Jesse sighed, they'd been sitting there for over three hours now and Becca hadn't budged, nor had Danny made any attempt to try go in "somewhere you need to be?" Danny asked as Jesse glanced at his watch again.
"No," he said quickly "well, okay, I was meant to go home this morning but I stayed with Becca. I told my mom I'd be home later once I knew she was okay…the last bus is at six."
Danny looked at his watch to see it was after five-thirty "well, you better head now if you're gonna make it."
Jesse sat back against the wall "I'm not going anywhere," he said and scrambled to his feet as the door opened "hey," he said softly when she appeared.
Becca crossed her arms and leaned against the door, looking down at Danny she rolled her eyes "you could have gone home," she said looking at Jesse.
"I know," he nodded and glanced at Danny "I didn't want to leave you."
Becca scoffed and rolled her eyes again "I'm a big girl, I can look after myself."
"I know," he frowned, she had closed off again and he was pretty sure it was going to take a while before she dropped her defences again.
Danny got up off the floor "hang in there man, don't mind her, she tries to act tough so we'll leave her alone when all she wants is a hug," he said grabbing her to him.
"Get off me!" she huffed and shoved him away "both of you, go home, I am fine!" she hissed.
Danny chuckled and pushed her into her room "get your stuff you're coming home with me."
"I don't want to," she muttered already gathering her things.
"Hurry up, we're dropping Jesse off too," he added.
"What!" both yelled glancing and frowning at the others reaction.
"Don't be rude happy," he chuckled "he's missed two buses because of you…I'll be out in the car park!" he called as he walked away.
"Danny!" Jesse called after him "I live like four hours away!" he called after him.
"So do we!" he called back as he slipped out the door.
Becca nudged him out of the way as she came out and locked her door seeing as her roommate was already gone "uh, where do you live?" she asked getting his attention.
Jesse looked down on her "Michigan," he replied "look, Bec, just tell him thanks but I'll get the early bus tomorrow."
Becca nodded and grabbed her bag "come on weirdo, we live in Michigan too."
Jesse ran after her "do you? Where? I mean, I've never seen you or Danny before."
"You know Malton street?" she asked "yeah well, the housing estate behind the apartment block is where we live…what?" she asked as his eyes widened.
"I live in Sycamore, they're like back to back…why have I never seen you before? Did you go to Jeffrey's high school?"
"No," she replied "I went to Franklin…I was never out with friends so you wouldn't have seen me," she replied.
Jesse nodded and let himself into his room, he couldn't believe that she was so close to him, that he could have met her a long time ago.
…
Along the drive Danny turned to look at Jesse through the mirror "your last name is Swanson right?"
"Uh, yeah," Jesse replied.
"Are you related to Jason Swanson?"
"Yeah…you know him?" Jesse asked surprised.
"Sure do," Danny chuckled "he works at my station."
"You work with my dad? You're a cop?" Jesse asked even more surprised.
"Your dads a cop? You never said," Becca said looking back at him.
Jesse shrugged "I never tell anyone he's a cop…I don't bring it up."
Becca nodded and turned back to face the widow "is he a detective like Danny?"
"No, he loves working the streets," Jesse chuckled.
"I have some stories about your old man," Danny chuckled "I'll tell you a few when your over one of the nights."
Becca snapped her head to him "why would he be coming over?" she asked alarmed.
"Uh, duh, coz he's your friend and he's sitting right there dummy," Danny said punching her in the shoulder.
Becca rubbed her shoulder and turned back to Jesse "I didn't mean it like that, I thought he was trying to steal you to be his friend."
"It's okay," Jesse chuckled, he quite liked the relationship between Becca and her brother, it was like Danny could handle her at any mood. She looked happier too, he hadn't heard her laugh like that since he fell while they were messing in the radio station…it was good to hear "oh, you can just throw me out at the corner here, I can walk from here."
"Nonsense," Danny said turning into the estate "what number?"
"Ninety-six…thanks," Jesse replied praying to god his sister wasn't on her usual spot on the porch.
"Here we are, see you soon man," Danny said pushing Becca out to help him with his bags.
"Thanks for the lift…see ya soon," he said and climbed out.
Becca helped him get his bags out and closed the boot "so," she drawled clutching his bag tighter.
"So," he repeated and tried to take it from her "I need that," he chuckled.
"Oh, right," she said and let go of it "I'll call you later?" she asked sheepishly.
Jesse chuckled and tilted her chin up "you can call me anytime you want," he murmured and kissed her slowly. Pulling back he pulled his signature grin "you know, if you miss me that much."
"Shut up," she chuckled and pulled him back to her locking her arms around his neck "thanks for everything dork," she said locking eyes with him.
Jesse dropped his bags and slid both his hands onto her waist "you gonna be okay?"
She nodded and chewed on her lip "just, uh," she sighed frustrated with herself "just don't give up on me okay? I really am trying."
Jesse lowered his head "never," he whispered and kissed her deeply, sliding one hand onto her cheek.
"Jesse? Jess, is that you?" came a voice from the door.
"Oh, no," Jesse groaned and pulled back "yes mom!" he called back.
Becca bit on her lip and shrunk back as a woman hurried down the drive "there's my boy," she said and hugged him tightly. Pulling back she looked at Becca "aren't you going to introduce me?"
Jesse sent Becca an apologetic smile before turning back to his mom "Mom, this Becca, Bec this is my m-"
"So you're Becca?" his mom asked cutting him off and shoving him out of the way. "My gosh, you're even more beautiful than Jesse said."
"Mom," he groaned, he was so embarrassed now.
Becca bit on her lip and looked at Jesse as he pleaded with his eyes to let it go "um, hi Mrs Swanson," she said sticking out her hand "nice to meet you."
Jesse's mom waved her off and pulled her into a hug "it's Laura dear, it's lovely to meet you too…at last," she added sending a glare at her son "are you coming in love?"
"Oh, thanks, but I better get home…my brother is waiting," she said nodding to Danny who smiled and gave a wave.
Laura looked at Danny and smiled before waving and turning back to Becca "will we see you at all before you go back to college?"
"Yeah," she nodded surprising not only Jesse but herself too "I'll be by soon," she added and glanced at Jesse "I better go…nice to meet you," she smiled.
"You're sure you won't come in?" Laura asked again.
"No mom, she has to go," Jesse groaned "can you please give us a minute?"
Laura chuckled and hugged her again "see you soon then dear, you're welcome any time," she said and waved at Danny before going up the drive.
"Oh my god, Bec, I'm so sorry," he said hiding his face.
"It's okay nerd," she laughed pulling his hands away "I like her, but I do really have to go," she said nodding to the car.
Jesse shook his head "I'm still sorry, my mom gets overexcited."
Becca chuckled and grabbed his collar "goodnight dork," she said and kissed him sweetly.
"I'm gonna have to come up with a nick name for you," he said and slid his hand onto her cheek "but seriously though, call me if you need me?" he asked tilting his head trying to read her.
Becca rolled her eyes and picked his bag up "I promise," she said sending it into his chest waving her hand at him to go.
"Goodnight beautiful!" he called as he made his way up his drive.
Becca smiled and bit on her lip as he waved again before shutting the front door. Sighing happily she walked back to the car, meeting Jesse's mom hadn't freaked her out as much as she though it would.
….
Jesse threw his bags on the floor and walked into the kitchen, freezing when his mom beamed at him "what?" he asked slowly.
Laura shrugged and walked to the sink "I like her," she said.
"Mom," he groaned again "you met her for like two minutes, we're just friends so don't run away with yourself."
Laura laughed "I saw you kissing her, her arms were wrapped around your neck."
"Fine," he sighed "it's pretty new and she is going through a lot."
"Oh," Laura gasped "I never said anything about her mother, and here I was being all happy and that poor girl is probably home to bury her own mother."
"Mom, it's okay," Jesse said hurrying to her "I think she was happier you didn't say anything she's, uh, she's not taking it to well."
"Poor girl," Laura said shaking her head "I hope you're being there as much as you can?" she asked.
"Of course I am," Jesse nodded "I've been with her since she found out…mostly," he added. "I've told her to call me if she needs me so don't be alarmed if I sneak off."
Laura nodded "that's fine, tell her we're all here if she needs anything, anything at all."
Jesse kissed his mom on the cheek and smiled "I love you mom," he said before walking out of the room.
Over at Becca's Danny had just dropped her bag onto her bed "so, you're good? You need anything?"
"I live here Danny, I'm pretty sure I can find things by myself if I need them," she replied.
Danny chuckled and sat on the end of the bed "Jesse's mom seems to like you."
"Don't," she said shaking her head.
Danny stood up again "fine, for tonight and only because I'm tired I'll let it go…night Becs," he said dropping a kiss on her head.
"Night…thanks for coming," she said and turned away quickly towards her desk.
Danny chuckled "don't mention it," he said and chuckled again and closed the door over.
A while later Becca pulled off her ear phones and wiped her eyes, looking down at her phone she smiled as she had a message from Jesse again apologising for his mom, sending him a reply she lay back. As her phone binged she frowned, there's no way he could have replied that quick.
Picking it up she smiled at his reply I hope you've eaten and got some sleep, if not I'll be over to feed you and break out a movie she laughed and replied
Jesse lay on his bed, opening her reply he smiled Danny fed me pasta…I wouldn't mind one of your boring movies right now thinking for a minute he shot off a reply and rolled off the bed.
Becca looked at his reply and bit her lip to hid a smile on the way, what number house? Replying she threw down her phone and rolled off the bed to go wait for him. She loved that he could read her so well.
Jesse arrived to find her sitting on the porch, "Hey I know that hoodie," he said and sat beside her "I have the same one," he smirked.
Becca smiled and looked up from her phone "had, dork…I swapped your trebles blazer so you wouldn't get into trouble."
"So thoughtful," he chuckled and wrapped his arm around her "what has you out here?"
"Waiting for you," she replied as if it were obvious.
"You could have waited inside," he said pulling her to her feet "where's Danny?" he asked as she led him inside.
"He went to finish some paperwork, he'll be back later," she said turning to face him.
"You okay?" he asked, he didn't like the way she was looking at him…or edging closer to him. Before he knew what was happening she had forced him back into the door and was kissing him hard. Shock hitting his system he went to pull back, when she wouldn't allow it he dropped his bag to the floor pulling her closer as he deepened the kiss.
As the kiss heated up Becca let go of his hair and ran her hand to the bottom of his shirt, slipping her hand under she heard him groan as she ran it up his chest. Biting his lip she got another groan from him before soothing it with her tongue.
Groaning and trying really hard to stay in control he slid his hands onto her butt and pulled her even closer smiling into her as she gasped "Bec?" he whispered "Bec we gotta stop," he panted.
"Why?" she panted back trailing kisses along his neck.
"Because I can't control myself much longer," he groaned as she ran both her hands up under his shirt "and the doorknob is like digging into my spine."
"Oh, sorry," she said pulling him away.
Jesse took a step closer and looked down on her "where the hell did that come from?"
"Pretty sure it came with the door," she said biting her lip as her cheeks reddened.
Jesse chuckled "I didn't mean that," he said sliding his hand onto her cheek "you know, you're so adorable when you blush."
Becca refused to look up at him, she was so embarrassed, she had no idea what came over her "I, um, I got a little carried away," she mumbled.
Jesse titled her chin "it's okay, I'm not gonna pretend that I wasn't enjoying it coz wow…but now is not the time," he said and stroked her cheek "I'm not going anywhere," he added softly.
Becca smiled quickly and stepped away from him "so, what movie will you be boring me with tonight?" she asked as she made her way up the stairs.
Jesse followed her and dropped onto her a bed "a classic, my favourite actually," he said and pulled out a dvd.
"The breakfast club?" she frowned as he waved it at her.
"Yes," he said reaching out for her "and you're gonna love it just as much as me," he added pulling her into him.
….
After the movie Jesse looked down and was surprised to see Becca still awake, smiling he pulled her closer "have I done the unthinkable? Did Becca Mitchell just watch a whole movie?"
Becca scoffed "don't get too proud of yourself," she said sitting up "I was thinking for most of it."
Jesse sat up and kissed her quickly "still, you watched a whole movie," he said shoving his laptop back into his bag. His hands stilled as he spotted the picture her dad had given him to pass on, looking back at her he watched her stare off into space.
Clearing his throat, he pulled it out and sat back "after you walked off on your dad," he started getting her attention "he asked me to give this back to you."
Becca looked at his hand and bit her lip, staring at it for a few seconds she glanced up at him "why? Why did he want me to have it back?"
Jesse shrugged, remembering what Danny had said, he held it out a bit more "I don't know Bec, he just asked I gave it back to you and told you he was sorry, that he didn't think you'd be interested in knowing."
Becca sighed and shook her head "I don't want it," she muttered "it's not going to change anything she's stil-" she cut herself off and bit her lip. Knowing he was watching her with concern she sighed and closed her eyes "she's still gone," she finished quietly.
Jesse hated seeing her so down, so lost, sitting up he grabbed her hands "tell me about her?" he asked.
Becca slowly brought her gaze to his "why?" she asked "I never talked about her before this."
"Because I wanna know you and everything about you," he said seriously.
Becca looked down at the picture again, taking it in her hand she nodded to her mom "that necklace she has on?" After his nod she pulled her shirt out "I never take it off," she said biting her lip nervously. "She always wore it, I loved it so much that she gave it to me for a day in school. I won a school competition that day, I was so excited to get home and tell her, I told her it was my good luck charm…she let me keep it," she smiled as her eyes began to water.
Jesse smiled and kissed her hand encouraging her to go on.
Becca bit her lip again as her eyes watered "the week before Danny was due to head to New York mom and dad we're fighting constantly. I was so sick of it and scared what would happen, they were so loud and angry, I would sneak into his room and lie on his bed until he would pull me under the covers and tell me everything was going to be okay…the day Danny left my dad did too. I couldn't tell him, he was so worried about leaving me with them like that."
The fell into silence for a while Jesse playing with their hands leaving her to her thoughts. He looked up as she started to speak again.
"I ran away the second night he was gone," she said quietly. "Mom was drinking nonstop, she wouldn't stop yelling at me over everything…I couldn't take it."
"Where did you go?" he asked.
Becca shrugged "I wandered for the night, ended up at out treehouse…me and Danny built it in the fields when we were kids."
Jesse smiled "you made a treehouse?"
"Yeah," she laughed shakily "well, technically Danny built it, I just helped carry the wood and watched. I woke up sometime the next day to find Danny sitting across from me with this stupid mad scowl on his face. I knew I was in so much trouble, but I didn't care. I launched myself across that treehouse until I landed on him."
Jesse smiled again "he came back?"
"Not by choice," Becca replied "mom called him drunk off her ass coz she was afraid to call the cops and refused to call my dad, he drove for the night and came straight to the treehouse."
Jesse scooted back up beside her "did you get in trouble?"
"Not really," she shrugged "Danny took me for burgers and I told him everything…he nearly stayed home after that."
"You made him go back?"
Becca nodded "I wasn't going to let him give up his dream because I was unhappy. I could handle my mom…most of the time, she was fine if she drank wine or beers. It was when she drank vodka or other spirits she'd turn into this bitter twisted woman and everything was my fault."
"I'm sorry you had to go through that," he said taking her hand in his "you're such a strong person Bec."
Becca shrugged and looked down at their hands "I had to be," she muttered "my mom was so bad that my dad stopped coming to see me, Danny was so busy in the academy…I had no one."
Jesse tugged her closer "yet here you are, this amazing beautiful person."
"Dude that's lame," she chuckled trying to break the atmosphere.
"Can't you take a complement?" he chuckled knowing what she was doing, he'd decided she'd let him in enough for tonight. "What?" he asked when she stared over at him.
"You have really pretty eyes," she said seriously, she smirked as he blushed. Moving closer to him she stopped inches away "not so easy, is it?" she said before kissing him slowly.
Jesse lazily deepened the kiss and dropped his hand onto her back tugging her a little closer. Pulling back he smiled down on her "it's getting pretty late…do you want me to stay?"
Becca smiled and sat up "nah, I think you should go home and get a proper sleep, you've been looking after me you deserve it," she chuckled and pulled him off the bed.
…
A while later Danny stuck his head in to see her sitting on her bed staring at the photo, walking to her bed he sat beside her "it's late Becs…was Jesse here?" he asked looking at a dvd case on her locker.
Glancing at the clock she sighed as it read two am, she had no desire to sleep "yeah, I sent him home, he was tired."
Danny nodded and looked down at the photo "do you recognise anyone else in that?" he asked cautiously.
Becca nodded and pointed to two women behind her mom "is that aunt Michelle and Leanne?"
Danny nodded hoping she wasn't going to flip out "yeah, they joined the year after mom…anyone else?"
Becca frowned and scanned the photo carefully, stopping on a woman she looked over at him "is that Frankie?"
Danny nodded "yeah, she co-led them with mom."
Becca examined the photo carefully "apart from the hair she hasn't changed."
After they fell into silence Becca looked over at Danny as he played with the dvd case in a world of his own "what's on your mind?" she asked.
Danny looked at her for a few minutes, he wasn't sure about what he was about to say, he didn't think she was ready "uh, the coroner called me…mom's autopsy is back, he wants me to come hear the results tomorrow…he said we can see her if we wish."
Becca nodded as she took it all in, looking at him she opened her mouth "are you okay?" she asked.
"Of course I'm okay, why would you ask that?" he asked shifting uncomfortably, he was the one that looked out for her, not the other way around.
"Because you've been looking after me and I so selfishly wanted you to and forgot she was your mom too," she replied.
Danny shrugged and lay back to look at the ceiling "I just can't believe it, you know? I mean sure I was off when I got the call from dad but my first thoughts were of you," he said and looked over at her "I told him if he'd told you before I was there I was going to kill him."
Becca lay beside him and looked up at the ceiling "I was at semi-finals in Lincoln centre when she died." She rolled to look over at him "was I born there?"
Danny nodded "who told you that?"
"I was looking at all the past Bella's when I came across the picture, Aubrey happened to appear and I asked her did she know and of course she did. She went on about how amazing mom was, even pregnant she didn't give up."
Danny sat up "will you be coming with me tomorrow?"
Becca bit on her lip "uh, I don't know Danny."
"That's okay," he said and walked to the door "you don't have to if you don't want to."
"I'm scared!" she called after him.
"Me too," he smiled "night kiddo, I love you," he said before shutting the door.
The next morning Jesse sat at the table with his family, lost in a daze of Becca as he swirled his spoon around the bowl "you okay there Jess?" his dad asked clapping him on the back.
Jesse jumped and snapped his head to him "hey dad, yeah I'm fine," he lied.
"Don't lie to your dad," Laura said joining them "did you get any sleep last night?"
Jesse shrugged "Becca called me at all hours, she said Danny wanted her to go and see her mom…I'm just worried about her."
Jason frowned "am I missing something here?"
Laura smiled "I finally met Becca last night, she dropped Jesse off…her mom passed away, I told you all this."
"Is that where you snuck off to at half eleven?" Jason asked.
"Yeah, she needed me, she lives next street over," Jesse replied.
"So close?" Laura asked surprised "why didn't you mention it before? Did you know her before college?"
Jesse sighed, he really wasn't in the mood for this "I didn't know until she told me last night and no I didn't know her before then…she didn't hang around here or go to my school."
Laura patted his hand "you're all cranky, why don't you get some more sleep."
"Because Becca might need me, weren't you listening to what I first said?" he said more harshly than he meant.
"Don't talk to your mother like that," Jason said slapping him on the head "you're the idiot that sat up all night, you do know phones will wake you when they ring don't you?"
"Jason!" Laura hissed "it's all new to him, he really likes this girl, give him a break."
"No, it's okay," Jesse said and stood up "I'm sorry mom, I'm tired, I didn't mean to take it out on you."
"It's okay Jess…maybe you could have Becca over for dinner tonight, it might take her mind off her mom," she suggested.
"I'll see what state she's in later…I'm going back to sleep for a bit, sorry again mom," he said and hurried off to his room.
"What?" Jason asked as Laura's gaze burned into him.
"You're an idiot," she huffed "he really likes this girl, he's been by her side nonstop since it happened. He's worried about her. We know Jesse has a massive heart, he's trying to hold back because he doesn't want her to think he's being pushy or needy."
Jason raised an eyebrow "you got all that from his playing with his breakfast and snapping at you?"
Laura shook her head and muttered something under her breath as she stood up "I know my son, just like you do," she said looking at him pointedly.
"Alright," Jason said holding up his hand "I won't say another word about it."
"I hope she comes over, maybe an evening here with us will help her, even if it's only a little bit."
"He gets the massive heart from you," Jason said and went back to his paper.
…
That afternoon Danny stuck his head into her room "I'm heading now are you coming?" he asked.
Becca rolled off the bed "if I come do I have to go in and see her? She won't be, like, just lying there when I walk in the door?"
"No," he replied "she'll be in one of the slab things, he'll give me results then take her to another room if we want to see her for a few minutes."
Becca nodded and chewed on her lip "and I won't have to see her even if you want to?"
"Becca," he said placing his hands on her shoulders "you don't have to do anything you don't want to, if you want to see her you can, if you don't it's not a big deal."
Becca nodded slowly before looking up at him "I'll come."
"Okay I'll meet you at the car," he said as her phone rang.
Walking to it she answered gloomily "hey."
"Hey," Jesse replied "you okay?"
"Um, no, not really," she said, what was the point in lying "I'm uh, I'm going with Danny, we're leaving now."
"You're going?" he asked surprised "are you sure you want to?"
"No, I don't know, all I know is I feel like I need to get sick, my hands won't stop shaking, my throat keeps going dry, my head hurts, I can't breathe, I ca-"
"Baby calm down," he said softly.
Becca stopped and took in a deep breath, blowing it out she smiled at the sound of him calling her baby, it helped a lot "sorry, I'm just freaking out, I don't know what I want."
"Becca if at any time this gets too hard for you, or if you feel you want to leave just call me and I'll be there to take you away, okay?"
Becca bit on her lip the niceness of his words were getting to her, she was feeling all mushy inside, she panicked "why are you doing this?" she asked "why are you so wrapped up in me?"
Jesse was surprised and a little worried "because I care about you," he replied.
"Yeah, well maybe you shouldn't," she said quickly "I'm no good Jesse, I'll only bring you down, you're such an amazing guy, any girl would be lucky to have you…I'm only going to hurt you!" she cried.
Jesse closed his eyes and sighed heavily "Bec, I'm not letting you do this, you're upset, you're not thinking properly. I don't want any other girl, I only want you, I care about you and I'm not letting you push me away again."
Becca bit her lip as a lone tear ran down her cheek "I can't so this Jesse, I'm sorry, I'm so screwed up…you deserve better," she said and hung up.
"You're an idiot," came Danny's voice "why'd you do that?"
Becca wiped her eyes "he deserves someone better than me," she sniffed and walked by him.
The drive was in silence, after Danny had ran her the riot act about Jesse she not so nicely told him to mind his own business and boom-they weren't talking.
Pulling up at the hospital Danny turned off the engine and made no move to get out "Becca," he said after a minute "you're doing yourself more damage you know that right?"
"I know," she mumbled.
"So why did you end things with him? It's clear as day he really cares about you, he's not just looking for a college fling."
"He deserves someone with a lot less problems than me, I'm about to snap and go off the rails Danny, I can already feel it coming on. All this mom stuff is really messing with my head. I don't want to hurt him which I know I will because that's what I do…he's better off. "
"Cop the fuck on Becca!" Danny yelled "everyone has problems! Everyone has a past, you think he's perfect?"
"Danny I-" she started wide eyed, it wasn't every often he had an outburst like this.
"No!" he yelled cutting her off "I'm sick of you tearing yourself down, I'm sick of you risking your own happiness because you're too blind to see what's in front of you. Yeah, you've never had boyfriend or a real friend. I know it's scary that he's getting so close to you but that only shows you care about him too…please stop this Bec," he said softly "I can't stand to see you so unhappy."
Becca bit her lip as her eyes glazed over "what if I screw up with him Danny?" she whispered "I really, really like him but I keep pushing him away."
Danny took her hand "you need to really try Becs, don't go by mom and dad's relationship…make your own," he said and climbed out.
Becca blew out a deep breath and looked down at her phone laughing mixed with tears she read the message, you're not getting away that easy that boy 'her' boy, was one of a kind.
A few minutes later they were called into the medical examiners room, Becca gripped Danny's hand as she slowly looked around to make sure her mom wasn't anywhere to be seen. Her attention was brought back as Danny and the doctor started talking.
The doctor stopped midsentence and looked at Becca "I don't think the young lady should be here for this."
Danny glanced at Becca before looking back to him "she's my sister…why?" he asked.
The doctor beckoned him to come closer and away from Becca, she watched as Danny looked at the report, his eyes going wide before he frantically scanned the other pages "Becca, go wait outside," he said in his cop tone.
"But Dan-" she started and took a step forward.
"I said wait outside!" he yelled whirling to face her.
Becca jumped and ran out of the room, she didn't like his tone at all, what was on that report that she couldn't see?
…
After what felt like hours Danny finally emerged "do you want to see her?" he asked softly.
Becca glared up at him "what the hell was that? Why did you tell me to get out?"
"Bec, I don't have time to explain, do you want to come with me to see her or not?"
Becca sighed and stood before nodding and following him.
"She looks so…peaceful," Becca said staring at her mom.
"I know," Danny said wrapping his arm around her.
"Why were you examining her arms?" Becca asked next.
Danny stiffened beside her "uh, I just wanted to make sure the marks on her arms weren't bad enough for people to see at her wake."
Becca sighed and looked up at him "you know I'm not a kid anymore right?"
"I know," Danny nodded hating how well he knew his sister and knowing what she was going to ask next.
"Why did you kick me out Danny? Why are you checking her over? I'm not stupid you know."
"You can't handle it, I'm just about holding it together, I don't want you feeling what I am right now."
Becca blew out a breath and took her eyes off her mom "we'll get through this together," she said gripping his hand tightly "tell me?"
Danny closed his eyes and squeezed her hand "Becca, mom didn't overdose."
"What?" she frowned "dad said the cops found needles and other stuff beside her."
"Becca, not all things are how they seem, they probably told dad it was likely an accidental overdose but the coroner would know for sure," Danny said.
"So what was it then? Was it even drug related? Did she die in her sleep or something?" she asked looking up at him as he chewed on his lip. "Danny, will you please tell me? I promise I can handle it."
Danny looked down on her and his heart broke at the look already on her face, what was she gonna do when he told her? "mom, she, uh, she was, uh…forcefully injected with heroin."
"What?" Becca stumbled out after a minute and took a step back "w-what does that mean?"
"It means someone did it to her," he said looking sadly at her "I'm sorry Becs…mom was murdered."
Becca didn't know what happened next, her ears blocked out whatever Danny was saying next, she could see his lips move but she couldn't hear him. Next thing she knew she was getting smaller and Danny had dived forward…she had passed out.
Waking up a while later she groaned and grabbed her head, seeing herself on the sofa she frowned, how did she get here? Seeing Danny pace she sat up "Danny?" she said hoarsely.
"Becs, you're awake," he said jumping down beside her "are you okay? How do you feel?"
"Okay, my head hurts though," she said and touched the spot that was covered by a bandage "what happened?"
"You passed out and took a chunk out of the floor and a desk...you're gonna have a black eye to go with that cut."
A while later Becca was up to moving about "I'm gonna go for a walk," she said walking towards the door.
"No you're not," Danny said running in from the kitchen.
"Danny, I'm going to see Jesse," she huffed "I'm fine."
Danny eyes her suspiciously "I'll drop you off, I've to go to work anyway," he said and picked up his keys.
Waiting until she was at the front door Danny waved her off and pulled away. Becca blew out a breath and knocked at the door praying her hands would stop shaking.
"Jess, get that please," his mom asked as she hurried around the kitchen "if it's some selling something get rid of them I'm on nights tonight I have to go now, your dad won't be home till morning either so you'll have to keep an eye on your sister."
"Sure," he mumbled and walked along the hall. Pulling the door open he sighed and looked up, his eyes went wide "Becca what happened to your face!" he yelled already in front of her examining it.
Becca didn't answer him, instead she looked at him for a few minutes before she launched herself into his arms "I'm sorry," she sniffed "I'm so sorry."
Jesse sighed heavily and wrapped his arms around her without a word, resting his chin on her head he rubbed her back as she tried her best but failed at holding the tears in.
A few minutes had passed and he still stood holding her at the door, she stepped back and wiped her eyes "can I come in?" she asked looking down at her hands.
Jesse nodded and gestured for her to go in, he didn't know why she was here, he was panicking inside.
"Becca?" her mom said surprised and glanced at a gloomy Jesse "we weren't expecting you, Jess said you couldn't make it to dinner."
"Hi Mrs Swanson," she said quietly "I had to go somewhere, it wasn't as long as I thought it would be."
Laura nodded and glanced at Jesse again as he stood looking at the floor "shame, I've agreed to do the night shift in work."
"Oh, that's okay, don't worry about me," Becca said waving her hands "I was just dropping in to say hello."
Laura glanced at Jesse again, she knew something was up "okay, well, it was nice to see you again," she said and hugged her. "I hope things were okay for you today…Jesse said you went to see your mom."
"Mom," he sighed.
"It's okay," Becca said glancing at him "I did, it's wasn't as bad as I imagined it would be."
"If you need anything we're always here, anything at all," Laura said.
"Thank you," she smiled "It's nice of you to offer."
Laura hugged her again "any time dear, I have to go, Jess, look after your sister she's to be in by eleven," she said and kissed him on the cheek "snap out of it, she came back," she whispered before hurrying by him calling goodbye as she walked out the door.
…
Becca stood watching Jesse for a full five minutes before he walked by her gesturing she should follow. Walking to a chair she sat down and watched him fumble around the kitchen "Jesse," she said waiting for him to look at her "about what I said earlier I-"
"Don't," he said cutting her off.
Becca sighed and stood up "I'm scared okay," she said and walked to him "I panicked, you're fitting into my life so easily, when you called me baby and talked to me like that I calmed down straight away and I panicked."
Jesse leaned against the counter and crossed his arms defensively, he knew shouldn't be doing this but he couldn't help himself "you push away anyone who could possibly care about you…why is that?" he asked before he could stop himself.
Becca looked down at her hands "I don't know," she mumbled.
"Well you better figure it out, because I'm done with…" he paused "whatever this is."
"Jesse," she sighed as her heart sped up.
"I'm done," he said and walked out of the room.
"Jesse!" she called after him, when she got no reply she ran after him and followed him up the stairs "Jesse, wait, please, let me explain," she asked as she followed him into his room.
"Just go Becca, I'll see you back at college," he said and turned away from her.
Becca bit her lip and took a few breaths to hold back the tears, closing the door she leaned against it "you promised you'd never give up on me," she whimpered.
Jesse sighed and turned back to her "you're making it impossible!" he yelled.
"I'm working on it," she replied.
"No, no you're not!" he yelled waving his hands "you're pushing me away and I can't take it anymore Bec, I can't," he muttered. Huffing he dropped onto his bed "I really hoped you'd let me in, I really hoped you'd trust me enough to look after you and be with you."
Becca leaned her head against the door, she was quickly losing him, banging her head a few times she closed her eyes tight "I've fallen for you Jesse, you're my weirdo and I can't go back to my life without you in it."
Jesse slowly lifted his head and studied her, standing up he walked to her and poked her to open her eyes "then let me in?"
Becca looked at the floor for a second before looking him in the eye and nodded "I promise, from now on I will be totally open with you."
Jesse stepped closer to her and slid his hands onto her waist, slowly leaning in he placed a kiss on her lips.
Becca smiled and pulled him closer, reaching behind her she clicked his door locked. Pushing him back a bit she pulled off her shirt and threw it on the floor, walking to him she looked him in the eye as she slid his shirt up and over his head. Flinging it to the floor she stepped closer to him "I need to show you just how much you mean to me."
Jesse nodded and kissed her hard, backing her up against the door he lifted her onto his hips and slammed her against the door "dude," she groaned and kissed him again.
"Payback," he mumbled and moved onto her neck, holding her tight he carried her to his bed and threw her down. Climbing on top of her she dragged him closer and opened his jeans.
Afterwards they both lay breathing heavily looking at the ceiling, Jesse leaned over and kissed her on the shoulder "you okay?" he asked.
Becca leaned in and kissed him sweetly "I'm great," she replied.
"You gonna tell me what happened to your face?" he asked tracing the outline of the bandage.
"I, kinda…passed out when I went in to see my mom," she said sheepishly. Things were good now, she didn't want to ruin the moment…she'd tell him tomorrow.
Jesse rubbed her arm "did you freak out?"
"A little," she nodded "I started hyperventilating, next thing I knew my ears were ringing, I couldn't hear Danny but I could see his lips move, before I knew it he was diving for me…and then I woke up on my sofa with this," she said pointing to her head.
"Your eye is darkening too," Jesse pointed out.
"Danny said I hit a desk and then the floor, he was too far away to catch me."
"Ouch," he winched "do you have a headache or anything?"
"I did for a while…that's what took me so long to get over here," she mumbled.
"I should have called to see how it went, no matter how mad at you I was," he huffed.
"It's okay, it was all my fault…I never should have upset you and said all that stuff."
Jesse moved and wrapped his arm around her "I knew you'd freak, just didn't think this much."
"Hey Jess?" she said tilting her head "do you think your mom and dad would mind if I stayed tonight?" she asked.
"You want to stay? You called me Jess," he smiled.
Becca chuckled "I heard your mom say it…I liked it, and yes I want to stay but if they're not okay with it it's totally cool."
Jesse chuckled "I'll text my mom but I'm pretty sure she'll be okay," he said and grabbed his phone.
Becca nodded and snuggled deeper into him, this was…new, but yet it didn't feel weird "what?" she said as he said something.
"Mom said it's okay but you've to let Danny know and make sure he's cool with it," he said.
Becca nodded and sat up shyly "can you grab me something…my phones over there," she said pointing to her jeans over at the door.
Jesse chuckled and threw her his shirt "you're fault for being so damn hot."
Becca sat across him "do you want me to start withholding sex?" he shook his head quickly "please don't say damn and hot in the same sentence again," she said and rolled off him, she couldn't hide her smile-this one wasn't leaving anytime soon.
A/N hope you all enjoy this one, next chapter should be out by the weekend.