Porter Dandridge and Thad DeLongpre are standing outside of Katherine DeLongpre’s hospital room. Thad is looking through the window at his sister, who was just in an accident. Porter is standing behind him, wringing his hands worried about his fiancé’s condition. The doctor, Brian Montgomery, has let them know that all signs are pointing to a full recovery, but Katherine is still unconscious and that worries Porter.

Thad turns to face his friend and says, "Soon. She’s gonna wake up soon."

"It can’t be good that she’s been unconscious so long," says Porter.

"Brian doesn’t seem to be concerned," says Thad.

"Doctor’s don’t know everything. Maybe we should get a second opinion."

"Brian’s the best there is. Katie is just sleeping it off. She’s gonna wake up and she gonna be just like brand new."

"I would pray, if I thought that would do some good." Thad goes back to the window to look at his sister.

"What did you mean earlier?" He asks.

"Mean about what?"

"About Bain giving you bad vibes."

"I don’t know. There’s just something about him. Something I don’t trust"

‘He seems like a nice guy to me. I like him. I was thinking about offering him a bartending gig."

"Without consulting me? I do own 50 percent of the place."

"I don’t get it. You don’t even know the guy."

"Neither do you"

"I’ve always been a first impression kinda dude. Remember I started hanging out with you when everybody else on the playground warned me against it."

"Bite me. If you want to hire the guy, do it. If you want to shack up with the guy, do it."

"It was an accident. He didn’t deliberately hit Katie."

"Are you sure about that?"

"What are you saying?"

"I’m not so sure that it was an accident."

_____________________________________________

Bain Roberts is waiting for a smoked turkey sandwich for Porter Dandridge. He just finished a conversation with his Mother. She called him on his cell phone to find out if he had arrived in Persephone Pointe safely. Bain made it clear to his mother that he still loved her and his father and that nothing had changed, but he needed answers to his past, he needed to find the woman that gave birth to him, the woman that didn’t want him. "Smoked turkey on whole wheat," screams the large black woman behind the counter.

"That’ s me," says Bain.

"Here you are honey. Pay at the front," she says. Bain eyes her nametag and sees the name Tallulah, which gives him a chuckle. He takes the sandwich to the front counter, grabs a diet coke from the drink cooler, and pays the man at the register.

He’s almost out of the cafeteria when he sees a Town and Country magazine opened to the page about Porter and Katherine. He puts the sandwich and drink down and picks up the magazine. The picture of Katherine is absolutely stunning and he is quite taken by her beauty, so much so that he totally ignores that Porter is in the photograph with her.

"They make quite the couple don’t they?" says Tallulah. She has come out of the kitchen to retrieve her magazine. "I was wondering where I left my magazine." Bain thinks it’s interesting that Tallulah, the hospital cook, reads Town and Country. "I heard that she was brought in to the hospital late this morning, some sort of car accident or something. Everyone has been trying to see her and Porter."

"Are they some sort of royalty or something?" Asks Bain.

"She’s a DeLongpre. Everyone is always interested in what the DeLongpre’s are doing sugar. Especially Katherine," says the cook.

"Why her?"

"You must not be from around here?"

"Do I have a sign on my back or something?"

"Excuse me?"

"You are the hundredth person to either ask 'where I'm from' or say 'you're not from around here are you.'"

"The Pointe is a small town, honey."

"So what’s the story about Katherine DeLongpre?" Asks Bain.

"It’s a long one. You sure you got the time?" Asks Tallulah.

"Will you make me another sandwich afterwards?"

"Sure."

"Then come on over to this table and I’ll tell you the story of Katherine DeLongpre."

______________________________________

Sumner DeLongpre and his new wife, Jory, are in Sumner’s Range Rover headed towards the Medical Center. Jory is worried about her new husband. From the first moment they met, he talked about his youngest daughter Katherine, and while he would never say it out loud, it was obvious that she was his favorite child.

"If you don’t slow down, you’re going to get a speeding ticket," says Jory.

"I’m Sumner DeLongpre. I don’t get speeding tickets, especially not in my town," he says matter-of-factly.

"Well slow down anyway."

"I’m sorry." Sumner slows the SUV down. "Better?"

"Thank you."

"Are you okay?" Asks Sumner.

"I’m worried about you," says Jory.

"I’ll be fine, when I know Katie’s fine." He picks up the cell phone from its holder.

"Who are you calling?"

"August," says Sumner.

"Why?"

"I want to know what all that screaming was about."

________________________________________

Briggs Origen is standing on a dock at a secluded pond on the DeLongpre Estate holding Rachel Ontkeen. His best friend, Ian Montgomery, is looking down at the water. A crowd has started to gather at the pond and security guards have arrived on the scene.

"Rachel! Rachel!" Screams Pamela DeLongpre, Rachel’s mother.

"Mom?!?" Rachel breaks out of Brigg’s embrace and runs to her Mother. Briggs starts to go after her, but is stopped by the Security Guards.

"What’s going on here, gentlemen?" Asks one of the guards. Both Ian and Briggs point down to the water below and at the corpse caught between the pilings on the dock. The guard looks down, a couple of other security guards walk to the dock and look down as well. The first guard pulls his radio and calls for help from the Persephone Pointe Police Department. "I’m going to need you boys to leave the dock."

Pamela holds her daughter, who is shaken and upset.

"Mom, it’s a body — a dead body," says Rachel through tears.
"It’s going to be all right darling. Mama’s hear," says Pamela comforting her daughter.

The sound of police cruisers can now be heard in the distance. August DeLongpre, his wife Meredith, and a family friend, Leslie Montgomery, all arrive on the scene. The lead security guard spots August and runs over to him.

"Mr. DeLongpre," says the guard.

"Jimmy what’s going on?" Asks August.

"Come on over here sir, you’re going to need to see this," says Jimmy. Meredith starts to follow her husband and the guard. "Mrs. DeLongpre, you might not want to see this. It’s probably best to stay back here." Meredith looks at Leslie and the two ladies watch from the sidelines with the rest of crowd.

Quentin and Jennifer Origen walk up to Leslie and Meredith.

"What’s going on?" Asks Quentin.

"We’re not sure…. Something in the pond….Jimmy just got August," says Meredith.

"Well I’m going to walk over there," says Quentin.

"Do you think that’s a good idea darling?" Asks Jennifer.

"I’ll be right back," says Quentin. He walks off, towards the men on the dock.

Jimmy, the security guard, is showing August the corpse. The Chief of Police, Jack Eglasca, Claudia's brother-in-law, has arrived, as well as, the town’s medical examiner, Julia Collins.

"My God," says August. "How did this happen?"

"That’s what we’re going to find out," says Chief Eglasca. Jack Eglasca is the younger brother of John Eglasca who was married to Claudia. He was appointed Chief of Police six months ago after five years as the Department's lead detective. He is well respected in the community and a surrogate father for his brother's kids, Saga and Ben.

"I will tell you, that son of a gun has been down there for awhile," says Julia. Julia is somewhat outspoken and eccentric. Murder and death don't faze her, in fact, she prefers the company of the dead to those who still have pulses.

"How long?" Asks August.

"I won’t know anything until we get Mr. Soggy back to the lab," says Julia.

"August we’re going to have to cordon off this area and send the onlookers back up to the main house," says Chief Eglasca.

"Of course. Do what you have to. Just keep me posted, " says August.

"Sure thing," says the Chief.

"Jack, what in the hell is going on? How did a body end up in the pond?" Asks August.

______________________________________

"He’s not picking up," says Sumner.

"It was probably nothing," says Jory.

"I hope you’re right."

The couple arrives at the Medical Center. Sumner parks in the space reserved for the Chief of Staff.

"Darling, this is a reserved space," says Jory. He looks at her, wondering why she would ask him such a question. "Never mind."

The two enter the hospital and stop at the reception station to find out where Katherine’s room is located. Jory notices how the reception aide stutters and fawns over Sumner, like he’s a rock star. After getting the information from the reception station the two walk to the elevators located to the right of the station. People are waving and smiling and saying politely "Welcome home Mr. DeLongpre." Slowly, Jory is beginning to understand and see the power and prominence of her new husband.

The two get on the elevator. Jory takes her husband’s hand and holds it gently. "She’s going to be okay," she says.

"When you say that, I believe it," says Sumner. He reaches down to kiss his beautiful bride. The elevator stops on Katherine’s floor and the two exit.

"Darling, I’m going to stop in the restroom. Go on and I’ll find you, okay?"

"Okay. I love you." Jory leaves for the ladies’ room and Sumner heads down the corridor to Katherine’s room.

________________________________________

Back at the DeLongpre Estate, Claudia watches as the partygoers begin to pack up and leave. She also notices that the group at the pond has started to return to the main house. Claudia sees Jennifer and walks over to her friend.

"Jen," says Claudia.

"What should we do with all of this food?" Asks Jennifer.

"I’m one step ahead of you. I had your group make goody bags for the guests. That should rid us of any extra food. What happened at the pond — I saw the police head down there."

"Jack, had everyone leave the scene. They didn’t tell us anything."

"What could it be?" Asks Claudia.

"Well if the police are involved, it can’t be good."

_______________________________________

"Mom it was so horrible. It touched my foot. I…I… thought it was a fish or something…and when I looked down, there it was," says Rachel. Rachel and Pamela have arrived at the main house. Rachel is still shaken and Pamela tries her best to comfort her daughter.

"Darling lets go upstairs and we’ll get you in a hot bath," says Pamela.

"Mom, how could something like this happen?"

"I don’t know baby, but we’re going to find out. I promise you that," says Pamela. Pamela puts her arm around her daughter and heads into the mansion; she feels eyes on her and turns around to see Quentin Origen staring at her. She looks at him and he looks back at her and smiles.

Briggs and Ian have reached the main house. Briggs looks around for the blonde, but she is nowhere in site. While neither boy will admit it aloud, they both are a little shaken by the events at the pond.

"I’m worried about her. I want to make sure that she’s okay," says Briggs.

"Well she’s not up here. She’s probably gone," says Ian.

"Well she was in the helicopter with, what’s her name?"

"Pamela."

"Yeah Pamela. Maybe that’s her Mom or something?"

"She was pretty shaken up," says Ian.

"I know. That’s why I’m worried."

"Maybe you should check on her later, after she’s calmed down a little."

"Yeah, I guess you're right. I hope she’s not alone," says Briggs.

"This is all so weird."

"A dead body in the DeLongpre pond."

"I wonder who it is," says Ian.

"I wonder how it got in the pond," says Briggs.

Leslie and Meredith have remained at the pond. August walks over to them. The flashing lights and sounds of police radios and activity from the investigative unit has disturbed the typical peace and tranquility of the pond setting.

"C’mon lets head on up," says August.

"August what is it?" Asks Meredith.

"A body," says August.

"A body?" Asks Leslie, surprised.

"Yeah," says August.

"Was it one of the guests?" Asks Meredith.

"No," says August.

"Then who is?’ Asks Leslie.

"I don’t know, and to be honest Leslie, I’m a little afraid to find out," says August.

_____________________________________

Tallulah Jones sits down with Porter Dandridge. She has promised to tell him the story of Katherine DeLongpre. The woman is sipping Pepsi through a straw. Every time she picks up the cup, the rattle of the ice against the paper reminds Porter of the summer he had to work at McDonald’s because he lost a bet on a basketball game.

"So where do you want me to begin honey?" Asks Tallulah.

"What about at the beginning?" Asks Porter.

"I can do that."

_____________________________________

Jory is in the ladies’ room and she is looking at herself in the mirror. She checks her makeup and eyeliner then makes certain her hair is in place. Jory is very much in love with her husband, but is concerned about his family's initial reaction to her. She is concerned about one reaction in particular, but she decides to deal with that one differently than she plans to deal with the others. She holds her left hand up to the light and looks at her engagement and wedding rings hoping they will provide her with the strength she's going to need to "fit in." She then remembers how worried Sumner is and how much he loves his daughter. She tilts her head upward and says,

"Dear God, it’s me Jory. I love my husband. I love him more than anything. Please let his daughter be okay. Please put her on the road to a complete and total recovery. I don’t think Sumner could bear it, if he lost her. All I want is for Sumner to be happy and his life to be free of stress and sadness. Please let Katherine be okay for Sumner’s sake. Oh, and while you’re at it, please don’t let Katherine be anything like Pamela."

__________________________________

Porter and Thad are still talking about Bain Roberts. Thad is facing his friend, curious about the genesis of Porter's suspicions about Bain.

"The police have made it quite clear that it was an accident," says Thad.

"The bumbling idiots of the PPPD? Emphasis on P-P," says Porter.

"It just doesn't make any sense to me. I've never known you to take such an immediate dislike to someone you barely know," says Thad.

"You like the guy and I don't, let just leave it at that," says Porter.

"Works for me," says Thad.

Sumner DeLongpre walks up on his son and Porter. Thad doesn’t see his Father, but senses his presence, he turns around, and sure enough, there he is standing behind the two men.

"Daddy," says Thad.

"Hello son," says Sumner.

"Welcome home."

"Where’s your sister?"

"Mr. DeLongpre, it's good to see you," says Porter.

"Hello Porter. Where is Katie?"

"Sumner. Welcome home," says Brian Montgomery, genuinely pleased to see the DeLongpre Patriarch.

"Brian -- how’s my little girl?" Asks Sumner.

"A whole lot better now," says Brian.

"What does that mean?" Asks Thad.

"She’s awake," says Brian.

"Thank God!" Says Sumner, visibly relieved. "When can I see her?"

"In a couple of minutes, the Nurses are taking some blood right now. I’ll let you know when you can go in," says Brian.

"Thank you Brian. Have your assistant call my assistant and set up a golf game." says Sumner.

"Sure thing," says the Doctor.

"Brian, thank you for everything you did for her," says Porter.

"Brian, I owe you one," says Thad.

"Man! She’s awake. She’s going to be okay!" Says Porter who is quite happy by the news.

"Shh... remember we’re in a hospital," says Brian. Brian goes back into Katherine’s room.

"It looks like you got here at the perfect time," says Thad.

"Good timing is in the DeLongpre genetics," says Sumner. Thad rolls his eyes at this comment.

"So Mr. DeLongpre are you home for good or is this just a brief layover?" Asks Porter.

"We plan to be here for awhile," says Sumner.

"We?" Says Thad.

"Yes -- we. I’ve gotten married."

"You got married," says Thad.

"All legal and everything," says Sumner.

"That's great news Mr. DeLongpre," says Porter.

"That is good news Daddy. Congratulations! How'd you meet? Where is she? What’s her name?" Asks Thad.

"Here she is now," says Sumner. Both Porter and Thad turn to see Jory. "Jory come on over here darling. Honey, this is Porter Dandridge, Katie’s fiancé."

"It’s nice to meet you Porter," says Jory. Thad looks at his Father’s wife and is quite taken aback. He knows the woman. He knows her well. Very , very well. He can’t take his eyes off her as she can’t take her eyes off of him.

"Jory this is my youngest son, Thad. Thad, this is my beautiful and incredible and totally wonderful wife, Jory."

"Hello Thad, it’s a pleasure to meet you…." Jory extends her hand. Thad takes the woman’s hand into his and holds on to it, possibly the only thing that keeps him from falling to floor in total shock.