Sherry opened her mail. There was an invitation there from North. She was having a .... Toga Party. "Oh man. A toga party? What is North thinking?

I hate to disappoint her, but I think I'll sit this one out." Sherry decided to call North later and give her regrets. Then she went about preparing her supper and sat down to watch the news when the phone rang. "Hello."

"Hey Sherry. Did you get your invitation from North to the Toga Party at the hotel?" It was Kit. And she sounded thrilled about the invitation."

"Hi Kit. Yeah, I got the invite. Sounds like you're planning to go."

"Well, of course I'm planning to go. Don't tell me you're not!"

"You got it, sister. I hate to say no to North, but you know me, Kit. I'm not into all that wild party stuff."

Kit was quiet for a minute. "Yeah, I know. But come on ... this will be so much fun. And North will be so disappointed if you don't show. Besides everyone will want to know where you are."

Sherry laughed. "Yeah, right. Like they're even gonna notice I'm not there. I'm not exactly 'Ms. Life of the Party, Center of Attention.' With Trace and Aly and Shadoe and Aries and you all there ... heck ... I'm sure I won't be missed. "

"Oh come on. Don't be ridiculous. You know they will want to know where you are. And I'm not spending my entire evening explaining to everyone where you are!"

"Okay, don't. Just tell them I joined the circus or I went on an African safari or something."

Kit laughed. "Oh, yeah. And they'll believe that. Right. You know, I seem to remember a certain someone begging for my help with a certain decorating project and I still have to collect on that IOU."

Sherry sighed. "Oh Kit, now that 's nasty. Blackmail? And I thought you were my friend. Okay, fine. I'll go. But just promise you'll let me hang out in the corner and be ignored."

Sherry could hear Kit's smile through the phone. "Okay, whatever you say. But you'd have a lot more fun if you got out of that corner!"

Kit made arrangements to pick Sherry up the night of the party. Sherry was completely capable of driving herself, but Kit wanted to make sure she went, so this was as good a way as any. Kit knew her friend was more of a homebody, but she knew if she could get her to the party she would have a blast.

The day of the party arrived and Sherry was having a lousy day at work. The professors were all being pains in the rear and her computer was acting up. When five o'clock rolled around, Sherry was never so glad to leave her job as she was that day. All she wanted to do was go home and veg out on the couch. But on her way out the door, it hit her.

"The Party."

"Oh man ... why tonight. I'm exhausted already. Well, at least I don't have to spend the next couple of hours wondering what to wear." Sherry went home, showered and changed into her jeans and t-shirt. Then she cut up the brownies she had made for the party. After that, she decided to just sit down on the couch for a few minutes to try and relax.

It wouldn't take long for her to get ready, so a few minutes to relax would be heavenly. What seemed to be only a few minutes later, there was a pounding noise that kept interrupting Sherry's thoughts. She tried to ignore it, but it was a persistent noise. Finally, she realized that she had fallen asleep and there was somebody knocking on the door. She got up and went to see who was pounding.

She opened the door and there stood Kit, toga and all. "Kit, what are you doing here so early? I thought you weren't coming till it was time for the party."

Kit couldn't believe Sherry wasn't ready yet. "I'm not early. What have you been doing?"

Sherry looked at her watch and couldn't believe it. "Oh no. I must have fallen asleep on the couch. Oh, gee, I'm never gonna be ready now. Come on in."

Kit laughed at her friend. "Take it easy. Tell you what. Just throw your toga on over your t-shirt and jeans and grab the food and let's be on our way. If anyone asks, we'll just tell them you were having a bad day."

"Well, at least it wouldn't be a lie." Sherry threw on the toga and grabbed her brownies and they headed for the hotel. The party was in full swing when they arrived. North greeted them at the door. "Hey Kit, Sherry. Glad you could make it. Just put the food over there on that table and come on in and enjoy the party." Then, laughingly she asked, "Uh, Sherry ... what's up with the outfit?"

Sherry laughed "Don't ask."

Sherry looked around. Aly was doing her usual swinging from the rafters and having a high old time. Trace was scarfing down the doritos and the dew. Aries and Shadoe seemed to be having an animated discussion about something to do with stencils. Sherry grabbed a Diet Coke and mingled with her friends for a while. There were lots of their new friends here tonight so she got better acquainted with them as well. A, Andrea and Aen seemed to be having a ball. Everyone was having great fun getting their names all mixed up. Someone was keeping the music flowing. Lots of tunes from everyone's favorite TV show. (Law and Order, right?) North must have brought her soundtracks.

After about an hour and a half, Sherry's head was pounding and the lights were really beginning to hurt her eyes. She should have known better. After the day she had put in, it was bound to happen. A migraine was setting in big time. She was also starting to feel a bit queasy. She found North and asked if there was any milk around.

North looked at her strangely. "Milk? Uh, yeah. Why? Did you bring Michael along?"

Sherry laughed. "Don't I wish. No, I need to take some migraine medicine and I either need to eat food or drink milk with the pill. Right now the food doesn't sound very good for the stomach, so I'm vying for the milk."

North was sympathetic. "Oh, I'm sure we can find you some. Hang on while I get one of the waiters." It wasn't long before a waiter returned with a nice tall glass of milk. Sherry grabbed two of her migraine pills and washed them down with the milk. Now, if she could just find a nice quiet, dark corner and wait for the pills to do their thing.

She wandered out the back of the room and onto the terrace. It was nice out here. Just a few dim lights around, nothing bright at all. And it was quiet. She threw off the toga and just stood by the rail and breathed in the fresh air for a few minutes.

"Hello."

Sherry jumped. She turned around and there stood ... no, it couldn't be. Must be the medication. She blinked her eyes and ... yep, it was. "Uh, hi. I didn't hear you coming up."

"I'm sorry I startled you," he apologized.

"Oh, that's okay." Then she turned back to stare out into the darkness. She couldn't believe it. Of all the people in the world to walk up behind her now. Why now? She had a thumping migraine and she was sure she looked a sight. Probably big black rings under her eyes and she was getting very sleepy from the medication. And he was making her very nervous ... stress was definitely not going to help her headache!

He walked up beside her and spoke again quietly. "It's a beautiful night."

Sherry smiled. There was nothing she wanted more right now than to go home and lay down, but she couldn't be rude. And she didn't want to miss out on this opportunity. "Yes, it is." She had turned her head toward him to answer him. Just then someone opened the door and the light streamed out of the hotel and hit her right in the eyes. She knew she squinted and she thought she groaned as well.

He looked at her closely. "Are you all right?"

Sherry smiled. "Well, not exactly. I've got a migraine. I was at the party inside there, but I had to leave. The lights, music, and general noise was too much. I needed a quiet, dark place to rest and this seemed perfect."

He listened attentively and then apologized. "I'm sorry. I shouldn't have interrupted you."

"Oh, don't apologize. It's not your fault."

He nodded and then asked "Is there anything I can get for you?"

Sherry turned to him and said, "No, thank you. I did take my medication. I just need to rest."

He took her arm and then said "Please, come over here and sit."

Sherry was embarrassed. Now he felt like he had to babysit her. "Thank you. Listen, I appreciate your concern, but you don't have to wait on me. I'll be okay. I'm sure you have better things to do."

He smiled. "Better things than help a lady in distress? I don't think so. We are staying here at the hotel for a location shoot. I wanted some fresh air so I was just taking a walk. By the way, I never introduced myself. I'm Roy Dupuis."

Sherry smiled. "Oh, I know."

He looked surprised. Sherry laughed. "Don't worry, I'm not a stalker or anything. I just happen to be a fan of La Femme Nikita and Michael. Oh, and I'm Sherry."

Roy smiled. "It's a pleasure to meet you Sherry. I just wish it was under better circumstances for you."

Sherry laughed again. "I've never been grateful for a migraine before, but this time I'll have to make an exception."

Roy laughed as well. Then he noticed Sherry rubbing the side of her head and asked "Are you staying here at the hotel? Can I walk you back to your room?"

Sherry smiled. "No, I live not too far away. I came to the party with my friend Kit. I'll just wait out here until the party starts to wind down and then I'll find Kit. Oh, the party. I forgot. I know you like your privacy, so, uh ... you might want to make your get away before anybody else comes out and sees you. Otherwise, you could be dragged into a that toga party and not seen for weeks. There are a lot of LFN fans in there."

Roy smiled. "Glad to hear it. And as for staying out here and waiting, don't be ridiculous. I will see you home."

Sherry's head was really pounding and she was getting very sleepy. She would like nothing better than to have Roy Dupuis escort her home, but she didn't want to make a fool out of herself by throwing up on him. "That's very nice of you, but I'll be fine. I just need to stay away from the noise and lights until the pills kick in."

Roy stood up. "Nonsense. I will have my driver bring the car around to the back of the hotel. And I will find your friend and tell her what is going on."

"Well, if you insist, I would appreciate it. But you really, really don't have to go in there. I'll go in and tell Kit what's going on."

Just then a waiter happened to come out the back door of the hotel. "Excuse me," Roy called to him. "Would you please go in and find Kit and ask her to come out here. Her friend Sherry needs to see her." The waiter nodded and went back inside.

About five minutes later, the door opened and Kit and North walked out. They looked around and saw Sherry sitting in a dark corner of the terrace. They also noticed someone else was with her. They walked over and stopped dead in their tracks when they saw who was sitting with their friend. Sherry looked up through her squinted eyes and laughed. "Hi guys. I guess I don't have to tell you who this is."

Roy laughed. "Hello ladies."

North recovered first. "Hello Roy. I'm Northstar. I can't believe you are actually here. What are you doing here?"

Roy smiled, shook North's hand and turned to Kit. "Then you must be Kit. Nice to meet both of you. As I told Sherry, we are doing a location shoot nearby and we are staying at the hotel."

Roy then proceeded to tell Kit and North about Sherry's problem and that he had offered her a ride home. North and Kit were both beside themselves. Here was Roy Dupuis offering to take their friend home. Lucky girl!

Kit spoke up. "That's okay. Thank you Roy, but I can take Sherry home. We really don't want to put you out."

Sherry spoke up. "I told him I'd wait until the party was over, but he insisted."

Roy nodded. "It's no trouble. I would be glad to do it. I really don't like hotels. Getting away from here for a short while will do me some good. And I promise I won't take advantage of your friend and I won't let anything happen to her."

North and Kit exchanged glances and then nodded. Then Kit spoke. "Okay, if it's all right with Sherry. And I'll stop by on my way home and check on you Sherry."

Sherry nodded and the pain felt like it was splitting her head in two. "No problem. And thank you, Roy."

Roy called his driver and had the car brought around. He helped Sherry into it and then Kit gave him Sherry's address. Roy gave the address to his driver, waved to Kit and North and then they disappeared into the night. North turned to Kit. "I can't believe it. Wait till we tell the others!"

It didn't take long to get to Sherry's house. The driver pulled into the driveway and Roy helped her out of the car. "If you give me your key, I'll open the door for you." Sherry fumbled around in her purse and then handed Roy the house key. He opened the door and then stepped back and let Sherry go into the house first. "Is there something I can get you? Anything at all?"

Sherry said no. "Just get me to the couch and I'll be fine. You've really gone out of your way for me and I appreciate it." Roy steered Sherry around the furniture and onto the couch. He then went back and closed the door. He found his way into the kitchen and turned on one small light, enough so he could see what he was doing in case Sherry needed something.

Then he came back and sat down in a chair next to the couch. Sherry was listening to Roy moving around in her house. She couldn't believe it. Roy Dupuis in her house, playing nurse! No one was gonna believe this one.

Finally she spoke. "Roy, you really don't have to stay. I'm sure I'll be fine. I'll probably just go to sleep after a bit. And Kit said she'd stop by to check on me when the party is over."

Roy stood up and moved over to the couch. "I'm not leaving. I can tell you are in a lot of pain. I know what migraines do to people. I have relatives that get them. What if you get sick? I don't want you here alone. I'll just wait until your friend gets here. And you don't need to stay awake and entertain me. Just go to sleep. I promise to behave myself."

Sherry laughed. "All right, you win. Help yourself to anything you can find in the kitchen. And if you want to watch tv, that's okay too."

Roy moved back to the chair and sat quietly for about twenty minutes. He could tell that Sherry had gone to sleep. He got up and went to the kitchen and poured himself a glass of milk. Then he returned to the living room and walked around looking over the place. It was nothing expensive, but it was nice and homey. It seemed quite comfortable. About an hour later, Roy heard a car pulling into the driveway. He assumed it was Kit. Not wanting Kit to pound on the door and wake Sherry up, he went to the door and opened it before Kit got to it.

Kit walked in and whispered, "How is she?"

Roy turned and pointed to the couch. "She's sleeping right now, but she was in a lot of pain."

Kit nodded. "Sleep is the best thing for her."

Roy spoke again. "I don't think we should just leave her alone. If you need to leave, I'll be glad to stay with her."

Kit knew how embarrassed Sherry would be if she woke up and Roy was still in her house. "No, that's okay. I'll just call my husband and tell him I'm staying here with Sherry. He'll understand."

Roy smiled. "Well, if you're sure, then I guess I'll head back to the hotel. It was nice meeting you. Please tell Sherry that I hope she is feeling much better."

Kit smiled. "I will. And thank you for your kindness. I know Sherry really appreciated it." Kit watched as Roy got in his car and then left to go back to the hotel.

Sherry woke up the next morning and looked around. What was she doing in the living room? Then it hit her. Oh no! The party ... the migraine ... Roy Dupuis! Oh, I bet I made a great impression on him! He probably ran out of here as fast as he could. He'll never want to meet another fan as long as he lives.

Just then Sherry heard someone in her bathroom. Oh no, it couldn't be. Please tell me he's not still here. She got up and even though the headache wasn't completely gone, she felt 99% better than she had last night. She headed for the bathroom just as Kit came out.

"Hey sleepyhead! It's about time you rejoin the land of the living. I was beginning to think I would have to bring Roy back here to wake you up."

"Oh, how embarrassing. Kit, tell me. Did I make a complete fool of myself? That man probably headed for the hills as fast as he could."

Kit laughed. "No you didn't. And Roy was very nice about the whole thing. He even offered to stay all night and watch over you, but I knew you would have hated that, so I sent him home and stayed myself. The hubby and the kids will just have to fend for themselves for a bit.

Sherry smiled at her friend. "Thanks Kit. Although having Roy stay the night sounds like a heavenly idea!"

Just then there was a knock at the door. Kit went to answer it so Sherry could go change. She opened the door to a florist's delivery man with a beautiful bouquet of cut flowers. "These are for Sherry Miller," the delivery man said.

Kit smiled. "I'll take them. Thanks." She turned around and sat them down on the coffee table. "Hmm. I wonder who could be sending Sherry flowers? It's not her birthday or anything. Does she have a new boyfriend she hasn't told me about?"

Just then Sherry walked into the room. She saw the flowers and got a curious expression on her face. Kit laughed. "Okay, what's up? Who's sending you flowers? Who haven't you told me about?" Sherry laughed. "Nobody that I know of. I have no idea who they could be from." Then she walked over and took out the card and read it aloud.

"Hope you are feeling much better. I will call later today. Roy" Sherry looked dumbfounded. "Roy? Roy Dupuis sent me flowers? I can't believe it."

Kit laughed. "Yeah, and he's gonna call. So, just what did the two of you do after you left the party last night, anyway? Were you just pretending to have a migraine?"

Sherry snorted. "I wish. He brought me home and I died on the couch. At least I didn't throw up on him."

After breakfast, Kit decided it was time to go home to her family. "Thanks Kit. I really appreciate it. Tell hubby and the kids that I appreciate it too. And I owe you one."

Kit laughed. "Yes you do. And I want to hear all the details about the phone call when it comes."

Sherry smiled. "Dream on, Kit. He was just being polite. I doubt very much a busy man like Roy Dupuis is gonna take time to see if I've recovered from a headache!"

About an hour later the phone rang. Sherry stopped when she heard it ring, but she knew it would never be Roy. She ran over and picked it up. "Hello."

"Hello Sherry. You sound much better than you did last night. I hope that means you are feeling better?" Sherry was stunned. She couldn't believe it.

"Yes, I do. Thank you. And Roy, thank you for all your help last night."

Roy smiled. "My pleasure. And I'm glad you are feeling well. I hope you don't mind my asking, but I was wondering. Would you have dinner with me this evening?"

Sherry's mind was spinning. Dinner with Roy? Maybe it was the medication. She was still dreaming ... that was it. But just then she hit her hip on the corner of the bookcase and realized she was awake. "Uh, dinner tonight? Sure, I'd love to."

"Good. I will pick you up at 7:00. See you then."

Sherry said goodbye and walked through the living room in a daze. Dinner with Roy Dupuis? Wait until Kit heard about this. She quickly picked up the phone and dialed Kit's number.

There was something to be said for migraines after all!

End

This story © Sherry, 1999