#A/N: THIS CHAPTER HAS THE SONG DON'T BY SHANIA TWAIN, WHICH IN MY OPINION, IS THE PERFECT JORDAN/WOODY SONG POST JPF. NO, I DON'T OWN ANYTHING SHANIA TWAIN OR CROSSING JORDAN. I DO HOWEVER, OWN LITTLE SHANIA, MY SOON-TO-BE 8-YEAR OLD WHO JUST LOVES HER.

CHAPTER 20: DON'T

Woody and Cal helped Jordan set up for the party. A little after five, people started streaming in. Woody quietly wheeled to a table in the corner and perched himself by the wall. He didn't want to be in the way and he especially didn't want the added attention. As guests mingled, joked and laughed, Woody sat alone in the corner, fumbling with a spoon, watching Jordan from a distance; shaking hands and accepting well wishes from guests who would come to the table. As everyone found their seats, Woody was surprised to find the morgue family sitting with him; Nigel, Bug, Lily, Sidney, Jordan, Cal and Max. Garret rose from his table, where he sat with his daughter Abby, her fiancee Scott, and Rene Walcott. He made a short but emotional speech followed by a standing ovation. Woody noticed Cal looking down at him, "Well I'd get up if I could.", he snapped at Calvin. This caused the entire table to turn around and look at the two brothers.

The night was moving along fast, there was dinner, drinking, talking and laughing. Then the music started with a dance just for Garret and Abby. Everyone seemed to be having a great time, all except Woody. Why did I have to book such a late flight, he thought, then he remembered why, he didn't want an airport of people starring at him. "How about a real beer, bro", Calvin said in a tipsy voice. "Instead of that sissy root beer", he laughed as he slammed the bottle on the table in front of Woody. "Because knucklehead, he pushed the bottle away; I'm on a half-dozen different meds, one beer and I'd be spending the next two days with my head in the toilet", he shot back at Calvin. Jordan gave both brothers a stern look. Cal just ignored his brother and chugged his beer.

A slow song started, Jordan commented, "I love this song." "So do I.", Lily added.

Don't.

Bug held his hand out to Lily.

Don't you wish we tried.

Cal did the same to Jordan.

Do you feel what I feel inside.

Jordan hesitated and looked at Woody.

You know our love is stronger than pride.

He just shrugged and looked away.

Oh no don't

Don't let your anger grow

Just tell me what you need me to know

Please talk to me don't close the door

Cause I wanna hear you, I wanna be near you.

Jordan looked at Woody, wanting to tell him how every word of this song rang true for them.

Don't fight, don't argue

Give me the chance to say that I'm sorry

Just let me love you

Don't turn me away, don't tell me to go.

Woody sat listening to the words of the song as the couples danced. He watched as his brother danced with the woman he loved. How he wanted her in his arms right now.

Don't

Don't give up on trust

Don't give up on me, on us

If we could just hold on long enough

We can do it, we'll get through it.

Woody picked up the beer next to him and brought the bottle to his mouth, but decided it wasn't worth it. As he sipped from his root beer, he noticed Jordan was watching him, sitting alone at the table.

Don't fight, don't argue

Give me the chance to say that I'm sorry

Just let me love you

Don't turn me away, don't tell me to go.

Woody could tell she was not dancing with Cal the same way she danced with him, her head wasn't buried in Calvin's chest. Instead, she peered around his shoulder to look in Woody's direction.

Don't pretend that it's okay

Things won't get better that way

And don't do something you might regret someday

Their eyes met.

Don't.