I'm Confessin'

A/N: Doing multiple takes on one episode brought Mirror, Mirror back to my mind. It's a popular thought experiment for MSW fans for good reason. Here's another look at what might have happened between them after Seth recovered from being poisoned.

Sunday

"Sure you don't wanna talk about it?"

Seth fixed him with a pointed stare. "Do you?"

Mort shifted from one foot to another. "I'd rather have surgery without the anesthetic."

Seth grunted and busied himself by collecting some loose papers on his desk.

Mort's next words came out in a rush. "She's not gonna press charges, just so you know."

Seth's head jerked up, his eyes wide with shock. "Charges?"

Mort nodded. "And she managed to calm Maeve down."

"You make one mistake in this town."

"It was more than just a little mistake, Doc. It was a drunk and disorderly."

"Well. You and Andy got there in time."

"And a good thing we did, too."

"Just what did you think was going to happen, Sheriff?"

"I thought Maeve was gonna brain you with Mrs. F's frying pan."

Seth smiled tightly. "All's well that ends well."

"Is it?"

"What?"

"Is it over?"

Seth nodded. "She made sure of that," he said quietly.

"I'm sorry, Doc."

"No matter," boomed Seth, then he stood abruptly. "Now, unless you want a booster, which I'd be more than happy to administer, I suggest you get right on out of here."

Mort threw a casual salute. "See ya 'round, Doc."

Seth nodded as he watched Mort ease out the door. "It's over," muttered Seth. "Before it even began."

Tuesday

Jessica opened the door to Loretta's. "Good morning, everyone!" It hadn't escaped her notice that the beauty shop went completely silent as she walked through the door. "I'm not early, am I, Loretta?"

"No, not at all," scrambled Loretta. "I was just finishing up Phyllis' set. Go on and have a seat." She gestured toward an empty chair.

Jessica nodded politely and sat in the chair. "Beverly," she said with a smile.

"Jessica."

She'd expected Beverly to be frosty, but it irked her nonetheless. None of this was her fault. She'd tried to keep things calm, keep things quiet, but Maeve was boiling. It almost made Jessica think…she shook her head involuntarily. That couldn't be right. She knew Mort was a vault, but she wasn't so sure about Andy, and it turned out her suspicions had been correct. He let it slip Sunday morning in the diner. Corinne got wind of it and told it to Loretta and Eve and…well. What difference did it make who told it to whom? The point was it was out. Seth looked foolish and she looked…like a harpy, she supposed. She glanced at Beverly, who quickly turned away.

"How's the doc, Jessica?" asked Eve brightly.

Loretta threw her an evil look. "When's your next trip, Jessica?"

"Trip?" asked Beverly.

"I'm leaving for Boston, then New York."

"It's for the new book, right?"

Jessica nodded.

Loretta put a hand on Phyllis' shoulder. "You're all done, Phyllis." She smiled at Phyllis' reflection, then turned to Jess. "Corinne'll shampoo you while I take care of Phyllis up front."

The women watched as Jessica walked toward the back where Corinne was waiting at one of the shampoo bowls. Loretta smiled again at Jessica as she leaned back in the chair.

"What was that all about?" she hissed at Eve.

"I didn't do anything!" protested Eve. "I just asked a simple question."

"Simple question! Well, don't ask anymore." Loretta turned to Beverly and pointed. "And you! Don't antagonize Jessica. I'm sure she feels bad enough."

Loretta sighed as she walked Phyllis to the front. "Everything will settle down soon, Loretta. You know Eve." She smiled. "And Beverly'll get over it. You know how sensitive she is about the doc." Loretta smiled. "This trip's just the thing." Phyllis nodded sagely. "Jessica's publisher arranges all the travel once she gets to Boston, but Jessica never forgets to have them book her Maine travel through me. She's a kind woman."

Loretta nodded. "She is. And you and I know how she feels about the doc." Loretta looked pointedly at Phyllis, who nodded in agreement.

"I'd say she's just embarrassed. That's all. Once she gets back from this trip, it'll all be sorted between them. You'll see."

"She leaves next week?"

"This Friday, actually." Phyllis furrowed her brow. "That reminds me. I'd better book her a taxi from here to Portland. I doubt Doc'll drive her this time." She winked at Loretta. "But he just might pick her up!"

"I sure hope so. You'll think it's silly, but I've always thought those two made a lovely couple."

Phyllis smiled and patted her hand. "See you next week?"

"Next week."

Wednesday night

Seth knew she was leaving Friday. He'd had it on his calendar for weeks now. She always did publicity for a new book in New York, and this time she'd asked them to add Boston also. There was a local book critic she liked down in Boston…Michelle, Marnie…he couldn't recollect her name. And this trip had been in the works for weeks now. She hadn't arranged a trip just to get away from him. But he couldn't deny she was avoiding him now. And she had good reason. He'd made an ass of himself. Publicly humiliated her and himself. He couldn't face her, and yet how could he let her leave town without saying goodbye?

"Bah." He swirled the Alka Seltzer he'd been taking nightly since this thing happened. Maybe he ought to let her leave town without saying goodbye. Give her a chance to cool off. She'd only be gone a few weeks. Maybe he could talk to her, really talk to her, when she got back.

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Jessica's hand hovered above the telephone. Again. Why couldn't she manage a simple phone call? Nothing's simple between you now, thought Jess. They'd just begun to acknowledge how they felt for one another. It was all so mixed up. She'd tried to ignore her changing feelings for Seth, then tried to rationalize them until his life had been in danger. Discovering him on the floor of her kitchen shocked the sense right into her.

She'd refused to leave the hospital, grateful when one of the nurses vouched for her and she was allowed to see him. He looked so pale, almost lifeless. He was always so energetic, so decided and stubborn. Just like you, Jessie. "Oh Frank," she whispered. "What am I going to do?"

Talk to him, Jess. Put the poor man out of his misery. She smiled in spite of herself. She couldn't quite make herself believe Frank was actually reaching out to her from beyond the grave, but it was a pleasant fantasy. He'd often remonstrated with her, gently, to live her life to the fullest after he was gone. He was a darling man, had been a loving husband. She felt tears pricking her eyelids. Seth was a loving man; she sensed the great heart he kept hidden beneath the bluster. She loved him, and she knew he loved her. Of course the whole town knew now. If only Maeve had been more reasonable! If only Andy had kept his counsel. She hugged herself, smoothing her hands up and down her arms. She should be packing, but she thought she just might be ready to make a telephone call.

Saturday night (or, when all the trouble began)

Seth sipped his whiskey. Was it his second or third? He couldn't quite remember. He remembered coming home from Jessica's, frustrated again at his inability to talk to her, to tell her how he really felt, to confirm how he suspected she felt, but his tongue wouldn't unstick from the roof of his mouth. He'd come home, dispirited, put a stack of records on the turntable, and poured himself a whiskey.

Maybe he was too old, he thought, then quickly dismissed it. His mind may categorize him as old, but his body had him revved up like a teenager. Only this morning he'd woken from a dream about Jessica. He took another sip. He was direct, forthright. He never had any qualms about calling a spade a spade. So why couldn't he just tell her how he felt?

He woke with a start. He was in his recliner, and Rosemary Clooney was singing one of his favorite songs. Why couldn't he? Why couldn't he just walk right over to her place and tell her how he felt? In his own way. Wasn't more than a ten-minute walk, and the night was fine. He struggled to get up from the recliner. Once he stood up, he wobbled just a bit. He remembered what one of his mates in the RAF used to say to him. "Steady on, old chap. Steady on." He made his way to the bathroom. May as well spruce up a bit. Who knew what the night might hold?

"Jessica. Jessica!" Her windows were dark. What time was it, anyway? He glanced at the newfangled wristwatch Margie had given him for Christmas. He'd scoffed at the digital face that glowed in the dark, but he was grateful for it now. 10:45. Not too late. Besides, her nearest neighbor anymore was Maeve. Maeve liked him alright. Thought he was a charming fellow. She wouldn't mind if he made a tiny bit of noise. He remembered now he had his flashlight. Good. He flicked it back on and scoured the ground for pebbles. Wasn't that how Romeo had done it? Cyrano de Bergerac? He found some loose gravel and tossed it at Jessica's window.

He risked raising his voice. "Jess?" Maybe a few more pebbles. He heard them hit the side of the house. His aim sure wasn't what it used to be. "Jessica?" He heard the sound of a window sliding open.

"Seth?"

"It's me, Jess."

"What are you doing here?"

"I came to see you."

"Well why didn't you come in through the back door?"

"That door's s'posed to be locked, Jessica!"

"Keep your voice down! It is, and you have a key."

"I couldn't let myself into your house at this time of night!"

Jessica bit back the urge to laugh. "What do you want, Seth?"

That was the question, wasn't it? The 64 question? He knew exactly what he wanted…but how to tell her. It came to him in a flash.

I'm confessin' that I love you

Tell me, do you love me too?

I'm confessin' that I need you

Honest I do, need you every moment

Jessica looked as though she were going to come downstairs, and Seth didn't want that. Not yet. "No, wait, Jess. Lemme finish. I want to tell you how I feel. i need to."

In your eyes I read such strange things

But your lips deny they're true

Will your answer really change things

Making me blue?

Jessica was a mass of conflicting emotions: fear, anger, love, embarrassment, desire. She didn't know what to do. In the distance she could hear Maeve's dog howling right along with Seth.

I'm afraid some day you'll leave me

Saying "can't we still be friends"

When you go, you know you'll grieve me

All my life on you depends

"I've been thinking of you, Jess. Dreaming of you. I know I'm not maybe as handsome or anything. Certainly not as rich as some of those fellas I've seen you with. But I love you, Jess. I love you more than they ever could. More than they ever will."

In the distance, she could see blue lights flashing, but mercifully no siren. She turned quickly to retrieve her robe.

"Don't leave, Jess!"

Oh am I guessin' that you love me

Dreaming dreams of you in vain

I'm confessin' that I love you, all over again

Honest I do

I really love you

You know that I do

Seth was so busy warbling the final notes that he didn't hear the cruiser pull up behind him. He definitely heard the squeak of the door as Mort exited the vehicle.

"What's going on, Doc?"

Seth turned, smoothing his hair as he did. "I'm just having a conversation with Jessica. A private conversation," he said and drew himself up to at least his fuller height.

Mort swallowed a laugh and shot a warning glance at Andy, whose eyes were bigger than dinner plates. The young deputy was still at the age where it was inconceivable that anyone over thirty had a heart, much less feelings.

"Mort," called Jessica, but her greeting was drowned out by the yapping of a dog and his furious mistress.

"It's about time you got here, Sheriff!" wheezed Maeve. "Good folk like Jessica and me are in bed this time of night." She whirled on Seth. "Just what in the nation do you think you're doing out here, might I ask?"

Seth made her a courtly bow. "You may ask, dear lady, but I'll never tell." He looked at Jessica and winked.

"Sheriff," began Jessica.

Maeve moved quickly to her side. "Now, Jessica. Don't go making excuses for him." She wrinkled her nose. "It's clear he's stinking drunk, and he's woken the neighborhood to boot!" She looked down at her dog. "Why, I'll never be able to calm Churchill down after this."

Seth snorted, while Mort and Jessica turned their faces.

Mort recovered first. "Now, Doc. Be a sport and let us drive you home."

"I walked over to talk to Jessica."

"Talk?" shrieked Maeve. "I could hear your caterwauling clear over to my place."

"Caterwauling?" Seth turned to Jessica. "Is that what you think?"

Jessica opened her mouth, but Maeve was in full sail. "Of course that's what she thinks! She's just too polite to say anything! What could she say…the way you follow along after her like a lost puppy."

"Maeve!" said Jessica sharply.

Mort had Seth by the elbow. "Come on, Doc. Let's get you home."

"Home? You should take him over to the jail and let him dry out overnight!"

"That's enough," said Mort firmly.

"I'll be calling your office tomorrow," said Maeve. "At a decent hour," she said, looking at Seth pointedly.

Seth threw one last glance at Jessica, then let Mort help him into the backseat of the cruiser. His last look at Jessica had been her with an arm around Maeve, trying to get her to settle down. He leaned his head against the cool glass. What did the kids say? He blew it.

Wednesday night (a few minutes after Jessica has finally scrounged up the courage to phone Seth)

"Seth?"

"Jessica?"

"Yes," she said, unnecessarily.

"I hope you'll let me apologize."

"It's not me you have to apologize to."

"If you think I'm gonna—" He drew in a sharp breath and swallowed his retort. If the price for having Jessica back in his life was apologizing to Maeve, he'd do it. He'd even cook a ribeye for Churchill. "I'm sorry, Jess. Of course you're right."

"Seth?"

"Yes?"

"How often do you…" She sighed. "How often do you drink like that?"

"Almost never, Jess. I made a mistake, and I hope you can forgive me. I know I embarrassed you."

"You did."

Seth's heart sank. "It won't happen again."

"I don't think it will."

"What do you mean?"

"I mean I don't think you'll need to resort to…what do they call it? Liquid courage? Is that right?"

"A-yuh," breathed Seth.

"Well," said Jessica briskly. "I don't think you'll have to resort to liquid courage anymore. I've been afraid too, Seth. Afraid to tell you the truth."

Here it comes, he thought. He just hoped she made it quick.

I'm confessin' that I love you

Honest I do

I really love you

You know that I do

Tears pooled in Seth's eyes as her voice trailed off. How had he not known she had such a lovely singing voice? He could listen to her sing all day. "Jessica, are you…Does this mean…"

"It means I love you, too. I've just been too afraid to let you know how I feel. You were right, you know."

"Was I?"

Jessica smiled. "You were. I have been working too hard. Running, really. Running so that I don't have to think about what's missing in my life. What I could have. What we could have, together. I've been afraid, Seth."

"Me too, Jessica."

She gripped the phone tighter in her hand. "If we do this, there's no going back. Do you understand?"

"I do, Jess. It's the same for me."

"I almost lost you once. I can't do it again. I won't."

"You won't lose me, woman. I can almost guarantee it."

"Almost?"

"Well, I like to think I have some god-like powers…"

Jessica laughed. "I love you, Seth."

"I love you, too."

"What do we do now?"

Seth barked a laugh. He had plenty of ideas, but none of them were the least bit appropriate. "How 'bout we start with breakfast?"

"Alright. Are you walking over or driving tonight?"

Seth's eyebrows disappeared into his hairline. "What?"

"Relax, Seth. I'm teasing. For now. I do have to go out of town for a few weeks."

"A-yuh. Will you let me drive you to the station?"

"You took the words right out of my mouth. Let's say good night now, darling."

Oh, I could get used to that. "Good night, Jess. Sweet dreams. I'll see you in the morning."

"Sweet dreams."

"You can be sure of that, Jess. Night."

"Good night." She put the phone gently in its cradle. She was going to relish these feelings of anticipation and excitement. She locked the back door, then turned out the kitchen light. As she made her way upstairs, she hummed to herself.

I'm confessin' that I love you, all over again

"I love you, Frank. Thank you for helping me realize that I'm in love with Seth." She paused on the stairs to look at his picture on the mantle. She blew him a kiss. "Thank you, dear heart."

A/N: This one shot grew out of a conversation with KarlieQ. Hope you enjoy it!