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Kat hugged Sean D. and he winced. She kissed his cheek and cooed. "Oh, baby, did that hurt?"
He nodded.
"GOOD!" she slapped his arm. He whimpered. "You're a little old to be getting into some stupid barroom brawl. What did you do, take on the football team?"
"Actually, it was Chi Omega Ro." Will said.
"You two are in such trouble when Mom finds out," Kay said, smacking the back of Will's head. He groaned and adjusted the steak on his face. "Will, you KNOW better than to let Roman fight, he hits like a nine-year-old girl."
"Hey," Roman exclaimed. She shrugged and put her arm around him. "Sorry, brother dear, but you do."
Stephanie took the stool next to Nick's. She looked over his knuckles.
"You know, when that used to happen to me in schoolyard fights, Drew used to do something to help the pain," she said.
"What's that?" Nick asked.
She stomped on his foot.
"YEOW!" he yelled.
"You can hardly feel your hand, huh?"
"Why, you-" he started after her. She shrieked and ran.
Andi took a look at Jack's nose.
"Don't worry, when the bruising starts, I've got some concealer that will cover that right up."
"AUUGH," he groaned. "First I fight like a girl, now I'm going to wear make-up like one."
"Here," Faith said leading him to the dancefloor. "I'll show you how to stop the punch next time."
Adam had tried to keep his distance when the girls came in. He still wasn't comfortable having Abby and Vic in the same room with him. As he watched the two of them gravitate towards the dancefloor. He thought his chest would crack open with the ache.
"She certainly rebounds quickly, doesn't she?" Kat asked. "Hi, Adam."
"Hi," he smiled weakly and kissed her cheek.
There had always been a sibling-like connnection between the two since they were kids. Though htey didn't share a parent, they knew what it was like to be the kid "from a previous relationship."
"Andi's getting ready to head back to school," Kat nodded in the willowy brunette's direction. "After the kidnapping and everything, she decided the best thing would be to get back as soon as possible, just in time for finals. She already missed two weeks as it is.
"How's she doing?" Adam had never really found the nerve to talk to Andi. Sure, they were- well, he couldn't exactly figure out how they were related. She was adopted by his step-grandmother, so that would make her his step-aunt?
However they were linked, she had always intimidated him, not by a word or deed, just by her aura of refinement. She seemed very sweet and the girls adored her, so she must be okay. but he never could speak more than a couple of words at a time around her.
"Well, she's a little shaken of course, she says she'd really rather not talk about it," Kat took a sip of her soda. "Which I can understand. I mean, imagine being held captive by one of Stefano's goons for three days. It must have been hellish."
Adam nodded.
"Well, I'm going to lock up the kitchen and join this shindig," he said. "I'll be right back."
She turned to join the others and ran smack into Sean D.
"Oh, Brady, I'm so sorry," she said, utterly embarassed.
"WE HAVE to stop meeting like this," he grinned and leaned in to kiss her.
And so a boys night out had turned into a little party. Abby and Vic were having a turn on the dancefloor. Jack was learning the ways of a "non-girly fighter" from Faith. Nick, Roman and Jeremy were playing darts. Kat was helping Sean mop the soda from his sweater.
Adam was just about to approach Andi when the front door swung open. Everyone stopped and turned. All Salemites knew the Pub was closed after midnight- to everybody who wasn't a Brady.
A tall dark-headed boy with large, sweet brown eyes stood at the door. His coat was a little worn, but immaculately clean. It looked like he had his whole life packed away into an old army duffle bag, the way he was clutching it.
"Hi, can we help you?" Nick asked.
"Um, yeah, I know you're probably close, but this is the only light I saw on. I just got into town."
"Well, I'm Kat and this is Sean D. and various members of our families," Kat said. "Is there some way we can help you?"
"Well, my name's David and I'm looking or Austin Reed," he said. "Do you know if he still lives here in Salem?
"Sure he does," Kat said. "Do you mind if I ask why you're looking for him?"
The boy hesitated. "Well, I'm his son."
Bet you didn't see that one coming. Check out the stories of David's homecoming in the Reed section once I get it up and running or go to Salem Timeline Message Board and read it there.
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