"Florian?" Kristina called out offhandedly, leaning back in her chair. She had just finished most of her pressing matters for the day, including contacting some of her lead suppliers. One of her biggest issues with this transfer was the configuration of all the new routes her organization would have to develop in order to receive their shipments in a timely matter. A convenient aspect of basing her operations in Europe was how interconnected the countries were. Being able to inspect multiple warehouses in different countries around the continent in a matter of days simplified some of the logistics behind her operations. In Poland, she had easier access to the Russians, whose relationship with Sieci while tentative, always proved to be lucrative.

In her journeys crisscrossing Europe, she had run into many different people; including the ever intriguing Luke Spencer. Upon their first meeting, she vaguely remembered the shockingly white haired man as the father of her first love. Kristina had been inspecting one of her original casinos when she was called back to the manager's office. Apparently, Luke Spencer had been caught counting cards, explaining why he had amassed more poker chips than could have ever been possible in a single night.

Dismissing the manager and the remaining guards, Kristina quietly shut the door behind her. Turning to face the aged man, she gave him a long look.

"Mr. Spencer," she began curtly.

"Luke." He flashed her his trademark smirk as he looked not the least bit ashamed. "Just Luke, for a pretty young thing like you."

Groaning quietly, Kristina tried again. "Luke. Happy?"

"Most definitely." As Kristina crossed the dimly lit room and nearer to Luke, his eyes widened in response. "…Kristina? Sonny's daughter?" he muttered distractedly. "No way. How'd Sonny's only daughter end up running a German casino?"

Kristina took a seat behind the glass desk as she realized this explanation would be taking some time. Drumming her fingers against the table, she continued to stare at the only link to Port Charles she'd seen on this side of the Atlantic. Her mind was whirling as she debated how best to handle the situation. At this point, she couldn't deny that she was somehow involved in the casino business. Surely by now Luke would have figured that the manager would only call in the owner of such an establishment to deal with the con man personally. Instead of finding an aged European man behind the desk, he'd been confronted with a young woman who he had last seen as a delusional high school student, who was now heading one of the most successful casinos in Eastern Europe.

"I presume you're already wondering why I was called in here to handle you?"

"You would be guessing correctly. You've presented quite an interesting puzzle, I must say." Luke relaxed slightly into the wooden chair. Holding up his zip-tied hands, Luke offered them up to her. "Would you mind undoing these pesky things? I have very sensitive skin, you should know."

Chuckling, Kristina shook her head. "If I've learned anything in dealing with con men like you, it's that I can't trust you as far as I can throw you."

"Ouch!" He shrugged and slouched further into his seat. "So? The story?"

"Well…. It started about two years ago…" With that, Kristina dove into the tale that ended with her currently heading the up and coming Sieci, the quickest spreading crime organization in Europe.

Over the years, Kristina and Luke formed a close bond, and despite her own rules, Kristina formed a bond of trust with the con man. They both found they shared a sense of wandering, and they both knew what it meant to be a former inhabitant of Port Charles.

Though Luke was never officially a part of Sieci, those who ran in similar circles knew that Luke was Kristina's man before anyone else's. The young mob boss had proposed many different jobs to the elder man, but Luke kindly refused, and Kristina understood that Luke could never fully commit to an organization. He had a strong sense of loyalty, but the idea of tying himself down to something repulsed him away from any sort of permanent position.

"Szef? Jesteś nazywa?" Florian strutted into the room, slamming the door behind him, earning a glare from his boss. One of the youngest of her lieutenants and easily the cockiest, Florian's entrance into a room was usually not missed.

"How many times have a told you to refrain from slamming my office door?"

Florian at least had the decency to make a show of some form of shame as he mumbled a half-hearted apology.

"Tak czy inaczej, I need you to pull the car around. We leave in ten minutes."

"Got it, szef."

"Good, now shoo. I need to give over favorite drifter a call before we depart."

"Send my regards to Lukus, tak?"

"Tak, tak." Florian exited the room and once again slammed the door on his way out. As she waited for the elder Spencer to pick up his god forsaken phone, Kristina lazily pulled out the revolver residing in her desk drawer and began spinning the cylinder absentmindedly.

"Luke Spencer. Shoot."

"Why hello and good day to you too, stary."

"Krystynka! My favorite little Polish mob boss!"

"The one and only Polish mob boss you know, you demented old fool."

"Your words wound me, dearest Kristina!"

"Tak, tak, whatever, Luke. I've got a new project for you."

"I've been in want of a new venture. What do you have for me, sweetie?" Kristina could practically hear the smile in his voice as he waited eagerly for her latest proposition.

"I assume by now you've heard of the opening of my latest stateside casino, Andromeda's?"

"Heard of it? It's the talk of all the gamblers north of D.C.! I must say, you've done a mighty fine job revamping that old place!" Pausing before speaking, Luke guessed at the reason for the call. "May I assume this call is in connection to your latest east coast venture?"

"Correct, as usual, Luke." Standing up and tucking the gun into her waist holster, Kristina reached over for her knee length black mink coat and wrapped it tightly around herself. "May I in turn assume you wouldn't mind heading those operations for me for the next few weeks?"

"It'd be my pleasure, dearest! Leave it to me! So when can I expect to see your lovely face next?"

"That's the other reason I'm calling. I'll be landing outside of Port Charles in about….nine hours. Meet me there with my usual ride. We'll discuss details then."

"Lucky day! I'll be awaiting your arrival."

The call disconnected as Kristina chuckled at Luke's antics. She walked out to the waiting town car and climbed in next to Florian and the other guards she had assembled to fly over directly with her. Olek was already at their latest headquarters and was busy making sure everything was set up according to Kristina's specifications. After shooting off a quick e-mail to one of her few contacts she still maintained in Port Charles, the young szef looked out the window as the car made its way to the nearby airport where the chartered plane awaited her arrival.

"…so anyways, I was talking to Luiz about the latest shipment… Ethan!" Noticing the far off look in the Aussie's eyes, Johnny waved his hand in front of the distracted bartender.

"Huh? Sorry mate."

"Whatever. Hey, get me another gin and tonic, would ya?"

"Sure thing, boss man." Ethan reached under the counter to pull out the necessary liquor. "You were saying?"

"Never mind. It's not that big of a deal." Johnny took a sip of his new drink before glancing around the casino. "Not that busy tonight, eh?"

Ethan shrugged his shoulders, running his fingers through his scruffy yet shorter hair. "It's a Tuesday night, Johnny. Not exactly when many folks go out on the town."

"Fair point. So how's…." Johnny trailed off, interrupted by a series of buzzing from his phone currently sitting on the bar counter. He picked up the offending object and unlocked it before scrolling through the e-mail. A small smile graced his features and the young mobster chuckled slightly.

"What is it, mate?" Ethan curiously peered over the counter, before Johnny offered the phone over to Ethan.

"Looks like Kristina finally decided it's about time to pay Port Charles a visit!"

"Hmm," Ethan muttered distractedly. Reading over the e-mail, he felt blindsided by the news that his former best friend was going to be returning.

Johnny,

Glad to hear my father hasn't been bothering you too much lately. Haven't heard from him in a while, honestly. Just remember to keep an eye on him. While I love him, I know he's gotten better at biding his time.

Anyways, thought you'd be interested to know that I'll be temporarily returning to Port Charles. I'm heading up my company's overseas transition, starting with the east coast.

Boarding my flight now; you up for drink's at Jake's tomorrow with some of my associates, 9 o'clock? Wait a minute; I'm talking to Johnny Zacchara, who's never been one to turn down a drink. I'll consider you attending. Don't be late.

K.

"Kind of short notice, yeah?"

Shrugging, Johnny took his phone back. "I'm not gonna question it. First time she's been home in what, four years? I mean, last time was Michael and Abby's wedding."

Ethan poured himself a drink and leaned against the counter. He remained silent as he chugged it down.

"Easy there, easy now!" Johnny nudged his right hand man, shooting him a concerned gaze. "So tomorrow, nine o'clock, you'll meet me there?"

"What?" Ethan sent him a confused look, sipping again at his drink. "I don't think you read that e-mail correctly; she wants to see you. Not me."

"Come on, man, it's been six years. I'm sure you two can behave like adults. Besides, she'll be bringing some of her friends, why can't I bring one of mine?" Seeing that Ethan still seemed like he wouldn't budge, Johnny decided to pull the boss card. "Fine. Then I require you as my employee to attend. What if I need back up if some thugs show up?"

"You know as well as I do that's a bullshit excuse." Ethan rolled his eyes, although he was already resigning himself to the fact that he'd have to go.

"Maybe. But it still counts. Show up at my place at 8:30."

"Whatever."

"I knew you'd come around!" Johnny grinned broadly while his Australian friend continued to glare.

Thank you EthinaEternal and vvenababy2 for your reviews! Vvenababy2, I've actually been following your story, Connection! Love it! :) I appreciate the reviews!

Sieci - The formal name of Kristina's organization. Translates to mean "The Network" or "The Web."

Jesteś nazywa - You called?

Tak czy inaczej - Anyways

tak - yeah/yep

stary - old man

I chose the name Andromeda's because of the constellation. Haunted Star... Andromeda... I liked the idea of Kristina connecting aspects of her old life into her new ventures.

Reviews and constructive criticism are encouraged!