Prettyinpinkgal: Another chapter, this time featuring Jesse! Yay!

Disclaimer: I don't own "Tuck Everlasting".

FOSTER EVERLASTING

CHAPTER NINE: COMPLICATIONS

"Jesse," Tuck said, "could you make sure the horses are fed?"

Jesse was just entering the room, yawning and stretching. "Already..."

Natasha, who was helping Mae make lunch, smiled. "Go on, lazybones. You're up late this morning."

He looked up blearily. "Couldn't sleep well."

Natasha's grin changed a little, and she turned back to the chicken. "I see."

Jesse realized his folly, and quickly donned a cheerful smile. "What's for breakfast?"

"Luncheon. I expect Winnie won't be back in time for it though. I wonder if Miles saw her in town?" Mae wondered aloud.

This caught Jesse's attention. As one might suspect, Winnie was the cause of his sleepless night. Her appearance had changed everything. Oh, why hadn't she stayed a child? If she was going to drink the fateful water at all, she should have drunk it then. It wasn't fair that...

No. What wasn't fair was that he had told her to drink it. He had placed himself in a small lonely child's life with the air of a dear friend, partly because he himself was lonely for companionship, and he had lured her into this sort of "life." And she had come willingly.

Miles's wife had once accused him of witchcraft. But it was Jesse who felt like the devil.

What was she doing now? Was she ever coming back? While lost in his thoughts, he had looked absently at her note. She said she would return, but what if it was a lie? He couldn't say it wouldn't be easier, having her gone. Then he could marry Natasha without a second thought.

And Natasha! She had been so stuck in this endless life for so long before he entered the picture. Jesse couldn't break it off for her. He couldn't cast her into the life that wasn't life again. But she grew strong through her life before him. She had drunk her sip of eternity by accident, as he had. They were both fine alone, despite how much they adored companionship. But Winnie...Winnie drank because of him. How could he ever make it up to her?

No. It wasn't even a contest. He loved Natasha now. He regretted what he did to Winnie and would make sure she had a good "life" to the best of his abilities, but it would be Natasha who would walk down the aisle to him.

He walked outside, lost in thoughts as he absently fed the horses. A figure caught his eye, and he turned to see Miles approach as he patted one of the creatures on its back.

"How was Treegap?" Jesse asked, trying to don his usual laidback expression.

"I saw Winnie," Miles said immediately.

Jesse's grin faded.

"She was with a man."

Jesse kept his expression blank.

"He was young..."

"Oh, geez, Miles, what do you want me to do?" Jesse exploded. "I have a fiancee! Winnie's...Well, she's certainly old enough to make her own decisions! I don't need to baby her! And I don't have any special claim on her, so it's none of my business!"

"What about as a friend?" Miles replied coolly. "She was angry with him. I approached her and asked if anything was wrong, but she said everything was fine. I don't think he's just some normal gentleman."

Jesse's eyes darkened. "What are you saying, Miles? Do you think he was trying to...do something?"

"No...She seemed genuinely fine with him. That's maybe what concerns me the most. If I thought he was someone disreputable, I would've taken her home right then and there. As it is, all we can do is wait and find out how she knows him."

Jesse relaxed a bit. "Sounds like there's not much of a problem. He's probably just a friend of hers, right?"

"Why would she have such a close friend she'd fight with him, and so soon after she drank the water?"

The younger lad rolled his eyes. "That was thirty years ago. You're such a worrywart, Miles. She wasn't with us more than a few days, yet she became such a part of our lives." Especially mine. "She'll definitely be home by sundown. You can interrogate her then."

"I won't interrogate her," grumbled Miles. "Is the lunch ready yet or not?"

"Should be soon."

Sure enough, Natasha had just poked her head out. "Oh, welcome back, Miles! Food's ready."

As she disappeared, Miles asked softly, "What are you going to do, Jesse?"

He knew it wasn't just a question about Winnie's gentleman friend. "I'm not really sure."

Jesse hadn't felt sure of anything since yesterday.