Maggie

Nothing could have prepared her for the whirlwind of activity that came next. Her Aunt Shaw caught the first flight to Atlanta when she heard the news; Maggie wasn't even sure who had called her. She was surprised that her aunt was able to drop everything and rush down, considering she didn't make it to her own sister's funeral, but she supposed circumstances were different this time around. Maggie was alone, this time. So, her aunt came, rolling into town like a hurricane.

"You poor dear!" Her aunt cried for what felt like the thousandth time as they packed up Maggie's parent's house. "The things you've been through since your father forced you both down here. The sorrows you've seen." She shook her head sadly, looking at her niece with a sigh. Dixie rolled her eyes, privately wishing the woman had the decency to stay away. Aunt Dixie had also come as soon as she heard the news. Maggie had called and told her personally. The two older women had never gotten along, always fighting for Maria Hale's friendship and affection.

Aunt Shaw shook her head again, something she seemed to do a lot. "No matter. We will leave as soon as possible. Dixon, you can stay and make arrangements for the house and furniture, can't you?" It wasn't really a question so much as a command. Dixie narrowed her eyes at the other woman but didn't respond. "We'll have to find something to do with all these books. There's certainly not enough room in the Boston house for them. Maybe we could donate them to a needy school?" She picked up a book, wrinkling her nose at the dustiness.

The one-sided conversation pulled Maggie from the daze she was in while packing up her father's things. "Not all the books," she said, looking up in alarm as if her aunt was going to cart them off right then and there. "And I need to say goodbye to our friends." It was a task she was dreading, but she didn't want to leave without a word.

Her aunt sniffed. "I can't imagine you could have many friends here," she said. "I'll help you say your goodbyes, then we are leaving this terrible city for good." Maggie was used to aunt Shaw's commanding manner and wasn't in the mood to fight against her aunt's iron will, so she just nodded. Fighting back tears, she started to sort through the music books, deciding what she wanted to keep, which ones she could part with, and ones to set aside for friends.

Even with aunt Shaw's urgency, it still took a few days to get things settled. Finally, the plane tickets to Boston were booked, the bags were packed, and Maggie and her aunt set out to say farewell. She stopped first at Nick's apartment, though there was no answer. Her heart dropped at the thought of leaving without a proper goodbye but knew she could always keep in touch, even if only to check in on the children. Still, she left a quick note, just in case they were back soon.

The next stop was the Thornton's house. Maggie felt dizzy as they walked up onto the porch, reliving everything that had happened there. She wondered why she was putting herself through the torture. But she had decided she didn't want to leave with unfinished business, and she had things she needed to say. Plus, she had something for John, something he deserved to have.

It was perhaps a misfortune that Faith happened to also be visiting her mother, though Maggie had a feeling she still spent a lot of time at her family's home. "It's a shame you're leaving," Faith said after they had been invited in and introductions were made. "I was hoping you would come to see my new house. I just had all the rooms repainted and professionally styled. Hm, maybe when you come back to visit." She made a small pout as she took a sip of her tea.

"I doubt Maggie will feel like traveling back from Boston just to see your furniture, Faith," Mrs. Thornton said sternly. Her tone only made Faith's pout deepen.

Maggie wanted to smooth over the uncomfortable silence that stretched out after their exchange. She turned towards Mrs. Thornton, leaning forward a bit. "It's been a while, but I wanted to say I'm sorry for the way I spoke to you the last time we really talked. I know that you meant well, and I apologize for the way I reacted." There it was, the gist of what she had come to say. It was like a small bit of the weight she carried was lifted off her shoulders.

Nodding, Mrs. Thornton seemed to accept her apology. The older woman's gaze focused on something behind Maggie, making her turn. John. She felt her heart lurch at the sight of him standing in the doorway. She instinctively stood before she knew what she was doing, moving towards him like a moth to a flame.

John

The sound of voices pulled him from his office, though he had been so absorbed in work that he hadn't heard the bell. He wandered down the hall, struggling to shake the fog from his mind. Suddenly, there she was, sitting in his living room, looking as worn and exhausted as he felt. She stood as soon as she saw him, coming closer until she was almost within arm's reach. "So, you're really going." He said, staring at her, trying to memorize every line and freckle of her face, drinking in the sight of her. His hand twitched with the effort to keep from reaching out. He wanted to grab her, beg her to stay.

"I…" she trailed off a moment, unsure what to say. Stepping forward, she handed him a book. "I brought you one of dad's music books. I thought you might like to have it."

He took it from her, holding it close, glad to have something to occupy his hands. She looked so lost and lonely. "I'll treasure it, just like your father's memory. He was a good friend to me." He paused, looking at the ground between them. Just a couple of feet separated them, though they seemed an ocean apart. "You're really going, then. And never coming back." Forcing his gaze up, their eyes locked, mirrors of grief.

Maggie smiled sadly. "I hope everything works out, John." She seemed like she wanted to say or do something more but stopped herself. Instead, she stepped back as her aunt stood up, preparing to leave. John knew his mother must have been watching their entire exchange. He heard her murmur something to the woman he recognized as Maggie's aunt, but their words were no match for the dull roar that pounded in his ears. He turned away, letting Maggie and her aunt pass before following them onto the porch. It was absolutely freezing outside; John hardly noticed.

Standing on the steps, he watched as Maggie climbed into the waiting car. He vaguely felt like he was drowning as it pulled away. Something cold and wet landed on his ear, startling him. Snow? John couldn't remember the last time it snowed; it must have been years. The flakes started falling more heavily, quickly whiting out the grass on the front lawn. As the car pulled further down the road, he felt the coldness settling into his chest. "Turn around…" He whispered, willing the car to stop, to give some sign that she didn't want to leave. "Come back to me." But the car kept moving forward, silent in the stillness that settled like the snow. She was really gone.

Once the shivering started, he couldn't seem to make it stop. Not even when he went inside and huddled next to the fire, or when his mother brought him warm cider spiked with whiskey. His body didn't still until sleep overtook him, deep in the late hours of the night, tucked in by his mother in his chair by the fire. She looked over him with concern, hoping things would return to normal now that the problem was removed.

Maggie

This would likely be the last time she saw him. The thought made Maggie feel panicked, uncertain of what to say. So, she stood there, wondering if he felt anything at all. "So, you're really going." His voice wrapped around her, as calm and soothing as a blanket. It gave her the strength to power through what she needed to say. She held onto it like a lifeline.

He did sound grateful for the parting gift. Maggie had known he cared about her father, but it was still comforting to hear him say it. She would always regret the wedge she inadvertently drove between the two men. The guilt in that thought made her look away, embarrassed at the memory. "You're really going, then." His voice was quieter this time, full of an emotion she couldn't bear to decipher. "And never coming back." He was right, they both knew it. She could see it his eyes then moment they met hers. The sadness and regret she saw there was a perfect reflection of her own heart.

But it was too late. She was leaving. And though she wanted to kick and scream, to hold onto him and never let go, to beg him to forgive her, she was never one to make a scene, especially not in front of her aunt. "I hope everything works out, John." It was a pitiful substitute for all the things she wanted to say. But she had made her decision, and there was no room for what-ifs. John seemed to understand her meaning, turning away after one more heartbreaking look.

"I'd like to get her home as soon as possible," she heard her aunt say as she stood up to join Maggie.

Mrs. Thornton looked between her son and Maggie, her brow furrowed in concern. "Yes, I believe that's a good idea. As soon as possible." She frowned, watching John follow Maggie and her aunt outside.

The freezing air hit Maggie as soon as the door opened. She saw John step outside with them, not bothering to put on shoes or a jacket. He stood on the steps, watching over them as they climbed into the car. Maggie had no doubt he was still there when the car pulled away. She kept her eyes solidly fixed on the road in front of them, even as the first snowflakes landed on the windshield, knowing if she turned and saw him, she would never be able to leave. As it was, she already felt like her heart was being torn in two.

They didn't make it far before Maggie saw a familiar face running through the snow. "Nick!" she gasped, unbuckling her seatbelt. "Stop the car!" The cab driver obliged, pulling over, much to Aunt Shaw's displeasure. Maggie hopped out of the car as soon as it was stopped.

"Maggie! Thank god, we thought you had left already," Nick pulled her into a hug, struggling to catch his breath. Mary was close behind. "We found your note and thought we'd come by Thornton's and try to catch you. I thought we were too late, then we'd have to follow you to Boston." Nick smiled wryly as Maggie hugged Mary tightly.

Maggie's aunt had made her way out of the car and came over too to see what all the fuss was about. She didn't seem impressed when introductions were made, wrapping her scarf more tightly around her face. "I'd hate to miss our flight," she said pointedly, looking at her watch.

The snow started falling harder. Maggie couldn't deny that they needed to get out while they still could. She reached into her pocket, pulling out some cash she had stashed there and handed it to Nick. He shook his head firmly. "What's all this? We don't want your money, Maggie," he said, frowning. He had thought they were well past that part of their friendship.

"Not for you, Lord, it's for the kids," she said, forcing him to take it. "Get them a treat, put it towards school supplies, whatever they need." She smiled sadly, knowing it was really time to go. "You'll have to keep me updated on how they are doing." They hugged again, one more time, before Maggie and her aunt went back to the car. Nick and Mary waved as they drove away, grateful to have made such a friend, no matter how briefly she was in their lives.

Williams

Leaning against the bar, Williams watched John watching the crowd. He stood in his usual spot on the stairs, arms crossed, a dark expression on his face. It had been two months and twelve days since Maggie left; Williams knew because John had told him the night before, when the two of them were on the floor of the music room, more than a little drunk.

Mrs. Thornton had been the one to make the call. Williams knew something must be wrong for her to be calling him. The thoughts that went through his mind when he answered the phone still made him sick to think about. Mrs. Thornton seemed to understand; she was quick to put his mind somewhat at ease, letting him know that nothing bad had happened, but he might want to think about making a trip home. There was something wrong with John and she didn't know what else to do to help him. Williams was sure it took a lot for her to swallow her pride and admit that. So, he had left his band behind in the middle of recording a new album, rushing home to see what all the fuss was about.

It was the right decision. He knew it the moment he laid eyes on John. The reason for his mother's concern was immediately apparent; he looked terrible. It wasn't any one thing and wasn't something a stranger would necessarily notice. But to Williams, it was as clear as day. The darkness under his friend's eyes, the sharpened angles of his face, the hollow tone of his voice. John looked like he hadn't slept or ate properly in weeks. Or maybe in two months and twelve days, if Williams had to guess.

The problems at The Mill weren't helping the situation. Even though everything was largely back to business as usual, the boycott had taken too great of a toll. Williams desperately wished John would let him help in some way, but the fool was too stubborn and independent to accept anything he might consider "charity". He'd rather go down with the ship than to rely on the goodwill of someone else. It made no sense, but that was the way he was.

"You're worried about him, too, then?" A rough voice pulled him from his musings. Williams turned around to see Nick on the other side of the bar, nodding in towards where John was standing.

That was another thing he didn't understand. John had just welcome Higgins back with open arms; the two seemed as thick as thieves now, as if nothing had happened. It didn't make sense to Williams, but it wasn't his decision. Besides, he supposed John could use all the friends he could get at the moment, and this one at least seemed to care enough to be concerned. "Yeah, though I'm not sure what to do about it," he said.

Nick sighed, setting down the rag he had been using to wipe away a small beer spill. "We've all been kind of down since Maggie left," he said, frowning. "She was like a bit of sunshine in the darkness of the last year. But this, I've never seen him like this."

"Me neither," Williams said. They both looked over where John stood as still as a statue, not having moved at all. Williams almost thought if he stood there any longer, he might actually turn to stone. And it seemed like there was nothing they could do to stop it, short of traveling to Boston and dragging Maggie back with them. No, John needed to get over her. It was the only solution.