Jessica Madison Hendrix: Well hello Mr. Mayor, I'm glad to see you made it.
Dane Matthew Hart: Yeah I actually wanted to talk... you see this... with us meeting like this-- I don't think it's going to work out Jess.
Jessica Madison Hendrix: What? [She asked a bit shocked at what he said. She quickly closed her robe and tied the sash around it.] I thought you liked what we had going and as long as we were discreet, there wouldn't be any problems.
Dane Matthew Hart: Well there's been a change of plans. There's someone back in my life right now and I'd rather place a hold on things between us for now... and I don't know if you noticed but, I've become a bit of a womanizer as of late.
Jessica Madison Hendrix: But why do we have to stop? [She exhaled and felt like crying but held it in.] I mean what we're doing isn't hurting anyone and you said yourself that we're good together. I mean it's just sex, nothing more.
Dane Matthew Hart: Am I really that good to you? [He asked with a bit of a cocky grin on his face, yanking her closer to him] Well who would I be to deny you what you fiend for?
Jessica Madison Hendrix: You have no idea how good you are to me. [She smirked at him and placed her hands on his shoulders.] I mean it would be a shame for things to end between us when it's so damn good. You can't stand there and tell me that you don't enjoy the effect I have on you.
Dane Matthew Hart: [He grabbed at the straps of her nightgown before kissing her passionately on the lips] But I do enjoy it... very much Jess. I love that you take it any way that I give it to you without any complaints. Just thinking of you calling my name gets me going.
Jessica Madison Hendrix: Oh does it now? [She grinned at him and leaned in as she started to kiss his neck.] I'm sure that's not the only thing I do that gets you going. [She started to undo his shirt.] Seriously though there's no reason for us to stop what we're doing when we have such a good time doing it Dane.
Dane Matthew Hart: [He helped her get his shirt off faster, tossing it aside while he wasted no time in getting the nightgown off of her] You're right, there's no reason whatsoever, I want you now...
[The two of them didn't waste anytime in getting down to the business at hand. Their sexual encounter lasted for the next few hours and after it was over Dane got himself dressed and left the house. As soon as he was gone, Jess got out of the bed and put on a pair of pajama pants and a hooded sweatshirt. She began feeling the same sorts of feelings that she always felt after she and Dane slept together, alone and used. She missed Brian and wished that he would be able to get out of rehab soon. She needed him; not only was he her best friend but he was also her first love and just all around her knight in shining armour. There wasn't much that she wouldn't do for him and in the past had bailed him out of some sticky situatuons. She laid on her side on the queen-sized bed in her room and hugged her teddy bear to her chest.]
[That night she took a couple of her axiety pills and then went back to bed. She slept through the night and got up the next morning to get ready for work. She had plans to go and see Brian and Ethan at Morningside on her lunch break. Her lunch break came quicker than she expected and soon she found herself seated in Ethan's room. She was glad to be seeing Ethan because she needed some advice. She thought for a moment before speaking as she crossed one leg over the other.]
Jessica Madison Hendrix: I'm glad you were up for company because I need some advice and this is something I don't want to talk to Brian about and well since your my other guy best friend, I figured who would be better?
Ethan Zachariah Marshall: I'm a patient here, I don't think I'd be the best to give advice about anything, and you should agree. [He joked as he sat up on his bed] Not to mention the sedatives that have been injected into my veins makes my advice unreliable too.
Jessica Madison Hendrix: I'll take what I can get because the situation I'm dealing with is kind of a tricky one. [She bit on her lower lip.] I think I've gotten myself into something I may have trouble getting out of and all because I couldn't keep my hormones in check.
Ethan Zachariah Marshall: Hormones? Now you've got my attention. I don't know how exactly I could be of any help but I'll try, what's up?
Jessica Madison Hendrix: I've umm... [She looked down at her nails which had recently been manicured.] Been sleeping with the mayor. [She looked up at Ethan, embarassed.] I've been having an affair with my boss.
Ethan Zachariah Marshall: [He dry heaved a little at hearing what she just confessed] You're sleeping with that asshole? Why? You're wasting your time with that idiot and take my advice--LEAVE HIM.
Jessica Madison Hendrix: [She looked at him oddly, noticing his reaction.] I don't know why I started doing it. I guess maybe because I was lonely and he was genuinely interested in me. He's so powerful Ethan and part of me is afraid to end things because then I won't have his kind of protection anymore. As long as I'm valuable in any kind of way to him, I'm safe from whatever's out there if I'm not then I'm fair game.
Ethan Zachariah Marshall: Please, he wont have any time to invest in making you miserable he already has all of his time and devotion to making his daughter and I miserable. You've got nothing to worry about.
Jessica Madison Hendrix: Making you miserable? [She narrowed her eyebrows.] Wait, what is he doing to you and Jovie?
Ethan Zachariah Marshall: It's... it's nothing he just hates that we're together, and that's all I'm going to say about it. [It was obvious that he was in physical pain as he tried to scoot and get comfortable on the bed] I'll just say that I hope he has a heart attack soon.
Jessica Madison Hendrix: There's a whole lot you're not telling me. [She exhaled and sat up straight.] And why do you look like you're in so much pain? E you know you can tell me anything so out with it, what in the hell is going on?
Ethan Zachariah Marshall: Nothing, just stay out of it alright? Do yourself a favor and decide against being his toy any longer. I'm fine, don't worry about it, I just haven't gotten out of bed all day, that's all. Jessica Madison Hendrix: [She opted to back off and sighed.] I know you're right. I'll tell you the truth, after every single time I sleep with him, when I'm all alone I always feel so shitty. It's like I'm not being fair to myself.
Ethan Zachariah Marshall: Well stop doing this to yourself. I know that there's a guy out there that won't use you. You can do so much better Jess.
Jessica Madison Hendrix: [She managed a smile and nodded.] You're right and right after I see Brian, I am going to see Dane and tell him it's over. [She brushed a strand of blonde hair behind her ears.] Please don't say anything to him though about what I told you. It's not something I'm particularly proud of.
Ethan Zachariah Marshall: Believe me I'm not in his best friend's circle so saying anything to him isn't going to happen. Do the right thing.
[She nodded and spent a little bit longer visiting with him. When she left Ethan's room to go and see Brian she was informed that he was sleeping. So she left a note for the orderlies to give him and she headed back to the office with the intent of breaking things off with Dane. When she arrived back she realized that Dane was in his office and she knocked on the door and was told to come in. She shut the door behind her and offered her boss a tight smile.] Jessica Madison Hendrix: Dane we need to talk...
Dane Matthew Hart: Sure, I was hoping that I could talk to you as well, what is this about?
Jessica Madison Hendrix: About us actually. [She walked toward his desk and stood in front of it with her hands clasped in front of her.] I think what you suggested was right.
Dane Matthew Hart: Good, I was just about to enforce it as of today. I don't have any desire to really see you anymore. There are more important things going on in my life right about now.
Jessica Madison Hendrix: That actually works out quite nicely because I feel the same way. I did some soul-searching and talked to my friend Ethan; well he made me see that was I was doing with you wasn't healthy for me.
Dane Matthew Hart: Why are you talking to that low life? He should have no association with anyone who works with me directly. He's a no good drug addict that doesn't deserve the attention you give him.
Jessica Madison Hendrix: Excuse me? [She narrowed her eyes at him and shook her head.] You have no right to talk about Ethan that way. He is a good man despite what you think.
Dane Matthew Hart: He's a drug dealer, and he's in rehab, yes that is the portrait of the perfect man right there isn't it? You have no idea what you're talking about.
Jessica Madison Hendrix: No I don't think you have any idea what you're talking about. Ethan is a very good man and one of my best friends, I will not put up with people talking about him that way.
[She stormed out of Dane's office and sat down at her desk. It wasn't long after that Dane left to head to a meeting with the Newport Board of Trustees. He said nothing to Jessica when he left and she was greatful for that. She didn't really have anything that she wanted to say to him. If she hadn't of needed the job so bad she would have quitted after Dane made that first comment about Ethan. As she sat at her desk playing around on her computer she didn't realize that Victor Stark was standing there in front of it. He cleared his throat which got her attention. She looked up a bit embarassed.]
Victor Anthony Stark: Hello Miss Hendrix, you're looking lovely today as ever. Tell me is that boss of yours in or did I miss him?
Jessica Madison Hendrix: [She smiled and blushed a bit.] No he isn't Mr. Stark you just missed him. He had a meeting with Newport's Board of Trustees. If you want I can let him know that you stopped by.
Victor Anthony Stark: Actually Miss Hendrix how do you feel about Italian?
Jessica Madison Hendrix: [She smirked and leaned forward on her desk.] Mr. Stark are you asking me out on a date?
Victor Anthony Stark: Call me Victor and yes I believe I am. So what do you say, care to take off early and join me for a late lunch?
Jessica Madison Hendrix: As much as I would love to, I can't. I actually just got back from lunch about an hour ago.
Victor Anthony Stark: Come on now Jess you know technically I pay your boss' salary so that means I pay yours as well. As one of your bosses I demand... [He grinned at her.] Come have lunch with me.
Jessica Madison Hendrix: [She bit on her lower lip.] I don't know...
Victor Anthony Stark: If its Dane you're worried about I will take complete responsibility.
Jessica Madison Hendrix: [She thought for a moment and finally sighed with a smile on her face.] All right I suppose if you're that desperate for my company then it would be just plan mean of me to say no. [She started to close out of her computer.] Just give me a few moments to close up my desk.
Victor Anthony Stark: Of course while you do that I'll be outside on a business call. Just come get me when you're all done.
[She nodded and finished what she was doing. She left a note for her boss explaining where she was and who she was with. FInally when she was done she walked out to where Victor was. He was just finishing up a phone call as he looked at Jess with a smile on his face. The two of them headed out and got into the limo that was waiting.]