A/N:  Does the masculine "mío" refer back to the querida or to the speaker?  Once I get that confirmed, I'll change the title.  To be honest, I haven't taken Spanish in a year.  After four years of it, I realized it wasn't something I wanted to do and dropped it.  I knew it would come back and haunt me.  (Pardon the pun)

Also, the Paul Assault thing – I just chalk it up to Suze exaggerating like any teenage girl would if something like that happened.  Even though it's slight SI Possession, if that happened to me, I wouldn't have a lot of love for the guy either. 

And Jesse's door opening – well, I thought about this and wondered about that one part in the second book where Jesse picked up a pillow from the floor and hit Suze in the face with it.  I know that new ghosts have a hard time picking up things (i.e. the RLS Angels) but Jesse seems to have no problem picking up Spike or books to read.

And I do intend to make this a rather lengthy fanfic.  Summer break and graduation are coming up this week so I have time to fill up before being shipped off to college.  Happy reading.

Chapter 2:

"What?"  I stared at Father D blankly.  Jesse looked equally surprised and raised his eyebrows.  He didn't really visit my other family members, obviously.  What would be the point?  Well, except David that one time.  But that was because I was going up against a crazed undead cheerleader.  "What does Brad have to do with this?"

Father Dom shook his head sadly, "I'm afraid that ever since then, Bradley's been a little… off track.  His grades are dropping considerably."

Brad's never been a star student, so I couldn't really see the point. "So?"

"So," Father D continued, "I believe that he's been a bit disturbed by what happened at the party."  He actually looked concerned for Brad.  "From what I can gather from both of your accounts, I think that Bradley heard Jesse threatening Mr. Slater."

Jesse stiffened and asked, confused, "He can hear me?"

I groaned and sat back down in the chair.  I had completely forgotten that Brad could hear Jesse.  That was the original blackmail that he was using for the party.  If I said a word, he would tell Mom that Jesse was visiting me at night, and we all know how that would look in a parent's eyes.  It's not like I could explain the truth. 

Jesse stood beside me, worried. "Are you all right, querida?"

"I'm fine, Jesse.  I just completely forgot to tell you about Brad," I explained, leaning back in the chair and looking at him. "He was going to tell my mom that you were sneaking into my room at night.  And even if Mom and Andy didn't blow a gasket, they'd want to meet you and we both know how that would end up." I attempted to blow a loose strand of hair away from my face but in vain.  Jesse finally tucked it behind my ear for me.

"I see." He sighed in a resigned sort of way and looked back at Father Dom. "So you are saying that this Brad is disturbed because he can hear and not see me, Father?"

Father D nodded.  "I think it might be best to explain to him that he isn't hearing voices in his head."

I sat up straight immediately and said, "Are you saying what I think you're saying?"  He wasn't really suggesting it, was he?  I had worked so hard to keep my freakiness to myself.  If I was going to tell anyone point blank about this mediating stuff, I always thought it would be my mom.  Or CeeCee.

Father Dom looked at me gravely. "I am saying, Susannah, that you should tell Brad that Jesse is real."  He turned to Jesse, "And you need to be present to prove it."

"No way.  No freaking way.  I am not telling Brad about the ghost business."  I stubbornly crossed my arms.  I was probably acting like a kid, but hey, why should I tell Brad anything?  Let him think he was going nuts.

"You can't possibly have me believe that you'd rather have your brother suffer from a mental breakdown."  Father D's eyes were wide with disbelief.  He did kinda have a point though.  With Jack, I saw how not understanding the mediating thing could ruin someone's life.  Hell, I already had to convince my mom and several therapists about my mental health before, and that was with the knowledge I wasn't crazy.

I got up reluctantly and glanced at Jesse to see what he thought of this.  He, of course, was just standing there neutrally with his arms crossed and looking at me expectantly.  Father Dom had practically the same expression.  "Oh, fine!"  I said at last.  "I'll tell Brad, but just enough to let him know he's not crazy.  Don't blame me though if he doesn't take me seriously."

Father D smiled up at me from his seat, "You're doing the right thing, Susannah." I guess I owed him one anyway.  Last time I didn't listen to Father Dom about telling my family, Jesse's cousin went on a rampage in the basilica, which almost ended up with both me and Jesse stuck in shadowland.  On the upside, I did get to bash Maria's head against the railing.

I turned to the door to go back to lunch when I felt the familiar strong hand on my shoulder.   Jesse said, "Have a good day, querida.  Just call when you need me."

I smiled back up at him, "I will, Jesse."  I gave him a quick peck on the cheek before leaving.  Sure, it was in full view of Father Dom, but it was becoming a habit.  Jesse just had that effect on me.

Lunch was almost over when I got back, but I did get a quick bite to eat.  Adam and CeeCee welcomed me back and CeeCee gave me that look again.  I just mouthed to her, "Later."  I had to deal with the whole Brad thing before even attempting to come clean with CeeCee.   

She did manage to corner me into the conversation after school though. 

After school, Adam drove CeeCee and me to the Coffee Clutch.  We were just hanging out at table while Adam was ordering when she asked me, "So, have you decided yet, Suze?"

I had no clue what she was talking about so I asked, "Decide what?"

"If you're going to tell me about Jesse.  The truth."  It was just one of those days, wasn't it? But then she continued, "Seriously, Simon, I've already done a bit of research on this and –"

"Whoa!" I was definitely caught off guard with that remark. "What do you mean 'research'?"  I had Google-d the mediator thing to death and know for a fact there's nothing really useful there.  Just some new age bull about chakras or something.

CeeCee leaned forward and said quietly, "I know about that new grave on the Mission's grounds.  And don't forget that you told me about Hector de Silva's disappearance in the 1850's when that body was dug up in your backyard.  Not to mention that the grave itself says Hector "Jesse" de Silva.  I'm not blind, Simon."  Damn, she got me.  CeeCee was way too smart for her own good.

I put my head in my hands, cursing her journalist skills.  Finally, I looked her straight in the eye and said, "Friday night.  Your place, all right?"  As long as I was coming out about this to Brad, I might as well trust my friend who figured out half the story already.

Unfortunately Adam chose that moment to overhear as he walked back to us, coffee in hand.  "Cool, what's going on at CeeCee's Friday?"

"Nothing," I said a little too quickly.

"Aw, c'mon, you guys."  He sat down and looked at us dejectedly. "The two of you have something going on and I'm all left out.  I know it."  When we refused to meet his eye, he said, "Fine, if you won't tell me, Suze, I'll just get CeeCee to tell me later."

CeeCee looked at me pleadingly with those big violet eyes of hers and I sighed.  I knew for a fact that CeeCee could deny Adam nothing.  If he so much as even smiled at her, she would break and the whole story would come crashing out.  Personally I think they should just get it over with and ask each other out, but that's another story.

I told him firmly, "Anything you hear tomorrow night never leaves your lips.  Got it?"

Adam put a hand on his chest in mock astonishment, "I can't believe you'd think I'd even dream of it."

CeeCee said, "We're serious, Adam.  This is something really major.  Not a word of it to anyone else."  I knew CeeCee would keep him in line.  Besides, I think she really wanted to know about the ghost thing.

He screwed up his face in uncertainty, "This isn't a 'girl' thing, is it?"

We both rolled our eyes.  I said, a bit annoyed at the assumption, "No.  Just keep quiet and we'll tell you tomorrow."

Just as we were about to get up and head home, I hear the familiar voice belonging to someone I did not need to see right now.  Not today, the day of 'talks.' "Fancy meeting you here, Suze."

I took a deep breath and turned around.  Flashing him a sarcastic smile, I said shortly, "Paul."

Paul Slater was standing there in his chinos and polo shirt, looking like the model guy for some country club.  His brown curly hair was mussed a bit from the wind outside, but it looked good on him.  And I didn't care one bit.  His blue eyes were twinkling with something devious. 

I asked, "Well, something you wanted to say?"

He smiled and said, "I just thought you'd like to know that your first lesson is tomorrow.  During lunch."

CeeCee asked behind me, "Lessons?"

Paul said, "Oh, it's just something Suze and I have going on."  He put a finger to his lips, "It's a secret though."  I wanted to punch him right there.  He had such a knack for phrasing things in the most irritable and easily manipulative way possible. 

I decided to cut the conversation short. "Fine, I'll meet you at lunch tomorrow.  Just make it quick, alright?" 

"Oh, don't worry.  I'm testing it out tonight to make sure it goes well."  I should have spotted it right there.  If I wasn't so worried about telling Brad or CeeCee I might've been able to prevent what happened.  But I didn't. 

Instead, I said, "If that's all, we're leaving. Bye."  I hurried CeeCee and Adam out of the Coffee Clutch and back to the car.  I didn't want to spend anymore time in there with Paul because I could already notice the looks I was getting from other classmates hanging out there.  As if my reputation wasn't damaged enough, Paul, the guy who – according to the rest of the class – had gotten a little too drunk at the hot tub party, was asking me to meet him during lunch alone.  Yeah, that'll go over well tomorrow.

As CeeCee and I piled into the Volkswagen Beatle, Adam asked, "So what was that about?  Is he tutoring you in something?"

I replied, "Something like that.  Maybe I'll tell you about that tomorrow night too."  I saw in the rearview mirror CeeCee's eyes go wide.  I suppose she hadn't quite gotten the Paul link into this down. 

I was dropped off at my house, just in time for dinner.  Andy had made spaghetti with garlic bread.  We sat down as one big happy family and began to eat.  The men inhaled their food, as usual, but I noticed that Brad didn't look up from his plate to make any snide comments.  I guess tonight was as good as any other night to tell him.  I just hope he appreciates what I'm doing by telling him.  After all, I could've just let him be shipped off to Bellevue.

I was just wondering what that particular situation would be like when my mom decided to start a conversation, "Oh, Suzie, I just found out their having a sale at a dress shop my co-worker recommended to me.  Would you like to go and pick out something for prom?"

I stopped midway of taking a piece of garlic bread, "Prom?  Mom, that's months away."  Besides, the guy I love can't exactly go with me.  Well, he could but no one would know and – You see where this going, right?

But that didn't stop her.  Mom looked at me hopefully, "I know, but I was just thinking that if you had someone in mind then…"

And then Jake just had to add in, "Suze already likes someone."  Stupid, stupid, stupid!  Mom isn't supposed to know about Jesse!  Normally I'm on good terms with Jake after he and David saved me that night at the Mission Academy, but that was the dumbest thing to have ever come out of his mouth.

Mom perked up and Andy asked, "Oh?  Who is it?"  Andy's been a bit more fatherly towards me after the hot tub incident.  Like I needed someone to keep an eye on me.  Yeah, right.  As if I didn't have enough people watching my every move.

I glared at my stepbrothers, daring them to say a word.  Jake, for letting the cat out of the bag, and at David and Brad, since they already knew the rumors around school.   I said coolly, "Just a guy."

Andy raised an eyebrow, "It wasn't that boy who broke the door, was it?"  Even though the door was relatively easy to replace, it was the fact that someone had actually been thrown through it that bugged Andy.  Can't say I really blame him. 

Even though technically Jesse had been involved with that, that wasn't who Andy was talking about so I answered, "No, different guy."

"And when were you planning on introducing us, Suzie?" Mom asked. 

"Mom, I've only been seeing him for a little while," I replied, "You don't want me to scare him off, do you?"  Yes, the best tactic.  Make her think that she's jeopardizing my chances so she won't ask him to dinner.  Not that he ate anyway.

"Of course not, honey," Andy replied.  He was calling me that again.   I suppose he thought it made us closer, which I have to admit we have been.  One time he was teaching me to make simple pasta and that worked out pretty well.  "We would just like to meet this young man.  To make sure he's all right."  Maybe that depended on your definition of 'all right.'

I responded vaguely, "Yeah… I'll think about it," and kept eating my spaghetti to avoid having to talk.  David, who thankfully knew I wanted to change the subject, started talking about how tonight there was some sort of space thing called a supernova. It was when a star exploded and the aftermath was going to last all this weekend.  I gotta love the little guy for helping a girl out.

So after dinner, I cleared the table – it was my turn tonight – and by the time I finished, everyone had gone off to their respective places.  Mom and Andy were in their room watching TV, Jake went to his job delivering 'za, David was outside with his telescope trying to witness that star thing from before, and Brad was shut up in his room with the music blaring.  It was now or never.

I went up the steps and knocked on Brad's door.