Chapter 46~~Am I Dreaming?
By Chelle and Tess

AJ entered the hotel suite to find Howie, Tanya, Brian, Sherry and Carmen getting ready to leave. "Hey...where are you all going?" he asked.
"Back to see Chelle and Nick..." Brian said with a smiled.
"Well...she was asleep when I left,' AJ told them.
"Oh man....well I guess that puts a monkey wrench in our plans," Brian said, plopping onto the couch.
"So what are we going to do then?" Tanya asked.
“Well how about a relaxing swim?" Sherry suggested.
"That sounds like fun," Tanya said looking at Howie.
"Can I borrow him for a bit, Tanya? I want to do some shopping. And no one shops like D." AJ said.
Carmen pouted. "Thought I was your best shopping buddy."
"But you are going out right?" AJ questioned her with a pointed look.
"Oh...yeah...that's right." Carmen agreed.
"What's up with you two?" Howie asked looking form AJ back to Carmen.
"Nothing....really....just want to do some male bonding with you D....we both like to shop, ya know. Brian and Nick play B-ball...we shop." AJ said quickly.
"And Kevin...well he's Kevin..." AJ added with a frown.
"Speaking of Kev, where are Kevin and Shawn?" Brian asked. "I am sure they would like to join us for a swim."
"They ran into the Wilsons and Shawn wanted to visit with them for a little while. You know get caught up. I guess they were going to make plans to join them for dinner." AJ said.
"So we are on our own for the rest of the day?" Sherry said.
"Well...now that the fans have kinda left us alone...yeah. The bodyguards are still around, but they won't be much of a bother to us." Brian said.
"Well, I am glad Davy is gone too. He was a huge instigator in the whole fan situation. So what are we going to do?" Tanya asked.
"I am definitely going swimming. No extra fans or bodyguards watching over me....sounds very relaxing." Sherry said.
"Me too...."Brain said, wrapping his arm around her waist.
"I think I will tag a long since AJ is stealing Howie and Carmen is going out," Tanya said.
Howie wrapped his arms around Tanya then said, “we’ll be back in a little while. Then tonight we can have a night out on the town to celebrate Chelle’s health” Tanya smiled as he quickly kissed her before walking towards the door with AJ.
AJ added in, “Hey that sounds like a great plan for all of us. Why don‘t we all go out to dinner later?” Everyone nodded in agreement. Sherry, Brian and Tanya disappeared into their rooms to get ready for their day by the pool and AJ, Howie and Carmen headed out.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~30 minutes later at the pool area~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
After spending the last half hour running from Brian and Sherry, Tanya decided to remain in neutral territory and relax on the lounge chairs. Brian and Sherry somehow found a burst of energy and enjoyed trying to throw each other in the pool. Tanya stared at her friend from a distance. Sherry who was always the quiet one of the group, definitely had come out of her shell on this trip. Perhaps, a lot of good has come from their vacation in spite of the accident. Tanya thought about why she had let the others talk her into this trip. She was in the middle of selling her home. It was too big for just her, and although it held precious memories, it also held painful ones. She had to finally find a way to get over her husband's death. Coming here and meeting Howie was a good start. Finalizing the sell of the house would be the next step. After that, she wasn't sure what would happen. After all, the others were making plans with the guys. Howie still had to deal with the pain of losing Jennifer. She wasn't sure if he was ready to move on any more than what she was. When the trip was over she would be more alone then when she had gotten there. She leaned back, wiping the tears from her eyes. She was not going to cry. She was having a good time and she would not allow her self pity to ruin it. She closed her eyes, feeling sleepy from the warmth of the sun. Tanya jumped, startled out of a light doze. She looked around the pool area and was surprised that Brian and Sherry weren't around. She felt groggy, like she had been asleep for hours, yet a quick glance at her watch showed it was only 3:00 pm. She stood and retrieved her things, ready to call it a day, when she heard her name being called. She turned, glancing around for the person calling her, but she didn't see anyone. Not even a cabana boy. Shrugging, she walked along the pool, skirting chairs. She heard her name again, this time louder. And it was coming from the beach. Frowning, she turned and headed in that direction. She was gonna get the practical jokester. She was in no mood for crazy games.
~~~~~~~
Brian and Sherry had tried their best to prove who was the better swimmer. “Ha! I win again” Brian bragged.
“Yeah whatever, but I still am the parasailing champ around here.. Not to mention the limbo queen” Sherry said with a smirk.
“Hmmm, limbo queen. That’s a good memory. That’ s when we first kissed.” Brian mumbled as he pulled Sherry into a kiss.
Sherry pulled back, “Brian, not in front of Tanya. I don’t want her to feel like a third wheel”.
“Oh, sorry. I forgot” Brian said as he turned back to look at Tanya. “What? Where did she go?”
“What do you mean? Where did who go?” Sherry asked following to where Brian was pointing. She then noticed that Tanya was gone. “well, that’s odd. I guess she went back to the room. I am surprised she didn’t say anything though”
“I guess we didn’t give her much of a chance. I mean we have been goofing around here.” Brian said as he stretched his arms. “I don’t know about you but that last lap kinda tuckered me out.”
Sherry laughed “Well, then perhaps the old man needs to go take a nap before dinner”
"You didn't call me that this morning..." Brian said with a cocky grin.
"And I don't want to call you that later this evening either," Sherry said. "Besides I need to go talk to Tess."
"Tess? What about?" Brian asked. "I know you apologized to her, but I didn't think you were fast friends or anything."
"I made a kind of promise to Chelle....and well, I am trying to keep it." Sherry replied as she wrapped her towel around her body.
Brian and Sherry grabbed their things and headed back to the hotel suite. Brian to take a short nap and Sherry to change before going to see Tess.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~With AJ and Howie~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Howie sighed as AJ dragged him through yet another clothing store. He had yet to buy anything and he was getting annoying. He held up another outfit and Howie shook his head. It wasn't what he thought would be appropriate. "AJ...just exactly what are you looking for?" Howie asked.
AJ grinned, waggled his eyebrows and took off to the other end of the store. Howie sighed and followed him. Some one had to keep the nut in check or the whole island would be in trouble. "AJ....according to what you told me, you are totally in the wrong kind of store." Howie said.
"But...it has to be so ......well...me. Those other stores are not....me." AJ complained.
"AJ...there is not a store on the planet that is ‘Just You’, " Howie said with a chuckle.
AJ looked at him over his sunglasses, frowning. "But it has to be perfect. You know what...forget the clothes. I got another stop....." AJ said, heading out the door, leaving Howie to follow, totally frustrated. To think he could've spent the day with Tanya. But no....AJ had to drag his ass all over the island, in and out of every store imaginable...and not buy a damn thing! If he didn't buy something in the next store, he was gonna kill him and leave his dead body for the vultures.
~~~~~~~~back at the suite~~~~~~~~~~
Sherry grabbed her room key as she was heading for the door. She quickly glanced over at Brian who was already sound asleep. She chuckled at the sight of him. "Old guy". As she closed her door behind her, she looked over at Tanya's door and wondered if she needed to check on her. It was rather odd that Tanya had taken off like that. But, then again like Brian had said they didn't give her much of a chance to say anything. At first when she and Brian had returned to the suite, she thought that Tanya was not there. But her bedroom door was closed, and she could actually see shadowy movements coming from under the door. She figured it was just the wind from an open window and that Tanya was asleep. Everyone has been so tired and she had said she was exhausted. The swimming and sun must have really tuckered her out. She decided not to bother Tanya just in case she was asleep. As Sherry was about to grab for the door, Carmen had bolted through carrying several shopping bags. Sherry laughed at the site of her friend. “Oh my god, did you buy the stores out?”
“Damn, you’d think so.” Carmen answered looking over all her bags. She also hoped that she didn’t have to explain her whereabouts. “So, where are you off to?”
“I am gonna go see Tess” Sherry said as she moved around Carmen and her clutter then offered “Do you need any help there?”
“no, I am fine. Go see Tess. I am sure she’s pretty lonely with Chelle in the hospital. Just promise to be nice” Carmen instructed.
“Me? Of course I will be nice.” Sherry smiled then said “Oh, keep it down ok. Brian and Tanya both are sleeping.”
Carmen looked over towards the two closed doors. “Sleeping? Oh ok. I promise to play nicely Mama Sherry”
“Shut up. I will see you in a little while. Bye” Sherry laughed as she walked down the hallway.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~Tess’ Suite~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Tess opened the closet and stood frowning at the contents. There was nothing in there that she considered appropriate for her evening with Elliott. Little did she know this morning when they had ran into each other that she would be having dinner with him tonight. She looked at her watch and sighed. Not even enough time to run out and buy something. She sure could use another gal's opinion on her wardrobe. Or AJ. That man had great taste when it came to women's clothes. She could always count on him. She sighed and pulled a sun dress from the closet. It had thin straps and a full skirt. It would have to do. She held it up in front of her and looked in the mirror. Maybe with her hair up? She reached and pulled it off her neck. Frowning, she let it drop back to her shoulders. She needed help. A knock at the door startled her. She looked at her watch. Nope could not be Elliott. She had plenty of time to get ready. And she wasn't expecting anyone else. She crossed the room and looked out the peep hole. She was stunned to see Sherry standing on the other side of the door. Tess opened the door, leaning against it. "Sherry.....what brings you here?" she asked, curious as to why Sherry was visiting her of all people.
"Well...if you have a minute....I want to run something by you,' Sherry said. Then she noticed all the clothes strewn about her room. "Oh...you're busy. I'll go," Sherry said.
"AH...actually, wait," Tess said, reaching for Sherry's arm. "I need an opinion," she said, pulling her into the room, closing the door.
"I have a date. He's tall, drop dead gorgeous...sexy...and I have nothing to wear!" Tess groaned, indicating her clothes. Sherry laughed, earning a scowl from Tess. "If you don't want to help me..." Tess began.
"No..that's not it. Tess you have a lot of beautiful clothes here. You need to relax and calm down a bit. Tell me about this drop dead gorgeous hunk of a man you're going out with." Sherry said with a laugh. Tess smiled and relayed the whole story to Sherry, who was laughing hysterically by the time she was finished telling her the tale.
Tess laughed along with her as she realized just how silly she was being. "Ok...help, Sherry. I am at a loss here. Now wait a minute....you came here to talk to me. What did you need? I didn't mean for it to be all about me," Tess said.
Sherry grabbed a dress and held it out in front of her. "I will tell you while I help you out. We can kill to birds with one stone that way. I want your advice on writing books."
Tess looked at her and smiled. Now this she could help with. "Okay...how can I help?"
"You said the other day, that I should write about what I knew. And that most people are afraid to get started. You sure had me pegged. Chelle has been trying to get me to write a novel for over a year." Sherry explained.
Tess turned to look at her, knowing now why she had been so upset the other day. "I never meant to hurt your feelings, Sherry."
"It's okay...you were right. How about this?" Sherry said, holding up an emerald green dress with thin straps and a flared skirt.
"I don't know, Sherry..." Tess said making a face.
"Go try it on...I think it will be perfect." Sherry said as she handed the dress over to Tess.
Tess disappeared into the bathroom, calling out over her shoulder, "So...you're going to try your hand at a book?"
Sherry started picking up the discarded clothes, folding them neatly. "Yes....and I am going to write about this adventure....changing things of course. Do you think you could help me along the way? You know...give me pointers, help proof read....that kind of thing?"
Tess came out of the bathroom, the emerald dress hugging her every curve. "Sure...I'd love to help out...and thanks for helping me here. You were right this dress is perfect."
Sherry grinned at her....she was right, the dress did wonders. "Now let me help you finish getting ready. Mr. Drop Dead Gorgeous is not going to know what hit him."
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~on the beach~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Tanya walked along the beach, the water lapping at her bare feet. The hotel was far behind her, but she still continued on, wanting......no.....needing to find whoever was calling her name. The voice sounded so hauntingly familiar.
She looked up and saw a lone figure standing down the beach, watching the horizon. Something about how he stood was familiar.....reminded her of someone. She felt safe, somehow....and approached, knowing she was not going to be hurt. Suddenly, the voice was right behind her. She turned and a scream froze in her throat. Then her world went dark.