Army Wives

Pamela is at the radio station. She taps on the window signaling that she wants to go on the air. She sits down, puts on her headphones and begins her voice over. "This is Pamela Moran. I realize that this isn't my normal radio slot. But, normal isn't a word that applies much anymore – not around here. I don't know how to gently lead up to something like this, so I'm just going to say it. I just found out that someone very near to me died. As you all know, four days ago there was a bombing at the Hump Bar, and the city is still not back to normal. People are trying to understand how something so terrible could have happened here. The destruction and debris – both physical and emotional – have taken a heavy toll, though the Army was quick to respond."

As Pamela talks about the bombing at the Hump Bar, there are brief flash backs of the aftermath – firefighters still spraying water and assessing the damage; police officers directing traffic; someone in a body bag being brought out.

Flash back to four days ago. We hear an announcer saying that a press conference at Fort Marshal is just moments away. They will be detailing what happened at the bombing of the Hump Bar. We watch as a vehicle pulls up to the designated press conference area. There are news vans everywhere. Lieutenant Colonel Joan Burton gets out of the vehicle. She grabs a folder and walks over to a podium and gets wired with a microphone. The camera pans the crowd of reporters, with their cameras, tape recorders and notepads.

Joan says, "I'm Lieutenant Colonel Joan Burton, Deputy Garrison Commander here at Fort Marshall. Let me say this, first and foremost, that our thoughts and prayers go out to all those who have loved ones lost or injured in this tragedy. As a result of the involvement of one of our service members in the bombing of the Fourteenth, the Army's Criminal Investigation Division or CID, have thus far determined the following: that munitions stolen from Fort Marshall earlier this month, have been recovered from the residence of Sergeant George Polarski. That Sergeant Polarski is believed to be solely responsible for the theft of these munitions and we believe obtained them specifically for this act. Let me be clear, we believe that there is no further threat." Joan says that she is ready for questions.

As Joan is making her speech, the camera cuts to Brigadier General Michael Holden and several other soldiers watching the press conference. The camera briefly focuses on Michael Holden's inscrutable face before cutting back to the press conference.

Lieutenant Colonel Burton selects a female reporter first. The reporter asks if Joan can confirm the number of casualties. Joan says currently there are four deaths, fifteen were injured with three critically wounded. A male reporter asks if she can tell them whether or not Sergeant Polarski was the only Army member present that night. Joan says that there were Army dependents there, also. A female reporter asks if that included the bomber's wife. A male reporter asks if Joan's husband, Roland was there, as well. Joan replies that they are still in the process of notifying next of kin and are, therefore, unable to release any names at this time. Joan thanks the reporters, and then walks away.

Pamela is sitting on her bed, glued to the television. The television news reporter says that it is reported that the bomber's wife, Marilyn Polarski, was having an affair with a local civilian and that she was the intended target.

Pamela's voice over continues. "I, too, was one of those who was glued to my television. It was as if I only listened to the news reports long enough and watched the images enough times that, somehow, it would all change. On that first day, when we were hungering for information, my son came up to me and asked me if I would take him to the beach. Our adult world is falling apart, but in my child's world, he just wanted to go to the beach. He said he found this secret place where the gold starfish are and he wanted to show it to me. But no, I couldn't pull myself away. I just sat there in front of the television hypnotized by it all."

At the hospital, Roxy walks into an ICU room. She is there to visit Betty. She starts talking to Betty. Roxy says, "Don't you play dumb, old lady." She tells Betty that she has it on good authority that Betty can hear her. There is a flashback to the night of the bombing and the trigger in George Polarski's hand. Roxy tells Betty that there was a second where they both could have gotten out. In the flashback, George Polarski keeps squeezing the trigger, but nothing happens. Roxy asks Betty why she did it – why did she stay back. Roxy likens Betty to some crazy captain of a ship. Roxy tells Betty that she hasn't heard from Trevor and that she really needs her now.

At the Holden residence, Denise Sherwood is telling Emmalin that she can stay at the Sherwood home, if she wants. Emmalin tells Denise that she will be fine on her own. Denise says that she knows that, but Emmalin's father, Michael Holden, does not want her to be alone. Denise gets Emmalin a bowl of soup and tells her to take a bite. Emmalin does, but sets the spoon in the bowl and tells Denise that she isn't hungry.

Michael Holden comes into the kitchen. Denise is surprised and tells him that she wasn't expecting to see him. He tells Denise that he's just checking in. Michael kisses the top of Emmalin's head and asks, "How ya doin', Emmy?" Emmalin rolls her eyes and tells Michael she is fine. Michael and Denise just look at each other.

Denise gets up and tells Michael that she'll get him something to eat. He tells her no and then notices that she's bleeding. Denise tells Michael it's nothing. Michael asks if she's had it checked out. Denise replies that it's not serious and it needs time to heal. Michael asks her if she shouldn't be in the hospital. Emmalin looks up at Michael's question. Denise doesn't answer. She only looks at him.

At the LeBlanc residence, Roxy is on the phone asking the person at the other end if he/she has given Lieutenant Colonel Burton her messages because it is the third time that she has called. TJ and Finn are sitting on the floor in front of the television watching the news. A newscaster says that a group of newly deployed troops had been ambushed just outside of Falujah. Roxy tells the boys to turn the TV off and to "march their baby butts" off to bed. Finn asks Roxy, "Is Daddy a troop?" TJ asks, "Is that why we haven't heard from him – because he's dead?" Roxy can only look at them because she doesn't have an answer. As the boys walk past, Roxy looks up toward Heaven, takes a deep breath, walks over to the television and turns it off.

Pamela's voice over continues. "People who aren't in the military don't understand the unique bonds that are forged so quickly on an Army post. Maybe it's because we move so much. You know, when you rarely spend two or three years in one place, it forces you to get to the heart of things. That's why, when one of those people who we've come to care about like they're our own family slips away, leaves us forever, the loss is almost unbearable." During Pamela's voiceover, we see Denise attempting to open something up, but can't. She breaks down and starts to cry.

At the hospital, a stethoscope is placed on Roland's chest. He stirs and looks up to see Denise. She apologizes for waking him. He asks if she's his nurse and whether or not she should be working. She tells him that the hospital needs all the help they can get because it's on overflow. Roland jokingly tells Denise, "Oh, believe me, it's not like I mind seeing all three of you." Denise asks him if the drugs are that good. He tells her that they're outstanding! Roland tells Denise that "none of you" should be at the hospital because it's too soon. Denise starts to say something about when the bomb went off, but Joan knocks on the door and interrupts whatever is about to be said. Roland and Denise greet Joan. Denise tells Joan that Roland is doing much better – except for his vision. Denise tells Roland that if he needs anything, to page her and "one of us will answer." Denise squeezes Roland's hand, walks out closing the door behind her.

Joan tells Roland that she called his parents and Northwestern and told them he has been delayed. Roland thanks her and then asks how she is. Joan says that right after it had happened, they were given a list of names and his was on it. At that time, they did not know who was alive or dead and they had to wait to find out. Joan admits that she was terrified. After a brief pause, Joan says that she has to get back to work. Roland stops her before she gets out the door. He tells her that when Polarski had entered the bar, he thought that he would never see her again. Roland talks about the affair - he admitted it, he explained it, he justified it, but he never apologized for it. He apologizes to Joan for hurting her. She thanks him and then leaves.

Roxy is on the phone with her mother. She says that she's got minor cuts and bruises, but it's Trevor that she's worried about. She says that he had promised to call as soon as he arrived and that there's news about a new unit getting ambushed. She tells her mom that she has called someone – that she's called "twenty somebodies". The doorbell rings. Roxy tells her mom that the pizza delivery guy is there and she'll talk to her some other time. Roxy hangs up, grabs some money and opens the door.

Two suited men are standing on her porch. One man asks, "Mrs. LeBlanc?" Roxy starts to freak out. She tells them that they have the wrong house. The gentleman tells her she has the wrong idea. He says that they are with the C.I.D. She confirms that they aren't there to tell her that her husband is dead. The first man says no. The second man tells her that they are from the Criminal Investigation Division. Roxy asks if they are cops. He tells her that they are Army. She asks if they are there to ask for her help. The first man tells her that they are there to ask her questions about the night of the bombing. Roxy becomes angry. She tells them that she isn't going to talk to anyone until someone from the Army tells her where her husband is. One of the investigators puts his hand on her door in an attempt to keep her from closing it. Roxy snaps at him and says loudly, "Move your hand!" Then, she slams the door.

Pamela's voice over continues. "The mind plays tricks on us at times like this. It has to. We need it to. It's how we're able to power on and do what needs to be done. Even something as mundane as doing the dishes that are piling up in the sink, or going out, getting up, and doing what needs to be done for your loved ones. The future doesn't stop.

At the train station, Amanda Holden has gotten to the top of the stairs. She looks around and calls out for her mom, Claudia Joy. Amanda tells Claudia Joy that she doesn't have to come with her. Claudia Joy tells Amanda that she wants to go with her. Amanda says that there are people hurting and that's what Claudia Joy does best – she takes care of people. Claudia Joy tells Amanda that they had planned this and that nothing was going to get in their way. A gentleman comes up to the women and asks if he can be of assistance. Claudia Joy accepts his offer and then volunteers that her daughter is about to enter one of the most prestigious universities in the country and she has already missed registration. Amanda throws in that she's already missed two days of classes. The gentleman congratulates her. He notices the bandages that Claudia Joy and Amanda are wearing. He asks if they mind telling him what happened. The two women look at each other, and then Amanda says, "We were in the wrong place at the wrong time."

Roxy is sitting in a chair (wearing the same pajamas she had on since the beginning of the episode), glued to the television news. There is a flashback to their last day together, when they were at the park with the boys, laughing and playing. The flashback includes when they were on the bridge to exchange their vows, then to Trevor saying good-bye to TJ and Finn. There is a knock on the door. Roxy gets up, but doesn't answer. There are three ladies from the F.R.G. Through the door, they holler that they are there to support her in anyway they can. Roxy goes and hides in her bedroom, out of sight of the windows, until the women are gone.

At the hospital, Denise has come to visit Betty in the ICU. Denise asks the ICU nurse how Betty is doing. The nurse says that it doesn't look good. The ICU nurse talks to Betty, telling her look and see who's there to visit her. Then, she asks Denise if Betty has any family. Denise says she doesn't know. This surprises the ICU nurse because she thought Denise is her friend and because she is always up there visiting Betty. Denise says, "Well, I, I did see her quite a bit. But, I just learned her last name from her chart. I do know that she was very fond of the 'f' word. She always made us laugh. I guess people are in our lives but, at the same time, they're not." The ICU nurse leaves. Denise leans closer to Betty and says, "Hello, Betty Camden."

Pamela's voice over continues. "We all searched for strength on that first day or two. I did. But whether what I found was true strength or some part of our DNA that makes us want to reach out and help, I don't know."

Roxy is back to sitting in her favorite chair, glued to the news. While watching the news, Roxy has a flashback to the night of the bombing. Roxy is trying to get Betty to leave the bar with her. Betty pushes her away and runs, with baseball bat in hand, toward the bomber. In the present time, there's a knock at the door. It's Pamela.

As Pamela asks Roxy if she heard her because she'd been knocking for ten minutes Roxy returns to her chair and position in front of the television. Roxy tells Pamela that she thought that she was the "suited ones" again. Pamela says that she heard that they are interviewing everybody. Roxy says that she's not going to talk to them because they aren't doing a thing to find Trevor. While Roxy is talking, Pamela looks around and notices the mess and starts to pick up toys as she explains that it's not C.I.D.'s job. Roxy tells Pamela that it doesn't seem to be anyone's job on post. Roxy says, "Look. All I know is that this damn universe keeps finding completely new ways for me to hate this Army."

On the television, there is a shot of an ambulance leaving the hospital. Roxy gets up and walks over to the kitchen. Pamela asks why TJ and Finn weren't in school today. She tells Roxy she needs "to keep it together" because she will end up regretting it if she doesn't.

TJ and Finn come running out of their bedroom asking Mrs. Moran if they can go over to Katie and Lucas' house. Pamela tells the boys they can because their mommy has things she needs to do. Roxy tells the boys no and that they have to stay inside. TJ wants to know why since it's safe to go out now. Roxy tells TJ it's because she said so and to stop the backtalk. Once the boys leave the room, Roxy tells Pamela that she can't leave – she can't go anywhere. Her car has been impounded. Pamela says that she can borrow Chase's truck. Roxy snaps. She tells Pamela that that she doesn't have a car; she can't leave the boys or the house until she finds out about Trevor. The only thing that Pamela says is "Ok." She understands Roxy's fear and frustration.

At the hospital, the C.I.D. investigators are with Roland. They tell Roland to describe what happened the night of the bombing. They tell Roland that no detail is too trivial, and then sets a tape recorder on the bed next to him.

Roland tells them that there was a lot of chaos, which is to be expected. When Sergeant Polarski first arrived, no one noticed him. Marilyn Polarski called out her husband's name. Roland was asked what he did. Roland says that his mind was racing. He has been trained to talk people down from the ledge. Roland tells them that Sergeant Polarski was hell-bent on destroying Marilyn – destroying all of them. Roland pauses. There is a flashback to that night. Sergeant Polarski squeezes the trigger, but nothing happens. Eddie, Marilyn's boyfriend, tackles Sergeant Polarski. The two men are rolling around on the floor. Back to the present, one of the investigators asks Roland if he's ready to go on.

Joan walks in and says that he's ready to be discharged – not interrogated. An investigator attempts to persuade Joan to allow them to continue. She tells the investigators that they will have to reschedule. They ask where Roland will be so that they may contact him. Joan answers for Roland. She tells them that he can be reached at his quarters on post. The C.I.D. investigators leave. Joan and Roland just look at each other.

Roxy is making her bed when she finds one of Trevor's t-shirts. There's a knock on the door. Before opening the door, Roxy peeks out the window. She answers the door saying, "Weren't you just here a while ago?" Pamela walks through the door. She tells Roxy, "I know. But this time I brought a medical professional." Denise walks in behind Pamela. She slides a bottle of wine out of a paper bag, and says, "This won't cure anything, but it might make the waiting easier." Roxy doubts it. Pamela says, "Well, it couldn't hurt to try." Roxy laughs as she walks toward the kitchen. She says, "Look at the two of you. It feels like I'm on the wrong end of an intervention." Pamela says it's good to hear Roxy joking again. Pamela tells her that now they need to work on getting her out of her 'jammies'.

Roxy tells Pamela and Denise that she can't do anything until she knows where Trevor is. She says that he promised to call her, but hasn't. Roxy just needs to know that he's safe. She says that she's called everyone and no one seems to know anything. Denise tells Roxy that she didn't call her. Roxy says that she knew Denise was at the hospital helping and she wasn't. Denise opens the bottle of wine as she reminds Roxy that Frank and Trevor were deployed together. Wherever Trevor is, Frank is there with him. She says that she hasn't heard from Frank yet, either. She tells Roxy that it's normal and sometimes it takes a few days. As Pamela gets wine glasses out of the cupboard, she tells Roxy that she never knows where Chase is. Roxy asks Denise if she worries about Frank. Denise says she worries the second he's out of her sight. She tells Roxy she knows that if something were to happen, the Army would let her know. Denise says not to worry about things that haven't happened yet. Pamela agrees with her. Pamela says that with the bombing, no one is thinking clearly. Roxy says she feels as if something is wrong. Denise says there is, but it's not Trevor or Frank that they need to be worrying about. Roxy apologizes to Denise and says that things must be pretty rough at the hospital. Denise says that it's not looking good. Roxy tells Pamela and Denise that she promises to be there. She says that Trevor will call the house and until he does, she will not leave her house. Pamela walks over to Roxy and tells that they understand and gives her a hug. She says that they just have to be there for each other, no matter what. Denise makes a toast, "To the people we love. May they always be safe."

Pamela's voice over continues. "Times like this we question our own strength, our ability to hang on and not crumble. It's one of the things that I admire most about the Army Wives I've met. Must be a military thing – this capacity to press on despite the obstacles, to see a mission through to its completion."

Amanda and Claudia Joy are walking on the college campus. Claudia Joy is talking about the day that her father drove her to Harvard. She tells Amanda that her mother had to stay home to take care of her brothers. Her father didn't say much. Claudia Joy says that her father was a taciturn, not unlike Amanda's father, Michael. Claudia Joy's father gave her only one piece of advice – an old Irish quote that he loved. "Show me the friend, and I'll show you the man." Amanda tells Claudia Joy that she gets it – choose your friends wisely. Claudia Joy tells Amanda that all of it is important; that "how you start something is how you will finish it." Amanda asks her if she's saying that because she had to leave Harvard early. Claudia Joy says it is.

Amanda asks Claudia Joy if she regrets leaving Harvard early to have Amanda. Claudia Joy tells Amanda she's sorry and that Amanda shouldn't think that – not even for a moment. Amanda tells Claudia Joy that what she said is not really an answer. Claudia Joy looks at Amanda. There is a long pause before Claudia Joy answers. She tells Amanda that she did. Claudia Joy says that she asked herself if she was going to change diapers and pick up toys for the rest of her life, giving up her dreams. Claudia Joy says that when she would pick up Amanda and look into her eyes, she realized that her dreams were changing.

Pamela's voice over continues. "No matter what happens that makes us question the world we live in, life goes on, as cliché as that sounds. One generation passes the baton to the next generation and the cycle of life continues."

Denise and Pamela enter Betty's ICU room. Pamela looks at Betty and comments to Denise that Betty doesn't look like herself. Denise tells her that there's a lot of swelling and that Betty is a fighter. Pamela asks if there is anything that they can do. Denise tells her to talk to her because people comas can hear – that hearing is the last thing to go. Denise says that she was going to go. Pamela tells Denise that she's going to stay. She says that she might tell Betty about Roxy dying her 'netherlands' in a pink heart before Trevor left. Denise smiles, then leaves. Pamela reaches for Betty's hand trying not to cry.

Roland and Joan have just arrived at their quarters. Roland sees a hospital bed set up and asks her if it's for him. Joan says she thought it would be more convenient for him if he stayed on the ground floor. She walks over to the bed and picks up a remote control. She demonstrates and tells Roland that it will make it easier for him to get in and out of bed. Roland asks her if it will dim the lights and turn on the Al Green. Joan smiles as she sets the flowers that they had brought home from the hospital onto a table. Roland thanks her and tells her it's good to be home again. Roland asks where does their marriage stand – what does she want. She turns, looks at Roland, smiles and says, "You. I want you." She tells Roland that because there is so much going on, she has to go back to work. Before Joan walks out the door, Roland asks her what she plans to do about the pregnancy. Joan asks Roland to give her a few days to think about it and then they can sit down to discuss it. He nods his head and then Joan leaves.

Pamela's voice over continues. "Regeneration. Life renewed. What is it that the poets keep trying to hammer into our heads? Winter becomes spring, night becomes day, as one wave crashes onto the shore and disappears, another one appears behind it, and another and another. I guess we humans just plain want to stick around. The ride must be worth the price of admission. And it's not in us to give up hope, even when any reason for hope has dwindled to almost nothing. This communal spirit, this crazy insistence that we all really are connected and each other's caretaker, it keeps us from sinking into despair, or sliding into the abyss."

Pamela is visiting Roland. She has brought jell-o. She tells Roland not to eat it because she's been told that she sucks at making jell-o. He tells her it's the thought that counts. Pamela asks if he's in pain. He tells her he has some, but that it could be worse. She asks if being at home makes it easier. He tells her yes and no. He says it gives him more quiet, which in turn, gives him more time to think. Pamela tells him that thinking is never good.

Roland asks how Pamela is doing – that this couldn't be any easier for her, either. Pamela tells him not to worry about her because she wasn't there. Roland tells her that she is entitled to a reaction. He says that it was a big event and that it will affect people on a myriad of levels. Pamela tells Roland, again, that she wasn't there and asks him to "drop it." Roland says he thinks that she may be suffering from a form of 'Survivor's Guilt'. Pamela admits to feeling guilty, but not about surviving. She tells Roland that they don't need to be talking about her "crap". Roland says he needs to talk about it. He tells her that the more people talk about it, the more they can heal.

Fighting back tears, Pamela tells Roland that she hated Marilyn – that she thought Marilyn was the biggest bitch on the planet. Roland tells her that it did not happen because she hated Marilyn. Pamela says, "When she came by my house, she was scared to death." Roxy has a flashback to that night. Pamela has just opened the door and is surprised to see Marilyn standing before her. She asks Marilyn what's wrong. Marilyn asks if she could come inside. Pamela asks if someone had hurt her. She tells Marilyn that she will help her. She says that Marilyn wasn't going anywhere until they got the situation figured out.

Returning to present day, Pamela says, "I wish I would have that. But I didn't. We were at lock down. I couldn't find Chase and, I was overtaken by kids and I was in no mood for drama, so I just gave her the keys." Pamela flashes back to the time right after Marilyn leaves. Katie asks Pamela if someone had hurt Jake's mommy because she had bruises on her neck.

Pamela tells Roland that she had thought about getting some help. She says she picked up the phone but never dialed the last number. Pamela says, "I knew she was the victim. And I didn't protect her. I just let her go." Pamela starts to cry and says, "I know better. I know better."

On the college campus, Claudia Joy is telling Amanda that she will be making a lot of new friends. Amanda tells Claudia Joy that she plans on focusing on school and not looking for a boyfriend. Claudia Joy tells Amanda that she didn't handle the Amanda/Jeremy issue all that well. She says that she was thrown and that she was so sure the two of them were not meant to be together. Amanda agrees with her. Claudia Joy asks Amanda if she was in love Jeremy. Amanda says that she was. She tells Claudia Joy that he was her first and that he was the right one. She says that she and Jeremy were headed in different directions. Claudia Joy knew it then as Amanda knows it now. She tells Claudia Joy to stop beating herself up about it.

Joan is at home making herself something to eat. Someone is knocking on the door. Joan answers it. It's Roxy. Joan tells Roxy that Roland is sleeping. Roxy tells Joan that she is there to see her, not Roland. Joan asks her what's going on as she goes back to what she was doing. Roxy tells her that she has two kids. She says that the boys think that Trevor has either forgotten them or that he is dead. Roxy wants to tell the boys that what they are thinking is wrong, but can't because Joan won't return her phone calls. Joan starts to say something, but Roxy talks over her. Roxy says, "Don't tell me that it can't be done. Because if you can shoot a satellite going 50,000 miles an hour out of the sky, then Joan, you can damn well find my husband and hand him a post-it note."

Joan walks over to Roxy and says sternly, "It is Lieutenant Colonel Burton and I am your husband's superior, even when I'm not in uniform. And while I know it's been a difficult few days, understand that the Army has strict protocols." Roxy says she knows. As she starts to say something else, Joan softens and says, "Roxy, his flight was delayed due to mechanical problems. He will be in Kuwait within 24 hours, where he will spend the next 36 before heading into Iraq. He's fine." Crying tears of relief, Roxy thanks Joan. Joan tells her she's welcome. Roxy takes a deep breath, relieved, because she has finally gotten what she needs.

Denise is at home in the kitchen. She hears keys rattling at the front door. Before she can open the door, Jeremy walks through it. Jeremy walks over to her, she hugs him tightly, starts to cry and tells Jeremy that she's glad he's home. He tells her that he just had to be there.

Pamela's voice over continues. "What is it about the human touch – holding a loved one close and feeling their warmth, their heartbeat. I mean this is the Army and, frequently our loved ones are far away. But their warmth doesn't have to be."

Roxy has changed from her 'jammies' into a negligee. She has a glass of red wine and picks up her bathrobe. She sets the wine down, and then puts the robe on. As she's about to tie it, she feels something in a pocket. She pulls out a DVD. There is a post-it note stuck to it. It says, "If you're wearing this robe, it's time for this." She puts the DVD in, grabs her wine, and sits down on the floor in front of her bedroom television.

Trevor says, "Hey, Beautiful. So, it's probably late at night, kids are asleep, you're wrapped up in your robe, drinking a glass of red wine. 'Cause that's what you do when you've had hard times. That's when your fears come out." Trevor tells her that he wishes he were there to wrestle those "black snakes" to the ground. He tells her she isn't alone. She has her friends. He says, "There's even Cranky Betty at the bar." He tells her that he's sorry for giving her a hard time about getting that job. He tells her that it's a good thing she works there because it will help keep her mind occupied while he's gone. He tells her to close her eyes. He starts laughing and tells her to close her eyes because he knows she's cheating. Roxy laughs, closes her eyes and says, "Ok. Ok. Ok." Trevor tells her to take off her robe. Roxy smiles and does it. Trevor says, "Now it's me holding you." He asks her if she can feel him. She shakes her head yes. He tells her that wherever he is, he's loving her. Roxy starts to cry and then tells him she loves him.

Pamela's voice over continues. "At times, it feels totally random, this roll of the dice on who lives and who dies. Trevor was alive and Marilyn was dead. And the worst was yet to come."

Denise is talking to the C.I.D. investigators. Denise says that a person's true character is revealed during a crisis. The older investigator tells her that it's probably true. Denise says that she froze. The younger investigator tells her that it's normal – it's what most people do. Denise says that everyone was in motion, but she just stood there watching everything unfold. Denise has a flashback of that night. Amanda has just entered the bar. Claudia Joy sees her and then tries to get to her.

Denise says that people were knocking each other down and screaming. She says, "Then Roland appeared. He grabbed me, he got in my face, he snapped me out of it." Denise tells them that if it weren't for Roland, she would be dead. She tells the investigators that Amanda was not going to leave without her mother and Claudia Joy was not going to leave without her daughter.

Claudia Joy is making Amanda's bed. Amanda tells her it's perfect and thanks her. Claudia Joy gives Amanda a picture of the family. She tells Amanda it's so she won't forget about them. Amanda looks at the picture and comments on how 'perfect' they were. Then she starts to cry. She sits down and Claudia Joy asks her what's wrong. Amanda says that she doesn't think that she can do 'this' without her.

Claudia Joy goes over to her and kneels in front of Amanda. She grabs her hands and tells her that she can do it because that's who she is. Claudia Joy tells Amanda about her first day of kindergarten. She tells her that Amanda had her clothes laid out and lunch packed the night before. Claudia Joy tells Amanda that she was all ready and that Amanda dragged her to the classroom door. When the bell rang, Amanda stopped suddenly, and latched onto Claudia Joy's leg and wouldn't let go. Claudia Joy tells Amanda that she kissed her and walked away as instructed by the book. Claudia Joy says that she turned around to look at Amanda and that she was still there, just looking at Claudia Joy. When the bell rang, Amanda took a deep breath, waved good-bye and then walked through the door. Trying not to cry, Claudia Joy tells Amanda that this is the same thing. She tells her to take a breath and start walking. Then they hug each other tightly.

At the hospital, doctors are trying to revive Amanda.

At the train station, Amanda is telling Claudia Joy that it's going to be ok – that she will be ok.

In the hospital, they shock Amanda's heart again. Michael is standing off to the side, crying. The look on his face shows the pain, agony and deep, deep sorrow he is feeling.

At the train station, Amanda tells Claudia Joy that Michael and Emmalin need her now. She says, "It's not like I won't see you again." Claudia Joy asks Amanda why she went into the bar. Amanda tells her it was for Claudia Joy.

At the hospital, they are still working on Amanda. Michael is crying even harder. He is watching his daughter die, knowing that there is absolutely nothing he can do about it.

At the train station, Amanda and Claudia Joy are holding hands and looking at each other. Amanda says, "Show me the mother and I'll show you the child." Amanda leans over and kisses Claudia Joy on the forehead, slowly backs away as their hands separate. Claudia Joy watches as Amanda backs up, turns around and walks into the white mist.

At the hospital, they continue to work on Amanda. Michael is still standing off to the side in tears. There is a flash of white, and then a hospital lamp comes into focus. Claudia Joy opens her eyes and looks around. Michael notices that she's awake. She looks at Michael's face. She says, "Amanda's gone, isn't she?" Michael cannot say anything. Claudia Joy starts to cry as Michael leans over her and cries with her.

Pamela's voice over continues. "At some point, words fail us and we're left with silence - silence and time. I read something once: To live in hearts you leave behind, is not to die. I don't know what each of you is going to do today, but now is the time to tell those you love that you love them - like we loved Amanda and she lives in our hearts still, and will never be forgotten. Me, I think I'm going to pick up my kids and take that ride down to the ocean like they wanted. The water's beautiful this time of the year. Besides, they know where the gold starfish are."

As Pamela talks, we see Roxy, Denise, Pamela, Jeremy, Roland and Joan in the hospital waiting room. The doctor comes out and breaks the news that Amanda has died. We see as they try to comfort each other. We have flashes of Amanda in happier times.

Pamela walks out of the radio station, looks up toward Heaven, and then walks away.