| He smiled a slimy evil smile as he saw that I noticed his arm. "Yeah for a stupid musician.." he lunged at me and I skipped out of his reach. I grabbed an exercise stick out of the corner. It must have been one of the other's props. He came at me again and I hit him on the back of the neck with it and watched him fall to the ground again. I looked up then to see Jake and Tay, heading my way, faces like stone. They were both pissed and that was an understatement. They stood behind me one on either side. "Jess, you ok?" Jake asked not taking his eyes from Eric's as he struggled to his feet. "Yeah.." I answered. Taylor took another step toward me and put his arm across my shoulder. He was angry enough to explode. "Taylor, this is Eric's NEW client. Liz Jackson." I said sweetly. He barely nodded in her direction. "Liz this is my FIANCEE..Taylor Hanson." I said equally as sweet. "And that is my BROTHER. Jake Lee." Jake nodded at her and looked back at Eric. I looked at Eric. "Like I said, I have things to do." Eric took a step toward me and Taylor stepped in front of me grabbing the metal stick out of my hand. He shoved Eric against the wall, bracing him against it by the throat using the stick to keep him there. "I believe my fiancee said she was busy. If you take another step toward her I will break your neck myself." he said through gritted teeth. I was shocked and scared. I looked at Jake and Jake took a step behind Tay. "My sister is busy, Eric. I suggest you let her be, or you will have more trouble than you bargained for." I looked at Taylor and put my hand on his shoulder. "C'mon, Tay. We need to go." I said quietly. Jake took his arm and we led him away, back toward the center of activity. "I knew he'd show up somewhere!" Taylor exploded. "I will kill him myself, Jake. Keep him away from Jessie or I will." "Tay, man. I will. Calm down. She's okay." He turned him by the shoulders to look at me. "I am okay, Tay. Really. I'm so glad you're here. I missed you." I said and threw my arms around his neck. He was shaking. I looked at Jake. "Tay? Where's everybody?" he asked and Taylor seemed to snap out of it. "They're in their seats already. I just wanted to come back here and give Jess a kiss for luck. Even though she won't need any." He smiled down at me then and I breathed a sigh of relief. I hugged him to me and kissed him thoroughly. "hey whatcha got on under that robe?" He asked wiggling his eyebrows. Jake rolled his eyes and groaned. I giggled. |
| "Hmmm..it's a surprise. Go sit and you'll see soon enough." I teased. He growled and pulled me to him, ,kissing me again. I had to laugh. "I missed you. Go sit now Tay. I have to fix my lipstick." "Okay, Jess. Kick ass baby." he smiled and strode away. Jake followed him and I watched as they held a rather heated discussion. Jake gripped Taylor's arm and they went seperate ways. Jake walked me back to the dressing room and waited while I fixed my makeup. He never left my side as we watched the first contestants take the stage. |
| TAYLOR: I was still shaking with anger as I returned to my seat. I wouldn't have even sat here except that Jake promised not to let Jess out of his sight for even a second. I was so close to killing that moron. Just the thought of him touching her, laying one finger on her made me want to rip him limb from limb. She didn't say anything about it but I know he grabbed her by the arm. I saw him. I saw him threaten her. I also saw her knee him in the stomach and knock him to the ground. Damn stubborn woman. But I was glad she could defend herself at least. I swore to Jake that I would kill Eric if I saw him within 50 feet of Jessie. I wasn't kidding. "Tay?" Zac called my name. "You look pissed. What's up?" he asked as I turned my head to look at him. "That fucking moron Eric is back there. He's got himself a new client. That's her." I said and pointed to her as she took the stage. "He didn't hurt, Jess, did he?" Zac looked ready to go running back there and rip his head off. "No. I took care of it. She did her part too." I grinned at Zac's expression. He was shaking his head and chuckling. "I know, that's what worries me.." I said. "Well, don't. Jake's with her now and she could take care of that assmunch if she needed to." He said and slapped my shoulder. "Yeah... but still." I said and had to laugh at my brother's inventiveness with the english language. I sat and watched as the others took their turns. They were pretty good, but I hadn't seen any with Jessie's fire. I'm sure I was predjudiced, though. |
| JESSIE: The way the toss worked out, I went last, with Watts going right before me. I was glad because going last meant I would have a better chance at a perfect score, the judges had already scored the others so to win they'd HAVE to give me a better one. But going last also made me unbelievably nervous. I must have been twitching, because Jake laid his hand on my shoulder. "Jess. Relax. You know this thing even in your sleep." he said. "I know, Jake. Just let me get out there with the music and I will be fine.." I told him. He patted my shoulder. "That's my girl." he grinned at me. "And now, from Indiana..Robin Watson..better known to us as WATTS.." I heard the announcer say. Her music started and she flew. Trust her to be original and ROCK. She was using The Offspring's COME OUT AND PLAY. Holy shit she was good. She was about an inch taller than me with long blond hair that she had in a tight french braid. Her costume was royal blue satin and she also wore fingerless gloves to match. She was all over that stage. She must have been taking a few dance classes because she really moved alot less stiffly than the last time I saw her compete. She would be tough to beat. The crowd was really into her routine too. I peeked around to see where Taylor was sitting but my eyes came to rest on Zac, who was watching Watts intently. Oh my god! I though to myself, he's a goner. I grinned and shook my head turning back to watch her finish. "Damn Jakey. She rocks.." I said. "Not as hard as you do.." he grinned. |