*****060

"And heeeeeeere's Johnny!!!!"

Tracy heard the most famous catch phrase in all of talk show history made famous by Ed McMahon so up close and personal, it made her ears ring, and her heart thunder painfully. Thankfully there would be Johnny Carson's initial comedy routine, his wry takes on current events and his dry humorous poking fun at recent celebrity screw ups. Then another famous book writer she'd never heard of was going to be promoting their work, and then---- then she'd sing first--- and have that short chat. Greg and Jimmy were already in the band.

She stood in the wings, alone, wringing her hands. Somebody jostled her, somebody tapped her shoulder, and somebody handed her a satellite phone. She stared at them in bewilderment, till they put the receiver up to her ear.

"Damn, girl, you do it all, don't you?" It was Casey.

"I can't talk now, Case." She whispered, and then cleared her throat, one ear trained on the stage, one on the embarrassing notoriety of having to take this call right now like she was some kind of diva.

"I came to pick Danny up for the week, and your boyfriend challenged me and wouldn't let me have him. I thought even though he's officially yours, you'd be so kind as to let me see my own son."

"He's not my boyfriend, Casey, I'm about to go on stage. Is Richard with you? I'll talk to him."

"No, Richard is not with me." He mimicked her. "I think he's coming to you. He says you have some sort of condition that makes his presence important in your life. Whatever. That's the stupidest thing I've ever heard."

"Casey, I'm going on stage in a minute. I can't do anything about your problem. Are you drunk?"

She turned to hand the phone off to the crew member who had given it to her, only to find that indeed Richard was right there, limping up to the wings, amid lighting and cords he could easily get snagged in with his crutches. She shook her head with an exasperated sigh.

"Thanks for coming." She heard her own voice saying, no trace of their earlier snafu. She realized his presence meant he had forgiven her temporarily as well, and was coming to her rescue like the good friend that he was. He'd set aside his own feelings. No one had ever done that for her.

No sarcasm graced his normally sarcastic lips. "I'm here for you, baby."

He reached her and held out his hand. She gave it willingly, knowing the headache and nausea she'd been feeling could be a virus, but it wasn't likely. Nope. As soon as they touched, the racing current found its way to their joined hands. He laced the fingers and closed his eyes, not looking at her while it swirled in and out of their bodies, and grounded in the floorboards.

"You can do this, Trace. It's one song. Do you want me on stage with you? I can do that. Do you want me to play? I know the song, and Jimmy said I'd be welcome, if you need me closer."

"I'm not nervous, and I'm not building, but if you want to go out there...." He would do that for her? He, who was a bright and shining up and coming young star on his own? He who could be interviewing for Carson right along with her promoting their movie? She nodded and the assistant with the phone smiled and said something into a head-set speaker.

Someone loaded a stool, and plugged in another guitar. It was unheard of, what they were doing, going on without rehearsing, but it was Richard---- and he was known for this kind of stuff.

Johnny announced the commercial break and came over to where they were setting up. He wanted to know what the hell was going on, and made it clear he did not like the change of plans. He'd had Richard on his show months ago promoting Richard's last blockbuster film, which was still in the box office actually. His eyes did gleam strategically at the thought of both of them promoting the new work.

It was time. Johnny's customary straight back and affable grin was in place and Tracy took her cue.

"Thanks for putting aside our personal differences." She said calmly, and Richard nodded from her side. He was close, so close he could touch her if needed. As soon as the lights came on, Johnny announced them, and the change in plans, and the band started the intro.

Tracy took that deep calming, cleansing breath, felt the blinding force of the audience, and let her voice connect. And----

The words that came out weren't the words to the song.

The intro had been that familiar and with Richard there, it was natural that she sing words they'd made up together. She hadn't even realized what she'd done. The backup band was that good, and Jimmy and Greg had followed her in studio long enough to keep playing along, the tune to the other song.

And she turned looking into Richard's eyes, sang his song to him--with him--with his music sweetly flowing all around them. And he got the message she couldn't ever say out loud that she still cared for him, as she would a soul mate if she believed in those. As she wrapped him in her inner core, and included him in her life melody.

It was poignant, breathtakingly clear, her voice had never been so full of emotion. As they made their way up on the brightly lit stage, the audience was standing. The applause was thunderous.

"I know!" Tracy shouted, uncharacteristically. "I know! It's really Richard Mann! Can you believe it?" She waited while their microphones were pinned to their lapels, and Johnny Carson had eyed her outburst in approval.

He went on about the unexpected visitor and chatted up the broken leg, and the unexpected song, they'd basically dueted, asking if it was going to be on her next album--- to which Tracy--- the pop diva in question humbly explained the change and the way music came to her--- apologized profusely and asked to play the original song or a different one. The audience went wild. This was highly unprecedented, but Johnny and the producer went along with it, so Tracy alone took the band mike again and this time sang a familiar hit currently playing on the radio. The screaming was deafening.

When she returned there was barely enough time to ask about the Pepper's Reunion, acknowledge Casey's impending possible demise, explain her trip into Hollywood acting, and she and Richard's upcoming filming in Alaska--- sleeping in tents, with her little boy, and the bears. A lot of excitement permeated. It had been a rewarding and unusual interview. Richard kept his hand near the arm of her chair, and she periodically, even in her enthusiasm and sparkle, touched it now and then, relying on his calming physical ability consciously.

They smiled graciously and stayed on stage as the next and last guest made their way through the maze of technical backstage trappings. She looked over at him.

"I'm okay." She whispered with a forced smile.

"I know." He tipped his head to her in acknowledgement, and laid his hand on top of hers for just two seconds longer than was warranted. Never knowing that the camera had actually focused on that simple, yet touching, revealing union.

*****