Rafe was stunned by what he saw when he got out of his car. To one side there was the hole that had been Company, but beyond that the sky was lit up like day. A gigantic bonfire burned. Scattered around it were a mish mash of different tables, round, square, rectangular. Buzz had to have hit up not only the Beacon, but every church and community organization in Springfield.

But, he was the one person in Springfield who could have successfully pulled together such disparate people. He was the glue that kept the often boiling angry town together. That was obvious by who was there. Spauldings, Rafe saw Lizzie and Bill off to one side at a round table talking to each other. They made a disgustingly happy married couple. Phillip, Beth were off to the other side, talking with, of all people, Alan.

Lewises. At a long table nearer to the bonfire Billy and Josh sat laughing with Matt Reardon, Reva and Vanessa.

Coopers of course, though most of them had been drafted by Buzz to help with the serving and monitoring of everyone, but Rafe could see Marina sitting across from of all people Alexandra Spaulding, who was bouncing little Henry on her knee. Children bring the world together and all that crap Rafe guessed.

Dinah, Shane, Rick, Casey and Doris sat at another table with a glaring Ashlee and a laughing Mel. An odd conglomeration of old, Marler, Bauer, Lewis, and new, Boudreau, Wolfe, and whoever Casey Jones was.

"Hmmm..."

"Hmmm what?"

Rafe nearly swallowed his tongue. "I... just people watching."

The dark skinned young woman held out her hand and Rafe shook it. "Lea Bauer. You new?"

"Compared to most of the people in this town. Yeah. Raphael Rivera."

"Ah..." Leah smiled a smile that nearly blinded Rafe it was so dazzlingly beautiful. "The bad boy who went to jail for shooting Jeffery O'Neill, right." She threaded her arm through Rafe's. "So, Raphael, college?"

Rafe nodded, "Yep, a Freshman. Got my GED in prison. You?"

"Also a Freshman. I hope to be a journalist."

They bumped and jostled through the tables and people. "Not a Doctor like your father, or a lawyer like your Mom?"

"They think. I like to write. How 'bout you Raphael?"

Rafe shrugged, "Not sure yet. Never really believed I'd get this far."

They got in line for food. "Where's your twenty-first century family."

"The Spaulding part? Or maybe the Aitoro part, or the Riveras, or perhaps the Spencers?" Leah laughed, lighting up her whole being again and Rafe couldn't help but smile himself. "Uh, they're... Ma and Liv are home with Em, she's sick with something."

"That's too bad. I heard Buzz was going to have Karaoke."

"Nice." Rafe took a burger, "I'll get to do my famous Billie Jean."

"Michael Jackson?"

"My moonwalk is legendary."

Leah laughed.

It was disgusting. Everyone coming together. Laughter, happiness, joy, camaraderie. Company had been blown up. Where were the accusations, the pain, the suffering. Frank had been so close, he'd almost killed the woman all by himself, that would have been a sight, the upstanding Springfield Detective on trial for killing Casey, an innocent woman. Still she was a variable, though not a bad one if she kept looking as guilty as she did. But variables didn't matter. The plan worked just as well when everyone survived as if they died.

It would have been easy to use the gathering. But, this wasn't fun if it was easy. Later tonight would be soon enough. Let them heal a little bit, then rip the scab off nice and painfully, over, and over, and over.

"Where's Colin?"

Reva pried her gaze from where everyone was cooing over Henry. "Home, with Jeffery. He's feeling a little under the weather. Colin, not Jeffery. How are you doing?"

"Marina came to see me. Wanted to get everything started on rebuilding."

Reva frowned, "Will you? If this was Edmund, you'd be stepping into the line of fire."

"He wouldn't do this."

Reva glanced over at Buzz. "I was going to be there Joshua. I was meeting Big Colin to talk about a fundraising event we're planning."

Josh started to stand, but was stopped by Reva's hand on his arm. "Josh, I didn't say anything because I agree with you, eh wouldn't go this far just to get at me or my family."

"Reva, he's a psycho."

Reva nodded, "Yes, but he's a high functioning one, he know that he hits the Beacon, or Towers, or pretty much anywhere in Springfield, there's anger, but he destroys Company..." She gestured to everyone, "There are people here from around the Country who came back just for Buzz. There are people here I haven't seen in decades. Eleni Andros, Sonni Carrera, Vicky Spaulding, Claire Ramsey, heck, our daughter Marah's here."

Josh seemed to still want to stand, but after Reva let go of his arm he slowly sat back. "Even Harley came back. I was pretty sure we'd never see her in Springfield again."

Reva watched Harley rock little Henry, "She's been hurt pretty bad in Springfield. I can see why she stayed away."

"You are gonna be a heart breaker, yes you are Mini-Cooper."

Harley turned as Rafe chuckled, "Gotta remember that one."

"Rafe." She started to go in for a hug, but Henry chose that moment to yell that he wanted someone else.

Rafe smiled, "Let's see. Great Aunt Harley?"

Harley handed Henry to his Grandpa Frank, who inclined his head at Rafe and wandered away. Harley hugged Rafe close and took a step back. "I think we'll stick with just Aunt. How are you Rafe?"

"I'm okay. Still hurts, but... it will always. How are Jude and Zach?"

Harley smiled, "Growing like weeds. And I heard that you got yourself a family."

"For what it's worth."

Harley's smile turned to a frown, "You want me to do something about Spencer? I'm very resourceful."

"No, no... My Ma's happy again, which I didn't think would ever happen. And Emma..." Harley chuckled, "What?"

"Your face lit up like a demented lightning bug Rafe."

Rafe shrugged, "She's very smart, probably smarter than I am. And she's been through a hell of a lot." He shrugged again, "She was like a little sister before she was going to become my little sister."

Harley glanced around, "Where is your new family?"

"Home with Emma. She came home sick from school and Ma's freaking out." Rafe glanced to one side, "I... uh, I'll see you later."

Harley's gaze followed Rafe's and she hid a smile, "Of course. It was good to see you Rafe." They hugged again and she watched as Rafe made his way to Leah, who was flanked by Rick and Mel.

"You are not going to date my daughter, you, you..."

Rafe's mouth opened and closed, and opened again. "Doctor Bauer..."

Rick burst out laughing, Leah hid her face behind her hands and Mel just shook her head. Rick patted Rafe on the back, "So... Buzz is looking for a couple of sacrifical lambs to sing first. Want to give it a whirl, my future son-in-law?"

Rafe's voice went up an octave, "Son-in-law?"

Rafe shot Leah a look as Rick dragged him up towards the Karaoke machine. Leah turned to Mel, "Mom..."

Mel put an arm around her daughter, "Let your father have his fun."

"Too quiet. She's too quiet."

"Natalia... She's asleep."

They were on the couch. Natalia had pulled a baby monitor from some box or other and it sat on the coffee table staring back at both of them. Silent. Olivia watched the late news while Natalia's entire body seemed to be focused on the monitor. "Aren't you worried?"

Olivia pulled herself away from the news, it was all bad anyway. "Nat... there is never a moment in any day when I am not worried about Emma. It is all about levels."

"Oh... I, I didn't know that."

Olivia shrugged, "Yes, well, I don't let it get around. People think I'm crazy already."

Natalia turned and glanced at the stairs, "I'm going to check on her." She grasped Olivia's hand and the older woman looked over, "And every moment of every day I worry about you, Emma, and Rafe too. You're not crazy." With that, she gave the stunned Olivia a kiss and went up stairs.

Buzz watched the crowd. They were having fun. That was good. He sat. He was tired. It didn't matter that he hadn't owned the place anymore, Company and Buzz Cooper were the same. You pricked one, the other bled. He hadn't seen Olivia or Natalia and hoped that everything was okay. He would never admit it to anyone, but he still loved Olivia Spencer. Not in the way he had during their passionate, complicated affair, but at odd times, she would just pop into his head, and not in a bad way either.

Lillian was the one who figuratively pulled him from his reverie, while literally pulling him to his feet. "They're trying to get Doris to do The Weather Girls."

Buzz frowned as he was dragged to the front, "Wait, what?"

When they got to the front of the crowd Doris was having none of it. "What could anyone think they could say to get me behind that monitor... singing..."

Buzz plastered on a smile, "Consider it part of your upcoming mayoral campaign, community outreach, unless you can't read."

"You mean your campaign?"

Buzz held his hands up, "'It's Raining Men' is a song that would never cause you to lose votes." He glanced around, "You need a partner in crime though." His eyes stopped, and twinkled evilly. "Casey right, can you sing?"

"Nope."

Marina helpfully pushed Casey forward, "See, perfect."

"Buzz..."

Buzz gave the Mayor a narrow eyed look, "Who's establishment was just blown into a million little pieces? Just sing the song Doris."

Doris let out a measured breath, shook her head and gripped Casey by the upper arm, dragging her along. "When I find who blew up Company, I'm gonna kill 'em myself."

In the crowd Rafe stood between Ashlee and Leah. Ashlee looked terrified, while Leah looked quite amused. At least it wasn't her father up there anymore. Ashlee, though, couldn't believe it. "Oh, oh, oh, this is not gonna be good. No it is not."

There was total silence as the two women started the song, both were staring intently at the monitor with the words on it, and both had frowns on their face. Doris started, while Casey chimed in at the right places. Neither had the best voice, though they could both sing with the music, weren't monotone, which was an improvement over the previous two singers, Shane and Josh.

"Hi - Hi! We're your Weather Girls - Ah-huh -

And have we got news for you - You better listen!

Get ready, all you lonely girls

and leave those umbrellas at home. - Alright! -

Humidity is rising - Barometer's getting low

According to all sources, the street's the place to go

'Cause tonight for the first time

Just about half-past ten

For the first time in history

It's gonna start raining men."

It was Casey who put a hand to her mouth and started turning red she was laughing so hard. Doris looked over and gave Casey a shove in the side.

"It's Raining Men! Hallelujah! - It's Raining Men! Amen!

I'm gonna go out I'm gonna let myself get absolutely soaking wet!"

It was only after another poke in the gut that Casey came back in, singing again, without using the prompter so much.

"It's Raining Men! Hallelujah!

It's Raining Men! Every Specimen!

Tall, blonde, dark and lean

Rough and tough and strong and mean.

God bless Mother Nature, she's a single woman too

She took on heaven and she did what she had to do

She fought every angel and rearranged the sky

So that each and every woman could find the perfect guy."

Casey gave a 'woo', throwing her hands into the air, and Doris laughed as they started the chorus,

"It's Raining Men! Hallelujah! - It's Raining Men! Amen!

It's Raining Men! Hallelujah!

It's Raining Men! Ame-nnnn!"

Casey started to sway, and after a moment, and narrowed eyes from Doris, she did too. A small smile started to form on her lips as she sang. She was having fun in front of the citizens of Springfield. Somewhere, someone could hear crinkling below them, hell was freezing over.

"I feel stormy weather moving in, about to begin

Hear the thunder, don't you lose your head

Rip off the roof and stay in bed."

The whole crowd gasped when after 'lose your head', Doris threw her microphone to Casey and ripped off her fall jacket at the crescendo in 'rip off the roof and stay in bed'. Sending it onto the head of a stunned Buzz Cooper. He pulled it off as quickly as he could, not wanting to miss a second of the show. He hoped to God that someone was taping it too.

As for Doris' offspring, the only reason that Ashlee was still standing was that Rafe had a hand around her waist, holding onto the blonde for dear life. Her mouth was the perfect shape of an 'O', and if there hadn't been so much fire around, she would have been collecting quite a few bugs for her trouble.

Casey handed Doris both their microphones, and yanked an unsuspecting Buzz Cooper until he was in between them.

"God bless Mother Nature, she's a single woman too

She took on heaven and she did what she had to do

She fought every angel and rearranged the sky

So that each and every woman could find her perfect guy

It's Raining Men! Yeah!"

He looked out at his fellow townspeople, he wasn't getting a rescue from any of them because most were laughing too hard. Doris and Casey had him squarely between them, and were definitely not looking at the monitor anymore. He was starting to wonder why he'd busted their chops as both of them... danced against him.

"Humidity is rising - Barometer's getting low

According to all sources, the street's the place to go

Cause tonight for the first time

Just about half-past ten

For the first time in history

It's gonna start raining men.

It's Raining Men! Hallelujah! - It's Raining Men! Amen!"

As the song ended he slipped out from between the two women, "Uh, that was... that was... that..."

Both Doris and Casey were bent at the waist laughing, and laughing, as was a whole lot of the town. It was Reva who spoke from the front of the crowd, "That sucked ladies."

Everyone held their breath as Doris' laughter came to a stop. The Mayor met Reva's gaze and blinked, "You think?" She straightened up, and took her jacket from Frank. "Thank you Detective Cooper. Now, who's next."

She walked through the crowd, Casey not far behind her.

Buzz cleared his throat, once, twice. "Uh, yes, who's next. If our own, Honorable Doris Wolfe can do it, anyone can..."

Josh paused and caught his breath. Reva laughed and put an arm around his waist. "Do I need to call 911 Joshua?"

Josh swallowed down the bitter taste in his mouth and stood up straight again. "No, no, just a cab. You... walked all the way from Cross Creek. What were you thinking?"

Reva glanced up at the starry sky. "How beautiful a day it was. The fact that I can." She put a hand through Josh's arm and they started walking again, "I wanted time to think, I don't get a lot of that at home with Jeffery and Colin. And I knew I wouldn't get it at the party, so I walked."

"You are a unique woman Reva Shayne, that's why I lo..." He trailed off, "I'm sorry."

Reva shook her head, "It's okay. I love you too Josh, but you know we're... sometimes we're better apart than together. We'll find you a very good woman though." Reva smirked, "If only that pesky Natalia Rivera hadn't taken Liv..."

"Oh..." He gave her a bit of a push, "Now I get to have Olivia, now that..." The rest of his sentence was cut off as he flew forward. Before Reva could turn she was also bashed into unconsciousness. But she was obviously not the target as the bat came down over and over and over on Joshua Lewis.

Casey frowned as she closed the door of Doris' house. "Doris?"

"Up... upstairs."

Casey followed the voice up the stairs and to the main bedroom. She didn't even get two steps in when Doris melded their bodies together, taking possession of Casey's lips even as her fingers went to the younger woman's first button.

Casey came up for breath as Doris' hand pressed against her stomach, "What, what are..."

Doris took a step back, "Am I wrong?"

Casey brushed a lock of Doris' red hair back from her face, "No, no you're not."

"Good."