Research was involved in the making of this chapter…I hope my information I pulled from Twilight was accurate (gosh, suddenly visions of Edward Cullen popped into my head.)

Oh yeah: disclaimer. That's me. The ideas are mine, but the characters? Not so much. Thanks, ingenious Meg Cabot.

Okay, here's my shout out to all the reviewers…it's 11:16 pm. Let's time how long it takes me! (PS: I had a ton of homework, and this is what I do instead!)

I want to be Jesse's girl: Yes, you are psychic…=p but as for your other predictions, I won't say how so…I'm glad my chapter 5 "totally rocked"—it seriously makes me SO. HAPPY to see non-oneliner reviews. Truly. Yes yes, Suze and Jesse were involved in the accident, and yes, the Sexy Dr. de Silva is just so damn amazing that he recovers faster. I tried not to make Suze's mom the enemy or anything, but she (and a ton of other people) totally think that Jesse is to blame, so they're totally "justified." I know!! Fictional hug—I think he needs one. It's been a week and a day since my last update…I hope you haven't gone mental. =]

Aparul: Hello!! =D I'm really glad I made your day, no matter how early. It was a short read, and I'm glad it was worth the extra minutes. I've noticed that the chapters in this story are exceedingly short. Is that a problem? And, heh heh, insert evil author laughter. I know something you don't know! =p

TeamTHEFT: I got to say, I like your penname. I'm glad you like my story and that it's not predictable. I'm trying to deviate from the norm, but it's so hard sometimes!! Thank you soo much!!

Peppermintlyle: Thanks for reviewing!! It makes me get SO excited everytime I see a review. You probably know, but I'm just letting you know, that reviews are totally motivational. The only reason I picked this up again is because people started reviewing. I'm sorry, the wait was a week and one day.

Twiihard13: I am so inclined to write Stephenie Meyer fanfiction, your name just evoked that. I hope this was a speedy update!! Omg, my story is awesome? *blushes sheepishly* Jesse and Suze will take a TON more later, trust me. They have a lot to catch up on.

Saraho8: =p even if Jesse were the bad guy, we'd all still adore him. But I'm not saying anything!! Everyone THINKS he's guilty, but is he really?

Lady Clark-Weasley of Books: Yes, Jesse visited a TON while Suze was comatose, but then, you see, Suze's mom didn't let him once she woke up. I hope I was clear…! I'm SUPER glad that the people are in character. Until I write a fic that's supposed to be out of character, they shall be in character!! (Let me know when they're not and I will for SURE fix that!) OOOOH MY GOSH I LOVE DOCTOR WHO!! In the US, we're like, behind or something, but gosh, I love Doctor Who!! Tehe… you spell "favor" like "favour"—I wish I were British!! My best friend's British and she's in love with Doctor Who and Torchwood. That must be huge in England. The project is intriguing!! Maybe I'll get to that…heh, knowing my update rate…

Seducing Reason: It will be the apocalypse if I update daily! I doubt I'm capable of that. Unless I'm strapped down in a chair. I have ALL these ideas in my head, though, for this story, and if I just SAT down, maybe I could finish this story soon…! Suspense indeed…is that my fanfic's genre? Oh, yes, there will be Paul! And he's coming back nice and strong. Shh…don't tell, but he's going to "tutor" her…sway her a bit. =p

MCFanofDolphins: aww, thanks! I know, it's hard to remember, because it's been so long! *Trying not to give anything away* Luv, moi.

Orochi-kun: thank you!! =D

Cookiesruletheworld: was it intense? Thank you!! Yes, it's taken years for me to come up with a good plot…it's almost the story's anniversary, tehe. Really thought out, thanks!! I'm glad you appreciate it! THANK YOU THANK YOU THANK You! I'm glad Suze is in character, *phew*!!!!!! I'm so sorry for the cryptic ending, cookie!

Gotrice0792: thank you, my dear! =] And THANK YOU for reviewing twice. You deserve a cookie.

Juumasen; Thank you!!! I'm glad my writing left you breathless! I'm so grateful that Jesse seems like a real person. And your English is beautiful. =] I can't believe a Brazilian is reading my works! (I'm so humbled!)

Satellite falling: Tehe…thank you, hon! I'm glad the stuff I slip in is what a typical person would do. Thank you for telling me I'm building up intrigue. It really means a lot to me. =] And thank you so much for reviewing.

Blue-Eyed Chica: =] thanks, dearie! I know! Poor Jesse! I'm glad my writing evokes sympathy. Tehe…I'm not going to say anything. But the predictions are very good…=p

Anonymous: omg, hooked, you say? Thank you so much!!! =D I'm so elated. Tehe…I hope to become an author. I'll let you know when I get big. =p

Rezmutt: I hope I didn't disappoint! Suze's mom feels totally justified with her rage. She thinks Jesse is totally guilty. Being a mom/mother hen, she's doing what I know my mom would do; defend and protect her child.

Twilight Journey: Thanks!! =] I hope you like the update.

Ticklemecutie: gosh, what an awesome penname. =]

Whew, I hope that's it! It's 11:47, so that was half an hour? Enjoy the update!

Ch 6 Stroll with Me

I was told to test out my legs as often as possible. The bones had mended nicely, and the wheelchair had just been a precaution for the return journey yesterday. If I felt my legs about to give out, cling to the nearest support. Otherwise, I was golden. Free as a bird, really.

So as far as invalids went, I upgraded to version 2.0. From wheelchair, I was promoted to crutches. Yippee…

Indeed…crutches—smite me now, whatever God was up there. But praise whatever God, because I did not have to include prune juice in my diet. Decrepit I may be, but old I am not.

I suppose it was a blessing, I thought darkly as I crossed the potholed lot. Sans bumpy ride because, indeed, I could avoid the potholes on crutches. Thus, the journey to the car wasn't nearly as jarring. Plus, this was further proof that I was recuperating, right? I mean, hell, my dominate leg could nearly support all my weight.

But the car ride was jarring, and the gods of awkwardness must have laughed at my expense. I could hear their laughter as my fingers itched to do something that might have involved asphyxiation. I drummed my fingers against the door, the whole time wishing that I knew the local radio stations, because Mom was muttering to herself the entire time, various things like "I knew he was far too old" and "it's all his fault." I sincerely hoped my mother was not referring to Jesse—hah—and I tried to tune her out. Desperately. But about Jesse. The old factor, primarily. I mean, I had bigger issues and questions I had to ask him, but old? He didn't look a day over twenty…twenty-two, I was guessing. He was not older than twenty-five. But old enough to be an intern. Was twenty-two too young to be an intern? Whatever, he was twenty something. If I was wrong, I decided to give Jessica McClintock (if she was a person…I didn't know why the name was so familiar) permission to re-break both my legs.

The surprise encounter only confused me more. Who was Jesse, really? As far as he was concerned, he could have just been a random guy in my life who took me to a formal dance. Or whatever that picture was. A convention? I wondered if it was a pity date, or maybe because he didn't want to go stag.

Then again…he could have asked any girl, couldn't he?

Best friend's sister. He owed my brothers a favor.

Whatever. I had bigger things on my mind…like getting back my memory.

A migraine the size of Jupiter's Red Spot flooded my brain and I shut my eyes. Gosh, I was such a hurricane of pathos. It was pathetic. I glanced out the window and sighed, relieved that we were home.

I catapulted—or what was close to catapulting on crutches—out of the car and hobbled inside. Max greeted me with what I assumed was his trademark "between-the-legs" maneuver. I tried not to trip over him as I shut the door behind me, and cast my gaze on the stairs.

I was slightly peeved. Not because my mother was acting like a total psycho woman—well, that too—but my questions had no answers, and I grew more upset at the fact that, hell, Jesse de Whatever his last name was, screwed up my relationship with my mom.

It was going so damn swimmingly. My mom and I. Not a typical mom-daughter relationship, like the ones I saw on TV. We talked. Smiled. Maybe we weren't one hundred percent honest, but we were getting there.

Whatever. To the sound of Max's panting, I considered my options. Escape to my bedroom (four poster bed quite vacant since the Accident), or endure the wrath of my mother.

One glance at my mother confirmed my verdict as she curtly said, "Get some rest." Oasis it was.

I inched towards the stairs.

I learned this morning that they were nice stairs…sweeping stairs where a girl could really make a grand entrance. But they were, well, for lack of a better noun, stairs, and stairs were quite the challenge for a girl on crutches. Rather imposing from the ground floor, truth be told.

"Susannah?" Mom called. I was still. Noting that she had my undivided attention, that and the fact it would take me fifteen minutes to scale the stairs, she continued. "I took time off from work to accompany you to the therapist." I realized the extent of this small act. "Please understand that I love you. I've missed you so much."

I glanced over my shoulder at her. She stood there, bathed in the natural light. Her hands were folded demurely, and I felt something swell in my chest. "I know."

She nodded. "I want you to get situated in your room before I go. I really don't want to leave you alone, but I think you'd actually prefer that." I tried not to snort. "I'll have everything at your convenience. The landline is right next to the bed if that's where you're going to be situated. Andy's going to whip up a big dinner tonight, if you're up to it. I know you haven't been all that hungry…"

I smiled. "Thanks, Mom." She returned the smile, and positively glowed.

I coughed. "Um, where's…David? And Brad…and…Jake?"

My mom's smile grew even wider because I remembered my stepbrothers' names. "Oh, they're all at school, honey."

Oh. Duh.

Suddenly, she strolled across the room and hugged me. I propped my left crutch against my side and hugged her back. It was nice, this feeling inside (I silently chortled to myself)…like I wasn't a porcelain doll. I even threw in a couple of pats. So maybe Jesse de Intern didn't completely spoil my mother's good feelings toward me. This was good. Very good.

"One more thing…"

Oh. I had spoken too soon. "Yes?"

She leaned away from the hug and looked me in the eye. "Please promise me you'll stay away from Jesse de Silva, the intern from the hospital. He's a little older than you and…well, he's dangerous. Until his innocence has been confirmed, he is to me, at least."

She must have seen the questions in my eyes, but she turned away, back towards the kitchen to retrieve a water bottle and her purse.

"Mom." I had stopped her from grabbing her keys. She raised an eyebrow at me and I asked, "How did I know him? I mean, would there be a reason for me to intentionally go out of my way to avoid him?"

I saw my mother's mouth twitch, but not from restraining a smile. She was trying not to show any emotion other than mild curiosity. "Oh. He was a person you met...insignificant, really. And there isn't any reason for you to avoid him, because I gave him stern orders not to disturb you. If he does, I'll file a restraining order."

I nodded slowly, thinking, Disturb me?? Restraining order? Wasn't that a bit extreme?

"Bye, Suze!" she called, blew me a kiss, and shut the door behind her.

Damn. Going to him for questions was going to prove difficult.

Well, I had to make some progress in life.

As I set aside my crutches under one arm, I gripped the railing with my free hand and pulled myself up.

"One…"

I flopped onto the bed dramatically and let my exhausted head loll towards my alarm clock.

Shoot, wrong way. I turned my head the other direction. It wasn't even eleven o'clock.

Suddenly, the princess phone rang. I jumped out of my skin and fumbled for the receiver.

"Um…hello?"

"Hey, Suze!" a young voice echoed. I looked at the phone. Oh, dear God, it didn't have caller ID.

"Hey…who's this?"

"David!!"

"Oh! Hey, Doc!" A smile brightened my face. He was taking time out of his day to call me? Something tugged at my heartstrings, because the little man forgave me for yesterday. When I thought about that, my smile blossomed into a grin. "How's it going? Aren't you still in class, young man?"

"Well, I am…but I finished all my homework, and I haven't gone to lunch yet, so I asked for a pass for the 'restroom,' and I decided to call you instead!" he sounded so proud of this achievement. Being a rebel, skipping class. Was this something I would have done?

"Good job, Doc. Way to go. I feel special, honored really, and loads better, because I was getting lonely in the house and-"

"Suze, why do you keep calling me 'Doc'?"

I stopped my sentence. "'Doc?' What are you talking about, Doc?" I paused, realizing that I said 'Doc' twice. "Gee…David…I really don't know…" I thought about it. Again, the image of Snow White and the Seven Dwarves popped into my head.

"Was that some secret nickname you had for me or something?"

"Yeah…" it dawned on me. "Oh my gosh, I think you're right!!!"

"Really?" I could hear a smile in David's voice. "That's great, Suze!! That means you're regaining some memories, and you don't even realize it!"

His enthusiasm was contagious, and I felt myself get excited. "Yeah! I remember!! I think I gave a nickname to you and your brothers…all from Snow White…like, you were Doc, Brad was Dopey, and Jake was Sleepy."

David cracked up and I thought he said, "So very true." His laugh made me laugh. I found myself gasping for air and grabbing my stomach. Suddenly, a voice came from David's line. "Who's in here laughing?" the female voice demanded. "Come out at once!"

"Oh, shoot…" he muttered a silent oath sotto voce. "That's Sister Ernestine…do you remember her? She was the one always after your skirts." I laughed aloud at that, knowing he said that to make me laugh. "Not in a lesbian way…but, you know…she's a prude." In a shocked voice, I heard David wonder aloud, "Did I really just say that??"

I chortled some more. "Okay, Doc—I mean, David—don't get in too much trouble."

"Too late!" he said cheerfully. "Well, worth it, though, I got to talk to you; I'll just mention my latest experiment on Filoviridae and how I'm on the precipice of a real breakthrough…the Centers for Diseases and Control will vie for my newfound knowledge. I think that'll get me out of a detention."

"David, I don't think anyone could possibly give you a detention…"

I could almost see him shrug. "Doesn't hurt to be prepared. Well…watch out for Ebola in the meantime, Suze, because it's a biosafety level four agent…and watch out for monkeys."

"Thanks, David."

"Anytime. Well, see you when I get home. I have a Lincoln-Douglas debate after school. We're discussing disenfranchisement-"

"YOUNG MAN!"

I heard David put his hand over the mouthpiece. "Give me a second, I'm trying to have a conversation!" I was shocked. Was he always like this? Another image popped into my head. David, twelve years old, turning to this very large nun and saying, "Hold on a minute, okay, Sister? I'm trying to have a conversation here." The nun tugged on David's ear, saying it was my fault.

"Hey, David, have you ever gotten your ear tugged by a nun?"

"Yeah…back when you first moved here."

The mental image continued. It was the same day. I was yelling at a girl my age, who was laughing at me. I had stepped towards her, saying something along the lines of stuffing her back into the grave she had crawled out of. But that didn't make any sense. The girl was perfectly alive.

"I plan on escaping through the window. I'm still small enough to fit. Oh! CeeCee says hi, so does Adam…umm, as does Paul. Okay, that's it. Talk to you later, Suze! Sister's about to break into the men's bathroom!" And with that, he hung up.

I hung up as well, with a smile on my face.

I think I really missed my brother.

My stomach growled, and I groaned. No, damn it, I had just gotten up the stairs…!

It rumbled again, like an avalanche. "Okay, okay…" I hoped that, in my mother's planning, she planned to feed me, because I hadn't eaten since breakfast.

And I was actually hungry.

That fact itself was unbelievable. When was the last time I was hungry?

This was a delight. I stood up and, again, was in disbelief. I healed surprisingly fast. A quick check in the mirror, a dab of Burt's Bees…I grabbed my crutches and made my way to the door, clutching the crutches and whistling the entire time.

I reached the stairs and unceremoniously allowed my crutches to slid all the way down. I hobbled behind, holding onto the railing the entire time. My mantra was food. Food. Food.

I succeeded in not managing to plummet down the stairs. Delighted, I turned the corner and made my way into the kitchen.

I spotted the fridge and limped over and opened it. Orange juice—I had the distinct feeling Brad's mouth had been on it—, raw chicken, eggs, and…

Nothing. Nothing a weakling like me could just whip up and or microwave and or just add water.

Really, mom, thanks for remembering the fact that your daughter might get hungry. Thanks.

How was I going to get food? I checked the pantry…maybe there was some…what was it called?-ramen noodle. Easy mac. Spaghetti? If my stepdad was a master chef, he ought to have…

Nope.

Suddenly, the doorbell rang. Well, I supposed that would get my mind off my stomach. Did my mom tell me to not answer the door for strangers? I thought about it. No…not really.

I went to the foot of the stairs, bent down to retrieve my crutches, and made my way to the door. Maybe it was a pizza delivery guy…ooh! I could order some Chinese takeout. Images of Brooklyn flashed through my head. Ahh…General Tsao's Chicken…or just some rice…and what was that delicious—soy sauce. Yeah. Something drowned in soy sauce.

I propped my crutches against the door, looked through the peek hole and froze with my hands on the door.

It was Jesse.

Shit, he was dangerous, wasn't that what my mom said? I backed up, determined not to open the door when I saw my crutches tip in slow motion. I tried to grab them.

Nonononoono—

WHAM. CRASH. Onomatopoeia.

"Hello? Is anyone home?"

Don't say anything. Don't say anything.

"Susannah?"

I paused, foot midair. His tone beseeched me.

I slowly made my way to the door and peered through the peek hole again, noticing for the first time that he was holding a bag of Tollhouse cookies, Lindt chocolate, and another bag that looked suspiciously like more food. My mouth watered at the sight of food and the gorgeous man on my porch. But I bit my tongue. He stood there patiently, staring at the door. After another few seconds, he turned around and made his way down the sidewalk.

Was that my only meal? I thought about what my mother told me, but then I thought about his words at the hospital. Then I thought about my dream, and the picture in the hall.

Without another thought, I swung open the door. I was hungry, damn it.

"Hey," I called.

He turned around quickly, and his face broke into a wide smile of relief. "Hello, querida."

It took my breath away, same as ever.

"Would you like to go on a walk with me?" I blurted.

He raised a scarred eyebrow at me. "Have you eaten?"

"No," I admitted, "but I need to get out of there. I'm going stir crazy."

He nodded. "Should I put the food in my car for later, then?"

I thought about my stomach and its sudden not-hungriness. Was my appetite sated at the sight of him? I laughed in my head. So…whipped…

"I'm not hungry right now, but in a bit, I'm sure I will be."

"That's fine. I wasn't sure if you were hungry or not, but I figured, since your mother wasn't home, and you being on crutches, the sentiment would be appreciated."

I grabbed a key off a table by the door and shut the door behind me. "Oh, believe me," we began walking down my street, me on crutches, "the sentiment is greatly appreciated. You saved my life. I was on a dismal path to starvation."

This elicited a laugh from him, and I had the urge to make him laugh more often. It was a pleasant sound, and watching him throw back his head with a smile was gratifying.

"You know…I don't exactly know if I've ever walked down my street."

"Indeed?" It was only the sound of my crutches against the ground and Jesse walking. It was a slightly breezy day in March. The sun was shining, but we both had on zip-up jackets. Jesse's hands were in his pockets, and beneath his hoodie, I could see he still had his uniform on. We were walking at a comfortable pace, a comfortable distance away from each other.

"Did you just get off of work?"

"That isn't work for me actually…I really don't get paid. I go to work in another hour and a half."

"Oh…I hope I'm not making you go out of your way…" I felt a bruise under my left armpit and shifted my crutch.

"No…I plan on staying with you until you finished eating."

"Making sure I'm not anorexic?" I teased. Jesse flashed me another grin.

"Of course, querida…I always have to watch out for you wellbeing. And speaking of your wellbeing…"

Jesse stopped walking and turned towards me. "I think you're in pain."

Damn. It was nice, breathing the fresh air, walking with Jesse. I was worried if we stopped walking, he'd drop me off at home and leave. But the crutches were pressing on my bruises.

"No, I'm not," I lied.

Jesse looked down at me. "Susannah. Every step we have taken, you have been grimacing. Your crutches are causing you discomfort."

"Oh…you are observant…" I said sarcastically.

Jesse smiled. "I would hope, since I plan on being a doctor."

"You'd make a fine doctor." I glanced back wistfully at his car parked in the driveway, less than ten yards away. My eyes lowered to my crutches.

"Perhaps. But now…I'm going to get you to the front of your house—" Please don't leave me "—and we can continue our day in my car."

I blinked. Wait, what?

"What?"

He looked me in the eye. "Unless, of course, you don't want me to join you."

Would I ever want you to!

"Yes, I'd love to continue our day together." I sped up on my crutches, but I felt Jesse tug on my sweater. My heartbeat went erratic.

"Susannah, don't get carried away. We'll make it in due time. Trust me." Oh…how I did.

I grinned sheepishly. "Guess I got excited."

Jesse chuckled, a sound that rumbled in his throat. If situations were different, and I wasn't hyperventilating at the thought of him touching me, he would probably have patted my head. But I wasn't Max, the family dog, or anything else head-pat-worthy-able, if that made any sense.

"Susannah…it makes my heart sing, to see you so vibrant again."

I tried not to take that in any other way, but it was hard not to.