"Ma'am, sirs, can I bring you a drink?" the waiter asked Nigel, Bug and Lily as they waited for the other four in their group to join them. All three of them shook their heads, Nigel letting the waiter know that they will be ready to order drinks as soon as the table is filled. The waiter nods his head understandingly and walks away. Nigel is sitting there, wearing a white t – shirt covered by a white and grey Diesel dress shirt and jeans, staring at the front door, waiting for the night's events to begin. Bug, dressed in a white polo top and khakis is eyeing Lily as unobvious as possible while they continue their conversation about the latest case they worked on together, Ms. Michener. Lily looks stunning in black gauchos, a lacy white and black camisole, a black shrug, and low black flats. Bug is becoming easily distracted by her beauty, but Lily fails to notice.
"I wonder where they – ahhh, here comes our own Macy and Jordan," Nigel said, letting the others know, whose back is to the door, that two others are here.
"Hey gang, miss me much?" Jordan jokes, trying to settle her own nerves. Her mind glances at the four empty spots at the table, uneasily realizing that two belong to her and Macy, and the other two for… Woody and Caroline.
"Ever so much," Nigel responds to the joke. Bug and Lily both say hello from where they are sitting, and turn back to continue their conversation. "Dressed to impress aren't we, Jordan? Or should I say, dressed to kill? I'm presuming that fits better with the situation, seeing as you want Ms. Waters out of the picture."
Jordan laughs forcedly, trying to brush off the situation. "Ha, Nige, this little old rag was the only clean thing I could find in my closet. You know me, I hate doing laundry." She takes a seat beside Nigel, fidgeting with her purse. Nigel eyes her amusingly, he understands what is running through her head.
"So, I see the guest of honour isn't here yet… wonder what is keeping them so long?" Jordan asks, trying to comfort herself.
"Maybe they are trying to reconcile their love," Nigel answers with a sly smile. Jordan shoots him a dirty look. Lily, hearing Nigel's last comment, responds with a question.
"What are you talking about Nigel?"
"Lily, my dear, have you been left out of the latest morgue scandal? Well, let me be the first to tell you that it seems to appear that Woody and our new Ms. Waters have quite the history together. Looks like Jordan's got some competition." Nigel responds mischievously, nudging Jordan with his elbow.
"Oh geez, Nigel, give it up." Jordan rolls her eyes, pretending not to care.
"What do you mean by history Nigel," Lily inquires. "Obviously Woody has dated other girls. He is allowed to, you know."
"Dating yes, that was expected. However, it seems that Annie was not the only one Woody was to be married to. From what I could dig up from the Schofield church registry, our little Woodrow and Caroline were to be wed on Saturday June 8th, 2001."
"Married! Wow, Woody… why didn't they tie the knot? What's wrong with her?" Lily asks warily.
"Nothing… that I know of yet anyway. Besides, we don't know who walked away from who… But from what the situation seems to be, it looks like Woody left Caroline at the altar."
"Hmmm, can't wait to hear what's going to be said tonight."
"Ahhh, precisely the reason for such a get together."
"NIGEL! YOU DIDN'T!" Jordan yells at him, giving him a smack on the shoulder. "This was all a ruse for you to find out more about Woody and Caroline…I can't believe you!"
"Stop pretending you don't care even the least bit. You come here dressed in a little red sexy number and expect us not to notice your fear? It's Woodrow you're fighting over hun, his eyes have been on you for the past four years. Some sweet little Wisconsin girl isn't going to change his mind," Nigel reassures her.
"Let's hope not."
"And please… we all know you are just as interested in knowing the dirt as we are. Just be nice to her so we can find out some stuff since Woody seems tight lipped about the whole affair."
"I know, I know. I just want to get this night over and done with."
"That might happen sooner than expected, here is the lovely couple waltzing in now…," Nigel glances at his watch, "only twenty minutes late."
Everyone turns to look at the door as Woody and Caroline are met at the entrance by a maître'd. Lily waves her hand, catching Woody's attention. He taps Caroline on the shoulder and points to Lily. They walk past the maître'd and towards the table. Woody has his hands shoved in his pockets and is walking fast towards Jordan. Caroline makes eye contact with Jordan, holds her gaze for a second, and then protectively grabs Woody's arm and links hers within his. His momentum halts as he looks down at their arms, and then he looks at Jordan sheepishly. She looks at him with pain in her eyes and then looks away.
"Bitch…" she murmurs under her breath.
Nigel, having heard, comforts her saying "Don't worry love, we all know he's yours. And she will know soon enough. Just watch yours truly work his magic."
As Woody and Care approach the table Nigel stands up and warmly welcomes Caroline with a big hug and kiss on the cheek, forcing her to let go of Woody. Seizing this small moment of freedom he moves towards Jordan and leans down to give her a quick kiss on the cheek and apologize. However, before he can, she stands up and moves out of the way.
"Jor, I'm sorry, we really need to talk about this, I want to explain everything. I don't want this to change us…" Woody pleads in a low voice, looking into her eyes.
"It's okay Woody, tonight isn't about us," Jordan replies. She is trying to cover the pain in her voice, but it is evident to Woody. He lovingly places his hand on her arm. Caroline, seeing the entire situation out of the corner of her eye, moves in.
"Hey, these two seats are free, Woody let's sit here. Waiter? Can we get some drinks?" Caroline politely tries to get the attention of a passing waiter, trying to divert the attention from her last comment to everyone's thirst.
"Actually Care, Jordan was sitting here. I guess I'll take a seat here and you can sit beside Garrett - " Woody tries to finagle his way out of the awkward situation, however, Jordan cuts him off.
"Oh, don't worry about that Woods. You and Care sit here… I'll just relocate beside Macy. Aww look at that smile on his face, he can't wait for me to sit beside him!" Jordan tries to lighten up the situation. She grabs her purse and plops down beside Garrett. "So what about those drinks… Waiter?" A waiter approaches their table and awaits to take down their order. Jordan immediately responds, "Can I have an apple martini? No, change that to a shot of vodka… make it two… I need something strong." She glances at the others around who are staring at her… "What can I say… it's been a long day."
