Reducere
I actually started this one shot for the challenge a few years back. The first line is obviously from Antigone's original 2008 challenge. Once I imagined Helena saying that line there was no way to let go of it as the opening of the story. Credit totally goes to Antigone for giving me a kick arse first line. The rest of the story meanders let me know if you enjoyed the trip or not...
Sometimes, Helena mused to herself, it was fun to kidnap a Spencer just for kicks. Oh sipping champagne with a young lover was enjoyable. Instigating a coop in a third world country merely to cause chaos had its charms. Ruining someone's life for no real purpose other than one's own temporary amusement was divine. But nothing, absolutely nothing touched the pure delicious pleasure that was rustling with the Spencer family's sense of well being. Sex didn't even come close to the liquid high that mucking with the Spencers produced.
For to long she'd laid practically dormant. Stefan may have been next to useless.but he at least provided consistent friction. Nikolas seemed to get so wrapped up in his erotic adventures that he seemingly forgot about her for months at a time. She'd escaped from the latest, permanent facility he'd placed her in over a year ago. She'd sat back waiting for the vengeance he'd rain down upon her for kidnapping that trollop who'd carried his baby and....nothing. Apparently he cared about Courtney being dead as much as the rest of Port Charles which was to say not at all. Helena had quickly realized Nikolas was going to provide zero amusement. It was so disappointing. Cassadine men could typically multi-task. Apparently Laura's genes had diluted the family strength. Alas, she realized she'd have to seek her amusement elsewhere.
Luke would have been her next predictable choice. Fool though he could be Luke Spencer had never let her down. He rose to whatever challenge she offered. Met her every parried insult with a barb of his own. Oh it was a delicious dance they'd shared across the decades. Sadly, the heart attack he'd suffered rendered him weakened and ill. Whatever people may have thought Helena had zero taste for playing with the sick. Far better and more stimulating to take down the strongest buck in the pack.
With Luke incapacitated and Laura drooling all over herself, only their children were left. At first she'd contemplated Lulu. There was, after all, a certain symmetry. The girl was virtually the same age as Laura had been when Stavros first laid eyes on her. Helena had quickly dismissed the notion. Lulu was far too stupid to pose any sort of challenge. That left only Lucas Lorenzo Jr. Helena maintained a special place in her heart for her darling Lucky. A picture of him in his police officer uniform sat proudly on her desk, their times together had been among her most special. Still, she hated to be repetitive and though she'd enjoyed their times together torturing Lucky further seemed pointless. It was sad really how far the Spencers had fallen.
Then like a bolt of lightening it had hit her. Luke was indifferent to his children; having the benefit of age they no longer provided him the worship he craved. A grandchild however would be perfect. What fun she could have tormenting the Spencers generation three. And so the plan had hatched. Take away their future and then give it back, and in the giving make it clear it could be hers any time she liked.
Weeks ago on a bright sunny day she'd done that very thing. Walked into the park alone, appearing to all appearances a typical aging matron. Then she walked out with a tiny baby cradled in her arms to all appearances a doting grandmother spending the day with her precious bundle of joy.
Reports from Port Charles in the weeks since had been most promising. The entire town had fingered the suspect within days. Helena Cassadine had eclipsed the tedious mob scene to again be the most feared figure in town. It cheered her considerably to read reports of her pure evilness. So often one feared old friends had forgotten them.
Helena had spent the following weeks sprinkling a trail of false breadcrumbs. The FBI and the mighty mafia army were seeking tiny Jake in areas as diverse as Singapore, Jakarta, and Prague. Meanwhile, she had retreated to the island. Spending her days here with Jake it was if for a moment someone had turned the clock back and her darling Stavros was a mere infant again. Still, pleasant revels could only last so long. The day before she'd been 'located.'
If reports were correct, and she had no doubt they were, within a half hour at most several of Port Charles most esteemed citizens would be bursting through the door. She could barely wait, she felt like an eager virgin awaiting her strapping bridegroom. Crossing the room she smiled down at the small infant nestled in the bassinet. "A babe will lead them." She cooed as she leaned down to lift Jake Spencer from his crib.
Below the window Jason could see only darkness. The sea was a carpet of waves he could not discern, as if beyond the plane there was nothing but blackness. Were he the type to engage in symbolic thought Jason might have weighed more into the images beyond him. Instead he saw darkness and seeing nothing he simply turned away. Turning away was something he'd been doing a great deal lately. He turned away from the bewildered looks Sam still fixed him with; turned from the sight of Michael on a gurney being wheeled from his life likely forever, from the gravestones of his father and sister, from his mother's haunted half hateful eyes, from Liz's love shaded eyes... He turned and turned and found nothing.... He had been staring out of the plane metaphorically for months, but he did not recognize that and likely would have been confused had someone told him the truth.
Jason honed in on simple facts. And for over a year only one fact had obsessed him...Jake's safety. He'd lied to everyone he knew to protect Jake. He'd hurt Sam and Lucky to protect Jake. Jason was a single minded man and for well over a year that mind had had one goal. And then one day despite all his focus, in spite of lies so numerous that he'd lost count, in spite of everything Jake had been taken.
Weeks and weeks had passed since the afternoon when Liz's tears rained down her cheeks as she explained she'd turned to her carrier and saw.... nothing... His sources knew nothing. Sonny's East Coast contacts could find no trace of Jake. The police could dredge up not one lead. Spinelli searched the net the majority of the day and still nothing. Even the Quartermaine's influences and contacts could yield not one single clue. Jake was gone and no one knew a single thing. All the money, all the power, all the violence he'd spent years accumulating, nothing could give him one clue where his little boy was. If Jason had any tears left he would have cried in frustration. Instead, he screwed on his typical inscrutable expression and soldiered on.
Michael's injury he found had killed the little bit of a soul he had left. Seeing Michael laying there eyes open, seeing the nurses change Michael, seeing the boy he'd diapered years ago returned to permanent infancy it had taken everything Jason had left. He had no tears left, no brokenness, no sadness. Michael was dead, Jake was gone, everything ended eventually.
Sometimes he closed his eyes and saw Jake. He was wrapped in Alan's strong arms, Alan rocking him to sleep. He'd blink and Michael would run across a beach being chased by a strong Emily, AJ close at their heels. He awoke from such dreams wanting nothing more than the solace of his early post accident days. Permanent amnesia was better than the agony of remembering a life forever altered.
He was working on returning to that state. Trying daily to file Jake away, trying to push Michael, Emily and his father from his memory. And then Spinelli burst in the room and said he'd found Jake. So here they were going to find a son Jason was already comfortable thinking dead.
Once years ago he'd gone to visit Emily when she was at rehab. The clinic was nice enough lacking the sickbed smells Jason remembered from his own hospital visits. Emily had been on crutches by then, which seemed a minor miracle. The hell she'd gone through to rehab lay etched her body etched across her face.
She had not talked of rehab or her illness directly that day. She'd talked of psychology. Apparently being physically sick had led her to contemplate the processes of the mind. "A scheme is how you think a situation will turn out." She said lifting an orange from her tray. They were sitting in what she called the 'cafeteria' but which struck Jason more like a restaurant. They'd ordered whatever they wanted. Emily had asked off handedly for an orange. She lifted it now seemingly holding it up for his inspection. "When we came in here we expected to be given food, then we'd eat the food. A schema. For example, if we had walked in and they'd brought a check." She shrugged as if her comment explained everything. "There are schemas for everything. Even our family dinners." She said amusedly before drifting on to some other topic.
Over the years Jason had thought back to that day now and again. He'd written the word schema down on a thin slip of paper and stuck it in his wallet. From time to time he'd pull it out and think about that day. For if his sister could fight back from severe spinal injuries and cancer and rape and keep fighting how could he even stumble at the pratfalls his own post accident life handed him. A few months ago though he'd taken the paper out and tossed it in the trash. He did not want to remember that day anymore. For the memories of that day often dredged up other memories such as his sister with a rope around her neck, or his sister rotting in the ground, the TV images of his father gasping for breath.
The word schema though was really true. He found even his limited imagination concocted schemes for how situations should occur. And nothing around him matched any schema for a rescue party. Spinelli punching keys counting as always on his PC to locate the answers his mind could not quite connect. Maxie Jones sitting beside him looking by turns bored and bemused by Spinelli. Nikolas Cassadine seated across the aisle from them sipping a bourbon and staring at Spinelli and Maxie as if watching a strange, primitive race of people who he did not understand but found oddly interesting. Jason watched them for several moments grateful for their assistance, still half wishing he could go this alone. Sensing a presence beside him he turned, "Alexis." He said in surprise. For a moment he'd forgotten she had come along.
"I thought you might like this," She said extending a steaming cup of coffee.
He took it mumbling, "Thanks." He tried to remember the last time he'd thanked anyone for anything.
"According to the pilot we'll be landing soon." Alexis informed him. "I know you must be eager..."
"When we land," He announced impatiently. "I won't have time to wait for the rest of you."
A smile crossed Alexis face as if she found humor in his declaration, "Are you harboring images of busting into the mansion, surprising Helena, whisking Jake away?" Sensing this was indeed just what he expected Alexis laughed indulgently. "Your mafia role playing won't work here. This is an entirely different game and the rules you envision won't apply." Pushing a strand of hair back from her eyes Alexis explained, "From the second we land we are on Helena's terms, playing roles in whatever street drama she's envisioned."
"I can handle her." Jason mumbled shocked by how impotent his own words sounded.
"Helena's eaten people like you for breakfast." Alexis surmised coldly. "I've watched you for years. I know your routines. The things you do, the lack of emotion, the threats...that's a turn on for her. You go in there with guns blazing the only one who'll get hurt is you." Before he could protest Alexis added, "She's got guards patrolling the entire island, a private detail protecting her. You'll only get as close as she wants you to get."
Jason rubbed his suddenly aching temple. "If she's so good at hiding, covering herself how did we find her?"
"We didn't." Alexis responded coolly. "Helena found us." Sighing Alexis explained, "Spinelli's sudden information, too sudden." Alexis shook her head a rueful expression crossing her visage. "She uploaded that info with the full intention of Spinelli locating it." At Jason's disbelieving expression Alexis reminded him, "She's driving this game. She's moving us into place as easily as if we are all in some life size chess set."
"It's not a game," Jason said sounding to his own ears like a petulant child. "She's got my boy."
"I know," Alexis said laying a sympathetic hand on his arm, regarding him with soft, kindly eyes. "And I think given her actions Helena must want us to find him."
"Are you sure?" Jason asked sounding almost hopeful.
"She knows we're coming." Alexis said ruefully, putting into words what she'd been fearing since she met Jason at Wyndamere hours earlier. "She wants us coming." An air of foreboding surrounded her words and Jason felt a shiver traverse his entire body.
"Elizabeth is going to be so pissed when she finds out Jason let me and Alexis come along." Maxie announced punctuating her words by giggling mirthfully.
"Liz wanted to come?" Nikolas questioned lifting his glass to his lips.
"Totally!" Maxie recounted gleefully. "She almost begged. It was pathetic really. The second Jason said no she just walked away like a puppy someone kicked aside. Elizabeth's a manipulative liar, but good grief she acts like his damn drone. Yes Jason, Jason is always right, whatever you say Jason."
"Stone Cold," Spinelli interrupted quickly...
"Is a suck ass boyfriend." Maxie completed decisively. "I know you like him but I'd never let a man treat me like that."
"Really," Nikolas said. "And what would you have done?"
"Exactly what I did hide on the plane till it was to late to turn around then come out and ask for a drink."
"Exactly what you did." Nikolas agreed flatly.
"Well yeah," She agreed before adding pointedly, "But I should totally be here. I mean I am a private eye," She reminded him. "Well almost. I just have to get the license."
"So this is what vocational training?" Nikolas questioned clearly bored with the conversation. As the pilot's voice intoned that landing was near, Alexis retook her seat next to Nikolas, buckling herself in. "How is he?" Nikolas queried gravely.
"Afraid but trying not to show it." Alexis surmised economically.
"As he should be." Nikolas agreed taking a sip of his bourbon.
Responding less to her nephew's words than a thought that had been building in her mind Alexis asked, "Do you know what worries me most?" In response Nikolas merely inclined his head toward hers. "Spencer. The email Damien intercepted said 'I've got a Spencer.'"
"A slip of the tongue," Nikolas offered thoughtfully. "Perhaps she doesn't even realize Jake's real paternity. "
Alexis looked at him a dubious expression crossing her face, "Or she knows something we don't." Her words were cut off by the pilot announcing they should prepare for landing.
When they descended from the plane, a long black limousine with a chauffer garbed head to toe in black awaited them. "Mrs. Cassadine is expecting you." He informed them with a stiff formality. Silence descended over the group as they moved robotically to the car.
The tension was hardly defused when the car pulled to a stop in front of a huge mansion. "Do you live in a hotel?" Maxie asked.
"Hardly." Nikolas replied opening the door and stepping into the balmy night air. Instinctively he drew in a deep breath taking in the smells and feel of home. Alexis took in the same senses and tried not to shudder. A servant approached virtually singing, "Master Nikolas, Madame." He said nodding to Alexis. "Welcome home!"
Nikolas did not respond to the greeting, inquiring brusquely. "Where is my grandmother?"
"Preparations have begun inside." The servant said turning and saying, "If you will follow me."
The interior foyer was gaily adorned with flowers and the fragrant smell of food wafted through the air. "Something smells wicked awesome." Spinelli said.
"Damien," Maxie chided. "Did you see Godfather III?"
He pondered this for a moment then they said simultaneously, "Don't eat the cannoli!"
"What do you think the Russian form of cannoli is?" Maxie inquired asking no one in particular.
A formally dressed servant approached the group saying, "I can lead the ladies and gentlemen to the dressing areas."
Alexis glanced at Nikolas who sighed irritably. "We're expected to dress for dinner?"
"New clothes!" Maxie squealed excitedly.
"Wow." Maxie observed staring at her own reflection a half hour later. "I look totally hot!"
"I'm glad you're pleased." Alexis said pinning her hair up. They were seated in a large dressing area where maids had laid out elaborate dresses and jewels for their selection. Maxie had chosen a bright red low cut gown. Alexis had selected a more sedate lavender dress. Both women chose diamond necklaces.
"Your aunt may be a psychopath," Maxie granted peering at her reflection in the mirror. "But she has incredible fashion sense." Adjusting an errant strand of hair she added, "Lucky she had dresses."
Snorting Alexis said, "Luck had nothing to do with any of this." Seeing Maxie's inquisitive gaze she explained, "Somehow she knew exactly was coming. Which means even our trusted servants aren't as trustworthy as we thought."
"That's why we should have taken Sonny's jet." Jason said entering the room without knocking.
"Jason," Maxie said staring at him via his reflection in the mirror. "You look just like Johnny Cash." She said indicating his head to toe black garb.
"I need to talk to Alexis." He said flatly.
Maxie shrugged her shoulders as if finding this of no concern. "Fine."
"Alone." Jason said emphatically.
Maxie met his blank stare, "Is my name Elizabeth or Carly? Cause if you think you can order me around..."
Alexis rose and gestured toward the hall, "Why don't we speak outside Jason?"
Jason followed Alexis putting his hand on the small of her back. Once he pulled the door closed Maxie quietly crept across the room hoping the old adage about old houses and thin walls held true.
"What are we doing?"
"Well," Alexis said surveying his attire. "You changed into some much nicer clothes, Maxie is right about Helena. She picked much nicer black clothes, than the typical ones clothes you wear."
"What?"
"Nothing," Alexis responded absently. "How many guns did you bring?" Seeing his incredulous expedition Alexis rolled her eyes, "How many?"
"Well I've got three and Spinelli."
"You gave Damien a gun?"
"He's been working at the gun range." Jason said defensively.
"Jason," Alexis said not hiding one ounce of her disgust. "He's a boy. You are putting a gun in the hands of a young boy who idolizes you."
"Alexis." Jason said laying his palm alongside his chin. "She has my son."
"He's a boy." Alexis said her tone brokering no argument.
Jason sighed, "I'll get it back."
"Thank you," Alexis said reaching over and straightening Jason's collar.
Letting her fuss over him Jason said absently; "I've been thinking about you lately."
"Me," Alexis responded glancing back in surprise. "Why?"
"The night we found out... Ric and Sam..." Jason admitted without preamble.
Bristling a bit...the memory of that night still too much within her to contemplate Alexis said stiffly. "I don't see what that night has to do with now."
"It has everything to do with us being here." Jason said softly. "Robin sponsored this kid...he was 17-18 when he got the virus." Jason stated his tone distant as if he was remembering even as he spoke. "He kept doing these stupid things like getting wasted and missing his cocktails, or having dangerous sex…. all this crazy, stuff." Shaking his head at the memory Jason continued, "Robin, you know, she was a good sponsor but even she'd get mad at him. So she finally asked him why do you keep doing this?" Jason's voice grew even lower as he asked, "You know what he told her?" Alexis shook her head remaining silent. "Cause when I do it, it feels good." Jason again shook his head admitting, "At the time I didn't understand him. Now I do. That night I just went with what felt good." He sighed deeply, "If I'd stayed with you, if I'd stayed at Jake's...if I'd called Sonny or Em. I could have made a thousand different choices."
"You have a beautiful son." Alexis reminded him touching his arm lightly.
Jason nodded still clearly troubled by his thoughts. "Jake." Jason said as if merely saying the name reconnected him with something.
Alexis patted his lower back affectionately before walking past him and returning to the dressing room. As she did she was confronted with Maxie's saucer sized eyes. "What?" Alexis asked confusedly.
"Did you touch his ass Alexis?" Maxie questioned coaching her voice and making it clear she wholly approved of such a gesture.
"No." Alexis replied incredulous that such a charge would be leveled at her. "It was just a lower back comfort pat." She insisted primly.
"Really pushing the low definition of lower back." Maxie responded dubiously. She looked up as a bell lightly chimed. "What does that mean?"
Alexis jerked as if startled. "That means Helena is ready for us." Lifting her skirt she walked out. Maxie fell in behind her.
"A dinner party," Nikolas said to himself. He'd finished dressing first and feeling no interest in engaging Jason or Spinelli in conversation he'd come downstairs. He found the dining room table weighted down with all the makings of a very formal, very Helena type gathering. The last time he saw such a table had been the night... He pushed the thought away. The grief was to new, to raw to be revisited just yet.
Sometimes it was easier to embrace a kind of selective amnesia. Emily was at a conference, Emily was visiting her mother, Emily was working the night shift. Anything, anything to avoid the painful reality that Emily, his beautiful Emily, lay rotting in a coffin, turning to dust like his father, his uncle, like his mother's mind. Rot and destruction and loss and grief surrounded him pulling him under like a persistent insidious tide. "Focus, concentrate." He said trying to still his thoughts. Right now Jake was the focus. Nikolas had come to know the Quartermaine crypt intimately. He could not bear seeing a new tiny name plate in that building, or entertain the notion he'd played any role in letting Emily's nephew die. He couldn't save Emily, he'd help save Jake. With that thought he turned hearing approaching footsteps.
"Evening dark twisted prince." Spinelli greeted tugging at his tie. "The Jackel is not used to such confining neckwear." He confided before adding more cheerfully, "Though he does think his beret looks trey chic."
"Chic." Nikolas repeated dubiously.
"Maxie uses that word alot. I was trying it out. How did it sound?"
"Feminine." Nikolas replied curtly.
"The Jackel feared that." He agreed looking depressed.
"Oh Damien!" Maxie squealed. "That beret is so chic." Nikolas rolled his eyes, as
Spinelli beamed. "You think so oh beautiful one?"
"Definitely." She said adjusting the tie he'd loosened.
As she did so, he looked up announcing rapturously, "Goddess Mother!"
"Spinelli," Alexis said greeting him warmly. "Don't you look adorable."
Beaming he said, "You are to kind oh kindest one."
Walking in impatiently Jason demanded, "What do we do now?"
"Wait." Alexis replied knowingly.
"I'm tired of waiting!" Jason said irritably. "We flew here, then I had to put this stupid thing on, and now we just what sit around and eat fancy food and drink wine and wait?"
"Pretty much." Nikolas agreed flatly.
"Honestly," Alexis said coolly. "Jason you sound worse than Kristina does when I tell her she has to wait for a bowl of ice cream."
"You prepare Kristina's ice cream." Nikolas said sounding appalled at the thought. "Don't you have someone to do that?"
"Alexis has always been attracted to the baser side of life." Helena said entering the room with an enormous smile covering her face. "Good evening everyone."
"Where is Jake?" Jason demanded angrily.
"Upstairs taking his bottle." Helena answered coolly. "He will arrive in time." Lifting a flute of champagne off the tray a servant carried, Helena smiled; "The evening has just begun."
"This is hardly a social occasion." Nikolas warned coldly.
"Nikolas," Helena said extending her arms. "My darling... standing there you look so much like your father." Continuing on she confided, "I was so pleased when I heard you were coming. We haven't seen one another in so long." She said wistfully before adding, "You've gone through two fiancees since the last time we met."
"Don't." Nikolas said coaching his tone making it as threatening as possible, which was never terribly threatening.
"Don't be overly sensitive." Helena warned curtly. "Sentiment is not an emotion the prince has time for."
"I disagree with such notions."
"As do I." Alexis echoed stepping forward.
Spinning around Helena smiled broadly, "Why Alexis what a surprise to find you still here. Generally the bastard children have the good grace to sit in the kitchen with the other garbage."
"And miss your floor show Helena?" Alexis questioned rhetorically. "Never. Give me a hint what comes next a magic routine or will you be performing the fan dance for us?"
"Floor show?" Helena repeated dismissively. "Why this is a simple dinner party among friends."
"A dinner party." Nikolas replied disgustedly. "Grandmother, I demand...."
Shaking her head Helena chided, "Now my dear do not start making demands. Its far to early in the evening. Do not spoil anyone's evening before we've even had our
hordevours." As if summoned by her mere words two servants emerged holding heavy trays laden with hordevours.
"No one wants to...." Nikolas answered coldly, stopping only when he saw Alexis shooting him a dubious look.
"Let's let this play out." Alexis said keeping her gaze firmly fixed on Helena.
"Well Alexis," Helena said appreciatively. "For once you are making a modicum of sense. I'm sure it will not last." She said turning and lifting a hordevour from the tray. "The sushi is excellent." She advised her guests biting into a piece with a sensuous smile.
Years of familiarity with Helena's tactics caused Alexis to sigh and lift a piece of sushi off the tray. Spinelli and Maxie quickly followed suit. Jason merely crossed his arms and leaned against the wall.
Returning to her grandson Helena smiled archly before saying, "By the way, hate the new girlfriend."
Nikolas felt a flush cross his cheeks. "She's a friend."
"Much like that tiresome trollop you impregnated was a friend." Helena answered disbelievingly. "Nikolas you do not have female friends. You are much like your father in that respect. You allow a certain portion of your anatomy to make your romantic decisions. Sadly you seem to focus on the most unacceptable choices."
"Claudia's very misunderstood." Nikolas replied defensively.
"By you." Maxie said loudly. "Everyone else in town knows she's scum."
Helena smiled at Maxie, "I'm starting to like you.... Of course we clearly cannot single Nikolas out particularly since Alexis is again trying for Mr. Right only selecting the absolute worst choice imaginable..." She said shaking her head disdainfully. "A middle aged wannabe rock star, a mobster, a psycho and now a veritable sociopath…. My, my, my," She summarized with feigned amusement, "What next a serial killer? Of course with your commitment issues perhaps a prison marriage with infrequent conjugal visits is your best hope for a sustaining union." She delivered the sentence as if truly contemplating the notion. "A sociopath and a wannabe child killer." Helena clucked shaking her head. "Your combined tastes in the opposite sex would be chilling if it was not so deeply troubling." Helena pronounced coolly. "I have no issue with vengeance or violence such things are part and parcel of power and control. However, I find needless violence so...." She seemed to search for the correct word for a long moment before selecting, "Messy."
Turning from them Helena faced Jason a smile covering her face. "How rude of me to ignore our guest of honor." Favoring him with a soft smile, Helena said, "Welcome Mr. Morgan."
Jason stared at her icily refusing to respond to her entry in any fashion.
"Mr. Morgan," Helena said in a brittle tone. "I'd remind you that if you want Jake to fly back to Port Charles tonight you'd do well to avoid antagonizing me. People who irritate me seldom receive the benefit of my benevolence."
"You think returning my son is a favor."
Helena pondered his words for a moment before responding. "I think nothing I do tonight could possibly be viewed as positive or favorable to you."
"Stop talking in riddles," Alexis demanded sounding piqued.
Helena shook her head, "You have no finesse whatsoever."
"The point," Alexis prodded irritably. "Why are we here?"
"Truth," Helena announced trilling the word softly. Crossing the room she stopped before Nikolas, "At the last tiresome institution you placed me in some ridiculous therapist wanted to *discuss* my psyche." She chuckled pronouncing discuss not unlike a curse word. "He kept talking about the truth. I found this fascinating."
"Of course," Alexis agreed cynically. "That concept is so opposite anything you'd understand."
Helena did not dispute this but merely took a seat in an overstuffed arm chair opposite the table. "So much of my life has been about deception and dishonestly to protect my family."
"And your own self-interests," Alexis interjected taking a seat next to Maxie on the couch on the opposite side of the room.
Ignoring Alexis again, Helena continued relating her tale. "As I began contemplating such a notion my thoughts naturally turned to Jason." She glanced over in his direction giving him a quizzical smile. "Jason is honest, Jason never lies, Jason is a good man." She rattled the lines off. "It began to fascinate me how a known mobster and killer was viewed as the moral authority of Port Charles."
"You sat in a mental hospital and thought about Port Charles." Nikolas asked seemingly surprised by this news.
Helena shrugged disinterestedly. "I needed something to occupy my time." As if following a train of thought that made sense only to her Helena continued, "You know I adore manipulating the Spencers'." She admitted amusedly clearly tickled with her scheme. "But with poor Laura off drooling all over herself, and Luke increasingly out of commission I've been so terribly bored."
"So you kidnapped a baby." Nikolas snapped angrily.
"Not just any baby." Helena corrected him pointedly. "The baby."
"The baby?" Nikolas mimicked her sentence sounding confused.
Spinelli stepped closer to Maxie whispering, "Do you know what the goddess of evil is speaking about?"
"Not a clue," Maxie whispered back, "Whatever it is, I think its bad."
Striding across the room Alexis looked down at Helena's seated seated figure. "What are you babbling about?"
"Infants are so precious," Helena rhapsodized sounding close to sincere. "They are the links between the past and future." She turned regarding Nik saying warmly. "I remember when you were born...what hope we all had then."
Refusing to be drawn into her reverie, Nikolas insisted, "What does this have to do with Jake?
"With his grandparents so ravaged by time Jake seemed like such a beacon to the Spencers, do you not agree?"
Jason stepped forward. "Jake isn't Lucky's son he's mine."
Wanting to provide support Spinelli agreed, "Stone Cold is young stone Cold's paternal unit."
"You are mistaken." Helene said simply.
"What are you saying Grandmother?" Nikolas clearly intended his words to sound threatening, but they sounded weak.
"Precisely what I said." Helena reiterated coldly. Turning toward Jason Helena said, "Jason Morgan never lies, and yet every time you call Jake your son you lie."
Jason's posture did not change but the color drained from his face and he was pale as a ghost and struggled to say. "What?"
Crossing the room Helena walked toward the bassinette and smiled down at Jake. "When I first heard Lucky had a child I was so excited for him." As if feeling a need to justify herself she explained, "Whatever people may believe Lucky and I have always had a special relationship. And of course Luke and I..." She let the sentence fall away as if discarded. "Any new addition to the Spencer family is of great interest to me."
"Jake is my son." Jason said recovering from his earlier state.
"No." Helena said coolly. "He is not. He is as his birth certificate says a Spencer."
"What proof do you have Grandmother?" Nikolas demanded impatiently.
"Blood tests." Helena replied testily as if finding the question utterly idiotic. "I had him tested when he was mere days old... You can imagine my surprise when Jason began claiming a child that I knew to be Lucky's." Seeing disbelieving looks she sighed, "Really anyone can walk into a nursery and draw blood. I had an associate test him. When young Jake and I arrived on the island I had the tests rerun." Snapping her fingers she gestured toward a suited guard. The man silently crossed the room and handed Alexis an envelope.
Ripping it open Alexis scanned the contents. "It appears to be the results of a laboratory blood test."
"Open it." Jason requested straining for a normal tone and not quite reaching his goal.
Raising her eyes to his Alexis waited for Jason's second affirming nod before she opened the envelope. "The sealed envelope is a nice touch," She said off handedly to Helena. "As if you couldn't easily manipulate the test."
Helena sighed saying irritably, "You have an absolute poverty of imagination Alexis. If I wanted to manipulate something I would certainly be more creative than changing the results on a blood test. I have far too much imagination to dabble in the antics of afternoon soap opera characters." She sounded greatly offended at the notion which might mean that she did not do it, or might as easily mean that she did do it and was simply casting suspicion on another source. With Helena one could never really pin down what behaviors she considered acceptable.
Alexis read the document, scanning the text for the most relevant parts. "According to the document the purported test indicates that there is a 99.9% probability that Lucky Spencer is Jake's father."
Long silent minutes passed as even Maxie's lips seemed muted by the situation. Alexis methodically refolded the document and reinserted it into the envelope. She extended it to Jason who made no move to take it so she simply held the envelope.
Nikolas was the first to recover his speech. "And why are we to believe that you did not forge this document?"
"Have I not already answered this question?" Helena said not bothering to disguise her boredom. "Have the test rerun when you return to Port Charles. Do whatever Sisyphean task that will satisfy your doubts." She suggested as if extending a favor to the group. "The results will stay the same. You can buy Jake a thousand tiny leather jackets he'll still have the Spencer glint in his eye."
"You faked some test." Jason insisted weakly.
"I did no such thing." Helena said as if insulted by the very notion. "But if you are interested in fakery and out and out deception, I suggest that you consider the woman currently occupying your boudoir one or two whole nights a year."
"Liz!" Nik replied almost laughing. "You expect us to believe Liz would do this?"
Shaking her head Helena said sadly; "You've always had a blind spot where your school friends are concerned. It's so common of you."
"I don't believe any of this." Nikolas vowed angrily.
"I do." Maxie interjected passionately. "Elizaliar is not the sweet angel half the town thinks."
"Maxie," Nikolas said warningly. "I know you have issues with Elizabeth."
Shaking her head Maxie said insistently. "Its not about me having issues with Elizabeth. It's the fact that I am one of the few people in Port Charles that seem capable of judging Elizabeth based on her actions rather than their perception of her." Maxie explained logically. "Everyone looks at Elizabeth and thinks about poor Elizabeth after Lucky died, or poor Liz this and poor Liz that. Meanwhile, she lies and deceives everyone while doing nothing to conceal her hypocrisy and lying. If I didn't despise her duplicity I'd respect her skills. She's got half the town making excuses while she behaves worse than a dancer at Sonny's club."
Shifting into lawyer mode Alexis said, "How do you propose Elizabeth could pull this off. Hypothetically," She added trying to forestall any complaint.
"She's a nurse." Helena interjected clearly angling for an in, into the conversation. "Probably a very inept one," She added causing Maxie to nod dramatically, "But a nurse none the same. Even the most idiotic nurse knows how to read blood types. Elizabeth Webber is an O blood type. Mr. Morgan you to have O blood." She sniffed as if finding the info slightly distasteful. "O is the blood type of the majority of the American population. It was such a disappointment when I realized your blood was so common Nikolas," She said off handedly. "However Jake's blood type is AB."
"How is any of this relevant." Nikolas demanded tensely.
"OHHHH." Maxie said excitedly practically hopping in excitement. "I totally get it!"
"What does my beautiful one get?" Spinelli asked sounding baffled.
Maxie's grin resembled an overly satisfied Cheshire cat as she explained, "If Elizabeth and Jason are type O's, then how could they produce a AB?"
"Very impressive Miss Jones." Helena congratulated.
"I had a science nerd for a sister." Maxie explained looking momentarily forlorn.
Helena nodded adding, "Elizabeth could not give birth to a type AB baby with a type O father. However, Lucky Spencer who has A blood could lead to a type AB child." Helena let her information hang in the air for several moments before adding, "I believe all of the medical tests run on Jake since his birth will verify my claims."
Once again the room was rendered silent, this type however shock was mingled by a growing discomfort.
"I don't believe Elizabeth is capable of such behavior." Nikolas said formally.
"No one thought you would cheat on Emily after her rape." Helena retorted letting her statement land like an artillery shell. "No one imagined Alexis would become romantically entangled with a man who took half of Port Charles hostage." Helena took a sip of champagne. "We are all hostages to the whims of the machinations of the human heart. Not one person in this room save Mr. Spinelli can claim innocence when it comes to poor romantic choices."
"You sound like you are defending Elizabeth." Maxie said disappointedly.
"Not entirely, but I do feel for her situation. Infatuated with a man who had a nasty habit of falling in love with other women." Helena clucked her tongue sympathetically and rose walking across the room to address Jason. "First the stripper, then Samantha, then you went on a road trip with Lulu Spencer. And all the time poor Elizabeth sat around patiently adoring and awaiting the day when you'd look her way. She dug bullets from your body, lied to her husband, burned police files and for what?" Helena related sounding almost sympathetic. "What other recourse did she have? Use the child who might be yours to gauge your interest. And of course the interest was high." There was almost a chiding note in her tone as she added, "The baby was her tool. Everyone in town recognizes your infant lust."
"They totally do." Maxie blurted out. Seeing everyone but Helena shoot her a dirty look Maxie offered a quiet, "Sorry."
"I hardly think you can blame her," Helena sniffed disdainfully. Male suffering generally amused her. It had been her experience that men loved manipulating and controlling and acted put upon when women enjoyed the same aphrodisiac. "You gave her the key to everything she'd wanted for years. How could she not open the door."
"She's my friend." Jason said determinedly. "Elizabeth is a good person. She wouldn't lie."
"Did you think Nikolas would use your sister's rape to justify his infidelity, that our Alexis would become romantically entangled with another sociopath." Helena demanded patiently. "My dear Mr. Morgan what I have been trying to show you all evening is that this room is full of people who committed acts anyone would have considered beneath them. Why do you imagine Elizabeth to be different?" Helena's question was delivered almost akin to a caress. "You pushed and pushed the girl away, citing words like friendship which must have felt like acid poured atop her heart. Your friendship was her despair." Helena chided walking over to a straightbacked chair and taking a seat. "Not to mention Elizabeth had Port Charles' unfathomable conviction that you were a good man." She took another sip of her drink continuing, "Also she had the feminine conviction that you were simply with the wrong woman. The stripper, Samantha... you didn't love them in her mind. They were mistakes. She could save you, make you happy, and what could make you happier than a son?" Signaling to the waiter she lifted another piece of sushi from the tray, "Really her instincts were utterly correct. She knew the very things you craved and desired... The notion you were a good man, a child of your own. What could DNA mean aside her long denied desires." She paused biting into the sushi seemingly surprised at silence that blanketed the room. Shrugging she resumed her dialogue, "I've always found your pull on Port Charles absolutely fascinating." She waited expectantly for Jason's remark, but he said nothing. Shrugging she continued. "The entire town trips over itself to excuse and justify your every deed. You bashed your head, woke up and joined the mob and the town pretends as if you are good man fighting evil." Rising Helena crossed the room planting herself mere inches from Jason. "You are not a good man though. Aside from Spinelli every person in this room knows who and what you are. You," She pronounced coolly, "Are a killer. You are also a liar and a hypocrite. You speak about what your brother did to you but you have amassed a pile of corpses which far outstrips him." She continued her spiel coldly, "Your brother dead, your father dead of a broken heart, your sister a victim of the violence you perpetrate, your nephew hooked to machines that tell everyone he won't even have your limited mental function. And that is ignoring all the people you actually intended to kill." Stepping closer to him Helena trilled her words, "Quite a body count for one who fancies himself a good man."
"Helena," Alexis said finding her voice at last. "What is the purpose of this inquisition?"
Rolling her eyes Helena said distastefully, "Your impatience. " She declared crossly, "I'm merely setting the stage to explain my actions."
"Grandmother," Nikolas intoned. "You kidnapped a child. I don't think we are particularly interested in any explanation you might offer however self-serving or psychotic it might be."
Helena brushed his concerns aside with a wave of her hand. "My concern is that dear Jake be properly cared for and be given an honest accounting of his parentage."
Crossing her arms across her breasts Alexis asked, "And what you yearned to embark on a second career as an au pair?"
"Whatever you may think Alexis, I have always put family first." Helena said firmly. "My family and others. And certainly I did not want Lucky's child stolen and raised by another."
Arching an eyebrow, Nikolas challenged, "And yet you kidnapped Jake."
"Taking a child from that do nothing burg isn't a crime, its practically a public service." Helena said flatly. "However, once I make my exit you may take Jake wherever you like." She said generously as if awarding them a gift.
"After all of this you are just going to hand him over." Nikolas asked skeptically.
"Of course, whatever your uncle and aunt may have told you I'm not a monster. I had one objective to ensure my dear Lucky had his proper role as Jake's real father restored." She smiled and shrugged. "My work is finished here...for now." She let the threat trill off her tongue with obvious pleasure.
Nikolas face hardened and he said, "One day I will find a facility that you cannot escape from."
Helena did not flinch simply replying. "Undoubtedly. But by then you will be so old as to be indifferent to my actions."
"As if you'll still be alive then." Alexis said dismissively. "One day we will all have the pleasure of attending your funeral."
Helena cackled, "Oh Alexis I fully intend to live forever." As if her words were a warning the room went suddenly dark. Moments later when the lights returned Helena and her guards were gone and the small rescue party was left alone.
Nikolas was the first to recover, he hurriedly crossed to the terrace doors looking for flashlights or any other signs of Helena and her henchmen. He saw nothing but the inky blue black sky and the dark hues of the shrubs and grasses. It was as if they had disappeared.
When he turned he saw Jason standing silently over the cradle. His expression was unreadable as always. At length he said, "Spinelli. Find Lucky. I want him to meet us at the airport."
"Stone Cold," Spinelli protested weakly. "We can have the blood tests rerun."
Jason looked down at his… at Jake then he returned his gaze to Spinelli. "There's no need. I want to explain to Lucky...I don't want him to think I knew any of this."
"What about Elizabeth?" Maxie asked coolly clearly interested.
Jason looked up his expression blank as ever. His words however were tight and coldly delivered, "Maxie why don't you handle her." It wasn't a question, but a statement.
"YEEEEEEEESSSSSSSSSSS!" Maxie said preceding to dance around the room.
Without a word Jason turned and walked hurriedly from the room. Nikolas rose and followed him. "Let's get the hell out of here." Nikolas insisted unknotting his tie and moving toward the door.
"Abs-positively." Damien agreed lifting Jake into his arms and following the departing group.
"Coming," Maxie said running to catch up to the exiting crowd, and feeling her eyes bug out at the sight she saw in the hall, Jason reaching over and clasping Alexis' hand inside his own and walking with her toward the front door.
Several Hours Later
"Dammit!" Maxie swore angrily at her lap top.
Nikolas looked up in surprise; "Something the matter?"
"No its just I can't access my home computer from this network."
"We'll be home later this afternoon." Nikolas pointed out stifling a yawn. A jet to Greece, now flying home in the same day was taxing his system. He laid his seat back intending to sleep but found slumber would not easily come. "What are you doing?"
"I'm developing my Ruin Elizabeth's Life manifesto."
"That requires a manifesto?"
"Well," Maxie replied eagerly as if she'd been awaiting just this very question. "I already have the manifesto, but I need to update it with the precise plans before my meeting, not to mention contacting the appropriate guests."
"There are going to be other people there?" Nikolas said interestedly.
"Well just a few. Sam for sure, Carly, Epiphany your sister, maybe her sister..." Maxie said tossing off the names randomly.
"I thought you and Lulu hated each other." Nikolas replied confused by Maxie's words.
"I hate that bitch!" Maxie agreed cheerfully. "But I can't be selfish here. Giving Elizabeth the kick in the ass she deserves can't just be about me. It would be morally wrong to exclude anyone who has a grievance against her."
Nikolas hit a button and felt his seat move to an upright position. "Is this a ladies only event or may anyone attend?"
Looking intrigued Maxie asked, "Are you interested in attending?"
Pondering her words Nikolas finally answered at length, "I feel certain Lulu can speak for Lucky. But as Jason's sister cannot attend..."
"You want to speak for Emily." Maxie's smile broadened. "The dead deserve a voice in my take down. " She acknowledged before interjecting. "You're in."
Nikolas looked down rocking his glass in his hands, causing the cubes to bump against the sides of the glass, "I still cannot believe..."
"You aren't going to go all weak and its not Elizabeth's fault on me are you?" Maxie demanded irritably. "I can't let my event be ruined by your lingering nostalgia for who Elizabeth was or who you thought she was…."
Nikolas looked up his eyes steeled and certain. "No I can assure you my days of pitying Elizabeth are over."
Jason stared out the window again seeing only the blackness of night, this time it mirrored his mood. He'd thought he was coming to rescue his son. Now he was taking Jake home to his real father. The more he thought the more cold and deep seated his rage became. Elizabeth's lie now papered over every moment they had ever shared.
"Jason," Alexis' voice called forcing him to turn his head which he found required a thousand times more effort than he'd expected. "Jake's asleep." She said indicating the tiny infant sleeping in the carrier. "You should try to do the same." As an incentive she added, "He's going to need you."
Jason sighed, "He's going to need his father. Lucky will be there."
"Jason," Alexis began, but she let the sentence fall away.
"It's okay you know, better even." He said trying to sound as if he believed his words. "No child would ever be safe with me."
Alexis did not dispute his words, uncertain that she could do so. She was seemingly lost in silent reverie when she saw Jason lower his head. "What?"
"I was thinking about the penthouse and all the nightmares have unfolded there."
Alexis didn't quite get the connection, but she didn't want to press him for more information. While Sam had been ill she'd spent more time with Jason than she had in many years. She'd found he had a specific thought process and behavioral motivation. Alexis had found it difficult to anticipate but she'd learned to respond usefully. "You don't want to go there tonight?"
"No." He said rubbing his face with the heel of his hand. "Besides I'm not ready to face Elizabeth yet. I'm not sure…" He didn't complete the thought. "I'll go to Jake's." He said decidedly as if tidily resolving the issue. "I can think there."
"You can drink there." Alexis replied. "And that's not the best solution right now."
Shrugging he said, "I'm out of ideas. I can't deal with Liz, or Carly or Sonny or anyone right now."
Shrugging Alexis said, "Then don't." When he looked at her dubiously she explained, "If you go to Jake's Carly and Liz will find you there and as you said I don't think you are up to those conversations yet."
Jason nodded as if her words made sense to him. "So where do I go?" He asked staring deeply at her. The power in his eyes, the lonliness and need and trust all washed over Alexis. He'd never quite looked at her before like that. It made her feel slightly off balance, as if she might say or do anything to make him smile or ease his pain.
"I should stay with you." Alexis said suddenly as if the notion had just occurred to her. And indeed when she heard herself saying the words she was gob smacked to realize she was suggesting Jason Morgan come spend the night at her house. However, she quickly nodded her head as if affirming the idea to herself. Seeing Jason's quizzical look she explained, "You said you should have stayed with me... that night. So let's go with that. You can come to my house and we can do whatever it is you do; read books about Africa, stare into space, whatever." As if expecting a protest she added, "Elizabeth has never been to my house, I doubt she even knows where it is. Carly would need an inoculation to pass my threshold. And Sonny well no comment. Needless to say you'd have the room and time to think you need. I have a comfortable guest room with a view of the lake. It'd be a safe place for you to work things out."
"Kristina and Molly," He said brokenly. "I'm not safe."
"Between Sonny, Ric and Helena you aren't adding anything to the equation." She said matter of factly.
Watching her face intently Jason asked, "What about Jerry?"
Alexis looked down shaking her head. "Helena is right about that one. I've now added a mobster, a pathological crybaby, and a sociopath to my dating roster. I think I'm going to say I've been taking drugs-that at least explains by hideous personal choices."
Jason smiled slightly, "And now you're inviting me to stay with you."
"It'll piss off Sonny, Ric and Jerry." She said wishing she'd ordered a martini. She was going to need some alcohol and soon. Something, anything to erase the past few hours.
"I don't know," Jason said.
"You stay with me." She said brokering no opposition. "Maybe you had a point if we'd stayed together that night…then you wouldn't be going through this…"
"And you wouldn't have been alone with your cancer." He said softly. "I still can't believe I left you there alone."
Alexis demurred, "I wasn't your responsibility."
"Maybe you were." He offered quietly. "I knew you were in pain and scared I should have stayed."
Alexis raised her head looking him in the eyes, "And you are in pain now. So?"
After a long silent moment Jason stuck out his hand, "We stay together."
"Together," She said squeezing his hand and feeling an odd twinge when he kept his fingers interlaced with hers.
"Madame." Andreas called bringing a tray of scones into Helena's bed chamber. "The pilot says we will land at sunrise."
Looking up Helena said, "Berlin is majestic at dawn."
"Will we be going directly to Port Charles from Berlin?"
Shaking her head Helen said, "No, I feel that we have done quite enough for the denizens of that tiresome town for a long while. Better," She said thoughtfully, "To let things settle a bit before returning there."
"Was it a productive day?" Andreas asked handing her a scone.
Smiling Helena nodded, "Very. I have reminded the Spencer's I am a viable threat, I've reunited Lucky with his son, I've hopefully diminished Nikolas' ardor for that mob moll currently residing in his bed, and I've found Alexis a new romantic paramour." She smiled a tight self-satisfied smile. "I'd say I've done quite well for a day."
Andreas smiled lightly, "And what comes next?"
Helena bit into her scone and spent a few minutes pondering the question before responding, "Allow them a period of happiness to become calm and relaxed. Then I strike. Yes," She said as if affirming something only she knew. "Let my grandson relax, let Alexis grow enamored with Morgan, let the Spencer's grow complacent. Then," She promised with a thin self-satisfied smile, "I will return to their lives."
