A Fresh Start
Chapter Eleven
When Jeffrey reaches the street, he stops for a few seconds. Closing his eyes, and breathing deep he replays the look of hurt in Richard's eyes. Opening his eyes, he steps over to the curb and hails a cab. Opening the car door, he slips inside "Take me to the San Cristobel Embassy." Jeffrey says, sitting back.
When the cab stops outside the embassy, he hands the driver the fare plus a generous tip and gets out. Standing on the sidewalk he looks at the two story building in front of him thinking about what was coming. Walking up to the front door, Jeffrey knocks lightly, waiting for someone to come to the door. When the door opens, Jeffrey looks up expecting to see Cassie or William but finds a man in royal uniform. "May I help you?" The guard asks
"Yes, I need to see Cassie." Jeffrey says, walking into the entranceway.
"May I ask who you are?" The guard asks as Cassie walks around the corner from the other room and spots Jeffrey.
"It's okay Corporal, I know him." Cassie says, walking up to Jeffrey and giving him a quick hug.
"Yes ma'am." The corporal replies, stepping back as they walk into the other room.
"William's not here. While he was in town he thought he would take care of some business." Cassie says, as she sits down in the chair below the window, while Jeffrey takes the couch across the room from her.
"I didn't come to see William. I came to talk to you." Jeffrey says his tone of voice somber and very serious.
"Okay." Cassie says more than a little nervous by his tone.
"I went to see Richard a few minutes ago."
"Okay."
"We were talking, talking about you and the promise I made to him, to look out for you if something were to happen to him."
"I figured that would come up eventually." Cassie says, relieved.
"He knows Cassie. I had to tell him."
"Tell him what?"
"Everything, about you and me, about Edmund…"
"You told him about Edmund!"
"Yes, he was thanking me for keeping you safe and I had to tell him. He kept going on about how thankful he was that I was there."
Cassis just stares at him. She knew in the back of her mind that Richard would have to know about Edmund. She figured she would be the one to tell him, but she wasn't expecting him to know this soon.
"That wasn't all I told him."
"You didn't tell him about Josh! You had no right…"
"I didn't tell him about Josh. I figured it was your place to tell him about that. No, I told him about what happened in San Cristobel before William became prince and you left the island."
"You told him about us being together when he was President."
"Yes, he wanted to know if there was more, I couldn't tell him about Josh, but I thought I should be the one to tell him about what happened in San Cristobel. I owed it to him."
"How did he react?"
"How do you think he reacted? He's hurt, not because he thinks you cheated on him. No, he realizes that I took advantage of you and him. He's hurt because he feels like I betrayed him. He even threatened me in a way."
"He didn't." Cassie says, looking over at him
"Yes, which I totally deserve, even if he can't make good on the threat right now."
"What did he say?"
"He wanted to think about all this. I begged him not to turn his back on you that you were only with Edmund because you were desperate to hang on to him. I told him about Josh being the one that found out about my time in San Cristobel and telling you and then me having to tell you everything from there. At first, when I told him not to blame you, he thought I meant about what happened in San Cristobel and he said he didn't, that I took advantage of you."
"You don't have to tell me every thing that was said. I know you tried to explain it to him, but I wasn't expecting him to know about this so soon."
"I'm sorry Cassie for everything, especially my part in all of this."
"It's alright. This was going to come out eventually anyway. Its better it came out now instead of months down the line. Thank you for coming and telling me."
"I didn't want you to be ambushed tomorrow when you go see him." Jeffrey says, standing up.
"You're going to go see him tomorrow, right?"
"I'll stop by and see Sam, but right now I think it's best if he doesn't see me, especially with you."
"I understand. I'll tell William what's going on." Cassie says, as they walk towards the door.
"Thank you and again I'm sorry for everything."
"It'll be okay." Cassie says, as she opens the door and Jeffrey walks out.
Turning he said, I probably won't see you tomorrow, so be careful and I wish you lots of luck."
"We'll be fine."
"I hope that's true. Goodnight." Jeffrey says.
"Goodnight." Cassie replies closing the door as Jeffrey turns and walks towards the gate, hailing a cab to take him to his hotel.
Jeffrey is up early the next morning and at the agency before William and Cassie arrive. When he had gotten back to his hotel room the night before he call and booked a flight back to Springfield for later that afternoon. As he is stepping off the elevator, Sam is coming down the hall, smiling when she sees him. "Hi." She says, hugging him tightly
"Hi." He says, kissing her quickly before he releases her. "You look exhausted."
"I am." Sam says, putting her arm around his waist as they walk down the hall towards the ward.
"Did you sleep at all?"
"Maybe for a couple hours, did you talk to Cassie?"
"Yes."
By the tone of his voice she can tell that he is still worried about something. "What's wrong?"
"I can't get into it here. I only came by to see you and to tell you that I have to fly back to Springfield this afternoon."
"This afternoon!"
"I know, I hate to leave you this soon, but I've got to get back. I've got some important meetings coming up with the city council…"
"City council?"
"Yes, I was appointed Mayor of Springfield…."
"You're Mayor of Springfield." She asks, smiling.
"Yes, I was appointed last week…."
"But you swore you would never have anything to do with politics."
"Things change…."
"Meaning Richard changed your mind."
"Yes." Jeffrey says, looking at her. "I also need to catch up on an investigation I'm involved in as well as get briefed on the budget figures before the meeting on Thursday."
"There's more isn't there. This has something to do with whatever happened with Richard last night." Sam says, turning to look at him. He looks away.
"You know me and you know my imagination." She says, stepping around until she was in his line of vision. "So why don't you tell me what you two were talking about and how it involves Cassie." Sam asks, finally wearing him down
"Do you have to be here today?"
"No, Dr. Frost can look after my patients. And the therapist will be looking after Richard.
"Alright, come on." Jeffrey says, taking her hand and leading her off the ward.
"I have to tell him I'm leaving."
"I'll be waiting at the elevators."
"I'll be quick." Sam replies, walking back towards her office.
Jeffrey is standing beside the elevators when Cassie and William walk off. "William, Cassie." He says, shaking William's hand, he hugs Cassie quickly.
"Are you alright?" Cassie asks.
"I'm fine, are you?" Jeffrey asks
"I'll be fine. Have you seen him?"
"No, I thought it would be better if I stayed away for a while. I'm headed back to Springfield this afternoon."
"So soon." Cassie asks.
"Yes, I think its best." Jeffrey says, as he turns to see Sam walking towards him.
"Hi." Sam says, looking between Cassie and Jeffrey.
"Dr. Whitley." Cassie says
"Mrs. Winslow." Sam replies.
"Have you seen Richard?" Cassie asks.
"I checked on him about an hour ago and he was sleeping. He should be starting physical therapy this morning."
"Okay." Cassie replies, before turning to Jeffrey. "Are you sure you're not going to stay?"
"No, you both need to work this out and when it's time we'll deal with each other." Jeffrey says, turning to Sam. "Are you ready?"
"Yes." She says.
"William, I know you've wanted to talk to me about Camille. I'll call you and we can discuss it." Jeffrey says, pushing the button for elevator.
"That's fine." William replies before they turn and walk towards the ward.
To Sam's credit, she wants to ask Jeffrey again what was going on but she doesn't. Before the door closes to the ward, Cassie looks back over her shoulder, watching Jeffrey and Sam wondering what was going on between them. When they reach the lobby of the agency, Jeffrey says, holding out his hand. "Give me the keys."
"What?"
"The keys, to the car, you're not driving." He replies holding his hand out.
Reaching into the pocket of her lab coat, she pulls the keys out and hands them to him. "You have to be careful with her."
"She'll be fine." Jeffrey says, holding the door to the front courtyard open for her.
"But she's my baby, and I'm the only one that drives her." Sam says, as they walk across the parking lot.
"I'll take care of her Sam." Jeffrey says as they reach the car and he opens the door for her.
"Alright, but just be careful." Sam says, as she slips inside and Jeffrey walks around the car and opens the driver's side door, slipping inside.
"Sam, relax. I've been driving far longer than you have. Close your eyes and we'll be at your apartment before you realize." Jeffrey says, as he backs out of the parking place.
"I'm not going to sleep. I remember how you drive." Sam says looking at him like he is crazy making him chuckle as they pull out of the parking lot.
"I remember how you drive too." He says. "Although I'll admit you've slowed down a lot…"
She reaches over and slaps him as he laughs harder. Ten minutes later, Jeffrey pulls up in front of his hotel and Sam asks. "What are we doing here?"
"I'm going to go check out and get my stuff, that way I don't have to come back here when I leave and I can stay longer."
"Okay." Sam replies, reaching for the door handle.
"No, stay here. I'll only be a few minutes." Jeffrey says, opening the driver's door.
While Sam is waiting, one of the guests from the hotel walks by and whistles. "Nice car." The man says, and Sam smiles.
About ten minutes later, Jeffrey comes out of the hotel, opening the driver's side door he put his suitcase in the back seat of the car and then slides inside. Sam has her head lying against the window and he can tell she is fighting sleep.
"We'll be at your apartment in a few minutes." Jeffrey says. She only nods as he starts the car and pulls out of the driveway.
When they reach the freeway Jeffrey looks over and Sam is fast asleep, smiling he turns his attention back to the road. Thirty minutes later, he reaches over and shakes her awake as he pulls into her parking spot behind her apartment
"What happened, where are we?" Sam asks, as Jeffrey turns the car off.
"We're at your apartment." Jeffrey says
"My apartment." Sam says, looking outside.
"Yes." Jeffrey says, opening the car door and getting out. He walks around to her side of the car, opening the door for her he helps her out.
"I can't believe I fell asleep." Sam says, as they walk towards her apartment.
"You're tired." Jeffrey says, as Sam reaches for her keys unlocking the door, they walk in.
"If you want to get some sleep before we talk…."
"No, I'm fine." Sam replies, sitting down on the couch.
"Are you sure?" He asks, sitting down beside her.
"Stop stalling, and tell me what is going on."
"Okay." Jeffrey says, taking a deep breath. "When you went missing and we found the accident and we thought that you had been killed, I went a little crazy. I spent hours sitting on the couch staring at the ring I had bought you. After the operation ended in Russia, the agency took me off duty. When I went back I was really reckless and I didn't care who I hurt, especially if it was me. That's how the accident happened. I was on an assignment and I had an affair with a suspects wife. And he didn't like that." Jeffrey says with a smile. "But because of that accident, I was made to look like Richard and given the assignment in San Cristobel. That assignment changed my life and it brought me back from losing you. I got really close to Cassie and after a while I began to have feelings for her. Feelings I had no business having and I knew it. I tried to get the agency to take me out of San Cristobel but they insisted that I stay. During that time, I also got really close to Richard, and I respected him a great deal.
One night after a state dinner, Cassie found me in their room. One thing led to another and we made love, she thought she was making love to Richard. And I let her think that she was, until we got together last year and the truth finally came out about my time in San Cristobel and what happened that night after the state dinner. She couldn't forgive me."
"What does this have to do with last night and Richard?" "When I went to see Richard last night, he was thanking me for keeping Cassie safe and he kept thanking me. I couldn't let him think that I was this great guy…"
"You told him about San Cristobel." Sam says, sitting up and looking at him.
"Yes."
"Jeffrey, he's really fragile right now."
"I know he's fragile but he was thanking me for protecting his wife. After what happened I couldn't let him think I was the good guy. I took advantage of her and his friendship." Jeffrey says, getting up and walking to the window.
"You are a good guy. You made a mistake."
"A mistake that hurt not just Cassie but Richard too, he trusted me." Jeffrey replies, turning to look at her.
"You were hurting yourself." She says, getting up and going to him.
"That's not a good enough reason to take advantage of someone."
"You tried to stay away. You tried to get the agency to bring someone else in.
"I still took advantage of them."
"You've learned from the mistake. I know you."
"Of course I have, but…."
"And you told him the truth. All you can do is let it go, learn from it, which you have and let him come to you."
Jeffrey looks down at her. After a few seconds he says. "I wasn't sure how you would react to this."
"I can't judge you. We all make mistakes. I left you so maybe I'm partly to blame…."
"No, you had nothing to do with this. You were protecting me." Jeffrey says, laying a finger across her lips.
"Protecting you from a threat that wasn't real."
"You didn't know that, Sasha lied to you."
"But I had better training than that. I know when someone is lying to me.
"What happened in San Cristobel was between me and Cassie. It had nothing to do with you. Do you understand?" Jeffrey says, using a finger to lift her chin so she had to look him in the eye. "I don't want you to think that you had anything to do with that. Promise me."
"Okay, I promise. But I understand why it happened and Richard will too in time.'
"You're amazing."
"No, I'm just honest and I'm human just like everyone else and we all make mistakes. Richard will come around, it might take a while, but he'll forgive you." Sam says, wrapping her arms around his waist.
"I can't believe you're here." Jeffrey says, leaning his forehead against hers. "I can't believe you're not running me out the door."
"There's no way I can do that. I just got you back, besides you know me. I'm not the type to bail because someone makes a mistake, unless they keep making the same mistake." Sam says, as he kisses her.
"I won't I promise I won't." Jeffrey says, leaning back and looking down into her eyes.
After a couple seconds, he bends down and starts to pick her up but Sam take a step back. "We can't." She says.
"Why not? I've got protection."
"It's not that, it's the other."
"Oh, okay." Jeffrey says, taking a deep breath and releasing her. "What do you want to do?"
"We could go to King's Dominion."
"What's that?"
"It's an amusement park around Richmond."
"Do you really feel like driving that far? You haven't had more than two and half hours sleep." Jeffrey says, walking over to the couch. "Why don't we stay here, watch a movie and you can relax. Besides, my flight leaves at four. We don't have time to go down there."
"I forgot you were leaving." Sam says, sitting down beside him. "Alright, we'll stay in."
Settling back against him, she lays her head on his shoulder. "Here." He says, picking her up and moving her till she is sitting across his lap. "Lay your head down." He says, putting her head on his shoulder as he begins to hum softly in her ear.
After a few minutes, he looks down and she is sleep. He holds her until he is sure that she is totally asleep and then he picks her up and carries her into the bedroom, laying her down. He goes to the bathroom before he lies down beside her.
Richard has just finished up physical therapy and the nurses are helping him back into bed when Cassie and William reach his room.
Cassie turns to William and asks "Can I talk to him first?"
"Sure." William says, stepping to the side as Cassie pushes the door open. The nurse is in there as Cassie walks in.
"Hi." Cassie says, as she walks over to the bed.
"Good Morning, Mrs. Winslow." The nurse says.
"How are you doing?" Cassie asks, looking at Richard.
"I'm fine." He replies, but says nothing else.
"He was great this morning." The nurse says. "We really made some progress."
"That's good." Cassie replies, still looking at Richard.
"I'll leave you two to talk." The nurse says. "I'll be back at one for another session Mr. … Richard." The nurse says when he looks over at her.
"Alright."
"Are you feeling okay?" Cassie asks when the nurse walks out of the room and the door closes behind her. There are several seconds of uncomfortable silence before they each spoke at the same time. "I…", "Rich…" and then Richard says, nodding to the chair beside the bed as he sits up. "Cassie, sit down. I talked to Jeffrey last night."
"I know." Cassie says. "I'm sorry…."
"Cassie, you don't have to apologize. I'll admit I'm hurt and even surprised by what Jeffrey told me last night, but after thinking about it I can understand why you turned to Edmund. It was hard to understand at first, but if I lost you I might have done the same thing."
"I was lost and I think I went a little bit out of my mind after Reva shut off the life support. I didn't understand why you turned to her and not me. I wasn't there when she did it, so I couldn't say good-bye. And then after the trial, and your will came out… I don't know. I look back and I can't explain how I ended up with Edmund. It's easier to explain Jeffrey, because he looks so much like you, although he's nothing like you."
"I don't know how I feel about Jeffrey. I trusted him and to find out that he took advantage of us…. I don't know how to react to that."
"I was surprised when it all came out and I was angry, at him and you." Richard started to say something but Cassie continues. "I didn't understand why you didn't tell me about him, and then when he told me about the night we spent together after the dinner for the British Ambassador, I felt betrayed all over again. Even though some of what happened that night was my fault."
"You can not blame yourself because he took advantage of you." Richard says, emphatically.
"You're right he did take advantage of the situation, but I knew there was something different that night. I knew there was something different about you."
"But yet you still…"
"I just thought it was different because we had been so busy with the country and it had been a few days since we had been together and I missed you. But it was different that night and I felt it."
"Where was I when this was happening?"
"I don't know, I found him in our room and I sort of seduce him, you. He tried to stop me, but I insisted. I thought I was making love to my husband." Cassie says, pleading with him to understand.
"Cassie, I'm not blaming you. I don't like that you slept with him but I know you thought it was me. However, I do blame him."
"Jeffrey is partly to blame for this, but the blame doesn't totally rest on his shoulder, we're all to blame.
"I trusted him with you."
"And he's done what you asked him to do, as well as I would let him do the job."
"I don't remember why I was late for the switch that night, but that didn't give him the right to take advantage of you, or of me."
"I can't explain what he did but I do know that he tried to resist me." Cassie says, getting up and sitting down on his bed.
"If I want to be rational about this, I left him in a pretty awkward situation. He was supposed to be me. It would've been hard to explain to my wife why I didn't want to make love to her, especially since we were so well you know."
"That did leave him with a bit problem and it would have been suspicious if you turned me down. You never did before." Cassie says with a smile. "I know it was wrong and so does he. He feels really guilty about it. And you know he didn't have to tell me about that night but he did, and I'm sure when he did he realized that it might be the end of us, and it was. But I know he's a good man."
"Maybe so, but…."
"We all make mistakes Richard. I was a stripper. You thought I cheated on you with Rourke. Judging Jeffrey and being angry at him for a mistake that happened more than five years ago will not solve anything."
"You forgave him?"
"Yes, because it doesn't matter."
"Doesn't matter, I trusted him to look after you."
"And he did that, as much as I would let him." Cassie says. "He might not have done it the way you wanted him too, but he still did it. And since everything that's come out, he's been nothing but be a friend to me. He is the one that told me you were alive. He didn't have to do that, especially since you were still in a coma and I'm sure he thought about not telling me, considering all that has happened, but he did anyway."
"Is he still here?"
"No, he and Dr. Whitley were leaving when William and I arrived and he's going back to Springfield this afternoon."
"Okay." Richard replies clearly relieved.
Cassie notices the relief in his voice but doesn't comment on, hoping that with time he will be able to deal with what happened. "I was surprised to see them together." She says, looking out the window.
"I think they are together."
"Together? Why do you say that?" Cassie asks, looking at him
"Because after he left my room last night, I saw them together and she kissed him."
"She kissed him, they just met yesterday." Cassie says surprised, as William opens the door.
"Can I come in?" He asks
"Yes, come on in." Richard says.
"I only came in to tell Cassie that I have to go back to San Cristobel." William says.
"Oh, okay. I wanted to stay here for a few more days." Cassie says.
"That's fine; I'll let the staff know that you will be staying." William says.
"I can't stay at the…."
"Cassie, you're still a member of the royal family."
"Alright, do you mind looking after RJ?" Cassie asks
"That's fine. Will will be out for summer break next week so they can be together."
"Tell him I'll be back but I don't know how long that will be."
"I'll explain everything to him."
"Don't tell him about me, not yet." Richard says
"I won't, I'll just tell him that Cassie has some business that she has to take care of and that she'll be back when she's finished."
"That will be good." Cassie says.
"I'll see you later." William says, leaning over to hug Cassie before he turns to Richard, shaking his hand. "I'm glad your back." He says.
"I'm glad to be back." Richard replies, with a smile.
"I'll see you both again soon."
"Okay." They both reply, as William walks to the door, opening it he leaves.
Rolling to her side, Sam moves closer to Jeffrey when he lies down beside her. Laying her head on his chest she puts one arm across his stomach, sighing softly as she settles back down. Jeffrey smiles as he puts one arm behind his head, closing his eyes and remembering back to afternoons when they had fallen asleep together after making love. "It feels so good to have her back in my arms." Jeffrey thought, leaning over to kiss her forehead
They slept for at least another three hours before Sam wakes up, looking up she smiles when she realizes that Jeffrey is lying beside her. Leaning up on one hand, she reaches up and brushes a couple strands of hair off his forehead, leaning over she kisses him. Wrapping his arm around her, he pulls her down across his chest and deepens the kiss for a few seconds before he leans back.
"I missed that." He says, as he reaches up to caress her cheek.
"I did too."
"Did the sleep help?"
"Yes." She says, sitting up and stretching while he watches her.
"Ummm." He sighs, watching her.
Turning to look at him, she smiles. "We can't."
"I know." He says, sitting up. "Are you hungry?"
"Actually, I am. I haven't eaten since yesterday." Sam replies "But I don't have anything to cook." She says
"Alright, we could order in."
"No, there's a café downtown that I have wanted to try but I haven't had the time." Sam says, standing up
"Alright." Jeffrey says, following her.
"Let me get a shower and change and we'll go." Sam says, walking into the bathroom that is connected to her bedroom.
"I'll be in the living room."
About twenty minutes later, she walks into the living room, in a black tank top, jeans and flip-flops; with her hair loose around her shoulders it's still damp from the shower. She's scrunched it to make it wavier. "Are you ready?" She asks, as Jeffrey stares at her. "Jeffrey." She says, after a couple seconds and he doesn't reply, snapping her fingers.
"Ummm." He replies, shaking his head
"Are you ready?" Sam asks, smiling at him
"Yes." He says, standing up.
"Are you okay?"
"I'm fine." He replies hoarsely. "But you look amazing." He says, putting his arm across her shoulders as they walk out of the apartment, closing and locking the door behind them.
Sam drives this time, parallel parking in front of a tiny café in downtown Reston. Jeffrey smiles as they get out of the car, remembering a time when there was no way she could have done that. When Sam looks over at him, she knew what he was thinking. "I learned a lot of things after I left St. Petersburg." She says, as they walk down the sidewalk, arms around each other.
On the outside the restaurant looks like any strip mall retail space, but when they walk inside they are carried back to a European café. The chef was from Louisiana and most of his recipes' came from there. As they walk in, Jeffrey looks over at Sam and smiles. "This reminds me of that café in Paris."
"I know." "Café le Bleu." Sam says, trying to imitate a French accent. It doesn't quite work out with the southern drawl she still has.
Laughing, Jeffrey leans over to give her a quick kiss before he asks "Is that table okay?" pointing to a small table tucked into a corner and semi-private.
"It's fine." Sam says, taking his hand and leading him over it.
He holds the chair out for her, before he goes around to the other side, as the waitress comes up to them.
"Welcome to Lé Café. My name is Emmanuelle, what can I get you to drink?"
"I'll have water with lemon." Sam says
"And I'll have coffee." Jeffrey says.
"Water with lemon, one coffee, coming right up." Emmanuelle says, walking away.
"I already like this place." Sam says, looking around the restaurant.
"Yes, it's quite charming." Jeffrey says, staring at her.
"You're not even looking." Sam says, catching him watching her.
"I'm seeing all I need to see." Jeffrey replies, picking up a menu. "It looks like they're still serving lunch."
"Let's see what they have." Sam says, picking up her menu and looking at it. "Ooo, that sounds delicious." She says, pointing to one of items on the menu.
"Sam, we're looking for food, not dessert." Jeffrey says, as he read the item she's pointing to.
"I'm sorry; my sweet tooth is stirred up right now." She says, flipping the menu over. "Ooo, I wonder what that tastes like." Sam says, pointing out one of the salads.
"You won't like it."
"Why?"
"Because it has a vinaigrette dressing."
"Oh." Sam says, as Emmanuelle comes back with their drinks.
"Have you decided what you want, or do you need a little more time?" She asks, sitting the drinks on the table.
"Are you ready?" Jeffrey asks
"I think I'll have the Cajun chicken sandwich and the potato salad." Sam says, looking over at Jeffrey.
"Are the crawfish, whole or…?"
"The heads have been taken off." Emmanuelle replies.
"I'll have a half an order of those and a cup of the tomato bisque soup."
"We'll have that right out." Emmanuelle replies, scribbling their order onto a pad as she turns to leave.
"Crawfish!" Sam says.
"Yes, I thought I would try something new."
"Well, at least they won't be looking back at you while you eat them, that's just plain creepy." Sam says. "You said you had to get back to Springfield for an important meeting and to catch up with an investigation."
"Yes, I've got the city council meeting for next year's budget and then I'm heading up an investigation the Governor asked me to look into."
"City council meetings for budgets and favors for the Governor, I can't see you as the political type."
"I wasn't until I met Richard."
"When did you get your law degree?"
"I've always had it, I just never used it."
"I didn't know you had a law degree." Sam replies, taking a drink of water.
"I never needed it while I was in the agency. But after San Cristobel and Europe and I was taken off active duty and I went to New York. I studied for their bar exam and passed it and it went from there."
"Richard really had a big impact on you."
"Yes, I felt like I was drowning before I met him. He made me see that self destructing wasn't doing me any good and it wouldn't bring you back. So I started to live again, that's when I realize I was starting to fall for Cassie." Jeffrey says, looking over at her.
"Okay."
"I also realized I could never have her so I started to self destruct again and that's when I got Dinah out of prison."
"What stopped you?"
"Richard's accident and I realized that Cassie needed me."
"So, why didn't you go straight to Springfield? Why did you go to New York?"
"I planned too but when I got back from Europe and the agency took me off active duty I got cold feet. So I went to New York." Jeffrey says, as Emmanuelle brings their food and they start to eat. "Have you talked to your brother at all since your mom's death?"
"He called me a couple years ago to tell me that Gran had died. I went to the funeral but we barely said two words to each other. I only stayed long enough for the funeral and to get what Gran had left to me and then I left again."
"So you never went back after your mom died."
"No, I would call Gran every couple weeks, just to make sure she was alright but I never went back." Sam says, after swallowing a bite of her sandwich.
"I'm sorry I know it's always hurt that they turned their back on you."
"It's their choice." Sam says, shrugging her shoulders.
"But it still hurts." Jeffrey says, eating some of his soup
"No, more than loosing my mom to a botched robbery and murder."
"It was the chance she took." Jeffrey says. "I tried to tell her that we needed to get out of that neighborhood, but she'd been there all her life. She wouldn't leave."
When they finished eating, Jeffrey pays the bill and then they walk through downtown Reston until it is time for him to leave. Sam takes him to the airport, parking in the parking deck she walks with him to the terminal. She can't go back with him so she waits with him. "I don't want you to go." She says, hugging him tightly.
"I don't want to go either, but I have to get back." Jeffrey says, leaning back and looking down. "Why don't you come to Springfield this weekend?"
"You want me to come there."
"Yes, I think you'll like it, unless you can't leave the hospital."
"No, I have plenty of built up days. I'm just surprised you me want to come to Springfield so soon."
"If I knew you would go, I would take you back with me now. I don't want to let you go." Jeffrey says, laying his forehead against hers.
"I know."
"I'm afraid that once I let you go and I leave. I'll never see you again, that this will turn out to be a dream."
"I'm not letting you go again. I'll be in Springfield, Friday night. There is nothing that will keep me away." Sam says, leaning up and kissing him.
Tightening his arms around her, he kisses her back. Deepening the kiss as passion takes control for a few minutes before a voice over the loudspeaker breaks in. "We will begin boarding for flight 399 to Springfield in fifteen minutes."
"I've got to go." Jeffrey says, taking a step back.
"I know. I'll see you this weekend."
"Okay and I'll call you tonight."
"Here." She says, reaching into her purse, she pulls out a case. Opening it, she hands him a card. "It has all my numbers on it." She says, as he takes the card and then leans over and kisses her one more time before he releases her and walks up to the gate. She stands to the side and watches him being processed through security. She waves to him when he looks back over his shoulder one more time before walking down to his gate.
11.15