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The Triumph Of AJ Quartermaine
Skinning a Kat
Early morning Monday at the Happy Family house--
Carly is asleep on her stomach stretched out on the bed her head half under the pillow. AJ enters the room silently already dressed in a business suit. He carries the baby monitor with him. Setting the volume on cranked no way you'll sleep through this he lays the monitor next to Carly's bed. Sitting on the edge of the bed, he runs a single finger down the middle of Carly's bare back before leaning over to press a kiss to the middle.
Clutching the sheet to her, Carly turns over and brushes the hair out of her eyes. "Hey," She squints at the clock. "What are you doing up so early?"
"I didn't mean to wake you." AJ says softly "I was just bringing the monitor in. Go back to sleep."
"Where are you going?" Carly insists over a yawn.
"Off to my meeting with Katherine." AJ lifts his brows significantly.
Carly smiles with a hint of mischief in her eyes. "Knock her dead. And memorize every detail because I want to hear everything."
"You really can't stand her, can you?"
"I worked for her-- enough said." Carly grimaces. "Course I was spying on her for Uncle Luke at the time too so there was a bit of silver in that massive black cloud." Carly points to the robe at the end of the bed and AJ reaches for it handing it to Carly. Shrugging into the robe, Carly wraps it around her. "It couldn't happen to a meaner gal. I just wonder how you are going to top this one."
"We still have the board meeting on Thursday." AJ reminds.
"Ahh yes. What does one wear to a Quartermaine board meeting at the mansion?"
"Formal attire, if you can believe it; the dress you wore to the Opera should do; there is a picture op after the meeting. I arranged for a driving lesson this afternoon, if that's okay."
"I know I need to learn how to drive. But this is terrifying me maybe more than walking into the mansion with Michael."
"You've had more time to build up your fears on the driving. My family on the other hand you've been dealing with on a one on one basis for a couple of years. The thing to be worried about is our first dinner party here. We can always leave the mansion if they are acting too true to form. And misery shared is misery halved, at least that is what I've heard. I'll finally get to find out." AJ stands and smoothes his tie. "I've got a driver on standby if you need to go somewhere this morning. The gates are locked so you'll have to let them in."
"I think that I will go out." Carly declares. "I want to see Emily, see if we can get double prints of the pictures that she took yesterday."
"Okay, But Carly, I don't think that Emily needs to know the details of the custody agreement that has been hammered out. After we go to court I'm going to ask the Judge to seal it. Our agreement with Jason and all the details are nobody's business but you, me and Jason."
"Especially the day before the board meeting, since Edward isn't getting a damn thing in the deal." Carly nods. "It is going to drive Edward nuts. Especially once he realizes that the custody hearing was a done deal before the meeting and he doesn't get to put in his two cents worth."
"If he would limit it to two cents we might be okay." AJ reminds ruefully then a sudden thought occurs. "We have a problem."
"What?" Carly leans forward wrapping her arms around her knees.
"Grandfather has been sucking up to Dr. Evans and the Judge that signed your release. I think he has an affidavit from Evans about you being released from Ferncliffe against medical advice. Once Grandfather realizes that money or the CEO of ELQ is not going to get his foot in the door; he might try something there."
"Oh God!!" Carly exclaims.
"We'll fight it. Just like now take it step by step and eliminate the problem. Evans will be easy to discredit. He's a quack and I'm sure there are others out there that think so." AJ tries to reassure.
Carly waves a hand. "Not that." She bites the inside of her cheek. "There were three signatures that got me out of Ferncliffe: Evans, the Judge and Jason. It was a condition of my release that I live with Jason. He was my responsible party."
AJ takes Carly's hand and squeezes it firmly. "Stop. Right there. No panicking. We know what has happened and can plan for what could happen. You were living at the brownstone without Jason."
"Yeah right." Carly rolls her eyes. "Until New York, the only nights that Jason and I didn't sleep under the same roof since my release was when he went to wherever, " Carly waves her hand again. "...to see Sonny."
AJ looks at his watch. "I have to go. Please, just meet up with Emily this morning. If you have to think about Ferncliffe then make a list on Evans, things that he did that you thought were hinky. Patients that were out of whack that he was supposedly treating. The fact that you were saner than he, we'll keep to ourselves for now." With a kiss on the forehead for luck and reassurance, AJ leaves.
The Mansion--
At the breakfast buffet, Monica and Edward are dishing up croissants and coffee. "I can't believe that you talked me into going with you yesterday!" Monica grouses. "AJ was right; If Emily finds out what you did the tension in this house is going to go to a new high. Especially after the way that Dorman used her journal to try to destroy this family."
"AJ still didn't say what he was planning. He was avoiding. What is the lad up to?"
"Feeling like a mushroom, Edward? Well Good!" Monica retorts walking away.
Upstairs in Emily's room, the phone rings. "Hello?"
"Emily, it's Carly. I was thinking of the those pictures you took yesterday... any chance of getting some double prints?"
"I was already planning on at least double prints. Grandmother is going to want some too and I thought that Bobbie would like some of her and her kids too."
"Okay, so now we're up to four sets of prints." Carly laughs. "I know this might set my image as a totally bad influence but is there any chance that you could ditch today? Maybe we could spend the day together? Get the pictures, get AJ some ties from this decade at Wyndhams."
"Oh thank goodness someone is finally going to get AJ some decent ties. I was almost embarrassed for the snowman yesterday." Emily reviews her day. "Today I can ditch; it's a review all day for winter tests. Tomorrow and the next day are out because of the tests."
"If you bring me something with your mom's handwriting on it; I'll forge you a note." Carly tempts.
"Reggie, actually, has the best handwriting. And he normally writes my notes anyway." Emily admits.
"Reggie can come too. Bribe him. Tell him that we'll make an album for Lila. 'Course we would anyway but...."
"Let me talk to him. I'll call you back if I can't go but plan on us being there in about half an hour." Emily hangs up quickly then goes down the back stairs to talk to Reggie. Opening the door to the kitchen she looks around carefully. Seeing that only Cook is there she enters. "Where is everyone else?" She inquires.
"Reginald is checking on the family in the living room then he was going to take Mrs. Lila some chocolate and muffins for her breakfast. He should be down soon."
"You mind if I have breakfast here? I need to talk to Reggie about something."
Cook looks over knowingly. "And who are you avoiding this morning, Missy?"
"Nobody..." Emily realizes that she is unconvincing. "Okay, Mom and Grandfather. But it's only for today. By tomorrow the secret will be out."
"Which secret is that?" Cook sits at the table across from Emily handing her a plate with a fresh hot breakfast on it the likes the rest of the Quartermaines had never seen. "You know I won't tell them."
Emily can't hold it back. "AJ is back; he bought a house and Carly and Michael are staying there with him. I saw them all yesterday when I took Michael to Church."
Cook shrugs and nods significantly. "That isn't news, Missy. And you shouldn't leave your journal out on your bed where the old man can see it."
"He didn't!"
"He did and your mother too. They were out of here 20 minutes after you left with Reginald. You must have just missed them over at the new house."
"I can't believe Him." Emily fumes. "And Monica went along with it?"
"Now you didn't hear this from me, but I think that old Mr. Q needs a taste of his own medicine."
"What do you mean?"
"If he's going to be reading your journal then I think that he should read what you want him to see." Reggie enters and Cook rises making a zipped lip motion to Emily.
"What did I miss?"
"Nothing new." Emily grinds out between clenched teeth. "I'm skipping school today and you're going to write me a note. Then you and I are going to pick up Carly and Michael and get the pictures developed."
"Pictures?" Cook inquires greedily.
"I'll bring you a set too. I'm already up to four sets of prints. I just hope that the roll turns out." Emily wonders.
"And I get input into this jail break, when?" Reggie asks with a quirked brow.
"Now. Come on Reggie, Carly wants to stop at Wyndams afterward and make a picture album for Grandmother." She tempts. "It's just review at school and I'm all prepared for the exams anyway. One day wouldn't hurt." She pleads.
"Okay fine. But I'm not getting in trouble for this."
"Great! Can we take your car? It wouldn't surprise me if Grandfather had locating devices on all the family cars." Emily grabs the last piece of toast from her plate and rises grabbing her backpack.
"Let me just tell Mrs. Q that I'm going out-- but just until Lunch then you're on your own." Reggie insists then calls Lila on the inner house phone to fill her in on his plan.
Cook takes some money from a jar on the window sill. "I want a photo album too. And a nice 5x8 of AJ and the baby. It'll burn the old man." Emily laughs and pockets the money.
"You know you'll have to let him in the kitchen to see it?" Emily reminds.
"It would be worth it if I can see the look on his face, greedy old robber baron."
Reg hangs up the phone. "All clear." He escorts Emily out the back door to the family garage where his car is parked. Getting behind the wheel he waits until Emily is buckled in on the passenger side. "You know Cook still hasn't forgiven Mr. Q for blowing up her microwave."
Across town at the Happy Family house about twenty minutes later Carly is in the study surrounded by boxes. With the instruction manuals by her side she carefully puts together AJ's computer. Michael chews on a cookie in his playpen yammering away at his stuffed toys. "Well Mister Man, I think I've got it figured. It's been awhile since I did this, but if AJ were to put together the computer who knows what would happen or when it would get done. He might burn down the house or something." Michael babbles in reply and Carly continues filling Michael in on her plans. "And I think I'm going to need the computer tonight. I have to get hold of that online broker that Jerry suggested for us, and I think I can do some research on Dr. Evans and Ferncliffe. He had Mama over the barrel once but he'll find out I'm not so easy to mess with now that I'm released. Mean old Dr. Evans can just kiss Mama's rosy red butt, yes he can! By the time AJ and I get done with him he won't be able to do therapy for family pets." Michael smiles and laughs at Carly's happy if vengeful tone. "You'd like that, wouldn't you; Since that mean old Dr. Evans wouldn't let Mama know anything about you and how you were doing while I was inside. Anyone messes with my Mister Man deserves all that they get isn't that right, Michael?" There is a buzz at the front gate. "There is your Aunt Emily and Reginald now. Come on let's go let them in." Carly picks up Michael and takes him to the monitor by the front door. She verifies that it is indeed Emily at the gate then opens it. Moments later she opens the door. Emily immediately makes a grab for Michael.
"So what have you been doing this morning, my godson?" Emily nuzzles on Michael's cheek. "Yum, you smell like cookies; I could just eat you up!" Emily makes play munching noises. Carly laughs.
"He's been supervising me in putting together AJ's computer." Carly snaps her fingers. "That reminds me I need to write AJ a note."
"Why? Is AJ that bossy?" Emily asks confused.
"No, I don't want him touching the computer until I get home. I'll load the software then. He can just keep his technology challenged fingers off of it until I say so."