Mo's Babble: Ok, it's been awhile. A long while, but I'm finally back. Ah … that's about it. LOL!
Chapter 6
No One Expects the Spanish Inquisition
Two Days LaterIt was a couple days shy of the two-week mark since the fire had ravaged the Port Charles Hotel. That night had changed many people's lives and Carly Corinthos was no different. Her life had shifted on its axis in so many ways and Carly was still trying to deal with the repercussions. Slowly but surely, her divorce from Sonny was moving forward without bitterness. A fact in itself that was amazing considering the resentment that had been festering between them. Carly mourned losing her life with Sonny. Even in the darkest moments she had loved her husband desperately, to an extreme that was beyond reason at times. That type of all encompassing devotion seemed to be her specialty she thought with a snort remembering how her relationship with Jason had started and evolved. It was clear to her now, that even while she loved Sonny and built a life with him, the only reason she'd been able to was because Jason was still included. She had thought she needed him as only a friend, her rock. But it went deeper then that her need to have him in her life had always been there and she feared it always would.
Michael bounded down the steps, loud thumps echoing after him. "I'm ready," he declared happily. The little boy was thrilled to be going to the park with his Mother and Uncle Jason.
"Do you have your gloves?" Carly asked of her son. Her focus had shifted swiftly to Michael's needs. Michael's needs were one of the reasons she moved in with Jason and Courtney without really thinking about it. She wanted her son to be close to his father and the other people who loved him so much. The tension in the penthouse was growing daily and she was grateful the Michael didn't seem to notice it.
"Yep," he answered proudly, pulling the gloves from his pockets.
"Good," she smiled down at him and ruffled his hair. The motherly gesture came naturally to her now. But she could still remember a time when she was frightened of holding her own child. Then, as always, Jason had helped her. "Why don't you get Max while I get my coat?"
"Okay," Michael agreed his blue eyes alight with excitement. He made quite a picture; a redheaded freckled faced moppet who always seemed to be caught up in some kind of mischief or another. He was a handful but one Carly adored. She would do anything for her sons, but she didn't think she could live with Jason; feeling the way she did about him, while he was married to another woman.
"Well my track record is still intact," Carly grumbled as she slipped on her coat. As much as Michael and Morgan would miss being around Jason everyday, she knew they had to move. It was that or she'd go crazy and Carly wasn't about to go back to Ferncliff, which meant she would have to tell Jason today at the park.
Carly had been prepping herself for days now. If she didn't do it soon she knew she'd never would and they would all end up being miserable.
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Elizabeth was grateful to feel Lucky's hand in hers as Ric's lawyer read his will. The baby sat heavily but quiet inside her, as if sensing how stressful this was for her. She was a strong woman; it wasn't a strength that she was born with, rather one she managed to scrape together after horrible events she'd endured. Still she'd learned to rely on it and on herself. Even so her husband's death had taken a horrible toll on her. It felt as if all of her strength had been sapped out of her. Thankfully, Elizabeth knew she had good friends, like Lucky, whom she could lean on.
"Wait a minute," Lucky interjected his blue eyes narrowing as he collected and collated the facts. "Ric owned controlling stock in his father's company?"
"Companies," Franklin corrected. "Trevor Lansing amassed a tidy fortune during his life, which in turn, he left to his son. While Ric chose to pursue his interest outside of his father's businesses he still retained majority control. Now he's left some of his stock and accounts in trust for his child, but the rest Mrs. Lansing will be inheriting directly."
"But I don't know how to run a company," Elizabeth remarked wide-eyed squeezing Lucky's hand. "Please tell me I'm not expected to run any of them."
"Well I suppose you could try," Franklin mused. "The board members would have deciding factor in that of course. If you are interested in running one of the companies Mr. Lansing made it clear to me that I am to assist you in that endeavor."
"I'm an artist Mr. Franklin," Elizabeth informed the thin and proper man before her. "Not a business woman. I don't know the first thing about running a business or handling high finance."
"You could of course sell your shares," Franklin informed her. "It would bring you a tidy sum. Or you could hire a portfolio manager to assist and advise you. I could even recommend a few."
"I—Thank you, but no. I need to think about this," she said. "I don't have to do anything right now do I?"
"No Mrs. Lansing. There are other steps that need to be taken first. The transfer of accounts and stocks in your name and completing the trust to name a few."
"So you have time," Lucky reassured her. "Nothing has to be decided today."
Her grip on Lucky's hand loosened. "Good," Elizabeth breathed out feeling better. A decision would have to be made eventually she knew. She wouldn't hide from that or anything else. It was time to start building up her strength again.
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It wasn't eavesdropping – not really. Technically the penthouse was still her home and her Uncle Lorenzo had given her free range of the place. Except of course for his private office. Sage never went in there. She knew it was off limits.
Could she help it that the car was ready earlier? Or that her Uncle was in his office when it came? No of course not. It wasn't her fault that the office door had been left slightly ajar. She couldn't be faulted for standing at the door, ready to knock and overhearing her Uncle. So it wasn't eavesdropping. At least not technically, and that was important part.
Her Uncle's words played over and over again in her mind. "I need information on Alexis Davis. Everything. Even the things that she doesn't want anyone to know. Is that clear?"
The words had sent a thrill through her. Her palms had actually gone sweaty like the night she'd held the gun on Alexis herself. Sage couldn't help the hatred that she carried in her heart. She could mask it, even pretend for long periods of time that it didn't exist, but it always there.
Sage never understood why her Uncle had saved Alexis' life the night of fire. The woman had taken her father from her and deserved to pay. A life for a life. Vengeance it seemed was in her blood, passed on to her from her father. It was simple – she wanted Alexis dead and it was finally going to happen, Sage thought, a smile spreading across her face. That was the pressing business keeping her Uncle in town. And it also occurred to her why her Uncle had waited. He didn't want her see it happen. That's why he saved Alexis that night. It was foolish of him to think that killing Alexis would alter her feelings for him. She was touched, not horrified. It was very tempting to insist on staying and watching the woman who took her father away get what she deserved.
"Sage?" Lorenzo questioned pulling his door open.
"Hmm?" She focused on her Uncle's face and smile grew. "Sorry," she said with a shake of her head. "I came to tell you that the car is ready and got lost in thought. It's not like Port Charles is my home or anything. But I'm going to miss it … well, more like miss being with you." Sage blew out a breath. "What I mean to say is that you're my home."
Lorenzo lifted a hand to her face. "You're truly a blessing Sage. I'm going to miss being with you as well."
"I'm sure your business won't keep you long," she replied.
He wasn't so sure, but Lorenzo didn't want to dampen her spirits. His mysterious attraction to Alexis was something he intended to shake by one means or another and until he did he had no intention of leaving Port Charles. "I hope not," he agreed pulling her to him. "We have some extra time before your flight," Lorenzo commented as they began walking down the hall arm in arm. "Anything special you want to do with it?"
"Besides just being with you, nope," Sage answered.
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From the bench ten-feet away from the swing-set Jason watched Michael pump his legs to make the swing go higher. There had been a time when the kid had insisted on being pushed. "Higher Jason. Higher." Lately Michael insisted on doing it himself. He missed the little boy's excited instructions but watching him grow up, and seeing him come into his own was a different pleasure. It didn't matter what legal actions had been taken, whatever papers had been signed – in his heart Michael would always be his son.
"He just adores showing off for his Uncle Jason," Carly said breaking the silence they'd been sitting in. She saw something flash so quickly in Jason's blue eyes that she thought that she might have imagined it – but it seemed to happen every time she referred to him as Michael's Uncle Jason. Carly was not naive or that selfish; she realized what she put Jason through … and what she took away from him. She had begged him to be a father and then systemically stripped him of the title even when she hadn't meant to. Carly was well aware of the pain she caused Jason and it still amazed and humbled her that he didn't hate her – that through everything, all of her lies and schemes, all of the pain and crazy possessiveness that he stood by her, looked after her, forgave her and even still loved her. She wasn't sure what she did to deserve Jason but she was grateful every day that she had him.
Jason didn't reply, instead he lifted his cup of coffee to his lips and took a long sip. The cold weather didn't bother him, it never had, but he could sense the trouble brewing. He had been trying to put it off for days. Still he knew it was coming. When Carly and Michael first greeted him at the swings he sensed that whatever Carly had been bottling up inside her was going to come out. For one of the few times in his life he was nervous and frankly it wasn't a feeling he cared for.
Carly shifted on the bench. She rested her cup of coffee on her leg and pulled her other glove-clad hand through her hair. She knew this wasn't going to be easy but she hadn't expected the moment to be this difficult either. It wasn't like she abandoning her family and yet, it hadn't been this hard when her marriage to Sonny fell apart. She wasn't cutting off ties with Jason, she rationalized, she was just going to move in with her mother. It wasn't like Bobbie's place was that far away either. She'd … Michael and Morgan would see Jason all the time.
Tears stung her eyes and Carly took a deep breath in a desperate attempt to get control over her emotions. "I've been thinking," she started not daring to look at Jason; instead she gazed off in the distance of the park. "I think it would be better … well certainly easier on you and Courtney if I took the boys to live with my mom. I never realized how teeny a penthouse could really be. Plus the boys are always underfoot – and I know you and Courtney don't mind that. It's so obvious how much you and Courtney both love the boys but …" she trailed off. His silence was unnerving her. Carly knew she should be used to it by now. That's how Jason was, had always been, but just this once she wanted him to be loud – to fight with her.
She was lying. Jason had always been able to she through Carly's lies. It wasn't the size of the penthouse, and it wasn't him or Courtney, it was the fact that he and Courtney were a couple. Jason remembered the vows he made to Courtney not so long ago – husband and wife. It had meant everything to him at the time. He loved Courtney; he just hadn't been able to admit to himself that he was still in love with Carly as well. Carly was in his heart, in his soul. Even when he forced himself to move on his love for her was there; Carly had always been just out of reach.
He always believed that a person had the right to make his or her own decision. Jason had never stopped anyone from making their own choice no matter how much it hurt him. He watched Robin struggle with her decision not to tell AJ about Michael, he watched Carly fall in love with Sonny, just as he watched Elizabeth commit herself to Lucky, and Courtney struggle with his profession. Their final decisions had hurt him but they made their choice and he respected it.
His sister's words of wisdom echoed in his mind. "It's not wrong to want something for yourself Jason. You need things too. By let people make a choice without even telling them what you want … allowing them to factor that into their decision – well you're making a choice to. If you want something – I mean really want something, you have to take action. Even if you don't get it, at least you know you tried." He had still considered Emily a stranger when she told him that. He'd been used to getting unwanted and unsolicited advice, but with her it had been different. It wasn't about trying to remind him of who he'd been, but genuine concern about who he'd become. If he could pinpoint a moment in time when Emily stopped being a stranger and become his sister that would definitely be it.
Jason knew what he wanted, had always wanted really, and that was Carly and Michael. And now Morgan too, he wanted them to be a family. He wanted to be able to love Carly openly and if he couldn't be Michael and Morgan's father, at least be a constant in their life – as their Uncle Jason. And maybe, he could finally be a father in the full sense of the word.
What he wanted and the reality of situation he was in conflicted dangerously. Elizabeth had told him that: "Some things are worth whatever trouble they stir up." Jason wanted to believe that but he wasn't sure he could.
"Are you going to say anything?" Carly questioned harshly. Her eyes had darkened with anger. When she finally managed to look at him she let out a woosh of air. Carly had never seen Jason look so sad or unsure. It was heart breaking and she hated that she was the doing it to him. "Never mind," she said shaking her head. She started to get up but Jason reached over and took her hand.
"Don't go," he asked, his blue eyes pleading.
"It's getting colder," Carly answered not understanding. "We—I should get Michael back to the penthouse. We should start packing."
Jason's face-hardened, "I know it's your choice to make Carly." He saw her wince and realized for the first time how much letting another choose could hurt. "I don't want you to go. I want you and the boys at the penthouse. I want us to be a family."
Her whole demeanor softened at his words. Lacing her fingers through Jason's she held onto him. "We are a family," she said softly.
"I know."
"What are you telling me Jason?"
Jason looked into her eyes as he searched for the right words, but when it came down to it there were only four words he could offer. "I love you Carly."
Carly let out a pent up laugh. "I love you too. So much but …"
"I know," he said again.
"This is impossible," she muttered with a shake of her head. They couldn't do this, Carly knew that and she knew Jason knew that. But … God she loved him.
"Will you stay?" Jason asked knowing that either answer would shape the rest of his life.
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She was getting too old to pull twelve-hour shifts. Bobbie hated to admit it to herself. She loved being a nurse. It was more then a job to her – it was a calling. Back in her Florida days, Bobbie hadn't been able to imagine a real future and though she'd taken a long and crooked path to get to where she was, she wouldn't change anything. She had a job she loved, an amazing daughter and son, a loving brother, and good friends. That was enough.
Bobbie jerked on her jacket and flipped her hair over the collar. She looked at her reflection in the tiny mirror that hung in her locker. Hell, she thought, being contented wasn't quite enough. Especially now with Monica being secretive and even though Felicia was back, her old friend was so busy trying to make up time with Mac and her girls that they barely had a moment to talk.
So what if Lucas was growing up and would soon be leaving the nest? Carly and the boys would no doubt be moving in with her soon. She'd discussed the possibility with Carly just the other day. Bobbie Spencer didn't need a man to be happy, especially considering her track record.
Still, Bobbie thought shutting her locker; Scott's death plagued her with what-ifs. They had been good together. There was a warmth of caring between them, but it would never had been love – at least on Scott's side. His heart would always be Laura's. Bobbie had been there and done that with him before, as well as with Stefan. It wasn't something that she had wanted to repeat.
It was better to be alone then go through that kind of hell again. But behind her big smile and open heart, she was lonely. Her world was filled with people she loved and who loved her back, but none of them focused on her like a husband would.
Bobbie shook herself. "Not going there," she muttered grabbing her purse and heading towards the door. Marriage and Bobbie Spencer didn't go together. She had a litany of last names to prove it. Pushing the changing room door open Bobbie was startled when she heard her name called.
"Hi Bobbie!" Skye called hurrying down the hall. She'd caught a very edgy Monica on the fourth floor who had told her where to find her. She needed an outsider's, non-biased opinion of her relationship with Luke. "I was hoping to catch you."
"Skye?" Bobbie questioned. Since when did Skye Quartermaine search her out?
Reaching her, Skye smiled brightly. "Do have a minute?" Before Bobbie could answer she continued, "I'd really like to speak with you about Luke."
"Is my brother all right?" Bobbie asked concern marring her brow. It has always been Luke and her against the world, and Bobbie couldn't imagine her life without him.
"I'm sorry, he's fine, better then that I think," Skye replied. "I didn't mean to alarm you."
"No. No that okay. With Luke I always expect the worse," Bobbie remarked with a smile. Trouble didn't have to find Luke; he actively went out searching for it himself.
"Understandable," the younger red head remarked. "I do that myself."
Bobbie nodded, "So what about Luke?"
"Well, I'm not sure if you know, but Luke and I have been getting closer," Skye informed her. "Very close."
A knowing, "Oh," escaped Bobbie lips. She wasn't sure how to take the news. Luke had been devastated since Laura's breakdown. Lately though she'd noticed a change in him and if Skye was reason, Lord help them both, she was grateful.
"Oh is right," Skye agreed. "It kind of blind-sided me … well both of us really. Not that we didn't sense –" she threw up her hands, "this isn't coming out right."
Bobbie laughed, "It never does with Luke. But I know exactly what you mean. It was unexpected."
"Exactly," she answered with a shake of her head. "We tried to deny it, we pretended it didn't exist but it didn't work."
"That's a good thing right?" Bobbie inquired.
"Yes. Well I think it is," Skye replied. "The thing is Bobbie, I have trouble thinking clearly around Luke."
"He does have that effect," Bobbie cracked.
"I care about Luke. A lot. I'm just worried … no," Skye amended, "I'm scared. I know how much he loves Laura. And I respect those feelings. I know Laura's sick and the chances of her getting better are slim but Luke could really break my heart and I don't know if could handle that," she confided.
Bobbie felt for Skye but she didn't know what to say. "Don't you think you should be having this conversation with Luke?"
"We have, well sort of," Skye remarked. "It's just … you're his sister, Bobbie. You know Luke probably better than anyone else. And I guess I just need to know if you think its possible for him to love someone else, someone who isn't Laura."
"My brother doubts his capacity to love Skye," Bobbie said choosing her words carefully. She didn't want to damage what was growing between Luke and Skye, but didn't want to build up Skye's hopes either. "But I don't. I believe he can love you, but you have to remember that Laura will always be in his heart. It's up for you to decide if that's something you can live with."
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"She's impossible," Maxie fumed slamming the door to her room. Tears stung her eyes. "I hate her," she whispered, desperate for the words to be true. She didn't want to start trusting her mother again, to rely on her again only to be let down.
A soft knock sounded on her door. "Maxie?" Robin called through the wood. "Can I come in?"
"Sure," she answered wiping the tears from her eyes. Forcing a smile she turned and faced Robin. "I guess you overheard," Maxie said in a too-cheerful voice.
"I think the whole block heard you," Robin said, her brown eyes full of sympathy and understanding.
"Well then I guess they know how rotten a mother she is then," Maxie exclaimed with malicious glee.
"You don't mean that," Robin said moving forward to offer Maxie a comforting hug.
The younger girl flinched away, "Yes I do! God," Maxie groaned. "She has the whole world snowed. Even Mac," she scoffed. "She left us. More than once! Everyone and everything was more important to her then her family. I hate her! And won't play along with this farce of family. I can't pretend that she didn't leave, that she didn't let us down, that she didn't break my heart!"
With tears of anger and heartache rolling down her pale cheeks, Maxie allowed Robin to pull her into an embrace. Maxie wrapped her arms tightly around Robin's thin frame. She wanted to be held and soothed as if she was still a young child. She wanted a kiss on a bruise to make everything all right, but she knew it was pointless. Nothing could fix this, nothing could make it right again. Not even her mother being back because in the end she would leave again. Of that Maxie was sure.
"Shh" Robin said rocking her as Maxie sobbed out her pain on Robin's shoulder. "It will be all right," she vowed but it was a hollow promise to Maxie.
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"What?" the fire chief barked out when what was no doubt an unwanted knock sounded on his door. Alexis opened the door and popped her head in. "Chief Duncan?"
The elderly man looked up from the paperwork on his desk. Seeing the new DA his eyes narrowed. What is that damn hard to read a report, he thought nastily. He puffed out his cheeks. "Did you need something?"
Alexis looked at him quizzically. The man was sitting on his ass while she fended off the Mayor, Ned and the press all wanting details on the fire investigation. His bearded face was red, all he needs to do is grow horns and he can be my own personal devil, she thought. "The report on the Port Charles Hotel fire," she answered stepping further into his office. His manners she decided left a lot to be desired.
"What about it?" Duncan asked. "Being a lawyer I'm sure you know how to read."
Anger swirled in her mossy eyes. "I am quite capable of reading," Alexis assured him. "That is when I have something to read."
"What the hell you do mean?" the burly man growled.
"The report was suppose to be on my desk this morning …"
"You mean it was on your desk," he corrected as his face reddened. "I dropped it off last night."
"Last night?" Alexis asked dubiously. "Are you sure about that?"
"Of course I am woman," the chief replied. He saw her bristle at that. Fuck, he thought starting to breathe heavily. She'd have to catch him on a bad day. He wasn't normally this short with people, but everything had taken extra work today and didn't need an added hassle.
"Well it wasn't there when I got in this morning," she informed him pointedly.
Duncan pushed up from his chair. "Son of," he muttered before collapsing.
It was like watching a tree just tip over. Alexis watched horrified as the man dropped to the floor in front of her. "Chief Duncan?" She hurried over to him and struggled to turn him over, "Help! I need help in here," she called out as leaned over to check and see if he was still breathing.
The sounds of rushing footsteps and concerned voices erased everything from Alexis' mind as she watched the firefighters work on one of their own.