Once Jessica was fully dressed in jeans and a black tank top, she wandered downstairs. The sound of music drew her into the recording studio. She stopped in the doorway and stared. AJ sat in a deep, black leather chair, a guitar in his hands. Almost right away, she recognized the hauntingly mournful wailing of "Stairway To Heaven". She sighed softly. She stared at him, enthralled at the intensity with which he played. Quietly, she walked into the room and sat down on the couch across from him. She watched silently as he played, her eyes never leaving his drawn, saddened, face.

AJ let out a pained sigh when he finished, causing Jessica's heart to lurch in pain for him. His eyes opened, and met hers. He stared into her eyes.

"Jessie..." he whispered, somewhat embarrased.

"Something wrong, Alex?" she asked softly, sitting down on the ottoman in front of him, taking hold of one of his hands. As she caressed it softly, she gazed questioningly into his brown eyes. He bit his lip and turned away, shaking his head. "Please, Alexander... I hate to see you hurting so... Please tell me what's wrong so I can help.." she whispered, still clinging onto his hand gently.

He turned his head around, "This doesn't concern you, Jessica, and you shouldn't be worried about it. It's none of your business. So leave me alone about it."

Hurt at the tone he used, she shrank away from him, backing into a corner.

"I...I'm... sorry..." she whimpered. He stood up to walk over to her, realizing the harshness of his words. As he got closer, she shrank even farther back into the corner. "Don't hit me," she said in a very small voice, staring fearfully into his glazed eyes.

AJ stopped mid-step at her plead. "Dear Jessie, I could never hurt you," he said, reaching out to her. "I am so sorry..." Jessica nodded softly, but continued to shrink away from his touch. Quickly she dodged out under his arm and ran to her bedroom, leaning against the closed door behind her, sobs shaking her whole body. Gradually, she began to slide down to the floor.

"Shit," AJ cursed as she ran off. He ran off behind her, but didn't manage to catch her before she slammed her door in his face. "Jessica, please, I am so sorry.. I never meant to hurt you, I am so sorry," he repeated.

"Go away AJ," she muttered. "Just go away."

"Don't do this, sweetie," he pleaded, a tear slipping down his face.

"Please, AJ," she said.

"I'm not leaving until I know you have forgiven me," he said stubbornly.

"I forgive you. There, happy?" she snapped, wiping tears off of her face.

"Jessica, why are you doing this to me? You know I love you," AJ murmured, leaning against the doorway. "I would never hurt someone I love so much."

"That's what he said too," Jessica whispered.

"Oh, God, Jessica, I thought you knew me!" he sighed. "If you really did know me, you would know that I could never hurt a living thing." Jessica just sighed in response. "Come on, girl, just open the door... At least let me show you how truly sorry I am..." AJ sighed as he got no response, and slid down onto the ground, leaning against the door, wiping a set of tears out of his eyes.

A few minutes later, Jessica began to slowly open the door. AJ jumped up at the creaking of the door.

"Oh, Jess.." he murmured. She fell into his arms.

"I'm so sorry AJ.. so sorry..." she murmured, "so, so sorry..."

"Shh, it's ok, love," he whispered, holding her tightly and rubbing her back. "I understand." Jessica nodded, laying her head on his shoulder.

"AJ?" a female voice asked. AJ turned around to gaze into the angry eyes of his girlfriend.

Part Six...