We're never gone to long, can't with this one, especially with the lack of
Alias and Jason/Robin on television. As this is in Bloomington, Steph's
hometown, for this chapter and the next there will be a focus on them, just
as a warning. Kind of like the earlier chapters were S/V heavy, when we
hit Port Charles J&R will be in the focus, and back to LA more S/V and then
Hawaii should be a healthy mix. This is not to say that there isn't a good
amount of the other couples, it just leans one way because the people that
they know are here. Make sense?
To all of you who reviewed, thank you so so so so much. It means everything really and makes us want to write. It essentially means that we are not alone in our obsessions, and that other people might enjoy our little world.
Laura&Carrie
Ch 4
Mark and Bev Anderson's house: Bloomington Indiana 10:30 PM
"Alright, well you two know where you're sleeping," Bev said to her daughter and son-in-law before turning to her guests. "And let me just show you four the way. I'm sure it's not at all what you're used to but I hope it will do."
"Bev hun," Mark said, knowing that his wife was about to talk their guests to death.
"What?" Beverly asked, spinning around to glare at her husband. "They need to find where they're staying."
She turned back to her guests after a moment and began to shoo them towards the stairs. "After you're settled in, you can come down to the kitchen for some food. Steph, sweetie," Bev said, turning before she headed to the stairs. "I have all of your favorites, so help yourself. And I got to buy jalapenos for the first time in so long. And Steph, please don't try and cook. Calling the fire department when you were sixteen was one thing, doing it now that you're all grown up I don't know what people would say." She turned back to the other two couples. "My Steph has cooking issues, it's horrendous."
"Mom I've improved," Steph insisted and then pointed at her husband. "Ask Johnny."
"Well," Johnny said after a few minutes of careful consideration. "She does wonders with frozen pizza."
"You know Cindy Marshall, Cindy Taylor when you knew her. She does wonders in the kitchen," Bev told everyone, unaware that her daughter was beginning to fume. "She has a little restaurant, the food is the best. I'll have to take you all there some time."
Stephanie waited until her mother had ushered everyone else out of the room and she was alone with her husband and father before she buried her head and a pillow and let a scream out.
She lifted her head, her hair falling messily around her face. "Cindy Taylor was the biggest bitch."
Johnny simply smirked at Steph. He took her hand and pulled her to him. "You know there's a house for sale right down the street. I saw it as we passed."
Steph only glared at her husband. "Watch it O'Brien."
"What?" Johnny asked giving her a clueless look.
"She'll settle down soon enough sweetheart," Mark Anderson said, coming over and putting ha hand on Steph's back.
Stephanie leaned back and smiled up at her father. "Thanks Dad."
He leanded down and kissed her on the top of her head. "We're glad to have you back. And its good to see you too Johnny," he said, sliding his gaze over to the young man who had taken Steph away in his mind. He
had gotten used to the idea of it yet, and it had been four years. "You've been taking good care of my little girl?"
Steph turned to grin at her husband. "He takes wonderful care of me or I'll kill him," she said cheerfully.
Johnny simply nodded. "And I know it."
"Well I'm going to make sure your mother lets everyone settle in alone," he told them heading off for the stairs, where his wife was probably talking the guests to death.
~Meanwhile~
"Alright. So here we have the guest room," Bev said, ushering Jason and Robin inside. "It's not that big," she told them rather apologetically.
"That's fine," Jason told her simply. "We've done with less"
"Really? That's a abominable," She said with a gasp and seemed to miss Jason's quizzical look. "Well, the bathroom is just down the hall. You'll be fine."
She then shut the dor behind her as she left and turned to Syd and Vaughn. She led them across the hallway.
"Well this one is Steph's old room," she said as she pulled the door open and ushered them in ahead of her. "I understand the bed's kind of small."
"Only slightly," Syd said staring at the double bed in the room. It wasn't big enough for her and Vaughn and space in between them unless they huddled on the edge.
"But you know, you're a married couple. Newlyweds and all that. You should want to be close," Bev said, with a huge smile on her face, oddly reminding Sydney of the looks Steph had a tendency to give her when they'd discuss Vaughn.
Vaughn gave Syd an amused glance before sliding his arms around her waist and pulling her close. "Yes we're madly in love. It really is hard to keep are hands off of one another."
Syd blushed, partially from the fact that she really wished that was true, and from the fact that she was pulled up against him. "Michael," she admonished.
"Oh you're embarrassing her," Bev chided, but was obviously pleased. "But I'm sure she enjoys it. Anyway, you can see how accomplished Steph was," she said, gesturing around the room, realizing that the younger couple probably didn't want to discuss certain things with her. "These are her trophies. Basketball was always her passion."
"Hey kids," Mark said, popping his head in the door before grabbing his wife's arm. "Bev, honey, come on. Let's go down stairs."
"Come back down in a half an hour, please," she said as she was pulled out of the room.
Syd waited till they were out of the room and were far enough out of hearing before turning to Vaughn. "You're so taking the floor."
"I know."
Sydney continued to glare at the bed. "That's right give the not so married couple the smallest bed in the house. Steph knew," she acused whirling on him.
Vaughn simply put his hands up in defense and walked over to the bed. He put a hand on it and pushed down. It definitely wasn't the most comfortable thing. "I think she was glad to not be using this bed again," he told Sydney with a laugh.
"Watch it."
"Hey. You're the one with the bed."
"True," she acknowledged with a nod before turning back to her suitcase.
Robin stood in the small guest room taking the clothes out of the suitcase and into the dresser. Jason was sitting on the bed not really saying anything, just watching her.
Robin slid the drawer shut and turned around, leaning against it. "Well?" she asked.
Jason could tell that she was asking him what he thought of the Andersons. "They're interesting."
"Interesting how?" Robin asked, raising an eyebrow.
"They're just a lot to take in Robin," Jason said with a sigh, standing up to pace and upon realizing there was no room sat back down on the bed.
"You don't like that do you?" Robin said, standing in front of him and running a hand through his hair.
Jason twined his arms around her waist and pulled her to him as he laid back on the bed. "I don't like overbearing."
"They're not the same as the Quartermaines. Who we're going to have to see," she reminded him, thinking ahead to their imminent visit to Port Charles.
"How do you plan on explaining 'my brother' to the Q's?" Jason asked her with avid interest.
"We'll think of something.," Robin said, leaving a small kiss on the corner of his mouth. "We always manage to."
"Can we ride up to the mansion on the bike just to piss of the old man?" he asked her laying kisses a long her neckline.
Robin attempted to keep her mind on the situation that surrounded them. "That's not exactly safe."
"I've got you," Jason reminded her as he rolled them both over. "He's crazy about you, but that's not surprising," Jason said before taking her bottom lip with his teeth.
Robin shifted underneath him. "Why is that?" she asked once he let go of her lip.
"Because you, Mrs. Morgan are the most amazing woman ever," he told her haltingly between kisses as his hand slipped up her shirt.
Robin wanted to let it take her away, but she remembered they were ins someone else's house and "Jason," her protest came out a moan. She took a moment and pushed away at him. "Jason everyone's awake. We're in someone else's guest room."
Jason simply raised an eyebrow. "And?"
"And?" Robin asked incredulously. He began to kiss her again and she pushed him away again. "No. Stop it."
"Alright," Jason said, rolling off of her. "Once we're sure everyone else is asleep?" he asked hopefully.
"We'll see."
"You can't tell me you want to wait the entire time we're here?" Jason asked incredulously.
"We're in someone else's house," Robin responded.
"We're happily married. It's perfectly normal."
"We'll see. Would you get me my pills?"
"You drive a hard bargain. Of course. Close your eyes, I'll be right back." he said standing and kissing her lightly on the forehead before heading off to the bathroom .
Stephanie sat, curled up in one of the chairs in her childhood living room as she watched her husband pull the bed out of the couch. It was nice to be home, in a place that she knew and was familiar.
"We're relegated to the pull out couch."
"It's better than your bedroom."
"What's wrong with my bedroom?" Steph asked indignantly.
"It's a beautiful bedroom. It's just not built for two people."
Steph grinned at Johnny. "Poor Syd and Micheal."
"You're so upset."
"this could help."
"I'm positive he's sleeping on the floor," Johnny said without looking up at her.
"Why?" she asked him quizzically.
"How many times did you relegate me to the floor before you let go?" Johnny asked his wife as he pulled her into his arms. "And with bigger beds than the one upstairs."
"Shut up."
Sydney was running through the hallways of the DS-6 secure area in LA. Her father was here. Somewhere. She just had to find him. He was here. She knew it.
Boom! Not that room.
Boom! Not that one either.
'The end of the hallway Syd,' a voice called in her head.
She saw the doorway at the end of the long hall it would take forever to get to him. Sydney Bristow broke out into a run, knowing that if she didn't work her hardest right now she would lose her father. She couldn't lose him, not now.
She kicked in the door to find her father strapped to a table. He looked like he was dying. Syd's heart was in her throat as Geiger looked up at her. She instantly was on the other side of the table and fought with Geiger until he was unconscious. She stood over him feeling the hatred build. She pulled out her gun and shot him point blank range on the floor.
Then she turned her attentions to Jack Bristow.
She quickly slid into the stool next to him and took his hand in hers. It was barely warm and limp. She had never seen him this bad. He didn't look like the Jack Bristow she knew. "Daddy?" she called her voice cracking and the tears starting to run down her face. "Daddy please look at me."
"Syd." His voice was rough and scratchy. "Sydney."
She let out a sob and squeezed his hand. "I'm here Daddy, right here," she promised and ran her free hand over her hair. "You're going to be alright," she promised him.
Jack continued to look at her with cloudy, faraway eyes. "You're so beautiful Sydney," he murmured. "Like Laura."
Sydney choked at her father's lapse of memory. "Laura doesn't exist Daddy. Momma's real name is Irinka," Why the hell didn't he know these things? Where the hell was Jack Bristow? Her father who knew everything. "Daddy please, come back to me," she cried out as she continued to sob.
Jack looked at her with clear eyes for only a moment. "You'll be alright Syd. He'll take care of you," Jack promised her.
"Who?" Sydney asked, shaking her father's hand violently. "You can't leave me here. I know we've had our problems lately, but I need you. I really need you. You don't know how much."
"Or how much I need you," He responded. "Always have. I love you Sydney. Regardless of everything else I've always loved you."
Sydney's tears only came harder at her father's admission. He had never been highly demonstrative. She noticed as his hand went limp, and she realized he wasn't breathing. "No! NO! Daddy, please."
"He's gone Sydney," Arvin Slone's voice echoed through the room.
Sydney's tears dried instantly. The bastard had killed her father, in a roundabout way and was now torturing her in his own way. "Where are you, you coward?" she shouted spinning around in a circle.
"You'll never find me Sydney," his voice came through again. "But I'll always find you. You're not safe. You'll never be safe. Your father's gone, would you like to lose your lover as well."
Sydney stopped. What the hell was he talking about? "I don't have a lover."
"Agent Michael Vaughn seems like more than just a partner," Slone told her, and Sydney felt a shiver run down her spine. "He'll end up as dead as your father. And in the end so will you."
"Sydney. Sydney," a male voice called out her name. She couldn't really place it.
"Get off me," Sydney said striking out at the voice.
Michael avoided a punch and a kick and shook her. Syd had been thrashing around for awhile now. She had been crying. "Sydney it's me. It's Michael."
Her eyes opened wide and the relief that came over her face was somehow more heartbreaking then the desperate dreaming girl. "Oh Vaughn," she cried, throwing her arms around him.
Vaughn sat on the bed with her in his arms and just rocked her gently. "You're alright. It was a dream Syd, just a dream. You're alright," he told her burring his head in her hair as he rubbed his hand on her back.
"It was so much worse," she told him, still clinging. He tried t lay her down but she only held him closer. "Hold me. Please. His voice will echo in my head otherwise."
"Who's voice Syd?" Vaughn asked her as he laid down on the bed with her, holding her close.
She snuggled against him, instinctively moving closer to the comfort he gave her. "Slone," she mumbled against his chest.
Vaughn held her tighter, wondering exactly what she saw in her dreams. With Arvin Slone there were a manner of horrors, especially in Sydney's mind. "Alright, I've got you," he promised her. "I've got you."
He continued to stroke her hair, her back as he heard her breathing level out. He couldn't stop touching her, holding her. He wanted to be able to make it all go away for her. "I'll always be here Sydney, always," he murmured.
Anderson house-11:00 AM
"Oh good. There are some snacks here, and these," Beverly took one of the huge photo albums and opened it. She then placed it directly in between Robin and Sydney's laps.
"Mom? Mom no," Stephanie said shaking her head as she came out of the kitchen. Smothering the impulse to slam the photo album shut, pick them all up and throw them in the fireplace to burn.
"Oh Steph," Syd said, running a hand over the pictures before looking up at her friend. "You were so cute."
"Wasn't she? I just love children."
"Mom, those aren't the ones with the naked pictures are they?" Sydney asked curiously.
"Sweetie these are all of my pictures."
"Mom don't you think showing all of these to Johnny and his entire family, including people he hadn't even met, at the rehearsal dinner was enough embarrassment for one lifetime."
"Poor Danny is probably scarred for life, I mean he was just a kid."
"Johnny. Mom really." She said shooting her husband an icy glance that could rival one of Jason's cold stares any day. She then turned her eyes pleading in an instant and leveled her mother with a look.
"Stephanie Marie, you don't want these people to know about your life?"
"They know about my life."
"What you've told them, not everything. But she was gorgeous wasn't she? I can't wait for grandchildren. I bet you they'll be just as gorgeous."
"Lay it on thick Mom. You'll get grandchildren when you get them and not before."
"Oh Stephanie you love children and we both know it."
"I'm a busy woman mom. I work."
"Prioritize dear.
"Yes Mom, I'll just tell the CIA, 'well my Mom wants grandchildren now so I have to completely alter my entire working schedule for the next 18 years. Please its only a small matter of National security.' I don' think that'd go over real well."
"That job is much to dangerous anyway."
"Mom. I love it. How can you--"
"Stephanie please. We have company."
"That's the Bev Anderson golden rule, never let anyone know we're less than perfect."
"Kitchen. Now."
"Like they're not going to hear us yelling at each other in the kitchen."
"I just don't want them to have to see it. We both know it won't be pretty."
"They're going to know its ugly either way what's the difference. At least let them have front row seats for it."
"Stephanie," Mark said, laying a hand on his daughter's arm. "Come on outside with me for a bit."
Mark picked up the basketball that was lying in the driveway from their game earlier this morning and tossed it at his daughter. Instead of taking a shot, she fired the ball at the garage door, it hit the garage door with a bang, and bounced away. "That woman is infuriating." She said as she went to retrieve the ball.
"She's proud of you and your accomplishments, she likes to show you off."
"Dad she takes great pleasure in pointing out everything I've ever done wrong, and all of my shortcomings. 'My Steph has cooking issues, she's horrendus really.' " She said in the same tone her mother had used the night before.
Mark rebounded the ball and tossed it back to Steph. "Sweetie, she doesn't see it that way, even though sometimes it does come off that way. A house full of people she thrives on it, she loves having your friends here. She finds the stories about your childhood endearing. And when she brings up other people, or points out something, she's trying to be helpful. Give you advice. She loves you Steph, you're everything to her."
"I love her and I know she loves me. And I appreciate the life that she risked everything to give me. Who knows where I would be if she had stayed in Florida and I had been raised with Harlan Barrett as a father instead of you. I know I'm not home enough, and I don't call enough, and I know that she regrets the fact that I am her only child. I know she wanted a house full of kids. And I know she pressures Johnny and I to have children, because she doesn't want to see me end up like she did. She pushes to hard sometimes, and I push back, and I have a short fuse sometimes." Seeing the look on her Dad's face she added, "Most of the time. Thank you Dad for keeping me from imploding. You and Johnny could trade war stories sometime. The two of you are the only two people who can even remotely control me."
"Its a tough job, but somebodies got to do it. Remember the time you beat the crap out of Anthony Clark when you were a junior."
"And you had to beg the principal not to expel me. But really Dad was three months detention including Saturday's the best punishment you could get me?" She said as she launched a shot that found the bottom of the net.
"You're lucky you got that, it was not one of your finer moments. You still have one of the best shots I've ever seen." He said with pride in his voice.
"I should, you taught me."
"You my dear had natural ability and an incredible work eithic, and drive to be good."
Johnny figured that Steph and Mark had had enough time and walked out of the house and on to the lawn. He watched as his wife sunk a basket from the end of the driveway. "Hey," he said when she looked up.
"Hey."
"Take care of her alright. I'm going to go smooth things over with your Mother," Mark said touching Johnny on the arm as he pased the younger
"I will," Johnny said to Mark before turning back to Stephanie. She was dribling the ball pretending to be okay. "Come here baby," he said holding out his arms as he got closer. Stephanie flew into his arms within a moment. "It's going to be fine."
"I thought it was going to be better, I thought I had come to terms with it," she told him sniffling.
"I'm sorry." He hated to see his wife cry, she rarely did it, which made the times when she did even worse.
"I would kill to be able to give you children."
"We're going to have to tell them sooner or later. You and I both know we would have had a child by now if that incident hadn't occurred." He said getting angry thinking about what those bastards had done to his wife. He tightened his grip on her as if to remind himself that he was holding her, and she was safe.
"Johnny. We can't tell them. I can't take away their hope for a grandchild. It's like if we don't tell them, than the possibilty for a miracle still exists. Telling them makes it much more final."
"Steph, honey you can't keep doing this to yourself. Your Mother would understand if she knew the truth, she would back off. You're torturing yourself."
Steph angrily pulled out of Johnny's arms. "Me, since when is this just about me? I thought this was about us, that we were in this together. You act like none of this affects you, like you don't care one way or another if we have a child. You and I both know thats not true. Do you know what it feels like for me not to be able to give you a child when I know its what you want more than anything."
"You're right I don't know what it feels like for you, but I know that it hurts you and it bothers you. I don't want to make that pain any worse for you, and thats what would happen if I went on and on about how much I want us to have a family."
"So you think its better if you put on this air of indifference?"
"Steph, baby, I don't know what you want me to say."
"I saw past your indifference, I knew it was a cover. I hate it that you felt the need to shut me out."
"That's not it."
"It is, you felt like you couldn't tell me about your feelings on the subject, because it would hurt mine. Why are my feelings more important then yours? I love you so much, Johnny, more than I can put into words, and I want to be able to ease your pain and help you when you're hurting or have a problem. I can't do that if you don't talk to me, if you shut me out."
He reached out and pulled her back into his arms. "We're both classic repressers."
"Stephanie, bring Johnny in from the cold before the two of you catch your death from pneumonia, this temper tantrum of yours has lasted long enough." Bev called from the doorway.
Johnny felt Steph tense in his arms. "There is a really good chance my Mother is not going to survive our visit in one piece."
Johnny pulled back from Steph a little, "Incentive to behave." He told her before his lips met hers in a passionate kiss.
She grabbed his hand and led him to the door. "You're so mean to me Johnny. We're on the pull out couch in the middle of my living room, and you're barely brave enough to hold me at night let alone do any of the things that kiss promised."
They walked hand in hand into the living room. "Stephanie you owe your friends an apology for your little performance in here earlier, you're not a child anymore."
"I'm sorry." She said fighting the urge to lead Johnny back outside.
"Bev how about I make you some lunch?" Mark said pulling his wife into the kitchen.
"Steph, the pictures from yours and Johnny's wedding are beautiful." Robin said trying to change the subject.
Stephanie instantly smiled remembering her wedding. "Didn't Johnny look so cute in a tux?" She asked going to sit by Robin and Sydney so she could see the pictures from her wedding.
"He did." Robin and Sydney agreed.
"I almost fainted when I saw Jason in a tux at our wedding. Him in anything but jeans and a t-shirt is such a rarity."
"What was your wedding like Robin?" Steph asked with interest.
"Details, we want details." Sydney added.
Johnny looked at the other guys and assumed their _expression matched his. "Wedding talk." He said miserably.
"They're going to be at this for hours." Vaughn said.
"Steph." He said. "I'm taking the guys to Nick's."
"Have fun."
"Who's Nick?" Robin asked.
"Nick's pub." Johnny explained.
"Are you sure that's a good idea? Jason, Michael, in public with alcohol."
"If I can keep you from killing your mother, I can keep them from killing each other, besides there is a greater chance of dying of boredom listening to wedding talk than there is of them killing each other in public in broad daylight."
"May the force be with you Luke." She smiled at him. "Wait, Johnny." She called before he could quite reach the door.
"What?" He asked her.
"If you guys aren't back in time, meet us at Bloomington High School South's gym at 6:00. My Dad has a game tonight, the biggest of the season."
"I don't know how to get to South's gym, and I really don't think the four of them want to watch girl's high school basketball."
"If you weren't already sleeping on the couch you would be."
"I'm just saying not everyone shares your feverish passion for the game of basketball."
"Fine, the four of them can stay here, or go out, or come to the game. You on the other hand better be back here on time, because you are going to the game, and when we get home, you are watching tapes my Mother made of all my games, and then tomorrow you can watch all the games that my mother has on tape from my college days. Have fun at Nick's." She said turning her attention back to the photo album.
Nick's Pub
They were sitting at a table in relative silence. "I don't know why I don't just shake my head and say 'yes dear' its not like I ever have a shot of winning an arguement with her."
"I know what you mean, Robin always wins too."
"As does Sydney." Michael added. "So umm, Steph and her Mom." Michael broached the topic carefully.
"Bev is really a good woman, and she loves Steph a lot. They're just very different, and Bev doesn't even realize half the time what she does to make Steph angry. Sorry you guys had to witness it, that was actually fairly tame though."
"I'm used to that stuff. The Q's would have done that within the first thirty mintues of meeting and something would have been broken along with various threats of bodily harm or eviction among other things."
"It honestly wasn't that bad." Vaughn said. "Hell Sydney's Mom shot her in the shoulder at their reunion."
"So you've lucked out in the family department." Jason said.
"Not many guys can say their sister-in-law is an international supermodel."
"Don't speak until after you've met her." Jason said rolling his eyes at the thought of Brenda.
"So Johnny, why aren't we going to Boston to spend time with your family?"
"My parents and I aren't that close since I joined the CIA. So they definitely would not be keen on being part of a mission. My brother Danny and my sister Eileen have classes, and my sister Angela, well she is always on the go. Really it doesn't make a lot of sense to make a stop in Boston."
Meanwhile back at the Anderson House
"So your wedding was held here in Bloomington?" Sydney asked continuing to look at the pictures of the happy couple, wondering if she would ever have a moment like the one she saw.
Stephanie shook her head. "It was held in Boston. It's where Johnny's family is from. The reception was held at the family pub, which saved money. Plus Johnny's family is Irish Catholic, so his Mom made this huge deal about having the wedding in the church that he grew up attending with the Priest who baptized him, and confirmed him performing the ceremony," she told them, suppressing the rolling of her eyes that wanted to come with the memory.
"You have issues with Johnny's family?" Robin asked.
Stephanie let out a sigh wondering hot to explain. The O'Brien's were wonderful people they just didn't understand why their son did what he did. "Not exactly. Johnny's parents especially his mother are a little less than ok with his career in the CIA. I think they thought that getting married and settling down would make him rethink his choices. That his wife would maybe be able to influence him to do something more safe and move back to Boston. So when they learned that I too was a CIA agent, they're bubble was burst so to speak. His siblings are great, and I get along well them. Especially Danny and Leenie, Angela is closer to our age, but she has her own career going on."
"So can you explain how you and Robin share a sister?" Sydney asked curiously.
The other two women burst out laughing at that. Robin turned to look at Stephanie. "We never did explain that very well did we Steph?"
"No not really. You do it Robin."
"Alright, Steph's sister Brenda is my best friend in the entire world. We love each other like sisters. So we've just grown into introducing each other as sisters. We look alike so people don't question it. Around our hometown of Port Charles, people just know so its not a problem there. This situation is new. This is the first time that Steph and I have ever met. We just knew of each other in passing."
"You know what else is freaky?" Steph said piping up as she grabbed a handful of pretels from a bag on the table.
"Hmm?"
"My brother Zander dated Jason's sister Emily."
"Mark look at them." Bev commanded softly so the three girls couldn't hear her. She watched the girls laugh, and talk, and look at wedding pictures with a wistful smile on her face from the kitchen doorway.
"What about them?" her husband asked from where he was fixing up a snack for himself.
"The three of them they look so much alike. Look how well they get along with each other. They could pass off as sisters."
"They're beautiful girls." Mark agreed wrapping his arms around his wife.
Bloomington High School South Gymnasium
"Ahh the memories." Steph said wistfully, vividly remembering the victories she had triumphantly one here, much to the chagrin of the Bloomington South. "I've got some good memories of this gym, I had one of my best games here."
"The fans here didn't like her very much." Bev said. "She loved that they hated her."
"If they were razzing me, they weren't cheering on their own team. Did you guys play team sports?" She asked the other girls and Jason.
"No." Robin answered for herself and Jason. "Well Jason Q did, football, but that doesn't really count now."
"I didn't either." Sydney said.
Steph gave them all a sad smile as if they didn't know what they were missing. "You guys don't go to many sporting events either do you?"
"Nope." Robin said with a smile.
"Michael and I have been to a couple of hockey games." Sydney said smiling.
They got settled in for the start of the game. Steph stood for most of the first half which was closely contested. Bloomington H.S North trailed by seven at half time. "You guys want something from the concession stand?" Johnny asked.
"I'll go with you." Michael said when they had figured out what everyone wanted.
Bev disappeared to talk to some friends of hers and Steph went to down by the locker room to catch her Dad, she had some strategy she wanted to share with him. When they were alone Jason leaned over and whispered to Robin. "I can't believe these people."
Robin looked around the bleacher section before glaring at her husband. "That comment could get us mugged or something," she whispered back. "So its not mine or your idea of a great time. Its not awful, and I thought you liked sports."
"I do," moderately, Jason thought to himself before continuing. "but these people are extremists, Steph included."
"Poor baby." She said kissing him on the cheek.
"Dad." Steph said catching his arm as he walked back to the bench. "Their zone is killing you. You have to penetrate the gaps and kick out to the open shooters."
Mark gave his daughter a slanted look. "I know."
Steph didn't pick up on the look, but instead continued on with her mental notes on the game. "And Dad your point guard is telegraphing her passes. Ball fake and then pass. Their defenders will jump out of their shoes to go after her fake."
"Anything else coach?" he asked her sarcastically, expecting her to laugh a bit and head back to her seat. He should have known better.
Steph looked at him with complete serious and continued. "You're girls might do better in a 1-2-2 zone. I'd try it for one or two defensive sequences, see if it works. But watch the shooters in a zone, that's the only drawback."
He thought about it. "I'll try it."
After the game, which North won by three, Mark took the gang out to Noble Romans for pizza. "See Dad aren't you glad you took my advice?"
"Honey, you definitely have a career in coaching when and if you want it," Mark told her as he slung an arm over his daughters shoulders.
Steph gave out a small laugh. "I don't know if I have the patience to be a coach."
"You could do it." Bev told her daughter.
"See Johnny, now we have to move back here when we're done in LA.." He just shook his head and kissed his wife.
To all of you who reviewed, thank you so so so so much. It means everything really and makes us want to write. It essentially means that we are not alone in our obsessions, and that other people might enjoy our little world.
Laura&Carrie
Ch 4
Mark and Bev Anderson's house: Bloomington Indiana 10:30 PM
"Alright, well you two know where you're sleeping," Bev said to her daughter and son-in-law before turning to her guests. "And let me just show you four the way. I'm sure it's not at all what you're used to but I hope it will do."
"Bev hun," Mark said, knowing that his wife was about to talk their guests to death.
"What?" Beverly asked, spinning around to glare at her husband. "They need to find where they're staying."
She turned back to her guests after a moment and began to shoo them towards the stairs. "After you're settled in, you can come down to the kitchen for some food. Steph, sweetie," Bev said, turning before she headed to the stairs. "I have all of your favorites, so help yourself. And I got to buy jalapenos for the first time in so long. And Steph, please don't try and cook. Calling the fire department when you were sixteen was one thing, doing it now that you're all grown up I don't know what people would say." She turned back to the other two couples. "My Steph has cooking issues, it's horrendous."
"Mom I've improved," Steph insisted and then pointed at her husband. "Ask Johnny."
"Well," Johnny said after a few minutes of careful consideration. "She does wonders with frozen pizza."
"You know Cindy Marshall, Cindy Taylor when you knew her. She does wonders in the kitchen," Bev told everyone, unaware that her daughter was beginning to fume. "She has a little restaurant, the food is the best. I'll have to take you all there some time."
Stephanie waited until her mother had ushered everyone else out of the room and she was alone with her husband and father before she buried her head and a pillow and let a scream out.
She lifted her head, her hair falling messily around her face. "Cindy Taylor was the biggest bitch."
Johnny simply smirked at Steph. He took her hand and pulled her to him. "You know there's a house for sale right down the street. I saw it as we passed."
Steph only glared at her husband. "Watch it O'Brien."
"What?" Johnny asked giving her a clueless look.
"She'll settle down soon enough sweetheart," Mark Anderson said, coming over and putting ha hand on Steph's back.
Stephanie leaned back and smiled up at her father. "Thanks Dad."
He leanded down and kissed her on the top of her head. "We're glad to have you back. And its good to see you too Johnny," he said, sliding his gaze over to the young man who had taken Steph away in his mind. He
had gotten used to the idea of it yet, and it had been four years. "You've been taking good care of my little girl?"
Steph turned to grin at her husband. "He takes wonderful care of me or I'll kill him," she said cheerfully.
Johnny simply nodded. "And I know it."
"Well I'm going to make sure your mother lets everyone settle in alone," he told them heading off for the stairs, where his wife was probably talking the guests to death.
~Meanwhile~
"Alright. So here we have the guest room," Bev said, ushering Jason and Robin inside. "It's not that big," she told them rather apologetically.
"That's fine," Jason told her simply. "We've done with less"
"Really? That's a abominable," She said with a gasp and seemed to miss Jason's quizzical look. "Well, the bathroom is just down the hall. You'll be fine."
She then shut the dor behind her as she left and turned to Syd and Vaughn. She led them across the hallway.
"Well this one is Steph's old room," she said as she pulled the door open and ushered them in ahead of her. "I understand the bed's kind of small."
"Only slightly," Syd said staring at the double bed in the room. It wasn't big enough for her and Vaughn and space in between them unless they huddled on the edge.
"But you know, you're a married couple. Newlyweds and all that. You should want to be close," Bev said, with a huge smile on her face, oddly reminding Sydney of the looks Steph had a tendency to give her when they'd discuss Vaughn.
Vaughn gave Syd an amused glance before sliding his arms around her waist and pulling her close. "Yes we're madly in love. It really is hard to keep are hands off of one another."
Syd blushed, partially from the fact that she really wished that was true, and from the fact that she was pulled up against him. "Michael," she admonished.
"Oh you're embarrassing her," Bev chided, but was obviously pleased. "But I'm sure she enjoys it. Anyway, you can see how accomplished Steph was," she said, gesturing around the room, realizing that the younger couple probably didn't want to discuss certain things with her. "These are her trophies. Basketball was always her passion."
"Hey kids," Mark said, popping his head in the door before grabbing his wife's arm. "Bev, honey, come on. Let's go down stairs."
"Come back down in a half an hour, please," she said as she was pulled out of the room.
Syd waited till they were out of the room and were far enough out of hearing before turning to Vaughn. "You're so taking the floor."
"I know."
Sydney continued to glare at the bed. "That's right give the not so married couple the smallest bed in the house. Steph knew," she acused whirling on him.
Vaughn simply put his hands up in defense and walked over to the bed. He put a hand on it and pushed down. It definitely wasn't the most comfortable thing. "I think she was glad to not be using this bed again," he told Sydney with a laugh.
"Watch it."
"Hey. You're the one with the bed."
"True," she acknowledged with a nod before turning back to her suitcase.
Robin stood in the small guest room taking the clothes out of the suitcase and into the dresser. Jason was sitting on the bed not really saying anything, just watching her.
Robin slid the drawer shut and turned around, leaning against it. "Well?" she asked.
Jason could tell that she was asking him what he thought of the Andersons. "They're interesting."
"Interesting how?" Robin asked, raising an eyebrow.
"They're just a lot to take in Robin," Jason said with a sigh, standing up to pace and upon realizing there was no room sat back down on the bed.
"You don't like that do you?" Robin said, standing in front of him and running a hand through his hair.
Jason twined his arms around her waist and pulled her to him as he laid back on the bed. "I don't like overbearing."
"They're not the same as the Quartermaines. Who we're going to have to see," she reminded him, thinking ahead to their imminent visit to Port Charles.
"How do you plan on explaining 'my brother' to the Q's?" Jason asked her with avid interest.
"We'll think of something.," Robin said, leaving a small kiss on the corner of his mouth. "We always manage to."
"Can we ride up to the mansion on the bike just to piss of the old man?" he asked her laying kisses a long her neckline.
Robin attempted to keep her mind on the situation that surrounded them. "That's not exactly safe."
"I've got you," Jason reminded her as he rolled them both over. "He's crazy about you, but that's not surprising," Jason said before taking her bottom lip with his teeth.
Robin shifted underneath him. "Why is that?" she asked once he let go of her lip.
"Because you, Mrs. Morgan are the most amazing woman ever," he told her haltingly between kisses as his hand slipped up her shirt.
Robin wanted to let it take her away, but she remembered they were ins someone else's house and "Jason," her protest came out a moan. She took a moment and pushed away at him. "Jason everyone's awake. We're in someone else's guest room."
Jason simply raised an eyebrow. "And?"
"And?" Robin asked incredulously. He began to kiss her again and she pushed him away again. "No. Stop it."
"Alright," Jason said, rolling off of her. "Once we're sure everyone else is asleep?" he asked hopefully.
"We'll see."
"You can't tell me you want to wait the entire time we're here?" Jason asked incredulously.
"We're in someone else's house," Robin responded.
"We're happily married. It's perfectly normal."
"We'll see. Would you get me my pills?"
"You drive a hard bargain. Of course. Close your eyes, I'll be right back." he said standing and kissing her lightly on the forehead before heading off to the bathroom .
Stephanie sat, curled up in one of the chairs in her childhood living room as she watched her husband pull the bed out of the couch. It was nice to be home, in a place that she knew and was familiar.
"We're relegated to the pull out couch."
"It's better than your bedroom."
"What's wrong with my bedroom?" Steph asked indignantly.
"It's a beautiful bedroom. It's just not built for two people."
Steph grinned at Johnny. "Poor Syd and Micheal."
"You're so upset."
"this could help."
"I'm positive he's sleeping on the floor," Johnny said without looking up at her.
"Why?" she asked him quizzically.
"How many times did you relegate me to the floor before you let go?" Johnny asked his wife as he pulled her into his arms. "And with bigger beds than the one upstairs."
"Shut up."
Sydney was running through the hallways of the DS-6 secure area in LA. Her father was here. Somewhere. She just had to find him. He was here. She knew it.
Boom! Not that room.
Boom! Not that one either.
'The end of the hallway Syd,' a voice called in her head.
She saw the doorway at the end of the long hall it would take forever to get to him. Sydney Bristow broke out into a run, knowing that if she didn't work her hardest right now she would lose her father. She couldn't lose him, not now.
She kicked in the door to find her father strapped to a table. He looked like he was dying. Syd's heart was in her throat as Geiger looked up at her. She instantly was on the other side of the table and fought with Geiger until he was unconscious. She stood over him feeling the hatred build. She pulled out her gun and shot him point blank range on the floor.
Then she turned her attentions to Jack Bristow.
She quickly slid into the stool next to him and took his hand in hers. It was barely warm and limp. She had never seen him this bad. He didn't look like the Jack Bristow she knew. "Daddy?" she called her voice cracking and the tears starting to run down her face. "Daddy please look at me."
"Syd." His voice was rough and scratchy. "Sydney."
She let out a sob and squeezed his hand. "I'm here Daddy, right here," she promised and ran her free hand over her hair. "You're going to be alright," she promised him.
Jack continued to look at her with cloudy, faraway eyes. "You're so beautiful Sydney," he murmured. "Like Laura."
Sydney choked at her father's lapse of memory. "Laura doesn't exist Daddy. Momma's real name is Irinka," Why the hell didn't he know these things? Where the hell was Jack Bristow? Her father who knew everything. "Daddy please, come back to me," she cried out as she continued to sob.
Jack looked at her with clear eyes for only a moment. "You'll be alright Syd. He'll take care of you," Jack promised her.
"Who?" Sydney asked, shaking her father's hand violently. "You can't leave me here. I know we've had our problems lately, but I need you. I really need you. You don't know how much."
"Or how much I need you," He responded. "Always have. I love you Sydney. Regardless of everything else I've always loved you."
Sydney's tears only came harder at her father's admission. He had never been highly demonstrative. She noticed as his hand went limp, and she realized he wasn't breathing. "No! NO! Daddy, please."
"He's gone Sydney," Arvin Slone's voice echoed through the room.
Sydney's tears dried instantly. The bastard had killed her father, in a roundabout way and was now torturing her in his own way. "Where are you, you coward?" she shouted spinning around in a circle.
"You'll never find me Sydney," his voice came through again. "But I'll always find you. You're not safe. You'll never be safe. Your father's gone, would you like to lose your lover as well."
Sydney stopped. What the hell was he talking about? "I don't have a lover."
"Agent Michael Vaughn seems like more than just a partner," Slone told her, and Sydney felt a shiver run down her spine. "He'll end up as dead as your father. And in the end so will you."
"Sydney. Sydney," a male voice called out her name. She couldn't really place it.
"Get off me," Sydney said striking out at the voice.
Michael avoided a punch and a kick and shook her. Syd had been thrashing around for awhile now. She had been crying. "Sydney it's me. It's Michael."
Her eyes opened wide and the relief that came over her face was somehow more heartbreaking then the desperate dreaming girl. "Oh Vaughn," she cried, throwing her arms around him.
Vaughn sat on the bed with her in his arms and just rocked her gently. "You're alright. It was a dream Syd, just a dream. You're alright," he told her burring his head in her hair as he rubbed his hand on her back.
"It was so much worse," she told him, still clinging. He tried t lay her down but she only held him closer. "Hold me. Please. His voice will echo in my head otherwise."
"Who's voice Syd?" Vaughn asked her as he laid down on the bed with her, holding her close.
She snuggled against him, instinctively moving closer to the comfort he gave her. "Slone," she mumbled against his chest.
Vaughn held her tighter, wondering exactly what she saw in her dreams. With Arvin Slone there were a manner of horrors, especially in Sydney's mind. "Alright, I've got you," he promised her. "I've got you."
He continued to stroke her hair, her back as he heard her breathing level out. He couldn't stop touching her, holding her. He wanted to be able to make it all go away for her. "I'll always be here Sydney, always," he murmured.
Anderson house-11:00 AM
"Oh good. There are some snacks here, and these," Beverly took one of the huge photo albums and opened it. She then placed it directly in between Robin and Sydney's laps.
"Mom? Mom no," Stephanie said shaking her head as she came out of the kitchen. Smothering the impulse to slam the photo album shut, pick them all up and throw them in the fireplace to burn.
"Oh Steph," Syd said, running a hand over the pictures before looking up at her friend. "You were so cute."
"Wasn't she? I just love children."
"Mom, those aren't the ones with the naked pictures are they?" Sydney asked curiously.
"Sweetie these are all of my pictures."
"Mom don't you think showing all of these to Johnny and his entire family, including people he hadn't even met, at the rehearsal dinner was enough embarrassment for one lifetime."
"Poor Danny is probably scarred for life, I mean he was just a kid."
"Johnny. Mom really." She said shooting her husband an icy glance that could rival one of Jason's cold stares any day. She then turned her eyes pleading in an instant and leveled her mother with a look.
"Stephanie Marie, you don't want these people to know about your life?"
"They know about my life."
"What you've told them, not everything. But she was gorgeous wasn't she? I can't wait for grandchildren. I bet you they'll be just as gorgeous."
"Lay it on thick Mom. You'll get grandchildren when you get them and not before."
"Oh Stephanie you love children and we both know it."
"I'm a busy woman mom. I work."
"Prioritize dear.
"Yes Mom, I'll just tell the CIA, 'well my Mom wants grandchildren now so I have to completely alter my entire working schedule for the next 18 years. Please its only a small matter of National security.' I don' think that'd go over real well."
"That job is much to dangerous anyway."
"Mom. I love it. How can you--"
"Stephanie please. We have company."
"That's the Bev Anderson golden rule, never let anyone know we're less than perfect."
"Kitchen. Now."
"Like they're not going to hear us yelling at each other in the kitchen."
"I just don't want them to have to see it. We both know it won't be pretty."
"They're going to know its ugly either way what's the difference. At least let them have front row seats for it."
"Stephanie," Mark said, laying a hand on his daughter's arm. "Come on outside with me for a bit."
Mark picked up the basketball that was lying in the driveway from their game earlier this morning and tossed it at his daughter. Instead of taking a shot, she fired the ball at the garage door, it hit the garage door with a bang, and bounced away. "That woman is infuriating." She said as she went to retrieve the ball.
"She's proud of you and your accomplishments, she likes to show you off."
"Dad she takes great pleasure in pointing out everything I've ever done wrong, and all of my shortcomings. 'My Steph has cooking issues, she's horrendus really.' " She said in the same tone her mother had used the night before.
Mark rebounded the ball and tossed it back to Steph. "Sweetie, she doesn't see it that way, even though sometimes it does come off that way. A house full of people she thrives on it, she loves having your friends here. She finds the stories about your childhood endearing. And when she brings up other people, or points out something, she's trying to be helpful. Give you advice. She loves you Steph, you're everything to her."
"I love her and I know she loves me. And I appreciate the life that she risked everything to give me. Who knows where I would be if she had stayed in Florida and I had been raised with Harlan Barrett as a father instead of you. I know I'm not home enough, and I don't call enough, and I know that she regrets the fact that I am her only child. I know she wanted a house full of kids. And I know she pressures Johnny and I to have children, because she doesn't want to see me end up like she did. She pushes to hard sometimes, and I push back, and I have a short fuse sometimes." Seeing the look on her Dad's face she added, "Most of the time. Thank you Dad for keeping me from imploding. You and Johnny could trade war stories sometime. The two of you are the only two people who can even remotely control me."
"Its a tough job, but somebodies got to do it. Remember the time you beat the crap out of Anthony Clark when you were a junior."
"And you had to beg the principal not to expel me. But really Dad was three months detention including Saturday's the best punishment you could get me?" She said as she launched a shot that found the bottom of the net.
"You're lucky you got that, it was not one of your finer moments. You still have one of the best shots I've ever seen." He said with pride in his voice.
"I should, you taught me."
"You my dear had natural ability and an incredible work eithic, and drive to be good."
Johnny figured that Steph and Mark had had enough time and walked out of the house and on to the lawn. He watched as his wife sunk a basket from the end of the driveway. "Hey," he said when she looked up.
"Hey."
"Take care of her alright. I'm going to go smooth things over with your Mother," Mark said touching Johnny on the arm as he pased the younger
"I will," Johnny said to Mark before turning back to Stephanie. She was dribling the ball pretending to be okay. "Come here baby," he said holding out his arms as he got closer. Stephanie flew into his arms within a moment. "It's going to be fine."
"I thought it was going to be better, I thought I had come to terms with it," she told him sniffling.
"I'm sorry." He hated to see his wife cry, she rarely did it, which made the times when she did even worse.
"I would kill to be able to give you children."
"We're going to have to tell them sooner or later. You and I both know we would have had a child by now if that incident hadn't occurred." He said getting angry thinking about what those bastards had done to his wife. He tightened his grip on her as if to remind himself that he was holding her, and she was safe.
"Johnny. We can't tell them. I can't take away their hope for a grandchild. It's like if we don't tell them, than the possibilty for a miracle still exists. Telling them makes it much more final."
"Steph, honey you can't keep doing this to yourself. Your Mother would understand if she knew the truth, she would back off. You're torturing yourself."
Steph angrily pulled out of Johnny's arms. "Me, since when is this just about me? I thought this was about us, that we were in this together. You act like none of this affects you, like you don't care one way or another if we have a child. You and I both know thats not true. Do you know what it feels like for me not to be able to give you a child when I know its what you want more than anything."
"You're right I don't know what it feels like for you, but I know that it hurts you and it bothers you. I don't want to make that pain any worse for you, and thats what would happen if I went on and on about how much I want us to have a family."
"So you think its better if you put on this air of indifference?"
"Steph, baby, I don't know what you want me to say."
"I saw past your indifference, I knew it was a cover. I hate it that you felt the need to shut me out."
"That's not it."
"It is, you felt like you couldn't tell me about your feelings on the subject, because it would hurt mine. Why are my feelings more important then yours? I love you so much, Johnny, more than I can put into words, and I want to be able to ease your pain and help you when you're hurting or have a problem. I can't do that if you don't talk to me, if you shut me out."
He reached out and pulled her back into his arms. "We're both classic repressers."
"Stephanie, bring Johnny in from the cold before the two of you catch your death from pneumonia, this temper tantrum of yours has lasted long enough." Bev called from the doorway.
Johnny felt Steph tense in his arms. "There is a really good chance my Mother is not going to survive our visit in one piece."
Johnny pulled back from Steph a little, "Incentive to behave." He told her before his lips met hers in a passionate kiss.
She grabbed his hand and led him to the door. "You're so mean to me Johnny. We're on the pull out couch in the middle of my living room, and you're barely brave enough to hold me at night let alone do any of the things that kiss promised."
They walked hand in hand into the living room. "Stephanie you owe your friends an apology for your little performance in here earlier, you're not a child anymore."
"I'm sorry." She said fighting the urge to lead Johnny back outside.
"Bev how about I make you some lunch?" Mark said pulling his wife into the kitchen.
"Steph, the pictures from yours and Johnny's wedding are beautiful." Robin said trying to change the subject.
Stephanie instantly smiled remembering her wedding. "Didn't Johnny look so cute in a tux?" She asked going to sit by Robin and Sydney so she could see the pictures from her wedding.
"He did." Robin and Sydney agreed.
"I almost fainted when I saw Jason in a tux at our wedding. Him in anything but jeans and a t-shirt is such a rarity."
"What was your wedding like Robin?" Steph asked with interest.
"Details, we want details." Sydney added.
Johnny looked at the other guys and assumed their _expression matched his. "Wedding talk." He said miserably.
"They're going to be at this for hours." Vaughn said.
"Steph." He said. "I'm taking the guys to Nick's."
"Have fun."
"Who's Nick?" Robin asked.
"Nick's pub." Johnny explained.
"Are you sure that's a good idea? Jason, Michael, in public with alcohol."
"If I can keep you from killing your mother, I can keep them from killing each other, besides there is a greater chance of dying of boredom listening to wedding talk than there is of them killing each other in public in broad daylight."
"May the force be with you Luke." She smiled at him. "Wait, Johnny." She called before he could quite reach the door.
"What?" He asked her.
"If you guys aren't back in time, meet us at Bloomington High School South's gym at 6:00. My Dad has a game tonight, the biggest of the season."
"I don't know how to get to South's gym, and I really don't think the four of them want to watch girl's high school basketball."
"If you weren't already sleeping on the couch you would be."
"I'm just saying not everyone shares your feverish passion for the game of basketball."
"Fine, the four of them can stay here, or go out, or come to the game. You on the other hand better be back here on time, because you are going to the game, and when we get home, you are watching tapes my Mother made of all my games, and then tomorrow you can watch all the games that my mother has on tape from my college days. Have fun at Nick's." She said turning her attention back to the photo album.
Nick's Pub
They were sitting at a table in relative silence. "I don't know why I don't just shake my head and say 'yes dear' its not like I ever have a shot of winning an arguement with her."
"I know what you mean, Robin always wins too."
"As does Sydney." Michael added. "So umm, Steph and her Mom." Michael broached the topic carefully.
"Bev is really a good woman, and she loves Steph a lot. They're just very different, and Bev doesn't even realize half the time what she does to make Steph angry. Sorry you guys had to witness it, that was actually fairly tame though."
"I'm used to that stuff. The Q's would have done that within the first thirty mintues of meeting and something would have been broken along with various threats of bodily harm or eviction among other things."
"It honestly wasn't that bad." Vaughn said. "Hell Sydney's Mom shot her in the shoulder at their reunion."
"So you've lucked out in the family department." Jason said.
"Not many guys can say their sister-in-law is an international supermodel."
"Don't speak until after you've met her." Jason said rolling his eyes at the thought of Brenda.
"So Johnny, why aren't we going to Boston to spend time with your family?"
"My parents and I aren't that close since I joined the CIA. So they definitely would not be keen on being part of a mission. My brother Danny and my sister Eileen have classes, and my sister Angela, well she is always on the go. Really it doesn't make a lot of sense to make a stop in Boston."
Meanwhile back at the Anderson House
"So your wedding was held here in Bloomington?" Sydney asked continuing to look at the pictures of the happy couple, wondering if she would ever have a moment like the one she saw.
Stephanie shook her head. "It was held in Boston. It's where Johnny's family is from. The reception was held at the family pub, which saved money. Plus Johnny's family is Irish Catholic, so his Mom made this huge deal about having the wedding in the church that he grew up attending with the Priest who baptized him, and confirmed him performing the ceremony," she told them, suppressing the rolling of her eyes that wanted to come with the memory.
"You have issues with Johnny's family?" Robin asked.
Stephanie let out a sigh wondering hot to explain. The O'Brien's were wonderful people they just didn't understand why their son did what he did. "Not exactly. Johnny's parents especially his mother are a little less than ok with his career in the CIA. I think they thought that getting married and settling down would make him rethink his choices. That his wife would maybe be able to influence him to do something more safe and move back to Boston. So when they learned that I too was a CIA agent, they're bubble was burst so to speak. His siblings are great, and I get along well them. Especially Danny and Leenie, Angela is closer to our age, but she has her own career going on."
"So can you explain how you and Robin share a sister?" Sydney asked curiously.
The other two women burst out laughing at that. Robin turned to look at Stephanie. "We never did explain that very well did we Steph?"
"No not really. You do it Robin."
"Alright, Steph's sister Brenda is my best friend in the entire world. We love each other like sisters. So we've just grown into introducing each other as sisters. We look alike so people don't question it. Around our hometown of Port Charles, people just know so its not a problem there. This situation is new. This is the first time that Steph and I have ever met. We just knew of each other in passing."
"You know what else is freaky?" Steph said piping up as she grabbed a handful of pretels from a bag on the table.
"Hmm?"
"My brother Zander dated Jason's sister Emily."
"Mark look at them." Bev commanded softly so the three girls couldn't hear her. She watched the girls laugh, and talk, and look at wedding pictures with a wistful smile on her face from the kitchen doorway.
"What about them?" her husband asked from where he was fixing up a snack for himself.
"The three of them they look so much alike. Look how well they get along with each other. They could pass off as sisters."
"They're beautiful girls." Mark agreed wrapping his arms around his wife.
Bloomington High School South Gymnasium
"Ahh the memories." Steph said wistfully, vividly remembering the victories she had triumphantly one here, much to the chagrin of the Bloomington South. "I've got some good memories of this gym, I had one of my best games here."
"The fans here didn't like her very much." Bev said. "She loved that they hated her."
"If they were razzing me, they weren't cheering on their own team. Did you guys play team sports?" She asked the other girls and Jason.
"No." Robin answered for herself and Jason. "Well Jason Q did, football, but that doesn't really count now."
"I didn't either." Sydney said.
Steph gave them all a sad smile as if they didn't know what they were missing. "You guys don't go to many sporting events either do you?"
"Nope." Robin said with a smile.
"Michael and I have been to a couple of hockey games." Sydney said smiling.
They got settled in for the start of the game. Steph stood for most of the first half which was closely contested. Bloomington H.S North trailed by seven at half time. "You guys want something from the concession stand?" Johnny asked.
"I'll go with you." Michael said when they had figured out what everyone wanted.
Bev disappeared to talk to some friends of hers and Steph went to down by the locker room to catch her Dad, she had some strategy she wanted to share with him. When they were alone Jason leaned over and whispered to Robin. "I can't believe these people."
Robin looked around the bleacher section before glaring at her husband. "That comment could get us mugged or something," she whispered back. "So its not mine or your idea of a great time. Its not awful, and I thought you liked sports."
"I do," moderately, Jason thought to himself before continuing. "but these people are extremists, Steph included."
"Poor baby." She said kissing him on the cheek.
"Dad." Steph said catching his arm as he walked back to the bench. "Their zone is killing you. You have to penetrate the gaps and kick out to the open shooters."
Mark gave his daughter a slanted look. "I know."
Steph didn't pick up on the look, but instead continued on with her mental notes on the game. "And Dad your point guard is telegraphing her passes. Ball fake and then pass. Their defenders will jump out of their shoes to go after her fake."
"Anything else coach?" he asked her sarcastically, expecting her to laugh a bit and head back to her seat. He should have known better.
Steph looked at him with complete serious and continued. "You're girls might do better in a 1-2-2 zone. I'd try it for one or two defensive sequences, see if it works. But watch the shooters in a zone, that's the only drawback."
He thought about it. "I'll try it."
After the game, which North won by three, Mark took the gang out to Noble Romans for pizza. "See Dad aren't you glad you took my advice?"
"Honey, you definitely have a career in coaching when and if you want it," Mark told her as he slung an arm over his daughters shoulders.
Steph gave out a small laugh. "I don't know if I have the patience to be a coach."
"You could do it." Bev told her daughter.
"See Johnny, now we have to move back here when we're done in LA.." He just shook his head and kissed his wife.