Disclaimer : Once again, the great and wonderful Meg Cabot owns everything! Well, almost. The plot line is my friend and my idea and the characters of Anne, Adriaan, Alea and Denise are ours as well.

Hey guys! I am really sorry for not updating in a while, but the writer's block monster came after me and I finally got away from him by beating him in the head with my keyboard :) Nah, I'm just kidding. But seriously though, I hope you guys enjoy this chapter. There's not much too it...but...it does help with the overall view of the story. Okay, guys here's chapter 17...enjoy. :) I promise it's going to pick up very quickly now....and all of you that's been wanting Suze and Jesse to get back together ;) You'll see. (evil laughter) :)

Jesse's POV:

Later that night, I made my way down to where the family would be eating dinner. They were already there. I grinned at them sheepishly and took my seat at the table. "I am very sorry."

Don't worry about it, Jesse. you couldn't help it. This is a new place and we all know how exhausted people can get and how emotionally strained you probably are." Susannah's mother explained.

"Thank you very much, Mrs. Ackerman."

She just smiled sadly at me.

"So." Andy began, as the family began to fill their plates full of food, after everyone was done, I would get some. "Where do you plan on working while you find a place to live?"

I looked up at him, thinking deeply. "Well....I haven't really figured anything out yet." I explained, looking at Andy.

"Well, may I make a suggestion then Jesse?"

"Of course, Mr. Ackerman."

"Andy...." He corrected me. "....And I think that you should come to work for me....then you would be getting paid and you'd be able to pull your weight and find a nice place to live." He concluded.

"Yes, of course." I looked at the family with growing appreciation. The only thing that was missing from this perfect scene was my beautiful querida. The rest of the dinner was silence.

Susannah's POV:

"Daddy?" I looked at him with such surprise in my eyes that he looked at me startled.

"Oh Susannah! I was so worried about you honey...I didn't know where you were...I couldn't find you!" He exclaimed, wrapping me tightly in his arms in a HUGE hug.

I'm not kidding, it felt like he was squeezing me to death. But I didn't care.....

"What happened?" He said, letting go of me and looking down.

I had no choice but to tell him the story of what all had been going on since I had been kidnapped. When I was finished he looked at me strangely.

"If I ever get my hands on that boy...."

My eyes opened wide with shock. "No Dad....let me take care of him....I can kick his butt now..." Only I didn't say butt, if you know what I mean.

"Susannah! I didn't raise you to say such language!" My father stated, but he was still looking at me, smiling and then he gave me a suspicious look. "Susannah, what are you planning?"

"Nothing." I said, trying to look as innocent as I could be. Yeah, yeah...I know...you can stop laughing now.

My father gave me a look but decided to drop the subject. "Just...be careful...okay?"

"Okay, I promise I will be." I said and then my mind went back to what he'd said. "Um...Dad...what did you mean by 'Jesse needs me'?"

My dad looked a little put out for a second before he looked back at me. "Well...honey...don't get too worried about this...but...Paul Slater is very angry at him. It seems that they got into a fight a few days ago and Jesse pulverized him." My father grinned and continued. "Now Paul is hell bent on getting back at Jesse...no matter what it takes...."

My eyes went wide and I gulped and quickly sat down on my bed, feeling like my legs were going to give out on me. "So....Jesse is okay though right?" I asked, trying not to get too hysterical.

"Yes, honey..." My father said, coming over to sit beside me on the bed. "But....Susannah....he won't be for much longer...unless you hurry back and help him." He said, looking at me seriously.

I looked over at my father and nodded and then started getting my things together quicker. I grabbed the book that was laying beside my bedside table and noticed that my father was still there. "Was there anything else Dad?"

"Yes honey..." He got up and looked at me....grinning. "If you get to Jesse in time...and you defeat Paul...I think you will be very surprised." He said, giving me a strange look.

I looked over at him. "Cryptic much?" I asked, raising my eyebrows at him.

"Honey...just trust me....I think this will make you very happy." He said, before disappearing and leaving me to pack.

Okay, there's Chapter 17....Alright, well.....I'm gonna go and edit chapter 18 for you guys. I promise to update soon! :) Don't forget to review!