Previous reviewer must be crazy. OF COURSE people hate Monica. Why wouldn't they? lol Anyway, liking this story so far.

Author's Response:

Thank you for reading!

Okay, I feel as if I have to defend Monica because the hatred is ridiculous.  Does anyone have to like her, no.  Do they have to root for her with Jake, no.  But acting as if she is the villian in this piece is narrow. She did NOT cause the breakup between Jake and Sierra, SIERRA DID.  She is not the cause of Jake and Sierra not getting back together, SIERRA's ACTIONS AND THE DISTRUST THEY CAUSED ARE.  And those two were having problems before Sierra started with the drugs, so not everything can be blamed on her addiction.

Jake tried in the beginning to talk to her, understand why she was doing this and get her some help.

After awhile the tug of war between them was something he looked forward to. He made himself believe that as long as he could see her face and hold her everything would be okay. That was before she’d become acquainted with drugs. Viktor’s hold on her tightened, and Jake’s fight for her weakened.

Monica was not following around Jake with her tongue hanging out just waiting for him to end his relationship with Sierra.  They worked together; she was his friend, as well as Finch. 

“You were my friend. Other than Finch, you were there for me...you know.” Monica nodded her head understanding just what she was there for.

Jake and Monica hadn't seen each other for months after his breakup.  She wasn't calling him, visiting him or asking about him.  But he showed up at her club and sat there fantisizing about kissing her. 

“Yeah,” he drawled. “Need something a bit stronger.” ...

“I got just the thing for you love.”

Her smiles were always so mysterious to him, like she held some kind of secret and the only way to find out what it was, you had to kiss her. Corny as it may sound, right now he was itching to find out about that secret.

After that, they still don't see each other for a while.  Monica is still not looking for him.  When they do meet again it is coincidence.  She has taken her car to Finch's garage so that he can fix it and Jake is there--which she did not know beforehand.  Her attitude is friendly, open, but she is salivating all over him and there is no indication in the text that she is throwing out silent invitations either.  She does remind him that he promised to keep in touch, but Jake himself gives a possible reason for that.

Jake had never been the type to renege on his promises. He made sure every word he spoke to another person rung true.

Even so, Monica just mentions it in a light manner, no accusations.

Finch doesn't seem to have any axe to grind because he was the one that told Jake about Sierra when she was found in the alley.  He could have said nothing and hoped that Jake never heard, but, he didn't, so he can't be called partisan in this.  However, he saw something between Jake and Sierra and apparently has done for some time.

Finch always joked around when it came to Monica and Jake. He always saw something there that Jake had missed till recently. Jake had to wonder to himself if maybe his friend was on to something.

After this, the pursuit of the relationship is all on Jake.  He asks her out, he continues the relationship and because she likes him Monica accepts.  Given that he has always been someone true to his word, why shouldn't she take the chance that he asked her to take with him.

Monica was the one encouraging Jake to go see Sierra on visitor's day. And yes, she is feeling a little insecure now, but I still don't get why she isn't allowed that.  If Sierra and even Jake are allowed their insecurities, their mistakes; if they are allowed to be human, why isn't Monica allowed the same?  Maybe she is fooling herself about the possibility of a permanent relationship with Jake, but he has shown himself willing, if not eager to build one, one moment at a time with her.

Jake fooled himself for years that he was enough for Sierra, that his love could hold her together when he, when it clearly wasn't.

Sierra could just as easily be called out for fooling herself.  Jake sent her away that last time and didn't go looking for her as he would have done earlier in their relationship.  He went to visit her in rehab out of concern, but Sierra herself noticed nothing romantic in his manner.

Sierra settled in her seat watching Jake’s whisky colored eyes peruse her body. There was nothing sexual or even remotely intimate in the way he looked at her.

He avoids her touch, and tells her that he only came to see if she was better after she says '...I know you still love me.' When she asks him directly to tell her that he loves her, he only says that he doesn't hate her. Everything he is doing now is completely opposite of how he behaved back in the day; back when he loved her more than anything and forgave her everything.

There is an argument to be made that Jake is lying to himself, but then again, how is that Monica's fault? How is she supposed to know his mind if he doesn't know it?  If he is lying to himself, and consequently to her then the fault lies with Jake and he needs to man up, face his feelings, choose which woman he truly wants to be with and let the other one go in a way that is clear to all parties.

Anyway, this has become way too long, but I couldn't let it rest.  I am rooting for Sierra.  I want her to recover, resolve her issues, become a stronger person for herself. Whether she and Jake get back together, only the author knows, but just because Sierra is the heroine, doesn't make Monica the villian.

If it is not meant for Monica and Jake to stay together then I hope that they can resolve, dissolve their relationship in the least painful way possible.  Maybe if he truly is a 'reformed' guy and sincerely trying to stay out of the 'family business', Monica and Maksim can somehow meet, fall for each other and build something (but only if he can completely divorce himself from his family; Finch seems way too much of a hound-dog!).

So far Monica seems a kind, loving person and I hope she finds happiness--with or without Jake.

First things first: thank you for the update. I truly enjoyed it. 

Now on to the update: Jake needs to be honest with himself and with Monica. He is just using her to TRY to get over Sierra and he is failing miserably. If he's not ready to give Monica 100%, then he needs to let her go. It's not fair to anyone involved.

Monica needs to take her pride and move on. She didn't need to confront Sierra (but I get why she did). She needs to have a real talk with Jake and not let him brush her off with lipservice. 

Deena really needs to back off and let Sierra focus on getting better. Sierra knows what she is ready for and Deena needs to sit back and be a true friend.

I am actually proud that Sierra didn't take the bait and get into it Monica. She seems to have really grown. Let's hope she keeps it up.

Thank you again; please update soon.

Yeah!! You updated!!!My guts tell me Jake called Sierra's name in his sleep but Monica refuses to admit it, you desperate girl! Just like Viktor, she is in denial of the reality, she's just a pause in Jake's life (him, move on?! Don't make me laugh!).

I don't specifically like her, but the other girl doesn't necessarily need to be hateful. I think you managed that part by giving us her inner thoughts, her feelings for Jake are real. You know I love your story through & through (righ?), but please, resist the call of cliché by not making Monica the obvious jealous desperately conniving villain who will tell on Sierra to Viktor to get rid of her.... (hopeful intake of breath!). 

Considering the Sierra/Viktor background case, I confess to find her innocent in this mess. But, in the meantime, she let herself sink in her sorrow. She was so caught up in her self drug pity that she's now in denial about how much she hurt Jake and lead him on. I think that for her full recovery, she needs to face the reality of her past as a junkie, and that means listening to what she drove her entourage through, meaning a closure of this period by discussing with Jake.

I love how Deena is a true friend for her and genuinely wants to help Sierra. Call me ungrateful, but I can't stand friends who push you too hard to do something they think is good for you (even if they're right) when you to told them you don't want to or want to take it slow. Sierra is still fragile, pushing her might have a counter effect, she needs to find her own rythm...

Ahhh.......in two words, great job as usual, can't wait to read more!

Bleh. Monica's insecurity is almost cause for pity. Keyword: Almost :) lol. Love the update & the name change. I've been waiting on baited breath for an update and the build up in this chapter did not disappoint.

Good update. I really do want Jake and Sierra to be togetehr in the end. But I don't want him to fall all over her everytime they see each other. Monica has a point. Can't wait for the next chapter.

At last, an update yay!!!

Monica is so insecure. Why get in Sierra's face about Jake if things are going so well for her and Jake. I am rooting for Sierra and hoping she stays the course on the road to her recovery. Monica does know that Sierra is an addict right and a lot of things addicts do is part of their sickness. She needs to keep away from Sierra and work on her own insecurities. Maybe she needs to ask herself why is she with Jake when it is obvious that he still has deep feelings for a woman who she accused of abusing him. A blow job wouldnt solve their problems. Jake is still fixated on Sierra. Poor Monica she should have known better. As for Jake he needs to get his act together.

Please updatee soon!

At last, an update yay!!!

Monica is so insecure. Why get in Sierra's face about Jake if things are going so well for her and Jake. I am rooting for Sierra and hoping she stays the course on the road to her recovery. Monica does know that Sierra is an addict right and a lot of things addicts do is part of their sickness. She needs to keep away from Sierra and work on her own insecurities. Maybe she needs to ask herself why is she with Jake when it is obvious that he still has deep feelings for a woman who she accused of abusing him. A blow job wouldnt solve their problems. Jake is still fixated on Sierra. Poor Monica she should have known better. As for Jake he needs to get his act together.

Please updatee soon!

One thing is for sure, if Monica was so "stable" in her relationship with Jake she sure as hell wouldn't need to get I to Sierra's like some insecure school girl. Sierra has done a lot to herself which took Jake down a path of having to watch someone that he loved/loves go down a path of self destruction. He's not over Sierra and until he admits it to himself he will continue to fight the urges when it comes to her. I'm not liking Monica in this story because Sierra is working on herself not getting to anyone's face about Monica getting her man. Monica so needs to wake the F*** up because if she was so secure about Jake, Sierra wouldn't even be a factor. But not only is Jake letting Sierra in but so is Monica. Looking forward to the next chapter.

Love it! Monica is a b*tch though, but I'm sure she's gonna get hers..I hope she does. I'm also rooting for Sierra, I hope she gets a happy ending

I do not like that Monica bitch!! She didn't have to say nothing to Serria. Ugh!! I hate females like that. You got the boy, so why say something to her when just got out of recovery. I know why cause her ass insecure about Jake. smh. 

Now Jake ass smh is all I can do!! He know he stills care about her. So he need to stop playing!!

Love this story!!!

I like Deena she is cool, but I think Sierra needs to stay on trying to get her life back when she out. I hope she does the support group thing, she will need it.

Sierra does not need to worry about Jake if there meant to be, then it will happen just give it time, and worry about yourself.

This story is a tear jerker.