Yeah, I'm sure you intelligent people guessed accurately. Paul stood in the
yawning doorway with . . . okay, I wasn't expecting this! Maria De Silva
Diego!
'Sorry to interrupt such a touching moment, but I'm here for you, De Silva,' drawled Paul.
'No, Paul! Leave him alone,' I pleaded. That was when Maria lunged at me. Before I had time to swing any punches, she's grabbed by arms. Now, I was taking it as a mortal insult that I couldn't get away from Maria. I mean, last time I checked, I had broken her neck in five seconds flat. But here she was, my arms viciously pulled behind my back. Hang on. Last time I checked, I'd EXORCISED HER!
But then, hadn't she and Diego gone up into the Shadowland, where Paul had been?
He could have easily brought them back . . . Oh God . . .
'I'll- I'll stick to the deal! Please, don't hurt him! ' I shouted, as Maria gave my arms a brutal twist. What was I going to do? Jesse might be exorcised, without knowing how much he meant to me! Oh, no, anything but that!
'I'm a businessman, Suze,' said Paul eloquently, spreading his hands, 'I need proof. A contract, if you will. Are you going to be a good girl? Or will I have to prove to you that I won't tolerate any games?' With that, drew out a knife.
'This isn't just any knife, Suze. It's a Ghost Hunter's knife. It kills instantly. Their existence is erased from history completely, and no one remembers them except the killer. Many say it is worse than any death, mediation or exorcism. And it is, to know that no one will remember you, or ever love you again, is worse than dying. You haven't left your part on the world, or in someone's heart. You never even existed.'
Jesse stepped back, his eyes wide.
Paul raised the knife.
'Wait!' I screamed, my voice very thin, 'You want proof? I'll give you proof, just get this stinking skank off of me?' MY mind was racing in overdrive. Only one thing came to mind, but how would Jesse react? Would he dematerialize, leaving me to Paul's mercy? Most likely . . .
Paul nodded at Maria, and she shoved me into Paul. I chanced a glance at Jesse, shooting him a look that said "don't' take this the wrong way. I so love you, not this idiotic bastard. Please, don't go. Help me, Jesse. I'm doing this for you." But I doubt that he read all of that. Because, by the way that he was glaring at me steadily, he still hated every inch of me.
Isn't my life just a tub of Neapolitan ice cream?
I looked up at Paul. He wasn't sure if it was another one of my tricks. (It was, but I hoped that he didn't know that.) With my right arm, I threw it behind him neck, drawing him down. And I planted a big fat one on his lips.
Oh, it was gross, I swear. Like kissing a dog, which I have seen some people do, tongues and all, (shudder,) but this was way worse.
Because I despised Paul.
More than I thought possible.
More than I knew.
I would have so preferred that this to have been Jesse, but we don't always get what we want, do we? I had to go all and out so Paul would believe me. I caressed the side of his face and all, disgusting myself internally.
Paul got the message, and kissed back.
Hard.
He put his hands around my waist, and all, closing his eyes. Then he started moving his hands up my top! Ah!
'Hey, wait a minute,' I said, pulling back from him. 'We have to make a deal, okay?'
The grin I knew so well returned to his lips, playing along them subtly. His obsession with me was really, really getting out of hand now, if this was any proof.
'I'll go out with you, like, for real, and pretend I like it even, if you leave Jesse alone. I mean, never threaten him again, ever. Even if something happens,' I said, my hands on my hips, (and discretely tucking my top back in.)
He shrugged and nodded. 'Fine,' was all he said. I looked at Jesse, who was just staring at me, appalled.
'Paul, I want to talk to Jesse alone, so I can fill him in with what's going on,' I said to a slightly dazed Paul. Maria threw me a scornful look.
He nodded, and dragged Maria out of my room, shutting the door behind him. Jesse was just standing in front of my window seat, staring at me. It was unnerving! I went and sat on my bed, avoiding Jesse's eyes. I knew that I was in it deep.
'Jesse, I am so-o-o sorry,' I began, giving the "so" multiple syllables. He was still just staring, I noticed, when I glanced at him. I ran my hand over my face, sliding it down my chin in frustration. I seriously wished Paul dead. I know that it is a terrible thing, but the guy has made my life a living hell. Worse, even.
'Are you?' he asked finally,' his voice very full. My eyes welled up.
'I didn't want to tell you anything, because I knew what you would have said!' I cried. 'You would have-'
'What would I have said, Susannah?!' he roared at me, coming right up to me, so that I strained my neck to look up at him. At those intense Latino eyes, that were glaring at me with an alien emotion. I'd never seen it before on Jesse. It was like a mixture of love, hate, deadliness, agony, and like he was going to explode. Seriously. As if, if I said the wrong thing, he'd just go kaboom!
I gulped, and shrank against the bed head. His volume wasn't exactly reassuring.
'You would have been all, "I'm not worth it." That you were dead, and that there was no way we could change that. That I have stop all of this and get on with my life. 'But, oh, Jesse, I can't get on with my life. These ghosts will always find me, always haunt me. Around every corner, there will always be someone sumping their troubles on me, ordering me to tell their loved ones messages. You don't know how much I just wish I could be normal, going to the movies, on going on dates. But it's not, and this will never change. My life is a mess. And not until you came, did I ever think it was going to be all right. 'If I was to ever give up mediation, somehow, some way, there'd be only one thing I'd miss. He's the only person who ever understood me. And I need him more than I'm willing to admit. But now, I see how bloody stupid I've been. Jesse, don't you see? I love you with all my heart, all my soul! I always have! I tried to fight this burning desire, but I couldn't. I fell for you, and now I am paying for it. Because Paul won't leave me alone, and he won't leave you alone because it's you I love.'
I looked at Jesse. I was howling by then. Tears flooded from my eyes, burning with a steady acid on my cheeks. My face must have been screwed up very unattractively. I clapped my hands to my eyes to rid of the tears, as they were blocking my vision. Everything was a watery blur.
That was when I felt my arms being pulled gently down to my sides. Jesse was pulling them down. He wiped my tears away, speaking in soft, soothing Spanish. It wasn't the cold harsh voice that I'd been hearing so often lately, but the way he used to speak in the old days.
'Oh, Querida,' he breathed.
HE CALLED ME QUERIDA! THE WORLD IS RIGHT AGAIN!!!
He drew me into a scared embrace. I was being squashed between his arms and his chest, but you know what? It was the best feeling in the world.
'Oh, Querida, you're right. I'm not worth it.'
'No, Jesse,' I said angrily, pushing him away from me to make sure he understood, 'You are worth all of this! If I have to go through a thousand Pauls, I would.' And I would. Just to see his smiling face, like a blazing sun breaking through with radiant rays on a cloudy day. That was how Jesse's smile made me feel. Like everything was going to be okay.
No matter how much of a lie that was.
'You are worth it. You always have been, and always will be, Jesse,' I stuttered.
'No, I'm NOT!' he yelled. I blinked down my tears. Why was he yelling? This only made me cry harder.
'It's time, Susannah.'
What?
'What'd you say?' I said, stepping back from him. That's what I'd expect a suicidal maniac to say. This was WAY weird.
'I said it's time. I'm going, Susannah. I'm going from this world. I know what's holding me back. I'm never going to leave you, Susannah.'
'What?' I asked desperately, tugging on his pure white shirt. 'What is keeping you here?'
He looked at me, his eyes going all hard again, and his look darkening.
'You.'
A/N: Keep 'em coming, guys! We love you all. If Katie's copied anyone so far, she apologizes, because next up is something we don't think anyone's done. Don't be mad either. Keep reading!!!!!
'Sorry to interrupt such a touching moment, but I'm here for you, De Silva,' drawled Paul.
'No, Paul! Leave him alone,' I pleaded. That was when Maria lunged at me. Before I had time to swing any punches, she's grabbed by arms. Now, I was taking it as a mortal insult that I couldn't get away from Maria. I mean, last time I checked, I had broken her neck in five seconds flat. But here she was, my arms viciously pulled behind my back. Hang on. Last time I checked, I'd EXORCISED HER!
But then, hadn't she and Diego gone up into the Shadowland, where Paul had been?
He could have easily brought them back . . . Oh God . . .
'I'll- I'll stick to the deal! Please, don't hurt him! ' I shouted, as Maria gave my arms a brutal twist. What was I going to do? Jesse might be exorcised, without knowing how much he meant to me! Oh, no, anything but that!
'I'm a businessman, Suze,' said Paul eloquently, spreading his hands, 'I need proof. A contract, if you will. Are you going to be a good girl? Or will I have to prove to you that I won't tolerate any games?' With that, drew out a knife.
'This isn't just any knife, Suze. It's a Ghost Hunter's knife. It kills instantly. Their existence is erased from history completely, and no one remembers them except the killer. Many say it is worse than any death, mediation or exorcism. And it is, to know that no one will remember you, or ever love you again, is worse than dying. You haven't left your part on the world, or in someone's heart. You never even existed.'
Jesse stepped back, his eyes wide.
Paul raised the knife.
'Wait!' I screamed, my voice very thin, 'You want proof? I'll give you proof, just get this stinking skank off of me?' MY mind was racing in overdrive. Only one thing came to mind, but how would Jesse react? Would he dematerialize, leaving me to Paul's mercy? Most likely . . .
Paul nodded at Maria, and she shoved me into Paul. I chanced a glance at Jesse, shooting him a look that said "don't' take this the wrong way. I so love you, not this idiotic bastard. Please, don't go. Help me, Jesse. I'm doing this for you." But I doubt that he read all of that. Because, by the way that he was glaring at me steadily, he still hated every inch of me.
Isn't my life just a tub of Neapolitan ice cream?
I looked up at Paul. He wasn't sure if it was another one of my tricks. (It was, but I hoped that he didn't know that.) With my right arm, I threw it behind him neck, drawing him down. And I planted a big fat one on his lips.
Oh, it was gross, I swear. Like kissing a dog, which I have seen some people do, tongues and all, (shudder,) but this was way worse.
Because I despised Paul.
More than I thought possible.
More than I knew.
I would have so preferred that this to have been Jesse, but we don't always get what we want, do we? I had to go all and out so Paul would believe me. I caressed the side of his face and all, disgusting myself internally.
Paul got the message, and kissed back.
Hard.
He put his hands around my waist, and all, closing his eyes. Then he started moving his hands up my top! Ah!
'Hey, wait a minute,' I said, pulling back from him. 'We have to make a deal, okay?'
The grin I knew so well returned to his lips, playing along them subtly. His obsession with me was really, really getting out of hand now, if this was any proof.
'I'll go out with you, like, for real, and pretend I like it even, if you leave Jesse alone. I mean, never threaten him again, ever. Even if something happens,' I said, my hands on my hips, (and discretely tucking my top back in.)
He shrugged and nodded. 'Fine,' was all he said. I looked at Jesse, who was just staring at me, appalled.
'Paul, I want to talk to Jesse alone, so I can fill him in with what's going on,' I said to a slightly dazed Paul. Maria threw me a scornful look.
He nodded, and dragged Maria out of my room, shutting the door behind him. Jesse was just standing in front of my window seat, staring at me. It was unnerving! I went and sat on my bed, avoiding Jesse's eyes. I knew that I was in it deep.
'Jesse, I am so-o-o sorry,' I began, giving the "so" multiple syllables. He was still just staring, I noticed, when I glanced at him. I ran my hand over my face, sliding it down my chin in frustration. I seriously wished Paul dead. I know that it is a terrible thing, but the guy has made my life a living hell. Worse, even.
'Are you?' he asked finally,' his voice very full. My eyes welled up.
'I didn't want to tell you anything, because I knew what you would have said!' I cried. 'You would have-'
'What would I have said, Susannah?!' he roared at me, coming right up to me, so that I strained my neck to look up at him. At those intense Latino eyes, that were glaring at me with an alien emotion. I'd never seen it before on Jesse. It was like a mixture of love, hate, deadliness, agony, and like he was going to explode. Seriously. As if, if I said the wrong thing, he'd just go kaboom!
I gulped, and shrank against the bed head. His volume wasn't exactly reassuring.
'You would have been all, "I'm not worth it." That you were dead, and that there was no way we could change that. That I have stop all of this and get on with my life. 'But, oh, Jesse, I can't get on with my life. These ghosts will always find me, always haunt me. Around every corner, there will always be someone sumping their troubles on me, ordering me to tell their loved ones messages. You don't know how much I just wish I could be normal, going to the movies, on going on dates. But it's not, and this will never change. My life is a mess. And not until you came, did I ever think it was going to be all right. 'If I was to ever give up mediation, somehow, some way, there'd be only one thing I'd miss. He's the only person who ever understood me. And I need him more than I'm willing to admit. But now, I see how bloody stupid I've been. Jesse, don't you see? I love you with all my heart, all my soul! I always have! I tried to fight this burning desire, but I couldn't. I fell for you, and now I am paying for it. Because Paul won't leave me alone, and he won't leave you alone because it's you I love.'
I looked at Jesse. I was howling by then. Tears flooded from my eyes, burning with a steady acid on my cheeks. My face must have been screwed up very unattractively. I clapped my hands to my eyes to rid of the tears, as they were blocking my vision. Everything was a watery blur.
That was when I felt my arms being pulled gently down to my sides. Jesse was pulling them down. He wiped my tears away, speaking in soft, soothing Spanish. It wasn't the cold harsh voice that I'd been hearing so often lately, but the way he used to speak in the old days.
'Oh, Querida,' he breathed.
HE CALLED ME QUERIDA! THE WORLD IS RIGHT AGAIN!!!
He drew me into a scared embrace. I was being squashed between his arms and his chest, but you know what? It was the best feeling in the world.
'Oh, Querida, you're right. I'm not worth it.'
'No, Jesse,' I said angrily, pushing him away from me to make sure he understood, 'You are worth all of this! If I have to go through a thousand Pauls, I would.' And I would. Just to see his smiling face, like a blazing sun breaking through with radiant rays on a cloudy day. That was how Jesse's smile made me feel. Like everything was going to be okay.
No matter how much of a lie that was.
'You are worth it. You always have been, and always will be, Jesse,' I stuttered.
'No, I'm NOT!' he yelled. I blinked down my tears. Why was he yelling? This only made me cry harder.
'It's time, Susannah.'
What?
'What'd you say?' I said, stepping back from him. That's what I'd expect a suicidal maniac to say. This was WAY weird.
'I said it's time. I'm going, Susannah. I'm going from this world. I know what's holding me back. I'm never going to leave you, Susannah.'
'What?' I asked desperately, tugging on his pure white shirt. 'What is keeping you here?'
He looked at me, his eyes going all hard again, and his look darkening.
'You.'
A/N: Keep 'em coming, guys! We love you all. If Katie's copied anyone so far, she apologizes, because next up is something we don't think anyone's done. Don't be mad either. Keep reading!!!!!