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When Cassadines Fall
Fun'Rai$ing
The tables of the Outback have been rearranged in a semicircular way around the stage leaving room for the a small dance floor and allowing the stage to be the focus of the room. Jax and V having the shortest trip to the party arrive early. V knows everyone there... the wait staff and the bartender so she doesn't have the normal Oh my god we're the first one's here. horror. Mac and Felicia are both there early to oversee the set up as well. The piano player has showed up as he does every night, before the party starts proper he warms up with some scales but these are nothing like a beginners scales-- he manages to even make these sound good. Jax goes over to the bar and picks up a couple of drinks while V chats with Felicia. Jax brings them back. Felicia stopped wasting her time and printer ink by printing off her stories and instead just gives V discs with the stories on them. There is enough trust between them after the first draft of the Lila story that V would edit to the point of making the grammar editor at the publishing house redundant.
Justus arrives with the day to day manager of the Ward House. As the only Ward in town they'd asked him to present the plaques for high donations which he' been happy to do until he saw who was getting them. Then he'd bowed out and left the presentation to the either the manager or the other board of director-- Laura Spencer. It just didn't seem like anything but career suicide to be pictured giving awards to-- Sonny Corinthos, mobster, Dara Jensen ,currently under suspension, and Stefan Cassadine, who knows what evil that family is up to. Justus goes to touch base with Mac. The Manager goes to talk to Felicia to make sure that everything is going smoothly and if there is anything she can do to help.
Tony Jones arrives with Val, one of the main doctors from the Elm St Clinic. While he had been reinstated at GH, there is still a lot of suspicion and whispers about him. Other than the people who testified for him at the trial and then the custody suit he counted his friends as being the ones he made while at the clinic. They'd seen him at his worst and decided to be his friend rather than the good folks of GH who'd seen the fall. Alan and Monica arrive right after them. They glob onto each other being the doctors in the house. Shop talk first and then when that topic was exhausted they'd start again from the top.
Dara and Taggart arrive. There is a brief pause in the conversation... not from the doctors but from anyone associated with the criminal justice system. Dara winces. V calls out from the other side of the room. "Dara! Over here!" And waves a hand. Who the hell cares if it's inappropriate. "Jax, I have to talk to Dara." She hands him her drink and strides over to meet Dara and Taggart the green wrap dress flowing around her showing just a tad too much leg. "Hey Marcus."
"V." Taggart shakes his head. Only Ardanowski. Talk about an ice breaker. Course her reaction reeked of normalcy which he appreciated. He picks up the vibe from V. She wants to talk to Dara alone. "I'm going to go get us some drinks." He goes off to the bar where he is detoured by Mac.
"What's up." Dara asks quietly.
"Stuff." V hisses. "But it's stuff I want to talk about when Alexis gets here. You still being tailed?"
"Oh yeah, white van followed us directly here." Dara nods. "They aren't even pretending to not be tailing me."
"You know you need a something that gives you a reason to be all over town. You ever considered selling Tupperware or something? I did have something to tell you..." V bites her lip.
"What?" Dara asks suspiciously.
"Well you know those sketches I did... Nedisgoingtouseoneforhiscover." V finally blurts out running her words together in a hurry to get them all out.
"He is going to WHAT?!" Everyone looks over at Dara. Her voice returns to the lower level. "He is going to what?" She says more calmly between gritted teeth.
"Use one for his latest album. It's the most abstract; nobody can tell who it is." V reassures. "But I wanted to tell you before anyone else and since I wasn't there that night, I didn't want you to freak out about me drawing something that I couldn't have-- seen since I wasn't there that night."
Dara untangles V's reassurance. "Great." She looks over at the bartender who was still eyeing her since her outburst. She mouths the phrase "double" He nods and instead of the drink that Taggart had ordered for her fixes her a double Jack.
Amanda Barrington arrives with her son Derek in a flurry of other guests. Amanda looks around and sniffs. She brushes by Dara and V impatiently to make a beeline to the only real player in the room-- Jax. Jax smiles a toothy grin complete with dimples. That raises both V's radar and the hair on the back of her neck. Jax only really got like that when he was in shark mode. What was going on? Jax and Derek start talking business in general-- chewing up the movers and shakers and moving on to some new government regulation that was going to make their lives hell. Jax lets Derek bring up his project first.
Ned and Alexis arrive. The newlyweds are holding hands. Ned takes her coat and gives it to the girl who is in charge of tracking wraps. Ned makes eyecontact with Jax and sees he has already been cornered by Amanda and Derek. He nods and gives a discreet thumbs up. Ball is in play. Stefan arrives right behind them regal in his undertaker black. "Alexis." He kisses first one cheek and then the other.
"Stefan." Alexis squeezes his hand in a silent show of support. She knows how much her brother detests these things. They are right up there with root canals and boardmeetings. "Is Nikolas going to be here this evening?"
"No, he has a prior engagement he was unwilling to break." Stefan gives the cover story. Nik has said something about video night, whatever that was, at Wyndemere Lite.
"I'm going to go touch base with Alan and Monica." Ned tells Alexis reluctantly removing his hand from the base of Alexis' waist. He'd already gotten his concession tonight.
After Ned moves off Stefan starts right in. "I do not appreciate you withholding the information you received regarding Larkin from Nikolas and me. That information was meant for us to protect Madeliene."
Alexis winces. She should have known. "I explained this to Nikolas." Alexis says emphatically. She holds up two fingers. "There are two different priorities here-- yours in protecting your chess partner and mine in getting my client's job back. That information wasn't sent to you. It was sent to my investigator. Your investigation has to stay independant of mine until... your computer expert can generate the same information or at least establish a line of inquiry that would lead to the same information. If he can't, or his investigation is tainted with prior knowledge, then I can't use any of it and my client is screwed. My clients don't get screwed."
"Alexis..."
"No, Stefan. It is not a matter for discussion or debate. You're the regent, the head of the family, and I'm the lawyer. Let me do my job."
"I will not work blind!"
"You aren't blind. You know exactly with whom you are dealing. And you know I really don't think your chess partner would appreciate her safety being secured by her aunt being sacrificed."
Stefan gives what can only be described as a growl. "My computer expert..." Stefan refers to Lucky, like Alexis keeping his name out of the conversation. "...need not know the contents of the file."
"And you won't have a computer expert for long if he finds out you're withholding. Let me be the bad guy. I'm used to it. You both get nada until you come to me with your complete file. If I think it's covered my legal concerns for my client-- then you get my file not before. Now if you'll excuse me I need to talk to Dara and V."
"I need to speak with Ms Jensen as well." Stefan escorts Alexis over to the two women who are still speaking in low tones. "Ms Jensen, Ms Ardanowski."
"Mr Cassadine." Both women reply.
"If I could have a moment of your time, Ms Jensen." Stefan requests politely.
Dara knows it must be about Maddy and steps away from her lawyer and V. "Is Maddy okay?"
"To my knowledge." Stefan answers honestly but relents and breaks into a small smile. "She has taken to being accompanied all over town by a pit bull even bringing her to our regular chess matches."
"You mean a bodyguard of some kind?"
"No, I mean a dog. A very big dog that while it seems to have a sweet disposition has all the teeth of that particular breed. But that is not what I wished to discuss with you."
"Oh?"
"I recently received a package from Miz Sophia. I would hope that you would honor me with your presence at a small gathering at Wyndemere on the twentieth."
"Maddy's birthday!" Dara realizes.
"A more public celebration at this juncture would be ill advised but I understand that this particular anniversary has some significance in this country It is unlikely that any one knowing Madeliene will suspect Wyndmere. In fact I would prefer that Madeliene didn't suspect. Our normal chess matches are at three pm."
"I'll be there."
"I'll look forward to it." Stefan sees that Edward and Emily have arrived. "If you'll excuse me."
"Of course." Dara goes back over to V and Alexis. With a few quiet whispers between them they all disappear up to V's apartment.
Edward helps Emily with her wrap and then groans. He knew it must have been too good to be true. Em had kept her coat on while they were at Porter's getting their pre-function dessert. The bronze wool dress is perfectly demure from the front-- long sleeved and turtle necked but from the back there is a deep cut out that exposes most of her back. "I should have brought my shotgun." He looks around to see what young bucks are at the function and sighs in relief. Emily is the youngest one in the room by far. And the young ones that were there appeared to be attached.
"Buck up, Grandfather." Em grins. "I have my own appearances to keep up. It just wouldn't do to have me looking like a nun when the press is here." She gives him a quick kiss on the cheek. "I'll be right back. I just have to get something started. I'll meet you at the table." Em moves off to corner the society reporter of the Herald as Edward shakes his head.
"Edward."
"Cassadine." Edward shakes his head again. Stefan passes along the invitation for Maddy's birthday party. "It should be at the grille or the mansion!" Edward protests. I should have thought of it first.
"Mrs Lansbury is already making preparations and the Grille is too public. It would be inappropriate considering Madeliene's current situation." Edward nods reluctantly. He knows all about the agent that is after Maddy. "Having it at the mansion would be a break from Madeliene's routine while she expects to be having a chess match with me at 3pm."
"Ah... a surprise. I like it. Didn't think you had it in you. Lila and I will be there." Edward excuses himself to go over to Ned who is talking with Jax and Amanda. "Where is your wife?"
Ned looks around the room realizing that Alexis is MIA and then realizes that V and Dara are gone too. "Powdering her nose?" He covers.
Jax looks around and sees that his date is missing as well. But sees that his parents have arrived. "I'll let you two talk shop." Jax walks off to greet his parents. "Dad, Lady Jane."
Jane looks around the rapidly filling room. "Jerry, isn't here yet?"
"He's coming?" Jax wonders at that since this was not Jerry's cup of tea.
"Something to do with Caroline." John says grimly.
"Oh. Well that's okay then." Jax grins. "I know about that one."
"You boys talk; I'm going to go check my lipstick." Jane gives the age old excuse and goes as if to the restrooms but then cuts up the stairs to the apartment above.
"Spill it, boyo." John insists.
Jax leans in closer puts an arm around his dad's shoulder. "Amanda Barrington. You met her at the horseshow."
"The one trying to give Grande Dame lessons?"
"That's the one. Em and a friend of hers realized that Barrington's have never sponsored the nurse's ball and think it's long overdue. Since the only thing Amanda will volunteer is a barb, they're arranging for the decision to be made for her. Spread a few rumors, a little innuendo, back her in to doing the right thing."
"We can sponsor it again this year." John shrugs. A few deals and the Jacks family finances were back on track. Jane hadn't been held back by a year off from trading like he and the boys were.
"Oh no, Dad. Don't even think of volunteering for this one. That would be ruin for Em and Carly's plan." Jax warns. "Next year fine. But this year the girls have taken it upon themselves to get the sponsor. You screw this one up and you'll be the mouse in the trap instead of Barrington. A situation you want to avoid."
"What should Dad avoid?" Jerry asks from behind the duo.
"Getting messed up in Carly's plan." Jax tells him. "Just watch this one, Dad. Enjoy the show." Jax goes to move off.
"Wait just a minute, little brother. Don't you have something to tell me? Something about teaching Michael to swear, perhaps?"
"Jax, you didn't!" Bobbie protests. "Carly's been trying so hard."
"I'm not going to win this one." Jax holds up both hands. "It's my fault. I didn't know a child that small could spell. I didn't actually say it. I spelled it and the lad sounded it out."
"Oh Jax." Bobbie sighs.
"I don't suppose it matters that she started it."
Jerry nods and shrugs. "Sure it would. IF you were ten. How many times am I going to have to tell you two? If you see Carly coming-- go the other way. I will not have you upsetting her. Upsetting Carly upsets her mum and I won't tolerate it. I need a drink. Bobbie?"
"I'll come with you." Bobbie runs a soothing hand down Jerry's arm. "We're here to have fun remember? A few dances... watch the floor show."
"Right." Jerry gets the bartender's attention. "White wine and I'll have a rye rocks." After collecting their drinks he turns to Bobbie. "Lets find our table. Maybe the show will start early." Looking over her shoulder he sees Tony Jones giving them both the evil eye. "OH Fab-u-lous. Your daughter owes us big time for this one. I think a week sitting with Lucas while we go out of town again."
"What is it?" Bobbie looks over her shoulder and sees Tony. "Sweetheart... that's good news. If he's here then he isn't trying to sneak around the restraining order to see Lucas."
"How did you get to be such an optimist?"
"My brother wonders the same thing." Bobbie takes the lead and tracks down their table.
Jerry sets down the drinks and then seats her. He takes the seat next to her and slides an arm across the back of her chair. Anyone looking at him would think he was too comfortable slouching back almost laying on the chair with his legs kicked out under the table. He ignores the approaching footsteps until they stop at his table and then looks up. "Cassadine."
"Jacks." Stefan says stiffly. "I wanted to relay an invitation to you. There will be a small gathering at Wyndmere on the 20th at 3p. I spoke with Miz Sophia today to inform her the gift she sent for the occasion had arrived."
"I'll be there." Jerry says just as coolly. Stefan walks off to find his table.
"What was that all about?" Bobbie whispers.
"Well if Miz Sophia is involved then it's Madeliene... gift... gathering... invitation. Sounds like a party. A birthday party." Jerry nods as he remembers the information that had been given in passing back before they all flew to New Orleans.
"That's the girl who is so tight with Miz Sophia? The one who's mom..."
"Right."
"Oh that poor thing." Bobbie for an instant remembers what it was like trying to wake her mother after she had succumbed to a ruptured appendix while her father was passed out drunk at the table. "Of course we should go. She's friends with Nikolas right? She was at the Halloween bash Nikolas threw."
"Nikolas, Lucky, Em... the whole lot of them."
"I'll ask Lucky what we should get her."
Meanwhile upstairs, Jane is knocking on V's door. There is a scramble and a sudden hush from inside. "Who is it?"
"V? It's Jane Jacks."
"I'll be right there." V looks at the other two women. "We're going to have to meet at the office. There are just too many interruptions."
"Well now that Ned knows I'm representing you-- he won't be nosing around so much. He is more into who rather than what or why."
"I'll give you a call." Dara looks at her watch. "We should get back downstairs. We're already setting the world's record for nose powdering without actually going out the window on a blind date."
"Have you ever actually done that?" Alexis rises from the couch and heads to the door.
"Just once." Dara admits. "Those windows are smaller than they look." Dara follows her. The two of them pass Lady Jane on their way down the stairs.
"I didn't realize you were having a meeting." Jane takes in V's dress. "Or that you were at the party this evening. I should stop by in the morning."
"No, it's fine. How can I help you, Mrs Jacks?"
"I think Jax is hiding something... someone from me. Would you tell me if he was involved with someone?"
V looks long and hard at Jane trying to decide how to answer this one if she should. She picks up her purse from the table by the door and steps out locking the door behind her and checking it to make sure it's locked. "You really should talk to Jax about this." She starts down the stairs.
"V." Jane calls out halting V in her tracks. V doesn't turn around. "Tell me it's not going to be someone who is going to break his heart. Not like Brenda or Miranda... not again."
"It's me." V resumes walking down the stairs. Well that settles it. The fat is in the fire now as her Great Aunt Arminda would say. Course she said it in polish. She reaches the side door of the restaurant before Lady Jane can process the admission. She walks back into the restaurant to find everyone is taking their seats. Sliding into the seat next to Jax V whispers in his ear. "Your mother knows."
"It's about damn time." Jax retorts. This sneaking around was getting old. He slides his arm across the back of V's chair. Let the whole damn world know. Jane comes up on the table. John rises to seat her. She thanks him absently and then looks from Jax to V. V to Jax. How in the hell did she miss it? The rest of their table takes their seats: Judge and Mrs Porter. Introductions are renewed all around.
There is a flurry of last minute stragglers. The very last people in the door are AJ and Carly. Carly shrugs out of her wrap practically throwing at the gal in the coat check. She scans the room looking for where they would be seated. Carly waves to her mom and then starts to the table. AJ holds her chair for her. "Hi! What did we miss?" She asks eagerly.
"You couldn't stay away could you?" Jerry grins.
"I missed the submarining of Katherine Bell... I am not missing this." Carly retorts. "Hey Jason, Sonny."
AJ takes the seat next to Carly between her and his brother. "Jason. Sonny."
"AJ."
Emily cranes her neck to see where Carly is sitting. "I thought they weren't going to be here. Carly and AJ I mean. They were suppose to be out of town."
"It's an important cause." Edward covers. He and Em were going to have a little chat about what was really going on here tonight.
"I tried to contact AJ late Friday and was told he was out of town until Monday. I talked to you instead, Ned." Derek Barrington is wondering if he should be miffed.
"That's me. Permenantly on call." Ned says wryly.
"Caroline is positively glowing, Edward." Amanda says sweetly. She preens a little and brushes a hand up over her hair to make sure it's secure in it's elaborate do before holding a hand to her throat to check on her diamonds. Sure that she has Edward's full attention without the distraction of his ailing wife.
must be blood in the water "She keeps things lively." Edward understates.
"Yeah, no kidding." Alexis mutters.
"I'm going over to say hi before everything gets started." Emily pops up from the chair.
"Caroline isn't the only one. Ah youth. So... rambunctious." Amanda says with just a small sniff.
Dara mutters to Taggart. "Okay I'm in hell now."
"You kidding I think we have the perfect seats. Show them how they are blowing it, remember, sweetheart?" Taggart looks around the table at their dinner companions. They'd been seated at the criminal justice table. The seating had been arranged prior to Dara's suspension: Mac, Felicia, Justus and his date for the evening the Director of Ward House.
Over at the general hospital table, Stefan contemplates the joys of root canal without benefit of anesthesia. Only his love for Nikolas would put him in this position. He feigns interest in something Monica is saying about the cardiology department of GH. Alan and Tony are deep in conversation regarding funding of the neurology department or perhaps it was some seminar Dr Jones wishes to attend. Stefan looks to his right but only see the back of the blonde head. Laura, back in town from her lengthy sojourn into North Carolina, comparing notes with Val on the cross over clientele between Ward House and the Elm St Clinic.
"Nikolas couldn't make it?" Em asks Stefan. She is standing behind Alan and Monica's chairs having just walked over.
"He had a previous engagement." Stefan offers Nikolas' excuse.
"Oh good one. That's the same one Grandmother used. Those previous engagements sure come in handy."
"Honey, pull up a chair and sit with us." Monica suggests.
"Can't." Em shakes her head. "Gotta dance with the one who brung me. See what Grandfather gave me?" Emily shows off the corsage. "Grandmother made it from roses in her greenhouse."
"It's beautiful, Emily." Laura replies. "I love your grandmother's rose gardens. My roses never seem to bloom the way hers do."
"She's definitely got the touch." Monica agrees.
"Now that Grandmother is done with the major stuff at the theater maybe she can help Nik with his place once he's ready to start landscaping." Emily suggests to Stefan. "Since they are both probably going to get Guild Awards this year from the historical society. Might as well set up next year for the Garden Society now."
Stefan realizes comments made over Chinese food are being put into play here. Emily is working the room table by table. He glances around the room and sees that Carly is doing the same thing. She has a the full attention of a table filled with Charity Guild members and their spouses. The only thing that hadn't been mentioned so far was the Nurse's Ball... His thoughts are interrupted.
"You know this is turning into the next thing to the Nurses Ball." Val comments.
What is the amercanism? Bingo! Young Emily doesn't even have to bring it up.
"I wonder who is going to sponsor it this year? The only company I can think of that hasn't is Barrington Industries unless Lucy has to go out of town to find the sponsor." Emily asks oh so seriously. "You know Lucy has got to be working on it already. I don't know how she does it-- I am slammed under the little bit of stuff I do over at Deception. The person who sponsors the Ball really takes a load of worry off her shoulders I'm sure. Mom, Dad I'm going to go say hi to Cookie." Emily smiles her goodbyes to the rest of the table and moves on to the next one.
"She's changed so much." Laura says to Monica. "I remember when she and Lucky...."
"Her running away to Arizona when she was eleven lived on as my worst nightmare for years-- right up until she was kidnapped." Monica replies. Alan nods in agreement. Stefan watches closely as Tony shifts uneasily in his chair. Then he scans the room. The girls' work is already having an impact. Amanda is slowly surrounded by a gaggle of women of her same age and style of dress. The court reporting back to it's queen? The wait staff start to distribute dinners and most of the guests find their seats.
Carly leans over to Jerry. "How's it going?" She runs a finger over the linen table cloth subtely pointing to Amanda.
"It seems to be working." Jerry looks around. Derek Barrington is in deep conversation with Ned. "If your target is the Barrington woman then I'd say the sharks are closing. What are you up to, Little Girl?"
"You'll see-- it will all go down by the end of the night and it will be all Amanda's idea."
"Right cause you planted it there."
"Nope, I'm not taking credit on this one. Em came to me."
"Carly, where did you and AJ go that you could get back so soon?" Bobbie wonders.
"We went into the city to see a play. Carly wanted to check in with Hassan. But she started getting antsy about missing tonight. It was just a quick flight back." AJ tells his mother in law.
Jerry snaps his fingers that was the thing he was suppose to tell Carly. "Closed on a plane today. Sweet little Cessna hangered right out of town."
"You will?! You mean it!!! Oh Jerry, You are the BEST!!!" Carly starts planting kisses all over his face. "I have to go tell Em." She rushes away from the table.
"Tell Em what?" Jason asks Jerry.
AJ answers dryly with a shake of his head. Jerry definitely has more guts than he does. "That my wife is getting flying lessons."
Sonny, Jason and Bobbie answer as one. "Are you freaking nuts!"
Maybe now isn't the time to tell Bobbie about Lucas getting lessons too.
Carly meets up with Em over at the Jacks table. "Guess what, guess what." She is practically doing a happy dance not caring that the Jacks are right there.
"Okay I'll bite... what?" Em laughs.
"Jerry is going to give me flying lessons!"
"Is he freaking nuts?!" Cookie explodes. "Why would anyone want to learn how to fly? Ever hear of gravity?! I don't think so, missy."
Jax had already spit his drink back into his glass and started coughing but managed to not verbalize his dismay on that one. He shrugs. Jerry had actually flown that balloon by him when Jax'd stopped by to see him the night Lucas had the growing pains.
"Oh no, Cookie, it's great flying up above the clouds... nobody else is around and it's so quiet you can see everything. I flew up front with Jerry on the way home from Jakarta. It was awesome. Hi Judge!"
"Caroline." JD shakes his head. He'd heard of Caroline Benson long before she appeared in his chambers to settle the custody issue of her son. Over the year since they met they'd gotten on friendly terms. Carly had been intrumental in reuniting him with Cookie and backing Johnny once he and Emily brought their relationship out in the open. Little Rita thinks she is amazing. When it comes to riding-- everything Rita says is prefixed with Carly says. "I'm happy that you're happy but what about that impulse control problem..."
"I'm working on it. I haven't threatened to shoot anyone in... years!" Somehow when JD said it, it didn't tick her off the way it would if it came from damn near anyone in town. "Don't worry I won't tell Rita about the flying lessons."
"Caroline, you know better than anyone if it doesn't have four legs and whiney that Rita isn't interested."
"True. Next big local show will be Spring break." Carly's personality changes as she goes into coaching mode. "Now that she isn't such a big surprise to the judges she is sure to ribbon. I'm going to go over to Rochester next weekend to get a look at the competition." Carly looks around. "It looks like they are finally getting this show on the road too. I'll talk to you after the presentations. We have to get together soon for a pool rematch. You beat me once, Judge, don't think it's going to happen again." Carly quips as she moves off.
"I need to go too. Grandfather probably thinks I've abandoned him." Emily checks out her table. Amanda's cronies were bending her ear and Derek was looking positively pale in his conversation with Ned. "He'll want to stop at Porter's for dessert after this todo too. Chocolate raspberry torte." Em gives the thumbs up. "Johnny outdid himself. I think it's the only reason grandfather has lasted this long." Em gives Jax a squeeze on the shoulder as she departs.
John looks at his dinner companions with new interest. "I didn't realize you and Carly were such good friends."
"She gives my daughter riding lessons."
"It's more than that though isn't it?" Jax clarifies. "Your daughter stayed with her and AJ while you two were on your honeymoon."
"There is nothing more important to my daughter than riding."
Cookie puts a hand on her hubby's. "And he'd like to keep it that way for as long as possible."
Fun'Rai$ing
The Director of the Ward house goes up on the stage. The piano player goes with a dramatic flourish to get everyones' attention. He'd been playing all along just doing what he likes and not taking any requests. He feels his function and this function is to provide the soundtrack. "I want to thank everyone for coming tonight and their continued support of the Ward House and our programs..." As the Director starts talking about the House and it's history the piano player starts playing softly in the background. At first the Director is startled but then smiles as she recognizes the instumental version of Bless the Child. Mary Mae's signature song. "We, at Ward House, would like to recognize the people who have been major contributors over the years and specifically this year. The first person being honored tonight came to us after the original Ward House burned down in a tragic fire. It was his donation that allowed us to rebuild. And he has been a rock to us in the years since. Stefan Cassadine." The piano player swings into Children are the Future. Stefan comes up and accepts the plaque shaking the director's hand and then returns to his seat.
Laura is rising as he comes back to the table. He holds her chair for her allowing her to pass before retaking his seat. Laura steps up and gives a hug to the director. "I'm here tonight to honor the big donations to the House. This year, in addition to working with the children who are affected by life threatening illnesses and who have left home of their own volition or to escape horrible situations, we've expanded to assist adults who are in abusive home situations." The piano player starts in with a stylistic rendition of a song. He changes the tempo some but the melody is clear.
V's jaw drops. She looks around to see who else has noticed. "I can't believe he is playing that song!" She hisses to Jax.
"What is it?" Jax leans in to hear what V is saying.
"Goodbye Earl! It's all about an abused wife who does in her husband with a tainted batch of blackeyed peas."
"You're kidding right?"
"No. I have the CD upstairs. You've heard it before; I play Dixie Chicks when I'm cleaning house."
Up on stage, Laura continues with her speech. "This year the big donations were made to honor women who lost their lives to domestic violence. There will be plaques placed in Ward House in their memory and the wish for the day when there won't be any such remembrances. Receiving the first plaque for Adella Woods is her son, Sonny Corinthos. The piano player swings into his version of Shania Twain's Black eyes, Blue Tears.
Taggart stiffens. What bull****. Dara takes his hand on the table and squeezes it. Dara knows all about Deke and had done her own research on the guy. He might have been good for Taggart but.... Taggart had told her one night the pack of lies that Sonny had spewed to him. There were enough red flags in Deke's file for her to have reservations about Deke and to half believe Sonny but nobody can tell Taggart that.
Sonny accepts the plaque and gets off the stage as soon as possible. Airing his linen even for a good cause wasn't what he had in mind when he wrote that check.
Laura calls up the second recipient. "The other plaque is for Lisette Reynolds. Her sister, Dara Jensen, is here to receive it." Taggart returns the favor squeezing Dara's hand. Dara takes a deep breath and exhales. She goes over to Laura and receives the plaque. The piano player breaks into Billie Holiday's Mean to Me.
While Dara is on stage Taggart leans over to Justus. "You leave your balls at home in a jar? Only pull them out on special occasions!" The director of the house decides this is a good time to hit the ladies room and pushes away from the table.
"What the hell are you talking about?" Justus hisses as he applauds Dara accepting the plaque.
"Cassadine-- fine. Corinthos-- no problem, more power to you. But you should have gotten your ass out of that chair to give her that plaque. Dara's got cleaner hands than you and you know it! You should be grateful if she give you the time of day after the crap you pulled!" Mac and Flea look down on their plates. This was going to be a battle royale. And Taggart had a point. That was Tag's problem-- telling the truth as he knows it. He had no problem letting everyone know his truth.
"Marcus." Mac says warningly. This isn't the time or place.
"No, you know I'm right. Or maybe we should start talking about how Ward House really burned down and why. Maybe the feds would be interested in that one, Ward! Or maybe they would be interested in how you funded your campaign using a dead mobster's money. Wouldn't that be just special! Never did prosecute that crime did we?"
"Marcus, dance with me." Dara insists from behind Taggart. He'd been so busy giving Justus a hard time that he hadn't noticed her coming up behind him." Taggart hesitates and opens his mouth..."You promised."
Taggart shoves back from the table and takes the plaque from her putting it by her plate. "Yeah, I said what I had to say anyway." The piano player who never let Dara far out of his sight always hoping to lure her into jamming slides into a rendition of My Boyfriend's Back.
Bobbie rises to her feet and tugs Jerry to his. "You promised. Two dances and then we're out of here."
"What's the hurry, Bobbie? Your cell phone battery die?" Jerry teases.
"Well yes-- but that is beside the point." Bobbie slides in close to Jerry and tilts her head up to look into his eyes. "Flying lessons, Jerry?! You don't think I should have heard about this before."
"You'd worry." Jerry rubs his hand over her the base of his waist and then slides up between her shoulder blades. "You know I'd never let anything happen to either of your chicks.
Back at the table, Carly leans in to get closer to Sonny and Jason. "What did we miss? What's Mama's hurry to get out of here?"
"She probably needs to pop a valium at the idea of you in the wild blue yonder." Sonny quips.
Carly looks at him with narrowed eyes and then looks over at Jason. "Well?"
"Lucas is flying solo tonight... so to speak."
"No Betty?"
"No Betty."
"Well hell." Carly shakes her head. "He's probably calling everyone he doesn't know now and asking them if their refrigerator is running." She pulls out her cell phone and dials the brownstone. Carly holds the phone to AJ so he can hear the busy signal. "See I told you. Dumb... dumb... dumb... hasn't he ever heard of caller ID? He's going to get so busted. AJ, we gotta go."
"But what about...?"
"I've seen enough." Carly waves a hand. "If it worked it will be in the paper tomorrow. If it doesn't then, I'll have to start playing hardball. Come on! I still owe that little punk for teaching our baby to swear and I don't want Mama to get to him first."
AJ looks over at Jason. "You'll let Bobbie know..."
"That you had another engagement." Sonny fills in. "I hear there is a lot of that going around." As soon as they leave. "What do you say..."
"We find one too. Grandmother's over at the penthouse."
"An evening with Mrs Quartermaine." Sonny looks around the room. "Sounds great." They wait until Jerry and Bobbie return and then offer their excuses as well as AJ and Carly's.
"This means we aren't the first ones leaving." Bobbie collects her purse from the floor.
"You've got to give the guy some room." Jerry tells her. "You do trust your son, don't you?"
"Of Course I do!" Bobbie insists. "Let me borrow your cell phone."
"After a nice stoll along the prominade to walk off this dinner. We can stop at the coffee stand and pick up something nice and hot at the far end. Then I'll let you borrow my phone." Jerry promises.
"Jerry!" Bobbie says plaintively.
"Bobbie!" He teases right back. "Let's get our coats." On their way out the door they drop a contribution check in a stand set up for it.
"Jerry's leaving already?" Lady Jane looks to the door.
"The floor show must be over." John comments.
JD pulls out Cookie's chair and joins the others on the dance floor. The piano player transitions into I fought the law. JD cracks a grin and throws back his head in a laugh. He twirls Cookie around until she is breathless and ready to kill him.
Back at the table. Jax watches as first Derek and Amanda seem to be quietly getting into it by the far wall. Amanda holds up a hand in a stop type motion. She looks around the room and spies the society reporter in the other corner of the room making notes of the who what where why and how of the party... as well as who was wearing what. Amanda strolls up to the reporter with her head held high. "Oh yeah. I'd say mission accomplished. We'll be able to read the concession speech in tomorrow's Herald. The girls did it."
"What was it all about?" Lady Jane asks V.
"No clue." V shakes her head. She'd been looking for clues on the other stuff going on instead.
"Dad will explain it to you later." Jax informs his mum. "Just goes to prove that I've got to keep Miss Emmie busy over at Deception. Contessa, shall we?" Jax rises to his feet and holds a hand out to V.
V grimaces as she accepts his hand "You know, I'm seriously terrible at this."
"I know you say you are." Jax tucks V in next to him. "But I like it like this."
The crowd starts thinning out as people move on to other obligations, or to relieve babysitters. Some go on to Porter's for an after function dessert. Some like Jerry and Bobbie walk along the prominade enjoying the hint of winter in the air. They cuddle in close to each other stopping now and then to check out a window here, window there. The kite/flag shop was the latest addition to the row of shops. "Jerry, I think that one would look great over at Carly's and AJ's house." Bobbie points to one.
"We'll come back during the day." Jerry makes a note of the hours. "Maybe you should get one for young Cassadine for his new house too."
"Oh I like." Bobbie leans in closer to the window checking everything out. "What? A nice rampart flying from the turret?"
"A bit much, luv don't you think-- even for the little princeling?" Jerry asks her wryly.
Bobbie wrinkles her nose. "Maybe." She tugs Jerry's hand like a little kid pulling him to the next window. "OH MY." Her eyes go wide. "Can you believe this?"
"What?" Jerry had been glancing back at a noise and turns around to see the photographers shop. In each of the front windows are poster sized pictures. The models' faces are disguised with feather headresses and masks. The outfits themselves would shine in Mardi Gras down in New Orleans or Carnival in Rio. Jerry's eyes are drawn to the model to the left of the door. There is something familiar...
"Honey, I think this is Emily! I remember when Monica freaked out about her getting her belly button pierced. It's the right build." Bobbie exclaims.
Jerry comes over. "You might be right." He agrees. But his eyes are drawn to the other picture.
"I wonder where she got the costumes. She's a serious photographer not one of those glamour shot places." Bobbie wonders.
"Me too. I wonder where she got them."
Bobbie shivers slightly it was getting cold. "You promised me coffee?"
"And you'll have it." Jerry steps away from the photography studio reluctantly. "Come on, Luv, I'm buying."
Porter's Restaurant.
"So are you going to tell me now what was going on?" Edward demands.
Emily plants a big smooch on him. "Nope. You'll have to read about it in the papers tomorrow. Hey Rita!"
"I thought I already saw you today." Rita laughs.
"OH you guys will probably get slammed. The fundraiser for Ward House let out. I was talking up Johnny's Chocolate Raspberry torte all night."
"It started about a half hour ago." Rita looks at her seating chart in dismay. All the two tops were taken. The door opens up behind Mr Q. IN walk John and Jane Jacks and her parents.
Cookie takes in the situation in a quick glance. "Party of six, baby. How is Johnny doing?"
"He was all growly about an hour ago. But it's been mostly desserts so up front has been handling a lot of it." Rita tells her stepmother as she leads them to one of the bigger tables. The Jacks had gotten used to Porter's since coming to town. And the wait staff had gotten used to them and their diet restrictions. "Mr Jacks, I've got a wonderful lemon sorbet you should try if you're doing the dessert route."
"Oh that does sound good." Jane agrees. Cookie and JD nod as well. Emily and Edward are both shaking their head. They want chocolate and they want it now.
Rita laughs shaking her head. "You two. Don't worry I'll let Johnny know you're here. He'll take care of you. The waitress will be over in a minute to get your drink order." Rita leaves to consult with the waitress briefly and then risks her life to go back in the kitchen to let Johnny know who is out front. That task quickly completed she goes back to the front. Ricky comes to the door. Rita bars his way. "Bad time. If you don't want anyone to know you're in town then you need to get gone. Emily and her grandfather are both here and I'll bet they met you in New Orleans."
Ricky swears. "Right. Brunch tomorrow?"
"You going to be early?" Rita picks up a pencil to put in his name for before the restaurant officially opened. That way Cookie wouldn't freak.
"Yeah, saves hassles. And that way I can show you the car I bought." Ricky turns back around and is out the door like he was never there. Sometimes it was a bitch when your only pal in town is a foul mouthed, too smart for her own good, midget.
Rita shifts into high gear making sure everything is going smoothly in front. The wait staff was up to it's ears. Saturday night and the fundraiser thingee. Date night on top of the big shindig. They'd been slammed all night. She'd had to turn people away during the prime time because of being booked with reservations. The tips had been awesome almost as good as when Mr Corinthos had a reservation. He and his guys tipped the best. Who says crime doesn't pay?
The Outback. The guests have mostly left. Only a few stragglers remain. The Director of Ward House had left with the evenings contributions. Mac and Flea had gone home to the girls. The only people left are Alexis and Ned, Jax and V, Taggart and Dara who have consolidated to one table. The wait staff are nearly finished cleaning up. The piano player is still tempting the remaining trio of couples into dancing. That Dara was still here is a good sign. He might get her up on stage yet.
Brian, the bartender, gets Dara's attention as she and Taggart are leaving the dance floor. He tosses her the house keys and pulls his pack of smokes out from under the counter. He fires up a Newport. Dara one hands the catch and goes over to the front door locking up and switching the front lights off. The people who don't work there (or live above) wonder what the heck is going on. Brian pours six drinks and carries them over to the remaining table. He deals them out putting the double of jack daniels in front of Dara. "Last call." He says with a wink.
The cook come out from the back dumping his apron as he does. He brings his case out. Brian pours him his afterwork drink and brings it up to the stage. The guy puts it on a nearby table. With a few practice notes, he starts jamming with the piano player.
Ned looks at the stage and allows his eyes to unfocus for a moment. In that instant the stage looks just like the abstract drawing that V had done. "Good Lord! How long has this been going on and why didn't I know?!" He turns to Alexis. "This is it... what was in V's drawing."
"What drawings?" Jax wonders.
There is a rap on the front door. Dara realizes she still has the keys. She gets up and lets Claude in. "Hey baby, didn't know we were going formal tonight. You ready to jam?"
"Jam?" Jax and Taggart say together.
"You guys can't say anything to Mac." V implores insistently. "If you tell it'll blow everything."
"Well you know what kind of favors I like." Jax teases V.
"If it's making Dara happy, Mac can go spit." Taggart says easily. Claude adds in to the duo already playing.
Ned's foot starts tapping and it just cant stop.... the jam is so infectious. If only he'd known. He'd have brought his guitar! "Have you tried to sign them?" He asks V. What they need is a drum player... or a bass. Something to thrum the tempo.
She shakes her head. "I didn't want to get banned from watching."
Taggart leads Dara out on abandoned dance floor. They move easily together. Taggart might not be much of a dancer but there is just something about Dara. "This isn't the first time you've been here." He states the obvious. "All those late nights when your phone was turned off..."
"Yeah." Dara admits softly. "Sometimes I can't sleep. My mind starts going in a million different directions.... these guys play every night after work. It helps me focus."
"You going to sing?" He asks.
"I don't know. Sometimes I do -- sometimes I just listen." They walk off the floor.
Brian interrupts their low conversation. "You know, Dara, technically you've already had your drink." He refers to the drink on the table. "That one is the icing."
"You hinting, Brian."
"Best part of the job." Brian grins back at her. The piano player slides into a gospel tune. The others transition with him easily. The newcomers wonder what is up.
Dara takes a deep breath and exhales and then joins the others on stage. She sits down on the bench next to the piano player and closes her eyes. Shutting out the audience and focusing on the music she begins to sing.