AN: I've always loved the character, J.J. You only get about 2 minutes of her in the movies, but I've always thought that those 2 minutes said a whole lot about her and Xander's relationship. This series of stories documents the history of their friendship before the start of the movie (for the most part) This piece was inspired by the song "Take off Your Cool," by Outkast. Lyrics follow.

Disclaimer: I am only borrowing Xander, J.J. and other characters featured in "xXx." They are the property of Tristar and I don't own any of them and I'm not profiting from any of this - etc., etc., etc.

Take off Your Cool

You could hear them coming before you saw a thing: people laughing, and the sound of motors screaming down the deserted street. The culprits soon appeared, tires squealing as they pulled up to the nondescript building. Four of them rode in a faded blue Mustang. Another followed on a flashy motorcycle, driving right up the building's ramp, and almost to the door. He came to a smooth stop, jumping off the bike and pulling off his helmet.

"That was a hell of a test run, X!" the driver smiled, "you're gonna kick ass next week."

Xander smiled, rubbing a hand across the caramel skin of his bald head.

"Thanks, Tony. Couldn't do it without ya'."

The male bravado was soon broken by a feminine laugh. All attention was instantly riveted on the group's lone female. She jumped out of the car, grabbing a tightly packed parachute, brownskin and sparkling eyes highlighted by the blond bob she wore.

"Enough. Ya'll need to let the man get some rest or the real thing won't go nearly as smooth as the practice."

Various cries of "but, J!" were ignored as she ordered everyone home, thanking the men for the ride back to her car.

As the Mustang drove noisily off, she turned to look at her business partner. Then she walked over to the ramp and up it to speak to him.

"We're going inside."

Xander looked confused, apprehensive at her sudden shift of tone.

"But I thought I needed to rest –"

"You do, but not until we take a look at your side. I doubt you can patch yourself up with this one."

He shook his head in wonder at J.J.'s apparent omniscience. Putting up his hand to pacify her, he said,

"J, it's alright. I'm cool."

In response, she grinned that maternal grin, shaking her head. Her hair shook briefly as she looked up at him.

"Xander, you know better than to try that superhero mess with me. Now let's go."

At her order, the door to the apartment was unlocked. Xander gritted his teeth as he pulled down the grate and started the lift. His eyes darted to the side, stealing a glance at J.J. She crossed her arms, indicating that she'd seen how he was favoring his left side.

The elevator rose, stopping at the entrance to Xander's home. He bent to open the gate, but J.J. stepped forward.

"I've got it."

He didn't bother to put up a fight. He could feel the pain in his side pulsing with each heartbeat.

As they stepped inside, J.J. pulled down the gate, and then turned on the light. Before Xander could speak or react, she reached up, sliding his motocross jacket off of his shoulders. When she accidentally grazed his left side, his breath became a hiss of pain.

The young woman clicked her tongue knowingly, walking around to his front. Gingerly, she lifted his shirt, grimacing at the purple bruise the parachute harness had left on his hip. The discoloration spread from his hip up his side, stopping just under his arm.

"Kitchen," J.J. ordered, pointed him in the direction of the bar stools by the counter.

Xander obeyed, taking a seat as J.J. went to the freezer for an ice pack. As she rummaged around, he asked.

"How long have we been in business, J?"

"Five, six years," was her muffled response.

Despite his pain, Xander had to smile. Who knew where he'd be without J.J.? Sure, he'd been pulling crazy, extreme stunts for years, but he'd never even thought about making a real living out of it. Not until J.J. had come into his life.

J.J. had the head for business – J.J. had sky-rocketed his popularity with the web site and Internet sales. With the bigger (aka more illegal) stunts, she'd helped him hide his tracks, avoid the heat from the police. She'd found locations for his stunts, hired and managed his camera crew, made sure he had everything he needed.

When he'd broken his leg, she'd seen to it that he had groceries when he came home from the hospital, that someone came in to keep his loft clean. They'd built a new Blockbuster in the area, and she'd opened him up an account, bringing him new video games every couple of days.

He leaned back against the counter, bracing himself on the stool as he looked over his shoulder to watch her. She came back with one from his plentiful store of ice packs and set it on the counter. Then she disappeared, walking off to get his first aid kit.

"Then why don't I know you better?" he finally called to her retreating form.

She heard the guilt in his voice, and regarded him gently as she returned, setting down the ace bandages she'd gone to find.

"It's my job to know you – to protect our investment," she responded after a long pause.

Gesturing to his t-shirt, she said,

"Take it off, X."

He moved to obey, but she stopped him when she saw the pain it caused. Reaching down to do it for him, she helped him remove first one arm, and then the other.

As she moved to toss the shirt onto another stool, he captured her tiny wrist in one of his massive hands. She tilted her chin downward, avoiding eye contact as he pulled her forward and placed her hand over his heart. She let him hold it there for several moments, then she lifted her eyes to meet his, sliding her hand out of his grip.

She made quick work of his treatment, setting the ice pack against his bruise and wrapping the ace bandages around his chest. When she was finished, she brushed her hands together and stepped back.

"There you go. All set. It shouldn't swell, but it's gonna hurt like a –"

She stopped, waving her hand dismissively.

"You know all this. I'll come check on you tomorrow."

He reached for her, but she stayed where she was. He frowned.

"What, you're too cool to hug me now?"

She laughed.

"No, you're the one who's too cool," she laughed, pointing at his ice pack.

They both laughed at the corny pun as he grabbed his tank top off of the stool next to him. Even that small movement was painful, and he winced.

J.J. sighed as a flash of concern crossed her face, "X, you've gotta be more careful."

Upon the admission, she immediately replaced the vulnerable expression with her typical nonchalance.

"We can't make any money if you're laid up."

He laughed, falling in line with J.J.'s efforts to lighten the mood.

"Yeah, yeah, yeah."

When she saw that he'd be alright, she picked up her own jacket and turned to go.

"J?" he called as she was leaving.

"Yeah, X?" she answered, turning to meet his eyes.

He took a couple of steps forward, then stopped.

"Thanks," he said gruffly, and she nodded her acceptance.

She'd just lifted the gate on his lift when he called her back.

"J?"

Her lips curled in a soft smile as she turned again.

"Yeah, X?"

He shoved his hands deeply into his pockets.

"Why didn't we ever get together?"

It felt like an eternity passed before she answered,

"That's a very good question, X."

Before he could respond, she stepped out the door, pulled down the gate, and sent the lift down. Puffing a short burst of air through his nose, Xander sauntered over to the window, watching J.J. climb into her black Ford Capri and drive away. He smiled; the car was elegant and understated, just like her.

He could have gone after her if he wanted. Even with the injury, once he made it to his bike, he could catch up with her easily. He shook his head as if to discourage himself. J.J. wanted to play it cool. He could too. Besides, she'd said she'd come back tomorrow.

Walking to the fridge to grab a juice, Xander smiled. J.J. always kept her word.

The End