One Temple Court
Mac looked around Maxie's new flat with approval lighting his eyes. Maxie led him back to the living room after giving him the grand tour.
"I like it. It's about time you got out of that flea motel," said Mac.
"Dad, it wasn't that bad," said Maxie.
"Whatever. I'm just glad that you're here where it's safe." Mac stood looking out the wide windows overlooking the street where busy Port Charles citizens scurried by. "I'll sleep better at night."
Maxie sighed. "Yeah, heavy duty security 24/7. Lulu thinks it's going to feel like a straitjacket."
"And will it? You can always move back home with me and Dia."
"No and no. I'm looking forward to having lots and lots of people around this place."
"So is Dia and Tiffany. I heard them planning this out a month ago but I didn't think it would actually be this successful this soon."
Maxie laughed. "You're forgetting who you're talking about!"
Mac rubbed at his chin. "Yeah, I should have known better." He checked his watch then he strode over to Maxie and gave her a hug. "And I should have definitely known that you would rise to the occasion."
"Finally?" asked Maxie returning the hug.
Mac chided her. "You always had it in you, Maxie. It just needed a little push and some confidence. I'm proud of you for all this and going back to school. Hard decisions and you made them."
"Thanks, Dad," said Maxie. "It feels like I'm going forward. Baby steps but forward. Speaking of going into the future, when are you and Dia going to finalize the wedding guest list? As your wedding planner, I'm in limbo."
Mac chuckled as he let her go. "Relax. Dia's finishing up her last week for you-know-who. When she gets back, I'm sure it's going to be wedding, wedding and more wedding."
"All right. I'm settled in here now and Andrew's stuff will be done by tomorrow if Lars gets his way. I swear that man lives and breathes that schedule. The contractors are scared to death of him," said Maxie. "They were here at eight in the morning. The union rep is screaming violations all over the place."
"Send the rep to Anna. I'm sure she can charm her way into a compromise," said Mac. He looked at his watch. "That reminds me. I'm going out of town with Anna and Alex later today. We should be back late tomorrow but you never know with the Trouble Twins."
Maxie laughed at hearing the team's new nickname for the Devane sisters.
"You never heard that name from me!" said Mac. "With Dia and I both out, can you to come by the house for as long as we're gone? Check the mail, the alarm, the usual."
"Sure, Dad. I was going by anyway to get some things from the attic," said Maxie.
"Hmm, the nesting instinct. You mom had that, too. She always made the house welcoming and comfortable."
"Dad, don't," warned Maxie.
"I know. I know," said Mac holding up his hands palms flat. "But you know where I stand on this. You need to work things out with Felicia ... and Frisco. Life is short especially in their line of work. I don't want you to have any regrets."
"I don't. Mom and RealDad are not coming back here anyway so what's the point?" asked Maxie. "You're my dad and that's that."
"I love you, too, Maxie," Mac said. "As a favor to me, can you think about it? You're starting a new phase in your life and it's usually a good time to reassess."
Maxie looked closely at Mac. Her eyes widened as a thought, a bad one, entered her mind. "Is ... is there something wrong with you? Is this why you're asking me about Mom and RealDad? Are you terminal?"
"No. I'm healthy as a horse but there are changes coming that's all," said Mac.
"You're marrying a supermodel, check." Maxie gasped. "Oh, my god! I'm going to have a sibling?"
Mac flushed. "Whoa, there! There are no siblings ... yet."
"But there will be?"
"Hopefully, we'll be blessed with one or two. But there's one more change though. This is need to know only information," said Mac.
"Got it."
"I'm seriously thinking about leaving the department."
"But ... but don't ... you're a great commissioner!"
"That may be but it's time that I did something different like you're doing something different. Do you understand where I'm coming from?"
Maxie pressed a kiss on Mac's cheek. "Whatever you decide, Dad, is fine with me."
Quartermaine Mansion
Sitting on the couch, Edward nodded as Anna made another point. Monica watched the interplay from desk.
"I know it's not a time period that you're too fond of, Edward, but anything you could remember would be very helpful," said Anna.
"Ever since this business started again, Tracy and I have been gathering documentation on that time period and all the ELQ transactions involving Harlan Barrett and Nicholas Van Buren," said Edward.
"That's fantastic!"
"I'm shocked at the scope and level of these transactions. I mean canneries, tankers and large parcels of ELQ-owned real estate all over the world," said Edward. "Their plans were ... are ambitious."
"We need that data, Edward. Would you let us have it - copies, I mean?" asked Anna.
"You can have it all. It's upstairs."
"Upstairs?"
"In Edward's secret room," said Monica.
Anna smiled. "I see. Very convenient."
"It's full to ceiling with boxes of files."
Luke came bounding down the stairs and called out, "Alice! Where's the coffee?" He walked into the parlor and stopped in mid-step. "Anna!"
"Luke, have a minute?" said Anna.
"Ah, er, um, I have to get to the Star," said Luke backpedaling out of the room.
"I need to speak to you."
"Later, Irish!" He ran past a dumbfounded Alice and straight out the door.
"You know he's been acting strangely lately," said Monica.
"Really?" asked Monica.
"I haven't noticed anything different," said Edward. "You, on the other hand, Monica, have been nearly giddy."
"I don't know what you're talking about," said Monica.
Edward pointed to a vase of flowers. "It's all because of that!" He glared at Anna. "And you."
"Me?" asked Anna.
"He's one of yours."
"Oh, this is about Edgar." Anna looked at Monica. "He was so sorry to miss your date."
Monica asked, "Does everyone know?"
"It's a small team. I have to say it's nice to have someone else be the topic of conversation," said Anna. She looked at Edward. "Edgar is cultured, witty and can talk about a million subjects. What's wrong with that?"
"Nothing. I'm delighted that Monica is getting some excitement in her life but ... he better not hurt her." Edward cleared his throat. "She's been through enough."
Monica gave Edward a hug. "You are such a softie."
"I ... I just don't want to be evicted. I'm very comfortable in your home," said Edward. He held a hand out towards Anna. "Parents should never bury their children. It's too much to bear."
Anna squeezed Edward's hand. "But we do bear it for the ones left behind don't we?"
Lufthansa Flight to Budapest
For the umpteenth time, Robert tugged at his seat belt and changed his position. His fists clenched and unclenched. Wisps of clouds drifted past his window.
He closed his eyes and murmured, "I will find you, baby. Hang on a little bit longer."
"What, Robert?" asked Nyssa.
Beside him, Nyssa studied and memorized the most recent information sent by Felicia - hand drawn maps of the floors she had been on, maps of the cellar, descriptions of the security procedures. Across the aisle, Andre and Heloise were doing the same.
Robert's plan was intricate and much depended on good timing. Lady luck smiling on them would be a bonus.
One Temple Court
Anna, Tiffany, Belle, Andrew, Dani, Lars, Alex and Mac met in Andrew's new flat. Around them, team specialists scurried finishing the installation of the security system. Anna paced by the french doors while the rest sprawled, sat or stood about watching her.
"Lars, send a team over to the Quartermaines to get everything out of Edward's secret room and-" began Anna.
"He's got one?" asked Mac.
"He's the millionaire who has everything," said Anna. "Lars, bring the collection to the radio station. Andrew, I know you're not supposed to be involved but I need you. I don't believe that this task will impinge greatly on your treatment."
"Of course, Mum, what do you need?" asked Andrew.
"Well, you and Belle, actually. You two did such a good job with tracing and proving the stock manipulation plot against ELQ that I think you two could find trends and details that we would miss," said Anna. "We were able to decipher the basic strategy of the Cartel years ago but I think ... I know that their activities and goals went far deeper. I want the two of you with help from the team to sift through everything in Edward's collection of documents."
"What would we be looking for?" asked Belle.
"I want to know the EXACT plan they had in mind when they purchased the canneries, the factories and other things. I want to know if we can pinpoint other associates of the Cartel that we don't know about," explained Anna. "Now, there are some conditions, Andrew."
"Let me guess. I'm not allowed to be alone when I examine these documents," said Andrew.
Anna exchanged a quick look with Tiffany. "Close but not exactly. I've asked Dani to have two guards in attendance at all times that you have company, especially when Belle is here. This applies wherever you are."
"I have things ... myself under control," said Andrew.
Belle added, "Andrew would never hurt me."
Tiffany said, "It's not a matter of trust."
"Isn't it? If it looks like a duck and sounds like a duck, then it must be a crazy duck!" exclaimed Andrew.
"Do you remember her bruises after the hospital rampage, Andrew? I'll never forget." asked Tiffany. "You may never hurt her again but I can't take any chances. I don't like Belle's involvement in this but-"
"I WANT to help," said Belle. "I'm good at data analysis, Mama. I KNOW I can help."
Tiffany put an arm around her daughter's shoulder. "Why do you think I'm letting you?" Tiffany glared at Andrew. "I want you to know where I stand. Taking my daughter to a dance is one thing but putting her in harm's way is another. You understand?"
"Yes, ma'am. If ... if I feel the slightest bit out of control, I'll leave the room and send Belle home. My word."
"What dance?" asked Anna.
"I'm to be Belle's escort at her Valentine's Day dance," said Andrew.
"Together?" asked Mac.
"You two?" asked Lars.
"I blackmailed him into it," said Belle. "It's not like ... like he asked me. I asked him."
Anna frowned. Her eyes went back and forth between Andrew and Belle. "How modern."
"Is this your first dance?" asked Alex.
"Technically, yes," said Andrew.
"It's just a dance. We go, make an appearance and leave," said Belle.
"Is that the tradition? My research indicated that we're to stay until the last dance is played," said Andrew.
"We will be there for an hour at the most. That is all."
"Also, we are to be color-coordinated. My cummerbund and bow tie should be similar to your dress. What color is your dress? Do you prefer a wrist corsage, one in your hair or one that's pinned on your dress front?"
"Oh, god, no," groaned Belle.
"And my formal attire needs to be complementary to yours," said Andrew. "Should I wear a tuxedo or an evening jacket?"
Tiffany clapped her hands together. She beamed at Andrew. "At last, a boy who thinks of the details."
"And with that it's time for us to leave before our chartered plane takes off without us," announced Anna. "Tiffany, could you tell Sean to call me tonight."
"He may be in late, Anna. Plane schedules being what they are," said Tiffany.
"Whatever time is fine," said Anna. She gave Andrew a quick kiss and a hug. "We will talk about this dance when I get back. Alex, Mac, you ready?"
A few minutes later in the descending elevator, they finally let out some loud guffaws.
"Do you believe all that?" asked Anna.
"When did Andrew get interested in fashion?" ask Alex.
"He just wants to fit well with his date," said Mac. "I say good for him for thinking ahead."
"We are talking about the boy whose wardrobe is split between black, gray, blue and brown," said Anna. "I literally have to force certain clothes on him to add some variety into the mix."
"Is he beginning to show interest in the fairer sex?" asked Alex.
"Bite your tongue!" said Anna. "He may have a genius IQ but he's emotionally fragile. A girl could break his heart so easily. I'm not putting up with that."
"It's inevitable, Anna. They all grow up," said Mac.
"Thanks, Mac, for that wonderful reminder."
"Does it not strike either of you how odd Andrew's sartorial opinions were?" asked Alex. "And, notice how easily Tiffany fell in step."
"Tiffany loves fashion. When she and Dia begin to pore over a magazine, I leave the room," said Mac.
"Ah, clever boy," said Anna. "He's got Tiffany wrapped around his little finger now."
"That's devious," said Mac. He looked at Anna. "Definitely one of yours."
"But fashion bores him. On the list of things he loathes, it's right up there after getting his hair cut," said Anna. "Why would he put himself through torture?"
Alex snapped her fingers. "Belle. This would ease the pressure on her and put him on Tiffany's good side. That's a win and win scenario."
"Belle does have Andrew wrapped around her finger. Her and Emma both," noted Alex. "Remember how ferociously he defended the two at the hospital?"
"Belle learned from the master," said Anna. "If Andrew is devious, then Belle is ... is-"
"Positively Machiavellian," said Alex.