Chapter 74


Carly sits on the floor with her son, making revving sounds with the toy car she holds in her hand. Michael bumps his car into hers, nose to nose, then backs it up and crashes them together again more forcefully. Carly makes a yelping sound and whimpers as if the car is hurt.

Michael looks up at her, smiling when he realizes she's pretending the car is hurt. He pushes his car into her again to make her yelp. She complies, then picks up the car to kiss it's 'owie' better. Michael chortles and presents his car for a kiss too. She kisses the car, then his cheek, then she razzes his neck, which has him laughing harder.

Carly watches him as he turns his back to her to motor his car in the other direction, letting some of his zest for life seep into her. It was a relief to play with her son, to forget for a few minutes the aching hole in the pit of her stomach. With Michael, her life had purpose, a future A sense of hope that with time, she might be happy again.

A knock at the door interrupts her thoughts and causes her heart to leap. Intellectually she might accept the knock at the door wouldn't be Stefan, but her heart still longed and hoped. Pulling her legs under her and rising to her feet, Carly goes to answer the door. "I'll be right back, Michael."

Carly opens the door, puzzled to find a stranger there, a young man dressed in a suit. "May I help you?"

"Are you Caroline Benson?" He asks politely. Carly notices he's holding a plain manila envelope in front of him.

Carly hesitates, her gut telling her this couldn't be good. "Yes, I'm Caroline Benson."

"Then this is for you." The man thrusts the envelope into her hands. "You've been served." Before she can react, he walks away quickly and jumps into the waiting car.

Her intuition screaming, Carly closes her front door and reads the label. Superior Court. 1001 Main Street, Port Charles, NY. She swears under her breath and with trembling fingers she turns it over and lifts the flap.

Another knock at the door has Carly visibly jumping. Get ahold of yourself, Carly. It's just the door. Putting the envelope down, she goes back to the door to open it.

Her mother's flushed face stares back at Carly when she swings the door open. Great. Just what I need. Bobbie arrives like a Pavlovian dog whenever there's bad news. "Listen, Bobbie, Don't think because of yesterday that you can just drop in on me whenever the mood hits. You need to call first."

So preoccupied she's only half listening to Carly, Bobbie spies the telltale envelope on the end table in Carly's living room. "Oh thank God, you haven't opened it!" Grabbing Carly's hand, Bobbie walks in uninvited and spies Michael on the floor near the far end of the sofa. "We need to talk, NOW. Where's Leticia?"

"Where do you get off---" Carly stops mid-sentence when she sees the distressed look on Bobbie's face. This wasn't a power play. Something big was going on. "This has something do with the package I just got. What's going on?"

"Please, Carly." Bobbie's eyes are wide with pleading. "I'll tell you what I know, but you don't want Michael hearing any of this."

Carly reins in her rising temper. Michael first, then she could yell at Bobbie. "Fine, we'll have it your way. FOR NOW. Come on, Mr Man. Time for a snack..." Carly takes Michael's hands and walks him out of the room into the kitchen. While she's gone, Bobbie palms the envelope. She prays she can soften the blow. Please God, help me help Carly.

Carly returns and the first thing she sees is Bobbie holding her envelope. She bristles immediately. In her mind, she'd shown remarkable restraint not taking Bobbie's head off, but now she's getting seriously ticked. "What the hell do you think you're doing with my mail?"

Okay, so grabbing the court papers was a bad move. Too late to turn back, she resolves to brazen it out. "Please, Carly. let me have my say, then you can read it all you want. Trust me, you don't want to read them until you've heard it from me first."

Carly crosses her arms. "You better talk fast, Cause I'm telling you right now, I have half a mind to kick your a$$ out and tell you to forget getting visits with Michael. If this is your way of respecting me, you have a hell of a way to showing it."

"I wouldn't be here doing this if it wasn't big, Carly." Bobbie holds the envelope to her chest. "Why don't you sit down?"

Eyes glittering with anger, Carly shakes her head vehemently. "I'll stand. Talk fast. I'm giving you two minutes to spill it then I'm gonna kick you to the curb."

"I... I..." She'd spent the last hour trying to come up with a believable story to explain how she knew, but it didn't make it any easier to break her daughter's heart. And she feared that was just what it would do. "I want you to know I've already talked to your lawyer...."

"YOU WHAT?" Carly tries to reach for the papers, but Bobbie dances out of her reach. "How the hell do you know what's in these papers before I do?"

"I didn't snoop, if that's what you think!" Bobbie explains desperately. "But one of the nurses at the hospital heard some information and thought I should know."

"KNOW WHAT?!" Carly makes another grab for the papers and succeeds in snatching them away. "I'm sick and tired of you dancing around this.. I'm gonna find out once and for all."

Bobbie blurts it out in a rush before Carly can get the papers out. "Dr Evans is going to try to have you COMMITTED!" As soon as the words are out, the tears pool in Bobbie's eyes. "That's what those stupid papers are about, Okay?" She watches helplessly as Carly, so vibrant with anger a moment ago, is stock still for several long moments, then shrivels on the spot. "One of the nurses at GH has a sister who works at Ferncliffe. They heard your name on the news paired with mine. They thought since you were my daughter, I deserved to be warned. They know Evans is bad news." The lie slips out so smoothly it could be the truth.

Carly stumbles to the sofa before collapsing, barely making it before her knees give out. She shuts down completely, the shock of the news overwhelming her defenses, her ability to even think. The papers slip out of her fingers onto the floor. Only one word occupies space in her brain. Committed.. A shaking hand covers her mouth as if uttering a sound would dangerous, while another covers her stomach protectively.

"Carly..... Carly...." Bobbie sits beside her pale unresponsive daughter, at a loss of how to reach her. "Honey..." She takes Carly's cold hand away from her face and tries to warm it between hers by rubbing it. "We'll fight this. Together. I've got Luke on it, chasing down leads. Margo's going to help."

"How... How did this happen? Why... why now?" Carly struggles to make the connections, to make sense out of the incomprehensible. "Oh God, he knows. He said Stefan would turn on me... I thought he was bluffing.. He has nothing.. unless... unless...." Carly's throat closes off. The very thought was impossible, inconceivable. He wouldn't... would he? "Stefan." Her voice is small and frightened. "You don't think Stefan... no no no no..."

Bobbie grabs Carly's other hand and squeezes tightly. "I don't know, but it doesn't matter. What matters is fighting this. We will beat this, Carly. I promise I won't let them take you away from me again. I won't."

"And how do you plan to stop them?" Carly's laughter is hysterical and unnerving. "Kill the men in the little white coats when them come knocking? They'll just send MORE!" Carly shakes her head incredulously. "GOD! The hits just keep coming!! Now the Quartermaines will have their chance to take Michael again!" Her eyes fill with tears. "What's this going to do to him?"

"STOP!" Bobbie bursts out. "Stop it! Don't talk like he's already won. He hasn't." Bobbie feels for the dreaded envelope on the floor. "It's time to read this, Carly. To find out what the real damage is. As we speak Luke is scoping out the court house and some leads. But this is best source of information we have right now."

Carly backs up from the packet. "I can't look at it. You look at it, Mama," She insists. "All I can handle right now is the highlights."

Bobbie pulls out the deceptively thin packet of paperwork and reads the important information out loud. "Petitioner: Dr Samuel Evans. Defendant: Caroline Benson. It's a petition for a 72 hour inpatient commitment, though it gets extended on weekends.... basis: danger to self and others by reason of a mental illness..." Bobbie reads silently the chilling words that would level Carly. "Caroline Benson suffers from a severe recurrent major depression with psychotic features. If left untreated, she poses an increased risk of serious harm to others. She has an established history of resorting to deadly violence towards another, which has led to an extended hospitalization. Recent behavior demonstrates a pattern of escalating decompensation marked by episodic violence. It is my professional opinion that Caroline is an imminent danger to herself and others and would benefit from inpatient treatment."

"What.. what does Evans say about me?"

Bobbie's lips are pressed into a thin line as she shoves the papers back into the envelope. "It's a load of garbage, not fit to line my cat box. The only thing you need to know is that you have a court hearing to face the judge on Friday at 9am. I called Margo Renfield before I came over here."

"And she won't help me, right? She might say it's not her expertise, but the real reason is that she's Stefan's mouthpiece, not mine."

"Actually, she made time to see you tomorrow at noon," Bobbie retorts. "She did admit that psychiatric commitments aren't her forte, but she's making an exception in your case. And you don't have to worry about the cost. I'll cover the legal fees if it's too much."

"I have my own money. I'll pay my way," Carly answers. The generous account Stefan set up for her would be more than sufficient to cover the legal fees. At least something of her association with Stefan would come in handy.

Another knock on the door has Carly groaning. "Would you get rid of whoever is there? I don't think I'm up for anymore company right now, and I've definitely taken all the hits I can for tonight."

Bobbie opens the door only a crack until she sees it's Luke. "It's Luke." She opens the door wide to let him in. "What did you find out?"

Luke gives a quick rundown of the court documents Bobbie already summarized, leaving out the grim information about the potential for a six month commitment if Evans is successful in the first hearing. "It looks like Doc Evans has the Q's and the Queen of the damned lined up for the first act. I think Mama Cassadine took exception to you pushing her into the mud." Luke winks at Carly. "Though personally I think it shows your sound mind and good taste."

"Helena," Carly states gloomily. "I should have figured."

"We'll fight them," Bobbie adds vehemently. "That viper isn't going to get her claws into you. And the Quartermaines aren't gonna get another chance at Michael."

"I wish I had your confidence." Carly wraps her arms around her stomach. "I can't take being locked up again, not with that sadistic doctor hovering over me, trying to control my every thought..." Her eyes fill with tears again. "I can't take being away from my baby. I can't. I just got him back."

Luke takes a seat on the nearby winged back chair. "You're staying put, Little Girl. We'll fix this. We'll make this psycho-Doc pay for messing with you. You, me, and your mom. We're unbeatable. The Q's aren't gonna get their grubby hands on your rugrat, I promise you, Darlin'. "

"That's right," Bobbie pipes up. "We're Spencers. We stick together."

Carly rolls her eyes. Never a more unlikely pair of cheerleaders than Bobbie and Luke. "You don't think the Q's or Helena haven't bought the judge?"

"And you think your Uncle Luke doesn't know how to neutralize judges on the take?" Luke shoots right back. "Have a little faith in the Spencer way of doing things, Darlin'."

"Margo suggested we come up with a list of friends and business associates that could testify on your behalf," Bobbie volunteers.

"Oh, that's just great!" Carly throws her hands up in the air. "We know how popular I am with the citizens of Port Charles. They'll just be lining up to help me out. Or, more likely, to testify for Evans."

"Stop it, Carly," Bobbie scolds. "There you go again, handing Evans a victory again. You have Luke and me, for starters. Who else is there.." Bobbie's eyes light up. "what about your counselor? The one who testified for you during the custody hearing?"

"Diana." Carly bites her bottom lip thoughtfully. "She might help."

Bobbie goes over to the desk and snags a note pad and pen. "Okay. So Diana is one. What about Jason?"

Carly shrugs noncommittally. "Maybe. We've been getting along okay, and he'd do just about anything to keep Michael out of the mansion. He's picking up Michael tomorrow night. I'll ask then."

"Good. That's two, potentially." Bobbie jots down a few notes. "What about business associates? Anyone you've dealt with in the last couple weeks?"

"Well, Katherine is probably on their witness list," Carly winces. At the time the altercation had been pretty damn funny, but a judge wouldn't think so. Another thought has her brightening. "VINCENT! Vincent Brummelman. He's been great the last couple days. I'll talk to him."

"Okay. Vincent is three."

"I'll handle Junior," Luke puts in, cracking his knuckles. "A visit from me should convince him to steer clear of the old man's latest ploy. If he knows what's good for him, he'll sign on. Make it four, Barbara Jean."

Carly starts ticking off the names that come to mind. "Nikolas is out. I was sort of... rude when he dropped in on me. Emily is iffy.... she was there when I pushed Helena."

"I'll talk to Emily," Bobbie volunteers, anxious to do something concrete to help. "Emily listens to me, and she's no fan of Helena's."

"What about Leticia?" Luke suggests.

"Maybe, but she works for me. I'd rather not drag her into the mess, if I can help it."

Luke rises from his chair and pulls a cigar out of his breast pocket. "I'll do some digging into Doc Evans. I'd bet my Caddy that he's got some dirty linens hiding. I'm mighty curious how he and Mama Cass know each other." He leans over and kisses the top of Carly's head. "I meant what I said before, Baby Girl. You have nothing to worry about. You'll beat this. I'll be in touch when I know something." Luke saunters out the door.

Bobbie closes up the pad and hands it to her daughter, fighting the urge to take over. It wouldn't help Carly in the long run, and her daughter would only resent the interference. Now she had to step back and let Carly dictate how much help she wanted. "It's good list to bring to Margo tomorrow. She can tell you if you have enough to win."

"I almost believe we can beat this." Carly holds the pad tightly, as a symbol of hope. "Will you go with me to Margo's tomorrow?"

Bobbie reaches over and squeezes Carly's hand, too choked up to say more than, "Absolutely."



"Is the table to your liking, Sir?"

With halfhearted interest, Stefan surveys the ornate and impeccably set dinner table Mrs Lansbury has arranged for Emily's welcome to Wyndemere. A week ago, this dinner would occupied all his thoughts. But tonight, Stefan can think of little else but Carly's developing crisis.

"Sir?" Mrs Lansbury prompts again.

"A beautiful table as always, Mrs Lansbury." Stefan's cell phone chirps to get his attention. "Yes."

"Yeah.... um. My name's Lynn Shephard, over here at the court house." The sound of cracking gum has Stefan flinching. "I was told by some suit to call this number if any new info on the Benson case came in. He said you were loaded."

Stefan's voice becomes low and intense. "What do you have?"

"Some old guy came by asking all kinds of questions just before quitting time. He wanted to see the court documents, just like your flunky." The girl pauses to blow a bubble with her gum. "It was freaky too 'cause he asked the same questions your guy did. I think he was flirting with me." The girl shudders. "As if I'd be interested in a guy old enough to be my dad. Yak."

"What did he look like?"

"Like I told ya, old and kinda weird. real short white hair. Smelly... like cigars. He had a cool looking earring in his ear, though. Hey, you going to pay me for this, or what?"

Luke Spencer. Interesting. "Yes, you will be compensated. Tell me, has the judge been assigned to the Benson case?"

"Yeah, Judge Hancock. Which is bizarre if you ask me. He usually weasels out of them pyscho cases..." Her gum cracks again. "So why's a rich guy like you interested in some psycho case, anyway?"

Stefan ignores the question. "You will keep this conversation private. Tomorrow, a portion of your 'compensation' will be delivered to you. The remainder will be paid after the court hearing, when I am assured you haven't broken my confidence. If there is anything else of note which comes to your attention, you are to contact me immediately. You will be compensated, of course."

"Yeah, sure. Whatever. I'm always happy to make a little extra cash. Nice doing business with ya. Hey, what's your name, anyway?" Her answer is a dial tone. She shrugs. If he pays up, it won't matter to her if he's the Pope.



At the dinner's end, Mrs Lansbury moves in to efficiently clear the untouched dessert dishes. Nikolas sits back in his chair and studies the gloomy profile of his father, trying to figure out how such a good idea turned out so wrong.

This dinner was supposed to be about Emily and Stefan getting to know each other. In theory so Stefan would accept Emily as his future bride and Emily could become comfortable in his father's presence. These two people are the ones Nikolas loves most in the world. But instead of getting his wish, Emily is fidgeting in her seat, glancing furtively at him and silently pleading for escape; his father is brooding and remote; and his frustration is growing by the minute.

The dinner was an unmitigated disaster.

In reviewing the evening, Nikolas had to concede that after the first half hour, Stefan had given up the pretense of being genial and had gradually withdrawn. By the time dinner was served, his father was so self-absorbed, that only by addressing him directly would he respond with a terse answer. After countless attempts to restart the conversation on both Nikolas' and Emily's part, they'd lapsed into miserable silence. The rest of the meal passed with Nikolas and Emily sharing sympathetic glances while Stefan moved food around his plate.

Finally, Nikolas ends the torturous night. Rising from the table, he addresses Stefan. "Father, it's getting late. I am going to take Emily home."

Stefan rouses briefly from his brooding. His smile is strained but not unkind. "Thank you for coming, Emily. It is obvious my son has fallen in love with a charming and intelligent young woman. I look forward to getting better acquainted."

Emily forces a smile back. "Thank you for having me, Mr Cassadine."

Outside and out of earshot, Emily stops mid-stride to the launch. "What is up with your father? He didn't say more than ten words to me the entire meal, practically ignored every question I asked, and he calls me charming and wants to get to know me?"

Nikolas slides an arm across her shoulders. "In my opinion, you were quite charming, Emily. A less gracious guest might have taken offense and left mid-dinner. As for what's going on with my father, I plan to get to the bottom of it after I drop you off at the mansion."

They take the steep steps down to the launch. "You think he's upset about Carly? You said he was a little quiet last night."

Nikolas puts a steadying hand at her back as they descend. "I don't know, he seemed fine this morning."

"Listen, why don't you stay here and find out what's going on?" Emily suggests. "I'll have Reggie send the car to pick me up on the other side."

Reaching the lower dock, Nikolas puts his hands on her hips and pulls Emily close for a soft lingering kiss. "But now that we aren't hiding our relationship, I want to take you home," He whispers, his lips sliding along the ridge of her jaw. "Even your family will be more fun than dealing with Father when he's like this."

Emily rests her palms on the lapels of Nikolas' jacket and nuzzles her nose into his neck. His scent never ceased to make her heart leap. "But you're worried about him and so am I. You can call me later, right?"

"This is getting to be a habit, him getting in the way of our plans," Nikolas grumbles. "First our wedding, and now tonight.... If I wasn't worried, I'd be seriously annoyed with him."

Emily's lips press into Nikolas' pulse point on his neck. God she just wanted to sink into him. Taking his hands in hers and pulling away, she brings them to her lips. "You'll call me later?"

.

Chapter 75

Stefan holds himself perfectly still while the indignity of being helpless simmers inside him. Damn it, it wasn't supposed to be this way. Caroline was not supposed to be in danger. The whole point of sending her away was so she would be safe from the Cassadine intrigue, the Cassadine madness. But all his move had done was make her more vulnerable.

But, letting his frustration get the better of him would help no one, least of all Caroline. What's done is done. His energy is best spent on destroying his mother's power base first, and neutralizing the threat to Caroline second. Only when Helena is destroyed would they be safe. He knows Helena's move against Caroline is designed to force him out into the open, to expose her importance to him. Which means he has to stay back and avoid using his usual intermediaries. It would be better to keep his fingers out of it completely and let Caroline fend for herself. But the idea of her being locked in a mental ward, even for a short while, is too horrible a thought. So he'll risk a nudge here and there, to push the end result in her favor. But even so, the end result is doubtful. While he loathes leaving battle outcomes uncertain, it can't be helped.

The phone call with the gum-smacking court clerk was fruitful, and afterwards he sent his computer program to work on the problem. With Nikolas and Emily finally gone, it was time to check the results.

Sitting down at this desk, Stefan hits a few keystrokes to unblank his screen. His grim expression relaxes a bit. "Excellent." Leaning forward, Stefan swiftly encrypts the information and designs an elaborate subroutine to send it on a long circuitous route so that no one, not even the recipient, can track it back to him.

Arriving on the scene, Nikolas watches his father work from the open doorway. Finally he coughs to make his presence known and walks in. "I think I deserve an explanation."

Stefan barely looks up from the computer. "It will have to wait, Nikolas. I am in the middle of something important."

Nikolas's jaw clenches. "What we have to discuss is equally important."

The clicking of Stefan's fingers flying across the keyboard is the only sound in the room. It takes several long moments for Nikolas's words to penetrate Stefan's intense concentration. He looks up at Nikolas. "Surely it can wait until tomorrow morning? I have several hours of work yet."

Nikolas picks up a book off of Stefan's desk and slams out down loudly, causing Stefan to flinch. "NO! It will not wait! Damn it, Father. You will talk to me NOW!"

Stefan scowls at Nikolas's emotional display. "Your manners have become abominable. Your behavior is completely unacceptable."

"My manners are unacceptable?!" Nikolas's outrage is palpable. "After the way you acted at dinner, you accuse me of poor manners?"

" I realize I was distracted at dinner, but it could not be helped. As for your fiance, I found her to be charming and I look forward to getting to know her better." Stefan rises to his feet. "I do not have time for your tantrums right now, Nikolas. If you'll excuse me, I have another matter that requires my full attention."

Stefan tries to pass Nikolas, but Nikolas grabs his arm. "What is wrong with you? I won't be dismissed like one of the servants."

Stefan looks down at Nikolas's hand on him and then raises his eyes in offense. "You will remove your hand from me this instant, Nikolas. I will no longer tolerate this insolence."

In an uncharacteristic move, Stefan attempts to yank his arm away from Nikolas. Nikolas holds him fast. His voice is low and ominous as he addresses his father. "I am not a child you can intimidate anymore, Father. Neither of us is leaving this room until you explain your actions tonight. You lay this huge guilt trip on me for getting married without your blessing. I postpone my wedding and at your pleading I invite Emily over for dinner so the two of you can get better acquainted. And instead of being a gracious host, you ignore us both. You hurt my fiance's feelings and embarrassed me. This is unlike you. Tell me what is going on!"

Stefan yanks his arm harder and earns his release. "You overstep yourself, Nikolas!"

"What is it? What's wrong, Father? This isn't you! You don't dismiss me with a wave of your hand." Nikolas studies his father's haggard expression. "You're frightened about something. Is this about Carly? Or Helena? Let me help!"

"I do not require your assistance, Nikolas," Stefan answers imperiously. "The situation is under control."

Nikolas catches the evasion and puts the pieces together. "It has to do with both of them, doesn't it? Helena's done something. Tell me what's going on, Father."

Stefan turns his back to Nikolas. His voice softens. "I appreciate your offer to help, but I can handle this on my own."

This was so typical of his father. Stonewall to the death. Fine, he'll pull out his ace. "Fine, if you won't tell me, I'm sure Grandmother will."

Stefan whirls around to watch Nikolas start for the door. "NO! You will NOT speak to her!" He bellows. When Nikolas doesn't slow, Stefan leaps into action and grabs for Nikolas, catching a shoulder and an elbow, he forcefully twists Nikolas around to face him. He holds him by the front of his shirt.

Nikolas doesn't fight his father's hold, satisfied he finally has his father's complete attention. "You will either tell me what is going on, or I will go to Grandmother. I won't be left in the dark this time."

Stefan fights an internal battle as he stares at his hands holding his son's shirt in his fists. Accepting the inevitable, he sags a bit and releases his hold on Nikolas's shirt front. He smooths it out in a tender gesture as he tries to slow the wild beating of his heart. Nikolas's threat frightened him beyond rational thought. If Helena found out what torment he is in.... He could not even think of what horrible fate he and Caroline would face. He closes his eyes and pulls in a slow calming breath. Nikolas would listen to reason. "Very well. But you must promise to allow me to handle the problem as I see fit."

"What has Helena done, Father? Has she threatened Carly again?"

Stefan turns away and tries to gather his wits. He wants to keep his explanation to a minimum. There is no need for Nikolas to know the whole of it. "You are correct, Nikolas. Helena has threatened Caroline. She has allied herself with Caroline's old psychiatrist from Ferncliffe and is working to have her committed. I believe she wishes to punish Caroline for the incident in the park. And possibly use Caroline to get to me."

"All right, I can see her wanting to retaliate for being pushed into the mud. But using Carly to get to you? When the two of you have broken up? How would she even know?"

"I am quite certain Helena knows Caroline and I have parted ways," Stefan assures, failing to mention his own part in making it public. "The timing of this is too coincidental. Helena believes Caroline to be vulnerable." Stefan's control slips and his whole body goes rigid with outrage. "I will not allow Helena to torment Caroline."

Nikolas's eyes widen at Stefan's ferocious expression. "You still care about her, don't you?"

Stefan turns away and tamps down his feelings. "I assure you, I have no interest in renewing the relationship, Nikolas. But I do not wish to see Caroline locked in a hospital psych ward either. It is my responsibility to protect her since Helena would not have had any contact with Caroline or have threatened her had Caroline not been..." Stefan fights the sudden welling of emotion, almost choking on the lie. "Dear to me once. I will not have her repaid with the loss of her freedom and her son. You know how important it is to us for the Cassadine family stand for something positive. I will not allow it to be further tarnished by allowing Helena to separate another mother from her child. Not again. Never again."

Like me. Nikolas suddenly realizes. "You did the best you could."

"Did I?" Stefan asks. "I wonder. Was there an option I didn't see, didn't explore? And the damage that has been done to you because of it...."

"You protected me from Grandmother at risk to your own life," Nikolas argues. "Don't blame yourself, Father. You did all you could."

Stefan walks over to the desk and touches the book, the leather-bound tome Nikolas slammed down before to get his attention. He strokes the worn leather gently. "Timoria, Nikolas. I will get it right this time." I have to.



The judge lowers his gavel with a loud crack. From below the Judge's bench, Carly sits behind a table with her lawyer, Margo. Her stomach is in a tight knot of dread. The courtroom is full of witnesses. Carly glances over to Dr Evans at the other table, who is smiling in evil anticipation. Catching her eye, he licks his lips, as if imagining what a tasty meal she'll make. Edward is behind him in the first row of seats. His eyes lit with satisfaction. Everyone seems to eagerly lean forward to hear the judge's decision, whispering excitedly. Beside Dr Evans, is Stefan, his arms crossed, his eyes cold and condemning. He nods towards the judge, indicating the judge should continue.

Another crack of the gavel has Carly looking up at the judge and the room silenced. His voice is a loud and ominous. "Caroline Benson, You are a danger to this fine community. I am hereby committing you to Ferncliffe Psychiatric Facility for as long as the esteemed Dr Evans deems necessary. I award AJ Quartermaine full custody of Michael Quartermaine and order you to have no contact with your son from this day forward." With a wave of his hand, he motions the bailiffs forward. "Guards, take her into custody."

"No!" Carly screams, surging out of her seat, she fights her way through the throng to Stefan. Just as she's about to reach him, the guards pull her back. "Stefan, please.. please.. you can't let this happen. You have to help me!"

Stefan stands unmoved before her. "Caroline, you are ill, the hospital is where you belong." Not sparing her another look he nods to the guards. "Get this pathetic and deluded creature out of my sight." Turning his back to her, he walks out of the courtroom.

"NO Stefan, NO! You can't mean this.. I love you, I'll always love you... please.. please..." Carly is sobbing openly, tears streaking down her face, blurring her vision. "You have to help me.. please....You love me, I know you do...." The guards' fingers dig into her arms, bruising her as they hold her back.

Then Dr Evans stands in front of her, blocking her view of Stefan's exit. His hands reach out to wipe her tears away and stroke her cheeks. His eyes are soft with mock sympathy and concern. "My poor poor thing. I will take good care of you, I promise. In time, You will get over your obsession for Stefan Cassadine."

Struggling violently Carly knocks his hands off her face and spits at him. "Get away from me, you Pig!"

He makes a soft tisking sound. "Sweet Caroline, you are beside yourself. If left in this agitated state, I fear you will hurt yourself." Sliding a syringe out of his pocket, he shows it to Carly. "This will help calm you down. It won't pinch but a little."

A moment later, Carly feels a small sting and her vision darkens and her limbs feel heavy. "Stefan, God, Stefan. Why.. why?"


Carly wakes with a start, jerking upright. Her heart pounding in her throat. Carly gasps for breath. The agony and the terror of the dream overwhelms her. "Oh God.." Drawing the pillow against her stomach, Carly holds onto it for dear life as she weeps. Again, she realizes how truly alone she is.





Morning at the Quartermaines

Emily comes downstairs, relieved to find the house is all quiet. Peeking into the living room, she sees the breakfast laid out with fruits, pastries, juices, coffee and tea. Her eyes widen at her luck at finding it deserted. She grabs a croissant and pours herself an orange juice. The door opens to reveal Reggie. "Good morning, Emily. Do you have everything you need?"

"Good Morning, Reg." Emily takes a sip of OJ. "I'm fine actually. Say, where is everybody? It's kind of spooky how everyone is gone. Usually at this time of morning, Grandfather is grumbling over the stock section while Dad is snickering over the comics."

"Whatever's going on, isn't good, Emily," Reginald admits grimly. "Last couple days, the moment I walk into the room, The Old Man stops talking. Same with Monica. They're up to something. Maybe you can find something out."

Emily's heart sinks. She knew the eerie peace around the house was too good to be true. And no one had been giving her flack about dating Nikolas either. No way would they have given into her that easily unless there was something bigger going on. "I can give it a try."

Strolling up to the French doors that lead out onto the terrace, Emily peers out to see Edward and Monica huddled in deep conversation. Careful to turn the knob quietly, she opens it and slips onto the terrace silently.

"I've got a bad feeling about this, Edward...." Monica whispers nervously.

"I'm telling you, it's the only shot we have at Michael!" Edward argues emphatically. "I'm not going to lose that boy without a fight."

Alerted by movement out of the corner of her eye, Monica spies Emily. "Oh Sweetheart! Good Morning. Were you looking for me?"

Emily ignores the question. "What did you do this time, Grandfather?"

"I have no idea what you mean," Edward denies swiftly. "I was merely getting Monica's opinion for a birthday gift for Lila."

"That is a load of bull, Grandfather," Emily retorts. "I heard you what you said about having a shot at Michael. What are you up to?"

Cornered, Edward tries to talk himself out of it. "I was just convincing Monica that if we approach Carly right, maybe with your help, she might let us see Michael. It's worth a try, don't you think? You'd help us, won't you?"

Seeing the lie for what it is, Emily turns to Monica. "Mom, what's really going on?"

Monica looks around nervously, but finally meets Emily's eyes. "It's like Edward said, Emily. I was just telling him I didn't think it would work. Carly's pretty set against us."

Emily shakes her head in disgust. "You think I believe a word you're saying? You both make me sick. You know whatever you try is going to blow up in your face, don't you? It always does and it makes it worse for everyone else in this house. What's it going to take for you to learn? Is someone else going to have to leave?" Indignant, she crosses her arms . "First it was Jason.... you blew your chance to reconcile with him when you tried to kidnap Michael on my birthday. Then AJ moved out because the fight over Michael turned dirty. Sure he was guilty of stealing Michael, but you..." Emily points an accusing finger at Edward. "Pushed him there! You made his acceptance into this family conditional on Michael's presence in this house. Who's going to leave next? Me? Grandmother? Dad? Or is he in on it too? Do you want Michael bad enough to lose one of us? Because that's how it works in this house." Emily makes an about face and stomps back inside, slamming the door behind her.

"She's right, Edward," Monica says in her wake. "If I lose Emily after what Alan and I have been through to get her back..."

"This is going to work," Edward maintains. "I know it will. And when Michael comes through that door again, everyone in this family will thank me. You mark my words."

Next

 

Home