Rating: PG

Scene ten: The next morning, Trent carries Ashley, still sleeping into Carlos and Rory’s room and puts her in bed with Rory.  He and Carlos then leave quietly and get into the corvette.

Carlos: You okay?

Trent: I don’t know.

Carlos: Didn’t you sleep?

Trent: Who could sleep with you and Rory carrying on like that?

Carlos: (Grinning) Sorry, man, couldn’t be helped. I still lose all control when she’s near me.

Trent: (Shaking his head.) How is she? Really?

Carlos: She’s pretty shaken up but she’s okay. A few nasty scrapes on her arms and neck. (He pauses.) Trent, I was really afraid that I’d lost her.

Trent: I know, buddy. I know.

Carlos: (Another pause.) I’m thinking about asking Rory to marry me.

Trent: Really? That’s great, Carlos. Have you picked out a ring yet?

Carlos: I’m gonna give her my grandmothers ring. I took in to Reese at Baylin Jewlers to have it sized and checked. I’m having the setting redone too.

Trent: I’m impressed.

Carlos: I hope that she is.
 

Scene Elevin: They arrive at the field where the tornado had ripped through the day before. The place is a total mess. They head for the parking area and are amazed by the scene.

Carlos: I can’t believe it. (They approach the durango.

Trent: (Laughing.) Unbelievable. (The durango and several other vehicles that were parkes at the farthest spots were not damaged at all.) Not a scratch on it.

Carlos: Rory is very lucky.

Trent: You’re not gonna tell her, are you?

Carlos: Of course I am. After I make her suffer. A little.
 

Scene Twelve: Ashley slowly opens her eyes. Her head is pounding and she doesn’t know where she is. She starts to sit up and gets a shooting pain through her shoulder and down her arm.  She lays back down and takes deep breaths. Rory comes out of the bathroom.

Rory: Hey, girlfriend. Take it slow. (She sits down on the bed next to her.)

Ashley: Where are we? Hell.

Rory: No such luck. We’re at a motel across from the hospital. Do you remember the hospital?

Ashley: I remember some butcher, who called himself a doctor, and some big ugly bitch with a square needle trying to inject me with poison.

Rory: Not poison. Painkillers. Boy, were you looped. (Chuckles>)

Ashley: Thank God Trent wasn’t here to see that.

Rory: (Looks at her sideways.) Well, actually. They met us at the hospital.

Ashley: Oh, please, tell me I didn’t make an ass of myself.

Rory: (Smirking.) Okay, you didn’t make an ass of yourself.

Ashley: (Slowly sitting up.) How bad?

Rory: (Mimicking a sappy southern accent.) Oh, Trent, you have the most beautiful eyes.

Ashley: Did you bring your gun?

Rory: No. Why?

Ashley: I was gonna borrow it so I could SHOOT MYSELF!

Rory: (Laughing.) Here. (She hands Ashley a glass of water and a couple of asprin. Carlos and Trent enter the room.  Carlos doesn’t say anything, just walks past Rory and into the bathroom and closes the door. Trent goes to Ashley who has pulled the covers up over her head.)

Trent: (To Rory.) What’s going on?

Rory: She doesn’t remember much of last night. How bad was the truck? (Trent doesn’t say anything.) Oh God, I’m screwed. (She knocks on the bathroom door.) Honey? Please open the door. (Carlos open the door, walks past her and back out of the room.)

Trent: (Trying to keep a straight face.) Go see for yourself. (Rory practically bolts through the door.) Ashley.

Ashley: Go away.

Trent: No. Come on, come out from under there.

Ashley: No!

Trent: Okay, then I’m coming in. (He lifts the covers up from the side and sticks his head undernieth.) Boo! (Ashley pulls her head out and so does Trent. She goes back under.) Okay! (He grabs the blanket and gives a good yank and pulls it off the bed. She quickly covers her head with a pillow.) Ashley! Cut it out. Why are you hiding from me?

Ashley: Becouse I made an ass of myself last night and I don’t even know what all I said.

Trent; You didn’t make an ass of yourself. You said some very sweet things and besides, I knew that you wre on painkillers so it doesn’t count. (She pulled the pillow off of her head and looked at him.)

Ashley: What did I say?

Trent: I don’t remember. Exept for the part when you told me that you loved me.

Ashley: I said that! (She raises her voice and yells towards the door.) Hey, Carlos! Can I borrow your gun so I can shoot myself?

Trent: Oh, so yu didn’t mean it. (He lowers his head dejectedly.)

Ashley: Trent, I ....(She looks at him and he turns his head and peaks at her. She can tell now that he is teasing her. She takes the pillow, with her good arm and nails him in the head.)

Carlos: (Outside, Rory is walking around the Durango looking at it very closely. She gets all the way around it and realizes there’s no damage at all. Carlos jumps out from behind the truck.) Gotcha!!!!

Rory; (When Rory turns to Carlos she has a furious look on her face.)  You! I was really worried that I had ruined you truck. I can’t believe you!

Carlos: Come on, Rory. Where’s your sense of humor?

Rory: Oh, I guess maybe it got blown into the next county by a tornado, yesterday. (Carlos tries to put his arm around her.) Don’t you touch me! Why do you do that? You never take the  right things serious, Damn it! (She is shouting into his face and poking him in the chest with her finger.) You joke about everything and I’m sick of it! I’m sick of being the  butt of you jokes. Do you hear me?! Take Me Home!!!!  (Carlos opens his mouth to say something and changes his mind.  He walks to the Motel office to check out and pay.)
 

Scene thirteen: Later that night, Trent and Ashley arrive at Uppercuts to find Carlos shooting pool by himself. When he sees them he goes and sits with them.

Ashley: Where’s Rory?

Carlos: I have no idea, and until she chills out, I don’t want to know either.

Trent: Still not talking to you?

Carlos: I guess not. (He looks at Trent, then at Ashley, then back at Trent. Trent finally nods.)

Ashley: Okay, what’s going on? You guys are up to something.

Trent: Ash, we have information on your daughter.

Ashley: Oh. (She takes a deep breath.) Okay. Is she okay?

Carlos: No. (Trent takes her hand.) We spoke with her adopted father. (He pauses again, then continues.) She has lukemia.

Trent: They are trying to find a bone marrow doner. You don’t have to do this. But there is an excelent chance that you are a match.

Ashley: What happens if I don’t do this?

Carlos: She’ll die.

Ashley: (Stay’s expressionless as she thinks about what they have told her.) Trent, can you take me home?

Trent: Sure.

Ashley: Thanks. Goodnight, Carlos. (She stands and walks to the door.)
 

Scene Fourten: Trent pulls into the driveway of Ashley’s house.

Trent: Ashley, are you okay?

Ashley: Yes. I just need to think about this. (He opens her car door and walks her to the front door. He takes her into his arms and kisses her nose.) I’ll call you in the morning.

Trent: I’ll be wainting by the phone. (She hugs him with her good arm and kisses him on the cheek. He takes her keys and opens the door, then hands back her keys.) Goodnight, Ash.

Ashley: Goodnight. (She goes into her house and Trent leaves. She stands in the middle of her livingroom, looks down at the keys in her hand and then she heads for the garage at the back of the house. She gets into her Stealth and drives.
 

Scene Fifteen: Ashley had been driving around the city for a couple of hours and suddenly finds herself at Rory’s condo.

Rory; (Opens the door.) Ash. What’s wrong? Are you okay? Come in.

Ashley: I need to talk to someone.

Rory: Where’s Trent?

Ashley: I need a girlfriends point of view.

Rory: Have a seat. Do you want some wine?

Ashley: Sure. (Rory goes and gets a bottle and two glasses.)

Rory: Ferrante’s Jester’s Blush. My dad sent me a whole case of the stuff. (She pours the wine.)

Ashley: Did Carlos ever tell you that I hired them to look into some-thing for me?

Rory: Yes. Don’t be upset with him. He tells me everything.

Ashley: I figured that he did.

Rory: Did they find out anything?

Ashley: Yes. (She repeats what Carlos and Trent told her.) I just don’t know what to do. I have to help hr, but I don’t want to interfere in their lives. It wouldn’t be fair to any of them. Rory, what am I gonna do?

Rory: First, you have to determine if you are a match. If you are you have to be a donor. An annonymous donor. Carlos and Trent can set it up.

Ashley: There’s one other problem. I think that I’m pregnant. I don’t know how something like this could effect my baby.

Rory: (Looking stunned.) Ashley. Have you told Trent?

Ashley: Not yet. (Rory Refills their glasses.) We’ve only been seeing each other for a little over a month and ....

Rory: How did this happen?

Ashley: (The wine was starting to go to her head and she smiled a devilish smile.) Exploding condom. (She starts to giggle.)

Rory: Ah! Of course. Well, go see the doctor about being a match and ask him about it at that time. And it might be a good idea to mention it to Trent too.

Ashley: Good idea. That’s exactly what I’ll do. (She finishes her second glass of wine and refills her glass.) Now, what’s up with you and Carlos?

Rory: Nothing. Why?

Ashley: Oh come on. You didn’t talk to him the whole way home.

Rory: How would you know that? You were riding with Trent.

Ashley: Becouse, Trent told me, and Carlos looked like he lost his best friend.

Rory: Good. Ooooh, he gets me sooo mad. Sometimes I could just...(She has her hands up like she’s going for his throuat.) Ooooh! (Ashley laughs. They pour more wine.) Don’t worry.  Tomorrow he’ll send me flowers, take me to dinner and make mad passionate love to me all night long.

Ashley: (Raising her glass in a toast.) Here’s to mad, passionate, love.

Rory: Here! Here!! (They giggle and finish the bottle off.) Aaahh! We killed it. (Referring to the empty bottle.)

Ashley: It died a noble death.

Rory: Should I open another bottle?

Ashley: What the hell! Bring it on. (While Rory gets another bottle from the kitchen she continues.) You know, he really does love you.

Rory: I know. (She smiles.) But sometimes he needs to be reminded that life isn’t all fun and games.

Ashley: What are you talking about? Good God, Rory, you’re a homicide detective. You look at death everyday. I would think that when your not working you’d want things to be light and amusing.

Rory; (Stares at her open mouthed.) Who’s side are you on?

Ashley: Yours. I’m just making an observation. That’s all.

Rory: Oh hell. I know you’re right. I’m just...

Ashley: Board?

Rory: Yes! And every little thing he does gets on my last nerve.  It’s not his fault.

Ashley: So, maybe you should tell him how you feel instead of pretend-ing that nothing is bothering you. He’ll do anything for you.

Rory: I know.

Ashley: I’ve got it.

Rory: What?

Ashley: Something to do. (Both girls are starting to slurr their words.) The fund raiser at the HOPE center. Alex is staging a talent contest.

Rory: You have got to be kidding.

Ashley; No. Hear me out. Trent told Alex that I could play the piano and she’s been badgering me to sign up. Carlos always says you sing like an angel. So, lets do a song together. It’ll be fun.

Rory: For charity?

Ashley: For fun.

Rory: Okay. Why the hell not.
 

Scene Sixteen: Carlos awakes to pounding on his door.

Carlos: Just a minute. (He open the door and sees a dozen red roses staring him in the face. He pulls the hand, holding the roses, down to find Rory smiling at him.)

Rory: Goodmorning.

Carlos: Hi!

Rory: I came to apologise.

Carlos: (One eyebrow goes up.)Really?

Rory: Don't you dare laugh at me.

Carlos: I wouldn't dream of it.

Rory: Are you gonna invite me in?

Carlos: I don't know. Are you armed?

Rory: No. (Her eyes travel down his body and she notices that he is only wearing a pair of boxer shorts.)

Carlos: (Catches the look, steps aside and allows her to enter.) Are those for me?

Rory: Yep. Would you like me to put them in water?

Carlos: I'll do it. Have a seat. (He puts them in a vase and then sits down next to her.) You know, I really love you. (She opens her mouth to respond.) Ah! Let me finish. I know that sometimes my goofing off annoys you, but you have to know, that when the situation calls for serious, I can do that to.

Rory: I do know that. I just forget sometimes. I do love you, more than I ever thought that I could. (She touches his face and looks into his eyes.) Are you hungry?

Carlos: Starved.

Rory: Do you want to go get some breakfast? My treat.

Carlos: I don't want breakfast. (He kisses her passionately.)
 
 

Scene seventeen: Ashley arrives at Thunder Karate. Trent is teaching a class. Ashley sits down at the desk and watches. Usually she enjoys watching Trent but this morning her head is pounding from the hangover from too much wine. Everytime the kids shout thier 'key eyes' her head pounds harder. Finally, class is over.

Trent: Didn't get much sleep, did you?

Ashley: No.

Trent: (Noticing her red eyes and pale complection.) Hangover?

Ashley: I drove over to Rory's last night. We sat up and talked half the night. And we polished off two or three bottles of wine. (Trent Smiles.) You know, that wench doesn't even have a headache today.

Trent: I think that, despite the gunshot wound, she still has a cast iron stomache. Besides the headache, how are you feeling?

Ashley: You know, Trent, this has really been a crappy week. (She steps into his embrace, breathes in, wrinkles her nose and tries to take a step away from him. He holds on tight.)  Aahhh! You need a shower, bad!

Trent: (Really laughing now.) Oh, yeah! What are you trying to say? (He is pulling her closer.) Do I stink?

Ashley: (Playfully struggling to get away.) Yes! You stink! Now let go!

Tommy: (Trent's brother walks around the corner and sees the two of them carrying on.) Oh, man! Not again! Why don't you two get a room?

Trent: Watch it pipsqueek. Show a little respect in the presence of a lady.

Tommy: (jokingly) When I see one, I will.

Ashley: Hey! Watch it buddy. I've been known to bite.

Tommy: I'm soooo scared. (they laugh)

Ashley: Shouldn't you be in school or something?

Tommy: Teacher conferences are today. No school.

Ashley; So, what's the plan?

Tommy: Work out. Go over to Adam's and work on our science project.  Teach a class here at 4:00. Then I have a date.

Trent: Oooh! Who's the lucky girl?

Tommy: Just a girl from school. (He starts to figit and back away.)

Trent; (Grabs him by the arm.) Wowe. What girl?

Tommy: Rachel Caine. Look, don't tell Rory. I don't need to hear the lecture.

Trent: Tommy, Rachel is three years younger than you.

Tommy: That's not so much. (He pulls his arm out of Trent's grasp.) Besides, it's just a first date, and Adam and Kelly are gonna be there too.

Ashley: (Tommy walks away and Trent takes a step to follow. Ashley pulls him back.) Hey, Malloy. Let him go. Didn't you date when you were his age?

Trent: Yeah, but...

Ashley: But nothin'. Haven't you had "that talk" with him yet?

Trent: Yes. I have.

Ashley; Then trust him. He'll be okay. (She kisses him lightly on the lips and them backs away again, smiling.) Please go take a shower.

Trent: Don't go anywhere. I'll be back in 5 min. 10 tops.

Ashley: (Walks to where Tommy is working out.) Take it easy on that bag.

Tommy: Why does he do that?

Ashley: Becouse he's your brother, and he loves you. He'd like to keep you from making some of the same mistakes that he did. The world's alot harder than it was when he was your age and it scares the hell out of him. He just wants to protect you.  (Tommy stops hitting the bag and looks at her.) Imagine how crazed he's gonna be when Tandy starts to date.

Tommy: (Smiling again.) How do you feel about younger men?

Ashley: Why?

Tommy: Becouse, when you get tired of Trent, I'd like a shot.

Trent: (Approaches in time to hear Tommy) Forget it squirt. You'll be an old man before that happens. (He puts out his arm and Ashely slips her hand into it.) Could I buy you breakfast my love?

Ashley: Nope. You can take me to the hospital and have me tested to see if I'm a match.

Trent: I knew you would do it.

Ashley: There is one thing. Trent, I think that I may be pregnant.

Trent: I know. (She looks at him with surprise.)

Ashley: Are you angry?

Trent: How could I be? I love you. (He opens the car door and she gets in.)

Ashley: There is one other thing. If I am a match, I want to do this annonimously. I don't want to disrupt their lives.

Trent: Are you sure?

Ashley: Yes. (Trent Starts the corvette and looks at her.)

Trent: Consider it done.

Ashley: Trent. I love you too. (He smiles as they drive away.)
 
 

Scene Eighteen: It's Monday, late afternoon. Ashley had donated her bone marrow on Thursday, the previous week and Rory had been to see her doctor earlier that day. The gang is gathering at Uppercuts. Ashley and Rory arrive together to find the guys shooting pool.

Trent: Thank God! Rory come over here and help me. I'm getting my ass kicked.

Rory: Why to you play against him? You know you're gonna lose.

Carlos: He's a glutton for punishment. Go ahead and help him. I can beat you both.

Rory: Oh Yeah?

Carlos: Yeah! (They are face to face. Rory pulls open the front of her shirt, so only Carlos can see.) I quit! Trent, you win.

Ashley: And that, Ladies and Gentlemen, is what we call 'dirty pool'.  (They all laugh and head to a table.)

Butch: (Brings a pitcher of beer to the table and glasses.) Rory, Darlin'.

Rory: Yeah, Butch.

Butch: I'm not gonna tell you again. (Giving her a sly wink.) Keep your clothes on in the bar.

Rory: Why? Are you gonna call the cops? (Everyone laughs. Butch walks away shaking his head.)

Trent: So, Rory, what did the doctor say?

Rory: He said that I can't go back to work yet, but I knew he would say that. He did say that I could start working out again.  Taking it easy at first and then building it up as I feed that I can.

Trent: Great. So you'll be back in the 7:00 am class again.

Rory: Every morning. I'm gonna start going to the shooting range again too. When Doc says I can go back to work, I'll be ready.

Ashley: When do you see him again?

Rory: Two weeks. Hopefully, then he'll give me a date that I can start back to work.

Carlos: AMEN!

Rory; Hey, Ash. How are you feeling?

Ashley: Okay. The procedure really wasn't that bad. It was uncom-fortable while they were doing it but the next day I felt fine, and my shoulder is much better too. (Carlos & Trent look at each other and then look away.) What?

Rory: Come on you two. Out with it.

Trent: We spoke to Mr. Prichard this afternoon.

Carlos: Yeah. He said that breanna was responding well to the transplant and already showing signs of improvement.

Rory; Carlos! (She smacks him on the shoulder.) You weren't supposed to tell her their names.

Ashley; It's okay. Mr. Pritchard barged into the recovery room while I was in there. We talked. It's really okay.

Trent; (Raising his glass.) Here's to Breanna. (They all lift their glasses as well.) And a long productive life.

The End.....