Summary: AJ vs. Sonny, with a few surprise allies for AJ thrown in.
For this story, please imagine that the kidnapping of Michael, Morgan and Kristina has indeed happened, but AJ was not involved; nor did AJ ever contact Courtney or fake his own death. Also, the character of Rachel does not exist. There never was a photo of "dead" Michael's body. Kristina was dropped off at the airport, but not Michael or Morgan. Both children are missing.
This story beginsone week after the shootout at the church.
A Common Cause,Chapter 1
Time: 4 AM
Place: The basement of an abandoned chapel in the countryside near Prague, Czech Republic 4 AM The basement of an abandoned chapel in the countryside near Prague, Czech Republic
A flurry of what sounds like gunshots wake the sole inmate of the makeshift jail in the basement of St. Christopher's Chapel. He drops from his cot to the ground and rolls under the cot, praying that this battle is won by whatever "army" is attacking the guards that have kept him imprisoned for so long. He has no idea whom they might be, but he decides that any relief from his present situation is a welcome change.
Several moments of intense gunfire dwindle to a slow halt. Seconds later, he hears the door to the basement loudly giving way, then the heavy patter of boots making their way to the cell, and seconds later, the cell door opening.
It's too dark - he can't see who his "liberators" are; but he knows they'll find him (and that's what he wants anyway), so he crawls out from under the cot.
"Someone find the lights" bellows one of the gunmen.
The light flickers on, and the inmate sees about 5 ski-masked gunmen dressed in black milling about in the room, while one attends to the cuffs that bind his hands.
"To whom do I owe what I hope turns out to be my undying gratitude?" asks the inmate.
The hand-cuff attendee unmasks, to reveal not a man at all, but a very beautiful woman.
"Wait…I know you…"
"Hannah Scott at your service, Mr. Cassadine", replies the woman. "AJ Quartermaine sends his regards."