Episode 4.06

Williams House—Cassie’s Bedroom

A thin line of sunlight streamed in from the blinds as Cassie sat in her beanbag chair, curled up as she wrote in her journal. It was the first time since Prom she hadn’t gone straight to bed once she came in.

“Hey Cassie.” Patrick popped his head in the door after lightly knocking on the door.

She looked up, “Hey, come on in.”

“How are you doing?” he asked closing the door behind him.

She shrugged, “Better I guess.”

“That’s good.” He rubbed his hands on his pants as he stepped forward, “The guys and I are worried about you Cass. I came here today cause we cleaned out Jeff’s locker and we found this.” He pulled the envelope out of his jacket and placed it on her desk. “It has your name on it so we figured you should have it. We don’t know what’s in it.”

Cassie took the envelope in her hand and studied it for a moment, part of her wanted to open it, but a deeper part of her choose not to, “I’ll save this for later.” She put it on the table next to her.

Patrick got down on his knees and took Cassie’s hands in his, “Come out with us tonight.”

“What’s the plan?”

“Well the guys moved into there new apartment already, so a bunch of us are going over to ya know do a housewarming type thing.” Patrick pushed her blond hair from her eyes, “We want you there, you’re one of our best friends and, to be honest Cassie you can’t hide out here forever ya know. Jeff wouldn’t want you to do that.”

“So I should what, go hang out at the boys new apartment and ya’ll are going to drink I’m sure. So I should just watch?”

“You should just hang out with us Cassie.” Patrick stood up frustrated, “We’ve already lost Jeff alright, and now we graduate in just a few days and ya know what we’ll have this summer together, all of us because after that it’s over we’re all going our separate ways. Some of us will be here at the Fort, a few up at CU, you at Pinõn Hallow, hell Jillian’s going to Houston. We’re never going to be together the way we were prom night. But we can still all share what time we have now before these days are gone.”

“Fine, I’ll come.”

Patrick smiled and kissed the top of her head, “Good, lets get going then.”

“Give me a couple of minutes to change. I’ll be down in like five.”

“Sounds good.”

The Gardens Hotel—Siobhan’s Room

Siobhan looked around for any items she might have forgotten to pack in her rush. She couldn’t believe how caught up she’d gotten with Elijah that she had left packing to the morning she was leaving.

She ran her hair through her newly cut hair and sighed, she was going to miss this place. It had been nice and relaxing. Now was the time to go back to fighting criminals, putting the bad guys behind bars, testifying in court. She could say so long to the nights she had spent making love to this European wine man.

“Siobhan?” Elijah knocked on the door, calling out her name.

After she jumped from shock she opened the door and smiled, “Hey, what’s going on?”

“I came to see if you would accompany me to dinner this evening.”

His smile, she would miss this, “I’m sorry, but I can’t. I have to return today. My flights in a few hours, I’m leaving for the airport soon.”

His smile faded, “Why didn’t you tell me you were leaving?”

Siobhan took a few nervous paces before she looked up at him, her eyes were soft and she was glowing like a woman in love, “Honestly, because I forgot. Spending all this time with you has been amazing Elijah. I wouldn’t trade it for anything in this world. I wish I could, but I need to return to the real world.”

He sighed, trying to keep his emotions inside of him, “Very well then. Perhaps, we’ll meet again some day Siobhan.”

“Yes, perhaps we will.” She responded, even though she knew that was impossible. She would never again see the man who had made her vacation the most amazing seven days it could have ever been.

“Before you leave Siobhan, let me give you a proper goodbye.” Elijah cupped her face in his hands; he studied her as if he was making a mental picture so he could never forget her. After a moment his lips met hers in a soft, slow moving kiss.

Siobhan sighed against his lips as she wrapped her arms around him. This was a proper goodbye, especially since she was sure, she would never have reason to run into this amazing man again.

Finally she pulled away, her hand slowly slipping out of his just as the bellboy arrived to get her bags. She picked her purse up from the bed and smiled at Elijah, “Goodbye Mr. Bourbon.”

Farewell Miss Lane.”

Memorial Hospital—Dan’s Room

Abby sat in a chair near Dan’s bed, “You know big brother if you don’t start talking soon I’m going to take it personally.”

Still no response, so she picked up the television remote and put on the local news.

“Today the Kathryn Layden murder trial began today. The first witness against Defendant Chad Davis, turned out to be Brighton Simpson. A man who claims he and Mr. Davis had an affair before Mr. Davis married his late wife Bethany, Mr. Simpson’s twin sister. Mr. Simpson also stated he saw Mr. Davis murder the victim. However, it’s the jury that decides if he’s guilty or not.”

She turned off the television and looked at her comatose brother, “Damnit Dan, wake the hell up. You’ve already put the man I love on trial for murder. The least you could do is be awake to defend your choice.”

Abby stood up and rubbed her upper arms as she paced at the foot of his bed, “I mean come on, how could you let this happen? Okay so I know Sean shot you and all but still. Wake up Daniel!”

She wiped the tears from her eyes, “Ya know I’m keeping this from Sam, I begged his friend Jeff not to tell him. But Sam knows something’s wrong with you cause he can feel it. So wake up already.”

She sat back down, shaking her head as she looked at her brother. “Dan, I’m not going to lose you, do you understand? I’ve already lost Chad, so I refuse to lose another person I love.”

Outside Ethan stood in the doorway, he looked at his wife and wondered if he should ask her what she meant by the fact that she lost Chad. He couldn’t deny that Abby and him had grown close, she was helping to raise his children and yet suddenly he wondered if there had been more to there relationship then he had ever fathomed.

He stepped away from the doorway and looked in through the window, “I won’t worry until I see it with my own two eyes.”

DI—Laura’s Office

“Do you ever go home?” Christian Quick stood in the doorway of Laura’s office with a bag of take out.

She looked up and put the galley down. “When I’m done with my work I do.” She got up and tried to peak in the bag, “Tell me you’ve got sweet and sour pork.”

He sighed, “How could I forget its your favorite.”

Laura took the bag from him and led him over to the couch. “This is very sweet of you.”

“It’s no problem. I figured you’d still be here, so I thought I would drop by on my way to my hotel room.” He watched her unpack all the food. “Besides we both have to eat. You’ve got all your publishing stuff to do, and I have to keep your nephew out of prison.”

Laura stopped what she was doing and looked up at him, “Thank you again for doing this Christian.”

Its no problem at all. I think after today, his chances are getting better and better. And as bad as this sounds one of the arresting officers is in a coma so he can’t testify.”

“Which one?”

“Dan Adams. He got shot and when fell he hit his head. He’s been in a coma ever since.”

Laura put the food down for a moment, “Excuse me, I should order flowers. His father is one of our best selling authors.”

“He can’t have them in ICU.” Christian reminded her.

As Laura flipped though the phonebook she looked up, “I’ll have them sent to his parents.”

Christian leaned back on the couch and sighed, realizing this was going to be just as much work as the trial.

Shavano Inn Room 7
Kyle Roberts turned off the television, the last thing he needed to think about was the day he’d had in court.

He looked over at the bathroom door, just as Sally Payne came out, wrapped in a towel.

Kyle reached out and pulled her towards him on the bed, kissing her. “The water heat up yet?”

“No, not yet.” She arched her neck back for his lips to taste her skin.

Mmm, I think I have an idea on how to fix that.”

She laughed, “I’m sure you do.”

 

114 Shavano Ct.

Trista logged on to her computer and immediately opened up the web browser, expertly going through her bookmarks until she arrived on the site she was looking for.

ColoradoMatch.com, a dating site she’d been thinking of putting her profile up on. After the long day she’d had, coming home to an empty house was the last straw. She was going to do this, she was going to try and find love online.

After about a half an hour of filling out information her profile was complete, and now she just had to wait for matches.

The Boys’ Apartment

Cassie and Patrick walked in and removed there shoes before stepping on the carpet. Music was going, and people were everywhere with a beer or other drink in there hand.

“Hey Cassie, Patrick I’m glad you came.” Brad told them, “Can I get you something to drink?”

“I’ll have a beer.” Patrick announced.

“Yeah, me to.” Cassie responded.

really, alright then I’ll go get them.”

Patrick looked down at his companion, “Cassie, you don’t drink.”

“One beer, that’s it Patrick.”

“Alright, it is no big deal anyways.”

“Yeah, you know what I’ll be right back. I need to use the little girls room.”

Once Cassie stood in the bathroom and locked the door she took the envelope out of her pocket and opened it. Inside she found a piece of paper, and unfolded it.

Cassie, I’m writing this before the prom to tell you that it was the most amazing night possible. I know we’re just friends, and you know I’ve wanted more for a while. But having that one night with you, dancing with you, holding you in my arms makes life worth it. If I were to die after it, I would be a very happy man. And chances are, I will die shortly after prom. I haven’t told anyone, none of the guys know it but the doctors have given me only till the end of summer. So thank you, and please keep this between us. You’re always in my heart Cassie.

Jeff

She wiped the tears from her eyes that had developed while reading the letter. She was just suddenly grateful she had given him the night he’d wanted, the best she could.

After splashing some cold water on her face she put the letter back in her pocket and joined the boys out in the living room. Brad handed her a True Blond, and she took her first sip of beer ever, knowing that if Ariel or her father found out, she could say goodbye to winning a crown anytime soon.

210 Shavano Ct.

Maggie flipped through the bridal magazine as she sat at her kitchen table. Sure, she and Conner hadn’t set a date, they hadn’t even told anyone yet, but she couldn’t resist. This time her wedding would be just that—a wedding. Not some quick trip to Vegas. The moment she would become Mrs. Conner McKay, would be the moment that she would never forget, and she wanted to make it as memorable for every other person she knew, even if it meant a big, splashy wedding. Well as best she could do considering the budget they would have.

She already knew she’d ask Cassie to be her maid of honor, that she wanted Gary to be apart of the ceremony, most likely reading a passage from the bible since he was a bit old to be a ring bearer. Her father would give her away, Ariel and Lysa would be bridesmaids, and the church would be filled with flowers. Well if they got married in the church, she knew she wanted Reverend Jacobs to perform the ceremony.

At least she knew what she wanted, and she knew that all that matter was she and Conner would be together. Nothing could stop that.

As she jotted down notes the doorbell rang. She quickly stuffed the magazine and notepad in the junk drawer and went to the front door, to discover her mother Allie Cramer standing on the other side.

“What are you doing here?”

Allie adjusted the strap of her bag, “I came to say hello to my eldest daughter. Is that a crime?”

“Mother, what’s really going on. You don’t do this kind of thing.” Maggie was frustrated, she still hadn’t forgiven Allie for leaving.

“Alright, I’m moving to Pinõn Hallow, I’ll be working at Memorial.”

Maggie had been wrong, her mother was moving to town, this could prove to be a bad thing after all.