Posted by Kim on 1/20/2002, 8:58 am "I don't know how you roped me into spending a dull evening with you here tonight Grace," Chris sulked as he sipped on a beer. " I could show you a much better time at my apartment." Frowning, Grace thought that the last place in earth she'd want to be was in Chris' apartment. There was not enough liquor in Port Charles that would make Chris' suggestion appealing to her. She assured him, "Chris, take it from me, you aren't going to want to miss the fireworks later tonight." "Yeah, right." Chris took a big gulp of beer and said, "I know what you told me about Kevin Collins and Ellen Burgess but I just don't believe it. Talk about two prim and uptight people! They couldn't generate any heat with a fireplace, wood, charcoal, paper, and box of matches. Nothing's going on between them and nothing's going to happen tonight. If that's why we're here we're wasting our time." Grace continued to urge him, "Just be patient a little longer. Matt and Ellen aren't even here yet but I can almost assure you there will be fireworks here this evening and we might even be able to help set them off." Grace's anger smoldered as she thought of the numerous times Matt rebuffed her love for him because of his infatuation with Ellen Burgess. Well, after tonight, maybe Matt would be looking at her and Ellen in a new light. With these thoughts in her mind, Grace spied the object of her affection and her perceived rival entering Luke's. A slow, shrewd smile spread across her face as she first watched Kevin shake hands with Matt and then hug Ellen and kiss her on the check. "No," she thought to herself, "boring would not be the word to describe what was going to happen tonight." "Finally!" Lucy exclaimed when she saw Matt and Ellen arrive. Kevin had been polite all evening and had responded to every question and comment Lucy had lobbed his way, but she was becoming upset as he continued to be emotionally detached from her. Lucy prided herself on having a sixth, and maybe even a seventh, sense. Yet there was no emotional connection tonight with Kevin. Even in the past when he was furious with her or when he had other things on his mind, she always still felt this connection with him. The connection was still strong when she was with Scott and when Kevin was with Eve. But now, she couldn't feel it or the feeling was so faint she couldn't detect it; something was different. Tonight's gathering was the first opportunity for Kevin and Matt to meet since Matt returned from New York. "Welcome back, Matt," Kevin said shaking Matt's hand. Meanwhile, Lucy had Ellen in a python-like grip and whispered into Ellen's ear, "It's about time. I was beginning to think that you two had bailed on me." "You don't know how close that is to the truth," murmured Ellen, whose brown eyes fixed on Kevin, who was staring at her also. "Hi Kevin." With her locs swept into an updo and dressed in an Asian-style short silk dress that hugged the curves on her body, a mesmerized Kevin worked to keep his true feelings hidden. Taking one of her hands into his, Kevin leaned over and kissed Ellen lightly on the cheek. "We're glad that you made it. Happy Valentine's Day, Ellen." "You, too, Kevin." ~~~*~~~ The sign says do not enter ~~~*~~~ The foursome took their seats just as a waitress came by to take their order for appetizers and drinks. Everyone agreed it was very nice to take a break from work and celebrate a bit this weekend. Lucy rattled on about her new cosmetic company and boutique and how holidays such as Valentine's Day were a boon to her business. To stroke Kevin's ego Lucy bragged, "And in addition to work, Kevin has been busy working with his publisher on promoting his novel, General Homicide. In fact, he's been so busy with that book and his work at GH he's had very little time for me," she pouted. Noting the book was doing quite well in sales, Matt mentioned he saw Kevin's book in bookstore windows when he visiting New York City. "I hope you aren't too successful or some people might come after you with lawsuits." Shaking his head, Kevin disputed Matt's last comment. "It's a work of fiction Matt. The book isn't based on real people." "Right," Matt grinned. "That chief anesthesiologist murdered in chapter 6 who had a sexual harassment suit brought against her bears no resemblance to Monica Quartermaine. The pediatrician strangled in chapter 9 who was married to the ex-hooker nurse and had an affair with his stepdaughter bears no resemblance to Tony Jones. The ..." Kevin waved his hand, interrupting Matt's analysis of his book. "Point taken, point taken," Kevin laughed. Cocking an eyebrow, Lucy looked thoughtfully at Ellen and commented, "Well, now that I think of it, not everyone in the book makes out so badly. If I didn't know better, I would say that the by-the-book ER nurse who aids the psychologist/detective in solving the murders was partially modeled after Ellen. Even though Doc hasn't admitted it, he kind of merged you and me Ellen for that character. The business-like, no nonsense part is you Ellen. The sensual attractive part is me." Realizing she was being somewhat disparaging to Ellen in her last comment, Lucy quickly added, "Oh and it's you too Ellen, just not as obvious. And the intelligent part comes from both of us." A stunned Ellen saw confirmation in Kevin's face, who gave a barely detectable nod of his head, that indeed, the heroine in his novel was based on her, and she wanted to kick herself for not making this discovery first. Clearing his throat, Kevin noted, "Well Lucy, let's just say if you're right, I won't have to worry about a lawsuit from you or Ellen." Matt looked quizzically at Kevin but was addressing Lucy's comment, slowly observing, "You know, you're right Lucy. Elaine, in the novel, is quite a bit like Ellen. Unlike the other characters in the book, I never connected her to a real-life person, mainly because of the romance that blossomed between the ER nurse and the psychologist." Nodding emphatically, Lucy agreed, "Yes, that's my part in the character." Upon reflection, Matt remembered in addition to the personality similarities, Elaine was described in the book as wearing her hair in locs and having a traffic-stopping body. The fact that Kevin based the character Elaine on his fiancé did not sit well at all with Matt, but he consciously chose to focus on Kevin's comment that the book was indeed a work of fiction. In an effort to center the conversation on romance tonight, a beaming Lucy looked at Matt and Ellen and asked in a conspiratorial whisper, "Tell me, what do you two lovebirds have planned for this weekend? Matt, do you have anything special planned for this Valentine weekend before your wedding?" Matt gave a sheepish grin. "Well, we aren't taking any time to go away anywhere now because we'll need time off for the wedding and honeymoon. But I am looking forward to spending most of the weekend alone with my lovely fiancé." Deception was an unnatural practice for both Kevin and Ellen. Kevin glanced away when Matt pulled Ellen's face to his for a kiss, while Ellen was noticeably nervous when she and Matt kissed at the table. Seeing Matt's confused look, Ellen's face flushed and she whispered, "I'm sorry." Not understanding Ellen's involuntary reaction, Matt tried to lighten the situation with levity. "Honey, I think it's O.K. for two people about to be married to kiss on Valentine Day, even in public," Matt joked. "Well, I can't think of anything more romantic than Matt and Ellen's plans for this weekend," Lucy cooed. Turning to Kevin she asked, "Can you Doc?" "No, I honestly can say that I can't think of anything more romantic than that," Kevin replied, straining to keep his voice devoid of any hint of emotion.
There was a very good crowd at Luke's tonight. The disc jockey played a variety of contemporary popular music from the 80's, 90s, and today, and everyone seemed to be in a mood to party. People who rarely socialized together and never claimed to have great affection for one another joined each other in toasts and danced enthusiastically on the dance floor. Most of the small tables at Luke's encouraged an intimate atmosphere by seating only two or four people. Marcus Taggert and Donna Richards were seated by themselves at a table. Karen Wexler and Joe Scanlon shared a table with Grace Sullivan and Chris Ramsey. While Karen and Joe spent most of the evening on the dance floor, Grace and Chris were content to stay huddled at their table.
No trespassing allowed
With visions of redemption
I walk against the crowd
The sun is white with envy
Confusion on the ground
Breathing soft and holy
Temptation's only sound
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