December 25, 2001
Christmas Day
Newark New Jersey
9:00 a.m.

It was early in the morning, or maybe it just felt that way. Everyone was in their homes waking up, having fun, spending time with family. Well that last part is a bit of a stretch. Now everyone could be with their families this Christmas. Cassie couldn't go home to Russia to visit her parents, Stampys family is in the United Kingdom, Stacy isn't in the hospital and no one knows where she is, and Jesse is spending his Christmas with Axl and Olivia.

But back to Stampy and Stacy for a moment. Although expensive Stampy managed to book a room at a hotel in Newark, it was the biggest city in New Jersey after all. It was a challenge getting Stacy to the hotel but it all worked out in the end. You could only imagine the confused look on her face when she woke up the next morning.

"Am I... dead?" Stacy asked herself, she looked around as memories of the night before came flooding back into her head. "Oh right this is... so I'm not dead. And Jesse isn't dead so that's good. Cassie Rose is out of prison I think? And Stampy kissed me... God what a night."

Stacy almost jumped when she heard a door suddenly burst open with a cheery British man jumping about. "Good morning Stacy! Merry Christmas!" Stampy cheered.

"Stampy, you almost gave me a heart attack!" Stacy screamed.

Stampy chuckled and walked over to her. "I know but I'm just so excited! It's Christmas Day, we should be having fun!"

"You should be with your family, not here in a different country away from them."

"Well this may seem rude but I think they can wait. After all I spend every Christmas with them, it's not like they're going anywhere. Besides then you'll have no one to spend Christmas with!"

"You have a good point, but this isn't the Christmas you where thinking about. Surely you'd rather do anything else than be in here all day."

Stampy jumped up and smiled, "Don't make me question things because it won't change my mind. I'm already here and I got you a present!"

Before objecting Stampy already ran into the other room to get Stacys gift. He didn't have to get her anything, it was already a gift to be out of the hospital. Regardless he came back with something behind his back.

"You actually got me a gift?" Stacy asked.

"Well I was going to give it to you in the hospital, but you know the story so here. Merry Christmas Stacy!"

Stampy took the present from behind his back and held it out in his hands. It wasn't wrapped but it had a bow on it. He did his best but that didn't matter because the gift made Stacys eye lit up with joy. It was a little grey wolf plushie; hen Stacy grabbed it, it was the softest thing she ever touched.

"Aww Stampy this is so cute! But I didn't get you any-"

Stampy hugged Stacy causing her to stop short. Stampy still smiling said, "Seriously Stacy, it's fine. There's no place I'd rather be than here with you, safe and sound."

"Stampy, you're too sweet for this world. You need to stop, seriously. Stop it," Stacy joked.

The two laughed and continued to talk, joking and just having a good time. A Merry Christmas for them it was.

December 25, 2001
Christmas Day
Elizabeth New Jersey
10:30 a.m.

Back in Axls apartment everyone was already up and awake. By everyone meaning Jesse, Olivia, and Axl. But Axl stood in the middle of the living room and looked at his friends. "Operation Christmas Eve party was a success! But the New Years party... Oh man it's going to be awesome!"

"Axl come on, it's Christmas and we just had a party. Let us relax a little... and we just got Jesse back!" Olivia argued.

"She's right Axl, slow down a little and enjoy life," Jesse agreed, "on the plus side you got Olivia. Come on don't look so shocked I know you guys are dating."

"H-how did you know?" Olivia stuttered.

"What? It's obvious! The last time I saw you guys you didn't live together and now you do... okay Petra told me." Jesse confessed.

Axl sat down next to Olivia on the couch across from Jesse. "So Jesse," Axl started, "how did you... you know. Survive?"

Olivia smacked Axl across the head and apologized to Jesse, "Sorry if it's a sensitive subject. Some of us forget how to act sometimes."

"It's fine. You guys are the whole reason I wouldn't tell anyone last night. You two are my oldest friends and it feels right telling you privately. I would've told Lukas and Petra but you know them. Petra would've blew a fuse and Lukas already feels guilty. He's like one of those puppies that looks sad all the time!" Jesse said.

Axl laughed but Olivia smacked him again. "Stop smacking me Olivia!" Axl complained.

"Lukas is your friend! But yeah... he has been depressing lately." Olivia agreed.

"So here's the story, to be honest I've been excited to tell it! So it was a sunny day, all seemed normal until-"

Axl cut Jesse off, "Yeah we know that stuff. How did you survive it?"

"Anyways! When the plane hit the building I thought it was an earthquake at first, it was when I smelled smoke then I knew something happened. I tried to get out of the building but people were trying to get out through the fire escape and stairwells but it was already falling apart too! There was only one way out and that way was down. I found a broken window and looked out... God it was so scary. At this point firetrucks and the police showed up, but they looked like ants," Jesse stopped to catch his breath then continued, "I looked up and saw smoke rising from the floors above me. I wasn't that high up, I worked on the floors below where the crash happened. But when I heard creaking from the floor above me I knew I had to jump. I didn't even count to three, because if I did I would've been dead. So I jumped out of a skyscraper, ground over fifty feet below, and I was falling."

Jesse stopped for a moment, Axl could barely stay in his seat while Olivia still look curious on how he survived.

"It felt like an eternity, I just kept falling! Wind in my face, smoke in the air, screaming until I couldn't. But then- BAM!" Axl and Olivia jumped when Jesse suddenly banged on the coffee table. "I was finally on the ground. I should've been dead, I should've had broken bones. But I didn't, all because I landed on a group of policemen. Crazy I know but it's true! I can't even remember what they said because I just ran out of there. I got up and ran, weird that no body stopped me. But it's not like I got away completely fine. Turned out that one of my legs was broken, but I kept running. I managed to get on a ferry that went to New Jersey. From there I went to Delaware, I don't even know how I got there! I was almost completely lost, but someone managed to get me to a hospital in the small state. They bandaged up my leg, and the guy payed for it all when I told him my story. But after that I left, my goal was Pennsylvania or Connecticut. Why? Because I know Magnus had property in Pennsylvania and Sorens ex-wife lives in Connecticut. After a month or two I made it to Philadelphia and stayed in his house."

"Are you done yet? This story is dragging on a little bit." Axl asked. Which once again Olivia slapped him.

Jesse chuckled, "Almost done I swear. It was in Philadelphia when I heard about Soren and Gabriel. They didn't deserve to die, especially Soren. The man was just working when suddenly a plane come crashing down like his last marriage! And Gabriel? The poor man burned and choked to death. For awhile I thought Stacy and a few other co workers of mine died in the tragedy. But when I heard that Stacy was alive I knew what I had to do and I wasted no time getting it done. So I went back to New York City, manged to get Stacy out, and here we are. Me telling you the story of how it all happened."

Axl couldn't help but clap as if he just watched an action movie. Olivia sighed but clapped too as Jesse stood up and bowed. The three laughed and got their coats for they were going out to get Chinese food for Christmas dinner.

December 31, 2001
New Years Eve
Elizabeth New Jersey
10:00 p.m.

Axls New Years Eve party was already in full swing. Music blasting on full volume, people dancing and having fun, and for the people who came late the first thing they see is Dan and Lizzie who just can't keep their hands off each other at parties.

Everybody was there too, Jesse, Lukas, Petra, Axl and Olivia, Ellegaard, Ivor, the list goes on! The more people showed up the better. Hell Axls cousin Ox Blood, came all the way from California!

The first thing Ox Blood did when he walked into the door was tussle Axls hair. "Hey little cousin! Did you miss me? I know you did," but then he stopped and looked at Olivia, "well who's this lovely young lady?"

Axl growled, "Back off she's mine!"

"Exuse me," Olivia said in an angry voice, "I'm not property! But I am dating Axl, so don't even try Ox Blood."

Ox Blood just laughed it off. "Ah I'm just messing with you! Come on it's time to party!"

Ox Blood ran into the kitchen to grab some beers thinking they had some and bumped into Lukas who was getting some nachos. "Oh sorry... Lukas? Dude! It's been forever! How have you been man!"

"Oh uhh, good. I've been good. Just realized Jesse was alive but yeah all is well."

"Wait... Jesse's alive? Oh yeah this party is going to be awesome!"

So Ox Blood ran off with his beers and Lukas went back over with his nachos to Petra who instantly took them out of his hands. "Hey! Petra your supposed to share those."

"I know I'm just holding them for you while eating them at the same time," Petra said, "oh great cover your ears because here comes Ivor."

"Hello blond guy, Petra. If you don't mind me asking, how was the date?"

Petra groaned, "It was fine Ivor. Lukas did your dare and even if he wasn't dared to I still would've went out with him."

Lukas smiled a little bit and Ivor laughed. He didn't say anything he just laughed but stopped when Petra started talking again. "Now if you don't mind asking, how was your cruise with Harper?"

"It wasn't a cruise you foolish girl! We went on an adventure!" Ivor corrected.

Ivor turned around when he heard someone shout, "Honeymoon!" Of course it was Stacy.

"It wasn't a honeymoon! What do you know? You've been in the hospital for the past three months! Keep your crutches to yourself lady!" Ivor shouted back.

"Piss off!" Stacy shouted back before Lizzie had to drag her away. So the party was going great!

10:30 p.m.

Only thirty minutes went by and the party was still going strong. Some people were completely wasted while others waited to get drunk. But the life of the party was Ox Blood and Axl. Those two partied hard it's almost as if they never stopped moving. Sometime between those thirty minutes, Nell showed up and managed to bring in weed. Which wasn't shocking since she was in a gay relationship and a hipster.

On the brighter side of things Sorens ex-wife Isa showed up with her new boyfriend Milo. It's funny because they own a chicken farm in Connecticut. It makes you wonder if this is the like Isa really wants.

Overlooking the entire party was Stacy who couldn't drink beer or dance. "This sucks!" She complained. But things got better when Lizzie walked up to her.

"Hey Stacy!"

"Hello Lizzie, I see you finally got away from Dan. That's good I thought you two were going to do it on the floor like animals." Stacy joked.

Lizzie blushed and shouted, "S-shut up!"

"I swear you two can't keep your hands off each other. I'm surprised you're even talking to me right now. So what's up?"

"You know it's not going to work right?"

"What's not going to work? You and Dan? Because I think you two get along too well."

Lizzie facepalmed and said, "We both know your smarter than this Stacy. You and Stampy, sure you may be a match made by Jesse but he lived in an entire different country on an entire different continent. Long distance usually doesn't work, there's a bunch of cheating involved and it's unpleasant for everyone."

"I know that Lizzie. Don't tell him but Stampy and I aren't even together, to be honest let's keep it that way. I'd rather be the one to break his heart, not have someone else do it for me. I'm sure he probably knows this already so why don't we all just enjoy tonight? Tomorrow's the new year and I have to go back to that damned hospital again. Let me have this." Stacy pointed out. She gave Lizzie a smirk and moved along to speak with Jesse and Ellegaard.

11:00 p.m.

At this point people were getting antsy. One hour 'till the new year and everyone was pumped. The apartment smelled like beer and pot. Almost everyone was wasted and the smell was so bad they had to open a window. Some people even passed out... Well by some I mean Ivor who passed out on Harpers lap.

Back in the bedroom/coat room Lukas and Petra were having a good time just chatting and drinking red wine Cassie stole. They just needed a break from all the partying and Ox Blood breaking everything.

"You'd think with all this noise a security guard would've been sent up or something don't you think?" Lukas asked.

"It's New Years Eve Lukas, I don't think anyone really cares if we're loud. At least it's not moans people are hearing, " Petra answered taking a sip of wine, "I went into the bathroom you know to wash my face and I didn't even have to turn around to see who was in there."

"Is it who I think it is? Ivor and his ninja skills? Or is it the Brits?"

"You know I thought that too but then when I actually turned around it was Nell smoking pot in the tub. You'd think it would've been Dan and Lizzie but I honestly think they're in a closet fucking each other."

"How do you even have sex with someone in a closet?"

"Lukas there's this thing, it's called 'I don't give a crap'!"

Lukas chuckled, "Your crazy you know that? I use to think you were more like Jesse but boy was I wrong. Your like if Axl and Jesse adopted a kid together. Not that it's a bad thing... gay people are cool... I'm bad at oral sex..."

"You got that from Tour de Pharmacy, don't plagiarize or I'm going to have to punish you!"

"You watched that too! Wait what kind of punishment?"

"Oh you know the classic 'you owe me two iron' and the good ol 'your paying for the next date' hey maybe even the 'use a condom asshole!' Who knows the possibilities are endless!"

"I like how it just gets more and more sexual. It shows off your redhead side."

Petra laughed, "Dude don't use that lame shit on me. Everyone knows the last time you got laid was two years ago."

Lukas squealed like a guinea pig, "Petra!"

"What it's true!"

11:50 p.m.

The final stretch. Ten minutes until it was 2002, the hype and stress was real. Everyone was gathered into the living room when Ox Blood jumped onto a couch and shushed everyone. "Okay guys. It's only ten minutes 'till the new year. I want everyone to confess a secret right now! Get that weight off your chest for a new year! You don't have to but do you really want to keep that negative feeling with you to start off the new year? Thanks Nell for teaching me that. For the longest time I thought that Axl is my brother... And I still think that. Wow... That feels awesome!"

"Right on dude!" Nell cheered.

"Try it guys!" Ox Blood encouraged.

For awhile it was silent everyone thought it was a stupid idea. Until Radar shouted, "I think Jack and Nurm are gay!"

Then Jack said, "Some of my 'adventures' are made up..."

"Once I ate a bug and I'm not sorry! It was amazing!" Shouted Milo.

"I always thought Stacy sounded cute when she gasps," Stampy admitted.

Stacy sighed but confessed as well, "I dated Graser for a little bit... Okay it was one date!"

"I'm a virgin!" Shouted Petra.

"I haven't gotten laid in two years! Wait what?" Lukas asked.

"Well you might as well be her first Lukas," joked Jesse.

"I killed a guy! But everybody already knows that." Cassie said.

It went on until Axl walked towards the front door. "I have no idea what just happened but we have five minutes to new year's. Get your jackets me and Olivia have a surprise for you. Come on let's go!"

It was surprising how everyone got their jackets on so quickly, because they litteraly went a block away to a park. Everyone all stood in an open field and Axl looking at his watch he shouted, "Five!... Four!... Three!... Two!... One!... Happy New Year!!!" And Olivia pressed a button starting a fireworks display set up far away across the field. The fire works exploded in the sky in shapes of squares, circles, normal fireworks, some were even cats!

People cheered and whistled watching the fireworks go off. Others like Axl gave their lovers a kiss, you could only imagine the look on Stacy's face when Stampy litteraly sweeped her off her feet. Even Ivor gave Harper a peck on the cheek. It was officially the new year, it was a miracle to have Jesse and Stacy back safe and sound.

January 1, 2002
New year's day
New York City, New York
11:31 a.m.

Last night was a blast, you could tell. But now it was the day after and everyone was in a rush to get home. Ox Blood left when he woke up only a few hours ago. Dan and Lizzie had to catch a plane back to England along with Stampy but they had a different flight so they already left. Isa and Milo are driving back up to Connecticut etc. Point was that everyone was leaving to go back home, the holidays were over and they had to get back to work.

Jesse was in the hospital talking to some doctors and nurses leaving Stampy and Stacy alone for a moment. "I'll call you when I get back home." Stampy promised.

Stacy sighed and looked at Stampy, of course he was smiling that was only going to make things harder. "Stampy I have to talk to you about something..."

"What's wrong?"

"Well it's just... us."

Stampy had his head tilted like a little kid. "What about us?"

"It's just... long distance and... it's not going to work..."

"I know."

"It hard to take in I-.... what did you just say?"

"I said I know," Stampy repeated grabbing Stacy's hands. "I know the stories and how long distance never works. But we can try to make it work! Like Soren and Isa!"

"But they got a divorce..."

"Well they stayed together for over ten years didn't they?"

"Yes but at least they were in the same country that's on the same continent."

"It's going to be hard with you being in the hospital and all, but once you get out I'll be the first one to congratulate you on making it this far," Stampy beamed, "but then again... there's another option."

"Stampy... you don't mean..."

"Come on how bad can it be? It might take awhile but it'll be worth it in the end! You can just become a British citizen!"

"It's a long and boring process Stampy, I don't think I can do it especially not to my parents..."

"Can you think about it at least? For me... Please?"

Stacy sighed, "Fine, you're lucky that your so adorable and I can't say no to you."

Stampy chucked and gave Stacy one last goodbye kiss and started to leave. Before turning the corner to the elevators he looked back and saw Stacy waving at him and holding her little wolf plushie in her other hand. He waved back and walked towards the elevators, pushed the buttons and waited to leave. It would be almost a whole year until he sees her again.

January 1, 2002
New Year's Day
Woodbridge New Jersey
East Jersey State Prison
1:00 p.m.

Good old state prison, the same prison Cassie was held at for murder. She knew the prison the like back of her hand, inside and out. She managed to climb and not get caught over the fence and made her way to the back of the prison. Ever heard of someone try to break into a prison? Well here's Cassie Rose trying to get into a prison. Before she could even throw her grappling hook she heard a psst.

She turned around and saw a white man with brown hair standing there in an orange jumpsuit. It was Aiden. "Hello pumpkin," he greeted. But was instantly pushed back by a hug from Cassie.

"It's nice to see you in one piece blaze rod." Cassie said.

Letting go of Aiden the both laughed, their evil maniacal laughs. "I have a few hours until dinner time, what do want to do?" Aiden asked.

"Rob a bank?"

"You know me so well. Lets go."

January 1, 2002
New Year's Day
Woodbridge New Jersey
3:00 p.m.

Lukas was finally back at work. After a long week of relaxing and being with Petra it was time for banking once again. But Lukas still couldn't help but think about Jesse and his story and Stacy. Soren and Gabriel too... It all happened so fast, too fast for anyone to make a rational decision. That's probably why Jesse ran, that's probably why Stacy wanted to die, that's probably why Soren and Isa didn't work out. But probably isn't definitely.

Lukas looked out the giant window and saw New York City. He could see New York City in the distance where the famous Twin Towers stood above it all...