Chapter 29
Llanview
Skye and Sonny came to Llanview to help Rae move her personal belongings that wouldn't be packed by the professional movers. Sonny was offering the use of his jet to transport it all to Port Charles. Rae was glad for the opportunity to get to know Sonny a little bit better, though she was still uncomfortable with the sticky situation they were in. Despite the awkwardness, she was beginning to understand why Skye loved Sonny. He was a very complex man, that was for sure – a great study for any person in the psychology field. Not that she would ever practice her trade on him, she had a feeling he wouldn't appreciate it. As thanks for their help, Rae took them to dinner at The Palace hotel, hoping Renee wouldn't know she had a mob boss dining in her restaurant. She was known to kick out anyone she found the least bit unsavory. As they were eating, Skye was delighted to see Gabrielle Medina walk in with Bo Buchanan. She waved them over. "Gabby, its great to see you again!" She got up to air kiss Gabby's cheek. When Skye sat back down, Gabrielle linked her arm with Bo's. "Skye, I believe you've met my date, Bo Buchanan." She emphasized the word "date" and Skye grinned at the reference. "Yes I have. Nice to meet you again, Bo. I don't believe the two of you have met my fiance, Sonny Corinthos."
Gabby's mouth gaped open. "Fiance! Oh that's wonderful! Congratulations!" Skye stood up once again so that Gabrielle could hug her enthusiastically. Gabby grabbed her left hand to look at the ring. Sonny had presented it to Skye soon after their engagement. It was a square-cut sapphire offset by diamonds in a leaf pattern on either side. Gabby clutched her chest. "Its exquisite! Oh, Skye, I am so happy for you." Then Gabrielle gasped. "I've got the most wonderful idea. Oh, but I hate to say anything for fear of being too presumptious." Bo glanced at Gabby. "When did that ever stop you?" She gave him a withering look, then turned back to Skye. "I know that at many weddings, where there is a threat of a media circus, the bride and groom will allow only one reporter to cover the event. I think that would be very prudent in your case, and I think I'm the perfect choice for reporter!" Skye was taken aback. "Gabby, notwithstanding your excellent reporting skills, I don't think I want the Sun getting an exclusive on my wedding." Gabby shook her head. "Oh no, it wouldn't be like that. You see, I have a clause in my contract that says I can freelance for two major gigs a year. You could specify which newspapers you would prefer me to sell the story to first." Skye brightened. "Well that sounds better. Sonny and I will discuss it and get back to you." Gabby beamed.
Bo turned to Rae. "So are you all packed up?" She smiled. "Almost. Skye and Sonny are here to help me with the items I don't want the movers to take." Bo shook his head. "We sure are going to miss you in Llanview. But I can't help but be happy for you and John." Rae beamed. "I was glad that you came to see him be sworn in as police commissioner." Bo nodded. "I'm extremely proud of him. He is a very competent officer, and I know he will be a great leader as well." Skye glanced at Sonny and explained. "Bo is the police commissioner for Llanview. John used to work for him." Sonny nodded, not saying anything.
Llanview Airport
After making sure that everything was loaded snugly in the cargo hold, Rae said her goodbyes and Sonny and Skye boarded the jet. Sonny pressed the intercom button for the cockpit. "Bob, we're all ready back here." There was a pause, and then the pilot replied. "Yes, Mr. Corinthos. I'll get things started." Sonny shook his head after releasing the button. "Bob sounds a little stressed out. I need to get a temporary replacement so he can go on vacation." He made a note in his planner. Skye sat back and sighed. "Sonny, I have to tell you, I really am excited that my mother is going to come live in Port Charles. A year ago the idea might not have thrilled me as much, but we've gotten closer, and I look forward to seeing her on a regular basis." Sonny smiled. "I know what you mean. Once upon a time, Mike was a thorn in my side, but in the past year I've been happier than ever to have him in my life." Skye grinned. "Just think, we'll both have our families around for Christmas. Well, Adam won't be in Port Charles, but everyone else will." Sonny looked thoughtful. "I really would like to meet your adoptive father. Why don't we go there after Christmas, if he's available?" Her eyes lit up. "That's a great idea! Maybe we can go there for New Year's. There's a charity event put on there every year called the Crystal Ball. I'm sure we could get tickets to it." Sonny nodded. "Call Adam when we get back to town and see what he thinks." The jet taxied down the runway and took off. They chatted about their plans for Christmas, as the jet ascended and eventually leveled out.
Skye stared at the refrigerator and licked her lips. "I am dying of thirst. Is it alright for me to get up now and get some water?" Sonny frowned and drummed his fingers against the arm rest. "Usually Bob would have turned off the seatbelt light by now." He pressed the intercom button. "Hey Bob, are we okay to take off our seatbelts?" There was a pause, and then the pilot spoke. "Please stay in your seats. Sonny, there's a problem up…" The intercom crackled, and then was cut off. Sonny tensed, and when he heard what sounded like scuffling sounds coming from the cockpit, he took off his seatbelt and leapt to his feet. Before he reached the cockpit, there was a loud thud. Sonny paused, and then moved forward again. The cockpit door opened, and Roger Whitaker stepped out, holding a gun. Skye gasped. The mobster said in his broad southern accent, "I'm afraid that your pilot is no longer able to perform his duties. I don't suppose either of you knows how to fly this thing?" Sonny and Skye shook their heads. "Well then, I guess it's a good thing I kept one of the parachutes. The rest are dumped on the tarmac back in Llanview."
A muscle worked in Sonny's jaw. "What did you do to the pilot?" Roger shrugged. "I broke his neck. It would have been easier to shoot him, but I'm still hoping to make the plane crash look like an accident. Now mind you, if either of you makes a move as I try to escape, I will shoot you." He tightened the straps of the parachute, and sidled over to the door of the jet. "I've taken the liberty of disabling the communications. You won't have any way of contacting someone for help." Skye stood up. "You're not going to actually open the door? We'll all be sucked out!" Whitaker laughed. "Since I'm the one with the parachute, I don't give a damn." He reached the door and started unlatching the safety locks. Concentrating on his efforts, he didn't see Mocha, who had been lounging in one of the overhead compartments. The cat meowed at Whitaker, who looked up, startled. He shooed his free hand at the cat. "Get away, you vermin!" The cat hissed at him. Whitaker raised the gun to shoot the cat, and Skye screamed at the top of her lungs. Freaked out by the commotion, the cat leaped onto Whitaker's head, digging his claws in his face. Whitaker howled and dropped the gun in order to try and pry the cat off his head. Sonny ran over and fetched the gun. Mocha chose this moment to leap off Whitaker's head, and when the man had come to his senses, he realized the gun was pointed at him.
Sonny gave the gun to Skye, and tied up Whitaker, stuffing a handkerchief in his mouth. He went to go see what was up with the cockpit. He came back. "Well, we aren't flying into a mountain. But he did disable the communications and the autopilot." Skye handed him back the gun and dug in her purse for her cell phone. Sonny frowned. "Should you use that? Doesn't it interfere with the navigation or something?" Skye raised her eyebrows. "What navigation? I'm going to call Jax. Maybe he can guide us to land. You stay here and make sure he doesn't get loose." Sonny didn't argue with her. If Whitaker got loose, he wanted to make sure he was the one dealing with him. Skye went into the cockpit, trying to ignore the dead man slumped in the corner. She dialed Jax's office number. "Jax? Oh Jax, I am so glad you answered!" She explained to him the situation, and after letting loose a colorful string of Aussie curses, he set about telling her what to do. Using conference call, he contacted the Port Charles Airport and had her describe the readouts that would tell her where the jet was at the moment. Once they determined where she was located, and the nearest airport to her, Jax hung up and called that airport to describe the situation. They acknowledged that she was on their screen, and between Jax giving her impromptu flying instructions and the air traffic controllers guiding her direction, she was able to steer the jet in the right direction.
Sonny came into the cockpit and told her that he had locked Whitaker in the bathroom. She glanced over at him. "Sonny, I'm scared. What if I can't land this thing?" Sonny shook his head. "If you don't want to do this, I'll take over. But I think you are very capable of pulling this off. I have total confidence in you." Jax echoed his sentiments. She took a deep breath and let it out. "Okay, I'm ready." Jax asked her to hand the phone to Sonny. She did so, and Jax gave him instructions on what instruments to watch while she was landing. He briefed Sonny about what the readings should say, and at what point to warn Skye if something wasn't right. Sonny handed the cell phone back to her, and after listening for awhile, she slowly steered the jet into a descent. Sonny held the phone to her ear so she could use both hands. When they were nearing the tarmac, Skye's face registered both concentration and terror. When the jet landed, with just a bounce or two, both Sonny and Skye let out huge sighs of relief.
When the jet came to a stop, Skye dropped her head into her hands and started sobbing. Sonny put the cell phone to his ear and quietly thanked Jax for all his help. He hung up, and pulled Skye into his arms. Eventually she stopped crying and raised her head. "Well, it's good we didn't crash. Rae would have been upset if all her precious things had been destroyed." Sonny shook his head in incredulity. She was obviously suffering shock. They heard knocking on the jet door. They went to open it, and were greeted by the local cops, who had come to haul Whitaker off to the local jail. They also took Sonny and Skye with them to file a report. The sheriff told them that they had notified the nearest Feds, since Whitaker was wanted in several states, and that an agent was on his way. While they were making their statements, a tall, rugged looking man strode into the Sheriff's office, and flashed his FBI badge. "Sheriff Miller, I'm Agent Chris Stamp from the FBI. I can't tell you how pleased I am to see that scum Whitaker behind bars." He turned to Skye and flashed her a grin. "And I'm sure Erica will be pleased to see that you have escaped harm. Well done, Ms. Quartermaine." Skye's mouth gaped open, then spread into a grin when she realized that she had finally met Erica's fiance.
Llanview
Skye and Sonny came to Llanview to help Rae move her personal belongings that wouldn't be packed by the professional movers. Sonny was offering the use of his jet to transport it all to Port Charles. Rae was glad for the opportunity to get to know Sonny a little bit better, though she was still uncomfortable with the sticky situation they were in. Despite the awkwardness, she was beginning to understand why Skye loved Sonny. He was a very complex man, that was for sure – a great study for any person in the psychology field. Not that she would ever practice her trade on him, she had a feeling he wouldn't appreciate it. As thanks for their help, Rae took them to dinner at The Palace hotel, hoping Renee wouldn't know she had a mob boss dining in her restaurant. She was known to kick out anyone she found the least bit unsavory. As they were eating, Skye was delighted to see Gabrielle Medina walk in with Bo Buchanan. She waved them over. "Gabby, its great to see you again!" She got up to air kiss Gabby's cheek. When Skye sat back down, Gabrielle linked her arm with Bo's. "Skye, I believe you've met my date, Bo Buchanan." She emphasized the word "date" and Skye grinned at the reference. "Yes I have. Nice to meet you again, Bo. I don't believe the two of you have met my fiance, Sonny Corinthos."
Gabby's mouth gaped open. "Fiance! Oh that's wonderful! Congratulations!" Skye stood up once again so that Gabrielle could hug her enthusiastically. Gabby grabbed her left hand to look at the ring. Sonny had presented it to Skye soon after their engagement. It was a square-cut sapphire offset by diamonds in a leaf pattern on either side. Gabby clutched her chest. "Its exquisite! Oh, Skye, I am so happy for you." Then Gabrielle gasped. "I've got the most wonderful idea. Oh, but I hate to say anything for fear of being too presumptious." Bo glanced at Gabby. "When did that ever stop you?" She gave him a withering look, then turned back to Skye. "I know that at many weddings, where there is a threat of a media circus, the bride and groom will allow only one reporter to cover the event. I think that would be very prudent in your case, and I think I'm the perfect choice for reporter!" Skye was taken aback. "Gabby, notwithstanding your excellent reporting skills, I don't think I want the Sun getting an exclusive on my wedding." Gabby shook her head. "Oh no, it wouldn't be like that. You see, I have a clause in my contract that says I can freelance for two major gigs a year. You could specify which newspapers you would prefer me to sell the story to first." Skye brightened. "Well that sounds better. Sonny and I will discuss it and get back to you." Gabby beamed.
Bo turned to Rae. "So are you all packed up?" She smiled. "Almost. Skye and Sonny are here to help me with the items I don't want the movers to take." Bo shook his head. "We sure are going to miss you in Llanview. But I can't help but be happy for you and John." Rae beamed. "I was glad that you came to see him be sworn in as police commissioner." Bo nodded. "I'm extremely proud of him. He is a very competent officer, and I know he will be a great leader as well." Skye glanced at Sonny and explained. "Bo is the police commissioner for Llanview. John used to work for him." Sonny nodded, not saying anything.
Llanview Airport
After making sure that everything was loaded snugly in the cargo hold, Rae said her goodbyes and Sonny and Skye boarded the jet. Sonny pressed the intercom button for the cockpit. "Bob, we're all ready back here." There was a pause, and then the pilot replied. "Yes, Mr. Corinthos. I'll get things started." Sonny shook his head after releasing the button. "Bob sounds a little stressed out. I need to get a temporary replacement so he can go on vacation." He made a note in his planner. Skye sat back and sighed. "Sonny, I have to tell you, I really am excited that my mother is going to come live in Port Charles. A year ago the idea might not have thrilled me as much, but we've gotten closer, and I look forward to seeing her on a regular basis." Sonny smiled. "I know what you mean. Once upon a time, Mike was a thorn in my side, but in the past year I've been happier than ever to have him in my life." Skye grinned. "Just think, we'll both have our families around for Christmas. Well, Adam won't be in Port Charles, but everyone else will." Sonny looked thoughtful. "I really would like to meet your adoptive father. Why don't we go there after Christmas, if he's available?" Her eyes lit up. "That's a great idea! Maybe we can go there for New Year's. There's a charity event put on there every year called the Crystal Ball. I'm sure we could get tickets to it." Sonny nodded. "Call Adam when we get back to town and see what he thinks." The jet taxied down the runway and took off. They chatted about their plans for Christmas, as the jet ascended and eventually leveled out.
Skye stared at the refrigerator and licked her lips. "I am dying of thirst. Is it alright for me to get up now and get some water?" Sonny frowned and drummed his fingers against the arm rest. "Usually Bob would have turned off the seatbelt light by now." He pressed the intercom button. "Hey Bob, are we okay to take off our seatbelts?" There was a pause, and then the pilot spoke. "Please stay in your seats. Sonny, there's a problem up…" The intercom crackled, and then was cut off. Sonny tensed, and when he heard what sounded like scuffling sounds coming from the cockpit, he took off his seatbelt and leapt to his feet. Before he reached the cockpit, there was a loud thud. Sonny paused, and then moved forward again. The cockpit door opened, and Roger Whitaker stepped out, holding a gun. Skye gasped. The mobster said in his broad southern accent, "I'm afraid that your pilot is no longer able to perform his duties. I don't suppose either of you knows how to fly this thing?" Sonny and Skye shook their heads. "Well then, I guess it's a good thing I kept one of the parachutes. The rest are dumped on the tarmac back in Llanview."
A muscle worked in Sonny's jaw. "What did you do to the pilot?" Roger shrugged. "I broke his neck. It would have been easier to shoot him, but I'm still hoping to make the plane crash look like an accident. Now mind you, if either of you makes a move as I try to escape, I will shoot you." He tightened the straps of the parachute, and sidled over to the door of the jet. "I've taken the liberty of disabling the communications. You won't have any way of contacting someone for help." Skye stood up. "You're not going to actually open the door? We'll all be sucked out!" Whitaker laughed. "Since I'm the one with the parachute, I don't give a damn." He reached the door and started unlatching the safety locks. Concentrating on his efforts, he didn't see Mocha, who had been lounging in one of the overhead compartments. The cat meowed at Whitaker, who looked up, startled. He shooed his free hand at the cat. "Get away, you vermin!" The cat hissed at him. Whitaker raised the gun to shoot the cat, and Skye screamed at the top of her lungs. Freaked out by the commotion, the cat leaped onto Whitaker's head, digging his claws in his face. Whitaker howled and dropped the gun in order to try and pry the cat off his head. Sonny ran over and fetched the gun. Mocha chose this moment to leap off Whitaker's head, and when the man had come to his senses, he realized the gun was pointed at him.
Sonny gave the gun to Skye, and tied up Whitaker, stuffing a handkerchief in his mouth. He went to go see what was up with the cockpit. He came back. "Well, we aren't flying into a mountain. But he did disable the communications and the autopilot." Skye handed him back the gun and dug in her purse for her cell phone. Sonny frowned. "Should you use that? Doesn't it interfere with the navigation or something?" Skye raised her eyebrows. "What navigation? I'm going to call Jax. Maybe he can guide us to land. You stay here and make sure he doesn't get loose." Sonny didn't argue with her. If Whitaker got loose, he wanted to make sure he was the one dealing with him. Skye went into the cockpit, trying to ignore the dead man slumped in the corner. She dialed Jax's office number. "Jax? Oh Jax, I am so glad you answered!" She explained to him the situation, and after letting loose a colorful string of Aussie curses, he set about telling her what to do. Using conference call, he contacted the Port Charles Airport and had her describe the readouts that would tell her where the jet was at the moment. Once they determined where she was located, and the nearest airport to her, Jax hung up and called that airport to describe the situation. They acknowledged that she was on their screen, and between Jax giving her impromptu flying instructions and the air traffic controllers guiding her direction, she was able to steer the jet in the right direction.
Sonny came into the cockpit and told her that he had locked Whitaker in the bathroom. She glanced over at him. "Sonny, I'm scared. What if I can't land this thing?" Sonny shook his head. "If you don't want to do this, I'll take over. But I think you are very capable of pulling this off. I have total confidence in you." Jax echoed his sentiments. She took a deep breath and let it out. "Okay, I'm ready." Jax asked her to hand the phone to Sonny. She did so, and Jax gave him instructions on what instruments to watch while she was landing. He briefed Sonny about what the readings should say, and at what point to warn Skye if something wasn't right. Sonny handed the cell phone back to her, and after listening for awhile, she slowly steered the jet into a descent. Sonny held the phone to her ear so she could use both hands. When they were nearing the tarmac, Skye's face registered both concentration and terror. When the jet landed, with just a bounce or two, both Sonny and Skye let out huge sighs of relief.
When the jet came to a stop, Skye dropped her head into her hands and started sobbing. Sonny put the cell phone to his ear and quietly thanked Jax for all his help. He hung up, and pulled Skye into his arms. Eventually she stopped crying and raised her head. "Well, it's good we didn't crash. Rae would have been upset if all her precious things had been destroyed." Sonny shook his head in incredulity. She was obviously suffering shock. They heard knocking on the jet door. They went to open it, and were greeted by the local cops, who had come to haul Whitaker off to the local jail. They also took Sonny and Skye with them to file a report. The sheriff told them that they had notified the nearest Feds, since Whitaker was wanted in several states, and that an agent was on his way. While they were making their statements, a tall, rugged looking man strode into the Sheriff's office, and flashed his FBI badge. "Sheriff Miller, I'm Agent Chris Stamp from the FBI. I can't tell you how pleased I am to see that scum Whitaker behind bars." He turned to Skye and flashed her a grin. "And I'm sure Erica will be pleased to see that you have escaped harm. Well done, Ms. Quartermaine." Skye's mouth gaped open, then spread into a grin when she realized that she had finally met Erica's fiance.
