correct him, entirely used to the fact he called her a completely different name each time he saw her. Her eyes searched the bar for Nick, spotting him on the other side leaning against the bar, his face the epitome of intense concentration as he skilfully flipped a quarter into a glass from quite a fair distance.

"Yes!" He cried clenching his fists victoriously. "Aha! Suck it loser."

"You're weirdly too into this game Miller." An unfamiliar female voice replied. "Maybe you should think about getting a hobby or something."

"Can it and take your shot Charlie." Nick replied.

Jess frowned edging further around the bar, her hands trailing lightly across the wood until she stopped at the alarming sight before her. Her frown quickly switched to a full on scowl as she stared at the blonde downing her shot of Jack. She was sat crossed legged on the bar wearing exceptionally short denim shorts and a white tank top, torn off at the stomach displaying her insanely flat stomach, all the while Nick watching gleefully. Who the hell was this?

"Hey Pete, can I get another?" Sid slurred beside Jess as he pushed his empty glass towards Nick.

Nick turned to face him, "Sure Sid…" he said still smiling, which only grew wider as he noticed Jess's presence. "Jess, hey…what are you doing here?"

"I said I'd drop in." Jess answered flatly sliding into the empty stool a few away from Sid, casting a dark look the blonde's way. "Am I interrupting something?"

Nick's face scrunched up in confusion as he handed Sid back a beer. "No, course not. I just thought you were having such a good time at the beach that you…"

Jess cut him off, "Nick you're being so rude, aren't you going to introduce me to your…friend?"

Nick heard the uncharacteristic sharp tone in Jess's voice but wasn't sure why. Maybe too much sun he thought.

Nick gave a small shrug, "Oh yeah sure, Jess this is Charlie…the new bartender."

Jess nodded, right she thought, Nick had mentioned the Charlie the new bartender a few times but he had failed to mention she was a woman, or a drop dead gorgeous blonde amazon.

"Useless, this is Jess, my girlfriend." Nick said pointing from Charlie to Jess.

"Hi!" Charlie said brightly hopping off the bar, punching Nick on the arm as she passed him. "It's so good to meet you; Nick has told me so much about you."

Weird he's told me nothing about you¸ Jess replied in her head whilst she smiled politely back at the blonde. "Thanks."

Nick looked at Jess, an unsettled look on his face. "You ok?"

Jess nodded, "Absolutely ecstatic Nicholas. Just wondering what a girls gotta do to get a drink around here?"

Charlie held up her hands, "Sorry my fault, I've been distracting Nick with drinking games and torrid tales of my disastrous vacation in Miami."

Nick shook his head, "Yep, sorority girls have changed a lot since I was in college."

Great she's in college too, Jess barked in her head, what's next, she doesn't believe in taxes and writes zombie poetry?

"Pink wine?" Nick asked turning back to Jess.

Not tonight buddy, Jess scowled at him. "I'll take a beer thanks."

Nick frowned but shrugged handed his unusually snarky better half a Heisler.

"A girl after my own heart." Charlie said with a smile, her eyes lingering on Jess a little too long, as though she were sizing her up. "So Nick said you're a teacher? That's cool, my mom used to teach kindergarten…"

Charlie started chatting away like they were old friends but Jess was barely listening, only making small ums and nods at seemingly appropriate moments. Her mind was too focused on the stunning and charismatic woman in front of her and more worriedly in the way Nick appeared to be so relaxed and content in her company, laughing and smiling as she spoke. Jess felt a painful knot contract in the pit of her stomach, suddenly wishing she's at least taken five minutes to brush her hair.

"And Nick never mentioned that this Charlie person was a chick?" CeCe asked disapprovingly the following day as she and Jess sat at the loft dining table.

"Nope." Jess said shaking her head. "Not once."

"Hmm." CeCe's brow furrowed, her fingers lightly tapping against her coffee mug. "And she's hot?"

"Not just hot, like Sports Illustrator cover hot." Jess grumbled.

"Illustrated." CeCe corrected.

"Huh?"

"It's Sports Illustrated Jess."

"Fine, Illustrator, Illustrated whatever she's hot!" Jess snapped.

CeCe sipped her coffee, her face deep in thought.

"It is weird Nick didn't mention it." She said the suspicion clear in her voice.

Jess shook her head, "It's not Nick I'm worried about..." she said with certainty.

Despite all her fears and insecurities about Nick's supermodel like co-worker Jess knew Nick would never cheat on her, he was a good guy. You thought the same about Spencer remember? A cool voice asked in the back of her mind. Jess tried to push it from her mind and remember Nick wasn't the problem here.

"It's her." Jess said her eyes narrowing at the memory of Charlie. "You should have seen it CeCe, she was all over him, she kept bumping into him or accidentally touching him or helping him clear away bottles."

"Little tramp." CeCe said shaking her head.

"And they have so much in common. They kept talking about sports and cars and freaking power tools." Jess said slumping back in her chair. "It was like another language."

CeCe could tell Jess was slipping into full on panic mode, a selfish part of her, the part still wounded over loosing Schmidt, wanted to tell Jess to dump Nick, leave the loft and they could be single girls together again. But the other part, the good best friend knew how much Jess cared about Nick and wanted to help. So CeCe would help the only way she knew how, fight dirty.

"Ok here's what you need to do." CeCe said leaning across the table. "You need to go down there and mark your territory."

Jess looked puzzled, "What you mean like pee on Nick or something? Cause he's not really into that."

"Eww no Jess gross." CeCe wrinkled her nose. "Wait how do you even…you know what never mind. What I meant you little weirdo was for you to put on your hottest outfit, go down to the bar and show that hussy that Nick Miller is your man. Straddle him on the damn bar if you have to."

"CeCe!" Jess blushed. "I can't do that!"

CeCe shrugged taking another sip of her coffee. "I'm sure Nick would be into it."

Jess shook her head in disbelief.

"And if she still doesn't get the message then bitch slap her and say; stay away from my man!" CeCe said firmly.

"Oh my god CeCe! What is wrong with you?" Jess cried.

CeCe simply gave another nonchalant shrug, "Sometimes Jess you gotta play dirty to get what you want."

Jess half-frowned at her friend's non-too subtle reference to the Schmidt situation, she hardly felt this was the same. She had never been like CeCe, so confident and sure of herself, unafraid to stand up to anybody. She guessed it was a natural result of CeCe's profession, model's seemed to be super self-confident, almost conceitedly so to succeed. CeCe certainly wasn't this way when they were growing up.

Though Jess was pretty sure a cat-fight with Nick's new co-worker wasn't the best way to deal with this, sometimes she envied how forthright and fearless her best friend could be.

Jess sighed, "C'mon Ceece you know I've never been good at the whole mean girl thing."

CeCe nodded, "I know Jess but jealousy can…"

"I'm not jealous." Jess said a little too forcefully.

CeCe quirked an eyebrow questioningly at Jess, who only fidgeted with the string of her tea bag not meeting her friends stare.

"I'm not jealous of this…Charlie." Jess said her name as though it were a dirty word. "I just don't think she's…right for the bar."

"Right." CeCe said with a small smirk, Jess was by far the worst liar in the world.

Jess gave a small shake of her head, brushing a few flyaway curls from her eyes. "Whatever it doesn't matter, Nick's shift finishes in a half hour and then he will home and everything will be fine."

"Got big plans for tonight?" CeCe asked.

A small grin crept across Jess's face as she raised her mug to her lips. "Oh you know, just a quiet night in." she said with an exaggerated wink.

CeCe chuckled at her friend, though she was impressed Jess was putting her womanly assets to good use; distract Nick from the hot new bartender with a night of hot sex. CeCe was so proud.

"Sounds good to me." CeCe raised raising her mug in tribute. "Give it to him good honey!"

"Cece!" Jess said unable to stop herself from giggling like a teenager, distracted as her cell vibrated on the dining table. Still laughing Jess scooped it up and checked caller ID, smiling as she said. "Ah speak of the handsome devil."

CeCe nodded and sipped her coffee.

"Hey Miller, what's shaking?" Jess asked brightly as Nick spoke hurriedly on the other end, the roar of the bar hurting her ears. Jess's happy expression quickly fell.

"Oh no Bobs out sick again…no, no I get it, it's fine, so who…it's just you and Charlie?" her voice going up a few octaves at the end of her sentence, she shot a panicked look to CeCe who shook her head disapprovingly. "No, ok I guess it's just one of those…yep I'll see you later, sure, bye."

Jess hung up and set her phone back down on the wood, staring at it for a few moments, her faced scrunched up in a half-hurt half-angry expression. She looked up to CeCe.

"Ok, run me through your plan one more time."

The bar was crazy, the crowd heaving with a rowdy 21st birthday party and a group of uptight lawyers who had decided to celebrate a big merger by getting absolutely trashed on tequila shots. Both Nick and Charlie were rushed off their feet; Bob really picked a great night to call in sick.

Charlie was racing around collecting the masses of empties whilst Nick single-handedly tried to man the bar serving the extremely drunk and incoherent birthday boy and his pals. From the corner of his eye Nick noticed a small body push through the crowd, stealing the last free barstool.

"Be with ya in a minute." He said sliding the latest round of shots towards the drunken boys. With a frustrated groan he wiped down the bar as two of the group spilled their shots completely before turning to his new customer, eyes still down on the bar. "Sorry, what can I get ya?"

"How about a tall glass of you handsome?" a low voice murmured across the bar.

Even in the loud roar of the bustling bar Nick recognised that voice from the very first word. He looked up immediately though just to be sure as it was not a line he expected to Jess to say, well maybe in a jokey teasing way but not like that.

Nick's slight bewilderment turned to full blown disbelief as he looked up and saw Jess; hair perfectly straightened making it appear even longer and glossier than usual. She seemed to be wearing a lot of makeup, way more than normal; her cheeks had a light pink hue, her lips a dark deep red. Her eyes were dark and shadowy; her lashes unusually thick as she continually fluttered them at him, if it wasn't for her unchanging brilliant blue eyes Nick might not have even recognised her.

"Jess, what the…" He stammered still struggling to adjust to her unusual appearance.

As he stared at her he now took in what she was, or more accurately not, wearing. Nick gaped at the barely there black material covering her body, which he personally believed was a top masquerading as a dress.

"You look…your dress…" he murmured quietly.

"Like what you see sailor?" Jess asked in the same strange tone as before.

Nick opened his mouth but wasn't sure how to answer her question. Sure Jess looked hot as hell, anyone with half a brain could see that, it wasn't that he didn't like it but she didn't look like…her. What Nick definitely didn't like was the way in which every pair of male eyes in the room was currently fixated on his girlfriend's body.

"Another round of shots!" a drunken voice slurred beside Jess.

Nick ignored it, his brain still trying to figure out what was going on, "Are you going out or something?"

Jess shook her head, lightly tossing her hair across her shoulder nonchalantly. "I just thought I'd drop by and spend a little time with my favourite boyfriend."

Nick raised one eyebrow, "Meaning you've got more than one?"

"Wouldn't you like to know?" She replied with an over the top wink.

He looked at her with a bemused turtle face; Jess was acting super weird, even for her. Nick sighed; he was too tired to overthink right now so he decided to just roll with it.

"So what'll it be, rosé?" he asked, continuing to ignore the wild waving arms of the drunken birthday kid.

"Not tonight barkeep, tonight I'm after something a little…stronger." She said low and seductively, fluttering her lashes at him. "Bourbon, neat, on the rocks."

Nick rolled his eyes, "Neat means without ice and on the rocks is with ice, you can't have both Jess."

"Oh." She replied slightly deflated.

Nick noticed the change in her as she slumped back a little on the stool, some of her weird over-confidence seeming to fade. Nick knew he shouldn't have snapped at her but he was exhausted and she was acting beyond strange.

"And hell if I'm giving you bourbon." He said beginning to mix her a drink. "You and hard liquor do not mix."

Jess felt embarrassed, like a troublesome child Nick had to look after. "Ok well err…whatever you think, you're the bartender." She muttered

Jess kept her eyes down, her hands playing with the edge of the crimson napkin on the bar. A second later Nick set down a lowball glass of dark pink, ice with a wedge of lime bobbing on the top.

"Vodka cranberry." He said his voice less sharp than before. "On the rocks." He added with a wink.

Jess felt her embarrassment fade away at even the smallest gesture from him. Jess raised her glass to her lips, allowing herself a moment to fully take in the sight that was Nick Miller, appreciating the dark navy shirt with rolled up and top button undone, showing a smattering of dark chest hair beneath. Damn he was a good looking son of a gun, Jess thought to herself taking a sip of her deliciously yummy drink, wondering why she was so worried in the first place when suddenly the why walked into her line of vision.

Looking tired and a little stressed but still hot, Charlie set a tray of dirty glasses on the corner of the bar. Nick tossed the empty bottles in the trash, his face twisting into a pained grimace.

"Argh." He groaned, rubbing a hand against the back of his neck.

"Your neck still bad?" Charlie asked in a concerned voice.

Nick nodded in response whilst Jess stared at the pair of the confused; Nick hadn't mentioned anything to her about his neck.

"Bet it's from the damn beach." Nick said in his usual grumpy manner. "Humans should not be made to lay on the floor for fun."

Charlie giggled at his words, Jess felt an intense rush of something she wasn't used to feeling; blind rage.

"Don't you worry your pretty little head about that sugar." Jess murmured to Nick in a low 1940s movie voice. "I'll make sure you get a good rub down when we get home."

Nick stopped tossing the empty bottles away looking at his girlfriend with a half bemused half horrified expression, clearly stunned by her comment whilst Charlie just looked uncomfortable, moving away once again busying herself with collecting empties.

That's right, run along now, Jess muttered in her head, eyes narrowed fixed on the pretty blonde as she passed, I'm watching you…bitch. Even in her head whispering the last word.

Time passed and the bar slowly began to thin out, the birthday group having left to head to a club and a few of the lawyers bailing after one vomited in the booth. Jess however had not moved from her barstool through the night, benefitting from its prime location to talk with Nick and keep a watchful eye over his blonde co-worker.

She sat back and sipped her fourth vodka cranberry, or was it fifth, she was struggling to keep track. Though Jess didn't feel that drink, maybe just a little tipsy, she had a sneaking suspicion her boyfriend was mixing her drinks with a lot more cranberry than vodka. Jess watched as a few more of the lawyers called in a night stumbling out the door and reflected on her master plan.

The aim, arrive at Clyde's looking crazy hot, flirt expertly and outrageously with Nick driving him crazy all night and show to Charlie that he was off limits. In reality things had worked out a little differently, Nick had been so busy all night, he'd been constantly in and out of the bar, serving customers and trying to keep the bar stocked he'd barely heard half the sexy and suggestive lines Jess was throwing his way. The only consolation was Charlie was just as busy and therefore had been away from Nick most of the night.

As the clock edged closer to closing Jess felt herself growing increasingly tired and a little light head, even with Nick's half measures, he was right, liquor was not her ally. Finally as the clock past 1am Jess decided to call it a night, she had done what she needed to do, the jealous beast inside her was satisfied with her nights work and now wanted nothing more than to sleep.

Jess watched as Nick appeared in the cellar doorway, carrying crates of unopened liquor bottles to restock the bars heavily depleted supplies. He looked so tired and weary, groaning as he set the heavy crate on the bar.

"Argh." He moaned rubbing his neck again, moving his head from side to side, an uncomfortable pained look on his face.

Jess was about to suggest Nick try one of her soothing herbal teas when they got home when an unwanted figure appeared by his side. Eyes wide in horror Jess watched as Charlie reached out, her hands setting on Nick's neck and slowly began to massage.

"How's that?" she asked looking genuinely concerned.

"Hmmmmm…oh yeah." Nick said quietly his eyes closing.

They call jealousy the green eyed monster but all Jess saw was red, an intense blinding red rage blurring her vision. She was up and on her feet, before she even realised what was happening had grabbed Charlie roughly by the shoulders pushing her away from Nick and back against the wall.

"Keep your hands off my man…bitch!" Jess yelled barely recognising her own voice.

Jess stood between Nick and Charlie, the former staring at his girlfriend with a look of stunned disbelief whilst Charlie looked genuinely a little frightened.

"Jess…what the hell?" Nick asked.

Jess rounded on Nick a dark fury in her eyes, "You shut up you…" she barked pointing her finger at him. "You manwhore!"

Nick looked positively horrified, "Jessica have you lost your god damn mind? What the…"

But Jess wasn't listening to him; she had turned her attention back to Charlie, glaring at her, bouncing slightly from side to side, anger and adrenalin buzzing through her body.

"I know your game Mrs." Jess said nodding her head furiously. "Oh boy do I know."

"I…err…I don't…" Charlie stammered, nervous and confused.

"Don't even bother trying to deny it." Jess snapped. "You're making moves on my man."

Jess had no idea why she was talking like this but she was far too gone to start thinking about things rationally.

Charlie opened her mouth to answer when another voice interrupted.

"Hey…what's going on?"

Jess turned to face the pretty petite brunette walked over towards them, looking confused and a little pissed off, her eyes moving from Jess to Charlie.

Charlie stepped away from the way, careful to also keep herself well away from Jess.

"Sweetie I…"

Jess cut her off. "Sweetie?"

Nick moved in front of Jess, jaw tightly clenched as he glared furiously at her. "Jess this is Rachel, Charlie's girlfriend."

Jess felt sick as the sudden and mortifying realisation hit her.

"Oh."

Jess left the bar almost immediately or more accurately Nick brusquely ordered her home. She was more than happy to go, she was so embarrassed by her crazy behaviour and Nick looked so mad at her, all she wanted was to crawl into a hole and die.

Thankfully the loft had been deserted when she arrived home so she had been able to keep her ridiculous mental breakdown to herself for a while longer.

Jess trudged to her room, stopping outside Nick's bedroom door which had as usual been left open. Jess took a step towards it then hesitated. She knew she needed to talk to him, to apologise but she was afraid. Not only had she made such a fool of herself tonight she had embarrassed Nick beyond belief, she had seen the look of humiliation in his eyes when he had sent her away. And though Jess wanted nothing more than to hide away in her room she knew she needed to face the music.

With a deep breath she stepped into Nick's room, leaving the door slightly ajar. She quickly shrugged off the ridiculously uncomfortable dress CeCe had lent her and grabbed one of Nick's many discarded shirts from the floor, not caring whether it was clean or not. She wrapped the flannel around her body, breathing in Nick's scent, enjoying the comforting feel.

Jess decided against getting under the covers fearing she would fall asleep so just sat on top, propping a few pillows against the wall she settled herself upright, casting a quick look at the clock. It was almost 2am, Nick would be back soon. Jess felt a nervous lurch in her stomach at the thought.

She needed a distraction, something to keep her awake and also stop her mind from anxiously going through the night's horrific events over and over. She scanned the room for a book or magazine, something, anything but found nothing. Finally she spotted Nick's laptop lying atop a pile of laundry (again Jess didn't know whether they were clean or not). With a tired sigh she picked up the computer, hoping it would provide temporary distraction.

Jess awoke slowly, feeling unsettled, like something was seriously wrong. As her mind adjusted to a state of consciousness once more, it took her a moment to remember that it was.

She didn't even remember falling asleep; she had been reading something on Nick's computer one minute and the next nothing. Jess looked at the clock, 5.42am Nick should have been home by now, maybe he hadn't come back, maybe he was still too mad at her. As she sat up she also realised she was now in the bed, tucked in under the covers, the laptop sat closed on Nick's desk and she knew he was here. But he wasn't here with her.

Jess tossed the covers off, feeling the cool summer night air against her bare legs as she walked towards his bedroom door. Carefully she edged the door open; the silence of the night broken by a low noise from the living room which as she walked closer realised was the TV.

Nick sat slouched in the middle of the couch, a Heisler bottle in his hands the labelled having been peeled off. Jess walked over, glancing at the TV, Nick was watching an infomercial for some sort of multi-functional chopping device.

Jess stood staring at him for a moment, one leg crossed in front of the other.

"You didn't come to bed." She said quietly.

Nick didn't reply he just took a swig of his beer, eyes fixed on the screen. Jess sighed and picked up the remote and muted the chirpy women mid demonstration before silently sitting down on the edge of the coffee table in front of Nick. Nick made no protest or comment; in fact he gave no acknowledgement of her presence at all.

Jess set her hands either side of her legs, gripping lightly at the edge of the table as she stared down at her bare feet.

"I'm sorry." She said quietly.

Nick didn't answer instead he took another long gulp of his beer, the tense silence of the room broken by the swishing of the liquor in the bottle.

"What for Jess?" he snapped bitterly. "The weird Fatal Attraction flirting you were doing all night or for assaulting my co-worker?"

Jess sighed; she knew she deserved this but still the anger in his voice stung. She crossed her legs, inadvertently exposing the top of her bare thigh and trim of her lace underwear. She hadn't done in on purpose, it wasn't a seductive move to distract Nick but that didn't stop her noticing the hungry way his eyes lingered over her exposed skin and how his body seemed to tense up just a little.

"Both. Everything…for generally acting like a mental person." She said truthfully. "I'm just…sorry."

Nick he lent forward, setting his arms on his knees. "What the hell was that Jess?"

"I don't know Nick really, I've never acted like…that before." She said the disbelief clear in her own voice. "I've never been the sort of girl who freaks out about her boyfriend's female friends but I just…"

Nick sat back a little, his body straightening, "Wait, hold on a second, are you saying all this…" he paused not sure how to describe the events of tonight. "…was because you were jealous?"

"Well durr." Jess said confused, why the hell else would she have acted that way?

Nick's face twisted in a frown, "Of me and Charlie?"

Jess was started to get angry, how many times did he want her to say it?

"Yes."

The anger faded from his face as Nick actually burst out laughing.

Jess scowled at him. "Nick this is not funny."

"The hell it isn't." He replied shaking his head. "That's the most ridiculous thing I've ever heard Jess."

Jess sat back a little on the table and crossed her arms, "No more than you being jealous of Trey."

Nick's smile fell instantly, his eyes serious once more. "That's different Jess, that douchebag was blatantly hitting on you."

"So?" Jess asked incredulously. "I thought Charlie was hitting on you!"

"But she wasn't! She's gay!"

"I know that now Nick but I didn't when she had her hands all over you."

Nick sighed, "I'd hurt my neck she was helping me out. She's training to be a physical therapist."

"She is?" Jess asked.

Nick nodded, "Yeah, she told that yesterday."

Jess barely remembered half of what Charlie had said to her yesterday, she'd been too busy obsessing over how hot she was.

"Fine whatever." Jess said. "But you never told me that. Or that she was gay or a woman."

"I didn't?" Nick asked sounded genuinely unsure.

Jess shook her head, "Nope. For the past few weeks it's been all about your new bartender pal Charlie, whose super cool and funny and awesome and yeah what else…like a freaking hot supermodel!"

Nick shrugged, "I guess I didn't think it was important."

Jess rolled her eyes, "C'mon Nick."

Nick heard the scepticism in her voice. He looked up and was shocked at what he saw in her eyes, fear. Fear that she wasn't pretty enough; fear that she wasn't as sexy or hot as other girls, fear she wasn't what Nick really wanted. Nick recognised it instantly as these were the same insecurities he struggled with every time another guy even looked at her.

But he never for one second thought Jess would feel this way, he just couldn't get his head around it. Didn't she know how amazing and beautiful and completely perfect she was? Didn't she realise no girl in the world even compared, that what Nick felt for her was more than he had ever felt for anyone before?

There would never be anyone else, there couldn't be. For Nick it was only Jess. How could she not see that?

Maybe because you haven't told her numbnuts, a snarky voice in his head snapped.

Nick lent forward again, "Really Jess, it doesn't matter."

"Because she's gay?" Jess scoffed.

Nick set his bottle down on the table and rested his hands on her thighs.

"Because I don't see her that way Jess. I don't see anyone else…" He said quietly looking at her with an intensity that made her heart thunder in her chest. "I just see you."

Her breath caught in her throat as the weight of his words sank in. Her own from the beach rang in her ears, I'm with you Nick…I wanna be with you, nobody else. Jess felt practically giddy, she knew their insecurities and jealousy wasn't going to go away overnight, if ever but she felt like this moment meant…something, something more.

Unable to stop herself from grinning her hands reached out and entangled her fingers with his.

"A heads up would be nice next time Miller." She said playfully.

"You got it Day."

Nick smiled freeing his hands from hers and underneath her thighs lifting her into his lap.

"Nick!" She giggled wrapping her arms around his neck.

"You know apart from all the weird and craziness, jealous Jess is kinda hot." He mumbled tracing his hands across her thighs.

Jess rolled her eyes, "Shut up Nick."

"I mean it." He said his hands moving higher, slowly undoing the buttons on his shirt. "I liked the whole cat fight thing, very sexy."

Jess cringed at the memory. "Oh god, I owe Charlie a big apology."

Nick chuckled, "Another day of 'I'm sorry' cupcakes tomorrow?"

Jess nodded, "Seems so."

"This is becoming a bit of a habit Jessica." Nick said undoing the final button. "You're screwing up nearly as much as me."

The oversized flannel fell open, revealing Jess's black strapless bra and tiny lace panties. Nick inhaled a sharp breath as he took her in, his mind still baffled as to how she could ever question how amazing she was. Jess grinned at the hungry way Nick looked at her. Shifting her body she wriggled herself closer to his, Nick unable to suppress a small moan as she did so.

"What have you done to me Miller?" She asked lowly.

There was greater depth to her question that either of them was able or willing to face right now. They had already shown the strength of their feelings for one another. It may have only been baby steps but for them it was a huge move forward. But for now Nick decided the time for talking was over, he brushed the shirt off her shoulders completely.

"You just wait Day." he said softly as his lips possessively captured hers.