Disclaimer: I do not own JA or any of the characters.

Chapter 16: Only Hope

There's a song it's inside of my soul
It's the one that I've tried to write over and over again
I'm awake in the infinite cold
But you sing to me over and over and over again

David watched her walking away, getting smaller in the distance. He had no idea what he was going to do. He had no idea how he felt. He had no idea what had just happened. When she was out of sight he crawled over to the pendant. At first he seemed scared to touch it, but then he slowly lifted it up. He brushed the dirt off of it, and held it to his chest. Closing his eyes he thought back to when he had given it to her. The look on her face when she had opened it. The way she had continued to play with it while they spoke. The look on her face when he had had it fixed. When he had placed it back around her neck. He slowly stood up and made his way back into the house. He got a bottle of wine and sat on the couch. He placed the pendant on the coffee table in front of him and looked at it as he opened the bottle.
So I lay my head back down
And I lift my hands
and pray to be only yours
I pray to be only yours
I know now you're my only hope

Amy tripped three times on the way back to her house. Finally she took off her shoes and walked bare footed. Several cars had gone past, and wolf-whistles had been combined with oggling. She hated the fact she had had to wear her dress again. It reminded her of what had happened between them. She wiped away the tears building up. She felt a wave of relief wash over her when she finally reached the drive and she ran up to the house, not stopping she ran up to the bathroom and had a shower. Hoping that it would help her to clear her mind, help her to clear up many thoughts in her head.

Sing to me, the song of the stars
Of your galaxy dancing and laughing and laughing again
When it feels like my dreams are so far
Sing to me of the plans that you have for me over again

Bruce was standing in the kitchen, hiding. Megan was staying over and she talked constantly, changing subject after each breath or so it seemed. It was hard work to keep up with what she was saying and he wondered how Rebecca managed to do it.

"Dad, can I invite Lauren over?" Startled by Rebecca's voice he dropped the glass he was holding, only just managing to catch it before it hit the floor.

"What was that baby?"

"Can I invite Lauren over please. She loves the film we wanna watch and it would be cool to watch it."

"I don't know, I'm not sure if her mother will let her." His mind flashed to Amy, and how she had looked when he last saw her.

"Can I phone and ask. Please dad."

"Ok, if Mrs Gray wants to speak to me.... I will be in here." The way she looked in that dress.

"Yes, thanks dad." Rebecca ran out. Bruce struggled with his emotions as he thought about seeing Amy again. "Dad, Mrs Gray is going to drive her over. But she isn't going to be here for a while."

"Why's that honey?" If only he could have held her, if David hadn't gotten there when he did....

"She's in the shower." Bruce turned away from Rebecca as he closed his eyes. Trying not to think of Amy in the shower. Now was not the time.

"Ok honey. Do you want to order in some pizza or something?"

"Can we? That would be cool!"

"You go ask Megan what she wants, and then phone Lauren again so you can order for her. That way it will be ready for when she gets here."

"Ok, thanks dad."

Then I lay my head back down
And I lift my hands
and pray to be only yours
I pray to be only yours
I know you're my only hope
Lauren was eagerly waiting by the front door with her sleeping bag. "Come on mom. You've been up there for ages."

"I'm trying to choose something to wear."

"It's not a date mom, you could wear a plastic bag and I don't think Mr Van Exel would care."

"Hmmm, I think he would." Amy muttered as she finally chose the top to wear with her jeans. "I'm coming.... do you know where my car keys are?"

"No, don't you have them?"

"No, David was driving us, and then I.... walked home."

"You walked home? He's not a good boyfriend if he doesn't drive you home!"

"Lauren stay out of this.... oh crap. I know where my keys are."

"Why is that a bad thing? We need them."

"They are in my purse.... which is still at David's."

"So call him, he'll bring them round."

"No, I can't do that. I'll just drive your Grandmothers car."

"Did you and Mr McClaren like break up.... again."

"Lauren I am not discussing my relationships with you." Amy tired of thinking about her and David's relationship.

I give you my apathy, I'm giving you all of me
I want your symphony, singing in all that I am
At the top of my lungs, I'm giving it back

David had finished the bottle of wine and sighed. He had managed to numb the pain he felt. But tears were still rolling down his cheeks. They just went un-noticed now. He closed his eyes and drifted off to sleep. Waking up shortly after, from a terrifying nightmare. He sat there shaking, and realised that without Amy, he would never be able to live a normal life. Ever again. She had made it possible for him to sleep, to move on from Kelly. To be able to breathe without feeling guilty that he was alive and she had had to die.

He stood up and got himself a glass of water, Victor would be home soon. He had to make sure he was reasonably sober. Or at least able to hold a conversation. He went and made his bed. Looking sadly at the pillow Amy had used. Out the corner of his eye he saw something. Bending down he found Amy's bracelet. He held it, just looking at it, before laying on his bed, head on Amy's pillow. He then fell into a fitful sleep.

And I lay my head back down
And I lift my hands
and I pray to be only yours,
I pray to be only yours, I pray to be only yours
I know you're my only hope