Disclaimer: I do NOT own any of the "Quest team" or likeness' therein. I am
most certainly NOT making any money from this fan-fic.


The Real Adventures of Jonny Quest
	
	"Breathless"

by Angie V.

	Melissa wiped her sweat beaded forehead with the back of her hand, and
sighed. She tried to agree on what was worse, the heat or the humidity.
*The heat, definitely the heat*, Melissa told herself. Yet her surroundings
were breathtaking. The beautiful deep greens and bright reds, blues, and
purples. The canopy of trees blocked out the sky allowing only streams of
sunlight to pass through. While the echoing calls of countless birds and
animals filled her ears.
	"Let's take a break," Kyle suggested, his booming voice startled her. She
looked over at her partner, he towered over her, at least six feet tall
with blond, military cut, hair and bright blue eyes. Kyle was Melissa's
assigned partner for the search, they had all paired off for safety.
	Kyle found a soft, mossy, somewhat shaded spot and sat down with a heavy
sigh. He signaled her to come over, Melissa sat down next to him and
couldn't suppress a yawn. Melissa unclipped her canteen from her belt and
took a long drink of the cool water. After she had enough she clipped
it back on her hip.
	Kyle scanned the vast jungle, then he turned back to Melissa, "Do you
think that we will find Alice?"
	Melissa looked away from Kyle, facing the Jungle instead and touched her
chin thoughtfully. Their search team had been combing the Amazon for the
past two days and so far had not found any sign of Alice.
	The Amazon stretched for countless miles and they hadn't even covered a
fraction of it. A scared young woman was lost in the vastness. It was like
trying to find a needle in a barn full of hay with a time limit. It was, to
put it simply, impossible. Yet Melissa had signed up to join the search
knowing the odds, because there was a glimmer of hope that they would find
Alice safe and sound. It of course was a fantasy, but so far there was no
evidence to say otherwise. And as long as there was hope, she was going to
keep searching.
	Melissa turned back towards Kyle looking into his blue eyes, making sure
she had his undivided attention. "I believe that there is hope, Kyle, and
*that* is all I need to keep searching." Kyle smiled in admiration of her
determination and optimistic approach.
	"Then why are we sitting here? Let's get back to work." Kyle stood up and
offered Melissa a hand, she smiled and took his hand pulling herself up. 
	Kyle's smile faded, his eyes grew wide and a horrible gurgling sound
emerged from his throat.
	Concern washed over Melissa's face, "Kyle? Kyle what's wrong?" Melissa
asked frantically. Kyle fell to his knees before collapsing to the ground.
	Melissa stood shocked to see in the middle of Kyle's back, a knife. She
wanted to scream but her throat wouldn't allow it, tears streamed down her
face. She heard a twig snap behind her, Melissa's instincts told her to run
but she was frozen by fear. Melissa held her breath......................

**********************

"Twenty maybe thirty minutes..........They are on their way.........Yes? .......
Affirmative.....Over and out." Benton Quest switched off the radio, then he 
turned his chair to face three excited teenagers.
	Hadji, his adopted Indian son, wore a black tee-shirt tucked into dark
blue shorts. Next to Hadji stood Jessie, her long red hair draped over her
shoulders. She was wearing a white tee-shirt which simply said in bold,
black, block letters "Protect our oceans", underneath were two dolphins
wearing sun glasses. Her shirt stopped just above her short, light blue,
denim shorts. Jonny, his son, stood slightly in front of Jessie, his bright
blue eyes flashed with mischievous intent. He too wore a plain black
tee-shirt and dark blue, denim, shorts. "Time to go?" Jonny asked, Benton
simply nodded.
	"YES!!" The three exclaimed in unison, high five's were exchanged before
the three rushed for the exit.
	Race blocked their escape, "Hold it!" He commanded.
	The three stopped and stood at rigid attention. "Oh, no, here it comes."
Jonny whispered to Jessie, she stifled a giggle.
	"Stay in a group, do not split up. comprenday?" Race demanded making sure
he had their full and absolute attention.
	"Yes sir!" The three chimed in unison.
	"Remember this is very delicate equipment and we need it back in one
piece, so take it slow, are you listening Jonny?" Benton chipped in.
	"Don't worry so much pop." Jonny reassured, " So can we go now?"
	Benton and Race exchanged quick worried glances before Benton answered,
"yes you may leave now."
	As they headed out Race placed a gentle hand on Jessie's shoulder to get
her attention. "Poncheta, promise me you will be careful." Race looked into
Jessie's eyes.
	"I promise daddy," Jessie gave him a quick hug before running after the
boys.

	Jessie pulled on her helmet, "Jess, I'll race ya!" Jonny dared her over
the helmet's built in comlink.
	Jessie smiled to herself, "Your on!"
	"You may count me in also." Hadji said to their surprise.
	"What?!" Jonny and Jessie exclaimed.
	"As the saying goes: If you cannot beat them, then become one with them."
Hadji recited.
	Jessie giggled, even Hadji was excited.

*************
	Race watched them disappear into the jungle. Benton stood behind him.
"Don't worry Race, she is in good hands."
	Race sighed, turned around and gave Benton a quick, forced, smile. "I
know."
************

	Jessie had forgotten about the race, and now trailed behind Hadji and
Jonny. The Amazon was to enchanting to ignore, she slowed even more
studying the various plant and animal life. She longed to stop her
motorcycle and explore on foot. She tore her eyes from her wondrous
surroundings and looked ahead. Jonny and Hadji were out of sight, *better
speed up*. Jessie switched gears and pulled back on the gas.
	BLAM!!
	The handle bars started to wobble and her bike was out of control heading
off the trail and straight for a tree. Jessie jumped free of the
motorcycle. a split-second later her motorcycle crashed into the tree as
she rolled away.
	Dizzy, Jessie sat up trying to calm her nerves. She removed her helmet to
get some oxygen. Soon the dizziness passed and Jessie stood up to examine
what was left of her bike. The motorcycle was beyond repair, the smell of
leaking gas made her head spin. Jessie studied the wreckage carefully,
something caught her eye. Bending down she pulled a primitive knife out of
the shredded front tire. The knife's sharp blade flashed in the sunlight.
	Jessie glanced around alert and afraid, someone was out there watching
her. She inched slowly towards her helmet so she could contact Jonny and
Hadji. A faint rustle, and Jessie knew it was over. something slammed into
the back of her neck and an explosion of bright light flashed before her
eyes. Jessie sprawled forward dropping the knife, she hit the ground hard.
She fought for consciousness but the blackness called to her, Jessie could
fight no longer.
***********

	Jonny glanced back disgusted to see Hadji right on his tail. Then his eyes
widened, Jessie was missing. "Jessie?" Jonny asked over his helmet com,
"Jess can you hear me?" No answer. Jonny whipped his bike around and headed
back down the trail.
	Jonny raced past Hadji going the opposite direction, "Jonny what is
wrong?" He asked, "why have you turned around?"
	"Jessie is missing." Jonny replied over the helmet com.
	It took a moment to sink in, "Oh dear." Hadji said to himself, before
turning his motorcycle around.

	Jonny spotted the wreckage of Jessie's bike, his stomach twisted. "No," he
whispered desperately under his breath. He stopped his motorcycle and
jumped off. He could smell the gas fumes leaking out of the crunched bike.
There was no sign of blood, or Jessie. *She must be okay* Jonny told
himself.
	Hadji approached from behind holding out Jessie's helmet. " She must have
removed it after the crash," Hadji observed hopeful.
	Something flashed in the sun catching Jonny's eye. He reached down and
picked up a small sharp knife made out of stone. He turned around and
showed it to Hadji, "Jessie was kidnapped."

***********
Jessie groaned and slowly opened her eyes. Dark brown eyes stared back into
hers, she couldn't focus. "Hadji?"
	Calli looked back at her confused, Jessie closed her eyes, her ears were
still ringing. She reopened her eyes and tried to focus. He had Hadji's
complexion, eye and hair color, but he was definitely not Hadji. Suddenly
Jessie remembered, she gasped and sat up quickly. Startled, Calli fell back
from his squatting position, landing hard on his rear. "Who are you?"
Jessie demanded, he didn't answer.
	Calli studied her bright mystical green eyes and long fire red hair. Then
his eyes lowered and he paid more attention to her delicate, slim, curved
body. Never before had he seen someone like her, so utterly beautiful.
	Jessie could feel his cold undressing eyes upon her, her cheeks flushed in
discomfort and anger. She pulled up her knees to her chest and hugged them
to hid her body from his cold dark eyes. Then Jessie stared back into his
eyes silently challenging him. Calli's eyes narrowed and flashed with
anger. For a moment Jessie thought that he was going to strike her but
instead he turned away and started sharpening a spear.
	Jessie looked down at her watch it was three O'clock so she hadn't been
out for too long, maybe twenty minutes. Jonny and Hadji should have noticed
her missing and gone back for help by now, or so she hoped. The Amazon was
so huge, so dense, the odds of her being found were to say the least, slim.
*Unless*, she looked back down at her watch and smiled to herself.

********
Jonny jumped off his motorcycle and ran into the cabin. "Dad! Race!" He
called to them as Hadji ran up beside him.
	Race appeared, "Jonny what's-" Race noticed that Jessie wasn't with them.
"Poncheta," he gasped barley more than a choked whisper. Race found his
voice, "Where is Jessie?" Now Benton had joined them.
	"She's been kidnapped." Jonny opened his hand showing  Race the knife, "I
found this."
	Race took the knife from Jonny and studied it for a moment before handing
it to Benton. "Find out what you can, "  he told Benton, "I'm going after
Jessie." He ran to the motorcycles, Jonny following.

	They reached Jessie's bike within fifteen minutes, Jonny thought more than
once that Race was going to kill himself driving so fast. Race was already
checking out Jessie's bike when Jonny approached. "Damn it! I thought I
told you kids to be careful." He scolded, Jonny bowed his head staring at
the ground. Race took a deep breath trying to calm his anger. "I'm sorry,
it wasn't your fault Jonny." Race apologized for his outburst.
	Jonny looked up, "No, your right I should have been more careful, Jessie
depended on me. I let her down." Jonny turned away staring into the jungle.
Race didn't know what to say, an uneasy silence filled Jonny's ears.
BEEP,BEEP,BEEP.................
	Jonny looked down at his watch confused, and then it dawned on him.
"Jessie, it's Jessie!" He turned around facing Race.
	"What?!" Race was utterly confused.
	"Remember the watches they gave us as a safety precaution in case one of
us got lost."
	"You mean-" Race started but Jonny cut him off.
	"Yes, Jessie has activated hers. "Jonny showed Race his watch, and on the
digital screen it read "North."
	Jonny hopped onto his bike ready to go after Jessie. "No Jonny, we have to
hike it. The bikes make to much noise, besides without a trail they will be
useless." Race reasoned, Jonny nodded in agreement and slid off the
motorcycle. Then he detached his supply pack from the rack on the bike.
Race and Jonny left the bikes behind and disappeared into the jungle.

*********
	Jessie's head was pounding and her vision blurred. She needed rest, but
instead she was being forced at spear point to trudge through the jungle.
Another dizzy spell overwhelmed her. Jessie tripped on a rock and fell to
the ground, she blacked out.
	When Jessie regained consciousness a moment later, Calli was prodding her
with his spear, commanding her to move. Jessie decided that she had, had
enough. She stood up, then she grabbed the spear and pulled it out of his
hands. she snapped it against her leg. Then, tossing the spear parts into
the bushes, Jessie ran. Calli stood there for a moment dumbfounded before
giving chase. Jessie ran fast, but he was faster. He pounced on her, his
weight slammed her body into the ground. He stood up pulling her with him,
then he backhanded her viciously across the face. Jessie's eyes filled with
tears of pain. Calli pointed forward and she turned with shoulders slumped
in defeat.
	Race's muscles tensed it took every ounce of his control to keep himself
from going down there and grinding the kids face into the ground. *Now is
not the time* Race told himself. Jonny was feeling much the same way. *Who
ever he is, he will pay dearly for harming Jessie* Jonny vowed silently.

**********
	The moon was full, casting a white Eire light over the jungle. Jonny and
Race were planning their rescue attempt. The young man and Jessie were
sleeping  in a near by cave. Jonny could see the outline of his body
blocking the entrance, and Jessie's escape. "Okay Jonny you will go in
first and get Jessie out of there. *I* will take care of the kid. Got it?"
	"Yeah," Jonny nodded his head.
	"Then go." Race told him, Jonny wasted no more words and slipped off
towards the cave.
	Approaching the entrance with careful, smooth, movements Jonny stepped
over the sleeping boy. He then preceded into the shallow cave, Jonny
spotted Jessie's sleeping form. He bent down on one knee, gently placing
his hand over her mouth. Her eyes opened wide and alert, he looked down at
her and signaled for silence. Jessie's expression instantly changed to joy 
and excitement. Jonny removed his hand and helped her up. Jessie and Jonny
embraced, "are you okay Jess?" Jonny whispered softly into her ear.
	"I am now" Jessie cooed softly, he blushed. "Jonny look out!" Jessie
warned, he turned blocking her with his body. Calli stood in front of Jonny
knife in hand about to strike. Race grabbed Calli's hand and twisted it
behind his body, then Race body-slammed him against the cave wall. Knocked
out, Calli's limp body collapsed on the ground.
	Jessie ran from behind Jonny and embraced her father, Race scooped Jessie
up in his arms raising her off the ground. "Poncheta!" Race exclaimed.
	After their joyful reunion they tried to agree on what to do next.
	"I have an idea." Jessie announced, removing her watch she slipped it into
an animal skin pouch that Calli wore over his shoulder.
	"Slammin Jess!" Jonny praised, "now when he returns to his tribe we can
track him down and find Alice and Melissa"
	Jessie's vision blurred as another dizzy spell hit, she leaned into Jonny.
Concerned Jonny steadied her, "what's wrong Jess?"
	"I just need some sleep that's all. "Jessie managed a weak smile to
support her theory. Race could tell that Jessie's condition was more serious than
she let on. "Come on kids time to head back."

********
	About twelve hours of sleep and a long, hot shower later, Jessie was
feeling much better, almost cheerful. Jessie approached the main cabin
wearing her trademark bright green tee-shirt and black pants. The
dizziness, and most of all the pain was gone. A fading black-and-blue
bruise remained on her cheek as a painful reminder of her ordeal. Jessie
touched her cheek remembering her brutal kidnapper, *what had he wanted?*
Jessie wondered. she decided not to dwell on it and instead focus on the
future events, like Melissa's rescue.
	The knife Jonny had found at the sight of her kidnapping was almost
identical to the one that killed Kyle Moody. The man had been with Melissa
at the time of her disappearance. Because of the evidence linking the two
kidnappings Melissa's father, David Collins, had flown in to join the
rescue attempt.
	Jonny and Hadji spotted Jessie first. "Hello Jessie," Hadji greeted her.
	"Hi Jess," Jonny added his own cheerful greeting.
	Jessie entered the cabin, it took a moment for her eyes to adjust to the
dim light. "Feeling better Poncheta?" Race asked.
	"Much better dad," she smiled.
	"Mr. Collins, this is Race's daughter, Jessie." Benton introduced Jessie.
	Mr. Collins offered his hand, Jessie took it, he smiled. "Your father has
told me of your adventure." His grip was strong, obviously a very active
man, for his apparent age.  He had graying, brown hair with almond colored
eyes to match. He wasn't very tall, approximately 5'9".
	He spotted the bruise on Jessie's cheek, and his eyes saddened. "Shall we
continue?" Benton broke in.
	"Yes, please do." Mr. Collins turned to face the screen, Jessie stood
between her father and Hadji. They all focused on the dark red blinking
spot. "He has not moved for many hours now, that must be where he is
holding Melissa and possibly Alice." Benton observed.
	"Or he is asleep," Race argued.
	"Either way we should be on out way, who knows how long it could take to
reach his position. And if he moves on we can still track him with one of
the watches." Benton contoured.
	"Time is of the essence." David added.
	"Fine, we leave now," Race gave in.
	"Are the kids coming along too?" David asked
	"Of course we are," Jonny answered quickly.
	Ignoring Jonny, Race answered, "Jonny and Hadji will be accompanying us,
but Jessie will stay to monitor the equipment." Race braced for Jessie's
inevitable argument.
	"Not fair dad!!" Jessie complained, "the equipment doesn't need
*monitoring*."
	Race placed his hands on Jessie's shoulders, and looked deeply into her
eyes. "Now Jessie I just want you to be safe, that's all." Race tried to
convince her.
	Jessie looked into his eyes desperately, "but wouldn't it be more
dangerous for me to stay here all alone?" Race was somewhat taken aback, he hadn't
thought of it that way before.
	"Jessie does present a most alarming argument." Hadji chipped in.
	Race gave him a stern look. "I can see that," he grumbled.
	"does that mean," Jessie asked hopeful, "I can come along? Remember what
you said before, 'safety in numbers'."
	"I hate it when your right." Race gave in.
	Jonny placed an arm over Jessie's shoulders, "don't worry Race I'll
protect her."
	Jessie quickly shrugged off his arm and turned to him. "Since when do *I*
need *your* protection? Especially when *your* the one who always needs
rescuing."
	"Since when?" Jonny protested.
	Race toned out their bickering and turned to Benton. "How does she do it?"
	"Do what?"
	"Manipulate me so well, I had a hundred different arguments in mind and
she still manages to find a loophole." Race exclaimed.
	"Having a teenager of my own I can only hypothesis that they have
supernatural powers." Benton said. Race gave him a quizzical look, Benton
smiled.
	Benton's smile quickly faded, "Jonny put her down this instant!"
	Jonny was holding Jessie upside down, "Yeah Jonny put me down." Jessie
croaked.
	"If you say so." Jonny let go and Jessie landed on the floor still upside
down.
	She jumped quickly to her feet, "That's it, now you die!!" Jonny ran
quickly for the door, Jessie close on his heels.
	"I don't think even supernatural powers can save Jonny now." Race said to
Benton with a lopsided grin.
	Soon Jessie's laughter drifts into the cabin along with Jonny's cries.
"OW.....Hey Jess.....Ooof.......That's NOT funny!"
**************
	It was late at night, and the moon light was dim making it impossible to
see clearly. Smoking, red coals gave the only hint of a village. They had
split off in search of the victims. Race with Collins, Hadji with Benton
and Jonny with Jessie. Race and Collins went for the huts towards the
center, while Benton, Hadji, Jonny, and Jessie searched the huts along the
perimeter.
	"Jess you take the one on the left, I'll take the one to the right. Okay?"
Jonny whispered instructions.
	"Got it," Jessie replied giving him a thumb's-up.
	"Good lets go." Jonny headed towards a hut thirty yards from the hut
Jessie was to search.
	Jessie approached the hut, carefully she peered into a small hole,
nothing. Fire wood was stacked in one corner and a small pile of red ashes
were in the center of the small hut.
	A hand covered Jessie's mouth as a strong arm encircled her waist. Calli
pulled her up close, Jessie could feel her heart pounding. Without a word
he quickly forced her towards the opening of the hut, then he pushed her
in. Jessie landed on her back, hard. Calli pinned her arms down with his
knees, pinning her body with his. His hand no longer over her mouth Jessie
screamed. "Jonny Help!"
	Calli quickly silenced her with a rough kiss on her mouth. Jessie tried to
move, to scream. but his strength was overpowering. Tears streamed down
Jessie's cheeks as he began to cut away at her shirt using a knife in his
free hand. Jessie was helpless with no hope of escape.
	Jonny had heard Jessie's desperate cry for help, and now he ran,
painfully slow it seemed, for the hut. He stood in the doorway shocked to
see Calli on top of Jessie, his mouth over hers. "Get off of her!" Jonny
demanded.
	Calli looked up in surprise and annoyance, spotting Jonny he raised his
knife. Jonny tackled him and they both rolled away from Jessie. Finally
they stopped with Calli on the top, and Jonny with his back against the
ground. Calli was pushing down on the knife that hovered inches above
Jonny's chest. Jonny gripped Calli's wrists pushing up. Calli's strength
was overpowering and slowly the knife neared Jonny's unprotected heart.
	Jessie grabbed a large piece of firewood and swung it mercilessly. The
wood caught Calli square in the jaw. Calli cried out before collapsing
unconscious on the ground next to Jonny. Jonny looked over at Calli's
crumpled body, "Slammin Jess!" He exclaimed turning back to face her.
	Jessie stood a few feet away with her back to Jonny. Dropping the chunk of
firewood Jessie sank to her knees.
	Jonny was instantly concerned, "are you okay Jess?" He asked softly, she
didn't answer. He stood up and walked over to Jessie placing a gentle hand
on her shoulder.
	Jessie tensed and she quickly shook off his hand. Standing now she turned
around to face him, her eyes meeting his for a brief moment, the intense
fear in her eyes made his blood run cold. She looked down at the ground and
wrapped her arms around hugging herself. Never before had she been so
vulnerable.
	Jonny had never seen her this way, the spirited, determined, stubborn,
Jessie had disappeared, leaving this fragile shell. In a way it frightened
him, and it enraged him that Calli had done this to her. Without a word
Jonny cautiously stepped forward and put his arms around her, he could
feel her body trembling, he held her tighter. Jessie rested her chin on his
shoulder tears streaming down her cheeks, she was in shock. "It's okay
Jess. He can't hurt you anymore, I won't let him." Jonny vowed softly into
her ear.
	Jessie returned the embrace and buried her face into his shoulder. Her
trembling stopped as slowly she recovered from the shock.
	shadows entered the hut circling Jonny and Jessie. Jonny noticed them
first, outlines of men, at least four of them.
	Jessie could feel Jonny's body tense. She raised her head to see outlines
of men holding unseen weapons, she slowly backed out of Jonny's embrace.
One of the men grunted and gestured with his spear. Jessie and Jonny asked
no questions and exited the hut.

	"Ooof!" Jonny exhaled slamming into the ground next to Jessie. "Jeez you
guys didn't need to push so hard!" He complained face down in the dirt.
Hadji helped him up, as Race helped Jessie.
	Jessie studied her new surroundings, now standing next to Race. *Dad,
Jonny, Hadji. Dr. Quest, Mr. Collins,* Jessie counted looking around, *up
to our necks in trouble, as usual,* she sighed. Men, to many to count,
surrounded the captives. Outside the circle Jessie could see three young
women huddled together.
	A faint outline staggering in the distance caught Jessie's attention. The
fire light lit up his face, Jessie gasped and stepped back, *oh, no, not
him, not again.*
	Jonny spotted Calli, his eyes narrowed as he stepped defensively in front
of Jessie, his muscles tensed ready to fight.
	Calli approached one of the men and they began to speak in an unknown
language.
	The man Calli had been speaking with stepped forward many extravagant
necklaces hung around his neck, and feathers of various birds were braided
in his black hair. His resemblance to her kidnapper made Jessie shudder.
	"You go free if girl stays." His English was bad and heavily accented, but
painfully understandable.
	"And if we don't?" Race asked defensively, half knowing the answer.
	"Then you all die, and we take girl." The man answered simply.
	"Why are you so intent on Jessie?" Benton questioned.
	"Calli, my son, has chosen her to be his mate."
	Race narrowed his eyes, "no deal."
	"Death, is a noble choice." Akuhan said sincerely.
	"No!" Jessie screamed stepping around Jonny. Jonny grabbed her hand
holding her back, she turned, pleading with her eyes, *I have to do this*
and pulled away. Race lunged after her but Hadji and Jonny held him back.
	Jessie neared Calli and he smiled triumphantly. She stopped in front of
him and to the side, then she turned around to face her friends and family.
Calli crept up behind her, he slipped an arm around her waist pulling her
close, very close. "Now you are mine." he hissed into her ear. Jessie
shuddered.
	"Are we free to go now?!" Race growled fiercely.
	"In a moment, first I need to know you will not return." Akuhan gestured
to one of the men who stepped forward and thrust his spear into Benton.
	"Aghhhh!!" Benton screamed in pain.
	"Dad!" Jonny screamed rushing to his side.
	Akuhan spoke to Race, " your friend will not survive long out here, take
him, leave, go back, heal him." Akuhan turned to leave.
	Jonny looked up at Akuhan , tears welling up in his eyes. "Why are you
doing this? you...you savage!" Jonny choked out angrily.
	Akuhan froze and spun around on Jonny. "Savage!" he repeated, " you who
speak the Devil's tongue. The Devil's who took our women and killed our
men. We are not the savages."
	Hadji broke in, "but we did not commit these terrible deeds. Yet you
attack our friends, daughters, and fathers. Does this not make you as evil
as the 'Devils' you spoke of. Truly what you are doing is not honorable." 
	Akuhan seemed taken aback by Hadji's wise words. He had never thought
about it in that way before. Blinded by revenge, they had turned into the
monsters they feared and hated. Akuhan spoke his revelations to his tribe,
reluctantly they listened.
	Calli was shocked by his fathers decision. He was sympathizing with the
murderers. The ones who had taken his mother, sisters, and killed his
brother. Finally his father spoke to him in the Devil's tongue. "Release
the girl." Calli stared at him in disbelief, while Jessie struggled to get
free. "Now!" he demanded, reluctantly Calli complied to his fathers wishes
releasing Jessie, then he angrily stalked off into the darkness.
	Akuhan turned and spoke  in his native language to the men telling them to
release the three women. Melissa, now free, ran to her father.
	"Mel!" He exclaimed ecstatically, they embraced.
	Alice ran to Benton's side, having medical experience, the other young
woman following close behind. Alice began to issue orders for water and
various plaints, the other young woman relayed the orders in the native
language.
	Jonny stood with his head bowed hiding his worried tears, Jessie and Hadji
approached him. Jessie slipped her arm around his waist as Hadji put an arm
around his shoulders. Together the three watched silently from a 
distance as Dr. Quest fought for his life.

**************
	The darkness was lit up dimly by torches and flashlights. Race, Mr.
Collins and two of the tribe's men carried Benton's make-shift stretcher.
Alice walked alongside the stretcher monitoring Benton's condition. Akuhan
was leading the group with a few of his men clearing the trail back to the
Quest's camp, where a helicopter would be awaiting their arrival. Melissa
walked behind the stretcher with Kytha.
	Kytha, as Jessie had learned, meant 'Tiger Eyes'. Kytha possessed the most
intriguing yellow eyes Jessie had ever seen. Kytha had been attacked by a
tiger, the scars remained visible on her shoulders. During the attack she
had struck her head on a rock giving her amnesia. Mysteriously the tiger
left her alone and soon the tribe found and adopted her, she taught them
English, and they taught her their language. When the tribe was attacked
she managed to hide and was the only woman spared.
	Hadji, Jonny, and Jessie trailed the group, Jonny still walked with his
head bowed. Jessie took his hand in both of hers stopping him, he looked up
at her, his eyes red and puffy from his tears. "Don't worry Jonny he will
be all right, you'll see." Jessie commented sincerely, giving him a smile.
He nodded, then squeezed her hand *thank you*. They continued to walk after
the group.
	Bushes rustled silently behind them. Calli slowly crept up behind Jonny,
tapping him on the shoulder, surprised Jonny turned around. Calli pushed
him hard in the chest sending him sprawling into Hadji. A split second
later Calli hefted Jessie, screaming and kicking, over his shoulder before
disappearing into the night.
	Jonny struggled to get up off of Hadji, it took seemingly forever to get
back to his feet, before rushing off after Jessie's screams.
	Calli stopped, he could hear Jonny crashing through the bushes behind.
Jessie continued to kick and scream, he let her down holding tight to her
arms. "Let me go! Uug, let go-" Calli slammed Jessie into a tree, her body
fell crumpled to the ground, blood flowed from her temple.
	Jonny appeared out of the bushes facing Calli, he spotted Jessie's body.
"You killed her?!!" Jonny exclaimed outraged, tears fell from his sad blue
eyes.
	Calli smiled cruelly, pulling out his knife, he held it outstretched in
his right hand. Jonny wasted no time and using a round house kick Race had
taught him, he sent the knife flying from Calli's grip. Calli dove for the
knife that landed a few feet beyond. Jonny dove after him landing on top of
Calli. They wrestled in the underbrush, Calli on the bottom Jonny on top.
Finally Jonny had Calli's arms pinned to his sides, much the same way Calli
had pinned Jessie. Jonny reached over grasping the knife tightly in his
right hand. Calli's eyes revealed no fear, they remained cold and
unfeeling. Jonny narrowed his eyes raising the knife high, *for Jessie.*
	Jonny plunged the knife into the soft dirt next to Calli's ear. He stared
intently into Calli's dark eyes, for seemingly infinite amount of time,
unmoving. Bushes rustled , Akuhan came upon them, he spotted Jessie's body.
	Akuhan pulled Jonny off of his son, then spoke angrily in English to
Calli. "You have dishonored your father, leave now for I no longer have a
son." Calli got up quickly and disappeared, defeated, into the jungle.
	Jonny rushed to Jessie's body fearing the worst, blood now covered her
pale face. Jonny gently placed two trembling fingers on her neck, probing
for a pulse. His eyes brightened, her pulse was faint but she was alive,
wasting no time Jonny took her limp body into his arms and fled after the
others.

******************
	A heavy cloudy mist made the ground under her feet invisible. Jessie ran
hard and fast, her breathing was labored and her sides paralyzed her with
pain. She tripped and fell into the mist, landing in the soft dirt. *Must
get up* Jessie told herself, but her muscles wouldn't respond. Soon he was
upon her, his weight pressing her face into the mud. She could feel his
cold breath on her neck. "Your mine." His voice echoed loudly in her ear.
*NO!* Jessie tried to scream but her throat wouldn't allow it. His last
word echoed, "Mine...mine...mine."
	Jessie sat straight up in her bed, gasping for air, eyes wide with fear.
She looked around alert, and suddenly became aware of her surroundings,
letting loose a deep breath. *It's okay, I am home now he can't hurt me,*
she assured herself. She slipped out of bed, *I need some fresh air.*

	Jonny rolled in his bed for the twentieth time that night. He kicked at
the covers, accidentally kicking Bandit off the bed. Bandit hit the floor
with a soft thud and a whimper. Jonny smiled to himself as he got out of
bed and picked up the now growling dog. "Sorry Bandit," Jonny apologized
as he set Bandit back on the bed. Bandit licked his hand, apology
accepted.
	Jonny stretched and his stomach growled, *well since I'm up*. He headed
downstairs for a snack.
	Once in the kitchen Jonny could smell the cookies Mrs. Evans had baked for
his father and Jessie's homecoming. They both had to spend four days in the
hospitable because of their injuries. Jonny opened the refrigerator and
removed a half gallon of milk, after pouring himself a glass he placed it
back in the refrigerator. Closing the door with his foot, Jonny proceeded
to the sink where the cookie jar sat. Jonny froze, he rubbed his eyes to
make certain he wasn't seeing things. Jonny leaned over the sink staring
out the window at the image of a girl. The girl stood with her back to the
house, the wind played with her long hair pulling it back away from her
face. "Jessie?" Jonny spoke softly.
	Forgetting about the milk and cookies Jonny went and grabbed his coat,
then Jessie's, and exited the house to join her.
	Jessie heard the door open and shut, out of the corner of her eye she
could see Jonny approaching, she again directed her attention to the beauty
before her. They clear sky revealed bright stars and an immense moon. The moon
light glittered off the dark drifting waves. A mile off shore Jessie could
see the lights of a ship cruising by.
	Jonny placed her coat over her shoulders, she slipped her arms inside.
Jessie turned around and looked at Jonny, the gently silver highlights
from the moon accented the curves of her face. The blazing stars sparkled
in her majestic green eyes. "I never thanked you for saving my life."
Jessie spoke softly, seductively.
	Jonny swallowed hard, he gasped for a breath and tried to talk.
"Your....um...welcome." Jonny squeaked.
	Jessie smiled tenderly, she wrapped her arms around his neck. Timidly
Jonny placed his hands on her waist. He looked deeply into her eyes. *God
she's beautiful*, he thought and pulled her closer. Removing one hand from
her hip he gently brushed strands of hair off her tender cheek and behind
her ear. Jonny leaned closer.
	Jonny's clear blue eyes sparkled as he gently narrowed them focusing on
her only. Jessie leaned closer.

	Race entered the kitchen and absentmindedly pulled off the coffee pot,
empty. Race took it to the sink and began to fill it with water, he yawned.
Race froze dropping the coffee pot into the sink. He leaned forward looking
out the window at two ghostly forms standing close, very close. Race
recognized his daughter and Jonny, instantly he became very protective.

	Jonny focused on Jessie's soft red lips. "Are you two *nuts*?!" Race's
voice cut like a laser through the clear night. Jonny and Jessie instantly
detached themselves. "It's colder than Jeremiah Surd's black heart out
here, and you two are standing out there barefoot in your pajamas. Come in,
now, before you *both* end up in the hospital with pneumonia." Race
gestured them to hurry up.
	
	The three sat around the table in the kitchen. Jonny looked longingly at
Jessie. Race stared in disbelief at Jonny for looking at his daughter, in
that way, in front of him. Jessie glared at her father with a stern *DAD!!*
look.
	Race was outnumbered two to one, not that Jonny was paying any attention
to him. But Race was to tired to get into an argument with his daughter.
Jessie seemed to be thinking the same way and in a fierce low voice she
asked, "dad why are you up?"
	Race looked at his daughter and responded carefully, "I was going over
some things with Mr. Collins on the lap top." Race wanted to question
Jessie what in the world she and Jonny were doing, but that would lead to
the discussion he was trying to avoid. Instead he said, "Poncheta this is
your first night back from the hospital, so I want you to try and get some
sleep. Come I'll take you to your room."
	Jonny snapped to attention, "I can take her," he volunteered.
	Race was about to object but Jessie's face told him that if he wanted to
wake up tomorrow he had better keep quiet. Jonny pulled back her chair and
helped her up, Race stood too. Jessie approached her father, "good night
Poncheta," he kissed her gently on the forehead, "sweet dreams."
	Jessie's eyes flashed with fear, Race didn't notice but Jonny did.
"goodnight dad." Jessie hugged him before leaving the kitchen with Jonny.
	Once upstairs and in front of Jessie's door, Jonny softly spoke his
worries, "Jess what's wrong?"
	She looked into his eyes, nearly in tears, "every time I close my eyes I
see his face. He haunts me in my dreams."
	That look of intense fear Jonny had seen that night in the hut was back in
her eyes. A tear trickled down her soft cheek, Jonny placed a gentle hand
on her cheek smothering the tear. "Don't cry Jess, he can't hurt you
anymore."
	"Promise?" her voice was small and child like.
	"Cross my heart, hope to die, stick a needle in my eye." Jonny recited.
	Jessie giggled and her lips formed a soft smile, Jonny continued his voice
soft and smooth. "How about I give you someone else to dream about."
	Jessie gently chided him, "why you egotistical..."
	Jonny gave her a lopsided grin as he wrapped both arms around her waist
and pulled her close. Jessie wrapped her arms around his neck. She leaned
in close focusing on his lips. Slowly their lips interlocked in a sweet
kiss.
	"Ahem!" Race cleared his throat loudly. Jonny and Jessie ignored him for a
moment before they stopped and detached themselves. Jonny turned around
facing Race, "um...we were-"
	"Goodnight Jonny." Race interrupted him through clenched teeth.
	"Yes sir." Jonny entered his room quickly.
	"Dad-" Jessie started but Race hushed her with a motion of his hand.
	"Not now, we will discuss this tomorrow. Goodnight."
	"G'night." Jessie murmured entering her room.
	Race rolled his eyes and sighed, *Hormones*.

THE END