December 25, 2000
Lucky, Jason and Johnny all exit the elevator and make there way to Sonny's Penthouse. Francis lets them in and they find Sonny sitting on the couch. He gets up turning to them.
S: Well what did we find out?
J: The next shipment is coming in the day after Christmas. They have about 2 million in heroine coming in.
S: Damit those drugs can't hit the street. Lucky did you and Johnny have any luck?
Lucky hands Sonny a folder.
L: I don't think you're going to like what you see. (Sonny grabs the folder) Looks as through Sorel is working with Carlos.
J: I knew something was off with him the last time I went down to Puerto Rico.
Sonny takes the glass he is holding and throws it across the room glass shattering everywhere.
S: That bastard is a dead man. I have treated him like family and he betrays me like this. Johnny, I want you to send some guys down to Puerto Rico and I want Carlos brought back here alive. Jason you and I will show Carlos what it means to betray me.
Johnny: No problem, I'll get right on it.
J: What are we gonna do in the meantime about the shipment?
S: Lucky, I want you and some of the guys to go down to Sorel's warehouse, and wire the place to blow. When the shipment is safe in the warehouse, I want it blown up.
J: Are you sure you want to do that?
S: Yeah, it's the only way to assure that the drugs won't get on the streets. Even if the FBI does bust them, and they confiscate the drugs, there's no telling who Sorel has in there.
J: Alright! Lucky, why don't you start planning what has to be done.
S: Okay you all have your orders. Lets get to work. We only have one day to get this taken care of.
L: Okay, I'm on my way to get things started. Jase are you coming?
J: No go ahead I want to talk with Sonny. I will catch up with you tomorrow.
L: See ya man, and guys, Merry Christmas...
Lucky and Johnny exit the penthouse, leaving Jason and Sonny alone.
J: You okay man?
S: I have to tell you I didn't see it coming. Carlos is like family.
J: Yeah well! These days, it's hard to know who you can trust.
S: (feeling guilt about Carly) Yeah, I guess
J: But you can always trust me, like I trust you.
S: Thanks man.
J: We will make an example out of him, so that everyone knows the price that will be paid if they betray us.
S: (changing the subject) You got any plans for tonight?
J: (sighs) No, I have to face that empty penthouse. Carly used to love Christmas she would decorate the place like crazy. I miss that, I miss her.
S: Yeah well I am sure she is off celebrating with her latest victim.
J: (with an angry look) I thought we agreed not to discuss Carly!
S: (holding his hand up in surrender) Hey, you're the one who brought her up in the first place. I'm sorry man! But, I still don't get how you can be in love with someone like that.
J: What's to understand! I love her and that's never going to change. No matter how you feel. So, just drop it. (he gets up and leaves)
S: Hey Jase, I'm sorry man!
Miami Florida: Ruby Lorenzo's Beach House
Ruby is busy making sure everything looks good. She plugs in the Christmas tree and starts lighting the candles around the room. Leticia comes walking down the stairway with Michael in her arms.
L: Hey, you need to calm down. Everything looks great. Michael is all set he had his bath and is all ready for bed.
R: Thanks Leticia, I don't know what I would do without you. You're still going to your mom's house for dinner?
L: Yeah the whole family is gonna be there.
Ruby gives her a big hug "Merry Christmas Leticia".
L: Merry Christmas (she leans in and whispers) "Carly" in her ear.
Ruby pulls back and smiles a sad smile. It had been so long since she had heard her real name.
There is a knock at the door.
R: Okay, that must be Dwayne; I'll get it, while you get ready to head out.
L: Okay, have a wonderful time and I'll see you tomorrow.
R: Sure and don't forget to tell your mom that Michael and I said 'Merry Christmas'.
L: I won't (she exist through the back kitchen door)
Ruby goes up to the front door - R: Dwayne, hi Merry Christmas!
D: (carrying presents puts it down and gives her a hug) Hey Ruby, Merry Christmas, where's Michael?
R: He's in his playpen in the living room. Come on in.
D: Wow, something smells great....I could definitely 'Smell what Ruby is cookin..'(he jokes)
Dwayne, going over to Michael's playpen - D: Hey there buddy!
M: (smiling up at him, he giggles) Rocky
D: I see Santa spoiled you this year.
R: He was a very good boy this year so he deserved to be spoiled.
Dwayne picks Michael up and they begin playing on the floor.
D: The tree looks beautiful Ruby.
R: Thanks; you guys play while I go check on our dinner.
Ruby comes back out of the kitchen to find Michael curled up on Dwayne's lap; asleep still clutching onto an action figure of the Rock.
R: Well I see you wore my little man right out.
D: I think it was more like the excitement from Christmas that wore him out. What time were you up this morning?
R: Early, he couldn't wait to open his presents!
R: I think I better get him to bed. She walks over to pick up Michael.
D: I would love to help you if you don't mind.
R: That would be nice. Follow me.
They reach Michael's room and Ruby turns on the light. She giggles when she sees Dwayne's reaction. His face is bright red as he looks around the room seeing Michael has ROCK posters and memorabilia everywhere.
D: Wow, looks as though I have a big fan!
R: Told you he is your biggest fan. Now you see why he lights up whenever you walk into a room.
Ruby gently takes Michael out of Dwayne's arms and lays him in his bed carefully tucking him in.
D: Well, the same goes both ways, he's a great kid!
R: Yeah, he's amazing! The best thing that ever happened in my life.
Dwayne takes a look around the room as Ruby kisses Michael's head goodnight. He picks up a picture of Jason and Michael. "Ruby, who is this"?
R: That is Michael's dad. He is no longer part of our lives.
D: Oh well, that's his lost. So, you don't have any contact with him whatsoever?
R: (changing the subject) Dinner is probably getting cold.
D: I'm sorry; I didn't mean to push you.
R: (taking the picture from him) It's okay; I just don't like talking about it that much. Why don't we head downstairs and have dinner?
D: Sounds like a great idea (they leave Michael's room and head for the dining room)
After dinner, Dwayne heads out into the living room, while Ruby gets the dessert.
Dwayne: That was incredible Ruby. I haven't had a home cooked dinner in forever.
R: I hope you saved room for dessert?
D: Honey, the Rock always has room for dessert, especially if it's pie....The Rock loves pie!
Ruby enters the living room carrying a tray with coffee and dessert.
R: What are you looking at?
D: Well I couldn't help but notice that you have a key ring on your tree with the name CAROLINE on it. Who's Caroline?
Ruby's hands start shaking as she sets the tray down on a nearby table. She walks over to Dwayne and picks up the key chain. She runs her fingers over the monogram. A tear slowly runs down her cheek.
D: Ruby? I didn't mean to upset you.
She looks at him and suddenly she can't hold back the tears any longer and they flood her eyes. Dwayne takes her into his arms and holds her as she cries.
He gently moves her over to the couch and they sit down. She pulls back wiping the tears from her face.
R: I'm sorry I don't know what came over me. I didn't mean to fall apart on you like that.
D: That's okay, would you like to talk about it? Sometimes talking with someone helps!
R: Well, it's a really long story.
D: Hey that's what I'm here for. So, you want to tell me who Caroline is?
She takes a deep breath still holding onto the key chain.
R: Caroline is me. My real name is Caroline Spencer.
D: I don't understand.
R: Well here goes from the beginning.........
An hour later, after Ruby finishes her story. She turns back to Dwayne.
R: Well, that's it...The whole story! And by the way, my friends call me Carly.
D: Okay, Carly....so, you just picked up and left. You didn't bother to ask Jason about what Sonny told you or what you saw?
C: No, I was too scared. And when I get scared I panic.
D: Yeah, but how do you know that what you saw wasn't what it appeared to be?
C: I don't know I just know that night my heart broke into a million little pieces. I couldn't stand to stay in that town another day and see Jason with that little pixie .
D: Carly I realize I don't know Jason very well, but don't you think that he deserves to explain his side of the events to you?
C: Explain what? I know what I saw. And even if it didn't mean anything. It doesn't matter now.
D: Alright, but you know, it's the holidays at least give him a call and let him know that you and Michael are safe. I'm sure he's got to be missing you guys. Especially during this time of year.
C: You must be crazier that I am (she laughs). I can't call Jason!
D: You can't or you won't? (he sighs) Just promise me you will think about it. If it were me, and you had left me and I didn't know where you or my son where I would be loosing my mind. He deserves better Carly. You and Michael deserve better.
C: I will think about it. That is all I can do right now.
D: Good, just think about it. I better get going. We're back on the road again. I'll call you! (he gets up and heads to the door)
C: Thanks Dwayne, for everything, you've given me a lot to think about.
D: (pulls her into a hug) Merry Christmas, Carly!
C: Merry Christmas, Dwayne
She closes the door behind her, and walks into the living room turning the lights off until the room is dark except for the lights on the Christmas tree. She sighs and turns on the radio and walks over to the window with the Caroline key chain still in her hand. She looks out onto the beach, which is lit up by the moon and listens to the words of the song playing. Thoughts of Jason tumbling throughout her head.
She sighs as the tears fall down her cheeks, "I really messed things up this time Jase."
Meanwhile back in Port Charles:
Jason's Penthouse:
Jason storms into his penthouse slamming the door. As soon as the door closes behind him he is hit with the deafening silence and darkness. It was Christmas night and his home should be filled with Carly and Michael's laughter, instead he is alone in a cold dark room. To drown out the silence he walks over to the radio and turns it on. He picks up a picture of Carly and Michael and heads over to the window. He looks out at the white covered buildings, as the moonlight creates a sparkling blanket over the city below. He listens to the words of the song, as they hit his heart and soul.
J: What the hell happened Carly? Why did you leave me? He looks down at the picture of Carly and Michael, and traces the outline of Carly's face with his fingertip. "You should be here with me, we should be happy."
He walks over to the couch and lays down still holding their picture. It had been what seemed to be a lifetime since he had been able to sleep in his bedroom. Every time he tried he found that he always ended up on the couch. The thought of lying in that bed without Carly always tore his heart open. He shut his eyes trying to remember the last night they shared together. As he drifted off to sleep he let out a sigh. "No matter how long it takes I will find you and bring you home Carly."