Episode 33

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Episode 33

Scene 1:

Piper undressed and hung her dress in it's bag in the closet. She thought back to the dance she had shared with Chase.

"I'm sorry about my brother," Piper had said as soon as Luke was out of ear shot.

"Oh, don't apologize," Chase said, trying to catch her eye.

"He usually doesn't pull stuff like this. Typical older brother stunt, I suppose."  She babbled. "Um, sorry."

Chase was charmed by the girl's continuous blushing. Women today were so bold and brassy, especially the younger ones, but this one seemed so fragile.

In an attempt to end her embarrassment he asked, "Would you care to dance?" Sensing some hesitation in her he added, "I won't bite, I promise."

Piper laughed and nearly apologized, a nervous habit, before she realized she had no reason to. "Just for this song," Piper said, taking his offered hand.

"Of course, I wouldn't ask for anything more," he paused, "unless you offered." The nervous smile finally left her face to be replaced by a genuine one. Chase led a hesitant Piper on to the dance floor and immediately whirled her into his arms. Even if taken by surprise, she was light on her feet. One hand fell to her waist, his other taking her hand. Piper wasn't used to this sort of attention. Noah hadn't noticed her, her eyes trailed out across the floor catching him dancing with some girl she had never seen before, with a sigh Piper tried to focus her attention at hand.

"You're a beautiful girl, Piper, but don't tell your brother I told you that, I would fear for my life," Chase said with a grin as that blush crept through her face.

"Uh...thanks," Piper said, trying to find something to focus on other than his dark, pensive eyes.

"So do you plan to blow off college and run away to New York to pursue Broadway?" he asked, before he suddenly dipped her. Again, she was surprised, but moved with him as though she were expecting it.

"Oh, yeah right. Me? New York?" Piper admonished, surprised by the comfort she felt in chatting with Chase. "I've lived in those haven all my life. New York would be such a culture shock. Drugs, weirdos, do you see someone like me being able to handle that?"

Chase chuckled, "I see your point, but you dream of it of course."

Piper slowed the pace of their dancing, a little shocked by his observation, "I do spend a lot of time fantasizing about it, yes."

"You know I've done some acting in my time. What character are you playing in Midsummer Night's?"

"Helena," Piper answered, her eyes darting around to fall and lock with Noah's. His look was disapproving. In a moment of unconscious rebellion, Piper moved in closer to Chase.

Chase noticed Piper's movement, but chose not to comment on it. "I was Lysander in a high school play, but I like the backstage work more."

Piper nodded, "I'm a big fan of Shakespeare."

"Me too," Chase said as he spun her. Giggling, Piper spun back in as the music speeded up. "Who taught you how to dance like this?" Chase asked, enjoying himself as well.

"I taught myself," Piper said honestly.

Oh, it sounded all so silly in her own room. The idea of running off to New York was just too much to hope for really. She heard voices from the hall downstairs, barely making out Maura's disapproving tone. She'd heard that one enough to know it. The other voice was Jillie's. That was a fight, she was glad, for once, not to be around, she thought as she nodded off to sleep.

Scene 2:

"Dinah, we don't see a lot of each other socially now as it is," Noah laughed, unlocking her door and helping her into his car. He walked around to his side and climbed in, glancing over at the earnest look on her face. "What?"

"We could change that. If you wanted to," Dinah remarked. Noah frowned just a little and turned to face her.

"Are you asking me out?" Noah queried, confused by the apparent change in their relationship. It was one thing to think about dating Dinah in theory but to actually be confronted with the prospect? It made his palms sweat. "Because..."

"No, I'm not asking you out," she laughed, turning her head to look out the window. "You won't have time for me with all your jobs this summer." Noah nodded. He would be busy and he would see her at Connie's but he wasn't quite sure if that was all right anymore. He did like her, he thought, but there was Piper too. He cared about Piper a lot...of course, she was also his boss' sister.

"Well, if you wanted to...we could go see a movie or something," Noah said quickly before he regretted it. Dinah's eyes lit up but he kept his own eyes fastened to the road in front of him.

"I do want to see that John Cusack movie that's coming out next week," Dinah offered.

"Oh, you mean that Julia Roberts movie? Yeah, that might be okay. I could see that. What do you think about next Friday? It's my only night off."

"I think Friday would be perfect." They fell into a silence until he hit her street when she turned to him suddenly and asked, "Do you think we should ask Piper to come with us?"

"Do you think we should?" He returned. Dinah's brow creased slightly before she answered.

"No-o....no, I don't she wants to see that movie. I guess it's just us then."

"Well, here we are," Noah said, pulling into her driveway. "Would you like me to walk you to the door?"

"Oh. No, my parents are probably waiting for me. Wouldn't want to have to explain why Piper's brother isn't the one to drop me off you know. But thanks for the ride. I guess I'll see you at Connie's."

"I guess so. Good night Dinah." She climbed out of the car and waved to him after climbing her front steps. He was pretty sure that after tonight, nothing would ever be the same again.

Scene 3:

"Where have you been?" Maura snapped before Kevin or Jory could say a word. "Dad has been worried sick! Jesus, Jillie! You should have called!" Kevin looked at Jory and nodded his head discreetly, hinting that they should exit. "A phone call isn't too much to ask is it?" Maura continued as the two men tiptoed out of the hall.

Jillie stood still, a disbelieving expression on her face. What was this? The Inquisition? That shock wore off slowly, replaced with a slow burning anger. What right did Maura have to think she had to answer to her?

"You're not my mother," she snapped back, turning to lock the door. "Forgive me if I mistakenly thought that by the age of twenty-seven I might be allowed some semblance of privacy."

"Dad was worried sick! He jumped all over me when I walked in. Where's Jillie? She's not home yet, she left with some stranger. The decent thing to do is call, Jillie." Maura crossed her arms over her chest and scowled. "And you might be 27, but you act like you're 16 half the time."

"Ouch, Maura. What are you, five? I may act sixteen, but at least I haven't condemned myself to the life of an old maid." Tossing her keys on the foyer table, she stepped further into the house, realizing for the first time that night that her feet were killing her.

"But then, Rick's not a stranger, is he?" Jillie replied smoothly, sweeping past her older sister to move into the living room, twisting her skirt a bit before she collapsed onto the old comfortable old couch. "He's my boss."

Maura followed her into the living room, her anger subsiding a little at the mention of Rick's name. Of course, it was about Rick. Wasn't it always about Rick for Maura? "He's your boss and yet you are seeing him, aren't you?"

"I wasn't aware there was a household rule about dating in the workplace. Yes, I'm seeing him, Maura. I see him every Monday thru Friday, sometimes even on Saturdays. And if you were wondering about anything romantic, perhaps you should learn to curb your voyeuristic tendencies."

"Oh please, Jillie. You were hardly invisible tonight. I don't care who you see or don't see but show some respect for your family. And no, I'm not referring to Luke, I'm talking about Dad," Maura chided.

"Respect?" Jillie echoed, pale blue eyes sparking dangerously. "I'm not allowed to dance now?" Her gaze narrowed. "Or is it that I'm simply not allowed to dance with Rick?"

"You didn't just dance, Jillie. You two were..." Maura trailed off, trying to reign in the repulsion she felt thinking about Rick dancing with Jillie. "Look, just apologize to Dad. I'm sure that's all he wants anyway."

"If Dad wants an apology, Dad can ask. Until then, I see nothing I should be sorry for." Standing, she ignored the pain in her feet. There was a bigger pain standing in front of her, and it was right in her...neck.

"And if it's the thought of Rick and I being together that's sent you on this completely uncalled for rant, well, then, you can just get over it. Because I happen to have had a *very* good time tonight. And if things go my way, it won't be the last time...not by a long-shot."

"What does that mean?" Maura asked bewildered.

"It means that you should get used to the idea of Rick being around...just not in the capacity you're familiar with."

Maura stepped back as if she had been slapped. It might as well have been a slap, it stung like one. "You and Rick are...together?" She choked out. "I don't believe you."

"You don't have to believe me, Maura. But Rick's a grown man and I'm a grown woman...and we're two consenting adults. What happens beyond that is actually none of your business. As were my whereabouts this evening."

Maura knew Jillie was right. Knew it without a doubt. But there was a small twinge of anger and, god help her, jealousy beating against her heart. She had blown her chance with Rick time and again yet here she was jealously defending her territory when she had absolutely no right to do so. If ever there was a time to back off it was now. She had had her chance, why not let Jillie have hers? Even if it was the last thing in the world she really wanted to do.

"You're right, Jillie, and I apologize for being so harsh. I'm sorry for berating you the way that I did. I hope you and Rick have a long and wonderful relationship," she added hurrying out of the room before Jillie could unleash a barrage of questions on her. Better to leave it at that than risk having to answer questions she was neither prepared for nor interested in answering.

Scene 4:

Phoebe's answering machine blinked furiously in the darkness of her apartment. Having spent most of the evening hiding from Dane Lennox, she called a cab at the end of the evening and ran away without so much as a goodbye. What choice had he given her? None, really. He'd acted ridiculous all evening, chasing after her like a heartsick puppy. Maura had said it was endearing. But Phoebe found it pathetic.

She kicked off her heels and dropped to the couch next to the machine. Her body ached with fatigue. She hadn't danced at the party but just being there seemed to have worn her out. She hit play on the machine and settled back to listen.

"Phoebe, it's Dane. Didn't see you leave. I hope everything is okay. I guess I'll see you at work." She deleted the message and waited for the next one.

"Phoebe." Her blood turned cold at the sound of her ex-husband's voice. Ryan had found her! She waited for the rest of the message, but none came. She hit replay and listened to the voice again. There was no mistaking his deep voice.

It had to happen sooner or later. It wasn't like she was hiding out anymore. She was visible and vulnerable. Nothing could stop him from coming for her now. She wasn't his wife any longer though, she reminded herself, and Ryan couldn't hurt her. He had hurt her for far too long while they were married and this time, she would be prepared. She would be ready for him.

Scene 5:

Gwen lay in the oversized four poster bed she had shared with James before his death, sleepless and restless. Hallie's party had been a success, for Hallie, but a complete disaster for Gwen. Ellen had arrived unexpectedly and, as was her custom, began an argument. Only this particular argument was possibly the worst in recent memory.

How did Ellen know the secret she and Morgan had hid for so many years? Was it possible that James had known all along and told Ellen before he died? No, he couldn't have known. They had been very careful. No one else but...well, no one else but Isabella Allen and lord only knows what had happened to her. No her secret was safe enough. Ellen only thought she knew. Whatever it was Ellen suspected, she was wrong. No one would ever know what had really happened all those years ago.

She climbed out of bed and switched the light on next to her bed. She wouldn't sleep tonight. And if she couldn't sleep, then there was work to be done. And the first thing she had to do was destroy everything that had to do with Morgan Birch and Isabella Allen.