Rating: PG

Scene Seventeen:Ashley is sleeping in her apartment when she suddenly awakes with a start. Her breathing is heavy. She takes several deep breaths to try to calm her racing heart. Glancing at the clock, she sees that it is almost 3:30 in the afternoon.  She picks up her phone and dials Trent's cell phone.
 

Trent:Thunder Investigation. Trent Malloy here.

Ashley:Hey, It's Ash.

Trent:Hi there. (he is at Thunder Karate and she can hear the students in the background.)

Ashley:What is that noise?

Trent:(Smiling.) My students. Did you just wake up? (Closes his eyes and imagines Ashley in a nightie.)

Ashley:Yes. Jealous?

Trent:Maybe. Ash, how 'bout we meet for dinner. I've got a business proposition for you.

Ashley:Sounds good. I've got one for you too. A business proposition that is.

Trent:(Smiling. Still thinking of Ashley in a nightie.)Of course.  How 'bout meeting at Uppercuts about 6:00?

Ashley:See you there. (She hangs up and the smile fades from her face as she remembers her nightmare.)
 

Scene Eighteen:Back at the hospital, Rory is still asleep. Carlos is holding her hand. Trent arrives.

Trent:Hey, Carlos.

Carlos:Trent.

Trent:How is she doing?

Carlos:Pretty good. Her vital signs are still unstable and they are keeping her sedated.

Trent:(Putting a hand on Carlos' shoulder.) She'll make it. (Connor and Eliza enter the room. Connor sits down across from Carlos and takes Rory's other hand in his. Eliza walks around to stand behind Carlos. She rests her hands on his
shoulders.)

Eliza:Hi Trent, how are you?

Trent:Good. I'd ask how you guys are but it's pretty apparent.  (To Carlos.) I have to go, I have a meeting with Ashley in
about an hour. I'll check back in later.

Eliza:(To Carlos.) Carlos, honey. You ned to get some sleep. You need to eat something. (She leans close to his ear.)You need a shower. Desperately. (He turns his head to look at her.)  And for God's sake, shave!

Carlos:(Smiling now.)Okay, I give. But I'll be back later. (He stands tucks Rory's hand under the blanket, kisses her forehead, leans to her ear and whispers.) I Love You. (He leaves.)
 

Scene Nineteen:Uppercuts. Trent and Carlos are sitting at a table.  Trent was happy to see his friend eating something, as he was starting to get a little worried about him. Ashley arrives and sits down across from Carlos.

Ashley:Hey guys. How's it going? (She was looking at Carlos when she asked the question.)

Carlos:Better. But she's not out of the woods. Thanks for asking.

Trent:(To Ashley.) You're late.

Ashley:Hey, a girls got to make an entrance. So what's this business proposition?

Trent:Ladies first.

Ashley:Okay. (She takes a deep breath and lowers her voice.) I need to hire you to find someone. But you have to promise me that you will tell absolutely no one about this. Including me.

Carlos:(With a spoonfull of chili half way to his mouth.) What?

Ashley:I better start at the beginning. When I was fifteen I had a baby. I gave it up for adoption. I don't even know for
sure if it's a girl or boy. (Carlos and Trent are both listening carefuly.) The thing is, I started having these horrible
nightmares, and I think that maybe something is terribly wrong.  (She stops and takes another deep breath. She looks both of them in the eye and continues.) I want you guys to find her.  Just make sure that she's okay. I don't want you to tell me
who adopted her or what her name is. All I want you to do is make sure that she is okay.

Trent:She?

Ashley:It's just a feeling I have that it was a girl. I know that this sounds totally nuts but I have to know.

Carlos:What if she's not okay?

Ashley:I don't know. I haven't thought that far ahead. I have money saved. I can give a retainer to get started.

Trent:That wont be necessary. My business proposition was that we wanted to hire you to revamp the security here in this building.  You take care of us, we'll take care of you and we all call it even.

Ashley:Deal.

Carlos:(Trying to stifle a yawn.)Ashley, we are gonna need some more detailed information.(He yawns.)

Ashley:of course. (Carlos yawns again.) Carlos, maybe you should get some sleep.

Trent:Yes. Listen to this smart girl. Go home and get some rest.

Carlos:Okay, you've talked me into it. I'll talk to you tomorrow.  Ashley, once again, it's been a pleasure, and we will take care of your problem.(Carlos leaves.)

Ashley:So, Trent, why do you want to revamp the security here? (She is looking around the room with a professional eye.)

Trent:Well, the bar was broken into a couple of nights ago. Someone stole about $75.00 and turned the place upside down. Well, fortunately, they didn't go upstairs. We've got confidential files that we really don't want falling into the wrong hands.

Ashley:Does Butch have a set of plans for the building?

Trent:I doubt it.

Ashley:Okay. (She takes a small norepad out of her purse.) I'll go to City Hall. They should have a copy on file with the
planning commision.

Trent:Ash.

Ashley:I'll need to get a good look around down here and upstairs. I'll have to do the work on my off time. Jarvis will fire
me if he finds out that I'm doing this on my own.

Trent:(Taking Ashley's hand.)Ashley. Look at me.

Ashley:(She looks into his eyes.)Disappointed?

Trent:Not at all. How 'bout we go upstairs to talk. It's quieter, more private.

Ashley:Yeah. Lets get it over with. (They walk upstairs together.  Once there, Trent takes a notebook and pen and sits down while Ashley paces around the room.)What do you want to know first?

Trent:Okay, lets start with the baby's father.

Ashley:(Stops at the window and puts her hand on the cool glass.) His name is (pause) was Jason White. Maybe I better start at the beginning. Jason and I grew up together. Best friends. We did everything together. When we became teenagers, we discovered sex together. Shortly after that, we discovered hell. When we figured out that I was pregnant, well, we had to tell our parents. My parents blames his parents and vice versa. He was suddenly "that juvenile delinquent" and I was "the town whore". (She takes a deep breath and continued.)  We left the four of them there screaming at each other.  Jason and I talked for a long time, and cried, and I made the first real adult decision of my life. I decided to have the
baby, but give it up for adoption. We went home and informed our parents of my decision. We were informed that we were never to see each other again and to insure this my father sent me here to live with my grandparents. They were so great to me. My granny kept trying to get me to change my mind, but I was deremined. On October 12th 1985 I gave birth at 6:35pm. I told the doctor not to tell me what gender it was, but I did overhear a nurse say that she was beautiful. Arrangements had been made through my fathers attourneys. I never saw her. I never held her. They said that it would be better that way. (She pauses again and Trent was beginning to think whe was finished.) About three weeks ago, I started having these horrible nightmares, and I know that this sounds completely nuts, but (She turns and looks him in the eyes.) I need to make sure that she is okay.

Trent:Actually, it doesn't sound as strange as you might think. Ash, after you had the baby, did you go back home?

Ashley:No. My father said that I should just stay here with my grandparents. The summer after graduation I recieved a copy of an obituary on Jason. He was killed in a car accident and I'm quite certain that my father took great pleasure in sending it to me.

Trent:I'm so sorry. Kim and I will get started right away.

Ashley:I must stress again the importance of keeping this quiet. My father is running for the State Senate and he has already warned my not to do anything to embarrass him during his campaign.

Trent:(Smiling)Do you embarrass him often?

Ashley:I have an impulsive nature and have been known to get a little wild at times. (the smile fades from her face.) I'm gonna go. I'll talk to you tomorrow. If you, Kim or Carlos have any other questions, you know where to reach me.

Trent:I'll walk you down to your car.(They are silent until they reach the Stealth.) Would Jarvis really fire you for doing a job on your own?

Ashley:Without hesitation. The man is a total prick.

Trent:Why do you stay there?

Ashley:Two reasons. One, I make $100,000.00 a year before taxes, and two, I don't have enough money saved up to go into business for myself, yet.

Trent:How much to you need?

Ashley:I figured, to get started, I would need about $200,000.00.

Trent:How close are you?

Ashley:About half way. (The moon came out from behind the clouds and shone down on them. Smiling they look into each others eyes. The moment seems to last a lot longer than it does and then they start to stammer.) Well, I better...

Trent:You should probubly...(They both smile again.)

Ashley:Goodnight, Trent.

Trent:Drive carefully. I'll talk to you tomorrow.
 

Scene Twenty:When Carlos returned to his appartment, he immediately showered and shaved. He fell asleep on the couch watching the news. He awoke to the phone ringing at 4:00am.

Carlos:Hello?

Connor:Carlos, lad. I think you need to get back down here.

Carlos:What's happened, Connor? (His heart is racing.)

Connor:They say that she's developed an infection. They've put her on a respirator and the doctor said that she's slipped back into the coma.

Carlos:I'm on my way.
 

Scene Twenty-one:Back at the hospital, the waiting is on again. Alex arrives and is told the latest update.

Alex:Carlos, can I talk to you?

Carlos:What is it Alex? (They step out into the hall.)

Alex:The other day, at the courthouse, Rory told me some things. She said that I should tell you, after she was shot.

Carlos:No! Alex, if Rory has something to say to me, then I would rather hear them from her. She is not going to die! Do you hear me?

Alex:(Putting her arms around him.) You're right, I'll check back with you later. Call if you need anything.

Carlos:Alex, I'm sorry, I didn't mean...

Alex:I understand.
 

Scene Twenty-two:Ashley is in her office, working on a project. She is on the phone with a friend, who works for the City planning dept.

Ashley:That's right, Bob, the place is called Uppercuts, the address is 1040 Huxley Ave. I need a copy of the plans for the
building if you can find them.

Bob:Sure thing Ash. Bill the Company?

Ashley:No. This is personal. I'll pay you cash when I pick them up, and Bob, don't tell anyone about this. You know how Jarvis is.

Bob:Sure thing Ash. I'll have it ready by the end of the day.

Ashley:Thanks Bob. (They hang up. She continues to work and is unaware that her half of the conversation was overheard by a man named brock who was the office snitch. Her phone rings again.) Ashley Brighton, can I help you?

Trent:Goodmorning.

Ashley:Hey, Trent.

Trent:Are you free for dinner tonight?

Ashley:Yes. I am.

Trent:Cool. I'll pick you up around 6:30.

Ashley:I can hardly wait. (They hang up.)
 

Scene Twenty-three:Carlos is at the holpital. He and Eliza are sitting in the hallway, talking quietly. Connor is holding
his only daughters hand and talking to her.

Connor:Oh, my little lassy. You canna leave yet. There's so many things ya hadna done yet. So many things that I need to tell ya. You know that I adore ya, Lassy, but I dinna ever tell ya how very proud I am of ya. I'ts true, Lassy, I am, and I
know that you would never let scum like that Grayson win.  Becouse you see, If you leave us then he's won. Don't let
him win. (Tears were streaming down his face. He turned his head up to the heavens and said a silent prayer. He felt her
hand move in his. When he looked at her, her eyes were open with a determined look.)

Rory:(Horsley, barely audible.) He loses! I win! (Connor Smiles. He buzzes for the nurse. When the light comes on outside the door, Carlos and Eliza jump up and run into the room. They are very happy to see that she is awake.
 

Scene Twenty-four:Trent and Ashley are having dinner at an Italian restaraunt.

Ashley:I picked up a copy of the blue prints for Uppercuts. Do you know how old that building is?

Trent:No. I haven't a clue.

Ashley:It was built in 1953. I'm gonna check the wiring too. knowing Butch, he's probubly never updated it.

Trent:Can you do that too?

Ashley:Sure. Piece of cake. (She gives him a sweet smile.) How's Carlos' girlfriend?

Trent:I talked to Carlos a couple of hours ago. She's stabalized and doing much better. The doctor says that the worst of over.

Ashley:Thank goodness. From what ya'll have told me, she seems like a nice person.

Trent;She is. She's really pretty too. (He gets a faraway look thinking about his friend.)

Ashley:Oh. (She thinks, 'Oh great, he's got it for his best friends woman' and she realizes that she is completely disappointed,becouse she's developed a huge crush on him.)

Trent:What, Oh?

Ashley:Nothing. Just, Oh.
 

Scene Twenty-five:Trent takes Ashley back to her appartment. She invites him in.

Trent:Are those the Plans?

Ashley Yeah. I haven't really had a chance to look them over, yet.  Would you like a glass of wine?

Trent:Sure. Thanks. (She goes to the kitchen and he looks around the room. In one corner she has a Grand Piano and he is looking at an old photo of a very beautiful lady.)

Ashley:My grandmother. She used to sing in a Speakeasy during prohibition. That's where Papa found her. He hung around until she agreed to marry him. They're still together.

Trent:(Smiling)Your Grandmother was a flapper?

Ashley:No. She sang in a blues club. She taught me everything I know.

Trent:You can play?

Ashley:No, I keep this monster around becouse dusting it is my life's ambition.

Trent:Sarcasm?

Ashley:Always. (She taps her glass to his.) As long as I'm on a roll. Do you have a thing for this Rory? and does Carlos
know?

Trent:Rory is one of my best friends and yes I love her, but not like that. Why, jealous?

Ashley:Of course not.

Trent:Okay miss smarty pants. Lets hear you play something.

Ashley:(Smiles and decides that she's gonna fix his cart and wipe the smile off of his face. She sits down and decides to play a bluesey piece called 'Slow Like Honey' by Fiona Apple.)

'Slow Like Honey' by Fiona Apple

You move like honey / in my dream last night
Yeah and old fires were burning
You came near to me / and you endeared to me
But you couldn't quite discern me.

Does that scare you? / I'll let you run away
But your heart will not ablige you
You'll remember me / like a melody
Yeah, I'll hold the world inside you

And my big secret / gonna win you over
Slow like honey / heavy with mood.

I'll let you see me / I'll covet your regard
I'll invade your demeanor
And you'll yield to me / like a scent in the breeze
And you'll wonder what it is about me

It's my big secret / keeping you coming
Slow like honey / heavy with mood.

Though dreams can be decieving / like faces are to hearts
They serve for sweet releaving
When fantasy and reality / lie to far apart.
So I stretch myself across like a bridge

And I pull you to the edge / and stand there waiting
Trying to attain / the end to satisfy the story
Shall I release you? / Must I release you?
As I rise to meet my glory.

But my big secret / gonna hover over your life
Gonna keep reaching / when I'm gone like yesterday
When I'm high like heaven / When I'm strong like music
'Cuz I'm slow like honey and heavy with mood

(She finishes the piece and takes a deep breath. She had forgotten how provocative the lyrics were. He sat down next to her on the bench at some point during the song and now she turned her head and looked at him. Their eyes met. Then their lips.
 

Scene Twenty-six:The next morning Ashley awakes to two realizations.  One, that the sun was shining into her room which meant that she was gonna be late for work and two, that there was a pair of strong arms around her and her back was pressed up against a warm naked body. She turned so she could see his face. He was awake.

Trent:Goodmorning.

Ashley:Pinch me.

Trent:What?

Ashley:Pinch me. I want to make sure that I'm not dreaming.

Trent:No dream. (He kisses her passionately.)

Ashley:(Checks her watch.) I'm late. (Trying to crawl out of bed while Trent is trying to keep her there.)

Trent:Call in sick today.

Ashley:I can't do that. I...(Trent starts kissing her neck just below her earlobe.) I...(He runs his teeth down her throat.) Oh,
what the hell, it's only a job. (She rolls on top of him and continues the passionate kiss.)
 

Scene Twenty-seven:Back at the hospital. Carlos and Rory are sitting together. She is picking at her breakfast.

Carlos:Are you gonna eat that or play with it?

Rory:(Pushes the food away.) I need to talk to you.

Carlos;About?

Rory:Marcus.

Carlos:You know, I checked you out after we first met and I do know something about him.

Rory:I figured. But there is a lot that you don't know. Things that I really think that you should know.

Carlos:Okay. I'm all ears.

Rory:I was still in High School when I met Marcus. He was a few years older and he was already a uniformed Police Officer. He told me that he was gonna marry me as soon as I graduated. Marcus was larger than life to me. He was like, walking noise. He treated me like I was a queen. And sure enough a week after graduation we ran away an got married. My father was furious.  He hated Marcus but I didn't care. I lived my life in a  whirlwind. I went to the Police Accadamy and became a Police Officer. By that time, Marcus had become a Detective. He liked living large and I was so wrapped up in my own job that I never questioned anything he did. After he died, it was like someone turned off the noise and suddenly I could see things clearly. I knew that Grayson had killed him. I also knew why. Marcus was working for Grayson. When Grayson pissed him off, Marcus started putting together information to get him arrested. But he hadn't figured out how to do it without implicating himself.

Carlos:Marcus was on the take?

Rory:Oh yeah! Big time. I found Marcus' notes on Grayson. That's when I figured out he was working for him. I was so angry at first, I went right to my lawyer and changed my name back to Caine. Then, I set about nailing Grayson.

Carlos:Using the information in the file?

Rory:No. I burned the file. I couldn't let Marcus be dragged through the mud. I started over from scratch. I had already
taken my tests to move up to Detective and passed. It took me two years to get enough information on Grayson to put him
away. He never connected me to Marcus. He told me in the courtroom that he would kill me, when he got out. (She paused and took a deep breath.) The next four years I threw myself into my work, literally. No serious relationships here.
There was no way I was ever gonna trust a man, or anyone, for that matter, ever again. After a few years, I decided that
I needed a change so I moved down here to Dallas. The second that I looked into your eyes I knew two things. One, that
there was no way you had killed Angela and two, that I was gonna be in serious trouble. Oh, I tried to pretend that I
wasn't falling for you, but the fact is, I done fell. I know that sometimes I can be a real Bitch, but I really do Love You. Very Very much. (She reached up and placed her hand on his face.) And my Da likes you too.

Carlos:I love you too. (He gently kisses her.) And I'll have you know that I had to fight Trent off with a stick to get you all
to myself.

Rory:After I saw that smile of yours, he didn't stand a chance.

Trent:(Ashley and Trent walked into the room just then.)Who didn't stand a chance?

Carlos & Rory:You! (They Laugh.)

Trent:Great, that probubly means that I'm in trouble again. (He bends down and kisses Rory on the cheek.) Hey, beautiful. Welcome back.

Rory:Thanks Blondie. (She touches his cheek.) Who's the babe?

Trent:This gorgeous lady is Ashley Brighton. Ashley, Rory Caine. (The two women shake hands.)

Ashley:Trent's told me so much about you. It's good to finally meet you.

Rory:It's nice to meet you too. Carlos told me that you design security systems.

Ashley:Yeah, It's a living.

Rory:Carlos and Trent have been talking about branching out Thunder Investigations into security too. I hope that they're taking notes.

Carlos:SSSHHHH! You're not supposed to tell. We've been secretly stealing all of her trade secrets. (They all chuckle.) Hey Dan called me this morning. That camera you installed in the safe snapped a lovely photo of his theif.

Trent:Alright!

Ashley:So? Who was it?

Carlos:His secretary. (They all laugh.) Go figure.

The End - For Now!