A/N: Holy shite! It has been so long since I wrote anything I have about 10 unfinished one shots on my laptop but I can't finish them. Hopefully this will help as it is different to anything I have written before. Anyway explaining why I wrote this, I saw the bridge to Terabithia the other day and I realised there was a big following of Leslie didn't die. So I want to write something like that, ok here we go. Set about two years after the film and they have been together for about that long.

Jesse (Jess) Aarons sat onthe edge of a treehouse in a forest, the wind blew softly over the trees creating a light whistling sound, and the sun was setting over the trees making the shadows creep over the wooden structure giving a picture perfect of an autumn sunset. The leaves rustled softly and the bright orange sky gave perfect outlines of bold black trees.

The recently turned thirteen year old felt the wind blow through his hair and pulled the zip on his hoddie up a bit further, he looked down at the blonde head in his lap, snuggled close next to him her breathing gentle and silent she was staring out at the scenery in front of her. Her name was Leslie Burke and the two had been going out for nearly two years, she was a bubbly, airy and funny girl. Jess thought Leslie was amazing, she didn't coat her face in make-up or make jabs at other girls behind their backs. She had a positive outlook on everything and Jess thought her massive imagination was amazing, she had helped Jess come out of his depressed reclusive shell and embrace his imagination, and open his mind to life and not just bury himself in his sketch book. In a way Jess had helped Leslie keep her feet on the ground when she got too carried away in her imagination he had pulled her back down to earth a few notches. Together they made a good team and got on incredibly well, like they were made for each other. They (well mostly Leslie in Jess' opinion) they had created an imaginable land called Terabithia and again that had helped Jess come out of his shell.

The young couple had gotten out of school and ran to their tree house they had done some homework but had ended up in this position and had just sat there not talking for over an hour.

Jess ran his hand through Leslie's hair and she turned to look up at him and gave him a smile, which even though he had seen it for over a year made his heart flip. She said, "What's going on in that head of yours"?

Jess smiled down at his girlfriend, "Just thinking about you".

Leslie smiled again, she sat up and leaned against him, and kissed him on the cheek, then lay her head on his shoulder, "You know what I meant".

Jess sighed, "I was thinking about how you broke me out of my depressed loner shell, and how much you made my life better". He paused for a moment, then looked at her his eyes slightly misted over, "I honestly don't know what would have happened to me if you hadn't walked into my life that day in school". He looked away not wanting her to see the tears leaking out of his eyes.

Leslie turned around and cupped his face, forcing him to look at her, "Look Jess, I may have helped you open your mind, but you helped me, you helped me so much and the sad thing is you don't even realise how much you did help me. You were my first real friend in the world you gave me someone to talk to and someone to share experiences with. We both needed each other and we want each other Jess. That's why this isn't just a teenage romance, I can't imagine myself with anyone else and I honestly think we were destined to meet and be together". She paused to wipe her tears out of her eyes, "I think we are soulmates, I love you Jesse Aarons you don't have to say it back, but I want you to hear it I want to say it I love you". She spoke in a clear defiant voice and Jess knew she meant every word.

Jess was stunned! This was the first time the "L" word had been said by either of them, it had been felt but never mentioned and the way Leslie said it Jess knew she meant it. He didn't respond verbally but opened his arms and she flowed into them. The non-verbal agreement between them was simply Jess holding onto Leslie while she snuggled into his side. Leslie knew he felt the same way, he just didn't feel ready to show it yet. How long they stayed holding onto each other the pair did not know but it was gradually getting darker. The wind had turned from whistling to howling and eventually the pair were very cold. They retreated into the treehouse but that didn't do much to solve the matter. Eventually the couple knew they would have to go home.

Jess jumped off the treehouse first landing softly on the forest floor, he looked around at the dark wood, the wind was screaming and howling in every direction, rain started to pound down and it was bitterly cold, this was not the Terabithia that Jess and Leslie loved, this was the Dark Master showing himself against them.

Leslie landed softly beside Jess and she too looked around then she whispered in his ear, "As rulers we stay defiant, nothing crushes us! Now c'mon". Together the couple linked hands and started to run, the wind ringing in their ears as if the trees were begging them to get out and get to safety. There were no warriors to help them if a vulture came and picked them off the ground, the pair moved swiftly through the trees, the blackness flashing past them, having no objective or thought in mind other than getting out of Terabithia and to the safety and comfort of home even if it was for a solitary night. They sprinted up to the creek, rain soaking them to the skin the wind screaming in their ears and mud splattering up there trousers and onto their shoes.

When they got to the creek they of course had to cross it, and the way they had done that had changed over the years, the branch that held the original rope up had rotted and fallen down about two years ago. Initially after this they had jumped the creek with varying degrees of success each time. Eventually Jess had decided to put some planking down building it up from the bottom of the creek to support a bridge, eventually they had a safe passage to Terabithia. Jess' younger sisters did come across sometimes but mainly only on weekends during the day, so weekdays after school and all evening everyday Jess and Leslie had to themselves.

They got to the creek sprinted upstream a little while trying to find the bridge in the dark. Eventually he found it and dashed across it, however Jess forgot it would be slippery and tumbled down, sliding across the last few meters of the bridge and slid into the mud making him colder wetter and dirtier than he already was. He was pulled up by Leslie and for a few moments the couple stood still catching their breaths.

When they had their breathing under control the young couple looked at each other and Leslie gave Jess her smile. "You OK Jess"?

Jess nodded, "yeah just a scrape". Jess looked at Leslie then noticed they were both missing something, "Leslie we left our backpacks at the treehouse".

Leslie just smiled, "its Saturday tomorrow remember, and anyway they are covered they will be fine besides even if we needed them I wouldn't go back and get them now".

Jess had to agree and just nodded. The couple then realized they were still getting soaked in the rain. They walked back to their houses slowly, water dripping from their hair and clothes. Once they reached the clearing with both their houses Leslie turned to Jess and gave him a quick kiss on the lips, "Jess we are both soaked and your clothes are filthy lets go take showers and meet back at my place if you wanna stay for dinner, my Mums making Pasta carbonara tonight". Jess nodded and they kissed again and went to their respective houses.

Jess stopped at his front door and peeled off his shoes and socks and dumped his filthy hoodie by the door then stepped inside letting the warmth from the wood burning fire envelop him for a second then shouted "I'm Home"!

Immediately his mum came out from around the corner, "Jess there you are, what on earth have you been doing your soaked, go and take a shower." Jess nodded and trudged up the stairs. He looked into the living room as he went, his dad was sitting in his chair by the fire, his eyes closed his head thrown back. Joyce-Anne was sitting on the floor playing with her doll and his elder sisters Ellie and Brenda were sat at the table doing what, God only knew.

Jess stepped into his bedroom and saw May Bell on her side of the room again he didn't know what she was doing, he grabbed his towel and stepped into the bathroom. He enjoyed the hot shower scrubbing himself washing away the day's stresses and worries. After an unknown amount of time he stepped out and dried himself off. He pulled on some clean jeans and a blue long sleeve t-shirt then found a sleeveless hooded top. He laced up his trainers and headed out. He headed to the front door and his mum stopped him, "Jess what do you want for dinner"?

Jess looked back, "I'm going to Leslie's for dinner I'll be back later".

His mum sighed, "OK just don't stay too long".

Jess nodded and walked out the back door, he ran to Leslie's as the rain was even heavier than it had been earlier. He reached the Burke's house in record time and knocked. Bill, Leslie's father answered, he smiled when he saw Jess. He respected and liked Jess and knew he was a good lad, he had had no problems when Jess and his daughter had announced their relationship and had never had a problem with it to this day. He reached out a hand and all put pulled Jess inside, "Jess come in, you'll freeze if you stay out there take your shoes off Leslie is in the kitchen".

Jess smiled and nodded, he pulled of his shoes and hung up his hoddie, appreciating the warmth of the house as he walked through to the kitchen while Bill had gone upstairs. Leslie sat at the table writing in one of her many notebooks, while Judy her mother was in the kitchen preparing dinner. Like her husband she smiled when she saw Jess, she put the knife down and after wiping her hands gave Jess a big kiss on the cheek. "Jess it's good to see you it's been a while, sit down with Leslie dinner won't be for a while yet".

Jess smiled and sat at the table next to Leslie, she looked up and smiled at him. She reached under the table and gave his hand a gentle squeeze, Jess smiled and returned the action as Leslie returned to her notebook.

Jess felt in his jean pocket and found a pencil then looked at Leslie sheepishly and spoke, "Leslie can I borrow some paper".

Leslie looked up and shook and shook her head while smiling at the same time and tore out a page and handed it to him. He smiled and thanked her.

He looked at the blank sheet trying to decide what to draw and eventually decided on an overhead shot of a battle, soon the kitchen was quiet with the only noise coming from Jess's pencil scratching on the paper or Leslie's writing.

Soon the quietness was broken by Bill coming down the stairs, he sat noisily at the table and Jess glanced at him, he had changed clothes since he had let Jess indoors and his hair was slightly damp. Bill smiles at Jess when he saw the young boy look at him and smiled a bit more when he noticed the paper, "What you drawing Jess can I have a look"?

Jess smiled and nodded and Bill came behind his chair and looked at the small piece of art, it was an overhead shot of a medieval battle, with archers trying to defend a castle perimeter while soldiers on foot and horseback attacked it. Even though he had only been drawing for about fifteen minutes he had got tiny details down such as cracks in the brickwork in the castle.

Bill smiled at the drawing and looked at Jess, "Jess I'm telling you, you have serious potential as an artist, the stuff you can create is way beyond your age you can make millions as an artist".

Jess smiled and blushed slightly; Leslie's dad gave him nearly the same words every time he saw one of his pieces of artwork, he appreciated the compliments but never one hundred percent believed them, he was only drawing because he enjoyed it and had never really thought of becoming a professional artist.

Then Judy looked up from the carbonara sauce she was making "Jess, Bills right your talents a gift you should be proud of it". Jess looked at the woman smiling at him and blushed again, then he felt a small hand softly take hold of his own under the table, and he looked at his girlfriend who was smiling at him stroking the back of his hand softly. He smiled back at her and returned the action.

Bill smiled watching the small action between his daughter and her boyfriend; he smiled remembering back to when he and Judy dated. He smiled and walked back out of the kitchen and went back upstairs.

After Bill left Judy returned to making dinner and Leslie returned to her notebook, Jess however sat there thinking staring at the drawing in front of him and the words that Leslie's parents had just said to him. His Dad had never really encouraged him to draw, but then again had never discouraged it either. But Jess had always suspected his dad wanted him to do a "mans" job such as a builder or plumber. He also suspected that when he got older his dad would discourage the drawing and tell him to "get his head out the clouds" like he did now. In these few short minutes Leslie's parents had given Jess more encouragement and belief in himself that his own parents ever had done. Jess understood that his parents were busy he really did but he just wished sometimes his dad would sit down with him and talk to him about school, art or anything and not just bark chores at him. He looked back down at the half –finished drawing it was as if he was seeing how good his artwork was for the first time, he smiled again picked up his pencil and carried on.

After a while Jess was nearly finished, he had drawn a whole Army of men on horseback and had put in a landscape complete with tiny details such as Rocky Mountains and blades of grass. Then he heard a voice behind him shouting up the stairs "Bill come down dinners ready". He looked around and saw Bill come down the stairs, and Judy getting large bowls out of the cupboard, then PT the dog came out from the living room stretching indicating he had just got up from a nap, he walked into the dining room and lay underneath the table like Jess knew he did at mealtimes he looked at Leslie and smiled then Bill spoke.

"You two could you get some knives and forks please". The two nodded and got the cutlery then placed four steaming bowls down on the table, and placed what was left in the saucepan in the middle. Jess sat next to Leslie and looked at the steaming pasta in front of him and smiled, he loved Judy's cooking and knew she did everything homemade. Bill went to start but his wife stopped him and nodded he head towards Jess, who had his hands pressed together in prayer which meant he was saying grace, Bill nodded and put his cutlery down and put his hands by his sides in respect, while the Burke's were not religious (even though Leslie did occasionally accompany Jess and his family to church) they respected Jess for his views and let him pray.

Jess Un-linked his hands and looked at the others respectfully waiting for him and he blushed again, "Guys you didn't have to wait for me you know I know you are not religious".

Leslie shook her head, "No Jess that's not right we have to respect your views just like you respect ours". Jess smiled at Leslie and then they both looked a Judy and she nodded, and then without further ado everyone started to eat, and just like Jess knew it would be it was delicious".

For a while there was just the clink of cutlery and glasses, but then Bill cleared his throat and spoke, "So Jess you got any plans for the weekend"?

Jess had to swallow a mouthful before speaking, "umm not really Mr Burke, well except doing chores". He said the last bit with a slight bitterness in his voice.

Bill smiled, "Jess firstly how many times do I have to tell you call me Bill, and secondly I may have plans for you, Leslie has been begging for ages to take her to that art museum that your old teacher took you both too a few years ago and I have some time off this weekend and I can take you if you want to go".

Jess smiled, "That would be great I would have to clear it with my parents first but it should be ok". Bill smiled at Jess and returned to his food Jess did the same although he could have sworn he saw Judy wink at her daughter from across the table.

Eventually the food was finished and the plates cleared away. Leslie all but dragged Jess through to the living room and she immediately flowed into his arms on the couch and they lay looking out of the window. The rain was still lashing down and the wind was still howling. Jess could just about see the light coming from his house, he smiled and secretly he was much happier over here especially with Leslie cuddled up close to him on the couch her head on his chest, he could smell her shampoo and he loved the feeling of her warm body snuggled up against him her breathing like it had been earlier completely silent. He looked up at the rain pounding against the window and felt even cosier. He looked down at Leslie and saw she was looking at him; he raised an eyebrow in inquiry.

Leslie shifted her position slightly and started to talk, "I'm thinking about how happy you make me". Jess smiled it was like the situation earlier only reversed. He spoke.

"You make me happy Leslie when I'm with you like this nothing else matters, not my dad, my family, not school or homework, I just want to be with you".

Jess smiled and she leaned up and she kissed him on the lips, somehow she managed to move their positions so she was on top of him and plunged her tongue into his mouth. After an unknown amount of time to Jess Leslie pulled away, he was stunned; in there two years of dating that was easily there most passionate moment. He looked back at Leslie and she gave him a wicked grin and snuggled back beside him. For a while they just lay there and Jess could feel Leslie falling asleep but he had to say something.

"Leslie", he whispered.

Leslie gave a groggy "yeah" to show she heard him.

Jess took a deep breath, "You know what you said earlier". She didn't give a reply but Leslie knew exactly what Jess was talking about. Jess took a deep breath, "you know just because I didn't say it then doesn't me-.

Leslie suddenly awake turned around and pressed a finger to Jess' lips. "Jess listen I said what I said today because I felt ready to say it, but whatever you feel please don't feel like you have to say it back don't feel pressured to say it, I waited two years before you asked me out-jess blushed slightly- and I would wait forever to hear those words from you, say them when you're ready not because you feel like you have to ok"? Jess looked at her and nodded, Leslie smiled and kissed him quickly and snuggled down into his chest her breathing even and within minutes she was asleep.

Jess lay there thinking about what was going on, he was lying on a couch with the most amazing girl in the world asleep in his arms. He smiled and looked out at the rain and the woods leading towards Terabithia. He looked at the blonde head in his arms and kissed her on the top of her head and looked at the window again at the howling wind and pounding rain he smiled and muttered three words before falling asleep, "Nothing crushes us".

A/N: I FINISHED A STORY! THE FIRST ONE FOR OVER A YEAR. Words cannot describe how happy I am right now; hopefully this helps me break out of my shell again. Please review.