Episode 12 5, Scene 1-4

by spiltmilk14

I generally liked the season finale, but felt there were missing pieces to the story that would otherwise make it feel complete. This is Episode 12.5, it happens during Tara's recovery, and ends right before the speech she gives at the Studio opening, where the actual ending scene takes place as seen on TV.

1. Chapter 1

EPISODE 12.5

TARA (V.O.)

We take so many things for granted.

It's not until something terrible happens that you realise how fortunate you are.

Or were.

Having a loving family.

Getting into the Academy.

Being able to walk.

SCENE 1

TARA at the the physical therapist's office, doing leg lifts and other exercises.

THERAPIST

You can stop if you're tired, don't overdo it.

TARA looks tired, but shakes her head determinedly, takes a deep breath and continues with the next set.

SCENE 2

TARA being pushed through the hospital in a wheelchair. Her dad and KAT are waiting in the hospital lobby.

TARA

Kat!

KAT

T!

The girls hug excitedly

MR WEBSTER

Kat and I thought we'd surprise you.

KAT
I would have come by last week, but Ethan was home and Natasha insisted on having a family dinner. Bleargh. My stomach is still on edge from her meatloaf.

But! I talked to your dad I thought we could have a girls' afternoon and then a sleepover at my place, if you're up for it.

(KAT dangles an overnight bag from her arm)

MR WEBSTER

We thought you could use some cheering up, princess. A change from the same-old, same-old.

TARA

Of course I'm up for it! I just…(gestures to the wheelchair)

KAT

I know, I know. I thought about that. (smiles mischeviously)

SCENE 3

KAT and TARA on a tricycle with a front wagon, riding through the park. TARA in the wagon with her legs sticking out, KAT huffing a little as she bikes, but both girls are laughing. They pull up outside the Samuel Lieberman Memorial Studio.

KAT

I…haven't been here in a while, and I thought you might want to see this too.

TARA

(in awe)

It's really happening. I'm so glad.

I'm so glad Sammy's dad really did it.

Both girls are quiet for a moment, each obviously thinking of Sammy.

TARA

I still miss him a lot. When I was in the hospital, I kept thinking of him.

Hip-hop music starts playing from inside the studio. CHRISTIAN can be heard counting down the rhythm.

TARA

(Confused)

It's…? I thought the opening isn't for a few months?

Did I read the invitation wrong?

KAT

They've started offering some classes for kids,

y'know, just to warm up a little.

We can take a peek.

SCENE 4

KAT wheels TARA and the bike around to a side door, where they slip into the studio. CHRISTIAN and OLLIE are teaching a routine to a group of kids. CHRISTIAN nods when he sees KAT and TARA come in, but remains focused on teaching.

CHRISTIAN

Last set guys, give it your best shot!

Jayden, keep on top of your feet.

Nick, nice sharp armwork.

The kids finish the routine and break into spontaneous whoops and cheers.

CHRISTIAN

Great job everyone!

OLLIE

See you here again Friday!

CHRISTIAN and OLLIE dismiss the kids, high-five a few of them, then walk over to join KAT and TARA

TARA

Christian! That was unbelievable!

CHRISTIAN

(To KAT)
I'm sorry, I can't take her seriously when she's in that thing.

(gestures to the tricycle)

KAT

(shrugs and makes a face)

And how might you boys bring her here from the hospital, huh?

OLLIE

(deadpan)

Well, I kind of have a car, you should have asked me.

CHRISTIAN bends over and picks TARA up gently, seats her on a nearby chair. TARA is surprised, her eyes close momentarily as she savours the sudden closeness. TARA and CHRISTIAN share a shy smile as he steps away.

CHRISTIAN

You should have told me you were coming over.

I'd have, I don't know, swept up a little or something.

TARA

No, no, no! Seeing this place is special enough.

It's amazing, I can't believe what you guys have done with this!

OLLIE

It's really something, isn't it?

Zach and Christian here really pulled it together.

It's nice to come over to hang out whenever the ballet-titis sets in.

KAT

The Company's really pushing you, huh?

OLLIE

Kind of. It's totally Abby's thing, but a guy needs some breathing room sometimes, y'know?

KAT's phone rings

KAT

Sorry guys, I have to take this. It's my agent calling.

(goes to far corner of studio to talk on phone)

OLLIE looks at CHRISTIAN and TARA and senses he might not be wanted around.

OLLIE

So, I'll catch you later, Reedo. I have to rehearse my piece.

CHRISTIAN

Later, man.

OLLIE marks a contemporary piece center studio, leaving CHRISTIAN and TARA at the barres. CHRISTIAN grabs another chair and sits facing TARA.

TARA
So, teaching?

CHRISTIAN
Yeah, who'd have thought I'd go for it.

TARA
You're really good at it. The kids like you.

CHRISTIAN

Yeah, you told me once before. I do listen to you, sometimes.

What about you, Training Bra? How are…things?

TARA

(sighs)

More like training wheels at this point.

(smiles, with just a hint of sarcasm)

But, but I'm fine. Really.

The nurses at the hospital have been really nice.

I'm making some progress, though I can't walk for too long of a stretch.

10-15 minutes is good, anything more is just too exhausting.

Dancing still seems so far away.

TARA reaches out to nearby barre and pulls herself to her feet, CHRISTIAN instinctively lunges to help her.

CHRISTIAN

Whoa, easy there, tiger.

TARA

It's fine, the doctors say it's good to stretch my legs and feel the muscles work.

CHRISTIAN steps back. TARA faces the barre and settles into first position. It's the first time since the fall. She does a few shallow, hesitant plies and port-de-bra, nothing strenuous. CHRISTIAN watches her, on the alert.

CHRISTIAN

You've still got it. That easy grace.

TARA

It's been a while.

I went from dancing 60 hours a week to bedrest for 3 months.

It's…a hard change.

(close to tears)

I feel like I don't know my own body anymore.

CHRISTIAN

(comes up behind her, puts his hands on her waist, whispers in her ear)

Hey. It's ok. Shhh.

TARA

(smiles sadly)

That feels really familiar. Where your hands are.

It's like pas de deux.

CHRISTIAN wraps his right arm around TARA and securely lifts her a few inches off the ground and away from the barre, holding her left hand in his, in an arabesque. She catches on and does a mini-arabesque, just like in pas de deux. He takes her hand above her head, but instead of a pirouette, he walks around her to give her the sense of one. They do a few more "modified" dance steps, some flashbacks of their past dances flash on-screen, ending with CHRISTIAN standing in front of TARA in real life. They look straight at each other, hands still touching.

CHRISTIAN
You're still my favourite partner.

TARA

Am I?

CHRISTIAN

You kidding me? Of course. (Nervously) Tara, I…

TARA
(expectantly, softly)

Yes?

KAT

(still on phone, whisper-shouts to CHRISTIAN and TARA, they stop holding hands abruptly)

Guys, I'm so sorry, this is going to take a while.

(into phone) Uh-huh, yes, I'm still here…tomorrow you said?

Could you just email me everything that you just said…

TARA and CHRISTIAN's moment is lost They smile at each other apologetically.

CHRISTIAN

You can come back here anytime if you like, use the barre, get used to a dance studio again.

It'll make you feel better. I'm here most afternoons, the space will be available.

TARA

Could I? Thank you.

That would be lovely.

CHRISTIAN

Yeah, sure. Just give me a call whenever you want.

Zach takes the kids some days so they don't run amok under my care, make sure they learn their tendus and jetes.

So we could even hang out, you and me. If you want, I mean.

TARA

(sincerely) I'd like that. Hanging out.

CHRISTIAN

Cool, just (clears throat) give me a shout anytime.

If you're squeamish about my moped, I'll ask Ollie to pick you up.

We share an apartment now, and you won't believe how many favours the guy owes me.

(imitates OLLIE) "Reedo, I locked myself out again and I have to be at the theater in 20 minutes!"

"Christian, I NEED to borrow a sweatshirt, mine's still in the laundry!"

"Dude, I'm late to rehearsal, could I swipe two of your energy bars? I owe you, I swear!"

TARA
Glamorous life of a company dancer, huh.

CHRISTIAN

Yeah, the more I see Ollie's schedule, the more reassured that I made the right choice.

(nods in OLLIE's direction) He gets to bust some cool moves though.

TARA

Wait, you…got into the company?

CHRISTIAN

(Quietly, with no bravado whatsoever)

Yes, I did. But I didn't take it. No one knows. Except Zach, and now you.

TARA

(Confused, a little angry also)
I…don't know what to say. Congratulations? But why didn't you…? You told me pretty decisively near the end of third year that you wanted to get into the company. What happened to that, Christian? Do you know what I would do….to….(her voice cracks)

CHRISTIAN

Training bra, calm down. I know.

The company contract was the dream. But I found a new dream. One better for me.

You said so yourself, I'm good at teaching. I love teaching. Why should I put that on hold?

TARA

(visibly upset)

I…I know you're right. I know I should be happy for you.

And I am, very very glad for you that you love what you do.

But it's very hard to process what you gave up right now, I'm sorry.

CHRISTIAN

No hard feelings. I understand. But I didn't give it up, I just chose something different, ok?

(He grabs one of her hands and squeezes it, she gives him a small, shaky smile)

KAT

(done with her phone call, sees that TARA is shaken)

Er, what's going on here?

TARA

(pulling herself together)

It's nothing, I'll tell y…(CHRISTIAN catches her eye and motions to keep his secret)

…I'll have to tell Zach that his assistant instructor needs to be more personable.

I'm fine. Why don't we go to your place, Kat. I could wash up a little before dinner.

CHRISTIAN

You girls take a cab. I'll deal with this… contraption. (gestures to tricycle)

KAT

Oh, come on, just because you have a motorcycle.

CHRISTIAN

(Looks at Tara) I'll see you tomorrow? Come down to the studio, I'll let you in.

TARA

Um, sure. Tomorrow then.

KAT helps TARA out of the studio. CHRISTIAN watches them leave, then joins OLLIE in the studio. The boys dance-off for a bit, the scene ends on them high-fiving.