AN - some explanation is needed. This is set in the past, I'm thinking 98-99. definitely before the Sonny/Carly hate sex, a little AU (I've cobbled together both Carly new (the incident with the 'real' Carly's dad and the old (i.e. Virginia) pasts - as best as I could remember) and it's sort of Jason/Carly - my first, last & always OTP (one true pairing), but only slightly.
Chapter 8 – Blindly Stumbling
Stefan Cassadine was not a particularly happy camper. Between hours spent racking up countless charges of international phone calls and usually devoting most the very early morning practicing Tai-Chi, his stress levels were nonetheless through the roof. Not to mention the burdens of his many other responsibilities – listening to Laura's malicious gossip, he was unable to explain why he thought they could ever again be anything between them, Nikolas who was still obviously upset and avoiding him, he still had to come to General Hospital to fulfill his duties there. His life was quickly degenerating into a series of increasingly complicated problems and on top of everything else the threat of his mother was looming over head.
As he walked towards the nurse's station to drop off some paperwork, he made a mental note to invest in a pharmaceutical company, Bayer, perhaps? The way things were going, he had a feeling that he'd be availing himself to some of their products very soon to alleviate the migraines, contemplating his life was giving him. As he approached, he noticed that he wasn't the only visitor waiting. Off to the side, he saw Caroline Spenser, her child and the supposed father, Jason Morgan in a hushed although apparently heated discussion with his one-time ex-wife, Bobbie.
He stopped to watch them, remembering what he had learned from Laura. He had his issues with the Spencers or more to the point, they had their issues with him, but he couldn't quite stomach playing Laura's lackey on this point. He had no illusions as to why she had come to him with that particular bit of information.
Stefan had no doubt that the Quatermaines would take the news of such a horror and use it against the girl in a way that was nothing less than contemptible, a tactic that he was all familiar with from Helena. And if Laura choose to avenge herself against Luke by using his niece, the repercussions from both her sons would likely be significant. Lucky, because apparently he and the other Spencers had seemingly allied themselves with Caroline and although Nikolas could care less about his almost cousin, the prospect of stealing a child from his mother would be a painful reminder of his own past.
Laura was many things, including smart enough to be hesitant about coming forward on her own, but apparently thought he'd be the perfect dupe. However, in this case, he grimly determined that she had seriously miscalculated. He had more than seen through her petty manipulations and while he might have to suffer for a time, playing Helena's game, there was no inducement strong enough to lure him into his former love's simplistic attempt of a power play.
The years had changed her to stoop to something as low as this, to someone that to his knowledge had done nothing to deserve such virulent disdain. Whatever her motivations were, it made no difference to him, not only would he not help her, he was almost tempted to take action against Laura. In retrospect, she had turned into a bitter woman whom he scarcely recognized.
His attention refocused on the trio, when Caroline and Morgan, turned to walk off, leaving Bobbie still upset, watching them. He caught Caroline's eyes and nodded his head slightly in her direction. A faint smile crossed his lips as her eyes dramatically widened in surprise, before tightening her hold on Morgan's arm and practically dragging him off as she fiercely whispered in his ear.
Bobbie disappointedly shook her head and on an almost spontaneous whim, Stefan walked up behind her.
"Problems with the prodigal daughter?" He asked, his low and melodious accent catching her by surprise.
Bobbie spun around, eying him warily. "My daughter is none of your business, Stefan."
The hint of a smile on his face broadened sardonically. "Can't one inquire of his former step-daughter without incurring this hostility?"
She rolled her eyes. "As you so kindly have reminded me, we were married and I know you well enough to know that you never just 'inquire' without a reason. So why don't you knock it off and tell me what you want?"
"Why do assume that I want something?"
"You're a Cassadine," she shrugged as it was self-explanatory, when he just waited, she sighed in exasperation. "You people, with the notable exception of Nikolas, never deign to speak to us commoners without a damn good reason. As if that wasn't enough, our divorce wasn't exactly what'd you call amicably."
"Careful, Barbara, you're starting to sound like your brother." Stefan shook his head in mock sadness. "And after all we went through; you can dismiss it so quickly. I was merely expressing concern for your daughter."
Her eyes narrowed. "Yes, my daughter, Carly. Who you didn't even know was my daughter when we were married, who you've never even spoken to. Is it any wonder that I'm 'hostile'?"
"On the contrary, I've always known that young Caroline was your daughter, well at least since you agreed to marry me."
Bobbie went pale at that. "Wh-what?"
"Naturally, before the ceremony, I had you thoroughly investigated, although," and he frowned slightly, not as thoroughly as I had anticipated, considering what Laura told me yesterday."
"You had me investigated?" Bobbie hoped that she didn't sound as panicked as she felt.
"Of course." Stefan's frown grew darker. For some unknown reason, his ex-wife was more focused on the idea that he had her investigated, rather than about Laura. Perhaps, she didn't know, but given the antagonistic relationship between the two, she should have leapt upon hearing her ex-sister-in-law's name. The fact that she hadn't even mentioned it thoroughly aroused his suspicions. There was more going on here than he understood.
There was a considering and almost calculating expression in his eyes that made her stomach drop. Oh God, he knows, God help me, he's knows. Bobbie's mind froze for a moment, her deepest fear taking hold of her.
"Do you need to sit down?" His voice was dangerously soft as he attempted to probe her obviously shaken psyche. Without waiting for a response, one hand fell to her shoulder and he led her unresisting figure to a nearby chair in the waiting area in an implacable grip.
Glancing around, he realized that they attracted more than a fair bit of attention and knew that he need to work quickly, only he had no idea what triggered this sort of reaction. On a hunch he asked, "Bobbie what is it about Caroline?"
"Don't call her that. Her name is Carly," the words came out automatically, but gave her a moment to realize that he had no clue. She took a deep sigh of relief that he carefully observed and as soon as she realized that fact, Bobbie stiffened. He had no idea, but if she didn't take control of this conversation, he was going to know something was up, if he didn't already. She had to do some serious disinformation and quickly.
"I'm just worried about her with the possible custody suit." His lack of reaction scared her, but it was common enough knowledge. There was no reason for Stefan or any Cassadine, for that matter, to be interested in Carly. She may have failed her daughter in many ways, but she took extreme care to keep her separate from that part of life. This had to be nipped in the bud immediately. Then she remembered that he had mentioned Laura.
"What did you mean about Laura?" She demanded, relieved that her voice seemed stronger.
Stefan was reluctant to let the issue drop so abruptly, he believed that she was concerned about her daughter, but that was far from the complete truth, but of course, there was more than one way to get to the truth. Seemingly switching gears he explained what Laura had told him and was not disappointed in her reaction.
"That bitch, that self-righteous, conniving little bitch!" Bobbie fumed. "Emily only went to her for help and she swore that she'd keep her damned mouth shut! Well, she's not going to get away with it! She has a problem with me and Luke, then fine she can damn well take it up with us, but how dare she try to go after my baby!" She turned to glare at him. "Stefan, I don't care how much you want to protect poor, helpless Laura, she just crossed a line and she should've known better!"
He shrugged at her, lifting his hands, palm up, in a gesture of acceptance. "I already told her that I would not be a party to such undertakings, nor will I stand in your way should you choose to retaliate. The only relationship I have with Laura now is because she is Nikolas' mother, as long as he is not caught in the crossfire, I will not intervene."
He paused, glancing at her as if she were an interesting specimen under a microscope that began behaving aberrantly. "So it's all true then?" Stefan kept his voice carefully modulated, trying to lure her into revealing more details.
"Yes, yes . . . damn her big mouth," Bobbie spoke distractedly, almost oblivious to his continued presence, her mind racing, thinking up various ways of damage control. "All that and more. . . "
"This was with her adoptive mother in Florida then?" He delved deeper, adroitly returning to the subject he most interested in.
"Yes . . ." She replied, absent-mindedly, before realizing what she was saying. The intensely curious light in his eyes making her distinctly uncomfortable, her daughter was not a topic for discussion with any Cassadine, and most particularly not Stefan. Bobbie abruptly stood up. "Thank you for telling me about Laura, but this isn't something you need to concern yourself with. Carly is a Spencer," she unconsciously emphasized that fact, "and we'll take care of her." And before he say anything more, she quickly walked away.
"What are you so desperately trying to hide, Barbara?" He mused aloud, watching her retreat with a predatory intent. He stood up slowly and began walking away, dialing a number on his cell phone. When he was a sufficient distance away, he ordered the others on the line, "I want to know everything there is on one Caroline Spencer, AKA Roberts, AKA Benson."
Stefan paused. "No, Helena remains your priority, but I expect results on this as well. Send a messenger over when you have all the pertinent data."
As soon as he was finally out of sight, Bobbie grabbed the nearest phone and frantically dialed, only to get Luke's answering machine. Dammit, Luke of all the times not to pick up, you have to choose now?" When the message was finished, her words came out in a rush. "Luke, call me as soon as you get this. We've got a few serious problems . . . Just . .. just call me, ok?" She slammed the phone down in frustration.
"Problems . . . anything I can help with?" To her left, Amy Vining sidled up to her, an eagerly anticipative expression on her face.
Bobbie glanced at her and rolled her eyes. Great the single biggest gossip in Port Charles want to 'help', yeah, stab the knife into her back, she laughed sarcastically.
"No, thanks, Amy, I've got it under control."
"Are you sure, Bobbie? Because I saw Carly and that mobster she's with show up and then later, Stefan . . . "
"No, it's all fine." Bobbie said dismissively, hoping that she'd get the hint.
"Because really, it wouldn't be any trouble at all," Amy persisted, hoping to get some tantalizing tidbits about something.
"Amy . . . " Bobbie drew the word out, a sweet smile on her face as the other woman leaned closer. "Fuck off!" And she then turned to stalk off.
Amy's mouth dropped. "Well, I never . . . " Looking around her, she spotted another nurse nearby and immediately walked over to her. "You know, the more I think about it, the more I realize that when it comes to Bobbie and that hell-spawn daughter or hers, perhaps the apple doesn't fall too far from the tree, if you know what I mean."
The other woman's lack of reaction stumped her and she soon wandered off to found more fertile ground. In doing so, she missed the other woman rolling her eyes and ironically commenting in a soft voice. "Wow, I didn't realize that she was capable of thought."
AJ slapped his open palm flat on the table, as he stood up. "You sonovabitch!"
Jason stared at him from across the table, impassively, beneath the table Carly held his hand in a death grip.
"Counselor, I strongly suggest that you advise your client that while this is an informal meeting, violent outbursts are generally frowned upon in legal proceedings." Alexis Davis commented as calmly as if they were exchanging pleasantries, her bored disdain clearly apparent to all
A sharp look from his lawyer convinced AJ to sit down, although he couldn't resist another dig. "Oh, but blackmail is perfectly fucking legal?"
"I'm sorry, I don't recall hearing the word blackmail mentioned once. In fact as far as I'm concerned, my clients are offering Mr. Quatermaine with a more than fair deal. I'd advised them to take their evidence to the proper authorities and have your client locked up for the next ten or so years, assuming you could manage a decent plea bargain, which, of course, would pretty much rule out any chance of Mr. Quatermaine ever receiving custody."
Alexis never hesitated in laying out the harsh reality of the situation for the opposing counsel and AJ.
"Accept our offer or spend the next decade in federal prison, it's that simple."
Intimidated and clearly out-classed, AJ's attorney was visibly cowed. Initially he'd been wary of accepting this job, then when he had heard who was claiming custody of the child, reputed mob boo Jason Morgan, he'd ready to quit, but then he let the lure of money cloud his better judgment. Facing Morgan from across the table was enough to make him uncomfortable, but Alexis Davis had pretty much shredded any chance of winning this case. And the last thing he wanted was to incur any more notice from these people.
"M-may I have a moment to speak to my client in private?" He winced at the stutter in his voice.
Alexis looked over at Jason, who merely shrugged, before grudgingly acceding. "Fine, you can have five minutes and I suggest that you explain to your client exactly how precarious his position is legally." She gathered her file and briefcase and held the door open for her clients.
"Is this really going to work?" Carly asked in a hushed voice outside, as Jason stared through the door watching AJ and his lawyer conferring.
Alexis shrugged slightly. "Assuming that man actually has a law degree?" She asked mockingly. "Then yes. If we release the evidence that AJ was responsible for the warehouse arson, than AJ runs the risk of going to prison, in addition to negating any chance he has of winning custody. Only a fool would be so stupid as to call our bluff."
She paused for a moment. "Of course, if he does than you'd have to explain to the police why you neglected to report this in the first place, of course, but I assume you have a reasonable explanation for that, right?" Her voice was a little testy.
"Sure, that's not something I'm worried about." Jason kept his eyes focused on AJ. Carly stood next to him, tuning out their conversation as she too watching the soundless drama.
"I don't see why you didn't take this to the police first." She shook her head. "If I didn't know better, I'd swear that you were trying to make this more difficult."
"Why would I involve the cops, considering how often they fuck up? Evidence vanishes all too often from the PC PD, Alexis. You should know that better than most."
"True, but usually you're the one responsible for the vanishing." She pointed out in an acerbating tone.
"Doesn't the change the fact." He stiffened. "Looks like their done."
"Good, hopefully this will be over with," Carly sounded both relieved and concerned. Jason squeezed her hand, as they waited for the door to open.
"What the fuck is wrong with you? Do something!" AJ demanded, standing up so abruptly that his chair spun out from under him, crashing into the wall behind him.
"And what exactly would you like to me to do, Mr. Quatermaine?" The frustrated lawyer asked wearily. "Like it or not, your actions have put us in an untenable position. The best I can advise you is to accept the offer for now. Later on, perhaps the situation might change, but for now to put it bluntly – you're screwed."
"If you refuse," the man threw his hands up in the air, "then they will press charges and even if by some miracle you win in criminal court, which given what I've seen today is unlikely, they will have solidified their position in the meantime. Alexis Davis doesn't take on cases that lose, period. And if there is any other dirt they have on you . . . " The man let his voice trail off.
AJ slammed his fist into the table, knocking over the pitcher of water sending it slipping across the surface. "Do you want more money? Is that what this is about? Just name your damned price!"
"This isn't a matter of money." He shook his head. "If you had just let me know what you had done, then maybe I could have come up with an approach to overcome it, but you let me go into this blindsided and -"
"Come on . . . you went to Harvard, for Christ's sake! There has to be something you can do. He's a brain-damaged mobster and she's nothing but a crazy, fucking little whore! How the hell can you sit there and tell me that I can't win?"
The man sighed. This is exactly why he usually as far from custody cases as possible – they always got ugly and this was about to get much uglier, because high salary or not, he wasn't willing to take this case, either of them really, to court.
"The judge will take that into consideration, of course, but realistically, you're not much better. You were the one responsible for his brain damage, you are a convicted alcoholic, whereas Jason Morgan although suspected for long list of crimes has never been convicted. And as far Carly Spenser? Yes, she was locked up for the criminally disturbed, but she was also founded to be rehabilitated and released. Morgan is listed on the birth certificate and she is the mother, the courts do not like taking children from their mothers. All of that, not even considering the arson is working against you – throw that into the mix and you are almost guaranteed jail time and a loss at any further attempts to even win visitation privileges."
AJ stared the man down, listening to every damming word, fists impotently clenched at his sides.
"Accept the offer, Mr. Quatermaine. The hope of limited and observed visitation is the best opportunity you have." The lawyer was almost pleading at this point.
"Goddammit!" The epithet exploded with a violent undertone of menace that had the other man leaning away from AJ.
Alexis collected the necessary signatures, before placing the documentation in her briefcase and was more than ready to bring this unpleasant affair to a close.
"I wish I could say that it's been a pleasure doing business with you . . ." her words faded off, with an ironic smile, before she stood up.
Next to her Jason also stood, a glint of satisfaction in his eyes almost matching Carly's wide smile, in direct opposition to AJ's alternating hateful and sneering glares. As they moved to leave the room, his voice brought them to abrupt halt.
"Don't think for one second that this is over, Jason. You may have won this time, but it's only temporary. If it's the last thing I do, I'm going to get my kid and bring that bitch next to you to heel!" The venom in his voice, stung Carly with a startlingly accuracy.
Jason felt her stiffen and half turn to face him, even as his arms reflectively tightened around her, holding her in place. He leaned down, until his mouth brushed her hair just above her ear. "Just keep it together until we're back in the car, ok?" She nodded tightly, but it was enough for him.
His head turned just enough to stare at his supposed brother, the cold gleam in his eyes promising a violent retribution. Despite his best efforts, AJ flinched and knew that he'd gone too far with that last comment, but he was too far gone to recognize the wisdom of backing down. There was nothing to do but brazen it out.
"This isn't over yet!" His angry flush blanched to a parchment pale white, when Jason finally spoke.
"No, it's not, but trust me; you'll be the first to know when it is." The seemingly innocuous words sent a chill down the spine of both AJ and his lawyer; the implications of it were lost on one in the room.
As they began to leave, Alexis spoke up. "Jason, if you need to me to defend you against murder charges, you know my number, of course."
AJ's lawyer looked at AJ and then at the still open door and collapsed into his seat, while AJ stared blankly at the door.
As soon as they got in the car, Carly turned to Jason. "I want in."
"In on what?" Jason cautiously asked, almost afraid to hear the answer
She rolled her eyes. "Not that, Jase. Whatever you've got planned for AJ personally, I know you won't let me anywhere near. I want in on whatever is going down with ELQ. I want AJ broken, humiliated, turned into nothing and I want to be there to tell him when it happens."
"Carly . . . "
"Don't you dare Carly me, Jason. You heard what that bastard said. I have more than earned this. I am not going to play the little woman while you go and beat up big, bad AJ for me. I can do this. You're buying up ELQ stock, so give it to me."
He stared at her for a long moment, debating the pros and cons. "Why?"
"Despite what everyone in this town thinks, I am far from stupid. Hell I'm a borderline genius. I may not have graduated high school, but I took my GED and went to a four year school in two and a half years, earning honors while working full time. I didn't major in business, but I pick up stuff, damn fast. I can learn how to run a business or run it into the ground. Think about it, Jase." Her voice took on a more serious, almost pleading tone to it.
"You know that you don't really want ELQ, it's just leverage to you, but get involved and you damn well that Edward is going to jump all over it. He'll see it as a way to get you back in the mansion. Me, they all hate me anyway. Think of how much more they'll hate me taking over their precious company? I'll bring them to their knees. You know I can do this, Jason, just give me a chance . . . . please?"
He sighed heavily. "You know you're asking for a world of trouble, right? " When she didn't respond, but just kept looking at him in that way, Jason cursed under his breath. "Fine."
When she smiled and opened her mouth to speak, he cut her off. "But there are going to be conditions," and started to tick them off. "One, you're going to work with Justus and it's a deal breaker, Carly. Listen to him, he knows the Q's and ELG better than anyone and please try not to drive him too crazy, he's going to charge me an arm and a leg for this as it is. Secondly, you don't meet any of them; Justus included, without a bodyguard, no exceptions. Third, I tell you to back off, you do it, no arguements. And lastly, I'm sinking a huge amount of capital into this, so please don't run into the ground until I give you the ok, all right? Other than that,have fun."
"Oh my god! You so will not regret this, Jase. I promise!" she jumped on top of him in her excitement.
"I think I already do." He wryly smiled, catching her small fist at she tried to mock punch him, before pulling her close for a deep kiss.
Dropping anchor at an obscure and abandoned dock, Helena glanced out her port side window at the nighttime visage of Port Charles, lit up in the distance and wickedly smiled, a mere curling up at the corners of her lips. Glancing back down at the papers spread out before her, she contemplated schemes within schemes. According to her various sources of intel, Stefan was just beginning to ask the right questions, although he still had no idea how explosive the answer would be.
She played the notion of helping him, before deciding against it, at least for now. It would be far more amusing to allow him to blindly stumble in the darkness seeking answers. As long as her servants did their work properly, there would nothing for him to find and assuming he did learn something, it would be of little importance and would only further spur him on to a greater frustration.
Nikolas was another potential problem, depending on how circumstances played out. Helena would hate to have to sacrifice him, preferring to keep him in reserve as a spare pawn, but was ready to order the deed, if it became absolutely necessary. Once he learned the news, both he and Stefan were intelligent enough to anticipate her motivation and would act predictable to try and block her access. That could not be allowed to happen.
And that didn't even to begin to take into consideration the others players in this little drama.
The Spencers as always would stand against her, but with the exception of Luke and possibly his sister, 'Bobbie' . . . Helena shook her head at that particular sobriquet, so déclassé, the rest of them weren't even a consideration. Bobbie, and she snickered slightly, was the only one who knew the truth, but she would never willingly reveal it, not even or rather especially not to Stefan or her brother which worked heavily to her advantage.
Regarding Luke, she would have to take care. The merest hint of her presence before she was ready for the final act would be problematic, to say the least. Helena's smile grew even crueler. This particular victory would be the most delicious. Based on her information, he was growing more attached to her primary target by the day. Pulling off this coup might well succeed in breaking her most hated foe and she relished the thought.
Laura Spenser or was it Webber now, on the other hand, held interesting possibilities. She had proven to be unusually weak-willed and easily swayed years ago on the island; Helena couldn't see having changed that dramatically since. Of course, it wouldn't do to approach her directly, but for the proper subordinate bringing her into line would be a simple enough matter and would make an excellent tool to be used to distract Stefan, Nikolas and Luke in one fell swoop.
Given her most recent activities, she might yet become a pivotal player. Laura's access was unique and her bitterness made her ripe for the plucking. Even if Stefan and Luke managed to break free of her inexplicable draw, her sons would continue to keep her and by extension Helena and her soon-to-be-placed agent in the loop, as it were
The Quatermaines, if they sought to interfere, would have to be dealt with as well. The audacity of these upstart Americans never failed to amuse her. Jason Morgan might well prove to be a valuable asset in that regard, Helena mused, scribbling a question mark next to his name. She sorted through her paperwork until she pulled out his medical file, quickly scanning it. His brain damage might be a stroke of luck. After all, she wondered, how much of a resistance could he possibly provide under the circumstances?
Old debts were at last coming due and Helena looked forward with great satisfaction to collecting them.
TBC
Well, I've some dedicated reviewers & I love them dearly, lol. anyone else out there want to say something . . . anything . . . This story is on the brink of going very AU, but I can't say anything more for fear of ruining the surprise, but feel free to guess (although I'm sure it must be making a little more sense now, lol).
Well Helena has now arrived, so expect fireworks, lol.
Poor Carly, things are going to get a lot more complicated & interesting pretty soon. I've got lots of ideas for this story so if you've gotten this far, leave me a review. It's good karma, you know :D