Part 4

Friday

The Lakehouse - 2PM

Sky sat at the table finishing her sandwich. Looking at the clock she realized Coleman would arrive in about 15 minutes. They were scheduled to review the details of the plan for tonight. Taking the last few bites of her lunch Sky stood up to take her plate to the kitchen. Sky could not believe how fast the day was moving. She had been out most of the morning and early part of the afternoon hence the late lunch.

First, she decided to attend an AA meeting at to the community center because she could not allow her craving for a drink destroy everything she was working towards. After the meeting, she stopped at Wyndam's to buy a shirt for Coleman. She asked him to dress appropriately emphasizing he should wear a suit. She knew he had one but Lord only knew what kind of shirt he would wear with it. After all, he usually leaned towards the outrageously tacky. Finally, she went by the dry cleaners to pick up her dress for this evening.

Coleman knocked on the door and heard Sky yell come in. "Hello honey. Are you ready to finely tune the details for this evening?" Coleman drawled as he removed his jacket and draped it across the back of the chair.

"You bet I am. Take a seat. Wait a minute, why are you not wearing a suit? I clearly remembered asking you to wear one." Standing up, Sky placed her hands on her hips in annoyance.

"Hey, hold on don't get your undies in a twist. The dinner party does not start until 6:00 and by the way a freshly pressed suit is in the back seat of my car. I did not have time to dress after I picked it up from the dry cleaners okay. Now calm down. Here let me get that chair for you." Coleman said as he pulled a chair out for Sky.

"Sorry, I guess I am a little nervous about tonight. Okay let's go over your primary mission for this evening. We agreed the other day that we needed a mole working for us at the Quartermaines." Coleman shook his head in agreement. Sky leaned forward and added "I want you to pay very close attention to the staff and see who may be an ideal recruit. I have a couple of possibilities. Meanwhile, I will pry out of grandfather who his social secretary or administrative assistant is. AJ is going to intentionally antagonize Ned and grandfather hoping either one will let something important slip. Of course to explain your presence with me, I will pretend to be drunk and devastated over Jax. I will tell everyone you are my only friend and with a family like them I should get all the friendly support I can. Oh and remember to annoy Monica just for the hell of it." Coleman flashed a smile at the line about Monica.

Coleman and Sky continued to discuss their goals for the evening, laughing several times as Coleman suggested more and more outrageous behavior for them to adopt to make their act "convincing".

The Penthouse - 3PM

Carly and Sonny were angrily discussing Jason and Courtney when Max announced the arrival of Bobbi. Sonny told Carly that he no longer wanted to discuss Jason, and he abruptly left to go to the warehouse. Bobbi stared at Carly with a questioning look.

Exasperated Carly said, "Sonny can be so pigheaded, but he knows that I am right that is why he left in a hissy fit." Nicer Carly continued, "So what can I do for you mother?"

"Nothing honey, I just wanted to come by and see you. Since your club opening we have not spent much time together and I missed you" replied Bobbi.

"Well I have missed you too." Carly said walking over to Bobbi to give her a hug. Upon closer inspection Carly asked, "Mom are your sure nothing is bothering you, you seem a little edgy. If you are worried about me and Sonny don't. Sonny will come to his senses eventually."

"Oh, I know that honey. Really I'm fine. Could we sit down and catch up with each other - maybe break out that stash of candy you have hidden somewhere." Laughing Carly joined Bobbi on the sofa.

Bobbi looked at her daughter who reminded her of herself at that age. She loved Carly and yes they did have their ups and downs but she would try her hardest to make sure Carly did not get hurt. Unfortunately, Bobbi thought she may not be able to prevent it, she only hoped it would not severe the relationship they worked so hard to build.

Morgan / Corinthos Warehouse 4PM

Frustrated, Sonny paced back and forth in his office. Why wouldn't Carly understand he was only trying to do what was right for his family. He heard a timid knock at the door. "Come in!" he shouted.

"Sir, I don't mean to interrupt but you had asked me to look into Coleman's past for you." Sonny nodded for Benny to continue. "Well, I have the preliminary report sir. I have to say that we don't have much to go on. It seems he arrived in Port Charles sometime between fall of 1999 and spring of 2000. He actually took over the management of the Oasis in November of 2000. From what we could find out, it appears that he may have won the title to the club in a poker game the guy who lost claimed that Coleman cheated. There are no existing records we could find for a Coleman Radcliff before 1999. Oh I almost forgot, he did make a visit to a prison in the Florida Panhandle in August of 1999. Unfortunately, who he visited is unknown because the guard on duty did not log in the name. That's it"

"Thanks Benny. Keep digging." Impatiently, Sonny ran his hands through his hair. Great it seemed that every time he turned around mysterious people with mysterious agendas popped up first Rick and now Coleman.

The Lakehouse 5PM - 6PM

Sky reached into her bedroom closet for her dress. Luckily for her Coleman was waiting patiently in the living room. Well maybe not patiently, she could tell that he was flipping through channels by the sounds emitting from her television. Sky laughed as she recalled the what-the-hell expression on Coleman's face when she handed him the shirt she had bought for him

Sky had chosen to wear a silk midnight blue cocktail dress with spaghetti straps to the dinner party. She elegantly swept her hair away from her face but left it hanging loosely in the back. Tonight, she kept her jewelry simple with a single diamond pendant necklace and diamond earrings.

She walked into the bathroom to put on the finishing touches to her makeup. As she applied her lipstick, she noticed with a forlorn expression the diamond engagement ring and wedding band that Jax had given her. The rings symbolized all the promises made that never came to fruition. Tears pooled in the corner of her eyes. Damn it she wanted a drink to help ease the pain of remembering. Not tonight she told herself, think about revenge on Edward. She closed her eyes and murmured over and over stay strong, stay strong, stay strong. She realized in that moment she would not be pretending tonight about her devastation regarding Jax. He had broken her heart. Sadly shaking her head Sky slowly removed the rings. She did not want those memories tonight instead she wanted to focus on the promises she had made to herself. She pulled a tissue from the box by the sink and wiped the tear marks from her face then carefully reapplied her make up.

Coleman wondered what was taken Sky so long. It was almost 5:45. He stood up, walked to the bedroom door, and knocked. "Sky are you okay? We need to get moving it is already 5:45."

Sky opened the door. Coleman was breathless for a moment. She looked ravishing. The midnight blue dress accentuated the smooth alabaster of her skin and the vibrancy of her hair perfectly. Sky smiled as she smoothed the collar of the gray shirt she had bought him. The shirt went very well with the Charcoal Gray suit he wore.

Coleman offered his arm and said "Shall we go my lady?" Sky nodded her head yes.

The Quartermaines

Monica and Alan were in the den waiting for the rest of the dinner guests to arrive. "I am hoping that you don't expect tonight to go smoothly Alan. I mean Edward and Ned have been harping at each other for days about an ELQ harbor project involving Jax. Then AJ came by earlier looking like the cat that ate the canary. And in all probability Sky will show up drunk."

"Monica, could you at least try to be positive about tonight. I mean the reason I invited everyone to dinner was let them know about Emily coming home next week. I am sure the news of Emily's return will keep everyone civil to each other."

"Well, I hope you are right." Monica sighed.

Edward and Lilah were the first to join Alan and Monica in the den. Edward grumbled, "So, Alan, tell me why you insisted on this dinner party tonight." Monica rolled her eyes at Edward from her position on the coach. Patting Edward's hand Lilah said "Now now dear calm down and let yourself enjoy the evening." Alan replied, "Father, I will tell you once every one arrives, but I know you will like what I have to say."

They heard the doorbell ring and Reginald sarcastically say, "Welcome AJ. Nice to see you as always. Everyone is in the den." AJ condescendingly patted Reginald on back as he replied, "Thank you my good man" then arrogantly entered the den.

Lilah smiled at AJ. "I am so glad you came tonight, AJ." Edward grunted and waved his hand dismissively at AJ. "Nice to see you too grandfather. So dad what is with the dinner?" Alan responded "I will tell everyone once Sky and Ned arrive." AJ nodded his head in acceptance and poured himself a glass of water. Just then Ned arrived and thanked Reginald as he was directed towards the den.

"Hello. So what is the occasion?" Ned questioned as he took a seat in the chair closest to the door. Again Alan mentioned how he would tell the purpose of the dinner to everyone once Sky arrived. As Alan finished Big Alice entered with a plate of appetizers. She set the tray down on the table and moved off to the corner of the room.

Another 20 minutes passed before the doorbell rang again. Everyone turned towards the den entrance with expectation. What they saw was Coleman with what appeared to be an intoxicated Sky. Everyone had a reaction. AJ worried about the plan. Monica pointedly glanced at Alan with a look of I told you so. Alan showed disappointment and concern for Sky. Ned shook his head sadly. Edward angrily looked at his watch. Lilah sighed. Big Alice and Reginald thought that it was like any other night at the Quartermaines.

"Hello family!" Sky stated as she dramatically waved her arms around. The looks Sky and he received from the rest of Quartermaine clan nearly had Coleman laughing out loud. He had to bite the inside of his lip to prevent it. Alan gently took Sky by the arm and led her away from Coleman. Coleman meanwhile headed towards the appetizers.

"Sky, why did you bring Cole? This is a family dinner." Alan asked concerned.

"I know. I know this family and thought I might need a friendly shoulder to cry on later." Sky pathetically answered.

Edward abruptly said "Well Alan Sky is present so tell us why you invited everyone here."

Since Alan was preoccupied with Sky, Monica replied instead, "Emily is coming home next week." Edward proclaimed that was the best news he had heard in a long time. Ned and AJ nodded their head in agreement. Lilah told everyone that the news was definitely a reason for celebration. Sky was reservedly happy that Emily was okay enough to come home. Coleman continued to eat appetizers.

A few moments later cook announced that dinner was ready. Everyone withdrew to the dining room. Cook had prepared salmon, asparagus, and new potatoes as the main course. The meal proceeded like most Quartermaine family events, loudly. Throughout the meal AJ mocked Ned for getting involved with a mobster's widow especially since he blamed the mob for killing Christina and now he was introducing the mob into baby Christina's life. Ned told AJ to mind his own business and argued with Edward about Jax being involved in the harbor project. Sky slyly got Edward to tell her who he currently hired to schedule appointments on his calendar. AJ mentioned Tracy to Edward and went on and on about how he wished she was there to cause havoc for grandfather. Alan and Monica bickered. Lilah ignored the conversations. Reginald left the room. Big Alice and Coleman observed.

Fortunately, everyone survived the meal and prepared to make their departures. As Coleman helped Sky with her coat, he whispered in her ear that Big Alice could be the primary candidate for their mole and that he would have Andy follow her to see if she was accessible. Sky squeezed Coleman's arm and said she got the information on Edward. Coleman also noted to himself everything else he observed from reactions of Ned and Edward at the mention of Faith and the disagreement between them about Jax's involvement in the dock project to the subtle innuendos from AJ about Tracy. Overall, the dinner party had been a success.

The Lakehouse

Instead of being intoxicated on alcohol, Sky felt drunk on the power provided by a game well played. She and Coleman had left the party with all the information they desired.

She glanced at her partner in crime as he pulled into the driveway. She could feel the heat radiating off of his body as he reached down and shifted the car into park. Coleman turned towards Sky. Their eyes locked. Sky ran her tongue across her lips causing Coleman's eyes to fixate on her mouth breaking the earlier hypnotic spell cast by their eye contact. Sky seductively leaned forward purposefully exposing her cleavage as she breathlessly whispered "let's go inside."

They were barely inside the door when Coleman reached for her. Sky deftly avoided his grasp and playfully backed away from him until her foot touched the landing stairs by the dining room table. She turned around and walked up the two steps. Then she coyly turned hear head over her right shoulder and winked at him. Gradually she slipped her coat off her shoulders and allowed it to pool around her feet.

Coleman needed no other invitation. He approached Sky from behind, lifted her hair, and gently ran his tongue down the side of her neck. With a deep moan in her throat, Sky turned to face him. Coleman maneuvered her backwards until her back touched the support beam on the landing. All the while, he softly kissed her neck, ear, chin, and nose but he pointedly ignored her lips. Finally, Sky could stand it no longer and roughly weaved her hands through his hair and pulled his mouth to hers.

Sky felt a pulsating desire run through her as their tongues waged a battle of strikes and counterstrikes. Coleman's hands expertly moved over her body causing her to moan with pleasure. She ached to feel his flesh against hers. Consequently, she tore at his jacket and shirt with her hands. Coleman obligated her by stepping back and removing both garments. Once he was naked from the waist up, Coleman returned to Sky pushing her up against the support beam.

Shivers of anticipation raced through Sky's body as she felt the firmness of the support beam behind her and the hardness of Coleman pressing against her. She leaned away from the beam to give Coleman access to the zipper at the back of her dress. Picking up her hint, he slowly unzipped her dress and gently pulled the straps down her arms. Sky literally shook with desire.

She urgently removed his belt and unbuttoned his slacks. Coleman stepped out of his slacks and kicked them across the room. Soon no clothing barriers remained.

Coleman's hands encircled Sky's waist as he lifted her off the floor. As a result, Sky wrapped her arms around his neck and her legs around his waist. Coleman braced both himself and Sky against the support beam. Coleman slightly shifted Sky's body so he could enter her. Sky welcomed him in with a cry of pleasure. Coleman began to move slowly savoring the feeling of her body enveloping him. Tempo increased until Sky clung to him silently begging for release which came in the form of a stormy torrent that simultaneously cared them over the edge.

The rest of the evening moved to the bedroom.