Author's Notes: This episode is the biggest change in the timeline. Such a big change that I couldn't keep the original name of the episode "Queen of Hearts". This will focus on Sean and Ellie's relationship and how it's slowly been… deteriorating in the background. So much so that neither one of them has noticed. I know a lot of Sellie shippers are gonna be mad at me for this but I'm making this choice for the sake of the characters and not the plot. The episode will explain my reasoning for why this is happening. And the B plot with Paige and Mr. Oleander will still occur but won't be touched on. We ALL know what happened there.
Also, before anyone asks, NO. Sean and Emma aren't getting back together. I'm doing what the show refused to do, let these two move on from each other. Besides, I have different plans for Sean's love life going forward.
That out of the way, here is the alternate episode replacing Queen of Hearts, Crazy For You.
Disclaimer: I own absolutely nothing but the alternate storyline going on. This is me just playing with timelines.
Ellie and Sean were asleep on the couch for the third time that week. They were surrounded by their schoolwork and some take-out containers. The place was a mess.
That mess was punctuated by their pet ferret Bueller crawling over them which woke Sean up first. He touches Ellie's shoulder to wake her up which works and the two scramble to get ready for school.
As Ellie tries to brush her teeth and check the refrigerator for anything for breakfast, Sean tries to grab Bueller and put him back in his pen. Ellie's quest leads to her spitting up expired orange juice while Sean's quest leads to Bueller biting his thumb.
"Ah! No! Bad Bueller!" Sean said almost like a disapproving parent as he tried to put Bueller in the pen.
"We're going need orange juice," Ellie said as she whipped her mouth.
"We can go shopping after school," Sean told her, not realizing he left Bueller's pen open.
"Don't you have therapy today?" Ellie asked as they grabbed their school stuff.
"Oh! Right. After." Sean said, his brain on autopilot.
"I also have to meet my mom for dinner." Ellie reminded Sean.
Sean winces. "Guess we're both busy today. Tomorrow, I promise."
The two of them made their way out of their apartment but they were greeted by their landlord when they opened the door.
"Mr. Martin," Ellie said as Sean saw him.
They both knew why he was there.
"Friday's end of the month." Mr. Martin said. "I need a check."
Sean pulls out a strip of paper from his bag. "Here's half. We'll have the rest by the end of the day."
"I'm getting it tonight from my mom," Ellie told the landlord. "You don't have to worry, sir."
"Just like I didn't have to worry last month?" Mr. Martin asked in a grouchy tone. "When you were late with the rent?"
"That's on me. I had the money but I just forgot to send it." Sean said sheepishly. "We got it this time. Promise."
Suddenly, the crackle of electricity and the chewing of wires is heard which catches the landlord's attention.
"You forget to pay the electric bill too?" Mr. Martin asked.
"Sorry. Our ferret likes-"
"You got a ferret here?" Mr. Martin asked, sounding annoyed.
"Did you forget to tell him?" Sean asked his girlfriend. "I thought you-"
They both realize something is wrong when they don't hear the chittering from the animal. They hear no noise at all.
"Bueller?" Ellie asked as Sean walked over to Ellie. He knew what was coming. "Oh, Bueller."
Sean sighs as he rubs her shoulders.
Opening Credits
While Ellie is watching as Jimmy, Marco, and Alex play cards, Sean walks over to the table. He seems a bit uncomfortable being around most of Ellie's friends.
"You named your ferret Bueller?" Alex teased.
"Alex, a heart. Try to find one." Jimmy remarked.
"She has one. It just has to restart, like the Tin Man." Sean replied.
Alex chuckles "You seem to be taking the death of your ferret well." Alex snarked.
"This is me coping. It sucks but… life goes on. It kinda has to." Sean replied.
"He's right. Life has to go on. Still gonna miss him." Ellie said as Sean rubbed her shoulders.
"Marco? Partner? The game's Euchre. Spades is up." Alex said, desperately trying to change the subject.
"I'll come over after school. We'll have a ceremony, a ferret funeral." Marco said to Sean and Ellie.
"I have my therapist appointment," Sean said. "Dr. Reynolds says I can't skip it."
"And I'm meeting Mom for dinner. An event promising to be as much fun as a ferret funeral." Ellie retorts.
"You two can't postpone?" Craig asked his friends. "Death in the family. It's a good excuse."
"I've already postponed twice this month. They're very particular about cancellations." Sean replied. "I'll meet Ellie at the restaurant as soon as my session is finished."
"And dinner plus Mom equals rent money," Ellie told him as the school bell rang.
Marco looks at the couple, both of them look sullen over everything that's been going on. He glanced at Ellie and said, "I'll come over after."
Ellie smiles weakly as she turns to a guilty Sean. She knew he felt guilty.
[This scene takes place after the scene at school between Paige, Mr. Oleander and Manny]
Outside of the backyard of a small home, Sean was watering the garden using a long hose. He had his hoodie off and was wiping the sweat from his brow.
A door to the back patio opens and a woman carries a glass of lemonade. She was a woman in her late 40s with short grayish-blonde hair and was a foot shorter than Sean. She used a cane to get around but was mostly an average person.
"Almost done there, Sean?" The woman asked.
"Just about. I put in some more soil for the hydrangeas and gave the roses a good watering." Sean said as she handed him the lemonade. "Not too much water, like you asked."
"My rambling roses appreciate the TLC." The woman said.
"I still don't get why you're making me garden. I'm much better under the hood of a car." Sean said after finishing the sip of his lemonade.
"Because I prefer to get you a bit out of your comfort zone. It makes it easier to open up." The woman replied. "Besides, Chantel said you were a car guy. Thought you could use a less greasy hobby."
"Of course," Sean said sarcastically. "Are we all done here? I have to go meet with Ellie. I don't like leaving her alone with her mom."
"I think Ellie will be fine for a little longer." The woman said. "You seem to take it upon yourself to protect everyone. Is that the reason you've been so accommodating?"
"I guess. I've always had to take care of myself, I like to help when I can." Sean said to the woman who is indeed his therapist Dr. Reynolds.
"Seems like that eagerness to help usually involves the fairer sex." Dr. Reynolds replied. "Particularly anyone you are in a romantic relationship with."
"If this is about me and Emma, that ship has long sailed. It sailed and got lost at sea." Sean explained.
"I am well aware of that. I'm talking about what's going on with you and Ellie." Dr. Reynolds replied. "You tell me you two have a good relationship but you barely bring her up."
"I- I don't know. There's nothing to tell. We talk. We can work things out when something goes wrong. We're… good." Sean told her.
"All good things… but you're bringing me in at the end of the movie." Dr. Reynolds said. "You said she had some problems before you two started dating, yes?"
"Yeah, her Mom is a recovering alcoholic… like my parents. She was struggling and I wanted to help her." Sean said. "That's why I asked her to move in with me."
Dr. Reynolds nods, "And you wanted to save her?"
Sean was caught by surprise at the statement. "Yeah."
"And you felt like you're the only one who can help her?"
Sean remained silent but his silence spoke volumes.
"That sounds a lot like codependency. Or more specifically, trauma bonding. You bonded over similar traumatic events and you thought you could build a relationship on that." Dr. Reynolds points out. "That's all you needed to build a stable relationship?"
Sean swallows hard. "But I love her."
Dr. Reynolds chuckles, "Look, a lot of people lose themselves in love. There's no shame in it. Heck, they write songs about it."
"I'm sensing a 'but' coming." He retorts.
"But… the thing is… you can't stay lost. Sooner or later, you have to get back to yourself." Dr. Reynolds replied.
Sean sighs "And if you can't?"
"If you can't… Well, love becomes your master and you're just its dog." Dr. Reynolds said.
Sean stands in stunned silence then he shakes off his stupor and grabs his hoodie. "I have to go meet Ellie. I'll see ya next week?"
"Absolutely, and please try to avoid canceling. My girls miss you when you aren't taking care of them." Dr. Reynolds said, referring to her flowers.
Sean nods and heads out through the backyard.
As he's walking out of Dr. Reynolds' house, Sean fails to notice Jay cruising on the street. He caught Sean in what seemed to be an awkward situation.
Jay smiles at a potential plan to ruin his former friend's life.
As Ellie sat with her mom at the table in the restaurant, the mother and daughter exchanged awkward glances. Ellie seemed as if she was hoping and praying Sean would arrive to save her from the awkwardness.
Mrs. Nash broke up the silence and reached for her purse. "It's 500, right?" She said as she handed Ellie a check.
"Rent's 540." Ellie reminded her mother. "Mom, you could always give me a few post-dated checks."
Mrs. Nash scoffs at this. "And miss my monthly dinner with my daughter and my future son-in-law?"
Ellie scrunched her face, feeling a bit embarrassed. "I wouldn't go that far."
"He is a little late. Is everything okay?" Mrs. Nash asked.
"Everything is fine. He's probably late because of therapy." Ellie assured her. "I'm sure he'll be soon."
Out of nowhere, Sean made his way over to the table and sat down next to Ellie. "Sorry I'm late. I wanted to shower before I got here." He plants a kiss on Ellie's cheek then and turns to face Mrs. Nash. "It's good to see you again, Mrs. Nash."
"It's good to see you too, Sean." Mrs. Nash greeted her daughter's boyfriend.
"Sorry for being so late. My therapy session went on a little too long." Sean apologized.
"It's quite alright. From what Ellie told me, you could use all the help you can get." Mrs. Nash replied.
"Mom!" Ellie exclaimed at her mother's curt response.
"No, she's right. I needed help. I got it." Sean said, doing his best to bite his tongue from saying what he wanted to say.
"I didn't mean any disrespect by it. I've been in group for three months." Mrs. Nash told the two. "I've been therapy'd out the wazoo."
Ellie forced a laugh to make Sean and her mom feel less uncomfortable.
"Since Ellie left, I haven't had a drink." Mrs. Nash told them.
"That's- that's good to hear, Mrs. Nash. Trust me, my parents did the same after I moved in with my brother," Sean said, halfway congratulating her.
"Is there a reason you're saying this?" Ellie asked, knowing what her mother might have on her mind.
"I know you two are in a good place. Living together." Mrs. Nash stated. "But I was thinking… this is up to you, Ellie. If you want to move back, I promise to keep it up."
Sean turns to face Ellie who scoffs and starts to get up from her seat.
"Sit." Mrs. Nash ordered.
"El, at least hear her out," Sean replied which surprised Ellie. "Please?"
Ellie exhales and sits back down. She waited for what her mom had to say to justify the offer.
"I miss you all the time. I want to talk about this." Mrs. Nash told her daughter.
Sean nods. He got the same thing from his mom while he was in Wasaga. He understood what she wanted.
Ellie however had enough. "We have to go. We told Marco we'd meet him."
As Ellie took the checks and put them in her bag, Mrs. Nash spoke again, "I'm different."
"Understand why I don't trust you on that one, Mom," Ellie said bitterly. She gets up to leave with Sean close behind her.
"I'm very sorry." Sean managed to say before leaving the restaurant.
Back at the outside of their apartment complex, Ellie and Marco were in front of a makeshift grave for Bueller made of stones. Sean kept his distance but was holding a small rock in his hand. He watches as Ellie throws a stone on the grave.
"Here lies Bueller Nash. I'm sorry I couldn't take care of you better." Ellie said tearfully. "Or longer. I'm just really sorry you're gone."
Marco hugs her as Sean slowly walks over and kneels next to Ellie. He gingerly placed the rock he was holding on the grave.
"Not good at eulogies but you were the best little guy. Safe travels." Sean said awkwardly.
Ellie smiles as she hugs Sean. She needed to hold him right now.
Marco glanced at Sean who noticed how distracted Sean was. Something was bothering him.
[This scene takes place after the scene with Paige and Mr Oleander at the movie theater. This will take the place of the one where Ellie expressed her loneliness over Sean being gone]
Marco was making tea on a kettle as Sean put a blanket over a now-sleeping Ellie. The day she had worn her out. He tried to give a mug of tea to Sean which he tried to reject.
"I'm not a tea drinker," Sean said, putting his hands up in refusal.
"No offense but I think you need this." Marco insisted. "Humor me."
Sean shakes his head and takes the mug. "Thanks."
"I usually ask Ellie this but… how are you doing?" Marco asked as the two sat at the kitchen table.
"I'm fine, I guess," Sean said. "Still trying to deal with what's going on in my head while I try to help Ellie. It hasn't been easy but I'm trying."
"And I thank you for that. I just- is it weird if I ask you something?" Marco asked.
Sean shrugged. "I guess. What do you want to know?"
"Are you sure you and Ellie are… okay?" Marco asked. "You've been going to therapy after the stuff with the shooting and you haven't been the same since then."
"I think you're probably the only one who noticed or cared, honestly," Sean told Marco. "Ellie cares but I don't want to dump everything on her. She's dealing with enough as it is."
"I know, can't believe her mom wants her to move back in with her," Marco said as Sean sipped on the tea.
Sean grimaced at the taste of the tea. "I was as surprised as you. I mean, I understand if she wants to move back. I also understand why she doesn't. Growing up with two alcoholic parents puts a lot into perspective."
"Is that why you let her move in? Because you wanted to protect her?" Marco asked.
Sean chuckles, "No offense, Del Rossi but I already have a therapist."
"I'm not trying to be your therapist. I'm trying to be a friend to both of you." Marco insisted. "Is there something else going on?"
"No. I just-" Sean sighs as he looks towards the sleeping girl. "Ellie is like no one else in the world. She makes me feel like I'm not the monster I thought I was. She treats me like a person."
"Then what's wrong?" Marco asked.
Sean exhales and looks at Marco. "I'm not sure she loves me. Or that if I've earned the right to be with her after everything has happened."
Marco is shocked by the statement as Sean hangs his head in shame. He puts a reassuring hand on his shoulder.
"Promise me you won't tell her. Please." Sean pleaded.
Marco smiles weakly, "You have my word."
Sean and Marco sat in silence for the rest of the night as the sound of traffic passing by on the street was the only noise heard.
[The next scene and everything else going forward will replace the Euchre stuff because it doesn't fit the narrative of where I'm going.]
The next morning at school, Ellie and Sean were walking to class as they passed by Marco who was at his locker.
"You two look a lot better than you did yesterday," Marco stated.
"A good night's rest does wonders. Wish Sean would try it." Ellie teased her boyfriend.
"I get enough sleep. Besides, too much sleep is bad for you." Sean teased back.
Marco smiles at this. Despite what Sean told him last night, they seem fine.
Suddenly, Ms. Sauve walks over to Sean and the others seem worried.
"Is everything okay, Ms. Sauve?" Marco asked.
"Did you mean for that to rhyme?" Ellie joked which made Marco groan.
"I'm sorry to interrupt but can I speak with you for a moment, Sean? It's rather urgent." Ms. Sauve asked.
"Umm, sure thing," Sean said, unsure what was going on. He looks over at Ellie. "I'll be back."
Ellie nods as Sean kisses her on the lips.
Sean follows Ms. Sauve down the hall, "What's going on?"
"I just got a call from Samantha. She told me she's going to have to reschedule your next appointment." Ms. Sauve told him.
"Is she okay?" Sean asked, genuinely concerned.
"Yes, she's fine. She just scheduled you on the same day as one of her more problematic patients. She wants to give her the undivided attention she needs." Ms. Sauve replied. "She said her next opening is tonight. After that, she's booked until next month."
"Oh. Okay. Tell her that's fine and I'll see her after school." Sean assured her.
"I'll be sure to tell her." Ms. Sauve said as Ellie and Marco watched the guidance counselor leave.
"Is everything okay?" Ellie asked.
"Yeah, Ms. Sauve said that my therapist had to change my next therapy session due to some… scheduling issues," Sean explained.
Ellie raised an eyebrow. "For when?"
"Today, after school," Sean told her.
"Wait, I thought Ms. Sauve was your therapist," Marco asked.
"She- she recommended me to one of her colleagues. Her old college professor. She thought she could use someone who isn't handling my problems and the rest of the school's problems." Sean explained.
"But now she has to reschedule?" Ellie asked, sounding a bit annoyed. "You could've just joined my group with Craig. Would've been easier."
"I prefer how Dr. Reynolds does it. The one on one sessions feel less… uncomfortable." Sean said, becoming increasingly unnerved.
"So you'd rather talk to a stranger than me?" Ellie asked.
"El?" Marco replied.
"That's not what I was saying." Sean insisted.
"Then what are you saying?" Ellie asked.
"I just don't want to dump everything on you, that's all. I thought you-" Sean said as the bell rang. "I'll be late for class. I'll see you at lunch?"
"Fine, if you even want to talk to me," Ellie said spitefully.
Sean shoots a glance at Marco and just shakes his head. He walks to class, leaving Ellie alone with her best friend.
[This next scene takes place after the scenes with Paige and Mr. Oleander. It's replacing this scene in the boiler room and it was the janitor who tried to open the closet door and not Craig]
Ellie sits alone at the Dot after school, she seems a little shaken up by what happened the last few days that she barely sips her latte. However, she isn't alone for long as someone sits in the seat in front of her.
"You look more mopey than usual."
Ellie looks up and sees Jay sitting in front of her. She glares at him. "You have about five seconds to get lost before you end up wearing this latte."
"I bring you some news and this is the thanks I get?" Jay feigned being offended.
"If it's the news that you're being shipped off to a prison colony, I'm not interested," Ellie said bitterly as she went to get up.
"It has something to do with your boyfriend. AKA my former best friend." Jay said, throwing out the bait.
This makes Ellie stop in her tracks as she turns to face him. "Even if I wanted to entertain any of this, why should I believe you?"
"I'm just looking out for my favorite redhead," Jay said in a sinister way. "I saw Sean come out of someone's house yesterday. It was too nice of a neighborhood for him to be in."
Ellie scoffs, "Nice try. Sean was probably at his therapist's place. He went to see her yesterday. Now if you'll excuse me-"
"He looked a little too sweaty and dirty to just be seeing his therapist," Jay said, smiling like the Cheshire Cat. "Almost like he was getting it on with someone behind your back."
Ellie recoils at what Jay said. She wanted to believe it was all lies but Sean had been a bit distant since coming back from Wasaga and getting mental help.
Then she remembered him saying he had to shower before he came to dinner with her and her mom. Could Jay be telling the truth?
"If you don't believe me, why don't you check his phone? Easy way to find out, Nash." Jay continued to menace her.
"He doesn't have a cellphone, jackass. He can't afford one." Ellie said bitterly.
"You sure. I saw him with one before he decided to cut me loose." Jay told her. "Said his 'therapist' gave it to him in case of emergencies. Sounds a little suspicious, don't you think?"
The shaken-up Ellie ignores him and leaves the cafe.
Jay leans back in his seat, proud of making Sean's life even more difficult.
Sean was sitting in a fancy-looking parlor room where he nervously tapped his feet as Dr. Reynolds entered the room and sat in the seat in front of him.
"I do appreciate that you came on such short notice." Dr. Reynolds replied. "I take it by your nervous tapping you had an eventful day today?"
Sean smiles at this, "You can always read me like a book, Doc."
"How many times do I have to tell you? You can call me Samantha. Or Sam if you feel more comfortable." Dr. Reynolds reminds him.
"Sorry… Samantha. I'm just not used to calling adults by their first names." Sean said. "And yeah, I had a bit of a bad day. Ellie got mad at me for the rescheduling. I don't know why. She should understand all this. Since she's in group therapy and all."
"Maybe she feels like you're pushing her away? Or that you can't open up to her like you used to?" Dr. Reynolds asked. "Remember what we talked about yesterday? About codependency?"
"Barely. I just remember that you think I'm using our relationship like a crutch or something. I don't know." Sean said nervously.
"Well, I was speaking on your need to protect and save those you care for. Specifically your romantic partners." Dr. Reynolds stated.
"So, you're saying I shouldn't try to take care of people?" Sean asked.
"Not at all. Compassion is a wonderful trait to have but too much can leave you open to codependent behavior." Dr. Reynolds said. "How do you feel when you are in a relationship with someone? Besides any physical intimacy-" Sean gives her an odd look, "I was young once too, Sean. I know that most kids your age are doing more than kissing and holding hands. What I mean, how do you open up to any potential partners?"
"It takes a while. It took me a couple of months to open up to Emma before I asked her out. She always pushed me to express my feelings. Then I ruined it… twice." Sean explained.
"First love isn't always easy. Especially at that young age." Dr. Reynolds said. "And you told me you and Ellie met in detention?"
"Yeah, she was the first person who didn't judge me for the things I did. I didn't judge her for what she was going through. We- we got each other." Sean told her.
"And now?"
"I thought- I thought getting help would make us closer. That if I didn't burden her with my problems, we'd be fine." Sean said, beginning to pace around the room.
"And how does it make you feel?" Dr. Reynolds asked.
"Truthfully, it scares me," Sean admitted. "Sometimes, I think I've felt everything I'm ever gonna feel… and that I'm not gonna feel anything new. Just, lesser versions of what I've already felt."
"I think a lot of what you're struggling with is self-inflicted through fear." Dr. Reynolds explained. "Fear of getting hurt again or hurting someone else. Fear of never being as happy. Fear of what being honest will bring."
"What does that mean?" Sean asked.
"Essentially… it's the fear of future suffering." Dr. Reynolds replied. "That's the hard part. Growing without growing apart. Changing without scaring the other person."
"Is that why I feel like this? Like if I end things with Ellie, that'll never be me again?" Sean asked. "If she even loves me anymore."
"That seems like a conversation you need to have with Ellie. You have to tell her these things." Dr. Reynolds said. "Be as open as you were before. Or do your best to be honest with her."
Sean sighs, "Fear of future suffering, huh?"
Dr. Reynolds nods in approval.
[This scene replaces the scene where Ellie and Alex ask Marco to join the hockey team's Euchre Night]
Ellie paced a bit in the apartment, waiting for Sean to come home. She still has the thoughts that Jay seeded in her mind. Was Sean cheating on her? Was his therapist a ruse? Was everything a lie?
Before she could finish any train of thought, Ellie heard Sean walk into the apartment. She saw he was a bit sweaty but didn't look out of the ordinary. "Hey."
"Hey." Sean greeted her. "Sorry I'm late. Dr. Reynolds needed something from me before I could leave."
"Oh? Like what?" Ellie asked, halfway interrogating him.
"Potting soil. They asked me to pick it up for her." Sean explained as he took off his hoodie.
"Your therapist asked you to get potting soil? Are you their patient or their gardener?" She asked, her mistrust building.
Sean raised an eyebrow at the statement, "Are you okay? You never had any problems with me seeing my therapist before. What gives?"
"Nothing. I was just curious about what you're doing. You never tell me what you talk to them about. You don't talk to me anymore." Ellie said sharply.
"We're literally talking right now, El," Sean exclaimed.
"I know that! I just- look, just forget it, okay?" Ellie said, trying to calm down.
Sean shakes his head, "Fine. But if you want to talk to me about it, let me know." He then goes into their bedroom and goes into the bathroom to shower.
Ellie hears that he started the water for his shower. As she tries to calm down, she hears an electronic chime coming from Sean's backpack.
Ellie debated whether or not Jay might have been telling the truth and realized that Sean wasn't going to tell her the truth, she needed to find out the truth for herself. She opens his backpack and looks inside.
After some digging, Ellie finds a small cellphone at the bottom of the bag. She stands in stunned silence as she hears a second chime come from the phone.
Ellie taps the screen and sees a notification on it, it was a text message. She couldn't see who it was from but she saw what the message said:
"Have you talked to her?"
Ellie's heart sank at the sight of this. In her mind, Jay was right. Sean might be cheating on her. But with who?
"You okay in there, El?" Sean called out from the bathroom.
Ellie quickly put the cellphone back and set the backpack where Sean left it. "I'm fine. I just remembered Marco wanted me to bring him some notes from French class."
"It's a little late, are you sure?" Sean asked from the shower.
"Yeah, it shouldn't take that long," Ellie said as she headed out the door.
"Okay, El. Love-"
The door slammed shut before he could finish his sentence. Leaving Sean feeling even worse after his conversation with Dr. Reynolds.
[This next scene takes place after the scene where Manny and Paige are unpacking the new Spirit Squad uniforms and talking about Mr. Oleander]
Ellie walks into the Dot where she finds Marco and Alex hanging out. She makes a beeline for Marco, looking incredibly anxious.
"Thank God I found you!" Ellie exclaimed.
"You did remember that Alex and I went to the Dot after student council meetings, right?" Marco reminds her.
"You alright, Nash? You look like you've seen a ghost." Alex replied.
"It's about Sean," Ellie said as she sat at the table with them. "I think he might be cheating on me."
"Hold on, what?" Marco exclaimed.
"That's really not Cameron's style, Ellie. We all know that." Alex said.
"I'm not sure if that's true anymore," Ellie said sadly. "He's been acting pretty weird since he started therapy. He hasn't been talking to me as much as he used to."
"Maybe because he doesn't want to overload you with his problems. Sean's not exactly an open book, you know." Alex points out.
"I have to agree with Alex. Sean is just trying to get his life in check, he probably thinks you understand that." Marco said, trying to hide what Sean told him.
"I would believe you… if I didn't find some mystery cellphone in his backpack." Ellie told them.
Alex's eyes shift to Ellie and then to Marco. "Okay, that does sound a bit shifty."
"Do you know where it came from?" Marco asked, also sounding a bit confused.
"From what I heard, he might have gotten it from his therapist," Ellie said. "I also saw a text message that said 'have you talked to her?' Does that sound normal to you guys?"
The other two seem surprised by the news and look at each other then at Ellie.
"Have you ever met Sean's therapist?" Marco asked.
Ellie shakes her head, "He usually sees them when I'm at group. Why?"
Alex gets up from the table and grabs Ellie's arm. "Well, I think it's time to pay them a visit." She pulls Ellie out of the Dot with Marco in tow.
"We don't even know where their office is," Marco called out.
"They told me it was in a nice neighborhood downtown," Ellie said.
"You're gonna tell me who this person told you… after we find the shrink." Alex said as the three walked off.
[There's a montage of the three searching through the city to the same music that played when Ellie and Alex were playing Euchre against Dylan's hockey team. They can narrow it down and find Dr. Reynolds' house.]
Ellie, Marco, and Alex stand behind bushes near the doctor's home. Three of them do their best to stay out of sight and are failing miserably.
"Place doesn't look like a doctor's office," Alex replied. "It looks like some stuffy old house."
"This is easily the stupidest thing we've ever done," Marco said to Ellie who shushed him.
As they look at the house, they see the front door open and find Dr. Reynolds letting one of her clients out of her house. The client was a skinny twenty-year-old woman with short black hair who nervously rubbed her arm.
The three get a good look at the doctor and note her appearance as the patient hugs Dr. Reynolds.
"She certainly looks like a doctor. She's definitely too old for Sean's taste." Alex whispered to them.
"Yeah… she does," Ellie said, feeling guilty.
"Who told you that Sean might be cheating?" Marco asked as the patient left Dr. Reynolds porch.
Ellie winces at the thought of having to admit it but just says it. "Jay. Jay told me he saw her coming out of her house, looking dirty and sweaty."
"Are you kidding me?" Alex exclaimed out loud which caught Dr. Reynolds attention. "You trusted the word of my dirtbag ex over Sean's?"
"Excuse me?" Dr. Reynolds called out which made the three panic and try to hide. "You three, in the bushes. Is there something I can help you with?"
Marco and Alex glared at Ellie who was bright red from embarrassment. The three of them slowly step out of the bushes and walk towards the house.
"I'm sorry about this," Ellie spoke up. "I'm Sean's girlfriend."
Dr. Reynolds smiles at the girl, "You must be Ellie." She looks at Marco and Alex. "I take it you two are friends of Sean's and/or Ellie's?"
"We are," Marco said nervously.
"Nash thought Sean was cheating on her with you," Alex said bluntly.
Dr. Reynolds's eyes widen as she looks at Ellie. "That so?"
Ellie lowers her head, "Sean hasn't exactly been completely honest with me about you."
Dr. Reynolds nods and motions for the three to come inside, "Come on in, I have some leftover chocolate chip cookies. You all look a little hungry."
Alex whips inside the house, "You had me at chocolChocolate Chip"
Marco groans at this and follows Alex inside, mouthing 'I'm so sorry' to the doctor.
Dr. Reynolds nods and glances at Ellie, "I think there's a lot we need to discuss."
Ellie nods as she walks inside with the doctor who shuts the door behind them.
Back at the apartment, Sean was sitting on the couch watching TV when his cellphone rang. He grabs his backpack and pulls out the phone to answer it. "Hi, Doc- Samantha."
"Hello, Sean. I'm sorry for calling you so late but I have some guests over at my home." Dr. Reynolds said. "One of them happens to be Ellie."
Sean winces at this, "I'm guessing you want me to come over, right?"
"I think you might want to have that talk with her." Dr. Reynolds replied. "It's time."
Sean sighs, "I'll be right over." He hangs up and rubs his eyes, hoping he wouldn't have to do this now. That he had more time.
Time was up.
[This scene takes place after Paige talks with Meeri about Matt standing her up]
Ellie stood in the parlor room where Sean was having his session with Dr. Reynolds that day. She looks around the room and out the window to the backyard. She sees the lush garden Sean had been tending to as Dr. Reynolds enters the room.
"Your friends are enjoying the cookies in the kitchen." Dr. Reynolds replied. "Should give us enough time to speak privately."
Ellie nodded as she sat in the chair Sean was sitting in. "You- you have a lovely garden."
"Thank you. I don't get the free time to tend to it as well as I should. Sean usually helps me." Dr. Reynolds said as she sat down as well.
"Is that the kind of therapy you do?" Ellie asked.
"It helps my patients open up. I usually get them to do a task that gets them out of their comfort zone. In Sean's case, it's having him help tend to my flowers." Dr. Reynolds replied. "It's also his way of paying for his treatment. I'm doing it as a favor for your guidance counselor, Ms. Sauve."
"Right. Now I get it." Ellie said, sounding guilty. "And you gave him the cellphone because…"
"I do that with most of my patients if they can't afford one. It helps me stay in contact without them coming to my office. It's much easier… But I take it that isn't why you're here, is it? You're here because you think Sean is hiding something from you. That he's been keeping himself distant from you." Dr. Reynolds surmised.
Ellie exhales, "I feel like he's not telling me anything anymore. That he can't trust me to help him."
"I don't know if that's the case, Ellie." Dr. Reynolds stated. "Sean is a very emotionally damaged young man. People like him have difficulties with making lasting relationships. Either they self-sabotage or move on."
"And you think that's what he's doing?" Ellie asked.
"Well, the sabotage is sometimes a two-way street. It's why you trusted the word of an untrustworthy party to investigate something that wasn't there." Dr. Reynolds told her. "Your friends told me why you came here. Lead by the surly brunette."
Ellie nods "Pretty much, yeah."
"Listen, the one thing that Sean is struggling with is codependency with his relationships. His intimate relationships." Dr. Reynolds replied. "I can't go into the finer details because that should be something you should discuss with him. What I will offer you is some advice."
Ellie nods, "Go ahead, I'm listening."
"He needs you to let him go." Dr. Reynolds stated honestly. "He can't get better if he's trying to save you. That's what's held him back from recovery, he needs to move forward."
Ellie frowns, "And he can't move forward while he's trying to save me."
"Grief is an active process that needs to be walked through. Sean's grief for the life he had before the shooting has stalled out." Dr. Reynolds replied. "He needs to find a way to save himself."
"And he needs to do that… without me." Ellie admitted.
"I'm not saying that neither one of you will get hurt by letting each other go." Dr. Reynolds said to Ellie. "But living in fear of getting hurt is a form of suffering by itself. I read a quote from a book during my time as a professor, there will always be suffering but we must not suffer over the suffering."
"We have to grow away from each other." Ellie realizes.
There was a loud knock at the door.
"That must be Sean. I'll be back." Dr. Reynolds said as she stood up and went over to the front door.
Just then, Marco and Alex enter the parlor room with Alex still munching on a cookie while Marco awkwardly has his hands in his pockets.
Marco noticed Ellie was wiping away some tears from her eyes. "Are you okay?"
Ellie nods, trying to work up the courage to do what she has to. "I'll be okay."
"Ellie?"
Ellie gets up from the chair and sees Sean enter the room with the doctor.
Sean embraces her tightly as Ellie hugs him back. After a long awkward pause, he looks into her eyes. "What are you doing here?"
Ellie was speechless at first then she looked at the compassionate doctor and nodded. "I think we need to talk."
Sean nods, he knew what was coming. What he had to do.
[The ending scene is going to replace the ending scene with Ellie and her mom. Ellie's mom wasn't as important as she was in the original episode in the original timeline. This scene is after Paige goes to Matt's apartment]
Sean and Ellie return to the apartment after dropping Marco and Alex at home. They had been silent the entire ride home. What they needed to say to each other needed to be private.
Sean and Ellie stared at each other for a long while until Sean finally spoke up. "I'm sorry. For making you feel like I was pushing you away."
Ellie sighed, "I'm sorry for not trusting you. I shouldn't have listened to anything Jay said. I just wish you had been more open with me. It just seems that you haven't been the same since the shooting."
"You're right. I'm not the same person. That person died in the hallway with Rick." Sean replied.
Ellie exhales, "This… this isn't working anymore, is it?"
"I'm not sure anymore, El. I- I love you." Sean admitted, becoming increasingly choked up.
"I love you too," Ellie said, tears starting to swell in her eyes. "But I need you to let me go."
Sean was stunned by this. He knew she was right but still not willing to admit it. "I wish things were different. That I wasn't so broken."
"I think we're both broken… but we have to figure out a way to fix ourselves. Without being together." Ellie tells him. "I'll call my mom tomorrow. Tell her I'm ready to go home."
Sean nods, "I think that's a good idea."
Ellie slowly walks over to Sean and wraps her arms around him. The both of them start to cry in each other's arms. They didn't say anything until Sean finally said something:
"I never loved anyone the way I loved you," Sean said as he held her.
Ellie laughs weakly, holding back the pain she was feeling. "Me too. Now we know how."
The former couple looks into each other's eyes. One last silent goodbye.
I'm getting a feeling this one is going to be controversial because of how things ended. Honestly, I feel like I ended their relationship better than the show actually did. Instead of having Sean dump Ellie and leaving her with an apartment she couldn't afford, I thought they should end things amicably.
As I've said, this version of Sean might be a bit different than the original timeline's version. There might be some changes that could rub die-hard fans the wrong way and I do apologize in advance.
I hope you guys liked what I did in this episode. Please let me know in the comments how you feel.
The next episodes might be a few bite-sized scenes in one because a lot of the episodes shouldn't feature Sean as much. I don't just want to write several smaller-sized chapters when I give you guys one slightly longer chapter instead. I hope that's okay.