AN: Our story is coming to an end. There may be two or three more chapters left and this chapter like the one before contains lots of feels and the end, I apologize for it now. And as promised TID/TMI SchoolFics, here is the second chapter ahead of schedule.

Chapter Twelve – Jessa

*Jem*

Once the water went cold, Tessa leaned forward to replace it. I smiled sadly at the brief loss of her warmth. Despite this being something I wanted; it was also something I couldn't have. But it had and there was nothing I could do at this point. As Tessa leaned back, she closed her eyes and sighed contently.

"What's on your mind?" He asked, running his hands along her arms and shoulders.

"The future. I know I was only supposed to be with you until it was safe. And with Nate returning next week, I guess I've been trying to figure out what I'm going to do." Tessa stated honestly.

"What do you want Tessa? Let's say Nate wasn't coming back and de Quincey was in jail. You could easily go back to your old flat and make it your home. Or you could do something else. What would you do?"

Tessa sat up and turned around to face me. "I want to stay with you. If that meant staying here or in the city or travelling the world, I wouldn't care. When we return to the city, I'll send word to Nate that he'll have to go to New York alone. I want to stay with you."

I knew I was being selfish and giving Tessa false hope but I knew she would forgive me as I only desired to indulge in a simple pleasure of life at least once. She held her gaze, it holding such hope; it reminded me of Gatsby and Daisy. And like Gatsby, I allowed myself to give in and let go. I captured her lips and stepped out of the tub; carrying her with me into the shower. I washed us both off, being respectful of her still. It was a moment he didn't want to end. And Tessa made it clear she felt the same way. As we stepped out of the shower, Tessa dried off and walked right into his room, not waiting for my approval.

I followed her, climbing into the bed after her. I leaned in and kissed her lips, neck, shoulders and collarbone. Taking a look at what lay next to me, I asked Tessa if she wanted me to stop. "Please take a moment to think."

Tessa shook her head. "I don't have to think. I know what I want and I want you Jem." I smiled and kissed her lips once more, relishing in the only private moment we had left to share with one another. She opened for me like a flower and I savored the moment as we ceased to be Jem and Tessa. In that moment of complete incarnation, our souls joined and we became one being; we became Jessa. We shared more in that moment than words would allow us to express. We reveled in the closeness and the intimacy of it all, stripping away all thoughts except for those we shared in that moment.

And when I felt my release expelled from my body, Tessa's followed not a second later, exploding in a pure symphony of love and passion. There was nothing holding us back, our love being the only thing tethering our souls to their earthly essence. In that moment, Tessa relaxed her body and a lethargic sleepiness took hold. She only snuggled into me before sleep overtook her. I welcomed her, wrapping her in my embrace. As her breathing evened out, I tightened my grip on her and sobbed silently.

*Tessa*

That Friday, the day after my attack, I awoke alone. I blinked the sleep out of my eyes and looked around. I remembered the events of the night before and smiled. I knew Jem wouldn't kick me out but I was worried he would carry me back to my bed once I felt asleep.

The bedroom Jem claimed as his was a beautiful one. A four poster bed sat facing the door with nightstands on either side. The walls were paneled with wood and an armoire sat to the right near the wide windows; a dresser and elaborate fireplace sat to the left. It resembled the room I claimed, save for the walls. Where his were wood paneled, mine were a soft light blue.

I slowly pulled myself into a sitting position and looked for Jem. Before I could let my mind wander and create falsities, the doors to room opened and in walked Agatha a tray of food in her hands. I thanked the kind woman for the meal and asked where Jem was.

"Mr. Carstairs is in the office and had expressed a desire not to be disturbed. He asked me to bring you breakfast and see that the beds are made. When you've finished, Mr. Carstairs has ask that you wait for him in the library." She smiled in a way that said, 'I'm a chef and not a personal maid.'

I nodded and placed the tray on my lap as Agatha backed out the room, allowing me some privacy. I looked down surprised to see Agatha made me a hearty and slightly traditional English breakfast. There was bacon, fried eggs, toasted bread and sweet butter, sausages and hash browns with English Breakfast Tea.

After I enjoyed the food, I slipped out of the room and into the bathroom, getting into the shower to wash away the only evidence of the previous night. The hot water eased my achy muscles and cleared the fog my head appeared to be in. Once finished, I returned to my room to dress before waiting for Jem in the library.

*Jem*

I had just finished Tessa's letter when I felt a violent cough, rack my body. I slipped out of my chair as blood spewed forth. I was getting worse. I quickly grabbed my medicine and injected it into my leg, the veins in my arms no longer available. As it flowed into my bloodstream, my breath returned and my heart stopped beating at a rapid pace. I had just returned to my chair when the phone rang.

I snatched it up and shouted into the receiver, feeling terrible when I learned it was Charlotte. I listened to what she calmly said, despite the news being grim. I fell back into my chair and ran my hand through my hair. When she finished, I told her what to expect and headed to the library, the letter in my hand.

As soon as I pushed open the door, she looked up to greet me. Her smile fell as she took in my face.

"Jem, what is it?" She urged.

I walked in further and took her into my arms. I stroked her hair and kissed her lips once more before telling her what happened.

"You brother returned a week earlier, believing de Quincey to be arrested and in jail as a result of his confession. Somehow de Quincey found out and sent some people after him. He was on his way to the house to surprise and collect you when he was attacked. Charlotte called just now to say that he was on his way to the hospital. They don't know the full extent of his injuries but they are pretty bad."

She gasped and tears formed in her eyes as she began to worry and panic. "I have to go. I have to go and see if Nate is okay." She turned and saw my face.

"Thomas will take you into the city. Stay with him until you get to the hospital. He and Will are going to stay with you until I return. There are some things I need to take care of here and I will join you later."

She nodded and ran to gather her things. I felt a small stabbing pang in my chest but I ignored it. I couldn't keep her here, away from her brother. No matter what I wanted and no matter how she claimed to feel about Nate, she needed to go see him. She returned to the main hall a few minutes later, clothes sticking out of her bag. Thomas collected it from her and ran out the door to place it in the trunk. She started to follow him when she returned and slammed her lips onto mine.

"I promise once I know Nate is okay I'll meet you at the house. I promise." She murmured as she placed her forehead against mine.

I nodded and told her, "Nothing will change while you're gone."

Tessa smiled and whispered against my ears, "I love you." My heart swelled from her knowing how she felt about me and the pain of having to watch her go. But I stayed there in the doorway until the car pulled out of the circular drive and started on the road. My right arm began feeling tingly and the pang in my chest became more serious. Remembering what Doctor Enoch said about what to expect when my body would start to reject the medicine.

"It will feel like you're having a stroke. Your arm will feel tingly, you may have an ache in your chest and your face could begin to droop."

This was it. I wasn't going to make it back. I turned around and forced myself to my office shouting for Agatha. I just got to the phone and had redialed my home number when my vision began to blur. The last thing I remembered before the darkness overtook was Agatha rushing towards me and Charlotte screaming my name through the phone.

AN: Be gentle please.