Disclaimer: I do not own the mediator series' characters. They belong to Meg Cabot. This is my 2nd FanFic hope you enjoy.

Chapter One - The Gentleman Caller

The date is August 14, 1849. My name is Susannah Simon and I am sixteen years old. I am one of four kids to Pete Simon, three sons and one girl, me. My mother died when I was six. My best friend is Hector 'Jesse' de Silva. Lately our friendship has been questioned as something more, but I am here to say that it is nothing more than a mere friendship. Our families have been friends for centuries. My brothers are best friends with his sisters. Why is our 'relationship' the one that is questioned?

Anyway today while my brothers and I were out in the fields helping our father and the hired workers Paul Slater, the son of the owner of our town, came to our fields to ask for my company at this weekends festival in the town square. I said I would have to think about it. For, I was planning on going with Jesse, his fiancée, my brothers, and his sisters. He left and returned later to walk me back to my house. We were the first to leave seeing as how I had to cook dinner. "Why do you work on your father's fields with your brothers and father?"

"I want to pull my own weight. I do not want to be seen as a burden to my father by sitting around the house and doing absolutely nothing," I replied.

"But isn't it the woman's job to cook and keep the house clean?"

"It is that is why I leave earlier then everyone else to cook dinner and clean and I'm also the first one up in the morning to cook breakfast and finish the house chores from the day before."

"Don't you get tired?"

"Of course, that is why I save laundry for Sunday so as soon as I'm done I can go to sleep early for the long week ahead."

"Wow you sure are one strange girl, Susie Simon."

"My name is Suze not Susie!" I yelled as I closed the front door in his face. For we had reached my house by then. I cooked dinner and cleaned the house. Just as dinner was getting done my father, brothers, and Jesse come walking in the door. "Hello Jesse. Are you staying for dinner? There is plenty."

"Of course Susannah don't I always stay for dinner?"

"Only when Marta is cooking."

"Well she is tonight. Do you need any help finishing up in the kitchen?"

"Sure, I could use some help." I then lead the way to the kitchen even though he knew where it was.

"It sure smells good in here Susannah. What did you make?"

"Just roast beef and mashed potatoes, nothing special."

"Your cooking is always special Susannah."

"Suze we need another place out here," yelled my dad from the dinning room.

I walked into the dinning room with an extra setting counting to make sure I had enough. Of course Jesse Setting is always set, because he has been over a lot the past few weeks. When I looked up I saw Paul Slater sitting in Jesse normal place next to my seat.

"Hope you don't mind me barging in on your meal Su..ZE," Paul said as I set Jesse new setting in my mom's seat.

"No it's no problem at all I usually make extra anyway with the way my brothers can eat." And with that I stalked back into the kitchen.

Jesse saw my annoyed look and asked, "What's the matter?" as he stirred butter into the potatoes.

"Nothing."

"Come on. You know I know you better than that."

"Fine it's just that today Paul Slater asked for me to accompany him to the festival this weekend and now he is in the dinning room sitting in your seat!"

"Seriously?" Jesse asked with if anger in his voice.

"Yes, no wonder my dad has been in a good mood all week," I said as in dawned on me that Paul had asked him if he could date his daughter, me! In this town it is every parent's dream for Paul to show interest in their daughter or daughters. And why would it not he is the owners son. If their daughter were to marry 'him' they would come into a lot of wealth.

"What are you thing?" Jesse asked me as he poured the potatoes into the bowl I was holding.

"I'm thinking that Paul asked my dad if he could date me and my dad said yes."

"Why would your dad do that?"

"Because Paul is the heir to the ownership of our town," I said as I started to cut the roast that I had placed on the platter ten minutes earlier so it cool enough for me to touch it.

"True, but everyone including our families hate the Slater's."

"True, but who doesn't want money and a lot of it. You know that my dad is really close to losing the farm. Especially with Jake moving away next year."

"Yeah, but…"

"But nothing, Jesse. Here take this to the table, please," I asked as I handed him the platter with the sliced meat, "And Jesse?"

"Yes Susannah."

"Behave yourself, please?"

"Of course, Susannah"

"Thank You. Go on, I'll be right in with the potatoes and gravy."

"If it isn't Jesse de Silva. May I ask what you are doing here?" asked Paul.

"I am here to enjoy a home cooked meal just like yourself, Mr. Slater."

"Mr. Slater huh?"

"Dinner is served." I said as I placed the gravy boat in front of Paul and took my seat next to him and across from Jesse, "By the way Paul it's Hector to you not Jesse."

After everyone finished eating I retired to my bedchamber after escorting Paul out the door where I had to endure a kiss on each cheek. Man do I hate Paul Slater.

What do think? Do you like it? R&R please.

-Kia