“Are you coming to Shane’s party tonight,” Talia asked as she primped in the mirror.

“I don’t know,” Jessica replied as she ran a hand through her crimson locks. The two ladies had just arrived back in North Carolina and made a beeline for the ladies room before meeting up with their ride.

“Oh come on, Jess,” Talia pouted. “It’s been ages since you’ve come home and even longer since we’ve all hung out. I know for a fact that Shane would love for you to come. Shannon hasn’t seen you in forever and…”

“I’m just not sure about seeing him,” Jessica sighed as she fixed her lip gloss and slipped it back into her make up bag. “It’s been two years since…”

Talia rolled her eyes and sighed. “You act like you’re the only person who’s ever had a bad break up. I’m sure Jeff’s over it by now. He’s in a different place in his life now, Jess. Just promise me you’ll think about it.”

Jessica nodded. “I will,” she replied softly. “We better go before Shannon decides to leave us here.”

“He better not,” Talia laughed. “I’ll kill the short shit.” Jessica laughed as they grabbed their things and exited the bathroom heading toward the cars.

“JESS,” Shannon exclaimed seeing the two women heading toward him. “YOU CAME!” He ran to them and enveloped Jessica in a big bear hug.

“Shannon! Put me down,” Jessica exclaimed as he twirled her around.

“Nice to see you too, Shan,” Talia sighed.

“Hey, Talia,” Shannon said placing Jessica back on her feet. “Man! It’s been forever since I saw you, Jess. You look great!”

“She should,” Talia said smiling. “Jessica here is being groomed to be TNA’s next Knockout champion.”

Shannon’s eyes grew wide. “You’re going to take on Kong?”

“Piece of cake,” Jessica scoffed. “She’s a big pussycat.”

“With a nasty temper and a taste for human flesh,” Shannon said taking both ladies’ bags.

“She’s not a zombie, Shan,” Talia chuckled.

“Says you,” Shannon replied tossing the bags in the trunk and opening up the car for the ladies. “Wait until Jeff sees you. He’s gonna piss his pants!”

“That may be a feat since Jess hasn’t made up her mind on whether she’s going to Shane’s party or not,” Talia said turning her gaze on her friend in the backseat.

“I said I’d think about it,” Jessica replied. “Can I get settled in at my place before I make a final decision?”

“Come on, Jess,” Shannon pouted at her. “You HAVE to come! It’s not a party without you there!”

“You’ve been doing all right without me for two years,” Jessica replied. “Talia’s shown me the pics.”

“T, she’s not listening to reason,” Shannon sighed.

“I know,” Talia replied. “She’s stubborn as a mule.”

“Sitting right here,” Jessica replied.

“If you’re worried about Jeff…he’s not mad about how things ended anymore,” Shannon replied. “He’s been focussing on work really. Too busy to dwell on the past.”

“I’ll think about it, guys,” Jessica replied.

Talia sighed loudly, sinking into her seat. Shannon shook his head and started the car, throwing it into gear and pulling out into traffic. “Just promise you’ll think about it carefully and do the opposite of what you’re thinking,” he said.

Jessica snickered. “You just don’t give up, do you?”

“Not usually,” Shannon replied smiling at her in the rearview mirror.

The rest of the ride was filled with Talia and Shannon talking about the party that night. It had become a yearly thing for the friends to all get together at Shane’s place and ring in the New Year. Jessica remembered parties from years past. Truth be told she missed them.

@@@

“Jeffro,” Matt called to his brother as he dropped the last of the booze in place for the party. “I just got off the phone with Shannon. You’ll never believe who’s in town.”

“Angelina Jolie,” Jeff replied with a smirk.

“No such luck, bro,” Matt chuckled. “I do think you could take Brad though.” Jeff chuckled. “Jessica’s back.”

Jeff stared at his big brother, stunned at the name he had just uttered. “She…she’s back?” Matt nodded, a smile playing at the corners of his mouth. “Is she coming to the party tonight?”

“Shannon said she’s iffy on it,” Matt replied. “You should go talk to her.”

Jeff shook his head. “Nah, the way things ended…she probably never wants to see me again.”

“Two years can do a lot to change a person,” Matt replied, placing a hand on Jeff’s shoulder and giving it a little squeeze. “Just look at how far you’ve come.”

Jeff nodded. “I know, but…”

“What’s the worst she could do,” Matt asked.

“Hate me,” Jeff sighed, raking a hand through his multicolored hair.

He shook his head and walked away, leaving Matt staring at his brother’s retreating form. He knew that Jeff needed time to think and left him alone. He needed to double check things for the party anyway.

@@@

Jessica sat in her living room, her mind flooded with memories. The last time she had seen Jeff they had fought. Tears stung her eyes as she remembered her final words to him.

“I won’t stick around and watch you kill yourself, Jeff,” she said, tears streaking down her cheeks. “I love you too much.” With that she walked out of his life.

Jeff sighed as he sat on Shane’s porch, his head resting against the handrail of the steps. Jessica’s words echoed in his mind as the memory of their final fight ran over and over. With a sad sigh he got up and headed toward his car. Matt was right. He needed to talk to her.

Jessica looked around her at all the pictures capturing memories of a past life. She sighed and grabbed some things, heading out the door to her car. She couldn’t be there right now. That much was clear.

Jeff arrived moments after Jessica’s car had turned the corner. He frowned seeing that her car wasn’t in the driveway. Parking his car he got out and headed up the porch, hoping that the missing car wasn’t a sign she wasn’t home. He rang the bell and waited. No one answered.

Jeff groaned and kicked the door lightly heading back to his car. He had no idea where to find Jessica. His only hope was that she would show up at the party that night. Dejectedly he started up his car and headed back to Shane’s place.

@@@

“I am SO happy you’re going to the party,” Talia said smiling as she did Jessica’s make up. “Jeff’s going to have a coronary when he sees you.”

“If he sees me,” Jessica sighed. Talia frowned at her words. “It’s been a long time, T.”

“Everything will be fine,” Talia replied smiling. “Now come on. Let’s go get drunk and ring in the damn new year.”

@@@

“And he hasn’t said a word since he got back,” Shane asked Matt. The two men were watching Jeff through the kitchen window as he sulked in the yard.

“Not a word,” Matt replied. “I don’t know if he spoke to Jess or not.”

“That’d be an awesome magic trick,” Shannon said joining the conversation. Shane and Matt arched brows at him. “Jess was over at Talia’s place getting ready for the party.”

Shane smiled. “I knew T would talk her into coming. That’s my girl!”

“Just be prepared for some fireworks,” Shannon said.

“I don’t think they’ll fight,” Matt replied. “I know Jeff doesn’t want to. I don’t know about Jess.”

It wasn’t long before party guests started to arrive. The music was blasting and the alcohol was flowing when Talia finally arrived with Jessica. Talia headed inside going to Shane and giving him a kiss.

“Jess,” Matt said smiling and pulling her into a hug. “How you doing, stranger?”

“Good,” Jessica replied, scanning the crowd.

“Jeff’s in the yard,” Matt whispered to her. “Go on. You guys need to talk.”

Jessica gave a little nod and headed out in the yard. She found Jeff sitting on the back porch, playing with a stick he had found on the ground. She stepped out onto the back porch, closing the door behind her. Hearing the squeak of the hinge, Jeff looked over his shoulder to see who had joined him.

“Jess,” he said dropping the stick and standing. “I didn’t expect to see you tonight.”

“I didn’t expect to see you either,” she replied softly. “I almost didn’t come.”

“I don’t blame you,” Jeff replied shoving his hands into his pockets. “You probably still hate me.” He met her gaze, searching her turquoise orbs.

“I never hated you, Jeff,” she replied. “I just couldn’t watch you destroy your life anymore. You needed help and you just couldn’t see that. I left because…I couldn’t deal with you when you were high.”

Jeff hung his head, ashamed that he had put her through such misery. “I’ve come a long way since then,” he said softly.

“I know,” she replied taking a step toward him. “You’ve also had a setback.”

“I’m human, Jess,” Jeff replied raising his gaze to meet hers once again. “It was a stupid mistake. One that I don’t ever plan to make again.”

“You better not,” Jessica said smiling. “I don’t want to have to read about Jeff Hardy’s fall from grace and having his precious title stripped from him.” Jeff opened his mouth to speak, but she cut him off. “Not to mention losing his job.”

“Are you done,” Jeff asked with a smirk.

“For now,” she replied chuckling. She was amazed at how easy it was to speak to him after so much time had passed between them. “Bet you didn’t think I was following your return to the WWE.”

Jeff chuckled and shook his head no. “Bet you’d be even more surprised to know I’ve been following your career too. I’m very impressed.”

By this time they had gravitated toward each other. “I’ve missed this,” she said softly. “I’ve missed being able to talk to you, Jeff.”

“Me too,” he replied reaching out and pulling her into a tight embrace. “I didn’t just lose a girlfriend when you walked out two years ago. I lost my best friend.” She buried her face in his chest, hot tears staining his jacket. “Jess, I’m so sorry for all the shit I put you through. It wasn’t fair.”

Inside the house the New Year’s countdown began. The two pulled apart, startled by the sudden noise. Jessica wiped the tears from her face. They glanced inside at their friends counting down to the new year.

“Should we go inside,” Jessica asked.

Jeff smiled shaking his head no. “Be my midnight kiss,” he asked as the crowd inside yelled one.

She smiled and nodded as he cupped her face and brought his lips to hers in a tender kiss. When they broke apart they could hear whooping and hollering coming from inside. Glancing at the kitchen window they could see Talia, Shane, Shannon and Matt with their faces practically pressed against the glass.

“Nosy bastards,” Jeff grumbled, but he was smiling. He flipped them off and led Jessica down the steps and into the yard. “Now, where were we?”

“Nice try, Hardy,” Jessica chuckled.

Jeff smiled. “New year, Jess,” he replied. “How about a new start?” He could see her hesitance and didn’t blame her one bit, though his heart broke a little. “Nevermind. It was silly of me to think that…”

His words were silenced by her lips crashing into his. His arms enveloped her and pulled her close to his body. When the kiss was broken they were both breathless.

“Does that mean yes,” he asked with a smile. She giggled and nodded placing another kiss on his lips.