Author Note: I know I have another 2 stories running, but I really really wanted to start this one now.

October 1999, Washington D.C.

Flipping down her visor, Jenny stared in the tiny mirror, scrutinizing her face. She sighed as she took in the pallor of her skin and the shadows under her eyes from lack of sleep. Her hand slammed the visor into its original position, and she leaned her forehead against the steering wheel.

Ever since she had left Jethro, she hadn't slept. She always knew that she would miss him, but she'd never thought it would hurt so much, it was like a physical ache that never seemed to dull. She had been so miserable that she had attributed her tiredness and the near constant nausea that plagued her down to her heartache. But after a month of the symptoms she had finally went to see a doctor, and she truly hadn't been expecting the news she got.

Jenny groaned and pinched the bridge of her nose, after a week of agonizing she had made the decision to keep the baby, and to tell Jethro. In retrospect the decision had been the easy part, it was the following through that was terrifying her. She had no idea how Jethro would react to the news, she wouldn't blame him if he despised the ground she walked on. After all, she hadn't even had the decency to break up with him in person, instead leaving him at an airport, with nothing more than a letter as an explanation.

Taking a deep breath, Jenny tried desperately to calm her nerves. She had to do this, if she didn't do it now, she knew she never would. One last deep breath, and she almost felt calm, almost. Slightly shakily, she steeped out of her car. Jenny hated this feeling, she hated being out of control, she didn't do nervous; well not until today.

Her heels clicked as she made her away along the pavement. The autumn sun was glaring, so she slipped on her sunglasses. As she approached the familiar house, Jenny stopped dead in her tracks. There was a moving van in front of Jethro's house, with furniture being taken inside. Jenny's heart thundered in her ears as she watched Jethro walk across the front grass, his back to her. She smiled slightly at the mere sight of him, and began to move forward again. She had only taken one step when both her footsteps and her smile faltered. A red head had jumped out of a car, that had been previously obscured by the van, and was now wrapped around Jethro.

Jenny felt her stomach plummet as she watched the scene in front of her unfold. She felt like a voyeur as the kiss between the couple deepened. Jenny stumbled backwards as she saw the familiar glint of gold on the red head's finger. With tears stinging her eyes, Jenny turned and left. She had never expected Jethro to pine over her, but she'd never thought he would be married. Still in shock, Jenny got back into her car, and drove away, not once daring to look back.

March 2005, Los Angeles

Squinting, Jenny tried to concentrate on the road in front of her, as the rain battered against her windscreen, and the wind howled around the car. Her task was made all the more difficult by Lexie's incessant fiddling with the radio stations, which she had of course turned up full volume. Jenny felt her patience snap at the constant different songs and slapped the radio off altogether

Lexie! Please stop that, Mummy's trying to concentrate on the road."

The small red-head in the seat next to her, sat back in her seat, her arms crossed. Jenny glanced over at her daughter, as a small, "Humph." escaped her lips, a very familiar glare gracing her features.

Jenny sighed, "I'm sorry Lex, I didn't mean to snap, it's just the music's distracting me."

Turning her aquamarine eyes on her mother, Lexie pouted. "I don't want to go to New York."

"I told you sweetie, I have a meeting, we have to go. I know you're upset about missing Sarah's party, and I'll make it up to you, I promise. But I have to work."

"I hate your work!" Lexie's eyes filled with tears, and her bottom lip wobbled, as she tried to keep them at bay. "And I hate you!"

Jenny's heart sank, she knew her daughter was upset. She knew that she worked too much, but she had made sure they had stayed in the States, and whenever possible, if she had to go away, she took Lexie with her. Her feelings bruised, and feeling tired and frustrated, Jenny snapped,

"Alexandra Marie Sheppard! You will not speak to me like that, don't you dare say that again."

"Why not? It's true."

Jenny sighed, "When you're older you'll understand."

Lexie didn't reply, instead she just stared vacantly out of the window, her teddy bear, Jake, clasped tightly in her arms. Jenny was just about to reach out and squeeze her daughter's hand, when she heard the screech of brakes, and a bright flash of light shone through the car, before everything went black.

xxx