A/N: As the wise Jedi-Master Yoda said, "Do or do not, there is no try." So I use those words to tell you that I'm not trying this plot this time. I'm going to actually do it. No more of that 3 chapters and then flop out thing that I've done in the past. This shall be a full-blown fan-fic. If I could finish Haunter, then I can finish this! YEAH! Okay, now I'm totally pumped!

Disclaimer: At the beginning of every fan-fic comes not a foreword, not even a small preface. Nope, before every fan-fic comes the disclaimer, repudiating responsibility of the creation of characters and plot line alike. In English, Sorry folks, but how many times do I have to tell you that I don't own this! Meg Cabot is the sole owner of Jesse, Suze, Paul, Father Dom and every other character in the junior class of the Junipero Serra Mission Academy! Thank you.

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Junior Class Sister Mission Trip Itinerary:

We will be taking a deluxe motorcoach to the heart of lovely Orange County, California, home of the San Juan Capistrano Mission. Departure time will be promptly at 8:30 am, so be ON TIME! The goal of this trip is to unify the junior class while at the same time, teaching about other Missions founded by Father Serra.

"Sounds intriguing," Jesse said, hovering above my shoulder and startling me. Once I regained my composure, I threw him a sweet smile. Half the time I didn't know if Jesse was being sarcastic or if he really meant the things he said. Usually it didn't bug me too much mostly because I was too busy ogling at his sizzling Latino hotness to care. You know the type, deep brown eyes that almost look black, longish jet-black hair, slightly tanned skin, complete with a totally killer bod. Oh, and did I mention that glowing aura of his that calls attention to him. Like a strong magnet attracts bits of metal, such is the allure of that kind of hottie. I could go on and on about his…perfection. But I'll spare you…(for now!)

"More like educational," I replied with a hint of sarcasm. Jesse laughed and sighed, "Oh, querida. It is not a crime to learn something useful every once in a while."

There we go again. He called me querida! HE called ME querida! Granted, he called me that oh…about everyday, but I can't help it. The way the word rolled off of his tongue, slightly caressed by a Spanish accent…

Don't lose your cool, Simon. Just because your dream guy, and quite possibly the love of your life, plants another (ANOTHER!!!!!) electrifying kiss on you in the Mission's graveyard does not mean you can all of a sudden melt into a puddle of goo every time you see him (grand total of spine-tingling-Jesse-kisses: 2). Stay calm, stay calm.

"I just wanted to tell you that…you presence will be greatly missed at the Mission. And…I wanted to…wish you a safe trip and an even safer return," Jesse stumbled. I frowned a bit in disappointment.

Just then Jesse knelt down so he was eye-level with me. I was sitting on my bay window, which was opened to let in the morning breeze. The wind gently played on Jesse's hair, making it dance ever so slightly. He took my hand in his own and smiled his oh-so-sexy smile.

"What I meant to say was…I will miss you, Susannah. And…"

"And?" I urged him, with a hopeful expression. And…you don't think you can survive without me? You'll miss seeing my radiant face every morning? You…love me?

"…Please don't do anything stupid."

Uh, that wasn't quite the answer I was looking for. I quickly snatched my hand away from his and stood up. "I wasn't planning on it, Jesse. You don't have to worry about me."

"I'm sorry, Susannah, it's just that…well Father Dominic won't be there," Jesse said as he got back on his feet and stepped closer to me. "I don't need Father Dom to keep me out of harm's way," I said confidently. It was Jesse's turn to frown. "Jesse, you really don't need to worry. I'll be fine," I tried to assure him.

"Susannah…"

"There'll be tons of adult supervision. You know how Mr. Walden is, Jesse. He'd never let anything happen."

"Susannah…"

"And plus Father Dom gave me some contact numbers, so if there is any…you know, ghostly business, then I can give him a ring."

"Susannah!" Jesse yelled, "Will you listen to me for two seconds?"

"Oh, sorry Jesse," I said sheepishly, my face turning a maroonish color.

"It's just…is…is he going to be there?" Jesse asked as he drove one of his large hands through his jet-black hair.

I knew who he was without having him elaborate any further.

"Jesse," I said his name soothingly. He was beating himself up over it. I thought it was sweet in a sick-and-twisted sort of way.

"I'm serious, Susannah. He's dangerous. You know I don't trust him one bit. He might try to hurt you," Jesse said in a protective voice. I could see in his eyes that he was truly concerned…for me.

"I know Jesse. You don't have to worry this time. Because Paul Slater isn't going on the trip." Thank God for that! Of course, it wasn't God that prevented Paul from being able to go…it was more like the administration of the Mission Academy.

Jesse's face was still plastered with worry. I let out a sigh of annoyance. Why can't he trust me? I mean, despite the fact that I've lied to him about so many things. But this one time, I really wasn't lying.

"He's still serving hard-time in D-hall," I explained. Jesse raised an eyebrow. Oh yeah, he's 150 years old…my bad. "Meaning he's still in trouble for telling off that novice and Kelly. He got, like, two months of detention on top of a week's suspension. There was no way Sister Ernestine would let him go on the trip."

Jesse visibly relaxed. When I first heard from Fr. Dominic, I was pretty relieved too. I felt like a load was taken off my back, and suddenly I was free again. Free to have fun like a normal sixteen-year old girl. Without having to worry about strange powers and Shadowland. I felt I could spread my wings and soar with the birds!

But I couldn't hide forever. Paul would be back soon enough. He'd hunt me down, and I knew it was only a matter of time.

But I tried not to think about it too much. I mean, I had managed to go a whole week without a Paul encounter, and I even managed to find away to escape him for another week. Just if there was a way to stay on permanent vacation…

"Querida, I think you're going to be late," Jesse said softly, breaking me away from my thoughts. "SHOOT!" I yelled as I saw that the time was fifteen till 8:30. I grabbed my baggage, which weighed so much I could only waddle from place to place. I was in such a hurry when all of my stuff came crashing to the floor, bringing me down too.

Jesse quickly rushed to my side. He looked at me worriedly, which for some reason made me laugh. My laughter only caused Jesse to laugh. So there we were, both of us on the floor surrounded by my heavy luggage, laughing our heads off.

That was the way things always were with Jesse and me. I'd try to do everything by myself, which would become too much for me. I'd fall and crash, but no matter what, Jesse would always be there to help me. And then when all of it was over we'd share a laugh over it. And sometimes we'd even share a kiss…(okay only twice, but a girl can dream)

Both of our chuckles faded softly around the same time. Jesse pushed a stray hair from my face behind my ear.

"Susannah, take care of yourself," he whispered, more to himself than to me.

"I'll miss you, Jesse," I told him.

Jesse gave me his hand and helped me up. We looked into each other's eyes for what seemed like forever. Then I noticed he started inching closer and closer. I relaxed a bit and closed my eye in preparation for another Jesse-kiss. Usually you can't prepare yourself for one of those shockers, but I wanted this kiss to hold me over for a week…

He then planted a gentle kiss on my forehead instead of kissing me on the lips, as I had hoped, and said, "Go now, querida, or you'll be late." He dematerialized suddenly, as if to emphasize that I needed to leave right then.

"Fine! I'm going," I told him, even though he wasn't there. I tried to hide the disappointment in my tone, just in case he could hear me.

So much for those farewell French-kisses like in the movies. If only my life were on the silver screen…

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A/N: So, how was that? I feel a lot better now about this plot…something nice and comfy. I still have directional issues for now, so maybe one of you cool reviewers could help me out with it? Oh, that would just be lovely! I'm sorry if I don't update as fast as I usually do. I just want this to be perfect. See what fan-fiction has done to me? It's gone and made me a perfectionist! Anyway…you rock for reading this! Please pretty please leave a review (it can be good or it can be bad…I'll even take flames, as long as it gets me reviews…I'm desperate). Bear with me…this is only the first chapter, folks, and I promise it will get better…(I hope). YA'LL ARE THE MOST AWESOME PEOPLE IN THE WORLD!

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