Chapter One

Gia hurriedly stuffed her clothes in bag in a rush to go home and escape all that was around her. Between Marcus and Sonny she was at her wits end and having received a bad evaluation from Dr. Oliver ruined what little joy she had left. She had worked as hard as she could this semester yet nothing she did was ever good enough as far as Dr. Oliver was concerned. She always had a negative comment for any and everything Gia said and did and she took her dislike for her out on her evaluation. Now Gia would have to work twice as hard as her classmates to erase the damage done. Sitting on a nearby bench Gia sat and buried her face in her hands ready to release the tears that was long in building up.

Kamar- [softly] G…

Gia- [looking up at his handsome face] Max…

Kamar- What's wrong?

Gia- [softly as she wiped at her tears] Nothing…

Kamar- Are you sure? Because if you need someone to talk to…

Gia- [shaking her head] Just one of those days.

Kamar- [softly] Oliver got to you huh?

Gia- Yeah… nothing I do is good enough for her. I mean I'm bending over backwards and she still hates me.

Kamar- [as he came to sit next to her] She's just jealous.

Gia- [softly] Of what?

Kamar- [gently bumping her as he smiled] Your good looks of course.

Gia- [slowly smiling] See… that's why I love you.

Kamar- I love you too…

Gia- [laughing] Yeah whatever…

Kamar- Gia… [looking intently at Gia] I do love you…

Gia- [softly as she noticed how he was looking at her] Kamar…

Kamar- [softly laughing] I had you going didn't I?

Gia- Uhh yeah… for a second there…

Kamar- Only trying to make you smile.

Gia- It worked…

Kamar- Good… [smiling] You want to go out and drink away today?

Gia- As much as I would love to and no matter how bad I need it I can't…

Kamar- [softly] Come on…

Gia- You making it hard on a sista but I can't…

Kamar- [fake pouting] Why?

Gia- Gotta meet my brother…

Kamar- Which one?

Gia- [sighing] Both…

Kamar- Oh…

Gia- Besides… I'm on rotation tomorrow and you know Livvie's gonna be watching every move I make…

Kamar- I bet…

Gia- Another time though…

Kamar- Cool…

Gia- Ok… I'm gone before she comes on here and finds something else to write me up about.

Kamar- [standing as he quickly hugged Gia] You know you're gonna marry me one day right?

Gia- [softly laughing] Yeah Max… whatever you say.

Kamar- Ok… [laughing] don't come begging to be Mrs. Maxwell when it's too late.

Gia- [smiling as she slowly walked out the door] I never have to beg…

Kamar- [smiling] This time…

Gia- [laughing] Never…

Chapter Two

He hated having to check in and explain things to his uncle yet once again he found himself doing so. Moving to Port Charles was bad enough but there was no way he would be staying with his uncle like he was some lost schoolboy. He had wants and needs and living with Stefan would definitely put a wrinkle in them.

Nikolas- Uncle I understand your reasoning but…

Stefan- Nikolas it is only right that you come to Wyndermere to live.

Nikolas- Uncle I am a grown man…

Stefan- I know this.

Nikolas- And the last thing I need is a baby-sitter.

Stefan- That is not my intentions.

Nikolas- I understand that but…

Stefan- But what? Why is it necessary for you to stay elsewhere?

Nikolas- You know that returning to Port Charles was not something I chose.

Stefan- Nikolas…

Nikolas- If things were different…

Stefan- They aren't.

Nikolas- If things were different I would not be returning there at all. And seeing that this decision was not mine I would prefer…

Stefan- Nikolas you are a Cassadine… the Cassadine heir and you must stay at Wyndermere.

Nikolas- Yes I am the Cassadine heir and in less than a year I will gladly assume the responsibilities that comes with the title but for now…

Stefan- What are your issues with staying at Wyndermere?

Nikolas- [sighing] As I said I am a grown man…

Stefan- That is of little to no consequence.

Nikolas- And there are certain aspects of being a grown man that living at Wyndermere I can not afford.

Stefan- Am I to assume you are speaking of a woman or should I say women?

Nikolas- Women?

Stefan- Nikolas your reputation precedes you. I have heard of your shall I say "exploits" even while I am here in Port Charles.

Nikolas- [smiling glad his uncle was unable to see him] Have you?

Stefan- Yes and I must say I am not in the least impressed or happy with your actions.

Nikolas- [quietly] I am not surprised.

Stefan- [attempting to switch tactics] Nikolas I have missed you.

Nikolas- And I've missed you as well Uncle.

Stefan- I would like to spend some time with you before…

Nikolas- I do not plan to ignore you while in Port Charles. We will have much time to spend together.

Stefan- But what of your Grandmother?

Nikolas- What about her?

Stefan- She does not know of your return but once she learns of your arrival her reaction…

Nikolas- I am not concerned about Helena. She is the last of my worries.

Stefan- I would think it would best if even momentarily you stay at Wyndermere.

Nikolas- [growing tired of going round and round about this issue with Stefan] Do not fight me on this Uncle.

Stefan- There is nothing I can do to change your mind?

Nikolas- No there is nothing.

Stefan- [momentarily defeated] Fine.

Nikolas- Will you do what I asked of you?

Stefan- A car will be waiting for you upon your arrival.

Nikolas- Stefan…

Stefan- [shaking his head as he slowly explained all to Nikolas] A car in which you will drive.

Nikolas- [smiling at his mistaken assumption] Thank you…

Stefan- I have arranged for you to have the remaining penthouse at the Port Charles Hotel.

Nikolas- That is all I asked for.

Stefan- Do not make me regret my leniency with you Nikolas.

Nikolas- I won't…

Stefan- I still will want and need to speak with you once you are settled.

Nikolas- I understand.

Stefan- This in the least is not a pleasure trip Nikolas…

Nikolas- I know.

Stefan- There are issues and persons that must be dealt with…

Nikolas- I understand.

Stefan- I expect to hear from you momentarily.

Nikolas- [sensing Stefan's changing mood] Thank you Uncle.

Stefan- Do not disappoint me Nikolas.

Assuring him once again Nikolas quickly ended his call with Stefan. Thankfully he had convinced Stefan his desire and need to not stay at Wyndermere. Though he knew it not Nikolas had issues of his own to deal with. Smiling slowly to himself Nikolas reclined lost in his musings of how things would fall upon his return to Port Charles.

Chapter 3

Gia sat fuming her meeting with Taggert having gone the normal route. Despite her constant pleas and explanations Taggert still could not see things from her perspective. Sonny was her brother and no matter what anyone thought or said she was determined to make their relationship work. Checking her watch again Gia cursed realizing how late she was running. If she didn't call and check in soon knowing Sonny he would send out the troops to find her and make sure she was ok. She smiled despite herself as the image of Sonny ranting and raving over her missing flashed through her head. Though she would never tell him Gia liked how protective of her he had become. Having struggled to find and create a relationship, the fact that they were now close surprised and delighted her. With Marcus Gia knew how and why he loved and treated her as he did but with Sonny each new discovery, each new reason she feasted upon. As the traffic in front of her stalled Gia quickly called Sonny.

Sonny- Corinthos…

Gia- Sonny… it's Gia.

Sonny- Where are you?

Gia- In the car… I'm headed that way now.

Sonny- You were supposed to be here an hour ago.

Gia- I'm sorry. Marc… I'm just running behind schedule that's all…

Sonny- Taggert warn you about me again?

Gia- [softly] Yeah…

Sonny- Good…

Gia- Good?

Sonny- [laughing] Means he's thinking about me.

Gia- [laughing] When does he stop?

Sonny- Good point. Are you staying for dinner?

Gia- If it's not too much "trouble".

Sonny- What is that supposed to mean?

Gia- Well… the last time I came for dinner you and Mike tried to outdo each other.

Sonny- That's Mike…

Gia- And your "friend" kept sending me signals…

Sonny- What kind of signals?

Gia- The kind that said that if I took one more step towards you she would claw my eyes out.

Sonny- You're kidding me right.

Gia- No…

Sonny- You're my sister.

Gia- She didn't know that.

Sonny- Why didn't you say anything?

Gia- What was there to say?

Sonny- Well…

Gia- You know I've been thinking…

Sonny- About?

Gia- I think you need a woman…

Sonny- [smiling] That's not a problem.

Gia- No I mean you need to settle down… start a family you know…

Sonny- I don't think so.

Gia- You would be great with kids.

Sonny- [quietly] No…

Gia- Why not? I mean what woman…

Sonny- [harshly] It won't work.

Gia- Sonny…

Sonny- Just leave it…

Gia- I'm sorry… I didn't mean to upset you. I was only kidding.

Sonny- It's fine…

Gia- I'm so sorry. If I…

Sonny- Forget it.

Gia- Sonny I…

Sonny- Drop it… it's over with.

Gia- [softly] I didn't mean…

Sonny- [after a momentary silence] Gia things… things are how they are supposed to be.

Gia- Sonny I'm sorry. I didn't mean…

Sonny- You don't have to apologize.

Gia- [softly] Ok…

Unsure of what to say Gia and Sonny sat in silence waiting for the other to make the first attempt.

Gia- What… what are you cooking me this t…

Her statement was cut off as someone slammed into the back of her car. Hearing the accident as it happened Sonny yelled into the phone anxious to see if Gia was okay.

Chapter 4

Thoughts and plans for his return clouded his head. His uncle had plans and agendas that he assumed Nikolas would gladly help him with yet they were the last thing he thought of. Lucky… Laura… Luke… Helena… None would know of his arrival in Port Charles but by the time he left they all would pray of his departure. Helping the hospital during its crisis mattered little to Nikolas but he knew it was a necessary if he hoped to carry out his other plans. It would only be a matter of time before… The ringing of his cell phone quickly pulled him from his thoughts. Knowing that no one else knew of his return Nikolas knew right away that it was Stefan calling to check up on him. Not having called once since he checked into the hotel Nikolas knew by now Stefan was angered.

Nikolas- What is it Uncle?

Stefan- Did you not understand me when I told you to call upon your arrival?

Nikolas- Yes I understood.

Stefan- Then why did you not call?

Nikolas- Uncle…

Stefan- Nikolas as I told you before you must be aware of your actions. If things are to work as we planned you must…

Nikolas- Uncle I know and I am sorry.

Stefan- Am I to assume that this will not happen again.

Nikolas- [mumbling] It won't…

Stefan- Nikolas if you can not adhere to what I ask of you than regardless of your pleas you will be staying at Wyndermere.

Nikolas- That is not necessary.

Stefan- I would hope…

Nikolas- Must we go into this now?

Stefan- Nikolas… where is this tone…

Nikolas- I'm not trying to be abrupt with you but I am sure we will discuss this again when I get to Wyndermere. And being that I will be there momentarily…

Stefan- Nikolas… I will tell you now that I do not appreciate your disrespect.

Nikolas- [sighing] I'm not trying to disrespect you Uncle. I was merely trying to save myself from hearing this twice.

Stefan- If this is what you consider what being an adult is…

Nikolas- Excuse me… an adult?

Stefan- You stated to me repeatedly that you are a grown man…

Nikolas- That I am…

Stefan-Then I am greatly disappointed.

Nikolas- Stefan…

Stefan- Had I known our separation would cause this attitude I would have stressed you staying in Port Charles with me.

Nikolas- I apologize…

Stefan- Nikolas…

Nikolas tuned out as Stefan droned on telling him reason after reason of how his return must be handled properly. Regardless to what Stefan said Nikolas had issues and plans of his own and nothing or no one would keep him from completing them. Lost in thought paying little attention to the stopped traffic ahead Nikolas slammed into the back of the car in front of him.