DISCLAIMERS: For full disclaimers see Chapter 1. I do not own Guiding Light or any of the characters.

All constructive comments, opinions and suggestions are welcome so please read and review...

Chapter 4

An auction, presentations, food, music and dancing, not to mention a lot of money raised for a worthy cause, all in all the fundraiser was considered a huge success. With most of the formal elements of the evening out of the way a party atmosphere was taking hold. Since the live band completed their set the music had upped in volume and Olivia was resisting the impulse to look at her watch, difficult to see in the subdued lighting required to make the most of the spotlights flashing and spinning in time with the beat.

When Decker tapped her on the arm and leant over to shout above the thudding bass, she was caught between relief they were finally going to leave and dread that the evening still wasn't totally over. Her whole body seemed to be pulsing, her brain having pounded out a tattoo in rhythm for the last half hour and she was sure she had read somewhere about loud music affecting biorhythms leading her to wonder if her pacemaker might start beeping in counterpoint at any second.

Decker had schmoozed at various tables during the event and obviously felt now was as good a time as any to leave.

"Drinks at Towers?" he shouted directly into her ear to be sure he was heard.

She nodded and taking the lead from her boss, stood up from the table and either waved farewell or shook hands with their dinner companions, dependent upon their proximity to her at the table.

She felt Decker's hand on the small of her back as he guided her around the packed dance floor and out into the cooler corridor; her hearing so abused it was as if she were swimming underwater.

"You know I like a party as much as the next guy but it's not particularly conducive to talk," Decker smiled.

Under other circumstances she might have flirted with him and said something like, 'Oh I don't know, talk can be overrated,' or 'The party was just getting started, I thought you would at least ask me to dance,' but she didn't feel like flirting. She didn't feel like much of anything at the moment.

Actually, that wasn't true.

The idea of a hot cup of coffee, some quiet conversation and the inevitable companionable silence with a certain someone was something she didn't just 'feel like' but very much desired. But she was the face of 'Galaxy', she mentally sighed, and her boss wanted to have some drinks with her.

Maybe a drink or two wouldn't be so bad. Get a grip; remember you signed up for this.

"Change of venue may help if I can hear you over the ringing in my ears." Not to mention the pounding in my head. I swear I've had this headache all day.

Decker chuckled and nodded agreement. "You know Olivia, I thought the staging of this event was very well organised. When we go out to visit I want to include you in some discussions with our events people."

Olivia genuinely smiled, ignoring the inevitable prospect of having to travel around Asia and accepting the compliment.

"I knew when we signed you we weren't just getting a pretty face."

"Why thank you Larry. Shall we?" She indicated the door and they made their way to Towers.

~/\~

"You know, you don't have to do that?"

"I know but look at it in here," Natalia gestured at the full tables and small crowd at the bar, "You're shorthanded and I'm not doing anything at the moment."

Buzz eyed her, "Doesn't Olivia pay you well enough?"

"To cover my legal fees?"

Buzz had the decency to look her in the eyes, "Alright, alright. Yes, I could use the help. Thank you Natalia."

Natalia did a little jump, smiled, grabbed the 'Company' apron from his hand and dashed off to continue bussing tables.

Buzz shook his head; he had never known anyone so keen and eager to work. Truthfully he was worried for the slight woman, now moving through the tables to clear away empty plates and smiling at his customers. Although she appeared to have a boundless optimism he knew life had tested her faith and he wondered how much longer she could continue to burn her candle at both ends. Having to meet the demands of Olivia Spencer on a daily basis was just one element of her current situation he couldn't fathom.

Sure, there was the 'Gus' connection he understood that but it went deeper.

Olivia had provided Natalia with an incredible opportunity and where his son, Frank, might believe it was just another way for Olivia to manipulate the at times painfully naive and trusting younger woman, Buzz more than most, had seen beyond the businesswoman's sometimes harsh veneer. Regardless of how much she purported to be untouchable and independent he also knew some of Olivia's darkest most telling secrets. No matter how much she played on her 'bitch' image, he knew she had a big heart.

And for whatever reason that heart had found a place for Natalia.

He had seen the look on her face...


He was working behind the bar at Company, wiping some glasses. It had been a steady afternoon so far, the highlights being Olivia's presence and the news bulletin regarding Rafe's trial being pushed up having secured a new lawyer.

When he tried to question Olivia and what she knew about this new lawyer and what her involvement was in the whole affair she just waved him off, claiming to know nothing about it and bringing his attention back to her news.

Olivia was excited and bubblier than the bad champagne they had just shared to celebrate her having made a deal with Lawrence Decker to work for Galaxy Hotels.

He was happy for her, originally he thought she had turned Decker down but something must have happened to cause her to change her mind. Although he had been reluctant to serve her alcohol knowing her condition, her mood was so infectious he realised he didn't really have a choice and kept a careful eye on her as she sipped her single glass allowance. Besides, he really did felt like celebrating following the news about Rafe.

When Olivia suggested he take some time off he faced her with the reality he was shorthanded and watched her face when she inquired after Natalia, the bald statement of her belief the younger woman needed all the work she could get. Feeling sympathy for the absent woman and her current woes he pointed out the different circles they moved in and reminded Olivia how Natalia was trying to survive every day.

Her spirit and sense of occasion not to be deterred she raised her glass for another swig and discarded his comments in favour of prolonging her good times but he could see her mind at work behind her eyes.

He was distracted then by a call from Rafe, the young man needed guidance and reassurance, Buzz could tell he was afraid. His earlier party mood diminishing as his call ended, he noted Olivia on her cell but didn't tune in until he heard her say, 'Natalia?' and her tone changed.

Trying to disguise his eavesdropping he continued to wipe around the bar hearing only one further word, 'Compliant?', before Olivia closed her cell and turned with a pensive look on her face.

"What's wrong?"

She looked troubled as she returned her cell to her bag. "Huh? What makes you think anything is wrong?"

"Okay." Not sure he felt like taking Olivia on he went with, "Forget about it."

Olivia sighed, "I don't need this. It's nothing." She waved a hand at him, picked up her bag and moved around the bar to the exit. Almost to the end of the bar she staggered and braced herself, his arm instinctively reached out, "Hey, wait." He watched as she stood with her eyes closed, "What is it? Is it your heart?"

Opening her eyes and shaking her head she tried to convince him with a smile, "I'm okay, Buzz."

He wouldn't be played, "How many times has this happened before?"

Cutting him off she answered, "I… It's heartburn I told you."

"It's not heartburn, this isn't the champagne." He took her arm, "Come on."

"Where're we going?"

"We're going to go across the street. We're going to the hospital."

"Buzz…"

Her protests notwithstanding, he escorted her to Cedars. He was worried; several times during the course of their impromptu celebration she had looked uncomfortable. Now she looked troubled again and sat staring and playing with her phone while he attempted to find a doctor before she fled, her patience obviously wearing thin.

Whatever was weighing on her mind however was far more important than her physical health because his efforts to find out what was taking so long allowed her the necessary time to make her escape.

He didn't see her again until almost forty-five minutes later when she came breezing back into Company with Natalia in tow, her mood once again ebullient

"Unbelievable, that guy was such a sleaze," Olivia laughed.

Buzz immediately moved towards them as Natalia threw her jacket down on a barstool, clearly not sharing Olivia's amusement.

"Err what's…what's happening?" the polar opposites before him having reversed their normal personalities and moods to confuse him even further.

"Nothing. It's over." Olivia's tone elated and final.

Natalia finally spoke, her actions clearly displaying her anger as she turned to face Olivia and seethed, "How dare you?"

"How…? Excuse me?" Olivia was stunned, her mood instantly reverting to one of challenge.

"What do you think is going to happen to Rafe now?"

"I just saved your butt in there."

"Oh who asked you to?"

"Ah, look. What's going on here?" Buzz tried to interject, there was more to this story but the pair before him seemed only focused on each other.

"He was all over you!" Olivia's voice was rising in pitch and indignation.

All over her?

"Yeah well he's the best lawyer in town right? You said so yourself, and now he's not going to help Rafe."

Buzz could hear the emotion catch in Natalia's voice, what on earth had happened?

"What would you have to do for that help?"

"Oh nothing that you wouldn't do, Olivia, for Ava or for Emma."

"That's different."

"Well how's that different?"

"Because I'm me and you're you!"

Buzz tried again to calm the suddenly heated conversation before him, "Look could you take it down a notch you two," he turned to Olivia admonishing, "your heart..."

"Oh!" Olivia frustrated and Natalia instantly shifting her focus, "What's going on with your heart now?"

Buzz attempted to explain, "She just came back from the hospital…"

"And my heart is fine, my heart is fine!" She drew the word out, ending with emphasis before turning back to Natalia to accuse, "Gus's heart is all you really care about. Right?"

Clearly taken aback but still angered, Natalia's overriding nature poked through to throw out, "Well just sit down then."

"Oh, like I'm going to take your help when you won't take mine. Button your shirt!"

Buzz didn't watch as she stormed away, he had finally made the connection and joined the dots. Knowing she needed to know he told Natalia, "She wouldn't talk to the doctor because she was worried about you."

A small sigh of frustration and Natalia turned to shout after Olivia's back, "I can take care of myself!"

But Buzz wondered if that were actually true and whether Natalia, forlornly stood at the bar drawing her blouse together, really knew the extent of Olivia's concern.


It wasn't long after that Olivia had collapsed outside and he witnessed Natalia begging her to not give up, a sentiment he wholeheartedly shared. Then, when Natalia became her personal assistant, Buzz realised it was a role she had been fulfilling for some time, jumping every time Olivia called. It was glaringly obvious they cared about each other; Natalia had even gone away for a few days with Olivia and Emma recently, returning with a swollen ankle for her exploits.

He vowed to speak to her about taking on so much, if Olivia was really sick again Natalia's kind-hearted nature would prevent her from telling the powerful woman 'no'.

So what was it about the phone call Natalia received earlier this evening and the look on her face which made him think of Olivia?

Something was up, something was most definitely up.

~/\~

"Another martini please," Decker signalled the bartender indicating two more drinks, one for himself and one for his alluring companion.

He had been delighted when Olivia changed her mind and signed the deal to work for him; the woman had an uncanny business acumen and fairly radiated appeal, all in a sophisticated, stylish package. They were on their fourth round of drinks and Decker was enjoying himself immensely, it wasn't often he found such a beautiful, intelligent woman to discuss his favourite subjects with, and he was pleased he had planned to have the company owners visit to meet his prized find.

His previous concerns regarding Olivia's physical health appeared unfounded. When he had first made enquiries around Springfield he had heard a lot of talk regarding Olivia's heart transplant but watching her this evening was finally putting those fears to rest. As Olivia herself had said, she had an eight year old daughter and if she could keep up with her...

The days away she had taken seemed to have done wonders for her too, he couldn't quite put his finger on it but she appeared a little more relaxed. His slightly lecherous side couldn't help thinking if he had time away with her gorgeous assistant, he would probably be more relaxed too, in fact, thinking about it, the only thing which would make this evening sweeter would be if Natalia made an appearance.

~/\~

Olivia was holding out hope that the next martini might actually do the trick and put her out of her misery, passing out in an unceremonious heap and potentially ending her short career as a hotel spokesperson.

To say it was purely through stubborn will, and the use of her elbow resting on the table to prop her head in her hand, that was keeping her upright was most likely one of the grandest understatements in history.

Her eyelids felt heavy, a look she was sure was being misinterpreted as seductive and she was starting to believe, for all her years in the hotel industry, she knew virtually nothing in comparison to the endless and effusive knowledge Decker had managed to spew at her in the last couple of hours.

She had gulped down the fresh air on their journey to Towers in an attempt to clear her head and reasoned the alcohol would spike her adrenaline and keep her a conscious if not altogether entertaining participant as the evening wore on.

Why didn't I take Natalia up on her offer and have a pre-arranged emergency to attend to? Oh that's right, because it'd be a little too high school to do that and obvious. Pah! I run a hotel! There has to be something that needs my immediate attention, hmm... did I leave the iron on?

Olivia shook herself and sipped at her newly arrived drink.

"So how long has Natalia worked for you Olivia?"

"Hm? Oh, just under a year," she lied. It wasn't a big lie; Natalia had worked for her for that length of time just not in the capacity Decker knew about. "She's moved up in the company." Olivia giggled a little at her own private joke and then eyed the martini as if it might betray her.

"Well, she's definitely a find."

"And I found her." Whoa, easy tiger. She could feel her hackles rising and her headache ratcheted up a notch forcing her to close her eyes. Concerned what her drinking buddy might think she smiled, opened her eyes and taking a deep breath exhaled slowly as if to emphasise the point she was about to make. "It's never going to happen Larry. I told you, you have to convince her first and she has far too much going on here in Springfield to take up any offer you can make."

"Oh, now that sounds like a challenge."

She could feel her jaw muscles clenching as she pulled her smile wider, "Trust me Larry, you're wasting your time."

He looked at his watch, "Think she'll still be up?"

Holding his gaze, she wanted to wipe the smug, superior look off his face but she also recognised the opportunity he had presented, this could be the lifeline she was searching for. Opening her bag to retrieve her phone she kept her eyes locked with Decker's and dialled.

~/\~

The evening rush was over and Natalia sat at the bar sipping a coffee and poring over the local newspaper. She had already scoured through the job pages, an activity which had become second nature to her even with her current employment with Olivia, and had now moved on to look at properties. Since the sale of her house she was looking to use the money from the sale wisely.

Buzz finished wiping the glass in his hand, calling out a goodnight to his leaving patrons and turned to regard the intent young woman occupying the space before him. Her expressive face moved from wistful, to perplexed, to chagrin as she moved down the listings.

"See something you like?"

"Hm?" She looked up at him and smiled, "Plenty. See anything I can afford? Not so much."

"Well, it's not like you have to decide tonight."

She nodded and turned to look at her phone resting on the bar where she placed it.

"You expecting a call?"

"What?"

"Your phone, you've been playing with it all night."

Had she? "Have I?" He nodded and raised his brows. "Oh, I just..."

"What?"

"It's silly but I was convinced Olivia was going to call."

"Olivia? She's alright isn't she?" Buzz was beginning to think his earlier concerns were well founded and maybe now would be a good time to speak to Natalia about easing up a bit, she had worked non-stop this evening and was even now waiting on Olivia.

Natalia hesitated, she didn't want to worry Buzz he was a good friend to Olivia but Olivia had seemed a little off to her all day and it was unusual not to have heard from her. Maybe she was just being a mother hen again.

"She's fine, I just knew she had a lot planned for this evening and figured she'd need my help." She felt about as convincing as earlier, "Obviously I was wrong and the evening went better than we thought it would."

"It certainly worked out well for me. Really Natalia, thank you for jumping in earlier..." he was about to say more.

She flashed a fully dimpled smile at him and took a step off the bar stool to stand up and gather her things, "Glad I could help."

As she turned to go her cell began to vibrate. Surprised, she looked to Buzz before looking back down to the phone again and answering it, "Hello? Olivia?"

By the way she grabbed her things and moved to the door with barely a glance behind; Buzz guessed she had been right after all.

To be continued...

Flashback scene taken from episode 26th Sept 2008 Part 1 here: .com/watch?v=H1KGTGCBphg and Part 2 here:.com/watch?v=9X2obI2QmXw...feature=related - with thanks to gidgegrl16 for the clips