Justin and Sierra are sitting in his office, sipping coffee and making small talk.
Justin: "So, Sierra, you've been here for a week. What do you think so far?"
Sierra: (laughing) "I love it. It is so much fun working here. I love Alexis, Kimberly and Mackenzie, Gregory and Scott are great... And Jillian... well, you know what I think of her..." she rolls her eyes.
Justin: (teasingly) "And what do you think of me, Sie?"
Sierra: "What did you just call me?" she grins. "My best friends in high school used to call me that. We were all cheerleaders and they called me Sie-Sie."
Justin: "You were a cheerleader? I can see that. Are you mad I called you that?"
Sierra: (grinning) "No, not at all. I don't mind if you call me Sie." She smiles at him. "It brings back great memories. And as for you... I think that you're great, Justin."
Justin: (looking into her eyes) "I think that you're great too, Sierra." His voice drops. "I was wondering if..."
Sierra: (at the same time) "I was wondering if you'd like to have dinner on Thursday."
Justin: "I'd love to... wait... we have to attend Avery's birthday party, remember?"
Sierra: "What about tonight? I'd love to go to Chez Plaisance."
Justin: (barely breathing) "Just us, or all of the lawyers?"
Sierra: "I was thinking just us." She pauses. "Is that alright?"
Justin: "It sounds great. Should I pick you up around, say, seven?"
Sierra: "That would be wonderful. I'll be looking forward to it all day."
Just then, Kimberly, Alexis and Jillian walk in. Jillian puts on a flirty smile when she sees Justin sitting behind his desk.
Jillian: "Well, hello there, Justin. You look very nice today."
Justin: (still smiling at Sierra) "Uh, thanks, Jillian." He smiles at his friends. "Hey you guys. Alexis, I was wondering if Avery likes Barbies. Sierra and I don't know exactly what she wants for her birthday."
Alexis: "She loves Barbies... and I believe that she wants the swimming ones."
Sierra: "Justin, maybe we could stop by the toy store on the way..."
Jillian: (ignoring them) "Justin, I was wondering if you'd like to have dinner tonight..."
Justin: (cutting her off) "Sorry, but Sierra and I have a date tonight."
Jillian: (shocked) "You do? You have a date with HER? WHY?"
Justin: (seeing the look on Sierra's face) "Why? Because I happen to want to spend an evening with Sierra. She's pleasurable company."
Jillian: (clearly mad) "But, why SIERRA? She's not girlfriend material, unlike me!"
Kimberly: "God, Jillian, you really do have problems!"
Justin: (standing up) "Jillian, in case you didn't know, I'm going out with Sierra because she and I are DATING!"
Jillian looks shocked. Alexis and Kimberly are visibly surprised. Sierra looks blown away at this announcement.
Jillian: (angry) "Well, in that case, I have something to do, so see you all later." She storms out of the office.
Kimberly: (surprised) "Sierra, you two are dating?"
Sierra: (shocked but amused) "This is the first that I've heard of it."
Justin: (shaking his head) "Sierra, I am so sorry. It just slipped out of my mouth to get rid of her. I know that we're not dating."
Sierra: (grinning) "At least not at this moment."
Alexis and Kimberly exchange a look. They both hide a smile.
Early that evening. The Ashtons' house.
Alexis comes through the back door to find Ned helping Brooke with her math homework at the kitchen table.
Alexis: (kissing them both) "Hola, family."
Brooke: (laughing) "Hola, Mommy."
Ned: (standing up to kiss her) "Hola? Since when are we Spanish?"
Alexis: (laughing) "I thought it would be more interesting than hello. Where's Hannah?"
Ned: (kissing her again) "Asleep."
Brooke: (watching them kiss) "Mommy, Daddy, may I ask you something?"
Ned: (sitting back down and pulling Alexis into his lap) "Sure, Brooke."
Brooke: "I was wondering if we could buy some of those Fisher Price goalposts they have at the toy store so I can practice at home. I'll earn the money for them... I think I could help.... uh... in the garden or cleaning out the garage."
Alexis: (hiding a smile) "Brooke, you don't have to work for the money. However, you are a little old for Fisher Price anything. Why don't we look at the sporting goods store for some of those net things?"
Ned: (kissing her again) "Lex, they're called goals. Nets are in... um... there isn't such a thing. Well, there is netting around the baskets in basketball and netting inside the goal for soccer and..."
Alexis: (wrapping her arms around his neck) "Okay! Enough!"
Ned: (turning back to Brooke) "Sure, Sweetie. We'll get you a goal so you can work on being a World Cup soccer player. No problem. We'll go this weekend."
Brooke: (jumping up to hug them) "Thank you, thank you, thank you!"
Avery: (coming in with her doll) "Why are you saying thank you, Brooke?"
Brooke: "Mommy and Daddy are going to buy me a soccer goal!"
Avery: (clearly angry) "Why? It's not your birthday! Daddy, don't buy her one!"
Ned: (admonishing tone) "Avery, be nice to your sister. It's for her to practice.�
Alexis: �Avery, we just bought you a new ballet outfit, remember? It�s the same idea.�
Avery: (close to tears) "It's not fair!" she stomps her foot. "My birthday is coming and you didn't buy me a Madame Christina doll!"
Alexis: (raising her eyebrows) "Avery Madelynn, how would you know that?" Avery blushes a little. "How many times have we told you that it's wrong to snoop?"
Avery: (screaming) "It's not fair! I don't want her here anymore! Go back to Brooklyn, Brooke! We don't want you anymore! And take Hannah with you!"
Brooke's face crumples and her eyes fill with tears. Alexis stands up and goes over to put her arm around her. She and Ned are furious.
Alexis: "Avery Ashton! How dare you say that to your sister? We WILL NOT send Brooke back to Bensonhurst even if the president of the United States OR Santa Claus shows up and tells us to! She is our daughter! Now go to your room."
Avery: (sobbing) "But I'm your real daughter! Mommy didn't even have Brooke!"
Ned: (standing up) "Avery, GET UPSTAIRS, NOW! You are on a time-out for the rest of the evening except for dinner. And if we hear one more comment like that, you will be spending your birthday in your room."
Avery: "I hate you!" she runs from the room, sobbing.
Alexis: (giving Brooke a hug) "Don't worry, Sweetie. You know that we love you."
Brooke: (hugging her back) "I know, Mommy. I love you too." She pauses. "And I still love Avery. I just don't LIKE her right now."
Ned: (picking her up) "You don't have to like her right now, Brooke, but siblings always love each other. For the rest of their lives, even when they're mad at each other."
Brooke: "Like you and Aunt Mackenzie and Mommy and Uncle Stefan?"
Ned: (hugging her) "Exactly."
Brooke: (giggling) "I wonder if Justin will come to one of my soccer games." She smiles. "He said I'm his girlfriend.... I know that it's just pretend, but he's so cool!" she cocks her head to the side. "Is Sierra his girlfriend?"
Alexis: (laughing) "She just may be. They're having dinner tonight at Chez Plaisance."
Ned: (raising his eyebrows) "Love is in the air, huh?"
Alexis: (kissing him quickly) "It must be, because I think that you're the most handsome man I have ever seen."
Ned: (kissing her back) "Why thank you. That's a high compliment coming from the most beautiful woman in the world."
Brooke: (enchanted) "You guys are so romantic. I want to be like you someday with my husband."
Ned: (solemnly) "Sweetie, I'm afraid that's never going to happen."
Brooke: (confused) "Why not?"
Ned: (straight face) "Because you are SO smart and SO gorgeous, Miss Brooke Ashton, that I will never be willing to let you go out on dates!"
Brooke and Alexis start laughing. Ned just sighs dramatically.
Brooke: (happily) "I wonder if Justin and Sierra are going to fall in love. I hope they do."
Ned: (laughing) "Aren't we a little cupid! Why are you so into Justin and Sierra getting married all of a sudden?"
Brooke: (in Alexis' ear) "So me and David can have a double wedding with them."
Alexis snorts and then starts laughing. Brooke does too. Ned just looks confused.
Meanwhile. Chez Plaisance.
Justin, dressed in a dark gray suit, and Sierra, dressed in a short wine colored sheath with matching heels and her hair up in a topknot, are sipping champagne and eating salads.
Justin: (in a low voice) "So, are you seeing anyone right now? Like from Boston?"
Sierra: "The only person I'm seeing right now is you." She smiles. "You know what I mean, right?" he nods. "What about you?"
Justin: "Just you." He blushes. "I mean, you. Not 'just you' like JUST in the sense of boring and not interesting and un-new, followed by an uninterested sigh... I meant..."
Sierra: (cutting him off, laughing) "I get it." She smiles. "I'll take JUST as a compliment. As in only. Singular. Individual." She takes a sip of champagne. "I feel special."
Justin: (raising his glass) "I'd like to make a toast."
Sierra: (raising her glass to his) "To what? Pleasurable company?"
Justin: (smiling) "To just you and just me."
Sierra: (laughing) "I'll drink to that."
They clink their glasses together and then take sips of the champagne, staring at each other in awe.
Justin: (softly) "You look amazing tonight."
Sierra: "So do you." She blushes a little. "I can't believe we only met a week ago."
Justin: "I feel like I've known you forever."
Sierra: "This time two weeks ago, I was sitting in my apartment watching Jeopardy."
Justin: "I probably was too." He smiles. "Wait, no, I was at Ned and Alexis' house for dinner."
Sierra: "Making their daughters fall madly in love with you?" she smiles. "I bet it's not too hard." She pauses for a moment. "Brooke looks at you like you hung the moon."
Justin: "She doesn't hold a candle to you. I prefer girlfriends who are older than eight." He smiles. "But she is a little cutie, isn't she?"
Sierra: "Hannah is too. Those dimples are irresistible."
Justin: (silently- voice over) "So are yours... wait, Justin, you can't fall too fast. You just met her... wait, why am I thinking this... she could be THE ONE... I can already tell..."
Sierra: (silently- voice over) "And you're pretty irresistible too... wait, why am I saying this? I barely know you... oh, Sierra, shut up... this could be love at first sight... actually, I KNOW it is..."
Their eyes meet and they smile at each other before looking down at the table.
Three hours later. Toys R Us.
Justin: (walking through the door) "Do you know where the Barbies are?"
Sierra: "No, I've never been here before." She grins. "Do you want to ask someone?"
Justin: (shaking his head) "Nah. I hate asking for help in stores. The pesky salespeople think that's their cue to stalk you through every isle." He grins and grabs her hand. "We can fend for ourselves."
Sierra: (relaxing as they hold hands) "Having a law degree doesn't necessarily make you capable of navigating a toy store."
Justin: (letting go of her hand and grabbing a nerf ball) "What was that, Ms. Hudson?" he throws the ball at her head. She squeals. "Would you like to repeat that statement?"
Sierra: (throwing a ball at his head) "No, Mr. Vieira, I would not." She grins and takes off down the isle with Justin chasing her.
Justin: (laughing) "Hey! Come back here!"
He catches up to her on the next isle in front of a giant trampoline. Sierra turns to him, laughing and then points at the trampoline.
Justin: (shaking his head) "I think it's for display purposes only."
Sierra: (shaking her head) "Nope. See that sign... it says CHILDREN OVER TEN. I think that we qualify. Well, at least I do."
Justin: (pulling her up onto the trampoline) "We'll just see about that."
They removes their shoes and begin jumping up and down, ignoring the fact that Justin's tie keeps hitting him in the face and Sierra's hair is getting messed up.
Sierra: (laughing hysterically) "This is one of my most unusual dates."
Justin: (bouncing towards her) "Ditto. You don't think that I take my dates trampoline hopping every week, do you?"
Sierra: (shaking her head) "I don't know, Justin. Anyone who rode his unicycle for the ninth grade talent show AND got his shoelaces caught in the spokes is not totally normal."
Justin: (laughing) "This from the cheerleader who fell off of a pyramid and onto her butt in front of a gym full of people?"
Sierra: "Okay, maybe we shouldn't have discussed embarrassing moments on our first date. They just provide us with ammo for the future."
Justin: (grinning as they bounce up and down) "I would never use your little fall against you, Sierra. But just out of curiosity, did anyone get it on tape?"
Sierra: "You are such a rat!" she jumps close to him, knocking him on his back.
Justin: (laying on the trampoline) "Ditto."
Sierra: (flopping down next to him) "You're crazy, you know."
Justin: (in a low voice) "Oh, but AM I?" he grins. "You'll never know."
Sierra: (rolling towards him) "How can you be so sure?" her voice drops. "I always find out deep, dark, secrets."
Justin reaches over and begins tickling her. She shrieks with laughter as she tries to retaliate. Soon, both Justin and Sierra are laughing hysterically as they roll around on the trampoline, trying to attack each other.
Justin: (in a low voice, staring into her eyes) "Sierra."
Sierra: (whispering) "Yes, Justin?"
They lean close to each other and their lips are centimeters apart when they hear a familiar voice come up next to them, and quickly break apart, blushing hard.
Alexis: "Justin Vieira! What are you doing to poor Sierra?"
Standing next to the trampoline is Alexis and Ned. They're both laughing.
Justin: (sitting up, laughing) "Me? Attack HER? No, no, Alexis. SHE attacked ME!"
Ned: (laughing) "Is this true, Sierra?" he grins. "I certainly hope so!"
Sierra: (grinning innocently) "I plead the fifth."
Justin: (laughing) "Spoken like a true lawyer."
Alexis: "What are you two doing here? I mean, besides the obvious."
Sierra: (climbing off the trampoline) "We're birthday shopping for Avery. You?"
Ned: "We are too." He grins. "We left the girls at home with Emily so we could finish shopping. We can't think of a really good present though."
Just then, they hear another familiar voice behind them and they turn around.
Jax: (walking towards them with Julia) "Well, well. Aren't you four a little old to be playing in a toy store?"
Alexis: "Ditto, darling."
Julia: (laughing) "We're shopping for Avery." She gestures at the dollhouse Jax is carrying. "Think she'll like it?"
Ned: (laughing) "Some aunt and uncle you two are! Waiting until the day before her birthday?"
Justin: (innocently) "Uh, Ned, isn't that exactly what you and Alexis are doing?"
Sierra: (snickering) "Good point, Justin!" she grins at him and he grins back.
Alexis: (seeing the look between Justin and Sierra) "Uh, do you guys have any ideas for a present for us to give Avery?"
Justin: (getting off the trampoline, gesturing at himself) "What about this?"
Ned: "Uh, I don't think a six year old wants a thirty two year old man, no offence."
Justin: "I meant a trampoline. You guys have a huge backyard. It would be great."
Jax: "He's right, you know. You'd be the hit of the neighborhood."
Alexis: (exchanging a look with Ned) "Actually, you're right. I think that Avery would love to have a trampoline."
Ned: (snickering) "And it could teach her a little about SHARING because Brooke will eventually want to use it and Hannah when she's older."
Jax: (grinning) "Can we come and play too?"
Alexis: (little girl voice) "Sure you can, Uncle Jax."
They all start laughing as Julia leans close to Alexis, smiling smugly.
Julia: (whispering) "Lex, I'm sure that you and Ned can probably find a use for the trampoline too."
Alexis: (whispering back) "I bet that you're right." She grins.
Jax: "So, Justin, Sierra, how come you're so dressed up?"
Justin: "We just had dinner at Chez Plaisance."
Julia: (raising her eyebrows) "Dinner, huh?"
Justin: "First date."
Sierra: (at the same time) "First date."
They look at each other and smile. Jax, Julia, Ned and Alexis exchange a collective look.
Meanwhile. The Ashtons' house.
Emily and Nikolas are making out on the couch, his arms around her as she lays beneath him.
Emily: (moaning softly) "Oh, that feels so good." She moans again as he kisses her neck and begins to softly suck on her earlobes.
Nikolas: "Where are Ned and Alexis again?"
Emily: (kissing him gently) "Birthday shopping for Avery."
Nikolas: "And the girls?"
Emily: (moaning again) "Asleep. All three of them."
Nikolas: (in a low voice) "Maybe we should go upstairs and..."
Emily: (hissing) "Nikolas! Alexis would KILL me!"
Nikolas: (pulling away slightly) "Her opinion really means a lot to you, huh?"
Emily: "She's like a mom to me. I mean, I always thought she was cool as just Ned's wife, but as my mother figure... she's even more awesome."
Nikolas: (stroking her backside) "I feel the same way about her." He grins. "And now, how I feel about you... we could just do it here."
Emily: (rubbing against him) "Small problem. Someone would walk in."
Nikolas: (his hand drifting up to caress her breasts) "Emily, I want you so much... It's been a week..."
Just then, the front door begins to open slightly. They hastily break apart, blushing.
Alexis: (coming in) "Nikolas! What are you doing here?"
Emily: (smoothly) "I hijacked one of his sweatshirts and he came to get it back." She stands up. "I'll go get it upstairs."
Nikolas: "I thought you two were going birthday shopping for Avery."
Alexis: "We did."
Nikolas: "And her presents are..."
Alexis: "Going to be delivered tomorrow morning."
Nikolas: (grinning) "Wait until you see what we got her."
Alexis: "I don't even want to think about it."
Nikolas: "Don't worry, Alexis. Ned gave us permission."
Alexis: (groaning) "Even worse."
Ned: (as Alexis smiles sweetly at him) "Don't even think about it. I won't tell."
Alexis: (laughing) "I can't get over what a cute couple Justin and Sierra make."
Emily: (coming downstairs with a sweatshirt) "Did you guys run into them or something?"
Ned: "At the toy store. They were shopping for Avery too. They were on a DATE."
Emily: "Aw, how sweet."
Alexis: "First dates are so... awkward!"
Ned: (putting his arms around her waist) "Was our first date?"
They all sit down on the couches, one couple on each couch, facing each other.
Alexis: "Totally. I almost spilled my vodka on myself when you smiled at me."
Ned: (kissing her gently) "I can still visualize you in that sexier than hell black dress."
Alexis: (sighing) "It's too bad that I don't fit into it anymore. I'm so fat!"
Ned: "No, you aren't. Sweetie, you're perfect the way you are."
Alexis: (laughing) "Aw, Ned, you're too good to me." she kisses him.
Emily: "Did your first date together end in a kiss?"
Ned: (looking at Alexis and laughing) "Not exactly. It took us another month to kiss."
Alexis: "The rooftop of the hotel after the Nurses Ball. It was so romantic."
Nikolas: (impressed) "I hate to ask, but how long did it take you guys..."
Ned: (laughing) "To sleep together? Another six months."
Alexis: "We wanted to wait until the perfect moment to make love. And we did."
Emily: (sighing) "You two are the most romantic couple."
Ned: (kissing Alexis) "Thank you. We do try."
Alexis: "But the HARDEST part of a first date is the good-night. To kiss or not to kiss. And if it's a kiss, on the cheek or on the lips? Do you have a night-cap or just say good-bye? Do you promise to call or not?"
Ned: (laughing) "Alexis, you are too much. Were you always this way when we were dating or did you become this neurotic AFTER we got married?"
Alexis: (kissing him) "After I knew I had you forever, I thought that it was safe to show my real colors."
Emily: "I wonder how Justin and Sierra are handling it."
Meanwhile. The Port Charles Hotel. Outside Sierra's room.
Justin and Sierra walk up to the door, holding hands and smiling nervously.
Sierra: (voice-over) "Should I kiss him or would that be too much? And what if he doesn't kiss me? Does that mean he had a crappy time?"
Justin: (voice-over) "God, I want to kiss her. Sierra, why do you have to be so sexy? But if I try to kiss her, what if she bolts? That would ruin everything. What should I do?"
Sierra: (getting to the door) "This was a wonderful evening, Justin. Thank you so much."
Justin: "No problem. I had a really great time."
Sierra: (looking at her watch) "Well, I'd better get inside. We have a morning meeting."
Justin: (laughing a little) "Gregory and his meetings!"
Sierra: (leaning closer to him) "This has been so nice. Thank you so much."
Justin: (whispering) "You already said that."
Sierra: (smiling nervously) "I did? Sorry."
Justin: (whispering) "What would you say if I kissed..."
Sierra: (cutting him off) "Yes."
They lean in towards each other and kiss each others' lips softly. As they break apart, they look into each others' eyes and a spark passes. He pulls her close, pressing her up against her door.
Justin: (kissing her passionately) "Sierra, you are so beautiful."
Sierra: (kissing him back) "You are so sexy, Justin."
Just then, they pull back.
Justin: "I better get down to my room."
Sierra: "Yeah, I guess."
Justin: "I'll see you at the meeting tomorrow, okay? Maybe we can get some coffee afterwards or something?"
Sierra: "Sure. I'd love to."
Justin: (leaning over and kissing her once more) "Good night, Sierra."
Sierra: (softly) "Good night, Justin."
She watches him walk away and then heads into her hotel room. After locking the door, she leans back against it, sighing and tries to regulate her breathing.
Sierra: (to herself) "Wow, what a kiss."
Grinning, she heads into the bathroom to take a shower.