Before I start:This is my first ever fanfic (warm toasty feeling inside,) and I
have no idea how long the series will last.  If I mess up on details about
Maine, Palm Key or the Quests themselves, or if I unwittingly rip someone off,
giz a heads up and I'll change it.  I'm British, which means British spellings
for the most part.

Disclaimer: HB owns the JQ lot, not me.   I'm making no money off this, so don't
sue me, unless you have another good reason.  It's created out of (a lot) of
love and respect for the series.  That about covers everything. :)

Archivers: Suze can have it, of course.  Everyone else ask and it's yours.

Categories: Angst, mature language, violence, J-J HR.  If it's not in the series
now, it will be eventually.

Summary: I was going to keep this light hearted.  Whoops...

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"Jonny?"

Jonny turned and grinned when he saw the familiar green eyes.

"What's up?"

"That's exactely what I was about to ask you."

Jonny grimaced.

"Jess, it's way too early in the morning to start mind games.  What the heck are
you talking about?"

Jessie shook her head.

"You know exactely what I'm talking about, Quest.  You've been moping around
here like someone just died."

Jonny's face fell for a moment, and he tried unsuccesfully to pull off his
trademark lopsided grin.  Jess caught it.

"Jesus Jon, I had no idea.  Sorry..."

"Don't worry about it."

They stood there for a few awkward moments.  The tension was getting to Jess,
who wasn't buying Jonny's carefree facade.

"Who...?"

"Don't.  I...don't want to talk about it right now.  By tomorrow I'll be my
usual psychotic self."  He smiled slightly.

Jonny turned and walked away.  Jessie did the same, brow furrowed in thought.
*Well, dad's fine, Hadji and Dr. Quest haven't had an assassination attempt on
them for several weeks, and I'd have heard if his Grandpa Doug had died...so
who?*

She thought about his expression for a moment, when she had blundered onto the
problem.  Those deep blue eyes tensing in pain...The thought that *she* had
caused it made it unbearable.  If Jonny wasn't going to talk about it, then
she'd have to force it out of someone else.

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"Hey Hadj!"

Hadji tensed for a moment.  He had heard her use that tone of voice before.

"Jessie..."

"What?"  She asked brightly, a sweet smile on her lips.  Hadji cringed.

"If I have done something to offend you..."

*Damn.*  She had used this trick one too many times.

"Ah, screw it.  Hadji, what's eating up Jonny?"

Hadji nodded.

"You've noticed?" He asked, his usual calm voice replaced with deep sadness.

"Hadji, of course I've noticed.  He's been sulking for the past week.
Jesus..."  She paced up and down the room.  "He's been acting so moody lately,
not angry, just...sad.  And I kinda miss his awful jokes."

Hadji smiled, in an odd "I know something you don't know" kind of way.  Then his
face turned grim.  "I have no idea."

"WHAT?"  Jessie exploded.  "What the Hell was that grin about?  You tugged me
along like that and you don't even know?"

"No, but I have noticed Dr. Quest has been acting exactely the same.
Something very bad has happened, and neither of them will talk about it."
He sighed.  "Sometimes they're *too* alike..."

"Well, whatever it is, I'm going to take his mind off it.  Wanna come?"

Hadji thought for a moment.

"Where are we going?"

"Jonny loves snowmobiles.  If we can get him on one, I'm sure it'll help, if
even for a couple of minutes."

"Of course."

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Jonny tried again.

"Hadji, seriously, I'm alright."

"My friend, this has nothing to do with how you feel. "  Hadji winced
perceptibly at his lie.  "Jessie believes she can beat you hands down on a lap
around the compund.  I agree."

Jonny riled immediately at this.  "Oh yeah?"  He stomped up to the compound's
garage.

Hadji smiled.  Sometimes, this was just *too* easy.
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Comments?  Suggestions?  Flames?  High praise?  Send 'em all to
SchmittVanDean@hotmail.com
 

nb.  For those of you that are confused:  The story hasn't technically started
yet, and Part 1 starts seconds after the Prologue.  It'll pick up soon enough,
don't worry...

-Schmitt

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Don't delegate.  They'll only
do it wrong.-Ronan Candappa
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