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When Cassadines Fall
Getting it Done
6am Thursday morning.
Maddy finishes setting up the first docks kiosk. Slapping her thigh to indicate to Cinnamon they were going for a walk they start off down the prominade to the kiosk at the other end. Maddy is surprised to see the lights on at Anderson Photography. She pauses to look in the window. The woman comes from the back wearing a rubber apron and wiping her hands. Maddy raps on the window to get her attention. Anderson flinches at the sudden unexpected noise and then looks up. She nods recognizing another business owner on the prominade and goes over to unlock the door. "Come on in, it's cold out there."
"I've never seen you here this early." Maddy inquires. "I normally see you when I do my afternoon check-in."
"I had an outside shoot yesterday. I wanted to get the film in. Sometimes I pull all nighters." Anderson admits with a yawn and an apology.
Maddy snaps her fingers. "Oh Dang. You were out at Cassadine's yesterday weren't you? I thought you looked familiar."
"Yeah, it got cancelled midway through for some emergency."
"Yeah, me being a basket case. I'm really sorry."
"Well most of my outside calls now are fashion shoots, or print ad work for Deception, so this isn't the first time something has blown up. You want to see what I got?"
"I'd love to."
"Wait here." Anderson goes back to her dark room and brings back sheets of proofs. The proofs were what she'd done first to select the pictures she liked to be blown up to eight by ten. "It's the first time I've shot a house since college. I normally do people and the house/room is the backdrop. I think they turned out okay."
"They're wonderful." Maddy compliments. "They'd get Partner the Historical Society award for sure. But dang, it's so clear its November in them. No flowers, no leaves on the trees, even snow would have made them just perfect."
"Unfortunate timing, true. But waiting on snow? That's a whole different complication. You wouldn't believe the lighting nightmare I had when I did the Deception Mt Hood shoot out in Oregon. I got a few good shots but it was interior shots of the lodge that saved the day."
Maddy bites her lip. "I know that this is a huge imposition since I'm the reason that the first shoot got blown but is there anyway you could come back and shoot the inside? I'm hating it that Partner and Nik are getting screwed because of me."
Anderson goes over to her appointment book flipping through pages. "I'm booked pretty darn solid... whoa... wait. My onethirty cancelled. I was going to take lunch at one."
"I'll feed ya." Maddy promises. "I'll pick-up takeout from Porter's. It will be waiting for you when you get there."
Anderson lifts a brow. "The best restaurant in town? You do want this badly."
"Yes." Maddy says emphatically.
"I'll be there."
Ricky comes out of the courthouse complex while it is still dark. Course that ain't saying much. This time of year it was dark all the way to 'bout 7am. The job wasn't too disgusting. The only part of the complex that stayed open 24/7 was the jail and copshop. And the jail had their own trustees to do the major cleaning. The cops on graveyard were thin... mostly patrol and most of them out on the street-- A desk sgt, an on-call detective, some dispatchers and a property officer who doubled as support staff typing up reports were the only occupants of the building.
The guy training him said that the other investigative detectives and technicians were on beepers if something major came up. The major task for the custodial staff on the graveyard seemed to be getting the floors done-- vacumned, mopped, buffed and dumping the garbage cans. Damn, those lawyers sure generated some paper. But he'd already gotten a piece of the puzzle. The mayor of this burg offered the FBI offices in the building as a courtesy.
Once the guy training him trusted him enough to give him a set of keys... he'd have the castle. Ricky takes a deep breath of the icy northern air exhaling and watching his own breath condense in front of his eyes. Plan for the rest of the day-- breakfast, sleep, buy a damn car, and call his dad with a progress report. Ricky sets off in the direction of the motorcycle shop, half way there he sees the diner he'd passed on the way to work. Fate was working for him again. The waitress is just flipping the sign to open. He walks in the bell on the door ringing. The waitress is already behind the counter with her back to the door pouring a cup of coffee for herself when she hears the bell.
"Good morning." She says with her back to him. "Do you want some coffee?"
"Coffee is good... but you better make it decaf." Ricky says reluctantly.
"That will take a sec. I made the leaded first." Liz says cheerfully. She turns around and sees her customer for the first time. Her eyes narrow and she goes straightfaced. "Well, well look who's here."
"Excuse me?"
"We're all out of beignets and never have served muffalattes, Ricky." Liz has no problem blowing his cover since they are the only two in the room. Tammy was in the back doing the kitchen prep.
"I have no idea what you are talking about." Who the hell is this chick?
"I'll say this-- you're cuter than your picture. How is Poppi doing? I've heard so much about him but didn't get to meet him when he was in town before. He kind of had his hands full when he came into Luke's."
Ricky relaxes a little bit when he hears the waitress refer to his Dad as Poppi. That's Maddy's thing. "You know my name, what's yours?"
"Elizabeth, not Liz, Webber. And lets make this official. What's yours?"
"Richard, Rick not Ricky, Roberts." Ricky gives her the alias and a hand to shake.
Liz winces as she shakes his hand. The decaf had stopped brewing so she pours Ricky a cup and sets it infront of him shoving the creamer and sugar closer to him. "Big mistake."
"Excuse me?"
"Roberts. We already had one of those come to town... turns out it was an alias to give the gal time to destroy marriages, ransack law offices, shoot an ex lover in open court-- generally cause hate and discontent all over town."
"But it's my name-- I have the paperwork to prove it." Ricky says mendaciously.
"So did she. She's still in town. Some people even think she might have mellowed. I keep my distance."
Tammy puts a togo order up on the pass through. "Guy called in for this earlier. Said he'd be here at seven to pick it up."
"Thanks Tammy." Liz goes over to the sack and checks the ticket. "Oh hell." She looks at the clock. She turns back to Ricky. "You need to get out of here Now!" It's starting to get light outside and she sees a man walking toward the front door of the restaurant. "Too late. Kitchen now. MOVE!" Ricky picks up his coffee cup and goes back into the kitchen. Tammy is about to protest but he holds a finger to his lips. She continues to look at hims suspiciously and steps closer to the knives. Ricky leans up against the wall so he can hear everything in the diner.
"I'm here to pick up an order to go?"
"Larkin right? It's just finished. Your timing is perfect." Liz says sweetly. "That will be $6.95." This guy was not going to get his meal on the house. Larkin pulls out a $50. "Oh Darn. We just opened. I can't break that."
Larkin looks in his wallet and grimaces. "Do you take plastic?"
"Visa, American Express and Master Card." Liz calls them out. Since Luke and Bobbie had both the club and the diner under the same account they'd started taking cards at the diner, something different from when Lucky's great aunt had been running things.
Larkin pulls out a Visa and hands it to Liz. Liz quickly processes the transaction holding onto the card until she's matched the signatures on the card to the one on the receipt. "Thank you for checking." Larkin says as he takes his card back and his breakfast.
"Oh no problem, Mr Larkin. You have a nice day." Liz watches him leave and then pulls the phone up from under the counter. She dials a memorized number on the old style rotary phone. She half wakes her sleeping boyfriend. "Lucky, how much do you love me?" She smiles at his sleepy romantic mutterings. "Okay and now how much would you love me if I told you I have Agent Larkin's credit card number?" Her smile widens. Lucky is no longer asleep.
Jax sits up in bed adjusting the pillow behind him. The covers pool down at his waist. He watches as V puts the final touches on getting ready. She is wearing a deep forest green cable knit turtleneck that brings out the red in her hair and brown wool slacks. She slides on a pair of loafers. Today she is in investigator mode rather than front woman for a record company. She grabs her brush and whips it though her hair-- no blow dryer, no curling irons. The only reason she used hair spray was so she wouldn't have to mess with it through the day. Wash and go could be her motto. Jax remembers being stranded on the island with V. V looked just as good in the morning as she did all day without raccoon eyes or goop all over her face. V catches him looking at her in the mirror. "What? Don't you have to go to work today?"
"You're always trying to kick me out." Jax pouts.
"That's not true. It's just I'm working a case for Alexis right now. You know things get tight then. I have deadlines. You have deadlines all the time."
"If you worked for me you could sleep in."
"If I worked for you I wouldn't be sleeping with the boss." V reminds. She grabs a pot of carmelex from her bag and rubs it on her lips. The wind was picking up on the water. She drops the gloss and her brush in her bag along with a notebook and a pen that she tests on the cover before dropping it in too.
Jax sighs. It was true. V and he hadn't gotten together until after she quit working for him. Sleeping with the boss wasn't appropriate. "Jerry knows."
V turns around at that. "Excuse me?"
"The delivery guy is a friend of Jerry's. Son of whoever sent you that package of information. Ned knows too."
"Well dang." That puts a new spin on Alexis' comments. Her boss had been teasing her. "That means Alexis knows too."
"Emily knows or she is a good guesser. She wants you to come with me to the Ward House Fundraiser."
"Is that an invitation?" If it was it was kind of halfassed.
"Yes. Come with me to the Ward House Fundraiser. Not just as friends, V. Be my date."
"I don't have anything to wear." V says too calmly. Going over to the bed she leans over and presses a lingering kiss to Jax using the headboard to keep her balance. "I gotta go. I'll call ya." She slips away before Jax can stop her. Stands by the front door and shrugs into her wool jacket. She picks up her Glock 9mm with the 15 clip. She pops the clip and checks the chamber before slamming it back home with the palm of her hand. She slides it into the holster at the base of her back. "Lock up when you leave." V doesn't look back.
Jax sighs. "Venus, Why do you have to be so damn difficult?" He picks up the clock on the bedside table. "Nothing to wear-- Ha! I can fix that, Contessa." He climbs from the bed and heads for the showers. Wyndams would be open within the hour.
"Mrs Quartermaine!" The clerk gushes with glee. There were days when working commission rocked and today was going to be one of them.
"Hey Elaine."
"And Michael? How are you, Mr Man?"
"Bribed to be good with a trip to the toy department after I get what I need."
"Well then lets get rolling. What can I help you with today."
"Pants. Nothing fits. But I don't want any of those buttugly maternity things. Nothing that looks like a tent. I still have enough of those packed away from when I was pregnant with Michael. I want to postpone that for as long as possible."
"Why don't you get set up in the dressing room. I think I have just the thing. Kinda fun. Kinda casual. And then I have some of a new designer for evening... the cut is perfect nothing tight on the waist."
"Who is that?"
"Gary Winslow. We're handling him exclusive for this area. You won't be able to find anything like it unless you go into the city."
"Oh please! I've seen his stuff. It's all sexy. Bared midriffs and leopard prints. My sister-in-law models for him. He's getting the Vogue cover in February."
"Work with me on this. You won't be sorry." Elaine smiles. Carly rolls her eyes and pushes Michaels' stroller toward the dressing rooms. As is her habit she takes the big one with the chair and everything in it. She frees Michael from the stroller. Michael freed of the restraint takes off for the main part of the store. This was practically his home turf.
"Mr Man, dang it." Carly goes tearing after him. "We had a deal." Carly catches up to him about the time he hits the door of the dressing rooms. She swings him up in her arms and runs right into Jax who is holding two dresses in front of him: one black and one emerald green print. "Something I ought to know, Jax? Cause a) green isn't your color and b) I don't think they'll fit. Maybe you should go to the big girls department."
"Want Grinch, Mama."
"Yes, I know. I just have to talk to Elaine." Carly reminds him.
"They're not for me." Jax says defensively. It could have been worse; it could have been in the lingerie department. He should have just gotten an assortment sent to the penthouse. "A friend of mine needs something to wear to the Ward House Fundraiser."
"I'll help you if you promise to leave town and never come back." Carly offers sweetly.
"You really are such a..." Carly leans over and kisses Michael on the temple her eyes warning Jax about saying what he is about to say. "B-I-T-C-H."
"Bitch, bitch, bitch." Michael starts sing songing after sounding out the letters Jax has spelled. It was one of the fun words Uncle Lucas had taught him.
"I'm going to kill you." Carly hisses furiously at Jax. "Tell Elaine I'll be back and set aside whatever for later. Come on, Michael. We're outta here."
"Mama! Grinch!" Michael starts crying like his little heart is breaking.
"You're on timeout, Mister. Bad words." Carly says coolly.
"But he said it." Michael points back at Jax over Carly's shoulder.
"That's 'cause he's a bad man."
Jax watches them leave the store. "Damn. Who knew a kid that small could spell?" Back in the doghouse again. Jere was going to skin him good for this one.
Rushing through instruction, which had ticked off the tutor. Calling ahead to Johnny to make sure he had something ready. Trying like crazy to keep the speedlimit to just that when all she wanted to do was floor it. The appointment with the photographer is going to be tight, tight, tight. Em was riding shotgun today. She'd finally claimed Thursday afternoons as her own. Deception was eatting more and more of her time. Since her schedule wasn't her own there and all she seemed to have was appointment after appointment with no time to wade through the paperwork that Jax and Ned kept piling higher on her desk. Kicking back in the captain's seat of the van, Em looks back to check on Cinnamon who is crashed out on the back bench seat after a morning hard at play with Raoul and Annabelle. "So what do you know about this Anderson anyway? Why does Niknik think she's so hot?" Maddy asks. Her eyes are constantly moving looking for the tail.
"First time I met her was the ELQ board meeting where AJ blindsided Grandfather and took control of the company. The company picture was taken at half time which is a good thing since after the bomb went off nobody was sticking around." Em grins at the memory. "That was the first time that the family realizes that there was a new team in town-- AJ and Carly. Together they just mowed them down. And then the second time was at a fashion shoot in New York City. Anderson and I were both called in as last minute substitutions. I knew her work from the meeting so I said I wouldn't go if I didn't have her. Ever since I had a problem with a photographer a couple of years ago I always bring a chaperone to my jobs. Told my agent that I couldn't arrange for a chaperone on such late notice so no Anderson... no workee."
Maddy puts it together. "Dang that was the catalyst for the kidnapping wasn't it?"
"Yep. The first job Orchid missed because of her drug arrest. Her career started circling the bowl before the weekend was over." Em pushes away the bad memory. "Anyway. Anderson was grateful for the job it pushed her career in a different direction. So she made me a portrait off of one of the fashion shots. It's in my Deception office."
"Oh she did that one!" Maddy had been in Em's office enough when she'd been chauffering her pal while Em was in the cast. "Damn... no wonder Nik, wanted her."
"She's good." Em agrees. They pull up to the house. "And it looks like we beat her here."
"Good come on lets get things set up."
"What kind of set up are you talking?"
"Partner has some floral stuff... some color to get in the season already put out from yesterday. But I was thinking maybe some music. Get everyone in the mood." Em climbs out her door grabbing the lunches from Porters as she does so. Maddy grabs her bookbag and climbs out from the side door so that Cinnamon can jump out and race ahead of them to the back door. "Lucky's truck isn't here. This is his normal sleep time." Maddy looks back to the carriage house.
"Maybe he was meeting Elizabeth on campus."
"Could be."
Having already gotten the lay of the land, Anderson pulls around to the back of the house rather than park on the street like she had the day before. She grabs her camera bag and strides up to the back door knocking on it firmly. There is a throaty bark from within. Em goes to the back door-- holding Cinnamon back she invites Anderson in. "Maddy is just putting on some music to get the mood right."
"Great. Hey mutt." Anderson holds her hand out to the dog that she'd briefly been introduced to that morning. Then she gives Em a hug. "How you doing?"
"Great. Awesome work on the Deception shoot. The mags are going crazy for them."
"Thanks for the gig. I'd never been that far out west before."
"Well I have my instructions." Em grins. "Feed you first and fill you with coffee. Maddy seems to think you're functioning on short sleep."
"I am. So how are you involved in this?"
"The guy who owns the house is one of my best friends." Em points to a seat at the kitchen table and starts dishing up from the containers Johnny had prepared. Maddy comes in and the conversation is general until the food is gone.
"Okay let me do a walk through first."
"Right." Maddy agrees leading the way. "I suppose what you'll need to focus on is the architectural details and the decorating stuff since that is what Larry and his Partner were working on." Maddy falls silent letting Anderson think as she goes through the foyer standing at different spots to get the full effect and then moving on to the living room where she repeats the process.
Up on the second floor landing, Anderson can't resist the comment. "Oh my."
"Aren't they awesome?" Em gushes.
"Where did you get them? I haven't seen anything like this outside of movies or pictures."
"My mother made them." Maddy points to one costume. "That one she made before I was born. It was the first one she made. And this... this is the last one she made."
"They'd fit you two. I don't suppose you'd..." Anderson suggests her voice trailing off as Maddy's already shaking her head no.
"Come on, Maddy. It'll be fun." Em implores.
"You're on a tight schedule." Maddy reminds.
"They'd be for me. I'd make the time."
"Lets do the house first." Maddy relents.
"Yes!" Em hollars. "This is going to be so much fun!"
"I'll go get my tripod." Anderson grins. "We've got a shoot to do, ladies."
Fun' Rai$ing
Jax makes the minute adjustment to his bow tie. He wished he could say that he'd been convincing, but Alexis had shifted the balance to get V to go to the Fundraiser with him. Evidently many of the players in her current case would be there and Alexis wants V there to catch anything that she might miss. Not as fancy as the Nurse's ball the Ward house Fundraiser was still a dressy affair held at the Outback which is closed for the evening. Mac's donation to the cause.
Adjusting his cuffs, Jax looks in the mirror using it to watch V getting ready in the bathroom. Dressed only in matching emerald green panties and bra she fastens the garter belt and starts rolling the black stockings up the length of her leg. Jax groans. It's more than he imagined when he'd purchased them at Wyndams a couple of days before. V steps into her evening pumps then reaches behind the door taking down the dress. She shrugs into it and fastens first one button and then another.
Two buttons are all that are holding the green silk wrap dress together. He must have been crazy. How was he going to go all night knowing that two buttons are all that between him and what lies beneath? The dress wraps enough to create a plunging neckline and revealing a long length of leg with every step she makes. V takes a dab of perfume and trails it from between her breasts up and then another she wipes on her wrist and then rubs them together. Jax shrugs into his dinner jacket.
V comes out of the bathroom and stuffs her lipstick into the small evening purse. Small enough to hold only the lipstick, her key, her ID and a little microcassette recorder. Jax picks up her coat and holds it for her as she slides first one arm and then other. "Shall we?" Jax holds out his crooked arm.
"Lets." V slides her arm through his.
Jason knocks on the door to Sonny's penthouse and then enters. He is dressed in formal attire under protest. Only Emily could get him to go to this thing but at least he'd have company in his misery. Sonny had been invited to the fundraiser as well. They are evidently going to be plaques presented for the big donors. Sonny is getting one in memory of his mother Adella Woods. "You ready to go?"
"Yeah." Sonny walks over to the bar and pours himself a glass of water. "I don't know why the hell we're going to this."
"Well I'm going because Em asked me and you're going for the plaque."
"I didn't give the money to get a damn plaque."
"Nope. You did it after Em's friend's mom was beat to death by her live-in."
"What about Michael?" Sonny asks knowing that his friend has weekends with his son.
"Leticia is over. Reggie and Grandmother will probably swing by after Emily gets the old man out of the house."
"Your grandmother isn't attending?"
"It's that Barrington Broad. She gives grandmother a headache. Edward is there because of his connection to the Wards and I think Emily is up to something."
"Oh?" Sonny quirks a brow. Maybe this won't be as tedious as he fears.
"I don't know why I have to go if you're not." Edward grumbles as he paces the foyer.
"Edward, you know Amanda gives me a headache. You don't want me to have a headache this evening, do you?" Lila says significantly. "Besides you are just being an old poop. You love that Emily asked you to be her escort this evening."
Edward continues to rumble. "Well it's taking long enough. Where is that girl?" Edward goes to the base of the stairs and roars up them. "Emily!"
"Right there, Grandfather!" Emily calls back. Emily is pulling on a wrap as she comes out on the landing. Her hair is up with a few tendrils falling down the back of the wrap. The unfastened wrap flows around her showing off the deep bronze wool turtleneck dress beneath it. It's a color few can pull off but Em manages with panache.
Edward sighs with relief. At least the girl was covered. "Well lets get this show on the road."
"Edward." Lila holds out a small corsage that she'd made from bronze roses that are growing in the greenhouse. The greenhouse roses didn't smell as sweet as the ones in her garden but concessions must be made for the time of year. Edward takes the corsage and fastens it around Emily's wrist.
"Oh, Grandmother, it's beautiful." Emily sniffs at the corsage taking in the hint of roses.
"You two have a good time." Lila insists trying to usher them out the door. The sooner they were out on the town the sooner she could get over to Jason's penthouse to spend some time with Michael while Leticia and Reggie plan their wedding.
"Come on, Grandfather." Emily strings an arm through her grandfather's. "We have just enough time for Reggie to drop us at the restaurant and get something to put us in the mood. A nice chocolate torte perhaps? And then we can walk along the prominade to the Outback. We're up to 75% occupancy now...." Emily looks back over Edward's shoulder and winks at Lila.
Dara fastens her earrings and takes a long look. She exhales. This is it. Her first public appearance since the suspension and it was going to be a doozy. Ward House was a commonly used resource for people in her business whether it was dealing with runaways, throwaways or people being battered in their own homes. Over the years she'd referred more people that she could count to them for the network of services that Ward House commands. They were hooked into every public agency and most of the private ones too. Justus would be there of course to represent not only the DA's office but also his family name that hangs over the door. Mac would be there, the mayor and all the bigwigs from the local charity networks.
"You look beautiful." Taggart says from the doorway.
"You're looking pretty sharp yourself." Dara returns the compliment. It's nothing but the truth. Marcus might be more comfortable in his work attire investigating a case but the man definitely fills out a suit with his broad shoulders that can take the weight of the world and his slim waist perfect for wrapping her arms around. "Corinthos will probably be there tonight. You think you can handle that?"
"We'll make a deal. I won't go off on Rico or that spineless excuse for a DA and you'll do the same." Taggart shrugs. "Let's go have a good time and let the brass know they're blowing it."
"You know we could have ridden over with Grandfather and Em." Ned tells Alexis as he shuts her door after carefully making sure that her skirt is totally in the car.
Alexis waits to answer until he is in the car after reaching over to make sure the door is unlocked. "Yes, but this way we can cut out early if we want to and not have to rely on Reggie for transportation. I think he has other plans for tonight."
"What do you know?" Ned asks as he starts the car.
"Only what Lila said this morning over tea. She and Em were scheming to get Edward out of the house early and get Reggie back with the car so she could spend time with Michael over at Jason's."
"How did I miss this coversation?"
"You went to the club to play tennis this morning on one of those networking ventures for ELQ."
"Damn Junior." Ned mutters.
"Honey, you've admitted he's doing fine at ELQ even if he doesn't handle the local ELQ business on the weekends. Actually I think I should start taking a page out of Carly's book. Her husband is home by six everynight and totally available to her on the weekends." Alexis teases.
"I'm not the workaholic in the family anymore." Ned reminds. "Tahiti is still there with the white sand beaches and gentle aromatic breezes but a certain attorney I know is up to her ears in a case-- always up to her ears."
"The curse of being a sole practicioner." Alexis rubs her hand down Ned's arm soothingly. "I pick the cases I take coming through the door; it's true, but I can't just leave people high and dry once I take their cases."
"Maybe you should think about taking on a partner or a clerk or something. I'd give up my office. It's not like I use it anyway." Ned jokes but then realizes he isn't.
Alexis angles herself more so she is leaning against the door so she can watch Ned's face. Reading faces was a survival technique she'd developed early. "You aren't kidding, are you?"
"Maybe I'm being a selfish prick but the only person I want you to be irreplacable for is me. V is on my case constantly about touring but I know that if something happens that we have the artists to fill the dates if I can't or rather won't go. Jax can cover for me at Deception. I can compose anywhere. Hell I do some of my best work away from the family and Port Charles-- just give me a guitar and a cocktail napkin. If I didn't do these tennis dates on the weekend then Grandfather would be taking the clients out for golf or a round of drinks at the club. Yes, I think I do it better-- I know I do it better, but I have back up. You don't."
"Ned, this feels like it's coming out of nowhere but I can tell it's not. This has been bothering you for awhile." Alexis realizes.
"Bothering is too specific. But damn, Alexis, this has been going on since we first made plans to go to Tahiti-- what over three years ago? That got pushed aside so you could do business for your brother. And you know that was just him butting in on our relationship. It was Cassadine busy work to give him time to steal ELQ Jakarta without you knowing about it."
"Stefan won't do that anymore. We're married now and he knows that." Ned laughs without humor at Alexis' reply not believing a word of it. Alexis exhales softly. That was a lame answer and she knew it. "I can tell this is important to you and that makes it important to me too. So yes, I'll think about it." She bites her lip. "Doing something about it is going to take awhile. I can't do it... I just can't trust someone, anyone, else with my cases. It's like you said about your work-- I know I can do it better. And okay, with some of my files it's paperwork-- money and property but some of them are people's lives and I can't compromise on that."
"They're crooks, Alexis." Ned reminds her.
"Alledged crooks. And one of them is your cousin. Besides what is a day of your life worth, Ned? What is your freedom worth? Maybe I'm out there but I think those things are priceless! You never know if you're going to get another day. I can't let one of my clients be in jail one day longer than they are required to be."
"Thank you for making my point." Ned agrees nodding. "I think every day I spend with you is priceless and I want more of them-- lots of them."
"I'll start putting feelers out." Alexis decides. "But it is going to take awhile." Alexis warns. "I may interview a hundred people and if I don't like any of them I'm not going to turn my cases over to them. I don't want the best of the lot; I want the best."
"You putting feelers out is a step in the right direction." Ned replies. It's actually more of a concession than he'd hoped.
Stefan Cassadine strides off the dock to the waiting limo at the Elm St pier. The Ward House was an obligation he'd taken on years ago when he handed Keesha Ward a check for rebuilding the house after it burned down in the same fire that disguised the death of Damian Smith. Once upon a time it had been a tool to get closer to Laura when she'd been working there as a volunteer and then as a social worker. Other than Nikolas it's still one of the remaining ties between him and Laura. It was strange how there is more distance now between him and Laura than in all the years they were apart-- Laura married to Spencer and him in Greece raising Nikolas.
But it was a distance based on knowledge rather than miles. The choices Laura had made since the Cassadines came to Port Charles. When they'd been in Greece, he could imagine that the only reason that Laura didn't contact him or Nikolas was the threat to her and other family. Now--here-- he could see that her choices were her own without the threat. Madeliene had unwittingly... nailed it the first time they met. She had told him then over a chess match, in a comparison of their styles of play. She'd rather make her mistakes in the present and deal with them rather than wait twenty years. Twenty years of dreaming of a fantasy... planning for a fantasy embellishing it in his head to epic proportions that would never come to pass. Believing Laura would make Nikolas or him a priority in her life is about as useful as believing that some day his mother might change.
So here he is on his way to a charity fundraiser. A charity he'd taken on for his own purposes and continued out of habit-- duty. He'd taught Nikolas over the years all the evil the Cassadine inheritance had brought to the world and how he felt it is their shared duty to change that perception.
"I can't believe the first thing we're unpacking is formal gear." John complains to his wife who is getting ready beside him in the bathroom of the rented brownstone a few doors down from where his elder son lives.
"It's a good cause, John." Jane reminds. "And both of the boys will be there. Emily is planning something and wants Jax to be part of it. Bobbie says Carly insisted Jerry go since she and AJ are out of town. If I'm going to be part of this town, I want to know what is going on. The Ward House has the reputation for doing good work without all the fuss."
After an evening listening to excellent sax and Edward's rumblings while sipping subpar rye, John puts together the clues. "Em and Carly are up to something together. Carly can't be there but wants a full report from Jerry." Hmm maybe something he could involve himself in? A sound first step since talking directly to the chit didn't seem to be getting him anything but cold sweats and nightmares. John walks out of the bathroom and shrugs into his jacket. He looks around the room. One wall is lined with boxes. "Lady Jane, what are all these things? Did you move all of Alaska down here?"
"When I emailed what to send down, I had all of Jerry's stuff boxed up. You know all the things he's sent to us to hang onto for him over the years. My eldest might think he travels light but that's only because of Federal Express and UPS! Barbara shared all of her photo albums with us. I think she'd appreciate having Jerry's things from the past in the brownstone."
"You're not giving her all of the things from Jerry?!" With the current state of the relationship between him and his son, John is not willing to part with anything.
"No, I'm not giving her anything that Jerry sent us just the things that Jerry sent for storage." Jane explains knowing what John means. "Have you heard anything about Jax dating anyone steady?"
"No why?" John helps Jane on with her wrap.
"Something Barbara said while you were off on your mysterious errand a few days ago."
"If you want to find out what is going on with Jax you should ask his friend, V. She doesn't work for him anymore since Ashton stole her out from under him but she still seems to keep better tabs on Jax than anyone in this town."
Jane looks at the invitation to the fundraiser. "This is being held at The Outback. I think V rents a flat over it. I'll go upstairs and see what I can find out."
"This is a mistake." Cookie tugs on the top of her formal evening suit.
"It's a good cause." JD reminds tugging away Cookie's hands. She'd been fidgetting ever since this night had come and she hadn't been able to duck out of going.
"You should go. Johnny can use my help over at Porter's."
"Our son can always use your help at the restaurant but you are avoiding."
"Avoiding what?" Cookie says defensively.
"Being with me in public. Margarita, you are my wife. Avoiding social situations because you think it will harm my career is not what I want."
"Not think-- know! You know I'm going to say something." Cookie laments. "Just 'cause I can't take the idiots of the world doesn't mean you should lose your shot at a federal judgeship. You've been working all your career toward this."
"And I've been waiting all my life for you." The Judge puts his hands out in a weighing motion first one hand then the other. "You... the federal bench... the federal bench... you. You win-- we win."
"You shouldn't have to choose. It's just wrong." Cookie protests.
JD sighs. "Look on the bright side, my love. If they ever finish counting those ballots in Florida and Bush wins-- it will be a moot point for at least four years. The Federal bench is a political appointment. Not the job itself but getting the job. And my decisions don't mesh with that political agenda. While the other team might respect my abilities they aren't going to put me in a position where I will have greater influence."
"Idiots." Cookie mutters loyally.
JD rests his hands on her shoulders. Shoulders that had held up under more than any one person should carry. He makes eye contact and holds it. He wants his wife to hear this. "I have always given to the Ward House. As a function of my job I respect the work they have done over the years. But this year they became more important to me than any charity I can think of. This year I found out the son I never knew was running the streets as a teen because he was unhappy at home. And I found out the woman I have loved for years killed a man to stop him from abusing her and our son. Spent time in prison for killing him. Nobody should have to make that decision. I know you and Johnny did the best you could in the circumstances dealt, but a place like Ward House could have made a difference, could have made things easier. If Ward House can stop that from happening to someone, anyone, just once-- they are worth it. They deserve both our money and our time."
"Come on, Red! The sooner we go; the sooner we can leave!" Jerry hollars up the stairs. Jerry looks over to Lucas sitting on the couch. "You have all the numbers?"
"Yep. Both of your cell phone numbers, the number of the restaurant, Betty's number, cousin Lucky's number, the number to my doctor, the police non emergency number, the neighbor's phone number-- Jerry, the only number you didn't give me was the Pope's private line."
Jerry's eyes narrow. "No need to be sarcastic. You know this is a trial run. No company, no drinking, drugs or wild women. No cranking the stereo after nine o'clock."
"I'm not a baby, you know. Most guys my age can go an evening without the big deal. I'll be fine."
"Your mum will probably call you half dozen times. Keep the cordless with you. IF you don't answer the fire, rescue and the cops will all be on their way-- and I'll be in the dog house clear to next year."
"We don't have a dog."
"Details." Jerry whistles as he sees his wife come down the stairs a vision in blue.
Bobbie is still fastening an earring. "Honey, you have all the numbers right?" Lucas rolls his eyes.
"I already covered that." Jerry tells her.
"Oh... well good. I'm sure everything will be fine. I made a snack for you for later. You have any problems just call and Jerry and I will be home like..." Bobbie snaps her fingers.
Lucas throws himself face down on the couch in disgust. "Will you two just GO! I'll be fine. GEES!"
Bobbie bites her lip. She'd been on her own when she was only a couple years older than Lucas is now but that is not what she wants for her son. Jerry can see Bobbie changing her mind and takes her by the arm. "Lock up after us." He orders Lucas. Lucas rises from the couch and follows them to the door. He hides a smile as he can see Jerry practically pushing his mother out the door. Jerry gets her clear of the door and then before Bobbie can give any more direction or head back into the brownstone, Lucas shuts the door and locks it firmly... the knob, the deadbolt and the chain. "Come on, Mama Bear, your cub will be just fine for a couple of hours. We'll go have a few dances-- see what ever your daughter wanted us to see and then leave. Lucas will probably not even have hit his bedtime." Jerry keeps walking as he is talking, opens the passenger side door and seats Bobbie and then locks it as he is shutting it. He comes around the SUV and slides into the driver's seat.
Lucas kneels on the couch, looking over the back out the window as the car pulls away and gets all the way to the end of the block and turns down the cross street. He leaps to his feet and screams. "Yes!" Then he walks over to the fridge, reaches in and grabs a caffeine free diet coke and drinks the whole thing straight out of the can without putting it in a glass with the fridge door wide open then lets out a loud belch. What next?