True love never dies, Serena...it only grows with time. I never meant for things to be the way they were, but not even I can help it sometimes. Things are just so different now for both of us. I see you with Pru, and you see me with Ashlee...

I don't care about those petty things. All I know is this. I still want to be your hero. I still want to be someone, somebody to you...but I have to wait for that day. I still have to wait for you to say the word. I heard it best in a song one day I learned in choir.

'We can laugh about how time really flies
But we won't say goodbye
For true love never dies
You'll always be beautiful...in my eyes.'

It's true, Serena...it's so very true. Goodbye and good luck...I'm sure you'll see me happy in the future...no matter how far away we are, if it's meant to be, true love will find its way to our hearts.

~Excerpt from a note written by Jonathan Collins in 9/21/95 to Serena Adonis~

You couldn't believe how much you mean to me. I survived darkness, and I found light in you, Helena. When I'm with you, I want to be a better person. I want to be the hero you think I am. I'm understanding the way things really go more and more every day because of you. When the world ends, I know where I want to be, and that's in your arms.

'If I could, then I would
I'll go wherever you would go
Way up high, or down low
I'll go wherever you will go'

And I will...someday I'll be that knight you want me to be...because I love you.

~Excerpt from a letter written by Jonathan Collins to Helena Benes 9/21/01~

*The camera fades in on blackness...and then we pan out, especially as a folded up Colorado Avalanche jersey hits the blackness. Clothes are being tossed from somewhere into this formerly empty suitcase, and a voice breaks the silence of clothes meeting container.*

Jonathan Collins: Pack your stuff, Hel...we're leaving before Lance even gets into the driveway.

Helena Benes: But, Jon...

Collins: But nothing, Helena. I want out of here, and I want out of the HWF.

Helena: You've accomplished so much. You finally got what you wanted.

Collins: For what? For my own brother to turn his back on me? To get hit over the head with a goddamn PUMPKIN?! I've had it, Hel...I've had enough of dealing with petty bullshit, and with the people who didn't want me here in the first place.

Helena: Yeah, but you're the best they've got. They need you, no matter what they say.

Collins: I need to get out...I can't, and I won't face Robbie again. Seeing him in front of me, and alive no less, has definitely put me in panic mode...I saw the accident on tape...he shouldn't be...shouldn't be...*beginning to sob*...shouldn't be.

*He sits on the bed, letting his hands cover his face. Helena rushes to him and sits next to him on the bed, placing her arms around him.*

Collins: He shouldn't be here...

*Helena tries to comfort him, but she doesn't really know how, as he puts his head on her shoulder, still crying.*

Collins: I can't stand to see him like this...I can't stand knowing he's turned against me.

Helena: I'm so sorry about that. I wish there's something I could do.

Collins: I wish I knew also...everyone...everything...just feels so far away right now.

Helena: I'm not. I'm here for you. Just like I've always been and just like I'll always will.

Collins: No...I don't deserve that. Not now, and not ever.

Helena: Are you kidding? You deserve so much better. Someone like Suzy.

Collins: You know what she did to me. She used and abused me...her, just like everyone else I've ever trusted...just like Robbie...turned their backs on me.

Helena: I know. And I would never do that to you. I love you too much to ever hurt you like that.

*He looks at her, and frowns.*

Collins: Nobody loves a loser...or a quitter.

*He slowly gets back up and starts to throw his clothes into the suitcase once more, as she looks on at him, upset.*

Helena: Jonathan, you're not a loser or a quitter.

Collins: What do you see? Do you know what I see when I look in the mirror? Someone not good enough for you...someone who can't provide for your wants and needs...someone who can't be the hero you've so desperately wanted. I sold you short to get where I'm at...I fucking betrayed you already!

Helena: You've given me so much. You treat me better than I have ever been treated. Better than I even deserve.

Collins: Don't you get it? I told you so long ago that I cannot be saved! I cannot be a champion...I cannot be what you want.

Helena: You're the one that doesn't get it! You already are what I want.

Collins: I could only wish.

*He walks back to the suitcase, securing it tightly, grabbing it, beginning to head down the stairs towards his jeep. Knowing what's next, Helena goes after him. Suprisingly, she grabs his arm and spins him around, looking directly into his eyes.*

Helena: Please understand this, I love you for who you are.

Collins: Why? Isn't there someone else without all the issues you'd rather have?

Helena: Everybody has issues. And no, there's no one out there I would rather have. I just don't understand why you would waste your time with me.

*He drops his suitcase and pulls her into his arms, letting them both cry and find solace in the other's embrace. Time stands still in this one moment, and everything melts away.*

Collins: Because you're real. Everything about you is so real...and I've never been with someone like that...ever.

*She looks at him, unconvinced.*

Collins: *looking down* I fell for you, because I've never seen someone who wanted to find out who Jon Collins was. Everyone wants to know Jonathan Storm...never the man wearing the costume.

Helena: And you know what? I think the man wearing the costume is infinitely better than than the "Storm" everyone else knows.

Collins: We're one in the same, more than you could possibly believe, Helena.

*She kisses him, and he returns it, marking one of the first times he's ever allowed someone to see his emotions for her. Bringing her in closer than before, the kiss ends and Helena looks almost as upset as before.*

Collins: What's wrong?

Helena: I just wish I could make you see how great of a person you are, Jonathan Daniel Collins.

Collins: I know who I am...I know that I'll never find redemption...never like Michael did.

Helena: Do you know what I see when I look at you?

Collins: No...

Helena: I see a man who desperately wants to be what he already is, perfect.

Collins: I'm not perfect...I'm so far from it.

Helena: How can you think that? You're the best man I have ever known.

Collins: But I've hurt you...and I ignore you...and I...*sighs*

Helena: That's only because you've been hurt before so many times, you didn't know how to deal with someone who really does love you.

Collins: Are you sure you really love me? You're so young...I forget that sometimes.

Helena: I may be young, but I'm not stupid. I know a good thing when I see one...and you are definitely a good thing.

Collins: I wish I could feel as positive about things as you do.

Helena: So do I.

Collins: Sometimes it's hard to love people, when you can't love yourself.

Helena: I see.

*She lowers her gaze down to her feet.*

Collins: But I love you, Hel...I love you more than life itself.

*Helena shyly lifts her eyes to meet his.*

Collins: And I think it's time that I finally prove it.

Helena: Prove it? How?

Collins: Maybe we should take these next two weeks to...to...to elope?

*Her eyes light up.*

Helena: You mean it?

Collins: Yeah...I do.

Helena: *smiling* Practicing your "I dos" already?

Collins: I guess I am...so anyways...do you want to...umm...err...marry me?

Helena: Yes! Oh, of course, yes!

*Jonathan lifts her into the air, and she smiles, kissing his lips. As he moves her off the ground, she wraps her legs around him, and he cradles her in his arms, moving her against the door, so he won't drop her.*

Collins: Let's get outta here before good ole' Lance shows up.

*Fade.*