CH 31

Gia didn’t know what to do; she stood, frozen in her spot. She was speechless and baffled, thinking her eyes were playing tricks on her. His image became contorted, a jumbled mass through her teary eyes. “Baby girl.” Marcus said as he smiled at her. That simple statement was all it took for realization to sink in and she ran to him, moaning sadly as she wrapped her arms around his neck. She held her brother, like she had wanted to do for so long. She was vaguely aware that Nikolas had walked passed them and left the room. “Marcus I, what are you doing here?” Gia asked breathlessly as she pulled back to look at him. “I live here Gia, in Port Charles. I’m a cop, Lt. actually, and your friend Nikolas came in to the station report your abuse, he showed me pictures and I knew it was you. They were so awful Gia. I’m so sorry about your stepfather, if I would have known.” Tagert said, shaking his head sadly as he looked down. Gia slowly backed away from him; she looked away as she contemplated what he was saying to her. She crossed her arms in front of her chest as reality began to sink in. “Why did you leave me?” She asked, remembering the day she woke up and found him gone. “I couldn’t stay there Gia. With dad gone and mom so depressed, I couldn’t handle it.” Taggert said. Gia became angry as she listened to his reasoning. “So you just left me? I was nine years old Marcus. I needed my big brother and you just left!” Gia shouted. “I know, I just, I don’t know what to tell you Gia. I just needed to get out of there.” Marcus was struggling with his words. “Well thank you Marcus, you know I would have liked to have gotten out of there too but I was only nine at the time so it wasn’t really an option for me like it was for you. But don’t’ worry, I had a wonderful childhood without you. You know with losing my father and brother in the same year and then gaining an abusive stepfather and all. Oh and lets not forget moms monthly breakdowns ever since you left, those were fun.” Gia said, the sarcasm rolling off her tongue smoothly. Taggert swallowed the lump that had formed in his throat as he listened to his sister. “If I could change all that, I would Gia.” He breathed. Gia sighed as she looked up at him. “I could have really used my big brother Marcus.” She said, her voice heavy with emotion. “I know baby girl, I’m so sorry.” Taggert cried as she took her hand in his. Gia let him pull her towards him and crumbled into his arms.

Nikolas had wiped his tears away but felt like he was constantly holding them in as he walked out of Gia’s hospital room, confused and hurt by her behavior. He sat down in a chair in the waiting room, not sure of what to do now. He didn’t know if he should stay or leave. He looked up when he heard the elevator door chime and his heart sunk as his eyes handed on the two figures coming towards him. Alexis smiled at him briefly. “Is your friend in there?” She asked as she pointed to the door to Gia’s room. Nikolas nodded his head softly. “OK I’ve got it from here.” She said as she moved passed him and knocked on the door. Nikolas got up to fallow her but was stopped by a fierce grip on his arm. “Nikolas what the hell is going on here?” Stavros demanded an answer from his son. “Father, my friend needs me right now. If you’ll excuse me, I need to go to her.” Nik said as he moved away from him. His father took hold of his arm again, this time a little rougher and spun him around. Nikolas was slightly stunned by his father’s anger. “I got a call from your school Nikolas. The principal said that you have cut school early twice this week, and the rest of the time you haven’t gone at all. Alexis is being evasive with me about it and I came home early to deal with this Nikolas now you will answer me right now. What is going on?” He asked. Nikolas sighed. “It’s the girl I told you about, Gia. Her stepfather abuses her and I’ve been trying to get her away from him. I know that I have been distracted from my schoolwork but as soon as I make sure that she is safe, I will make up for the work I have missed, I promise.” Nik said. “I’m sorry son but that is not acceptable. Alexis will take care of your friend and you need to come home with me, and tomorrow, you’re going back to school. Now come on, right now.” Stavros said sternly. Nikolas felt like he was losing this battle, he glanced at the door that Gia was behind, she was so mad at him. Maybe she didn’t want him around anyway? He turned to his father and slowly nodded his head and then fallowed his lead out of the hospital.

Gia and Taggert were silent, they had held each other, and now there was a slightly awkward silence between them. They turned to face the door when they heard a brief knocking, before it was opened. “Hi there. Gia?” Alexis asked as she stepped inside and closed the door behind her. Gia became hostile instantly, not wanting to have to deal with yet another authority figure. “Who wants to know?” She said coldly. Taggert glared at her. “Is that how you talk to people?” He asked. Gia shook her head. “You can’t tell me what to do Marcus.” She said. “Well Gia if you want to stay out of foster care, you’re going to need to listen to him because he’s the only one who can legally take care of you.” Alexis spoke up. “Who the hell are you?” Gia asked angrily. Alexis held her hand up to halt Taggert’s scolding response to Gia. “My name is Alexis Davis. My nephew Nikolas asked if I could help you out.” Alexis explained. “Nikolas.” Gia said softly, remembering the awful things she said to him just moments ago. “Yes you see, Nikolas explained to me that your brother wants legal custody of you and I’m going to make that happen for you.” Alexis said. Gia looked at Taggert. “You want me to live with you?” She breathed. Taggert nodded his head. “Gia you can’t keep living where you are now and I don’t want you to live with strangers. I want you to come stay with me.” Taggert said. Gia was breathing hard and her eyes stung as she held in her tears. She rather dumbly looked around for Nikolas, but she knew that he was gone. All of this was overwhelming to her and she suddenly felt the need to be in his arms. But he wasn’t there. “Where do you live?” She suddenly asked her brother. “I live at a place called the brownstone, I think it’s about ten minutes away from where you live.” Taggert said. Gia shook her head. “You’ve lived there this whole time?” She said. “I’ve lived here for five years.” Taggert answered. “That’s as long as we’ve lived here.” Gia eyed him suspiciously. “What?” Taggert asked. “You knew where I was that whole time and you never came to see me?” Gia said sadly. “No! Gia, I swear I didn’t know that you lived here. I..” Taggert’s words were cut off by the ringing of his cell phone. He excused himself and stepped away. Gia looked back over at Alexis as her brother was talking in a muffled voice into his phone. “What about my baby brother? I need to be with him.” Gia said. Alexis sighed. “That’s going to be the hard part Gia. You see because Jacob is not blood related to you or your brother, it’s going to be hard keep you together. But I think it’s possible. If Marcus signs up to become a foster parent, we might be able to place him with you.” Alexis said. “Might be able to.” Gia breathed as she looked away from her. Taggert had ended his call and was looking at his sister intently. “Marcus will you do that for me? Will you try and get Jacob to live with you?” Gia looked at him with pleading eyes. “Gia, I don’t know. Look I have to go. They caught Phil and they’re bringing him down to the station and I want to be there when he gets there.” Taggert said. Gia was silent as she took in this information. “This is all happening so fast.” She said as she brought her hands up to hold her pounding head. “I know baby girl but I’m going to take care of everything.” Taggert said softly as he touched her face lightly. “Jake.” Gia breathed as she shook her head slowly. Taggert saw the pain in her eyes and sighed. “Gia I love you and I want you to be happy. I’ll do everything I can to keep you with your brother, I promise.” Taggert said. Gia let her tears fall as she hugged him. “Thank you Marcus. I love you.” Gia said softly. “I love you too Gia.” Taggert said, his own tears flowing. “OK so I’ll be back in the morning to pick you up.” Marcus said. “Wait, what? I don’t want to stay here Marcus. I want to go with you.” Gia said. Taggert shook his head. “Absolutely not Gia. You need to rest. You shouldn’t even be standing.” Taggert said sternly. “No please, I can’t stay here by myself.” Gia said, starting to panic. “No Gia, I’m sorry but you have to stay here, now I’ll be back in the morning to pick you up. You get some sleep.” Marcus pointed at her before leaving. Gia’s heart was pounding, feeling abandoned. “I have to stay here by myself?” Gia turned to Alexis, but was simply stating the obvious. “I can stay here with you?” Alexis offered. “Uh, I don’t think so.” Gia shook her head as she scrunched up her nose. “Gia I know that you don’t trust me, or anyone for that matter, but I am on your side. Now I’m going to go work on your case, to keep you safe and happy for the rest of your life Gia.” Alexis looked into her eyes when she said this. “Thank you.” Gia whispered.

Nikolas was banished to his room when he got home, his father was furious at him. Nikolas had to admit that he had reason to be. After all, he was only seventeen and should be going to school and having fun like a normal teenager, like he had been merely months ago. But the fact of the matter was that there was another seventeen year old, whom he was madly in love with whose life was the complete opposite. Nikolas sighed as he opened the window of his bedroom to let some fresh air in and gazed outside. He couldn’t keep his mind off of Gia. Even when she was screaming that she hated him, he could see the pain and the anguish that she was going through when he looked into her eyes and it killed him. He walked over to his bed and laid down, it was only 8:00 but he felt like he had been awake for so long. He was tired, no exhausted, but as he closed his eyes, he couldn’t sleep, thoughts of Gia continued to haunt him. He wondered what she was doing right now. If she was all right, if she was happily sleeping, or she was sad and crying. Or worse, if she needed him with her and he wasn’t there. His heart ached to be with her. But he rolled over and slowed his breath, trying to relax and then slowly letting his exhaustion take over his body, and still fully dressed, he fell asleep.

Gia’s heart was pounding as she turned the knob to her door, knowing that if she got caught out of bed, she would get in so much trouble. But she just had to know, so she opened the door and peaked her head out. She scanned the waiting room for him, but saw him nowhere. Her chin trembled as she blinked away her tears. She saw someone sitting in a chair with his back to her and knew instantly who it was. “Zander.” She whispered. He spun around quickly and looked at her with wide eyes. “Gia!” He hissed. “Shh.” Gia said softly, she motioned him to fallow her into her room. “Gia what the hell are you doing up?” Zander immediately laid into her. “Zander please, I need to know where he went.” Gia said desperately. “Who?” Zander asked confused. “Nikolas.” Gia cried. “I don’t know. I went to go get coffee for us and when I came back he was gone. I have no idea where he went Gia, I’m sorry.” He said honestly. Gia looked away sadly. “I told him I hated him. He must be so hurt right now. He was so nice to me Zander. He’s been trying to help this whole time and I’ve been so mean to him. He’ll probably never talk to me again!” Gia said, she began to sob and Zander pulled her to him. “Shh, no no no Gia he will, everything will be OK you’ll see. Shh.” Zander soothed in her ear. Gia clung to him as she cried. “Will you stay with me Zander, please? I hate it here.” Gia shivered as she pulled away from him, looking around the empty hospital room. Zander touched her face lightly. “Of course Gia.” He said softly. Gia guided him to the bed and got in, he scooted up next to her and she curled up next to him. She cried herself to sleep in Zander’s comforting arms.

Taggert was tired and overwhelmed with the emotional roller coaster ride he had been on all day. But he walked with determination into the police station. He bumped into Mac slightly. “I’m sorry. I need to see him Mac.” Taggert said. “I’m not sure if that’s a good idea Taggert. I don’t want you to do anything that you’ll regret.” Mac said. “I won’t.” Taggert said bitterly. He walked into the interrogation room and was shocked at what he saw. Phil was handcuffed to the table, and his mother was sitting across from him, talking to him in a hushed voice. “Mom.” Taggert said in shock. Florence turned around, with a cold look on her face. “Marcus what is going on here? I want you to release my husband right now!” Flo said angrily. “Mother Gia is in the hospital.” Taggert said incredulously. “I know that.” Flo answered. Taggert balled his fists in anger. “First off, I haven’t seen you in years and you’re acting like that’s no big deal. And second, you should be with your daughter right now!” Taggert shouted. “I know that you live here Marcus. Why do you think I moved here?” Flo asked. Taggert was shocked. “You knew I lived here this whole time and you never told Gia I was that close?” He asked. “I knew that she would leave me too if I did that.” Flo said. “So instead you keep her to yourself as your own personal slave?” Taggert said angrily. “You don’t know Gia. She’s a screw up and will never be anything more. She has no direction and no respect for authority. She’s just like her father and I hate her for it.” Flo said. Taggert pointed his finger at his mother in way of a warning as tears blurred his eyes. “I don’t know you.” He said harshly. He turned around to walk out but quickly spun back around. “I’m going to make sure that Gia never has to hear you talk that way about her again.” He said and then turned to Phil and pointed at him. “And you better start praying because you will get what’s coming to you.” He said, and then turned and left.