Episode Fifteen

Street Outside Brady House

Jamie pulled his jeep to a stop in front of the house and put it in park. "So," he said.

"So," Summer echoed. "Despite the obvious not so fun stuff, I had fun."

"Me too," Jamie replied. "Despite the not so fun stuff."

"Are you going to be okay tonight? By yourself?"

"Yeah I think so. I've got some homework to do, like that weird alternate history project, so I'll work till I'm ready to pass out, then go to bed." He sighed. "And I'm thinking I should go find a payphone and call my dad."

Summer smiled and reached over to take his hand. "Good. Everyone should be on speaking terms with their dad. You could come inside and use our phone."

"I don't even know what to say."

"Ask him to meet you somewhere tomorrow, you can work out want to say tonight."

"You just think of everything, aren't you?"

"Yup," Summer replied. "Come on!" she said, jumping out of the jeep.

Jamie climbed out and followed her up to the door. "I can call from a payphone."

"Nope, you're coming inside to call. Tell him you'll meet him tomorrow morning at 10 at Virginia's. Got it?" Summer asked, unlocking the door and pulling Jamie inside.

"All right, all right," Jamie agreed, smiling slightly. They entered the kitchen, surprising Janice.

"The dance over already?" Jancie asked.

"We kinda left early," Jamie said.

"Yeah, after that jerk David Harris picked a fight with Jamie," Summer added, glowering. "Jamie the phone's there, call now."

Jamie rolled his eyes, but did as ordered.

"Am I missing something?" Janice asked her daughter.

"He's calling his dad to arrange to meet tomorrow morning so they can try and work things out."

"Good," Janice said.

Jamie hung up the phone. "I left a message on the machine."

"Good," Summer said. "Now kiss me goodnight and go home to rest."

Jamie shook his head, smiling slightly. He gave her a kiss on the cheek. "Thanks," he whispered in her ear.

"You want me to be at the diner for moral support?" Summer asked.

"Yeah, if you could? You don't have to be right there with me, but if you're around..."

"I'll be there."

"Thanks," he repeated. "Good night, Mrs. Brady," he added smiling.

"Good night, Jamie," Jancie replied.

Bowen Apartment - The Next Morning

Mike moved through the apartment in a daze, hoping that today he could figure out where to find his son. He noticed the light on the answering machine flashing and hit play. There hadn't been any messages when he got home the night before, so he must have slept right through the sound of the phone ringing.

"Mike, it's Rebecca. What happened this morning? Why did you rush out and what did that report have to do with Jamie?"

"Uncle Mike? David started a fight with Jamie at the dance and Jamie took off. I just want to make sure he's okay, he looked really pissed."

Mike sighed at the first two messages not knowing how to respond to either of them. The third message caught his attention, though.

"Dad, it's me. I was hoping we could meet tomorrow morning around 10 at Virginia's? We need to talk things out. If you're gonna come, then come, if not... I'll only wait until 11. I hope you show."

Mike grabbed his jacket and left, hurrying to see his son for the first time in two days.

Virginia's Diner

Jamie sat at a table, nervously tapping his foot. He glanced at his watch again, noting that it was 10:15. "Already late."

"I only woke up at 10," Mike replied as he sat down across from his son. "Are you okay?"

"I'm fine."

"I know what happened. At least I think I do."

Jamie glanced up, looking for Summer and hoping she was around. He had a feeling he'd need her by the time this conversation was over, but she was no where to be seen. "The night of the party... the night I said I was mugged. I wasn't just mugged or beaten up. The guy... he... he raped me," he said quickly and quietly, his gaze drifting to the table.

"Oh god," Mike said. "It was one thing to figure it out from the paperwork... Are you sure?"

"Am I sure?" Jamie asked, surprised by the question. "I think the pain and the flashbacks I keep having are pretty good evidence!"

"Why didn't you tell me? I could have taken you to the hospital, we could have filed a police report..."

"And then everyone would have known," Jamie replied. "I didn't want anyone to know, I still don't."

"You need help..."

"I'm getting it. I've had an HIV test already, it was negative, and I'll keep having them every few months for two years. I'm seeing the counselor and dealing with the emotional stuff. I'm handling it. I just need you to understand why I'm so pissed at David."

"I'm sure he didn't intend for this to happen..."

"No, but I'm pretty sure he put something in my drink."

Outside The Diner

Summer paid the cab driver as he pulled into the parking lot, then grabbed her purse and jumped out, knowing she was running late and hoping Jamie was okay with his dad. She took a step back in surprise when she saw the man behind her. "Pete!" she said, shocked.

Pete Devons smiled broadly. "If it isn't my beloved girlfriend," he said, reaching towards her.

Summer slapped his hand away, her features turning hard. "What are you doing here?"

"Looking for you, baby. You left New York so suddenly. And it took forever for me to get Nicole to tell me where you were," Pete replied. "You didn't call, you didn't write, where's the love?"

"I told you, Pete, we're over. I don't want anything to do with you."

"You didn't say that in your room back home," Pete said with a smirk. "You were all over me."

"Not then and not now. I've got a new boyfriend now, and he actually respects me. And guess what? I love him."

"You love me!" Pete replied, grabbing her arm.

"I never loved you!" Summer spit back, her eyes flashing in anger and fear as she tried to pull away. "You treated me like I was your property you slimeball! We're over!" She pulled away from him. "You stay the hell way from me, Pete! Go back to New York and leave me alone!" she said as she ran to the diner doors.

"It's not going to happen, Summer!" Pete yelled after her. "We're going to be together! One way or another!"

Inside The Diner

"What do you mean?' Mike asked.

"He had been complining that I was too uptight all night, he went to get new drinks, and it was a while after I had the new drink that I started feeling sick and went outside. I never let my drink out of my sight, so..."

"That doesn't prove anything," Mike argued.

"The only time the drink wasn't right in front of me, was when David was getting it. I wasn't having alchohol or doing any drugs. And I know that David does drugs. I'd say it's pretty suspiscious," Jamie said bitterly. "And this is why I left home. You keep making excuses for him, instead of understanding why I'm upset," he added, starting to pick up his things.

"Where are you going?"

"The same place I've been for the past few days," Jamie replied angrily. "Away from you."

"Sit down!" Mike ordered.

"No," Jamie replied. "I'm tired of you doing everything you can to make David like you and not caring what he does to me. I'm tired of wondering when you're gonna start giving a damn about me again. And I'm tired of wondering whether you're gonna treat me like an adult or a little kid. I'm 16 years-old, Dad, but after what happened I'm a whole hell of a lot older. And I may not have you on my side, but I've got someone who is," he said as he started away. He reached the door just as Summer threw it open. "Summer?" he asked, seeing the fear in her eyes.

"Did you see your dad?" Summer asked.

Jamie nodded. "Yeah, what's wrong?"

"My own little problem," Sumemr replied. "Can we go somewhere?"

"Sure," Jamie said, leading her out to his jeep.

Summer looked over her shoulder and saw Pete sitting in a car, watching them cross the parking lot.

Wal-Mart

Jamie pulled into the parking lot and turned off the jeep's engine. "You wanna tell me what's wrong?"

"Why are we here?" Summer asked, avoiding his question.

"I need to buy some stuff for the cabin."

"So things with your dad din't go well?"

"He tried to make excuses for David again. I got pissed, it was a mess."

"Oh," Summer said.

"Why did you look so panicked when you came into the diner?" Jamie asked again.

"My ex-boyfiend's here," Summer replied. "The guy I told you about last night. He started saying he missed me, and that he and I belonged together, like I belonged to him. And he acted like what happened back in New York was my idea... he was just botheirng me and I got upset. I was already upset because I was late getting there."

"It's okay," Jamie said. "If he bothers you again, let me know, okay? Remember, I know a whole bunch of cops."

Summer smiled. "I will, I promise," she said. "Now, do I get to help you shop?"

"Yes, you do," Jamie replied, smiling slightly. "I need a few decorative touches and stuff. The only things left there were old blankets, and the stuff I've brought, some clothes and some non-perishable food. I need to make the place a home."

"Then let's go, I'm a champion shopper."

"I'll bet," Jamie replied. "Thanks."

"For what?"

"For being you. When I see you... I just get this uncontrolable urge to smile."

"Guess what?"

"What?"

"I wanna smile when I see you," Summer replied.

Jamie leaned over and kissed Summer lightly on the lips. "Come on, let's go shopping."

End Of Episode Fifteen