"I will go down with this ship. And I won't put my hands up and surrender. There will be no white flag above my door. I'm in love and always will be."- Dido, White Flag

Episode 11: "White Flag", to listen to the theme song please click here.
Written By: Kelly Zollo

Scene 1: West Lake Catholic Church

The guests are in attendance at the wedding that has been in the works for well over a year in West Lake. Upper class judges, members of the country club, friends of his family and friends from Liz’s. The only thing that is going through Austin's mind as he sees Liz walk towards him down the isle is that he and Kate cheated on her a few weeks ago. He should be focusing on how beautiful she looks and how they are going to be starting their life together in a few minutes. Instead, he can only think about the guilt and how he has to marry her to ease it.

Liz has been ecstatic since she woke up earlier in the morning, it is finally here her wedding day and the first time in a while that she didn’t use. She wanted this to be a day that she would remember for years to come and she resolved herself to not use, even if Jessica had encouraged her to earlier. Wrapping her arm through her brother Peter’s arm, who arrived a few days ago she smiles as the wedding march beings. Finally making it down the isle to stand in front of Austin.

“Dearly beloved we are gathered here today to join I n holy matrimony Austin Alexander and Elizabeth Jones.” Father Gibbs starts.

The church is filled with silence as the ceremony starts, his mother getting misty eyed in the church, dabbing a tissue at her eye. Her own mother sitting next to James and Bridgette, a smile on her face. Kate keeping her focus on the ground as an uneasiness comes over the wedding party. Jake and Vanessa exchanging awkward glances at one another as Father Gibbs, moves into a verse first Corinthians, describing what love is. Kate barely being able to look her in the eye.

“If there is anyone here who should object to this marriage, please speak now or forever hold your peace.”

Austin half expects Kate to speak up and just tell Liz about their time together in the dressing room, instead he is met with silence as Father Gibbs moves forward with the ceremony. He focuses on Liz, taking his eyes away from Kate he realizes that Kate is his past, Liz is if future. To reassure her he reaches out and takes her hand in his own, as Father Gibbs finishes up another scripture reading. What happened in the dressing room is a one time occurrence something that shouldn’t have ever happened to begin with.

“Liz and Austin have chosen traditional vows for their wedding.” Father Gibbs says, looking at Austin to go first.

“I, Austin, take you Liz, to be my wife, to have and to hold from this day forward, for better or for worse, for richer, for poorer, in sickness and in health, to love and to cherish; from this day forward until death do us part.” Austin says, taking her ring from Jake and placing it on her finger.

Liz had expected something to happen at her wedding for someone to ruin her day, she has never had good luck. The last few weeks have been hectic to say the least and Kate’s behavior has been strange. Making her wonder if Austin’s ex did still have feelings for him and if Austin still had feelings for her. Instead she is met with a peace that comes over her as Austin takes her hand and looks at her reciting his vows.

She takes a moment to fight back the tears as she takes Austin’s ring from Jessica’s waiting hand, “I, Liz, take you Austin, to be my husband, to have and to hold from this day forward, for better or for worse, for richer, for poorer, in sickness and in health, to love and to cherish; from this day forward until death do us part. “

With many teary eyes in the house Father Gibbs looks out among the crowd.

“With the power invested in me by God and the state of New York, I now pronounce you husband and wife. You may kiss your bride.”

Clapping is heard in the crowd as Mendelsohn’s Wedding March, is heard in the back of the church by the quartet. Austin moves forward to kiss his bride.

Scene 2: West Lake Country Club

Paige has to admit even she was unsure if the wedding would go off but now in the after party of the reception she can tell how happy her brother is. She can’t say the same for herself, she is alone on the outside patio, enjoying her fourth glass of champagne. She hasn’t old anyone about the incident with Ryan, Shane is still refusing to speak to her even if they are in the same wedding party. If she tells her brother she is sure that Ryan will be dead man before sundown, she has enough blood on her hands that she doesn’t want to add to it.

“Hey.” the voice from behind her says.

Turning around she comes face to face with Shane who is standing there in his tuxedo looking at her, hands at his sides. She isn’t sure what she is supposed to say to him or how to act. She knows that she probably looks like a mess, she hasn’t slept in days and the situation with Ryan is getting out of control. She opens her mouth to speak when he interrupts her.

“It was a beautiful wedding.” Shane offers.

The last few weeks without her have been hell on him, he focuses too much on work rarely going home. The image of her wrapped in some strangers arms fully embedded in his mind. Despite that he can’t get her off of his mind, even though he knows that he should she still has that effect on him. Even after telling his sister that they are over, he knows better and seeing the wedding today solidifying that. He stands for a few awkward seconds getting ready to leave when she speaks.

“Can I talk to you about what you saw? It isn’t what you think it is.”

He doesn’t know why he stops and turns around all that he does know is that she is clearly upset and tears are brimming behind her eyes. He has always been a sucker for women crying, he blames it on being raised by a woman and having an older sister. He can tell her tone is sincere, as she takes a seat on one of the chairs in patio and he sits down next to her.

“I met him while I was away in the city, he knew about what happened the night Hannah died, knew what I had done that night. It was all my fault, Hannah dying, I left town so that I could escape it all.’ Paige says, pausing for a bit to wipe at her eyes. ‘He was charming at first, persuaded me to help him get some money out of a married politician. Blackmailing me with everything that happened that night.”

Shane reaches out to touch her shoulder bewildered about all of it, especially when she mentions the accident and Hannah’s death. He is met by her flinching away from him and his concern grows, wondering what is going on with her.

“He started demanding that I help him get more money. I came back and opened up the club, he’s been sending me pictures threatening to expose what I did with him in the city. I told Austin and he just showed up in town.’ Paige continues, wrapping her arms around herself. ‘He kissed me and I was just stuck back in that time back in the city. I pushed him away afterwards. He came by a few weeks ago, threatened me again. In my moment of weakness, I gave into it. I didn’t want anyone to know.”

Shane is dumbfounded, as what she is telling him begins to sink into his head about her past with the man in her office. The man clearly using her for sex, for other things that he can tell that she is not proud of. He can tell she is ashamed as the tears start to come down her face. Laying a comforting hand on her back, he rubs her back letting it all linger there as a peace offering to her.

“What happened the night Hannah died Paige? What does he have on you?”

Paige calms herself down for a moment to then glance up at him bracing herself for his reaction, “I killed his father.”

Scene 3: West Lake Country Club

The wedding was beautiful and Vanessa can only smile for Liz, as she sits at the wedding party table. Glad that Liz let her have Brian sit with them, ever since kissing Jake she has felt guilty. Wanting to reassure Brian that she is good with her choice, she wants to be with him. She is now alone with Jake at the table, Brian headed outside to take a phone call and Jessica is off with Liz somewhere.

Jake is certain of one thing at the moment, that he is happy for his best friend marrying Liz for following through. Sitting at the wedding party table as the chatter, clinking of glasses and music fills the air he stares at her. Vanessa has avoided him for weeks and he can’t blame her, marching over and kissing her was wrong on his part he knows that now. It didn’t change anything even if he wanted it too, she is still with Brian and he isn’t even sure what to call his status with Jessica.

“I think Hannah would have enjoyed this.” Jake offers.

The mention of her best friend has set a whirlwind of emotions off in her all at once and she focuses on Jake, as he breaks the uncomfortable silence. “Yeah I think she would have.”

“I remember her birthday party here that summer. She went on and on about us just needing to get it over with already’ Jake says, smiling at the memory. ‘I didn’t have the heart to tell her that we’d already crossed the line weeks ago. She was so happy at the prospect.”

It’s Hannah’s birthday party and like always Alan and Karen have went all out with the massive party at the country club. Jake has been watching her, jaw clenched form across the room as her father introduced her to an intern at the firm, coming over to then drag her away. Little does her friend know that she is being drug down the hallway by her older brother and then being pinned against the wall.

Jake takes a moment to smile at her, brush some hair out of her eyes before he leans down and kisses her. Her hands are curling around the back of his neck to draw him to her, his hands are running through her hair. Both trying to dominate the kiss, both relenting to the other. They haven’t told anyone yet about their summer fling, her dad would kill him and she is sure that Hannah might find it weird.

“We should head back.” she finally says, placing her hands on his chest her breathing ragged.

“I want to tell them, I don’t like sneaking around. I don’t care if your dad will hate it. I want to be with you.” he finally admits.

She can feel her chest tighten at his declaration, “What about Hannah?”

He lets out a laugh before kissing her briefly again to pull back and speak, “She’s already asking why I haven’t made a move.”

She doesn’t know what to do to the statement other than reach out and pull her to him again. The party can wait in her mind, she wants to be with him too.

“We were all happy then Jake.” she says, her voice wavering a bit.

“Does he make you happy now?”

She doesn’t know why her voice tightens or why as she forces out an answer, “He’s been there for me.”

He doesn’t know what to say about her statement he had expected that she loved him. That she was completely happy with him and their relationship instead he is met with "he’s been there for me". Something that he knows deep down is a reflection on him and their history, him walking away, more so being told to stay away by her father.

“About the other day and what happened...” Jake begins, only to be cut off as she looks up at him from her plate. He sees the tears in her eyes and wonders if it has to do with his sister or them. He doesn’t get a chance for an answer.

“I have to go find Brian.” she says, getting up from the table and walking away.

He sees her wipe at her eyes and sits back in his chair hoping that she’s realizing that he still cares for her. Just as much as he did back during the summer he was a sophomore in college.

Scene 4: West Lake Country Club

Brian has stayed outside of the doors at the country club watching the exchange from the doorway with Vanessa and Jake. She has been acting odd for a few weeks, spending more time with him and he isn’t quite sure what is going on with her. He was a little shocked when Liz had offered to include him at the wedding party table. A good step for people accepting their relationship.

“Still hoping that she’s going to see stars and bend over backwards for you being her savior?” Ryan says, appearing behind his brother drink in hand.

“You shouldn’t be here you weren’t invited.” Brian manages, looking away from the table.

The harshness of his brother’s words hanging in the back of his mind as he watches the exchange, watches her body as Jake talks to her. He trusts her, he has too it is the only way to find out what happened to his father. The only way to find the answers that he has been searching for over the last few years.

Ryan watches his brother as a realization hits him, “You slept with her. Did you learn anything out of it? She finally tell you what happened that night?”

“She’s not a toy Ryan.” Brian offers, finally turning to face his brother.

Ryan offers his brother a crooked smile, watching Jake with Vanessa seeing how clearly clueless that Brian has become. It amused him that his brother couldn’t even see the signs right in front of him. That he couldn’t see that Jacob Donovan wasn’t going to release the mysterious Vanessa anytime soon. He knew that Jessica was having a hard time keeping a hold on Jacob, and the only solution was to ensure that his brother remained with Vanessa.

“No, she just has you twisted into knots to the point that you’re losing focus about why you are even here. Have you forgotten why we agreed to go after her? Why we made it important that you fit in with the rest of them?” Ryan asks, taking a sip of his drink.

Brian ponders his answer for a moment, “Things have changed Ryan these are good people. Vanessa is a good person, she doesn’t know anything if she did she would tell me.””

Ryan pauses for a bit as he watches Vanessa gets up from the table and leaves, “Perhaps or perhaps she’s just using you.”

Fed up with his brother’s statements Brian gets to the point, “What do you want Ryan? Have you even told Jessica the truth, that you’re using her?”

Ryan shakes his head for a bit at the irony both of them using someone to get what they wanted.

“Jessica knows that it’s just a game, she knows something about the night dad died. She’ll give me the answers that I want, we have a source. At least I have been honest with her unlike someone else that I know.”

Brian doesn’t like the implication behind his brother’s words, Jessica’s warning from the rehearsal dinner springing to his mind. He isn’t using her, he hasn’t been using her for quite a while ever since she got out of prison and they kissed in his motel room. Everything has changed since she has been out of prison, everything especially how he feels about her. He has adjusted to life in West Lake, to making new friends, fitting into Vanessa’s life and friendships that she has left.

“You don’t belong here Ryan.” Brian finally is able to grit out.

Ryan looks around the room either for Jessica or Paige before his brother’s statement comes to his head. He puts down his drink on a tray near the doorway, placing a hand on his brother’s shoulder. He realizes, his brother has been mesmerized by a girl, that is no longer interested in the plan or their purpose here.

“I may not belong here Brian, but neither do you. It would be nice, if you would remember that these people know what happened to our father.”

Leaving his brother to ponder the thought Ryan walks away. Leaving Brian to look back over the party and wonder what mess he has dug himself into with his brother.

Scene 5: West Lake Country Club

Callie is sitting at the table after she and Tyler have spent the last half hour on the dance floor, enjoying the party. The case is still weak and Tyler is still shifting through everything to get answers straight before they make their next move. Even though she is not a part of the wedding party and has been sitting at the table with her parents, Tyler still has spent time with her. Her parents have decided to cut out early, telling her to not be out to late and to be safe on the car ride home.

“You ready to head home yet?” Tyler asks, as he takes a seat next to her.

Tyler has been running around the wedding party most of the night only recently cutting out about half an hour to dance with Liz. He is glad that she agreed to be his date for the evening, unsure if he could stomach being around his father for the evening. His mind has been racing the last few nights, wondering if they have enough evidence to go before Judge Newman and file a formal complaint against Richard. The wedding being the only distraction that he has had, something he is sure that he is needing.

“Not yet, seems that the party is still going.” Callie says, leaning against his shoulder.

“Is it bad that I’m enjoying this? You know with everything else that has been going on?” Tyler asks, hearing the slow strains of the band in the air.

Callie has been waiting for him to bring it up all night the ever looming presence of Hannah’s case and their investigation. No one else really knows about what is going other than her sister, who really hasn’t said much. Her mother asked her at breakfast the other day and she lied. Saying that it was a hunch that something more had happened, promising her mother that she wouldn’t involve anyone else more than she had too.

Callie shakes her head no at him, “Not really I think with everything that has been going on, what we found in California with Ethan. That spending a day or two just being normal at a wedding is relaxing.

“Ethan won’t return my calls now. I’ve been calling wanting a few answers and his wife answers. Telling me that he isn’t home.” Tyler states, folding his hands in his lap for a moment.

Callie doesn’t know what to think about the statement, it is a bit odd.

“He could be swamped with work Tyler, give it a few days.”

Tyler nods his head before looking over at her again. “You want to dance then?”

“We’ve been dancing all night Tyler.” Callie says, a hint of laughter in her voice as she nods her head standing.

Taking her hand in his he goes ahead and leads her to the dance floor again, twirling her a few times before wrapping his arms around her. The case may have gotten a bit crazy here and there but they’ve stuck it out. He knows that bring the information to Judge Newman is going to cause a huge amount of uproar but he can’t help it. Pulling her close, he closes his eyes.

“Thanks again Callie.”

Callie can’t help but smile looking at him. “Hannah deserves peace, you deserve answers Tyler. You don’t need to thank me for that.”

Scene 6: West Lake Country Club

Kate isn’t sure how long she has been staring at the tablecloth in front of her for most of the reception, the realization that Austin is now married. She is sure that she should have spoke up at the wedding, but to due to her guilt she wasn’t able too. Austin had been unfaithful to Liz a few weeks before marrying her, yet showed no indication about wanting her instead. She still hasn’t told Cade about it, smiling at him as he looks over at her from talking with Austin.

Jessica has fluttered off to help Liz with some last minute reception details the party is winding down only a few people are left. Her brain is still trying to process that what happened with her and Austin can never happen again. She looks up as she sees Liz’s brother Peter take a seat next to her at the table. She looks at him for a moment her eyebrows raised slightly, as he reaches over and grabs some of the nuts from the bowl.

“I think you are the most depressing bridesmaid that I have ever laid eyes on.” Peter announces.

He had been in town a few days, he hasn’t told his sister or his mother that he is going to be back in West Lake for a while. He opted not to sign up for another tour of duty, the military police were already on his back. It was easier for him to use his medical training and degree to get out while he could and come home. He even has an interview with Kate’s mother, Helen next week at the hospital.

A lot has changed over the last few years that he has been gone he knew that from watching the wedding unfold. His baby sister is grown and married to Austin Alexander of all people. Jake he isn’t so sure about his once friend has built a wall up that Austin says is impossible to crack. He supposes it all stems back to the night that Hannah Donovan died, one night that changed everything.

“Don’t you have someone else that you can bother?” Kate asks.

Pete can’t help but let out a light chuckle at the statement before answering, “Weddings are supposed to be a time of happiness and joy Porter. Not a depressed moping party.”

Kate tires to find some sort of comeback but she knows that she has been caught in a whirlwind of lies that she has created. She isn’t happy with herself, she isn’t happy with Cade and sitting at the table with Pete she isn’t sure what to do about it. The only thing that she can feel is sadness at the entire situation, she has put herself into.

“Not everyone gets their happy ending Pete.”

His interest is peaked for some reason that he can’t explain as he watches Cade Harvell shoot him a look from across the room. Somewhere between jealousy and curiosity, looking at her he stuffs some more nuts into his pocket. She perplexes him but knows from Cade shooting him looks that it’s better for him to leave the table. If he remembers one thing about Cade, it is that he has a tempter and a flare for jealousy, as Cade begins to make his way through the room towards the table.

“The only one that can make you happy Kate is you.”

Kate watches as Liz’s brother gets up from the table knowing that he is right, the only one that can make her happy is her. She takes her champagne glass from in front of her and takes a drink glancing over as Cade, finally sits down next to her.

“Everything all right? You look upset.” Cade asks, not sure if Peter Jones has said something to upset her or not.

Kate shakes her head no at him. “Can we get out of here?”

Cade is perplexed by her answer but chooses to follow his aunt’s advice, as he nods at her and helps her up from the chair. Knowing that something else is bothering the girl that he is trying to fix things with.

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