Background:
Carly never had Michael. She and Jason were starting to grow closer and were finally both realizing that they were meant for each other. Jason had begun opening himself up to Carly and letting her into his life. Carly and Gia are very close friends and are working at Luke's together.
Lucky is also alive and things are not working out with Liz Webber - he is frustrated with everyone in Port Charles treating him like he is damaged from Helen's kidnapping. He and Carly have turned to one another and have become close friends. They seem to be the only ones that they can turn to.
One night after work Carly goes over to meet Jason at his Penthouse. She finds little Miss Lizzie Webber standing in the middle of Jason's living room in her underwear. They exchange words and Liz lets Carly believe Jason is cheating on her and was just using her. (little does Carly know that this has just been a big set up by Sonny and Lizzie)
PROLOGUE:
Carly approached the Brownstone with tears running down her face. How could this happen. She and Jason were getting so close. They had even talked about moving in together. She loved him so much, and to find Lizzie Webber at Jason's. She hated that little goody two shoed pixie for what she was doing to Lucky. When the hell did she take up with Jason? Jason, the love of her life. The man she trusted to be truthful, how long has he been with Miss Lizzie behind her back? She couldn't take it. Her heart felt like it had been shattered and she couldn't breathe.
She entered her room. The one Bobby had allowed her to rent. She and Bobby were barely tolerating each other lately. She left the lights off and enjoyed the darkness; even in the dark the moonlight seemed to light up her dresser- and the picture she had of her and Jason on it. The one of the two of them at the park. Bobby had taken it that day. They were both so happy, laughing and holding each other. The picture was one of Carly's favorites. She reached out and picked up the picture and fell to the floor and sobbed. How could Jason do this, he had been playing her for a fool, and she had bought into all his lies hook line and sinker. A loud knocking at the door woke her up from her trance.
Gia: Carly are you alright? Carly? Carly answer the door, I can hear you crying - please let me help.
Carly dragged herself up and opened the door.
C: Gia, I can't handle anything right now.
G: Carly, god you look horrible. What happened tonight?
C: It's Jason!! Carly turns and collapses into Gia's hug and tells her the whole story and what she saw and what Liz had told her, that Jason thought she was a tramp and was only using her for sex, and that he was gonna dump her that very night.
G: My god, that bastard. How long has he been playing you?
C: I don't know and at this point I don't care. I am such an idiot, I hate that this hurts so much. Gia my heart, it hurts so bad. I feel like I am drowning and I can't breathe. I fell so deeply and completely for him. My world feels like it is crashing down around me and I don't know how to get out.
G: Girl, you have got to listen to me. This is probably one of the worst pains you will ever feel. To learn that someone you love and trusted betrayed you can destroy you if you let it. But letting the hurt control you and take over your life won't help the pain. The only thing I know of that can help take away the pain is STRENGTH and DETERMINATION. Strength from within yourself and from friends around you, and your determination to move on and not let any MAN have so much control over your life that you begin to shut down. Your strong and stubborn Carly. Jason wronged YOU, not the other way around. You should be angry. Don't waste your time on the pain. Concentrate on moving on.
C: What's left here for me? Jason was the one bright light in my life. He kept me here and sane. I know I should be angry and I AM! But it still hurts so much. Right now all I can think of is how much I hate it here. I am so sick of the people in this town. I have never been good enough for anyone, Bobby is barely tolerating me, and the thought of seeing Jason and little Lizzie Webber strolling into Luke's just makes me want to puke. If it weren't for you and Lucky I would loose my mind.
G: I know what you mean, my mom is less than thrilled with the fact that I am hustling drinks in a Jazz club, and my brother, well you know how fond of his baby sister working for the partner of Sonny Corinthos.
C: What is with people in this town - they are so much better than us. (Carly turns away from Gia and is starting to get mad)
G: Caro, what are you thinking? You're getting that look -
C: Why are we always the whipping posts for everyone in Port Charles? I have had enough!
G: Well then why should we stick around? At least let's go out of town for a few days. Just the three of us, we can finally start working on our dream.
C: You mean Vegas?
G: Yes girl, Vegas!! We have been planning and saving for this trip for months. We are just gonna go a bit earlier than we thought. Hey, ya know I have been working on those tricks Lucky taught us. I think we are ready, besides I am not gonna let you sit around this apartment and mope. Come on pack a bag and we will go pick up Lucky.
C: You're on....Big Money here we come!
Needless to say they all hit it big in Vegas, nearly breaking the bank in one casino. They all decide not to return to Port Charles that they have nothing to go back for. Vegas was a great city, with lots of opportunities. They invested some of their money and used the rest to buy two vacant buildings. One to fix up as a home the other to turn into a club. They planned every detail. After months of construction their dreams came to fruition and they opened their club: "FIRE & ICE".
Their club turned into one of the most happening places on the strip. The three partners and friends ran a tight business. Gia and Carly managed and worked the club while Lucky ran their "other outside ventures". All three of them had become very rich and successful. Gia and Lucky were in love and inseparable. Carly dated on and off again, but never let anything get serious. She never wanted to let a man get too close to her. She still loved Jason, and although she still felt twinges of pain now and again when she thought of him, now mostly all she felt was anger and betrayal. She had done what Gia had advised she used her anger and determination and turned her life around. She had become strong, not just mentally, but now physically. Lucky had trained her and Gia in self-defense and martial arts. They both knew how to handle a gun with ease and handled most of the altercations that would erupt in the club themselves. She was proud of herself and of who she had become. She was not a little woman who depended on a man anymore and she often fantasized about beating the shit out of Jason and Lizzie. Maybe someday she would get that chance.