A/N: Bah. Sorry about the wait. I've been busy, lately, with school and college applications. That and I just want to skip this chapter and get to the rest. Sooo… I'm doing just that and writing only this chapter in the present. :-P Because I'm lazy, and y'all need something to read, at least…

Chapter 3

Present:

It was a few days later, as Jesse was making his way toward Susannah's room, when it happened. Little had changed, except maybe that Dr. Davis was getting closer to making a decision.

It was as he was nearing the room that he heard her screaming.

"Susannah!" Jesse burst into the room, his eyes darting around the room, searching for what was going on.

Susannah was sitting on her bed, huddled against the head board, screaming with tears running down her cheeks and staring at… nothing.

There was nothing there.

Jesse stood frozen for a moment. Nombre de Dios. "Querida," he whispered. He moved toward her, instinctively trying to put his arms around her, to comfort her.

She jumped at his touch turning on him. Before Jesse could react, she was scratching at him franticly, presumably trying to get away.

"Susannah!" Jesse dodged her, grabbing her arms and pinning them down. "Susannah, it's all right," he shushed her, loosening his grip a little so that he wouldn't hurt her. "Everything's okay." He freed one of his hands to brush aside a strand of hair from her face. "No one's going to hurt you."

Everything after that was a blur. Nurses rushed into the room, gently pulling Jesse away from her. Jesse was vaguely aware of someone saying something to him—Joe maybe?—but he wasn't paying attention. He just watched Susannah as other people circled around her, trying to calm her. Someone gave her a shot to calm her down, and soon she was huddled on the bed, looking so small and frail, Jesse didn't know how to help her.

"Jesse."

He turned to look over his shoulder. Dr. Davis walked into the room, standing near Susannah's bed, across from Jesse. He looked down at Susannah sympathetically. "Jesse… about your request."

Jesse straightened. "What about my request?"

Dr. Davis sighed. "I don't think it would be a good idea for her to go home yet. In fact…" he cleared his throat, his eyes darting down to Susannah. She didn't seem to really be aware of anything that was happening. She just gazed blankly up at them. "I know of some perfectly respectable institutions that might be of better help…"

Jesse felt color rushing to his cheeks as he realized what Dr Davis was talking about. "No. I want to take her home."

Sighing, Dr. Davis turned to leave the room. "I will give you more time to think about this. Now probably isn't the best time to make a decision."

Jesse sat in the chair next to the bed, his head in his hands. What was he going to do?

Suddenly he heard a rustle from the bed. Jesse lifted his head to see Susannah laying near the edge of the bed, gazing up at him.

"Querida," he said softly, longing to reach out and touch her. He held back, knowing better than to try. He closed his eyes, running a hand through his hair. Susannah—at least, the Susannah he had known and fallen in love with—was gone. He had to remember that. Jesse opened his eyes to meet her gaze. That didn't mean he couldn't try to save the Susannah that was left.

No matter what anyone else said.

A/N: I don't like it. But it's the best I got at the moment. :-/