(We open at a marina in Malibu Beach. Micky comes out on the pier next to a fairly large, elaborate yacht. Mike jumps down from the deck.)

Mike: Hey, Mick. So, what do you think of her?

Micky: *whistles* She is a BEAUT, Mike!

Mike: Ain't she? Got good horsepower, three cabins, and you should see her navigational system!

Micky: I wanna see it ALL, man!

Mike: Come on, then! (He pulls the ladder down and climbs it, followed by Micky.)

(Cut to the deck. It's a wide space with a small bar on one end and the main control cabin in back. The bar is covered with a white awning and the white and blue sails in the middle.)

Mike: Well, here's the deck. Want somethin' from the bar? It's already stocked.

Micky: *nods* Sure. Rum and Coke?

Mike: You got it. (Mike mixes the drink. He hands Micky his and takes a can of beer himself) Man, it feels nice up here in the sea air, as long as we ain't movin'.

Micky: Yeah. It'll be nice moving, too. *pauses* Do you think we'll be able to talk everyone into going? *pauses* For that matter, have you stocked up on your seasick pills?

Mike: (Makes a face) Em's out buyin' a whole bunch now. That's the only part I don't like about this boat business.

Mike: Where's Lauren, anyway? Work?

Micky: *nods* Nyles needed someone to cover for him at the radio station today, so she took it. *pauses* And she's the only uneasy feeling I have about being out on the water, since she can't swim...

Mike: We'll have lifejackets, Mick. We'll make sure someone stays with her, too. You're a good swimmer, right?

Micky: Good? I'm great!

Mike: Look who I'm askin', the world's second biggest ego.

Micky: *chuckles* Seriously, Mike. I plan on staying near her. I just don't want anything to go wrong. I know she's going to feel uneasy.

Mike: We'll do our best to make her feel comfortable, Mick. Em mentioned the same thing to me. She's worried about her, too. Em an' Lauren are real tight.

Micky: Thanks, Mike, I appreciate that. *Glances around* I can't WAIT to head out on the open water.

Mike: Thank Em, too. She'd kill me if anythin' happened to Lauren.

Micky: I will.

Mike: Yeah. Peter and Val definitely confirmed that they're both busy. Peter has music classes he can't get out of, and Val has work. It's probably just as well. If Lauren's uncomfortable on a boat, can you imagine how Val would feel?

Micky: Yeah, but Val CAN swim. Granted, she is pregnant...

Mike: Yeah. Val can swim, but she's gettin' closer and closer to her due date...and she's been actin' spacey lately. (Looks at Micky) Wanna see the controls cabin?

Micky: I thought you'd never ask.

Mike: Ok, Mick. It's this way. (Mike leads Micky to the front cabin. Cut to inside the cabin. It's a pretty good size. There's a closet with first aid items and lifejackets and four seats....but it's mostly walls and dashboards of controls and one large steering wheel.)

Micky: *Wide grin* You gonna get let me drive?

Mike: Maybe. If you're very good.

Micky: *Puts one hand out and places the other over his heart* I will be an angel.

Mike: Yeah, but only because Lauren's around. (Smiles) I got it. You can be my navigator. No one knows these waters better than you, Mick.

Micky: Oh, man, I'd LOVE to!

Mike: We're gonna have to get you familiar with all the controls, then. (He sits Micky down in the seat next to the pilot's)

Micky: Gladly!

Mike: I got my license a few months ago, when I first bought the boat. I ain't as good as I am with a plane, but I can figure it out.

Micky: Sounds good to me.

Mike: (Pulls something out from a drawer under the dashboard) And here's the maps.

Micky: Fantastic!

Mike: I thought we'd just take a quick trip around Malibu Beach, maybe near some of the islands.

Micky: The girls will enjoy that.

Mike: Yeah. It's real romantic for Valentine's Day.

Mike: (Points at one control) That one's your fuel gauge. And here's (points to another) is your radar.

Micky: Gotcha.

Mike: I have a cooler on deck and a small fridge in the kitchen in the cabin area for when we get hungry (grins) and for a romantic dinner with the ladies. ;)

Micky: Very nice.

Mike: That's what the name of the game is. I wanted the girls to know we can do somethin' that's more romantic and intimate than invitin' half the gang to a party.

Micky: *nods* And I'm sure we'll find out how well we did when we get home that night.

Mike: Yeah. This way, we'll have more time for the girls. It's not that I don't like our parties, but it'll be nice to get together with them without having to wade through everyone we know who is half-sloshed.

Micky: No kidding. Our key word is "romantic."

Mike: Speakin' of sloshed, we're gonna have to remember to go easy on the liquor when we're out with the girls, and not just 'cause we're drivin', either.

Micky: Oh definitely! *Pauses* How many rooms we got on here?

Mike: Four, countin' the kitchen. All of the cabins have a shower and mirror.

Micky: *grins* Nice.

Mike: The kitchen has a little stove in it. It ain't much, but it should make Em happy.

Micky: And I will be happy with a room we can use.

Mike: We'll give you the one in the back with the largest window. Nice view out there.

Micky: We might check out the view.

Mike: But I know what view you're gonna be checkin' out, and it ain't got nothin' to do with water.

Micky: If all goes according to plan, you're darn right.

Mike: Here's hopin' for you, buddy. Has she...well, I know you've wanted to do stuff with her lately...

Micky: It's been a very SLOW process.

Mike: She hasn't yet, has she?

Micky: *Turns to look out the front again* Hmm...

Mike: She hasn't!

*Micky slowly turns to look at Mike again, an eyebrow raised and a "death to you" look on his face.*

Mike: What, did the bunny rabbits finally slow down?

*Micky growls, turning back to the window.*

Mike: Mick, Em ain't been so hot on that lately, either. I don't know. Guess the ladies are scared or somethin'. Couldn't tell you why.

Micky: *turns back to Mike* You two have been on and off for a while. That's NOT the same thing.

Mike: Tell Em that, not to mention my libido.

Micky: *sighs* I just wish I knew what to do. I'm REALLY hoping our boat trip does the trick.

Mike: Maybe it will, Mick. I could get Em to talk to Lauren, too. Those two have amazin' influence on each other.

Micky: Yeah, they do. *sighs*

Mike: Yeah, when those two get together, it's amazin' what they come up with.

Micky: *nods, then sighs* I don't know, though. I wish I knew what else to do.

Mike: Has there been anythin' goin' on with her lately? Besides the usual stuff we've all been goin' through, I mean.

Micky: *shakes his head* No, not really.

Mike: Yeah, and Em...I don't know. I mean, we've always been angry with each other, but I know she's not happy with our current finances, and I think she's thinkin' I'm spendin' too much time with the new company..

Micky: I just wish I knew if I did something wrong, or what.

Mike: Maybe it's just a chick thing.

Micky: *Whiny* But all of a sudden?

Mike: Women do that, Mick. Who knows? (Shrugs) You're probably more qualified to understand it than me. You have three sisters and your mom.

Micky: *still whiny* But I don't understand it! That's the problem!

Mike: Geez Mick, calm down! (Grins) Wanna see the cabins?

Micky: *sighs* Yeah...

(Mike leads Micky down another ladder. We pass a very small kitchenette with a appropriately miniaturized refrigerator, stove, and table, then to the first cabin. The cabin is small, but well-appointed, with a nice wood bed with a thick plush blue blanket and soft flannel pillows. There's simple wood furniture that's bolted to the floor, a nightstand and a small dresser.)

Micky: *slight smile* This is really nice.

Mike: Yeah. Em decorated the cabins, with help from Valerie, whose dad owns a larger yacht.

Micky: Are the others the same or different?

Mike: Same scheme, different colors. One's red, the other's green.

Micky: You said there's a big window in the back cabin. Can we see it?

Mike: Yeah. (He takes him to the back cabin. Just as Mike said, other than being done in shades of red and soft tan, the room is similar to the other one...except for the huge window in the very back behind the bed and a soft chair.)

*Micky wanders over to look out the window. He sighs.*

Mike: Pretty, isn't it?

Micky: *nods* Yeah, it is. *pauses* God, I hope this works...

Mike: Yeah, me too. I don't think any of the ladies are real happy with us right now, and I can't say I blame them. All the shit that's happened over the past year or so...

Micky: Yeah...

Mike: Pete's mentioned a couple of times that he and Val still ain't quite right.

Mike: I ain't really angry with Pete anymore, but he's got a lot of answerin' to do, especially to Valerie.

Micky: *nods* I'm sure he will. I just think he hasn't quite come to terms yet himself.

Mike: Yeah. I mean, we're talkin' about a guy who used to cry when he stepped on an ant hill...and all of a sudden, he's hidin' in shadows and tryin' to kill his best friend.

Micky: Well, it wasn't really his fault.

Mike: No, it wasn't. (Sighs) I've talked to him. He's still scared shitless and real frustrated, 'cause all he's found are a few music teachin' jobs.

Micky: We're all scared. The best we can do is take it a day at a time. *Looks out the window and sighs again* I keep telling Lauren that.

Mike: I keep tellin' myself that. Mick...what Pete did to me...it really freaked me out. We're better now, but I guess...I guess I underestimated him.

Micky: I think we all did.

Mike: It's easy to forget he can be brilliant in his own way, and he's damn strong physically.

Micky: *nods* That's for sure.

Mike: (Looks at his watch) I think we'd better get goin'. I gotta meet Em soon, and Daphne and Davy have our kids and Lizzie.

Micky: Mom's watching ours, and I promised Lauren I'd pick her up from the radio station. I was debating suggesting going to a movie...a boring movie.

Mike: Make it REAL borin'. I was gonna suggest a night at home after we get Katie in bed. Robbie still goes down early.

Micky: *shrugs* I figure it's worth a try, though I doubt I'll get more than a nibble.

Mike: It's better than nothin', Mick.

Micky: That is true.

Mike: Ok, Mick. The girls are gonna be mad if we're late, and they've been mad enough lately.

Micky: Yeah, we'd better head out.

(The camera focuses on the gorgeous view of the sun lowering into the sea as the boys head out...and a few dark clouds on the horizon...)