What a quick update! Well for me anyway. lol I hope you all like this and "suzexjesse" it might not be what you were exactly looking for but I tried my best to fit it into the plot of this chapter and maybe in the next one it might be better. lol

Enjoy!

Laura x


"So are you showing him about today as well?" CeeCee asked me excitedly the very next day at lunch – which I thought was weird because this time yesterday I had met Jesse and we were now talking about him. She had rang my house that night, desperate to know what Jesse was like, what he had said, what his car was like…did he like me? The whole works. I had told her as much as I could, keeping all the ghostly bits out of it and still she bombarded me with questions the next day, even ones I'd already told her the answer to.

"CeeCee!" I exclaimed, barely holding back a laugh. "I don't know, okay? I mean, he dropped me off at my house said goodbye…that was about it. And no we didn't arrange for me to show him around again. And quite frankly I wouldn't be bothered if I never seen him again,"

It was almost true I mean the guy drove me crazy. He was so arrogant, so…so...hot…NO! Okay I'll admit he is hot…very hot…but the arrogant part just expels that immediately. I didn't need a guy like him, messing up my life. Simple as that.

"What!" CeeCee cried, "How? Why? Hello Suze! Did you even look at him? He is a Greek God! Sent down from heaven as prove of God's existence…He is God's gift to woman!"

She took a deep breath as I burst out laughing, before she continued on.

"And you, Suze Simon are the lucky girl who gets to spend time with him! Come on, look around, every girl is staring at you with absolute loathing…and you know why? Because they all know who you hung about with yesterday…and from what I've heard they all seen you get up close and personal with the man himself at the Coffee Clutch,"

I blinked. Once, twice, maybe three times. Not at how much CeeCee was exaggerating because none of the girls were looking at me with absolute loathing…apart from CeeCee…even though as I reminded her, she already had a boyfriend who was sitting beside her at that very moment looking very disgruntled at his girlfriends insistent rambling of a different guy. No what I was blinking at was the fact that CeeCee knew something about what happened yesterday – between me and Jesse – that I hadn't told her.

About how he had tripped me up and I fell right on top of him…and how I was just seconds away from what I thought was kissing him. I mean, he had caught me off guard and for a view seconds had got the better of me which was something I wasn't going to admit to anyone mind you, which is indeed why I never told CeeCee.

"What are you talking about?" I stuttered, trying and obviously failing to act innocent, if the triumphant look on her face was any indication.

"You kissed him, didn't you? Didn't you?" She squealed, causing many people to look round.

"Sssshhh!" I hissed at her, looking around to make sure no one else was listening. "For your information, I didn't kiss him. I just fell over okay? Nothing happened!"

"A likely story!" CeeCee said teasingly, I reached across the table to hit her on the shoulder, ignoring her squeals of protest, just as Sister Ernestine came over.

"Miss Simon!" She barked, as she reached our table. I smiled sweetly at her, receiving a very cold stare in return. Did I tell you that she hates me?

"Yes, Sister Ernestine?" I said politely, trying to keep that smile on my face.

"Father Dominic would like to see you first thing after school," She said coldly, you could just tell that she was dying to know what all my little meetings with Father Dominic were about. It was almost killing her to be kept in the dark.

"Okay, thanks Sister," I said, still smiling. As she stormed away my thoughts lingered to what Father Dominic indeed wanted and I knew rightly what it was because I had been trying all morning to find him myself to no apparent avail. I had a feeling he knew I was going to be angry once I found out Jesse was a Mediator and he wanted to stay away from me as long as possible until I calmed down.

"Jeez, Suze! What have you done now?" Adam laughed.

"Nothing," I said laughing too as I stood up. "Come on, lunch is nearly over,"


That day passed fairly quickly and too be honest I kind of forgot that Father Dominic wanted to see me. Don't even ask how that is even possible…because I really don't know myself. I guess I was just tired or else it was the fact that Adam was up to his old tricks more so today then usual – I think it was because of his jealousy over what CeeCee had said about Jesse, but I could be wrong.

I probably would have walked out through the school gate if CeeCee hadn't reminded me, but eventually I made it to his office. I didn't knock like I usually did, instead I just barged on in, to find him waiting with none other than Jesse, the reason I knew why we were here in the first place. To say Jesse looked glad to see me would have been an understatement because quite frankly he looked as if he would rather be anywhere but here. I knew the feeling.

"Susannah," Father Dominic said happily as I went to take a seat – my usual one was already occupied. I felt Jesse's eyes follow me, but I didn't care to catch his gaze, my anger towards Father D had just resurfaced.

"You knew, didn't you?" I asked as soon as I sat down, I wasn't really one for beating around the bush. I watched as Father Dominic tried to keep his face as innocent ridden as possible as he replied, but being a Priest he was never really good at lying.

"Know what, Susannah?" He asked as calmly as he could manage, which was surprisingly quite well. But I knew it was only a matter of time before he would eventually pop.

"Father D," I said raising my eyebrows. But when he remained silent I went on. "About Jesse, you knew he was a Mediator….and you didn't tell me!"

I gestured to the still and quiet Jesse beside me, finally turning to look at him. He was looking at me with a weird expression on his face, that I couldn't quite make out but whatever it was it was making me blush. I tore my eyes away from him as I felt my concentration slip as I continued to stare in his deep brown eyes.

"Susannah, I deliberately didn't tell you or Jesse because-" But I cut across him realising something from what he had just said.

"Aren't you annoyed too?" I asked Jesse sharply, but when he looked confused I went on. "I mean, he didn't tell you either?"

Jesse laughed at this as he sat up straighter in his chair, letting me catch a glimpse of what he was wearing; a pair of faded blue jeans and a grey tank top. He looked good as always and when he put his hands on the arms of his chair and pushed up I had a clear view of the muscles bulging in his arms. I must have stared for longer than I should have because I noticed him grin before he answered me. I looked away sharply.

"Well," He said, "No, not really because honestly I think this whole thing you two are doing, helping ghosts move on or whatever it is you do, is a complete load of-"

"But Jesse, what I've been trying to tell you is that, what we have is a gift…" Father Dominic began but I just kind of droned it all out, lost in my own thoughts. Jesse, I realised with a sinking heart was another Paul when it came to ghosts it seemed. Paul was like that too, never understood why we helped the ghosts move on. He was more interested in shifting, something I never really was into.

"Well, I don't see why!" Jesse said standing up, his voice getting louder as he said it, obviously not agreeing with whatever it was Father Dominic was telling him. I zoned back in. "This 'gift' has caused me nothing but trouble from day one! I don't want it and I don't intend on using it. Just ignoring it has been working out fine so far and I don't see why I should change that. So if you'll excuse me,"

Okay maybe he wasn't like Paul. He was actually a lot like I was before I moved here from Brooklyn; not wanting anything to do with it, until Father Dominic persuaded me other wise…well more or less. I watched thoughtfully as Jesse walked out of the room leaving me and a depressed looking Father Dominic in his wake.

"Do you understand now why I never told you about him?" Father Dominic asked sadly. I shook my head not quite sure that I did. "He would have refused to go with you to see about Will. I wanted him to see you with Will, to show him why we are Mediators. I hoped it would help change his mind about the whole thing. That's one of the reasons his aunt sent him here,"

"Oh," I replied, letting everything sink in. I kind of felt sorry for Jesse, because I knew how he felt. I sighed, I was going soft. "That's why you wanted me to show him around. You thought I might be able to change his mind?"

"Yes," Father D replied sadly, but suddenly he brightened up, "And I'm hoping you might still,"

"Huh?"

"Well, he's here for two months, we could convince him in that time, I think," He said, back to his old self again. I shook my head; you could never keep him down for long. "If you're willing to try Susannah?"

I looked into his eager old face and felt myself cave. I mean, it was worth a try, wasn't it? No matter how much I didn't want to, I had to admit I did owe a lot to Father Dominic. It was something I couldn't really refuse.

"Oh alright." I sighed, standing up to go. "But I can't promise it'll be easy. He's stubborn by the looks of it,"

"Ah Susannah, but so are you," Father Dominic said cheerfully. I laughed as I left his office, but once I was outside and I saw the empty parking lot, my laughter ceased. I had no lift home.

"Typical!" I muttered as I stomped out of the school grounds. "Just typical!"

"And what exactly is typical?" said a voice from behind me. I scowled as I turned round to face Paul Slater.

"What do you want Paul?" I asked him impatiently. Paul just laughed as he moved closer. I tried to take a step back but he grabbed my arm.

"What do I have to have a reason to talk to you now or something?" He smiled down at me rubbing my arm with his thumb. When we were going out this little gesture would have caused me to tingle with pleasure now all it made me feel was nauseated. I tried to pull my arm from his grip but he held onto it even tighter.

"Yes and a very good one at that!" I snarled, not giving up on trying to get my arm away from him. He must have realised I hadn't left school so he waited. Such a Paul Slater thing to do. I scowled again.

"Who was that guy you were with yesterday?" He asked suddenly, looking angry. But before I could answer him another angry and familiar voice cut in.

"Well seeing as you're not her boyfriend any more I don't see how that concerns you," said Jesse, leaning over and prising my arm from Paul's grip. I surprised myself at being relieved at Jesse appearance. I thought he'd left already. Obviously not.

I looked up at him but he wasn't looking at me he was instead looking at Paul with absolute loathing plastered across his handsome face.

"Well, I do," Paul snarled, returning the look Jesse was giving him. I mean while, was standing behind Jesse, where he had pulled me after freeing me from Paul.

"Look, if you know what's good for you, you won't touch her again," Jesse said calmly yet firmly. I was taken back by that because come on, what was up with this whole protective thing? I mean I only met him yesterday. I actually felt angry. Didn't he think I couldn't look after myself?

"And what if I don't?" Paul retorted, "What are you going to do about it?" Jesse laughed.

"This," Jesse said casually, before punching Paul in the face. And Paul not expecting it fell like a tone of bricks to the ground, moaning feebly. I gawked at Jesse in shock, unsure of what to do.

"Need a lift home?" Jesse asked, turning to me as if he hadn't just broken my ex-boyfriends nose. I nodded slowly, looking down at Paul, who was trying to get up despite the blood flowing freely from his nose, before I followed Jesse to his car.

What surprised me even more was that it wasn't the same car from yesterday. It was completely different. It was an Astan Marton. Which I knew from Brad and Jake was a really, really good car and by looking at it I knew they were telling the truth. It was amazing. Sleek and black, it shown in the glowing sun. I gaped at Jesse who was opening the driver's door to get in. He paused for a minute; I knew to see my reaction.

"Okay, what happened to the other one?" I asked, frowning at him suspiciously. He grinned and winked before getting in, though he didn't answer my question. I sighed as I hopped in beside him.

"You didn't answer me," I told him once we were inside. I looked out the window towards were Paul had been before. He was gone now, but Jesse didn't look worried.

"I'm aware of that," Jesse replied, putting the key in. I sighed again as we began driving away from the Mission.

"Seriously though?"

"Like I said; I get around," Jesse said still grinning, his eyes on the road. I looked at his straight white teeth not really having noticed them before. Was there anything wrong with this guy?

"Okay, then answer me this," I told him, "Why did you do that back there?"

"Do what?" Jesse asked, causing me to scowl in bad temper.

"You know perfectly what!" I snapped.

"The guy was annoying you, was he not?" When I nodded hesitantly Jesse went on. "Okay, so I thought I might butt in. And honestly he was getting on my nerves,"

"What?" I cried confused, "You don't even know him! You met him yesterday!"

"Well, alright then, he looks like the kind of guy that would get on my nerves," Jesse said again, looking round at me, chuckling. "Happy?"

"No," I snapped, turning round to look out the side window. I could still hear Jesse chuckling deeply but I didn't say anything or look at him. He was confusing me so much it was unreal. One minute he flirts with me, the next he calls me annoying then he punches my ex-boyfriend because he was annoying me. What was the deal with this guy?

Soon enough we pulled up outside my house – and I didn't even have to show him where to go, it seems he remembered. I turned round to face him. He was smiling at me with the scarred eyebrow raised.

"Thanks," I muttered, before getting out, not waiting for a response, though I got one all the same.

"No problem Susannah,"

I waved a hand over my shoulder once I was out. I only turned around when I heard the gunny of his Astan Marton a few seconds later. I really was curious as to where he was getting all those cars.

I had barely walked into my room when my cell phone started ringing. I looked at the caller id and was relieved to see that it wasn't Father Dominic but CeeCee instead. I flipped it up.

"Hello?"

"Hey! Did you get home okay? I wasn't sure, what with you having to meet with Father Dominic and all?" CeeCee asked, as I walked over to my bed and plonked myself down. I lay on my back and looked up at the ceiling.

"Yeah, yeah, I'm home now actually," I replied, not bothering to tell her how and who I got home with…or what I got home in for that matter. I could almost hear her excited squeals.

"Oh good," CeeCee said, taking a deep breath before ploughing on. "Anyway, it's Friday. We're going out, okay?"

"Okay," I said laughing. It was so CeeCee, she would barely ever bother to ask, she just assumed you would. But I wanted to, so I didn't say anything. "Where to?"

"Central! Duh!" CeeCee stated matter-of-factly. I nodded, even though she couldn't see it. I needn't have asked really. Central, the local bar/disco for over 17's. We had only really started going to it recently but it had become our official Friday night hang out straight away.

"Seven as usual?" I asked already knowing the answer.

"Yup!" CeeCee said her excitement starting to bubble. "I'll see you then!"

After hanging up I checked my watch. It was five o'clock already. Two hours to get ready. I might make it, I thought, just might.