Chapter 3

Gia sat fuming her meeting with Taggert having gone the normal route. Despite her constant pleas and explanations Taggert still could not see things from her perspective. Sonny was her brother and no matter what anyone thought or said she was determined to make their relationship work. Checking her watch again Gia cursed realizing how late she was running. If she didn’t call and check in soon knowing Sonny he would send out the troops to find her and make sure she was ok. She smiled despite herself as the image of Sonny ranting and raving over her missing flashed through her head. Though she would never tell him Gia liked how protective of her he had become. Having struggled to find and created a relationship as is the fact that they were now close surprised and delighted her. With Marcus Gia knew how and why he loved and treated her as he did but with Sonny each new discover, each new reason she feasted upon. As the traffic in front of her stalled Gia quickly called Sonny.

Sonny- Corinthos…
Gia- Sonny… it’s Gia.
Sonny- Where are you?
Gia- In the car… I’m headed that way now.
Sonny- You were supposed to be here an hour ago.
Gia- I’m sorry. Marc… I’m just running behind schedule that’s all…
Sonny- Taggert warn you about me again?
Gia- [softly] Yeah…
Sonny- Good…
Gia- Good?
Sonny- [laughing] Means he’s thinking about me.
Gia- [laughing] When does he stop?
Sonny- Good point. Are you staying for dinner?
Gia- If it’s not too much “trouble”.
Sonny- What is that supposed to mean?
Gia- Well… the last time I came for dinner you and Mike tried to outdo each other.
Sonny- That’s Mike…
Gia- And your “friend” kept sending me signals…
Sonny- What kind of signals?
Gia- The kind that said that if I took one more step towards you she would claw my eyes out.
Sonny- You’re kidding me right.
Gia- No…
Sonny- But you’re my sister.
Gia- She didn’t know that.
Sonny- Why didn’t you say anything?
Gia- What was there to say?
Sonny- Well…
Gia- You know I’ve been thinking…
Sonny- About?
Gia- I think you need a woman…
Sonny- [smiling] That’s not a problem.
Gia- No I mean you need to settle down… start a family you know…
Sonny- I don’t think so.
Gia- You would be great with kids.
Sonny- [quietly] No…
Gia- Why not? I mean what woman…
Sonny- [harshly] It won’t work.
Gia- Sonny…
Sonny- Just leave it…
Gia- I’m sorry… I didn’t mean to upset you. I was only kidding.
Sonny- It’s fine…
Gia- I’m so sorry. If I…
Sonny- Forget it.
Gia- Sonny I…
Sonny- Drop it… it’s over with.
Gia- [softly] I didn’t mean…
Sonny- [after a momentary silence] Gia things… things are how they are supposed to be.
Gia- Sonny I’m sorry. I didn’t mean…
Sonny- You don’t have to apologize.
Gia- [softly] Ok…

Unsure of what to say Gia and Sonny sat in silence waiting for the other to make the first attempt.

Gia- What… what are you cooking me this t…

Her statement was cut off as someone slammed into the back of her car. Hearing the accident as it happened Sonny yelled into the phone anxious to see if Gia was okay.

Chapter 4

Thoughts and plans for his return clouded his head. His uncle had plans and agendas that he assumed Nikolas would gladly help him with yet they were the last thing he thought of. Lucky… Laura… Luke… Helena… None would know of his arrival in Port Charles but by the time he left they all would pray of his departure. Helping the hospital during its crisis mattered little to Nikolas but he knew it was a necessary if he hoped to carry out his other plans. It would only be a matter of time before… The ringing of his cell phone quickly pulled him from his thoughts. Knowing that no one else knew of his return Nikolas knew right away that it was Stefan calling to check up on him. Not having called once his checked into the hotel Nikolas knew by now Stefan was angered.

Nikolas- What is it Uncle?
Stefan- Did you not understand me when I told you to call upon your arrival?
Nikolas- Yes I understood.
Stefan- Then why did you not call?
Nikolas- Uncle…
Stefan- Nikolas as I told you before you must be aware of your actions. If things are to work as we planned you must…
Nikolas- Uncle I know and I am sorry.
Stefan- Am I to assume that this will not happen again.
Nikolas- [mumbling] It won’t…
Stefan- Nikolas if you can not adhere to what I ask of you than regardless of your pleas you will be staying at Wyndermere.
Nikolas- That is not necessary.
Stefan- I would hope…
Nikolas- Must we go into this now?
Stefan- Nikolas… where is this tone…
Nikolas- I’m not trying to be abrupt with you but I am sure we will discuss this again when I get to Wyndermere. And being that I will be there momentarily…
Stefan- Nikolas… I will tell you now that I do not appreciate your disrespect.
Nikolas- [sighing] I’m not trying to disrespect you Uncle. I was merely trying to save myself from hearing this twice.
Stefan- If this is what you consider what being an adult is…
Nikolas- Excuse me… an adult?
Stefan- You stated to me repeatedly that you are a grown man…
Nikolas- That I am…
Stefan-Then I am greatly disappointed.
Nikolas- Stefan…
Stefan- Had I known our separation would cause this attitude I would have stressed you staying in Port Charles with me.
Nikolas- I apologize…
Stefan- Nikolas…

Nikolas tuned out as Stefan droned on telling him reason after reason of how his return must be handled properly. Regardless to what Stefan said Nikolas had issues and plans of his own and nothing or no one would keep him from completing them. Lost in thought paying little attention to the stopped traffic ahead Nikolas slammed into the back of the car in front of him.