As the guests waited for the bride and groom to join them at the reception hall, Malinowski took one of the two glasses of champagne from LaSalle and glanced toward the doorway.

"Mike, you've done your duty. I just saw Tracey Kibre head toward the buffet table and she wasn't with anyone. If you want to go…"

"Brooke, you know Tracey and I have been over for years. Besides, I am gentleman enough not to abandon my date five minutes after we arrive."

"Listen you two may have parted ways, but I remember how close you were to popping the question to Tracey," she countered. "Don't let her think something's going on here that isn't. Really, go talk to her and I'll catch up with you before Sam and Danielle have a chance to do the Hora."

LaSalle shrugged his shoulders as he kissed her forehead.

"As you wish but, if you change your mind, you know where to find me."

What the hell have I done…how did I let things get this far…this out of control, she wondered as she watched LaSalle tap Kibre on the shoulder. How could I have been so stupid? Of course Jack would bring Becky with him...Danielle's known Becky since she was an infant, it's only natural she would been invited to the wedding.

Malinowski downed the champagne and smoothly exchanged it with on of the full glasses on a tray, as a waiter passed by. The feeel of a hand on her shoulder, caused her to turn.

"Girl, have you lost your mind," Shambala Green-Stone demanded, as she took the glass from her friend's hand.

"Hey, I am nowhere near the legal limit yet, Sham. Besides, this is a celebration and ..."

"I don't care if you drink yourself silly…wait… that would be impossible since you're already acting like some silly high schoolgirl that's been jilted by her prom date. What are you thinking showing up at the wedding with Mike LaSalle? When Jack figures out what you're doing, he's just gonna push back harder and you two will never work this mess out."

"I figured Jack would show up with that Galiano bitch and there was no way in hell," Malinowski stiffly began.

Malinowski knew Green-Stone was right on every point. But she not only didn't want to discuss her embarrassing attempt to one up Jack McCoy, now that she realized her error, she wasn't sure how to stop what she had already set in motion.

Green –Stone rolled her eyes as she shook her head impatiently.

"Do you really think Jack would be stupid enough to bring Vanessa to Danielle's wedding? That would be suicide for both of them after the way she came onto to Sam at the banquet."

"She did what?"

"You heard me," Green-Stone retorted, deeping her voice low. "She was all skin and hair that night and when she wasn't trying to play Jack, she was sending out signals to Sam, with Danielle standing right there. Ben and I were five feet away when Danielle led that man out to the terrace like she was taking him to the wood shed."

Malinowski snatched the glass back from her friend and defiantly took a sip.

"You're kidding and Jack saw the whole thing?"

"Saw it and led her out the same way. Listen Brooke, I have no idea what happened when he got her alone, but it was obvious to me she was playing games with him," Green-Stone said candidly. "I know you've been through hell the last few months, but God forgive me for saying this, so has Jack. Maybe that's why he's acting the fool. I don't know, but I do know, when you walked in with Mike LaSalle anyone with eyes could see how much it hurt him. You made your point, now talk to the man before..."

"You lying little slut," Rebecca McCoy hissed as she grabbed Malinowski by the arm.

"Rebecca," Green-Stone whispered sharply as she attempted to dodge the wave of spilled champagne. "I told you to trust me. You're only going to make things worse."

"I kept the peace at the chapel for Danielle's sake, but I will not stand by and watch this bitch publicly humiliate my father. Outside now or I swear, I'll make such a scene..."

Malinowski could see the matching looks of concern on the faces of her brother and niece, as they watched the scene from the buffet table.

"Fine. But unless your intent is to ruin the reception, you'll let go of my arm and we'll walk out of here with the appearance of civility," the older woman shot back, as she cocked her head towards her niece.

Rebecca immediately dropped the other woman's arm and turned on her heel.

"Brooke, let me talk to her..."

"No Sham, just make up something to tell Andy and Lindsay while I deal with this," Malinowski told her friend as she moved towards the doorway.

Malinowski followed the angry young woman to a bench a few yards away from the main doorway. As she sat down, the young woman gave her a look that was at once questioning and stricken. Malinowski felt a wave of shame wash over her.

"I had no idea you'd be here, Becky. I thought..."

"Obviously you didn't think,"Rebecca said tightly,"or you not only wouldn't be here with another man, you wouldn't have left my father to start with."

"Speaking of your father, where is he?"

"He's returning a call from one of the EADA's. Don't try to change the subject. I was raised by two lawyers and I know all of your tricks."

"And the subject is what? Why your Dad and I aren't together? What did your Dad tell you?"

"He told me he had doubts about a third marriage and now I can see why," she spat back contemptuously. "Were you fucking this Lasalle guy before you left or..."

Before either could think, Rebecca was holding her stinging cheek, as Malinowski looked down at her own hand in horror.

"How dare you,"Rebecca stammered, as she rubbed the place where Malinowski had slapped her."You are not my mother, Brooke. You are just some sl-"

"Finish that sentence and you'll have a matched set," Malinowski warned, as the trembling in her hands grew worse. "You're right. I'm not your mother; I'm not even your father's wife. You want to know why I threw your father out? It was about self respect. I love your dad and I love you Becky, but no one gets to take myself respect. Not you, not Jack, not those bastards that raped me. To answer your other question, I don't just 'fuck' the men I go to bed with. The last man I made love with was your father, not that you should even have to ask."