A/N: We have arrived. It's the home stretch. You may unfasten your seat belts guys and gals; smooth sailing from here.

CHAPTER 44

~ Disbanding Bond ~

- August 31st -

Yesterday, it was announced that Jersey Shore will not be renewing for another Season. So that means that Season 6 and Sunday, is going to be the last time the Housemates get together at the Shore House in Seaside.

The Roommates were hinted to this fact before coming into the House but it was never finalized until now, so it is like they are finding out about it for the first time with the rest of the world.

Sammi places the rest of the bags of chips in a bigger bag while responding to Jenni.

"Do you think it was a good idea deciding to still have the Bond Fire party today?"

Jenni looks at her, "I think so…(thinking about the last occurrence) we would probably draw attention to what happened, making it worse, if we didn't."

Jenni continues.

"We've got to move on and end on a good note. (Sighing) This is it. Truly the last summer here."

Sam nods, "I know. I hate this."

Jenni agrees and then she and Sammi hear Mike's voice delegating through the house.

"Girls grab some bags and guys start grabbing some tables! The food will be here soon and we gotta set up!"

Turns out that Vinny's Mother volunteered to help Mike out by cooking most if not all of the food for the party. So the only thing they need to do is have the basics and to set everything else up which has not been easy.

Earlier in the morning, Vinny and Pauly went to get the wood for the actual fire in the sand on the Beach. Now the boys finish digging the hole to set the wood in so they can get the fire up and burning. When that task is done, everyone needs to get ready for when everyone else starts to arrive.

Pauly and Vinny are the last on the Beach to man the fire to make sure it stays strong before they walk back to the House. Sammi walks past Pauly and he stops her.

Pauly, "I know Deena has been up and about helping all day but she didn't look so hot when I left her last. Can you just check on her for me?"

Sam, "Of course Pauly."

Pauly thanks her and then turns back to Vinny in conversation.

Inside, Sammi goes to the girls' room and finds Jenni in the room getting ready.

Sam talks quietly, "Is Deena in here?"

Jenni, "Yeah, she's in the bathroom doing her hair."

Sammi nods and walks over to the door. She knocks before entering. Deena says to come in and Sammi does so.

"Need any help Dee'?"

Deena smiles, "No. I'm good."

Sammi walks over to the toilet and places the seat down before sitting on it. She sits and then watches Deena lay out her make up before starting on her face. Sammi smiles at her but she is really smiling to fight back the sorrow she feels every time she sees the scars left behind from what happened to Deena.

Her face is healing but not all the way, so Deena diligently works to cover the marks.

Deena in between application, "You should hurry up. It's getting dark and everyone will be here soon. You don't want Ron in your ass for not bein ready."

Well, Deena sounds okay so, her job is done. Sammi gets up and then responds before leaving out the bathroom.

"Yeah. I'm goin. If you need me though just let me know."

Deena, "I will."

When Sammi leaves out Deena sighs. She is trying to be okay for everyone, for the cameras but it has really been hard. However, she is glad that tonight they will be amongst family and friends.

-Party Time-

It is now dark and the scene is perfect on the beach. Ronnie has the grill going and Vinny's Mother has shown up with an army load of food, more than enough for seconds and thirds. While finishing up the food, everyone else starts to arrive:

Jenni's Father, Sammi's parents, Ronnie's Father, Mike's Family, Pauly's Project crew, of course Vinny's Family, and Deena's Parents are all present. Plus close friends. Nicole showed up with her Parents just in time, in a flowing sapphire blue Maxi dress. She glows becoming a new Mom. According to Ronnie, this is the biggest party they have ever thrown and it is appropriate.

It is official when Jionni and Roger show up with flowers for their girls. The sight is funny for the most part. Roger has this huge tree-like bouquet while Jionni has normal sized flowers. Nonetheless, the girls are happy and the guest list is complete. It's time to party!

After tossing the ball around on the beach and eating to no end, the groups break off for time to catch up with friends and family. Sammi is with Deena but speaks up after a while of talking.

"I'm gonna go talk to my parents. Wanna come with?"

Deena, "No thanks, go on. I should be goin to find my own before they leave."

Sam, "Alright."

Sammi smiles because she sees Pauly watching them from a distance even though he is with his crew. She knows she'll be fine, so she walks off to where her parents are sitting.

Deena talks to Sammi's friends but then she goes off on her own for a moment. Deena has been having panic attacks off and on, not just at the party but in general after what happened. She has been hiding the episodes from everyone especially the cameras out of fear that they will make a storyline out of it.

They are in good company but the group is a little much for her right now and the fans crowded around watching from the Boardwalk are not helping. She can just see his face in the sea of faces. Deena sits in the sand catching her breath.

Soon thereafter, she feels a body sit behind her and hands rubbing her arms up and down. She jumps on initial contact.

In a soft voice, "Hey, it's okay. It's just me."

Deena responds without looking at him, "I'm okay Pauly."

Pauly, "You sure? I been watchin you from a distance. (Pausing)…It's happening again isn't it?"

Pauly is the only one who knows about her attacks. Deena swallows and gasps a little nodding yes. Pauly shakes his head and encircles her in his arms until she stops shaking.

Not caring whom is watching, Deena grabs his wrists with her tiny hands and Pauly leans his head down to kiss her shoulder, well, really to rest his lips there as if whispering on her skin. Either way, it really helps Deena to get past this one.

When it passes she responds.

"I'm good now."

Pauly lifts his head, "Maybe you should go back to the house to lay down. I'll come with you if you want?"

Deena, "No that would ruin your night. I'm gonna go find my parents and talk to them for a minute."

Pauly, "Want me to come with you?"

Deena looks around and spots them. "No. I see them. Go on with your friends. I'll be fine."

Pauly is hesitant but they get up out of the sand and he walks her halfway before heading in the other direction.

Deena is grateful that Pauly didn't walk her all the way. Deena's Father is seated alone, so she sits down in the chair next to him.

John comments, "You two seem awfully cozy. I take it you haven't talked to Chris then."

Deena rolls her eyes, "No Dad. I haven't."

John, "Well, don't you think you should call him?"

Deena responds, "Not if he hasn't called me. He said he needed space, not me."

John, "With good reason don't you think?"

Deena sighs, "I really don't want to have this conversation. (Looking around) Where's Mom? I just saw her a minute ago."

John, "She went to get some water."

Deena nods and then responds after some silence.

"Where's 'Leena? I thought you were bringing her? I know the girls want to see her."

John, "She's got a little cold."

Deena looks at him, "A cold? When did she get that?"

John, "Just last night. You're lucky your Mother even came, she didn't want to bring her out so she's at home with your Nana."

Deena sighs out, "Oh boy…Am I gonna have to hear something about this?"

John, "That's up to your Mother. You know she's still upset with you for comin back here and leavin like you did."

Yeah, Deena shares some of the same sentiments. Even though not predicted, it was a bad choice but she cannot let on about anything that's for sure.

Soon enough Deena's Mother returns. She sits in the chair next to Deena and she is now in the middle of her parents.

Joann, "Well hello Deena Nicole. Good of you to finally join us."

Deena responds right away, "Why didn't you tell me that 'Leena is sick?"

Joann looks at her and almost laughs.

"So I'm supposed to call you about your daughter?"

Deena, "She is my daughter. I think I would like to know if she is not feeling okay."

Joann, "Well you've got a funny way of displaying you care Deena. Skipping out to party back here doesn't exactly show it. I don't know why you just couldn't come the same day with us. Nicole did it."

Deena "She also just gave birth. She still came because this is our Family. I was not going to miss our last days in this house! This is it forever if you hadn't heard."

John now steps in and tells the two to stop arguing and to enjoy the rest of the night. It is not going to change that Deena is here and she will be back home Monday morning so they should stop the bickering now and bury it.

It is quiet and Deena is about to get up when her Mother sounds off.

"What's that on your arm?"

Deena, "Huh?"

Joann leans over and notices more bruises.

Joann, "What the hell is all that Deena!?"

It now gets John's attention. Oh crap, Deena forgot to cover up her arms with makeup. She also left the jacket Sammi left out for her inside by accident.

Deena, "It's nothing."

John, "Has that boy laid his hands on you!? I'll kill him!"

Deena, "No Dad. Pauly would never do that…"

They look at her in question and she responds thinking quickly.

"I got in a fight at the club last weekend. It's no big deal."

Joann, "No big deal …and you thought coming back was good idea? First night back and you get in a brawl. Well that does it Deena Nicole, you're comin home tonight."

Deena, "No!"

Joann, "Yes, you are. You don't need any more charges. Let's get the first Court date out the way before you start makin more for yourself!"

Deena doesn't know what to do at this point to change her Parents' mind. She looks over and the next thing she knows, Pauly is right there coming up to them. Everyone turns to look at him and Joann bellows out.

"Did you know Deena got in a fight?! What the hell happened?"

Got in a fight…? It dawns on Pauly when he looks at Deena. She is pleading with him to go along with it.

He responds, "It was some girls. They just wanted to start something with Deena over me. They were taunting her over havin our Kid. It escalated when the other girl threw a drink on Deena. Next thing we know, they're on the floor."

Deena's Parents seem to be going along with it. Pauly continues.

"We made it over when we realized what was happening and we broke it up. We left not too much longer after that."

Joann turns to Deena, "You're leavin tonight. Say goodbye to your friends when this is ova because you're gonna be banned from leavin the house until you're my age."

Deena is about to respond when Pauly intercepts.

Pauly, "Actually…Mr. and Mrs. Cortese. I have something to say about that…"

Now Deena looks at Pauly. He fixes his mouth to speak and everyone waits…