Chapter 6
My birth name was Natasha." Alexis started. "And I was thought to be a distant cousin of the Cassadine royal family. Some years ago, we discovered that I was the bastard daughter of Mikkos Cassadine."
"Cassadine?" Jadzia's eyes widened perceptibly. "Are we royalty mum?"
"I've heard of them." Jamie put in. "Count Stefan lives a secluded life since the death of his nephew Nikolas. He died when I was a baby."
Alexis bit her lip. "Not exactly. It's a long and very involved story but...."
Jerry reached for his son. "Jamie you are the real Nikolas Cassadine."
Jamie just gaped at his parents for some long moments. Everyone knew the story of Nikolas Cassadine's tragic life. The baby had been born early; the Cassadine prince had been frail his whole life. When he had died of crib death at eight months of age the Greek and Russian nations had been catapulted into a state of mourning. The Cassadines were as famous as the British Royals, but much more mysterious.
This was all so much for Jamie to take. He looked from his mother to his father a few times and bit his lip; the sting of tears as familiar as it was embarrassing. Damn them, he wasn't a part of them anymore! How could they do this to him?
"How?" The teenager asked. One tear clung to his inky lashes, much as he was trying to cling to his life as a Jacks, before falling to the ground.
Alexis studied her son for a long moment. The urge to pull him into her embrace was almost overpowering. Still, she knew Jamie would never stand for it. He was far too betrayed, far too angry for comfort. This was why Jerry didn't want to tell him, Alexis realized. He knew we'd lose him. "That's a very long story honey. How did you live or how did dad and I come to have you as ours?" She tried to keep her voice calm, but it was so hard. Instead, Alexis reached along the back of the bed, seeking the warm comfort of her husband's hand.
Jamie glared at Alexis. She was a Cassadine. She must have been part of this. His dad, well...Jerry had to be innocent in this. "Both." He managed before standing and moving to a chair across them. This was it, the distancing had begin. Alexis instinctively moved closer to Jerry and Jadzia, thankful for their daughter's merciful silence. While it was so unlike the young girl, it afforded Alexis time and energy to compose her thoughts.
"Your mother and your Uncle Stefan faked your death." Jerry said quietly. He didn't know what sort of information his son was ready for, so he stuck to the basics. "You were becoming part of a power struggle, one that could have ended your life, son." Somehow they had to get Jamie to realize that what they had done was for his benefit?
"We wanted to keep you safe, honey." Alexis put in.
"You may have kept him safe." Jadzia whispered. "But you just made him very unhappy." She too moved to the chair. Jadzia stood in front of her brother and pulled him close to her. "Jamie whatever they say, they can't change the fact that you're my brother. I love you. Even if you have nothing else, you have me. You always have me." The tears flowed down the young girl's face as she hugged her brother close. Jamie was shaking almost uncontrollably.
"Thank you." Jamie buried his head in her hair, breathing in the clean scent of her. Alexis and Jerry were dirty. Their lies clung to them like a thick blanket of tar. At least he had his sister. She wouldn't hurt or abandon him like they had.
"Jadzia we had to. We never wanted to say anything." Jerry tried. "But that little baby is sick and we had to try to help. What kind of people would we be if we let a little girl die when your brother might just be able to help her?"
Jerry knew the words were a mistake as soon as he said them. The look in Jamie's eyes frightened him in its intensity; in it's emptiness. "Jamie I didn't mean that the way it sounded son." He began, chilled to the bone by the boy's coldness. When Jamie stood and fire began burning in his soulful eyes, Jerry expelled a breath he didn't know he'd been holding.
Jamie had never been so furious in his life. How dare they use excuses for ruining his very security, his life? They had no right. "You and your wife have taken away he most important thing in my life." He said in a low emotion filled voice. "You ripped my family away from me. I'll never understand why you did this, as much as you're already trying to justify it. You took the most important thing of my life away from me. Now you expect me to be a good boy and do what you want to do on your schedule. It isn't going to happen. You aren't my parents anymore and you sure as hell don't have any say over my life." He stormed out of the room. Moments later, Jerry and Alexis both winced as they heard the front door slam.
"I hope you're happy now. You just broke his heart. He'll never get over this!" Jadzia's scream lingered in the room, even after she too ran out of the house.
"They're right." Alexis said miserably. "Jer we hurt him so much."
"I know.' Jerry replied. "But what choice did we have. We thought we were doing the right thing." He pulled out his cell phone and started dialing. "I'm calling Jax. He'll find the kids and they'll listen. They don't hate him."
~*~
"They need you back home."
Back home? Where the hell was that? "Why?" Carly pressed onward. If he was being talkative she was going to get what she could out of him. "You're taking me away from the only home I've ever known."
Sonny watched her. Did she really have no clue? This was bound to be a big blow for the fiery woman. "You have to save someone's life.' He replied and kept it at that, even though he wanted to confide everything. She would have enough surprises in the future.
"Think hard." He said with a sarcastic edge. "Do you know anyone in New York?"
New York? Carly shook her head blankly. "I don't know anyone in New York sorry. What does that have to do with anything?" She wouldn't rise to his bait. She had to keep him calm and talkative instead of exchanging barbs.
"Everything." Sonny said shortly. Should he tell her? If she didn't know anyway what would be the harm anyway?
Carly spared him a sidelong glance. Her captor had a pensive look on his face, as if he was having an internal debate with himself. "Please tell me what's on your mind?" She sounded positively sweet! If she hadn't been in such a precarious position, she would have gagged at her tone.
Sonny sighed and ran a hand through his hair. She had read his mind. Should he? Could He? "All right" Sonny said in a reasonable tone "There's a little girl up there that needs some bone marrow. You're getting tested."
Carly turned to look him full in the face. What drugs was he on? Even she knew that only relatives matched up. "Since I don't even know anyone there it's just a waste of money buster. You have to be a relative to be a donor. And anyway there are laws against taking stuff like that from a person."
"Yeah well..."The challenging tone was back in his voice. So much for her sweetness, she sighed.
"Yeah well what? Those are the fact so deal!"
Sonny chuckled. She had fire all right! Every time he thought she had calmed down, she attacked him again. He quite liked being kept off balance by her. It was a nice balance to Brenda's utter predictability. "You sure you don't have any relatives in New York?" He quietly asked again.
Carly rolled her eyes. "How many ways can I say no?"
This was it, his big moment to put her in his place. But did he really want to shock her? "Well I know for a fact you do." He replies. "Your mother, stepfather, uncle and his family and most importantly that baby are up there waiting for you."
~*~
Rick Webber shifted nervously in the limo as he waited for his call to be answered. The front desk nurse had offered to transfer him to Amy and even though Rick needed to talk to Laura he could get the medical specifics from his younger daughter.
Amy had been quietly talking with Felicia as the men discussed Stefan Cassadine's possibility in Lulu's illness. When the on duty nurse told her she had a call, Amy quickly excused herself.
Rick took a deep breath as he heard his daughter's approach. When she answered the phone, he could hear the tone of false happiness she was putting on. "Amy it's dad." He tried to convey a sense of calm and control into an atmosphere that he had no doubt was tense.
"Dad." Amy almost wanted to cry with relief. "Laura Blackie and I have been trying to get in touch with you. Lulu is very sick. Can you come back here soon? We need you"
The tone in Amy's voice made Rick's heart clench. He's been off getting married while his granddaughter fought for life. What kind of father was he to his children? Rick was more determined than ever to make things right as he clenched the phone in a tight fist. After losing one grandchild as a baby, he wouldn't give Lulu up without a fight. "I know. I just found out. MY wife and I will be right there honey." Rick didn't even realized what he had said until he heard the gasp of shock that Amy emitted.
"Your what?" Her gossip radar showed itself for a second in the excited tone of her voice. All of a sudden it was gone as she recalled the gravity of the situation. "Ok dad, there's time for explanations and all later. Just get here now."
"We will be." Rick assured. "Helena and I are getting on a plane now. We'll be there as soon as it lands."
"Helena?" Amy asked in shock to a dead phone line.
~*~
Chapter 7
Jerry stared at the door for a long moment, scarcely believing that both of the children had gone. Where could they go and what trouble could they find in their state of agitation, he wondered as he held Alexis closer. "Let me call Jax and he'll find the kids. They'll be fine." Jerry assured in a hollow tone.
"How can you be sure." Alexis' tone was mournful and Jerry's breath caught in his throat at the hopelessness in her voice.
"I'm sure." He forced his voice to stay firm. He is a Cassadine after all Alexis. Your family has some amazing instincts." As Alexis settled against his shoulder, Jerry stroked her hair gently. "You'll see.' He said, not knowing if he was trying to convince himself or her. "The kids will be just fine."
She winced at the way Jamie had gone from being their son, to her family. The change had begun. "I know." She said in the softest of tones. "Call Jax please, right now."
Jerry grabbed the phone and dialed his brother without another word. There was nothing they could do rationally right now. The kids could have gone anywhere and most likely had. The train station was just a block away and the water shuttle only a block in the other direction. It would be fruitless for them to begin the search before calling in a lot of help.
~*~
Lois ran a towel through her hair as she waited for Jax to get ready. They had hurriedly showered after getting the call from Jerry. while Jax dressed, she would make some sense out of her hair. The inky tresses usually defied any discernible style, so Lois was content to let it fall as it may. The first step in doing that was to blot all the wetness out. She paced the hallway between the second bathroom and the kitchen as she set to work, wondering all the while what was going on in the Jacks family.
A frantic rap on the front door made Lois jump in shock. She had been so intent on her toweling that the sound traveled like a gunshot. She moved quickly to the door and pulled it open. "Jamie?" Lois asked in surprise as he pushed the door open and stalked in. Jadzia followed, a worried expression painted upon her face that made her look so adult.
"Where is he?" Jamie's voice was foggy with an emotion Lois couldn't identify.
"Where is who honey?" Lois moved to hug the disturbed young man, but stopped short as he put his hands out in front of him in what was clearly a defensive mechanism.
"Don't try it Lois. "Everybody needs to bloody stay away from me."
Lois blinked, genuinely hurt by his behavior. He was one of her favorite relatives and they always greeted each other with an easy hug and a smile. "What's wrong hon?" she asked looking between the kids. Jamie's fury was so strong that she could feel a fissure of nervousness playing along her spine. This was serious whatever it was.
"I asked you a question, now answer me." Jamie growled.
"Jamie, stop it please." Jadzia pleaded in a shrill tone. The young girl looked as if she couldn't take much more stress. Lois moved immediately to her and hugged the younger girl close. Jadz needed someone and it was clear that Jamie was in no state to help her.
Jax's blond head appeared at the top of the stairs. He had been alerted by the knock and the sound of voices but had been intercepted by a frantic call from Jerry. He had only said that the kids had a big shock and were on the run and enlisted Jax's help in finding them. Jax had had just enough time to tell his brother that the kids were at his penthouse, when the situation warranted his immediate intervention.
"Jamie, Jadz." He said jovially as he bounded down the stairs. Whatever the problem was , he could handle it.
The younger man looked at his uncle for a long moment before extending his hand. "Allow me to introduce myself." He said in a brittle tone. "Nikolas Cassadine at your service."
~*~
"You sure you don't have any relatives in New York?" He quietly asked again.
Carly rolled her eyes. "How many ways can I say no?"
This was it, his big moment to put her in his place. But did he really want to shock her? "Well I know for a fact you do." He replied. "Your mother, stepfather, uncle and his family and most importantly that baby are up there waiting for you."
Carly blinked a few times in shock, then slapped him across the face in a clean blow. The resounding crack echoed in the limo for some moments. "You lying prick." She said heatedly, yet tentatively. She knew that she'd been adopted, but that her mother was a Floridian. A Hooker the papers she had found said. But did that hooker have family in New York somewhere?
"What the hell was that for?" Sonny asked as he rubbed his cheek ruefully.
"You shut your damn mouth." Carly said, but her tone held little heat. "You're lying."
Sonny looked at her with wide eyes. He had never expected that she had no idea. "You didn't know any of it?" he asked more gently.
Carly met his brown eyes, feeling something awaken inside her at the depth of emotions in them. "I knew I was adopted." She said quietly. "And that my mother was a hooker." That was all she would give him for now. Even that was entirely too much.
Sonny nodded, deep in thought. Even since he knew about Bobbie Spencer had been respectable. He had to make her aware of that. "She isn't anymore you know. She's a nurse, married to a doctor."
Carly nodded. She wasn't interested in details right now. "So you're going to use me to fix some baby that wasn't given away?"
Sonny winced. Her summation was dead on. "We're gonna bring you home and then we'll see what happens." He allowed.
"That isn't my home." Carly said darkly. "My home is here." It was, she thought as she considered her life. The small cottage shared with Virginia, her work at the restaurant, it was a small and sometimes miserable existence but it was hers. She didn't want to change. Not yet. Someday she'd have her future but it wasn't ready yet. She didn't have all of her plans in place yet. She didn't have enough money yet. So many damn not yets resounded in her head.
"It will be your home." Sonny replied. "Get to know them. Try to help them. You can't tell me that you never wanted to see what it was like and settle things with your mother."
Carly started to reply, then snapped her mouth shut. He was right. She had always wanted answers. "Fine but I'm not going to be used to fix some baby. There are laws against that. Or if not, there should be."
Sonny sighed and ran his hand through his hair. "Give it some time Carly. Meet them, get to know them. Get to love them. Then, make your decision."
"I won't change my mind." Carly snapped. "No matter how warm and fuzzy these people get." But that was a lie . Her heart was already opening to the plight of the baby. Could she get beyond her feelings of hurt to help it?
~*~
Laura nearly stormed out of the hospital room in search of Lucky. She and Luke still had a lot of issues with respect to the Cassadines, something she had never anticipated. For so many years that family had been just an unpleasant memory, couples with the sting of what might have been for her first born. When Nikolas had been found dead, Laura had been inconsolable. The fact that she was being sent off the island quickly had only added to her sense of hopelessness. She had tried to put her life together again with the help of Luke, but she had never been able to forget the potential of her firstborn. Now, the thought of losing Lulu coupled with the fact that the Cassadines were again a force in her life, via Stefan, troubled her greatly. His was another problem she didn't need in her life.
She skidded to a stop at the nurse's station. Her sister Amy had an expression of incredulity on her face. "what what is it Amy. Did they find a match?" Laura asked breathlessly.
Amy looked at her sister as she tried to comprehend what her father had said. "Not quite." She said as her tone lowered in volume. "But dad called. Then good news, he's on his way."
"And the bad?" Laura asked in a rush.
"He's bringing his wife Helena."
Chapter 8
Luke Spencer had felt bad about fighting with his wife. The Cassadines were no true threat to his family and would only stand between he and Laura if he allowed them to. "I have to go see your mother, Lu. You stay here and be a good girl" Luke felt foolish saying those words but he had to communicate with his daughter somehow. Their brief time together might be all they had. "You rest princess." He whispered as his lips caressed her ebony hair.
As he hurried out, his wife was only a few steps ahead of him. I'll let her see Lucky first, he reasoned to himself as his silent footfalls ghosted hers. He looked up to smile at Amy and stopped as his wife stopped suddenly. He couldn't help but to over hear what came next.
She skidded to a stop at the nurse's station. Her sister Amy had an expression of incredulity on her face. "What? What is it Amy. Did they find a match?" Laura asked breathlessly.
Amy looked at her sister as she tried to comprehend what her father had said. "Not quite." She said as her tone lowered in volume. "But dad called. Then good news, he's on his way."
"And the bad?" Laura asked in a rush.
"He's bringing his wife Helena."
Luke blinked a few times as he tried to comprehend his sister in law's words. As he saw his wife tremble, he was compelled to move to her side. "It's ok darlin'. It'll be just fine." He whispered as he brushed his lips over her golden hair. "Care to explain Amy?" Luke tried desperately to regulate his voice, for to give in to the anger that was coursing through him would scare his wife.
"Helena Luke." Amy said evenly. "He said he's bringing his wife Helena. Please tell me it isn't the Helena I remember creeping around here before you two got married."
Luke gave Amy a brittle smile. "I don't believe in coincidences like this darlin' First Stefan Cassadine calls Laura and now this. What are they up to."
"I don't know but Frisco and Blackie will be sure to investigate." Amy replied as she gestured to them.
"Good you do that. We need answers and we need em now. We have too much going on to deal with them too." Luke added grimly as he led Laura to the lounge area.
"Darlin' are you all right?" Luke smoothed her hair back as he peered into her face. She looked shocked, stunned and the lack of emotion on her face concerned him. This was all so much for his sometimes delicate wife. "Laura come on." Luke said in a gentle tone.
"Why are they back?" Laura turned to her husband. The whites of her eyes were reddened and her lip trembled uncontrollably as she sought the sanctuary of her husband's safe embrace. "Did they do this to her Luke?"
"No no Darlin'." Luke assured quietly, though he had doubts of that himself. He'd have a toxicology screen run on his daughter immediately. In some ways, that would be a blessing, because a situation caused and maintained by drugs could be overcome much more easily in most cases than a grave medical illness. "She just got sick Laura. There's no rhyme or reason to it and no conspiracy from long forgotten enemies.
"I just don't know anymore.' Laura whispered before pressing her face closer into his warmth. "Luke they're surrounding us and we can't afford the time and energy away from Lu."
"We won't Laura. They won't win over us." Luke assured. And they wouldn't win. He'd protect his family with everything he had.
~*~
Jax's blond head appeared at the top of the stairs. He had been alerted by the knock and the sound of voices but had been intercepted by a frantic call from Jerry. He had only said that the kids had a big shock and were on the run and enlisted Jax's help in finding them. Jax had had just enough time to tell his brother that the kids were at his penthouse, when the situation warranted his immediate intervention.
"Jamie, Jadz." He said jovially as he bounded down the stairs. Whatever the problem was, he could handle it.
The younger man looked at his uncle for a long moment before extending his hand. "Allow me to introduce myself." He said in a brittle tone. "Nikolas Cassadine at your service."
Jax blinked three times as he studied his nephew. "Jamie what are you talking about?" he inquired in a gentle tone. "You're not Nikolas Cassadine? He's Greek and anyway, he died so many years ago. What are you playing at." His serious expression relaxed at the absurdity of his nephew's claim. Jax and Jamie often teased each other and this had to be another joke. But when he studied the chocolate brown of his nephew's eyes carefully, a shiver of pure horror ran through him. "What's going on Jamie. Have a seat and tell us."
"I can't." The young man choked the words out and walked to the window before peering out. Apparently his brother hadn't been exaggeration the situation, Jax thought. The boy was more than upset; he was devastated by something.
"How can we help if you won't Jamie?" Lois soft voice was most welcomed by Jax at this point. She crossed the room to place a hand on his shoulder, heartened when he stiffened but did not pull away. "Baby steps Jamie. You start slowly and we'll move on from there."
"What do you want to know?" When the boy turned to face Lois, his sister and Jax, all were scared by the look of desperation on his face. He had never looked quite so on edge that anyone could recall.
"Just talk to us son. Why exactly are you upset."
Jamie choked off a sob and moved a little closer to his uncle. "Say that again."
"Say what?" Jax was utterly confused.
"Call me son." Jamie said, his voice wavering.
Jax looked at Lois for a long moment. "What's wrong, son?" he asked in his gentlest voice.
"I can't..." Jamie said before sinking down on the couch. He brought his knees to his chest and rocked back and forth, finally lying down on the soft cushions, his sobs resonating around the room. Jadzia moved to his side and stroked his hair.
"Jamie we have to. Remember we're still a family. I don't care what they say. None of them matter ok? No one here is a dirty liar."
"Dirty Liar?" Lois asked in shock. "What happened? Please Jadz tell us. Jamie isn't going to be able to."
Jadzia sighed and held her brother much closer. "Jamie is it ok if I tell them?" His slight nod signified his acquiescence and she pulled him even tighter before speaking. "He's right you know. He is Nikolas Cassadine."
"What?" Jax's blue eyes widened. "How Jadz? How can he be two people."
"That's just it, he can't be." Her voice was brittle as the irony seeped into her words. He was always a Cassadine. Apparently mom is one of them too, and she must have convinced dad to adopt him or something. His whole life is this huge lie. He doesn't even belong to our family anymore."
Jax winced and shook his head. "Whatever your parents have done, Jamie you are a member of this family. I never knew anything and I'm sure my parents didn't. We love you Jamie, as a member of our family for always."
Jamie raised his head and looked into his uncle's eyes. He hadn't really expected that everyone had kept this secret from him, but he just didn't know what to think and where to go. Now, he had proof that he had an ally beside Jadzia, and that knowledge gave him both comfort and strength. "Thank you." He said in a soft tone. "Just don't make me deal with Jerry and Alexis and we'll get along just fine."
~*~
Sonny sighed and ran his hand through his hair. "Give it some time Carly. Meet them, get to know them. Get to love them. Then, make your decision."
"I won't change my mind." Carly snapped. "No matter how warm and fuzzy these people get." But that was a lie. Her heart was already opening to the plight of the baby. Could she get beyond her feelings of hurt to help it?
"And I happen to think you will." Sonny replied in a low tone. "You're gonna meet him and look at Lulu in her hospital bed and see the pain and anguish on her parent's faces.
"What did you call her?" Carly asked with an amused smile.
"Lulu, her name is Lesley Lu but they call her Lulu for short. She's a beautiful little girl, big blue eyes and dark hair.
Carly nodded, but she really didn't want to hear any more about the little girl for now. With every word she was learning to care about the strangers and she had to enter into this in a detached mode. She couldn't care; it would only lead to the people that had thrown her away to use her. No one would use her anymore. She would make sure of that. "Enough about the kid, ok?" She asked in her sternest voice. "When we get there wake me up."
Sonny started to say something, but sighed and shook his head. "Ok then." He said in a quiet voice. "I know it's a lot to deal with but you'll do it. I'm here to help you."
"Help me?" Carly snorted as her eyes flew open. "With this kind of help, I'd hate to see what you'd do to hurt me. Or do you kidnap everyone you try to help?"
Her nasty tone hung in the air between them for a moment before she snapped her eyes shut again and turned away. She couldn't deny that she was elated that she had some connection, some family, but it hurt all the same. Why didn't they want her? Could she make them love her maybe? And did she want to let them in after they had thrown her out like a bag of trash?
Sonny could almost see the emotional struggle the young woman was experiencing. She did get a crappy deal in life, and he knew the whole kidnapping thing was overboard, but it had to be done. She would have never agreed to come along with him if he hadn't used force. Sonny sighed and rubbed the bridge of his nose absently as they sped toward the airport. She looked so alone, so angry. He knew that he had to retain control of the situation with stoic distance from her emotional plight, but her insecurity was calling to him, and with a defeated sigh, Sonny slipped an arm around the young woman's shoulders and pulled her to his chest. Even though every instinct inside him was screaming no, his sense of honor made him want to protect her.
My birth name was Natasha." Alexis started. "And I was thought to be a distant cousin of the Cassadine royal family. Some years ago, we discovered that I was the bastard daughter of Mikkos Cassadine."
"Cassadine?" Jadzia's eyes widened perceptibly. "Are we royalty mum?"
"I've heard of them." Jamie put in. "Count Stefan lives a secluded life since the death of his nephew Nikolas. He died when I was a baby."
Alexis bit her lip. "Not exactly. It's a long and very involved story but...."
Jerry reached for his son. "Jamie you are the real Nikolas Cassadine."
Jamie just gaped at his parents for some long moments. Everyone knew the story of Nikolas Cassadine's tragic life. The baby had been born early; the Cassadine prince had been frail his whole life. When he had died of crib death at eight months of age the Greek and Russian nations had been catapulted into a state of mourning. The Cassadines were as famous as the British Royals, but much more mysterious.
This was all so much for Jamie to take. He looked from his mother to his father a few times and bit his lip; the sting of tears as familiar as it was embarrassing. Damn them, he wasn't a part of them anymore! How could they do this to him?
"How?" The teenager asked. One tear clung to his inky lashes, much as he was trying to cling to his life as a Jacks, before falling to the ground.
Alexis studied her son for a long moment. The urge to pull him into her embrace was almost overpowering. Still, she knew Jamie would never stand for it. He was far too betrayed, far too angry for comfort. This was why Jerry didn't want to tell him, Alexis realized. He knew we'd lose him. "That's a very long story honey. How did you live or how did dad and I come to have you as ours?" She tried to keep her voice calm, but it was so hard. Instead, Alexis reached along the back of the bed, seeking the warm comfort of her husband's hand.
Jamie glared at Alexis. She was a Cassadine. She must have been part of this. His dad, well...Jerry had to be innocent in this. "Both." He managed before standing and moving to a chair across them. This was it, the distancing had begin. Alexis instinctively moved closer to Jerry and Jadzia, thankful for their daughter's merciful silence. While it was so unlike the young girl, it afforded Alexis time and energy to compose her thoughts.
"Your mother and your Uncle Stefan faked your death." Jerry said quietly. He didn't know what sort of information his son was ready for, so he stuck to the basics. "You were becoming part of a power struggle, one that could have ended your life, son." Somehow they had to get Jamie to realize that what they had done was for his benefit?
"We wanted to keep you safe, honey." Alexis put in.
"You may have kept him safe." Jadzia whispered. "But you just made him very unhappy." She too moved to the chair. Jadzia stood in front of her brother and pulled him close to her. "Jamie whatever they say, they can't change the fact that you're my brother. I love you. Even if you have nothing else, you have me. You always have me." The tears flowed down the young girl's face as she hugged her brother close. Jamie was shaking almost uncontrollably.
"Thank you." Jamie buried his head in her hair, breathing in the clean scent of her. Alexis and Jerry were dirty. Their lies clung to them like a thick blanket of tar. At least he had his sister. She wouldn't hurt or abandon him like they had.
"Jadzia we had to. We never wanted to say anything." Jerry tried. "But that little baby is sick and we had to try to help. What kind of people would we be if we let a little girl die when your brother might just be able to help her?"
Jerry knew the words were a mistake as soon as he said them. The look in Jamie's eyes frightened him in its intensity; in it's emptiness. "Jamie I didn't mean that the way it sounded son." He began, chilled to the bone by the boy's coldness. When Jamie stood and fire began burning in his soulful eyes, Jerry expelled a breath he didn't know he'd been holding.
Jamie had never been so furious in his life. How dare they use excuses for ruining his very security, his life? They had no right. "You and your wife have taken away he most important thing in my life." He said in a low emotion filled voice. "You ripped my family away from me. I'll never understand why you did this, as much as you're already trying to justify it. You took the most important thing of my life away from me. Now you expect me to be a good boy and do what you want to do on your schedule. It isn't going to happen. You aren't my parents anymore and you sure as hell don't have any say over my life." He stormed out of the room. Moments later, Jerry and Alexis both winced as they heard the front door slam.
"I hope you're happy now. You just broke his heart. He'll never get over this!" Jadzia's scream lingered in the room, even after she too ran out of the house.
"They're right." Alexis said miserably. "Jer we hurt him so much."
"I know.' Jerry replied. "But what choice did we have. We thought we were doing the right thing." He pulled out his cell phone and started dialing. "I'm calling Jax. He'll find the kids and they'll listen. They don't hate him."
~*~
"They need you back home."
Back home? Where the hell was that? "Why?" Carly pressed onward. If he was being talkative she was going to get what she could out of him. "You're taking me away from the only home I've ever known."
Sonny watched her. Did she really have no clue? This was bound to be a big blow for the fiery woman. "You have to save someone's life.' He replied and kept it at that, even though he wanted to confide everything. She would have enough surprises in the future.
"Think hard." He said with a sarcastic edge. "Do you know anyone in New York?"
New York? Carly shook her head blankly. "I don't know anyone in New York sorry. What does that have to do with anything?" She wouldn't rise to his bait. She had to keep him calm and talkative instead of exchanging barbs.
"Everything." Sonny said shortly. Should he tell her? If she didn't know anyway what would be the harm anyway?
Carly spared him a sidelong glance. Her captor had a pensive look on his face, as if he was having an internal debate with himself. "Please tell me what's on your mind?" She sounded positively sweet! If she hadn't been in such a precarious position, she would have gagged at her tone.
Sonny sighed and ran a hand through his hair. She had read his mind. Should he? Could He? "All right" Sonny said in a reasonable tone "There's a little girl up there that needs some bone marrow. You're getting tested."
Carly turned to look him full in the face. What drugs was he on? Even she knew that only relatives matched up. "Since I don't even know anyone there it's just a waste of money buster. You have to be a relative to be a donor. And anyway there are laws against taking stuff like that from a person."
"Yeah well..."The challenging tone was back in his voice. So much for her sweetness, she sighed.
"Yeah well what? Those are the fact so deal!"
Sonny chuckled. She had fire all right! Every time he thought she had calmed down, she attacked him again. He quite liked being kept off balance by her. It was a nice balance to Brenda's utter predictability. "You sure you don't have any relatives in New York?" He quietly asked again.
Carly rolled her eyes. "How many ways can I say no?"
This was it, his big moment to put her in his place. But did he really want to shock her? "Well I know for a fact you do." He replies. "Your mother, stepfather, uncle and his family and most importantly that baby are up there waiting for you."
~*~
Rick Webber shifted nervously in the limo as he waited for his call to be answered. The front desk nurse had offered to transfer him to Amy and even though Rick needed to talk to Laura he could get the medical specifics from his younger daughter.
Amy had been quietly talking with Felicia as the men discussed Stefan Cassadine's possibility in Lulu's illness. When the on duty nurse told her she had a call, Amy quickly excused herself.
Rick took a deep breath as he heard his daughter's approach. When she answered the phone, he could hear the tone of false happiness she was putting on. "Amy it's dad." He tried to convey a sense of calm and control into an atmosphere that he had no doubt was tense.
"Dad." Amy almost wanted to cry with relief. "Laura Blackie and I have been trying to get in touch with you. Lulu is very sick. Can you come back here soon? We need you"
The tone in Amy's voice made Rick's heart clench. He's been off getting married while his granddaughter fought for life. What kind of father was he to his children? Rick was more determined than ever to make things right as he clenched the phone in a tight fist. After losing one grandchild as a baby, he wouldn't give Lulu up without a fight. "I know. I just found out. MY wife and I will be right there honey." Rick didn't even realized what he had said until he heard the gasp of shock that Amy emitted.
"Your what?" Her gossip radar showed itself for a second in the excited tone of her voice. All of a sudden it was gone as she recalled the gravity of the situation. "Ok dad, there's time for explanations and all later. Just get here now."
"We will be." Rick assured. "Helena and I are getting on a plane now. We'll be there as soon as it lands."
"Helena?" Amy asked in shock to a dead phone line.
~*~
Chapter 7
Jerry stared at the door for a long moment, scarcely believing that both of the children had gone. Where could they go and what trouble could they find in their state of agitation, he wondered as he held Alexis closer. "Let me call Jax and he'll find the kids. They'll be fine." Jerry assured in a hollow tone.
"How can you be sure." Alexis' tone was mournful and Jerry's breath caught in his throat at the hopelessness in her voice.
"I'm sure." He forced his voice to stay firm. He is a Cassadine after all Alexis. Your family has some amazing instincts." As Alexis settled against his shoulder, Jerry stroked her hair gently. "You'll see.' He said, not knowing if he was trying to convince himself or her. "The kids will be just fine."
She winced at the way Jamie had gone from being their son, to her family. The change had begun. "I know." She said in the softest of tones. "Call Jax please, right now."
Jerry grabbed the phone and dialed his brother without another word. There was nothing they could do rationally right now. The kids could have gone anywhere and most likely had. The train station was just a block away and the water shuttle only a block in the other direction. It would be fruitless for them to begin the search before calling in a lot of help.
~*~
Lois ran a towel through her hair as she waited for Jax to get ready. They had hurriedly showered after getting the call from Jerry. while Jax dressed, she would make some sense out of her hair. The inky tresses usually defied any discernible style, so Lois was content to let it fall as it may. The first step in doing that was to blot all the wetness out. She paced the hallway between the second bathroom and the kitchen as she set to work, wondering all the while what was going on in the Jacks family.
A frantic rap on the front door made Lois jump in shock. She had been so intent on her toweling that the sound traveled like a gunshot. She moved quickly to the door and pulled it open. "Jamie?" Lois asked in surprise as he pushed the door open and stalked in. Jadzia followed, a worried expression painted upon her face that made her look so adult.
"Where is he?" Jamie's voice was foggy with an emotion Lois couldn't identify.
"Where is who honey?" Lois moved to hug the disturbed young man, but stopped short as he put his hands out in front of him in what was clearly a defensive mechanism.
"Don't try it Lois. "Everybody needs to bloody stay away from me."
Lois blinked, genuinely hurt by his behavior. He was one of her favorite relatives and they always greeted each other with an easy hug and a smile. "What's wrong hon?" she asked looking between the kids. Jamie's fury was so strong that she could feel a fissure of nervousness playing along her spine. This was serious whatever it was.
"I asked you a question, now answer me." Jamie growled.
"Jamie, stop it please." Jadzia pleaded in a shrill tone. The young girl looked as if she couldn't take much more stress. Lois moved immediately to her and hugged the younger girl close. Jadz needed someone and it was clear that Jamie was in no state to help her.
Jax's blond head appeared at the top of the stairs. He had been alerted by the knock and the sound of voices but had been intercepted by a frantic call from Jerry. He had only said that the kids had a big shock and were on the run and enlisted Jax's help in finding them. Jax had had just enough time to tell his brother that the kids were at his penthouse, when the situation warranted his immediate intervention.
"Jamie, Jadz." He said jovially as he bounded down the stairs. Whatever the problem was , he could handle it.
The younger man looked at his uncle for a long moment before extending his hand. "Allow me to introduce myself." He said in a brittle tone. "Nikolas Cassadine at your service."
~*~
"You sure you don't have any relatives in New York?" He quietly asked again.
Carly rolled her eyes. "How many ways can I say no?"
This was it, his big moment to put her in his place. But did he really want to shock her? "Well I know for a fact you do." He replied. "Your mother, stepfather, uncle and his family and most importantly that baby are up there waiting for you."
Carly blinked a few times in shock, then slapped him across the face in a clean blow. The resounding crack echoed in the limo for some moments. "You lying prick." She said heatedly, yet tentatively. She knew that she'd been adopted, but that her mother was a Floridian. A Hooker the papers she had found said. But did that hooker have family in New York somewhere?
"What the hell was that for?" Sonny asked as he rubbed his cheek ruefully.
"You shut your damn mouth." Carly said, but her tone held little heat. "You're lying."
Sonny looked at her with wide eyes. He had never expected that she had no idea. "You didn't know any of it?" he asked more gently.
Carly met his brown eyes, feeling something awaken inside her at the depth of emotions in them. "I knew I was adopted." She said quietly. "And that my mother was a hooker." That was all she would give him for now. Even that was entirely too much.
Sonny nodded, deep in thought. Even since he knew about Bobbie Spencer had been respectable. He had to make her aware of that. "She isn't anymore you know. She's a nurse, married to a doctor."
Carly nodded. She wasn't interested in details right now. "So you're going to use me to fix some baby that wasn't given away?"
Sonny winced. Her summation was dead on. "We're gonna bring you home and then we'll see what happens." He allowed.
"That isn't my home." Carly said darkly. "My home is here." It was, she thought as she considered her life. The small cottage shared with Virginia, her work at the restaurant, it was a small and sometimes miserable existence but it was hers. She didn't want to change. Not yet. Someday she'd have her future but it wasn't ready yet. She didn't have all of her plans in place yet. She didn't have enough money yet. So many damn not yets resounded in her head.
"It will be your home." Sonny replied. "Get to know them. Try to help them. You can't tell me that you never wanted to see what it was like and settle things with your mother."
Carly started to reply, then snapped her mouth shut. He was right. She had always wanted answers. "Fine but I'm not going to be used to fix some baby. There are laws against that. Or if not, there should be."
Sonny sighed and ran his hand through his hair. "Give it some time Carly. Meet them, get to know them. Get to love them. Then, make your decision."
"I won't change my mind." Carly snapped. "No matter how warm and fuzzy these people get." But that was a lie . Her heart was already opening to the plight of the baby. Could she get beyond her feelings of hurt to help it?
~*~
Laura nearly stormed out of the hospital room in search of Lucky. She and Luke still had a lot of issues with respect to the Cassadines, something she had never anticipated. For so many years that family had been just an unpleasant memory, couples with the sting of what might have been for her first born. When Nikolas had been found dead, Laura had been inconsolable. The fact that she was being sent off the island quickly had only added to her sense of hopelessness. She had tried to put her life together again with the help of Luke, but she had never been able to forget the potential of her firstborn. Now, the thought of losing Lulu coupled with the fact that the Cassadines were again a force in her life, via Stefan, troubled her greatly. His was another problem she didn't need in her life.
She skidded to a stop at the nurse's station. Her sister Amy had an expression of incredulity on her face. "what what is it Amy. Did they find a match?" Laura asked breathlessly.
Amy looked at her sister as she tried to comprehend what her father had said. "Not quite." She said as her tone lowered in volume. "But dad called. Then good news, he's on his way."
"And the bad?" Laura asked in a rush.
"He's bringing his wife Helena."
Chapter 8
Luke Spencer had felt bad about fighting with his wife. The Cassadines were no true threat to his family and would only stand between he and Laura if he allowed them to. "I have to go see your mother, Lu. You stay here and be a good girl" Luke felt foolish saying those words but he had to communicate with his daughter somehow. Their brief time together might be all they had. "You rest princess." He whispered as his lips caressed her ebony hair.
As he hurried out, his wife was only a few steps ahead of him. I'll let her see Lucky first, he reasoned to himself as his silent footfalls ghosted hers. He looked up to smile at Amy and stopped as his wife stopped suddenly. He couldn't help but to over hear what came next.
She skidded to a stop at the nurse's station. Her sister Amy had an expression of incredulity on her face. "What? What is it Amy. Did they find a match?" Laura asked breathlessly.
Amy looked at her sister as she tried to comprehend what her father had said. "Not quite." She said as her tone lowered in volume. "But dad called. Then good news, he's on his way."
"And the bad?" Laura asked in a rush.
"He's bringing his wife Helena."
Luke blinked a few times as he tried to comprehend his sister in law's words. As he saw his wife tremble, he was compelled to move to her side. "It's ok darlin'. It'll be just fine." He whispered as he brushed his lips over her golden hair. "Care to explain Amy?" Luke tried desperately to regulate his voice, for to give in to the anger that was coursing through him would scare his wife.
"Helena Luke." Amy said evenly. "He said he's bringing his wife Helena. Please tell me it isn't the Helena I remember creeping around here before you two got married."
Luke gave Amy a brittle smile. "I don't believe in coincidences like this darlin' First Stefan Cassadine calls Laura and now this. What are they up to."
"I don't know but Frisco and Blackie will be sure to investigate." Amy replied as she gestured to them.
"Good you do that. We need answers and we need em now. We have too much going on to deal with them too." Luke added grimly as he led Laura to the lounge area.
"Darlin' are you all right?" Luke smoothed her hair back as he peered into her face. She looked shocked, stunned and the lack of emotion on her face concerned him. This was all so much for his sometimes delicate wife. "Laura come on." Luke said in a gentle tone.
"Why are they back?" Laura turned to her husband. The whites of her eyes were reddened and her lip trembled uncontrollably as she sought the sanctuary of her husband's safe embrace. "Did they do this to her Luke?"
"No no Darlin'." Luke assured quietly, though he had doubts of that himself. He'd have a toxicology screen run on his daughter immediately. In some ways, that would be a blessing, because a situation caused and maintained by drugs could be overcome much more easily in most cases than a grave medical illness. "She just got sick Laura. There's no rhyme or reason to it and no conspiracy from long forgotten enemies.
"I just don't know anymore.' Laura whispered before pressing her face closer into his warmth. "Luke they're surrounding us and we can't afford the time and energy away from Lu."
"We won't Laura. They won't win over us." Luke assured. And they wouldn't win. He'd protect his family with everything he had.
~*~
Jax's blond head appeared at the top of the stairs. He had been alerted by the knock and the sound of voices but had been intercepted by a frantic call from Jerry. He had only said that the kids had a big shock and were on the run and enlisted Jax's help in finding them. Jax had had just enough time to tell his brother that the kids were at his penthouse, when the situation warranted his immediate intervention.
"Jamie, Jadz." He said jovially as he bounded down the stairs. Whatever the problem was, he could handle it.
The younger man looked at his uncle for a long moment before extending his hand. "Allow me to introduce myself." He said in a brittle tone. "Nikolas Cassadine at your service."
Jax blinked three times as he studied his nephew. "Jamie what are you talking about?" he inquired in a gentle tone. "You're not Nikolas Cassadine? He's Greek and anyway, he died so many years ago. What are you playing at." His serious expression relaxed at the absurdity of his nephew's claim. Jax and Jamie often teased each other and this had to be another joke. But when he studied the chocolate brown of his nephew's eyes carefully, a shiver of pure horror ran through him. "What's going on Jamie. Have a seat and tell us."
"I can't." The young man choked the words out and walked to the window before peering out. Apparently his brother hadn't been exaggeration the situation, Jax thought. The boy was more than upset; he was devastated by something.
"How can we help if you won't Jamie?" Lois soft voice was most welcomed by Jax at this point. She crossed the room to place a hand on his shoulder, heartened when he stiffened but did not pull away. "Baby steps Jamie. You start slowly and we'll move on from there."
"What do you want to know?" When the boy turned to face Lois, his sister and Jax, all were scared by the look of desperation on his face. He had never looked quite so on edge that anyone could recall.
"Just talk to us son. Why exactly are you upset."
Jamie choked off a sob and moved a little closer to his uncle. "Say that again."
"Say what?" Jax was utterly confused.
"Call me son." Jamie said, his voice wavering.
Jax looked at Lois for a long moment. "What's wrong, son?" he asked in his gentlest voice.
"I can't..." Jamie said before sinking down on the couch. He brought his knees to his chest and rocked back and forth, finally lying down on the soft cushions, his sobs resonating around the room. Jadzia moved to his side and stroked his hair.
"Jamie we have to. Remember we're still a family. I don't care what they say. None of them matter ok? No one here is a dirty liar."
"Dirty Liar?" Lois asked in shock. "What happened? Please Jadz tell us. Jamie isn't going to be able to."
Jadzia sighed and held her brother much closer. "Jamie is it ok if I tell them?" His slight nod signified his acquiescence and she pulled him even tighter before speaking. "He's right you know. He is Nikolas Cassadine."
"What?" Jax's blue eyes widened. "How Jadz? How can he be two people."
"That's just it, he can't be." Her voice was brittle as the irony seeped into her words. He was always a Cassadine. Apparently mom is one of them too, and she must have convinced dad to adopt him or something. His whole life is this huge lie. He doesn't even belong to our family anymore."
Jax winced and shook his head. "Whatever your parents have done, Jamie you are a member of this family. I never knew anything and I'm sure my parents didn't. We love you Jamie, as a member of our family for always."
Jamie raised his head and looked into his uncle's eyes. He hadn't really expected that everyone had kept this secret from him, but he just didn't know what to think and where to go. Now, he had proof that he had an ally beside Jadzia, and that knowledge gave him both comfort and strength. "Thank you." He said in a soft tone. "Just don't make me deal with Jerry and Alexis and we'll get along just fine."
~*~
Sonny sighed and ran his hand through his hair. "Give it some time Carly. Meet them, get to know them. Get to love them. Then, make your decision."
"I won't change my mind." Carly snapped. "No matter how warm and fuzzy these people get." But that was a lie. Her heart was already opening to the plight of the baby. Could she get beyond her feelings of hurt to help it?
"And I happen to think you will." Sonny replied in a low tone. "You're gonna meet him and look at Lulu in her hospital bed and see the pain and anguish on her parent's faces.
"What did you call her?" Carly asked with an amused smile.
"Lulu, her name is Lesley Lu but they call her Lulu for short. She's a beautiful little girl, big blue eyes and dark hair.
Carly nodded, but she really didn't want to hear any more about the little girl for now. With every word she was learning to care about the strangers and she had to enter into this in a detached mode. She couldn't care; it would only lead to the people that had thrown her away to use her. No one would use her anymore. She would make sure of that. "Enough about the kid, ok?" She asked in her sternest voice. "When we get there wake me up."
Sonny started to say something, but sighed and shook his head. "Ok then." He said in a quiet voice. "I know it's a lot to deal with but you'll do it. I'm here to help you."
"Help me?" Carly snorted as her eyes flew open. "With this kind of help, I'd hate to see what you'd do to hurt me. Or do you kidnap everyone you try to help?"
Her nasty tone hung in the air between them for a moment before she snapped her eyes shut again and turned away. She couldn't deny that she was elated that she had some connection, some family, but it hurt all the same. Why didn't they want her? Could she make them love her maybe? And did she want to let them in after they had thrown her out like a bag of trash?
Sonny could almost see the emotional struggle the young woman was experiencing. She did get a crappy deal in life, and he knew the whole kidnapping thing was overboard, but it had to be done. She would have never agreed to come along with him if he hadn't used force. Sonny sighed and rubbed the bridge of his nose absently as they sped toward the airport. She looked so alone, so angry. He knew that he had to retain control of the situation with stoic distance from her emotional plight, but her insecurity was calling to him, and with a defeated sigh, Sonny slipped an arm around the young woman's shoulders and pulled her to his chest. Even though every instinct inside him was screaming no, his sense of honor made him want to protect her.