Risk

 Chapter LXIV

Boundaries

"Lucky, I think this is a really bad idea." Emily protests as they walk into the Harborview Towers. "I just got home. I know I said that I'd hit my drama quota at the mansion but that was just for yesterday. I haven't seen my family in months. I'm not going to move out."

"Yet. You're not going to move out yet." Lucky suggests. "You know that sooner or later they are going to drive you nuts and the more time you spend with them the quicker they are going to take you around the bend. Think positive. This way you can deal with them in controlled doses."

"You are really pushing this. Lucky, Gia and I don't get along. There is too much water under and over that bridge."

"Think of poor Nik, Em. If you're staying with Gia then he's got a reason to be in Gia's apartment. You know he's nuts for her."

"And she dumped him. And you're the one that told me she had cause!"

"Yeah, but it's kinda my fault."

"It's your fault Nik believed Elizabeth over Gia. Sure." Em shakes her head. They step onto the elevator. "What floor? Penthouse?"

"Four."

"Four? Not a Penthouse? Gia is slipping."

"Nah, she just has a thing about never being higher up than she wants to walk down. Probably comes from having Taggart as a brother. All safety, security, fire conscious."

Em imagines trying to walk down the stairs from Sonny's penthouse on the top floor and winces. "Okay that actually makes sense."

"That's Gia. Practical to the core." Lucky says cheerfully.

"Practical?"

"Okay maybe pragmatic is a better word." Stepping off the elevator he bars the doors from closing with his arm waiting for Emily to step off and then leads the way to Gia's apartment. He knocks on the door. And waits patiently not doing anything dumb like covering the peep hole in the door.

Finally Gia opens the door. "You're in on this too?" She asks Lucky.

"It was his bonehead idea that was relayed thru Jason." Em replies.

"I'll just leave you two to catch up." Lucky says in a rush. "I'll go pick up some ribs and fixings from Eli's and be right back."

"Lucky!" Gia and Em protest at the same time, both wanting and needing the buffer.

"Be right back!" Lucky says cheerfully and makes a dash for the elevator.

Gia and Em look at each other suspiciously. Finally Gia steps out of the doorway. "You might as well come in. Somehow I think that be right back is going to be as long as he can stretch it without us killing him."

Emily steps into the apartment. "Something that we agree on. Is it making you really nervous that they all want this so bad?"

"It's Stavros." Gia explains. "Do you want something to drink?" Her mother would kill her if she ever found out that Gia didn't offer refreshment to a guest in her house even if the guest wasn't really wanted or invited.

"Sure. Whatever you're having." Emily follows Gia into the kitchen. Gia opens up the fridge and pulls out a jug of juice showing it to Em who nods. Gia starts pouring large glasses of juice over ice and hands Em one. "Lucky filled me in some last night. But he avoided Stavros Cassadine pretty obviously. Which was kinda freaky. I mean his mother was married to the guy. He's Nikolas' father. He's a homicidal psychopath. These are all givens."

Gia winces. "But he told you that I get along with Stavros-- perfect. Thanks Lucky." Gia leans up against one of the counters and Em takes one across the kitchen from her. "Okay well getting along with him is kinda pushing it." Gia sighs. "Look, I'm not stupid. I know how the people in this town feel about me, about me hooking up with Nikolas. Stefan hates me. Laura tolerates me, tolerated me, not even that anymore. And Nik's friends... Well we were all there."

"Blackmail isn't exactly starting out on the right foot." Em says bluntly.

"And that was two, three years ago? And every conversation is started with it now isn't it?" Gia retorts swiftly and sharply. "Do I start every conversation, Gee and you're the girl who got trashed at a Rave and ended up in bed with a dead cop? Or how about... Fell in love with her kidnapper and went on a crime spree all over the Northeast? How many cars did you and Zander steal anyway?"

Emily winces. "Ouch. I get your point."

But Gia wants to get it all out. "You didn't pay me a dime. You went running to Nikolas to haul your cookies out of the fire just like you always do. And you know what, I paid him back as soon as I got the job at Deception along with all the back rent you guys kept rubbin in my face. Not that it was/is any of your business, or Lucky's or Elizabeth, or the guy down on the corner. It was/is none of your freaking business. This is not going to work." Gia stalks out of the kitchen.

"I get that-- believe me." Emily follows her. "Something else we agree on. We're on a roll. So tell me why Stavros Cassadine being in town has got all the guys in my life freaking out and circling the wagons? Cassadine is about Spencers, not Quartermaines, not about lil ole me."

Gia sighs and throws herself down in one of the chairs. She allows her head to fall back against the top of the chair looking straight up at the ceiling. "Carly hooked up with Stavros. Carly was living in Greece with Stavros at the Cassadine compound. Things were ugly for both of them here in Port Charles... lets just say that Stavros didn't leave on the best of terms. And that probably wouldn't have bothered him except for Nikolas. Stavros loves Nik. Stavros knows everyone around Nik hates him and passed that hate along to his son."

"Everyone except Helena."

"Well that's a ringing endorsement." Gia sighs. "So Carly and Stavros were off at the compound. Nobody had a clue that a) they'd hooked up b) were even alive c)they had a plan."

"Oh Gawd not another one of Carly's plans!"

Gia starts laughing. "Scary isn't it?! Carly's plan was to get Deception back and hold onto Michael. Stavros plan was to take back the Estate and get his son back. Kinda parallel. So Carly started helping Stavros with his plan and he started helping her with hers. And nobody here in PC had a clue."

"Until..."

"Until Helena called Stefan collect. She was broke. Only thing is... Stefan didn't do it. And then the estate lawyers came at Stefan demanding all things estate back.. cause they weren't his, they were Stavros'. Jason is the one that put it all together. Sonny knew Carly was with Stavros... he didn't know where. The Cassadines didn't know bout Carly but had a general idea where Stavros might be. Jason put it together, but once Nik knew about Carly he put where together faster. So he and I flew off to where Nik was born to confront Stavros."

"He took you with him?" Em frowns. "What happened to the too dangerous line of crap they normally feed us as they stash us in beechers corners or say... THE HARBORVIEW TOWERS!. Even saying it makes me think of some fairy tale."

Gia laughs and nods in agreement. "He tried. And I reminded the last time he dumped me for my own good I ended up being best buds with Lucien Caine. I also reminded him that Carly and I get along whereas he and Carly..." Gia shakes her head. "And the irony of that one now that they are going to be working together at Deception."

"Lucky is really not looking forward to going to work tomorrow."

"Neither am I." Gia smiles at a thought. "I suppose I could phone in for my schedule." Gia glances down at her watch. "Lucky should be figuring he's pushing his luck about now and head back. So long story short. All the months Carly was gone... she, Stavros and Michael got to be like this." Gia holds up her fingers like a boyscout salute. "Stavros spends every morning with Michael building sandcastles, teaching him to swim, surf, sail, going for nature hikes. Everything Stavros didn't get to do with Nikolas and imagined he always would have... he does with Michael."

"Where is Carly when all this is going on?!" Em asks her disapproval in her tone.

"Sleeping. She normally stays up to three or four in the morning working on either her schemes or Stavros' doing the prep work so Stavros just has to review it in the afternoon. She drags out about eleven, has fun time with the boys, lunch, Michael goes to lessons, while Stavros and Carly go to work together and after dinner is together time. All the time not focused on taking over the world, is given to Michael. And Carly made sure that Nikolas saw all of that-- every bit of it. Here in your face. This is what you're missing by not getting along with your dad. Everything he is giving to Michael; he would have given to you. You've been fed a line of bull all your life."

"Oh man. Did he fall for it? I mean come on, Gia. Fine-- you get on better with Carly than anybody cept Jason I guess. But she lies. Constantly."

"Yeah, pinch of salt and all that. Thing is it wasn't Carly. It was Michael. The way he acted around Stavros. The way Stavros acted around him. I only took that au pair gig to hide out from my mother and get my head together, but I was around little kids, okay? Carly didn't convince Nik. Michael did. He is a confident, loving, bright, bossy, manipulative little boy. And there's only one thing that could rock that world."

Em gets a sick sinking feeling in the pit of her stomach. "AJ."

Gia nods. "That's what the guys are figuring, boneheads that they are. They get Stavros. Stavros doesn't play. He's a very direct guy and not subtle." Gia muses. "Stavros called me after I moved in here. It was right after Nik and I broke up, I was having trouble at work..."

"Lucky told me about Atlantic City."

Gia winces. "Yeah, that. Anyway. Very demanding... was the building secure. Did I need anything. And very angry about what happened in Atlantic City. He told me that I'd better be straight with him or I'd be on the next plane to have a little chat face to face. That's the way he is. The only boundaries Stavros has... well I don't know what boundaries. He has a problem with you... his guys will pick you up and take you to him. And I never believed that to be an exaggeration but fact plain and simple. When Nik and I got back from Greece, Alexis was already gone. To give Stavros her accounting for her actions in his absence."

"Gees it sounds like the mob!" Emily protests. "Stavros is coming after the Q's because they are threatening Carly's custody of Michael."

Gia shrugs. "That's what the guys think. Stefan thought he could use Jason to take out Stavros. It didn't work 'cause Jason is tight with Carly. So Jason and Stavros aren't... friends, but Jason's got an open invite. I think Nik wants his father to associate you with Jason not AJ."

"Then why here? I've lived at the penthouse before when I was warring with the folks."

Shaking her head, Gia doesn't even try to guess. "You know Jason.. what do you think?" Just then there is a knock on the door. "That must be Lucky. It's about time!"

The weather had cooperated. Lucas being the generous host had let Michael ride Thunder and taken one of the other horses instead. Bobbie had put her foot down and said a big n-o to Stefan riding. Sure he'd probably be okay if nothing went wrong but if something did then he might put his mending ribs right through his lung. So Carly and Nikolas accompany the boys on their trail ride around the island along with a groom who keeps a leading rein on Thunder since it's Michael's first time up on a horse. The trek had started out slow as every one got familiar with their mounts. Michael takes to riding like a duck to water with a little bit of adjustment to trotting which nearly bounced him out of the western style saddle.

Carly's horse shies at the sound of a ringing that has her groaning and Michael protesting. She quickly brings the horse under control and reaches into her jacket pocket. She grabs the hands free earpiece. "Stavros Cassadine's line."

"Mama, it's Sunday!" Michael protests. "Tell the damn attorneys to leave Stavros alone!"

"Nik, will you explain the international date line to Michael while I take this?" Carly grimaces. She pulls off the trail and dismounts. She thinks better on her feet. "Mr Cassadine is in another meeting may I take a message? How quickly do you need a decision? That's not going to work for The Prince. Send the relevent documents via encrypted email for his review. He'll make his decision and get back to you."

Nik can tell by the look on Carly's face that she is getting a ration from whoever is on the other end of the line. He nods to the groom to continue the trail ride and pulls off next to Carly and dismounts. "Let me." Carly looks at him for a long time and then hands over the ear piece. "This is Nikolas Cassadine, what is the problem?" Nik rolls his eyes at the serious sucking up going on at the other end of the communication before the caller gets down to brass tacks.
Nik listens for awhile and then interrupts. "Why are you bothering my father with this? Making the decision is part of your job function. If you can't make and stand behind it then you will be replaced with someone who can." There is stuttering and sputtering from the other end. "Send the relevent documents as well as documentation of your action to The Prince as you were directed by Mrs Corinthos." Nik disconnects the call and hands the earpiece back to Carly. "Problem solved."

"Ouch." Carly grins and then she applauds. "You're good but only you or your dad could have gotten away with that."

"Does it happen often?"

Carly nods. "Oh yeah, Course the attorneys in Switzerland handle most of the Estate business, they are the only ones that have the cell number. But there is always something that is getting bumped up to Stavros. It's a mixed blessing. They excel at guarding their turf but they also want to justify themselves and their triple billing, damn attorneys."

"You know everything that is going on with The Estate."

Carly shakes her head emphatically. "Oh hell no. Deception is my baby. The Estate is your dad's." She takes up the reins of her mount who'd been cropping grass and waiting patiently for it's rider. Nikolas gives her a leg up and then climbs back on his mount. "Your dad has plans I know nothing about. They are all up here." Carly taps the side of her head. "I help him with anything that has to do with the computer or... current events. Stuff he missed when he was out of it." Nik knows it is more than that. Carly reads his disbelief. "Let me put it another way. I know what is. Your dad knows what will be. I don't know how to explain it." Carly says with some frustration.

"And Stavros has nothing to do with Deception." Nikolas goes fishing.

"Yes and no. Same thing in reverse. He knows what is and I know what will be. Like the essence thing, I knew I needed it as an in back into Deception. Your dad set up the holding corporation for me and fronted the purchase. Not the money." Carly adds quickly. "It was my money but his was the only face the people in Istanbul saw... he acted as my representative, as Lucien Caine, investment banker. I didn't need his help at all with the glass. As Jason is so fond of reminding everyone..." Carly rolls eyes. "... I know how to call a strike. Your dad is your dad and you and I both know if he starts getting his fingers in something, he's going to try to take over. It's a Cassadine thing."

Jason and Stavros arrive back at Carly's house via Jason's limo. Kris had stayed behind with the Cassadine vehicle to gather the rest of the information needed from Skye. "Carly's gonna kill you." Jason informs Stavros.

"Entirely possible." Stavros replies. He picks up a note on the table and reads it quickly finding out that Carly had gone over to Spoon Island to pick up Michael, visit with her mother and has the cell phone.

"No, man, you aren't listening to me. I don't mean she is going to want to kill you. Or that she is going to throw a fit, although she's going to do that too. I'm saying lock up all the guns and knives in the house. You are a dead man-- again. You crossed the line back there."

"There are no guns in the house." Stavros decides to go literal on Jason's comments. Jason rubs his forehead impatiently, the headache had started as soon as Stavros started playing nice with Junior. Stavros shakes his head. "I did not... give away the farm."

"I don't think Carly's gonna see it that way."

"Caroline is the one that tied my hands."

"Excuse me."

"For some reason she is opposed to what she calls my kill, kill, kill mentality. I have merely bought her time. Time she can spend here in Port Charles with her mother and brother, with her company."

"You took a war to the Quartermaines." Jase doesn't mention that AJ is probably the exception to Carly's kill, kill, kill rule.

"And the first thing they did was fall on each other." Stavros points out. "They won't be coming after Michael until they get their own house in order. Something, that if past performance is any indication, they will never do. And if by some miracle they do pull it together than I will stir it up again. The old man as you call him is at odds with Skye. AJ is now at odds with both his mother and grandfather, his previous allies. It is in his best interests to keep me, to keep Caroline, happy."

"Keep practicing. Your story needs work." Jason says grimly. "And make sure you don't tell her in the kitchen. Or around a fireplace poker. You don't get it. The only thing that comes out of Carly and AJ being in the same room is damage. They know each other too well. It's not like Sonny. Sonny never got Carly... what makes her tick. He had a script in his head that Carly never fit. AJ knows what makes her tick and what sets her off. When Carly and AJ get in the same room, best interests go out the window."

"What will be the Old Man's next move, in his effort to regain ELQ?" Stavros changes the subject.

Jason shakes his head. He's going to be there when the conversation happens between Carly and Stavros. This might be her get the hell out of dodge moment and he'd be right there to back her up as needed. Then he sighs. "Pimp Skye out to you, see if he can lead you around by your dick. It's the first thing he tried on Sonny once Skye hit town."

Others might have been disgusted by the suggestion of a grandfather offering up his granddaughter, even a bastard, but Stavros sees the sense in the play. Skye is merely one of Edward's assets and worth less to him than his company. Edward isn't the first opponent who has attempted to sweeten a deal in that manner, or sought to tie the Cassadines to their family thru the most traditional of laisons. Stavros nods seeing the potential in that scenario from Edward's perspective. "Yes. With the additional purpose of driving a wedge between me and Caroline."

"You're doing just fine with that one on your own." Jason retorts wryly.

Harborview Towers. Gia's Apartment. Lucky wanders around Gia's apartment after cleaning up from a huge lunch of Eli's specials. "This place is great."

"I wanted a one bedroom, third floor or lower. I ended up with a two bedroom on the fourth." Gia says wryly. "But the view of the river sold me... and that this place came furnished. The agent cut me a hell of a break for signing a longterm lease."

"Well if Em doesn't want it, I'll take it." Lucky offers. He flops down on the bed in the spareroom. "I need to get out of Kelly's. And I'm making decent money now at Deception."

"No offense. But hell no." Gia says flatly.

"Aw come on, Doncha love me anymore?"

"Please. We work together; that is enough... no way would I want Laura or Nikolas just feeling like they could drop by. You come with too much baggage. This is where I lock the door and forget the outside world exists-- not invite it in."

"What do you think, Em? Gia's got a point. Everybody needs a hidey hole now and then. You start duking it out with the Q's the first place they are going to look is..."

"Jason's. Then Kelly's and Jakes." Em nods. "Yeah, I'm predictable."

"And nobody would expect you to move in with Gia."

"Thanks alot." Gia crosses her arms and stands in the doorway looking peeved.

"You know what I mean."

"I got it. Why don't you move in with Nik!" Gia says cheerfully. "There problem solved."

Lucky shakes his head. "The idea is to limit to friction between the Q's and the Cassadine. Edward shows up at Nik's door and starts hollaring Eurotrash it's gonna be kinda counterproductive. You get on with the Quartermaines.. used to work for AJ, don't seem to have a problem with Jason. And the older ones don't know you which is just fine too, no baggage there."

Gia groans. Lucky is so not letting this go. It was like Chinese water torture. "Fine. Em, you're welcome to join me in my hideyhole. But there are conditions. Lots of conditions. Scratch that.. two conditions... anything said or done in this apartment stays here, I already have too many people in my business." Gia glares at Lucky before turning back to Em. "And no Lizzie Webber. When you two have plans... meet her somewhere else."

"I really appreciate the ride home, Nik. You didn't have to. I could have taken a cab or called a car." Carly says on the doorstep to her place.

"Not a problem. I need to have a little chat with Stavros anyway."

Carly opens up the door and Michael goes racing in. "Stavros! Hey Uncle Jason! I went horse back riding with Lucas! We had fun. And Nikolas drove me and Mama back. His car goes really fast!"

"Not that it did." Nik says from the doorway. Something bout Stavros and Jason Morgan together just makes him a little leery. Neither of them had the boundaries of a normal person and seeing them with their heads together.... "Just that it can."

"I'm glad you're here." Kris says from the desk where he is sitting. "Here. You can do the updating now." He gets up and with an arm flourish offers it to Carly.

"What?" Carly looks over to Stavros. "What did you do? Buy Canada or something? Is that what the secret meeting this morning was about?"

Jason looks at Carly and raises a brow. Evidently Stavros had been keeping big time secrets. "ELQ. Stavros took Jax's shares."

Carly's jaw drops. "What?"

Nik looks at her. "You didn't know? Michael told us last night."

Carly names off two companies that had been in the wedding contract and the three companies that Stavros had taken down in Greece to create a fence between them and the hoards at the gate. "Nobody said anything about ELQ."

"Company to be named later." Stavros quotes with a mischievous glint in his eye.

Carly comes over and gives him a great big smacking kiss on the mouth. "Oh sneaky. I love it. What did Edward's face look like... did he get all red and look like steam was coming out of his ears?" Then she punches him in the arm. "I wish you had told me. I would have loved to have seen it. Did you get it on tape?" Carly dances away from Stavros and grabs Michael's hand and spins him around in a happy move. Then she goes over to the laptop to see the evidence of the Quartermaine's downfall. "So what do you want? The standard? All assets entered and any duplication with existing Cassadine assets printed out for consolidation/elimination?"

"Are you going to tell her or am I?" Jason says grimly.

"Tell me what?" Carly looks up from the laptop screen. "What else happened?" She looks from Jason to Stavros.

"I made a deal with AJ." Stavros says quietly.

Carly straightens. "You did what?!"

"Kris." Stavros says simply keeping his eyes on Carly.

"Come on, Mr Man. Why don't you come in the kitchen and tell me what you did after I left." Kris suggests to his young charge taking his hand.

Michael looks from Stavros to Carly and back. "Are you going to fight?"

"Oh hell ya." Carly says between gritted teeth.

"No, Michael, we are going to argue, probably loudly. Your mother is going to try to get me to change my mind while I try to get her to change hers. And once it is settled, we will inform of the outcome if necessary."

"But it won't be necessary, Michael. Cause this is between me and him." Carly points at Stavros. "And has nothing to do with you." Michael goes with Kris reluctantly. Carly turns to Jason and Nikolas. "Get out."

"No. I'm not going anywhere." Jason says flatly. "I was there too, Carly." Nikolas stays quiet but doesn't leave.

"And you went along with him?! You didn't stop him?!" Carly yells at Jason. "How could you! You know! You know!"

"Jason has already warned me that he believes I have erred." Stavros brings the focus back to him.

"Erred!" Carly starts breathing hard her fists clenched but she tries to rein in. Maybe it wasn't as bad... maybe it wasn't what she was thinking... "What kinda deal could have have made with AJ? You interested in buying a football team?" Carly suggests hopefully.

"I told Michael's father I would keep him informed of Michael's progress in return for him dropping all conflict with you."

Carly's eyes go wide. "No. AJ will never have anything to do with Michael. Never. He signed his rights away. Michael is my son. And nobody makes decisions for my son but me."

"As you wish." Stavros nods. "I'll have our things packed and we'll leave for Greece tonight."

"What are you talking about?"

"You got three choices the way I see it, Carly." Jason interjects. "With or without Stavros--" Jason glares at Stavros. "Leave and never come back to Port Charles or any place with extradition 'cause you know AJ is going to come at you. Try to work this deal that Stavros made using him and me as a buffer or..."

"Or what?" Carly asks not liking the first two.

"Or eliminate the threat." Stavros says calmly. "It would be easy enough to arrange a permenant solution to the problem."

Carly hears the offer loud and clear.

As does Nikolas who pales. This is it. Carly couldn't actually be considering murder! Studying her face, he sees she is contemplating it. He is about to protest.

But Carly starts shaking her head beating him to it. "No. Damn it. No. Why are you always offering me things I can't take you up on?!" She closes her eyes and finishes working it thru. "If you got rid of AJ another one of them would just step up. It never ends."

All the wrong reasons to come to a decison even if it is the right one. Nik starts to breath a little easier. "It is never going to end, Carly. Dead or alive, with rights or without, AJ is always going to be Michael's father. If you vilify him, Michael will be tarred with the same brush." Nik says softly. "Nobody knows that better than me. And he'll blame you, sooner or later he will blame you."

"The deal I made with AJ is no contact with you or Michael that you don't initiate. Dropping all custody proceedings and to desist in all..." Stavros searches for a word.

"Bashing." Jason offers.

"Of you by him or his family. And in return he will receive progress reports on Michael and the promise that we..." Stavros corrects himself. "I will not bash AJ to Michael in return."

Carly snorts. "Yeah, right like that is going to happen." She bites her lip. "No Contact?"

"No contact." Stavros confirms.

"You didn't make any promises for me? I'm not agreeing to any of this."

"None. You decide how much contact you choose to have with AJ. And if you decide to have no contact with him, I'm sure Jason and I will sleep easy with your decision." Stavros quips. "Pictures and copies of schoolwork only. If AJ has a gift for his son, he will give it to Jason."

"And if no... when AJ screws it up?"

"Then we, you, still have other avenues to pursue."

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