Disclaimer: It's all Meg Cabot's (or Jenny Carroll, YMMV) and as much as I and many others WISH we owned Jesse and Paul – I don't.
AN: Bonjour mes amis! Since the last chapter, I have been camping avec mon famille, crunking it up at the cottage with my friends, enduring the sun-drunk job of being a lifeguard, and finally, dreadfully, registering for school. So I apologise for the lack of update, but I really was incredibly busy. This baby's around 6 pages, and includes a handy-dandy fully loaded batteries included OC. For your reading pleasure, because really, what is fanfic without Mary Sue?
Bon lisez mes chères!
CHAPTER FOUR: Enter Elizabeth
The Junipero Serra Catholic Academy was certainly a magnificent building to behold. The red dome that covered the church looked particularly imposing in the early morning light, the rising sun glinting off of its stained glass windows, and impressive architecture. The school sat silent, an atmosphere alien to a place accustomed to children running about for most of the year. I could feel the peace and tranquility of this land settle down into my bones, and I smiled at the near familiarity of it. My brown suede jacket wasn't doing much to protect me from the chill of the morning mist, which hung heavily about all of Carmel. Susannah had laughed at me when I walked out the door at first, ready to take a leisurely walk down to the mission, only to leap back inside cursing at the frigid morning temperatures. Mrs. Ackerman hadn't been kidding when she had warned me to keep my warm clothing. Dios, if it is this cold every morning, I may have to refrain from opening those lovely bay windows, as I had longed to do last night when the room was so stiflingly warm.
Susannah told me that Father Dominic would likely be near the breezeway, tending to his pigeons. A small part of me was hopping that Susannah would deign to accompany me so that we could talk to the Padre about her … condition. When I had mentioned this to her, she seemed to suddenly pale – as much as someone without blood can pale – and quickly stammered a reason for not accompanying me. I would have felt vaguely rejected had I not noticed the stark look of fear in her eyes, quickly masked. I don't know why, but the thought of Susannah having to fear anything bothered me like nothing else, and I had to fight the suddenly strong urge to wrap my arms around her and protect her from the world. Absurd, as Susannah is dead and clearly in no danger, other than moving on to where she is supposed to be. This line of thinking of course leads to Susannah leaving, and as I have found of late, it is a thought I abhor in the extreme.
These thoughts caused a frown to crease my brow as I quickly made my way across the courtyard, making my way through the first open door I came across. I wasn't really thinking where I was going, and if I had, I probably would have realised that I was unlikely to find the man in a grave yard, but my attention was elsewhere. I was wondering over the sensations Susannah aroused in me – I had only met her a day ago, and yet, I felt as though I had known her for eternity. It was one of the many strange thoughts that had crossed my mind since I moved to Carmel, things such as talking to Susannah, the way places seemed familiar - yet not - and the dream, the dream that felt more like reality every time I thought about it. I resolved myself to speaking with the Padre about these dreams; perhaps they are common to mediators, although I had never experienced one before. I turned down a narrow pathway in the graveyard, mist curling about my ankles and clinging to the cuffs of my 505's. And still, I wandered, lost in my own thoughts, until my feet finally came to a stop. I was so surprised by my body's seeming will of its own, that at first I didn't register what I was standing in front of.
Here Lies Susannah "Suze" Simon
July 7th 1986 – February 5th 2002
Beloved Daughter, Sister, and Friend
Her grave.
The sight hit me like a punch in the gut, and I wasn't quite prepared for the rush of absolute despair that raced through my blood. And more confusing then my feeling over Susannah's death, was the complete and absolute knowledge deep in my soul that this was wrong. Completely and totally wrong. I don't know how long I stood there, staring at the tombstone, just reading that line over and over again.
"Here lies…"
The words were positively reverberating around in my skull, twisting around in my head. But she doesn't rest here, does she? I felt the beginnings of a truly crushing headache coming on, and rubbed a hand over my tired eyes. She isn't here. Not really. She's with me. The pain increased and my vision began to blur.
"Here lies…"
But this time it was different. The tombstone read something completely different, and the pain in my head went from painful to agonizing in a split second.
"Here lies…"
"Nombre de Dios…" I breathed, and stared wide eyed at the tombstone. I briefly wondered if I had not actually awoken at all, that this was merely another part of my strange dream. Even as pain raged in my skull, the words I now saw became starkly clear, the gravestone becoming incredibly sharp and in focus.
Here Lies Hector "Jesse" De Silva
1830 – 1850
Beloved Brother, Son, and Friend
"Hey, are you ok?"
I ignored the voice, choosing to stare at the stone. The gravestone with my name on it. Dios, you're becoming paranoid. I thought to myself. More than likely, this was a member of my family, although Madre hadn't mentioned anything about it when I first spoke of Carmel. And the pounding pressure in my head…
"Hello?"
A curtain of blue swung into my vision, and I blinked confusedly for a few moments. When a pair of hazel eyes, set into a pale, freckled face came into view, I realised someone had been trying to get my attention for a while. I felt a cool hand rest on my cheek, and looked over to a girl who was kneeling beside me, a worried frown creasing her brow.
"Wow, you look like you saw a ghost." I let out a rough bark of laughter at the irony of her statement, and wondered how I had ended up on the ground. The sun had fully risen, and most of the mist was gone from the graveyard, giving it a quiet, serene look. How long had I been in this spot, staring at that grave? I studied the girl beside me, and was surprised to find she was around my age. She had dyed her hair a royal blue, and it hung in sleek straight lines to well past her elbows, a style that would have had my sister Maria in fits of envy. Her skin was pale, and without the golden undertone that Susannah's skin held, with plenty of freckles across the bridge of her nose, and under her almond shaped eyes. Unlike my sister and her friends, the girl was wearing no makeup, which would explain the almost too white ivory tone of her skin. She was, in all, the strangest looking girl I had ever seen in my life. Considering I see dead people, this was a bold statement indeed.
"Did you know her? This-" the girl squinted at the grave marker, "Susannah? Huh. What an odd name." the girl shot a timid smile in my direction and stood quickly, offering me a hand up. "'Course, I can't talk. Name's Elizabeth, but, call me Buffy, everyone does." I accepted her hand, and she helped pull me to my feet. I was surprised to find that she was tall, only about a head shorter than me. I returned her introduction with my own name, and dodged the question about Susannah. I was startled to find that my headache had disappeared as quickly as it had arrived, and wondered at the source of it. A quick glance at the gravestone reaffirmed what I had supposed – it once again read Susannah's name, not my own. I mentally filed the information I had seen away for later – perhaps it was a clue as to what happened to Susannah, and how she would move on. Speaking of, I had wasted too much time in this graveyard, I needed to speak to Father Dominic about Susannah, and then go receive my papers from the university.
"Elizabeth," I questioned, ignoring her pleas for me to use her nickname, "Would you know where I could find a priest? His name is Father Dominic." I wonder what the man will be like. Having grown up thinking I was the only mediator, it was startling, to say the least, to find that there were so many people like me. I was also curious to learn about Susannah's mentor. When she had spoken of him to me, warmth infused her tone, and a glint of gentleness came to her eye which was usually reserved for her family. Elizabeth nodded and pulled her hair up into a ponytail as she answered my question.
"Yeah, sure. Actually, I was just going to talk to him myself, funny huh?" She beamed a quick smile at me and grabbed my hand, dragging me out the door I had come through, and across the courtyard. I felt a blush instantly come to my cheeks. Being known as 'the creepy kid' at school hadn't exactly made me the most popular guy during my high school years. So for the most part, the only girls I had any occasion to touch were my family, and most recently, Susannah. But holding Elizabeth's tiny hand in mine was a completely different experience. Her cold fingers were drawing the warmth out of my own larger ones, and I felt a tingle of electricity shoot from her fingers all the way down to my toes. A quick glance at her face showed that she hadn't felt anything unusual, and made me blush all the more. Dios, I am acting like a twelve year old, and in front of a girl I just met. This is as bad as Susannah. No, you never felt this warm with Susannah. Because she's dead. I shook my head and tried to steer myself away from such thoughts.
"Do you live near here?" I questioned. Realising that it was a rather intrusive question to ask someone you just met, I quickly stammered out an explanation. "I, ah, you seem to know your way around this building. Not that I need to know where you live or anything, I was just curious, and I, ah, apologise for being inappropriate-" I cut myself off as she broke up into laughter, and smiled a bit sheepishly. "I was babbling, wasn't I? I tend to do that when I'm nervous."
"Yeah, a bit of babble was going on. But no worries, it was – cute." She winked playfully at me, and laughed as a blush stained my cheeks once again. "Actually, I live here, in the rectory. And before you ask, no, I'm not a nun." I let out a chuckle of my own as she mock shivered to show her disgust. "My uncle's fairly important here, and I needed a place to stay while going to uni. I've been playing around this place since I was a little kid, although, I have to say, I've never run into someone as interesting as you before." This time I was interested to note that she had a blush staining her cheeks, as she cleared her throat and tugged on my hand to lead me down a corridor to a rather imposing looking office.
"Here's your stop, just a moment." Elizabeth slid her hand out from my grip to knock on the door, and I was surprised to find that I longed for the tiny warmth that our combined hands had generated. I felt a rush of confusion go through me, as I remembered my reason for coming here – Susannah. After nineteen years of nothingness in my social life, I was suddenly faced with two women that didn't seem to be repulsed by my freakishness. Elizabeth smiled as the door cracked open to reveal a handsome man of around seventy, with a healthy head of snowy white hair, and kind blue eyes. The man wore the robes of a priest, and I wondered if he knew who the mysterious Father Dominicwas, and if I could speak to him so early in the morning. "Uncle, I'd like you to meet Jesse, he said he wanted to speak to a priest, and I figured I could hook him up." Her smile turned impish and she gave me a wink as she continued. "I expect a full report of his confessions; life has been so boring the past few weeks."
"Elizabeth," The Padre mock frowned at the girl, the responding twinkle in his eye alerting me to the fact that he wasn't serious. "You should respect the young man's privacy. Your incessant nosiness will get you in trouble one day. Curiosity killed the cat, my dear." Elizabeth let out a very un lady-like snort and rolled her eyes at me. I gave her a small smile in return, and watched the banter play out between two people that obviously cared for each other deeply.
"Yeah, but satisfaction brought it back." She playfully stuck her tongue out at the priest before turning to me. "Ignore him. He's just a crazy old man. I have no dubious intentions towards you." She quickly gave me a once over, from head to toe, a blush lighting her cheeks before she muttered under her breath "Much." I pretended not to have heard her, only letting a pleased smirk cross my face. Life was definitely looking up in Carmel. "Anyways, Jesse, I'd like you to meet my uncle, otherwise known as Father Dominic." My surprise must have shown on my face, as she shot me a confused glance before smiling at the Padre once more. "Well, I gotta go grab my books from the library, or Sister Ernestine will have my head, the fussy old bat. See you later Jesse!" She gave me a quick salute, and then started off at a brisk jog down the corridor, her blue hair swishing out of sight within a few moments.
"I wish she would stop antagonizing Sister Ernestine, when she's in a mood the woman could try a saint's patience." Father Dominic sent me an amused smile that I couldn't help but return, and extended a hand. "As Elizabeth said, I'm Father Dominic. Do excuse her; she can be a little… exuberant. I fear life in the rectory is going to be very trying for her, although I expect it will do wonders for her piety." The Padre smiled as if at a private joke, and I shook his proffered hand. "Now my son, what can I help you with? I have to say, I have never had a caller so early in the morning, I do hope it isn't something dire." He stepped back to allow me to pass by him and enter the office.
"Actually, Padre," I slipped into the Spanish term, feeling more comfortable with that than using his full name, "I came to speak with you about one of your former students. Susannah Simon?" The Padre's eyes changed from slightly amused to sad and slightly tired looking. It was so strange to see the shift from a confidant uncle with his niece, to an old man.
"Ah, yes. Susannah. She is, was, a very special girl. Very special." He let out a heavy sigh and moved to a comfortable old chair behind the main desk in the office. "She was only at this school a short while, after her mother had remarried, before she was-" He cut himself short, and took a drink of water from the glass sitting at the corner of his desk before continuing. "I knew Mrs. Simon. Were you particularly close?" He raised his eyes to mine; the icy blue orbs seemed hauntingly sharp in the morning light. I shifted uncomfortably, and searched for a way to say my piece. How does one tell a priest that they have a sixteen year old ghost for a roommate?
"Ah, I didn't know her when she was alive," I started carefully, noticing the confusion in his eyes. Having thought of no other way to broach the subject, I decided that a direct answer was really the only course. "However, she seems very nice." Seeing him blink at me in confusion, I explained further. "She's haunting my bedroom."
"Oh geez, he's a priest for god's sake Jesse, couldn't you have reworded that one a little?" Susannah's annoyed voice came from behind me, and I turned quickly to see her perched rather delicately on the windowsill. It was a bit unnerving to see the sun lighting up her chestnut hair, and yet see no shadow on the ground. If I had been surprised at her appearance, the Padre looked a mixture of relieved and annoyed.
"Susannah, really, you know better than to materialize in here unannounced." He gave her a stern glare and continued in a more fatherly tone of voice. "And why did you not mention that your new roommate was a man?" I flinched mentally at the Padre's aggravated tone. I had known, of course, that he would not be pleased. Because of course, being a Mediator, ghosts are as real to me as any other girl. And how could a Catholic priest possibly be happy with our arrangement? Not that Susannah would ever consider anything… untoward. Despite Elizabeth's advances, which I knew were in jest, I was not at the top of anyone's list.
"I didn't think he'd come to find you so soon." Susannah sent me a wounded look, which had me confused. Had I not told her I wished to speak with Father Dominic? "I didn't think he wanted to get rid of me that badly." I blinked and fought the urge to demand what she meant. When had I ever mentioned getting rid of her? I opened my mouth to speak, but was pre-empted by the Padre.
"Susannah, do not be overly dramatic." He gave her a stern glance that had significantly more tenderness than the last one, before turning to me. "Jesse, I suppose then, that you can both see and hear Susannah?" When I voiced an affirmative, he wiped a hand over his face and gave me a searching look. "Do you know what a Mediator is?" I told him a highly abbreviated version of my first encounter with a spirit, and what I now knew was a fellow Mediator. Both the Padre and Susannah looked very surprised, but while Susannah made several comments as to the idiocy of some spirits, the Father merely commented on the apparent fact that Mediators can also become spirits.
"Someone's coming." Susannah's eyes once again seemed to phase out of the current conversation, and looked seemingly through me to the door. "Hmmm, isn't she a little young for you, Father D?" Susannah snarked from her position on the bookcase as a confidant knock sounded on the door. After the Padre's admonishment to Susannah for her inappropriate comments, he called for the person to enter. Elizabeth's shockingly coloured head popped around the corner and gave me a grin as she turned to the Padre. I was surprised to note that unlike her uncle, she was clearly not a Mediator – Susannah had stood up and walked over to the door to get a better look at the intruder, and was currently making approving comments on her clothing choices. I felt distinctly uncomfortable seeing the two of them together, and felt a sting of annoyance for feeling uncomfortable.
"Sister Ernestine's got her wimple in a knot – your pigeons are redecorating the floor of the breezeway again. She's threatening to call the Monsignor if you don't, and I repeat, 'relocate these godforsaken holy terrors this instant'" the Padre grimaced and Elizabeth and Susannah giggled at the same time. "I just wanted to give you a heads up before I pop over to the university. Sides, I gotta try out my new wheels, what's the good of having a hot car if you don't get to cruise around in it?" Seeing that the Padre was going to be busy for the next while, and that I couldn't discuss Susannah's afterlife whilst she was in the room, I decided to save the rest of my conversation for another day.
"Padre, I would like to come back another day to er, finish our discussion." I ignored Susannah's raised eyebrow and her silent inquiry as I turned to Elizabeth. "If it's not too much trouble, could you drive me to the university? I have to pick up some papers from the student office, and I'd rather get that done before classes start." Susannah's eyebrow couldn't possibly inch any higher, but the disgruntled slant of her mouth informed me that she was not pleased with the way this conversation was moving. Obviously, I couldn't speak to her without Elizabeth thinking I was insane, and I'd rather keep the first friend I had found in Carmel, and delay the usual branding of myself as a freak. "Father Dominic, if it is alright with you, I will return on Monday with David and Brad Ackerman, on their way into school."
"Of course Jesse, we have many things to discuss." The Padre glanced pointedly at Susannah, who crossed her arms and glowered back, clearly understanding that since she would be the topic of conversation, she was not welcome. She tossed her hair over her shoulder and shimmered out of existence, most likely returning to my room. "Elizabeth, thank you for warning me about my birds, and do try to remember that speed limits exist for a reason." He shook his head at her grin and rose from his chair. "See you both tomorrow." I stood and moved out into the hallway with Elizabeth, who looked up at me with a mysterious twinkle in her eye.
"So, how was the spiritual cleansing?" she quipped and shoved her hands into the pockets of a comfortable looking black coat. Her blue hair spilled past the high mandarin collar of her shirt and seemed in stark contrast to the grey and black scheme of her outfit. It was strange that such a cheerful person would dress in such depressing colours, especially considering that almost everyone I had seen in Carmel so far dressed in bright colours and khaki. "Exorcise your spiritual demons and whatnot?"
"Confession is good for the soul, but I imagine you know that, your uncle being a Father of a Catholic church." Elizabeth wrinkled her nose in distaste and shrugged, leading me over to a red Pontiac Sunfire. I let out an appreciative whistle and ran my hand over the glossy hood. "Eric would be a pile of drool right now, my brother's love for women is only exceeded by his love of speed." Elizabeth popped open the locks and I slid easily into the passenger seat, looking at the posh interior with no small amount of amazement. How does a university student who needs to live in a rectory end up with a car like this? It seemed that no one in Carmel was quite what they appeared, and everyone had far more secrets than was healthy.
"You'll have to introduce me to this brother of yours, if he looks anything like you; he's my kind of man." She gave me another wink, and snapped her seatbelt into place securely, with a quick comment at me to do the same. "This is my baby; I saved up for years to afford a car, especially one this good. You drive?" when I mentioned having my licence but lacking a vehicle of my own, she shook her head at me as she pulled out of the lot behind the church. "Man, you'll get no where in Carmel without wheels. They are sorely in need of a public transit system. If our schedules line up, I could see my way to giving you rides, if you'd like." Her cheeks turned pink again, and I felt a pang of regret that I could turn down her offer.
"The family I'm staying with, the Ackermans, they have arranged for me to use the family car, once David and Bradley are at school." We spent the drive to the university getting better acquainted, I told her of the family I was staying with (leaving out my decidedly dead roommate) and she in turn regaled me with several amusing stories of her visits to the rectory, and her antagonistic relationship with the novices and clerics in the church. The Padre was apparently right in his admonishment for her to obey the speed limit – Elizabeth was tearing down roads at a speed which would have had any normal person quaking in terror. When I mentioned this to her, she tipped her head back and laughed, instilling in me a fervent wish that she would keep her eyes on the road. My brother liked to go fast, not commit suicide as it seemed Elizabeth was intent on doing. At least if I died, I had the chance to be a ghost with Susannah. Strangely, that thought didn't seem too unsavoury, something I didn't care about at the moment, seeing as my life was flashing before my eyes.
"Oh please. Who follows the speed limit anyways?" I noticed she did slow down, even if it was only a fraction. I felt relieved, and at the same time, a little disappointed. I could see why she loved this car, if you could go that fast; it almost seemed as if you were flying. "Those signs are more like…guidelines, than actual rules." Now that we were going at speeds visible to the human eye, I found myself relaxing in her presence. By the time we finally pulled into the university parking lot, I found myself reluctant to get out of the car. So often over the course of my life, I have had to keep myself relatively alone, so that my altercations with ghosts wouldn't accidentally involve some innocent person. But the relatively low level of spirits in Carmel has allowed me to think that for one, I wouldn't have to be alone, or the freak
. My thoughts were interrupted by the purr of a very expensive engine. I turned and saw a sleek black Jaguar slide into the space beside us, and a tall man stepped out of the car. He had a blue silk shirt, black slacks, and white chinos as his ensemble, and looked like a very well put together guy. "Hey, Buffy." He spoke in a soft voice, one I had to struggle to hear over the still rumbling engine of Elizabeth's car, before she turned the ignition off. She slid quickly and gracefully out of her car, and around to my door before I had my seatbelt undone.
"Hey Tad." I was pleased to note that although she seemed to preen a bit in his presence - a quick fix of her hair, and tugging on her clothes – her tone was only casually interested. When I finally managed to exit the car, she quickly grabbed my hand and flashed a very fake smile to this 'Tad'. "I'd like you to meet Jesse, I'm sure you haven't met." I said a quick hello and shook his hand while trying to mask my confusion. Elizabeth was acting fairly clingy, was Tad an ex boyfriend of some sort?
"Nice to meet you De Silva." My theory of the ex boyfriend seemed to gain more validity as Tad's voice lost most its softness and sounded slightly put out. "Listen, Buffy, a bunch of us are going out tonight, we were wondering if you'd like to come with." I felt him size me up, and unintentionally I stood straighter and returned his look with one of my own. "Of course, your friend is invited. You know my number." He gave her a small wave and sauntered over to one of the buildings on the small campus.
"Ugh. What a creep." Elizabeth mock shuddered and gave my hand a squeeze. "Sorry for pulling a Klingon like that, but that guy just gives me the willies. Him and his dad. My friend Debbie went out with him for a while, and then she suddenly disappeared." She tugged on my hand and started walking to a small building, probably where admissions was most likely located. She gave me a quick commentary of most of the people we passed, some who said hello to her, and some she avoided like they had the plague.
"Do you want to go to his party?" I asked, tamping down the urge to add 'with me?'. I figured I'd been encroaching on her goodwill for a long enough time, and had to watch that I didn't drift from 'interested' to 'stalker'. It would make conversations with both Susannah and the Padre a little more awkward.
"I dunno." She sighed and made a strange face as she directed me over to the student services area. We sat down in a couple of relatively comfy chairs while we waited for the secretary to retrieve my files and information. "I mean, I really should, these aren't the kind of people you want to have on your bad side, and I want to start my first year off right, you know?" She tossed me a crooked smile and added, "Plus, Jake Ackerman's going to be there, so I suppose it wouldn't be a total loss if you managed to show up."
"I suppose if it's all right with Jake, I could make an appearance. But you'd owe me." I let a teasing smile go to my lips, but was surprised at myself. Was I flirting? If she knew, Maria would never let me hear the end of it. "I'll warn you now, I'm not a very good dancer, and I'm not terribly good at conversation. Really, I'm quite boring." Definitely flirting. Dios help me; I'm turning into my brother. Next, I'll be driving a car like Elizabeth, without regards to the laws of inertia, never mind the laws of the state.
"Hmmm. Somehow I doubt that." She shot me a quick grin as the secretary came with my papers. I began to sort through what was needed for my courses, and what had to return to the office as Elizabeth began folding some of the brochures into tiny origami shapes. "Sides, I need you to help fend off guys like Brad and Tad, not to mention give everyone something interesting to talk about for a change. I'm so tired of hearing about Paul and Kelly, and the relationship that isn't. It's enough to drive a woman to drink."
"I'm afraid you're still out of luck, I don't really do that either." Still, for all the banter, I was starting to look forward to this party. I had never been invited to one, not really being popular enough to merit an invitation, but I remembered sneaking downstairs while Eric or Maria would have one, and wishing I could join them. "However, I am curious about all these people you keep referring to; I thought you hadn't stayed in town that long."
"I've been here this summer, and believe me, that's long enough. These people are like those kids on the OC, its just one endless soap opera after another. I'm glad I was spared the misery of high school." She quickly cut herself off and became very absorbed in folding the shapes of the next animal. I briefly toyed with asking her to explain, but I decided that later would be more appropriate. We sat in a slightly awkward silence as I finished up my business with the university and received my class schedule. Elizabeth swept her rather impressive menagerie of origami figures into her book bag, and ignored the glare of the secretary who hastened to replace the brochures that Elizabeth had mangled. "Well, Jesse ole' chum, what say you to grabbing some lunch in the cafeteria? I could eat a horse." We both laughed as my stomach decided to rumble in agreement. I had left so early, I missed the Ackerman's breakfast, and my body had obviously wanted more than the pitiful amount of food I ate last night.
"Alright, but only if you let me buy." I waved away her protests, and extended a hand to help her get out of her chair. "I insist. I don't expect you to be a taxi service, and think of it as an apology for my lack of dancing and drinking." I gave her the same grin that melted my sisters whenever I particularly wanted to get away with something, and was satisfied to note that Elizabeth was starting to agree. "You can even drive me back home, if it makes you feel better."
"Oh thank you, your majesty, for gracing me with your presence." She rolled her eyes at me and took my hand, rising out of her chair and then stretching. "I'm telling you now, I don't eat light. I'm strictly a burgers and fries kind of gal."
We spent a pleasurable lunch talking about our respective goals for university; I was surprised to note that she wanted to become a paramedic, and that at least for this year, we'd have most of the same classes together. I told her my own reasons for being a doctor, and she imparted amusing anecdotes of teaching children how to swim from her days at a resort in Carmel called Pebble Beach.
On the way home, I was relieved to find that Elizabeth chose to drive close to the speed limit, allowing me to get a long slow look at what is now my home. The rolling green hills melted into the blue glass of the Pacific Ocean, so very different from the flat sandy plains back home. But strangely, Carmel feels more comfortable and right than Dallas ever had. As Elizabeth pulled into the Ackerman's driveway, I thought I saw a flash of brown up in the bay window, reminding me of Susannah. Susannah was also one of the reasons that Carmel felt so much like home, even if I hadn't known her for that long a time. I sighed and got out of the car, papers safely in hand when Elizabeth's voice stopped me.
"See you at seven, don't be late, Jesse." Elizabeth shot me a mock glare, and passed me a slip of paper with a number on it. "Call me if you have any issues, or if you know, you want to talk. Or something." She dropped me one of her now infamous winks, and pulled slowly out of the drive way. "Later, Holmes!" She called out the window, and sped off down the road. I grinned and shook my head as I headed inside.
"Mrs. Ackerman? Mr. Ackerman?" I called out to a seemingly empty house, and was greeted by the ever exuberant Max. "Hola, muchacho." I placed my jacket on the coat rack, and headed up the stairs. I slouched into my room and kicked off my shoes, falling onto my bed with a heavy sigh. The headache that had plagued me in the morning suddenly returned, albeit not as strong as it had been. "Nombre de Dios, I'm tired. Why did I tell Elizabeth I'd go with her?" I rolled over onto my back and nearly yelped in surprise as I found two angry green orbs over mine.
"Jesse."
AN: Oh dear. Someone's sleeping on the couch tonight. You know… if Suze… slept. Well, I know it's not ten pages, but I think this chapter's a doozy. Father Dom is once again in the picture, and we're creeping towards a mini plot arc whilst giving some info on the whole Jesse situation. I hope you guys are pleased with this chapter; it feels a bit rushed to me since it was written in bits and pieces between me going to work and wasting the last week of my summer. I've got over a thousand and eighty hits! Woot woot. And twenty seven reviews. I'm really pleased that so many of you have enjoyed my story so far, and I hope you guys stick around to see how it turns out!
Joseph-dreamer: I think you have your answer in this chapter – it's going to get very interesting for our beloved Jesse next chapter ;).
The Salad Is Dressing: HA! I know. I try to have really good grammar; it really bugs me when people just ignore the rules of the English language. And the spelling is only ok as I had a constant battle with my word processor over the past few years over my s to z corrections, or my frequent use of 'colour' instead of 'color'. And as for well written and believable, you flatter me, you lovely, lovely person. Please, do go on D.
Amattsonperdue: AHA! Well, as much of an ego boost as THAT was, I'm sure you'll find loads wrong with this chapter. I mean, you're like a free beta. How much better can life get? I was really surprised that she figured it out from that, I figured my spelling would have given me away much sooner.
Lessien-Elensar: The conversation that was in italics is directly from the books, and that was HELLISH to type out, but with Jesse's thoughts in mind, let me tell you. Nah, no worries, I am exceptionally uncreative, and I'm just hoping you guys wont see it ;).
Muchos hugs and kisses to these lovely folks; LunaTears, Kaye, kat, x-Emo Princess-x, and emm-is-da-bomb. Keep reading folks, and I'll keep writing!
Love;
Divi
