Here is the chapter 38 update. It's a long chapter that takes place in Port Charles and London, England. Nothing to major happens as this just sets up what has happened since the events weeks before and what is going to happen in the coming days. I also delve in to the back ground on one of the supporting characters. The next chapter the pass starts to pick up in Port Charles, while Jason and Elizabeth arrive in Italy.
Thank you TheWritersWay and Irobinson01 who have commented/reviewed I think every chapter of my story along with everyone else who has supported, and continues to read and support my story.
I've always enjoyed Sonny, but I wasn't blind to his major flaws which is his selfishness, ego and his need for power and desire to be in control. I think he would have died long ago if it weren't for Jason.
As always I hope you enjoy this chapter and are enjoying my story. Feel free to leave comments/reviews.
Chapter Thirty-Eight
John woke up again to the sight his brown haired girl friend's head laying her his chest. Through the past nearly four weeks Emily had stayed over at his house almost every night. She helped him take care of the home and Megan as the two got closer. Emily had essentially moved, and he didn't mind at all. In fact John didn't want to ever wake up with his sexy doctor in his bed. John slowly got up from the bed careful not to wake Emily who had worked a double the day before. Stretching out his now healed right shoulder he quietly headed out of the bedroom after putting on a t-shirt and putting on a pair of sweat pants since he could get them over his cast easily. The cast on right foot would have to remain on for another couple of weeks, but he was no longer in pain and could maneuver around without the crutches most of the time now. John had even gone back to work, but was stuck on desk duty which was boring and endless paperwork.
Working his way to the John passing the unlit Christmas tree, and began working on breakfast for both his girls. Megan had school on this cold December morning. Thinking back on the weeks since the warehouse explosion and the attack on Shadybrook things had gotten quiet with the citizens of Port Charles celebrating Thanksgiving and getting ready for Christmas. There were no explosions or blizzards and only two homicides, which were both easily solved with the help of the stupid and incompetent criminals. Even with the growing tension between Sonny Corinthos and Diego Alcazar things had been quiet. Lucky Spencer, Laura Spencer, and Sam McCall also bodies had also been identified an eight days after the Shadybrook attack and fire. As John started cooking the French toast he thought about the strange if not suspicious things that also happened. Albert Gunderson, a city councilman who could rival the mayor in power died in a fire with his family when his house burnt down. It was ruled an accident. That's what John thought was suspicious. The councilman lived in almost brand new high-tech house with sprinklers and start of the art security and smoke detectors. John couldn't understand how Albert could have died. Even if he was plastered he still would have woken up and the sense to get out of the house. Then there was his wife and two children. Even if Albert was passed out his wife and child surely would have realized the house was on fire. The only possibility for none of the four managing to get out of the home was that they were already dead, which leads to the fire inspectors who ruled that it was a accident who said something about faulty wiring with the gas furnace. Next were the coroner who ruled their deaths by suffocation, but yet wouldn't let him see the bodies. Interestingly enough the city decided to have the bodies cremated after they got permission from Albert's brother who lived in Vancouver, Canada. No John thought something bad happened at that house, and had a feeling it had something to do with the Mayor and his political aspirations. Then there was Sonny Corinthos. The man was being dragged into the PCPD twice a week on some charge. The PCPD would raid one of his warehouses or search on of his freighters and find some kind of evidence. The evidence was nothing that would stick, but it was enough to hall Sonny down to the PCPD in broad day light with a reporter always nearby. Peter said it was strange because on two of the raids at two warehouses he had searched the rooms with ten officers and found nothing, but when help arrived evidence some how came out of no where. Peter wouldn't openly admit it, but he thought the commissioner or the DA was involved in this somehow he just couldn't figure out how. If they wanted to take down Sonny wouldn't they get evidence that would stick? It was as if someone was trying to openly embarrass the coffee importer and alleged mob boss.
"Daddy." Megan called out entering the kitchen wearing her pajamas and rubbing her eyes. The eight year old now just called her uncle dad now that she had adjusted and gotten used to it.
"Morning sweat heart." John said putting down the plate of French toast for her and headed to the refrigerator to pull out some milk and juice.
"Morning daddy." Megan replied sitting at the small kitchen table in the small kitchen.
"Did you sleep well?" John asked pouring her two small cups of apple juice and milk.
"Yes daddy." Megan said taking a bite of her French toast. "Daddy?"
"Yes sweet heart what is it?" John asked taking a seat with his plate.
"You said no last night, but can we please….get a cat?" Megan asked drawing out the please. "I don't want anything else for Christmas just a kitten."
"Megan." John not wanting to get into it in the morning. It's not that he was opposed to the idea or that Megan didn't deserve to get what ever she wanted after the last few years she's been through. Losing her father and then mother, but he had never owned a cat and saw no reason to own a pet in general. Then there was taking care of the animal, which would most likely ultimately fall to him. John thought it would be more of a hassle then anything else, but when his niece looked at him with those pleading sad dewy eyes it was hard to no now. "Megan we've talked about this."
"PLEASE." Megan pleaded and John was thankfully saved by Emily who entered the kitchen with her hair pulled back in a pony tail and wearing a pair of grey sweats and a blue tank top. Standing up John kissed Emily before heading to the stove to get the now warming French toast.
"Is she still asking for a kitten?" Emily asked quietly as she stood beside him.
"Yes." John said putting the breakfast on her plate.
"You know I don't think it's a bad idea. It would make her happy, give her a companion around the house, and I could help with the cat."
"You'd be willing to help."
"Of course we are living together after all." Emily said smiling up at John.
"Yes. Yes we are." John said happily. "I'll think about it."
"No go get dressed for work." Emily said kissing him on the cheek and heading to the table with her plate.
"Sorry about having to be Megan and me's shofar these past weeks. I know you're tired after having to work a double yesterday." John said putting his plate in the sink and about to leave to get dressed for work.
"I haven't minded helping you two. We're family, and I have the day off. Tomorrow I work another double so today I'm not doing anything but relaxing on your comfortable couch and watching TV." Emily told him. She now spent more time in this home than at the Quartermaine mansion and the small quant house had become home to her.
"All right I'll be back in a few minutes." John said heading back to the bedroom.
"Emily?" Megan asked finishing up her breakfast.
"Yes sweaty."
"Did you talk to daddy about getting a kitten?" Megan asked as Emily took her now empty plate and got up to take it to the sink.
"Yes." Emily said putting the plate in the sink.
"Are we going to get a kitten?" Megan asked getting out of her chair adding Emily to her family.
"Yes we are." Emily said smiling down at the girl whom she come to love.
"Thank you." Megan said hugging Emily.
"You're welcome."
"Emily?" Megan asked still hugging her.
"What is it?"
"I am happy you are in mine and daddy's life…and…I love you." A nervous Megan said for the first time to Emily before she quickly ran off to her bedroom to get dressed for school leaving behind a teary eyed yet happy Emily behind.
In a downtown Christmas laden Port Charles the Metro Court was busier than ever before. With the bad management of Carly Corinthos gone the down ward trend of the hotel now had reversed Jax in full control and new renovations and stores, but perhaps the two biggest draws were Webber and Barret boutique and The Wind art gallery. Having the famous former fashion model Brenda Barret certainly didn't hurt who wasn't helping as much with The Wind now that Georgie knew what to do. The young brunet didn't have much experience in art or running a business, but she was a quick learner. Georgie enjoyed art and wanted to learn more about it, plus she didn't want to let down Elizabeth. She missed her friend and hoped she was getting better. Georgie rang up a painting and after went into the back room to put up another. There were so many local artists who wanted their paintings displayed and sold Elizabeth and she didn't have any room to hang them, so they put them in the back room. As Georgie was coming out of the room with a large painting in her arms she ran into someone dropping the painting.
"Watch where you are going." Georgie said looking up to see a young attractive Italian looking man.
"Sorry." Johnny Zacchara said looking down at petite highly attractive young girl standing before him. Damn she was good looking Johnny thought, but she looked like she was barely out of high school if not still in it. "Let me help you." Johnny said picking up the painting.
"Thank you. It goes over here." Georgie said showing the man the way. "Thank you." She said after Johnny put up the painting. The man was gorgeous she thought as she stood looking at the man before her. She shouldn't get her hopes up someone as good looking as him wouldn't think a plain girl like her is attractive.
"You're welcome." Johnny said reaching out to shake her hand and Georgie reciprocated. "Is that a painting of Port Charles?" Johnny asked looking at the painting of Port Charles during sunset.
"Yes it is." Georgie said after she turned and saw what painting the man was talking about.
"It's beautiful. The colors and attention to detail bring it to live. It's an elegant panting, and it's as if I'm not looking at a painting, but at a picture." Johnny said complementing the painting. "Who painted it?" He asked
"Elizabeth Webber." Georgie answered and she saw Johnny stiffen a little. Johnny knew who Elizabeth was and was saddened to hear what was rumored to have happened to her. It did put a damper on his plans. He had hoped to talk to Morgan about getting rid of Trevor and getting out of his life he seemed trapped in. Johnny wasn't going to talk to Sonny. Johnny knew all about the man. There were the endless women, affairs and children. Then there was his ego and selfishness which made him untrustworthy. Sonny had screw over his own friend and partner a few times determined not to lose his power he values above all else, no Johnny wasn't going to trust the man. He could have talk to Jason. In fact it would have been easier now that he was out of the country and staying in England, but he wasn't going to pull the man away from his fiancé or jeopardize her recovery. Johnny was on his own, and would have to find a way out of the mess he was in. "Sir?" Georgie asked pulling the embarrassed man from his thoughts. He was about to respond where someone else got their attention.
"She calls this art. It looks more like a crayon drawing of a two year old." The blonde woman told her husband.
"You don't know what she's talking about." Georgie said thinking the woman looked familiar as she looked at the woman's back. The woman's voice sounded familiar. The annoying tone and pitch that if load enough could break class.
"Don't worry about that shrew she has no class. She's gotten everywhere on her back." Johnny said recognizing the couple.
"Johnny there you are." Trevor said turning to look at Johnny. "So this is where you ran off to." Trevor said walking over to Johnny and Georgie followed by the blonde woman who turned and looked at the two.
"Carly?" Georgie asked shocked and surprised as the former hotel owner walked over.
"Georgie. So you are running this place while the muffin face runs away hiding from sham and embarrassment that everyone now knows for a fact that she's nothing but a whore and a slut?" Carly asked always liking to get her ding in on the bitch who stole her man. Over in Webber and Barret Brenda thought she heard a scary yet familiar voice, but though it couldn't be her. Port Charles had finally gotten rid of the woman and the city was better for it.
"Elizabeth is not a slut or a whore." Georgie said upset at Carly.
"I'm just stating facts Georgie for example the paintings on display here. They are dull and awful, and are pedestrian at best, but it's Elizabeth's which are worst of all." Carly told her.
"No one cares about your opinion." Johnny told her defending Georgie. Plus he wasn't happy with what Carly had said about Elizabeth. "Like you know anything about art or about anything in general. All you know about is whoring yourself out to get ahead. As for the paintings most are average put you can tell the artists put a lot of work into them. There are a few really powerful paintings, but it is Elizabeth Webber's paintings that are the best. You can see the emotion, love, detail and heart that go into her paintings." John said looking at one of Elizabeth's paintings with Jason Morgan sleeping on a couch and a little boy was most likely Elizabeth's son Cameron lying on his chest sleeping peacefully. Anyone who looked at the paintings could see the feelings that were put onto the canvas. "Carly I don't think you damn thing about art or have gone to art galleries except to make yourself look good instead of the bitch that you are." Johnny explained to the now angry Carly.
"John you don't talk to her that way." Trevor said getting into John's space.
"What the hell on you doing here?" Brenda asked coming to join the group. She had finally realized that it wasn't just her imagination and that the wicked witch of the east was really here. Her life was going good now. Her store along with Elizabeth's had created large profits. Brenda also enjoyed living with Maxi and Georgie, and Jax and her had officially started dating. All though they were taking things slow this time around. The only bumps in the road were that she missed Jason, Elizabeth, and Cameron, and the other was two weeks ago Robin's mother Anna came to Port Charles to tell her daughter that her father was believed to be dead. Robin now had lost Mac her uncle, and the man who raised her like she was his daughter. Now she had also lost her father for a second time. Robin was coping with the surprisingly good help of Patrick and her friends.
"Brenda who are you with this time Sonny or Jax, or is it both?" Carly snidely remarked.
"Right Carly you're just jealous that I'm Sonny, and Jax's first choice just like every woman on the planet is Jason's choice before you, but you shouldn't care since you're nothing but a gold digging whore who get's ahead by being on her back. Let's see first there was Tony Jones your father in law and mothers husband. Next was AJ Quartermaine who you started sleeping with while you were with Tony. Then there was his brother Jason. After which you quickly moved to Sonny, Lorenzo, Sonny again, Jax and then this man here. When have you had time to work besides when you've been on your back?" Brenda happily explained.
"You don't know what you're talking about Brenda. I have a career."
"Which is what besides being a socialite whore and arm candy for this man?" Brenda asked waiting. "Yeah I thought so." Brenda said after Carly hesitated and couldn't quickly answer.
"Listen you bitch I'm…." Carly was about to go off on Brenda when Jax stopped her.
"Carly what are you doing in my hotel?" Jax asked walking in. Two staff members told him about a commotion in The Wind and he decided to look into it. Jax certainly was shocked to see Carly again, but he shouldn't be surprised. Carly knew how to hold a grudge.
"Hello Jax. I just came by to first see how badly the hotel was running now that I was no longer part owner." Carly told Jax.
"I sure you did, but sadly for you the Metro Court over the last month and a half since your exile from Port Charles the hotel is better then ever. The new variety of stores I put in is bringing in a lot of new business which is bringing more money then ever to the metro court along with the newly renovated restaurants. It seems that all the Metro Court needed to take off was to get rid of the dead weight holding it down." Jax explained to his unhappy ex-girl friend.
"I'm sure it won't last." Commented a displeased Carly. "I also wanted to introduce you to my new husband Trevor Lancing." Carly said introducing her new husband. Now that truly surprised Georgie, Brenda, and Jax. Not that Carly was married. No they weren't surprised about that at all knowing Carly the way they do. What surprised them was the man's last name was Lancing. All three thought it couldn't be, but looking closely they saw the similarities to Ric. Trevor was too old to be an older brother. The man had to be Ric's father.
"Are you Ric's father?" Jax asked wanting to know.
"So you knew my pathetic son." Trevor said shaking Jax's hand.
"You are married to Ric's father the man you slept with and brother to Sonny Corinthos. Your really are twisted Carly." Brenda said a little surprised Carly would go that far.
"Miss Barret you need to watch what you say to my wife?" Trevor said to Brenda, and Brenda could tell by the darkness on the man's face it wasn't a question.
"And you need to watch how you talk to her." Jax told Trevor.
"So the has been model is back in bed with my dear ex." Carly said realizing and seeing the closeness of Brenda and Jax. "Are you now so desperate for attention that you through yourself at Jax and opened that pathetic clothing boutique."
"Enough Carly." Jax said having enough of the married couple. "Since I know you won't come into the Metro Court without causing trouble you two are no longer welcome on the property. If you try to get in I will have security escort you out. Yes Carly I know your next question. Yes I can do that I am the sole owner of this hotel. I have the legal right to refuse business to anyone I see fit." Jax explained.
"Fine let's go Carly." Trevor told Carly. "Johnny?"
"I see you later." Johnny said having had enough of the two.
"Fine." Trevor said not really worried anymore. Everything was in place. Sonny was out of town and wouldn't be back until tomorrow. Today was the first day the Zacchara organization was bring in shipments to Port Charles docks he had managed to steal from the incompetent Diego Alcazar who was focusing all his efforts on destroying Sonny, and of course failed miserably. There was nothing Sonny could do about it. Plus his new wife wanted to make an entrance around the city. Soon everyone would realize there is a new power in Port Charles and the Northeast.
"Jax." Carly stopped and turned to call out to her former lover. "You really should be nicer to us in fact you should be getting on your knees to beg for forgiveness, because things are going to be changing in Port Charles very soon. There is a new power in Port Charles and if you don't suck up to it and be nice you'll be sorry." Carly explained to Jax and then turned in left with her husband without another word.
"I'm sorry about them." Johnny said apologizing for the married couple from hell. "I stayed because I wanted to apologize and get your name." Johnny said turning to Georgie who blushed when the attractive man whose name was Johnny wanted to know her name.
"Georgie Jones. My name is Georgie Jones." She told him.
"My name is Johnny Zacchara and it's been a real pleasure meeting you, and I hope we meet again soon." Johnny told Georgie making her blush again. "I need leave I have somewhere I need to be." Johnny said turning to leave.
"Wait." Brenda said. She had heard the name before in that of Claudia Zacchara whom she met once in Italy at a fashion show. Brenda knew that the Zacchara's were a crime organization, so if Johnny Zacchara was in Port Charles that could really mean only one thing. "You're the younger brother of Claudia right? Brenda asked which surprised Johnny when he heard his sister's name in Port Charles.
"Yes she's my sister. How do you know her?"
"We met at a fashion show in Rome a year and a half ago." Brenda explained. "Is the Zacchara organization making a move on Port Charles?" Brenda had been around Sonny and Jason long enough to know when trouble was brewing.
"Ah… I don't think I can answer that. What I can say is be careful about what you say to and about Carly and Trevor." Johnny explained.
"We will." Jax said not liking what Carly was bringing to Port Charles. Couldn't the witch just leave them alone Jax thought to himself as Johnny left.
"We need to call the Quartermaine's and Bobbie." Brenda said. Sonny was out of town and had come to a truce with Monica. She could help watch Kristina, Michael, Morgan and Molly while he was out of town. The four children Brenda believed were at the Quartermaine's with Monica and Bobbie who agreed to keep Edward and the rest of the Quartermaine's away from his children. "We also need to try and get into contact with Sonny to let him know Carly is back." Brenda explained.
"You're right. I'll get in contact with Max and you call the Quartermaine's." Jax told them as the two went about letting Port Charles hurricane Carly had arrived.
On the docks Nikolas Cassidine waited for the launch to take him back to spoon. As he gazed up at the night sky he thought about how well the last four weeks had been. Lulu was now thriving under his care. He had explained that he faked Lucky's death and would be returning real soon. Nikolas also explained about their mother and the Lei family he suspected of causing her death. Lulu had enjoyed having an older sister in Sarah now that he and Sarah had gotten married. She and Tony had bonded quickly along with Jeff and Carolyn who were no leaving on the island. Things were going wonderful for him and the Cassidine while poor Elizabeth and Jason suffered in London. Now all who remained that truly needed to pay were Luke and Emily Nikolas thought as he saw the launch approaching.
"Mr. Cassidine we need to talk." Said Seth Lei coming down the stairs followed by three men who were obviously guards.
"What could we have to talk about? You killed my mother." Nikolas said angrily as his one guard reached into his coat to have his gun at the ready.
"Helena and the lies she's been telling." Seth said. The two companies were now almost a war now. Nikolas trying to block deals he made with Seth from going through and accusing the man of having a part in his mother's death. They were on the brink of taking their war of words and business to the next level. Thankfully Cole had brought a tape recorder to him Tao had given him.
"Helena didn't lie to me."
"Are you talking about the same women who would betray her own son Stefan multiple times? Are we talking about same women who betrayed and abandoned both her brother in laws and has stolen from the Cassidine family on multiple occasions?" Seth asked pulling out a tap recorder.
"What's that?" Nikolas asked as the launch approached with caring two more guards.
"Proof. Nikolas do you honestly believe that Helena wouldn't screw you over to get what she wants, which is revenge and to stay in power? No your grandmother is a selfish vindictive bitch who only wants to be the one in power." Seth explained. Nikolas thought for a moment and then decided.
"All right lets got." Nikolas said motioning to the launch.
"I am not going over to Spoon Island where Helena is. Come with us. Don't worry I have no intention of causing you harm. I just want to show you the truth of your grandmother." Seth explained. Again Nikolas thought wondering if he was walking into a trap or if he could really count on his grandmother knowing her history the way he did.
"All right lead the way, but my guards are coming with me." Nikolas told Seth.
"That's fine."
"Lead the way." Nikolas said as Seth went of the stairs and Nikolas followed to learn the truth about his grandmother.
It was a cold and cloudy day above London England and the five star apartment complex that overlooked the River Thames. Inside the tall apartment building with great views of Westminster Palace, Tower Bridge, Big Ben and many of other London sights. Inside the apartment building in the private fitness center Elizabeth was sparing with Cody while Cameron was taking a nap in the Penthouse apartment and Jason was at a meeting with Elias. The last four weeks had been a trial for her, Jason and Cameron. She knew she had been a real pain. They had done some sight seeing going to Edinburgh, Stonehenge, York, Oxford, and all around London, but her attitude held them back as on some days she refused to leave the penthouse deciding to curl up in bed. Then there were the nightmares which would wake her up in a sweat screaming which scared her poor son Cameron who was worried about her mother. Her attitude kept her from seeing places she had read about and wanted to see like Chatsworth art house, The Giant's Causeway Jason had wanted to see and hadn't had the chance before, and the Tresco Abbey Gardens. She and Jason had argued a lot, and her wonderful Jason had taken it in stride as he worked the business arrangements. He never stayed angry and always apologized stating only that he wanted her to get better as she worked with Rose Tyler her psychiatrist who had been helping her a lot. Jason was waiting to see if Rose was helping her and if Elizabeth likes the woman before he offered her a full time job and took her to Italy with them.
It just happened on one of the days when Elizabeth curled up under the blankets in the of the four bedroom suite they were staying in on the top second to top floor content to be alone in her misery while Jason and Cameron were out exploring when Cody who was staying in one of the other two bedrooms started to goad her own about the her pity party. She became pissed off at the bald headed French American man and that led them to the private fitness center the building had. Without it Cody helped take out her anger, rage and all her self pity out or her as they spared and worked out. By the end she was too tired to be angry or feel sorry for herself. From then on it was almost a daily event like her meetings with Rose. When ever Elizabeth was feeling angry or sorry for herself she would head down to the gym and work out with Cody starting to teach her Karate, which Cody had a black belt and was an expert in. Through that she had gotten to know the mysterious man better. Cody had grown up an orphan on the streets of Paris, France. He never knew who his parents were as he worked as thief and pick pocket as child. As he got older into his early teens Cody went from petty theft to robbery as he would break into stores and homes at night to get money or steal stuff to make money off of. That eventually let to him getting arrested and the judge gave the almost fourteen year old Cody a choice go to prison or go to a military school that was part of the Foreign French Legion. He would be educated, trained and when he was old enough he would serve with the Legion. While Cody was training he specialized in marksmanship and demolitions. It helped that he had 20/17 vision, which made him excel at being a sniper and carefully building bombs. Cody served two years with the Legion and seeing small action in the Iraq during the Gulf war, and soon after he was recruited by Special Forces. That was when he saw a lot of action. Elizabeth noted that Cody was reluctant to talk about that time of his life stating that he left the French army in early 2000, and instead talked his first meeting with Jason and their time together traveling through Africa. They were nearly killed by war lords and arms dealers, and helped rescue crew members of a freighter that was taken over by pirates. Now it was the day before they left for Italy and she and Cody were finishing their work out as she sat on a bench with a towel around her neck.
"Cody I was wondering have you…" Elizabeth was going to ask, but then stopped thinking the question was to personal.
"What is it Elizabeth?" Cody asked.
"It's a personal question. Since we've gotten to know each other you haven't talked about your time in the special forces or your personal life." Elizabeth said looking up at the man whom she come to trust with her fiancée's life along with her child and herself. Cody sat down across from her in the quiet gym and thought for a moment.
"It's fine. I know almost everything there is to know about you. I can at least answer on personal question about my self."
"Have you ever been in love?" Elizabeth asked. She had sometimes seen a pained and sadness in Cody's eyes that only comes from a great loss in their lives.
"Have I been in love? Many times, but have I ever found my soul mate like you have with Jason. The answer is yes." Cody said with sadness.
"Where…" Elizabeth was going to ask, but decided to ask another question. "Is she dead?" Elizabeth said seeing a flash of true darkness come across the man's eyes. Elizabeth had never seen Cody angry, and had a feeling she wouldn't want to.
"Yes." Cody simply stated.
"What was her name?"
"Her name was Veronica Fasterova." Cody smiled remember the passionate strong willed woman he loved.
"How did you meet? If you don't want to tell me that's fine." Elizabeth seeing that this was an uncomfortable question. Cody hesitated then decided to tell her.
"Rwanda May 4th 1994." Cody said sounding displeased with himself. "She was eighteen at the time and was working as an aid worker helping the refugee's. The small team and I helped get her and other foreigners out of the country." Cody told Elizabeth.
"So you saved her live?" Elizabeth asked. You had read about the genocide in Rwanda, but had never talked to or met someone who had been there.
"She didn't thank me for it, especially after she over heard what we were apart of." Cody said sadly. Elizabeth didn't know what to say after that.
"I'm sorry for bringing it up."
"Yeah our first meeting wasn't a pleasant one. If you want to ask the question in you head you can Elizabeth. Jason knows and I trust you enough for you know some of the dark things I was a part of." Cody told her knowing what her next question would have been.
"Why was she angry with you?"
"Because she over heard me and some of the other special force's team talk about how we needed to head back in and get out the French operatives who had been training and arming the Rwandan troops along with his team. The same troops who were now slaughtering innocent people, all while the French government played both sides by endorsing the peace process and helping with it." Cody explained letting Elizabeth take that in. "Veronica asked me what I was doing. What I was fighting for. I've killed a lot of people for the French government and not all of them were quote bad men some were civilians caught in the cross fire or collateral damage, and through all of the violence and death I honestly had no idea what I was fighting for and head no answer to give her. I saw the anger, sadness and pity in her eyes as she looked at me. Heading back into Rwanda my eyes slowly began to open to the reality of the world and the supposed righteous actions of the French government." Cody explained as his eyes watered remembering all the death he saw in that country and which he and the French government were partly responsible for.
"So you didn't see each other after that?" Elizabeth asked wanting to move on from this painful subject. She could also see the genuine regret in the tortured mans eyes.
"No we wouldn't meet again until Kosovo in August. I was slowly on a downward spiral with depression and heavy drinking bordering on alcoholism and subconsciously suicidal."
"Suicidal?"
"Yes. I wasn't out right suicidal, but subconsciously I was. I was reckless with my own life nearly dying a few times in central Africa and being captured and tortured by a drug lord. All of which were my mistakes. By the time I was station in Kosovo I was on the brink when I met Veronica again. We lived in the same city for a few months getting to know one another better and ended up sleeping together. Our time together truly changed me. I stopped drinking and found the will to live again. I had fallen in love with Veronica and my savior. We had even said it to one another. Tragically it ended in November of 1999 our unit was called back, but I was now determined to leave the military when my contract was up in 2001. I tried to ask for my release so I could go find her, but the French army refused. There aren't too many people in the world with my eyesight or with the ability and skill to hit a target from nearly a mile and a half away or with my explosive expertise. The French government instead our unit back into Africa, which would lead the French military and government shooting me in the back." Cody explained.
"Wait your own men shot you."
"Yes. Our team was on the mission to kill a rising general/war lord/arms dealer, but there dozens of civilians with him, and Drake Roerich and I refused to take part. I had refused to kill anymore innocent people for the French government. The remaining five men went to do it without us after getting orders from some unnamed high ranking official who had also given our commander another order, which was to kill Drake and I. I understand he couldn't take a chance of use talking about our illegal actions in a foreign country. Drake couldn't let the rest of the team kill innocent women and children and went to stop the rest of the team. I went after him to back him up, which led to a gun battle between a Special Forces team. Drake ended up getting blown up by a grenade, and I was shot in the back and fell into a river, which is what saved my life."
"Your own government tried to kill you?" Elizabeth asked shocked.
"Yes. Elizabeth you'll find that there are no bigger criminals in the world then the people who are inside and run then the governments of the world. What's that saying about power? Power tends to corrupt, and absolute power corrupts absolutely, which means many people will do almost anything to hang on to power or to have more of it. I never wanted to rule the world or be president or a star of movies or sports. My one real dream growing up was to own my boat to be fisherman and travel the world."
"You wanted to own a boat?"
"Yes I always enjoyed the ocean. I'm truly at peace on the ocean. There is no one trying to kill you or who expects anything of you. At night you can truly see the stars and the moon, and without any noise or city lights to drown out the stars. Anyway after falling into the river I woke up in a local hospital where I was on bed rest for two months and nearly died. From there I wondered Africa taking odd jobs in bars and on fishing boats. I later learned that the French government erased me. It was easy since I didn't have a birth certificate and there was no real record of anywhere in France. A few months later I came upon Jason and you know that part." Cody explained.
"Yes. When did you meet Veronica again?" Elizabeth asked taking a drink from her bottle water. A few weeks after Jason went back to Port Charles. He had offered me a job as the security company he had started as part of A&M. I turned it down, because I thought he was offering it to me out of charity. I did promise to think about it though. As I was hanging out in some dive bar in South Africa I literally ran into Veronica knocking her to the floor. We easily reconnected as if we never parted talking about our lives and the future. When she left on another aid mission I decided to go with her. I wanted to atone for all the innocent lives killed and help kill. We ended up settling in Accra, Ghana where one of Veronica's aid headquarters was. Together I got an apartment together and I started working on a fishing boat intending to never kill again unless it was in self defense. I started working on a fishing boat when I wasn't working with the aid workers. I even learned Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu a local master who had studied in Brazil. On September 12th, 2003 Veronica and I got married in the small, but beautiful city of Cape Coast. Those nearly two and a half years we spent together were the happiest of my life." Cody said happily smiling at the memories. Elizabeth saw the happiness in Cody's eyes and then the sadness and anger took over. Elizabeth was happy she learned more about her protector and friend, but regretted bringing up painful memories.
"Let's head back up Cameron will be waking up from his nap soon, and I have a session with Rose in an hour." Elizabeth said getting up wanting to save Cody from obvious painful memories she was bring back to the surface.
"Elizabeth?" Cody asked looking up at her with a tear slipping down the war-torn man's cheek.
"Its fine Cody you don't have to explain further. It's enough to know that you trust me to tell me about your life. Come on lets head up before Cameron wakes up and gets worried." Elizabeth said offering her hand, which Cody took.
"Elizabeth I do trust you, and thank you for being a friend." Cody thanked Elizabeth as they headed back up.
About a mile away from the apartment building Jason and Elias were finishing up their final meeting. Jason hadn't truly been a part of the company since 2002 when he went back to Port Charles to be a mob enforcer. Jason and Elias had agreed that having a mob boss or enforcer being the co-head of a company that's main goal besides making a profit was helping people wasn't good idea, so Jason s gave made Elias the sole owner as Jason operated in the back ground. Quietly funding projects like his security company where Cody was now the majority owner and boss of. Elias created a wing of the company which manufactured renewable energy in solar power, and wind power. A&M was the only profitable one in the world with contracts in Africa and Europe. Jason had the bankrupt motorcycle company Blackburne in early 2003, and four years later the company was now profitable and was still growing. The two had created a shipping fleet as well as other smaller investments.
"We made are going to make 350 million this year?" Jason asked surprised. It was a nearly 14 percent from 320 the year before.
"Yes, but it's before taxes, operating costs, and the money we loss when we don't charge for fuel prices to ship food, medicine and other relief supplies for aid companies. Also there is the annul donations the company gives out and the debts we payed back, and we end up with a Net profit of 205 million." Elias explained "It's are estimated to make between 410 and 440 million next year if Blackburne continues to rise as a respected on and of road motorcycle company along with our new energy contract with Australian government to bring solar and wind energy to them and the booming renewable energy economy." The forty seven year old explained.
"Elias are you sure you want me as partner again?" Jason asked if the older man wanted the baggage of his life. Jason still owned a the minor half of the security company he had given to Cody after his wife was murdered, and he diversified his investments in other companies which were doing well which if need be could be used to help start a business of his own.
"Jason haven't we been over this many time before. I'm no saint. In fact I can guarantee I've killed more people then you have and most likely ever will. I may not have not have as many enemies as you at I know how to handle my self and dealt with far more scarier people then your American mob bosses. Now as for the company it's more yours then mine. You've put more money into it then I have. I'm not great with math and accounting and business sense. Leadership I can handle along with the politicians who want to try and milk as much money for themselves out of contracts they make with us. I'm more I more interested in trying to help people then making huge profits, so if we never get be world fortune 500 company so be it. I need your help to continue to do that." The forty eight year old salt and peppered haired man told Jason.
"All right." Jason said signing the document again making him a 50/50 owner of the company.
"Good now that's taken care of. You're heading to Italy tomorrow morning right." Elias said taking the documents.
"Yes."
"And you've bought the house?" Elias asked the younger man. Elias and he had look at house together. Jason had wanted to surprise Elizabeth.
"Yes I found a home just five minutes west of central Amalfi. I'm sure Elizabeth will love me when she realized I spent 15 million on the property."
"Jason she will love it. You may be angry, but she'll love you more for it. How is Elizabeth?" Elias asked.
"She's working out with Cody who's teaching her karate." Jason told him. He and Cameron had come back from sightseeing and found Elizabeth fighting with Cody. Jason was glad Elizabeth wasn't buried under the covers in her dark thoughts and he thought it was a good idea that Elizabeth learned how to fight or at very least defend herself. Jason hoped when she was feeling better and up to it he could teach her Tai Chi. It look like Elizabeth was making good progress with Rose, but Jason was still worried. "She has nightmares almost every night. I'm worried we fight on a semi daily basis, and she seems to be angry all the time." Jason explained.
"Jason you shouldn't be worried she's coping and working her way through her attack. It shows she's alive and still has the will to live. The only time when you should be worried is when she stops getting angry and just stays in bed not living at all. That's when you should be truly worried, because that's when she has given up on life." The South African accented man said trying to relive some of Jason's worries. "Have you offered Rose the job in Italy?"
"Not yet, but I plan to tonight after Elizabeth's session." Jason told his partner. Brenda had recommended Rose with Brenda having used the women herself. That was one of the reasons they came to London first. Jason was happy with Elizabeth's progress and she like Rose so Jason was planning on offering her the job. He and Rose had talked about the job days before, and Rose said if he offered she'd take it. "I need to get back to Elizabeth her and Rose's session's almost over, and we have to leave early tomorrow." Jason said seeing the time and getting up.
"All right I'll see you out. Remember take care of Elizabeth first before the job. Elizabeth and family come first." Elias said as he escorted Jason out, and in the early morning Jason and his family headed off to their new home.
Elias not a major or a supporting character. He's more of a peripheral one I don't know if I'll be using again.
I also hoped you liked the back story I gave Cody. I had time building a back story for him which is probably much different from the show since I always intended to use him for a supporting character and to help bring light to Jason's time away from Port Charles.