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The Triumph Of AJ Quartermaine
Aftershocks
"Oh Wow." Emily starts breathing again. "Wow. I mean I know you told me that you'd taken Katherine down but everyone kept asking for her and I couldn't believe."
"You knew about this?" Monica turns to Emily.
"Well-- yeah, about Katherine at least I found out a few days ago. Mom, AJ and Carly loathe Katherine just as much as we do. About the rest of it-- nope. I know that I don't really want stock in the company but why does Michael get a block and I don't have one?"
Lila and Alan make their way over to AJ to congratulate him. Carly starts getting that boxed in feeling again so she starts to circulate making sure that she knows where Jason is at all times. She ends up next to Ned. "How's it going Ned? Feeling okay?"
"This isn't over." Ned grinds between his teeth.
Carly pats him on the arm reassuringly. "Oh of course not, I mean, these things come up every three months right? You'll get back on your game. You know what really surprised me though... I mean Your Mother! Now that was cold. Katherine couldn't have been a surprise; she is a blackmailing bitch afterall. I'm sure that there'll be hardly any changes with AJ in charge. You can even keep his old title-- what was it Vice President in Charge of Paperclips?"
"Somehow, someway-- you are up to your ears in this." Ned's eyes narrow.
Carly voice becomes low and calm dangerously controlled. "Don't make that mistake, Ned. Haven't you underestimated AJ enough already tonight?"
"Sorry to say, Ned, the lady is right; you and the old man got caught with your pants down. I'll have to remember that next time we have a vote. Not that I'd ever vote for AJ." Sonny interjects from behind Carly.
Carly jumped slightly at the sound of Sonny's voice behind her and then put back on her game face. "Mr. Corinthos, I don't think that we've ever been formally introduced. I've heard so much about you."
"And I you, Ms. Benson. May I say you are looking a lot more... polished than the last time we saw each other." Sonny references catching Carly and Jason on the desk in the other penthouse.
"Call me, Carly." Carly snarls ignoring the subtext.
"And I'm Sonny." Sonny flashes her one of his patented dimpled smiles that slightly bares his teeth. "You and I have a lot to talk about."
"I really don't think so. I don't think that we have anything to talk about. If you'll excuse me-- I have to check on my son." Carly beats a quick retreat to where Emily is holding Michael.
"You can run but you can't hide, Ms. Benson." Sonny says to himself before turning back to Ned. "Feeling ambushed? I know the feeling. You need to get that block of Katherine's stock in friendly hands. I might be able to help with your mother's."
Ned grimaces at being in cahoots with Sonny for any reason. "I'll talk to my mother. I can't believe that she didn't call to gloat already. Keeping a secret is not her forte."
"Look at the positive side, man. You can check up on Lois and Brooke Lynn while you're straightening your mother out. And there is always dumping the old man in AJ's lap. Looks like he volunteered for the duty."
Reggie opens the door to the front room. "The photographer is here." A slim, dark haired woman enters the room with her camera and tripod.
Carly makes her way over to AJ carrying Michael. "Photographer?"
"Yeah, every quarter a group shot so we can have memories of these occasions. About the only time that you'd have Jax and Sonny in the same picture. It goes into the share holder report for all the subsidiaries as well as the business section of the Herald tomorrow."
"AJ, we need to get out of here. I've done my bit and touched base with everyone but your mother and Jason. I'm not going to be able to keep this up much longer."
Jason makes his way over to Ned and Sonny. "Well?"
"She ran like a scalded cat. She's avoiding us, have you noticed?"
"I haven't been able to get her alone since before the hearing." Jason comments.
"Is this about Carly?" Ned tries to translate the comments around him.
"Yeah," Sonny replies. "You weren't the only one caught with their pants down-- so to speak. Junior has been planning this for quite some time."
"The only people that know what's going on are Carly and AJ." Jason remarks tersely his gaze never leaving Carly who has her back to him and is slowly rocking back and forth with Michael on her hip.
"And Carly isn't talking." Sonny snorts.
"And that isn't Carly's style. Carly is always talking." Jason mutters before stalking over to where AJ and Carly are standing. Coming up behind Carly he flatly states. "I want a word with you."
Carly's eyes widen but she keeps her back to Jason.
Miss Anderson, the photographer, calls to the group after setting up her tripod and lights. "Can I get everyone's attention? I'd like to get everyone gathered on this side of the room. Mr. and Mrs. Quartermaine as founders you should be in the center then with the rest of the board around them. I understand we have a new CEO? If you'll stand behind the Q's with your family..."
"Excuse us, Jason..." AJ places a hand on Carly's arm. "I think that we've just been called into action over there."
"And if the rest of the board will fill in the shot." There is a shuffling around as everyone either sits around the Q's or stands behind the couch where Lila and Edward are ensconced. Anderson stands back and looks at the gathering. "What a handsome family. Don't think a bad picture could come out of this group. If you'll look over here."
"Family, my aunt fanny as if I'd claim Corinthos." Edward mutters still steaming over the nights events.
"Darling, remember your blood pressure." Lila smiles reassuringly. Afterall that Mr. Corinthos might be a scoundrel but such a handsome one. Lila pats the place next to her. "Mr. Corinthos, why don't you sit here by me."
"Lila!" Edward roars. Lila just shrugs while Sonny smirks and sits next to the grand lady.
Carly sees Jason about to take up position next to her. "Emily-- why don't you come stand by me and Michael. I can't believe I'm actually inviting a model to stand next to me-- maybe you could give me some tips. I never photograph well." Carly grabs Emily's arm and drags her next to her blocking Jason who ends up on the end.
"Yeah, I bet they all look like something that should hang on a post office wall." Monica sneers from the other side of AJ.
"Monica, enough." Alan warns putting his hand at the middle of her back.
The photographer looks through the viewfinder then pops up to look at the group again. "Just a little tweaking and then we'll be ready-- if the two people second row right side, no-- my right, would just switch places..." Emily and Jason switch positions. Carly stiffens all of a sudden she and Michael are sandwiched between AJ and Jason. "There. Looking good. Now everyone think happy thoughts..." Miss Anderson quickly snaps a series of pictures. "All done." She quickly starts breaking down her equipment feeling the tension in the room. Sonny rises to assist her in putting her things in their cases.
"Let me help you with those."
"Thanks, I can do it myself but I appreciate the help feels like a storm is about to strike... in here."
"You're very perceptive." Sonny grins his dimples work their magic as the photographer's knees go weak.
"I'm kind of new in town-- building my business." The photographer reaches into her pocket and pulls out a business card and offers it to Sonny. "Give me a call. I hear you might be in the market for some portraits something for your new business venture, perhaps?"
"You'll hear from me."
"Carly we need to talk." Jason says in a low voice next to Carly's ear. A shiver runs through her. The last time that she had heard that tone in Jason's voice was when they were in bed together after rip-roaring sheet-tearing bout of hot sweaty sex.
"AJ, Michael has been really good but I think that I should get him home. It's too much to expect from him after all this excitement."
"Well there is a room ready for him right upstairs." Edward interjects. "If the lad needs to have a nap."
"It's nice of you to offer, Grandfather, but I think that Michael would settle down easier in his own room." AJ replies.
"I couldn't agree more." Jason inserts silkily. "I'm sure you and the old man have business to discuss. I can give Carly and Michael a lift...home."
"Reggie, Could you get our coats?" AJ asks. "Carly and I need to get Michael home. Grandfather, I'll be here tomorrow morning to discuss business. Grandmother, you should have Reggie drive you by the house."
"Ms. Lila, that would be great." Carly smiles stepping away from Jason. "Reggie knows where the house is. I could show you some of the things that AJ and I brought back from New York. I'm finally getting the house organized enough to feel comfortable having more people over."
Carly, AJ and Michael make their way to the front door where Reggie is waiting for them with their coats and a bag from Cook. "Cook had a feeling that you two wouldn't be staying so she boxed up your dinner."
Carly laughs. "I think I love that woman. Thank her for me and..." Carly's voice drops to a whisper. "...tell her I'll call her later."
Emily comes over to say goodnight to AJ and Carly. From the front room the four can be seen together. Sonny observes to Jason from the doorway. "Looks just like one of those pictures in your album, Jase."
"Album?! You got an albulm?" Edward roars. "Lila..."
"I know, dear." Lila pats his hand.