June 2006

The Station fell into a very regular routine, one reminiscent of the days Schemer found himself increasingly longing for. He had tried to keep Schemee's words out of his mind, but he found that they sat with him often, weighing heavily on his thoughts. He didn't want to believe that Schemee might be right, he could not let himself believe that Schemee could be right. Because if Schemee was right, then Schemer was no closer to moving on, as much as he tried to tell himself that he was.

He exhaled heavily, seated at his desk in his office. They had a new attachment put in so that Billy, Kara, and Kit had a larger space to work, while Schemer had permanently taken over the old workshop. Everyone worked well together, and as much as everything seemed the same, it was still different. Becky remained positive and chipper, and some days he could have sworn he saw her channelling Stacy through her mannerisms. Becky and Kit were also in a budding relationship. Billy had reminded him one day how as children they were close and Schemer was reminded of himself and Stacy when they were young and flirting with each other. A sore reminder of what could have been.

He also missed Schemee, his presence in Schemer's life had truly been the one true constant throughout the years. Despite their mutual anger, it hurt Schemer deeply to know that they could have faced their undoing, despite everything they had been through.

The door opened and the noise from heavy footsteps filled his office. When Schemer didn't hear anybody go to greet the newcomer, he stepped out of his office, grateful for the distraction from his thoughts.

"Welcome to Shining-" Schemer started but the words fell off his tongue.

There, in front of him, stood Ned Kincaid. He had aged, the blonde hair was salted with white, and he sported a close cut beard. But the posture, the cutting look he was giving Schemer was unmistakable.

"Schemer." Ned said simply, disdain dripping from his words. "I had to see it for myself." He looked around the Station.

Schemer's chest was heaving rapidly, fury engulfing his chest like wildfire. "You're not welcome here. Leave now." He spat out angrily.

"This was my wife's Station, I, as her husband, have every right to see what monstrosity you've created in its place." Ned responded with equal venom.

"You have NO right to this place, Ned!" An angry voice reverberated from the doorway. Becky stormed into the Station, her glare was one of pure malice. "Stacy would be proud of this place and there is nothing you can do to change that!"

Schemer watched in a stunned silence, his anger evaporating at the display in front of him.

"Becky, what right do you have to tell me what to do?" Ned challenged.

"I have EVERY right. I'm the Station Manager and I'm telling you to leave. NOW!" She shouted.

Ned looked as stunned as Schemer felt. However, he obliged and slowly walked out towards the door. "I won't be returnin'." He said simply. "I'm goin' back… home. Ever comin' back here was a mistake."

After Ned left the Station, Schemer angrily shut the door. He somehow knew that Ned wasn't just talking about returning today, and that sent him back into a burning rage.

"That jerk! Thanks for telling him off Becky." He started to say, but realized that she was crying into her hands at her desk. In a second he knelt down beside her.

"Becky? What's wrong?" He asked gently.

"I'm sorry Schemer… I just feel so forgotten about when it comes to Stacy's death. I've had to stay strong for Dan and Matt, for her family when I see them around town, for my friends like you, Billy, and Kara. But no one remembers that we were good friends too, especially near the end. No one remembers that I was the one who helped her out when she was having problems with Ned. Seeing him again? It reminds me of how much I hate him. And it reminds me of her. She thought she'd be happy with him, but she wasn't. She didn't get the happily ever after that she hoped she would."

Schemer felt a lump in his throat. He put a hand on her shoulder. "I'm so sorry Becky. I didn't know that you felt that way."

"He wasn't good to her. He always had such a superior, old-fashioned attitude. She loved him at the beginning, but he became worse and worse over time. He was very controlling, and the Station was really the last place in her life she had control over. Until Paul ruined everything here. Stacy couldn't divorce Ned because he wouldn't allow it, and she couldn't stand to stay in this town to see what had become of the Station. I helped her leave him. She said goodbye to me before she left and said she wouldn't be able to be in contact with anyone for awhile, but that she would always appreciate my friendship. Ned disappeared and tried to find her but never did, I guess she was able to avoid him. She hated him because, at the end of it all, I think he left her broken to the idea of love."

Schemer felt his heart sink. He didn't know that story. He didn't know how much Becky was hurting. In fact, he never had considered any of the other's in any of his thoughts. How was Billy handling Stacy's death? What about Kara and Schemee? Dan was her nephew. Did using the new Station bring him comfort, or pain? He hadn't considered any of their feelings.

Panic rose within him. His mind still went to himself and he felt immense guilt as he considered Becky's other words. Broken to the idea of love. If she couldn't love him, then was all that time they shared meaningless?

"I'm sorry. I just… I've got to go. I'm sorry." He repeated, backing away and nearly tripping.

She still had tears in her eyes and he didn't know what to say to her.

So he said nothing, and fled, feeling like even more of a selfish coward.