Each Coming Night
Author: Cate
Summary: A total retcon of the past five years or so, centering on Alexis, because the show just sucks now and if the ABC higher-ups won't change it, I will.
Rating: PG-13, just to be safe.
Background: I'm taking pretty much everything the Lords Of Suck have written and turning it on it's ass, so you might want to pay attention. Major details I've changed are as follows (and I'll probably be adding to this list as the fic goes on):
1. Alexis would never condescend to give Sonny the time of day, let alone agree to be his attorney or get involved with his greasy ass in any way. Come on, let's get real here. She's a Cassadine by blood and he's a lowlife, unwashed, barware-throwing, puerile, misogynistic thug.
2. Know what? Scratch that. Sonny doesn't exist. Best not to have the tiny, nekkid emperor plaguing us at all.
3. Jason is off the canvas, having regained his memory but never totally forgiving AJ. He works as a doctor in some distant town and checks in with Monica and Alan once in a while, but doesn't visit.
4. Alexis' real identity as Natasha Cassadine isn't generally known to the public outside Port Chuckles.
5. I really don't know much about the Cassadine history pre-Stefan and Alexis, so if there's anything that's been said onscreen about them that doesn't match up with something in my fic, ignore it. I feel okay flying blind on this one because hell, if the show's writers clearly doesn't know (or respect) it's own history, why should I? But if there's some detail you feel compelled to inform me of, feel free.
Setting: The story starts off about six months after Chloe's death. Stefan has taken off to Europe, leaving Alexis alone with her grief and her newfound sister, Kristina. Jax has been letting Kristina stay at his penthouse while the sisters get to know each other.
Casting: I don't watch AMC much, but for some reason I keep picturing Thornston Kaye (Zach Slater) involved in some sort of Cassadine-like story. Hence, Grigoriy Viktorivitch.
Disclaimer: I'm not in any way affiliate with ABC or General Hospital, and at this point I can't say I'd want to be. Certain original characters, however, are mine.
Author's Note: Okay, so I'll admit that this doesn't start out very well. I haven't written in a while, so it's still coming back to me. I do have a definate idea in mind for where this is all going, and I promise it'll get much better. In the meantime, please review.
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It was shaping up to be a pretty typical weekday. Alexis was sitting alone in Kelly's, waiting to meet Kristina for lunch, various legal documents strewn about on the table before her. She sensed someone behind her and smiled, opening her mouth to jokingly chide her sister for being late, but the words died on her lips as she glanced up. The figure before her was most definately not her sister, unless Kristina had somehow morphed into a large, dark, impeccably-dressed man. Alexis sat back, eyeing him curiously.
"Ms. Davis?" the man spoke, his voice deep and rich and carrying the hint of an accent she couldn't quite place.
"Yes," she responded, slightly annoyed at the interruption.
"Ah, so I've found you," he said, looking relieved for a moment before resuming a blank expression. "Good. Mind if I sit?"
"Who are you?" she asked abruptly as his smooth, strong hands fiddled with the back of the empty chair across from her.
"Someone who would very much like to work with you on certain... sensative... matters," he replied cryptically, gesturing again to the chair. She nodded, brows furrowed in intrigue, and he sat down. "Your reputation is quite extensive, Ms. Davis," he began, making himself comfortable. "Both in and out of the courtroom. You've worked with the Cassadine family for a number of years, have you not?"
"I have," she confirmed, searching his worn face quizzically.
He backtracked, noticing her puzzled expression. "Forgive me, perhaps 'worked with' was too impersonal a term. You're actually related to the Cassadines, correct? You lived with them on the island in Greece when you were a child."
Alexis sat up straighter, tensing immediately, but tried to hide it, fighting to keep her voice calm. "Who are you; how did you know that?"
"I've done my research," he replied with a smile, running a hand through his jet-black hair. "And I have proposition to make. Surely you've heard the stories surrounding your uncle, Mikkos, and an... an opera singer, was it? You must know the rumors, yes?"
Uncle? Alexis was taken aback. How could he have researched her connection to the Cassadines without knowing that Mikkos was her father?
He mistook her silence for assent, and continued, "I come to you because I want to know if there is any truth to these rumors, and if so, how much truth. I think you, with your obvious connections to the family, are in a position to assist me."
"And why would I?" she asked, leaning forward, genuinely curious. "I still don't know exactly what it is you want; hell, I don't even know who you are."
The stranger smiled indulgently, leaning in to match her body language. "What I want is to find Mikkos' illegitimate child, Natasha, if indeed she does exist." Alexis gasped inaudibly, but before she could respond, Kristina entered the diner. He followed her eyes, and slowly got up. "My name is Grigoriy Viktorivitch. I'll be in touch."
She stared after him as he left, while her sister took the newly-vacant seat across from her. "Who was that?" Kristina asked, pointing a brightly manucured finger at the door. "A client?"
"Hmm?" Alexis said absently. "Oh, um, yes, I suppose."
Kristina raised an eyebrow. "Don't you ever stop working? It's your lunch hour, Alexis, take a break."
"Right," she responded, still not entirely there. She distractedly began shuffling papers into her briefcase as Penny came to take their orders, but throughout the meal she didn't once take her eyes - or her mind - off the door...