Author's Note: Thanks to Heather for all her support.

Two quick comments: Sam Rappaport didn't die. Jessica's actions are Jessica's. There is no alternate personality.

Chapter 2

Jessica slipped into her room. After a shower and putting on her pajamas, she sat on her bed and pulled out her diary. As she opened it, a pressed red rose fell out. Jessica gently picked it up, smiling at the memories it brought her. It was from the bouquet Will had given her on the day he left Llanview. That had been in 2001. He returned about two years ago to support his family through some difficult stuff, and decided to stay when his father made him his partner in his law firm. Jessica was happy with Will's choice. She had missed him while he was in Los Angeles. Jessica opened to a clean page and began to write.

Dear Diary,

I had the best time with Will tonight. We drank martinis and danced and just talked. I think Will had a little too much to drink, but he needed it. The last time we went to Red Velvet he only had one drink. His family's been riding him hard with all their drama. My family's not much better. Between Mom, Natalie, and Antonio, I can barely get any time to myself. They believe I'm strong enough to handle all of their problems, but I can't protect myself. Why me? Natalie isn't under twenty-four-hour surveillance and she's just as vulnerable as I am. Antonio's the worst. Sometimes I feel like I'm just his trophy. I hate playing the devoted little housewife. I can do more than just baby-sit. Will sees that. He's so different from everybody else.

Jessica stopped writing. She hadn't thought much about her and Will. They had had a pretty crazy relationship that started when they got drunk, had sex, and she got pregnant. Their daughter, Megan, died at birth after Jessica was hit by a car. Jessica picked up the silver frame on her nightstand. It was a picture of Megan in her incubator. Under it, an inscription read: Mommy's Little Angel Megan Victoria Rappaport June 1, 1999. Will had given it to her. Jessica wiped a tear from her eye and set the frame back down. She put her diary in her nightstand drawer, and lay down under the covers. Gently, she finger-kissed the picture.

"Goodnight, sweetheart. Mommy loves you," she whispered. She wondered what Will was doing.

Will staggered into his loft apartment. He threw his keys on the counter and surveyed his loft in the dark.

"Home, sweet, home" he said, the effects of the alcohol going through him.

He went over to the couch, sat down, and turned on the lamp. His answering machine beeped over and over again, eagerly signaling several missed calls. Will pressed the play button not really caring whose calls he missed.

"Will, it's mom. I was wondering…"

Beep. Will hit the skip button.

"Hey, it's Jen. Do you have…?"

Beep.

"Dad. Can you…?"

Beep.

"End of messages," the machine hissed.

Will sighed. It wasn't that he didn't love his family. He did. He was just tired of all their issues. He rubbed his eyes. Suddenly, Will felt very sleepy. He dragged himself off the couch took a nice hot shower, and crawled into bed. He picked up the photo of his daughter, Megan. It was in a silver frame inscribed with Daddy's Little Angel Megan Victoria Rappaport June 1, 1999.

"Goodnight angel. Daddy loves you," he said, finger-kissing the picture.

He set the picture down, and pulled the covers around him. Will's mind drifted to thoughts of Jessica. He savored the memory of her lips on his cheek. He was still so in love with her and he knew it.

"I'm going to feel like hell tomorrow," Will yawned and closed his eyes.