Scene: The Horton-Brady picnic- A park setting with benches and tables covered in red and white checkered tablecloths. We see Hope and Franco talking, with Bo watching them, Jennifer, Abby and Jack are sitting on a blanket on the grass, and Caroline and Shawn are working on a batch of Brady clam chowder. Sami is sitting under a tree with Lucas and Will, while Austin is leaning against another tree, pouting, watching Mike and Carrie set up the food table.
Carrie: Well, the weather sure cooperated with us. I'm glad we didn't postpone the picnic. I'm really excited about today.
Mike: Me, too. Just like old times, huh?
He smiles at her, and she smiles back at him. Austin grimaces.
Carrie:I wonder where everyone else is. I hope John and Marlena get here soon. The food's almost ready.
Mike: I think my mom will be coming with them and the kids. I'm sure they'll be here any time.
Over by the tree, Sami and Lucas are talking.
Lucas: Do you see Carrie and Mike over there? They seem to be getting closer every time I see them. THAT plan sure backfired!
Sami: But, Lucas, look at Austin. You can just TELL by the look on his face that he knows he's losing Carrie.
Lucas: Yes, Sami, but the PLAN was supposed to get Carrie to be with me, not with Mike! You'll get Austin, Carrie will be with Mike, and I'll be all alone! My mom hates me for conspiring with you, and I have no one! At least I have my nephew Will, here. You love your uncle Lucas, don't you, Will?
Lucas reaches for Will, but Sami picks him up before he has a chance to.
Lucas: What gives, Sami? You've been so jumpy lately about me playing with Will.
Sami: He's just getting over a cold, and I don't want him to catch any other germs while his resistence is so low.
Lucas: Oh, so you bring him to a party where there are twenty people, but you won't let me near him?
Just then, Austin walks over to them.
Sami: (relieved) Austin! I think Will's getting hungry. Let's go get him something to eat.
Austin: (moping) Okay, Sami.
They leave Lucas under the tree, and move towards the table where the food is, as well as Carrie and Mike. Carrie and Austin glance at each other, but Carrie looks away. Austin hangs his head.
Sami: Carrie, you and Mike have done a great job putting this picnic together. It reminds me of when we were younger.
Carrie:Thanks, Sami. Maybe it will jog some other memories.
Sami: Maybe. Oh, I'm going to get some of grandpa's chowder. It always tastes so good. Come on, Austin.
Austin looks at Carrie again, frowns, and then follows Sami, carrying Will.
Carrie:Ugh! She makes me crazy! Part of me really believes that she has her memory back, but she's not telling us.
Mike:If she does, she'll get caught. (He looks down) And then you and Austin can finally be together.
Carrie:You know, Mike, I used to think Austin and I were meant to be together. Like fate, or something. But, after all this time, after everything that has stood in the way of us being together, I wonder if I've been chasing rainbows.
Mike: What do you mean, chasing rainbows?
Carrie: When I was a little girl, I loved to go outside when the sun came out after a storm. The air smelled so fresh, like it had been cleaned, and there was always a rainbow. I would run to where it looked like the rainbow ended, only to see that it had moved, it was just a little further away. I would run to that spot, but by then the rainbow had moved again, or at least, that's how it seemed to me back then. Still, I kept trying to reach it. But now I know that you can never reach that rainbow, because as beautiful as it may appear, it has no substance. Maybe that's what I've been doing with Austin. I envisioned a life with him that could never be. Maybe all this time I've been so consumed with attaining a relationship with him, that I never stopped to look and see that there was nothing there to base it on. I don't know, Mike. I'm so confused.
There was silence between them, and Mike began to squirm.
Mike:(changing the subject)Hey, did you go by to see your Dad today?
Carrie:Yeah, I begged him to come, but he said he would just bring everyone down, because he's so ill. I told him it wouldn't be a true Horton-Brady picnic without him, but he insisted it was for the best that he not come.
Mike: I'm sure it would be hard for him to be sitting in a wheelchair, attached to an oxygen tank, watching everyone running around, playing softball, doing all the things he's too weak to do. Roman is a very proud man, and it must be very difficult for him to be in such a vulnerable state. He's used to fighting global terrorists.
Carrie:I'm sure you're probably right, Mike.
Just then, Marlena, John and Laura come rushing over to Mike and Carrie.
Carrie: Marlena, John, Laura, I'm so glad you guys are here. We're about to start serving up the hamburgers. Where are Belle and Brady?
Marlena:(flustered) Oh, Carrie, we have something we want to talk to you about.
Carrie: What is it? Is it about Dad?
Marlena: Well, sort of. We've just gotten a call that there's going to be a medical conference in Los Angeles starting tomorrow, and some of the world's best reasearchers and physicians are going to be there. We think that perhaps someone there might be able to help us find a cure for your father.
Carrie: (giving Marlena a hug) That's wonderful! Did you come here to say goodbye?
John:No, Pumpkin, Doc and I have talked about it, and we feel that we should stay close to Roman, in case anything comes up.
Laura: I suggested that you and Mike could go down there, talk to the doctors. Carrie, as Roman's daughter, I'm sure they would be very willing to listen to you. And Mike, your grandfather was a widely respected physician. He had many friends in the field, and I'm certain they will give you any help they can.
Carrie: Laura's right, Mike, we should go.
Mike:When do you want us to leave?
John: We booked you on a flight that leaves in a little over an hour. That gives you just enough time to go home, pack a bag, and be at the airport in time for boarding.
Carrie: But, what about the picnic?
Marlena: We'll explain everything to everyone. Be sure to call me the moment you hear anything
Carrie: We will. (She hugs Marlena again) I just know we're going to find the cure that will save Dad's life.
Marlena: (with tears in her eyes) I sure hope so, sweetie.
Mike: Come on, Carrie, we can take my car. (He looks at Marlena) We'll let you know what we find out.
Marlena:Thank you, Mike.
Mike and Carrie hurry away towards his car. Mike has his hand resting in the small of her back. Austin watches them leave together, and stares blankly in the direction they have gone. He doesn't even hear Marlena and John.
John: Can I have everyone's attention please? Something has come up..."
Scene: Southern California. Mike and Carrie are in the car, driving up to the mountain cabin of a doctor they hope can help them find the cure for Roman. Mike looks over at Carrie, who is staring out the window.
Mike: What are you thinking about?
Carrie: (sighs) What am I always thinking about?
Mike: (slightly irritated) Let me guess...Austin?
Carrie: I just don't understand why he didn't call me back. It's not like him. At least, it's not like the old Austin. He used to be very considerate and caring about my feelings. Now he just lets guilt- and Sami- run his life. He's not the same person I fell in love with.
Mike: Carrie, I'm sure there's a very reasonable explanation for why he hasn't called. I think it's probably just a miscommunication.
Carrie: Mike, you don't have to defend him. Lately, our whole relationship has been one great big miscommunication after another. He's a grown man. He's a father. He's even a husband, like it or not, and as manipulative as Sami may be, he's still responsible for how he responds and reacts.
Mike: Carrie, I've been around you enough to see how much Austin has hurt you, and I think he's a fool for neglecting you. If you were my girl, I'd treat you like "Princess Carrie", of that story I told you all those years ago. But, even though Austin hasn't been there for you, I know he still loves you.
Carrie: (leaning her head against the window) I don't know, Mike. I don't know if it even matters anymore.
They were both quiet, listening to the swish-swish of the windshield wipers.
Carrie: It's really starting to come down.
Mike: I know. I'm having a little trouble seeing what's ahead.
Suddenly, the windshield wipers stop.
Carrie: (panicked) Mike, what's happening?
Mike: I don't know, but I can't see. I'm gonna pull off to the side of the road...
Carrie: (screams) Mike! Look out!
Mike swerves as a tree appears, but he doesn't swerve in time to avoid it completely. The car comes to an abrupt stop, as the front end of the car crumples and Mike's air bag inflates. There is an eerie silence, with no sounds but the rain coming down hard on the roof of the car. Mike stirs, moaning in pain.
Mike: Carrie? Are you okay?
Carrie doesn't say a word in response. Mike opens his eyes and looks over at her. Her eyes are closed and blood is trickling down her forehead.
Mike: Carrie, oh my God!
Mike wrestles himself out of his seatbelt. He leans over to check her pulse, and upon finding one, breathes a sigh of relief. He tries to open his car door, but it is jammed. He rolls down his window and climbs out, wincing in pain. The rain soaks him almost immediately. There is a whistling sound coming from under the hood of the car. Sensing impending trouble, he limps over to Carrie's side of the car. Her door is sticky, but finally gives way to his adrenaline- induced strength. He unbelts her and lifts her out of the car. She is limp, with her head falling against his chest. She groans, but does not regain consciousness. The whistling of the engine turns into a clinking, then a rattling sound. Mike begins running away from the car with Carrie in his arms. As he ducks behind a large rock, the car explodes with a thundering boom. Mike peeks over the rock to see the car engulfed in flames.
Mike: (speaking out loud to himself) Oh, God, what are we going to do? Carrie, Carrie, can you hear me?
Still no response. Mike begins looking around, trying to get a sense of their location, and an indication of where they could go to find shelter from the torrential rains that were pelting them.
Mike: Okay, we came from that direction, but the last sign of civilization had to have been at least thirty miles back. I thought we were getting close to the cabin, so maybe we should head in this direction. Okay, Carrie, we're gonna find someplace to get warm and dry.
He talks to her to reassure himself that she's going to be all right. After walking about a half mile, Mike spots a cabin in the distance.
Mike: Oh, thank you, God!
He quickens his pace, but when he reaches the cabin, he realizes it's an uninhabited old shack.
Mike: I guess this will have to do.
Inside, he finds some blankets and lays one of them on the floor. He lays Carrie down on top of it, and then lays a second blanket down on top of her. He feels her skin, and realizes she is losing body heat rapidly. Ignoring his own chills, he searches the cabin until he locates a matchbook. There is some kindling next to the fireplace, as well as some dry wood. He makes several attempts at lighting the kindling, and finally, slowly, the fire begins to burn. Still shivering, he climbs under the blanket, but cannot get warm.
Mike: Neither one of us are going to get warm in these wet clothes. Skin- to -skin is the best way to warm each other up. Carrie? Carrie, can you hear me? I need to get you out of these wet clothes.
He waits for her to respond, and when she doesn't, he begins to remove her clothes. She's still unconscious, and very limp. After removing Carrie's clothes, he takes off his own. He crawls under the blanket next to her, and puts his arm around her, holding her close to him. He rubs her arm to generate heat, and brushes her hair away from her face.
Mike: Carrie, you've just got to be all right. I can't bear the thought of losing you. I love you (he whispers into her ear.)
Carrie begins to stir...
Mike: Hey, there, you gave me quite a scare. How are you feeling?
Carrie: (A little groggy) Mike? Where are we?
Mike: I found this little shack about a mile or so from where we crashed. I carried you, because you were unconscious.
Carrie: The car...what happened to the car?
Mike: Do you remember the crash?
Carrie: I remember screaming, but not much after that.
Mike: We hit a tree. I barely avoided hitting it head on. The car exploded just after I pulled you out. It was a pretty close call.
Carrie: You saved my life, Mike. Thank you.
Mike: You don't have to thank me. I'm just glad you're all right.
Carrie: (looking under the blanket) Mike, where are my clothes?
Mike: (looking embarrassed) I had to take them off. We were both soaked to the bone, and I was shivering very badly. You weren't, which concerned me, because shivering is the body's automatic response to warm you up. You were losing body heat fast, and the best way to warm up is through skin- to- skin contact.
Carrie: (looking up at him) you mean, you don't have any clothes on, either?
Mike: (blushing) No. Listen, don't think about that. I want to know how you're feeling. I think you hit your head on the dashboard. You've got a cut on your forehead.
Carrie: My head hurts a little, but other than that, I think I'm okay. How about you?
Mike: Well, I hurt my left leg. I hit the tree with the front fender on my side of the car, and it crunched up my leg a little, but I'll be fine. The airbag deployed, so I think that's why I didn't hit my head like you did.
Carrie: I can't believe you carried me a mile through this downpour with a hurt leg. Thank you, Mike. Once again you've come through for me when I needed you. You're like my knight in shining armor.
Mike: Why, thank you, Princess Carrie. You know, I'd do anything for you. (He looks at her lovingly)
Carrie: (looking into his baby blue eyes) I know you would, Mike.
They look at each other for a long moment, but then Mike looks away. He gets up and wraps himself in on of the blankets.
Mike: This fire looks like it needs some more wood.
Carrie watches Mike intently as he stokes the fire.
Carrie: You know, Mike, I had the strangest dream just before I woke up.
Mike: (not looking at her) Really. What about?
Carrie: I dreamed that...you told me that you love me.
Mike: (staring straight ahead) Wow, that's some dream. (He stands up) You know, when I was looking for the matches I could have sworn I saw... Yes, here it is. (He grabs a radio and sets it on a table. He turns it on to static, and turns the dial until he locates a station. Kenny Loggins' " For the First Time" comes on)
Carrie: Was it?
Mike: Was it what?
Carrie: Was it just a dream?
Mike turns to look at her.
Mike: What do you mean?
Carrie:looking at him thoughtfully) My dream… it seemed so real.
Mike walks back to where she is lying under the blankets. He lies back down next to her, and turns to face her.
Carrie: Mike, when I was unconscious, did you tell me that… did you tell me that you love me?
Mike looks at Carrie, unsure of what to say
Mike: Carrie...(he pauses) I... I think you are a wonderful person. I've really enjoyed this time we've spent together over these last few months. I've gotten to know you so well.
Carrie: Mike!
Mike: Okay, Okay! Yes, Carrie, I love you! I love you! There, I said it! I've fallen in love with you. No matter how many times I've tried to deny it to myself, no matter how many times I've reminded myself that it's Austin that you love. I didn't want to tell you, because I was worried you wouldn't feel that you could confide in me. Carrie, I just want you to be happy. If Austin makes you happy, then I'm happy for you...
Carrie interrupts Mike by pulling him down towards her and kissing him.
Carrie: (smiling) Are you done talking now?
Mike: (stunned) I don't know what I am. Why did you do that?
Carrie: You know how sometimes you can look at something every day and never think anything about it, until one day, you see it from a different angle. Suddenly, all of the wonderful, unique, special things about it become very clear, and you wonder why you never noticed how great it was before? Not that I didn't notice how special you are, or that I didn't appreciate what a great friend you have been to me. It's just that tonight, at this very moment, I've seen you in a different light. Tonight it has all come together right in front of me, and I've realized that... I am realizing that I've fallen in love with you, too. I've been so distracted that I was unable to see what you were offering me. But now, I see everything clearly. I love you, Mike Horton!
Mike: I love you, Carrie Brady.
They begin to kiss. And since they already have no clothes on, well, you can only guess what happens next…
Scene: Dawn. The fire has burned down to cinders. Carrie and Mike are intertwined beneath the blanket, sleeping peacefully. Slowly, Carrie begins to awaken. Her eyes open gradually, and she looks around the cabin. Eventually her eyes come to rest on Mike, sleeping next to her. She smiles.
Carrie: (whispering) Mike Horton, you are full of surprises.
She leans over and kisses him on his temple.
Mike: (still not opening his eyes) please, let it not have just been a dream. (He opens his eyes and looks at Carrie. He smiles in relief and joy) Thank you, God.
Carrie: If it was a dream, it was a magical dream.
Mike strokes Carrie's hair.
Mike: How is your head feeling this morning?
Carrie: it's a little sore, but not too bad. I was lucky.
She touches her cut, and feels the blood that has dried on her forehead. Mike kisses her gently on her forehead, her cheek, and finally her lips.
Carrie: Oh, I feel much better already. But, I'm a little sore in my neck. I think I got whiplash, or something. (She looks at him in mock pain)
Mike kisses her on her neck in several places, making his way up once again, to kiss her lips.
Mike: I'm gonna get up and see where we are, and look for any way we can communicate with the outside world.
Carrie: Oh, but it's so cozy under this blanket. Are you sure you want to get up?
Mike: (snuggling closer) Carrie, I would love to spend the whole day under here with you, but I used up all the matches last night trying to get the fire going, and body heat, as nice as it has been, will only help us for so long.
Carrie: You're right. Here, take this blanket and wrap yourself up real well.
Mike takes the blanket and wraps it around his shoulders. He begins looking around the cabin, and comes across an unopened box of crackers.
Mike: Carrie! Here.
He tosses her the box and she catches it.
Carrie: Ooh, breakfast.
Mike: I don't see a phone in here. I'm gonna take a look outside and see if there are any other cabins around.
Carrie: You be careful.
Mike: I will. (He opens the door)
Carrie: Mike-
He peeks his head back inside.
Mike: Yeah?
Carrie: (looking bashful) I love you.
Mike: (smiles) I love you, too.
He closes the door behind him, and Carrie pulls the blanket up to her chin. She sighs with contentment.
Carrie:(Talking out loud to herself) Well, now. This is an interesting turn of events. ( she opens the box of crackers and takes a bite, and makes a face of disgust.) Eww... these crackers must be five years old! But I'm so hungry. I'll bet Mike is hungry, too.
She wraps the blanket around her and gets up.
Carrie: There must be something around her that we could eat that's not stale.
She opens a cupboard, and in it finds a cast iron skillet.
Carrie; If there is a pan, there must be a stove, right?
She begins searching through the cupboards, and finally comes across a small Coleman stove. She gently shakes the propane tank and discovers that there is some fuel left inside.
Carrie: Okay, now I've got to find something to COOK in the pan on the stove.
She looks in the cupboards again, and finds some cans of soup.
Carrie: (looking proud of herself) Bingo! I'll just cook Mike up a nice bowl of chicken noodle soup. He'll be so impressed with my ingenuity.
She pushes the igniter switch, which lights the stove. She grabs the pan, and places it on top of the burner. Then she picks up the can of soup. She looks at it, and a distressed look comes over her face.
Carrie: Well, Carrie, Brady, what are you gonna do now? You have to have a CAN OPENER to open a CAN! (she sighs)
Meanwhile, Mike is outside, looking around for any other cabins. There are a lot of trees, and even though the rains had slowed, they were still coming down. Also making it difficult to see, was the fog that was washing through the forest. But, knowing that he and Carrie needed help, he trudged on. He was still limping a bit, and the longer he walked, the more his leg began to throb. He stumbled a few times over sticks and rocks that were interspersed throughout the woods, and his breathing became labored.
Mike: I've got to find help. For Carrie's sake.
Mike continued to make his way , until he caught a glimpse of a light shining in the distance.
Mike: Oh, God, please let that be someone who can help us!
Just then, Mike tumbled into a crevass. He twisted his leg rolling downhill, and he screamed out in agony. By the time his body came to a halt, he was unconscious.
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