Paul is so…pesky. Hehe. And, I might add, rather obsessive.

I was able to spend the rest of the evening Paul-free. Jesse and I were contented with an extreme make-out session (which, sadly, didn't go as far as second base. This is what I get for being engaged with someone born in 1830), and began to fall asleep. But then, around 2:30 AM, I woke up with a start. I heard a loud thump on our balcony. (Yes, balcony. It is a very nice apartment that we share). I sat up groggily. Apparently, Jesse had heard it too.

"Querida? Was that you?"

"No, I just woke up. I heard a noise on the balcony."

Hand-in-hand, we walked out onto the balcony. We looked everywhere for whatever might have made the noise. Jesse spotted a squirrel sitting on the railing. He laughed, and walked back into the apartment. But somehow, I knew the squirrel could not have made such a loud noise. It had to be something—or, I thought, someone—heavy. I noticed a small piece of paper resting on the cement floor. I picked it up. It was no scrap.

Suze-

I know how you really feel about me. Why don't you just break up with the cowboy already? You know you want me. Meet me at the park in 10 minutes.

Paul

Oh, swell. I, of course, showed the note to Jesse. Jesse agreed, sheepishly, having thought that the whole commotion was made by a squirrel, that I should go to the park, but only if he came. I agreed heartily. I did not want to meet Paul Slater in the middle of the night without someone else there. Preferably someone that was capable of beating Paul up if he Tried Anything. Not that I wasn't. But if Paul had me in a death grip, or whatever, it would be really hard.

We arrived at the park within 5 minutes. It wasn't very far from our apartment. I got out of the car. When I didn't see Paul, I told Jesse to go hide behind a tree. If Paul was up to something, I probably wouldn't figure out what it was if Jesse was right there. He agreed, but picked the tree closest to me, about 5 feet. Finally, I spotted Paul sitting on a bench, cross-legged. "Hey, Paul!" I called. I wanted him to come to where I was so that I could stay as close to Jesse as possible.

Paul looked up. "I knew you'd come," he said softly.

"Oh, Paul, cut the crap. I think we both know why I'm here."

"We do, don't we? So you finally got smart and broke up with the cowboy?" I heard a stick snap. I was sure Jesse was ready to pounce on Paul any second…

So I tried to steer the conversation in a different direction. "So what have you been doing the past four years?"

"Oh, I have been improving my shifting skills." So that's why he was acting like such a pill. He probably lost a few brain cells in the process.

"Right," I said, getting kind of peeved. "Like you shifted so gracefully on our balcony a few minutes ago. Uh-huh."

"Well, I had to make a commotion, so that you would go out and find the note."

"Whatever. So do you plan on letting me know what you wanted me here for?"

"Well," he said, striding toward me. "Yes, actually, I do." He was leaning in. I didn't have any time to duck. Closer and closer…he kissed me. Long and hard. I could hear a lot of leaves rustling, now, too. Jesse was becoming very impatient. I tried to wiggle my way out of the kiss, but Paul simply wouldn't let me go. It was when he started snaking his hand up my shirt that I drew the line. Not even my own fiancé did that. I moaned, "Jesse!" Only, since Paul's mouth was still glued to mine, it came out like, "Esseee!" But he got the message, apparently, because seconds later, Paul was forced off me. I tripped and fell onto the ground. I looked up to see Jesse giving Paul a black eye. Did I mention how much I adore my boyfriend?

Jesse's POV

He may be Slater, but he can sure fight. I ended up with a bloody nose, a black eye, and what I think is a fractured wrist. But I didn't care. I couldn't believe he had so much as dared lay a finger on my girl. But he did. And that is something I cannot forgive him for. Ever.

Slater ended up knocked out cold, thanks to a well placed punch from yours truly. I left him on the ground. Someone would find him there later. I looked over to see Susannah, huddled on the ground.

"Querida! Are you alright?"

"I'm fine, Jesse," she said shakily. "But you aren't. We have to go see a doctor."

"Susannah, I'm fine. I'm in medical school, remember? It's you I'm worried about. I don't want you anywhere near Paul Slater. I think if I had not thrown him off, he would have gone farther with you. That is what scares me, Susannah—what could have happened to you if I had not been there tonight. I can't always be there for you. Promise me you will never go near Paul Slater—especially if I am not around."

"I promise, Jesse." Tears were streaming down her cheeks. I reached out, and wiped them with my finger. "I love you," she added. Gosh, she is so sweet. It is all I can do to stop me from trying anything.

"I love you too, querida. I don't want anything bad to happen to you."

"I know. If only every guy on the planet were as sweet as you Jesse." Nombre De Dios, what she could do to a guy! I finally gave in. I couldn't help it. I cupped her face in my hands and kissed her, long but softly. When we both came up for air, I said, "Let's go home, querida."