DISCLAIMER: I don't own anything but the emotional workout that follows.
REVIEWS: Flame me, if you want. I'd be happy to be a scapegoat for a day if it means I get some feedback.
"Stay. Away. From Susannah." Jesse growled menacingly.
"And if I don't? What will you do then, ghost boy?" Paul taunted, smirking cockily. Jesse let out an angry roar and rammed Paul against the all of the bedroom they were in. It was the middle of the night and Jesse, after hearing Suze tearfully recall her latest encounter with Paul, had gone straight to Paul's house without so much as a thought.
"You will find that I'm not as weak as you might think." He wrapped his hand around Paul's neck and lifted him even higher off of the ground. All Paul could manage was a sort of gurgling sound. Jesse felt like he'd done enough physical intimidation after a few minutes and let go.
"What the hell do you want from me?" He gasped, rubbing his angry red throat.
"Like I said, I want you to leave her alone."
"What's it to you?"
"She's…she's my friend. I have to help out a lady anyway I can."
"Oh, wait a second…I think I see what's going on here." The smirk came back across his face.
"What?"
"You're in love with her. And she loves you back." He began pacing and rubbed his temples. He stopped, facing Jesse again. "I should have known! No wonder you're always after me!"
"Why would I love Susannah?" Jesse tried, pretending to not know what was going on.
"Oh, forget it. I don't care." He sat down heavily on his bed.
"Alright. So that means…"
"This means I'll stay away, if that's what you want."
"Alright. That will do."
"But not for that long, you know." Paul put in quickly.
"Why not?"
"Well, you know." He shrugged. "We're both Mediators and all…it just makes sense that-,"
"No. I don't care. I want you to move away, if you think you can't handle it. You still have your parents, right?"
"Yes. But there's also something else…"
"And what would that be?" Jesse said, folding his arms across his chest. Paul stood up and took a few paces until he was up close to Jesse.
"Well, um…Back in your day, I'm not sure…well…"
"What are you trying to say? We had stalkers in my day, believe me."
"No! That's not it…" His eyes darted to the ground and Jesse finally noticed his loss of ego. Something big was up.
"Pete? What is it?"
"Well, Jerry," Paul said, purposely mocking him and adding in a nervous laugh. "I just…"
"For heaven's sake, just say it! My patience is wearing thin." Paul wobbled a little on his feet, then without thought, gave Jessy a big, long kiss.
"That's what I was trying to say." Paul said, finally making eye contact and managing not to blush. He did have some dignity left, after all.
"Wh-what about Susannah?" Was all he could get out.
"I like you, Jesse. I was trying to get to you through Suze. Don't you see?"
"Peter, I feel…" Before he could say another word, Paul put his finger up to Jesse's mouth.
"It's Paul." He smirked weakly. "And just kiss me…" And, as usual, Jesse obeyed his orders.