AN:

Another update! I know this one is kinda short but it sets up lots of stuff for later.

And yes this writing is better than therapy. At least for you any way.

~Kelly~


Chapter Six

"I want to buy you out." Nikolas said managing to surprise Jax.

He had, of course, heard the rumors in the business world. Something about Nikolas Cassadine going after Corinthos-Morgan assets. Jax hadn't given any credence to the rumors after all Nikolas had years to go after the mobsters. Why would he suddenly choose now? Even when the younger man called for a meeting, Jax thought it was about Lulu or rather the job she was about to lose. Kate was practically begging to fire the blonde on a daily basis. The only thing stopping her this week was Lucky's death.

"I'm going to assume you mean the hotel? Why," he asked when Nikolas simply nodded.

"I think it's better for you if I didn't disclose that information."

"Well, I don't agree. You have to understand where I'm coming from, Nikolas. You suddenly ask for a meeting and then announce you want to buy my hotel. A hotel I have worked hard to make successful by the way. And you think I shouldn't ask questions?"

"I just meant your relationship with Carly is already strained enough."

"So, it is true. You're going after Sonny and Jason."

"I wasn't aware you listened to rumors."

"Normally I don't, but you're here asking for my hotel. I can't help where my mind wonders."

"I suppose not," Nikolas agreed reluctantly. Hopefully Jason didn't listen to rumors either. Although he didn't exactly run in the same professional circles as Jax. "Aren't you tired of being painted as the bad guy because they can do no wrong? Especially in your wife's eyes?"

"My ex-wife. Well Carly will be when she finally signs those damn papers. Why now," Jax asked suddenly changing the subject from his failed marriage. "Why after all these years are you going after Port Charles's heroes?"

"I heard about Josslyn. Franco... he's here because of Jason. Because this town would rather protect the criminals than put them in prison."

"So this is about what Franco did to Lucky and Jake?"

"In part. Elizabeth is so broken... I can't stand by and do nothing any longer."

"Well, in that case, I think we can come to an agreement regarding the hotel."

********************

Tom Hardy wanted nothing more than to hit something. Hard. Today's session with Elizabeth had been trying, to say the least. Often he felt three steps behind his niece, something that was hampering her treatment.

He tried to understand her insane need to protect those around her. Really he did. But as a doctor his first priority was Elizabeth not anyone else.

Her kidnapping from several years ago was today's topic. He doubted it was the PTSD trigger but it certainly fed the disease. And all her recent flashbacks dealt with control, or, rather, her feelings of helplessness.

During their sessions she'd talked of feeling trapped. Not just by situations but also by the people in her life. That emotion seemed to be the main trigger. Now if he could only pinpoint an event.

There was a new therapy he wanted to try on Elizabeth, one that had a high rate of success. However, he needed the trigger before even attempting it.

Perhaps he was looking in the wrong place. Elizabeth had lived nearly fifteen years before coming to Port Charles. Maybe what he was searching for lay further in her past. With any luck Steven would be able to clue him in. Lord knows his brother was useless when it came to his youngest child.

********************

Turning off the News, Franco couldn't help but laugh at the current situation. Port Charles was in utter chaos. Who knew a tiny bomb could cause so much drama? In fact, this was working even better than planned.

He finally had Jason's full attention, which was all he'd originally wanted. Too bad every success had its price. And for him Nikolas Cassadine seemed to be that price.

Apparently, the man wasn't pleased with his brother's death. He didn't know why. The prince should be thanking him. After all, he'd eliminated the competition leaving Nurse Webber free for the taking.

Not that the man hadn't taken her already. No matter. It was, after all, only a figure of speech.

Nurse Webber. Maybe that's why the man was so upset. Franco had heard that the woman had suffered a nervous breakdown.

Another unfortunate consequence of his game. He would simply have to take care and avoid Mr. Cassadine from here on out.

********************

The sale was going surprisingly smoothly. Nikolas had offered well above the value for his shares of the MetroCourt. There were, of course, certain conditions that went along with the sale. Jax had expected something especially given the fact he was being overpaid for the hotel. However, his silence wasn't that something that crossed his mind.

Nikolas was demanding that he keep silent about the sale. Carly was naturally at the top of the list. For some reason the man wanted his ex-wife completely in the dark. The idea made him hesitant to sign.

Jax didn't know what Nikolas had planned, but worry for Morgan and Jocelyn made him pause. Despite not liking Carly at the moment she was still the mother of his children. Seeing her suffer wasn't unappealing but having her turn up dead was. Maybe the younger man would reassure him before they agreed to a deal.

In the meantime he had a phone call to make.