Disclaimer: None of the characters of the film belong to me.

Synopsis: Josie waits for her 'penguin' to kiss her at the State ball game, only to find that he doesn't turn up. Five years later she's invited to the prom reunion, will she meet him again? And if she does how will her heart react?

A/N: Thank you again for keeping reading and writing those reviews!

Chapter 6

Monday's were always strange days, and since Josie's return to high school she had found it increasingly more difficult to get out of bed on such a morning and sort herself out. And today was no exception, hitting the snooze button forcibly she turned on her side and surveyed the empty mass of bed that lay to her left. She'd slept fitfully all weekend, visions of Sam Coulson pounding a relentless beat in her head every time she managed to get to sleep only to be woken buy some turn of event in her dreams that would leave her feeling wretched and ultimately exhausted. Absently reaching out with her right hand she stroked the fabric of the sheets that should have enveloped her lover, but she had to keep reminding herself that those events were never destined to happen.

Or were they? She remembered her conversation with Anita from Friday night and realised that maybe she could live with the hope that something could be done if only she could find out exactly where Sam now worked. Deciding that she would make that her first job of the day she quickly pulled herself from her bed and went to shower.

After half an hour she was ready to go and noticed that the light was flashing on her answer machine. She hit the play button, if it were something important she'd better know now than leave it for later. The machine cut into her reverie, "Hi Josie, it's Cris from the publishers. Look, everyone here is really excited about how your book is shaping up, the cover sleeve has been designed and I have another cheque advance waiting for you, if you could pop by today sometime then that would be appreciated. Give my secretary a call and give her a rough time on when to expect you, Ciao Bella!"

Josie made the mental note and left for work. Arriving at the 'Times' offices early she began to wonder how long she would have to keep on trudging the same old routine. Her book, 'Re-sitting High School – The memoirs of an undercover reporter', was about to set the world's book charts alight with her stark autobiography of self discovery. And although it was seen by some of her family and friends as a ploy to gain more credibility of her worth to the world she saw it as an outlet to let people truly understand her and offer help and encouragement to those who needed it. After all, she was starting to get fed up with writing about ordinary day to day hearts and flowers on a weekly basis; she wanted to write about things that people weren't interested in in the newspapers unless corruption or scandal went hand in hand with it. She would have her meeting with the publishers and then take the rest of the day to decide what she was going to do about her job. But first she had to see if she could find Sam.

When she finally negotiated the bull pen to her office she was met with a sight that she wasn't quite sure she believed. Flowers in vases and balloons had been placed around the office as if she had come back from a lengthy spell away in hospital, she was expecting to see a 'welcome back to work' card on her desk when she noticed the small lilac envelope in the centre of her desk. She snatched it from its resting place and quickly opened it. She began to read.

Dear Josie

I am so sorry for the way I acted upon the information that I was given by Sam, but I honestly didn't believe what he had to say at the time. However, after closer consideration and having a lengthy chat with Augustus I realise that I may have read his intentions incorrectly. There were moments of clarity in his words and sometimes I could see the look of regret in his eyes, at one point I even thought he was going to cry but that was more because I said I wouldn't be passing his message on to you. I was blinded by my love for you and for that I apologise again. Please forgive me but I'll understand if you can't, I betrayed your trust in me and for that I realise I must be punished.

He left some contact details with me:

Cell: Chicago-555-7896

School: SE Wisconsin-555-2379

I hope you can track him down and that you find at least peace with him.

Your loving friend

Anita

Josie had to admit it; at least Anita came up trumps when she needed to. But which number to phone. Josie felt a little self conscious about using the cell phone number so she would ring the school number, then she would be able to find out where he was working and meet up with him face to face, it seemed better that way. She dialled the number and after three rings the phone was answered by a chirpy receptionist, "Good morning, Salem Central High, how can I direct your call?" Josie realised that it may have been an act of cowardice not to talk to the pleasant lady on the end of the phone but she replaced the receiver, she didn't need her call directing anywhere at the present time as she now had an idea of where he was working.

She opened up her laptop and flicked the 'on' button. The computer hummed as it sprang into action and as soon as it was booted she opened up the internet connection and opened the search engine page. She typed in the school name and the school's webpage came up top of the list. Clicking on it the school page opened and she was able to find the faculty listing. She looked under English and sure enough his name was there. Tentatively she opened his page, checking around to make sure none of her actions were visible to any of her colleagues, and she hoped that Sam would never become aware that she was now looking at his handsome features. She had to admit, he looked a little older, and maybe their situation had worn him down as much as it had her, but he still looked good. She reached out her fingertips to caress his face, realising it could never make up for actually touching the physical being. Her heart skipped a beat and she knew then that she still loved him; no mean feat of trying to forget could ever take away that feeling. They were two separated halves of one love and they needed to reconcile, she was sure of it. She made her silent vow; she would take a trip to see him within the next couple of weeks and try to make amends. But first she had to worry about her book.

Picking up the receiver again, she dialled the number of the offices of her publisher. "Hi, Katie, it's Josie Gellar? … Yes, hi. Do you think it's possible for me to come in about 2 pm? … Sure, great, well, I'll see you all then. Bye!"

Josie sat back in her seat and turned to look out of the picture window of the city she called home, today was going to be a good day after all.

Josie had mumbled to Gus about having a late lunch on her way out of the building, she didn't really want him to know just yet of her plans keeping the information about her book a secret from everyone in the office. She would do it later when she had finally decided what to do overall.

She entered the plush grey marbled entrance lobby to the publishers and made her way across to security.

"Ah, Miss Gellar, they are expecting you on the third floor in the board room. Someone will meet you from the lift." He handed her a security pass and motioned that she should put it on.

Still reeling from the shock of the security guard knowing exactly who she was, Josie walked across the lobby to the bank of elevators, pushing the button and patiently waiting for any of the six lifts to arrive, she didn't have to wait too long. Stepping into the waiting lift she pushed the required button and she was on her way quickly up to the third floor. She alighted and was met by Katie who just as promptly ushered her into the elegant boardroom with its panelled walls and carpeted floor.

"Josie, Hi!" Cris met her and air kissed both of her cheeks. "It's so nice to see you again, you're looking well!"

"Thank you, Cris, I'm feeling better. And hopefully more so when this meeting draws to its conclusion."

"Of course, well let's make a start shall we? Would you like a drink before we continue?"

"Um, yes, thanks. A coffee please, Katie, white no sugar. So where shall I sit, Cris."

"Anywhere you feel comfortable, we will work around you."

Josie made her way over to a small area by the window that had been set aside for more informal meetings and took a seat in the middle of a mammoth black leather sofa. Cris joined her balancing dust jacket designs on his knee.

"Shall we look at these first? We have three designs," he leant them all against the glass coffee table that sat in front of them. "Which of these most depicts how you want people to see your book?"

"Well, to be honest, I haven't really thought about how I want people to perceive the book," she looked quizzically at Cris before turning her attention back to the designs, "but I don't like that one, I mean I know we seem to be going retro with everything these days but that looks like an old 1950's cover."

"Ok, that one is gone," with a flourish and a wink of his eye, Cris had throw the design behind the sofa narrowly missing Katie as she walked around to place down Josie's cup. Josie smiled at Katie in apology; Katie took it in good humour. "If the truth be known, we didn't like that one either, did we Katie?" Katie nodded her indignation at the now trampled on board behind them.

Josie was now left with two. One had a picture of a young woman sitting at a desk wearing a lettermen jacket and a pair of high heels waving a ruler around her head with her right hand and holding a reporters notebook in the other. The picture was confusing and Josie didn't really know what the photographer was trying to achieve when he had taken it or the designer when he had chosen it.

The other was a picture of Josie standing on the pitchers mound looking hopeful that her English teacher would come and rescue her. A picture from a time that would bring back so many hurtful memories for both herself and Sam but also one that most of the world would know after her story had been picked up by every major news agency in the world. She gazed at Cris and then back at the pictures. "Unfortunately for me, I think that the one with my picture on is the one that most people are going to relate to, Cris. Don't you?"

"Yes, I have to agree, I do believe that your existence on the front cover will be the tool to drive the sales of your book better than the other two. I'm sorry that it may cause you more hurt by seeing it everywhere for a while but I am sure that as time passes the pain will ease."

"I'm sure you're right, Cris. And I'm sure the royalties will allow me to find solace in a place that has no book shops." She giggled.

"Yes, Josie, at least you still have your wit. This also brings me onto the next piece of good news, your advance. I have been talking to the publishers and they are agreed with me, as there has been much anticipation about your book I have a bankers draft here for you in the sum of $50,000."

Josie's eyes widened with the amount that she thought she'd heard Cris mention. "I'm sorry Cris; I could've sworn you just said $50,000."

"I did, here it is to look at if you don't believe what I say." He handed her the draft, she read the figures over and over not quite taking them in, her hands shook nervously as she held onto the tiny piece of paper that was to change her life completely. "Is that enough to see you through the next few months until your first royalty check arrives." She merely nodded.

"Cris, I know this may sound cheeky but how much am I expected to get then from each months sales."

"At least that, Josie, every month. I actually have a projection here if you would like to take a look."

"No, that's absolutely fine. I'm going to be quite rich then?"

"Yes, we anticipate that you will become a very wealthy woman from your story, Josie, and I am glad that it is going to such a worthy young woman. Now, sadly, our business for today has come to an end. Would you like Katie to get you a driver so that you can get that money put into your account straight away," Cris asked, seeing that Josie was still looking at her check, "or would you like to take it home and frame it for posterity."

Josie looked up at him, "sorry, I just can't take it in. Thank you for your kind offer and I will take you up on it. Goodbye, Cris."

"Ciao, Josie. See you soon!"

Josie looked fleetingly back and smiled her thanks to Cris once more before finally leaving the boardroom.

Even though it was a bitterly cold afternoon it was bright with the January sun and Josie decided to walk the short distance between the bank and her office. Her pace was slower than usual with no real sense of purpose, 'but then what was the need' she thought, 'it's not as if I have to go back to work.'

She rounded the corner of the 'Chicago Sun Times' building and made her way through the revolving doors, finding her way to the elevators as if she were on auto pilot. She rode the lift to her floor and casually made her way into the bull pen. She walked the short distance over to Gus' office and knocked on the door frame, "Could I have a word?"

"Of course, Josie," Gus said as he momentarily looked up from his knitting. "What can I do for you? Is it about Anita? You know she's really upset?" He asked putting the knitting on his desk, getting up from his seat and moving around the desk to perch on its edge.

Josie closed the door behind her and walked into the centre of the room. "As far as Anita is concerned I am far from forgiving her just yet, but …" Josie put up her hand to stop Gus from saying anything more on the subject, "I will sit down and talk with her, take her for coffee or something, try and make her understand how I feel about everything that has happened over the last eight or so months. I have something else that is very important to me. I have a book being published in the next few weeks and they are expecting me to busy with it, book signings and interviews, etc."

"You want time off? What's the book about anyway?"

"Don't get angry Gus but a little while ago, after my story went national, I was asked to write about the whole undercover, falling in love with my teacher, having him walk out on me without listening to me and then being left utterly bereft of the one thing I wanted most in the world scenario. At first I didn't want to know but after I read through the journals I wrote at the time I realised that even though it damn well hurt at the time, well to be honest it still hurts even now; I realised that it was a good story. People could take it as either fact or fiction, whatever their choosing. So I began to write my memoirs, Jacobean publishing took the book on and today I have chosen the cover and been given a large bankers draft advance." Josie took a seat opposite her boss, "the thing is Gus, I don't just want time off, I want to give you my notice."

Gus was dumbstruck; one of his best reporters was asking the unthinkable of him, "you really want to leave? I thought you loved it here?"

"I do, Gus, well at least I did, but the job that Rigfort is having me do is not what I grew up wanting to do. I wanted to write well constructed and researched pieces of journalism, instead I'm writing the stuff that really someone like Anita should be conceiving. I'm done Gus, my book will make money for me that I never dreamed I would be able to make and quite honestly if I'm going to write stories about love and romance I'd rather do that within a novel than in a newspaper."

"Oh god, what am I going to do? Rigfort is going to do his nut when he finds out that you're leaving!"

"Gus, he'll think it's a bad idea for about 5 minutes and then move onto the next poor sap, as well you know. I'm sorry if this puts you on the spot but I would like to leave as soon as my piece for next Friday is done, do you think you could do that for me." She watched as Gus pulled one of his faces and rubbed his hands through his hair, he shook his head and exhaled deeply, "I'm sure Sally would love to fill the position, she's been anchoring after it ever since Rigfort gave me the job."

"Yes, I'm sure she would. Well … urm … ok, yes Josie, of course, I'll work things out here with Rigfort and everything; do next Friday's piece from home if you like, e-mail it to me and include something in your piece about your book, I'm sure Rigfort won't mind a bit of free advertising. So I guess it only leaves me to say … good luck!"

"Thank you," Josie exclaimed, tears beginning to prick the corners of her eyes. She got up from her chair, closed the short distance between herself and Gus and hugged him, taking him totally by surprise. She planted a kiss on his cheek before drawing away as quickly. "Thank you," she whispered again.

"My pleasure," Gus said, deciding that he really only wanted the best for the young woman that had become his friend just months before. "Just do me a favour!"

"Anything"

"If, for any reason, you want to come back, come and see me, we'll sort something out." He saw her nod her acceptance. "And Josie?"

"Yes?"

"Please try and make things up with Anita, she's already miserable at the way she hurt you so readily, I'd hate to see her state worsen just because she thought she'd lost your friendship as well."

"I'll try Gus; I'll phone her next week and invite her out. Look after yourself Gus and look after Anita too, for me as well."

"I will Josie," he took her into a bear hug. "Don't be a stranger, hey?"

She pulled out of his embrace, "Never," she returned. She waved her hand and made her way to her office to collect her things. 'Oh yes,' she thought, 'in all the bad days I've had to cope with recently, today was a very good day.'