I'm Not In Love

Written 7/31/2003

Brooke Lynn and Tommy run into Audrey's house excited about their find. They bolt out the backdoor, run to Tommy's trampoline, and plant their excited bodies onto the canvas. They open JR's backpack and pull out his locator device. Tommy opens his laptop while Brooke Lynn fumbles with a sensor. She playfully places it on Tommy to test its accuracy.

Brook Lynn: "Ok. I'm doing a reading."

Tommy starts tapping away on his laptop while Brooke Lynn studies her results.

Brooke Lynn: "Ok. Tommy we're about seventy-five degrees long and about forty to forty-five degrees lat. Is that about right?"

Tommy (nods while looking at his computer): "That's about right. It could be more accurate, but that'll do." o:p/o:p

Lucas walks into the backyard thrown off by the sight of Brooke Lynn. He walks up to the trampoline. Tommy gets excited to see someone else his age hanging around. He makes room for Lucas on the trampoline.

Tommy: "Hi Lucas. You hanging out?"

Lucas (sitting down): "I just thought I'd stop by and see what you were up to. My mom said that you were staying. She wanted me to introduce you to Port Charles."

Brooke Lynn: "Actually we're kinda busy Lucas."

Lucas: "I'm sorry. I didn't mean to interrupt."

Tommy: "No Brooke Lynn he can stay. Maybe he can help us."

Brooke Lynn: "We can't let too many people in on this Tommy. (immediately gives up) Go ahead. Maybe he can help us."

Tommy: "We're trying to find Luiz Alcazar. He hurt JR and Brooke Lynn's mom."

Lucas: "I'd love to help. The dude is bad news. He kidnapped Maxie and Georgie so he's hurt a lot of people."

Brooke Lynn nods her approval for him to stay. Lucas looks over Tommy's shoulder at the laptop screen. Brooke Lynn prepares the locator to find Luiz.

Tommy: "Ok Brooke. Where is Luiz? Give me the coordinates."

Brooke Lynn: "Ok. I got about sixty-six longitude and eighteen latitude. Where is that?"

Brooke Lynn looks at Tommy and Lucas anticipating an answer. Tommy looks up at Brooke Lynn. Lucas looks at both parties clueless to the results. Tommy puts his hands over his eyes.

Tommy: "Where is your mom Brooke Lynn?"

Brooke Lynn: "Uh. In Puerto Rico? That's where Miguel lives. Near the Caribbean Sea. An island. (throws up her hands) What?!"

Tommy looks at Lucas.

Lucas: "Well. Does Caja De Muertos sound familiar?"

Tommy: "Luiz Alcazar is in Caja De Muertos which is a deserted island off the coast of Puerto Rico."

Brooke Lynn (getting frustrated): "Look it up."

Tommy and Lucas search information on the island. After minutes of searching, they both breathe out a deep sigh.

Lucas: "Ok Brooke Lynn. Take this information however you want. Caja De Muertos was a deserted island off the coast of Puerto Rico. It was purchased by Ricky Martin aka Miguel Morez…."

Brooke Lynn shuts off all sound around. Her heart starts to race and she becomes shaky and lightheaded. Tommy can tell the information is affecting her.

Lucas (reading): "Puerto Rican officials agreed to sell the island to Martin as long as he…"

Lois: "…maintained the island's historic condition. This island was a mess with just that lighthouse in the distance. I don't come here often, but when I do, I have to look at this house in awe. Miguel's a little on the clueless side, but he loves this island."

Luiz: "Has Brooke been here?"

Lois: "Never. Every time I come here it's for a party or intense business."

Luiz: "You look real intense."

Luiz smiles at Lois sitting across from him on the sand. She can't help but constantly dust sand and tiny ants off his jaunty pants. He accidentally leans on his left hand sending a jolt of pain up his arm. He sits up quickly and grabs his bicep. Lois notices.

Lois: "What's wrong Luiz?"

Luiz: "Hey Doll. I got an idea. Stand up. I wanna give you a tattoo like Brenda's."

Lois cracks up as she stands up in front of Luiz. He gets on his knees tugging at Lois' sarong revealing the small of her back. He becomes weak at the sight of her soft tanned skin. She tries to pull away from him, but he constantly pulls her towards him.

Luiz: "Doll! Stop moving!"

Lois: "Are you putting the symbol for peace and love on my ass?!"

Luiz takes a sharpie and draws a smiley face on Lois. She laughs nervously as the pen tickles her skin. He indicates he's finished with a nudge away from him. She sits back down on the ground attempting to look at what Luiz drew.

Luiz: "I was never much of an artist so I drew a smiley face."

Lois (snatches the sharpie from Luiz's hand): "This is permanent marker Luiz."

Luiz: "Tell me about Brooke Lynn."

As she tries to wipe off the marker, she looks at him protective of her daughter's name. Luiz can tell it's something sacred to her.

Lois: "What do you wanna know?"

Luiz: "She's an introvert isn't she? It's odd because you're so outgoing."

Lois: "How do you know that?"

Luiz: "You have to know how to read people in my line of work."

Lois: "It's kind of my fault she's that way. She grew up around adults so she thinks she's more mature than other kids. We never really stayed in one place. It was Milan with this band and Spain with that band, but she loved to travel. I remember bringing her to Port Charles to visit the Quartermaines. She met Alexis and she freaked out. I kept thinking 'please don't let Ned marry this woman. My child hates her.' Brenda was there when she was born. I absolutely love Brenda and nothing can change that."

Luiz: "I would hate to see you lose your relationship with Brenda. But why Sonny?"

Lois: "I'll tell you what I tell everyone. It's not his charm. He's a complicated man. What can I say? Once you love Sonny Corinthos, you just don't stop loving him. I've seen a side of him that most people probably will never understand."

Livvie walks out of Ric's lecture with The Bard's writings wrestling in her brain. She races out the door. Not paying attention, she spills her purse on the ground. She stares at the mess on the concrete and finally kneels down to collect her belongings.

Livvie: "Jesus! I need to clean out my purse."

Zander: "'All the world's a stage, and all the men and women merely players. They have their exits and their entrances. And one man in his time plays many parts, his acts being seven ages.'"

Livvie drops her purse and looks up at Zander hovering over her. She pushes him off the curb and grabs the last of her stuff. Zander smiles at her.

Livvie: "Since when do you read Shakespeare?"

Zander: "I was in the back. I saw you up front."

Livvie: "Oh. You should have moved up."

Zander: "Well Ric mentioned at the Nurses' Ball that he would be doing Shakespeare's this summer. So I told him I'd stop by. He's really articulate."

Livvie: "Yea. He taught at Yale so…are you busy Zander? I need to share something with you?"

Zander: "Sure. Let's go get some coffee."

Lois gets on her knees and crawls over to Luiz with a look of passion in her eyes. He leans back on his elbows ignoring the pain in his arm. He lounges back with his body still as she creeps up to him exciting ever part of his being from her delicate touch. She kisses his neck and makes her way to his lips. Luiz relaxes his body and lies down. He is certain of the timing, but he immediately shuts down as soon as Lois places her lips on his. He won't give in. He politely pushes her away. She sits up on her knees confused. He sits back up hoping to find an explanation that would save them both from heartache.

Luiz: "I love my wife. Hannah."

Lois stares at Luiz still confused. She tries to remember if she read the message on her phone correctly when he said I love you. She becomes frustrated.

Lois: "Uh Luiz. You said you wanted this. I can't read you at all here. Since when did you start loving Hannah again?"

Luiz: "I never stopped. Listen Doll, you don't love me so why are we even going there?"

Lois: "Why did you come here? I think you and I have a lot of questions that need to be answered."

Luiz just sits and stares at her. Lois stands up on the brink of fury. She gives up on him and walks into the house. Luiz follows her like a lovesick fool. He surrenders and decides to explain everything. She sits on the couch and turns on the TV. Luiz grabs the remote and shuts it off. He unbuttons his shirt revealing his bare chest. With pain in both his arm and his heart, he takes it off. Lois stares at Luiz gathering mixed signals from his striptease. He throws the shirt on the ground and points to his left arm neatly bandaged around his bicep. He removes the bandage and presents his stab wound. She's speechless.

Luiz: "Don't say anything. It doesn't matter. You're going to hate me anyway."

Lois stares at him waiting for his explanation of the injury. On the coffee table he sits directly across from her hoping to keep her undivided attention.

Luiz: "I went to see Skye. I'm going to be a father soon. When I first heard, I was so excited. Then I wised up and figured things wouldn't turn out that easily. I can't just walk in the nursery and hold Skyler. I made my bed, but I'm not going to lie in it without a fight."

Lois: "What did you do to Skye?"

Luiz: "I threatened to take Skyler. I deserve the chance to be his father."

Lois jumps up from the couch. She maneuvers around the room in disbelief of how far she's let her feelings go for Luiz. He observes her every move.

Lois: "You don't deserve a damn thing. You had the chance and you blew it. Zander seems like he's a great kid. You even admitted that you were a bad father to him. I'll be damned if you're going to use Skyler as a means of proving yourself worthy to be a parent. A child is not an experiment."

Luiz: "You're taking Skye's side in this?"

Lois: "How were you stabbed? Did you physically harm Skye?"

Luiz: "Her brother showed up and stabbed me."

Lois: "That kid is harmless. I highly doubt he stabbed you without reason."

Luiz looks at Lois knowing he's caught in his half-truth. He's dug his hole too deep to get out. There's nothing left for him to do other than give up.

Brooke Lynn lies down on Tommy's bed. Tommy shuts the door after Lucas leaves the room to catch up with Maxie at Kelly's before it gets too dark out. Tommy pulls out his saxophone and plays quietly on the bed. He doesn't know what to say to her. He stops playing and decides to conjure up some type of conversation.

Tommy: "What's your favorite instrument?"

Brooke Lynn turns on her back and looks at Tommy again confused by his random conversations.

Brooke Lynn: "The guitar. That's my dad's favorite. I hate the piano. My mom made me learn how to play it. I don't wanna do this stupid recital anymore."

Tommy hops up and offers Brooke Lynn his hand. He pulls her up from the bed and volunteers a warm hug. She pulls from him slightly shocked by his actions.

Tommy: "Everything will be fine. Things could be worse."

Brooke Lynn: "Is that how you look at life? The glass is always half full for you. I think it's half empty. I wanna go home. I'm going to tell my Dad I'm not doing the recital. I don't want to do anything that makes my mother happy."

Livvie and Zander sit at a small table at a coffee shop in the university square. They sit close to each other as if secrets are being exchanged.

Zander: "What's going on?"

Livvie: "I feel like I can tell you, because you're kind of in my situation. I had Jamal's baby."

Zander: "What? Where is the baby?"

Livvie: "I gave him up. Bobbie, Robin, and you are the only ones that know."

Zander: "Don't you think Jamal deserves to know?

Livvie: "It'll ruin his friendship with Jack. Plus, Jamal gave up his daughter for adoption."

Zander: "Uh Livvie. That's not exactly true. The mother never told him he had a daughter. It's not fair to lie to people about these things. I would die if I didn't know Kiya existed and I missed out on his life."

Livvie: "It's too late Zander. He's gone. I bet he's in a loving home right now. I look at Kiya and Christopher-Robin and I think of him."

Zander: "If you want Livvie, I can help you find him. I can tell you want to find him."

Zander can see in her eyes that she made a mistake. He holds her hand letting her know that he'll always be there for her. Livvie feels safe with Zander knowing that he understands her point of view and how she really feels without saying a word. She rests head on her hand and ponders whether or not to tell Jamal about the baby.

Jamal sneaks into Laura's office. She beckons him in. He takes a seat at her desk.

Laura: "Jamal. I am so glad to see you."

Jamal: "Mrs. Spencer. I am totally excited about this."

Laura: "Sure you are. Dara said the opposite."

Jamal: "Oh come on Mrs. Spencer. I will admit that I was a little not in the mood, but this is important for my future. I love the idea of being a big bad chemist."

Laura: "Well you have the job Jamal. This isn't an interview. I just wanted to get to know you a little. Are you friends with my son Nik?"

Jamal: "No Mrs. Spencer. I mean I rarely talk to him. I'm friends with Lucky."

Carly walks into Deception. She whizzes past the clueless receptionist and peeks into Laura's office. She sees Jamal and decides to actually be polite and wait her turn. She listens to the conversation.

Laura: "How about Gia?"

Jamal (suspicious): "What's going on? Just say it. I can tell when someone is fishing for information."

Laura: "My son Nik is concerned about your relationship with Gia."

Jamal: "There's nothing to worry about. Nothing will happen with Gia and me."

Laura: "Jamal. You are a handsome young man. Gia is a beautiful girl. That's chemistry. I never thought Luke and I would be anything either. So never say never."

Jamal: "I assure you that Gia and I can never be anything but friends."

Laura: "Are you sure?"

Jamal: "Mrs. Spencer. Gia is my sister. And I would love it if you kept that information to yourself."

Carly can't believe her ears. She closes the office door quietly and walks back into the lobby. The receptionist looks up at her trying to figure out how she got past her.

Carly (to the receptionist): "Where is Gia?"

Receptionist: "Uh. I don't know."

Carly: "Isn't it your job to know? You know what? Forget it. You're useless."

Carly leaves Deception happy that her snooping has finally paid off.

Tommy walks Brooke Lynn to the door of the Gatehouse. He looks at her feeling her sadness and disappointment. He wishes he could help her in some way.

Brooke Lynn: "Thanks for letting me hang out with you."

Tommy: "Don't be hard on your parents. Sometimes it's best to just block them out."

Brooke Lynn: "Your trampoline really is magic."

Tommy laughs. Ned walks out of the house. Tommy nervously waves to Ned. He walks off. Her complacent demeanor changes to bitterness as she walks into the house with her father.

Ned: "Did you have fun at Tommy's? JR should be going home soon."

Brooke Lynn: "Why didn't Mom take me with her?"

Ned does a double take not knowing how to answer her question.

Ned: "Did something happen at Tommy's? You were fine when your mother left."

Brooke Lynn: "I don't want to go to the recital! I don't want to play the piano again! EVER!"

Brooke Lynn walks over to the piano, picks up her guitar, and almost smashes it onto the grand instrument made especially for her. Ned grabs her before can destroy it. He makes her focus on him

Ned: "What the hell do you think you're doing? What has gotten into you?"

Brooke Lynn: "I don't want to do the stupid recital and I want you to get rid of the piano!"

Carly walks in just as Brooke Lynn storms off to her room. They both look at each other. Ned rubs the back of his neck as if he just acquired whiplash.

Carly: "Was that a temper tantrum or a prima donna in the making?"

Ned: "I vote prima donna. I think she's worried about JR."

Carly: "Remind me never to mess with a girl from Benson Hurst."

Ned: "What do you want Carly? I'm kinda in the middle of a family crisis."

Carly wraps her arms around Ned.

Carly: "Oh damn. I thought we could make out. I'm just so happy right now. I actually succeeded in helping someone else."

Ned: "I would love to humor you my dear, but I have to be a father right now."

Carly: "Let's just admit we suck as parents and leave it at that."

Ned pries Carly off of him. She can tell he really is upset about Brooke Lynn. She decides to be serious

Carly: "I'll go talk to Brooke Lynn. Usually when I was mad, the last person I wanted to talk to was my mom or dad."

Ned: "Go for it. If you think it'll help."

Livvie bounces Kiya on her lap on Zander's floor. Zander watches her as he attempts to get some rest on his bed.

Zander (to Livvie): "You would have made a great mom."

Livvie: "I doubt that. I can barely handle Christina. Dressing her this morning was such a chore. She cried. I wanted to scream then she cried some more. I cried. It was so bad."

Zander can't help but laugh trying to imagine Livvie and Christina in a morning catfight.

Zander: "Is it that time of month?"

Livvie: "It is definitely that time of month."

Nahyla walks into Zander's room. She sees Livvie holding Kiya. Nahyla phases into lioness mode and glares at Livvie. Zander sits up on his bed surprised to see her.

Zander: "What are you doing here?"

Nahyla: "I want my baby back."

Livvie stands up and holds Kiya close to her refusing to let Nahyla take him. Zander's heart breaks in half. He knew she would change mind. How could any mother resist Kiya's face? His chubby cheeks. His big round dark eyes. His dark brown hair. His glowing skin. Zander approaches Nahyla and looks her straight in the eye.

Zander: "I don't think so. Don't even think you're going to come here and take my son."

Nahyla: "Zander. I'm not taking Kiya. I just decided that I want to be his mother. I wasn't thinking. I was just scared."

Zander: "I can't let you come in and out of his life."

Nahyla: "Can I just have a second chance? If I screw it up, I won't ask for anymore chances."

Zander looks back at Livvie cradling Kiya in her arms. He motions for her to give Nahyla the baby. Livvie walks over and carefully places Kiya in Nahyla's arms. He starts to become fussy and agitated not waiting this unfamiliar girl holding him. He has his preferences and she is not one of them. Zander watches Nahyla trying to calm Kiya. He hates having to watch his son's world be interrupted.

Laura searches Jamal with her eyes hoping she can prompt him for more information, but he keeps diverting the subject of Gia. He rambles on about school till Laura finally decides to pry some more into his life.

Laura: "Jamal. I would love to know why you don't want Gia to know you're her brother."

Jamal: "Our father is Deke Woods. He was a playa. He had a girl at every port or shall I say every hood in New York City. The dude got around. He thought cause he was a cop he could get away with anything. I was too young to ever know him. He was killed so everything I know about him I heard from my mother. She never had a good thing to say about him. My uncle on my mother's side and his sister Dara raised me. I had a great life because I didn't have to know Deke. I hope Gia never finds out who her father is."

Laura: "I've heard stories about Deke, but Marcus Taggert adored him."

Jamal: "I don't know Mrs. Spencer. I guess all I can say is that if Deke cared about you he really cared, but if Deke hated you, he tore you apart. He abused his power. Gia's better off not knowing about him. I know when I found out, I questioned everything about myself. I just hope to god that I never turn out like him."

Laura: "I highly doubt that Deke's memory is that strong to have that much of an effect on someone's life."

Jamal: "I hope not, but you never know Mrs. Spencer. Once he broke your spirit, there was no way you could piece it back together. He destroyed my mother. I don't think she every gained her confidence again. I would love to meet a person that actually survived Deke's physical and psychological abuse."

Carly sits on the bed as Brooke Lynn curls up in a chair and reads to herself. She refuses to even acknowledge that Carly is in the room. Carly decides to speak anyway.

Carly: "Listen Hon. Your mom being gone is the best time for you to party. Make your dad spoil you rotten with breakfast in bed. Maybe a diamond ring from Harry Winston."

Brooke Lynn: "I'm anorexic and I hate diamonds."

Carly: "Alrighty then. What's your beef?"

Brooke Lynn: "Is it ok if I just hate my parents in the privacy of my own bedroom?"

Carly: "You and Michael were so close. He looks up to you."

Brooke Lynn: "What are you getting at Carly?"

Carly: "I remember you taking my hand and showing me your dad's studio. I just remember you seemed to be happier. What went wrong?"

Brooke Lynn: "I'm not my mom's priority anymore. I had a nightmare that I drowned in the ocean and my mom wasn't there to save me. When I woke up, she wasn't there like she always used to be. Someone more important has come into her life and she chose him over me."

Luiz slowly puts on his shirt. Lois can't bring herself to look at him. She wishes he would just go away. He wishes he didn't always act on his impulses. He looks up at Lois noticing the tears well up in her eyes. He has disappointed her again.

Lois: "I want you to go away. Don't ever come near me again. I really mean it this time."

Luiz: "Does this mean that if I ever see you again, I have to pretend I never met you?"

Lois: "Exactly."

Luiz: "The only problem is I'm in love."

Lois: "I'm not."

He wants to scream Liar to her face, but he never was one to completely burn his bridges if there was one he hoped to cross upon again someday. He picks up his cell phone from the table and his suit coat from the chair. He looks at Lois one more time for remembrance when he sleeps to dream her.

Luiz: "Before I go, will you please let us end on terms of honesty? We're both adults. I wanna hear you say it, because I know you felt it too. You probably still do. You can't turn love on and off like a faucet. It'll run forever if you let it. Lois Cerullo, I love you."

Lois struggles with her words. She fixes her gaze upon his charming physique. She drudges up enough nerve to spit it out.

Lois: "I love you too Luiz."

Luiz forces a smile and gives her a wink with a tinkle in his eye. He won the fight. That's all that matters to him now. He walks out the door without saying another word. Looking back would be too painful for both hearts. He decides to survive on the fact that she does love him.