Chapter Thirteen/Epilogue: Tomorrow Never Knows
"The future is looking good for Jesse," Dr. Hendrickson tells them in private after Jesse's return to the land of the living. "However, I can't release him to go home, yet, due to his concussion, and when I do release him – he has to stay with somebody. Not to mention, his right leg is going to be out of commission for the next six weeks or so…"
"He can stay with us," Skyler cuts in, and Walt's eyes go wide.
"Stay where?" Walt exclaims.
"He could room with Junior," Skyler replies, shrugging.
"Why doesn't he just stay with me in the condo?" Walt counters, though he'd prefer that Jesse's new girlfriend take responsibility for him – not that Skyler would like it if he suggested that.
"Why don't you move home," Skyler retorts, "So you can both live in our house?"
Walt isn't sure whether to be flattered or incredibly offended.
"And you really think it's a good idea for Jesse to room with Junior, I mean…"
"How much trouble can he get into with a broken leg?" Skyler questions, putting her hand on her hip.
"You'd be surprised."
They wheel Jesse out and into the Aztek the next morning.
"What are you going to tell Hank and Marie about this, Skyler?"
"Don't worry," she replies with a wink. "I drew up some bullet points."
"Yo, Mr. White, Mrs. White, you guys really don't have to do this. I'm fine on my own," Jesse protests.
"It's been settled," Walt replies, "Skyler decided." Jesse and Walt exchange glances, and there's an awkward silence. Walt swallows as he hears, playing over the hospital loudspeaker, "Major Tom"; he's fine with submitting to Skyler if it means he can rush out the door and put this behind him, the faster the better.. Jesse cocks his head to listen to the song, feeling an odd sense of déjà vu that he can't quite pinpoint. He doesn't feel he's ever heard it before but it's oddly appropriate – "coming home", indeed.
"So do you remember anything? From when you were in the coma?" Skyler asks Jesse. "Nosy question, sorry… but I'm curious." She flushes, thinking to herself that she sounds like her sister.
"I only remember a little," Jesse replies after a moment. "It was weird shit, like being in an episode of Supernatural or some shit. Gu – people were there. People I know who died. My aunt. And…" He pauses and looks up at Walt, taking a deep breath and thinking and rethinking what he is about to say. "Jane was there. She said she forgives you for what you did." I forgive you for what you did. Walt's face goes white.
"Walt?" Skyler inquires, blinking. Who's Jane, she wonders, and by that token, who the hell is Gale? Walt looks like he just saw a ghost…
"I guess she meant," Jesse covers quickly, "For not liking her." Walt nods.
"Yeah, must have been that," he agrees quickly. "I'm glad she does, Jesse… I'm so glad." He tries to hide how his hands are shaking.
One Month Later
"Oh, that's a low move! Brock, wasn't that a low move?" Jesse turns and gently pushes the boy, as he nods eagerly.
"Cheater!" Brock exclaims, pointing at Walt Jr. and giggling wildly.
"Did…did not cheat," he argues in his defense. "Jesse is just upset that I pulled off that Fatality before he did."
"Likely story!" Jesse retorts in Walt Jr.'s direction, but he's still looking at Brock and grinning.
On Jesse's shoulder, the others can see the outer edge of his latest tattoo: two interlocking circles, with the words "Roso y Blanco" inscribed across the design. Underneath is a set of initials, J.E. M., and the years 1983 – 2008. He's tried to reconcile the knowledge that had tossed itself into his path and decided that he can only do so by making sure he doesn't forget, doesn't forget what Jane means to him or what Mr. White does. He hasn't had the confrontation that he might have thought he'd have; he has never said the words You were there that night. If he did, he would have to envision a scene he doesn't want in his mind, would need to get details he never wants to hear.
He doesn't know if that's forgiveness, really, or just avoidance, but it works for now.
"You want a turn?" Jesse offers the controller to Brock, whose eyes light up. "Make sure you play fair this time," he jokingly chides Walt. Jr. "Cheating against a five-year-old is just wrong." Brock looks at him indignantly.
"Six," he corrects.
"Yeah, that's right," Jesse replies, tussling Brock's hair. "You're six today."
To the left of them, the "adults" are gathered around the table.
"It's so kind of you, Mrs. White, to do this for Brock," Andrea gushes. "It means so much."
"After everything that's happened to Jesse recently, it's the least we could do," Skyler replies.
"I have to say," Marie, who is at the gathering, sans her husband (for which Skyler is eternally grateful – Marie's insistence on learning about Jesse's place in their odd little family is one thing, Hank wheeling around interrogating and investigating him would be quite another), "You're so open-minded, Andrea. I'm really impressed."
"Open-minded?" Andrea asks, raising an eyebrow. "What do you mean?"
"I just mean, erm," she shoots a glance at Walt, who has walked over to the couch and is handing Brock a box which contains, Skyler knows, a little chemistry set. She's a little wary of how enthusiastic Andrea will be if Brock blows up the house with Walt's gift, but she encouraged it regardless – he's taking an interest in something other than evading the authorities and transporting bags of money. Marie pauses and simply finishes, "Never mind."
She doesn't shatter the mood; it's a picture-perfect moment. Jesse is where he belongs, at least for now, in his place in the hailstorm that is the life of Walter H. White. And Skyler's okay with that – even if it's just the eye of that storm.
The End