A/N: Hello to those who are reading... sorry i didn't get this up before Christmas, it just got too hectic.

tanya2byour21- Thanks for the review and ITA with you about Sharon. I think she's whiny and hypocritically. i did like her a very, very long time ago and then i liked her again when her and Jack were married when her character finally showed some growth but then they regressed her back to the vapid twit she was before she grew a backbone and a brain. Still when I'm writing her I try not to let my hate show through but I still write her as the confused dingbat Y&r created.

LBF- Thanks for the review. ITA about Sharon cheating on Nick too and her being responsible for their breakup too, that's why the Phick affair never bothered me because all Shick did was take turns cheating on eachother for ten years. Heck they started out cheating on Amy and Matt to be togethe so it was always their pattern. I think Sharon's issue with Phyllis has never been that she actually slept with her husband, I mean she always forgave Grace after a few months, it was that Nick actually fell in love with Phyllis.

Anyways peoples, on to the next chapter... and as always, reviews are love!

You've Got A Friend

You just call out my name
And you know wherever I am
I'll come running to see you again
Winter, spring, summer or fall
All you have to do is call
And I'll be there, yeah, yeah, yeah.
You've got a friend

Phyllis watched from the deck as her daughter ran around the yard, chasing butterflies. She looked so carefree; so happy, and Phyllis was glad that for the most part her daughter seemed unaffected by leaving Genoa City. Mostly unaffected. The thought echoed in her mind. Her daughter had asked if they were going to call Daddy today so there she stood, cell phone clutched in her hand while her eyes watched Summer run through the grass happily.

"It's not going to bite you know," Damon said as he stood behind her.

She blinked a few times, not expecting him to be there, before turning back to see him. "You should really learn how to make some noise or people are going to think you're trying to sneak up on them."

"I will do my best to walk harder next time," he flashed her a smile. "So," he motioned towards the phone in her hand. "Are you going to call the man or what?"

"I'm working myself up to it," she sighed deeply. "This is-this is crazy. I can do this."

"You can do this," he said before placing a soft kiss near her temple. "I have to go into town to take care of a few things and then I will be back to take you and that gorgeous girl of yours to the fair."

"She's really excited," she smiled wistfully.

He nodded knowingly. "You and Summer, you'll be okay?"

"I'm always okay," she said with a nonchalant shrug. "Go; I'll see you later." She watched him flash another smile before he slipped back inside as quietly as he'd come out before she turned back to the cell phone in her hand. Taking a deep breath she dialed the all too familiar number, her heart rate accelerating at the sound of the line ringing.

"He-hello," a groggy voice picked up before she heard a lot of shuffling.

"Nick?" she said through the noise. "Hello…"

"Phyllis," he sat up in bed quickly, ignoring the pounding of his head at the sound of her voice. "Phyllis, you still there?"

"I'm still here," she sighed deeply. "Hey."

"Hey," there was relief in his voice. '"Are you-are you and Summer okay?"

"We're fine Nick," she replied. "I tried calling you before I left…"

"I know," he cut her off. "I got your voicemail. I must've called you about twenty times last night."

"I noticed," she felt awkward talking to him. "We were on the plane and then getting settled in here."

"Where are you?" he asked.

"Arizona," she answered.

"Arizona," he repeated. "What are you doing all the way out there?"

"Visiting," she answered sharply. "I just wanted to call and let you know that your daughter is fine; I'm sure you were thinking I kidnapped her or something by your messages."

"That's not what I thought," Nick defended. "I was just worried about when you two would be back."

"I'm not sure," she replied. "I need this… time to get back to being me; the me I was before Paris. Maybe even the me I was before Michael and Lauren's wedding."

"Phyllis," he spoke her name sadly. "I know I've put you through a lot. Most women would've broken and if you need some time away from me for a little while I understand that but I need you to know that I want you to come home… to me."

"Wha-what?" she stuttered as she felt the sting of tears in her eyes. "What home Nick? You walked out, on me, on our family for some trip down memory lane with Sharon and your prophecy baby and now what because I'm not-I'm not just waiting around suddenly something has changed." She let out a heavy breath. "This is unbelievable… your arrogance, it just- it knows no bounds."

"That's not what I meant Phyllis," Nick's voice was firm. "I just meant…"

"I don't care what you meant, that's what this is about: me, me Nick. Do you think you can understand that?" She shook her head. "You know what, no..."

"No," he repeated, the confusion evident in his voice.

"No," she repeated firmly. "This is not the reason I called you, to get in another argument that goes no where," she took a calming breath. "Besides you should be getting something from Michael tomorrow."

"What?" he asked, his voice slightly panicked. "Phyllis we need to talk about this."

"The only thing left to talk about at this point is our daughter," she said before looking out at where her daughter was playing. "Would you like to talk to your daughter?"

"Yes I would Phyllis after I am done talking to you," he answered.

"Well talking to me right now isn't an option; I'm moving on." Her eyes drifted back to the young girl chasing butterflies. "Summer," she called. "Your dad's on the phone."

"Phyllis," he raised his voice. "Phyllis…"

"Here you go sweetheart," he heard her voice but it sounded like she was away from the phone. "Just hang up when you're done babygirl."

"Okay," Summer said happily as she put the phone to her ear. "Hi Daddy!"

"Hey Supergirl," Nick felt immediately relieved at the sound of his little girl's voice. "Are you having fun with mommy on your trip?"

"Yup," she nodded against the phone. "It's really pretty her and there's even more horses here and a pony. Mommy's friend Damon said it could be my very own."

"Damon huh," he furrowed his brows, making sure to control his voice. "Is that who you and Mommy are visiting?"

"Uh-huh," she nodded again, despite the fact he couldn't see her. "We're going to go to a physic fair to get incense and a crystal and see a belly dancer and get our faces painted."

"Well," he paused with raised brows, "that seems like a whole lot of fun. Make sure you take pictures for me."

"I will," Summer replied happily. "I love you Daddy."

"I love you too Supergirl," he replied. "I'll call you later."

"Okay," she nodded with a grin. "Bye Daddy."

"Bye Summer," he said before hearing the phone click before falling back against the bed unceremoniously as he thought about his wife and daughter with another man.

Sharon sat on the cold bench, staring at the dingy concrete wall. She'd had a lot of unexpected things happen to her the last few years, tragic things even, but still she never thought the day would come when she'd end up here: scared, alone, pregnant, in jail. She'd tried calling both Jack and Nick but neither one had taken her call; she knew Jack was upset about her leading him on and Nick had probably taken up with Phyllis again. Phyllis. She shook her head in disgust, she was the reason she'd ended up here in the first place. First she'd stolen her husband and now she had cost her her freedom. After all, if she wasn't so distraught about Nick leaving her for Phyllis yet again she would've never gotten so upset and left without paying for the ring she'd tried on.

"Sharon Abbott," the officer said as he approached the holding cell, sticking the key in the lock. "You're free to go; the charges have been dropped."

"Thank you," she stood up quickly, pulling her black woolen coat around her a bit awkwardly. "I told you-I told you I didn't belong here."

"That's what they all say," he sneered before leading her out to the squad room, motioning to the regal man standing off to the side.

"Victor," she let out a breath of relief as she rushed towards him. "Oh Victor, it was horrible-just horrible."

"You're okay now," he replied soothingly as he took her in his arms. "I talked to the man at the jewelry store and convinced him to drop the charges."

"Thank you," she pulled back. "Thank you so much. I've been in there all night."

"You should have called me," he reprimanded lightly. "You know I am here for you whenever you need me."

"I know," she offered him a smile. "I was just embarrassed that this happened again. I didn't want to disappoint you."

"You could never disappoint me Sharon," he said earnestly as he took one of her hands within his own, patting it gently. "We are family."

"That means a lot considering…" she trailed off. "I assume Nick told you."

"Yes he did my darling and I am sorry it didn't turn out the way you wanted," his usually hardened eyes were kind.

"How did you find out I was here?" her blue eyes looked up at him.

"Noah," he answered.

"Noah?" she repeated. "Noah knows?"

Victor nodded. "It was leaked in that damn press; he saw it on the internet this morning."

"Oh God, just what he needs." Sharon held her head in distress. "He's been through so much Victor and he's already so upset with me and Nick; this is the last things he needs."

"We'll help him get through it," Victor replied before wrapping an arm around her. "Let's get out of here; I'll take you home."

"I can't go back to The Club," she shook her head. "I'm sure there are reporters outside and I just-I just can't handle that after spending the night in here."

"You'll come back to The Ranch," he replied.

"Victor, are you sure?" she questioned, "With Nick and Phyllis being right there?"

"Phyllis is out of town for a few days," he answered. "It won't be a problem."

Her eyes lit up. "Okay," she smiled.

"Okay?" he watched her nod again. "Then," he drew the word, "you ready to get out of here or what?" Victor watched her nod again. "Come on sweetheart."

Sharon leaned against him, taking in the comforting strength she could always depend on as they made their way out of the police station.

Nick strolled into The Athletic Club, seeing the man he was looking for already sitting at the table. "Hey man," he said as she sat down. "I'm glad you could meet me."

"Sure," Paul said as he sat back. "What's up Nick?"

"I need some information on a guy who used to live here," he explained. "I'm sure you remember him; I think you and Christine helped him and Phyllis get out of something several years back."

Paul looked at him quizically. "Are you talking about Damon Porter?"

"That's him," Nick nodded.

"And what exactly am I looking for here Nick?" Paul asked. "Is Newman trying to find him to bring him back into the cosmtic industry?"

"No," Nick shook his head, "nothing like that. This is personal… very personal." He sighed. "Phyllis and Summer went out of town to visit him and I don't know where exactly that's at."

"Do you think Phyllis has taken off with Summer?" the detective sat up fully in his chair.

"No," Nick shook his head. "I've talked to her and I'm sure Summer will be back," he sighed deeply, "I'm just not sure she will."

"I don't understand," he furrowed his brows at the young man.

"She's filed for divorce," he explained. "At least she alluded to that. I guess I'll see when I receive whatever it is from Michael tomorrow."

"Oh Nick," he paused briefly, "I'm sorry."

"It's my fault," he shook his head.

"This and the whole Sharon thing must be a lot to handle all at once," Paul replied. "How is she handling everything?"

"I honestly don't know and right now I can't be concerned about my ex-wife," Nick said. "That's how everything got messed up between me and Phyllis in the first place." He sighed deeply. "The only thing I'm concerned about is my son but seeing how he refuses to talk to me or his mother right now, I'll just have to wait for him to come to me. In the meantime, I need to focus on Phyllis."

"So you just want to know where she's at?" he asked.

"I know she's in Arizona but I think she left the city out on purpose," Nick explained.

"And when I find out what city he lives in?" Paul asked. "It shouldn't be hard to track down the information."

"When you find out what city he's in and his address," Nick paused briefly, "then I'm going to Arizona to convince my wife to come back home where she belongs."

"Do you think that's wise Nick?" Paul asked.

"Are you refusing the job?" he questioned.

"No," he shook his head, "but as a friend, I'm asking you if you're sure about this. You could just push her further away when she already may come home on her own if you give her a little space."

"That's a chance I'll just have to take," Nick replied. "I made the mistake of letting her go too many times before; I won't make that mistake again. So friend," he stressed the word, "are you in?"

Paul nodded. "I'm in."

"That was so much fun!" Summer said as they made their way into the house carrying her new salt lamp. "The lady said I had a very bright aura." She smiled brightly before turning to look at Damon. "What's an aura?"

He leaned down so he was face to face with her. "An aura is basically the light surrounding you." He looked up at Phyllis to make sure it was okay to explain it to her daughter, her nod encouraging him to go on. "Some people believe, I being one of them, that every human being has an aura surrounding them."

"But if everyone has one why can't I see it?" she asked.

"Because it is spiritual," he answered. "It is like looking with your soul or your heart instead of your mind."

"Like angels," she supplied.

"Exactly," he nodded. "And she said you have a bright aura because she can see with her heart that you are as bright and beautiful little girl on the inside as you are on the outside." He paused. "Does that make any sense?"

"A lot," Summer nodded happily before reaching over to give him a hug. "I think you have a bright aura too Damon." She smiled as she pulled back, "Almost as bright as my mommy's."

"You are a special girl Summer Newman," he said as he stood up.

"Yeah she is," Phyllis said before embracing her daughter, lifting her up as she squeezed her tightly. "I love you Babygirl."

"I love you too Mommy," she replied as her mother set her on her feet. "Can I go color in my new coloring book now?"

"Sure," Phyllis said as she handed her the bag. "Go on up squirt; I'll call you when it's time for dinner." She watched her daughter trot up the stairs before turning back to look at her friend. "She really likes you."

"I like her too," Damon said with a nod. "Thank you for joining me today and for letting your daughter come."

"I had fun," she said. "It distracted me," she shrugged, "at least for a few minutes until I caved and let that physic give me a reading." She rolled her eyes.

"Are you going to tell me what she said?" he asked.

"Why don't we save that for another day," she offered him a smile. "You know, I never asked you how you ended up here in Sedona. What happened with Adrienne and Atlanta?"

"You sure don't beat around the bush now do you?" he scratched at his eyesbrow.

"When have I ever?" she rolled her eyes. "So," she looked up at him, "are you going to tell me?" she paused briefly. "I thought when you left Genoa City that the two of you had found your way back." She let out a small breath. "You know, this is-this is sort of ironic. You and Adrienne are kind of like Nick and Sharon."

"And how do you figure that?" he raised a brow at her.

She shrugged. "Well they lost Cassie and that was what forced them apart in the first place and then some years passed and they runited, just like you and Adrienne." Phyllis shook her head. "If only I'd seen the similarities then before I even let myself get sucked in this deep. Why did I do that?"

"You can't control love Baby," he shook his head, "no one can. It sweeps us up in it's current and we are powerless to stop it."

"Yeah, until you're washed ashore after almost drowning," she spat out before earning a disapproving look for him. "What, I'm sorry… no. You know what, I'm not sorry. I'm not going to apologize for my feelings anymore. I've been doing that for far too long, just pretending-preteding that I was happy when I wasn't or that it was me, that I was the crazy one to feel paranoid but I wasn't." She couldn't control the stray tears that were rolling down her face. "And now I'm crying again and I hate this. I don't want to pretend anmore and I don't want to cry."

"You never have to pretned with me," he replied as he reached up to hold her face in his hands, the pads of his thumbs sweeping away the moisture on her cheeks. "What do you want Philly?"

"Right now?" she asked as her blue orbs looked up into his chestnut depths. "I want you to kiss me Damon."

"Phyllis," he drew her name out but the lightness was gone, replaced with a husky quality. "Are you sure?"

"I'm not sure of much these days but of this," she said softly as her eyes still stared into his, "I'm sure."

He offered her a small smile before lowering his head to brush his lips softly against hers. His lips pressed against hers lightly in a few chaste kisses before he applied more pressure, gliding his lips over hers before sucking at her top and then bottom lip before her mouth opened underneath his, allowing their tongues to meet and engage in a slow battle of ardurous strokes. They took their time, each one relearning the other ones mouth before she finally pulled back, a bit breathlessly, and he rested his forehead against hers.

"I'm sorry," she shook her head.

"For what?" he asked, his breath carressing her face.

"For starting," she shook her head, "for stopping. I-I don't know."

"Well we weren't going to go much further," Damon said before stepping back from her, leting out a little laugh. "Your little girl is right upstairs and besides, you are not ready for all that yet Angel."

She sighed as she looked at him, unable to fathom how she'd done without him in her life all these years."You are the best man I've ever know," her words were spoken with sincere honesty as she reached over to grab his hand, squeezing it lightly. "Thank you for understanding exactly what I need."

"I know you Phyllis," Damon offered her a little smile. "I'll go start on dinner." He kised the top of her forehead before leaving theroom.

Phyllis reached up to touch her still tingling lips, wondering if perhaps she would actually get through this.