Jesse slept, completely oblivious to the world around him.  He didn't stir when Marion took a seat by his side and wetted his forehead down.  He slumbered on when she picked up the phone on the first ring.  But, early in the afternoon, something from inside his mind caused him to toss and turn.

At first they were only voices.  Then, a face, a body, a background all formed.  He was on the outside, looking in, watching dark people in a dark room discussing dark plans.  Beads of sweat formed on his brow as the people continued.  A man, tall and muscular, paced the floor while his assistant, a fit, military-looking woman sat at a table, listening.

"We have to make sure our plan is foolproof," the man said.  "You have the vials?"

"Yes, for the fifth time, I have the vials!  We've covered that aspect of the plan perfectly.  You've got the schedule?"

"Yes.  Let's go over the fine points of the plot.  First?"

"Jesse Travis goes on break at exactly noon.  I need to get in there before he does, and no one can see me enter or exit.  Meanwhile, you create a diversion by injecting yourself with vial X5.  Just enough time for me to get in and out."

"And then?"

Exasperatedly, the woman sighed and continued.  "Then, while everyone is dealing with him, you go in, dressed is a doctor, and handle Higley.  Then we leave and are never seen again."

"Correct.  And all my problems will be solved.  Ah…revenge is sweet," the man said; punctuating the sentence with a maniacal, movie-villain, laugh.  The woman sighed exasperatedly and rolled her eyes.

"You know, Sam, you seriously need to drop the evil laugh.  It doesn't work for you."

"How many times must I remind you, it's Jonathan!   The Jonathan Endersen!"

"You're crazy.  And just because I'm your girlfriend does not mean that you can treat me like your sidekick.  We're in this together.  We both want to take him down, along with that other doctor involved," the woman said, closing a briefcase on the table. 

"I'm not.  You're too insecure, Roxie, that's your problem.  You know that we'll both profit from Higley's death.  I trust you completely.  You brilliant bio-technician, if it wasn't for you, no part of this plan would work."

"You flatter me," Roxie replied sardonically.  "It's almost eleven.  We need to get to the hospital soon if our plan is to work."

Jonathan/Sam and Roxie picked up their supplies and walked out the door, closing it behind them.

The light in the room was shut off, plunging Jesse again into blackness.

***

Moments afterward, Jesse awoke, sweating and shaking, a strange sense of knowledge coming over him.  Too weak to get up, he called out for Marion.  She came running in, a worried look on her face.

"What is it Jesse?  Is everything all right?"

"No.  I think I know who killed Andrew," he said breathlessly.

Marion gasped, and took a seat in a chair next to Jesse.  "Is there anybody we can call?"

"Yeah.  My friend, Steve Sloan, a cop.  His number's on the table," Jesse said, gesturing towards the phone.

Lifting the receiver from its current position, Marion dialed in the number for Steve's cell and waited for him to pick up.  When he did, she spoke calmly and clearly, telling Steve that 'Jesse thinks he knows something that you might find helpful in the investigation.'  She nodded and muttered a word of acknowledgement before hanging the telephone up. 

Jesse sighed, relieved.  Soon it would all be over.  The police department would find Pluto and Roxie, and everything would be back to normal.  Well, almost everything.  Marion would still be there, and there was still the matter of finding the antidote to whatever Jesse had been poisoned with. 

Suddenly, everything began to swirl around.  Trying to suppress the dizziness that overcame him, he squeezed his eyes shut, resting his head on the back of the couch.  The faster Steve got there the better.  Jesse could no longer deny it: he needed to be at the hospital. 

Marion helped Jesse up from his resting place and started to walk him over to the borrowed wheelchair so that he would be ready when Steve got there.  Jesse, still in his drowsy stupor, stumbled on his own feet and found himself face-to-face with the female doctor.  Thoroughly shocked, and still in a drugged haze, Jesse felt the fifteen-year-old in him leap out as he kissed her passionately on the lips.

Seconds later, Jesse pulled back, his face turning a bright shade of red. "I—I'm sorry.  I—I don't know what came over me," he started, but Marion silenced him by putting her finger to his lips. 

"Nobody needs to know of this, right?" she asked, helping him up.  "I mean, everyone already suspects me of poisoning you in the first place."

"That doesn't make sense.  You couldn't have killed Andrew, you were with me the entire time, leaving you without opportunity, and from what you've told me, I can tell that you don't have any motive."

"Oh, please don't tell me that you're a cop, too?  I don't think I can stand any more of them questioning me; they were practically attacking me the day they found Andrew stabbed.  I know they suspect me of killing him.  Jesse, I didn't do it!" she said, close to tears.


            "Marion, I believe you.  I trust you," Jesse replied, standing up.  He walked over to the door and turned the lock.  "Steve has a key.  When he gets here, he can get in on his own."

Marion pinned Jesse against the door and kissed him again.  "Well, Dr. Travis, I certainly hope you're not contagious…" she started.

"I think we'll be okay," Jesse said.  Fifteen minutes later, Steve still hadn't gotten there, and Marion and Jesse were still in the same place.  Tired, Jesse sat down in the chair, and Marion in the seat beside him.  Closing his eyes, he swallowed, trying to calm his racing heart.  Marion leaned over again, only this time, it wasn't am attempt at romance.  She pressed the back of her hand against Jesse's forehead.

"When Steve gets here, you're going back to Community General.  You need a doctor."

"I am a doctor!"

"I forget who said this first, but doctors are the worst patients," she admonished.

Jesse laughed, just as a nauseating shock ran through him like a bullet.  Memories of the time he and Steve were investigating a crime scene that happened to be a boat flooded back to him as he rushed into the bathroom.  He got down on his knees and retched into the toilet, while silently praying that Steve would arrive soon.  Marion looked on nervously at her newfound 'friend' being violently sick, wincing every time his frail body convulsed with the immobilizing pain.  She closed her eyes, rubbing Jesse's shoulders, trying to get him to relax, hoping for it all to stop. 

Finally, a key turned in the lock.  Marion ran out to greet Steve, who was closing the door behind him.  "Look, Marion, I went over some things, and," he shrugged.  "I'm sorry.  You couldn't have done it."

"That's great, I really appreciate it.  But that's not the point.  Jesse thinks he knows who killed Andrew Higley."  Marion led Steve into the bathroom, where Jesse, wiping sweat off his brow, we beginning to stand up.  The detective rushed to his friend's side and helped him over to the sink.  Jesse spat into the porcelain while Steve splashed water on his face while keeping him standing upright. 

"Jesse!  Can you tell me who you think did it?"  Steve half-shouted to the hunched-over figure. 

In between gasps for breath, Jesse managed, "Jonathan Endersen.  Or," he inhaled again.  "Sam Endersen.  Same…..person."  Then he collapsed into Steve's arms, his physically drained body gone limp.

Well, we're almost finished.  One more chapter!  I know what happens and you don't!!  Will update soon, thanks for all the great reviews!  ~Mariah