Hey everyone! Thanks for all the great reviews! I'd like to make a shout out to a few of you…..
J: If you don't like it, then don't read it. Nobody told you to criticize my writing. I do the best I can, I use spell check, but as I mentioned before, I'm an awful speller, so either leave me alone, because I know that wasn't the only time you reviewed like that, or just stop reading.
Cayenta: Good idea about putting in a scene where Steve teaches Jesse, I hadn't actually planned on doing that, but, why not, it should be good.
Emoras: Thanks, I thought it was too short, but I guess you're right. As long as it's full of Jesse.
And again, thanks to everyone else who reviewed and I haven't replied to, I just don't know what to say, but thanks anyway! And enjoy- Yep, I decided to finish the story before I leave for the weekend to go snowboarding, so, be happy, you get a quick update!
Chapter 11-One Step Forward and Two Steps Back
The interior of the house was magnificent and Jesse stared at it as he entered through the front door behind Steve. It seemed massive compared to his apartment and smelled like fresh food. That was a magnificent smell, purely based on the fact that Jesse's previous meals had been hospital food, although he wasn't sure if it could really be put under the classification of 'food', and stuff he scraped out of a can. Neither were tasty or healthy. Following Steve into the kitchen, Jesse kept on staring until he ungracefully bumped into the larger man. Looking up, he saw Steve's amused face before turning his attention to the food on the table. Letting his mouth water, Jesse made his way to the table with Steve by his side and Mark coming up behind him.
Mark chuckled before setting down a bowl full of salad and motioning for the young doctor to sit down. The second Jesse got the okay to start eating, he attacked the food with a vengeance, putting as much of it on his plate as he could possibly manage without either overflowing it or appearing rude. At the realization that he had managed to accomplish his task, Jesse starting digging into the food after a quick thanks.
Mark and Steve watched with amusement while piling their own plates, though not quit as full as their quest's. The meal remained in comfortable silence for a few moments before Steve decided it was time for a little conversation.
" Hey dad, I'm going to teach Jesse here how to surf." Steve said after swallowing whatever concoction his father had made up this time. Jesse and Mark both nearly chocked, Jesse out of shock at remembering that horrible idea of his, and Mark out of sheer amusement. He managed to keep from bursting into fits of laughter, but only barely.
"Well, that should certainly be interesting to watch." Mark replied, keeping an eye on his food, as it seemed to help keep the chuckles in check. " Jesse, you just make sure you wait until those ribs are all healed before starting, you hear?" He continued, this time pointing his fork at Jesse, a stern look held firmly on his face, although within a matter of seconds, he split into a grin.
Steve grinned and looked at Jesse, who still sat enjoying his meal. " I know dad." Steve said before returning to his own plate.
By the next week, Jack was packed and ready to go. Not knowing what to say, Steve and Jack had departed company with a handshake followed by a brief 'manly' hug. Mark had given Jack a strict talking to about following the laws and after reminding him to keep in touch, he followed Steve's example of a goodbye and left to wait for Amanda and Jesse.
Amanda maintained her composure, giving Jack a hug and reminding him to call, she swatted him gently after he asked her to marry him and go with him. It was, off course, a joke, but Jack wished it true nonetheless. She too, had told him to stay out of trouble before a huge hug and a peck on the cheek.
Jesse, having not known Jack as long as the others, thanked him for introducing him to everyone and also for saving his life. They left with a handshake, and after a few minutes, Jack was on his plane, away from everything and everyone he had grown so close to.
One month later….
There had been no sign of Albert Walker, who had apparently fallen off the face of the earth. Things had gone back to relatively normal, but Mark and Steve had insisted that Jesse stay with them a little bit longer until he got fully back on his feet, having left a few other states months ago to get away from his pursuer. The young man had some dept to repay, and once that was all settled, they would let his go home. Steve had finally managed to give Jesse a few surfing lessons, although all on land. Today would be their first time in the water.
" Steve, are you sure I'm ready, I mean, what if something happens?" Jesse looked on nervously at the ocean. Although it was beautiful, Jesse couldn't help but feel tiny and vulnerable standing next to it.
" Yeah Jess, you're ready. Now remember, steady on the board, and when a good wave comes, spring up and get ready to ride." Steve replied, enjoying Jesse's concern ridden face. " Come on, since this is you're first time, we go in together." Steve grinned at Jesse's now mock disgusted face.
"Gee, thanks, I feel so much better now." With a sigh, he got ready to move into the water. " Well, let's get this over with." Jesse ran in, letting himself get absorbed in the cool waves. It only took them a few minutes to get settled on their boards as they waited for a good wave. It came in a matter of minutes, and Jesse waited excitedly as it approached. When Jesse was sure it was close enough, he jumped up on the board just as the wave hit. It was the most fun thing he had done since getting drunk in college and going bungee jumping with his friends, although this was definitely a lot safer.
Although, a second into the ride, he felt himself lose his balance and go tumbling into the ocean. It really didn't seem a big deal, for had anticipated it, knowing it would happen since it was his first try. After the initial shock of the cold water, Jesse tried to move forward towards the surface, but after a brief struggle, found that he couldn't. There was somebody holding him around his midsection. Pushing harder, he found that all it did was sap his strength. As he felt himself losing consciences, he noticed that a mask was being put on his face, and then nothing.
Steve waited anxiously atop his board. He had decided to sit that wave out to see how well Jesse did. A grin had spread across his face as he watched Jesse catch the wave and ride it a few feet forward before tumbling ungracefully into the water. Steve let out a chuckle as he waited for the blond haired head to pop up again. But after waiting another minute, Steve's worry began to spike. What if he hit his head, or maybe he got twisted up in his safety strap.. Steve peddle forward toward the rider-less board, coming to a stop about a foot away. Taking a deep breath, Steve plunged into the water after removing his own safety strap. Looking around, he could find Jesse, and after coming up for air and going back down, found that Jesse's ankle strap had been removed and the owner was nowhere in sight.
Going back up, Steve looking around before calling out franticly. "JESSE! HEY JESSE!" At receiving no reply, Steve got back onto his own board, Jesse's in tow, and started making his way slowly back to the beach.
HUH! I've updated and the chapter is longer! Does a little dance Yay, so please review and tell me what you think!