Staring out of the tinted windows of the Family limousine, Sebastian DiSantiago watched as downtown Hudson City rolled past. He considered the time they were making, as normally there would be a bit of traffic, but it was almost as if the city itself knew who the passenger of this car was, as lanes and lights both were accommodating tonight. He sighed softly, and keyed the button which would allow him to talk to the driver.

"Go ahead and take the long way, I don't want to arrive early tonight."

Watching the driver through the partition, Sebastian noticed the nod, and then turned his attention to the woman next to him. He had picked her up leaving the gym one evening, and she'd been a good distraction for a while. He wasn't sure how much longer she would hold his interest, but it didn't matter. He was a DiSantiago, there were always more women. Stunningly beautiful, with long dark hair and deep blue eyes, her attention was not on Sebastian, but the entertainment center.

"Sebastian…. Is that us?" She asked, pointing.

Glancing over at the screen, he saw the video of the week being replayed. He watched as he and the woman next to him were lying on a beach, obviously enjoying each others company. A few blurry pixels made the video safe for public broadcast, but barely. Shaking his head, he reached for his cell, and dialed.

"Yes, yes it is us."

"How did…. You said that beach was private!" her voice raised a bit, both in volume and pitch.

Waving dismissively at her, he turned away, as the person he was dialing answered.

"Hello?" asked a familiar woman's voice.

"Phi, its Sebastian… turn on channel 37. I thought we owned that damn station, and fired anyone who had been involved. Why is this on again?"

"Calm down Bastian, let me see. Oh.. that video. Hmm… I don't know what you're complaining about, you look good in that video." her voice was full of mirth as she teased him.

"Phi! Not you too. You know this is embarrassing Dad, and that's the only reason I'm upset about it. I'd bare my ass on main street, I'm not shy, but you know how I hate it, if Dad thinks I'm making the family look bad. Can you at least call them and shut this down? I would but I'm on my way to the dinner party that you somehow got out of. Are you sure you don't want to come?"

"No, I can't, I told you I'm busy Bastian, besides you have that floozy with you. You know she and I don't get along. You go and enjoy yourself, I'll see about getting this off the air again. Call if you need me."

With that, she hung up. There was never a need for a goodbye with Phi, that's the kind of relationship they had. Thunder rumbled ominously in the background and a storm was breaking overhead, as the woman next to him spoke.

"Sebastian! Answer me, what are you going to do about this?! My parents are going to see that, my friends are going to see that! You can't let them show me off as some bimbo, you have to do something!!" she all but shrieked at him.

Inwardly Sebastian smiled to himself, as once again she had given him exactly what he wanted, albeit unwittingly this time. Outwardly, his dark eyes narrowed, nearly twinkling at the challenge.

"You want me to do something? OK."

Sebastian keyed the intercom once again. "Pull over here, please."
The honks and screeching brakes that followed assured Sebastian that his request was being taken care of, and he turned to look at the woman. "Get out."

"Wh… What? Are you kicking me out? Here? Before the party? How will I get home? It's starting to rain!"

"Yes, you bimbo, get the hell out of my Limo. If I have to hear your inane chatter, or screeching voice one more time I'll go crazy. I'm only going to say this once. Get. Out. Here, call a cab to come get you."

He put a folded bill into her hand, as she stared at him with big confused eyes, and for a second he thought she was going to fight him on it. One quick glance at the driver, who had his door open already, seemed to discourage her. She quietly gathered her things, opened the door, and got out.

"Call me!" she yelled, as the limo sped off.

Sebastian chuckled to himself. "They always want you to call them… "

The rest of the trip was a blur, Sebastian clicked off the TV, and sat in the remote silence of the limo, until they pulled to a stop. Running his fingers through his hair, he waited for the door to be opened for him. The valet tonight was new, someone Sebastian didn't recognize, some young blond kid, who looked way too eager. As Sebastian thanked him, walking towards the restaurant, the kid spoke up.

"Excuse me... are you that guy from the beach video?"

Sebastian paused ever so briefly, and without turning, said over his shoulder

"No, I think you must be mistaken."

He continued into the restaurant, letting his eyes adjust to the dim lighting The restaurant was packed full of society's elite, definitely a black tie affair. The soft murmur of conversation filled the room, and succulent smells wafted from the kitchen. Sebastian relaxed a touch. He loved this restaurant, and for the first time tonight he was happy he came. As he was checking his overcoat, the maître d' came over, and shook Sebastian's hand.

"Sebastian, or should I say Dr. DiSantiago, how are you? You look well."

"Paulie, please, you've known me for years. Knock that Dr. stuff off. Take me in, I'm starving."

As they walked through the restaurant Sebastian smiled and gave discreet waves to people he recognized. There were a lot of familiar faces tonight, all of whom seemed to be enjoying the evenings festivities. As he reached his table, he leaned in to whisper into Paulie's ear.

"Do me a favor, fire the new kid outside."

Paulie didn't even blink, he just nodded, and with a bow, he was gone, walking back to his post.