Disclaimer: I don't own the Hangover or its characters.

*dot*

Fuck, I hate this shit… Why the fuck are we eating this…

He's not a lucky charm! He's a chink!...

Alan, where did you get those?... WHY would Phil need one!...

Oh MY GOD! Stu don't do that! STU, you can't pull….

Yeah! STU's GETTING MARRIED…

Phil, don't! They will see….

Don't touch him, you bitch! Phil is mine!...

I am no prisoner, don't you dare put me there…

Where the fuck are we going…

Oh here kitty kitty…

Holy shit! Doug will flip out when he wakes up…..

Phil… Phil…. Phil, please….. PHIL!

*dot*

Oh…my…God…. Jess opened her eyes feeling every amount of pain in her body like something she had never experience before. Her head was pulsing, and it was oddly pressed against an uncomfortable cushion with the faint smell of toast, bacon, and eggs nearby. Trying to arch her head, she saw her ankles were also on the cushion and it appeared she was laying on a seat cushion from a large chair. She eased herself into a sitting position taking in her surroundings, realizing she was definitely not in the suite. Suddenly, she became aware of the fact she was in the lobby of main floor of Caesar's Palace, seated in one of the main oversized chairs off the main walkway. Around her, other guests were eyeing her as they walked pass. Pushing her hair out of her face, she took notice that her arms were covered by Phil's blue collared shirt, and a thin blanket was laying over her hips. Inside the breast pocket lay his wallet, which confused her greatly. Had she stolen it?

"Miss?" someone said unexpectedly holding out a hand of concern. It was a hotel staff member who must have been watching her closely because there as genuine concern masking her face. "Are you okay?"

"I think," she replied rubbing her head.

"I must ask if you are a guest or not though," she asked kindly.

"Yes. The room's under Stuart Price. We were staying in the villa," said Jess stretching and Phil's wallet fell out onto the floor. "Oh God!"

Hurrying to pick it all up, she saw everything spilled out and she quickly dropped to gather up his money and cards. As she did so, she felt a strange breeze on her bottom and realized she still wore no underwear nor shoes on her feet. Shoving everything in the wallet, then the breast pocket, Jess sat on the oversized chair a moment longer before standing and wrapping the blanket over her shoulders, like it was a cape, and went to the elevator only to find she needed the key card to enter. Pulling the wallet out again, she searched for Phil's card, spotting it behind his credit card. Once entering the elevator, she pushed for the correct floor thinking how she could explain herself in the state she was in.

Okay, her mind begged. I'm wearing Phil's shirt, no shoes, not panties, I have his wallet… why was I in the lobby….

The elevator dinged at her floor and a blonde woman smiled her with a wave. Calling her by name, Jess looked back confused at how the women knew her but walked over to the door to the villa. It felt as though time had stopped. She held the card in her hand, it lifeless in midair above the slot. Letting out the long sigh, she was holding in, she summoned the courage to unlock the door, inching herself in and bracing for anyone to yell at her. She quietly closed the door before turning and gasping at the sight in front of her.

"What the fuck," she said blankly at all before her. It was a complete and utter mess; televisions were broken, the leather seat was smoking, there was a pyramid of beer cans on the counter. Everything was just wrong. Slowly making her way toward her room, she saw Stu get up briefly and set down on a chair before Alan stumbled into the nearest bathroom. There was a faint sound of someone snoring at her feet. There, Phil lay well asleep cradling a pillow against his head. He was shirtless and was sleeping deeply. Leaning over his body a bit, Jess brushed his hair from his face watching the earnest expression. His lips were formed into a smile for some reason, and she assumed it was because of her.

"Idiot," she softly said as she caressed his cheek. Looking up at Stu, he looked like crap like she, but he was staring at her oddly.

"Who are you?" he asked holding his head.

"Jess," she answered as screams emerged behind her suddenly. Within moments, Jess felt herself pushed down and rolling over Phil's body toward the marble floor. He let out a loud grunt as her knee knocked into his stomach. Clearly scared from something, Alan came running out of the bathroom, pointing at something, and began hyperventilating.

"Goddamn Alan! Put pants on would ya!" shouted Phil, as he pushed himself off the floor and waving the pants less man away. Jess standing up too, grabbed onto a pillar to steady herself against. As Alan continued to make panting noise and pull his shirt down, Phil was rubbing his head. Turning, he attempted to enter the bathroom.

"Phil! Do not go in there! There is a tiger in there!" he insisted repeatedly.

"What's going on?" asked Stu sitting up, staring at Alan like Jess was. Phil looked back in disbelief before eyeing the others.

"There's a jungle cat in the bathroom!" he said again, trying to cover himself.

"Alan it's probably a plushy you bought," commented Jess making her way toward Stu, holding her chest and rubbing her side. She had hit the floor rather hard after rolling over Phil. "Shut up my head hurts!"

"Al, Al! I'll check it out!" Phil held up his hands to Alan and turned toward the closed door to the bathroom. A moment later a loud roar came, and Phil ran right back out.

"Holy shit! He's not kidding! There's a tiger in there!" agreed Phil walking around the tables and grabbing a Monster energy drink from a table.

"No there's not," muttered Stu. "Why are you wearing Phil's shirt?"

Sighing, Jess shook her head and felt anxiety building in her as to reason why, but nothing came out. Throwing her hands up a moment, she stood up revealing her legs.

"I'm not wearing anything besides this," she said pulling at the ends of the dress shirt. Leaving to change, she felt the fabric pull against her shoulders harshly, and lift from her bottom. Before turning she tried wiggling from his grip, pulling the thing back down, pleading with the man to stop.

"Give me my shirt back," he said eyeing her closely. Finally, Jess took in Phil's state and instantly felt her heart drop into her stomach. Covering his neck and collarbone were thin, but obvious red marks, scratches by the true look of them. One of the others called for him making his turn, and she saw similar marks on his upper shoulders. Taking a step forward, she pulled them into the privacy of the room and began franticly trying to rub the marks away. She wouldn't be able to use makeup to cover that up.

"What are you doing?!" he asked grabbing her arms to stop her. She was lightly crying as she tried to reach him making him look down his chest. Frozen by the sight, Phil walked to the mirror on the wall and observed himself.

"Phil— I'm…. I'm— so sorry—" she stammered out holding her face.

Phil traced them slowly and looked at her hands before asking for his shirt once more. He hung his head before extending his arm out for the item which Jess gave over silently. Putting it on, Jess went to find a pair of skinny jeans and a shirt to wear. Phil sat on the bed a moment longer as she finished, a quiet sniff emitted from his throat. With her back exposed and her breasts perked due to the coldness of the room, Jess turned seeing the man she cared so much about breaking down. A small scratch on his cheek only remained as she watched in admiration at how he was trying to remain strong in front of everyone else. It was moments like this when he could fall apart a bit and Jess knew she had to do something.

"I'm sorry if I did that," she said wrapping her arms around his upper body, not meaning to press her chest into his face. He too gathered his arms around her middle and let out another sob. Patting his head, she allowed him the minutes to let it out before gently placing her finger under his chin and lowering her mouth to his once more. It set something off in him, but the reserved response meant he was thinking the same as her. Had they crossed the line unknowingly, she thought.

While Phil caressed her cheek in response, he gave her a bigger hug after she pulled the shirt over her head and covered her breasts, something he wasn't happy about, but they had to get going with their day. They frowned when seeing both their shoes in the room and the shared worry came across their faces.

"Did we—" asked Phil as he tied the laces, eyeing her as she did the same.

"I have no idea honestly. But I don't even know if I did that." Jess pointed at his chest. "I've never done that before."

Phil pushed his hair back and took the moment to collect himself as they stood there holding hands. Wiping away the lingering tears in their eyes, Jess arched her head and gave him a soft peck on his cheek before they exited the room. To everyone around them, they arrived very professional, kind, and generous of the other's time; a discreet sort of friendliness reserved for dear friends. However, people also weren't aware of the true nature of their friendship. More time than most, Phil and Jess spent a lot of time together as they always had since first meeting. Granted, it was assumed because he had been a large part of her life, it allowed for platonic things to exist but under the guise of student-teacher, they misbehaved in seclude areas far from peering eyes. It was here that they talked about their future and what part Jess played in his was a frequent topic.

Phil had changed from the youthful boy he once was. His then sandy-blond hair maturing into a rich brown much like his attitude about his career and personal life at home. He never enjoyed teaching but never opening confessed to loathing it either. As in all her life, being connected to him was calming. A sense of warmth that no one else could give. Her boyfriends could never fill her appetite as Phil could, and it was something that Jess was beginning to see as a minor problem. The man was fourteen years older than her, he had experiences she didn't yet. Years of figuring it out, but deep down, she still felt drawn to him. It was the yearning under the skin feeling that both felt. Making the situation even more justifying, he admitted he no longer loved his wife and wanted to divorce. In these instants, Jess felt his hands and mouth express the truth of the matter, only seeing the complete adoration he felt for her.

They had promised to never cross that line. But had they? Had she and Phil stepped beyond that boundary, they vowed to not until after she was done with school and established in her own career. It was a plan, they felt was fool proof. As they walked out of the room, Jess was certain her face lacked confidence and petrified at the entire night. She only prayed that the sleep deprived raccoon-like red eye appearance was enough to pass.

"What the hell is that?" she heard Phil asked the guys. Hurrying over around the pillar, she saw them peering into a small closet, and closed her hands on her mouth in shock.

"Whose fucking baby is that?" Phil asked behind Jess. There seated just inside the small coat closet was a baby boy no older than a few months old. He wore a white cap that covered his head and wore the most unpleasant frown on his face.

"Alan, are you sure you didn't see anyone else in the suite?" asked Stu scratching his head, looking at the bearded man for answers.

"Yeah. I checked all the rooms. No one's here," said Alan quietly as he stared intensely at the baby. "Check its collar or something," he further suggested.

"Babies aren't dogs, dumbass!" said Jess reaching into the closet for the baby. Swayed her upper body slightly, she soothed the baby as Phil stomped feverishly.

"We don't have time for this! Let's go hook with Doug, and we'll deal with the baby later!" he said at them in a maddened tone. Stu and Jess looked up at Phil with shock riddling his face.

"Phil, we're not gunna leave a baby in the room! There's a fucking tiger in the bathroom!"

"It's not our baby," he spat out transiently. Jess turned and punched his outstretched arm while giving him a disapproving glare.

"We aren't leaving the baby with the tiger, Phil," said Jess pointing at the wreck around them. Looking around she spotted the baby carrier that he must have come in with. Walking over and picking it up, she wrestled with the thing for several minutes before Alan began to attach the carrier to his own body. Nodding firmly that Alan wouldn't drop the baby, they rushed out to meet Stu and Phil at the entrance of the villa.

"Why can't we remember a goddamn thing from last night," asked Stu as they rode the elevator down. Jess looked up at Phil waiting for his reply, his hands hanging off his hips.

"Because we obviously had a great fucking time," said Phil looking down at the floor avoiding looking up at his friends. In between his words, he stole a glance at Jess, seeing her staring at the elevator panel.

"Stu, we'll remember. There must be a reason," consoled Jess trying to ease the mood.

"Yeah, like where your dress went. I don't get it! We should remember!" he stomped about quietly.

"Why don't you stop worrying for one minute? Be proud of yourself." Phil answered with such inconsequential effort Jess had to hold her laughter in. At the next stop, an elderly woman entering giving the group a strange look before resting her eyes on the baby in front of Alan.

"Oh, how cute. What's his name?" she asked eyeing Jess with concern. Briefly she looked around at Stu and Phil before her eyes settled back to Alan.

"Ben—" answered Phil quickly.

"Carlos," interjected Alan. The woman looked between Jess and Alan once more but struggled her shoulders as she turned her back to them.

"Carlos?" Phil asked quietly leaning forward. Jess held in her laughter by pushing her face into Phil's chest. Inside she was feverishly anger at the whole situation but having Phil's hand wrapped around her backside for the ride down gave a bit of reassurance.

As Stu went one direction, Phil and Alan walked toward the pool to get some fresh air. Everywhere they looked were other patrons who were staring at the small group, maybe, at least to Jess it felt that way. Frowning, she sat her head down on the table waiting for Stu to return, because if anyone could find an answer it would be Stu. Twenty minutes passes before he walked back up to the table, an even more worried look on his face. Snatching the pool chair from its place, he sat long enough to catch his breath before speaking rapid fire at them.

"I looked everywhere. Gym; casino; front desk; nobody's seen Doug. He's not here," he said pausing to eye of them carefully for some kind of clue. Jess wasn't sure if she had any, but Stu did look extremely defeated at the situation. Finally, he sat down in a huff and crossed his arms, eyeing Jess and Phil.

"He's fine. He's a grown man," muttered Phil taking a sip of his breakfast. "Seriously Stu! You gotta calm down. Here, have some juice," he offered handing a cup over. As soon as Stu took a sip, instantly he puked it up onto the cement at his feet. Jess covered her face at the sight of Stu.

"Let's track this thing. What's the last thing we remember doing last night?" asked Phil looking at three hung over people around him, mostly in disgust at Stu. Jess nodded and tried to rub the sleep from her eyes and yawned widely at Alan's statement being on the roof.

"That's right," she agreed. "Then you guys played craps at the Hard Rock, and I think Doug was there."

Phil had grabbed a napkin and was dotting everything they said. "That sounds right. No, no, he was definitely—" he stated confidently. Stu let out a laugh as Alan continued to check on the baby from time to time.

"You know what, guys? I don't even remember going to dinner!" exclaimed Stu. Jess smirked as she recalled something else.

"I remember complaining about the food. That's all… and something else but it's so fuzzy, I can't make it out," said Jess leaning back in her chair. Was it about Phil? She hoped not but the others were too hung-over to notice Phil's cologne on her. It was his usual brand with its fresh, uplifting earthly smell, the sensual base of vetiver made her weak in all areas. Right now, though, it smelt like shame, reject, and bad decisions.

"What the fuck! I don't think I've ever been this hung-over," muttered Phil, throwing his hands behind his head a moment.

"After the Hard Rock, I blacked out," laughed Alan. "It was like emptiness!"

"Okay," said Phil, looking at the napkin again for the third time and counting down the time slots they had listed out. "We have until 10 pm—"

"So that gives us a 12-hour window where one of us could have lost him," concluded Jess, sensing that Doug was probably close. They just couldn't see him… "Watch out Alan!"

As she looked to her left, she saw that Alan began fumbling with items from his pockets causing his arm to knock into her elbow. A moment later, he lifted a small white object, showing the group, and Stu started shouting.

"Oh, my God! That's my too-th!" Stu reached over and snatched it. "Why do you have that? What else is in your pockets?" Phil practically jumped up at the words as he stood and removed things from his own pockets.

"This is good thing! No, check your pockets. Check your pockets!" He urged the other two as they pulled various things from their pockets. Jess never bothered to since she had worn a dress that had no pockets, and she was very sure of herself that no one slipped anything into her underwear… not that Phil would have missed the opportunity if he could help it. She wasn't aware if she had even worn any the entire night and judging on the state everything… she probably never had.

"I remember seeing a receipt for something around midnight in your wallet this morning," she admitted.

Phil paused and looked at her oddly, his blue eyes darkening in concern. "You had my wallet?"

"Yeah. That's how I got back into the room," she said pushing her hair behind her ear. "The key card was behind your credit card. That was wrapped with a receipt, but I don't know if for last night or before."

"I have an ATM receipt from the Bellagio at 11:05 for …. $800! I am so fucked!" said Stu holding up his findings.

"I have a valet ticket from Caesars. Looks like we came in at 5 am," Alan added throwing down the ticket.

"Oh shit! We drove last night?" Phil asked suddenly, his eyes vanishing from Jess, and a loud sigh escaped. Alan laughed loudly and Jess just looked up at Phil like he was crazy. He was probably the one driving!

"What's on your arms?" asked Alan pointing to Phil's wrist as he sat back and pushed his hand into his hair.

"Jesus, Phil! You were in the hospital last night," spoke Stu grabbing for Phil's arm.

"I guess so, yeah." Jess stood up to look at Phil's wrist and inspected it taking note of the name of the hospital to look up. Alan asked him if he was okay which clearly annoyed Phil.

"What the hell is going on?" said Stu loudly still holding the ice rag.

"Well, Stu, Stu, this is good thing. We have a lead now," answered Phil holding up his arm, and rolling his sleeves up. Stu let his head roll down as sudden movement made both book up at Jess.

"What the fuck is that, Alan?" screamed Jess a second later, her phone held dearly in her hand, and her chair went flying across the small area. There were small tears in her eyes, as she pointed at the object in Alan's hand.

"I thought it was balloon," he simply said holding it up to show the group.

"Sit the fuck down!" urged Phil looking around. "Alan put that down! Now man!"

"Jess, sit down, please? You're causing a scene," whispered Stu reaching for her. People around them were beginning to stare. She threw her arms up in defense as Stu and Phil stared at her.

"Jess!" snapped Phil standing up and grabbing her arm to calm her down. "JESS!"

"No, I will not!" she shrieked pushed his hands away bitterly and throwing her small cup at them in anger. "My brother is missing, and this fat fuck brings a condom to the table! WHAT THE ABSOLUTE FUCK!"

In her huff, she stomped away, her fists clenched against her side, tears streaming down her face. Phil looked over at Alan in anguish and asked where he found it.

"It was where you were sleeping," said Alan. Phil only stared, eyes wide at the statement, completely in shock.

"You have got to fucking kidding me…." he mumbled, looking down and pushing his hair back. "Let's go get her and go to the fucking hospital." Stu and Alan with the baby followed suit a moment later.

*dot*

It was the damn condom that Alan had to wave around like a flag that was what set her off. Her fuming underneath was justified but here now, she was seething at the thought of Stu or Alan thinking she and Phil had sex. Her thoughts were only distracted by the rings emitting from her pocket. Picking it up, and answering, Jess sighed as she heard the shrill of Carol's voice.

"Oh my God! What is going on? Where are you!?"

"Everything is fine, we just woke up," she commented turning her arm to inspect a burn mark on her bicep. It shocked her since she hadn't seen it till now and she briefly wondered if anything else appeared. Carol's voice brought attention back to her phone.

"What the hell happened last night? I got this weird text you borrowed a tiger—"

"WHAT!" said Jess, her eyes widening at the idea. "I didn't borrow a tiger!"

"Well explain the photo you sent!"

"What are you talking about? Carol why would I do that?"

"I have no idea, but you and Mr. Wenneck were like holding a tiger! What the hell!"

But Jess clicked the button and Carol was heard no more. The guys were near, but she took the moment to check the photos and there came the shocking realization. Under her breath, she muttered a soft fuck staring at the phones. There were four taken at various part of the night, but one thing was certain; Phil and Jess had crossed the line. One had them holding hands at the craps table at the Hard Rock Café, her hands entwined with his so forcibly that Phil's other hand was pushing another hand out of the way from getting hers. The next photo showed the two of them on the hood of Sid's Mercedes. Phil had ahold of her legs as they and her dress were wrapped around his waist, his hands disappearing under it. Her hair was a complete mess by it was her body that curved into Phil's tender kisses that alarmed her most. Another showed the photo Carol received of them and the tiger, which seemed innocent enough. They were laughed as Phil attempted to put her on top of the tiger, her dress gone and she wore only Phil's jacket to cover herself up. She would see her breast pointing out causing her to blush slightly.

But the last one, no, that was the most disturbing one and only confirm her worries. A shirtless Phil towered over her as they lay on the floor of the suite, his arms flexed as he held himself up and both their faces twisted in sheer pleasure. Jess had a small decorative pillow under her head as her own arms, pulled at his upper body, only covered by Phil's blue shirt. You could easily see where the two were at; exactly where Phil woke up.

"Fuck," she mumbled under her breath staring at the image of Phil and her in complete bliss only realizing that she didn't remember doing this. Surely, there was a mistake, but upon check the time stamp, it read 6:28, which was only a few hours ago now. They partied for nearly an hour and a half in the suite, probably wrapped in each other or the other's activities. She was acutely aware that the others had probably seen her naked. But the image confirmed her fears.

We crossed the line, she thought as they walked up, a concerning look on Phil's face as he reached for her arm to rub. Something in his expression showed his worry too.