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Lorraine wasn't awake when Tracy got the call to come back to ABCSC to admit Kylie Adamson. Megan's forehead felt warm, and Danny had been rather lethargic. Tracy called Jake's wife, Nancy to see if she could babysit a little while, so she could dash over there and check on her protégé. Nancy agreed.

Tired, but still clear, knowing the moments would come when clarity would fade, having been awake over 24 hours, Tracy entered the conference room to find her heads of staff deep in conversation. The question wasn't whether to admit Kylie, but if she could admit without interviews and staff approval. And, whether or not she could adopt the child of a patient, as she had promised, should the need arise.

"According to the bylaws...." She heard those words several times, and ignored them, Tracy knew Andria had kept a clause in the bylaws that allowed for her to arbitrarily override any decision or law made, without consent from any staff member, at any time as she saw fit. She had included this to allow for compassion when it was warranted, and yet not necessarily deserved. She kept the bylaws for everyone else to follow, provided they realized.... Well, anyway.

Her phone buzzed. Wearily, she glanced at the face and then flipped it open. "Yes?" It was Michael.

"Stop by my office as soon as you're done, in say fifteen minutes."

"I'll be done in fifteen minutes?"

"Good girl, see you then." He clicked off and Tracy stared at the phone in consternation, but then taking her cue from Michael's policy, she cleared her throat, feeling a bit nervous in the face of all these doctors and managers Andria had hired, and without Andria. She knew that even with her degree they looked at her as an eccentric movie star musician, and didn't take her very seriously.

She stood at her place, cleared her throat again, determined not to make this last any longer than it had to. She picked up the bylaws folder and slapped it on the table. When several pairs of eyes had fastened on her, and lips shut, she smiled genuinely. "Ladies and Gentlemen, please refer to the final page of the portfolio for the president's veto rights. It's a clause I had Andria include to protect my interests, should this corporation even become too rule-ified. I really want there to be compassion here, I just don't want us to be taken advantage of, hence the screening, and the contracts. But there has to be a place for my own judgments. And...." She glanced around at the now startled eyes, frantically searching the last page of their folders and some were nodding. "As far as me, or anyone else adopting.... For heaven's sake, this is also an adoption agency. If you qualify... adopt."

An outburst much like the cacophony of voices she normally heard when the paparazzi was around greeted her, as she closed her folder and placed it on the table with another beatific smile. "Gotta run." She said and heel-clicked out at a fast pace.

Jake drove her to Rocks, and she held her head which was aching now, and tried to think only of getting home, sleeping, being with her kids.

Until Michael opened his office door to two unfamiliar people. She sighed.

He indicated for her to take a seat. "Tracy, I'm sure you might recognize Leo Hightower, producer extraordinaire? And this is singer and musician, Archer."

Tracy sat in her customary seat, deliberately away from the three men after shaking hands. Her eyes sought the first gentleman Michael had introduced. In his fifties, with black hair and silver jets over his ears, piercing blue eyes, and a face that could only be described in terms of bozo the clown, the nose was so bulbous, Tracy had a hard time not staring, and certainly not laughing. This man exuded confidence, aplomb, eccentricity. His companion moved, as her eyes traveled to meet his incredulously, which drew her attention to his greatest feature, his beautiful, expressive mouth. She'd never been in such close proximity to such ostentatious, flamboyant looks. They were both significantly overpowering. On looks alone. So now she waited for them to speak.

And no one did.

Tracy cocked her head to one side, expectantly, one eyebrow rose. She drummed a finger on the table sharply.

Still no one spoke, and in an unusual manner, there was absolutely no un-communicated body gestures either. They didn't glance at each other knowingly or unknowingly. They simply sat there staring at her.

Tracy finally shrugged. "Time is.... My time, gentlemen." She said experimentally.

"Yes, um...." The younger man, what was his stage name? Archer? Had an accent, Australian?

She gave him her full and undivided attention, and he had the grace to look uncomfortable.

But Leo what was his last name? took the ball away in a typically confident move. "Miss McCaffrey, we would like to propose a project for you. We'd like you to be the voice over for a Disney animated character musical we have produced."

"Produced, as in it's done already?"

He nodded.

"Who did you have before?"

"Whitney Houston."

"And why did she bag out?"

"Rehab."

Tracy nodded slowly, her eyes scanning theirs for clues. "What Disney?"

"The Seven Swans."

Her eyes lit noticeably. That was one of her favorite fairy tales, and it showed plainly on her face. There was a collective look of relief as each man in turn recognized a quick victory, none more relieved than Michael himself. He had a contract in front of him and now he hefted his squished bulk out of his rolling chair, to bring it to her with a pen.

"Standard?" she asked, having read hundreds of standard contracts. "I'd love to, can I see the score? Have the other characters been cast? Who plays the prince? You?" She pointed the pen at Archer, his blonde eyebrows rose. He had to be older than her, but his nerves gave away his inexperience.

He was nodding, a smile adorning that beautiful mouth.

"Love to get together. When can we work on it? I'm just about never free anymore." She laughed, half-seriously.

Of course, Michael would have her schedule. But then another person walked in without knocking, as if on cue. "Hi, I'm Brianna Marks, I'm Tracy's agent. I'll be representing her interests in this project." She nodded at Michael, shook hands professionally with the other two gentlemen, and then turned to Tracy who was almost scowling, but not at her, at Michael.

She shook hands levelly, gave Michael a sarcastic smile, accepted his apologetic, and determined one in return, and then gave Archer another gaze. "When did you have in mind to work on it? I take it, all is done except what you and I need to work on?"

Archer started to answer and Leo dove in. "We're definitely under the gun on this one... way past deadline. Are you free right away?"

Tracy looked amazed. "Are you serious? Free, like in.... right away today?"

Hopeful eyes turned to her and she managed to look incredulous. "I need time to read the script, learn the songs."

Michael was shaking his head. "This is you, babe. You can help these people right now in exchange for something you really want later."

Tracy nodded sagely. "And what is it I really want later, Michael?"

Brianna stepped in after perusing the contract and signing Tracy's name for her. Tracy gave one super incredulous look to Michael and let her eyes and the set of her chin speak for her. "What you really want is to be in a Disney movie..." Brianna said artistically.

Tracy smiled superciliously. "Right." She grabbed the contract, scribbled out Brianna's name as agent and signed her own name. Brianna leaned over the table when Tracy was heading for the door and gasped at what Tracy had done, turning astounded eyes on Michael, who had hung his head and sat rubbing his forehead.

"Archer." She said and he got up with alacrity. "Want lunch with me? We can figure out a schedule?" He held the door for her as she made her way back into the hall.

*****