Chapter 18

JSP's Shuis Achives | home

“Jay, you have visitors” Stan announced when he arrived at Jay's small office escorting Sheridan and Luis.

A genuine smile appeared on her face for the first time in days, albeit a weary one. “It is so good to see you guys!” Jay exclaimed getting up from the chair behind her desk. She walked over to them and gave them both a huge hug.

“It's great to see you too Jay” Luis smiled.

“It sure is” Sheridan agreed. “I've really missed you.”

“I've missed you guys as well” Jay replied. She stood back and took a good look at the couple and was amazed. “Man oh man, when I'm right I'm right.”

“Right about what Jay?” Luis asked curiously.

“You two. I knew you were meant for each other and I've never seen two people more in love than the two of you. Luis, I've never seen you look happier than right now and Sheridan you are positively glowing.”

Sheridan blushed. “I fall more in love with Luis every day” she grinned, her gaze shifting from Jay to Luis.

“Well Jay, this is one time I'll happily admit you were right. I'm happier now than I've ever been and I'll readily admit you were right and I was wrong.”

“Finally we agree” Jay smiled. “So, how was your flight?”

“Not bad” Luis said. “The best part was getting off the plane into this nice warm weather. It was freezing when we left Harmony this morning. It's a nice change.”

Jay chuckled. “And that my friend is one of the reasons I love it so much out here.”

“I don't know” Sheridan mused. “I love the warm weather, but there is something to be said for the crisp winter mornings after it's snowed all night. The air is so clean…”

“Sheridan, you're killing me!” Jay laughed. “The boots, hats, gloves, snow shovels, de-icer for your car, the list goes on and on.”

Luis shook his head and laughed. “So, how is everything going here?” He asked, changing the subject.

The amused grin on Jay's face disappeared and she sighed heavily. “Clean up is going to take awhile” she said.

“Jay, what is it? What's wrong?” Luis could tell by the look on Jay's face that there was more bothering her than the fact that Los Angeles County was going to need to rebuild a few skyscrapers.

Jay looked at Luis and Sheridan and fought to keep her stoic demeanor. “It's Scott. He's been missing since the earthquake.”

“You're kidding me!” Luis exclaimed. “Jay, why didn't you say something?”

“Luis, at first I was too busy with work and it really never occurred to me to worry. I figured he'd call me when he got the chance. People are pretty busy out here when an earthquake hits.”

“Jay, I'm sorry” Sheridan said, worry in her eyes. Worry for her friend and also for the man she'd never met. She knew how important he was to Jay, therefore he was important to both her and Luis.

“Have you tried the hospitals?” Luis suggested.

Jay held up a list of hospitals, shelters and morgues that spread over three pages. “This is just in the immediate area” Jay said. “I've called most of these places, unfortunately I'm going to have to go in person to look at a number of John Does.”

“I'm hoping I don't have to go that route” Luis said. “I'm really hoping the TV station knows something about Antonio.”

“You can share my office with me while you're here Luis and the department will grant you all courtesies. I already have all the credentials you'll need while you're here. Are you ready to start looking?”

“Truthfully Jay, Sheridan and I were kind of hoping to get cleaned up first” Luis explained. “It was a pretty long flight.”

“No problem, I understand completely” Jay replied. She reached over to her desk and picked up a set of keys and a envelope with a piece of paper with directions on it to her condo taped to the front and handed them to Luis. Here is a spare set of keys to my apartment and directions on how to get there and where to park once you're there. People might get pretty upset if you take their parking spot. Inside the envelope you'll find several maps, A Thomas Guide which is a must when driving in southern California, directions to the television station from here and my apartment and also a list of all the local hospitals. Since I don't know where the complex is where you saw Antonio I couldn't put them in order by location closest to the site but if you have any luck at the studio I should be able to help you out with that later.”

“Great” Luis said as he studied the directions. “You certainly thought of everything,” he said.

Jay grinned. “I try” she said. “I'll let the two of you decide where you want to sleep when you get to my place. There's a twin bed in the guest room and I've put a cot up in there if you both want to stay in there or else Luis can stay on the couch in the living room and Sheridan in the bedroom. For that matter Sheridan can sleep in my room since I probably won't be there too much anyway.”

“Jay, we don't want to put you out” Sheridan said. “You've been too kind to us already, letting us stay with you and getting Luis privileges to work out of your department. I don't know how we can ever repay you for all your kindness.”

“Believe me Sheridan, it's no trouble at all. I'll do whatever I can for the two of you. I just wish I could help you more looking for Antonio but as you can see we're swamped here.”

“Jay, don't worry about it” Luis said. “You've done plenty, believe me and thank you.” Luis leaned over and gave his friend a kiss on the cheek. “You're one in a million.”

“You're right about that hot stuff” Jay grinned.

The three of them laughed at Jay's comment.

“Now, let me formally introduce you to Stan and a few people who are here, so you'll feel more at home. Stan will be the man to ask questions of if I'm not around when you get back.”

“Where are you headed?” Luis asked curiously.

“I'm going to check out some of the local hospitals” Jay answered with a sigh. “I'm getting no where fast on the telephone.”

“Good luck Jay” Luis offered.

“I hope you find Scott” Sheridan said. “I can't wait to meet him when you do find him.”

Jay grinned. “I can't wait for you two to meet him either.” She tried to keep her tone light but Sheridan and Luis could both tell Jay was seriously worried about Scott.

“Well call you after we talk to the TV people” Luis promised. “But please, let us know if you hear anything from Scott.”

“Will do” Jay promised.

Jay led Sheridan and Luis over to Stan's desk and made proper introductions and then introduced them to her captain and several others who were there at the time. Once they'd met the officers and had a brief tour of the station, Luis and Sheridan headed to Jay's condo and Jay began the painstakingly tedious process of visiting the hospitals one by one.

“Come on handsome” Judy Dwyer sighed, gently stroking the hand of the man lying in the hospital bed. “Time to wake up.” Judy frowned as she walked away from the ICU cubicle where John Doe number six still lay unconscious. She returned to the nurse's station with her chart and sat down to document the findings from her latest assessment.

“How's he doing today?” The charge nurse asked Judy.

“He seems to be about the same” Judy said glancing over at Scott's bed. His vital signs are great, all his neuro checks are fine except he won't wake up.”

“He's bound to wake up soon Judy” the charge nurse told her. They've scanned him from top to bottom and with the exception of a few broken bones, cuts and bruises he's fine.”

“I bet someone is going crazy looking for him” Judy said thoughtfully.

“No doubt” the other nurse agreed. “I'm sure someone is looking for him and will find him here eventually. That is if he doesn't wake up first and tell us.”

“I'm sure you're right,” Judy said. The nurse smiled and retreated to take care of her own patients.

Judy busied herself for a few minutes writing down the necessary information on John Doe's chart. She was engrossed in her charting when an alarm sounded and she looked up to see if it was from one of her patients. Her eyes widened in surprise when she saw John Doe number six attempting to sit up in bed.

“Joyce! Joyce!” Judy said excitedly, standing up and rushing to the cubicle. The charge nurse looked up from her work and saw Judy running towards the bed of their nameless patient.

“He's waking up!” Judy called. Joyce joined Judy at Scott's bedside and the two of them excitedly assessed his status.

“Can you hear me?” Judy asked. “Sir, can you hear me?”

Scott groaned softly, his head moving from side to side on his pillow, his face contorting in pain. Judy and Joyce glanced at each other and then back at their patient.

“Sir, can you hear me?” Joyce asked. “You're in the hospital. There was an earthquake. Do you remember?”

Scott's movements became more defined and it was clear he was regaining consciousness. “Can you tell us your name?” Judy asked hopefully.

“Mmm” Scott grunted. “My name. Antonio.”

“Did you say Antonio?” Joyce asked. “Is your name Antonio?”

Scott's eyes slowly opened. He immediately shut them tightly as the intense light in the ICU was too much for his retinas to adjust to just yet. Sensing his problem Joyce walked over to the light switch and dimmed the lights. “Sir, is your name Antonio?” Joyce asked as she approached the bed again.

Again, Scott opened his eyes. He blinked several times and glanced around at his unfamiliar surroundings. After a moment Scott finally focused on the two women at his bedside.

“Where am I?” He asked in a raspy voice. He coughed several times as his throat was very dry.

“You're in the hospital Antonio” Judy answered.

“Antonio?” Scott questioned, his voice still harsh. “My name's Scott, Scott Mayne.”

Judy and Joyce exchanged surprised looks briefly but were ecstatic that their patient finally regained consciousness. “Well Mr. Scott Mayne, it's a pleasure to finally know what to call you. For the last two day's you've been known as John Doe number 6.”

“John Doe?” Scott repeated slowly. His mind was hazy. “Wait, there was an earthquake.”

“That's right” the nurses replied in unison.

Scott groaned again as he fought to sit up. Judy touched her finger to the bed control and allowed Scott's bed to rise up so he didn't have to over exert himself. “May I have a drink of water?” Scott asked.

“Of course” Joyce replied. She left and quickly returned with a cup of cold water and a straw. Scott took a long drink of the cool water and at that moment would have sworn it was the best thing he'd ever tasted in his life.

“You'd better take it slowly at first Mr. Mayne” his nurse told him. “You've been unconscious for a few days now. We don't want you to overdo.”

“I'm all right” Scott insisted. His mind was getting clearer by the minute and there was something he realized he needed to do immediately. “I need to make a phone call” he said after he finished his drink. “I need to call my girlfriend and make sure she's okay.”

“Of course” Judy smiled warmly. “Just as soon as the doctor checks you out, we'll make that phone call. If everything goes the way I believe it will, you'll probably be out of here by tonight.”

“Thanks” Scott said with relief. He closed his eyes and thought about the last conversation he and Jay had. He knew now what he had to do. And that was tell Jay about his past and hope she understood, because he was absolutely crazy about her and for the first time he could remember was ready to make a commitment to another person.

“Luis this is so frustrating” Sheridan said as the duo met with yet another reporter who couldn't remember the man dubbed The Westminster Hero.

“I know angel” Luis sighed. “But I have faith we'll find someone who remembers. I'm grateful though that the people here are being so cooperative about talking to us. I bet when we do find someone who remembers we'll be able to find Antonio.”

“Are you sure this is your brother?” Sheridan asked cautiously. She didn't want to upset Luis but after all his brother had been missing for 15 years and people can change a lot in that amount of time.

“I didn't see him Sheridan” Luis admitted. “Mama did and she's certain it's Antonio. I have to believe Mama would know her own son. She's never made a claim like this before in all the years Antonio and Papa have been gone.” Sheridan nodded. Luis was right, if Pilar believed this man was her son, than the chances were he was indeed Antonio.

For the next hour Sheridan and Luis continued to question reporters at the station with no luck. Most of them were home in bed when the earthquake hit and once it did they immediately readied themselves for work as they knew they'd all be needed to cover different quake related stories. One of the people they ran into suggested they talk to Patrick Healy who was working the over night shift at the station the night of the earthquake. Both were excited when they finally got their first real lead and headed over to where they were told they could find the man.

Patrick Healy was sitting at a small desk going over copy when Luis and Sheridan found him. “Excuse me, are you Patrick Healy?” Luis asked.

“Yes, I'm Patrick Healy” he smiled. “What can I do for you?”

“I'm Luis Lopez Fitzgerald and this is my fiancée, Sheridan Crane” Luis introduced as he shook the reporter's hand. “We're from Harmony.”

“Sheridan Crane” Healy repeated thoughtfully. “You wouldn't happen to be one of THE Cranes now would you?”

Sheridan blushed. “Yes, I'm Alistair Crane's daughter” she answered.

“I'm very pleased to meet you both” Patrick smirked. “What brings you to LA, especially during an earthquake?”

“We're here about a clip we saw, actually one that my mother saw shortly after the earthquake hit” Luis explained. “Do you remember the story on The Westminster Hero? I think it was in Santa Monica.”

Patrick furrowed his brow in thought. “Westminster and Santa Monica are no where near each other” he said.

“It was the name of an apartment or condo complex that was on fire” Sheridan added. “There was a man pulling people from the building. He was climbing down a ladder when an aftershock hit.” Sheridan hoped her recollection would help jog the reporter's memory.

“Right!” Healy said suddenly. “I do remember that. That man was unbelievable.”

Luis' heart began pounding. He swallowed hard before exchanging an excited glance with Sheridan.

“I need to find that man” Luis said trying to conceal the depth of his excitement. “I think he's my brother.” Luis deliberately left out the part about Antonio being missing. “Do you know what name he was using by any chance?”

“I'm afraid not” Healy replied. “I've actually had several calls from viewers wanting to know what happened to the guy. He really made an impression on people.”

“Do you at least know what happened to him?” Luis asked patiently. He was praying he wouldn't end up back at square one.

“I'm not 100% sure but I think they took him to the hospital. Seems to me he was rendered unconscious after the aftershock hit.”

A wave of panic hit Luis like a ton of bricks. “The last thing my mother saw was my brother falling off a ladder and then the camera went crazy. That must have been when the aftershock hit.”

“Why don't you try one of the hospitals in the area of the Westminster complex?” Healy suggested. “They might know something.”

Luis nodded. “I have a list here a friend of mine compiled of all the area hospitals” he aid pulling the list from his pocket. “Would you know which ones are closest?”

Patrick took the list from Luis and glanced at it for a moment. “I'd try these two first” he suggested pointing to numbers two and seven on the list. “They'd be the most likely places and he would have been one of the first casualties so I don't think he'd have been diverted elsewhere.”

“Thank you Mr. Healy” Luis smiled, extending his hand to the man.

“Good luck” Patrick replied shaking Luis' hand and smiling approvingly at Sheridan. “I hope your brother's okay. When you find him see if maybe he'll give us an interview. I'm sure there are some people out there that would love to hear what happened.”

“I'll mention it to him” Luis promised. “Thanks again.” With that Luis and Sheridan headed over to the first hospital Patrick Healy suggested. Hopefully he would soon find his brother.

“Beverly Hills PD” Stan answered the phone wearily. If ever there was a time he hated desk duty it was during a crisis. He'd be very grateful when things were back to normal.

“Stan, it's Scott” Scott said, his voice still slightly raspy.

“Scott!” Stan shouted excitedly. “Hey guys, it's Scott on the phone. He's all right!” A few cheers could be heard in the squad room as Stan delivered the good news. “Where the hell have you been buddy? Michael called here yesterday in a near panic. I have to tell you I was pretty worried myself when I couldn't get hold of you.”

“I'm sorry I worried everyone” Scott apologized. “I fell off a ladder when the first aftershock hit and the front of my building toppled down onto of me. I was knocked out. I must have lost my jacket during the commotion because I had no ID on me and I've been listed as a John Doe.”

“Whoa” Stan whistled. “Have you called Michael yet? He's going crazy. He calls here at least once an hour looking for an update.”

“Not yet” Scott said. “I need to get hold of Jay first. She's not answering her cell phone. Is she there?”

“Jay?” Stan asked in surprise. “Jay's been trying to track you down since Michael called me yesterday. I gave her that as an assignment.”

“Is she there, Stan?” Scott asked. “I really need to talk to her.” He wasn't in the mood to get into it with Stan right now. He knew he'd have to answer some questions later but he didn't care. Right now he just needed to hear Jay's voice.

Stan looked over towards Jay's office and caught her closing the door on her way out. “Hey Jordan!” Stan shouted across the squad room. “Phone call over here!”

Jay acknowledged Stan and walked over to his desk. Stan's smile as he handed her the phone unnerved her slightly and she shot him a dirty look. “Jordan here” she answered still glaring at Stan who looked like the cat who ate the canary.

“Jay! God it's good to hear your voice” Scott smiled contentedly

“Scott” Jay said sighing with relief. “Thank God you're all right. I've been looking for you. Where are you?” Jay was so relieved to hear Scott's voice she didn't care that Stan was listening to everything she said, still, she made a mental note not to turn her cell phone off even for a few minutes.

“I'm in the hospital” he said “and I'm in desperate need of a visitor. I'm sure you must be busy…”

“ I'm on my way” was all Jay replied.

Scott told Jay where he was and she quickly jotted down his room number and ended the call. She glanced up at Stan for a moment and smiled. “I'll be back Stan” she said and quickly walked out of the station. Jay was on cloud nine. Scott was all right and she'd be seeing him shortly.

Luis let out a frustrated sigh when he and Sheridan left the first hospital on their list. Silently he held the rented car door open for Sheridan while she got in the car and then walked over to his side and eased himself behind the wheel. He started the car and headed out into the late afternoon traffic.

“Where's the next hospital, Sheridan” Luis asked quietly. Sheridan was the navigator and picked up the copy of the Thomas Guide from the floor of the car that Jay gave them at the police station and quickly located the next hospital on their list.

Sheridan glanced up from her directory and looked for a street sign. It looks like it's about five miles north of here” she said. Luis just nodded and Sheridan knew how hard it must be for him going through all the ups and downs every time they had a lead.

“He might be at the next hospital Luis” Sheridan said with encouragement. “The woman at the information desk did say it's a much larger hospital.”

“Maybe” Luis said with a smile. “I'm not giving up Sheridan. Far from it.”

“Good” she said approvingly. They drove for a few more minutes in silence when Sheridan had a thought. “Luis, did you call Jay? You told her you'd let her know when you found out something.”

“I haven't found out anything yet” he said, “but I guess I can let her know where we're headed.”

Luis pulled his cell phone from his pocket and punched the speed dial button for Jay's cell phone. Just as he thought he was about to connect his phone began to ring.

“Hello” Luis said just as Jay said “Jordan here.”

“Jay?” Luis questioned. “I was just trying to call you.”

“Does this mean we both have news?” Jay chuckled.

“You certainly sound happy” Luis said noticing her upbeat tone. “I take it your news is good?”

“Scott called. He's all right” Jay said smirking into the phone. “I'm on my way over to see him now.”

Luis turned to Sheridan and winked. “That's great news Jay. I bet you're relieved.” Sheridan heaved a sigh of relief when she heard Scott was all right.

“Luis, you have no idea” Jay stated. “Enough about me, what's the news on your brother?”

“I'm not sure yet, but we do have a lead” Luis replied. “That's why I'm calling. Sheridan and I are on our way to St. John's hospital to see if maybe he's there. One of the newscasters at KNBC remembered the story about the man saving people in the fire and said he thinks he was taken to the hospital. We've already checked out the closest one to the apartment complex but the woman there told us St. John's is the biggest in the area, that he might be there.”

Jay laughed. “I'm on my way over to St. John's right now,” she said. “Scott was hurt during the earthquake and that's where he's been.”

“Does that mean Sheridan and I can meet Scott?” Luis asked with a sly grin.

“Of course you can” Jay said. “Call me after you talk to admitting about your brother.”

“Will do Jay” Luis said. Luis hung up the phone and turned to Sheridan. “Looks like Scott is at St. John's. He was hurt in the earthquake.”

“I hope he's okay” Sheridan replied.

“I'm sure he is” Luis said. “Jay wants us to meet him.”

“Good” Sheridan smiled. “I'm looking forward to that.”

“Hi there” Jay smiled brightly as she walked into Scott's hospital room.

Scott opened his eyes and gazed directly at Jay with a huge smile adorning his face. “You're the best sight I've seen since I woke up” he grinned. Jay's heart fluttered when Scott smiled at her. She always loved it when he looked at her like that but right now she was positively elated.

“I've missed you” she grinned, walking over towards his bed.

“Good” he said. “I guess what they say is true then, absence makes the heart grow fonder?”

Jay was mere inches from Scott's bed now and her heart was about to burst. “It's true” she smiled. “I was really scared there for awhile.”

“No reason to be scared now” he said. “I'm right here and I'm not going anywhere.”

Before Jay could finish her sentence, Scott grabbed her and pulled her onto the bed next to him kissing her with such passion Jay thought she'd died and gone to heaven.

For no other reason than each of them needed to breathe, their kiss slowly ended, leaving them both breathless. “Wow Scott, that was some kiss” Jay smirked.

Scott chuckled, his eyes never leaving Jay's. “I enjoyed it. That's all I've been thinking about since I woke up. Actually, it's all I've been thinking about since the earthquake hit.”

“Kissing me?” Jay asked in amusement. She raised her hand to stroke his face and her hand tingled when he kissed her palm.

“Jay, I don't know exactly how to say this, so I'm just going to come right out and say it” Scott said slowly. He pulled her close to him and she rested her head on his shoulder. “Jay, when you and I met I wasn't looking for a relationship but there was just something about you that I couldn't resist.”

“Must be my charm” Jay said jokingly.

“Maybe” Scott smiled. “Whatever it was I wanted to get to know you, but I still wasn't planning on anything serious. I deluded myself into thinking we could just date casually, you know, nothing long term.”

“Long term means commitment” Jay replied thoughtfully. “It means learning what you can about each other, sharing hopes and dreams for the future, sharing events from your past and not judging the other person.”

“Exactly!” Scott said. “I'm not ready for that… What I mean to say is I didn't think I was ready for that but everything's changed.”

“What do you mean?” Jay asked, though she had a pretty good idea where he was going with this.

“Jay, I'm crazy about you” Scott confessed. “There was a moment there where I thought I was a goner and the only thought on my mind was telling you how much I love you.”

Jay pulled away and gazed into Scott's eyes. The look of pure love in his deep brown eyes told her all she needed to know. She felt her eyes well with tears and a small smile tug at the corners of her lips. “I'm glad to hear you say that Scott, because all I could think about myself the last few days is how much I love you too. I felt like my heart was being ripped out thinking that something terrible happened to you.”

Scott cocked his head to the side and grinned. He leaned in and kissed Jay again, this time their kiss was gentle but it held the same passion as their earlier one.

Scott pulled away and just stared at the woman he loved. No one had ever made him feel things like Jay did and he wanted to feel that way for the rest of his life, but he knew he had to come clean with her. “Jay, there is something you need to know about me” Scott said seriously.

“You can tell me anything, Scott” Jay whispered, gazing at him adoringly. “I assume this is something about your past?”

“How did you know that?” Scott asked.

“Because you've never once mentioned your family, or anything really that happened before college.”

“Am I that transparent?” Scott grinned.

“Scott, I'm not going to judge you based on something that happened in your past” Jay told him.

“Jay, that's just it” Scott explained. “I don't know what happened in my past. I don't remember any of it.”

Jay said nothing, she waited for Scott to explain what he meant.

“I have amnesia Jay” Scott told her. “I don't remember anything before fifteen years ago.”

“Scott, I'm sorry” Jay said quietly. “That must be terrible.”

“It is, sometimes,” Scott admitted. “Especially around the holidays. I don't know who my family is, where I come from or even what my real name and birthday are. Most of the time I'm okay with it, living in the present but when holidays come around or times when families get together I start wondering who I am.”

“Did you ever try to look for your family? Find out who you are?” Jay asked.

“I was found half dead on a beach in San Diego by a fisherman” Scott explained. “He took me to a mission where he and several of the nuns nursed me back to health. While I was out of it they tried to find out if there were any missing persons reported. They even checked to see if there were any escapees from the prisons. I was in pretty rough shape, they thought I might be a fugitive.”

“They found nothing I assume” Jay replied.

“Not a thing” Scott said. “As it is when they asked me my name and didn't know it I had to make one up. The first thing that came to my mind was Scott Mayne. I suppose it could be my real name, but I doubt it. I don't even know for sure how old I am or when my birthday is. I use the day I was found as my birthday.”

“Scott, why didn't you tell me about this earlier?” Jay asked quietly. “It's nothing to be ashamed of you know.”

“Amnesia? I know that” Scott agreed readily, “but it's what I can't remember that worries me. What if I'm a crook? Or married? I could have a child out there. Jay, I don't know any of this.”

Jay snuggled back up to Scott and smiled contentedly. “You know Scott, I am a detective and I can investigate this for you if you like.”

“What if it turns out I'm married?” Scott asked.

Jay looked at Scott in surprise. “I suppose it's possible but I highly doubt it. If you've been here for fifteen years you would have only been a kid at the time.”

“I could be a criminal,” he said.

“I don't believe that one either. I have a knack for picking out the criminal element and you definitely don't fit the profile.”

Scott smiled. “I knew there was a reason I fell in love with you. You're one in a million Jay.”

Jay sighed happily. She snuggled with Scott for a moment longer before deciding it was time for her to come clean with him.

“Since we're both bearing our deepest darkest secrets” Jay began, “I guess it's time for me to tell you mine.” Jay pulled herself from Scott's warm embrace and when she stared into his eyes it hit her… the nervousness. She knew Scott was different from other people which is one of the reasons she loved him so much, but still… it had happened before, people she trusted, people she cared about turning their back on her because of it. They'd never say it to her face to be sure, but before long the relationship was over.

Scott was about to say something but Jay held her hand up stopping him. Her mind was whirling right now and she had to get it out as quickly as possible.

“Do you remember when we had that little discussion about Christmas? You asked me what I was doing for Christmas and I told you I was going back East for my old partner's wedding?”

Scott nodded. He was again about to reply but Jay cut him off. Her words were coming fast and furious.

“While it is true that I won't be here for Christmas” Jay rambled, “I wasn't being entirely truthful. Truthful isn't exactly the right word, evasive would be more the correct choice in words.”

Scott's mouth formed an “O” but never managed to say anything.

“I suppose I should have told you a long time ago” Jay continued nervously. “It's not that I'm ashamed of it or anything, it's just not something I make public knowledge. I've had a lot of bad experiences over the years with people I thought were friends turning on me or just dropping out of my life once they find out. So out of self-preservation, I've learned to be cautious and guarded"

“Jay, what is it?” Scott asked, finally getting to complete a question.

“I don't celebrate Christmas. I'm Jewish, Scott” she said as quickly as she could.

There was a moment of silence before Scott said, “I see.” Jay tried to read his reaction but couldn't and it made her that much more nervous.

“It bothers you doesn't it?” Jay said fearfully. “See, that's exactly what I was afraid of…” This time it was Scott that cut off Jay and he did so by planting a firm kiss on her lips.

“No Jay” Scott whispered lovingly. “It doesn't bother me in the least. Hey, maybe I was born Jewish.” His eyes were twinkling brightly. Jay couldn't help but laugh.

"I don't think so," Jay grinned as he looked at his handsome face and terrific body. "You don't look like any of the Jewish men I've ever seen in my lifetime or I would have been going to temple a lot more often."

Scott took Jay's hands in his own and gazed deep into her eyes. “Jay, it doesn't bother me at all. I love you for who you are, not what religion you practice. There have been many happy couples who were members of different faiths.”

“You do know what this means don't you?” Jay continued. “I celebrate Hanukah and not Christmas, Passover and not Easter.”

“Then together we can celebrate all the holidays” Scott offered.

“That's not your way of trying to convert me is it?” Jay asked. She didn't really think so but she had to make sure.

“No Jay” Scott smiled. “That's my way of telling you that together we can work through anything.”

Jay's heart melted. She knew by the look in his eyes he meant every word. She would remember today for a very long time. “I love you Scott” Jay said happily.