Chapter 38: She's Alway's A Woman

 

Lucy walks into Kevin's study as he's ending the conversation with Cassidy. "I'll be over shortly, Cassidy. I should probably look at it in person. See you soon. Bye."

Kevin looks lovingly at Lucy, who's bottom lip juts out when she hears he's leaving. "So soon? Don't you even have time to eat your own dinner?" Lucy crosses the room to put her arms around his neck. "I thought Cassidy was some wonder-kid. Can't she handle this herself?"

Kevin shakes his head slightly before planting a tender kiss on her lips. "I'm sorry, Lucy. Cassidy can't handle this one by herself. The situation is too delicate even for her."

"Oh, Darn it." The sketch of Cassidy on his desk catches Lucy's eye, making her frown slightly. "Is that Cassidy? She's quite beautiful. I can tell I'll hate her already."

"Yes, it's Cassidy. I'm pretty pleased with the drawing. I think my skill is improving." Kevin rubs her back. "But my favorite subject is still you. No one even comes close to you in my book."

Lucy smiles in satisfaction as her eyes take on a devilish glean. "Good, Bub. Otherwise I'd have to scratch your eyes out. I have to scratch hers out as it is. I can't believe you have to go to the office tonight, you sure this can't wait until tomorrow?"

Kevin wraps his arm around her waist, escorting her out of the study. "I won't be long, I promise. But you have nothing to worry about; I only have eyes for you, Lucy. Besides, I'm a little old for her."

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

Nikolas enters the club; his eyes scan the room, lighting up with delight when he finds his target standing at the bar. He comes up from behind and plants a kiss on the back of her neck as his hands find their place on her hips. "Hi, beautiful."

Gina jumps. "Nik! Don't scare me like that!" She turns around moving into his embrace while running her fingers through his hair. "Why didn't you tell me you were coming? I could have saved my break!" She kisses him on the mouth briefly.

"I wanted to surprise you and it worked." Nik shrugs. "Besides I have an 'in' with one of the owners. I have a feeling I could use it to get you another break."

Lucky walks up behind them smirking. "Hey you little lovebirds. Can't you take this somewhere private? The customers are starting to complain about losing their appetites."

Nikolas rolls his eyes. "You are so original. You sound just like your father."

Nikolas' insult has the opposite affect; Lucky beams. "Thanks man!"

Gina smiles hesitantly at Lucky. "Lucky, would you mind if I..."

Lucky interrupts her mid-sentence. "Nope, go ahead and take twenty. But take it outside or in the backroom, I'm getting depressed watching you guys be deliriously happy. Especially since there are no prospects for me at the moment."

Nikolas gives him a look of disbelief. "Yeah right, Lucky. When have you ever had a lack of dates?" Gina stamps on his foot. "Ouch! What the...?"

Gina ignores Nikolas' complaints. "Thanks, Lucky. You're the best." She drags Nikolas by the arm to the backroom. Lucky can be heard laughing loudly behind them.

Nikolas is annoyed. "Why did you do that for?"

Gina responds by pressing him against the wall as she kisses him breathless. "Because you were talking too much and I wanted you to myself." Nikolas pulls her against him as Gina's hands roam wantonly across his chest under his sweater. "Besides it's not nice to pick on your little brother when he's giving your girlfriend an extra break."

Nikolas frames her face with his hands as he kisses her ardently between each sentence. "You are so wise.... Lord, you're driving me crazy! ...Tell me I can be with you after work tonight..."

Gina groans as she sags against him, weakened by the intensity of his kisses. "I'd be crushed if you didn't. This is wonderful, but I think I'll go insane if I can't have all of you tonight."


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

Lucy paces impatiently as she talks on the phone in Kevin's study. "Okay, Pierrè; Those are all the dates for the modeling gigs. Read them back to me." Lucy studies the picture of Cassidy as she listens. For the first time she sees a border around the sketch. She picks it up to get a closer look at it. Her eyes widen in horror and she drops the picture like it's red hot. "Oh no!" She quickly recovers when she hears Pierrè's hysteria on the other end. "No, Pierrè. I'm sorry. The dates are fine. I was just distracted for a minute, you know how I am. Always busy, busy, busy. Listen, gotta go. Call Lorna and tell her all the details. Bye."

Lucy paces the room furiously as she shakes her hands out trying to release her anxiety. "No, this can't be happening. It can't be! Oh God! He's supposed to be fine! What am I gonna do?" Suddenly she stops. "Mac! I'll call Mac!" She grabs the phone and punches in the numbers frantically as she mutters under her breath. "C'mon, be there. You got to be. My doc needs you...Oh hi Bryan. Is Mac there? He's not?! Is he at home? Well, then WHERE is he? This is an emergency! Luke's club? Great. Thanks, Bryan. You're a lifesaver! Ta!" Lucy grabs the picture and races out of the house, only slowing down long enough to grab her coat from the closet.

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

The Quartermaine family gather for an emergency family meeting in the living room. Monica, Alan, and Emily sit on the couch together. They are chatting with Lila about Emily's upcoming sweet sixteen party. Evidently unhappy about the whole idea, Emily shakes her head furiously. AJ stands apart, shifting awkwardly from one foot to the other. Edward stands at the liquor cart eying his watch expectantly. "I'm not going to wait much longer for Justus. AJ, where's Keesha? Couldn't she spare some time for a family meeting?"

AJ shakes his head. "She called saying she had to work late interviewing some airport officials and afterwards there's some big meeting. It has something to do with the investigation of the double homicide of Sonny and Luke."

"I'm going to start." Edward rubs his hands together nervously. "As most of you already know, Paul Hornsby died in a plane crash a few days ago."

"How is Dylan holding up, Edward?" Monica asks.

"I spoke to Tracy last night. Apparently this has hit Dylan hard." Edwards looks at his family benevolently, as he often does when he wants something from them.

"Well I'm not surprised. Paul was the only decent parent Dylan ever had." Alan says sarcastically.

Lila looks at her son sternly. "Alan! That's not a nice thing to say!"

Alan looks chastened but attempts to defend himself. "I'm sorry, Mother, but it's true. We've all said worse before."

"We'll have none of that kind of talk now, Alan." Edwards scolds. "Dylan needs us more than ever. We're the only family he has left."

Lila looks sad and worried. "What can we do for him, darling?"

Edward drops the bomb. "Tracy thinks Dylan could use his family around him. I've invited them for a visit. They'll be here tomorrow." 

Alan and Monica protest in unison. "You can't be serious!"

Edward looks at them witheringly. "I'm deadly serious. I expect you all to be on your best behavior with Tracy and Dylan. They'll both need all the support we can give them."

AJ takes the role of supporter. "Grandfather, you can count on me. It's too bad they can't depend on Ned for support."

Edward looks at AJ gratefully, giving him one of his crinkly smiles. "Thank you, AJ, I was hoping I could count on you. I did speak to Ned last night, and as usual, Ned was suspicious of Tracy's motives. He thinks she has another reason for coming."

AJ rolls his eyes in derision. "Ned thinks everyone has an ulterior motive. He'd even check up Mother Theresa's sleeves."

"In this case I believe Ned," Alan chimes in. "My sister is incapable of operating honestly."

Lila loses his temper. "I've had enough of this bickering!" Her temper subsides when everyone quiets. "I for one am thrilled Tracy and Dylan are coming for a visit. Dylan is my youngest grandson after all. "

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

Luke's is jumping when a frantic Lucy arrives. She scans the room nervously for any sign of Mac and Felicia. Finally she spots them talking with Alex Garcia. She makes a beeline for the group. They are getting up to leave when Lucy arrives at the table.

Lucy eyes them nervously. "Hi Mac, Felicia, Alex. Mac, do you have a minute?" Felicia and Alex nod in acknowledgement..

Mac:"Hi Lucy. We were just leaving. Alex wants me to sit on a late night meeting regarding the investigation into Sonny and Luke's murders. I really don't have much time...." 

Lucy grabs Mac's arm as she pleads with him. "Mac, please! It's important." She looks about ready to cry. Mac's resolve melts.

Felicia witnesses the exchange. "Mac, I'll walk Alex out while you talk to Lucy."

"Thanks, Felicia." Mac replies gratefully. He sits with Lucy at the table. "Okay, you have my attention. What's so urgent that you're having me delay a crucial meeting?"

Lucy eyes fill with tears. "It's Kevin. I'm afraid he's slipping again." She lowers her voice to a whisper. "And I think Stefan Cassadine and Cassidy Corbin have something to do with it."

Mac looks surprised. "You lost me. Cassidy Corbin? How is she connected to Stefan Cassadine?"

"I don't know but I want you to find out." Lucy pulls out the picture and hands it to Mac. "Cassidy is working at Cassadine Incorporated, and just happens to be working side by side with my doc. It's a set up, I can just feel it."

"So what does this picture have to do with it?" Mac asks. " Kevin draws all the time, are you jealous that he drew Cassidy?" 

"No. Well.. yes, but that's not why I came to you." Lucy takes a deep breath before continuing. "Look at the border."

Mac looks at it closely and his whole body sinks when he recognizes what it is. "Oh Lord. It's jasmine."

Lucy's face is covered with tears now. "Exactly. Mac, you gotta help me. I can't lose my doc again. I can't! Please say you'll help."

"Yeah, absolutely" Mac shakes his head in bewilderment. "Damn, I thought this was all over, Lucy. He's been doing so well. You think Cassidy triggered it?"

Lucy nods sadly. "Yes, I do...and Stefan Cassadine has something to do with it."