Disclaimer: I do not own Kickin' It!

...

Chapter 5: Jack's POV

Jess locked herself in the bathroom. I closed my eyes and sighed. "Why won't she talk to me?" I asked Kim.

Kim put down her book and I sat next to her on the couch. "I think she just needs some space, Jack," she told me, "she didn't open up when we met her and now that she has... I think she regrets it."

"Why would she regret telling me what happened? I can help her."

"I know but... whatever happened, she's scared to tell."

I glanced at the bathroom door. "But what happened that would make her so scared? When we met her, she seemed so... tough, like nothing could scare her."

"Did you ever think that maybe that's just on the outside?"

I didn't reply. I guess Kim had a point. Maybe Jess did just need some space.

At that moment, Jess came out of the bathroom. Her eyes were red and glassy and she grabbed her swimsuit and cover-up to go over. "I'm gonna go down to the pool," she muttered, going back into the bathroom to change.

Jess's POV

I went down to the pool and made sure no one was around before I took off my cover-up. I got in the pool and lay on my back. I knew Jack meant well, he wanted to help me, but after everything that happened in the past year, I just didn't know whom to trust.

I heard my phone ring and swam to the edge of the pool. I pulled myself out and walked to a table. I picked up my phone. It was a text. "I know you're here. -DB"

I stared at the phone and heard the door open. "Ouch," a voice said, "That looks more painful than I remember."

I gripped my shoulder and picked up my black cover-up. I put it on and turned around. "Oh, Kai," I muttered, "I thought you were Jack."

"Are you trying to insult me?"

"I'd rather assault you."

"Oh haha," he sighed, "I'm sorry about earlier. I spoke without thinking."

"You mean you spoke without thinking, again?"

"Don't push it. 'DB' isn't the only one that knows how to hit."

I looked at the ground and picked up my phone and bag. "You never did learn how to be sympathetic and understanding, did you, Kai?" I said quietly.

He closed his eyes. "I'm sorry, Jessi." He put his hand on my shoulder.

I pushed him away glared at him. "Jump off a cliff."

I started to walk away when he grabbed my arm and pulled me back. "I think you've forgotten," he said threateningly, "no one talks to me like that and gets away with it."

I pulled my arm out of his grasp. "You wouldn't dare hurt me, Kai. Not after what I've been through."

He looked annoyed. I smirked and he walked towards me. "I'll give you one more chance," he asked, taking my hand, "Come back to me, or regret it."

I smiled. "I'd rather drown." I pushed him into the pool and walked off.

...

When I got back to my room, Jack was standing next to the coffee table with a picnic basket.

"I'm sorry about earlier," he said, smiling, "and to make up for my mistake, I'm going to take you on a picnic anywhere you want."

I smiled for a second before glaring at him. "Are you doing this just to get on my good side?" I crossed my arms.

"What? No. I'm doing this because I like hanging out with you." His smile faded.

"Yeah right. I've heard that before, and it didn't end well for me."

He looked like he was about to ask why, when he decided it would be better if he didn't. "I would never do anything to hurt you, Jess. I promise."

I bit my lower lip nervously and looked at him carefully. He didn't seem to be lying. "Fine…" I finally said, "Give me ten minutes."

...

I came out of the bathroom wearing a yin-Yang T-shirt and full-length blue jeans. I had my hair in a ponytail and my bangs covered my right eye as usual.

"So where do you want to go?" Jack asked, taking my hand in his gently.

"I want it to be a surprise." I replied, smiling at him.

...

I took Jack to a forest near the Great Wall of China. "Jess, we're going to get lost," he told me, glancing back the way we came.

"I've been coming here since I was thirteen, Jack," I replied, pulling him farther into the woods, "I know the wall by heart."

"You know the way by heart? Ok, so when the last time you came here?"

I was quiet for a minute. "Before my parents were killed, I needed time to think. I realized I couldn't just... watch. I had to do something."

"What do you mean you couldn't just watch? Did you know your parents were going to be killed?"

I sighed. "Yes I did... in fact, the guy that did it, he calls himself 'DB', well, he wanted me to kill them."

"Uh... care to explain why?"

I thought for a minute. "Nope."

We walked into a beautiful clearing with a Weeping Willow in the middle of it. Colorful flowers surrounded the tree. I smiled, "Come on", I said happily, pulling Jack under the Willow.

Jack laid a blanket on the grass and we sat down. "So, I take it you don't want to tell me why 'DB' wanted you to kill your parents?" he said, taking sandwiches out of the picnic basket.

"Jack, if you keep asking me about things I don't like talking about," I started sternly, "you'll have to find your own way back to town."

"I'm gonna shut up now..." he handed me a bottle of water, "So how many people know about this place?" He moved a little bit closer to me.

"No one..."

Jack placed one hand on my cheek and leaned in. He was an inch away from kissing me when, "Jess!" Kai ran in and froze when he saw us.

I closed my eyes and moved away from Jack. "Except him..." I muttered madly as my cheeks turned red from embarrassment, "What do you want, Kai?!"

"Um, oh," he glanced at Jack madly, "The police know you're here. They're looking for you."

"Why?"

"They found your finger prints on the gun-"

My eyes widened. "What!?" I got up quickly and glared at him, "How did they know I was here?!"

"I didn't tell them! I swear!"

I closed my eyes and covered my face with my hands, thinking.

"Jess, what's going on? What gun?" Jack asked me, standing up. He put his hand on my shoulder. I looked at him and pushed him away.

"The gun used to kill my parents, my prints are on it... and now the police think I killed my parents... I'm going to take the blame for their murder..."