Risk

Chapter XL

Compliments and Curses

"You're looking good, Red." Jerry says quietly under the noise of the couples on the dance floor and the music.

"You shouldn't be here." Bobbie worries. "The PCPD, The FBI."

Jerry shrugs. "Someone arranged for a clean slate. Someone with some serious juice. Sent me a note in Macao with an ollie, ollie oxen free."

"Who..." Jerry had just turned Bobbie on the dance floor at the same time and she has a clear view of Stefan sitting at the Cassadine table. Others might not notice but there is a definite cloud of smoke coming from out of his ears. "Nevermind. I know who."

"So any particular reason why Stavros Cassadine would be doing me any favors?"

"You'd have to ask him." Bobbie ducks but really has no clue as to why unless it is to mess with Stefan but how does bringing Jerry back do that?

"That's the same thing your daughter said. Only I think she said something about arranging it."

Bobbie reflexively tightens her hand around Jerry's. "Don't. Don't even joke about it. Stay away from Stavros, Jere."

"Aww, Love, are you worried about me?" Jerry grins. "What good is a clean slate if you can't muss it up a bit." He twirls Bobbie around.

Meanwhile another couple on the floor. "I tried to find you in Gstaad but you'd already left and Jax was in quite the hurry to return to Port Charles to arranged this." Thaao tells Carly. The hand that had been at her waist slips up more to the middle of her back.

Carly frowns but keeps her form. Is this guy sniffing my hair? "The press was being a pain and I had business in Milan."

"Ah... Milano. I wish I'd known. I go there two, three times a year." Thaao nods. "You've made quite the impression on my friend Jax. He says you drive men crazy. I found I couldn't disagree-- for you have already bewitched me with your sun kissed hair and your enchanting face. You behold the wonders of the world with the eyes of a child-- fresh and new. Seeing Milano thru your eyes, truly a wonder of the world."

Over at the Quartermaine mansion, Michael is frowning as he sits by his great-grandmother's chair. "That guy talks funny. And what is he doing sniffing Mama's hair? And he's holding her too close. We can't see anything-- he's blocking the camera."

Stavros steps forward from where he'd been standing by the fireplace in Edward's study. Before he can draw nearer to the television, Lila holds a hand out halting his progress. "Mr Cassadine, Carly can handle her new beau without any interference from you unless..."

"Unless, Madame?"

"Unless you've done something to annoy Carly? She does have the dreadful habit of acting out when annoyed." Having witnessed Carly's reaction to Jerry Jacks being at the wedding, Lila already knows the answer to that question.

"I am familiar with the trait. It is one we share." Stavros says too calmly. Stavros clicks on the microphone in Carly's ear. "He is blocking Michael and Mrs Quartermaine's view of the party." Stavros says softly a gentle reminder of the people watching.

Carly steps back from Thaao and reaching up a hand to her face makes a fanning motion. "I swear it is getting hot out here. Do you think you could get me a glass of champagne?"

"Of course." Thaao says eagerly. "Perhaps a quiet place, where we could get better aquainted."

"I'll just be waiting for you over there." Carly indicates the side of the room and walks off. As soon as she is clear, she mutters. "Stavros, I think this is going to start getting messy-- figured on Monica being here even Laura but Liz and now Jerry. Mr Man, while you're at Nana's house you should really have her show you your old room." Carly glances down at her watch for show. "And maybe I can sneak you a piece of cake out of here."

"Alice." Lila orders. "I think that's a brilliant idea. Why don't you show my darling Michael his old room and then the greenhouse."

"Nana, mama wants you to come too! And Stavros likes flowers he'd like the greenhouse too." Michael looks from Stavros to Lila and groans. "Business. It's stupid business again."

"I'm afraid so, Michael. I shall endeavor to make it up to you. Tell you what. I'll meet you in the greenhouse and you can show me everything you learn from Miss Alice. The roses in Greece have been neglected too long. We will need an expert on staff." Stavros' attention is brought back to the television after Michael leaves with Alice.

"...Talking to yourself, Caroline." Stefan steps up to where Carly is standing on the side of the room. "What will people say?"

Carly snorts. "Oh that was too easy. You're going to have to work harder if you are trying to tick me off." Carly turns around and watches the small cleared dance floor. "I am really going to have to take over picking the gifts that Stavros gives people."

"Oh?"

"His gift to the groom." Carly shakes her head and then continues on grimly. "Not my idea." Her eyes narrow as she studies Stefan. Her proximity to Stavros over the months had her picking up clues that those unexposed to the Cassadine would miss. "Or yours either. Great! So this whole thing is about poking you with a stick. Stavros, can I suggest if you want to poke your brother with a stick you just poke him and leave my mother and brother out of it?! Jax would have been just fine with a new jet or a polo pony. The long lost brother was a little over the top."

Stefan studies Carly from head to toe, noticing for the first time that unlike most of the women here her hair is down covering her ears and the nape of her neck... and the cameo. Not normally Carly's style. She prefers her jewelry gem hard and with many facets. "Is he watching from... home with Michael?"

"With Lila Quartermaine." Carly doesn't even try to duck the question. "Figured it was a good time with the rest of that pack here. So where is Lucas? I haven't had a chance to talk to Mama yet."

"Barbara decided that this function is for adults only."

"Oh yeah, no kidding there. So where is the bride? The groom is out there getting his freak on." Carly winces when she sees Jax dancing with Laura and then heading in their direction.

"Changing I believe as the groom's mother is also absent." Stefan eyes follow Bobbie around the dance floor.

"Stefan." Laura says politely before turning to Carly. "Carly."

"Laura." Carly takes the flute of champagne from Stefan and takes a sip.

"I don't appreciate you manipulating my son into giving you a quarter of my company."

Carly's brows go up. "Oh poor Nikolas, subject to the wiles of a woman. Get over it, honey. I didn't go to him; he came to me. If you have a problem with the way things are going at Deception you can either take a long look in the mirror or go have a chat the bride. She taught you the same lesson she taught me. Read the fine print. But I thought you would have already learned that lesson after reading your prenup with Stavros. At least my mother worked herself a sweet deal even if she got Stefan as part of it."

"I wasn't in any position to negotiate!" Laura defends.

"You seem to fall back on that one quite a bit. No position to negotiate with Stavros. No position to negotiate with Nik. You ever figure that maybe it's not them... it's you?!" Carly walks off and meets Thaao coming toward her. "Great!" She takes the flute from him and drains it. "Now let me introduce you around. I want you to be able to tell your mama that I treated you right while you were in my town."

"That conniving bitch." Laura grinds out between gritted teeth. She turns to follow Carly. They were going to finish this.

Stefan grabs her arm. "No, let her go."

"Do you think I'm going to let her speak to me that way? You know what I went thru with Stavros and she is making a joke about it. A JOKE!"

"Laura, she knows too much. Your prenup? Mine? Do you really think that Stavros would let his pet off the leash? He might not be here but he is watching everything. Do not play into his hands."

Em is taking a break from everyone in a room off one of the many bathrooms. It's part of her routine now... never too much time standing or sitting or she'd stiffen up. The room is a stark bare contrast to the public rooms of the house but its got a window seat. Em closes her eyes and leans against the window.

"I'm suppose to ask you to come live with me now that you're back in Port Charles." Gia says bluntly and with no preparation or howdydo's.

Em doesn't open her eyes. "Well that's interesting and brings up a couple of different questions. Who is asking you to ask me? And the big question-- Are they high?"

"You tell me-- Nikolas and Jason."

Emily's eyes go wide. "Both of them?! That's impossible."

"Separately-- but that both of them came up with the same bonehead idea..."

Em had been sitting at the Q table long enough to realize and groans. "Carly. Okay but how does that involve Nikolas?"

"Well that's kinda a long story. And one I'd rather not have interruptions during. I'll fill you in on everything I know."

"And I should trust you-- why again? I forget."

"Because I've never had a problem with telling you the truth... especially when you didn't want to hear it." Emily winces. Gia has a point.

"Em..." Liz comes into the room. "...I've been looking for you all over."

"Just taking a break. Why don't we head back to the party? Gia, you coming?"

"I'll be along in a bit. Think about what I said."

"As if I'll be able to think of anything else."

"What did she say to you?" Liz demands with some trepidation. "Cause if it was anything about me..."

Emily shakes her head. "No, it was just general weirdness. It's going to take me a while to get back in the swing of things I can tell. So start filling me in. Nik called me and told me that he and Gia broke up. But that's the last I heard from anybody. One of the reasons I came back really. The silence let me know that something was up. Way up. It wasn't like the normal keeping quiet to protect the poor invalid thing."

Meanwhile back in the quiet room, Gia rubs the back of her neck and exhales. Lucky was great but being at the same table with Laura and all the weighted silences. Real obvious that she couldn't blame Nikolas and Carly was out of reach across the room. The feel of the room changes and Gia looks up. "Aren't you suppose to be minding Carly?"

"She's hanging with that Thaao guy. He talks too much and doesn't say anything. It gives me a headache."

"You ever thought of seeing a doctor? Everyone seems to give you a headache."

"Did you talk to Emily?" Jason changes the subject.

"Sorta." Gia shrugs. "Look your sister may have lousy taste in guys but she isn't stupid. We couldn't really get into it here. But I gave her a preview. I still think it's a suck idea and she will too. At least she'll get a heads up. And if she is all buddy buddy with Elizabeth-- forget it. I don't want that witch in my place. She gives me a headache."

"Quit looking for excuses. Em's been hurt enough; I don't want her in the middle of Stavros and the Quartermaines."

"Em's a big girl and has always been an active participant in all the shit that goes down. Trying to hide her at my place..." Gia shakes her head. "You don't get it. Stavros calls me. Even after Nik and I broke it off. He calls me, checks up on me. He's worse than Marcus for getting in my business."

"Quit looking for excuses. That one won't fly anyway. If Stavros is checking up on you-- great. That means that he won't be using my sister as a tool against the Quartermaines."

"Refresh my memory because it all happened before I came to town but aren't you the guy who had the brilliant idea to have Carly and Robin Scorpio living in the same house?" Gia comes to her feet. Break is over and time to head back to the party.

Jason does the guy thing and checks her out from head to toe pausing briefly in the usual places but his only comment is. "Nice toes."

"Thanks. I painted them myself." Gia rolls her eyes.

"I doubt that Michael will be gone for long." Lila says coolly. "And while my great grandson and his mother seem to hold you in some affection do not think I feel the same way. After what happened to Alexandria... to Chloe. Your family has caused mine nothing but grief, Mr Cassadine."

Stavros settles back into the couch next to Lila's chair. "Caroline told me to not underestimate you but said nothing of your bluntness, Madame."

"She knows of my general affection for scoundrals, nothing else would explain my marrying Edward all those years ago. But there are scoundrals and then there is ...you."

"For all I am I'll take full compliments and curses." Stavros indicates calmly. "I am the head of the Cassadine family with all that entails including my father's foray into the world of science."

"He tried to take over the world's weather. He killed my charming niece and I have no idea of how many countless others here in Port Charles. The poor overwhelmed the shelters seeking refuge from the cold."

"And my father paid with his life." Stavros indicates with a nod. Then he leans in. "Your charming niece was fully involved in that scheme and also paid. She was no innocent. She was a Quartermaine with all that the name entails. All compliments and curses."

"And Chloe?! Do you say the same of Chloe? For my poor girl?!" Lila retorts swiftly. All pretense of absent-mindedness out the window. What ever happened would happen now with Michael away.

"No. You're right; Chloe was charming, insightful and kind."

"And you killed her."

"I had an error in judgement."

"You call killing my Chloe an error in judgement?!" Lila would come out of the chair if she could. Smash him over the head with a poker if she could get a grip on it.

"No. I left her to go get a boat. I should have taken her with me. I left her alone. I regret that. I regret not knowing the extent of my mother's madness. But I am the head of the family. I should have known."

he's blaming it on Helena. possible. "Yes, you should have."

"I owe you a debt I cannot repay."

"The only thing I want from you is for you to leave my family alone."

"And I'm afraid that is quite impossible. You will always be protected, you are adored by people I care about..."

"Stavros! Stavros! Are you and Nana done with business yet?" Michael comes back into the study on the run. His face is smeared with dirt. He climbs up in Stavros lap without a care in the world. Lila realizes what it's all about... Carly and Michael and she hides her wince. "You should see the greenhouse! Nana has worms! They make the dirt that the roses grow the best in."

"It was all I could do to stop the little mister here from bring back a sample." Alice says wryly. "Every thing copesetic here?"

"Yes, everything is fine." Lila says vaguely with her practiced smile. "But I'm afraid that Mr Cassadine will have to be calling his visit short."

Michael looks over at the screen of the TV. "They're about done, right Stavros? Just have to throw the flower and then it's done right?"

"Yes. With your permission, Madame?"

"Just until the bouquet is thrown and then you'll have to be leaving."

Alice looks from Lila to Stavros and realizes she screwed up big time. She frowns hard and crosses her arms standing right off to the side of Lila's chair. One move from the big guy and she'd drop him like a bad habit.

Elton claps his hands. "All the single ladies! Single Ladies please! The bride is about to throw the bouquet!" Elton calls out enthusiastically waving his arms around to motion them to gather together. There is some playful pushing to get all the women in the foyer: Liz, Gia, Emily and Penny join the others.

"Get out there, Mama!" Carly says cheerfully from behind Bobbie. "Otherwise Stavros is going to start thinking you buy into that whole Cassadine don't divorce." Carly gives Bobbie a friendly push.

"Ha! I will if you will." Bobbie retorts grabbing Carly's arm.

"My divorce isn't final. Although Sonny probably has signed the papers by now. Look at them all. Pushing to the front to be the next one married." Carly adds cynically. "They have no clue."

"Baby..."

"Nah, it's okay. I tell ya this has been way different from my weddings. Well maybe not the wedding to AJ that one was Quartermaine fancy."

"Further proof there are plenty of reasons to get married and only a few good ones."

"You should have let Lucas come. We could have had a blast decorating the limo. I'm sure Elton would have come thru with the whip cream and tin cans."

Bobbie gives Carly The Look and says flatly. "No."

"Aw Mama, you're no fun!" Carly laughs and Bobbie joins in.

The sound of their laughter draws Alexis' attention coming down the stairs. With Jane's assistance she'd gotten out of the wedding gown and is now dressed in a winter white turtle neck knit dress with a matching coat. The sight of Carly laughing puts Alexis on a burn that heats fast. Her hand clutches around the bouquet.

"Are you ready?" Jax joins Alexis on the stairs. "I checked. The limo is waiting and the engine running. Let's get out of here." It's a short trip in fury at Stavros to Carly and at this point Alexis throws the one thing she's got on hand and wishes it were something much more painful.

Carly sees something coming at her head out of the corner of her eye. "Whoa!" Carly steps back and since the last flying object that had come that close to her face was a volleyball back in Greece instinctively bumps it back in the direction of the single women-- Right at Gia.

Oh No you don't! Gia thinks frantically then takes a page out of Carly's book setting the bouquet for the next victim.

Liz reaches for it but it falls right in Em's hands. She'd been so distracted by Alexis' major league pitch of the bouquet, she hadn't seen Carly's move.

"You're next!" Penny gives Em a big hug.

"Congratulations." Liz says grudgingly and then smiles.

"Better you than me." Gia adds making a mocking wipe of her brow. Gia turns back to where Jax and Alexis had been standing but they're gone.

Jax taps the glass separating them from the driver and the limo starts moving. "Hotel is out. Elton put up al the guests there. That's the first place that they'd look."

"I don't care where just so long as it's not here." Alexis puts her head back against the head rest.

The intercom buzzes and Jax picks up. "Yes?"

"Mr Jacks, the jet is fueled and waiting at the airport for you and your bride."

"Andreas?"

Alexis holds out her hand and takes the intercom. "What now?" She listens in silence then hangs up.

"What is going on?"

"My brother..." Alexis practically spits. "...decided you were so busy with the wedding that he'd provide the honeymoon."

The next chapter is a Bonus ADULT ONLY Chapter.

If you are not of legal age do not read it. Skip it and go straight to Chapter 61.

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