Chapter 36

Two brothers and four soul mates were ships passing in the night.

Most of the energy that Jason had left was sopped up by the men still arguing in Pisano's. He had to get away. The pent up anger from years of dedicating his life and forsaking all others could barely be quenched. He couldn't remember the last time he took the subways of Manhattan.

"Take the B, D, or E train to 7th Ave. Get off and walk to 151 West." Brenda's voice projected through Jason's speakerphone.

"BDE? What does that mean?' Jason grew frustrated.

"Jesus Jason. The B, D, E train to 7th."

"What does that spell? !" He yelled in the phone as he hurried through night traffic to the subway.

"Holy shitballs! B, D, E train. Get a map!"

"I can't read a map!" Jason looked up and saw the subway station labeled. "My bad. I should be there soon." He ducked down the subway stairs to heat of the underground. It was a new world for him hearing the train cars screech against the metal. A swarm of people poured off the train. Jason just slipped by the closing doors. He pulled off his jacket and sat down. Since he had the bench all to himself, he rested his legs across the seat and observed his surroundings with a tinge of paranoia.

Sonny was livid. He couldn't sit at the table with Lorenzo so he went out back to the alley.

Tommy got up and followed him out. "What's your problem Corinthos? You're gonna have to suck this up. You think I like smiling in Carlo's face. He's a son of a bitch. I hate his ass. I'd cut him in a minute. But I'd wake up with a dead horse head in my bed. Oh, he's not that generous; more like a mule." Tommy looked around him. "Lorenzo is useful to all of us. You got the bean routes and he's got the guns."

Sonny stared into space barely listening.

Tommy hit him in the chest. "You hearing me? Play it cool."

"I gotta go." Sonny shook his head and walked down the alley.

Tommy groaned and grabbed the door to head back inside.

Salvator got up from the table giving everyone else the ok to move. Skye couldn't stand to be near Lorenzo any longer. She got up to leave, but Salvator beckoned her to come his way.

"I hear you have something I could use." Salvator whispered in her ear.

Skye was intrigued not sure what he meant. "Don't you think it's a little early for this kind of relationship?"

"You are charming. You got dirt on Alcazar?"

Skye nodded.

"If he gets out of line, I might need to use it. But Corinthos needs to cooperate. I like Alcazar. He's valuable to the organization. But any information you have falls into the wrong hands, I got your number." Salvator grinned at Skye.

"Not a problem." Skye said.

A.J. hurried to the subway station. He slung his bag across his chest and blew into hands to warm them from the bitter cold. Once he made it downstairs, he felt the relief of the heat.

Jason noticed the train was close to his stop so he got up and put his suit jacket back on. He grabbed at his neck cramped from resting his head on the railing. He waited at the door for the train to stop.

A.J. pulled up the flap of his bag and grabbed one of his brochures to read. As the train came to a stop, a throng of people raced down the stairs practically pushing their way in front of A.J.

"Jesus people. We're all getting on." A.J. mumbled as he continued to read.

The doors to the train opened. Jason looked down to watch his step as the swarm of overzealous people slammed into him barely letting him out.

A.J. waited for everyone to get on. He and Jason slipped past each other, the only two polite ones of the group. A.J. took Jason's seat on the subway. Jason looked back into the train irritated by the rudeness he'd encountered. The doors closed and the train moved on.

Jason continued on up the stairs of the subway past crowds heading down. He made it up to the top of the stairs to Brenda waiting for him shivering in the cold air.

"What are you doing here?" He opened his arms.

"I felt like an asshole." She fell into his arms and held him close for warmth.

"For what?"

"I forgot the map thing. Didn't want you to get lost. Sam told me that you don't have your gun. She's really worried about you. I told her you're riding with us in the Crimson jet." She pulled from him.

"So you're supposed to protect me?" He put his arm around her as they walked down the street.

Brenda laughed. "Guess not. It's been a weird day. Kristina did her shoot. We took over a part of the hotel. It's for the New Year's cover. Guess who was her date?" She did quotes in the air.

"Who?"

"Spinelli. He's such a hottie in these pictures. He just has the perfect look for this cover. But Sonny, Kristina, and I were supposed to do dinner tonight and I cancelled to meet with you and Sonny texted me that he can't make it. He's going back to Port Charles. So now Kristina is beyond upset. She refuses to come out of her room. The girls and Spinelli have tried."

"Alcazar showed up to the meeting."

Brenda was surprised. "Really? Damn. I bet that was a mess."

"I'm so pissed. I don't even know what to say to Sam. That's why I can't go home right now. She loves Alcazar, but this is just bad for everyone involved."

"You think she'll be upset?"

"Of course. It's going to be war in Port Charles."

Sam made it back to the Q's and decided to take a moment to decompress in the family room. She grabbed one of the children's story books from the table and laid down to flip through it.

"Sam?" Nikolas walked in the family room.

She sat up. "Nik? What are you doing here?"

He stepped inside. "I was hoping to run into Spencer."

Sam put down the book. "No go. I told Jax he could take Alec and Spencer for the night. What happened to your hand?"

Nikolas took a seat next to her. "I did it on purpose." He looked down at his hand.

"You ok?"

"No. I started therapy with Kevin a couple weeks ago. Part of the reason was because of you." Nikolas started to shudder.

Sam noticed. "What did I do?"

"I've always kind of had a thing for you. I think you just reminded me of Robin."

"You and Robin were a couple?"

"We tried. Well I tried and it seemed she always belonged to someone else. She was there for me for every tragedy. I just remember after Katherine Bell was killed and Stefan was in jail, she was really all I had except for Alexis and Ms. Lansbury. And I was there for her when she thought she lost Brenda and Jason. Robin helped me get my speech back after I was shot in the throat in front of Luke's nightclub."

"What happened to Brenda and Jason?"

"The ELQ jet crashed into the lake with Brenda and Jason on it. They were flying to Manhattan and stranded in the wilderness."

"Why didn't you and Robin work out?"

"She was with Jason at the time. Robin battled with it. Jason had taken over Sonny's territory and the responsibility for baby Michael. He had a lot on his plate and I became her biggest ally."

Sam bit her lip and took Nikolas' hand. "You get this feeling like everybody is taking something or someone from you?"

"All the time. Look at my mother. The Spencers took her. Lucky took Aidan. Jax took Spencer. Here I am, Prince Nikolas Cassadine, all alone. I know this is me exaggerating, but that's how it feels. Even Alexis is occupied."

"What do you want from Alexis?"

"To get me out of this. After Katherine was killed, Stefan was accused of murdering her by loosening the railing on the parapet. While he was imprisoned, he brought me in the interrogation room along with Alexis and he asked me to obey her commands. She would be making all decisions for the heir apparent. I wish she fixed it then."

"But didn't you want to be the Prince then?"

Nikolas shook his head. "No. I didn't. I can't remember a time when I ever wanted this albatross around my neck unless it got me what I wanted. The calling card has run out and it's caused me nothing but trouble."

Jason and Brenda settled down at a table in the hotel bar area.

"You're drinking whiskey." He said. "Something wrong?"

"The map comment bugs me. I feel like an asshole. You already had a bad night. I'm practicing being more sensitive to other people's feelings."

Jason smiled. "I'm not stupid. Just can't read a map."

"It's not the stupid map. Remember when we crashed in the ELQ jet and you saved me from falling off a cliff?"

"I do. I almost started to like you that day."

Brenda laughed. "Remember what I told you?"

Jason's eyes glassed over. "Is this an I told you so moment?"

"I want you to tell me that I was right?"

"Brenda, you were right. You told me that Sonny would turn on me, but I hated you so much for wearing that wire. I couldn't see past it. In my eyes, you betrayed Sonny. Even he didn't hate you for what you did. I loved him unconditionally. I loved all of them unconditionally. And people like you and Robin, I despised for asking me to leave the organization." He wiped his sleeve across his teary eyes. "I can't believe I couldn't even remember that you and I went to the prom together. I don't remember you at all."

"When A.J. crashed the both of you into that tree, he left you vulnerable. And Sonny took advantage of that. Sonny did more damage to you then A.J. I hope you realize that now."

Jason cried. "He told them that he created me. What does that mean?"

"You were his monster and he was Frankenstein." Brenda shrugged her shoulders. "Not much you can do about it now. We all fell. And I suffered a nervous breakdown as a result. You were there when I held scissors to my face threatening to destroy it."

"But you got out and you survived." Jason took Brenda's whiskey and downed it. "I'll never be able to. I might as well count down my days. Ever move I make…every step I take…they're watching me."

Sam walked Nikolas to the front door. "You don't have to go."

"I should. I think I just need rest. I was supposed to have dinner with Alexis, but that got thwarted. So I took a walk and found my way here hoping to play horses with Spencer until Jax takes him away for good."

"It's working out." Sam touched his arm. "You're going to be ok. While you're here, I need a favor. It's a huge favor. Like my heart and soul depends on you for this favor. I need to two favors really."

"I'll do my best."

"I want you to be nice to Brenda." Sam smirked.

"I will." Nikolas said without hesitation. "I don't dislike Brenda. I'm very attracted to her. I just don't trust her."

"She wants to save you from Helena. Like she has discussed this with me on our runs. She wants to break into Wyndemere in a tight red suit with a big S on her chest and pull you out of that darkness."

Nikolas couldn't hold back his satisfaction in knowing he was the topic of conversation. "That's pretty good. She's never discussed this with me. The other favor?"

"Jason and I are going away and I want you to watch Alana for like a week. Monica is busy at the hospital or we'd ask her. Skye is running the mob. I know Alexis wouldn't want to do it so that leaves you."

"Wow. That's a tall order. I could never forgive myself if something happened to her."

"I think it would be good unless you have other things to do. You're so good with Mikkos and it would be perfect for them to spend more time together."

"No. I'm free." Nikolas took Sam's hands in his. "I will do it. I will happily do it. It would be the best week of my life. I will be nervous the whole time, but I am so glad I came to see you."

Sam embraced him and kissed his face. "And I often dreamed of being a Princess after I first met you, but who knew instead of getting you, I'd get Alexis as my mother. And I don't regret it."

Jason stopped by Kristina's hotel room. He knocked on the door. "Kristina. It's Jason." He heard nothing. He reached in his pocket and pulled a card out of his wallet. "Don't make me have to break in vigilante style. Brenda gave me a copy of your key." He rested his ear on the door. "You're gonna make me count aren't you?" He took the keycard and swiped it in the door. "You and your father." He opened the door.

Kristina was on her bed still in her crimson dress and curled up in a ball with her stuffed lamb. She opened her eyes and lifted her head. "I wanted you to kick the door in. Did they take your break in skills too?"

Jason kicked at an empty champagne bottle on the floor. He picked it up and laid it in the bucket with another. "How many of those have you had?"

She rolled over onto her back and held up two fingers with a grin. "Happy New Year."

Jason sat down on her bed. "Your sister is worried sick about you." He tugged at Lamby under her arm. "Where did you get this? You stole it from your brother?"

"It belongs to me." She jerked Lamby back from Jason. "What do you want?"

"Are you worried about Sonny?"

"If you're here, I guess not." She rested her head on Lamby. "Unless you're coming to tell me he's dead. He doesn't think I'm aware of the business. Sometimes I wish I was born to Quakers."

"We can't pick our families." Jason slid down to the floor. "I wish I didn't have a brother that slammed my head into a tree."

Kristina got up still holding on to Lamby and sat next to Jason. "I went to try to go an AA meeting, but I chickened out."

Jason pulled his legs up to his chest. "It's no problem. There's always another meeting."

"I did meet this really nice guy that runs it. I'm thinking if I do decide, I'll go to this one. He gave me his card. He said I was welcome to stay and didn't have to talk if I didn't want to, but I just don't see the big deal. I love Sam, but she's being a drama queen."

"I don't think she is, but it's not my job to judge you. You're a little sister to me and the real reason I stopped by was because I wanted to check on you. Something was said tonight that bothered me at the meeting and I felt this desire to protect you as I always have even though it's not expected of me anymore."

"I think Spinelli's really cute."

Jason waved his hands. "Oh my God. Maxie will claw your eyes out for that one. Don't go there. I'll hear about it for the rest of my life."

"And I took Lamby from Mikkos to hurt his feelings. I'm a jerk. I should give it back shouldn't I?"

"I'd never tell you to give something up that means everything to you."

"You have to understand that I kind of remember needing Lamby to get me through living at the cottage and the Quartermaines…"

"I can't believe you remember all of that. You remember the cottage? That used to be Jax and Brenda's cottage."

"Yea. I do. Don't tell my mother that or she'll get really upset. I remember Ned and Skye. I totally remember Zander and Emily and Dr. Lewis." A thought popped in Kristina's head. "Do you know what else? Sam came to see me after the transplant and we colored together. And you were there. I just remember both of you being happy despite Sam's loss."

"Her little sister that she didn't know she had was right there under her nose. Sam told me that she wanted to know that Lila's stem cells weren't being used in vain."

"Ok." Kristina relented. "I'll go to the stupid AA meeting…"

"And back to therapy. Why don't we start there?"

"Yes. Uncle!" Kristina shoved Jason away.

"And I promise I won't show up at the penthouse uninvited." Jason smiled.