"Have I told you how lovely you look tonight?" Jason asked Carly later that
night.
"Only a half a dozen times but it doesn't hurt to say it a few more times."
Carly grinned.
Carly and Jason made their way through the large crowd that occupied the
lobby of the Port Charles Hotel. Carly had kept up the tradition of the
Nurses Ball being held in the Versailles room of the hotel. It was easier
than having the committee find a new place to hold it. And having her hotel
connected with the Nurses Ball was always good for business after all.
Carly nodded in the direction of the General Hospital board members but she
didn't stop to chat. She pulled up her black sheer shawl around her copper
floor length gown. The front and back were both draped dramatically low.
Tiny clear beads that covered the dress reflected the lights as she walked.
Her hair was left loose with soft curls ala a forties movie star. At her
neck and ears glittered her favorite diamonds and she wore only her
engagement ring on her hands. Carly looked good and she knew it.
"Amanda Barrington is trying to get your attention." Jason murmured to her.
"Amanda Barrington can wait until later." Carly murmured back. "Right now
all I want to do is wish Emily good luck and find our table."
"Same here." Jason said. The way Amanda Barrington kissed up to anyone with
money was disgusting and now that Carly was going to be connected with the
Quartermaines, her buttkissing had gotten out of control. He absentmindedly
patted his suit jacket. Carly caught the action.
Carly narrowed her eyes. "Jason, do you have your pager with you?"
Jason reached inside his tuxedo jacket and showed it to her. "Of course,
don't worry. It's set on vibrate."
"Jason." Carly hissed. "Tonight is very important to me and the hotel."
"And the life of my patient isn't important?" Jason raised his eyebrow. He
nodded across the ballroom. "There's Emily and Lucky."
Jason steered her into their direction. Emily and Carly exchanged quick
kisses and exclaimed over each other's dresses. Emily wore a blue-gray
strapless dress. It was flowed in simple lines and showed off her curves.
Lucky was decked out in a typical tuxedo but wore no bowtie and the top two
buttons of his shirt were undone. Jason envied him. His own bowtie was
strangling him to death.
"Are you nervous?" Jason gently asked his little sister.
Lucky answered for her, wrapping his arm around her waist. "You know
Emily—"
"So of course I'm incredibly nervous." Emily shrugged. "But it'll all go
away once I'm on stage."
"I'm positive it will." Lucky kissed her forehead and Emily beamed up at
him.
Carly hid a smile. It looked like everything was okay with Emily and Lucky
finally. One less thing for her to worry about. But leave it to Jason for
her to have to worry about him leaving her in the middle of the Nurses
Ball.
Lucky glanced down at Emily. "I think the show will be starting soon so
that means you better get back stage."
"I'm the second act up." Emily told them. "And Brenda's really anxious
tonight so she wants everyone backstage early."
"Good luck." Jason kissed her cheek. "We'll see you after your performance,
alright?"
"If you guys don't feel like sitting at either family table you're more
than welcome to sit with us." Carly offered.
Lucky grinned as they walked past them. "We might just take you up on that
one."
"We're pretty close to your family's table." Jason pointed out. "Do you
want to stop by?"
"We have to. My father wants us to come over." Carly murmured.
"How can you tell?" Jason frowned. "He's just kind of staring at us."
"I'm a master at reading my father's stares." Carly told him. Carly
threaded her arm through Jason's. "Come on, we might as well get this over
with."
Stefan stood next to the table that Barbara, Alexis and Kevin were seated
at. Carly's critical eye swept over them taking in their fashion choices
for the evening. Stefan wore an all black suit while Kevin wore a tux.
Alexis's dress was a sheer glittery black with a maroon shift underneath
and an empire waist style dress that didn't hide but flattered her
pregnancy. Barbara wore a black satin ballgown with a corset like top.
"Jason, it's so good to see you again. You know outside of work." Barbara
smiled warmly at her future son in law. She stood up to kiss him on the
cheek. She turned her attention to her daughter and said icily to Carly.
"Hello dear."
Carly barely looked at her. She said to Stefan. "So our situation? I'm sure
Luke is handling things perfectly so you don't have to worry."
"Luke?" Barbara said with concern. What is her brother involved in now?
Stefan ignored her.
"I've told you that Spencer doesn't need to be involved in this anymore,
Caroline."
"Try convincing him of that." Carly smirked. "You know how Luke is. You set
him off and you just have to sit back and wait for him to finish things in
his own time."
"I've already met with the boy and I have things well in hand." Stefan
briefly thought about his meeting that afternoon with the young man. There
was something quite admirable in him. The fire in his eyes, the way he
didn't back down even when his lies where thrown back into his face. He was
someone that Stefan could have used on his side. It was a shame that he
would have to be eliminated in order to teach Helena a lesson.
"I'm sure." Carly said in a clipped voice.
"I understand there was a slight problem today with Johnson?" Alexis said
from her seat. She was sure that Stefan and Carly would get into a fight if
they continued discussing the Nikolas impostor.
"I took care of it." Carly nodded.
"I'm sure." Stefan murmured. Carly narrowed her eyes. She couldn't be sure
if he was mocking her or not. But if he was…
"Stefan, don't forget about those contracts that I need both you and Carly
to look over." Alexis reminded him.
"Does this mean my father will actually have to come into work?" Carly
faked shock and placed her hand over her heart.
"Carly…" Alexis said warningly. The last thing they needed was for Stefan
and Carly to start at it. She'd heard of their last fight and she had a
feeling the next one would be even worst.
"Fine, I won't be *childish* tonight." Carly looked at Stefan out of the
corner of her eye. "Do either of you have any free time tomorrow? I want to
get this taken care of as soon as possible."
"I have some time in the morning." Alexis said. "Stefan?"
"Tomorrow morning is fine with me." Stefan agreed. "I thought of a few
changes that I want to discuss with you, Caroline."
"That's funny so have I." Carly said.
"I think that's enough company business for tonight. The show's about the
start. We should let Carly and Jason take their seats." Barbara slipped her
arm through Stefan's and cooed up at him. She pressed her chest against his
arm.
Alexis and Carly both barely resisted from rolling their eyes at Barbara's
obvious attempt to get Stefan's attention back on her. They caught each
other's eye and smiled.
Stefan nodded. "Of course. We'll continue our discussion at the first break
then, Caroline?"
"Stefan, tonight is not about business. Leave the shop talk until tomorrow,
alright?" Barbara glared at Carly. Her message was clear, back off, he's
mine tonight.
Carly smiled icily at her mother. "You're right. Let's go Jason."
Jason took Carly by the elbow and quickly lead her away. He knew he wasn't
the only one grateful that Carly hadn't put up a fight and created a scene
with her mother.
"That woman—" Carly broke and shook her head. "Never mind. Where is our
table?"
"Right next to ours according the seating chart." A smooth voice said from
behind them. Carly turned around in time to see Sonny grinning at them. He
looked gorgeous in his black suit. Damn it, damn it, damn it.
Sonny stared at Jason. His gaze was hard to read and Carly held her breath
fearing what could happen. Sonny's companion clung to his arm, chewing gum
of all things. She wore a knee length cherry red dress with spaghetti
straps and a plunging neckline. Carly recognized her as one of Paradise's
top performers, a stripper by the name of Hannah Scott. She did a routine
involving her dressed as a police officer. She couldn't believe it. He
brought a f****** stripper to the Nurses Ball!
"Do I know you?" Jason frowned. He looked vaguely familiar.
Sonny's smile was humorless. "I doubt it. I'm Sonny Corinthos."
It was instant recognition. Every one in town knew that name and the
reputation that went along with it. Jason looked at him with new eyes.
"*Oh*."
"You're uh," Sonny snapped his fingers as if he was trying to remember
Jason's name, "one of those Quartermaines right? Then this must be your
fiancée. Carly…Cassadine?"
"That's right." Jason drew Carly closer to him.
"You two are always in the society page." Sonny said.
"Oh? You read the society page, Mr. Corinthos?" Carly mocked him.
"Not me, but Hannah, she's always going on about who wore what where. You
know." Sonny shrugged.
"I'm always fascinated by how the other half lives." Hannah said.
"Then this should be a treat for you dear." Carly said with faux-sweetness.
She said to Jason. "Darling, weren't we about to take our seats?"
"Enjoy the show." Sonny tossed out as Carly lead Jason past him. He
couldn't help but notice how she pointedly ignored him. He chuckled to
himself. It was going to be a fun night.
~*~*~
Carly and Jason took their seats just as Brenda came out on stage. Carly
forced herself to listen to Brenda's speech instead of looking over at the
next table. She was sure that if she did she would see Sonny grinning at
her like a jackass. She turned her head an inch. She was right. He winked
at her. She sighed softly. This was going to be a long night.
~*~*~
Nikolas lay on his back in his bed staring up at the ceiling. He was trying
to figure out his next move. The visit from Stefan Cassadine that afternoon
had changed everything. Before that he was determined to get out of the
whole mess that Helena Cassadine had pushed him into. All he wanted was to
tell his mother the truth and forget about the prince thing. But that was
before he had to listen to yet another person tell him that he wasn't
Nikolas Cassadine. Why was it such a problem for these people? All he
wanted was to know his mother, to know who he really was. And they were
trying to keep that from him.
Well damn them all, he was tired of it. Stefan's visit had been the last
straw. He wasn't going to let anyone threaten him and try to stop him from
doing what he had to do.
There was a knock at his door. Nikolas frowned. Which one would it be this
time? Would it be Helena trying to get her back on his side or yet another
threat? He got of bed and opened the door. There was no one there. He
stepped out and looked both ways down the hall but there was no one lurking
around. He was just about to go back in when he noticed a plain white
envelope on the floor.
He hesitated a moment before picking it up and tearing it open. Inside was
a photo of a woman and child. Nikolas narrowed his eyes as he studied it.
It was his mother and the child was obviously Lucky Spencer. He searched
the envelope for a note but there was none. He flipped the picture over.
"*Never forget what you lost, my darling*", was written out in an elegant
scrawl on the back of the photo.
"I guess you're going to get what you wanted after all Helena." He
murmured. He was going to need her help.
~*~*~
At the first break Carly took the opportunity to get up. She told Jason.
"I'll be right back."
Jason stood also. "Are you going back to your parents table? Would you like
me to come with you?"
Carly laid her hand on his shoulder. "I just need to visit the ladies room.
I'll be right back. Actually why don't you go see your family and I'll meet
you there."
As Carly walked past Sonny's table she stared into his eyes hoping that he
would get the message. He nodded at her.
Carly was barely in the bathroom before Hannah burst in.
"Hey." Hannah mumbled as she looked around the bathroom.
"What are you doing?" Carly asked curiously.
"Mr. Corinthos told me to make sure the close was clear." Hannah informed
her.
"Did he?" Carly folded her arms.
"Yeah." Hannah snapped her gum as she checked the stalls. "Oh and he also
told me to tell you not to worry. I won't say a thing about you coming to
the Paradise. I know how to keep my mouth closed."
"And your legs open, I bet." Carly snapped.
Hannah stopped her searching to narrow her eyes at Carly. "Look, it's my
night off and the boss needed a date for this shindig. I get a little extra
in my paycheck and a really nice dress out of it. There's nothing going on
between me and Mr. Corinthos."
Carly walked over to her until they stood toe to toe. She murmured. "You
better make sure it stays like that."
She and Hannah stared at each other for a long time. Hannah was the first
to look away. She walked over to the large mirror and fluffed up her hair.
She muttered under her breath. "God, you got Quartermaine on a leash and
Mr. Corinthos too. A woman shouldn't be so greedy."
"Weren't you on your way out?" Carly said.
Hannah smirked at her as she went to the door. "Have fun. You know I can
always keep Quartermaine occupied if you need extra time."
"Hannah, that's enough." Sonny said from the door. "Why don't you go sit
back down, have some champagne and *don't* talk to anyone."
"You both know it's only a matter of time before this blows up in your
faces right?" Hannah warned them before she flounced out of the bathroom.
Sonny closed the door and locked it. Carly crossed the room to the mirror
to check her makeup. "We could have just met up on a terrace or something."
"And risk being overheard?"
"And people wouldn't notice a locked bathroom?" Carly shot back. "So you
brought a stripper to the Nurses Ball. Couldn't get Lois up here in time?"
Sonny tilted his head to the side and stared at her. Carly sighed. "What
the hell are you doing here? And how did you just *happen* to get a table
next to mine? What are you trying to pull?"
"I told you, I support the cause, same as you and everyone here." Sonny
said sincerely. Then he flashed his dimples, ruining the image completely.
"And maybe I just wanted to see you tonight." His voiced dropped lower.
"You look…wow."
"Sonny…" Carly shook her head. "Tonight is too important for me—"
"There was something strangely amusing about meeting your doctor boy face
to face." Sonny smiled. "Wouldn't he have loved to know how many things we
have in common, like seeing you naked for instance."
"*Sonny*." Carly gritted out. She rubbed her temples. He was giving her a
headache.
He walked up to her placing his hands on her hips. He pulled her to him and
nuzzled her neck. He murmured. "After doctor boy runs out on you tonight,
as I'm sure he will, give me a call."
Carly trailed her fingers down his jaw. "You like being the other man a
little too much, don't you?"
He nipped at her fingers. "Not for just any woman, sweetheart."
Carly pushed him away. "Go before some debutante discovers the door is
locked and makes a big fuss."
"We wouldn't want anyone to find us here, now would we?" Sonny smiled
strangely at her. He kissed her harshly then walked out.
A few moments after Sonny left the bathroom Karen Wexler walked in. She
leaned against the door and smirked at Carly.
Carly nodded in her direction and put on a fresh coat of lipstick. Sonny
had kissed off most of her previous coat. "Dr. Wexler."
"I know about you." Karen said softly.
"I'm sure you *think* you know a lot of things, Dr. Wexler." Carly said
lazily. She recapped her lipstick and dropped it in her purse. She fixed a
few flyaway strands of hair then shrugged. "Whether you actually do is
another thing entirely."
"I know about you and the mob boss pretending to be a nightclub owner."
Karen leaned in. "And what's more important, Jason knows too."
Carly wasn't about to let Karen Wexler try to scare her. "That's funny, he
hasn't said a thing to me about it."
"That's because he's waiting for you to the right thing and confess. Jason
is a good man."
Carly laughed. "You're cute, you know that? I don't mind the fact that
you're jealous about Jason and me, really. But this is just too much. Jason
trusts me."
"He's a fool to do so. I saw you, Carly, this afternoon in the alley? With
him."
Carly didn't break a sweat. "You skulk around in alleys? Is that like a
hobby of yours or something?"
"Look, I just wanted to warn you, one woman to another, that your little
affair or whatever you call it is out in the open. It's only a matter of
time before Jason drops you. So why don't you do yourself a favor and save
yourself the heartache. Drop this charade, tell him the truth and let him
get on with his life. Without you. "
"And I'm guessing it'll be with you?" Carly arched her eyebrow. "Dr.
Wexler, let me warn *you* woman to woman that I'm not a woman who takes
kindly to threats, especially from a person like you. Don't make that
mistake again."
Carly left Karen fuming in the bathroom. Carly carefully made her way back
to her seat fuming to herself also. Who the hell did Karen Wexler think she
was trying to threaten her? Carly had enough problems without Karen trying
to cause trouble too.
As she passed by Sonny's table she managed to whisper to him without
attracting attention. "Looks like we have a little problem."
~*~*~
"If it isn't my favorite old crone." Luke murmured as he stepped onto the
terrace. His gaze was locked on the woman who stood with her back to him.
Helena turned around and smiled. "Ah, Luke, I was wondering when I would
run into you."
"That's why you spent half the night lurking around in the shadows. Didn't
want mama's boy to catch you?" Luke drawled.
"I prefer not to draw attention to myself. Besides I have no reason to
speak to my…son." Helena's lips curled up in distaste.
Luke chuckled. "It must kill you to admit that the bat is your son. Bet you
secretly think he was switched at birth."
"Stranger things have happened while a woman is giving birth." Helena said
softly.
Luke glared at her. "Which brings me to the reason I came out here."
"You actually have a reason for the things you do?"
"I should have killed you years ago." Luke told her.
"As if you would have had a chance." Helena said.
"If you only knew how many times I watched you as you slept…So peaceful, so
vulnerable…You didn't like to let your boytoy of the moment stay the night
though. That was cruel of you to kick them out after you were done with
them for the night." Luke shook his head in sympathy for them.
Helena's only visible reaction was a slight paling. She raised her hand to
her throat. She took a moment to compose herself.
"Why, Luke, I didn't know you liked to watch." She smiled suggestively.
"Kinky, but interesting. I'm sure we can arrange something next time?"
"I'd rather I not lose my eyesight but thanks anyway." Luke sneered.
"Luke, darling, you're beginning to bore me." Helena said dismissively. She
started to walk past him back into the ballroom but Luke's hand shot out
and grabbed her by the upper arm. "Release me this instant."
Luke responded by pulling her to him so that her face was close to his. His
voice was soft but deadly. "If you don't want to end up at the bottom of
the Port Charles River with your little impostor I suggest you keep your
twisted little games confined to your family and leave mine out of it."
"What did you do to Nikolas?" Helena demanded. She pulled her arm away.
"Nothing…yet." Luke warned her. "Don't push me to it."
"You would kill your wife's son." It wasn't a question but a statement.
"I would do anything to keep my wife safe from your mind games, Helena."
Luke told her coldly.
~*~*~
Laura ran into Emily on her way backstage. "Emily! You were wonderful." She
beamed.
Emily smiled sheepishly. "I kind of messed up on my dance moves a little."
Laura shook her head. "No, no, you were perfect."
"Thanks anyway. Were you looking for Lucky? He was just here. He went to
get me a glass of punch."
"Luke. He slipped away during that last performance and I have no idea
where he is. I figured he would be backstage…well I don't want to say
*bothering* the performers but you know Luke." Laura laughed.
Emily shook her head. "Sorry, I haven't seen him."
Laura nodded. To be truthful she hadn't come backstage to look for Luke.
She wanted to discover who that mysterious young man was that she saw Emily
with in the park. The same young man that seemed to be almost stalking her.
She tried to find the best way to approach the subject.
"You know, today I was in the park with Lulu," Laura began. Emily nodded.
"We, uh, happened to see you with some guy?"
Emily blushed. "Oh Laura, you don't have anything to worry about it. It
wasn't what it looked like."
"I wasn't implying that you were doing anything behind my son's back.
Emily, you're not like that. It's just that Lulu couldn't stop talking
about him. She's so curious to know who he is." That part was the truth.
Lulu was full of questions when they got back from the park.
"Oh. He's just this guy I met a few days ago." Emily shrugged. "He has some
sort of family problem going on."
Family problem? Laura thought about that one. "I'm guessing he has a name
right? You know how Lulu is, she needs every last detail."
""Yeah, I know Lulu." Emily laughed. "It's Nikolas."
Just as Emily said that she saw Lucky coming towards her with her drink.
She was smiling at him so she didn't notice Laura's reaction to the name.
It all suddenly came to her. She knew who he was. Laura paled and whispered
hoarsely. "Nikolas?"
That was the last thing she said before her eyes rolled back and she
crumpled to the floor in a faint.
night.
"Only a half a dozen times but it doesn't hurt to say it a few more times."
Carly grinned.
Carly and Jason made their way through the large crowd that occupied the
lobby of the Port Charles Hotel. Carly had kept up the tradition of the
Nurses Ball being held in the Versailles room of the hotel. It was easier
than having the committee find a new place to hold it. And having her hotel
connected with the Nurses Ball was always good for business after all.
Carly nodded in the direction of the General Hospital board members but she
didn't stop to chat. She pulled up her black sheer shawl around her copper
floor length gown. The front and back were both draped dramatically low.
Tiny clear beads that covered the dress reflected the lights as she walked.
Her hair was left loose with soft curls ala a forties movie star. At her
neck and ears glittered her favorite diamonds and she wore only her
engagement ring on her hands. Carly looked good and she knew it.
"Amanda Barrington is trying to get your attention." Jason murmured to her.
"Amanda Barrington can wait until later." Carly murmured back. "Right now
all I want to do is wish Emily good luck and find our table."
"Same here." Jason said. The way Amanda Barrington kissed up to anyone with
money was disgusting and now that Carly was going to be connected with the
Quartermaines, her buttkissing had gotten out of control. He absentmindedly
patted his suit jacket. Carly caught the action.
Carly narrowed her eyes. "Jason, do you have your pager with you?"
Jason reached inside his tuxedo jacket and showed it to her. "Of course,
don't worry. It's set on vibrate."
"Jason." Carly hissed. "Tonight is very important to me and the hotel."
"And the life of my patient isn't important?" Jason raised his eyebrow. He
nodded across the ballroom. "There's Emily and Lucky."
Jason steered her into their direction. Emily and Carly exchanged quick
kisses and exclaimed over each other's dresses. Emily wore a blue-gray
strapless dress. It was flowed in simple lines and showed off her curves.
Lucky was decked out in a typical tuxedo but wore no bowtie and the top two
buttons of his shirt were undone. Jason envied him. His own bowtie was
strangling him to death.
"Are you nervous?" Jason gently asked his little sister.
Lucky answered for her, wrapping his arm around her waist. "You know
Emily—"
"So of course I'm incredibly nervous." Emily shrugged. "But it'll all go
away once I'm on stage."
"I'm positive it will." Lucky kissed her forehead and Emily beamed up at
him.
Carly hid a smile. It looked like everything was okay with Emily and Lucky
finally. One less thing for her to worry about. But leave it to Jason for
her to have to worry about him leaving her in the middle of the Nurses
Ball.
Lucky glanced down at Emily. "I think the show will be starting soon so
that means you better get back stage."
"I'm the second act up." Emily told them. "And Brenda's really anxious
tonight so she wants everyone backstage early."
"Good luck." Jason kissed her cheek. "We'll see you after your performance,
alright?"
"If you guys don't feel like sitting at either family table you're more
than welcome to sit with us." Carly offered.
Lucky grinned as they walked past them. "We might just take you up on that
one."
"We're pretty close to your family's table." Jason pointed out. "Do you
want to stop by?"
"We have to. My father wants us to come over." Carly murmured.
"How can you tell?" Jason frowned. "He's just kind of staring at us."
"I'm a master at reading my father's stares." Carly told him. Carly
threaded her arm through Jason's. "Come on, we might as well get this over
with."
Stefan stood next to the table that Barbara, Alexis and Kevin were seated
at. Carly's critical eye swept over them taking in their fashion choices
for the evening. Stefan wore an all black suit while Kevin wore a tux.
Alexis's dress was a sheer glittery black with a maroon shift underneath
and an empire waist style dress that didn't hide but flattered her
pregnancy. Barbara wore a black satin ballgown with a corset like top.
"Jason, it's so good to see you again. You know outside of work." Barbara
smiled warmly at her future son in law. She stood up to kiss him on the
cheek. She turned her attention to her daughter and said icily to Carly.
"Hello dear."
Carly barely looked at her. She said to Stefan. "So our situation? I'm sure
Luke is handling things perfectly so you don't have to worry."
"Luke?" Barbara said with concern. What is her brother involved in now?
Stefan ignored her.
"I've told you that Spencer doesn't need to be involved in this anymore,
Caroline."
"Try convincing him of that." Carly smirked. "You know how Luke is. You set
him off and you just have to sit back and wait for him to finish things in
his own time."
"I've already met with the boy and I have things well in hand." Stefan
briefly thought about his meeting that afternoon with the young man. There
was something quite admirable in him. The fire in his eyes, the way he
didn't back down even when his lies where thrown back into his face. He was
someone that Stefan could have used on his side. It was a shame that he
would have to be eliminated in order to teach Helena a lesson.
"I'm sure." Carly said in a clipped voice.
"I understand there was a slight problem today with Johnson?" Alexis said
from her seat. She was sure that Stefan and Carly would get into a fight if
they continued discussing the Nikolas impostor.
"I took care of it." Carly nodded.
"I'm sure." Stefan murmured. Carly narrowed her eyes. She couldn't be sure
if he was mocking her or not. But if he was…
"Stefan, don't forget about those contracts that I need both you and Carly
to look over." Alexis reminded him.
"Does this mean my father will actually have to come into work?" Carly
faked shock and placed her hand over her heart.
"Carly…" Alexis said warningly. The last thing they needed was for Stefan
and Carly to start at it. She'd heard of their last fight and she had a
feeling the next one would be even worst.
"Fine, I won't be *childish* tonight." Carly looked at Stefan out of the
corner of her eye. "Do either of you have any free time tomorrow? I want to
get this taken care of as soon as possible."
"I have some time in the morning." Alexis said. "Stefan?"
"Tomorrow morning is fine with me." Stefan agreed. "I thought of a few
changes that I want to discuss with you, Caroline."
"That's funny so have I." Carly said.
"I think that's enough company business for tonight. The show's about the
start. We should let Carly and Jason take their seats." Barbara slipped her
arm through Stefan's and cooed up at him. She pressed her chest against his
arm.
Alexis and Carly both barely resisted from rolling their eyes at Barbara's
obvious attempt to get Stefan's attention back on her. They caught each
other's eye and smiled.
Stefan nodded. "Of course. We'll continue our discussion at the first break
then, Caroline?"
"Stefan, tonight is not about business. Leave the shop talk until tomorrow,
alright?" Barbara glared at Carly. Her message was clear, back off, he's
mine tonight.
Carly smiled icily at her mother. "You're right. Let's go Jason."
Jason took Carly by the elbow and quickly lead her away. He knew he wasn't
the only one grateful that Carly hadn't put up a fight and created a scene
with her mother.
"That woman—" Carly broke and shook her head. "Never mind. Where is our
table?"
"Right next to ours according the seating chart." A smooth voice said from
behind them. Carly turned around in time to see Sonny grinning at them. He
looked gorgeous in his black suit. Damn it, damn it, damn it.
Sonny stared at Jason. His gaze was hard to read and Carly held her breath
fearing what could happen. Sonny's companion clung to his arm, chewing gum
of all things. She wore a knee length cherry red dress with spaghetti
straps and a plunging neckline. Carly recognized her as one of Paradise's
top performers, a stripper by the name of Hannah Scott. She did a routine
involving her dressed as a police officer. She couldn't believe it. He
brought a f****** stripper to the Nurses Ball!
"Do I know you?" Jason frowned. He looked vaguely familiar.
Sonny's smile was humorless. "I doubt it. I'm Sonny Corinthos."
It was instant recognition. Every one in town knew that name and the
reputation that went along with it. Jason looked at him with new eyes.
"*Oh*."
"You're uh," Sonny snapped his fingers as if he was trying to remember
Jason's name, "one of those Quartermaines right? Then this must be your
fiancée. Carly…Cassadine?"
"That's right." Jason drew Carly closer to him.
"You two are always in the society page." Sonny said.
"Oh? You read the society page, Mr. Corinthos?" Carly mocked him.
"Not me, but Hannah, she's always going on about who wore what where. You
know." Sonny shrugged.
"I'm always fascinated by how the other half lives." Hannah said.
"Then this should be a treat for you dear." Carly said with faux-sweetness.
She said to Jason. "Darling, weren't we about to take our seats?"
"Enjoy the show." Sonny tossed out as Carly lead Jason past him. He
couldn't help but notice how she pointedly ignored him. He chuckled to
himself. It was going to be a fun night.
~*~*~
Carly and Jason took their seats just as Brenda came out on stage. Carly
forced herself to listen to Brenda's speech instead of looking over at the
next table. She was sure that if she did she would see Sonny grinning at
her like a jackass. She turned her head an inch. She was right. He winked
at her. She sighed softly. This was going to be a long night.
~*~*~
Nikolas lay on his back in his bed staring up at the ceiling. He was trying
to figure out his next move. The visit from Stefan Cassadine that afternoon
had changed everything. Before that he was determined to get out of the
whole mess that Helena Cassadine had pushed him into. All he wanted was to
tell his mother the truth and forget about the prince thing. But that was
before he had to listen to yet another person tell him that he wasn't
Nikolas Cassadine. Why was it such a problem for these people? All he
wanted was to know his mother, to know who he really was. And they were
trying to keep that from him.
Well damn them all, he was tired of it. Stefan's visit had been the last
straw. He wasn't going to let anyone threaten him and try to stop him from
doing what he had to do.
There was a knock at his door. Nikolas frowned. Which one would it be this
time? Would it be Helena trying to get her back on his side or yet another
threat? He got of bed and opened the door. There was no one there. He
stepped out and looked both ways down the hall but there was no one lurking
around. He was just about to go back in when he noticed a plain white
envelope on the floor.
He hesitated a moment before picking it up and tearing it open. Inside was
a photo of a woman and child. Nikolas narrowed his eyes as he studied it.
It was his mother and the child was obviously Lucky Spencer. He searched
the envelope for a note but there was none. He flipped the picture over.
"*Never forget what you lost, my darling*", was written out in an elegant
scrawl on the back of the photo.
"I guess you're going to get what you wanted after all Helena." He
murmured. He was going to need her help.
~*~*~
At the first break Carly took the opportunity to get up. She told Jason.
"I'll be right back."
Jason stood also. "Are you going back to your parents table? Would you like
me to come with you?"
Carly laid her hand on his shoulder. "I just need to visit the ladies room.
I'll be right back. Actually why don't you go see your family and I'll meet
you there."
As Carly walked past Sonny's table she stared into his eyes hoping that he
would get the message. He nodded at her.
Carly was barely in the bathroom before Hannah burst in.
"Hey." Hannah mumbled as she looked around the bathroom.
"What are you doing?" Carly asked curiously.
"Mr. Corinthos told me to make sure the close was clear." Hannah informed
her.
"Did he?" Carly folded her arms.
"Yeah." Hannah snapped her gum as she checked the stalls. "Oh and he also
told me to tell you not to worry. I won't say a thing about you coming to
the Paradise. I know how to keep my mouth closed."
"And your legs open, I bet." Carly snapped.
Hannah stopped her searching to narrow her eyes at Carly. "Look, it's my
night off and the boss needed a date for this shindig. I get a little extra
in my paycheck and a really nice dress out of it. There's nothing going on
between me and Mr. Corinthos."
Carly walked over to her until they stood toe to toe. She murmured. "You
better make sure it stays like that."
She and Hannah stared at each other for a long time. Hannah was the first
to look away. She walked over to the large mirror and fluffed up her hair.
She muttered under her breath. "God, you got Quartermaine on a leash and
Mr. Corinthos too. A woman shouldn't be so greedy."
"Weren't you on your way out?" Carly said.
Hannah smirked at her as she went to the door. "Have fun. You know I can
always keep Quartermaine occupied if you need extra time."
"Hannah, that's enough." Sonny said from the door. "Why don't you go sit
back down, have some champagne and *don't* talk to anyone."
"You both know it's only a matter of time before this blows up in your
faces right?" Hannah warned them before she flounced out of the bathroom.
Sonny closed the door and locked it. Carly crossed the room to the mirror
to check her makeup. "We could have just met up on a terrace or something."
"And risk being overheard?"
"And people wouldn't notice a locked bathroom?" Carly shot back. "So you
brought a stripper to the Nurses Ball. Couldn't get Lois up here in time?"
Sonny tilted his head to the side and stared at her. Carly sighed. "What
the hell are you doing here? And how did you just *happen* to get a table
next to mine? What are you trying to pull?"
"I told you, I support the cause, same as you and everyone here." Sonny
said sincerely. Then he flashed his dimples, ruining the image completely.
"And maybe I just wanted to see you tonight." His voiced dropped lower.
"You look…wow."
"Sonny…" Carly shook her head. "Tonight is too important for me—"
"There was something strangely amusing about meeting your doctor boy face
to face." Sonny smiled. "Wouldn't he have loved to know how many things we
have in common, like seeing you naked for instance."
"*Sonny*." Carly gritted out. She rubbed her temples. He was giving her a
headache.
He walked up to her placing his hands on her hips. He pulled her to him and
nuzzled her neck. He murmured. "After doctor boy runs out on you tonight,
as I'm sure he will, give me a call."
Carly trailed her fingers down his jaw. "You like being the other man a
little too much, don't you?"
He nipped at her fingers. "Not for just any woman, sweetheart."
Carly pushed him away. "Go before some debutante discovers the door is
locked and makes a big fuss."
"We wouldn't want anyone to find us here, now would we?" Sonny smiled
strangely at her. He kissed her harshly then walked out.
A few moments after Sonny left the bathroom Karen Wexler walked in. She
leaned against the door and smirked at Carly.
Carly nodded in her direction and put on a fresh coat of lipstick. Sonny
had kissed off most of her previous coat. "Dr. Wexler."
"I know about you." Karen said softly.
"I'm sure you *think* you know a lot of things, Dr. Wexler." Carly said
lazily. She recapped her lipstick and dropped it in her purse. She fixed a
few flyaway strands of hair then shrugged. "Whether you actually do is
another thing entirely."
"I know about you and the mob boss pretending to be a nightclub owner."
Karen leaned in. "And what's more important, Jason knows too."
Carly wasn't about to let Karen Wexler try to scare her. "That's funny, he
hasn't said a thing to me about it."
"That's because he's waiting for you to the right thing and confess. Jason
is a good man."
Carly laughed. "You're cute, you know that? I don't mind the fact that
you're jealous about Jason and me, really. But this is just too much. Jason
trusts me."
"He's a fool to do so. I saw you, Carly, this afternoon in the alley? With
him."
Carly didn't break a sweat. "You skulk around in alleys? Is that like a
hobby of yours or something?"
"Look, I just wanted to warn you, one woman to another, that your little
affair or whatever you call it is out in the open. It's only a matter of
time before Jason drops you. So why don't you do yourself a favor and save
yourself the heartache. Drop this charade, tell him the truth and let him
get on with his life. Without you. "
"And I'm guessing it'll be with you?" Carly arched her eyebrow. "Dr.
Wexler, let me warn *you* woman to woman that I'm not a woman who takes
kindly to threats, especially from a person like you. Don't make that
mistake again."
Carly left Karen fuming in the bathroom. Carly carefully made her way back
to her seat fuming to herself also. Who the hell did Karen Wexler think she
was trying to threaten her? Carly had enough problems without Karen trying
to cause trouble too.
As she passed by Sonny's table she managed to whisper to him without
attracting attention. "Looks like we have a little problem."
~*~*~
"If it isn't my favorite old crone." Luke murmured as he stepped onto the
terrace. His gaze was locked on the woman who stood with her back to him.
Helena turned around and smiled. "Ah, Luke, I was wondering when I would
run into you."
"That's why you spent half the night lurking around in the shadows. Didn't
want mama's boy to catch you?" Luke drawled.
"I prefer not to draw attention to myself. Besides I have no reason to
speak to my…son." Helena's lips curled up in distaste.
Luke chuckled. "It must kill you to admit that the bat is your son. Bet you
secretly think he was switched at birth."
"Stranger things have happened while a woman is giving birth." Helena said
softly.
Luke glared at her. "Which brings me to the reason I came out here."
"You actually have a reason for the things you do?"
"I should have killed you years ago." Luke told her.
"As if you would have had a chance." Helena said.
"If you only knew how many times I watched you as you slept…So peaceful, so
vulnerable…You didn't like to let your boytoy of the moment stay the night
though. That was cruel of you to kick them out after you were done with
them for the night." Luke shook his head in sympathy for them.
Helena's only visible reaction was a slight paling. She raised her hand to
her throat. She took a moment to compose herself.
"Why, Luke, I didn't know you liked to watch." She smiled suggestively.
"Kinky, but interesting. I'm sure we can arrange something next time?"
"I'd rather I not lose my eyesight but thanks anyway." Luke sneered.
"Luke, darling, you're beginning to bore me." Helena said dismissively. She
started to walk past him back into the ballroom but Luke's hand shot out
and grabbed her by the upper arm. "Release me this instant."
Luke responded by pulling her to him so that her face was close to his. His
voice was soft but deadly. "If you don't want to end up at the bottom of
the Port Charles River with your little impostor I suggest you keep your
twisted little games confined to your family and leave mine out of it."
"What did you do to Nikolas?" Helena demanded. She pulled her arm away.
"Nothing…yet." Luke warned her. "Don't push me to it."
"You would kill your wife's son." It wasn't a question but a statement.
"I would do anything to keep my wife safe from your mind games, Helena."
Luke told her coldly.
~*~*~
Laura ran into Emily on her way backstage. "Emily! You were wonderful." She
beamed.
Emily smiled sheepishly. "I kind of messed up on my dance moves a little."
Laura shook her head. "No, no, you were perfect."
"Thanks anyway. Were you looking for Lucky? He was just here. He went to
get me a glass of punch."
"Luke. He slipped away during that last performance and I have no idea
where he is. I figured he would be backstage…well I don't want to say
*bothering* the performers but you know Luke." Laura laughed.
Emily shook her head. "Sorry, I haven't seen him."
Laura nodded. To be truthful she hadn't come backstage to look for Luke.
She wanted to discover who that mysterious young man was that she saw Emily
with in the park. The same young man that seemed to be almost stalking her.
She tried to find the best way to approach the subject.
"You know, today I was in the park with Lulu," Laura began. Emily nodded.
"We, uh, happened to see you with some guy?"
Emily blushed. "Oh Laura, you don't have anything to worry about it. It
wasn't what it looked like."
"I wasn't implying that you were doing anything behind my son's back.
Emily, you're not like that. It's just that Lulu couldn't stop talking
about him. She's so curious to know who he is." That part was the truth.
Lulu was full of questions when they got back from the park.
"Oh. He's just this guy I met a few days ago." Emily shrugged. "He has some
sort of family problem going on."
Family problem? Laura thought about that one. "I'm guessing he has a name
right? You know how Lulu is, she needs every last detail."
""Yeah, I know Lulu." Emily laughed. "It's Nikolas."
Just as Emily said that she saw Lucky coming towards her with her drink.
She was smiling at him so she didn't notice Laura's reaction to the name.
It all suddenly came to her. She knew who he was. Laura paled and whispered
hoarsely. "Nikolas?"
That was the last thing she said before her eyes rolled back and she
crumpled to the floor in a faint.