The Death of A Friend

March 10, 2003

Nora: Hey, R.J. -- I don't mean to barge in, but you left your keys in the lock. R.J.? R.J., What's going on? What happened? What's going on?

R.J.: Keri, Elizabeth, and the baby -- they're gone. They're all dead.

*~*

Nora: R.J., Are you sure that Liz and -- and Keri were on this plane?

R.J.: And the baby.

Nora: No, they can't. They couldn't have. Antonio had a restraining order out on --

R.J.: To hell with Antonio! What's he going to do now, arrest them?

Nora: I just meant that maybe they didn't get on the plane.

R.J.: No. They did. Keri called me from the airport to say good-bye one last time.

Nora: I'm so sorry, R.J.

R.J.: I am, too. I'm sorry. I'm sorry for screwing up. I'm sorry for hurting people. You know, when Keri first came to town, I promised myself I was going to be the kind of father that she deserved. Not because I was looking for forgiveness or redemption. I just wanted a better life with my daughter. Is -- is that so wrong?

Nora: She was happy.

R.J.: No. Antonio Vega tore her heart apart. She couldn't even die happy.

Nora: You made her happy. Oh, she loved you, R.J.

R.J.: I love her, too, more than I thought possible. Sometimes I would just look at her, wonder how she could've come from me. I mean, she's so beautiful and smart and kind and caring. Elizabeth and I got it right when we made her. She's one thing -- one thing right, just one good thing. And now what? How? How? How could this be happening? How can they all be dead?

Nora: R.J., R.J. --

R.J.: How could they all be dead?

*~*

R.J.: Just leave me alone.

Nora: No.

R.J.: I don't want anybody here.

Nora: Tough. Maybe you need somebody here, ok?

R.J.: No, I don't.

Nora: Well, then, maybe I do.

R.J.: Find somebody else.

[Phone rings]

[Ring]

Nora: I'll let you get that.

[Ring]

R.J.: What?

*~*

Hank: Ah, good. Nora -- hey, did you get that affidavit on the Jason's landing witness?

Nora: Hank, I -- I have to talk to you about something.

Hank: Nora, if we sit on this thing, Laurence is going to walk.

Nora: Can we just go into Bo's office --

Hank: I don't have time for that. Look, I've got to talk to Blair, go over her statement with her, and I still have another possible witness --

Nora: Hank --

Hank: I want to depose.

Nora: Shut up.

Hank: Whatever you --

Nora: Shut up! Please, come to Bo's office now.

*~*

Nora: You need to go see your brother.

Hank: How is he?

Nora: He -- he says he wants to be alone, but he needs you.

Hank: I know what he's going through. Keri was like a daughter to me.

Nora: I'm so sorry, Hank. I'm so sorry.

Hank: I need to go see my brother.

Nora: Ok.

Antonio: Hank, Nora, I'm glad you're here. Look, I -- I think Liz left town and took the baby.

Nora: Antonio --

Antonio: What, she -- she really has gone? What are we waiting for? We need to do something before she gets too far. Look, Keri probably knows something. Let's call her.

Nora: We can't.

Antonio: Why the hell not? Hank?

*~*

Nora: We need to talk to you, Antonio.

Antonio: About what? What? You want to tell me to leave Keri alone?

Hank: No.

Antonio: Look, I already know she wants nothing to do with me.

Nora: Ok, it has nothing to do with --

Antonio: Then why the hell are you acting so strange? I just told you that Liz violated the restraining order! What is going on?

Nora: Something's happened, Antonio. Something bad.

R.J.: Go on. Go on and tell him.

Nora: R.J. --

Antonio: Tell me what?

R.J.: They are all dead because of you.

Antonio: Dead? Who's dead?

Who's dead? What is --

R.J.: Keri, Elizabeth, and the baby -- they're dead. And it's your fault.

*~*