Desultory

Ric stepped away from her, his earlier intention was to give her a soft kiss on the lips, but not after hearing her confess that she loved Luke Spencer, the same man she was planning never to associate with again.

"What's wrong?" Skye asked softly.

"Nothing." Ric told her. "I was going to kiss you but I've changed my mind."

"Why?" she asked.

"Why was I going to kiss you? Because you're lips looked so incredibly inviting that I didn't think I could possibly stand here another minute without kissing you."

"No." Skye breathed. "Why did you change your mind?"

"Because you just admitted that you loved Luke." Ric reminded her. "I'm not about to kiss you knowing that you would be imagining Luke instead of me."

"How do I know that you weren't going to be kissing me and thinking of Alexis?"

Ric shrugged. "You don't."

"Well then I guess we'll never know." she whispered as she breezed past him and over to the bar. "Can I get you anything to drink?"

"No." he answered, following her. "Do you always walk away when things get the slightest bit complicated?"

"I have no idea what you're talking about." she breathed out. "I simply walked across the room to get a drink, you're the one who followed me so I guess the real question is do you always stalk women?"

"Stalking?" he laughed. "Now that I'm not taking as a compliment."

"What happened Ric, did you grow some morals over lunch?"

"Now, Skye, there's no reason for you to be bitter."

She smiled. "And there's no reason for you to be so uptight. Maybe Alexis has worn off on you."

"Ouch." he replied. "Aren't we moody?"

"Not in least." she answered. "I'm just trying to prevent you from making a serious mistake."

"A mistake?"

"Yes. You don't realize what you have."

"What do I have?" he asked.

"You have Alexis and the start of something that could be everything you were searching for in life. All those things you tried desperately hard to find with Elizabeth and failed. You have the chance to start over with a really great woman. I mean sure she has her flaws and the Cassadine's are her family, but she's a wonderful attorney and Mother."

"Do you always make it a habit to point out what you see in Alexis to every man who's interested in her?"

"Just you." she assured him. "Would you mind doing me a favour?"

"If I can." he replied.

"Will you come with me tonight to the Quartermaine's?" she asked. "They're having a dinner party and I promised Daddy that I'd be there."

"You don't wanna take Luke?" he asked, already knowing the answer.

"Well, Luke's not exactly on the family's good side at the moment. Especially Grandfather's."

"So who's going to be at this soirée?" he asked.

"Well, Daddy, Monica, Grandfather and probably Heather." she listed. "Aunt Tracy, Ned and some others, you'll probably know most everyone there."

"A whole evening with the Quartermaine's." he commented. "You know what I will take that drink."

"You're going to need more than one." Skye laughed. "What would you like?"

"Gin and tonic."

Skye turned around to face the bar, she scanned it looking for the gin. "Well, that's not right, we can't be out." she mumbled. "I'll just run to the store room really quick."

"No." Ric said stopping her. "I'll go get it."

"Last door on the left." she told him.

Alexis' lips willingly met Luke's. She came to the Haunted Star thinking of their earlier incident as just something that had gotten out of control because their emotions were both running into overdrive. But now she wasn't so sure. Maybe somewhere along the way things had changed.

Luke's hand cupped her face as his lips stroked her's. She wrapped her arms around his neck, sliding her body slightly off the desk and against him as their kiss escalated into something much more than friendly. After a few moments they broke apart.

"This has to stop!" she told him. "I don't know what's going on between us but whatever it has to stop."

"I know." he agreed, stepping away from her. "What are we going do?"

"Maybe we can try to figure out what the problem is and fix it." Alexis suggested. "Because things like these can't keep happening."

He nodded. "We'll just put an end to it."

Alexis walked toward the door. "Right." she said, turning around to face him.

"Yeah." he agreed as they moved closer and closer together.

The tension in the room was so thick it could have been cut with a knife and once again their lips tangled together in a passionate kiss. The one thing they had just agreed to fix was something they couldn't seem to control.

Ric made his way back in the boat, as he went further and further down the hallway he noticed that there was a light on in one of the rooms, he passed the door anyway and headed directly for the store room. He quickly found the gin, turned off the light and closed the door behind him. As he was walking back down the hallway he stopped at the door he had seen earlier, the one with the light on. He didn't hear any voices only a few breathing sounds and took it upon himself to check it out.

Luke was kissing some woman, a dark headed woman, he stood still for several long seconds, trying to catch a glimpse of her face but it was impossible. He wondered if Skye knew about this other woman, if she had somehow stumbled across him with someone else. He decided that there was no way she know. She'd be even more heartbroken than she already was. Ric turned and walked back down into the main room.

"Did you find it?" Skye asked, looking up from her seat at the bar.

"Yeah." he said, stepping behind the bar to fix his drink. "Can I get you anything Miss?" he asked politely.

"Oh, you want to play bartender?" she laughed.

"Indulge me."

"I'll have a club soda."

As Ric and Skye were laughing at the bar, Luke walked through the room. "Lansing what are you doing here?" he asked. "Did I do something wrong? Violate some stupid code or something?"

"No, Luke, surprisingly enough you haven't done anything wrong." Ric answered. "Not yet anyway."

"How long have the two of you been here?" Luke asked Skye.

"About fifteen minutes.' she answered. "Why is there a problem?"

"No." Luke replied. "Just wondering."

"Luke?" Alexis called down the hallway, unaware that anyone else was on the boat. "Luke?" she called again. As she rounded the corner and stepped into the main room she was taken aback by Skye and Ric's presence. "Hi." she said nervously. "What are the two of you doing here...together?"

Ric felt his heart sink and his blood boil at the exact same time when he added two and two and came to the conclusion that Luke and the dark haired woman he was kissing was Alexis. "We had lunch at the Cellar." Ric told her. "Skye wanted to stop by to talk to Luke about something."

"Oh." Alexis breathed. "The two of you had lunch?"

"Yes." Skye responded "That's right."

"That's...nice." Alexis said, a little too high pitched. "Is there something wrong?" she asked, noticing the strange look on Ric's face.

He gave a quick smile. "No, everything's fine, but there are some things I need to take care of. I'll see you later." he told her, walking away. He turned back around at the doorway. "Skye, I'll see you tonight."

Skye smiled. "Six o'clock."

"Tonight?" Luke asked. "Are you having dinner with Lansing too? What are you dating him now?"

"Am I dating him?" Skye asked, laughter filling her voice. "Oh, I don't hardly think so."

"Then what's tonight?" Alexis asked.

"A dinner party at the Quartermaine's." Skye answered defensively.

Alexis pushed a few locks of hair out of her face."Why didn't you invite Luke? I mean why would you ask Ric?"

"Because Luke isn't on any of the Quartermaine's good side right now, expect maybe Tracy's." Skye told her. "He wouldn't go anyway."

"Why are the two of you talking like I'm not even in the room?" Luke asked.

Skye and Alexis both glared at him.

"Look, Skye, I know that I'm not the Quartermaine's favorite person and I'm not about to argue with big daddy Alan, so I understand." he complied. "And I take no offense, it's just that your choice of a date has be a little confused.."

"Me too." Alexis added.

"It's not a date." Skye insisted. "It's dinner, but if you're so insecure about your relationship or non relationship with Ric then forget it, I'll ask someone else."

"I'm not insecure." Alexis snapped. "And I'm not in a relationship with Ric."

"Then why are you taking such offense?" she asked her. "You act like I'm trying to steal your husband away from you."

"Okay!" Luke yelled. "That's enough. There's no reason to argue."

"Ric and I are just...friends." Skye told them. "I'm not trying to date him."

"I never insinuated that you were anything more." Alexis countered.

"Why do you have to be so uptight?" she asked her.

The events of what happened in Luke's office and in her apartment flooded her mind. "I'm sorry." Alexis whispered. "I have to get going."

Everything fell silent as Alexis left the room.

"Don't you have a comment?" Skye asked Luke several seconds later.

"About what?" he asked, walking over to the bar. "About Ric?"

"I don't know, you tell me."

Luke grabbed a glass and the bottle of scotch. "It's not up to me to tell you what to do. So go be with your family." he told her, leaning across the bar. "I know you love the Quartermaine's."

Skye leaned in towards him and brushed her lips against his. "Thank you."

It was twenty minutes til six when Reginald opened the front door of the Quartermaine Mansion. "Good evening, Mr. Lansing." he replied, opening the door farther.

"Evening." Ric said with a smile. "I'm afraid I'm a little early."

"That's quite alright, come in." Reginald took his coat. "Can I get you a drink?"

"No, I'm fine, but if you point me in the direction of one Miss Skye Quartermaine, I'd be much obliged."

"She's out on the terrace, right through the livingroom doors." Reginald pointed out.

"Thank you."

Ric walked through the livingroom and out onto the terrace. There she stood, a vision in red. Skye was admiring one of Lila's roses, the petals were flawless as she touched the delicate flower. The moonlight bathed her ivory skin and radiated off her auburn locks and her scarlet dress melted against her curvaceous physique.

"You know it should be illegal for you to stand in the moonlight like that."

Skye looked up at him from beneath her eyelashes. "Lines like that could really get you in trouble."

"Maybe I like trouble." he said, stepping closer and closer to her.

"Most men do." she said, lifting her head upward to meet his gaze.

"I hope you didn't take offense to my observation."

"Don't worry, I didn't." she assured him. "I never turn down a compliment."

"I'm sure you don't."

"Well, would you look at this!" Tracy yelled from the doorway. "Standing outside on the terrace flirting with the man who sent you to prison. Come on Skye, I know you're a little slow when it comes to these things, but do you think you could wake up and smell the roses before the frost hits?" she asked.

Skye let out a sigh. "Aunt Tracy, I didn't hear your broom pull up."

"Listen, young lady, I didn't come out here to be insulted by you." Tracy began. "And furthermore don't you think that your date is in poor taste. Somebody's got to look out for the reputation of this family and keep everyone in line."

She nodded. "You're exactly right, Tracy. By the way, where is Dillon?" she asked. "Oh, that's right he's living on the Haunted Star. Don't worry I'll be sure to tell him tonight that Momma sends her love."

"You do that." Tracy huffed before walking away.

"Sorry about that." Skye apologized. "Tracy says the most outrageous things."

"I've learnt to ignore Tracy." Ric told her.

"You catch on fast."

Ric winked. "Oh, you have no idea."

"What's that suppose to mean?" she asked, coyly.

"You'll see."

Somehow Ric made it threw cocktails, dinner and socialization with the Quartermaine's and their acquaintances from the Country Club. He was standing on the terrace alone, admiring the view when Skye approached him.

"My family doesn't bore you do they?" she asked, snapping Ric out of his daze.

"Never." he laughed. "The Quartermaine's are...entertaining."

"Actually they were kind of tame tonight."

"You've got to be kidding, Tracy practically attacked your Stepmother at the dinner table."

"That's how they show their affection." Skye told him. "I'm terrible sorry that I made you come here tonight."

"I didn't mind it." he assured her. "Really I didn't. I like spending time with you."

"Uh-oh Ric, you better watch out, we don't want anymore incidents with Alexis like we had tonight. I mean if I knew that she was going to have that big of a meltdown over it I never would have invited you." she told him. "You should have heard her after you left, she was going on and on."

Ric interrupted her. "I know, I stayed and listened for a few minutes."

"Alexis has this thing for you, rather she'll admit it in your presence or not." Skye told him softly. "She'll come around."

Ric took both of her hands in his. "Just like Luke."

"Possibly."

"You put your heart on the line for Luke, do you regret it?"

"No." she answered softly. "That doesn't mean that I won't. But some days I wanna give up on Luke, I just wanna walk away and never look back, forgetting that I ever knew him and other's I don't know what I'd do without him." Skye pulled her hands away from his, turned around and walked over to the end of the terrace.

"Does it scare you that Luke makes you feel like that?" he asked.

"No." Skye breathed. "What scares me is your touch."

Ric walked up behind her, he placed his hands on her shoulders and turned her around to face him. "You know, it's perfectly natural for you to be attracted to me."

"Then why does it feel so wrong?" she asked, softly.

"Skye, if I make you feel uncomfortable, then I'll leave." he told her stepping closer to her. "I don't have any intentions of hurting you."

"I know." she whispered.

He ran his hands up and down her bare arms. "Are you cold?" he asked.

"No." she insisted. "I'm fine."

His hands lingered on her, there was something soothing about his touch. Skye leaned in and placed a soft kiss on his lips, as she went to pull away Ric cupped her face, capturing her bottom lip between his, then her top before releasing her from his grasp.

"I'm going to go." he told her, softly.

She nodded. "I think that would be best."

Ric had left the Quartermaine's and went straight home. He had so many things on his mind. A court case. Alexis. Kissing Skye. Luke and Alexis kissing. He was so wrapped up in his thoughts that he didn't notice the knock on his door.

"Ric?" he heard from the opposite side. "Ric? Are you in there?"

He made his way over to the door and opened it. "Alexis, what a surprise."

"A surprise?" she questioned. "I'm not interrupting anything am I? You are alone, aren't you?"

"What makes you think that I'm not alone?" he asked.

"Well, you did have a dinner date with Skye and now you won't even open the door all the way." Alexis pointed out.. "So what's the deal, Ric, is Skye waiting for you?"

Ric sighed and glanced back inside his apartment and then back at Alexis. In those five seconds he confirmed her suspicions. "Skye is in there isn't she?" she asked.

Ric pushed the door open to show her that it was completely empty. "Skye's at Quartermaine's." he informed her. "She's there with her family."

Alexis wanted to scream. Not just because Ric had dinner with Skye and the Quartermaine's, but because the Cassadine's were Skye's family, she was Skye's family and that was creating a huge problem all the way around. "I'm sorry." Alexis sighed. "I really am. I don't know what made me jump to the conclusion that because you went to dinner with Skye it meant you were sleeping with her. I'm sorry."

"It's alright. Skye and I are just friends. Just like you and Luke." he told her, hoping to spark some sort of explanation of what he seen between the her and Luke earlier.

"Like me and Luke." Alexis repeated slowly. She couldn't help but to remember what had happened with Luke at her apartment and then again at the Haunted Star. She hoped that Ric and Skye weren't friends in the sense that she and Luke seemed to becoming.

"Is there something wrong?" he asked her, knowing that she had to be thinking about Luke.

"Nothing."

"Alexis, you don't have anything to worry about. Skye is head over heels in love with Luke at the moment and I don't see that changing anytime soon."

"I know." she admitted. "It's just that I'm a little confused."

"Why don't you come in, I'll get you a cup of coffee and then we'll talk about." Ric suggested, taking her hand and leading her inside. "How's Kristina?"

"Good." Alexis smiled. "Thanks for asking."

"Have a seat." he told her. "I'll get the coffee."

A few minutes later he returned with two mugs, he handed her one as he sat down beside her. "So, what's on your mind?"

"Lot's of things." she admitted, taking a sip of her coffee. "Mainly you."

"Should I be flatter or are you trying to get rid of me."

"No!" she replied. "I'm not trying to get rid of you. That's what I wanted to talk to you about. I'm not the best at relationships and I haven't been in one in a long time. What I'm trying to say is that I really like you, I like spending time with you. I know it's not fair to ask you to give me more time because you've been very patient it's just that I'm trying to figure out..."

"Alexis." he said, interrupting her. "I understand and if you want to take things slowly then we can."

She let out a sigh of relief. "I was so afraid that you were going to give me a ultimatum or something."

"Never." he told her. "So, I know you really don't like labels, but how we define our relationship?"

"Close friends." she suggested. "I guess it really doesn't matter right now. I just wanted to make sure that we were on the same page."

He leaned forward and softly kissed her lips. "Close friends."

"About the other day when I ran out of here because you insinuated sex, I'm really sorry." she told him. "The truth is that I don't know why I came back here, I don't know what my intentions were."

"It's perfectly fine." he told her. "You don't have to explain."

Alexis smiled. "I really have to get going, I have some work to do on a case."

Ric had waited for her to say something about Luke and what he seen at the Haunted Star. Because that's what people in relationships or almost relationships did. They told the truth, they admitted their feelings. He waited and waited and she said nothing, so he decided not to say anything. Maybe it wasn't important, maybe there was nothing going on between the two of them. Maybe it was all innocent, just like the kiss he had shared with Skye.

And when she told him she had to leave, he walked her to the door, kissing her left cheek before she left, telling himself the entire time that the thing with Luke wasn't even worth mentioning and that was why she didn't say anything. But somehow it just didn't feel right and he didn't know if he could let it go.

When Skye pulled in her driveway, she noticed Ric's car sitting up ahead. At first she panicked thinking something was wrong, but as she got closer she seen him sitting in the porch swing, smiling as he swayed back and fourth enjoying the ambience.

"Ric, what are you doing here?" she asked, approaching the porch. "Shouldn't you be at work?"

"It's my lunch hour and I thought it would be the perfect opportunity to talk to you about something." he told her. "It's really important."

"Nothing's wrong with my family is it?" she asked, concerned.

"No, the Quartermaine's are fine. I came here to talk to you about the other night."

She sat her shopping bags down at the door and began searching for her house key. "If this is about the kiss then consider it forgotten."

"This is about a kiss, but not between you and me."

"Ric, what are you talking about?" she asked, frustrated because she couldn't get the key to go in the lock the right way. "Dammit!" she swore.

Ric got up off the swing and took the keys out of her hand. "Here." he offered. "Let me." Once the door was opened and Skye and her shopping bags were on the other side, he thought that now might not be this best time to bring it up, but then again there may never be.

"Skye." he called getting her attention.

"Yeah." she said, not even bothering to look up as she pulled various things from a SAKS bag. It was almost if she could sense that she wasn't going to like what he was about to say.

He sat down on the couch and waited for her to finish what she was doing. Avoiding him.

"Go ahead, Ric, I'm listening."

"No you're not." he argued. "Come sit down, I want your undivided attention on this."

Finally after several seconds she complied and went to sit down beside him. "How do I know that I'm not going to like what you're about to tell me?"

"Before I tell you, you have to understand that I didn't see the whole thing and there could be a reason that I'm unaware of."

"Just get it over with, Ric."

"Okay, I'm just going to come right out and say it." he told her. "I seen Luke kissing..."

"Faith?" she interjected. "That blonde bimbo, she would do absolutely anything to..."

"Skye!" he yelled, getting her attention. "It wasn't Faith."

"Oh." she breathed. "Who was it?"

"Alexis." he said, softly. "Luke and Alexis were kissing."

TBC...

Thanks so much for the continued support. I'm half finished with the next chapter and it should be up fairly quickly, at least by Friday.

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