A/N: Heya people! I'm really sorry about the long wait. I've been banned from MSN and now I've been banned from the internet as well. Lol. But luckily I managed to get back on it, thanks to my brilliant sweet-talking skills. The things I do for angry reviewers……………………..
Hope you like this! It took FOREVER to write! (It's much longer than usual)
REVIEW!
So basically I was dead meat. Jesse had heard everything. And from the way he was looking at me right at that moment in time, I could tell he was not impressed. I'm not sure what shocked him more: me knowing Paul Slater or me hitting him for no apparent reason. He must think I am SO mentally unstable right now, I thought to myself moodily. How could I have been stupid enough to say all that with him being outside? Why didn't I think before I opened my mouth?
And what the hell was he doing listening in to my private conversations anyway?
I mean, wasn't there like, some law against that back in Ye Old Ranch-House Days? Not that I'd report him anyway, but still. It was just kind of weird to picture Jesse on the wrong side of the law, so to speak. He just seems so…..un-law-break-ery. Is that even a word? Whatever.
"Susannah, what do you think you are doing associating with a man like that?" he asked me furiously. I cocked my head in the direction of the window.
"He bumped into me out there. Any 'associating' between us was nothing to do with me." I informed him calmly. I leant back against the bed post slightly to make myself more comfortable. I was so not prepared to ruin my dress on the chalk wall.
"But you said you knew him before-"he began in outrage. But I just cut him off.
"And it was the biggest mistake of my life. Believe me."
I saw Kathleen puff up her chest slightly, to come to the defence of her precious Paul-y. She obviously didn't like the way me and Jesse were referring to him. She is possibly THE most fickle person I have ever met. I had no doubt in my mind that she had about twenty different marriages planned out for herself, with her many unsuspecting suitors.
As long as she keeps her claws out of Jesse she'll be fine.
"How can you both talk so roguishly about such a lovely sensitive man?" she asked in wonder. She shook her head, making her curls swish against her back. I just stared at her in amazement.
"Are you sure you've met the same guy I've known for the past year? Because that sure as hell isn't the way I'd describe him-"I began, but she cut me off.
"Well you obviously aren't a very good judge of character-"
"Manipulative, evil, demonic, sardonic, chauvinist-"I continued as if I'd never even heard her.
"Susie, stop being so rude! I'm trying to hold a fair-"
"-Rude. Thanks for that one Kathleen. Antagonistic, cruel, pompous, creepy, stalkerish. Is that a word? Maybe not-"
"SUSIE!" she screeched about ten octaves higher than I'd ever heard anyone screech before. It was like one of those weird bats that do that sonar thing with their tongue. You know the kind? The ones that screech so high pitched that they know were they are from the vibrations that travel back. Doc told me last year after he interrupted Jesse kissing me after the whole shadowland thing.
Personally, I would have preferred the kiss. But maybe I'm just being a little too picky.
"Hey, you started it little miss I'm-Gonna-Marry-The-Spawn-Of-Satan." I hissed back. I guess that –back well, now really- that was some major insult. She sucked in air like one of those carp-fish for a few seconds before just shooting daggers at me with her eyes.
Round one to Susannah Simon. The girl with no viable identity.
"Both of you be quite." Jesse –I kid you not- muttered. It was like one of those possessed people in a horror movie. Jesse's alter-ego: The Mutterer.
Plus I think he was being way harsh on me. I mean, it isn't exactly my fault that the girl in front of me is a Kelly-Prescott-Wannabe, who throws herself at everything with a pulse and certain genitals. It was my duty –as an inhabitant of this Earth as well as a Mediator- to prevent any future Paul-ish offspring. That would just be so wrong.
Mini stalkers to help their daddy destroy the world! Woo! So NOT gonna happen.
I mentioned this to them, but neither of them looked that impressed by my superior concern for the well-being of the universe. Geniuses are so under-appreciated in this time. I mean, look at the guy who discovered leather mini-skirts. Where is he when you need him?
"Look I'm not getting into this conversation. Okay? Just take my word for it. Paul equals bad news." I informed them coolly. Jesse wasn't buying it though. I could see the sceptical expression on his face from all the way across the room. Kathleen on the other hand had obviously had enough of my cryptic warnings. She pushed right past me with a huff. She did not look happy about the situation.
"Fine. Be like that then. But when I own half the land in California and you want a share, then……….don't come crying to me!" she practically yelled. But I could tell her voice was too tired from the whole squeaky-thing to take too much strain.
I almost got distracted from how truly lame her response was. I mean, come on. Who even says that any more?
I was about to let her go with a simple "Suit yourself." When I reconsidered. She was way too 'It Kid' for my liking. What with her perfect hair and zero brain capacity.
"Listen once and listen good. I did not come to this stupid century to just let blonde madams –such as yourself- try and control my every movement. I happen to have an opinion. I also happen to not give a damn what anyone here thinks about me. And I don't even think I like you. But do you know what? I'm going to help you anyway. I may even save your snobby little life one day. So how's about: you shut up and pay attention for once?"
Well THAT certainly shut her up. She looked at me for a minute and nodded. Dawning recognition in her eyes. She so knew not to screw with me now.
"Okay. I promise to be careful. But I positively refuse to stop seeing him. I personally think he seems a very nice gentleman." She told me snootily. I rolled my eyes. Obviously this was the best that I was going to get.
"Fine. Just watch your back. Okay?"
"Fine. Now can I go? I'm late as it is." She insisted.
"Go knock yourself out." I replied tensely. She looked at me in horror.
"I beg your pardon?"
"It's a figure of speech. Jeez, what do they teach you guys up here?" I asked in indignation. She continued to look puzzled.
"Obviously not enough, as you seem to have demonstrated." Jesse interrupted with a small smile. I almost melted then and there. He was just so cute when he smiled.
"Well as riveting as this conversation is, I really must be going. Good day to you sir." Kathleen said in her usual haughty manner. She curtsied prettily before turning out into the open corridor.
This time I didn't bother to stop her.
I figured that she could look after herself. For now I had more pressing problems. Like how I was going to get around Jesses' suspicion. I could see it in his eyes. Or maybe I just over-analyse stuff.
"Who is he?" Jesse asked in this oh-so-very-calm voice. It was almost too calm.
Plus I knew what he really meant. What he really wanted to know was: what is Paul to me. Like, relationship-wise. Which of course was very irritating given that I'd just gone through this once already with one very dumb blonde. Namely Miss Kathleen.
"Paul is psychopathic jerk whose one ambition in life is to make my own living hell." I replied irritated. So maybe it wasn't the best explanation. So what?
"You told Miss Kathleen that he was your…….friend?" he pressed. I snorted. Yeah, if you call a friend someone who kills you because you refuse to make-out with them.
That'd make Paul the greatest friend ever.
NOT.
So not.
"Paul is no friend of mine. Enemy yes. Acquaintance maybe. But friend? Hell no." I was aware that I was being rude, but right then I truly didn't care.
The funny thing was that when I looked into Jesses' eyes, I couldn't help noticing……well, a spark. I know that sounds stupid, but whatever. And if I wasn't mistaken it looked very much like jealousy. But why the hell would Jesse be jealous? I mean, he doesn't even like me! Well, the whole kissing-me-thing may indicate otherwise. But still. If he liked me in that way then he would have told me.
"So you don't like him then?" Jesse asked again. I stared at him in annoyance.
"No. Why are you so bothered about who I like anyway?"
THAT shut him up. He kind of scanned me with his eyes for a minute, to see if I was about to go mental at him. I have no idea why. It was like he was trying to read me. Well I got news for you buddy: it isn't going to work when I'm in constant fashion crisis mode. I'm too uptight as it is.
"I was just looking out for your well-being Querida. Mr Slater does not seem like a very good man to me." he said. I couldn't help but smile a little when he said that. Of course that would be why. Jesse cares about everyone. Even if they are rude little liars that have no plausible identity.
"Thanks for the advice, but I think you'll find that I can look after myself just fine." I informed him a little harsher than I'd intended.
"No Querida. Even you need rescuing every so often." He smiled. He must have realised he made a fatal error as soon as the words escaped his lips.
"I'm fine. Better than fine even. And I certainly don't need to be rescued. Not by anyone." I hissed angrily. If anything his grin grew broader.
"I'm sure your tongue scares away many a rogue that comes your way." he chuckled. I didn't see the funny side though. I mean, I've been taking care of myself for practically my whole life. Then he comes along and just expects to get away with saying something like that.
"I don't know what you're talking about Jesse. I've only encountered one rogue on my little trip and he doesn't seem to be getting the message."
Which of course he took all offensively. He stopped laughing almost immediately. I'd loved to have seen what happens when Maria –the skank that she is- insults him. It must be so hard for him to just keep it all bottled up. I mean, he's almost as hot-headed as me. And that's saying something.
Suddenly I had an urge to ask him something very important.
"Are you going to marry her?"
He looked at me questioningly for a minute before finally figuring out what I meant.
"I don't know. Things have become complicated." He explained tiredly. He ran a hand through his thick, dark hair. A simple action which mesmerised me.
"Complicated how?" I asked breathlessly. Suddenly the air seemed to get much thicker around me, making it difficult to breath. But in a good way. Like when you were little and you got given your first bike. Except better than that.
I could do nothing but stand in horror as Jesse leant towards me again. It was a scene I was oh-so-familiar with now. And even though I really wanted to kiss him, I knew there was something more important I had to say.
So instead of flinging my arms around his neck and kissing him, like I wanted to. I placed my hands against his chest and pushed him back slightly. I could see how shocked Jesse was by his actions. He obviously hadn't planned any of that.
"Susannah I'm so sorry. I am completely-"
"Jesse, there's something I've got to tell you. And I have a feeling that you're not going to like it." I whispered, still staring at his hypnotic lips.
"Susannah, you don't have to explain. I was stupid for thinking that-"
"Jesse! It's nothing to do with that. It's just; I'm not from a ranch."
"I think I can believe that." He told me with a small smile. I narrowed my eyes at him menacingly.
"The truth is…..how can I put this in a way you'll understand?" I babbled.
"Susannah, you aren't some kind of escaped murderer are you?" he asked soberly.
"Jesse this is serious." I complained tiredly. His smile turned to a frown as he realised I wasn't just messing around.
"I'm listening Querida." But let me just tell you now: it is HARD to concentrate when you just turned down a kiss from the man of your dreams.
"Okay, please don't think I'm a psycho, but, after Paul stabbed me-"
"What? He harmed you? Why didn't you mention this before Susannah? That-" Jesse raged angrily. He made a move towards the door, but it was an action I cut short by turning the latch.
"Jesse, just listen okay? Paul stabbed me. But not during your lifetime." I told him quickly. Jesse still looked angry, but some of it disappeared, being replaced by confusion.
"That isn't possible Susannah." He informed me.
"Yes it is Jesse. You see the reason I'm not from around here –the reason I had to lie about my family- is because I'm from the year 2005. Not 1850."
Jesse stood there for a minute in astonishment. It was like he didn't quite understand what he was being told. Which is a new one for Jesse. He usually understands everything.
"I don't understand." Jesse said, voicing the obvious. I looked at him sadly. I knew this would end in tears.
"I know you don't Jesse. And that's why I'm going to stop you being murdered and get the hell out of here. You don't deserve to die again. Even if I do love you."
It was only after the words slipped out that I realised what I'd said. And from the look on Jesse's face he had too.
He leant forwards again, and this time I didn't try to stop him. I followed my heart for once, letting my arms slip around his neck. Looking up at him I realised that he was surprised by his actions as I was. Not that he was going to let it stop him, as he leant down and brushed his lips against my own. And for a minute I was in my own perfect little world, where nothing could ever come between us.
But I was brought back to reality when I heard a knock at the door.
Maria.
Ruining yet another perfect moment with Jesse.
