The Quartermaine Mansion – Living Room

"Well, this is a surprise," Monica said when Drew came in, "Of course, I'm always happy to see you. I heard you were able to get Liesl back for the bone marrow transplant."

"I was," Drew said, "Willow's already been isolated to prep for the transplant."

"Thankfully there was some bit of good news," Monica said, "So what brings you by?"

"You might want to sit down, Mom," Drew said, "Something else happened in Greenland and it's a shocker. That's probably putting it mildly."

"What's going on?" Monica asked.

"It's about Charles?" Drew said, "I don't even know how to tell you this."

"What about Charles?" Monica inquired, "Did law enforcement finally figure out who hired the sniper whether it was Cyrus Renault or someone else?"

"Actually, yeah," Drew replied, "It was Victor Cassadine. Although he still could have been working with Cyrus Renault or someone else for all we know."

"Did you or someone find evidence in Greenland?" Monica asked.

"You could say that. Marcus Taggert found Charles in a holding cell alive," Drew said.

"Run that by me again," Monica said, stunned, "Taggert found Charles alive. That's not possible. Charles was bleeding out, had no pulse, and stopped breathing."

"I know, Mom, it's hard to fathom," Drew said, "I saw him myself briefly. Victor Cassadine faked Charles's death."

"We're sure it's actually Charles," Monica asked, "Lord knows the Cassadines have played their share of tricks."

"It's him," Drew said, "Unofficially, his brother, Maximus Giambetti, already confirmed it to Lorenzo and Jason. General hospital will officially have to run DNA tests and such. He is back in Port Charles. Anna Devane arranged to have him to transported to Port Charles quickly for evaluation. Actually, he's there now."

"I need to sit down," Monica said, sitting on the couch. Drew sat next to her.

"I have so many questions," Monica said, "But I'm not even sure where to start."

"I probably can't answer most of them," Drew said, "I only saw him for a few minutes before I came home. Other than holding off on telling anyone about him, I only know what little Jason knows. He was still trying to sort things out and find Kellie to tell her. He just happened to stop by the hospital when Charles arrived when he found out. Kellie was already there visiting someone."

"Why all the secrecy with Charles being alive?" Monica asked, "How is Maximus involved in whatever happened in Greenland with Victor Cassadine?"

"I don't know for sure," Drew said, "But I got the impression there was concern the WSB might whisk him off to parts unknown and no one would know where he was. There was turnover in personnel as the result of what happened with Victor. Maybe that's where Maximus comes into this. Although it sounds like Lorenzo is handling things here in Port Charles."

"I can't imagine Lorenzo would let anyone claiming to be Charles come back unless he was certain that it was him. Kellie saw him at the hospital before Jason was able to tell her," Drew said, "Apparently right after the SEC picked up Michael and Carly for questioning. For what I don't know, but it might have to do with ELQ."

"Oh, it does," Ned said, entering the room, "Apparently, someone reported Carly and Michael to the SEC for insider trading being as she bought up a bunch of shares of Lavery Media Publications when the possible merger with ELQ was on the table. ELQ's attorneys have already been contacted for questioning."

Monica stood up and paced the room and stared out the window. Drew and Ned followed her.

"It has been a morning," Monica said, more to herself.

"Did I miss something?" Ned asked, confused.

"Charles is alive," Drew said.

Ned looked at Drew, incredulously.

"Are you for real?" Ned asked.

"I saw him myself," Drew said, "In Greenland."

"Of course, the Cassadines would be involved," Ned scoffed.

General Hospital

Kevin opened the door to his office and looked in.

"Is everything alright in here?" Kevin asked, "I will need the office for the rest of my appointment with Charles in a few minutes."

"Of course, whatever Charles needs," Kellie said, "You can send the bills to me since we'll have to sort out his finances."

"Maximus is taking care of it," Lorenzo said, "Diane Miller is already looking into sorting out Charles's estate and finances."

"Why don't we head home?" Jason said to Kellie, "And we can tell the kids about Charles."

"We'll bring you out to the safe house after Charles has a chance to settle in," Lorenzo said.

"I'd like that," Kellie said as she heard Max's voice outside the office and then Charles's voice.

Kellie startled at hearing Charles's voice.

"Why don't we give Kellie and Charles a moment?" Kevin suggested.

"If Charles is up for it," Kellie said, "I don't want to overwhelm him."

Lorenzo shook his head as he made his way out of the office.

"I'll be right outside," Jason said before he followed Lorenzo out.

Kellie looked up at the ceiling and wrapped her arms around herself as everyone left the room.

Kellie heard Charles enter the room but didn't turn around right away.

"I don't suppose there's a guidebook on how to reunite with your loved ones after a megalomaniac fakes your death and holds you captive for months," Charles said to break the ice as he stood next to her.

"I don't think so," Kellie said, turning to look at Charles, "How is it you still know exactly the right thing to say even when things feel sideways or upside down?"

"I don't think anyone really knows what to day right," Charles said, "But the important thing is we're both here now and we'll muddle our way through it. How's that sound?"

"I think that's about all we can do," Kellie said, pausing a moment before continuing to speak, "Charles, I'm so sorry that I didn't question what happened on the island. Maybe we would have found you sooner."

"Listen to me. Kellie, you are not to blame yourself for what Victor did," Charles said, "I thought I had died until I woke up wherever Victor moved me to. Victor was very thorough. You had no way of knowing what you and the others saw was a trick. I worried that if you did realize something was amiss that Victor would go after you again. I'd prefer that it took a little longer to find me in order to ensure you were safe from Victor."

Kellie opened her mouth to protest when Charles gave her a look and said, "That is not an argument you can even attempt to win with me."

"You know I might still try," Kellie replied, her voice cracking, tears threatening to spill again.

"I wouldn't have it any other way," Charles said, pulling Kellie into a hug.

"I missed you," Kellie said, some of her tears finally spilled.

"I missed you too, dear girl," Charles said.

"Now, how about we let Dr. Collins and the other doctors finish checking me out," Charles said, as they stepped apart, "Get an official clean bill of health."

"That would be good," Kellie said, "I've got to tell the kids what's happened. Jason already had Francis take them out of school early today."

"I'll text you a phone number you can reach me at," Charles said.

"I know you've had long flights and everything else," Kellie said, "Just let me know when you're ready to talk or catch up more. If there is anything you need, let me know. "

"I'll do that," Charles said.

Silence settled between Kellie and Charles as neither one knew quite what to say.

"So guess I'll see you around," Kellie said.

"Definitely," Charles said, "Make sure to give my grandkids a big hug from me."