I don't own the characters. ABC does.

(My story takes place right after Natalie lost Chris for the second time.)

Chapter 1

February 14, 2005. Today was Valentine's Day and the Buchanan women were home alone. Jessica was in the kitchen stirring a lukewarm cup of coffee. She had been sitting there for hours--she didn't know how many.

She only knew that she was miserable. Antonio had decided that they would keep away from each other since Jessica still thought that Antonio had killed Tico. Why couldn't she shake that stupid memory. She was so sure of what she saw even though "Christian" had admitted that he was the killer.

"Jessica. Honey, are you home?"

Jessica stared into space, not even realizing that her mother was calling her.

"Jess, you were sitting here when I left hours ago," Viki said. She sat beside her daughter. "Jessica."

Jessica snapped out of it and glanced at her mother in surprise. "Mom, when did you get home?"

"I've been home for awhile. I called you, but you didn't answer."

"Sorry. I wasn't ignoring you. I was just thinking about things." Jessica took a sip of her coffee and made a face. It was disgusting.

"What's up, Jessica?"

Jessica turned to the sound of her brother's voice. She tried to smile but it came out as a grimace. Kevin was dressed up in a black suit and he was carrying two dozen red roses in his hand. He handed a dozen to his mother and gave Jessica the other.

"Thanks." Jessica said dully.

"Listen, I heard about Antonio. If he doesn't want to be with you, it's his loss."

"It's my fault," Jessica said. "I thought he was the killer but he's not."

"That isn't your fault. You were out of it that night."

"Your brother's right," Viki said.

"I can't believe that Christian was behind this," Kevin said.

"He's not Chris," Jessica said angrily. That imposter was nothing like Chris.

"You're right. Sorry," Kevin apologized. "So, how is Natalie taking this?" He was genuinely concerned about his other sister. He knew that sometimes he didn't treat her the way that he treated Jessica, but that was going to change.

"It's like her husband died a second time," Viki said sadly. "I can't get through to her right now. She's been betrayed by the man she thought was her husband."

"Where is she? She shouldn't be alone right now." Kevin said.

"She's in her room," Jessica said. "She said she just needs to be alone right now so that she can think things through and make sense of everything that has happened. I wish I could help her." Jessicalet out a heavy sigh. Both of the sister's lives had been completely shattered.

"Why don't you get dressed. It's Valentine's Day and no one should be alone today," Kevin said. His sister was still in her pajamas.

"You look like you already have plans," Jessica said hesitantly.

"I had invited Kelly to dinner at the Palace. I know that she would be happy if you and Natalie joined us," Kevin said with a reassuring smile. "I brought Natalie some roses so I'll take them up to her and see if I can convince her to come to the Palace with us.

"Good luck."

"What are you still doing here at the station, John?" Nora asked. "It's Valentine's Day. Don't you have plans with Evangeline?"

John looked up from his paper work. "Uh, Nora..."

"I know it's non eof my business," Nora said. "I'll leave you alone." She turned to leave.

"Evangeline asked me if I loved her," John said. He decided that he had to talk to someone about this.

Nora turned around wide-eyed. "what did you say to her?"

"Nothing. I don't know if I can love," John said. His face betrayed none of his emotions. "I told her that. I wanted to be honest."

Nora sat down. "You can love, John. You're too young to give up on love."

"I haven't loved anyone in a while," John admitted.

"Since Caitlin?"

John looked surprised. "Caitlin? I..."

Nora realized why he looked surprised. Perhaps he wasn't talking about Caitlin. Was it possible that he was talking about Natalie Buchanan? Had he allowed himself to fall in love with Natalie?

"Yeah, since Caitlin," John said quickly. It was a lie of course. He had already moved on and gotten over his loss of Caitlin. Natalie had helped him with that. He looked at his watch. "Well, I have to go." He took out a vase of roses and a Valentine's Day ballon from under his desk.

"Is that for Evangeline?"

John looked guilty. "I was headed over to Llanfair. I though that I'd cheer Natalie up. The kid's been through a lot."

"She's lucky to have you for a friend," Nora said with a smile. "Bo has been worried about her and Jessica. Thay've suffered the most throughout this charade."

"Yeah." John nodded in agreement. "Um, Nora, if you see Evangeline, tell her to call me."