Abby sighs as she looks in the mirror at herself in her maid of honor dress.

Suz:  "That sounds serious."

Abby:  "I was just wondering what my wedding will look like?"

Suz:  "I thought you had it all planned out. This huge ceremony with white lilies every where. And bubbles floating down from the sky to make every one feel like they were on a cloud."  Abby pulls the dress a little tighter around her waist.

Abby:  "Yeah but the more I think about it. It sounds more like a fish tank then a cloud. Besides how old was I then 11? And Joey doesn't exactly look like an angel that could float on a cloud."

Suz:  "So you are going to go with a red color scheme?  Give away little horns as favors?"

Abby:  "Ha ha very funny. Why are we talking about this anyway Joey hasn't even proposed."

Suz:  "Oh it's just a matter of time. You two have been dating for years."

Abby:  "Yeah. This is still not tight enough."  She takes it off and starts putting her shorts back on. "I've had enough of this for today."

Suz:  "Where are you going?"

Abby:  "I don't know for a walk maybe."

Suz:  "A walk?"  She sticks her head out from under the veil.

Abby:  "Yes I know it's out of the ordinary for me but I need some fresh air."

Suz:  "Okay I know I've been a little busy with this whole wedding thing but I can still take time to talk."  Abby looks at the sales lady. "Could you excuse us for a minute?" She nods and leaves. "What's wrong?"  Suzanna steps off the stool she was standing on and kneels by her sister.

Abby:  "Joey's acting weird."

Suz:  "What do you mean?"  She had been noticing a change in Abby.  One she doesn't like, and had her own opinion about what is going on.

Abby:  "well ever since we've become intimate he has changed.  It's like I'm dating two different people.  One minute he's my Joey.  This guy that I have waited what feels like my whole life for.  I love him so much.  Then he'll turn on me like that and he's mean and some one I don't want to be around at all.  Besides he's sucking up to papa so much it's pathetic."

Suz:  "maybe he's just trying to prove to papa that he is worthy of you."

Abby:  "I don't know, some times I feel like the only reason he is with me is because of who I am."

Suz:  "No, I'm sure he loves you.  I bet this time next year we'll be shopping for your dress."

Abby:  "Probably.  I'm going to take off."

Suz:  "Still taking a walk?"

Abby:  "In these shoes, I might be depressed but I'm not stupid.  I'm going shopping."

Suz:  "Do you want company?"

Abby:  "I've always got company."  She's referring to the bodyguard that Giovanni insist she take everywhere with her.  Suzanna's kidnapping still has everyone on high alert.  Abby walks out and taps Simon on the shoulder. "Come we're going?"

"Where I are we going?" Simon says in the thick Scottish accent he has.

Abby:  "Shopping."

Simon:  "Of course why would we go any where else?"

Giovanni handpicked Simon for his youngest daughter.  He's younger then most of the guards that the family has. His young age made him the perfect choice for Abigail; he blends in to the background really well and also can be a bit of a smart-ass, which is probably why the two of them get along.

Abby:  "Come on if you're good I'll get you an Orange Julius."

Simon:  "Oh goodie."

The two of them leave and Sphinx shakes his head and continues reading some article in Modern Bride, much to
the amusement of the sales girls.  One in particular seems particularly interested in him, yet she is shy so it's not overly apparent but he picks up on it.  A few minutes later Suzanna emerges from the dressing room.  She touches Sphinx's shoulder.  H looks up at her.

Suz:  "Hold still.  There is something in my shoe?"

He nods.  She holds onto him for balance and removes shoe.  She finds the pesky little pebble and removes it.

Suz:  "Whatcha reading?"

He holds open the book.  The article is entitled, "The Art of War: Dealing with Mother-in-Laws."  Suzanna rolls her eyes and smiles.  He looks at her with a like, well?, look on his face.

Suz:  "Oh!  The gown is perfect."

He nods and stands up, placing the magazine on the table.  Actually the owner of the shop Carole is the one assisting Suzanna, she wouldn't dare trust it to anyone else.

Carole:  "Ok, my dear.  I think you are all set."

Suz smiles, "thanks so much for all your help."  Carole hugs her, something Suzanna is not overly thrilled about but she doesn't say anything.  Look over Carole's shoulder and she notices the one girl she knows as "Sami" bashfully looking at Sphinx.  She finds that absolutely adorable.

Carole:  "Ok, now don't you worry your pretty little head, the dresses will be ready on time, no problems."

Suz:  "Thanks"

They leave, Sphinx holds the door for Suzanna.  She smiles at Sami, who smiles back.  Sphinx starts to walk towards the car.

Suz:  "Can we do lunch?"

He checks out the street and nods.

Suz:  "Jolie's is up at the corner."

He nods, it is this little cafe owned by Suzanna's best friend's family. 

Suz:  "Shoot, I forgot something, hang on."  She walks back in the bridal boutique.  Everyone had disappeared but Sami.  She looks up as the bells chime signaling that someone had walked in the store.

Sami:  "Yes Ms. Mazzagotti was there something else you needed help with?"

Suz:  "No I just have a quick question."

Sami:  "Well Carole just stepped in the back I can go get her for you?"

Suz:  "No that's okay actually I wanted to speak with you."  The girl gets a puzzled expression on her face.  "When do you take lunch?"

Sami is little shocked by the sudden invitation.  "Um, in about ten minutes."

Suz:  "Perfect, come to Jolie's tell them you have a lunch date with Anna, then you can have lunch with me."

Sami:  "Okay."

Suzanna smiles and walks out of the boutique to find Sphinx waiting.  He looks disapprovingly at Suzanna.  "Please, she wants you bad.  You think she's cute, you need a woman in your life."  He gestures towards her.  "Besides me Frankie."  She seldom calls him by his first name.  "I know what you're thinking so don't even start.  She is not too young for you, she is what, 22, 23.  You're like all but 30."  He puts his hands on his hips.  "That is not too much difference.  I think you two would be good together, you are both very silent."  She laughs as he pretends to be hurt by her remark, but then smiles as they enter the café.

Gorgio, one of Angelina's other brothers sees them.  He smiles.  "PAPA!!!"

Guido comes out to see what the ruckus is he smiles when he sees Suzanna.  "Ahh, there's my girl.  Suzanna, you should have told me you were coming.  I would have had your favorite all ready."

She smiles as he hugs her and kisses her cheek.  "Ah, Signore Mancuso you always do a wonderful job."

Guido:  "Come you have the best seat in the house."

Suz:  "for three."

Guido:  "Ah, young Bianchetti is joining you."

Suz:  "No, I am meeting a friend of mine, Sami for lunch."

Guido:  "As soon as she gets here I'll show her in."

Suz:  "Grazie"

Guido:  "Whatever you want is on the house."

She goes to protest, but he won't hear of it.  Finally she gives up and asks about her friend.  "How is Lina?"

He smiles, "we have received the most wonderful news.  She and Roberto are going to be wed."

Suz:  "Oh bravo!" 

Guido:  "Yes we are all very happy.  Well I'm going to go make your salads."  He hurries away back to the kitchen to check on the cook and to bring some wine out.

About twenty minutes later Sami arrives, she still looks almost in shell shock that she is there.  Sphinx stands up as she enters the room and pulls her chair out for her.  Suzanna is trying real hard not to show how giddy she is. 

Suz:  "Please sit down.  Would you like some wine?"

Sami:  "No thank you I have to go back to work."

Suz:  "Oh of course."  She sees Sami looking at Sphinx out of the corner of her eye.  "His name is Franco or Frankie for short."

Sami smiles, "hi."

He nods at her giving her a small smile.

Sami:  "He heard me."

Suz:  "Yes"

Sami:  "But I saw him use sign language at the shop."

Suz:  "Oh, he can't talk."

Sami:  "My little brother is hearing impaired.  So know a little about signing."

Suz:  "Really that's great."  Sphinx shifts in his chair remind her that he is still there.  "Please excuse me for a moment.  I'll be right back."

Sphinx rises and Suz gives him a look, to knock it off.  She pretends to go to the bathroom but watches them.  At first Sami doesn't know how to approach the situation.  Sphinx motions for her just to talk.  She smiles and talks he nods and stuff and she must have asked him a question because he signs something back.  Suzanna can't see from this far but it must have been funny because Sami laughed. 

*********************************************************************

Abby and Simon headed to the Fashion Show Mall.  He drives and she sits in the back for security reasons.  He valets and they walk inside.

Abby:  "Is there anything you need to look for?"

Simon:  "No."  His eyes are scanning the crowd.  "I really hate malls."

Abby:  "Why they are great everything you could possible need is all here under one roof."

Simon:  "Yeah but they are really not safe."

Abby:  "Simon nothing's safe anymore. Come on I need to find something for Tino."  After Suzanna's kidnapping Justino decided to clean his act up.  He was still in a rehab program in California.  The whole family was being very supportive.  Abby liked to send him stupid little gifts every now and then to cheer him up.  They walked down towards Sharper Image.  She finds a pocket instant messenger and is playing with it when a message comes up.


Hello.

She looks around.

What are you doing here?

She looks at the back of the thing.

Just type what you want to say.

Where are you?

Close. Do you think it's safe for you out here?

She drops the pager "Simon!" He is at her side before she could finish.

Simon:  "What's wrong?"

Abby:  "Some one was talking to me on that thing and it asked if I thought I was safe here."

Simon:  "Come on we're going."

Abby regaining her confidenc, "No I'm not running every time some jerk is messing with me."

Simon:  "Too bad we're out of here." He takes her by the arm starts towards the valet.  Abby looks up and sees Brian.

Abby:  "Hey wait there's Brian let me say hi quick."  He looks over and sees him coming their way.

Simon:  "Really quick."  She smiles.

Abby:  "Thanks."  Brian makes it over.

Brian:  "I thought that was you." He kisses her cheek.

Abby:  "How was Paris?"

Brian:  "Awful it rained the whole time. But I did get to Notre Dame."

Abby:  "Good."

Simon:  "You said hi, let's go."  Brian looks at him.

Abby rolls her eyes.  "Brian this is Simon. Simon this is Michael Bianchetti."

Simon:  "Nice to meet you.  Can we go now?"

Brian:  "New boyfriend." He ignores Simon.

Abby:  "Not exactly. He's my shadow."

Brian:  "I'm surprised Joey lets some one else get that close to you."

Abby felt something pass in the air between them and then Simon has her pinned to the ground.  "Stay down."  Brian and a few of his men are behind a planter.  Simon is crouched over Abby with his gun drawn scanning the fleeing crowd for the shooter.  He sees him on the upper level and takes his shot.  The man goes down and Brian's men run upstairs.  Brian comes over with his gun still out.

Brian:  "you okay?"

Abby:  "What?"

Brian:  "Have you been shot?"  He pulls her to her feet looking over her body.

Abby:  "No."

Simon:  "Now can we go?"

Brian:  "Yeah get her out of here."  Simon grabs Abby's arm and pulls her through the fleeing crowd.  He and Brian still have their guns out so everyone gets out of the way.  After putting her in the back he locks the car, he turns to Brian.  They can here the sirens coming. "Get out of here I'll handle the cops."  Simon gets in the car. He starts it up and pulls away.

Abby:  "Go ahead yell at me."

Simon:  "Did your father not tell you to do everything I said."

Abby:  "yes."

Simon:  "And did I not say that we had to leave."

Abby:  "yes."

Simon: "And did you listen?"

Abby:  "No."

Simon:  "Are you going to from now on?"

Abby:  "Yes Simon."

Simon:  "I'll be surprised if your father doesn't have me fired after this."

Abby:  "I'll take full responsibility Simon.

Simon:  "Don't you get it you are my responsibility. I should have hauled your ass out of there when I wanted to.  Just sit and be quiet."

Abby:  "Okay."  She sits in silence.  It's not a usual thing but she knew she was wrong and that it's her fault that Simon is now in trouble.  They pulled up and he helped her out of the car.

Simon:  "I have to report to your father."

Abby:  "I'll be in my room."

He goes in the den where Giovanni is watching a movie with Dona.  "Don Mazzagotti may I speak with you?" He groans and gets up and motions for Simon to follow to his office.

Giovanni:  "What hasshe done now?"

Simon:  "There was an incident at the mall with Michael Bianchetti."

Giovanni:  "what kind of incident?"

Simon:  "Abby wanted to go shopping for something for Justino.  Something felt wrong the minute we walked in but I let her shop anyway.  Then she was looking at this pager thing when a message came up threatening her.  We started to leave but then she saw Bianchetti and wanted to say hello.  I let her and as they  were talking some one took a shot."

Giovanni:  "She was shot at!"  He goes to get up.

Simon:  "She is fine.  She is in her room.  I don't know if she was the target or if Bianchetti was."

Giovanni:  "Was he hit?"

Simon:  "No. I took out the gunman and then got Abigail out of there.  He stayed to speak to the police."

Giovanni:  "They will be here soon.  I need to call Vito."

Simon:  "I want to say quick how sorry I am.  I should have made her leave."

Giovanni:  "I'm sure it's a mistake you won't make again."  He glances over at Simon sternly.  "Go bring my
daughter down."  He leaves and knocks on Abby's door.  She was sitting in the middle of her bed looking like she was six.

Simon:  "Don Mazzagotti wishes you to join him in his office."

Giovanni was on the phone with Don Bianchetti.  She waited patiently for him to finish.  He hung and gave her a long hard look.  "Abigail I am very disappointed in you."

Abby:  "I know papa.  I was wrong to disobey Simon I won't do it again.  But it's my fault please don't be mad at him.  I just hadn't seen Brian since he got back"

Giovanni:  "Do you know where Brian is headed now?"

Abby:  "No."

Giovanni:  "They have arrested him. And it safe to assume that the police are on their way here."

Abby:  "How could they have arrested him!  We had a man shooting at us!"

Giovanni:  "Because there were laws broken Abigail.  Don't worry he'll be out before you know it.  But from now on if Simon says it's time to go it's time to go no if ands or butts about it."

Abby:  "Yes papa."

Giovanni:  "You are excused until the police get here."  She leaves.

Simon:  "Do they have to question her?"

Giovanni:  "I'm afraid so.  In the old days I'd say no but the two of you fled the scene it doesn't look good."

Simon:  "I was only thinking about her safety."

Giovanni: "I know you did the right thing."

Simon:  "Have the identified the shooter?"

Giovanni:  "It was Rick Harbor.  One of Bianchetti's own men.  We don't know if the target was Abby or Brian."  He slams his fist on the desk.  "This has got to stop he need to find out who is behind these assaults on our family."

Simon:  "I think we both know who it is Don."

Giovanni:  "But we have no proof.  I can't go before the Council with what we have saying that Corinthos is trying to take over Vegas.  They have a plant some where and some where close.  Send Jon Carlo in as soon as he arrives." Simon leaves and waits on the steps for the cops. 


Meanwhile Howie was at the jail before Brian.  They brought him in and Howie immediately insisted that the cuffs be taken off.

Howie:  "Gentlemen, has my client in away resisted arrest?"

Cop:  "No.  He hasn't."

Howie:  "Then can we have to cuffs removed please."  Lt. Morton comes in to the room then.

Morton:  "Sorry Mr. D'Angelino but we have a man dead and your client was at the scene with his gun drawn."

Howie:  "Lt. Morton you know as well as I do that Mr. Bianchetti did not kill that man.  He stayed and waited for the authorities."

Morton:  "Yes to cover up for someone else.  As soon as he tells who the young woman he is was protecting at the mall I will be happy to let him go."

Brian:  "I don't know what he's talking about?" 

Morton:  "You see Mr. Bianchetti, that is a running problem with the two of us we just can't communicate."

Brian smiles getting ready to say something but Howie interrupts, "Lt., I remind you to please direct all question to me instead of trying to make my client betray his rights.  Speaking of which, did these guys remember to read you your rights this time."

Brian:  "Yeah they did."

Cop:  "Lt. Morton."  He waves him over.

Morton:  "Don't think about going anywhere."

Brian:  "Don't be long I've got stuff to do today."  Morton just looks at him over his shoulder.

Howie:  "Could you not pick a fight with him today?"

Brian:  "Did Abigail get home okay?"

Howie:  "Yeah she's fine.  Who was it?"

Brian:  "Fucking Rick.  I just played cards with that guy two days ago."

Howie:  "Any idea why?"

Brian:  "Besides the obvious, no."  Morton comes back and undoes Brian's handcuffs

Morton:  "Well you are free to go after you fill out a statement."  Brian and Howie glance at each other.

Howie:  "No this is too easy, what's the catch?"

Morton:  "No catch.  We've already received the information we wanted from Mr. Bianchetti from someone else."  Brian's eyes narrow a little.  "Yes I think I personally will have to go question Ms. Abigail Mazzagotti."

Brian:  "She had nothing to do with this."  He points a finger at Morton.  "You leave her alone, or so help me"

Morton:  "Are you treating me Mr. Bianchetti?"

Howie:  "No he's not treating you at all."

Brian completely ignoring Howie, "Why don't you try me?"

Morton:  "Officer.  Will you please book Mr. Bianchetti for treating a police officer."  He hands the very cuffs he had just taken off of Brian to another officer and once again they are placed on Brian.  "Oh and please remember to read him his rights."


The cops arrived at the Mazzagotti's and Simon and Abigail cooperated fully.  They told them their version of what happened.  Simon showed them his gun permit.  They still took him in because he did kill a man.  While he was gone Joey took over being Abby's shadow, he was actually very considerate to her.  The charges against Brian were dropped.  His mug shot with him sticking his tongue out was featured on the local news cast.  Suzanna and Abby could help but laugh at it. Joey shot Abby a dirty look that she didn't catch.  He stayed the night at the house and snuck in to her room really late after everyone was asleep.

Joey:  "Abigail?"

Abby:  "Joey? Joey what are you doing?"

Joey:  "I've missed you. We haven't had much time together since Simon started following you around. I thought I'd take advantage of the situation." He lies on the bed next to her.

Abby:  "Do you know how dangerous this is?"

Joey:  "You use to think it was exciting. But if you want me to leave I will."  She looks in his eyes and sees her Joey.  The one who use to sent her flowers every day for a month after she told him she loved him.

Abby:  "No stay we just have to be really quiet."

Simon is back the next morning much to Joey's disappointment.  So after lunch Joey went back to his apartment.
Lance was waiting for him.

Joey:  "I don't want to talk to you right now."

Lance: "Hey look man I can understand you're mad." Joey gets up to him and slams him against the wall.

Joey:  "That asshole Rick could have shot Abby."

Lance:  "Rick was a bad choice. I made a mistake."

Joey:  "So did I. I'm out I want nothing to do with this anymore."  He walks in to his apartment.  Lance follows.

Lance:  "oh it's too late for that my friend.  Unless you want to forever be an underling.  Do you want to be taking orders from the Bianchetti's for the rest of your life cause that's what's going to happen."

Joey:  "JC will never let them take over."

Lance:  "Maybe not completely but he will work with them as his father wants.  You will never be able to move up form where you are with them as part of the family.  Even if do marry Abigail." Joey takes a drink from a bottle of scotch.  "I just want to help you."

Joey:  "I know.  I just really don't want to talk about this now okay."

Lance:  "Alright I'll leave just as long as I know you're still in."

Joey:  "Yeah I'm still in."