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The Triumph Of AJ Quartermaine
Planting a Seed
Kelly's diner about 10:30 am the midmorning coffee rush has cleared out. Emily, Carly and Reggie have taken over a larger table. Michael is seated in a high chair. Packages are all over the floor from the trip to Wyndams. Each of them have a photo album in front of them and a set of pictures. Emily and Carly are making their own and Reggie is working on Mrs. Q's.
"When I get done with this one, I'm going to start on an album for Bobbie. Do you want to work on Jason's, Emily?" Carly asks.
"Do you mean it?" Emily asks confused not expecting for Carly to just bring Jason into the conversation that way.
"Of course. Jason is Michael's Daddy." Carly shrugs. "AJ knows that. I know that it's a long shot for us to all to just get along but I have to try; it's what is best for Michael." Carly picks up a sweet 5x7 of Carly with Michael and AJ cuddling in front of the snowman. "I think that this one should be for AJ's office. What do you think?"
"That one is good. And this one for Cook." Reggie holds up a picture that has not only Carly, Michael and AJ but also Bobbie and Jerry. "The old man will have another heart attack when he sees it." Reggie picks out an acrylic frame with magnets on the back of it that he inserts the photo into. "This way she can hang it on the fridge."
"I thought that Edward didn't go into the kitchen on pain of dismemberment?" Carly asks.
"Oh Cook will let him in if she has a reason to." Emily remarks. "And right now she is ticked enough at him again to let him in-- just once."
"This isn't still about the microwave, is it? I mean I'm getting the impression that this woman holds a huge grudge." Carly curiously asks fastening more pictures into the album as she speaks.
"I think this is on my behalf. Cook knows everything that happens at the mansion including that Grandfather read my journal yesterday to find out where you and AJ were living."
Carly covers Michael's ears. "That son of a bitch!" She uncovers Michael's ears. "I can't believe that he did that it's so... cold. Who am I kidding-- the guy is arranging to have me sent back to Ferncliffe."
Reggie looks up and Emily exclaims. "What?"
"It's not a sure thing. AJ knows he's been in touch with my shrink back at Ferncliffe. Edward knows that Jason manipulated Dr. Evans to get me out of there. Now Dr. Evans is ticked and doing his darn'dest to get me back under his thumb." Carly shudders. "If, no when, Edward finds out that Michael isn't going to be moving back to the mansion any time he's going to come after me and AJ. He's already got an affidavit from Evans to hold in reserve. I have no idea what he is going to try with AJ. Jason was an easier target actually because his business is so-- high risk. I almost hope that Edward takes AJ on. AJ is ticked and he has been planning like a Cassadine for the last year to get things set up the way that he wants them."
"What about Jason?" Emily asks.
"I care about Jason more than I should probably, and Michael loves his Daddy, but AJ got screwed. I know; I'm the one that did it. And it is time for me to make amends and that means AJ getting to know his son. There is one good thing that could come out of this."
"What's that?" Emily asks.
"It could make AJ and Jason work as a team. I mean they have to in order to coordinate Michael being with Jason every weekend. Both of them love Michael. They have to get along."
"But what about you?" Reggie asks closing Mrs. Q's completed album.
"I think that AJ and Jason have a slim chance of agreeing on Michael because they both love him but there isn't a snowball's chance in H-E-L-L that they'll ever agree on me. So I'm staying out of it. It does put you more in the middle though, Emily, if you are going to make taking Michael to Church on Sunday a regular thing. I thought maybe it was something that you and Jason could do together although that is really up to Jason since Sundays are his day." Carly shrugs. "Oh there was something else I wanted to ask you."
"What's that." Emily mulls over the info that Carly has been steadily dropping in her lap.
"AJ arranged for me to have a driving lesson today. I was wondering if you wanted to come?"
"Driving Lesson?" Reg inquires sternly.
"He arranged with some ELQ security thingee to teach me to drive defensively since I don't know how and he doesn't want me to be dependant on others for rides; AJ thinks it is unsafe. And after having to take a cab in New York I have to agree. He is going to take a refresher too since there is a security element in the course."
"It's a good course, Miss Emily." Reggie admits. "I took it. Not only do they teach driving but also evasive tactics in case of terrorists or kidnappers. ELQ hires former CIA and Secret Service agents to staff their security unit. It's a mini course of what they had to go through in their government training."
"It would drive Edward nuts." Carly tempts.
"Sold. But I have to be home by three." Emily says decisively. They start packing up their finished projects for the trip back to the house.
The Happy Family house--
"Carly?!" AJ hollers as he walks in the door. "Carly, I got it!" There is no answer. AJ picks up the phone and calls the driving service. "Did Ms. Benson take the car out?" He grows concerned when he finds out that she hasn't. Just then he sees a note taped to the mirror on the entryway.
AJ--
Don't panic. I'm out with Emily and Reggie is driving. We'll be back in time for the driving lesson. I put together your computer but haven't loaded the software yet. If you touch it; I'll break your fingers. Hope you knocked her dead, literally would be too much to ask.
xoxoxo
Carly
AJ takes down the note and carefully folds it into his pocket. Then goes up to his room to change into casual gear for the lesson. Once in Quartermaine casual he ends up in the kitchen. He studies the microwave, the toaster and decides a salad and fruit would be good for an early lunch. He is in the midst of his lunch reading the paper in the silent house when the front door slams and there is the sound of the returning hoard. Carly and Emily come into the kitchen still chattering.
"I'm all coffee'd out." Carly declares. "What about you?"
"Water's fine. AJ, do you want to see the pictures?" Emily hands Michael over to AJ before reaching into one of the Wyndams bags. "Reggie already went back to the house. He wanted to be there when Lila got up for lunch. He took her album back with him. Along with the picture that Cook wanted."
"Cook?" AJ makes a face at Michael before looking over at his sister.
"Yeah, she's ticked at Grandfather. Wants to torment him by having something that he doesn't-- A picture of Michael."
"That's right. Why didn't you tell me that Edward and Monica were here yesterday?" Carly demands. "I thought we had a full disclosure thing going here?"
"There are no secrets in that house." AJ shakes his head. "I was hoping that you wouldn't find out, Emily."
"Well I'm glad that I did!" She pulls another package onto the table.
"What's that?" AJ asks curiously.
"A new journal and a lock box to keep it in! My thoughts will be my own. And Grandfather is only going to find out what I want him to know. And Carly invited me to go driving today."
"Carly?!"
"What?" Carly slams the fridge closed with her foot after pulling out two bottled waters. "It's not like I'm taking her shopping for a Ferrari. If I have to learn to drive then Emily has to learn to drive too."
"Actually I have my eye on this really sweet Harley." Emily sweetly proclaims.
"Your Grandmother Monica is going to kill me. " AJ says to Michael.
Emily goes behind AJ to look at Michael. "Then your Grandmother Monica shouldn't throw in with the old mans schemes." She pats AJ on the shoulder. "Don't worry I'll get a sidecar for Michael. And Jason already got me a helmet and leathers." Emily looks at her watch. "Well I have to be back at the house by three so we should probably get on the road right?" Emily takes Michael back again from AJ as he rises from the table.
"AJ, you have something to tell me? About your meeting perhaps?" Carly inquires unable to wait longer. Picking Carly up he swings her in a circle and plants a big kiss on her mouth before setting her on her feet again. "I take it that you killed her?"
"Not literally, but we've got it in the bag, Baby."
"I love it; I want to hear all about it later. Every twitch and evasion." Carly practically cackles in glee; her eyes aglow.
"This really isn't fair. You guys know something and you're talking around me and I really hate that." Emily protests. Carly looks at AJ who nods.
"Fine, But it's a secret. So swear-- not a word." Emily nods. "AJ took down Katherine. She isn't a part of ELQ anymore."
"Oh I love you, you are the best brother ever I swear." Emily throws her hands around AJ.
"I love you too but this is left field." AJ hugs Emily back.
"Have I told you about my birthday...? Oh that's right you were meeting Robin that night. Katherine Bell managed to top the kidnap Michael at my birthday story. I walked in on her with one of my guests -- Doing it."
"It!!" Carly exclaims " Oh My Gosh-- It-- Ew Oh I need a shower. That's so ... tacky. That's it the furcoat is staying in the closet for at least a decade."
Emily looks at AJ in bewilderment and he just shrugs. "Come on lets get you guys behind the wheel." AJ pushes them toward the door.
The Mansion--
Reginald enters Mrs. Q's sitting room with a lunch tray and a Wyndams bag. Lila is reading by the fire. "Hello Darling, how was your morning?"
"Really good, Mrs. Q. Emily needed a day off to spend with Michael so I forged her a note."
"Not too often, dear. The girl has a fine brain but she can't get into the habit of missing class."
"Well I haven't told her all the stories that you told me about your youth so your credibility on that score is intact." Reggie sets up Lila's tray and sets her napkin for her.
"Don't make me regret I told you those tales. It was a long time ago and a different time. What have you got in the bag, Dear. You swore that you wouldn't step foot in Wyndams after your Christmas experience."
"Well I didn't think it wise to leave Miss Emily in Miss Benson's clutches until I assessed the situation. Although things seemed to go well yesterday."
"So Carly was there too?" Reginald hands Lila the photo album.
"This is what was the priority today. Picking up the pictures." Lila thumbs through the pages.
"Oh this is wonderful. They look so happy." Lila wipes away a tear. Then runs a hand over a picture of AJ, Michael and Carly.
"Yes, the snowball fight started after all the pictures were taken. Carly sent this along for you too." Reginald hands Lila the cast album CD from the opera that Carly and AJ had seen in New York.
"Oh how wonderful, Reginald will you..." Lila hands the CD back to Reginald who puts it in the stereo and presses play. "Yes, wonderful."