The eternal flames Chapter 1: Baby's return

Baby's P.O.V. June 5, 1966

What's happened since the summer of 63, for one thing I graduated from college 2 weeks ago bachelor's in humanitarian aid, much to my dad's pleasure, but I am still without the one thing that completes me. Johnny. Since he got fired from Kellerman's because of my willingness to stand up for him after the shenanigans involving the Schumacher's. as you can imagine Johnny and I shared an emotional farewell and I have not seen him since the day my parents, sister and I left; now almost three years later I'm driving myself to Kellerman's to stay with James, a college acquaintance of mine we both attended Mount Holyoke but I have no romantic feelings towards him, but he says he "loves" me but I do not feel for him that way, not the way I felt with well you know at any rate who it is, I brighten as I catch a familiar face "Billy!" I yell to a man a couple of years older than me; this is Johnny's cousin, by the way He blinks at me, confused than realises who it is, "Oh Hey, Baby, how are ya?" he asks, smiling in welcome but then he looks at James who seems a little err apprehensive "Who the heck is this, Frances, why'd he call you "Baby" anyway?" He asks angry "That's Billy, um, Johnny never told me your last name-" Billy throws a back and forth glance between us and mutters, "Kostecki." Under his breath, "because that's my nickname, stupid." I say to James half smiling now, "Billy, does Penny still work here at Kellerman's?" I asked, "Yeah, she does, why'd ya wanna know that?" he asked, "I'm just curious about who her dance-partner is now your cousin is no longer employed here." "Well her partner is a nice lookin' Italian Fellow, Ricardo or some such, he is even more of a showman than my cousin was he learned to be an instructor at an arts academy in Florence." "How do you know all that then?" James asks Billy surprised "Well I kinda eavesdropped on the interview; don't tell Neil though; he throw me out on my ass if he knew that." He said rubbing at the nape of his neck in embarrassment "Who's Neil, Frances?" James asked me intently, "Uh… The proprietors' grandson, who my parents unwittingly thought was ideal for me…" I explained Then a long golden haired tall young woman appears "Jan, how have you been?" I asked her she just merely shrugged Then Luis Rodrigues one of the other entertainment staff appeared at her side "Yo Billy, who's that ya talking to, man?" he asks Billy furrowing his brows "This is uh.. Baby Houseman, you remember right?" Rodrigues just shakes his head and I turn to Billy "Where's your cousin at, Billy?" I ask now and the expression on his face shifts to one of concern and worry, "Well about 3 weeks after the events of ya stay he got conscripted to the 3rd infantry division 2 months after that he got shipped to Nam, I think he thought he'd had to fight for his place in ya heart, its been weeks since I got a letter from him, his ma, my aunt Mabel is worried sick and his sister Anne-Maria is worried about their father since Johnny was of course the firstborn son their all terrified Brady and Eli will end up going to Nam, Nico has already been conscripted and he and I are the same age it's a wonder how even Neil has not been conscripted yet." Old Max Kellerman's other grandson, Rich came down with a wide grin on his face; "Guess who just got conscripted to go to training for the war in Nam?" he asks excited; "Was it you, kid?" Billy shoots back "Naw, Kostecki, it was my cousin Neil, so he has to pass the role of Gramps's successor to little ol' me." He explains, then throws me a look "Ah, and this must be the kid my cousin neglects to shut up about, Baby; right?" I nod "What has he told you of me?" I ask "Just how he still can't believe you snubbed him for "an entertainment person" " He makes the last part sound like an unforgivable wrong. So me and James were given a large suite; and next morning Billy came knocking on the door at half seven, "Baby, you'll never guess who's comin' here later today on two month's leave.." He says excited, I have a fair idea who he meant but I decided to play along for his benefit "My cousin is he has been busy fighting and he said he wants to catch up with ya, Baby… alone." He says gravely, as James had been stirred and grabbed my arm roughly and pulled me back down "You are mine…" he growled, and proceeded to take advantage of me… I screamed terrified but no one heard, or at least I was unaware of the crunching of gravel under heavy boots (or an angry voice muttering to itself "I try to earn my place in my angel's heart again, and now the same thing which happened to my little cousin is happening to her, what did I do to deserve this God?!" ) the assault lasted an hour and I lay weary and beaten on the bed Billy, who'd witnessed my whole ordeal raced to a phone and dialed my dad's work number

"Hi, Dr. Houseman, it's Billy, from Kellerman's you know how Baby came up here with a friend of hers?" He asks, his anxiety building

"James O'Rourke, Yes, a fine partner for my daughter, well brought up…" My father started to spurt praise about my attacker

"Guess this will make you change ya mind about him, he's just done something real bad to Baby…", Billy replies; at that I can't hide my anguish, I cried.

"What has he done to my daughter, Billy?" my Dad questions obviously worried at the sound of my crying in the background.

"When he heard that Johnny was comin' back here today he pinned her to the bed and took advantage o' her… um, sexually ya know, and then he fled the scene like a coward." Billy explained, at that moment we heard a fist pounding the wooden door and Billy reached over to push it open, behind it was… a man who looked similar to Johnny, excepting the fact his skin was slightly tanned and he was in Army greens, so I stopped crying and looked curiously at the new arrival, "Johnny?" I ask now, my curiosity getting the better of me, the man then comes to sit on the bed and he looks me over, concerned at the bruises forming on my body, he then takes me into his protective embrace; "Once I find the guy he's dead meat, nobody treats Baby like that on my watch." Johnny whispers huskily, I felt safer because he was there and then James Came back and glared at Johnny "So you're that guy who has Frances's heart in your grasp" "Yeah, as a matter of fact I am and I can't believe you did that to her, you who should know the repercussions of the action." Johnny shouted back infuriated; grabbing James and throwing him to the floor "I can't believe you did this you are dead meat, I'm gonna save Baby's dad the trouble of having to deal with you as well as having to treat his daughter." He breaks off, to throw me a smile, then glares at James again, "Hey pretty boy, why dontcha fess up to watcha done; and you're even more of a coward for not going to Nam, the only reason I'm here is cause I'm on a couple of month's leave from blastin' the asses off Commies." Johnny explained though that last part was boastful.

Back at his surgery, my father was hurriedly stuffing medical supplies into his bag when his partner Dr. Goldsmith appeared in the door "Hey boss, what's the hurry…" one look in my dad's eyes told the younger gentleman all there was to know, "Your younger daughter has been assaulted by a college friend of hers… oh god, I'm so sorry Doc, but we have to get the cops in the borough closest to the resort informed, you never mentioned the name when you got back to work."

"It was owned by an old friend of mine, Max Kellerman, I can't believe I thought highly of such a young gentleman just because he came from a wealthy family, I knew she still had feelings for the young fella she danced with at the end of season show."

"Of course at that point we hadn't considered the war in Nam…" Goldsmith replies, a well respected Jewish-American in our community, His Brother Joseph was the local bank manager and they were also related obscurely to the Mayor.

"That's when I thank the lord neither of us has any sons" My father added laughingly, "I'd hate to be in Alexander Castle's shoes at the moment since his two eldest have already been fighting the commies; He wanders why his eldest had no qualms about going and of course Nico just followed his brother without a second glance."

"We've got to get to that resort right away, we can't worry your wife or oldest about it." Goldsmith said

They sped quickly to the A-45 and up the mountain road to Kellerman's and stopped out the front. Billy met my dad with a solemn smile, "She's still in the bed, she's got some real bad bruisin' though." He informed my Dad "Thanks, kid, where's the culprit anyway?" He asked casually, as if to answer it the sounds of a gun firing a blank into the still afternoon air sounded and a whimper followed, "Ok, ok I get your upset and all, but sheesh you've overreacted, I barely touched the girl." James said, smiling viciously.

"Barely touched her! Ha! You've assaulted her and caused grievous bodily harm You've scared her to death and she's gonna need counselling for it." Someone growled, "and I'm not overreacting cos I Love her…" He says softer, "Hey I do love her as well." James rebuked him, "But she has no feelings for you anyway, but I know she feels deeply for me." Said a tall, tough and tanned fellow coming from behind the amenity block hauling my assailant into view – "How so?" asks James, belligerently; "Because just three years ago she started taking lessons from me and we soon became attracted to one another." He replied

"Excuse me, but are you the firstborn of Alexander and Mabel Castle?" Dr. Goldsmith asked the young man, who's blue-gray eyes still were hard and sparking slightly;

"Yeah, I am. The Name's Jonathan Alex, but folks have always called me Johnny." He replied stretching out his right hand for Goldsmith to shake, Goldsmith shook it firmly and their friendship was sealed.

"You've changed a lot since then, kid. You've been fighting in Nam, and I didn't realize my daughter had these feelings for you till I started setting her up with… well him, I hadn't been as attuned to my little girl as before." My father said, looking at Johnny.

"Yeah, and I thought she'd quickly get over me and move on with her life, but I never truly forgot the sweet; charming, intelligent young lady I lost my heart to." Johnny murmured, with a soft smile on his lips.

"And she never truly got over you. I remember how she used to kiss a photo of you, and I thought James would fill the void inside Frances's heart so well, but alas I was completely wrong about that," My dad admitted. Then a group of cars came up; three police cars and a silvery-blue Ford SUV pulled up first out was a rather pretty young woman whose honey colored braids swung as she ran to Johnny throwing her arms about his neck.

"Oh my god; you look so much older than your what 26 years!" She gushed to Johnny, "It's so good to have you back; dearest brother." She breathed, giving Johnny another squeeze. Johnny returned her embrace with all the warmth of an eldest brother, and kissed her hand gently, but with little passion. "And you have only grown to look more like our mother." Johnny whispered to which the young woman giggled and blushed in response.

Their reunion was interrupted only seconds later, as the driver himself jumped out "Huh, knew my girl had and ulterior motive for comin' here" He stated but then he shouts "Johnny, Bud its been what eight years since we last caught up, How's things, man?" Hunter asked his old friend Johnny grinned at him in Welcome "Well I had and lost a position here and then went to Nam and blasted the asses off some Commies, think I must have killed a' least 50 already." Johnny boasted to his old friend. "So, ya got a girl yet, or do I have ta get you to come clubbing with me and the guys?" Gavin suggested

"Na, bro, there was one girl 'round three years ago, but otherwise nah, and I don't wanna ever have the same thing happen to my next girl, speaking hypothetically of course…" Johnny says angrily; gesturing towards the slightly open door where my dad was already treating my injuries.

His sister retracted then, and looked up into blue gray eyes which were once again hard and sparking;

"What's gotten you so upset, Jonathan?" his sister asked worriedly, and her amazing greeny-blue eyes reflected the worry she felt.

He gestured towards two undercover cops who were leading James to their squad car, in handcuffs.

"Ah, so the girl you mentioned earlier, is she still here? If so can I get to know her?" she fired rapidly till Johnny silences her with a glare, "You will later, but now she's in a lot of pain." He replied, wincing as he heard my soft sob of anguish, "That jerk took advantage of her just like what happened to cousin Eleanor back when we were younger." He explains, shivering at the memory.

After my father finished he led me out to his car and safely loaded me in the back seat before turning to Johnny.

"Thanks for standing up for my daughter when I could not." He said to Johnny who nodded his blond glinted head in the sunset.

He went to the side where I sat and tapped the window which I eagerly wound down, though the movement caused me a little pain

"You rest, Baby, once your largely recovered I'll visit you, I promise." He whispers, and blows me a fingertip kiss all I could give him was a nod and a smile then my Dad drove me home.

1 month later, July 6th 1966

It's been a whole month since the incident and I feel way better than I did before, even little Olivia, Lisa and Victor's small daughter has aided in my recovery.

I was in the Foyer with My dad when a familiar car drove up our street and a certain someone got out with a bright summery bouquet and Knocked on the door politely.

I answered it immediately, "Johnny, you came." I breathed, wrapping my arms around his neck.

His answering laughter was soft as he returned my embrace; "Well; I made a promise; and my mother taught me never to go back on a promise if it has been made." He murmured.

"Hello, and you must be Mabel's son, she told me on the phone, you'd been fighting in Vietnam…" My Mom said to Johnny, coming out of the kitchen with a comrade's smile on her lips.

"Thank-you, Mrs. Houseman, it's a pleasure to finally meet you." Johnny said, letting me go briefly to shake my Mother's hand firmly.

"Sis, who's that?" Lisa asks, frowning as she too comes into the foyer with Olivia on her hip.

He repeated the greeting he had given Goldsmith only a few days ago it seemed, "The Name's Jonathan Alex Castle, but folks have always called me Johnny, and yes, as you've probably assumed I like your sister, a whole lot."

"And I want to profess my liking in private, so Dr. Houseman, can I have permission to "court" your daughter for this short while; anyway?" He asks my Dad, with an amused twitch of his lips.

"Yes, you may;" My father said, then he barked out a laugh, "and we aren't in the last century anymore, Jonathan." He says, and he seems to be joking with Johnny, who returns the laughter.

"You'll like my sister, she's aiming to be an actress, and she'll go far, everyone in our family says so. what with her blonde hair, blue-green eyes and sweet nature, I have little doubt this is what drew my buddy Gav to her." Johnny said, as he led me to his Bel air, I sat patiently in the front passenger seat whilst he went round and settled himself into the driver's seat and Dad came out to tell him; "Don't let anything happen to my baby girl, or I'll tan your hide, I will." Johnny nodded in response, and then we drove into town;

Johnny turned to me; "Baby, look I only have a few weeks here to spend with the only girl I can see myself spending the rest of my life with, I dunno if I will make it back from Nam again so I want to spend every moment I can with you." He stated, kissing my forehead tenderly, I snuggled closer to him and whispered, "Johnny, where are we going?" He only smiled cheekily at me; winked and murmured "You'll see, Baby; But tell me this honestly, do you feel for me the way I do for you?; or am I simply wasting my time here." My breath caught and I looked into his eyes in astonishment "Johnny, from the moment I first laid eyes on you, I was yours, and would've quite gladly done anything to know you felt the same way; and then I was sure as I felt your fingers stroking my cheeks after we danced that mid-July night…." I said, my brown eyes shining with truth, he pulled me tight into his side and dropping his lips to my curly head whispered, "Heck, I wanted this to wait till we got there but, oh well. Baby; I didn't know what love truly meant till we crossed paths, some would call it chance, but I call it Fate, and you know I'd do anything to see your cute smile and bright eyes." He said honestly, and then his eyes were wet.

"Johnny; I wish you didn't have to go back and fight the commies, I couldn't bear it if you-you-you d-died." I said tearing up because I knew I would never love another man the way I loved him, so I would wait for the miracle of his return.

"Hey, don't be so sure I won't make it out of there alive, your admission of love increases my will to keep on going. Promise me you'll tell your parents – I don't want to have them set you up with another one again." Johnny murmured.

"I'm sure Daddy won't; he's a bit paranoid because of what happened with James and how he turned out to be a really horrible guy." I assured him, with a smile of my own.

We arrived at a densely wooded area, but obviously someone was waiting for us, since another car sat not far off, and its paintwork shimmered in the afternoon sun.

"Hey, Johnny, come sit with us!" Shouted a tall man with dark auburn hair and blue-black eyes.

"Oh… Hey Gav, what the hell are you doin' here?" He angrily questions his mate who grins sheepishly, "Before you express your anger violently it was your sister's idea not mine; and who's this, anyway?" Gavin fires back., gesturing toward me.

I was paying little attention to their exchange as I caught sight of a girl, probably a year older than me, and my breath caught again, that was sure to be Johnny's only sister as she did match his prior description perfectly; her dark honey locks were elaborately braided, she was sporting a jade colored sundress and silver stiletto boots with sky blue accents and a pair of dark green sunglasses.

She smiled sweetly at me and then Johnny called "Anne-Maria Lucille Castle, what is the meaning of this?!" Then she scurried to him like a frightened little mouse and pulled down the sunglasses to reveal those amazing eyes which were now the blue of the clear sky above, suddenly shimmered and clouded with moisture "I just wanted to meet the girl you talked so fondly of…" she replied, sniffling. He drew her to him then, "Sorry, Sis, didn't want for ya to react in quite that manner; I'm just shocked that you were here and all." He says to pacify her, it works and she wipes a tear away from her cheek; in that same moment Johnny glares over his right shoulder to where Gavin still stands looking all be it perplexed, "You take care of my sister now, man, and don' let a thing happen to my only sister otherwise me and Nico will beat you within an inch of your life." He threatens and though his sister and I were aware that he was joking, his friend thought he meant it and flinched.

Her eyes twinkled green with mischief "If you didn't realise, dear Gavin, my brother was just teasing." She said laughing and I joined in; my own laughter melding perfectly with hers and Johnny's.

Johnny readily composes himself after a moment, clearing his throat he pulled me so I was in front of him; his hands rested on my shoulders;

"Baby, that's my favorite sister, Anne-Maria." He says, nodding to the woman, she laughed again "Damn right, because I am your only sister!"

He smiles again and nods his head, "And dearest sister, this is the girl who has stolen my heart, Miss Baby Houseman." He says, winking at me.

We both shared a sisterly embrace and I said to her, "Your really beautiful, you know that?"

She laughs heartily at my comment, "I know. It's not like I haven't had that said about me a billion times prior, and that's no exaggeration; by the way."

"Your brother tells me you want to be an actress and go to Hollywood…" I tell her and she nods, "That's true; Mother has always told me never to lose faith in the world; I lost touch once both my big brothers were shipped to Nam," She turns to Johnny, "What of our brother Nicholas, Jonathan?" she asks.

"I can't say much of our brother's condition, Anne; we're in different camps after all. But I bet Father is stressed because Brady will soon be conscripted. But at least our "Baby" brother won't be in Nam, he's barely 14 and the minimum age for conscription is 19 and 10 months."

Anne-Maria nods "Thank the lord it will be mostly over before Eli gets the chance to go." And then she looks confusedly at him, "But why hasn't our cousin, Billy been conscripted after all he's in Nico's age."

Johnny then just shakes his head but then throws a look at his friend as the same question could be asked of him in particular; "How long have you been together for?" He asks, looking from his sister to his old friend and back.

"Oh; about a year, why?" His sister questions, and then stiffens as if having already foreseen his answer.

"Well; Have you been home yet? Father is worried that you've fallen into the grasp of the wrong type of guy, and he has a right to; since you're his baby girl and he's spoiled you rotten since the day you were born…" Johnny replies to his seraphim goddess of a sister; who appeared to be somewhat perplexed;

"Well no; I have not and I'm glad you at least approve, don't you?"

"I guess I do, at least we've known Gavin since I was four and you were a baby."

"But have you told our parents about Baby yet?" Anne-Maria asked her brother, a sly grin on her face;

"Yeah, I did, while she was recovering from the incident; of course they want to get to know her; and our mother's are already friends according to Mother, they know each other through our aunt Marina; who went to school with her and Father's a respected gynaecologist anyhow; so Dr. Houseman has to have some familiarity with his body of work." Johnny replied.

So over the next few weeks our families got well acquainted with each other and soon came the day I was dreading… Johnny's going back to Vietnam; It was a high summer afternoon when we were gathered at the harbor; Johnny's sister and his two youngest brothers; His parents and his Uncle Mik and Aunt Lynne; who were incidentally Billy's parents; a fact which I had only just realized to this point and also a woman a little younger than Johnny's sister who was dark; hair eyes and olive skin; Johnny explained this was Billy's sister Grace; who was called Gracie and was herself in love with a serviceman who had unfortunately been under captivity of the commies, but had somehow escaped with a serious leg injury, and would likely have a noticeable limp for the remainder of his lifetime.

"Johnny, I wish you didn't have to go back There…" I told him with tears in my eyes, He kisses my lips tenderly, "Baby, don't cry; I promise you I'll write you as much as I can." Johnny replied, hugging me tightly I rested my head on his chest then he let me go and turned to his Parents; "Mother; I'll keep an eye on Nico as much as is possible. When is Brady being shipped to Nam?" He asks his father who gives his eldest a wan smile: "In a week, although he could've gone over with you but he thought that would be too emotionally taxing for the four of us…." Then he turned somewhat angrily to his sister, "Why has William not been shipped to Vietnam yet? he should really be there like my boys are." He asks, "Why even your daughter's fiancée is over there blastin' the asses off commies, as my firstborn so rightly said." "Well; we do not have a clear indication as to why; But Alexander, dearest brother; you should really be aware your little girl is in a relationship." Lynne yelled angrily at her oldest brother, she was still somewhat jealous of the fact both her brothers had more children then she did. Johnny's Father stares at her in disbelief then turns a pair of eyes just the color of Johnny's on his daughter who tenses up immediately

"Anne-Maria Lucille! Why haven't you told your mother and I about this love of yours why haven't you brought him home so your siblings, mom and I can appraise him?!" He questions angrily. For a second her expression mimics the one she showed Johnny when he had reacted the same way weeks earlier; but now she laughs; "Because, dear father you've already known him for years at any rate." Their father stared at his daughter incredulously and Johnny and his two youngest brothers laughed merrily "How so?" asks Johnny's Father still angry Johnny answers this time "She's going out with my childhood friend, Gav Hunter; don't you remember father? you were friends with his Pa, Adam."

"Oh Yes I do; I'm relieved she's with someone your mother and I can both approve of, Right my lovely Mabel?" He answers then turning to the wife who is half-way to tears because her second son is still fighting in Vietnam, her eldest is going back there today and her second youngest will soon go too.

Suddenly a ship made its way into the port it was a military freighter too and we all knew with certainty it was picking Johnny up; because he started saying his goodbyes first he bid farewell to his Aunt, Uncle and cousin, then his father and brothers although to Bradley he gave a teasing wink, "I'll see you soon right, kid?" He asked and we all laughed. Bradley nodded his blond head; "That's right, I'll be seeing' you within the month I hope. And bro I ain't a kid no more, I'm eighteen years old but I look at least twenty; so I was able to get past the recruiters." He whispers. Johnny then embraces his mother and sister who are perfect images of one another who managed to smile through their tears; "Don't you two worry your pretty lil' heads, I'll write to you as well, and Anne, you make sure Gav doesn't go over, you got the best one of my friends there, but if he ever cheats on you, then he will be dead meat; just like that asshole James O'Rourke." He says his voice turning acidic by the end but they had not a moment to answer as he turned at last to me and my eyes clouded over "Johnny Castle; I love you so much and wish you didn't have to go." I murmured the tears falling from my eyes I hid my face in his broad chest as he tightly embraces me kissing my hair; "Baby, you know I wish I didn't also; but be thankful we had this time together… I have this for you as a keep sake." He reaches into the jacket and hands me a golden locket and when I opened it I saw a lock of his hair was encased there; "I'll treasure this till the day I die, Thank you dear Johnny." I murmured once again and he hugged me tightly when the captain called "Lieutenant Castle? The ships departing at 10:00; so get done with your goodbyes." He was short both in stature and temper so we shared one more long kiss and hug before Johnny let me go and boarded the boat for Saigon.

A/N: Ah, the cliff hangers…. Will Johnny & Baby be reunited? Stay tuned for the 2nd chapter.