Dream a Little Dream

Chapter 24

“Did you talk to your parents?”

Emily Quartermaine sat down next to Nikolas Cassadine on a sofa in the Wyndemere parlor. They'd gotten back late the previous night from their vacation.

“No one was home, Alice said,” Emily replied. “Mom and Dad were at work, AJ was out with Michael and Morgan, Jason was at his rescue squad class, and Carly was out with Skye. Not that I really wanted to talk with Carly, anyway. So I told Alice to let everyone know we were home.”

Nikolas grimaced.

“I hope that doesn't mean more of what we got before we left,” he said.

“Did you talk to your mom?” Emily asked.

“I talked with my grandmother,” Nikolas said. “Mom and Lulu are in New York. They'll be back week after next for the last Nurses' Ball rehearsals, then the Ball is that weekend. She said Lucky just got back from his camping trip with Sly, so he's probably busy at Vagabond catching up on things. I'll drop in to see him there in a few days, maybe.”

“That reminds me, we better call Lucy,” Emily said. “We need to find out when rehearsals are for our number.”

“I talked with Lucy after I got off the phone with Grandmother,” Nikolas said. “She wants to see us alone for a rehearsal and costume fitting tomorrow over at the Paget Studio.”

Emily smiled, then looked thoughtful.

“I hope we're doing the right thing,” she said.

“Why wouldn't we be?” Nikolas asked. “Because of Zander? That's old news. If he wants to make trouble, he'll just end up looking like the fool.”

“True,” Emily said. “But there are other people that might not like it. Your uncle, Alexis, etcetera.”

“Who cares?” Nikolas said with a disdainful shrug. “We're together, our families are important in the community, we have every reason to do this. If Uncle and Alexis can't accept this, then too bad.”

* * *

Diego Alcazar had been up for several hours. His pool party was tonight, and part of the deal with his father was that he would clean the pool and the patio. He'd swept the patio, cleaned the furniture, and had just finished vacuuming and skimming the pool; now he was testing the water before putting the chemicals in.

Lorenzo stepped out of the house in his bathrobe, sipping a cup of coffee.

“How's it looking?” Lorenzo asked.

“Pretty good,” Diego replied. “I just have to put the chemicals in and the pool will be all set. I'll set out the big buckets for drinks after that. After that, I just have to get out the cups and plates and stuff.”

“The food will be here later,” Lorenzo said. “I'll be heading out to Rochester in a little bit to pick up the stuff from the Dinosaur, then stop at Wegman's on the way home for the rest. I should be back by 3.”

Diego smiled.

“Thanks, Dad,” he said. “Not just for the food, but for letting me have the party. You have no idea what it means to me.”

Lorenzo pulled Diego into a brief hug, then gave him a noogie.

“You're welcome, Son,” he said.

* * *

Robin Scorpio and Anna Devane ate breakfast in the sunny kitchen of their home.

“What are you doing today?” Anna asked.

“This morning, just laundry and a few other chores,” Robin said. “I've got Nurses' Ball practice this afternoon. We'll probably just go to the Pizza Shack or Kelly's afterwards. What are your plans?”

“That's something I wanted to talk with you about,” Anna said. She was scared, but knew she had to do what she was about to do.

Robin raised an eyebrow. “What is it?” she asked.

“I need to tell you something,” Anna said. “I'm seeing someone. Stefan Cassadine, to be specific.”

Robin went pale. The room wavered before her eyes.

“What?!” she gasped. “When? How?”

“It started a few weeks ago, after the Quartermaine party,” Anna said. “Remember the day we went for a ride? That was the start of things. I've seen him several times since then. I'm sorry for keeping it from you, Robin, but I was afraid it would hurt you too much then. Jerry Jacks had brought up your father, and ...”

“Let's bring up Dad again,” Robin said. “What about him, Mom? Have you forgotten about your husband? He could still be out there!”

Anna looked sadly into Robin's eyes. The grown-up hospital administrator still harbored the little girl who wanted her father. Anna wanted so much to make it all better for Robin, but there was nothing she could do.

“Robin, I can't live my life based on 'could be's',” Anna said. “Your father isn't here. That's the reality. I mourned him for a long time. Just because I'm with Stefan doesn't change anything I've ever felt for Robert.”

Robin looked at Anna with a stricken face.

“I don't understand,” she said. “What is it you see in Stefan?”

“He and I get each other,” Anna said. “We both know what it's like to lose the love of your life. We've both been around the world and have fought for our loved ones tooth and nail. We've both felt the pull of darkness in a way few others have. And we also have similar tastes, and we just get along splendidly.”

“He's my boss,” Robin said. “This is going to be so awkward.”

“Only if you let it be,” Anna said. “If you feel uncomfortable, talk with him about it.”

Robin shook her head.

“I can't believe this is happening,” she said. “I can't believe you'd forget about Dad like this...”

She got up from the table, grabbed her bag and ran out of the house. Anna sat at the table for a long time, fighting back tears. She got up, put the dishes in the dishwasher, and walked into the living room to call Stefan. On the wall over the table where the phone was hung a photograph of Robert and Anna on their wedding day.

“You understand, don't you?” she whispered, gazing at the picture. “Please, wherever you are, help Robin through this.”

* * *

Home from his morning out with Michael and Morgan, AJ went into the basement gym of the Quartermaine mansion.

It had been a hard week. Jason either treated him to stony silence, or lashed out. Monica and Alan, torn over the situation, had said little. Carly let her fury over Jason's behavior be known to AJ, and she was agitating to do something about it. Between his pain over Jason, his fear of his parents not supporting him, and Carly's tempests, he felt the longing for a drink sharper than he had since Carly had been shot by Sonny Corinthos.

His next meeting was tomorrow, so AJ decided to keep himself busy until then. Getting out of the house with the boys was a good diversion. Exercising hard was another one. A long nap afterwards would take care of the afternoon. Maybe he'd take Carly out to dinner, or have dinner brought up to them in their room for a romantic evening.

AJ did some stretching, then put his earphones on, hooked them into the iPod strapped to his arm, and got on the treadmill for a little run. The steady rhythm of running, and the music in his ears – a mix of his favorite U2 songs – made it easy for AJ to tune out everything but his own unhappiness. Seeing Jason look at him with contempt and anger left AJ feeling like the old loser for whom everything he touched turned to crap. He was scared that Jason's anger would bring back the past for Alan and Monica, and turn them against him. Carly's impatience with the whole situation made AJ feel impotent.

He had no idea how to make it all better. If he could somehow reach Jason, and start to make some kind of amends ...

AJ felt a hand grab and shake his arm. It was Jason, looking at him coldly.

“Hey,” AJ said, taking the earphones out of his ears and stepping off the treadmill. “Sorry, I was off in my own world there with the music on. You want to use it?”

“Off in your own world, probably thinking of yourself as always,” Jason sneered.

“Actually, I was thinking of you,” AJ said. Jason glared at him.

“Oh, yeah?” he said.

“Yeah,” AJ said. “I was wondering how we're going to work things out, where I can make amends.”

Jason rolled his eyes.

“What, we're just supposed to shake hands and make up and then go on like nothing happened?” he yelled.

“No, Jase,” AJ said. “But we have to start somewhere.”

“I don't have to do or start anything!” Jason shouted. “This isn't some AA role-playing game, this is reality! Did you seriously expect I'd just shrug off losing nine years of my life? All the dreams I had?”

Jason's face was red with fury. AJ felt deflated inside.

“No, I didn't expect everything to be better all at once,” AJ said. “I just wanted ...”

“You wanted?!” Jason demanded. “You're not in charge here! I am! I was your victim, I get to decide where we go!”

AJ said nothing, just looked away sadly.

“You ruined my life!” Jason said. “I lost Keesha – she's gone, married to someone else now! I'll never be a doctor! I lost the last years with Grandmother and Grandfather! I didn't get to see Emily, Brooke Lynn or Dillon grow up! I lost the last nine years, I lost all the dreams I had, because of you!”

The fury rushed to Jason's head, then his fists. He nailed AJ across the jaw, sending him staggering. Jason hit AJ again, and again. AJ did nothing to stop him. Jason felt a rush of power and pleasure.

* * *

Skye, Carly and Brenda walked into the Quartermaine mansion talking over Skye's wedding plans. Skye showed them a picture of the wedding dress she'd picked out in New York during her shopping trip with her mother, Rae, and grandmother, Myrtle.

“It's beautiful,” Brenda said in delight. “Have you two set a date yet?”

“We weren't going to right away, with everything going on with Jason and AJ, and Emily gone,” Skye said. “But Monica said to go ahead, that life was uncertain, so grab your happiness where you find it. So Lorenzo and I talked things over the other night, and have decided on December 17, in the University chapel. We'll have the reception at the Country Club.”

“A winter wedding,” Carly said. “All sparkling white, crystal and silver. That sounds so elegant--”

All of a sudden, shouting reached their ears.

“What on earth?!” Brenda exclaimed.

“Oh, no,” Carly said, looking at Skye.

“Jason and AJ,” Skye said sadly. The three women stood silent for a moment to listen for where the noise was coming from.

“They're downstairs!” Brenda said. They all scooted down the stairs and ran to the gym. Carly shrieked in horror as she saw AJ hit the wall and start slumping after another blow. Blood was dripping from his nose.

“Stop!” she cried. Skye ran over to them.

“Jason! No!” she shouted, jumping between them to try and stop Jason. But he couldn't stop his right arm in time – his fist connected with Skye's cheek, sending her reeling.

“Oh, my God!” he gasped, coming back to reality. “Skye!”

Skye turned to face him, the mark already red.

“Why, Jason?” was all she said.

“It doesn't matter!” Carly screamed at Jason, cradling AJ as Brenda stroked his hair. “Just get out of here!”

Jason was stunned, then furious to see the fussing over AJ. He stormed out of the gym and upstairs to his room.

“Stay here, Carly,” Brenda said. “I'll go get some towels and ice.”

She returned quickly, sitting a dazed Skye down next to AJ, and giving her a bag of ice to hold against her cheek. Carly took a towel and gently wiped AJ's face, and put a bag of ice up to it.

“I'm going to go talk with him,” Brenda said. “I don't want Alan and Monica to see him like that. Maybe I can calm him down.”

“Bring a tranquilizer gun,” Carly said. “He's an animal!”

“Relax, Carly, and just take care of AJ,” Brenda said. “I'll be back in a bit.”

* * *

Jason heard a soft knock on his door.

“What?” he snarled. The door opened, and there was Brenda. Looking sad, but unafraid of him.

“I came to see if you were okay,” Brenda said, leaning against the doorway. Jason had changed into jeans, and was pulling a gray t-shirt over his head.

“Do I look okay?” he said. “I didn't mean to hit Skye – it was an accident.”

“She knows that,” Brenda said. “I was wondering about what happened before that.”

Jason crossed his arms and looked sullenly at Brenda.

“He started this crap about amends and working things out,” Jason said. “Like one good talk and everything he did will just be put behind us.”

“I doubt AJ thinks that, Jason,” Brenda said. “He's just trying to start working things out. He knows it's going to take time.”

“Time?” Jason said, looking at Brenda incredulously. “That's it? Just wait until poor Jason stops sulking over losing nine years of his life, his ambitions, the last years his grandparents were alive, his sister's growing-up? He's even stupider than I thought! What the hell did Carly ever see in him?”

“Well, in the beginning, all she saw were a whole lot of zeros in his bank account,” Brenda said.

“I don't believe that,” he said.

“Believe it,” Brenda said. “You could hear the cash register going ka-ching! every time she rubbed her pregnant belly. But she and AJ grew to really love each other. That year – the accident, meeting Carly, going to jail, having Michael – was the beginning of AJ turning things around.”

Jason rolled his eyes.

“Spare me,” he said. “AJ's the same whiny little loser he was nine years ago, he's just not drinking so you're all snowed.”

“He's grown and changed, Jason,” Brenda said. “We all have. Carly, your parents, Emily, your friends. They haven't stood still for nine years. I've changed, too. I'm not the same lost little girl looking to a daddy figure for approval and to control me. I left that behind when I left Sonny. Jax loves me for me, and we're full partners in our marriage. I never thought I'd be secure enough for that.”

“And what was I doing during all this growing and changing?” Jason shouted. “I was stuck in a coma because of AJ! Now I'm just supposed to say, 'it's okay, forget about it' because AJ tosses a few 'I'm sorries' at me?! I can't believe you all just moved on like nothing had happened!”

“You're kidding, right?” Brenda said in disbelief. “As you said, you weren't there. You don't know how it was! You didn't see your family terrified they were going to lose you, or their fury at AJ! Or the way AJ was ostracized. You didn't get to hear me tearing him a new one. You didn't have to live with the smoldering anger in this house, or Lila's grief over seeing the family nearly being torn apart. It took a long time to forgive AJ, or believe he was committed to getting sober and growing up. We spent a long time waiting for the other shoe to drop. But, yeah, we did forgive him. Just like we all have been forgiven for something we've done.”

Jason remembered his dream, where everyone begged for his love and approval, and where AJ was the loser. Now, everyone was challenging him, and supporting AJ. Where did that leave him?

“I can't listen to this crap anymore,” Jason said. He picked up his keys, put his wallet into his jeans pocket, and walked out of his room and down the stairs. Brenda followed.

“Wait, Jason!” she called. She caught up with him in the foyer.

“Why are you running away?” she asked grabbing his arm. “There's more to this than what happened in the gym. Something else is making you angry. What is it?”

Jason's only answer was to shove her roughly away. Before she could go after him again, he was out the door. She was too stunned over his behavior to follow.

“What a mess,” she whispered to herself. Then she went downstairs to help Carly and Skye bring up AJ.

* * *

Diego stood in front of the mirror. He had just showered and shaved. He looked anxiously at himself. Would Maxie like what she saw? Enough to see him as more than a friend?

He finished drying off, and put on the red swim trunks he was going to wear that night. He pulled a black and red v-neck t-shirt on, then went back into the bathroom to put some pomade on his hair. Not too much, he thought. Don't look like you're trying too hard. He decided to skip the cologne.

Downstairs, Lorenzo was putting the soda out next to the buckets. Diego would fill them with ice a half-hour before everyone arrived, and put the soda in to chill. The burgers, hot dogs and Dinosaur ribs were in the fridge, ready to go on the grill.

Skye walked quietly out onto the deck. Lorenzo saw her pale face, then was horrified to see the bruise on her cheek. He held her gently as she told him what happened.

“He didn't mean it,” Skye said of Jason's striking her. “But he sure did when it came to AJ. The rage in his eyes, Lorenzo, it was terrifying. I'd always heard about how good and gentle Jason was, so I never expected to see that from him.”

“What did everyone else say?”

“Carly was furious, of course,” Skye said. “Fortunately, she was too worried about AJ to go after Jason. Brenda tried to talk to Jason, but he just blew up at her, too, and took off. No one else was home. Thank God Michael was out, and Morgan was napping upstairs, so neither of them saw or heard anything. I suppose I should have stayed, but I really just wanted to get away from all the hurt and anger there.”

“Alan and Monica won't blame you for that, Sweetie,” Lorenzo said. “Now get some ice back on that bruise to keep the swelling down.”

Lorenzo put some ice into a plastic bag for her, and sat her at the kitchen table while he unloaded food.

“What do you want to do if people ask about that?” Lorenzo asked.

“We can tell Diego, Brooke and Dillon about it,” Skye said. “But I don't want anyone else to know. We'll just say I tripped carrying food in or something. I just don't want Alan and Monica to have to deal with people talking about what happened.”

After she iced her face, Skye scooped potato salad into a large bowl, covered it with plastic wrap, and set it in the fridge. Lorenzo poured the barbecue baked beans into the crock pot and turned it on.

“It's pretty quiet up there,” Skye said. “Is it just me, or has Diego seemed a little nervous about tonight?”

Lorenzo paused as he unwrapped the platter of veggies and dip. “Now that you mention it, he seems to be investing a lot in this party,” he said. “I wonder what's going on?”

“I think he's hoping to impress a girl,” Skye said. Lorenzo nearly dropped the platter.

“You're kidding!” he said. “What makes you think that?”

Skye smiled wickedly.

“As you said, he seems to be taking tonight really seriously,” she said. “Everyone coming are already his friends, so he's not looking to impress the crowd. So, I deduced that he's looking to impress one person.”

“Any idea who?”

“Yeah,” Skye said. “But I hear him coming. Don't let on.”

Diego walked into the kitchen and whistled.

“Wow, some spread!” he said. “Thanks, Dad! Everything --”

He saw Skye's face.

“Skye!” Diego exclaimed. “What happened?”

Skye told him about the scene in the gym. “But don't talk to anyone else about it,” she said. “Alan and Monica are going through enough without this getting out. I'll tell Brooke Lynn and Dillon when they get here. But I'll lie to everyone else. I won't let it ruin the party.”

“Don't worry about that!” Diego said. “I'm just so sorry about what happened to you. That must have been awful, seeing your brothers like that.”

“It was,” Skye said sadly. “And I don't see anything changing any time soon.”

* * *

“Where the hell is Carly?” Lucy Coe-Collins asked Tracy Quartermaine. Nurses' Ball rehearsal was ready to start. But Carly, Lucy's second-in-command, was nowhere to be seen.

Just then, Dillon Quartermaine ran up. “Carly asked me to give you this stuff,” he said, handing Lucy a clipboard filled with papers. “Emergency at home, she can't make it here.”

Lucy rubbed her forehead. “Okay, thanks, Dillon,” she said. “We'll get through without her.”

Tracy looked over at Dillon, who looked back at her with a grim expression. She knew by that look something bad had happened with AJ and Jason. Great, she thought. I'll have to hold everything together at home, because Alan and Monica will just wring their hands and whine.

“All right,” Lucy called. “We'll start with you, Tracy and Coleman. Are you ready to go?”

Tracy nodded. Coleman grunted. They assumed their positions and the music started. Coleman was still struggling with the steps.

“Ow!” Tracy hissed as Coleman clipped her toes with his feet. “Stop looking at your feet. It makes you clumsier. Look at me, and just do it.”

Coleman looked into Tracy's eyes. Damn, she thought. Maybe that wasn't such a good idea. But Coleman began to relax, and the steps came easier.

“By the way, you owe me an 'I told you so,'” Coleman whispered.

“What do you mean?” Tracy asked.

“What you said about going with Section 8 tenants,” he replied. “Had some problems.”

“I heard,” Tracy said with a smirk. “Scott mentioned it at our party. How did it work out?”

“Well, got the sister and her kids out,” Coleman said. “My tenant was none too happy. So I replaced the carpeting, kind of a conciliatory gesture. She's been okay since.”

“Well, I told you so,” Tracy said, grinning. “Maybe next time you'll listen.”

The music ended.

“Great! You're really coming along!” Lucy said to them. “Lucky and Sam, you're next!”

The pair began their performance. Lucky had tried to steel himself for this, to keep things from getting awkward. But once the music started, his eyes couldn't leave Sam's. He felt so alive with every movement they made.

Sam felt her skin flame every time they touched. No, she thought. Don't do this. But her eyes were locked on Lucky's, and she couldn't stop it.

“Terrific!” Lucy called out as the music stopped. Lucky quickly looked away. He was terrified Sam would notice. Sam was thinking the same thing. She quickly scooted offstage to go stand with Robin. Lucky went and stood next to Zander.

Lucy was talking with Heather, going over the order forms for the desserts. Heather's bakery was making the desserts for the Nurses' Ball, as well as the chocolates that would be part of the favor bag for each guest.

“Since Skye and Lorenzo aren't here, we'll go with the number after them,” Lucy said. Amy Vining, Yank, Bobbie, Steven Webber, Rachel Adair, Tony Jones, Chris Ramsey and Melissa Bedford began their performance. Lucy looked around at the assembled performers.

“Mac's group is next, but they're not all here,” Lucy said. “Mac! What's going on? Where are Linc and Andy?”

Mac, standing with Marcus Taggert, John Durant, Alexis Davis and Scott Baldwin, shrugged his shoulders. Heather walked over there.

“I saw Linc Murphy and Andy Capelli a little while ago,” Heather told Mac. “The guy that makes my take out boxes – he had his delivery truck carjacked today. Linc and Andy were there investigating. Mac, something has to be done.”

“I know, Heather,” Mac said. “We're working on it.”

Brian Beck walked up to the group. “Got a minute, Commissioner?” he asked Mac.

“Sure, Beck,” Mac said. Then he turned and looked pointedly at Heather.

“Geez, break a few little laws ...” she said, grinning as she walked away.

“What's going on?” Mac asked Brian.

“Capelli and Murphy wanted me to update you on the delivery truck case,” Brian said. “Truck has just left to make its delivery rounds, got three blocks and was at a stop light when two young men jumped up onto the running boards. One, a black male about 19 to 23, pointed a gun. The other one shoved the driver out of the truck. They took off.”

“Thanks, Beck,” Mac said. “I wonder what got Murphy and Capelli interested in this?”

“The crime doesn't add up, Chief,” Marcus said. “Most delivery hold-ups, the perps usually wait until deliveries have been made, and there's money in the vehicle. This guy was just heading out, so there wasn't any money.”

“Sounds like they were after the truck,” John said. “But why? Nothing was in it but flats of unmade boxes.”

“Something had to grab their interest,” Alexis said. “Maybe they found a connection to something else going on.”

John looked at Mac, who raised an eyebrow back. His cell phone rang. “Scorpio,” he said. “What's going on, Capelli?” He listened for a few minutes. “Really? Well, things are getting interesting. We'll be down at headquarters right away.” He hung up.

“They made two arrests,” Mac said. “John, go tear Lansing away from Elizabeth and meet us there.”

“Can I come?” Scott said. “I'd like to keep apprised of things.”

“All right,” Mac said. “But know up front that everything you see tonight is not for public discussion. We have to keep a lid on this if we're to stop things from blowing up.”

“Got it,” Scott said. “Lucy! We have to go! Sorry!”

Lucy raised her arms and let them fall in exasperation. Performers from three numbers were streaming out the door. Then she spotted Zander.

“Zander, got a minute? I need to discuss something with you,” Lucy said. She drew him over to a private area backstage.

“I wanted to let you know now that Emily and Nikolas will be performing,” Lucy began. Zander went pale, then flushed.

“Nikolas is taking my place in the number, too,” he said grimly.

“Yes,” Lucy said gently. “I want you to know, Zander, that I still want you in the show very much. I've arranged the dressing rooms so that you're on the opposite side of the stage from them all night. You won't need to see them at all.”

“I don't know if I can do this, Lucy,” Zander said.

“Just think about it,” Lucy said. “Please, Zander. I really want you here and a part of this.”

Zander nodded and walked away, feeling punched in the stomach. Lucy watched him with worried eyes. Poor kid, she thought.

Robin and Mary walked over to Zander, who had flopped onto a folding chair in a corner.

“What's going on?” Robin asked. Zander told them of how Nikolas and Emily would be performing in the Nurses' Ball.

“I'm not sure I can be around them,” Zander said. “Even though Lucy promised we'd be on opposite sides of the stage and all, I just don't know if I can handle seeing them.”

“Please don't drop out, Zander,” Robin begged. “We need you. The number would fall apart without you.”

“Hiding from them won't make the hurt go away,” Mary said softly. “After Connor died, I hid out in the cabin so that I wouldn't have to see people going about their lives and being happy. It didn't make the pain stop, it only prolonged it and kept me from living again. We'll be around you all night, you won't be alone.”

Zander looked at the floor for a few moments. “Okay,” he said. “I'll stay.”

“Good for you!” Robin said. “What are you doing tonight? We were talking about going out after rehearsal.”

“Diego Alcazar invited me to his pool party,” Zander said. “I don't know ... I only know him and Maxie well, and everyone else will be pretty younger. You guys want to come? I'm sure he won't mind.”

“Sounds like fun!” Mary said.

“I'll give him a call,” Zander said.

* * *

“We're getting a few crashers, Dad,” Diego said. Lorenzo looked up sharply.

“Zander Smith asked if he could bring a few friends from Nurses' Ball rehearsal, so I said okay,” Diego went on. “Robin Scorpio, Karen Wexler, Elizabeth Webber, Mary Bishop, Sam McCall and Gia Campbell. Nice harem he's got there, huh? You know Robin and Elizabeth, right? Gia is Marcus Taggert's sister, Mary works for Ric Lansing over in the DA's office, Karen's a doctor over at GH and Sam works with Lucky Spencer on the rescue squad.”

Lorenzo nodded. “That's fine, Son,” he said. “Zander's been through a tough time, so it's good he's got friends around him.”

* * *

Jason pulled into the parking lot at Luke's after going for a long drive in the country outside of town. He hoped that Luke was over at the Haunted Star, so no one would alert his family to his whereabouts.

He looked around as he entered the club. Pretty quiet at the bar. He noticed a woman in all white, with light blonde hair, sitting alone at a table. She looked familiar somehow...

Courtney glanced up as Jason walked in. She recognized him instantly. Hmm, she thought. Cute. Too bad he's a Quartermaine.

Jason sat at the bar. “Good evening,” Hutch said. “What can I get for you?”

“Irish Car Bomb,” Jason replied. Hutch poured the whiskey and Bailey's Irish Cream into a shot glass, then carefully set it into the glass of Guinness. Jason downed it in two quick gulps, and asked for a Guinness.

“Good stuff,” the woman sitting a seat away from him said. Jason turned towards her. Long brown hair, coquettish eyes, soft curving lips. Jason smiled back.

“Yes, it is,” he said with a grin. “Also a nice, quick buzz to start the evening.”

“Long day for you, too?” the woman asked.

“Yeah,” Jason said. “Family fun. Jason Morgan,” he said, holding out his hand. Hutch raised an eyebrow. He knew who Jason was from pictures the Quartermaines had shown him. Guess he's incognito tonight, Hutch thought.

The woman shook Jason's hand. “Reese Marshall,” she said. “Good to meet you. Never seen you here before. New in town?”

“I've been away for a while,” Jason said. “About nine years. Just got back a few months ago.”

“How are you liking things here?” Reese asked.

“A lot of changes,” Jason said. “Some good, some bad. But so much change ...”

“It can be disorienting, I guess,” Reese said.

“You been here long?” Jason asked.

“A few years,” Reese said. “I like it. Good place to live, nice people. Work could be better ...”

Reese thought bitterly of the recent weeks at the FBI field office. She burned to be a bigger part of the investigation of a possible gang-mob connection. She longed to prove herself after coming so close with Sonny Corinthos. But her boss wouldn't let her out into the field. So she was stuck with smaller cases, and lots of paperwork. She was chafing at the bit, waiting for the chance to be in on the action. When the opportunity came, she would seize it with both hands.

“What do you do?” Jason asked.

“I'm in the investigating business,” Reese said. Neither saw Hutch roll his eyes.

“Can I get you a refill?” Jason offered.

“Thanks,” Reese said, pushing her empty glass over to Hutch. “Barbancour, on the rocks.”

* * *

Scott, John and Ric sat in as Linc and Capelli briefed Mac and Marcus on the case.

“We got the perps, but no luck on the truck,” Capelli said. “Driver ID'd them both in lineups, and the younger guy's coat matched a rip where the driver grabbed a fistful of it as he was being shoved out. Younger guy also had six ounces of pot in his pocket, so we have him on possession with intent to distribute, too.”

“What do we know about them?” Mac asked.

“Here are their files,” Linc said, handing two folders to Mac. “The younger one – he's 16 – has no record. We checked the school district database, and found a few minor disciplinary things – mostly fighting and bullying. The older one, however, has a nice little resume going. A few busts for possession, and one for B&E.”

Mac glanced over the files and handed them to Marcus. Scott looked over his shoulder.

“So, what do you think?” Mac asked.

“It's something bigger than simple robbery,” Linc said. “Why would they want a delivery truck when it's carrying no money? They must've wanted the truck for something.”

John nodded.

“Probably to use for a gang's mob-backed distribution activities,” John said. “That way, if it's found, it'd just get traced back to the box-maker.”

“The big question is, how do we tie them into that?” Marcus said.

“If we can get the younger one to talk, that could help,” Ric said. “He's got a clean record, but with the gun being used, that's a felony for which we can charge him as an adult. We might be able to offer getting charged as a juvenile in exchange for his help. Maybe lean on the parents a little.”

Scott took one of the files from Marcus' hand and looked intently at the mug shot.

“I think we might have a chance at that,” he said.

“Sounds like you know the guy,” Mac said.

“We've met,” Scott said.

* * *

AJ woke up from a long nap. Carly had been carefully applying ice packs to his face. His nose had stopped bleeding.

He sat up slowly. Carly, sitting on the window seat, turned towards him.

“How are you feeling?” she asked. “Let me get another ice pack.”

“Thanks,” he said. She came back quickly and held it to his face. He winced from the cold.

“How bad do I look?” AJ asked. “Do Mom and Dad know?”

“You look better than I thought you would,” Carly said. “The ice helped. Brenda told Alan and Monica. I haven't seen them.”

AJ felt miserable.

“They didn't even come to check on me,” he said.

“Brenda told them you were sleeping, so they wanted to let you rest,” Carly said.

“No,” AJ said. “They're probably thinking good on Jason for pummeling me. I deserved it.”

“No, you didn't!” Carly said sharply. “You've beat yourself up ten times worse than anything Jason could do to you! You've already paid in spades for what happened.”

“I don't think Jason feels that way, and his feelings count the most,” AJ said.

“Bull!” Carly said. “Jason is mad because you got sober and got your life together without him! He wanted to be the good son and save you – that's why he got in the car with you that night! And you ended up saving yourself, and didn't need him to do it. That's what's making him so angry – his ego's hurt that he's not Saint Jason, Family Savior anymore. Everyone was just fine without him.”

“He's got a right to be mad!” AJ said.

“And you're milking that for every drop of self-pity you can get!” Carly shot back. “You get to be nailed to the cross every day by him, and it feeds that feeling of inadequacy you seem to love so much!”

“Shut up!” AJ shouted. “What do you know about guilt? You've sailed through every mess you ever made without paying real consequences!”

Carly jumped to her feet, her face red with fury.

“I may not know guilt, but I sure know whining!” she yelled back, then stomped out of the room.

* * *

Sitting in the parlor, Alan and Monica heard indecipherable shouting upstairs, followed by two slammed doors.

“Oh, no,” Monica said.

“That's what I've been afraid of,” Alan said sadly. “AJ and Carly turning on each other instead of leaning on each other. Think we should intervene?”

“I'm going to go up and see him in a minute, after things calm down up there,” Monica said. “I don't want him to feel alone.”

“Because if he feels alone and abandoned, he could drink,” Alan said. Monica winced at her darkest fear being put into blunt words.

“Yes,” she whispered. “I know Jason has a right to be angry, but I can't lose AJ! I won't!”

* * *

Maxie was first to arrive at Diego's pool party. Thankfully, Skye and Lorenzo were there so Diego wasn't alone to greet her. Georgie, Dillon, Brooke Lynn and TJ came from the Nurses' Ball rehearsal.

As the guests continued to arrive, Diego lost track of Maxie. Skye noticed his face flame when he looked out the window and saw her pulling off her shirt to reveal a rose pink bikini.

I knew it, Skye thought with a slight smile.

Diego helped Lorenzo bring food out onto the patio. As they were setting things up, Dillon and Brooke Lynn came into the kitchen.

“You okay?” Dillon asked Skye. “Monica told us what happened.”

“Yeah,” Skye said. “Don't say anything, except to Georgie, of course. Let's keep the gossips away from this, for AJ's sake as well as Alan's and Monica's.”

* * *

Scott, John and Ric sat at a conference table.

“Think she'll go for it?” Ric asked.

“She'd better,” Scott said. “Her choices are pretty slim right now – bad and worse.”

The door opened.

“Hello, Miss Parker,” Scott said. “I wish the circumstances of seeing you again were better.”

Evangeline Parker, sister of Coleman's troublesome tenant, glared to hide her fear.

“What's going on?” she demanded. “What are you doing to my boy? Haven't you done enough, Mr. Baldwin?”

“Miss Parker, I didn't know about your son's arrest until I came into headquarters a little while ago,” Scott said. “This is District Attorney Ric Lansing, and Federal Prosecutor John Durant. Gentleman, this is Evangeline Parker, mother of Cordell Parker. Please, Miss Parker, sit down.”

Evangeline sat down warily.

“Your son is in serious trouble, Miss Parker,” Ric said. “He was involved in a holdup of a delivery truck, and a gun was used in that crime. That's a violent felony. We also have him on possession of marijuana with intent to distribute. He's looking at ten years, at the least – in state prison, not juvenile detention.”

The bravado Evangeline had shown began to crumble.

“Ten years!” she gasped. “He's just a child! He's never been in trouble before!”

“In the eyes of the law, we can prosecute him as an adult, prior record or no,” Ric said. “The fact that a gun was involved makes it a violent crime, and that's not something we can tolerate. Throw the drugs in, and a jury's not going to see a child, but another young punk ruining this town.”

Evangeline trembled. She'd worked so hard, taking two jobs at once sometimes, to keep her family together. Now, it could all fall apart.

“It's this bad crowd he's gotten involved with!” she cried, turning to Scott. “Ever since you threw us out of that nice place we had with my sister, he's been hanging with the wrong people.”

“Nice try,” Scott said. “But I recognized his accomplice – he was one of the kids hanging out at your sister's apartment. And he's got a record – your sister could have gotten in serious trouble letting a convicted criminal into her home.”

“I didn't know!” Evangeline said. “She didn't know, either!”

“I'm sure you didn't,” Scott said. “But the fact still remains that Cordell is in a big mess right now.”

“There's a way to make it a little better,” John spoke up. Evangeline whipped her gaze over to him.

“How?” she asked.

“Your son helps us out, we'll help him out,” John said.

“Miss Parker, Cordell is in with a way worse crowd than you realize,” Scott said. “These are some serious gang members setting up to do some really bad things. Your son stays involved with them, he's as good as dead or sentenced to life in prison within five years.”

Evangeline turned pale as she thought of seeing her boy in the morgue, or in Attica.

“If he can help us out – give us names, dates, places – we can work on getting him charged as a juvenile,” Ric said. “He'd have to serve time, but it'd be in a juvenile facility where he'd get a chance to go to school, and maybe learn a trade. We'd make sure that any help he gives us is anonymous, so he wouldn't face retribution.”

“If he doesn't help, or tries to play games with us and lie, he gets charged as an adult,” John said. “And anything his associates are involved in, we'll tie to your son as well. He won't see the outside for a long, long time. Do you really want that?”

Scott looked at Evangeline, who had put her head in her hands. The options were all bad. Nothing could make this go away.

“Do you think you can get him to talk?” Scott asked.

“I'll do everything I can,” Evangeline said. “I have to save my son, even if he doesn't appreciate it.”

* * *

Courtney smiled. Jeremy Logan looked over at her and smiled back, then came over to her table.

“Hello, Miss Matthews, thanks for seeing me tonight,” he said.

“Always a pleasure, Mr. Logan,” Courtney replied. “What can I do for you?”

Jeremy sat down across from her.

“I'm making a major change in my life,” he said. “I'm moving back to Port Charles permanently.”

“Really?” Courtney said. “What about your work?”

“I can telecommute, and travel to Seattle when needs arise,” Jeremy said. “But I want to be here, where I feel at home, where I have family like Aunt Audrey, Elizabeth, Steven and TJ.”

“Well, I'm happy for you, Mr. Logan,” Courtney said. “Sounds like it's a good change. But where do I fit in?”

“First of all, call me Jeremy, if you don't mind,” he said. “Secondly, your networking really impressed me. I'd like to be involved in philanthropic works here after I settle in, and was hoping you can hook me up with the right people and groups.”

“Thanks ... Jeremy,” Courtney said. “I'd be glad to do that for you. What sort of organizations are you interested in?”

“First of all, General Hospital,” Jeremy said. “That's where I found my mother, and GH saved my life once. My mother loved that place, and I want to support the people who serve there.”

“That sounds good,” Courtney replied. “I can easily help you with that, what else?”

Jeremy spoke of wanting to help at-risk youths and orphans. “If my mother hadn't have come along when she did, God knows what would have become of me,” he said. “I was an awkward, geeky kid who would have been lost in the foster care system. My mother, the Hardys, everyone at GH, they gave me a place to belong. A lot of kids don't have that.”

Courtney nodded thoughtfully.

“I know what you mean,” she said. “I had my mother, but I never really belonged anywhere. Her 'work' made me an outcast. When I came here, I thought I'd have a chance to make my own place. I nearly blew it at first. But now, that's the reason I do the work I do – it gives me a purpose and identity of my own, outside of my parents or brother.”

“Your brother's 'work' must've made things hard for you,” Jeremy said.

“Oh, yeah,” Courtney said, with an emphatic eyeroll. “So many things I've done are about putting as much distance between us as possible. Sonny always wore dark, gloomy colors – so I wear white. He was all about profiting from crime and people's misery, I went into philanthropy.”

A burst of raucous laughter from the bar interrupted her conversation. Jeremy turned around and saw Jason Quartermaine smiling at a loudly-laughing brunette. He could see Jason was on his way to being seriously drunk. He frowned.

“I'll be right back,” Jeremy said to Courtney. He walked over to the bar.

“Hey, Jason,” he said. Jason's expression turned stony. He didn't want to be identified.

“Hi, Jeremy,” Jason said. “Reese, this is Jeremy, a friend of my family's. This is Reese Marshall.”

Reese and Jeremy shook hands.

“What brings you out tonight, Jason?” Jeremy asked. He sensed he was intruding, but was hesitant to leave Jason alone in this state.

“The usual family follies,” Jason said. “Had enough, bailed out of there.”

“Ah,” Jeremy said. “I'll be here a while, Jason, if you want a ride home.”

Jason shook his head.

“No, thanks,” Jason said. “I'll take a cab ... wherever I decide to go. Good night, Jeremy.”

Jeremy got the hint and said good night to Jason and Reese, then went back to his table.

“Everything okay?” Courtney asked.

“I hope so,” Jeremy said.

As Courtney and Jeremy continued talking, Stefan Cassadine and Anna Devane walked in and took a table on the other side of the club. Courtney, looking around after Jeremy had gone to the men's room, saw Stefan with Anna. He was holding her hand, then he took it up and kissed it, gazing into her eyes. Courtney's eyes went wide and she turned a little pale. She quickly looked away, and shook any expression from her face before Jeremy returned. When he did, she focused intently on him.

A little while later, Stefan looked around and saw Courtney with Jeremy. She was showing him a notepad.

“She's always working,” Anna remarked. “It's like if she's not doing something, people won't notice her.”

“Or worse,” Stefan said. “People will notice her and think of her brother instead.”

“Being tied to that slimeball must not be easy,” Anna said. “Robin told me how good he was to her Stone at the end, and how he helped her. What a sad difference a few years made. Does Courtney always go around looking like a feminine hygiene ad?”

Stefan nearly choked on his scotch.

“It's another attempt to disconnect from Sonny,” he said. “I can understand that, but she doesn't realize how ridiculous she makes herself look.”

“Someone should say something,” Anna said, cocking an eyebrow at Stefan.

“Me?” he said. “I don't know if we're that good of friends. Anyway, my focus right now is you. And Robin.”

Anna looked down. She'd already cried once in Stefan's arms this evening. She wasn't going to do it again.

“It's going to take a long time for her to really accept this, Stefan,” she said. “I hope that won't drive you away.”

“The only driving I'm doing is on my Hog,” Stefan said.

* * *

“Better turn those burgers, Diego,” Lorenzo said.

Diego took his eyes off Maxie to flip the burgers just in time before they burned. He hadn't realized that hosting the party meant mingling time was seriously curtailed. He'd hardly had a chance to talk with Maxie, and tried not to look at her too much. Brooke Lynn and Dillon had hung around for a bit, but they left when Georgie arrived.

Maxie had come over to fill a plate a little while ago. She didn't stay long. Maxie's heart had done a flip-flop when she saw Diego in his trunks. But she couldn't let him see that. If he did, and responded in kind, she'd be in big trouble. It wouldn't be some fling, but something that would require trust in love, and Maxie just could not give that. Best to keep things light, she thought. She found a distraction when Jesse Beaudry, a law enforcement major, showed up.

Jesse was a bit of a playboy, Maxie knew. He wouldn't break her heart, because he'd make no promises and ask for none in return. It's playtime, Maxie thought, and dove into the pool. She emerged a few feet from Jesse.

“Hey, Jesse,” she said, smoothing her hair off her face. Jesse looked down at her and grinned.

“How's it going, Maxie?” he asked, leaning against the edge of the pool.

“Doing pretty well,” she said. “Hot night, huh?”

Jesse lowered his gaze and gave a meaningful half-smile.

“Yeah, it sure is.”

Meanwhile, Brooke Lynn was trying to forget Diego's barely noticing her as she sat with Dillon, Georgie and TJ.

He probably thinks I'm just a kid, like everyone else, she thought sulkily. He didn't even notice my new bathing suit. The leopard-print bikini set off her summer tan.

Dillon mentioned the Nurses' Ball. Brooke Lynn was excited for that – in her glamorous gown, belting out her solo, no one would look at her as a little girl anymore.

“I'm pretty excited,” TJ said. “This will be the first time I've done it since I was little. I know it'll mean a lot to Grandma.”

“So what's going on with school, TJ?” Brooke Lynn asked.

“Not too much,” TJ said. “My transfer went through smooth as silk. I have to send in my class schedule preferences the week after the Nurses' Ball. So I'm looking over the course guide. Hopefully, Diego can help me out with things like which professors to avoid. When do you start applications, Brooke?”

“I've gotten some done already,” Brooke said. “Some need audition tapes, so my dad and I did that over at L&B last week. I'll get my PCU application out week after next. It's my backup school – the music program is good, but it's not Berklee, which is my first choice.”

“How about you, Georgie?” TJ asked.

“Right now, PCU is my first choice,” Georgie said. “The social work program is really good, and I don't want to go far from ... my family.” She blushed a little. Everyone knew she meant Dillon.

Maxie was talking with Jesse in the far corner of the pool when she saw a group arriving.

“There's Zander!” she said.

“Wow, judging by the beauties around him, he's bounced back nicely from Princess McNose-in-the-Air,” Jesse said.

Maxie giggled at Jesse's nickname for Emily.

“They're just friends of his,” Maxie said. “But it's good to see him get out.”

“Yeah,” Jesse said. “The worst thing to do is hide out too long. He's holding his head up. Good for him.”

“Be back in a few, Jesse,” Maxie said. “I'm just going to go say 'hi.'”

Zander was heartened by everyone's friendly greeting. Maxie talked him into a game of pool volleyball, so Zander, Sam, Karen, TJ, Dillon and Brooke Lynn jumped in to play.

Lorenzo watched from the window, then turned back to join Skye at the table.

“Things going all right?” Skye asked.

“Yeah, pretty good,” Lorenzo said. “I hope Diego gets what he wants out of this party.”

* * *

The room was starting to slant a little for Jason. He went to order another Guinness, but Hutch cut him off.

Reese pouted.

“That's okay,” she said. “We'll find someplace else.”

“Not behind the wheel of a car, you won't,” Hutch said in his most dangerous voice. He'd dealt with a sloppily drunk Reese a few times. Reese heard the tone and acquiesced.

“Fine, call us a cab,” she said. Hutch made the call and told Jason it would be out front in five minutes. Jason got up, a bit unsteadily. Hutch went over to help him, first reaching into a large snifter Luke kept out of sight under the bar. It held condoms. Hutch slipped several into Jason's pocket as he helped him to the door, then into the cab. Reese climbed in after him.

“Where to?” the cabbie asked.

“1474 Dogwood,” Reese replied. Jason rolled down the window. The cool air blowing in on the ride woke him up a bit. So did Reese first laying her head on his shoulder, then nibbling and licking his ear. He needed no help getting out of the cab when it stopped in front of a small apartment building.

Reese, leaning against Jason, let the outside door slam as the entered the building. An older woman on the first floor looked through her peephole.

“What was that?” her husband asked.

“That Marshall bimbo coming home with another guy,” she said with a sigh.

Reese's one-bedroom apartment was small and spartanly decorated. No personal touches or photos. She liked the secrecy of it. The only place she splurged was her bed – crimson silk sheets and duvet, down pillows.

She took off her jacket and tossed it on the armchair. Jason grabbed her arm and spun her around into a kiss. She responded instantly.

Tipsy as he was, Jason couldn't keep from getting aroused over his first kiss in nine years. He pressed Reese to him, kissing everywhere he could reach. Soon, Reese was grinding against him. He groaned.

Reese took him by the hand and led him to her room. Once in there, he reached around from behind and rubbed everywhere he could get to. He looked up and noticed a dresser, with several wigs on styrofoam heads. One was a black pageboy. One was a brunette short cut. The other ... Jason caught his breath. It was a shoulder-length cut of honey-colored hair.

“What's with those?” he whispered.

“Work,” she said. “Disguises for surveillance jobs.”

“Oh,” he said, as he unbuttoned her shirt. “Wear one for me?”

Reese grinned.

“Sure, which one?”

“The blonde.”

Reese walked over to the dresser and plucked the wig off the head. She set it on the bed as she reached over and pulled Jason's t-shirt off, then unbuckled his pants and reached in. Jason sucked in his breath.

“Be right back,” Reese said, picking up the wig and going into the bathroom. Jason reached into his pocket and pulled out one of the condoms Hutch had given him.

A few minutes later, Reese emerged to see Jason under the covers. He stared at her intently. Blurring his eyes, he imagined Carly standing there. It was almost more than he could take. Reese pulled back the sheets, climbed into bed and pulled Jason into a kiss. She then kissed her way down his torso. In that position, all he could see was the hair. It took everything in him not to call out Carly's name. Finally, he reached his limit. He deftly turned Reese so she was facing away from him, and made love to her. Looking at the back of her head, he imagined a night by the pool with Carly. Soon, he was clenching his jaw, trembling and grunting.

* * *

Robin, Gia, Elizabeth, Mary and Karen watched the volleyball game. The girls giggled as Zander dove and splashed. All the girls except Robin, that is.

“You okay?” Karen asked. “You've been quiet all day.”

Tears sprang to Robin's eyes. She tried to hide them.

“What is it?” Karen persisted.

Robin spilled out her conversation with her mother this morning, the tears running down her cheeks.

“I know it's not fair, in my head,” she said chokily. “But ... my dad. He could be out there, and she's going on like he's not.”

“Robin, he's not here,” Gia said. “It's been well over ten years. Your mom can't live her life waiting in limbo for something that may never happen.”

“I've always known this could happen,” Robin said. “But now that it's real, I see I was totally not ready for this. I never imagined her with someone I knew ... and my boss, at that.”

“And now that it's real, it's forcing you to admit that your dad may never come home,” Elizabeth said.

Robin nodded sadly.

“All along, I've had this dream that we'd be all together, a family again,” Robin said. “Now, it's like Mom's opening the blinds and making me wake up. But I don't want to wake up! I want my dad!”

She put her fist up to her mouth to push back the sobs. She didn't want to make a scene.

“I know what it's like to not want to wake up,” Mary said. “It's one of the reasons I shut out the world for so long. I could pretend to myself that Connor was just away, that he'd be coming through the door any minute. If I went out in the world and dealt with people, it would have meant giving up that dream, and admitting Connor was dead. At least I knew for sure, whereas you and your Mom never got the closure that comes with a ... body.”

Robin shivered.

“I don't know how I'm going to deal with this,” Robin said. “For so long, it's been just me and my mom. Now, Stefan's going to be a part of our lives. It's weird.”

“Marcus felt like that when Mom met my dad,” Gia recalled. “It'd been just him and Mom for so long after his dad died, he felt like his world was ending. But he grew to love Dad, and took it so hard when he died. You'll have to make your own relationship with Stefan. Luckily, you know him already.”

“That's what makes it weird,” Robin said. “I know him in the context of work, and in the community. Not as someone I'm close to. But you're right, I'll have to figure this out for myself. I can't make my Mom stop living because of me.”

Karen squeezed Robin's hand.

“So, changing the subject, anything new with anyone?” Robin said.

Sam smiled shyly.

“I'm meeting a Realtor next week,” she said. The girls all cheered.

“Good for you!” Gia said. “You're ready for this?”

“I will be in a few months,” Sam said. “But I can start laying the groundwork now.”

“I'm working with one, too,” Mary said. “I'm putting the cabin up for sale.”

Jaws dropped.

“Wow!” Elizabeth said. “That's a huge step! When did you decide this?”

“After the retreat,” Mary said. “I've been able to face the fact that that part of my life is in the past. And the cabin was part of my life with Connor, which is over. I'm making a new life now, and living out in the middle of nowhere doesn't fit that life. I'm looking to get a townhouse, maybe in your development, Gia.”

“I'd love to have you as a neighbor!” Gia said.

“I see some housewarming parties in our future,” Elizabeth said.

“Hopefully your date doesn't skip out like he did tonight,” Robin said.

“Part of the package when you snuggle into the long arms of the law,” Gia said. “Many a family dinner has gotten cold waiting for Marcus to get there.”

* * *

Nikolas sat at his desk at Wyndemere, doing some reading before he had to go back to work. Emily was upstairs taking a bubble bath.

The phone rang. Who on earth could it be at this hour, Nikolas wondered.

“Mr. Cassadine, sir, this is Lydia Karenin,” he heard a woman's voice say. “I work in your accounting department. I'm tracking down all your grandmother's holdings.”

“Yes, I remember you, Ms. Karenin,” Nikolas said. “Why have you called here, and so late?”

“I'm sorry for that, sir, but I felt it was best to be discreet,” Lydia said. “I have something here I think you should know about.”

“What is it?”

“It's an account your grandmother had set up, I'll fax you the paperwork on it now, hold on.” Nikolas waited as she went to the fax machine. He could hear beeping and droning in the background. Soon, he saw papers coming over his fax.

“All your grandmother's accounts I'd found so far had been completely inactive since her death,” Lydia continued. “But this one has had withdrawals of $1 million a year, every year at the same time. I thought you should see it right away.”

Nikolas frowned. What on earth was going on? In his mind, a horrible reality presented itself. Was Helena still alive?

“Are you there, Mr. Cassadine?” Lydia asked. “Look it over, and I will be in the office on Monday if you have any questions.”

“Yes, thank you, Ms. Karenin,” Nikolas said. “Speak of this to no one. Good night.”

He hung up and sat staring at nothing for a good, long while. He thought of Emily upstairs, and the danger that Helena would pose to her. And what of Stefan, Alexis, Kristina, Luke, Laura, Lucky and Lulu? He shuddered. How to handle this? He had not spoken to Stefan since the night of the Quartermaine party. After the way Stefan had treated him, there was no way he would seek help from his uncle. Then, who would help figure this out?

Nikolas locked the papers in his safe. He would think it over some more tomorrow. Emily was going out shopping, he would have some time alone. He closed up the office and went upstairs to his princess.

* * *

Jason woke up around 2 a.m. Reese was snoring faintly beside him. The wig gone, the spell was broken.

Jason didn't want to have any “will I see you again?” conversation the next morning. So he quietly got out of bed and got dressed. He went into the kitchen and quietly filled the coffeemaker, setting the timer for 8 a.m. God knows Reese would need it. He picked up her phone and quietly called for a cab.

An hour later, Monica heard footsteps coming up the stairs. She peeked out, then went back to bed.

“Jason?” Alan asked her. Monica nodded.

“And judging by the way he was veering all over the hallway, he's going to have one hell of a hangover,” Monica said.

Alan rubbed his eyes.

“You think it'd get easier once they grow up,” he said. “Sometimes, it's even harder. These are problems we can't solve with a kiss on the boo-boo.”

“We'll hang in there,” Monica said. “This is our family, and they're worth fighting for.”