CHAPTERS 6-7: IN THE COLD HARD LIGHT OF DAY & FAIR PLAY
GH 2026.06 In The Cold Hard Light Of Day Late Morning after the Party. "Your son was very lucky, Ma'am," The young rookie informs an impeccablydressed woman in her forties. "Mr Young Bear was supposed to be helduntil tonight, but his hearing was moved up." "That is fortunate.Then I can post his bail and he's free to go?" "He's been bailed out already. They're finishing his paperwork even aswe speak." "By who---?" Sensing a presence behind her, Beth turns slowly, alreadyknowing who it is. "Hello, Lucky." "Beth." The word comes out in a single softly uttered breath. "I figuredyou'd come for our son." His eyes flash with hurt and betrayal and nosmall hint of anger as they drink in the sight of the stunning womanbefore him. Beth has changed in the past 26 years, her hair worn in asimple braid is now laced liberally with silver. Her eyes, once beaconsof hopes and dreams are now filled with memories. Her dress is long andflowing around her ankles like a soft puddle. "I want a few words withyou." Lucky grinds out between clenched teeth. He takes her elbow in asteely grip and leads Beth to a seat in a corner of the station. "I know you must have a million questions, Lucky." Beth begins, unableto bear his silent scrutiny. "An angry kid with a record longer than my Caddy decks me in theparking lot of my own club because I happen to be his long lost daddy.You bet your sweet ass I have a few questions. And the least you owe meis answers." "I didn't know I was pregnant until long after you'd left." Bethnervously twists her silver ring on her finger. "And you made it clearthat you were in love with another woman. What was I going to do, Lucky?Pretend that after we made love you didn't wake up with regrets? Andpretend that you weren't a confused kid with a laundry list oftroubles?" "Maybe not. But damn it ,Beth, the least you could do for our kid was tolet him know that I didn't just blow off being a father. I didn't LEAVEthe two of you. You never even bothered to tell me anything! Familymeans everything to me, Beth! Everything! I would have been a father tomy son. He was my responsibility as much as yours." "I have explained the situation to Gabe a million times, Lucky. But ourson is headstrong and chooses to believe what he wants." A tender smileplays about her lips. "I can't imagine where he gets it from. And don'tbelieve everything you read about Gabriel in his rap sheet. It onlytells half of the real story. Our son is a fine man. Yes, he isdifficult and manner less and stubborn to high heaven, but honorable anddecent in his own way. And another thing. Gabriel is NOT aresponsibility, he's a privilege. One that I am grateful for every dayof my life." "Mother." A deep gravely voice comes from behind Beth. "I thought I toldyou over the phone not to come." "You are my son, you needed me. That's all there is to it." Bethdeclares resolutely. The tenderness in her touch to his face belies thefirmness in her voice. She slowly retraces the lines of his face."You're tired. Let me take you back to the hotel where I am staying." "I'm fine, Mother. Really." Seeing the look of worry in her eyes, Gabecups his mother's face and kisses her cheek lightly. "I need to get mytrailer and my bike. Don't worry about me. Why don't you tell me whereyou're staying and I'll meet you for breakfast?" "I am staying at the Port Charles Hotel, room 1181. We'll order roomservice and talk." Beth orders quietly. "8:00 am and don't be late, mydarling." "Yes, Mother." Gabe answers docilely. "Walk you out?" He asks, shootingLucky a venomous glare. "Gabriel Young Bear, I am perfectly capable of walking myself out of abuilding and hailing my own cab. Now go on with you! Your father and Ihave 26 years to discuss." Picking up her purse, Beth taps her footimpatiently. "Well Lucky? Will you come with me or are you going tocontinue to glare at me like your son is glaring at you?" Following Beth out of the station and leaving Gabe behind, Lucky lightshis cigar. "I can't think of anything that I can say to you Beth thatisn't four letters and unfit for the general public." "I know you hate me, Lucky. But I had to do what I thought was best formy son." "OUR son, Beth. Now that I know he exists I will NEVER let you forgetthat he is OUR son!" Lucky stalks across the street and sits on a stonebench in a small park. he doesn't bother to look up when Beth joins him,just continues his tirade. "He hates me for leaving him. Hell! I hatemyself and I didn't have anything to do with it! I thought we werefriends, Beth, that the brief time we had together was special. Howcould you do this to me? And ya know what's odder? I want to know howyou could do it to our son." Lowering her head, Beth is silent for a long time. "I don't have theanswers you're looking for, Lucky. I wish I did. And I wish that I couldmake this easier on you, and on Gabe. So instead of making excuses thatyou don't want to hear, what if I show you pictures of your son?" Sitting next to him on the bench, Beth removes a packet of pictures fromher purse. "This was taken the day he was born." Struggling to get his roller coaster emotions in check, Luckyreluctantly looks at the small black and white photo of a tiny babyswaddled in Beth's arms. The radiant joy in her eyes makes his heartache. "And his first steps." Beth removes another picture and hands it to abegrudging Lucky. "Gabe didn't start out crawling like most babies, Iswear he started out running at full speed. He was into everything, andanything he touched was studied, and examined, and taken apart and puttogether again." Lucky traces Gabe's face with an unsteady fingertip. "It's not fair,Beth! Damn you! I shouldn't be seeing these things twenty-some yearslater! I should have been there. What gave you the right to decide Icouldn't be a part of my son's life? I should have been the one to takethese pictures, I should have been the one to catch him when he stumbledand taught him how to ride a bike. You stole all that from me, and hereyou are calmly telling me about my 26 year old son!" Lucky grinds outhis cigar and reaches into his back pocket. "You want to see some morebaby pictures, Beth? How about this? Guess what my daughter Leia's firstword was. You know what it was? "Daddy". You want to know what month itwas? August. How about what she was wearing when she said it? A littleyellow jumper that my mother bought for her. And Leia's first step. Howshe looked up at me and smiled so brightly it lit up the world! I haveevery precious memory with my little girl from the time she came intothis world kicking and screaming. I should have these memories of myson. You decided I wasn't fit to be a father, but go ahead and ask Leiawho the greatest daddy in the the world is! Go on! But now I have totell her about her big brother who is way older than her, that she'snever met, and who hates her daddy. Tell me how that's best for anyone?" Shaking in the face of so much fury, Beth staggers to her feet. "Lucky,I-- don't know what to say. All I can do is try to undo some of thedamage I've done. I'll try and talk to Gabe again. Really I will. Maybenow he's ready to listen." Beth sniffles a little. "I'm staying at thePort Charles Hotel. Why don't you come and join Gabe and me forbreakfast tomorrow?" "I can't. I'll be with Leia during the morning, but if you can get thekid to show up at Kelly's for lunch we could meet there at about noon." "I'll do my best, Lucky." Elizabeth vows. "Funny. I don't think your best means much at this point, Beth," Luckyshoots back as he storms away to where his Caddy is parked. *~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~* Driving aimlessly around town in a fog, Lucky finds his car being pulledtowards the lighthouse. Once there, he knocks on the back door. "Lucky! Come on in!" Kevin invites, an expression of surprise evident onhis face. "How are you?" "Not so hot." Lucky answer truthfully. "Actually I don't really knowwhat I'm doing here, I didn't mean to barge in. . . " "Lucky!" Lucy comes down the staircase tucking her hair behind her ears."Hey Pal." She says softly enfolding him into a warm embrace that seemsto last forever. "Tough times?" "I don't know what to do, Luce." Lucky sighs dropping into a soft chairand slumping down. "Em's so upset she can't even look at me, and I justbailed my son out of jail." "So he's yours for sure." Kevin probes lightly. "Yes. And he hates me more than anyone in the world." Moving to the bar, Lucy pours Lucky a glass of water and delivers it tohim. "Emily's hurting now, Lucky. But I know that she loves you todeath." "I don't know, Lucy, I may have pushed her away for good. You didn't seehow brokenhearted she was last night. She couldn't even look me in theeye. In the space of five minutes, our lives were blown apart." Perching on the arm of the chair Lucky sits in, Lucy shakes her head."Keep the faith, Pal. Just reassure her that you love her with all yourheart. She knows that, she just needs extra reminding for a while." Shekisses the top of his head affectionately. "Now, what about this wildchild of yours? What do you know about him so far?" She lightly brusheshis bruised jaw. "I mean, other than the fact he's got one hell of aright cross." "Not much." Lucky answers with a heavy sigh. "But Beth, his mother, saysthat she'll fill me in some." "WOAH there, Pal! You didn't say that you've seen his mother! Does Emilyknow about this?" Looking confused, Lucky shakes his head. "No, I haven't seen Em since Iran into Beth at the Police Station." "You'd better go to your wife and tell her that the mother of your sonis in town. It's not something Emily should hear through the grapevine."Lucy says emphatically. "Lucy's right, Lucky. You should tell Em everything. Even if you thinkshe doesn't want to hear it, or that she's not listening." Kevin agrees. "Thanks. Both of you. I really appreciate your advice." Lucky dragshimself out of the chair and gives Lucy a quick hug. "I'd better go andsee Em." With the air of a condemned man, Lucky shuffles out the door. ~*~*~***~*~*** "Why me? Why not send someone who isn't due for a month long vacation tothat little hick backwater town called Port Charles. I've been there,Benny. It's not that great." Suppressing a shudder, a middle aged womanin her bare feet pads silently to the stove top. "Listen Lark, I need this job done. It's for an old friend, and I needit done right. No one else is as familiar with this software as much asyou are. . . besides, you can work your vacation into this trip." "How do you suggest I do that?" She asks chopping vegetables furiouslyand tossing them into the smoking wok. "The project you're talking aboutwill take me at least a four months, probably longer. Where's myvacation?" "I'll lend you one of my houses. . . ." Benny offers temptingly. "Onewith lots of room. It has woods, a stream even. Heck Lark, I'll eventhrow in your very own garden. . . . " "You're a pain in the ----," Lark begins in exasperation. "But you'll do it, right?" Smiling crookedly, Benny Baird, C.E.O ofBaird International, raises a hopeful eyebrow at the irritated woman infront of him. "Morgan won't give you any trouble, Lark. You'll be in,you'll be out. It'll get done." Placing a reassuring hand on hershoulder, Benny gives her a squeeze. "Come on, Lark. Have I ever steeredyou wrong?" He asks, reaching into the pan and pulling out a pea pod. Heis of medium height and build. His energy gives him the illusion ofgreater height and more movement. He is a study in contrasts. Hisgraying hair which is tied back in a pony tail contrasts with the darkdepths of his eyes; the endearing grin with the almost hard glint in hiseye; and his expensive silk shirt and stylish trousers with the sneakerson his feet. Another study in contrast is the woman with him. Lark's forehead barelymeets his nose, her silky black hair is touched with pure silver inplaces. But instead of radiating a comfortable warmth, she exudes anicy demeanor. She is a blizzard compared to Benny's summer. But somehow,for the past six years they'd become partners and friends, even formingin their own way a makeshift family. Reaching out and tugging a straylock of her hair, Benny coaxes Lark out of her reverie. "It won't be sobad." "If it's such a peachy job, Baird, YOU take it!" Seeing Benny blanch,Lark is instantly contrite. "I know why you can't, Benny. And I'm sorryI'm such a bitch." "It's okay, Lark. I'll get over it. I just can't spend an extended timein Port Charles anymore." Benny turns inward for a moment. "Don't sweat it. I'll do it and I'll do a good job." Slugging her friendplayfully in the arm, Lark jokes lightly. "Besides, how hard caninstalling a computer safety network for the mob be?" *~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~* Walking slowly through the long gray corridors in the basement of thePort Charles Police Station, Dominique peeks into the first office shecomes to and sees a slender man crouched under his desk obviously wiringa computer component. Unable to resist the devilish side of her nature,she yells "INCOMING!" Causing the man to try and jump to his feet, crackhis head on the edge of the desk, and curse profusely. "DOM!" "Hey Jesse, is Simon in?" Dominique asks casually of her brother'soldest friend since the academy. "Yeah, check the office, and try not to give anyone ELSE a heartattack!" "Party pooper!" Dominique laughs lightly on her way to Simon's office. The office is a hub of activity with people cruising in and out carryingpapers, filing reports and making phone calls. "Dom!" Simon calls from the doorway off to the side. "Come on in." Hislarge hand is placed over the telephone receiver as he motions hissister to a chair, and holds up a finger to indicate that it should onlytake a minute. "I don't care if the other vests are more cost efficient,Curtis. The ones I requested will save some of my people's lives. Gotme? So unless you are willing to put on that second rate, shoddy gearand stand in the line of fire, I suggest that you purchase the ones Iasked for. And don't think that I can't tell the difference." Simonslams down the phone with an uncharacteristic burst of anger. "Uh, Si? Is this a bad time?" Dominique presses, sensing the ragingstorm inside her brother and feeling helpless to comfort him. She makesa mental note to talk to her folks about him. Slowly counting to ten, Simon takes a deep breath. "No Dom. I alwayshave time for you. ALWAYS." he adds emphatically. "So what can I do foryou? You sounded pretty serious on the phone." "Well Simon, it all began with some weird Emails." Dominique begins toexplain. *~*~*~*~*~*~* "Well, well, Dominique Dear. I think that you deserve a reward not onlyfor your loveliness, but for your compliance to my requests." A smallsmile crosses the face of the man reflected in the 17th Century gildedmirror. He picks up a cell phone and hits a number on the speed dial."It's me. I need you to carry out another little mission for me. Yes,the same target, and the same price." Nodding at the response from theother end, the man feels a sense of satisfaction. *~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~ An hour later. Simon sits at his desk, his fingers steepled, gloweringat his younger sister with a ferocity that has sent terrorists scurryingfor shelter. "Are you telling me that this has been going on for weeksand you've never bothered to mention it to anyone in the family?" Thequestion hangs in mid air. "Actually Serena knows. Evan had to tell her." "Evan had officers on this case and no one bothered to notify me?!" "Simon, I asked Ev to keep it quiet. I can't let this get out or RubberDucky could go under, so he agreed to keep it very discreet. No one hereat the station knows about it. Really. He didn't want to keep it fromyou." Dominique nibbles on her lower lip nervously. "I'll deal with, Mac, Evan and Ian in my own way and time. What I amconcerned about right now is YOU. YOUR safety, YOUR health and YOURlife. Nothing else takes precedence. How can I help YOU?" "I've been working this thing in and out ever since it started. I'mtired and I think I'm missing something. I need your brain." "Okay." Simon picks up a pad of paper and an expensive pen. Wryly henotes that the pen is one that Mac and Felicia had given him for hisgraduation from High School. Shoving aside his anger at Mac, Simonbegins to write. "Okay, what we need to think about is motivation." "UH, he's a lunatic?" Dom suggests. "No Honey, that's what is off about all this. These acts aren't random.They're planned. To perfection almost. Someone who's really unstablecouldn't plan to steal Ian's bike and dismantle it and hang it from yourceiling.... all when they knew you were out. That's crafty, not sick.And this business with rigging your house security. . .again, more smartthan crazy. . . " Simon begins to write down other motives. "Love? Thatnote you received last night has a rather "romantic" tone to it. Anyjilted lovers or wanna-be lovers out there?" He asks point blank. Dominique flushes. "No." "I mean besides Ian." Simon murmurs. "What?" "Nothing." Simon coughs delicately. "Excuse me. So no ex-lovers. Whatabout the competition? Any software competitors skulking around waitingfor Rubber Ducky to go under?" "No... you know I've thought of that, but electronics isn't really thatcutthroat of a business at my level. I don't have any enemies. RubberDucky Inc. is still fairly small potatoes." "Anyone who would benefit from seeing you stay that way?" Simon firesoff, his mind racing. "Cause honestly, Honey, all this seems like a wellthought out distraction." He waves his hand and makes his pen disappearbefore Dominique's amazed eyes. "Because while you're busy watching thishand, you have no idea what the other hand is doing." Smacking the armrest of her chair Dominique is struck with arealization. "So whoever this is, they want my attention off RubberDucky so they can move in and do something while my back is turned!DAMN! DAMN! DOUBLE DAMN!" "What's Rubber Ducky working on that could be so valuable?" Simonprobes. "Nothing at the moment. . . ." Dominique's voice trails off. "But I wasworking on some software security systems. The best of it's kind. Butthat wasn't through Rubber Ducky, that was mostly on my own. Hardlyanyone knew about it." "What about your fellow think-tankers?" Leaping up from her chair, Dominique wraps both arms around Simon's neckand plants a wet kiss on his cheek. "Thank you! Thank you! Thank you!Simon, you've given me a good place to start." His arms clasp her waist firmly. "Don't think you're off the hook yet,Tinkerbell." He intones severely. "I am still really mad about this, andHeaven protect you when Mom and Dad find out." "But you'll run interference for me when they do, won't you Si?"Dominique asks, wiping her lipstick off the side of his face. Simon can't help but groan at the total manipulation. "Why am I such apushover?" "Cause I love you and you know I'd do the same for you." Dominiquereplies. "Go on, Brat! Get out of here before I throw you in lockup until you'reold enough to collect Social Security!" Catching her on her way out thedoor, Simon calls after her. "And you can expect a lot more "surprise"visits from me, Neighbor!" Blowing him a kiss, Dom practically races out of the office. "Ta!" Leaning against the doorjamb Simon closes his eyes and shakes his head. "Here Simon, you look like you could use a couple of these." Jessepasses Simon a bottle of aspirin, his green eyes twinkling in amusementat his pal. "Those twins have got you wrapped around their littlefingers." "If only you knew." Sighing morosely. He closes the door to his officeand rubs his throbbing temples.
GH 2026.07 Fair Play The Brownstone. Felicia answers the door while still wiping her hands."Simon! Come on in!" She invites, hugging him close. "What a nicesurprise! What can I do for you?" "Actually Felicia, I came to see Mac if he's available?" Simon smiles,glancing around the sunny living room. "Sure thing, he's out in back with Evan. I'll get them." She offers. "Oh no, I'll join them." Simon makes his way through the house and opensthe back door, "If you'll excuse me." Walking out into the lovely patio,Simon can see Evan and Mac sitting on lounge chairs enjoying the crispspring air. One look at Simon's expression and both men turn deadly serious, sittingup and squaring off. "Simon." Evan addresses him evenly. Mac tries a more familiar approach. "Hey Si. How's it going?" "I can't believe that you didn't bother to tell me that my sister isbeing stalked!" Simon begins, his voice sharp enough to cut glass. "It was her decision, Mate." Mac informs him. "She didn't want thefamily to smother her, not now when she's finally gotten her wings alittle bit." "To hell with what she wanted! You are one of my father's best friends!How can you justify keeping him in the dark about this when you know thekind of danger she's in? By allowing it to continue, you've not onlyfailed my sister, but you failed me and most importantly you've failedthe faith that my parents have always placed in you." Turning hismurderous gaze on Evan, Simon continues frostily. "And if Ian is wise hewill avoid being in the same city block as me for a long time to come." "Now wait just a minute Simon!" Walking out on the terrace, Felicia'seyes snap in irritation. "You can be as angry as you want and even callus names, but the fact is that we honored Dominique's wishes. And theone thing that you do NOT have the right to insult is my husband'sintentions, or his honor. I will not stand here and let you questionour friendship with Kevin and Lucy! That was below the belt, Buster! Doyou remember what Dominique's middle name is? Mallory! After your uncleMac! We love all three of you kids as if you were our own. And we havebeen with your parents for more years than you can imagine. So questionour intelligence, our common sense, our detective abilities, but don'tyou EVER dare to presume to question our loyalties or our love!" Seeing the young man's jaw clench, Mac reaches out a hand and places iton Simon's shoulder. He clamps down hard when Simon attempts to jerkaway. "Whatever has got you so wound up, Simon, it's not this. Andwhoever you're really yelling at, isn't us. I know you're worried aboutDominique, we all are. But you need to take a deep breath, and a stepback." Looking at his feet, Simon is silent for a moment. "I'm sorry. You'reright. I don't know what I was saying." "You're worried about Dom." Felicia smiles gently. "That's what makesyou such a great brother." "Really? Dom told me this afternoon that I was a great brother because Iam such a push over." Simon grins ruefully. Looking steadily at Evan,Simon continues. "But I meant what I said about Ian." "I still don't understand what the hell goes on between you and Ian,Simon, but I'll warn him." Evan glances at his watch. "But right nowI've got to go, I'm picking Serena up at the airport." "From her trip to Algiers?" Simon asks. "Have her call Mom some timetonight. Mom's been worried about her." "Will do." Evan responds. "And don't worry about Dominique, with all ofus in her corner, we'll catch this guy." *~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~* The Carson Institute. Dominique swipes her access card through the mainsecurity door leading down into the center of the building. This is thepart she hadn't shown Ian on their last visit. No visitors are alloweddown here. This is the section for testing theories, and experiments,and generally putting into practice the chaos conceived upstairs.Everyone with access to this part of the building needs to pass arigorous security screening and background check. "Ms. Collins." theyoung security guard tips his hat to her. "Hey Larry. What's on the board for today?" "Simmons and Fitzroy are testing their newest version of a condensed,portable laser light." The guard checks the list of experiments to beconducted. "Then there's some new ammo that Gilmartin has been workingon. All in all, a slow day. Why? Do you have anything you want to run?There's a few time slots left. Or I can bump someone for you." "You're too sweet, Larry. No, I don't have any new toys to test today, Ijust came by to pick up some of my old notes and my laptop. Do I need tosign anything out?" "Not unless the laptop is Institute property." "It's mine." Dominique reassures him. "Thanks Larry." The steps leaddown a bit further and open up to what looks like an underground parkingstructure. Heavy machinery, and desks are practically side by side,automobiles, guns, computers, essentially it looks like the inside ofthe BatCave. Moving quickly on the concrete floor, Dom scurries over toher desk and begins to pull out a notebook, several diskettes, and abanged up, beaten laptop. Looking nervously around, she slips them intoher bag and makes for the stairs once more. "Night Larry." "Night, Ms. Collins!" *~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~* Destiny and Rick's. Destiny sits on the couch in a soft pair of jeansand a cut off tee shirt with her hair piled carelessly on top of herhead. Perched on her nose are a delicate looking pair of readingglasses. She is concentrating on her reading when the doorbell rings."I've got it!" She yells towards Rick's room. Opening the door she findsan older man, somewhere in his sixties. "I'm sorry, I must have the wrong house." The man apologizes. "I'mlooking for Patrick Onassis." "There's no one here by-" Thinking for a moment, Destiny realizes whothe man means. "Rick? Oh, he's right upstairs. Let me get him. Come onin." She motions Thaao in and offers him a seat. "Rick?" Destiny knocks on his door. "There's someone here to see you." "Who?" Rick comes out of his room in a pair of jeans and a pull overshirt. The two walk into the living room, and Rick can't believe what hesees. "Dad?" Thaao just holds out his arms. "Hello, son." The two men embrace firmly. "How did you find me?" "A little homework and a lot of luck." Thaao replies. "Now, are yougoing to introduce me to this lovely young woman?" He prompts. "Oh, I'm sorry. All manners just kind of went out the window." Destinyapologizes. "Allow me to introduce myself. I am Destiny Collins, Rick'sroommate." Destiny and Thaao shake hands. "Now gentlemen, if you'llexcuse me, I need to tend to my hothouse." Making a discreet exit, Shemakes for the side stair well up to her greenhouse. "You look well, Patrick." "My name isn't Patrick. It's Richard." Rick snaps, on edge. "Though Ihave found a compromise between the two. People call me Rick." Thaao glances nervously around the room. "I had what I was going to sayall planned out for this very moment. But now that I'm here, I'm at atotal loss." He confesses. "All I know, Patr... Richard, is that Ihaven't stopped loving you at your mother's announcement. I haven'tstopped worrying about your safety or your happiness. I may not be yourfather by law or by blood, but the past 26 years have made you mine inmy heart. The same is true for Billy. He worries about you too. And hemisses you." "I know that. I know all of that. What I can't get anyone to understandis that I don't really feel anything right now except numb, dazed, andshell shocked. I'm trying to deal with the fact that I'm not supposed tocall you "Dad" any more. And the fact that I have two brothers and asister I've never met before. The Cassadines are trying so hard to giveme what I want, and to tell the God's honest truth, I don't know what itis that I want." Rick begins to pace almost frantically. "If I can'tfind my own place, how can I tell people what their place in my lifeis?" "First thing, Son. You need to stop beating yourself up. This is noharder on anyone than it is on you. Take care of yourself." Thaaoadvises wisely. "And secondly. You're looking at this family stuff fromthe wrong perspective." "What do you mean?" Rick stops pacing. "Well you act as if there's not enough room in your life for BOTH yourfamilies. Like you can't love Billy and me *AND* the Cassadines. It'salright to still care about Billy and me. You aren't betraying yourbiological family. And I'll tell you what, Son. You're not betraying meby loving them." Thaao leans back against the edge of the sofa and takesa deep breath. "The only person doing any betraying was Miranda. And Iblame myself." "Why?" "Because I should have seen through her. I knew Miranda wasn't the womanI imagined when we first met. But I thought it was because of her past,that I could love her, and protect Billy, and somehow she would becomethe woman I'd imagined." "Is the fact that I was a Cassadine why she never loved me?" Rick holdsup a hand at Thaao's protest. "Don't tell me that she did in her ownway. I know better. A child knows when they are loved. She never lovedme." "I wasn't going to make excuses for her. God knows I can't. What I wasgoing to say was that I saw it. And I tried in my own inept sort of wayto make up for it. To give you twice as much love so you would neverfeel neglected." *~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~* The Firehouse. Dominique juggles her purse, her bag of groceries, andthe mail with her new security access card to open the front door. Onceshe sets the groceries and other parcels down on the dining room table,she returns to the door to secure it when she hears a pitiful cry."Meow." "What was that?" Opening the door, Dominique finds an exquisite silklined basket with a snow white kitten in it. It's big blue eyes studyDom quietly. "Oh boy, oh boy, oh boy, oh boy, oh boy. . .Breathe Dom. ..In. . . Out. . . You are NOT going to lose it, that's what this loserwants. Just keep it together." She mutters to herself. Dom reaches down and pick up the basket and brings the kitten inside."Well, hello there, Gorgeous." She croons picking up the now purringkitten. Then she notices the collar around it's neck. "These can't be. .. " She removes the collar and realizes that the sparkling jewelsstudded the collar are indeed diamonds. "Oh, my God." She breathesquietly. She hugs the kitten with one arm, while the other searches for theever-present note. "Dominique, Just a small token of my genuine esteem for you. I do hope that this kitten will steal your heart the way you have stolen mine. Devoutly Yours,N "Well at least this is better than before." Dom sighs, dialing Mac'soffice. *~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~* On the docks. A lone figure dressed in black jogging pants and expensivesneakers whizzes around every turn, each stride graceful and powerful atthe same time. He moves with the precision of a jungle cat, lopingsilently along. He takes the steps onto the launch two at a time. Hethen begins to run back up the stairs and suddenly collides with afeather light cloud of perfume and silk. "Oh, I'm so sorry, Miss. Let mehelp you up." Simon extends his hand to the fallen woman, who gratefullytakes it, trying to catch her breath. "Simon!" Lu flushes a deep red almost instantly. "I.. I didn't see you!I wasn't looking where I was going." "Neither was I." Simon lets out. He forces himself to let go of hersoft, warm hand. "I was running and I didn't notice you until it was toolate." They stand facing each other, shifting uncomfortably for severalminutes, neither knowing what to say to the other, until finally theybreak the silence at the same time. "Simon, I-" "Lu, I'm sorry." "No, Simon. I'm the one that should be apologizing. I wasn't thinkingclearly last night, I had too much to drink, and I goaded you. It wasjuvenile, and I'm sorry." Her eyes plead with his for understanding. "Ireally value your friendship Simon and I don't want to lose it. Not whenI've come to depend on it." "Then we don't have to worry about anything, Lu." Simon reassures herkindly. "I was out of line too. I don't normally act like such aNeanderthal." "So I'm sorry, and you're sorry. What now?" Lu asks brightly, feelingmore relaxed. "Shall we start over?" Simon offers his hand. "Hello, I'm SimonCollins." "And I'm Lu Hornsby." They shake hands, lingering a second longer thannecessary, before pulling away.~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~
