17. Game Over

[r2k]

Barney: He loved Brad. Brad was everything to this kid. Being told Brad was dead would have hurt him so bad. I refused to put him through that.
Lily: Your intentions were good. If you think of anything, let me know.
Barney: I’ll tell you this. She went out with the guy Brad had a fight with. I think she did it to make him angry.
Lily: Really. Thanks.

-It is noon. Lily arrives at the hospital with a bag of fast food. The next scene is in Tim’s room.
Tim: Thanks for this. I almost couldn’t remember what this tasted like.
Lily: I’m glad you’ve calmed down.
Tim: I’m still mad. How can they do this? I mean I can’t be tried for this twice.
Lily: If it turns out to be true, they will charge you with manslaughter. A different charge altogether. They can do that.
Tim: They don’t have to.
Lily: Tony’s brother will see to it that it happens.
Tim: I hate him.
Lily: It was his brother, Tim.
Tim: I still hate him for what he did.
Lily: I hate to bring it up. What about Jen?
Tim: What about her?
Lily: Do you hate her?
Tim: I don’t know. I just wish she would come see me. I mean, I don't even know anything about how the baby's doing.
Lily: I know. I’m going to talk to her when I see her. I’m busy on a different case right now.
Tim: I’d prefer you work this one.
Lily: My case is pretty important.
Tim: I have to go back tomorrow. I don’t want to go back.
Lily: Two more months. Less than that.
Tim: They’re gonna kill me.
Lily: Alright. How bout this? We bring you to the station until this case is finished. When Scotty’s done. I don’t think you should go back to jail right now with this going on.
Tim: Thanks.
Lily: You’re welcome. Look, I gotta run. My case is still waiting for me. I’ll see you at the station once I set it up.
Tim: Okay.
Lily: Hang in there.

-Later on, Lily is with Steven again.
Steven: Alright, so I went out with her a couple times.
Lily: You neglected to mention that in our first interview.
Steven: She was hot. I couldn’t say no. The minute she dumped Brad, she came to me. I figured this was my way to upstage him.
Lily: By banging his ex-girlfriend.
Steven: Sex was good.

[r2k]

-Flashback to 1982. “Somebody’s Baby” by Jackson Browne plays in the background. Steven and Karen are at Steven’s house. His parents are out. They are in his bedroom taking their clothes off.
Karen: I’m ready.
Steven: Me too. This is sort of my first time.
Karen: Really. Oh I’m gonna have to break you in. Let’s go.
-A boy knocks.
Steven: Tony get out of here. Do not open the door.
Tony: What’s going on in there?
Karen: Nothing! What is it with little brothers? Every boyfriend has one.
Steven: Tony’s harmless. Don’t worry about him.
Karen: You’re so cute.
Steven: You’re so beautiful. Come on. Let’s do it.
-They begin to kiss and move around under the covers.

-Return to the present.
Steven: That was a great night.
Lily: Wild ride, huh.
Steven: Saw her a few more times. Can’t give up a ride like that so easily.
Lily: Is that all she was to you?
Steven: I was fifteen. What can I tell you? I wanted sex.
Lily: Well let me tell you this. You are nothing like your little brother.
Steven: That was 1982. I’d like to think I’ve changed since then.

-At the station. Lily walks into the main area. She sees Scotty talking with Jen, Cassie, and Ben. She sits at her desk and listens in.
Ben: There’s nothing more we can remember about that night. We weren’t with him, remember.
Cassie: We were all drunk. And who is this girl anyway?
Ben: Probably some dumb idiot who wants attention.
Scotty: She described the scene pretty well.
Cassie: Come on. This girl waits 8 years and then another 7 months. Something doesn’t feel right.
Scotty: As of now, the girl’s account clears Brandon. Good news is the new account does not necessarily make Tim anymore responsible.
-Lily speaks. Scotty and the other three are unaware she was sitting there.
Lily: You’re being awfully quiet Jen.
Jen: I don’t really know what to say. Brandon took the heat for Tim. I owe him an apology.
Scotty: Look, why don’t you all go home. I’ll let you know as soon as figure this out.
Cassie: Okay.
Lily: You guys go ahead. Jen, can we talk. Come on over here.
-Jen walks over.
Lily: I went to see Tim this afternoon.
Jen: Really.

[r2k]

Lily: Saw him last night too. Seems that is more than you’ve seen him.
Jen: I don’t want to talk about it.
Lily: Jen, he is your husband. You not going to see Tim. Do you realize how much that hurts. He is wounded right now and he needs you more than ever. You could have visited him any time over the last months.
Jen: Don’t you think I know that? I want to go see him. (Starts crying) But I can’t see him like that. In the uniform. That’s not how I want to see him. Oh Lily I’m sorry. I’ve been so selfish. I’ve been thinking of me. How could I not go? How could he ever forgive me?
Lily: Jen, he’s going to need you now. No matter how angry he may be, he needs you. He forgives. That’s what he does best. We’re going to try to bring him here until this is settled. In the meantime, you need to figure this out. Come see him tonight. Please. It may be hard. But once you’re here, it’ll be okay.
Jen: Okay. I just feel so bad. I pushed him to come in and tell you what he remembered. Look what happened. I feel like this is my fault.
Lily: But think about what would have happened if you hadn’t. He would have remembered it all and without him being here, it could be much worse now.

-At the mental hospital.
Lily: You slept with Steven Crosby.
Karen: So.
Lily: Went back a few more times.
Karen: He was good. I wanted some more.
Lily: You didn’t fall in love with him.
Karen: No way. He was a boy.
Lily: You slept with a lot of boys back then, huh?
Karen: I had a lot of boyfriends.
Lily: A boyfriend is someone you love and keep. You had guys.
Karen: I’m not proud of what I did. That’s what I was then. A slut. But I paid for it.
Lily: You got knocked up.
Karen: That’s right.
Lily: Brad?
Karen: Brad was always my one and only. He was the father.

-Later, at the station.
Lily: I’m not buying this. Karen is convinced Brad was the father.
Vera: You have doubts?
Lily: I don’t know. Barney seems to remember a bit, but TJ would know more.
Vera: He was only five Lil. Even if we were to find him, chances are what was talked about between Brad and Karen would have been way over his head. And who knows if TJ even remembers Brad.
Lily: I know.
-Lily reaches into her purse to look at the photo. She become nervous. She frantically looks through the purse.
Vera: Something wrong?

[r2k]

Lily: The photo’s gone.
Vera: Maybe you left it at home.
Lily: Not likely.
Vera: You were carrying that around with you. You must have dropped it somewhere.
Lily: Rick is not going to be happy. That must have been the only photo he has of his father.
Vera: If Brad is indeed the father.
-Scotty enters the area.
Lily: Scotty. Are you okay? What’s the decision?
Scotty: I spoke to the D.A.’s office. They want to file charges against Tim.
Lily: No. Is there any concrete evidence?
Scotty: Nicole’s testimony. She saw the whole thing go down.
Lily: Tim can’t handle this. Not now.
Scotty: I have no choice. Steven is on the warpath. He wants it done immediately. He’s got an A.D.A. working on it right now. Formal charges will be filed by evening.

-Tony Crosby’s parents walk in.
Lily: Tony’s parents.
Judy: Scotty. We came as soon as you called.
Scotty: We’ve got a problem.
Paul: Steven called us and said a witness came forward.
Judy: And that the other buy was innocent.
Scotty: It looks like it happened the way Tim originally thought. Brandon covered for him out of respect for Jen.
Judy: Tim was in such bad shape that last time.
Lily: He’s not doing to well with it now. He’s here.
Judy: We don’t want to bother him. He knows we will forgive him. We kind of did.
Lily: We need you to speak on Tim’s behalf in court. And we need you to talk to Steven.
Judy: We apologize for Steven. He seems to want to see Tim suffer. He was quiet when the case was finally solved. After a while, he became determined to see Tim go to jail for a long time.
Lily: Good thing he pled guilty and the judge was lenient. Since I have you two here, I’m wondering if I could talk to you about Steven a minute.
Judy: Sure.
-They walk over to Lily’s desk,
Mom: He can be tough. He’s a D.A. you know.
Lily: We’ve seen. Actually, I wanted to ask you about how Steven used to be. His name came up on a different cold case.
Judy: Brad Sullivan. We remember that one. Police questioned him. Never accused him.
Paul: Steven was a hot head back then. Competitive. Didn’t like being second best.
Lily: Did he ever mention a girl named Karen?

[r2k]

Judy: He talked about a girl named Karen once. Said nice things about her. We never met her. He broke it off with her.
Lily: Any idea why?
Judy: He said they were too different.
Lily: Thanks for coming in. I know this is a difficult time for you both.
Paul: I know. It’s the case that keeps changing.
Lily: I think it’ll stay put.
Judy: You know its possible Tony hit his head on his own. It wouldn’t have been Tim’s fault.
Lily: We’ll try to work it out.

-Later that evening at the station. Kite walks into the area.
Lily: Kite.
Kite: You called me quickly. What is the problem?
Lily: I lost Rick’s photo. I have no idea where I left it.
Kite: Don’t panic. Look, after work we’ll retrace our steps. We’ll find it.
Lily: What about Tim?
Kite: Charges are being filed. Manslaughter.
Lily: That’s about 10 years.
Kite: He could paroled sonner.
Lily: Big maybe. He will not make it.
Kite: You said he was tough.
Lily: His luck is going to run out. Prison is no place for him. Isn’t there anything we can do. An alternate plan.
Kite: I have no idea. They all go to the same place.
Lily: I hate this. There’s nothing I can do.

-Later, Tim is being brought into the main area. He is being returned to the county jail.
Lily: Tim. It’s going to be okay.
Tim: No it’s not. Goodbye Lily.
Lily: This isn’t goodbye.
Tim: They told me they’d get me when I got back. I’m never going to see you again.
Lily: Please don’t think that way.
Tim: How else should I think? Tell Jen I love her.
-Steven enters the area.
Steven: Well, here’s the big guy. You’re going to pay for this. This will finally be put to rest forever.
Tim: I hate you for what you did to me. I’ll never forget you.
Scotty: We gotta go.
Tim: No. I don’t want to go.
Steven: I think you’re forgetting something. You don’t have a choice anymore.
-The officers take Tim away. Lily looks on. Tim suddenly becomes angry. A growl shows on his face and he starts breathing heavy. He looks around. Lily becomes terrified as she realizes he is not handcuffed.

[r2k]

Lily: (whispers) No, Tim. (louder) No, Tim. (She shouts) No, Tim!!!
-It is too late. Tim grabs one of the officer’s guns. Tim wraps his arm around the officer. With his free hand, he holds the gun to the officer’s head.
Lily: Tim, don’t!!! Please!
Tim: (Looking at Steven) I hate you for what you did to me!!! You deserve to die!!!
Lily: Tim, put the gun down.
Tim: No!!! I tried to help. Nobody cares!!! You all just want to see me go away.
Scotty: Tim, don’t do this. You’re making it worse.
Vera: Put the gun down. There’s still a chance but time is running out. This is kidnapping. Hostage.
-Tim becomes frustrated. The other officer advances on him. Tim pushes the officer he was holding away and with his free hand, punches the officer in the face. Lily looks in horror as she whispers “No.” Tim backs off and runs into one of the interrogation rooms. The team and officers freeze. They watch the door.

-In the observation room, the team looks on.
Vera: I can’t see him.
Lily: He’s sitting on the floor. I’m going in.
Scotty: Don’t.
Lily: He’s not going to kill us. Tim’s scared. He needs someone he can trust right now. (Looks at Steven) You couldn’t just back off, could you. Now look what happened.
Steven: Don’t blame me for this. He pulled the gun, not me.
Lily: I’m going in. Scotty, make sure nobody comes running in. Tim needs to calm down.

-In the interrogation room, Lily walks in quietly. Tim is sitting up against the wall with the gun in his hand. He is sitting still.
Lily: Tim. Are you okay?
-Tim just sits there. He holds the gun in his hand but does not raise it.
Lily: I know you don’t want to shoot me. Put the gun on the table. Nobody’s gonna come rushing in. I promise. You and I can talk this through.
-Lily comes closer to Tim. She approaches him. He hands her the gun and starts crying. He covers his face with his hands.
Lily: What were you thinking, Tim? Did you think that was going to work? Get you out of here. Where were you going to run to?
Tim: (Angry) I don’t know!!! I don’t know what to do anymore!!!
Lily: What did you hope to accomplish?
Tim: I can’t take this anymore!!! I want…. I want….
Lily: What do you want?
Tim: (Crying) I want to go home!!! I want things back the way they were!!!!
Lily: You can’t have things back the way they were.
Tim: I need for this to end!! I need for it all to end!! What right do they have doing this to me? Doing this to her?
Lily: You need to deal with it. You need to deal with the reality.

[r2k]

Tim: What reality? That every few years they can reopen this and add more years to it. Forget it. They couldn’t get it right the first time, they lose!!!! They want someone to fall and the other guy isn’t so now it’s me.
Lily: Tim, I wish this could have been different. But the law is the law. I have no control over it. If I could I would let you go home right now.
Tim: I need for this to end. I can’t take this. You have to be strong in there. You don’t cry. And that’s what I want to do.
Lily: You are going to have to be strong.
Tim: Take me home.
Lily: I can’t.
Tim: Take me home!!!!!
Lily: Tim, get a hold of yourself now.
-Lily takes hold of him tries to calm him down. He gets up and starts to back off.
Tim: I can’t go back. They’ll kill me next time.
Lily: I wish I could help you.
-Scotty comes in.
Lily: Take him.
-Lily walks away. Tim slams his hand on the table. Lily turns around. She notices he had something in his hand when it hit the table. He moves his hand away from it. It is the picture of Brad and the boy. Lily is angry with Tim.
Tim: You left it at the hospital when you dropped your purse.
Lily: When were you going to tell me?
-Lily takes the picture.
Lily: This picture meant something to someone. You had no right to take it and not tell me you had it.
-Lily walks away.
Tim: Lily, tell your boyfriend if I go to jail, I’ll die.
Lily: He can’t help you either.
Tim: Oh yes he will. Because when I die, so will his only chance at finding what really happened to his brother. Tell him that!!!
-Lily freezes and takes another look at the photo. She looks at the five year old boy and it suddenly hits her. She turns around slowly. Lily looks Tim in the eye.
Lily: Timothy Jacob Collins. Timothy Jacob. TJ. This is you!
-Tim starts crying again. His image flashes back to age five.
Tim: I want to go home.
-Scotty looks at him and then at Lily.
Lily: You know what happened to him, don’t you? You saw Brad die.
Tim: (Image returns to age 28.) Yes. I saw the whole thing. Right in front of me.
Lily: And you never told anyone?
Tim: (Crying) I tried to. I did. I told my dad. He told me it was a bad dream.
Lily: A bad dream.
Tim: (Getting angry) He kept repeating it over and over again. And I just forgot about it. I turned my back on him. I left him behind. How could I do that to him? I watched him die. The blood splattered all over me.
Lily: It’s not your fault. There was nothing you could have done.
Tim: I saw the picture after you left. I’m sorry. That was first I’d seen him since. I wanted to keep it.
Lily: I know you did.
-Tim buries his head in his hands.

[r2k]

Lily: Since that night.
-Vera comes in.
Vera: Tim. There’s someone here to see you.
-Jen walks in. Tim looks up. He tries to wipe the tears off his face. He quietly talks to Lily.
Tim: She’s never seen me like this.
Lily: I don’t think she minds. Go to her.
-Tim rises and walks up to her.
Jen: It’s okay to be angry. But I can’t lose you now.
Tim: You didn’t come see me.
Jen: (crying) I’m so sorry. Please forgive me. I didn’t want you to feel bad. (Touches the bruise on his face) Does it hurt?
Tim: No. It's okay.
Jen: And the arm?
Tim: It hurts. But I can handle it.
-The two hug each other. Tim falls to the floor, still hugging her. Jen holds him as he cries on her leg. Tim holds her stomach where the baby is.
Jen: It's okay. I'm here. You're safe now, honey.
Lily: You guys can use the boss’s office. Tim. Come on. It’s more comfortable in there. Just try to calm down.
-Tim rises, still holding Jen. The four walk out of the interrogation room. They go into Stillman’s office slowly. They sit down.
Tim: I screwed up again.
Jen: I love you. You can never screw up as long as you love me and you always have.
Tim: I missed you.
Jen: I missed you too. I should have come but I didn’t know what to say.
Tim: Just hold me.
Jen: Okay.
Tim: I worried about more than you'll ever know. I was afraid (pauses) I was afraid you were gonna lose the baby.
Jen: I didn't. This baby is what kept me going.
-Tim begins to cry again as Jen holds him. She runs her hands through his hair.
Tim calms down. Lily and Scotty leave Stillman’s office for a minute.
Lily: Tim remembers everything about that night. With Brad. And he probably remembers what happened with Tony.
Scotty: His testimony won’t be credible against this girl. They'll think he's lying or desperate.
Lily: I was thinking about the story this girl told you. We missed something in her account.
Scotty: What?
Lily: Well, Nicole said Tim kicked him in the head.
Scotty: That explains the blow to the back of the head.
Lily: You just said it.
Scotty: She said he kicked Tony from the front.
Lily: She lied.
Scotty: Why would she lie?
Lily: I don’t know.
Scotty: You know. She was adamant about Tim never seeing her. Something’s not right. I wonder why.
Lily: And I think I know why? I know who she is.

-Tim comes out of the office.
Tim: Lily. Problem.
Lily: What?

[r2k]

Tim: Um, Jen’s water kind of broke.
Scotty: You’re kidding. This means.
Lily: She’s ready.
Tim: (Excited) Yeah! She’s ready.
Lily: We need to get her to a hospital! Okay, we can have some uniforms escort.
-Lily goes to Jen, who is in some pain.
Jen: What is happening? This isn’t happening here. I wasn’t due for two more weeks.
Scotty: Believe it, it is.
-Two officers approach.
Lily: Get her to the hospital.
Officers: We’re on it.
-As they leave, Lily looks back at Tim.
Lily: Scotty, we can’t make him stay here.
Scotty: He pulled a gun on us.
Lily: I know. The officers are with him. Officers! Wait!
-The officers stop and turn around.
Lily: Let him go with you guys. Vera, go with him.
Vera: Sounds like fun.
Jeffries: I think I’ll go to. We’ll make sure he doesn’t escape.
Vera: We’ll take Tim with us. Jen can ride with the officers.
-Vera looks into Stillman’s office.
Vera: Her water broke right on his chair. He’s gonna be ticked.
-Tim turns to Lily.
Tim: Thanks.
Lily: Everything will be okay. Behave Tim.
-Vera takes out his handcuffs.
Vera: Sorry Tim. We kind of have to do this now. We’ll take them off in the delivery room.
-Lily looks to the side and sees that Jen's friend Cassie is there with Ben, Tim's friend.
Lily: Ben, can you stay here? We need to ask you something.
-Everyone leaves. Lily and Scotty are left behind.
Lily: Ben, we need you to take a look at this girl. The one who's come forward about Tony. Something's not right. We're gonna bring into interrogation. You'll wait in the observation room and get a good look at her. This Nicole did not want Tim to see her but she said nothing about you.
Ben: Sure.
Lily: Okay, let’s prove Nicole wrong.
Scotty: And then let’s get Tim to tell what happened to Brad.
Lily: I think he’ll be ready to when we get to the hospital.

-Later, Nicole is at the station.
Scotty: Nicole, we’re getting ready to charge Tim with voluntary manslaughter. We need your statement.
Nicole: Okay.
Lily: We may need you to testify in court.
Nicole: I understand.
-Nicole begins to write.
Lily: I’ll be back Scotty.

-Lily leaves the interrogation room. Rick is there waiting for her.
Lily: Rick.
Rick: My mother wants you to close the case.

[r2k]

Lily: Why?
Rick: She doesn’t want to go through it again.
Lily: And what do you want?
Rick: It doesn’t matter. My mom is in a bad state. I can’t afford to lose her.
Lily: You started this.
Rick: I know. But I want you to stop.
Lily: Rick, this is not what you want. And I’m so close to figuring this out. I found the boy.
Rick: You did? My mother told me the truth about my father.
Lily: What?

-Flashback to 1982. “The Edge of Seventeen” by Stevie Nicks plays in the background. At the arcade, Karen is talking to Brad. They are having the conversation they were having at the beginning of episode in the opening scene.
Karen: I’m pregnant.
Brad: I’m sorry.
Karen: I know.
Brad: Who is he?
Karen: Don’t worry about him. I’m not with him. He doesn’t want anything to do with it. What am I going to do? (She begins crying)
Brad: You can give it up for adoption.
Karen: Thing is, I think I want to keep it.
Brad: How are you going to do it?
Karen: I was hoping you could help me.
Brad: What do you mean?
Karen: I love you. You could be the father. You could.
Brad: That’s crazy.
Karen: You’re the nicest guy I’ve known. I was a fool for leaving. I’m sorry for a lot of things. Look. If you say no I’ll understand. But I love you. And I know you loved me at one time.
Brad: I will always love you. But I don’t know if I can take this again.
Karen: I wish we could start over.
Brad: Well, maybe we could try it again. If you’re willing to commit.
Karen: You would try.
Brad: But what about college?
Karen: You should go.
Brad: Will your mother help?
Karen: She said she will.
Brad: Okay. I’ll go to school. When I’m out, we can marry. Maybe we can marry earlier. You can come live with me. We can get married. I always wanted to marry you.
Karen: I love you Brad. I'm so sorry I took you for granted.
Brad: It's okay.
-The two hug.


-Return to the present.

[r2k]

Rick: Brad said he would marry her.
Lily: I’ll talk to TJ. His name is Tim. Tim Collins.
Rick: Tim Collins. The guy who beat the grad student.
Lily: How did you know?
Rick: When they found my mother, there was a newspaper by her. That was the front page article. The paper was a few weeks old.
Lily: I think he knows what happened. Sit here. I’m in the middle of something but I’ll be back in a few minutes.
Rick: Okay.
-Ben comes out of observation.
Ben: I know her.
Lily: You do.
Ben: She's lying. And I know why.
Lily: Tell me.

-Lily returns to the interrogation. Nicole has finished her statement.
Scotty: So this is it?
Nicole: Yeah. That’s what happened.
Scotty: You’ll have to sign it. Are you sure it is accurate?
Nicole: Sure.
Scotty: Because once you sign it there’s no turning back.
Nicole: What do you mean?
Lily: He means if it is false, you can get into a lot of trouble.
Nicole: How much trouble?
Lily: Why are you worried? It’s the truth, isn’t it?
Nicole: Of course. I saw it.
Lily: Is all this worth it because he threw you into a puddle?
Nicole: What?
Lily: I reopened the Tony Crosby file the first time. Tim couldn’t remember beating Tony at first but he remembered you. You were the one he threw into the puddle. The muddy puddle.
-Nicole starts to crying.
Nicole: I just wanted to scare him. I didn’t think you would charge him any more.
Scotty: We almost did.
Lily: Thing is, Tony was hit in the back of the head. When you told your account, you had Tim kicking him in the front.
Nicole: He humiliated me.
Lily: So you killed Tony to pin it on him.
Nicole: I was trying to help him. The rain got worse.

-Flashback to 1997. Nicole goes to the bridge to help Tony.
Nicole: You okay?
Tony: Someone beat me.
Nicole: I know. I saw. Look. My car is over there. Let’s go to the hospital.
-Nicole slips. She is holding on to Tony and his head hits the boards of the bridge. He is knocked unconscious. His body falls off the bridge and drifts away unconscious.
-Return to the present.
Nicole: I couldn’t help him.
Lily: So why not tell the truth?

[r2k]

Nicole: Seems like telling the truth around doesn’t help much. I knew that other guy didn’t do it. I figured I would scare Tim and nothing else would come of it.
Scotty: Well it didn't work out. Newsflash Nicole. Tim just went nuts an hour ago. How long were you going to wait before correcting this little mistake. You put a young man through Hell. You have no idea how lucky you are this guy has a heart of gold.
Lily: Something will come of it. You caused a lot of trouble.
Scotty: Should have told the truth, Miss. We have to charge you. Obstruction of justice.
Nicole: What?!?
Lily: I’m out of here. I’m going to tell some more good news.
Scotty: Thanks Lil.

-Lily goes back to her desk where Rick is sitting.
Lily: Rick, I’m going to have someone contact the hospital your mother is at. I’m going to have them bring her here. You stay here.
Rick: Sure thing. Lily, do you think my father is still alive.
Lily: Yes. And we’re going to find him.
-Stillman walks in.
Lily: (Nervous) Boss. You’re back.
Stillman: Conference ended early. What did I miss?
-Detectives take Nicole away while Scotty notices Stillman is back.
Lily: Two cases. One from ’82 and there was a new lead in the Tony Crosby case.
Stillman: Going smoothly.
Lily: Uhh, well.
Stillman: I would have done the same thing.
Lily: Huh?
Stillman: I caught Vera and Jeffries on the way in. Don’t worry.
Lily: He was calmed down and his wife was delivering. I was thinking about how you missed your daughter’s birth and for Tim to not be able to see it when he was right here would have been wrong.
Stillman: Don’t panic.
Lily: Thanks boss.
-Stillman walks into his office.
Stillman: What?
Lily: Yeah. Um we let Tim and Jen sit in here to talk and Jen kind of.
Scotty: Her water broke in here. Vera’s fault.
Lily: Yeah, it was Vera’s idea.
-Lily and Scotty back off. Stillman touches his chair that is soaking wet.

-Lily arrives at the hospital to the maternity ward. She checks with the receptionist who points her in the right direction. She enters the room where Jen is resting.
Lily: (Smiling) Jen.
Jen: Lily! I’m so glad you came. We had a little boy.
Lily: Oooohhh. You must be excited.
Jen: Not as much as Tim was. He had no idea. He wanted a boy. I’ve never seen him so happy.
Lily: Where is he?
Jen: He’s looking through the window. All fathers do that. The officers are with him.

[r2k]

Lily: I have news. I think he should hear it first. But it’s good.
Jen: I think that would be good. Though nothing bad can make him worse right now.
Lily: He’s that happy.
Jen: Yeah.
Lily: You know Tim is involved in the other case I was working on too.
Jen: What?
Lily: He had a friend once when he was little. He’s going to help me solve the case. I wanted you to be ready for it when he tells you. He’s gonna want to talk about it.
-A forty-something couple walks in.
Jen: Hi! Lily, these are Tim’s parents.
Lily: Really. I’m glad you’re here. I need to talk to you both.
-Outside the room.
Susan: I’m relieved that his troubles are over. I just wish he could come home now.
Lily: He might be able to. I need you to tell me the truth about something. Todd, Tim told you something bad happened to his friend, Brad.
Todd: He had a dream. That’s all it was.
Lily: I’ve reopened the case, Todd. Brad Sullivan.
Todd: (Pauses) I didn’t want him to be traumatized.
Susan: Todd?
Todd: He was five. Brad was everything to him. I didn’t want him to be scared.
Lily: Why did you keep telling him it was a dream?
Todd: I figured over time he would forget about it. A small child doesn’t need to feel such pain. I was protecting him. Brad always let him hold his key chain. Tim was holding it that night.
Susan: This is my fault too. I usually took Tim home with me but I had to work late. Brad walked him home.
Lily: That explains what Brad was doing there so far away from his normal routine.
Todd: Tim forgot to give the keychain back.

-Flashback to 1982. At TJ’s (Tim) house.
TJ (Tim): I have Brad’s keys. I need to get them to him.
Todd: No. It’s late. He’ll come back for them.
TJ: But he just left. We can catch up to him.
Todd: He’ll come back for them. And if he doesn’t. We can get them to him tomorrow.
TJ: But he leaves for school tomorrow.
Todd: No.
-TJ walks out of the room and sneaks out the back door.

-Return to the present.
Todd: He snuck out.
Lily: Is it possible you were there. I mean, Brad was taking away your position as a father figure.
Todd: I was angry. But it was my fault for Tim wanting to see Brad. I didn’t kill him. Tim came back covered in blood. He was screaming. He was scared. I cleaned him up. Put him in bed. He was screaming. I walked in later and told him it was a dream. He didn’t quite believe it at first. I didn’t kill Brad Sullivan
Lily: I don’t think you did either.

[r2k]

Susan: I guess this is my fault. I had everyone not mention Tim to the police. I didn’t want Tim knowing what happened.
Todd: And I wanted him to forget what happened. I started telling him that Brad was doing fine. He eventually got over it and moved on. What did we do to him?
Susan: So he knows what happened?
Lily: Yeah. He does. And I think I know how long too.
Susan: Has he known all these years?
Lily: No. I figured the whole thing out.

-Lily approaches the area where the newborns are kept. She sees Tim sitting in a chair looking into the window. Vera and Jeffries are there. She walks up to him. He does not know she is there.
Lily: Hey.
-Tim turns.
Tim: Hey.
Lily: I heard it was a boy.
Tim: It’s what I wanted.
Lily: Which one is he?
Tim: The one right in front.
Lily: How long have you been watching him?
Tim: I lost track.
Lily: Time must stand still when you’re watching something so important.
Tim: Tell me about it. I don’t think I’ve felt this good in a while. That little guy has no idea what's going on. He's just sleeping. I keep thinking of everything I want to do with him when he gets bigger. This boy means everything to me right now. I don’t want to leave him.
Lily: You won’t have to. (Tim looks at Lily) You didn’t kill Tony.
Tim: (Turns to Lily again) I didn’t.
Lily: No. Scotty and I figured it out. I don’t want you to worry about that right now. Nothing more is going to happen to you with that case.
Tim: But what about what I did at the station. I mean, you’re risking a lot allowing me to be here.
Lily: Don’t worry. Your reaction was normal. A little crazy. Tim, I know you. We’ve gotten to know each other in such a short time and I knew you would never pull that trigger. Kite isn’t going to let anything happen to you. But we need your help. And if you give it, Kite will make sure you are safe.
Tim: Brad?
Lily: You know what happened. Your parents told me.
Tim: Everyone thought they were doing the right thing. Telling me it was a nightmare.
Lily: They wanted to protect you. Everybody was. Your parents, Karen, the guy at the pizza place, and Brad’s family. They want to meet you. Don’t be hard on yourself. You were five. Everyone who knew Brad didn’t think you knew what happened. They kept you a secret. They didn’t know you were there. But I realized something. When I found out who you were, I assumed you had known for 23 years. But that wasn’t true, was it.
Tim: The murder scenes.

[r2k]

Lily: Both murders. They were close together. Tony at the dorm. Brad a few blocks away in the alley. You said you had a feeling you’d been there before. You were. You lived there. Right near the campus.
Tim: I went to visit Jen that weekend. I got a weird feeling. I always got those feelings.
Lily: Your parents tried to make you forget but you never really did. You just pushed it inside. Bits and pieces popped up here and there.
Tim: We walked down that same alley. And we walked right there. (Starts to cry a little) The blood stains were still there and I realized it wasn’t a dream.
Lily: So you started drinking. You never intended on getting drunk that night.
Tim: No. I didn’t want to. But a couple beers and I was relaxed. And then more followed.
Lily: When you saw Tony in the parking lot, it reminded you of someone. When you first met him.
Tim: What hurts me the most is that Brad never knew how much I appreciated what he did for me. He was there for me when my dad couldn’t. I never did anything for him. He a friend and I never got to be that to him.
Lily: That’s not true Tim. You were the best friend a five year old boy could be. And you were better than you can imagine. Brad didn’t want to go to college. But he did because of you. He realized how important it was because he learned to be responsible from being with you. And when Karen needed someone to be a father for Rick, Brad agreed. He was going to go to college and then try to have her come down there. He loved her and she loved him. And you helped make that happen. Karen realized that because of you. He was a good guy. And you became a good guy because of him. Brad never really left you. You went to Penn State. Just like Brad was supposed to. You work in computers because of him. You looked up to him and never stopped. But there is something about you. You never became him. You are Tim and Brad helped you became that. You were best friends. He was there for you when you had nobody.
Tim: (image flashes back to age five) I still don’t feel like I was ever his friend. That hurts.
Lily: Then be his friend now. You’ve carried this secret for so long, hidden. You’ve hidden it deep down inside and now it won’t stay in any longer. Tony brought it out. And I think I know why. But I’m going to let you do it. There’s a deal on the table. Tell us and you can go home.
Tim: (image returns to age 28) You know you were right when you said I can’t have things the way they were.
Lily: Well, with a new baby, I don’t think things will be. But you can go home and I know you want to that more than ever. Tim. Face that night one more time. Face them both. When you’re finished, leave them behind. And take the good memories of Brad with you. Take Brad with you. Both of these cases are related. You just have to figure out how.
Tim: I know who?.
Lily: Steven.
Tim: You knew.

[r2k]

Lily: You kept repeating how much you hated him for he did to you. Thing is, you never knew he was involved in your prosecution. We did. You were talking about what he did to Brad.
Tim: I knew it was him.
Lily: He was the father. Rick’s father.
Tim: He was?
Lily: Yes. I need to ask you. When you remembered what you did to Tony. That night when I found you. Did you remember Brad too.
Tim: Yes. I did. I remembered everything.
Lily: Why didn't you say something?
Tim: I didn't think it would matter.
Lily: Help us. Tell us exactly what happened to Brad.
-Tim looks at his son again.
Tim: Lil. I can do you one better. I can tell you how we can get him to confess. We figured out the who? I just figured the why.
-Tim looks at the nursery at his son.
Lily: Let’s go.
Tim: Alright. I need to say goodbye to Jen first. And if it's not a problem, I kind of haven't eaten in hours.
Lily: We'll take care of that.
Tim: For the first time in almost a year, I feel like I did before this all happened.
Lily: You feel better. You'll be fine in time.

-At the police station, Steven Crosby is waiting as Lily and Scotty walk in.
Lily: What brings you here?
Steven: I want an update on Tony’s case.
Lily: Ask Scotty.
-Scotty walks up to them.
Scotty: The girl was the one. Accident. She tried to help him. Brandon convinced her not to tell because he didn’t want Tim to get into trouble.
Steven: Then we charge him.
Scotty: Of course. But you won’t get him for much.
Steven: What do you mean?
Scotty: Tony’s actual death was an accident. Not murder. Tim may have compromised him physically, but he wasn’t present at the murder. He’s already been charged. As for the girl, she lied. Brandon. Obstruction of justice. His time most likely has been served. I scared him a bit, but I don’t think we should pursue.
Steven: This is an outrage!
Lily: Shut up, Steven.
Steven: What’s with her?
Lily: Your hypocrisy. That’s what’s with me.
Steven: Care to clue me in.

-Tim walks in with Vera.
Tim: Hey Steven. Guess you didn’t get rid of me just yet.
Steven: Don’t talk to me. You killed my brother.
Lily: Have a seat.
Steven: No, I don’t think so.
-Steven’s parents come in.
Judy: Steven.
Steven: Mom.
-Kite and his parents come in.
Steven: What’s going on?
Rush: Well, Scotty’s done with your brother’s case. Now we’re gonna wrap up mine. I’ve called everyone here.
-Tim is sitting at Lily’s desk. Vera and Jeffries are with him.
-Karen and Rick walk in. Steven sees Karen but didn’t see Rick.

[r2k]

Steven: Who’s this? Karen?
Karen: Steven. Been a long time.
-Rick goes to sit by Tim. The two begin talking. Jeff Colt and Laurie Harris come in.
Lily: Well, we’re all here. Let’s talk. Brad Sullivan’s killer is here and I felt it would be nice if we had an intervention.
Karen: What are you talking about?
Lily: (In her smart Lily tone she's famous for) An intervention. You know where we confront the killer and get him to admit he has a problem.
Steven: You know, this is lame. I’m going to…
Lily: Don’t move Steven. Sit down.
-Steven sits down.
Lily: Steven, is there something you want to tell everyone.
Steven: No.
Lily: This murder wasn’t about a rivalry in the arcade. There was more to it.
Steven: Are you saying I killed him?
Lily: I’m not the one. TJ is. We found him. And he says you did it.
-Kite and his parents look surprised.
Steven: I didn’t do that.
Lily: Yes you did.
-Tim walks over. Steven is unaware Tim is TJ at this point.
Tim: And you were going to send me to prison for the rest of my life. Man, you are a hypocrite.
Steven: Tim, this is none of your business. Go back and sit with that kid.
Lily: That kid. He not just that kid.
Steven: Look, Tim. I’m happy things worked out for you. My brother is still dead and I’m being accused of killing some kid.
Tim: When you shot that kid, I was covered in blood. Don’t tell me this is none of my business.
-Steven looks at Tim in shock.
Steven: TJ?
Tim: I saw you shoot him. You put six bullets in him.
Steven: No.
Tim: I told Rick what you did. That’s him over there.
Steven: Who’s Rick?
Scotty: You’re son. That kid. We compared his DNA to your brother’s. Seven alleles in common.
Lily: He’s related to Tony. This means he must be your son.
-Steven looks at Rick. A look of happiness and then remorse shows on his face.
Lily: He still wants you to be his father.
Scotty: But only if you face this like a man.
Tim: You didn’t kill me.
Lily: Because you wanted to be the father. You couldn’t kill Tim. He's where this whole thing started. You wanted to be the buddy. And when you learned Karen was having your baby and she still rejected you, it hurt.
-Steven starts crying.
Steven: She used me and took my child away from me. And she went back to Brad. She was going to let him be the father.
-Flashback to 1982. "Edge of Seventeen" by Stevie Nicks plays in the background at the arcade. Karen is telling Steven she's pregnant.
Steven: It's okay. We'll take care of the baby together.
Karen: What do you mean?
Steven: Marry me.
Karen: What?
Steven: I'm serious. I kind of love you. I love you. I didn't plan on it but I do. So we're young.
Karen: You're fifteen. I'm seventeen. This won't work out.
Steven: It can. We can make it.
Karen: No. Look, you're a great guy. Deep down underneath your competitive nature, you're great. But you're not ready. I'm not ready.
Steven: But Brad is.
Karen: I'm sorry. He's the one I love. And I need to work it out with him.
Steven: So I play second again.
Karen: You'll find someone.
Steven: Yeah right.
Karen: I gotta go. Goodbye.
-Karen walks away. Steven looks hurt and angry.
-Return to the present.

[r2k]

Karen: I never used you. I just wanted Brad. I didn’t mean to hurt you.
Lily: You loved her and you loved this kid. You wanted so much be the husband and father. But you were too young and couldn’t handle the rejection.
Steven: I thought she would come back to me. I hoped she would.
Lily: But she didn’t.
-Steven turns to Karen.
Steven: Forgive me. I hurt you so bad.
-The two hug.
Lily: You talk so much of justice. Is that all talk or are you willing to walk the walk. Your son wants to know his father. You. Do the right thing. That’s what fathers do. They're not perfect, but good fathers admit their mistakes. This is your chance to show Tim you could have been his friend. He chose Brad over you too. He doesn't hate you. All he wants now is for you to tell the truth. He saw it. But he shouldn't be the one who should face this. You should.
Steven: All I wanted was to be able to take responsibility for my kid no matter how hard it would be. I followed Brad home. I waited until he dropped Tim off.
-Steven stops.
Steven: I can’t.
Rick: Dad. You can. I want you to.
Lily: This is your chance to be his father. You may give up your freedom, but you won’t lose him.
Paul: Son, tell the truth. That’s what we taught.
Judy: You’re still our son. We love you.

-Brad drops Tim off at the house. Brad walks back the way he came. He reaches the alley when Steven shows up.
Steven: What are you doing? I love Karen. Why are you taking her away from me?
Brad: What do you mean?
Steven: I love her and I want that kid.
Brad: You’re fifteen. You’re not ready to be a father.
Steven: Like you are.
Brad: Look, she asked me. You didn’t want the responsibility. You lost.
Steven: No, you lost.
-Steven pulls a gun out.
Brad: Steven, what are you doing?
-Tim is running to Brad from a backyard. He almost reaches him by a garage. Brad can’t see Tim as Tim comes up close.
Steven: What I should have done a long time ago. You are always the big winner around here. And now you’ve taken one more thing.
-Steven pulls the trigger. The bullet hits Brad in the chest. The blood splatters on Tim. Steven pulls the trigger five more times. Tim looks in shock as Brad falls to the ground. He tries to breathe. Brad looks to the side and sees Tim, who just watches as Brad’s life slowly drifts off. Tim walks forward and takes Brad’s hand.
Tim: What’s wrong? Brad. Wake up. Brad. Wake up.
-Steven comes up to Tim from the left and touches his shoulder. Little Timmy is scared by Steven and runs. The image alternates between Timmy running away and Tony coming up to Tim from the left side in 1997. Little Timmy runs but Tim at age 20 fights back. The camera alternates between the two deaths. At this point,

[r2k]

Steven has stopped telling the story and now Tim is talking. Steven is now alone with Brad’s dead body. Timmy is gone. The images of Tim and Tony are now gone. Steven starts crying as he walks away. Images of Timmy age five return. He is in his bedroom crying. Repeated images Brad falling show on screen. Timmy cries. He keeps saying, "Brad, Brad. Wake up. Wake up. You promised you'd come back. The camera then focuses on Tim one year after when he shows up at the arcade and Brad never shows up. He looks around and then walks away slowly and sadly. Images of Brad's death still stick in his mind.

“The Voice” by the Moody Blues plays in the background as Steven is crying. He covers his face. He is handcuffed and taken away. They stop to let him see Rick, who is happy to have a dad finally. As Steven is taken away, his image flashes back to age 15. He looks at Karen, as her image flashes back to 17. Kite’s family look on as Steven is led out of the room. Their images flashback to what they looked like in 1982. When their image returns, Kite goes to Lily and they hug. Scotty stays with Steven’s parents who are shocked and saddened that their last son is now going to jail. Steven’s parents turn to Tim, who has begun crying because he is finally happy the truth has come out. Nicole is being taken to jail. Scotty observes as she is led away. He sees Tony once more. Later, the next morning, Jen is at the maternity ward, ready to leave. Ben and Cassie are with her. She sits down in a chair with her baby. Tim comes in and touches her shoulder. She realizes it is him and gives Cassie the baby. She hugs him. She begins crying though Tim does not. Tim just smiles. He realizes it is her turn to be comforted. Together they take the baby named Brad with them. Later, at the mall, Tim, Jen, Ben, and Cassie are together with the baby. Barney comes out and recognizes Tim. Barney’s image flashes back to 42 and then returns again to 65. The two shake hands as Tim grabs some drinks from the pizza place. He goes back to the table they are all sitting. Karen and Rick join them. Lily also joins in. Lily has brought Brandon with her. Jen hugs Brandon as if to forgive him and thank him. Tim shakes his hand. Everyone wants to look at the baby. Karen and Rick give Lily a look. Lily takes out the photo of Brad and Timmy. She hands it to Tim with Karen’s approval. Tim hugs Lily. The two let go. Lily goes to see the baby. Tim looks at the picture. He then looks over to the arcade. Tim sees Brad standing there at one of the older video games. Brad signals him to come. Tim’s image flashes back to age five as he runs over to Brad. But the 28 year old Tim stays behind and watches his younger self run over. Brad and TJ go into the arcade together. Tim watches as their images disappear and he can finally let go. He turns around and rejoins the group.

[r2k]

Author's note: This was a hard one. I think I overdid a little but it was a finale. I'll get to those other fan fic ideas at a later time. My brain needs to regenerate a bit. If I've learned anything from writing these fan fics is that it is hard work. The writers must work extremely hard and to think they only write a few episodes.