..Jonathan Storm..
The Ghosts In The Castle

[The last rays of sun have given way to the moon on this Tuesday evening. The sun is going behind one of the most recognizable attractions of Anaheim, California...Cinderella's castle in Disneyland. There, enjoying their day is Helena Benes and Jonathan Collins. The two hold hands, with Jon having his favorite aquablue sweatshirt tied around his waist. Helena gives one of the sleeves a quick tug, sending it off his waist and into her arms. She quickly places it on herself, and she smiles, kissing Jon's cheek. The two of them continue to walk around the park, and for the fun of it, she places her mouse ears on Jon's head, over his Angels cap. She giggles at the site, and Collins grins, wrapping his arms around her waist.]

Jonathan Collins: Hope you're having fun. The light parade at the end of the night's beautiful. *smiles*

Helena Benes: I'm having a wonderful time, Jonathan...thank you very much. Are you having any fun?

Collins: Helena, I'm having a wonderful...

[Another world...another time, this whole thing is like a fond memory from days gone by. Everything reminds him of that moment. Of a day when the family was better...of a day when...]
Jonathan...Jonathan?
[He turns around, looks, and there she is...Serena Adonis. Wearing his aquablue sweatshirt, he flashes a metal laced smile, before getting placed into a headlock by a taller kid, while another gives him a "noogie". No suprise to Jon, it's his older cousin, Corey, and his big brother Robbie. This was a time when they were all innocent...before the revelation that Pru and Corey were brothers, and not the cousins he thought they were...before Ashlee had come into Jon's life...before Serena had married Pru...this was a happy time indeed.]
Corey Collins: You should've seen this coming, Jon. You know we'll never give you and Serena a few minutes to talk...hehe
Robbie Collins: *Still having Jon in a headlock* Say uncle, Jon...maybe I won't put you in The Fallen Angel like your hero, Erik Draven.
Jon: Cut me some slack, Robbie! I got my first day at wrestling school tomorrow! I just wanna talk with Serena! Can you and Corey go harass Pru or something?
Corey: No can do, Jon. He's off somewhere with Ashlee Reeves.
[Serena wrinkles her nose at the sound of that name. Jon powers out of the headlock and gently elbows his big brother Robbie. He mockingly kicks Corey before taking Serena's hand. He sticks his tongue out at them, and they wave goodbye as he walks away, Corey and Robbie laughing all the while.]
Jon: I'm sorry about that, Ser...you know how my brother gets when he's around our cousins.
Serena Adonis: You don't have to apologize for your family, Jon...besides, they don't pester me like they do you. All Robbie ever does is ask me if we're ever gonna get together...we couldn't do that...*blushes* you're like a brother to me.
Jon: Serena...I dunno...I think you're pretty. You're very pretty.
Serena: You're sweet, Jon...I guess that's why I've always stuck around you. Even when you're trying to be mean, you're sweet. You're gonna make some girl very happy someday, and you'll probably be the Prom King or somethin'...
Jon: Prom's gonna suck, Serena. Robbie's too old to go and hang with us, and you know that Pru and Ashlee are going to be off doing their thing while Corey hangs with that Claire chick he just met. Nobody ever wants to hang with us.
Robbie: Don't be saying that, Jon...we all like you just the same.
[Robbie walks back over by Serena and Jon, plucking his own California Angels cap off his head, placing it on Jon's head.]
Jon: I hate caps...you know that, Robbie.
Robbie: It looks good on you, Jon...you just don't know it yet. Tell him, Ser...
Serena: *giggling* He's right, Jon...you look cute!
[Jon wrinkles his nose, twisting the cap backwards...something that's now become a staple of his appearance. With a pat on the back, Robbie pushes Jon away from Serena for a moment.]
Robbie: Excuse us for a moment, Serena...I gots to give the pep talk to my little brother.
[Robbie starts to walk he and Jon over to the nearest snack stand, pulling out his chain wallet. His Alice in Chains t-shirt and blue jeans stand out in this "family" enviroment. Jon tries to emulate, with a Stone Temple Pilots shirt and some black jeans. Robbie looks down at his shorter, younger brother, and talks.]
Robbie: So you gonna ask her out or what?
Jon: I dunno, Rob...I mean, I like her and all, but I think she likes Pru.
Robbie: Listen, Jon...if that's the way you think, you're never going to get what you want out of life. You've got to not be afraid and just go out there and have some fun, Jon. She likes you...she's just waiting for you to say something...and you haven't even given it a second thought. Give it a shot, you never know what could happen. *turns his head* Yeah, can I have three Pepsis, one with no ice, two orders of nachos, a cotton candy, and a bag of popcorn?
[Jon smiles at his big brother...he hasn't forgotten his favorite things. Robbie gives the cashier some money, and in return, Robbie passes on two of the pepsis (one of them being the one with no ice), an order of nachos, and the cotton candy. He looks Jon straight in the eye.]
Robbie: Okay Jon...now go back over to her, and just tell her how you feel. Be honest and truthful, and I'm sure things will be just fine. Listen, you may be my little bro, and you're never gonna hear this often fro me...but I'm pulling for you. I love you lots...that's what bros are about. Now go get her, tiger...*chuckles*
Jon: Thanks Robbie...that means a lot to me.
[Storm carefully walks back to Serena with the treats, and she rushes over to him, quickly grabbing one drink, and the cotton candy. She waves goodbye to Robbie, who's departing the area they were in. As the two sit down to get a good look of the spectacle about to occur on this late summer evening in Disneyland, she leans her head on his shoulders.]
Serena: Thank you for everything today, Jon...you didn't have to.
Jon: Serena, it's not a big deal to me...I mean you're worth it. I like you...a lot.
Serena: Excuse me?
[He panics...and nearly spills his Pepsi. He looks at her...she looks at him, and he blushes.]
Serena: I like you too, Jonathan Daniel Collins...you're a very sweet guy. I told you that you'd make some girl very happy someday...I hope it's someone that makes you happy too.

Jon: I hope you're right Serena...but I know that I'd be happy spending my life with you...

Helena: I'd love to be with you the rest of your life too, Jon...I love you.

[Jon snaps out of this self induced trance. There he sits, Pepsi in hand, nachos in his lap, Helena picks at her cotton candy, and has her head on his shoulder, and he looks at her. Realizing he's been off in another world, he sighs and kisses her softly. She looks up at him and smiles, but before she can say anything, he smiles and looks at her. He looks almost ready to tear as he looks at her, all smiles just to be around him.]

Collins: I'm sorry, Hel...I've just been thinking about the past, and all the old ghosts that reside here...but I do love you...and I meant every word I said. I hope you're not mad.

Helena: I'm not mad, Jon...I'm far from it. Thanks for the lovely evening...and for making me happy after all these years. I spent all my life hoping I'd meet someone who cared about me for who I was...and now I have him...I've got you.

Collins: I was once told by an important person to me how I shouldn't have fear if I wanted to say something to someone...he was a great guy. My brother Robbie.

Helena: Will you tell me more about Robbie?

Collins: Yeah...just not now...I want to enjoy tonight...and if the world comes crumbling down now...I'm glad that I'd be with you.

[She grabs her mouse ears back, and rests against Jonathan as the fireworks go off on this evening. She curls up in his sweatshirt, and as they watch the fireworks, a man who looks strangely like his late brother can be seen in the foreground...fade away.]