Prologue: Then End…and the Beginning
 

At some point while she was standing there, the wind had started to pick up and the temperature had dropped. She didn’t know how long she’d been standing there, and frankly she couldn’t bring herself to care. In fact she couldn’t bring herself to feel much of anything except numb. In the waning sunlight she saw a shadow coming to stand beside but slightly behind her.

“This wasn’t my intention, you know,” she said in a voice that was eerily flat, her face devoid of emotions.

“Doesn’t really matter, now does it?” a female voice responded. “The end result is still the same. He’s dead and everything he had is all yours.”

“What if I don’t want it?”

“It doesn’t really matter whether or not you want it. Things are falling apart fast, and somebody needs to step in before total chaos reigns.”

“Everything’s already in chaos.”

“It’s not so far gone that things can’t be fixed,” the woman protested. “Johnny and Benny are doing the best they can at damage control. But they can only do so much. They don’t have the type of loyalty and trust required.”

It was then that she turned to face the woman next to her, “And you think Sonny’s men will be more loyal to me? You think they’ll trust me?”

“You know the most out of everybody. Sonny trusted you more, and told you more. Frankly, you’re the only one with enough information.”

“Alexis, I know nothing about running this type of business. I’m too impulsive for this line of work.”

Alexis gave her a wry, sad smile. “Guess that’s why you have me then.”

“Are you planning on sticking around?”

“Where you gonna give me a choice on whether I stayed or leave?” Alexis asked, her voice skeptical.

This time it was her companion’s turn to smile. “No. Not really.”

“Good then, I guess I’m gonna stick around for a while.”
 
 

Chapter 1: Wake Up Call
 

The shower was running when she woke up. Wait a minute…that wasn’t right. Why was the shower on? On a sigh, she threw back the black satin covers, and padded barefoot towards the bathroom. The lights were on and steam was coming out by the gallons. Without giving it a second thought, she walked over to the shower stall. Yanking the door open, she was greeted by a grinning and very naked Sonny Corinthos.

“What are you doing here?” Carly’s voice was breathless, and just a little scared.

Sonny’s smile only grew wider, if that was possible. “Now, is that anyway to wish your husband a good morning, Caroline?”

“Good morning?” her tone was questioning, and small.

“Well, actually I was thinking something more like this,” and before she could say or do anything, his hands were holding her head in a vise like grip…while he crushed his mouth to hers in a bruising kiss.

“Sonny,” she murmured on a whimper.

“Do you have any idea how much I missed you?” his voice was low and husky.

“I miss you, too.”

Removing his hands from her face, he lowered it until he was gripping her butt, and lifted her so that her legs were wrapped around his hips, pulling her into the shower with him. Not once did his lips leave hers. Her arms were wrapped tightly around his neck, and nothing mattered anymore. He was there with her and that was all that mattered.

“I hear ringing.” It took her a minute to register what he said.

“What?”

“The phone…ringing.” The look she gave him was one of complete disbelief.

“You are kidding me, right?” she asked. “I don’t care about the phone.”

“It’s not my job to answer it anymore, Caroline. You have to care.” Carefully setting her on her feet, he took a step back and away from her.

“Sonny.”

“Later, Caroline.”

“Sonny!” Unceremoniously dumped back into her dark empty room, Carly snatched up the insistent telephone, barking an angry “What?” at whoever had the misfortune to be on the end of the line.

“We have a problem.” Johnny, who’s gotten to the point where he was beyond used to her tantrums, didn’t even flinch at her less than polite greeting.

“Johnny…it’s five in the morning. What kind of problems?”

“The kind that can’t wait for later. We found Kramer.”

“And?” by then Carly had already gotten out of bed, and was making her way to her closet.

“And, you were right. He isn’t what he said he was.”

“Keep him on ice, for a little longer. I’ll be there in thirty.”
 
 

Chapter 2: Early Morning Meetings
 
 

Thirty minutes later found Caroline Corinthos standing in front of a man that could be only be described as gorgeous. On any other given day, Caroline would have been tempted.

“Mr. Kramer,” the smile she gave him was feral. “It’s always a pleasure to meet a man of your…skills, and reputation.”

“Mrs. Corinthos…” it was Kramer’s turn to smile, and it was almost friendly. “Always a pleasure to meet a lady of such beauty. Of course, I would expect that your husband would have better sense than to leave…a woman in charge. My first priority to a woman such as you would be to protect her.”

“Crying shame that I’m not your responsibility, now isn’t it? As for my husband, he was always a little unconventional, what can I say?”

Coming to stand directly in front of him, she leaned down so that he could feel her breath when she spoke, “Now, enough about me and my husband…let’s talk about” she paused and gave him a wolfish smile, “you.”

“What about me, princess?”

“You’re a liar,” she said, her tone matter of fact. Stepping away from him, she continued in the same tone. “And I hate liars.”

“Don’t we all.” Oh, how he reminded her of the men she’s loved and lost. Never show your emotion to the enemy. Never let them see you sweat. But, then again, that’s where the similarities ended.

“You know what I hate worst than liars?” she continued. “Murdering liars. Have you ever committed a murder?”

“Not that I know of…”

Caroline shook her head in mock disappointment. “Lies lies lies. Such a nasty little habit. You know, my sources say differently. They say that you kill for money.”

Kramer merely raised his eyebrows. “Who might your source be, dare I ask?”

She shrugged. “Well, seeing as he’s dead…your last boss. It was very hard getting it out of him, let me tell you.” She leaned back to seat on a desk that was directly behind. “You know, it’s kinda sad what this little tale says about his leadership skills. The fact that his hired gun was harder to trace than it was to prove that he was involved.” She shrugged again. “But you know what’s even more sad? That I won’t be able to use you. You’re good. I’m sure you know that…and you and I, we could have worked well together. But, alas…I hold a grudge.”

Without saying another word, and before anyone could see what she was doing…Caroline grabbed the gun that Johnny had deposited on the desk next to her. Her hands didn’t once waiver, as she cleanly put a single bullet through Kramer’s forehead. “Hmmmm,” she said, looking at the weapon sill in her hand, “I’m getting better all the time.” Then looking at the other two guards still in the room with her, she shrugged again. “I satisfied my lust for blood with Sorel, now it’s mere business as usual.”

She jumped off the table, tossing behind her shoulders, “Clean up the mess in here. Dispose of the body, make sure he’s never found. I’ll take care of the gun. Johnny, I expect to see you at the penthouse at ten o’clock sharp.”

<b>Chapter 2B: Early Morning Meetings</b>
 

“Mr. Antassio to see you, Mrs. Corinthos,” announced the guard who was watching the penthouse door.

It was ten o’clock, and Carly was buried shoulders deep into coffee reports. How the hell Sonny survived all of that boring crap, she’ll never know. “Johnny,” she said without looking up from the reports she was reading. “How are you doing today, Johnny?”

“Huh, fine. Thank you,” Johnny murmured, standing in front of her desk.

“Have a seat.” She waited until Johnny was sitting, before finally looking at him. “So,” she folded her arms in front of her, “tell me you’ve got good news, John. Make me a happy woman. Tell me you’ve found Jason.”

“Mr. Morgan’s a very hard man to track, Mrs. Corinthos,” Johnny felt the need to tell her.

“I don’t really care,” Carly said, her eyes flashing fire. “Jason is a loose. He’s an unknown, and I really don’t need that. So, until he’s found and we’ve had a chance to…chat, I will not be happy.”

They sat there in a moment of silence, with Carly absorbed in her reports, and Johnny thinking about finding Jason.

“So,” said Carly, startling Johnny out of his thoughts. “How’s the girlfriend?”

“She’s fine,” Johnny muttered.

“What you see in her, I will never know,” Carly continued.

“You’re not allowed into my love life,” Johnny said quietly, but firmly.

“Awww, come on, Johnny,” Carly said, her voice closed to a whine, “I can have so much fun arranging your love life. Besides, I’m bored. I need a distraction.”

“What,” Johnny’s tone was dry, “putting the fear of God into men who kill for a living not interesting enough for ya?”

“I need someone whose life I can meddle in…and you’re it.”

“Lucky me.” Carly didn’t miss the sarcasm in his voice, and it just fueled her need to interfere in Johnny’s life even more. “Now, if you’ll excuse me,” Johnny said as he rose from his seat, “self-preservation is demanding that I leave this place and go work some more on finding Mr. Morgan.”

Reaching the penthouse door, Johnny was so sure he was going to make a clean getaway without any more mentions of his girlfriend. But Carly had other ideas. “Give Sasha my love when you see her,” she said to Johnny’s back.

“Later, Mrs. Corinthos,” Johnny said, instead of his customary <i>Stay away from Sasha</i>, and closed the penthouse door firmly behind him.
 
 

Chapter 3: Lost & Found
 

Ok, little note. I aged Michael just a little bit. It’s been a year and a half since Sonny died. Michael was around seven than. Sonny and Carly were married for about two years before he – gulped – died.

A year and a half later, and life had fallen into a kind of dull routine that Carly never quite expected. There was no conflict, no excitement, no…challenge. As her eight-year old son came bounding down the stairs, she thanked God for those blessings…boring was certainly a good thing when it meant that she got more time to spend with her son, and she didn’t have to worry about who she was going to have to kill to keep him safe. Of course, seeing as this was her life, she knew the peace and quiet wouldn’t last. But now, she didn’t care, Michael had to eat breakfast and then she had to take him to school, and that’s all she was thinking about.

“Morning mom,” Michael said as he came to stand in front of her at the bottom of the steps.

“Good morning to you too,” she returned with a smile. “You were running,” were the next words out of her mouth.

Michael gave her a smile, exposing his missing front tooth, “Sorry, it won’t happen again.”

Putting an arm around his shoulders, Carly began steering him towards the kitchen, “How about we go have some breakfast, and we can have another stimulating conversation about why one shouldn’t run inside the apartment.”

“I know, I know,” Michael grumbled. “This place is not an indoor track.”

“Ahhh,” Carly feigned surprise, “you were listening.”

“You’re taking me to school today?” Michael changed the subject.

“But of course,” replied Carly.

“Who’s picking me up?”

“Either me or Johnny.”

“You’re still coming to the play, right?” asked Michael, as he took his seat across from his mom.
 “Wouldn’t miss it for the world,” replied Carly with a smile. “Just imagine, a few years from now I’m gonna be reading billboard and movie posters that reads Starring MICHEAL MORGAN CORINTHOS, and I’ll be able to say I knew you when.”

“Moooom,” Michael said on a laugh, just as Carly’s cell phone rang from beside her.

“Yeah,” was her curt reply. She really hated it when people interrupted her breakfast with Michael. Johnny and Alexis knew better, so if it was them, they were gonna catch hell from her.

“I’m hoping the fact that I have good news will mean that I get to live another day,” came Johnny’s voice over the line.

“That depends on the news.”

“We found him.”

Carly didn’t even bother to ask who they found. She had to give the guy credit…he knows how to keep out of sight. “That just bought you another week,” she said, instead. “But you’re going to have to wait until I come in for us to talk. Later.” Hanging up her phone, she turned her attention back to Michael.

“We were discussing?”
 

Michael was dying to know what her conversation was about, but decided not to pursue. “My future stardom…”

“Ahhh yes,” Carly knew he was more interested in her conversation, but she also knew that he would not pursue it – something he did not get from her. “I expect an Oscar by the time you’re twelve.”

Taking a bite of his eggs, Michael merely rolled his eyes and said, “Yeah…sure mom.”
 

Chapter 4: Welcome Home
 

Walking purposefully into the warehouse Carly wasn’t thinking about anything but reaching her office and talking to Johnny. She all but slammed into the office. Noticing Johnny, she didn’t bother with a good morning. “Where is he?”

“Well,” responded Johnny, “he <i>was</i> in Bangladesh, but now I’m guessing he’s about an hour away from here.”

“Bangladesh?” she looked at Johnny in incredulity, “What the hell was he doing in Bangladesh? And what the hell do you mean, an hour away from here? Bangladesh is further than that.”

“Ok, first, I don’t have a clue as to what he was doing in Bangladesh,” Johnny began, “you’re asking me to figure Jason out, and I couldn’t do that if my life depended on it. As to your other question, we picked him up last night. I figured since we wouldn’t be able to get him in until morning, we might as well, tell you in the morning.”

Carly sighed. Coming over to stand directly in front of Johnny, she bent over until she was at eye level with him, and wrapping an arm around hi neck, she said… “Johnny, I expect to hear about developments as they happen, not after the fact. I don’t appreciate decisions being made about when I will, or will not know what’s going on. Now, I trust you, so I’m not too mad. But don’t make a habit out of it.”

A knock at the door caused her to straightened up and step away from Johnny. “Yeah?” she said her tone sharp.

The door opened to reveal one of her newer guards. Kris, she believed his name was. “What?” she questioned quietly.

The guard swallowed. She really made him nervous. “Mr. Morgan is here, Mrs. Corinthos.”

“Show him in.” the look she gave him was like, <i>What are you, an idiot?</i>

Swallowing again, the guard stepped back to allow Jason to step through the office door, followed by another guard.

“Jason.” Carly’s smile was cheerful and bright, damn near blinding, in fact. “My favorite best friend. Was once lost, but now” - she put a hand over her chest - “but now found.”

Walking slowly over to him, she wrapped her arms around his stiff shoulders in a hug. “Welcome home,” she whispered, once again looking into his eyes and smiling.

<b>Chapter 5: Catching Up With Old Friends</b>

 
Stepping away from Jason, Carly angled her head at the guards who had brought him in. “You guys can leave.” She then turned to Johnny. “I’ll talk to you later, John.”

Johnny nodded, and with out a word to Jason, he got up and left the office, closing the door quietly behind him

“What are you doing here, Carly?” Jason questioned, fixing her with one of his blank stares.

“What,” her tone took on a frosty and defensive slant as she put more distance between herself and Jason, “no hello, Carly? No it’s nice to see you Carly? No how are you doing, Carly?”

He had forgotten how easy it was to piss her off. Rubbing his forehead, he said, “I’m happy to see you, Carly. Don’t get me wrong. I just want to know what the hell is going on, what you’re doing here at the warehouse.”

“I work here.”

OK, he wasn’t expecting that. “What do you mean, you work here?”

“Oh, come on Jase. You can’t honestly be telling me that you’re that out of the loop.”

“I’m that out of the loop,” Jason said sitting down. “So why don’t you tell me what the hell’s going on?”

“You know what never ceases to amaze me?” Carly asked, ignoring his question. “The fact that no matter what happens, you always assume that you have the right to order me around.”

“Carly,” Jason’s voice held a hint of warning.

Ignoring him, Carly forge ahead, “I mean, you disappear for…what?…three years. And then you come back, and we’re right back to where we started. You say jump and expect me to ask how high.”

“Yeah,” Jason answered in an ironic tone. “A lot of good that did me. I don’t think you’ve ever learned how to jump. Not for me, and not for anybody else. So, why don’t we just cut the crap, and you can tell me what the hell’s going on.”

“Sonny’s dead!” G-d, she really didn’t mean for it to come out that way.

“What?” Jason’s voice was a shocked whisper.

“Sonny died a year and a half ago. But, I guess you would have known that had you stuck around.”

She could see the pained look in his eyes, as he tried to process the information. She really should try to be gentler with him. She knew that the information would be painful for him to hear, but she really didn’t care. Looking at him right now, all she wanted to do was hurt him, and she will use all weapons available to her.

“What happened?” Jason asked in a pained voice.

“Stuff,” she answered back.

“Care to elaborate?”

“Me. I happened.”
 
 

Chapter 6: Tale of Woe
 

Kinda changed scripts and history a little. Mostly because I was too lazy to look for the original conversation, and also because I wanted to take this in my own direction.

“Come again?” The look in Jason’s eyes was a mixture of shock, anger, sympathy, and disbelief. He knew Carly. He knew how she thinks. Because of that, he also knew that she blamed herself for practically everything that goes wrong around her. OK, sometimes, she did have a hand in the disasters around her. And, while he knew that she would never have deliberately hurt Sonny, her brilliant plans have never gone off as planed. “Do I want to hear this?”

“I don’t know. Do you?” she replied.

“I guess I don’t have much of a choice.” He took a seat on the chair had vacated earlier. Looking her directly in the eyes, he sated in a flat emotionless voice, “Start from the beginning and don’ leave anything out.”

Resigning herself, to having to live that day over, she went and took a seat behind her desk. Once upon a time Sonny’s desk, even belonged to Jason once a lifetime ago. But now, it was her desk…and it was going to stay that way. She’d learned long ago that, if one must live in a life of danger…it was so much better to be the one in power – the protector, rather than the protected.

“You know, it’s very funny, really, how things never work out how they're supposed to – particularly where I’m concerned,” she said with a thoughtful frown.

“What didn’t work out the way you wanted it to?” Jason asked, his voice soft and encouraging.

Without looking at him, she whispered, “Everything.”

***“Mike!” OK, talk about appearing out of thin air. One of the things - ok the only thing – Carly had always admiired about Mike was his ability to materialize out of the proverbial thin air. Right now, with him having scared ten years off her life, she wasn’t sure she still admired that trait. “What are you doing here?”

“I’m here to see Sonny,” replied Mike, as if it was the most obvious thing in the world.

Looking around the empty docks, Carly raised an inquisitive eyebrow in his direction. “Really? Well, I don’t see him…but then again my night vision’s always been off.”

“Look,” Mike was exasperated and tired. He really wasn’t in the mood to put up with Carly.  “Look,” he said again, “I’ve already been to the warehouse and the penthouse. I was just basically walking around right now?”

Carly wasn’t an idiot, she knew a desperate man when she saw one. “What kinda trouble have you gotten yourself into this time, Mike?”

“I really just wanna talk to Sonny.” There was no way he was going to let Carly get involve in this, not ever. The woman was volatile…and the amount of damage she could cause.

“You’ll talk to me.” The look she gave Mike clearly said not to mess with her. “Sonny’s got enough to deal with right now, and he doesn’t need you added into that equation.” She fell silent looking down at the water, when she turned back to face Mike again, she had a small smile on her face. “And besides, Sonny’s out of town. Won’t be back for three weeks or so, maybe later. I know you have to be desperate and running out of time to come here…but if you can wait for Sonny to come back, “she shrugged, “you’re welcome to.”***

“Please please please tell me Mike did not get you involved into one of his problems.” Jason was currently sitting back in the chair, rubbing his forehead.

“You disapprove What a surprise.” She sent him a defiant look.“You’re not allowed to disapprove of my actions anymore, Jason.”

The entire time she was talking she was facing at the window that looked out onto the water. Finally, though she turned around to face Jason. Then slowly, she made her way to the desk, taking a seat behind it. Making it clear to Jason that he was not the one in the power seat anymore.

“Do you want me to continue this or not? You might have all day, but I don’t.”

Jason spread his heads in a go ahead gesture. “I’m not stopping you. I’m dying to hear how this went down.”

“Mike owed Sorel money. A lot of money. And Sorel wanted to get paid…quickly. And I knew he was going to try to use that against Sonny somehow. So I decided to handle things myself. It wasn’t like sonny was there to fix it. Another one of my brilliant crazy plans. But it worked, you know. One of my plans actually went off without a hitch…up to a point.”

***“Mike,” Carly said in exasperation, “chill. Sorel’s no longer in the equation anymore.

“Sonny’s gonna flip when he hears about this?” Mike wasn’t as quick to dismiss the possibility of serious trouble the way Carly did.

Pivoting on her heels to face him, Carly put her hands on her hips. “What? You planning on telling him? I’m sure that conversation will just be filled with happiness, and praise, and all around good cheer. I’m sure Sonny will just love to hear all about how you got me involved in your crazy life…and with Sorel.” She could see that she was getting to him, so she continued, “It’s done Mike. Let it go.”***

“I guess somewhere along the line, I must have messed up or something. Because Sorel decided that Sonny set him up. He decided that Sonny used Mike to get to him.”

“Of course he was going to blame Sonny.” Jason said. G-d, had he always sounded this way when he speaks to her? As if he was talking to a three year old?

“He hired a guy, while he was still inside. The prison system in this city bites.” Getting defensive with Jason just wasn’t going to help her. “We had gone to dinner at the grill and then a movie…the day after Sonny got back from Puerto Rico. We were walking home. I wanted us to walk home. Gave us some more quiet time together.” She paused to take a deep breath. “No one ever actually thought Sorel had what it took to take down Sonny. But, we’ve all been wrong before.”

***“Come on, admit it. You loved it.” She turned to face him, walking backwards and giving him her brightest smile.

“It was a chick flick,” Sonny replied, as if that explained everything.

“And you loved it.” She suddenly stopped and threw her arms around his neck.

“It wasn’t half bad,” he said with a dimpled smile. “Does that make you happy?”

“I guess it’ll have to do for now,” she said twining her fingers through his hair, and bringing his face to meet hers in a kiss.
Really, the man could kiss, she thought before he felt his body stiffened against hers. “Sonny’s what’s wrong?” which was when he went limp in her arms, and there was no mistaking the bullet that landed at the dirt near her feet. “Johnny!” she screamed even as she dragged Sonny’s dead weight down with her.***

“Sorel wasn’t going to walk after that. I hope you didn’t expect me to let Sorel get away with that.”

“How were you so sure it was Sorel?” Jason asked.

“Who was it supposed to be, the tooth fairy? And, anyway…if I had any doubt they disappeared after my little meeting with Sorel.”

***“I want you to get Sorel out of jail.”

“I beg your pardon?” Did that woman never heard of simple requests? Johnny looked at her as if she’d lost her mind.

“Break Sorel out of jail…get him released…I don’t really care how you do it…get him out.”

“Mrs. Corinthos that’s –“

“Johnny, Sorel is mine. He’s not going be allowed to walk on this. Now you can help me, I need you on this.”***

“Johnny, there’s a reason why I love Johnny so much…he has faith in me, and he was efficient. Sorel was out within forty-eight hours. Jail break.”

***“You awake yet?” Joseph Sorel slowly opened his eyes to be faced with the expressionless face of Caroline Corinthos staring back at him. “Welcome back to the land of the living, and to your new home…however transient.” The smile she gave him was obviously one she’d learn from Corinthos. He would have never thought such a pretty face could look so cold.

“You and I,” she said, “have the entire night to talk. Isn’t the excitement simply killing you.”

“What can we possibly have to talk about, Mrs. Corinthos?” a smug rat. That was what he looked like.

“I don’t know” she gave a slight shrug, “ we can always start with the night you had my husband killed. You can start by telling me who you hired to kill him”

“I don’t know what you’re talking about.”

“Wrong answer.”

He didn’t expect her to start with his feet, but if the pain to his left foot was any indication that was what she decided to start with. Damn, this was going to be a long night.***

“It wasn’t my finest hour, but it got the job done.” Standing up, she grabbed her briefcase and headed for the door.

“Where are you going?” Jason stood up as well.

“I have other demands on my time Jason. Sitting here going over the past with you is not on my list of priorities.” Opening the door, she glanced at Johnny who wasn’t standing a foot away from the office. “Johnny, have someone escort Jason back to Harborview, and inform Jack that he’s driving me to my meeting.” Closing the door without waiting for Johnny’s reply she turned to Jason. “I run things here. Johnny’s my captain. And that’s how it’s gonna stay. It’s not that I don’t trust you Jason. I’m just paranoid.  I’m not going to go back to being the clueless girlfriend, wife or whatever. You either play by my rules or you don’t play at all.” She swept out of the office, leaving Jason to go over everything he had learned.
 

Chapter 7: Proposition
 

Every time she stepped into the place, she remembered exactly why she liked it. It was one of the main reasons why she continued to hold her meetings here. It had a quiet peaceful charm that was hard to find anywhere else, especially in Port Charles.

She silently dismissed the Maitre d’ when entered the dining room, and took a minute to stand and study the man who was sitting at the quiet corner table with his back to the door…waiting for her. Taking a deep breath, she slowly made her way over to the table, stopping two inches away from his chair.

“Penny for your thought.”

Stefan Cassidine slowly turned around to the face the young woman standing behind him. “Mrs. Corinthos…” he greeted, bestowing her with his rare but charming smiles. “You’re looking lovely this afternoon.”

“Mr. Cassadine, always a pleasure,” Carly offered her own smile, taking the seat he offered her.

Another thing she loved about the place: service was prompt…it didn’t take the suggested three minutes before a waiter showed up at their table to take their drink order.

“A glass of iced tea, thank you.”

“And you, sir?” The waiter then turned his attention to Stefan.

“I’ll have the same.” Carly raised and eyebrow. “I drink tea,” Stefan felt inclined to defend himself.

“I didn’t say anything.” Carly took several minutes to study him from under lashes…finally having had enough of the silence, she posed the question that was burning a hole through her brain. “Was there a reason you requested this meeting, Mr. Cassadine…or where you just dying for my company?”

“Why the hurry? I thought that we might discuss my reasons while we eat.”

“How about we discuss them now?”

“All right then, I have a proposition for you.”

Carly smiled then…a sultry knock ‘em dead smile…of course, if one looked close enough they’d also notice how it didn’t reach her eyes…and the somewhat dangerous quality to that smile. “Really? Do tell.” Stefan had to try really hard to let her get through him, but the more time he spent in her company the more he understood why so many guys fell for her.

“I have an acquaintance, from the Virgin Islands”

“US or British?”

“British…Do you know a Jackson Galiano?”

“Yes, I do…If he’s your acquaintance, might I suggest that you start going to places where you can meet nicer people?”

“He wants this city.”

Carly snorted. “PC’s not exactly next door to the British Virgin Islands.”

“I guess he heard you were good.” He gave a slightly, crooked but brief, smile. “As I was saying, it is my understanding that Mr. Galiano has plans for you territories, beginning with Puerto Rico, and working his way to PC.”

“Where did you get your information and why are you bothering to tell me?”

“My information comes from a reliable source…”

“Oh yes, the mysterious acquaintance whose name I still don’t know.”

Stefan continued as if she hadn’t speak… “and I was hoping that between the two of us, we nip Mr. Galiano’s little plan in the bud.”

“What? He stole your girlfriend while you were in high school together?”

“No. He worked with my mother to kill her.”

Carly’s face took an immediate serious quality, and she sat up just a little straighter in her chair. “I’m not going to be sucked into your little games of revenge, Stefan.”

“This is about more than just my little games of revenge, and I assure you…I do not play games. This also about your territory…which I was under the impression you wanted to keep.”

Carly slowly rose from her chair, “I’ll be in touch,” with that said she swept out of the room leaving Stefan exactly where she found him.
 
 
 

It was two o’clock when Carly arrived back at the warehouse and Johnny was already waiting for her.
 
“What’s going on?” Johnny asked her worriedly when he saw the look on her face.

“I want you to find out everything you can about Jackson Galiano.”

“Can I ask why, we don’t exactly share territories.”

“I’ve been put under the impression he wants to do more than share.”

“Most of his territories are in Chicago, though aren’t they?”

“I guess he’s looking to expand…while I’d like to discard everything Stefan’s told me, he doesn’t really have a reason to lie…”

“Stefan Cassadine? What does he have to do with anything?”

“Nothing much, right now…just find out what you can Johnny…I’ll deal with Cassadine on my own.”

“Yes, Ma’am.”

“Hey Johnny,” Carly called, as he was about to leave the room. “Jason’s your new personal helper.”
 
 

Chapter 8A: Guy Talk
 

Sitting back in the limo, Jason once more threw an irritated glance at Johnny. He never knew anyone could annoy him so much, but Johnny was doing an amazing job…and he wasn’t even talking. Another problem right now, Jason’s perfected the art of not talking…he could appreciate whole-heartedly someone who never talks. But this entire thing with Carly had him on the edge…he didn’t have a clue what the hell was going on or how he was going to fix it. Add to that Johnny unceremoniously waking him up in the dead of night, telling him that they were going out of town per Carly’s orders…ok, so he already had an entire toe off the cliff.

They made it to the airport in absolute silence, and managed to board the jet the same way. Johnny knew that Jason wanted to know what they hell was going on, but Johnny had learned the art of making them nervous from Sonny…and he had perfected it under Jason’s guidance. As good as Jason was at his poker face, Johnny knew he was nervous…the unknown, combined with Carly always makes <i>everyone</i> nervous, and Jason was no exception.

They took their seat opposite each other and buckled their seat belts. Five minutes after the plane took off, Jason finally broke the silence. “Are you going to tell me what’s going on or do I have to guess?” His voice was flat and expressionless…almost… it took someone with sharp ears – or Johnny – to pick up the mild irritation.

“Chicago…we’re meeting with an old friend, who has information Carly wants.”

Jason seemed to consider that response for a moment. Not for a second did Johnny believe that Jason actually cared about why they were going to Chicago…he’d done this a million times for Sonny and was not worried about the situation that was sure to meet them. No, Carly was definitely the most important thing to Jason right, and Johnny was holding his breath in anticipation for when Jason brings up the subject. He wasn’t disappointed.

“Why’d you let her do it, Johnny?”

“You are apparently asking this question based on the assumption that Carly can be controlled.” Johnny didn’t even bother to look up from a magazine he was pretending to read, his tone was distracted, uninterested even.

“You were her guard, Johnny…you, Benny and Alexis let her do this…and I’d like to know why.”

With a sigh, Johnny put down the magazine, and pulling off his glasses, sent Jason a look that could freeze a Florida summer.

“Sonny was dead…where were you while we were combing the globe, searching for you? The entire business was left with out supervision…Sorel was getting ready to move in and Carly was worried. While Benny and I worked our butts off to keep Sorel at bay…we were still just barely keeping it together…Benny doesn’t have what it takes to run this business…how easy do you think it is for a bodyguard to acquire the loyalty of so many men…and Carly…She knew things I never did. Sonny trusted her with information he probably shouldn’t have…but he did, and the other stuffs she learned on her own. Carly’s good at what she does Jason...the guys trust her, they’re loyal to her. She’s got the kind of power it takes <i>years</i> to acquire in this business…and she’s done the one thing you and Sonny couldn’t do…”

“She took out Sorel,” Jason supplied quietly.

“Yeah, and Port Charles is hers. All of Sorel’s territories in New York are hers. She’s not the Carly you left behind. My piece of advice: deal with it.”
 
 

Chapter 8B: Trust Issue
 

Alexis Davis was coming down from a tremendous high as she stepped off the elevator at Harborview Towers. Never mind that it was two in the morning and she had to be at her office by eight. She was about to fit her key in her penthouse door, when the apartment across from her opened up, revealing Caroline Corinthos, already dressed for bed…but obviously wide awake.

“This guy must be something else entirely, if he’s inspiring you to sneak into your own home at” she looked at her bare wrist, “well, very early in the morning, or late in the night, depending on how you look at it.”

“Why are you still up?”

“Couldn’t sleep. You up for a little girl talk?”

Opening the door, Alexis didn’t say anything, but simply stepped inside the apartment leaving the door open. “I’ll be back,” she said to Carly, heading up the stairs to her room.

“Jason’s back,” Carly said, not giving her a chance to move far.

“Okay, forget my clothes.” She did an about face, coming to sit in the chair across from Carly. “Where was he?”

“Bangladesh.”

“What happens now?”

“Nothing happens now. Jason’s the one who’s going to have to adjust, not me.”

“So things stay as they are?”

“Of course.”

“You’re not worried about what Jason might try to do?”

“Call me paranoid, but I don’t trust Jason as much as I used to. I know Sonny trusted Jason implicitly, and once upon a time, so did I. But I didn’t have so much to lose. Jason’s been gone too long, he’s spent too much time away, and he knows too much.”

“Where is he now?”

“Out on business with Johnny. I have faith in Johnny, and what better person to keep an eye on Jason.”

“You really think Jason might pause a threat?” Alexis asked incredulously.

“No,” Carly took a deep breath, “no, but like my mother always said, better be safe then sorry.”
 
 

Chapter 9: Partners?
 

“Mrs. Corinthos to see you, Mr. Cassadine,” the nervous secretary’s voice came over the speaker, interrupting Stefan’s reverie.
 
Before he could even finish saying, “Show her in…” Carly Corinthos had already stepped into his office looking to all the world none too happy.

“Mrs. Corinthos,” greeted Stefan in his special brand of complete calmness.

“Carly, please,” she said with a tight smile. “After all, I was once your step daughter. And it seems that now we are partners.”

“I’m assuming that your are accepting my proposition?” Stefan asked, with no inflection in voice.

“Was there ever any doubt?”

“I wasn’t certain.”

She laughed. “I never would have guessed.” Pointing to the chair right in front of Stefan’s desk, she asked “May I?”

Stefan looked at her, as if surprised. “Yes,” he finally replied. “Make your self at home?”

“Shame shame, Stefan,” Carly mocked, as she gracefully lowered herself into the chair. “Your manners are slipping, now what would mommy say?”

“Helena has no sense of manners. Now, can we get on with business?”

“I’m in.” Before Stefan could say anything, she continues, “yeah, I know. I said I didn’t want to get involved with anything Helena…plus, it’s a terribly impulsive move…something the old Carly would do. But, what can I say, sometimes caution tends to go out the window. Plus, I know you wouldn’t hurt me.”

“Really. And how did you come to such a wise decision?”

“You’re addicted to my mom,” Carly replied, “and Aunti Laura kinda likes me. Besides, you do anything to fuck with me…I will find 15 different creative and <i>painful</i> ways to destroy you.”

“Warning duly noted,” Stefan said with a barely perceptible nod and not a hint of emotion on his face.

“Good. Now that we understand each other, let’s talk.”
 
 

Chapter 10: Mama Said
 

“Mama, how are you doing this lovely day?” Carly questioned, settling herself at the counter in Kelly’s.

“Hey, honey,” Bobbie said with smile. “How are you doing?”

“Good…things are good.”

“Yeah?” Bobbie questioned as she placed a cup of coffee in front of Carly.

“Ok, what have you heard?”

Bobbie thought about playing dumb, but decided it was pointless. “Jason’s back in town?”

“News travel fast,” Carly muttered, before taking a sip of coffee. “I see that I’m going to have to muzzle the people in this town.”

“Small town, baby.” They were both silent for a couple of moments. “Do you know what his plans are?”

“Jason never tells me anything, mama. You know that.”

Bobbie sighed, and Carly automatically braced herself. This could get ugly. “I just thought that with him being back, that maybe you should…”

“I should what, go back to being somebody’s responsibility?”

Bobbie sighed again, “I worry about you. What you’re involve in?”

“What I’m involve in? I’m not involve in anything, mama. I run a coffee company.”

“Your husband’s coffee company!”

“Meaning what?”

“Meaning…”

“Look,” Carly interrupted, quickly jumping down off her stool. “I’m fine, mama. I can take care of myself. Everything’s fine, I have everything under control. Forget about Jason being back in town, it doesn’t mean anything. I’m not going  back under Jason’s thumb.”

“Carly…”

“I’ll see you later.”
 
 

Chapter 11: Old Friends
 

“You really shouldn’t be walking around without a guard. Especially at this time of night,” Jason said, once he got close enough to Carly to be heard.

“I do have a guard. He just doesn’t report to you anymore, therefore you don’t know he’s there.”

He acknowledged what she said with a nod. “What are you doing out here?”

“Standing,” Carly replied, never once looking at him.

“And thinking.” Jason supplied.

“How was Chicago?” Carly asked, in lieu of acknowledging his comment.

“What, you didn’t talk to Johnny?”

“I’m asking you.”

“It was fine.” Jason waited to see if she would say anything. When she didn’t, he continued to speak. “ I really don’t think it’s a good idea for you to get involve with Cassadine. I can handle this guy, if you want me.”

“No you can’t,” Carly replied. “You don’t have the resources. And I know what I’m doing with Stefan.”

“Listen, Carly –“

“So, when are you going to stop by the penthouse and say hi to Michael?” She interrupted.

“You think that’s a good idea?”

“I don’t think you can hurt him anymore, if that’s what you mean,” Carly replied. “He’s not quite as attached. You’ve successfully established yourself as the really cool Uncle that only visits once every blue moon.” Jason winced. “Have breakfast with us tomorrow,” she continued, “ we’re still family.”

“I’ll see what I can do,” Jason said quietly.

“Good.” Carly turned around to leave. After having gone no more than five feet, she turned to face Jason, “Oh and Jason, don’t ever question me again.” She left a thoughtful Jason, standing along on the docks.