Beginning, Previous Section, Section VII
Jump to new as of June 20, 1999
Act X Scene VII
Harvard University
Julia walked along the grounds of Harvard Yard taking in the new scents of the lilacs and wildflowers that were in bloom. Springtime always made her happy, new life was being created, the birds were coming back. Her sense of bliss outweighed anything else. Lisa watched Julia as she rambled around the park. A glow of intense proportions seemingly coming from her. She ran to catch up to Julia.
"You look very happy today." She said breathlessly.
"I am."
Lisa arched her eyebrows, "Does this have anything to do Chris Darcy?"
Julia smiled serenely, "You know it does."
She looked pensively at Julia, "Well I hope everything works out for you. Ted and I are seeing each other." She blurted out suddenly.
Julia tilted her head, "Oh. I didn't think you had an interest in him."
"How blind were you! I was crazy about him, but he seemed too smitten with you. When I introduced the two of you, I was trying to set me up with him. You ruined those plans."
"Why didn't you say anything?"
"I chickened out. I'd had my eye on him for a while and thought if I was patient and waited, things would fall into place." Lisa took hold of Julia's arm as they leisurely walked down a flower-covered path.
"But aren't you afraid that it will be rebound-type of relationship." Julia asked quietly.
Lisa shook her head, "We discussed that. He was afraid of the same thing, admitted that getting over you would be rough, but he was willing to make a go at it. We found that we had a lot in common, general interests."
Julia patted Lisa's hand, "I'm happy for you, Lisa. Ted is wonderful person, he deserves a strong, balanced woman. I think you can be the best thing for him." Lisa hugged Julia.
"I hope Chris realizes what he's missing. You are too special a person to remain unhappy forever." At that instant, Julia's cell phone started ringing. She pulled it out of the case and flipped it open. She gave a look of innocence to Lisa.
"Hello?"
"Hello, love." She smiled when she heard Chris' voice.
"Were your ears burning? Lisa and I were just discussing you."
"Oh is that what it was. Actually, I'm calling on a bad note, I have to cancel plans this weekend." Julia moved away from Lisa and turned her back.
"I see." He heard the faint sound of dejection in her voice.
"It's not because of what you think. I have to go to California. Lila's staying in D.C. Julia, I wanted to see you too."
"Take care of yourself in California. How long are you there for?"
"Just a couple of days. I'll call you when I get back. Julia, we will see each other again." He said the last part softly and quickly hung up the phone.
Chris Darcy stared at the phone and regretted breaking his plans. His assistant came in with his plane tickets. "Everything is all set. You and Knapp are in the same hotel but on separate floors."
"Thank you. Has Lila come in this morning?"
"Not yet, she left word that she wasn't feeling well this morning. But would definitely be in by the afternoon."
"Thanks."
Chris went turned back to his e-mail and reread the message.
Chris,Your mother and I will be in the States at the beginning of May. We have a bit to discuss. Make no plans.
Dad
He was at a complete loss as to what they could want. Chris looked into his daily planner and realized that he hadn't heard from his source in an inordinately long time. He picked up the phone and paged him. When the time ticked away, he tried paging him again. Not normally an alarmist, he suspected something was up.
His computer dinged at him alerting him to a new e-mail. He turned back and opened it.
Chris, feeling quite terrible this morning, don't think I will be in the office at all now. Will e-mail Bradlee to let him know. See you tonight? Phone is off the hook, don't bother to call. Love you, Lila
He hated having to leave her during her stomach illness. For the past three days, she had walked around like a dead person, barely able to hold down any food or water. She told him that a stomach virus was going around and most likely she was the latest victim, but she always seemed to be a bit more alive towards the latter part of the afternoon. And by dinnertime, she was able to take a little nutrition.
Chris was starting to reply to her message when suddenly he was suddenly struck dumb.
"Good God!"
It hadn't occurred to him before and now it was like a punch to the gut. Why hadn't he figured it out. Why didn't she say anything! Picking up the phone, he started to dial Lila's number, but then remembered that she said the phone would be off the hook. He swore loudly and called for Amanda.
"I have to leave for a while. Lila e-mailed me and is too ill to come in. If Bradlee is looking for me, just stall." He ran out of the office, and ran to his car in the garage.
Lila Jenkins' Townhouse
Lila felt like death.
She couldn't stop the wave of nausea that had kept her tied to the bathroom. She had rushed back from the drugstore before sending off the e-mail to Chris, and now she looked at the test. And it was positive. She sat back on the edge of her bed and thought fast. This was definitely not good. Not good at all. She was not particularly keen on children and thought she'd wait at least five more years before having them. But however, the damage was done.
She called her GP and scheduled an appointment for a definite confirmation. Telling Chris would be the hardest part. She reasoned that most likely he would flip out, condemn her for doing this.
"No, he won't do that, he is too much a gentleman to do anything stupid as that." she said to herself.
"I hope I would always remain a gentleman." Chris said while standing in the doorway. "How are you feeling?"
"Like a steamroller has run over me. Will you hold me?" He walked over to her and pulled her into his arms. "What brought you home?"
"You did. You shouldn't take the phone off the hook, darling. So what's the news?"
"News?"
"You took a pregnancy test?" She backed out of his embrace and looked down at the floor.
"I took a test." She refused to look at him.
"And, Lila? What was the outcome." He felt nervous, he had an idea what he outcome was.
She nodded her head.
"Oh, I see. My, my, my." Chris got up and started pacing. "I see that you're not enthused about it this?"
"Not one bit. I never wanted to have a child. I mean not now at least." Lila trembled slightly.
"And you have thought of your options?"
She looked curiously at him, "Where are you going with this line of questioning. Of course I haven't thought of it. I've been too numb for the past hour to think of anything other than this bloody nausea!"
Chris stopped his pacing, "Forgive me, I was caught up in the moment. Should you have it confirmed with a doctor?"
"I've taken care of that. What do you want?"
He laughed, "I don't know yet." He said quietly. "I'm off to California early tomorrow. The time away will be good for us. When do you see your doctor?"
"Tomorrow."
"Perfect. I'll be back here on Monday. You should have definitive news by then?" She nodded her head. He walked back to Lila.
"I would never hurt you or my child." He took her back into his embrace and allowed her to cry in his arms.
End of Scene VII
Act X Scene VIII
Sacramento, CA
Christopher and Agent Eric Knapp made rendezvous with several other member of the FBI in that city. The FBI located in that city were also investigating the big Bio-Engineering firms in that area of the country. Chris went investigating the firms under the pretense of writing about the Cloning Bill and the uses of why it should pass. Luckily Jay Brock thought that he had scared Chris off enough to back away from the story.
Knapp had Chris follow stringent rules and if he veered off of them just once, it could be the ruination of many Congressmen's lives and Chris' career. Never one to underestimate an opportunity, Chris did obey all rules and remained in good conduct. The California trip was deigned a success. Chris was able to get several floor plans of three of the five firms he visited. He was given information regarding the cloning bill and the reasons why they felt it should be passed. Every time he read the literature, he wanted to scream. It was just power hungry men wanting to make more power.
One man that he worked with was totally against the cloning bill and Chris thought it might be helpful if they had someone on the inside to get information from. Knapp was a little hesitant about the whole idea, he kept reminding Chris that not everyone was trustworthy. Chris still thought they should bring him aboard and quietly went about finding out if this man was trustworthy.
Greg Gomes was a family man who had been with the same firm for fifteen years. It kept his wife happy and his brood of children fed and clothed. He had everything to lose by leaking information to a journalist and the FBI. Chris took him out one night after work, kept him liquored up and got every bit of information that he would ever need. He knew right off that the man would hold his tongue. Knapp was not happy about the way Chris went about it, but he got the info and the man inside.
Chris went out of his way not to talk to Lila during his brief stay in Sacramento. The thought of her carrying his child shook him up. They had tried to be careful, but she had him wound around her finger so tightly that she could ask for his kidney, and he'd give it to her. Yet, when he closed his eyes, he saw Julia and the hurt expression that filled her face. He couldn't continue on with two women. But it seemed destiny had stepped in and made the decision for him. It never crossed his mind that he would be a father. Sure he too wanted children, but he did think of them more when he was a bit older. It all seemed so odd.
One thing struck him as funny, suddenly. Lila hadn't called him either.
Washington Post Headquarters
Lila sat staring at the phone and the clock. Her doctor told her to call him at four thirty, and he would have the results of the blood test. The minutes ticked away as the hand moved away from the half hour. She realized that with his confirmation, it would be real. Very real, and she didn't want to handle that now.
Finally giving up the fight, she dialed the doctor's office.
"Hello, Ms. Jenkins for Dr. Anthony."
She was put on hold for several minutes, and she kept tapping the pencil on the table. The wait was unendurable.
"Lila, Dr. Anthony. I have the results for you…"
Julia's Charlestown Apartment
"God, I feel like death warmed over, Natalie" Natalie looked over her shoulder and shrugged. She went back to the magazine that was engrossing her. "There's a mean stomach bug going around, perhaps I've caught it."
Natalie looked up from her reading material, "Sounds logical. Anyone in your class been sick?"
Julia looked thoughtfully for a minute, "Not really, some hayfever. Oh, God." She instinctively moved her hand to her mouth and ran for the bathroom. She wretched for a while, as Natalie stood over her with a glass of water and face cloth to wipe down her sweaty face.
"You should definitely go to bed. It's late anyway. Do you want something in your room just in case?" Julia nodded and Natalie emptied out an old wastebasket perfect for the occasion.
"Thanks."
"No, problem. You'd do the same for me if I wasn't feeling well. Sleep tight."
"I'll try."
Julia lately had been having the strangest of dreams, not quite nightmares and not exactly dreams. Just assorted pictures strung together making absolutely no sense. When she put her head on the pillow, the coolness of it felt good against her hot face. She tried to drift into a nice slumber, but suddenly she felt awake and strange. It was if she felt more in touch with her body. Her hand went unconsciously to her stomach.
"Oh, dear Lord." She whispered.
Lila Jenkins' Townhouse
Monday afternoon
Lila sat waiting for Chris to arrive home from his trip. He had it planned that he would not be in the office today, and she made it a point to be there when he arrived home. He arrived home later than expected. No smile greeted him. No running into arms or sexy lingerie. Lila sat at the kitchen table pensive and nervous. Chris nearly forgot to breathe.
"Hi." He said once he put his bags down.
"Hi," She answered back. "Did you have a good trip?"
"Yes, it was very successful. We lucked out and have a person inside who is willing to help us out. It's a great breakthrough."
"Good, good. Bradlee will be happy to hear that."
"Lila, we can discuss this later. What is wrong? You look like you've seen a ghost."
The tears started before she could banish them away. He took hold of her hand. "It's just your hormones acting up, Lila. You'll be fine."
She shook her head, "No, I won't be fine. I won't ever be fine, Chris." He brought her hand to his lips and kissed her fingers.
"Sure, darling, you'll be fine."
"No, I won't! Chris, I'm not pregnant!"
He dropped her hand more out of shock. The outburst shocked him more than anything else. The tears came faster and Chris didn't know what to do or say.
"But the test it was positive, I saw it."
"False positive, it's quite common…"
He interrupted, "But the sickness, the vomiting, the sweats…"
"I had a stomach bug, incredible timing."
Chris got up quickly, not sure to sigh or cry. "But the false positive, what caused it?" Here Lila started crying again.
"I need a hysterectomy. It turns out that I have several ovarian cysts that are located in certain spots that it would be too dangerous to operate on without removing the uterus. I am sterile." She said devoid of emotion.
He paced faster and faster, he felt her pain. Oh, it tore him up inside to hear what she was telling him. No children for her, ever. No carrying a baby inside of her womb. Oh Lila, he thought torturedly.
"I had been thinking that most men have always thought that I was more woman than they could handle, but it turns out I'm less of a woman, now." She cried silently.
"Lila, you are more woman. Don't you ever, ever think that way. There is always adoption. Or you could be a foster parent. You do not have to go childless!"
"No, Christopher, this is the Lord's way of telling me that I have no maternal instincts. I will continue on in the newspaper business, and I will be the bane of the men who want my job. I will not have the weight of a child to bring me down, so it all works out quite well, I rationalized."
"You are no less a woman, than I am a man! You are intelligent, witty, strong, beautiful, God Lila, your beauty alone drives men to their knees for you."
Lila stared at him and tried to form a smile, but she couldn't manage it. She knew he was right, but this news was devastating to a woman. It wasn't until the doctor first informed her that she wasn't pregnant, that she realized to have Christopher's child meant everything to her.
And she could never give him a child.
End of Scene VIII
Act X Scene IX
Brigham's and Women's Hospital, Boston, MA
Six Weeks Later
Julia listened to the doctor as he gave her the news. She was six weeks pregnant. It had been six weeks since her accident, and her three nights with Chris. To say that she was a little shocked is accurate. Although she had suspected when she thought she had the stomach flu. It took her six weeks to get the courage up to have a test. She didn't trust the over-the-counter ones.
She knew what needed to be done. But did she? She had borrowed Natalie's car for her appointment and stuck in the CD. The first song was amazing.
I want you backYou're all I ever wanted
You're all I ever needed, yeah
So tell me what to do now
'Cause I... I… I… I…
Julia drove along the road listening to the song. She did want him back, she wanted any sort of sign and now she had it. She loved him, dammit. But she couldn't tell him yet. It would be special when she did tell him. But her mother! Julia went to the travel agent and booked a trip to San Diego. This was something she'd have to tell her in person.
It's hard to say I'm sorry
It's hard to make the things I did undone
A lesson I've learned too well, for sure
So don't hang up the phone now
I'm trying to figure out just what to do
I'm going crazy without you
Christopher Darcy's Georgetown Apartment
Chris had tried to phone Julia for three weeks and in those three weeks, she was unreachable. Natalie would not give any information as to where he could find her. He desperately wanted to see her again. He checked his clock and realized that his parents would be along at any moment.
And the knock on the door cemented it. Elizabeth rushed into her son's arms, again he lifted her off the floor. She smiled and kissed him soundly. "Dear, you look more like your father. You are his clone!"
Chris grimaced at his mother's unwitting use of the word. William looked more stern. Both were happy and tanned from a month's long holiday in Biminy.
"How is the hotel?" Chris asked trying to make small talk.
"It's the Watergate. We just pray no one breaks in," his mother joked.
"So where is this Lila person?" William asked.
"Nothing like cutting to the chase, eh, dad? Lila is being prepped for surgery. She will join us for dinner."
Elizabeth looked curiously at him, "What is wrong with her?"
"It is not my business to say. Perhaps she'll mention it tonight."
William sat on the leather sofa and indicated to his son to have a seat. Elizabeth went into the kitchen to make tea.
"While in Biminy we had a surprise visitor." William leaned in closer to Chris, looking at him dead in the eye.
"Oh? Who?"
"My ex-wife." Terror flashed through Chris' eyes. "Also known as Julia's mother."
"I would've said something, but Kim and then Julia left."
"It's not that she is her mother, Christopher. It's that you didn't tell me! You knew all along and yet, you kept your silence. What are you doing to Julia by the way? Stringing her along while you cohabitate with your boss?"
"I am not stringing anyone along. This is none of your business!" Chris' temper flared at his father.
"Spring, came to your mother and me, she wants you to stay away from her daughter. I am ordering you to stay away from her."
Chris quickly got up and paced, "You are ordering me?" he laughed at his father. "Good one."
"Christopher Darcy, your actions have been disgusting. You sleep with two women. You use two women! How do you see these relationships ending? Who must you hurt beyond anything else? Leave Julia alone, and let her continue on with her life."
"You are being ridiculous! Julia is MY life!"
William took a deep breath, "And what of Lila?"
"I love her too," he said softly.
Elizabeth brought in a tray of tea and set it on the coffee table. William looked at her and shook his head.
"Christopher, what if you came back to Pemberley with us? To give you time to regroup and think things through," Elizabeth said lovingly.
"What the hell is this! Some sort of intervention or tough-love, because I happen to love two women. I've made my decision regarding what I want. And it's not up to you to second-guess me. You can not treat me like you did Kimberley, trying to run her life every minute of the day. You will not stifle me. I told you I've made my decision, and I will stick to it!"
Chris rushed out of his house and to his car. He gunned the engine and peeled out of his spot not looking back. He had to tell her how he felt! This was complete madness. He stuck the CD in the player and blared the radio.
I want you back!
It's hard to say I'm sorry
You're all I ever wanted
Baby I remember
You're all I ever wanted
Ah...
Yeah, you're the one I want
You're all I ever wanted
You're all I ever wanted, yeahYou're all I ever wanted
You're all I ever needed, yeah
So tell me what to do now
'Cause I... I… I… I…
It's hard to make the things I did undone
A lesson I've learned too well, for sure
So don't hang up the phone now
I'm trying to figure out just what to do
I'm going crazy without you
You're all I ever needed, yeah
So tell me what to do now
When I want you back
The way you used to look at me and say
Promises never last forever
I told you not to worry
I said that everything would be all right
I didn't know then that you were right
Baby you're all I ever needed, yeah
So tell me what to do now
When I want you back
I want you back, oh
You're the one I need
Girl, what can I do
You're the one I want
You're the one I need
Tell me, what can I do
(You're the one I want)
You're all I ever needed
(You're the one I need)
So tell me what to do now
(Tell me, what can I do)
When I want you back
You're all I ever needed, yeah
So tell me what to do now
When I want you back
Chris drove around aimlessly for a while, not really sure where he was going. But definitely realizing that the circles in D.C. were making him dizzy.
He would tell Lila that he had made a decision. He wanted Julia. He had always loved Julia and tried to mask it with Lila. He started driving to Lila's townhouse. She was going through so much right now that to tell her now would be cruel.
"Dammit, dammit, dammit!" he cursed. He stopped at a red light -- waiting, but not patiently.
He thought of Lila and Julia over the past several weeks. It wasn't easy, Lila would get over him easily. She was tough and strong, not one weak bone in her body.
"You're a fool, if you think that way, Darcy." He laughed to himself. "You have committed time to her. You have made love to her.
Lila was there for him when he found out that his source had been murdered. It was such a shock to him that he was unable to function for days. He felt responsible. This man had a family and children, and now he was gone. It was his fault. Lila made him see reason. He couldn't have predicted that they would kill someone. He should have seen the writing on the wall. First Lila, then Julia, they were just warnings.
Chris sat in front of Lila's house for a while, thinking. After half an hour of tumultuous thoughts, he got out of his car. He never saw the person behind him. He never saw the other person come from the other side. They kicked him, they punched him. Over and over again, they kicked his unconscious body. The heavy set guy with a leaded bat, hit him on his back. Christopher Darcy never had a chance to defend himself from the sneak attack.
He lay on the ground bloody with contusions, broken ribs, a fractured back and several small skull fractures.
Lila had heard nothing and was heading to her car when she saw him sprawled out on the sidewalk. She was afraid to turn him over and started screaming for help. She ran inside and call the police and the FBI. Chris was taken to Johns Hopkins Medical Center and given a forty percent chance of surviving the attack.
San Diego, CA
Two Days Later
Julia walked along the beach with her mother, arm in arm. She had just arrived from Boston the evening before, and hadn't mentioned her condition yet. Before leaving Boston, she informed Ted of the pregnancy. Begged him not to tell Chris, she would in her way and in her time.
They stopped along the beach to watch the surfers, and the small children wading. Julia took her mother's hand and sat down on the warm sand.
"I'm so glad you've decided to leave Boston, Julia. It is for the best." Julia didn't look at her mother, just stared at the sea in front of her.
"I haven't left Boston, mamma. I've come to tell you that I'm expecting a baby. Chris' baby."
Spring shot a look at her daughter and softly started to cry.
"Why, Julia?"
"Because mamma, I love him."
Spring became indignant, "And what does he say?"
"He doesn't know yet. I haven't told him."
"When will you tell him?"
"Soon, very soon."
Spring hugged her daughter close. "I will take care you, darling. Remember that."
Masa, Spring's husband came running down the beach. "Julia, Toshie – News from Washington."
"What is it, Masa?" Julia asked.
"Phone call from Mr. Darcy. Chris Darcy is near death." He strained to catch his breath
"Oh, mamma. Oh no, not Chris!" Julia cried into her mother's arms.
"Masa, get Julia on the next flight out of here. I'll go with her."
End of Act X
Act XI Scene I
Johns Hopkins Hospital, Bethesda, MD
"An… ge…l…" He whispered into Lila's ear.
"What, darling?" she nodded to William Darcy who went to get the doctor.
"An… ge…l…" he tried again, failing. "My, lo…"
"Shhh.. Christopher, the doctor will be here in a moment." Lila kissed his brow. "You're going to pull through this."
"Bo…le…ro…"
Lila stood back and looked at him strangely, just as the doctor came in. He shone a bright light into his eyes waiting for a reaction. "Christopher, it's Dr. Riordan, can you hear me?"
Nothing.
Chris turned his head to the sound of the doctor's voice, "…Lia. Love……lia"
The doctor turned to Chris' parents and Lila, "He's trying to say something, it sounds like 'lia'."
Elizabeth spoke up, "Perhaps, he's asking for Lila." Lila patted Elizabeth's hand, and walked over to Chris' bedside.
"Darling, we're all here for you. Can we get anything for you?" She whispered into his ear.
"An…ge…l. I need… lia."
Lila turned to the doctor, "I'm sorry, but I don't know what he is trying to say."
"Ne…ed… Ju…l…" Chris lost consciousness again.
"What if he dies before I get to tell him?" Julia said anxiously to her mother while still in the air.
Spring stroked her cheek and held her hand. To Julia the flight seemed to take forever. Every inch closer to Washington, her heart felt as though it would stop beating. When they finally landed at Reagan Airport, Julia didn't care about luggage, she hopped in the first cab she saw and demanded to go to Johns Hopkins. Spring watched as her daughter left without her.
William Darcy paced the corridors of the hospital. He never wanted to see another hospital as long as lived. And even then he made damn sure that Elizabeth knew he was to die at his beloved Pemberley. He heard heavy footsteps and turned around to see Julia running down the corridor, he had to hold his arm out to stop her. She fell against him and started crying.
"Am I too late?"
William pulled her close to him, "No, he's been in an out of consciousness. We won't let him die, Julia."
She looked up at him with tears afresh running down her face. "Can you tell me what happened?" William led her to a chair and explained about the funds and the Bio tech groups, his anger hardly concealed.
"Where is your mother?"
"I left her at the airport. I couldn't wait. I had to see him. Can I see him?"
William helped her up and led her into Chris' room. Elizabeth sat one side of the bed, while Lila was on the left side holding his one good hand to her lips. Julia blinked her eyes to stop the tears from forming again. She turned to William, "May I have time alone with him?"
Elizabeth nodded her head, Lila looked down at Chris, then back at Julia. She hated leaving him, but it was a small request.
Lila sized up Julia before leaving, "He's been mumbling something about Bolero and Angel. If he says anything that makes sense, you get the doctor immediately." She said harshly. Julia smiled at her and turned to Chris. Lila stayed at the door for a few moments, quietly listening.
"Christopher, it's Julia," she gingerly touched a cheek that wasn't covered in a bandage. "I'm here, darling. I'm here." She sat down in the chair that Lila had just recently occupied. She looked over his battered body and sobbed. He looked broken, and no matter what she did to wish him to get better, it seemed as though it would take his body and possibly his soul a long time to heal.
Lila watched everything. Just as she was to shut the door behind, she saw Julia get up and kiss his lips. She brought his hand to her belly, and said, "Chris, darling, I have your child inside of me. I love you. Please, please don't die."
Lila's eyes flew open when she heard what Julia had said, "Oh, dear Lord." Julia shot a look at Lila, and the two women just stared at each other.
Chris turned to Julia, "An…ge…l…" he whispered. "I… love…you…"
The tears started again for Julia as she said, "I love you, too."
Tears blinded Lila who shut the door softly. Both Will and Elizabeth called to her, but she didn't stop. She continued on. She always would.
End of Scene I
Act XI Scene II
Four Days Later
Julia spent every waking moment by Chris' side. William spent four days looking for Lila, who was nowhere to be found. She had taken time away from the office, according to Bradlee, and would be back in a week's time. Julia knew that she overheard her confession to Chris. If this was part of winning, she didn't like it one bit. She saw love on Lila's face.
After the fourth day, Chris finally awoke. He was lucid enough to take instructions from the doctor, but was still unable to string words together to complete a sentence. It tired him out to take a small sip of cool water. His eyes shone bright when he saw Julia, but darkened immediately when he didn't see Lila.
Julia could sense his disappointment in not seeing Lila and tried to calm him down. Elizabeth was relieved beyond means and words, when the doctor announced that it would be a long haul, but Christopher would survive the attack, with luckily no brain damage; however, he would need intense physical therapy to regain any use of his right side. He had been restrained due to the severity of the broken back he suffered.
Chris smiled to Julia when she picked up his hand and brought it to her lips. Will placed a warm comforting hand on her shoulder. Spring saw the complete happiness that encompassed her daughter and hoped that Chris Darcy would make the right decisions regarding her daughter.
Julia leaned into his ear and whispered to him, "I will be with you always, darling. I won't ever leave you." She placed his hand on her belly again and searched his eyes, probing him, silently telling him of what she was carrying. He softly rubbed her stomach.
"My love…" he said so only she could hear. A tear fell from his eye as he realized what she was telling him.
She leaned down again, "Our love, Chris. This gives you something to live for."
"Yes… li…v..e; N…o.. Li…l…a?" he managed to sputter out.
"We can't find her, Chris. Your father has looked everywhere."
"Why?" he seemed to mouth the words rather than say them.
"I don't know, darling. No one knows. She just left."
Chris closed his eyes and listened to the whispering that was going on above him. He wanted to scream out, he wanted to know what the hell was going on. But he couldn't. He was trapped. Julia ran her fingers through his hair, he tried to smile, but couldn't.
"Ho…w b..ad?"
The doctor spoke, "Chris, it's pretty bad. You've had some internal bleeding. Your skull has a hairline fracture. Your back is fractured." Chris' eyes flew open when he heard that.
"Pa…ra..ly…" he couldn't finish.
"No, but your system is in shock, which is probably why you can't feel anything. Chris, it's going to take a long time to heal. Possibly a year or more." Julia held in a sob.
Elizabeth leaned into her husband. Who silently prayed thanks to the Lord. At least he would get better.
"Hello, Lila. How are you doing today?" The doctor asked as her back was turned away from him.
"I'm fine." She said monotonously.
"Lila, you will get over this. You'll be on medication, and you'll be just like new. Estrogen will help."
Lila didn't really care about the operation she just had, or the drugs she would have to take for the rest of her life.
"Will estrogen help a broken heart, doctor." She shot out at him.
The doctor came over to the side of the bed she was facing. He pulled the chair closer to her, and watched as tears slid down her face.
"What happened?"
She sat up slowly and started laughing, "I fell in love. I fell madly in love, and I just had a hysterectomy."
"Many women get over both of those things, Ms. Jenkins."
She looked at him warily. "Is there a point to this, doctor?"
He smiled to her, "Perhaps, that's for another time. Take care, Ms. Jenkins."
William Darcy stood at the doorway and had overheard the conversation. He knocked lightly, Lila craned her neck.
"Chris?" She blinked her eyes and wiped the tears from them.
"No, it's Will." He pulled up a chair.
"How did you find me?" She brushed her hair back, and stuck an elastic around the tail.
William started, "It was difficult," he smiled loftily. "But I threatened Bradlee, and he sang like a hummingbird."
"He always was a wimp. How's Christopher?"
"He wants to see you."
Lila took a sip of water, then held her stomach.
"Are you okay? Do you need anything?"
Lila laughed at him. "I see where he gets it from. The two of you are just so damn handsome. It's better if I don't see Chris. He has Julia by his side, everything is right with the world. I don't need anything for my present relief, thank you."
"I think you are making a grave error and your decision could hinder the recovery of my son. Please, just think about seeing him. I won't even tell him that I found you." He looked pleadingly into his eyes.
"I'm sorry, but I can't. My feelings for him are too strong. I need a clean break. I'm sorry, he will do fine without me."
William paced the room, "What happens when he goes back to the paper? How will you handle it then?"
"I won't be his boss. Mr. Darcy, I'm not stupid. I knew eventually something like this would happen. I've turned in my resignation to the paper. It was accepted, but only if I stay in the business. I'm going to a sister paper. I have every respect for your son, he is the only man who has ever stood up to me and beat me at my own game."
"You are a good woman, Lila. May God bless you." And he quietly left the room.
Five Days Later
Chris was able to string short sentences together. Most of them consisted in finding Lila. He became bored with laying around, but with the back still not setting correctly, moving him could prove disastrous. Julia read to him the news of the day. There was still no luck in finding the men who attacked Chris. Special Agent Knapp also revealed to Chris that Lila had disappeared and could not be found.
They wanted to question her about the attack.
Chris demanded that she be left alone.
"Everyone is a suspect, Chris. I'm only doing my job." Knapp said when Chris practically had his father throw him out of the room.
"Lila wouldn't hurt anyone!" Chris tried to sound mad and angry, but it just tired him out.
William took the FBI agent outside of the room and gave him the information he thought he should have. Lila was eventually cleared from any wrongdoing.
Julia and Chris discussed announcing the pregnancy. Mainly at her hesitation. Her mother knew and reacted accordingly; she could just imagine how the Darcys would react.
Chris held onto Julia's hand tightly when they made public their joyous news.
William reacted differently than all thought, "You're a damn fool, Chris!"
End of Scene II
Act XI Scene III
Two Weeks Later
"What do you propose you do now?"
"I don't know."
"You've got yourself into a fine mess. I thought I was the one with the problems. Julia is carrying your child, and Lila has a good part of your heart." It was more of a statement than a question.
"What do you think I should do?" Chris asked warily.
"Oh dear brother, if only you could see..."
Chris tried to hold onto Kimberley, "I want to see. I need to see. Julia is my life and Lila is my heart."
"Lila sacrificed a lot for you. Julia sacrificed a lot for you. And you have not exactly been worthy." Her words floated to him.
"Colin loved you unconditionally, and I thought that he didn't. I'm sorry, Kimmie. I miss you so much."
"Shhh... I know, but I'm here now. To help you sort out your feelings. Funny, who would have thought that I would help my big brother figure out what he needed to do."
Kimberley stepped closer and sat at the end of the bed. "You're not looking too good dear brother. Broken back, shattered cheekbones, a broken wrist and broken ribs. Why must you be so self-destructive?"
"It hides the pain." he acknowledged.
"Don't hide the pain, dear brother, deal with it! Only you can truly make a decision regarding the two women in your life. I can only tell you what I think you should do. Whether you decide to use that information, well that is up to you."
Chris attempted to sit up, but the pain was excruciating. "I can't sit."
"Don't try to. Do you realize what you are saving by continuing on with your story? Don't drop it now, you are too close to finding the truth."
He peered at her closely. "How close?"
"Have you read the papers yet, It's the biggest story going. You are quite a hero."
"Why didn't anyone tell me?"
Kimberley put her hand to her mouth, "Oops, it hasn't happened yet," she said laughingly.
"How much can you see into my future?"
"I can see all of it, dear brother. You have to make that decision, I can't tell you what to do. What I can tell you is that you need to talk to both of them. Don't leave one high and dry. That is not the Darcy way."
"I love you, Kimmie, please don't leave me again."
She bounced around, "Unfortunately, that is not up to me. I can't stay too long from my husband, he worries about me. Chris, you are the best man and a good person. Make me a proud auntie. I love you, Chris. Always and forever."
"No, Kimmie, don't leave, please don't go..." She vanished.
Julia watched as Chris dreamed violently; since his father's outburst, he had been sullen, depressed and wretched. Julia knew that he was suffering and suffered right along with him. Many a night, she heard him call longingly for Lila. She tried to brush it off, she willed herself to get over it, but she couldn't. A piece of his heart would always remain with that woman, and it was something that she would have to get used to.
"Julia?" William Darcy called into the hospital room. He saw Julia look adoringly over his sleeping son.
"Hello." she smiled. He indicated her to come into the hallway. She gave Chris a quick kiss and left him to his dreams.
William took Julia into the next room that had been recently vacated. He paced nervously. Julia smiled wryly. They look so much alike, she thought.
He finally stopped, "My behavior to you has been unpardonable since you and he told me about your pregnancy. I ask that you forgive me." She nodded her assent. "I don't think Chris is ready to become a father, however. I will always have reservations, but I do know how much he loves you. I only want what is best for you, my son and my grandchild."
"Mr. Darcy, I understand. Perhaps you should be telling this to Chris."
He smiled to her, "I will, but I also wanted you to know that no matter what, you would always have been welcome into our family. Your mother explained to Liz and me about your hesitation with meeting us. We're not terrible monsters. I think your mother did a fantastic job bringing you up. I only wish I had done as half as good a job as she did."
Julia looked down at her feet. She was shocked that he was telling her any of this. "Your son is a wonderful man."
"And my daughter is dead. I'm sorry, I still miss her very much."
"I understand. Perhaps this child will be healing to the family."
"I think so too, Elizabeth has already started on the nursery at Pemberley." he laughed. Julia laughed right along with him.
Washington Post Headquarters
"So what the hell do we do with Darcy out of commission?" Bradlee asked.
"Perhaps we should just let the story die," she laughed at her choice of words. "He's not going to be 100% for a long time to come."
Bradlee eyed her suspiciously, "You've lost your fire, Jenkins, did it get crushed with Darcy?"
"Get the hell out of my office, Bradlee, and if you deign to come back, I'll fight you myself." she said as coolly as possible. She would not let him get her ire up. Lila returned to the many voicemail messages and e-mails that she had put off for way too long.
After several hours of meaningless meetings and conversations, a knock on the door roused her.
"Hello, Lila."
She looked up at the sound of the unfamiliar voice in her office.
"Dr. Petersen, do you make business calls all the time?" He laughed at her. She offered him a seat and closed the door. "So, what brings you to the Post. Do you have a hot story that just needs to be told?"
"Not quite. I thought I'd see how you were faring. You haven't given yourself much time to heal after your surgery. Calling you at home was fruitless, besides, this way I could informally ask you out to lunch."
She blushed. And realized that it was probably the first time she had ever blushed in her life. He saw the heightened color and smiled.
"Do I take that as a yes."
She looked right into his eye, "Yes, and only because I'm hungry."
He held his hands up in mock protest, "I wouldn't have it any other way. I can grill you about how you've been feeling over a salad."
Lila called her assistant into the office and told her that she was going out to lunch. Possibly a long lunch. He winked at her, then took her arm.
Lisa looked into Ted's eyes with wonderment. He was so soft and so strong at the same time. She knew that he missed Julia, but he was slowly getting over her. His campaigning was going fabulously, he was leading in the polls. His boyish charm and good looks were incredibly helpful. With the family of Darcy and Bingley behind him, he came from good stock and was extremely likable.
"Tell me what you are thinking?" Ted asked quietly over the burning candles.
"You." she smiled back at him.
"And?" he tried again.
"Just you, Ted. Are you happy?" she said the last part rather fast and loud.
He seemed shocked by the suddenness of her blurting it out. "I'm getting there, Lisa."
"Well," she settled comfortably against the chair and took a sip of her wine. "Well." she smiled, and raised her glass to him.
"Don't you want to know what I was thinking?" he asked slyly.
"Oh I know what you were thinking."
He laughed out loud at that one. "Do you now?"
"Yes, Ted Bingley, we will make love tonight."
He leaned over the table and kissed her very softly. "Have you always been a reader of minds?"
"Oh yes." she smiled and threw her arms happily around his neck.
End of Scene III
Act XI Scene IV
Ted Bingley's Campaign Headquarters
Boston, MA
Ted sat at the laptop searching through the Quicken database of all transactions in his campaign account. With his manager gone home and Lisa traveling to Washington, he knew that he could figure out how and when $10 million dollars was forced upon him. Hours later found him searching through his manager's receipts and office like a common criminal, and it brought a wry smile to his face. If anyone would be master at this, it would have been Chris. It was during this time that he wished he had his cousin here to help him. Implicating his campaign manager was a risky business indeed. He knew that someone on the inside had to help those who were on the outside. Ted listened carefully for any noise and would occasionally go to the door to see if anyone had come in. He was racing against the devil, and to him it seemed as if the devil were winning this race. His popularity in the polls had slipped ten points. News was getting out about duplicity and blackmail in the Bingley campaign. The newspapers were getting wind of upheaval in the Bingley camp, much to Ted's chagrin.
After two hours of cramped fingers and sore back, he realized that there would be nothing to find. He swore loudly at the organized manner of his manager and that he couldn't leave a trail implicating him. Weren't bad guys supposed to be so stupid that they almost always left a trail leading right to them.
A small gleaming box shone in the moonlight and quickly caught his eye. Ted briskly walked over to it and attempted to open it. It was locked. The intricate design on the box made it look foreign. The carvings on the box were spectacular and grandiose with a morbidity to it. He lifted the box and searched the underside for a key. He felt nothing, but a heaviness inside that made him want to open the box even more. Ted stood in the middle of the room turning around several times while tapping his hands. He knew the key to be in the room, but where? And why hadn't he seen the box before tonight. He'd been in this office a hundred times. No, a thousand times.
Ted walked over to the wall and saw a protruding knob and pulled on it. The false front of the wall came off and revealed a hook with multi sets of keys. Master keys to the door, skeleton key for the box. With the anticipation of a small child in a toy store, Ted made his way to the box.
Johns Hopkins Hospital, Bethesda, MD
The doctor poked and prodded Chris again. It was the fourth time, he screamed out in pain. Much to the delight of his parents and Julia. His recovery would take months, but the prognosis looked much in his favor.
"I see you entering a rehabilitation center, then you will be on your own. First we have to get you to walk. The MRI showed no more swelling of the spinal column. The lacerations in the face are healing nicely. I'd say you're here for another month, then off to the center."
Chris smiled happily at his parents and brushed the tear that was falling from Julia's cheek. Will shook the doctor's hand and proceeded to go outside with him.
"Will there be any permanent damage?" Will asked.
"Just the emotional damage. A beating that ferocious is something that will stay with him for a lifetime. I didn't want to bring it up in there, because your son has something of a temper, but I have put on his medical history that therapy is required. Physical, as well as mental health therapy. He needs to talk out his anger, if not, he will explode."
Will looked at the doctor and had no response. He knew that what the doctor said was somewhat true, but family always managed to help one out during a difficult period. Will wasn't able to accept that perhaps family would be more damaging than helpful.
Elizabeth came out of Chris' room with a bright smile on her face. A smile that had been lacking for over a year. "Julia will stay with him. What do you say about leaving here for a bit and getting some fresh air?"
Will smiled and embraced her tightly. "That sounds like the best plan."
Chris cradled Julia in his arms, her tears had not quite stopped yet. He soothed her and rubbed her slowly burgeoning belly. "As soon as I'm right again, we'll marry. We'll be a family."
She turned to him careful not to hurt him and kissed his cheek. "I know. I can't have you go back to the paper, Chris. They nearly killed you."
"Oh, don't you think of that now. I have to expose this group. I'm so close. So very close."
"Is your life worth nothing, Chris? Is the life of your child worth nothing? Or me? What about your parents? Chris, you can't be serious. You can't go back to her!" Julia didn't realize what she said, but Chris understood it.
He bit his lip in response to this unknowing outburst. Lila had been on his mind a lot lately. More so, when Julia wasn't around. Lila did save his life. It seemed to Chris that Lila always seem to come to the rescue just at the exact moment that he needed it. He didn't know why Lila just stopped showing up. He couldn't remember what had transpired between the two of them and calling her was out of the question. The fact that she had changed her phone number played on his mind over and over again.
"I have a doctor's appointment tomorrow at the health center here. They want to put me on vitamins."
Chris looked at her and smiled, "You don't need to be around me all the time, Julia, I'm healing and the sleep is good. You need your sleep too. Those dark rings under your eyes are frightful. Go home, I insist."
"Two weeks the doctor wants you to start trying to get up. Are you ready for that." Chris nodded his head and smiled his devastatingly charming smile. It reminded Julia of the first time she saw the smile, although, it wasn't met for her.
Julia headed to the door, when Chris called out to her. "I love you, Julia."
"I know."
Chris listened for Julia's retreating footstep outside in the hallway before he reached over for the phone. Lila would have to talk to him now. There would be no way for her to refuse his call at the office.
He pushed the numbers forcefully on the phone and waited impatiently for her secretary to answer it.
"Ms. Jenkins' office, Darla speaking."
"Hello, Darla, Chris Darcy here."
A squeal of delight forced Chris to move the phone away from his ear and wince in pain. "Chris, you're gonna be okay?"
"Yeah, Darla, I'm going to be fine. Is Lila around?"
He could sense the cold coming through the phone. "She's asked that your calls not be put through to her." Darla cupped the phone to her mouth and whispered. "She and Bradlee had a big fight concerning you. Lila's leaving. But on the good side, she's happier now. Now that the doctor has been coming around."
Chris was momentarily stunned. "What doctor?" he practically barked it at her.
"The doctor that operated on her. Right after your accident she was gone for while. Turned out she had some major surgery that she refuses to tell even me about."
"Never mind that, tell her that I rang. Darla, tell her that I rang and that I will be in to see her soon."
Darla sighed, "She probably won't be here. But I will tell her you called. Can't wait to see her expression when I do tell her."
Chris whispered to himself, "Yeah, me too."
End of Scene IV
Act VI Scene V
Washington Post Headquarters
Three Days Later
Lila sat staring at the beautiful bouquet of tulips that had just been brought into her office. She immediately picked up the phone and dialed Carl Petersen's office.
"Darling, I just received the flowers, they are exquisite. How did you know I adored tulips?" She gushed enthusiastically. "I must do something special for you tonight. What?"
"I didn't send you any tulips, Lila. Is there a card?"
Lila put the phone down on her desk and looked in the bunch for a card. There was nothing there. She picked the phone up again. "It's strange, there is no card."
The doctor laughed good-humoredly, "Perhaps, my dear, you have a secret admirer. However, I now thank you for the knowledge you've given me regarding your favorite flower. I miss you, Lila."
Lila blushed a bright shade of crimson and whispered the same back to him. "Thank you, Carl, for making things easier for me." They spoke for a few more minutes before hanging up.
Darla walked unannounced into Lila's office and plopped herself down on the chair opposite. Lila arched an eyebrow at her secretary. "Well, how was the weekend. Oh, I see you got flowers from the love doc. Cool."
Lila sighed and looked at her insubordinate subordinate, "My weekend was fine. Did I get all my messages?"
"Uh, yeah. Well, no, really, Chris Darcy called." Darla peered closer to Lila who looked stoically ahead. "In fact, he called three times since."
"I see. Did he leave a message or just for you to tell him that he called?"
"Oh no, he didn't leave a message. Just that he called. He sounds good. Man, was he ever a looker. I mean, just the thought of him made me weak at… oh, yeah, well. He called." Darla got up heavily from her chair and waddled out of the office. A pale peach paper caught her attention under the desk and she reached down to pick it up. "Uh, Lila, this is for you." She handed her the small envelope and traipsed out of the office.
Chris |
Chris Darcy moved his toes, then his ankle until he slowly worked up to his knees. It hurt something bad when he tried to flex his legs. Any deep breaths felt like hot spears being inserted into his chest. He was on the mend and was damn sure that he would walk again. The physical therapist took his leg and bent it at the knee. They didn't want the muscle to atrophy from non-use. Chris bit down on the towel that the friendly nurse handed to him. The therapist moved over to the other leg and repeated the same therapeutic move. The creaks and cracks of bones surprised Chris, but remained impassive as along as the therapist did too.
"We'll get you into the tub soon. The massage therapy will work on the muscles that were torn during your beating. Chris, if I have to force you up and out of that bed, I'll do it."
Chris smiled at Tony, "Yeah, I wouldn't put it past you."
"You came in near death and look at you now. We'll also have to bulk you up. You skinny thang you. No bulk. What woman would want a girlie man like you."
"Watch it, Tony. I am more man."
"Oh please, you excite me, Chris darlin'."
"Yeah, well, I do prefer women."
Tony feigned surprise. "And what's wrong with men, thank you, Mr. rich-and-I-don't-care-who-I-shag-Darcy?"
Chris laughed at his physical therapist, "Uh, Tony, for you. Nothing. For me, everything!"
"Yeah, well darlin', you and me, we stuck together for the next couple of weeks. I'll give that body a workout."
Chris looked at him and tried not to laugh when Tony stuck his tongue out. "My body is my temple."
"Yeah, you continue to think that." Tony laughed in response. "I'll make sure that temple is made of strong brick and mortar. I'll whip you into your former self."
"No more, girlie man for me, eh?"
Tony walked across the room to the door and then turned back to Chris, "For a straight guy, you're okay. As a gay man, you couldn't do it."
"That's what makes us a bit different, Tony. I like soft women."
"Yeah, well I like hard men!" Chris shook his head as Tony left the room in hysterics.
Chris gingerly slid down further into the sheets, the therapy was particularly rough and sleep was about to overtake him. He wasn't sure how long he had been asleep, but the soft scent of jasmine mixed with a touch of freesia and rose aroused his senses. It was completely dark in his room and he couldn't see.
"Hello?" he called out into the air.
Nothing.
"I say, hello?"
A short gasp made him turn his head to the right. "Who's here?"
He sensed movement, slight movement and turned his head. "If you don't tell me your name, I'll call security. Come on, now. Who's here?"
"I'm sorry," said the retreating female voice as she opened the door. The silhouette he knew. The long blonde hair he knew. The long, shapely legs he knew. He saw the smart red suit contrast nicely with her alabaster skin. She was glowing, happy, sad, melancholy. The blonde hair gleamed in the narrow light from the hallway. She turned to face him once last time. A smile played upon her lips.
"Come back." He said weakly. His tongue felt thick and his head woozy.
"I can't. I'm sorry." She left the room and the door shut with a soft purr.
Chris stared at the door for what seemed a lifetime, before he started calling, "LILA, LILA, LILA!"
Lila hastily departed his room. She cursed herself for being caught. They told her that he was heavily drugged and would not awaken. Damn him, she muttered. Damn the flowers, Damn Julia. Damn!
End of Scene V
Act XI Scene VI
Ted Bingley's Campaign Headquarters
Two Day's Later
Ted hid the contents of the box and waited for the day to present the information to his campaign manager. And for Ted, today was the day. It led to the attackers of Julia, Lila and even Chris. He held power in his hands and felt strangely serene about it. And he was pleased to know that Lisa was safely away from any type of retribution.
A woman walked into the headquarters urgently asking for Bingley. She was a small young and very attractive woman. Ted heard the commotion and quickly put aside the documents. The woman was rushed into his office.
She stood in awe of him, then clumsily held out her hand which he took. "I'm sorry, Mr. Bingley, I've just now arrived from London. I have a bit of information that I thought you'd need." She restlessly looked around the room for something to sit on. He acknowledged the small bench in the corner which she gratefully accepted.
"It would help me if I knew who I was dealing with?" he said not a bit exasperated.
"Hilary. I was a friend of…" she broke off and Ted saw the tears well up.
"A friend of whom?"
"Colin Parker and Kimberley Darcy."
Ted nodded and offered her some water. "I don't understand what sort of information you'd have for me."
"I have recently come into possession of a letter. A letter that states that Colin and Kimberley were murdered. It was not an accident."
Ted stood up and looked at the girl. He paced for several minutes before he said a word. "Why didn't you go to her parents?"
"Oh, no, sir. I couldn't do that. Besides, it also stated that $10 million American dollars would be deposited in the campaign account of Ted Bingley. They wanted to bribe you. Chris got to close to the truth."
"What truth! Do you realize that my cousin and her husband were killed before I decided to enter this race? A long time before Chris joined the paper."
Hilary laughed bitterly. "You don't see it, do you. They played the Darcy family into this mess. The whole lot of you. Chris was a pawn. You were the Rook. They sacrificed the Queen and her Prince. But you see, Chris dug deeper than anyone thought. You think you can trust your friends, but you must watch your back. Don't trust LJ. Never trust LJ." Hilary quickly gathered her stuff and hastily exited the office.
Ted turned back to the documents and saw what she meant by LJ. Lila Jenkins' name was on the document.
End of Act XI
Act XII Scene I
Washington Post Headquarters
Hilary walked the long hallway with Darla. She skipped to keep up. Darla walked much too fast. Lila was adding the finishing touches to the packing of her office when the uninvited was invited in. Darla left hurriedly.
Lila paled when she saw the woman smirking in front of her.
"What the hell are you doing here?" she demanded.
"He took the bait." Lila quickly shut the door and sat on the edge of her desk.
"You were supposed to call me. I can't have you blowing this for me. No one must know what I am doing."
Hilary held her hand out. Lila looked down in disgust and went to her purse where she pulled out a wad of bills. She counted out ten $100, and handed them to her. Hilary recounted the purse and tucked it away.
"Ted was easy, Lila. He'll stop sniffing. So, tell me, how is Chris?"
"He's slowly gaining strength, he's…" She trailed off and closed her eyes as if in memory.
Hilary came up to Lila and hugged her tightly. "I've heard about the baby. Perhaps, this will ground him. Perhaps you and he just weren't meant to be?"
Lila shrugged her off. "Yes, well, possibly. What would you know of it. Listen, Hilary, don't start playing the saint, because we both know that you are far from it."
"Well, I guess being a part of the Jenkins' family does that to people."
Lila's eyes flew open. "Absolutely, positively no one is to know about our connection. Do you hear that, Sister?"
"You told him you didn't know Colin. Yet, you and Colin were lovers before he dumped you for Kimberley. Thought that by getting in with the family, you could hurt the Darcys. But you never thought you would actually fall in love with him, did you?"
"I'm warning you, Hilary. If anyone hears of our familial connection, I'll ruin you."
Hilary planted a kiss on her cheek. "I doubt it. Don't go getting yourself killed, either. You've managed to save Chris' life and Ted's, but save your own neck too."
Hilary slipped out of the office as quietly as she came in.
John Hopkins Hospital
Julia watched as Christopher took his first step without the assistance of Tony. She clapped with glee, as the sweat poured off his face. He flashed her is trademark smile.
"I'll walk over to you to finally rub that belly of yours, you know." He continued holding on to the two parallel bars, his forearms wavering with his weight. Julia looked down at her swelling tummy and smiled. Tony saw the look the two lovers gave to each other and quietly exited the room. Chris found himself at the mercy of Julia.
"You don't mind helping me, do you?"
"Not one bit." She wheeled his chair to him. "It'll be great when you are at your full strength and can get back into action." His face lit up.
"You know, I was thinking the same thing. I've lost so much already regarding this case. Having time to think of nothing else, I'm anxious to get back. I know I've been looking in the wrong place. And if only Lila would accept my calls, we could work something out."
Julia looked distressed. "Chris, I wasn't thinking of that. In fact, I don't think you should go back to the Post." Chris dropped her hand that he had been holding.
"What do you mean not go back to the Post. Of course, I'm going back, I have a story I have to finish."
"The same story that nearly cost you your life? Do you want to end up dead? Christopher this is for you own good. Dammit, Chris, I love you and am having your baby. Don't you want to see the child?"
He waved her off. "Of course, I do. But I have a job. I'm not letting those bastards get the best of me. I will get to the bottom of this."
"How long shall you be stubborn for? How long will you keep pining for Lila, Chris?"
Chris laughed at her. "So that is the crux of the problem, eh? I'm pining for my beautiful lover, is that it?"
"Don't you even patronize me, Chris."
"And don't you even think you begin to understand me, Julia. Because you don't." Julia wheeled him out of the workout room and into the hallway. Ted met them just entering Chris' room.
"And what do we owe this honor, Ted?" Chris said facetiously. Ted kissed Julia's cheek and sat down in the chair.
"We need to talk." He looked at Julia. "Alone."
Julia shot a look to Chris who tilted his head for her to leave. Quite ungraciously, by any means. Julia got up without acknowledging a good-bye and left. Ted crossed the room and closed the door.
"Do you realize that you've been sleeping with the enemy?"
Chris laughed. "Julia is an enemy now?"
"Julia? No. Lila on the other hand…" he trailed off.
"What are you getting at Ted?"
Ted sighed and paced the room. "Lila is behind everything. Everything was masterminded by her." He thrust out suddenly.
Chris laughed harder. "You have lost your mind. You're absolutely nuts, did you know that?"
"You won't think I'm nuts when you find out that your sister was murdered."
"By Lila?"
"She knew about it." Chris shot him a look.
"Lila didn't know Kimmie."
"You think that, Chris. Why don't you do some 'investigative reporting' on her. And let's just see what we get."
"You're are completely nuts. Absolutely, completely, utterly ridiculous. Who gave you this information?"
"Kimberley's friend, Hilary."
Chris stopped and stared at him. "How does Hilary even know Lila? Ted this is ridiculous, laughable no less. Hilary hated my sister."
"Hilary was treated abominably by her!" Ted threw out.
"Kimmie was a strong character.." Ted cut him off.
"Kimmie," he said contemptibly, "was a user of people."
"Do you always disrespect dead people, Ted? Watch what you say about her."
Ted got up to leave. He turned back, "Just check up on Lila. I bet you'll get an eyeful." And he left.
End of Scene I
Author's Note
Posted on: 21 June 1999
I'm not finishing this, but this is how it ends.
Okay, first of all, Lila is NOT bad, she has secretly continued on with the investigation. She knew that Ted was getting close to the jackpot, so to get him off track and save his life, she sent Hilary(her sister) to confuse him.
Chris, does find out that Lila is actually a good person and does have a hard time reconciling his emotions and feelings for both the women in his life.
Ted and Lisa live happily ever after. And he wins by a landslide.
Lila comes perilously close to the truth regarding the cloning issue. Chris who knows what she is up to has been trailing her (he's all better now). Unfortunately, for Chris he can't save her life. Lila is killed in action.
Chris and Julia have a small civil ceremony with her parents and his in attendance and she goes into labor. She gives birth to a bouncing baby girl and they name her Lilianna Darcy.
The End.