Jesse was up at the crack of dawn, again. He'd never sleep very long, but he was about to sit up when he felt something warm cling to his left hand. His eyes sprang open and--

"GYAH!"

That startled Jim and he got up, onto one elbow and looked down. "What?" he mumbled.

Jesse sat up and looked at their joined hands and then at the comforter over them. He looked over at Jim and his eyes widened.

The first light of day shone over Jim from the open balcony doors. The light was a soft orange with a tinge of pink and purple. The rich, beautiful, light fell gently on the duo, but the shadows it cast over Jim's face made it seem as if the light had fingers that wanted to explore the contours of that face. His normally dark blue eye became warm and a friendly ocean blue. His white shirt became dyed with morning sun.

Jesse suddenly looked away, slapping his face with his free hand. He turned to his left again and saw Jim staring at him curiously. "Why'm I 'n yer bed?" Jesse asked, his accent coming back strong.

Jim fell back against the pillow, throwing his left arm across his eyes. "I thought you'd be uncomfortable on the sofa," he said as he lowered his arm and smiled at Jesse.

Jesse's face was on fire and he saw a new light.

Jim's smile made the cold dawn feel more like midday. The dark blue eyes were still dark, but they were inviting and tempting. His smile made the light playing across the bedroom seem more like playful little imps just wanting attention.

Jesse fell off the bed.

Jim scrambled up, but Shirley beat him to it. "You okay, mate?!"

Jesse still had one foot on the bed and he'd been tangled in the sheet under the comforter. He managed a "yes" before he struggled to untangle himself. He couldn't do it by himself and gave up as Shirley rolled onto her back beside him. He laughed.

It was Jim's turn to feel like his head was on fire.

Jesse's bright smile felt like it echoed off the walls. It reverberated through Jim's bones. It reached the depths of his soul. But then it reached back out and touched the light that played around the room. Only to come back fainter. It would then clash with a renewed laughter.

Jim shook himself and slid off the bed. He started to untangle Jesse, who was giggling and squirming like a little boy. "Hold still, mate."

"I can't.... help it!" Jesse said when Jim touched part of the sheets. "Ya'll're.... tickling.... ME!" Jesse squirmed harder when Jim realized what he was doing.

But the door banged open and Jesse sprang free to stand beside the nightstand. Jim was still kneeling beside Shirley and holding the sheets.

Adrian had done that and was leaning on the wall, facing them. "So, having fun, are we?"

Jim slowly stood up. "It's not that."

Jesse didn't know what was going on.

Jim looked at Jesse sorrowfully. "I was just talking to Jesse."

Jesse noticed the tone change and knew something was wrong. He looked up at Adrian, who was glaring back. "What's yer problem, dumbbell?" Jesse asked. He was shocked that his fear was causing his fight response. He pushed off the wall and stood between Adrian and Jim, blocking Jim from view. He crossed his arms, his accent coming back hard and strong with his angry words. "It ain't fair that ya'll can love someone but he can't! Why ain't he allowed love? He's just as good as you at findin' love! What's so different 'bout you and him?!"

"I own Jim, Jesse. I've owned him since we boarded the ship together. If you had been there, he may have been yours."

Jesse's eyes became cold and his tone became menacing and harsh. "Really? 'N that gives ya reason enough ta take away his heart? Wow, ya'll're no better than the dirt on my boots!"

Jim felt the air between them get cold and he reached out and put his hand on Shirley. He was scared now. He didn't understand. What was it? Why would Jesse stand up for him?

The warmth from before evaporated off Jesse like steam. Jesse's feet were firmly planted on the ground and his proud demeanor was strong. It was as if there was a whole other person standing right there. That person was a more defiant, more angry, more aggressive Jesse. Jim wasn't so afraid of Adrian now.

"Get out of my way, punk."

"Back down, Adrian Gecko. Ya'll've lost this match."

"I won't back down! Get out of my way, Jesse Anderson!"

Jesse lowered his hands and Jim felt that Jesse was about to surrender. "C'mere 'n get 'im, ya back-stabbin' little brute." Jesse suddenly got into a very defensive stance. "I won't have ya go all over the place pretendin' ta be a boyfriend. Yer not worth the shirt on yer back."

Adrian lunged and Jesse was ready. But then everything stopped.

Shirley had jumped in the way, her mouth wide open, ready to snap of Adrian's foot. Jesse looked down, surprised, and Adiran backed up a step. Jim had risen to his knee and looked up at the back of Jesse's head.

"Well, that settles it," Jesse said, his attempt at masking his accent coming back. "Shirley likes me better 'n you."

Adrian glowered for a moment, seeming to linger in hopes the crock would change her mind. When she didn't, he turned around and left, right back through the door.

Jesse relaxed and collapsed beside Shirley. "Hey, thanks girl."

Jim didn't waste this opportunity and he gently pulled Jesse around. Leaning forward, his lips met Jesse's. He hoped Jesse wouldn't pull away.

To his surprise, Jesse closed his eyes and wrapped his arms around Jim.

Out in the hall, Atticus gave Zane the thumbs-up. "It worked. Now, we just have to get it out in the open, so they won't be embarrassed."

Zane rolled his eyes. "How did you get me wound up in this?"