*~Chapter Ten~*

Marty arrived at Luke and Laura's picnic carrying a huge bowl of freshly made potato salad. "Marty! It's so good to see you!" Laura said as she hugged her friend. "I'm so glad you could come."

"Thanks. I am happy to be here," Marty replied.

Laura lead Marty over to the picnic table where Luke sat with Todd and a whole bunch of other people that Marty hadn't been introduced to yet. "Marty, this is my ex-husband Luke and his new friend Todd Manning," Laura spoke as she introduced Marty to Luke and Todd.

"Todd and I have already met," Marty said as she gave Todd a vicious glare.

"You have?" Laura said in surprise.

"Yes, we know each other REALLY well," Todd stated.

"Wow, small world," Luke quipped.

He had barely got the words out when Marty dropped the whole bowl of potato salad onto Todd's head. "What the fuck?!" Todd cried out as he stood up from the picnic table and tried to wipe the mess out of his eyes.

Marty started laughing, quite pleased with her handiwork. Luke and Laura were both stunned as they had no clue why their friends were fighting.

"Marty, when I get my hands on you, I'll -," Todd growled.

"You'll what, Todd?" she challenged him.

"Don't push me!" he yelled as he stood up from the picnic table and started chasing after her. Marty went running toward the wooded area at the edge of the park with Todd hot on her heels. The guests of Luke and Laura's picnic were watching in surprise.

"Dad, are you going to do anything?" Ethan asked his father.

"I'm sure Todd can handle it," Luke replied as he popped another piece of watermelon into his mouth.

Laura looked worried as she saw Todd approaching Marty. His face was covered in potato salad so he really couldn't see where he was walking. He tripped on a child's skateboard and went flying onto the grass. He was laying there stunned when Marty cracked up laughing.

Moments later, Marty had escaped to the wooded area where her laughter dissolved into tears. She was crying quietly when Laura approached. "Marty, are you okay?" Laura questioned with concern. "What's going on? Why are you angry at Todd?"

"Todd and I knew each other a long, long time ago... when we were in college. We had something once... something beautiful... but he- he destroyed it all when he raped me," Marty said in a sob. "I'm not saying it's all his fault; I made some mistakes, too. But he really hurt me ... and it's driving me insane, because despite how I should hate him... I don't, Laura. I still love him... and it's KILLING me."

Laura couldn't believe it when Marty choked out her confession. It sounded so much like her and Luke that it was eerie. Poor Marty. She had been holding it all inside, and she was miserable. Laura wrapped her arms around Marty while she cried.

"Well, considering you're Luke's therapist, I am sure you know what he and I have been through. Despite everything, all the heartache and tears, we are trying to work through our problems, and have a chance together. If you love Todd... if you still have any feelings at all, you owe it to yourself to see if there's a chance for the two of you. You can't keep doing this to yourself, Marty. Do you see what you are doing? You are pushing Todd away... just as Luke pushed me away. You can't get passed this... all the pain, turmoil, and the past hurts if you refuse to face them all and work through the pain and suffering."

"I can't, Laura. I can't do this. I can't let him hurt me again," Marty sobbed.

"I know, Marty. I know you are scared. Luke was scared of hurting me too, again, so he didn't even want to try. But now he knows we'll never be happy until we give us a chance. Is there a chance for you and Todd? Do you think you could try to make it work with him?"

"I don't know," Marty replied softly.

"We can help you. Me and Luke. We are your friends."

"Thank you, Laura. That means so much to me," Marty said as she gave her new friend a hug.

"That's what friends are for. They help each other when they're down," Laura told Marty with a smile.

*~o~*

Luke came over and helped Todd get to his feet. He handed him a towel to wipe away the potato salad he had plastered to his face. "Are you okay?" he asked his buddy.

"I'll be fine," Todd said as he brushed the globs of potato salad off of his shirt.

"You know, she's really pissed. What the hell did you do?"

"I made a lot of mistakes... but I wanna make it right again," Todd explained. "I'm really trying, but she won't even give me a chance."

"Hmmmm... well, maybe you need to stop trying so hard," Luke said. "Let her come to you and make the first move."

"You're right. Who knows what she's gonna throw at me next," Todd said as he and Luke walked back over to the picnic table. "Don't anyone let her near the watermelon."

"No, that's mine," Luke said as he began to laugh.

*~o~*

Sam awakened to find John staring at her. She was perplexed by the strange expression on his face. "John, what is it?" she asked as she caressed his cheek. "What's troubling you?"

"I have to tell you something, Sam... but you're not going to believe me. I think I am turning into a vampire," he admitted.

Sam smiled as she tried not to laugh. "A vampire? You've got to be kidding," she said, but at that moment she realized that John was completely serious.

"John," she said as she took his hand in hers. "You're not turning into a vampire. You're just a very sexy and sensuous man... and you probably want some kinky roleplay. I will play the innocent maiden... and you can play the part of the kinky, hungry vampire."

John could feel his fangs lengthening as Sam spoke. "I do want to play with you," he told her with a wicked grin.

"Make love to me," she urged as she lay back on the bed.

"I'm so hungry," he said as he pressed himself over her pregnant form.

*~o~*

Dani arrived at Cole and Starr's apartment. Starr was at work, so Cole was alone with Hope. Cole had just put Hope down for a nap and was about to sit down to watch some TV.

He answered the door with a can of soda in his hand. "Hey, Cole... is Starr here?" Dani asked him.

"No, she's at work," Cole answered.

"Can I come in and watch some TV with you?" Dani asked.

"Sure, come in," Cole said as he showed her inside and closed the door.

Cole sat down on the couch and started watching Fraternity Row. Dani sat next to him and placed her hand upon his thigh. "What are you doing?" Cole asked as he nearly dropped his soda.

"Starr hasn't been giving you the attention you deserve, but I can, Cole," she said as she scooted closer to him.

"I want you for myself," she told him. "Let's have an affair?"

Cole stared at her in shock, because he really couldn't believe it. Dani wanted HIM? Had Starr told her that their relationship was in trouble?

"I can give you everything Starr never did and more," Dani said as she started caressing his chest.

Before Cole could say a word, Dani was hungrily kissing him.

*~o~*

Anna was about to sit down to dinner when the doorbell ring. She went to answer it to find Robert standing there in his suit and tie. He held a bouquet of exquisite red roses in his hand. "Hello, Anna," he said with a gorgeous smile. "I'm here to ask you on a date."

Anna stood there in stunned surprise. "A date?" she repeated.

"Yes, a date. Is there still a chance for you and me?"