Chapter 5
Having gotten away from Carly and Jason, Robin ended up at the park. She collapsed on a bench and let the tears flow. A man approached her.
"Miss are you okay?" He genuinely concerned.
"No but I will be." She said wiping her face.
"Mind if I sit?" He asked.
"No." She looked at him. He had dark brown hair and eyes that pulled you in. He looked familiar to her but she couldn't place where she knew him from. He had trusting eyes.
"What has you so upset? If you don't mind my asking." She sniffed.
"A lot of things. Today is a bad day for me. To make it worse my foolish recent decisions came back to bite me." She laughed humorously.
"But hey, I asked for it. I set myself up for it. It is my own fault." He pondered her words.
"Just because you made a choice doesn't mean that you are wrong for the way someone reacts to your choice. I say someone because you look like you have a broken heart." She looked at him.
"Pretty perceptive. How old are you?" He smiled.
"Age is only a number Miss?" He pried for information that he already had. He needed her to help him answer questions. His heart had questions but his mind stayed focus on his plans. Still there were things he needed to know.
"Sorry, Robin." He extended his hand.
"Robin, I am Zach." He smiled. He noticed that she was staring at him.
"To answer your question, I am legally able to drink. I have also been told that I have an old soul. I am here studying for my MBA at PCU, or I will be once I get the TA spot." He lied.
"I know the feeling, old soul I mean." She smiled looking out at the trees.
"What is today or about today that has you so bummed?"She needed to say it out loud.
"Something that no one knows about and I don't even know you." She looked at him.
"I am just a stranger on a train." He encouraged. She took a deep breath.
"I lived in Paris once. When I left for Paris, I was six weeks pregnant. I gave birth to a boy prematurely at 31 weeks. I held him once before I completely went out of consciousness. When I woke up days later I was told that he was in the NICU for 18 hours before he died."More tears came.
"Today is the anniversary of his death." Zach was frozen. He didn't know what to do. She was sobbing in front of him and he had no idea how to comfort her.
"I am sorry about your son." He said softly.
"It was hard. I went back to school in an effort to drown in work. I was good at it for a while but then I had a nervous breakdown. I got through it." She shook her head.
"What about his father? Did anyone try to help you through it?" He had to know.
"His father never wanted to see my face again. I betrayed him so.." She shrugged.
"I am HIV so I tried to contact him numerous times to tell him. He returned all my letters, he didn't answer my calls. I figured he got tested. I let the stress of losing him get to me. I didn't take proper care of myself and as a result I lost our son." She shook her head.
"I have said too much. You just, he would have been your age. He probably would have eyes like yours. So, I just.. I am sorry." She stood and so did he.
"Don't be. I would hug you but you don't know me and I wouldn't want to freak you out." She nodded in understanding.
"Please no one knows and I would rather not face the consequences of them finding out. I didn't tell my family." He put his hand on her shoulder.
"I promise not a word." She looked at him wondering, stranger things have happened. She felt she told him so more for a reason. She felt at ease with him. She felt like she knew him.
"You wouldn't happen to be adopted would you?" She said half jokingly.
"No, my father died and my mother gave up. She is in a center for those who are mentally unstable." He said sadly.
"I am sorry. I just.. Your eyes are the same blue as his father. I am losing it. I do apologize." He looked at her contemplatively.
"Stop apologizing. Today is a tough day; you are entitled to lose it a little." He smiled.
"Thank you for listening." She walked away. Not knowing that he had followed her there after the incident at the police station. He wanted to harm Carly but it went against his code.
Zach didn't think it was possible to hate Jason Morgan any more than he had. He knew that there was a possibility that Robin was his mother. He wanted to find out if she regretted giving him away. He felt that if she regretted it then he could forgive her. The game had changed. He knew that his aunt had orchestrated his death. She had the resources and the power to do so. He had witnessed her do worse. His mother had wanted him after all. She mourned for him and he let her walk away mourning him still. What could he have said? It was all too much for him to handle. He prided himself on being smart and cunning but he had just been thrown a curveball. Still, one thing remained the same; his primary goal was to destroy Jason Morgan. He believed in his heart and mind that Jason would have given him up the way that he had given up Jake and now Jake was dead. It was one reason he killed Anthony Zacarra. One thing his mother was wrong about was her faith in the PCPD. He had come to learn that there were too many corrupt cops in the department and far too much working with crime figures to really consider it police department.
Chapter 6
Sonny was furious when Spinelli informed them of the location of the phone used to send the information to the police. He looked at Jason who didn't believe it to be true.
"I cannot believe this. I have trusted Milo because he is a Giambetti. Max is like family to me and this is what that little bastard does?" Sonny paced.
"Sonny think about this, it doesn't seem right. Why would Milo put his brother in this position? He knows Max is loyal to a fault. I don't buy it." Sonny called for Max and Milo.
Max could sense the tension when he walked into the room. He may have seemed like a dumb body guard but he was a pretty smart man. He surveyed the room. Spinelli hung his head low while Jason looked pensive. Sonny looked plain out of his mind with rage.
"Milo give your phone to Spinelli." Sonny ordered. Milo gave Sonny a strange look but didn't argue. He passed his phone to Spinelli knowing he had nothing to hide. Spinelli took the phone and scrolled through some of the features.
"Nothing in the videos." The boy smiled hopefully. He had come to like Milo. He checked his outgoing messages then hung his head. He handed the phone to Sonny.
"Interesting development in the Zacarra organization. Looks like the truce is off." Sonny read.
"A video attachment. This was sent to the PCPD."Sonny stuttered a bit too calmly.
"Boss there must be a mistake. We are Giambetti's one thing that we are not is rats." Max stood up for his brother. There was no way that he would believe that he was a rat.
"I don't know how that got there I did not take any videos nor did I forward to the cops. Boss you know that I would never ever betray you. I wouldn't risk my life or my brother's" Milo said calmly. He didn't want to show the fear that was building inside of him. It would make him look guilty.
"Milo did you lose your phone or leave it anywhere?" Jason asked not believing the development that Milo was a snitch.
"No I always have it with me." He answered honestly.
"There is a way to clone a phone." Spinelli spoke up.
Can you find out if his phone was cloned?" Jason asked Spinelli. The computer whiz did not answer. He began typing furiously at his laptop.
"If Spinelli cannot prove that your phone was whatever he calls it, uh cloned. You are going to disappear. We cannot risk rats in our organization. I am sure that the news is traveling. The PCPD isn't always known for discretion when it works in their favor. Max my problem is not with you but if you have a problem with this then you can disappear with him."Sonny was unrecognizable. He was cold as ice. Max had been with him for years and he was willing to end his life over an obvious set up. Max knew he couldn't quit because he would be killed for knowing too much. He also knew that Sonny wouldn't kill him, not really. He would set it up so that he took the fall for his crimes.
"I am standing by my brother. So if that means that I have to disappear so be it." Max stood his ground. Sonny smiled at him proudly giving a nod.
"If that is how you want it." He looked at Spinelli. "Anything?"
"All traces point to the unfortunate Guard of all persons Corinthos." Spinelli spoke. "I am still trying." Spinelli continued trying to find the missing link.
"I am going to walk out of here with my brother. I am sure you will use all of your resources to ensure that I do not get away. I am asking as a final courtesy that you let us get a head start while Spinelli searches for the information that I am sure you will find." Max started for the door taking Milo with him.
"Please Mr. Corinthos."
"Don't beg Milo. If Mr. Corinthos is ready to believe the worst in his loyal men then you don't need to beg. He hasn't hesitated and we won't be the first." Max and Milo walk out.
"Tail them." Sonny said to Jason who did as he asked. He lost them, deep down he wanted to.
Max's phone rang, he answered.
"I hear you are in need of protection. I think I can offer you that protection. Meet me at the old abandoned house off route66." The man spoke. He knew Max wouldn't call Sonny in. Sonny was too quick to abandon him, to believe the worst.
"I don't know what you are talking about."Max lied.
"Still loyal, I like that. Listen, news travels fast. There are moles in the police department. Why do you think he let you walk out? He doesn't want to get his hands dirty. The code of the business is no rats allowed. You have offended every family in Port Charles. You are fair game and the bounty on your head is worth every penny." The man rationalized.
"We will be there in a half hour." Max said.
The door was unlocked when Max and Milo walked in. They had guns drawn knowing it could have been a trap. The man stood. There were no guards around.
"No need for the guns Max. My boss is offering protection but I have a question?" Max looked at him with a shrug.
"What happens when Milo is proven innocent? I am not one of his allies. Will you go back to Corinthos and leave me vulnerable as I have shared my identity with you?" He studied the brothers. He was good with picking up cues on body language and tone.
"I am out of the Corinthos organization for good and so is my brother." The man looked at him.
"Still you want to prove your brother's innocence. Who is to say that you won't go back to them once you have?" Max grew annoyed with the man.
"I am here for protection and yes I want to prove my brother's innocence but my trust is broken. Who are you?" Max asked.
"You will know me as Xavier Jerome." Zach lied. Zach was the name that he used around town. It was his birth name. He wasn't ready to give up too much information. He went to the location in disguised. He was the master of disguise something he picked up growing up.
"Jerome?" Max recognized the name.
"Yes, you will meet my partner if things work out. He is running the organization. He had to make sure to avenge his father's death first." Zach looked Max in the eye, he could understand the need for vengeance.
"I take it that you recognize the name." Max nodded.
"Julian was respected. He was often considered crazy but he treated his men well and valued family." Zach didn't waver at the mention of his father. He simply nodded in agreement.
"That he was." He said. "So I will set you up in a safe house outside of Port Charles. Corinthos has a lot of different safe house throughout and outside of Port Charles. I do not know the locations but the spot I have for you is very secluded. My guards will look after you. I will keep in touch." Max looked at the man. He didn't understand why he was helping him.
"Why are you doing this?" Max asked.
"Because I owe someone and now you owe me. I want information, nothing more. I will ask when I need it. I don't want your questions about why I need to know. I just want answers. Can you live with that?" Milo looked at Max, they were desperate.
"We can live with that." Zach smiled.
"Good. Leave the car here one of my men will take care of it. I will drive you to the helicopter. You will arrive at the safe house from there." Zach walked out with Max and Milo behind him.
Chapter 7
Detective Domestico slammed the report down on the table; another car explosion containing Max and Milo Giambetti. Morgan had tipped off Corinthos and now the one person who was tiring of the organization was dead. Milo was his way in." He sighed shaking his head. He wondered why he had stayed in Port Charles. It was a cesspool of never-ending violence.
Milo walked into Zach's office. He smiled at his boss.
"Good work. I didn't think you could pull it off." Zach stood.
"Neither did me. I cannot tell you how long I have been waiting for you to finally get here. I am so sick of babysitting kids and mistresses. You have no idea how I have wasted my skills." Milo complained.
"You know how I hate to see a man bitch Milo. You took one for the team. Besides you knew that Max was too loyal. He would never turn if it weren't for the threat on your life." Zach said as he noticed the look of guilt on Milo's face.
"Come on Lo, your father knows that you are better than this. What you do is almost the equivalent of an errand boy getting coffee and cleaning up messes. Your place is higher up the chain than that. I chose you because you are good at playing stupid." Zach laughed. He looked as his friend of 8 years.
Milo was placed in Port Charles to study the Corinthos organization. There was something about Port Charles that his father hated. He hated it so much that he wanted to control it. Milo was actually very skilled at the art of sharpshooting. Zach felt bad that it had taken him so long to get his friend in the proper place in HIS organization.
"Did you hear the news? You are dead." Zach watched Milo's reaction. He broke into a grin and shrugged.
"How long before the kid locates the clone?" Milo asked sitting in a chair.
"Tonight, I left a few bread crumbs. If he is as good as you claim that he is he should figure it out by this evening. Sonny will look like a fool and Morgan will start to distance himself." Zach had a faraway look in his eye.
"Why do you hate him so much? " Milo wondered out loud.
"Because he is a coward. He is a coward who gave up his family for a man like Sonny Corinthos. He is a coward who is heralded as the town hero, Superman for goodness sake. Jason is like Rome to me. He must fall and everything that goes with him is fine by me. From the ashes we shall rise stronger, bigger, and better than ever." Zach looked at Milo with cold blue eyes. It was only for a split second but he thought he has saw the same cold stare before.
"I thought you didn't want to be in the business." Milo reminded.
"I don't, not really. I told you when I find the right person to run it for me I will gladly give it up but right now I need it. I need it to do what I need it to do. After that, well after that I don't know. You know that no matter what you will be in a position of power. I need to do this. Sonny is weak, really. That man should not wield such power. That makes those who submit under his reign all the easier to take down. You better go. Don't work on Milo just yet. Sonny should be feeling regret soon." Zach smiled.
"Faking death is a crime Z man." Milo started.
"Yes it is but you didn't fake your death. You tried to get away from Sonny. You read the paper and decided to come forward so that your family wouldn't mourn." Zach looked at Milo. He nodded reassured. He was happy to have his friend in town. He was happy to be able to put 'Boss' in his place.
Nico Lopez and his brother Carlos were sitting in Nico's office in Port Charles. The word had gotten out about Sonny's top body guards ratting out Jason Morgan. Word had also gotten out that the men may have been framed.
"This is the second time Carlos, the second time that Corinthos has tried to pin his dirt on us. We have honored our truce even when he takes advantage of it. He needs to be dealt with." Nico was angry; he was also a hot head. Carlos knew that about his brother. They had a good set upon Port Charles. He wasn't about to risk it on a rumor.
"I understand Nico but you do know that Zaccarra and Corinthos have been playing this game for a long time now. They each want someone else to cancel the other out. While he may take advantage of our truce the other families are aware. We cannot act on Corinthos without authorization. Let them speculate for now. We will strike when the time is right."Carlos assured his brother.
"Or when one of us is dead and has to avenge the other. The other families don't give a shit about us Los. We are small in comparison because it is just you and me. They see strength in numbers and most are afraid of Corinthos. I am not scared though. You have two weeks Los. Just two because if you do not act, I will take him out myself." Nico walked out of his brother's office.
Zach had no intentions on killing one of the Lopez brothers. He wasn't a killer by nature. He didn't particularly enjoy taken the life of another but he did what he had to do. He had killed three men and injured a few more. He killed the man who killed his father, which was personal. He killed a man who tried to shoot him when he was working undercover as a small time hustler for Trujillo. He killed Anthony Zacarra because he had threatened his mother. He knew how Anthony felt about women; it wasn't a risk he was willing to take. He knew all that he had to do was set the dominoes in place and they rest would fall. His breaths became hollow and heaviness settled in his heart as he thought of her. What if his actions got her killed? How could he live with that? She wasn't the cold heartless bitch that he imagined she was.
Chapter 8
It had been a week since Robin had last saw Jason. He hadn't tried to call her to apologize. He didn't send her flowers. She refused to get sucked into his world again. She refused to be weak the way she was that night. She had a nightmare and he came to comfort her. He held her close speaking words to sooth her. Before she knew what happened they were kissing passionately and he had taken off the tee shirt he had given her to wear. She could still feel him. She sighed shaking her head furiously.
"Forget about him. Forget about it." She told herself.
"Aww why would you want to forget about me?"Patrick smiled as he came up behind her at the hub.
"I am just slowing myself down." She was ashamed at how easy the lie came to her. He wrapped both arms around her waist.
"Babe you are moving at tortoise speed. I am not complaining just encouraging you not to slow down." He smiled. The elevator dinged. Robin didn't have to look up to know who it was. It would figure her bad day would go from 4 to 8 so quickly.
Jason approached the hub. He had no reason to be there. He just needed to see her face, to know that she was okay. She didn't look at him she just focused on the chart that she wasn't really reading.
"Can I talk to you Robin?" He asked nervously.
"I am busy. If you have medical questions you can call to schedule an appointment." She said coolly without looking at him.
"It's about Brenda." If he talked about Brenda then it wouldn't be a lie, exactly.
"Okay let's go to my office." She put the chart down.
"I will catch you later Patrick." She pulled herself away from him. She walked around the hub past Jason. She walked wither back straight and her head held high. He followed her knowing it was the only indication he would get that he should follow her.
Robin walked into her office leaving the door cracked so that Jason could let himself in.
"Close it behind you." She said when he walked in. He closed the door without taking his eyes off her.
"I have been thinking about you every day since the day at the police station." She crinkled her brow.
"You must be getting rusty. Lust is fleeting; you seek, conquer and never think of again." She picked at the hem of her lab coat then crossed her arms.
"I don't think about it." She lied to his face but he knew that.
"I am scared for you. Anthony is dead and now Max and Milo. Things are getting bad Robin. I couldn't have anyone think that they could use you to get to me. I had to seem angry and it had to look real. I wanted you to believe it." He moved closer to her. She moved widening the distance between them. She sat behind her desk where it was safe.
"I needed you to believe it. You had doubts at first. I knew you would have fought me otherwise. I am deeply sorry that I let Carly attack you. It is also the reason that I didn't come sooner. I realized what a fool I was. I wondered how many times she said things like that to you. I was never there to protect you and when I was I was blind. I am sorry."
"Yeah I get it you are sorry. What is this about Brenda? If it is about her guards you know I cannot change her mind so you came for no reason." She dismissed him.
"I didn't mean what I said. I once told you that knowing you were out there alive even if it wasn't with me meant everything to me. It still does. I know that I hurt you and sorry isn't enough. I just need you to know that I didn't mean it. I came here because it is a hospital and people are used to seeing me here. I hope that one day you forgive me but it is best if we continue on like we hate each other." He said softly.
"That's easy because I hate you." He walked to the door then paused.
"You don't hate me." He told her.
"Yeah, I do. You took the worst day of my life and made it even worse. I hate you Jason Morgan." She sighed as the words that word contradict her forced their way out of her mouth.
"Still be careful." He nodded then left her alone in her office.
Chapter 9
At Jake's Zach sat alone at the bar nursing a beer when a statuesque woman sat next to him.
"You don't know me but you are about to save my ass." She moved closer to him. "You are late. I think you need to make it up to me later." She smiled.
"Ah, making the object of your desire jealous. I have been used by a beautiful woman before but never has she come out and said she was using me." He whispered to her. He put his arm around her.
"Mind telling me your name sweetheart?" He asked.
"Zoe Ward and thank you…" She looked at him.
"Zach last name not important." He smiled.
"Ohh that can mean a lot of things." He shrugged.
"It could mean that I don't divulge a lot of information to strangers." It had been a long time since he had been with anyone. He had been too focused on revenge that it consumed his days and nights.
"A good practice to have Zach. So what do you do?" She asked making conversation.
"I work." He answered simply.
"Oh." She moved away slightly. "Most people who say that are involved in things that aren't your average blue or white collar jobs." He looked at her.
"Let me guess you have an opinion about that?"He pried.
"I guess. I mean I come from a family of doctors and lawyers. Then there is me the indecisive screw up with a knack for graphics. I work at ELQ which is where I met the man that I developed a crush on. He had broken up with his stripper girlfriend and we became friends. Now they are back together. She wasn't really digging the friendship so I told her I was seeing someone." She made it sound normal, simple even.
"Ah, I see. Graphics isn't the job of a screw-up. It is a job of an artist." He knew if she knew what he did, or at least part of it she would judge him. He couldn't really blame her. He hated the business and felt that he was better than it. He never told his father that. He encouraged him to do something else but he never took his advice. He only got in to avenge his death. Then he learned of his true parentage. Once he found out about Jason he had to make him suffer. It was funny how willing he was to do something that he didn't really enjoy for the sake of revenge. His life was a mess; he no longer knew who he was. He had been lied to his entire life and had no idea who he could trust. After he executed the plan he had no idea what to do or if he would survive. Part of him didn't care until he talked to Robin in the park. Things were starting to unravel inside of him. He had to keep it together.
"I work in the IT field myself. I own BIS. Business Intelligence Solutions LLC. We specialize in software as a service and other business systems." That was the work he actually enjoyed doing but he was obsessed.
"Oh, never heard of you but it sounds exciting."She said.
"It is boring but I would eventually like to branch out into other areas like putting together PMO's so that outsourced dollars actually stay in the company. I would like to have companies outsource to my company. They can still save money but this is probably boring you." He laughed.
"No I know a lot of people who have lost jobs to outsourcing. I am one of those people. I worked briefly for a call center. Taking tech support calls. I watch the show Outsourced and all things considered I have no idea why." She smiled. She gestured to Coleman.
"I will have a long island and give my friend here whatever he wants." She smiled and laid down a twenty.
"No I have it." Zach insisted.
"No I do. I just intruded not knowing if you were expecting anyone." She refused to let him pay. He looked at her. She was the color of coffee mixed with cream. She had big hazel eyes and dark brown curly hair that came just under her arms. She had it pulled back into a ponytail with a few tendrils escaping to frame her face. She didn't wear much make up but her skin was flawless so she didn't need it. She was about5'5 which was fine with him because he was barely 5'10.
"I was here alone. Trying to relax after a long day. It is not an intrusion. Outsourced I have never watched the show but I don't get to watch much television. There is a lot to be desired there. Reality TV and more reality TV." He took a swig of his beer,
"Scripted reality TV." He laughed nodding.
"So tell me why do you need to pretend? I mean I don't believe that you don't have opportunity so why waste time on someone who is taken? With a stripper no less." Zach wondered.
"I don't know. I guess I saw vulnerability in him. He is obsessed with the mob. This town is full of that sort of thing. His father is Sonny Corinthos. He wants to be just like him. It kind of reminds me of the Road to Perdition." She looked at him to see if she knew what he meant.
"I have read the series and I have seen the movie. Hmm, seems that would be a father's worst nightmare. But if you don't set a better example." He shrugged.
"So you made the colossal mistake many woman do. You wanted to change him, save him. But you didn't know he was captain save em, right?" She laughed.
"I guess. I don't know there is just something about him. He has so many people that care about him. Jason, his uncle."He raised an eyebrow.
"Boy this is confusing, Jason used to be a Quartermaine. He had an accident many many years ago and lost his memory. He became Jason Morgan and wanted nothing to do with them. So he meets a girl, Robin. She is a very nice person. She is friends with my sister Maya. Robin introduces him to Sonny later on to help him. AJ, Michael's biological father was Jason's brother. Man it is a really long story. One that I shouldn't be telling a stranger about. The short of it is that Sonny and Carly ended up forcing AJ to give up Michael. This was after he found out Michael was his son. Sonny adopted him. That is the really short cliff notes version. If you stick around long enough you will learn the whole story."He knew the story. He just wanted to know how much she would tell him. It was the reason he hated Sonny and included him in his revenge plot.
"So Michael works at ELQ?" He wanted to seem engaged.
"Yes, Edward, I feel so bad for him. He lost AJ; he died a few years ago. He lost his son Alan. He has lost everyone really. Maya and Michael are all that he has left. He is really big on family. I am not related but he gave me a job. Michael only took it to keep Abby off the pole. Edward offered him a summer job. He had only intended to stay for the summer so that Abby could be hired too. He left for a while causing the breakup. His comeback still it wasn't enough for her to take him back. He had to prove that he was going to take the job seriously. He started working with me on the Green campaign. He has no real interest in it. He left again, tried working for his dad because no one would let him in the business. This summer he came back to give it a real try." She sighed.
"And what does Abby do?"
"Mostly clerical work in the legal department. She is in the longest paralegal program in history at the local community college." He laughed as she rolled her eyes dramatically.
"I take you do not like Abby." He looked at her.
"I don't trust her. She is not too bad. She is just overly sweet and breathy. She grates." He laughed again.
"I don't think she likes me though. Maybe it is because I asked her if she has a respiratory problem. I was going to recommend a good pulmonologist." He laughed out loud.
"Were you now?" He smiled. Abby and Michael approached.
"Hey Zoe. Is this your friend?" Abby breathed.
"Is that what we are now Zoe?" Zach played along.
"I don't know Zach we have been toying with the idea but you have yet to commit." She turned to Abby.
"Men" she shrugged.
"Michael doesn't have a problem committing." Abby whispered.
"Commitment is not to be taken lightly; you have to build a strong foundation. It prevents all the breaking up to make up and miscommunication." Zach said to cover for Zoe.
Chapter 10
Robin was spending the day at the park with Emma when she noticed Zach and Zoe walking together laughing. They were eating Italian ices. Zoe approached Robin.
"Hey Robs. Emmers look at you getting so big." She smiled. Emma immediately started talking to Zoe about her doll. Zoe got down on the blanket with her talking with her about the dolls clothes. Zach didn't acknowledge Robin. He didn't know if he should considering the stranger on the train scenario. He was glad that he had run into her. He watched Zoe and Emma.
"Zach, you don't have to pretend that we never met." He let out a breath. Zoe looked up.
"I was having a bad day and vented to this poor guy. He offered me some really good advice. We chalked it up to stranger on a train." Robin smiled.
"I see that you are feeling better." He smiled.
"Yes, having a picnic with my baby girl here." She looked at Emma.
"Glad to hear it. How old is she?" He smiled at Emma who looked up at him.
"I am three and three qwarters." He smiled.
"Well hello there. What is your name?" He chuckled.
"Emma Grace. E M M A." She gave him a toothy grin.
"Good job Emmers." Zoe gave her a high five.
"She likes to show everyone how smart she is." Robin said proudly.
"Mommy he smile like pap pap." Emma pointed to a smiling Zach. Robin looked up at him. Emma was right but she refused to read into. She had thought of him often since their meeting. She felt at ease with him and wanted to get to know him.
"Honey I think he smiles like Zach." Emma shrugged giving up. She had made her observation and decided it wasn't worth debate.
"So how do you two know each other?" Robin asked Zoe.
"Long story. He is taking me out tonight but I was jogging and ran into him doing the same. Although his was more like running for a marathon. He almost knocked me over." She looked at him accusingly.
"You were paying more attention to the guy running toward you." He defended.
"You mean the guy with the male camel toe. I, I was just shocked by his wearing biker shorts in 2012." She cringed and he laughed at her.
"Please you were checking him out." He teased.
"If you keep that up I will tell Abby that you are interested in learning the articles of incorporation and need her advice." He laughed out loud.
"Like she even knows what that means." She chuckled.
"My dolls are runway models." Emma held one up.
"My daughter loves being the center of attention. You are welcomed to join us." Robin offered.
"She is already a fashionista." Zach observed.
"I blame her super model god mother Brenda and my Cousin Maxie the editor of a fashion magazine. I feel she should choose her own way. But I would love it if she chose medicine and so would her father." Robin explained.
"We don't want to intrude." Zoe said,
"No intrusion. Patrick was supposed to join us but he was called into surgery." Robin looked at Emma.
Zach and Zoe enjoyed the picnic with Robin and Emma. She noticed that Zach was very observant, it was almost strange. Zach was making mental notes about the type of mother Robin was. He couldn't help but wonder if she would have loved him as much as she loves Emma. Would she have read him bedtime stories? Would his life be different if she were in it? He knew the surface of what happened between her and Jason but he needed details. It was becoming too much for him to think about. Too much to witness. The guilt began to seep in again. It was too late the plan was already in motion he couldn't turn back now. The only thing he could do was protect them.
Robin noticed Zach stand rather abruptly. She had been talking about Emma going to pre-school and how Jax and Edward made sure she got into the ivy league of pre-schools.
"I do apologize but if I am ever going to make it to 8 PM I need to go. I have some work to wrap up at the office. Robin thank you, it was nice talking with you and Emma." He smiled and waved at Emma, he had a sister. Zoe stood next to him.
"You don't have to leave. I mean you were doing so well with the dolls. I think I will buy you a Barbie this Christmas." He teased. She elbowed him playfully.
"Not nice." Emma pointed.
"Aww Emmers we were just playing. Sorry." Zoe laughed. She had baby sat for Emma a few times. Robin and Patrick didn't trust Kristina after she lied about Lisa being in their house on more than one occasion.
"I need a nap. Beauty is work Zach, not everyone can be as naturally gorgeous as you are." She smirked.
"Why thank you." They waved and start walking away.
"For what it isn't like you don't know it." She shrugged.
"For not calling me pretty boy, which I really, really, really hate." He laughed.
"Oh really pretty boy." She ran and he chased her.
Robin was unnerved by the resemblance. He did have her father's smile, her smile. He had her skin tone but was slightly darker. He had Jason's build but not as bulky. The eyes were eyes she could never forget. She could read a lot in those eyes. She knew that he was interested in certain parts of what she talked about. She noticed his eyes darken when she said things that made him angry or upset. She did it on purpose for a reaction from him. If he was her son, he knew it.
Robin thought about it more and more. She never saw the dead body and at the time thought it was for the best. She didn't want to live with the image in her mind. Considering everything that her parents have been through, that she has been through. She would not be shocked if her son was indeed alive. She pulled out her phone and made a call.
"Mom, I need your help." She said desperately. She wasn't able to reach Anna but the cryptic message was enough. She knew that her mother would come.
Chapter 11
Zach was almost ready to meet Zoe before he received a visit from Johnny Zacarra. He had to cancel his date the last time because of work but they would meet when he could for lunch in the park. A week had passed and he was almost late. He was expecting Johnny but Johnny was unaware he was yet another pawn in his scheme. Zach thought that Jonny could be a good partner in the Jerome organization but he didn't trust him.
"Do I know you?"
"Zach, my man cut the act. I actually commend you. I mean Carlos Lopez is dead. Nico is running around self-destructing and picking off Sonny's men. You have accomplished what I couldn't in years in a matter of weeks." Zach stared at Johnny; he wasn't at all fazed by what Johnny thought he figured out. He knew Johnny would sit on the information for a while before he told his good friend Jason who he believed Zach to be. It would be too late, the organization was already being restructured and the Jerome's were moving into Port Charles quietly starting with the next man to take over, Evan. Evan and Zach were like brothers. They were close. Evan loved the life. He was the most loyal person he had ever met. Milo was also very loyal but Milo wasn't the man to run the business. He could be right hand to Evan, though, maybe. Evan was the trigger man behind Anthony Zaccara; he was as ruthless as his uncle Julian. He was a bit older than Zach, he was 27.
"Act, you are standing in my office." Zach said calmly. Johnny was bothered by the man's calm, it unnerved him. He was also very young which Johnny did not understand.
"Zachary Jerome. All this time, all this mayhem. You have been behind it. Zach smiled at Johnny.
"I have been in my office designing software and video games. Mayhem, you must mean the game I created called Gotham Twilight." Zach's eyes twinkled. He enjoyed toying with Johnny.
"Listen, I want to form an alliance. Anyone who has the balls to go after Sonny Corinthos is ok in my book. I like your style Mr. Jerome." Zach rolled his eyes.
"Cassadine." Zach corrected enjoying the knowing reaction from Johnny
"But I changed it to Blake a couple of years ago. It is my mother's maiden name. So you see everything here has the Blake name. I want my own and I want to work for it. I don't know these Jerome's you speak of. I have heard of Corinthos, who hasn't." He yawned.
"But I am very busy. Please don't come here again. The last thing I need is to be an innocent victim in your mob war." Johnny stared at him.
"You are good. Your father was the biggest mob boss in the east coast but he was killed by the Trujillo's." Zoe was outside the door. She knocked.
"Come in." He called. He looked at Johnny silently telling him to leave. Johnny looked at Zoe. She was wearing a green dress that wrapped around her neck with a plunging neckline. She wore gold accessories but kept them to a tasteful level. Both men stared at her.
"Zoe what are you doing here?" Johnny barked and she laughed.
"Look, you may be friends with my brother in law but it doesn't mean that you get to police me." Zoe put her hand on her hip.
"You need to leave, now." Zach was losing his patience. He hadn't expected Zoe to show up at his office. He noted the concern Johnny showed for her then realized that he could play his hand before he was ready.
"Should I be jealous? You seem awfully concerned about Zoe. I assure you that I have the best intentions. I like her, this is not the first time we have seen each other. As you can see she is in one beautiful piece." Zach moved from his desk to stand next to Zoe.
"I asked you to leave." He looked Johnny in the eye.
"Zoe you know how to reach me or Ethan if he gives you any trouble." Johnny knew it was useless to argue with her. He would just have them followed. He left them alone. Zach waited to see if he was gone. He invited Zoe in his office then closed the door.
"What are you doing here?" He tried to keep the annoyance out of his voice.
"I could leave." He looked at her.
"You know that isn't what I want. I don't like surprises Zoe. What if I had a meeting with a big client that I was trying to win over? I don't have an assistant yet." He sighed. He didn't have time to deal with hurt feelings.
"What is going on here? Why was Johnny here? Why was he calling you a Jerome?" She wanted to know.
"You were eavesdropping?" He accused his eyes flashing anger.
"No but you weren't exactly whispering. You are a part of his world aren't you?" He was silent.
"Don't lie to me." He was stone face. "I guess I have my answer." She turned to walk away.
"My last name is Blake, I didn't lie about that. Are there things that I am not telling you? Yes, I am just getting to know you. My father was a dangerous man, he was right about that. He is dead now. His name wasn't Jerome, it was Cassadine. No one knows and I want to keep it that way." Zoe sighed.
"Ok for now. Come one let's get out of here." She opened the door for him and did a curtsy.
"You know if you keep doing that, it won't be a secret anymore." He whispered in her ear causing her to shiver.
"You look very nice by the way. So where are we going?" He walked behind her.
"You'll see. I am driving." She informed him.
"Are you aware that you have control issues?" He shook his head smiling.
"I know where we are going. It is easier if I drive." She explained.
"I have a GPS, I will drive." She looked at him.
"Are you a male chauvinist?" He laughed.
"No but I am a gentleman. You drove here. I can get us to where we are going and back." He took her hand. He led her to his Rapide Aston Martin with red interior. She raised an eyebrow.
"You have got to pick me up in this at ELQ." She teased.
"I love cars, especially race cars. I also love bikes. I only bring her out for special occasions." He smiled.
"Yeah, you will want to leave her here for where we are going." He looked at her.
"I am not afraid to drive her anywhere." He opened the door for her. She got in reluctantly. She cracked his door making it easier for him to get in.
"Thanks." He smiled. "That was a movie that I actually liked." She looked at him as though she had no idea what he was talking about.
"Do you watch old movies?" He looked at her.
"I like some old black and whites and some 70's and 80's movies." She looked at him.
"It is from the 90's." He pulled off then explained the Bronx Tale to her.
"We will have to rent it one day. No it is just the polite thing to do, especially after the guy lets you in first. I always think what if someone tried to mug us or something. I dunno, I guess I was raised with manners." She shrugged.
"So where to?" She gave him directions.
Zoe took Zach to an art museum about two hours away from Port Charles. He found that it was worth the drive. There were paintings and photographic art. Where he had the pleasure of viewing some off the photos she had taken. He was staring at one in particular that she had taken when she approached him.
"I know that art is often objective. Still, my business mind wonders why you decided to shoot a homeless man with missing teeth. The goal is to sell right." She looked at him.
"The goal is to move. Those that are moved will buy the piece. He has missing teeth but he is smiling and most importantly, if you look into his eyes you see that he has hope. That is why I took the picture. He has been beaten, he has been weathered but through it all he has hope. I think it needed to be immortalized." He stared at her.
"Well, are you ready for our next location?" She asked.
"Ummm, let's see. Will there be food? And how long will it take 3 hours or 4?" He teased. He didn't mind the drive.
"Twenty minutes and there will be food." She took his hand and led him toward the door.
"You are pushy." He teased.
"I think you like pushy." She grinned.
Zoe took Zach to a jazz club where they hosted an open mic night. They got a table and ordered food. It was a nice restaurant in a questionable neighborhood but there was a mixed crowd of people. He enjoyed the music. He loved music. He looked at Zoe who was going up on the stage.
"Hello hello. I love coming here because this is one please where I can get that funk. And so I present to you I want it funky.
I want it Funky
Its got to be funky must be the funk.
I am so tired of the auto tune
Bubblegum that is worse than the gunk
On the bottom of your shoe/
/in summertime and there is no water
/now your Jimmy's are ruined with goo
What to do but accept the gunk
As a temporary situation you drag it along with you
Like in your car, on the radio
These fools can only fake the funk
I need a little percussion to get me in the mood
I want bass with some acoustics baby can you
Feel me groove
It forces me to move
And I just want it funk, nasty, sweaty
Down in the basement with the red-light
Funky
I want dirty, sexy. Soul shaking, keep you up at night
Thinking about him
Funky
But we get acts, juice box vocals from brainless twits who get their image from the back of a Revlon hair color box.
We get one dimensional Barbies who want me to believe that pretense of a multiple personality gives them multiple dimensions, please.
We get the media whoring gimmick, talented but lacking the true self confidence to succeed on talent alone she hides in eggs. These chics are award worthy? Really.
What happened to the funk?
I miss it.
I want it funky, gots to keep it funky, nasty sweaty, dirty, sexy, soul shaking funk."
She gets applause.
"Thank you I was all over the place with that one. Mixing end rhymes with prose. Thanks again." She stepped down and rejoined her date who was standing clapping.
"That was good." He sat after she took her seat.
"Don't worry about rhyming patterns. Only snobs get caught up in it. Those that want to be smarter than everyone else." He smiled.
"You mean the Harvard types." He laughed good naturedly.
"You are right though. So much music has gone away from what it was for the sake of commercialism and mass production." He sighed.
They discuss music and everything else over dinner and music. He was really enjoying himself. It was late when the club closed. He looked at her.
"I don't want you to be put off but a 2 hour twenty minute drive to Port Charles seems nearly impossible. Why don't we check in to the hotel? We can get separate rooms." She looked nervously at him. She chewed on her cheek for a second.
"Okay." She agreed. He nodded with a yawn.
Zach walked Zoe to her hotel room. He smiled at the awkward moment of rather or not he should kiss her. He was actually nervous about it. It was an odd feeling because he wanted to have sex with her. It was his usual style, wine, dines sex then leave. Maybe a double back or two better never more than three. He looked into her eyes. He wanted to take his time. There was a vulnerability there that he couldn't exploit. She wasn't like the others. They would come onto him in hopes of reeling him in. They would give themselves to him in record time thinking it would make him stick around. He kissed her on her forehead.
"Goodnight Zoe." She smiled.
"Goodnight Zachary." He walked across the hall to his room. He waited for her to get inside then he went into his room.
The next morning he knocks on her door.
"I was heading down to breakfast. I figured that you wouldn't want to appear to be taking the walk of shame." He joked.
"I bet you have sent plenty on that walk alone." Silence. "Maybe some have taken the walk because they were trying to use their body to get something that it takes more than that to get." He shrugged.
"Besides I don't let people know where I live. It is too personal and if the person later proves to be mentally unstable you can come home to broken windows and slashed tires." He said seriously.
"Has that happened to you?" She asked with wide eyes.
"No but I have seen it happen." He laughed thinking of picking Evan up from that situation.
A/n I do not remember a lot about the rules of poetry. I know there hasn't been much JnR but there is a reason be patient please.
Chapter 12
A month had gone by. The Fourth of July neared, summer was hot in Port Charles. Business became difficult for Sonny and Jason. Bodies were piling up and the families began turning on one another. Max and Milo were alive. Sonny had tried winning them back but they refused. Milo had convinced Max to work for the Jerome family. Max agreed to try it on a temporary basis. He wasn't ready to trust Zach just yet but trusted Milo enough to try it.
Jason knew Robin didn't want to see him but not seeing her was killing him. He had to let her go and would watch her from the shadows. He noticed someone else watching, tailing her. He assumed it was someone Mac or her father hired after the Anthony incident.
Zoe and Zach were walking from Kelly's with takeout. They decided to rent the Bronx Tale and hang out in her air conditioned apartment. Jason spotted them. He knew Zoe from Michael and Edward. He thought she was a sweet kid and knew that she had a crush on Michael. She had a scowl on her face so Jason stood watching them trying to figure out of the young man was bothering her. He approached the young couple.
"Are you okay?" He asked Zoe. He noticed Zach put his arm around her protectively.
"She's fine." Zoe could feel his body become rigid. The tension rolled off him in waves. Cold blue met cold blue as father and son engaged in a stare down.
"I wasn't asking you." Jason turned his stare into a gaze at Zoe.
"I'm fine. Zach is my friend. We were just having..."
"You do not have to explain anything to him." Zach growled.
"Do you have a problem?" Jason's glare returned.
"We were minding our business carrying takeout bags. Obviously we are together enjoying each other's company. Seems to me like you have the problem." Jason didn't understand the younger man's attitude. He didn't know the guy and with all the violence in Port Charles wanted to make sure she was ok.
"Just be careful." He urged Zoe then walked away without a glance at Zach.
"What the hell is his problem?" Zach barked.
"What was that?" He didn't answer.
"How long have I known you?" He looked at her. She raised her brow quizzically unsure of why he asked her that particular question.
"Six weeks." She answered.
"Let's go to my place." He took her hand then started walking. It was an old trick, change the game in order to distract. She would be grateful that he is sharing such an intimate part of his life with her and drop the hard questions.
Zach opened the door to his condo for Zoe.
"Welcome to the bat cave." He smiled with a wink. She loved it when he did that. "Care for a tour?"
"Sure why not." He showed her around ending in the living room where they both sat on the couch.
"This is a nice place." He thanked her. "You build models?" She looked at the bike on the coffee table.
"I build models and computers. I have this obsession with how things work. It is fun taking them apart to figure it out." He smiled then rubbed his hands together. He leaned forward to load his paper plate with food.
"Why do you hate Jason?" He ignored her and continued loading his plate.
"I mean if you aren't in the business you aren't exactly rivals. Your hatred rolls off you." He put his plate down.
"I know who he is and I hate everything he stands for. Is that a good enough answer for you to drop it?" His irritation started to show.
"Zach, ARE you in the business?" She asked him straight out. He had gotten around it without having to lie to her but now she was asking him directly.
"Do you think I could or would tell you if I was?" She sighed.
"You disappear. We hang out and it is great but." He looked at her as she struggled for the right words.
"I miss you when you disappear." He looked away buying a moment to think of what to say.
"I don't want to lie to you Zoe. I hate liars. I lie when I have to but never to my friends and family. My business that you know of is real. There are things that I need to do here that I cannot discuss with you right now. You are the first and only friend I have here. Still I just can't..." She leaned back sighing.
"You are so closed off. I talk about me but you don't talk a lot about you. You know that I am not the golden child in my family. That I am a love child essentially." She moved closer to him.
"Maybe it is easy to be guarded when I am being used to make your crush jealous." He knew he was wrong. They hadn't talked about Michael for a while.
"Don't insult my intelligence or this friendship by deflecting that bull on me. It is a crock and you know it I accepted that Michael is with Abby. You were a nice distraction who became more. How can you say that we are friends and not know that?" He was silent as he thought about it.
"I am just used to being..." He didn't know where to start.
"I don't make connections that easily. I grew up all over the place and in boarding school. I didn't know how a family worked until I saw classmates with their family during family visits. During which I was alone. I was told over the phone that my father died. I was told men don't cry, to basically suck it up." He sighed.
"When I was 13 my aunt who had been raising me left me with my mother and her husband. I learned about family there. I was the only child because she couldn't have more. A few years later her husband is murdered. He was more of a father to me than my own. I learned a lot from him. I also learned with his lifestyle death or jail was inevitable. My mother lost her mind and ended up in the Looney bin. "He laughed without humor.
"I disappear to see her." It wasn't a lie.
"A year ago I learn that my entire life was a lie. That I was a pawn in a game I had no idea about. I don't know the rules or all of the players. I don't know the object I just know that I am a pawn. It has left a gaping hole and a lot of unanswered questions. Like who is Amanda Blake and why did she lie to me. Why did Julian agree to raise me, a child who is not his own? I focus on finding answers and getting even by any means necessary. I didn't want the business that was handed down to me. I am doing what I have to to get rid of it. That is all I have for you and that is too much." He ran his hand through his hair.
"I told you because everyone should have a choice. I get if you are not okay with it. Hiding it would have taken your choice away and I don't want that." She surprised him by hugging him.
"I am sorry for pushing. I am still your friend. I just needed to know. I see you Zach and you are a good person. A little on the serious side but a good man. You just proved that." He let out a breathe he didn't know that he was holding.
"I believe you when you say that you didn't want it. Sounds like you have had choices taken from you." Not exactly he thought but didn't correct her. She held him for a beat. He pushed his feelings down and smiled at her.
"Does that mean you'll stop asking questions?" He looked at her.
"No it means I will choose my battles carefully. Speaking of careful you should be very careful. Things are more violent than they have been since I have been here." She was beginning to care more than she thought. She could be embarking on a dangerous journey that she didn't fully understand but something told her that he needed her. He needed answers and she assumed they were in Port Charles. She would help him find his way and support him anyway she could.
"Did I ever tell you that you are pushy?" He needed to lighten the mood.
"All the time." She smiled. "Submissive and agreeable is so boring." He raised an eyebrow.
"Depends on what you are submitting to." Wink, she blushed causing him to chuckle.
"You are too easy Zoe." She smacked him playfully.
"Hey."
"Can I eat now?" He laughed. She rolled her eyes.
"You have an insatiable appetite." She giggled.
"For many things." He winked.
"You like making me blush." He chuckled.
"Yes it's cute." She rolled her eyes.
"Just what every woman wants for a man to think she is cute." She sighed dramatically.
"You are also hot but you know that. Stop fishing." He teased.
"I am not fishing and I am going to make you blush before the night is over." He nodded in disbelief.
"You'll see. I will make my plate while you put the movie in."
"Well before you started prosecuting me I was making one for you." He teased standing to put the movie in. They dined on Kelly's while watching the Bronx Tale.
Later that night the two go to Jake's for Karaoke. Michael and Abby were there. Zoe and Zach got a table and a pitcher of shooters.
"Why would you get a pitcher? I am not good with anything but beer." She looked at him.
"It is part of my evil plan to take advantage of you by getting you drunk." He laughed out loud.
"See my face." He pointed to his cheeks.
"Not blushing. I don't blush or embarrass easily." he explained with a shrug. It was the truth.
A couple of shots later. Zoe got on the stage to do her number.
"This is a song by Melanie Fiona." The music started and she began moving to the beat. She stepped off the stage and moved to Zach and pulled him up.
"Okay, okay,
He's got my number and
You can't, you can't
Warn me baby here I am
Either you make the time
Or just forget me"
She pushed him away then walked away toward the stage then turned back.
"I'm not, I'm not
Tryna run your life
That's why, that's why
I'm nobody's wife
But when I want, when I want it
You gotta be ready"
She danced for him to the beat. she let her hair down and shook it out.
"I don't want it all the time,
But when I get it,
I better be satisfied
So give it to me right,
Or don't give it to me at all
I don't think you understand,
How real it is for me to find
A man who thinks he can
So give it to me right,
Or don't give it to me at all
yeah yeah" She approached him again engaging him in her sensual moves.
"On time, on time
I expect you to be
Oh my, oh my
Baby in my fantasy
You can't get it right,
Then just forget it" She pushed him away then walked back to the stage.
"No ways ok
For you to go around
uh uh, today
You better make a touch down
You know what I like,
Won't you accept it
I don't want it all the time,
But when I want it,
You better make me smile
So give it to me right,
Or don't give it to me at all
I don't think you understand,
If you can't please me,
I know someone who can
Give it to me right,
Or don't give it to me at all
This is the real life baby
This is the life that makes me say
Yeah, yeah, yeah, yeahh
This is the real thing baby
When I'm alone I can make me say
Yeah, yeah, yeah, yeah, yeahh" She danced and moved her hand down her stomach but stopped there.
"I don't want it all the time,
But when I want it
You better make me smile
So give it to me right,
Or don't give it to me at all
I don't think you understand,
If you can't please me,
I know someone who can
So give it to me right,
Or don't give it to me at all
Give it to me right
Give it to me right
Give it to me right,
Or don't give it to me at all"
She stepped down but he was there to help her taking her hand. He smiled at her not blushing.
"Whenever you want it sexy. I assure you it will be all kinds of right." She glared at him. He laughed.
"Baby I bet I can give it to you right all night." A creepy guy said to her. Zach had been so engrossed in her performance he didn't notice the fans.
"She wasn't asking you. I think we should go." He said leading her away.
"Why I am having fun. Are you embarrassed?" He looked at her.
"No but you are getting offers and I would rather not have to punch someone the way I wanted to punch him." He moved his head in the creepy guy's direction. Unfortunately the guy returned.
"I wasn't talking to you buddy. What do you say gorgeous? I am a real man." She noticed a red tone flush to his skin but it was anger. When the man reached for her he grabbed his hand and broke it leaving him screaming in pain. He looked down on him.
"Back off. I warned you." Zoe looked at him with wide eyes.
"Maybe we should go." He looked at her.
"You think." They walk out not noticing Michael looking after them.
Zach took Zoe home. She looked at him.
"Are you angry with me?" He looked at her.
"No with myself. I usually have better self-control." She smiled.
"Maybe you were distracted. You want to come in?" He looked at her.
"It is late. I am going to just go back to my place." She looked almost disappointed but he wanted to move slowly. He didn't kiss her goodbye. He hugged her then he left leaving her confused. Maybe she had turned him off.