Once Seen...

"Can we get some help here?" Harvey yelled after stepping out of his SUV.

Standing in the half-circle drop-off area in front of the Witzler Hotel, the appearance of a well-known visitor spurred two parking valets into action. Racing over, they worried that the hotel owner's close friend had suffered a medical emergency based on his tense face. Those concerns increased as he popped open the vehicle's trunk door and pulled out a folded-up wheelchair.

"Do you need us to call for--"

"No, no, nothing like that," Harvey cut off one of the valets as a bellhop scurried over. "I'm going to need you guys to steady this while we help the young man out. Got that?"

"Yes, sir, Mr. Diamond," the other valet nodded.

Opening the rear passenger side door, Harvey warned the kneeling Jared to be careful. The plan was for the stocky teen to help lift Sean out of the vehicle from the inside while Harvey assisted him from the outside. The whole plan seemed like overkill to Sean, and especially to Newt, who now stood next to the SUV, watching the operation.

"Sean is wearing a walking boot. It's not like he can't slide himself out. You only need to help keep his weight off of his foot," Newt pointed out.

"Are you a doctor? I didn't think so," Harvey snapped dismissively.

"Uh, he does have a point. It's only my foot that's broken," Sean said hesitantly. Embarrassment washed over him as he spotted a small but growing crowd watching.

"I'm taking no chances. Your leg is still bandaged from those cuts. What would I tell your mother if you had to go back to the hospital?" Harvey questioned.

"That it's her fault for leaving me with you?" Sean teased with a smirk.

"Hmm, maybe Whitney isn't the only kid that needs a chaperone tonight. How does Austin sound?" Harvey threatened, which shut Sean up for now.

The process of getting Sean out of the sports utility vehicle proved as overly complicated and unnecessary as Newt had predicted. Harvey's paranoia actually led him to accidentally kick the wheelchair away, almost sending Sean to the pavement. Fortunately, the waiting bellhop rushed forward to push it back in place in the nick of time.

Appearing as if the weight of the world had lessened on his shoulders, Harvey's mood perked up. Generous tips got handed out to the three hotel employees. Next, orders came for Jared to help the bellhop carry their bags inside. Harvey himself would push Sean inside, but he also noticed the number of cars backed up behind them. Feeling guilty, Harvey informed the parking valets not to worry about his SUV. Newt could take it over the parking garage across the street.

"I'm what?"

"Uh, Newt's not a very good driver, Mr. Diamond," Sean stated, not letting on how much of an understatement that to be. "Maybe you should have Jared or one of those guys do it."

"Nonsense. All he needs to do is take it inside the garage and park. How hard can that be?" Harvey commented. "Just be careful on those turns; the garage is kind of narrow. Oh, and make sure to find a wide enough spot. Some of them are tiny. Maybe just park it on top."

"But, I, um, really don't feel...comfortable," Newt trailed off as Mr. Diamond started to wheel Sean forward.

Getting inside and starting the SUV, Newt nearly freaked out as one of the valets squeezed a car past him. Checking behind him and to the side, the teen finally put the car in drive after the fourth scan of his surroundings. Immediately, the SUV lunged forward before Newt slammed on the brakes. Looking around in embarrassment, he repeated the process again, going a few feet further.

"This car is way too big," Newt moaned.

On the third try, he slammed down on the brakes as Mr. Lockett jogged over, waving his arms. Pushing the button to lower the window, Newt looked at him expectantly.

"Not a big driver, huh, buddy?" Jeff inquired, a broad grin on his face.

"I give up," Newt admitted.

"Jesus Christ, Denton! Can't you even drive a car?"

"That's enough, Austin," Clive ordered with a sigh. The nearly two-hour trip down with his youngest daughter's boyfriend had proved quite taxing. Always a jovial man, Jeff repeatedly attempted to include Austin in their conversations. And usually, the answers caused Clive to cringe.

"I'm so telling people that you hit Tarver with a car. Then no one at school will believe he saved--"

"Shut it!" Clive snapped. Then, he had another thought. "Newt, get out of--put it in park first! Good, good. Alright, Austin, you go park it."

"Me?"

"Yes, you. And it's Harvey Diamond's main car. So I wouldn't dare get even a scratch on it," Clive warned, causing Austin to gulp.

"I'll, uh, be extra careful."

"Good. And you'd better hurry up. This line is getting longer."

---

"Finished already?"

"Clive made Lacey's boyfriend do it, Harv," Jeff revealed as Newt looked down to study the lobby's carpet.

"That bad a trip?" Harvey asked knowingly.

"Would you've wanted to do the same with Owen before he left?" Clive countered.

Ignoring the question, Harvey turned back to thank the hotel clerk. Taking two keycards, he started to turn around to walk away before pausing. Instead, he shifted his attention to Newt.

"Are you staying with the Tarvers?"

"My mom reserved a room. I'm not sure when she's arriving."

"No problem," Harvey replied before informing the clerk to check in Newt. "And if you or someone else can wait to get my keys, that would be great. I don't necessarily trust Austin not to lose them."

"I guess--"

"I'll wait," Jared interrupted the scrawny teen. "I want a word with him."

"Jared," Jeff warned his son.

"Don't worry. I won't start anything," the younger Lockett promised. "But if I do, Uncle Clive, I'll make sure it looks like he threw the first punch."

"And with that, we're off," Harvey announced, wheeling Sean toward the elevators.

That proved an adventure itself as people greeted Harvey left and right. Fortunately for Sean, the popular playboy refused to stop. Still, people stopped to stare, and for once in the older man's life, Sean was pretty sure it wasn't for Harvey Diamond. Nope, they gaped at the teenager in a t-shirt covered by a plaid blanket. Of course, the blanket had to slip at one point, get caught in the wheel, and reveal the pajama pants that he wore.

"Are you alright?" Harvey checked while they waited for an elevator.

"Besides feeling like a freakshow, I guess," Sean responded, shrugging.

"I'd imagine a few of the gawkers have guessed who you are. That's if they saw the news."

"Either that or they think I'm a young Professor X getting escorted by the town's supervillain," Sean joked.

"Hey! If anything, I'm the sick and twisted version of Bruce Wayne. Or at least that's what a couple of fishermen told Fred the other day at Wirchie's," Harvey revealed, chuckling. "So you feel like you have superpowers?"

"Nah," Sean replied as the elevator doors opened. With Harvey waiting for the occupants to get off, the teen added, "I feel more like Jimmy Stewart in Rear Window."

"Well, I don't think you'll be solving any murders tonight with a gorgeous blonde," Harvey declared, shaking off anyone else from getting on the elevator with them. "Or maybe you will. A lot of wealthy people with bitter feuds will be at the ball tonight. Still, good call on your appearance."

"Did you see Rear Window in the theater?"

"No, I never did."

"Oh, I thought that you maybe saw it there when it came out," Sean remarked.

"Came out? It came out in the 50s."

"So?"

"So...oh, you little shit!" Harvey growled, gently jabbing Sean's shoulder with his fist. "I'm not that old. And I think I will find you a chaperone. Now, who could be worse than Austin? Any suggestions?"

"Do you want my mom to know how you carelessly hurt my foot?" Sean shot back.

Exiting the elevator, Harvey warned Sean to keep up his quick wit around Whitney. "You're gonna need it."

Pausing at the hotel door, Harvey leaned over again to inquire about Sean's comfort. "Uh, any side effects happening?"

"No. I'm good."

"Wouldn't do to scare your family," Harvey stated needlessly as he used the keycard to enter one of the two rooms the Tarvers had reserved.

Noticing the bathroom door shut, Harvey pushed Sean all the way inside toward the window on the far side. Turning the teen around, he hesitated over what to do next. It all depended on who was in the bathroom.

"Let's hope that's not your dad. We don't need a repeat of the hospital," Harvey remarked. Then, realizing Sean might not remember, he asked if he did.

"Kinda. It's difficult to know what was a dream and what wasn't. Still, I doubt that my dad has left the hospital already."

The door opening cut off any response.

"Peyton? Good timing. I'm going to need help--oh!"

It hadn't been Leonard in the bathroom. Instead, Bridget walked out while attaching an earring before screeching to a halt several feet into the main section of the room. Three pairs of eyes widened as time seemed to slow down to crawl.

With her long, wavy caramel blonde hair slightly curled, it was clear that Bridget had been in the middle of getting dressed in the bathroom. Neither the man nor the teenager noticed her hair. How could they, as a black strapless demi bra pushed her large breasts up and out? And if they could've pried their eyes away from such a magnificent sight, Harvey and Sean's focus would've lowered rather than raised to take in the matching pair of skimpy panties.

"Whoops," Bridget said, recovering first. Then, figuring the damage had been done, she asked Sean how he was feeling.

"He's doing fine," Harvey answered for the tongue-tied son.

"Sorry, honey," Bridget told her son. "I'll head back to the bathroom before I embarrass you anymore."

"No problem, Bee," Harvey responded for both of them again.

Used to being around half-naked women, Harvey still felt thankful that he'd finished speaking before Bridget turned around to head to the bathroom. Deep down, he knew that Bridget's dress likely dictated her selection of undergarments that left little lines underneath. Still, seeing the tiny black thong wedged between two flawless ass cheeks came as a surprise.

Moving his attention down and over to Sean, he saw the teenager's head cocked slightly to the side. He couldn't blame Sean for the look of mystified fascination. Not when your mom is breathtaking.

"You know, uh, these things happen," Harvey remarked as an icebreaker. "You okay?"

"I'm having a side effect," Sean revealed in a pained voice.

"Can't blame ya," Harvey mumbled before raising his voice while pushing Sean forward. "Bridget, I think I'll take Sean upstairs. My suite has more room for his wheelchair."

---

"Mom!"

"Oh, honey. I've been worried sick about you, all of you. Answer your phone next time," Hillary Swift scolded her daughter, walking into the makeshift salon.

"I'm sorry. I turned it off because of the poor reception," Ramsey responded, hugging her mother. "I took notes."

"Both ways, I hope," Hillary replied, knowingly.

Her daughter's secrecy over her reporter mode had been a source of consternation for the single mother. It had nothing to do with her daughter's quirk but rather that she waited until last summer to inform her about it. It also hurt Hillary that her father and Lacey had known for years about Ramsey's secret way of viewing the world.

"Don't worry, Ms. Swift. I'll give you guys an exclusive," Whitney shouted from the bedroom.

"Whitney, you promised me an interview for The Buzzy Bee!" Ramsey exclaimed.

"So?"

"So that's not an exclusive then for the Daily Flyer," Ramsey informed, marching over to the bedroom where Kristoff worked on finishing her co-BFF's hair. Her mother followed her.

"The school newspaper doesn't count," Whitney replied, realizing that she'd said the wrong thing based on Lacey's shaking head and Ramsey's reddening face.

"Dear, we're all thrilled that you're okay," Hillary said, walking around her daughter and blocking the likely explosion. "Don't worry about sitting for an interview until you're ready. You need to focus on your health."

"What?" Ramsey spat out in surprise. Then, when her mom turned to face her, she added, "Why?"

"Why not? You should be concerned about your friend, not a story," Hillary stated. Next to her, Lacey nodded eagerly in agreement.

"No, no, Whitney nearly dying is the biggest story happening right now in Honey Hollow. Grandpa has to be under pressure to know and report the facts," Ramsey noted. Studying her mother, her reporter mode booted up. "I'm surprised he didn't drive up to Wasp Lake."

"Not everything is about breaking the news," Hillary replied dismissively.

"Is that so, Mother?" Ramsey questioned in a calm, cool, and collected voice. Note: Mother's left eye twitched.

"Yes, that is so. Now, I came by to give you your keycard," Hillary informed, her attention focused inside her purse.

Note: The immediate move is to break off eye contact.

"Why can't I stay with the Strattons?"

"What? I'm not allowed to want to spend time with my daughter?" Hillary asked rather than answered. Her attention was overly focused on the keycard.

Analysis: Something is brewing. Is it a story? Or is it another of her secret dates?

"Why can I not stay with Lacey?" Ramsey questioned slowly. It had been her way for years to show her mother or grandfather that she wanted an answer.

"Fine! It's New Year's Eve. People like to mingle and maybe more with people they're attracted to," Hillary stated with a large sigh. "I have a date that I wish to spend time with."

"You do?! Who is it?" Lacey questioned in excitement.

"And that has to do with me how?" Ramsey queried, overriding her friend's question.

"Also, your Uncle Hearst and Aunt Nancy would like a night alone. Soo--"

"So why can't Grandpa watch Reed?"

"Your grandfather is busy. So we really need you to help watch your cousin," Hillary explained in a semi-pleading tone. "Not that you need to watch him, but just spend the night in the same room. That way, we know he's safe."

Note: Mother licked her lips twice in five seconds. That's a tell that she's hiding a detail.

"What if I wanted to spend time with a boy that I like?"

At least Lacey had the tact to bite her lip while Whitney barked out a laugh. Hillary merely smiled as mothers do when their children say something absurd.

"Sure you do, honey. But you'll have plenty of time for that before you need to keep your cousin company." Checking her phone, Ms. Swift announced that she needed to go.

"Do you have a boy in mind?" Lacey inquired, nearly bursting from the hope that it was Sean.

"Maybe I do, maybe I don't."

"Oh, please, Rammy. We know you don't," Whitney stated dismissively. Then, turning her attention back to her hair. "We almost done here, Kristoff?"

"Very close, Miss Diamond."

"Cool. Hey, where are you going?"

"I have to move my stuff between rooms," Ramsey explained, motioning for Lacey to join her.

"Alright, but no getting dressed yet. We can help each other in my suite," Whitney called after her two friends.

"Give us twenty minutes or so," Lacey yelled back.

---

"I'm so sorry, I didn't realize he picked me over you," Skye apologized sincerely for the third time since they boarded the elevator. She'd been horrified to learn that Donatello and Whitney's argument hadn't been a joke.

"How many times do I have to tell you not to worry about shit tonight?" Whitney deflected her anger. "Besides, I can't be mad at you for Donatello working his magic. But, girl, if you don't get marriage proposals tonight, then this town's men suck."

"Oh, come on! I don't look that good."

"You don't look good. You look fucktastic," Whitney proclaimed. "I'll be lucky to get your discarded leftovers."

"Like either of us believes that," Skye responded, lightly punching the teen's shoulder.

"I wonder if my dad is here yet," Whitney said, using the keycard to unlock the door. "What the hell?"

Walking into the room, the two young women slowed as they saw an odd sight. A figure sat in a wheelchair in front of the large glass window that overlooked the city's skyline. The stranger part of Sean's positioning was that he was hunched over with his head against the glass.

"Is he okay? That looks uncomfortable," Skye commented.

"He looks creepy," Whitney countered. Then, raising her voice, she expressed her feelings. "Dammit, Sean! You better not be peeping on the neighbors. Sean?"

CLAP CLAP

"Sean!"

"Wha--huh?" Sean's body jolted up.

"Shit. Were you sleeping like that?"

"Oh, hey, Whitney. I must have dozed--wow! You two look fabulous!"

"See? You look fucktastic too," Skye whispered, giggling.

"Sean? Are you okay out there?"

Whitney turned her gaze toward the opposite side of the suite and her father's voice.

"Sean?!" Harvey's voice held an extra level of concern.

That's what caused him to rush out of his room without properly considering his attire. With water from the interrupted shower dripping from his hair and down his body, Harvey had only thrown a towel around his waist. Spotting his daughter and his friend's ex-girlfriend, the town's playboys skidded to a halt.

"Oh, it's you."

"Hello, to you too, Father," Whitney greeted cheekily.

"Uh, I thought, um, that Sean had a..."

"A problem? Yeah, he was sleeping weirdly against the glass. I hope he's not acting like a goofball again from his painkillers," Whitney remarked. "You better not be, Tarver. I have plans for you tonight."

"Be nice, pumpkin," Harvey admonished. "And keep an eye on him. I need to finish showering."

Turning around, Harvey's hastily applied towel slipped, leading to a brief glimpse of his toned, naked ass. Prying her eyes away from the naked man-flesh, Whitney shook her head as it moved toward the other guy in the hotel suite. I don't know who's going to be worse tonight. Then, glancing back over at Skye, she sighed.

"Close your mouth, Miss Model. That's my dad's ass that left you slack-jawed," Whitney reminded, using her hand to help close the brunette's dropped jaw.