Chapter 28: Picking Your Relatives

Alexis lies in bed, thrashing in her sleep. She appears to be in the
throes of a nightmare.

Alexis:"No.. No! Sonny!" Alexis wakes suddenly, bathed in sweat. For a
moment she is disoriented, not recognizing her own bed. Then it all hits
her.. the nightmare and the reality. Alexis buries her head in her
pillow, weeping.

There is a knock on the bedroom door.

Alexis(yelling through her sobs):"GO AWAY! LEAVE ME ALONE!"

Jason slips into the room and quietly walks over to sit on her bed. He
gingerly extends his hand and places it on her shoulder. "Alexis? Come
on, it's me."

Alexis sits up, trying to stem the tears as she scolds him. "Didn't you
hear me tell you to leave me alone?"

Jason:"You forget. I don't listen good. Sonny told me to look after you,
and I will. Even if you don't want me to."

Alexis laughs through her tears. "Damn it! You won't even let me lay
here feeling sorry for myself, will you?"

Jason:"No, not alone anyway. So what happened? Another nightmare?"

Alexis:"Yes, the same one. Sonny gets shot and I'm running towards him.
I can't get to him fast enough. Then I'm there, there's blood everywhere
and he's dead. " Alexis begins crying again.

Jason holds her this time, letting her cry on his shoulder. "How often,
Alexis? How often are you having the nightmare?"

Alexis:"Oh, every time I close my eyes. It's getting to the point I
don't want to sleep anymore. If I could take a sleeping pill, I would.
Some tea would be nice. Would you?"

Jason:"Sure, I'll be back in a minute."

Alexis picks up her appointment book from the night table. She makes a
phone call
Alexis:"Hello, Mr Smith. This is Alexis Davis. I'm going to have to
cancel our appointment. Yes, I know, I'm terribly sorry. I think it
would be best to get new representation. Here is the name of a reputable
lawyer." She gives him the name and number of the lawyer. "I'll send my
notes to him. Good luck, Mr Smith."

Alexis breathes a sigh before making more phone calls, relaying the same
message to each client. Jason walks in and overhears her.

Jason:"What are you doing?"
Alexis:"I'm handing over my caseload. It's about time, don't you think?"
Jason:"Why?" He hands her the tea.
Alexis:"I can't represent my clients effectively in the state I've been
in lately."
Jason tries to not let his concern show. "This is sudden."
Alexis:"I know. But these people can't be kept hanging."
Jason stares at the floor silently, uncertain how to proceed. He wants
to respect Alexis' wishes, but fears that she is giving up on herself.

Alexis notices his internal war. "Okay Jason. Tell me what you're
thinking."
Jason:"I just worried that you're retreating, giving up. That's not you,
Alexis. And Sonny would have a fit if he knew."

Alexis:"What else am I supposed to do? I'm a wreck."
Jason:"Talk to someone. At least about the nightmares."
Alexis smiles ironically. "You mean a shrink? Well, I shouldn't be
surprised. The Cassadines have always been a nutty bunch."
Jason:"I'm serious."
Alexis:"I know. So who do you suggest I see? Kevin's no longer
practicing."
Jason:"Let me look into it."
Alexis:"Thanks." She finishes her tea. "For everything. I feel better,
just having you here henpecking me."
Jason looks at his watch. "Damn, I'm late for the ELQ board meeting."
Alexis:"Go. I won't let you use me as an excuse to avoid the inevitable.
Wish I could be there to watch the fireworks."
Jason:"You wanna come? I'll wait."
Alexis:"No, I'll pass this time. But I expect a full report and a body
count."

.......................

The Quartermaine Mansion: The family is gathering for the ELQ board
meeting. Edward, Lila, Alan, Monica, Justus, and AJ are present.

Edward stands at the liquor cart, pronouncing doom. "I'm telling you,
Justus. We have a crisis on our hands, the likes of which haven't been
seen since Sonny Corinthos joined the board."

Justus rolls his eyes. "I think you're jumping the gun, Edward. Besides,
Sonny wasn't that bad for business. His contacts have proved helpful on
a number of occasions."

Edward:"It's a dark day in ELQ history. Having a Cassadine on the board
will be the destruction of this company. I never thought I'd be wishing
Sonny was still on the board."

Alan:"Father, we've survived worse. God, we have family members worse
than the Cassadines. Take Tracy for example."

Lila:"Alan that was uncharitable. Alexis seems like a charming young
woman."

Edward:"You think Alexis is the one I'm worried about? Heavens no! It's
that Stefan Cassadine! He'll have his fangs into this company in no
time, sucking it dry. If Ned were here, I'd give him a piece of my mind!
Letting Jason sell those stocks to Sonny was unforgivable."

Justus:"We don't know if Alexis inherited the stock. It's possible Sonny
left them to Jason."

AJ:"Are you really that gullible, Justus?"

Edward:"We have to come up with a strategy to rid us of Alexis and the
Cassadines. Justus, we need to find her weak spot, and fast."

Jason appears at the doorway. "Don't you guys ever stop?"

Monica and Alan respond in unison. "Jason!" Monica beams at Jason
longingly.

Edward(suspiciously):"What are you doing here, Jason? You've made it
clear you want nothing to do with us."

Lila:"Edward, put a sock in it. Jason, my dear, it's wonderful to see
you. Come sit by me and let me have a look at you."

Jason:"I'm here as an ELQ stockholder."

Justus:"What did you say about me being gullible, AJ?"

AJ ignores him. "Great to see you, brother."

Alan:"It's good to know Sonny did the right thing by you, Jason."

Edward:"I guess there is honor among... mobsters. Welcome aboard,
Jason."

Jason has a seat near Lila, who offers her cheek for a kiss. Jason: "So
let's get going, I don't have all day."

..........................

Stefan, Laura and Lulu are on the Cassadine Jet back to Port Charles.
Laura naps as Lulu scribbles on some paper with a crayon. Stefan is
reading a book.

Lulu picks up her masterpiece, studying it with satisfaction. She walks
over to Stefan's seat.

Lulu:"Wanna see what I drew?"
Stefan smiles as he puts down his book. "Absolutely." He takes the
drawing. "Why it looks just like your dog, Foster."
Lulu bounces with pride. "You think so, Uncle Stefan?"
Stefan:"Yes, I do. You're quite an artist, Lulu."
Lulu(eyes glowing):"Thank you."
Stefan:"It's time we had a serious talk, Lulu."
Lulu looks deflated. "Did I do something bad?"
Stefan:"No, my angel, you're perfect. But you can't call me Uncle Stefan
anymore."
Lulu:"Why? You're Nikky's uncle..."
Stefan:"To be your uncle I'd have to be a brother to either your mama or
your daddy."
Lulu:"Oh." She thinks for a moment. "So what do I call you?"
Stefan:"Mr Cassadine for now."
Lulu(looking positively glum):"But I thought we were friends."
Stefan strives to reassure her. "We are. You are my very special
friend, Lulu." Stefan squeezes her hand. "Mr Cassadine sounds pretty
unfriendly, doesn't it?"
Lulu:"Yeah."
Stefan:"I'd like it if you called me Stefan."
Lulu:"Okay, Stefan." She impulsively wraps her arms around his neck and
kisses his cheek. "I'm going to draw a picture of you."
Stefan is touched. "I feel very honored, angel."
Lulu:"You're my bestest friend. Besides my mommy, Lucky, and Nikky, of
course."

.......................

Edward strolls around pompously. "Justus, your concern about stretching
ELQ's resources is noted. I think we should go forward with the
acquisition. In the current economic climate, we need to be bold and
take risks. Otherwise we'll become stagnant."

Justus shakes his head solemnly. "That's too risky given the current
financial state of the company. Another company may try a hostile
takeover and have a reasonable chance at winning."

Alan: "We could argue about this all day. Let's just vote, I have
patients to see at the hospital today."
Edward: "Lila, why don't you start the voting."
Lila:"Nay, I trust Justus." Edward grumbles in the background.
Monica:"Aye."
Justus:"Nay."
Alan:"Aye."
Edward:"I vote Ned's and Tracy's shares as well. Aye for the three."
Jason:"Excuse me, but Ned gave me his proxy to vote. Take a look." He
hands the paper over to Edward. "That's two Nay's. A tie."
Edward blusters. "What?! This is outrageous. Of all the idiotic things
for Ned to do..."
Alan:"Live with it, father."
AJ:"So I guess it comes down to me. Sorry Justus, I have to vote with
Grandfather. Aye."
Edward smiles triumphantly."Well done, AJ. The motion carries. Meeting
adjourned."

As the meeting breaks up and Jason prepares to leave, Edward hails him.
"Oh, Jason, my boy. I'd like a moment with you if you please."
Jason(impatiently): "If it's about Ned's proxy, take it up with him."
Edward smiles charmingly as he rubs his hands together. "Actually, it's
about your ELQ shares. I'd like to do you a favor."
Jason: "What about them?"
Edward: "I'd like to make you an offer." When Edward sees Jason roll
his eyes, he stops him. "Now, you've made no secret that you detest
this family and you would just as soon never see us again. So why put
yourself through the agony of bureaucratic ELQ meetings? I am prepared
to make you a generous offer for the stock."
Jason: "Forget it. I have other interests besides my own to consider."
Edward: "If financial security is what you're looking for, I assure you
the money will make you a rich man, Jason. You can't seriously expect me
to believe that you intend to come to the monthly board meetings?"
Jason: "I'm already a rich man; this isn't about money but don't care
about what you expect. I'm not selling you the stock."

Monica and Alan join Edward's and Jason's conversation.
Monica(smiling hopefully): "Does this mean you're giving up Sonny's
business? Oh Jason, I couldn't be happier for you!"
Jason looks at her like she's sprouted a second head. "Sonny's death
created a power vacuum, and nature abhors a vacuum. I've inherited all
of Sonny's business interests."
Alan and Monica are stunned and Edward blusters. "I'll not tolerate
another mobster on the board! This is an outrage!"
Jason: "Sonny was a legitimate businessman. And now so am I. Live with
it."
Alan: "Jason, please think about this. You have an opportunity to get
out of the mob, to make a honest life for yourself and for Robin."
Jason(getting angry): "You still don't get it, do you? I don't want or
need your advice. This is the life I've chosen." He looks at their
blank uncomprehending faces and throws up his hands. "I'm out of
here. Call me when you have the date for the next ELQ board meeting ."