GH2017.42 Better Living Through Chemistry.

Spoon island: Valentine morning. Brooke and Cari are both carrying
overnight type bags. Stefan greets them at the door as their arrival was
expected.
Stefan: Hello. Hello, come in; it is cold out there. (He kisses both girls
on the cheek.) There is a breakfast prepared in the front room. (Cari walks
ahead)
Brooke: (in an undertone) Don't think that you are going to catch me off
guard again. That was a dirty trick you played. My grandmother will be
very annoyed if Dylan is not at her 75th birthday. She emotionally adopted
him as much as Pop did after Dylan's father died.
Stefan: I think that things work out the way they are supposed to.
Brooke: So do I. As long as people keep their fingers out of it! (As they
grow closer to the family seated at the dining table Brooke changes topic
and addresses her comments more generally) I'm glad that you did this. I
really hate flying and flying on an empty stomach just gives the butterflies
more room to move.
Nik: ( Rising) I was planning on picking you up.
Brooke: It was easier this way with Stefan sending a driver. All the
packages get delivered at the same time this way. Lu will be by tomorrow to
take Cari on a scouting trip. Stefan, will you be going with them?
Stefan: I don't understand Leslie Lu's need to go through all of the
buildings. An agent could inspect them. All the necessary facts were in
the papers I gave her.
Laura: Darling, I think that she uses the time to get ideas. They have
stopped being buildings and started being projects. She is looking for the
one that calls to her.
Stefan: (slightly grumpy) She is as temperamental as an artist as times.
Laura: (pulling him for a kiss) Pot and kettle, Darling. Pot and kettle.
Cari, why don't I show you where to put your things. Nik and Brooke, I hope
you have a good time. Give my love to Ned and Lois. (She and Cari leave)
Brooke: So where is this portrait?
Stefan: It has already been crated and taken to the airport.
Brooke: But I didn't get to see it!
Stefan: You will see it when your grandmother does. Don't be concerned; I
think that you will like it. ( Brooke looks at him with a suspicious eye.)
Nik: I need to make a few phone calls before we leave. Brooke, you might
want to eat something? (Nik leaves the room and only Brooke and Stefan remain)
Stefan: Were you serious when you said that you also believed things would
work out as they were supposed to?
Brooke: ( looking up from the breakfast before her) Yes. Why?
Stefan: ( pulls a small vial from his coat pocket.) I believed I mentioned
this to you before. Lucy Collin's chemical matchmaker. Are you willing to
see if you and my nephew were meant to be? There is no meddling involved in
this-- strictly enhancing the chemical reaction that already exists. If it
is not meant then there will be no reaction at all. Why don't you take this
and try it on the plane?
Brooke: I thought you said that if there is no chemistry then the people
could be repelled. I'm nervous enough about flying without being concerned
about Nik tossing me off the plane at 30,000 feet.
Stefan: Just wash it off in that case. No harm in this. (Brooke chews on
her lip and then holds out her hand)
Brooke: In return for this I want an oath from you. If I try this then you
won't interfere in any regard with either my or Nik's love life in the future.
Stefan: Agreed.
Brooke: So quickly. You must have a lot of confidence in this.
Stefan: None. I don't need a pheremone detector to see what is in front of
me. But I do have a condition. To get a true reaction, don't tell my
nephew until after the experiment is over. Then you will both know. ( Nik
returns to see the two huddles together)
Nik: What a disquieting sight. (They turn to look at him.) I think that we
can be going. Brooke this should put us at your Grandmother's house by
noon. Will that be a problem?
Brooke: No. That will be great. I will get a chance to catch up with my
sisters before the party. Also to rehearse a song we are doing.
Nik: Singing?
Brooke: Something Ma started ages ago. She was hoping for a family singing
group. I even backed up Pop for a few summer tours. The group didn't
really pan out but we do sing on family occasions. Don't worry it wouldn't
be embarrassing.
Nik: I don 't embarrass easily.
Brooke: Ah a challenge! You haven't met my family yet.

The Cassadine Jet less than an hour later. The plushly decorated plane is
extremely comfortable but the comfort appears to be wasted on Brooke.
Nik: You were not kidding about Planes were you?
Brooke: Tour buses are wonderful things: close to the ground and you can
see where you are going before you hit it.
Nik: I know you have to fly as part of your touring. Why put yourself
through it?
Brooke: This is still the most efficient way to get from here to there. I
never would have seen my parents coming up if I hadn't been willing to go
where they were.
Nik: Brooke, we haven't even left the terminal why don't you have a seat.
Did you bring any music with you?
Brooke: ( anxiously) It's in my bag. Are you sure the portrait is on board?
How good are these pilots anyway? Cousin Jason had already left . . . you
know I called him before I coming out to the island.
Nik: ( Grabs Brooke by both arms and pushes her down on to the couch. He
buckles her in. talking all the while) The steward told me as we boarded
that the portrait was on board. My pilots are excellent; I hire nothing but
the best. Relax Brooke. I just flew back from Greece in this plane; the
ride was smooth as silk. Georgie goes to sleep on planes and you are as
jumpy as a cat. (He sits next to her and buckles in also. He calls the
pilot to give the okay to leave)
Brooke: I know I am an idiot about this. One reason I try not to fly
commercial; I prefer to make a fool of myself in front of a limited number
of people. The trip back from Europe with Lu was hell. Could you hand me
my bag?

Nik hands her the bag and she pulls out her earphones. While digging
through the bag, she sees the vial that Stefan gave her. Shrugging, she
opens the vial and puts a few drops on her wrist and throat. Putting on the
earphones, she leans back and closes her eyes trying to shut out the feeling
of her impending death. She clutches Nik's hand as the sound of the engines
change and the pressure builds in her chest as they rocket down the runway.
Once in the air her grip eases on Nik's hand but her eyes remain closed and
her mind focuses on the music. Nik takes the moment to examine the woman
beside him. Realizing this is the quietest he has seen her since the time
he had walked in on the portrait session and found her sleeping. He lifts
their clasped hands to observe the capable hand. So soft and like her so
often in motion. Bringing her hand to him; he examines her wrist-- frail and
small. The blue veins running barely below the skin pulse steadily with
beating of her heart as he watches. Inhaling deeply he is drawn to the
scent she is wearing. He inhales again bringing her wrist to his nose. Nik
kisses the palm of her hand and feels her shiver at their connection. He
looks over into her now open blues eyes. Eyes he could drown in. Eyes as
Blue as the cove back in Greece. Home. Her eyes are home.
Nik: ( softly) You are so beautiful. ( taking his other hand he runs the
back of his knuckles against her throat feeling her pulse grow rapid as her
lips part)
Brook: Nik? (Turning her head toward him, he kisses her behind the ear--
inhaling again her intoxicating fragrance. She asks him breathlessly) Nik,
Do you know what you are doing? Do you want this?
Nik: God, Yes. (He latches on to her mouth silencing her questions. His
free hand unbuckles their seatbelts and then removes her headphones) But
that should be my question. (he pulls her onto his lap. Her flared skirt
pools around them both as she straddles his legs)
Brooke: You better want this because I swear if you stop or if we are
interrupted I'm going to kill you. (She begins to unbutton his shirt kisses
following the newly revealed skin.)
Nik: ( to the steward through the intercom his voice rough) Don't disturb
us. Call when we are fifteen minutes from landing.
Tossing down the phone, he then fumbles to make sure it is disconnected. He
shrugs out of his shirt. Rising he carries her to the master cabin in the
back of the plane. From the main cabin a voyeur would see the shirtless
muscled back of The Cassadine kneeling by the bed removing the boots of the
dark haired girl. Her eyes are the same azure blue as the satin bed spread
she sits on. With one hand she touches his face and he smells the light
scent that he will always associate with her. Greedily he possesses her
mouth allowing his weight to cover her and press her against the satin spread.

On Spoon Island the phone rings.
Stefan: Lucy. How are you and Kevin? ... I hope that the Weather is
pleasant in Sedona . . . Yes, well That is not too difficult. February
in Port Charles is weather only my father would have loved . . . Would you
like to speak to Laura? ... What about the matchmaker? ... And what happens
if it is used in a confined area? ... What kind of side effects? ... Well
that will certainly kill most of the commercial applications. I 'll get
Laura for you. ( as he places the phone on hold and calls Laura to the
phone Stefan's smile grows and in a small satisfied voice) Check.