GH2017.52 I'll Stand By You

Tunisia: The household is wakened by screams in the night. In a flash,
Jerry is in Georgie's room. He climbs on to the bed and brings her close to
him, holding her tight as she burrows into him. Billy arrives just after
Jerry does and stands in the doorway mute in the face of the heart wrenching
sobs
Jerry: I'm here, little girl; I'm here. Shhh now- he can't hurt you. I'd
never let him hurt you.
Georgie:(through sobs) It was getting better. It was. Why now?
Jerry: I don't know, Darlin. He's been let out of the bottle and you can't
go stuffing him back in. When we get back to Port Charles will you talk to
Gina?
Georgie: (crying and laughing without humor) Do you really think it will
help? God Jerry, I can't breathe it's like the walls start closing in.
He's waiting for me whenever I close my eyes. I can't get away. (She
begins sobbing in earnest)
Jerry: (reassuringly) I'm right here. I'm not going anywhere. He won't
touch you ever again. Let it all out-- that's it. Now has anything bad
happened while you've been with me? (She looks up at him with a 'do you
really think I'm stupid look' on her face as she wipes away her tears) Okay
. . . let me rephrase that; has anything bad ever happened to YOU while
you've been with me?
Georgie: (in a small voice) No.
Jerry: You know I'd do anything for ya, darlin.
Georgie: (entreating) Please stay with me. Don't leave me alone. Please Jerry?
Jerry: You don't even have to ask, Darlin'. I tell you what-- let me go
get us a couple of brandies and then I'll tell you boring stories until
you're out like a light.
Georgie: But you won't leave me?
Jerry: I'll be right here when you wake up. (Kissing her on the top of the
forehead, he waves Billy away so that Georgie won't see him in the
doorway.) Let me get those brandies and I'll be right back. (Jerry goes to
the bar in the living room where Billy is waiting for him having poured
three brandies)
Billy: Does that happen often?
Jerry: (frustrated) She's right; the last nightmare she had was on the
plane to Kuwait. Something must have set her off. It could have been
anything. I don't want to ask her 'cause I want her to get some sleep
tonight. As it is, she'll probably be up and down all night.
Billy: And if I were the one that set her off?
Jerry: What are you saying?
Billy: I get the feeling I've been fed a line of crap since I got here.
And that means that I may have stepped on some emotional land mines that I
didn't know were there and they blew up in your girlfriend's face.
Jerry:(angrily) You son of a bitch. I told you to stay away from her.
Billy: Right. In that oh so cutsy way. You create an image and then blame
me for falling for it.
Georgie: He's right. (both men turn to look at her standing in the doorway
in her nightgown)
Jerry: Darlin', I was just on my way.
Georgie: I'm sorry I woke you.
Billy: This is what you meant when you said he gives you what you need.
You'd do anything for him because he keeps the nightmares at bay.
Georgie: Yes.
Billy: And you called me a son of a bitch. What in the hell does that make
you? She's half your age; she's hurting, but hey she'll do anything you
say. What a power trip- eh old man?
Georgie: Shut up! You don't know anything. You're just like her-- making
stuff up . . . using me. I won't be the stick you use to beat up Jerry.
Billy: Okay now I'm lost . . . like who?
Georgie: Veronica Bowles-- she wanted to put me on the six o'clock news. All
the juicy gossip for the whole town to hear. Well it was none of her
business. I wouldn't let her use me and I won't let you either.
Jerry: Darlin', maybe we should just tell him. Then he'll quit asking
stupid questions.
Georgie: And I thought I was the one that was nuts? I don't think he'll
ever run out of stupid questions.
Billy: Excuse me, I am still in the room.
Georgie: Would you rather I talked about you behind your back? (Billy
flushes; Georgie grins at his discomfort. She begins to taunt him circling
him as she speaks) You took one look at me and saw a rich man's whore. Now
you look and see the pitiful victim being manipulated by a master. You
still haven't figured it out. You don't have a clue. You had a chance to
find out about me this afternoon and all you cared about was who is sleeping
in Jerry's bed. Yeah, I sleep in Jerry's bed every chance I get. And you
know what? He sleeps between me and the door. He always has. Anything that
is coming after me, has to go through him. Now who do you think is using whom?
Jerry: Georgie, that's enough. You're baiting him because you're angry.
Georgie: Yes, I am; aren't I? And you know, it feels so good. Not like when
Nik was butting into my business telling me I was under the protection of
the Cassadine. (Jerry groans)
Billy:(stunned) Cassadine? Did you say Nikolas Cassadine?!

The club: Brooke has just finished one set and grabbing some water goes
back to the family table where Nik and Stefan sit. She slides in next to
Nik but speaks first to Stefan.
Brooke: Does your wife know you hang out in bars?
Stefan: (laughing) Yes and she knows why.
Brooke: So does Lu. You're really not subtle; are you?
Stefan:(lifting his glass in a mock toast) Not really, but I am patient.
Brooke: I haven't seen that part of you yet.
Nik: Patient like a cat at a mouse hole. I don't think you really want to
see it, Brooke.
Brooke: (sliding her hand along his thigh under the table) Yes, But who is
really the best judge of my wants? (His hand comes down on top of hers,
holding it down-- stopping the upward progress she had made.)
Nik: You are of course, but I think my lousy timing is rubbing off on you.
Stefan: Nikolas, your timing has always been excellent.
Nik: Yes, but not where Miss Ashton is concerned. And soon she's leaving on
tour.
Brooke: A lot could happen in a couple of weeks.
Nik: I don't think so. I'm sure the danger has been explained to you. If
you refuse protection then I must act to minimize the risk to you.
Brooke:(her short fuse just lit) You know that sounded a lot like "for your
own good." That ranks right up there with: "what's your problem-PMS?" to
set women off.
Stefan: (warningly) Brooke? Don't do anything rash.
Brooke:(sarcastically shaking her head) Rash? Me? No way! I think I'll
just go "minimize the risk." (Sliding from the booth, she walks to the
table where Dylan and Lucas are sitting talking over the evening's
information.) Lucas, you know that DJ is almost as hot as I am. Would you
like to dance?
Lucas: I'd love to. (Brooke flashes the DJ a prearranged signal that was
meant for another man and a slow song starts. Taking her in his arms, they
begin to dance) You're going to have to teach me that trick with the DJ.
Brooke: Professional courtesy. I understand we're going to be neighbors?
Lucas: I thought you were living with Lu and Georgie?
Brooke: But my practice space will be in the warehouse . . . don't worry
there will be total soundproofing. I practice a lot. I'm sure we'll see a
lot of each other.
Lucas: I think I'd like that. Are you seeing anyone?
Brooke: On occasion . . . and you?
Lucas (grinning at the evasive answer): On occasion. Your name came up at
dinner tonight.
Brooke: Dylan told me the Quartermaines were having a dinner party. I
think I should be offended about not being invited. What do you think?
Lucas: Please. I can't believe my sister married into your family. Jason
looked as if he'd rather be at the dentist having a tooth pulled without
novocaine than be there, and he organized it. I thought he was going to
come to blows with my brother- in- law, AJ. Everyone seemed concerned
about you hanging out with the Cassadine.
Brooke: (Rolling her eyes dramatically) I think I'm going to scream if I
hear that name one more time! No, not really. You know that Stefan is a
talented artist? I commissioned him to make a portrait for my grandmother's
birthday. Portrait's done. I go on tour in two weeks. I have ten dates
for Lucky's five different clubs in that time. I don't have time to be
hanging out with anyone really.
Lucas: Should I be crushed?
Brooke: Should I be? Like I said-- we'll be neighbors when I get back.
I'm in the market for a long term friend; are you only interested in what .
. . two weeks of hot anonymous sex?
Lucas: This is a trick question, right? (Brooke starts laughing and Lucas
joins in)

Meanwhile, over in the booth. Nik begins to growl at the laughter that comes
from the dance floor.
Nik: She is doing it on purpose.
Stefan: Of course she is. She told you exactly what she was doing. I don't
think that Lucas improves her risk factors. Considering that he was almost
as a little brother to you years ago, she should be seen with people not
related to either the Cassadine or Quartermaines.
Nik: Then being with him is as dangerous as being with me. (he rises and
going to the dance floor cuts in on Lucas)
Brooke: What happened to"minimizing the risk?"
Nik: You're playing games and it must stop!
Brooke: (poking a finger in his chest to emphasize her point) I'm playing
games? Excuse me, Mr. hot and cold faucets; I don't think so. You're the
one that is pushing me away and then cutting in.
Nik: It isn't safe!
Brooke: That isn't a good reason. If you want to be with me, then you will
and if you don't-- then stay the hell away from me. Now if you'll excuse
me, I have a set to do. (Going up on stage, Brooke does a quick check on
her mike then begins to talk to the audience) You know it has been great to
be here in Port Charles! I've made some great connections here: people that
are important to me. But you know in order to make this music thing work, a
singer has to tour. (A few boos and hisses) Now don't get your panties in
a bunch. I'll be back in three months. Port Charles has become home to me.
(Cheering) And it means that I'll be performing at Lucky's clubs solid for
the next two weeks. Lu has my itinerary behind the bar, if you are thinking
that maybe we could hook up on a few dates. For my first song I'd like to
do an oldie. Gees I don't think I was born when this song was originally
making it up the charts but I think it makes a point. (She looks just as
pointedly at Nik who has moved to the edge of the dance floor.) It's called
I'll stand by you and the pretenders originally did it.
Oh-
Why you look so sad
tears are in your eyes
Come on and come to me, now

Don't
Be ashamed to cry
Let me see you through
Cause I've seen the dark side, too

When the night falls on you
Don't know what to do
Nothing you confess
Could make me love you less

I'll stand by you
I'll stand by you
Won't let nobody hurt you
I'll stand by you

So
If you're mad, get mad
don't hold it all inside
come on and talk to me now

Hey
what you've got to hide
I get angry too,
Well I'm a lot like you

When you're standing at the crossroads
Don't know which path to choose
Let me come along
Cause even if you're wrong

I'll stand by you
I'll stand by you
Won't let nobody hurt you
I'll stand by you

Take me in into your darkest hour
And I'll never desert you
I'll stand by you.

And when
When the night falls on you baby
You're feelin' all alone
You won't be on your own

I'll stand by you
I'll stand by you
Won't let nobody hurt you
I'll stand by you

Take me in into your darkest hour
and I'll never desert you
I'll stand by you
I'll stand by you
Won't let nobody hurt you
I'll stand by you.

Tunisia: A small fire burns in the living room to take off the desert chill
in the air. Georgie sits on the floor at Jerry's feet studiously ignoring
Billy as she stares into the flames. Jerry brushes her hair. As each
stroke is drawn away from her scalp her eyes close, her body begins to get
in synch with the rhythmic tugging of the brush through the long strands.
Slowly her eyes close and the weight of her sleeping body leans against
Jerry's leg. Quietly, he puts the brush down on a nearby table. Petting her
hair, he then moves so that he can lift her to the couch
Jerry: (quietly) Billy, could you get me a blanket, please? (Billy quickly
returns with a throw that Jerry tucks around Georgie. He moves away from
her so that he and Billy can talk without interrupting her slumber.)
Billy: How in the hell did you get her messed up with the Cassadine?
Jerry: She's right, you know. You do make a lot of assumptions. She's
best friends with the sister of The Cassadine. She probably knows more
about them than either of us. And she isn't kidding about being under their
protection, like it or not Nikolas believes she saved his sister from harm.
He'd turn the world upside down for her . . . for either of them.
Billy: Then what are you doing with her? You almost lost precious pieces
of your anatomy, so the story goes, the last time you took up with someone
under the protection of the Cassadine.
Jerry: Stefan and Nikolas know she's with me. If she stayed much longer in
Port Charles, she probably would have stuck a knife in Nikolas.
Billy: WHAT? (Looking over at the sleeper he lowers his tone) Nobody gets
that close to The Cassadine!
Jerry: (lifting a finger at each item of the list) Lets see.. she had a
derringer at his throat once. Had to break that one up. Tried to stab him
once maybe twice, threatened to cut his hand off another time and hit him
with flying crockery. That's just since I met her. (He waves his hand at Billy)
Billy:(disbelieving) You're pulling my leg. My mother was banished and
hunted for less.
Jerry: Different times. The big difference really is the mother of The
Cassadine. A whole era ended when Helena started pushing up daisies.
Billy: (muttering) If she isn't poisoning them.
Jerry: Amen. (There is the sound of a restless sleeper on the couch as the
demon invades Georgie's sleep) Excuse me . . . Darlin', you're okay. He's
not here . . . he can't touch you. I'm right here . . . I won't leave you
alone. (Her breathing deepens and steadies.)
Billy: What is going on there? Why was Bowles investigating her as a story?
Jerry: You planning on going to see your sister?
Billy: What does one have to do with another?
Jerry: Well if you were going to see her, I'd figure you'd be exposed to
all the gossip anyway. So I'd have to tell you.
Billy: I've a story here to finish.
Jerry: For whom? You got fired. Besides the story isn't here. It will be
in Port Charles, New York in about two weeks.
Billy: (beginning to feel suspicious) And why would my sister happen to
have all the gossip about your little friend?
Jerry: You've been a lousy correspondent or you'd know that she has moved
to New York--Port Charles to be exact. Bowles used to work for a television
station there until she got fired. But like you, a little thing like being
fired doesn't seem to stop her from digging.
Billy: And she's digging into Georgie?
Jerry: Up to her elbows in the poor kid's guts. Another reason Stefan and
Nik didn't mind me taking her.
Billy:(beginning to get a glimmer of the big picture) You know more than
you're saying about the terrorists, The Cassadine and about your little friend.
Jerry: You know, if she ever hears you call her that she'll probably slit
your throat. And of course I know more. But if you don't see it yourself,
you won't believe it anyway.