STRANGE LOVE *THE MYSTERY PAIR*

You have to read the entire story to figure out who this couple is.

The feelings were present long before either of us were ready to own up to them. It started before our parents got married, though we couldn't have vocalized them. Neither of us were ready to deal with the consequences of what such a statement might mean.

We had enmity towards each other from the start. Once we were forced to live in the same house, it just grew worse. We had these knock-down, drag- out fights that always ended in one of us storming into another room and slamming the door. How were we supposed to know that these fights were just our response to the feelings that we both so desperately wanted to disappear. I mean, we were teenagers! At that age no one is sure of their feelings towards anyone, and are usually left with a jumble of confusion.

When our parents finally got married, it still took a while for us to even become civil with each other. Eventually, however, the name-calling became teasing, the evil looks sent us into peals of laughter, and the annoyance that we had both had been forced to deal with was gone. In it's place was a feeling of adoration that we were both trying desperately to ignore.

Our first kiss was awkward and strange, but at the same time sizzling and earth-shattering. We were both running late, so we were competing for mirror space in the tiny Manning/Sammler bathroom. She was leaning across me to grab a tube of lipstick or something, and we both froze as we noticed our position. We leaned in and kissed, in the most uncomfortable position I've ever been in. After we pulled away, I couldn't decide whether I wanted to run screaming, or kiss her again. I opted for choice number 2, and captured her lips in a passionate kiss after we had both righted ourselves. As we left the bathroom, we were obviously both as confused as ever.

It was 4 days before we acknowledged what had happened. I was sitting in my room reading, and she entered, sitting right next to me on the bed. Tentatively, she kissed me again, and when I didn't pull away, I suppose she assumed that I was consenting; which I was. We stayed up all night talking, kissing and cuddling. From that night on, we often met in the middle of the night to exchange "forbidden" kisses under the covers, and talk about the things that had been on our minds. This particular night was no difference. It was about 2:30 in the morning, and she was entangled in my arms, my hand running through her hair.

"You asleep?" I asked.

"Yes," she replied in a groggy tone. "Don't lie," I said, and she looked up at me in mock annoyance. "When do we tell them about us?"

"I don't know," she replied honestly. "I want our family to know, but at the same time, I don't want them to stop us from seeing each other."

"Don't worry," I said. "I could NEVER stop seeing you, no matter how much they tried to force me. I think I love you, Jessie." I said, placing a kiss on her forehead.

"Yeah, Grace, I think I love you too," she said, and settled back into my arms.

OK, this is my first slash fic, so please be kind! You can expect a sequel soon. I know that this is an odd pairing *UNDERSTATEMENT* but I really can't stand Katie, and needed to see Jessie with someone else. I'm still the ULTIMATE Eli/Grace fan, and I doubt that will ever change. Just please give me feedback.and tell me whether you want me to continue.