In an office somewhere, a man picks up a frame photograph andlooks
longingly at it. The picture is of a beautiful young woman in agraduation
cap and gown smiling at the camera. The young women in the photographis
Robin Scorpio.
The secure phone rings and the man picks it up still looking atthe
photograph. "Scorpio."
"Robert, this is Frisco. I was in the warehouse and you'll neverguess who
made an appearance."
"Phiasal."
Surprised, "Ya, how did you know?"
"Phiasal is playing this real close to the vest. After we got hislast two
shipments, his customers are getting antsy. They want their goods,and if
Phiasal can't deliveryS"
"I see. He is doing this one personally every step of the way. I
overheard him tell the warehouse manager that the plan was delayedbecause
of a snag on the other end. What's going on in Port Charles?"
"I don't know what the snag would be. Ariel has the shippingmanifest.
There seems to be two ships going to the Mediterranean early nextweek."
"With this time delay, I don't think the arms will be in PC to go onthose
ships. There has to be another one going later that Phiasal iswanting."
"I agree. I'll tell Ariel to have Sonny get the schedule andmanifests for
any ship going to the Mediterranean in the next three weeks, thatshould do
it."
"I can't believe Sonny Corinthos is working for us? From whatFelicia
tells me he is a mobster, into racketeering, prostitution,illegal
gamblingS"
"He sure has risen within that organization. When Ariel recruited himhe
was running a strip joint for Joe Scully. Scully was runningprostitution
and illegal gambling out of there along with some heroin. Ariel wentin
undercover. Met up with Sonny and found out Scully had kept him inthe
dark about the drugs. Sonny abhors drugs and was furious with Scullywhen
he found out. He was going to confront Scully, but Ariel intervenedand
convinced Sonny to help the WSB and continue in Scully's operation tobe
able to feed us information. Well, with Sonny's help we were able toshut
down the drug operation, but Scully went free because of a slickattorney.
Luckily, he never connected Sonny to the operation. That was aboutnine
years ago. After that we used him periodically on other cases wherehis
unique talents were needed. About six years ago, Sonny asked if hecould
join the WSB as a full agent and continue undercover with hisother
operations. The WSB agreed. Ever since that time he has fed us
information about the underworld. Thanks to him a lot of theunderworld's
activities around the world have been curtailed."
"WOW!! I would have never guessed! Who knows about Sonny?"
"Ariel, of course; myself, Anna knew, Sean Donely, a few higher upshere at
the WSB and now, you."
"No one in Port Charles?"
"Not any more since Sean is in Boston. Have you pick up anything
interesting from the bug lately?"
"No, it seems that everyone is waiting for the *snag* to get workedout.
Everything is pretty quiet. The missiles and guns are just sittingthere."
"Since that is the case, I'm sending Rapheal to replace you there andI
want you in Port Charles to help Ariel and Sonny find out what the*snag*
is."
"Fine with me. Do you want me seen?"
"Sure. Go visit Felicia and the girls. Tell them you needed to spendtime
with them and so you took some time off to see them and 'playDaddy.'"
"Robert, I don't have to 'play Daddy,' I *am* Daddy. Should I atleast
tell Mac what I'm doing."
"No, Mac doesn't know about the operation. Ariel asked to keep itthat
way. I don't agree with her reasons, but I do respect her opinion; soMac
and the PCPD don't know anything."
"OK. Ariel is staying at PC Hotel, right?"
"Yes, her cover is opening another one of her stores."
"OK, Robert. Talk to you when I get to PC."
"Frisco, if you see Robin... will you give her a hug and kiss fromme?"
"Sure, Robert, but when this is over you will be able to do thatyourself."
Ariel and Sonny enter the Outback and are greeted by Mac. "Hi,Sonny," Mac
extends his hand and Sonny shakes it. Mac looks at Ariel, "I don'tbelieve
I have had the pleasure?"
"Mac, this is Ariel Wiseman. Ariel, this is Mac Scorpio."
"Commissioner Scorpio, I have heard several things about you. I'mglad I
finally get to meet you." Ariel extends her hand and Mac takes it inhis
and holds it.
"I hope you don't believe everything you hear," Mac flirts withher.
"No, I don't," Ariel smiles back.
"Okay, you two." Turning to Mac, "can we get a table, one a littleprivate."
Mac lets go of Ariel's hand. "Sure. This way." He leads then to atable
in the corner along the back wall. "Will this be secluded enough foryou,
Sonny."
"Sure, it will be," Sonny replies. Mac seats Ariel as Sonny sitsdown.
Mac hands them each a menu.
"Have a good evening. It was nice meeting you, Ariel. Stop byanytime,
even if Sonny isn't with you." Mac leaves the table.
"So *that* is Mac Scorpio," Ariel says when Mac is out of earshot.
"The one and only."
"Not exactly what I had pictured from what I know about him."
Sonny puts his menu down and looks at Ariel. "Am I going to havecompetition?"
Ariel laughs. "I'll never throw our friendship away, besides he isn'tmy
type." They both laugh.
At a table across the room Brenda and Jax are having dinner withJerry and
his latest girlfriend, Marisa. Brenda noticed Sonny as soon as hewalked
through the door. Though she has no idea who the woman is he is with.Jax
has also noticed his wife's attention is else where.
"Jax, isn't that Ariel Wiseman who just came in?" Jerry asks hisbrother.
Jax looks at the woman who is with Sonny, "I don't know for sure. Ithas
been a long time since I saw her last."
"Ya, it has probably been two or three years since I last saw her,"Jerry
replies.
"Who is Ariel Wiseman?" Marisa asks as she, too, looks in thedirection of
Sonny and Ariel, "and who is that gorgeous guy she is with?"
Jax glances at Jerry and Jerry shrugs and rolls his eyes as he says,"Ariel
Wiseman is the president of Wiseman Jewels. She inherited it aboutfour
years ago when her father died. They have a chain of exclusivejewelry
stores and several diamond mines along with emerald, sapphire andruby
minds and a few pearl farms. I don't seem to recognize the man sheis
with."
"That is Sonny Corinthos. I thought Wiseman was legit all the way,"Jax
commented.
"She is, as far as I know," Jerry replied, "why would you thinkdifferently?"
"Because Sonny Corinthos is far from legit."
"Wiseman Jewels, huh, I wore some of their things on my last photoshoot
for Jax Cosmetics. Their pieces were very nice," Brenda noted.
"Maybe I should get you some," Jax responded. He smiles at Brenda andshe
smiles back.
"Enough, enough you two. I'm going over there and find out forsure."
Jerry leaves the table and goes over to where Ariel and Sonny arebeing
served their wine. "Ariel, Ariel Wiseman?"
Ariel looks up at the man who has approached their table and smiles,"Jerry
Jacks! How long has it been?"
Jerry bends over and gives Ariel a kiss on the check. "I can'tquite
remember, two or three years maybe. You are looking wonderful, butyou
always were the most gorgeous woman in any room."
Now it is Sonny's turn to roll his eyes. Ariel sees this andplayfully
kicks him under the table. "Thank you, Jerry. You always knew howto
flatter a girl," Ariel says with a slight lilt in her voice. "I amsorry,
how rude of me. Jerry, this is a very good friend of mine, Sonny
Corinthos. Sonny, this rogue is Jerry Jacks."
Sonny extends his hand to Jerry and Jerry shakes it, "Jerry Jacks,any
relation to Jax Jacks?"
"Jax is my brother. I'll let the two of you get back to yourdinner."
Turning to Ariel, "Ariel, are you going to be in town long?"
"For a few days. I'm staying at the Port Charles Hotel."
"I'll give you a call and maybe we can have lunch and catch up onthings."
"I'd like that."
Sonny watches Jerry return to his table. "I take it you aren't fondof the
Jackses?" Ariel asks Sonny.
Sonny looks at her, "I don't trust them any further than I can throwthem."
"Is that a personal observation or a business one?" Sonny looks ather like
he doesn't know what she is talking about. In a softer voiceAriel
continues, "I know about Brenda Barrett Jacks."
"What else do you know?"
"Everything, it is my job."
They have just finished dinner and are finishing with coffee.Well,
actually coffee for Sonny and tea for Ariel. He is holding her handand
gazing into her eyes. If anyone was paying attention to them, theywould
think that they were just lovers having a quiet dinner.
"We now need the shipping schedules for any ship going to theMediterranean
in the next three week. Can you get them?" Ariel asks Sonny in awhisper.
"Sure, no problem. Ned just thinks I trying to ship somethingmyself."
Ariel is sitting in her suite going over the latest proposalsthe expansion
of Wiseman Jewels. She sits back and twists the rope of pearls sheis
wearing around her finger as her mind wanders to 'the case'. Itwas
important that Phiasal go down and down for good. Then Robert wouldget to
reappear and be reunited with his daughter and brother. A tearappears in
her eye as she thinks about a parent being reunited with their child.Her
thoughts wander to what might had beenS so long ago. Her thoughtsare
interrupted by a knock on the door. She is initially startled,but
recovers quickly. As she gets up she wipes the tear out of hereye.
"Who is it?" she asks.
A familiar voice answers, "It's me, baby." Ariel opens the door andsees a
grinning Frisco in her doorway. She pulls him into her suite and hepulls
her into his arms and gives her a brotherly kiss. "You and I havesome
things to talk aboutS Mainly, one Sonny Corinthos."
"Would you like something to drink? Robert told me he told you aboutSonny."
"Sure, a soda would be nice. Yea, he did. I about fell over when hetold
me. I can't believe that he is really working for us aftereverything
Felicia and Mac have told me about him."
"Like I always say, 'you never know who your friends are until youreally
need them.' Sonny has been there for the WSB and for me, personallyfor a
long time. It was really hard for me to stand by and not do anythinglast
year when he was up on those federal charges."
"He found his own way out of that mess."
"Yes, he did, but it cost him the woman he loves."
"You mean Brenda?"
"Yes, he wanted to get back with Brenda, partly because that is whatStone
wanted, but mostly because he wanted it. He was hoping she wouldforgive
him and marry him. But instead he got wrapped up with thosefederal
charges and he was in too far by the time we found out about it todo
anything. You know, deniability. Sonny had to find his own way out.He
made a deal with Rivera. He would forget about Brenda and marry Lilyand
be faithful to her in return for Rivera making the charges go away.He
gave up Brenda and married Lily. He tried to forget Brenda, butshe
wouldn't let him go. He finally gave into his heart. We all knowwhat
happened then. Lily was killed by a bomb meant for him and Brendamarried
Jasper Jacks."
"Does he still want Brenda back?"
"More than ever. I would do anything that might help him get herback."
"You supplied him with the information on Miranda?"
"When I found out about her from Robert, I passed the informationonto
Sonny. Though Brenda is still holding on to Jax, I don't think itwill be
that way for long. Miranda is working on Jax and Sonny is workingon
Brenda. Miranda is refusing to give Jax a divorce, even though hisparents
are putting pressure on her. I saw Brenda with Jax and his brother,Jerry
the other night at the Outback when Sonny and I went to dinner.Brenda
couldn't keep her eyes off of Sonny."
Frisco starts to laugh. "Well, maybe Robert, Sonny and I shouldstart
working on finding someone for you, since you are always trying toplay
matchmaker for us."
"No way!! I found my soulmate once. I'm not going through thatagain,"
Ariel answers looking extremely downhearted and remorseful.
Frisco walks over to Ariel and wraps his arms around her, "I'm sorry.I'm
so very sorry for what happened to you back then." He continues tohold
her for several minutes as Ariel eventual returns to her old self inhis
arm.
Her smile returns and she looks up at Frisco with a sly look in hereye,
"How's Felicia and the girls?"
Frisco kiss Ariel on the forehead and releases her, "They are fine.Though
I think Felicia would have preferred I called before dropping bythis
morning for breakfast. Maxie went into overdrive when she saw meand
didn't want to go to school. I finally convinced her she had to goto
school and that I would be there when she got home." He checks hiswatch.
"I need to be there by three."
"And how is Georgie?
"Growing like a weed. She is getting so big," Frisco says with a biggrin.
"And Felicia?"
"She'll come around. She always does."
"Frisco, you better be careful. One of these days she won't be therefor
you to come home to. You better think hard about that and dosomething
about it."
"Yes, little sister," Frisco says jokingly. Changing the subject,"Has
Sonny got us any more shipping schedules."
"He is working on it. We are to have dinner at Luke's tonight withLucy
Coe and a Dr. Collins. I'll find out when Sonny brings me home."
"Dinner with Lucy and Kevin? What is that about?"
"You know them? Ms. Coe wants to do a joint advertising campaignbetween
Jax Cosmetics and Wiseman Jewels."
"Lucy has been a fixture in Port Charles for years." Frisco startsto
laugh, "She is some dame! Beautiful and smart just like you, what adeadly
combination. Kevin Collins is the man she is attached to hip with atthe
present time. Though Felicia tells me it is the real thing. Youwill
enjoy your evening with those two. You never know what Lucy will comeup
with."
"Why don't you stop by around 11:00, if you can tear yourself awayfrom
Felicia."
"I'll see you then. I better go or I'll be late for Maxie."
"Go enjoy yourself with your daughters." They hug tightly beforeFrisco leaves.
Ariel is seated at the bar in Luke's while Sonny is standing next toher
waiting for Lucy and Kevin to join them. Lucy had insisted on thetwo
couple getting together, since she and Ariel were working on apossible
join advertising campaign for Jax Cosmetics and Wiseman Jewels."How's
life treating you two?" Luke asks as he walks over to Sonny andAriel.
"Hi, Luke," Ariel answers.
"Are the two of you just going to stay at the bar all night or can Ifind
you a table?" Luke inquires.
"We are waiting for Lucy and Kevin, then we will find a table," Sonnyremarks.
Just then Laura enters Luke's and walks over to Luke and put her armaround
his waist and he leans down and kisses her cheek. "Laura, I don'tthink
you have met Ariel Wiseman, have you? Ariel, this is my wife,Laura."
"I'm glad I have finally met you, Luke has been talking about you andSonny
for days," Laura says to Ariel.
"He has, has he?" Sonny says looking at Luke, "just what has hebeen
telling you?"
"I only tell her the good stuff, Sonny," Luke laughs. Sonny andAriel
exchange knowing glances.
"Well, Laura are you joining Luke here tonight or are you here todrag him
off?" Sonny inquires.
"He has been here so much lately, I think his daughter has forgottenwhat
he looks like. I came in to see if I could kidnap him away from hereso
LuLu could see her father."
"You know LuLu is welcomed here anytime," Sonny says to Laura.
"I don't want her to start bar hopping until she is at least five,"Laura
replies. They all start laughing.
Nikolas walks into Luke's and looks around. Luke has begrudgenlyallowed
Nikolas to see Laura and Lucky since Lucky has decided he want to getto
know Nikolas a little better. Well, maybe allowed isn't quite theright
word, since Laura and Lucky were going to see Nikolas whether or nothe
said it was all right. Nikolas sees Laura and comes over. "Hi,Nikolas.
It looks like you are looking for someone?" Laura says. Nikolas,scanning
the room again, replies, "Yes, Lucky. He asked me to meet him here.Is he
around?"
"He hasn't come in yet," Luke says coldly.
Nikolas turns and for the first time sees Ariel looking a lot palerthan
she did just a few moments ago. His eyes narrow as he glares atAriel.
"What are you doing here?" he demands of her. "Does my uncle know youare
in Port Charles?"
"Nikolas!" Laura says in that correcting tone of voice mothershave.
"Hello, Nikolas. You have grown into a nice-looking young man," Arielsays.
Still glaring, "Does my uncle know you are here?"
"No and I don't want you tell him."
"Why are you planning on running out again?"
"Nikolas, that was a long time ago. Sometimes things must be donethat we
can't control."
Sonny, Luke and Laura are observing this exchange between Ariel andNikolas
in stunned silence. They had no idea she knew the Cassadines.
Lucky comes up to the group and says to Nikolas, "Sorry I'm late."Turning
to Luke he says, "Can Nikolas and I use the backroom?"
Luke recovers to answer his son, "Sure."
"Come on Nikolas," Lucky says as he starts for the backroom.
Nikolas glares once more at Ariel and follows Lucky to the backroom.The
foursome remains silent for a few minutes until Sonny breaks it,"Luke, I
think Ariel and I will find a table and Mike can send Lucy and Kevinover
when they get here." Sonny takes Ariel's arm and guides her to an
out-of-the way table. They sit down and Sonny leans over to her andsays,
"Why don't you tell me about Stefan Cassadine."
Ariel look up at him, "You already know, you just didn't know hisname."
With that a pained, knowing look comes into Sonny's eyes as he pullsAriel
closer to him and she rests her head on his shoulder.
SSAriel look up at him, "You already know, you just didn't knowhis name."
With that a pained, knowing look comes into Sonny's eyes as he pullsAriel
closer to him and she rests her head on his shoulder.
Sonny holds Ariel close to him and whispers in her ear, "I'm sorry,I
didn't know *He* was Stefan Cassadine. If I would have known I wouldhave
told you he and Nikolas are living here in Port Charles."
"It is not your fault," Ariel says pulling away from Sonny andlooking him
in his eye. "I knew this day would one day come," lowering her eyes,"I
always thought I would be prepared better to handle it."
"I'll have some of my men posted around you so he or Nikolas can'tget
anywhere near you."
"No, Sonny. All that would do is to put the inevitable off.Anyway,
Stefan will get to me no matter whatS if he wants. I handled himonce
before, I can do it again."
"You lost your heart to him before," lifting her chin up so he couldlook
into her eyes, Sonny continues, "and he still has it. I know you area
strong, determined woman, but let me help you."
"There is nothing anyone else can do. Stefan and I must settle thisourselves."
Just then Lucy and Kevin walks up to the table. "I'm sorry we are alittle
late. Siggy didn't want us to leave him." Kevin holds Lucy's chair asshe
sits down then he seats himself.
The arrival of Lucy and Kevin broke the undercurrent between Arieland
Sonny. Sonny looks at Lucy and says, "The *Duck* didn't want youto
leave?"
Ariel first glances at Sonny and then looks at Lucy, "A duck?"
"Siggy is my duck, but he thinks he is my child." Sonny chuckles andLucy
tosses him a dirty look. "He is very sensitive. Sometimes he justneeds
some extra TLC."
"Maybe it was champagne he wanted," Sonny suggests. Lucy throwsanother
dirty look at Sonny again before Kevin and he breaks up laughing.
"I think I'm missing something," Ariel says looking very puzzled.Sonny
gets his laughter under control and tells Ariel about Siggy gettingdrunk
at the party for Stone.
Luke and Laura watch as Sonny guides Ariel to a table. "I wonder whatthat
was all about," Luke says as he watches Sonny and Ariel at theirtable.
"Did you know she had a connection with the Cassadines?" Luke asksLaura.
"No. I didn't even know she existed, until a few days ago when youtold me
about her and Sonny. I wonder what Nikolas meant when he said 'Why,are
you planning on running out again?' He looked so angry."
"Knowing Stefan, it could have been anything. But I wonder if Sonnyknew
anything about this."
"I don't think so. The way he looked when Nikolas was here makes methink
he was as surprised as we were," Laura said.
"I'll see what I can find out from Sonny tomorrow. Now if I'm goingto see
my little princess, we better be going. Mike, the bar is yours forthe
night, don't run away with it."
"Give LuLu a kiss for me and I'll keep everything under controlhere,"
Mike answers.
Luke leans over to Mike and says softly, "Keep an eye on Ariel andwhat
Lucky and Nikolas are doing."
Just then Lucky and Nikolas come out from the back room. Nikolasglares at
Ariel again as he and Lucky goes over to Laura. "I thought you andDad
were going home, "Lucky says.
"We were just leaving. What are you two up to?"
"Nothing, Mom," Lucky answers.
"Nikolas, what do you know about Ariel Wiseman?"
"She is a deceitful, manipulative woman. You can't trust her atall,"
Nikolas' voice if full of hate. "I would like to know what she isdoing
here in Port Charles. She better stay away from my uncle!"
Laura knew better than to question Nikolas anymore while he was inthis
type of mood. Just then Luke joins Laura and they leave.
"Hey, man what did she do to make you this angry?" Lucky asks hisbrother.
"My uncle and she were involved about six years ago, then shejust
disappears. My uncle was devastated; it about destroyed him. He triedto
find her, but couldn't. I had never seen him so depressed as he wasthen.
He really loved her."
"You think she is back for your uncle?"
"She better not be, or she will have to deal with me," changingthe
subject, "Let's go."
"You see what a great idea this is. Brenda is the most recognizablemodel
around after her last Jax campaign and with her, your jewels andmy
cosmetics, we can't miss," Lucy tell Ariel.
"I did see your last campaign with Ms. Barrett, but we have neverused
'faces' in our advertising campaigns. The focus has always beenthe
jewelry. It has worked for us, I'm not sure I want to change it."
"Sonny, tell her this is a great idea, and Brenda would be great init,"
Lucy begs Sonny.
Ariel looks at Sonny noticing the fleeting look of love flicker inhis eyes
at the mention of Brenda's name. "Brenda is a great model. She woulddo a
good job," Sonny says.
"What do you mean, a 'good job?' She would do a great job. What isup
with you Sonny?"
"That enough, Lucy," Kevin says to Lucy.
She looks annoyed at Kevin, "Okay, but, Ariel, think about it. Itwould be
great. By the way what gems are your favorite?"
"The jewels are a family business. I don't really collect themmyself. I
only have a few very special pieces. My favorites are probably my
grandmother's pearls and a strand of black pearls. When my great
grandfather first visited Japan he was given a small box of pearls asa
gift from the emperor. When he returned home he strung them and gavethem
to my grandmother for her sixteenth birthday. Grandmother gave methem for
my sixteenth birthday."
"What a great story," Kevin tells Ariel.
"What about the black pearls?" Lucy asks.
Ariel hesitates a moment, "They were given to me as a gift from a manI
once knew very well. He is no longer in my life, but the pearlsremind me
of the good times we had together."
"Oh," Lucy says. Then changing the subject, "How did you metSonny?
"I met him here at Luke's. When I first got to Port Charles I came inhere
to unwind after a meeting with A.J Quartermaine about the store andmet
Mike and Luke. They were very charming, so I came back another dayand
Sonny happened to show up and we hit it off." She smiles at Sonnyand
Sonny smiles back, reinforcing the impression that they arelovers.
"Oh, it is getting late," Lucy said, "I've got an early meetingtomorrow.
I'll call you and we can talk about the campaign more."
Kevin and Lucy get to leave, "You're right. It is getting late. Sonnycan
you take me back to the hotel." The four leave Luke's.
Stefan is sitting next to the fireplace with a glass of brandyon the table
next to him. He is dressed in his pajamas and robe and is wearinghis
reading glasses. He is rereading 'The Odyssey' for the nth time. Helooks
up when he hears Nikolas come in. "Nikolas."
Nikolas entered the room, "Uncle, you are still up."
"Did you and Lucky have a good time?"
"Yes. Lucky isn't as bad as I used to think. He and I are going totake
LuLu to the park tomorrow. Laura said it is okay."
"Good, I'm glad you are getting to see Laura and LuLu. Is Lukecausing you
any trouble?"
"No, not really. Laura won't let him get away with too much. Goodnight."
Nikolas starts to leave and Stefan returns to his reading. Nikolasstops
and considers whether to tell Stefan about what happened at Luke's.Stefan
takes note that Nikolas had stopped.
"Is there something else you want to tell me?"
Nikolas turns to face his uncle, "Well...," still trying to decide ifhe
should tell him about running into Ariel.
"I'm waiting."
Finally deciding he would rather that Stefan hears about Ariel fromhim, he
begins. "Tonight at Luke's..."
"What did Luke do?" Stefan demanded.
"Nothing, this isn't about Luke. When I got to Luke's, Laura wasthere and
I went over to say good evening. She was standing with Luke,Sonny
Corinthos and another woman. When I got over there the woman turnedout to
be Ariel Wiseman." Nikolas sees the shock come over his uncle's faceas
what he had just said sinks in.
"What was Ariel doing there?" Stefan asks in a whisper.
"I guess she is seeing Corinthos, because later the two of them werepretty
cozy at a table with Lucy Coe and Dr. Collins. I'm sorry, Uncle, Ijust
thought you should know she is in town."
Recovering from the news slightly, "Yes, Nikolas. Thank you fortelling me."
"Is there something I can do for you, Uncle."
"I'm fine, Nikolas. Good night."
"Good night." Nikolas realizes his uncle wants to be alone, so heleaves
him. As he ascends the stairs to his room he pauses and hopes he haddone
the right thing in telling his uncle.
After Nikolas leaves, Stefan picks up his phone and dial. When itis
answered he says to the person on the other end, "Ariel Wiseman is inPort
Charles. Find out where she is staying." He ends the call and putsthe
phone down. Stefan removes his glasses and rubs his eyes. "What isthis
about, Ariel?" he says softly to himself.
It is a quarter to eleven and Sonny and Ariel are back at her suite."What
time did Frisco say he was going to be here?" Sonny asks Ariel.
"We set it up for 11:00."
"Do you want to talk about Cassadine?" Sonny asks.
"Do you want to talk about Brenda?"
"It would take a lot more time than we have for me to talk aboutBrenda."
"Just one question, do you still love her and do you want herback?"
"That's two question?" Sonny jokes.
"You can answer both with one answer, can't you?"
Sonny shakes his head, "I never could keep anything from you, notlike you.
Why didn't you tell me the man was Stefan Cassadine?"
"I don't know why I didn't tell you. Maybe because if I told you,Robert
would have found out. I know what he thinks of the Cassadines and Idon't
think I could have handled one of his *talks*. I don't think Icould
handle one now, either."
"I thought you told Robert about what happened to you?"
"I did tell Robert and Frisco, but like you I didn't tell themStefan's
name. I don't know how I would have gotten through that time withoutthe
three of you."
Sonny wraps his arms around her again and gives a kiss on thecheck.
"That's what friends are for," he says.
There was a knock on the door and Ariel kisses Sonny on thecheck,
"Thanks." She goes to answer the door. "Who is it?"
"It's me, baby," Frisco answers. Ariel opens the door and Friscocomes in.
"You must be Sonny," he says to Sonny.
"Yea, and you must be Frisco Jones."
"Yea, I heard a lot about you from Felicia, but when the boss told meyou
were working for our team, I could have been knocked over with afeather.
You sure get around."
"From what I hear you aren't bad about getting around either." Theyshake
hands.
"Now that we have the niceties behind us," Ariel says, "lets get downto
business."
"I got the shipping schedule for the next month. There are nine ELQships
scheduled to leave. Three for ports in the U.S., three for Centraland
South America, one for upper Europe and two for the Mediterranean.The two
for the Mediterranean are the ELQ Tracey and the ELQ Jason. TheTracey is
scheduled to stops in Lisbon, Portugal, Tangier, Morocco, Algiers,Algeria
and Salerno, Italy. The Jason is to stop in Alexandria, Egypt andJidda,
Saudi Arabia."
"You said the Tracey is to stop in Salerno, Italy?
"Yes, on S," Sonny checks the schedule, "on the 25th."
"Do you think that is where Phiasal is shipping the arms?" Ariel asksFrisco.
"Salerno is one of Phiasal's favorite exchange points," Friscoreplies.
"When does it leave Port Charles?"
"It was to leave on the sixth which is two days from now, but itgot
changed to the eleventh," Sonny answers.
"That would make the time table correct. I overheard Phiasal tellingthe
warehouse manager in Kansas City that there was a snag on this endand the
arms would not be moved until later. The Tracey is fitting thatprofile.
What dock is she at?"
"She is docked at Dock #39," Sonny says. "That is not far from anentrance
to the catacombs. We could use them to set up a base to watch thedocks."
"You do know your way around Port Charles," Frisco says to Sonny.
"It's my job to know," Sonny replies.
"Okay, I'll contact Robert and fill him in. Frisco, when can you meetme
tomorrow to look for a sight for the base? I have a meeting withA.J.
Quartermaine at 10:00, but should be free after 11:00."
"I'll meet you at the entrance to the catacombs at 12:30." Turningto
Sonny, "Do you have anything other than those Italian suits to wear?I'm
afraid the catacombs would do a number on them," Frisco sayssarcastically.
"Of course, I own a pair of jeans. I'll meet you at 12:30."
"Designer, I bet," Frisco says under his breath.
"Okay you two, I'll met you both there at 12:30. Now if you don'tmind
this girl needs her beauty sleep."
"Oh, you would look like a million without any sleep," Frisco says ashe
leans over and gives her a kiss on her check.
Sonny also kisses Ariel on the check and whispers in her ear, "Yousure you
don't want me to post guards here to keep Cassadine away."
Ariel returns the kiss. "No, I'll be fine. Good night."
After Frisco and Sonny leave, Ariel gets ready for bed. She puts ona
fuchsia and black silk nightgown and a matching robe. She also hasa
pendent around her neck. The pendent is that of the Cassadine crest.She
returns to the living room area of the her suite and turns on theCD
player. The soft melodies of Clean Din CD, "Falling Into You" fillsthe
room. Ariel reaches for the phone to call room service for a pot oftea,
when she hears a knock on the door. She wonders which one of them,Sonny
or Frisco, had forgotten something. She goes to the door and opensit.
She turns as white as a ghost when she sees Stefan Cassadine standingin
the doorway.