Author's Notes: Well, now. I just realized it's been a week since I posted the last chapter. Where does the time go?
I have to tell you all that this was one of my favourite chapters to write. It was sooooooo much fun. Hopefully you'll see why. Oh and there is a hint about Francesca in here. Can anyone guess?
On with the show…..
Chapter 10
~~~PC Grille~~~
Francesca had to smile to herself and inwardly agree with Leo. Jax was a lot of fun to annoy. Though she could see that he was making an effort to get along with her and with Jason. Probably for Alexis she thought and the fact that they would all soon be related. She could tell just how difficult this dinner was for him. From what she knew of him, she knew that it was hard enough for him to deal with the fact that his wife and stepdaughter were so involved in the organizations here in Port Charles and in Chicago. And that he and Sonny had always clashed in the legitimate business over ELQ. Which of course also caused the problems between he and Jason. And now he would be related to Jason. He was concerned about his family's safety and the fact that he would have to trust others to ensure it at times. But she just couldn't wait to call him Cuz. Just because she understood him didn't mean she couldn't have some fun along with Leo.
Jax glanced at Francesca noticing her study of him. He shrugged it off, not really caring about her opinion of him. He decided that he would reserve judgment until later. Even though Alexis and Elizabeth liked her she was still insane enough to be marrying Leo and there was her connection to Jason. And he wondered what he had done to anger his wife. He was sure he must have done something. Why else should he have sprung Leo and Jason on him? And in public no less. Granted Leo was a bit less annoying than usual, probably due to Francesca's presence. Jax turned to study Elizabeth and his future son-in-law. He shuddered at that thought – future son-in-law. He was still concerned about Jason's appearance in town and what it meant for Alexis' and Elizabeth's safety. The only people in Port Charles that knew what Jason had been doing these last few years were sitting at this table. He also knew that the younger man's unexpected arrival in Port Charles warranted concern. Alexis had told him that they had heard rumblings of trouble but Jason's sudden public showing in town and Francesca's arrival told him just how serious the trouble could be. He would have to have a serious talk with his wife after dinner, he decided.
He was about to ask Elizabeth how Chloe was when he stopped short. Jax cursed silently to himself when he noticed the latest arrivals to the Grille. Sighing he decided to warn his stepdaughter.
"Well there goes a nice quiet evening, Lizzie." At the question evident in her eyes, he inclined his head. "Tweedle-Dee and Tweedle-Dum have just arrived."
"Along with Alice," Leo interrupted. Smiling he turned to Jason. "You visit or call your sister yet?" He asked knowing his friend hadn't done either.
Jason rolled his eyes at Leo and shook his head slightly. Glancing at Elizabeth, he reached over and squeezed her hand.
Francesca turned to see the newcomers. "So they are Lucky and Nikolas?" She queried no one in particular. "They don't look that stupid. They wouldn't be so dense as to make a scene here would they?"
"Those idiots wouldn't know how not to make a scene. Once they see Elizabeth they'll come straight over and Lucky will proceed to tell her how she should live her life. As if she hasn't managed without him all these years. And Nikolas and Emily will blindly agree with anything he says." Jax explained to her. "And then Emily will play the hurt little sister when she realizes that Jason is here with us, has been in town more than 2 hours and not contacted her."
"And don't forget how upset and wounded they'll be to find out about Lizzie and Jase's engagement," Leo grinned widely. "And here they come. Can I tell them?"
Elizabeth shook her head and groaned as she watched the threesome approach. She could have sworn she heard her mother mutter something about how she should have kept some of Helena's poisons.
~~~
Emily nervously looked around the restaurant. When Lucky and Nikolas first suggested coming here she wasn't sure if she should agree. She was pretty sure that Elizabeth was going to be here tonight. Why else would Lucky want to eat at the Grille? She still didn't understand why Lucky was so intent on Elizabeth pairing up with Nikolas. His insistence that they were meant to be together sometimes seemed obsessive to Emily but after everything that he had endured while in captivity she couldn't deny him anything. Plus if Elizabeth would agree then maybe Lucky would finally pay more attention to her. And that's all that Emily really wanted so she helped push the two together whenever possible though that was more and more difficult as Elizabeth began to avoid her.
She surveyed the room and wasn't surprised to see Elizabeth with Alexis, Jax and Leo. She was surprised that there were two other people seated at the table between her friend and Leo. The man was turned facing Elizabeth so Emily couldn't see him, but the woman between him and Leo was facing her. She even appeared to be looking straight at Emily and her companions. She wondered just who the redhead was having never seen her before. She was definitely beautiful with long wavy dark red hair and some of the most piercing blue eyes she'd ever seen. It felt like they were looking right through her. Emily shuddered at their gaze. There was something about those eyes that struck a familiar chord within her.
"There she is." Emily's musings were interrupted by Lucky's voice. Sighing she followed her two male friends over to the Jacks table.
"Alexis," Nikolas greeted his aunt, a broad smile on his face. "I didn't know you'd be here."
Alexis grimaced at her nephew and shook her head. "Yes, you did."
Nikolas stood at the table his jaw open and unsure how to respond to Alexis calling him on the lie he had just told.
Leo laughed out loud. "What's the matter cousin Nikky? Cat got your tongue? Can't come up with a good lie to refute Alexis' truth?" Leo was really enjoying this. "Hey Lucky, Emily. Which one of you genius thought up this little stunt?"
Emily averted her eyes while Lucky glared at him before turning to Elizabeth. "Elizabeth, why would you want to be with someone that's always so rude to your friends?"
That did it. Elizabeth had enough and decided it was time to stop this lunacy of Lucky's. Emily was so wrapped up in it that she hadn't even noticed that her brother was sitting at the table.
"Lucky," Elizabeth ground out, "I am not with Leo." She watched as his face lit up with a smile. "But let me introduce you to my fiancé. I'm sure you remember Jason." She watched with glee as the smile fell from Lucky's face to be replaced with one of confusion.
"Jason?"
The question wasn't from Lucky or even Nikolas. Though both looked like they'd been kicked in the stomach. No the speaker was Emily. The couples all turned to look at her.
She couldn't believe that her brother was here, calmly sitting in front of her as if he had been expected to be there. Her brother that no one had seen or heard from in years. Her eyes began to fill with tears and she blinked trying to keep them from falling. As she realized how relaxed everyone was she became angry. It was obvious that he had kept in touch with some people.
Jason sighed. He knew that Emily was upset and going to cause a scene. And probably Nikolas too. Cassadine had never approved of Elizabeth's relationship with him. Now it was just a matter of who would make a fool of themselves first.
"Elizabeth I don't-" Nikolas began.
"Jason how could you-" Emily practically screeched.
"Are you craz-" That was Lucky.
Jax had already had enough of the three young people. "Quiet!" He demanded, his voice steady and raised only slightly. He looked at his stepdaughter, silently asking her if she wanted to continue.
Elizabeth nodded her head slightly. "Nikolas, Lucky." She addressed them steadily. "Neither of you have any say in what I do or who I am involved with. I don't think you want to test me on that. And Emily. Did you even notice that Jason was here? No you didn't because your too caught up with Lucky and doing whatever he wants to know what is happening around you. That is unless it impacts your imaginary relationship with him or Nikolas."
"But Elizabeth, Jason is dangerous. And you and Nikolas are meant to be together." Lucky insisted fervently.
"Oh give it a rest Lucky." Alexis had it. She was really getting tired of Lucky and Nikolas sniffing around her daughter. It was positively creepy. She thought it was about time that he was told that she was off limits and why. "Elizabeth, don't you think you should tell Nikolas exactly why the two of you should never be together." Alexis raised an eyebrow at her daughter's look of horror. "I really think it is time, dear. Everyone will know soon enough. And this way they'll finally leave us all alone."
Elizabeth looked at her dinner companions. Jax simply sat back watching the goings on with an amused look on his face. She knew that he wasn't overly fond of any of the four men around the table but held a special dislike for Lucky and Nikolas. Mostly because of their constant harassing of her. Francesca seemed almost bored. She knew what was about to be revealed but she didn't know the three newcomers so didn't think much of them either way. Leo was obviously enjoying himself. Hell, he was almost salivating at the prospect of Lucky and Nikolas, both of which he detested, being put down. She could see it in his eyes. She was more worried about Jason. She could usually tell what he was thinking but this time she wasn't sure. Probably because she was nervous about his reaction to what this would do to Emily. No matter what he said, she was his baby sister and he had always cared for her.
Jason leaned into her and gave her a soft kiss on her cheek before whispering in her ear. "Alexis is right, Lizzie. Tell them. If they can't handle it and make fools of themselves then it's their fault for pushing the issue."
He pulled away slightly and looked into her eyes. He willed her to see that he meant exactly what he had said. That the three of them, including Emily, had determined their course and it would be their fault if they couldn't handle the truth. His pride in Elizabeth knew no bounds as he saw her steel herself for the outburst that was sure to occur.
Elizabeth stared at her ex-boyfriend, his brother and her once best friend. "Listen closely I'm only going to say this once. I will never become involved with Nikolas. For many reasons one, the most important of which is I'm not attracted to him in the least. But the clincher is that it would be very illegal to be since we're cousins. And before you start with the denials just ask my mother Nikolas. I'm sure Alexis will tell you anything you deserve to know."
Jason watched as the realization of what Elizabeth had told them hit his sister and her friends. He found Nikolas' impression of a fish rather amusing. He wished he had a camera so he could preserve the moment for his soon to be mother-in-law. He knew how much her nephew had begun to annoy her with his incessant whining about not wanting to be the Cassadine heir over the past few years. Lucky and Emily just looked shell shocked though that probably wouldn't last long. Bingo, he thought as Lucky began sputtering.
"But you can't be related to Nikolas. You simply can't be. You have to be with him. That way you won't leave." Lucky shook his head. His eyes glazed over and looking almost like he was repeating the lines from memory.
There was almost a collective groan from the occupants at the table at his rote responses. Not again most of them thought. It was Leo though that put their thoughts into words.
"Nikolas. Why don't you and Emily take your brother back to his parents and tell them to have Kevin work on that deprogramming. It obviously hasn't been completed. Now take PodLucky and shoo." He waved his hand in a sweeping motion and made to dismiss the three by turning his back and resuming a conversation with Francesca.
Emily stood looking back and forth between Lucky, Nikolas and her brother. Not seeing any welcome in her brother's expression she locked gazes with Nikolas. They stood silently for a moment before grabbing Lucky and quickly leaving the restaurant.
Alexis' chuckle broke the silence that descended on the table. "Well that was fun. I don't think I'll ever forget the looks on their faces."
"Especially Nikky's," quipped Leo. "Where's a camera when you need it? Talk about fish-face." He then proceeded to imitate the look on Nikolas' face when he realized exactly who Elizabeth's mother was.
Looking around at each other they could no longer contain themselves and the six burst out in laughter. It took a few minutes to gain control of their laughter. Every time they began to quiet down Leo would do his impression of Nikolas again.
Alexis dabbed at her eyes to wipe away the tears of laughter falling freely. She took a couple of deep breaths and looked around when a cold shroud of stillness descended over her.
"Uh guys?" She interrupted the laughter at the table. "I hate to put a damper on the funfest but we've got more company." This time it was her turn to motion toward the front of the restaurant. "And I don't think this time we'll have anywhere near as much fun."
Her companions looked in the direction she had gestured and the mood at the table took a solemn turn. It was Francesca that broke the silence of the table. She turned fully in her chair to take in the latest patrons. The man dressed in an impeccable dark suit a compliment to his dark looks and the shapely blonde on his arm in a body clinging pale pink sheath. "Well looky there. It's my old pal Sonny. And that must be his Carly." She turned her back on them and looked at Elizabeth and Jason.
Jason just shook his head, knowing what was about to come would be interesting but not fun. "Suze." He warned her simply. He knew that she understood his meaning – don't start anything in public.
"Jason." She picked up her wineglass and smiled at him over the rim.
Seeing the gleam in her eyes, he was sure he had just lost any appetite he may have had.