"Hal, you look so beautiful," Ellen murmured watching her as Hallie emerged from the dressing room at the church. Hallie smiled, nodding her head knowingly.

"Thank you, Elle. This dress is perfect for me isn't it?" She smoothed the skirt a little and twisted at the waist to see the back of the dress. "I was hoping it wasn't too over the top, though. I saw Sarah Bradford get married in the most god awful yellow thing last year. She didn't even make the society pages at The Observer and you know how connected the Bradfords are. It must have been a shock to poor Amelia," Hallie grinned, thinking of the society maven. "Of course, my wedding is more important than Sarah's."

Ellen nodded, picking up Hallie's train and straightening it behind her. "Are you excited? Or are you just absolutely nervous?" She asked, catching Hallie's grin in the mirror.

"Neither actually. Well, that's not true, I am excited. I mean, I am having the wedding of the year after all."

"I almost envy you," Ellen laughed.  

"Almost?" Hallie's expression turned puzzled. She had assumed that she would make anyone in a 30 mile radius green with envy, Ellen thought.  

"It's not like you're marrying for love, Hallie," she reminded her cousin. "I mean, if you were, I might be a little more jealous of you. But you aren't. You're marrying a man you have nothing in common with except a burning desire to be more than what you are," she said matter-of-factly. It might not be common knowledge that Hallie and Luke weren't in love, but Ellen knew Hallie better than anyone else in the world did and, to her, it was obvious.  

"That is a terrible thing to say!" Hallie exclaimed, turning to face Ellen.

"Am I wrong?"  

Hallie lifted her skirts and stepped away from the mirror, facing Ellen. "I care very much for Luke," she said. "This may have started out as a business deal but I think we will be very happy together." She swished her skirts around her as she stalked around the dressing room, her head held high in the air.

"Have I touched on some nerve?" Ellen inquired. "The last time you were engaged it was to Stephen Roth and that was a bit more than a business deal if I remember correctly."

Hallie paused in her pacing long enough to shake her head and glare back at Ellen. "Don't ever mention his name again. Stephen Roth...he threatened to ruin my wedding! And I am not going to allow it!" Ellen raised her hands, in defense.

"Okay, I get it," she said. "How are you going to keep him away though?"  

"Well, Gwen hired security so I'm not really worried about it. I asked Dane to keep an eye out for him before the ceremony. If he shows up before it starts, Dane will get rid of him. If he shows up during, Jamie will take care of it."

"Jamie agreed to help you?"

"Why wouldn't he?" Hallie asked.

"Considering you are out to ruin him?" Ellen replied her face mirroring her skepticism.

"Oh that. Well, we're family after all. And besides, it isn't Jamie I want to ruin, it's Gwen." She smiled sweetly. "Now, come on. Luke's sisters will be here shortly and I don't want to discuss family business in front of them."



Scene 2:

"She's that worried he'll make a scene?" Jude asked, standing as far from the bustle of the caterers as possible.

Dane rubbed his arm where the Christmas tree had fallen and left a purple and yellow bruise. He scowled unhappily in its direction, watching as Gwen had professional decorators working on it. "I suppose," he answered. "I guess he threatened to stop it the other night when he was here."

"Why though? I thought they were long over."

Dane shrugged, "I doubt those two will ever really be over. So you'll help keep him away?"

"Sure, why not? I mean, Hallie is still family after all." Jude waved at Jamie who had reappeared with Chris and Jessie tagging behind him. "Have you talked to Jamie about our possible party crasher?"

Jamie nodded as he approached, hearing the question. "Actually, Hallie did. I doubt Stephen Roth will show up. Hallie's just being...well, Hallie." He rumpled Jesse's hair as he and Chris took off toward the tree. "Don't mess up your clothes!" Jamie called after the boys. "Your mother will not be pleased if you do!"

Dane raised an eyebrow in mirth at Jamie's new parental tone. "I think that is what my father used to tell me. I wish he were here for this. He'd get a chuckle out of this whole affair."

"I wish my father were here too," Jamie commented as Jude nodded in agreement. All three had lost their fathers. And all three would have undoubtedly given anything to have them back again. Dane caught Gwen approaching them from the corner of his eye and ducked away behind Jamie for protection.  

"Get away, Gwen!" He cried in mock terror. Gwen laughed, her eyes smiling merrily. Dane glanced from Jude to Jamie and caught the look of distrust there. "What have you got up your sleeve?"

"Nothing! Why would I have anything up my sleeve? Today is a good day for the family and everything is going smoothly. We couldn't have asked for a better day."

"Has Hallie mentioned that Stephen Roth is threatening to crash the wedding?" Jamie asked. Gwen gave him a puzzled frown and shrugged.

"I think Hallie is a little too full of herself. Stephen won't disturb the wedding. He's a guest after all." All three men stared at her, in shock and trepidation.

"Mother, he wasn't invited, what are you talking about?"

"True, he wasn't invited, but he has been seeing Maggie and she is. I assume he will come with her. But if you honestly think he'll be a nuisance, perhaps you should ask him to stay away until the reception," Gwen offered, looking down at the elegant wristwatch she wore. "My heavens, look at the time. I think we should all get to the church now, don't you?" She smiled and ran a caressing hand down Jamie's cheek as she passed him. They stared at her for a moment and then at each other, speechless.

"Well," Jude said at last. "What do you say the first one to see him gets him outside and keeps him there? If Dane sees him, I'll take his place as groomsman. No one will miss Jamie or I if we disappear." He looked around at the other two who nodded in agreement. "All right then, now that that is settled, I guess we have a wedding to get to."



Scene 3:

Standing in a red, strapless, tube dress with an old black, lacy shawl of her mother's that was a little retro, but nonetheless interesting, draped over her shoulders, and a plastered, saccharine smile on her lips, Piper did NOT want to be here. 

"Sign the guest book?" she asked sweetly, holding the pen out to those who entered the foyer. What kind of position was this? The guest book signer/penholder person? It was stupid. People weren't so incompetent that they needed someone to help them sign a stupid guest book. After all, Hallie didn't have any friends, and everyone knew this marriage wasn't going to last. Of course, many people complimented Piper on her play which made her beam with pride, it softened the monotony of her 'job.' And when people weren't paying attention she stuck her nose in 'The Taming of the Shrew.' At least Chase couldn't make it.

Noah paused to let a couple into the church before heading in himself. Dinah had agreed to go with her family and asked him to wait for her outside. But it was getting late and cold and the Staffords still hadn't made it yet. A rush of warm air greeted him as he stepped inside to the hallway. He hung his coat in the cloakroom and returned to the main entrance to the chapel. Piper was there, holding a pen out to people as they entered. He smiled at the picture she made and approached her as the person before him scribbled a name quickly into the book.
"This looks like a fun job," he said, smiling.

Piper glanced up, startled by the sight of Noah...without Dinah. She looked around as though searching for Dinah, it was almost an intention against Noah. She licked her lips slowly before she spoke as though just having him near made her throat dry. 

"Thrill a minute," was her simple reply, the distinct coldness with which she bestowed on Dinah of use for Noah.

"Do you want me to sign it?" Noah asked, flinching at her tone. He held out his hand for the pen. Her whole attitude toward him made his insides go cold.

"That's your choice."

The words seemed to mean more than they should, Piper realized after she spoke them. Almost like a cryptic message was encoded within the three words.

"I can't without the pen," he remarked, raising his eyebrows at her. Piper handed him the pen wordlessly

He scribbled his name across the page and a quick good luck as well before handing the pen back to her and stepping aside. He saw Joanie from the Diner and waved at her, turning away from Piper. "Hey Joanie. Looks like you made it after all," he said casually, doing his best not to think about Piper standing just a few feet from him and likely, giving him dirty looks.

"Yeah, well, wouldn't want to miss *the* social event of the season. Besides, it isn't every day I get invited to a function like this. And I get to dress up and be all girly," she giggled, fluttering her eyes at Noah. "Where's Dinah?"

"Last I heard, she was coming with her parents, but I doubt they'll make it. It's almost time for this thing to start anyway," he replied, turning his head for Piper to hear his reply.

Piper rolled her eyes at Joanie's attempt to flirt with Noah. 

"Ah, too bad," she said in her now infamous, saccharine tone. She gave Noah a smirk at the look he gave her. She was actually feeling guilty about her treatment of him!

"We're not joined at the hip," Noah said in response. "Did you come with someone, Joanie?" He asked turning his attention back to Joanie. 

"Oh, no. Who would I have come with? Derrick? No way." 

"So I guess we're both alone then." He turned back to Piper smiling pleasantly, though his stomach wrenched at the thought that had just occurred to him. "What about you Piper? Where's your...boyfriend?"

Piper shrugged, "work or something." She couldn't blame Chase for not wanting to attend, but she was surprised. Normally if she went, he insisted on coming, but then when it came to business, nothing got in Chase's way. That had to be his only good characteristic. Piper absently shook her head, she couldn't believe she thought this about her own boyfriend. 

"I bet," Noah said under his breath. "I guess you have to sit with your family then?"

"Actually I was going to try and avoid the wedding all together after everyone was in there," she said honestly. She had planned as soon as everyone was seated, she would sneak off. "Maybe go ahead to Four Winds."

Noah turned completely away from Joanie, who disappeared into the chapel with a hurt look on her face. "You're just going to skip your brother's wedding completely?"

"Yes, it's not like this marriage is going to last. This marriage is a business deal, nobody likes Hallie, and this wedding is going to be when where everyone's eyes are dry. Maybe some will tsk, tsk at it, but that's it," Piper said, growing angry at Noah's tone.

"That's a pretty jaded way to look at it," Noah answered. Perhaps he was a little too noble in thinking that Luke really did love Hallie. She was, after all, a bit of a barracuda. But still... "Even if it is a business deal, maybe you should consider supporting your family. They supported you during your play, if I recall," he pointed out.

When had she gotten so bitter? When had every person in the world, currently including Noah, gotten on very last nerve? When had she missed her mother so badly as she missed her now?

The last thought was a cast of a shadow in her face, but Piper quickly pressed on.  "Actually it's a pretty realistic way," she replied coldly, refusing to acknowledge his last question.
Noah sighed, shaking his head. "Okay, if you want to be this way. Fine. Enjoy yourself."
 
"I will," she said, wanting to scream and yell at Noah for his attitude. High and mighty, Noah. So noble...kind of like Maura...in that obnoxious, turn-you-green-with-envy way. When had Piper despised herself as she now did? She really needed a distraction. Everyone was in the church, awaiting Hallie and Luke. It appeared no one else was going to show and if they did, it wasn't that hard to sign the guest book on their own. "Bye," she said curtly, brushing past him. She really needed some fresh air.

Noah glanced over his shoulder at the chapel as it filled up with guests. Despite the way she had presented it, Piper was totally right about this wedding. He ran for his coat and burst out into the cool Virginia night once again. He saw her a little ways down the street, walking towards her house, he presumed. They weren't that far from it, he realized. Running to catch up to her, he matched his stride to hers. "I'm going with you," he said without preamble.



Scene 4:

"Stephen." He looked up from the program. Jamie Mason loomed over him giving him a determined stare.

"Hello Jamie. Lovely day for a wedding, isn't it?" He replied carefully. Jamie nodded, his lips pressed together grimly. "What's the matter? Something wrong?" Stephen asked, feeling wary.

"I need to talk to you...outside, if that's possible." He motioned to the door. Stephen shifted his eyes that way briefly before nodding.

"I'll be right back," he told Maggie who looked as if she were about to protest. "It's probably just about work." He followed Jamie to the entryway, passing Jude Fontaine on the way out. Jude gave him a strange look but only nodded.  

Of course, he realized as Jamie got him outside. This was Hallie's way of keeping him out of the wedding and from ruining it. He could kick himself for being so naive. But Jamie was his boss, of course, she knew he would follow him if he needed to talk privately. Damn her, he thought suddenly. She was making a monstrous mistake and he couldn't stop it now! She'd taken away his only course of action.  

Jamie paused on the sidewalk, turning to look up at the church. "I hope you don't mind me bringing you outside," he began.

"She asked you to, I understand," Stephen replied, nodding his head knowingly. "She's making a mistake Jamie."

"Is she?" He rubbed his chin gently. "If she is, she seems awfully happy about it. Look, Steve, you and I get along okay. Right?"

"Sure."

"Can I give you some advice?" Stephen nodded just as the bells in the steeple chimed signaling the start of the ceremony. "Hallie is...self-serving. Whatever it is you two had, she used you for her own purposes. Cut yourself free before you find yourself used up as well."

"I can take care of myself," Stephen commented, noting the youngest Conlan girl walking away from the church. She was doing what he should be doing. Jamie was right, he should walk away. But dammit! No matter what he told himself, he still loved Hallie. He might not be able to stop the wedding but he could still prove to her that he loved her. He could prove it in the one way Conlan couldn't. He could bring Gwen down and hand ME to Hallie.

"You're missing the ceremony," Stephen noted. Jamie shrugged.

"My wife will tell me about it later."

"So you're just going to stay out here with me and make sure I don't do anything she'll regret?"
"Pretty much?"

"What if I force my way back in there?"

Jamie's mouth curled into a grin. "You'll have to go through me first. And if you touch me, you'll be looking for a new job in Burma. Got it?"

Stephen grinned back. Had to respect that. He would bide his time and bring Gwen to her knees later. And when he did, Hallie would be his. He leaned against the limo that would take Hallie and Luke to their Honeymoon, shoving his hands in his pockets. "So...how about those Redskins?"

On the next Episode of Secret Horizons...

Episode 69