Author's note – here's the next chapter enjoy! R&R

Chapter 7 Changes

His alarm clock woke him and he rolled over to smack it. He rubbed his face and put a hand through his messy hair. It seemed like he was more tired these days. So much had changed. After Jordan left he had the task of telling Rory and making sure she was ok. Max had offered to let her live with him, he had space and Woody could visit whenever he wanted. Woody decline the offer saying he wanted to take care of her and Max understood. He moved from his studio apartment to a two bedroom. The day they moved Rory's stuff from Jordan's broke his heart. She didn't cry she didn't say she didn't want to she simply packed. She wouldn't talk about Jordan. She visited the morgue less often and when she did she stayed clear of her mother's office. Max and the morgue gang did everything they could to help. This made Woody realize why Jordan had been so close to them and treated them like family. Nigel was by far the most helpful. He had been trying for three months to track Jordan. It was apparent to everyone that she didn't want to be found. Whenever Nigel found something he thought could help find her it never panned out.

" Anything Nige?" Woody asked as he walked up to the Brit who was typing on his computer.

" Sorry Woodrow. She 's very evasive. How is Rory?"

"She's doing alright." He replied. This had been their morning conversation for three months Just then newly promoted grief counselor Lily walked in.

" Good morning Woody." She said brightly. She had also been very helpful. She had talked to Rory and even though there weren't any huge break through he still appreciated her trying.

"Hi Lily. Nige call me if you get anything." He said that every morning too, it seemed kind of pointless but it gave him some comfort. As he walked toward the elevator he looked into Garrett's office. The man looked so depressed. Even worse then some had told Woody he looked. But Woody had to stay strong for Rory. Garrett felt responsible because he had brought her back and should have been able to make her stay. Woody was sure everyone felt guilty for not talking to her, not noticing the change, not doing more to help her, not stopping her. He knew he did and that's why he had to get her back.

Jordan thought about the night she left often. Had she made the right decision? She knew she had to find Redding before she could even consider returning. That's why she was in a crappy motel outside of L.A. She knew just as she was tracking Redding so was the morgue staff and Woody tracking her back home. She had been careful when and where she used her credit cards. It was a sure thing that as soon as Woody found her he would persuade her to come home and she wasn't sure she could resist him. That's why she had to find Redding and soon.

Rory lay awake in her new room. Staring at the glow in the dark stars on her ceiling. Her dad had done so much to make this place her own. She realized how he and everyone else had done so much to help her but she didn't feel like talking about it or trying to avoid it. She just wanted to move on. If her mom wasn't coming back (man, it made tears come to her eyes when she even thought about her) then she had no choice then to carry on like she didn't even exist. And if by chance she would return she didn't know how she would react. The only thing that scared her now was the chance she could lose someone else, especially her father. This thought made the tears come fast to the point where there was no stopping them. She couldn't help but sob. For her mother and all the other thoughts running trough her mind. Her cries must have been pretty load because within minutes she could hear heavy footsteps coming toward her room.

" Ror! Are you ok?"

"Daddy!"

"Shhh its ok." He said trying to soothe her as her tears fell faster.

"I miss her." She said trough her sobs."

"Me too honey, me too." He held her for a while until her sobs stopped, much like the first time she'd cried in his arms. She wiped her eyes and looked up at him.

" You're not going to leave me, are you daddy?"

"Never." He stated simply, claiming her in a hug.

Woody walked into the morgue the next morning somber and more determined then he was yesterday. As he had held Rory the night before all he could think was that he had to find Jordan, if not for his own motives then for Rory and the rest of the "family. "

"Tell me you found something." Woody said

" Sorry, mate."

" God! What is she thinking." Woody said in angry voice as he hit the wall next to him.

" I'm not sure she is, at least not clearly.'

"Well that's obvious. Call me if you find something." Woody said, his head down in defeat as he started to walk out.

" Wait." One of Nigel's machines beeped

They'd found her