[author's note: this chapter has a music montage featuring the song Just
Like Jesse James by Cher. Words of the song are preceded by an asterisk.
If you're not familiar with the tune you can hear a clip at the following
website: http://www.darqfire.com/music/cher.html ]
Chapter 18
Jim's Gym
*You're struttin' into town like you're slingin' a gun
*Just a small town dude with a big city attitude
*Honey are you lookin' for some trouble tonight
*Well alright
Skye didn't usually come to the gym early in the morning – she preferred jogging at that hour. But it was pouring down rain, so she chose the relative comforts of the treadmill. She missed a step slightly when she saw Sonny walk through the door and head to one of the weight machines. She looked away, piqued that he would be wearing a tank top. When she glanced over, she saw that he had spotted her and was approaching. She punched the buttons on the treadmill, and when it slowed down, she hopped off. "Did you find your cat?" he asked. "Someone found him for me. He appeared on my doorstep in a cage." Sonny tilted his head. "Was he alright?" She nodded. "Disgruntled, but in perfect health." He appeared satisfied. There was a long pause. "Actually, I was wondering if you would like to watch him again for me. I'm going to Llanview next week for a few days." He stared at her and shrugged. "Yeah, I can do that." She smiled. "Great, I'll be sure to give you the key before I go." He waved his hand. "Don't bother, I had a copy made the last time." Her eyes widened. "You did what? How dare you!" He smirked. "What do you expect when you give a criminal your key?" She put her hands on her hips. "Well, I guess I'll have to have the locks changed when I get back." He lifted one eyebrow. "So then what happens next time you're out of town and you need me to watch him?" She threw up her hands. "Just forget the whole thing! Maybe I'll take him with me! According to you, he likes airplanes." She folded her arms. Sonny shrugged indifferently.
*You think you're so bad, drive the women folk wild
*Shoot'em all down with the flash of your pearly smile
*Honey but you met your match tonight
*Oh, that's right
"So you going to Llanview to visit your mother?" She lifted her chin. "I'll see her when I'm there. But my main reason for going is that I'm going to be the keynote speaker at a conference for women executives." She smiled in pride. Sonny smirked again. "Are you going to regale the crowd with how you managed to claw your way to the top using blackmail, fraud, and bribery?" Skye's jaw dropped. "What the hell is the matter with you? Are you trying to get a rise out of me? Perhaps regretting that you were so nice to me when my cat was lost? Now that he's home you can go back to shooting me down?" Sonny looked amused. "I have no idea what you're talking about." She put her hands on her hips. "Oh please, don't deny that you're running hot and cold on me." Sonny narrowed his eyes. "You don't know what you're talking about. I'll show you hot and cold." He reached over and grabbed her, pulling her to him. In front of everyone in the gym he kissed her, pouring all his passion and fire into it until she was sagging against him. He broke the kiss and looked down at her, his face a stone cold mask. He let go and walked away. Skye stared after him in shock.
*You think you'll knock me off my feet
*'Til I'm flat on the floor
*'Til my heart is cryin' Indian and I'm beggin' for more
*So come on baby
*Come on baby
*Come on baby show me what that loaded gun is for
Skye wanted to scream in fury, but decided not to give the other gym members more entertainment. She strode into the ladies locker room, bent on revenge. She took out her cell phone and dialed her PI. "Larry, I want you to find out as quickly as you can what Sonny Corinthos has planned for tonight." She hung up and consulted her daytimer. She had an afternoon meeting with Mac Scorpio to discuss ELQ's intended contribution to the PCPD's annual fundraiser. Perfect. She dialed Mac's voice mail and left a message. "Commissioner Scorpio, this is Skye Chandler-Quartermaine. I was wondering if we could move our meeting back to the evening. We can discuss business over dinner. Give me a call and let me know what you think."
*If you can give it
*I can take it
*'Cause if this heart is gonna break it's gonna take a lot to break it
*I know tonight
*Somebody's gonna win the fight
*So if you're so tough
*Come on and prove it
*Your heart is down for the count and you know you're gonna lose it
*Tonight you're gonna go down in flames
*Just like Jesse James
ELQ, CEO's Office
Later that morning Skye received a call from her PI. Sonny Corinthos was having dinner at the PC Grille with his attorney, Alexis Davis. Skye smiled wickedly. The next call was from Lieutenant Taggert. Mac Scorpio was called away unexpectedly, but Taggert would be free to discuss ELQ's contribution over dinner. Skye wanted to laugh out loud. Taggert was even more perfect than Scorpio. She told him to meet her at the PC Grille at 7pm.
*You're an outlaw lover and I'm after your hide
*Well you ain't so strong, won't be long 'til your hands are tied
*Tonight I'm gonna take you in
*Dead or Alive
*That's right
PC Grille
Skye walked into the restaurant with Taggert. She was wearing one of her sexier dresses. The maitre'd seated them, and Skye glanced around surreptitiously. She saw that Sonny and Alexis were already there, at a table not far from them. Better and better. Skye smiled winningly at Taggert and asked him for details about the fundraiser. As he answered, she leaned her arms on the table, staring at him intently as if she were drinking in every word. When they came to an agreement over how much ELQ would contribute, Skye put her hand on his. "Lieutenant Taggert, I'm glad it was you who came instead of Commisioner Scorpio." He raised one eyebrow. "Why is that, Ms. Chandler-Quartermaine?" She smiled coyly. "Well, for some time I have been considering approaching your sister Gia about a fundraising idea of my own." He looked startled. "What do you mean?" She cocked her head. "I know Gia has been involved in a lot of charity events since becoming Nikolas Cassadine's fiance. Do you think she would have time to fit in one more, or would it be too much to take on?" Taggert leaned in and smiled at her. "Well, why don't you tell me your idea, and I'll tell you whether she could handle it." Skye laughed, hoping that Sonny was watching. When she finished telling him her idea, he nodded thoughtfully. "I think she would love it. How about I feel her out first, and get back to you?" She sighed and gazed at him adoringly. "Would you? I would appreciate it so much!"
Taggert nodded, then leaned in again. "By the way, I know what you're up to." Skye adopted a look of innocence. "What do you mean?" He smiled arrogantly. "You moved the meeting to dinner here at the Grille. You're wearing a very sexy dress. And you've been flirting with me all evening. Meanwhile, Sonny Corinthos is sitting a few tables down and has been glaring daggers at us the whole time." In her delight, she forgot to deny it. "Has he really?" she asked with a grin. Taggert raised one eyebrow. "If looks were actions, I'd be able to arrest him for assaulting a police officer." She couldn't help herself, she giggled. But she quickly sobered. "Are you mad at me?" Taggert shook his head. "I welcome any opportunity to stick it to that slimeball. But I'm wondering why you would have anything to do with him." She shrugged. "I'm afraid that's private." He shrugged too. Having paid the bill, they stood up. Taggert went over to her side of the table. "Why don't we give Sonny one last thing to think about." Before she could say anything, Taggert pulled her into his arms and kissed her. Skye heard a crashing noise in the general direction of Sonny's table and stifled her laughter. Taggert broke the kiss, winked down at her, and quickly led her out the restaurant.
*You break the laws of love in the name of desire
*Take ten steps back
*'Cause I'm ready baby
*Aim and fire
*Baby there's nowhere you gonna run tonight
*Ooh That's right
Skye's Townhouse
Skye sat on her couch, reveling in her triumph, when she heard a noise at the door. It took a moment to realize that it was the sound of a key being inserted in the lock. She stood up and turned around. Sonny strode into the foyer and slammed the door. "Be careful with the door, that's Venetian glass!" He ignored her words, storming into the living room, his face a mask of fury. "What the hell kind of stunt were you trying to pull back there?" She folded her arms, feigning nonchalance. "I have no idea what you're talking about." Sonny put his hands on his hips. "Trying to make me jealous with Taggert of all people. You should know something right now, that kind of stuff doesn't work on me. Carly tried it many times and failed miserably." Skye raised one eyebrow. "Oh really? You weren't jealous, hmm? Tell me, how much more did you have to pay to cover the broken dinnerware?" Sonny narrowed his eyes. "What is it you're trying to prove?" Skye smiled triumphantly. "You attempted to demonstrate at the gym today that you could kiss me and still be completely unaffected. I was just proving that you are not indifferent to me by any stretch of the imagination."
*Well you've had your way with love but it's the end of the day
*Now a team of wild horses couldn't drag your heart away
*So come on baby
*Come on baby
*Come on baby you know there ain't nothing left to say
Sonny looked down at her dress, which molded to her every curve. He remembered what those curves looked like. He shifted his eyes back to her face and smiled arrogantly at her. "Well, congratulations, Skye Chandler- Quartermaine. You won the game. Time to collect your prize." He grabbed her shoulders and pulled her to him. She held her breath, waiting for him to kiss her. But he just stared at her, a challenge in his eyes.
*If you can give it
*I can take it
*'Cause if this heart is gonna break it's gonna take a lot to break it
*I know tonight
*Somebody's gonna win the fight
*So if you're so tough
*Come on and prove it
*Your heart is down for the count and you know you're gonna lose it
*Tonight you're gonna go down in flames
*Just like Jesse James
She stared back, knowing what it was that he wanted. Since she had won the last battle, she decided to concede defeat this time. She snaked her arms around his neck and pulled him in for the kiss. Just before her lips met his, he smiled wickedly and pulled her down on the couch.
*Tonight you're gonna go down in flames
*Just like Jesse James
*Tonight you're gonna go down in flames
*Just like Jesse James
*I'm gonna shoot ya down Jesse James
Chapter 18
Jim's Gym
*You're struttin' into town like you're slingin' a gun
*Just a small town dude with a big city attitude
*Honey are you lookin' for some trouble tonight
*Well alright
Skye didn't usually come to the gym early in the morning – she preferred jogging at that hour. But it was pouring down rain, so she chose the relative comforts of the treadmill. She missed a step slightly when she saw Sonny walk through the door and head to one of the weight machines. She looked away, piqued that he would be wearing a tank top. When she glanced over, she saw that he had spotted her and was approaching. She punched the buttons on the treadmill, and when it slowed down, she hopped off. "Did you find your cat?" he asked. "Someone found him for me. He appeared on my doorstep in a cage." Sonny tilted his head. "Was he alright?" She nodded. "Disgruntled, but in perfect health." He appeared satisfied. There was a long pause. "Actually, I was wondering if you would like to watch him again for me. I'm going to Llanview next week for a few days." He stared at her and shrugged. "Yeah, I can do that." She smiled. "Great, I'll be sure to give you the key before I go." He waved his hand. "Don't bother, I had a copy made the last time." Her eyes widened. "You did what? How dare you!" He smirked. "What do you expect when you give a criminal your key?" She put her hands on her hips. "Well, I guess I'll have to have the locks changed when I get back." He lifted one eyebrow. "So then what happens next time you're out of town and you need me to watch him?" She threw up her hands. "Just forget the whole thing! Maybe I'll take him with me! According to you, he likes airplanes." She folded her arms. Sonny shrugged indifferently.
*You think you're so bad, drive the women folk wild
*Shoot'em all down with the flash of your pearly smile
*Honey but you met your match tonight
*Oh, that's right
"So you going to Llanview to visit your mother?" She lifted her chin. "I'll see her when I'm there. But my main reason for going is that I'm going to be the keynote speaker at a conference for women executives." She smiled in pride. Sonny smirked again. "Are you going to regale the crowd with how you managed to claw your way to the top using blackmail, fraud, and bribery?" Skye's jaw dropped. "What the hell is the matter with you? Are you trying to get a rise out of me? Perhaps regretting that you were so nice to me when my cat was lost? Now that he's home you can go back to shooting me down?" Sonny looked amused. "I have no idea what you're talking about." She put her hands on her hips. "Oh please, don't deny that you're running hot and cold on me." Sonny narrowed his eyes. "You don't know what you're talking about. I'll show you hot and cold." He reached over and grabbed her, pulling her to him. In front of everyone in the gym he kissed her, pouring all his passion and fire into it until she was sagging against him. He broke the kiss and looked down at her, his face a stone cold mask. He let go and walked away. Skye stared after him in shock.
*You think you'll knock me off my feet
*'Til I'm flat on the floor
*'Til my heart is cryin' Indian and I'm beggin' for more
*So come on baby
*Come on baby
*Come on baby show me what that loaded gun is for
Skye wanted to scream in fury, but decided not to give the other gym members more entertainment. She strode into the ladies locker room, bent on revenge. She took out her cell phone and dialed her PI. "Larry, I want you to find out as quickly as you can what Sonny Corinthos has planned for tonight." She hung up and consulted her daytimer. She had an afternoon meeting with Mac Scorpio to discuss ELQ's intended contribution to the PCPD's annual fundraiser. Perfect. She dialed Mac's voice mail and left a message. "Commissioner Scorpio, this is Skye Chandler-Quartermaine. I was wondering if we could move our meeting back to the evening. We can discuss business over dinner. Give me a call and let me know what you think."
*If you can give it
*I can take it
*'Cause if this heart is gonna break it's gonna take a lot to break it
*I know tonight
*Somebody's gonna win the fight
*So if you're so tough
*Come on and prove it
*Your heart is down for the count and you know you're gonna lose it
*Tonight you're gonna go down in flames
*Just like Jesse James
ELQ, CEO's Office
Later that morning Skye received a call from her PI. Sonny Corinthos was having dinner at the PC Grille with his attorney, Alexis Davis. Skye smiled wickedly. The next call was from Lieutenant Taggert. Mac Scorpio was called away unexpectedly, but Taggert would be free to discuss ELQ's contribution over dinner. Skye wanted to laugh out loud. Taggert was even more perfect than Scorpio. She told him to meet her at the PC Grille at 7pm.
*You're an outlaw lover and I'm after your hide
*Well you ain't so strong, won't be long 'til your hands are tied
*Tonight I'm gonna take you in
*Dead or Alive
*That's right
PC Grille
Skye walked into the restaurant with Taggert. She was wearing one of her sexier dresses. The maitre'd seated them, and Skye glanced around surreptitiously. She saw that Sonny and Alexis were already there, at a table not far from them. Better and better. Skye smiled winningly at Taggert and asked him for details about the fundraiser. As he answered, she leaned her arms on the table, staring at him intently as if she were drinking in every word. When they came to an agreement over how much ELQ would contribute, Skye put her hand on his. "Lieutenant Taggert, I'm glad it was you who came instead of Commisioner Scorpio." He raised one eyebrow. "Why is that, Ms. Chandler-Quartermaine?" She smiled coyly. "Well, for some time I have been considering approaching your sister Gia about a fundraising idea of my own." He looked startled. "What do you mean?" She cocked her head. "I know Gia has been involved in a lot of charity events since becoming Nikolas Cassadine's fiance. Do you think she would have time to fit in one more, or would it be too much to take on?" Taggert leaned in and smiled at her. "Well, why don't you tell me your idea, and I'll tell you whether she could handle it." Skye laughed, hoping that Sonny was watching. When she finished telling him her idea, he nodded thoughtfully. "I think she would love it. How about I feel her out first, and get back to you?" She sighed and gazed at him adoringly. "Would you? I would appreciate it so much!"
Taggert nodded, then leaned in again. "By the way, I know what you're up to." Skye adopted a look of innocence. "What do you mean?" He smiled arrogantly. "You moved the meeting to dinner here at the Grille. You're wearing a very sexy dress. And you've been flirting with me all evening. Meanwhile, Sonny Corinthos is sitting a few tables down and has been glaring daggers at us the whole time." In her delight, she forgot to deny it. "Has he really?" she asked with a grin. Taggert raised one eyebrow. "If looks were actions, I'd be able to arrest him for assaulting a police officer." She couldn't help herself, she giggled. But she quickly sobered. "Are you mad at me?" Taggert shook his head. "I welcome any opportunity to stick it to that slimeball. But I'm wondering why you would have anything to do with him." She shrugged. "I'm afraid that's private." He shrugged too. Having paid the bill, they stood up. Taggert went over to her side of the table. "Why don't we give Sonny one last thing to think about." Before she could say anything, Taggert pulled her into his arms and kissed her. Skye heard a crashing noise in the general direction of Sonny's table and stifled her laughter. Taggert broke the kiss, winked down at her, and quickly led her out the restaurant.
*You break the laws of love in the name of desire
*Take ten steps back
*'Cause I'm ready baby
*Aim and fire
*Baby there's nowhere you gonna run tonight
*Ooh That's right
Skye's Townhouse
Skye sat on her couch, reveling in her triumph, when she heard a noise at the door. It took a moment to realize that it was the sound of a key being inserted in the lock. She stood up and turned around. Sonny strode into the foyer and slammed the door. "Be careful with the door, that's Venetian glass!" He ignored her words, storming into the living room, his face a mask of fury. "What the hell kind of stunt were you trying to pull back there?" She folded her arms, feigning nonchalance. "I have no idea what you're talking about." Sonny put his hands on his hips. "Trying to make me jealous with Taggert of all people. You should know something right now, that kind of stuff doesn't work on me. Carly tried it many times and failed miserably." Skye raised one eyebrow. "Oh really? You weren't jealous, hmm? Tell me, how much more did you have to pay to cover the broken dinnerware?" Sonny narrowed his eyes. "What is it you're trying to prove?" Skye smiled triumphantly. "You attempted to demonstrate at the gym today that you could kiss me and still be completely unaffected. I was just proving that you are not indifferent to me by any stretch of the imagination."
*Well you've had your way with love but it's the end of the day
*Now a team of wild horses couldn't drag your heart away
*So come on baby
*Come on baby
*Come on baby you know there ain't nothing left to say
Sonny looked down at her dress, which molded to her every curve. He remembered what those curves looked like. He shifted his eyes back to her face and smiled arrogantly at her. "Well, congratulations, Skye Chandler- Quartermaine. You won the game. Time to collect your prize." He grabbed her shoulders and pulled her to him. She held her breath, waiting for him to kiss her. But he just stared at her, a challenge in his eyes.
*If you can give it
*I can take it
*'Cause if this heart is gonna break it's gonna take a lot to break it
*I know tonight
*Somebody's gonna win the fight
*So if you're so tough
*Come on and prove it
*Your heart is down for the count and you know you're gonna lose it
*Tonight you're gonna go down in flames
*Just like Jesse James
She stared back, knowing what it was that he wanted. Since she had won the last battle, she decided to concede defeat this time. She snaked her arms around his neck and pulled him in for the kiss. Just before her lips met his, he smiled wickedly and pulled her down on the couch.
*Tonight you're gonna go down in flames
*Just like Jesse James
*Tonight you're gonna go down in flames
*Just like Jesse James
*I'm gonna shoot ya down Jesse James
