How Do You Heal A Broken Heart?

Epilogue

Rating: PG-13

Jordan. . .

The flight back to Boston was nice. For the first time, we just talked with each other about ourselves, about life, about all kinds of things non-work related. But as the flight attendant announced the beginnings of our landing approach, I realized that there were a few things that still needed to be addressed.

"So, um, Woody?"

"Yeah?"

"What are you going to do?"

"You mean about the job?"

"Yeah."

"I guess before I do anything like call Owens and resign, I'd better make sure that I can get a job in Boston, huh?"

"Probably a good idea. So you're staying?"

"If you'll have me I am. Well, and the minor detail of a job."

"True."

"And I guess I can. . . Oh crap."

"What?"

"The whole finding an apartment thing again. I let go of the lease on my old place. I'm sure it's been rented by now. And I don't know. . ."

"Woody? If you want, you can stay at my place."

"Really?"

"Yeah, I've progressed in the furniture department you know. I've got a couch AND a futon!"

"Are you sure?"

"At least until you find a place of your own. Or whatever. All I need to do is add you to the lease."

"Ok. If you're sure. I don't want to be a problem."

"Like I'm not farm boy? And you still put up with me."

"I love you, Jordan."

"I love you too, Woody."

The flight landed and we collected our things. We caught a taxi to my place to drop our stuff off and then I drove Woody over to the Police Department. I waited in the hallway while he was talking with the personnel people. It seemed to be taking forever and to try and calm my nerves, I decided to close my eyes and try to relax. I had just leaned my head back and closed my eyes when I heard the door open. I opened my eyes and saw Eddie Winslow standing across the hall.

"Jordan Cavanaugh, what have you done now?"

"Hi Eddie. Actually for once in my life, nothing. I'm waiting for a friend."

"Really?" He motioned towards the empty seat next to me and I nodded my ok for him to sit down.

"Yeah. Woody's in there trying to see if he can get his old job back, or any job I guess. But it's taking forever so I'm getting worried. You didn't see him in there?"

"Hoyt? Yeah, I saw him, but I thought he had some fancy job in California. Figured there was some paperwork that he needed to take care of."

"There were, um, some complications."

"Did he mess. . . Oh my God."

"What?"

"I had no clue the two of you were involved."

"Eddie, it's complicated."

"What isn't with you?"

"Gee, thanks."

"I'm kidding Jordan. Really I am. He's a good guy and you deserve someone nice."

"You think so?"

"Yeah. And since I know there's way too much water under the bridge for me to have any kind of a chance with you, maybe my new partner should have a shot."

"Your new. . .?" And Woody stepped out of the office with a big smile on his face. "Woody's your new partner? You jerk!" I punched Eddie on the arm playfully and he grinned at me.

"Yeah, well I needed someone since my most recent one transferred to Amherst so he could be closer to his kid while she was in school. And Hoyt here needed a job so that he could stay close to 'someone in the area,' so it all worked out."

"Great. Woody, you ready?"

"Yeah. Where are we going?"

"The Pogue? I ought to check in with Dad and after everything I could use a drink."

"Sounds good. So I'll see you in a couple of days Winslow?"

"Count on it Hoyt. Bye Jordan."

On the way to the Pogue, Woody asked me about how I knew Eddie, and I told him. He looked really nervous at first, especially as I told him about how Eddie helped IAD out when Dad resigned. But I told him we'd worked through a lot of that and I'd come to the conclusion that if Dad could forgive him and move on, I could try and do the same.

As we opened the door to the Pogue, a shout of welcome from all my co-workers greeted us.

"How did you guys know we were back?"

"Oh, a little detective at the police station called." Eddie stepped sheepishly out from behind Nigel.

"It's great to be home." I ran over and gave Garret a big hug. "Thanks for. . .everything."

"You're welcome Jordan. It's good to see you smile again. Now you'd better go and see Max."

"Oh yeah." I looked around for him and saw him step out of the back room where he'd been taking care of something business related. He hadn't spotted me yet, so I ran over and jumped on his back like I remember doing when I was little. "Hi Daddy!"

"Jordan! When did you get in?"

"Oh, about 2:30. We had some stuff to do before we got here."

"We?" He looked at me quizzically. Woody had picked his way over to where we were standing. "Hoyt. I assume things are alright with you two?"

"Yes sir. At least I think they are." He looked at me and I reached out to take his hand as I nodded. "Say Max, I just realized that I need to make a phone call. I've got a calling card, could I use the phone in the back room? I just. . .I need to resign from a job."

"You. . .? Yeah, sure. It's right over there."

"Thanks, Mr. Cavanaugh."

"Hoyt?" Dad's voice sounded gruff and I saw Woody wince as he turned around.

"Yeah?"

"Don't bother with the calling card. And you can call me Max."

"Yes, sir. Thank you. . .Max."

I looked up at Dad, perplexed by his sudden about face. This was the same man who was ready to jump on a plane and tear him limb from limb when I got the letter?

"What? If whatever he's done can make you smile like you are right now, I can't hold a grudge."

"Thanks Dad." I threw my arms around him and we held each other tight for a minute.

"Does he still have his apartment?"

"Um, not exactly. But he's going to look for one."

"Please don't tell me where he's staying until then. There are certain things about your life I don't need to know about."

"Yeah, let's just keep it that way." I reached up to hug him again and he scooped me up so my feet were off the floor.

"I love you baby. I just want you to be happy," he whispered in my ear. When Woody came back, Dad released me so my feet hit the floor.

"That's all taken care of."

"Were they mad?"

"Owens sounded disappointed, but at the same time he said he figured something like this would happen when he put me on the plane back out here. He said I sounded happier than I had the whole time he'd known me in California and this had to be the right thing."

"So you start work on Monday?"

"Yep."

"They still had your job at the precinct Woodrow?" Dad knew how things worked at Police Plaza.

"As it turns out, an opening became available just yesterday." Eddie had migrated to where we were standing.

"He's going to be working with you?"

"Yes, sir." Uh oh. Woody was looking nervous again.

"You'll be ok Hoyt. Winslow's a good cop ~ a good partner." Dad shook Eddie's hand, patted Woody on the back, and went over to fill some drink orders. Woody and Eddie and I went to join Bug and Lily, Nigel, and Garret. I asked where Peter was, especially since he seemed to be starting to fit in well. Nigel motioned his head towards the stage where I saw Peter setting up the very thing I begged Dad to get rid of. That damn karaoke machine.

"Oh God. No!"

"Oh come on Jordan, it'll be fun." Nige looked at me, amused. "Or do you only deign to sing with bands?"

"I just. . ." But it was too late, Peter had started off with a bad ~ even for karaoke ~ version of "Sweet Caroline." "I think I'm going to be sick."

"Oh come on Jordan. Relax and loosen up." Garret was smiling at me. "You never know. The perfect song for you just might come along."

I tried to relax and enjoy myself. Peter was handling the DJ duties and Nigel was serving as emcee. Actually some people weren't that bad. I did manage to keep Dad away from the mic so that things stayed pretty much up-tempo. I also managed to keep myself away from the mic. As much as I hated to admit it, I guess singing with bands had spoiled me, and the thought of singing to a machine made me slightly queasy. But then. . .

"Jordan, come on. You have to sing something." Nigel was pulling at me and the rest of my friends were egging him on.

"Fine. I'll look through the book, but no promises." I thumbed through the notebook of the available songs, not really expecting to find anything other than frivolous fluff. But as I turned a page, I saw exactly what I was looking for. "Ok. I guess I'll do this one." I handed Nigel the book so that he and Peter could get the right thing cued up.

"You're sure luv?"

"Yeah. I'm sure." I took a deep breath as the music started. The words fit perfectly ~ as long as Woody was paying attention.

Wild Angels
Performed by: Martina McBride
By: Matraca Berg, Gary Harrison and Harry Stinson 
"Between the perfect world and the bottom line
keeping love alive in these troubled times
it's a miracle in itself
and we know to well what that's about
still we made it thru somehow
we must have had a little help - must've been
Wild Angels, Wild Angels
watchin' over you and me
Wild Angels, Wild Angels
baby what else could it be
Well it must've been hard, it must've been tough
keeping up with crazy fools like us
'cause it's so easy to fall apart
and we still break each other's heart sometimes
spend some nights on the jagged side
somehow we wake up in each others arms - must've been
Wild Angels, Wild Angels
watchin' over you and me
Wild Angels, Wild Angels
baby what else could it be
There are some nights
I watch you while you dream
I swear I hear the sound of beating wings

Must've been

Wild Angels, Wild Angels
watchin' over you and me
Wild Angels, Wild Angels

baby what else could it be"

I kept my eyes on Woody the whole time. He got it. I could tell by the tears I saw welling up in his eyes. When I finished singing, my friends were all cheering, and those cheers got even louder when I reached up and kissed Woody.

We hung out for a while longer, but soon I decided that after all the hiking and emotional exertion of the past few days, I was tired and ready to go, so we said our good-byes and headed for the door. As we got to the car, Woody pulled me into a tight hug. As he buried his face in my hair, I heard him say something, but I couldn't quite make out what.

"What? I couldn't understand you." He pulled back, placed his hands on either side of my face, and looked deep into my eyes.

"I hope they never stop watching over us, Jordan."

"Me too, Woody. Let's go home."

Finito! :0)