Episode 5: Crazy 'Bout A Mercury

Hailey stands in the bathroom at the hotel, she folds her arms and looks cross at her sister, Stephanie.

HAILEY: I am not fixated on Colin.
STEPH: Right, that's why your eyes are practically velcroed to him? Come on, sis. I know you too well, and I haven't seen you look that way at Brad the entire time you two have been dating. In fact, you haven't looked that way at a guy since you were with Colin befo--
HAILEY: Okay, enough! Steph, seriously. Stop it.

Hailey turns away from her sister and paces the room, grimacing. Steph looks at the ground, trying to say the right thing to her sister, and hopefully shed some light on the situation without rocking the boat any more.

STEPH: Hailey, when are you going to face the fact you're absolutely still in love with Colin. At the very least you're still attracted to him. Honey, I know things ended weirdly with him, and I still don't know what went down.
HAILEY: It was stupid. It wasn't worth talking about.

Steph sighs heavily and sits down on the chaise lounge in the room. She takes a deep breath before asking Hailey a question.

STEPH: Do you want to talk about it.
HAILEY: Steph, that was YEARS ago, I am so over it.

Steph jumps to her feet, once again excitable over Hailey's denial.

STEPH: No, you're not! And anyone with eyes can see it. Now I know this is all weird because Colin's back in town and all but...Hailey, he's still got a hold on you. I can tell. I'm sure he can. And if you're not careful, Brad could tell.
HAILEY: Oh my God, Steph. it's over between Colin and me. It's ancient history. For crying out loud! I'm with Brad. I'm happy with him.

Steph takes a minute to think again, taking her sister's hands in hers and looking into her eyes with intensity.

STEPH: Hailey, I'm gonna tell you something. Sister to sister. Okay?
HAILEY: Okay.

Hailey relaxes a bit as Steph motions her to sit down beside her on the chaise lounge. Steph takes a second to collect her thoughts.

STEPH: Okay, so you know I'm not like mom. I'm not telling you that you need to commit to Brad because you've agreed to marry him and marriage is sacred bla bla bla, right?
HAILEY: Right.
STEPH: Like, I think you know by now I'm a little bit more...let's say liberated than that. As far as I'm concerned, you need to go after the guy you're really in love with. And honey, if that's Colin, then why are you marrying Brad?
HAILEY: Steph, I'm marrying Brad because I love him. I love him NOW. Not for something in the past. Colin was a good time when I was in high school, he was rebellious, he was passionate, he was fun! I'm growing up. I want a guy that's gonna take care of me and make me feel special.
STEPH: And Brad does that for you?
HAILEY: Definitely! Steph, he's played the field for years. He's been around. He could have any girl he wants in this entire city. And some of the guys if he wanted as well.

Steph and Hailey laugh together. Hailey clasps Steph's hands in hers.

HAILEY: But he wants me. He loves me. Colin was a special time. But Brad is the right man in THIS part of my life. And the future.
STEPH: You know, for a bimbo kid sister, you can be pretty smart sometimes, you know that?

Hailey rolls her eyes and pushes Steph away playfully as Steph laughs.

HAILEY: You always did know how to ruin a tender moment, didn't you?
STEPH: I try.

Steph leaps to her feet and holds out her hand to Hailey.

STEPH: Come on, let's go celebrate your future!

Hailey grabs Steph's hand and bounces out of her seat, smiling widely.

HAILEY: Gladly.

*    *    *

JACKSON: Well, Carter?

Jackson steps forward onto the terrace outside the dining hall, having caught Lucas and Marian in an intense conversation.

LUCAS: Nothing to concern yourself with, Jackson, I was just trying to make sure that we're all on the same page here.
JACKSON: Did I miss something? I mean, we're here for our children's engagement party, so I assumed we already knew where we stood.
LUCAS: Knowing where we stand would be a lot easier if I knew how you really felt.

Jackson slowly approaches Lucas, sarcasm dripping off his every animated gesture.

JACKSON: What do you mean? I'm thrilled about this party. I'm jumping for joy. Couldn't find a happier guy than me about all this, Carter. You know, I tell ya, your daughter is really something in that dress tonight, I mean--
LUCAS: Can the jokes, Jackson. I know why you had Colin come tonight. You know, I know you're not above pitting your kids against each other to get you want, but really, making Colin come all the way back here from California just for this? I mean, you must have REALLY pulled out all the stops to make that happen, considering how you're still trying to clean up the mess he made in that exposé he did in the Tribune about you--
JACKSON: My son came back on his own, Carter. You might want to watch how many wild accusations you throw my way in the future. Because not only are you still my employee, but we're also going to be family soon. So I'd feel a lot better if we just, you know, tried to get along.
LUCAS: I'm sure you would. Just don't think for a second that I'm gonna be watching you every step of the way. If either of your sons does anything to hurt my daughter, you'll be hearing from me.
JACKSON: Likewise.

Lucas steps away, heading inside, as Marian, looking lost, steps to him and embraces him. Jackson holds her tightly and rocks her gently side to side as she tries to calm her nerves after her exchange with Lucas.

JACKSON: *sigh* He never learns, does he?
MARIAN: Jack, just...don't worry, I'm fine.
JACKSON: Well, no, no, I mean he can't just...come in here getting all up in arms just because Colin's back.
MARIAN: It's going to take time, Jackson. Time to build some trust between us all. I just hope Lucas is wrong and Hailey and Brad are happy even with Colin back home.
JACKSON: Well, honey. We'll see about that.

Jackson gives his wife a hug, as a somewhat sinister smile crosses his face.

*    *    *

Inside, Anna stands, arms folded, as Lucas approaches her, coming in from the terrace, clearly exasperated, and knowing what Anna's going to say.

LUCAS: What?
ANNA: You need to calm down--
LUCAS: Oh don't start with that, Anna. You and I both know that Jackson picked the perfect time to have that kid come home.
ANNA: And? So what if he did?
LUCAS: Don't you see? He orchestrated this whole thing. Get Colin to come back so he can drive a wedge between Brad and Hailey. It's so obvious, Anna.
ANNA: And if Brad and Hailey love each other, they're going to deal with. Together.

Anna rubs Lucas' shoulders and tries to relax his mind with her words.

ANNA: Look, we are here to celebrate our daughter's engagement. She would not get engaged if she weren't sure that Brad is the man she wants to spend her life with. And no amount of manipulation from Jackson Davis is going to change that.

Anna stops and turns Lucas around to face her.

ANNA: So just calm down...

Anna takes a wine glass off the dinner table beside her and hands it to Lucas.

ANNA: Have a drink...and RELAX.
LUCAS: But how can I--

Anna holds up her finger to Lucas' lips.

ANNA: Ah ah!

Anna leans in to kiss him gently on the lips. After they kiss, they both smile as they look lovingly at each other.

*    *    *

Steph sits down at the table next to Eva, who's compulsively checking her phone, and stubbornly not socializing. Steph wags her finger and jokingly scolds her aunt.

STEPH: Alright, Aunt Eva, you've been sitting her moping long enough.

Steph and Eva both have a quiet laugh before Eva sighs and looks down.

STEPH: Come on, seriously. What's going on?
EVA: Oh, Steph. I'm just waiting for Nathan. I haven't seen him in what feels like weeks.
STEPH: Well he was supposed to come around tonight, no?
EVA: Supposed to. I mean, where is he? it's nearly 11, and he said he'd be here for 10:30.

Steph leans over and gives her aunt a hug as Anna comes around to sit with her daughter and sister.

ANNA: Still not here, hm?

Eva plops her phone down on the table with a hint of aggression.

EVA: No word from him either.
ANNA: Well, what? Are you two still fighting over wanting to quit your teaching job?
EVA: Ugh. He's worried about it. He doesn't want me to stop working in case something happens to his job, but I have no idea why he's worried. I mean...ever since the IntuiBrake launch we've been doing so well. I just don't get it.
ANNA: Has he talked about any reason why he should be worried about work?
EVA: No. I mean, we've barely talked all month though so I wouldn't know.
ANNA: What do you mean?
EVA: He's always in that office. Every night. And it's work. I know it is. But it's...it's too much.
ANNA: I know, honey. I know.

Further down the table, Trey and Lucas are having a relatively pleasant chat.

TREY: You got the happy couple an engagement gift at all?
LUCAS: Well, I did what I could. Gave Hailey a bit of money we'd been saving up to buy her a new dress for the party and all. Nothing too special.
TREY: Hey, she picks well.
LUCAS: Yeah, you know...I figured, she'd know what fits better than I would so...

Jackson steps up to the head of the table and clinks his glass with a fork to get everyone's attention. As the room goes silent, champagne flutes are passed around.

JACKSON: Can I have everyone's attention, please.

The room's energy settles and all eyes are on Jackson as he begins his announcement.

JACKSON:...Thank you. As you all know, tonight is incredibly special to all of us, and especially to me, as I am the father of a soon-to-be happily married man.

A few claps heard as Jackson takes a quick pause.

JACKSON: I invite you all now to join me in a toast.

Jackson raises his champagne glass, as do the others. Now, as you all know, it wouldn't be fitting of me to end the evening without a small gesture to my future daughter in law, to invite her into the family. And what better way to welcome her to MY family, than to present her with this.

Jackson pulls a small jewelery box from his jacket pocket and presents it to Hailey. Hailey, intrigued, grows a smile on her face before slowly opening the box. Her expression is one of confusion.

HAILEY: Keys?

Jackson dons a calm smile.

JACKSON: Your new car, Hailey.

The crowd gasps and applauds, as Hailey excitedly hugs Brad and kisses him before shaking Jackson's hand with both hands, bouncing up and down as she does like a small child at Christmas. Lucas tenses his hand around his champagne glass. Anna swoops in and takes it from him before he breaks the glass.

HAILEY: Oh my God, where is it?

JACKSON: Out front. Everyone, you're welcome to come with us and check it out.

Jackson takes Hailey out to the front, where their new car is stopped out the front doorway with a giant ribbon on top. Lucas and Anna follow slowly behind. Lucas shakes his head with disapproval.

LUCAS: He had to show me up somehow, didn't he?
ANNA: Oh come on, you knew he was going to get her something...and they happen to operate an auto corporation, I mean...it's not...inconceivable.
LUCAS: Who runs Jabot? Couldn't she have married his kid instead? Then she'd get free eyeliner.
ANNA: Now Lucas, just stop it. Just let her enjoy her new car. We can sell the old one now! And it's our daughter's day. Let me enjoy it.

Lucas bites his tongue for Anna's sake, and watches as this young woman, his youngest daughter, sets foot into her new car and zooms off into the night with his fiancee at her side. Colin stands apart from the rest of the Davis family, seeing them off, but seeming lost, and deep in thought as he watches his high school love drive away with her new man, his brother.

Episode 4: Bend Time Back 'Round

In the dining room at the hotel for her engagement party, Hailey stands frozen before Colin for the first time in years. Stunned that he's standing before her at her engagement party, she struggles to say a word to him.
HAILEY: C-colin!

Colin also stands, seemingly stunned, before her, unsure what to say back, or even if to smile.

COLIN: Hailey...congratulations.

Colin gives a faint smile as Hailey steps hesitantly toward him before Brad steps in, a glimmer of mistrust and insecurity in him. Brad quickly puts his arm around Hailey's waist and motions to Colin, effectively putting up an invisible barrier between Colin and Hailey.

BRAD: Colin surprised us all today.
HAILEY: You didn't know he was coming?
BRAD: No, he actually just showed up as we were leaving tonight.

Brad looks up and smiles at Colin.

BRAD: I'm really glad you could be here to help us celebrate our engagement, man. It means a lot.

Colin nods and gives an awkward, half-hearted smile.

COLIN: It's...it's good to be here. I wouldn't have missed it for anything.
BRAD: Thanks, man. You know it really means a lot to both of us that you're here.

Brad squeezes Hailey as he speaks, and Hailey tenses a bit before catching herself and forcing a smile.

COLIN: I'm just glad I could...you know...reconnect with my family, and...old friend like Hailey. You know? I know you two are gonna be happy together.
BRAD: Yeah, this one here...she's special. Can't let her get away, you know?

Brad presses into Hailey and surprises her with an intense kiss, eliciting cat calls from the party behind them. Colin winces slightly at this obvious display, but stops himself and feigns a smile.

Eva and Anna are sitting nearby, smiling at the "happy couple", as Lucas rejoins them. Trey, meanwhile is fixated on his phone, and Eva smacks him gently for it.

EVA: Would you put that thing away. God, you're as bad as your little brother.
TREY: Hey, if this was Allen, he wouldn't have taken the half a second to look at you just now.
EVA: *rolls eyes* True enough.
LUCAS: *laughing* Still having trouble with Allen?
EVA: Ugh, you know how teenagers are. I love the little guy but...you know, sometimes I just feel like he's never going to accept me as a parent. Or even, just his dad's wife.
ANNA: Well, honey, I mean...he's at least come to like you. I mean, he at least listens to you, no?
EVA: Honestly? He listens to Trey more than he listens to me. And even THAT took years to build.
TREY: It wasn't easy, but, I finally got through to him. At least a little bit.
EVA: I mean, he wasn't as bad as a kid but...he's such an angry kid. You'd think his feelings would mellow over time.
ANNA: Sometimes they don't.
EVA: Yeah, but...ten years? Come on, Anna.
LUCAS: Well, I mean...I didn't realize this was still a problem. I mean...has he ever seen a therapist? Maybe that could help. I mean, you can certainly afford it now, with how well Nathan's done with the IntuiBrake project.
EVA: Yeah, but...I don't know that I want to force him into something like that, you know? I feel guilty, like, like it's something I've done to him, and I don't wanna make it worse.

Trey leans over and hugs his mom. Anna smiles and holds her sister's hand. Eva seems to snap out of it for a second and looks over at her phone.

EVA: And still no word from my dear ol' husband.
ANNA: Yeah, he really is taking a long time to get here.
EVA: I know, I don't know what's taking so long. It better be damned important.


* * *

Atlantic HQ

Nathan Williams sits at his desk at Atlantic Motor Co.'s head office. Along the wall of his office are plaques commemorating his acheivements, in particular for his work on the IntuiBrake system that has won Atlantic many awards in the past year, and helped Nathan's family earn a more than reasonable living.

Tonight, Nathan sits fixed to his desk, going over files of research and testing he's done. On his computer screen is a news report from a small town news site in West Virginia, where a recent model Atlantic was involved in an accident, crashing into a parked car. Nathan appears troubled by the report.

He flips to another tab in his web browser which notes a similar scene involving Windsor vehicle (from Atlantic's more upscale division) causing a pile-up on a local expressway in Northern Ontario, Canada. As he furrows his brow, making notes about the reports and printing out the reports, he hears a notification of a text on his phone.

Checking it, it's from Trey, asking where he is. Nathan hastily types out "@ work tell eva ill b there by 11", before setting his phone down and heading for the printer room.

The door to the printer room swings open as Nathan pulls out the reports. In walks Gina Paxton, Jackson's secretary.

GINA: Nathan! You're here awfully late.
NATHAN: I could say the same for you.

Gina stands by Nathan, looking into her phone and texting as she talks.

GINA: Well, you know me. I'm always willing to lend a hand to the boss.
NATHAN: I'm sure Jackson appreciates it.
GINA: Well, he sure doesn't act like it.

Going into camera mode, Gina checks her hair through her phone, before locking her shiny white iPhone and stowing it away in her Coach clutch.

GINA: Besides, I'm basically done. Just gotta get changed and it's off to Hailey's engagement party.
NATHAN: Yeah, I'm not sure when I'm gonna be there.
GINA: Aww, that sucks.
NATHAN: Did you need a ride over when you go?
GINA: No, I have a date tonight. But thanks!
NATHAN: Oh? Who's the lucky guy.
GINA: Oh just some random. Nothing big. I'm only going to make someone jealous.

Gina giggles and goes to head out.

NATHAN: That someone isn't Brad, is it?
GINA: Oh come on, Nathan. You're gonna have to try harder than that. Have a good night!

Gina sashays from the room. The sound of her heels click as she walks down the hall. Nathan shakes his head and laughs to himself.

NATHAN: That girl is nothing but trouble, man.

Nathan steps back to his office and grabs his coat. He files the reports away in his briefcase and steps out of the office.


* * *

Back at the party, Marian stands out on the terrace, looking out at the lake. Lucas steps out to catch some fresh air for a moment and stops in the doorway upon seeing Marian.

LUCAS: Marian.

Marian, deep in thought, barely notices Lucas calling to her, but still responds.

MARIAN: Yes?
LUCAS: How are you?

Marian, finally clueing in to who's talking to her and turns around quickly. If she could back up she would, but is pressed against the railing.

MARIAN: Lucas! What are you doing out here?

Lucas slowly walks over to her, relaxed, hands in pockets. Marian's discomfort mounts as he approaches.

LUCAS: Same thing as you. Just came out to get some fresh air, clear my head.
MARIAN: Right, well...I came out here to be alone, you know.
LUCAS: Oh I'm sure. Lot going on tonight.
MARIAN: That's for sure.
LUCAS: I see Colin's home.
MARIAN: Yes, he just came home tonight. First time I'd seen him in...oh...God...quite awhile now.
LUCAS: He looks a lot like you, you know. Lucas is now fairly close to Marian, and at Lucas' last words she draws herself up and motions at Lucas to stop.
MARIAN: Lucas, please.
LUCAS: Whose idea was it for him to come home?
MARIAN: Well, I had called him but I didn't expect him to actually come--
LUCAS: Oh you didn't, hm? Look, I'm not exactly thrilled about this engagement either, but it's what Hailey wants. And I'm willing to set aside my feelings about Brad and your rat of a husband--
MARIAN: Lucas...

Lucas stops himself, relaxing again as he continues.

LUCAS: Sorry. Look I'm willing to play nice for her sake. But if your son, either of your sons, hurts my daughter again, don't expect me to sit in silence, okay?
MARIAN: That won't be a problem.
LUCAS: I hope not. And you can tell Jackson that too.
JACKSON: What exactly did you want to tell me, Carter?

Jackson appears, arms folded with a concerned look on his face, leaning against the doorway to the terrace. His response startles Lucas who turns around quickly to face him.


Back inside, the party is in full swing, with friends and family chatting over champagne and h'ors d'oeuvres. Hailey is chatting with Trey when Gina walks in with her date, a very pretty 20-something man in a suit. Hailey immediately turns and runs toward her best friend. The girls scream as they hug, surprising many at the party.

HAILEY: Oh my GOD, I'm so happy you're here!
GINA: Are you kidding? I would not miss this. You're like, my best friend in the entire world.
HAILEY: OMG, I'm so happy you finally made it, and with such a sexy guy with you. I'm Hailey, and you are...?

Hailey holds out her hand for the young man, who kisses her hand and winks. Hailey raises an eyebrow and gives Gina a look.

HAILEY: Charming.

Hailey giggles and Gina joins her. Gina's date takes it in stride, and laughs along with them.

PAUL: I'm Paul. I work at head office with Gina.
HAILEY: Ohhh! Well, nice to meet you.
GINA: And Hailey is the lucky girl who's going to marry Brad.

Paul suddenly clues in and drops Hailey's hand at the realization. Brad walks over to them at that moment as well.

PAUL: OH!
BRAD: Paul, good to see you, man.

Paul gives a nervous handshake to Brad.

PAUL: Brad.
GINA: Yyyyep. So you're stuck with me for the rest of the night.
PAUL: Hey come on! I'm just being friendly.
GINA: Yeah yeah.
HAILEY: Come on in, guys. I'll get you a seat.

Hailey and Brad lead them into the dining hall, but as Hailey looks over toward the table, Colin, mid-conversation with Hailey's sister Stephanie, once again catches her eye. Steph notices this immediately and excuses herself from her chat with Colin. She takes her sister by the arm and hastily leads her to the ladies room.

Once inside, Steph grabs Hailey by the shoulders and looks her straight in the eyes.

STEPH: What in the Hell are you doing? Could you be any more transparent?
HAILEY: What the Hell are you talking about what the Hell am I--
STEPH: Colin, Hailey, Colin! I'm talking about this longing gaze you're getting in your eyes whenever you're within 100ft of him. What are you doing, Hailey?!

Hailey is stunned and struggles to give an answer.