CHAPTERS 93 & 94
GH2017.93 The Secret is Out
In the General hospital cafeteria, Carly and Emily take a break. Emily
reaches for some sugar in the middle of the table with her left hand,
her fingers splayed in an awkward and obvious fashion. Carly catches
the clue.
Carly: (grabbing her hand) Oh my gosh-- is that what I think it is?
Emily: Laura's ring. Lucky gave it to me last night.
Carly: Well no wonder you look like you got no sleep and are as happy as
a clam about it! (reaching across the table Carly gives Emily a big
hug) This is fabulous news. And it's about time. So-- not to rush
things...but when's the wedding?
Emily: Well there is one roadblock...
Carly: (tapping her finger against her chin) Let me think... I think I
can figure this one out... a certain little doc as my cousin prefers to
call him?
Emily: Right, Sorta hard to get married when you still are. I have an
appointment with Justus this afternoon to see what this does to
obtaining the divorce. I already told Justus I'd do just about anything
to stop this from getting nasty.
Carly: The sooner it's over the better. I don't have to tell you what
is running through your brother's head. Push comes to shove you could
always talk to Bobbie; Mother is expert at the quick divorce.
Emily: (Nodding) Believe me I've been considering that but right now I'm
so happy... so on top of the world; I don't think that anything could
bring me down.
Carly: (looking behind Emily to Lucky who has just entered the
cafeteria.) Uh oh somehow I think you spoke too soon.
Emily: (focused on Carly's face begins to get anxious) Who is it? Tom?
Carly: No, it's Lucky, but he doesn't look happy-- not happy at all. I
wonder what's up. (Carly waves at Lucky to flag him down. He catches
sight of them and heads over.)
Lucky: Em, I'm glad I found you. I have something important to tell
you.
Carly: (rising from her seat) Well then I'm out of here...
Congratulations on the happy news, it's about time. I'd begun to doubt
your Spencer genes; you've been so slow to go after what you wanted.
Lucky: (kissing Emily on the temple before seating himself backwards on
a neighboring chair) Carly, stay. You'll need to hear this too. (Lucky
takes Emily's hand, his grip just a little too tight.) Mom took Staci
from the island and has gone on the lam.
Emily:(rocks back in her chair) WHAT! What happened?
Carly: (aghast)You're kidding, right? I mean we're living under armed
guards and Laura just goes on a walkabout?
Lucky: The fact Mom took off with both Staci and my car is not even the
most interesting part.
Carly: (eyebrows raised) You mean it gets better?
Lucky: (shaking his head) Worse.
Emily: How could it get worse?
Lucky: Mom split after she found out Nikolas took Brooke to the
Cassadine Island in Greece and left her there. (Both women are
flabbergasted and there's a long silence.)
Emily: (in a shocked whisper) And Jason has no idea because he's in
Bensonhurst planning on talking to her there.
Lucky: (shrugging) Nobody knows anything as far as I know. I just found
out and headed over here after talking to Lu.
Carly: Lu didn't go with?
Lucky: No, she thinks she can keep an eye on things better on the
island. Staci and Mom aren't totally unprotected ... the car was
stocked and Mom took Kris Windsor, Staci's bodyguard, with them.
Emily: (bewildered)But what about Brooke? Jason, Robin, are all in
Brooklyn-- they were planning a welcome home thing to get her mind off
of the stuff that happened. NOBODY KNOWS?!
Lucky: (nodding) I don't think that Brooke even knew until the plane
took off without her. Nik was afraid for Brooke's safety and he handled
it... Cassadine Style. I don't like the way he did it and it's going to
cause a major backlash.
Spoon Island... the Launch arrives and Lu sprints up the stairs to the
front door. Opening the door and slamming it behind her, she races up
to the Video Security room. Breathlessly she crosses the threshold of
the room.
Lu: (gasping for air) Time?
Stefan: (smiling ruefully) Nineteen minutes and 35 seconds but I wasn't
counting ,Angel.
Lu: But I told you 20 minutes! Would have been sooner but there was
some chop out on the water and it slowed down the launch. Is Nikolas
home?
Stefan: I haven't seen him yet.
Lu: (taking off her coat and throwing it over a chair) Well don't be
surprised if he is a little bruised when you do ... Lucky wasn't happy
to hear the news about Mom and Brooke. It couldn't have come at a worse
time for him; he asked Emily to marry him last night and she accepted.
Stefan: (wincing) Brooke's cousin, and a Quartermaine Yes, I see the
dilemma.
Lu: Daddy, you are looking a lot better; are you feeling okay now?
Stefan: I won't feel 'okay' until your mother is home but yes, I see
what must be done. Lucky is right. As soon as the terrorists are in
custody and Brooke is home, then your mother will come back. I have to
believe that. You will be in touch with her?
Lu: (hesitantly) No... not really, I mean, she'll be contacting me...
leaving messages at the warehouse. She didn't want Lucky involved in
her leaving. She had to keep a contact in town because she had to know
when it was safe... she didn't think that you'd take out an announcement
in the paper to give the all clear... it would kinda defeat the purpose.
Stefan: It is not safe out there for 2 women alone-- not even 2 women--
a woman and a child.
Lu: (shaking her head) Nobody told you? Daddy, Kris is with them.
(Stefan's face brightens.) Daddy, you get that thought right out of
your head. Kris doesn't work for you anymore. He works for Staci. Mom
made him swear his loyalty to Staci, AND ONLY HER, before they left. I
don't think you will be hearing from him.
Stefan: Do they at least have enough money? protection? a plan?
Lu: Well there wasn't time to really plan but they took some money that
was stashed around the house. And Mom stole Lucky's convertible so they
have plenty of weapons if they need them
Stefan:(musing) There can't be too many antique pink convertibles out
there.
Lu: YOU PROMISED! Leave Mom alone! Besides, Mom probably ditched the
car already and has changed vehicles.
Stefan: (grimly) Oh your brother will love that.
Lu: Not literally ditched... hidden.
Stefan: I know, Angel. So our priority is to renew our efforts to gain
information on the terrorists until Nikolas comes back to the island and
I can speak with him regarding Brooke.
Lu: Daddy, this isn't going to stay a secret. Emily knows, Brooke's
family will know and if the police want to question Brooke again about
what happened to her bus, the police and FBI are going to know too.
Stefan: (sighing) Yes Angel, I see it is going to be a trying time for
us all.
Bensonhurst. The adults are gathered waiting for Brooke to arrive. But
she hasn't arrived.
Lois: Shouldn't we have heard something by now?
Jason: We should have heard something yesterday, Lois. I've already
heard back from my guys at the hotel and the airport. Everything went
as planned. They left the hotel on schedule and got on the plane.
Lois: Ohmigod! You think that something has happened?! (Ned hugs his
wife close to him offering his support but his face is grim as he looks
around him to Robin, Dylan, Jason and his inlaws.)
Jason: Mark would have checked in but they were on the Cassadine Jet.
I haven't heard from them either. (Just then Jason's cell phone
rings.) Morgan.... I can hardly hear you... Where are you? ( Jason
walks out of the house and Dylan follows.) Over the Atlantic?! What in
the hell are you doing there?... They took her where?... Okay, What's
your ETA to Port Charles?... Why didn't you call before now?... Yeah
okay. You'll beat us back to Port Charles. I'll see you at the
house... Adam's fine; the girls are spoiling him rotten. They think
he's a new toy; he's being very patient actually. Right... see you then.
( Jason slaps the phone closed.)
Dylan: What happened?
Jason: Cassadine took Brooke to Greece. Mark is on his way back. The
connection sucked. We'll have to get the information when he gets back.
Dylan: Something is up. Brooke knew we were waiting for her here.
Jason: (ironically) Well, I guess she had a last minute change in plan.
Do you want to stay here or go back with us?
Dylan: I'm with you.
Jason: Then let's get the kids packed up. (together they walk back
into the house both of their faces grim.)
Lois:(reading trouble in both of their faces) What's goin' on?
Jason: That was Mark-- he was calling from a plane; he's on his way back
from Greece and Brooke isn't with him.
Robin: WHAT?!
GH2017.94 Second thoughts.... and Thirds
A small private plane circles the airfield of Port Charles International
Airport. The tower has just given permission for landing.
Serena:... Roger Tower. (Serena glances at Mark out of the corner of her
eye) Once again ladies...er gentleman we're coming in for a landing.
Please place your tray tables and seats in an upright position and
fasten your seatbelt.
Mark: (checking his seatbelt briefly) Ha... how soon after we land can
I get the film?
Serena: I need to put the plane to bed then I'll need a darkroom.
Mark: Are you going to use the station?
Serena: I was thinking of my place, I'll be able to make you copies at
the same time.
Mark: I have an appointment with those pictures ASAP. Are you sure it
wouldn't be faster to go to a lab or something?
Serena: Please! Oh ye of little faith! I don't want anyone to have
access to that film until I get it on the air.
Mark: Remember our agreement... you don't mention Morgan and you don't
mention me. I'd appreciate if you weren't specific as to which island
Brooke is on. They still haven't caught the people who blew up her bus.
Serena: (nodding) I mention Morgan only as an ELQ VP and Brooke's cousin
and you as her private counsel... who missed the plane. And agreed--
the location is considered privileged information. That goes without
saying-- it keeps my story an exclusive.
Mark: (warningly) It also makes you a target.
Serena:(dismissively) I've had a bullseye painted on me since before I
was born... if it comes down to it, I know how to take cover.
Spoon Island. The lunch buffet, only Nik, Stefan and Lu are present.
Stone is spending the day over at his mom's after getting a break from
his tutor, Maxie Jones. There are long spaces of silence until finally
Nik throws down his silverware.
Nik: How hard could it be to find her? She is driving an anachronism!
And how dare she take my daughter with her?
Lu: It probably wouldn't be too hard at all to find her THE FIRST
TIME. The next time she leaves, you won't be able to find her. It's a
test, Nikky, and you already failed the first part.
Nik: (his face flushed grinds out his reply) Don't call me Nikky!
Lu: (also throwing down her silverware, her fist clenched as it rests on
the table.) Then quit being such an idiot! I was right there when Mom
offered Staci a choice. She didn't want to go to Greece. She decided to
see America with Mom. The quicker you get over it and deal with the
real problems the quicker that issue will resolve itself.
Nik:(sarcastically) And My Dear Little Sister-- what do you see the
real problems as being?
Lu: Other than you thinking you know-it-all? A)The terrorists B)
Brooke and C) the kidnapping charges that you're going to get as soon as
Lois or the rest of the family finds out what you did. The way I see
it, you could eliminate *C* by having *B* brought back to town. Brooke
is a grown woman; she can make her own decisions. Treating her like the
incubator for the future Cassadine is not going to win you any friends
or lovers.
Nik: (turning to Stefan) Are you going to allow such disrespect?
Stefan: (shrugging) I do not think that your sister is telling you
anything that Brooke wouldn't say if she were here. The longer she is
away the harsher the criticism will be. This isn't like when your
mother was taken hostage on the island. Then everyone believed she was
dead and no one was looking for her. Many know what you did. That
bodyguard Mark impressed me as being very capable; he will be informing
Jason, Brooke's family, perhaps even the police if he is directed to do
so. I still cannot fathom how you separated him from Brooke.
Lu: (shocked) DADDY! That was not how I was planning on having you
convince Nik to bring Brooke back!
Stefan: Angel, I need to speak to your brother alone. There are things
to be discussed. (Lu attempts to read Stefan's eyes for a long moment
before rising)
Lu: I'll be up in my room. I still have to work on Georgie's
apartment. (silently she leaves the room closing the doors behind her.)
Nik: (warningly) I'm not bringing Brooke back here. It is too
dangerous. The security is unreliable. Compromising about her safety
and that of my unborn child is something I will not do.
Stefan: And instead your daughter and your mother, my wife, are out in
the cold now. Anastacia is also your child. Your ...precipitous action
has endangered them.
Nik: (exploding) Then go after them! No one is stopping you!
Stefan: It is time for you to respect the experience of your elders--
both mine in living with a woman who is being held against her will but
also your mother's ability to disappear.
Nik: (bitterly) Oh I know all about how Mother can disappear.
Stefan: Perhaps this is my fault. I told you how miserable you would
be if something were to happen to the woman you loved because of your
failure...
Nik: ( impatiently) Yes, Yes, I recall.
Stefan: But I never told you how beaten and destroyed they can become
when isolated and devalued...
Nik: I value Brooke! That is why I took action.
Stefan: No, you proved only that you value her as a breeder. Her
thoughts, dreams, ambitions... her feelings mean nothing to you.
Nik: (furiously angry) That isn't TRUE!
Stefan: Really-- what would Brooke say?
Nik: Now you are beginning to sound like Lucky.
Stefan: And that is the strongest indicator I can think of that you
have erred in your judgement. YOUR BROTHER AND I AGREE!!
A dark green all purpose vehicle with tinted windows pulls in front of
the boathouse property on the Quartermaine estate. Barely after the car
comes to a complete stop, the back doors are thrown open and three
children race from the car and around the house, burning off the energy
of being cooped up in the car.
Robin: (stretching as she exits the vehicle) Thank Goodness we're home.
If I had to hear "are we there yet?" one more time, I was going to
scream.
Jason: (climbing out of the driver's seat and pocketing the keys.) It
wasn't so bad, Honey; I'm getting used to Dylan.
Robin: (gives him a look and a laugh) I'm glad you are keeping a sense
of humor about all this.
Jason: Saving my strength. I bought us 24 hours with Lois and Ned but
if I don't have some answers for them by tomorrow the Ashton Armada is
going to be landing on Spoon Island.
Robin: Jase, we saw Nik and Brooke together at the party. He wouldn't
do anything to hurt her. And I know that she's crazy about him
otherwise he couldn't have hurt her feelings so badly. I know Brooke is
safe.
Jason: I think she's safe too, Robin... for now. But I can't say much
for her long term health if she continues to hang out with Nik
Cassadine. I thought that the Spencers were the biggest trouble magnets
around, but I don't know... I think that the Cassadine are getting up
there.
Dylan: (coming from the back of the vehicle where he'd been pulling bags
out) And as soon as they started marrying and forging ties with each
other the trouble started to pile up geometrically.
Robin: (protesting loudly) Hey! I don't think you guys are being
fair... and talk about glass houses.. what about the Quartermaines?
Dylan: But that's different... for the most part we only go after each
other... the Cassadine and the Spencers feel like they have to take on
the world. (Dylan looks back to the main house road) There's a car
coming.
Jason: (grimly) I see it. Robin, why don't you call the kids in and get
them settled. We'll be in in a moment.
Robin: Jason, the rules are changed on this one... this isn't about
your job or organization or whatever-- this is about our family. Jan
and I will get the kids settled in for lunch but then I want to know
what's going on.
Jason: Okay, but let me see who this is. (Robin leaves calling the kids
into the house. Jason and Dylan stand between the car and the house as
the other car pulls up. Jason's posture relaxes almost imperceptively
as he recognizes the driver.) Mark, what in the hell happened?
Mark: Nik Cassadine happened. Sorry I'm late I had to get some film
developed. (climbing out of the car he grabs a folder of pictures.)
Everything was going according to plan--my plan anyway, until we got to
the airport then Brooke started to balk.
Dylan: (closing his eyes) Oh Gees! I see where this is going... no music
right? She wouldn't get on the plane.
Mark: (nodding) Everything was blown up on the bus. So fine-- they
dropped me off at the terminal; I raced into the shops grabbed a player
and some discs and headed out to the hanger. By the time I got there
the plane was gone. A reporter there found out that the flight plan had
been changed in midair to Greece. But it was planned all the way,
Serena said that the amount of fuel that they put in the plane would
have flown Cassadine to Hawaii. He never had any intention of taking
her to Bensonhurst.
Jason: Serena?
Mark: Serena Baldwin-- reporter and pilot. She'd the one that flew me
to Greece for all the good it did me.
Jason: Let's go inside. Robin is going to want to hear this.
Wyndemere in the game room, Nik stares out the windows to where the
gardeners are already starting to ready the plant beds for fall.
Sighing, he turns away from the window and turns on the television to
WVPC trying to drown out his thoughts. Finally he comes to a decision
and reaches for the phone.
Nik: Connect me with our pilot and get the jet fueled and ready to go.
Yes, I'll be returning to Greece. No, it won't be a...
*Announcer: And now for a special report here is Serena Baldwin...
Serena, you've been following the story about Brooke Ashton and the
explosion of her bus that killed her driver. Are there any new
developments?
Serena: Yes, There are, Bill. Yesterday I attempted to contact Ms
Ashton at her hotel near the arena. While I was unable to speak to her,
you can clearly see in this tape that the hotel was under heavy security
not only from Ms Ashton's personal security but also the local law
enforcement. I attempted to talk to Evan Scorpio, a special agent of
the FBI, Mr Scorpio would not discuss the case. Mr Scorpio is
officially tied to the investigation of the apartment building bombing
that claimed the lives of many Port Charles residents, an apartment
building where Ms Ashton lived while in Port Charles. Mr Scorpio's
interview with Ms Ashton raises the question of a possible link between
the two bombings. The pictures you are seeing now, Bill, are Ms Ashton
and Mark Drake, Ms Ashton's attorney, entering the limousine of Nikolas
Cassadine who is also pictured. Mr Cassadine is the CEO of Cassadine
Enterprises and owner of the apartment building that was destroyed.
When Mr Drake missed his ride on the Cassadine jet that took Ms Ashton
out of town I had the opportunity to interview him briefly as we
attempted to follow Ms Ashton to her retreat. Here you see pictures of
Ms Ashton's island retreat and her waving at the plane as we flew
overhead... and hear you see pictures of the guards on the island firing
on my plane, damaging it and forcing Mr Drake and I to return to Port
Charles. Mr Drake is currently in conference with Mr Jason Morgan, vice
president of ELQ and Ms Ashton's cousin.
Announcer: Serena, that is just amazing! I'm glad that you weren't
hurt, but our viewers appreciate you bringing this story and the
continuing developments.
Serena: Thank you, Bill. I'll continue to investigate. *
Nik: Cancel that. I won't be going out of town after all.
The loft office of Jason Morgan at his home. Mark is laying out
pictures that were taken by Serena on the desk. Jason and Dylan are
examining them. Robin walks upstairs and enters the room after checking
on the kids.
Mark: So this is the layout of the island and where the house is
situated. There'll be no luck in getting boats or planes on that end.
The Cassadine have the islands battened down tight. We took a hit to
the plane as we came in for a landing on the island-- the runway is out.
Jason: (running his hands over the pictures) So we have to find a way
to get close to the island and send in someone after her and bring her
out to the boat or plane that is waiting off the coast.
Mark: (nodding) That's about the only way I can think of.
Robin: (firmly) And that way is out.
Jason: (looking up from the desk quizzically) What are you thinking,
Robin?
Robin: I'm thinking that in Brooke's condition she probably shouldn't
be hiking all over an island, taking a trip in a small boat through the
sea, and then getting on a plane-- especially with bullets flying.
Dylan: Her condition? What condition? (the other three ignore him.)
Jason: How far along is she?
Mark: (grimacing) She'd due in November but it isn't like with
Crystal... you can hardly tell.
Robin: But that could change at any time. I know women walked the
Oregon Trail and even gave birth along the way but a lot of them died
too. You're going to have to get Cassadine to bring her back or wait
until you have more information on the island to lower the risks to
Brooke.
Dylan: (shocked) Brooke is pregnant? Who's the father? Cassadine? Nik
Cassadine? You have got to be kidding!
Jason: (musing aloud) I've been to that island before but it's been
years.... so have Alexis and Laura. I don't know how many changes have
been made. But the place is big-- lots of rooms. Damn it! There's no
guarantee that just 'cause she's outside this part of the compound that
that's where her rooms are. Who knows where Brooke is?
Mark: Exactly? Those of us in the room, Nik Cassadine, I don't know
who else in the Cassadine camp and Serena Baldwin. Serena wants an
exclusive; she isn't going to tell anyone anything.
Jason: Good, although I could have done without a reporter.
Mark: (grimacing) Sorry Jase, it was the only way. She saved me a lot
of time and took all these pictures as well.
Jason: (waving a hand) I know this mess is Nik's doing. It should
never have been an issue. You'll have to keep and eye on Serena Baldwin
though, make sure she isn't... bothered.
Mark: Right.
Jason: You're off work for a few days... get to know Adam again. He'll
probably want to talk to you about a dog.
Mark: (grinning wryly) I figured as much. I'll check in with you
later. (Mark departs leaving Robin, Jason and Dylan alone in the
office.)
Dylan: OOOOkay, is anyone ready to tell me what in the hell is going
on now?!
Jason: You and I are going to make a little trip to Spoon Island to
talk to the Cassadine. Taking Brooke off the island by force is not an
option at this point. So Cassadine is going to have to bring her back.
