Episode 172

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Episode 172

Scene 1:

"Piper!" Luke waved at his sister from across the room where he sat. He wanted to make amends for screwing up her life. And he did screw it up. Chase Garrett was slime and if Luke hadn't been so wrapped up with Hallie, he might have seen it and saved Piper from all that hurt. She was such a sweet kid too. "Thanks for coming," he went on as she slid into the booth across from him. "Maura told me why you couldn't make dinner the other night. I'm sorry you didn't, but I understand the reason."

Piper forced a smile. She had no idea what Maura had told Luke, other than Piper had flat out refused. She would need a cigarette for this. She fished out her pack from her purse.

"Do you mind?" she asked. Luke's eyes widened at the pack of Marlboro reds, Piper ignored the response and went ahead with what she was doing. "I know, trust me, I know. Maura had a cow." Jewel, Evan, and Allison smoked, and Piper honestly could not say when she had picked up the habit, but it certainly made her days a little easier. She lit her cigarette, inhaled deeply, and exhaled, aiming her face away from Luke. "Yeah, sorry I missed dinner..." She trailed off, feeling as if she had no idea how to act around her own brother, "um, so what did you need?"

When had she started smoking? And Maura knew? Christ, what else did Maura know that she wasn't sharing? "Oh, well I have good news that I wanted to share with everyone." He smiled happily waiting for her to ask about it but she only stared at him vacantly. "Anyway, I'm leaving town. I got a job in New York and we're moving next week."

"New York," Piper nodded. "Um...who's we?"

"Liza and Mattie and me. My divorce is final and we're getting married," he replied grinning foolishly.

"When-" Piper began, but stopped herself. What did she care? She knew from the beginning that Hallie and Luke were going to fall through. And who was Liza? Was she supposed to know? Piper decided it would be a safer bet to pretend that she knew what or whom Luke was talking about. Maybe Maura had mentioned Luke and Mattie. It seemed awfully rash for Luke to lunge into yet another marriage after his previous failed one; did he not learn anything about rash decisions? Piper squeezed her eyes shut. She was being harsh and cynical. "Um, wow, Luke...that's great." She gave him a bittersweet smile as she ashed her cigarette into a clear, glass tray.

"Thanks. I'm really happy. Hallie was a huge mistake. I just wished I'd listened to everyone before I jumped in without looking. But hey, it all works out in the end," Luke babbled. "Sure, I made mistakes. But I rectified most of them. There is one I can't rectify without your help though. Look, Piper, I'm sorry about introducing you to Chase. If I'd known what a dirt bag he was I...well, I wouldn't have let him anywhere near you."

Piper grimaced immediately at the mention of Chase. She sighed heavily and quickly held up a hand to silence Luke before he babbled even further. "Luke, no one knew Chase was a dirt bag...till I was in over my head," Piper replied with an attempt at a casual shrug. Actually, Dinah had known...from the beginning, she had seen through the facade. What happened to them? They had reconciled when in the hospital, but both had failed to contact the other at a later date. She had just dazed off. Piper shook her head. This was what it was like now. Her mind was nothing, but a constant jumble. "Don't blame yourself, Luke," Piper finally finished.

"Giving. It's yours. As of right now. Jory is bringing me his car to drive home today." He glanced out the window. "Speak of the devil. So? You want it?"

Piper staggered with her words for a while. She honestly did not mind walking everywhere. It was the best time to collect her thoughts for a while. Piper lit another cigarette; she would need another one for Jory.

Jory pulled the door of the deli open and looked around for Georgia. No sign of her yet but Luke and Piper were sitting together in a booth by the window. Luke was grinning like an idiot but Piper looked miserable and uncomfortable. He must have gone through with it. Jory thought it was a mistake but if it would make Luke feel better, he didn't care. Piper, on the other hand, didn't look like being the owner of a new sports car was making her feel any better. It made her look worse as a matter of fact.

"Hello," Jory greeted them pleasantly. "So, did the jerk give you his car after all, Pipe?"

"He's not a jerk and yeah," Piper replied. A car? So if insurance was paid up for a year, how did Luke expect her to pay for it after that? She couldn't afford the insurance on a geo metro. A light bulb flickered in Piper's mind. She could sell it though...drive it for free for a year, then sell it...she puffed on her cigarette in contemplation. "Well," she finally spoke up. "Thanks, Luke." If it made him feel like he was making things better, so be it. Guilt be-gone. Piper tried not to roll her eyes.

"Awesome. Okay, kids. I have things to do before we leave. I better get going." He slid out of the booth and took Jory's keys. "Thanks for the loan of the car, Jory. You sure you got a ride home?"

"Sure. Georgia will be here soon."

"Okay. Well, I'll see you guys later." He turned to leave but paused and leaned over Piper, kissing her head quickly. "Listen, I think you should go for your dreams. Ignore Dad. He loves you but he's set in his ways. You've got talent. Don't waste it here."

Piper smiled at Luke. It was nice to hear, but unintentionally lacking in comfort. "Thanks for the car," Piper responded quietly. "Take care in New York." She watched Luke till she could no longer see him, before she turned back to Jory. She prayed that there would be no interrogation. Neither had any clue what was going on in the other one's life. Of the Conlan siblings, Maura was the only one Piper had consistent contact with. It was her indirect way of saying thanks for standing up for me.

"No smoker's comments," Piper began.

Scene 2

Kevin opened the door to Gina, kissing her cheek as she entered the room. "My goodness, it’s freezing outside! You’d never know it was the end of September!" She shrugged out of her coat and turned to face Kevin. "Now, why do you look so morose?"

"Me? Oh...well, Luke’s moving to New York."

Gina’s eyebrows shot up in surprise. "When did this happen?"

"Apparently, he’s been planning it for a while now," Kevin replied leading her to the kitchen. "He says he and Liza are getting married and that he’s got a job up there lined up."

"Well, this is wonderful news!"

"It is?"

Gina smiled gently and pulled a chair out for Kevin. "Of course it is. Your son, the one you’ve always been afraid would waste his life is growing up. He’s getting married and taking responsibility of a young child. Kevin, this is good news."

"It doesn’t feel like it." He watched Gina as she made herself at home in his kitchen, pulling out pots and pans to cook with. "Luke was just starting to be home more. We were...connecting."

"Oh I know, dear. But really, this is good for him. I can’t say I won’t miss him. I will. After all, he’s the only one of your kids that seems to like me. But he’ll be happy and isn’t that the most important thing?" She opened his freezer and scanned the contents. "And just think, Kevin. You’ll have a grandchild!"

Kevin opened his mouth to respond but was interrupted by the swinging of the back door. Luke grinned at him and waved at Gina. "Sorry to interrupt. Hi Gina. Dad tell you the good news?"

"Yes and may I just say Luke, I am so proud of you!" She hugged him taking Luke completely by surprise. "Now, this wedding of yours...how can I help?"

"Oh. Um...didn’t Dad tell you? Liza and I are getting married in New York. Just a justice of the peace type thing. I’ve already done the overblown wedding and Liza said she doesn’t want to wait."

Gina pulled back looking shocked. "No...what about your family?"

"What about them? They saw me get married to Hallie. They know what I look like in a tux. Besides, if you haven’t noticed, we’ve all managed to live our own lives." He glanced at Kevin. "I saw Piper today, Dad. I’m worried about her."

"We all are," Gina responded for Kevin.

Luke’s eyes flashed between them, settling on Kevin. "I know. But something is wrong with her, Dad. I really think you ought to talk to her."

"She change her mind about school?"

"Not that I know of-"

"Then I’m not talking to her. I let her get away with a lot of things, Luke."

Luke shrugged, dismissing the topic. "Okay, but talk to her before it gets too late. Right now, I better get packed."

Gina waited until Luke was out of earshot before she scolded Kevin. She didn’t like to treat him like one of her kids, but if he was going to act like a child, then he deserved it. "Honestly, Kevin Conlan! Why won’t you at least try to talk it out with Piper? Maybe she does know what is best for her. She isn’t a child after all."

"She’s far from an adult too!" Kevin snapped irritably. "She’s nineteen. She’s had a crummy year that she won’t talk about and wouldn’t let anyone help her through either. I’m not about to let her run off to Los Angeles or New York with her track record. She’d be dead within a week."

"I see you have a lot of faith in her. Fine. If you won’t talk to her...maybe I will," Gina announced silently hoping that Piper would actually listen.

Scene 3

"No smoker's comments," Piper began.

Jory slid into the booth taking Luke's place. "I don't care if you smoke. Your life, your lungs," he remarked. "Do me a favor though, if Dad finds out, pretend I never knew. The last thing I need is him on me about why I didn't talk some sense into you. You know, since that's my job in the family after all."

Piper smirked, "we all have our roles, sounding a little bitter about yours there." Jory frowned at her and Piper sighed. "Sorry, I don't mean to sound so insincere, but I do know what you mean." Jory looked skeptical and Piper chuckled. "Really I do." She could remember all to well, the thoughts that had gone through her head as she tried to validate her reasoning for leaving Noah. He had her firmly stuck in a specific role, but she wasn't sure who was less flexible in that belief, her or Noah. "How's Dad anyway?"

"Okay, I guess. Wrapped up in that woman still," Jory answered looking away. It was no secret that he disliked Gina but he had no desire to make small talk about her. "He's a little down about Luke leaving but it isn't as if Maura were leaving. You know we all came in second after her as far as Dad is concerned." He glanced back at Piper and took in her bemused expression. "Okay, yeah I suppose I am bitter."

Piper puffed on her cigarette. "Yeah, I know," she replied. "Maura could have said, Dad, I'm going to join the circus, and he would have supported her in that decision, but me pursue a career as an actress, never." She caught Jory's expression. "I didn't say I wasn't bitter."

"No, you're not bitter at all," Jory remarked with a roll of his eyes. "Look. For the record, I think you'd make a remarkable actress. Besides, you wouldn't be the first Conlan to pursue a career in theater. Look at Katrina. She made quite a career for herself in New York. You're better than she ever was."

Piper smiled, "I forgot about Katrina." She went for another cigarette, but decided against it. "You know I think after the first year of insurance is up, I'll sell the sports car for some extra cash. How in the world does Luke think I'm going to pay for the insurance after the first year?" Piper rolled her eyes. "Anyway, enough about that."

"Fair enough." He glanced back at the door as it opened, watching for Georgia. "Well, what else is going on? Anything new?" He asked when the newcomer turned out to be a doctor in green surgical scrubs.

"You don't want to know," Piper replied. "Who are you waiting for again?"

"Georgia Corelli," Jory answered dodging the frown Piper threw at him. "Yeah, I know who she’s related to but Georgia isn’t anything like her mother. She’s smart and funny and considerate. Three things Gina isn’t."

"Smart, funny, and considerate?" Piper echoed. "Hm." She commented, Jory sounded like he felt a little more than friendly towards Georgia Corelli, but Piper would keep her comments mum. "So how is Dad and the old crone?" Honestly, Piper did hold the level of distaste for Gina that her fellow siblings did, but she knew saying that would only serve to further isolate her from them.

"Playing house, I'm sure. I'd rather not talk about them though." He drummed his fingers aimlessly against the tabletop. "How's Noah? I don't see him anymore now that he works at the hospital."
Before Piper could even attempt to hide what had occurred between her and Noah it showed itself all over her face and in her body. She stiffened up, her eyes already so fraught with sorrow, seemed endless in it, her breath caught ever so slightly in her throat, and she knew Jory had seen it all. Nonetheless, she attempted to play it off. "Noah is fine. Busy, busy, busy with work and such."

Jory gave her a skeptical frown. "Busy, right." He wasn't blind but he wasn't insensitive either. Something had happened between Piper and Noah though she didn't seem to want to talk about it.

The door opened and Georgia entered the cafe looking mildly distressed. She waved to him and started towards him. As much as he wanted to spend some time with Georgia, Piper needed him. He had done a poor job of being a brother lately and he wanted to make it up to her somehow. He waved to Georgia and threw her a warning gaze that made her pause. Her eyes flicked to Piper and she nodded finding a seat nearby.

"All right," Jory said. "What's going on? You want to talk about it?"

"C'mon, Jory, you don't gotta do this. I mean my life isn't exactly candy canes and gumdrops, but I'm making it." Barely she tacked on silently to the end. Piper woke up everyday, hoping she had died in her sleep; she had no idea what kept her going. It wasn't Noah anymore and it wasn't even her family. She barely knew what when on in their lives as they barely knew what went on in hers. The only strong relationships with people she had now consisted of Maura and Jewel. Even so long after Chase, she still looked over her shoulder every couple minutes, and every sound made her jump. She no longer had her theatre, all she had were the kids at the daycare, and not even that seemed motivation enough anymore. It would be so easy for her to escape, but something always held her back.

"I don't think so, Piper. Look, I can't force you to talk about what's bugging you... I think I have a pretty good idea but it's your life and no one can force you into anything. Just remember that I'm here for you. I may have other things keeping me busy but I'll always make time for you." He reached over and squeezed her hand affectionately. Piper was getting a raw deal with life as an adult. No one seemed to know what she was going through and no one seemed willing to help her out of it. The one who should, her father, was being a stubborn jackass. Jory made a mental note to have a talk with Kevin about that very subject.

Piper smiled warmly, feeling comforted by Jory's words, but she did not want to unleash her worries on to him. He had enough to deal with and of course everyone else used him to relinquish their problems.

"Thanks, is your friend Georgia here yet?" she asked. "I have to go soon. I have to be at work by 6:30."

Jory threw a quick glance at Georgia who waved in return. "She's here," he replied. "Look Piper...call me sometime okay? For whatever dumb reason you can think of, I don't care." Piper's shoulders lifted in a slight shrug that Jory took as a positive note. "All right then. You get to work and I'll talk to you later." He slid out of the booth and walked over to Georgia.

"How's Piper?" Georgia asked giving him a quick kiss on the cheek.

Jory looked back at Piper as she left the building jingling the car keys in her hand. With a slight shrug, similar to the one Piper had just given him, he answered, "Honestly? I have no idea."

Scene 4

Luke shoved another CD into the give away box. "Never listened to that one anyway," he muttered to himself. God, he would be glad when he was done packing. This was the worst part of the move. Not even saying goodbye was as bad as sorting through all the junk he had accumulated during his lifetime. Somewhere he heard a door slam and voices yelling. He dropped a CD in the keep pile and went to the door of his bedroom.

"Jory? Is that you?" He called. "Come up here and help me pack."

"Sorry. Not quite the twin you were hoping for," Jillie drawled, leaning against the wall as she reached the top of the stairs. "Word has it you're blowing this Popsicle stand." She ran her fingers through her newly chopped locks and leveled a gaze at her older brother. "Can't say I blame you. There's something to be said for leaving this loony-bin behind."

"What did you do to your hair?" Luke asked, tilting his head to the side. It wasn't a bad cut, but he missed her longer locks. "And yes, I am leaving. Tomorrow as a matter of fact. Glad to see you made it back from your glorious vacation from where ever it was you went in time to see me off."

Jillie toyed with the smooth ends that just barely brushed her shoulders. Luke's summation of her trip -- business trip -- earned a heavy roll of her eyes. "I got it cut, Einstein. And what's with the sudden move? It is sudden, isn't it? I haven't been gone that long, have I?" She neatly avoided any mention of her trip. "Jory said something about Liza, but he wasn't fully comprehensible. I think he's got something else on his mind."

"New client or something," Luke replied with a shrug. "Liza and I are getting married. Not now...later. I got a job offer in New York and I'm taking it. I certainly don't want to work for my ex-wife anymore."

Jillie's brows rose in surprise, but she let the news sink in before she said anything. It was one of the few times she'd ever thought before speaking. "Married, huh?" She let the question hang in the air. "Good. I'm happy for you. Shacking up with Hallie wasn't the best decision you ever made. Can't say Liza and I have bonded or anything, but she seems to be a good woman. Compared to your ex, she's gotta be a saint, huh?" Her eyes sparkled, a glimmer of her usual fire sparking to life. Pushing away from the wall, Jillie moved to hug her big brother. "New York. I'm jealous."

"You'll come visit. I know you, Jillie. Somehow you'll find an excuse to show up on my doorstep." He grinned and let go of her. "I'm getting rid of a lot of junk in there if you want first dibs. Piper got the car though, but you can have anything else. I won't be able to fit much into a two bedroom apartment after all."

"Sure, like you have such great stuff," she teased. "So what are you gonna be doing up in New York?" Jillie asked as she moved into the room, her fingertips trailing across empty shelves. "How'd the family take the news?"

"Pretty well actually. Dad got all serious. Jory has called me a jerk at least fifty times since I told them. Piper didn't seem to care either way. Maura...well, she's happy for me. As far as what I'll be doing...I'm not entirely sure. For all I know it's a job in the mailroom. I got it through a headhunter. So we'll see." Luke opened the closet door and pulled out a box. He pulled the lid off and started rummaging through it. Trophies from his high school days consumed most of the box but a few scattered pictures mixed in haphazardly amongst them. "Oh man. Look at this." He handed her a picture of himself with Leo Kingston circa 1990 at their High School Graduation. "Look how scrawny I am."

Jillie took the picture and glanced at it fleetingly. "You're still scrawny. But you know, I remember Lacy Reynolds had the biggest crush on you. She'd always talk about you in the locker room after cheerleading practice." Her gaze shifted and she handed the photo back sourly. "And you hung out with the biggest losers. Really, how you ever got laid, I'll never know."

"That loser got me through my senior year. Leo tutored me in English so I could graduate. I owe him," Luke remarked snatching the photo back. "Besides, Lacy Reynolds was an airhead."

"Owe him?" Jillie echoed, ignoring Luke's comment about the girl who's once been one of her very best friends. It was true. She had been an airhead. "If anyone owes anyone anything, it's Leo. He...." She trailed off, suddenly intensely interested with Luke's collection of CDs. "God, I haven't heard this song in ages," she murmured.

"Take it then. You know, Leo told me once that you were one of the smartest girls he had ever met."

"Leo's full of shit. He probably only said that, hoping you'd tell me and I'd be impressed. But it's a little too little too late. And thanks." She turned the CD case over in her hands and looked up at her brother. "Doesn't Liza have a kid? We're actually going to miss seeing you play house? Well, maybe you should keep some of these. Teach him what real music is."

"I doubt he would consider our music real by the time he's the right age to get into it," Luke replied. "Go on, take it." He returned the picture back to the box. "I wish I could get a hold of Leo to say goodbye. I've left a couple of messages for him but he's not returning my calls."

"I’m sure he will now that we’re home."

Luke paused and gave her a long hard look. "We?" He asked. "Are you telling me you and Leo Kingston went on a trip together? Leo 'the biggest loser ever' Kingston and Little Miss Jillie Conlan?"

"You didn't know? Oh, don't give me that look. He's still a loser." She leaned against the wall and gazed out of the window. It needed to be cleaned. "I just thought....I dunno. It was business only. He needed me to take a few photographs for him..." Oh God, she was bursting with the need to tell the truth. But how could she? For one, she wasn't sure anyone in her family would actually believe her. Besides Jory. He was the only one who knew the depth of what she'd gotten herself into. Of course, now that the trip was over, she felt like she'd only managed to dig herself deeper.

"Look, Jillie. Sit down. I want to tell you something." He motioned to the bed. "Leo is a really good guy. When we were in high school he used to talk about you all the time. He really liked you. Now, I know what he was like then. A big dork who always had his nose in a book. But he's a damn fine man. I'd be willing to bet he still has something of a crush on you. I mean...well look at you. You're gorgeous, not to mention intelligent and sexy. But you've got a mean streak when something doesn't go your way. Just promise me that if things don't go your way with Leo you won't decimate him."

"Me? Decimate him?" She couldn't keep herself from gaping at her older brother. "Luke, you're my brother and I love you. And I realize Leo's your friend. The two of you used to be way close. I get that. But you've been going through a lot lately and maybe you haven't realized that your buddy...has one hell of a chip on his shoulder. Plus he's got this huge death wish thing going on. Don't ask. Lucky doesn't even begin to describe the fact that we actually made it back from our trip alive." Jillie inhaled deeply and picked at a loose thread on the bed's comforter. "I intend to keep my distance from Leo, okay? He's safe from the likes of me. I hope that reassures you."

Luke grinned and nodded. "Sure does. You always do what you set your mind to, Jillie." He glanced around the room. "Well, looks like I'm done here. Hard to believe I spent most of my life in this room. With the exception of college and my disastrous attempt at marriage that is."

"Well, you're getting a well-deserved second chance, big brother. Don't blow it, okay?" She stood and impulsively hugged him tight. "Be happy."

Luke returned her embrace wondering at the sudden outpouring of affection from all his siblings. Well, except Piper. "I will be. And you too, Jillie," he added pulling back. "Take care of yourself too. And for Pete’s sake, don't get into any trouble."