"It's a cover-up." I informed Robson calmly. Calmly considering he'd called me into the office at 5.30am to discuss it. I swear that he lives in this building.

"Well I know that Simon. Why the hell do you think I got you on this case?" he replied sarcastically. I ignored him and gestured to the case file on his desk.

"It's all too perfect. The Feds' have made it look like an open and shut case. But it isn't. They haven't even got a plausible cause-of-death." I informed him excitedly. I always get hyped up when I drink too much caffeine. And today I had had coffee every five minutes. I am so not a morning person. I'm not really that sure at what kind of person I am. I don't really classify as a night person either.

"I thought they told us it was conclusive. Murder." He reminded me mildly, as he began to type something onto his PC.

"Yes but that's a huge area to fill. It can be first degree, second degree, stabbing, drowning, shooting, poisoning –"

"Okay I get the picture. Didn't they tell us that as well though? One of the victims –Macy Heart- was strangled." I frowned.

"They changed the story. Apparently there's new evidence suggesting they were both drowned. But where? How?" I replied with the confident edge back in my voice. I took a swig of my coffee.

"I don't follow you." he said, turning away from his computer screen for a moment.

"Where were they drowned? There's no lake nearby. The cops said it had taken place in the hotel. But where was the water? The bathroom showed no sign of a struggle. I checked. And surely someone would have heard something. Two females being attacked by some un-known assailant. It must have been quite a struggle. Yet there are no witnesses."

He grinned at me. You could practically see the dollar signs in his eyes. He knew that this was going to be big. A cover-up was always big news. Especially if we were the only newspaper running it. Unfortunately I had a feeling that Jesse sensed something was up as well. Neither of us bothered with the interview-and-leave protocol.

"You know Simon, when I first hired you, you were barely qualified enough to sell a gossip magazine. You had no work experience. Nothing. I took a chance on you."

"And no-ones more glad than I am that you took that chance." I smiled proudly. I still couldn't believe I got the job here. I guess they were desperate.

"And now that chance is paying off. You get this story for me and I'll double your salary. Don't go swanning off to some other rag when you hit the spotlight." He grinned. I nodded unable to speak. He was doubling my salary over this. Sensing the conference was over I stood up and made my way to the door.

"But only if you get the story." He reminded me as I pulled on the handle. I smiled at him reassuringly.

"Don't worry Sir. I'll get the story."

Needless to say I was whistling the whole way down the stairs. One story could make or break me. Weird huh? I guess it's a bit like love. One moment can destroy everything that took so long to build. Well not everything I guess. I mean, you'd still feel like you loved that person after right? It's normal to feel like that. Like if you ran into them unexpectedly and suddenly your feelings returned. That wouldn't be bad, it'd be good. Part of the healing process. I guess.

Not that I'm feeling like that or anything. I can't love Jesse anymore. Not after what he did to me. I'm just starting to get my life on track. Stuff is finally going great. I'm not about to let him ruin my second chance at being happy. Well, being almost happy anyway. How can I ever be happy without hi-

I do not need him. Not one bit. I'm fine.

"Susannah are you okay?" I jumped as I noticed that I'd been standing idly at the traffic lights. I'd been so busy thinking that I'd forgotten to actually move.

"Sorry, I was daydreaming." I replied vaguely.


"About the Venderson case?"

It was only then that I recognised the voice. My head snapped up. It was Jesse again. Oh shit.

"No actually. Not that it's any of your business." I spat harshly. He flinched as if I'd hit him. Except this time I hadn't. Hit him I mean.

"Susannah-"

"I'm not interested Jesse. Just stay out of my way." I told him firmly. He grabbed my arm as I attempted to march off at top speed. I stared up into the brown depths of his eyes and felt the all-too-familiar melting sensation in the pit of my stomach. If I leant forwards just a little I could almost –

Don't you dare think about kissing him! I told myself angrily. It was common sense to the rescue I guess.

"Susannah I'm sorry about the way things turned out before. I shouldn't have shouted at you. I was just so angry about –"

"About what Jesse? I never did anything to you. I was just a kid in love. I didn't deserve what you did to me. Just leave me alone." I whispered. He stared at me for a moment more, still not letting go of me.

"You really don't know do you?" he sighed. Suddenly he looked very tired.

"Know what Jesse? Please elaborate further."

"Father Dominic told me about you and Paul." He replied softly. I raised both eyebrows in shock. This was a new one. I slipped out of his grasp and folded my arms across my chest.

"I should have guessed. Of course it was Father D. It always is." I muttered annoyed. He shook his head at me in confusion.

"He wouldn't lie about something like –"

"No Jesse you're right he wouldn't. But did you ever think of asking me? Didn't you ever think that maybe he just got the wrong end of the stick? Because I would have been more than happy to explain what me and Paul were really doing." I replied angrily. Trust Jesse to wreck my perfect mood.

"And what was it that you and Slater were 'really doing'?" he hissed back sounding as angry as I was.

"Do you know what? I don't have to answer that. Why don't you just ask Paul?" I replied.

And with that I started walking back down towards my house again. Jesse followed.

"Tell me Susannah. I have a right to know." he whispered. I immediately felt all my anger drain away. Jesse was as just as much a victim in all of this as I was. He had lived with thinking I'd cheated on him. 'Lived' being the key word.

"I was having shifting lessons to stop Paul hurting you. I knew what he was capable of. I knew you wouldn't agree with it as well. That's why I didn't tell anyone."

And then I really did leave. With Jesse muttering some very colourful curses behind me.

I had a feeling that I'd be okay after all.

A/N: Thanks to everyone that reviewed my last chapter!

Cheers and coolios!

Please review again!

-Angel-