38
Kyle XY S03 E13
Aftermath
AN: One little scene I couldn't help include from the original, it's in italics, I just changed the context. Also, I'd like to give credit to my sister for editing my work – she does a tremendous job! One other scene though may need a warning, just hope it's not too explicit for the site. If it is please let me know and I'll change it. It's a very Kylanda moment.
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Disclaimer: All publicly recognizable characters, settings, etc. are the property of their respective owners. The original characters and plot are the property of the author. The author is in no way associated with the owners, creators, or producers of any media franchise. No copyright infringement is intended.
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Kyle slowly opens his eyes and looks around. He's in his bedroom. He frowns as he sees Nicole sleeping in a chair beside his tub. Why is she here?
KYLE: Nicole?
NICOLE [she wakes up on hearing him call her name]: Kyle. [She smiles at him]. How are you feeling?
KYLE [frowns some more]: Fine.
NICOLE: That's good. [She is being oddly hesitant].
He sits up but as soon as he does a flash of memory hits. Fade out from his bedroom and fade in to the final moment where Cassidy zaps him with the taser and how the probes latch on to him, forcing him to redirect the current before his heart gives out completely. He sees in slow motion the current's backlash hitting Cassidy, hurling him backwards. The hurling motion replays in his head like a time loop. Fade back to his room.
He sits back, staring at the ceiling, but his mind's eye replays the whole night.
NICOLE [leans over to put a hand on his shoulder]: Kyle? Everything's going to be all right. It's over.
KYLE: What happened after I passed out?
NICOLE: Foss took care of things.
KYLE [unshed tears form in his eyes]: You mean he killed the other man. [His voice fills with remorse]. That's the fate of anyone who knows about me, isn't it? [He looks at her and she can see the self-recrimination in his eyes].
NICOLE: Kyle…[But he turns away, closing his eyes and shutting her out]. It's not your fault. [But her words are like a fading echo].
She sighs heavily then sits back in the chair, watching him. Soon she comes into the kitchen where Steven has put on a pot of coffee for them.
STEVEN: How's he doing?
NICOLE: Taking it hard. [He pours her a cup and hands it to her]. Thanks. [She takes a sip].
STEVEN [pours himself a cup]. I'll take the next watch. I'd better phone his boss and let him know Kyle won't be in to work today.
NICOLE: I wish I didn't have to go in today either but I can't cancel now.
STEVEN: You know, Nicole, we're not doing too badly. If you want to cut back a few hours, we'll make it work.
NICOLE: The reason we aren't doing too badly is because Kyle was handing almost all his earnings to us.
STEVEN: And finding local places to buy in bulk to save on food costs.
NICOLE [sighs]: Who are we kidding? [The look at each other in understanding].
STEVEN: Both of them, sneaking out like that. I should have been with them. [He rubs a hand over his face then neck, scraping sound over his early morning stubble]. We came so close to losing Kyle again!
Nicole reaches out her hand and Steven takes her hand in his, stroking his thumb over the back. It is a rare quiet moment between them.
Opening credits then scene opens with Lori in Kyle's room.
LORI: Hey, Kyle. [No response. He keeps staring at the ceiling]. Life's kind of funny. When you first came I felt like a big sister, having to watch out for you. Then when you left and came back the roles were reversed. You were the big brother watching out for me. Now I feel like the big sister again. [No response. Tears form in her eyes]. Yeah, I so don't feel like the big sister now. What wise words could I possibly say to you right now?
Behind Lori, Jessi comes to the doorway and overhears her.
JESSI: How about the words, 'get over it.'
LORI: Jessi! [She stands up and turns to her]. A little compassion. [She glances at Kyle but he doesn't react to either of them].
JESSI: Compassion?! He killed my mother!
LORI: I meant for Kyle.
JESSI: Oh. [She looks at him and comes over to look down at him]. Kyle, he was a murderer. He almost killed you. You did what you had to do so save yourself. Now, get up! [Nothing].
LORI: Oh, yeah. That'll work.
JESSI [ignores her and raises her voice]: Why are you depressed? I'm glad he's gone. He killed my mother. He wanted to sell you. How can you be grieving for him?
LORI: Not like you where it's nothing to kill someone, hey?
JESSI [from Lori's point of view a scary look appeared in Jessi's eyes just then, but from Jessi's point of view, she's both hurt and mad]: It was self-defense.
STEVEN [comes in]: What's all the yelling?
JESSI: He's not responding. He's shut me out.
LORI: Like I'm sure you yelling at him really helps.
STEVEN: Let's give him some time alone. Breakfast is ready.
LORI: Where's mom?
STEVEN: At work. So I'll need you two to get along while I keep an eye on Kyle. [They give each other looks]. Okay? [His voice brooked no arguments].
LORI: Okay.
Jessi just nods. They both start to leave then pause when they realize they are getting in each other's way already. Lori motions her to go first.
JESSI: You first.
Lori's about to argue when she notices her dad eyeing them with impatience.
LORI: Fine. [Not liking having Jessi behind her, it brings back too many memories].
They leave and Steven shakes his head then looks back at Kyle. All throughout the girl's exchange he never reacted. Steven swallows a sudden lump in his throat.
STEVEN: You're in a real bad way, aren't you buddy?
Josh comes in before he heads to work, wanting to check in on Kyle.
JOSH: Hey, pal. [He looks away for a moment, unable to see Kyle all out of it]. All I can say is, I'm glad you're alive. I mean, it must suck to have had a psycho for a relative. I'd be bummed, too. Anything you need, just ask.
Scene switches to Lori's bedroom where she phones Declan, while down below Jessi listens in on their conversation.
LORI: Hey, Declan.
DECLAN [cut to him outside in his pool]: Lori. What's up?
LORI [cut back to her]: Can you stop by?
DECLAN [cut back to him, has a grin on his face]: You missin' me?
LORI [cut back to her]: Declan…
DECLAN [cut back to him where he shakes his head, thinking his timing is off again with her]: What's this about?
LORI [voice breaks]: Kyle.
DECLAN [his expression now serious as he hears Lori almost in tears]: Be right over.
Lori hangs up and looks up as Josh knocks lightly on the doorframe.
JOSH: Got a minute?
LORI: Sure.
JOSH [comes in]: I just checked in on Kyle.
Camera cuts downstairs where Jessi is listening in on Josh and Lori now, then camera cuts back upstairs.
JOSH: I can't help feeling messed up myself, you know? [He tries hard to keep his tears in check].
LORI [has no qualms about letting her tears flow]: Yeah, I do know. That creep almost killed our brother.
JOSH: That creep was his half-brother.
LORI: I know, it's unbelievable. He hurt Kyle! [There's a moment of silence between them, then her voice turns quiet]. And Jessi's mom.
Cut to Jessi downstairs near the staircase, she overhears Lori acknowledge how much Cassidy has affected her life too.
JOSH [cut back to them]: Cassidy got what was coming to him.
LORI: Yeah, but why did it have to be Kyle?
JOSH: Well, it should have been…
LORI: Should have been who? You, Josh?
JOSH: Okay, maybe, I don't know what I'm saying. Just wish none of it had happened to Kyle.
LORI: I just hope nothing else awful happens to him.
JOSH: Me neither.
LORI: Too bad we can't undo what Kyle went through.
Back downstairs Jessi starts to think what she can do to help Kyle erase his memories of Cassidy.
JOSH [cut back to them]: Yeah, then Foss could have taken care of that murderer. He's good at taking care of things.
LORI: Killing?
JOSH: He's a soldier. I like to think of him as the arm of justice.
LORI: Arm of justice? Yeah, he sure is.
A little while later the scene then switches to the Trager's front door as Lori opens it to let Declan in.
LORI: Thanks for coming.
DECLAN: No problem.
LORI: Before you see Kyle I need to tell you something. [She takes him into the living room]. He probably would have told you himself, but he's not himself right now.
This makes Declan even more concerned then the next scene shows him in Kyle's bedroom looking down at him.
DECLAN: Hey, pal. Lori told me everything. [Kyle just lays there, not acknowledging him]. It sounds like you tried, more than tried, to give Cassidy a chance. [Still nothing]. Come on, man. Say something.
No response. Unsure what to do, he leaves the room and finds Lori in the kitchen.
DECLAN [sighs and walks over to her]: Oh, man. He's pretty out of it.
LORI: Yeah, he is.
STEVEN [comes down the stairs and into the kitchen]: Hey, Lori. [He sees Declan]. Oh, hi, Declan. Can you watch Kyle for me, Lori? I have to go to the store, I should be back in an hour.
LORI: Sure, dad.
DECLAN: I'll stay too.
STEVEN: How is he?
LORI: The same.
Steven just nods and heads out but pauses when he sees Jessi come out of her room.
STEVEN: Want to come with me, Jessi?
JESSI: What about Kyle?
STEVEN: Lori and Declan will watch him.
Jessi looks over to see Declan by the counter.
JESSI: Hi.
DECLAN: Hey.
She looks at Lori but Lori is suddenly busy looking inside the fridge. She follows Steven out the door.
DECLAN: Still mad at her?
LORI [closes the fridge door not taking anything out]: More liked freaked out. She killed that hunter. Okay, so it was in self-defense, but still. [She shudders].
DECLAN: Kyle has also just killed in self-defense.
LORI [doesn't look happy]: Declan. It's not the same.
DECLAN: How is it not the same?
LORI: Because it's Kyle?
DECLAN: Come on, Lori. If someone attacked you, can you honestly say in that kind of situation you wouldn't do all you could to stay alive?
LORI: Could you?
DECLAN: Hate to think about it. But yeah, I would.
LORI [changes the subject]: I think I'll play my guitar for Kyle, that might perk him up.
DECLAN: If you think it'll help.
Back in his room, Kyle's still replaying the whole night in his head, not seeing or hearing or acknowledging anything, even Lori playing the guitar. All he can see is Cassidy dying over and over again.
Scene cuts to Amanda's house where she is practicing on her piano. She's playing light, cheerful and heart-warming melodies, suiting her mood, as if a weight has been lifted off her shoulders. Carol comes in the room and stands behind her, watching her play, noticing how happier Amanda seems. Amanda finishes her piece and turns to see her mom there.
AMANDA: Hi, mom. Can I visit Kyle later?
CAROL: Only if you keep playing like that.
AMANDA: Thanks, mom.
Fade out then back in later in the day and back at the Trager house where the doorbell rings and Lori answers it. Amanda is there. She still doesn't know what happened yet.
AMANDA: Hi, Lori.
LORI: Oh, hey, Amanda.
AMANDA [not the usual warm greeting she gets from Lori so looks at her a bit questionably]: Is everything okay?
LORI [sighs]: Not so good.
AMANDA: What do you mean? [She looks behind her down the hall towards Kyle's room]. Where's Kyle?
LORI: Yeah, he's not feeling…well.
Scene then shows Amanda standing in Kyle's doorway, a hand over her face, wiping away tears. Lori has told her what happened. When she sees him there just staring at the ceiling, her heart breaks for him.
AMANDA: Kyle? [No response, just like Lori had warned her].
She comes over to the tub, sits on the edge to lean over and rub his shoulder. He closes his eyes and turns away. Seeing there's some space beside him, she takes off her shoes and gets in the tub to lie beside him, wrapping her arms around him, despite his trying to shift away.
AMANDA: I'm here for you. [She hugs him, like he hugs her when she's upset].
Some time passes. Cut to Jessi as she walks down the hall but pauses when she finally hears Kyle speaking. Cut back to Kyle's room. Amanda is caressing his hand. Then he says a few words which almost breaks her heart.
KYLE: Don't get to close. No one is safe knowing me.
He tries to shift away but she doesn't let him. Not that he can escape her anyway, the confines of the tub makes it difficult. Too difficult to escape her as she kisses his shoulder and hugs him closer.
Later that evening Nicole comes in and sees Amanda with Kyle. They both have fallen asleep. She heads to the kitchen; it's just her and Steven.
STEVEN: He hasn't come out once. [He's sitting at the counter].
NICOLE: Where are the others?
STEVEN: In their rooms. [She sighs and sits next to him]. How was your day?
NICOLE: Tiring. All I kept thinking about was home and how everyone was doing.
Steven rubs her shoulder and hugs her to him. She leans in, tucked beneath his arm. Just then the phone rings. Nicole answers it.
NICOLE: Oh, Carol, hi. Amanda? [She pauses]. Right, I'll send her over. [She hangs up, and glances at Steven]. She's half hour late.
She goes back to Kyle's room and reaches down to gently shake Amanda awake. She puts a finger to her lips when Amanda looks up at her, then helps her out of the tub so she won't disturb Kyle. Amanda grabs her shoes but doesn't put them on until they are in the hallway.
NICOLE: Thank you for being with him.
AMANDA: I'm so sorry what happened. I hope he gets better. It's so hard seeing him like that.
NICOLE: Yes, it is.
AMANDA: Can I come by again tomorrow?
NICOLE: Sure, if it's all right with your mom.
AMANDA: I hope so.
When Amanda returns home her mom meets her at the door.
CAROL: You're late. [Then she sees Amanda's dried-on tears and red puffy eyes]. What's wrong?
AMANDA: Kyle's not feeling well.
CAROL: Well as in…?
AMANDA: Down, depressed. [She heads to the staircase].
CAROL: Why is he depressed?
AMANDA: He just heard some bad news. [She heads up].
CAROL: Oh, what kind of bad news? [She follows her trying to keep Amanda from being close-mouthed again].
AMANDA: Just bad.
CAROL: I seem to remember last time when I let you stay over, you slept with him after he heard some bad news. Did someone die? Again? [They near Amanda's bedroom door].
AMANDA: Yes.
CAROL [blinks, shocked]: Who this time?
AMANDA: He never said. He was depressed mom.
CAROL: I thought he had no more family.
AMANDA: Apparently he had a half-brother he never knew he had and found out he'd been killed.
CAROL: How?
Amanda turns away shaking her head, unable to tell her mom that Kyle's half brother was a psychopath and Kyle, in trying to protect himself, ended up killing his own brother. Tears fill her eyes.
CAROL: Come here. [She gives her daughter a hug].
At first, Amanda is surprised then grateful and hugs her back, needing her comfort.
That morning Jessi comes in Kyle's room, making sure the family isn't nearby so she won't be interrupted.
JESSI: Kyle, I've figured out a way to help you, if you'll let me.
This time his eyes move from looking at the ceiling to looking at her.
JESSI: I can wipe Cassidy completely from your mind.
She goes over to a lamp and starts charging up. He watches her.
JESSI: You'll never have the pain of thinking and knowing he was ever related to you. Well?
He nods and sits up.
JESSI: Okay, I'm ready. [She walks over to the tub but unfortunately for her Nicole walks in the room].
NICOLE: Woah! Woah, what are you doing?
JESSI [pauses]: Wiping Cassidy from Kyle's memory. [She leans down preparing to zap Kyle].
NICOLE [her tone sharp and anxious]: Jessi! [She stops]. Ah, could you give us a minute?
JESSI: But I'm all charged up. This will help him. [She leans down again].
NICOLE [steps closer]: Jessi, please.
She looks at Kyle and he nods.
JESSI: Fine, I'll just go zap someone else then. [She walks away hands buzzing with electricity and Nicole looks at her in worry]. I'm kidding. [She puts her hands down].
NICOLE [giving a slight nod to Jessi as she leaves then turns to Kyle]: She is kidding, right?
Kyle nods. She's encouraged to see him finally respond.
NICOLE: Okay, Kyle. [Kyle leans back, sliding down more into the tub making her worry he'll go back to being unresponsive again]. What you're going through takes time. What happened was an accident. You can't keep blaming yourself.
KYLE: You know what the worst thing is about having a holographic memory? [It's the first time he's spoken a full sentence since yesterday].
Nicole looks at him with compassion, waiting for him to continue.
KYLE: Being able to remember every single detail, over and over.
No wonder Jessi was trying to wipe Kyle's memory. He couldn't stop remembering.
NICOLE: Oh, Kyle. You'll get through this. Do you want to talk?
KYLE: No. [He gets out of his tub and gathers some clothes].
NICOLE [sighs and drops the subject, clearly he isn't ready to face that night]: What are you doing?
KYLE: I'm going to take a shower.
NICOLE: Good. That's good. [He walks by her. She sighs again as he leaves the room].
Amanda comes over again and is surprised to see Kyle up. She notices one thing about him, it feels like he's not really there.
AMANDA: Kyle, you're up.
KYLE [sitting at his desk]: I'm going to work this afternoon.
AMANDA [uncertainly]: Oh?
KYLE: I need to work today.
He barely looks at her as he talks to her. She frowns in concern and puts a hand on his shoulder. He slides away and stands up.
KYLE: I better get ready.
His tone and manner sound like he doesn't want her with him, making her feel suddenly hurt. He's shutting her out. He leaves her alone in the room. She finds Nicole, upstairs in the master bedroom.
AMANDA: Can I talk to you for a minute?
NICOLE [looks surprised to see her there]: Is it Kyle?
AMANDA: Yeah. He's hardly talking to me and doesn't seem like he wants me around.
NICOLE: He's been that way with all of us. He's gone through an experience not one of us can truly understand. This is difficult for everybody.
AMANDA: Well, at least I'm not alone then. I was wondering if you could recommend some books for me? Maybe it will help me understand or help me find ways to help him.
NICOLE [nods]: I have a couple you can borrow, but it's been my experience not everything's a textbook case. [She finds a couple of books and hands them to her].
AMANDA: Thanks.
They smile but it's a sad smile for each of them.
Scene cuts to the Rack where Josh is working. It's thankfully another slow Sunday and Andy has a day off from her work.
JOSH: So, how's the new job?
ANDY: It's okay.
JOSH: Such enthusiasm.
ANDY: Scrubbing dishes, floors, standing over a slog filled vat of grease that seeps into my hair and clothes. Who knew fries would smell so bad? I don't think I'll ever have a French fry again. [She sniffs her hair, crinkles her nose at it and holds it out for him to smell]. See?
JOSH [leans back]: No need. I can smell it from here. Gonna' quit?
ANDY: No way. I want experience.
JOSH: For?
ANDY: Anything. I want to be known as a responsible hardworking girl who'd any employer would love to have.
JOSH: Who smells like grease?
ANDY: Yeah, I'm hoping that will pass soon and they'll be giving me something better to do. New person gets all the sucky jobs.
JOSH: I remember.
ANDY: Yeah, I know. You couldn't stop whining to Lori about it.
JOSH: She told?
ANDY: I asked.
JOSH: Wait, when did you ask? [She avoids his eyes]. Was this before or after we started dating?
ANDY [beneath her breath]: Great, now I'm the one who's not going to live this down.
JOSH [hears her]: Before! You liked me then? [His voice cracks for the first time since it changed, he looks around suddenly embarrassed].
ANDY: Yeah.
JOSH [nods, trying to act cool]: But you were so…so…mean.
ANDY: I was mean? You never even noticed me.
JOSH: I'll never make that mistake again. [Suddenly the way he looks at her makes her remember their one special night together].
ANDY: You doing anything tonight?
JOSH: No, can't afford to.
ANDY: I can.
JOSH: This a date?
ANDY: You bet. And yes, I'm buying. [He smiles, pleased].
Scene cuts to Kyle back home from work. He heads to the kitchen to make his supper. Steven and Nicole are there preparing dinner as well.
STEVEN: Hey, Kyle. How'd work go?
KYLE [opens the fridge door]: I made up for yesterday.
STEVEN: You didn't have to, you know.
KYLE [takes out food items]: I know.
Lori comes in all dressed up.
NICOLE: You look nice. Where are you off too?
LORI: The Rack. [She sees Kyle]. Hey, want to come with me?
KYLE [starts making a salad]: Why?
LORI: Declan will be there. [She glances at her parents]. Mark and Jackie too. I think they're feeling a little lost. [To Kyle]. Want to come?
KYLE [sounds neither cheerful or sad or anything]: Sure. I'll come.
LORI: Great! [She looks around]. Where's Josh?
NICOLE: Out on a date with Andy.
LORI: He has money?
STEVEN: Are you kidding? Andy's treat.
NICOLE [glances at Kyle to gauge his reaction or lack of one]: Jessi's with one of the Latnok lawyers.
LORI: Ah. No wonder it's so peaceful. [Nicole gives her a look that makes her keep quiet, Kyle keeps on preparing food].
Scene now cuts to the Rack. Declan moves away from the counter when he sees Lori and Kyle come in.
DECLAN: Hey, glad to see you. How you doing?
KYLE: Fine.
As they walk to find a table in the back Kyle notices Amanda is working behind the counter. She sees all of them but quickly focuses her attention on Kyle.
AMANDA: Hi! Can I get your favorite?
KYLE: Uh, no, thanks.
AMANDA: Okay. Well, just let me know when. [She sees another customer walk in and attends to them].
Kyle joins Lori and Declan at the table. No sooner does he sit down when Mark and Jackie come in. Lori waves Mark over.
DECLAN: Could you be any more obvious?
LORI: You are not doing the guilt me out thing again, are you?
DECLAN: Wouldn't dream of it.
LORI: Good.
Mark sits beside her after Lori indicates the chair next to her which leaves Jackie needing to look for an extra chair.
DECLAN [gets up and brings one over next to his]: Here.
JACKIE: Thank you. [She sits]. I didn't catch your name last time we met.
DECLAN [sits down]: Declan.
JACKIE: Jackie.
They look at each rather awkwardly at first. Kyle though is not just watching them but the people in the room as if his mind is elsewhere.
LORI: So…[she nods her head to Mark hoping to start a conversation].
MARK: Ah, yeah. So, guess what?
LORI: What?
MARK: You made the chart. Your song.
LORI: I did!?
MARK: Quite low but yeah, you're on it.
DECLAN: Congratulations.
LORI: Thanks. This is great. Hear that, Kyle?
KYLE: Great, Lori.
Jackie looks at him oddly. At all of them. Seems like they were all trying to avoid the one subject she wanted to discuss. Latnok.
JACKIE: Have you heard any news?
LORI: About?
JACKIE [looks to Mark]: Latnok.
MARK: And Cassidy.
LORI: Yeah.
A moment of silence.
JACKIE [sighs]: I'm still reeling in shock. I can't believe he killed someone. And now he's dead too.
MARK [lets it out]: Me either, working with him…I mean, he was only with Latnok for a few months but he made things happen. Found grants and business-wise he was a wiz. Who knew?
JACKIE [pulls a Kleenex from her purse and dabs her eyes]: Excuse me. Hard to take in.
Lori nods in understanding then glances at Kyle. Kyle is looking down at the table not responding to anyone. She and Declan glance at each other. She's thinking it may have been too soon to have him be around people, much less two previous members from Latnok.
MARK: So, um…[he looks at Lori and smiles sadly].
LORI: Yeah.
They look away from each other all awkward again, no one knowing what to say.
DECLAN: How about some drinks?
MARK: Sure.
LORI: Love one.
JACKIE: Thanks, need help?
DECLAN: Most likely.
Jackie and Declan head to the counter to order some drinks after learning everyone's preference.
AMANDA [as she takes their order]: Does Kyle want one?
DECLAN: He never said but bring him one anyway. Give him something to do besides stare at nothing.
AMANDA: Still not...? [She glances at Jackie not willing to continue a delicate subject].
DECLAN [caught on]: Not.
JACKIE: What's wrong?
AMANDA: Nothing.
JACKIE: I meant with kiwi. He seems to be taking it hard, too. Which is strange.
AMANDA: Oh?
JACKIE: He never wanted to be a part of Latnok, so why's he so bothered if it falls? Or Cassidy?
DECLAN: I think we better take these drinks over.
AMANDA: I'll bring them. That's my job.
Jackie notices they both avoid answering her and she wonders what else really happened. They seemed to know more about the happenings at Latnok then she, after two years, did.
Amanda brings their drinks over, setting the last one down for Kyle and kisses his cheek quickly.
KYLE: Thanks.
AMANDA: Your welcome.
DECLAN: No kisses with our drinks?
AMANDA: Ha.
Declan looks to Kyle and smiles but Kyle doesn't smile, say or do anything back. Another awkward pause as Amanda and Lori glance at Kyle but he just takes another sip of his drink.
AMANDA: I better get back to work.
All Amanda feels like doing is hugging Kyle forever in hopes of taking away his pain, but knew that would just be smothering him. According to one of the books she started reading, the patient has to open up in their own time. Just let the patient know you're there by a simple word, hug, or glance. She starts scrubbing down the counter and doing other tedious jobs to give herself something to do other than worry about him so much.
LORI [to relieve another awkward silence]: You know if you two want to talk about the good times you've had there, feel free.
MARK: Lori, you know I can't…oh, I guess there is no reason for secrecy now.
JACKIE: Have you heard what will happen? [She looks not at Mark but Lori and Declan].
LORI: What makes you think we know anything?
JACKIE: I know you do.
DECLAN: Quick and smart. Beautiful too.
Lori shakes her head at his obvious ploy.
JACKIE: Well?
DECLAN: I'm sure you'll know soon enough. If you want back in.
JACKIE: Where else would I go?
DECLAN: What do you mean?
JACKIE: It's been my whole life since I joined two years ago. I was just someone's assistant before then. I wasn't free to experiment or take any credit for my own work. Of course with science, you're usually building on someone else's hard work and adding to that work in hopes of finally succeeding.
DECLAN: Well, might not be as secretive like before.
LORI [holds up her cup]: Here's to a better future for all of us.
They hold up their drinks, although Lori has to nudge Kyle to hold up his and he just goes through the motions of cheering.
In the morning he and Jessi do their regular morning exercises, but he only does a few basic stretches, run and mental concentration techniques.
STEVEN: You're done? [He looks at his watch]. We still have forty-five minutes left.
KYLE: I'm done. [He just sits and looks off into the distance].
Jessi and Steven glance at each other.
STEVEN [to Jessi]: You go ahead and finish.
Jessi finishes and by the time they arrive back home Kyle heads to his room to get ready for school. Jessi has gone upstairs to beat Lori for the shower.
LORI [comes out of her room to see Jessi duck inside]: No, no, no, wait!
JESSI [gives a small smile of smug satisfaction]: Too late.
LORI: Urgh! [She heads back in her room and sits on her bed with arms crossed]. I'll beat you one day!
JESSI's voice can be heard from the bathroom: No you won't.
As Lori sits fuming, downstairs Steven heads to the kitchen where Nicole is.
NICOLE: How'd it go?
STEVEN: He didn't even complete one set.
NICOLE: It's still early days yet.
STEVEN: Has he opened up to you?
NICOLE: No, and I don't expect him to for a while yet either.
Scene cuts to Beachwood High in lunchroom. Kyle sits down at a table by himself and starts eating. Amanda comes up and sits with him.
AMANDA: Hey, Kyle.
KYLE: Hi. [He continues eating].
AMANDA: I thought of restarting my defense class again. [He just nods]. Before I do, there's a group from my church doing a Friday night get together. Want to join me?
KYLE: I'll be working.
AMANDA: After work?
KYLE: Sure.
AMANDA: Great. [He says nothing more and doesn't ask what they'll be doing]. Great. My mom will have to drive us there; we'll be able to get a ride back.
He keeps eating. Hillary and Lori join them.
HILLARY: Hey, pumpkin. Remember you were going to edit my footage of you and Jessi? Have you done that yet?
KYLE: No.
She frowns as she sees his gaze wander over the room, his mind obviously somewhere else. There are a lot more students inside having lunch as the weather outside is overcast with a steady drizzle of rain.
HILLARY: Would you mind doing it as soon as you can? I need it by Friday to wrap up my film.
Kyle just nods and Lori and Amanda glance at each other.
HILLARY [leans closer to him]: I sense a distinct lack of enthusiasm, sweetpea.
He keeps eating but his glance at her isn't direct like it usually is and she turns to look at Lori.
HILLARY: What's wrong with him?
LORI: Um, we all just had some sad news over the weekend and he's taking it a little hard.
HILLARY: Oh?
LORI: It's complicated.
HILLARY: What is going on at your house? First with Jessi, now Kyle?
LORI: Okay, but this is confidential. [Hillary looks intrigued but makes a zip motion with her hand over her lips. Lori keeps to the shortened version of the story like the family planned]. He found out he had a half-brother who was unfortunately killed before he got a chance to really know him.
HILLARY: Oh, how awful. I'm sorry to hear that, Kyle. [He just nods, barely listening].
Kyle has tuned all of them out as they continue a conversation without him. Barely acknowledging Declan as he sits down beside him. Jessi is sitting at a table behind them by herself even though other students are at the same table with her they are careful not to sit too close. Her mood is dark and gloomy as the weather outside, and because things have been tense between her and Lori, she doesn't feel like sitting with them.
DECLAN: Hey.
KYLE [looks over at the lineup of students still ordering their lunch]: Hey.
DECLAN: How about a game after work?
KYLE: Sure. [He gets up to dump the wrap his food was in but instead of rejoining them, he wanders out of the lunch room. The concern his family and friends feel for him threaten to chip away the shield he placed over his emotions].
Declan frowns.
AMANDA [stands up]: I better go after him.
Just then Jessi's there.
JESSI: I'll go. [Without waiting for Amanda to say anything back, she follows him].
Amanda sits back down, throat tight from trying to hold back unshed tears. Declan lets out a big whoosh of a sigh.
HILLARY: It's not just gloomy outside, it's gloomy inside.
For the rest of the week and into the next, Kyle only goes through the motions of doing chores at home, school and work.
JESSI [in the kitchen with Nicole and Lori helping to prepare dinner]: Why isn't he better by now?
NICOLE: People respond differently. Some take more time then others. Remorse goes through many stages. You might find that as well.
JESSI: I'm fine.
Lori huffs.
NICOLE: You're handling it well yes. I'm just saying it's different for some.
LORI: Why shouldn't he still be depressed? Not everyone's like you.
JESSI: Why don't I just leave? You'll all be happier without me anyway.
NICOLE: No, Jessi, we want you to stay.
JESSI [looks right at Lori]: Not everyone.
She stalks off to her room and Lori sighs.
NICOLE [shakes her head]: Lori. Can't you at least try?
LORI: Okay, okay. [Nicole makes a move to head to Jessi's room]. No, I'll go. [Her mom is surprised].
Lori doesn't bother to knock on Jessi's door, she just walks right in.
JESSI: I didn't give you permission to enter.
LORI: Look, stay. I'm still freaked out over the fact how easily you could have killed me when you attacked me that time.
JESSI: I would never hurt you.
LORI: You did then.
JESSI: It was just that once.
LORI: Lucky me.
JESSI: If you're so afraid of me, why do you want me to stay then?
LORI: Because it takes time, Jessi. Time for people to get over things. Can you really tell me you're over it? It doesn't bother you that you killed someone?
JESSI: I don't want to talk about it.
LORI: See?
JESSI: What's the point?
LORI: I don't know, to deal?
JESSI: I don't get it.
LORI: Well, until you do, stick around. Might learn something.
JESSI: Some invitation. You don't want me here. No one wants me.
Lori realizes now how Jessi must feel about herself. Her father only wanted her to get back into Latnok. Madacorp wanted her only as a weapon or informant. Latnok didn't want her at all. The only true person who wanted her, which took a while, was her mother. And she was taken from her.
LORI: Look, I may come off that way. You should know I'm just a grouch by now. I…want you here.
JESSI: I can tell if you're lying, you know.
LORI: All I'm saying is just give me time. I'll come around. [Jessi doesn't look convinced]. Really.
JESSI: Then I'll stay.
LORI: Oh, goody.
JESSI: You are a grouch.
LORI: See, you're catching on. [She smiles].
It's Friday night and Amanda runs into Hillary as they head up the steps to the Trager house and ring the doorbell.
AMANDA: Hi.
HILLARY: Hi.
Nicole answers the door.
NICOLE: Hey, you two. Come in.
HILLARY and AMANDA together: Is Kyle home?
They look at each other.
HILLARY: I just came to see if he finished editing.
AMANDA: Right. I'm here to see if he's ready for our date.
NICOLE: Oh.
They look at her as her tone indicates he's far from ready.
JESSI [from the living room comes over]: I have the disk for you.
HILLARY [sounds and looks hopeful]: He did it?
JESSI: No, I did.
HILLARY: Oh, you did? Is it what he wanted?
JESSI: I'm in it too.
HILLARY: Yeah, I know, but—
JESSI: I'll get it. [She leaves them and heads to her room].
Lori comes down the stairs.
LORI: Hey, Hills. Thought I heard the doorbell.
HILLARY: Hey, Lori.
AMANDA: Hi.
LORI: Hi. What's everyone doing just hanging about?
HILLARY: Waiting for—[just then Jessi comes down the hall with a disk as Nicole heads to the kitchen].
JESSI: Here. [She hands it to Hillary]. He wanted to edit at least 80% of it.
HILLARY: He did, that much?
JESSI: He's not in a great mood if you haven't noticed.
HILLARY: I noticed.
JESSI: So, I just cut the one part I know he would have cut if he'd been feeling more like himself.
HILLARY: How do you know what he would have wanted cut?
JESSI: I just know him.
HILLARY: That so?
JESSI: Very well.
Hillary glances at Amanda but instead of angry, Amanda just looks tired.
HILLARY: Well, thanks.
Jessi gives a slight nod then walks back into the living room. Hillary breathes a sigh of relief and Lori nods for her to come upstairs.
LORI: Join me?
HILLARY: Gladly.
AMANDA: I'll just go see if Kyle is ready.
HILLARY: Have fun, loads of fun. It sounds like he needs it. And you.
AMANDA: I'll try.
As Amanda enters Kyle's room she sees him sitting at his desk.
AMANDA: Ready, Kyle?
KYLE [turns to her]: Ready?
AMANDA: Our date?
KYLE: Oh. No.
AMANDA: Do you want to come?
KYLE: Sure. [He stands up and grabs his jacket then comes over to her].
Fade out then back in at the Trager house. Kyle is back home from his bowling date with Amanda. Camera angle above as he lays in his tub, staring at the ceiling.
KYLE (narrative): Nicole mentioned using some form of activity as an outlet for expressing emotions I'm not ready to face. And as I looked down at the bowling pins, [camera shot of Kyle at a bowling ally standing at the edge of a lane about to throw a bowling ball], I could only focus on one thing. [Camera shot of him now throwing the ball, it hits the pins dead on, instant strike]. Cassidy, falling down over and over and over like the bowling pins as I made strike after strike.
A few weeks pass with Kyle still barely speaking or sharing an interest in what is going on around him. During this time a teacher strike happens, so Nicole has Lori and Josh and Jessi take turns watching Kyle while she and Steven are at work.
One morning, Nicole is in the kitchen bagging a lunch for work when Josh comes down the stairs and sees her.
JOSH: Hey, mom.
NICOLE: Hey, Josh.
JOSH: When's Kyle going to be Kyle again?
NICOLE: When he's ready.
JOSH: It just seems to be taking so long.
NICOLE: I know, sweetie.
JOSH: Have you noticed it raining a lot since he's been this way?
NICOLE: It's just a coincidence, Josh.
JOSH: I know. Hey, maybe his mood can affect the weather.
NICOLE: Right.
JOSH: Think I'll go wallow in misery for a while. [He turns away feeling down and dejected himself and heads back up to his room].
NICOLE: Yeah, I noticed your room is also reflecting your mood. Maybe if you clean it the sun will miraculously shine again, and so will Kyle.
JOSH [calls back over his shoulder from the landing]: Good one, mom.
NICOLE [beneath her breath]: Worth a try.
Upstairs Josh thinks on what his mom said and half-heartedly begins to clean, just to see if the weather or Kyle will change. Not really thinking much that it will. Outside while Josh is now upstairs cleaning his room, Jessi is in the back yard on her knees tending the garden. There's finally a break in the clouds and the sun's rays pour through. Amanda from her back yard peers over the hedge and sees her.
AMANDA: Hi, Jessi.
JESSI [looks up]: You're saying hi to me?
AMANDA: Yeah.
JESSI: You must be desperate.
AMANDA: I am, actually.
Jessi turns away from her.
AMANDA: Kyle doesn't listen to me play any more, does he?
JESSI [back still turned]: No.
AMANDA: Can you help me? [Jessi looks back at her as if that's the last thing she wants to do]. It'll help Kyle. I hope.
JESSI: In that case, [she brushes the dirt from her jeans and stands up to walk over to her], what do you have in mind?
AMANDA: Could you hook up some speakers to my piano so he can hear it better from inside his room?
JESSI: Then we'd all have to hear it.
AMANDA: Yeah, the price you'll have to pay for hoping it will make him better.
JESSI: Anything to help make him better.
AMANDA: Thanks.
Scene cuts to inside the Trager house. Steven and Nicole are in the kitchen, he dressed in a suit and Nicole dressed up nicely too.
STEVEN: Ready?
NICOLE: Just about.
STEVEN: Do you think Kyle will be okay?
NICOLE: Josh is at work, but Lori and Jessi will be home. I think they finally reached an understanding between them, if reluctantly.
STEVEN: Ah, actually, I just saw Lori when I pulled the car around. She's off to the Rack to meet Hillary.
NICOLE [checks out the window but Jessi's nowhere in sight]: And now Jessi's gone too. [She looks at Steven]. We can't cancel our lectures now.
STEVEN: I'm sure he'll be all right, alone.
NICOLE: I'll just go check on him.
She heads to his room and sees him lying in his tub.
NICOLE: Steven and I are leaving now, are you going to rest a while?
KYLE: Yeah.
NICOLE: Good. We'll see you later. [She leans over to rub his shoulder then heads back out].
Kyle just lies there, and the house is quiet with everyone gone. Soon though he hears Amanda play the piano without having him concentrate on hearing it and realizes there are speakers outside his window. He sits up. The more he listens, or can't help but listen, the music stirs something inside him, especially when it feels like it's coming straight from Amanda's heart.
He shakes his head, trying to stop the tide of emotions threatening to break free. He still wasn't ready, was he?
KYLE [whispers]: Stop. [Unsure if it's the emotion or her playing or both he wants stopped].
Her playing stops and he leans back. The numbness takes over again. Until he hears the doorbell ring and recognizes Amanda's heartbeat. She's come to him. Another stir of emotion shifts inside him, like a crack in a dam.
AMANDA [comes in]: Hi. So, how was it?
KYLE: Fine.
AMANDA: Oh, just fine?
KYLE: Good.
AMANDA: Good. [They both are still standing by the door]. So, would you like me to keep playing?
KYLE [thinks only of keeping his emotions at bay]: No.
AMANDA [bites her lip fighting from feeling hurt]: Do you want me to stay?
KYLE: Sure. [He walks back to his room].
AMANDA: Wait!
He turns as she comes up to him and hugs him. Only then does he rethink that having her stay isn't a good idea after all. His emotions want to break free.
AMANDA: You know I'm here for you, right? I always will be.
No response. She realizes he's hardly aware of her holding him. But unknown to her just yet is he is starting to feel again, thanks to her playing and everybody being there for him.
KYLE [inside he's tense, trying to contain the bottled emotions from taking hold]: Would you like something to drink? [His politeness saddens her further as she releases him].
AMANDA [follows him as he heads to the kitchen]: Will you stop? [She takes his arm and even though he stops to look at her he barely has any expression on his face]. Just stop. Can't you see what you're doing? To us? To your family? [Her voice rises]. Talk to me. Say something. Get mad. Yell back. Anything.
KYLE [no, not now, not yet]: Why?
AMANDA: To feel! [He turns away to get some juice from the fridge and she starts to really get mad]. You're barely here.
KYLE: I'm here. [A flicker of emotion crosses his face. Was it hurt, anger? She'll be thankful for any type of feeling from him at this point].
AMANDA: I want all of you here, not a shell. [He looks confused. Good, she thinks. But he doesn't pursue in trying to clarify what she meant]. But then that's what you've become now, isn't it? A shell. [A tear escapes and she brushes it away. As if tears will help her get through to him]. You don't even listen in when I play anymore, do you?
He pours each of them a drink. He's trying very hard to keep his emotions locked in but she is making it very difficult, not just by yelling at him, but by her words. He is listening but trying hard not to. He isn't ready to face her, or anyone. At least, that's what he keeps telling himself.
AMANDA: Talk to me! [When he just ignores her more tears escape making her sniff. Kyle hears her crying and turns to pat her shoulder awkwardly, which makes her cry even more. But worse than seeing her cry is the well of emotion building up inside him threatening to break free at any moment]. I can't lose you now. By shutting yourself off from everyone and pushing them away, it hurts. You're doing exactly what Cassidy hoped for. He's driving a wedge between you and those you love. Are you going to let him? Are you going to let him win?
More emotions churn inside him when she asked if he was going to let Cassidy win and drive a wedge between them.
AMANDA: What do I have to do to bring you back to me, all of us?
Suddenly he's afraid. She's making him feel again.
She gets an idea, a daring one, but is willing to risk all for him. She undoes the buttons on her top and takes it off and stands before him in her bra. He blinks as if coming out of a deep fog.
KYLE: Amanda? [He frowns, a feeling of shock hits him from her unexpected move. His emotions take hold, the crack turning into a large hole ready to burst through at the slightest provocation].
She kisses him full on the lips, catching him by surprise. He pulls away. No, he doesn't want this. The feelings are too overwhelming.
KYLE: What are you doing?
AMANDA: Seeing if you're still alive.
KYLE [swallows]: I'm alive.
AMANDA: No, you're not. You're just going through the motions. Eat, sleep, breathe and work. You're barely even doing that. I want you back. So does your family. We need you.
KYLE: I'm here. [He doesn't sound convincing. By not letting up, she's getting to him more than she realizes].
She leans towards him and kisses his neck then nips him, startling him. Suddenly, deep inside him the mass of churning emotions spills over and he starts to tremble.
AMANDA: Prove it.
KYLE: I can't let you do this. [He turns away, the painful emotions of anger, grief, and sense of failure aren't spilling they're boiling. What is she doing to him? He doesn't want to feel. No, he doesn't want to remember. It hurts too much].
AMANDA [holds on to him]: He was killing you. You defended yourself. It's not your fault you didn't have enough strength left. It was his fault.
KYLE: I tried to find another way—[he chokes up]. Why did he keep tasering me? He wouldn't stop...
AMANDA: Let it out.
He turns back into her arms and she holds him tight as he let the tears flow, silent and deep. He holds on to her just as tightly. Eventually, the tears dry up and he holds her more gently. She holds his face between her hands and kisses him. He kisses her back. Then a little more until his kiss deepens. She lets him, letting him go as far as he wanted and needed to go, knowing deep down she wants and needs him just as much he does.
The pain anger and sense of failure and many other negative feelings slowly ebbs away to be replaced with love, gratefulness and something more: a desire to express his love and gratefulness. She undoes the snaps on his shirt, he takes it off and his undershirt so she can run her hands over his chest and down lower towards his stomach, admiring his well-toned body. He inhales sharply. Her touch stokes new pleasurable feelings that sharpen and grow deeper. His hand moves over her ribcage and higher until he feels the softness of her breast encased in her bra cup. It's her turn to inhale sharply as his hand fully cups her. He looks in her eyes with wonder and smiles as he feels her shiver and lean closer to him. She smiles back at him. He removes his hand only to move it behind her to unclasp her bra. She doesn't stop him, but does feel suddenly shy when he looks and keeps looking, enthralled.
KYLE: You're beautiful. [She smiles, nervous and pleased and leans closer to kiss him, but when her breasts brushes against his chest, shivers run up her spine and hears him inhale, feeling it too].
AMANDA: You feel so good.
KYLE: So do you.
They kiss again. Loving the feel of him against her she wraps her arms around his neck, running her fingers through his hair. With his arms around her, he starts caressing her back then, as their kiss deepens he holds her tighter, feeling her softness press into him, thrilling and exciting him further, giving new meaning to the word "alive."
He picks her up and takes her to his room. Once there he lays her on the rug, joining her. She swallows, beginning to have doubts now that she's in his room.
KYLE: Are you sure? [Her nod is hesitant though and he senses her doubt].
KYLE [narrative]: As I leaned down to kiss her, I suddenly remembered how Josh and Andy's relationship changed. [He hesitates, now in doubt too]. As much as I wanted Amanda just then, I wanted it to be right even more.
AMANDA: What's wrong?
KYLE: Josh and Andy.
AMANDA: They're here? [She tenses up, beginning to panic at being caught].
KYLE: No. But when they…you know. It changed things.
AMANDA [frowns at him]: Changed? [She is starting to feel uncomfortable and way too exposed].
KYLE: Yes. I mean, if we…it will change for us.
AMANDA: Oh, God. [Suddenly she's rethinking her decision. He's right, things will change between them, yes maybe for the better, but she wanted more than just using this moment to assuage his guilt or her desperation to have him back]. You're right.
She pushes him away, and crosses her arms.
KYLE: Amanda—
AMANDA: Do you have a blanket?
He nods and grabs one out of his tub and wraps it around her. She clutches on to it and avoids looking at him. He sees the slight tinge of embarrassment on her cheeks and glances away.
KYLE: I'll get you a shirt.
AMANDA: I should go. [She stands up the same time he does and sees how he still wants her and turns away. She really wasn't ready for this after all].
He goes to his closet and brings over one of his shirts and when she takes it and keeps her back to him, he turns aside to give her some space. All he hoped for right then that this moment hadn't changed for the worse and felt a tight squeeze of pain over his heart. If letting her go right now will help her, he will.
KYLE: Amanda—
AMANDA: See you. [She glances at him, and seeing his confusion and worry, she is tempted all over again to go to him. She turns, almost running out the door, not to escape him but her own rising tide of emotions].
He follows, staring at the front door as it closes behind her, looking like a lost puppy. Soon he hears her play and his heart suddenly lifts. She is playing for him, for them, and smiles. He wanders in the kitchen but then sees her bra and shirt. He swallows hard and before the family comes back, hides it in his room and cleans the house, doing anything to take his mind off what almost happened.
When the family comes home, the house is clean and spotless and they find Kyle standing by the kitchen doors, which are wide open, listening to Amanda as she plays the piano, the sound emanating from his room.
KYLE [narrative]: All the turmoil left behind with Cassidy's death, I came to realize how dangerous it was for anyone to know about me and all the things I can do. Where that would lead me I still didn't know, but for now, those I loved were safe.
Tears are in his eyes and he turns to smile sadly at them.
JESSI [whispers so only Lori, standing beside her hears]: It worked.
LORI [whispers back]: What did?
JESSI [whispers again]: Amanda's playing.
KYLE [to Nicole as she walks over to him]: It hurts.
Nicole hugs him and he hugs her back. She knows the emotional healing has just started for him.
End.