Chapter 1
Pine Valley
At the annual Crystal Ball in Pine Valley, the year 2022 started off with a bang. Literally. The evening began innocently enough. To get the mood going, Hank Pelham sang a jazz medley, accompanied on the piano by his stepson, Pete Cortlandt. CC Collins was pleased by the rousing start to the evening. She saw Lu Spencer approaching her out of the corner of her eye. The two women hugged. "CC, that was great! I love Hank Pelham, I have all his digitals. How did you ever get him to play here?" CC laughed. "Didn't you know? He's a local." Lu's eyes widened. "Really? I guess I don't get out much. Who was the guy on the piano? He was fantastic." CC looked over at the two musicians. "That's Pete Cortlandt. His mother is married to Hank." Lu's eyebrows raised. "Really? Well, hopefully we'll get to hear more of him, he's really talented." CC smiled and put her arm on Lu's shoulder. "Lu, its really great to see you! You don't get up to Port Charles often enough." Lu smiled. "I was there during Christmas, that was enough for me. Besides, Enchantment has been keeping me pretty busy. Greenlee Smythe is quite the slave driver. She says she learned the management technique from her mentor, Erica Kane." CC nodded. "I've met Erica. She wants me to organize a party for her daughter, Bianca. She is definitely very focused." Lu cocked her head. "Is the party to celebrate Bianca opening up the new halfway house?" CC nodded. "She's very proud of her daughter's achievements." Lu raised one eyebrow. "I wish I had a mother like that. Mine never says word one about my job." CC shook her head. "You crack me up, Lu. You deliberately go to work for Deception's biggest rival, and then marvel that Laura doesn't acknowledge it? Come off it." Lu laughed. "You never pull any punches, do you CC?"
James Martin came up to them, hearing the last comment. "I certainly hope not. We're all crossing our fingers that this year's Crystal Ball lacks the usual mayhem." Lu elbowed him in the ribs. "Hey Jamie, how's my favorite corporate lawyer?" James blocked her elbow. "Doing fine, Lulu" James smiled at CC and held out his hand. "My name is James Martin." CC smiled and shook his hand. "I'm CC Collins." Lu looked mortified. "Oh geez, I'm sorry. I just assumed you two knew each other. Jamie is Brooke's son, and I just figured since you've spent time with her and Edmund planning the ball, you would have run into each other." James shook his head. "No, I tend to make myself scarce when the time comes around for planning the ball or else they rope me into doing something." CC laughed. "Well, you don't have to worry about that anymore. They give me a general idea for a theme, and I do all the planning. No volunteers needed." James grinned. "Splendid! Well, hopefully you can break this curse that something dramatic happens at every Crystal Ball."
Ironically, it was then that it happened. Lorenzo Santos was shot in the back by an unknown assassin. No one knew where the shot originated, everyone was too riveted by the sight of Lorenzo sliding into a heap on the floor, and his mother Hayley letting out a blood-curdling scream. She was the first to see it because she was admiring her son dancing with his aunt Colby. They made a handsome pair and were quite adept on the dance floor. Colby had been giving him lessons in ballroom dancing, and his grace seemed to almost match hers - which was saying a lot since she was a prima donna ballerina. The gun must have had a silencer, because it made no noise. It took a moment for Hayley to understand just what happened. One second Lorenzo and Colby were twirling around the dance floor, the next moment he was sliding to the floor, blood pouring out of a wound in his back. Colby looked bewildered, thinking perhaps he had fainted for some reason. But the sight of Hayley flying across the room, a look of horror on her face, made Colby realize that something was very wrong. It was then that she saw the blood, and her screams mingled with Hayley's. Mateo, who had been chatting with Edmund, saw his wife sprinting across the room, and took off after her. When he reached her, she was prostrate on the floor beside her son. Mateo demanded that someone call 911, but CC had already whipped out her cell phone and placed the call.
David Hayward pushed his way to the front of the crowd and examined Lorenzo. He determined that the bullet had missed his heart, and that they needed only to stop the bleeding until the ambulence arrived. Without saying a word, Colby ripped away the excess fabric of her ball gown, handing it to David to stop up the wound. Hayley was babbling. "I knew this job was going to get him killed! I knew it!" Colby looked at Mateo, eyes wide. "Why would she think managing SOS has something to do with this?" Mateo thought quickly. He certainly couldn't tell the truth, that his son just recently joined the WSB. The identity of agents were kept secret for as long as possible. "Um…well, SOS has been the target of criminals for a long time now. She probably thinks this is another mob or drug hit." Colby nodded silently. That was certainly true.
Standing nearby, Maddie Grey overheard the conversation with great interest. She whispered to her brother, Sam. "I think Mateo is lying." Sam looked at her in surprise. "But it's true that SOS has been the target of criminals. Remember Proteus." Maddie shook her head. "That's not what I meant. I think he was deliberately misleading her. Hayley wasn't referring to Lorenzo's job at SOS. She was talking about some other job." Sam raised one eyebrow. "Is that one of your reporter's hunches?" Maddie nodded. "Lorenzo was shot for some other reason, and I want to find out the truth. What do you think?" Sam put his arm around his sister. "Well, as managing editor of Tempo, I give you my blessing. But as your brother, I say please, please, please be careful."
Llanview
New Years at the Manning house was much less eventful, which was saying a lot. Starr spent half the evening complaining that The Sentinel had scooped The Sun on yet another story. "That damned Mic Corinthos is such a thorn in my side! What I wouldn't give to grind his newspaper into the ground." Todd put his arm around his daughter. "You know what you need? A mole." Starr frowned. "I already have one, daddy. His name is Mr. Magoo." Todd paused, as he realized what she meant. "No, I don't mean one of your twisted little pets. You need someone to infiltrate his organization, and leak information back to The Sun." Starr's eyes lit up at the idea. Blair protested. "Todd! Why must you teach her such underhanded methods?" He looked taken aback. "You expect me to die without passing on my vast knowledge to my offspring? What else is parenting for?" Blair sighed and rolled her eyes. "Well at least you haven't corrupted Jack." She beamed at Jack, who beamed back. Todd and Starr looked ready to barf.
Starr took the opportunity to needle her brother. "Ah yes, the angelic Jack, with aspirations to become a doctor and save the world from disease and pestilence. Meanwhile he spends his time working at General Hospital, emptying bedpans and mopping up puke." Todd rubbed his hands on his face. "Must I be reminded that my son is working as a janitor when I could buy and sell that damned hospital?" Jack sighed. "Dad, you know I took that job so that I can have influential contacts when it comes time to apply to medical school." Todd glared at him. "I can buy you an influential contact!" Jack shook his head. "Dad, you know I don't want to achieve my career that way." Todd made a face. Jack cleared his throat. "I have run into some very interesting people there. For instance, I've met Mic Corinthos." Starr looked up quickly, then immediately tried to hide her interest. "So you've met the little weasel. Is he anything like Tavi?" She was referring to her pet ferret, Rikki Tikki Tavi.
Jack smiled, now that he knew he had her attention. "Actually, he is the complete opposite of a little weasel. He's tall, good looking, and very suave. All the nurses, and many of the doctors were quite bowled over by him. I bet he's quite the ladies man." Starr snorted. "And I bet they're all empty headed bimbos, too." Jack tutted. "Casting aspersions on someone else's love life when your own is nonexistent?" Starr's eyes flared in fury. "You're one to talk, Mr. Celibate!" They got into a yelling match, which greatly amused Todd, but distressed Blair. "Stop it, both of you!" They eventually calmed down. Blair cleared her throat. "Jack, I noticed Matt Rappaport leaving when I came home today. I didn't know you two were friends." Jack nodded. "We knew each other in high school – we were in band together." Starr let out a guffaw, but was silenced by a look from Blair. "Anyway, he's starting a new band, and asked if I would be the drummer. I said I would think about it. Sounds pretty cool to me. He wants to call the band Dream Weaver, and play hard rock with a slightly retro feel." Everyone was silent in surprise. Jack went on. "I told him that there's a very successful record company in Port Charles called L&B – they've signed a lot of famous musical artists. He was very excited when he heard that, so he'll be coming to visit me when school starts again."
Starr punched his arm. "Well, well bro. If you make it big, don't forget it was your sister that started you on the path to fame." Jack laughed. "Yeah, you were the one who encouraged me to start drumming." Todd's eyes flew to Starr. "We have you to blame for that? I should make you pay for all the cotton I had to stuff in my ears!" Blair frowned thoughtfully. "Didn't you tell Matt that you plan to be a doctor? If the band does make it big, you'd have to ditch them to finish your studies." Jack shrugged. "I told him. The way he figures it, he'll be the star of the band. If other members have to be replaced, its not a tragedy. He just wants to hire on some talented people right now, and doesn't care if they aren't committed for the long haul." Todd folded his arms. "Sounds like Matt has quite an inflated ego. I hope Sam and Nora know about this. Heh heh."
Blair looked out the window. "I wonder what's keeping River. He should have been here by now. I was hoping he could celebrate the New Year with us." Starr put her arm around her mother. "Mom, you know River hasn't been himself ever since Cassie and Andrew died." Blair folded her arms. "But its been three years! He's so determined to brood." Starr shrugged one shoulder. "I guess he hasn't told you the latest?" Blair shook her head. "Well, he recently decided that he wants to find his birth parents. For some reason he doesn't think Beth Garvey was really his mom. He seems convinced that there is some big secret to his identity. So he hired a private investigator to do some digging." Todd looked concerned at this piece of news, but quickly covered his alarm.
Port Charles
Mic Corinthos held a New Year's Eve get-together at his penthouse apartment. The first to show up was his good friend Maxie. She kissed him on the cheek. "Hey, kiddo, how ya doing?" He rolled his eyes, deciding not to comment on the kiddo remark. "Didn't you say you were bringing a date?" She took off her coat and sighed. "He bailed on me. Apparently there's some emergency he needs to take care of." Mic looked at her sympathetically. "Let me guess…your date was Lucky and he's off to save the world again?" Maxie laughed. "You don't have to give me the pity look. Its been a long, long time since any attention he's paid to me has actually mattered. I just look on him as a friend. If we go out together, fine. If not, no loss. He's too much like his father for me to take him seriously anymore." Mic put his arm around her. "I am so glad to hear that. It drove me crazy the way you looked up to that Peter Pan." Maxie looked around. "So where is your date?" Mic put his hands in his pockets. "I decided to go solo tonight. I want to concentrate on my hosting duties, and most of the women I date tend to demand a lot of attention." Maxie raised one eyebrow. "That's because you tend to date self-absorbed bimbos." Mic smirked. "Tell me what you really think, Maxie." Maxie shook her head. "If I thought you were really interested in any of them, I would have more tact. But you don't care one bit. You're just sowing your wild oats." Mic shrugged. "Well, I'm too young to settle down. I just want to have a bit of fun. I don't want to give the false impression that I'm ready for a serious relationship, so I don't date women that are seeking one." Maxie nodded. "That's very noble of you, Mic. Just don't use that excuse for too long, or it will start to smell."
The doorbell rang. Maxie laughed at Mic's relieved expression as he went to answer it. Jet and Brook walked into the room. Brook hugged Mic. "Man, am I glad to be here. We were just over at the Quartermaine mansion, and couldn't stand another minute." Mic laughed and looked over at Jet. "Does that family ever stop bickering?" Jet rolled his eyes. "It's a labor of love for them, especially during holidays. Hopefully we have until Fourth of July before the next serious blowup." Maxie hugged Brook. "Does your father still try and play referee?" She nodded. "Gatekeeper is the term he likes. And yes, he was right in the middle of it all. I am so glad that is one trait I didn't inherit." Maxie laughed. "That's true. Instead you inherited your mother's inability to put up with crap." Brook nodded enthusiastically. "Thank you, mom!" Mic passed out some drinks. "That trait has served you well in the music business, hasn't it?" Brook sat on the couch. "Oh yes. You wouldn't believe what these 'artists' try to get away with. Dad is great at spotting talent, but he doesn't know how to handle them. Kristina helped him out with that for awhile, but then her own singing career took off."
The doorbell rang again, signalling the arrival of Lucas, Georgie, and Jadzia. Maxie stood up to greet them. "Hey, who said you all had the night off? Why aren't you at Deception working?" Georgie and Jadzia giggled, but Lucas looked concerned. "Maxie, I did want to stay and crunch some numbers, but Georgie wouldn't take no for an answer." Georgie slapped his arm. "Lucas, she was kidding! Sheesh! You know Maxie better than that." Lucas looked uncomfortable. "Well, I figured she was kidding about you two, since you're the models. But I have to make sure the financial statements are in order for year end." Georgie gave a long suffering sigh and gave a pleading look to Maxie. "Will you please tell him that the numbers aren't going anywhere? That they'll be waiting patiently for him when he gets back to the office in two days?"
Maxie scrutinized Lucas, and waved him over to a corner to talk privately. "This isn't about the financial statements, is it?" Lucas looked uncomfortable. "I just want Deception to look as good as possible on the annual report." Maxie put her hand on his arm. "It will! The new Face to Face campaign has been a huge success. Thanks to Georgie and Jadzia, the sales are rolling in. No, I think this is about the fact that you just didn't want to come to the party." Lucas folded his arms, not saying anything. Maxie shook her head. "We've known each other too long for you to fool me. I think Georgie knows the truth too, but she is too gracious to call you on it. You can't let your diabetes keep you from enjoying life. Bobbie raised you better than that." Lucas sighed. "You're right, I know you're right. Its been hard for me, Maxie. Ever since that episode a few years ago…" Maxie gripped his arm. "You have to get past that. You are surrounded by people who love you, and will do everything they can to help you in a crisis situation." Lucas took a deep breath and nodded.
Jadzia flopped onto the couch beside Jet. "Hey Jet, do you have anymore openings in your class?" Jet raised one eyebrow. "You want to learn martial arts?" She nodded. "I think it would be very beneficial, now that I'm living in the dorm. I get a lot of guys coming up to me, and I want to feel safe and in control. Plus I think it will help me to relieve stress and learn discipline. I've got a real tough semester coming up." Jet nodded. "I think I can fit in one more person. I'll let Tommy know, he teaches the class with me. He fills in when I go out of town." Jadzia cocked her head. "Do you go out of town much?" Jet shrugged one shoulder. "Yeah, I like to travel. So what do you parents think about you living in the dorm?" Jadzia rolled her eyes. "They'll get over it. I just pointed out to them that Wyndemere isn't exactly convenient to campus. I really stopped mom in her tracks when I asked her if she lived with Grandma Flo when she was my age." They laughed. Jet's cell phone rang, and he excused himself and went out on the balcony.
It was a call from Mateo Santos. Lorenzo had been shot while at the Crystal Ball. He was at the hospital, in critical condition. "You think this had something to do with the WSB?" He heard Mateo sigh on the other end. "We're pretty sure. Anna Devane believes it was so expertly handled that it had to be DVX. We never even got a look at the assassin. He or she disappeared without a trace." Jet swore softly. Lorenzo joined the Bureau only two months ago. He felt the guilt flood him. He was the one who recruited Lorenzo. "I know what you're thinking, Jet, and you can forget about it. Lorenzo would have joined the WSB with or without your endorsement." Jet decided not to comment. "I'll let my parents know. I'm sure mom will want to be there for Hayley." He hung up and called Jax and Skye, letting them know the news. They agreed to fly out first thing in the morning.
Jet came back into the penthouse, and told Mic that he needed to leave – a family emergency. When he opened the door, he bumped into Serena, who had just arrived. She came in and waved to everyone. "How are my two favorite clients?" she asked, referring to Mic and Maxie. Mic laughed. "Not getting into any legal trouble, if that's what you're worried about." Serena nodded and took off her coat. "Good, I'm off the clock tonight." Mic looked at his watch. "Speaking of clocks, its almost midnight. There's only two of us men, and five women. Better practice your pucker, Lucas. We have a lot of ladies to satisfy." Brook threw a sofa pillow at him. "In your dreams, Corinthos!"
Pine Valley
At the annual Crystal Ball in Pine Valley, the year 2022 started off with a bang. Literally. The evening began innocently enough. To get the mood going, Hank Pelham sang a jazz medley, accompanied on the piano by his stepson, Pete Cortlandt. CC Collins was pleased by the rousing start to the evening. She saw Lu Spencer approaching her out of the corner of her eye. The two women hugged. "CC, that was great! I love Hank Pelham, I have all his digitals. How did you ever get him to play here?" CC laughed. "Didn't you know? He's a local." Lu's eyes widened. "Really? I guess I don't get out much. Who was the guy on the piano? He was fantastic." CC looked over at the two musicians. "That's Pete Cortlandt. His mother is married to Hank." Lu's eyebrows raised. "Really? Well, hopefully we'll get to hear more of him, he's really talented." CC smiled and put her arm on Lu's shoulder. "Lu, its really great to see you! You don't get up to Port Charles often enough." Lu smiled. "I was there during Christmas, that was enough for me. Besides, Enchantment has been keeping me pretty busy. Greenlee Smythe is quite the slave driver. She says she learned the management technique from her mentor, Erica Kane." CC nodded. "I've met Erica. She wants me to organize a party for her daughter, Bianca. She is definitely very focused." Lu cocked her head. "Is the party to celebrate Bianca opening up the new halfway house?" CC nodded. "She's very proud of her daughter's achievements." Lu raised one eyebrow. "I wish I had a mother like that. Mine never says word one about my job." CC shook her head. "You crack me up, Lu. You deliberately go to work for Deception's biggest rival, and then marvel that Laura doesn't acknowledge it? Come off it." Lu laughed. "You never pull any punches, do you CC?"
James Martin came up to them, hearing the last comment. "I certainly hope not. We're all crossing our fingers that this year's Crystal Ball lacks the usual mayhem." Lu elbowed him in the ribs. "Hey Jamie, how's my favorite corporate lawyer?" James blocked her elbow. "Doing fine, Lulu" James smiled at CC and held out his hand. "My name is James Martin." CC smiled and shook his hand. "I'm CC Collins." Lu looked mortified. "Oh geez, I'm sorry. I just assumed you two knew each other. Jamie is Brooke's son, and I just figured since you've spent time with her and Edmund planning the ball, you would have run into each other." James shook his head. "No, I tend to make myself scarce when the time comes around for planning the ball or else they rope me into doing something." CC laughed. "Well, you don't have to worry about that anymore. They give me a general idea for a theme, and I do all the planning. No volunteers needed." James grinned. "Splendid! Well, hopefully you can break this curse that something dramatic happens at every Crystal Ball."
Ironically, it was then that it happened. Lorenzo Santos was shot in the back by an unknown assassin. No one knew where the shot originated, everyone was too riveted by the sight of Lorenzo sliding into a heap on the floor, and his mother Hayley letting out a blood-curdling scream. She was the first to see it because she was admiring her son dancing with his aunt Colby. They made a handsome pair and were quite adept on the dance floor. Colby had been giving him lessons in ballroom dancing, and his grace seemed to almost match hers - which was saying a lot since she was a prima donna ballerina. The gun must have had a silencer, because it made no noise. It took a moment for Hayley to understand just what happened. One second Lorenzo and Colby were twirling around the dance floor, the next moment he was sliding to the floor, blood pouring out of a wound in his back. Colby looked bewildered, thinking perhaps he had fainted for some reason. But the sight of Hayley flying across the room, a look of horror on her face, made Colby realize that something was very wrong. It was then that she saw the blood, and her screams mingled with Hayley's. Mateo, who had been chatting with Edmund, saw his wife sprinting across the room, and took off after her. When he reached her, she was prostrate on the floor beside her son. Mateo demanded that someone call 911, but CC had already whipped out her cell phone and placed the call.
David Hayward pushed his way to the front of the crowd and examined Lorenzo. He determined that the bullet had missed his heart, and that they needed only to stop the bleeding until the ambulence arrived. Without saying a word, Colby ripped away the excess fabric of her ball gown, handing it to David to stop up the wound. Hayley was babbling. "I knew this job was going to get him killed! I knew it!" Colby looked at Mateo, eyes wide. "Why would she think managing SOS has something to do with this?" Mateo thought quickly. He certainly couldn't tell the truth, that his son just recently joined the WSB. The identity of agents were kept secret for as long as possible. "Um…well, SOS has been the target of criminals for a long time now. She probably thinks this is another mob or drug hit." Colby nodded silently. That was certainly true.
Standing nearby, Maddie Grey overheard the conversation with great interest. She whispered to her brother, Sam. "I think Mateo is lying." Sam looked at her in surprise. "But it's true that SOS has been the target of criminals. Remember Proteus." Maddie shook her head. "That's not what I meant. I think he was deliberately misleading her. Hayley wasn't referring to Lorenzo's job at SOS. She was talking about some other job." Sam raised one eyebrow. "Is that one of your reporter's hunches?" Maddie nodded. "Lorenzo was shot for some other reason, and I want to find out the truth. What do you think?" Sam put his arm around his sister. "Well, as managing editor of Tempo, I give you my blessing. But as your brother, I say please, please, please be careful."
Llanview
New Years at the Manning house was much less eventful, which was saying a lot. Starr spent half the evening complaining that The Sentinel had scooped The Sun on yet another story. "That damned Mic Corinthos is such a thorn in my side! What I wouldn't give to grind his newspaper into the ground." Todd put his arm around his daughter. "You know what you need? A mole." Starr frowned. "I already have one, daddy. His name is Mr. Magoo." Todd paused, as he realized what she meant. "No, I don't mean one of your twisted little pets. You need someone to infiltrate his organization, and leak information back to The Sun." Starr's eyes lit up at the idea. Blair protested. "Todd! Why must you teach her such underhanded methods?" He looked taken aback. "You expect me to die without passing on my vast knowledge to my offspring? What else is parenting for?" Blair sighed and rolled her eyes. "Well at least you haven't corrupted Jack." She beamed at Jack, who beamed back. Todd and Starr looked ready to barf.
Starr took the opportunity to needle her brother. "Ah yes, the angelic Jack, with aspirations to become a doctor and save the world from disease and pestilence. Meanwhile he spends his time working at General Hospital, emptying bedpans and mopping up puke." Todd rubbed his hands on his face. "Must I be reminded that my son is working as a janitor when I could buy and sell that damned hospital?" Jack sighed. "Dad, you know I took that job so that I can have influential contacts when it comes time to apply to medical school." Todd glared at him. "I can buy you an influential contact!" Jack shook his head. "Dad, you know I don't want to achieve my career that way." Todd made a face. Jack cleared his throat. "I have run into some very interesting people there. For instance, I've met Mic Corinthos." Starr looked up quickly, then immediately tried to hide her interest. "So you've met the little weasel. Is he anything like Tavi?" She was referring to her pet ferret, Rikki Tikki Tavi.
Jack smiled, now that he knew he had her attention. "Actually, he is the complete opposite of a little weasel. He's tall, good looking, and very suave. All the nurses, and many of the doctors were quite bowled over by him. I bet he's quite the ladies man." Starr snorted. "And I bet they're all empty headed bimbos, too." Jack tutted. "Casting aspersions on someone else's love life when your own is nonexistent?" Starr's eyes flared in fury. "You're one to talk, Mr. Celibate!" They got into a yelling match, which greatly amused Todd, but distressed Blair. "Stop it, both of you!" They eventually calmed down. Blair cleared her throat. "Jack, I noticed Matt Rappaport leaving when I came home today. I didn't know you two were friends." Jack nodded. "We knew each other in high school – we were in band together." Starr let out a guffaw, but was silenced by a look from Blair. "Anyway, he's starting a new band, and asked if I would be the drummer. I said I would think about it. Sounds pretty cool to me. He wants to call the band Dream Weaver, and play hard rock with a slightly retro feel." Everyone was silent in surprise. Jack went on. "I told him that there's a very successful record company in Port Charles called L&B – they've signed a lot of famous musical artists. He was very excited when he heard that, so he'll be coming to visit me when school starts again."
Starr punched his arm. "Well, well bro. If you make it big, don't forget it was your sister that started you on the path to fame." Jack laughed. "Yeah, you were the one who encouraged me to start drumming." Todd's eyes flew to Starr. "We have you to blame for that? I should make you pay for all the cotton I had to stuff in my ears!" Blair frowned thoughtfully. "Didn't you tell Matt that you plan to be a doctor? If the band does make it big, you'd have to ditch them to finish your studies." Jack shrugged. "I told him. The way he figures it, he'll be the star of the band. If other members have to be replaced, its not a tragedy. He just wants to hire on some talented people right now, and doesn't care if they aren't committed for the long haul." Todd folded his arms. "Sounds like Matt has quite an inflated ego. I hope Sam and Nora know about this. Heh heh."
Blair looked out the window. "I wonder what's keeping River. He should have been here by now. I was hoping he could celebrate the New Year with us." Starr put her arm around her mother. "Mom, you know River hasn't been himself ever since Cassie and Andrew died." Blair folded her arms. "But its been three years! He's so determined to brood." Starr shrugged one shoulder. "I guess he hasn't told you the latest?" Blair shook her head. "Well, he recently decided that he wants to find his birth parents. For some reason he doesn't think Beth Garvey was really his mom. He seems convinced that there is some big secret to his identity. So he hired a private investigator to do some digging." Todd looked concerned at this piece of news, but quickly covered his alarm.
Port Charles
Mic Corinthos held a New Year's Eve get-together at his penthouse apartment. The first to show up was his good friend Maxie. She kissed him on the cheek. "Hey, kiddo, how ya doing?" He rolled his eyes, deciding not to comment on the kiddo remark. "Didn't you say you were bringing a date?" She took off her coat and sighed. "He bailed on me. Apparently there's some emergency he needs to take care of." Mic looked at her sympathetically. "Let me guess…your date was Lucky and he's off to save the world again?" Maxie laughed. "You don't have to give me the pity look. Its been a long, long time since any attention he's paid to me has actually mattered. I just look on him as a friend. If we go out together, fine. If not, no loss. He's too much like his father for me to take him seriously anymore." Mic put his arm around her. "I am so glad to hear that. It drove me crazy the way you looked up to that Peter Pan." Maxie looked around. "So where is your date?" Mic put his hands in his pockets. "I decided to go solo tonight. I want to concentrate on my hosting duties, and most of the women I date tend to demand a lot of attention." Maxie raised one eyebrow. "That's because you tend to date self-absorbed bimbos." Mic smirked. "Tell me what you really think, Maxie." Maxie shook her head. "If I thought you were really interested in any of them, I would have more tact. But you don't care one bit. You're just sowing your wild oats." Mic shrugged. "Well, I'm too young to settle down. I just want to have a bit of fun. I don't want to give the false impression that I'm ready for a serious relationship, so I don't date women that are seeking one." Maxie nodded. "That's very noble of you, Mic. Just don't use that excuse for too long, or it will start to smell."
The doorbell rang. Maxie laughed at Mic's relieved expression as he went to answer it. Jet and Brook walked into the room. Brook hugged Mic. "Man, am I glad to be here. We were just over at the Quartermaine mansion, and couldn't stand another minute." Mic laughed and looked over at Jet. "Does that family ever stop bickering?" Jet rolled his eyes. "It's a labor of love for them, especially during holidays. Hopefully we have until Fourth of July before the next serious blowup." Maxie hugged Brook. "Does your father still try and play referee?" She nodded. "Gatekeeper is the term he likes. And yes, he was right in the middle of it all. I am so glad that is one trait I didn't inherit." Maxie laughed. "That's true. Instead you inherited your mother's inability to put up with crap." Brook nodded enthusiastically. "Thank you, mom!" Mic passed out some drinks. "That trait has served you well in the music business, hasn't it?" Brook sat on the couch. "Oh yes. You wouldn't believe what these 'artists' try to get away with. Dad is great at spotting talent, but he doesn't know how to handle them. Kristina helped him out with that for awhile, but then her own singing career took off."
The doorbell rang again, signalling the arrival of Lucas, Georgie, and Jadzia. Maxie stood up to greet them. "Hey, who said you all had the night off? Why aren't you at Deception working?" Georgie and Jadzia giggled, but Lucas looked concerned. "Maxie, I did want to stay and crunch some numbers, but Georgie wouldn't take no for an answer." Georgie slapped his arm. "Lucas, she was kidding! Sheesh! You know Maxie better than that." Lucas looked uncomfortable. "Well, I figured she was kidding about you two, since you're the models. But I have to make sure the financial statements are in order for year end." Georgie gave a long suffering sigh and gave a pleading look to Maxie. "Will you please tell him that the numbers aren't going anywhere? That they'll be waiting patiently for him when he gets back to the office in two days?"
Maxie scrutinized Lucas, and waved him over to a corner to talk privately. "This isn't about the financial statements, is it?" Lucas looked uncomfortable. "I just want Deception to look as good as possible on the annual report." Maxie put her hand on his arm. "It will! The new Face to Face campaign has been a huge success. Thanks to Georgie and Jadzia, the sales are rolling in. No, I think this is about the fact that you just didn't want to come to the party." Lucas folded his arms, not saying anything. Maxie shook her head. "We've known each other too long for you to fool me. I think Georgie knows the truth too, but she is too gracious to call you on it. You can't let your diabetes keep you from enjoying life. Bobbie raised you better than that." Lucas sighed. "You're right, I know you're right. Its been hard for me, Maxie. Ever since that episode a few years ago…" Maxie gripped his arm. "You have to get past that. You are surrounded by people who love you, and will do everything they can to help you in a crisis situation." Lucas took a deep breath and nodded.
Jadzia flopped onto the couch beside Jet. "Hey Jet, do you have anymore openings in your class?" Jet raised one eyebrow. "You want to learn martial arts?" She nodded. "I think it would be very beneficial, now that I'm living in the dorm. I get a lot of guys coming up to me, and I want to feel safe and in control. Plus I think it will help me to relieve stress and learn discipline. I've got a real tough semester coming up." Jet nodded. "I think I can fit in one more person. I'll let Tommy know, he teaches the class with me. He fills in when I go out of town." Jadzia cocked her head. "Do you go out of town much?" Jet shrugged one shoulder. "Yeah, I like to travel. So what do you parents think about you living in the dorm?" Jadzia rolled her eyes. "They'll get over it. I just pointed out to them that Wyndemere isn't exactly convenient to campus. I really stopped mom in her tracks when I asked her if she lived with Grandma Flo when she was my age." They laughed. Jet's cell phone rang, and he excused himself and went out on the balcony.
It was a call from Mateo Santos. Lorenzo had been shot while at the Crystal Ball. He was at the hospital, in critical condition. "You think this had something to do with the WSB?" He heard Mateo sigh on the other end. "We're pretty sure. Anna Devane believes it was so expertly handled that it had to be DVX. We never even got a look at the assassin. He or she disappeared without a trace." Jet swore softly. Lorenzo joined the Bureau only two months ago. He felt the guilt flood him. He was the one who recruited Lorenzo. "I know what you're thinking, Jet, and you can forget about it. Lorenzo would have joined the WSB with or without your endorsement." Jet decided not to comment. "I'll let my parents know. I'm sure mom will want to be there for Hayley." He hung up and called Jax and Skye, letting them know the news. They agreed to fly out first thing in the morning.
Jet came back into the penthouse, and told Mic that he needed to leave – a family emergency. When he opened the door, he bumped into Serena, who had just arrived. She came in and waved to everyone. "How are my two favorite clients?" she asked, referring to Mic and Maxie. Mic laughed. "Not getting into any legal trouble, if that's what you're worried about." Serena nodded and took off her coat. "Good, I'm off the clock tonight." Mic looked at his watch. "Speaking of clocks, its almost midnight. There's only two of us men, and five women. Better practice your pucker, Lucas. We have a lot of ladies to satisfy." Brook threw a sofa pillow at him. "In your dreams, Corinthos!"