CHAPTERS 95 & 96
GH2017.95 War Between Allies
Wyndemere: Jason and Dylan exit the launch and make their way to the
house. Both men are angry but contained as they stride up the stairs to
the door.
Dylan: What century are these people living in?!
Jason: I don't think that really matters. I just know Lois is going to
kill someone if she doesn't get her kid back.
Dylan: I thought Ned was going to be the one losing it.
Jason: I don't think I even want to know what Ned's planning. There's
a lot riding on this.
Dylan: You don't have to tell me. Brooke's like a sister to me.
Jason: Our best bets are Laura and Lu. They're both tight with
Brooke. Let me do the talking. I go way back with both these guys.
Hopefully, I can get through to them.
The two men are shown into the study where Stefan, Nik and Lu wait.
Jason: Laura isn't coming to this little powwow? (He notices for the
first time how old Stefan looks.)
Stefan: My wife is out of town. I'm afraid you'll have to make due
with us.
Jason: Fine-- I want Brooke back in Bensonhurst within 12 hours.
Failure to comply will result in a feud between our families that will
make the Spencer/ Cassadine spat look like a walk in the park. (Dylan
closes his eyes at Jason's opening remarks before returning to a stoic
countenance)
Stefan:(crossing his arms in front of him) There are outside dangers
that still affect both our families.
Jason: And I don't think either of us want a multifront war so I guess
the allies shouldn't take hostages; should they?
Nik: There are extenuating circumstances and you know it! Brooke
refused to see the serious nature of the threat against her.
Jason: I think she knows exactly who's a threat to her! The family is
capable of protecting Brooke. You didn't like that she gave you your
walking papers. Well-- deal with it. Do you think that separating her
from her family and friends is going to make her reconsider?
Nik: She's in danger because of me. I have to be the one to protect
her.
Jason: Oh Please! You WANT to be the one. You don't HAVE to be the
one. You haven't thought this through, Nikolas. What has this action
cost you already? (The Cassadine side of the room is silent)
Dylan: Perhaps there's room for compromise. (Everyone looks at him as
if he's insane) I asked my cousin on the way over here what century
you're living in. I think I understand now. You have the woman I
consider a sister and refuse to release her. What guarantees do we have
that she'll not come to harm at your hand? When will she be allowed to
have contact with her family? When can her family visit her? How do we
know that she'll be released when the danger has passed? I see now...
Stefan: (His eyes narrow as he sees where Dylan is heading) NO!
Dylan: ...that the Quartermaines also need a hostage to insure your good
behavior. I was thinking the sister of the Cassadine.
Nik: Absolutely not!
Dylan: Why? What would you be willing to do to get your sister back, Mr
Cassadine? Do you think we love Brooke any less? That we will do less to
get her back?
Stefan:(his face purple with rage) I know exactly why you are doing
this, and it has nothing to do with Brooke!
Dylan: Then release Brooke or provide your own hostage. As you said, we
can't afford to have hostilities between our families right now.
Stefan: (moving in front of Lu) I'll be your hostage.
Dylan: (shaking his head) No. Lu, Laura or his daughter.
Lu: Why me?
Dylan: Because they'd do anything for you, Princess. If they want to
talk to you on the phone, then they better set it up for Brooke to talk
to her family. If they want to visit you, then they can arrange for us
to visit Brooke. Complete reciprocity-- Take it or leave it. Why don't
you think about it? Jason and I will be over here. (moving over to one
corner of the room Dylan waits for the explosion)
Jason: (with his back to the Cassadine and his voice low) Just a couple
of things-- first, I told you to keep your mouth shut! Second, what even
made you think of the hostage thing? If you think this is going to make
Lois happy you're going to be short a few body parts-- like your head on
a silver platter!
Dylan: You and I both know that Brooke is up to her ears in this. If
every kook in the world hadn't figured out who she was dating, they sure
as hell know now! She's safer on that damn island. I can convince Lois
and Ned -- Brooke will convince them as soon as she's able to call
them. Opening the communication will ease the tension they feel. And
cutting off the communication between Lu and those two will bring this
to an end.
Jason: You're playing so far over your head you'll get nose bleeds.
Dylan: (in an insistent whisper that won't carry to where The Cassadine
are in conference) What would you do for Anna? (Jason's face hardens)
Sorry, I know that's a rough topic, but fathers and daughters are a
powerful bond. I've dealt with Stefan before. I know what lengths
he'll go to keep his little angel safe. If Nik doesn't comply, Stefan
will turn on him for her. Think Jason! Whenever Lu works the club,
Stefan is sitting over in the corner playing chess. He's got a security
set-up at the warehouse telling him every person in or out of that
building. He built that fortress for her so that she would have the
illusion of privacy. Look at the way he stepped in front of her. Oh
yeah, he'll bring this to an end. As long as we have Lu or Laura--
Stefan is ours.
Jason: You're a sick puppy. But it may work. You'll be the one to
sell it to Lois.
Dylan: (grimacing) Fine. (The two men turn watch the Cassadine. Stefan
is shaking his head over and over, while Lu holds onto his arm and
seems to be asking something of him. Nik has his arms folded in front
of him. Finally there's a break in their conversation.) Well -- any
decisions?
Lu: I'll go with you. Where are we going?
Dylan: To the warehouse (both Nik and Stefan relax) Oh that makes you
feel better... knowing she's just across the water. It'll make your
visiting easier than it'll be for my family to see Brooke, but just as
frequent. Lu, you made sure that all you will need is your coat so why
don't you get it? (Lu gets her coat and then returns to Stefan's side.
She kisses him on both cheeks and returns his embrace as he gathers her
into a bear hug. Finally she steps away holding Stefan's hand until the
last minute when Dylan and Jason flank her as they turn to leave.)
Stefan: I'll call you tonight, Angel.
Dylan: (taking Lu by the arm) No. She'll call you after I hear from
Lois that Brooke has called. (Turning, Dylan follows Jason and Lu from
the house and down to the launch.)
The Warehouse about half an hour later. A carload of guys waits in the
parking lot. Jason walks over and talks to them briefly before Dylan,
Jason and Lu walk to the guard station.
Lu: There's been a change in plans. You're needed back on the island.
There will be other guards posted here. (The guard looks at her
hesitantly) That's an order. This is my building. You are needed on
the island.
Guard: Yes Ma'am. (packing up his stuff, he quickly vacates and is
replaced by one of Jason's men that had been called from the launch.)
Dylan: Come on Princess; let's head upstairs. I can give the security
information to these guys later.
Lu: (running her hand through her hair in a tired gesture.) Look-- I
think I've been very cooperative here; there is no reason to get all
snide.
Dylan: Snide?
Lu: That princess crack.
Dylan: But that's not being snide, Princess... that's just the way I
think of you. Come on let's check out the ivory tower.
Lu: You are so sick and twisted. Maybe there's more of your mother in
you than you'd like to admit?
Dylan: And who started this, Lu? I think it was your blood sucking
brother.
Lu: But not me! Daddy and I were working on Nik to bring Brooke back
to the States. You ruined everything.
Dylan: I didn't hear him say anything about bringing Brooke home. Not
one word! Not even when he was agreeing to put your safety in my hands.
Lu: (exasperated) It was just taking a little longer than I thought...
that damn news broadcast that showed Brooke and Nik together put up a
roadblock. And Nik and Daddy haven't agreed to anything, I'm the one
that put my safety in your hands. Neither one of them is willing to
fight me right now. (By this time they have reached Lu's door she keys
in the code and the door pops open. Dylan follows her into the open and
airy loft.)
Dylan: Really? And why's that? (There is no reply) Well let's see
what you have in the fridge? (Dylan makes himself at home looking
through the cupboards) You did a good job, Princess, You wouldn't have
to leave here for months at least if it comes to that. 'Course I'm more
than willing to shop for you.
Lu: (taking off her coat) This won't last that long.
Dylan: Hope for the best and plan for the worst.
Lu: PLAN?!! You call this a plan? This is a sick game you are playing
with STEFAN! And he had nothing to do with Brooke being on the island--
NOTHING! He's been trying to get Nik to change his mind.
Dylan: Then I guess he is going to have to try a little harder.
(Walking over to the phone, Dylan begins to unhook it.)
Lu: (Rushes to his side and covers his hand before he can pull the
plug) What are you doing?
Dylan: Cutting off the communication-- just like I said I would.
Lu: You can't do that... Please Dylan-- I have to have the phone.
Dylan: A deal is a deal. When Brooke has a phone then you can have a
phone.
Lu: You don't understand. (Lu starts to move in close; her hand
reaches out to Dylan, and her eyes grow damp with unshed tears) I won't
call Daddy or Nik or even Lucky if you say, but I have to have the
phone.
Dylan: (grabbing her by the upper arm in a painful grip) Who is he,
Princess? Who is the poor shmuck you have on the hook now with the
phone calls and the emails? Who are you screwing over now?
Lu: (shaking her head vehemently) No. There's no one; I swear, Dylan.
I need to have the phone in case my mother calls. I have to be able to
take those calls.
Dylan: (musing) She wasn't on the island. Where is she, Lu?
Lu: Gone. As soon as she found out what Nik did to Brooke, she left.
If she calls anywhere it will be here-- not the island. She and Staci
are out there on their own, Dylan. Please, I have to know that they're
safe or if they are in trouble.
Dylan: (whistles low and surprised.) Laura's gone and took Staci?
Wow. I guess the pressure really is on your Daddy to get this over
with.
Lu: (jerking her arm away from Dylan's loosened grip, steps away) Don't
any of you-- you-- you.... MEN remember why we are here? Maybe if
someone caught the bombers then you could ALL get over your DAMN siege
mentality!
Dylan: Moderate your tone, Princess. I have something you want
remember?
Lu: Please Dylan-- don't endanger my mother; she's on your side in this
although she would choke on your tactics.
Dylan:(mockingly) And you were doing so well until the last part. Fine.
The phone stays, but incoming calls only and all the island numbers and
cell numbers will be blocked. When it comes time for you to talk to
"Daddy" you'll use my cell phone. In fact, all your outgoing calls will
be on my cell phone. Now why don't you go make some coffee, Princess; I
have a few changes to make to the security around here.
GH2017.96- Life Is A Highway
A rest stop on the south side of Baltimore. Laura and Staci step from
the car and immediately start stretching. Kris lays in the backseat
still asleep after taking his stint of driving earlier.
Staci: Should we wake him?
Laura: (wistfully)He looks so peaceful, let him sleep. I'm going to go
over to the rest rooms We'll wake him when I get back. I'll pick up
some munchies on the way.
Staci: Munchies?
Laura: I don't know what being on the road does to me...I start craving
junk food at least for the first few days. Don't talk to anyone, Baby.
And you know where the pistol is.
Staci: Not that I'd use the damn thing.
Laura: (shaking her head) I understand why you hate them. I've used
one...more than once and I hate them too. But nothing backs a macho man
off faster than a small woman with a very big pistol. I think they're
afraid we're going to miss the big things and hit the little things.
(Staci laughs and watches as Laura slaps on a floppy hat with a big
purple flower and sunglasses. Turning back in her seat, she watches her
grandmother cross the parking lot. Staci starts at the gravelly voice in
the back seat)
Kris: She's right you know. There's nothing scarier than a shaky hand
holding a pistol. Unfortunately, it's just as scary for the person
holding the weapon.
Staci: Well, you scared me! How long have you been awake?
Kris: 'Bout the time the car started slowing down. Where are we?
Staci: Outside Baltimore.
Kris: (sitting up in the backseat) I guess we're heading south then. We
were heading west when I was driving... I think we were in Cleveland
when we changed drivers. Does Mrs. Cassadine have a destination in
mind?
Staci: I think you need to start calling her Laura. Cassadine is a
little conspicuous right now.
Kris: True, but that's going to be a tough one. I've gotten used to
calling you Anya from all the nights we spent together at the club.
Staci: (grinning wryly) Yeah, I miss that. So what's your name these
days?
Kris: I haven't even had a chance to look. I still floored by Lucky
making up phoney paperwork to start. I don't think I could count how
many felonies are involved in making that stuff and me carrying it and
THEN adding on transporting a minor across state lines. (Kris starts
shaking his head) I've never seen anything like your family.
Staci: OH YEAH... we're a strange bunch. Don't worry about the minor
and state lines thing; I think that only counts if you are planning
something immoral.
Kris: (laughing briefly before groaning and clutching his aching side)
When are you going to fill me in, so I know what I'm dealing with?
Staci: All I know is what I've overheard over the years. Nobody is
going to air all the dirty laundry to the *Cassadine Princess*. My
father once told me that he got the first marriage proposal on me a
couple of weeks after I was born-- someone from the old country. He was
laughing when he said it and I thought he was kidding but I found out
later it was true. I thought my life was pretty normal until I was
eleven... I didn't know any different. There's my grandmother now.
Laura: (reaching into the open car with arms filled with vending machine
goodies and sodas) Here grab some of this stuff. Kris, I didn't know
what soda you preferred so I got you a decaf figured you should be able
to sleep a little while longer especially with those pain killers.
Kris: I'm not going taking any more. It's too risky; besides, it was
time anyway. Any idea where we're heading?
Laura: (shrugs) It doesn't really matter to me... go 'til we hit a dead
end and then turn.
Kris: Well you stay on this road and we'll end up in Key West. and
you'll have your choice of the Gulf or the Atlantic.
Laura: So which do you prefer?
Kris: Tell you what, lets head to Virginia Beach. I have a place where
we can hole up for awhile and stash Lucky's car.
Staci: (sifting through all the safe deposit keys.) There's a key for
Norfolk... that's the only place in Virginia.
Kris: Great-- that's less than 20 minutes from Virginia Beach.
Laura: I need to call Lu and tell her we're okay.
Staci: I should call my mom and dad.
Laura: Are you going to be able to talk to them without giving away
where we are?
Staci: I think so. What's in Virginia Beach?
Kris: I was stationed there when I was in the navy. I know a few
places.
Laura: Well good. I've never been there and that's a plus at a time
like this. If we're going to be tailed they'll be looking for the car,
sure. But both Lucky and Stefan would be looking in places where I've
been before.
Staci: So Canada and Puerto Rico are out.
Laura: (nodding) Switzerland as well.
Kris: Well my duty stations wouldn't be that hard to figure out but
there were a few places I've been that didn't make the official record.
Laura: Don't count on it. That's one reason I need to call Lu. I need
to know how motivated my husband is; he's an excellent tracker when he
needs to be and Lucky knows all of my tricks and most of his
father's.
The warehouse in Lu's loft. Dylan continues to work on the security
amendments. He curtains the windows so that the interior of the
apartment can't be seen from the island. Using the security video
screen in the emergency room, he finds all the fiber optic cameras and
seals them off stopping all shots of the inside of the loft from being
sent to Cassadine Security. The phone rings. Lu waits for Dylan to
pick it up.
Dylan: Hello?... One minute I'll get her for you. Lu, I think it's your
mom. (Lu grabs the phone from Dylan's hand)
Lu: (turning her back on Dylan as she talks and paces) Mom? How are
you? Was there any trouble? OH that's just Dylan; we were having a
little powwow on family relations.... Yeah, Brooke is still in Greece.
Daddy almost had Nik convinced and then there was this news show that
showed Nik and Brooke together. Nik shut down all talk of bringing
Brooke back after that. Daddy and I are still working on him.... No,
Daddy's not okay. He misses you. He knows he screwed up. I talked to
both Daddy and Lucky, neither one is going to come after you; there's
too much potential for someone picking up on their tails as well as
whoever could be after you... I don't know about Nik. Daddy is going
to have to try to block him but the sooner you get out of the Caddy the
better. That's the most visible clue... Okay, I know, you know, what
you're doing. I'll be at the warehouse full time; you should be able to
get hold of me.... No, there's no problem; everything's fine. I just
wanted to make sure I didn't miss your calls. After what happened with
you, Daddy isn't going to argue with me. Yes, I love you too. Give my
love to Staci. Hopefully this will all be over soon. Bye.
Dylan: (waiting until Lu has hung up the phone.) You are such a liar.
Lu: What would you have me do? She's out there on her own with enough
to worry about. Why should I tell her the situation is now screwed
squared? Would you really have put my mother or my niece in this
position?
Dylan: (shrugging) Staci might have provided more leverage with Nikolas,
and he's the one that started all this.
Lu: He's NOT the one that started this... some idiot with a bomb
started all this. All we're trying to do is stay alive! Why does
everyone seem to be forgetting that?
Dylan: I haven't forgotten, Princess. And we'll catch them-- together
or separately the situation will be resolved. I just want to make sure
that once it's over Brooke is back where she belongs ... with her
family.
The Quartermaine Mansion a cell phone rings in a purse that sits on the
table in the entry way. Reggie notices the ringing purse and takes it
into the family room.
Reggie: Excuse me, Dr. Williams, but your bag is ringing.
Gina: OH! I'm sorry, Reggie, I should have taken my electronic leash
out of there. It must be the hospital; I had all my calls forwarded.
(reaching for the bag she takes out her cell phone.) Dr. Williams?...Oh
hi Baby! How are you?... I know I haven't been over to the island
lately but I was hoping you could come spend the weekend with me over at
the Q's! Shopping is definitely out though unless you're planning on
buying out the shopping channel or the catalogues.... a change in
plan?... What's going on?... Where are you?... Okay-- you're with your
grandmother but where are you?... What does your father have to do
this?... but isn't this a strange time to be going on vacation?... Yes,
yes I love you too. Staci don't you dare hang.....
She hung up on me?! What in the HELL is going on? (Emily and Carly walk
in together from work.)
Emily: I think we can answer that.
Carly: I think you better sit down for this one.
Emily: We need to get our stories straight before the guys find out.
Carly: Yeah, Jason and AJ are going to freak out on this one.
Emily: Not to mention the Ashtons. I think we're going to be having
company soon.
Carly: Man, is that an understatement! Does this place have a bomb
shelter? I need to move into one.
Gina: WILL ONE OF YOU TELL ME WHAT THE HELL IS GOING ON?
WHERE IS MY DAUGHTER AND WHAT DO YOU MEAN BOMB?!
Carly: (wincing ) Poor choice of words. Staci is fine; she's with
Laura and out of harm's way.
Gina: She's been living on the island to be out of harm's way!
Emily: Yes, but that was before Nik decided to take things into his own
hands and strand Brooke in Greece on the Cassadine Island. He was
planning on sending Staci there the day after he got back to Port
Charles Laura freaked and split taking Staci and Lucky's car. (Gina's
legs go out from under her and she sags into a chair.)
Gina: (whispering) I don't believe it. This is too much. What was he
thinking? My daughter's father is going to prison.
