"I'm blank." I informed Gina tiredly. We'd been up all night brainstorming about possible suspects. But my mind was filled with a big fat nothing. That nothing being a certain Mr De Silva. Gina didn't seem too focussed on the task herself. I had a feeling that it had something to do with Ray.

"I think we need a plan of action. Like that dude in the matrix did. What's his name again? The cute one?"

"Huh?" I coughed, looking up from flicking through the channels. She rolled her eyes.

"What happened to you today? You came back practically bouncing off the walls and now you're just….well…..you I guess." She considered out loud. I tried to pretend I was focussing on the TV. But in reality I wasn't even seeing it.

"Jesse." I muttered darkly. She turned to face me with concern evident on her face.

"You want me to beat him up for you?" she asked seriously. I blinked at her.

"Are you high? No I don't want you to beat him up for me. I can do that perfectly well on my own." I informed her unconvincingly. She shook her head making her dark hair sway.

"What happened to you guys anyway?" she asked casually. That was it. The direct question I'd been avoiding ever since we broke up. But somehow talking to him today had changed everything. My whole way of thinking had shifted. I had no idea what had really happened back in Carmel. I'd just run before I found out.

"Want to know the truth?" I didn't wait for her to answer, "I've been asking myself that all evening."

She studied me for a moment with her expressive dark eyes. She seemed to be trying to figure me out. But seeing as I didn't even know what I was thinking; it didn't really work all that well.

"You are so screwed up Simon. Why can't you just admit it?" she asked coolly. I cocked my head in her direction interestedly.

"Admit what exactly?" I replied weakly. I knew what she was going to say however. I just knew.

"He's the one." she said simply. I gasped as if I'd never even thought of it. Of course I had but it was still a shock hearing it from her. She frowned grimly.

"Yes. And don't even try and deny it. I've seen the way you look at him." she brought a hand up to silence me when I tried to protest.

"You love him." she finished simply. I shut up immediately. I didn't know what to say.

"It isn't that simple." I stuttered.

"Why? What's the big deal with you guys? One minute you're at each others throats the next you're contemplating-"

"-nothing. Jeez. I only just got over seeing him again. I don't need to be mixed up in that kind of thing right now." I muttered. She bit her lip but didn't argue.

"Fine. Just be careful that you don't go hurting yourself."

I didn't need to ask what she meant. She was just looking out for me. She was the one that helped pick up the pieces when I first came to NYC. She got me the apartment. Hell, she'd even got me the job interview. And I was risking everything I'd learned on a guy that had already ditched me for no good reason. Aren't I the brightest cookie in the barrel?

"I promise I won't deliberately put myself in mortal peril." I grinned. She continued to gaze at me seriously then nodded.

I jumped as I heard someone knocking on my door. Grabbing my sweater I went to open it. I was actually kind of relieved to have an excuse to get off the relationship conversation. I heard Gina snort as I swung open the door.

""Hey Suze, is it okay if I come and talk to you about something?" It was Paul. I sighed and stepped back to let him in.

"Be my guest."

Locking the door I led him back into the front room where Gina was hurriedly packing away her stuff. I stared at her in horror. She couldn't leave now. That would leave me alone with………

"Paul Slater." He said casually as he held out his hand. She shook it politely and straightened, slinging her back-pack over her shoulder.

"Nice to meet you Mr Slater. I'm really sorry Suze but I have to go to that thing." She informed me quickly. I raised my brows at her sceptically and knew that Paul was doing the same. She was setting me up and I knew it.

I waved a hand at her vaguely as I snatched up the controls and turned the TV off.

"Fine. See you tomorrow. You're helping Ray on the case right?" she blushed at the sound of Rays name. She had it bad. With one final smile she rushed out of the front door, leaving us alone.

"So……" he began. I rolled my eyes and made for the kitchen.

"Don't tell me you travelled all the way to my apartment without even knowing why."

He smiled at me lazily and leant against the counter. I ignored him.

"Do I need a reason to request a beautiful young woman's company?" he inquired with a smirk. I felt myself blush scarlet as I snatched a Pepsi from the fridge. I didn't bother offering him one. I didn't feel like being hospitable.

"Yes." I replied calmly, "you never do stuff unless there's something in it for you."

"Ouch, that hurt." He grinned not even attempting to look like he meant it.

"They say that happens when you hear the truth." I shot back angrily. He was moving closer to me and I didn't like it one bit.

"What if the truth was that you're hot?" he whispered.

And then he leant down and kissed me. And for a moment I was so shocked that I couldn't do anything but let him. I hadn't been held like I meant something to someone for so long. And he wasn't exactly the worst looking guy on the block. Maybe I should just give in and……..

No, a distant part of my mind replied firmly.

And I knew it was right. Anything that Paul and I had ever had together was lust. It was never anything more. If I gave into him now I'd just be throwing myself back to square one again.

Which is incidentally why I kneed him in the shin.

"Ow!" he yelled angrily. I could see the surprise evident on his face.

Didn't think I could resist did you?

"Get out of my house before I get really mad." I told him in a hushed voice. All that kissing could really take it out of a girl. He looked unlikely to do as I said until I raised my leg for another kick.

"I'll be back." He whispered with a dangerous light in his blue eyes. I'd only ever seen that light once before.

So I kicked him anyway.

"Keep away from Jesse." I spat.

Suze was back in the building.

A/N: I hate exams. I have my S.A.T's in 2 weeks and one of the papers is on MACBETH. I have nothing against Shakespeare. I'm sure he was a very nice guy. But it's SO boring! And all the characters keep dying anyway! What's the point in creating a bunch of characters if you're going to kill them all? I don't get it. The Mediator is much easier to understand. Lol.

Answers for Reviewers:

UnangelicHalo -: Suze is now 18 which makes it….um……thinks 2 years on? Yeah. I think so. Lol. I've actually forgotten to be honest. But I THINK its 2 years.

kittykatangel518 –: Suze and Jesse have finally cleared the air so Suze doesn't feel all confused about his actions anymore. She understands. That's what the last line meant. She finally understands what happened to them. Jesse didn't love someone else or something. He never stopped loving her. So she's in control again. But what happens next……dun dun dun!

Maritinkerbell -: Most of the truth came out. Lol. Not all of it. I'm saving some of it for Paul Ammunition. Hehe.

Koizak -: Have faith in our good heroine.

And totally randomly:

BillThePonyLlama –: Was that song by Papa Roach? Take me? I recognise the lyrics. Lol.

Thanks to everyone that reviewed! Alenor, Steph, teenwriter22, Jeese's Querida, nikki007.