Legal whatchamacallit: Pre-existing "Popular" characters and situations are 1999-2001 Touchstone Television. For what it's worth, original material is 2001 by yours truly, the Wild Pikachu (). Please don't steal this without asking first.

Other notes: This is not a complete story, exactly. It is a collection of scenes representing one story arc (the Sam/Harrison/Brooke triangle), spread over several episodes. In real "Popular" scripts, they would be spliced together with other scenes from concurrent plotlines (each episode of "Popular" has three or four plotlines). There are notes scattered throughout pertaining to placement.

The title: For a long time this work had no title, because (as I said) it isn't meant as a free-standing story, but part of a larger context. Since it had to have a title here, I decided to call it "I Can't Help Myself", after the song by Nobody's Angel. Though I often use music during the creative process to set the mood for various scenes, this is definitely not "songfic" in that sense (until very recently, I wasn't aware that there was such a thing). "I Can't Help Myself", however, would be the background music for Brooke's little road trip.

Parting words: Although it begins a few days before the junior prom, this was written after "Coup", and is an alternative to the entire Sam/Harrison/Brooke story arc starting with "I Know What You Did Last Spring Break!" Oh, and there is one reasonably large plot hole that I'm aware of, which you're welcome to look for. It could easily be patched shut with a short Sam/Lily scene, but I decided not to bother.

July 2008 note: I am attempting to re-upload all of my work in order to get the formatting right; this is still a test case. It seems that nothing can make the text indent, however. All I can do is get all the lines to break correctly. This is the only Popular work that Ive done which isnt on my own site anymore, so hopefully its semi-readable here.

"I Can't Help Myself"

NOTE: This storyline should start about three days before
the Junior Prom.
NOTE: Ideally this scene would be the teaser of an episode,
followed by the title sequence and one 2-3 minute scene from
a concurrent storyline displaying the opening credits.

FADE IN:

INT. JAMIE'S APARTMENT

There is a knock at the front door. Jamie approaches, opens
the door, and sees Brooke standing in the hallway.

JAMIE
(surprised)
Brooke...what are you doing here?

Brooke breezes past him and into the apartment.

BROOKE
I know, I should've called, but I
was thinking, you know, about
where we should go, after the
prom. And I looked up, and it
turns out I was only a few blocks
away, so I thought, why bother
calling when I could talk to you
and see you in person--

Her stream of thought is interrupted by something unexpected.

ALEXANDRA
(from an adjoining room)
Jamie, is that pizza? You know
how starved I get after--

Alexandra walks out in a robe and towel, obviously having
just emerged from the shower. She pulls up short at seeing
Brooke. Brooke does a double-take and then looks
disbelievingly at Jamie.

JAMIE
Uh, um, Brooke...this is--

Brooke puts her hands up defensively and begins backing
towards the door.

BROOKE
Ah, no...you don't have to
introduce us...

JAMIE
Brooke, wait--

BROOKE
I guess I should've called after
all, huh?

JAMIE
Brooke, I know what you're
thinking, but--

BROOKE
(raggedly)
Why don't you two just go back to
whatever--

Jamie reaches out towards Brooke as she slides by him.

BROOKE (CONT'D)
(shrieking)
--DON'T TOUCH ME!!

Reaching the door, she turns and runs.

INT. THE HALLWAY

Brooke runs wildly by. Jamie hangs halfway out of the
doorway a moment later.

JAMIE
Brooke! Wait!

After a moment, Jamie hangs his head in defeat, and turns
back.

INT. JAMIE'S APARTMENT

ALEXANDRA
That was Brooke?

JAMIE
That was Brooke.

Alexandra looks down at herself.

ALEXANDRA
This looks bad, doesn't it?

JAMIE
We'll go over there, and explain
everything. It'll be fine.

CUT TO:

INT. A DINER

A garden-variety "Denny's"-type coffee shop. Brooke rushes
in, red-eyed, disoriented. A WAITRESS approaches her.

WAITRESS
(concerned)
Excuse me, Miss? Can I help you?

Brooke looks at the waitress blankly. After a moment she
manages to collect herself enough to speak.

BROOKE
Phone?

The waitress points to a nook in the back. Brooke makes her
way in that direction, with the waitress looking after her.

ANGLE: THE PHONE NOOK

Brooke picks up the phone, digs through her bag, and drops
some coins in the slot. She hesitates for a long moment
before punching in a number. It is clear that she is barely
hanging on to her composure:

BROOKE (CONT'D)
(rambling into the phone)
H-hello? It's--it's me...Brooke.
I--I--something...happened. I--I
don't know... I--I--can you--
come? I can't...
(listens)
Where...?

She looks around, unsure even of where she is.

BROOKE (CONT'D)
I'm--I'm at the Pancake Barn...
Yeah, that one... Just--please
come...

She hangs up the phone and slumps against the wall, shaking.

BLACK OUT:
other scenes here

INT. THE DINER - LATER

The glass doors bang open and HARRISON rushes in.

HARRISON
Brooke?

Spotting Harrison, Brooke runs full tilt into him, sobbing
uncontrollably. Somewhat unnerved, Harrison does his best to
console her, wrapping his arms around her and stroking her
hair.

HARRISON (CONT'D)
(soothingly)
Shhh...it's OK. Everything's
going to be OK...

CUT TO:
other scenes here

EXT. A PARK - AFTERNOON

Harrison is sitting on a concrete bench, watching Brooke as
she paces back and forth along a piece of the path in front
of him. Brooke is a bundle of nerves; she fidgets even when
she isn't pacing.

BROOKE
(raging)
OH! I can't believe how stupid I
was! I can just picture him
laughing with his girlfriend
about the high school kid he was
stringing along!

Harrison confines himself to making sympathetic gestures and
noises.

BROOKE (CONT'D)
I just--oooh! I fell for that
whole smooth college-guy act! I
thought, he was sophisticated, he
was mature--he said all the right
things...and he turns out to be
just another sleeze! God! Love
sucks!!

HARRISON
(reproachfully)
Brooke--

Brooke turns on him.

BROOKE
What?! You're going to tell me
love doesn't suck? Go on--tell
me!

The challenge sends Harrison into some hemming and hawing.

HARRISON
Well...uh...
(throws up his hands)
OK, you're right. I admit it.
Love does suck.

Brooke buries her face in her hands.

BROOKE
(miserably)
Oh, Harrison, I am--so--sorry.

Harrison shakes his head in incomprehension.

BROOKE (CONT'D)
I'm not satisfied with ruining my
own life--I've got to go screwing
with yours, too.

HARRISON
I'm still not following.

BROOKE
Sam! Who was the one who
confronted you about being in
love with Sam? Me! I was all
for you telling Sam how you felt-
I thought you two would get
together and live happily ever
after.
(buries her face again)
Oooh!! What an idiot I am!

Harrison stands up and gestures emphatically to correct her.

HARRISON
Brooke, no. I was in a very
unhealthy place for a long time
with Sam. Half the time I was in
denial, and the other half I was
so scared I wasn't even really
living. But thanks to you...and,
you know, surviving leukemia and
all...I was able to come out and
be honest about my feelings, and
that was the right thing for me.

He sits back down.

HARRISON (CONT'D)
The fact that the result was a
complete disaster doesn't change
that.

Brooke glumly sits down next to him.

BROOKE
It doesn't help, either.

Harrison silently concedes that point. They sit there
silently for a few moments.

BROOKE (CONT'D)
(ruefully)
Boy, we are a pair, aren't we?

HARRISON
Oh, we really are.

Further down the path, Harrison spots a vendor's cart.

HARRISON (CONT'D)
Hey--you know what we need?

Brooke shakes her head.

HARRISON (CONT'D)
Chocolate-dipped, double-scoop,
ice cream cones.

She raises her eyebrows at him.

HARRISON (CONT'D)
Come on--what better way to
wallow in misery than with a load
of meaningless calories?

BROOKE
Well...when you put it that way,
I see your point.

Harrison stands up.

HARRISON
(grinning)
You stay here--my treat.

He takes a couple of steps, then turns back.

HARRISON (CONT'D)
Hey, Brooke--you gotta look at
the bright side. After all, it
could be worse.

Brooke shrugs her shoulders helplessly.

BROOKE
How?

HARRISON
Well, look at me. At least you
didn't fall in love with someone,
who's in love with someone else.

Brooke watches Harrison as he takes off down the path.

BROOKE
(wistfully)
Yeah. I did.

CUT TO:
other scenes here

INT. THE MCQUEEN LIVING ROOM - LATER

Brooke walks in the front door, and is startled to see Mike
sitting comfortably with Jamie and Alexandra. They all get
up.

BROOKE
Dad, what are they doing here?

MIKE
Brooke, I think you should
listen.

BROOKE
(goggling)
WHAT?

JAMIE
Brooke--this is Alexandra
Michaels. My cousin.

BROOKE
That's Alex??

Jamie nods, and Alexandra holds up her hand in
greeting/acknowledgement.

BROOKE (CONT'D)
Oh.
(winces as realization sets
in)
Ohhh... Dad, could Jamie and I
have a minute to talk?

MIKE
Of course.
(to Alexandra)
Would you care to join me for
some coffee?

ALEXANDRA
I'd love to.

As Mike and Jamie head for the kitchen, Jamie steps up to
Brooke.

BROOKE
Jamie--

JAMIE
Brooke, I completely understand
why you freaked. I mean, the way
it looked...

BROOKE
Jamie, I have to tell you
something.
(swallows hard)
I can't see you anymore?

JAMIE
Huh? But--

BROOKE
No, it's not that. I totally
understand.

JAMIE
(confused)
You totally understand, but
you're dumping me anyway?

BROOKE
It's not you, it's me.
(overriding him)
I know, but this time it's true.
I think I've been using you.

JAMIE
Using me how?

BROOKE
To forget about...feelings...I
have for someone else.

JAMIE
(nonplussed)
Oh.

BROOKE
Look, it's not fair to you, and
it's not fair to me, and I have
to figure out what's going on
inside me. Or else in the end
it's just all a lie.

JAMIE
I'm not gonna be able to talk you
out of this, am I?

BROOKE
(shaking her head sadly)
Nope.

JAMIE
I hope...you figure out what's
best for you. That's all I've
ever wanted.

Brooke wipes away a tear, and gives Jamie a peck on the
cheek. He turns and walks away forlornly. A few moments
later, Mike comes back in.

MIKE
Honey?

BROOKE
Dad--I may have just done the
dumbest thing in my entire life.

Mike walks over and holds her.

CUT TO:

INT. BROOKE'S ROOM - NIGHT

Brooke is sitting at her computer in the dark, illuminated
only by a small lamp and the light of the screen as she
types.

BROOKE (V.O.)
...I get the feeling that this
thing with Jamie happened for a
reason. Because I know now that
he was never the right one for
me. I'm sure of that... I
don't think I told you just how
great Harrison has been. He knew
exactly the right thing to do,
just like he always does.

She stops typing for a few moments, then resumes.

BROOKE (V.O.) (CONT'D)
You know, it's ironic. Now that
I think I'm sure of how I feel,
I'm in exactly the same place
with Harrison as he was with Sam.
I can't tell you how proud I am
of him. Even though he got shot
down, he had the guts to follow
his heart.
(pause)
I wish I could do that.
(pause)
Dad said it would be OK if I just
blew off the prom and went up
there for the weekend. I'd love
to see San Francisco with you.
We could do all the museums and
galleries and eat lunch at an
outdoor cafe... Besides, I miss
you, Mom. So let me know. Love,
Brooke.

INSERT: THE COMPUTER SCREEN

As Brooke clicks "Send."

Brooke snaps off the lamp and screen, plunging the room into
darkness.

BLACK OUT:
other scenes here
NOTE: The storyline should move forward one episode here.

INT. THE JOHN KITCHEN - AFTERNOON

OFF-SCREEN, the sound of THE FRONT DOOR OPENING AND CLOSING.
Harrison walks in, wearing a backpack and carrying a handful
of mail. He unslings the backpack and lets it drop on a
chair, then looks through the mail, dropping the envelopes on
the kitchen table one by one.

HARRISON
(muttering)
No, I don't want cheap auto
insurance... No, I don't want a
platinum card...

One large white envelope catches his attention. He sets down
the rest of the mail and opens it.

HARRISON (CONT'D)
Well, let's see what they have to
say this week.

He takes out a packet of stapled papers and unfolds them.

HARRISON (CONT'D)
(reading)
Harrison John, blah blah blah,
full series, blood chemistry,
blah blah blah...

He turns the page.

HARRISON (CONT'D)
Hemiglobin... White cell
count...

His voice trails off and he grimaces as he reads the rest of
the test results.

HARRISON (CONT'D)
(disgusted)
Well, that's great. That's just
perfect.

He throws the papers down angrily.

HARRISON (CONT'D)
A perfect end, to a perfect year.

CUT TO:
other scenes here

INT. THE JOHN LIVING ROOM - LATER

ANGLE: A PHOTO ALBUM ON THE COFFEE TABLE

Harrison is deliberately turning the leaf of an album filled
with photos. Visible are a half dozen snapshots crowded
together. He peels back the plastic cover and lifts off two
of them, both shots of he and Sam together. Smoothing the
plastic back into place, he turns the leaf to reveal the end
of the album, then turns over the back cover of the album
itself.

ANGLE: HARRISON

Harrison looks at the photos in his hand for a long moment.
Then he brings up a lighter, flicks it, and holds the flame
to them, setting them alight. When the photos are burning
steadily, he drops them into a bowl where a bunch of other
photos--all of Sam--lay. Harrison sits, chin resting on
steepled fingers, eyes hooded, watching the whole pile burn.

CUT TO:
other scenes here

INT. THE MCQUEEN DINING ROOM - NIGHT

Mike, Jane, Brooke and Sam are eating dinner.

BROOKE
Jane, are you going to be able to
take me to the airport after
school?

JANE
Of course, Brooke. I'll be ready
as soon as you get home.

BROOKE
Great. I'll pack tonight, and
bring my suitcase down in the
morning.

SAM
So, you're really skipping the
prom, huh?

BROOKE
Well, I don't have a date now,
so...

SAM
What happened with you and Jamie,
anyway?

BROOKE
It's...complicated. Oh, and
don't tell anyone I'm not going,
OK? I don't want everyone making
a big deal about it.

SAM
Sure. No problem.

MIKE
Honey, whatever's going on, I
hope you're not cutting yourself
off from your friends.

BROOKE
(shrugging)
I just don't want to have to
answer a bunch of questions. You
know, sometimes Nic isn't very
understanding about this kind of
thing.

From her side of the table, Sam snorts in agreement. Brooke
wrinkles her nose in that direction.

BROOKE (CONT'D)
Anyway, the only other person who
even knows is Harrison.

JANE
Harrison?

BROOKE
He's been terrific.

Brooks leans back in her chair.

BROOKE (CONT'D)
It's been a strange week. I'm
really glad to have Harrison
there. I really...don't know
what I would've done without him.

Sam grimaces at the talk of Harrison, and studiously
continues eating.

CUT TO:

other scenes here

NOTE: The intervening scenes include a transition to THE
NEXT DAY.

EXT. THE ESPOSITO HOUSE - AFTERNOON
NOTE: This scene has Harrison dropping off Harry, a pet
iguana (part of a parallel storyline). This scene can be
reworked as needed to accommodate the other storylines; the
important thing is that Harrison have some reason to visit
Lily.

ANGLE: THE FRONT DOOR

Harrison approaches, carrying Harry's cage, and knocks on the
door. After a moment, Lily opens the door from the other
side.

LILY
Hey, Harrison? What's going on?

Harrison holds out the cage.

HARRISON
I was wondering if you could take
care of Harry for a while.

Lily takes the cage.

LILY
I guess so... Was there a
problem?

HARRISON
No, I just-- No. I just wasn't
going to be able to take care of
him for a while.

LILY
(concerned)
What's wrong? This isn't-- This
doesn't have anything to do with--
Harrison, you don't have to go
back into the hospital, do you?

Harrison shakes his head and laughs off the notion.

HARRISON
No... I'm just going to be
doing some stuff, and I know you
could take better care of him,
that's all.
(pause)
Look, I gotta go do some stuff,
so-- Thanks.

LILY
Are you sure you won't change
your mind about tonight? You
could still come with me and
Josh.

HARRISON
Yeah. I'm just going to hang
with Brooke. You have a good
time, and don't worry about me.

LILY
OK... Harrison? You're sure?
I mean, about--

HARRISON
Trust me, Lily. I am not going
back to the hospital.

There is a long pause to absorb the real meaning of
Harrison's statement. Then:

CUT TO:

other scenes here

INT. THE MCQUEEN LIVING ROOM - NIGHT

The doorbell rings. Mike walks to the front door and opens
it. Robin is standing there.

ROBIN
Oh--I hope I'm not disturbing
you, Mr. McQueen.

MIKE
It's Mike. Of course not.
(gestures her in)
Please.

Robin steps inside. Jane emerges from the kitchen and breaks
into a smile.

JANE
Robin, how are you?

ROBIN
Actually, I need to speak to
Harrison.

MIKE
(confused)
Harrison's not here.

ROBIN
Do you know where he might me?
He left a note saying he was
going to spend some time with
Brooke tonight.

MIKE
Brooke's in San Francisco with
her mother.

JANE
And Brooke said she told Harrison
that yesterday.

ROBIN
I don't understand, then. I have
to find him.

JANE
Robin? What's wrong?

ROBIN
Harrison's doctor called me this
afternoon.

JANE
Oh, no...

ROBIN
He has to be checked back into
the hospital tomorrow.

MIKE
I'll call Brooke. Maybe he told
her something.

JANE
I'll call Sam. Everyone's at the
prom--maybe one of them knows
something.

CUT TO:

NOTE: This scene should be the last of the episode.

INT. DANCE HALL

Sam and George are standing by one of the tables, watching
everyone dance.

SAM
Are you sure you don't wanna...?

George eyes the crowd warily.

GEORGE
This is a little too fast for me.
Tell you what--next slow dance,
I'm all yours. Hey--how about
some punch?

SAM
Sure.

She shakes her head after George as he heads towards the
refreshments. Moments later, Josh and Lily come twirling out
of the crowd, slightly out of breath.

LILY
Hey, why aren't you out there
doin' the groove thing?

SAM
George is a little...

LILY
Shy?

SAM
More like--intimidated.

JOSH
Ah, he's not into the groove
thing.

SAM
Well...not in front of 200
people.

Sam spots Carmen and waves.

SAM (CONT'D)
Carm!

Carmen traipses over to them.

CARMEN
Sam, I cannot tell you how happy
I am that you talked me into
this! I have dance with like a
dozen guys so far. And there's
more waiting!

SAM
Well, I'm happy for you. It's
definitely better than sitting at
home.

There is the faint sound of a CELL PHONE RINGING. Everyone
checks around to see where it is coming from. Sam holds her
bag up to her ear, then fishes her phone out and answers it.

SAM (CONT'D)
(into the phone)
Hello?
(listens)
No, I don't. Hang on.
(to the group)
Has anyone seen Harrison?

LILY
He told me he was going to hang
out with Brooke.

SAM
That can't be right. Brooke's in
San Francisco. Are you sure?

LILY
I'm sure. He dropped Harry off
after school.

SAM
But Brooke said she told Harrison
yesterday that she wasn't going
to be here.

LILY
Well, he told me this afternoon
that he was going to be with
Broke.

SAM
That's weird.
(into the phone)
He's not here, but he told Lily
he was going to see Brooke, which
we can't figure out. Why?
What's going on?
(listens)
Oh, my God.

LILY
What?

SAM
(to Lily)
His last tests came back today.
He's out of remission.

LILY
WHAT!?

JOSH
The leukemia's back? Man, that's
whacked.

LILY
Does he know?

SAM
I don't know. Hang on.
(into the phone)
Mom? Does Harrison know about
this?

She tries to listen, with the phone clamped to one ear and
her hand over the other, but the music begins to blare louder
than before.

SAM (CONT'D)
What!? Hang on, I can't hear
you. I'm going outside.

Sam heads for the nearest exit, with the gang trailing close
behind.

EXT. PORTICO

Standing in a corner of the garden, with everyone huddled
around her, Sam lifts the phone to her ear again.

SAM
(into the phone)
OK, now, what about Harrison?
(listens, then sighs)
OK. If he shows up here, or I
hear anything, I'll call.

Sam hangs up.

SAM (CONT'D)
The results should've been in the
mail today. Harrison brought in
the mail and they weren't there
when his mom came home.

LILY
So he does know.

George appears behind Lily.

GEORGE
Who knows what?

LILY
Harrison is out of remission, and
no one knows where he is.

GEORGE
Well...maybe he just needed some
time alone to deal. Hell, I
don't know how he did it the
first time.

He steps over to Sam and hands her a cup.

SAM
Maybe George is right.

LILY
No... It's not like Harrison to
just lie. I've got a really bad
feeling about this.

JOSH
(snaps his fingers)
Hey! Did anyone try calling him?

SAM
Huh?

LILY
Yeah, what about his cell?

SAM
Harrison has a cell?

JOSH
Yeah, he got it a few days ago.
Something about some market
survey or something.

LILY
I know it works, 'cause he gave
me the number.

Sam still has a miffed expression from being left in the
dark, but she hands her phone over to Lily. Lily digs a slip
of paper out of her purse and dials from it.

INTERCUT WITH:

EXT. SOMEWHERE

Harrison, standing against a blank wall, starts when he hears
a ring coming from inside his jacket. He reaches in and
pulls out his cell phone, and hesitantly puts it to his ear.

HARRISON
H-hello?

LILY
Harrison?

HARRISON
Lily? What--why are you calling
me here?

LILY
Harrison, where are you?

HARRISON
I, uh, just like I said, you
know, Brooke and I...

LILY
Cut the crap, Harrison. I know
Brooke is in San Francisco, and I
know about the tests. So where
are you? And why didn't you tell
me?

HARRISON
Lily...

LILY
You lied to me!

HARRISON
OK, yes, but I just didn't want
you to worry, and I thought if
you thought I was with Brooke,
then you wouldn't--

LILY
Not that! I asked you straight
out, and you promised me you
weren't going back to the
hospital!

HARRISON
Lily, I didn't lie to you about
that. I said I wasn't going
back, and I'm not.

LILY
WHAT?? Now you're just talking
crazy!

HARRISON
Doesn't seem crazy to me.

LILY
Harrison! Did you see the test
results? If you don't go back to
the hospital, you'll die!

HARRISON
(matter-of-factly)
Yeah.

LILY
That is not even funny! How can
you joke about something like
that?!

HARRISON
Lily--I'm not joking, OK? I'm
just going to--to go away. Look,
don't worry about me. It's not
like I'm going to suffer. I've
got enough pills to last me as
long as it takes--besides, if it
gets too bad, I can always chug
them and put a quick end to it.

LILY
(on the verge of tears)
Harrison, stop it! You're really
scaring me now! You have to come
back--you have to... Listen, I
know this must be really scary,
but you beat this disease before!
I know you can beat it again!

HARRISON
(suddenly angry)
Yeah, Lily. I did. I laid in a
hospital bed for weeks with tubes
sticking in me, getting radiation
shot through me and puking my
guts out every day, and I beat
leukemia. And what did it get
me? I think I'm just gonna
concede the rematch, OK?

LILY
(panicking)
NO! It's not OK!! Please--you
can't just--just--give up--

Sam snatches the phone away from her.

SAM
Harrison?

Harrison freezes in stricken silence.

SAM (CONT'D)
Harrison, I know you're still
there. I know you can hear me.

She turns away from the others while trying--not very
successfully--to stay calm.

SAM (CONT'D)
Just listen to me, OK? I know
the last few weeks have been
heinous, and horrible, but--this?
This is not the answer. This is
your life! Harrison--please--
listen to me. You have to come
home. There are so many people
here who--who care about you-
Harrison--please...

Slowly, painfully, Harrison clicks the phone off.

SAM (CONT'D)
Harrison? HARRISON??

She turns back to the others helplessly.

EXT. THE BUS STATION

Harrison pitches the cell phone neatly into a garbage can,
then turns and heads for the open door of a waiting intercity
bus.

FADE TO BLACK.

EPISODE BREAK

FADE IN:

INT. THE MCQUEEN KITCHEN - MORNING

Mike is sitting at the breakfast bar drinking coffee when the
patio doors open and Brooke rushes through, suitcase in hand.
She sets the suitcase down and looks at him expectantly.

BROOKE
Dad?

MIKE
(shakes his head)
I'm sorry, honey. We haven't
heard anything.

Sam comes down the stairs, and Brooke turns on her.

BROOKE
Why didn't you stop him?!

SAM
Brooke, it's not like I could
just reach through the phone and
grab him.

BROOKE
You could have tried harder!

SAM
You think I didn't try?!

MIKE
Girls--

BROOKE
I think Harrison wouldn't be in
this position if you weren't so
wrapped up in your own personal
romance novel!

SAM
You think I'm self-absorbed?

Jane comes in through the patio doors.

BROOKE
I think you're so self-absorbed,
you don't even know you're self
absorbed! You might try caring
about someone besides yourself
once in a while!

JANE
Brooke--

SAM
That is so unfair--!

BROOKE
UNFAIR?! Harrison is out there
somewhere! Some best friend you
are--he'd rather die than talk to
you!!

Mike steps between Brooke and Sam.

MIKE
Okay, this isn't going to solve
anything. I think everyone's
upset about Harrison, but we need
to just stay cool, all right?

Sullenly, Brooke turns away and retrieves her suitcase.

BROOKE
I'm going to unpack.

She tromps up the stairs. Sam gets a bottle of water from
the refrigerator and sits dejectedly. Jane comes up behind
her and strokes her hair.

JANE
Mike's right. She's just upset.

SAM
What if she's right?

JANE
Sam...

SAM
I could've tried harder to get
through to Harrison.

JANE
Honey, you did your best.

SAM
Not just last night. Any time.
I could've tried to make him
listen to me... I could've
tried to break down the wall he
put up--but it was easier, to
just--

JAME
(hugging Sam)
We'll find him.

Teary-eyed, Sam nods, but it doesn't look like she believes
that.

CUT TO:

other scenes here

NOTE: the storyline moves ahead two days here

INT. THE MCQUEEN KITCHEN - SUNRISE

Mike is getting coffee out of the coffee maker. Jane comes
padding down the stairs.

JANE
You're up early.

MIKE
I'm sorry. I didn't mean to wake
you.

JANE
(shakes her head)
I wasn't really asleep.

Jane get her own cup of coffee, and they sit side by side in
silence for a moment.

MIKE
I'm worried about Brooke. I
don't think she's eaten anything
in the past two days.

JANE
I'm worried about Sam. I don't
think she's slept in the past two
days.

She turns to him.

JANE (CONT'D)
Mike--what if this is one of
those things that doesn't turn
out?

MIKE
We can't give up hope.

JANE
If Harrison-- God, it'll
devastate both of them.

Mike reaches across and holds her.

MIKE
I know.

CUT TO:

INT. BROOKE'S ROOM

NOTE: In this scene Brooke is VERY quiet and still, almost
emotionless, in contrast to Sam, who is very nervous. Also,
every response by Brooke is preceded by a long pause, as if
she's considering how to answer, or whether to answer at
all.

Morning sunlight is beginning to stream through the window.
Brooke is lying on top of the covers of her bed, on her back,
eyes closed and hands clasped over her chest--almost as if
she were dead herself. Sam pokes her head in the door.

SAM
Brooke? Are you awake?

BROOKE
(without opening her eyes)
Yes.

Sam wanders in, meandering to the window and fiddling with
the knickknacks on the sill.

SAM
Brooke--do you think this is my
fault?

BROOKE
No.

SAM
I mean... I keep thinking about
what I could have done different,
but-- I love George, and--and--

BROOKE
You can't help the way you feel.

SAM
He made me choose. He said, me
or George... I tried-- I-
don't know--why--

Brooke opens her eyes and peers at Sam's back.

BROOKE
He can't help the way he feels,
either.

SAM
I--I just... I never wanted to
hurt Harrison... God, I could
never--and I have, and I don't--I
can't understand--how--or what to
do--
(turns to face Brooke)
How can you just lie there?

BROOKE
(closes her eyes again)
I don't have the energy to run
around. When I know what to do,
I'll do it.

Sam shakes her head in bewilderment and ambles back towards
the doorway, stopping just short of it.

SAM
Brooke?

Brooke opens her eyes and turns her head to look at Sam.

SAM (CONT'D)
You do think this is my fault,
don't you?

Brooke just gazes at her for a long moment, then turns her
head back and closes her eyes again. Sam bites her lip, and
walks away.

CUT TO:

other scenes here

INT. NICOLE'S CAR - MORNING

MOVING

Nicole is giving Brooke a ride to school, and chatting it up
in her usual way:

NICOLE
Man, I cannot believe Harrison
would just bail. I mean, life
threatening illness and all, but
still... Anyway, he'd better
not come back and be expecting
any more donations from yours
truly. No, sir, the Julian
marrow bank is closed--

A choking noise cuts across her monologue, and she turns her
head to find Brooke curled up in her seat, crying her eyes
out.

NICOLE (CONT'D)
(suddenly contrite)
Oh, Brookie-- You know I was
totally kidding, about the marrow
bank thing.

BROOKE
(sniffling)
I know. It's just--if he dies, I
don't know what I'll do.

NICOLE
Oh...
(realization dawns)
OH-- I didn't realize--I mean, I
didn't think you two--

BROOKE
We aren't. But we could've been.
Should've been...

NICOLE
Well, don't worry. When he comes
back, you two can--you know, be
all you can be. Just like the
National Guard.

Nicole drives on in uncomfortable silence after that.

CUT TO:

other scenes here

INT. KENNEDY HIGH GIRLS' RESTROOM - LATER

Brooke and Nicole are sitting on one of the sofas. Nicole is
listening over Brooke's shoulder as she talks on her cell
phone.

BROOKE
(into the phone)
...no? All right...thanks?

Brooke drops the phone into her bag.

NICOLE
Still no word?

Brooke shakes her head, squeezing her eyes shut against
forming tears. Nicole reaches up and hugs her shoulders.

NICOLE (CONT'D)
This is all Spam's fault. She
just trampled all over his
feelings, instead of doing what
she should've done, which was
give him a chance--

Brooke shakes her head slightly.

NICOLE (CONT'D)
--no?

Brooke opens her eyes and stares coldly off into the
distance.

BROOKE
She doesn't deserve him.

NICOLE
(softly)
Damn straight she doesn't.

They both turn as the door bangs open and Mary Cherry comes
in. Upon seeing them, she lights up and steps across the
room.

MARY CHERRY
There you are! I have the most--
glorious--news! Brooke McQueen,
you just perk up that pretty
little blonde face of yours,
because Mary Cherry is here to
put the sunshine back in your
day!

BROOKE
Is this about Harrison??

MARY CHERRY
Yes, indeed, Mama's detectives
were able to track Joe down like
bloodhounds going after an
escaped serial killer!

Brooke shakes her head to get that image out.

BROOKE
How?

MARY CHERRY
(sitting down)
Well, it seems that Joe has been
visiting a leukemia survivors
chat room on the internet. He's
made friends with other leukemia
survivors all around the country.
So all Mama's detectives had to
do was wait for Joe to show up in
the chat room again. Which he
did, this very morning, and then--

BROOKE
(excited)
--they traced where he was logged
in from!

MARY CHERRY
And it just happened to be the
exact account of one of his
survivor friends.

NICOLE
So Harrison's staying with this
friend.

Mary Cherry produces a piece of paper.

MARY CHERRY
A friend whose address is right
here!

At that moment, the restroom door opens, and Sam and Carmen
walk in. Brooke snatches the paper from Mary Cherry, stuffs
it in her bag and shakes her head urgently. Nicole nods.

SAM
(spotting Brooke)
Brooke-- I just talked to Mom.
They haven't heard anything.

BROOKE
(neutrally)
I know. I just talked to Dad.

She gets up, and turns to Nicole.

BROOKE (CONT'D)
Nic, can I borrow your car? I--
want to get some lunch. I don't
feel like cafeteria food today.

NICOLE
(knowingly)
Sure.

Nicole hands her car keys to Brooke.

BROOKE
Thanks.

Brooke gathers up her bag and breezes out of the restroom. A
moment later Nicole gets up and runs after her.

NICOLE
Hey, Brooke? Wait up!

CUT TO:

INT. THE SCHOOL HALLWAY - CONTINUOUS

Nicole pops out of the restroom.

NICOLE
Brooke!

Brooke, who is halfway down the hall, stops and jogs back.
Nicole takes a wad of bills and presses it into Brooke's
hand.

NICOLE (CONT'D)
Here. I'm buying lunch.
(pause)
Good luck.

BROOKE
Thanks, Nic.

Brooke takes off back down the hallway, breaking into a
sprint before she hits the doors.

CUT TO:

other scenes here

INT. THE MCQUEEN KITCHEN - EARLY EVENING

Sam is setting the table when Mike comes in.

MIKE
Sam, have you seen Brooke this
afternoon?

SAM
(considers)
I haven't seen Brooke since
before lunch. Which isn't
surprising--we're not exactly
connecting these days.

MIKE
Huh. She was calling every hour
this morning, and then around
noon she just stopped.

SAM
Maybe she got tired of hearing
the same thing all the time.

MIKE
Did that stop you from calling?

SAM
(grimacing)
No. Did you try calling her?

MIKE
Her phone's off.

SAM
OK, that's just weird.

MIKE
I don't want to panic just yet--I
know she probably just wanted to
be by herself... You're sure
you didn't notice anything--
unusual--when you saw her?

SAM
The last time I saw her, she was
headed off-campus for lunch in
Nicole's car.

MIKE
I thought juniors weren't allowed
to do that.

SAM
(shrugs)
It's not like they guard the
gates.

MIKE
(decides not to make an
issue of it)
OK.

SAM
Did you try seeing if she's with
Nicole?

MIKE
I'm just getting to the "calling
her friends" stage now.

SAM
With Nicole--better you than me.

MIKE
OK.

He starts to turn away, then:

MIKE (CONT'D)
You're sure?

SAM
Sorry.

Mike nods and walks off.

CUT TO:

INT. THE MCQUEEN DINING ROOM - LATER

Mike, Jane and Sam are eating in tense silence. Suddenly
Mike BANGS his glass down, making Jane and Sam jump.

MIKE
I can't take this.

JANE
Mike--

MIKE
I'm not upset, I'm worried.
Something might have happened to
her. I think we should check the
hospitals, and call the police.

JANE
(glancing at Sam)
You can't call the police until
midnight.

SAM
(rolls her eyes)
I'm never gonna be able to live
that down, am I?

JANE
Uh, no.

Sam sighs theatrically. Mike gets up.

MIKE
Well, I may not be able to call
the police, but I sure can start
calling hospitals.

As Mike walks away, Jane and Sam look at each other
helplessly.

CUT TO:

other scenes here

INT. THE MCQUEEN KITCHEN - MIDNIGHT

Mike is standing by the phone, with Jane nearby. As the
hands of the clock show midnight, he picks up the phone and
dials.

MIKE
(into the phone)
Hello?... I'd like to report a
missing person...it's my
daughter.

CUT TO:

EXT. A RURAL HIGHWAY

A broad, curving, nearly deserted highway, somewhere in the
mountains. In the darkness Nicole's car goes racing by, with
Brooke driving. As it speeds past it passes a sign which
reads: "OREGON STATE LINE".

BLACK OUT:

EPISODE BREAK

FADE IN:

INT. THE MCQUEEN LIVING ROOM - MORNING

Mike is toppled over asleep on the sofa, cordless phone still
in his hand. Jane sits gingerly next to him and nudges him
awake.

MIKE
(rubbing his eyes)
Oh...
(suddenly awake)
Did Brooke--?

JANE
No. And the police haven't
called back.

MIKE
(bleakly)
My little girl's out there
somewhere...and I can't do
anything for her...

Jane scoots over and wraps her arms around him.

JANE
I know...I know.

CUT TO:

EXT. AN URBAN HIGHWAY

Nicole's car is packed in with hundreds of others, making
good time. Inside, Brooke is munching on a breakfast bar.

RADIO D.J. (V.O.)
...We're expecting sunny skies
and 75 degrees today! All you
folks coming in from Gresham,
remember work is being done on
the southbound 205 all day today-
so be careful out there! Now
it's time for another mega-music
marathon on mega-hit KPRT, 94.4
FM! Good morning, Portland!

BLACK OUT:

other scenes here

EST. THE SEATTLE SKYLINE - MID-MORNING

EXT. A RESIDENTIAL STREET

At an intersection at the bottom of a steep hill, Nicole's
car turns onto the street and comes up a ways before pulling
over to the curb.

EXT. NICOLE'S CAR

Brooke parks, turns the engine off, and gets out. She
stretches once, then steps up onto the sidewalk.

INT. AN APARTMENT LIVING ROOM

There is a KNOCK AT THE FRONT DOOR. A few moments later, a
disheveled Harrison approaches, as THE KNOCK REPEATS.

HARRISON
(scratching his head)
Okay, okay. Give a dying guy a
break, wouldja?

Harrison opens the door and gapes. Brooke stands there,
bouncing on her toes nervously for a moment.

BROOKE
(gamely)
Surprise?

CUT TO:

other scenes here

INT. HARRISON'S LIVING ROOM - CONTINUOUS

HARRISON
Brooke, what are you doing here?

Brooke walks past Harrison into the living room.

BROOKE
You know you didn't even say good-
bye? That was very
inconsiderate.

HARRISON
Brooke--

BROOKE
Harrison, what are you doing
here??

Harrison closes the front door.

HARRISON
I was trying to stop being a pain
in everyone's ass.

Brooke sits down heavily on the sofa.

BROOKE
(yawns)
Well, it didn't work.

Harrison shakes his head, still trying to organize his
thoughts.

HARRISON
I don't understand--how did you
get here?

BROOKE
Oh--I borrowed Nic's car. She
was really sweet about it, too.

HARRISON
You drove? But that's like, over
a thousand miles!

Brooke continues to yawn as the long hours catch up to her.

BROOKE
Yeah, it's a ways.

HARRISON
Brooke--you drove all night?

BROOKE
(thinks)
Yeah, I started--what day is
this?

HARRISON
Tuesday.

BROOKE
Yeah, I started yesterday, and
I'm here today.

From the next room comes AN INSISTENT BEEPING.

HARRISON
Okay, that's my breakfast. You
hang on--I'm going to get you
some coffee.

BROOKE
(sleepily)
I'm not going anywhere...

Harrison leaves the room. After some KITCHEN NOISES, he
appears with a cup of coffee, only to find Brooke stretched
out on the sofa, sound asleep. Sighing, he sets the cup down
on an end table and gazes at her.

HARRISON
It's a good thing I'm dying
anyway, 'cause your dad's gonna
kill me.

CUT TO:

INT. THE MCQUEEN KITCHEN - LATER

The PHONE RINGS, and Jane, being closest to it, snatches it
up, with Mike a step behind.

JANE
Hello??

INTERCUT WITH:

INT. HARRISON'S LIVING ROOM

HARRISON
H-hello? Mrs. McPherson?

JANE
HARRISON??

HARRISON
Uh, yeah.

JANE
Oh, my God--where are you??

HARRISON
I'm, uh, in...Seattle--

JANE
You're where??

HARRISON
I'm staying at a friend's place.
Listen--

JANE
Do you realize how reckless
running away was?! You have no
idea how worried everyone's been!

HARRISON
(breaking in)
Please, Mrs. McPherson, I have to
tell you something.

JANE
(forced calm)
Okay. Go ahead.

HARRISON
(deep breath)
About ten minutes ago, there was
a knock at the door...and it was
Brooke.

JANE
WHAT!!

MIKE
What?!

JANE
(to Mike)
Harrison's in Seattle, and Brooke
just showed up there!

MIKE
WHAT?!

Mike tries to grab the phone, but Jane puts up a hand to ward
him off.

JANE
Is she all right?!

Harrison looks over at Brooke's sleeping form.

HARRISON
Right now she's out cold on the
couch, but other than that, she's
fine.

JANE
Okay...do you know...how--?

HARRISON
Nicole's car's outside. From
what I could get out of her
before she fell asleep, she must
have driven for almost twenty
four hours straight to get here.
(defensively)
I swear, I don't even know how
she found me.

JANE
Okay--you have her call the
minute she wakes up, understand?
In fact, give me your number
there.

HARRISON
(hurriedly)
Uh, you know what, I'll just have
her call. I promise.

Harrison hangs up before Jane can protest.

INT. THE MCQUEEN KITCHEN

Jane stares at the dead phone, then hangs it up.

MIKE
(testily)
Okay, do you mind telling me
what's going on now?

JANE
Harrison said it looked like
Brooke drove all night to get
there.
(reasonably)
If she was up all night, she
wasn't going to be in any shape
to listen to you yell at her
anyway. She's safe, that's the
important thing. Harrison'll
take care of her, you know that.
And maybe she'll be able to
convince him to come home.

Mike concedes Jane's points with a nod as she snuggles up to
him.

JANE (CONT'D)
Oh! I'd better call Sam, and
tell her we've found Harrison.

CUT TO:

INT. THE SCHOOL HALLWAY - LATER

Sam is standing by her locker, on the phone.

SAM
(into the phone)
What?... No, say that again?
(listens)
Are you sure? OK--thanks for
calling.

Sam puts the phone away. She spots Nicole down the hallway,
and her eyes narrow as she puts two and two together.
Furious, she stalks over to Nicole.

SAM (CONT'D)
Nicole!

NICOLE
(turning)
What do you want, Spam?

SAM
I want to know right you think
you have to play around with
people's lives!

NICOLE
As usual, I have no idea what
you're blabbering about. Now, if
you'll excuse me--

SAM
I'm talking about Brooke taking
your car to go to Seattle to find
Harrison!

NICOLE
(honestly surprised)
Seattle?

SAM
Oh, like you didn't know.

NICOLE
Hey, I never saw where Harrison
was. You barged in before Brooke
could tell me.

SAM
And you couldn't tell me Harrison
had been found?!

NICOLE
Brooke could have told you. She
didn't want you to know.

Sam shrugs helplessly.

NICOLE (CONT'D)
Maybe she figured that if you
talked to him again, he'd run all
the way to China this time.

Nicole sweeps off, leaving Sam fuming.

CUT TO:

other scenes here

INT. HARRISON'S LIVING ROOM - LATE AFTERNOON

Brooke is still asleep on the sofa, covered with a blanket.
She starts awake and looks around blankly, then sits up. For
a moment she seems a bit dazed. Then her eyes widen as she
remembers where she is.

BROOKE
Harrison...
(calling)
Harrison?

She looks around the empty living room.

BROOKE (CONT'D)
Harrison!

She disappears for a few moments though one doorway leading
from the living room, then reappears, frowning. She turns
through the doorway leading to the kitchen.

BROOKE (O.S.) (CONT'D)
Harr-i-son!!

By the time she appears again, she has a panicky look on her
face. At that moment, the front door opens and Harrison
enters, carrying a grocery bag.

BROOKE (CONT'D)
Harrison!

HARRISON
(starts)
Brooke--you're awake.

BROOKE
God, you scared me!

HARRISON
I--didn't mean to.

BROOKE
I thought maybe you'd run off
again.

HARRISON
Only to the store. Dying man's
gotta eat, you know.

BROOKE
Don't. Don't joke like that.

HARRISON
Sorry...it's a reflex. Death is
actually easier to deal with if
it's funny.

BROOKE
Harrison, you're not dealing with
this at all.

Harrison heads for the kitchen.

HARRISON
OK, Brooke, I've already heard
all this, and you're not going to
change my mind.

Brooke throws up her hands and follows him.

INT. HARRISON'S KITCHEN

Harrison sets the bag on the counter and starts to unload it.

BROOKE
I don't get it. You're seventeen
years old--how can you want this
to be...the end?

HARRISON
It's not all that hard to figure.
I mean, really, what do I have to
look forward to?

BROOKE
(unbelieving)
What??

HARRISON
If I go back, there'll just be
another go-round with the chemo
and the bad hospital food--and
then what?

Brooke makes an uncomprehending gesture.

HARRISON (CONT'D)
Seriously, Brooke. Say I go, and
by some chance they manage to
beat the luekemia back into
remission--until it decides to
come back--

Brooke throws him an exasperated look.

HARRISON (CONT'D)
--and even if it doesn't--what is
there for me? I go back to high
school? And then what?

BROOKE
I don't know--college? life?

HARRISON
Yeah well, if this so far is
setting the stage for what my
life is going to be like--I gotta
tell you, I'd just rather not.

Finished with the groceries, Harrison heads back into the
living room, with Brooke at his heels.

INT. HARRISON'S LIVING ROOM

BROOKE
But--

HARRISON
Oh, by the way--you'd better call
home.

Brooke gasps at the thought.

BROOKE
Oh, my God... I'm dead. I
don't even know how to tell Dad
where I am.

HARRISON
You don't have to worry about
that part, 'cause I already did.

BROOKE
WHAT??

HARRISON
Well, what was I supposed to do,
Brooke? You show up, out of the
blue, fall asleep on my couch--I
kind of figured you didn't tell
anyone what you were doing. So I
called your place.

BROOKE
Oh, God, what did my dad say?

HARRISON
Actually I talked to Sam's mom.
But I think your dad was there,
and I didn't hear any explosions
in the background. I did promise
that you'd call as soon as you
woke up, though, so...

Brooke folds her arms defiantly.

BROOKE
Nope.

HARRISON
What do you mean, nope?

BROOKE
The only way I'm calling is to
tell them that we're both coming
home.

HARRISON
That's not gonna happen.

BROOKE
Harrison--!

Harrison sits on the sofa, a little defiant himself.

HARRISON
No. I told you, you're not
changing my mind.

BROOKE
What about your mom? Imagine
what this is doing to her.

HARRISON
(shifts uncomfortably)
This is better. You don't know
how hard the first time was on
her--running back and forth
between home and the hospital,
trying to pay the bills...

BROOKE
Harrison! It wasn't the bills
that made it hard, or the travel!
It was you almost dying! What
happens when you really do die?!

Harrison looks away.

BROOKE (CONT'D)
And what about all your friends?
How do you think Lily is going to
feel? And Carmen? And Sam??

HARRISON
Let's not even go there, OK?

BROOKE
OK, you know what, all that
doesn't even make any difference.

HARRISON
(scornfully)
Oh, wait, I remember this part
from my counseling sessions.
You're going to tell me that if I
really want to get better, I have
to do it for myself.

BROOKE
All right. Forget about doing it
for yourself.

She gets down on one knee in front of him.

BROOKE (CONT'D)
Do it for me.

HARRISON
(nonplussed)
You?

Brooke takes a moment to gather herself.

BROOKE
Do you want to know how awful I
am? When Mary Cherry told me she
knew where you were--

HARRISON
Mary Cherry?

BROOKE
Her mother's detectives found
you.

HARRISON
Oh. Right. Of course.

BROOKE
Mary Cherry gave me this address.
And Sam was right there. I
could've told her. But I didn't--
I just got in Nic's car and took
off. You know why?

Harrison shrugs, clueless.

BROOKE (CONT'D)
Because I wanted to be the one to
bring you home. Not her. I
wanted you to come back for me.
Because...because I can't imagine
my life without you in it.

HARRISON
But...what about...?

BROOKE
I broke up with Jamie.

HARRISON
(still confused)
I thought you said the girl in
his apartment was his cousin.

BROOKE
Oh, it was. That's not why I
broke up with him.

HARRISON
So--?

BROOKE
I realized I was using him...to
forget about you. And it was
working, it really was. But
then...I found out that
forgetting about you wasn't what
I wanted.

HARRISON
Brooke...

BROOKE
I--I know... I'm not asking you
to forget about Sam. All I'm
asking... Come home. Put up
the kind of fight I know you're
capable of. And then...and then,
maybe...you could give us a
chance. That's all I want.

Harrison shakes his head (not negatively, just indecisively).
Brooke takes both his hands in hers.

BROOKE (CONT'D)
Harrison...I love you. I
know...that you might never be
able to feel the same way about
me. All I'm asking for is a
chance. Please.

HARRISON
Are...you sure about this?

BROOKE
I just drove across three states.

HARRISON
Well, yeah, there is that...

BROOKE
(hopefully)
So--is that a--yes?

Harrison swallows hard, and manages a nod. Brooke shrieks,
wraps her arms around him and drives him back into the
cushions. As she hugs him, he winces.

BROOKE (CONT'D)
(concerned)
Oh! What?

HARRISON
Nothing. Little headache.

BROOKE
Oh, God, all right, um...

She climbs off of him and reaches for the phone.

INTERCUT WITH:

INT. THE MCQUEEN KITCHEN

The PHONE RINGS. Mike scrambles into view and snatches it
up.

MIKE
Hello?

BROOKE
Dad?

MIKE
Brooke!

BROOKE
OK, Dad, I know that you're
probably madder at me right now
than you ever have been, but I
really need to get Harrison to
the hospital, right now.

MIKE
You got Harrison to agree to come
back with you.

Standing nearby, Jane and Sam trade relieved looks.

MIKE (CONT'D)
All right, Brooke, listen
carefully. Cherry Cherry's
private jet is waiting at the
airport there to bring you home.
Take the car to--

He reaches for a piece of paper and reads off of it.

MIKE (CONT'D)
--Hangar Six. Leave it there-
Nicole's mother has already
arranged to have it driven back.
We'll meet you when you land--

BROOKE
(breaking in)
Wait--"we"? Can...just you and
Harrison's mom meet us?

MIKE
But--

BROOKE
(emphatically)
Dad, no. Definitely--not--Sam.

MIKE
All right. Robin and I will meet
you--and then you and I can have
a little talk.

BROOKE
(gulps)
I understand. We're leaving,
right now.

MIKE
We'll see you soon, honey.

INT. HARRISON'S LIVING ROOM

Brooke hangs up the phone and looks at Harrison.

BROOKE
We don't have to drive back.
Mary Cherry's mom, Cherry Cherry,
sent her jet up here for us.

HARRISON
Wow. I didn't know I was that
big a deal.

Brooke gets up in Harrison's face.

BROOKE
You are a very big deal.

After an uncomfortable moment, Harrison slaps his knees and
gets up.

HARRISON
OK. Just let me throw my stuff
together, and we'll get going.

BROOKE
Doesn't this place belong to
someone?

HARRISON
Oh, he's on a retreat in Nova
Scotia. I just have to lock up
and drop the key with the
neighbors.
(laughs)
I had to promise him I wouldn't
actually die here, so I guess
that's gonna work out.

Brooke just shakes her head resignedly.

CUT TO:

INT. THE MCQUEEN KITCHEN - CONTINUOUS

Mike hangs up the phone.

MIKE
Well, they should be home soon.
I'd better call Robin.

SAM
Great--I wanna change first--

MIKE
Sam--Mrs. John and I are going to
go meet the plane.

SAM
But--no, I want to--

Mike just looks at her, and she gapes as the truth dawns on
her.

SAM (CONT'D)
(bleakly)
He still doesn't want to see me?

JANE
(reaching for Sam)
Sam...

Sam shrugs Jane off and runs up the stairs.

JANE (CONT'D)
(to Mike)
I'll take care of her. You go
get Brooke.

CUT TO:

EXT. AN AIRPORT TARMAC - NIGHT

Mike and Robin are waiting by their cars while Cherry
Cherry's jet rolls up. As they approach the jet, its door
opens, and Harrison and Brooke come down the steps. Robin
holds out her arms, and Harrison runs the last few steps to
her, breaking down as she hugs him.

HARRISON
(sobbing)
I'm sorry...

ROBIN
Shh... You're going to be all
right. Come on...

Robin guides Harrison towards her car.

Mike grabs Brooke by the shoulders and holds her at arms
length for a moment, then clutches her tightly.

CUT TO:

INT. MIKE'S CAR - LATER

Mike is driving silently, which Brooke is curled up in the
passenger seat.

BROOKE
So, are you going to yell at me
now, or do I get the silent
treatment til we get home?

MIKE
Brooke--I don't even know what to
say. What you did--it was rash,
and irresponsible--

BROOKE
I know.

MIKE
--and dangerous! What were you
thinking?! What if you'd had an
accident out there somewhere?!

BROOKE
I know, I wasn't thinking. All I
could think of was getting to
Harrison. I don't even remember
most of it. It was like I was in
a daze the whole time.

MIKE
You should have told someone.
Me, or Harrison's mom.

BROOKE
I know. I should have. I--it's
just that...I--I kept seeing
Harrison...lying somewhere...and
I--I--

She starts to cry. Mike looks over, worried.

MIKE
Brooke?

Brooke snifles.

MIKE (CONT'D)
Are you...? I thought you and
Harrison, it didn't work out...?

Brooke wipes her eyes, but doesn't answer.

MIKE (CONT'D)
Is this why you broke up with
Jamie?

Brooke nods.

MIKE (CONT'D)
And...what about Harrison?

BROOKE
He said...he'd give us a chance.
That's all I need, is a chance.

There is a few moments silence as Mike absorbs that
information. Then:

MIKE
You're grounded. For a month.
(slightly defensive)
You took a car and drove halfway
across the country without
telling anybody. I can't let you
get off scot-free--even if you
did to it for someone you...

BROOKE
Love.

MIKE
...someone you love, and probably
saved his life.

BROOKE
I understand.

After a few more moments:

BROOKE (CONT'D)
Dad?

MIKE
Hmm?

BROOKE
I know I'm not exactly in a
position to ask, but--

MIKE
What?

BROOKE
Can I serve my sentence after
Harrison gets better?

MIKE
No.
(holds up a finger)
But, I will exempt visits to the
hospital from your grounding.

Brooke manages a small smile.

BROOKE
Okay.
(looks around outside)
Dad? This isn't the way home.

MIKE
I know. I figured you might want
to make sure Harrison got checked
in all right.

Brooke snuggles up next to him, and he puts him arm around
her as they head for the hospital.

FADE TO BLACK.

NOTE: This last scene isn't contiguous with the others; it
happens at least several days and one episode later.

INT. HOSPITAL CORRIDOR - EVENING

Sam approaches Harrison's room, but before she gets there,
Nicole steps out, frowning, arms folded, and blocks her path.

NICOLE
Where do you think you're going?

SAM
I want to see Harrison.

NICOLE
Well, Spam, I want you to
disappear from my life, but we
all don't get what we want.

SAM
Get out of my way.

NICOLE
He doesn't want to see you. What
part of "he doesn't want to see
you" are you having trouble with?

SAM
The part where you're the one
saying it. Now I'm going to see
Harrison.

Sam starts to move around Nicole, but Brooke comes out,
strikes the same pose as Nicole, and blocks her again.

BROOKE
You're not welcome here.

SAM
You know, I've heard that from
everyone but Harrison.

BROOKE
That's because Harrison doesn't
want to see you.

NICOLE
(sotto voce)
I tried that. She's a little
dense.

Sam makes an exasperated noise and pushes her way past Brooke
and Nicole.

INT. HARRISON'S ROOM

Harrison is sitting up in bed. He looks up, and his
expression sours when he sees Sam. Brooke and Nicole are on
her heels.

BROOKE
I'm sorry, Harrison--

HARRISON
No, it's okay. Give us a sec.

Brooke and Nicole both give Sam dubious looks, but finally
turn and step outside.

SAM
I knew it, I knew those two--

HARRISON
(cutting her off coldly)
Sam, what are you doing here?

SAM
(shaken)
H-how could I not be here??

HARRISON
The same way you could not be in
my life, period.

SAM
That wasn't my choice.

HARRISON
No, it was my choice. And it
still is my choice, so maybe you
should just go now.

SAM
Harrison--please, don't do this--

HARRISON
I really don't think there's
anything left to say.

SAM
Please, don't shut me out--I
don't--I want you in my life...

HARRISON
Well, we don't all get what we
want. Surprise.

SAM
I can't believe--don't look at me
like that...

HARRISON
Like what? Like someone you
thought you knew better than
anyone, but it turns out you
didn't know at all?

SAM
(miserably)
That's not true...

HARRISON
This isn't doing either one of us
any good. So why don't we just
say good-bye, and leave it at
that.

SAM
Harrison--

HARRISON
GET OUT!!

Sam recoils visibly, then turns and runs from the room.
Brooke and Nicole come back in a moment later.

BROOKE
I'm sorry about that.

HARRISON
No, it's okay. It's a good day
for exorcising old demons, I
guess.

NICOLE
(checking her watch)
Well, I'd better bounce. Schemes
to scheme, people to trash, you
know.
(to Harrison)
What's tomorrow look like?

HARRISON
Chemo. You might want to think
about skipping--I'm gonna be
lousy company.

NICOLE
Okay.
(tsks)
See ya--wouldn't wanna be ya.
Really. I mean it.

HARRISON
Thanks.

Nicole turns to go.

HARRISON (CONT'D)
Hey, Nicole.

She turns back.

HARRISON (CONT'D)
Kick ass out there.

Nicole smiles and sketches a finger-salute.

NICOLE
You know it.
(to Brooke)
See you tomorrow?

Brooke nods, and Nicole brushes past her and out the door.

Harrison looks up at the clock.

HARRISON
Isn't it kinda late?

BROOKE
Dad's picking me up. I don't
think I'm going to be allowed
near a car again until I'm twenty-
five.

A NURSE comes in carying a tray, which she sits down on
Harrison's table.

NURSE
Dinner time, Mr. John.

HARRISON
And with so few things to look
forward to in here, you'd think
this could be one of them.

NURSE
(playing along)
Come on, Mr. John. People almost
never die from eating our food.

HARRISON
I'm so relieved.

The nurse leaves, and while Harrison pries the plastic cover
off his dinner tray and picks gingerly at the food
underneath, Brooke heads for the door.

BROOKE
I'm going to get a bottle of
water from the cafeteria.

HARRISON
(calling after her)
Oh, hey, Brooke!

She pops her head back around the edge of the door frame.

HARRISON (CONT'D)
While you're down there, get me a
cheeseburger, fries, and a
chocolate shake.

BROOKE
(grinning)
Nice try, buster.
(points)
Eat!

HARRISON
I'll pay you! Really!

BROOKE
(giggles)
EAT!

After Brooke disappears, Harrison takes his fork and lifts a
stringy piece of green something-or-other, examining it
distastefully.

HARRISON
Yecch.

BLACK OUT: