"Mama?" asked Jack finally looking up seeing she was gone. "Mama?"

"She has a point you know," offered Doug reaching for Jack after Stu stood up too.

"I know but still. Things happened in Vegas to all of us and we are still dealing with it."

"Like we walked up on," muttered Doug handing his credit card to the waitress to pay for everyone's meals. Jack was wiggling around and still had a hold of a pancake or two. Looking down, he eyed his nephew closely, noticing something different about him. In Phil's anger and confusion, his friend would often scrunch his nose up, his nostrils flaring up a bit, and it was the same thing that Jack was doing now since Jess as nowhere to be found. The young boy was quite attached to his mother.

Noticing this made him wonder about the actions and behaviors Jess and Phil had taken over the last two years, hell probably even further back than he wanted to admit.

"You aren't super mad at them, are you?" asked Stu as they waited for the receipt and card. He was referring to Phil and Jess. "They have a complicated past. I mean they did do it in Vegas, and they tried very hard to keep their relationship private—"

"Yeah, I had been wondering about it for a while, but I ignored it thinking since my friend wouldn't pursue my sister like that. Phil admitted that he had romantic interest in her but was waiting for his divorce to finalize. I guess I was wrong about them. I admit, I'm not happy but there's nothing I can about it. Phil's not the sort of person I'd want my sister being with, my friend or not."

"Yeah, well," started Stu as they exited the restaurant. "Jason and Jess have been having problems lately. Things about Phil, I know."

Doug's eyes got wide. "What? About Phil?"

"I don't know exactly what, but Jason visited last week asking questions I couldn't answer about Phil."

"Like her past with him?" questioned Doug.

"Lauren told me that Tracy said he was getting a divorce, but no one knew where it came from or why? I think it's related to Jess, but who knows with those two anymore. They've kept this a secret for a long time. Jess confessed mutual feelings aimed at him."

Doug shook his head and tried, tried very hard to erase the image of Phil and Jess passionate kissing from his head but it wouldn't do away. Shrugging, he placed his hands on his friend's shoulder.

"—But you gotta help me with this Alan thing Stu…."

Outside, Jess and Phil were talking about something quietly as Stu and Doug walked up. Jack ran over and hugged her legs and then was buckled in playing with a toy.

"Come on you guys," called Doug waving at them. "Heading to Alan's."

Phil and Jess rolled their eyes as they followed to the Billings main home.

"Dougie! Why hello everyone! Come in, come in!" said Linda happily, greeting each person as they walked in. "Oh poor little guy. Here, do you mind. I know toddlers can be a handful."

Jess let Jack walk over to Linda and the boy just fell into her arms. He was rubbing his eyes badly and Linda just cuddled him. "Why don't we go lay down on the couch, while Mommy visits. Does that sound alright buddy?" Jack nodded lightly and laid his head down, as Linda waved goodbye to Jess.

"You guys have no idea what this means. Alan's been waiting for the invite since he got wind of the wedding," said Sid after the four of them turned down a hallway toward Alan's room.

"Sure, he has," muttered Stu as they got to Alan's door.

"He's been standing out by the mailbox every day," Sid offered more. Jess looked at Doug seeing this was a bad idea.

"Wow that's rough," said Phil putting his hands in his pocket.

"Yeah… I.. uhhh… I'm not quite sure he ever left Vegas. He really needs this," said Sid as he rattled on the door lightly. Jess saw there was 'BEWARE GENIUS AT WORK' sign on the door.

"What?" came from the other side of the door.

"Sweetie? It's papa. You have visitors." Quietly he added to them, "Go in slowly!" Alan opened the door suddenly and Jess put on her best smile she could.

"Hey Alan!" smiled Doug.

"Hey guys. Hey Phil," he smiled back.

"Hey bud!" Phil offered a smile but it was forced, Jess could tell.

"Hi Jess," he waved at her in a little boy way. "You cut your hair!"

"Hi Alan, how are you?" she asked her hands behind her back. It surprised her that he immediately noticed her hair. Tucking it behind her ear, she smiled generously after his comment.

"Pretty sweet. Ya.. Da.. do you guys wanna come in?" asked Alan opening the door a bit.

"Yeah," answered Doug cheerfully.

"Sure absolutely," said Phil letting Jess go in before him. Stu and Jess said nothing because they didn't think that Alan should come to the wedding at all.

"See you in the court in half an—" but Alan closed the door on his father.

As Jess entered the room, her eyes rated over most everything she saw. From the messiness to the sheer number of things in the room alone made her cringe.

"Pretty cool room Alan," said Phil after observing the room and then leaning against an extended wall.

"Thanks Phil." Alan seemed really happy to see them. "My dad pays my rent," he added a moment later.

"Alan what the fuck? We were supposed to delete these! You made a promise," called out Doug pointing around the walls of Alan's room. Jess noticed the walls right as Stu did.

"Whoa whoa, what the hell? I'm not cool with this at all! You can't have these!" said Stu loudly in anger. What made Jess smile was one of the larger photos showed she and Alan dripping wet from swimming in the fountain at the hotel. Alan's arm was around her neck as they smiled big.

"Relax Stu no one ever comes in here!" chirped Alan as he sat down at his … desk…. Jess wasn't sure if it was or not. There was a lot of stuff on there. She thought her desk was crowded with the laptop, speakers, four spiral notebooks filled with old schoolwork, and food recipes she wanted to try. This was just …. Wow….

"Total violation of trust!" muttered Stu looking at Doug like he was crazy to offer this to Alan.

"Mother I'm done with my lunch it's just sitting here," Alan spoke into the intercom on his desk. A moment later, his mother voice came out.

"I'm sorry honey. I'll be right up."

Alan turned to his friends, two who were quite upset with the person who led them here, with a wide smile on his face. "Can't believe you guys stopped by. This is so cool!"

Jess tried to keep her smile, but her eyes looked down at the photo that Phil had picked up on Alan's thin bookshelf.

"Wait a second, is that Mr. Chow?" he asked showing Alan the photo. Jess looked at it and shot Alan a cold look.

"Yeah we still keep in touch," Jess heard him say, already knowing it was him. On several times she heard Alan speak about Chow and that night. On more than one occasion, Alan would tell her during their tennis matches how Chow was such a lovely guy.

"— He didn't kidnap us. He kidnapped black Doug. Remember it was a huge misunderstanding. He's actually quite charming," Alan said to clarify as Stu protested again.

"Alan he's a criminal," said Stu with a look of stupidity aimed at Alan.

"Excuse me boys," said a voice behind Phil. It was Linda to get Alan's cold lunch.

"Hi Linda," said Doug with a smile to his mother-in-law.

"Hi Dougie, Jess," she said to the Billings siblings.

Alan squared his eyes at his mother and rudely spoke out to her. "I guess we don't do dessert anymore. I didn't get that memo."

Despite Linda's reply, Jess would have slapped the child-man right across the face. "I'm sorry darling. I'll be right back."

"Would a cupcake kill ya?" demanded Alan to his mother once more before she walked out patting Phil's arm as a hello. Alan was looking at Doug as though saying he was always right about the routine of the home.

"Alan what is your problem?" dared Jess taking a few steps toward Alan. The man before her flinched slightly, she being the only to ever achieve that. Doug and Phil took a half-step to her as Alan spoke up in response.

"My food was cold. I don't like cold food," he replied without a single note of guilt.

"And so, what?" asked Jess feeling Doug's hand on her, pulling her back a bit.

"I don't like cold food," he repeated, his eyes watching Doug be pushed back without her turning around.

"Then walk your ass to the kitchen, stick it in the microwave for 40 seconds and heat it the fuck up!" Jess looked at Alan with disbelief, her arm pointed to his bedroom door. Shit, Phil was right. Alan was a spoiled man-child.

Phil, watching her, smiled eagerly. Damn she looked erotic right there. She was slightly bent over like she would react with Jack's misbehaving, her finger pointed sternly, leaving her bottom extended out a bit. Minus the cursing parts naturally. Taking a clever second to attentively take in the ass he would tap later; his attention was taken away by Stu a moment later.

"You know I don't think this was good idea," Stu mumbled behind Jess.

Doug, stepped around Jess and smiled at her victim. "Alan, we have a little surprise for you. Stu would like to invite you to his wedding," he spoke up pulling Jess back a few steps. Alan looked at Doug and Stu with confusion.

"Well only if you're not busy," Stu answered feeling the anxious situation that Doug just put him in.

"Stu," offered Phil, his hand raised.

"Well maybe the Jonas brothers are in town," retorted Stu, but Alan made a sound interrupting the sentence.

"No, they're at Rally Durham this weekend." Alan looked from Phil to Jess, from Doug and then his eyes settled on Stu. "Are you really being serious Stu? You're inviting me?"

Jess looked at Stu and mentally thought 'no, no, don't!' but Stu failed her within seconds. He was such a pushover. "Yeah. Why not? Can be fun right?"

Alan turned to Phil and asked if he were going.

"Of course," smiled Phil who was pleased at the question's distraction and Jess was unsure why Alan wanted to know if Phil was coming or not.

"Jess are you coming?" he asked looking at her too.

"Yeah. I'm a bridesmaid."

"Then it will be fun," grinned Alan. Suddenly he reached over to his desk and withdrew a long needle from his mini-frig, striking his thigh a moment later.

"Woah! What the fuck are you doing man?" shouted Phil holding his hands out to stop him.

"It's my immunizations. It's the last day I can do it," he answered after withdrawing the needle. It made Jess begin to gag. She reached over for Phil who held her in her arms, patting her back.

"That's suppose to be done by a registered nurse," said Stu holding his mouth.

"I am a nurse just not registered. Oh, Stu look at this. I got because I thought of you."

Behind Jess, she heard the winding of the toy and she turned as Alan sat the thing down on the table. It was chattering toy mouth, but when she looked closer it was missing a tooth in the same spot that Stu had pulled out. She looked over at Stu who grimaced heavily. Turning to leave, she collected Jack and his car seat, transferred them to Phil's car, and they left for his place.

*dot*

Doug waved goodbye to his friends as they left the Garner Estate with only one thing on his mind. Closing the door, and then turning back toward Alan's room, he had to remember where on his desk he saw the photo. While Jess had shouted at him was when Doug's eyes had fallen on the photo of Jess, but it confused him because it was not one of the photos from the evidence camera. It was of a nude Jess, as she slipped on Phil's blue shirt. Her breasts were exposed but as he remembered she hadn't worn underwear that night. She was smiling but it was clearly in a drunken manner.

His knuckles rapped on the door and a loud 'what' came out to him.

"Alan, hey it's Doug," he spoke up summing up the courage to confront his brother-in-law about his sister. The door swung open revealing Alan again.

"Hey Doug. Wh.. what.. what you need brah?" he asked a bit tense. "Is Stu take back the invite?"

"No, no," he smiled. "No Stu and the others went home. I wanted to talk to you about something in private. Could I come in and talk with you?"

"Yeah… Yeah sure," said Alan opening the door for Doug to enter.

Doug put his hands in his pockets and his eyes quickly searched for the photo which sat in the same place as before. The photo, which was a bit bent on the corners, lay on top of a napkin that was a bit crumbled up. There was an odd stiffness to the napkin. Thinking the worse, he cleared his throat.

"Alan what is this?" he asked picking up the photo and inspecting it with irritation. Alan froze up and he just stared at the photo. "Alan, I'm asking you a question. What is this doing here?"

"I took it when we were in Vegas," he admitted finally looking down in shame. He was caught.

"And why do you have a photo of my naked sister? Why? Jess is my sister!" Doug heard himself shouting. "Alan this isn't right. This is my sister. My sister. I don't care if we are family – you and me – but Jess, no this isn't appropriate man."

"I think she's super-hot. Like hotter than anyone I know," he said looking down at his shoes.

"Alan," he warned with resentment. Why did he have to deal with every male he came across thinking his sister was very, very attractive. He knew that answer honestly. Their mother attracted males like the plague, and it was destined that her daughter would too. Their father had been the fifth man their mother had been with when Doug was born. Despite Doug and Jess being so far apart in age, they shared the same father. It was rather remarkable considering there had been eight more men between their births. To say that their mother slept around wouldn't be far from the truth.

"I'm sorry Doug. I fudged up. I get that she's your sister, but she is legal."

"Why does that matter to you?" he demanded crumbing the photo in his hand watching Alan try to justify him having a nude photo of his sister. His blood was boiling. "What the hell is wrong with my friends?!"

"Stu and Phil feel the same way. I know it—" stated Alan clearly.

"Stu is her boss— that's against moral and business ethical practice," detailed Doug rubbing his temple.

"Phil was her teacher and they did it in Vegas. Do you really think she is so innocent?" asked Alan seriously. "Nearly 16% of students in high schools are having an illegal student-teacher relationship which is mostly male teachers with female students. Teaching unions report that incidents are actually very rare but they pop up from time to time."

Doug looked at Alan with the photo raised in his hand. "This is about you and this photo! This is not right Alan," and with that he walked out of Alan's room, the photo in his hand. His fingers clenched around it. Taking a match from the kitchen he set the thing on fire and watched it burn on the back patio.

"Fuck you Alan," he muttered watching every bit of his sister's body burn from the photo. "Stu was right."

*dot*

Phil returned Jess and Jack at home and remained for dinner. Jess busied herself whipping up a quick chicken carbonara and set out a cup of water for Jack. The boy was running around the living room as Phil chased him but soon the small toddler's laughter filled the apartment making him fall on top of the older man's legs.

Chuckling at the sights and sounds, Jess set the plates and called for them to come to the table. Eating quietly, Phil remained mum about conversation of Jason and asked to stay and help Jack with bath time. Agreeing, they went to start it and undressed the young boy. Their steps echoed in the hallway, as Jess put the Mickey Mouse hooded towel on the back of the toilet.

"MICKEY!" smiled Jack trying to pull it into his bath water.

"No, no! We need it to get you dry later!" laughed Phil holding the boy still so Jess could get the shampoo. Lathering the small amount into her hands, she worked quickly as Jack flailed around in Phil's hands. He was quite slippery being so wet, he dropped into the water a few times out of grip. Sitting him up right, Jess took the cup and poured water over his head gently to remove the shampoo and Phil took over washing his body. Thankfully he stood up and did so nicely without wiggling too much. Jack did laugh as his feet out washed. It made Phil laugh as Jess would do the same.

Washing him together, as well dealing with the fit the boy had involving washing his hair, he was snuggled in his pajamas, the small tiger tucked in his arms. He slowly dozed off as Phil read him in the oversized chair in the room.

The sight of the boy reminded him of his son, and how he would fall asleep on his years ago. Deep down, Phil refused to believe that Jack wasn't his because something always felt off about the results, and he knew in his heart that the boy was his. Noticing the small frown, he remembered it was an action that others told him he did when sleeping. Pushing it aside, he stood up quietly and laid the toddler in his crib after kissing his hand and patting Jack's cheek.

"Goodnight, buddy," he whispered before leaving the door cracked to listen if anything happened. Glancing at the clock, he saw it read nine-thirty. Jess was sitting on the sofa reading a book as he walked back in. Reaching for his hands, she pulled herself into his arms giving him a big hug.

"Thanks for hanging out with me today!" she smirked. "I didn't think we would see Alan but that was sorta okay in the end.

"I enjoyed our day too," he smiled quietly, cupping her cheek and slowly pulling her close. Her arms wrapped themselves around his torso and he savored the warmth from her. "I better be going."

Kissing her again, he could tell that she didn't want him to leave as her tongue teased him, but he ignored the feeling, stopping his desire from running away with her intentions. He knew in his heart, he had to stop because this was that boy's apartment and not his. Thinking back to her texts, he remembered that he had to play it calm or risk pissing her off about something that would take care of itself in time.

"You don't have to leave. He won't be back till tomorrow afternoon."

"Yes, but I'm not sleeping on that bed. Sorta fucked up," commented Phil pointing at the main bedroom that Jess shared with Jason. "Besides where would I sleep, if I stayed."

Jess raised an eyebrow at him. "You can sleep with me on the sofa."

"Are you excited for Stu's wedding?" she asked quietly pulling him from his thoughts.

"Fuck no," he answered staring at her without remorse. He crossed his arms and tried to ask her thoughts.

"I'm happy for Stu. He, of anyone, deserved happiness," she answered.

Letting his guard down, he accepted her offer and withdrew his top and tossed it on top of his shoes near the end table. Taking his belt and rolling it into one of the shoes, he walked around in his slacks remembering the conversation he shared with Doug earlier.

The man had been livid about catching them together like that. Catching them fucking would have been worse but thankfully it was just making out in the car. Sitting down, he waited as Jess got a spare blanket and pillow for him to sleep. Putting them aside he patted beside him, and they turned on the television finding something to watch. Jess took to laying on his lap as they laughed at the sitcom on, sometimes he twirled her hair between his fingers as she drifted to sleep.

As he often would do, he eased the woman from his lap and stood up to observe the items around the apartment. He noticed the lack of photos but took notice of the large one in living room near the television. It was of Jason and Jess, with Jack as a newborn wearing a mustard yellow onesie, a large sunflower behind him. He was told it was done in a studio about a year ago in Kansas City, at Jess's insistence. The boy looked so conflicted as all newborns do but the forced smile on Jason's face concerned him.

He walked over to the balcony seeing the lively activity of people below on the street. They lived in a busy neighborhood, one that would annoy him a lot if he was forced here. The last two years had changed them forever and it still felt paused. Now the twenty-year-old woman was snoozing lightly on a sofa bought by a man who held his own secrets about his past, and she was fighting the handle the life she was living against the future she had planned. She had matured in the last two years, but the child she acted like at times, conflicted Phil. He never thought he would, or could, lose her to someone like Jason.

Turning, he thought she called his name, but the woman was still. Before he knew it, he grabbed his shirt and wallet. Whispering he needed to get a late-night snack, Jess pointed at her keys and said blue. Taking them, he noted the blue colored key and tested it against the front door. Locking the door, he left and went to grab some fast food. He could remember all the times, she said Jason was out for business, or how he would be gone for long periods of time. It was any wonder the boy wanted to have Jess in his life.

Waiting patiently behind the Mazda in the drive through at McDonalds, he ordered a hamburger and coke. He passed his credit card and smiled at the young girl standing there. Taking his food, he returned to Jess and sat in the parking spot eating his food. He pushed back his emotions that made him want to leave for home. He knew that wouldn't be able to leave anywhere because he had her keys. Picking them up, he saw she carried around 3 house keys. One for this place with Jason, Doug's house, and the spare for his apartment.

Exhaling deeply, he gathered his trash and threw it in the large dumpster before walking back up. Unlocking the door, he quietly turned the lock back in place seeing Jess was still asleep on the sofa.

"Phil?" he heard as he touched her shoulder. She was talking in her sleep but appeared otherwise well. Picking her up, he pushed open the bedroom door to Jason's room, pulling the blanket up and laying her down. She adjusted against the mattress and turned her head over against the pillow. Here, Phil spotted a small black safe nestled against the wall under the window. Frowning at it, he felt strangely about the safe. He wished in that moment to crack up, but admitted he knew nothing about doing that. After covering her up with the blanket, he returned to the living room and settled on the sofa pushing all thought of sleeping in another man's apartment from his mind.

The next morning, he woke up to Jack hitting his back and legs with a toy. He was extremely sore and thankfully he hadn't had to be at work that week. Sitting up, he pushed his hair back and went to relieve himself. Taking in his surroundings, he growled against the misgives of staying. He should have fought Jess on the matter, but he enjoyed spending the time with her. Flushing the toilet, he washed his hands and went to find Jess in the kitchen scrambling eggs for them. Toast was in the toaster nearly done and inside a small bowl was fruit. Jack had run off to his room playing with several toys.

Before he could stop himself, he had stepped fully the kitchen island as his hands reached up, cupping her reddened cheeks. His shaking lips lightly kissed her, demanding for more but staying still, too afraid to move. He waited to let her response. It was the surprise more than anything that stalled Jess. Patiently though he grew tired, so he wrapped his arms around her frame pulling her body into his. After a moment, her arms rose, and hands gently grasped his board shoulders as finally Jess responded.

A smirk played across his face as he kissed every inch of her mouth before grasping more of her body and ruffling her hair. He grasped her around the bottom and inched her toward the island's counter.

"I need you Jess," he muttered against her neck. "Please," he begged pulling up her shirt.

"Phil," she said quietly. "Just kiss me!"

Phil obligated as she wanted to response in equal passion. It was his assertiveness that demanded obedience from her. While he brushed up her shirt slowly up her body, Phil's lingered before slipping his thin finger under her lacy bra and pinching the buds tenderly. He smirked against her cheek before he grasped her breast fully and could feel himself growing with excitement. Jess arched backwards as Phil kept her upper body from falling.

Neither spoke during their exhilarating session. As Jess sat fully on the counter fully, her chest rising and lowering with every breathe that he had taken from her. He reached for her face and cupped her cheeks once more but giving her a full kiss, his tongue needing entrance to her mouth. Within moments, Phil stopped observing her.

"Phil," Her voice called out in barely a whisper.

She saw what she had caused to happen to his body. She also knew that it was their actions that lead to times like this, each more passionate as they came to the present. Looking away, she pushed her hair out of her eyes and stepped down from the counter. While Phil was trying to regain his composure, Jess simply turned to walk out of the room.

"Don't fuckin' walk away Jessica," he said loudly before her hands grabbed the bathroom's doorhandle. While it seemed that time had frozen for her, Phil had taken several steps in her directions before wrapping his arms around her frame feeling her shake at the touch.

"I can't afford to lose you. I need you," he whispered, lightly placing a kiss on her ear. "And you've needed me. Please, don't run away."

She turned once more before cradling his neck seeing the pleading man before her asking for permission that he shouldn't be granted.

"I can't do this. I'm sorry Phil. Not here."

Her retreating figure and difficult words made it very upsetting to shallow as he withdrew plates for them to eat. He made sure that their breakfast was finished, before leaving. Every heart ache, she had ever been through, she finally revealed the truth in them. For years, Phil believed that he had captured her heart. He wanted to think so desperately that Jason and Jess weren't going to last. Afterall, he had spent most of his adult life caring for her only to develop romantic feelings. He knew the damaging effects if they were found out before she finished school.

Now, she had fully finished and was walking away while growing up too. She was actually saying she 'couldn't do this anymore', but what Phil had failed to understand or realize was that he had caused the majority of the problem. Jess shouldn't have gone with them to Vegas. That night busted the door wide open that they tried so long and hard to keep shut. Now she was pressing it closed every time that Phil was near her.

Her voice always drew Phil out of his thoughts of their complicated past. It was a curse and a blessing at the same time. Ignoring the growing hunger that he felt in his heart, knowing she was across town, he turned his phone off after arriving home. Staring at the photos that lined his home, one photo stood up among the rest. It was one that not many knew about because it was taken in Europe after Jess's junior year. It was when they visited Greece, spending the better part of one day touring near the Parthenon. Jess was determined to see the structure for herself ever since they went over Ancient Rome and Greece in class. It was a favorite subject of hers and being his profession as an English teacher, it made it easier to explain things from a literacy standpoint. Her youthful face glowed in the bright sun as Phil remembered. Another traveler had offered to take the photo of them, and Phil smiled remembering how easy it was to pose for the photo in question.

Jess had on a pair of olive-green shorts, a sheer lined paisley spaghetti strapped top, and brown anklet scandals as Phil wore a simple pair of khaki shorts with a light grey buttoned shirt. His arm was wrapped around her back with his hand resting on her shoulder. She was leaning into Phil, one leg brought up in a cute pose so the tote she was carrying didn't fall off her shoulder. While his other hand resting on his side, Jess's hands were hugging him around the middle. To the onlooker, you would believe they were father and daughter on summer vacation. But it was farthest from the truth. He smiled remembering that trip and how close they came to committing their sinful act. Jess swore then that she loved him until the end of days, and Phil being the foolish man he was, believed the words of a teenager.

Phil kept the photo in two forms, one in the larger frame in the hall, and another in his wallet. It reminded him how he exactly felt towards her shortly after. The realization on top the ancient structure made him appreciate those feelings. He had felt for the longest time as she was growing up that he would be the one to care for her and their future family. The thought that they would one day do those things made him happiest. Traveling the world and exploring it together had been a dream of his. To be able to sit in years' time in the living room drinking coffee, reminiscing their life was something he was looking forward to. Only now, that fucking boy Jason was quickly and forcefully taking it all away.

Finishing up his own breakfast he threw away the bits he didn't like and hurried himself to bed, taking a well-deserved nap before having to pack for the long coming trip to Thailand. Thursday would be here before he knew it and he was determined to let the water lap at his feet until he had to swim to either swim or sink in the battle for Jess.