7: Eggnog
Sarah Roberts (OLTL) and Cooper Barrett (GH)

Notting Hill, England

"Hey, sis," CJ sauntered over to her. "Having fun?"

"Not hardly," she admitted. "I don't think this is my scene. I mean, maybe it was in my rocker-girl days…" Her voice trailed off. She didn't like to think about that time; when she called herself "Flash" and had a bad dye job. It made her think of everything she'd lost and how she'd almost lost her own life at the hands of that maniac Stephen Haver.

She involuntarily touched her throat. Sometimes she swore she could still feel the bruises he'd left behind, all of these months later…

"You need to have some fun, Sarah."

"Well, I figure you're having enough fun for the both of us...How many chicks have you kissed tonight anyway? You know, herpes of the mouth is an actual thing, Brother."

He shot her a withering look. "Jeez. Thank you, Little Miss Buzzkill."

"I'm serious. You've swapped spit with what, fifteen girls tonight? Do you know even one of their names?"

"I know the name of the only one that matters... Petite brunette, haughty attitude, beautiful, heart-shaped face …"

Sarah looked at her brother curiously. "Wow, you actually sound smitten, Ceej."

"Now I wouldn't go that far … But she was … Hot. Super hot. And saucy. So damn saucy."

Sarah shook her head. "So what is her name?"

"Greenlee…"

"Greenlee? What kind of name is Greenlee?"

"That's what I said!"

"Are you going to see her again?" Sarah asked. "Who am I kidding? I bet she's waiting for you in the coat closet as we speak."

"Actually, she left."

"A woman walked out on you - instead of the other way around? I approve."

"Shut. Up."

"You obviously liked her though. Which begs the question... are you going to see her again?"

"Maybe."

"You hope you do. It's obvious she's made quite an impression on you, CJ. Could you, maybe, be capable of - gasp - an adult relationship after all?"

"Who said anything about a relationship?" He sniffed. "I just want to kiss her again."

"And do other stuff?"

"Oh, that goes without saying. But if she's living here in England, you can bet I'll track her down somehow."

"Good luck."

"I don't need luck. I've got skills."

"Skills. Pff." Sarah rolled her eyes. "But you're cocky. I'll give you that much." She burrowed deeper in her jacket. "So can we go now, or what?"

"Not yet. Not until I have some more of that spiced eggnog. You should try it too. It may liven you up a bit. You've been a big ass downer since Jules or whatever his name dumped you for the local paperboy."

"It was Julius, and gee, thanks for the reminder," Sarah said. "And I'm not a downer… I'm just… not into playing games right now."

"You're missing out, Sister dear. Game playing is a way of life." CJ affectionately patted her head. "One cup 'o cheer can't hurt. Come with me. Just come on."

"No, thanks."

"Sarah, come on. Live just a little. Let that long blonde hair down and have a bit of fun, okay?"

"Fine, I'll drink something. Provided we leave right afterwards."

"Sure, sure," CJ agreed. He tugged her by the arm. He pushed his way through the throngs of party-goers to get to the bar. He smacked the countertop.

"Hey, Minx," he greeted the girl filling frosty mugs. She had a huge rack; just the type of girl he typically went for. "Do me a favor, babe, and get my sister a little tipsy. It's for her own good. She seriously needs to cut loose."

The woman called Minx snickered. "I'd be happy to."

"The eggnog you mixed up has a bite. Start with that," CJ said. He looked over the top of Sarah's head and broke into a grin. "Greenlee has returned… I knew she couldn't stay away… See ya, kid," he said to Sarah. He started pushing his way back through the crowd.

"Excuse me, where do you think you're going?" Sarah shouted at him but he was swallowed up by the throng. Her words, of course, fell on deaf ears. Typical.

Sarah shook her head as Minx slapped a mug of eggnog down in front of her. "Actually, I'm fine without -" Sarah started but Minx was already moving away.

She sighed and looked into the depths of the mug, picking it up and swirling the frothy liquid around for a moment before bringing it to her lips. She gulped as it met her tongue. "Damn, that has a kick!" She took another sip. It went down a little easier this time.

"All dressed up in a pretty party gown with no one to talk to?" A decidedly American, not to mention Southern, voice suddenly greeted her ears. "Maybe I can fix that."

She turned and rolled her eyes at the guy who had slid onto the stool beside her. He was very good looking and the smug smile on his face told her he knew it too. "I'm Logan," he said when she didn't answer. "And you're -"

"Not interested."

He smirked. "Hey now. Can't blame a country boy for trying."

"Actually, I can." She picked up her mug and took a long, purposeful sip. He watched her mouth as it moved against the glass. "What are you staring at?"

"I don't exactly know, but I like the looks of it."

"I'm not an 'it'!" She sighed. "Look, Cowboy. why don't you mosey your way across the bar, and find someone else to bother who's actually interested in your cheap pickup lines?"

"Cheap pickup lines?"

"Yes. They're bargain-basement cheap."

He chuckled. "You're quite the little spitfire, aren't you? That fire shouldn't go to waste… Oh, the heat we could generate."

She started to reply but suddenly another man was quickly striding towards them. "Excuse me," he said in a soft, velvety voice. "I think Logan here has a little too much holiday spirit tonight. Come on, buddy."

"Cooper, step off," Logan said. "I was just getting somewhere here."

The one called Cooper shook his head. "I think you were getting close to having a drink thrown in your face." He looked at Sarah. "I'm sorry about my friend."

"Don't apologize for me, Coop," Logan said. He swung a lean leg off the stool, getting to his feet. "But fine, you take a crack at this one instead."

Sarah stared after Logan with her jaw gaping. She quickly shut her mouth when she saw Cooper staring at her, a little flush of color spotting his well-sculpted cheeks. "Is he always so brazen?" She asked.

"Brazen is Logan's middle name," Cooper said. "Look, I'm sorry he was so forward with you. We're stationed here for the weekend after a really long tour, and I think he's a little -"

"Drunk?"

"Lonely," Cooper said. "He's actually a pretty good guy when you get to know him."

"Uh-huh."

"No, seriously."

Sarah peered at him closely. He truly was handsome, but unlike his friend, he seemed completely unaware of it. "Well, frankly, Logan seriously seems like a true butthead."

Cooper chuckled. "I guess that would make me - what? Beavis?"

Sarah smiled a little. "Hardly... Your hair isn't nearly tall enough."

He grinned. "Again, I am sorry he came on so strong. He won't be bothering you again tonight."

"Do you always do that?"

"Hmm?"

"Clean up Mr. Logan's messes for him?"

"I am not sure how to answer that. He's my best friend…"

"Doesn't mean you have to follow him around with a pooper-scooper collecting the stuff he leaves in his wake."

Cooper chuckled again. "Well, Logan was right about one thing… You are a spitfire."

Sarah smiled, maybe for the first time in months. "I don't know about that."

"No, you are."

"Is that a compliment, or -"

"It's a compliment. Definitely." He smiled. "Anyway, I should leave you alone. You probably are waiting for someone, right?"

"I am. My brother." She chuckled, the sound tickling her throat. "Wait. Was that your subtle way of asking if I'm here with somebody - like a boyfriend somebody?"

"Well…"

"Cause … I'm not. Here with anyone, I mean." She blushed a little in spite of herself. She held up her mug of eggnog. "Maybe you'd like to have a cup of cheer with me?"

Cooper nodded. "I would like that."

She turned and waved to the bartender. "Minx! Over here!"

Minx approached, her breasts jiggling as she walked. "What can I do ya for?" She asked.

"I'll have another shot of this stuff and -" she looked at Cooper and he nodded - "he'll have some too."

"Coming right up," Minx said. She reached for a huge pitcher and filled two glasses to the brim, scooting them across the bar.

Sarah leaned against the counter. "So, Cooper, what should we drink to?"

"First things first… Tell me your name."

"I didn't already?"

"No. I definitely would have remembered that."

Her lips tugged upwards in another smile. "It's Sarah," she said.

"Nice to meet you, Sarah." He held up his glass and clinked hers.

"So what should we drink to?" Sarah asked, the glass now hovering at her full lips.

"I don't know… The holidays … happiness… good times … new acquaintances…"

"The usual stuff then."

"Unless you have a better idea."

"Hmm… Maybe we can drink to… Logan's cheesy pick up lines."

Cooper laughed. "To Logan's pickup lines. Without them, we might never have met." He took a drink as she watched him, making a face. "Jesus, that's-"

"It's powerful."

"Incredibly." He gazed at her from underneath his long, dark eyelashes. They soon faded into a powerful, potent silence. Sarah's heart began to race, hammering like a kick drum in her chest.

Before she could overthink it or even second guess it, she was quickly leaning over and kissing Cooper on the mouth. He instantly responded, one hand sliding down to cup her tiny waist.

She smiled into his soft lips. Why should CJ be the only one having fun tonight?