Chapter 9

Finding Jason and some girl in Sonny’s office was the last thing Gia expected but given this new information she was unsure exactly how to react. She and Jason were over a long time ago. In fact to be honest there never was much between them to even consider a relationship. A few stolen kisses… an embrace or two… sighing heavily as she entered the hospital Gia realized what she shared with Jason was merely a lot of what ifs, maybes, and should have beens. They came together at a time when both were struggling with who they were. Gia… being rejected by both Sonny and Mike and Jason... still struggling with the after effects of his Robin departure. The moments they found… the time they shared soothed the wounded soul and strengthened them for what was to come. As Gia quickly changed she pushed thoughts of Jason far from her mind as Kamar came into the lounge.

Kamar- [smiling] Hey sweetie.
Gia- [smiling] Max...
Kamar- Glad to see you in a better mood…
Gia- Yeah well...
Kamar- [coming to quickly hug her] Good...
Gia- [pushing away from him] What are you doing here?
Kamar- Ok… [laughing] it’s good to see you too…
Gia- No... [playfully hitting at him] you know what I mean... you aren’t on rotation and…
Kamar- Well… [lowering his voice] I heard some rumor...
Gia- [whispering] What did you hear? Better yet who was it about?
Kamar- [looking around making sure no one was coming] You…
Gia- Me...
Kamar- Yeah… I heard Oliver got to you for real and now you were trying to make up some excuse for not coming in.
Gia- [laughing] Shut up... I could have been seriously injured...
Kamar- [looking intently at Gia] But you weren’t right?
Gia- No… [shaking her head] I’m fine but…
Kamar- But?
Gia- [deeply sighing] My car... [slowly shaking her head for the effect] my car...
Kamar- What about your car?
Gia- The idiot that ran into me pretty much ripped off what was left of my poor bumper… [shaking her head] the back of my car is smashed.
Kamar- [surprised] And you weren’t hurt?
Gia- [smiling] Nope… Marcus looked at it and said it be cheaper to get another car.
Kamar- I never understood why you were driving that piece of junk anyway considering...
Gia- Considering?
Kamar- Your brother is Sonny Corinthos... you could have you pick of cars. Why would you...
Gia- My dad... [softly] my step-dad gave me that car... besides that “piece of junk” is what got me to Port Charles. It was a classic before...
Kamar- [laughing] Yeah a classic piece of junk.
Gia- [laughing as she playfully hit at him again] Shut up...
Kamar- What kind of car you looking at now?
Gia- I don’t know... Marcus is taking this weekend to look at some cars.
Kamar- What about Sonny?
Gia- What about him?
Kamar- Sonny didn’t offer... I mean...
Gia- Well if I get to talk to Sonny I’m sure he would...
Kamar- Get to talk to him? Where is he?
Gia- [shrugging her shoulders] Don’t know... had to leave suddenly but he’ll be back tomorrow or the day after. Besides if I asked Sonny now Marc would...
Kamar- Blow a gasket...
Gia- [smiling] That’s putting it mildly. [quickly checking her watch] Look I gotta go before Oliver comes and tries to rip me a new one...
Kamar- [whispering as the door suddenly opened to Dr. Oliver] Too late...

Dr. Kyan Oliver looked at Gia and the scene with great displeasure. After meeting Gia she vowed to break her of her spirit and will. Gia had everything laid out before her and she would never knew what it really meant to struggle. Gia would never know exactly why Kyan hated her with everything that she had.

Dr. Oliver- [looking from Gia to Kamar] This does not look like work to me.
Gia- I just got here and...
Dr. Oliver- [rudely] Well you are late. You should learn to pay closer attention to a clock from now on.
Gia- [softly] Ok whatever… I will...
Dr. Oliver- What was that?
Gia- I said I will.
Dr. Oliver- I would think so. [looking at Kamar] What are you doing here? You are not on schedule?
Kamar- Came to check on Gia... she was in an accident yesterday and I was concerned...
Dr. Oliver- [looking back at Gia] I hope you don’t use that as an excuse for mistakes you make today.
Gia- [looking down] I won’t...
Dr. Oliver- [after a momentary silence] Well what are you waiting on? The sick and injured could care less about your accident.
Gia- I… I...
Dr. Oliver- [as she shuffled through her locker] Learn to prioritize Dr. Campbell... the world does not revolve around you.
Gia- I didn’t say that it did...
Dr. Oliver- [looking at Gia with a smug look on her face] Excuse me... you’re not attempting to disrespect an attending...
Gia- No... I do not appreciate... [stopping as she noticed the look on Dr. Oliver’s face] I apologize but my priorities are in order... I was headed to the board to see where my help is needed when you came in here and...
Dr. Oliver- [shaking her head] You have a lot to learn...
Gia- And I am trying...
Dr. Oliver- Not hard enough... [shoving a chart at Gia] go and check on the patient in curtain two.
Gia- What is wrong with him?
Dr. Oliver- [angrily] So now I am to do your job too huh? I gave you the chart… he is your patient… do your job Dr. Campbell.
Gia- I apologize...
Dr. Oliver- [shaking her head] Like I said Ms. Campbell… do your job or you’ll be finished here before you even start.

Before Gia could respond Dr. Oliver slammed out of the lounge leaving her rudeness and attitude behind. Kamar could see Gia’s emotions as they flooded her face.

Gia- [wiping quickly at a stray tear] See what I’m talking about...
Kamar- [softly] It’s ok Gia...
Gia- No it’s not ok.. she does not treat anyone else this way... [shaking her head] just me.
Kamar- Then report her...
Gia- [shaking her head] That’ll make it worse...
Kamar- You have to do something or...
Gia- I am doing something...
Kamar- What?
Gia- [softly as she headed out of the lounge] My job.

Chapter 10

The entire ride to the hospital Nikolas and Stefan fought over the purposefulness of him going. As they waited for the doctor to tend to Nikolas they continued their arguing.

Nikolas- [running his hand through his hair] How many times do I have to tell you Uncle that I am fine?
Stefan- The last time I checked you did not have a license for practicing medicine.
Nikolas- [aggravated by his attitude] So!
Stefan- So… until you are checked out by a doctor…
Nikolas- Stefan... Uncle... when was the last time you rode a horse?
Stefan- Quite recently… and you point being?
Nikolas- [shaking his head] The better question... when was the last time you fell off a horse?
Stefan- [realizing what direction his questioning was leading] Nikolas…
Nikolas- This is embarrassing... I do not need a doctor…
Stefan- Humor me Nikolas.
Nikolas- I don’t need this...
Stefan- Then I can have a room prepared for you at Wyndermere...
Nikolas- [angrily] I told you I was not staying at Wyndermere.
Stefan- Then I suggest you sit here and remain silent until someone comes to check on you.
Nikolas- This is ridiculous…
Stefan- No… what is ridiculous is your attitude. Whether you want to be here or not this is where you will be staying until I am satisfied with what I hear.
Nikolas- You do not have to treat me as if I am a child Uncle…
Stefan- I see this will be a reoccurring theme...
Nikolas- What?
Stefan- You proclaiming your adulthood. You as well as I both know how old you are. As well as we both know that in less than a year’s time...
Nikolas- [fanning his hand] The world will be at my feet.
Stefan- That’s not what I had planned to say… had you listened I would have informed you…
Nikolas- Uncle we went through this at Wyndermere... and I truly do not wish to go into it now.
Stefan- Nikolas this attitude of yours…
Nikolas- [leaning back on the examination table turning away from Stefan] Ain’t going no where...

As Kamar and Gia slowly walked to curtain two he did all he could to get her mind off of the encounter she just had with Dr. Oliver. By the time the made it to curtain two Gia was again smiling momentarily forgetting the harshness she received from Dr. Oliver.

Kamar- See I told you… you’re going to marry me.
Gia- And you know this how?
Kamar- See… only the man you love… the man you’re going to marry can make you forget everything the wicked doctor of the west just said to you.
Gia- [smiling] I don’t know about all of that but I’m glad my friend was there when I needed him.
Kamar- Friend… [clutching at his heart] that’s pretty much the kiss of death… we might as well part ways now...
Gia- [laughing] Oh please... believe me you… if I kissed you the last thing you would be doing is leaving.
Kamar- Are you offering?
Gia- [smiling as she slowly opened the curtain] We’ll see…
Kamar- [smiling as he slowly walked away] I think I like the sound of that…
Gia- [smiling as she pushed back the curtain] I just bet you do… [looking finally at the chart in her hand] Well Mr. Cassa… [looking up at Nikolas] you…

The sound of the curtain being pulled back drew Stefan and Nikolas out of their heated disagreement. As he turned to see Gia standing before him Nikolas could not keep the grin from spreading across his face.

Nikolas- [smiling] I see we meet again.
Gia- [shocked] What… what are you doing here?
Nikolas- I was told an angel would tend to my injuries.
Gia- I don’t know what game you’re playing but...
Stefan- [coming to stand beside Nikolas as he looked at Gia] How do you know this young woman?
Nikolas- [smiling broadly] By chance...
Stefan- Nikolas...
Gia- [shaking her head] He destroyed my car.
Nikolas- There wasn’t much to destroy...
Gia- That’s beside the point... had you paid attention to what you were doing...
Stefan- What is this about?
Nikolas- [looking intently at Gia] The accident...
Gia- Which you caused...
Nikolas- This was the driver of the of the other “car” involved in the accident.
Stefan- [turning to Gia extending his hand] I am sorry that you were inconvenienced by my nephew actions. My sincere apologies...
Gia- [slowly shaking his hand] You don’t need to apologize…
Stefan- If there is anything we can do...
Gia- It’s not necessary...
Stefan- If you would prefer someone else to examine Nikolas...
Nikolas- Uncle...
Stefan- I would understand.
Gia- No... I’m fine. We were in an accident...
Stefan- Which you claim Nikolas caused.
Gia- He did… but regardless to whose fault it was I have a job to do. [turning to Nikolas] what… why are you here?
Nikolas- I had the unfortunate pleasure of falling off my horse.
Gia- Are you in any pain?
Nikolas- [slowly smiling] Not since you arrived.
Gia- Excuse me?
Nikolas- I believe your smile has healed me.
Gia- I haven’t smiled at you.
Nikolas- [smiling] Exactly... and I think time is running out...
Gia- What?
Nikolas- [slowly raising an eyebrow at her] I think you better smile at me quickly or else I might have a relapse of some sort…
Gia- [smiling despite herself] I don’t think that’s likely…
Nikolas- Yeah probably not... [smiling] especially now that you smiled at me.
Gia- [smiling] Ok... whatever... [turning towards Stefan] has he been complaining of any pain?
Stefan- No...
Gia- Were you there when he fell?
Stefan- No but moments after it happened I arrived to Nikolas trying to rise himself off of the ground to which he appeared quite unsteady.
Gia- [looking at Nikolas] Did you hit your head?
Nikolas- [slowly looking Gia up and down] Yes...
Gia- Did you black out or have you been bothered by a headache since your fall.
Nikolas- No...
Gia- That’s good. I see someone been in here to check your vitals…
Nikolas- I must say but I do believe I was wrong.
Gia- [slowly checking his chart] About?
Nikolas- Whether angry or not you are quite beautiful.
Stefan- Nikolas...
Nikolas- [slowly smiling] Just stating the obvious...
Gia- Thank… thank you.
Nikolas- [intently looking at her] I should be the one thanking you...
Gia- I need… [taken back by how he was staring at her] I need to check for any tenderness and/or lacerations on your head. I need for you to move forward to the end of the table and lower your head.

Nikolas quickly moved forward anxious to be close to Gia. Moving in between his legs to examine the back of his head Gia was acutely aware of how close they were.

Nikolas- [softly] You smell… [slowly inhaling as he stretched out the word] delicious…
Stefan- Nikolas…
Nikolas- She does…
Gia- [softly as she felt Nikolas’s breath on her neck] Thank you. If you feel any pain let me… [pausing as Nikolas gently placed a hand on her waist] I need you to tell me if there is any pain.
Nikolas- Your hands are so soft…
Gia- I think you should…

Before Gia could finish Kamar interrupted the moment.

Kamar- I apologize for the interruption but Dr. Campbell there is someone here to see you.
Gia- [quickly backing away from Nikolas grateful for the distraction] Can… can it wait?
Kamar- [pointing toward Mike as he stood a few feet away a worried look on his face] I’m sorry…
Gia- [looking from Nikolas to Stefan] If you all will excuse me I’m afraid I must handle this. I’ll… [noticing the smile on Nikolas’s face] I’ll return shortly.

Leaving the curtain open Nikolas and Kamar watched as Gia went over to calm Mike. Knowing that he had probably learned of the accident Gia calmly tried to assure him that she was fine. Reaching out Mike softly caressed Gia’s face before pulling her into a tight embrace.

Gia- [softly] Mike… I’m fine…
Mike- I just heard…
Gia- You were out of town when it happened or I would have called and told you about it myself.
Mike- I’m here now.
Gia- I didn’t mean to make you worry…
Mike- [softly] I just found you… I can’t lose you now.
Gia- [softly whispering] You won’t…
Mike- [slowly moving away from Gia as he noticed the stares] I didn’t mean… I didn’t mean to cause a scene… but it’s not everyday that you hear your daughter’s been in a accident…
Gia- How did you find out? I was gonna call you when you got back in town but…
Mike- I overheard Taggert talking about it at Kelly’s with your mom and I just about lost it when he said your car was totaled… I thought… the thoughts that ran through my head…
Gia- [gently touching his cheek] I’m fine… not a scratch on me. Just my car…
Mike- [fanning his hand as he placed them on his hips] I’ll buy you another car…
Gia- [smiling] Thanks… that’s the second offer I got.
Mike- Sonny?
Gia- [shaking her head] No Marcus… Sonny had to leave but I’m sure I’ll get the same offer from him.
Mike- [slowly smiling] No Michael will demand that you ride in a limousine from now on…
Gia- [groaning] Oh God I hope not…

Mike and Gia continued to talk as Kamar and Nikolas watched from curtain two.

Nikolas- [to Kamar] Who’s the old guy?
Kamar- Why do you care?
Nikolas- Just wondering…
Kamar- [looking quickly at Nikolas] And I’m just not telling…
Nikolas- [slowly smiling] What is Gia “yours”?
Kamar- Don’t worry about it. Who are you anyway?
Nikolas- Someone you don’t need to worry about.
Kamar- [turning to face Nikolas] Maybe I do…
Nikolas- [smiling] Am I stepping on sensitive toes or something?
Kamar- Who are you?
Nikolas- [standing as he readied to leave] Like I said someone you don’t need to worry about…
Gia- [as she came back into the room to Nikolas standing] What’s going on here?
Nikolas- I’m leaving…
Gia- But…
Nikolas- I feel quite healthy… as a matter of fact I sincerely apologize for wasting you time.
Gia- But your injuries…
Nikolas- [softly smiling] Your healing hands has soothed me of all that ails me.
Gia- Mr. Cassadine…
Nikolas- Nikolas…
Gia- Nikolas I think you should allow me to continue with your examination before you leave…
Nikolas- As I have told my Uncle as well as you I am fine and if by chance I feel any ill effects from my fall I will quickly return to your lovely face.
Gia- Mr. Cassa… Nikolas I still think it’s best if you stay…
Stefan- I will have him watched and if I feel the slightest inkling of something amiss I will return him.
Gia- [slowly shaking her head] As you wish…
Nikolas- [stopping in front of her taking her hand] Until we meet again…

Looking quickly at Kamar a smirk covered Nikolas’s face as he gently kissed Gia’s hand. Nodded at Kamar Nikolas turned to leave followed closely behind by Stefan.

Gia- [softly as she turned to look at Kamar] What was that all about?
Kamar- [still looking at Nikolas as he slowly departed] What?
Gia- [looking at Nikolas] Him… you… the hand kiss…
Kamar- [softly] Your guess is as good as mine…