Show: Stargirl
Title: Opening Up
Rating: T
Synopsis: While taking the Crocks back to jail, Courtney admits she spoke to Shade at the bookstore. Pat demands to know what all was said and if she is really all right after everything that has happened.
It was early evening and Pat Dugan was driving the Crocks back to jail with his stepdaughter, Courtney by his side in the passenger seat. The Crocks sat side by side in the back. They had each promised not to say a word the entire drive.
Noticing how quiet Courtney was acting, Pat shot her a worried glance and asked, "You sure you're okay?"
Courtney glanced in his direction and sighed. "I was at a bookstore looking for information on that Gordon guy when I was confronted by The Shade." She admitted in a soft voice.
"Wait...what?!" "He asked as he screeched the car to a halt in shock. "Are you okay?"
"Yes, I'm fine." She said. "He wants me and the other JSA members to back off and let him take down Eclypso and get rid of the black diamond."
Meeting her eyes with his own, Pat said, "No. We can't trust that he will really get rid of it. He may decide to team up with Eclypso after he gets his hands on the diamond." He started to drive again toward the jail.
They drove the rest of the way to jail and then Pat ushered the Crocks up to the guard and then turned back to leave. He walked back toward his car, where Courtney chose to patiently wait for him. He got back into his car, and they started to head home.
"If it weren't for how he made me feel, I would agree with you," Courtney said in a small voice. She sounded scared.
Pat pulled the car over to the side of the car and then placed his full attention on his daughter. "How did he make you feel?" He asked in a soft tone. Noticing she moved slightly closer to him, he draped an arm around her shoulders. This gave him a hint at what she was about to say which made him sigh. "He scared you, didn't he?"
Looking at him with her eyes welling up with tears, she nodded. "Yes." She let out a soft, yet shaky sigh. "He sounded so threatening. It is the first time I've ever been scared since this whole thing began." She said.
"Courtney, you are not alone. We are all part of the same team." Pat said. He then pulled her closer and gave her a hug.
The moment he hugged her, she began to softly sob. Pat held her even tighter, letting Courtney sob until she calmed down. As soon as she did, he slowly let her go but made sure he kept one arm around her until he was sure she was all right.