Finally, chapter two (Well, it's only been a couple days, but whatever...) And, for those of you wondering what the hell is going on, and why the secondary main character and his relationship with Jesse is not posted anywhere, I'm getting around to it. I'm so smart, I thought I'd post the ending first, and then the rest of the series... ^^; Bear with me...
WHAT YOU WISH FOR Chapter two!
Nothing to Fear
"They said yes?!" Exclaimed Jesse excitedly.
Janus nodded. "In a way. They told me to try it for a month, and if there were no problems, to keep going." He smiled a little. "They seemed kind of amused, really."
Jesse made a face. "They make it sound like you're taking some kind of new medication. Bunch of old codjers."
"Those 'Old codjers' aren't called the All-seeing Ones for nothing. You should watch what you say." Janus sighed. "To tell you the truth, Jesse, I don't know if I'm going to be any good at this. The last time I dated was in the 1500's, and I wasn't much good at it back then, either."
Jesse stepped the rest of the way out of Janus' closet, pulling her hair out of her face. "I don't expect you'll have to do much, Mr. Hunter," She smiled. "I've already fallen for you, and you've barely done anything."
"I, um, r-right," Janus mumbled, taking a step back to allow her to pass. "Tell me... How is it done, in this age?"
Jesse raised an eyebrow. "You are referring to dating, right?"
Janus blushed deeply.
Laughing, Jesse walked past him. "How about taking me to the movies?"
Hadji was only a little bit more sympathetic than Jonny upon hearing the news of Janus' departure. "How unfortunate," He said softly. "How do you feel about it?"
"I'm doing all right," Jesse responded, staring at the floor.
Hadji nodded, looking concerned. "Please, tell me if there's anything I can do for you."
"I will. Thank you." After leaving Hadji's room, Jesse walked down the hall, perfectly composed, until she reached Janus' room. Only when she had gone inside and closed the door did she break down in tears.
Janus' closet was empty, his bed was cold.
Laying in his bed for the second time since the night before, Jesse closed her eyes and remembered all that they done together. Everything that had led up to the night that had bonded them together, and simultaneously torn them apart.
"Good night, Jesse." Janus turned to leave, feeling exhausted. He missed arranged marriages, when one didn't have to run the gauntlet of 'courtship'. On the other hand, where was the fun in that?
"Janus."
Looking back over his shoulder, Janus focused on Jesse. "Hm?"
"Aren't you going to kiss me goodnight?"
Janus turned back around and resumed his walk towards his room. "No."
Jesse staggered against the doorway. "Why not?"
"Not so soon." Janus cast another glance at her. "If you didn't know me, would you have still asked me to kiss you? One shouldn't rush into things."
Jesse slammed the door, angry. "Why does he have to make so much sense all the time?!" She yelled into the silence.
Janus was still struggling to get used to seeing Jesse as more than someone he had to protect. He supposed, under normal circumstances, he could come to like her, although Jesse's enthusiasm worried him. *I'm five hundred years old,* He thought resigndedly. *How old is she? Sixteen? I don't even know. In any case, she's just a little girl, I feel like a pedophile!* Nevertheless, if it was the one thing that would make her happy, he could warm up to her in time.
*Janus could be so cold to me sometimes,* Jesse thought as she lay in Janus' bed. *But it was always to help me, to make me see the truth*. Janus had never been afraid to tell her like it was, about the world, about other people-- but when it came to himself, he was often disturbingly silent. They knew a lot about each other-- Jesse was claustrophobic, Janus was hydrophobic-- but it was never enough. Janus was secretive about his past, and if Jesse asked too many questions, he would lock up and refuse to move, like a stubborn ox.
Janus looked up at the cave in, the dust still settling. *This is classic,* he thought bitterly. *Stuck in a cave with a claustrophobic teenager.*
Jesse hadn't started to hyperventilate yet, but as she stared at the massive mound of rubble that blocked their only exit, she was looking more and more panicked. She turned to Janus as he brushed dust off his jacket, looking disgruntled. "Can you get us out of here?"
Janus took a look at the darkness around him, then shook his head. "I don't think so. Not without killing everyone else in the cave systems, anyway. From what I figure, we're gonna be stuck in here for a little while."
Jesse paled and moved to his side, shrinking back from the walls of rock. "H-how long?"
"Not sure." Janus put an arm around her. "Don't look at it, Jesse. Don't think about it. Close your eyes."
Jesse complied, and Janus held her a little closer. "You're not going to die in here, Jesse, don't you worry." He smiled wryly. "Do you know how much trouble I'd be in if you did?"
"That isn't helping, Janus," Jesse mumbled, sounding terrified.
Janus sighed. "Sorry. Come on, let's sit down." He helped Jesse to sit, and when he was finished, they were even closer than before.
"Jesse," Janus said after a time. "Do you remember when we went to New Orleans, how I fell off the pier?"
"You didn't fall, dad pushed you, I saw the whole thing."
Janus shrugged. "Well, I wasn't going to mention that part, but I fell nonetheless."
"You looked like a drowned rat." Jesse giggled. "It took you forever to get dry."
"I remember," Janus grumbled. "Caught a cold, too. But that isn't the point. Do you realize how terrified I was when I fell in there?"
Jesse shook her head. "No... Can't you swim?"
"I can. And I wouldn't drown, remember? My body would be transported to Elipsis via the Dead People Express before I took the last breath of, er, water." Janus scowled. "But I was real scared. I couldn't move, couldn't think. It's a wonder I came up at all. I just want you to know that everybody gets scared sometimes, even me."
Jesse opened her eyes and looked up at him. His face was glowing-- no-- it was his eyes, his eyes were glowing faintly as if lit from within. "What makes you so scared?"
Janus remained silent, remembering grappling with a dark stranger, falling into the water. Their blood had lured the sharks, but the Other was already dead...
"Janus?"
"It's nothing. It just makes me nervous."
END OF CHAPTER TWO! Whaddya think! Review please! More chapters on the way! Ja ne!
--Samalander
