Thanks for your reviews. I was in a good mood so I decided to write a short chapter. Just so you know what'll happen next. Keep the support coming!

Chapter 9

Three's A Crowd

The two stayed wrapped in each other's embrace, their lips locked. Emma could feel a flash of heat in her cheeks and her breathing was labored. Her heart was racing to keep up with her emotions. Through all of this her mind began to wander, doing its own thing. Suddenly she found herself thinking the strangest things but she didn't realize it until a couple moments later.

"God, I wish this was Jesse." Taking a while to process what she just thought she pulled herself away from Brennan, and pushing him at the same time. It was hard to breathe after her huge gasp of air from realizing her own emotions. Her hand was clutching her chest as if it were physical pain that plagued her.

"Emma?" Brennan's brow furrowed with concern. Emma glanced up only once and could have sworn she had seen someone standing in the background.

"Jesse?" she whispered to herself so that Brennan couldn't hear. Then she decided that she was sure of herself and began running in the direction Jesse had gone. Brennan made a couple strides towards Emma but it was no use, she was already gone.

"JESSE?!?" She yelled aloud, making Brennan feel like a fool. He had opened his heart and she shut it closed. "What was I thinking?!? How could I have done this to him?" She thought to herself. Tears began welling up in her eyes and as if by instinct she found where he had gone. She exited Sanctuary through one of its many doors and found herself on the mountaintop. There, about twenty feet away stood Jesse, staring out over the water that was far below them. Not speaking a word she came up behind him and was only a bout two feet away when a word was spoken.

"I come up here to think… sometimes." Jesse's hands were in his pockets and he turned his head so he could see her face. The look on his own face was solemn, melancholy, and Emma hated to be the reason that he should look like that.

"Jesse I--"

"What're you doin' Emma?" His tone became more forceful with a hint of anger. It was hard to tell for her, now that she couldn't automatically know how a person was feeling. "Are you only staying at Sanctuary for some sick sort of game? That why you haven't gone back to Eckhart yet?!" At the mention of this topic Emma was easily able to forgive herself.

"You think you know it all… don't you Jess?!? Yeah, you're all knowing, nothing gets by you!! You don't even know the HALF of it!!"

"I know enough!" Jesse answered heatedly as he turned his attention back to the scenery. Both of their hearts were beating wildly and angry looks were worn on each of their faces. "How could you do this?" Jesse asked in disbelief. Emma wasn't sure how to answer that question and allowed her breathing to slow down.

"Because I was tired of being in pain, Jesse." She answered calmly and almost pleading with him by the tone of her voice. "Nothing specific, just pain in general. Whether it was caused by my powers, my heart or my head. I couldn't stand it any longer so no matter what--the cost, I was willing to pay the price."

"Oh that's rich, Emma. The way you say it, it sounds like you're suicidal." Emma fumed at his remark, preparing a comeback but then she realized he was right. "We all have pain Emma, you KNOW that's the way of life. There is no way to escape pain even if it's our deepest desire. You think you're so hard to understand? Well, maybe you just haven't been searching hard enough." Emma was unable to even look at Jesse she felt so guilty, so she just stared out where he was looking. Emma waited for more insight from Jesse but he remained silent.

"It's too hard!!!" She let out and began sobbing as tears streamed down her cheeks. Jesse turned around to look her in the eyes. He lifted a hand to her face and brushed a tear of her cheek, she couldn't help but show remnants of a smile. As tears continued coming she let her gaze fall into his eyes. "I could get lost in there." Emma thought dreamily to herself. "I'm tired of waiting, Jesse. The easy route is all I've got."

"Well maybe down the more difficult path is something worth working for, searching for." Both of them continued staring into the other's eyes. Not letting anymore awkward moments pass she decided to tell him.

"I'm sorry Jesse." A new stream of tears began coming as she whispered to him. "I--I don't know what came over me." Jesse wore a confused look or at least an attempt at a confused look. "I know you saw, it was almost like I could feel your presence even though I don't have my powers I still knew you were there." Jesse actually smiled, it was small, but it was still a start. "You know? When I was kissing Brennan… you know what I was thinking of?" Emma and Jesse were now only a couple inches apart. Emma could feel Jesse wasn't sure about her answer.

"him?" Jesse took a wild guess.

"No. I was kissing him and yet--yet I was thinking about you. All I could think about was how I wished I were kissing you instead of him and I finally realized my mistake."

"Well," Jesse forced himself to swallow. "I'll make sure you don't make the same mistake twice." Jesse wrapped his arm around her and pushed her closer and into a kiss. This one was tender and sweet, unlike what she had shared with Brennan. Everything in her stomach turned to butterflies the moment their lips touched. The kiss was long lasting and became deeper and more passionate, only enhanced by the stunning surroundings.

Back inside Sanctuary Brennan leaned against the wall of the dojo. With his telempathic powers he could sense what was going on and felt betrayed. She had chosen him first but then was cast aside like an old shoe.

TBC…

Okay… so any of you who thought this was going to be a Brennan/Emma story at the end of last chapter raise your hand. Well, you'd be WRONG! Course I couldn't tell you that till now cause otherwise all of the drama would be meaningless. All of you Jesse/Emma shippers I hope this pleased you cause it sure pleased me. Jesse and Emma forever!!