A/N Wow. Thanks so much much for all my reviews! I so did not think I was going to get 8! Thank you so much, guys - old and new (well, not old like as in 80, but you know!). Just keep it up, OK?

Summary:

After long-term romances with both Jesse and Paul, Suze shocks them both by embarking on a whirlwind romance with a complete stranger, and is gone one morning from Carmel without trace. Can Jesse fight for the girl he wants, or will Paul get there first?

Chapter Two: The Truth

"Don't lie to me, Slater!" I yelled, throwing Paul into the wall by his collar. "She's gone, and you know it!"

"I swear," cried Paul, getting up and straightening himself. "I had no idea."

I picked him up by his shirt again and held him against the wall. "She loves this guy," I said, every word hurting. "And now, she's gone."

"Welcome to my world," spat Paul, shrugging me off. "You think I didn't hurt when she went off with you, Taco boy?"

I backed away, my head in my hands.

"We were engaged," I whispered, sinking into a chair. "Going to be married."

"I know what engaged means, idiot," growled Paul, but he pulled up a chair beside me. "Dude, I'm sorry."

I wiped away a tear. I had to be a man in this situation, after all. "At least you knew who I was when Susannah chose me. I mean, I've never even heard of this... Marco. He could be a dangerous man!"

"I doubt he's as dangerous as that Diego guy though," said Paul, and he laughed. I lifted my eyes though and that stopped his chuckles pretty fast.

"If you really didn't know anything about it," I said, getting up - Paul nodded in regards to my comment- "Then I'll be going home."

"Best thing to do," agreed Paul. "Get some rest." He walked with me to the door of his flat. "Uh - where did you say they were heading?"

"A part of Austrailia, to study marine life," I replied, shrugging on my coat. "Thanks, Paul."

"No worries," he said, and he shut the door.

xxxx

"Good morning," I said, leaning over her shoulder to kiss Susannah's cheek. "Sleep well?"

"Yeah," she smiled, buttering her toast. "Had some pretty interesting dreams..."

"Really?" I said, taking a slice of toast she handed me, and sitting at the counter. "Do you care to share?"

"Of course not," replied Susannah, widening her eyes. "My dreams are private affairs of my mind!"

"Why bring them up in conversation, then?" I asked, taking a bite of buttery toast. "If you do not care to elaborate?"

"Well..." said Susannah, then she burst into tears. I gasped. Was I really that bad a suitor?

"Querida? What's the matter?"

"My dreams!" she cried. "They... they weren't about you!"

I nearly coughed up semi-digested bread, but restrained myself. Was she dreaming of another man?

"Who, then?" I asked cautiously. "Who were you dreams fixated on?"

Susannah remained silent, and sipped her tea out of her very old, chipped Brooklyn mug.

"Querida?"

"Paul!" she burst. "OK? I've been wondering lately, what would have happened if Paul hadn't let me go. If he'd have... chased me, or something. Asked for me back."

I have to admit, this conversation was a little disturbing, and was making me a little uncomfortable. It was also a little disheartening.

"Would you go back to him?" I asked nervously, getting up, and buttoning the shirt I'd put on loosely. "If he asked, I mean."

"I don't know," she replied, taking another sip. "But... but it would have been nice to have been asked."

I sat up, swamped in duvet, a fine sheen of sweat covering my forehead. I really should take a lavender bath or something before retiring to bed. I was not at all calm when sleeping, and these flashbacks were not at all pleasant.

But, I thought, what if it was trying to tell me something? Like, perhaps, she did want me back? Like, she would come back to me if I asked?

There was only one way to find out. I leaped out of bed and got dressed - conservatively of course, if I was going to travel - and reached under my bed for a suitcase.

Socks, underwear, everyday clothes, pyjamas, a simple nightbag of toiletries...

"Where are you going, so late at night?" A voice spoke behind me.

I turned around, and got the fright of my life.