DISCLAIMER:

I do not own the amazing characters from GHOST WHISPERER. However, there are some in this fanfic which belongs to me entirely plus the plot. ;)

I am so sorry for the late update. I was busy, but the long wait is over. Here it is wrapped up with a bow on it. :) Enjoy and as usual leave a review! Muchos Gracias!


The Hottie Professor

Chapter 7: Unexpected Rescue

It was a bright Sunday afternoon but Melinda was feeling the darkest of hours in her life. She felt really bad of what she did to Nate. If only she could stop herself. She did not really wanted Nate to find out about her feelings about Jim no matter how bitch she is. But it was too late now. And she couldn't bring herself to answer any calls and emails from Nate all day last Saturday after the turn of events.

Why does Nate have to be so apologetic of things? I was the one who wronged him. I am the one who needs to say sorry. Why does he have to make me feel guilty?

Melinda continued to walk along the rest of her friends avoiding looking at Nate's direction who she knew who was looking at her for forever now. She looked at Prof. Clancy who was talking in front of the group of Art and Iconography students of about 20 in number. She could not concentrate on the paintings on the gallery because of question popping in her mind. She was not able to take down notes of the different spectacular art form in the museum because all in her mind was the need for answers. Yep, she needed answers.

What did this sexy guy cause me? What is this I am feeling for him? I don't usually have this deep connections and weird fluttering in my stomach for other guys. Why is he different? Why is he driving me crazy just by thinking about him?

She broke off her stare at Prof. Clancy as she saw him look at her then gave her the sexiest and warmest smile he had given her ever. She smiled sheepishly back and looked down for a bit hiding her blushing face. When she glanced up, she still saw him looking at her and mouthing something like, "Need to talk you later." She nodded in response and walked away not able to hide her wide smile.

The sadness that filled her a while ago seemed to fade away with his smile. She stopped over to continue her trail of thoughts in front of a magnificent painting. She studied it for a while, not able to hide her fascination to art but as she was about to think about the answers to her questions, someone stopped beside her and looked over to the same painting. She smiled thinking it was Prof. Clancy who joined her company.

"I always loved abstract ones." A familiar voice said and Melinda was shocked when she heard Nate's voice beside her. She played it coolly.

"Me too." She answered back without looking at him. They were both staring at the painting but both of their minds on each other and on what to say next.

"They are hard to understand, tough to decipher. But once someone takes time to look at it closely, every brush stroke means something, every detail has a story. " Nate said, obviously trying to have double meanings with his statement.

"Yes. But there are still some art that does not need to be understood. Some abstract are just what they seem. They have nothing to explain because there is nothing to hide." Melinda answered back still affixed at the painting pretending not engaging in the second conversation they were hiding behind their words.

"Some people have enough patience to just stand there and stare. Even without getting anything, art-lovers do all they can to understand." Nate said.

"But the thing about abstract paintings, every person has a different interpretation. It is the beauty of it, the not knowing part is the best feature of abstract. Because at the end of the day, a particular painting has several definitions and explanations after all, not just what a person needed to hear—"

"For Christ's sake, Mel!" Nate hissed on by her side. "You know exactly what I meant, don't you? Stop playing cause it is not funny. You have been avoiding me, haven't you?" he was controlling his obvious temper building up so that they would not catch an audience.

"Nate. What is this? We are through." Melinda finally gave in and glanced up at him.

"Why didn't you answer any of my calls? I wanted to talk to you but you ignored me!" Nate was practically shouting now.

"I was out all day. And besides I was--"

"Stop lying to me. It hurts enough that you don't love me, Mel.." he trails off before continuing. "All I want is that you give me another chance. I know we could try again." He looked into her eyes.

OH MY GOD. I can't deal with this. I am so confused. I cannot tell Nate that I don't love him at all. I just can't tell him that I don't wanna give it a try anymore.

"I'm sorry Nate. Like I told you, I can't anymore." She said before she could stop herself.

"Don't say that. At least think it over." He pleaded.

"I have and I just can't go back to the way we were. It was hard." They were still standing there. Melinda could not help but look on the ground.

"But you wanted me. You told me you wanted to be with me.."

"I did. But things change."

"Why Mel? Why?" he asked with tears in welling up in his eyes.

"I don't know." She whimpered softly.

"What the FUCK is it MEL?" he practically shouted. "You owe me tons of explanation now. I don't get you and you are not a fucking abstract painting for one. You just not seem to trust me. You seem like you don't wanna tell me things."

"I do, Nate. But I don't know what." She said, tears forming in her eyes.

"Mel. Before you decide, I will let you think first." And before Melinda could protest, Nate dragged her down the hallway without anyone turning around to see them walk towards the end then turn to the left.

Nate pushed her to wall then glanced sideways to check if anyone is coming. Seeing that the hall is dark and empty, he dove in for Melinda's mouth.

"Nate, stop it!" she said as Nate was eating her mouth under him and she frantically punching his chest with her small hands barely making an impact.

"You know you want this babe. Mmmm." He said as he nibbled on her neck.

For the first time in her overly-active sex-driven thoughts and body, she did not like the idea of Nate gripping her and forcing her to love him and do this dirty work. She wanted to slap him and ran away. She wanted to cry. She was confused she did not know what to do first. She wants to be saved.

"Tell me you want me, Mel." Nate said as he slipped his hand into her jeans and he thought that would make Melinda give in to his charms. But to his surprise, Melinda frantically fought to get out of his grip. She tried slapping him and shouted for help.

To Nate's surprise, he gripped her harder by the arm and pushed her a little too hard on the wall.

"Mel. I did not mean to do that. I am sorry." Nate tried to apologize for his rush actions. He kissed Melinda in the cheeks. She had no choice but to stand still because her heard was spinning from the impact of bumping her head.

"Nate, please let me go." She said at last.

"Melida , I love you. Pleaaaase…" he said as he rested his face on her neck.

"NATE! STOP IT!" She shouted finally losing it. Nate punched the wall on which she rested and leaned on. She was in tears now, she was so scared. She saw the look on Nate's face when he punched the wall inches beside her face.

"You have no idea of what you are saying, Mel. You would not want that." He said threatingly as he stroke Melinda's face.

Melinda was scared as hell now. She wanted to get away from here.

"Nate, I am scared. Stop it."

"Is there someone else? Who the hell is Jim?" he insisted.

"Give it a rest. Pleeease." She cried.

"Who the fuck is he?" he slapped the wall once again which was inches away from Melinda's face. She flinched from the impact and she could not help but sob and sob.

"What's going on here?" a voice cut them off. "Mr. Lington? Ms. Gordon?"

They both looked up and Nate saw Prof. Clancy approaching them.

"Nothing sir. We were just talking." Nate coolly said standing up and facing the Professor who was walking towards them.

"What are you still doing here? The group is now dismissed. You can go home now." He said, suspicion building as he walked towards them and saw Melinda crying as she leaned on the wall.

"Yes sir. We'll go in a minute. Thanks." Nate said then glanced at Melinda who has her eyes closed and still sobbing softly. She managed to look finally at the person walking towards them and saw Mr. Clancy's concerned face looking at her and Nate from time to time.

"Jim.." she managed to whisper before she could stop herself. To her dismay, Nate heard her. She saw Nate's expression changed to confusion then rage then hurt. It was hard to read. Mr. Clancy was a meter away from them now and everything was clearer now.

"Is this him?" Nate asked Melinda while Jim was lost on what is going on. He knew something was up from the look of Melinda's scared face. Melinda did not answer Nate. She stared at Jim with hopeful eyes and he knew she has to be saved from all of this.

"I guess it's time for you guys to go home, right now." Mr. Clancy said, matter-of-factly.

"I'll take Melinda home." Nate said as he understood that the guy in front of him could be the Jim Melinda was hiding.

"If you don't mind, Mr. Lington. I have to talk to Ms. Gordon regarding about a special project I have to give her." He said strictly.

"If that's the case, Professor Jim Clancy. I'll go ahead." Glancing at Melinda before striding away immaculately.

Melinda fixed herself while Jim Clancy walked to her.

"Are you okay? I mean, you don't look okay." He put a hand on her shoulder and she immediately smelled his perfume.

"Thanks, Mr. Clancy. I owe you." She said smiling.

"What happened here?" Jim asked curiosly.

"Nothing. We just had a.. you know." She trailed off.

"Oh. I did not know Mr. Lington was your boyfriend. Did I interrupt something?" he asked nervously.

"No, he is not my boy friend. I am glad you came. You… saved me."

Jim Clancy gave a hearty laugh then saw Melinda's serious face. He stopped and looked at her.

"If that's the case, I guess you really owe me something." He smiled comfortingly. He knew he had no right to dig up Nate and Melinda's issues but he was still concerned.

"Like I said." She smiled.

"So," he began, changing the mood. "you owe me. And I guess I need the payment now." He smirked gorgeously.

"In what way, Professor?" Melinda asked, her fears slowly fading away. She was saved and she would do anything in return.

"Would you mind talking about it over something to eat? I am starving from all the talking I did. I hope you and your classmates did listen." He joked and hoped she would come with him.

"Of course. I would love to." She smiled back at him, fears all gone.