Risk

Chapter XLVII

Changing Direction

Fluid cash reserves are a wonderful thing. And despite the grandeur of the abode it is really just a drop in the bucket of his holdings. Kristina is already over at Alexis' penthouse packing all of Alexis' personal items. and making arrangements for movers to pack out the furnishings. Items Alexis had purchased to replace those that Sonny had destroyed when he decided to try to blow the top off the Harborview Towers.

"All the paperwork is in order, Mr Jacks." the Bank officer comes out of the manager's office. "It'll just take a week to ten days to close and then you'll get the keys to your new home. Congratulations!" The Bank officer holds out his hand. Normally at this point the person on the other side of the desk started doing a happy jig. It was the favorite part of his job.

Jax shakes his head and makes a little circular motion with one finger. "You turn right back around and finish whatever it's going to take for you to hand me the keys today."

"Mr Jacks! That is highly unorthodox! We need to do a title search... there are inspections..."

Jax shakes his head again. "I'm paying cash and I'll deal with whatever comes up. I want the keys now. This house has the advantage of being unoccupied but it isn't the only property that will do. So either get me keys or send me on my way."

"Mr Jacks..." Only knowing Jax by reputation, the bank officer still recognizes a resolve face when he sees one and sighs heavily. "I'll be right back." The Officer stops in the doorway. "Mr Jacks, the title search and inspections are for your protection."

Jax names a sum a thousand dollars less than his original offer price. "...and my offer will keep going down the longer you make me wait. I suggest you get a move on before you lose the sale for your bank."

The ringing of the cell phone interrupts Kristina's careful packing of Alexis' desk contents. Knowing her sister, she knew Alexis would freak if some stranger touched her files. Probably more so than if someone went thru her underwear drawer. "Hello?" Kristina keeps packing holding the cell phoen to her ear. "What do you want me to do? What if they won't go for it? Okay." Kristina straightens and pulls her long straight red hair back off her neck. "I'll call the movers then." She glances down at her watch. "I'll set it up for tomorrow afternoon. What was the next thing on the list? Staff? Okay, I think I have an idea there too. You'll have the keys tonight? You're sure? Okay." Kristina hangs up and then grabs Alexis' yellow pages. She makes about a half dozen phone calls and then gets back to packing Alexis desk.

"What do you think you're doing?!" Zander protests loudly from the open door.

"Stavros had a list of demands before he'll release Alexis from her vacation. And the first was she has to live in a house suitable for her station." Kristina adds sarcastically.

"But this is a penthouse! In the best building in town!" Zander protests.

"Not good enough."

"What does he expect? The Quartermaine Mansion?!" Zander retorts sarcastically and is surprised when Kristina nods.

"Yeah, that's about right. Jax is taking care of that now. The sooner we get Alexis stuff moved the quicker she can come home."

Zander rolls up his sleeves. "What can I do to help?"

Stefan hangs up the phone. Bobbie looks up from where she is arranging a vase of flowers. The study needed something to brighten it up. "No luck?"

"I have no idea where Nikolas is. I even tried to call Miss Campbell and her cell number says she is out of the area." Stefan's frustration comes thru.

"Do you want me to call Carly?"

Stefan is torn. But he bites back his instinctive yes. "No, I'm sure Nikolas has a reasonable explanation for his absence."

"STEFAN!!" Laura launches herself into the study.

"I'm sorry, sir. I tried to tell Mrs Spencer she had to wait to be announced." Mrs Lansbury trails after Laura, standing in the doorway.

"It's all right, Mrs Lansbury." Bobbie lets her off the hook. Mrs Lansbury nods and departs closing the door. "Laura."

"Bobbie." Laura says automatically but doesn't lose her focus on Stefan. "What have you done to my son?!"

"Lucky? I've had no contact with Lucky." Stefan denies.

"Nikolas! What have you done to Nikolas? How did you manage to poison him against me?!"

"I have no idea of what you speak. Perhaps if I had more details..."

"He bought half of my company! He's trying to take over! You put him up to this!"

"Excuse me, Laura. But it would be impossible for Nikolas to buy half of your company or take over without your consent. It is my understanding that you own Deception in it's entirety. So if you've lost a piece of your company... it was with your direct knowledge."

"He tricked me! Yes, he said he was buying a piece of the company... but half?! Scotty says Alexis wrote the contract. The print couldn't have been smaller."

Bobbie and Stefan exchange a glance. Unless Nikolas planned this weeks ago... there was no way... no way unless Stavros had know about it and given some kind of approval. "And it is Nik who owns half of Deception?" Bobbie seeks to clarify.

"Of course!" Laura says impatiently. "I was there when he signed the contracts."

"Stavros cut Nikolas off." Bobbie reminds Stefan. "Where did he get the money?" Then she asks Laura sarcastically. "Unless you sold him half for a dollar, the way you took it away from my daughter?!"

"I didn't put that clause in the contract. Sonny did! Nikolas came to the meeting with a two million dollar check."

"Another contract Alexis wrote. That should have been your first clue." Bobbie turns back to Stefan. "Where did Nikolas get two million dollars?"

Stefan nods thoughtfully. "Perhaps from the nest egg I provided for him to protect him from Helena."

"You gave Nikolas two million dollars?" Laura's jaw drops.

"Five actually. That was over a year ago. Who knows how much he has now. He must have overcome his reluctance to use tainted Cassadine money."

"Yeah, you must have too, Laura." Bobbie interjects. "Nik stopped offering to do things for you a long time ago. He wouldn't have offered the money... unless you asked." Laura looks away and Bobbie pounces on the nonverbal cue. "You did, didn't you? You asked him for money?! After everything you've said about the Cassadines? And how evil they are-- but you'll take the cash."

Laura straightens and her jaw stiffens. "I asked Nikolas for a small loan." Laura says in a calm voice. "He is the one who brought a check for two million and a contract. That is not what I asked for."

"And did this two million pay off your previously preferred financial resource? The Crime syndicate of Port Charles?!" Stefan says the last with a clear distain.

"The financing of Deception is none of your business!!"

"Quite right." Stefan picks up the phone and dials a single number. "Mrs Lansbury, please notify the launch pilot that Mrs Spencer will be leaving."

"But..."

"As you said-- it is none of our business." Stefan refers to himself and Bobbie. The door opens and the ever vigilant housekeeper enters. "Mrs Lansbury will show you out." Stefan rises stiffly to his feet to indicate the conversation is over.

When Jax arrives at Alexis' penthouse, Zander is directing the movers out of the apartment and holding the large freight elevator for them. Zander sees Jax and points inside the apartment. Jax nods and follows Zander's directions inside Alexis' apartment. Kristina is talking to the foreman and signing paperwork. "And this will be delivered to this address tomorrow afternoon?" She confirms again.

"You going to be signing for it at the other end?"

"I'll be there." Kristina nods as she forges Alexis signature on the bottom of the triplicate forms. The foreman leaves with the last of the items. The walls are bare, furnishings gone with only dents in the carpeting to indicate something had rested there. "Did you get it?" Jax holds up the keys. "Yes! you are amazing."

"You're not so bad yourself." Jax indicates the empty apartment. "So what's next?"

"I've got four different temp services sending people tomorrow morning to clean the place from top to bottom before the furniture arrives." She shrugs. "Just offer permenant jobs to the best of them."

Zander comes into the apartment and grabs his jacket off of the bannister. "I'm going to head back to the warehouse. With Jason out of town I gotta double check the shipments."

"Morgan is out of town?" Jax inquires.

Zanders lips go tight as he silently curses himself. "Later Kristina. I'll let you know if Alexis emails me." Zander leaves in a hurry.

"First Corinthos and now Morgan." Jax muses.

"Zander said Jason will be back soon. Jason didn't tell anyone where he was going. Just that if was going to be a short trip."

"I'll bet. He can't afford to not be a presence."

"I tried to call Nik and Gia but there was no answer on either of their cell phones. I think maybe they are off together trying to work things out."

"Maybe-- but I don't think so. I'm starting to recognize the smell of your brother's handiwork-- and I don't mean Stefan."

"Well that wasn't fun." Bobbie indicates as Laura leaves. Bobbie starts putting on her coat.

"Where are you off to?" Stefan asks and then winces.

Bobbie grins and quirks a brow but doesn't give Stefan a well deserved ration at his nosiness. Better for him to ask-- than for him to have her followed. "I have to go to Kelly's. Penny called me yesterday over at the hospital. She had to go out of town for a couple of days. She made sure her shifts were covered, of course. But I want to help Audrey pack Elizabeth's things as well."

"Pack her things?"

"Really not a good idea for Liz and Penny to be living in the same building." Bobbie explains wryly. "I gave Liz notice before she took off for Italy."

"I'll sent along a member of the staff here to expedite the matter."

"No offense, Stefan. While I might be on the outs with Liz I don't want to annoy Audrey-- not now."

"The Quartermaines are no concern! Your position at GH is secure."

"Famous last words. I'll be back before Lucas' bedtime." Bobbie tightens the belt of her heavy coat and wraps the scarf around her neck. "Don't let him sucker you into letting him go riding before his homework is done."

"I will stand firm."

"Right. He's got you wrapped around his little finger with the case of the guilts you've got... and worse Lucas knows it." Bobbie retorts then leaves with a wave.

Ignoring Bobbie's last remark since it was more accurate than he cared to admit, Stefan opens up his laptop an starts reviewing GH policies. There was something here that would be the hammer on Alan and Monica.

"Elton? Is Nikolas there?" Laura checks in with the office on her cell phone while taking the launch back to the docks after her frustrating visit with Stefan.

"Oh Mrs Spencer! I'm so glad you called! He hasn't come in because he's off settling that wildcat strike! It's just so John Wayne... him flying off..."

"He settled the strike?"

"Oh you bet he did! I just got a call from the factory owner! Everyone is back to work! It's like it never happened! And I'm holding right here in my hot little hand a faxed copy of the Essence contract for the next three years! It just needs your signature and we're back in business." Elton says gleefully.

"Messenger it over to Scotty for review." Laura directs having learned her lesson. "I'm going to pick Lulu up from school and drop her off with my mom and then I'll be back in the office."

"I'll take care of it."

"Thanks Elton."

Kristina looks over the grand foyer of Jax's latest acquisition. She slowly turns in a circle. "It's huge. There is no way that Alexis furnishings are going to fill this place. Do you have..."

Jax shakes his head. "I've always traveled light. Picked up what I needed as I went. Kinda handy having it empty though. We can have the wedding here ASAP and not worry about moving the furniture around."

"Define ASAP?" Kristina gets a sinking feeling.

"Just what it means... as soon as possible. I want to be able to send an email to Stavros tomorrow. With pictures of the house and a date set for Alexis' to be here. He said arranged the wedding and he'd make sure the bride is here."

"Jax, it takes forever to do a wedding. I mean really do one."

"Alexis went thru the whole wedding plan thing for her aborted wedding with Ned. Elton probably still has the plans and all the contacts. One week, Kristina. I'm setting the date for a week from tomorrow."

"But guest lists, caterers, colors..."

"Elton should have all that." Jax stonewalls. "As soon as Stavros says it's a go. Then we're going."

"And what if he says yes and then decides to not follow thru? What if he still keeps Alexis? What then?"

"Then I hunt him down and kill him."

Kristina's eyes go wide. "But... you can't really mean...."

"I've tried stealth. I've tried bargaining. I'm trying cooperating and giving him what he wants. If that doesn't work then I'm going to hunt him down and kill him. That should stop him from moving Alexis around and actually give Stefan a chance of finding her. One week, Kristina. The invitations will go out by messenger tomorrow night with the ink still wet if need be."

"Then it might be nice to have a guest list."

"I think Elton is working over at Deception now. I'll drop you off over at the Gatehouse. You can fill Ned in. Hell put him in charge of music or something."

Zander has gone thru the last of the invoices and double checked everything that had come in and gone out. He sits down at his small desk on the floor of the coffee warehouse. The guys have already cleared out for the night and locked up. All he has to do is hit the lights and set the security system and he's done for the day. But before that there is one last thing do to... something for him. He flips the computer on.

<<< Dear Alexis, >>>

Bobbie brings up more boxes from the kitchen area of Kelly's. Audrey is zipping up the contents of Liz's closet. "Great! Those should be perfect for Liz's odds and ends." Audrey sighs. "She should really have done this before she left for Italy. But it will be good to have her home. The house echos sometimes I think. It's too big for one person, even one with a cranky cat." Audrey looks over at Bobbie. "I've become a stereotype."

"Audrey, you're a beautiful woman. And you have a very full life with all the things you do at GH and your humanitarian work. I know you still miss Steve but you haven't let that define you."

"But it does. I work in the hospital that he ran. I live in the house that we shared together. His dreams were always mine. He was the one with a vision. I've just tried to keep it running."

Bobbie sits down on the bed and gathering some old newspapers starts wrapping knicknacks carefully putting them in the boxes. "It sounds like you're wanting to make a change."

"Is that so wrong?"

Bobbie shakes her head. "Oh hell no."

"I love my work; I do. Don't get me wrong. But sometimes... like when I get an email from Jeff or from Tom. Jeff has his work in Bosnia. He's talking about going to Afghanistan now. He's got the experience in dealing with landmines and the damage they do. And Tom's work in Africa... he's really on the front lines when it comes to fighting the virus and taking care of those afflicted. And me... I'm riding herd on student nurses, snotty interns and reams of paperwork."

"When you put it like that..." Bobbie grins and shakes her head.

"It's just a fantasy." Audrey goes over the dresser and starts unloading the drawers into a footlocker style trunk.

"If that's what you want it to be." Bobbie agrees. "I know that Stefan would back whatever you want to do... or at least I think he would. He knows what it's like to put your life on hold to fulfill the weight of a dynasty. and you're talking about the same kind of thing. For him it's been the Cassadine estate and for you it's been GH. How much vacation time do you have coming?"

Audrey snorts. "It's embarassing."

"How much?"

"I have over 270 days."

Bobbie's eyes go wide and she pauses in midwrap. "You're kidding?!"

"I never go anywhere. I don't have kids at home that I have to take time off for vacations and the like. All I do is work. And the trips I do take are on hospital business: nursing symposiums, management trainings. They are all considered work days." Audrey says sheepishly.

Bobbie does the mental math. "Audrey, you could take a year off... paid. A year long sabbatical! To do anything you wanted!"

"I know. I know everytime I look at my paystub and see those days looking back at me. Everytime I go by the travel store window and see pictures of sandy beaches and exotic locales."

"You should do it." Bobbie says resolutely. "Liz will be at home to take care of the house and the cat. I'll cover for you at work whenever you want. Even if it's just going to see Jeff and Tom and spending a week or a month. Or take a cruise!"

"Do you think?"

"Oh yeah. You deserve it." Bobbie nods. "Stop fantasizing and start planning, girl!"

Jax strides off the elevator into the Deception offices. He'd called ahead to make sure that Elton was still there.

Elton rises to his feet. "Mr Jacks! You sounded..." Elton drops his voice. "... so mysterious on the phone." Eltons body posture takes on a conspiratorial tilt. "What can I do for you?"

"Do you still have a file on Alexis Davis and Ned Ashton's wedding?"

Elton groans. "That debacle! It ruined my career as an events planner. I thought I'd have to declare bancruptcy over it." Then his eyes grow wide. "Don't tell me they are going to try again. I'd rent a semi instead of a limo this time! It seems to be the bride's preferred means of transportation!" Elton adds snottily.

"Same bride-- different groom. I want the file and I want your contacts."

"Who is the... lucky devil?" Elton can't help but ask.

"Me. How much is it going to cost for the file and your services?"

"My services?" Elton squeeks. He shakes his head. "I've seen nervous brides before but it'll take enough tranquilizers to take down an elephant to get Ms Davis to the altar. That girl has a serious phobia. I'm not normally one to suggest it but..." His voice drops again. "...live in sin. Trust me on this."

"How much?" Jax pulls out his check book. Elton names off an impossible sum more than four times the amount he'd charged the first time around. Jax doesn't even blink as he writes out the check and tears it from the book. "Here you go; the wedding is in one week. I need to see the guest list to make a few additions."

"A week." Elton squeeks again. "It's impossible. You have to rent a church or hall, the reception, showers, the wedding dress, the attendants.... It's impossible." He shakes his head fervently. "Baking the cake alone can take a week!"

"The wedding will be held here." Jax writes down the new address. "The reception will be held there too. Rent what you need. I don't care if nobody shows up. I don't care if it's just me, Alexis, the justice of the peace and the wedding license. One week." Jax writes down his cell number and that of Kristina. "Alexis is... out of the country right now. Her sister is handling the details. When can I get the guest list?"

Elton is on overwhelm and answers automatically. "It's at my place."

"Great! Get it to me tonight and I'll get it back to you in the morning. Use the same style of invitations as before just change the particulars. Kristina will be onsite all day tomorrow." Jax nods and then turns around and strides back to the elevator.

"But..."

"Get me the guest list." The elevator arrives and Jax steps into it.

"OhmyGAWD!!" Elton exclaims and then reaches for the phone. His hand pause in mid grab. Nope. No press on this one. He wasn't going to go thru the media nightmare he had before.

Lucas wanders into the study. He is still wearing his parka from going to school and has his bookbag strung over one shoulder. "Where's Mom?"

"She had business over at Kelly's." Stefan takes off his glasses and sets aside the laptop. "We are... baching it tonight I believe is the phrase."

"Kewl!" Lucas sheds his parka and flings it over the arm of the couch and drops his bookbag next to it. Then he frowns. "But you're not suppose to go riding 'cause of your ribs. What we gonna do?"

"It is still a school night." Stefan reminds. "And I was left with directions to make sure your homework was done before you go riding."

Lucas groans. "But it'll be dark! It gets dark too early. It's not fair." Lucas throws himself down on the couch. "Homework and then Mrs Lansbury will want to have dinner and by the time that's over it'll be DARK and I'll only get to go riding in the corral instead of on the trails! Thunder is bored with the corral. I'm bored with the corral! You just go in circles."

"Yes, I do see your very reasonable point." Stefan answers. He strokes his beard consideringly. "Something is going to have to give. I suppose you could do your homework after dinner."

"Yeah!!!" Lucas jumps and cheers.

"But--" Stefan holds up a single finger. "That means you have to be willing to give up your allotment of television and video games for the evening. That block of time would have to be used for your school work. And since I am unable to accompany you... you have to take one of the grooms with you on the trails."

"No problem! I'll go change right now." Lucas is about to race out of the room.

"Hang up your coat." Stefan calls out before Lucas gets too far. The child does a quick reverse and grabs his coat and then races from the room before Stefan can change his mind.

Bobbie's reminder floats into Stefan's thoughts like a pesky angel on his shoulder. "Don't let him sucker you into letting him go riding before his homework is done. He's got you wrapped around his little finger with the case of the guilts you've got... and worse Lucas knows it."

Stefan mutters aloud. "The exercise is good for him and he watches too much television. It is a reasonable exchange." He rationalizes.

"Sir?"

Stefan looks up to the housekeeper standing in the doorway. "Yes, Mrs Lansbury?"

"Mr Jacks is here to see you." She steps aside and Jax walks in. She is about to close the door when she hears Stefan's voice.

"Mrs Lansbury, please prepare a snack for Lucas to take riding with him."

"But Mrs Cassadine said... of course sir. I'll have cook take care of that." Mrs Lansbury nods and then shuts the door.

Stefan winces. Even the help knew he was a pushover. And there was going to be hell to pay later. He sighs. "Jax, what can I do for you?"

"Any luck?"

"Since the last time you called. Nothing of signifcance."

"I need a Cassadine guest list to add to the rest. The wedding will be at the house I just bought. You'll be getting your invitation hopefully tomorrow."

Stefan's brow goes up. "You've bought a house."

"And unless you find Alexis in the next week, there will be a wedding." Jax nods. "It wouldn't surprise me if your brother shows up just to make sure it comes off."