"I thought this would be a lovely idea," Lauren said, as she sat across from Michael at the Top of the Tower restaurant. "Our son has just come home, we invite him out to dinner and it appears he has other plans."
"He said he would be here," Michael said, "I'm sure he's just running late. He wants to spend time with us too."
"Yes, you can tell how much," Lauren said, gesturing to the empty chair, next to her.
"I don't mind having more time alone with you," Michael said, "We have not had enough lately."
"I've been so busy, with everything that's going on with Fenmore's and Jabot," Lauren said.
"New rules for tonight," Michael said, "No shop talk."
"Good idea," Lauren smiled.
"There it is," Michael said, "That smile that makes you look more beautiful. Did I tell how lovely you look tonight?"
"You did," Lauren said, "I don't mind hearing it again."
"I know something else that will make you smile," Michael said.
"Do you?" Lauren said.
Nodding his head towards the entrance, he said, "Look who just arrived."
"Finally," Lauren said, spotting Fen walking towards them.
"Hi," Fen said, taking a chair, "I'm sorry, I meant to be here sooner. I got held up and the traffic was really bad."
"You're here now," Lauren said.
"About tonight," Fen said, "I hope you don't mind, but I invited someone to join us."
"Oh?" Lauren said.
"Does this someone have a name?" Michael said.
"Dad, could I switch places with you?" Fen said, "I would like to sit next to her when she gets here."
Michael and Lauren shared a glance, before Michael said, "Sure." He stood up and changed seats.
"This sounds like a special someone," Michael said.
"Just a friend," Fen said.
"Who I believe has arrived," Lauren said.
Looking towards the entrance, Fen saw Summer.
"She showed," Fen said, standing up.
Spotting him Summer, walked towards them, Fen meeting her halfway. "You came," Fen said, the pleasure evident in his voice, "You look amazing," he said.
"Oh," Summer said, "Thank you. You look really good too."
Fen was about to lead her to the table, but Summer held back. "Are you sure this is okay?" she said, "I feel like I'm intruding on a family night."
"No, it's fine," Fen said. He offered her his arm.
Summer felt uncomfortable, but when she saw the eagerness in Fen's eyes, she linked her arm with his.
Walking her over, Fen pulled out her chair. "Summer," Michael said, "Nice to see you."
"It's nice to see both of you," Summer said, "I hope you don't mind that I'm here. Fen said it would be okay."
"Of course," Lauren said, "Your more than welcome to join us."
"Yes, any friend of Fen's," Michael said. Fen smiled, visibly nervous that Summer was there.
Michael had everyone laughing as he regaled an amusing tale about his early days as a lawyer. Summer was much more relaxed, while Fen continued trying to impress her, offering her things, paying her extra attention and including her in all the conversation. When Summer took over part of the discussion, Michael and Lauren noticed the way Fen was watching her, hanging on her every word.
"You know, Summer just had an adventure abroad," Fen said.
"It's not that big of a deal," Summer said.
"Where did you go?" Michael said.
"It was for work," Summer said, "I was in Dubai for a few months. Now, I'm home and I'll be staying put for now."
"I know you were working while you were away," Fen said, "Did you do anything fun with your free time?"
"Well, I…" Summer trailed off, her gaze focused past Fen.
Fen followed her stare, turning around to see Kyle, with Rachel on his arm, as a waiter led them to a table. He looked back at Summer, who was transfixed on Kyle, recalling their romantic encounter in Dubai. Fen sighed and Michael saw the light in his son's eyes fade.
"That's Fenmore's," Lauren said.
"What?" Michael said.
"Rachel's gown, it's from our newest collection," Lauren said, "It looks lovely on her."
"That's Rachel?" Fen said, "Kevin's Rachel?"
"She hasn't been Kevin's for some time," Michael said.
"Right, she left him for Billy Abbott," Fen said, "Now she's got the unfortunate task of dealing with another one of them."
"There really are other things to talk about rather than Kyle's date," Summer said.
"You're right," Fen said, "Summer would you like to dance?"
Summer didn't answer, she was busy glancing at Kyle. "Summer?" Fen said. Shifting her attention to Fen, she said, "I'm sorry, what?"
"Would you like to dance?" Fen repeated. Summer paused, fidgeting in her chair.
"Are you okay?" Fen said.
"Yes, I'm fine," Summer said, "I would like to dance."
Fen led Summer to the dance floor, when Rachel noticed them. "Oh, no," Rachel sighed.
"What's wrong?" Kyle said.
"That," Rachel said, nodding her head in Fen and Summer's direction.
"Oh," Kyle said, when he saw them.
"I thought she was in another country," Rachel said.
"So did I," Kyle said, "Do you want to go somewhere else?"
"No," Rachel said, "I'm not going to let her chase us out of here." Reaching across and taking Kyle's hand, she said, "I'm here with you and that's all that matters."
Dancing close with Fen, Summer's jealousy was rising as she watched, over Fen's shoulder, the sight of Kyle and Rachel holding hands across the table.
Once their dance had ended, Summer said, "You know, we should go and say hello."
"No we shouldn't," Fen said, but Summer was on her way. "This should be fun," Fen sighed to himself, as he followed her.
"Don't look now," Rachel said, noticing Summer's approach.
"Don't you two look like you're having a nice evening," Summer said.
"We were," Rachel said.
"All dressed up in your formal wear," Summer continued when she noticed Rachel's jewelry. "Those are nice earrings," she said.
"Thank you," Rachel said, "They were a Christmas gift from Kyle."
"And they add to how beautiful she is, just like I knew they would," Kyle said.
"They look expensive," Summer said, "Wait, are those real?"
Interjecting Fen said, "Well, this was cool, let's go sit back down."
"Summer, I thought you were off plaguing another country," Rachel said.
"I'm back," Summer said, "I had incentive to come home."
Kyle glanced at Fen, who in acknowledgement said, "Kyle." Kyle simply nodded before looking away.
"Rachel, it's nice to see you again," Fen said.
Rachel looked from Fen to Kyle. Gesturing to Fen, she looked at Kyle and said, "What is that?"
Kyle smirked, as Fen, stepped closer to her and said, "Oh come on. I know it's been a long time, but we were family." Rachel raised her eyebrows at him.
"You were married to my uncle…Kevin," Fen said.
Pointing at him, Rachel said, "Fen."
"Yeah," Fen said. Looking from her to Kyle and back again, Fen said, "If you ask me you and Kevin made a better couple."
Kyle frowned at Fen, as Rachel said, "Do you? Let's see, we missed you at the wedding and the whole time we were married, we saw you…never."
Kyle's frown turned to supressed laughter.
"You could do better," Fen said.
"I disagree," Rachel said.
"They are getting married," Summer said.
Fen laughed as he said, "No way. You two? Seriously?" Summer nodded.
"Seriously," Rachel said, displaying her ring.
Looking at Kyle, he said, "Good for you." Focusing on Rachel, he said, "Poor you."
"Don't you two have another area of the dining room to pollute?" Rachel said.
"We should go back to our table," Fen said.
"I want to talk to Kyle," Summer said.
"Summer, we are in the middle of our date," Kyle said, "Whatever it is can wait."
"She's not going to go away until she talks to you," Rachel said, "I am going to the ladies room." Standing up and looking at Summer, she said, "When I come back you had better be done."
Leaning into Fen, Summer said, "I need to talk privately."
"Sure you do," Fen said, strolling back to his parents.
"What happened to your date?" Lauren said.
"Good question," Fen said. Looking back at Kyle and Summer, Fen said, "It never fails."
Summer took Rachel's seat and said, "I have bone to pick with you."
"I'm sorry about what happened between us, what I said," Kyle said.
"I'm not talking about that," Summer said, "You left Dubai without even saying goodbye."
"I didn't think you wanted to talk to me," Kyle said, "Besides, I was anxious to get home."
"Back to your precious fiancé, isn't that what you mean?" Summer said.
"If you are going to bad mouth her, you can go," Kyle said.
"Have you been feeling better?" Summer said.
"I'm good," Kyle said, "Please remember you promised not to say anything."
"I won't," Summer said, "So, it didn't happen again?"
"No and I don't expect it to," Kyle said.
"I'm glad to hear that," Summer said.
"Don't you want to get back to your date?" Kyle said.
"Because we would like to get back to ours," Rachel said, arriving beside Summer. Looking down at her, she said, "You are in my seat."
Summer sighed as she stood up. "It's all yours," she sulked.
As Summer walked away, Fen once again, met her across the room. "I think it's time we concentrate on our evening," he said.
"Fen, I'm really sorry, but I think I'm just going to go," Summer said.
"It's still early,' Fen said, "We don't have to stay here, we could go somewhere else."
"Fen, I …" Summer started.
"Please?" Fen said, "I really want you to stay."
Summer looked at Fen and despite the pleading in his eyes, she said, "Another time." She promptly walked away, pausing at the entranceway to look back at Kyle and Rachel, who had gravitated to the dance floor. The sight of Kyle holding Rachel in his arms, was almost more than Summer could bear. "Enjoy, while it lasts," Summer fumed at them.
Fen once again sauntered back to his parents table. "I'm going to take off," he said.
"Why don't you sit for awhile?" Michael said.
"You have hardly eaten your dinner," Lauren said.
"I've lost my appetite," Fen said, before he quickly walked away.
"That was a wonderful evening," Rachel said, as Kyle was driving them home, "I'm glad you thought of it."
"It was great," Kyle smiled, "Well, mostly it was."
"I'm surprised Summer found herself a date," Rachel said, "Someone who wasn't you."
"Considering who her date was, I kind of felt sorry for her," Kyle said.
"Even from the few minutes we spoke to him, I could tell Fen is one of those slick and self-centered people," Rachel said.
"Conceited, is what he is," Kyle said, "But you were very effective at shutting them down. I've never heard that attitude from you before."
"Sorry, but I could not keep quiet when they were intruding on our evening," Rachel said.
"Hey, I'm not upset about it," Kyle said, "It was kind of a turn on to see you like that."
"Don't I always?" Rachel said.
Kyle smiled and said, "Yes you…do." Kyle's smile faded as he trailed off, looking in the rear view mirror.
"What's wrong?" Rachel said.
"The car behind us, is tail-gaiting me," Kyle said.
Glancing behind them, Rachel said, "He's pretty close. What does he think he's doing?"
"Some people get behind the wheel and become jerks," Kyle said.
"It's making me nervous," Rachel said.
"Don't worry," Kyle said, "I'm sure…" Kyle stopped mid-sentence when the trailing car, knocked against Kyle's car from behind.
"Did he just bump me?" Kyle angrily said.
"I don't like this," Rachel said.
The other car impacted Kyle's car once again.
"This is on purpose," Kyle said.
"What do we do?" Rachel said. She cried out as the car struck them again.
Kyle pressed on the gas pedal, causing Rachel to say, "Kyle, slow down!"
"I'm and not going to stick around and let this creep run us off the road!" Kyle said.
Looking in her side view mirror, Rachel said, "He's speeding up too!"
Seconds later they were hit from behind, with such force, Kyle swerved, momentarily losing control, before getting a handle the car again.
"Kyle…!" Rachel fretted.
"Hold on," Kyle said, trying to calm her, giving her hand, a quick reassuring squeeze. Rachel's eyes widened in fear, looking past Kyle. He followed her gaze to see the offending car pull alongside them mirroring their position and speed on the road. A lone driver was dressed all in black, features disguised by the darkness of the night.
"What do you want?" Kyle demanded, yelling through the window.
The other car answered with a hard swipe against them. Kyle's solution was to increase his speed once again.
"Please, not so fast!" Rachel cried, imploring Kyle to slow down, when their pursuer forcefully pushed against their car. With Kyle unable to regain control, Rachel screamed as the car left the road, careening down the embankment, coming to a crashing halt.
The opposing car came to a stop at the side of the road, the driver surveying the scene. Kyle's car was severely damaged and its occupants were not moving. Satisfied with the outcome, the driver sped away, leaving an unconscious Kyle and Rachel behind.
Jack scurried up to the nurse's station at the hospital. Gaining the attention of a nurse, Jack said, "My son was brought in here, Kyle Abbott," Jack anxiously said, "It was some sort of accident…" Jack trailed off when he saw Kyle walk out between sliding doors, with a bruise under his left eye and a bandage on the opposite forehead.
"Kyle?" Jack said, rushing to his aid.
"Dad?" Kyle said.
"Are you alright?" Jack said.
"I'm okay," Kyle said.
"You've got a nasty bruise," Jack said, "And that bandage can't mean you're completely okay."
"I'm fine," Kyle said, "I've been checked over and released. I'm more worried about Rachel, no one will tell me anything. I don't know if she's okay."
"Come over here and sit down," Jack said, leading Kyle to some chairs.
"I don't want to sit, I need to find out how she is!" Kyle said.
"You need to take it easy," Jack said, "You've been hurt too." Kyle sat down with a sigh.
"This was some kind of accident?" Jack said, "What happened?"
"That's what I would like to know," Billy said, sauntering over to them. Noticing Kyle's injuries, he said, "Are you okay?"
"Fine," Kyle said.
"Rachel was in the car with you, right?" Billy said, "How is she?"
"I wish I knew," Kyle said, "No one will give me any answers."
"I still don't know what happened," Jack said.
"We were on our way home from dinner," Kyle said, "Then this car started to bump mine from behind. It happened a few times, then he decided to pull alongside me and pushed us off the road. I lost control and the car crashed down the embankment. I must have passed out, I woke up in the car, Rachel was unconscious and I called for help. Now here we are, waiting for news."
"Thank goodness you're okay," Jack said.
"But not Rachel," Kyle said, "I could see she was hurt and there wasn't anything I could do to help her."|
"You called paramedics, who got her to the hospital," Jack said, "There isn't anything else you could have done."
"It's my fault," Kyle said.
"No, it's the fault of the other driver who hit you," Billy said.
"I was speeding, trying to get away from the other car," Kyle said, "Rachel told me to slow down, but I didn't. Maybe if I hadn't been going so fast, she wouldn't have been hurt so badly when we crashed."
"You can't blame yourself," Jack said. Kyle leaned forward resting his elbows on his knees, putting his head in his hands in worry.
Summer stared into her coffee, as she sat at Crimson Lights. Rubbing her forehead, she couldn't get the thought of Kyle and Rachel, holding each other so close, looking so much in love, out of her mind. Summer silently wished it was her, that Kyle had held close, that he loved her.
"Summer?" The sound of her name brought her out of her thoughts, as she looked up to see Fen.
"Are you following me?" Summer said.
"No, I just happen to be here," Fen said. He prepared to walk away, but Summer called him back.
"Hey," she said, "I'm really sorry."
"For?" Fen said.
"For running out on you tonight," Summer said, "I just…"
"You just saw Kyle with someone else and couldn't handle it," Fen said, "I should be used to it by now."
"Why don't you sit with me?" Summer said.
"No thanks," Fen said. He took a few steps away, but Summer stood up, catching up to him. "I know you're upset with me, but I am sorry," she said.
"I heard you the first time," Fen said.
"Won't you sit and talk with me?" Summer said.
"I am not in the mood to listen to you complain about Kyle and how he's not with you," Fen said.
"I don't want to talk about him," Summer said, "I would rather talk about anything else."
Fen hesitated, so Summer prompted, "Please? I'd enjoy the company."
"You won't run out this time?" Fen said.
"Cross my heart," Summer said, making the motion.
Fen half smiled. "I should have my head examined for agreeing to this, but okay," he said. Summer smiled.
"I can't take much more of this," Kyle said, pacing the waiting area.
"Here comes some news," Jack said, gesturing to the doctor approaching them.
"Dr. Hastings," Kyle anxiously said, "How's Rachel, is she okay?"
"Rachel is still unconscious," Dr. Hastings said.
"What? Why?" Kyle worried, "Shouldn't she have woken up by now?"
"She has a mild concussion," Dr. Hastings said, "The good news, is she has no other serious injuries. She is in stable condition."
"What about the head injury?" Billy said, "How bad is it?"
"As I said, it's mild," Dr. Hastings said, "I am a little concerned that she has not woken yet, however I expect she will soon. I don't foresee any serious damage. The injury should heal with time."
"What if she doesn't wake up soon?" Kyle said.
"I can't speculate," Dr. Hastings said, "We will have to wait and see her progress."
"Can I see her?" Kyle said.
"Yes, of course," Dr. Hastings said, motioning for Kyle to follow him.
Reaching Rachel's room, Kyle noticed how weak she appeared to be. Going to her side, he took her hand. "Rachel?" he said, reaching out to stroke her cheek. Sitting next to her, he said, "It's me, I'm here. You need to wake up, okay? Draw on that wonderful strength you have and come back to us." Kyle could not hold back the tears of worry, as they slipped down his face. "I need you," Kyle said, "I'm not letting you go. I'm sorry I couldn't protect you tonight. I wish it was me who got hurt like this, instead of you. I would trade places with you if I could. Please, just open your eyes." Lifting her hand close to him, more tears fell as he closed his eyes and tenderly kissed her hand.
"Here you go," Fen said, placing some food in front of Summer.
"Fries and a doughnut?" Summer said.
"I know, it's not the most nutritious meal," Fen said, sitting across from her with the same food for himself, "But you said to get you anything. I wasn't sure what you wanted."
"Well since I'm starving, it's okay," Summer said.
"We didn't get out dinner earlier," Fen said.
"Actually this is really good," Summer said.
"You know what this reminds me of?" Fen said.
"Oh, no don't go there," Summer half laughed.
"You were drunk," Fen started.
"I was not," Summer said.
"Yes, you were," Fen insisted, "And you were hungry so you stole the fries off someone else's table."
"They gave them to me," Summer said.
"Only to get you to leave them alone," Fen smiled, "And then you proceeded to dance on top of the same table. Until you slipped and fell."
"Yes, but you were there to catch me," Summer said.
"I'll always be there to catch you when you fall," Fen said.
Summer smiled, "Like tonight?"
"Yeah," Fen said. He took a bite of his food, before he said, "Summer, I…I want to tell you something."
"Okay," Summer said.
"I like you," Fen blurted out.
Summer laughed, "We've been friends forever, I like you too." Fen wasn't saying anything, when Summer realized the meaning behind his words. "Fen are you trying to say that you…what are you saying?" she stammered.
"I really like you," Fen said, "A lot."
"You do?" Summer said.
"You can't be surprised," Fen said, "I haven't made it a secret, it's how I feel. I would like to spend more time with you. Not just hanging out, but getting to know each other better than we already do. Maybe if we try, we might find that we really like being together."
Summer just stared at Fen. "It's okay if you don't feel the same way. I just thought…"
"Yes," Summer said, cutting him off.
"Yes…to what?" Fen said.
"I would like to spend more time with you," Summer said, "I am willing to try with us."
"You are?" Fen said.
"I am," Summer smiled, "And I promise not to run away."
"I appreciate that," Fen smiled.
"How does something like this happen?" Billy said.
"I can't imagine why anyone would run them off the road like that," Jack said.
"Do you think it was random, or something more personal?" Billy said.
"Are you saying you think someone could have done this deliberately?" Jack said, "Who would want to hurt them like that?"
"That's what we have to find out," Billy said, "I can think of one person who might."
"Who?" Jack said.
"Fisher," Billy said.
"No, he wouldn't hurt Rachel like this," Jack said.
"There is some serious animosity between Rachel and Kevin over the custody issue," Billy said, "Also there is no love lost between Kevin and Kyle."
"But for him to go to this extreme?" Jack said.
"I'm just saying," Billy said, "He's become unhinged before. By the way, thank you for calling me."
"I was sure you would want to know," Jack said, "I did not know how serious it was with Rachel when I called you."
"She has to pull through," Billy said, concern in his voice, "Please let her be okay."
"That's everything that happened," Kyle said, standing outside Rachel's room with a police officer. "Please tell me you will catch whoever did this," Kyle said.
"Of course we will do our best to find the person responsible," the officer said, "I'm sorry about your fiancé. I hope she will be okay."
"Thank you," Kyle said. The officer nodded as he left.
Kyle was about to enter Rachel's room when his phone beeped. Answering a call he said, "Hello?"
"Hi Kyle, it's me," Mariah said, "I've been trying to track down Rachel. She was supposed to get back to me about an engagement party we are planning for her. I can't get a hold of her, do you know where she is?"
"Mariah, it's not a good time," Kyle said.
"What's wrong, you sound terrible," Mariah said.
"I'm at the hospital with Rachel," Kyle said, "She's been hurt."
"What happened?" Mariah said.
"We had a car accident," Kyle said.
"Are you okay?" Mariah said.
"I'm fine, but Rachel is still unconscious, she has a concussion and the doctor says it could be serious if she doesn't wake up soon," Kyle said.
"Oh Kyle, I'm so sorry," Mariah said, "Can I do anything for you?"
"No, thanks," Kyle said, "It's a waiting game now. If you don't mind I'd like to get back to her."
"Of course," Mariah said, "Keep me posted, okay?"
"I will," Kyle said.
Hearing the worry in Mariah's voice and her expression of the same, Tessa was concerned as Mariah ended her call. "What is it?" Tessa said.
"Rachel's in the hospital," Mariah said, "She and Kyle were in a car accident."
"What?" Tessa quietly said, "Are they okay?"
"Kyle said he's okay," Mariah said, "But Rachel is not doing well. They are hoping she wakes up soon."
"She's unconscious?" Tessa said.
"Yeah, it sounds like she has been since the accident," Mariah said.
"Let's go," Tessa said.
"Go?" Mariah said confused.
"We have to get to the hospital," Tessa said, in urgency.
"No, Kyle said they are all waiting around," Mariah said, "There's nothing we can do right now."
"Rachel has been hurt!" Tessa said, "I am going to the hospital, whether you come with me or not!"
As Tessa headed out the door, Mariah ran after her, "Wait, Tessa!"