The Promise

Author: Romantique
 
Email: dolph1n@sbcglobal.net
 
Rating: PG-14.

Summary: This fanfic takes place about 6 months after "Understand
Your Man."

 
 
--+--


Fallin & Fallin
Pittsburgh, PA
August 4, 2003
3:30 p.m.

From his corner office, Burton Fallin sits at his desk pouring over
his firm's latest financial statements. He couldn't have picked a
tougher year to restart a firm. Yet, despite the downturn in the
economy, he has reason to remain cautiously optimistic. It appears
Fallin & Fallin is just about to turn the corner from a struggling
start up firm to one showing profit, and much of this upturn is due
to the untiring efforts of his son, Nicholas. With just a little
more care and attention to growth and client retention, revenue
projections for 2004 should be attainable.

Burton puts his pencil lead to the financials and begins to scribble
out several different revenue scenarios. Like the professional he
is, this is when Burton Fallin is at his creative best, able to
create and recreate, build and rebuild his own firm. After only
about fifteen minutes of creative bliss, Burton's concentration is
interrupted.

"I know you asked not to be disturbed, but I have Lulu Olsen on the
line from Legal Services of Pittsburgh," Gretchen buzzes in on his
intercom. She quickly adds, "She says it's extremely urgent."

"I'll take it," Burton lets out a sigh. His son, Nicholas, does
community service under this woman; the call could be important.

"Ms. Olsen," he speaks loudly into the phone. "I understand you need
to speak with me?"

"Hello, Mr. Fallin," Lulu Olsen begins and then, tentatively
continues. "You remember Mary Gressler, don't you? At your request,
I represented her in a dispute against her daughter's former husband
so that she could give her daughter a proper burial."

Lulu knows Burton Fallin is more than acquainted with Mary Gressler.
Once, Mary made it a point to let her know that she and her
granddaughter were living with Burton. But she has since heard that
Burton and Mary had some kind of a falling out several months ago.

"Uh, yes," Burton responds, clearly caught off guard by the subject
matter. Ever since Mary had rejected his affections many months ago,
he's tried not to give the woman another moment's thought.
Remembering her now still stings his male pride. "Why do you ask?"

"I'm afraid I have some bad news," Lulu says, hesitating before going
on. "Mary was found dead last night outside a diner."

"Outside a diner?"

"Yes. It's the Eat N Park in Mars," Lulu reads directly from the
notes she scratched on a legal pad.

"Oh, God," Burton gasps, as his eyes uncontrollably moisten with
tears. No matter how hard he tries not to have any feelings for this
woman, he does. "She used to work at that diner," he thoughtfully
mumbles.

"Evidently, she went back to work there several months ago." Lulu
then tries to give him more information. "The police are speculating
she was killed after she finished her shift. Apparently, she was
robbed and then stabbed to death. The police have a suspect in
custody."

A silent, awkward pause falls into the conversation.

Finally, Lulu breaks the silence. "I'm sorry, Mr. Fallin."

"That family has seen so much tragedy," Burton laments, and he
stoically chokes back tears. Then he suddenly composes himself and
asks, "Where is Shannon? Does she know?"

"Yes," Lulu answers, "She knows. She's been turned over to the
Allegheny Children's Shelter while we search for family. I'm
assigning Nick to represent her in a shelter hearing scheduled for
tomorrow."

"Is Nick there?" Burton asks.

"Not yet. He's still in court on another matter, but I'll speak with
him about Shannon as soon as he returns." Lulu's tone is very
reassuring.

"That's good," Burton shakes his head. "That's good Nick can be
there for her," he continues, still shaking his head and swallowing
down the lump in his throat. After giving himself a brief moment to
collect his thoughts, he asks, "Do you think it would be alright if I
went to see Shannon? I could finish up here at the office and go on
over to the shelter?"

"She asked for you, Mr. Fallin," Lulu replies. It is almost as if
Nick's father read her mind as to the real reason for her phone
call. "I know she would be glad to see you."


Allegheny Children's Shelter
August 4, 2003
5:30 p.m.

Burton follows Mrs. Kendall, a shelter aide, down a corridor and to a
room. As soon as they open the door, Shannon Gressler runs to meet
them.

A smile pours over her tear-stained face. "Burton! I didn't know if
you were going to come."

"Well, I'm here," he smiles and takes the young girl in his arms. "I
told you if you ever needed anything, all you have to do is call me.
And I meant what I said."

"Sorry, Burton," she apologizes, afraid to let go. "I'm not used to
anybody doing what he says."

He offers, "I am so very sorry to hear about your grandmother."

"Mary tried to strong for me. But I told you before she's not," the
girl looks up at him. "Remember when I told you?"

Burton shakes his head. "Why don't we sit down over here?" he
motions to the sofa.

The two take a seat.

"I'm going to leave you two here," Mrs. Kendall interjects. "I'm
right down the hall if you need me."

"Thank you," Burton nods.

Mrs. Kendall leaves the room and the door open.

Burton then turns his attention back to Shannon. "It's been a long
time since I've seen you. How have you been? Where have you been?"

"After we left your house, we went through most of the insurance
money. So, Mary decided she needed to go back to work at the diner.
Then," Shannon makes a disgusted face, "she started to go out with
men, the wrong kind of men."

Alarmed, Burton interrupts. "Shannon, did anyone hurt you?"

"No," Shannon shakes her head. "She was careful not to bring them
back to the house. But the one I heard the police arrested, I know
he kept coming to her for money."

Before his eyes Shannon changes from a girl with far too much street
knowledge to a frightened child. "Why did Mary make us move out of
your house? She told me it wasn't your fault, but she never really
told me why."

"Well," Burton begins. "It wasn't really anybody's fault. I guess
your grandmother wasn't used to anybody doing what he says he's going
to do, either. I tried to convince her there are still a few of us
good guys left in the world. Maybe I should have tried harder."

Shannon puts her hand on Burton's shoulder as a gesture of comfort.

After a thoughtful pause, he leans over and speaks toward Shannon's
ear. "It's too late for me to try to convince Mary, but it's not too
late to convince you. How would you like to come and live with me?"

A look of exuberance rushes over the girl's tear-stained face. "Do
you really mean it, Burton?"

"You don't have any other family do you?" he asks.

"Only Mandy's sister. Last I heard, she lives in Scranton, but Mary
said she took off with some biker before Mandy died," Shannon recants.

Burton shakes his head. "Yes, your grandmother told me about that.
There's a shelter hearing scheduled tomorrow. Nicholas is going to
represent you. He's an excellent lawyer. If you want me to, we
could ask the judge to appoint me as your guardian and let you come
live with me."

"But Burton," Shannon objects. "I don't think Nick likes me very
much."

"Sometimes, I don't think he likes me very much, either," Burton
candidly offers and then, gives a nervous little chuckle. "Nick
believes I wasn't a very good father to him when he was growing up.

"How could he say that about you?" Shannon asks in defense of the
older man. "You are the nicest man I've ever known."

"Thank you, honey," Burton gives Shannon a hug. "But Nicholas may be
right. Now that he and I are both older, I have a lot more patience
with him."

Wise beyond her years, Shannon makes a quick connection. "That's
kind of what Mary used to say. She said she was a better grandmother
to me than she was a mother to Mandy."

"Yes," Burton thoughtfully nods. "I think I know exactly what Mary
meant."

Just at that moment, Nick appears in the doorway.

Burton immediately remarks, "Nicholas, I'm glad you're here. Shannon
and I were just discussing the hearing tomorrow." As he smiles down
at the young girl, he announces, "I'd like her to live with me,"
Burton says without missing a beat. "Do you think she could come
home with me directly from the hearing?"

Now, both Burton and Shannon are looking up at Nick with hopeful
smiles on their faces. The look on their faces brings a look of
shock to his face, a look that is difficult to hide. And it is
equally difficult for him to speak.

"Uh, Dad," he finally manages to get out. "Don't you think we should
talk about this?"

Shannon looks up at the two of them. Her smile is suddenly replaced
by a look of fear. Disappointment fills her eyes, eyes that are red
and swollen from crying all day.

Burton quickly intervenes, "I know what you're going to say, son.
It's clear Shannon and I need some help . . . a housekeeper . . .
someone to drive Shannon to and from school. And I've been thinking
about turning over some more of my law practice to you." The elder
Fallin's wheels spin at an impressive speed for a senior
gentleman. "But these kinds of things can be quickly worked out."

Nick looks down at the floor to hide his face from Shannon and his
dad. Not only is his father's announcement surprising, he is
perplexed at the sudden anger and disapproval he feels.

"Sure," Nick nods, his head still down. Looking up at his father out
of the corner of his eye, he continues, "You and I should discuss the
details of the hearing in private. Shannon's been through enough
today."

Burton agrees with his son. And he leans over to Shannon and
says, "Don't you worry about anything, honey. You'll have to stay
here tonight, but we'll have you out of here and in my home by this
time tomorrow."

And Burton gives her a confident wink.

With tears in her big blue eyes, a grateful Shannon puts her arms
tightly around Burton's neck, holding on for dear life. He returns
her hug and gently kisses the top of her head. Then, he puts his
hands firmly on her shoulders and pulls her away until they are face
to face.

"Promise me you won't worry," he says softly, looking directly into
the girl's eyes. "And I promise I'm not going to let anything else
bad happen to you, kiddo."

He leans down and kisses her on the cheek.

"I'll see you at the hearing tomorrow," Nick gives Shannon a weak
smile and a tentative little wave. Then, he and his father leave the
room together.

As they walk down the hallway towards the building's front entrance,
Burton begins to talk at rapid a rapid pace. "Since the day I first
met her, Shannon has always maintained she doesn't know who her
biological father is. Mary confirmed that to me, so I am able to
testify to that fact. And there is no way we can ever allow that
scumbag husband of her mother's, uh . . . what's his name?"

Nick recites in an unemotional tone, "Howard Glover."

"Right," Burton nods. "And we have to ensure that Howard Glover can
never gain custody."

"Wait, Dad!" Nick raises his voice in order to get his father's
attention. "Everything is happening so fast. Have you even had time
to think this through?" Nick asks his father as he tries to keep his
own emotions in check.

Burton stops walking and directly replies to Nick with great
sincerity, "I want to do this for her. I want to take care of her."

Standing there with his hands in his trouser pockets, Nick nervously
shifts his weight onto his other foot. "I respect that, but . . .
there are ways of making sure Shannon's needs are met without taking
on the burden of having her live with you." He pushes
further, "You've already started a college fund for her, and you can
set up some other investments to provide for her security."

"Are you referring to the way YOU perform the duties of
guardianship?" Burton pushes back. He is aware that is son takes
care of the financial duties of several children as ordered by the
court.

"That's not fair." Despite the sting his father's comment inflicts,
Nick sucks it all in. His father is going through a tough time. It
is obvious he cared for Mary Gressler and still cares for her
granddaughter. So, he lets out a sigh of frustration and tries a
different approach. "Shannon is going to need a lot of help, a lot
of attention. She hasn't exactly grown up in the best environment."
He winces and suggests, "She could be quite a handful."

"I know that, Nicholas," an irritated Burton snaps. "Look, I've
given this all the thought it requires. That little girl needs me.
She trusts me. And after all the God-awful things that poor kid has
been through . . . I'm going to be there for her. It's that simple."

"I was, too," Nick responds in a lowered voice. "A handful. And you
weren't exactly able to help me."

"Maybe not, but I've ALWAYS been here for you, son," Burton replies,
not missing a beat. "You can't say I haven't always been here for
you."

In a huff, Burton walks far ahead of Nick toward the parking
structure, leaving his son alone in his angered confusion.


Allegheny Courthouse
Juvenile Division
Judge Damsen's Courtroom
August 5, 2003
10:00 a.m.

Already behind schedule, Judge Rebecca Damsen is ready to proceed
with her docket.

From the bench she begins. "This is a shelter hearing for the minor
child, Shannon Gressler." Judge Damsen then looks directly down at
Nicholas Fallin who is seated next to his young client. "Mr. Fallin,
are you ready to proceed?"

Nick stands and replies, "It is the wishes of my client that Burton
Fallin be appointed her guardian."

The judge is surprised to see the senior Fallin in the courtroom.
She then asks Nick, "Will the fact that you are the child's guardian
cause a problem in this case?"

"No your Honor," Nick quickly replies to quash the judge's
insinuation. "It's just that Shannon Gressler knows Burton Fallin.
They had formed a previous relationship. And there was a time when
Shannon and her grandmother, the deceased, Mary Gressler, lived with
Burton Fallin."

The judge looks surprised. "I see." Then, she looks over at Burton
who is seated in the row behind Nick and Shannon. "Is it true that
Shannon and her grandmother lived with you, Mr. Burton Fallin?"

Burton stands and answers, "Yes, your Honor. About six or seven
months ago, Mary Gressler's home sustained damage from a fire. I
helped her with the insurance matter, and she and Shannon stayed with
me at my home until the insurance money was released."

"Having a client live with you, didn't that create a conflict?" the
judge asks, in an attempt to clarify her own confusion with the
living situation.

"No, your Honor, we were friends. I was just helping out a friend,"
Burton is quick to explain.

All was quiet in the courtroom as the judge studied Burton, sorting
out the facts. "Fine," the judge finally answered. "Shannon, how do
you feel about Burton Fallin?"

In a quiet but strong voice, Shannon responds, "Burton is the
greatest. He's been like a dad to me."

"But he's not your dad. Where is your father, Shannon?" the judge
looks down upon the child.

With sadness and embarrassment in her voice she responds, "I don't
have one. Mandy, uh, I mean my mom, didn't know who my father is."

Burton Fallin raises a hand to be recognized by the bench and
is. "Your Honor, I can confirm that Mary Gressler told me Shannon's
mother, Mandy Gressler, did not know who Shannon's father is. This
is further evidenced by both Mandy's and Shannon's use of Mary
Gressler's last name. In addition, Mary Gressler received aid from
the State of Pennsylvania for Shannon's medical care, as she has no
parent to provide her insurance. The State has not been able to
identify or locate Shannon's father."

"Thank you, Mr. Fallin," the judge replies to Burton. She then
directs her next question to Nick. "Are there any other relatives?"

"Evidently, Mandy Gressler has a half-sister who resided in Scranton
until about a year ago," Nick explains. "I have a statement from the
Pittsburgh Police Department indicating they were unable to locate
her during the investigation into Mandy Gressler's death."

Judge Damsen suddenly recalls the incident that involved Nicholas
Fallin. The entire courthouse was abuzz with gossip over the death
of a woman in Nick's home and his subsequent exoneration. Indeed,
this poor child has lost both her mother and her grandmother within a
year's time. She then gives Shannon a look of expressed
tenderness. "One last question, Shannon. Can you tell me why you
want Burton Fallin to be your guardian and why you want to live with
him?"

Shannon shakes her head and explains, "Burton, I mean, Mr. Fallin,
cares about me. He helps me with my homework and wants me to do good
in school. He checks on me if I have a bad dream. And we talk about
stuff. He listens to me . . . you know . . . like what I have to say
is important."

After a brief moment of silence, the judge slowly speaks. "Burton
Fallin, as an officer of the court, I have no problem appointing you
as the guardian of this young lady. But before I do that, we are
also here for a shelter hearing, and I would like you to be worked
through the system as a suitable foster parent."

Judge Damsen then looks over to the other side of the room where a
representative for the Allegheny County Shelter and Laurie Solt
remain seated. "Ms. Jackson? I take it that you wouldn't mind
having one less child to house?"

Ms. Jackson, a slender brunette woman in her thirties replies in a
good-natures manner, "Your Honor knows we are overcrowded. A vacancy
due to a better placement is always welcome."

Next, in rapid-fire sequence, Judge Damsen directs her inquiry to
Laurie. "Ms. Solt? Would Social Services be able to prepare a
recommendation to the court regarding Shannon's guardianship, as well
as expedite the foster parent application for Burton Fallin?"

"We can, your Honor," Laurie stands as she replies. "The only thing
that will take some time is the independent health examination. It's
a part of the application process that cannot be expedited nor
circumvented. In the meantime, based on our personal knowledge of
Mr. Burton Fallin's outstanding character, he can be certified as a
temporary foster parent forth wit."

Not that the temporary shelter solution is agreeable to all, Judge
Damsen begins her order, "For purposes of expediting the release of
Shannon Gressler from the Allegheny Children's Shelter, Nicholas
Fallin will retain guardianship until Social Services prepares its
recommendation for guardianship and foster care placement. Burton
Fallin will accompany Ms. Solt from this hearing to complete the
necessary paperwork to be appointed as temporary foster parent, until
the permanent application can be processed."

The adults in the room indicate their understanding of the judge's
order, but a bewildered Shannon looks around at the others.

The judge ends the sessions by saying, "Good luck to you, Shannon."
And then, "We're adjourned."

As Judge Damsen leaves the bench for a break, the quiet courtroom is
immediately filled with the sounds of chairs moving and people
gathering their belongings as they prepare to leave.

Amidst the noise, Shannon asks herself outloud, "What just happened?
I don't understand. Why is Nick my guardian and not you, Burton?"

Nick stands and flatly answers the child, looking down as he replaces
some papers back into his briefcase. "I'm your guardian only until
Dad goes through the process at Social Services and is recommended as
your foster parent."

"Recommended by who?" Shannon's voice is now becoming shrill. "Do I
get to go home with Burton?"

Burton has just joined Nick and Shannon and overhears their
conversation.

"Shannon, the judge concocted this temporary arrangement just so that
you could go home with me today," he explains, placing a steady hand
on her shoulder. "There are a lot of forms to fill out; some
meddlesome paperwork. By leaving Nick as your guardian for now, we
don't have to wait for all that paperwork to be approved before you
can leave with me."

"But who has to approve you?" Shannon asks, beginning to sound calmer.

Burton continues, "Laurie Solt is a friend of Nick's and mine. I'm
sure she'll become a friend of yours, too."

Nick, who merely sat in the courtroom and allowed this piecemeal
arrangement unfold before his eyes, has nothing to add to this
conversation. "I've got to get back to the office," Nick interjects,
snapping his briefcase closed. I'll see you two later."

And he makes a swift exit out of the courtroom.

"C'mon Shannon," Burton guides the young girl towards the courtroom
exit. "We need to fill out some paperwork for Ms. Solt and then, we
can go home."
 
Legal Services of Pittsburgh
August 11, 2003
1:30 p.m.

Seated inside his broom closet office, Nick frantically scribbles
notes into a file for an unexpected custody hearing that was
scheduled for later this afternoon. His stomach gurgles and growls
in protest, reminding him he's had nothing today but a cappuccino,
some bad coffee from LSP, chased by even more bad coffee.

A light rap at the door causes him to look up from his scribbling.

"Nick?" Laurie Solt is standing in the doorway. "Can I speak with
you?"

"Uh, I'm really busy," he grimaces from the time crunch. "Speak with
me about what?"

"Did you attend the funeral for Shannon's grandmother?" she asks.

"I sent flowers," he answers, looking pressed for time. "Is that why
you need to speak with me?

She gently shakes her head. "It's about your father's foster parent
application," she answers softly.

"Oh," he shifts uncomfortably in his chair. No matter how much he
doesn't want to be involved with this Shannon Gressler matter, it
won't leave him alone.

He gestures with his hand for her to take a seat in the small
cluttered room.

"Is there a problem with the application?" he cuts to the chase.

"No. Nick, there's a problem with your father's health," Laurie
answers in a serious tone.

She takes a seat across from him.

Nervously, Nick begins to ramble. "This is about his eyesight, isn't
it? I warned him this may come up."

But Laurie shakes her head in silence. "You don't know, do you?" she
asks.

"Know what?" Nick asks her in confusion.

Laurie reaches across the desk and places her thin, aged hand on top
of his.

"I'm not supposed to talk about an applicant's confidential medical
information, but you are Shannon's guardian and the applicant is your
father. And I feel strongly that if you don't know, you need to know
in order to do what is best for Shannon."

Nick is now hanging on her every word.

"This is `off the record,' understand?" she reiterates.

Nick nods in agreement.

"Your father has prostate cancer," she says, and she gently pats his
hand.

She pauses for a moment as Nick sits in silence and stares off to the
side of his desk. "Do you think Burton knows he has cancer?" she
asks.

No longer is Nick paying close attention to what Laurie is saying.
He has cut himself off as his mind races with a million thoughts.
The word "cancer" strikes an all too familiar fear into Nick's
heart. To have yet another parent with cancer is beyond the realm of
probability. There must be some mistake. And yet, his father chain-
smokes a couple of packs of cigarettes every day.

"Nick, did you hear me?" Laurie squeezes his hand to make contact
with the man whose mind is obviously a million miles away.

"What?" Nick jumps with a bit of a start.

"Did you hear me?" Laurie repeats. "Do you think Burton knows he has
cancer?"

There is that word again. Nick pulls his hands away from Laurie,
protectively drawing his arms in and crossing them across his chest.
Right now, he'd like to crawl inside himself and hide under the desk.

"I don't know," he finally mumbles and gives a vacant stare.

Noticing his further withdrawal, Laurie asks with a caring
voice, "Are you okay?"

Nick takes in a deep breath and a hard swallow, and he lies. "Yeah,
I'm fine."

Tentatively, Laurie continues, "I can't recommend Burton as Shannon's
guardian until I know more about his prognosis. The child has
experienced so much loss in the last year; it wouldn't fair to place
her with someone who may not . . . "

Nick's eyes dart up and make hard and direct contact with Laurie's,
stopping her from saying what they both know she is about to say.

"I'll talk to them," Nick finally says in a whisper.

"Are you sure? I can do this for you," Laurie offers to spare him
the burden.

"No," Nick shakes his head. "I'll do it."

"Nick, I am sorry," Laurie continues. "I hope Burton is able to make
a complete recovery."

And she stands and leaves the room, closing the door behind her and
leaving Nick alone to process this news in private.


Fallin & Fallin
August 11, 2003
5:00 p.m.

Standing outside his father's office, Nick paces the hallway, waiting
for his father to finish his phone call. It's been more than a week
since Burton went to see a cancer specialist for a consultation, and
he's told Nick nothing. Laurie Solt is unable to put off her
recommendation to the court much longer, and some tough decisions
need to be made.

As soon as Nick hears Burton end his call, he takes his cue.

"Dad, I need to see you," Nick announces upon entering his father's
domain. "Some decisions need to be made immediately about Shannon."

"What decision?" Burton asks, looking up from his executive
desk. "She's staying with me."

Nick tightens his jaw. "Laurie Solt can not approve you for foster
care . . . not until she receives a favorable prognosis."

From behind his desk, with elbows on the desktop, Burton rubs his
face with his hand. "Well, I got one for her. This, uh, cancer was
caught in the very early stages. I start chemo tomorrow." Looking
up at his son, he says, "I'm going to be fine."

While Nick is happy to hear these words, he learned from his mother
that a prognosis doesn't necessarily mean anything. It all depends
on which end of the percentages you happen to fall. So, he keeps
this slight ray of optimism hidden deep inside for now.

"I'm going to have to rely on you to take care of the firm for a
couple of months," his father continues and motions his son to have a
seat. This is going to take awhile. "You're ready to take the
helm. You've done an outstanding job bringing in new clients and
taking care of personnel issues. And Jake will be a big help to you."

Nick sits in silence, listening to every word.

"Of course, I will be around and will do what I can. I just don't
know how much that is going to be." Burton gives a nervous
chuckle, "I've never had chemotherapy before."

The word, "chemotherapy," almost takes Nick's breath away. He clears
his throat and looks away, hiding his fearful feelings from his
father.

"I'm going to need help with Shannon, too." Burton is now looking
directly at his son, searching his face. "Mrs. Wilson, the
housekeeper, can take care of all the household and driving needs.
But I need you to be there in case she needs help at her school or
with her homework . . . you know, that sort of thing."

"Dad, uh," Nick utters, uncomfortable with the suggestion. "I only
supported the arrangement with Shannon because you wanted it. I
don't have a relationship with her."

<Nor do I want one.>

"I understand," Burton nods. "I know I'm asking a lot. But she's
adjusting well since she moved back in my home, and I just don't want
to shake her tree again."

Nick is frustrated with his father. "Her tree is going to shaken
again. You are being treated for cancer. My God!"

"I know," Burton lowers his voice in the hopes that Nick will follow
suit. "I haven't told her yet; and I will. It's my place to tell
her. But my point is that she shouldn't be moved to another living
situation now. You are her guardian, and as long as you're okay with
her living with me . . . it will be okay with the court."

"Not if Laurie doesn't recommend it," Nick counters. He brings his
fingertips to his mouth as if his fingers are to keep his mouth shut
for fear of saying more than he intends.

"Then make sure that she does," Burton stares hard at his son. "I
promise you, I'm going to be fine. Shannon won't be your
responsibility. I'm the one who promised her a home. I'm just
asking you to help me keep that promise."


Fallin & Fallin
Conference Room
August 14, 2003
4:00 p.m.

"Hi," Jake enters the conference room. "Burton had a long talk with
me about his upcoming chemo. He said that you would be in charge and
that I'm to help you any way I can. You know you can count on me."

"Thanks, Jake."

"He said his prognosis is good, right?"

"That's what he tells me, too. I haven't spoken with his oncologist
yet. I want to be there for the first treatment, so I'll meet him
tomorrow."

"Burton also said you are going to keep an eye out for Shannon."

Nick has wanted to talk to someone about this. Now is his
chance. "I never asked for this," Nick shakes his head in
disgust. "I'm not talking about picking up the slack at the firm.
I'm talking about Mandy Gressler's daughter. I can not believe the
irony of this situation."

"It is weird, man," Jake agrees.

The typically flat toned Nick lets out his frustration in a rare,
candid moment. "The last thing in the world I want is to be near
anyone with the name of Gressler. Mandy caused me nothing but
grief. And she's still doing it from the grave."

Jake sighs and says in support, "As I said, who can blame you? That
bitch almost put you away good, under the jail."

Unbeknownst to Nick and Jake, Shannon is standing in the hallway
right outside the conference room. She was going to ask Nick where
Burton was . . . . but after hearing how Nick really feels about her,
all she wants to do is disappear.


Department of Encology
Allegheny General Hospital
August 15, 2003
6:30 a.m.

Burton is pacing the floor in the hallway of the hospital, raking his
hair with his fingers. From the floor elevator, Nick runs down the
hallway to meet his dad. Burton's anxious eyes meet his son's.

"Have they found her?" he asks with desperation in his voice.

"Not yet," Nick wishes he had better news. "But the police are
working on it." He places a hand on his father's shoulder. "They're
working on it."

"Someone must have taken her from the office. They are treating this
as an abduction case, aren't they?" he asks.

Nick hangs his head. "They are investigating several possibilities."

"Well, I think I need to be home. In case she comes home, I need to
be there," he begins to leave.

Nick grabs his arm. "No, Dad. You need to take this treatment."

Bargaining with himself, Nick knows there is only one way to get his
father to agree to stay for the treatment.

"I promise to go to your house and wait for Shannon," he
volunteers. "Sheila can come here and make sure you get home."

"I can get myself home," Burton huffs.

"But Dad, you said yourself you don't know how you're going to feel
after this first treatment," Nick gently persists.

"I'm sorry. You're probably right. Go ahead and call Sheila," he
reluctantly agrees. "I'm just worried." And he shakes his head,
still unable to believe that Shannon is missing.


Residence of Burton Fallin
August 15, 2003
9:40 a.m.

Nick's cell phone is ringing. It is Jake.

"The police just left here," he reports.

"Did they find her?" Nick asks.

"No, but after talking with them, I think she may have overhead you
and me talking about her yesterday," he says in a low voice so as not
to be heard.

"What makes you think that?" Nick presses.

"Because she was seen in our offices. Sheila directed her to the
conference room at about the same time we were in the conference
room," Jake explains.

"Oh, Jeez," Nick sighs. As much as he doesn't like the Gresslers, he
hopes this is not true. But from the pit of his stomach, he has a
sickening feeling that it is.

"So, then, she's a runaway," Nick surmises.

"That would be my bet," Jake chimes in. "Didn't you tell me one time
that she used to run away a lot?"

Nick thinks for a moment. "Yes," he recalls. "When she lived with
Mandy." He pauses for a moment to collect his thoughts. "I have a
hunch I might know where she might be," Nick announces from out of
nowhere. "I'll call you later," and Nick disconnects the call.


Cemetary
10:30 a.m.

Nick pulls his Beemer into the parking lot and begins to walk towards
the rows and rows of graves. He peruses the carefully, marked
grounds he spies a familiar silhouette at the far west end of the
cemetery. Walking faster and faster, he begins to run toward the
image that is clearly becoming Shannon.

Breathless from his jaunt, he calls from about 50 yards
away, "Shannon!"

Shannon, who is huddled in a little ball near her mother's and
grandmother's graves, looks up with a start. Just as she is about to
stand and run, Nick reaches her and grabs her. The young girl
struggles to get away from him.

"Let me go!" she screams.

"Shannon please; listen to me," Nick is still out of breath. "Did
you overhear me and Jake yesterday?"

Still struggling, Shannon answers, "You don't want me around. You
made that pretty clear."

"Look," he holds her firmly. "Dad is sick. He's at the hospital."

Shannon looks at Nick in shock.

"I was upset yesterday," he pants. "My dad is sick. And I took it
out on you and your family. I shouldn't have done that."

Nick hangs his head. "I'm sorry."

The young girl gives up the struggle, then stands there before
Nick. "You have every right to be upset with me," Nick continues,
looking up into Shannon's eyes. "But my dad loves you. And he needs
you, especially now."

Very timidly, Shannon asks, "What's wrong with Burton?"

"Do you want to know the truth?" he asks; his stormy eyes are a
prelude what is to come.

"Yes," Shannon quickly answers, steeling herself for the storm.

Nick takes in a deep breath. "Dad has prostate cancer. But he is in
the very early stages. They think he can be cured."

"But there are no promises," Shannon interrupts.

"His chances are excellent. Dad's in relatively good health. And I
know he's promised to try and beat this thing," Nick counters.

"Why didn't he tell me?" Shannon wants to know.

"He didn't know himself, not until he took the physical exam to
become a foster parent," Nick honestly answers the girl.

<This girl, coming into his life, probably saved his life.>

"He can't be my foster parent, can he?" Shannon asks in a tone
indicating she believes she already knows the answer to her own
question.

"He can, if I recommend it," Nick quietly replies. "I AM your
guardian."

<Somehow, I need to make this right.>

The young girl looks up at him, not sure what to make of Nick's
apparent change of heart.

"Do you want to live with my dad?" Nick asks the girl.

She shakes her head.

"Okay," he responds. "Then, that will be my recommendation." And he
gives her a quiet, closed-mouth smile.

"C'mon. I promised Dad we'd be at his house when he comes home from
his first treatment," he leads with a nod of his head.

Shannon closely follows Nick, after briefly turning back to give a
small wave to her mother and grandmother. While walking, Nick pulls
out his cell phone and dials "911."


EPILOGUE

After six months of aggressive treatment, Burton is cancer free. He
will continue treatment for six additional months to enhance his
chances of survival. At the nagging insistence of both Nick and
Shannon, he has not had a cigarette in six months.

Shannon Gressler currently lives with Burton, who is keeping his
promise. Burton is in the process of adopting Shannon, based upon
the recommendation of Shannon's guardian.

~fin~