Well, here's the next chapter. The last one was sort of a semi- cliffie. Not a big one but there are going to be more supernatural going ons in the next couple of ones. Thanks for reviews guys!

Jesse's POV:

Myself and Teresa had already taken our seats at a table on the patio when I saw Susannah rounding the corner.

I stood and waved at her as she neared us.

"Susannah, Teresa, Teresa, Susannah," I introduced each other, using various hand gestures.

"Nice to meet you!" gushed Teresa as she pumped Susannah's hand.

Susannah gave me a weird look then returned Teresa's favor by thumping her on the shoulder; half playful, half evilly.

"Yeah, nice to finally meet you too, Teresa."

I smiled content with the introductions.

"So, what's the occasion again?" asked Susannah, thoughtfully.

"Well, I thought it was just about time that I introduced you two. You know, Teresa's one of my very best friends," I explained, with a smug grin. Let's see what she would get out of that.

"Oh, I see, well, yes."

She looked down at her hands on the glass table.

Teresa glanced around awkwardly. It seems my plan wasn't going to plan, exactly.

"Well, why don't I go and get us some smoothies and I'll letcha two have a moment alone for a couple, eh?" Teresa broke the silence, knowingly.

"Yup, OK," Susannah's agreed immediately.

I simply nodded and watched as Teresa small figure walked into the dark café.

"Jesse… I- I…" Susannah stammered. "I understand… if… you're… I dunno, getting bored of me or something… so if this is it, then I'd appreciate it if you would just get it out so I can leave." Her confidence went into full volume at the last section of the sentence.

I stared at her stunned.

"I'm not leaving you despite what you seem to believe," I glared at her.

"I'm not an imbecile, Jesse. I know when someone's got something up their sleeve," she returned the hostility.

I sighed, gustily and slumped into my cane chair.

"Susannah, I would have thought by now, that you know me enough to realize I would never do that to you. This is what really irritates me, querida," I said and turned my head towards Teresa.

Suze's POV:

I stifled a low growl at the back of my throat, pushed the chair back and stalked off in the direction of my car.

I could feel Jesse's angry glare in my back but I daren't look back. Let him wonder if he would ever see me again. Like I care, right?

In my car, five minutes later, I pulled out my cell to call Father Dominic. I had been contemplating what had happened earlier with the little girl and was getting suspicious.

What exactly was so 'unspeakable' about Father Dominic? As far as I knew, Father D was a saint. Why in hell would she call him a 'mean old man'?

I heard the line ringing and waited for a few seconds before someone picked up.

"Hello?"

It was a female voice. Immediately, my suspicion meter raised about 5000 kilometers.

"Is this Father Dom's line?" I asked.

"Err, yes, of course. Would you like me to get him?" she replied warily.

"No, I was actually hoping to reach you but I didn't have your personal number," I niftily said. "Um, sorry but someone recommended me to talk to you, Mrs.…?"

"Oh! Of course, yes. Why would I think otherwise? My name's Mrs. Gisele and I am a psychiatrist here in Michigan. But of course you already know that!" she exclaimed cheerily.

I stifled a sharp intake of breath. "Yes, well, I was wondering when you would be coming back to Carmel?"

"Carmel-by-the-Sea? Why sweetie, I've never even visited sunny Carmel, Cali. Dear, I'm from Illinois!"

I sighed. This was just getting more confusing by the second. "OK, well, could you hand the phone to Father Dom, I might as well have a word with him…" I caved in.

"Oh, but I thought you said you were calling for me?" she queried.

"WELL I LIED, OK! I've never even heard of you," I snapped, cruelly.

She subdued a sob and I immediately felt utterly guilty. "Look, sorry Mrs. Gisele but today just has not been my day and I'm impatient and snappy and I'm seriously sorry."

"I can see that!" she growled right back and I heard her walking to another room. "Some girl's on the phone. Don't know who she is though…"

"Oh," recognition coloured Father Dominic's voice.

I heard a click as he was handed the phone.

"Yes my child?" I was soothed by his serene voice.

"Who's this Mrs. Gisele?" I pronounced her name in a phony high pitched voice.

"She's my… masseuse," he failed at lying.

"Priests' get masseuses?" I let mistrust waver in my voice.

"Umm… Susannah, do not be difficult. I will tell you but you cannot utter another word to anyone else, comprehend?" he asked, in all seriousness.

"Duh!" I shot back, rudely. Dude, this guy was a priest; I should've been more polite. "Sorry 'bout that Father."

"That is okay Susannah. Joanne is my… my wife," his voice broke at the last word.

"YOU HAVE A WIFE!" I practically screamed down the phone. I could just imagine Father Dom holding the phone out from his ear with a tired scowl.

"Yes, and it would be appreciated if this was not discussed with anyone other than myself," he replied in a rushed tone.

"Oh, well, yeah, 'course. But… how can priests get wives? This is like… total craziness. HEY! On your wedding night, did you guys… like… do it. EW! OK, forget the question. EW!" I shuddered.

I did not want a mental image…

"Susannah, I will explain. Do not do anything rash. I met Joanna the summer before I was formally recognized as a priest. We fell in love, we became engaged but I could not throw off my religious duties just like that. It would be sacrilegious! So I told Joanna that I was working in the U.S. navy and would have to work in south East Asia for a few years and that we would get married when I returned. I never returned though."

I was nodding throughout his whole explanation. Even though he couldn't see me…

"Susannah, are you listening to me! I know how distracted you can get…"

"Of course Father!" I snapped out of my reverie.

"Good. I shall continue. I contacted Joanna two months ago and organized a meeting. She had remarried and wanted to form a friendship with me. I told her the truth. She was heartbroken but we've developed a strange relationship over the past few days…"

"But I thought you were in love with that other ghost chick! I thought she was like, the love of your life or something. The reason you signed up for priesthood, right?"

"It was… difficult… for me to… get over… Marilyn… You must never repeat another word I say, I stress this."

"Yes Father…" I drawled, impatient.

"Joanna is Marilyn's mother."

"Holy sh…" I snapped my mouth shut before I could say anything rash. He still scolded me.

"SUSANNAH!" He boomed.

"Sorry…" I admitted sheepishly.

"I will be returning to the rectory in less than a week. We can discuss this then but until then, not a word. Do you understand? This could be… disastrous if it got out."

"DUDE! I already said I wouldn't about 50000 times. Jeez," I sighed.

"Of course, now, Joanna and I are going to tea now. Good bye," he fare welled me and ended the call.

I sighed. It was too much to handle. How could this even happen! Father Dom was my rock! ARGH.

EW! How could he fall in love with the love of his life's mother! That's just… gross! Anyway, how could Mrs. Gisele be so young? Confused much…

It's OK, Suze, I calmed myself. Just breathe in and out…. HOO HAA.

I drove back to my office. The wind pounded on my window.

I loved it. It just felt so natural, so calming to realize that the world would go on despite… what was… happening.

I broke through the double doors to my office and gave Marie, the secretary, a little wave.

"Mr. De Silva called earlier," she informed me with a sly grin.

"Thanks," I replied, a scowl already forming on my lips at his name.

It shouldn't be like this. We were, are, meant to be together. It's destiny. How could everything go so damn wrong!

Jesse's POV:

Teresa had given me a weird glance when she returned to the semi empty table but had not said a word. She was much to sweet to do so.

Oh Susannah. I missed her so much yet I could not hold her. It was too much to handle but I would not break in…

I know, kinda freaky hey? But yeah, I thought a… really…. Freakylicious twist would be kinda cool.