Title: Shadowland: Jake/Sleepy's POV

Rating: Probably K+

Disclaimer: I do not own these stories. The talented Meg Cabot does, of course.

Summary: This is the Mediator, book one: Shadowland. But, it's in Jake/Sleepy's POV. It's about his feelings in the book, and his feelings for Suze. Just what exactly is going on? And why is his step-sister so frequently on his mind?

Thanks for the review, Lollipop10122!! I'm glad you enjoy it! Reviews really help me want to write more. I never feel inspired to write if I don't think anyone's reading! So Thanks again!

I woke up to hear dad calling me to get to the table for dinner. I had finally gotten a decent amount of rest. Apparently, giving in to my thoughts about Suze was more relaxing than trying to ignore them.

Although, it still would be much easier if I didn't have them at all.

I dragged myself out of bed and looked at the clock. I noticed that it was a little later than when we usually ate dinner. I quickly looked in the mirror and ran a hand through my hair until it was satisfactory, and then I headed out to the table.

I sat down in time to hear "mom" ask Suze where she had been. Apparently, she had just gotten home. So that's why we were having dinner a little later. I wondered what had kept her out so late, so I tried to listen closely.

She had mentioned going out with some friends, but she still hadn't said anything else. Dad then asked her if she had fun and she nodded.

I wish she were having fun with me instead.

Never mind, forget that thought.

I ate quietly, as I listened to more about the conversation when I heard Doc ask Suze who she had gone with. After all, he seemed quite interested in why she didn't ride home with us today. Sadly, he wasn't the only one who was interested…

"Adam McTavish and CeeCee Webb," I heard her say, as Brad snorted and called them freaks.

I saw Suze look angry, and I was about to smack Brad for upsetting her, but dad called him out first.

Then Brad tried to defend himself by calling her friends an albino and a fag.

That earned him a wallop on the head and a grounding.

I smirked at him.

Ha! That's what you deserve for trying to mock me earlier about my pathetic infatuation with Suze.

I'm glad Suze had said their names, Adam and CeeCee, because I definitely didn't want to get on her bad side by calling them anything else.

Noting the way Suze glared at Brad, being on her bad side was not a good thing.

First, for some reason, I seemed to really care what Suze thought about me.

The other reason is that I didn't want her trying any of her gang tactics on me.

Later, while we were clearing plates, I heard Suze mention to Brad that he would no longer be able to attend Kelly's pool party that she earned him an invitation to.

I looked over and watched their interaction.

"Too bad, bubby" I saw Suze say, faking sympathy as she patted his cheek.

I smirked. Suze really was something else.

Then, I saw Brad slap her hand away. "At least no one will be calling me a fag hag tomorrow."

I felt my fists clench, and I was going to do what good older brothers do and teach my younger brother a lesson, but then I realized I didn't need to. Suze was dealing with the problem on her own. And it was very entertaining.

"Oh Sweetie," Suze said, reaching up and pinching his cheek. "You'll never have to worry about people calling you that. They call you much worse things."

I snorted at this, but I don't think they noticed. Brad was too angry, and Suze was enjoying it way too much.

Brad slapped her hand away again, and I glared at him and clenched my fists again. He didn't seem to notice. But it didn't bother Suze in the least, so I felt my fists relax.

"Promise me you'll never change. You're so adorable just the way you are," she said, talking to him like a baby.

I chuckled. Suze was even more incredible than I thought.

Just then I heard Brad say a dirty word, just as dad was walking in. Needless to say, Brad was sent to his room and grounded for an extra week.

He went stomping up the stairs, deliberately drawing out each step and stomping as loudly as possible.

I looked over at Suze. "That was priceless," I said, giving her a half-smile of approval.

Hey, I couldn't smile completely. That would be way too obvious.

"Thanks, I try," she said, laughing lightly. "Well, I'm off to bed, I'm incredibly tired. I didn't get much sleep last night for some reason," she said, walking off to her room.

I watched her slowly and my stomach dropped. Yeah, she didn't get much sleep, because she was out last night……with the car. Doing…..well I'm not quite sure what she was doing. Meeting up with some guy? Trying to find a new gang?

My chest felt tight and I tried to push the thought away.

I heard Brad's music get really loud. Apparently, he was trying to show his fury by blasting the Beastie Boys so loudly that Suze wouldn't be able to sleep.

Brad was such a baby, sometimes.

I was going to go yell at him to turn it down, but I saw dad quickly head up the stairs, and I knew that it would be taken care of. Instead, I turned and headed back to my room.

Somehow, I just couldn't shake the thoughts of what Suze was up to last night. Was she really seeing some guy? I know that Adam guy was interested in her, but surely, she wasn't sneaking out to see him. And it obviously wasn't Bryce, since he didn't say anything. Was it someone else?

Or was it really gang stuff? Was it really Suze and her gang that ruined that statue's head? If that was her, WHAT was she thinking?!

She could get in big trouble for that.

But I didn't want to accept that either. I mean, Suze wouldn't really do something like that.

Finally, I couldn't take it anymore, and I decided that I would go upstairs and check on her (to make sure she was still there).

It's not like I wanted to see her again so soon or anything. That definitely wasn't it.

I trudged up the stairs, hoping that she wasn't asleep already. But, even if she was, I still needed to say something. I needed to check on her and make sure she was okay. I needed to make sure that she didn't sneak out and get hurt with this gang. Or guy. Or whatever she's been up to.

Maybe if I just tell her that I'm concerned, she'll listen. So that's what I headed up there to do.

As I made my way up the stairs, I tried to think of what to say.

"Suze, I'm concerned that…." No. That wouldn't do. It sounded way too professional.

"Suze, you shouldn't be so irresponsible…" No. That would never make her upset, and I didn't want to do that.

"Suze, I know that it was you……" No. I definitely shouldn't accuse her of something when I don't know for sure.

"Suze, look, I really like you and it bothers me……" No! DEFINITELY not that!

I knocked on the door, as I continued to think up alternatives.

I heard the door open slowly, and I looked up in Suze's face to see her squinting at me through droopy eyes.

I think this may be the first time she actually looks more tired than I do. I almost felt bad for waking her up.

She looked so cute, with her eyelids drooping, as she rubbed the sleepiness out of her eyes. Her hair looked a little wild, and yet, it looked perfect that way. She looked up at me, and I noticed how tired she really looked.

She must have really exhausted herself last night.

Oh, right. Last night. That's what I came to talk about. So I opened my mouth and said what first came to mind, without really thinking it through first.

"Look, I don't care if you're gonna take the car out at night, just put the keys back on the hook, okay?"

Great. That probably sounded so mean and accusing. She probably was never going to like me now. Although, that's not something I should be worrying about. I shouldn't actually want her to like me.

What is wrong with me?

Suze stared up at me and said, "I haven't been taking your car out at night, Slee—I mean, Jake."

Slee----what was she going to call me?!

Obviously, she was denying it. But I knew she was lying. I mean, the keys were missing, she had them, AND the gas gauge was down. It was clearly obvious.

"Whatever. Just put the keys back where you found 'em. And it wouldn't hurt if you pitched in for gas now and then," I added.

I hoped that didn't sound mean. I hoped that it sounded protective older brother-ish and not protective obsessive creepy-stalker-ish.

She kept looking at me and tried responding again. She spoke much slower this time.

"I haven't been taking your car out at night, Jake."

I really wanted to believe her. Honestly, I did. But I KNEW she was lying. It was obvious. She clearly wasn't going to admit it, so I dropped it and said the next thing that was on my mind.

"What you do on your own time is your business……."

Even though I wish it was my business. I also wish I was involved in these little plans of hers. But I didn't say that, of course.

"I mean, I don't think gangs are cool or anything," I said, hoping that she understood that I knew what she was up to. Also, I wanted her to know that I disapproved. Hopefully, she would give it up.

"But it's your life. Just put my keys back so I can find 'em," I finished.

I hoped that I got the point across without upsetting her. I hoped that she would just agree with me and decide that this gang thing wasn't worth it. (Assuming that it even was a gang, and not some guy, after all….I hoped.)

Finally, she nodded and said, "Okay, I will," as she shut the door on me.

I knew it! So she did take my keys. Of course, I still would have known, even if she had denied it again. Still, it was nice to know that she admitted it, and that I was right.

Although I really hoped that I wasn't right about the gang thing….

Finally deciding that this night was a success, I walked back to my room for a well-deserved night of sleep.

A/N: Okay, there you go. I hope you like it!

Be sure to review! It helps encourage me to write faster and know what to change.

I can't wait for the next part. It's going to be my favorite……..Jake and David rescuing Suze! Yay!

Please review, okay?!

Thanks for reading!