Los Angeles:

"Jacqueline Kirk is already the hottest name around! THIS... will just take it to a whole 'nother level!"

Wade, Jackie's agent sat back in his swivel chair in silence, listening to the executive producer's rant in his office.

It's not like the man doesn't have a point... He thought to himself, But it just doesn't seem like the greatest idea, knowing what he knew.

"The moment this town heard that Jackie was back five years ago, scripts everywhere were practically rewritten for her and thrown on her lap!" the executive continued, now wildly pacing in front of Wade's desk, gesturing with his hands and arms, "They begged her to play Katniss in The Hunger Games... BEGGED HER for Christ's sakes! What does she do? She says no! No explanation! The studio will just not take NO for an answer anymore!"

"But Mike, it was still a box office success without her… and… and her Neptune schedule conflicted with..." Wade started, knowing his defense of Jackie was weak.

Mike raised his hand to call for silence, and took a deep breath. He faced Wade and in a much slower and lower tone said, "That's not the point... They know it did well, but they believe it would have done better with her on... They also know it's MY job to make sure YOU do YOUR job to get her signing... And when they feel someone's messed with their numbers… they… they're just not happy. You get it?"

Wade understood. They were using a power play, either play by their rules or you don't get to play at all... Not him, not Mike, not even Jackie. Maybe Jackie. The studio couldn't have known how endeared she had become to pop culture prior to the film nor predicted how hugely popular she would continue to be years after Neptune. They would never release her from her contract. Him and Mike on the other hand, well, they both knew they were expendable. They also both had families. He sighed, "I got it, Mike. I'll make it happen."

Mike stood there in silence, "Good." He said, and walked out without another word.

Beverly Hills:

Jackie was sitting on the patio of The Belvedere in Beverly Hills engrossed in a book when her phone rang. She quickly glanced down and saw it was Wade. She hit decline and resumed her reading. As she was about to take a sip of her coffee, the phone rang a second time. She begrudgingly put down her book and picked up the phone.

"Hello..." Jackie successfully omitted the annoyance from her voice, but all she could muster was a flat greeting.

"Good morning Hon!" Wade said a little too chipper. Jackie knew that tone, the man wanted something.

"What do you want Wade?" Jackie said teasingly. She couldn't help it. No matter her mood, Wade could turn it around. He seemed to be the only person who could do that nowadays. Especially after the incident.

"Did you read the script I sent you?" Jackie didn't have to say anything as Wade continued, "I know what you're going to say... But this is different! I think you'll really like the character development... And the interplay of... Uh... Characters..."

Jackie couldn't help but smile and shake her head at his feeble attempt at enticing her, "Oh Wade..."

"Okay, I may not have all of the lingo down to talk screenplay artsy-fartsy but it doesn't change the fact that it's a good script! A GREAT script! Forget that it's attached to a major studio... That it's big budget... Once you read it, at its core it's a great story for our time! It's got heart! ... Think Academy Awards! But small... Very small!"

Jackie was smiling widely as Wade rambled on. The truth was not what Wade thought it to be. After Neptune, Jackie had turned down any major motion picture part thrown her way. Instead she turned her attention to independent films. From drama to dark comedy, feel-good romance and even disturbing psychological thrillers, she even did a film entirely in French, which she had to learn in three months. However, with Wade being a great agent, the studio's PR and by her own ability to recognize a great script, every single one had been a hit in their own right or garnered critical attention and praise both in festivals and with its audiences.

It perplexed Wade that she continued to say yes to low budget films that required extremely long and sometimes unorganized schedules when she could have any part with any team she wanted. Jackie just told him that she was doing it for the art… "to cultivate her craft and challenge herself by returning to the roots of acting, without all its bells and whistles." Though this was true to a huge extent, as Jackie loved acting and working, it was mainly intended to stop the inquiries and speculation. But instead, she was propelled to a different level of stardom. With much reluctance, she had become the "it-girl" of indie films. Though some in the business called her an elitist, others believed her to be a true bohemian artist. Whatever their opinion… her name and face still ended up on the headlines.

The truth was that Jackie just wanted to be left alone to do what she loved. She longed and searched for anonymity by acting in independent films. She didn't like what came with fame and so steered herself away from big name, big budget, BIG PUBLICITY movies. Sure there were the sometimes fun parts; dinners, awards, dresses, gifts. But she also knew the darker side of it.

That side of it is a story that she could not leave behind; not only because of the media, but because of her heart and mind as well. The incident happened before Neptune, in a town called Bloomington. No one knows exactly what happened, but everyone had their ideas and opinions. With that, she became infamous.

"Wade…" Jackie interrupted, deciding to put him out of his misery, "I read the script…"

Well, almost out of his misery, "And?"

Jackie let the silence hang for a beat longer, "Aaaand… I liked it…" Jackie heard a loud thump, which she assumed was either Wade slamming his hand on the table in victory or falling out of his chair in surprise.

"Yes!" Wade exclaimed, "This is going to be great! YOU are going to be GREAT! I'll call the studio up right now!"

With that, Jackie heard the click of the phone. She smiled to herself, knowing that Wade purposely hung up quickly in case she changed her mind. She wouldn't. It was a very good script after all…

Besides, Jackie thought to herself, maybe it's time.

Bloomington:

Catherine stepped out of the cab and walked to her front door, suitcase in hand. Her parents' house… HER house still stood beautiful. She smiled sadly, contemplating how everything could look the same but be so different.

She inserted the key in the door and turned the lock. The house looked the same inside as well. The furnishing clean and well taken care of, thanks to the cleaning service she had hired prior to her three year departure. But the memories still lingered in her mind, and no amount of polishing and cleaning could scrub them away.

Memories spent in her youth, with her parents. Helping her mother in the kitchen for dinner or standing on her fathers' shoes for a dance. Of nights spent cuddled between them in front of the fire and of Birthdays and Christmases, laughter and love.

And more recently, memories of the only person she ever loved. Catherine did not allow herself to continue on.

Those were the memories that drove her away from this place. Leaving to travel and conduct research through fellowships with different Academic Institutions in Europe and Asia. For two years after… Catherine tried to continue living in the house. But the memories became too much; the pain too great to bear. So she left, and three years later, she finds herself back.

Catherine dropped her suitcase and locked the door behind her, "Home Sweet Home…" She said aloud to no one. She wondered if she would grow to regret her decision to return. But she doubted it…

Besides, Catherine thought to herself, maybe it's time.