Sometime Later
The Island
Kellie, Kristina, and the kids had just come in from the beach when Jason called.
"Perfect timing," Kellie answered her phone, "We just got back from the beach."
"Tell Uncle Jason about that wave I caught," Jamie yelled loud enough for Jason to hear.
"I hope you weren't surfing," Jason said, "I don't think the doctor would clear you yet."
"I was on the beach, sun tanning," Kellie said.
"Really?" Jason asked skeptically.
"Floating on the board a few feet out in the water," Kellie said, "But I was not surfing. Jared and Jamie insisted on carrying the board for me."
"Just be careful," Jason said, "I don't want anything to hinder your recovery."
"Me neither," Kellie said, "I have very specific plans next time I see you."
"I'd love to hear about them later," Jason said, "But there's actually a reason I called."
"What happened?" Kellie asked.
"Novak and Buscema were killed in an explosion," Jason said.
"Interesting," Kellie said.
"The bomb was originally meant for me," Jason said.
"Hold on a moment," Kellie said, moving to another room away from Kristina and the kids. She closed the door.
"I wanted to continue this conversation away from the kids," Kellie said, "I'm guessing you received information from a source. In the meantime, Novak and Buscema got caught in their own trap."
"Something like that," Jason said, "Mrs. Wu asked us to intervene on Brad's behalf with the parole board."
"Michael won't be happy. He'll be furious," Kellie said, picking up on the fact Mrs. Wu tipped Jason off regarding the bomb, "Are you going to?"
"I told her that I couldn't prevent Michael from testifying," Jason said, "And that I'd call my guy on the parole board. But he's only one vote. I hate doing that to Michael knowing how much time he lost with Wiley because Brad stole him…but…."
"It makes us square with Selina Wu," Kellie said, "Brad is more of a menace to society rather than an actual threat. As much I'd prefer he serve out his full sentence, who knows what else Selina would ask for in exchange."
"If Brad gets out of line," Jason said, "We can handle it."
"I hope so and that Michael doesn't decide to go off like a wildcard," Kellie said, "His reaction to Nina keeping Sonny being alive a secret was worse than I thought."
"I hope he knows what he's doing," Jason said, "I'm not exactly sure what he's doing but I think he had a hand in getting the identity fraud charges pursued in Nixon Falls."
"I don't see what that will accomplish," Kellie said, "That's going to be a stretch to make stick. I don't get why Michael feels like he needs to do that, especially with the Feds and WSB having their own charges against her for not reporting him or Peter alive."
Jason didn't reply.
"What haven't you told me?" Kellie asked.
"It's not a sure thing," Jason said, "I've just heard things."
"Spill, Mob Boy," Kellie said.
"A couple of contacts of mine said that Baldwin has been working on a plea deal for Nina with regards to those charges," Jason said, "She likely won't do any jail time."
"Wait, she aids and abets Peter August for weeks, resulting in a business being burned down and me getting shot by him, along with who knows what other havoc he caused," Kellie said, "And she gets to walk away. Granted the case can be made for Sonny being a danger and what not, but Peter August was just full on psychotic. She probably worked her poor me, I'm just one of Peter's victims angle and almost died in a fire that wouldn't have happened if she'd just told the cops about Peter to begin with."
"There's more," Jason said, "I assuming you haven't talked to Sonny lately yet."
"Nope," Kellie said, "It's just easier not to give myself the headache of whatever excuse he has regarding his decisions."
"Since he hasn't had his memory, he and Carly have struggled to reconnect," Jason said, "He seems to have softened towards Nina, maybe because he knows her as Mike. But he hasn't been as angry at her and asked Michael and Carly to back off of her even before he got his memory back today."
"I can imagine how that went," Kellie replied, "Is Nina leaving Sonny alone or is she pushing for a chance?"
"I'm not sure," Jason said, "Sounds like she and Sonny show up in a lot of the same places. Particularly Charlie's since Sonny bought for Lenny and Phyllis and Nina's friends with them."
"Sonny's choices aside," Kellie said, "How does she not see anything wrong pursuing a man that last his memory like this? You know what never mind, we're talking about a woman who practically ripped Avery from Ava's womb. I don't know why people's logic or lack there of even surprises me anymore. Anyway, back to Michael. He basically feels he has to make Nina pay through whatever means possible."
"That's my best guess," Jason said, "He's not saying much other than he wants to ensure Wylie's is protected from Nina and he wants to avoid a court battle over visitation with her.
"I have doubts about that strategy," Kellie said, "It seems like it could come back to bite him, depending on what he did to get the court to look at those charges."
"We'll just have to hope for the best," Jason said, "How's Kristina?"
"Quiet," Kellie said, "I don't blame her. Sonny coming home without his memories was hard for her and then he bought Charlie's while she was putting a plan together to buy it herself. They've fought before, but not like this."
"You'll help her get through it," Jason said.
""All I can do is try. How are things between you and Sonny, getting his memories back aside?" Kellie asked,
"He's just been different," Jason said, "Lighter, not so dark, since he doesn't have anything really to do with the business still. That might change now that he has his memories back."
"Just be careful about switching things up," Kellie said, "It sounds like it's still an all out mob war there."
"I've got some ideas on that," Jason said, "But Cyrus has still been trying to pull strings behind the scenes. Mrs. Wu said he was in league with Novak and Buscema."
"Somehow I'm not surprised," Kellie said, "Do we need to be concerned about the void left by Novak and Buscema's deaths or did they have successor in place."
"I'm not sure about Buscema yet and Joey Novak is already running his mouth about being in charge," Jason said, "He doesn't seem to understand the hierarchy."
"He is a hot head," Kellie said, "Port Charles might be even more unstable than before is more people see an opening to move in."
"It's probably best you and the kids stay on the island a bit longer," Jason said.
"How are Brando and Sasha?" Kellie asked, "Were there any leads on the hitman Cyrus hired to go after them?"
"None," Jason said, "Laura and Martin Grey went into hiding as well from what I hear. Brando changed his mind about not wanting to work for us."
"Seriously," Kellie asked, "What about Sasha and the baby? I know he and Sasha were really concerned about the danger involved."
"Cyrus targeting them changed their minds," Jason said, "But I encouraged them to think more carefully about this decision. Wait on making that decision once the danger has passed."
"They have to know we'll protect them regardless of Brando working for us or not…I. mean for you, I know that's not my business." Kellie said.
"But it's still your world no matter how much we do or don't admit it," Jason said.
"Yeah," Kellie said, "What about Brick? I think he's definitely someone you could rely on."
"I have been," Jason said, "He's done well handling aspects of the business I normally would have handled for Sonny."
"I glad," Kellie said, "Someone has to watch your back when I can't."
"I have to admit it is nice talking some of this through with you," Jason said, "But if you ever feel like you're getting in too deep, say something."
"I'm the one asking all the questions," Kellie replied.
"I know this hasn't been the easiest to navigate," Jason said, "What it means being married to me."
"I wouldn't trade a second of our life together," Kellie said, "Even if I wasn't married to you, I'd still be dealing with this in some capacity. This hasn't been easy for your either taking over the organization. It's still not getting any easier."
"No, it's not," Jason said, "Hopefully it will get easier soon."
"It has to," Kellie said, "I said so."
"I hope you're right," Jason said, "I have to go. The PCPD has summoned me for questioning."
After Kellie and Jason ended the call, Kellie went looking for Kristina. She found Kristina helping the kids get settled around the dinner table with Charles and Monica.
Kellie caught Kristina's eye and nodded at her to follow.
"What's going on?" Kristina asked when they moved to another part of the house.
"Dad got his memory back," Kellie said.
"Seriously?" Kristina asked, "I'd asked if he called you, but I know you weren't taking his calls. I know he hasn't called me yet."
"Jason called," Kellie replied, "Dad hit his head in an explosion and I guess it jarred his memory."
"What kind of explosion?" Kristina asked.
"The kind that someone intended to kill him," Kellie said, "Someone also meant to kill Jason."
"So I guess you and the kids aren't going home anytime soon," Kristina said.
"Not yet," Kellie said, "It seems like a free for all right now. The heads of two other families were also taken out."
"What's the next move?" Kristina asked.
"Like I'd know," Kellie replied.
"More like you wouldn't admit knowing," Kristina said.
"I could hazard some guesses," Kellie said, "But it would just be speculation."
"You really expect me to believe you didn't talk business with Jason at all when you left the room to finish the call," Kristina said.
"Kristina, this really isn't a discussion we should be having," Kellie said.
"And that answers my questions," Kristina said.
"Why do you suddenly having a burning need to discuss whatever involvement I may or may not have in Jason's work," Kellie asked.
"I don't know," Kristina replied, "Just curious I guess."
"So if we're curious about things, then you won't mind if I ask how you're really doing with everything that's happened with Dad," Kellie asked, "I know haven't really wanted to talk about it."
"I still don't," Kristina blurted out.
"But I'm here whenever you want to talk," Kellie said.
"I don't understand how he could come home without his memories and just make huge decisions that affect all of us without even talking to us," Kristina exploded, "He didn't even try to get know who we were without his memories. The next thing I know I'm going to present my proposal to buy Charlies to Ava and he's already bought it. He at least knew I worked there. He didn't even ask me if it was something I might have an interest in. He showed hardly any interest in trying to reconnect with us at all. I don't even know what I'm supposed to do now that he has his memories back. Knowing Dad, he'll probably expect me to just run home with open arms because he didn't know what he was doing when he bought Charlie's. Nevermind that he told me Phyllis and Lenny needed it more and I could figure out something else later. The nerve of him. Have you always found Dad this infuriating?"
Kellie contemplated an answer, but Kristina kept talking, "Of course you have. Even when you and Dad get along, it's only a matter of time until the two of you fight. Which speaking of that, you never did tell me why you're refusing his calls or what he did to upset you right off the bat."
"Kristina," Kellie protested.
"You found Dad, got shot, and still were mad at him right away from what I understand," Kristina said, "Michael and I can't figure it out. Before you protest that don't want your feelings towards Dad to affect ours, Michael and I are both obviously mad at him so that excuse won't fly. Now spill."
"You already know most of it," Kellie said.
"That Nina Reeves kept Dad from us out of revenge against Carly," Kristina said, "And that he thought she was his friend."
"If you can call it that," Kellie muttered.
"What?" Kristina said, "Are you implying Dad and that psycho were more than friends? Even you can't blame him for having feelings for anyone when he didn't know who he was. Granted I don't get his softness for Nina now that he knows what she did. She took advantage of him and is probably still trying to well whatever."
"Dad made his own choices," Kellie said, "Those are on him, not Nina."
Kristina waited for Kellie to continue.
"Oh, come on you can't just say something like that and then go silent," Kristina said, "Look I'm just trying to understand what happened to Dad in Nixon Falls. Obviously, something happened that most of us don't know about except whoever was in Nixon Falls. You were in Nixon Falls…."
"Kristina, trust me you don't want to," Kellie replied.
"Maybe I don't want to know," Kristina interrupted, "But I need to know. Maybe it's the only chance I have of figuring out what happens next."
Kellie sighed and finally relented, "You know that Cyrus made sure Dad wasn't identified from his prints in Nixon Falls."
"Right," Kristina said.
"So if you lost your memory and didn't know who you were," Kellie said, "What would you do next?"
"Try to figure out who I am and if someone was looking for me," Kristina said, "I assume what Dad was doing, right?"
Kellie shook her head, "He didn't. In fact, he was considering never trying to figure it out."
"Are you sure you heard that right? Could you have misunderstood with getting shot and everything else going on?" Kristina asked.
"No, there was no mistaking that," Kellie said, looking away sadly.
Kristina also looked away, letting Kellie's words sink in.
"I wish that weren't the case," Kellie said, "Or that I could dress it up prettier."
"I asked for the truth," Kristina said, "As hard as it is to hear. Maybe now I can figure out what comes next. I just really wanted to buy Charlies…."
"I know, you worked there, you learned the business from Julian whatever his faults may be," Kellie said, "You were managing it for Ava."
"Phyllis and Lenny offered me a job," Kristina said, "But it's hard to go back to well….not managing after I had run of the place for so long."
"You liked being in charge," Kellie said, "Who says you couldn't start your own place?"
"I guess I'm not sure what I could open that might be different than what we already have," Kristina said, "Curtis opened the Savoy to fill the music and club scene, Charlies and the Floating Rib have their own vibe. The MetroCourt bar gets a lot of the high end clients. Then there's the Haunted Star whenever Lulu gets that going on a regular basis again."
"You've obviously thought about this then," Kellie said.
"More than you know," Kristina said, "It doesn't matter anyway, I don't have enough money to just start from scratch."
"So you'll need an investor or a partner," Kellie said, "Focus on your business plan first. Once you have one, come talk to me."
"No, I cannot just get the money from you if that's what you're thinking," Kristina said..
"First, you haven't asked and I haven't offered yet," Kellie said, "I want to see the business plan first. Second, if I want to invest in your business and you're agreeable to that, that's my choice."
"You really think I could do it," Kristina asked.
"Yeah," Kellie said, "I started out as a scrappy foster kid in the Miami streets and I started a charity that's gone nationwide and now a self-defense business. So you, who has a much better starting place than I did, can definitely do this."
Kristina responded by hugging Kellie hard, "You have no idea how much it means to hear someone believe in me like that."
"What are sisters for?" Kellie replied.
"What time is it?" Kristina asked, letting Kellie go, "I don't want to be late at the casino."
"I've noticed you're spending a lot of time at the casino," Kellie said.
"I annoyed Zach into letting me shadow your employees," Kristina said, "I just found the whole enterprise, atmosphere fascinating and wanted to learn more."
"Next time Zach is here," Kellie said, "You should shadow him. Or better yet ask him to see his casinos in Pine Valley."
"That's a good idea," Kristina said, checking her phone, "I got to go before I'm late. Thank you for the possible offer if I accept and for just being supportive."
"Have fun," Kellie said as Kristina ran off.
