Jessica sat in the living room of the plane and turned up the volume on the stereo that was in there. It was late, really late, and she couldn't sleep. Jessica layed down on the couch and tears formed in her eyes. The sounds of Bruce Springsteen's 'Secret Garden' filled her body and she closed her eyes. She couldn't keep up the act forever.
Nick couldn't sleep either. He was heading to the refrigerator to get something to eat when he heard soft music coming from the living room. He listened carefully and recognized the song as 'Secret Garden' by Bruce Springsteen. It was a beautiful song and he knew there could only be one person listening to it. Jessica loved it. It always had been one of her favorites.
...she'll let you deep inside, but there's a secret garden she hides...
Nick found himself walking towards the room. The door was partially closed and he peered curiously in. Jessica was lying on the couch, facing the ceiling of the plane. Her dark, chocolatey brown hair hung loosely around her shoulders and she had an expression on her pretty face that broke Nick's heart. Her blue eyes were watery with fresh tears. Nick opened the door all the way and closed it behind him. He slowly walked into the room.
Jessica jumped at the presence of another person in the room and turned around quickly. When she saw Nick standing there, she froze. Clad in gray sweats and a black wife beater, he walked towards her. Jessica couldn't tear her eyes away from him. When Nick approached her he reached his hands out to her.
"May I have this dance?"he asked huskily and Jessica nodded her head, accepting the hands he was holding out to her. Jessica peered down as his larger hands closed around her smaller ones. His fingers linked with hers. Her eyes then met his and she seemed to be searching his soul, silently asking him why he was there. Tears filled her deep blue eyes once more.
...you've gone a million miles, how far'd you get, to that place where you can't remember, and you can forget...
"It's ok,"Nick whispered to her soothingly and wrapped his arms around her slim, curvy waist. Her thin arms snaked gingerly around his neck and they began to sway together in time to the music. Nick held her tightly as she silently cried. Jessica rested her head on his broad shoulder and he held her tighter.
"Don't cry,"he said softly as he felt her body tremble against him. When he had her in his arms like this it felt like old times. When they were together and so in love. Now things were just so damn complicated. Nick could kick himself still for cheating on her.
He ran his hands down the soft, feminine curves of her hips and waist, loving how she still felt perfect to him.
Jessica closed her eyes. She still felt the butterflies in her stomach she got whenever Nick touched her. She hated that she was so vulnerable when it came to him, but loved the way he made her feel inside.
...she'll lead you down a path, there'll be tenderness in the air, she'll let you come just far enough, so you know she's really there...
"Jess..."Nick began quietly.
"Yeah?"she choked out, meeting his eyes.
"I miss you,"he said.
Jessica bit her bottom lip as tears streamed down her face,"Me too Nick, me too."
"I need you,"he whispered honestly, dragging his finger over the tears on her soft skin, wiping them away.
Jessica looked away. Why was he telling her this now? When things were so complicated. When she knew people would get hurt.
"I know you need me too,"Nick said, carressing her face tenderly. Jessica closed her eyes under his carress. "When I saw you with AJ today it killed me. I need you so much. You're part of me Jessica. You always will be. And I'm part of you. You can't deny that. What we had was special. No matter how hard we try we can't try to change what's meant to be."
"I-I don't want to get hurt again,"Jessica spoke softly, shaking her head slowly as the tears rolled down her face. Nick kissed her forehead as the song ended and started all over again.
"You won't,"he said.
"But other people will,"she said, looking deep into his eyes.
Nick didn't speak, he just pulled her closer to him and she buried her face in his shoulder.
Jessica didn't want to let Nick in again but she had a feeling she already did.
"Tell me what's wrong,"Nick said stroking her hair.
"No,"Jessica said softly. "Just hold me please."
"Ok,"Nick replied and held her even tighter.
Jessica looked up at Nick's cherubic face. His short dark blond hair was soft from the shower he'd taken earlier, free of any gel or hairspray. His features expressed pure love and emotion. He raised a hand and stroked her smooth cheek. Jessica's eyes slowly closed, her hand reached up and joined his. Her body felt like it was on fire from his touch.
"Jess, do you love me?"Nick asked, running his thumb carefully and slowly over her full, cherry lips.
Of course she did. She'd always love him. But this wasn't right,"Nick this is wrong." Jessica looked away. Nick gently turned her head back towards him.
"Do you love me?"he repeated, his hand tracing a soft line down her body.
"We can't-"
"Do you still love me?"
"This isn't right Nick we're-"
"Do. You. Love. Me. It doesn't matter if it's right."
"Please don't make me answer Nick. I have AJ. I'm with him now. You have Mandy. She loves you."
"No she doesn't. I know what love is. Mandy doesn't love me. But I think you still do."
"AJ loves me Nick. I can't hurt him. I don't want to hurt him."
"What do you want Jessica?"
"It doesn't matter what I want,"Jessica choked, looking down sadly.
"Yeah it does. It's your life,"Nick leaned in and kissed the top of her ear. His tongue running along the side of her ear.
"No..."Jessica breathed and tried in vain to get him to stop.
"I still love you Jess. I never stopped loving you."
"Please don't Nick. Don't make things this hard,"Jessica insisted, pushing him lightly.
Nick took a hold of her arms and stared at her beautiful face,"I love you Jessica. I can't help it. You know I don't like this emotional shit but I can't help it. I still love you."
Jessica closed her eyes tightly,"Please don't Nick."
"No,"Nick said. "I'll ask again Jess...do you still love me?"
"I can't I-"
"Do you Jess?"
Jessica pulled away and stared at him, not speaking. She started crying again. Nick wiped away a fallen tear with the back of his hand. Then came her soft, barely audible whisper,"Yes."
The sides of Nick's mouth curved up in a small smile,"God Jess, I love you so much."
Jessica didn't return the smile, instead the tears flowed harder,"I can't be with you Nick. I told you that."
The smile on Nick's face faded just as quickly as it came,"But Jess-"
"No Nick. I told you already. I'm with AJ. You're with Mandy. End of conversation,"Jessica said sadly, and turned away from him and walked over to the couch where she sat down with her legs crossed indian style.
"Why are you so goddamn stubborn?!"Nick said almost angrily, his voice rising.
"Maybe you should just go back to bed Nick,"Jessica said quietly, looking down.
"You're involved in something you're not happy with and you're not doing shit about it!"Nick half-yelled, walking over to her.
"Please lower your voice Nick,"Jessica pleaded, looking up at his angry face.
"No I will not lower my goddamn voice!"
"Nick stop it. You're acting like a child."
"I'm not acting like a fucking child!"
"Oh no? And this hissy fit doesn't qualify as acting like a child??"Jessica asked, her voice raising an octive. She stood up, her arms crossed and the expression on her tear stained face told Nick that she was pissed off.
"You're so fucking comfusing, you know??"Nick said in frustration. "The one minute you're crying and confused. Now you're pissed and yelling at me. Make up you're damn mind already."
"You're an asshole Nick."
"At least I'm not confused and know what I want."
"You know what I'm done talking to you. Turn off the stereo when you leave. I'm going back to bed,"Jessica said glaring at him, wiping her eyes. She turned and starting walking towards the door when she felt Nick take a hold of her arm.
Jessica spun around quickly,"What do you-" She was cut off by his warm lips pressing on to hers passionately.
