Author note: Sorry it's been so long since an update on any of my stories! A lot of life got in the way. Hopefully, I'll get to finish these soon and get to right more? Thanks for those of you who kept hanging in there and didn't give up on me!

"Slater, wait" Jessie panted putting one hand on her chest and reaching one arm out grabbing Slater by the wrist.

Slater turned to find her out of breath not because of the running, but because of the combination of running and laughing so hard. He smiled as he watched her stand up still holding her chest. Her cheeks flushed from the exercise and laughing, her eyes closed as she concentrated on catching her breath. "I forgot how boring my life was without you guys," she managed between breaths.

Slater smiled at her as she stood up flipping her hair back over her shoulder. He gently brushed back a lock of her hair that had fallen over her eye. The two stared at each other for a moment taking in the sight of each other and how four months had changed them so much. Remembering the others, Slater glanced back at his friends who were up ahead looking around for Screech. Then, he turned back to Jessie who was calling a cab. She motioned for him to join her.

"But what about—"Slater began pointing behind him with his thumb.

"They'll make it! Well, who knows about Screech?" she joked.

Slater hesitated. It had been so long since it had just been the two of them; he felt a mixture of happiness and nervousness.

"Lisa and Eric can take care of them," she waved her hand urgently for him to join her, "Come on!"

Seeing Jessie's enthusiasm, Slater grinned lopsidedly. A cab pulled over, and Jessie climbed in. He slid in behind.

"Where to?" the cab driver asked in a thick New York accent.

"Columbia!" Jessie instructed enthusiastically as she leaned forward from the middle seat of the cab. She looked over at Slater his eyebrows furrowed with confusion. Jessie took his hand, "Slater, I promise it'll be fun," she assured him. "I know, I know. The last place you want to be visiting on your break is a campus," she chuckled. Slater nodded flashing a small dimpled grin.

"BUT," she continued squeezing his hand, "This time is about us spending time together. Getting to know each other again, you know."

Slater looked from her to their interlocked hands and back again. "Getting to know each other again," he repeated with a smile. "I'd like that."

Jessie beamed back at him, "Great." She paused, letting go of his hand and rubbed her hands nervously on her jeans as if brushing off some imaginary dirt. "I just- I thought it would be a good idea for you to see this new part of my life. Maybe it was a stupid idea but-"

Slater interrupted her putting his hand on her chin and turning her face toward him then, planted his lips on hers. Their lips brushed shyly over the others at first, then, as the kiss became familiar, the shyness was replaced with longing. As his lips left hers, he rested his forehead on hers and ran his fingers through her hair.

"You could've just said, 'Shut up, Jessie'," Jessie joked breathlessly.

"Nah, you were always too hard headed for words to work," Slater grinned as he traced his finger over her cheek.

"I've missed you," she whispered laying her head on his shoulder.

"I've missed you, too, Mama," he whispered wrapping his arm around her and holding her close. He gazed out the window and watched the city speed by him. His eye caught sight of a small theater reminding him of Alex. He pulled Jessie closer to him.

"Where is that little dork?" Lisa irritably asked as the gang looked around for their friend. "I've been around him for all of twenty minutes, and he's already annoying me!"

"Ah, some things never change," Zack sighed, then gave her nostalgic smile.

Kelly crinkled her brow, "Is that Jessie and Slater getting in a cab?" she asked pointing in their direction. The others turned to follow her finger.

"Yep, looks like they're ditchin' us," Eric replied with a smirk. "Look who's blending in," he pointed sarcastically toward Screech.

"Hi, guys!"Screech greeted as he strolled casually toward them from inside the airport. He was carrying his black suitcase with his left hand while three gift bags hung from his right forearm, and across his chest his CAL U sweatshirt was now covered with an "I Love NY" t-shirt which was already stained with a bit of mustard that had dripped from the hot dog he was munching on.

"Screech! We've been looking all over for you!" Kelly scolded.

"We saw you run out of the building to get away from the security guards," Zack informed him confused.

"Yeah, I did, but I doubled back to the gift shop!" Screech grinned.

"Only you would do something so stupid!" Lisa denounced.

"There was nothing stupid about it!" Screech defended. "All these souvenirs were forty percent off! Plus, I've got my Christmas shopping done!" he reported proudly holding up his bags for display.

"What Lisa means is, you should've told us," Kelly interpreted with annoyance.

"I didn't want you to get in trouble for aiding and embedding a fugitive," Screech replied.

"Oh, brother," Lisa sighed rolling her eyes.

"Well, now that we're all here, how 'bout we get outta here and start having some fun?" Eric asked. "There's a lot more to see than the airport." He waved for a taxi. As it screeched over to the curb, the group tossed their luggage in. They crammed into the back of the cab like sardines with the two girls sitting on top of the three guys.

"You know, I ain't supposed to let you ride like this!" the drive warned them as he looked at them from the mirror.

"We'll pay you double," Lisa told him sweetly in a sing song voice.

"Yes, ma'am!" he tipped his hat then, hit the gas causing everyone to fly back erupting with laughter.