Dream a Little Dream

Chapter 45

“A-ha! Here it is!”

Rachel Adair triumphantly plucked her bathing suit out of a back corner of a dresser drawer. She had been rooting in closets, boxes and drawers for the last hour looking for it, as she had to leave soon for the Quartermaines' Labor Day cookout.

She felt honored being invited to the home of the chief of staff after being at General Hospital less than two months. Lainey Winters was also invited, and would be calling for Rachel shortly. The two had struck up a fast friendship, as they were close to the same age and both new to GH.

But it wasn't Lainey's company that had Rachel smiling as she dressed that sunny morning. Nor was it being in with the chief of staff and the patriarch of one of the most prominent families on the East Coast. It was what she had overheard Tuesday in the cafeteria at General Hospital. Robin Scorpio and Karen Wexler were talking about the cookout as she came in for lunch, and Rachel heard Robin say that Lucky Spencer was among the guests. Immediately after lunch, she made an appointment for a manicure, pedicure, haircut and bikini wax for that weekend.

Rachel hummed a tune as she stood before her bathroom mirror, brushing her blond hair until it shone. Her only makeup was a bit of waterproof mascara and some lightly tinted lip gloss, so she could swim without worry. She wore her bathing suit under a zip-front pink hoodie and khakis. A bra and panties were in her large purse, so she could change when done with swimming, along with a comb and elastic to pull her wet hair back. One last look in the mirror – everything was just right. Here I come, Lucky, ready or not, she thought with a smile. Then she left the apartment to wait out front for Lainey.

* * *

Patrick Drake had to work to hide his scowl. It was a glorious holiday out, and he and the other interns were all working a 16-hour shift in the General Hospital Emergency Room. Guess this is what our advisers in med school meant about being low man on the totem pole, he thought.

His aggravation had increased when bringing a patient to the Stone Cates Wing, he discovered that the wing's chief, Robin Scorpio, had taken the day off to attend the Quartermaines' cookout. Guess being Teacher's Pet comes in handy, he thought. Every time she saw him, she was so sweetly condescending it made him want to tell her to bugger off. But he held off, knowing it would get him in hot water with his superiors.

That delicate prettiness hid a pretty cold fish, in Patrick's view. And there were other fish to fry, namely some pretty young nurses and interns who had been giving him definite signals. Just then, one of those nurses passed.

“Hello, Doctor,” she said.

“Hello, Nurse,” Patrick replied with a lazy smile. She bit.

“How's it going in the ER?” she asked.

“Pretty slow, so far,” he said. “I'm just starting my break.”

“Me, too,” she said, looking up at him expectantly.

“Care to join me?”

“I'd love to.”

Patrick walked down the hall and onto the elevator with her.

“Where are we going?” she asked coyly.

“Someplace quiet,” he said, as the elevator stopped on the fifth floor. They walked out and Patrick led the way to the supply closet. Chris Ramsey's eyes followed them, a smirk on his face.

“It's lunchtime, so no one will bother us,” Patrick said as he closed the door. The nurse gave a sly half-smile.

“Just what we want,” she breathed, as she pressed against him. Patrick's arms encircled her and they kissed deeply, knowing their time was limited. His hands were quickly under her shirt, and she was almost immediately panting at his touch. She returned the favor, sliding a deft hand under his scrub pants as she kissed his neck. She's good, Patrick thought, as he tried not to let his knees buckle.

* * *

“Is the food all ready?” Alan Quartermaine asked as Monica walked out of the dining room into the main hall.

“Cook isn't unusually rude, so I think so,” Monica said with a grin. “His smoking all that meat the past few days has had me constantly hungry.”

“Me, too,” Alan said with a laugh. They were both casually dressed, Monica in brown linen cropped pants and a brown and tan checked linen tank. Alan wore khakis with a navy blue Lacoste polo shirt, a woven navy blue belt embroidered with little red whales, and docksiders without socks. They alone would greet the guests, as the cookout was a casual affair.

Tracy was overseeing the bar setup outside, and hounding the staff to make sure everything was just right. AJ and Carly were upstairs taking a nap with Morgan, and Michael was napping in his own room. Emily was putting the finishing touches on her toilette, making sure the emerald green one-piece bathing suit was elegant enough. She put on a tiered skirt in various matching green prints, tied her hair back in a green scarf, and smiled at the result. Nikolas will love it – it's ladylike but still a bit sexy with the low back. Jason was surfing the Internet in his room, reading about Sam McCall's hometown area in Florida, so they would have something to talk about besides work. He was very grateful for her help, and the friendship she offered.

Ned and Brooke Lynn arrived from the cottage, followed by Justus. They all went out onto the patio and got drinks – gin and tonic for Ned, Sprite for Brooke and a rum and coke for Justus.

“Should we do a bet on the disaster this time?” Justus asked Ned as Brooke sat away from them at the edge of the pool, cooling her feet in the water.

Ned laughed and sat on a chaise in the shade.

“The daytime parties are usually pretty tame, so I think I'll bow out,” he said. “Besides, I don't want to risk inviting any worse disaster than the last one.”

“True that,” Justus said wryly.

* * *

The guests began trickling in shortly thereafter. The rest of the family had come down, and was scattered around. Michael and some young friends were running around in the field past the pool. Carly sat poolside as AJ played with Morgan in the pool. Brooke had stripped down to her leopard print bikini and was sunning on a chaise. Emily sat on a low stone wall near the garden, knowing it would make a pretty picture when Nikolas saw her. Jason and Justus sat nearby at a small bistro table. Tracy sat in the cool living room, sipping a vodka and soda with lime.

Dillon and Georgie arrived, followed by Mac, Felicia and Maxie. Nikolas came, and Emily was rewarded with a gaze of adoration as she sat with the last of Lila's roses as her backdrop.

Soon, the cookout was in full swing. Alan and Monica were walking into the entry hall laughing after overhearing Stefan Cassadine and Cook bantering in the kitchen over barbecue techniques when the front door opened and Laura, Lucky, Lulu, Coleman and the Johnsons arrived.

“Hello, there!” Alan said. Laura smiled brightly. “Hi!” she said, kissing both of them. “Isn't it beautiful today?”

“It sure is,” Alan said. “Epiphany, it's good to see you. This is your family?”

“Yes, Dr. Quartermaine,” Epiphany said, then the introductions began. Just then, Tracy walked into the hall.

“Hello, Laura,” Tracy said. “I see you brought ...” she stopped as she realized just who was with the Spencers. “...Coleman,” she finished, trying to hide the surprise.

“Hi, Partner,” Coleman said, doing his best to cover with a grin and reference to their dancing together at the Nurses' Ball. Nice save, Tracy thought. She smiled and laughed.

“Hi, Partner,” she replied, then turned to the Johnsons, extending her hand to Wayne. “Hello, I'm Tracy Quartermaine, Dillon's mother.”

The introductions began again. Tracy shook their hands cordially.

“I am so sorry about your home,” Tracy said sincerely. “New Orleans is a lovely city.”

“Thank you,” Celeste said. She held out a large piece of Tupperware to Monica. “This is for you, a small thank-you for inviting us.”

“It's her gumbo,” Lulu said. “It's really good.”

Alan, Tracy and Monica all had a vision of Cook's reaction to someone else's food being brought into his kitchen. Monica reached out and accepted the dish.

“I'll bring this into the kitchen,” she said. “Thank you so much.” She didn't let her lips even twitch until she was safely in the dining room. Alan and Tracy's eyes met in mirthful sparkle.

“Come,” she said to the Johnsons. “I'll show you out onto the patio. Lucky and Lulu, a lot of your friends are here already.”

As they walked out of the entry, Laura turned and looked at Alan with a raised eyebrow. Tracy, charming? Alan gave her a wide-eyed shrug. Who could ever figure Tracy out?

* * *

Jeremy Logan delivered a cold drink to his aunt Audrey Hardy as she sat in a shaded area with several older women, including Gail Baldwin and Amanda Barrington.

“You run along, young man,” Audrey playfully commanded him. “We want some girl talk and you're in our way.”

“Yes, ma'am,” Jeremy answered with a grin, then left to mingle with the younger crowd. Audrey watched him go, smiling gently.

“He's such a good young man,” Amanda Barrington said. “Anne did well with him.”

“Yes, she did,” Gail said. “How is Jeremy doing being back here in Port Charles, Audrey? It must be a change for him.”

Audrey turned back to her friends.

“It is,” she said. “But he's happy about it. This is the first time he's ever lived somewhere with so much of his family around. He was pretty isolated the last few years when Anne was sick, and he wasn't very social before that. It'll be good for him to be with family closer to his own age, like Steven and Elizabeth, and their friends. He needs more play and a little less work.”

“And maybe he'll meet a nice girl,” Amanda Barrington said. Gail saw a shadow flicker across Audrey's face.

“What is it?” she asked. Audrey sighed.

“That's what I worry about,” Audrey said. “He's become really chummy with that Courtney Matthews.”

Amanda clucked in dismay as gentle Audrey practically spat out Courtney's name. Gail squeezed her hand. Audrey gave a shaky laugh and shook her head.

“Oh, I know I shouldn't worry,” Audrey said. “Jeremy's not stupid – he knows her history. And I don't think she's as horrible as some people think. But she's so ... so ...”

“Crass,” Amanda said bluntly. Audrey blushed a little.

“I hate to use that word, but, yes,” she said. “I worry she'll scare away friends and, as you put it, nice girls for him.”

“Don't worry,” Gail said. “He's a smart young man. He can handle far more formidable people than Courtney Matthews.”

Audrey smiled in gratitude, and sent up a silent prayer that Gail was right.

* * *

Maxie Jones and Brooke Lynn Ashton were helping themselves to some soda when Lulu, Lucky and Stan arrived.

Brooke let out a low whistle.

“Hel-lo!” she said softly. “That must be Lucky's friend from New Orleans.”

“Oh, yeah,” Maxie said. “My mom told me about them. I'd sure like to see his andouille.”

“Maxie!” Brooke whispered, giggling.

Maxie smiled and took a sip of her soda. When things settle down, she thought, it might be time for some “southern comfort.”

* * *

From her seat on a chaise, Rachel saw Lucky walk over towards the pool. Her eyes lit up behind the large sunglasses she was wearing.

“There he is,” she said in a low voice to Lainey Winters in the chaise beside hers. Lainey quickly glanced over.

“He's looking good today,” she said. Then she saw Lucky take off his shirt. “Keep a hold of yourself.”

Rachel laughed. “I'm fine,” she said. “I'll go talk with him later. Or maybe let him come to me. I won't sit here with my tongue hanging out.”

“Good move,” Lainey said.

“How about you?” Rachel asked. “Have you seen anyone interesting?”

Lainey shrugged. “Not yet,” she said. “I've had so much going on, I don't know if I have time right now to see someone.”

“If he's worth it, you'll find time,” Rachel said.

* * *

Sam McCall arrived with Robin Scorpio, as she'd ridden over with Robin and Robin's mother, Anna Devane. Robin and Sam were hailed by Elizabeth Webber, Mary Bishop, Gia Campbell and Karen Wexler when they arrived.

Alexis Davis sat with Anna just outside the garden. Alexis watched her daughter, Kristina, run around with some of the other children.

“So it's a girl's day out?” Anna asked.

“Cameron and Zander wouldn't come ... for obvious reasons,” Alexis said. “They're spending the day together fishing.”

“How's Zander doing?”

“Doing okay,” Alexis said. “He's not completely over what happened, but he'll be all right. Even if he doesn't see it yet.”

“It's got to be hard for you, being in the middle,” Anna observed.

“It is,” Alexis said. “I generally see Nikolas elsewhere – Wyndemere, or Cassadine International offices, or for lunch. It's easier, because I never know when Zander will be at the house. And Cameron's son trumps my nephew in that regard.”

“How is Nikolas with all this?”

“I think the consequences were harder than he thought they were going to be,” Alexis said. “Zander was one of his few real friends, and that bridge is burned. I hope Emily's worth it. So, where is my brother?”

Anna laughed.

“Last I saw, he was 'conferring' with Cook over by the grills,” she said.

“Stefan does love to live dangerously,” Alexis said wryly.

* * *

From their shaded seat, Epiphany, Wayne and Celeste watched Stan and Lucky with the other young folks.

“I'm so glad Stan is out with some people his own age,” Epiphany said. “Takes his mind off his worries for a while.”

“Lucky said he really hit it off with everyone the other night,” Coleman said.

“Some ... pretty young ladies ... there, too,” Wayne said with a grin. Celeste rolled her eyes.

“Let him get settled and find a job, first,” Celeste said.

“Can I get anyone a drink?” Coleman offered. Soon, he was over at the bar. Tracy was there alone.

“Hi,” he said, pouring a club soda for Wayne. Tracy shot a quick glare at him.

“You could have given me a little warning!” Tracy hissed.

“I didn't know I was gonna be here until a few hours ago!” Coleman protested in a whisper. “Laura came by and asked me to come help with Wayne. Ever try saying 'no' to her when she turns those big blue Angel of Mercy eyes on?”

Tracy smirked. “I'm old and mean, haven't you heard?” she said. “They don't work on me.”

“You aren't either,” Coleman said saucily. “At least not old, anyway.”

“You know how to get on my good side,” Tracy replied. “Come on, let's bring them their drinks.”

* * *

Lucas Jones watched his cousin Georgie make eyes at Dillon as he brought her a soda. He felt like a rat, begrudging their happiness. But they could make goo-goo eyes and kissy faces whenever and wherever without fear, something Lucas and his new boyfriend Brandon would never know.

He sighed and shook his head slightly. Lucas hated how being gay was such a factor in every facet of his life. His straight friends and family wore their orientation with unconscious ease. Lucas wondered if he'd ever feel anything like that.

Bobbie Spencer watched her son as she sat with Jerry and Jax. Jerry noticed the worry in her eyes.

“What is it?”

“Something's bothering him,” Bobbie said.

“Mother's intuition?” Jax asked.

“I've seen that look on his face a lot lately,” Bobbie said. “I wish I knew what was going on.”

“He's probably nervous about starting college,” Jax said complacently. Jerry nodded.

“You're probably right,” he said. “It's a big change, even when you're staying in your hometown.”

Bobbie saw Lucas get up abruptly and walk away towards the path to the boathouse. He was alone, looking down, hands jammed into his shorts pockets.

“I should go talk to him ...” Bobbie said. Jerry reached out and gently touched her arm.

“I don't think that's a good idea,” he said. “He looks like he wants to be alone.”

Bobbie flared up.

“What do you know? You don't have kids!” she shot back.

“No, but I was an 18-year-old boy once, something you weren't,” Jerry retorted. “As much as he may love you, you can't always rush in. He would probably feel smothered, and resent that. And any chance you had of him reaching out to you is gone. Keep yourself open, and he'll come to you. Come on, Bobbie. This is part of the letting go you have to do.”

Bobbie sat back in her chair. She knew Jerry was right. Trying to talk with Lucas now would be fruitless. But she knew there was something going on that didn't feel right. With a sigh, she turned her attention back to Jerry and Jax.

* * *

Stan was helping himself to a soda when TJ Hardy approached him.

“Hey, Stan!” TJ said. “Glad you could make it.”

“Hey, TJ,” Stan said. “How are things?”

“Good,” he said. “Got here with my grandmother a little while ago. Come on, I want you to meet one of my cousins.”

TJ led Stan over to where Jeremy was sitting with Justus and Ned, and made the introductions.

“Ned, you know Stan,” he said. “This is Ned's cousin, Justus Ward.” Justus extended his hand. Stan covered any surprise, as he thought Justus would be TJ's cousin.

“And this is my cousin Jeremy,” TJ said. Jeremy and Stan shook hands. “Stan's a CS grad from Tulane,” TJ said as an ice-breaker.

“Oh, yeah?” Jeremy said. Soon, the two were off in a world of their own. TJ rolled his eyes at Ned and Justus, and went to find Georgie.

Ned looked at Justus. “It's all geek to me,” he quipped. Justus groaned at the pun. They turned their attention towards the pool.

“Who's the girl in the hot pink suit?” Ned asked.

“Oh, that's Lainey Winters,” Justus said. “She's a shrink over at GH, started a few months ago. The blonde next to her is Rachel Adair – she works with Robin in the Stone Cates Wing. I met them at the Nurses' Ball.”

“Hm,” Ned said. “Cute.”

* * *

“So, how was it?” Robin asked Brenda as they walked through Lila's garden.

“It was good,” Brenda said, with a soft smile that made her even more beautiful than she was in her best modeling photos.

“Well, tell me,” Robin said. Brenda sat down on a stone wall; Robin sat next to her.

“It wasn't anything earth-shattering,” Brenda said. “We weren't looking for that. But he recognized us and seemed to like us.”

Robin squeezed Brenda's arm. “That's so awesome,” she said.

“It was a good day,” Brenda said. “I made friends with a little girl who worked the lemonade stand with me. It was good because I wasn't totally fixated on Benito.”

Brenda told Robin about Rebecca.

“She sounds really nice,” Robin said.

“She is,” Brenda said. “I think I'll volunteer there after the adoption goes through ... if it goes through ... don't want to jinx anything.”

* * *

After a game of pool volleyball, Lucky looked around for Sam, trying to keep his glances casual. He didn't see her anywhere – not in the pool, by the pool with the girls, or near the food.

He looked over to see Stan engrossed in conversation with Jeremy. Lucky was good at computers, but knew that conversation would be miles over his head. But no sign of Sam. Maybe she went inside, Lucky thought. He climbed out of the pool and dried off, then went to find a cold drink.

Meanwhile, Sam was walking with Jason down by the boathouse. He'd given her a tour of the grounds, and they walked along the river banks for a while before turning back to the party. He'd told her some of the bare facts of his life, while she told him about her childhood and Danny.

“We spent yesterday at the Ward House picnic,” she said.

“Oh, yeah?” Jason said. “I hear it's really grown. Mary Mae would be proud.”

“How well did you know her?” Sam asked.

Jason laughed. “It was a big scandal for us Quartermaines,” he said, then went on to tell her of Edward's affair with Mary Mae, the secret of Bradley's parentage and the mystery of his death, and the revelations at Edward's trial many years later.

“Wow!” Sam said, wide-eyed. “I knew Justus was related to you, but I wasn't sure how. How did your grandmother handle it?”

“Like the gallant heroine she always was,” Jason said. “Oh, she made Grandfather suffer. She wasn't a saint. But eventually she forgave him and welcomed Justus into the family. Dad told me that she remembered Justus in her will with some Quartermaine jewelry for Justus to pass down to his children someday.”

“I met some of the Wards yesterday,” Sam said. “Mrs. Ward's granddaughter, Keesha, was there, and some of the sisters...”

Sam was idly looking at the water as she spoke and didn't see Jason's face go white at the mention of Keesha's name. She had written him a long letter soon after he had been released from the hospital, but her kind words and sadness over the past meant little to him. He remembered their love, and mourned it as something else he'd lost, but couldn't imagine where she'd fit into his new life. Still, it hurt that she was in town and didn't even come over. Maybe it was for the best, he thought. He turned his attention back to Sam.

“They're a nice family,” he said blandly.

“The group home has been amazing for Danny,” Sam said. “He's just flourished here. It's been worth everything I've had to give up to see him doing so well.”

They walked back towards the house, the conversation turning lighter. Lucky, fresh from getting a refill on his beer, saw them from a distance and noticed them laughing and being very chummy. His heart sank. How could I ever compete against someone like Jason? Lucky wondered

“Hi, Lucky.”

Lucky turned to see Rachel Adair on the chaise next to him. Her hair looked like sunshine; her skin glowed.

“Hi, Rachel,” he said. “You look comfortable.”

“I feel it,” she said, stretching lazily and arching her back just a bit. “What a beautiful day to lounge by a pool. I think I'll be ready for a dip soon. I could do with getting wet. How about you?”

“Sounds good to me,” Lucky said, with the sly smile that always made women want to be in on his mischief.

Sam and Jason were just getting back to the pool. Sam looked over and saw Lucky smiling down at the gorgeous Rachel. How can I ever compete against someone like her? Sam wondered.

* * *

The thrill of the forbidden coursed through Patrick's veins like a drug as he and the nurse continued to kiss and grope each other in the supply closet. So excited were they that they didn't hear the door open, or see the light turn on.

“A-hem!”

Patrick and the nurse jumped apart as if hit with an electric shock. The nurse felt her heart leap into her suddenly dry mouth. Patrick saw his short tenure at GH flash before his eyes.

“Well, what have we here?” Dr. Chris Ramsey asked sarcastically, his eyes sparkling with mirth. “You work fast, Doctor.”

Patrick felt his stomach flip-flop. But he wasn't going to let Ramsey see it. He turned and looked flatly at his superior.

“I think you'd better get back to your station, nurse,” Chris said in a gentler tone. “And I suggest you stay out of the supply closets for the foreseeable future. Bobbie Spencer won't take kindly to this sort of stuff on the job.”

“Yes, Doctor,” the nurse whispered, and left with alacrity. Chris watched her go, then took a deep breath, turned back towards Patrick, and folded his arms sternly.

“You have a lot to learn, Dr. Drake,” Chris said.

“Yes, Doctor,” Patrick said, refusing to grovel.

“And the first thing you need to learn is ... not to hook up in one of the busiest supply closets in the hospital,” Chris said. “Come, Padawan, I have much to teach.”

Chris led a puzzled Patrick out of the supply room and to the elevator. Once in the elevator, Chris hit the button for the basement.

“I don't know if you ever noticed this, but the ground slopes on two sides of the building and exposes the basement,” Chris said as the doors opened again. “The far side over there by the Emergency Room and main entrances is the loading dock for trucks.

“This area over here is more storage,” Chris continued. “There's a loading dock on this side, but the alley is old and narrow, and it opens on a narrower alley that even an SUV couldn't get through. So it's never used anymore. Security only comes down around this end once or twice a day to check the loading dock for anyone violating the ban on smoking on hospital grounds. Since the ban went into effect, it's pretty dead down here.”

Patrick looked around him. “How did you know about it?” he asked.

“They were upgrading the loading dock during my internship,” he said. “I kept my eye on things, and made sure I had a copy of the key for a supply closet back here. There's not much traffic back on this side, but make sure you're discreet. There are some nurses who live to gossip – Amy Vining leading the pack. Believe me, she watches all the interns and she's watching you especially.”

“Me?”

“Amy knew your father when he worked here,” Chris explained. “She's not gossiping about it because I heard Lesley Webber brought the hammer down on her pretty hard. Lesley's protective of her interns. Also, your dad's ex, Bobbie Spencer, is about to be Amy's boss. So Amy's pretty well squelched. But all bets are off if you get caught by someone besides me, so watch your step. Don't ever come down here straight from the lobby, either by the elevator or the stairs. If you can, use the supply elevator over here.”

Patrick nodded. He'd valiantly not winced at Chris' casual references to Noah's life here.

“Thanks, Dr. Ramsey,” he said. “Why are you doing this? You could've busted me good.”

Chris laughed.

“Nah,” he said. “As long as whatever you're doing is consensual and legal, and doesn't interfere with taking care of the patients, I really don't care. But if you ever veer into sexual harassment or something that leave the hospital legally vulnerable, I will turn you in.”

“Got it,” Patrick said. “Thanks again.”

* * *

Jeremy was finding Stan a knowledgeable young man. Stan's stories of building his own home computer interested the computer whiz. While the businessman in Jeremy wasn't keen on open-source software, Stan's knowledge and use of it was impressive.

He excused himself when TJ came around so he could use the bathroom then get some more of Cook's pulled pork. After using the bathroom, he decided to take a shortcut through the family room to get to the patio where the food was. He stopped in the family room for a moment to look at an old photo on one of the built-in bookshelves of his great-uncle, Steve Hardy, reading the Christmas story to the children at General Hospital. Audrey and Anne, Jeremy's late mother, were in the background. Their features were blurred, as Steve was the focus of the shot. But it didn't matter – Jeremy knew them.

With a half-sweet, half-sad smile, Jeremy looked away and examined the other photos on the shelves. Edward and Lila, sitting on the terrace together cooing over a newborn Morgan. AJ carrying a preschool-aged Michael on his shoulders as Carly looked on laughing. A triumphantly beaming Emily, in her cap and gown, flanked by Alan and Monica on her graduation day at Stanford. Jason ten years ago with cheesy '90s hair and ... were those reindeer on his sweater? Lila's relative Chloe Morgan sitting on the boathouse dock sketching just months before her murder. Monica standing on the balcony off hers and Alan's bedroom in the Palm Beach house, looking out over the water as the early-morning light turned her hair to spun gold. A college-aged Alan in Rome on his Grand Tour. The engagement portrait of Skye and Lorenzo. Ned and Brooke playing guitar together. Justus and Mary Mae – what a woman Lila was, letting her husband's lover's photo be displayed. Monica and her daughter Dawn sitting together in the parlor. Tracy and Dillon at Christmas looking affectionate and antagonistic at the same time.

A shrill laugh drew him back to the present. Carly was outside talking with Brenda and Robin. He heard his name mentioned.

“I'm glad he moved back here,” Robin said. “I know Audrey loves the company.”

Jeremy ducked behind the curtained French door to listen unseen.

“He needs some company,” Brenda said. “I don't imagine he knows too many people his age.”

Carly made a face. “Unfortunately, he did meet someone,” she said sourly. “Courtney bleepin' Matthews.”

“Oh, great,” Brenda said. She knew of Courtney's play for Jax years ago, and was not forgiving.

“I'm just glad he didn't bring her with him today,” Carly said. “Could you imagine? I won't believe he doesn't see through her. I mean, how much worse can you get than trying to worm your way into a rich guy's life?”

Jeremy's cheeks flamed. He knew Courtney, and knew her past, but felt this was unfair. He stepped out behind the door and onto the patio.

“No worse than using a child to do so,” he said crisply and walked away. Carly's face turned purple with embarrassment and anger. Robin and Brenda gaped. Without a word, Carly stomped away towards the garden.

“Yikes,” Robin said. “He sure hit a nerve.”

“Let's steer clear of her until she calms down,” Brenda said. “I don't feel like being her punching bag right now.”

* * *

Jeremy got back to his seat. “Where's Stan?” he asked TJ.

“He went to check on his grandparents,” TJ said. “You know their situation, right?”

“He's a friend of Lucky's, that much I know,” Jeremy said. TJ filled him in on their fleeing New Orleans and losing their home.

“Whoa,” Jeremy said. “What are they going to do?”

“Stay on here for a while until they figure out what to do,” TJ said. “Stan's mom will start at GH as a nurse in the next few weeks. And Stan'll start looking for work now.”

An idea jumped into Jeremy's head. But he said nothing, as he wanted time to think it over.

He felt guilty for hurting Carly. But he felt he had to stick up for Courtney. Why? Jeremy honestly didn't know. Courtney wasn't there, no one was going to tell her about Carly's remarks. Maybe it was the rooting-for-the-underdog mentality his mother had given him. It couldn't be anything else ... could it?

* * *

Tracy had left Coleman, Laura and the Johnsons a while ago. She couldn't sit solely with them, as her family was hosting the party. She had to mingle, as boring as it was to get pulled into conversations about children and charity events.

Seeing Coleman so near, his shirt undone by one extra button, that luscious mane of hair fluffed by occasional breezes, had her disconcertingly excited. She wanted him, and soon.

After disengaging from Amanda Barrington, Tracy walked restlessly into the house to cool off in the air conditioning and get away from all the chatter. And to get Coleman out of her sight lines.

No luck. She was in the foyer when she sensed him behind her. She turned.

“You looked like you could use some company,” he said in a low voice that thrilled her.

“I could,” she said. “But where?”

Coleman glanced around quickly, and quietly shut the parlor doors. He then strode across the foyer to the front closet, empty thanks to the winter coats still in storage.

“Here,” he said, an urgency in his voice that Tracy had to heed. She silently took his outstretched hand.

* * *

Carly stormed through the garden, and walked as far away as she could from everyone without going into the woods. Her cheeks felt like they'd been slapped. How dare Jeremy compare her to Courtney Matthews! Carly thought. Did other people think that?

Carly felt everything was unsettled, just as she had when Jason came out of the coma. If other people looked at me the way Jeremy did today, she wondered, would AJ do it someday? Or had he always?

She sat down in the tall grass to compose herself out of sight of everyone. But from where she sat, she could see some of the party. She could see Jeremy talking with his cousin TJ, and she looked quickly away.

She saw Jason sitting by the pool with some dark-haired girl. Oh, lord, she thought, is it that rescue squad chick Lucky works with? Carly made a sour face as she remembered Sam's brusque ways. Jason couldn't be interested in her ... could he?

She saw AJ and Michael running around behind the pool area. AJ, as always, looked to the manor born. So did Michael. Where did that leave her if other people looked down on her for her ancient history?

She saw her mother having a ball with that Jerry Jacks. Her father, John Durant, had not come. He'd been invited to a weekend party with several government bigwigs somewhere on the Chesapeake.

That wasn't right to Carly. Her dad should be here. With Bobbie. She didn't have anything personal against Jerry, but he wasn't right for her mom. And after all those years of longing for her parents, their not being together made everything ... incomplete.

She was deep in her dark thoughts that she didn't hear footsteps nearby.

“Hey, Sis,” Lucas said. Carly jumped up.

“You scared me!” she gasped at her half-brother.

“Sorry,” Lucas said. “What are you doing up here?”

“Needed to get away,” Carly said evasively. She nodded towards Bobbie. “I'm worried about her.”

Lucas furrowed his brow. “Why?” he asked.

“This Jerry guy,” Carly said.

“What's wrong with him? He's real nice to Mom. He makes her laugh, and there's not a lot of drama.”

“There's more to a relationship than laughing,” Carly said in her most condescending big-sister voice.

“Maybe that's what she wants right now,” Lucas said mildly, trying not to rise to the bait. The last thing he needed today was to fight with Carly.

“That sounds like something someone on Sex and the City would say,” Carly snapped. “Mom's not getting any younger. She needs someone steady in her life, who'll stand by her when they're old and gray, someone who understands where she's come from.”

“Anyone in mind?” Lucas asked. Carly tossed her head.

“My dad,” she said. Lucas snorted.

“What?” she demanded. “He's known her for so long. He's steady and respectable. Besides, they share a child in common.”

Lucas snorted again.

“And all of that meant squat when it was my dad she was with,” he said. “It's still all about you, Carly, isn't it? As it was in the beginning, is now and ever shall be. Narcissism without end, amen.”

Carly glared as Lucas strode away in annoyance. She was about to flop back down in the grass again before Michael saw her and ran her way. Carly took a deep breath and tried to put a more placid expression on her face.

* * *

Returning from the bathroom, Laura saw fatigue in Wayne's face. She knew it was time for them to get home.

“I think so, too,” Epiphany said when Laura whispered her observations.

Alan and Monica saw Laura and Epiphany gathering bags and paraphernalia.

“Leaving already?” Alan asked.

“Yes,” Laura said, with a quick nod and glance over at Epiphany's parents. Alan and Monica took the hint.

“Thanks so much for coming, all of you,” Monica said.

The group began walking towards the house.

“And let me know if we can help in any way with the licensing exam,” Alan said. “I'm sure we could rustle up a nurse to let you know what to expect.”

CRASH! THUD!

“What on Earth?!” Monica demanded.

“It came from inside!” Alan said, pulling Monica through the parlor, Ned and Justus at their heels, Dillon, Georgie, Brooke and Jason trailing. Laura looked at Epiphany and shrugged. “Who knows with the Quartermaines?” she said lightly. Then she heard Alan's voice.

“What the --?!”

“What could have happened?” Laura wondered to Nikolas as he and Emily approached. She followed them inside. Epiphany, Wayne and Celeste followed, curious.

Laura found herself standing behind Stefan. “What is it?” she asked as she stood on tiptoe to see over his shoulder. Her eyes went round.

“Oh, my ...” she whispered. That was all she would allow herself to say. Epiphany stood next to her and gawked. On Laura's other side, Lucy Coe squeezed her hand in shared silent amusement. Emily and Nikolas edged closer to the Quartermaines, who were gathered on the edge of the foyer, staring at a half-dressed Tracy and Coleman on the floor, a broken closet door behind them.

Alan's face was frozen in shock. Ditto for Ned and Dillon. Justus kept his head, and offered his hand to Tracy so she could get up.

“Thank you,” she said, pulling what shreds of dignity she could from the situation around her as she seemingly casually closed the front clasp of her bra and tied her teal linen wrap top. Coleman, his shirt entirely unbuttoned, stood up and got behind Tracy to zip his pants.

Dead silence for a moment and then ...

“Tracy!” Alan cried.

“Mother!” Dillon and Ned cried.

“Guess I'm off the hook,” Emily said gaily.

“Considering I don't have a Zander, don't count on that, toots,” Tracy snapped.

“Mom, how could you ... in the middle of the party?!” Dillon demanded.

“Coleman, this is a family home, not your old bar,” Ned began.

“Don't say another word!” Tracy snapped at her firstborn as she jumped to Coleman's defense.

“She's right, it takes two to tango,” AJ said. “Or, whatever you want to call this.”

“Shut up, AJ!” Tracy, Ned and Dillon snapped.

“How long has this been going on?” Alan asked.

“Since earlier this year,” Tracy said, tossing her auburn bob in bravado.

“And you didn't tell us because ...” Ned asked.

“Because it was none of your business,” Tracy snapped. “You've made it abundantly clear that my input on your relationships isn't welcome, I'd appreciate the reciprocation.”

An awkward moment's silence followed. No one was sure if they should stay or go. Coleman decided to nudge everyone away from the situation.

“I better go take care of Mr. Johnson,” he said in a low voice.

“I thought that's what you were doing in there,” a smirking Carly said with a nod towards the closet.

“Shut up, Carly!” Alan, Ned and Dillon barked.

That was too much for Monica. She blindly grabbed Emily's hand and quietly led her through the dining room, then through the kitchen and into the large walk-in pantry. Monica shut the door behind them as their first shriek of laughter escaped. Ten minutes later, they stopped, breathless and tear-streaked.

The guests were well-trained. They dispersed outdoors. Tracy pushed Coleman towards the patio. “Go on,” she said. “I want to handle this myself.”

“Are you sure?” Coleman asked, smoothing the backside of her black cropped pants in a familiar way that made Ned and Dillon wince. Tracy turned to him and faintly smiled.

“I'm sure,” she said firmly. Coleman left. Tracy turned to Alan with a smirk.

“Go ahead,” she said mockingly. “Take your best shot.”

“What the hell has gotten into you?!” Ned demanded. “To carry on like this at our party is one thing. To carry on like this at our party with someone like Coleman --?!”

Tracy straightened up, her eyes blazing.

“Choose your next words carefully, they may be your last,” she hissed.

“It's not that we have anything against him personally, Mom,” Dillon jumped in to save his brother's hide. “But, well ... koo koo ka choo, Mrs. Robinson, you know?”

“My grandma's a cougar,” Brooke sighed.

“A what?!” Alan demanded.

“An old rich lady who goes after younger studs,” Brooke explained.

“I think I'll be re-writing my will tomorrow,” Tracy said, looking pointedly at Brooke.

* * *

“This is what we told you about,” Gia said to Sam. “The famous Quartermaine party disaster.”

The girls laughed until their sides hurt.

“Poor Coleman,” Robin said, wiping her eyes. “Does he have any idea what he's gotten himself into?”

“You mean with Tracy or the family?” Jason asked, his eyes twinkling.

“Both!” Karen said.

Meanwhile, Coleman was driving Laura, Celeste and Wayne back to the apartments over Vagabond. Celeste sat silently in the back seat, shock and disapproval on her face. Wayne was silent also, but more amused. Laura sat in the passenger seat, looking straight ahead.

“You're going to tell Luke about this the minute you get home,” Coleman said. It was not a question.

Laura turned to him, a sweetly sympathetic smile in conflict with the unholy mirth shining in her eyes.

“Every hilarious detail,” she said. “Come on, Coleman. You know he's going to find out about it.”

Coleman shrugged. “Yeah, you're right.”

“I'm surprised at you, Coleman!” Celeste said. “That's no way for a gentleman to act! And I thought Ms. Quartermaine was more of a lady!”

“She is, very much, a lady” Coleman said in a low, meaningful voice. While he was fond of Celeste, he would not let Tracy be disparaged.

“She's quite ... a spitfire,” Wayne said. “I ... like spitfires.”

“You're not helping!” Celeste said.

Oh, yes he is, Coleman thought.