"Just like ships, we float through each other's lives. Through the waters of beauty and grace. We will one day dock at the same port. And give rest to our weary legs"- Umbrellas

Episode 23: "Ships" to listen the theme song please click here.
Written By: Kelly Zollo

Scene 1: Harvell & Associates; West Lake, NY

Walking into Harvell & Associates Jake feels like he’s been hit deja vu all over again. Other than this time he is here to get Garrett to draw up a custody agreement and possibly suing Brian, instead of talking to him about marrying his daughter. Walking towards Garrett’s office he stops short when he spots Vanessa inside dropping off what he assumes are some case files. She turns around and they share an awkward moment, they haven’t spoken since the hospital.

“What are you doing here?” Vanessa asks, her voice going suddenly dry.

The fact that he is going to be having a baby with Jessica Robbins still burning in the back of her mind, something she hasn’t adjusted too. She still isn’t sure why she is so upset by it but she is, perhaps it is Mary getting under her skin from dinner. Instead she focuses back on her father’s desk knowing the question was out of line.

“I came to talk to your dad. I want some papers drawn up.”

“I know about the suit,’ Vanessa says quietly, ‘You can’t do this.”

Jake looks at the ground before looking back up at her, “Actually I can.”

“This is bullshit and you know it.”

Her words sting more than he thought they would and he knows deep down it is true, he flexes his jaw for a moment. Unsure if she is angry at him for coming to her father to represent him or if she is mad that he is going to be suing Brian. Eventually deciding to settle on the second option.

“Trouble in paradise?”

“That is none of your business.”

Jake looks at her cocking his head to the side, “I’m making it my business.”

“What do you want from me Jake? To be miserable for the rest of my life? Would that satisfy you?” she says glaring at him. “Why do you even care anymore?”

He pauses for a moment, seeing how upset she is and something inside of him snaps.

“Because I want you to be honest with yourself about this.”

She looks at him taken aback at his outburst looking down at the ground for a moment to collect her thoughts. He knows how to get under her skin, he always has and he knows where to hit her the most where it hurts. Even if she wanted to fix things she can’t and part of her doesn’t want too.

“You know what. I can’t do this, I have a lot of work I have to get done today.” she manages to get out, biting back the tears as her father enters the office.

Garrett takes a look between the two, holding out his hand for Jake to shake before walking over and touching his daughter’s shoulders. She is happy for her father’s interjection and takes the moment while he and Jake shake hands to collect herself. Looking at her dad with a half smile before leaving the office. The exchange has not been how he had wanted things to go down for them since the hospital.

“Take a seat Jake.” Garrett says, breaking through his thoughts.

Jake looks at him taking a seat across from him, “I didn’t mean to upset her like that or cause a scene.”

Garrett looks at him shaking his head.

“Jake things change, I want her to be happy. I’m seeing you as a favor. You mention on the phone a possible suit against Brian and drawing up some custody papers for you and Jessica.”

Garrett’s voice filters through his thoughts, the words I want her to be happy filling his head. Looking up at him, his face slightly broken.

“For the record this was not how I wanted things to turn out for me and her.”

Scene 2: 14 Greystone Dr., West Lake, NY

Paige turns off the computer screen in her old room at her parents house, they are out at the police annual dinner gala for the evening and Shane is asleep in the bedroom. It is not how she pictured their engagement going them moving back in with her parents, but she would rather that opposed to a jail cell. The club numbers are still high and even though she can’t return home to her apartment there or the club itself, she is glad.

Moving from the chair and heading towards the kitchen for some tea, she stops short when she hears the rain patter against the window and the door slightly creek. The house has always sort of scared her even when she was younger with Austin or when she would have sleep overs. Grabbing the railing she makes her way downstairs flicking on the living room light to jump back, nearly letting out a scream. Ryan is staring at her from a pillar in the living room his eyes dark cold and distant.

Nothing is making sense in his head as to why Jessica is so intent on Paige being locked away for his father, and now he has begun to question his partnership with her. Now looking at her standing before him he isn’t sure what compels the twisted smile on his face, while staring her up and down. He goes to move towards her, feeling the fear radiate off of her, finally reaching her, as his fingers caress her bare arm. He can feel her skin go rigid and cold to his touch and he smiles, leaning down too her ear.

“Did you really think you could get rid of me that easily? You murdered my father and I want to know why,” he says quietly.

Her eyes are darting around the room frantically for a way to escape him and by the time he touches her, she can feel her stomach drop. When he leans in to whisper, her body has gone far to numb to care or to see anything and she shoves him backwards and away from her. She didn’t kill his father, Jessica did and she knows it and if she were a betting woman she would venture to guess that Jessica had convinced him to mess with Hannah’s car.

“Get out before I call the cops.”

“That’s right your new little family, a cop brother to protect you, the squad car is long gone. I think this came into handy.” Ryan says holding up the fake badge to her.

The footsteps on the landing give her enough of a distraction to turn around and hope that Shane is coming down the stairs, and when she turns back Ryan is gone, hearing the kitchen screen door shut. Walking carefully to the landing she grabs her mother’s pistol from the drawer, following the sound barely hearing Shane calling out for her. It is soaking wet by the time she races outside with the gun in her hand, her chest is heaving as she lets off a shot. Stopping Ryan in his tracks outside of the house.

Shane had woken up the the rain against the window and the hushed voices from downstairs, dragging himself out of bed. Barely making out Paige in the landing, clad in her pajamas grabbing a gun from the landing and heading outside. She’s fast for him and after a few treatments physically he is far behind her by the time he reaches her and the man with his hands raised. Rain pattering down, his fiance looking like she has just escaped from a mental institution, the alarm from the house blaring behind him.

“You better make sure it counts if you pull the trigger little girl.” Ryan says.

Paige glances at Shane for a moment, hand steady on the trigger, “He did it I know it.”

Shane has a split second to react as he moves towards her shoving he to the ground, as the shot goes off. It takes him a few seconds and her sobbing for him to look back up to see that the man is no where to be found and there is no trace of blood. Meaning that she missed, she is still sobbing and rocking back and forth, he can hear the sirens in the distance and he pulls her close to him.

“He did it, I know it. He helped Jessica kill Hannah.” Paige says, muttering the line over and over again and he knows that the man was none other than Ryan Davison.

Scene 3: City Hall; West Lake, NY

The annual West Lake Police Department ball has been in the works for well over a year and now at City Hall in the massive building it is here. Full of exotic food, dim lighting for a romantic atmosphere and of course live music. Donations have already been made by the various patrons around town and Callie is sitting with Tyler, her aunt and Greg enjoying the evening. She still hasn’t told anyone that next week will be her last at the firm and that she is going to be working for Simon Hoffman.

“You two should be out there enjoying the party.” Langston says, reaching for her water.

Tyler takes the cue to go ahead and rise from him his seat and hold out his hand to Callie, it is the first time in weeks they have gotten an evening alone. One that he is intent on enjoying with her and not thinking about work or the kiss that he shared with Jamie. Taking her arm and leading her to the dance floor, they stop short when they run into Simon Hoffman and Jamie in the crowd.

“Here is is now,’ Simon says, patting his shoulder, ‘This young man just brought down a gambling ring with the help of the very lovely Ms. O’Keefe.”

The group of high ranking judges in the state and a few respected uniformed officers look over at him nodding their heads in appreciation.

“I heard the kiss was something to be seen, actually got you and O’Keefe to finish out the game.” One of the officers says.

Callie looks over at him for a moment, mouth open and then her eyes met Jamie’s across from her. Tyler can already feel the heat of the stares and worse Callie’s eyes burning into him, shaking his head. Simon looks between the three, realizing that his dear daughter and Tyler have kept Callie in the dark about the kiss.

“Ms. Morris, I’ll see you in the office next week, to finalize things. Enjoy your evening.” Simon says, excusing himself from the group, as it disbands leaving Tyler with Callie and Jamie.

“What in the hell was that about?” Tyler asks, looking at Callie for an answer.

Callie is still processing the news that Tyler had kissed someone else when he asks about the DA office. Jamie looks between the two for a moment before speaking.

“Listen Callie, it was part of the case...”

“Just go Jamie.” Callie says cutting her off.

Jamie looks between them one final time, realizing that her father making the statement about the kiss is starting to do it’s dirty work. Part of her hopes that deep down Tyler will just tell her off and the other part wants to snag him from her half sister. Instead, she looks down at the marble tile for a moment before walking away. Once they are alone Tyler turns to look at her.

“You kissed her?” Callie asks.

“It was part of the sting, they wanted us to act like a real couple or we would have lost the case. What would you have rather I do?’ Tyler asks quietly, pausing for a moment. ‘It didn’t mean anything.”

“You should have told me about it, instead you’re acting like nothing happened.” Callie retorts.

Tyler takes a moment to pause and look at her, “That’s because nothing did happen. What did he mean by he would see in the office?”

By the time he finishes the question both realize that they have caused a slight scene at the party, both realizing that something is off between them. Callie closes her eyes for a moment before speaking.

“I’m going to work for the DA’s office.”

It is the only confirmation that Tyler needs to know that things are going downhill quickly, the DA is out to get his family and he can’t believe that Callie of all people is turning her back on that. He takes a breath and so does she, the crowd goes back to normal, tired and exhausted they stare at each other.

Scene 4: Harvell & Associates; West Lake, NY

Walking into Harvell & Associates Kate can only hope that Vanessa knows where Cade is, he hasn’t returned her calls and she is getting worried about him. She is greeted by spotting her on the phone with who she assumes is Brian, who is out of town in Georgia for a spot on the book tour. By the time the phone is hung up, Vanessa looks a million miles away and she knocks lightly on the door.

Vanessa has been a wreck since the run in with Jake earlier in the morning in her father’s office, leading to her outburst after she had left the office for her own. Stewing over case files for the rest of the day, trying to get her mind off of the incident and worse off of Jake’s words to her. Being honest with herself has never been something that she has been good at with Jacob Donovan. Leading to her calling Brian hoping that his voice or his presence would ease her mind and when she ends the call, she still feels horrible, looking up at Kate.

“Hi. I was hoping you would be here. I’m worried about Cade.” Kate says.

They’re trying to be friends and Vanessa has to remind herself of that fact, as she stares at Kate from behind her desk, “He’s probably at the office.”

“I called there Marla said he wasn’t in that he hasn’t been in for a few days. He’s not taking his medications and I’m worried about him, he just walked out of the hospital the other day.”

Vanessa can tell that her tone is sincere and she is showing genuine concern for her brother.

“You really just thought that he would ride over and be your white night? While you are having Austin's baby?” Vanessa asks.

Kate knows that she has been caught in her own web of lies with the information and the truth of it all hits her again. The tears spring and she takes a seat inside of the office in one of the chairs. Taking the tissue from Vanessa that she holding out for her, she didn’t know what to think about all of it.

“It’s not like Austin and I planned it, it just happened, he went ahead and married Liz, then Liz overdosed. I could have avoided all of it if I had just told Austin about the drugs in the first place you know?” Kate asks.

Vanessa goes to speak or to say something when she notices Liz standing in her doorway, glaring at the two of them. She has to wonder how much she has heard of the conversation.

“You slept with Austin before the wedding?” Liz asks quietly, looking blatantly at Kate.

“Liz..,” Kate begins only to be cut off.

“You were a part of our wedding. Did you know about this?” Liz says looking at Vanessa before, stepping inside the office as Kate rises from her chair.

“She had nothing to do with this.” Kate retorts.

Liz’s hand collides with Kate’s face and her entire body is shaking as soon as the word this leaves Kate’s mouth. Chest heaving she looks between the two girls that she has grown up with for a moment, before stepping back. Tears brimming her eyes as she leaves the office. Kate is still in shock and her hand goes to the side of her face, wiping at the tears that are falling.

Vanessa can only look at Kate before looking at the door wondering if she should chase Liz down or not or stay with Kate. She eventually decides to do neither, as Kate sinks back down in the chair and she picks up her desk phone, hoping to reach her brother. Instead she gets his voice mail, and she tries a few more numbers before resigning, getting up from her desk to place a hand on Kate’s shoulder.

Scene 5: West Lake Hospital; West Lake, NY

Peter has been working straight shifts at the hospital for the last three days and as soon has his shift is over he heads straight to the club for a night of booze and women. If he is going to be staying in West Lake he is going to make the most of it by keeping his nose clean at the hospital and the rest having fun. Now comfortably seated at the bar he nurses his bourbon, flirting aimlessly with the well over forty year old woman beside him. The flirting immediately ends when Jessica Robbins plops down next to him and his mood is easily spoiled.

“Well, well if it isn’t you.” Pete says, shrugging over at her.

Jessica knew that she was playing a dangerous game and getting Pete on her side is needed at this point. She needs a doctor to falsify the right documents for her, to make sure things go according to plan. Peter, is the perfect choice from what she has been able to find out, the military was hot on his trail. Doctors or medics are not suppose to have been selling drugs to soldiers on the side, but alas that was why he was back in West Lake.

“Don’t be like that Pete, we had good times back in the day.” Jessica says, nursing her own drink.

Watching her sip her wine he looks down at her belly remembering from seeing her and rumor that she is supposed to be very much so pregnant. Not that is is any of his business to begin with clearly she finally has gotten what she has always wanted in Jake. But he is a doctor, and the oath he took about human life begins to nag on the back of his conscience.

“Aren’t you supposed to be pregnant? I would hate to have to get Jake down here for you.”

“And I would hate for the medical board and Helen to find out about Iraq and that little sting operation that you were a part of.’ Jessica sneers, watching his face turn white, ‘What didn’t think that anyone would find out about the real reason you showed back up in town?”

“What do you want Jess?” Pete asks, getting annoyed.

“So now I have to want something in order to sit and have a glass of wine at the bar with you. Charming.”

Pete pauses for a moment to take a sip of his drink, “Go find someone else to annoy. Besides I have heard that you have gotten everything that you wanted.”

“I always get what I want Pete.”

“The sad things is I feel sorry for you at the end of the day Jessica, you are never going to be Vanessa. You weren’t back when you played me and Jake against each other for you in high school and your jealousy over him not wanting you. You weren’t back in college when he and Vanessa actually acted on their feelings. Now that she back, I highly doubt that has changed.” Pete says bluntly.

She can feel the anger and the resentment boil off of her skin, as she grips her hand on the wine glass. She knows that she has to play it cool, for everything to work with Ryan, she wants what she deserves. Someone like Peter Jones will either get on board with that or he cannot it will be up to him. She raises the glass to her lips in order to take a long drink and then turns to him in the stool crossing her legs.

“Listen to me very carefully Peter. You’re here the dutiful older brother returning home from a life of searching and war to protect your baby sister. Who might I add you simply abandoned years ago. I would hate to have to ruin that by telling Helen and the medical board what I know. So you’re going to keep your mouth shut about our little run in, don’t even think about telling Jake. and when I call you for a favor you’re going to do it.’ Jessica says, leaning in coldly to his ear, ‘And if you don’t I am going to destroy everyone and everything that you care about. Have a nice evening.”

Peter doesn’t know what to say to her, as he watches her walk away the coldness in her eyes is a new low for even her. The body language tells him that there is more than what is meeting the eyes with her, taking a sip of his drink he mulls over his options. Pulling out his cell phone and dialing Jake’s number hoping to give his friend a heads up that something is off.

Scene 6: 897 Trespass Way., West Lake, NY

After her run in with Kate at the law firm, she returned home to pace in the kitchen eventually settling to cleaning the house the best that she can. Her mind is racing a million miles a minute as the clock tick by and Austin is still not home. She doesn’t like to think about him cheating on her with Kate and she isn’t even really sure that she can ask him about it. He has been distant for weeks since she has been home, and worse while she was in rehab.

When she hears the car pull into the driveway, she steps out of the guest bedroom making her way down the hall to look at him. Walking in the doorway, undoing his tie and placing his briefcase down by the table in the front door. He looks tired and she can’t help but just look at him, at how worn down he is. She bites the bottom of her lip for a moment and then looks at him again.

He has been working late nights, hoping to avoid the doubt that has been raised in the back of his head with Kate and her unborn child. One mistake could come back and ruin everything for him and Liz, and he is trying to try with Liz. Even if he knows that he is failing miserably at being a good husband to her. Not something that he is proud of, it just is what is at the moment for them.

She looks tired and a bit worried, leaning against the wall looking at him almost as if she is questioning him about something. She doesn’t come right out and say anything, but the look she is giving him is one of disappointment. He has had a long day at the office, placing calls for the mess that has become Brian’s hectic book tour.

“You should get some rest,” he says.

Still staring at him she looks at the ground before looking back up at him, “Did you sleep with Kate before the wedding?”

He stands there feet planted from heading up the stairs, as she confronts him about something that he isn’t even sure why it happened. He and Kate hadn’t planned it, they hadn’t snuck around for weeks on end carrying on an affair, it was a mistake. It doesn’t make it right or any less hard for him to break the news to her and he nods, unable to say anything. Her confirmation of a few tears slipping out of her eyes is all he needs to stand across from her, before moving forward.

“It didn’t mean anything, it just happened.” Austin says, reaching out for her.

“You should go,” she says, quietly refusing to let him touch or comfort her.

Deep down she knew Kate’s words were true from the moment she heard them, even if she wanted to believe that Austin hadn’t cheated on her. Instead, she is met with cold harsh reality of the situation that they need sometime apart from each other. She can’t stand to look at him, let alone even be around him in the same house.

“You don’t mean that, you of all people,” he says quietly.

Nodding her head at him Liz stays firm in her decision, “You should go.”

Reaching out for her hand he takes it in his own.

“What about us?”

“I don’t know.”

He doesn’t get a chance to ask her anything else, as she takes her hand out of his walking down the hallway to the master bedroom, shutting the door behind her. Moving to follow her he grabs the doorknob on the door to shake it finding it locked. Unable to bring himself to leave the house, he takes a seat on the sofa hanging his head in his hands. Moving to the bed she places her head in her hands and lets the tears stream down her face, glancing over at her wedding photo. Wondering if it was all just a nice pretty illusion that she had lined up over the years, wondering if her husband was still in love with Kate.

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