That One Promise (Lexi/Scott/Open)

[SCOTT MATTHEW CLAYTON]

Scott tilted his head curiously as Lexi spoke, and sat down before he talked. "Wow, really? That's super interesting!" It didn't exactly click in his mind that Lexi had mentioned she was married, but then again even if it did he would not have payed much mind to it. It wasn't like he was going around looking for a date; it was just something he had never thought about in all the years he'd been alive. Scott looked as though he was thinking after Lexi asked the question. "Um... I can't remember exactly. I think it was either... Sacramento or Los Angeles." He scratched his head as though he was trying to remember. Where did his brother live, exactly?... Remembering details was sometimes difficult for Scott, and it was usually after a conversation that he actually remembered what he was trying to remember.

Scott blinked. "Really?! Wow!" He smiled brightly, and then tilted his head slightly. "Uuhh, well, I kinda asked for an extension on my vacation." He smiled sheepishly and shrugged. "I haven't taken a vacation in five years, so I'm guessing my boss is cutting me some slack. I know she'll be a little grumpy with me when I tell her about this internship, but she knows I've never liked crowded places." Thankfully she was so understanding; any other person and Scott may have been fired a long time ago. He then blinked at Lexi when she explained. He gave Troy a somewhat confused look, though he mentally kicked himself for not realizing that was what the man had meant. Gosh, sometimes he felt like an idiot.

Simon eyed the hand, and went to sniff it. The cat kept glancing back to Troy, though he seemed to have calmed down a bit. Scott smiled, and nodded. "Maybe I'll order one for him. He likes mostly any type of meat, though salmon is his favorite. I think. Maybe it was tuna..." Scott tapped his chin as though in thought. The cat rolled his eyes, and meowed at Scott. He reached a paw up and batted Scott on the leg. Scott leaned down slightly and petted the cat on the head. "I always try to cook good meals for him back at home, but since we're still at the Inn I've had to give him the canned stuff. Maybe he's trying to tell me he wants something real for once." Scott laughed, and the cat meowed again while batting at his owner as though to say, 'FEED ME DAMMIT.'

Scott blinked widely at Lexi, and then turned his head to look at Troy. The man seemed to be the joking type, though Scott didn't exactly get most of the jokes the man made. Troy asked Scott a question and playfully punched him in the shoulder, though it did hurt a little. He tried to pretend he was a tough guy though and not wince like a wimp, though he wasn't too sure if he was successful. "Uh, yeah. I'm not bothered by it, Lexi. You seem really nice, Troy." Scott smiled at the man. Perhaps he had made another friend? Scott then blinked widely again at Lexi. Where did... that come from? Scott gave a very confused expression, and turned his head to look at Troy as the man spoke. Dating? Wha'...? Some things didn't make sense in Scott's brain, and he was slightly embarrassed by this fact. Maybe there was something he should have known about, but didn't. Troy slung an arm around his shoulder, and he felt a little uncomfortable. Did friends do something like this? He wasn't too sure, but he didn't want to tell Troy to not do that since he felt that was impolite. Manners and all. Troy asked him a question, and Scott, slightly distracted by his thoughts, said, "Uh, yea- I mean, naw. I don't, err, mind. Some of my friends called me Scotty back at home. Though, they always mentioned something about beaming them up..." Clearly, Scott had never seen Star Trek. He then answered the second question, "Uh... I dunno. My brother doesn't always tell me everything, I don't think anyways." He shrugged. Scott was a curious man, but he didn't like to pry into people's lives unless they didn't mind. He was polite like that, though he may have still wounded up snooping on something he shouldn't. Perhaps that quote about curiosity killing cats was true.

[ALEXANDRIA LEAH CROSS]

[atrb=border,0,true][atrb=style, background-image:url(http://i56.tinypic.com/2zgu9hc.jpg); width: 440px; padding-top:10px;] the girl in the moon --- Lexi knew Troy was right. Lexi hadn’t seemed very happy as of late but there were a lot of thoughts swirling in her mind. Some she couldn’t even say because so many people would be hurt. She just wished she could put everything behind her. That she could forget everything and just be happy with Dean. No, she really didn’t want to forget all her time with Jayce. Things had been great with them but she wanted to be with Dean. Ugh! She was just so confused. Lexi put her elbows on the table and leaned her head in her hands. He was right-she hadn’t told him the full story. She hadn’t really told anyone the full story so Lexi was in the wrong there. Plus, she just wanted this argument done with. ”You’re right, ok? I should’ve told you what happened in California but I was protecting you. If the wrong person heard about that it could hurt your career as an officer, you know that. Part of it was I just wanted to protect you and everyone else in our family.” Lexi lifted her head up but her chin ended up resting in her cupped palms. ”Mom was out there when things happened and so was Daniel. Daniel kept it out of the papers. I’m sure mom has told dad but other then that no one in the family knew. I just didn’t want everyone to freak out when no charges were filed.” Lexi tried to shrug it off but she knew this was no casual manner but very, very serious indeed. Lexi’s lips pressed together in a thin line as she gazed down at the table. She hated hiding things form her brother but she didn’t know how to tell him. ’Hey before Dean came home I was screwing around with Jayce but somehow feelings developed. Oh and I slept with him after my husband came home so I now feel guilty,’ didn’t sound right even in her head. Then again, that’d be the sarcastic answer. Her mouth did open to say something about it to him but…it just didn’t work. ”I didn’t say Dean would leave me just it’d upset him. He is already understanding that I was possibly dating while he was gone.” Still, him understanding and him not getting upset were two vastly different things. She knew this would upset, and possibly hurt, him deeply. Finally, Lexi took in a deep breath. All she wanted was for this stupid fight to be done so she was taking the higher road. Plus her head was beginning to hurt and a couple sitting nearby were giving the Cross siblings funny looks at their heated discussion. ”Ok fine form now on I won’t keep the big stuff from you but only if you give Dean a fair shot now? No matter what, even telling people the full story, some people are still blaming him and it’s not fair.” Lexi’s eyes watered up thinking of how much she hated that everyone thought so poorly of her husband when he had done nothing wrong at all. Lexi personally did not like everything Troy was doing but kept a lid on her temper. For now that is. She could feel it boiling back over again despite her just getting calm. She slipped easily from shooting pointed glares at her brother to a softer look on her face for Scott. ”Oh! Dean and I lived in Los Angeles. Amazing city but I still prefer the quiet of Maine. Though I really would love their sunshine here.” With Dean back, she felt more comfortable talking about him around people. Before it had pained her but now there was no reason for it to her. She had Dena back and could share all the happiness with everyone. Just that happiness had to actually be let out and show through to others. ”So what if you like it here you’ll leave your other job and move to Hope Harbor for good?” That’d be lots of fun for sure! Lexi loved making new friends. Perhaps she should plan a barbeque for some point in the near future. ”You could come by and use my kitchen if you want. Cook some stuff in bulk and then put it in the mini fridge in your room for him.” Lexi knew she was digging a bigger whole for Troy’s theories on this man buy saying things like this. She could tell Troy had the gears moving-it was just the look in his eyes. He was trying pick apart this man by his appearance and demeanor and figure out if he was good or not. Lexi didn’t need to be a cop to tell Scott was a good man with a kind soul. Obviously he was if he just brushed off everything Troy was saying and doing. Which is partly what set her off to get angry at him-again. This time the tears that sprang to her eyes were ones of anger and frustration. She just couldn’t keep dealing with this. Lexi stood up in a huff. She wrapped her shawl back around her arms as she avoided Troy’s stare for a moment. Afterwards she leaned over the table, both hand son the surface. ”Fine! You want to know who it is? It’s Jayce Blackwell, the newest man on the force. I was screwing around with him for the past few weeks. Now you see how everyone could be hurt if that got out? But as always you have to have your way Troy and know everything. So there, now you know it all. I drove my husband away and was fucking his brother while everyone assumed he was dead.” Tears began to fall from her eyes. When Lexi was angry she really exploded, no matter whom with. With a swallow of the lump stuck in her throat she looked at Scott. ”I’m sorry you had to witness this. Please don’t tell anyone anything you heard.” With that Lexi turned and left the café but she didn’t get far. She got partway down the street before emotions overtook her and sobs racked her body. Lexi leaned against the wall of a building, not caring that she looked like a loon with her sobbing right in the middle of the town. tag: troy outfit: click! lyric credit: everly notes: UNFINISHED

credit to BABY DARLING ! @ caution 2.0

[TROY MARLON CROSS]

Troy gave Lexi a weird look. "Wait, what? What could possibly ruin my career? My boss already knows that I've had a spat with Dean's parents; mostly everyone knows that." He then sighed, and said, "Look, just... don't worry about me, 'kay? Okay, I understand that apparently the mafia is after you for not giving the boss something on the day of his daughter's wedding," He grinned, and then continued, " but that doesn't mean you have to hide things from me. Yeah, alright, don't tell mom or dad, but at least tell me, 'kay? And alright, alright, I'll tell ya the truth from now on too. I can't expect you to do something when I'm not doing that something as well." He leaned back and crossed his arms at his chest. Compromises could be a pain sometimes. "Just don't get angry when I don't know something, alright? I'll try to not do the same."

"Well, then what's the big deal? If you keep on hiding who it is then he may leave you for being secretive. If you just tell the truth stuff won't go downhill... Well, I know that from experience." Troy scratched his nose. He didn't want to admit the truth about not liking Dean, but... he should have just said it. They wouldn't have been in this spot -most likely- if he had been open with his thoughts. Then again... she may have freaked out just the same, so was there really any difference in the scenarios? She spoke, and he let out a long sigh. What else could he do? Hate the guy forever? Of course he still didn't have to like the guy, but... maybe he didn't have to be so forward with it. But then there's the issue of hiding again... "Alright, alright. I'll give him another chance... You have my word on that." Of course Troy had said that before and backed out, but this time he would try to make the words count.

Moving. Troy felt his gears grinding again at the prospect of having this guy around town... Even if he wasn't actually any trouble -even if he was a nice guy- Troy didn't want to have another idiot added to the town's roster. He hated idiotic people; he barely tolerated them. And this man seemed to be Troy's worst nightmare. At least the guy could have been rude or cruel; but nope, he was nice. And he was good-looking. Those two spelled doom for Troy, since he knew if he treated the man poorly in the long run it would look bad on him. Damn it, this guy was good, wasn't he?

Troy shot Lexi a look. Inviting him over, eh? Some things were clicking, slowly... He still wasn't too sure if this was the mystery man, but he had his theories. "So, whatcha like to cook? Well, besides cat food. I bet that's a gourmet dish to have for two." He grinned. He didn't even know there were crazy cat guys, but Scott seemed to be the type who was lonely and only had his cat as company. How pathetic, really. The guy should go make some friends, live a little. Well, not hang out with Lexi until Troy had judged him worthy. That might be a little messy.

Troy stared blankly at Lexi. Well, okay then. He wanted to know, yeah, sure, but... she didn't exactly have to cause a scene. To be honest, he thought she was going to confess something else, but apparently that was all he was going to get. He knew Jayce; a good man. A dedicated police officer. He wasn't even mad about the fact that the guy was the mystery man; it wasn't like Lexi was cheating on Dean with Jayce. But... seriously, Lexi? After all of this, couldn't she have just told him who it was? It would have made things a little better, but... he was still suspicious of Scott. He went back to the theory that the man had done something to Lexi, and Troy was going to get to the bottom of it. Right now, though, he was a bit dumbfounded. Especially because of what she said last. "Where the hell did... that come from? Geez, Lexi, I'm not angry; I just wanted to know. And you never did any of those things -well, you know what I mean. Stop assuming people will be upset." Troy wanted to say more but was interrupted by Lexi speaking to Scott then hurriedly leaving the cafe.

Troy sat there in silence for a few minutes, tapping his fingers on the arms of the chair. Whelp. That went over well. He slowly looked at Scott, though the friendly smirk was no longer on his face. "You see, Scotty, that's what happens when a woman is pushed to her limits. God bless her poor soul for what she's had to go through. Maybe, you know, it's time you reevaluate the situation and not pester her with whatever it is you're pestering her with. " He slowly rose out of the chair, but didn't move from the spot. "Well... I guess that's that, Scotty. The situation's pretty fucked up now thanks to you, so now I'll just have to go back to my job knowing I can't protect the ones I love." Not even hesitating to see if the statements would confuse the man, Troy continued, "And don't tell me you don't know anything. When you feel like fessing up, just come and find me... 'cause, well, you won't like it if I have to come and find you." With a twisted grin on his face he patted Scott on the shoulder, grabbed his smoothie, and headed towards his car.

He messed up. Badly. And he was doing so well too... What the hell was with that reaction? There was something wrong, and not just the 'Oh no what if he'll find out' wrong. Something... The man would spill the beans. Whether Troy had to force him or not was an entirely different story.

[SCOTT MATTHEW CLAYTON]

Scott blinked, and looked as though he was thinking again. "Sorry, I'll have to ask him when I talk to him next. I'm not the greatest at names and places." Scott shrugged sheepishly. He remembered it was a major city, but he wasn't too sure if it was the capital of California or another very large city. It was times like these that Scott wished he had a map with him. Scott hesitated for a moment, and nodded. "Yeah, I really think so, ya know? I mean... I just hope folks don't think too badly about that." Scott rubbed the back of his head sheepishly. First impressions were almost systematic for Scott; if things started off badly he found that it was difficult to become friends with that person, at least for a while.

Scott blinked, and he looked excited. "Gosh, really?! Thanks! I think Simon will be happy to be eating something that's not from a can for once!" He was really glad Lexi was such a nice person; if he had met someone less kind his experience in Hope Harbor may have been different. He blinked again at Troy, and answered his question. "Mostly healthy stuff, you know?" Scott shrugged. "I mean... I like hamburgers and crackers, but I try to stay away from them for the most part." He smiled sheepishly. He liked to eat healthy, but he couldn't help but want some of the unhealthy food that was around.

He was very glad the conversation was going well, until... He was in shock when Lexi yelled at Troy. Had he walked in at a bad time? They didn't seem like anything was wrong, but then that... maybe that was why she said she wasn't dating him? She was dating someone else? But... Scott was way too confused to wrap everything around his head at the moment. He just looked at the two of them with a confused expression, and had hoped they would explain what they had meant. But... instead, Lexi turned to him and spoke. Scott tried to speak, but his voice was caught in his throat. It somewhat reminded him of the arguments his parents used to get in to, but... that had been so long ago he had forgotten what it was like to be an outsider listening in on a previously-discussed topic. She left, and he felt bad. Should he go and talk to her? Maybe-

Troy spoke, and Scott blinked at him. What? Wait, what? Situation...? Scott had no clue what Troy was going on about, but before he could say anything the man spoke again. WHAT?! What did Scott have to fess up?! All he had done was go to a wedding and then save some people! Well, okay, he had talked to a few others, but... there was something. Scott really didn't know what to do. He saw Troy leave, and he sighed. He really should go and see if Lexi was okay... Maybe later on he would go and find Troy to let him know he had nothing to hide. He was sure the man would understand.

Scott stood up himself, and when a waitress walked over to see what the ruckus was about he gladly paid for the drinks that the siblings had gotten. He hoped it wasn't his fault the words were said, though he had a funny feeling that there was something going on... He gestured for Simon to follow him, and he started to walk towards the direction where he thought Lexi had gone. Simon followed, though he was now in a bad mood since he did not get the meal he was indirectly promised. He was worried that she had been long gone when he heard some crying and then saw her sobbing against the wall. He jogged over to her, and frowned. Unfortunately, Scott was not too sure what to do or say. Should he say, 'There there everything will be all right.'? Or 'It's okay.'? Still confused, and really uncertain about what he should say, Scott leaned forward to hug the crying woman. It was really the only thing he could do, although maybe saying something beforehand would have been nice. He hadn't thought about the fact that he might have startled Lexi. He really needed to work on his social skills.