Summary ~ When a fatal accident occurs, many lives are forever shifted. Elizabeth must take on the challenge of a new role, and Tess must learn how to adapt to her new life.

Genre ~ Mark/Elizabeth/Tess/Kate

Disclaimer ~ Every person you have heard of before are not of my creation. The characters you have not heard of before are mine, although I borrowed their names from Centreville High School.

Need to Know ~ This story takes place in 2015. The last episode that applies to this story is April Showers.

Feedback ~ Why would we write these if we didn’t want to hear from you? Do us a favor and tell us what you think! Send any and all negative or positive comments about this story, another story, or the site in general to greeneblob707@yahoo.com. If you could please put the title of the story you wish to comment on in the subject box that would be greatly appreciated. Thank you!

The month of February brought blizzards, rainstorms, and ice storms galore. The third week of February the city of Chicago was practically frozen solid when a huge ice storm bombarded the city. The windows were iced over and the streets a layer after layer of solid ice. Icicles hung from trees like Christmas ornaments on a Christmas tree. Bushes and trees were glazed over with inches of sleet. The city was frozen, and no one could go anywhere. School had even been cancelled. Julia had sworn she had hardly ever missed school because of inclement weather.

But Tess and Kate weren’t fazed. Kate wanted to go to school simply because she liked school. And Tess wanted to go to school just to get away from it all. That day was damp and cold. The heating was drained and most of the rooms were freezing. All the kids had on layer after layer of clothing, in a desperate attempt to stay warm.

Mark had wanted to go to work that day. He even went as far as to attempt to drive down the street. But the journey would be far too great a risk, and it would take way to long! By the time he would arrive at County he would just have to turn around and come home. So instead he and Elizabeth decided to stay home that day. County probably had enough people on staff that day anyway. Luka and Peter always showed up.

Around noon the phone rang. Tess was blow drying her hair at the time. Elizabeth picked up the phone and said in a cheerful manner, “Hello.”

“Yes, is this the legal guardian of Tess Ross?”

“Yes, what may I do for you?” Elizabeth inquired.

“Ma’am I am Mrs. Matthews, Tess’ English teacher.” The woman stated.

“Yes, is there anything wrong?” Elizabeth asked curiously.

“Yes, there is. We have the transcript of the work Tess completed at her high school in Seattle and it doesn’t even begin to compare to the work she is doing now. Tess has slipped from a B average in Seattle to a D average at our school. And she is on the verge of failing this class.”

“Oh dear God, I was afraid of this.”

“Have you noticed Tess to be slacking off lately?” Mrs. Matthews asked.

“Well, I don’t know. She goes strait to her room when she comes home. I always assumed she was doing schoolwork. Her mother always said she was an excellent student. I just, oh God. I just assumed.” Elizabeth said in frustration and anger. Tess was failing? If she was failing one class she was probably failing others.

The teacher talked more, about the measures that needed to be taken to see that Tess passed the class. Elizabeth was listening for a while, but she also let her mind drift. She was thinking of all the things that she would have to say to Tess, and all the comments Tess would say back. Elizabeth was not looking forward to talking to her, but she knew it had to be done.

When Elizabeth hung up the phone she sat in silence for a while, thinking about what had just happened. After a few minutes she rose from her chair and walking into the kitchen, where Mark was making a sandwich.

“Hey,” he said. “What’s up?”

Elizabeth sighed and said, “Tess’ English teacher called.” Mark looked up from what he was doing.

“Not to commend her on her excellent report, I take it.” Mark said.

“No, it turns out she is failing.” Elizabeth said, her voice filled with disappointment.

“Failing? How? She did so well in Seattle.” Mark pointed out.

“That’s the point. She was doing beautifully in Seattle, and now she is barely getting a D minus.” Elizabeth said sitting down in a chair at the kitchen table. “Oh God Mark, what are we going to do?”

“We have to talk to her, the both of us need to talk to her.” Mark replied.

“I know, I just wish it didn’t have to be like this.” Elizabeth sighed. She rubbed her eyes and took a deep breath. This was going to be extremely difficult.

Elizabeth slowly made her way to the mailbox, trying her best not to fall down. It took her forever to reach it and when she finally did, she nearly slipped and fell on a sheet of black ice. “Damn it!” she swore, trying to regain her balance.

After she steadied herself she opened the mailbox and looked through the assortments of junk mail and bills. Her smile faded when she saw a clean white envelope. Two clean, white envelopes.

She ripped open the envelope labeled, “To the parents or guardians of Tess Ross.” She scanned the sheet then looked up in disbelief. She stuffed it back into the envelope and slowly made her way back into the house.

She pushed open the door and shivered as she stepped inside. Julia walked by, and noticing the papers in her hand commented, “The mail came today?”

“Yeah, well, neither rain, nor sleet, nor whatever.” She said walking into the family room, where she knew Mark was sitting. She stopped and stood in front of him, her hand extended and clasping the crisp envelope.

“What is that?” Mark asked.

“It’s Tess’ interim.” Mark’s face fell; sensing that Tess’ did not get the honor roll. “Would you like me to read it to you? Good, here we go. World History, F. Algebra, D+. English, D. Spanish, F. Gym C. Biology, F. Choir, C. Mark, I haven’t seen this many bad grades on one sheet of paper since I looked at my best friend’s report card junior year of high school!” Elizabeth said, her voice rising.

Mark got up and looked at the sheet, studying what was written on it. While Mark was reading Tess’ interim Elizabeth looked at Kate’s. “Kate got an A in every class except Algebra, and she got a B+ in that class!” she proclaimed.

“Whoa, look at this. It says that Tess has been absent at least three times in every class. Four times from Spanish, five from Biology. But she has gone to school every day since she has arrived here.” Mark said curiously.

“Oh my God, she’s skipping.” Elizabeth said in shock. “She is skipping class left and right! No wonder she is failing!”

“We have got to talk to her.” Mark said. He then added, “Soon”

Elizabeth poked her head into Julia’s room. Kate was sitting on the floor, looking at a magazine while Julia sat on her bed looking at Kate’s old yearbooks. “Hey girls” Elizabeth said.

“Hey mom!” Julia smiled. Kate looked up and smiled.

“Kate, I got your interim in the mail today.” Elizabeth stated.

“Really!? Can I see!” Kate said excited.

“Sure.” Elizabeth said, handing her the paper. Kate smiled as she looked at it. “You did a wonderful job, you should be very proud of yourself.” Elizabeth commended her.

“Wow, I have never gotten this many A’s! Geez, this is so cool!” Kate smiled.

“Let me see.” Julia said, peering over Kate shoulder. “Oh my God! I hate you! I could never get that many A’s! Kate you are making me look bad!” she laughed.

“Oh I am not! You could get all A’s if you just tried!” Kate smiled.

“Great, now you are starting to sound like Dad!” Julia joked, flopping down on her bed.

“You really did beautifully. Your parents would be very proud.” Elizabeth said. “Keep working hard!” she laughed.

Kate sat down on the chair in the corner and studied the paper some more. She then looked up and said, “How did Tess do?”

Elizabeth was silent, not quite knowing how to answer. She finally said, “Not too well.”

“Oh man, I was so afraid of that.” Kate commented.

“What?” Elizabeth asked curiously.

“Well, Tess, she hasn’t been doing her work. All the time she spends in her room she spends writing letters or listening to music. She never does any of her homework or projects.” Kate sighed.

“Kate, why didn’t you tell me?” Elizabeth asked.

Kate was quiet for a few moments, before saying quietly, “She asked me not too. I knew if I did she would just get even madder then she is now.” she looked back at the paper then up at Elizabeth and said, “Don’t hate me for not telling you. I didn’t think it was a big deal. I thought she was doing okay!”

“I don’t hate you. I completely understand.” Elizabeth said, trying to reassure her. Kate smiled a polite thank you. “Tell me, do you know that Tess is skipping classes?”

Kate’s head shot up. “No, why? Is she!?”

“Mark and I think so.”

“Tess is skipping, no way!” Julia commented.

“Julia, please.” Elizabeth said hushing her.

“I never thought Tess would be stupid enough to skip. I thought she had that much sense!” Kate added shocked.

“Look, Mark and I are going to talk to her. So unless we ask you, please don’t mention anything to her.” Elizabeth asked.

“Yeah, sure, okay.” Kate said, still in disbelief. Elizabeth nodded her head solemnly and walked out of the room, shutting the door behind her.

She walked down the hallway and into her room. She closed the door and placed Tess’ interim on her dressed. While she was walking away she caught site of a picture. It was taken in September of 2000, at Doug and Carol’s wedding. Doug, Carol, Mark and herself were all in the picture. Seeing all the smiling faces sent chills down her spine. “Oh Tess, if your parents could see you now.” Elizabeth sighed.

Elizabeth was glad her parents couldn’t see her now. Tess was nothing like she use to be. Every day she got farther and farther away, and every day Elizabeth knew it would be harder and harder to get her back. Yes, Elizabeth was glad Carol and Doug couldn’t see Tess now. For if they could, they certainly would be disappointed.

Part 1 Part 2 Part 3 Part 4 Part 5