Episode 117

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Episode 117

Scene 1:

The sunlight burned her eyes and she quickly shut them again. What time was it? Turning her back to the window, Piper rolled over to check the clock. Nearly noon. Why had she slept so late? She heard a pounding down the hall and she then remembered the barhopping they had done the previous night. Was that the door? Piper yelped and hoped out of bed, she slid her small feet into her slippers, and scurried down the hall.

"I'm coming!" she cried, sliding on the old wood floors towards the door. Piper inched the door open and peered out over the chain. She drew back at the sight of Noah, surprise etched in her face. "Oh, hi," she said, her voice barely above a whisper. She hadn't seen Noah in a week and a half, in fact, she had been avoiding him like the plague. He looked at her expectantly. She quickly unlatched the door and let him.
"Hold on, let me go get dressed," Piper said and hurried back down the hall to her room.

Noah sighed and stood in the hall, uncomfortably. He picked up a knick knack, studying it for a moment but put it back down almost instantly. Something was wrong between him and Piper and now that Tyler was gone and Dinah too, he reminded himself, maybe they could get back to what they were before. He looked up again as she came back downstairs, dressed this time.

"Hello?" He said, waiting for some kind of explanation.

"Hi," Piper replied innocently, standing uncomfortably in front of him, before darting off into the living room. "Uh, we only have one thing to sit on," she explained, rubbing at her eyes which were slightly rimmed with worn make-up that hadn't come off last night.

"That’s okay, I don’t need to sit," he replied following her. He stood in the doorway, arms folded over his chest, feeling more like a father than a boyfriend. "What’s going on Piper? I’ve called every day for the last week only to get your roommates or your answering machine. Have I done something?"

Avoiding conflict, not good according to therapist. "I got caught up in things," she mumbled, which was fairly true. She had been occupied with helping Jon work on his new show, the training for the new job, and probably other important things she was currently forgetting like scrounging money up to pay her bills.

"And I know you've been busy as well..." Of course, she wasn't implying anything, as she was sure Noah was busy housing a fugitive with his ex-girlfriend.

"They're both gone," Noah replied coldly. "Tyler left a couple of days ago and Dinah..." He didn't know where Dinah was actually, he reminded himself. "Dinah hasn't been around either. Of course, if you returned my phone calls you would know that. Look, Piper," he went on his tone softening. "I know having Dinah around bothered you. And I'm sorry for that. But that is still no reason to blow me off."

"I just wasn't expecting it, I'm sorry." It was an extremely lame attempt at an apology, but if she had an explanation for her recent behavior, she would offer him one. Piper crossed her arms protectively over herself, a look of heavy thought on her face.

"I can understand that, Piper. Really. But I told you it wasn't my idea. And I begged you to stay that night. I just don't know what you want from me. I couldn't turn him away, he was hurt. It was right after I found out about Dusty and I needed a distraction," Noah explained feeling ridiculous for even trying. He wasn't the one ignoring his significant other for no good reason. "Regardless, you should have called me back just once. Or is that too much to ask?"

"Jesus, Noah! I don't know what to say okay!" Piper snapped viciously. "I realize I was in the wrong okay, but I really don't have an explanation for my actions! I screwed up, I royally screwed up, I'm sorry, I should have called!" Not exactly as eloquent as she had intended, but at least she was releasing emotions, right?

"I don't want to fight with you Piper. There was another reason I came to see you." He dug into his pocket and pulled out a cream colored envelope. "Luke asked me to give this to you. He said the whole family was invited and he hoped you would come." Piper took it, staring between him and the envelope. "There's this party at the Country Club...it's called The Moonlight & Roses Ball."

Piper delicately opened the envelope with her blood red fingernails, Evan had so lovingly painted for her before they left last night. She scanned the letter, before tossing it back on the coach. "I probably won't be able to," she said gently, not wanting to upset Noah anymore.

Noah shrugged, defeated. This wasn't the Piper he knew. She was defensive and irritable. Maybe this was his fault...he knew Chase Garrett was to blame for a lot of it. But maybe he shouldn't have babied her as he had.

"All right, well, that's all I had to do," he said. "I guess I'll see you around."

"Noah, I can't go because I can't afford a dress. I can barely afford to go out to eat and I even had to borrow money from Maura," she paused. "I might have enough money by the time it rolls around, I start the daycare Monday, but I can't make any promises."

"Piper..." He shook his head, frustrated with himself. He hadn’t meant to make her feel obligated to attend. "I don’t care about any of that. I don’t even care about this stupid party. The only reason I thought it might be a good idea was maybe, we could go together. I’ve missed you. That’s all. If you don’t want to go or can’t...it’s fine by me. Just...don’t shut me out."

"Well, if I went, it wouldn't be like I was planning on going with anybody else," Piper said, finally turning around on the couch to look at Noah standing in the doorway. She rested her chin on her knees which were held tightly in her arms against her chest. "I'm sorry."

"For what? You don’t have anything to be sorry about," Noah replied softening instantly. "I’m the one who should be sorry. I’ve been distracted for the last month and neglecting you. I never should have let Dinah talk me into helping Ty. Can you forgive me?"

Piper looked up at Noah, her face flushing slightly at the sight of him. She finally had what she had wanted for so long and she was just screwing it up.

"I probably would have done the same," Piper mumbled, "I guess we're both suckers, huh?"

She flipped the invitation through her hands. She hadn't gone to a ball in forever. She had always loved getting all dressed up for them and now she probably wouldn't even be able to go.

"Nah, not suckers," Noah replied stepping back into the room. "Just nice, I guess." He eyed the invitation in her hands and ventured an idea he’d had on his way over. "You know, I have some money saved from tips this week that I don’t need for school or bills or anything. "How about if we go? I’ll pay for us to get in and everything else."

Piper shook her head, "no, I'm not going to use your money, besides it won't cover a dress most likely." She looked at him, warmed over by his more than generous offering. She patted the space on the couch next to her for him to sit down, after all there was nowhere else in the sparse living room.

"Well, maybe Maura has a dress you can borrow...or maybe Jewel," he added with a grin thinking of Maura's rather plain taste. He dropped on the couch, finally letting himself relax around her. He realized he'd been holding his breath expecting some break up the entire time.

With hesitation Piper inched up against Noah, but once his arm settled around her shoulder she felt herself relax and melt into him. A smile of pleasure crossed her lips and she rested her head on his shoulder, fiddling with the collar and buttons on his shirt with her hand.

"I wonder if Jewel would have time to throw something together. She's brilliant when it comes to stuff like that," Piper commented and suddenly looked up at Noah, her nose wrinkling, "and I wouldn't borrow a darn thing out of Maura's closet."

"Yeah, sorry I mentioned that," he laughed. This was how he had imagined being with Piper. Not being ignored for a week at a time or fighting constantly but rather sitting quietly together talking and touching. "Ask her, Piper. Okay? I mean, I don't if we go or not. But, it could be fun. If it isn't, we've donated some money to a good cause and we split for bowling. Sound like a deal?"

Piper nodded, "alright, but I'm not bowling in a ball gown, buddy."

"Aw, how sweet!"

Piper looked up in surprise at the saccharine tone. Jewel stood in the doorway, a broad smirk on her face. "Guess who called me, Jay!"

"Who's that?"

"The guy you and Evan were calling a serial killer last night!" she laughed, "anyway, I'll leave you lovebirds alone, I'm going to call back my babe on a bike."

Jewel disappeared as fast as she came. Piper looked back at Noah. "Can you afford to rent a tux?"

Noah watched Jewel fly up the stairs before returning his attention to Piper again. "Tux? Are you kidding, I was planning on wearing that suit I wore to your brother's wedding. Do you think that's all right? It is black."

Piper shrugged and smiled, "it's whatever you like."

Noah nodded still thinking about Jewel. She had met some guy last night? Where was Piper last night then? Not at home, he knew that for sure because he had driven by. Not because he was a stalker or anything, just because he was worried. "So Jewel met some guy?" He asked carefully.

"Yeah, Evan and I think he's a serial killer, but nope can't tell Jewel that," Piper remarked, rubbing at her racoon looking eyes, and yawning.

"Where'd she meet him?" He asked, casually.

"At some bar last night, I don't remember which one," Piper answered, thinking the conversation entirely innocent.

"You don't remember which bar? Piper," Noah asked trying to stay cool. "Just how many bars did you go to?"

Piper shrugged, "I don't know. There all the same. I feel asleep in the car as soon as we left the last bar. I'm not much of a night owl."

Noah stiffened. He felt like an idiot. Here he was worried about her and she'd been out partying. Yeah, he was an idiot all right. "So, let me get this straight. We haven't gone anywhere in close to two weeks, but last night you went barhopping with your roommates? Should I be upset?"

Piper's face furrowed in surprise. She pulled away from Noah. "It was just that one night," she replied, immediatly stiffening in defense. "I wasn't even planning on it."

"So I shouldn't be angry? Where did you go, Piper? That's just so unlike you," he added, his forehead creasing with concern.

Piper completely pulled away from Noah. "You don't even really know me, Noah," she snapped. "I went the Flamingo Club and some others, I don't exactly remember." Yes, Noah had been one of her best friends before the Dinah incidient, but she had never confided in him like she had Dinah. In fact, Dinah had been the one and only person she had ever confided in.

"Come on Piper. The last time we saw each other, we argued and then I find out you're going to bars? I don't want to be the overprotective boyfriend. I really don't, but it feels like there's a part of your life you don't want me anywhere near." He sighed and shifted away. "You don't have to tell me everything but when I don't hear from you...nevermind."

"Why don't you just treat me like everyone else? Why the hell do you think I like hanging out with Jewel and Evan and Allison and Jon, they treat me like I'm not the poor, pathetic victim, like you're doing now. I went to a bar one night, it wasn't planned or anything, and you're upset, you're acting just like...," Piper's lips froze mid-sentence when she realized what she was about to say. "Nevermind."

"I am not treating you like a victim," Noah insisted ignoring what he knew she had planned to say. He was acting just like Chase Garrett. Minus the crazy sick obsession that is. "But excuse me for worrying about you. You did go through a lot last month. And if you want to tell me I'm acting like someone, go right ahead. Who is it? Maura? Or maybe your dad? Even better how about Dinah."

She swallowed hard, "yeah, them." She tucked her legs against her chest again, retreating into herself. She finally had a little bit of fun again and she was being scolded for it by her own boyfriend.

"Maybe I am being a little overprotective," Noah admitted watching Piper slip away from him. "Oh god, or maybe I'm just jealous of your friends."

A little. It was one night and she felt herself claming up. What if Noah turned out to be as possessive as Chase? She shook her head. Noah was nothing like Chase. "You have reason to be, I guess, I mean I have spent more time with them than with you of late, but Noah I was just so embarressed how I reacted to Dinah and confused. I didn't know if...you..."

"If I what?" Noah asked.

"Still had something," she finished so quickly it almost sounded like jibberish.

"Piper." He slid back over to her and smiled gently. "I never felt anything for her. I swear. But I'll be honest with you. She came to me the other day and as much as admitted that she still had a thing for me. But I told her flat out we were only friends and that was all we would ever be. Because I love you."

Piper felt her defenses slip, "I'm sorry for doubting you," she said in a voice barely above a whisper. "I'm not exactly ready for all this," she admitted and when a confused expression crossed Noah's face, "not that I want to break up, I didn't mean it like that," she explained, almost in desperation. "I just want you to know that."

"What do you want then? I'll do it, whatever it is," he added.

Piper shook her head, smiling at Noah's kindness. "I mean I just want you to know. You don't have to do anything, or maybe just have patience."

"Okay, patience I can do," Noah replied feeling relieved that at least this minor trial with Piper was over.

Scene 2:

"So we're here," Dinah muttered to Tyler as they paused out of breath on a street corner. "Now what?"

"Now, we look for my sister."

He reached for the torn page that he had ripped out of the phone book at the last phone booth they had seen. Dinah glanced at it, noting that it was a page from the t's. His sister must be married, she thought following him across the street through a maze of drinkers. Tyler paused in front of a building that advertised "girls, girls, girls."

"Wait here," he said taking a step towards the door. "I'll go in and ask for directions to her street."

Dinah put a restraining hand on his arm, holding him back. "No way. I'm going in there with you."

"Come on Dinah. This is no place for you to be. Just wait okay?" Dinah rolled her eyes, folding her arms over her chest. "Fine, come in, but don't say anything, got it?"

Dinah nodded seriously, relieved not to be left alone on the streets of New Orleans. Not that she minded being alone, but she was seriously creeped out right now. Especially with the way Tyler had started looking over his shoulder every five minutes. He was worried about something but not telling her what. She followed him inside the building, curious more than afraid, about what went on there. The music was loud, too loud for her to hear what Tyler was asking a scantily clad waitress. Lights flashed around the room as a dancer took to the stage in a skimpy red outfit. Dinah stared as the girl danced and flashed herself across the stage outrageously. She stood entranced by her surroundings until Tyler gave her a tug on the arm, pulling her back towards the entrance.

"Let go," Dinah said glancing over her shoulder at the stage.

"Uh uh. Come on, I got directions." He tugged at her again, getting her moving to the front door. Outside, he scowled darkly at her. "What are you think you're doing? Ogling those dancers like that will get you noticed."

"I've never been in a place like that," Dinah replied innocently. "I'm curious."

"There's nothing special about strip clubs trust me," Tyler said stepping off the curb. "You get some girls who need to pay for their tuition for college somehow, serve some alcohol, and rope some lonely guys into the place. That's about all any of them are."

"You sound like you know quite a bit about them."

"I know enough," Tyler retorted sharply. He moved ahead of her threading his way through the crowd. Dinah quickened her pace to keep up afraid she would lose him. Tyler Jones made no sense to her. Even after their trip across the country, he had remained close mouthed about himself. Trying to draw him out had turned into something of a game for Dinah, but one she was proving to be quit bad at.

"How do you know about them?" She pressed as they turned a corner, dodging a street musician. Tyler paused and turned back to her.

"Dinah, I just do okay? Drop it."

"You know, I practically told you everything there was to know about me on the way here. But have you said one word about yourself? No. I still don't know what your favorite color is or your favorite food or your favorite TV show!"

Tyler's eyebrows shot up in surprise and, she thought, amusement. The corner of his mouth twitched slightly but his expression remained placid. "Okay, blue, pepperoni pizza, and The Simpsons. Now you know. Dinah, I promise, I'll tell you anything you want to know but we have to get off the street okay?" The amused look in his eye disappeared suddenly replaced by a worried gaze at something behind her. She turned her head trying to see what he saw. Nothing but people drinking.

Turning back to him, she opened her mouth to respond just as a hand clamped down over her, silencing her completely. She stared over at Tyler who was struggling with a slight man with a thin moustache and a scar over one eye. Her instincts took over and she kicked back with her heel, catching her captor's knee with a solid blow. He howled and his grip loosened enough for her to wriggle free and dodge through the crowd, weaving between frat boys with beer steins and sorority girls too drunk to realize what they were doing. She paused in the doorway of a Voodoo shop, breathing hard. Another hand grabbed at her wrist and she spun around, a scream rising in her throat.

Scene 3:

Not exactly Connie's, Jude thought pushing the door of Cafe Muse open. What had he been thinking? Why did he agree to rescue Maura from being stranded in Richmond? Oh yes, he remembered now. Kevin had said that Rick had left her there on purpose. And Jude was feeling strangely perverse about being the one to say 'I told you so.'

He scanned the room and spotted her in the back, her nose buried in a book, looking as if she hadn't just been dumped in the city with no way home. He threaded his way through the room, stopping at her table long enough for her notice him before pulling out the chair opposite her and sitting down.

"What are you doing here?" Her tone was bewildered rather than rude or insulting. He'd surprised her then.

"Rescuing you," he returned. "Your dad seemed to think you couldn't get back to the Glen after your little excursion to the Big Apple with Mr. Upton."

"There wasn't a car available at the rental place," Maura muttered into her coffee.

"What about Rick? Are you telling me, he left you here?" Maura's head jerked up, a look of anger on her face.

"No. I stayed on my own. Rick was...he had other plans. My father really sent you here?"

Jude nodded, "Yes, he did. He had to offer me free meals for a week before I said yes." Maura rolled her eyes knowing that was exactly Kevin's style. "He also asked me to tell you that he would have come himself, but he has a date."

"What? A date, okay now you're just trying to annoy me," Maura said crossly, digging into her purse for her wallet. "My dad hasn't gone on a date in forty years."

"Well he's going on one tonight," Jude countered pulling out his own wallet and dropping a couple of dollars on the table before Maura could find her wallet. "I met her, she's nice."

Maura frowned at the money he dropped on the table but only said, "Who is it? Not someone who's lived in the Glen for too long. Most of the women Dad's age were friends with my mom and the ones who are younger don't dare go near him..."

"Because? Maybe it is a younger woman. What business is it of yours?" Jude demanded feeling protective of Kevin suddenly and wanting more than anything to fluster Maura. "Your dad is old enough to take care of himself."

"And old enough to know better," Maura shot back. She shoved her chair backwards, standing up, nearly knocking it over. "Besides, Jillie would never let it happen."

"Nor would you from the way you're behaving." Maura's mouth fell open to reply but she snapped it shut again, thinking better of it. Her face was an open book to anyone who knew how to read her. Jude had hit a sore spot with her. "What's the matter, Maura? Can't own up to the fact that you really don't want your dad to be happy?"

"I'm not going to discuss this here or with you!"

Jude suppressed a chuckle and stood to follow her outside. Kevin had repeated his theory that Maura didn't know a good thing when she had it when asking Jude to do this. Her rejection of him still stung, but he wasn't about to grovel at her feet to find out if she had really meant it or not. Despite himself, he was still in love with her. Why, after everything, he had no idea. All he knew was that he had jumped at the chance to rescue Maura in Richmond. Whether that was to see her or just to rub Rick Upton's harsh treatment of her in her face, he couldn't quite decide.

Outside, the wind had picked up and a breeze blew through Maura's hair as she strode purposefully towards Jude's car, waiting for him to unlock it. He leaned around her to let her into the car, catching the scent of her perfume as he did so. It was light and flowery and thoroughly Maura. He closed her door as soon as she was situated and walked to the driver's side, kicking himself for letting her stir up old thoughts and emotions he didn't want to have after she had rejected him.

He fell silent as he started the drive back to Conlan's Glen, glancing quickly at Maura once or twice. For her part, Maura stared at the receding Richmond skyline, thoughts of her father etched clearly on her face. She was easy to read if you knew her well enough. She had the decency to keep her criticism of Kevin's decision to date again to herself though. Jillie and Jory would not be so kind.

"What's her name?" Maura asked, breaking the silence as she turned towards him.

"Gina Corelli," Jude replied. "She's not from the Glen apparently. She's just visiting her daughter."

"Hmmmm," Maura murmured thoughtfully.

"She seemed nice, Maura. Very open and friendly...your dad seemed to like her a lot," Jude remarked. Maura nodded, still keeping her thoughts on the subject to herself. He certainly wasn't going to pry into her family business, he decided. He knew her well enough to know that she would let Kevin know how she felt and let that be the end of it.

It was another ten minutes before Maura spoke again, this time she kept her face turned away. "I think you should know the reason I went to New York with Rick."

Jude swallowed hard, feeling the pit of his stomach fall away. That was certainly not what he wanted to hear at all. He kept his silence though, trying his best to harden himself against what he was certain he was about to hear.

"Rick...," she began trailing off for a second. "Rick was angry about the way he found out about Tristen. He came to me and told me he planned to go see her in New York. But I made a promise to Katie...I promised that I would never tell and that I would never try to see Tristen. I mean, I suppose she would have been all right if I had given her advance notice of some kind, but Rick was going to go barging in there and upset all of them. I went with him to make sure he didn't tell Tristen who he was."

"And did he?" Jude managed after a moment. Just because that was why she went didn't mean that nothing had happened between them. And at the moment, he found the thought of Maura with Rick Upton, repulsive.

"No...I'm sure he wanted to...he even went so far as to talk to his lawyer about custody. But Bruce beat him to the whole legal thing. Filed some injunction of something to stop Rick. And good for Bruce," she added in a barely audible whisper.

"Did you see her?" Jude asked softly, knowing that Maura must have wanted to see Tristen almost as much as Rick. "Tristen, I mean."

"Yes...I did. And it was the hardest thing I've ever done, Jude." Her voice hitched with the effort. Goddammit, he felt sorry for her, he realized. He was sorry she had to go through that. And even sorrier that he hadn't been there with her. She fell into an uncomfortable silence, apparently not wanting to continue. He didn't blame her nor did he really want to hear about it any more. It was already hitting too close to home.

"Home or Connie's?" Jude asked when they reached Conlan's Glen.

"Home. I can't bear the thought of being at Connie's right now," Maura replied. Jude nodded and turned down Lee Boulevard towards the Conlan home. "Jude...thank you for coming to get me," she added softly. "I know you must hate me..."

"I don't hate you," he interrupted. "But you made it clear that we will never be what I want. And I'm trying to honor your decision."

"I know I said that I didn't think you and I should be together...."

"Here we are," he interrupted again, parking the car on the curb in front of the Conlan home. He didn't want to hear what she said again. It was bad enough that she'd said it once. He climbed out of the car and went to the trunk to retrieve her bag. Maura met him there and took it from him, giving him a sad look.

"Okay...thank you for coming to get me, Jude. I know it doesn't matter to you, but I really do appreciate it." She leaned closer to him and kissed his cheek gently, pulling back quickly. He nodded in surprise and climbed back into the car trying not to think about what he might have said or done in response.

Scene 4:

"Dinah it's me!" Tyler squeezed her hand. Dinah gave him a wild eyed look but managed to pull herself together quickly. "Come on," he said ducking into the throng of people surging forward. He kept a firm grip on Dinah’s hand, pulling her along. If they were going to get away from those two, they had to get lost and fast. Dinah stumbled on after him, but her grip in his remained firm and she didn’t argue or fight, only followed him silently. He raised his head above the crowd to get an idea of where they were. Her house wouldn’t be too far from here, he thought, scanning the street. Someone jostled him from the side and he lost Dinah’s hand.

"Dinah!" He called behind him, his hand reaching out for hers.

"I’m here, Tyler," she called back, her hand slipping into his once more. He felt her at his side, reassuring him. For some reason her very presence in New Orleans with him meant a good deal more than he had thought it would. He spotted a side street, recognizing the name from the phone book page. That was her street.

"This way," he yelled to her through the din of the partiers. He pulled her down the street, realizing that without the crowd to cover them, they were vulnerable. He motioned to her to stay near the building as they slid into the shadows and hurried up the street. They stopped suddenly and he pointed to a red building across the street from where they stood.

"My sister's house," he said softly. "Come on, I see a light." They approached the door and rang the bell quickly, slipping once again into the shadows to wait.

"I'm not home," Angelina muttered as the doorbell chimed through the townhouse. Stepping out onto the upstairs balcony, she gazed out into the courtyard before moving around to see who was ringing her bell. But with the shadows crowding around, she couldn't make out any identifiable figures. "Coming," she called down impatiently before turning back inside. She took the stairs two at a time and slid to a halt in front of her door. Switching on the front porch light, she looked out through the peek hole before opening the door.

"What are you doing here?" she demanded.

He grinned almost without realizing it, but wiped it off his face quickly. Being flippant at a time like this wouldn’t endear them to her. "Can we come inside? Come on, it’s an emergency. You know I wouldn’t show up like this without good reason."

Angelina stepped aside, masking her curiosity as she eyed the girl with her brother. "It's not like I'd begrudge you a visit. You're my little brother. But you don't call, you don't write. What's a girl to think?" she smiled.

"She should think that her little brother has a lot of shit he’s had to deal with," Tyler replied as the door closed. He hugged his sister quickly. "I’m sorry to barge in on you. We didn’t have anywhere else to go."

Her eyes narrowed slightly. "This isn't some gunshot wedding, running from the in-laws type of thing, is it?"

"Oh no...no!" Tyler exclaimed. He pulled Dinah forward into the light. "Angelina, this is my friend Dinah. She helped me get here. If it weren’t for her, I wouldn’t be alive right now," he added, giving Dinah a reassuring smile.

Dinah rolled her eyes at him and offered her hand to Angelina. "It’s nice to meet you. I've heard a bit about you lately."

Lina accepted the proffered hand, though she still watched the young couple warily. "Wish I could say the same," she said apologetically. "So what's all this about? You're pretty much the last person I would have expected to find on my doorstep."

"I’m in trouble, Lina," Tyler said simply.