ELQ Building, downtown Port Charles

Two people faced off across the broad conference table. The woman was stern and stiff. The man was tense and defiant.

"Everything I have done, I've done for Ned and Brook. I was not the one to disown them."

"I didn't."

"You don't make time to know Brook, your own grandchild. You rarely talk to Ned or visit him."

"I'm busy. He's busy," said Tracy. "You're not exactly father of the year."

"Really and truly, Tracy? I was not the ideal husband but you cannot say I shirked my responsibility as a father to our son. Go ahead, tell me again I'm a bad father!"

Tracy sighed. "You're right. I'm sorry."

"Thank you." Larry Ashton gestured broadly at the opulent room. "You have your wish at last - running ELQ, the family business. Are you happy, Tracy?"

"Yes!"

"You're miserable but the Quartermaine pride won't let you say so," said Ashton shrewdly.

Tracy narrowed her eyes. "You think you know me so well."

"I do and it goes both ways," said Ashton.

"No!" Tracy slammed a palm down. "You helped the Cartel attempt to kill my father. You manipulated the family to allow Harlan Barrett to buy our canneries to make biochemical weapons. You colluded to involve my family in Claudio Maldonado's assassination. YOU are not the man I know. Not the man I ... I trusted with everything."

"I've never changed, Tracy. I'm still the opportunistic, cultured, articulate and somewhat charming man I always was."

"And a murderer," accused Tracy.

"I did not know Edward himself would be targeted. My hands are clean on that one."

"Of course they are. You just told them everything you knew about ELQ and the family."

Ashton's nostrils flared. He took a moment to compose himself. "What ... what choice did I have? My masquerade as a wealthy lord was rudely ended. No funds. No prospects. There they were - the Cartel. They approached me. They respected what I could bring to the table."

"And like a good lackey, you did anything they wanted you to do."

Ashton shook his head. "Believe what you like."

"I don't believe anything that comes out of your mouth."

"Your prerogative," said Ashton.

"I thought we'd said everything between us at the PCPD when you were arrested. You wanted this meeting," said Tracy. "What do you want? Last words before you flee the country?"

Ashton drew himself up straight. "I wanted to tell you personally that I will make amends to you, to Ned, to Brook-Lyn and to the family for this."

"Big words from a future felon."

"I will be staying in town. I will not run like a coward."

"The case against you is-"

"Yet to be proven," said Ashton. "My cooperation was bought via blackmail."

"Blackmail? That's your defense?"

"Arielle forced me to continue working with the Cartel and everything else."

"Speaking of your wife, where is she?"

"Gone but not before serving me with divorce papers." Ashton smiled. "Upon reflection, it's the best thing she's ever done for me."

"You must have been born under a lucky star," noted Tracy. "You're going to get out of these charges, aren't you?"

"Do I seem worried?" asked Ashton. "I shall soon be free of onerous marital shackles. You, on the other hand, seem to be content with yours?"

"Luke and I are fine. Does it shock you?"

Ashton crossed his arms. "Frankly, my dear, I've always thought you had better taste."

"You should talk."

"Arielle for all her faults was a helpful spouse. She had purpose and ambition if misguided. But Luke, what does he bring to your partnership?"

"He doesn't HAVE to bring anything," scoffed Tracy.

"Does he just take then?" asked Ashton softly.

"Luke hasn't betrayed me or my family. Not like you."

"You've always known that what I do is intended to leave a legacy for Ned and Brooke. They are OUR family, Tracy, no matter how much you try to ignore them," said Ashton. "My tactics may not meet with your approval but you should never question why I do what I do. My family is the most important thing to me."

"And you've disgraced them, Ashton. All for a fortune," said Tracy. "Don't put yourself above Luke or anyone else. You're no better."

"That remains to be seen." Ashton bowed. "I have delivered my message and bid you adieu."

"Wait," said Tracy. She sighed. "Can you tell Ned something for me?"

"Tell him yourself, Tracy," said Ashton.

"He's not returning my calls."

"I see."

"No you don't. I didn't disown him. He left what was his birthright," said Tracy. "He traded all this for a guitar and leather pants. He can come back at any time. He knows that."

"But only on your terms," replied Ashton.

"Of course."

"He's your son, Tracy. There shouldn't be any terms."

Tracy looked away. "Goodbye, Ashton."

Ashton turned but paused at doorway. "By the way, Scotty tells me that Laura is improving with each passing day. She's regaining more and more of her health and mobility."

"Why are you telling me this?"

"Why must you suspect ulterior motives?"

"With you, it's a necessity."

"When we were married, I was always the one that remembered the birthdays and other events," mused Ashton.

"And your point is?"

"For you, your name and family got you anything you wanted," said Ashton. "For me, all I have are connections. I nurture them assiduously."

"So you keep in touch with Scotty Baldwin. Big deal."

"Information is power and it can give you an advantage. Think about it," Ashton said. "You know whose side I'm on. That hasn't changed either."

"Meaning you won't stab me in the back without a good reason."

"My personal fondness aside, I do admire you. You know that, too," said Ashton.

Tracy nodded. "We're both survivors."

"Then here's one more piece of advice from one survivor to another. Luke is a lost man on a leaking dinghy in an endless ocean glancing nervously in all directions for the sharks that follow him," cautioned Ashton. "He's burned his bridges. He can't stand on his own so he latches on to those who can. For your sake, I hope you aren't the one he relies on most to rescue him, Tracy."

"You barely know Luke,"

"I know of him, his history and his so-called exploits. Besides, I have sources, too. Luke is not the most discreet of people. He leaves a trail wherever he goes," said Ashton. "A person can try to keep running but everything catches up. Sans resources and allies, Luke can't do much on his own despite thinking otherwise."

"His friends and family will stand with him."

"Maybe and maybe not. Please think about everything I've said. Anna and Robert have lost a child. I can't help thinking about what's important to me at this time in my life." Ashton opened the door and as he left, his parting words were, "See you around town, Tracy."

Villa Scorpio

A short convoy of cars entered through the gates - Bobbie in one car, doctors Kelly Lee and Lainey Winters in the next then Tom Hardy in another car. Monica slowed her car as she approached the Villa's gate behind Tom's car. She saw a guard approaching. A tapping on her driver's side window made her gasp.

"Jason?" cried Monica as she lowered her window.

"Monica, I ... I need to get in there," said Jason hurriedly. "Can I ride in with you?"

"You didn't get an invitation?"

"No but who cares? I need to-"

"No," said Monica.

"What?" Jason gripped the top of the car. "You're kidding me." He looked at Monica then at the guard standing patiently by the side and then back to Monica.

"You didn't get an invitation to the burial. Respect their wishes, Jason."

"I need to be there. I just want to say goodbye."

"I'm sorry. I know you're hurting right now," said Monica.

"Who the hell are they to come back into Robin's life and ... and take over? THEY CAN'T DO THIS!"

Monica set her car to park and got out. She looked at a guard standing nearby seemingly ready to intervene if necessary. "Could you give me a few minutes with him, please? He won't be a problem."

Jason's scowl indicated that he was not in agreement with his mother's words. The guard nodded and walked away a few paces.

"Don't do this, Jason," said Monica.

"They're turning away her friends, me, Sonny. That's not right."

Monica hardened her heart calling on the detachment that got a doctor through the hardest of cases. "Jason, Robin wanted a very private service. She left instructions. Her family is carrying out those instructions."

"But ... but l... she's important to me. All I want is to be there. That's all," said Jason softly. "Let me ride in with you. Please."

"Accept her wishes. Respect them. Respect her."

"She would want me and ... and Sonny to be there."

Monica shook her head. "I know that you believe that. I'm sorry."

"It's not RIGHT!"

"Was it right for you to take Carly's side about Michael?"

"That's different. That has nothing to do with this."

"That was a choice. Your choice to disagree with Robin about telling AJ that Michael was his son and not yours. You distanced yourself from her remember? Now, it's her choice on who she wanted to invite. There is no difference," said Monica firmly. "Robin accepted your decision. She made a life for herself away from you. She never judged you, did she? Or hold what happened against you?"

"No," answered Jason shakily.

"Then take this as another lesson like the ones she used to teach you after your accident," said Monica. "Take the time to reflect, to think about her and all the good things you shared together."

"It happened too fast. It wasn't supposed to be like this," said Jason. He blinked back tears. "What's the point of all the drugs and the protocols if ... if it was going to kill her anyway?"

Monica tentatively, she laid a hand on her estranged son's arm. "The point is a beautiful baby and a family that loved her. What were the most important things to her?"

"Family. Friends," answered Jason with no hesitation.

"Then count yourself lucky because for a time she was all those to you."

"It's not her time. It's too soon. Just-" began Jason.

"You never know when you'll lose someone you love. It can happen in a second, a minute. It could be a heart attack or ... or an accident." Mother and son shared a long look full of regret and pain. "Do right by Robin and accept her choice. That's the best thing you can do."

"I'll wait for you to come out." Jason stared at the gate as if committing it to memory. "I have flowers. Could you put it on her grave for me?"

Heart breaking for her son, Monica nodded. She watched as Jason turned on his heel and ran to his car. He returned with an armload of flowers which he gently laid on the backseat. As she starrted her car, she continued watching him as he went back to his car and simply sat silently inside. She hoped he was following her advice and thinking about some past lessons on love and family.

An empty warehouse in New York City

Clad in a long fur coat, Helena Cassadine stood pensively in the dim confines of the small warehouse. She was here in the unaccustomed role of a penitent. Like any good supplicant, she waited until attention came her way.

"But will he help me?" asked Helena softly. In her hour of need she had found her family lacking and her allies dwindling. Too nervous to pace, she fidgeted instead. Her ears were alert to any sound. Her eyes darted around the warehouse and stopped at the closed door in the back.

Against the far wall lay stacks upon stacks of unused wood pallets. The opposite wall was lined with deep metal shelved coated with dust. The large garage doors were half open letting in slivers of morning light and blasts of winter air.

Helena did not notice the chill. Her roiling emotions had her unsettled and displeased at everyone and everything. For his own protection, she had sent Nikolas off to Europe to tend to business interests there. She thought she had access to the Cassadine funds but that was not the case. Somehow, seemingly overnight, her access had been stopped. She did not dare inquire of her grandson.

"Nikolas must NOT be tainted by any of this. He must not know what I … what I did to his friend," said Helena in a near whisper. "It was a mistake."

She had reached out to her nephew Pompey Vakalos for help and funds. She had been soundly, if civilly, rebuffed. She had railed at his fecklessness to no avail. Pompey had bowed to pressure and the threat of censure from his cousin and her other nephew, Thanos D'Ercy, should Pompey help Helena financially. Pompey would listen to her, even shelter her, but that was all he would allow himself to do.

Helena then turned to her various allies for aid. Inexplicably, Charlotte Devane had gone missing. Helena assumed she had died. Otherwise, Charlotte would have contacted her by this time. Her second ally, Arielle Ashton, had been in deep mourning for her brother's recent death. Then, she left Port Charles for destinations unknown. However, her husband Larry Ashton had remained in Port Charles embroiled in a brewing stock swindling scandal involving the Quartermaines and ELQ. Her third ally offered help but only in Europe. Elena Cosgrove had promised shelter and ample financial aid but only if Helena presented herself at the Foundation's headquarters in Vienna.

With no recourse or adequate funds remaining, Helena turned to the one person that she counted both as a respected associate and a wary enemy - Cesar Faison.

As if aware of her thoughts, the door opened and in stepped the slight yet sinister figure of Faison briefcase in hand. The scent of the clove cigarettes he favored clung to him like a second skin.

"Chain smoking again, Cesar?" asked Helena with a wry smile.

"A nervous habit I continue to despair of," said Faison. "Let us get to business, Helena. I have a personal appearance in Boston. I must not disappoint my reading public. Aside from your need of funds, why did you request a physical meeting?"

"I wanted to thank you in person. Your help is a gracious gesture and one I profoundly appreciate more than you know," said Helena.

"It was gracious but decided with some hesitation," said Faison. "By this gesture, do not believe for a minute, a second, that I have forgotten your urging, no, no, INSTIGATION of Charlotte Devane's efforts to kidnap me."

"I was not aware of her … methods at the time," said Helena. It was neither the truth or a lie but somewhere in between. "How did you know I told her about your psychological talents?"

"That is unimportant," Faison took a long drag from his cigarette. "Charlotte has been dealt with to my complete satisfaction."

"I see." Helena cleared her throat then said, "Your capture has been avenged then."

Faison shook his head. "If I had wanted to seek revenge for THAT transgression, I would have done so years ago. No, she had done the unforgivable and I could not allow her reign of terror to continue."

Helena avoided his gaze as she tremulously asked, "Wh-what did she do?"

"She hurt persons for whom I have a proprietary interest in. I protect my … family," said Faison. "That is as aspect that I have always admired in you, Helena. Your dedication towards your family. Family is the only true treasure in this life. By comparison, Charlotte was a grasping and greedy individual of no redeeming value to anyone - not even her own child."

Helena took in all these new bits of information to study at her leisure. "My acquaintance with Charlotte was a passing one."

Faison glanced at his watch. "Well, Helena, you have thanked me. What more did you require?"

Helena peered at him closely. "It has been some years but you seem different to me, Cesar."

Cesar's lips molded themselves into a half smile. "In what way?"

"More focused, less scattered. More content and far from listless as before years ago," said Helena.

"At the time we first met, I was in a state of transition in my life," said Faison. "I am more settled now. I am slowly appreciating what I have and not brooding overmuch on what I do not have."

Helena said, "You're not a man easily satisfied with the status quo."

"You are correct I am not. However, I have distilled what I want and need to a few essential elements."

"And what would those be?"

"That is for me to strive for and for the world to discover when I … when I have succeeded in my plans," said Faison confidently. He looked off in the distance. "I know what I want and I will have it. My turn will come."

Helena looked quizzically at Faison. "Your turn?"

"The wheel of Fate moves very slowly, don't you think? It demands enormous patience," said Faison. "Fortunately, the reward is all I have ever desired."

"But what if you do not -" began Helena.

"I will have … my dreams fulfilled. I will," said Faison firmly. "Time is on my side but not on yours, Helena. I must be leaving for Boston." Faison handed her the briefcase. "Your funds as we discussed. I expect repayment on the terms we agreed to."

"You will have it. Information you want. Information you will receive." Helena accepted the briefcase. "Thank you, Cesar."

Faison smirked. "For what, Helena? This meeting never happened."

Author's Note: This story was begun and posted on September 2010 on my home page. It's similarity to any current GH storyline(s) is coincidental. This is a direct sequel to The Telltale Lie. Though it's not necessary to read that previously, it would be helpful. Please see my profile home page on the status of this series. More chapters are posted on my home page.