:Chapter 14:

I glanced around at the surrounding area, sensing something was wrong. The way the bushes were swaying in the breeze, didn't seem right. The odd shadows being cast by the orange tree looked like a person's. Panic over took me as I wondered the fastest way back to the house. 'What if it's Paul?'

"Susannah" I mumbled, keeping my voice hushed.

"Hmm" she replied sleepily.

"Querida, we have to get back to the house now… I think we are not alone" I whispered.

I felt her entire body tense, and her grasp on my hand became tighter. Not that I minded.

"Wh-what should we do?" she questioned.

"How can fast can you run in those shoes?" I asked looking down at her high heels.

"Umm…not that fast. But I can take them off" she responded quietly.

"No, don't do that. You'll injure your feet on all the rocks."

"Then what do you suggest I do?" she questioned, her voice sounding panicked.

"Let me climb down, then…then you can jump on my back" I answered starting to move towards the ladder and lift Susannah off my lap.

"Are you serious? Jesse, I don't want you to hurt yourself because I needed a piggy-back ride" she retorted.

"Hurt myself?" I echoed, "Querida, you're as light as a feather, now can you please wait until I reach the bottom?"

"Fine" she said pouting.

I quickly descended the small ladder but when I reached the bottom I received a warning from my former self; "If you run he will catch her. Shift."

I looked up at Susannah's worried face and held my hand out for her. She sent me a puzzled look, but took my hand and climbed down the ladder. When she reached the bottom I scooped her up and mouthed "Trust me."

I closed my eyes and thought; 'Guest room. Pale blue and white. Susannah's bag on the bed.'

And when I opened my eyes, we were there. I glanced over at Susannah and saw that her eyes were still closed. Her breathing was rhythmic, and her head was resting completely against my shoulder. I smiled to myself and gently laid her down on the bed, careful not to disturb her.

Slowly I removed her high heels and placed them on the floor. 'What now? I can't undress her. Well, I could…but only to change her. I can't look. What if I accidentally touch her? What if she wakes up and finds me changing her? Would she scream and slap me, and then refuse to see me ever again? I couldn't bear that.'

I whispered in her ear "Querida, I'm going to change you, okay? Can you tell me where your pajamas are?"

Her eyes fluttered slightly and she mumbled "umm hmm…bag; black ones."

I gulped as I neared her over night bag and then carefully unzipped it. Inside were jeans, a pink shirt with Minnie Mouse that said 'Bonita' on it, some pink heels, a hair brush, a tooth brush, tooth paste, moisturizer, body lotion, some under garments I pretended not to see, and definitely avoided touching, and finally a pair of pajamas. They were black and lacey.

Again I gulped and unfolded them. It was a tank top and a pair of shorts. They had Jack and Sally from a "Nightmare Before Christmas" all over the shorts, and on the tank top was one image of them together.

As I lifted the shorts out of the bag I saw something shiny at the bottom of the bag. I hesitated, but the curiosity was killing me so I reached in and retrieved the object. It was a CD; a mixed CD. And it was labeled "Jesse", in Susannah's whirly handwriting. Nothing was written on the back, and I wondered what could possibly be on the CD.

Suddenly I was startled as Susannah turned onto her side. I carefully put the CD back inside her bag and zippered it up.

"Querida, if you're too tired to change yourself, I'll do it, just promise you won't get upset or embarrassed" I pleaded.

"Hmm…Jesse?" she asked, rubbing her eyes and trying to get up.

"Susannah I need you to wake up, just for a little while okay."

"Why?" she whined, squinting her eyes.

"You have to change into your pajamas, and wash your face, and brush your teeth" I explained.

"Hmm…alright" she muttered attempting to get up, but not doing to well. I rushed to her side and helped her into the bathroom, carefully.

"Okay, can you handle getting ready for bed by yourself?" I asked, amused.

"Uh huh" she nodded, her eyes looking only semi-drowsy.

"Good, buenas noches querida. I'll see you in the morning" I said before giving her a brief peck on the cheek.

"Wait! Could you…stay with me a while?" she questioned, her cheeks flushing.

"Susannah, I would love to, but if someone were to walk in and see us both in here, they'd kill us."

"Not, all night. Just, until I fall asleep…please" she begged, smiling brightly and using the most adorable puppy dog eyes ever. 'How could I ever say 'no' to her?'

"Just until you fall asleep" I relented, "but first I'm going to go get ready for bed. I'll be right back."

"Umm, Jesse…" Susannah called after me.

"Yes?"

"You'd better dematerialize to your room, cause if someone should see you leaving at this time of night, it might raise a few eyebrows, not to mention get both of us in trouble" she warned.

"Good idea. I'll be back" I said, making Susannah laugh at my pretty sad imitation of the Terminator.

When I materialized in my room I quickly darted into my bathroom to prepare for bed. Never before had the idea of going to sleep excited me this much. I knew I would only be staying with Susannah until she fell asleep, but when she slept she looked so peaceful and…angelic even.

After I'd washed up I threw off my shirt and pants, and searched for some clean boxers and an undershirt. 'Should I only wear my boxers, or should I throw on a pair of pajama bottoms? It's kind of hot tonight, but being that close to Susannah in only my boxers isn't the safest thing.'

So I pulled on some pajama bottoms and then grabbed a CD from my CD tower.

I rematerialized in the guest room and noticed that Susannah was still in the bathroom, 'perfect.'

The alarm on the nightstand next to the bed could wake you up with a CD so I popped in the CD and set it to the song number and the right time. Just as I was finishing I heard the bath room door open and light foot steps on the carpet behind me.

"Jesse, what are you doing?" Susannah asked.

I turned to face her and noticed how beautiful she looked. Her cheeks were slightly rosy and her lips a deep pink shade. "Querida" I cooed, "you look stunning."

"That's what happens when I take off the make up" she said jokingly.

"No, I mean it in a good way. If it's possible, I think you look even more beautiful right now."

She smiled at me and lightly pecked my lips. Her breath smelled of mint with a tinge of orange, and as she pulled away the smell intoxicated me. I wanted nothing more than to hold her and kiss her again, but I restrained myself.

"Okay, bedtime" I said, lifting the covers for Susannah to get under.

"Already?" she whined, pouting her lips and fluttering her eyelashes.

"Yes" I chuckled.

"Humph, fine…but remember you said you'd stay-"

"Until you fall asleep" I finished for her.

She smiled and hopped onto the bed. I pulled the covers over her and tucked her in gently. She patted the space beside her on the bed and I went around the bed and sat down.

"Hey Jesse…" Susannah said, her hand finding mine and holding it loosely.

"Yes querida?"

"Do you really think Paul created this whole alternate universe? I mean, I know the guy is powerful and all, but really, a WHOLE other universe" she asked.

I cringed at the mention of even his name, but thought about the question as I laid down beside Susannah.

"Querida, with Slater you can never truly know…Now, can we please not mention him again, I've had enough of him today to last me more than a lifetime" I answered.

She giggled, and turned onto her side. I could see her watching me from the corner of my eye, and smiled. Suddenly I realized I was really hot. Not like physically, but temperature wise. 'These pajama bottoms were a bad idea, especially since they're flannel.'

"Jesse, are you okay?" Susannah asked, sitting up; concern filling her eyes.

"I'm fine, just a little warm" I lied.

"No you're not" she said placing her hand on my forehead. "Urgh!" she exclaimed when she noticed how sweaty I was. "Jesse, umm…hmm, uncomfortable question, but, are you wearing something under those?" she questioned, pointing down to my pajama bottoms.

"Susannah" I squeaked, my cheeks feeling even warmer.

"Well, are you?" she repeated.

I opened my mouth but no words would come out, so I nodded my head in response.

"Take them off. You're making me hot just looking at you" she said, and then blushed at hearing her own words.

I laughed, but didn't move. I couldn't. I was boiling up, and it felt like the hotter I got, the weaker I got. My eyelids starting getting heavy, even though I warned them to stay open.

"Jesse…alright, you asked for it" she sighed, heaving the covers off of her and kneeling next to me. She grabbed the waist band of the pajama bottoms and tugged them down, then threw them to the floor and sat back with a pleased look on her face.

"Still hot?" she asked, feeling my forehead. It was still sweaty, but I had cooled down a little. "Jesse, sit up" she instructed me. I did, but after it felt like I had just done about a hundred push ups.

"Arms up, please." I lifted up my arms, and after she was done, fell back down onto the bed with a plop. Even that tired me out more. But after Susannah had removed my under shirt I felt better. I was sweating anymore, and I felt cooler, but my eyelids shut and refused to open. My mind drifted off, and Susannah filled my dreams.

>&&&

"Wake up

My love

Never thought you'd make me, break me

Now I'm up, from below

Such a brilliant star you are

And will your love keep burning baby

Burn harder through my eyes;

You saw the short times feel like no time

I thought you'd oughta know

I'm so far gone now

I've been running on empty

I'm so far gone now

Do you wanna take me on?

Do you wanna take me on?"

:smack:

'What the hell?'

I opened my eyes and realized I wasn't in my room. I looked to my side and saw Susannah stretching. She sleepily dragged herself into the bathroom, but turned to look back. When she saw me her eyes widened and she quickly looked down at herself. She looked a little relieved when she noticed she was wearing her pajamas, but still worried about me being here.

"Did you sleep there all night?" she asked.

"It would appear so" I said stifling a yawn.

"Your dad is going to kill us" she said, biting her bottom lip.

"No he won't, he probably thinks I'm in my room right now" I replied.

But we both froze when Mapi yelled "Marta have you seen Jesse? He's not in his room."

And then Marta yelled back "Check the guest room, maybe he's waking up Suze."

The sound of light, little footsteps echoed through the hall, and into the guest room. Susannah looked panicked, and her eyes widened again when there was a knock at the door. About a second later Mapi appeared in the doorway.

"Suze, have you seen-oh."

>&&&

Song lyrics to "Lunacy Fringe" by The Used.

Hope you enjoyed.

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Love you guys!

-Lauren