"Chase, this is Jewel, she's in my drama class," Piper introduced, finally looking back up. "Jewel, this is my boyfriend, Chase." Piper paused abruptly at the end of her sentence. Boyfriend?

Boyfriend? Chase thought, but chose not to comment. He nodded at the punkish-looking girl.

Jewel nodded as well, before immediately turning back to Piper, "Well, you should come to the concert tonight. It'll be fun, I promise."

"Concert?" Chase echoed.

The red and blue haired girl turned an annoyed look on him. "Yeah, it's just some punk and rock bands, some local, but Alien Ant Farm will be there, not that you look like you've ever heard of them," she said, her sarcasm evident.

"Thanks, but no thanks we have plans," Chase said returning her annoyed look with his own.

"We do-," Piper began.

"What are you, her owner?" Jewel shot back.

"No, I'm just watching out for her. Those punk concerts are dangerous," Chase explained.

"I've never-," Piper began again, before Jewel shot back another reply at Chase.

"Yeah, if it's a Marilyn Manson concert and how the hell would you know? I'm sure you and your Tommy Hilfiger go all the time." Jewel hated pretty boys.

"Hey!" Piper finally yelled. "It's okay, Jewel. I'll try and stop by tonight and check things out, k?"

Jewel softened and turned back to Piper. "You should, almost everyone from theatre arts is gonna be there," she said, before smiling, shooting Chase a dirty look, then walking off in the opposite direction.

"I hope you were just humoring her," Chase said, taking Piper's bag.

"About the concert? No, I want to see it, even if just for a little bit," Piper said a little meekly.

"Well, I was planning on us going out to the plantation," Chase said, anger evident in his voice.

"Can't we do that tomorrow night? I mean you just told me this today. The concert is only tonight. They have an extra ticket and Alien Ant Farm's playing," Piper explained.

"No, Piper, we're going to the plantation tonight. Whose *they*?"

"My friends from theatre arts. Two of them are in the play as well. I really want to go to this concert, Chase," Piper pleaded.

"Fine, go to the damn concert, pick your freakish college friends over your own boyfriend."

Piper cringed at his words. "Chase, I'm sorry. I'm sure we can sneak you into the concert."

"Piper, I don't want to go to the stupid concert. I don't even know who Alien Ant Farm is and I don't have any intention of getting trampled in a mosh pit or getting high off the second hand smoke from all the weed." His voice was level and controlled through his anger, but at Piper's near tearful look,

changed his tone. Delicately he lifted her chin up towards him. "Look, Piper, there's a harvest moon tonight. It looks great over the pond at the plantation. I've had a bad day at work and I just wanted to relax with you."

Piper's face brightened up a little at his affection. "Okay," she said weakly, "let's just go out there."

"You sure?" Chase asked. Piper nodded. It was either loose her new college friends or Chase. She would rather lose her new friends. They could be just like Dinah or Noah, she didn't know.

Scene 2:

"Sunny days, sweeping the... la dee da..." Cade hummed, swinging his leg as he lounged on one of the picnic benches in Michaela's back yard. Michaela sat on the grass, every once in a while giving Lily's baby swing a push, just watching him.

His hair was loose around his shoulders, faded to an almost lilac color and with a slight wave, shimmering in the late morning sun. His blue eyes were closed, but his face was hardly as relaxed and innocent as the song he was half-singing. It was tight and pensive, as though he were lost in thought. Michaela could sympathize. She'd been the same way ever since her fight with Jamie.

They had been sitting together in silence since early that morning. She'd ushered the boys and Jamie out the door with barely a word, and had just finished cleaning up breakfast when she heard Cade's motorcycle pulling into the driveway next door. She'd gathered Lily, bundling her against the morning chill, and gone out to talk to Cade. They'd crashed on and around the picnic table, having exchanged a few words of greeting, but both sensing something was wrong with the other.

Michaela wasn't even sure how to vocalize what she was feeling. Betrayed? Hurt? Isolated? Confused? They all came and went. Who was this man she'd married? Certainly the Jamie Mason who had shown up on her doorstep that snowy Christmas was not the paranoid man she had fought with. No, Jamie was sweet and patient, quick to laugh, and full of love. He fiercely protected his own, and he trusted Michaela implicitly. Trust.

That was what hurt the most, Michaela realized. Jamie had all but told her he didn't trust her. Trust was not something Michaela threw around lightly. She'd been betrayed by too many people in her life -- first her family, then "friend" after "friend" on the streets of Vancouver -- to ever give or ask for trust flippantly. That was her strongest bond with Chris, she believed. She knew what it was like to be hurt by those she depended on, perhaps not in the physical sense as he had been, but she still remembered the emotional pain all the same.

And now her husband had thrown that in her face. Jamie was acting as though he was doing her some great favor by letting him play mommy to Chris -- what the hell did he think she was doing? Moving first to Florida and then to Virginia with him, away from everything she knew, to be with his family, subjecting Jesse to having to make new friends over and over, not to mention learning to share her attention now with a father, brother, and baby sister -- she was doing him just as great a favor, if not more.

Her thoughts were rapidly returning to the anger and outrage she'd first felt when Jamie's words had smacked her so sharply in the face. She knew that was unproductive, and turned her eyes to Cade, looking for his calming influence. But his pensive, worried countenance offered none. It was a strange thing to her to see him looking like that. It was as though he had some huge weight on his soul that he was trying to carry.

"I don't understand," Michaela said finally, propping her chin on her hands and sighing, the silence bothering her to the point where she felt compelled to break it.

Cade looked over at her, raising a light eyebrow. He knew what she was talking about -- it was all she had talked about since it had happened.

"He's acting so different from the man I married," she said mournfully, pulling her knees up and resting her chin on them.

"It sounds like he's got a secret," Cade said slowly, not opening his eyes, his words very measured.

Michaela frowned at his expression, slightly bothered to see the usually laid-back and calm Cade so perturbed. "Well, everyone has secrets of some kind or another," she mused.

Her thought elicited an awkward silence from Cade, who shifted and slowly sat up, staring at the clouds.

"Yeah," he murmured, brushing his hair back from his face with his fingers, "They sure do."

Suddenly his watch beeped and he jumped, breath catching. "Wow, look at that," he muttered, looking a little flustered. "I have to head over to that quagmire that is Hope College." He gave a humorless chuckle, his eyes opening and revealing their normally serene blue to be haunted and distant. "See you around?"

"Sure," Michaela said, giving an odd look to Cade's retreating form as he sprung over the fence and trotted into the house. She gathered up Lily, heading into the house and feeling more miserable than ever -- something that had never happened after spending time with Cade. Putting Lily on the floor to play, Michaela collapsed onto the couch, lost in her thoughts. Apparently Jamie wasn't the only one who had a secret...

Scene 3:

Hallie took a deep breath before entering Connie's. The little diner that she had first been introduced to as a child by her mother had grown considerably since her first visit. Kevin Conlan had bought out the little magazine stand on one side and the pet store on the other and had refashioned the diner into a bustling restaurant and pub. Luke by rights should have been running the family business. It had been expected of him. But he had balked and moved on to bigger and better things, trying to carve out his own life. Hallie had done the same thing.

It was what they had in common after all. They both wanted something better than what they were given at birth. She wasn't in love with Luke any more than he was in love with her. Their arrangement was purely a business deal. Granted the sex was pretty good but lately even that had been so so. Now though, Luke was almost inconsequential to her. A means to an end.

How had Stephen managed to change all her decisions in one night, she wondered pausing at the hostess stand. How had she lost her own focus in one night? It wouldn't happen again, she decided. She had far too much at stake and Luke never needed to know about it. Of course, she would have to see Stephen again to request his silence. That would be a tough conversation. But if Stephen loved her like he said he did, he would do as she asked.

"Good afternoon, Miss Lennox," Joanie said as she returned to her post. Hallie gave her nothing more than a cursory glance.

"Joanie, have you seen Luke?" She asked looking around the bar area.

"He's in the dining room having lunch with his father," Joanie replied giving Hallie a nasty glare. Hallie ignored the hostess and wound her way through the restaurant to where Kevin and Luke sat. Luke's eyes lifted to her almost as if he knew she would seek him out. Setting his napkin aside, he stood and kissed her lightly on the cheek. "I'm so sorry about this morning," she blurted out before he had a chance to speak at all.

Luke nodded and turned to Kevin. "Dad, I think I'm going to have to cut our lunch short. Hallie and I need to see Father Callahan before he leaves his office."

"Don't let me keep you then," Kevin replied waving his hand at them. "But Hallie, remind me to buy you an alarm clock." Luke nodded, forcing a low chuckle out before steering Hallie back the way she had just come. He nodded to Joanie as they left Connie's. He still hadn't said much to her when she pulled herself free from his grip as they reached the parking lot.

"Aren't you going to say anything at all? Yell at me or something," she said stopping on the sidewalk. Luke gave her a searching look that made her blush. He couldn't know of course. No one knew yet and no one would know.

"Hallie, I don't know where you were this morning that you would miss our meeting with Father Callahan. I don't think I want to know so don't go confessing to me." He stared at her again with a harsher eye. "Let's call it providence that you missed it though because I heard something that might be useful to us when I went to look for you at Four Winds."

Hallie fell silent waiting for him to explain. Confessing all was the furthest thing from her mind but if he suspected anything, she would be the last person to confirm it for him. Her night with Stephen was in the past even if her thoughts returned to it constantly. She had made a deal with Luke and it would take more than one night to make her forget it.

"Does the name Isabella Allen mean anything to you?" Hallie shook her head. "Well get used to hearing that name because she's the one person Gwen Mason doesn't think we'll ever find out about."

Scene 4:

Maura paused in front of Rick's door. What was she doing, she asked herself for the one millionth time that morning. She shook her head and pressed the doorbell. She had made up her mind and there was no going back now. Not now when she was this close to easing her conscience for the first time in years. It had to be done. She waited for a minute, backing up and looking at the number again. This was the right apartment. She rang the door bell again, stepping back as it opened almost immediately.

In her position trapped between the stove and Rick, Jillie arched a brow at the first ring. "Expecting company?" she asked, trailing a fingertip through a line of pancake batter she'd just playfully splattered across his cheek. "I'm afraid I only made enough for two."

She grinned, leaning up to kiss the corner of his lips, an impish glint her blue eyes as her tongue flicked out to lick another small bit from his skin. "And if may say so myself, it tastes absolutely delicious." The doorbell rang again and Jillie sighed. Who was interrupting her morning? For what? And why wouldn't they go away?

Tossing Rick one of his dishtowels, she slipped beneath his arm. "If I were you, I'd get rid of the evidence," she giggled, racing towards the door before he could retaliate. "And if you don't hurry up, I may just tell your guest that you're indisposed at the moment, as you had a very...restless...night."

Jillie laughed again, brushing her long blond hair out of her face with her clean hand, the sleeves of Rick's shirt flopping uselessly beyond her fingertips.

"Hello?" she answered, pulling the door open, licking the batter from the fingers of her other hand. But she paused when she saw who it was, her eyes widening almost imperceptibly. "Maura...what a...pleasant surprise," Jillie said.

Maura was sure her eyes were bugging out of her head. She swallowed what little moisture was left in her mouth. She had the right apartment but a sinking feeling told her the explanation was coming a day too late. Her eyes dropped to what Jillie was wearing: a man's shirt, surely Rick's shirt at that, and little else. Jerking her eyes back up to meet her sister's pleased gaze, Maura licked her lips, stalling for another second to collect her thoughts. Hadn't she known that this would happen? Hadn't she already dealt with Rick marrying another woman before? She could handle this. Oh but did it have to be Jillie?

"Hey Jillie, who's there?" Rick called over his shoulder. He turned and went to the door standing behind Jillie. Maura's eyes widened at him, shooting an accusing look at him.

"Did you guys decided to split the outfit this morning?" Maura spit out at last, seeing Rick dressed only in sweats.

"Well, we *were* going to switch altogether, but after we came to the conclusion that my jeans were just a tad too narrow for his hips, this is what we settled on," Jillie supplied, crossing her arms over her chest, shifting her weight from one bare foot to the other.

"Maura? Is something wrong?" Rick asked, thinking only that if she were there, something must be terribly wrong. He stepped in front of Jillie, but Maura refused to look at him.

"What are you doing here?" Maura asked Jillie, her gaze never shifting away.

Jillie gazed at her older sister as if she couldn't quite believe the question. Blinking slowly, she cast a sidelong glance to Rick before shrugging her shoulders. "Making breakfast."

Maura let out the air she had been holding in her chest. "Breakfast?" She repeated. Of course that meant exactly what Jillie was implying. She shifted her gaze to Rick at last. "What are you playing at?" She asked.

"I don't know what you're talking about Maura," he replied. "And why are you quizzing us? What are you doing here?"

"I came to talk to you, but I guess I should have called first," Maura replied lifting her chin higher. If she didn't, she was sure she would start crying.

"It would have been the polite thing to do," Jillie agreed. "Would you like some coffee?" she asked cheerily. "I'd offer you breakfast, but...I'm afraid there's not much left of it."

"No, thank you. I won't stay." Maura turned to go but Rick reached out for her arm holding her back. "Rick, I'm sorry," she said giving him a pleading look. "I should have called. Go back inside and enjoy your breakfast with Jillie. She makes the best pancakes in the state." She offered him a bitter smile and shook her arm free.

Rick raised his eyebrows in question at Jillie. He was sure Jillie would let her walk away but something was upsetting Maura and he for one couldn't stand to see her that way. She had made the trip to see him after all and that must have taken some courage on her part. "Come inside for a little bit. We don't mind do we Jillie?"

"Not at all," Jillie answered, stepping aside for her sister to enter. "So, what brings you by, *sis*?"

The phone rang sharply cutting Maura's response off completely. "Hold that thought, Mo," Rick pointed at her. "I'll be right back." He disappeared into his study leaving the sisters standing awkwardly in the living room.

Inhaling deeply, the scent of Rick everywhere in the apartment, Jillie perched on the arm of a nearby chair, crossing her long legs. Indeed, what *had* brought Maura by? Her mind ran to the letter she'd found in Maura's room. Could that be it? Had her dear, perfect sister finally decided to come clean after so many years?

"How did you do it, Maura?" Jillie asked suddenly, the question filling the room with expectation.

Maura's eyes narrowed sharply at the question. "Do what?" She asked in return.

"How did you walk away from him?" she clarified. "How did you just let it all go?"

"I had my reasons," Maura sighed, dropping her eyes. "We just weren't cut from the same cloth."

"I don't find that hard to believe. Rick's...cloth...is absolutely amazing. Still, I never pegged you for the self-sacrificing sort, at least, not when your sacrifices remain unbeknownst. Maura, ever the martyr. Or is that why you're here? Is the idea to make feel so bad for everything you had to give up that he'll forget and welcome you back with open arms?"

"You know Jillie, I don't operate the way you do. It isn't always about me." Maura's eyes darted around the room, taking in Rick's belongings. He still had the same taste at least. "For your information, Rick has been after me all summer for some sort of closure. I came here to give it to him. That's all. But apparently, he doesn't need it anymore."

"Closure isn't exactly what I would have called last night, but..." Jillie shrugged again, "you just go ahead and tell yourself whatever it is that you need to believe." She cocked her head to the side, watching her sister carefully. "You know, I just can't help but notice how great your timing is. I mean, all summer he's been 'after you'...and yet...you choose now to confront him about the past? Quite a coincidence."

"Shut up Jillie. I wasn't coming here to confront him about anything. And I'm not going to explain anything more to you. This is between me and Rick."

"Temper, temper," Jillie chastised. "You know, if you're not careful, Maura, you might give people the idea that you and Rick share more than just a history."

Maura rolled her eyes. Leave it to Jillie to try and bait her. "I'm not doing this with you Jillie. Tell Rick I'll talk to him later." She turned on her heel to leave.

Jillie made a move to follow Maura, her expression sobering as she reached out a hand to stop her sister from going just yet. "Maura, what you and Rick...had...it's not in your life anymore. It's gone. You gave it away. It's really time you should let it go, as well," she murmured quietly, a trace of sincerity behind her words.

Maura blinked back tears at Jillie's words. She had given it all away and left herself with nothing. "I really don't want Rick. I don't love him. Honestly. He's yours. Please, just be nicer to him than I was."

Jillie removed her hand from her sister's arm, blue eyes cooling slightly. She almost felt sorry for Maura. Almost. "Oh, I plan on it."