Hi everyone. Thanks to you all for your feedback! I've noticed most of you put a disclaimer at the beginning of your stories, so here is mine. I do not have anything to do with Crossing Jordan. If I did, Jordan and Woody would be together! Please review and enjoy. –Sharon
Chapter Three
"I don't see any witches. You must have made a wrong turn somewhere. This place looks like a giant tourist trap."
Woody looked around as Jordan drove through downtown Salem. The town itself was very picturesque, filled with cobblestone streets lined with shops and restaurants. They drove past Crow Haven Corner, the famous store, and the Salem Witch Museum. According to Jordan's calculations, the Bed and Breakfast was just minutes away.
"Yup. Nothing but a big old tourist trap. Where are all the freaks with the pointy hats and broomsticks? And where are all the black cats? Wait a minute-is that a Pizza Hut? Since when do witches eat pizza?"
Jordan had heard enough. She pulled the car over to a screeching halt.
"Woody, so help me. I swear that if you don't shut up right now I'm going to beat the crap out of you and then dump you head first into a steaming cauldron full of rat dung. Man, you've been acting like a complete ass ever since we left Boston. If you think this case is nothing but a big joke then you should have just STAYED HOME."
Silence.
"Anger management classes, HELLO! What the hell's got you so crabby? Got your period or something? You asked me for my help and I'm here. You- you have NO idea what I've been through in the past few weeks to get to this point. So BACK OFF."
Jordan sighed. " Maybe you're right. I'm sorry. I've got a lot of things going on in my head right now."
"Not as much as I have, trust me."
"Pollack called me last night."
Woody froze. He didn't mean to, but he did. Fear took over his entire body, rendering him speechless for a few seconds.
"Really…and just what did Captain Journalist have to say?"
"Oh, the usual; how's things, how's the job…. I still love you, and I miss you like hell, Cavanaugh."
His tone softened. "And how do you feel about that?"
She chuckled. "I feel confused as hell. JD's a great guy and all, but truth be told, Woody….well, he's not you."
"Excuse me?"
"Please let me finish. And don't interrupt. I was wrong. I made a mistake and I don't know how to fix it. I miss you Woody. I think about you every day and every night. I know I hurt you…I didn't mean to. It's something I'll regret for the rest of my life. I'm sorry. I wanted to tell you-"
"Jordan-"
Wait, I'm not-"
"JORDAN. Stop." He put his hands up. "This isn't the time or place to have this conversation. I told you before; I don't want to be your rebound guy. I still feel that way. Whatever you've got going on upstairs you have to sort out on your own. It's too late."
"What's too late?"
"Maybe we should discuss this some other time."
"Hey, you opened the door, Woody. What's too late? And why won't you look at me?"
"I didn't want to tell you like this, but…I'm seeing someone."
Jordan stared at him, totally unable to speak. Why hadn't she seen this coming? A million thoughts raced through her head all at once.
"I…um…of course. I should have realized…I just didn't think…I…well…whoa. I don't know what to say." She closed her eyes. "Man, do I feel like an idiot."
"Jordan…"
"No, Woody, it's OK. You don't need to say anything. I needed to get this off my chest and I did. Let's just forget it."
"It's Lu."
He'd never know how much those two little words hurt her. Never in a million years would she let him know that she felt like he'd just stabbed her in the heart. She was too stubborn and proud to let him see her in pain. She went to start the car, but he grabbed her hand.
"Please say something. Please. Jordan, please talk to me."
"How long?"
He sighed. "Right after the subway bombings. I didn't mean for it to happen…we were talking, and she kissed me. I swear I've been meaning to tell you."
"But you didn't, did you?"
"It just never seemed the right time, and every time I decided I was going to tell you I just chickened out. I'm sorry."
"I can't talk about this anymore right now. We should get going. "
"Jordan…"
"Woody, please. I need some time to digest this and sort things out. Let's just keep it business for now, alright?"
"OK. You win. But we finish this before we head back to Boston, agreed?"
Jordan gave a weak smile. "Agreed." Oh, man.
