Chateau Garnier, France
Sunlight streamed into the room decorated in the modern style yet showing its past in the thick walls, massive stone fireplace and tall ceilings and windows. In this the new European headquarters of the team, a momentous decision was being made.
Five people discussed the future. Each of their faces showed signs of strain, determination and excitement. There was even a sense of relief that finally a decision would be made.
"We're all agreed to take the covers off and go full steam ahead?" asked Robert. "No more hiding in the shadows and pulling the strings from behind the curtains?"
"It's time," was all Andre said. Arms crossed he had made his decision at the Foundation during the confrontation with Roger Barrett.
"We are as ready as we have ever been," said Andre's wife, Heloise.
"We have the element of surprise. We should take advantage of it." said Giles.
Robert looked at the most recent inductee into the Club. "Anna?"
Anna turned from the window. She'd been watching the pastoral landscape outside while the others had discussed the overall plan that had governed their lives for so many years. For everyone here there were an emotional consequences to success and failure. Everyone had their own motivations from the need to restore balance to revenge to righting old wrongs. But unlike the others, she'd only known about the Club and its goals and intentions for a few months. Understanding the Club from an intellectual viewpoint was one thing but realizing what had driven these individuals to this course and what changes likely lay ahead was a daunting prospect for Anna.
Giles and Heloise she was only starting to know and understand. Even with such superficial acquaintance though she could see the differences in their public and private personas. They were as committed to this as Andre, Robert and Jacques had been.
Andre had once been Andre Chernin, who as a young man had been molded by the DVX to become a different man - Grant Putnam. His mission to become an American and spy from within had succeeded spectacularly yet the cost had been the loss of the better man he could have been. For good or ill, he was now the Scarecrow reborn - one of the world's most elusive, mysterious and feared assassins.
Robert, her Robert, wasn't the man she had encountered and fallen in love with decades ago. Neither was he the man who had later become her best friend as they jointly raised their daughter. Robert had commanded admiration from his allies and elicited respect from his enemies by force of his authority as much as his actions. But this man before her, the same man she'd married for the third time, would become someone he'd never aspired to be - a man to be feared for all the wrong reasons. That he would plan for this change for years was something that Anna had always found difficult to reconcile with the Robert of her past.
As for her, she was sure of only one thing - Cesar Faison had to be dealt with and his influence permanently eradicated everywhere it existed. This was the Club's ultimate goal. Years of strategic planning and tactical decisions all came down to this one moment. Once the decision was made there would be no going back, no chance to undo what they wrought. No time for regrets and apologies. No time for reflection and repentance. Their shared resolve would be their only solace in the trying times ahead.
"Anna, what do you say?" asked Robert searching her face for an answer he dreaded yet knew was inevitable.
"The pieces are all in the right places like you hoped so my answer can only be yes," replied Anna.
Robert nodded, took a deep breath and said, "Everything is a go. Andre, uncork the network stopper. Let the information flow that Scarecrow and Abelard are on the hunt. Put out feelers for info on Charlotte and Sinclair. Heloise, you and I will meet with some key people in our network. They know and trust you. Do the introductions. Giles, dust off your old skills. I want Ava and Nina Korolev here by tomorrow before I give the word to Constantine to get serious about his coup. Anna, you have to smuggle Ivan in back home somehow. We owe it to his father to take care of his family."
"Leave it to me," said Anna.
Andre let out a breath. "Ivan, Andrew, Robin and Therese all at the Villa. That's a lot of targets to protect, Anna."
Anna grinned. "I like a challenge and the team is ready for it."
"If things go our way, the DVX will be too busy dealing with political fallout as their house crumbles around them to think about reprisals for a missing agent," said Andre.
"The coup better be so noisy that it gets Faison's full attention while I attack from the rear and flank," said Robert.
"Stabbing an ally in the back when he least expects it, that's a very Abelard thing to do," said Heloise.
Robert's eyes were wintry and expressionless. "I thought Jacques would approve of my inaugural move as his successor."
"How soon do we anticipate the fourth move?" asked Giles. "How will we know if it's necessary?"
"Fourth move?" asked Anna. "First move is to topple the DVX. Second move to blindside Faison. Third move to pick off Faison's allies one by one. What's the fourth? I thought I'd read everything."
"That's mine, luv. Don't worry about it," said Robert. "Don't even think about it. We have enough on our plate."
"Ignorance isn't always bliss," said Anna. "What's the fourth move, Robert?"
Robert looked Anna directly and said, "First move is collapsing the DVX true enough. The fourth move is doing the same with its opposite number. If I have to, I will destroy the WSB."
One Temple Court - Donely Penthouse
Sean opened the door into Belle's room just enough so he could see her sleeping form. He whispered into the room, "I love you, sweetheart. You'll never know how much."
He felt a hand rubbing his back. He turned and gave his wife a kiss.
"Why are you leaving when you're in this mood, huh?" asked Tiffany.
"I wouldn't if I didn't have to, honey," said Sean. "Three days will fly by."
"Three days is all you're getting, buster. If you're not back, I'm going to demand that Anna start doing her part for this museum exhibit project of yours." Tiffany hugged Sean as he closed Belle's door. "You're working too hard, Sean. You won't admit it but I see the stress and worry all over you."
Sean led the way down the hallway to the front door. "Once it's over, it'll be worth it. I promise." He put his suitcase down and gave Tiffany a lingering kiss. "While I'm away, maybe you should plan a vacation away just for the three of us when I get back. Okay?"
"Hmm, that I can do." Tiffany helped Sean with his trench coat. "Text me at least twice a day to let me know you're alive. I'll worry less."
"I'll be fine. I know you have a lot to do yourself with Frisco coming back here, the Valentines Day dance, the station, the Galleria opening downstairs and the theater benefit at the Majestic," said Sean. "You're not going to give your old husband a second thought."
"Every time I look at Belle, I see you," said Tiffany sweetly. "Hurry back."
"You know I will." Sean stepped through his front door and trudged to the elevator. He glanced back at Tiffany before entering the elevator and blew her a kiss. "I love you."
Quartermaine Mansion
Alice served breakfast to the family in the dining room. Tracy and Edward shared the morning paper. Monica and Dillon discussed current events. Luke was unusually subdued as he ate his breakfast quietly.
"Everyone, listen to this," said Edward. "It has been confirmed that Commissioner Malcolm Scorpio has resigned from his position. Captain Samantha Wells succeeds him as Chief of Police. Mayor Floyd and the City Council have yet to discuss a replacement for the position of Commissioner. Neither former Commissioner Robert Scorpio or former Police Chief and Commissioner Anna Devane are considered to be candidates for the vacancy. Malcolm Scorpio remains out of town at this time."
"There's always been a Scorpio at the police department for as long as I've been alive," said Dillon. "It's going to be weird not knowing anyone there."
Luke chuckled. "Maybe they decided to finally throw in the towel."
"I doubt that," muttered Monica.
Luke looked at Monica. "You know something?"
"I just meant that Mac's resignation doesn't mean anything in the … the grand scheme of things," clarified Monica. "I can't see a Scorpio changing his or her spots, Luke."
"Yes! That's the one thing I can still count on staying the same," chimed in Edward.
"They all have you fooled don't they?" Luke looked at everyone around the table. "They have encouraged this image and reputation of being the righteous defenders of the weak and the public-serving soldiers tilting at the windmills of crime. I got news for you all. That ain't the full story. They can be just as flawed and bent as … as I am."
"We KNOW they're not perfect," said Tracy. "But with them one always knows where one stands."
"The department has had so many successes lately. What's going to happen with Mac out of the picture?" asked Monica.
"Nothing. Same as always," said Luke.
"Maybe and maybe not," said Tracy.
"It's a dog eat dog world no matter who the dogcatcher is."
"I think it's time for a new dogcatcher," noted Edward. "It's an election year after all."
"Thinking of running for office, Edward?" asked Monica.
"Never in a million years. However, I may put it about that I'm looking to support those who CAN make a difference," said Edward. "Money talks. It always has and always will. And, I, my dear, can make a dollar sing arias if I want it to."
D'Ercy Estate, France
Thanos E'Ercy and his house guest, Nikolas Cassadine enjoyed a stroll through the gardens just before lunch. They talked of matters that had only recently arisen yet needed immediate attention.
"I can believe what Helena's capable of, Thanos. I know she drugged me to gain access to Cassadine funds. But for what she did to Robin, I can't imagine my grandmother would go to such lengths," said Nikolas. "Robin's always been off her list. In fact, she was the only one of my friends that Helena approved of."T
"Family blood clouds your judgment," said Thanos.
"I guess it's true. I'm not Cassadine enough."
"That is NOT true. Like everyone, you have a blind spot who happens to be Helena."
Nikolas glanced at the man walking beside him who was said to have ice water in his veins. A man whose habitually grave demeanor masked a sharp wit and loyal heart. "Do you have a blind spot?"
"I am only human." Thanos stopped to sit at a bench. "I must know your mind on Helena before Conclave this evening."
"I can't decide until I hear all the facts and her side, too. That's only fair. That's why I'm coming with you." Nikolas sat down next to Thanos. "Never having been at Conclave I'm very curious to see what it's like."
"You will be attending as my guest. Do not forget that and do not, under any circumstances, interfere in the proceedings. Answer truthfully any and all questions put to you."
"You make it sound like an inquisition."
"It is not quite that but neither is it a court similar to what you are familiar with. We will attend to present, hear and bear witness to the truth. That is all and everything," said Thanos. He put a kindly hand on Nikolas' shoulder. "Some revelations may prove painful to you personally. For that I am truly sorry."
"For what? My finally seeing my grandmother's true colors?"
"Stefan shielded you from … reality. Whether that was a good or bad decision, I cannot say," said Thanos. "Tonight, I shall lift the cloudy veil from your eyes and much will be expected of you. I am certain that you will rise to the occasion."
"You and Stefan have the same way of arousing my curiosity," said Nikolas. "It's eerie."
"Do we? I'll shall see that as a compliment."
"I wish you could return to Port Charles with me. I have so much to learn from you but your responsibilities are here. I understand that."
"Tonight, I will name my new nephew as the official and only heir and remove myself from the line of succession upon his majority at seventeen. That is some time away but I can be patient," said Thanos. "In a way, I will be a free man at the end of Conclave."
"Most people wouldn't see losing control of a fortune as a positive thing."
"I shall be available in an advisory capacity. I shall not be disappearing entirely."
"You've ceded control of D'Ercy International to the Board of Directors. The estate is now in your sister Agathe's hands. What will you do with your free time?"
"I have a few projects, personal ones, that I shall be involved in," said Thanos. He turned at a voice calling his name from from the opposite end of the garden. "Speaking of personal matters, I have someone here you should meet."
Around a tall hedge came two people. Nikolas stood dumbfounded as he recognized the petite figure that was coming closer and closer.
"Robin?" asked Nikolas even as Robin gave him a hard hug.