Chapter 7

As Alexis and Sonny rejoined Johnny and Kristina downstairs, Alexis saw that Johnny was having a serious conversation with Kristina. When he saw, he went to her and drew her into his arms and held her for a moment. Releasing her he took a step back to search her eyes and was satisfied with what he saw. Letting her go he reached one hand out to Sonny and laid his other hand on Sonny's shoulder.

As Johnny shook Sonny's hand with more emotion than he cared to show he stated as sincerely as he knew how, "Thanks, Sonny."

"Johnny, we're family. Whatever you need, man. Whatever."

Understanding that they probably didn't have a lot of time to spare they all sat down together to figure out how they were going to handle Helena.

Since Sonny witnessed the transformation in Johnny, he knew he would have to deny his natural tendency to take over a situation and handle it himself. So he sat back and waited for Johnny to tell him what to do all the while battling with himself to remain silent.

However, Johnny was no fool. He had been a simple bodyguard most of his life. He knew he was not equipped to handle a situation of this magnitude and that was the very reason he called Sonny.

"Sonny, I'm not fool enough to believe I know how or what to do in a situation like this. What I do know is that my sisters and I are in danger. Helena wants us dead. I believe she'll go for Alexis first because Alexis had the audacity to send an investigator for information on the mighty Cassadine history. Helena sees that as a bold move against her. Anyone who shows courage or strength is a threat."

Alexis was hearing it, but she was having trouble comprehending it. Not the actual words he was saying, but the fact that he knew Helena well enough to know that about her.

Johnny saw that Alexis' jaw had dropped and she was staring at him as if she didn't know him.

"Alexis, choosing to be a bodyguard afforded me the ability to hide. Not just from everyone else, but from myself as well. I've always known what Helena was. I just chose to disassociate myself from it mentally as well as physically. I can't afford to hide my head in the sand any longer. We have been threatened. And we have to use every resource available to us to get rid of that threat."

Alexis shook her head in wonder. Who was this man who sat so calmly across from her? His vocabulary had even changed. This was not some oaf of a bodyguard with no common sense about him. This was a very intelligent man and one to be reckoned with. Her pride in him grew immeasurably and she certainly was glad he was on her side.

"Johnny, you've got my vote."

"Thanks, sis. Sonny, since you've been in situations of this caliber before, I would appreciate it if you would step in and take over. You know what needs to be done and how it needs to be done. I trust you with our lives and my ego is not so large that I cannot recognize when I need help. The only thing I would suggest is that we get Kristina out of the way. Helena will not stop until she has branded and tortured her just as she did Alexis and I. Can we count on you, Sonny?"

Sonny was overwhelmed. Johnny was placing his life and the lives of his sisters in his hands. Sonny could not ever remember a time when he felt so humbled by the faith someone put in him. This was a battle he could not lose. He would find a way to keep Helena from getting to them. He stood and reached his hand out to Johnny and as Johnny stood to accept Sonny's hand...

"Johnny, I will protect you; I will protect Alexis and I will protect Kristina. You have my word."

Sonny pulled Johnny into an awkward but sincere embrace. It was the embrace of commitment from a godfather to a trusted employee.

"Ok, here is how I see it. You're right about Kristina. We have to hide her."

"Wait a minute. I think I should have a say in this."

Kristina coming in from the kitchen heard the last of the conversation and was getting angry. They were treating her like a child and she did not like it.

"Kristina, you need to come with me."

Alexis was not about to let Kristina make the situation harder than it already was. This was not the time for immature schoolgirl antics. It would be up to her to make sure Kristina knew and understood the danger they were all in. It was time for Kristina to grow up. Alexis held out her hand to Kristina and the look she gave her held no room for argument. As she reached the stairs, Alexis turned back toward the men.

"Sonny, Johnny... I love you both and I trust you. But, we have to remember, whatever we do has to be legal. I don't want to lose the only family I've ever known."

Both men looked at her with understanding and resettled to get down to the business of stopping Helena; each knowing that the law could be detrimental to their plan of action.

Alexis guided Kristina into Sonny's guest bedroom.

"Kristina, you need settle down and listen."

"Alexis, I don't care to be treated like some child who can not think for herself."

"KRISTINA. You have no idea what we are facing here. Now, if you want to end up dead you just keep talking."

Kristina quieted immediately. Alexis scared with her last statement. She sat down and stared defiantly at her sister.

"You may hate me now, but when this is all over and you're still alive... Well, we'll see then. Kristina, I love you with all my heart, but you do not know what these people are capable of. Johnny and I survived the horrors they inflicted on us. I do not want you to know what that is like. If you need proof of what I am telling you then look at my arms."

Alexis pulled up the sleeves of her sweater and held them out for Kristina to see.

"Johnny, has the very same scars on his arms. The tip of a lit cigarette made these scars. It is the symbol Greeks use to identify bastards. Helena and her son Stavros did this to Johnny and I. Now, if you can get past your ego here a minute and remember Helena's last words when she left our penthouse this morning, you will recognize the threat she made against you. Do you understand what I am telling you? Do you see the danger we are all in? These people kill for sport. And we are directly in the line of fire."

"Alexis, I'm sorry. I'll do whatever you want me to. I didn't mean to make things worse. I just tend to run off at the mouth without thinking."

"I know, sweetheart. I know. And in a different time and place that would be fine. But right now, you must choose your words and your actions with care. I don't know what Johnny and Sonny are going to decide to do yet, but you and I are going to have to trust them to know what's best. At least for now. It is going to be my responsibility to keep them within the restraints of the law. While they are doing what they have to, I will have to watch and keep them safe legally. I will not be able to watch you and them at the same time. It is best for you to be out of harm's way and I'm sorry to say it, but I need you to stay out of our way until this is over. Can you understand that I am only looking out for your best interests?"

"Yes, Alexis. I'll go pack my bags and be ready to go when you say it's time." Contritely Kristina relented.

Alexis put her arms around her little sister and breathed a sigh of relief. At least now, there would be one less member of her family she would have to worry about.