Disclaimer: All of the original and familiar characters are property of Meg Cabot and her series The Mediator, but the plot and new faces are property of me.

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Chapter 9

"Susannah?"

I awake to a blurry vision of a ghost. Immediately, I know that it's Father Dominic, but for a second there I had hoped that it was my father. However, he has passed on to the next realm.

"Can you hear me?"

I nod my head to tell him I can, and he sighs. My eyes focus a little more, and I take a deep breath in. "How long have I been out for?"

"Well, from what I have overheard from your step-father, you passed out right before you were going to go to school. You awoke quickly, but were too disoriented to go anywhere. They thought it would be best to let you stay home, and have a long weekend. For more reasons than just the ones that they are saying aloud."

I notice Father Dom look sad. I bet it sucks being dead. "Hey Father," I say, and see his eyes lock onto mine. "Thanks for dropping by."

"My pleasure. But now Susannah, I would like to know more about this demon."

Of course Jesse told him. I roll my eyes, and then go on with the explanation. I tell Father D. about what Paul said about them, and how only shifters can see them. Also I told him exactly what the demon looked like and what he sounded like. And the knife. I couldn't leave that out.

"And you said you think his name is Seirios?"

"Yes. Why?" I ask sitting up in my bed, finding my choice in clothing today extremely comfortable.

"Well, in old Greek, it means burning or scorching. So it is appropriate."

"How do you know that?" I ask astonished.

"Well, Jesse gave me some good books, you know now that I have nothing to do all day. Jesse is a nice guy. And I feel that something is wrong between you two. Now, Susannah, tell me what is on your mind."

I stare after Father Dom for a minute, pondering what exactly to tell him. I mean, obviously I can't tell him that I made out with Paul. That's like against the Bible or something.

"Um. Well, I'm just worried about what the demon warned me of. He said that I shouldn't toy with people's emotions, and well, I think he was talking about Paul, because of some reasons. But then I got thinking why would the demon care about Paul."

Father Dom just looked at me, with not sign of emotion on his face. Thanks a lot Father Dom, thanks. I just sit there in my silence and stare out the bay window. My mind floats back to the days when Jesse was a ghost, and when I would come home to find him sitting there on the seat, reading, or waiting for me.

I let my mind wander for a while; Father Dom just twiddles his thumbs, a look of deep concentration on his face. I know he is itching for his old pack of cigarettes, which he used to hold when he was nervous. I slip off into another nap, but I am awoken by a knock on my door.

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Jesse walks into my room with a vase filled with flowers. I notice that they're red roses.

"Oh, Jesse, they're beautiful." I say to him with a smile. He sets them on my bedside table, and then sits on the bed beside me. He takes my hand in his.

"How are you feeling?" Jesse asks.

"Fine, just a little tired. I didn't get a lot of sleep last night." I give him a weak smile, and Jesse bends over and places a kiss on my forehead. Then he looks over at Father Dominic, and engages him in conversation about his book that he is reading.

I get bored quite quick and doze off, Jesse's hand clutched in mine. I have the worst dream; it's where Jesse dies, and Paul takes over his body, so I don't think Jesse's dead, but Paul's soul is in Jesse's body. It is horrible; I wake up to find myself sweating a little bit, and my hand clutched around Jesse's in fright. He is lying beside me, watching me. At once I feel truly safe. I glance around and see that Father Dom is gone.

"Hello, querida," Jesse says to me while placing a kiss on my nose.

"Hi," I blush and lay against my pillow.

"You were having a nightmare," Jesse states rather then inquires.

I don't say anything, 'cause there's nothing to say. "Querida, I'm worried about you. You were tossing and turning and saying things that worried me greatly. Do you want to talk about it?"

"What did I say?" I ask abruptly.

"You were murmuring my name and Paul's. And you whimpered a little. Is there anything you want to tell me, Susannah?" Jesse's brown eyes are filled with such love that I fall in love with him all over again. He is my one true love; I just know it in that moment. How could I have ever thought differently?

"Actually, I have been worried about you not liking me anymore." I say this quietly and turn my head away from his gaze.

"By like you mean love."

"No, I mean like."

"So you don't think I love you?"

"Well it hasn't seemed that way for a while. I mean, you have barely touched me, and I just want so much more, Jesse."

"So, you wish to be more physical? But you know that we have to wait until marriage."

"Then why don't we get married!"

"Because we have our whole life together ahead of us. We can wait!"

"I don't want to wait."

"Why can't you?" Jesse asks, his eyebrows raised.

"Because I love you too much Jesse, and when I love someone I want to be close to them, closer to them then anyone else. Jesse, I love you, with all my heart."

"I love you too Susannah, but then doesn't mean we have to rush things." Jesse squeezes my hand.

"Jesse!" I whine. "We don't have to have…sex. I don't mean sex when I say physical. I mean, like kissing and stuff. Why don't you kiss me more?"

"Because kissing leads to the other things that are unacceptable in this stage in our relationship right now."

"Jesse!" I say loudly while jumping out of bed. "This isn't the nineteenth century anymore! This is the twenty-first century! We can do whatever we want!"

"But I want to wait until we are right to experience those moments." Jesse gets up off the bed.

"Why?" I ask sadly while sinking into my armchair.

I hear Jesse come over to me; he kneels in front of me. "Because I love and respect you, and I want our lives together to be wonderful and full of life. I don't want to make a mistake and have it ruin our lives. We will wait. I can wait, if you can wait."

I look over at Jesse, who has taken both of my hands in his, and for a second my mind flashes to him proposing to me. But then I snap back to reality.

"Yes," I sigh. "I guess I can wait." Jesse's eyes are sad, but with a different sadness, like his mind is so full of thoughts that he just wishes I wouldn't bother him with these small things.

"Thank you, querida." Jesse says while kissing my hands. "Are we still going out tonight? I can pick you up at seven if you wish."

"Okay."

After kissing my lightly on the lips, Jesse leaves and I go back to my bed, utterly destroyed. Yes, I believe Jesse loves me, but that doesn't mean I don't want to be shown it occasionally. I look over at the flowers and smile. Jesse has a different way if showing his love for me, which is just as nice.