Chapter 35

Talking with Sonny helped Gia more than she could imagine. Although she was not exactly sure Nikolas was what she needed Gia decided that the next time he came around, or the next time she ran into him she wouldn’t run away to hide in her shell. Obviously there was something about her that drew him in… why push him away before she had the chance to explore and see what it was? And as far as Kamar Gia came to the conclusion that although the incident in her cottage was definitely something she didn’t want she wouldn’t end their relationship over it. Next to Lucky Kamar was her only friend and she didn’t want to lose the closeness they shared. However in that instant their relationship had changed… to what she was not sure but hopefully in time she would. Entering the lounge finding it empty Gia quickly went to deposit her things in her locker before going out to deal with the incoming patients.

Kamar- Hey what’s up G…
Gia- [softly] Hey Kamar…
Kamar- How you been? Ain’t talked to you since…
Gia- [looking intently at him] Since the last time you were at the cottage…
Kamar- [softly] I’m sorry about that… I don’t know what came over me. I mean everything just happened so fast…
Gia- [shaking her head] It didn’t happen that fast…
Kamar- Gia I’m sorry… I shouldn’t have done that to you and if takes the rest of my life…
Gia- Calm down Kamar… it’s not that serious…
Kamar- I know but…
Gia- Just forget it Kamar… [shaking her head] but know that nothing like that is ever going to happen unless I want it to…
Kamar- I know…
Gia- [putting the last of the things into her locker] Then let’s just leave at that…
Kamar- [quickly coming to hug her smiling] See that’s why I love you… you know how to let things go…
Gia- [moving away from Kamar] I’m not letting anything go… I just don’t want to waste anymore time on this…
Kamar- I understand… [at her nod] how… how have you been besides…
Gia- I’m fine… Sonny opened my eyes to a lot of things… he really had me thinking…
Kamar- Such as?
Gia- Life… love… all that good stuff…
Kamar- Damn… the convo must have been deep…
Gia- [smiling] Something like that…
Kamar- What else did you talk about?
Gia- Isn’t that enough?
Kamar- Yeah I guess… but just don’t see Sonny Corinthos talking about stuff like that…
Gia- Why not?
Kamar- [shrugging his shoulders] I don’t know…
Gia- What did you think we would be talking about?
Kamar- [smiling] The next person he’s gonna knock off…
Gia- Excuse me?
Kamar- [his smile fading] Ok… bad joke on my part…
Gia- [angrily] Yeah it was…
Kamar- I’m sorry…
Gia- I don’t know why people automatically think the worst of my brother. He’s human just like everyone else…
Kamar- Yeah Gia but you have to expect people will see him differently…
Gia- Why?
Kamar- Because of who he is…
Gia- A man who needs love and care just like the rest of us…
Kamar- Well if you say it like that… [at her nod] so who does he have his eye on?
Gia- No one…
Kamar- But you said…
Gia- It could’ve been me talking about love and life with Sonny listening…
Kamar- Oh…
Gia- Maybe it’s me who has her eye on someone…
Kamar- And do you… [smiling] have your eye on someone?
Gia- Maybe…
Kamar- Ok… do I at least know this someone?
Gia- Does it matter?
Kamar- [softly] Yeah…
Gia- [slowly smiling] Like I said Kamar… nothing happens that I don’t want to happen…
Kamar- What does that mean?
Gia- It means… when I’m ready to tell that person I will….
Kamar- That’s not telling me…
Gia- If it’s meant for you to know…
Kamar- [softly] Come on G… is baby boy even in the running?
Gia- [smiling] I gotta go before Oliver comes after me…
Kamar- [nodding] Ok… but we are going to talk later…
Gia- [smiling as left] I know…

Over the next several hours Gia felt Kamar constantly watching her. Every time she looked up his eyes would be locked on her. There was intensity in his stare that she did not like so she did her best to avoid him until absolutely necessary. Having paused in the lounge to get a cup of coffee Kamar came up behind her.

Kamar- [softly] Are you avoiding me?
Gia- [shaking her head] Why would I?
Kamar- I don’t know…
Gia- [moving away from him] I’ve just been busy Kamar…
Kamar- Are you sure that’s all it is? I mean we had some lulls…
Gia- Maybe you have… but I haven’t…
Kamar- Oh ok… maybe…
Gia- Well what did you want?
Kamar- I was thinking about it… you never did tell me what you and Sonny did at his penthouse.
Gia- [shrugging] We talked and we had dinner…
Kamar- That’s it?
Gia- [nodding] Yeah…
Kamar- Well what did you all talk about?
Gia- I told you before… besides it’s private…
Kamar- So private you can’t even tell your best friend?
Gia- Why do you care?
Kamar- I want to make up for everything I did… I mean… I’m just being a friend…
Gia- Thanks but you don’t have to worry about our conversation…
Kamar- Ok… [after several seconds of silence] you do forgive me Gia don’t you?
Gia- [softly] I told you I did…
Kamar- No matter what… [shaking his head] I don’t want you… [sighing] I hope our friendship doesn’t end over a stupid mistake on my part…
Gia- [softly] It won’t Kamar…
Kamar- [nodding] Ok…

Sitting in comfortable silence Kamar and Gia slowly drank their coffee both lost in their own thoughts. Feeling his gaze on her again Gia quickly looked at Kamar before turning back to her cup. True enough his gaze was fixed on her and again Gia felt uneasy around him. Thinking of an excuse to leave Gia stood ready to make her escape.

Gia- Well Kamar I’ll see you ok…
Kamar- Have you guys talked about Gerald yet?
Gia- [shaking her head] I don’t want to talk about him…
Kamar- Ok… but has Sonny said anything…
Gia- Kamar…
Kamar- I’m sorry…
Gia- [looking down] Why do you even care? This isn’t the first time you’ve asked me about my fa… Gerald…
Kamar- You’re important to me… and if something is affecting you I want to know so I can make it better.
Gia- I didn’t ask you to…
Kamar- I know… but that’s part of being a friend…
Gia- [nodding] Yeah ok…
Kamar- Well was Jason there with you and Sonny?
Gia- No…
Kamar- What about Johnny?
Gia- How do you even know Sonny’s bodyguard’s name?
Kamar- I think I heard you say it before…
Gia- [shrugging] Oh…
Kamar- Well was he there?
Gia- No… but like I said before why do you even care?
Kamar- I just wanted to know…

Before he could finish his explanation Dr. Oliver entered the lounge locking eyes with Gia.

Dr. Oliver- [flatly] Dr. Campbell…
Gia- [softly] Dr. Oliver…
Dr. Oliver- I would hope that while you are in here passing away your time drinking coffee that all of your charts are in order.
Gia- They are…
Dr. Oliver- It does not hurt to check and double-check all of your work. I would hate to hear of a patient receiving the wrong medication because of your neglect.
Gia- [sighing] I’ll see you later K… [nodding as she passed Dr. Oliver] excuse me…
Dr. Oliver- [softly as she watched as Gia left] You’re excused…

Turning her attention to Kamar Dr. Oliver slowly smiled as he walked over to her. Kamar gently caressed her face before pulling her in for a passion filled kiss.

Kamar- [softly] Hey baby…
Kyan- I can’t stand the fact that you’re always sniffing around her…
Kamar- It’s my job…
Kyan- [softly] If you say so…
Kamar- I do… [quickly kissing her again] have you found anything out yet?
Kyan- [shaking her head] No…
Kamar- [sighing] Well have you suggested anything to him yet?
Kyan- Kamar she’s not even speaking to him. How am I going to get Gerald to convince Gia that he needs to move in with her?
Kamar- Come up with something…
Kyan- [sighing] I’m trying… why is it even important?
Kamar- Well with your father living with Gia… [running a finger along her jawline] it would only be right if his“real” daughter came to visit him there…
Kyan- [frowning] I wouldn’t step foot in that bitch’s cottage…
Kamar- How else are you going to her something on her? You want her out of your life right… go to the cottage and find something…
Kyan- What if I can’t…
Kamar- [shrugging] Plant something… I don’t care. We need to get to Gia if I am to get any type of shot at her brother…
Kyan- [sighing] I guess…
Kamar- If we can’t get Gerald in there there’s one other route we can go…
Kyan- What is it?
Kamar- Have you ever met her brother?
Kyan- Which one?
Kamar- [frowning] Corinthos…
Kyan- No... why?
Kamar- Maybe you can accidentally bump into him or something…
Kyan- And do what?
Kamar- You’ll think of something…
Kyan- What good will it do?
Kamar- Corinthos is susceptible to a beautiful woman… get in good with him and I’ll tell you what you need to do after that.
Kyan- [nodding] Ok…
Kamar- [quickly looking at his watch] I got someplace I need to be…
Kyan- Where… [seeing the expression on his face] well when will you be back? You’re supposed to be on rotation and…
Kamar- [quickly kissing her] Cover for me…

Before another word was said Kamar quickly left leaving Kyan standing in the lounge alone. Sighing she slowly returned to the ER covering for Kamar as best she could.

Kamar held his smile as best he could as she came in fuming. Looking at him with daggers in her eyes she quickly sat in the chair he directed her too folding her arms across her body. Leaning back against the dresser in the hotel room he folded his arms waiting for her to speak.

Emily- I’m here… [angrily] what do you want?
Kamar- [flatly] Drop the attitude Emily…
Emily- [shaking her head] No! I do not like being summoned here like some common criminal.
Kamar- [evenly] I don’t care if you like it or not…
Emily- What do you want Kamar?
Kamar- [softly] This isn’t working…
Emily- This? What are you talking about?
Kamar- Our agreement…
Emily- I sleep with you anytime you want me to… I…
Kamar- [softly laughing] You think I’m talking about sleeping with you?
Emily- Well aren’t you?
Kamar- No… [rudely] sleeping with you was and is easy. [shaking his head] That’s the last thing I’m worried about.
Emily- Then what?
Kamar- [looking down] Gia…
Emily- [sighing] What now?
Kamar- I agreed to shift the focus off of your brother…
Emily- In exchange for any information on Sonny… I gave you everything that I had…
Kamar- It didn’t help… everything you gave me is hearsay and unless you are willing to take the stand…
Emily- I told you I can’t do that… [softly] Jason would never forgive me…
Kamar- Well you better come up with something or Sonny won’t be the only one the FBI comes after.
Emily- [softly] You promised me…
Kamar- So what…
Emily- Well then make the same deal with Gia that you have with me. Maybe she’ll come up with something to save Sonny or…
Kamar- I have more respect for Gia than that…
Emily- So it’s ok to sleep with me all the while promising me you’ll protect and keep my brother out of prison but Gia’s too good for that?
Kamar- [matter-of-factly] Yeah…
Emily- You know what f*ck you Kamar…
Kamar- [smirking] You already have…
Emily- [quickly standing up] I gave you everything I had. If that didn’t help tough.
Kamar- Think again… Jason Morgan is no safer now than he was the first time you offered yourself to me.
Emily- [softly] I offered myself?
Kamar- Yes… you found out who I was and showed up in my bedroom begging and pleading with me to leave your brother alone. And when I wouldn’t budge you got down on your knees and did what you do best.

Attempting to slap him Kamar quickly grabbed Emily's arm pulling her in for a bruising kiss. Pushing her away from him he smugly looked at her as he continued.

Kamar- Don’t try that again…
Emily- [softly touching her bruised mouth] And if I do?
Kamar- [harshly] You’ll be sorry…
Emily- You promised me that Jason would be protected…
Kamar- Promises are made to be broken… [looking at her intently] come up with something…
Emily- That’s your job…
Kamar- Well it’s yours now…

Smiling at her once again Kamar walked out of the hotel room leaving her behind with her thoughts. Walking slowly back to his car he cared little whether it was Kyan or Emily who gave him the information to bring down Sonny. He was getting pressure from the higher ups and right about now he needed anything they could give him. Walking back in General Hospital as if nothing was wrong he quickly waved at Gia and returned to “helping” patients.

Chapter 36

Gia sat fixing her clothes for what seemed like the tenth time in the past five minutes. When she called and set this up she was sure she would be able to go through with it but now… Seeing the door open as he stepped inside her breath seemed to catch in her throat as fear and uncertainty suddenly rushed to her. Whether she was ready for it or not, now that he was here there was no turning back. Locking eyes with him she slowly smiled as he made his way to their table.

Gia- [softly] Hey stranger…
Lucky- [smiling] Hey stranger…

Standing Gia quickly hugged him before inviting him to sit down beside her. Seeing a strange look on his face Gia softly smiled as she questioned Lucky.

Gia- [softly] What?
Lucky- You’re not trying to avoid me are you?
Gia- [shaking her head] No... never that…
Lucky- [smiling] Good…
Gia- [smiling] Do you know that you are the second person to ask me that in less than a week?
Lucky- Seriously?
Gia- Yes…
Lucky- [smiling] Who else have you been hiding from?
Gia- [laughing] Whatever…
Lucky- How have you been? It seems like it’s been forever since we talked… spoke… seen each other…
Gia- I know… I just got swamped with so many things that…
Lucky- Well... [smiling] don’t let happen again…
Gia- [laughing] I won’t…
Lucky- I’m going to hold you to that…
Gia- You do that... [smiling] how have you been?
Lucky- [sighing] The same…
Gia- And Lizzie Pooh?
Lucky- [laughing] She’s ok I think…
Gia- You don’t know?
Lucky- I haven’t seen a lot of her lately either. Between school and work for the both of else we’re lucky if we get to say hi and bye to each other.
Gia- Oh…
Lucky- [softly] Not that I mind…
Gia- What does that mean?
Lucky- [shaking his head] Nothing…
Gia- Lucky?
Lucky- [sighing] I don’t know… these past weeks… even though I have not seen much of her…
Gia- [softly] You’ve been ok?
Lucky- [shaking his head] More than that… it seems like I‘ve been at peace… if that makes any sense…
Gia- [nodding] It makes perfect sense…
Lucky- [smiling] If you say so…
Gia- All these classes you are taking… they’re not going to take you away from Sonny are they?
Lucky- [smiling] Not if I can help it…
Gia- What kind of classes are you taking?
Lucky- The typical stuff…
Gia- Like? Maybe you have a class I can help you with or something.
Lucky- Umm let’s see… I’m taking Calculus 210, Poetry 104…
Gia- Poetry?
Lucky- Yeah… we in the process of discussing love poems and their significance…
Gia- [softly] Oh… [looking intently at him] what did you have to say about them?
Lucky- Well…

Before he could continue suddenly his cell phone began to ring.

Lucky- [smiling] Sorry about that… I have to answer this…
Gia- [nodding] Go ahead… I need… I need to call Marcus anyway. I’ll do that while you are on the phone.
Lucky- [softly] Ok…

Walking quickly away from the table Lucky turned back to look at Gia before answering his phone.

Lucky- Yeah…
Liz- Lucky where are you?
Lucky- Why? Do you need something?
Liz- No… I just wanted to know where you were.
Lucky- Oh…
Liz- Well?
Lucky- Does it really matter?
Liz- Lucky I’ve barely seen you these past two weeks…
Lucky- [softly] I’m sure you didn’t mind…
Liz- Lucky…
Lucky- Look Elizabeth… I’m sorta in the middle of something and…
Liz- Do you need some help with it? I mean I’ll help you if…
Lucky- I’m meeting my brother and…
Liz- That’s cool… just tell me where you are and Emily and I will come meet the two of you.
Lucky- [shaking his head as he looked still at Gia] That’s ok…
Liz- What? You don’t want me hanging out with you and your brother all of a sudden?
Lucky- It’s not that Elizabeth…
Liz- [rudely] Then what is it?
Lucky- It’s just…
Liz- Lucky I’m your girlfriend… if something is going on I deserve to know…
Lucky- Nothing is going on… just two brothers meeting up sharing a drink or two… catching up on a few things.
Liz- And I can’t come be with you during this?
Lucky- I would prefer if you didn’t…
Liz- [angrily] What’s the big secret? What could you and Nikolas possibly talk about that I can’t hear?
Lucky- [softly as he looked at Gia] Nothing...
Liz- Then just tell me where you are and...
Lucky- Look Elizabeth… I appreciate you wanting to be with me but I just want to spend some time alone with my brother. Can you understand that?
Liz- [angrily as she hung up the phone] Fine...

Looking still at Gia as the dial tone rang in his ear Lucky shook his head wondering how things had gotten so far out of hand. In truth he had been avoiding Elizabeth as more and more thoughts of Gia came to him. In the little time they had been out of contact Gia never seemed to leave his mind. Many times he found himself at the phone, ready to call her just to hear a snippet of her voice… a whisper of her laughter... anything of her that would bring him closer to her. From the first moment he saw her Gia consumed his thoughts and dreams and Lucky silently wondered how much longer he could continue without telling her and others how he truly felt. Sighing Lucky quickly dialed their number hoping to catch them before it was too late.

From the moment Lucky spoke of his poetry class something seemed to click in Gia’s mind. Could he possibly be the person who sent her love letters and poems daily in her email? Looking at Lucky as he spoke on the phone Gia silently wondered what the looks Lucky was forever giving her meant. They were friends, nothing more nothing less... surely he couldn’t want more than that. Whenever she was around or thought of Lucky Gia always felt an overwhelming sense of calm. A sense of acceptance that only he seemed to give her. He was one of the first as well as one of the few people who took and accepted her as she was. He never demanded or urged her to change or become something and someone she wasn’t. He took her as she was and for that alone she would always love him. Love… that word seemed to continually come to her lately and she wondered where and why these feelings suddenly came to her. Kamar and his sudden change definitely did not bring them on. Nor did Lucky and his constant friendship. Could her brief moments with Nikolas be the cause of the jumbled feelings that swirled in her head. Shaking away the thoughts of Lucky, Kamar, Nikolas, and love Gia quickly called her brother hoping the sound of his voice would give her some relief.

Taggert- [crisply] Yeah...
Gia- [smiling] Well hello to you too…
Taggert- Gia?
Gia- The one and only…
Taggert- Where have you been?
Gia- No where…
Taggert- I haven’t talked to you since...
Gia- Yeah I know... just trying to make you miss me a little...
Taggert- Well it worked…
Gia- [smiling] Good...
Taggert- You know you don’t have to go into hiding to make that happen.
Gia- Now you tell me…
Taggert- [laughing] Very funny...
Gia- So you really missed your little sister?
Taggert- Yes... I thought something had happened to you...
Gia- [softly] Aww…
Taggert- And I’m a little too old to be trying to break in a new baby sister…
Gia- [laughing] Especially since you have me broken in…
Taggert- [laughing] And so well trained...
Gia- Well damn I feel special...
Taggert- You know I love you...
Gia- [softly] I know...
Taggert- And I wouldn’t be able to deal with anything happening to you.
Gia- Ok…
Taggert- Is something wrong?
Gia- No... I just wanted to hear your voice.
Taggert- Oh... [smiling] have you talked to mom lately?
Gia- No and I’m sure she’s going crazy by now...
Taggert- She is...
Gia- Umm… do you think...
Taggert- What?
Gia- Would you like to have dinner with mom and me?
Taggert- I would love that... when?
Gia- Well I have to call her first and then…
Taggert- Just call me back with the details and I’ll be there.
Gia- What if you have plans on that day?
Taggert- I’ll drop them... you and mom are more important…
Gia- [softly] Ok...
Taggert- Have you had any contact with him?
Gia- No…
Taggert- If he calls you...
Gia- What does he want? I mean why do you think he’s here?
Taggert- I don’t know but I’ll find out.
Gia- Thank you...
Taggert- You’re my baby sister... I’m going to protect you.
Gia- [smiling] Have I ever told you that you are the best big brother a girl can have?
Taggert- No you haven’t…
Gia- [smiling] Well you are…
Taggert- Thank you…
Gia- And thank you...
Taggert- Where are you now?
Gia- I’m at The Outback… why?
Taggert- Well if it’s not too much trouble I wanted to see my little sister today…
Gia- [softly] Oh…
Taggert- How long will you be there?
Gia- For a while... I’m meeting a friend...
Taggert- Who Kamar?
Gia- [flatly] No...
Taggert- [hearing the sound in her voice] Is something going on between the two of you?
Gia- No…
Taggert- Gia…
Gia- [sighing] It’s nothing...
Taggert- What is it Gia?
Gia- I don’t know... something about him has been rubbing me the wrong way lately.
Taggert- Like what?
Gia- I’m not sure... [shrugging] I’ll tell you about it when I see you.
Taggert- I’m coming over there now...
Gia- It can wait...
Taggert- I’m sure it can but I’m still coming...
Gia- [smiling] Ok...
Taggert- Don’t leave before I get there…
Gia- I won’t…
Taggert- Ok... I love you sis...
Gia- [smiling as she hung up] I love you too...

Having overheard the last part of her conversation Lucky smiling as he slowly sat down.

Lucky- Taggert’s doing ok then?
Gia- [hunching her shoulders] I guess...
Lucky- You guess? You were just talking to him right?
Gia- Yeah before...
Lucky- Then who did you just that tell you love them?
Gia- [slowly smiling] Maybe it’s a new boyfriend...
Lucky- [softly] Oh…
Gia- [softly laughing as she shook her head] It was Marcus...
Lucky- [smiling] Oh ok…
Gia- He’s coming to see me...
Lucky- When?
Gia- Now...
Lucky- You’re trying to get rid of me already?
Gia- [smiling] Never that...
Lucky- [smiling] Oh ok…
Gia- I just haven’t seen him a while either so...
Lucky- [nodding] I understand…
Gia- [smiling] Ok...
Lucky- [looking intently at her] Ok...

A tender smile on his face Lucky intently stared at Gia amazed by her beauty that only seemed to grow with every glimpse of her. Slowly covering her hand with his own Lucky tenderly squeezed her hand loosing himself in the depths of her eyes. Slowly bringing his other hand to her face Lucky tenderly caressed her cheek marveling at the softness of her skin. Feeling no resistance from Gia Lucky slowly moved towards Gia in hopes of feeling her lips on his. As he neared her, a sudden and unknown emotion crossed her face as she caught sight of something behind him. Slowly turning towards the door Lucky locked eyes with Nikolas as he stared back at their table.