Dream On

8 April

The first few days had gone fairly smoothly. I was just hoping the next ten plus days I was afforded being here would also. Colin appeared to have gotten over his issues and he'd practically moved into the penthouse. It had, as he had stated, not been a hard thing to do. I was working closely with my assistant. Yes, I had graduated to having one. She would take over the rest of the script 'watch' when I went home. So far we'd done very little dialogue. The non-verbal exteriors, sunrises, sunsets, all stuff that would be edited in and around the scenes here were now out of the way. Tomorrow we would head to South Point to do one scene, though because of the winds that could kick up there, the tides and the overall weather, it could take two days to shoot. One could hope for a single session, but had to prepare for the longer haul. Today's session had been a short one. I was cleared to leave the set by noon and Colin had followed close behind. The current area had to be dismantled and everything transported to the far end of the island. I got back to the penthouse and started cleaning up, some. Colin had taken my list to the grocers to see what, if anything on that list; he could find and purchase for my, ok our, houseguests. Hilly and Jack were due in on a late afternoon flight and would be here sometime between six and eight, barring any delays. Plus we had to have more of everything and anything. Fours needs were more than two, especially since we were rarely here during the day and they would be, for the most part. I had secured clearances for them to come on set twice, but any more would have been pushing it. For as much as I had done for and with this group, I was still an outsider. By three Colin was back and had stowed the groceries and I had straightened up as much as I was going to.

"Diane, calm down. It's not the bloody queen. Why don't we get the hors d'oeurves and other refreshments set for later? Help keep your mind occupied."

How could he be so calm when Jack was coming? I was freaking that Jack was coming here and that Colin was, more or less, moved in.

"And stop worrying. I'll be fine. Promise to be on my best behavior."

"That's not where my concern lies."

Well I have to say that Diane pulled out all the stops to get us to Isla Mujeres. A limo took Jack and I to the airport and one was waiting for us in Cancun that took us directly to Puerto Juarez where a private boat was waiting to ferry us to the island. When we disembarked there was a private car to take us to the condominium complex where Diane was staying. When we arrived our driver handed me an envelope containing keys to the penthouse and offered to help with the luggage. Jack declined. There really wasn't all that much to manage. As we got into the elevator I pressed the button to the penthouse. Jack let out a low whistle and started laughing. 

"I see we're slumming again."

"I'm sure you'll manage, honey."

At the door to the suite, I barely got one knock finished before it flew open and Diane practically barreled me over. We were both talking at once and all I could say is that "happy to see me" was an understatement. There was also a sense of relief, like cavalry had arrived; well that was the vibe I was feeling. There would be time enough to explore that, it would keep. She practically dragged me into the suite, all the while we chattered on a mile a minute, totally ignoring poor Jack who by now I'm sure felt like a pack mule.  

"Ah, Diane, hello and by the way these suitcases are getting heavy?"

"Oh Jack, sorry. Come on, I'll show you were you can drop those."

There were two bedrooms on either side of this place. I thought it best that Jack and Hilly be opposite and catty corner from the master. I was smart enough to know we weren't going to disengage from our connubial encounters and I knew them too well to think there would be abstinence going on there either. He set the luggage down and gave me a hard look.

"Big place for one person, Di."

"They expected I'd have company."

"I see."

As Diane showed Jack to our room Colin came in from the patio, gave me a good-natured hug and kissed both my cheeks Euro style.

"Good to see you, Hilly."

He looked well and happier than I'd remembered last and genuinely glad to see me. However, that quickly changed to cautious as Jack came up beside me and put his arm protectively around my shoulders. Okay....just a tad territorial here? Oh you betcha! There was no mistaking Jack's unspoken message to Colin. I looked up at Jack; his jaw was set in a most unfriendly clench. Oh God damn it! 

"Um...Colin...this is my husband, Jack. Honey...this is Colin Firth.....well I guess you know that."

Shit! I sounded like a daft Emily Post making sure all the proper introductions were made right before all hell broke loose. 

"Jack."

"Colin."

Colin extended his hand. Jack did shake it, but that was the extent of the exchange between the two of them. I could tell Jack was sizing him up. For what though, I had no idea. I looked over at Diane who was surveying the scene with about as much trepidation as I did. She broke the silent stare-down first.

"Had to be a long flight. If you like, we've got some light fare. Go ahead out on the patio. I'll be right there." 

I signaled for Colin to follow me to the kitchen as they found their way outside and settled into the chairs at the table. I didn't know what to make of it all so soon and I wasn't sure how to ask Colin how he was holding up.

"Here, take this, I'll grab the ice bucket and glasses. You ok?"

"Shouldn't I be?"

"I don't know. I don't know what to think."

"I said before, you worry too much. Either he is or isn't going to approve. You can't change the man and his ideals. We'll manage."

We didn't waste time getting back to them and Colin, thankfully, remembered about Jack's beer, that I had afforded him knowledge of and he had managed to purchase.

"Hilly, I know your specialty. Jack, Guinness?"

"Sure."

"Back in a moment then."

As Colin brought our drinks, he set one before Diane, just smiled at her and squeezed her shoulder as he sat down. The next few hours were spent engaging in tense small talk, mostly initiated by Diane, Colin and myself. Jack was either stubbornly mute or just gave monosyllabic answers. He was feigning more interest than necessary in the cheese and crackers; I could have killed him. Jack and I had gotten up practically at the crack of dawn today and even though it was early evening, I was beginning to fade and fast. I was just about to make my excuses when Diane and Colin both got up from the table at the same time. 

We sat there for a couple hours as the sun set and tried to get Jack interested in...anything. He wasn't biting, but Colin really tried. He could have stopped any time. I wouldn't have blamed him for shutting his gob out of sheer frustration, but he stayed lite and smiling and pleasant. By eight-thirty I was getting tired and we had to be on set at six, which meant we had to be up around four to shower, dress and travel to South Point. I checked my watch one last time and gave Colin a nudge on the arm and showed him my watch. I got up as he held my chair.

"Sorry you two. We've an early day tomorrow. Been this way the whole time here. We really need to get some sleep."

Colin held out his hand to Jack, who took it begrudgingly.

"Perhaps we can arrange a decent meal for the four of us while you're here."

Jack looked at me, then back to Colin and rolled his eyes.

"We'll see."

I put my arm inside Colin's and walked to the patio doors, then turned back.

"Don't worry about any of the stuff. I'll get it in the morning before I go. See you on set around eight then?"

Colin opened the door for me and we headed off to bed. I could tell Jack was not a happy camper and could only hope he wouldn't lose his cool before they settled in for the night.

"Yea, that will be fine. Jack and I can meet you then. Sleep well you guys."

Of course I never gave it a second thought that Colin's good night, was not goodbye. However, not so for Jack. As soon as the master suite door closed behind them, Jack leapt to his feet, went to the patio doors and looked towards the front door then the opposite direction.

"Hilary! He didn't leave...He just went into Diane's room!"

"Ah yea! I told you he'd be here Jack."

"Hilary, there are two other bedrooms in this penthouse."

"Grow up Jack."

"So you're just going to sit here and do nothing?"

I just started laughing at him.

"What would you like me to do Jack? Go in and have a chat, take notes maybe? What?"

He didn't answer me; he just gave me a dark look.

"I'll tell you what I'm going to do, Jack. I am going to bed. You can sit out here and pout or you can join me. Your choice."

As soon as I hit the pillow I was out, so I'm not sure how long Jack stayed out there. The next thing I knew Jack was shaking me awake. 

"Hilly, I had the most awful dream."

"What?"

"I had this horrible nightmare about Diane."

"Oh honey, it's ok. She's fine."

"It was terrible."

"Wanna talk about it?"

"Yea, ok. I was here in the penthouse and I could hear swearing and screaming coming from the master bedroom, but then, then I realized that it was....uh..moaning. I was going to investigate, but then there was a knock at the door. Colin comes out in just his boxers and answers it. Thom was standing there. At first I thought they'd come to blows, but instead they just shook hands. Then Colin tells Thom that Diane was in the bedroom. They'd had a shag session already and if Thom was inclined to take a turn, he was fulfilled for the night."

He said all of this with such sincerity and horror, that I couldn't help it, I busted out laughing.

"It's not funny, Hilary!"

"It is, Jack, it most certainly is."

"None of this is funny, Hilary."

Okay, in Jack's defense I know he was taken aback by Colin staying the night, but the alarm clock showed it was 2:00 a.m. and I was in no mood for this conversation right now.

"Jack, let's table the moral outrage for the morning, okay?"

"Fine!"

With that he got out of bed, grabbed his pillow and the comforter.

"Where are you going?"

He didn't answer me; he just left, slamming the door behind him. Oh this was going to be a long week, but I was too exhausted to deal with Jack tonight. I thought bringing Jack here would give him the chance to see how it really was between Diane and Colin. I was hoping I was right and that our coming here was not going to turn into a nightmare of its' own. 
 

I slammed the alarm off almost as soon as it began to ring, turned over and shook Colin until he woke up.

"Perhaps a single shower so we don't wake them up?"

He fell to his back and groaned.

"Good Lord is it that time already?"

"Yes, now come on."

"Why do I feel as if I never slept?"

"Because you barely did and that's not my fault."

"Couldn't resist."

"Yes, well, it's a price you're going to have to pay today for not being able to control your urges."

He sat up in the bed and stared at me, but he had a smile on.

"I do believe you were a willing participant."

"Yes, well, I have the price to pay too."

We took a quick shower and dressed. I stayed to dry my hair while Colin went to make some tea. Almost before I got the towel off my head he was back in the bedroom.

"Come out here with me. I'm assured there's some sort of problem."

"Oh?"

I followed him out, with fifteen things going through my head, until he stopped me at the living room entryway.

"There."

I followed his pointing finger towards the sofa.

"Oh shit!"

Jack was lying sprawled across the sofa. His legs were hanging off the edge. One can not comfortably fit a six foot frame on a five foot couch.

"If there was...why didn't he just go to another bedroom?"

Colin looked at me, telling me I knew the answer to that.

"Oh, right."

"Perhaps we should go. I believe we could find something to eat on the way or there will be some sort of edible spread on set."

I touched his arm and shook my head.

"My hair can dry in whatever fashion it decides. It'll be a mess at day's end anyway. You have the suitcase?"

"By the door there."

"Ok."

I walked quietly to the door and waited as he got the car keys and a set of the penthouse keys. He held the door for me and as it shut behind us all I could hope was that they would work it out.