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The Ties that Bind, Part 21

Scene 4

Sally is sitting at her desk, she's lost in thought looking on the shelf at one of the yellow roses that Tom sent to her.. There's a knock on the door.

Tom: (popping his head around the door)  Hey, can I come in a sec?

Sally: If it's about you and me …..

Tom: No  (taking a seat in a chair across from her)  You'll never guess who I just saw come in . . .

Sally: Who?

Tom: It's a good thing you're sitting down…. It's JT..

Sally: WHAT?? I thought …..

Tom: So did I, I thought he was never coming back either..

Sally: Does Nicole know he's here??

Tom: I don't think so.   He was at the end of the bar getting a drink, I think he just wanted to check everything out first.

Sally: Great!  This is all Nicole needs…

Tom: Why do you say that?  He did what he had to . . .

Sally: You're kidding me… had to?….He up and left her high and dry!

Tom: I think you've got it all wrong, he left her so she would be protected…

Sally: Funny way of protecting her, leaving her to deal with all the mess he made!

Tom: There's two sides to every story you know…and as your usual style you think it's all the Man's fault….(looking her in the eye he says firmly)… I'm not going anywhere if that's what this is all about"

Sally: I don't have time for this  (she gets up from behind the desk and tries to get past him, but he blocks her way, she looks him in the eye and quietly says)  Tom, please don…

Tom: Don't what?  Don't love you? Don't think about you every minute of every day?  Don't think about the time that we are wasting.. Don't what?

Sally: (angrily she says)  Don't make me hurt you..

Tom: Do you think by staying away from me is going to hurt me any less?    Aren't you the one telling everyone that they should not live in the past?   I'm not like the others Sally, I'm not going to leave you, I'm not going to get tired of looking at your beautiful face every morning, I'm not….I'm just not.

Sally: It was a mistake to begin with.  Look what I'm doing to you already, things don't work out for me they never do…

Tom: Because you don't give them a chance to…


Scene 5
The Herald,

Nick is sitting at his desk working on his computer, trying to finish a story when he hears

Linda:  Excuse me, I think you're sitting at my desk.

Nick: (looking up and then leaning across the top of his computer he says)  Well, I do believe I offered to share now, didn't I?

Linda: Hmmm . . . share you say?  Now, how are we going to share this desk…

Nick: (thinking for a minute)  Well…you could sit on my lap…..

Linda: Nick!!

Nick: Oh all right, I was just kidding…unless??

Linda: (Just looking at him)  So how are you doing today?

Nick: Great . . .  now that you're here..

Linda: Flattery will get you nowhere, Buddy

Nick: (Surprised) who me??

Linda: Uh uh (serious now)  So have you seen the boys yet today?

Nick: No, not yet, I was going to pick them up after school and see if they wanted to go to the movies.  I think they need to spend time with there uncle, not that Donna isn't taking good care of them.  Hey, I could sure use the company too, do you want come with?

Linda: I don't know, Nick, I've been gone for a few days and I'm sure Derek has plenty of things for me to do.

Maria: (chiming in) No, you don't, sorry to interrupt guys but I was able to help out Derek while you were gone, Linda. (in a softer voice)  Personally, it was a lot nicer than working for Amanda.  'Get this, get that' is what I have to put up with.  Having Derek here is like having Jake back, because he knows how to handle her for certain!  You go on Linda it will be a joy helping Derek, and I'm certain those two boys would love it as well, they need all the help they can.

Linda: Are you sure Maria?   I don't want to not pull my share..

Nick: Great, it's a date then, shall I pick you up at 4:00?

Linda: (looking at Maria and then Nick)  Well, alright, it's a date.


Scene 6

After leaving Amanda at the restaurant, Derek walked around the city.   He needed to clear his head, he couldn't believe how much he told Amanda, how he thought the past was behind him and he was moving on, except for Katia, why didn't she just leave him alone, she had done enough.. He finds himself at the basketball court and sees a ball lying there so he starts shoot some baskets. After shooting several shots he sits on the bench. Breaking him from his thoughts he hears….

Amanda: Hey there stranger.  Mind if I sit down?

Derek: How'd find me..

Amanda: I was on my way back to the office and I just happened by.

Derek: Oh

Amanda:  Whatcha doing?

Derek:  (looking at her with a smirk)   Bowling…what do you think?

Amanda: Well, I can see you don't want any company, I guess I'll go then.   (she gets up)

Derek: (holding her arm) No, no don't go.  I'm sorry, sit down . . . please..

Amanda: Alright..

There's a quiet moment of silence not knowing what to say, what to do…Derek starts bouncing the ball….

Amanda:   (finally breaks the silence)  so do you play?

Derek: Basketball?  Not really.  (he gets up and turns around and looks at Amanda)  Wanna play?

Amanda: Play?… I don't think so…

Derek: What?  chicken???

Amanda: Chicken? I'm not chicken I just don't feel like playing.

Derek: Well, I do.   Come on, afraid this Canadian is going to beat you?

Amanda: (smiling up at him) And what kinda of game were you thinking of?

Derek: Let's play Horse, but only lets play the Canadian version.

Amanda: Canadian version…hmmm and what's that called?

Derek: Only if your up to playing it, and the important thing is that we play by Canadian rules…its called SSIK.

Amanda: SSIK? What the heck does that mean? It be must be a pretty short game.

Derek: Oh, you'll figure it out once the game is over it's short but definitely worth it…(bouncing the ball up and down spying Amanda with a bit of a smile on his face)

Amanda: Alright, so tell me what are the rules of this game?

Derek: Ok it's pretty simple, the first one that misses a shot gets a letter and then once you spell SSIK then you lose…And the loser has to grant the winner his wish.

Amanda: one wish you say…hmmmm , , , anything the winner wants right?

Derek: Absolutely

Amanda: (thinking to herself 'little do you know Derek that I played a lot of Horse with Matt when I was younger maybe just maybe if I win I can find out more about Jessica' so she says to be sure)  And what if one can't grant that wish…

Derek: Trust me, it can be granted…come on, let's play….Ladies first (he hands her the ball.)

Amanda: (takes the ball) All right. (she dribbles for a couple of seconds and steps to the side of the basket shoots and it goes in.)

Derek: hmmm . . .  I have a feeling that you've played this game before..

Amanda: Oh, just a little bit with Matt..

Derek takes the ball dribbles and steps where she was and shoots…it goes in…

Derek:  Okay, my turn.  (he dribbles and steps further back and shoots…swoosh it goes in…Amanda takes the ball does the same and it hits the rim and misses)  I do believe that's an S for you Miss Cory  (He takes the ball)  

Amanda: I can spell!  Don't get to confident mister (He steps further back and shoots, it misses)   HA!  I told you so.   My turn… (she dribbles again and makes another shot it goes in….this goes back an forth for a while each making shots and each missing until Derek has SS and Amanda has SSI.)

Derek: One more miss Amanda and I win.

Amanda:  Just shoot the Ball, Derek

Derek dribbles slowing taking his time trying to decide what kind of shot he wants to make finally he steps up to the foul line and dribbles and shoots..it hits the backboard and goes in.

Derek: YEAH!   (Amanda gets the ball and dribbles and goes and stands where Derek last shot.)   Remember Amanda, you miss and that's a K and I win…

Amanda: Yeah, I know, you don't have to remind me everytime (she dribbles and finally shoots.  It hits the rim, rolls around it and looks as if it may go in but it rolls right out of the rim)  Damn …

Derek: Wooohaaa! Yes! I do believe I won! (Derek says smiling) That's SSIK for you Miss Cory!

Amanda: (goes over and gets the ball and walks back towards Derek)   Yeah, well, maybe next time I'll beat you!  So now what?

Derek: Now what? Haven't you figured SSIK yet?

Amanda: (thinking for a moment)  Isn't it some French Canadian word?

Derek: (laughing) Come on, I thought you were smarter than that?

Amanda: (indignant)  What do you mean by that?

Derek: KISS….

Amanda: WHAT???

Derek: (rolling his eyes) Ah, Amanda, SSIK is KISS spelled backwards.   Didn't you ever play that game when you were a kid, like spin the bottle? We played it with all the girls if they lost then they had to Kiss whoever won..

Amanda: WHAT? Come on you set me up?

Derek: You're not trying to back out are you? (as he steps closer to Amanda who is still holding the ball.)

Amanda: (getting flustered) No, no, I'm not..

Derek: (still getting closer to her) A deal's a deal remember?

Amanda: Yeah, but I, uh I …..

Derek: (before she gets a chance to finish, he leans in inches away from her face he looks at her)  But nothing. (kisses her softly at first then a more passionate kiss, we see Amanda drop the ball from her hands, Derek steps back still closer to her face)  Thank you for granting my wish.

Scene 7

Kris took Vicky home to the apartment and made her wait there, after what happened at Sally's she thought it would be best for Vicky to not push Jake and just wait for him. So Vicky is in the apartment, she paced back and forth, the time was getting late it was around 1:30 in the morning, she went out on the balcony looking at the lights of the city in the background we hear the music playing…..

On the edge of the night
On the edge of the world
looking over the sign
And he don't see no bottom
An't no end in sight
He's leaning on the edge of the night

How long have you been gone
How long you been gone
How long have you been gone
So long
Wont you come back home

Do you wake for the city
Do you watch all the lights at night
Under the bridges of the city
The city lights they look alright at night
Do you sleep alright

So you had you a woman
And you had some children too
You walked out on them for the streets
And they didn't know what to do
What are we going to do
How long you been gone..

She hears Jake enter the Apartment, he's had quite a bit to drink, Robin made sure he got home alright.  He feels pretty confident that Vick is asleep so there wont be any confrontations tonight, he doesn't think he can take much more, he sat and drank till he thought he could drink her out of his system, but to no avail, he continues to wake from his dreams, thinking all the love he's thrown away and lost and how he wants to just be back in her arms again….He walks in and heads for the bar for one last night cap.. Vicky walks through the balcony doors and leans against the door to look at Jake.

Vicky:   (seeing him down another shot of whiskey softly we hear her say)  It's not going to help, Jake.

Jake: (turning around surprised that she was there)  Not up to you to decide, is it?  (turns back around)

Vicky: I'm not going to argue with you, Jake…

Jake: Then go away…

Vicky: (quietly)  No…

Jake:  (turning around to face Vicky, the emotion all over his face, not wanting to share this with her but finally he starts to talk… quietly and softly at first)  Do you know what it was like for me…finding out that you lied about seeing Shane?  I died on that day, my heart just died. I'm so angry I don't know what to do with it all… this anger in here.   (as he points to his heart)   I want to yell, scream, hit!!!!!

Vicky: (seeing the pain on his face, the emotion in his voice, she walks toward Jake)  Oh Jake…..

Jake: (putting his hand up)  Don't.   (he walks past Vicky over to the window still with a drink in his hand and proceeds to gulp it down, he winces as the alcohol burns his throat)   The one person I couldn't stand, you had to go see him, you had to risk everything for him.  (spitting out those words)   That made everything you ever told me a lie.  It just proved to me that you never really wanted me, you wanted it both ways..

Vicky: (not knowing what to say.  Wanting to shake Jake and yell at him to make him understand but Vicky can only hear herself saying)  That's not true.

Jake:  (taking another shot of whiskey)  It is true. Look at all the years I wasted trying to convince you that we belonged together.  (wanting to stop this conversation but he couldn't.  He found that the liquor was making him talk as much as he didn't want to)  Trying to be the Man you wanted me to be but couldn't (his voice trails off)

Vicky: (focusing on the word wasted) wasted? (in disbelief)  You think those years were wasted?

Jake: Look at the heartache I caused, the pain I caused for you and for me..

Vicky: Yes, Jake, there has been a lot of pain over the years, but look at what's more important… look at the love that you brought.…not only into my life…but into my kids life…our kids lives! Jake, I more than anyone, know how much pain I've caused you! That's one of the reason's I was scared to you tell you about what happened with Shane…

Jake: (still not believing that she didn't sleep with Shane)  What? Like you slept with him!" You didn't tell me because you…You had to have it both ways Vick you wanted it all…. You're best friend and your lover! How long were you going to continue to lie to me Vicky, how long?

Vicky: I was going to tell you..

Jake: Yeah, I know I've heard this before…(another shot of whiskey goes down, he's not even feeling the burning that the alcohol is making in his throat)

Vicky: Drinking yourself into a stupor isn't going to resolve this between us.

Jake: Yeah, well… It couldn't hurt me anymore than you have. And right now, it's about the best comfort I've felt in along time..

Vicky: Jake, you can try and hurt me as much as you want to right now but like I said I'm not going anywhere, I'm not leaving you ever!…. So we can either stand here all night and argue or we can resolve this…..Which will it be?

Jake: Don't give me ultimatums…

Vicky: Oh, I'm not giving you Ultimatums I wouldn't dare do that, I'm just telling you like it is….if you weren't the most the most stubborn man I have ever met!!!

Jake: Yeah, well, it takes one to know one!!

Vicky: Go ahead, go on, drink yourself into oblivion.  There's no point talking to you when your like this….. (she turns around and storms off to the Kitchen, Jake turns the other way and goes to the bar to pour himself another one.. all of a sudden we hear this scream Jake turns and runs towards the kitchen and opens the door and there is water that is pouring out from the sink and Vicky is on the floor trying to get it turned off Jake stands there for a moment and then goes to try and help her.)

Jake: Here, get back, let me do… (he tries to move her out of the way)

Vicky:  I don't need your help I can do it.  (as she tries to get the knob to shut off….)

Jake: Yeah right, get me a towel will ya?  (they struggle for a moment, Vicky steps back and reaches for a towel and then hands it to Jake and shoves it in Jake's face)

Vicky: Here, take it!

Jake: (looking at her) thanks.  (turns around, meanwhile they are both getting completely drenched in water, both of their hands are on the knob struggling to get the faucet turned off.)

Vicky: Come on, Jake, you can do it.  (she says right into his ear, finally after much struggling it slowly stops, they both slowly come out from under the sink, both of them breathless and wet to the bone, kneeling on the ground, Vicky's hair is a complete mess, Jake looks at Vicky slowly from her knees up to her face.

Jake:  (a slow smile starts to come across his face)  You look like . . .  (trying not to laugh he tries again)  You look like…

Vicky: What? (as she tries to put herself back in order, trying to make herself look a little decent but she never looked more lovelier….Then she starts to smile as well looking at Jake and the mess he looks all wet and flustered…she starts to giggle they slowly both start to giggle, then they start laughing and pointing at each other.

Jake: You were never much of a plumber, were you?

Vicky: Yeah, well neither were you. (She shoots right back at him.)

Jake reaches up on the counter and takes a dry towel off and wraps it around Vicky and begins to try to rub her dry, kneeling very close to each other….

Vicky: (softly) Bhurr, that water is cold.

Jake takes the towel and proceeds to dry her hair as well, he's got the towel on the top of her head rubbing her hair dry, not saying much Vicky is truly enjoying this, Jake stops and lets the towel drop on her shoulders and is now looking eye level with Vicky, looking into those deep blue eyes, unable to remove his eyes from that trance that they seem to put him in, he forgets everything, the pain, anger, rage and just remembers the love that this women brought to him…. His hand comes up to her face as he moves a lock of hair out of her eyes and then he runs his finger tips across the side of her face, along her chin. Vicky is just looking at Jake afraid to make a move, just so glad to have him that close to her again, to feel him, smell him. She's looking at Jake her eyes start to water up and a tear runs down her face, Jake wipes it away with his finger tip.

Vicky: (starts to say something)Jak.. 

Jake: (puts his finger on her lips as he moves in closer their lips so close but not touching yet) Shut up (and then kisses her, softly…Vicky begins to put her arms around Jake, the towel drops off her back and falls to the floor as their kissing is becoming more passionate we hear Vicky saying Jake's name and I love you as they both fall to the floor with Jake almost on top of Vicky, trailing kisses on her face and neck …..