When Cassadines Fall

Whole New Day

Wed Dec 6.2000 Dawn...ish

Bobbie goes over to Jason and gives him a quick hug. ''Be careful and don't eat anything you don't recognize. The only thing that tastes like chicken is chicken-- no matter what anyone says.''

Jason laughs and gives Bobbie a hug back. ''Keep an eye on Carly and Michael for me.''

''That goes without saying.'' Bobbie says wryly. She pats Jason's arm.
Going over to Jerry she gives him a quick hug and then pulls back a little.

She reaches up to cup his face with one hand. ''Don't get caught.''

''Party pooper.''

''I'm serious, Jerry. Have fun and all but be careful. If Anything happened to you....''

''Nothing is going to happen to me, Luv.'' Jerry reassures. ''I'm just along to pilot the plane.''

''Yeah, right.'' Bobbie gives him a heated kiss to keep him focused on his home front priorities.

''Okay time's up.'' Lucas declares from behind his mother. They break apart laughing. Lucas goes up and gives Jerry a hug. ''Don't be gone long-- I can't keep tabs on Mom and Carly both.''

''No one can.'' Jerry agrees. ''Take care of Dad and Lady Jane's walk while I'm out of town.''

''I got it covered.'' Lucas gives a thumbs up. Bobbie rests her hands on Lucas's shoulders. It isn't as easy as it used to be. They watch as Jerry picks up his duffle from the ground and runs up the stairs to the plane. Jerry turns around at the door and waves then ducks inside the plane. The stairs are pulled back and the door closes. ''You getting a bad feeling about this, Mom?''

''Everything will be fine.'' Bobbie says confidently because she has to. ''Jason and Jerry will take care of each other.'' They watch from the hanger as the plane taxis out to the runway.

Carly comes rushing out of her SUV. ''Where are they?''

Bobbie points to the plane that is rocketing down the runway gathering speed and then thrusting into the air. ''You just missed them.''

''Dang.'' Carly bites her lip. Her worried gaze follows the plane as it clears the airspace of Port Charles.

Bobbie wraps an arm around Carly's waist, her other arm still resting on Lucas' shoulder. Carly reaches out and takes Lucas' hand squeezing it hard. He squeezes back. ''You both know the schedule.'' Bobbie reminds. ''They are meeting the rest of the party down in The City and then flying out. Jerry will contact us as soon as gets in Hong Kong. And all we ever talk about on the phone is what is going on here in Port Charles and touristy things about China. Nothing about them looking for somebody. Not even on that encrypted system of yours out at the stables, Carly.''

''I know, Mama.'' For once Carly doesn't take the reminder the wrong way. ''I guess we should head back.'' She has a tough time tearing herself away from the window of the hanger.

''Yes,'' Bobbie agrees. ''Lucas, you have school today. And Carly, where is Michael?''

''With AJ. They were both still asleep when I left. I left a note.'' Carly says defensively.

''I can't believe AJ could sleep at a time like this.'' Bobbie mutters before she can catch herself.

''He did that for me.'' Carly defends her husband angrily. ''He didn't want me to worry. So he's keeping things normal. And he's right. Jason and Jerry aren't going to be in China for HOURS almost a whole day. AJ will know what's going on from the moment they hit the ground in China.''

Lucas does a quick two finger whistle to get the two women's attention. ''I'm hungry. I still have to shovel a couple of walks at home before school. Should I start walking?''

''Of Course not, Honey.'' Bobbie says apologetically. Her glance to Carly conveys her apology in that direction as well. ''Carly, why don't you call AJ from the brownstone and have him drop Michael off there on his way to work. I'll make waffles.''

''I'll meet you over there.'' Carly agrees. Apology accepted.

9:30am Quartermaine Mansion.

The door bell rings. Reginald who happens to be passing by the foyer on the way to the family room pauses to answer it. ''Mr. Baldwin? Mrs. Quartermaine didn't mention you stopping by today.''

''I'm actually here to see Madeleine Reynolds. I understand she is here most mornings.''

''Yes, she and Miss Emily are in with their tutor. If you'd like to wait in the family room-- I'll let her know you are here.'' Reggie escorts Lee into the family room.

Lee walks over to Lila who is reading the paper in front of the fire.

Edward has already left for the office. ''Good morning, Lila.''

''Lee! How delightful to see you.'' Lila stretches out a hand. ''How can I help you this morning?''

Lee takes it and pats the back of Lila's hand. ''I have some paperwork for Miss Reynolds.''

Lila grimaces. ''Paperwork from a lawyer.''

''I know. About as welcome as an IRS audit.'' Lee jokes. He looks over to the door when he hears the approaching footsteps.

''Miz Lila? Reggie said there was someone here to see me?'' Maddy asks studying the older man curiously.

''Maddy, this is Lee Baldwin. I'll give you two some privacy.'' Lila starts moving her chair out of the way.

''No, ma'am.'' Maddy says in a rush not wanting to inconvenience the older woman. ''I'll talk to him out in the foyer.'' Lee follows Maddy out to the foyer. He sets his briefcase down on the table and opens it up pulling out a bundle of papers wrapped in blue paper. He hands it to Maddy. ''What is this?''

''It's an educational trust.'' Lee explains. ''For your higher education.''

Maddy glances over the paperwork. ''From whom? Poppi? Stefan? Did Edward do this?'' Maddy finally gets to the last page of the bundle and sees the signature on the bottom. ''Jerry Jacks?!''

''The funds are detailed within the document.'' Lee explains. ''And since Child support is already taxed in the father's income there is no tax liability to you.''

''CHILD SUPPORT!!'' Maddy's eyes go wide and her jaw goes tight. Her shout is heard throughout the main floor of the mansion. She starts tearing up the document in half and then struggles to tear it in quarters. ''Here is what I think of Jerry Jacks and his child support. He is not my father.''

''That was your copy.'' Lee says coolly. Jerry had warned him that Maddy would not react well to the papers. ''The original is already on file down at the courthouse. Your father has a copy as do I.''

''I... don't... have... a ... father.'' Maddy enunciates between gritted teeth.

Lee fastens the locks on his briefcase. ''The sum is really quite generous. I understand you were emancipated when you were fifteen. Technically the payments could have stopped effective that date but the sum actually covers til your birthday last month.''

''I do not have a father.'' Maddy drops the torn documents to the floor. ''And you can tell Jerry Jacks where he can stuff his money.''

''Your money, Miss Reynolds.'' Lee corrects. ''Your father no longer controls the funds. It is between you and the bank. I can explain the
details to you or you can talk to your own attorney if you'd like. Have a nice day.'' Lee looks over Maddy's shoulder. ''I'll see myself out.'' Lee strides to the door.

Maddy turns around. Lila is at the doorway of the family room with Reggie standing behind her. She turns again and Emily, wide eyed, stands there with the tutor in the doorway. ''Oh shit. I can't deal with this.'' She waves a hand as if pushing the whole situation away. She clenches her hands in fists to stop them from shaking. She moves toward the door.

''Maddy.'' Lila's silky steel tones stop her in her tracks. ''You can't drive right now. Come sit down.''

''Miz Lila...'' Maddy protests.

''Emily, back to work.'' Lila insists. ''Reggie, get a fresh pot of tea. Maddy, come sit down. Now.''

Emily shuts the door to the classroom. Reggie starts heading toward the kitchen as he passes Maddy he gives her a sympathetic grimace. Maddy walks in a daze to the family room and collapses on the couch. Lila motors over next to the couch and waits patiently. Keeping Maddy off the roads right now is the first step. She'd have patience until Maddy is ready for the next. Time passes. Reggie comes in with a fresh pot of tea. He pours cups for Lila and for Maddy but Maddy's goes untouched. He also has a manila envelope that he hands Lila. He mouths. ''The papers.'' Lila nods.

Maddy exhales. She inhales audibly and then blows the breath out again. ''May I go now?'' She says quietly, tersely.

Lila studies Maddy carefully. ''Darling, it's none of my business of course but I'm going to make a suggestion to you. You need to take these papers to your Aunt Dara. You don't like the contents of them or the implications. Wouldn't it be wise to have your own attorney review them and advise you of your next step?''

Maddy picks up the envelope carefully and with as much distaste as the contents of a pooper scooper after cleaning up after Cinnamon. ''Yes,
Ma'am.''

''I'll let the tutor know you were feeling under the weather and had to leave. Do you want him to email your assignments or call you?''

''Email please.''

''Call me from your Aunt's house so I won't worry about you on the roads.'' Lila says calmly picking up a section of the Herald.

''Yes, ma'am.'' Maddy gets up but leans over to give Lila a kiss on the cheek before leaving.

Lila reaches out-- her hand on Maddy's arm. ''Darling, how does one eat an elephant?''

''One bite at a time.'' Maddy sighs. ''I get it. I'm okay now, Miz Lila. I'll handle it.''

''Good Girl.'' Lila pats her hand. ''I've always found contracts and legalese extremely boring and intentionally confusing. Best it's left in the hands of the professionals.''

The motorcycle shop. First things first. Lucky fires up the space heater and then starts a pot of coffee. While it drips he checks the messages making a note of the few. He boots up Jason's computer. Jason had sprung for a designated line even though he only used the computer to print up invoices for customers. Logging on to EToys.com, he pulls the list he'd snagged from Nikolas the night before out of his backpack. The coffee has quit dripping so he refills his travel mug. He silently snickers. The girls had made such a big deal about this. HA. Piece o'cake. Methodically he fills his cyber shopping cart with all the things on Nikolas' list.

GH Christmas list: Harry Potter, robot dog, tinkertoys, computer games, game boys, grinch, stuffed animals, Rock and Roll Elmo, secret message barbie. Big mouth bass. Dragon tales. personal CD players. Diaries with locks. Legos. Action figures, pokeman.

Lucky laughs again when he sees the singing big mouth bass. ''Oh that would be perfect for the Stiff.'' He adds another one to the shopping list. He arrives at the checkout and offers up his credit information. ''After all the hassle I went to get it I should give them Larkin's credit card number.'' Lucky mutters to himself. He checks the normal shipping since there is plenty of time before Christmas. With a quick tap he hits enter. ''All Done. Oh that was so hard.'' Lucky looks over at the clock and sighs. It's only ten thirty. Plenty of time to kill before the shops office hours were over. He grabs the work orders and starts checking inventory.

Maddy pounds on Dara's door. ''Aunt Dara, open up it's me!''

Dara comes to the door dressed in her sweats. ''What's going on? Are you okay?''

Maddy stalks by Dara followed by Cinnamon who checks out the new place sniffing around before grabbing a spot in front of the fire. ''No, I'm not okay.'' She thrusts the envelope at her Aunt. ''I want you to make this go away.''

''What is it?'' Dara opens the envelope and sees the pieces within. She dumps it on the coffee table.

Maddy paces in front of the fire. Cinnamon doesn't even look up from where her head is resting on her paws but instead just follows her with her eyes. ''It's BS is what it is. It's craziness pure and simple.''

Dara puzzles together the document and starts scanning. She flips back to the signature page. ''Oh you have go to be kidding me! Jerry Jacks?! Jerry Freaking Jacks! Jerry Jacks and my sister?! And where in the hell did he get all this money? The Feds cleaned him out a year ago. This is a small fortune. It's got to be dirty money.''

''Who gives a rats rear about the money? I tell him I don't have a father and he pulls this.'' Maddy flings a hand in the direction of the table. ''I want nothing to do with him. He's insane. How can he do this? File a paper down at the courthouse and declare himself my father?''

''Did Lisette ever tell you who your father was?'' Dara asks curiously.

''No.'' Maddy says impatiently. ''Some white guy. That covers a lot of ground. So what if Jerry Jacks was in New Orleans the year before I was born. He had plenty of company. Mama had plenty of company. Mama went partying... got ripped... got laid and nine months later a little stork made a delivery. If she ever got his name, she forgot it.'' Maddy stops in front of the coffee table. ''Come on, Aunt Dara. Do you really think that if Mama had known about Jerry Jacks and J&J we would have been living in the projects? Mama was the ultimate fairy tale gal. She was always looking for Prince Charming.''

''And she kept hooking up with frogs.''

''Exactly.'' Maddy nods in agreement. ''I don't know what game this guy is playing but I want no part of it. Can you get whatever is at the courthouse pulled? Make all this go away?''

''It's not my area... I haven't done anything but adult criminal law in years. Can you leave this with me? So I can do some research?'' Dara suggests.

''Yeah, just keep me out of it.'' Maddy glances down at her watch then swears. ''I have to go. I was suppose to meet Stefan twenty minutes ago for a chess match. He's probably called the cops by now.'' Maddy reaches for her cell phone. She dials Wyndemere. ''Yes, Mrs. L. It's Maddy. Will you tell Stefan I'm just running late and I'm on my way. Yes, everything is fine. I didn't have car trouble or anything. I just lost track of the time. I'm at Aunt Dara's house now. 'Kay.'' Maddy hangs up.

''You're twenty minutes late and he calls the cops?'' Dara lifts a brow.

''He knows I'm not late to business appointments.'' Maddy slaps her thigh and Cinnamon rises from the throw rug. ''I really appreciate you looking into this for me, Aunt Dara.''

''I'll call you as soon as I get something.'' Dara rises from the couch to walk Maddy out. As soon as she sees Maddy climbing into the van she looks down at herself and the sloppy sweats she was wearing to clean the spotless house. ''I guess I should change.''

Emily strides by her office at Deception and keeps going until she gets to Jax's. Jax sees her and waves her in. He makes his call short and then throws his headset down on the desk. ''You've got something on your mind. What's up, Emmie?''

''What is your brother doing?''

Jax shrugs. ''I haven't talked to him lately? Why do you ask?''

''He served Maddy with some kind of papers today while we were in class. Reggie almost had to pull her off the ceiling. Grandmother was a afraid to let her drive she was so mad.''

Jax picks up the phone and calls the brownstone. ''Bobbie, it's Jax. Let me speak to Jerry? He went where? WHEN?! Have him call me when he checks in.'' Jax hangs up the phone. ''Jerry went to China this morning.''

Em snorts. ''Well he better hope he gets kidnapped again. Cause Maddy is ready to tear him apart.'' She sighs and slumps into the chair across from Jax's desk. ''I didn't mean that. I hope he doesn't get kidnapped. I hope he and Jason are successful.''

''Jerry went to China with Jason?!'' Jax's tones are long and drawn out in his disbelief. ''With Jason?''

Emily nods. ''They're going to try to smuggle three people out of the country.''

''This country or tha.... Nevermind.'' Jax runs a hand through his hair. ''I need a drink. How did this happen?''

''It was a condition of Jason being able to use ELQ as a cover.'' Emily nods. ''Carly knows that Jerry is a pilot and speaks some Chinese. And he really did help AJ out with Jakarta...''

''But smuggling illegal aliens out of a communist country....'' Jax protests.

''Can you think of two better smugglers? I mean really?'' Emily reaches over and pats Jax's hand. ''It's okay. God is on their side.''

''Excuse me?'' Now I really need a drink. Jax walks over to the bar he keeps for clients and passes over the scotch to a bottled water and
untwists the cap with a viscous twisting motion.

''The people they are smuggling out are missionaries from my church, from Queen of Angels.'' Emily explains. ''Father Frank blessed the whole thing.''

''Yeah, and The Pope blessed the crusades too once upon a time.'' Jax mutters. He gives in and pours himself a couple of fingers of scotch and tosses it back exhaling the fire from the back of his throat. ''Once again you are the lady in the know... so tell me do my parents know any of this?''

Emily shrugs. ''No clue.''

Jax pours himself another.

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