Sunlight bounced of silver serving dishes and crystal glasses while the mahogany table glowed from recent polishing. The breakfast room looked like a princess fairytale if not for the oppressive silence and the four other employees in the room. Unwilling to break the silence Jason led Bethany over to the side table with the hand at the small of her back. Breakfast at the Candy House was served at 7:30 a.m. with the Witch arriving at precisely 7:55 a.m. They had learned it was best to come early and to try to finish eating as soon as possible. To keep the Witch waiting was not a wise decision and the less time spent in her company the safer they were.
"Hello Dears," Jason stood from his seat next to Bethany as Helena entered the room and walked to the side board.
"I trust you are all ready for your assignments." Helena sat at the head of the table as the men in the room resumed their seats. "Everyone is expected back at Wyndamere by six o'clock, we are hosting important guests and all of you will be in attendance."
"Bethany," Helena snapped. "You will be dressed and ready to entertain in the Grand Reception Hall. If you are not present Mr. Morgan will pay for your disobedience."
"Yes Madam," While she appeared calm Jason could feel Bathany push her knee into his leg underneath the table. "What time will guests be expected?"
"Eight o'clock, Marie will have a gown and the jewels waiting for you at seven." Helena stop to look around the other men silently waiting her wrath. "All of you will find your assignments for the day in your rooms. I expect them to be completed in a timely matter."
Everyone quickly stood and with a slight bow to Helena exited the room before separating.
"Jason, do you know who is coming tonight?" Bethany whispered as they climbed the grand staircase leading up to private family quarters before taking a second staircase at the end to the hall up to their room on the service floor.
"No, I heard the Witch is courting both Mr. Corinthos and Mr. Tattaglia." Jason stepped in front of her and opened the door to their room slowly and checked to make sure it was secure before allowing Bethany to enter.
"I hope to still meet with Robin and Stone today," Bethany reached for the folder setting on the side table. "You have two deliveries; one of them is to Mr. Corinthos."
"The other is for?" Jason asked while walking toward the closet for their coats.
"The Port Charles Police Department," Bethany looked up to Jason with a crease between her brows as he strode over to her.
"What would I deliver there?" Jason took the file from her to read it himself. "It does not say. The Witch must have a contact there as well."
"Be careful," Bethany reached out and opened the closet door. "Will you be with me at Kelly's?"
"Yes, what time will you meet them?" Jason reached into the closet and held Bethany's coat as she slid her arms in.
"At 3 o'clock," she turned her face and looked up over her shoulder at Jason as he wrapped his arms around her waist and pulled her into his chest.
"You also be careful, you do not know this Rock and Bird." She turned in his arms as she rolled her eyes.
"I have to go to Ms. Davis' office and the General Hospital records room, should be a safe day." She stood up on her toes and gave him a quick kiss on the check.
"Will you go to the library today?" Jason asked as he stepped back and put on his own leather jacket.
"Yes, I check to see what is required to enroll at PCU and our accounts as well." She smiled sweetly at him while his shoulders slump in defeat and an arm reached back to absently close the closet door.
"You will go first, I will work to pay." He opened the door and waited while she walked though.
"You will go." She stopped and looked him directly in the eyes before stepping over the threshold.
"For you, I go."
"No for you," she moved passed him and down the hall to the staircase.
Jason was standing outside of Kelly's dinner later that afternoon, he had made it a point to stop by several times though out the day and learn the staff and patrons schedules. He also learned about the bar in the basement and the secret door that led to it. The bar was dusty and looked as if people had forgotten it was even there. If things worked out he could open the bar and pay for Betka's school or even hide from the Witch if needed.
Jason didn't want Betka to worry but things were heating up on the Candy Island and he increasingly felt he needed a way to get them out. Helena's business was not as stable as she thought and legally he and Betka could be forced back to Russia anytime. Not an outcome he wanted for her.
He saw the sunlight shining off her golden hair as she rounded the corner and walked toward him. He could feel the grin spread across his face and did nothing to stop it. She was still his beacon in a gray world.
"You are early," Bethany smiled as she spotted him leaning again the wall across from the entrance to Kelly's.
Jason gathered her into his arms and placed a kiss on her temple before pulling back and reaching for her hand. "I have something to show you."
"Where are we going?" Bethany asked as he lead her around the back of Kelly's and to a side door that was blocked by a trash bin.
"Here," Jason motioned toward the bin and Bethany looked at him with one eyebrow raised.
"Here? What is here?" Jason moved behind the bin and opened the door just enough for him to fit through.
"Come," Jason looked into her eyes and gave her a smirk as he gave a tug to her hand.
"It is dark." Bethany pulled back on the arm Jason was tugging.
"Betka, are you afraid of the dark?" Jason purposely used the expression that he knew was like raising a red cape to a bull. It was a tone that he had teased her with for years knowing by her body language that she wasn't afraid just hesitant and that she would never back down from a challenge.
"I am not," she shook her head and sent her blond hair flying behind her shoulders and glared up into his innocent expression. "Do not think I know not what you are doing."
"Then follow me," Jason's smile reached all the way into his eyes as he again tugged her arm and started down the stairs behind the door. "Wait here," he told her at the bottom of the stairs as he let go of her hand and moved away from her.
"Oh, what is this place?" Bethany asked as Jason turned on the lights from the switch a few feet to her left.
"Our future," Jason raised his arms to gesture to the whole room before moving back to her side and taking both her hands in his.
"Betka, the Island is not safe and the Witch is not as powerful as she thinks. There is a war coming between Mr. Corinthos and Mr. Tattaglia. The Corinthos Organization does not allow drugs to come near their territory. Several of the Witch's other employees have gone missing, they will not be found. The Police look at Witch too. She is not as smart as she think, was man with curly hair talking with Police Chief. They not see me but talk about "Greek Witch" and know details they should not. I fear that one day something will happen to me, carry wrong package in wrong place, what would happen to you then? We have to leave Candy House as soon as possible. I could run this bar to pay for your school." Jason's was looking directly into her and noted to himself the wrinkle between her eyes that appeared whenever she was worried.
"Come," He smiled while tugging her arms playfully, "I show you something else." He turned directing her to the opposite side of the room.
Opening the door and tuning on a second light switch, a once beautiful crystal chandelier cast a soft glow about the room. It appeared to be a large sitting room with furniture covered in dust clothes, Jason pointed to the left. "There is bed room, next door is wash room, and the last is kitchen. More space than we had in Russia, can make good life here."
As Jason turned to Bethany he found tears in her eyes, he quickly brought both hands up to hold her face as he wiped a slowing falling tear with his thumb, "Betka, you do not like?"
"Jason is more than we ever dreamed of, but how will we do it? What if we have to go back to Russia, what if the Witch finds out?"
"Shhh, I will find way, but is almost 3 o'clock. We meet Rock and Bird?" Jason smoothed her hair behind her ears as he brought his hands to her shoulders.
"Stone and Robin." Bethany took one last deep breath and stepped away from Jason. "I want to see the rest." Jason watched Bethany as she moved around the apartment and he smiled to himself as he could almost see her making lists and plans in her head. "We have to go now."
"Just a minute," she called from inside the bed room. "I think there are windows that could be opened in here. Would be good for light and in case we need a second way out."
"Betka, we will be late."
"Coming," Bethany quickly exited the room and returned to his side. "We need to clean but everything looks very solid. What about the bar?" They were moving back to the grand staircase as Jason turned off lights behind them.
"I must check water and drains but most good, some small repairs." Jason told her as they moved up the stairs and back out to the alley. Jason moved some trash back around the door and hind the fact that anyone had been in the area.
Jason and Bethany walked around the building and entered Kelly's, the bell above of door jiggled merrily letting the waitress know they had come in.
"Hi, welcome to Kelly's. Just pick any table you like." A young woman with Penny on her nametag greeted them with a smile. Jason put a hand on the small of her back and led Bethany over to a table to the left of the service counter were he could place a wall to both their backs and still see both entrances.
The bell above the door rang out again as a young couple entered, the boy was about Jason's 5' 11" with shoulder length hair, and his brown eyes were shining down at the petite girl at his side. She had a small delicate face and Jason could easily see how well her name fit her. Robins could be fierce when defending their nests and whether the boy was aware of it or not she had quickly surveyed the area and seemed to challenge everyone in the room while standing slightly in front of the boy as they entered.
"Bethany," the boy called out as he spotted them and raised a hand in greeting as the couple moved toward their table. The Bird's body language told Jason she was nervous and still on edge, he heard the chair next to him scrape across the floor as both he and Betka stood to greet the couple.
"Stone," Bethany greeted with one of her big friendly smiles as she took a couple of steps around the table and raised her arms to greet him with a hug. Jason noticed the Bird's shoulders relax slightly as he joined Bethany with a hand on the small of her back as she stepped out of the hug and the other rose to shake with the boy.
"This is Jason Morgan," Bethany continued talking to Stone before turning slightly to look up at Jason, "Jason meet Stone Cates."
"It is nice to meet you; Bethany has told me much about you." Jason said as the two men shook hands.
"Not sure there was much to tell," Stone smiled back and wrapped his free arm around the girl next to him. "Bethany, Jason, meet my girlfriend Robin Scorpio." Jason watched the last of the tension leave her body as she smiled and reached to shake both their hands.
"Please sit down, I'm not sure Kelly's has ever seen so formal an introduction." Robin laughed slightly and moved toward the table. Jason held Betka chair for her as she sat before taking a seat himself.
"So Stone told me he meet you at the library, were you studying for class?" Robin asked as Penny walked up to the table.
"Hi what can I get you today? Ruby made some fresh brownies today." She continued as she gave Robin a big wink.
"Penny you're gonna make me fat!" Robin replied, with a horrified look on her face before breaking out in giggles and turning toward the group. "The problem with coming to the same diner all your life is they know all your weaknesses. Share with me?" she asked looking up under her lashes at Stone.
"Don't forget the ice cream and chocolate sauce or we will never hear the end of it," Stone rolled his eyes at Penny as she wrote down their order.
"Coffee with that as well?" at both Stone and Robin's nod she turned toward Betka and Jason, "how about you two?"
"We will please have the same." Jason spoke up, "there is no denying Bethany chocolate." Jason looked at Stone with male understanding.
"You love chocolate too," Betka exclaimed as Penny wrote down the order.
"All men love chocolate they just pretend to indulging us. I'll be right back with your coffees." Penny smiled and moved toward the service bar.
"Where were we, oh the library, what are you studying?" Robin asked.
"We are not in college but hope to go in the future. I was looking for information on what we would need to qualify in this country and what paperwork we would need." Bethany answered.
"Where are you guys from?" Stone asked.
"Russia, we meet when we were children." Bethany answered as Penny placed their coffees on the table.
"Did you meet at school or the playground or something?" Robin asked as she was looking down and spooning sugar into her coffee.
Jason felt Bethany stiffen at his side and wrapped an arm around her shoulder before answering. "No we meet at Mazanovsky, an orphanage." He tensed slightly waiting for the couple to pull away as most would in Russia.
"Wow, that makes four of us then, my parents were murdered and Stone's are gone too."
"Were you both in orphanages?" Bethany asked before taking a sip of her black coffee.
"I was luckily and had Uncle Mac, he's the police chief, Stone had a rougher time but he lives with Sonny now."
"Bethany, you meet Sonny, he picked me up from the library. Actually he asked if you two would like to come to dinner sometime. He's an awesome cook." Stone said with an open smile before noticing the sudden look of fright on Bethany's face.
"He is a really great guy…"Stone started defensively before Bethany turn to Jason.
"The Witch, she will know." Robin and Stone both looked on in confusion.
"What Witch will know what?" Robin asked just as Penny brought over two brownie Sundays and quietly walked away.
Bethany looked to Jason before he gave her a small nod after checking the room for anyone new entering. "Helena Cassadine."
Stone looked confused while Robin focused a laser beam stare at both of them, "How in the hell did you get mixed up with her."
"You know who she is?" Stone asked Robin.
"My father and Luke Spencer stopped her and her crazy husband from freezing the world a couple of years ago." Stone started laughing but stopped when no one else joined him.
"Oh come on, nobody can freeze the world."
"Helena is a psychopath, don't put anything past her." Robin replied very seriously. "Ask Luke when you see him at the Club. How did you two get mixed up with her?"
"We were living St. Petersburg after leaving the orphanage, we worked any job we could but money was always too small. Helena learned about us from local Boss, she promised us jobs and way to leave Russia. Russia is no good place for Bethany; I need safer place for her. The Witch was our only way out but was not good." Bethany held Jason hand under the table as she heard his accent getting thicker. "Sorry, Bethany English is better."
"It's okay, but what you're saying is that Helena kind of tricked you." Robin asked.
"Yes, but now she watches us like prisoners and I if don't do as she says she hurts Jason. Please ask Mr. Corinthos to forget he knows me tonight." Bethany bit her bottom lip as she looked between Stone and Robin.
"What's happening tonight?" Robin asked as she looked toward Stone to see if he knew anything.
"Sonny doesn't tell me about business, but he said would have the penthouse to ourselves tonight," Stone replied with a one arm shrug.
"Helen is having a big meeting tonight; I have to entertain the guests. Look pretty and make them happy or we are punished. The Witch does not know that we are saving money in secret and that we want to leave. I think she would kill us if she knew." Bethany had leaned into the table and spoke very quietly.
"What plans have you made, I'm sure Sonny would help. He hates her because she is in a feud with the Spencer's. Kidnapped Laura for over a year at one point."
"She kidnapped Luke's wife?! Why has no one told me this stuff? How do you know all this?" Stone rattled off looking at Robin.
"My parents were double agents, I had a step-father who was a mob Boss, my boyfriend lives with the current Mob Boss, who I consider a close personal friend, and my Uncle Mac is the Police Chief, how would I not know this stuff? Heck I have even hid in the panic room in Sonny's Penthouse before."
"Sonny has a panic room?" Robin just rolled her eyes at Stone before she turned back to speak to Jason and Bethany.
"Look Sonny will be here with his men soon to pick us up, talk to him, he might be able to help you."
"We cannot be seen with him, there is a bench in the park near the swings. It is closed on three sides by bushes. Please have him meet me there. I have delivery from Helena for him, if she sees us that is cover." Jason told Robin.
"What about Bethany?" Stone asked.
"I will go back to island, safer if we are not seen together too much." She looked up into Jason's eyes before giving his hand another squeeze.
The bell above the door ring as a man in a dress suit walked in and nodded to Robin and Stone. "That's Johnny, Sonny must be waiting for us."
"I will be at park until 5:15pm, if he does not come I will take package to pier 52 but I must be on the 5:45pm boat launch." Jason stood to shake both Robin and Stones hands, handed Bethany some money and placing a quick kiss on her forehead before leaving though the back door of Kelly's.
"Bethany, it was really nice to meeting you and Jason." Robin reached out to shake her hand but pulled her into a one armed hug and whispered into her ear, "Helena is very dangerous, stay safe. I know Sonny will help, if not I know Luke will just because he hates her."
"Thank you," Bethany hugged her back before reaching for Stone to give him a full hug.
"No one except Robin and Sonny do that." Stone told her as they pulled apart.
"Touch is too important, hugs are too important, that is hard lesson all orphans learn." Bethany said with a small sad smile as she walked toward the door Johnny held open.