(A/N: I'm so sorry it took me so long to update! I had a lot of tests and homework to revise for. Luckily holidays are coming up, so keep checking!)

CHAPTER 15

TEARS

10 minutes later we were pulling up into Paul's driveway. I got out, and so did he. Not speaking, we made our way up to the door.

"I called Jesse." He said.

I looked at him.

"You looked like you needed some moral support, and I'm probably not very much help."

This surprised me.

"What? Paul… Paul you're great help. Thanks for helping me out there, getting me away from home. And you're calling Jesse is…"

"Suze, that's nothing."

By this time we were in the kitchen, and Paul was looking through the cupboards, trying to find clean glasses. He found them, and got out four cans of coke. He saw me eyeing them suspiciously.

"Don't worry its diet."

I smiled, and started to relax. Rachael came in then.

"Oh my God Suze. You look so… well, not well. Are you okay?"

"Yeah, sure."

But you could tell I had a lot on my mind. Not only the whole pope visiting me, and me having to go to Rome to get his Bible, my dad hating Jesse, Jesse going to college in the fall, and all other little problems, but homework was piling up too, and I was finding less and less time to myself, and now I had to go to Rome. I'm telling you, being able to see ghosts is annoying. Although it has its advantages. Such as Jesse and Rachael, and my dad. But that's it.

Just as I was thinking this, Jesse walked in as well. I didn't even notice him I was so lost in thought. Suddenly I felt a sharp, stinging pain.

"Ow." I said, clutching my cheek.

"What was that for?"

I turned to look at Paul, and found all three of them staring at me.

"What?"

"Jeez Suze. You look really pale. Are you feeling okay?"

All of a sudden I felt like crying again. Which surprised me. I thought I had gotten over this crying business. Plus, I nearly never cry. Tears were prickling in the corners of my eyes, and I felt a lump rise in my throat.

I couldn't help it. I stood up, walked over to Jesse, buried my head in his chest and started crying softly.

"Er…"

"Come on Paul"

I heard Rachael say, pulling Paul into the dining room.

Jesse seemed mighty uncomfortable. He tensed, but after Rachael and Paul left the room, I felt his strong arms wrap around me. I tried to regain control of my emotions. After 5 minutes, I finally succeeded. I reached up and wiped my eyes, and as I did so, I took a step back, out of Jesse's warm embrace.

"Oh" I said, seeing the mess on Jesse's shirt. "I'm so sorry…"

Jesse looked down at his shirt and grimaced, then seeing the look on my face, laughed.

"It's okay."

"No, really. It's my fault I-"

I stopped talking as I saw what Jesse was doing. Well, actually nothing special. That is, unless you have seen his abs on a daily basis. And no, don't get any stupid ideas in your head. He was not pulling up his tee shirt and going "hey, look at this!" He was just taking his shirt of, but his tee shirt got stuck to his shirt, and so it kind of went up, and I got a glimpse of his perfectly – well you get the picture.

"I'm sorry. What were you saying?"

"Nothing," I said, truthfully. I didn't know what I was saying.

"Are you felling better now?"

"I suppose."

"Okay." He took my hand.

"Come on, we have to discuss with Paul what will happen about the whole Pope story.

I stopped, dead in my tracks.

"What do you mean, we? I don't work in groups I prefer working by myself thank you very much."

"Do you think I am letting you go to Rome by yourself?"

"No. but I'll find a way to get around that."

"Oh?" He lifted one dark eyebrow.

"How?"

"Like this?" I suggested leaning forwards and kissing him on the lips.

He kissed me back for a few seconds, then broke away.

"Nice try."

"Well, then there's always the sneaky way. Or I could just punch you, if I had to. But that would be as a last resort."

"You wouldn't dare."

"I would too."

"No you wouldn't."

"Oh yes I would."

"I'd like to see you try."

"Fine. You asked for it."

I hauled back my fist, and was about to slug him, but my hand stopped right before I actually did hit his nose. I probably would have broken it if I hadn't stopped in time. Jesse looked hurt, as if I would have punched him.

My arm hung limp by my side. Jesse was still observing me sadly. He looked so sweet too.

"Sorry."

"You better be. You nearly broke your boyfriend's nose."

I swivelled around, to find Rachael observing me disapprovingly.

"Way to treat your boyfriend."

I was about to answer, but Paul dragged her away saying something along the lines of "they can sort it out themselves."

"Were you actually going to punch me?"

"I can't." I said softly. So softly I didn't think he had heard it.

But a slow smile was creeping over his face. "I told you so."

I didn't smile back, but surveyed the floor instead.

"I know."

We were quiet for a while, and I felt do disappointed in myself. How could I have tried to punch Jesse? Jesse of all people. A single tear fell down my cheek. Jesse noticed immediately, and wiped it away.

"You're not going to start that again are you?"

I smiled sadly.

"Susannah. Please stop crying. I hate seeing you sad. Please? You can punch me again if you really want to."

I laughed. He sounded so sweet. He pulled me back into his arms and held me close. I leaned my head on his chest, and listened to his heart beat.

"Well, well, well. Good to see you've made up already."

Surprised, we sprang apart. Great. Why are we always interrupted? I thought. I saw a small smile creep over Jesse's lips. STOP READING MY MIND! It grew broader. No, seriously. I mean it. Jesse wad trying not to smile. I tried as hard as I could to block his mind out, and instantly saw his grin turn into a look of surprise. Ha. I thought. Now, I wonder what Jesse is thinking of. I tried, slowly to probe into his brain, and I heard a voice in my head. "Nice try, querida. Not going to succeed this time." DAMN!

Rachael laughed. "Awwww. You two looked to sweet together."

"Looked? What do you mean looked?"

Rachael laughed some more, and Paul checked his watch.

"It's already nine Suze. We only have two hours. Come on, we still have a whole journey to plan."

(A/N: I know nothing really happens in this chappy… I still haven't decided yet what will happen, SORRY! And, erm… please review! Thanks!)