CHAPTERS 85 & 86
GH2017.85 Hear What You Want To Hear
Lu's workroom at Wyndemere. She's on the phone to Georgie.
Lu: Then this for you?... But I thought you were happy over at
Jerry's?... I know you think that you have to be there for Cari, but
G, you're so good with Jerry!... Don't take offense-- but he seems to
curb your crazier impulses.... A new guy? WHAT NEW GUY? Oh my
Goodness! The guy from the bar... isn't he a little young for you? I
thought you preferred them-- seasoned. (Lu starts laughing) Yeah, I
guess all things are relative... So what do you know about this guy?...
Or can't you talk right now? I think I hear a rumble in the
background?
Listen, why don't you bring him by the island? We can work out some
plans and then you can take him by the space... Okay. Nik is out of
town right now so anytime would be good. Daddy'll probably want to do a
background check on him... Why not? Yeah, I can put everything in your
name for awhile-- but as soon as Daddy sees you with him you know he's
going to start digging. He can't help it; it's automatic... Hell! He
might even have Mac do some of the legwork... Yeah, I ask myself that
question all the time too. I think that we put up with it 'cause he's
such a great guy... everyone has quirks; Daddy's an information junkie;
he can't help it. Until Betty Ford comes up with a program for
know-it-alls, we're stuck with him. Have you heard from Brooke? What
did Jason say? Alright, as soon as you hear from her give me a call and
I'll do the same for you. Right, see you tomorrow. (Lu hangs up the
phone rocking back in her chair she has a grin on her face as she shakes
her head in amazement)
Stefan:(from the doorway) What is so amusing, Angel?
Lu: (bringing her chair back to the ground.) Daddy! I swear I am going
to bell you like a cat!
Stefan: You were a million miles away but it looked like a pleasant
place to be. Who was with you?
Lu: Georgie has a new guy she's seeing. She wants me to plan her a
place in the new warehouse. She sounded excited.
Stefan: (furrowing his brow in concentration) This is sudden. The
gentleman she introduced me to in the Club? Davidonna Yes, that was
it-- Dimitri Davidonna. I remember because it is a Russian name.
Lu: (ruefully) Daddy, you remember because you never forget anything.
Stefan:( in a concerned tone) How much does she know about this man?
Lu: She knows he's a great dancer. Come on-- they just met! I don't
think that Georgie is planning on picking out china patterns anytime
soon. I'm just glad that one of us can have a normal life.
Stefan: (smiles at the thought of Georgie and her "normal" life) And he
will be coming by?
Lu:(nodding) Tomorrow-- when Georgie and I do some apartment planning.
I think I'll make the penthouse in the new building for her. She'd
better help this time though; she was out of the country last time with
Jerry. (Lu bites her lip) Georgie'll be starting from scratch though.
All her stuff was blown up in the apartment... I don't think that the
brownstone would have more furniture... she pretty well picked it clean
last time.
Stefan: Angel, Georgie may try to deny it, but she is now a wealthy
woman. Her share in WVPC will keep her in furniture and clothes as long
as she stops throwing heirloom china at Nikolas.
Lu: I am so sorry I missed that. (Lu shakes her head) Nik just seems
to rub her the wrong way. I think it's the way that he's constantly
trying to run her life and sticking his nose in her business.
Stefan: Is there a warning in there somewhere, Angel?
Lu: (with tongue firmly in cheek, her eyes wide.) Oh No Daddy!
Stefan: What is the phrase I am looking for? Ah yes-- Brat! Now show
me what you are doing. (Stefan reaches into his pocket to pull out his
glasses as he begins to examine the tapestry in progress.) This is
excellent. And these are the plans for the completed project? (He
begins to go through the sketches after examining the threaded loom and
the work in progress.) Your mother says that this is complementary to
the stained glass work that is being designed? How can you be sure of
the colors?
Lu: I sent the artist yarn samples of what I'm using. I also studied
this guy's work when I was over in Italy. I never met him then but I
lusted after some of his glass. The combinations of glass, color and
light were just amazing.
Stefan: Well I'm glad that you learned something on that trip.
Lu: Daddy, I learned a lot, you know I did. And I made a good friend--
then drug her into our mess.
Stefan: (His face growing serious as he pulls up a chair next to Lu.)
Angel, Brooke being a part of our lives I believe is fate. I've had
time to think about her and her family. Sooner or later we would have
met. Alexis is a friend to her parents. Lucky books new acts all the
time. Somehow or someway she would have met us. And the current
situation we are in is dangerous not only to the Cassadine but also the
Quartermaines. That is why Jason assigned protection to her.
Lu: I'm just wondering if I've lost a friend because she and my big
brother broke up?
Stefan: Brooke has a lot to think about, but Nikolas is out of town
visiting her so maybe that fear can be laid to rest. Now! Are you
going to be able to sleep tonight so that your mother will be able to
sleep also?
Lu: I don't know. Things are really buzzing here. But don't worry,
Daddy, I'll sleep when I'm tired. I'm not going to make myself sick or
anything like that.
Stefan: Good. (taking her hand and squeezing it gently) I do not deny
it. The families seem to dwell in chaos on occasion but we always find
the pattern and make sense of it. This will not be forever. Soon
you'll be able to go back to work at the club and take up your normal
life.
Lu: (with a crooked grin) Don't give me that. You're the one missing
the club. Admit it! You've gotten attached to that back table.
Stefan: Perhaps. (He rises and then kisses the top of her head petting
her hair briefly) Don't stay up too late.
Dimitri's hotel room. Georgie and Dimitri are in bed. Georgie rolls
astride Dimitri her long hair brushing against his chest until she
tosses back behind her shoulder and leans her face close to him.
Georgie:(in a husky voice) I thought you were going to feed me. ( her
hand traces a random pattern over Dimitri's chest)
Dimitri: (laughter and a tinge of bewilderment in his voice) That was
my intention. How did we end up back here?
Georgie: I think you were telling me how you're planning on staying in
Port Charles.
Dimitri: (grabbing her hand and holding it against his chest to stop the
teasing) And I've already admitted I'm going to, you don't have to
convince me. Any more convincing might kill me!
Georgie (biting playfully at the hand restraining her) Oh I hope not. I
need a man with stamina.
Dimitri: Ouch (pulling his hand back) And evidently someone who doesn't
mind making love a blood sport.
Georgie: Oh baby that wasn't a bite that was a nibble-- kind of like
this. (with that Georgie starts pressing kisses and little nibbles
along Dimitri's jaw and to below his ear. As she finds a sensitive spot
she feels him beginning to press against her. ) I thought you were...
tired?
Dimitri: You seem to be a tonic. What time do you have to be back to
work?
Georgie: Soon. Think we have time for a quickie?
Dimitri: (rolling over so that Georgie is beneath him his hands threaded
through her hair and he draws her face to him) I think we'll make the
time. Can 't let you get in the habit of starting something that you
aren't willing to finish.
Georgie: I'll finish alright!
Dimitri: Who were you talking to on the phone?
Georgie: My friend Lu-- you met her at the bar. She's remodeling a
warehouse down at the waterfront. I figured you might want to stay
somewhere more permanent than the hotel.
Dimitri: I was hoping for something a little faster than a remodel.
Georgie: Oh Lu's fast... not as fast as I but I think you'll like her
AND the apartment. You'll get to meet her tomorrow.
Dimitri: (stops moving as he stares at her) Meet her where?
Georgie: Wyndemere. ( Dimitri pulls back the mood totally ruined.)
Dimitri: I don't think so.
Georgie: (shrugging one shoulder, she sits up on the bed and starts
reaching for her clothes.) I do. Stefan thinks the apartment is for
me. I was afterall-- burned out of my place. He won't be investigating
you until after you buy the apartment and by then you'll have a place
that's on the cutting edge of security. No one gets into one of Lu's
buildings without an invitation.
Dimitri: (intrigued) Does that include you?
Georgie: Oh I'd have to work a lot harder than it was to get into this
place. One of these days you're going to have to tell me what you have
against the Cassadine. (Gathering her clothes together, Georgie heads
for the shower; absently she looks down at her watch before taking it
off.) Damn, You're going to have to take me through the drive-thru
otherwise I won't get any dinner.
Nik's limousine on the way to the plane. There's a strained silence
that gets thicker as the limo nears the plane.
Brooke: I don't think I can do this. It's unnatural. Why can't we
just go by another bus. If we drove around the clock, we'd be in New
York in no time.
Nik: A bus would be kind of conspicuous in Bensonhurst.
Brooke: (pointing to the plane out the window) And that thing wont?!...
That's it --I'm not going. Turn this thing around. Take me back to the
hotel.
Mark: Brooke, Come on-- this is the quickest way.
Nik: Where is her music?
Brooke: DAMN IT! Don't talk like I'm not here. It got blown up, okay?
Everything I traveled with is either ashes or scattered over the parking
lot of the arena. Everything I have is in those shopping bags. And I
wasn't planning on flying!
Nik: Mark, why don't I drop you off at the terminal. If you can get
some kind of instrumental music... any kind of music. I'll get her on
the plane. If she has the music then a sane person will get off the jet
in Brooklyn.
Mark: (looking both suspiciously and hesitantly) Brooke...
Brooke:(ruefully) I'm not going to make it without it, Mark. I'll be a
basketcase. I've tried before. I don't know why I even bothered to get
in the car to go to the airport.
Mark: (sighing) Okay, drop me off. I'll meet you on the plane.
Nik: Good. But be quick I'll notify the tower that we're taking off
as soon as you are on board... They will put us in line for departure.
Mark: No problem-- just pull in here... I see the Cassadine plane.
I'll be right behind you. (The limo pulls up to the terminal. Before the
car comes to a complete stop Mark jumps out, slamming the door, allowing
the limo to continue on it's way with only the brief hesitation.)
Nik: You won't have a problem getting on the plane now? I mean it is
basically just a small apartment in the middle of a tarmac?
Brooke: Quit patronizing me. Yeah, I think I can. (Brooke takes a
deep breath and closes her eyes focusing on her breathing... Too soon
the limo pulls to a halt in front of a set of stairs that lead to her
nemesis.) Oh God, I hope I can.
Nik: Come sweetheart, I know you can do it. (Exiting the limo, he
offers his hand to her which she takes. Fear overwhelming her anger,
she holds on as if for dear life. Together they walk up the stairs to
the plane as Brooke enters the plane, she groans.)
Brooke: I think I'm going to be sick. (Releasing Nik's hand, she races
to the lavatory slamming the door behind her.)
Nik: (following to the door) Brooke, are you okay? Can I get you
anything? Do you need a Doctor?
Brooke: (in a breathless and lurching voice ) All I need is a little
peace and quiet so I can toss my cookies. (Nik touches the door briefly
before going up to the cockpit and talking to the pilot. When he comes
back Brooke is laying on the bed in the back with an arm covering her
eyes. Taking some earphones, Nikolas hooks it into the jet's stereo
system and dials up some soothing instrumental music. Gently he slides
the phones over Brooke's ears. The tension in her body visibly eases,
and she exhales in a rush.)
Nik: Just relax, Brooke. I'll take care of everything. (Going into
the bathroom, he wets a washcloth and wrings it out. He places the
damp, cool cloth over Brooke's eyes smoothing her hair back.)
Brooke: That feels sooo good. I can't believe I got sick... I haven't
been sick in weeks.
Nik: I don't think it was the baby, Brooke. I think the stress finally
hit you.
Brooke: ( her voice growing drowsy) Yeah, whatever.
Nik: I'm just going to let you sleep. I'll wake you when we get there.
Brooke: Deal.
GH2017.86 Do What You Want To Do
The hanger for the private airplanes. A man approaches running despite
the heat that's doubled not only by the air temperature but also from
the radiating tarmac. As he reaches his destination, he stops abruptly
and turns a full circle looking around him. Not believing his eyes, he
turns around again and begins to swear. Doubling over, he catches his
breath between cuss words. The package he carries falls to the
pavement. Preoccupied with looking for an airplane-- he fails to notice
the woman watching him... at first.
Serena: (calling out from a distance) Gee... I hope that wasn't
breakable? And I really have to ask... Do you kiss your mother with
that mouth?
Mark: (Falling to his knees, he can only gasps for air)
Serena: (rushing to his side and bending over.) Are you okay? You
shouldn't have been running in this heat! I can call a medic for you...
(her words are cut off abruptly as a knife is held to her throat. The
knife held between them cannot be seen by either any bystanders or the
camera crew that waits in the distance.)
Mark: (in a low voice) I'm just fine, but I'd prefer to talk to you
privately, Ms. Baldwin.... without the camera crew.
Serena: (keeping her cool) I seldom do exclusives with men holding
knives to my throat.
Mark:(shrugging one shoulder) That's okay; I was planning on you doing
most of the talking anyway. You talk on the air occasionally about
being a licensed pilot. Is your plane here?
Serena: (Her eyes narrowing.) Yeah, but I don't pick up hitchhikers;
especially guys dumped by their first ride.
Mark: (His hand squeezing her arm.) You saw the plane leave?
Serena: Why do you think I was here, big boy? Brooke Ashton and Nik
Cassadine got on his private plane and within minutes were taxiing down
the runway. Did you have a change in plan?
Mark: I didn't. (Removing the knife from Serena's throat, he puts it
back in the sheath at his ankle) I need to make some phone calls.
Serena:(somewhat smugly) Want to know where they are going? What'sit
worth to ya?
Mark: Information that I can get on my own with little effort has no
value when it's for sale. And I have no interest in speaking on the
air, Ms. Baldwin.
Serena: So a flight plan to Port Charles is of no interest?
Mark: (His eyes narrowing.) That really isn't a surprise to either of
us.
Serena: (Her hand going to the receiver in her ear.) Really? That's
interesting. Let me know if you hear more.
Mark: Hear more what?
Serena: I wasn't talking to you. One of my guys is talking to my
connection here at the airport... the Cassadine pilot has filed a change
in flight plan midair. They're heading to Greece. (Mark's face goes
rock hard) So that was a surprise?! Ready to talk now? This wasn't
exactly unexpected, was it? I spoke to the fuel jockey and I knew they
were loaded for long flight.... Port Charles was actually a surprise to
me... I was thinking more along the lines of the Cassadine property on
Kauai.
Mark: (muttering as he thinks aloud) That's the problem with you
reporters-- you seem to like to hear yourselves talk. Are you still in
communication with your crew?
Serena: (speaking clearly so that it's picked up on her mike) Guys, I'm
going to sign off now. Let PC know I'll be back tonight and who I was
last seen with. He's a little camera shy but he might be willing to
fill in some background. Yeah-- it was great working with you two
also. Maybe there will be a follow-up in it later. (Taking off the
receiver in her ear hidden by her hair and the decorative pin that holds
the remote camera, Serena pulls a case from her purse and carefully
stores her stock in trade in the small case.) Okay... Nobody's
listening.
Mark: Then let's go somewhere where they aren't watching via zoom.
(Taking her elbow in a firm grip, he walks her into a nearby hanger.
Once inside he identifies the office; walking into the room, Mark tells
a total stranger who's on the phone to hang it up and leave. Taking one
look at Drake, the stranger complies not even saying goodbye.)
Serena: You learn that from Jason Morgan?
Mark: I have no idea what you are talking about. Does your plane have
the capacity to get to Greece?
Serena: Yeah, it does but like I said-- I don't offer rides to
hitchhikers or liars. Besides you heard me. I'm heading back to Port
Charles.
Mark: I don't think so. Ms. Baldwin, I've been the head of security
for this tour You have a slim chance of interviewing Ms. Ashton if
you're with me-- but absolutely none if you try on your own. I think
the ball is back in your court?
Serena: Are you offering me an interview?
Mark: No. I'm offering you the opportunity of getting an interview.
You do understand that the Cassadine now own the television station you
work at? What do you think the chances are of getting your story on
the air considering it involves Nik Cassadine?
Serena: The Cassadine don't seem to mind being mentioned in hard news
stories; they just seem to be offended by innuendo. I don't deal in
innuendo. I'm very good at what I do...Mr. Mark Drake.
Mark: So you know who I am.
Serena: And what you do. And your criminal record-- tons of arrests
and no convictions. And your law degree-- that's an interesting touch.
Tell you what... If I get fired for running a factual story will you
represent me?
Mark: I don't do courtrooms. Besides-- I think it's a conflict of
interest with my representation of Brooke Ashton.
Serena: You aren't listed on the payroll of L&E; I checked. I don't
think there will be a conflict. Do you?
Mark: (with a crooked grin that shows off his dimples) You do seem to
believe in research... unlike your predecessor.
Serena:(wincing) Please! Veronica gives all reporters a bad name. Do
we have a deal?
Mark: Do I have a ride?
Serena: ( studying him carefully) Yeah, I hear the Greek islands are
nice this time of year. A little warm but with a nice breeze. Do you
have a passport?
Mark: I can get one if necessary.... it would be easier if the trip
were unofficial.
Serena: I give you a lift to Greece and you give me an intro to Brooke
Ashton AND agree to represent me if there any legal action taken against
me for my story.
Mark:(nodding) ...for your FACTUAL story in which my name or that of
Jason Morgan is never mentioned.
Serena: (compromising) Where you are mentioned as head of security and
legal representation of Ms. Ashton and Mr. Morgan is mentioned only as
an ELQ VP and Ms. Ashton's cousin. And you pay for fuel.
Mark: Deal.
Serena: My plane's over here. Let's go file a flight plan.
A few hours later over the Atlantic in the Cassadine jet. Brooke rises
from the bed in the back of the plane. Taking off the earphones she
notices for the first time that they are jacked into the plane... there
is no portable stereo unit. Quickly she looks at her watch, her jaw
drops when she sees the time. They should have been in Bensonhurst by
now with her in her own bed surrounded by her family. What in the Hell
have you done now, Nik Cassadine? Stalking to the cabin door, she slams
it open drawing Nik's attention in the main compartment. He looks up
from the paperwork he had been frowning at.
Nik: Good Evening, Sleeping Beauty.
Brooke:(furious) Evening My ASS! Where in the hell are we? And what in
the Hell have you done?
Nik: (wincing) Such language! I really hope you are not going to talk
like that around the baby.
Brooke: (her internal thermostat going up rapidly) How I talk to my kid
is none of your flipping business! WHERE IN THE HELL ARE WE!
Nik: Over the Atlantic.
Brooke: (Paling-- rushes to the window and sees nothing but blue ocean
below melding into the blue sky with an occasional fluffy cloud to show
where the sea ends and the sky begins.) Turn this thing around and take
me home. NOW!
Nik:(shaking his head) That wouldn't be safe, Brooke. You've been
asleep for a while. We're already half way there.
Brooke: Half way where?
Nik: Home. My Home... in Greece.
Brooke:(with absolute conviction and total calm) You... are... insane.
Nik: No. Desperate. My actions have endangered you. I can't let that
happen again. I know of one place in the world where you will be safe
and that's on the Cassadine island. We've lived there for over a
hundred years. No one will be able to harm you.
Brooke: Excuse me-- but I AM over the age of eighteen.... I've been
making decisions for myself for a lot of years before that. You have NO
BUSINESS making decisions for me and then saying that it's for MY OWN
GOOD!
Nik: If you can't accept my interference for you then accept it for our
child. His welfare is also my priority. Brooke, you don't understand
how much danger you are in. This child changes your life forever.
Think Brooke! Lu, Staci-- not once but twice, My brother Richard who I
still pray every night that I will one day see again. For some reason
the criminal element of the world thinks that they can control the
Cassadine through kidnaping. You and our child are in grave danger. I
wish that it were only the terrorists but that has all changed now.
Brooke:(throwing up her arms) Nobody even knows I'm pregnant! I
haven't even told my mother yet, and she is going to kill me for that.
You're overreacting AGAIN. FINE-- if the baby is in danger by being
associated with the Cassadine then I won't be associated with them. And
the father's name on the birth certificate will be listed as Unknown.
It's what I was planning on already.
Nik: (pales and flinches as if he'd been slapped) I didn't realize how
much you hate me.
Brooke: Nik, You took yourself out of the picture and I've made plans
based on that action. Nothing personal... but it's what best for me and
my child. Let me know when we land. I have arrangements to make.
(Walking away, she doesn't look at Nikolas as she shuts the bedroom door
behind her.)
Nik: (to himself.) It doesn't matter if she hates me now. If something
were to happen to our child, she'd hate me forever. She doesn't
understand. They have to be safe-- Brooke and the baby! I couldn't
forgive myself if something were to happen to either of them.
The Jacks apartment. Georgie has gotten home from work. The apartment
is silent; everyone appears to be sleeping. Rubbing the back of her
neck, Georgie pours herself a drink and walks into the bathroom. She
turns the water on hot, steamy hot and taking a sip of brandy she sets
it on the cabinet. Swiftly she strips off her nursing scrubs and jumps
in the shower. Standing under the shower, she tries to relax allowing
the hot water to steam the tension from her muscles. Her hand snakes
out of the shower to grab the brandy which she brings into the shower
with her. Taking another sip, she allows the water to pound on her
back. Then draining the glass, she sets it outside the shower and
leaning back into the shower spray allows the water to drench her from
the top of her head, rivulets running over her face that she blows them
away automatically. Her eyes closed, she just allows the water to pound
her. After a long time she turns off the water and towels off changing
into a nightshirt, the fuzzy socks. Toweling dry her hair, she goes to
the bedroom she shares with Cari and crawls into bed, her hair still
damp.
Laying on her back Georgie closes her eyes and trying to relax exhales.
Gradually her limbs begin to tighten and her eyes pop open. Restlessly
she tries to get comfortable but each time as she thinks that sleep
might take her she stiffens and wakes herself up. Finally she rises and
going to Jerry's room softly raps on the door and enters upon hearing
his soft "come in."
Jerry: (in a growling low sleepy voice) You couldn't sleep?
Georgie: No, can I sleep with you?
Jerry: (lifting the covers) Sure Darlin. Come here. You shouldn't
exhaust yourself, Georgie.
Georgie: (Crawling into bed over Jerry and next to the wall) It's not
fair to you, Jerry. I'm sure that this isn't what you signed on for
when you got me for a partner.
Jerry: Nah Darlin', it's kind of a compliment that you feel safe enough
to sleep around me. And it's a hell of a lot easier than taking you for
a spin in the plane.
Georgie: ( laughing softly) Don't you wish I were a tiny baby rather
than the big baby I am now? Then you could just set a car seat on top
of the dryer and put me out like a light.
Jerry: (regretfully) I didn't spend as much time as I should have with
Cari when she was a baby. I didn't even know about the dryer trick.
She grew up so fast, Georgie.
Georgie: (running her arm around Jerry's chest and pressing against his
back in reassurance and empathy.) She's a great kid, Jerry. You and
Cassidy did a great job.
Jerry: Cassidy did a great job. I just showed up now and then.
Georgie: No. Cari loves you. She knows that her father is there for
her just like he's always been there for me.
Jerry: Frisco loves you, Georgie.
Georgie: Maybe. I know he's proud of me and the things I can do.
That'll have to be enough.
Jerry (patting the hand that's wrapped around him) Sleep Darlin';
things will be better in the morning.
