Risk

Chapter LXX

Agenda

You've got mail!

TO: CarlyBabes'@'yahoo.com
FROM: SecretAgentMan'@'yahoo.com
SUBJECT: Backwater, Backwoods, Take Me Back Home

Mon General~

To say I was unsure of my assignment in the beginning would be a gross understatement, like Callista Flockart's fashion sense. But now I've had a chance to observe the natives and I must say I find them simply fascinating. It's like watching E! and Discovery all at once!

On to business, I am staying at a charming place recommended to me by my cab driver, the Valley Inn. This seems to be the hub at the center of all the hub-bub. . When I came down to breakfast who to my wandering eye should appear? But La Kane herself!

She was in a clandestine conversation with a Miss Greenlee Smythe of *THE* Smythe family. Oh when I think of all the little zeros in her trustfund I get positively woozy! I was seated just barely close enough to overhear part of their conversation and it sounds as if Ms. Kane is attempting to divest herself of some nasty piece of work by the name of Kendall Hart. I didn't hear much of the rest of the conversation- but I did manage to *bump* into Miss Smythe on her way out, offering my services as a wedding planner. She seemed fairly open to the idea and I will let you know what develops.

Later the same evening I went to a local club called S.O.S. A very nice salsa dance club and bar where I was treated to another floorshow. This time from Ms. Kane and the dreaded Kendall Hart. Ooh that girl is just notorious around these parts. I made a few discreet inquiries and I think she might be our girl. There's a lot of BAD blood between them and she's apparently the money concious kind of gal. How sharper than a serpent's tooth is an ungrateful child? Hopefully we'll be able to find out.

As much as I hate to leave the creature comforts of this lovely inn and it's staff of attentive bellboys- I'm going to try and get a room at the boarding house Kendall Hart lives in. From Rodeo Drive to Skid Row in one fell swoop... I am getting over time for this aren't I?

Yours in Co-Conspiritorship,
Elton
 

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Carly gets the email at 3am. Evidently Elton had a really good time at that Salsa club and closed the place. "Kendall Hart." Her eyes narrow as she considers all the ramifications of that one. Quickly she emails back.

<<<S.A.M.,
sounds like a great start. And as for overtime... hell no. The trip is on me. When I get Enchantment's share of the market, we're talking bonus. BIG bonus. Keep me apprised.

Carlybabes. >>>

Carly hits send. And goes on to the next email. Stavros come up behind her and hits the key to shut down the computer. "Hey I was working on that!" Carly protests.

"Yes, and now you are not." Stavros starts nuzzling at her neck. "I don't think I like this going into the office each day. It cuts into our afternoons. Our time."

Carly turns her head to met Stavros lips in a lingering passionate kiss. "I wouldn't have to spend so much time on Deception stuff at home if somebody didn't forward his phones to me." She teases. Carly rises to her feet and takes Stavros' hand leading him up the stairs. "You know this feels an awful like rewarding bad behavior. You forwarding the phones... playing hookie with Michael."

Stavros starts unbuttoning her blouse slowly savoring it like unwrapping a gift on Christmas morning. "You could have been with us."

"Not to be a mood killer or anything..." Carly shrugs out of the red silk top, tugging it free of her black skirt. "...but I kinda enjoy being in Laura's face. Just stepping onto that floor even while she is hiding in her office gives me a little thrill."

"More of a thrill than I could give you?" Stavros hugs Carly close reaching behind her to unbutton the skirt and then slowly slide down the zipper. He runs his hands under the band of the skirt sliding his hands over Carly's dierriere. The skirt pools at her feet.

"I didn't say that." Carly grins up at him and takes a step back, kicking the skirt out of the way. She starts unbuttoning his shirt a lot faster than he'd done hers. "And I shouldn't tell you this but Nik was feeling guilty about something, something big enough that he actually volunteered to handle the phoned in Estate business."

Stavros stays her hands. "What?"

"Not that I ever want you to do that to me again... but it's paying off. Nik is handling things. And he's good at it."

"You said he felt guilty."

"He's up to something." Carly shrugs. "I'll find out soon enough. But see..." Carly leans in to kiss Stavros again. "...You really don't mind me going into Deception every day. Tell you what. Tomorrow I'll invite him to dinner. I'm sure I can find something that we need to discuss."

Stavros tucks a lock of hair behind Carly's ear his hand lingering on the nape of her neck. "Yes, I'm sure you can." Another thought occurs. "While I am enjoying this charming little cottage. If we are to stay in Port Charles for an extended period of time, I need to take on staff and a bigger abode."

"Getting sick of Kris' cooking?" Carly wonders.

"That and the need to have a study. There are matters in both of our plans that are not appropriate for the dining room table." Stavros adds wryly.

"Well there you go then. You'll be busy in the afternoons anyway." Carly laughs. "'Cause I know I'll love whatever you pick out." Carly thinks about it for a moment. "I take that back. If you pick out something like Spoon island, I'll have to hurt you."

Cupping her hips, Stavros lifts Carly off the floor. Carly wraps her arms around his shoulders and her legs around his hips. "You love what I do... for you."

"And all those other prepositions." Carly playfully nibbles his ear lobe.

"Propositions I can see." Stavros groans. "But prepositions?"

"You know... over, under, up, down, between, around."

Later that morning, after the sun comes up over Spoon island. Bobbie, Lucas and Stefan are just finishing up breakfast. Now that Bobbie off the surgery schedule her hours more mesh with Stefan's in fact her hours now mesh with Lucas' as well. They would be able to carpool to their respective jobs. Management did have it's perks. "I heard from Audrey Hardy yesterday when I checked my email."

"Oh?" Stefan looks up at his wife.

"She's having a blast in Uganda. She said she couldn't tell me what exactly they are doing there, but that the work is very important. She went as far as saying that if this works out that Stavros could get a Nobel Peace prize for Medicine out of it."

Stefan's brows go up and he smothers an uncharacteristic chuckle at the image. "Oh?" Stefan repeats. "Were there any other signs of delirium? Or evidence perhaps that she should not be operating heavy machinery?"

"Stefan, Audrey isn't one to exaggerate. Whatever Stavros is doing has her singing his praises. Whatever he is doing there has totally overcome her reservations about working for the Cassadine."

"May I be excused?" Lucas asks. Stefan glances at his watch significantly and nods. Lucas races up the stairs to get his bookbag.

Bobbie waits until Lucas has cleared the room before she leans in. "Now are you going to tell me why when Mrs Lansbury gave me back my cell phone this morning there were three messages from Alan Quartermaine?"

There is a brief hesitation in Stefan's reaching for his tea but then he continues the motion and takes a sip setting the cup back down. "He is probably calling to apologize for his wife's behavior and hoping you will support her in the pending disciplinary hearing."

"What?!" Bobbie explodes. "What did you do?"

"Dr Quartermaine's behavior once again reflected badly on the hospital. I did what should have been done after that incident with Pierce Dorman. Or rather Alan Quartermaine did. He suspended Monica's privileges at the hospital."

"You can't do that." Bobbie whispers.

"On the contrary I think I can. I know I can. Monica Quartermaine's name will not allow her to run roughshod over the staff."

"But the Cassadine name will! Damn it, Stefan! I handled it. It was personal between me and Monica. It had nothing to do with you or the hospital."

"Then my name shouldn't have been mentioned and the so called personal discussion should not have taken place in the hospital." Stefan says flatly. "She should not have used her position to damage your reputation, professional or otherwise."

"So you turn around and do the same damn thing?!" Bobbie says furiously.

"No, I held her to the same exacting standard that she expects of any other doctor on staff save her."

"You would never have done this if I hadn't been involved. And I told you I handled it. Why couldn't you just let it go?!"

"Because I have let it go too long." Stefan takes her hand across the table. "You have been a good friend to Monica, to the Quartermaine's. But it is not a relationship that has been reciprocated. They have used your good nature for a punching bag when things have not gone their way. No longer."

Bobbie reverses the position of their hands so that she is holding Stefan's firmly. "I can take care of myself. I have been taking care of myself since I was thirteen years old. I can and do fight my own battles." She says earnestly.

"Do you think I don't know that?! Do you think that doesn't... offend me? That you still need to? This is not your battle. It is mine. It is ours." He holds up their intertwined hands. "As our lives were intertwined long before our marriage. This is the way it was meant to be."

"I'm ready to go!" Lucas races down the stairs. "What is taking you two so long? I don't want to be late today. There is a field trip to the observatory. Come on!" He comes to a halt and silently curses himself as he realizes the tension in the room.

"I'll just get my coat." Bobbie starts to pull away.

Stefan holds her hand for an extra second. "We'll be waiting."

"I'm sorry, Uncle." Lucas announces falling back into his old pattern. Nik had called Stefan uncle and so he does too. "You and mom were getting serious. I should like wear a bell or something."

Stefan comes over to Lucas running an affectionate hand over the boy's hair and then cupping the back of his neck. "No, there is no need to apologize. Your mother and I were speaking of work."

"Didn't look like you were talking about work."

"I stand corrected. We began with a discussion of a problem at work. The rest can wait for another time. You should get your lunch and snack from Mrs Lansbury. Your mother will so return."

"Where is Elton?" Gia asks Nikolas as she knocks on the open door to his office at Deception.

"Come in." Nik rises to his feet.

"This place is starting to look like it did when Carly was in here." Gia looks around at the pictures thumbtacked into the walls. The dogearred and paperclipped magazines on the coffeetable. "I just stopped by to get my schedule from Elton but he's not at his desk."

"He's on... vacation. A vacation Carly arranged for him. Perhaps you can find out what that is all about." Nik says wryly. Gia goes over to the couch and takes a seat. Nik joins her. "She is up to something."

"She's breathing." Gia eyes one of the Deception ads in the magazine critically and then throws it back on the coffeetable. "Schedule?"

"One moment." Nik rises reluctantly to his feet and goes over to the computer. With a few keystrokes he prints off Gia's upcoming schedule of public appearances. "Margie from promotions will be accompanying you on the tour to make sure that everything goes smoothly."

Gia rises and takes the schedule, tucking it in her purse. She makes it as far as the door. "Your dad called me yesterday... after I saw you in the park."

"Your brother would be less than pleased."

Gia ignores the comment. It doesn't even really need an answer. "He's already moved on ELQ."

"I know. I was there when my father told Carly. Wrapped in bow like a pleasant surprise." Nik decides to not tell her about the threatening to kill AJ part.

"Didn't figure Carly would tell him so I let him know that Ned and Em are friends of yours. Something you can reinforce if you want to, he's already primed to hear it."

"Thank you, Gia."

"No problem." Gia shrugs. "Emily has a key to my place now, moved a few things into the spare room. She isn't moved in, isn't going to move in, it's just there-- just in case."

"I owe you for this." Nikolas says awkwardly.

"Yes, you do. If it becomes a problem I'll let you know how much." Gia starts to walk away.

"Sparky!"

Gia turns around. "Yeah?"

"There are some events on your schedule that would be appropriate to bring a date... for the weekend. May I escort you?"

Gia bites her lip. "I don't think that's such a great idea."

"Not a date." Nik says quickly. "Strictly business."

"Strictly business, boss." Gia leaves before she can say more.

While Luke always accused her of wearing rose colored glasses, Barbara Jean Spencer is not one to shirk the hard task when it comes up. After checking in at the nurses station she goes directly to Alan's office. "You wanted to speak to me, Alan?"

"Bobbie, yes, please come in and shut the door." Alan rises to his feet.

As soon as Bobbie has shut the door he comes around and indicates the couch on the far wall. "I want to apologize for what Monica..."

"Just stop." Bobbie interrupts him. "You've got nothing to apologize for. If Monica doesn't want to be friends any more..." Bobbie shrugs. "I'm not going to force myself on her. It's handled; it's over."

"Bobbie, I am sorry. I want you to know that what Monica said... that's not the way I feel. Not the way that AJ feels. We know you've attempted to be Switzerland in this whole mess."

Bobbie tilts her head to the side and considers Alan. "I can't decide if you are sincere, spinning your own agenda or doing damage control."

Alan smiles sadly. "All three?"

"Or all three." Bobbie nods agreement. She rises to her feet. "It's for the best, Alan. I've been biting my tongue for a long time. For months you've had AJ around. You could fight with him, have dinner with him, do things with him if you wanted. I didn't have Carly. And that's because of the Quartermaines. She couldn't come home because of your family. She's back now and I want her to stay. I've been riding the fence too long. If I have to choose between my... friends or my family. I think it's past time that I put my family first."

"And Michael?"

Bobbie sighs. It always come down to a tug of war over her grandson. "What? What about Michael?"

"Stavros offered AJ his... conditional support."

Bobbie's eyes go wide. "Excuse me?! He did what?! When did this happen?"

"Sunday. He told AJ he wouldn't badmouth him... as long as AJ and the family didn't bad mouth Carly. Bobbie, AJ had nothing to do with what Monica said. He's furious at his mother. Feeling like this chance has been taken away before he's even had a shot to prove that he can be a great father to Michael. That he loves his son."

The light dawns. "This isn't about Monica at all. It's about you not wanting me to mention this to Carly."

"Like you said. It's been handled. Personally by you, professionally by Stefan. Can't we just let it go at that and not bring AJ into it?"

Bobbie slowly nods. "Fine. Consider this my parting gift to the Quartermaines. And I'll tell Stefan the same. But give your wife a suggestion from me... she sees me coming... cross the street. I walked away once. I won't again."

One pm at Deception. Carly strolls in without a care in the world. She'd had lunch with her guys. They'd filled her in on their plans and promised to not forward the phones to her. Kris and Michael had gone out for breakfast leaving her to sleep in.. with company. "Hey partner! Howzit going?"

Nikolas quirks a brow. "You're in a good mood."

"Your father is not going to be forwarding his phones today." Carly says cheerfully. She puts her leather portfolio on the coffee table and unzips it. She pulls out a framed double matted photograph. "Where do you think we should hang this?" Carly looks around the room.

Nik rises from the desk. "What is it?"

"My baby took this yesterday while he and Stavros were out playing hookie." Carly says proudly showing it to Nikolas. "First thing your daddy did when he saw the way it turned out was order Kris to get Michael the best digital camera on the market. Michael doesn't have the patience for that whole dark room thing. He's like me. He wants to see things now."

"It's very good." Nik compliments. "I mean really good."

"I know." Carly preens. "So where?"

Nikolas picks the short wall next to the window. "Here. That way you can see it from the desk. I'll call maintenence to put in a hook."

Carly goes over to the wall and holds the photo against it. "I think you're right. Here-- come hold it so I can look at it from the desk." They switch positions. "Little down... little to the right... hold it right there." Carly grabs a marker from the desk top and comes over to the wall making an X where she wants the hook hung. "There. Now what is on the agenda for today?"

"Management meeting in twenty minutes in Laura's office." Nik says with fake cheer.

Carly groans.

Okay special thanks go out to Barky for doing the location shoot with Elton. AMC is the ONE soap that I've never watched. So Lots of thanks to her for helping me out there and taking Elton around the town. I'm hoping that she will continue to write me a few emails for as long as Elton in in Pine Valley.


Deb

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