Two weeks later Carly was back in her suite at the Port Charles Hotel.
Curled up on her couch with her hair in a high messy ponytail and wearing a
dark blue tank top and black stretch pants, she studied a contract to make
sure all the changes she approved of had been added. A knock at the door
brought her head up. She called out, "Yes?"
"It's Jax." Came the muffled reply.
"It's open." She called back. She went back to her work as Jax came in
carrying a few bags of take-out chinese.
"Carly, I thought you were supposed to be resting?" Jax said in a
reprimanding tone.
Carly glanced up from her spot on the couch. Two stacks of folders sat on
her coffee table, one to do with Cassadine Inc. and the other to do with
Deception. "Oh, you caught me. Bad Carly, *bad*. Is that chinese? Did you
get me Szechuan chicken?"
"I was going to treat you but I don't know… You aren't supposed to be
working." Jax wagged his finger at her.
She stuck out her tongue. "Oh whatever. What are you going to do about it?
I am fully recovered. I just have to convince Stefan that I'm ready to go
back to work full time."
She tossed the contract down on the couch and stood up. She took a long
stretch and groaned. "I need a nice break though. I can't wait for Stefan
to finish checking up on my new assistant then I can toss all this work at
him."
Carly reached for the bags but Jax held them out of reach. He shooed her
out of the way and set them down on the coffee table. Carly started to move
the folders out of the way instead. Jax asked, "You're getting a new
assistant? What about that girl that the secretarial pool sent up? You
decided to let her go? What's her name?"
"Kristina something or other." Carly waved her hand, distracted. She was
searching for the Szechuan chicken. "I can never remember her last name
though. Doesn't matter. She's *not* another hitwoman sent after me by my
psycho grandmother however. Stefan and I both had her investigated. Anyway
she seems good enough. Once you get pass the hair thing and I already fixed
that."
"Okay." Jax said, his voice filled with quiet laughter. He'd already
unpacked most of the food. He opened a few containers until he came to the
chicken that Carly was looking for. He passed it and a pair of chopsticks.
"What hair thing?"
"She has this day-glow hair. It's bright orange I swear. Very distracting."
Carly said around a mouthful of chicken.
"And how did you fix that?"
"I got her a black wig." Carly shrugged. She flopped down on the couch with
her legs folded under her. "I told her, the hair was fine for some techno
club but *not* for *my* secretary so she was wearing a wig or she was
gone."
Jax leaned over laughing. "You actually got her a *wig* and told her
*that*?"
"She went for it." Carly shrugged again. "It's not like I made her dye it
or something."
"You are a dictator, you know that? The things your employees must say
behind your back…" Jax shook his head.
"Hey," Carly pointed at him with her chopsticks. "This dictator pays very
well and you should see our health benefits package."
"Alright, alright." Jax said, picking up his own dish. "So what's this
about a new assistant?"
"Max Sanders." Carly told him. "He did some time at Enchantment kowtowing
to Erica Kane so I know he can handle pressure. And oh boy, you should see
him in a bathing suit." Carly laughed.
"I'll pass." Jax said. "You didn't have him interview in a speedo did you?"
"No, but it was fun thinking about it," Carly said. "Hey, most male
executives have those bubblehead bimbo secretaries they use as eye candy.
Why can't I? Only mine can actually count to twenty without taking off his
shoes."
"So when does wonder boy start?" Jax grumbled.
"As soon as Stefan finishes looking into his background." Carly said. As if
on cue there was a brief knock at her door. Carly tilted her head to the
side and smiled. "That should be Daddy."
She placed her container on the coffee table and jumped up. "Touch it and
die." She tossed over her shoulder.
Jax ignored her as he reached for it. "So you actually open the door for
him and I get a bellow?"
"Maybe you didn't hear me the first time. It's my *father*." Carly said.
"Oh yes, Superman. I forgot about that." Jax murmured under his breath.
"Heard that." Carly said as she opened the door for Stefan. "Hello, do you
have it?"
Stefan smiled gently and held up a plain folder. "Right here and yes, he
did check out completely. He may start as soon as you wish."
"Thanks." Carly said sarcastically as she took the folder from him with one
hand. She pushed the door closed with the other as Stefan walked further
into the suite.
He nodded at Jax. "Mr. Jacks."
"Stefan." Jax murmured. During Carly's stay in the hospital the two had
meet several times. They didn't exactly hate each other but they didn't
really like each other.
"Jax brought lunch. Feel like staying?" Carly asked. She flipped open the
folder and scanned a few pages quickly.
"I cannot stay." Stefan told her. "I have a meeting at General Hospital."
"That reminds me." Carly tossed the folder on the couch and started heading
for the bedroom. She called back, "I have something for you."
Stefan and Jax waited in the living room for her, neither saying a word to
each other. Finally Jax cleared his throat and gestured to Carly's chicken,
which he'd almost finished off, "Are you sure you're not hungry?"
"I'm fine, thank you." Stefan said.
They were saved from making more small talk by Carly's return. She came
back into the living room holding yet another folder. "This is for you. All
the information you could ever want on Dr. Karen Wexler."
Stefan took the thick folder from her and regarded it suspiciously. Then he
looked at Carly who smiled brightly back at him. He held her gaze for a
long time before she dropped the smile, propped her hands on her hips and
said, "What?"
Stefan took his time. "I should have asked you before about your eagerness
to help. Tell me—"
Carly interrupted. "Look, Karen Wexler is a manipulative little bitch who
ruined things for me and Jason. I hate her guts. But everything in that
folder is real. Why would I make things up when I know you can just go back
and check things for yourself?"
"That is not what I was asking about and you know it."
The phone rang, interrupting them, and Carly quickly scooped it up. "Yes?"
She listened for a little while, a slow smile spreading across her face.
She nodded to herself and hung up after saying, "That's all I wanted to
know."
"Should I even ask what put that huge smile on your face?" Jax said.
"Sonny was released from the hospital today." Carly told him.
"I should have known." Jax grumbled. He and Stefan shared a look.
Carly narrowed her eyes. *This* they would bond over, she thought. "Don't
start, either of you."
"He's a married man." Jax warned.
"He's getting divorced." Carly turned to face him.
"Are you aware of how naïve you sound?" Jax said.
Carly shook her head. "It sounds naïve but it's the truth. And don't snort
at me." She snapped when Jax did just that. "Sonny and I have an agreement
that I am not going to even bother explaining to you."
She looked over her shoulder at Stefan. "Do you have anything to add?"
Stefan said, "The man is completely—"
"Unsuitable for me." Carly interrupted. "Yes, I know." She took Stefan's
hand in hers. "And Mother's completely unsuitable for you."
"That is different." Stefan corrected.
"Not at all." Carly said. "She makes you happy, as much it makes me sick to
even admit, and Sonny does the same for me. So if I have to smile and make
nice with Mother for your sake at times, then I want you to do the same
with Sonny. Hey, you never really cared for Jason. Maybe you'll find
something in common with Sonny."
Stefan raised her hand to his lips and pressed a kiss to the back of it. He
stared into her eyes. "No matter what you think, these are two different
situations. But you are young and I'll allow this dalliance for now."
Carly's eyes iced over and she removed her hand from Stefan's. "I'm not 14
and this isn't me and the gardener's son. I'm not having some wild fling to
sow some oats. Yes, it did start out that way but it's something else now.
It's not some teenage crush that you can't wait out until I come to my
senses. Watch what you say Father and don't push me into doing something
you'll regret."
Stefan lifted his eyebrow and glanced in the direction of Jax, who sat
still pretending that he hadn't heard a word. Stefan then said, "We'll
continue this conversation at another time. I have to go or I'll be late
for my meeting."
"I'll give you a call." Carly said.
As soon as Stefan walked out the door Carly left out a big sigh and flopped
down on the couch. Jax glanced over at her and wiggled his eyebrows.
"You and the gardener's son?" Jax drawled. "Hmmm…"
Carly closed her eyes. "Oh shut up and pass me what's left of my chicken."
~*~*~
Sonny leaned against the wall while Lois opened the door to his apartment.
He was waiting for her reaction to it. It was her first time seeing his
place in Port Charles and he knew she would have a definite reaction to it.
He wasn't disappointed.
"I hate it." Lois said as soon as she walked in.
Sonny slowly followed behind her. He kept one hand pressed to his side. It
still hurt to walk a lot and he was under doctor's orders to take it easy.
"You hate it?"
Lois waved her hand around the room. "Typical bachelor pad. And you're not
a bachelor."
"Yet." He tossed out.
Lois simply raised one eyebrow. "You don't have one of those mirrors over
your bed do you?"
Sonny laughed and shook his head. "You were there when I outgrew that
phase, remember?"
Lois grinned. "I remember. That was the worst motel I'd ever been in my
life. Why on earth did we go there?"
He shrugged. "It was cheap and cheap was pretty important to us back then."
"Remember the bed wouldn't stop vibrating?" Lois covered her face with her
hands and laughed. "How many quarters did you put in that thing?"
Sonny leaned in with an impish grin. "None. Remember?"
Lois rolled her eyes and slapped his arm. "God, you're impossible."
"You loved it back then." Sonny said.
"Yeah back then." Lois muttered. She cleared her throat hoping this little
trip back to memory lane was over and done with. "Where's your bedroom?"
He nodded towards the hall. "Down there, last door on your left."
He made his way over to the couch to slowly sit down as Lois headed for his
bedroom. Someone knocked the door. Sonny glanced towards the hall before
calling out, "Come on in."
"Hey boss." Hannah came in with Tammy. Hannah grinned at him. "We heard you
were getting back in today so we thought we'd come welcome you home. And I
got you some more cannoli." She held out the bag.
""You're going to spoil me. Hand over the cannoli." Sonny demanded. Hannah
gave him the bag.
"And I," Tammy said, pressing her hand to her heart to emphasize her point,
"wanted to see for myself that you were okay. All the girls were real
scared for you, Sonny."
Hannah rolled her eyes at Tammy and Sonny hid a smile. "I'm doing fine,
Tammy."
"Who's here, Sonny?" Lois said coming back down the hall. She stopped short
and stared at Hannah and Tammy. She frowned. "God, Sonny, do your
'employees' ever give you a moment's piece?"
"Hi, Mrs. Corinthos." Hannah said undeterred. "This is Tammy, another one
of the dancers at the club."
"I could tell." Lois said, looking Tammy over. Tammy returned the stare.
Hannah looked at the ceiling and thought, oh boy. Hannah hoped it wasn't
going to get ugly. Then again Tammy did need to get knocked down a couple
of pegs and Hannah welcome anyone to try.
"Well it was nice to see you again." Hannah said politely.
Tammy said, "We just wanted to see how Sonny was doing."
And we're off, Hannah thought.
Lois walked over the couch and sat down on the arm of the couch near Sonny.
"He's healing. Right now though, he should be resting. Michael, I turned
down the bed for you."
Oooh, proper name usage, Hannah gave Lois a point and decided that maybe it
was time she got Tammy out of there.
Hannah grabbed Tammy's arm and started to pull her to the door. "We need to
get back down stairs."
"But we just got here.'" Tammy protested.
"And now we're going." Hannah said as she pulled Tammy closer to the door.
Lois stood up and crossed over to them. "Here, let me walk you out."
She pulled open the door and Hannah gave Tammy a slight shove into the
hall. Hannah tossed a smile over her shoulder. "We'll see you later, boss."
Lois leaned against the doorjamb and crossed her arms. She shook her head
slightly. "Probably not. See Michael's still got a lot of healing to do.
He's going to need a lot of rest for awhile so I'll be here to look after
him. His recuperation is going to take a *long* time."
Lois took a step back and pushed the door closed. She turned around with
her hands on her hips and looked at Sonny. She pursed her lips tightly. He
smirked at her as he reached into the bag of cannoli. "What?"
"I don't like them." Lois said simply.
"I could tell."
"It's bad enough I have to share you with *her*, I don't need your
'employees' crawling around here at all hours."
Sonny laughed. "It's only four."
Lois shook her head. "I'm going to take a walk. You can pretend to rest but
really catch up on business. I have a feeling Benny's going to show up
pretty soon anyway."
~*~*~
"This is great, this is really good." Carly said as she swept through
penthouse four several days later. She peeked into the kitchen, checked out
the den, then ran up the stairs to inspect the second floor. Max followed
behind her, thinking what a first day on the job this was shaping up to be.
Carly was moving into the penthouse at Harborview Towers the next day and
she was making sure that everything was ready.
Carly walked into the master bedroom. She said over her shoulder, "The rest
of the furniture will be here tomorrow before I move in."
"Yes, the movers guarantee everything will be here by 3pm."
Carly lifted her eyebrow. She was doubtful. "Right. Offer them a bonus if
they can actually achieved that feat."
Max made a mental note of it. He suddenly looked towards the door. Carly
asked, "What's wrong?"
"Someone just knocked." He said.
"You've got the ears of bat." Carly said. "But don't worry, I think I know
who that is."
Max made another mental note to look into the security detail. Carly didn't
wait for him as she walked out of the room and headed for the stairs.
"Carly?" Barbara called out as she opened the front door a crack and looked
in.
"You're here. Good." Carly paused at the top of the stairs. She looked down
at her mother. Barbara pushed the door open more and walked in.
"Your secretary told me you wanted me to meet you here?" Barbara said as
she slipped off her coat. She looked around for a place to toss it but when
she saw there was none she simply folded it over her arm. The cautious look
on her face told Carly that she was sure Carly's secretary had it wrong and
the message was meant for someone else.
"Actually I did." Carly said, coming further down the stairs. Max followed
her again. Barbara briefly glanced at him before turning her attention back
to Carly. Without being asked Max left them alone and went into the
kitchen.
"Oh." Barbara said carefully. There had been a tenuous truce between the
two of them since their talk in the hospital.
"Father's birthday is coming up." Carly said.
Barbara hesitated then said, "In a few months."
"I suppose that gives us enough time to put together something for him
right?" Carly said.
Barbara actually took a step back. She looked at Carly warily. "*What* are
you talking about?"
"Father? Man you're currently sleeping with?" Carly said slowly gesturing
slightly with her hands. "Got a birthday in a couple of months?"
Barbara said coldly. "I know who you're talking about. I want to know what
do you mean about his birthday?"
"I want to do something nice for him even though right now he doesn't
deserve it."
"You two aren't on speaking terms again?" She asked.
Carly shook her head. "We are. He and I are just disagreeing on my private
life."
Barbara smirked at her. Carly rolled her eyes and said, "Yes, I know. The
shoe's on the other foot. You don't have to say it. Just enjoy it while it
lasts."
"So you want to throw a party for him?" Barbara suggested.
"Or something. Since you've been pushing for us to get closer, Bobbie, I
thought you'd love to help."
"Actually, you're right." She agreed.
"Good. I was thinking something…big." Carly flashed her hands.
"Well knowing your father, he might want something a little smaller.
Intimate." Barbara suggested.
"Now I think I know my father pretty well." Carly put her hands on her hips
and glared at her mother. "I'm sure he'd love it."
"And I'm sure he'd hate it." Barbara countered. "Where you going to invite
all the Cassadine cousins and generally everyone else he can't stand to
celebrate his birthday? It's a good thing you asked for my help or else
this whole thing would turn into a big circus."
Carly shook her head in amazement. "Oh yeah, this is going to be fun."
~*~*~
Karen managed to get out of Stefan Cassadine's office without making a fool
of herself. She was very proud. The moment she was out though she ran down
the hall for the bathroom. She did a quick check to make sure that no one
was in any of the stalls before taking the one furthest from the door. She
crouched down in the corner and covered her face as she tried to make sense
of what just happened.
She'd just gotten off the elevator when Amy caught her. Karen had tried to
slip away, not in the mood for Amy's gossip, but Amy only told her that
Stefan Cassadine wanted to see her. *Right* away. She'd had a feeling he
wanted to discuss the rumors. She had no idea she'd be so wrong. It went by
so fast all she remembered was a few brief flashes.
"Come in, Doctor Wexler…the Board of Directors…the unfortunate rumors…Dr.
Alan Quartermaine…the hospital can't afford…malpractice…looked into your
file…excellent doctor however…several things bothered us…drug problem…feel
it's best you take an extended leave…no, not fired…that is all, you're free
to go now."
Of course she wasn't fired. Karen laughed softly. They weren't going to
fire her but they weren't going to let her *work* either. And what other
hospital would take her on after hearing about this? Why was this happening
to her? What had she done to…to… A slow dawning look of came over her face
and she gasped slightly. Her eyes widened and she murmured a name, "Carly."
Would Carly really try to ruin her career over a few little pictures? Could
Carly really talk her father into taking away Karen's job? Stefan Cassadine
said that it'd been discussed by the Board of Directors but if he wanted
things to go his way he have certainly forced them to… No, she shook her
head. He wouldn't have done something like that just to help his daughter
get revenge right? Right?
Karen's face hardened with anger. And *how* had those rumors started? Who
in their right mind would even do a thing without it being deliberate? Of
course it was Carly. Who else? And of course her father helped her carry
out her revenge.
"That damn bitch." Karen muttered. "Oh, she is going to get hers now."
She pushed herself up and dusted her hands on her pants. She pulled open
the stall door and walked over to the sinks to wash her hands. Her mind was
working furiously thinking of ways to get back at Carly when Lorraine
walked in.
"Well hello Dr. Wexler." Lorraine murmured. "I heard you had a big meeting
with Cassadine. How'd it go?"
Karen angrily snatched a paper towel and quickly dried her hands. She said
coldly. "It's none of your business."
She swept past the nurse and marched out of the bathroom. Lorraine leaned
against a sink and smirked. "Oh, it must have gone *very* well."
Curled up on her couch with her hair in a high messy ponytail and wearing a
dark blue tank top and black stretch pants, she studied a contract to make
sure all the changes she approved of had been added. A knock at the door
brought her head up. She called out, "Yes?"
"It's Jax." Came the muffled reply.
"It's open." She called back. She went back to her work as Jax came in
carrying a few bags of take-out chinese.
"Carly, I thought you were supposed to be resting?" Jax said in a
reprimanding tone.
Carly glanced up from her spot on the couch. Two stacks of folders sat on
her coffee table, one to do with Cassadine Inc. and the other to do with
Deception. "Oh, you caught me. Bad Carly, *bad*. Is that chinese? Did you
get me Szechuan chicken?"
"I was going to treat you but I don't know… You aren't supposed to be
working." Jax wagged his finger at her.
She stuck out her tongue. "Oh whatever. What are you going to do about it?
I am fully recovered. I just have to convince Stefan that I'm ready to go
back to work full time."
She tossed the contract down on the couch and stood up. She took a long
stretch and groaned. "I need a nice break though. I can't wait for Stefan
to finish checking up on my new assistant then I can toss all this work at
him."
Carly reached for the bags but Jax held them out of reach. He shooed her
out of the way and set them down on the coffee table. Carly started to move
the folders out of the way instead. Jax asked, "You're getting a new
assistant? What about that girl that the secretarial pool sent up? You
decided to let her go? What's her name?"
"Kristina something or other." Carly waved her hand, distracted. She was
searching for the Szechuan chicken. "I can never remember her last name
though. Doesn't matter. She's *not* another hitwoman sent after me by my
psycho grandmother however. Stefan and I both had her investigated. Anyway
she seems good enough. Once you get pass the hair thing and I already fixed
that."
"Okay." Jax said, his voice filled with quiet laughter. He'd already
unpacked most of the food. He opened a few containers until he came to the
chicken that Carly was looking for. He passed it and a pair of chopsticks.
"What hair thing?"
"She has this day-glow hair. It's bright orange I swear. Very distracting."
Carly said around a mouthful of chicken.
"And how did you fix that?"
"I got her a black wig." Carly shrugged. She flopped down on the couch with
her legs folded under her. "I told her, the hair was fine for some techno
club but *not* for *my* secretary so she was wearing a wig or she was
gone."
Jax leaned over laughing. "You actually got her a *wig* and told her
*that*?"
"She went for it." Carly shrugged again. "It's not like I made her dye it
or something."
"You are a dictator, you know that? The things your employees must say
behind your back…" Jax shook his head.
"Hey," Carly pointed at him with her chopsticks. "This dictator pays very
well and you should see our health benefits package."
"Alright, alright." Jax said, picking up his own dish. "So what's this
about a new assistant?"
"Max Sanders." Carly told him. "He did some time at Enchantment kowtowing
to Erica Kane so I know he can handle pressure. And oh boy, you should see
him in a bathing suit." Carly laughed.
"I'll pass." Jax said. "You didn't have him interview in a speedo did you?"
"No, but it was fun thinking about it," Carly said. "Hey, most male
executives have those bubblehead bimbo secretaries they use as eye candy.
Why can't I? Only mine can actually count to twenty without taking off his
shoes."
"So when does wonder boy start?" Jax grumbled.
"As soon as Stefan finishes looking into his background." Carly said. As if
on cue there was a brief knock at her door. Carly tilted her head to the
side and smiled. "That should be Daddy."
She placed her container on the coffee table and jumped up. "Touch it and
die." She tossed over her shoulder.
Jax ignored her as he reached for it. "So you actually open the door for
him and I get a bellow?"
"Maybe you didn't hear me the first time. It's my *father*." Carly said.
"Oh yes, Superman. I forgot about that." Jax murmured under his breath.
"Heard that." Carly said as she opened the door for Stefan. "Hello, do you
have it?"
Stefan smiled gently and held up a plain folder. "Right here and yes, he
did check out completely. He may start as soon as you wish."
"Thanks." Carly said sarcastically as she took the folder from him with one
hand. She pushed the door closed with the other as Stefan walked further
into the suite.
He nodded at Jax. "Mr. Jacks."
"Stefan." Jax murmured. During Carly's stay in the hospital the two had
meet several times. They didn't exactly hate each other but they didn't
really like each other.
"Jax brought lunch. Feel like staying?" Carly asked. She flipped open the
folder and scanned a few pages quickly.
"I cannot stay." Stefan told her. "I have a meeting at General Hospital."
"That reminds me." Carly tossed the folder on the couch and started heading
for the bedroom. She called back, "I have something for you."
Stefan and Jax waited in the living room for her, neither saying a word to
each other. Finally Jax cleared his throat and gestured to Carly's chicken,
which he'd almost finished off, "Are you sure you're not hungry?"
"I'm fine, thank you." Stefan said.
They were saved from making more small talk by Carly's return. She came
back into the living room holding yet another folder. "This is for you. All
the information you could ever want on Dr. Karen Wexler."
Stefan took the thick folder from her and regarded it suspiciously. Then he
looked at Carly who smiled brightly back at him. He held her gaze for a
long time before she dropped the smile, propped her hands on her hips and
said, "What?"
Stefan took his time. "I should have asked you before about your eagerness
to help. Tell me—"
Carly interrupted. "Look, Karen Wexler is a manipulative little bitch who
ruined things for me and Jason. I hate her guts. But everything in that
folder is real. Why would I make things up when I know you can just go back
and check things for yourself?"
"That is not what I was asking about and you know it."
The phone rang, interrupting them, and Carly quickly scooped it up. "Yes?"
She listened for a little while, a slow smile spreading across her face.
She nodded to herself and hung up after saying, "That's all I wanted to
know."
"Should I even ask what put that huge smile on your face?" Jax said.
"Sonny was released from the hospital today." Carly told him.
"I should have known." Jax grumbled. He and Stefan shared a look.
Carly narrowed her eyes. *This* they would bond over, she thought. "Don't
start, either of you."
"He's a married man." Jax warned.
"He's getting divorced." Carly turned to face him.
"Are you aware of how naïve you sound?" Jax said.
Carly shook her head. "It sounds naïve but it's the truth. And don't snort
at me." She snapped when Jax did just that. "Sonny and I have an agreement
that I am not going to even bother explaining to you."
She looked over her shoulder at Stefan. "Do you have anything to add?"
Stefan said, "The man is completely—"
"Unsuitable for me." Carly interrupted. "Yes, I know." She took Stefan's
hand in hers. "And Mother's completely unsuitable for you."
"That is different." Stefan corrected.
"Not at all." Carly said. "She makes you happy, as much it makes me sick to
even admit, and Sonny does the same for me. So if I have to smile and make
nice with Mother for your sake at times, then I want you to do the same
with Sonny. Hey, you never really cared for Jason. Maybe you'll find
something in common with Sonny."
Stefan raised her hand to his lips and pressed a kiss to the back of it. He
stared into her eyes. "No matter what you think, these are two different
situations. But you are young and I'll allow this dalliance for now."
Carly's eyes iced over and she removed her hand from Stefan's. "I'm not 14
and this isn't me and the gardener's son. I'm not having some wild fling to
sow some oats. Yes, it did start out that way but it's something else now.
It's not some teenage crush that you can't wait out until I come to my
senses. Watch what you say Father and don't push me into doing something
you'll regret."
Stefan lifted his eyebrow and glanced in the direction of Jax, who sat
still pretending that he hadn't heard a word. Stefan then said, "We'll
continue this conversation at another time. I have to go or I'll be late
for my meeting."
"I'll give you a call." Carly said.
As soon as Stefan walked out the door Carly left out a big sigh and flopped
down on the couch. Jax glanced over at her and wiggled his eyebrows.
"You and the gardener's son?" Jax drawled. "Hmmm…"
Carly closed her eyes. "Oh shut up and pass me what's left of my chicken."
~*~*~
Sonny leaned against the wall while Lois opened the door to his apartment.
He was waiting for her reaction to it. It was her first time seeing his
place in Port Charles and he knew she would have a definite reaction to it.
He wasn't disappointed.
"I hate it." Lois said as soon as she walked in.
Sonny slowly followed behind her. He kept one hand pressed to his side. It
still hurt to walk a lot and he was under doctor's orders to take it easy.
"You hate it?"
Lois waved her hand around the room. "Typical bachelor pad. And you're not
a bachelor."
"Yet." He tossed out.
Lois simply raised one eyebrow. "You don't have one of those mirrors over
your bed do you?"
Sonny laughed and shook his head. "You were there when I outgrew that
phase, remember?"
Lois grinned. "I remember. That was the worst motel I'd ever been in my
life. Why on earth did we go there?"
He shrugged. "It was cheap and cheap was pretty important to us back then."
"Remember the bed wouldn't stop vibrating?" Lois covered her face with her
hands and laughed. "How many quarters did you put in that thing?"
Sonny leaned in with an impish grin. "None. Remember?"
Lois rolled her eyes and slapped his arm. "God, you're impossible."
"You loved it back then." Sonny said.
"Yeah back then." Lois muttered. She cleared her throat hoping this little
trip back to memory lane was over and done with. "Where's your bedroom?"
He nodded towards the hall. "Down there, last door on your left."
He made his way over to the couch to slowly sit down as Lois headed for his
bedroom. Someone knocked the door. Sonny glanced towards the hall before
calling out, "Come on in."
"Hey boss." Hannah came in with Tammy. Hannah grinned at him. "We heard you
were getting back in today so we thought we'd come welcome you home. And I
got you some more cannoli." She held out the bag.
""You're going to spoil me. Hand over the cannoli." Sonny demanded. Hannah
gave him the bag.
"And I," Tammy said, pressing her hand to her heart to emphasize her point,
"wanted to see for myself that you were okay. All the girls were real
scared for you, Sonny."
Hannah rolled her eyes at Tammy and Sonny hid a smile. "I'm doing fine,
Tammy."
"Who's here, Sonny?" Lois said coming back down the hall. She stopped short
and stared at Hannah and Tammy. She frowned. "God, Sonny, do your
'employees' ever give you a moment's piece?"
"Hi, Mrs. Corinthos." Hannah said undeterred. "This is Tammy, another one
of the dancers at the club."
"I could tell." Lois said, looking Tammy over. Tammy returned the stare.
Hannah looked at the ceiling and thought, oh boy. Hannah hoped it wasn't
going to get ugly. Then again Tammy did need to get knocked down a couple
of pegs and Hannah welcome anyone to try.
"Well it was nice to see you again." Hannah said politely.
Tammy said, "We just wanted to see how Sonny was doing."
And we're off, Hannah thought.
Lois walked over the couch and sat down on the arm of the couch near Sonny.
"He's healing. Right now though, he should be resting. Michael, I turned
down the bed for you."
Oooh, proper name usage, Hannah gave Lois a point and decided that maybe it
was time she got Tammy out of there.
Hannah grabbed Tammy's arm and started to pull her to the door. "We need to
get back down stairs."
"But we just got here.'" Tammy protested.
"And now we're going." Hannah said as she pulled Tammy closer to the door.
Lois stood up and crossed over to them. "Here, let me walk you out."
She pulled open the door and Hannah gave Tammy a slight shove into the
hall. Hannah tossed a smile over her shoulder. "We'll see you later, boss."
Lois leaned against the doorjamb and crossed her arms. She shook her head
slightly. "Probably not. See Michael's still got a lot of healing to do.
He's going to need a lot of rest for awhile so I'll be here to look after
him. His recuperation is going to take a *long* time."
Lois took a step back and pushed the door closed. She turned around with
her hands on her hips and looked at Sonny. She pursed her lips tightly. He
smirked at her as he reached into the bag of cannoli. "What?"
"I don't like them." Lois said simply.
"I could tell."
"It's bad enough I have to share you with *her*, I don't need your
'employees' crawling around here at all hours."
Sonny laughed. "It's only four."
Lois shook her head. "I'm going to take a walk. You can pretend to rest but
really catch up on business. I have a feeling Benny's going to show up
pretty soon anyway."
~*~*~
"This is great, this is really good." Carly said as she swept through
penthouse four several days later. She peeked into the kitchen, checked out
the den, then ran up the stairs to inspect the second floor. Max followed
behind her, thinking what a first day on the job this was shaping up to be.
Carly was moving into the penthouse at Harborview Towers the next day and
she was making sure that everything was ready.
Carly walked into the master bedroom. She said over her shoulder, "The rest
of the furniture will be here tomorrow before I move in."
"Yes, the movers guarantee everything will be here by 3pm."
Carly lifted her eyebrow. She was doubtful. "Right. Offer them a bonus if
they can actually achieved that feat."
Max made a mental note of it. He suddenly looked towards the door. Carly
asked, "What's wrong?"
"Someone just knocked." He said.
"You've got the ears of bat." Carly said. "But don't worry, I think I know
who that is."
Max made another mental note to look into the security detail. Carly didn't
wait for him as she walked out of the room and headed for the stairs.
"Carly?" Barbara called out as she opened the front door a crack and looked
in.
"You're here. Good." Carly paused at the top of the stairs. She looked down
at her mother. Barbara pushed the door open more and walked in.
"Your secretary told me you wanted me to meet you here?" Barbara said as
she slipped off her coat. She looked around for a place to toss it but when
she saw there was none she simply folded it over her arm. The cautious look
on her face told Carly that she was sure Carly's secretary had it wrong and
the message was meant for someone else.
"Actually I did." Carly said, coming further down the stairs. Max followed
her again. Barbara briefly glanced at him before turning her attention back
to Carly. Without being asked Max left them alone and went into the
kitchen.
"Oh." Barbara said carefully. There had been a tenuous truce between the
two of them since their talk in the hospital.
"Father's birthday is coming up." Carly said.
Barbara hesitated then said, "In a few months."
"I suppose that gives us enough time to put together something for him
right?" Carly said.
Barbara actually took a step back. She looked at Carly warily. "*What* are
you talking about?"
"Father? Man you're currently sleeping with?" Carly said slowly gesturing
slightly with her hands. "Got a birthday in a couple of months?"
Barbara said coldly. "I know who you're talking about. I want to know what
do you mean about his birthday?"
"I want to do something nice for him even though right now he doesn't
deserve it."
"You two aren't on speaking terms again?" She asked.
Carly shook her head. "We are. He and I are just disagreeing on my private
life."
Barbara smirked at her. Carly rolled her eyes and said, "Yes, I know. The
shoe's on the other foot. You don't have to say it. Just enjoy it while it
lasts."
"So you want to throw a party for him?" Barbara suggested.
"Or something. Since you've been pushing for us to get closer, Bobbie, I
thought you'd love to help."
"Actually, you're right." She agreed.
"Good. I was thinking something…big." Carly flashed her hands.
"Well knowing your father, he might want something a little smaller.
Intimate." Barbara suggested.
"Now I think I know my father pretty well." Carly put her hands on her hips
and glared at her mother. "I'm sure he'd love it."
"And I'm sure he'd hate it." Barbara countered. "Where you going to invite
all the Cassadine cousins and generally everyone else he can't stand to
celebrate his birthday? It's a good thing you asked for my help or else
this whole thing would turn into a big circus."
Carly shook her head in amazement. "Oh yeah, this is going to be fun."
~*~*~
Karen managed to get out of Stefan Cassadine's office without making a fool
of herself. She was very proud. The moment she was out though she ran down
the hall for the bathroom. She did a quick check to make sure that no one
was in any of the stalls before taking the one furthest from the door. She
crouched down in the corner and covered her face as she tried to make sense
of what just happened.
She'd just gotten off the elevator when Amy caught her. Karen had tried to
slip away, not in the mood for Amy's gossip, but Amy only told her that
Stefan Cassadine wanted to see her. *Right* away. She'd had a feeling he
wanted to discuss the rumors. She had no idea she'd be so wrong. It went by
so fast all she remembered was a few brief flashes.
"Come in, Doctor Wexler…the Board of Directors…the unfortunate rumors…Dr.
Alan Quartermaine…the hospital can't afford…malpractice…looked into your
file…excellent doctor however…several things bothered us…drug problem…feel
it's best you take an extended leave…no, not fired…that is all, you're free
to go now."
Of course she wasn't fired. Karen laughed softly. They weren't going to
fire her but they weren't going to let her *work* either. And what other
hospital would take her on after hearing about this? Why was this happening
to her? What had she done to…to… A slow dawning look of came over her face
and she gasped slightly. Her eyes widened and she murmured a name, "Carly."
Would Carly really try to ruin her career over a few little pictures? Could
Carly really talk her father into taking away Karen's job? Stefan Cassadine
said that it'd been discussed by the Board of Directors but if he wanted
things to go his way he have certainly forced them to… No, she shook her
head. He wouldn't have done something like that just to help his daughter
get revenge right? Right?
Karen's face hardened with anger. And *how* had those rumors started? Who
in their right mind would even do a thing without it being deliberate? Of
course it was Carly. Who else? And of course her father helped her carry
out her revenge.
"That damn bitch." Karen muttered. "Oh, she is going to get hers now."
She pushed herself up and dusted her hands on her pants. She pulled open
the stall door and walked over to the sinks to wash her hands. Her mind was
working furiously thinking of ways to get back at Carly when Lorraine
walked in.
"Well hello Dr. Wexler." Lorraine murmured. "I heard you had a big meeting
with Cassadine. How'd it go?"
Karen angrily snatched a paper towel and quickly dried her hands. She said
coldly. "It's none of your business."
She swept past the nurse and marched out of the bathroom. Lorraine leaned
against a sink and smirked. "Oh, it must have gone *very* well."