Chapter 43

Elizabeth stood at the counter waiting for Emily to arrive. Although their first attempts at coming between Gia and Nikolas had failed they were ready to discuss what to do next. Ignoring customers as they steadily came in Elizabeth continued to direct them towards Penny despite her being swamped with orders. Seeing as Lucky slowly walked down the stairs Elizabeth did her best to hide the frown that instantly crossed her face. Still angered over how Lucky ignored her when first she arrived the Outback, seeing the look that crossed his face as he longingly stared at Gia as she danced make her anger boil. Pasting a smile on her face as he made his way towards her Elizabeth offered her cheek for a kiss faking interest in him.

Liz- [smiling] Hey sweetie…
Lucky- [flatly] Liz…
Liz- [pouting] Is something wrong?
Lucky- Not that I know of…
Liz- Then what’s wrong? I’ve never seen you like this…
Lucky- I asked Nikolas to meet me here…
Liz- For what?
Lucky- We have several things to discuss…
Liz- Like what?
Lucky- Things…
Liz- Lucky that does not help… what are you two going to talk about?
Lucky- Mom… the reason he is here… Gia…
Liz- Gia? Why on earth would you be discussing her?
Lucky- I want to know what’s going on between them…
Liz- Why do you care?
Lucky- She’s my friend…
Liz- And?
Lucky- And he’s my brother…
Liz- That still does not explain why you would care if they were together or not…
Lucky- [softly] They are not together…
Liz- They way she was all over him… the way he was holding her… if they have not gotten together yet… they will soon…
Lucky- How would you know?
Liz- [smirking] I know…
Lucky- [shaking his head] I don’t want to discuss this with you…
Liz- Why do you even care if they are sleeping together or not? You’re with me and…
Lucky- I just don’t want her to be hurt that’s all…
Liz- What about your brother? Don’t you care if he gets hurt in this as well?
Lucky- Of course I care. [angrily] What kind of question is that?
Liz- An honest one… you are so up in Gia and her feelings someone has to worry about Nikolas’s…
Emily- That’s what I’m here for…
Lucky- [slowly turning in her direction] You?
Emily- Yes me…
Lucky- Nikolas is not interested…
Emily- That’s what he says… that’s not what he feels…
Lucky- Em you know I love you right…
Emily- Yeah…
Lucky- Don’t go setting yourself up for hurt…
Emily- The last thing that is going to happen is me getting hurt… [softly touching his cheek] don’t you know by now I’m the one who does the hurting…
Lucky- Not this time…
Emily- [softly] Don’t you have any faith in me?
Lucky- Of course I do… you’re just in over your head this time…
Emily- [hungrily looking at Nikolas as he entered Kelly's] Not yet…
Lucky- [softly] Em…
Emily- [smiling] Hey baby…
Nikolas- [looking from Emily to Elizabeth to Lucky] You wanted to speak with me Lucky?
Lucky- [nodding] Yeah… let’s go over here…
Nikolas- After you…
Emily- I’ll be here waiting for you when you two finish sweetie…

Shaking his head Nikolas followed behind Lucky already knowing what he wanted to speak about. Settling into his chair Nikolas leaned back looking intently at his brother.

Nikolas- [flatly] I’m here…
Lucky- Yeah…
Nikolas- What exactly is this about?
Lucky- [looking intently at Nikolas] Gia…

Emily and Elizabeth did their best to hear what Nikolas and Lucky were discussing saying but neither could make out exactly what was being said. Thinking quickly Elizabeth took a pot of coffee over to their table hoping to pick up on something.

Nikolas- And that would be your concern because?
Lucky- She’s my friend and I don’t want her hurt.
Nikolas- I have no intentions of hurting her however…
Liz- [smiling brightly] I brought you guys some coffee…
Lucky- [mumbling] Thanks…
Nikolas- [smiling] Yes thank you…

Standing by the table thinking they would again began their conversation Elizabeth waiting hoping she would be able to take something back to share with Emily.

Lucky- [angrily] You can leave…
Liz- But I…
Lucky- Elizabeth… I’m trying to talk to my brother in private if you don’t mind…
Liz- What’s so important that I can’t hear?
Nikolas- [standing to leave] I can see this has been a waste of my time and…
Lucky- No don’t leave… we are not finished here.
Nikolas- If it is the same rhetoric as before I can certainly do without hearing what you have to say...
Lucky- Nikolas…
Nikolas- As I told you once I do not wish to sleep with or have anything to do with her. Trust me to know that my feelings will not change once I leave this place.
Lucky- But… [turning again towards Elizabeth] can you leave please?
Liz- [angrily] Fine… next time get your own coffee…
Lucky- I’m sure if we need more coffee Penny will bring it to us… she seems to be doing everything else…
Liz- Excuse you?
Lucky- Liz I don’t want to do this right now… I told you once I’m in the middle of a conversation with my brother…
Nikolas- Who is growing tired of this trivial nonsense…
Lucky- [grabbing his arms] Wait…
Nikolas- Take your hand off of me… [as Lucky removed his hand] you have five minutes…
Lucky- [looking at Elizabeth as she remained at the table] Liz please…
Liz- [angrily as she walked back to the counter] Whatever…

Once reaching the counter Emily rushed to her anxious to know what they had been discussing.

Emily- Well?
Liz- I believe they were talking about Gia…
Emily- Did you hear anything Nikolas said?
Liz- [smiling] Yeah… I think he said something to the fact that he did not wish to sleep with or have anything to do with her… in other words…
Emily- [smiling as she again looked over at Nikolas and Lucky deep in conversation] She’s making an ass out of herself for nothing…
Liz- [smiling] Pretty much…
Penny- Am I going to get some help here soon?
Liz- Yeah… my break is almost up and…
Penny- [shaking her head] Forget it…

Nikolas- As I told you once I have no desire for her and nothing she nor you say and do will change that.
Lucky- And like I said I don’t want to see her hurt…
Nikolas- I’m not trying to hurt Emily… however I did not appreciate returning home to find her nude in my bed. And when she heard something she did not like nor comprehend I also did not appreciate or find her scowling obscene messages across my bedroom mirror cute or funny in the least.
Lucky- What did you say to her?
Nikolas- That does not matter… if I find her like that again I will have her arrested whether she is your friend or not.
Lucky- I thought she was your friend as well…
Nikolas- I don’t make the mistake of creating useless relationships with people I have no interest in.
Lucky- But you yourself said you and Gia were friends.
Nikolas- We are…
Lucky- What is your interest in her? I mean… why is she good enough to be your friend but Emily is not…
Nikolas- If you have to ask I can already see that my explanation would be useless…
Lucky- Are you interested in Gia as more than a friend?
Nikolas- And this concerns you how?
Lucky- Gia is my friend and above all I don’t want to see her hurt…
Nikolas- And what does Elizabeth have to say about this?
Lucky- Who cares… don’t hurt Gia…
Nikolas- All this talk of hurt and whatnot… what exactly do you think of me?
Lucky- [leaning into Nikolas] I think that you are used to getting your way and what you want but this time you won’t…
Nikolas- [slightly smiling] Is that a threat?
Lucky- [shaking his head] No… that’s a promise. I won’t let you or anyone else hurt her period…
Nikolas- All this protection for you “friend” is quite endearing… I wonder though if Gia knows the depth of your concern…
Lucky- You don’t have to worry about that…
Nikolas- [flatly] I don’t… my interest in Gia is my concern and if and when I see fit to include you I will… until then… [leaning closely to Lucky] worry more about your little girlfriend and her friend and keeping them away from me and less about my “intentions” towards Ms. Campbell…

Standing Nikolas waved towards the counter at Emily and Elizabeth as they stared at him before leaving Kelly's. Looking back at Lucky’s shocked expression Nikolas could not help but smile knowing that his plan to warn him away from Gia had backfired.

Chapter 44

As Gerald slowly continued with his recovery Gia knew that in order to do the things she wanted to do she would have to first discuss them with those around her. Instead of having the same conversation twice Gia called Sonny and Taggert inviting both to come to her cottage. Checking to make sure everything was set and how it should be Gia nervously fumbled with silverware on the table knowing that both Sonny and Taggert would explode after she told them everything. Putting aside the issue of Gerald Gia was sure that neither would be happy with what she had to say about Kamar. Kamar was slowly changing from the person she thought him to be and Gia truly needed her brother’s help to find out why. Hearing a knock on the door Gia took a deep breath before going to it to welcome Taggert in.

Gia- [quickly kiss his cheek] Hey Marcus…
Taggert- Hey Lil’ Bit… how are you feeling today?
Gia- [smiling as he walked into the cottage] I’m fine… would it be too much to retire that name again?
Taggert- [smiling] Yes it would… I like calling you that…
Gia- Why?
Taggert- Because it matches you so well…
Gia- How?
Taggert- Because with you there’s a little bit of sweet in you and a whole lot of everything else…
Gia- [playfully hitting at him] Very funny…
Taggert- Yeah I know… but seriously you might be small in size but you have the heart and courage of ten men… [gently caressing her cheek] and if I never took the time to say it before I want to tell you now how proud I am of you…
Gia- [softly] Marc…
Taggert- I am so proud to be your brother… I couldn’t have asked for a better sister…
Gia- [smiling] But if you could have?
Taggert- I wouldn’t have…

Smiling Gia tightly hugged Taggert just as grateful as he to have him a part of her life. Despite everything Gia knew that without Taggert as a part of her life she wouldn’t be where she was right now.

Gia- [quickly wiping at her tears] Ok you are going to have me balling my eyes out before the end of the night…
Taggert- [smiling] I’m sorry… I just wanted to tell you that before anything else was said tonight considering…
Gia- Considering?
Taggert- Considering you asked Corinthos over here as well...
Gia- How do you know I invited Sonny?
Taggert- Well didn’t you?
Gia- Yeah but…
Taggert- [hearing the knock on the door] Answer the door Gia…

Hugging and inviting Sonny in their dinner continued in silence all lost in their thoughts of what to come. As the dinner wore on and unable to stand the silence much longer Taggert was the first to break the uneasy tension floating around the room.

Taggert- [lying down his fork] Ok… what is it Gia?
Gia- What is what? I invited my brothers over for dinner and…
Sonny- [softly] Gia is something wrong?
Gia- [shaking her head] No…
Taggert- I know you are still a little on edge after everything that happened to Gerald and I swear I am doing all I can to find out who did that to him…
Gia- I know…
Sonny- I’m doing everything I can as well and I haven’t found out anything either. We’ll find out who did that to Gerald…
Gia- [nodding] I know…
Taggert- Then what is it?
Gia- I’m going to move Gerald in here when he’s well enough to be moved from the hospital…
Sonny- Gia…
Taggert- Sis are you sure that’s a good idea? I mean…
Gia- I’m doing it… that’s not really why I asked the two of you over here…
Sonny- Then why did you?
Gia- [standing walking slowly towards the couch] When I tell you this don’t jump to conclusions ok…
Taggert- [softly] Tell us what?
Gia- [looking quickly at Taggert] I know you weren’t always keen on Sonny paying my way through medical school and whatnot…
Taggert- Gia…
Gia- [looking over at Sonny] And if I never said it I want to thank you for stepping up and helping me when I needed it most…
Sonny- You’re my sister… of course I would help you…
Gia- But I’m thinking about stepping away from it for a while…
Sonny- What?
Gia- With everything that’s going on…
Taggert- Gerald wouldn’t want you doing that… if you need help caring for him I’ll come over here or…
Sonny- Or I’ll hire someone to help you… don’t give up everything you’ve accomplished over this…
Gia- It’s more than that… Gerald’s not the reason for this… [softly] I’ve been thinking about this for a while now and…
Taggert- [coming to stand beside her] What is it Gia?
Gia- [softly] Sometimes I don’t think I can cut it or…
Taggert- I told you… you are the strongest person I know… you can make it…
Gia- But…
Taggert- [gently taking her hand] What really is going on Gia?
Gia- I don’t think…
Taggert- Gia…
Gia- [softly] It’s Kamar… I…
Sonny- [quickly standing] What has he done now?
Taggert- [looking from Gia to Sonny] Now? Has he done something to you before that you didn’t tell me about?
Gia- Marc…
Taggert- What in the hell did he do?
Gia- Promise me you won’t fly off the handle ok…
Taggert- [softly] Gia…
Gia- Like I told Sonny…
Taggert- You told Corinthos but you didn’t tell me?
Gia- And this is why…
Taggert- What?
Gia- If I tell you… [shaking her head] You’re pissed off before I can tell anything… I can only imagine how you will be when…
Taggert- [calmly] What did he do to you Gia?

As quickly as possible Gia told Taggert of Kamar’s earlier behavior speaking of his constant questions to his unwanted kisses.

Taggert- Oh hell no… I don’t know what that boy was thinking but…
Gia- Marc you promised me…
Taggert- Yeah I did… but that was before…
Sonny- [seeing Gia’s discomfort] What else is there Gia? Did he do something else?
Gia- [looking down] Yes and no…
Sonny- What?
Gia- I…
Sonny- [standing beside her taking her other hand] Gia…
Gia- [shaking her head] I need the both of you to promise me…
Taggert- Just tell us what happened and then we’ll promise you afterwards…
Gia- It doesn’t work like that…
Sonny- Gia…
Gia- Ok… remember the night when we saw each other at the Outback…
Taggert- Yeah…
Gia- Well Nikolas and I were here and…
Taggert- What was the Cassadine kid doing here?
Gia- [softly] I invited him…
Taggert- For what?
Gia- [sending a knowing glance in his direction Gia continued] And we were outside the cottage kissing and…
Sonny- [softly] Gia please…

Seeing their discomfort at the thought and image of her and Nikolas kissing Gia did all she could to keep from laughing. Despite the seriousness of the situation the sight of two grown men squirming when she spoke of Nikolas was almost funny. Gathering herself Gia continued.

Gia- And as we neared the porch Kamar was here and…
Taggert- And?
Gia- He flipped out… shouting about all the things he was doing for me and whatnot…
Sonny- What things?
Gia- I don’t know… I tried to ignore him and walk around him but he yanked at my arm and…
Taggert- [angrily] He put his hands on you?
Gia- Yeah but…
Sonny- But? And Cassadine didn’t do anything to stop him?
Gia- He damn near attacked him too…
Taggert- What made him leave? How did you…
Gia- Well I threatened to call the police and he didn’t seem to care. But when I mentioned calling the two of you that’s when I guess something clicked for him…
Sonny- Where was Jake?
Gia- I don’t know… he did come and escort Kamar away but for the most part he wasn’t here.
Sonny- I’ll ask him of his whereabouts…
Gia- Don’t get on him for this…
Sonny- He job is to protect you…
Gia- I know but Nikolas was here and…
Taggert- What happened after Kamar left?
Gia- Nikolas kissed me goodnight and left himself…
Taggert- So he didn’t come inside the cottage or…
Gia- Marcus…
Taggert- Gia I don’t want anyone hurting you… whether it’s Kamar or Nikolas… you’re my baby sister and I’m going to protect you…
Gia- You don’t have to protect me from Nikolas…
Sonny- [softly] Gia…
Gia- Let me figure out what whatever this is I feel for him and once I figure it out if he hurts me then you can kick his ass…
Taggert- G…
Gia- [smiling] Hell I might even help you…
Sonny- What does all of this Kamar business have with you wanting to quit medical school and whatnot…
Gia- It’s not that I want to quit… I just want to step away from it for a little bit… I don’t know…
Taggert- What has this got to do with Kamar?
Gia- I see him constantly at work and I just don’t necessarily feel comfortable around him… I mean even before the last incident there was just something about him that…
Taggert- Lil’ Bit don’t let him win… give it a few days and then if you still feel the same way…
Sonny- Me and Taggert can go to GH and personally let him know that he has to stay away from you…
Gia- [smiling] That would be a picture…
Taggert- Yeah… but if that’s what you want…
Gia- [shaking her head] I just want all of this drama to go away and…
Sonny- [softly] It will…
Gia- [whispering] When?
Taggert- [softly] Soon…

Sitting on the couch Gia, Marcus, and Sonny continued to discuss Kamar and the rest of the things Gia had planned.

Kyan slammed around her apartment her anger still boiling as she replayed Gerald’s awakening moments in her head. There she was standing beside his bed like the dutiful daughter and yet Gia’s name was still the first on his lips. Kamar sat back looking at her every movement watching as she steadily destroyed everything around her.

Kamar- [calmly] Are you done yet?
Kyan- [yelling] After all I did how is it that that bitch’s name is the first thing out of his mouth?
Kamar- Well from what I was told she did work on him… maybe he remembers vaguely…
Kyan- He was unconscience when they brought him in… and regardless to that fact… I was the one by his bedside when he woke up…
Kamar- [softly] Let it go…
Kyan- Let it go! Are you out of your f*cking mind? This chick has ruined my entire life and just when I think I’m getting everything I deserve back she comes again and takes it from me…
Kamar- You got me still don’t you?
Kyan- Yeah so?
Kamar- Yeah so? After all I am doing… everything I am putting on the line to bring her brother down…
Kyan- What has that got to do with me?
Kamar- I’m doing all of this for us… when I bring Corinthos down whatever I want or wherever I want to go the bureau will make sure I get it.
Kyan- Kamar… the only person the bureau is interested in is Sonny… they don’t care one way or the other about Gia… even after her brother is locked up she’ll still be here to destroy my life.
Kamar- [gently taking her in his arms] I won’t let her…
Kyan- Kamar there are no promises that once Sonny is taken down that you can control her…
Kamar- That’s why I say we have to get Gerald in there and then set something up to make it look like she was helping her brother with everything.
Kyan- But what about Taggert? He’s the most respected officer on the PCPD… do you really think he will just let his little sister twist in the wind?
Kamar- No… but who’s to say Taggert isn’t working with Sonny too? Come on… you can’t tell me the reason behind Sonny not being caught or anything like that. He has to have an inside track to what is going down. Who better to “frame” than Marcus Taggert… [smiling] with the both of her brothers gone Gia truly will have no one to turn to…
Kyan- [softly] You… she can always turn to you…
Kamar- She missed that boat a long time ago… besides I’m with the better sister now and there is nothing she can do to make me look or even turn her way.
Kyan- How can you be so sure everything will go like you said?
Kamar- I know it will because if it takes me doing all the dirty work myself I will make it happen…
Kyan- [softly] I want to believe you…
Kamar- [softly kissing her neck] You can…
Kyan- But…
Kamar- [covering mouth with his] Believe me…

Leading her quickly to her bedroom Kamar did everything he could think to completely convince Kyan to believe in all he was saying. As she slept soundly beside him Kamar gently eased out of the bed going over to a briefcase he kept hidden in Kyan’s closet. Looking back at her making sure she was sleep Kamar quickly opened the case looking at the papers and pictures in front of him. Touching softly Gia’s picture Kamar wondered if after everything was said and done if Gia did in fact turn to him would he have the strength to turn his back on her. Gazing into her smiling eyes Kamar knew that despite what he just told Kyan it would take all that was within him to go to Gia if she indeed offered herself to him. Quickly tucking his materials away once again Kamar returned to the bed smiling as thoughts of Gia “offering” herself to him ran through his mind.