Jo looked over at Nick and than looked straight ahead quickly as he turned his eyes upon her.

"Jo we can't keep doing this." He said softly.

"Doing what?" Jo asked innocently; although she knew what he was talking about.

Nick sighed. "This not working out. I'm gonna catch the next ship out of here."

Jo turned to Nick "Nick no."

Nick nodded. "I made up my mind Jo. I miss the sea. It is calling me it. It's time I go back to my real life."

"This isn't real. "We" aren't real." Jo asked with hurt in her voice.

" "Us" can't be real Jo. It can never be real." Nick said softly.

"Why!" Jo demanded.

"You are not over Fritz yet. I don't want to compete against an ghost. I can't win." Nick said.

"Yes you can and you would if you really wanted to." Jo shook her head. "I don't believe that Nick."

"What about the town. The talk is getting to much for you and you may lose Plumfield." Nick said.

"So. The folks have been talking about me my whole life. Hasn't bothered me one bit." Jo shook her head stubbornly. "Sides the town loves Plumfield they don't want to see it end."

"I just can't stay any longer Jo. I am going home .. to the sea." With that Nick turned his back on Jo and walked over to where he put his things and he picked it up.

"So this isn't an sprue of moment announcement. How long have you known." Jo said angrily.

"For an while. I just decided that today was the day that I was going to leave." Nick said turning to look at her. "Say my goodbyes for me."

"So that's it Nick Riley hmm.. you are going to leave without saying good bye to the children. The children who look up at you like their father." Jo said with tears in her eyes.

"I never asked to be an father figure. You pushed it on me." Nick said with anger in his voice.

"Why did you stay than?" Jo asked angrily.

"You made me." Nick shouted.

Jo shook her head. "No your jail time was done at Thanksgiving you could have hopped on an ship and sailed out of here that day. But you came back."

Nick snorted. "I came back for the money."

"I don't believe you Nick." Jo said softly.

"Believe what you want. I'm outta here." Nick shouted and with that he turned his back and started to walk.

"Why are you running away Nick Riley. Why are you so afraid of love. True Love." Jo shouted tearfully after Nick.

Nick didn't look back he just quickened his pace and rushed down the driveway of Plumfield and left his home behind him. *For good.* He thought sadly.

Jo broke down completely as Nick passed Plumfield's gates. She sank to her knees and her sobs wacked her body as she wept.