The Long And Winding Road

Notes: The usual disclaimers apply, and remember that all episodes that came after "This Charming Man" aren't canon in this story. Thanks again for the reviews.

Chapter 59 - Better Now

Monday morning found Emma inside the small neighborhood salon belonging to her mother. As she slowly made her way toward the back, she was oblivious to the usual sounds of the shop – hair dryers blowing, the phone ringing with calls from people making appointments, and hair stylists and manicurists enjoying conversations with their customers while they work.

Reaching the back of the shop and turning right, Emma soon reached her destination – a small room which served as Christine Nelson's office. Through the open door, Emma could see Spike sitting behind a desk looking at a computer screen, a mug of coffee close at hand.

"You've got a lot of customers out there for a Monday," Emma commented after lightly knocking on the door.

Spike looked up and smiled. She was naturally happy to see her daughter, but she was also concerned since Emma didn't typically visit the shop first thing in the morning.

"Morning, Em," she greeted. "That's actually a fairly normal amount of people. Monday mornings are when we get the women who thought it would be too crowded if they came in over the weekend. Right now, I'm looking over some budget figures."

"Ah," Emma said simply.

Spike could tell that her daughter was concerned about something.

"And how are things with you?" Spike asked gently.

"I had some stuff to do for work," Emma explained, "but I was able to take care of it all from my room. I was up early. Couldn't seem to sleep."

"You should have come up before I left. I could have fixed you some breakfast."

"That's okay, Mom. I wasn't hungry."

Emma didn't say anything else. After several quiet moments, Spike was about to speak up when Emma broke the silence.

"Today's the day," Emma said anxiously. "This morning's the morning."

"I know," her mother responded. "And it's a good thing."

"A part of me wants so much to go over there and…I don't know. Just…be there with him. For him. Making sure he's okay. That he feels safe."

"And the other part?" Spike asked.

"The other part of me knows how important it is that he makes his return on his own."

"You're making the right choice," Spike assured. "Not only does he need to face going back there on his own terms, but this also shows him that you know he's ready to handle whatever happens."

"Besides," Emma added, "it's not as though I think he isn't ready or that he isn't strong enough or that he can't be there by himself. But I still worry about him."

"That's natural, Emma. He's been through a terrible ordeal. But he's always been able to deal with adversity and come out stronger for it. Kind of like a certain daughter of mine. Anyway, I think I can safely say that even though you aren't with him in person, he knows that you're with him right now. He may be the only one in that building this morning, but he's not alone."

"Everything you've said…I already knew it, but I just needed to hear you say it. It helps."

"I'm glad," Spike said. "Now are you just going to stand there, or are you going to come on in, have a seat and relax for awhile?"

"Relaxing would be a nice change of pace this morning," Emma joked as she entered the office.

Only a few miles away, JT stood alone in front of TMD. Though he knew in his mind that there was no need to worry, today he chose to park in the main lot rather than behind the building in the staff area. He wasn't up to going in the back way. Not on the first day back. Looking ahead, he felt ready to go in but also nervous.

He slowly made his way to the doors. He unlocked them and went inside. Once inside the lobby area he quickly re-locked the doors and then turned on all the lights. Normally, he could make his way throughout the building even in complete darkness, but on this day he needed to be able to see everything. He wanted no surprises.

He surveyed the area. Everything looked the same and yet things didn't feel the same. At least not so far.

Leaving the lobby and walking past the concession area, JT entered the hallway going toward his office. The closer he got, the more nervous he felt. Stopping in front of the restrooms, he felt the urge to run inside the men's room and throw up, but he didn't. It helped that he'd chosen not to eat anything for breakfast so there was nothing TO throw up. Instead, he took a sip of water from the fountain set up between the men's and women's restrooms. Then he splashed some water on his face. Afterward he resumed what felt on this morning more like a major journey than a simple walk to his office.

Finally JT did make it to the office. He looked at the closed door. On it was written the word 'Office.' Prior to him purchasing the business, the door had been labeled 'Private.' Changing the wording was one of JT's earliest acts as new owner because, despite the fact that he usually kept his door open anyway, he never wanted to give the impression that his office was private. That a customer or employee couldn't feel welcome to come in if there was something he could do for them.

Back then, he'd also considered making his staff start wearing little hats – if only for his own amusement. But he had decided against it, not wanting an employee revolt on his hands during that first week as the new boss. Changing the wording on the door, though, was something he did without hesitation.

That was then. Looking at the door now, JT clearly remembered being on the other side and watching as Jay closed that door right before their confrontation.

Private.

Trapped.

JT quickly pushed the memory aside and opened the door.

As he looked inside, JT's first reaction was to smile. Even though he'd only been gone for a week and a half, it had seemed like much longer. While he noticed several stacks of papers on his desk, the thing JT zoned in on was his nameplate. It sat on his desk as though it had never fallen to the ground. A gift Emma had presented to him to make the building and this room in particular feel like it was truly his, in JT's mind the object now served as a 'Welcome Back' symbol.

JT turned on the light and slowly walked into the office. Though he could tell that a few things appeared out of place, the room basically looked the same as usual.

Making his way behind his desk, he stopped and looked down at the ground. This was the spot where he sat. Sat and bled and struggled to stay alive. Not knowing if anyone was going to find him. Not knowing if he was going to live or die.

Now growing weaker as these memories dominated his thoughts, JT sat down in his chair. He looked over at the picture of Emma on his desk. He was sorely tempted to call her, but he also knew he needed to be here by himself before the staff and customers showed up. Besides, as Spike predicted, JT knew that Emma was with him even without her actually being there.

Right now he just wanted to sit quietly and get used to being back in the room. He had so many good memories there. He didn't want to believe that one terrible incident could destroy all that had come before.

JT hadn't sat there for very long when the phone rang. The sudden noise caused him to flinch. Then he just stared at the phone as it continued to ring. Answering it would mean he was really back, and right now that was still a scary concept.

"Th-thank you for calling The Movie Difference," JT finally answered after letting it ring one more time.

JT felt nervous and was sure his heart was beating rapidly. But on the other end of the phone was someone wanting to know what was playing and at what times. He was relieved. Not only were these questions which he could easily answer, but – contrary to his dream of failure – it meant there would likely be at least one customer on this day. As he gave the caller the information, he started to feel more comfortable.

"Okay, so those are the times," JT said.

Feeling a certain amount of confidence, he then decided to keep going rather than carry out his original plan of getting the caller off the phone as quickly as possible.

"Now about the second film I mentioned…it's a French drama, so it's got sub-titles. Have you been to many films like that? Okay, then this would be a good chance to give it a try. Great, I'm glad you're interested. Say, can I give you some free advice? Because you've got a movie with sub-titles, you're going to want to get the extra-large popcorn. It costs a little more but you'll be glad you got it. After all, you're not just watching the movie, you're doing all that reading, too. So you're going to work up a bigger appetite than you would at your usual films. I'm sure there's been studies done about just this sort of thing.

"No problem. I know you'll have a fun time. Me? I'm JT Yorke… I own the place. You're welcome. You have a good day, too."

As JT hung up the phone, he took a deep breath. He'd gotten through the call without a problem. Instincts kicked in and he wasn't thinking about anything but helping the caller…and encouraging the purchase of higher-priced snack items. He started to think that maybe this would all work out after all.

Back at Spike's office, Emma was now sitting in the chair on the other side of the desk from her mother.

"It's hard knowing where the line is," she remarked. "Showing concern and being protective without going too far and becoming overprotective and smothering."

"There's not a specific formula for success where that's concerned, Em," Spike explained. "Me and Snake know where that line is with each other. Most of the time. I'm sure you and JT do too or things wouldn't be as solid between you as they are.

"It's all a matter of doing your best at figuring out what works and what doesn't work for each of you. Sometimes you find the perfect balance. Sometimes you stumble and step on one another's toes. But it's all coming from a place of love and caring, so even the stumbles are the result of the best of intentions."

"I'd still rather make the mistake of overdoing it than feeling like I'm not doing enough to help," Emma remarked.

"That's not news," Spike teased. "That's a given. Say, what DID become of Johnny Sims, anyway?"

"Who?" Emma asked curiously.

"You mean that name doesn't ring a bell?"

Emma thought for a moment, then she realized what her mother was referring to and laughed.

"Mom, I hadn't thought about him in years. That was way back in Grade 3."

"The first week of the new term to be exact."

"I can't believe you remember," Emma said.

"Hey, getting a call from school saying that one's peace-loving daughter just punched out a boy during recess isn't something a mother is likely to forget."

"Hey, he kept bothering JT. Making fun of the fact that JT's two closest friends were me and Manny. Saying JT must be a girl too since we're who he was always hanging out with. Manny suggested we just ignore Johnny, and JT was trying to make a joke out of the situation. As for me? I decided on the more direct approach to dealing with the bully."

"Direct is right," Spike remarked. "Luckily his nose wasn't broken."

"Okay, I was young," Emma said. "I wasn't thinking about better ways to handle the situation. But even now I have to admit that a bloody nose was the least Johnny deserved. Anyway, he didn't bother JT after that, and JT both enjoyed and appreciated my going into attack-mode."

"I remember trying to sound shocked and concerned while I was on the phone with the principal, but all I could think was 'Way to go, Em!' I liked that you were willing to step up and defend your friend. Not an attitude that was going to win me Mother Of The Year, but so be it."

Mother and daughter both laughed.

"It wasn't like the school ever thought that highly of me to begin with," Spike then added. "Back when I first enrolled you, they assumed I was your older sister. And they had difficulty hiding the judgmental expressions on their faces when I informed them that you were my daughter."

"The nerve of some people…" Emma responded.

"I know," Spike agreed. "But by then, I'd gotten good at not letting attitudes like that bother me."

"You know, last week JT and I agreed not to feel guilty about the things that happen that are out of our control. But being there the other week to do some serious damage to Jay Hogart? That would have been nice."

"No doubt."

"And I'm certain JT is having a good first day back," Emma said. "Still, I'll feel a lot better once he's made it through that particular hurdle."

Later on that morning, employees made their way into TMD before it was time to open up the theater to customers. They soon gathered together in JT's office to welcome him back. JT felt a sense of relief as they were all pleased that he had returned. After a few minutes they left the room to go about their daily routines, but Spinner stayed behind to talk to him.

"It's about time you stopped being so lazy and got back to work," Spinner kidded him. "Being temporary overlord around here wasn't easy. I think I'm starting to get some gray hairs."

JT hesitated for a moment, but then he smiled, feeling like maybe he COULD start to joke around in this room again.

"Uh-oh," JT responded, using the same joking tone. "Does that mean you're going to go get another bad dye job?"

"Hey, I could always try putting some of that special popcorn butter on my head," Spinner remarked, "but I bet it would make all my hair fall out."

"Yeah, bad idea. Besides, we've gotta save all those toxic chemicals for our customers' popcorn."

Right after he made that last comment, JT stopped smiling.

"That is…if we even get more than one or two customers today."

Spinner saw that JT was no longer kidding around so he too became more serious.

"Hey, haven't I been telling you how we're still getting the same business as always while you've been gone?" Spinner reminded him. "Since you're back you'll be able to see it for yourself. I don't think there's any customers too afraid to come here. And there won't be."

"Maybe you're right," JT commented. "I've already had a few phone calls this morning asking what we're showing. I guess I'm just being paranoid."

"Well you don't have anything to worry about. And now I've got some ideas I think you're gonna like."

"Spin, I've told you before…installing pay toilets to make more money would not be customer-friendly."

"No, this is something different."

Before Spinner could elaborate, a new figure appeared in the doorway and interrupted their conversation.

"Welcome back. It's good to finally see you behind the desk again."

JT and Spinner looked toward the door in time to see Patrick walking in.

"We'd welcome you back too," Spinner responded to him sarcastically, "but nobody around here cares."

"Okay Spin…" JT interjected. "That's enough of that. Thanks, Pat. It's good to be here…or anywhere for that matter. Spin, could you leave us alone?"

"But I thought we were gonna talk about…"

"Thanks," JT interrupted before Spinner could finish. "But don't shut the door open on your way out."

"Um…yeah. Okay."

Feeling left out, Spinner vacated the office – something that made Patrick quite happy.

"With you back, things can finally go back to normal around here," Patrick said confidently once he and JT were alone.

"How would you know?" JT questioned as Patrick took a seat.

"What?" Patrick asked in surprise.

"You were never here while I was gone," JT elaborated. "So you can't really say what things were like around here."

"Come on, JT. Okay, I get that the pain medication must have made you all crazy."

"I prefer the term 'loopy,'" JT said dryly.

"Anyway," Patrick continued undeterred, "because of that, I can kind of see why you had the insane idea of letting HIM handle things. Maybe it also had a little to do with you feeling grateful for his help the night everything happened. But still…you can't be surprised that I wouldn't want to work here while he was trying to call the shots."

Before saying anything in response, JT thought about how this wasn't a conversation he wanted to have on this particular day. He wasn't sure if he was up to it, but he also knew there were things he needed to say.

"I know you didn't like the idea of me hiring Spin in the first place," he then began. "But I'm glad I did. Not just because he ended up saving my life but because he's damn good at doing anything I need him to do around here. Sure, he messes up sometimes. But so do I. So does everyone around here, including you. But he's always trying. Giving 100 percent.

"I'm glad Spinner agreed to help keep an eye on things while I was recovering. We joke around with each other all the time, but I knew he'd be up to it. And he was. You don't like that or you don't like him? Fine. But it's still your job to be here when you're scheduled to be here, and we both know you weren't really sick all that time. I mean, you were still working over at your folks' place."

"Hold on…"

"No," JT stopped him. "You hold on. Besides being a friend, Spinner is someone I can rely on. You disrespected him. And around here, anyone who disrespects him is disrespecting me, too. I've been thinking it over and…"

"Thinking what over?"

"You don't like the choices I've been making. And I need people here I can count on. And you're not that person anymore. And…you're fired."

Patrick looked at JT in disbelief.

"Fired?"

JT opened the bottom left drawer of his desk and pulled out a bag.

"I was told the stuff in here belongs to you," JT said as he handed the bag over to Patrick. "Things of yours that Liberty left here when I was still in the hospital."

"Okay, now I get it," Patrick spoke up. "This isn't about business at all. This is about Liberty. What? Did she ask you to fire me as some sort of payback?"

"No. But I heard about what happened with you two. I know I've done some stupid stuff to hurt her feelings more than once. But at least when I did it, I was just a kid. What's your excuse?"

Patrick started to respond, but before he could JT held up his hand.

"Nope," JT said. "I changed my mind. I don't want to hear any excuses. Like I said, me firing you was business, not any kind of personal matters."

"Yeah, right," Patrick remarked cynically.

"Oh, trust me, it makes doing all this easier. But if this WAS because of how you treated Liberty, I wouldn't have had Spinner leave the room like I did in order to make things easier and more private for you right now. Actually, if I really wanted to make this about how you treated Liberty, I probably would've just fired you over the phone and made sure nobody let you back in the building again."

"Some friend you are," Patrick said, sounding more like a child not getting his way than a young man.

"Can't you think of a less boring response?" JT asked sarcastically.

Bag in hand, Patrick got up and walked out of the office. He stormed past Spinner, who was standing against the wall near the office, having eavesdropped on the entire conversation.

Initially thinking that he was being kept out of the loop, Spinner was relieved – and more than a little surprised – to learn how wrong he was. Just within the past year, Paige had broken up with him and left town, he'd gotten fired from one dead-end job after another, and the band had come to an end. But here, he was finally able to feel like he was a part of something again. He'd been able to show that he could do important things without screwing it all up. Though he thought things were going well, JT had now unknowingly confirmed this for him.

Spinner also realized that he was eager to call up Liberty once he went on break so he could share the good feeling with her.

The day continued normally. Then, early in the afternoon JT phoned Emma. She listened as he explained having to fire Patrick.

"I never thought I was going to have to be one of those bosses that actually fired someone," JT lamented. "Even if he did deserve it."

Emma smiled at JT's overly optimistic notion that he'd never planned on having employee difficulties.

"I'm sure you wouldn't have done it if it weren't necessary," she offered.

"True," he responded.

"How's the rest of your day going?"

"Took a few phone calls. Read over some of the mail. It's already been sorted, so I'm only having to deal with the important stuff. Got through a tiny bit of one stack of the papers on my desk. Mostly I've just been trying to get comfortable being back."

"And are you?" she asked.

"Some," JT answered. "Not all the way. But I'm getting there."

"I never doubted it for a minute. Worried a little. Okay, maybe more than a little. But never doubted."

"That's good to know," he responded, happy to hear her say that. "Anyway, I'm on my way home in a few minutes."

"Are you okay?"

"Yeah. Spin was in here a few minutes ago. He'd come up with some ideas to make things safer around here."

"And that did you in?"

"No, but while he was here he said I was looking really worn out. Which I am. I was just hoping it wouldn't show."

"It's your first day doing so much. I'm not surprised that you're tired."

"I was going to try to keep going. But Spin said if I didn't agree to take it easy the rest of the day, he was going to get both you and Liberty to come over here to give me some sort of tag-team lecture on the importance of good health and not taking any chances with it."

That made Emma laugh.

"I'm glad you've got people there making sure you won't try to overdo it," she then said. "After all, it's in your nature to get a bit carried away at times."

"And all these years I thought you liked that about me," JT joked.

"I love it," Emma confirmed. "But not when your health is concerned."

"Well, there's one thing you could do that would make me really feel great."

"And what would that be?"

"You can meet me at my place in ten minutes. If I'm going to take it easy, it'll be more fun if we're being lazy together."

"Sounds awfully demanding," she teased.

"Yeah, it's horrible," he said, playing along.

"I suppose I can be over in ten minutes. For the sake of maintaining your health of course. Not because I'd be incredibly eager to see you or anything like that."

"Of course not," JT joked. "See you in a few."

After putting down the phone, JT looked around the room as he continued to sit at his desk.

He still felt a little shaky about being there, but things were getting better. He felt good about this day. People were pleased that he was back. They were still getting customers. He survived the unpleasant situation of having to fire a former friend. And Spinner was apparently determined that nothing else bad was going to happen to JT around there as far as he was concerned.

Ready to leave, JT first opened the top desk drawer. He pulled out the small box that was sitting inside and opened it. This was the first time since Jay's unwelcome interruption nearly two weeks earlier that he'd gotten to look at the ring.

JT studied the object. The temptation was there. So was the motivation.

He closed the box and stood up. But instead of taking the box with him, he placed it back in his desk and shut the drawer.

Sure, the temptation was there. And the motivation. But HE wasn't there yet. Not fully. But he was confident. Again, things were getting better.

This had been a good day. And now that he was about to go spend time with his favorite person, it was shaping up to be a great day.