I shivered as a fresh gust of wind whipped my hair around my face. I had been waiting out by the stables for at least five minutes and I already felt as if I were frozen into my ever-so-very-tight corset. Plus I had a bodes. A freakin' bodes. I mean I know that they don't exactly have boob-tubes and stuff in this century, but you would have thought they would have invented something more practical for girls to wear. I felt sorry for any 19th century mediators out there. It was impossible to move in these things without breaking a sweat. Let alone break and enter before someone comes home.

I didn't even know why I'd come. I mean, it's not like I couldn't have talked my way out of not knowing how to ride. I'd talked my way out of much worse in the past. Well, technically in the future.

But Jesse had said that he likes me. Isn't that worth something? I mean, considering the way I'd been treating him and all. Not that I had a choice. I mean, if I let him think he was right then he might report me. He wasn't going to necessarily understand like he does in the future. He hasn't had the time to see the world adjust. Plus if I told him the truth then he'd probably think I was insane. Or worse: an attention seeker like Kathleen.

"You came."

I almost jumped out of my skin I was so surprised. I turned to face Jesse feeling my face heat up, even though it was like minus eighty. Not literally. But it was pretty cold.

"Apparently so." I replied shortly. He looked amused at my annoyance with the freezing temperatures.

"Are you ready?" he asked trying to hide his laughter. I looked at him sternly, finding nothing funny about the idea of freezing to death in a corset. Something about it didn't appeal to me all that much. Guess it's the 21st century hormones.

"Of course I am. It's always been my dream to learn how to ride a horse in a hoop skirt at midnight, for fear of dying." I told him sarcastically. He raised one ink black brow.

"You have a very strange sense of humour." He informed me dryly. I froze –quite literally- in shock.

"That hurt. You know that?" repeating what he'd said when I insulted him a century before. Not that this Jesse knew that. He just rolled his eyes and started pulling me towards the square fenced area of grass. Like what you see in one of those old western movies. Except this was real. Well, as real as going back in time could be.

"Um, Jesse no offence or anything. But don't you need a horse to teach horse riding?" I asked him feeling like being annoying. What can I say? No-one accuses me of having a strange sense of humour and gets away with it. Not even the alternate form of the love of my life.

"No Susannah. First I must be sure that you are fit to ride. Then I will teach you the names of the various objects used when riding a horse. As well as how to brush one down. So you're prepared for any questions."

I smiled at him. It really was pretty sweet that he was prepared to do this for me. When he didn't even know me that well and all. Except for the whole almost-dating me thing. But I guess he didn't know that one either really. I really should get around to telling him this some time. Preferably after he breaks off his engagement to The Super Bitch. Formally known as Maria De Silva. But whatever.

He reached out to take my hands and I pulled back slightly. And not even because 19th century ladies wouldn't just let him take their hands.

"Susannah, I must check that you will be safe riding." He told me looking just as surprised as me by my reaction. I took off my gloves feeling totally stupid for my behaviour. I didn't even know why I'd pulled away. I mean, there was the whole me-wanting-to-jump-him thing. But he'd touched me before and I'd managed to restrain myself hadn't I?

I was startled back into reality when Jesse gasped. I looked down at my hands, noticing the very un-attractive poison oak-y effect. The moonlight played on it making it look ten times worse. He turned his attention back up to my face as I looked mournfully down at my ravished hand.

"What happened Querida?"he asked as his fingers skimmed my hand as soft as a feather. I was surprised at the sheer gentleness of his touch.

"Poison oak. Kathleen gave it to me. Just my luck really, having it twice in one year." I told him. I instantly noticed my mistake. I hoped that he wouldn't ask me what I used on it. I mean, I couldn't exactly tell him prescription medication could I?

"I will get you some gunpowder for that later. It shouldn't affect your riding tomorrow."

"Tonight." I corrected him automatically.

"I think that we should begin with the theory. Then move onto the actually practical tomorrow." he said, disregarding my last comment.

"What? You mean I'm not learning that now?" I asked confusedly. Hadn't that been the whole point of tonight?

"No, you aren't learning that tonight. You will just have to pretend that you are too ill to leave your bed when they ask this once." He told me matter-of-factly.

"Whatever you say Yoda." I replied. He threw me a half amused, half confused glance as he went about sorting some horse stuff into piles.

"You should be fine at lying. You seem relatively accustomed to it." He grinned as he held up a piece of leather.

"This is the rein." He told me as if I was an idiot. I ignored his comment and stepped forward menacingly.

"Are you calling me a liar?" I asked, with our noses about an inch apart. He raised one dark brow in amusement.

"No, I'm not sure what you are. But I do know that whatever it is, you are afraid of something. And then of course I do not understand why you will not just ask for help."

I studied him closely for a moment in the silver glow the moon had cast over his face. I noticed his scar wasn't glowing like usual. It was a creamy colour set against his tanned skin. If he reached out now he could easily cup my face with his hand.

"I don't need anyone's help. I'm fine on my own." I replied shakily.

I noted how unsettled he looked as well. His eyes darted inexplicably toward my lips. And it was all I could do to not melt on the spot. His dark eyes reflected the light like the night sky above.

"Why won't you just let me help you? I want to help." He whispered gruffly.

As he said it, he lifted a hand and pushed back some of my loose hair. I didn't dare breath. Everything was so real. Jesse. This world. Us.

He ran his hand along my cheek softly, as soft as he had handled my hands. I shivered inwardly. I could feel the fire burning deep inside me ignite as he closed the distance between us, and brushed his lips against mine.

He pulled away almost instantly, to look at me; shock naked on his face. But he couldn't seem to stop himself. And the next thing I knew, I was in his arms. He pulled me tightly against him, and I let my arms snake around his neck.

Only one thing ruined what should have been the perfect moment.

The un-expected arrival of Maria. His future bride.

A/N: OMG. I'm as shocked I wrote that as you probably are. Seriously. I wasn't planning for them to get it together for AT LEAST another two chappys. But I'm a firm believer in letting my hand do the typing. And obviously my hand wanted them to kiss then. LOL.

Um……wow.

Sorry though. The whole me-not-planning-it thing probably makes it suck. If it does then I apologise.

But even if you hated it PLEASE REVIEW!

Up for grabs if you review: The Mystical Crab of Never-land

Hope it wasn't as bad as I think it is!

Thanx to all the people that reviewed so far!