ZAC: I opened the door to Jess' car for Leigh as Tay pulled out of the driveway. I saw Dave stop him, and then jump in his car with that other guy, I could never remember his name, but he was alot better than that Keith asshole. Dave went out the gate ahead of Tay, as I got in the car on the driver's side. I started it and grinned at Leigh, making another ape face just to see her smile. "You are such a goober.." she shook her head and laughed. "I know. That's why you love me.." I said, matter-of-factly, then looked behind me and backed down the driveway. I waited for the two who watched Leigh to get in their cars and drive ahead of us to Leigh's apartment. We chatted lightly on the way there, neither one of sure what to think of the revelation about Jess' step-father that Tay had given us. I was shocked at how strong Jess actually was, and quick. I mean, I'd seen her beat that Eric bastard down, but until you've had her strength turned on YOU, you wouldn't realize it because she was so small. She didn't look that strong, unless she was working out, or pumping up for competition or a photo shoot. It made me wonder about Leigh, as she was built much the same way. But then Leigh hadn't ever had to fight to save her own life. That I knew of. "Zac?" Leigh called to me and poked me in the arm. "Hmm?" I murmured in reply, still lost in my own thoughts. "ZAC!" she smacked me in the arm and giggled. "Could you come back from your home planet please? I'm trying to talk to you.." "Sorry babe." I grinned over at her. "I was kinda feelin' bad for Jess. Even though she almost killed me."

"She wouldn't have killed you, Zac. She doesn't have it in her or Eric would already be dead. Broken yor arm, cause you scared the hell out of her, but not killed." she grinned back. "and yeah..it sucks. The one person in the universe that wouldn't kill a flea if she didn't have to, and she keeps having to keep herself from getting killed. And I bet Tay is killing himself, wondering if he should leave her home alone or not." "Yeah..probably." I agreed as I parked the car, and waited for the guys to give us the go ahead to get out of the car. They did and we went inside, after I told them to take off, because I'd probably stay here with Leigh anyway. She opened the door and switched on the lights, and I shut and locked it behind us. "Anyway.." Leigh continued, "You guys are gonna be gone a long time. Maybe I could offer to move in with Jess, that house is big..and it would give me time to decide whether or not to take a really great deal I was offered." "She could probably use the company, and it would make Tay feel better I'm sure.." I started and then the rest of her comment hit me like a ton of bricks. I stared at her for a minute. "What really great deal? What the hell are you talking about?" I asked. She stood with her hand on her hip and looking expectantly at me. "What?" I asked. "I was offered a TV slot... a workout show..for ESPN..starts shooting in three months.." she sighed. "In Hawaii." I felt like I'd been socked in the stomach.

ZAC: I stood there trying to catch my breath while Leigh just stood there staring at me. "In Hawaii.." I repeated, "in three months." I stared at her another minute. "Yeah.." she finally blurted out, and stood, waiting for my reaction. I sat down on the couch heavily and waited for her to say something else, anything, to get my brain to unfreeze and my heart to start beating again. "Zac..it's such a great offer.." she began, everything coming out in a rush, "everybody wants that spot. If I told you the name of the program, but I'm not supposed to, you would know exactly what I'm talking about. But it's always shot in Hawaii..they have a deal with the hotel resort they use...I'd be an idiot to turn it down. Even Jake said so, and I could actually stipulate that Jess gets to do guest spots with me in my contract..but I haven't told her yet, neither has Jake.." "But Hawaii, Leigh, it's so far away.." I said softly. "I know Zac, but I wouldn't have to be there year 'round..and you're gone so much anyway, and I still have a lot of thinking to do...but damn.. Body Shaping..." she murmured. "Holy shit, Leigh. They offered you THAT?" I asked, incredulous. Even non-hardcore exercisers knew that show. But Hawaii.. "Oh shit!" she muttered, "I wasn't supposed to tell anyone. Only Jake 'cause he manages me.." "WHY IN THE HELL ARE YOU JUST SAYING SOMETHING NOW!?!" I roared as I realized that she would probably take the deal and be gone as soon as our tour was over. She looked wide-eyed at me, and then anger came over her face and her cheeks flushed red as her chest heaved, in an effort to control herself.

"Because." she began quietly, "I only JUST found out about it and discussed it with Jake. Tay and Jess just got home and then that whole thing with Jess' dad..AND IF YOU WEREN'T ACTING LIKE SUCH A CHEAUVANISTIC JERK YOU'D REALIZE I AM TRYING TO TELL YOU FIRST!!!!!!" she roared back. "God Zac! What is really holding me here? There's no ring on my finger, not even anything more than just you telling me how much you love me...granted there's been alot going on in everyone's lives, but for pete's sake Zac, what do you expect me to do? Sit around here waiting like a fucking lap dog for you to come home? HUH? You know what? I love YOU, Zac. Not Zac the drummer from Hanson...if you lost your arms tomorrow and couldn't play anymore, I'd still love you. BUT I AM NOT SOME AWESTRUCK TEENIE WILLING TO WAIT AROUND UNTIL YOU HAVE TIME FOR ME!! I'm not one of your giggly, little groupies..I deserve a life too. I can't believe you and Tay were raised in the same family some days.." she muttered, kicking off her shoes and throwing her purse roughly into the bedroom. "What's that supposed to mean?" I asked, standing up. "IT MEANS...in case you haven't noticed...that he doesn't dictate what Jess does and doesn't do. He doesn't care as long as she's happy and doesn't do anything that would hurt herself or the baby, and he certainly doesn't expect her to sit around here and wait..doing nothing but counting the minutes till he gets back...and she's his WIFE.." she sighed loudly. I stood staring at her for another long minute, realizing that she said she was only thinking about it, but it was a done deal. She already had her mind made up and she didn't even know it yet. There was going to be nothing I could say or do to stop her from going. It was alot to take in, and my head was crowded with a million different thoughts, the main one being that when tour was over, she was leaving. "Zac?" she called to me as I just stood there staring at her. "It's not like you couldn't join ME for a while, same as you keep saying to me. You know..'oh fly out when Jess does..blahblah...' you could do the same thing.." she said.

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