A/N: sorry for the delay on my other two fics, but this is just a one chapter thing (unless you guys want otherwise).  I should start writing the next chapters for fate and the vacation this week so they should be up by Saturday both chapters!

Dealing

For a whole week Emma confined herself to her room.  The only times she left was when she went to the bathroom or the kitchen.  Her powers were getting stronger and when she was around the others she could read them without even trying.  Shalimar's and Brennan's feelings for each other were strong and seemed to pour right out of them.  Adam was in a constant state of worry for whatever reason.  Jesse was concerned and there was another emotion but it was hidden as well.  Emma could feel it, but couldn't piece together what it was.

Sitting cross legged on her bed, Emma began to meditate, trying to push out all of their emotions and clear her head.  But when she tried her mind floated over to Jesse.  He was always so sweet and gentle.  Emma smiled to herself as she pictured him in her mind.  Jesse was hot too…once Emma ran into him when he got out of his shower.  He had nothing on but a towel around his waist.  Emma's eyes looked his firm body up and down and then she realized what she just did and ran down the hall.

Thinking about him calmed Emma's mind down.  A few moments later there was a knock at her door.

"It's Jesse can I come in?"

Emma opened her eyes and sighed, "Sure Jesse."

The door opened and Jesse entered, shutting the door behind him.  Walking over to her bed he sat down facing her.  "Are you okay?  We're all starting to worry about you.  Why are you hiding in your room?"

"I'm not hiding.  It's just my powers are…" Emma stopped talking when she felt Jesse starting to worry more.

"Come on Em, you could tell me.  What is it," he asked.

"I can feel exactly what you guys are feeling…even when I'm not trying.  I'm tuned into all of your heads and I can't turn if off.  I was trying to keep my distance hoping that all your emotions would just quiet down," tears trickled down Emma's face.

Jesse brought his hand to her face and gently wiped away her tears.  "Emma, it's going to be okay."

Sadly she looked at him, "How can you say that when you don't even believe it?"

He sat in front of her shocked, "You can read me now?  Like everything I'm feeling?"

"Not everything.  At least not clearly.  Why?"

Jesse started to blush and a cute smile spread across his face.  "I didn't come in here just to check on you.  Close your eyes for a second."

After giving him a questioning look, she closed her eyes.  "Okay Jess…now what?"

There was silence then a minute later she felt his lips connect with hers.  Emma's eyes flew open and she pulled back breaking their connection.  It was such a simple kiss, both of their mouths had been closed but her heart was pounding rapidly.

Jesse looked at Emma scared, like he had done something wrong.  "I'm sorry.  I just always wanted to kiss you…" he quickly blushed.  He started to get up, but Emma grabbed his hand and pulled him back onto her bed.

"Wait Jess.  I'm not mad or anything.  Just surprised.  The kiss was…really nice," she blushed a little herself.

That got Jesse's face to perk up, and he grabbed her other hand with his.  "I um…I love you Em.  I have for a long time."

Emma's heart went twice as fast and her hands were all sweaty, she hoped he didn't notice.  She also felt the need to be kissed by him again, and to feel his touch.  Giving him a shy smile she said, "I love you too Jesse."

Jesse still holding her hands leaned in to kiss her again.  He ran his tongue across her lips asking permission to enter.  Her mouth opened and let his tongue inside, deepening the kiss.  Jesse let go of her hands and wrapped his arms around her instead.

Several minutes later Emma broke apart again.

"What's wrong Em?"

Again a blush spread over her features, "We only just admitted to each other how we feel but…"

"But what?"  Jesse was afraid Emma thought they were moving to fast.

Emma took a deep breath, "But I want more than just kisses.  I want you to touch me and um…"  Her face turned even redder.

Jesse smiled at her, "And what?"

"Well I uh...I um…I want you to make love to me," she finished quickly.

His eyes almost popped out of his head, "Are you sure?  I mean I came in here to tell you how I feel…I didn't mean to force you into saying or doing anything you don't want to do."

"Jesse I want you…I've wanted you for so long."  Shyly Emma looked at him as she continued, "You're sweet, gentle and caring.  You're also my best friend.  And that's the kind of lover I want…"

He kissed her passionately, "Then that's the kind of lover you'll get."  Jesse slowly lifted off her shirt and kissed her shoulder.

Emma felt her body heat up from his kisses and deep inside her she felt an aching for him.  "Jesse?"

Kissing her neck he said, "Yeah?"

"You won't hurt me right?  You'll be gentle?"

He stopped kissing her and looked into her eyes.  "Of course I'll be gentle.  I would never hurt you."  Her question sparked a frightening thought in the back of his head, "Did someone hurt you Emma?"

No longer able to meet his gaze, she turned her eyes down and nodded. 

Jesse hugged her, "You don't have to tell me if you don't want too…I'm sorry Emma."

Tears formed in her eyes, "I do want to tell someone though."  Drawing in a deep breath she began to speak, her voice was small and a bit shaky.  "I was 19 and worked at a department store.  I had been there for a few months and was really at good selling stuff.  I had the highest sell record."

Jesse smiled at her; he had an idea of how Emma obtained the most sells.

"One night I was supposed to close.  I looked the doors and headed to my car.  It was really late and there were a few cars scattered across the parking lot, but I was the only person there.  When I reached the car I fumbled for my keys."  Emma paused for a moment and then continued, "Somebody slammed me into my car from behind.  Then I felt someone grab me by my shoulders and threw me onto the ground.  The guy had a mask on and it was dark so I couldn't see much else.  He pinned me to the ground and kissed me.  I bit him hard.  But that only seemed to piss him off and he took out a knife and showed it to me.  My mind went blank and I froze, my powers left me; which used to always happen when I was under stress or had a desperate need to use them."

Jesse put his arm around her and tried to comfort her.

She cried as she continued, "I screamed for help but no one was around to hear me.  Holding a knife to my throat he told me not to make another sound.  He undid my pants and pulled them off.  His hands were grabbed me everywhere and it hurt.  I begged for him to stop but he didn't seem to care.  Then he forced himself inside me.  It felt like he was tearing me apart inside.  He continued to move faster and harder.  Soon I stopped my pleas for him to stop, and I started to pray he wouldn't kill me when he was done.  After what felt like an eternity he released inside me and I realized that he wasn't wearing a condom.  He pulled out of me and zipped up his pants.  He leaned down to my ear and whispered, 'Don't think I'm done.  You're mine now.'  Then he ran off."

After pausing again Emma said, "I grabbed my pants and put them back on.  My whole body was sore, and I was sure I had some bruises, but it was too dark to tell.  Quickly as I could I got in my car and locked the doors.  I needed to cry so I let it all out.  When I finally got a hold of myself, I drove back home to my apartment.  I was angry at myself because my powers wouldn't work and I didn't put up a fight.  I'm pretty sure that guy knew me or had been watching me when I worked, and I couldn't bring myself to go back there ever again."

Jesse planted a kiss on her temple, "I'm so sorry Emma."  Then he felt anger swell up inside him, he couldn't believe that someone hurt his Emma like that.

Emma felt his anger flow through him, and feelings of protectiveness for her, "I'm yours?"  She had no idea that Jesse thought of her that way.

"Well if you want to be mine…I'm sorry you went through that but I promise I'll never let anyone hurt you again."  He hugged her again.

Tears still fell down Emma's pale cheeks, "I do want to be yours Jesse."

Gently he wiped the tears from her eyes, "I'll keep you safe Em.  Forever.  I promise."  He kissed her sweetly on the lips.  Unintentionally their minds connected and he could feel her in his mind.  Jesse felt Emma's anger at herself, her shame, her guilt, and the sense that she wanted Jesse but wasn't really sure if she was ready yet.

Jesse broke off the kiss, "I don't think we should do anything tonight.  We should wait a while.  And when I do make love to you, it'll be special.  I promise.  I have an idea that I think you'll love."

Emma nodded and pulled her shirt back on.  Then she looked at her clock, it was really late anyway and they both needed sleep.  "Jesse?"

He looked into her beautiful blue eyes and was hurt to see a small sliver of fear in them, "Yeah Em?"

"Could you um…just hold me in your arms?"

"Emma, I'll hold you forever if you want me too."  Jesse laid down on her bed and took her in his arms. 

Feeling safe and protected in Jesse's arms she drifted off into sleep.  And finally the pain of that night disappeared from her mind as her dreams formed into happier ones.

A/N: sorry for such a corny ending but that's the only way I knew how to end it…unless you want me to write more that's the end :)