Nikolas had been trying to find the old woman all day. The number she'd
given him to contact her didn't work. Her phone rang and rang but was never
picked up. He made his way across the docks absently trying to think of a
way to get in contact with her. Was she Helena Cassadine? And if she was,
why hadn't she told him?
Luck was on his side it seemed because just then she made her way down the
stairs leading to the docks. He pointed his finger at her. "You."
"My prince." Helena smiled benevolently at him.
He crossed the docks in angry strides. "Who are you?"
"I've told you who I am."
"No, you've always managed to tell me everything but. Who are you? Are you
Helena Cassadine?" He saw the flicker of surprise in her eyes and jumped on
it. "You are aren't you?"
Since it was already out in the open she saw no reason to deny it. She
nodded. "Yes, I am Helena Cassadine, your grandmother."
"Why didn't you tell me?"
"I thought that information should be revealed after you'd taken your place
as the head of the Cassadine Empire. I felt it was better that way. There
would be trouble for you if anyone knew I was backing you."
Remembering his wake-up call with Luke, he mumbled. "I'm well aware."
Helena narrowed her eyes. "How did you find out about me?"
Nikolas stared back angrily. "You don't need to know how. I'm tired of you
keeping your secrets when I should know everything if I'm expected to be
your "prince". So until you can keep me informed our partnership or
whatever this is supposed to be is over. I'm not going to be your puppet."
Helena watched as he stomped away. She shook her head. She had hoped she
wouldn't have to put her alternative plan in motion so soon but if he
didn't get over his little temper tantrum then she would have to.
"Looks like your impostor isn't happy with you." Stefan emerged from the
shadows.
Helena sighed. "I thought I taught you not to eavesdrop."
"You taught me many things, Mother. Unfortunately that wasn't one of them."
"Is there a reason you're stalking me?" Helena said in a bored tone.
"Actually I was hoping to get a word with your impostor."
"He is not my impostor. He is Stravos's son."
Stefan's smile was chilling. "Of course. I think I know why he's upset with
you. I saw Luke Spencer leaving his room down on Courtland Street. Yes, I
know where he lives. I know everything about him."
"You've been busy." Helena murmured.
"I think Luke may have tipped him off about you."
Helena pressed her lips together. Luke, of course. "Instead of following
Nikolas, you should be preparing your child. She's about to lose her
position in the family, everything."
"Caroline won't lose a thing." Stefan said, his voice cold.
"Won't she? Oh yes, you'll protect her won't you? Even if it costs you your
life?"
"Even if it costs you yours." He said softly.
Helena patted her hair and laughed. "Darling son, do not go up against me.
You won't win."
Before Stefan could answer Alexis called out. "Is this a scary family
reunion or what?"
"Exactly what we needed, the mistake." Helena said harshly.
"Ah, that's the motherly love that I adored growing up." Alexis quipped.
Stefan went to help Alexis down the stairs. "Do not waste your breath on
her."
"Yes, because she rarely has anything interesting to say." Helena sniffed.
"I guess hoping your yacht sinks with you on it is too much, huh?" Alexis
sighed and rubbed her stomach. "Looks grandmother might still be here when
arrive, little one."
"I don't have time for this." Helena said.
"Oh you have some more schemes to hatch, a few deaths to plan?" Alexis
asked. "Don't let me keep you."
Helena gave her a cold smile before turning to Stefan. "Don't forget what I
said. Step aside Stefan, while you still can."
Alexis watched as she swept away. She nodded in the direction Helena went.
"What was all that about?"
"The impostor." Stefan said.
"You got the information? He's definitely one of Helena's then?"
Stefan nodded. "I went to visit him but it looks like I was too late.
Spencer was already there."
"Carly told him." Alexis guessed.
"Of course she would since this affects Laura too. They shelter that
woman."
~*~*~
Emily was a little surprised to see Lucky in her living room when she came
downstairs that afternoon. "Lucky, hi. Were we supposed to go out today?"
"No." He said.
"Then what are you doing here?" She smiled in confusion.
"I can't drop in and see you?" Lucky asked.
"Oh, I didn't mean it like that. You know what an uproar the family's been
in since Grandfather came back from wherever it was that he disappeared to
and he still isn't saying what happened." Emily sat down next to him on the
couch and kissed his cheek. "Forget I said anything, you want to drop in,
go right ahead."
Lucky took Emily's hand in his and rubbed his thumb across her knuckles.
"Last night you got to Luke's pretty late."
Emily sighed. "I know. I really wanted to see Dara and by the time I got
there her set was over."
"You said Monica kept you here for awhile?" Lucky asked.
Emily nodded. "You know how she gets."
Lucky narrowed his eyes. "Really? Because I could have sworn I saw you down
the block with some guy. He was all over you and then you guys left
together. It was a long time before you finally came to Luke's."
Emily tried to control her expression while on the inside she was
screaming, Oh my God! Lucky saw her with Nikolas! How was she going to get
out of this one? She couldn't explain, he wouldn't understand.
"Emily?" He prompted her.
Gathering her thoughts, she laughed. If he were listening closely he would
have heard the hint of hysteria to it. "Lucky I have no idea what you're
talking about."
Lucky stood up. "I *saw* you."
"You must have saw someone who *looked* like me because it wasn't me."
Emily lied fervently. She felt bad for lying to him but it would do no good
to tell him about Nikolas. She already decided that the next time she saw
him she was going the other way. No matter how drunk he was or whoever was
chasing him. She was just not going to deal with him anymore.
"Are you saying you weren't with some other guy right across the street
from my dad's club?"
"*Yes* that is what I'm saying." Emily cupped his face in her hands. He
tried to look away but she forced him to look at her. "Believe me, Lucky,
please."
"Are you telling the truth?" He demanded.
"Come on, Lucky." Emily bit her lip and desperately hoped he would let it
drop.
Lucky slowly wrapped his arms around her. "Okay, now I feel a little
foolish. Then again, it's a good thing I didn't go after that guy and his
girlfriend last night. I would have looked really stupid."
He started to laugh and Emily joined in but hers was nervous laughter
unlike his. Lucky pressed his forehead against hers. "I should have known
that you wouldn't do that to me. You and I are about trust, right?"
"Right." Emily mumbled.
~*~*~
Sonny had just finished setting out the he'd prepared when there was a
knock at his door. Knowing it was Carly he called out. "Come on in."
"Oh that's nice, 'come on in', what if I was a killer?" Carly said as she
came in wearing a long tan trench coat and 3 ¾ inch black stiletto heels.
Her hair was loose and wild as if she just rolled out of his bed and she
carried a bottle of wine. Sonny raised his eyebrow at her outfit.
"Mmm, if you're here to kill me…" He grinned wickedly. "Then I know I'll
die with a smile on my face."
Carly tossed her hair back. "You should think about beefing up your
security. I could lend you a few guys…"
He walked over to her and took the wine out of her hands. He placed it on
the small end table and then cupped her face. He kissed her deeply and was
happy to see her eyes were smoky by the time he was done. He murmured.
"Baby, I knew you were in the building the moment you got here. Nobody's
able to get at me unless I want them to."
"Uh-huh." She moved away from him to inspect dinner. For some reason ever
since she revealed that she knew about his marriage, she felt nervous
around him. It didn't help that she couldn't get his statement from that
morning out of her head: "You want me to leave Lois." Was she lying when
she told him no or was it the truth. Damn, she hated being unsure like
this. She shouldn't have come here tonight. She should have gone to Jason,
just to reinforce the fact that he was the man she was going to marry, he
was the man she loved. Sonny was just a fun diversion until the wedding.
She gripped the back of a chair tightly.
Sonny paused in opening the wine bottle. Carly had been too quiet for too
long. "Caroline?"
She looked up quickly. "Huh?"
He smiled, flashing his dimples. "You okay or the fact that I can cook a
little too much for you? Now don't knock my cooking until you've taste what
I have to offer." He winked at her.
It was the wink combined with the smile that did her in. Finding herself
weakening and hating herself for it, Carly arched her eyebrow suggestively
and said, "Well it's anything like what I've sampled so far, I guess it'll
have to suffice."
Sonny regarded her with a small smile. "Keep joking and see where it'll get
you." He poured the wine and set her glass down in front of her.
Carly leaned over the chair and said in exaggerated tones. "Oh, does this
mean you won't *feed* me tonight?"
He laughed slightly and nodded at her trench coat. "Are you ever going to
take that off?"
She toyed with the buttons. "Oh yes, this. I had a little surprise for you.
Should I show it to you?"
He pulled out a chair from the table and sat down. He sipped the wine,
nodding slightly in approval at her choice. "I don't usually enjoy
surprises but I have a strong feeling about this one."
She walked over to him. He spread his legs and she stepped in between them.
She slowly undid the buttons while staring into his eyes. Sonny licked his
lips imaging all sorts of things that could lie underneath the coat. Carly
opened the coat with a flourish. She was wearing the skimpy nightie that
they both considered his.
Sonny smiled. "All this for me?"
"You've been a good boy…" Carly couldn't keep the straight face and laughed
softly. She shrugged out of the coat and let it fall to the floor. "Okay,
you've been a *bad* boy, but you still deserve it."
Sonny cupped her hip and pulled her closer. Pulling the skirt up to reveal
her bare flesh, he pressed his face against her stomach. She cupped the
back of his head as he pressed hot wet kisses against her belly. After
awhile she tugged at his hair and he looked up at her. His eyes were heavy
lidded. "I see you remembered."
"How could I forget?" Carly slid down on his lap. He wrapped his arms
around her. She murmured, "I think we should forget about dinner for a
little while."
He raised his head. "Really?"
She toyed with the hair at the nape of his neck. "Well, you have been away
for a while and we got a lot of catching up to do."
~*~*~
"Where are you going?" Sonny mumbled sleepily. His arm shot out and he
dragged Carly back across the bed and into his arms. He buried his face
against the back of her neck.
"I was leaving." She said softly.
"Why?"
She and Sonny had made love twice before they got around to eating dinner.
Carly had declared it delicious even if it was reheated. That had lead into
teases and kisses, which lead into them making love once again. Sonny dozed
off but Carly couldn't sleep. Once again she was worried that she might
have gotten in too deep with Sonny. She had to leave now and put some
distance between them. Maintain the structure this affair started with.
"I have an early day tomorrow."
"You always have an early day." Sonny teased.
"But…"
"I'll make sure you get up early. There's an alarm clock on the nightstand.
Stay." He said urgently. His voice was no longer sleep roughened.
She really wanted to stay but felt she should go. "Sonny, I have to go."
"No you don't, you have to stay." He nibbled at her neck. "We still have a
lot of catching up to do. Call me greedy."
"Greedy." She turned around and faced him. She cupped his face in her hands
and forced him to look at her. "Bye-bye Sonny."
He kissed her hard, forcing her to respond. He lifted his head and said
roughly. "You're not going anywhere."
She sighed, why fight it. It was just one night. She kissed him gently.
"I'm not going anywhere."
~*~*~
She was alone, Nikolas thought gratefully as he watched Laura in the park a
few days later. She sat on a park bench keeping a close eye on Lulu on the
swings. Even though he kept Luke's threat in the back of his mind, he
wasn't going to let that stop him from reuniting with his mother. He took a
deep breath and slowly approached her. He cleared his throat. "Hello?"
Laura looked up. When she saw whom it was she jumped up. Her first thought
was Lulu. She couldn't let him get near Lulu. Who was he and why was he
following her?
Nikolas saw the apprehension in her eyes and winced. He'd done that. It was
his fault that she was scared of him. "I want to apologize for the other
day."
Laura glanced at Lulu quickly and then back at him suspiciously. "You
followed me, today and the other day."
He looked down and nodded. "Why?" She demanded.
"I have something to tell you." He said gravely.
"What? Who are you and why were you following me?"
It was finally time to come clean. "I'm not sure how to say this…It's me,
your—"
"Mom?" Lucky said as he walked up to them. "What's going on?"
Laura turned to Lucky. "Lucky, hi. I didn't know you where going to be
here."
"That seems to be going around a lot these days." Lucky murmured.
"Excuse me?"
"Nevermind. Who is, or should I say *was* that?" Lucky gestured to the spot
where Nikolas had stood. Luke had told him to be on the look out for
strange men around Laura. He didn't tell Lucky why or who it could be. He
only told him not to tell his mother.
Laura turned around. "Where did he go?"
"He took off while we were talking. Who was that, Mom?" Lucky sat down next
to her.
"I have no idea." Laura said puzzled. 'It's me, your—' What was he going to
say before Lucky interrupted?
Staring at the confused look on his mother's face, Lucky grew concerned.
"Mom, are you okay? He didn't bother you did he?"
"No, of course not." Laura lied with a shake of her head. "Could you get
your sister off the swings? I think it's time to head home."
~*~*~
Carly was coming back from lunch when she saw her mother waiting outside
her office door. "Why do I even bother having people set up appointments?"
She grumbled to herself.
Barely acknowledging her mother, she walked past her. As an afterthought
she tossed out over her shoulder, "Come on in."
Barbara walked in and softly shut the doors behind her. "I've been waiting
for over a half-hour."
"Nobody told you to wait." Carly shrugged.
"I told your incompetent secretary to call you on your cell to let you know
I was waiting."
"And I told her not to disturb me unless it was an emergency and clearly
this wasn't an emergency. Don't blame Elizabeth. She was doing her job."
Carly sat down behind the desk. "What do you want and make it quick."
"I came because of your father."
"Did he tell you to come here?" Carly narrowed her eyes.
"No, he doesn't know I'm here and he wouldn't like it if he found out." She
said truthfully.
"Then maybe you should leave."
She ignored Carly. "I know about your fight with him."
"He tells you *everything* doesn't he?" Carly muttered.
"I had to drag it out of him but yes, he did tell me. Carly, I know how
fighting with you gets to him."
"No, you *don't* know. You know nothing about me and Father. You don't stay
long enough in our lives to know anything about us. So we fought, we'll get
over it. We always do."
Barbara wasn't so sure. "He was really upset."
"You yourself said he wouldn't appreciate it if he knew you were here so
why don't you just leave it alone, Mother?" Carly sighed. "Because you
really don't understand the situation."
"You fought over me and so it's up to me to make it right." Barbara said
firmly.
"It's always about *you*." Carly sneered. "If you know Stefan as well as
you *think* you do, then you would leave this alone. We will work things
out on our own, without your interference."
"You have a real problem with me, don't you? I thought we got past all
that.'
Carly shrugged. "I guess I'm still holding a grudge."
"You want your father to be alone and unhappy for the rest of his life."
"I want Father to be happy but you don't make him happy."
"I make him happy, Carly, you just don't want to admit that."
"For how long?" Carly sneered. "How long until you start making him
miserable?"
"Your father isn't a saint." Barbara said softly.
Carly shook her head. "I know that."
"He has faults just like everyone else so our problems aren't all my fault,
Carly, and I'm sick of you blaming me for everything."
"And I'm sick of you popping up when everything is fine and turning our
world upside down."
"Carly—" The phone rang cutting Barbara off. Carly quickly snatched it up.
"Yes? Jasper, darling, I was hoping to hear from you soon. Yes, of course,
*Jax*." Even though her laugh was lighthearted, the look in her eyes was
unmistakable to Barbara. She was clearly telling her to get out.
Barbara stood up and threw her shoulders back. She looked down at her
daughter and murmured, "Don't take your problem with me out on Stefan."
Carly pressed her lips together and waved her mother away. Barbara swiftly
walked way. She was tempted to slam the door behind her but at the last
minute she checked herself and closed it softly. Carly rolled her eyes and
went back to her conversation.
~*~*~
Later that day Carly was at her favorite place to rewind after a hard day
at work combined with a visit from her mother, the local shooting galley.
Ever since one of her guards, against her father's wishes, showed her how
to use a gun when she was thirteen she loved them. Over the years she went
from just learning how to use one for personal protection to collecting
antique guns. Both at Wyndemere and the house in Greece she kept a large
collection of guns. She knew how to properly clean, load, and use several
different types.
Right now she was practicing with her favorite gun of choice, a .45. It was
big and powerful with lots of kick, just the way she liked them. She
envisioned the target as everything that bugged her that day and poured her
aggravation into every shot. She grinned as she emptied her clip. She laid
down her gun and slipped off her goggles and her oversized earphones. Only
then did she realize that her cell was ringing.
"Yes?"
"Carly, it's me."
"Jason, so you *are* alive. Have you been avoiding me?" Carly demanded.
"No." He lied quickly. After the incident with Karen in the on call room he
didn't feel comfortable being around Carly for awhile. He felt bad about
kissing Karen and especially about getting caught by Chris. The fact that
Karen kept tossing him secret smiles didn't help things either.
"What about our weekend away?" Carly asked. "You were so into that and now
nothing. You don't call me to let me know what's going on."
"We can put that on hold, right?" Jason said hopefully.
"For how long?" Carly sighed. Maybe a trip away with Jason was just what
she needed.
"A few weeks." He shrugged.
"Is that it?" Carly checked her watch.
"You aren't busy tonight are you?" Jason asked.
Carly thought about it. She was just going to go home, soak in the tub and
maybe make it an early night. "No, not really."
"Meet me at my place later, around nine?"
"Why?" Carly hesitated.
"You want to find out, you'll come."
"Ooh, mysterious." Carly laughed and shrugged. "Sure, why not?"
"Good, I'll see you tonight." Carly hung up. Seconds later the phone rang
again. "Yeah?"
"I've been trying to get a hold of you," Were the first words out of Sonny.
"I was on the phone."
"I know, it was *busy*." Sonny grumbled.
"What do you want Sonny?"
"You, naked, waiting in my bed." He murmured. "Actually naked anywhere just
waiting for me."
Carly smiled. "Other than that."
"Come to the club tonight."
"I can't." She sighed. "You know if you'd ask these things in advance I
wouldn't make other arrangements."
"Is it too much to hope that you'd keep your evenings free for me?"
"Yes!" Carly said agitated. Where did he get off?
"If I go by past experience you'll be down at the club afterwards anyway so
I'm not worried." Sonny boasted confidently. "You can't stay away from me
baby."
Carly wanted to wipe the arrogant smirk that she was positive he was
wearing right off his face. If Jason were planning what she thought he was,
she wouldn't need to drop in at the club at all tonight. She would be too
busy with Jason.
"Sorry buddy but I won't be there tonight."
Sonny laughed. "We'll see."
Carly's answer was to disconnect his call.
given him to contact her didn't work. Her phone rang and rang but was never
picked up. He made his way across the docks absently trying to think of a
way to get in contact with her. Was she Helena Cassadine? And if she was,
why hadn't she told him?
Luck was on his side it seemed because just then she made her way down the
stairs leading to the docks. He pointed his finger at her. "You."
"My prince." Helena smiled benevolently at him.
He crossed the docks in angry strides. "Who are you?"
"I've told you who I am."
"No, you've always managed to tell me everything but. Who are you? Are you
Helena Cassadine?" He saw the flicker of surprise in her eyes and jumped on
it. "You are aren't you?"
Since it was already out in the open she saw no reason to deny it. She
nodded. "Yes, I am Helena Cassadine, your grandmother."
"Why didn't you tell me?"
"I thought that information should be revealed after you'd taken your place
as the head of the Cassadine Empire. I felt it was better that way. There
would be trouble for you if anyone knew I was backing you."
Remembering his wake-up call with Luke, he mumbled. "I'm well aware."
Helena narrowed her eyes. "How did you find out about me?"
Nikolas stared back angrily. "You don't need to know how. I'm tired of you
keeping your secrets when I should know everything if I'm expected to be
your "prince". So until you can keep me informed our partnership or
whatever this is supposed to be is over. I'm not going to be your puppet."
Helena watched as he stomped away. She shook her head. She had hoped she
wouldn't have to put her alternative plan in motion so soon but if he
didn't get over his little temper tantrum then she would have to.
"Looks like your impostor isn't happy with you." Stefan emerged from the
shadows.
Helena sighed. "I thought I taught you not to eavesdrop."
"You taught me many things, Mother. Unfortunately that wasn't one of them."
"Is there a reason you're stalking me?" Helena said in a bored tone.
"Actually I was hoping to get a word with your impostor."
"He is not my impostor. He is Stravos's son."
Stefan's smile was chilling. "Of course. I think I know why he's upset with
you. I saw Luke Spencer leaving his room down on Courtland Street. Yes, I
know where he lives. I know everything about him."
"You've been busy." Helena murmured.
"I think Luke may have tipped him off about you."
Helena pressed her lips together. Luke, of course. "Instead of following
Nikolas, you should be preparing your child. She's about to lose her
position in the family, everything."
"Caroline won't lose a thing." Stefan said, his voice cold.
"Won't she? Oh yes, you'll protect her won't you? Even if it costs you your
life?"
"Even if it costs you yours." He said softly.
Helena patted her hair and laughed. "Darling son, do not go up against me.
You won't win."
Before Stefan could answer Alexis called out. "Is this a scary family
reunion or what?"
"Exactly what we needed, the mistake." Helena said harshly.
"Ah, that's the motherly love that I adored growing up." Alexis quipped.
Stefan went to help Alexis down the stairs. "Do not waste your breath on
her."
"Yes, because she rarely has anything interesting to say." Helena sniffed.
"I guess hoping your yacht sinks with you on it is too much, huh?" Alexis
sighed and rubbed her stomach. "Looks grandmother might still be here when
arrive, little one."
"I don't have time for this." Helena said.
"Oh you have some more schemes to hatch, a few deaths to plan?" Alexis
asked. "Don't let me keep you."
Helena gave her a cold smile before turning to Stefan. "Don't forget what I
said. Step aside Stefan, while you still can."
Alexis watched as she swept away. She nodded in the direction Helena went.
"What was all that about?"
"The impostor." Stefan said.
"You got the information? He's definitely one of Helena's then?"
Stefan nodded. "I went to visit him but it looks like I was too late.
Spencer was already there."
"Carly told him." Alexis guessed.
"Of course she would since this affects Laura too. They shelter that
woman."
~*~*~
Emily was a little surprised to see Lucky in her living room when she came
downstairs that afternoon. "Lucky, hi. Were we supposed to go out today?"
"No." He said.
"Then what are you doing here?" She smiled in confusion.
"I can't drop in and see you?" Lucky asked.
"Oh, I didn't mean it like that. You know what an uproar the family's been
in since Grandfather came back from wherever it was that he disappeared to
and he still isn't saying what happened." Emily sat down next to him on the
couch and kissed his cheek. "Forget I said anything, you want to drop in,
go right ahead."
Lucky took Emily's hand in his and rubbed his thumb across her knuckles.
"Last night you got to Luke's pretty late."
Emily sighed. "I know. I really wanted to see Dara and by the time I got
there her set was over."
"You said Monica kept you here for awhile?" Lucky asked.
Emily nodded. "You know how she gets."
Lucky narrowed his eyes. "Really? Because I could have sworn I saw you down
the block with some guy. He was all over you and then you guys left
together. It was a long time before you finally came to Luke's."
Emily tried to control her expression while on the inside she was
screaming, Oh my God! Lucky saw her with Nikolas! How was she going to get
out of this one? She couldn't explain, he wouldn't understand.
"Emily?" He prompted her.
Gathering her thoughts, she laughed. If he were listening closely he would
have heard the hint of hysteria to it. "Lucky I have no idea what you're
talking about."
Lucky stood up. "I *saw* you."
"You must have saw someone who *looked* like me because it wasn't me."
Emily lied fervently. She felt bad for lying to him but it would do no good
to tell him about Nikolas. She already decided that the next time she saw
him she was going the other way. No matter how drunk he was or whoever was
chasing him. She was just not going to deal with him anymore.
"Are you saying you weren't with some other guy right across the street
from my dad's club?"
"*Yes* that is what I'm saying." Emily cupped his face in her hands. He
tried to look away but she forced him to look at her. "Believe me, Lucky,
please."
"Are you telling the truth?" He demanded.
"Come on, Lucky." Emily bit her lip and desperately hoped he would let it
drop.
Lucky slowly wrapped his arms around her. "Okay, now I feel a little
foolish. Then again, it's a good thing I didn't go after that guy and his
girlfriend last night. I would have looked really stupid."
He started to laugh and Emily joined in but hers was nervous laughter
unlike his. Lucky pressed his forehead against hers. "I should have known
that you wouldn't do that to me. You and I are about trust, right?"
"Right." Emily mumbled.
~*~*~
Sonny had just finished setting out the he'd prepared when there was a
knock at his door. Knowing it was Carly he called out. "Come on in."
"Oh that's nice, 'come on in', what if I was a killer?" Carly said as she
came in wearing a long tan trench coat and 3 ¾ inch black stiletto heels.
Her hair was loose and wild as if she just rolled out of his bed and she
carried a bottle of wine. Sonny raised his eyebrow at her outfit.
"Mmm, if you're here to kill me…" He grinned wickedly. "Then I know I'll
die with a smile on my face."
Carly tossed her hair back. "You should think about beefing up your
security. I could lend you a few guys…"
He walked over to her and took the wine out of her hands. He placed it on
the small end table and then cupped her face. He kissed her deeply and was
happy to see her eyes were smoky by the time he was done. He murmured.
"Baby, I knew you were in the building the moment you got here. Nobody's
able to get at me unless I want them to."
"Uh-huh." She moved away from him to inspect dinner. For some reason ever
since she revealed that she knew about his marriage, she felt nervous
around him. It didn't help that she couldn't get his statement from that
morning out of her head: "You want me to leave Lois." Was she lying when
she told him no or was it the truth. Damn, she hated being unsure like
this. She shouldn't have come here tonight. She should have gone to Jason,
just to reinforce the fact that he was the man she was going to marry, he
was the man she loved. Sonny was just a fun diversion until the wedding.
She gripped the back of a chair tightly.
Sonny paused in opening the wine bottle. Carly had been too quiet for too
long. "Caroline?"
She looked up quickly. "Huh?"
He smiled, flashing his dimples. "You okay or the fact that I can cook a
little too much for you? Now don't knock my cooking until you've taste what
I have to offer." He winked at her.
It was the wink combined with the smile that did her in. Finding herself
weakening and hating herself for it, Carly arched her eyebrow suggestively
and said, "Well it's anything like what I've sampled so far, I guess it'll
have to suffice."
Sonny regarded her with a small smile. "Keep joking and see where it'll get
you." He poured the wine and set her glass down in front of her.
Carly leaned over the chair and said in exaggerated tones. "Oh, does this
mean you won't *feed* me tonight?"
He laughed slightly and nodded at her trench coat. "Are you ever going to
take that off?"
She toyed with the buttons. "Oh yes, this. I had a little surprise for you.
Should I show it to you?"
He pulled out a chair from the table and sat down. He sipped the wine,
nodding slightly in approval at her choice. "I don't usually enjoy
surprises but I have a strong feeling about this one."
She walked over to him. He spread his legs and she stepped in between them.
She slowly undid the buttons while staring into his eyes. Sonny licked his
lips imaging all sorts of things that could lie underneath the coat. Carly
opened the coat with a flourish. She was wearing the skimpy nightie that
they both considered his.
Sonny smiled. "All this for me?"
"You've been a good boy…" Carly couldn't keep the straight face and laughed
softly. She shrugged out of the coat and let it fall to the floor. "Okay,
you've been a *bad* boy, but you still deserve it."
Sonny cupped her hip and pulled her closer. Pulling the skirt up to reveal
her bare flesh, he pressed his face against her stomach. She cupped the
back of his head as he pressed hot wet kisses against her belly. After
awhile she tugged at his hair and he looked up at her. His eyes were heavy
lidded. "I see you remembered."
"How could I forget?" Carly slid down on his lap. He wrapped his arms
around her. She murmured, "I think we should forget about dinner for a
little while."
He raised his head. "Really?"
She toyed with the hair at the nape of his neck. "Well, you have been away
for a while and we got a lot of catching up to do."
~*~*~
"Where are you going?" Sonny mumbled sleepily. His arm shot out and he
dragged Carly back across the bed and into his arms. He buried his face
against the back of her neck.
"I was leaving." She said softly.
"Why?"
She and Sonny had made love twice before they got around to eating dinner.
Carly had declared it delicious even if it was reheated. That had lead into
teases and kisses, which lead into them making love once again. Sonny dozed
off but Carly couldn't sleep. Once again she was worried that she might
have gotten in too deep with Sonny. She had to leave now and put some
distance between them. Maintain the structure this affair started with.
"I have an early day tomorrow."
"You always have an early day." Sonny teased.
"But…"
"I'll make sure you get up early. There's an alarm clock on the nightstand.
Stay." He said urgently. His voice was no longer sleep roughened.
She really wanted to stay but felt she should go. "Sonny, I have to go."
"No you don't, you have to stay." He nibbled at her neck. "We still have a
lot of catching up to do. Call me greedy."
"Greedy." She turned around and faced him. She cupped his face in her hands
and forced him to look at her. "Bye-bye Sonny."
He kissed her hard, forcing her to respond. He lifted his head and said
roughly. "You're not going anywhere."
She sighed, why fight it. It was just one night. She kissed him gently.
"I'm not going anywhere."
~*~*~
She was alone, Nikolas thought gratefully as he watched Laura in the park a
few days later. She sat on a park bench keeping a close eye on Lulu on the
swings. Even though he kept Luke's threat in the back of his mind, he
wasn't going to let that stop him from reuniting with his mother. He took a
deep breath and slowly approached her. He cleared his throat. "Hello?"
Laura looked up. When she saw whom it was she jumped up. Her first thought
was Lulu. She couldn't let him get near Lulu. Who was he and why was he
following her?
Nikolas saw the apprehension in her eyes and winced. He'd done that. It was
his fault that she was scared of him. "I want to apologize for the other
day."
Laura glanced at Lulu quickly and then back at him suspiciously. "You
followed me, today and the other day."
He looked down and nodded. "Why?" She demanded.
"I have something to tell you." He said gravely.
"What? Who are you and why were you following me?"
It was finally time to come clean. "I'm not sure how to say this…It's me,
your—"
"Mom?" Lucky said as he walked up to them. "What's going on?"
Laura turned to Lucky. "Lucky, hi. I didn't know you where going to be
here."
"That seems to be going around a lot these days." Lucky murmured.
"Excuse me?"
"Nevermind. Who is, or should I say *was* that?" Lucky gestured to the spot
where Nikolas had stood. Luke had told him to be on the look out for
strange men around Laura. He didn't tell Lucky why or who it could be. He
only told him not to tell his mother.
Laura turned around. "Where did he go?"
"He took off while we were talking. Who was that, Mom?" Lucky sat down next
to her.
"I have no idea." Laura said puzzled. 'It's me, your—' What was he going to
say before Lucky interrupted?
Staring at the confused look on his mother's face, Lucky grew concerned.
"Mom, are you okay? He didn't bother you did he?"
"No, of course not." Laura lied with a shake of her head. "Could you get
your sister off the swings? I think it's time to head home."
~*~*~
Carly was coming back from lunch when she saw her mother waiting outside
her office door. "Why do I even bother having people set up appointments?"
She grumbled to herself.
Barely acknowledging her mother, she walked past her. As an afterthought
she tossed out over her shoulder, "Come on in."
Barbara walked in and softly shut the doors behind her. "I've been waiting
for over a half-hour."
"Nobody told you to wait." Carly shrugged.
"I told your incompetent secretary to call you on your cell to let you know
I was waiting."
"And I told her not to disturb me unless it was an emergency and clearly
this wasn't an emergency. Don't blame Elizabeth. She was doing her job."
Carly sat down behind the desk. "What do you want and make it quick."
"I came because of your father."
"Did he tell you to come here?" Carly narrowed her eyes.
"No, he doesn't know I'm here and he wouldn't like it if he found out." She
said truthfully.
"Then maybe you should leave."
She ignored Carly. "I know about your fight with him."
"He tells you *everything* doesn't he?" Carly muttered.
"I had to drag it out of him but yes, he did tell me. Carly, I know how
fighting with you gets to him."
"No, you *don't* know. You know nothing about me and Father. You don't stay
long enough in our lives to know anything about us. So we fought, we'll get
over it. We always do."
Barbara wasn't so sure. "He was really upset."
"You yourself said he wouldn't appreciate it if he knew you were here so
why don't you just leave it alone, Mother?" Carly sighed. "Because you
really don't understand the situation."
"You fought over me and so it's up to me to make it right." Barbara said
firmly.
"It's always about *you*." Carly sneered. "If you know Stefan as well as
you *think* you do, then you would leave this alone. We will work things
out on our own, without your interference."
"You have a real problem with me, don't you? I thought we got past all
that.'
Carly shrugged. "I guess I'm still holding a grudge."
"You want your father to be alone and unhappy for the rest of his life."
"I want Father to be happy but you don't make him happy."
"I make him happy, Carly, you just don't want to admit that."
"For how long?" Carly sneered. "How long until you start making him
miserable?"
"Your father isn't a saint." Barbara said softly.
Carly shook her head. "I know that."
"He has faults just like everyone else so our problems aren't all my fault,
Carly, and I'm sick of you blaming me for everything."
"And I'm sick of you popping up when everything is fine and turning our
world upside down."
"Carly—" The phone rang cutting Barbara off. Carly quickly snatched it up.
"Yes? Jasper, darling, I was hoping to hear from you soon. Yes, of course,
*Jax*." Even though her laugh was lighthearted, the look in her eyes was
unmistakable to Barbara. She was clearly telling her to get out.
Barbara stood up and threw her shoulders back. She looked down at her
daughter and murmured, "Don't take your problem with me out on Stefan."
Carly pressed her lips together and waved her mother away. Barbara swiftly
walked way. She was tempted to slam the door behind her but at the last
minute she checked herself and closed it softly. Carly rolled her eyes and
went back to her conversation.
~*~*~
Later that day Carly was at her favorite place to rewind after a hard day
at work combined with a visit from her mother, the local shooting galley.
Ever since one of her guards, against her father's wishes, showed her how
to use a gun when she was thirteen she loved them. Over the years she went
from just learning how to use one for personal protection to collecting
antique guns. Both at Wyndemere and the house in Greece she kept a large
collection of guns. She knew how to properly clean, load, and use several
different types.
Right now she was practicing with her favorite gun of choice, a .45. It was
big and powerful with lots of kick, just the way she liked them. She
envisioned the target as everything that bugged her that day and poured her
aggravation into every shot. She grinned as she emptied her clip. She laid
down her gun and slipped off her goggles and her oversized earphones. Only
then did she realize that her cell was ringing.
"Yes?"
"Carly, it's me."
"Jason, so you *are* alive. Have you been avoiding me?" Carly demanded.
"No." He lied quickly. After the incident with Karen in the on call room he
didn't feel comfortable being around Carly for awhile. He felt bad about
kissing Karen and especially about getting caught by Chris. The fact that
Karen kept tossing him secret smiles didn't help things either.
"What about our weekend away?" Carly asked. "You were so into that and now
nothing. You don't call me to let me know what's going on."
"We can put that on hold, right?" Jason said hopefully.
"For how long?" Carly sighed. Maybe a trip away with Jason was just what
she needed.
"A few weeks." He shrugged.
"Is that it?" Carly checked her watch.
"You aren't busy tonight are you?" Jason asked.
Carly thought about it. She was just going to go home, soak in the tub and
maybe make it an early night. "No, not really."
"Meet me at my place later, around nine?"
"Why?" Carly hesitated.
"You want to find out, you'll come."
"Ooh, mysterious." Carly laughed and shrugged. "Sure, why not?"
"Good, I'll see you tonight." Carly hung up. Seconds later the phone rang
again. "Yeah?"
"I've been trying to get a hold of you," Were the first words out of Sonny.
"I was on the phone."
"I know, it was *busy*." Sonny grumbled.
"What do you want Sonny?"
"You, naked, waiting in my bed." He murmured. "Actually naked anywhere just
waiting for me."
Carly smiled. "Other than that."
"Come to the club tonight."
"I can't." She sighed. "You know if you'd ask these things in advance I
wouldn't make other arrangements."
"Is it too much to hope that you'd keep your evenings free for me?"
"Yes!" Carly said agitated. Where did he get off?
"If I go by past experience you'll be down at the club afterwards anyway so
I'm not worried." Sonny boasted confidently. "You can't stay away from me
baby."
Carly wanted to wipe the arrogant smirk that she was positive he was
wearing right off his face. If Jason were planning what she thought he was,
she wouldn't need to drop in at the club at all tonight. She would be too
busy with Jason.
"Sorry buddy but I won't be there tonight."
Sonny laughed. "We'll see."
Carly's answer was to disconnect his call.