<html> <!--Generated by Angelfire: L00S00--> <head> <title>Chapter 25</title> </head> <body bgcolor="#000000" text="#ffffff" link="#ff0000" alink="#ff0000" vlink="#ff0000"> <basefont size="3"> <!--Header--> <h2 align="center">Chapter 25</h2> <!--EndHeader--> <!--Freetext--><p></p> “Morning,” Jamie said with a smile looking up from her spot at the counter in the kitchen where she sat reading the morning paper in Scott’s small New York apartment. <p></p> “Morning kid,” Scott yawned walking into the kitchen sleepily, running a hand through his matted hair, “how’d you sleep?” <p></p> “A lot better then usual,” Jamie replied, bringing her coffee mug to her lips and taking a sip quickly. <p></p> “Sorry I don’t have better accommodations for you kid,” Scott said as he poured himself a cup of coffee and joined Jamie at the island. <p></p> “The couch is fine,” Jamie smiled, “I really appreciate you guys letting me stay here.” <p></p> Scott nodded and sipped his coffee thoughtfully as he watched Jamie turn her attention back to the newspaper in front of her. <p></p> “Are you going out?” Scott asked, noticing Jamie fully dressed in a pair of khakis, gray sweater, and sneakers, her hair up in a loose ponytail and her glasses on instead of her usual contacts. <p></p> “Yeah, I was gonna head out kinda early,” Jamie replied standing up, “I wanted to get an early start today, and the lights best for photographs earlier in the day.” <p></p> “Alright,” Scott said, picking up his coffee mug and following Jamie into the small living room where she was staying, “just remember to stay in crowded areas. The city is filled with wackos.” <p></p> “Yes dad,” Jamie laughed, picking up her camera bag and slinging it over her shoulder, “I’ll be back earlier, need me to pick up anything while I’m gone?” <p></p> “We’re good,” Scott said with a shrug, “but can we talk before you go?” <p></p> “Sure Scott,” Jamie replied, sitting down on the couch as Scott took a seat next to her and looked at her dead in the eye. <p></p> “Are you happy here?” Scott asked seriously. <p></p> “Yeah,” Jamie nodded, “of course I am. You and Danny are great, and I’m doing what I love.” <p></p> “But you’re not with who you love…” Scott reminded her. <p></p> Jamie let out a long breath, “but it’s complicated… he and I are so…” <p></p> “You love him, don’t you?” Scott interrupted. <p></p> “Scott, I…” Jamie mumbled, her voice trailing off. <p></p> “You love him.” Scott stated, not even asking her. <p></p> “Yeah, I do,” Jamie nodded sadly. <p></p> “Why can’t you just call him James?” Scott asked. <p></p> “I can’t call Jeff, Scott. I haven’t seen him since the photography exhibit two weeks ago, and haven’t even talked to him in like 3 months!” Jamie demanded. <p></p> “You love him!” Scott exclaimed, almost yelling, “What more is there to it? You love him; he loves you! You belong together.” <p></p> “It’s not that easy,” Jamie cried defensively, “Love isn’t enough Scott. It just isn’t.” <p></p> “Jamie, but…” Scott argued. <p></p> “Please stop,” Jamie pleaded holding her hand up and standing up quickly, “Scott, I can’t do this right now. Can we talk later about this?” <p></p> “Yeah, fine,” Scott said, watching Jamie once again adjust her camera bag on her shoulder. He noticed the small tear glistening on her cheek. <p></p> “You going to be ok?” Scott asked as Jamie walked towards the apartment door and opened it. <p></p> “Yeah, I’ll be fine,” Jamie said, turning around and looking at her friend on the couch, “Thanks Scott.” <p></p> Scott nodded and smiled as he watched her shut the door behind her. He shook his head as he stood up and walked back into the kitchen for a fresh cup of coffee. It was obvious Jamie still cared about Jeff, and still wanted to be with him. Scott leaned his arms on the counter and looked out of the kitchen window at the New York City skyline ahead of him and let out a sigh. He didn’t know how he was going to do it, but he knew that he was going to prove to Jamie that love really was worth it. <!--EndFreetext--> <p> <!--Links--> <font size="5"></font> <p> <a href="http://www.angelfire.com/linux/myniftywwffanfic/worthit26">Chapter 26</a><br> <a href="http://www.angelfire.com/linux/myniftywwffanfic/worthit24">Chapter 24</a><br> <p> <!--EndLinks--> </body> </html>