A.N - I haven't been doing too badly on the update front. Just wanted to let you guys know that I've planned this through to the end now, so I should be quicker. Assuming work and stuff doesn't get in the way.

I also wanted to address the Paul issue? A lot of you kinda hated him for how he's acting. I'm guessing you think he's taking advantage? I didn't see it like that. As I wrote it, in my mind Paul is acting like a friend to Suze. Yes, he wants more, but he knows that she's in no position to give it at the moment and so when it comes to Jesse, he's just trying to protect his friend from more pain.

I'm sorry if you guys didn't see it that way, or took it differently or whatever. Just wanted to clear up my reasonings - we're all entitle to our own opinions.

Speaking of, let me know what you think? Things get explained and stuff. If you're confused, it will get explained more. I just didn't want information overload.

Chapter Fourteen

"Explain the Unexplainable."

"How can I help you?"

Gah. Jesse's voice. Hearing it now reminded me of when we were alone together, back in New York, and he'd whisper to me in that voice of how he loved me. It took considerable effort to maintain a regular breathing rhythm; I was supposed to be asleep here.

I guess it was a good thing that Paul had his back to me. Or maybe not, considering it meant that Jesse was facing me, I could sense every time his dark eyes flickered over in my direction. And every time they did, I felt the urge to jump up, wrap my arms around his ghostly figure and apologise for everything – even the parts that weren't my fault.

God help me, I love him so much.

"Cut the crap, Jesse." Paul snapped, running a shaky hand through his hair. "Tell me what's going on. None of this makes any sense and you know it. You're hiding something."

"Why do you want to know?" Jesse countered, walking around Paul so he was standing by my head.

Breathe normally, I reminded myself. You're meant to be asleep, damnit.

Of course, with Jesse in such close proximity - the body that was so accessible to me a few weeks ago was right there and I couldn't touch it - my heartbeat started racing.

"So you can tell Susannah everything?" He continued. "Explain the unexplainable and be the hero?" Jesse laughed, without humour. "You don't need to know, Slater. You have her now."

Okay, now I was less with the swooning and more with the anger. I was not a possession. And as soon as I 'woke up' I was giving him a piece of my mind.

"No, Jesse," Paul sighed. "I don't have her." Scratch that. I'm giving both of them a piece of my mind. How dare they? Seriously? Are boys just like programmed with this stuff at birth? Regardless of century? "She still loves you – now more then ever; I'd have to be blind not to see it."

Jesse was smirking. I could so tell. Still, I kept my face impassive as I felt his hand brush against my cheekbone softly and push a lock of hair behind my ear. This not having my eyes open think was killing me. It made me that much more sensitive to his touch.

"Maybe," he said softly, his eyes focused on me. "But you said so yourself yesterday, what could I ever give to her now? Susannah can't live her life with a ghost; I couldn't give her any of the things she deserves." He brushed his lips softly against mine and I couldn't help but let my eyes flicker open. Jesse was staring at me, his dark eyes glimmering with emotion.

"Hey!" Paul shouted, when he caught sight of us. "Don't touch her." Jesse was jerked backwards and I saw his angry expression just before I allowed my eyes to fall shut again.

"I'm never allowed to touch her again, Slater," Jesse seethed, "whereas you can have her in your life for as long as you live. I think I should get a last kiss."

"I think Susannah should at least be conscious," Paul countered, "and be able to make that decision on her own."

I clenched my fists under the cover. Please don't tell him, Jesse. I pleaded to myself, hoping that somehow – magically – it would get to Jesse. I wasn't asking for much. Not really.

I had the feeling that the second Paul knew I was awake, he'd be too busy trying to comfort me and keep me away from 'the man who caused me so much pain' – otherwise known as Jesse – to carry on with the conversation and I needed to know why.

"You're right." Jesse's words sounded like they were rasped through clenched teeth. "I'll stay here all night then, and when she wakes up, you can ask her. If she agrees, I want you gone." Jesse's eyes narrowed at Paul, I could tell. I'd spent enough time with Jesse to learn his mannerisms. "Until then, I guess I better do as you asked me not-so-very-nicely to. I'll explain."

-x-

Five Months Ago

"Jesse!"

The call was unexpected, but he answered it anyway, appearing in Father Dominic's office a few seconds after the priest had stopped forming the word.

"Jesse!" Father Dominic repeated upon seeing him. "I hate to ask, I really do, but I need a favour." The ghost said nothing, merely raising a scarred eyebrow and prompting the priest to continue. "You know Helen Ackerman's daughter, Susannah? Well, I have her transcripts here; they're out of date, of course, but as you know she decided to remain in New York."

Jesse had known that. He'd waited impatiently for the room he haunted to become occupied once more, and waited in vain.

"I've been speaking to Mrs. Ackerman recently," Father Dominic continued. "And she's worried for the sake of her daughter. Apparently she's been in trouble with the police a lot more in recent days, due to unexplained behaviour."

"Unexplained behaviour," Jesse interrupted, "especially when it comes to you and me," he inclined his head at the priest, "tends to be explained with the supernatural."

Father Dominic nodded, gravely. "Exactly. And I've read through Susannah's transcripts. I believe she is a mediator – one of those who believe her gift is a curse – which is where you come in, Jesse."

"How can I help?" Jesse asked.

"I need you to go to New York." He cut off Jesse as he opened his mouth to reject. It was impossible. Jesse was tied to one place, and one place only: Susannah Simon's bedroom in the Ackerman household. "I know of something, a ritual of sorts. It's the opposite of an exorcism, I suppose – manifesting, instead of banishing – and normally I would not condone it in anyway."

Jesse remained still, eyebrows furrowed as he took in what the man was saying.

"But," he continued. "I cannot drop everything and fly to New York to help her, and I think she'd respond better to someone her own age."

The ghost was ready to refuse: It was impossible, madness. But he stopped himself. He'd been dead for over a century and a half, with no signs of moving on to the real afterlife. He'd be stupid to pass up the opportunity to leave California, to live again even if only for a little while.

"Okay." Jesse agreed. "I'll help. Tell me everything I need to know."

So the Father did, between thanking him greatly and promising him a favour in return – no matter how big.

-x-

Silence rang through the room.

"Why'd you do it?" Paul asked, shoving his hands in his pockets and hunching over abashedly. "Why did you say yes?"

Jesse shrugged. "To live, I guess." He turned to stare out the window. "I wanted to feel something again. One hundred and fifty years of forced solitude can get lonely, you know."

"So you did it," Paul continued. "You … humanised and came to New York and you helped Susannah control her mediating. At least, I'm pretty sure you did. There were less ghost ass-kickings after you arrived on the scene. Why did you stay?"

I held my breath, waiting for Jesse's answer. I was just a favour for another person; a problem to be fixed. Jesse fixed me … so why did he stay?"

"Paul Slater," Jesse hissed in anger. "You must be a bigger idiot than I thought. Why did I stay indeed?" He broke off and mumbled in Spanish. I caught the word for God several times. "Because I love her." He finally shouted into the silence. "How can you not know that?"

I heard his footsteps approach the bed and heard the soft thump as he fell to his knees in front of me.

"I love you Susannah." He whispered, kissing me again. I gave up all semblance of sleeping now and instead wrapped my arms around his neck, returning the kiss as he gently pulled me out of the bed and into his embrace. "I love you, querida."

"I love you too Jesse." I peppered his face with kisses. "So much. I'm so sorry, for everything."

"No, querida, I am. I should have told you, I –"

"Why California?" Paul interrupted, breaking up our moment. I was ready to shout at him, until I caught the pain racking his expression. I bit my bottom lip. I'd really messed this up. "Why didn't you die again after helping Susannah? Why wait until you landed back in California?"

Jesse pulled himself away from me, with great reluctance, before he answered. "My human presence was tied to New York," he explained. "New York was where I was supposed to be, so the ritual allowed me to live and breathe there only. When I returned to California, my purpose of living – for lack of a better phrase – was complete and technically, I should have moved on to whatever's next."

I wrapped my hand around his arm, twisting him back to look at me. As he did, I studied his features. Still so unbelievably sexy, but with the ghostly aura he almost looked like an angel. Something otherworldly, definitely. Tilting my head, I regarded him as I asked, "Why didn't you?"

His face softened. "Because of you. Because I love you." He told me, pressing a quick kiss to my nose. "When I was alive I found a new purpose for life – you. I can't move on now." He shook his head. "Not ever. Not without you."

Tears stung my eyes as I allowed him to hug me to him. I'd missed this. His hold, his embrace, his smell. Everything. I'd almost lost him forever, but now he was back. He was sent to help a stranger and it ended up being me. He fell in love with me. I fell in love with him. Some of this has to equal to fate, right?

It can't be just be a big freaky coincidence.

My eyes were shut and I was peacefully immersed in Jesse's embrace when I heard the door open and shut.

"Paul." I opened my eyes and found the room empty. "I have to find him, I have to apologise."

"Shhh, Susannah," Jesse pulled me back, kissing my temple. "He's upset now; more with me then you. You have to let him calm down a bit first, before you talk to him."

Slowly, I nodded, accepting, when I was suddenly hit with a thought.

"Jesse?" I asked slowly, my voice sounding dry as I did so. "What do we do now?"