Disclaimer: Mediator isn't mine. But Madison's lucky enough to have me as a crazy aunt . . . Poor kid :D

Rating: T

A/N: Well, because I was so disgusted with the last chapter, I decided to update with something - I hope - is better :) But I learnt my lesson: No writing for me, when I'm close to sleeping on the keyboard :D Thank you for your kind words though! And for putting up with me :) I hope you enjoy!

Maddie's Friend...

The sound of the phone ringing next to the bed made me grumble and roll over. Seeking out Jesse's warmth and trying to ignore the annoying sound that didn't seem to stop. We were supposed to be having a lazy day. Meaning a lay-in, doing nothing and going no-where. Oh, and not forgetting, not being disturbed. Such a shame that one wasn't quite working out yet. But it didn't bode well for the beginning of our day. Jesse chuckled as I grumbled and buried myself beneath the covers. I wasn't answering it. Whoever it was would have to wait or call back later. I was determined to sleep as long as possible.

And apparently Jesse had the same idea, because he made no move to get it either. I smiled, pleased he wasn't willing to miss our time, too. Once the phone stopped trilling, I relaxed again and willed myself to go back to sleep. I was having a nice dream too. I couldn't remember it, but I knew it was a good one. I'm sure there was a wedding in there somewhere. But with Jesse's arm wrapping around me and pulling me closer, I sighed and slipped back into a nice restful slumber.

Until his cell phone started ringing.

"For cryin' out loud!" I whined, throwing back the covers and staring up at him groggily. He gave me an apologetic smile and reached over to grab his phone. "You should of turned it off . . ." I muttered, pulling myself up a little more. I was waking up and I didn't want to. I wanted to go back to sleep, dreaming of them wedding bells.

Jesse checked the caller display, frowning and answered it. "Jesse," I stared up at the boring white ceiling as I listened to his one sided conversation. Absently wondering if we should paint it a dark colour and add stars to it or something. "It's okay, what can I do for you?" He carried on, sounding more alert and awake as he went on. I glanced over at the clock, noticing it was only coming up to 10 o'clock. "Yeah, that should be fine. We look forward to it," He broke off chuckling and glancing at me. "Well I'll look forward to it, anyway. See you then." Snapping closed the phone, he placed it back on the bedside table.

Just hearing that small part of the conversation told me a little, but not nearly enough. I waited patiently, even as Jesse laid back down in bed and closed his eyes. Not even making a move to tell me what it was we were supposed to looking forward to. I had an idea, but I didn't want to voice it in case I jinxed myself. It wouldn't be the first time I've done it. But after waiting a couple of minutes with Jesse still not say anything, I finally poked him.

"Well?" I asked, as patiently as I could.

"Hmm?" He mumbled. I knew he was stalling, but it didn't stop me smiling at his attempt and try. It was a nice shot, but I wasn't falling for it. Not when there was the possibility I could still go back to sleep for a while. And not until I knew what it was I signed up for, without actually consenting to anything.

"Who was on the phone," I slowly asked. "and what did they want?" His arm snaked out to pull me towards him. Not that I put up much of a fight. Instead curling into his side and laying a hand on his chest, getting comfortable. Feeling the warmth flowing off him through his t-shirt. I was starting to feel relaxed enough, that I wasn't really fussed who was on the phone or what they wanted. The lure of Jesse always was too strong to resist.

"Jake wants us to have Madison for a couple of hours later," He answered in a rush, tightening his arm around me so I couldn't escape. I thought about that for a few seconds. Trying to decide if I was annoyed by the change of plans, or not. But Madison wasn't that much of a terror. Only when I had her alone and she ran circles around me. Taking full advantage of my lack of backbone with her. But with Jesse here this time, I didn't mind so much.

Besides, I love watching them together.

"Okay," I murmured, seeing that dream beckoning me closer again. I felt him shift and look down at me. Probably surprised I wasn't putting up a fight and grumbling about it. "As long as you don't decide to run and leave me to it again." His hand came up to stroke some hair away from my face. His touch as gentle and soothing as his warmth and comfortable body I was curled to. Only making me relax further and let a contented smile break out.

"I won't, querida," Taking his word for it, I slipped back into sleep. My smile still in place.

xXx

Maddie got dropped off around two that afternoon. More than happy for her parents to leave her with us for a couple of hours. Going straight for Jesse and chatting away about something. I managed to get a couple of words, but didn't really understand much, she was talking so fast. Shedding herself of her coat and boots, it didn't take her long before she went off in search of something to play with. When she came back down from the spare room - where she knew we kept some toys for her - she had a baby doll cradled in her arms.

It was too adorable a sight not to smile at.

She placed a blanket on the floor and carefully wrapped the baby in it, picking it back up and kissing it on the head softly. Talking quietly to it as she went about playing 'make-believe'. I sat with Jesse and indulged myself with watching her. Both stuck with goofy smiles on our faces, as she pretended to burp the baby doll. Calm and quiet Maddie was a nice change, I decided.

"What's your baby called, princess?" Jesse asked, earning him a small scowl and a finger to her lips telling him not to talk so loud. I tried to smothered a laugh at his expression as she told him off. Obviously protective of her 'baby'.

"She called Lucy," Maddie whispered back, gently laying the doll down on the couch and covering it with another small blanket as she kissed her doll again. Whispering good-night to it. "But you gots to be shh, 'cos she sleeping." She earnestly told us. Tiptoeing her way from the doll and over to us. Climbing up onto Jesse's lap as she looked over at her baby. "I wake her in ten minutes," She nodded to herself.

I smiled up at Jesse, shaking my head at her imagination. "Do you want to put a film on, Madz?" I whispered, mindful I didn't wake Lucy and get a scowl and telling off like Jesse had. But Maddie shook her head in refusal.

"I saw a real baby yestday," She told me, choosing not to keep her voice down anymore. "It was mommy's friends. I gots to hold her, too. Mommy said I was really good." She said, smiling brightly at me. "I been a good girl all day." Jesse looked at me, giving me a sly wink.

"Do you know what good little girls get as a reward, for behaving?" Jesse asked, tickling her and making her giggle in his lap. Wriggling about as she tried to escape his tickle attack on her. She shook her head, her face flushed once he stopped. Her big blue eyes sparkling up at him in question. "They get cookies, don't they Susannah?" Laughing at his need to treat her, I reached over and pulled her into my own lap. Giving her a kiss on her beautiful curls and getting in a quick cuddle while I still could.

"They sure do," I replied. She squealed in delight as she jumped down from my lap and letting me get up. I held my hand out for her to come with me, but Maddie chose to stay in the living room with Lucy. Claiming she didn't want to leave her alone.

I was aiming for the cupboard that held the stash of cookies, when I felt his arms sneak around me suddenly, pulling me up against his firm chest. Sending delightful shivers through me as I felt his strong heartbeat. My own was starting to speed up as I smiled and leaned back into him. Feeling his warm breath tickling my ear as he bent down to murmur something to me.

"Do I get cookies for being good too?" He teased. His skilled lips trailing light kisses down my neck and across to my bare shoulder. I pretended to think about it, even as I tilted my head to give him better access. Losing myself to his touch as he let his hand fall away from my waist and trail down my arms. Making goosebumps break out wherever he touched. Moments like this never get old, I grinned to myself. Especially when he was in a playful mood.

Like now.

"No," I answered eventually, once I managed to get some of my control and senses back. "You get something better." Turning in his arms, I looked up at his grin and leaned up to kiss him. Standing on tip toes as I let my arms wrap around his neck. Pulling him down to meet me. Once I felt his soft thin lips beneath mine, it took all my will not to completely lose myself to the moment and be the one taking control. Giving him a slow, sensual kiss. Teasing him as I nibbled on his lower lip. Pulling away when he searched for more, but just giving him a hint and taste of me.

But it wasn't long before he upped the ante and took over in my little game. Before I knew it - or had a chance to catch my breath - I was leaning up against the counter with my lips being assaulted quite deliciously by Jesse. The once teasing moment, turning hungry and passionate as I clutched onto his shoulders to keep myself steady. One of his arms wrapped around me to keep me as upright as possible. While the other slipped into my hair. Tilting my head back and deepening the kiss and swallowing my sigh.

Just as I felt my knees go weak and ready to give out, the sounds of Maddie talking to herself in the living room had us pulling away. Suddenly remembering we weren't alone and freezing the moment instantly. Our breathing rapid and loud between us. I dropped my hands from his shoulders and grabbed the kitchen counter instead. My eyes wide and my lips throbbing from that suddenly ferocious kiss. I lifted a shaking hand to my lips, lightly touching them in wonder.

"Wow," I finally managed to breath. Jesse only smirked at me as he laid a hand either side of me, pinning me beneath him. I stared up into his dark eyes and met his stare for one of my own. With the sounds of Maddie playing coming from the living room, the suddenly charged atmosphere was diluted and ruined. Which was just as well, considering we forgot she was even with us.

Jesse's smirk slowly softened into a smile, as he leaned forward and pressed a lingering kiss to my head. Staying there for a few seconds longer, before he pulled away. "You're right. That was better than cookies." I burst out laughing at his cheesy comment and gave him a light shove to push him away. Rolling my eyes at him. He's definitely been friends with Adam and Jake too long, I pondered.

"Shh, you'll wake Lucy!" Maddie's voice suddenly exclaimed from the living room, making us both turn and look in that direction. I was half expecting her to be standing at the doorway with her hands planted on her hips, and scowling at us. But when we looked, she wasn't there. I shrugged at Jesse and turned to get the cookies I promised her. He walked over to look in on her as I shook a few treats onto a plate.

But as I turned around to cross the kitchen, I nearly collided with him again. The sounds of Maddie talking to herself still coming from the living room. Only slightly more hushed than before. I jumped at him suddenly being there, and was about to say something when I caught sight of the look on his face. I couldn't quite read it and looked up at him questioningly. "What's - "

"Come here," He cut me off, taking my free hand and leading me over to the living room. His grip on my hand like iron as I followed him across the room. I was about to ask what had gotten him so spooked, when I stepped into the room and caught sight of Maddie.

She was playing with Lucy like she was doing when we left her. Only she wasn't alone. Sitting on the couch next to the doll, was a very real ghost. Listening to everything Maddie was saying to him as he nodded along and made comments in return. She was smiling and laughing with him like he was any other person. Not even seeming to be fazed that he was glowing. Shocked, all I could do was stand there and watch them. No idea what to think.

But my main priority was Maddie's safety. Looking the ghost over and searching for the danger he could be to her. I decided it wasn't necessary for me to charge in there, like my instinct was telling me to do. I didn't really want Maddie knowing I could see him, if I could help it. But he looked like he was in his early twenties and not that much younger than me. Dressed casually in jeans and a crisp white shirt, there wasn't anything in his eyes or smile that spoke of malice or harm. And he didn't try to reach out to Maddie or move closer than he already was. Giving her her space.

I felt Jesse tense beside me, reminding me I wasn't the only one standing there surprised and a little worried. I hoped the main reason she was able to see him, was because of her age. Being three years old, she didn't have the sense to be scared of a ghost. Not even realizing what exactly he was. But the memory of my own experience of my first ghost, came flooding back as I took it all in. I doubted she was a mediator. It was more likely she was just sensitive to spirits. Something she would hopefully grow out of as she grew up. At least I hoped she would.

But I shouldn't of been shocked. After all, Brad's sensitive to spirits too. Thankfully he doesn't seem to realize it. So it wasn't that surprising to find out Maddie was a little too. Now all I had to do was work out how I was going to get him away from Maddie, without alerting her. She notices everything. It was hard to keep anything from her anymore. But deciding the best way was to just wing it, I let go of Jesse's hand and took a step into the room.

"I've got your cookies here for you, Madz," I called to her. Her ears pricking up as soon as I said cookies. Squealing again, she stood up from her crouched position at the couch and ran over to me. Taking the plate from my hands and walking over to sit at the coffee table. Turning her attention to the cartoons we'd put on for her earlier. With her back to me, I looked the ghost head-on and indicated for him to be quiet as I waved my hand to the kitchen.

Turning around to Jesse, I caught sight of his calculating and pensive expression. His eyes watching the ghost intently as he walked out into the hall and down to the kitchen. Luckily he'd gotten the hint of, Don't alert Maddie. I caught hold of Jesse's arm as he went to meet the ghost in the kitchen, making him turn to look at me. "Stay here with Maddie," I requested, seeing the objection in his eyes straight away. Carrying on as quickly as I could. "I'll be fine. But you need to stay with her, you're best at distracting her." He looked like he was going to argue, but eventually he sighed and turned away from the kitchen.

"Fine," He grumbled. "But be careful." I gave his arm a quick squeeze and a flash of a grin. My eyes dancing with my unspoken words, 'When am I ever not.' He snorted at my teasing, shaking his head. But it did what I wanted it to do, which was get him to relax a little. The ghost didn't look like he was dangerous. A little sad maybe. But not dangerous.

Leaving Jesse to sit with Maddie, I walked into the kitchen and met the ghost properly. "Sorry, I didn't mean to alarm you," He said in greeting, giving me a sheepish smile. "I was just talking to her." I nodded at him, sizing him up again. He seemed sincere and I had no doubt he would of left her alone. But I know what Maddie's like. Even if he hadn't of started the conversation, it wouldn't of taken long for her to.

"Yeah, she can be quite the little chatter-box when she wants to be," I said, reassuring him I wasn't mad. He gave me a genuine smile, a wistful look in his eye as he looked to the living room.

"I have a niece who's a little older than her," He told me. "She reminds me of her a lot . . ." The sad look came back to his eyes as he trailed off. Bowing his head as tears sprung to his eyes. Call me cold and unfeeling, but there was something extremely uncomfortable about watching a grown man cry. Especially tears of sadness. And this time was no different for me. So I stood before him, shuffling my feet and waiting for him to compose himself. Crossing my arms over myself like I was trying not to take any of it onto myself.

Maybe Jesse would of been better after all.

Once he seemed to have himself back in control, he raised his head and gave me an embarrassed smile. "Sorry," His voice was dry and hoarse. Choked with emotion. "It's not quite hit me yet, that I'll never see my family again." I nodded in understanding. Something like that I could more easily deal with. But I tried to move the meeting along as quickly as possible. Before Mad Madam Mim came searching for more cookies.

"It's okay," I smiled slightly. "Was there something I can do for you?"

"I hope so," He replied, taking a shaky breath. "I was told you could help me. I've got a message I need delivered to someone . . ." And I listened intently, as he went on to tell me the personal message he wanted me to tell his long-term girlfriend. An easy enough task for me to do. And as soon as I reassured and promised that I'd do it for him, he disappeared. Moving on as easily as that. Not that I wasn't grateful that it was a simple request. I couldn't even imagine what Maddie would of made of it all, if the ghost had started jumping around and shouting, "Look! Look! She can see me too!" Yeah, that would have gone down well.

She came into the kitchen with Jesse hot on her heels a few seconds after the ghost has disappeared. I quickly scrubbed at my eyes, telling myself I had an eyelash or something. That the ghosts heartfelt message for his girlfriend didn't have me in tears at all. Jesse noticing me, laid a comforting hand on my shoulder. Giving me some space to get my own composure back. "Everything okay?" He asked, gently.

I sniffed, nodding my head and getting rid of the last of my tears. "Yeah, every-thing's fine, hon," I smiled, looking up at him. My time with the ghost only reminding me how lucky I was to have Jesse here with me. That I wasn't the one getting the ghost's emotional message delivered to me. Once upon a time maybe. But thankfully not in this lifetime.

Needing the sudden comfort from my own thoughts, I quickly pulled him in for a hug. Jesse's arms instantly holding me closer and more securely. Making me feel better in seconds and letting me have my moment of weakness in front of him. I gave him one quick lingering kiss before I pulled away.

Stepping out of his arms, I looked over at Maddie trying to reach the cookies on the counter. Her small fingers just about grabbing the packet, as she stood on tiptoes with her little tongue poking out in concentration. Giving a triumphant smile when she got them. I watched her, my earlier thoughts coming to mind again. My hope that she'll grow out of this 'gift', before it becomes a problem. Two mediators in the family was bad enough. I didn't want Maddie to have to go through it either. Whether we're there to help or not.

"What are we going to do about, Madz?" I asked Jesse quietly. Reaching out for his hand, I silently kept on wishing as I watched my innocent three-year old niece. Oblivious to the dangers of the world. And what lies beyoned it. And I wanted to keep it that way, for as long as I could.

"We'll just have to cross that bridge when we come to it." He replied, trying to give me a reassuring smile. His own unspoken words shining through to me as he tightened his hold on my hand. 'We'll cross it together,'

A/N 2: I wasn't expecting it to be so long. But once I started, I just couldn't seem to stop, lol. Thanks so much for reading, I hope you enjoyed this little ditty thing. Please review :) Peace out and cookies!

Anonymous Reviews:

Meg - Hi! Thanks so much for reviewing the previous one! Even though the chapter was . . . confusing, lol. But I really hope you like this one, I had lots of fun doing it. Which was a nice and welcome relief to the previous couple I've done. But I always love to read your reviews, thanks for sticking by this story and my previous other ones! Take care! Hugs, x