Notes: cliffhanger
Jeffery had left the room shortly after the incident. After he had calmed down enough, he apologized for his actions, though he knew a simple apology couldn’t make up for what he had planned to do. But the group forgave him, and he wondered how they could forgive him so easily when he couldn’t even forgive himself. Wanting to know more about the ring his mother possessed, they filled him in on what they knew and he offered to help. For him, it wasn’t complete redemption from what he had done, but a small atonement.
He made his way back to his mother’s office, where he could hear her shouting into the phone on the other side of the door. He felt bad for the person on the other end, knowing what it was like to be on the receiving end of his mother’s anger. If he was going to help get the ring, he would have to play along and hope that he didn’t crack under his mother’s intense scrutiny.
He took a deep breath, before knocking twice and entering her office. Patricia continued to yell through the telephone as she motioned for him to sit down. Releasing a final shout, she slammed the phone down and yanked the cord from the wall.
Patricia was shaking from anger because one of her clients pulled his account. Hoping for some good news, she looked over at Jeffery. Something seemed different about him. He wasn’t cowering back in his seat like usual, but there was a sense of confidence around him. Holding his gaze, she smiled, “So I take it that you’ve taken care of those kids?”
Though Jeffery was showing confidence on the surface, inside he was fighting the urge to shrink back from his mother’s malicious smirk. He straightened his posture, “Not yet, I-.” Jeffery was cut off before he could finish.
“Why not?” The agitation was clear in Patricia’s voice. She drummed her fingers against the black book that was still on her desk.
“I-I thought that with the tonight’s banquet, it would hurt the business if the tourist’s thought there was a killer running loose. It would probably give them the wrong idea about the island.” He was relieved when he saw his mother’s features soften.
The woman gave her son an approving smile, “Good thinking!” She sat on the edge of her desk, scratching her finger. “It’s about time you did something right.” She continued to scratch her finger, but this time the skin was starting to redden.
“What’s wrong?” Jeffery asked, spotting the silver ring on his mother’s finger.
Patricia took the ring off, scratching vigorously, “It’s that damn ring...probably isn’t even pure silver.” Putting the ring into her desk drawer, she massaged the irritated skin.
“Do you want me to look at it, to make sure it’s real?” Jeffery leaned in with his hand reaching for the drawer.
“No!” Patricia’s outburst made him quickly withdraw. “I’ll just have it checked out later,” her voice softened, “Let’s go get ready for tonight’s dinner.” Forcing a smile, she ushered Jeffery out of the door before following.
****
“Do you think this one is okay?” Willow asked. Tara inspected the item in the redhead’s hand before shaking her head no.
“No, it’s too shiny.” The two girls were looking through a box of rings. After talking with Jeffery, the gang formed a plan in which they would switch Patricia’s ring with a fake.
Now on the third container, the girls were starting to give up. They had searched through dozens of rings and necklaces, and had yet to find anything that resembled what they were looking for. The store owner had allowed them to search through the boxes in the back of the store, so they wouldn’t disrupt his business.
“This is it!” Tara pulled a slightly tarnished ring from the box.
“Are you sure it’s the right one?” Willow asked, as Tara cleaned the ring with her shirt.
“Yeah, this is how Anya described it.” The blonde rubbed the surface of the greenish stone. Breathing a sign of relief, they refilled the boxes and paid for the ring.
****
After returning to his room to get dressed, Jeffery went down to greet his mother in the lounge. He checked to make sure that his mother hadn’t put the ring back on, before making an excuse to go back to his room for his necktie.
Telling Patricia that he would meet her in the ballroom, Jeffery jogged up the steps and knocked on Tara’s door.
“Hey, did you guys get it?” He asked Willow when she answered the door. It was a bit awkward to look at her, especially after his earlier revelation.
“Yeah, we found it. Come in,” she held the door open, frowning when he hesitated.
“I can’t. I’m supposed to be meeting my mother for dinner. I just thought I’d come by to tell you that she’s not wearing the ring. So if you’re going to switch, now would be a good time.” He paused to check his watch, “I don’t know how long the dinner will last, but the ring’s in her office desk.”
“Okay, we’ll go now,” Tara had come to stand beside Willow. “Where’s her office?”
“It’s on the first floor, down the hall from the cafeteria. Her name’s on the door, so you’ll know when you see it.” Jeffery checked the time again, “I have to go,” he pulled the tie from his pocket, straightening it around his neck. “Be careful!” He whispered before running back down the stairs.
“I’m going to go tell the others,” Tara moved into the hallway, but Willow stopped her. “Are you sure we should tell them? I mean, they might want to come and it’ll look really suspicious having a bunch of kids hovering around Patricia’s office.”
Tara could see the logic in Willow’s words and after the last fiasco, it’ll be easier if just the two of them went. “Okay.” Tara grabbed the ring from the table before following Willow out the door.
****
Jeffery was right...Patricia’s room wasn’t hard to miss, especially with the huge bold letters engraved into her door. As Tara turned the doorhandle, the door slowly opened with a creak. For a woman who had her bedroom looked up so securely, it was surprising that Patricia’s door was unlocked. The two girls shared a look of amusement, before closing the door behind them.
Moving quickly, Willow turned on the desk lamp and begun pulling open the drawers. When she pulled open the corner drawer, she tapped on the desk to get Tara’s attention. The ring was squeezed in between a stapler and an address book. Not wasting any more time, Tara took the ring from her pocket and switched with the original. Slipping the opal ring into her pocket, the blonde pulled an unexpected Willow into a hug. They could feel each others hearts pounding as they smiled in relief and shared a kiss.
While moving toward the door, hand in hand, Willow couldn’t help but think that the whole situation was a bit too easy. She soon regretted her words when the door opened, casting a silhouette in the doorway. The two girls jumped back in surprise.
“What the hell are you doing in here?” Patricia’s voice was unmistakable, but the shock didn’t kick in until she stepped forward, showing the venom and anger in her eyes.
by Stroke of Luck » Sun Apr 20, 2003 3:41 am 
, she can't do that. The group has to figure something out. Man that was a great update.
I don't believe that cliffhanger. You are so 
Still wonder what would have happened if she had smashed the ring, but as it needs to be returned, I'm glad she didn't.
. 
You can't leave it there!
Please let them all be okay?
These cliffhangers are killing me.
will get what she deserves.