Cry To Me

Seth slipped his letter opener through the flap of the delicate envelope. There was no return address, and the handwriting wasn't familiar to him. His curiosity had been peaked and he unfolded the letter eagerly.

Dr. Hazlitt,

You'll no doubt remember me from my visit to Cabot Cove this spring. I have no words to express my sorrow and shame at my stepson's misguided attempt to murder Jessica and frame me for the crime. I know as well as anybody how empty words can be, but I hope you'll accept my sincere apology.

Likewise I hope you'll excuse this letter, but Jessica, and you, have been on my mind a great deal these past few months. Though I didn't know Jessica personally before this and though our time together was short, I've come to admire her a great deal. Her belief in me, in spite of the shabby way I treated her, was humbling. I've taken time away from my work, from the media, to rest, and hopefully to regain some semblance of myself. My real self, not the petty, stylized version you encountered.

But, I'm meandering when I had intended to come straight to the point. The reason for my letter, Dr. Hazlitt, is to inform you of something. Something I believe to be true, though I have no evidence apart from my own observations and from the little time I spent in Jessica's company.

She confessed to me that she cares for you. Her exact words were "A man that I care very deeply for almost died today, very possibly the victim of an attempted murder aimed at me." When I pressed her, she refused to say more. She was terribly shaken, and terribly, terribly angry.

I know I can never make amends for what Bobby did, for what I, in my pride and ignorance, drove him to do, but I hope, in sharing this confidence with you, that something good can come out of such a dreadful situation.

My sincere regards,

Eudora

"Doc? Doc?"

Seth jumped in his chair. "I didn't hear you, Beverly."

"I should say not, as deep into that letter as you were. Who's it from?"

"No one."

"Hmph. Sure seems to be interesting to you, Doc. What's no one have to say?" She ignored the look he gave her. "I wanted to go over next week's appointment schedule with you."

Seth stood abruptly, his chair spinning. "I can't right now, Beverly. There's something I have to do."

"But Doc, you've got patients yet to see today."

Seth shrugged into his light summer blazer. "I'm sorry, Beverly. I just have to go right now. Tell 'em I'll squeeze 'em in tomorrow."

He left like the law was chasin' him, thought Beverly acidly. What on earth could he be running toward? She stared idly at his desk. He'd let the letter flutter from his hand as he stood, and it landed in a perfect spot on his desk. Beverly wasn't a snoop, but it couldn't be private, could it? Not when he'd just left it out like any old bill from the water company. What harm could it do? Beverly gasped as her eyes traveled the fine script of the letter. "It's about time," she said triumphantly. If a letter from that awful woman was what brought the Doc and Jess together after all this time, then who was she to complain? She'd give him a day to get this sorted, then she'd tip off the girls at Loretta's.

Seth didn't give himself a chance to talk himself out of it. He'd go over there and get the lay of the land. Jessica had been acting differently lately, though he wasn't so full of himself that he attributed those changes to him. But now, with Eudora's letter… He'd seen the woman on her way out of town. Chastened was the best way to describe her. All the fight had gone out of her. He couldn't believe she'd be so cruel as to write that letter with malicious intent. You don't want to believe it, more like. He grunted as he pulled into her driveway. Now or never, Hazlitt.

He heard the music even before his hand touched the handle. Rhythmic bass and a steady drum beat. The tune sounded familiar. He opened the back door and poked his head in cautiously. She wasn't in the kitchen, so he walked through to the living room.

When your baby

Leaves you all alone

And nobody

Calls you on the phone

Don't you feel like cryin'

Well here I am honey

Come on, cry to me

Jessica was dancing alone to the music and Seth couldn't take his eyes off the rhythmic sway of her hips. She was taking a break from cleaning; her hair was tied in that red bandana he loved and she was wearing shorts and an old t-shirt. She'd be upset with him for sure when she noticed him, but Seth couldn't find it in himself to be bothered about that. He'd make it up to her.

She jumped as she turned and caught sight of him, her hand going immediately to her hair. "Seth! You startled me. What are you doing here?"

"I just stopped by to see you."

"But it's the middle of the day! Don't you have patients?"

"Not exactly."

Jessica furrowed her brow. "What do you mean, not exactly? Seth, what's going on?"

He gestured to the stereo. "Could we start that song over again? I wouldn't mind dancing with you, Jess, if you've no objection."

"Are you trying to tell me something?"

"You might say that, Jess. Whatever it is, I think it'll be easier if we're dancing." He cleared his throat. "I like that tune."

"You're not…you're not ill, are you?"

Seth stepped closer to her. "No, no, Jess. I'm fine. I promise. I just…couldn't we dance just once this afternoon?"

Jessica walked to the stereo and lifted the needle, placing it at the beginning of the song. The music filled the room, and Seth took her in his arms.

Having her in his arms was almost too much, but he resisted the urge to press her to him. Instead, he concentrated on the steps. It had been some time since he'd danced to a tune like this with a woman like Jessica. He wanted to get it right. After the initial awkwardness, Jessica relaxed into his arms and they moved smoothly around the room. He twirled and dipped her and they were both laughing as the song ended. He allowed his hands to slide down Jessica's arms and he grasped her hands in his.

"Could we sit down for a bit?"

Jessica nodded and, dropping one of his hands, led them to the couch. Seth let Jessica sit first, then he sat down beside her, turned slightly so that he could see her face. His heart was racing and he took a slow, deep breath.

"Seth, what is it? You're worrying me."

He risked a gentle hand to her face, smoothing the line of worry from her brow. "I'm sorry, Jess. I didn't anticipate how hard it would be to tell you."

"Tell me what, Seth? Whatever it is, I can handle it. Just tell me!"

He let his hand trace down her cheek to her lip, which she was biting. He stroked it, gently, and tears gathered in her eyes. "May I?" he whispered. She nodded, and he leaned close to kiss her. The feel of her smooth, warm lips against his was electric, and he was afraid he might get carried away. It had been so long, and he loved her so much. When he made to draw away from her, Jessica smoothed her hands up his chest and around his neck and drew him more closely to her, deepening their kisses. When they finally broke apart, Jessica grinned at him sheepishly. He took her hand in his and pressed it to his lips.

"Jessica, that was…"

"Alright?" she asked saucily.

"I'm not going to want to leave," he said quietly.

"I might not let you leave."

Seth's eyes widened. "What I came here to tell you, Jess, is that I love you. I have for quite some time now."

Jessica nodded gravely. "I know."

"You do?"

"I suspected. Now I know." Jessica was quiet for a long moment, and Seth was afraid to interrupt her thoughts. He could only pray that they matched his own. "That song I was playing when you came in. Do you know it?"

"I recognize it, but I can't say it's all that familiar."

She looked at him, those deep blue eyes piercing him. "It's a song that Frank and I used to dance to quite often at home. It was a favorite of mine, and he joined in because he knew I loved it so. I was dancing to it this afternoon, reminiscing, and well, sort of talking things over with Frank."

Seth's heart sank. He was afraid of what he might hear next, but at least he'd know where he stood. Perhaps he could put their friendship back together.

"I was trying to tell him that something had changed for me. Something I never thought would change. I love Frank. I love him, and I always will. And I never thought there would be room in my heart for someone else. But I was wrong," she whispered.

"Were you?" Seth's voice broke.

Jessica nodded. "I was, Seth. When you were in the ICU and we weren't sure what was wrong or whether you'd survive, I was so afraid. So afraid, and so angry. Angry with myself that I'd never told you how I felt. Never told you that I love you."

"Oh, Jess," he whispered and he dashed the tears from his eyes.

"I felt such peace, Seth. Such peace. And when you walked through the door, it was a sign."

"And then I scared you." He laughed.

"You did," agreed Jessica, "but I began to suspect what was going to happen when you took me in your arms. I love you, Seth." Jessica gathered him in her arms and he buried his face in her neck. He wanted to weep, to shout, to throw her over his shoulder and carry her upstairs. Instead, he took a few deep breaths, then kissed her neck.

"I love you, Jessica. I love you, and I couldn't wait any longer to tell you." He'd tell her about the letter. Better yet, he'd show it to her later. But for now, he wanted only to know the feel of his beloved in his arms and the warmth of her lips pressed against his.

A/N: Cry To Me was written and recorded by Solomon Burke, and I can easily see Seth and Jessica dancing to it in her living room or anywhere else. I continue to be fascinated by Mirror, Mirror and the myriad ways I can imagine Jessica and Seth becoming a couple from that point. Thanks to Laurawritesfiction for the idea! Updated to fix a few typos...grr.