Episode 98

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Episode 98

Scene 1:

"All right Dinah," Galen said dropping any pretense of continuing to work. "Out with it. What is your problem today?" She had given Georgia attitude since they started helping him with his files and he, for one, was quite sick of it. He couldn't imagine how Georgia must be feeling about it. Thankfully, though, she agreed to his suggestion of a coffee break, giving him time to chastise Dinah without her presence.

Dinah glanced at the door before answering in a perfectly normal tone, "Nothing. What makes you think there's something wrong?"

"Well, let's see...I've known you since you were ten and this is usually behavior you save for your father. What's going on?" He persisted. "And don't tell me your problem is with Georgia Corelli. She's probably one of the nicest women on staff here."

"You have terrible judgment when it comes to women, Galen," Dinah countered, dropping into a nearby chair.

"That's kind of you to let me know that. Especially since I married your sister," he pointed out. "Now, come on. What is going on?"

"My father thinks I am not to be trusted. I'm a child, after all! What do I know about taking care of myself?" Dinah answered. She threw her legs over the side of the chair, lounging casually. "He found a babysitter for me after all."

"Well, what did you do to bring that on?" Dinah was certainly not above creating a little havoc. Galen knew that from experience. "And don't lie okay? I can tell when you're lying."

"We had a fight and I stayed out all night. He didn't like that so here I am stuck with Nurse Georgia," Dinah countered. "If Kelly had done that, he would've let her off easy."

"Well, you're not Kelly." His stomach lurched at her name. Kelly's disappearance still rankled him. "I know I can be harsh on you, Dinah, but you are head and shoulders above your sister."

"You still love her, don't you?"

It wasn't a question he could answer. Did he love Kelly? She was Mia's mother and Mia loved her. That was enough to keep her in his thoughts. He was more angry and hurt than he was in love, he thought. She had left him with a quick note of goodbye, it was fun, see you around, and then nothing. That had been three years ago now. Did he love her still after she walked out without saying goodbye? Could he love her if she came back? Yes, he thought with a sad realization, yes he could love her if she came back. He had thought of that every day since she had left.

"Galen I need your help," Dinah said softly, jerking him back to reality. Her head dropped to her chest, hiding her eyes from him. "I've done something...and I'm not quite sure what to do next."

"Of course, I'll help you Dinah," Galen replied, rising from his chair and crossing the room to where she sat. "Whatever it is," he added, thinking the absolute worst. "I'll help."

Dinah lifted her eyes, smiling at him. "I knew I could count on you!"

Scene 2:

"Dane?"

Ellen knocked on Dane's door hoping he would answer it for her. He had sequestered himself away since Phoebe Cameron's memorial service, ignoring their pleas for him to come out. Not even Hallie could make him open the door and she had tried. She had quite the temper tantrum in the hallway too. It would have been amusing if the situation had been different.

"Dane, it's Ellie. Please let me in, I just want to talk to you, please?" She knocked again, harder this time. "If you don't let me in, I'll find Maggie and have read Gwen's appointment book to you..." She heard the lock click and smiled. "I knew you wouldn't be able to handle that one," she said turning the handle and stepped into the darkened room. "Whoa, Dane...I think you need to let one of the maids come in here," she added catching a glimpse of the room.

"I'll keep that under advisement," Dane replied from the shadows of the room. She moved to the window, opening the curtains just a little and letting in some sunlight. She picked up one of his shirts from the floor and folded it neatly, laying it atop his dresser. "What do you want Ellen?"

"We're worried about you, Dane. I know you're hurting, but you've got to go on with your life." He stepped out of the shadows, inching closer to where she stood by the windows.

"You know I'm hurting?" He repeated. "You have no idea what I'm feeling, Ellen. I lost someone special to me, Ellen. And no, we weren't in love or anything like that. But she was something to me...something special."

"I know, honey. But Phoebe would want you to move on..."

Dane laughed, the sound of his laughter brittle and cold. "Phoebe would have told me to get over myself a long time ago. You don't understand what I'm going through Ellen. None of you do."

"You could at least try and make us understand," Ellen shot back. "Don't dismiss us so out of hand like that! Don't dismiss me, Dane. I'm not like them, you know that. Talk to me."

He gave her a hard look. "You aren't like them." He crossed his arms over his chest protectively, turning to the window and the scant sunlight the sheer curtains let inside. "I don't know how to explain it. She didn't even like me. I wasn't in love with Phoebe." His arms fell to his side. "The thing is Elle, I could have loved her. I could have been anything she asked me to be. But she's gone now and there's no one else like her in my life."

"Oh Dane..." Ellen wrapped her arms around him, hugging him tightly. "You'll find someone else who will inspire you that way again. But you won't find her here locked in your room." She let him go, stepping back for a minute. "This sulky thing you're doing isn't you, Dane. We're all really worried about you. If you don't want to come out today, I understand. But really, Dane, your life isn't over and you can't live like it is."

"I know...but give me a little longer all right?"

Ellen smiled, nodding in assent. "Of course, but not too long okay? I don't think I can handle Hallie for much longer. She's absolutely positive that you're going to do yourself in." Dane smiled, sadness tingeing his eyes.

"No, I won't do that."

"Good. Now, I have to go meet a friend. You promise me you'll be okay? Will you at least let someone bring you something to eat?" Dane nodded. "Good. I have to go meet a friend, but when I get back, I'm bringing you something to eat." She went to the door, holding it ajar for a moment. "Remember Dane, we love very much and even Phoebe would have wanted you to stay in the real world."

Scene 3:

Dinah cleared her throat and sat up straight in the chair. Galen was looking at her with such an intense look that she was afraid she might laugh at his seriousness. "Dad is watching my every step," she began. "And there is someone I need to see. It's very important that I see this person today."

Galen's brows pulled together in a disapproving frown. "Is that what this is about? Getting away from John? Honestly, Dinah..."

"Save the lecture, Galen. I can get that from my dad. Look, this person needs me..."

"Who is this person? Noah Wallace? Is that who?"

"No," she replied sharply. "It isn't Noah." She stood and went back to the files she had been alphabetizing. She couldn't tell Galen. That would make him a part of this too and Noah was right, they were in serious trouble if the police found him. On the other hand, she reasoned, Galen could be trusted for the most part and Tyler did need a doctor... "If I tell you," she went on, her mind made up, "will you promise not to say anything to my parents or anyone?"

"I can't promise you that."

"What if I could give you something you wanted more than anything," she countered calmly. A spark of interest caught in Galen's eye but flickered out, leaving a disapproving parental gaze. Mia was going to be in trouble one day, Dinah thought. "I could tell you something you've been after Dad to tell you for three years now."

"You know where Kelly is?" Galen demanded rising from his chair. He loomed near her waiting for an answer but she shrugged noncommittally.

"Maybe I do. But I'm not going to tell you unless you agree to help me," Dinah went on. "This person I'm trying to help needs a doctor. You could help him and in return I would help you find Kelly. Do you agree?"

She watched as he weighed her proposition. He was struggling, she could see that much. If he was still in love with Kelly, he might agree, but if he was angry and feeling obstinate as Galen was known to be at times, she was in for another lecture. She had always felt sorry for Galen though and giving her what little knowledge she had about Kelly was something she had always intended to do...though never quite in this way.

"All right," Galen said at last. "I'll help you. Where is she?"

"No, first you help me get to my friend and then I'll tell you everything I know about where she is. Deal?" She waited for his agreement, smiling brightly when he nodded. "Good. You won't regret this, I promise."

"I hope you're right...."

Scene 4:

Maura raced to the ICU, Jude on her heels. All she knew was that Jillie had said, "Come now." She had run from Connie's to her car but Jude was right there to take the keys from her and insist on driving. She was thankful for that. Her thoughts were firmly rooted on Jory and driving to the hospital would surely have been a mistake. She reached the ICU, spotting Kevin staring through the window into Jory's room, his arm around Jillie's shoulder.

"Dad?" She asked drawing closer. "Jillie called the diner..."

Kevin turned a weary gaze on her, relief flooding his features. "Oh Maura it was awful. He was fine one minute and then..." He stopped abruptly, dropping his chin to his chest.

"Jillie, what happened?" Maura demanded turning to her sister.

"Why weren’t you here?" Jillie demanded, glancing at Kevin before swallowing her words. "He went into cardiac arrest. He was just lying there...and then..." She stopped again, but this time because it was too hard to continue.

"Oh my god..." Maura's feet were glued to where she stood, unable to move any closer to where her brother lay. She didn't think she could hear anymore even if Jillie could say it. She should have been here! She felt Jude move next to her, hating herself for dragging him into her family issues yet again. He leaned forward, peering into the room before squeezing her hand reassuringly.

"I see he came through though," he said more to Maura than to Jillie.

"This time," Jillie snapped. "You should have been here," she aimed at Maura, unknowingly echoing her sister’s own thoughts. "I hope...whatever...you were doing...was worth it."

Maura retreated a step, feeling guilty. "I...Dad said I needed to get something to eat,"

Jillie nodded, but it was apparent she didn’t think much of her sister’s excuse. "Yeah, I can see you were on the verge of starving to death." Turning back to the window, and the sight of Jory beyond, she shrugged. "Whatever, Maura," she said, her voice changing, growing more tired and worried than angry. "At least you’re here now..."

"I'm sorry, Jillie. I should have been here..."

"It's okay," Jude said softly. "Mr. Conlan? Are you all right?" Maura jerked her attention to her father. He looked old.

"Dad, why don't you go home and try to rest? I'll stay with Jillie."

Kevin turned a questioning look on Jillie. "I don't think I should go..."

"Do what you need to do, Dad. You could probably use some rest. Now that Jory’s stabilized, there’s nothing to do but...wait." But wait for what? That was the question that scared Jillie.

"I'll drive you home, Mr. Conlan," Jude offered. Kevin nodded, assenting to the offer. Maura gave him a quick hug mouthing a thank you to Jude as they left the ICU. She and Jillie were alone with their fear and worry over Jory. Why did it have to be this one terrible thing that they finally had in common?

"I'm really sorry Jillie," Maura offered taking Kevin's place at the window.

Jillie shook her head almost helplessly. "Don’t apologize to me. Dad’s the one who needed you. I’ve never been the one he’s relied on." Her tone bordered on sarcastic, but her words were serious. "You don’t have to pretend like this is some Hallmark moment, because it’s not. We’re family and you have a right to be here, but that doesn’t mean we have to get all Seventh Heaven. Fact remains, there’ve only been two people in this world who’ve given a damn about who I really am and how I really feel. One of them is dead, and the other one is lying on a hospital bed, in critical condition."

"That's really unfair. You know perfectly well it wasn't my idea to leave in the first place," Maura countered. "And Dad loves you just as much as he loves me or Jory or Luke or Piper. No matter what you think."

"Maura, don’t tell me it wasn’t your idea. Even if it wasn’t your idea, it was your decision. And my point wasn’t that I’m unloved. Please, have you ever known me to be such a martyr? That’s your bag. All I was saying is that I really don’t need you to patronize me right now. I don’t want your apologies. Personally, it didn’t surprise me that you disappeared only to show up with Jude Fontaine. And if Dad hadn’t insisted I call you, I really wouldn’t have interrupted your romantic tryst."

Romantic tryst? She almost laughed it was so absurd. What did Jillie know about her life? Nothing, quite likely and what she did "know" she twisted to suit her own purposes. Maura opened her mouth to reply but Dr. Stafford emerged from Jory's room, heading towards them.

"Maura, it's good to see you made it back." He looked from Maura back to Jillie, giving them both critical gazes as if he had heard their whole conversation and was thoroughly ashamed of them both for carrying on as they had in his hospital. "I've got some news about Jory...if you want to hear it, that is."