Alexis and Stefan are talking in the GH Library.

" So, how did you meeting go with Barbara's attorney?"

" It didn't. The woman is out for blood. And she knows that we don't have a leg to stand on."

" What about the drugging? What about Barbara's past?"

" Completely useless. I think that you should think of settling with Bobbie, Stefan."

" Oh, really? I don't think so, Alexis."

" Stefan, this is not a case that we can come close to winning. And the publicity for the family...."

" The publicity will die down eventually, Alexis. No, we are going to fight this tooth and nail."

" How are things with Katherine?"

" How do you think things are with Katherine? She is still around. Still asking questions. I don't know what I would have done without you Alexis. "

There is a knock on the door. A deliveryman enters.

" Mr. Stefan Cassadine?"

" Yes, that would be me."

" I have a delivery for you, sir."

Stefan takes the box. He opens it. There is a box of baklava and some flowers.

" It's from Barbara. She says, 'Do you miss me? I thought, brighten the Sex Kitten's day. You two can relive the moment you shot her over Baklava and forget-me-nots. Having a great time. Don't wish you were here. Smooches, Barbara.' You've got to find her, Alexis."

" I will Stefan. Our people are looking for her as we speak. I'm always here for you, Stefan. Surely you know that."

" And that is one of the cornerstones of my life. Well, I have a meeting that I must attend. Goodbye, Alexis."

" Stefan."

Stefan leaves. Alexis makes a phone call.

" Leo, did you locate our missing person? Come on, Leo. This has to be done. I need this person in Port Charles immediately.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Nikolas is cleaning up the Pediatrics Playroom when Emily comes in.

" Hi, Nikolas."

" Emily, hi. I wanted to thank you again for the great time that I had at the BBQ. That water park was terrific fun."

" I'm glad you came. Are you in the mood for more fun?"

" Always. What do you have in mind?"

" I just got permission to go visit Lois, that Ned's wife, in Bensonhurst."

" Bensonhurst?"

" Brooklyn, U.S.A. I told Lois that I would be visiting, and she suggested that we go to Coney Island."

" What's that?"

" It's an amusement park. She said that I could bring a friend. Do you want to come?"

" Yes, sure. Let me go check with my Uncle."

" I'll be waiting here."

Nikolas leaves and Lucky comes in.

" Hi, Emily."

" Lucky, how are you?"

" Fine. What are you up to?"

" I am about to go visit Lois."

" In Brooklyn?"

" Yep. Grandfather arranged it so that I could take the ELQ Helicopter. I am just waiting here."

" For what?"

" To see if Nikolas can go."

" You invited Nikolas?"

" Yes. Just because you can't stand him, doesn't mean that I have to hate him, too, Lucky. These feelings that the two of you have towards one another are just ridiculous."

" Oh, Em, not you too. You're not part of the Kumbaya chorus too."

" Don't mock me Lucky. You're too great a guy for this crap."

" Look, you have no idea what kind of guy Cassadine is. He is no good. He's..."

Nikolas comes in.

" Emily. My Uncle said everything was fine. Are you ready to go?"

" I sure am. Bye Lucky."

" Be careful, Em."

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Dara was preparing for her evening set at The Outback when Jax walked in. She finished the song and took a break.

" Jax, what are you doing here?"

" I'm here to lend my Friday Buddy some moral support. Although, I don't know if we're buddies anymore, considering that she hasn't returned any of my messages lately."

" I'm sorry, Jax. I've been busy."

" So busy that you couldn't even email?"

" No. Not that busy. I ..."

" Dara, what is it?"

" I found out some things about you that.."

" You found out about Miranda."

" Yes...so, is it true?"

" You mean, did I, when younger, attempt to complete a business deal with violence and wound up almost killing my wife? Yes. She spent years learning how to do everything again. She lost time that she could never get back. For years I had the blood of her death on my hands. I couldn't sleep for months after the mine incident. All I could hear was her screaming, or what I thought would have been her screams. I would see her, walking in the mine, calling out my name..."Jax...Jax...Jax.." and then the explosion would take place, and a look of horror would cross her face before she died. When she came to Port Charles, I spent the first few months completely harangued with guilt and confusion about it. I was confused about my feelings. And I think that I led Miranda on. She tried to tell me about Brenda and Sonny. And instead of listening to her, I shot the messenger and ran her out of town. This is most definitely the darkest part of my personal life. My actions as they pertain to Miranda have been despicable, ruthless, and callous. Instead of facing up to what I had done, as a man, I took the coward's way out and blamed the victim. I admit that I'm ruthless and cold-blooded in my business dealings Dara. I want to win at all costs. But, I crossed it over into my personal life with Miranda. What I did to her, well, I guess it puts a bit of tarnish on the Jasper Jacks glow. 'Golden Boy Kills Wife....film at 11'. "

" Jax...."

" No, Dara. I think sooner or later one believes the press clippings that you pay PR Shills enormous amounts of money to do. And I got so wrapped up in Jasper Jacks, Golden Boy Billionaire, who flies with the world with ease and flair, that it was easy to...."

" To what..."

" To dismiss what happened to Miranda. Make it her fault. I think in the more twisted parts of my soul, it was easier that way. That's why I threw myself into this image. Cause if I created more and more stories for the tabloids, then the further I'd get from that day in Australia. I don't know why I am unburdening all this on you."

" Lawyers are a lot like bartenders and priests. We hear a lot of confessions."

" I guess I'm telling you this because I kept it from Brender, and I didn't want to mess up anymore relationships with secrets...NOT that we have a RELATIONSHIP....I just enjoy your company, Dara. I let Brender become my whole life, and I have practically no friends in Port Charles. I've known you just for a short time, but..."

" I know. Some friends take ages to make. And it seems like we've known each other for ages."

" Exactly. So, are we still friends?"

" Of course, Jax. You made a mistake. One that I still think you're paying for to this day. If you didn't get second chances in life, where would any of us be?"

" Without friends. I guess I should go....but I'll be back later. And sitting down front. Bye, Dara."

" Bye, Jax."

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Dara is in her dressing room, when there is a knock on the door.  It was Tony, the head waiter.

" Dara, these are for you." He was holding a huge bouquet of Red Roses.

" Where did you get these from?"

" The guy sitting down front. Said that he didn't want to disturb you, but thought that you would like them. He's a friend of Mac's, I think. Well, gotta go. Crowd's getting restless. Knock 'em dead.....as usual."

After he leaves, Dara opens the Card.
' Dara,
     Thank you so much for listening and understanding today. I said things today that have been on my mind, but I had no one to listen to them.
     Break a leg.
Your Friday Club Buddy'

She was still reading the card when there was a knock on the door. It was Justus.

" Hey, baby. Just thought I'd stop by and give you this, and these."

Justus gave her some lily's and a box.

" What is this?"

" Open it."

Dara opened it. It was an antique jewelry box.

" Justus..."

" Granny Mae told me the stories of when she was singing in those clubs during the War. How, they would go from place to place. And that the variety, although exciting, was also taxing. That she used to take a few of her favorite things along with her. And this was the box that she held her jewelry in."

" This is Mary Mae's?"

" Yep. It was being fixed at the shop when Granny Mae died. So, it escaped the fire."

" Justus, I can't accept this."

" Of course you can. It was mine to give and I wanted to give it to you. Who are the flowers from?"

" From Mac. Congratulating me on selling the place out."

" Well, don't want to hold you up. I'll see you after the set."

Justus gives her a strong kiss and leaves. Dara doesn't know why she lied about the flowers. "Just trying to keep the peace."
 

The Outback is packed. Everyone in town is there. It's a standing room audience only. Justus is sitting with the Quartermaines and Keesha. Ned and Alexis are together. Nikolas, and Emily, who returned, just in the nick of time, are ensconced with the Q's, also. Sonny and Brenda are sharing a table for two. And right down front and center is Jax, at a table, alone, but in complete view of Sonny and Brenda.

Dara comes out and has a wonderful concert. For her finale, she sings,

"Where Do You Start?"...and the entire time, Jax is looking at Brenda with Sonny, while Dara's voice rings in his head.
 
 

where do you start?

how do you separate the present from the past?
how do you deal with all the things you thought would last?

that didn't last...

with bits of memories scattered here and there...
i look around and don't know where to start.....

which books are yours?
which tapes and dreams belong to you and which are mine?

our lives are tangled like the branches of a vine...that entertwine...

so many habits that we'll have to break, and yesterdays  we'll have to take apart....

one day they'll be a song...or something in the air again...

to catch me by surprise...and you'll be there again...

a moment in... what might have been...

where do you start?

do you allow yourself a little time to cry?

or do you close your eyes and kiss it all goodbye?

i guess you try....

and though i dont know where and dont know when...

i'll find myself in love again....

i promise there will always be....

a little place no one will see....

a tiny part...deep in my heart....that stays in love with you....
 

Dara is in her dressing room, when she hears a knock.

" Come in."

" Hello, Dara."

" Jax, hi. Did you enjoy the concert?"

" A great deal. That song you did for your finale..."

" Yes?"

" I don't mean to sound arrogant, but was it for me? Wait, don't answer that. How more egocentric COULD I sound? I'm sorry..."

" Don't be. I DID sing that for you. After our talk the other day, I guess I was just trying to tell you....."

" Baby, you ready to go?"Justus had entered the dressing room. "Hello, Jax. What are you doing here?"

" I just wanted to congratulate Dara on an excellent concert. Well, I must be going."

" Yes, you must."

" Dara, once again, excellent show. Goodnight, Justus."

" Jax."

Jax leaves and Justus starts in, " Now, what was he really doing here?"

" He really was just congratulating me. Well, enough about Jax. Did YOU like the concert?" Dara says as she wraps her arms around Justus' neck.

(kisses her) "OF course. And if you hurry up, I'll give you my own personal review, blow by blow."

" OK, give me a few minutes, and I'll be ready."

Justus and Dara get back to her apartment, which Justus, through his secretary's excellent work, has a late supper ready for the the two of them. As soon as they are seated, the waiters serve them, and leave. Dara is amazed at what Justus has done to her apartment. There are all sorts of flowers all around the apartment, lit candles, and the music is her favorite album of old Nat King Cole songs.

" HOW did you do all of this?"

" Now, if I tell you all my secrets, Ms. Jensen, I would deprive myself of the look on your face when you walked in the door."

" My apartment has NEVER looked this good."

" Well, then it's about time that it caught up with its owner. So, are you hungry."

" Uh-huh. But not for food." Dara comes over to Justus and begins to unbutton his blouse.

" Dara, are you sure you're not hungry?"

" Look, buster, I know what I want, and it isn't shrimp gumbo."

" Yes, Ma'am. Whatever you want." The two of them eventually make it to the bedroom. The path to the bedroom is littered with their clothing. They proceed to play a bit before slowly making love.  As Justus falls asleep, Dara looks at him, while runnning her hand up and down his chest. He seems so troubled, Dara thinks. He doesn't seem to able to talk, just talk to me. Dara knows that things are very testy for him with the Quartermaines. Sometimes, when they're at lunch, or dinner somewhere, and he gets a call from ELQ, Dara doesn't even recognize the man. It's like he's a completely different person. The only time that they seem to be in sync is in bed. She just wishes that he would tell her. She's tried to probe, but he becomes dark and curt, so she retreats from it. And then, there are times, like tonight, when he does something so wonderful and romantic..... " I'm just confused.", Dara says to herself. She finds that she is indeed hungry, and gets up and goes to the dining room. She looks at the spread: completely Cajun, one of her favorite cuisines. Leah's of New Orleans, of course: salad, shrimp gumbo, cajun chicken breast, wild rice. She is heating the gumbo in the microwave when the phone rings.

" Hello?"

" Dara?"

" Jax? What are you doing calling me? Is something wrong?"

" No. I just was sitting here, looking at some faxes from Tokyo, bored out of my mind. And my thoughts drifted back to your singing tonight. You're really good, you know."

" Why, thank you, Mr. Jacks."

" I turned on the TV. Have you ever watched a program called Dark Shadows?"

" DID I? I was the hugest DS fan when I was a kid. It is DA BOMB of TV shows. So completely ahead of it's time. Where is it?"

" The Sci-Fi Channel. Think you could explain it to me?"

" Sure. Let me get my bowl here, and I'll go to the TV." Dara gets her gumbo and drink, and enters the spare bedroom that she uses as a den. She flips on the TV and sure enough, there are Angelique and Hoffman conspiring together. " OK, Jax?"

" I'm here."

" Well, the entire thing about Dark Shadows is that it exists in a duality...there is real life Dark Shadows and then parallel time. The people on the screen are......."

Dara and Jax spend the hour talking about Dark Shadows and laughing.