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Episode
111 Scene 1: "Catherine you look so glamorous when you're dancing," Eleanor Fairchild commented as she stood in the entryway of the ballroom. Her thoughts momentarily shifted to the fact that this ballroom had been the one Chase had used to unsuccessfully carry out his fantasies. Catherine pivoted on her heels, body glistening with sweat, she arched a delicate eyebrow at her mother. "What do you want mother?" Catherine demanded, muting the salsa music with her remote, and grabbing a bottle of water. "Catherine must you always be so hostile?" Eleanor asked, placing her hands on her hips. Noting the unintentional hostility of the movement Catherine turned away, "you only compliment when you want something." "I was just wondering if you wanted to attend the Moonlight and Roses Ball," Eleanor asked lightly, knowing how much Catherine enjoyed dressing up and dancing. Balls were one of her favorite things, always had been. Catherine gasped loudly, causing her mother to jump in shock and look around. "You mean I can go to the Mason's ball," Catherine placed emphasis on Masons and clasped her hands together exuberantly, "as Eleanor Fairchild's daughter? And if people ask who I am I can say, I'm the daughter of the lovely and enchanting Eleanor Fairchild!" "Catherine must you be so sarcastic! It's not very becoming of a young lady," Eleanor chided. "But mother I'm going to charm my suitors with my wit!" Catherine laughed. "Goddammit Catherine!" Eleanor snapped. Catherine stopped her airy laughter. It was far too easy to irk her mother to the point of swearing. Genevieve and Catherine both made a habit of it. "Mother, profanity is hardly becoming for an aging socialite." Catherine smiled charmingly at her mother's shocked expression. "And yes I will be in attendance and I think I'll invite Jareth McCormick to be my date!" Eleanor stammered, "Jareth McCormick? But, but, Catherine, I'm sure Talton Kennedy would love to be your date or Dean Lords or his brother Damian..." "Nope, my mind's made up, Jareth, alas, did you know his name means gentle? Isn't that perfect? He is so," Catherine sighed dramatically and planted a kiss on her mother's cheek. "It must be love, we can be like Romeo and Juliet...oh, mother I think I got lipsti-" "Oh, shut up Catherine, you can take the McCormick boy to the ball, but don't think I'll allow you to date him," Eleanor spat, raising her finger as though she were scolding a dog. Catherine's eyes narrowed at the warning issued by her mother, she stepped threateningly closer, slightly taller than her mother in the dance heels, "Oh, mother, you only wish you could control everyone's life, but don't kid yourself, you can't even control your own." Her words were as cool as ice. She backed away when she realized she had won this fight. "Now if you will excuse me Sully is here for my lessons." She manually spun Eleanor around and pushed her towards the door. "Ciao darling!" she called sweetly, mimicking perfectly the farewell her mother often bestowed on those she considered lesser. Scene 2: Ian stepped into his mother's office smiling broadly at her as she looked up from her computer. Tavish smiled and stood opening her arms for a hug. "Ian!" Tavish McCormick said releasing him after a moment. "John Stafford told me you were as good as in but I wasn't sure with Jamie Mason doing the hiring!" "Oh come on, Mom. Jamie and I go way back," Ian remarked casually dropping into the chair reserved for her patients. "Yes, I know," Tavish responded quickly. "That is why I was concerned." "That business was years ago." "Did he mention it?" Tavish inquired taking her seat again. That business, Ian referred to, was a nasty fight over a girl, specifically, Jamie's younger sister Ellen, that Ian had dated once or twice and then broken up with to date another girl. It had to have been at least six or seven years ago. Ellen had taken it harder than Tavish thought natural, but then she wasn't an average young lady. She firmly believed Ellen had emotional problems that were rooted squarely in her family history. Secretly, Tavish was always glad Ian had walked away. "As a matter of fact, Mother, he did. He said that I was welcome at St. Joe's as long as I stayed away from his sister," Ian replied with an amused grin. "He did?!" "Of course he did. The man thinks I broke his sister's heart and would gladly do it again. But I have zero interest in Ellen Mason. In fact," he added with a sly grin at Tavish. "I've got my sites set higher." "And who are your sites set on?" Tavish asked, feeling uneasy at Ian's confident grin. "Oh it's a secret right now. Maybe when I make some ground, I'll share the lucky lady's name. But for now...I came here to ask you about someone else." "All right," Tavish smiled indulgently. She wouldn't press Ian any further. It would no good; he was as secretive as his father that way. "Who?" "John hired a nurse to be head of ER for me. I wondered what you knew about her? Georgia Corelli." "Georgia Corelli? Well, what I know of her is that she is competent and pleasant. That's about all I can tell you," Tavish replied. "What about her family? Personal life? Know anything about that?" "No, can't say that I do. Why do you want to know about her personal life?" Tavish asked suspiciously. "Can't always judge a person by their capabilities," Ian said standing. "I have to go now. I'll be seeing more of you, Mom." "Wait, Ian. Come to dinner tonight. Andrew is coming and the girls will all be home. Please?" "For you. That's it. If Andrew gives me any grief, I'm leaving." He kissed her cheek and left her office. Andrew and Ian together in the same room could be dangerous but she wanted her children to be together and act like a family again. Scene 3: "Whatcha doin?" Catherine asked sneaking into the garage where Jareth McCormick was tinkering with his car. Jareth jumped, knocking the back of his head on the hood. "Shit!" Jareth bellowed, cupping his hand to the back of his head. "Oh, Jareth...ohmigosh, I'm soooo sorry," Catherine cried. She felt herself heat up with embarrassment. This wasn't a good start for asking Jareth to the Moonlight & Roses ball with her. He hated dancing, parties, and getting dressed up as it was. Maybe she should rethink inviting him for the sake of pissing off her mother. "It's okay Cat, I sneak up on you all the time," Jareth explained gently at her terrified expression, backing away from his car, hand still cupping his head. He pulled his hand to his face, to discover a slight stain of blood. "Okay, okay, sit down, and Ill get something to clean that up with," Catherine said, pushing Jareth towards the only piece of furniture in the garage. "Cat, it's fine...," Jareth tried. "Yeah, until it becomes infected and your head falls off," she stated matter-of-fact. Jareth released a chortle, "didn't know all that could happen from a small head wound." "That could have caused damage to your hypothalamus and you're going to become a serial killer. It happened to Bobby Joe Long." Jareth looked up as Catherine came over with a wet cloth, "you're so odd." "Hush," Catherine commanded, pushing on Jareth's neck so she could get a better look at the damage. Jareth agreeably leaned forward, allowing Catherine access to his 'head wound.' He caught the citrus musk scent of Catherine. It floated towards him, almost seductively, as he realized just how close he was to her body. Catherine cleaned up the wound with a few whines from Jareth. "Alright you're not going to die," Catherine assured. He lifted his head to look at her, automatically reaching to touch the cut until the smacked his hand away. "Don't play with it dumbass!" she commanded. "So, I'm not going to die, but am I going to become a serial killer?" he asked. "Your hypothalamus is lower and it would take much more damage than a little dink to really cause me to worry," she remarked. "You call that a dink?" he asked. "Oh you male, it's not like I could stick my finger in and touch your brain or anything." Catherine had such an eloquent way of telling you to get over it. "Yes, doctor," Jareth said with a salute and rose to his feet. Now seven inches taller than Catherine. "Now may I ask why you've graced me with your presence? Slumming?" Catherine frowned. "I was just seeing if Darcy was here and decided to give you a head wound, but she's not around, so talk to you later," Catherine said and pivoted on her heel. "Catherine, wait," Jareth said, stopping her by grabbing her bicep. "Crap,' he mumbled when he noticed he got grease stains on her arm. Catherine turned without hesitation towards Jareth, absently acknowledging the grease fingerprints on her upper arm. He pulled her back towards the desk and cleaning area. Tavish McCormick would not allow grease monkeys into her clean home, then she insisted they clean again. "It's just grease, Jare," Catherine said lightly. "Do you really think I'm the prissy, rich girl you insinuate I am sometimes just like your sister does?" Jareth sighed, recalling his slip earlier. "Cat, I'm sorry, I know Darcy is always making catty comments about your wealth though you've never flaunted it. We've just always struggled for money..." "Ian does it, Andrew does it in his subtle little ways, Darcy, you, Macy...Emily and your Mom are the only two I don't catch insinuating snide comments about my wealth. You seem to have this idea that being rich makes everything else easy in life. No struggle with finances well there must not be a struggle in any other area of life...If you want my family, my house, my wealth you can have it Jareth, just give me your family, and we'll call it even." Jareth, hand still on Catherine's arm, finally looked up at Catherine. He knew well enough that Catherine held a strong resentment towards her parents, but they had never discussed it. They didn't know each other quite like that, they were still too timid to touch into those personal areas with one another. Jareth tried to get all the grease of Catherine's arm, but she finally pulled her arm away in annoyance. "Jesus Christ, I'm not a China doll!" Catherine cried. "Cat, calm down, why are you really here, you know Darcy works at this time?" Jareth asked gently. Catherine frowned, realizing she had been caught. "It's not important, I'm leaving now, okay?" Again, Jareth stopped her. "Cat, don't lie." "Do you want to go to the Moonlight & Roses Ball with me?" Jareth drew back in surprise. "The Moonlight & Roses Ball?" He repeated. "I figured Tavish was invited and Andrew and Ian..." "I don't really keep up with that, Cat." "I know...but...I figured I might actually enjoy myself with you instead of with some prick my mother would set me up with-" "Won't your Mom have a problem with you taking me to the ball?" Jareth asked stealing a quick look at her. "Like my mother has any jurisdiction-" "Okay." "Okay?" She repeated. "Yeah, I'll go to the dance-" he explained before she cut him off. "Ball," she corrected. "Whatever with you." Catherine's face broke out into a smile, "you're gonna have to wear a tux, you do know that right?" "I assumed so." Catherine grinned and planted an impulsive kiss on Jareth's cheek. "Alright, I have to go, I'll talk to you later!" Jareth tried to stop her once again, but failed. She darted off and he was left wondering why he had agreed to something like a ball. Scene 4: Ian left his mother's office, heading back down to the ER where he had paperwork to complete before the end of his day. Dinner at the McCormick's. He could see it now. Andrew would be smug and self-righteous, as usual. Emily would be quiet and stay in the background as much as possible. Darcy and Jareth would banter back and forth. If Catherine Fairchild showed up, Darcy would make herself the center of attention. He wasn't looking forward to that at all. Though, he did have a page in the middle of it to look forward to. Georgia Corelli had been a pleasant surprise. He had really only been interested in spending the night with her. She was, after all, quite attractive. How could anyone deny that? Though, in her nurse's uniform and with her hair pulled away from her face in a severe pony tail, she did look a little dowdy. But she was something else, that was certain. However innocent she might have looked at the start of the evening, he knew by the end that it was just a look. Georgia Corelli knew what she was doing and did it well. Seeing her this morning had been a surprise. A nasty one at that. It couldn't be helped though. There was a level of professionalism he had to carry and if it was public that they had slept together or that he intended to do so again, it would look very bad. She might be a fine nurse and a great lay, but she wasn't the woman he wanted in a serious relationship. He needed a woman with social standing and money. He needed a stepping stone and Georgia was not it. Even if she was enjoyable. Ellen Mason would have been an excellent stepping stone if she weren't completely delusional. The thought of her still gave him chills. Jamie Mason could defend his sister all he wanted but the truth of it was she was under the impression that he was in love with her. Nothing could have been farther from the truth for Ian. She wouldn't even put out in college. He had been disappointed in her and dropped her as any sane man would do. Too bad her brother was such an overbearing creep. He stepped off the elevator in the ER. John Stafford was at the desk speaking to Jamie, of all people. "Speak of the devil," Ian muttered as he approached them. He rearranged his expression into a blank but amiable gaze. "Hello John. Jamie, how are you?" He asked stopping near them. Jamie and John both turned towards him, surprised at his appearance. "Fine, Ian. Thank you. We were just talking about you actually," Jamie replied. "Oh? Nothing horrible I hope," Ian answered just as smoothly. "Of course not. Jamie was just asking about your head nurse. I told him about Georgia Corelli. That's all," John said intervening. "I think Georgia is going to do wonders for the ER." "I'm sure she will," Ian said. "I do wish I had a hand in the interview process, but I suppose you do know what you're doing, John." "Of course he does." "At least we agree on that," Ian said meeting Jamie's wary gaze. He really had no time nor the patience for macho posturing with Jamie Mason. "If you both don't mind, I've got some charts to sign off on and a few other things to take care of before I leave today." He didn't wait for their response. Some day, he thought walking away from them, he was going to wipe that smug overbearing look off Jamie's face. |
On the next Episode of Secret Horizons... |
He reached into his breast pocket and pulled an envelope from it. "This is
for you," he said handing her the envelope. She snatched it out of his
hands and tore it open. The man didn't wait for a response, retreating
instead to his car to leave. Stephen turned his attention back to Hallie
who had gone a pale shade of pink. Episode 112 |