When Lies Become Truth

Disclaimer: I don't own the characters in the story. They belong to the creators and writers of General Hospital.

Chapter One

"We need a new lawyer. They need to be young and smart." Claudia Zacchara announced to her younger brother as they sat in their father's office.

"Our family already has a lawyer, Claudia," Johnny said pointing out the obvious to his sister, "Trevor Lansing has been our family's lawyer for years now. He's good and we just don't need a new one." Johnny just couldn't see the cost justification of a new lawyer. He didn't trust him, but he knew he was good at what he did.

"Trevor can not be trusted. He's wanted to take over our family's organization for years now," Claudia said in distaste, "If he remains with us, he'll ultimately get what he wants and push both of us out of the business." She added.

"I know Claudia…" Johnny started saying, but stopped when he noticed that his sister was looking pass him toward the door.

He turned around to see Trevor standing behind him in the door. Johnny rolled his eyes in disgust at Trevor, turning back around to look at his sister.

"Well, look who's here," Claudia frowned as she spoke, "What do you want Trevors? We're in the middle of a private conversation." Johnny got up from his chair, walked over to Claudia and stood by her side.

"A how are you doing to you two… oh really… that's nice…I'm doing well, too." Trevor said to no one in particular when he saw the sibling's reaction to him as he took a seat and smiled.

Claudia looked at him and rolled her eyes before saying, "How are you doing on getting us the waterfront properties? Our family needs them and we have been patient long enough."

Trevor took a breath and shook his head remembering how hard it has been to get his son to hand over the piers to him. He's tried every single threat in the book, but his son refuses to give the piers over to him.

"Well?" Claudia asked, waiting impatiently for an answer from their lawyer.

"There is no progress in getting the piers from Richie" Trevor said, finally answering, "He refuses to give me the piers saying that he wants to do something nice with the waterfront property. He doesn't want to let us have control of the property."

"Are you sure this doesn't have anything to do with his brother?" Johnny asked, looking down at Trevor who was looking at him in return.

"No, it has nothing to do with Sonny. My son would be dumb to even think about giving the piers to him," Trevor said adamantly, "He has it his head that he wants to use them for something good. I thought I raised him better than that."

Claudia pressed her lips together before asking, "Are you sure about Sonny?"

"Sonny is in the head of the Corinthos- Morgan organization" Trevor said in disgust. "Richie has had issues with Sonny all his life, never feeling accepted by him. He would not give him the piers."

Claudia thought about it. She knew enough about it from her diligent research on her lawyer's family. Hoping she'd find some leverage, some weakness of Trevor.

"What's the hold up Trevor?" Johnny asked, bringing the attention back to Trevor's son and the piers.

"He's stubborn, he refuses to take my threats against him seriously. We're putting pressure on him, you know threatening phone calls, standard stuff, but he still refuses."

"That is not enough," Claudia said shaking her head, "You need to make a move, a real move. Let him know we mean business…at any cost."

"Don't worry, my threats are getting to him. He'll come around and we will have those piers in our hands." Trevor said hoping the conversation would end. Even though Trevor's relationship with his son was less than desirable and he felt a huge disappointment in his son, he still didn't want him to be the target of any further discussion or games, especially with the Zaccharas. He wanted to handle his son and would not take a liking to any threats against him.

"The other families want to know what our plans are now that Johnny is in charge," Trevor said hoping to change the subject, "I told them that they are to expect…," he trailed off as he saw the look of on Claudia's face knowing that the subject wasn't going to be changed.

"Not going to happen, Trevors," Claudia told him, "We need those piers and if you can't get them, then we'll have someone else convince Ric to give them to us."

Johnny continued, "We want those piers, the Zaccharas need to control those piers. Ric needs to realize that we will do anything to get it, even if it costs him his life."

Claudia could see Trevor getting angry, trying to keep his emotions in line as she glared at him. She knew the fear for his son's life was indeed his weakness. She found happiness in the idea of someone who Trevor hates being his weakness. Trevor and Claudia held their gaze with each other until Trevor couldn't look into her eyes anymore. He turned and looked off into space.

Claudia smiled, she got her confirmation.

"My son means nothing to me. I've made myself clear on that but that does not mean that I want to see harm come to him by the hands of you people." Trevor said finally looking Claudia in the eyes. He continued… "My son is off limits. I will take care of this!" Trevor angrily approached Claudia.

Claudia backed up a little from Trevor and was about to say something but stopped once she saw Trevor's hand go up and could see the conviction in his eyes.

Trevor turned towards Johnny staring with concern toward the child who now represents the head of the family. Trevor shook his head, smiled and turned to Claudia, "If you talk or harm my son in anyway, I promise you that you will pay dearly. Maybe even with your life. I'm not afraid to take your life from you to protect my son." Trevor added with a sinister tone to his voice.

Tense silence filled the room until Claudia was able to find her voice. She never thought Trevor would react in such a way to the idea of his son getting hurt. "Well then, get the damn piers." Claudia spit out. "Here's the deal Trevor," Johnny piped in, "You tell Ricky that we will do anything necessary to receive those piers from him if you are unsuccessful, then he'll have to deal with us."

Claudia and Johnny looked at Trevor as he thought the deal over in his head.

Finally Trevor spoke after a minute of silence, "We have a deal as long as you allow me time to get them from him, agreed?" Trevor extended his hand out to the siblings.

Claudia was the first to shake his hand. They looked each other in the eyes and she said, "We have a deal." Their hands shook in between their bodies.

Trevor let go of her hand to extend it to Johnny.

Johnny stared at him first before taking Trevor's hand in his to shake it as they nodded their heads in agreement. With that, Trevor left.

Claudia turned around to look at her brother who was looking at the door watching Trevor leave.

"I have somewhere to go, Claudia," Johnny said breaking the silence that filled the room, "Remember that we made a deal." Johnny finished as he walked out the door.

Claudia shook her head as her brother left the room. She turned and walked behind the desk.

She has noticed that he has been sneaking around lately always having something to do. It seemed like he was trying to avoid her or just the life he was living as a mobster's son.

Claudia picked up the phone, dialing a number that she had memorized since her return to PC.

"I need someone picked up," she ordered, "His name is Ric Lansing...yes the DA...all you have to do is pick him up and bring..." Claudia stopped talking as she watched the man, Ric Lansing walk into the room, "Never mind" she ordered as she hung up the phone.

Claudia smiled as Ric came into the room, he in returned smiled at her. There was a comfortable silence between the two. Neither one really wanting to break the silence that was between them.

It was Claudia who finally broke it, "Well, were your ears ringing? I was just calling to have you," she corrected herself, "invite you over." She smiled as she continued, "Please have a seat and we can talk about business."

Ric just stood there, allowing his eyes to look away. As he found her eyes again, she saw the confusion in his eyes. Claudia motioned for him to sit but the beautiful man in front of her still did not move.