Author's Note: Hope everyone's having a great summer so far. Thanks for sticking with me and this story. Happy Reading!

"I don't know if Dad's on his medication or not. At the very least he's mixing it with a lot of alcohol," Kellie said, "I doubt that Mrs. Wu knows that, but she knows something's not right with Dad. She says he's not who he was in a way that signals weakness to anyone looking to move in."

"How do you know Dad's off his meds or drinking?" Kristina said, "And why would Mrs. Wu approach you about that? Why not talk to Jason?"

"Dad left me a very drunken voice mail," Kellie said, "It was something that reminds me of before he was diagnosed and getting dosages right. I'd already talked to Jason and Dante about Dad's general state when Selina showed up here."

"Obviously Jason would run the business if Dad can't. But she obviously wanted something from you," Kristina said, "What was it?"

Kellie took a deep breath, "To know that I'd step in and ensure the business remained stable and powerful if Dad and Jason are unable to."

"As in you'd take over the business," Kristina replied.

"Exactly," Kellie said.

"Is that something you'd even want?" Kristina said, "I know you ran things before, but you turned it back over to Dad. And you worked really hard to separate yourself from all of that."

"And now the lines are a little more blurred recently," Kellie mumbled under her breath as Kristina continued speaking.

"And there's no way Dad would accept that," Kristina continued, "Jason would end up stuck in the middle possibly unless he agreed with you. If things really are that bad, can you even go back with the kids? Or is leaving Port Charles for good what you'll need to do keep you and your family safe."

"It's not that simple," Kellie said, "My more recent proximity to the business means I am seen as a threat to anyone looking to take over. Selina confirmed that in our conversation. Someone's already targeting me."

"Maybe she's wrong," Kristina said, "There's always possibility. Did she have any details?"

"No, but it's not a surprise," Kellie said, "Whoever's behind it is going to work to keep a low profile."

"So on one hand, Dad's associates tried to bulldoze you into marrying into one of the families or they wouldn't let you come back to Port Charles," Kristina said, "Now some of them might want to kill you or want you in charge. How does that even make sense?"

"It comes to power," Kellie said, "Power everyone keeps telling me I have. Power that some people will threaten, kill, blackmail, marry for."

Kellie's words hung in silence between then

"I guess that means the question comes down to, what do you want," Kristina finally said.

"I want to go home with my kids, be with my husband," Kellie said, "Port Charles is home now. I want Port Charles to be safe, not just for me and my family, but for everyone. If that means standing up to Dad to make sure we can keep the peace, then that's what I'll do."

"Even if it means running the business," Kristina asked, "I also remember that some of what went on with Dad's business wrecked you pretty bad when Michael got shot."

"Even that, I think," Kellie said, "Some of that was also Dad's stupid decisions about guards and security and crossing lines that should never have been crossed regarding the Zacharras. Back then I was also struggling to figure out who I was and my relationship with Tyler. I didn't understand how to even attempt to function as a normal human being. Not saying I've got it all figured out now."

"But you're not same person you were back then," Kristina said, "I remember after you'd left town with no communication and almost died, Molly and I talked about the fact you'd never had a normal childhood. That's when we decided we'd text you normal everyday things like hating homework and school or going out with friends. Even if you didn't respond, we figured eventually it might work or help or something."

"I didn't know what to do with those texts at first," Kellie said, "But I'm really glad that you and Molly sent them and still do sometimes."

"If you'd told us not to," Kristina said, "We'd have done it anyway. You have let us do something for you sometimes, like now. "

"Kristina, but this isn't like sending fun pictures and texts," Kellie said, "This is something else entirely."

"Dad's business and the danger it poses," Kristina said, "It's not like you're only one it affects. You've just been more involved than the rest of us. I'm not some innocent kid that doesn't know what's going on or what that might mean. I've had my own creeps hurt me. And besides what good are all the self-defense, knife throwing, and shooting lessons I've been taking are if I don't use them to do something."

"Wait, shooting lessons?" Kellie replied.

"I convinced Johnny and Francis to teach me to shoot," Kristina said, "Not that I want a reason to use it. I just figured it would be a good idea running Charlie's in case something happened and baseball bat wouldn't cut it. Before you say anything, I swore them to secrecy. I knew Mom especially would freak out. I needed to feel like I had some sort of control again."

"The Shilohs of the world do that to you," Kellie said, "I ought to understand that better than anyone."

"Can you not tell anyone?" Kristina said, "I'm not ready for the drama."

"I know absolutely nothing," Kellie said.

"Now that I've told you my big secret," Kristina said, "Do you know if Lorenzo gave up all his holdings to Dad years ago? Or did he keep something back?"

Kellie looked at Kristina stunned.

"Oh, come on, I'm sure the thought's crossed your mind," Kristina said, "It wouldn't possibly surprise you find out he'd kept well something. It would make sense he'd have something somewhere in case whatever truce he worked out with Dad went wrong."

"No, I've wondered," Kellie said, "What surprises me is that you would think of it?"

"It seems like that would be the smart thing to do," Kristina said, "I may not be involved, but between the business and the Cassadines, I know that would be something any of you would do."

"I've never asked and never wanted to know," Kellie said, "Especially with him being out and happy."

Johnny entered the room.

"I'll leave you two to talk. I have a meeting with security to learn more casino stuff," Kristina said, moving to leave, "I'm sure you want to call Jason about Selina."

Kristina scampered off before Kellie could say another.

"What just happened?" Kellie looked at Johnny, "What I did just do?"

"Nothing that Kristina wasn't ready for," Johnny said, "She was going to grow up sometime."

"You could have at least told me she was asking for shooting lessons," Kellie said.

"No, I couldn't. You know that," Johnny said.

"The knife throwing and the self-defense classes I get," Kellie said, "But this is Kristina, my baby sister."

"That would be Donna now," Johnny said.

"You really think you're that funny," Kellie said.

"Nope, that's not what you pay me for," Johnny said, "I know you worked really hard to keep your siblings out of the line of fire. But some of them, Kristina included, are old enough to make their own decisions about how to navigate Sonny and Jason's business. Kristina's making her choice and asking the right people for help. Shooting lessons with me and Johnny. You and Zach Slater to learn how to run her own casino."

"I know," Kellie said, "Speaking of choices, you heard Selina's concerns about Sonny. What are your thoughts on the situation?"

"We probably need to find out more about the situation," Johnny said, "But that she would come here in person, means whatever is going on with Sonny isn't good. He's probably already losing power. Jason would have to make some pretty bold moves to take over for Sonny. Not usually Jason's style. The truth is, Kid, that Jason would take over before letting you take over. But it might not hurt to be prepared."

"I hope it doesn't come to that," Kellie said, "But if it does, I need to know where you stand. I'll plan to ask Francis too. You did work for Sonny long before you worked for me."

"You hired Francis and I to keep your family safe," Johnny said, "Even from Sonny. If he's not up to the job anymore, ignoring that doesn't keep you or the kids safe. That's where we both stand."

Kellie nodded as her phone rang.

"It's Jason," Kellie said, looking at the screen.

"What's up?" Kellie answered.

"I saw Sonny," Jason said, "He was rough. Though he says he's through with drinking after last night. Won't mix it with his pills anymore."

"Do you believe him?" Kellie asked.

"It's hard to say," Jason said, "I want to. I think we just have to wait and see."

"Jason, Selina Wu is here," Kellie said.

"On the island?" Jason replied, "Are you and the kids okay?"

"We're fine," Kellie said, "She just wanted to gamble and have a conversation with me."

"What kind of conversation?" Jason asked.

"She knows something's off with Sonny," Kellie said, "Says he seems to have lost his edge."

Jason cursed, "That's not good….Does she know?"

"No, she has no clue why," Kellie said, "But whatever is going on, the bipolar, the alcohol, getting his memories back, she understands that our enemies see the Corinthos organization as weak. They're ready to take their shot. She also confirmed that I am target for some of them."

"Did she say who put a hit out on you?" Jason asked.

"No, she didn't seem to know," Kellie said.

"She talked to you about this because?" Jason asked.

"The instability in Port Charles is also causing her problems," Kellie said, "She wants assurances that if you and Sonny aren't able to smooth things over, I will."

"But you're not part of the business," Jason said, "She should have talked to me."

"Well, she was probably trying to send a message by coming to me," Kellie said, "knowing I'd tell you."

"I am paying more attention, she's not wrong," Jason said.

"If Sonny can't maintain control," Kellie said, "What's your plan?"

"Get him to see reason," Jason said, "I don't want to make that kind of move unless it's absolutely necessary. But for now let's see if Sonny finds himself and see if things smooth out."

"Alright," Kellie said, "At my next doctor's appointment, I should get the all clear from my injuries. I'll make a trip home and check things out for myself then."

"It'll be good to see you," Jason said.

"I've missed you too," Kellie said.

"If Selina bothers you," Jason said, "Let me know. What did you tell her about taking over for Sonny?"

"I didn't commit to anything she asked," Kellie said, "And yet she apparently found her reason for visiting satisfied."

"It won't come to that," Jason said.

"Even if it means going against Sonny," Kellie said.

"I've done it before when Emily was killed because of him while they dating," Jason said, "If what he's doing put's everyone in danger, I can't take the risk of losing someone else I or you care about."

"Okay," Kellie said, "In the meantime, we need to figure out who's coming after us and what they're plan is."

"Brick and Spinelli are already on it," Jason said, "But I'll let them know that you're definitely a target. I'll see if I can get anymore out of Selina Wu when she comes back."

After Kellie and Jason ended the call, Kellie mulled over the conversations she'd had today.

"What's going through your head, kid?" Johnny said, "I know that look and you're contemplating your own contingency plans."

"I'm wondering what you and Francis might be able to find out about the Busecma territory," Kellie said, "That seems to be real wild card in all of this. Buscema didn't have a clear success from what I can tell. I'd like to know more about who's running and/or going after it."

"That can be done," Johnny said, "And….?"

"I'm wondering if Johnny Zacharra's still in prison," Kellie said, "And how much time he has left on his sentence."

"Pretty sure he is," Johnny said, "I can check. I think Sonny provides him some form of protection in exchange for information. Do I want to ask why you'd wonder about that of all things?"

"Probably not," Kellie replied.