The main concept of this production is the idea that Carrie has just found out that she's not married to Austin, and that Austin has been seeing Sami behind her back. She needs to find someone to comfort her from the harshness and cruelty that has become her life.
The video is muted and shadowy in color, with rich undertones of blue and green. The scenes change with flashes of light, as if scenes are being projected onto the opposite side of the beacon of a lighthouse.
INTRODUCTION
There are approximately 16 bars of intro music, and the break down goes as follows:
Bars 1-4: It is nighttime. Carrie is in her room in the Kiriakis mansion, reading a letter that she got from Mickey Horton's office. We see the word "invalid" as she reads the page.
Bars 5-8: She folds it up and sees Austin and Sami from the window, talking to each other in the garden. We her face, wet with tears, and Austin's, his expression one of concern.
Bars 9-12: Austin takes Sami into his arms and strokes her hair. She closes her eyes and he kisses the top of her head. It is a purely comforting gesture on both of their parts, and Carrie recognizes it as what it really is: love.
Bars 13-16: Carrie throws down the letter and picks up the phone. She is crying as she speaks into the receiver.
(We see the "flash" change the scene to the Horton's house.)
VERSE I
Just when I believed I couldn't ever want for more.
Mike opens the door to find Carrie standing there, looking forlorn and sad. He is surprised to see her.
This ever changing world pushes me through another door.
She takes a deep breath and steps in, closing the door behind her and resting her forehead against it.
I saw you smile
She turns around and smiles halfheartedly at him, a gesture born of pain and suffering and acceptance.
And my mind could not erase the beauty of your face
Mike reaches out a hand to touch her cheek, not quite believing that she's real.
Just for a while,
Carrie's hand comes up to hold his there, and two tears slip down her cheeks and her she closes her eyes, trying to stop herself from letting anything else show and cause him to worry.
Won't you let me shelter you?
Mike takes Carrie into his arms swiftly, understanding that she's ready to lose it. One of his hands cradles her skull, the other is wrapped around her waist. He kisses the top of her head and she hugs him even tighter as she cries.
CHORUS
Hold on to the night
She lifts her head to look at him. As she breathes, her lips part.
Hold on to the memory
He leans in and kisses her gently, softly. It's an attempt to make her feel better, to let her know that she is loved and cared for.
I wish that I could give you more,
She slides her arms around his neck and lets it happen. She's in pain and she wants to forget that she ever heard the name "Austin Reed."
That I could be yours
Mike breaks the kiss and looks at her, trying to see if it's him she wants, or just comfort because of her situation.
Eight bars of interlude music:
(Flash back to the Kiriakis mansion.)
Austin is comforting Sami and as he's holding her, he catches a glimpse of his own wedding ring. He looks at it and his expression is one of impotence. He has fallen for the Sami that was hurt by Franco, but he can't do anything about it.
VERSE II
How do we explain
They're looking at each other with such naked longing that it seems sinful. Carrie realizes that she loves him and Mike can't hide what he feels for her.
Something that took us by surprise
Carrie puts a hand to her lips. Unluckily it's the one that's wearing her ring. Mike's expression goes dark.
Promises in vain
Unable to tolerate being used by her simply because she's miserable, he grabs her hand and forces her to look at her wedding ring. We can see him mouthing the words, "I won't let you use me, Carrie, not while you're wearing this!"
Love that is real, but in disguise
Carrie yanks her hand from his and tears off the ring, flinging it across the room. We can see her mouthing the words, "I don't love him, I love you!" as she does so.
What happens now
She grabs Mike and pulls him towards her. She cups his face in her hands and kisses him as if it's the last time she'll ever get to kiss anyone ever again. She's angry, hurt, and frustrated as she takes it out on Mike.
Do we break another rule?
Mike is just as angry and passionate as he kisses her back. If it's frustration she wants to get out of her system, then he should be allowed to do so as well!
(Flash to Carrie's room where Austin has come up to look for her.)
Let our lovers play the fool?
Austin picks up the letter and crumples it. He deliberately removes his wedding ring and places it next to the letter, then exits the room.
(Flash back to Carrie and Mike.)
I don't know how to stop feeling this way. . .
Carrie and Mike are savagely tearing at each other's clothing. By the time Mike picks her up and she wraps her legs around his waist to steady herself as he ascends the stairs, he's minus his shirt, she's only got her bra on.
CHORUS
Hold on to the night
Mike and Carrie are so lost in the moment that he is taking the stairs blindly as they are still kissing.
Hold on the memory
He opens the door to his room and kicks it behind him as she tries to help him by pushing at it.
If only I could give you more...
He lays her down on the bed gently, as if he thinks he could break her if he's too rough with her.
BRIDGE
Well, I think that I've been true to everybody else but me
He reach a hand to touch her again, not quite believing that she's here with him, that she wants this. His hand is shaking as she grabs it and kisses his palm slowly.
And the way I feel about you makes my heart long to be free
She takes his hand and presses it to her heart. Her eyes are full of nervousness and fear, as if he's going to decide that he doesn't want her anymore.
Every time I look into your eyes I'm helplessly aware
Mike crawls onto the bed slowly, and looks at her as wonder and amazement dawn in his eyes. We can see his lips say, "I love you," to her in a soft voice.
That the someone I've been searching for is right there
She holds out her arms to him as she says, "Not as much as I love you." . .
Eight bars of interlude music, more violent than the last:
Various discreet shots of bodies tangling, sheets being pulled and legs intertwined, each separated by flashes of light.
CHORUS
Hold on to the night
Mike is lying on his back, while Carrie, still partially dressed, on on top of him kissing his neck.
Hold on to the memory
She raises her head and traces his lips, smiling like a woman who has discovered a sin with no consequences.
I wish that I could give you more....
He grabs her and flips her over.
Sixteen bars of interlude music, reaching fever pitch:
1-8: More discreet shots of fingers tangling in hair, lips on bare skin, hands on sweat-covered backs, feet rubbing against bare calves, interspersed with flashes of light.
9-12: The camera concentrates of Carrie's hand, slowly and violently grasping and loosing a handful of white sheet.
13-16: Shot of the small of Mike's back, covered in sweat, flexing.
Hold on to the night. . .
The last scene is Mike lying on his back, his arm around Carrie, who's hand rests on his bare chest. The sheet is pulled up to their waists. He's stroking her hair as she sleeps peacefully. We can see that he's contemplating what's going to happen next, but it gives way to a sense of utter bliss and she slides her arm around him to hug him even closer.
