Episode 105

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Episode 105

Scene 1:

Piper bounced up the steps of the apartment complex with surprising vigor. She had two bits of good news and the first person to hear them was of course Noah. Swinging around the corner, singing 'Sweet Transvestite' in a low voice, she knocked on Noah's door. Piper briefly turned her back to the door and spun around only to step back in surprise at the person who answered it.

"Who are you?" she asked shortly. Realizing she must sound rude. "Oh, I didn't mean to sound rude...,but...um who are you?"

Tyler stood in the doorway, his mouth open slightly. He hadn't been expecting someone new. Dinah was on her way and Noah was due home at any time. He'd just assumed that the knock was one of them. He flushed at the pretty blonde's demanding question. "Who are you?" He shot back at her.

"I asked you first," Piper shot back. Annoyed, she said, "I'm Piper, Noah's girlfriend..."

"A friend of Noah's," Tyler replied, crossing his arms protectively over his chest. "I didn't know Noah had a girlfriend actually," he added, sizing her up. At least Noah had good taste, he thought taking a step back to let her inside. Even if she didn't know who he was, Tyler doubted Noah would be happy to hear he'd turned away his girlfriend. "I think Noah should be home anytime now."

Piper's distrust rose up and she backed up. "I'll wait downstairs," she said quickly, wary of this person she didn't know.

Suited him just fine, Tyler decided shrugging. "If you really want to. I don't bite though."

"Good to know," Piper said, turning on her heel. Normally, Piper would have quickly accepted Tyler's invitation, but felt wary of people, especially boys. Maybe it was a result of what happened with Chase. Of course, being a gullible, trusting person wasn't necessarily a good trait. Noah had a lot of explaining to do., Piper thought as she descended the stairs and as she did, she collided with someone. Piper shrieked before she realized it was Noah.

"Oh, it's you," she said, forgetting the two bits of good news she had for him, "who's in your apartment?"

Noah nearly dropped the bag of food from Connie’s that Joanie had agreed to let him bring home. He had nothing in his apartment and they had to eat. Tyler said he wasn’t hungry, but Noah was dying for something decent. He steadied the bag and looked up at his apartment door and back to Piper.

"Were you up there?" He asked sharply. Piper shouldn’t be involved in this at all. Dinah wouldn’t like it and he didn’t want Piper in any trouble whatsoever.

"Yes. So who is it and why is he in your clothes? He invited me in, but there's no way in hell I was going to be there alone with some random guy," she said in response to his sharp tone. She didn't like the look on Noah's face. "Noah, what's going on? I've been laid up for three weeks or so here."

Noah pulled her closer to the door, looking around to make sure no one could hear them. "I won’t lie to you Piper. His name is Tyler. Dinah brought him here because he needed a place to stay. It wasn’t the whole truth but it would do until Piper asked more questions. "He’s in trouble and he’s hurt. I offered to let him stay," Noah added, glossing over the fact that Dinah had shown up without his knowledge.

Just the mention of Dinah's name made Piper bristle up like a cat on the prowl. "Dinah?" Piper echoed. "What kind of trouble?" she asked suspiciously. "Dinah's good at digging herself into a hole in case you didn't know." The comment was a little snappier than she intended. Just the fact that Dinah was around Noah upset Piper. Her eyes shifted towards Noah's door and back to his face.

"Yeah I know. But he's..." He trailed off. Piper would not want to hear what he was in trouble for. She would freak for sure. Better the truth though, he decided. "Some girl said he raped her. I don't think he did...I mean I don't know for sure, but he's a decent guy, Piper. And Dinah tells me that this girl, Melissa Cravens? She said she's a pathological liar. I couldn't turn him away."

"Yeah, Missy tried to blame Dinah for stealing her bracelet in junior high," Piper softly remarked. "So are you saying...he's...like...hiding out in your apartment?"

"I guess you could say that." He watched a car drive by slowly, pulling Piper into the shadows a little more. Jesus, he was paranoid. "Look, as soon as he's better, he's leaving. He's got family in New Orleans he says. A sister, I think."

"Oh my god Noah! Do you know what could happen to your reputation if this is found out? What they would do to you at college!? This kind of thing could ruin you being a doctor! Oh, it's so like Dinah to not think about who else she's screwing over!" Piper viciously snapped, shrinking a little when Noah lifted his finger to quiet her.

"Keep it down, you want the neighbors to hear?" He dug out his key and stuck it in the lock, feeling the tumblers give way. "If I get caught, I'll have a lot more to worry about then my reputation."

"I can't believe you're allowing this!" Piper whispered, wondering why Noah would do this for Dinah. What if? "Don't you leave me in the room alone with him," she said suddenly, stopping his hand from turning the knob all the way, and looking him straight in the eye.

"He's not dangerous," Noah started but cut himself off at the look she gave him. "Piper, I know you've been through a lot, but he's okay, I promise. But if it makes you feel better, I'll ask him to stay in his room."

"No! I don't want him to feel all...weird...just don't leave me," she pleaded.

"Okay, come on." He took her hand and pulled her inside, giving it a quick squeeze. Tyler was sitting in the recliner a book opened in front of him. Noah raised an eyebrow at him. "Hey. You look like you're feeling
better."

"Yeah, Dinah's brother-in-law helped a lot," Tyler replied, eyeing Piper. "Sorry, if I scared you," he added aiming it at her.

Piper looked up, as if surprised he was talking to her. "Uh, yeah, um, it's okay," she hurried out, following Noah into the kitchen to help him unload groceries.

"Hey, Ty, I brought dinner," Noah called through the cutaway. "You hungry yet?"

"Starving!" Ty returned.

Noah grinned at Piper, putting away a carton of milk. "That's a good sign. His appetite is back...he's on the mend."

Scene 2:

"I want to see her."

Maura's heart jumped inside her chest threatening to explode in anger. "What? You can't!"

"Why not?" Rick's eyes narrowed.

"Because, I haven't seen her since she was born either...her parents..."

"We are her parents, Maura," Rick pointed out. "And you know where she is. You've spoken to her the people who are raising her. Otherwise you wouldn't have this picture." He reached for Tristen's picture but she yanked it away. "How did you get the picture if you haven't seen her? There's more to all this isn't there?"

"Yes! All right? My cousin adopted her. Are you happy now?" She jerked away from him toward the relative safety of the living room. He followed, pulling her around to face him. "When she was born I was living with Katrina in New York. She can't have children and offered to take the baby. What could I do? At least I would always know she was safe! Don't look at me like that!"

"Are you telling me, you've had access to my daughter since she was born and I wasn't even allowed to know about her existence?" He stormed. "Jillie always said you were cold and manipulative but this is too much!"

"Wait a minute! I wasn't allowed to see her either. My cousin isn't just anyone you know. She's a celebrity and her husband is a producer on Broadway. They created an elaborate story for Tristen..."

"What are you talking about?" Rick cut in.

"Tristen doesn't know she's adopted. She thinks Bruce and Katie are her parents," she explained. "Look, I'm sorry I didn't tell you but now you know. Okay? And there's nothing we can do!"

"Like hell. I'm seeing her. Whether you come with me or not. I deserve to know my daughter," Rick flared. He glared at Maura before stomping from the room towards the front door. Maura ran after him frantically. He couldn't show up on Katrina's doorstep! Tristen's world were Katrina and Bruce. Rick's interference would only upset her life.

"Rick, wait!" He paused at the door and glanced over his shoulder. "I'll take you there," she told him, the misery flooding her face and voice. "Just don't do anything stupid."

"That's your department, Maura," Rick replied pulling the door open. "Not mine."

Scene 3:

Piper forced a smile, but it wasn't a decent attempt. "Goooood," she casually remarked, jumping when a door slammed loudly outside in the hallway. Okay, so maybe she expected the police to come busting through the door any second. Not like they didn't know her by name by now.

"Hey Tyler! You look better!" Dinah's voice floated into the kitchen. Noah watched Piper wince at the sound and sighed. Some days, he couldn't win. Not today that was for certain. "Noah, I brought...." Dinah stopped cold in the doorway, staring at Piper. "You didn't tell me Piper would be here..."

Piper couldn't hold back rolling her eyes. Well, maybe Dinah should have nailed a sign to the door that said Piper wasn't allowed. Somehow Piper had gotten on Fate's bad side and she was its current bitch.

"Well, this looks like an exciting evening," she remarked dryly and turned back to finish unloading groceries, but not before shooting Noah a questionable look.

Dinah inched closer to Noah, dropping a bag on the counter. He raised his eyebrows in question to her. "Desert," she answered, turning towards Piper. "Look, I know you can't stand me right now...but I have to ask. Are you planning on telling anyone about him?"

"Yes, I'm going to make flyers on the computer and hang them up all over the Glen," Piper snapped, annoyed that Dinah would think she was going to blab to everyone that Dinah was keeping a possible rapist. But if you get caught, I'll make up an elaborate story about how you blackmailed Noah, Piper
silently tacked on.

"Witty as always," Dinah muttered. "I'll be in the living room if you need any help," she added, turning away.

"Before you say anything," Noah said, holding up his hand. "Just remember, it's only temporary."

"I'm leaving." Was all Piper said.

"No, come on. Stay, Piper...please?" Noah stretched out his hand to her. "Or if you don't want to, we could go somewhere together. Just don't leave this way," he added.

"I can see that I shouldn't even be here," she said quietly, recalling how Dinah's 'you didn't tell me Piper would be here' comment. "Next time I won't show up unannounced okay." She hated the fact that Dinah was even in close vicinity to Noah. She hated the fact that she was even in close vicinity to Dinah. She hated that she was overreacting. "I gotta go," Piper choked out, suddenly feeling incredibly stupid for her reaction.

"No, don't...Piper." She was out the door before he could stop her. He flashed an angry look at Dinah, before throwing the door open and hurrying after her.

Piper racked her mind for answers to her questions as she hurried down the stairs. Why couldn't she just let it go and forgive Dinah? Why did she have to overreact every time Dinah was around? A large hand fell on Piper's shoulder, she screamed and whirled around, nearly falling down the stairs.

"Don't ever sneak up on me again, Noah!" Piper said, turning red with embarrassment. She looked around sheepishly as a few apartment doors opened. And she wanted the ground to open up and swallow her. She was reacting like an idiot in front of Noah and Piper fought hard to hold back tears.

"Come on...let's go get something to eat somewhere else," he said letting her go. "I don't want you to be uncomfortable Piper. It's the last thing I want."

Piper silently calmed herself and took a deep breath. "Noah, please, really, I want to be alone," she insisted and she did. The last thing she wanted was Noah seeing her acting like such a fool.

He didn't say anything, just nodded. If he begged her to stay, he would look like an idiot and he certainly didn't want to force himself on her. "Look, just promise me you'll let me take you out tomorrow afternoon? Maybe see a matinee?"

Piper nodded, keeping her eyes on the ground. "Wait," she said suddenly, looking up apologetically at Noah. "I promised Jon and Jewel I'd start helping them plan out Rocky Horror."

"Oh. Well, at least call me and say hi?"

Piper nodded, "sure," feeling a twinge in her chest at how disappointed Noah looked. "I start my new job next week...that's what I wanted to tell you, that's why I stopped by unannounced. And they're letting Jon do Rocky Horror Picture Show and I get to play lead female."

"That's great!" He exclaimed not entirely sure of what Rocky Horror Picture Show was. "And it's great about the job too." He could kick himself. He felt like an absolute tool making small talk with his own
girlfriend. Dinah was going to be sorry she said anything to Piper when he got back.

Piper shifted uncomfortable, wringing her hands nervously. "Well, I...uh, better go," Piper said. "I'm sorry," she murmured, turning her back to him and hurrying off.

Scene 4:

Jamie ducked into Connie's, scanning the room quickly, looking for someone he wasn't sure if he would recognize if he saw him. He turned towards the bar, but his eyes fell on a familiar face having lunch in a
corner booth. Smiling, he approached the young woman, clearing his throat as he neared her. She looked up, recognition lighting her face. "Hello Reese," he smiled. "I heard you were moving here."

"Jamie," Reese replied surprise clearly stamped across her features, though she knew good and well he lived
in Conlan's Glen. "Really? Who did you hear that from?"

"Marcus Demmelmaier," he replied with a grin. "And Susanna Robinson. She's a terrible gossip." He motioned to the seat opposite her. "May I?"

Reese nodded, smiling pleasantly. "She is definitely that," Reese agreed in reference to Susanna Robinson. "Long time since I've seen your face, how's Michaela, the kids, all that stuff."

"Yes, it has been a while," he agreed, sitting down. "Since Colorado and that nice little skating academy. Seems like ages ago. Michaela is all right," he added, neglecting to mention that they had barely spoken to each other in the last three weeks. "And the kids...well even better. You heard we had a girl? She'll be a year old soon."

"Of course I heard. I heard from Susanna! What's her name?" Her mind traveled back to Colorado and the day she had met her ex-husband. She should have known then they were too much alike. Jamie and Michaela were very different. Maybe, she mused, that was what made their marriage last.

"Lily." She had grown up since Colorado. She was more of a beauty now than she had been then. Though now she seemed sadder, almost melancholy. "I hope you don't mind me saying, but...well, since we both know where our information is coming from," he smiled, "I'm sorry about the divorce. It must have been awful."

Reese's small smile fell, but she replaced it quickly. She released an airy, sardonic laugh, her eyes dropping from Jamie's. Reese shrugged, "Some things just don't work no matter how hard you try..." Reese trailed off. Sometimes it felt like they hadn't tried all that hard.

"This is true..." He waved away a waitress who had started to approach. "So...what will you be doing here in the Glen? Coaching is it?"

"Wipe that smirk off your face, Jamie," Reese warned, wagging her finger at him. "And, yes I will be coaching."

"I've been to your rink. It's not too bad. A little shabby in places." He smiled warmly. "Of course, I coached there for a time myself. Nice owners. But if you ever decide to hang up those skates. You come see me. I might be in need of a fashion model."

Reese frowned disapprovingly at Jaime, "I do hope that's dry humor...I never thought of the people who would see me in...a Victoria's Secret catalog...damn," Reese said with a shake of her head. Unaware of the possible implications of her assessment. "Cora and Sasha, back in Jersey, we shared ice, so we're old acquaintances."

"Michaela gets the catalog," he said with a grin. "Don't worry. Seriously though, if it doesn't work out, come see me and I'll find you something else."

"I think I'll be fine. I have all the credentials. Former skater with a neurotic coach who never reached her full potential. See, I can prevent some other poor victim from turning out like me," Reese smirked. "I was thinking of taking some sports psychology classes at the local college, how is it?"

"Hope? Not bad, I guess. I went to Harvard," he shrugged. "I'm glad you're here Reese. It's always nice to see a familiar face. I have to go...meeting someone here for a job interview, but drop by the house sometime and say hello. Michaela would love to see you I'm sure."

Reese nodded, hand returning to the Dean Koontz novel she had been previously engrossed in. "Drop by the rink sometime, show those kids you're stuff," she said with a grin.

"Oh God...I can see it now." He raised his eyebrows. "Local business man wows them with a quintuple axel. My skating days are over. But I appreciate the offer."

Shaking her head, Reese said, "What a pity. I'll just have to tell those aspiring skaters old stories about the golden days." She rolled her eyes, surprised at how content she felt with her new job.

"Very funny...Maybe I will come by and fill your students in on how you used to sneak out at all hours at KMAS. Wonder how that would go over," he said with a wink and stood to go.

Reese stuck her tongue out at Jamie. "I never snuck out...I stayed out...and then I snuck in. Anyway, it was great seeing you, Jamie. I'll keep in touch...I really suck at that though, so don't believe me."

"It's a small town, Reese. You'll see me," he said and left her to her book.