A new life, in an unfamiliar world was beginning for Kate. The people she left behind would be faced with questions and challenges they never imagined.

As Charlie and Stuart watched Kate's last seconds in their world, they never got to see her final moment. Interrupted by a police officer, she was then gone forever. Charlie was grateful that his last image of Kate would always be her beautiful face, filled with anticipation, rather than her fearless plunge toward the East River. To Stuart, that moment was almost the crowning achievement in his scientific research.

The police officer radioed for help. Within seconds, the sound of sirens was heard heading toward the bridge. Several late night pedestrians returning home to Brooklyn, stopped to watch the ensuing commotion. Stuart and Charlie began to panic, realizing the enormity of just how much trouble they could be in. Within moments, the rescue activity on the bridge and in the water was in full force. Whether it was fate or divine intervention, they would never know, but a multi-vehicle collision occurred. With all attention turning to the roadway below and almost miraculously, Charlie and Stuart were able to slip away into the darkness. They walked briskly and with hearts pounding they debated whether it was best to go home or not. They decided it would be safest to stay out of any public areas and headed straight for their apartment building.

Once inside, they bypassed the elevator and sprinted up the stairs to Stuart's apartment. Slamming the door behind them, they both fell onto the sofa, out of breath and exhausted. Aside from Bart's whining, there was silence for what seemed to be forever. There was nothing fitting to be said at such a moment. Finally, Charlie broke the silence.

"My God Stuart, how do you know that Kate didn't kill herself? Maybe they're going to find her body in the river. How could I have let her do that? " Charlie's frantic voice cracked, as he tried to hold back his tears.

"Charlie, you saw the pictures, she was there! There's no question she made it. She's home now."

"Home? This is her home."

"No, she belonged there. Everything that happened was supposed to happen."

"Jesus Christ Stuart, this is insanity. I can't believe I let my sister jump off of a bridge. I must be insane. What the hell I am going to do. She's all I had." Charlie put his head into his hands, choking back his tears.

Although emotionally distant in general, Stuart tried his best to comfort Charlie. "Hey Charlie, I'm here for you. Hell, we could have almost been brother-in-laws, had I not been such a crappy boyfriend to Kate."

"Yeah, well that's a lot of comfort. So, now what? Are they going to find us? What do we do?"

"I think we better lay low for awhile. Watch the news in the morning; maybe we'll get a better idea if they have good descriptions. Want to hang out here? Maybe you don't want to go up there tonight?"

"Yeah thanks Stuart, I don't think I could go in there right now."

Stuart sat in his chair, watching Charlie pace the floor, nervously. Eventually, Charlie stretched out on the sofa, much to Stuart's relief. Neither felt compelled to engage in awkward conversation. The silence was actually consoling, as they both thought of Kate. Charlie turned the television on and clicked from channel to channel. Emotionally exhausted, they both fell asleep rather quickly. Charlie woke early in the morning to the sounds of the early local news on the television. Still not fully conscious, he was jolted awake when he heard the words, "Brooklyn Bridge". Charlie opened his eyes and felt an icy cold sweep through his body.

"Holy shit! Stu, wake up!"

Stuart woke in flash and they both sat, leaning over toward the television, eyes glued. There was a special news report about a rescue recovery at the Brooklyn Bridge. Charlie, secretly hoping Kate was found alive, praying they did not find a body. Stuart knew that Kate would never be found. They listened intently to the newscaster, on location.

"An unidentified woman jumped from the Brooklyn Bridge late last night at approximately 11:45. A New York City police officer arrived after passing motorists reported a woman crossing the steel girders above the vehicle lanes. Rescue operations have been unsuccessful in locating a survivor. Witnesses describe two men who were observed to be standing on the bridge. It was unclear if they were with the woman or were pedestrians who happen to be on the bridge at the same time. There were no detailed descriptions of either the woman or the men on the bridge, due to the darkness. However, several witnesses in cars describe her as wearing a long dress. The police officer described the men as Caucasian, with brown hair and in their 30's. He described the woman as also Caucasian and in her 30's as well. She was possibly blonde. That's all the information we have at this time. We'll update you as more information comes in."

Charlie and Stuart breathed a sigh of relief. They looked at each other, shaking their heads "I don't know Stuart, I think I'll be afraid to go outside for awhile."

"Don't act suspicious, or you'll make yourself suspicious. You know what I mean?" replied Stuart.

"What the hell will I say when someone from CRG calls? Uh, Kate's not here, she took a little trip?"

"Hey, you'll think of something. Just don't pick up till you're ready."

"Well, I'm going up there Stuart. I've got to do it."

"Want some company"

"No, thanks. I have to do this on my own. Damn, I don't even know when the rent is due or how I would even pay it. I wish I had done more when Kate was here. Too late now." Charlie looked forlorn as he headed for the door. He poked around his pocket for the keys. "See ya later, Stu."

Stuart nodded and headed for the phone.

Charlie walked slowly down the flight of stairs. He hesitated as he put the key in the door, before opening it and walking in. "Kate, I'm home" Charlie whispered, as he shook his head with a pained look in his eyes. Charlie walked from room to room, looking for any sign that Kate was there. The apartment was just as she left it; neat as a pin and everything in its place. Charlie walked into Kate's room. On the dresser he found Leopold's invitation to dinner and a rose saved from their rooftop date. He walked into the kitchen and saw the answering machine blinking with countless number of messages. Charlie was reluctant to press the button. As he did, he slumped down in the chair.

"Hey Charlie, it's me. Don't forget I have that dinner tonight. I'll be pretty late. We'll celebrate tomorrow night. There's chicken in the fridge if you want. Have a good night."

Charlie's blood ran cold and he felt as if he had been punched in the gut.

"Kate, its JJ. What kind of stunt was that? Where the hell are you? You better call me Kate. I don't even know what to say right now."

"Kate, it's Darcy. JJ just called me. Kate, what's going on? Please call me!"

"Kate, it's JJ again. It's 3AM. Where are you? You have me worried here Kate. Call me!."

"Kate, it's Darcy. Please call me. Please."

"Kate, look, I don't know what the hell is going on. I don't know if I should fire you right now, or if you've lost your mind. Geeze Kate, I'm going to start thinking that you're the one who jumped off the bridge last night. Hey, bad joke, I know. Kate, help me out here. I have the big wigs breathing down my neck. You have to call me Kate, I mean it."

The machine buzzed, indicating the last message. Charlie deleted them all, except Kate's.

Charlie did not know what to do with himself. He climbed into his bed and pulled the covers up over his head. He was woken up at 9 by the phone. Half asleep, he picked it up without thinking.

"Is this Charlie?"

"Uh, yeah. Who is this?"

"Charlie, this is JJ. Where the hell is Kate? What's going on? I saw you and that lame ex-boyfriend of hers last night. Put Kate on the phone."

"Well, JJ, I can't. She's not here."

"Where is she? She's in a lot of trouble"

"There was a family emergency. That's why I was there, to tell her."

"What family? As far as I knew, you're her only family."

"Well, you see JJ, there's this, uh, Aunt."

"An Aunt?"

"Yeah, an Aunt. She's sick."

"Where does she live?"

"Uh, in, uh, Albany."

"Albany. Did she drive?"

"Yeah, she rented a car and drove upstate. I haven't heard from her yet."

"Well, when you do, tell her she better call me immediately."

"Sure JJ."

Charlie ended the call and unplugged the phone. He crawled back into bed, pulling the covers back over his head. Perhaps he would wake up to find this was all a bad dream.