"Geez, that case happened while I was going through my last year of college and starting med school," Jesse said. "I should have gotten out of it, but I didn't. Instead, I decided to stay on the jury."

"It seems you made an enemy while you were at it," Mark replied.

"Actually, the killer decided to kill two birds with one stone," Steve corrected his father. "Jesse was just at the wrong place at the wrong time."

"Right place, wrong time," Dr. Travis amended. He slowly stood up and went over to the deck doors. Alexis sat out on the deck staring at the ocean. "She keeps saying my name like I'm not there. Yesterday after we got here she stared at me like I was a ghost."

"Alexis could still be trying to get over everything that has happened," Mark suggested as he joined his friend.

"Yeah, maybe." He turned to Mark. "Maybe you can talk to her. You do have a way with people, Mark."

"Sure, Jess," Mark replied. He looked out at Alexis. "I'm just wondering about a few things though..."

"About the cowboy hat and teddy bear?" Mark nodded. "Alexis spent the first few years of her life in Texas. She told me those were the best years of her life before her father became a billionaire. The bear is something I bought her when we first started going out. She named it 'Pookie'." He leaned against the glass. "I wish I could just snap her out of this, Mark."

"These things are never simple," Mark said. "No simple answers." Dr. Bentley entered the living room carrying a box of food from BBQ Bob's.

"'Tis a goddess barring gifts," Steve commented. He got up and took the box from Amanda. "Let's go get this stuff on plates." The two headed back towards the kitchen leaving Mark and Jesse alone.

"Sometimes, Mark, I wish nobody had to suffer," Dr. Travis said. "That we wouldn't have to watch loved ones die or get hurt."

"As much as we don't like it, Jesse," Dr. Sloan started, "it's a part of life."

"Was it right for life to take your daughter or your wife?" Jesse asked as he stood up straight. Mark stood quiet for a moment.

"No, it wasn't," Mark answered solemnly. They stood in an uncomfortable silence.

"I'm sorry, Mark. I'm just going crazy over this." The two jumped a bit when the deck door opened and Alexis came in. She looked at the two men with deep pain in her eyes.

"If I dwell anymore my head might explode," Alexis told them. Jesse went over to his girlfriend and gave her a hug. "Thank you."

"You look like you needed that."

"I also need some help with the funeral and the will reading," she said quietly.

"That's what I'm here for." He took off her cowboy hat and gently kissed her lips. "Have I told you how much I love you?"

"Not lately."

"I love you, Alexis Bradford."

"I love you, too, Jesse Travis."

"Why would you call your lawyer at one in the morning?" Steve asked aloud as he, Mark, and Amanda went through some various folders and papers.

"Maybe he needed to ask an important question," Amanda suggested.

"Maybe it concerned Fitzpatrick," Dr. Sloan offered.

"I can ask Mr. Parks tomorrow when Alexis goes in to see him," Steve said.

"Good idea," Mark replied. "Maybe you could snoop around a bit."

"I'll ask Jess," Steve responded. "He's pretty good at that kind of thing."

"I heard that," Jesse said as he came into the living room.

"Sorry," Steve apologized. "I thought you were asleep."

"I was. I came out for a snack."

"The never ending stomach," Amanda retorted. "Is Alexis asleep?"

"Extremely deep sleep." Jesse yawned. "I think I'll go back and join her instead of being insulted by all of you." He turned around and went back down the hall.