Setup: It's been a month since Jesse and Suze last kissed. Jesse has
moved into the rectory with Spike. It's summer and Suze is deciding
what to do today.

Character Guide:

Suze - Main character (Protagonist); Sixteen-year-old mediator who is
trying to deal with her life and her love for a ghost named Jesse.
Her full name is Susannah Simon. She lives with her mom, stepdad and
three stepbrothers conveniently nicknamed after three of the seven
dwarfs because of their traits (David is Doc, Brad is Dopey and Jake
is Sleepy).
Jesse - Ghost who died when he was 20 but has been dead for over 150
years. His side of the relationship with Susannah is blurry.
Father Dominic (Father Dom) - Priest and principal of Suze's school;
he also shares the "gift" of being a mediator.
Spike - Suze's cat who loves Jesse more than he does Suze.
Paul - Another mediator but claims himself and Susannah to be
"Shifters" also. He also has the hots for Suze and hates Jesse
because Suze loves Jesse instead. He is only mentioned.

"We're goin' to the mall, Suze, not a fashion show."

So I'm not about to desert my fashion sense just because it's summer. Dopey doesn't have to say anything. I have to admit I look pretty good in my Bebe tee and flares.

"Fine. Just because you are my stepbrother doesn't mean I have to listen or take you serious. Therefore, I'll just ride my bike to the beach," I said warningly.

"Suit yourself," Brad called, "I'll just call Mancuso instead."

As I walked up the stairs to get the rest of my stuff, I noticed my room was glowing with light. My heart jumped. I thought it was my beloved Jesse with his amazing brown eyes and washboard abs. Dead guys aren't supposed to look as good as Jesse does. I ran into my room frantically to see if he was looking at the ocean or if he was leaning against my bedpost looking sexy. Nope. He wasn't there. I haven't seen him for three days, which wasn't unusual since he moved to the rectory.

"Jesse! Where are you, Jesse?" I murmured.

Nothing.

I got really worried. I thought through possibilities:

Good Bad

He's fine. He just can't hear me??? He has moved on (good for (Note to self - train Jesse) him, bad for me) He can hear me; he's avoiding me He doesn't love me so he because he wants to doesn't want to see me He wants to discourage our (very bad) relationship (that's not good! bad!) He's in trouble
Paul got him
Marie and Diego are back
(double super bad)

I heard the door slam. Dopey and Sleepy had left. Now the house was empty with the exception of me.

"Jesse, get your cowboy ass out here, I'm worried," I screamed.

Still nothing.

I was so close to going to the rectory, but I stopped myself. I told myself, "Simon, why are you doing this to yourself over a guy?" But this wasn't just any guy - this was Jesse. My beloved Jesse.

I grabbed my black leather jacket and ran out the door. I couldn't let Jesse slip away again. I wasn't about to let him regret it. I had to go. I just had to.

As I approached the rectory, it turned cold and rainy. I stepped inside trying not to disturb anything. I slowly walked through the warm hallway rubbing my hands together, careful not to make any sound. Then I saw him. Jesse was in the sitting area quietly talking to Spike beside him. I flattened my back against the wall so that I was not visible to him.

He shook his head. Then he ran his fingers through his hair.

"I miss my querida. I think I need to tell Susannah, Spike" Jesse said in a low tone. "She's calling me, but I can't talk to her. I hate lying to my querida."

"Lying about what?" I asked him slowly, revealing myself.

"Jesus Cristo, querida!" Jesse spat. "How long were you standing there?"

"Since 'I miss my querida'," I said calmly, "I wasn't purposely spying. I just overheard."

"Querida," he said. My heart was racing. I thought he was going to say "I love you Susannah." Come on Jesse, let me know how you feel. "We need to talk. I've been thinking."

No such luck. I mean what did I expect anyway? Like I had been all too honest with Jesse.

"Shoot," I said, trying not to hide my growing disappointment.

"Shoot?" he asked.

"Go ahead, tell me Jesse" I said. I sat down beside him as I slipped my fingers into his.

"I was thinking about asking Father Dominic to move back into your room considering it's my last few days," he said.

"Last few days?" I asked puzzled.

"Uh, oh," Jesse said after muttering a few curses in Spanish. He got up and walked to the window. This is not good.

This is never good.

"Susannah, I have been finding out why I'm still on Earth," he said, unable to face me. "I feel it will only be a matter of days until I move on, Susannah."

I felt as if a bus hit me. Move on? Move on! NO! He promised me he'd never move on. How could he? This was so unfair. Before I could unload my shock on Jesse, Spike scratched at my wrist and cut very deep into my veins. I was now covered in blood praying that my screams of pain were heard by anybody other than Jesse and myself. Jesse tore the bottom two inches of my Bebe top and tied it tight around my arm, which by the way, I was not happy about, Jesse making my new Bebe shirt a ragged midriff top. I began getting sleepy when Father Dom came downstairs.

"I heard a scream, Jesse," he said. "Oh, my, Susannah!"

Jesse swooped me up and said, "We need to get her to a clinic."

"How about a hospital?" I suggested, starting to close my eyes.

"Stay with me, querida!" Jesse said. I nodded. I was so tired, though. I could feel Jesse's warm embrace wrapped around my shivering body. I could feel my eyes closing.

As Father Dom went to call an EMT, he told Jesse, "Don't let her fall asleep!"

I threw my arms around Jesse's neck as he said, "Hold on."

Jesse was really warm. He was warmer than I was. I was actually really cold. Jesse's glow probably kept him warm. "How come I'm acting so weird?" I asked myself.

We dematerialized and materialized in front of the Carmel Hospital. He dropped my feet so I could walk. I hobbled into the hospital and got help. I blacked out on the way to the emergency room. When I woke up, Jesse was in my room along with a nurse.

"I see you've finally woken up, Sleepyhead. I'll go call your parents. You know they're worried sick about you," the nurse said.

"Thank you," I said, feeling light headed.

As she left the room Jesse took my hand.

"Susannah, I can't leave you here," Jesse said softly, "You are too vulnerable. Paul could come and hurt you any time."

"I'm fine, and besides, Paul has his reasons for staying away" I said, trying to hide the helplessness in my voice. "Jesse, I'm not an excuse!"

"Nombre de dios, Susannah, you are an excuse because I -" he said. His dark brown eyes bore into mine. He suddenly let go of my hand, but I grabbed it.

"Because?" I repeated.

"Because I . I - " he stammered.

Then he dematerialized.

"Ghosts! Who needs them?" I told myself. I do. I need Jesse.