Author's Note: There were definitely different options for getting Charles back to Port Charles. Aside from the WSB, Kellie's team with Adam that was lurking around the island trying to avoid detection was another option. But the opportunity to throw Maximus in the mix is so much more delightful. Plus, I had the opportunity to put Charles and Maximus in a room together which I hadn't actually done before in the previous stories. Enjoy! Have a great week!
Maximus's Plane
After the plane took off, Luca and the Doctor examined Charles finding no concerns. The doctor sent off the information for a lab to run the DNA tests in flight.
"There is a bedroom in the back of the cabin if you'd like to get some sleep," Maximus said, "I'm sure you haven't slept much since you were found."
"No, I haven't," Charles said, "I'm not even sure I could sleep at this point."
"I think you'll crash sooner than you think," Maximus said.
Charles took a deep breath and then asked, "How close was Kellie to running Sonny's organization or her own? Marcus Taggert said there were rumors flying she might have had the option to join the five families separately from Sonny's business."
"Too close for someone that truly doesn't want it," Maximus said, "She bought into a legitimate shipping business which would have allowed her leverage against any enemies trying to come up against her. She demonstrated she was willing to use it against her adoptive brother under the guise of shipping delays. When she went to inform the five families as a courtesy, the meeting took several interesting turns. Johnny Zacharra emerged as the new leader of the Buscema territory. Sonny was confronted about his inability to establish control of his organization and ultimately challenged as head of the families. The families asked Kellie to be the tie-breaking vote since she was there as to whether not Sonny remained head of the families or Selina Wu took his place. Kellie voted against Sonny and was then offered the fifth seat that remained when Sonny and Selina split the Novak territory."
"Things weren't good between Kellie and Sonny before I was shot," Charles said, "I imagine Sonny was not thrilled about any of that."
"There's more," Maximus said, "Sonny showed up at your funeral against Kellie and Monica's wishes. After being thrown out, he went missing. His vehicle broke down and his guard was found unconscious. His girlfriend, Nina Reeves, eventually received a note from Sonny he needed some time away and would be in touch for Nina to join him."
"Is that so?" Charles asked a little skeptically.
"Sonny confirmed it himself when he resurfaced," Maximus shrugged, "In the meantime, Morgan finally stepped up and took complete control of the Corinthos Organization."
"I can't imagine Sonny was happy about that," Charles said.
"According to Max, he held Morgan at gunpoint and probably would have shot him," Maximus said, "If Kellie hadn't shown up and caught Sonny off guard. She threw a knife at him, causing him to drop his weapon. The only damage was to Corinthos's suit jacket."
"I'd always hoped that Sonny and Kellie would be able to work out their differences at some point," Charles said.
"It's unlikely," Maximus said, "Sonny has gotten sloppy. The cost to her family which includes you this time was too high. It's just as well. Sonny still works with Brick on his territory and he's reported to have been working with a shady WSB military contractor."
"And Kellie declining to join the families on her own," Charles said, "I believe I might have you to thank for that. It is your nephew that filled the seat is it now?"
"She didn't want the seat," Maximus said, "I made sure she didn't feel like she had to fill it."
"And took advantage of the opportunity to do more business in the states," Charles said.
"Well, I am still a businessman, Brother," Maximus said, "If Kellie had chosen to take the seat, it still would have been an advantageous alliance. She is fierce and extremely capable. Her reputation amongst my associates and to the rest of the outside world is well earned. But it's also not something she asked for or would seek out on her own. As with any of our family members, I simply made sure she had the choice to do what she wanted and know that she and her children would be protected."
"I appreciate that more than you know, Maximus," Charles said, choking up, "And for this…picking me up at the airport… and…."
"You are family even if we don't speak much except in times like this," Maximus said, "Now I suggest we both get some sleep before we turn into sentimental old men. We've never been that. Before I forget, the phone in your duffle bag has more recent pictures of your grandchildren if you haven't found them already.
"Thank you," Charles said, getting up off the seat and making his way to back of the plane.
Port Charles
Maximus's plane landed in Port Charles. During the flight, the doctor confirmed Charles was indeed Charles with the DNA test results and Luca determined Charles was most likely not brainwashed.
Charles was waiting for the plane door to open.
"Are you ready for this?" Maximus asked.
"I honestly have no idea," Charles replied, "How does one prepare themselves to come back from the dead?"
"No clue," Maximus said, "While we're here, I am your cousin, Gianni. Granted I'll be turning around and getting back on the plane right away. Unfortunately, I can't stay long given your government's ban of my presence in this country. Before I forget, please tell our Tigrotta I said, "Hello."
"Tigrotta?" Charles asked.
"It means little tiger in Italian," Maximus said, "a fitting description of your daughter-in-law, I believe."
Before Charles could respond, the plane door opened and Maximus began to disembark.
Charles and Maximus walked down the plane stairs to the tarmac. Charles found Lorenzo and Diane waiting for him, along with a handful of guards. Diane recognized Maximus but opted not to ask questions she might not want the answers to.
No one said a word at first as Lorenzo looked at Charles and then at Maximus.
"You must be Gianni," Lorenzo said, extending his hand to Maximus to shake hands.
"Lorenzo Alcazar," Maximus said, nodding, "We appreciates your assistance in this situation."
"Yes, well, I think we can all agree Charles's safety as well as Kellie and her family's is the important thing here," Lorenzo said.
"I have the DNA tests and other records confirming Charles identity," Maximus said, pulling paperwork out of his jacket, "No tricks here and our psychologist doesn't believe Charles was subject to brainwashing. Neither do I for that matter. I present to you, Charles Scott, alive and in person.
"I'll take those," Diane said, taking the paperwork from Maximus, "We'll definitely need that to have you declared undead. Although I'm sure the doctors at General Hospital will have to run the same tests. Welcome back, Charles. I don't know that I believed it until this moment."
"Right now, I'm not entirely certain I believe it, Ms. Miller," Charles said.
"I'm sure," Diane said, "Now if anyone tries to question or detain you in anyway, you tell them to make arrangements through your attorney. Now if you'll excuse me, I'll meet you at General Hospital and get started on the necessary paperwork."
"I must be leaving," Maximus said as Diane walked away out of earshot, "Lorenzo, I'm leaving Charles in your hands. If you should need any additional guards or resources, my family here should be able to help."
"Do Max and Milo know yet?" Charles asked.
"Not yet," Maximus said, "I'll let you handle telling them yourself. Call me and let me know how you're settling in and come visit me when things settle down."
Maximus turned and headed back up the stairs on to the airplane.