Chapter Twelve: Taken
Carly woke up early the next morning. She was excited about getting back to work, back to her normal life. She started to think about what she had remembered last night but she made herself stop. She couldn't think about that now, she had a lot to do. She called Sonny to tell him Michael was at Bobbies. It was a quick conversation even though she would have liked to talk longer. Then she called a cab and was on her way to the club.
Jax: Well, look whose back.
Carly: See you kept the place in one piece without me.
Jax: Barely.
Carly: I'm sure. How are things doing here?
Jax: It's turning into the hottest club in Port Charles.
Carly: My dream come true.
Jax: How are you?
Carly: I'm ok. I'm beginning to remember little by little.
Jax: It'll come back when you're ready. Don't rush it.
Carly: That's what everyone is telling me.
Jax: We're all right.
(As they're talking, Bobbie comes in.)
Bobbie: Hello.
Jax: Hello Bobbie, How are you?
Bobbie: I'm fine. Would you mind if I stole Carly for a few?
Jax: No problem. You can talk in here; I have a few calls to make.
Bobbie: Sonny came by this morning, Michael was extremely happy. It's amazing how much those two love each other. So, how did it go last night?
Carly: It was great. I remembered more.
Bobbie: That's great.
Carly: I remembered that Sonny and I aren't together because I betrayed him.
Bobbie: Carly, He loves you. That was a long time ago. He forgave you for that.
Carly: How do I know that? How do I know it's real and not just because he feels guilty?
Bobbie: I know he forgave long before your accident. He was just too proud to say so.
Carly: I guess.
Bobbie: Besides that how was it?
Carly: He wanted to take me to Martinique but that was just to fast. So we went back to my house. He cooked, we danced, and then we kissed.
Bobbie: You kissed?
Carly: It was so magical. As we were kissing I remembered our second wedding then I remembered Sorel. After that I asked Sonny to go.
Bobbie: How did he take it?
Carly: He left when I asked him too. I don't mean to rush you but I have a lot of work to catch up on.
Bobbie: No problem, I have to get to the hospital.
(Bobbie was on her way to the hospital and thinking about Carly. Now that she was beginning to remember she wanted to check on her to see what she remembered. She wanted to be there to help Carly if she remembered what that animal did to her. Carly worked on figures and inventory all day. As she was walking around the club talking to guests, she was distracted by thoughts about Sonny. While Sonny was at the park with Michael all he could do was think about Carly. When he brought Michael home he was disappointed Carly wasn't there. He decided to go to the warehouse and get some work done. Carly and Sonny thought about each other all day, until they finally fell asleep. It had been a three days since Carly and Sonny's date. Carly began to avoid Sonny; she didn't know what to do. She hadn't remembered anything more since that night. Sonny always had someone watching her to make sure she was safe. What they both didn't know was that A.J. was watching their every move. He spent day and night plotting to get his son. He was finally ready, today was the day. When Leticia went into the kitchen to make dinner A.J. snuck in to get Michael.)
A.J.: Hello Michael.
Michael: Hello, Who are you?
A.J.: I'm a friend of your mommies. She and Uncle Sonny have a big surprise for you and they want me to bring you.
Michael (excited): Yeah, where?
A.J.: If I told you it wouldn't be a surprise. If you want to get there now we have to go.
Michael: Ok, I'll go get ticia.
A.J.: No Michael uhhhh she knows about it already your mom told her to meet us there.
(Michael takes A.J.'s hand and they leave. A.J. smiles as he drives away, he finally beat Corinthos and he had his son. While Michael was distracted by the radio, A.J. got on his cell phone.)
A.J.: I have him do it now.
Tagliotti: This isn't smart business A.J. Corinthos will put the pieces together.
A.J.: The money is in your account. The tickets to parts unknown for your men were sent to your office. It's time for you to hold up your end of the deal.
Tagliotti: I'll make the call.
A.J.: Ok.
(A.J. hangs up and heads to the airport to disappear. Outside Carly's house two men are in the backyard. They set a pile of gasoline soaked leaves on fire and the house begins to catch quickly. Leticia hears the smoke alarm in the living room and rushes to get Michael. When she doesn't see him and sees the fire she panics.)
Leticia: Michael! MICHAEL! If you're hiding this isn't funny.
(The fire starts to spread faster as she looks all over the house and can't find him. She runs outside and calls 911, then Bobbie, and finally Carly.)
Carly: Club 101.
Leticia: Carly, something's happened?
Carly (worried): Is it Michael?
Leticia: I was in the kitchen and heard the smoke alarm in the living room. I ran out to get Michael but he was gone and the house was on fire.
Carly: What?
Leticia: The house is on fire and Michaels missing.
Carly: Oh god. I'm on my way home.
(Carly calls a cab and gets home as fast as she can. When she gets home firemen are working to beat the fire. Bobbie is there with Courtney.)
Carly: Have you found him?
Bobbie: No honey, Leticia is driving around the neighborhood and asking around. She thinks he might have gotten scared and ran off.
Carly: How could he just disappear? Where is my little boy? Oh god, what if he was in the house? (She notices Courtney) Can I help you?
Courtney: I thought I could help.
Carly: How?
Courtney: I think A.J. has your son.
Carly: What? How would you know?
(Before Courtney could answer a fireman approached Carly.)
Fireman: Are you the owner of the house?
Carly: Yes I am.
Fireman: We were able to put out the fire but there is extensive damage. Our quick investigation points to something electrical. We'll have a special team here ASAP to check it out. For now just inform your insurance company and start a list of what was in the house.
Carly: Thank you.
(The fireman walks away and Carly addresses Courtney again.)
Carly: I'm sorry you were saying.
Courtney: I left A.J. for good about a week ago and I waited till he wasn't there to get the rest of my things. While I was there the airport called confirming a flight for today. They didn't say where just that it was for three adults and one child. I went to Bobbie but by then it was too late.
(Carly sits down on the sidewalk. She thought she was going to be sick. A.J. may have her son. She had to find him. Carly knew she had no choice, she had to go to Sonny.)
Carly: I have to go.
Bobbie: Where?
Carly: Sonny, he has to know what happened if he doesn't already. Mom, can you handle this?
Bobbie: Of course. Call us with any news.
Carly: I will. Courtney, thank you for the information.
Courtney: I just hope it helps.
(Carly leaves. Before she realizes it she is in Bobbie's car driving to Sonny's. It was the first time she drove since the accident. She didn't even think of that, her son was with a drunk and a baby killer that was all she thought about. In no time she was at the penthouse. She didn't wait for Johnny to announce her she busted through the door.)
Sonny: Carly!
Carly: I'm sorry for interrupting but I need your help.
Sonny: What's wrong?
Carly: I know I have no right to ask you for help because of what I did but A.J. has Michael.
Sonny: How?
Carly: I don't know. I was at work and Leticia was with Michael. She went into the kitchen I guess. A.J. must have come in and god I don't know how he would have gotten Michael to go with him. I told him so many times not to talk to strangers. Then Leticia heard the smoke alarm and came out to get Michael out of the house. When she came into the living room she saw the house on fire and no Michael.
Sonny: Benny, I want you to get everyman we have on finding my son. Everything else is on hold till we find him.
Benny: Ok boss. I'll get the boys on it.
Carly: Sonny thank you so much but what if you can't find him?
Sonny: We will. I promise. How did the house catch on fire?
Carly: They think something electrical. I have a feeling it was A.J. trying to cover his tracks. God, my little boy is out there somewhere with him.
(Carly began to cry; Sonny held her and began to think... He was enraged how he could not have been watching Michael closer. A.J. would live to regret this actually he probably wouldn't.)
Sonny: Max!
Max: Yeah, Boss.
Sonny: Why were no guards watching Carly's house?
Max: I just got a call from Johnny. He said they found Tom and Mark in the van with their throats slashed.
Sonny: Get Jason here now.
Max: Yes sir.
Carly: Jason! Why?
Sonny: He was supposed to be watching A.J. I want to know what happened.
(Carly and Sonny both made a bunch of calls and Carly called Jax who agreed to help. After hours of calls they still had nothing.)
Carly: What did he do fall off the planet? A.J. is supposed to be stupid and leave a trail or something.
Sonny: He is stupid. He just got lucky this time.
Carly: I hope so.
Max: Sir, Jason is here.
Sonny: Send him in.
Jason: Are there any leads?
Sonny: No, I had you watching a potential danger. I would really like to know what the hell happened.
Jason: I kept my eye on A.J. After Courtney left him for the second time, he never left the hotel. Today nobody went in or out except Courtney. After she left I talked to her for a couple minutes she told me she was on her way to Bobbie's. A.J. must have taken that opportunity to slip by me.
Sonny: A.J. isn't supposed to slip by you. Courtney said A.J. left by plane. I want you to go to the airport see what you can find out. Call me with any information. Also I want to see Sammy Tagliotti.
(Jason leaves and Carly just sits silent, Sonny sits next to her.)
Sonny: I know you're scared for Michael, I am too. I'll find him and bring him home to you.
Carly: Sonny, Michael is with a drunk and he wants to get back at you and me for taking him. (Carly starts to cry and yells angrily as she hits Sonny's chest) Where were you Sonny? Goddamn it, you were supposed to protect him no matter what. No matter what.
(Carly just cries in Sonny's arms. After hours of crying she falls asleep. While she sleeps Sonny sits at his desk to check on the status of the search. She wakes up and goes to Bobbie's to update her on what's going on. Sonny assured her he would find Michael. She knew he meant it. She just hoped it wasn't too late. A.J. was having his own problems with Michael.)
Michael: I want my mommy.
A.J.: Michael please calm down. Your mommy is busy. She wants me to take care of you until she gets back.
Michael: Why did you take me away from home?
A.J.: She wanted me to take you to have fun. Argh...Michael I can't lie to you. I have missed so much of your life... I am your father Michael.
Michael: No, Uncle Sonny is my father.
A.J.: Your mother lied to you to keep you away from me. I'm your real father.
Michael: Mommy doesn't lie you're a liar.
A.J.: Michael please, I want to be part of your life. Please let me.
Michael: Will I get to see my mommy?
A.J: I promise you will see your mom again.
(Michael seemed to be content with that and went to bed. A.J. smiled, he had his son and beat Sonny. He had no intention of letting Michael near Carly anytime soon. He called Tagliotti to make sure the rest of the plan went ok. Tagliotti informed him of all the men Sonny had on the search and he asked him to cut communication so that Sonny wouldn't come after him. After he hung up the phone A.J. went to check on Michael and saw he was fast asleep.)
