Disclaimer: I don't own the characters from Once and Again. I'm just a fan writing a fanfic. Please don't sue me.
Part I: Katie Singer and Jessica Sammler
Katie just sat there… staring at the sunset along the shores of Olive park. She would always make it a point to drop by for an hour or so just to watch it. Somehow, it soothed the emptiness she felt. She was a successful artist, and a business woman. Charming and highly intelligent, she was among the sought after singletons in the Chicago elite circle. Her family is proud of her, but at 25, they have yet to see their Katie put a genuine smile because of love. Ah... love. Whenever the topic came about at dinner or at parties, usually thrown by her best friends Tad and Sarah, she would always find ways to change the subject. It was not because she didn't believe in love, but she feared it. Katie is afraid of letting a certain person be part of her too intimately. Too intimately she can't let go… Tad and Sarah were aware of Katie's fear, and tried to find ways to help her take that first step. Most of the time, they ended up disappointing themselves. So here, in the beach as the sun gave way to the moon, Katie eased her longing for the one, the one who can change her life forever.
"Katie let's go! We have to pick up Sarah in China Town!" Tad hollered to get her attention.
Constantly waving his hand just to make sure Katie DOES see him.
"Ah… Friday nights…" Katie thought to herself, as she stood off the sand and picked up her shoes.
She walked lazily to meet Tad.
"Come on Katie, we don't have all night." Tad said as he grabbed Katie to lead her to his car, then drove off.
"Now where are you guys taking me again?" Katie asked as she put on her shoes.
"To Ray's where else? New Club, more people, more date options!" Tad replied as they passed by Little Italy on the way to China Town.
"Yeah, where else…" Katie sighed and stared at the window. Why did she feel a little different today?
"Jessie! Have you seen my brown leather bag?" Grace, Jessie's stepsister, asked while she searched under her bed.
They both agreed to go out for the night to relax. But Grace seemed to have trouble getting her outfit done. The brown handbag goes well with her brown shoes… or so she says.
"No Grace. Maybe you lent it to Zoe when she came last week?" Jessie replied, who on the other hand didn't have trouble picking an outfit.
She was absolutely breathtaking in her white halter top and blue skirt.
"Ok Jess, I think this will do… Wow, you look great! Now can you explain to me why I never see you out on dates?"
"Because I'm waiting for the right person?" Jessie grinned and walked out with Grace from their apartment hand and hand.
As they passed by Wicker Park, Jessie saw couples holding each other as they strolled along in the moonlight. Jessie sighed softly; half wishing she was one of those who had someone to snuggle up to in the cold air, to hold on to… But she had Grace which was not a bad thing. She has a family who loves her. Being a doctor also gave its rewards. Jessie, at 24, was in no hurry to fall in love. She wasn't afraid either. She did pray that if she does, it would be the right one.
Grace noticed Jessie's demeanor. She knew what was constantly making Jessie sad. She would pester Jessie to go out on dates but she never did. She did go out with friends. For Grace it was such a waste. Jessie was far too attractive to just go out with friends. Although it wasn't bad, it would have been great if Jessie went out with a guy or a girl at one time or another.
"Penny for your thoughts Jess?" Grace asked to see what's eating her companion up.
"It's nothing really… It's just nice to see how lucky some people are to find someone in this lifetime." Jessie gave Grace a smile to show she was alright.
"Don't worry Jess, you'll find someone too. Who knows maybe you can meet someone tonight? Grace replied and gave Jessie a quick hug.
"Now what did Ray say we can expect there tonight?"
"They have a restaurant in the first floor, and a bar on a second floor, both overlooking a stage where customers can even sing and a pretty neat dance floor too!" Jessie replied in a much happier mood.
"Now that's a great idea. But we should stick to the first floor. We don't want you all drunk and messy case you decide to sing and make someone fall in love with you." Grace joked as she gave Jessie a playful nudge.
"Yeah, we don't want that don't we?" Jessie laughed as they finally reached Ray's newly opened club.
The club was filled with people from all over town. And much to Katie's displeasure, it was one of those nights they might not get a seat whether it was in the restaurant downstairs or the bar upstairs. Sarah, who was now with them, reassuringly rubs her back.
"Don't worry Katie, all we have to do is find Ray, he told us there's a special spot reserved with your name on it. You're not Katie Singer for nothing." Sarah whispered to Katie's ear.
It was too loud to hear anybody, too many people all in one place. Tad who went ahead found Ray. He waved his hand to get Sarah and Katie's attention. When he felt it was no use, he just sent them a text message. Katie felt her phone vibrate. She saw Tad's message which said, "GO NEAR THE LARGE BOAT PAINTING. OUR SPOT IS THERE." So Katie searched the area for the said painting. When she found it, she dragged Sarah who was already trying to score a few points with a certain blonde. Katie didn't really look at the blonde. She was too busy looking for a seat. She was too damn hungry to look at girls now. They reached their seats. Ray, the club owner, handed them the menu himself. Katie noticed there was another spare table at her back.
"Perhaps it's reserved for guests like me." Katie thought.
She managed to order pasta and pizza for the night. While Tad and Sarah, opted for spare ribs respectively.
"At least now I get to sit and have a peaceful dinner." Katie lounged back at the chair as she waited for the meal to be served.
Jessie held on to Grace's hand tightly. Afraid she might lose her because of the large crowd. They were trying to find a seat. If the large crowd wasn't enough to freak Jessie out, there was this brunette who was trying to hit on her. Not that gender was an issue. She just didn't feel right for the girl. Good thing the tall dirty blonde pulled her away. She was close to screaming. Grace on the other hand was looking for Ray, since Ray invited them to come in case they decided to go out that night. Grace saw Ray from a distance talking to a few people. She dragged Jessie to where Ray was they were warmly greeted by the club owner with quick but friendly hugs.
"Jessica Sammler, Grace Manning, so nice of you to leave your castle to visit my humble club!" Ray smiled as he showed them the way to their seats.
"As I said before, you won't have to worry with the seats."
Ray helped Jessie and Grace to their table. Jessie from a far, saw the brunette who was trying to hit on her, but wait… there was also the dirty blonde who was facing her way… and
"She's… beautiful." Jessie thought.
Jessie felt at ease when she saw the dirty blonde woman. She would have wanted to look at her all night… But wait… Her back would be facing Jessie if she seated to face them. And the fear of having to be stared by the brunette wasn't good to. So she sat on the seat which was back to back with the dirty blonde.
"So much for a beautiful scene..." Jessie thought as she took her seat and read the menu.
Grace was too giddy to notice Jessie. She did however noticed Katie Singer. Grace knew Katie Singer. Of course she should Grace works for her. Although Katie Singer wasn't a tyrant, Grace never had the chance to catch her boss on a night out in town. Grace noticed something though as Katie turned to watch the band as they started to play the look in her eyes she had seen it so many times before. It was the look in Jessie's eyes whenever Jessie saw lovers around her, that secret longing. Grace turned her eyes to Jessie, who was busy picking out a low carb meal. She smiled. Grace silently hoped she wouldn't see that kind of look again.
