Title: Everything You Thought You Knew

Author: Sara and Lizzie

Disclaimer: Meg is God. We borrowed it, don't sue.

Rating: Pg-13, with a possible change.

Summary: Several years after Jesse disappeared, Suze is living in San Francisco, finally leading the normal life she dreamed of when she was a teenager. Until she returns to Carmel for a Fourth of July weekend that changes her life again.

Author's Note: The next few chapters are all about the day of Suze and Alex's rehearsal dinner. Pay attention to the times so you know what's going on

"What will it take to make you admit that you were wrong?" –Taking Back Sunday

2:36 PM- Suze's POV

It's funny how different kisses can be. It's funny how much time girls spend agonizing over what a kiss means. As I'm being kissed by Jesse outside the rectory right now, I remembering the first time we kissed.

And how I agonized. I remembered the first time I kissed Alex and how I afterwards I sighed, wishing he was Jesse.

Jesse pulled away from me and studied my face. "You look scared."

"I am scared." I admitted. "I'm scared to tell him I won't marry him. I'm scared of what he'll do."

"Are you going to tell him, Susannah?"

"Yes. I'm not going to marry him Jesse."

Jesse looked up at the sky and then back at me. "You are very close to doing so querida."

2:49 PM – Alex's POV

Shock. I've always wondered why my clients go murder their girlfriends, boyfriends, parents, or even total strangers. And now I know. This shocking, unexplainable rage that I was feeling.

I could have killed both of them right then and there. But I didn't. They both looked so forlorn, that I managed to think that maybe they were both saying goodbye. I tried to convince myself, but it just wasn't working.

I staggered back to my car and sat down numbly. So that was him. I knew she had someone on the side, and now I had finally seen him. Tall, dark and handsome. Well some things just refuse to change. Like women. Always leaving reliable for the tall dark and handsome type.

If she didn't marry me, he would be the one to pay.

3:35 PM- Suze's POV

"Suze, I'm starting to get seriously freaked out." Gina told me. "This rehersal shit starts in an hour and a half, and you don't want to marry the guy."

I sighed. "I know. I just, I can't even imagine going up to him and being like, hey sweetie, I can't marry you, because I'm back with my ex dead ex boyfriend."

Gina sighed back. "God Simon. Can you imagine marrying that jerk?"

I shook my head. "No. I was thinking. About running tomorrow. Just not showing up."

Gina shook her head. "That's not the Susannah Simon I know. You never run from anything."

I whipped my head up and met her eyes. "Well maybe it's time to start Gina. What else can I do? I promised Alex I would marry him. I love Jesse. I'm damned if I do, and damned if I don't."

"Oh God, now you're using cliches."

I threw down my mascara tube in frustration. "Damn it Gina, don't be so flip about this. It's my life we're talking about."

"Right. Get it together Suze. This isn't a vicious, crazy ghost. It's a twenty seven year old hotshot in a suit."

I sighed again. Gina left the room.

3:58 PM- Father Dominic's POV

He entered my office, looking forlorn, yet determined. "Jesse." I greeted him.

"Father, I have made a decision. I am going to leave early tomorrow morning. If Susannah does not tell her fiancé the truth before the day of the wedding, she will not tell him at all."

I swallowed quickly. "I understand why you feel this urgency, but if we know Susannah, we know she will not-"

"Father. I will leave before the sun rises. Unless I see her tonight." He turned and left.

I had resolved not to get involved in this affair. However, it was now necessary.
4:29 PM- Suze's POV

I was sitting in the back of the mission church talking to Paul. The rehearsal itself was supposed to start in exactly 31 minutes, but I needed to talk my plan over with Paul.

"I'm going to him tomorrow morning. Around 10:00. When I'm supposed to be here. I think it will make things easier."

"It lacks courage Suze." Paul said frankly. I blinked. "Excuse me?"

"It lacks courage. If you would just go and tell him, that would be courageous. Running? It will only make it easier for you."

"Why is everyone giving me this crap?"

"Because we know you. And we only want you to come out of this in one piece."

"Paul. That's not possible. I'm already breaking this biggest commitment I've ever made in my life."

"Maybe you're committed to a bigger picture. You think you have this clear- cut picture of right and wrong, and of what you Suze, but love complicates things. I should know, right?" he gave me his trademark grin, and kissed my cheek. "I know you'll make the right choice."

And then he got up, and left me sitting there, drowning in everything I thought I knew.