The Real Adventures of Jessica Bannon

TONYA 
by Laura Fort

Disclaimer: Don't own anything in relation to  Jonny Quest. Ya'll know 
the rules and routines.

Archivers: Have at thee! (Just let me know first!)

Categories: A, HR, don't know what else

TONYA, part 6

        Finally, Jonathan spoke the question Jessica dreaded hearing and 
answering. "Jessica, I know you gave me until Saturday to figure this 
out on my own. But I really don't want to snoop into your private life. 
Can't you tell me?"
        Jessica's mind raged with questions. Should I tell him? Would he 
understand? her mind screamed. Why not? He'll eventually find out 
anyway.
        Jessica sighed and took a deep breath. "You remember the weekend you, 
Dad, Dr. Quest, and Hadji went camping?"
        Jonathan nodded. He did remember. He had caught a fifteen pound fish. 
His first.
        Jessica walked to the fireplace and stared into space, lost. "After you 
guys left, I returned from school and working on my science project."
        Jessica went on to tell about feeling like she was being watched. She 
told him about the rape. About feeling so helpless, dirty, used, scared, 
worthless.
        "Remember the bruise on my cheek? Well, that's where he slapped me 
hard" she confided. "All my other bruises had healed by the time you 
guys got home."
        "Hadji didn't believe me. But no matter how hard he pressed, I wouldn't 
tell him the truth."
        Jonathan nodded slowly. "Hadji told me he was concerned. He told Dad 
and Race that you were holding something back. He just didn't know 
what."
        Jessica told him about discovering that she was pregnant, telling her 
mom, and being afraid to come back and face Race. She walked to the 
mantle and picked up three picture frames. "This is Tonya Angel Bannon 
when she was born- born two months premature."
        "She's beautiful, Jessica."
        She showed him the other two pictures. One was of Tonya when she was a 
year old.
        Jessica told him of the contaminated blood transfusion and the AIDS.
        "This picture...this picture is Tonya on her third birthday. Right 
before she died." Tears began to slip down Jessica's face.
        Jonathan hugged her and held her tight.
        "But look at what you've accomplished, Jessica." He looked into her 
eyes, his voice soft and comforting. "Because of you and Tonya, one 
child died in order to save millions of people, not to mention 
children."
        "But Tonya died. My baby." Jessica sobbed.
        Jonathan held her tighter.  "It's okay, Jessica."
        She pulled away from him. "No, it's not okay. Do you have any idea how 
hard it is to get up every morning? To know that you disowned your 
family, to know that your baby died, all because of you?"
        "Every morning, I pray to God for the strength to go on. So I can help 
children all across the world fight disease, hunger, and AIDS."
        "Every three weeks, I go to a shrink." she said bitterly. "Mom found 
out that I was suicidal a few years back, so she made me go to Dr. 
Cranston."
        "Jonathan, my life has been a living hell ever since that Friday 
night."
        She took a deep breath, calming herself down. "The only thing that 
keeps me going is knowing that there are children out there who need 
help. My help."
        Jessica turned around to face him. "I'm sorry to have dumped my 
problems on you."
        "No problem." Jonathan said. "So, can I have a detailed tour of your 
mansion?"
        Jessica laughed. "Sure."
QQQQQQQQQQQQQQQQQQQQQQQQQQQQQQQQQQQQQQQQQQQQQQQQQQ
        "Awesome room. Jessica!" Jonathan exclaimed as he ran his hand over the 
planet Earth. "This is incredible. And it's so detailed."
        Jessica smiled. "This is my favorite room."
        "I can see why. Electronics, computer equipment,... hey, QuestWorld."
        "Well, I borrowed some of your Dad's technology and reprogrammed a 
version of QuestWorld into my private QuestWorld. I named in 
QBVReality."
        Jonathan grinned. "Let me guess. Quest-Bannon-Virtual-Reality."
        "You got it."
        Jonathan examined the room. Abruptly, he yawned. "Excuse me." He 
glanced at his watch. "Whoa, it's after midnight!"
        Jessica yawned, also. "Well, I guess we'd better turn in for the night. 
I sure hope this storm doesn't do any major damage to anything."
        Jonathan headed upstairs. "You said it. Goodnight, Jess.."
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comments and stuff to me at   laf99@hotmail.com

(c) Laura Fort 1997