Dusty settled herself behind the desk she was assigned to and looked around. So what if she was hidden away in Research? It was far better than waiting tables. And even better, no one stood over her shoulder to make sure she got her work done. She was on her own for the first time and it felt wonderful.

The Research department was a pretty quiet room. She found herself looking for information on all sorts of things. The best part about the job, she thought, was the time she was allowed to spend looking something up on the internet. She could leave her instant messenger up all day and chat with friends, so long as she got her work done. And at this point in time, there was no way she would sacrifice her job.

"Dusty, I've got a project for you," her manager said stopping at her desk. Dusty looked up and offered the older woman a smile as professional as she could muster. "There is a construction project that has hit a wall in Pennsylvania. They need someone to do some research on zoning laws in Pennsylvania. Feel up to it?"

"Of course!" Dusty replied taking the file of information and spreading it out on her desk. "When do they need this by?"

"That's a good girl. I gave them your name in Construction. They need anything you can get them by next week. Think you can do that?"

"Absolutely!" Dusty replied turning to her computer. Several messages were waiting for her and her IM boxes blinked furiously. She clicked on Danny's, her one friend from Boston where she had failed miserably as a college student.

JCsboytoy: Hello? You there?

DustyRose18:yeah, sorry. boss walked up

JCsboytoy: oh, have to work?

DustyRose18: I can work and chat at the same time.

JCsboytoy: you rebel. So how are you?

DustyRose18: I'm good for a change. Thank god I'm not at that diner anymore

JCsboytoy: I thought you liked it there?

DustyRose18: NO WAY! the manager there is a repressed bitch and her sister is a spoiled brat

JCsboytoy: isn't that the girl that your brother likes?

DustyRose18: yes. makes me ill. Noah's kind of dumb anyway. he's dating this other girl

JCsboytoy: sounds perfectly dysfunctional

DustyRose18: it is! Noah is an idiot.

JCsboytoy: and what about you? seeing anyone yet? Or is Gabriel still the love of your life?

DustyRose18: Gabriel can rot for all I care

JCsboytoy: sure he can

DustyRose18: he can! Besides, I have my eye on someone here

JCsboytoy: and who would that be? Share!

DustyRose18: can't at work. maybe later.

JCsboytoy: spoil sport.

DustyRose18: I promise I'll tell you later. right now, someone is calling me. Gotta go!

Dusty logged off AIM, picked up the phone and said hello as she had been taught in training. "Good afternoon, Mason Enterprises Research Department, this is Miss Parrish, how may I help you?" It was a mouthful but it was what they wanted.

"Miss Parrish, this is Mr. Young in Construction. Have you received the file on the Pennsylvania zoning laws?"

"Yes," she replied, opening the file and staring down at the information there.

"I know Mrs. Feldman told you next week but I need that information by Friday. You can email me your findings," he said tersely.

Dusty started to protest that Friday was too soon, but he had already disconnected. She sat there for a moment, surprised by the sharp tone. Friday was too soon, especially with her first project! Well, she would get what she could done. Mr. Young would just have to deal with it, she decided as she pulled out a notepad and got to work.

Scene 2:

"If anyone comes by Liza, and I mean anyone, I've gone to Richmond for some last minute wedding issues," Hallie said handing her itinerary to her new assistant. Liza nodded and took the folder, not bothering to glance inside. That was indeed the exact right thing to do, Hallie thought smiling at the woman. No questions, no hassles.

"Anyone. Okay...but what about your fiancé?"

"Luke thinks I'm going to Richmond as well. Let's just keep it that way," Hallie replied giving her an ingenuous smile. "So, you'll be okay while I'm gone?"

"Absolutely."

"Great. Then I'll see you in about four days." Hallie left the office and made her way down to the elevator. This trip to Savannah was going to be the first step in a very satisfying plan for revenge. If Gwen's secret was worth it, she thought absently, as the doors slid open. But then what else would it be if Gwen was so hell bent on keeping it a secret? She looked up for a brief moment and locked eyes with Stephen, her heart beginning to race as he grinned and pulled her into the elevator with him.

"Hey! Let go!" Hallie protested as he pressed the close doors button.

"I don't think so," Stephen said gruffly, his finger digging into her shoulders. He bent his head to hers and gave her a punishing kiss that she responded to despite herself. When he did let go, a smile touched his lips and eyes. "Now, where are you off to in such a hurry?"

"That is none of your business and I would appreciate it if you didn't do things like that where I work! What if someone had seen us?"

"No one did though.  Now, where are you off to?" Stephen asked letting his grip ease. Hallie shrugged away from him.

"None of your business," she replied sweetly. "What are you doing here anyway?"

"I'm glad you asked. I'm here to discuss your engagement," he said.

"I don't think that's any of your business, Stephen," Hallie remarked as the elevator doors slid open. She hurried to the doors, Stephen at her heels. Once outside, she turned on him and frowned. "Go away, Stephen."

"No. Hallie, I don't want you to marry Conlan. I love you and you love me. You should be marrying me!" He announced. Hallie looked around, her face flush with embarrassment. "I don't care who hears me, Hal. Why don't you quit this stupid game you're playing with Conlan. What do you see in him anyway?"

"I've told you," Hallie explained. "Luke and I have a deal. We're helping each other to the top. All you did was drag me down. Luke would never cheat on me the way you did. Aside from that, he has my best interests at heart. Whose interests are most important to you? Mine or yours?"

"That's not fair. I only ever did what you asked me too. Is it always going to go back to Maggie? You wanted information, I got it for you."

"You slept with her to get it!" Hallie cried, losing her temper completely. "Luke wouldn't do that. I trust him and he gets me what I want without betraying me completely."

"Oh really? How do you know?"

"I just do. I have to go, I'll miss my flight." She turned away from him, pulling her keys from her purse. Stephen touched her arm gently, making her pause. "Please..."

"Tell me what I have to do to win your trust again," he said softly. Now there was an interesting request, Hallie thought as she turned back to meet his earnest eyes. She couldn't trust him again but she couldn't deny that part of her wanted to, badly.

"My aunt has a secret that I want to know. If you can find out what that secret is before I marry Luke...then I'll reconsider the wedding." She smiled, almost knowing he wouldn't agree. He had always maintained that Gwen was not one to be messed with.

"Get ready to cancel your wedding, Hallie. I'll have your secret by the time you get back from wherever it is you're going," he smiled backing away. She watched him leave and for just the slightest moment thought that perhaps she would be marrying a different man in two months.

Scene 3:

Romance was missing in her life, Maura decided staring at Noah and Dinah making eyes at each other while filling the salt and pepper shakers in the afternoon lull. She could definitely use a bit of what those two were enjoying. Sighing, she bent her head back to the account book she had been working over. There would be a time for romance later. Right now, she had responsibilities to see to.

"Hard at work?" Kevin Conlan asked leaning over her shoulder. Maura smiled at him, patting his hand affectionately.

"Someone has to make sure we stay open," she replied, teasing just a little. Kevin nodded and shrugged.

"You are much better at this than I ever was, Maura. Your mom would be proud. Right now you need to take a break."

"I do? Why is that?"

"Well, there's someone at the hostess desk asking for you. That's why," he replied turning away. Maura gave him a puzzled glance but closed the account book and made her way to the entrance. There, tied to the hostess stand, was a bunch of heart shaped balloons. She stared at them for a moment, before realizing that the floor was covered in rose petals.

"Hello?" She called cautiously. Her heart beat faster for a moment. Could Rick have done all this? It certainly seemed like something he would have done...ten years ago. No, it wasn't Rick at all. It must be... "Jude, come on, I know you're here," she added, laughing just a little. Jude stepped out from behind the open coat check door.

"Caught. You are a master detective, Miss Conlan," he said stepping over to her, one arm hidden behind him. She rolled her eyes, smiling at the same time.

"It's not that hard to figure out who would leave balloons for me...or mess up my diner. Who's going to sweep all of this up?" She teased.

"So you don't appreciate it? And I thought there was a romantic buried in that cynic's heart. I'll just take my balloons and these roses I brought for you and go."

"Oh no, you don't. I want the roses," she said catching his arm. Shrugging, he obliged and offered her the red roses he had hidden behind his back. "Thank you, Jude. This is very nice. Unexpected but nice all the same."

"It's supposed to be a surprise. If I had told you, it would have ruined the surprise." Jude looked around at the empty diner behind her. "If you aren't too busy right now, I was hoping you would let me take you out to dinner."

"Hmm. Let me think about that...okay," she answered.

"You are a tease, Maura Conlan. Go tell your dad or Noah or whoever you tell when you leave unexpectedly. I'll wait here." Maura started to go back to the bar to tell Kevin, but paused and hurried back to Jude.

"Thank you," she said softly before giving him a quick kiss and turning back to the bar.

Scene 4:

Liza squeezed past the balloons in the entryway to the diner, excusing herself to the man waiting there with roses. Someone was lucky, she thought, heading into the dining room. She caught sight of Dinah on the other side of the room and waved. Dinah smiled and set her napkins that she had been folding on the counter.

"Hi, Liza! What brings you here?" Dinah asked her. Liza took a seat at the bar and smiled.

"Hello. I was hoping to get a favor from you," Liza replied.

"Sure, what is it?"

"I need a babysitter."

"When?"

"Tonight?" Liza watched as Dinah's face fell. "You have plans don't you?"

"I would, Liza, on any other night! But tonight is kind of a special night," Dinah explained lowering her voice. She looked behind her at the young man still folding napkins. "That is Noah."

"The Noah?" Liza asked, throwing a curious glance at him. Dinah had told her all about Noah and the distance her relationship with him had created with her best friend. Dinah was in need of a female friend and without her friend or her sister, Liza was about it. "He's cute."

"I'd say thanks, but I can't take credit for that. It's our anniversary," she added with a giggle. "We're going out to dinner to The Fountains."

"Oh! That's so great!" Liza told her with a smile. "Do you know anyone else who would be interested in babysitting?"

"Not right now. But let me call a few people for you....where are you going anyway? Or is that none of my business?"

Liza blushed and lowered her eyes. "Nowhere really. I just wanted to see some of the night life here. Galen said there were a lot of clubs."

"What would Galen know about clubs?" Dinah asked rolling her eyes. "Don't worry, I'll find you a babysitter. I'll be right back." Dinah left her and ran towards the back of the diner, pausing for a moment to say something to her boyfriend.

She'd been in the town for nearly three weeks, working for two of those weeks, and she had yet to do anything social. She hadn't been dancing since...well, since before Matty was born and that had been with Danny. And look where dancing with him had gotten her. Pregnant and alone. Well, she was certainly not going to let that happen again. A little fun every once in a while wouldn't hurt though. She certainly didn't want to turn into a stodgy old woman. Galen had given up having fun when Kelly left him and he was an absolute bore these days. Liza was bound and determined not to get old or boring.

"Hello." Startled out of her thoughts, Liza turned to the voice that had greeted her. Luke Conlan's dark eyes stared down at her. She found herself staring back, raising her eyebrows in question.

"Hello," she replied, turning back to what she had been staring at before, which was, if she was honest with herself, nothing.

"I guess you have a long weekend with my fiancée out of town," he remarked, taking the seat next to her.

"Yes." She took a peek at him out of the corner of her eye. Hallie had good taste. The man was gorgeous. Shaking off the thought, she commented, "You too, I guess."

"Yes, you could say that." He nodded to someone before continuing. "Look, I think we may have gotten off on the wrong foot. I don't hit on women as a rule."

"You just did it the one time your fiancée wasn't around?" Liza returned.

"Okay, I probably deserved that. Can we start over? I'm sure we'll be seeing a lot of each other now that you're working for Hallie. I'd rather not be uncomfortable every time I see you."

"Fair enough. It's forgotten," Liza said as Dinah came back.

"I got you a babysitter. Her name is Heather and she'll be there at seven," Dinah said giving her a curious look. "Hi Luke. Where's the barracuda?"

"You've been talking to Jory too much," Luke answered, distracted by Liza's sudden movements.

"Thanks again Dinah. I owe you," Liza said waving as she hurried out of the building.