Disclaimer: No, I still don't own any of the characters from Once & Again. Spoilers: None Rating: Rish Feedback: Philosophy897@aol.com A/N: I'm leaving today (Wednesday) for the mountains and will be there for about 4 days so don't expect anything till I get back. I wrote this because I had some ideas floating around that I wanted to get out and a very dedicated fan asked me to write something before I left. This is a kinda

short chapter though because I had a touch of writers block.

*** Next Evening, Sammler Household

Jessie sat on the roof silently staring out at the barren street in front of her. She looked down at her hand, it was shaking slightly. She sighed and buried her face in her hands. Why was this bugging her so much, she wondered. I mean of course it was going to bug her but, this much? That's when she stopped being able to hold it in. She started crying quietly. The day seemed to fit her attitude, it was grey, dark, and gloomy. Clouds loomed in the sky threatening to spill rain everywhere. Jessie jumped at the feeling of a hand on her back. She figured it was Katie and turned to look at the older girl, only it wasn't Katie, it was Karen.

Jessie was a bit suprised but she needed someone, and her mother was there. As Karen made her way out onto the roof Jessie watched her. Then she leaned in hungrily hugging her mother, she needed that, that feeling of support and strength. Karen hugged back seeming to know what Jessie needed from her. "Shhh...it's ok honey....it's ok," whispered Karen in that comforting tone that only Mother's seem to posess. Jessie just cried into her mother's shoulder. In that moment they bonded. They were the close mother and daughter they'd always been. Karen was holding her baby girl again, her Jessie. And Jessie was that five year old girl back in her mom's arms. *** Two Days Later, Sammler Household

Knock! Knock!

Jessie wrapped her robe around her a little tighter as she stood and walked over to the door, she had clothes on underneath her robe but for some reason she thought pulling it around her just a little tighter might help her somehow. Her hand closed around the door knob and she took a deep breath

wondering who it was before she twisted it and opened the door slowly. Katie looked up from her shoes and saw Jessie. Katie couldn't help but gasp as she looked at her girlfriend. Jessie had bags underneath her eyes and her hair was a mess. Katie handed her the bouquet of colorful colors she had in her hand to help cover over her gasp. Wow, thought Katie, this had affected Jessie a lot more than she'd

thought. As Jessie took the flowers she didn't miss the gasp and sighed.

Katie leaned in and hugged her tightly and it somehow made Jessie feel safer, more secure. "I'm sorry I didn't come sooner Jess," mumbled Katie feebly into her ear. "Don't be, it's ok," said Jessie calming Katie. "No, I should've come. I should've been here for you," said Katie pulling back and looking into Jessie's eyes. "Katie it's fine, I understand and I don't blame you," said Jessie as she

leaned in and kissed Katie hungrily. Katie kissed back as her arms slowly moved around Jessie's waist. Jessie

held the bouquet in one hand and put the other on Katie's back as they kissed. *** Funeral Home, A week after the death

"In conclusion to today's ceremony we would like to invite the final speaker to talk to us about her expierience with this wonderful, youthful person,

Sarah Grasser," stated the priest in a booming voice. Jessie slowly stood up and made her way to the wooden podium positioned in front of the open coffin, she looked down at Sarah's cold eyes and lost her voice for a moment. She turned and looked out at the crowd of people in black and cleared her throat, unfolding her speach. "An angel by definition is two things, a kind and lovable person, which Sarah was, and a guardian spirit, or guiding influence which she now is. In life this was a person who smiled like there was no tomorrow, danced like no one was watching, sung as though no one heard, and lived every moment to the fullest. I may not have been the best of friends with Sarah, but she will always hold a place in my heart," said Jessie as tears came to her eyes and she had to excuse herself walking away from the coffin, and away from the

podium. Katie walked over to her girlfriend and pulled her into a hug whispering small soothing phrases into her ear. "It's ok Jess, it's ok," she whispered though she wasn't sure she believed her own words as she spoke them. True, neither of them had liked Sarah all that much, but when someone dies you try not to think about things like that. And when Sarah's parents had asked Katie to speak she'd turned them down saying she wasn't ready but Jessie had accepted. Both felt guilty for the death in some odd way. *** That Night, Manning Manor

The whole family sat down at the table, including Katie, Karen and Henry.

They said their prayers silently and started eating just as quietly. No one knew what to say. Lily knew she couldn't just ask Jessie how the ceremony was, and Jessie knew that no one else would care enough to ask. Eli finally spoke up, his words slicing through the thick tension and silence that had quickly filled the room. "So...Jess that was a really good speach you gave today," he said. Jessie looked up and gave her brother a smile, "thanks E, that means a lot to me." He returned the smile, "no problem." "Could you pass the bread," Zoe asked Katie who quickly obliged. "Thanks Katie," said Zoe. "Hey Jess," started Lily. "Yea," responded Jess as she looked to her step-mother. "Isn't prom coming up in a couple weeks," said Lily casually. Jessie nodded, "yea..I'm still waiting for that certain someone to ask me," she said giving Katie a playfull look. Katie grinned and looked over at Jess, "so do I know the certain someone?" "Maybe...she's like totally amazing, and perfect, she's gorgeous to...the

exact opposite of you really," said Jessie with an impish grin on her face. "Oh, is that so," said Katie as she leaned over and started to tickle Jessie. Jessie's laughs soon filled the room. Her and Katie had zoned out again,

leaving everyone else behind. And they loved it. Everyone sat watching the two girls with smiles on their faces. It made all of them happy just to see that kind of love, so pure and so youthful. Karen sighed and reminisced privately about her first love as did, it seemed, everyone else in the room. ***