Park Bench
Max stood up from the park bench as Charles approached.
"Uncle Charles," Max said, handing Charles a coffee, "I assumed you still drink your coffee black."
"Yes," Charles said, as they sat down on the bench, "Now what's up? Not that I'm not happy to get a call to spend time with my nephew. But suspect you have a reason for this meeting."
"Can't I simply just want to check on my uncle who was shot, kidnapped, and thought dead for almost a year?" Max replied.
"Maximus," Charles replied, skeptically.
"I am checking on you," Max said, "It's just you wouldn't usually show up at the warehouse. I wanted to make sure everything was okay and that there wasn't a threat or something. Jason was pretty silent on the matter."
"I appreciate the concern," Charles said, "But my conversation with Jason wasn't anything of that nature. I had some personal things to discuss with him."
"And it's all squared away," Max asked.
"I believe so," Charles said.
"And things between you and Sonny?" Max asked, "I know you've never been friends with Sonny, but yesterday things felt really tense between the two of you. Did something happen? If it's none of my business that's okay. I just worry about you, Uncle Charles. I know that you're more of a lone wolf. But if you needed to talk, I wanted you to know I'm here."
Charles took a sip of his coffee, letting the sentiment behind Max's rambling sink in.
"I'm sorry, I obviously overstepped," Max said, "Forget I said anything. I can't believe I asked that."
Charles looked at Max who just looked uncomfortable.
"Would it help if I pretended you didn't just ask me about your boss or former boss?" Charles said, "I'm not entirely which Sonny falls under these days."
"Yes, please," Max said relieved at the out Charles provided, "Former boss is probably right. I've been working for Jason for awhile now. And really I did want to check on you."
"Considered myself checked on," Charles said, "And maybe just check on me in the way you would have normally if I hadn't been kidnapped by Victor Cassadine."
"I guess that would make sense," Max said.
Neither Max or Charles spoke much as they sipped their coffee.
"So Milo said, Monica showed up for the media circus at the police station," Max said eventually.
"Yes, she did," Charles said, smiling more to himself.
"And how are things between you two?" Max asked.
"We're taking it one day at time," Charles said, "Seeing where things go from here."
"Is that all?" Max asked.
Charles gave Max a look.
"I'm taking her to dinner when she gets back from a medical conference," Charles said.
"Good," Max said, "I really hope you can work it back out with Monica."
"We'll just have to wait and see," Charles said, "Are you and Diane ever going to tie the knot?"
"Point taken, Uncle Charles," Max said as he and Charles then continued to sip their coffees.
Lorenzo and Alexis's House
"What brings you by?" Lorenzo asked when he answered the door to find Jason.
"I want to run something by you," Jason said, "See what you know about it."
"Sounds like I should be concerned," Lorenzo said, stepping outside and closing the door.
"I want to know what you know about Pikeman," Jason said.
"Stay far, far away from them," Lorenzo said, "Which is easier said than done considering Sonny's gone into business with them."
"Kellie told me your shipping company doesn't do business with Pikeman," Jason said, "Please don't pretend that you're not her partner."
"Wouldn't dream of it, not when she's the public face of the company," Lorenzo said, "And if Pikeman were to decide to involve her whether she wants to be involved or not. I've been concerned ever since I heard they were sniffing around Port Charles. We don't do business with them, but I wouldn't trust Pikeman not to try to force it if they wanted it."
"I don't either," Jason said, "I know Kellie has her concerns. I just need to know you'll keep me in the loop if anything comes up with Pikeman on your end."
"I can do that," Lorenzo said, "To be honest, I hate that Kellie has anything to do with this company at all. It's never worked out like we thought it would. First the five families seeing her acquisition of it as her joining them at the table and now Pikeman in the area."
"It did what she wanted," Jason said, "It's just there were unforeseen consequences."
"I should have just admitted to owning the company and used it on her behalf," Lorenzo said.
"We both know she told you she didn't want you risking yourself," Jason said, "I'm sure she offered to buy the whole company."
"She did," Lorenzo said.
"I'm glad you didn't," Jason said, "Any chance we could convince Kellie to sell back to you?"
Lorenzo considered his answer before replying to Jason.
"We can at least ask," Jason said.
"Let me think on it," Lorenzo replied.
Jason looked at Lorezno, assessing his response.
"You have something in mind already," Jason said.
Lorenzo shrugged and said, "Maybe."
"Well, what is it?" Jason asked.
"Is there anything else you needed to discuss?" Lorenzo asked.
"No," Jason answered.
"If you'll excuse then, Alexis is waiting for me," Lorenzo said, opening the door and going back in the house.
Jason shook his head and left.