Episode 80

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Episode 80

Scene 1:

Jillie twisted the glass in her hand, staring through the pale amber liquid inside. Why had she chosen to put herself through this? Well, that was a no-brainer. Wasn't like she was going to sit at home and wallow in self pity.

Okay, so it wasn't like she was going to sit at home and wait around to see her boyfriend stealing, back stabbing, lying bitch of a sister. She was all for wallowing...as long as Maura wasn't around to witness it.

"Oh my God, he's *so* hot."

"The things I wouldn't do for an A in his class."

"The things I *would* do...."

Jillie glanced at the two girls who sidled up next to her at the bar. One was blonde, one was brunette, and it was obvious neither of them were very much over the age of majority. Beautiful and without a care in the world - God, how she remembered those times.

She sighed, draining her glass. She'd thought the bar would be as removed from the typical holiday traditions as she could get, but she'd been wrong. Despite the collegiate atmosphere, the mix of oversexed students and undersexed professors and beer that was on tap 24/7, the whole place seemed to reek of Valentine's Day. Papier Mache hearts hung from the ceilings and it looked like ten gallons of Pepto Bismal had exploded over the walls. Couples slow-danced on the dance floor, looking as if they'd been surgically attached at the hips. All in all, it was wholly depressing.

Depressing, of course, because she wasn't one of those people. Because she'd been dumped right before Valentine's Day. For her older sister. For her older, *deceitful* sister.
It wasn't even as if she took stock in all of that love mumbo jumbo. But to be alone...on the most romantic day of the year...it was...it was....

"Pathetic."

Jillie glanced up sharply at the sound of the voice. Had he read her mind? Or was it simply written all over her face?

"They should just go ahead and get a room already."

There was an eruption of laughter to her left, and Jillie looked to see the two young women whispering and staring straight past her to the man on her right. Curiosity piqued, Jillie gave the guy a second look.

In the dim light of the bar, shadows dancing over his face, she had to admit he was pretty good-looking...if you liked that whole dark, strong, masculine look.

"This seat taken?" he asked, catching her gaze.

Scene 2:

Piper turned away from her crew to Noah. "Lemme guess, Joanie says no loitering," she said, sliding out of the booth. Hesitating slightly and absently touching Noah's arm, she said, "This is Noah, Joanie makes him do the dirty work when Maura's not around. Noah, this is Jewel," Piper introduced pointing at her black and fire-haired friend, "Allison," a bird-like girl with dark hair (the only normal looking one of the group), "Evan," the blue haired guy and Jonathen," with his pink shirt.

Piper glanced at the watch. "Finally," she reached around to untie the apron.

"Study group?" Allison asked.

"No way, I'm going home and going to bed."

"You are so not getting a tip from me," she said, sticking her tongue out.

"Me either, but that's because I'm a poor college student and I'm going to take advantage of your wonderfully compassionate nature," Jonathen popped in.

Piper rolled her eyes, her hand dropping from Noah's arm as Dinah entered the room. Jewel slid out of the booth, throwing some money on the table that was followed by everyone else's.

"Alrighty babe, well see ya Monday in class," Jewel said.

"Adieu," Evan said, before leaning down to whisper something in her ear.

Piper laughed and waited till everyone was gone to tell Noah, "Evan thinks you're cute." She grinned at his reaction, her grin fading as Dinah stalked over.

"I'm leaving Noah," she said, ignoring Piper. "I've got to run by the hospital and see someone. I'll see you around." She spun on her heel and headed back to the bar to give Kevin her tickets. Noah watched her for a moment before shrugging and turning back to Piper.

"So, Evan thinks I'm cute. Do you?" He asked, playfully. He wasn't about to let Dinah's sour mood ruin any conversation he had with Piper.

Piper felt a blush creep up her face. "Maybe, but I wouldn't want to steal Evan's chances. He's been in a dating slump." She grinned, delighted in the time alone she now had with Noah.

"I prefer blondes," Noah laughed, untying the green apron Maura made everyone wear. He flipped through his book, counting tips. "Hey, looks like I made out okay tonight. Feel up to getting something to eat?"

Piper nodded, stealing a glance at him, "okay, sure. Just long as we don't bump into Jewel and everyone," she said with a laugh.

"What about pizza at my apartment? Dusty's in Richmond for the weekend. So no extra company...we could watch a movie if you wanted to," he said, feeling his face heat up at his suggestions. He was going out on a limb here. He only hoped she didn't shoot him down.

"Oh...um...okay," Piper said, hoping her face wasn't reflecting the tossing and turning of her insides.

"Cool," Noah grinned. "Let me go count this out to your dad and then we can split."

Piper nodded, playing with the hem of her shirt uncomfortably. The familiar tune of her cell phone went off and Piper hurried over to her bag to fish it out. The number that popped up was one she didn't care to answer. Piper turned her voice message on and put the phone on silent. She didn't want Chase haunting her conscience just because she was spending time with Noah...at his place watching a movie...so that wasn't very friendly. With a huff, Piper chunked the phone back in her purse. Hopefully Chase wasn't back yet.

"You ready?" Piper jumped at the sudden contact of Noah's hand barely grazing her waist. It reminded her of the possessive way Chase always held her, but Noah's hand didn't remain on her side.

Piper whirled around. "Yeah, sorry, you startled me."

"Sorry," Noah replied sheepishly. "Your chariot awaits," he added with a short bow. "If you can call it that." Any thought of Dinah left him when Piper smiled at him. He felt a warm glow course through him as they walked to his car. "I'm glad you're coming over," he said at the car. "I really like it when you're around."

If she didn't stop blushing her face was going to get stuck in a permanent blush. "Yeah me too," she replied, her voice soft and barely audible.

He hadn't forgotten the kiss they had shared. Not at all. And he should've felt bad about it, but he didn't. He would tell Dinah after tonight that this was it for them. They were just friends and he didn't feel the same way about her as she probably did for him. And he certainly didn't want to lead her on any more than he already had. He took Piper's bag from her to put in the backseat, accidentally brushing her fingers with his. The brief contact made him smile.

"Come on," he said. "Let's go have some fun."

"Fun? And what exactly do you have in mind besides a movie and pizza?" Did she just say that?! Jewel must have abducted her body and was now causing her to say things she never would. Stupid! Stupid! Thank goodness it was dark because Piper knew she was as red as a tomato.

"You know, whatever," Noah replied threading his fingers through hers. "Whatever."

Piper struggled to keep a gasp in her throat. She had no idea how to react now as her eyes fell down to Noah's fingers tangled with hers. Delirious, yes, delirious. She felt delirious from her head to her toes. Chase. Dinah. They didn't matter. As soon as Chase got back in town, it was over. No longer, Chase and Piper. Piper living in fear at Chase's temper tantrums. Piper and Noah. The two names together sounded much better. She tightened her grip on Noah's hand as though it were her life source.

Scene 3:

Dinah could barely stand to look at Piper and her new friends. It hurt mostly to see her being the center of attention. When they had been friends, Piper always hated the spotlight. She hated it when anyone paid any attention to her at all. Or that was what Dinah thought anyway. Perhaps she was wrong. It wasn't as if Piper ever corrected her. She had always assumed that with all the attention Jillie and Maura received, Piper was relieved not to have any pressure on her. Count on Dinah to be wrong though. She seemed to be wrong about everyone this last year.

First her sister. She had truly thought Kelly wouldn't take off on Mia and Galen, but she had. Then Noah, because if she faced facts, he was a friend and that was about it. In the last month, since Luke's wedding, he had become even more aloof than he already was. He said he was studying for midterms, but those were a month away. Piper, of course, surprised her after the play. She had no idea Piper had that much talent. But being wrong about people seemed to Dinah's forte.

Noah was now in the middle of Piper's friends and seeming to enjoy himself. She watched him for a moment, wondering why she wasn't feeling angry or jealous. There it was, she decided. She didn't care. She looked away, sighing sadly and untied her apron. The clock on the wall read 6:02. Her shift was over. She walked over to where Noah and Piper stood.

"I'm leaving Noah," she said, ignoring Piper. "I've got to run by the hospital and see someone. I'll see you around." She spun on her heel and headed back to the bar to give Kevin her tickets. "Mr. Conlan, can you count this up for me and hold it until tomorrow?" She asked him quickly. "I've gotta leave!"

"Sure, Dinah! Tell your dad I said hello!" Dinah nodded with a grin and turned to leave.

"I'm leaving," she said to Joanie as she passed the bar to the break room. Joanie followed her, muttering about crowds of people that didn't exist just now at Connie's. "Joanie," she said turning at the door. "I'm going. I have someplace I have to be before eight, okay?" Joanie frowned and looked like she would burst into tears. Why did Maura always leave her charge, Dinah wondered.

"You can't go! The dinner crowd is here and Noah and Piper are leaving too!"

"So? Doug and Linda are coming in. You don't have anything to worry about." She reached into her locker and grabbed her coat. "I left my book with Mr. Conlan. He said he'd get me my tips tomorrow. Right now, I really have to go."

"Aren't you at least going to wait for Noah?"

"No. I'm sure he's in good hands with Piper and her theater friends," Dinah replied. She turned away, missing the look of smug satisfaction on Joanie's face. "He knows where I live," Dinah added, zipping up her coat. "He can call me later if he wants to...I'm not his mother." She left through the back door walking to her car. She really did have someplace to be. She wanted to check the progress of the man in the accident. Tyler, she thought, climbing into the car. He has a name and it's Tyler Jones.

She drove straight to the hospital and parked in visitor parking, but entering through the employee entrance. She was the daughter of the chief of staff and another prominent doctor there. No one ever questioned her. Except Galen. She took the elevator to ICU looking for Jackie but finding the floor practically deserted. Someone coded, she thought slipping behind the nurse's station and looking for his chart. Just need a progress update she told herself. Nothing wrong with that. She looked through the charts, but came up empty handed. He hadn't died, had he? She thought with horror.

"Please don't let him be dead," she murmured, pulling drawers open.

"What are you doing, Dinah?" Dinah's head snapped up at the question, relieved to see Jackie at last.

"I was looking for Tyler's chart," she told the nurse with a sigh of relief. "I can't find it. I just wanted to see how he was doing."

"He's doing fine," Jackie said with a frown. "You shouldn't be back there. And you shouldn't be going through patient charts! You'll get me fired."

"No one was around...I'm sorry Jackie, I didn't mean anything...."

"Don't do it again," Jackie chastised. "I'm sorry, we had a ten year old code a few minutes ago and we nearly lost him. I'm in a terrible mood."

"It's okay, I shouldn't have been snooping," Dinah apologized. "So the ten year old is okay?"

Jackie brightened considerably. "Yes! Can you believe it? He was gone for a while, but he came roaring back after about 5 minutes! Do you know who's in there talking to him? That nutty doctor who's studying near death experiences. He gives me the creeps." Dinah smiled patiently. She would have to wait until Jackie was ready before she asked about Tyler Jones. "Always asking people about what they saw. He should talk to your friend," Jackie laughed. "I bet he saw something while he was down."

"He'll have to wait until Tyler is awake though," Dinah nodded in agreement.

"Hasn't anyone told you?!" Jackie exclaimed.

"Told me what?" Her heart beat a little faster. Jackie had said he was fine, she reminded herself, no need to get worried.

"He's awake. They moved him out of ICU yesterday. I bet he can even have visitors! Go on," she said, grinning at Dinah's surprised expression. "He's in room 528. Fifth floor." Dinah threw her arms around Jackie, hugging her briefly before setting off for the fifth floor. He was going to be all right!

Scene 4:

"This seat taken?"

Jillie shrugged, motioning for the bartender. "Hit me again."

"I'll have whatever the lady's having." Jillie turned her attention to the man, shaking her head almost ruefully. "What?" has asked, splitting his attention between Jillie and the deep blue decanter the bartender pulled out, its platinum labels glinting in the light of the neon signs behind the bar.

"Nothing," she replied vaguely. Figured, Mr. Tall, Dark and Handsome would decide to make a move when she was completely out of the mood.

Her back stiffened when she felt his gaze focus in on her again. Obviously he couldn't take a hint. Lifting her snifter, she took an appreciative sip of the rare tequila, letting it blaze a path down her throat, its warmth enveloping her. If he could hold his liquor, Jillie told herself, perhaps she'd give him a second thought.

Watching from the corner of her eye, she saw him swirl the alcohol in the glass as if it were a fine vintage wine, ready to be savored. There was a methodical patience to his every movement, and she found herself drawn into him, openly staring as he lifted the glass to his lips. She could almost imagine it sliding down his throat, its silky texture almost creamy.
"A fine tequila," he said, lowering the snifter. "Definitely one of the purest reposados I've had the pleasure of experiencing. Smooth...elegant...authoritative...leaving just a hint of sweetness behind. Of course, I wouldn't have chosen anything different for you," he murmured as an afterthought, more to himself than to her.

His words snapped her from her trance, and Jillie arched a brow. "Do we know each other?" she asked, trying to place his face. There was, admittedly, a vague sense of familiarity there, but nothing she could recall right off the bat. "Did we...?"

"No," he told her, a touch of sarcasm entering his voice.

"Too bad," she replied, giving him a once-over with renewed interest.

"Jillian Conlan, correct?"

The fact that he knew her name gave her another pause. "It's Jillie, actually," she corrected warily.

"Jillie is a nickname. It's innocent and girlish," he pointed out, unabashedly returning her once-over. "Trust me, there's absolutely nothing girlish about you."

Jillie wasn't sure whether to be flattered or insulted. There was something in the way in which he spoke to her - or was it the way that he looked at her...*through* her - that gave her the distinct impression that she may have misjudged his intentions. You always heard these stories about women being picked up in bars and turning up three days later, naked and face down in three inches of sewage.

"I'm sorry," she apologized coolly, leaning back on the barstool. "I don't believe I caught *your* name."

A wry smile briefly tugged at his lips, something flashing in his dark eyes. Although it could have simply been a play of light, it seemed to be a mixture of disappointment and regret. But it was gone before she could completely analyze it, replaced by a look infinitely more disconcerting. Especially for someone who prided herself on being able to read people on mere observation.

Not this man. He was having none of it. He'd carefully crafted the wall he put up now and what he was thinking was completely beyond her understanding. Pulling his credit card out of his wallet, he laid it on the countertop.

"Kingston," he said, motioning for the bartender. "Leo Kingston." He tossed back the rest of the tequila as if it were nothing more than a shot of water, slamming the glass back down. "She's with me," Leo told the man behind the counter, settling her tab with his before she could argue.
Jillie watched him, her mind whirling. Leo Kingston. Was the name supposed to ring a few bells? It didn't.

He stood for a moment longer, watching the bemused play of emotions over her face. Had she always been such an open book?

"You should look me up some time," he told her before leaving. "You owe me one now."