Risk

Chapter XLV

Negotiation

"He isn't going to believe any of you!" Liz starts backing up into the middle of the living room of the suite. "Lucky trusts me." Big mistake her backing up lets Gia and Penny into the room.

"His mistake." Gia retorts. She comes into the suite. "He should know what a deceptive... oh what a play on words there... bitch you are. You had everyone snowed when you were climbing all over Nikolas to fool Helena."

"And you were taking Lucky to your room!" Liz counters.

"I never lied to Nikolas, or Lucky and Stavros for that matter. They knew exactly who my guy was. You on the other hand... whether it was on the yacht, port charles Grille, or the shower of the cottage... you seem to be fuzzy on that one depending on whoever is around."

"If I had to cover another shift because she ditched out early to go riding with Jason." Penny rolls her eyes.

"I guess she needed something powerful between her thighs." Gia nods. "That's it, right Elizabeth? It wasn't the wind... you wanted something hot and hard between your legs. Course if it was just the motorcycle that doesn't explain why I was finding pieces of your clothing in Jason's room over Jakes."

"Carly sabotaged my shoot I had to talk to someone!"

"But you couldn't talk to Lucky? He was right there! He was the guy taking the pictures remember?" Gia counters.

"Actually I don't think I sabotaged that shoot. It was Laura with her breakfast at Tiffany fantasy." Carly shudders. "Oh yeah, like that would have hit Deception's demographic."

"You know I came in early for you... I stayed late for you. I bent over backwards for you." Penny says softly. "We never told Bobbie how you were taking advantage. The way you'd close up early or open late. I just want to know why? Is that why you thought you could steal from us? Because we hadn't called you on your crap up to that point? I was nearly fired from my other job because I was covering for you. But did you ever say thanks? Did you every acknowledge that you were getting a perk nobody else was getting? Do you know that tips are up over 25% since you left? How long, Liz? How long were you stealing from me?"

"That is just a misunderstanding-- Bobbie wouldn't listen to my side of the story... I cleared those tables... those tips were mine!"

Penny quirks a brow. "No, more than clear, honey, right from the get go. The person who writes the ticket gets the tip. Why else would we have the jar under the counter? If the person who cleared the tables got the tip then there would be no need for it. And you knew it. Cause you always tried to leave enough to not draw suspicion. Until the day you got greedy and I got fed up."

"I wish I had popcorn." Carly laments. "This is so good."

"Just shut up, you bitch!" Liz turns on Carly.

"Oh no, cause we're just getting to the good part. We're getting to the part where you lied to Lucky, you lied to Nikolas, you lied to Laura. You had everyone turn on Bobbie who has been nothing but great to you and whose only flaw was trying to keep covering your ass. The part where you set Gia up...so the guys would go off on her rather than figure out what a lying piece of gloss you are. Did you really think you wouldn't get caught?"

"Who are you to talk!" Liz snarls. "You lie about everything. You didn't even know who your son's father was until they did DNA! You had everyone dancing to your tune until they figured out what a psycho you are and locked you up! The only mistake they made was letting you back out!"

"Is that why you are always in my face? Because you want to be me? You jealous that while you were panting around and being coy that I was actually having an adult relationship? Or did you think you could hop into the void that Robin left as being the perfect Princess of Port Charles? You don't like me... fine. There was no reason for our paths to ever cross. You had Lucky... you had your permenant lock but that wasn't good enough for you was it? You had to have Jason and Nik and every other guy in town."

"If you hurt my friends I'm going to let you know it."

"And you don't expect me to do the same?! Or when I do-- go running to the nearest man to say oh poor widdle wizzie, Carly's being mean to me? You come into my home-- act like I'm the guest there. Call the child I lost a meal ticket. But why is that a really big surprise to anyone. Sensativity was never your long suit and it wasn't the first time you called my baby a meal ticket. Tell me, Lizzie. While I was in the hospital losing the baby were you in the waiting room telling my husband it was probably for the best? What did I ever do to you?"

"You cheated on Emily's brother!"

"Yeah, so... which one? They're both big boys. They got a problem with me they can take it up with me. And I'll deal cause I'm a grown up. Maybe you didn't hear me. What did I ever do to you. What did I ever do to you to justify you getting in my face?"

"You betrayed Jason! You almost got him killed! While he was getting shot you were fucking his best friend."

"Oh now we get to it. You are ticked at me because that night you were rubbing all over and kissing on him at Jakes, Jason left to take care of business. And you are ticked at me because Jason is in a dangerous business. Nevermind that he was in that business long before I met him. You are ticked at me because Jason is a dangerous guy... and you just can't handle him. So you went running back to Lucky as soon as he got back. Was it true love or was it settling for safe? You weren't happy with your pitiful little life and decided to make mine hell."

"Alexis' wedding shower." Gia nods. "I was wondering what the hell was going on there."

"And I don't know how often Liz would start something at Kelly's with Carly and then play all innocent as soon as any guy would come in." Penny agrees ignoring Liz and talking to Gia.

There is a knock on the door that get's Liz's hopes up for a rescue but it's not to be as Gia nods. "That's probably Nik. He got the short straw and had to wait in the hall for round two."

"Oh this is just too good to be true." Luke says grimly. "Let go of my kid, Stavros."

Stavros angles himself so that Lucky is facing Luke. "I think not. You do have a death wish; don't you, Spencer?"

"Yeah, Yours. You okay, Lucky?"

"Put the gun down, Dad."

"He do some kind of mojo on you, Cowboy?"

"Dad, this doesn't involve you."

"He's got his hands around your neck-- couldn't involve me more. Blood sucking SOB. Couldn't just stay dead. Well I can fix that."

"Could you please find another refrain?" Stavros asserts with a bored tone in his voice. "You were not invited to this party and I'm quite sure Caroline frowns on crashers."

"My niece know you got your hands around my kid's throat?"

"Well she made me promise not to kill him. But if you kill him-- I'm sure she'll understand."

"Stavros, you made your point. Let me go." Lucky says softly. "You and Carly were a little late with the party." Stavros releases his hold, blading his body to make a narrower target for Luke expecting Lucky to step out of the way. But Lucky surprises him by maintaining a shielding position. "Put the gun down, Dad."

Lucky steps toward Luke. Luke steps back maintaining distance between him and his son. "No offense, Cowboy. But you're not acting right. Just step out of the way. Just step aside."

"Dad, this has got nothing to do with us. Nothing to do with Stavros even. This was between Carly and Elizabeth and from the sounds of it... long overdue."

"Then why'd he have you primed to snap your neck?"

"So I didn't interfere. But it's all cool now, Dad. Just walk away."

"Fraid I can't do that, Cowboy." Luke cocks the gun. "Move out of the..." Luke crumples to the ground leaving Jason standing there behind where Luke had stood.

"Another of those no win situations?" Stavros quips referring to his first meeting with Jason. "It took you long enough."

"Yeah, only this time I'm not the guy with the headache." Jason turns to Max. "Take him to the plane and make sure he doesn't leave." With a smooth motion Max lifts Luke into a fireman carry. Jason picks the gun off the ground and stuffs it in the back of his jeans and then covers it with his leather jacket. "I'd love to know where he got this sucker."

"Guns are like cigars-- Dad can find them any where." Lucky says wryly.

Distracted from the drama indoors she'd set up by the noise outside, Carly bursts out of the french doors. "What the hell is going on?! What is Luke doing here?! Stavros!"

"I didn't touch him." Stavros holds up both hands in a surrender motion.

"Lucky?"

"He didn't." Lucky reluctantly confirms.

"You are getting predictable, Carly. Luke probably figured you and Stavros would show up here. All he had to do was wait using Lucky and Liz as bait." Jason says wryly. "Max, take him to the plane. It's getting a little too light out for you to be carrying him around."

"Right boss."

"Damn! And things were going so well." Carly complains. "Why can't things just go as I plan once?!"

"Because you make them too complicated?" Jason suggests.

"You guys get in here before they start calling the front desk or something." Carly urges standing back from the doors.

Elizabeth blanches as Lucky comes in followed by Jason and the man she recognized from the papers as Stavros Cassadine. "Oh Lucky!" She runs into his arms. "It was so awful. You wouldn't believe the mean things Carly was saying to me... the lies she told everyone about me." Liz sobs.

"I know," Lucky says softly. "I heard the whole thing."

Liz stiffens and steps back. "Lucky?"

"Can't say it's been nice seeing you all-- but I think Elizabeth and I need some privacy." Lucky looks over at Nik. "Where are you staying?"

Stavros answers. "Rooms have been acquired for all of them."

"Uh-oh!" Gia is shaking her head.

"Separate rooms." Carly interjects. "I can't believe Luke showed up. He screws everything up."

"Stavros, will you please get her out of here?" Jason rubs his forehead. Maybe Luke wasn't going to be the only one with a headache afterall.

"Come Caroline. I'm sure Michael will be waking soon."

"Fine... fine. Party poopers." Carly stalks toward the front door of the suite.

Nik holds a hand out and stops Stavros from following her. "I need to speak to Carly later."

"I will order breakfast." Stavros nods. "I know Michael would like to see you." Stavros tells Jason.

"I'll be along." Jason nods.

Nik maintains eye contact with Elizabeth while he says softly. "Jason, will you please ensure that Gia and Penny find their rooms. I have to speak to my brother and his fiance-- privately." Jason shrugs and putting a hand on the base of Gia's back and Penny's too walks them out of the suite.

"Nikolas, I don't think there is anything left to say." Lucky tries to cut short the conversation. He and Liz had their own discussion to have but it wouldn't be in front of others.

"It's business and it won't take long." Nikolas shuts the door after the trio who'd just left. Nik's voice is cold when he turns back to Elizabeth. "You will never be the Face of Deception. Never."

"I never said I wanted to be FOD, but I really think it's up to Laura." Liz tries to gut it out. "Nikolas, this was all set up by Carly. She's pulling strings. Don't let her manipulate you."

"That might work on my brother. It will not work on me. Things have changed since you left for Italy. Mother is no longer the sole owner of Deception. She has taken on a partner, a partner with veto power, unlike the arrangement she had with Carly. Me. You will never be the Face of Deception. Gia is our spokesmodel. She is here in Italy now and will finish the shoot with Lucky. Your presence is as redundant as it's ever been. Whether my brother decides to send you back to Port Charles is up to him. But Lucky is here to work. And work he shall... with Gia."

"Enough, Nik." Lucky says quietly. "You and I need to talk about what the hell you did to Mom but it's not going to happen now. I need to talk to Elizabeth. I'll call you later."

"I can't believe that damn Luke!" Carly slams into the suite she shares with Stavros on the far side of the Four Season's Hotel from Lucky and Liz's discreet little cottage style suite. "I wasn't even half done with that little witch. Nik had just arrived to give her the one two punch-- really set her up so that Jason could finish her off. And then Luke shows up and ruins everything!"

"Yes, he has always been the bane of my existence as well." Stavros shuts the door Carly left open.

"And please. He's suppose to think you're the big bad right? So he sets his kid up as bait? That's cold. What the hell is he thinking?"

"Probably with as little foresight as when Laura and your mother moved all the children out of town but failed to notify you that I was back-- leaving both you and Michael unprotected from the Cassadine menace."

Carly waves a hand dismissing history. "Mama thought Sonny was going to handle it."

"Little did she know your husband was more concerned with his attorney's well being than yours."

"Well hindsight is 20/20 and all that." Carly paces. "Damn! I was so close."

"Caroline."

"What?!" Carly says sharply as she turns impatiently.

"Young Spencer was convinced long before Nikolas came to the door. I suspect he was half convinced before you walked in the door. Your strategy didn't go as planned. It does not mean you haven't succeeded in your goal."

"He knows she is a lying manipulative witch?" Carly says hopefully.

"I believe the point has been... hammered home."

"Mama, mama!" Michael comes running from out of his room. "We're not in Gstaad! Are we in Paris? Are we in France?"

"Told you so." Carly says to Stavros over Michael's shoulder as she catches him on the run and swings him around. Michael wraps his legs around Carly's waist. "Dang you're getting heavy, Mr Man." Carly dips him over like she is going to drop him on his head which sets him to giggling, his babyfine, straight, bed-head red hair already sticking out all over the place.

"We're in Italy, Michael." Stavros offers. "Business came up overnight."

"Aw!" Michael protests. "Was it the damn attorneys?"

"No, it was your Uncle Jason... who is also in Italy and will be joining us for breakfast." Stavros passes on the good news.

"YEAH!!!!" Michael cheers. Still hanging upside down his hands go out to brush toward the ground.

"So you had better get ready for your day. And I'm sure your Uncle Jason is going to want to see your pictures from Switzerland."

"Okay!" Carly flips Michael back upright and then puts him down and he starts racing back to his room but stops midway and turns around. "Mama, what are you doing up? You are never up in the morning. You should be asleep!" He orders demandingly.

"If he's getting bossy it's all your fault." Carly mutters to Stavros. "I'll take a nap later if I get tired." She says louder to Michael.

Michael repeats what he'd heard early in his life. "A long nap so you won't be cranky tonight."

"Go! Get dressed! Or I'll eat what ever passes for your waffle in this place!" Carly points in the direction of Michael's room. Michael goes running laughing to his room. Carly is laughing when she turns back toward Stavros. "He's getting too big for his britches... it's a good thing he's cute." Carly tilts her head to the side at the expression on Stavros face. "Stavros?"

He moves in closer sliding his leg between Carly's, his hand resting low on her back and the other hand extending down her side in an almost petting motion from waist to hip. "I'm afraid you are outvoted, my sweet."

"Oh?"

"Yes, I think we both should take a long nap this afternoon... so I won't be cranky tonight."

Jason assists with the check in. When Gia sees that she and Nikolas are given adjoining suites she changes the passkeys so that she and Penny have the adjoining rooms. Jason shakes his head when he sees that one. While Penny is distracted by the huge grand foyer of the hotel, Jason pulls Gia aside. Reaching into his wallet, he pulls out a credit card. "Take Penny shopping. I didn't exactly give her time to pack before we left."

Gia makes the credit card disappear with a skill that would make either Houdini or Carly proud. "What about me? Shopping services get paid."

"Miss FOD, I think you'll be getting plenty of perks on this trip." Jason says wryly. "One thing." He holds up a finger. "One. I'm not going to be staying long. Can't leave things in PC.. I have to get Luke back." Jason changes direction. "Whoever is going to be hitching a ride back better be ready to go by tomorrow morning. Pick something up for Max too. I don't think he'll be seeing much of the sites."

"Poor Max. All the way to Italy and all he gets to see is the inside of an airplane." Gia shakes her head. "Hey Penny! You want to go exploring now and we'll check out the rooms later."

"Oh Gawd yes!" Penny enthuses.

"See ya." Gia strides off to join Penny. "Tell Carly I'll check in.... unless we are having way too much fun." She says over her shoulder.

Jason shakes his head going back over to the clerk. "Ring Stavros Cassadine's room." The clerk does so and hands Jason the phone. "What room you in?" Jason nods as he confirms and then hands the phone back to the clerk.

Nikolas calls Stavros on the cell phone to get the room number his father is in and beats Jason there. He knocks on the door. It is answered by Michael over Carly's loud protests. "You're not Uncle Jason." Michael says disappointedly.

"No, he should be along soon. Is your mother here?" Nikolas inquires.

"Mama, Nikolas wants to talk to you!" Michael shouts back over his shoulder. Nikolas walks into the room. Glancing around. "Stavros is ordering breakfast. You want something special?"

"I'm fine."

"Okay. I'll tell him." Michael goes racing off.

"Nik." Carly says quietly from the side.

"Carly. I believe we have business to discuss. Privately."

Carly looks around and then shrugs. She grabs her coat and steps out onto the balcony. Nik follows her. He buttons his coat back up and follows Carly's lead taking a seat at the small cafe style table on the balcony. "It's your meeting. So talk."

"You are holding up the essence to Deception and I believe also behind the wildcat strike at the glass factory here in Italy."

"Really?" Carly shrugs not saying one way or another.

"So lets make a deal."

"What do you have that I want?"

"Up to twenty three percent of Deception-- depending on what you can bring to the table."

"Twenty three?!" Carly scoffs. "I wouldn't get out of bed for 23%. Deception is mine and I'm going to have all of it. I earned it."

"Right now you have access to 2% if Sonny doesn't get to it first. Hardly a foot in the door." Nik says softly.

"You don't get it." Carly shakes her head. "Been there done that. I'm over being the junior partner. And why would you give up control? You just got it. Junior partner is like being vice president. It isn't worth a bucket of spit."

"You are applying the wrong analogy." Nik corrects. "I am offering an alliance. Together we would still control the company."

"You control the company already."

"Not exactly. In addition to all the trouble making you've done, to stop Laura from further driving the company to the brink of red ink I have instituted a policy in my agreement with her. There must be two signatures on any major expenditures. That means she and I have to agree."

"Oh good freaking luck with that one." The voice of experience speaks.

"Exactly. But the agreement is worded... two major shareholders. The 2% might count if there wasn't something greater available. But if you were to hold 23% and I 27%... we would be two of the three major shareholders... together even if my mother solely holds the other 48%."

"And if you're always voting with her I still don't have spit."

"You don't have... spit now. And look at all the trouble you've caused. Do not confuse me with your husband. It is not about my mother's vision for Deception. It is about my vision for the company. One that is more closely alligned with yours I suspect."

"Who gets the big office?"

"My mother." Nik holds up a hand before Carly can protest. "Where she can file her nails or peruse Lesley Lu's artwork. The only way she can get anything done is if she gets one of us to agree with her. I don't see it happening. Do not get hung up on your past plans for the company. Your situation has changed. The deal I am offering you might not come with the big office but it comes with flexibility. I'm sure you've seen in the last few months with my father what you can accomplish with only a laptop. Do you really care who has the big office? Or do you care who has the power?"

"You said up to 23%."

"I want the essence back on line, the wildcat strike over. And your creative input on future campaigns. I will demand your creative input. I have more experience than you on money matters-- or rather with budgets and the nickels and dimes of the bottom line."

Carly laughs. "Nickels and dimes."

"You know what I mean."

"Yeah, I do." Carly stretches her feet out under the table and leans back. "How long do you think it will take for Laura to get fed up and want to be bought out?"

"It depends on how well we work together. If she senses dissention..."

Carly groans. "You're talking about parenting her. Not allowing her to split or play us. I feel like I'm reading one of my magazines. And anything you can do with me you can do with her... including teaming up with her against me when she bats her baby blues or..." Carly makes little mock tear trails down her cheeks.

"And you'll remind me what she did to Gia."

"Just as soon as you get that glazed over look." Carly says flatly. "Okay... so you are ticked at Laura. You're trying to get Gia back. You've probably taken a ton of flack for marginalizing Laura. And Lucky probably hasn't even found out yet. You stick to your guns and they'll say you're being Cassadine... you're just like your father.... blah blah blah blah. You kissed off the estate because you didn't want to be a Cassadine, cause you didn't want to be like your father. You've gone beyond 180's to 540's and you're making my head spin."

"Cut the crap, Carly. You're planning on taking over Deception. And every share you get of the company is gravy. You have access to 2% of the company now. I'm offering you 23% more. As it stands now, I have 50% and you know that I will not allow Deception to fall into the straits you need in order to take over. If I have to buy the essence company in Istanbul to stop you-- I will do it."

Carly starts laughing. "Too late. You couldn't afford it."

"You own the essence company." Nikolas realizes.

"Istanbul was beautiful, and Michael had such a good time there." Carly grins. "Your daddy took us cruising on the Tiber."

"Stefan took me when I was a little older than Michael." Nikolas remembers. "In between really tedious meetings with bankers."

"No wonder you hate the Estate so much." Carly shakes her head. "Michael loathes business... the way Sonny and Jason do it. But he loves business the way Stavros does it. Okay-- lets pretend I take you up on your offer instead of waiting until I can clean your mother's clock. Your father and I are friends."

"Yeah." Nik says wryly.

"I live with your father."

"Carly, you answer his damn phone. I know you live with Stavros."

"Well the plan was for me to get half of the company and butt heads with you on a daily basis and gradually drag you back to dealing with your Dad. Or as Stavros says..." Carly drops her voice until it is low and growlly. "...Rule Deception with his son by my side." Her voice returns to normal. "You're talking about us... cooperating. That means we can't fight at the office. Not possible... sorry. I'm me. I fight. I enjoy it. It's what I do. You are going to be spending a LOT of time around your father."

"Am I going to be fighting with both of you regarding Deception?"

"No. Deception is mine. I don't fight with Stavros about the Estate; he doesn't fight with me about Deception. But he and Michael will probably score the rounds. As long as you don't try to bite my ear off... he won't get in the middle." Carly shakes her head. "It'll never work. You couldn't handle the heat."

"Deception..."

"I'm not talking about Deception. I get that you were trained from birth to run a multinational. And that didn't mean anything to me three months ago but I get it now. I'm talking about the heat-- from Lucky, Laura, Luke about taking Deception from poor widdle Laura. I'm talking heat from Alexis and Stefan for having dealings with Stavros. Even if you are actually dealing with me and not Stavros. Anything that puts you in a room on a regular basis with Stavros is gonna make Stefan crazy. And then there is the rest of PC that is going to think you are crazy for bring me into the equation."

"I couldn't care less about the opinion of the people of Port Charles." Nikolas practically sniffs when he says it.

Carly grins. "Damnnnnn. You almost sounded Cassadine there. Fine. I'll take the 23% and ease up the pressure. But that's what you get for the 23%... the essence and the bottles. But if you ever want out... I get first refusal on your shares."

Nik holds out his hand. "Deal."

Carly takes it and shakes. "Deal."