Chapter 84 Bobbie is in the kitchen chopping vegetables with practiced efficiency when the sudden eruption of cacophonous sound has her dropping her knife and covering her ears. "Lucas Stansbury Jones! Turn that off this instant! That's not music, that's an assault!" I knew I was being threatened Do you think it's worth holding out' I mean I've heard some pretty ugly things about those guys Ugly stories "Aw, Mom!" Lucas wheedles. "Doncha know, this music is hot! You want Carly's party to be a hit right? Well, the X-ecutioners are IT!" (electric guitar starts) "Watch them flee.. watch them flee" *scratches* "Rap up" *scratches* "Watch them flee" *scratches* "Hip-Hop hits" *scratches* "And you do it like this" "I don't care if their music is in the Top Ten. If I have to listen to it for one more second, my ears are going to bleed!" Even with her ears covered the rap music drills straight into her skull. "Turn it off or I'm going to come over there and stomp that CD into pieces!" She takes a few threatening steps towards Lucas to show him she means business. It's going down The rhythm projects 'round the next sound Reflects the complex hybrid dialect now Detect the mesh of many elements compressed down The melting pot of a super-futureesque style The combination of a vocal caress With a push of a button the Brownstone is blessed with silence. Sighing in relief Bobbie goes back to chopping vegetables for the tray of finger foods she's preparing. "Thank the lord, I can think again." "Man, this party is gonna be a drag," Lucas sulks as he puts his coveted CD back in it's case. "You never let me play my music." The doorbell rings and Bobbie, not wanting to lose her groove, calls out for them to enter. A moment later, Carly enters with a diaper bag slung over her shoulder and Michael toddling in front of her. "Hi! Thought I'd come early to help with preparations. How's it going?" "We're in pretty good shape. Luke will be here in a bit with the beer and music." Bobbie takes a slice of cucumber and crouches down to offer it to Michael. "Maybe you can help Lucas pick out some 'appropriate' music for the party? He's pouting because I made him turn off his rap music." Bobbie rolls her eyes. "Hey Big Guy!" Carly joins Lucas by the stereo and tousles his hair before rummaging through her mother's CD collection. He's grown so much, his head is level with her shoulders. "Does Mama have any good dancing tunes in there? I promised Michael my first dance. " "Her stuff is lame," Lucas grumbles. "She's so out of touch. X-ecutioners are top notch right? You like 'em, don't ya?" "Sure." Carly covers a wince with a smile for her little brother. "But it's best to humor Mama, she's so ooooolllllddd, she can't really help it." "I heard that!" Bobbie calls out. "Do not encourage him, Carly. If you do, I might just have to hand him over to Luke to force feed him quality music." Carly and Lucas look at each other and shudder dramatically in unison. "Not that!" Carly finds the CD she wants and pops it into the CD player. The infectious beat quickly fills the room. Bobbie recognizing one of her favorite CDs, starts her head bobbing. Now there was a time when they used to say That behind every - "great man." There had to be a - "great woman." Carly grabs Lucas's hands and helps him get his body bouncing to the beat. She lets go of one hand and twists out, letting the joy of the music, the woman power fill her. It feels so good.. GREAT even. She finds herself singing along with the music as she lets go of Lucas's hand and dances over to Michael and her mother. But in these times of change you know That it's no longer true. So we're comin' out of the kitchen 'Cause there's somethin' we forgot to say to you (we say Bobbie smiles at Carly who picks up Michael in a swinging motion and starts dancing with him in her arms, singing the song to him. Bobbie's heart brims at the sight of her daughter so free, so comfortable in her home. It had taken months to fix the mistake she made, but finally her family is where they belong. Sisters are doin' it for themselves. Standin' on their own two feet. And ringin' on their own bells. Sisters are doin' it for themselves. The door to the Brownstone slams signaling Luke's early arrival. With him comes Lucky. "I'm early and just in time to stop this tragedy! What's with this Sister music?!" Luke grimaces even as his body assimilates the beat and starts moving with it. Now this is a song to celebrate The conscious liberation of the female state! Lucky pats the large CD briefcase in his hand, his eyes twinkling. "I got the cure, Dad, right here. I'll fix it in no time!" Mothers - daughters and their daughters too. Woman to woman We're singin' with you. "Luke, Lucky, you touch that stereo at the risk to your own life," Bobbie warns as she puts the last of the vegetables on the tray. "I happen to love that music. Don't you go mocking it!" Dancing over to her brother, she grabs his hand. The "inferior sex" got a new exterior We got doctors, lawyers, politicians too. Everybody - take a look around. Luke twirls his sister into him and puts his hand loosely on her waist. "I suppose I can compromise. Just this once. " All kidding aside, it's obvious he enjoys the music as much as he likes dancing with his sister. And any song sung with his goddess Aretha would make his top dance list. Can you see - can you see - can you see There's a woman right next to you. Lucky and Lucas watch from the sidelines, their head bobbing in time as their parents make fools of themselves. Though in truth, they'd be happy dancing fools if they had chicks to dance with. Sisters are doin' it for themselves. Standin' on their own two feet. And ringin' on their own bells. Sisters are doin' it for themselves Holding a bouncing Michael tightly in her arms, Carly beams at her family around her, feeling, truly for the first time. a part of a loving family. Alan Quartermaine stands at the bottom of the steps to the Brownstone, gazing at Bobbie's front door in deep thought. After an hour of staring at the four walls of his lonely hotel suite, he'd gone in search of Carly. He'd never done well with sitting back and accepting his lot. And tonight was no exception. A visit to her cottage earlier had netted him nothing but frustration since he couldn't find her at home. At a loss of what to do with himself, and not wanting to return to his room to stare at the walls again, he'd found himself here, gazing up at Bobbie's door. With a heavy sigh, Alan follows his impulse to climb the steps and press on the doorbell. The sound of raucous music as the door opens clues Alan in as to how bad an idea this impromptu visit is. Bobbie's welcoming smile falls at the sight of him, to be replaced with grim suspicion. "Alan, I don't know what you were thinking coming here, but you best just turn around and head back to the mansion." Resigned, Alan nods. "I'm sorry to have disturbed you. If I had known you were having a party I wouldn't have come by. I'll stop by the cottage tomorrow to speak to Carly." Bobbie hesitates on the doorstep as she watches Alan turn away and walk down the steps. She can't shake the feeling that something is off. She bites her lip then steps through the doorway and closes the door behind her. "Did you know about the court hearing today?" Alan stops at the bottom of the steps and looks up at his once long time friend. "I had no idea until I found Emily's bedroom empty. Then Monica explained what she and my father tried to do. I'm sorry, Bobbie. If I had known..." He shakes his head hopelessly. "Well, it's too late now. The damage has been done. Just know... what Monica and my father did was unjustifiable. I hope someday I can make Carly believe how truly sorry I am for what they've done." "You mean that." "Words are cheap after something like this happens." Alan shrugs his shoulders unhappily. "Go back to your party, Bobbie. I'm sorry for the interruption." Bobbie makes a snap decision. "Come inside, Alan." Alan shakes his head. "You're kind for asking, but I don't want to put a damper on your celebration." Bobbie comes down the steps and takes Alan by the hand. "You won't." She tugs him up the steps, but at his resistance turns to face him. "Unless you didn't mean what you just said?" Alan stops fighting and lets her drag him up the steps. "I meant it, but I still think it's a bad idea." Once inside the house, Bobbie stops and turns to challenge him. "If you don't want to apologize to my daughter in front of her friends and family, then you aren't sorry." "No, that's not it. I just don't want to ruin your party." Alan sighs. He's committed now. "Lead on." "You let me worry about my own party," Bobbie orders. "You just put your money where your mouth is." The Brownstone living room isn't big, so it's crowded with guests in small groups engaged in spirited conversations. The music is so loud it throbs, almost taking on a physical representation in the room. The animated chatter dies when Bobbie weaves through the guests dragging Alan behind her. Carly, in deep conversation with Vincent and his boyfriend James, turns towards the source of everyone's curiosity. Her mouth goes dry at the sight of who her mother is dragging to meet her. Carly's heart leaps at the thought of Michael anywhere near the battle to come. She searches the room until she find her son, who is playing in the corner with AJ. Her eyes lock with AJ's. He nods at her in understanding, taking Michael by the hand and leading their son out onto the patio. Her eyes don't leave the twosome until she sees Luke follow them outside. Jason, seeing the trouble brewing, steps forward to block Alan. "You have no business here, Alan." Bobbie raises her chin to Jason, fixing him with her most haughty glare. "Jason, with all due respect, this is my house and it's my decision who is welcome and who isn't." Flinching, Jason steps back and allows Bobbie to pass with Alan. A crowd that includes Emily circles the small group. Carly draws in a careful breath and crosses her arms as Bobbie and Alan come to a stand in front of her. The look she gives Alan is scathing. "Mama, what is he doing here?" "I came to apologize," Alan speaks for himself. Carly rolls her eyes derisively. "Oh, so now that you can't commit me, you've come to apologize? Get out. I don't want to hear it." "Carly!" Bobbie starts. Alan puts his hand up to silence Bobbie. "You insisted I do this despite my warnings that it was a bad idea. But I'm here now, so I'm going to have my say." "No you aren't," Carly retorts angrily, advancing on Alan. "You're going to leave. Right now. Because this is MY celebration party and you have no business barging in here and ruining it." "He didn't know about the party, Honey," Bobbie answers soothingly. "As soon as he realized it, he tried to leave. I think he's sincere. He says he didn't know about the hearing, and I believe him." She looks Alan up and down. "You had no idea?" Carly says it like an insult. "As pathetic and out of touch as that makes me..." Alan admits with a shrug. "It's true. I didn't learn about the court hearing until this afternoon, when I went to Emily's room and found it empty." Carly smiles bitterly. "It really sucks to come home to find your kid gone, doesn't it? To have someone you trust stab you in the back? Your own wife, no less." She makes a tsking sound. "Carly---" Bobbie warns. "No---" Alan waves Bobbie off, staring at Carly intently, seeing the residual pain and fear beneath her bitterness. "She's right. There's nothing worse than having your child taken away." He puts his hand on his stomach. "It's like a gaping wound, right here. Eating at you from the inside out. The fear... of not knowing where they are, if they're scared, or happy and safe. The rage at the unfairness, the helplessness at not being able to be with your child, to protect them and hold them when they need you. It obliterates everything, doesn't it?" Shaken, Carly turns away. Emily, tears filling her eyes, covers her mouth and squeezes her eyes shut. Jason steps forward protectively. "Knock it off, Alan." Bobbie looks from her daughter's back to her long time friend. As much as she feels for Alan, her choice is made for her. Her voice is quiet but firm. "Alan, I think it's best if you leave." "Just a moment... I'm so sorry, Carly," Alan says with his voice quivering. "What we did to you is unforgivable. Given what you could have done after the custody hearing, you were more than fair with AJ. I don't understand what possessed Monica and Edward to pull this stunt now, to risk losing even more. I know you have no reason to believe me, but if I'd known what they were up to, I would have put a stop to it." Emily steps forward and puts a hand on her father's arm. "I didn't know... I wasn't sure if you knew or not. I.. I couldn't chance it." Alan engulfs her slender hand with his much larger one. "There was no reason for you to think different. You did what you thought was right. After the initial shock wore off, I realized that." His gaze returns to Carly's unrelenting back. His voice is softer. "I've said what I came to say. I'll see myself out." He kisses Emily on the cheek. "Have a good time, Sweetheart. I'm at the Port Charles Hotel for the time being, if you need to reach me." As he backs out of the room, Carly turns to address her mother, loud enough for him to hear. "Alan can stay if he wants, right Mama?" Bobbie lets out the breath she was holding. "Of course." She raises her voice so everyone can hear. "Attention everyone! No Spencer party would be complete without dancing. Since it's warm out, Lucas and I converted the patio into a makeshift dance floor. I happen to know there's some talent amongst you, so I want to see some action out there!" The beer is flowing freely and the food is being consumed at a rapid pace while the guests mill around in good humor. Some took Bobbie's orders to heart and are dancing out patio. Luke, deciding to take a break from baby-sitting AJ and Michael, slips over to the stereo where his son is stationed. He flips through his CD collection, finds the one he wants, and hands it to Lucky. Lucky looks down at the title and grins. Luke pats him on the back and goes in search of his quarry. Hey where did we go, Days when the rains came Down in the hollow, Playin' a new game, Carly feels an arm sliding across her shoulder. She looks away from Bobbie and finds Luke grinning down at her. "Excuse us, Barbara Jean," Luke drawls. "Your Baby Girl owes me a dance." Carly's eyes widen as Luke tugs her to the patio, places one of her hands in his and the other up on his shoulder. Laughing and a running hey, hey Skipping and a jumping In the misty morning fog with Our hearts a thumpin' and you My brown eyed girl, You my brown eyed girl. Carly laughs when she realizes the song he picked. Luke playfully twirls her in a circle. "You have to be kidding me!" "Nope, not one bit, Darlin'," Luke says with a wink. "It's waaaaay past time since we shared a dance." Carly acquiesces to the dance. "Good. This will give me a chance to confirm my suspicions. You got to the judge at the hearing, didn't you?" "I told you I wouldn't let them put you in Ferncliffe." Luke takes her hands and pushes off so they are jitterbugging apart but with their hands joined. "I found the evidence that the judge had been bought, and I gave him an offer he couldn't refuse." "Well it would have helped to know ahead of time." Carly jitterbugs out when Luke lets go of her hand, then back again to grab his hand. The basic understanding niece and uncle have on the dance floor makes it look like they've been dancing for years rather than minutes. "Like, before I made a decision to go with a jury trial over the judge." "And ruin the surprise?" Luke shakes his head. "Nah, not my style. Besides, I didn't know how it would go with the crusty old judge. He might have balked." Carly smirks. "And I'm sure you had a plan for that too." Whatever happened To Tuesday and so slow Going down the old mine With a transistor radio "Of course," Luke answers cockily. "So did you like the floor show I arranged for you?" "What did you say to Mama Cass to have her go off on you?" Carly demands. "Must have been something big. She was spitting fire there before the guards dragged her off you. I thought she might actually tackle you to the floor and rip your lungs out." Luke smiles mysteriously. "Just a little inside joke between me and the Queen of the Damned. Nothing for you to worry about, Little Girl." Standing in the sunlight laughing, Hiding behind a rainbow's wall, Slipping and sliding All along the water fall, with you Carly snorts. "Oh right. Next you'll be patting me on the head. If you think you're fooling me for one second..." "Woman, you're as suspicious as your Mama, you know that?" "I'll take that as a compliment." Carly allows Luke to twirl her out. "You're not going to tell me, are you?" My brown eyed girl, You my brown eyed girl. "Nope." Luke pulls her back in again so that they are dancing with her back against his chest. "A man's gotta have his secrets. " Carly turns her head to the side to look up at him. "Can I just say right now how creepy it is to have you on my side? Not that I'm complaining! But just 6 months ago, you wanted me dead." Do you remember when we used to sing, Sha la la la la la la la la la la te da Luke twirls her out again so they are facing each other. "Ok, listen real close, Doll, cuz I'm only going to say it once." "What?" Luke waits a beat. "I was wrong." Carly bursts out laughing. "The Great Luke Spencer admits he's wrong! Maybe I should take out a full page ad!" So hard to find my way, Now that I'm all on my own. I saw you just the other day, My how you have grown, "Now now, no need to get nasty!" Luke retorts huffily. He pulls her closer so that his hand is on her lower back while they jitterbug. "I only admit I'm wrong about once a decade, and it's saying something that my goof with you made the cut." She pokes him in the chest. "You were a real bastard to me, and it was uncalled for." Cast my memory back there, Lord Sometime I'm overcome thinking 'bout Making love in the green grass Behind the stadium with you "You've been no saint, Princess." His snotty retort earns him another poke. He rubs the sore spot. "Ouch! Do you sharpen that finger or something? Lay off on the assault-- I'm trying to apologize here!" Carly puts her hand on his shoulder. "Go on." "I'm sorry for leaving you without any family to back you up, so that you were vulnerable to Count Stiff. We should have been there for ya." He twirls her out again, and then back in, so that their hands are palm to palm. "As far as Spencer mistakes go, it was a boneheaded on." My brown eyed girl You my brown eyed girl Carly raises her chin defiantly. "Damn right it was." "So this morning was all about fixing that," Luke explains. "Getting the judge to dismiss the case was my way of righting the wrong." "Well, while we're admitting things, I have something I want to add." "Spencers soul baring should be banned," Luke quips. "Go ahead, Darlin'. If it'll make you feel better." "I didn't make it easy for you and Mama to accept me. I came to town angry and full ideas for revenge. I did some major damage." Carly gives him a crooked smile. "The ironic thing is I ended up hurting myself most." Do you remember when we used to sing Sha la la la la la la la la la la te da. The song ends. Luke kisses her on the top of her head. "Welcome to the Spencer Family, Darlin'. We never do anything the easy way." Song lyrics: "It's Going Down" by the X-ecutioners "Sisters Are Doin' It For Themselves" by The Eurythmics "Brown Eyed Girl" by Van Morrison Chapter 85 Lucky is in his element as he acts as DJ with Lucas as his assistant. Have I Told You Lately by Van Morrison is playing. Bobbie smiles at the cousins' camaraderie. She approaches the boys, putting her hand on Lucky's shoulder. "Having a good time?" Lucky bobs his head in agreement. "I can't remember the last time we had a Spencer bash like this. We should do this more often, Aunt Bobbie." "Definitely, Mom," Lucas chimes in. Bobbie smiles knowingly at her nephew. "So long as you are in command of the music, right?" "But of course." Lucky flashes her a grin. "Do you have any requests?" "Actually I do." Bobbie whispers in his ear. Lucky locates the CD and sets it to play next. Bobbie weaves through the guests back to the kitchen, to grab fixins to refresh the food table. Vincent comes up behind Carly and puts an arm across her shoulders companionably. "Hon, we never finished our tête-à-tête." Carly turns to smile genuinely at her friend. "That's right, you said you had an offer I couldn't refuse?" Vincent takes her hands in his and kisses her knuckles. His grin is infectious. "Now that we vanquished the villains who tried to lock you up, how would you like to go into the interior design business with me?" Carly's eyes bug out, it was the last thing she expected him to say. "You can't be serious?!" "As a heart attack." Vincent squeezes her hands. "I won't take no for an answer." "But I have nothing to offer!" Carly protests. "I'm more than happy to keep things the way they are, where you ask me in when you think I can help. You don't need me, Vincent." "Oh but I do!" Vincent insists. "I need your eye, Sweetheart. You have an instinct for color and texture that rivals mine. If we joined forces, I know we'd take Port Charles by storm! By myself, I do well enough, but I want Brummelman's Interior Design to make Port Charles history. And with you by my side, I know it'll happen. Besides, if I don't snap you up now, some other interior designer will. I can't afford to lose you, it would break my heart." "You're not going to lose me, Vincent," Carly assures. "I don't want to work for anyone else. You were the one who made me believe I could do this. And you're the best friend I could ever hope to have." The music changes and Carly takes the opening to drop the subject. She pulls him in the direction of the patio. "Come on, I want to dance." . Would I lie to you? Would I lie to you honey? Now would I say something that wasn't true? I'm asking you sugar Would I lie to you? . Emily drags a sheepish AJ into a dance with her. "We came here to have fun, right? No sense sitting on the sidelines. This is my song." Emily tips her head back and lets her body go to the beat of the music, her lustrous brown hair shimmering down her back. . My friends - know what's in store. I won't be here anymore. I've packed my bags I've cleaned the floor. Watch me walkin'. Walkin' out the door. . "Definitely the Quartermaine refuge song. " AJ agrees. Feeling out of place and awkward, AJ takes a little longer than his sister to warm up. But the upbeat rhythm and Emily's enthusiasm are enticing and soon he's loosening up. Rusty as hell is what he is, but it's just his little sister, so he brushes it off in favor of having fun. And it's been too long since he had fun just dancing. If he ever had. . Believe me - I'll make it make it Believe me - I'll make it make it . "Don't think I don't know what you're doing, Honey," Vincent says to Carly as he gives himself over to the music. "This conversation is far from over. I'm not going to stop hounding you until you say yes." . Would I lie to you? Would I lie to you honey? Now would I say something that wasn't true? I'm asking you sugar Would I lie to you? . "Fine," Carly concedes. "But no more tonight, okay? I just want to have fun." . Tell you straight - no intervention. To your face - no deception. You're the biggest fake. That much is true. Had all I can take. Now I'm leaving you . James sees Vincent dancing with Carly on the dance floor and scans the room for a potential dancer partner. He finds her, not more than five feet away from him, tapping her feet to the music. He taps her shoulder. "Would you like to?" . Believe me - I'll make it make it Believe me - I'll make it make it Bobbie beams at him, grateful for the invitation to dance to her favorite song. "Never thought you'd ask!" She grabs his hand and tugs him onto the floor. . Would I lie to you? Would I lie to you honey? Now would I say something that wasn't true? I'm asking you sugar Would I lie to you? .............................. Nikolas groans inwardly as Stefan takes Nikolas's second Rook with his Knight. Even as morose and distracted as Stefan is tonight, Nikolas will never be as good a chess player as his father. Not that he wanted to be good. But just once, he'd like to have a chance at beating Stefan. "Your move, Nikolas," Stefan prompts quietly. "You never explained why you are here with me, when you should be with your charming fiancé." Nikolas's move captures one of Stefan's pawns with his knight. "Check. Emily is at a party. We agreed my attendance would only provoke the guest of honor." "Caroline," Stefan guesses. After perusing the board for a moment, he takes Nikolas' knight with his Queen. "Check. Knowing the Spencers as I do, I would imagine they are celebrating her continued freedom. What I wasn't aware of is that Emily and Carly were on friendly terms. I had always understood they were at odds with each other." "Their truce began after Helena confronted Carly in the park." Nikolas rubs his temple as he moves to defend his king. "When Emily heard what her family was doing to try to lock Carly in a psychiatric ward, Emily offered to support Carly in court." "So they are allies now," Stefan answers in a bored tone. "It occurs to me that I have been so preoccupied with taking down Helena that I haven't asked you why you changed your mind about eloping with Miss Quartermaine." Nikolas winces as his castle falls prey to his father's Queen. "Emily decided she wanted a large wedding with her family and friends all around her. We decided we could wait a couple months to marry." Stefan fights the urge to praise Nikolas for their decision, knowing it would only get his son's hackles up. "Have you decided where you would like to live after you marry? The summer house is not an appropriate year round residence." "There's nothing wrong with it," Nikolas defends while making his move. "Emily and I aren't going to live at Wyndemere, you can be sure. This is your home, not mine. It's never been where I wanted to live." "You've made the abundantly clear since the moment we reached Port Charles. I wouldn't presume to be able to change your mind." Stefan moves his knight, sweeping one of Nikolas's pawns. "Checkmate." Rising, Stefan puts a hand on his son's head. "I am going to bed. Think about where you want to live, Nikolas. Your wedding will come faster than you expect." ......................... Bobbie weaves her arm around her daughter's waist. "Have I told you lately how proud I am of you?" Carly puts her head on Bobbie's shoulder and closes her eyes. "You can tell me again. I think I could stand to hear it repeated." "I was so impressed with how you handled yourself with Emily, and then again with Alan," Bobbie comments. "I never figured you'd let those grudges go so easily." "Emily has come through for me," Carly explains. "I honestly didn't expect her to, but she did. She's earned my respect. And my loyalty." Bobbie bites her lip before broaching a potentially explosive subject. "I know I took a risk letting Alan come into the midst of your party to apologize." "I was mad at first, I admit. But after hearing what he had to say, I'm glad you brought him in." "It was generous of you to forgive him so quickly." "Forgive him?" Lifting her head off her mother's shoulder, Carly opens her eyes and snorts. "Not hardly. But I'm willing to put make nice with him if it'll stick it to Monica." Bobbie rears back. "WHAT?!" "You didn't really think I forgave him, did you?" Carly rolls her eyes. "Please. I am not that gullible and I've never been forgiving. I only let him stay because if he's here, then he isn't with Monica." Carly's eyes go cold and her tone brutal. "If he thinks he can gain acceptance and a family by associating with me and Michael and Emily, then he won't be in a hurry to make peace with Monica." "So this is revenge." "The Quartermaines tried to destroy me and my family! Don't expect me to give a rat's ass if Monica and Alan break up. It's only a small part of what they deserve for messing with me and mine." Bobbie shivers. "So you're going to take on the Quartermaines?" Carly shrugs noncommittally. "Maybe, or maybe I won't have to. They do a pretty good job of destroying themselves without any help. I probably won't have to lift a finger. But if a nudge here and there from me will make it happen faster, so be it." "But Carly...." Carly snags Vincent as he strolls past. "I'll talk to you later, Mom. Hey Vincent, let's dance." . Oh yes I'm the great pretender (ooh ooh) Pretending I'm doing well (ooh ooh) My need is such I pretend too much I'm lonely but no one can tell . Vincent puts a hand on the small of Carly back and clasp one of hers in his other one. "Only if you tell me how you really are." Carly flashes a brilliant smile. "I'm fine. More than fine, I'm great." . Oh yes I'm the great pretender (ooh ooh) Adrift in a world of my own (ooh ooh) I play the game but to my real shame You've left me to dream all alone . "Liar, Liar, " Vincent replies in a sing song voice. "You're missing Stefan, aren't you?" "That cold blooded bastard with a stick up his butt? No way." Even as she says it, the lump in her throat grows. . Too real is this feeling of make believe Too real when I feel what my heart can't conceal . Vincent catches the telltale shine in her eyes. "You've seen him, haven't you? Since he broke up with you?" "I went there today to find out why he broke things off, because it didn't make any sense." Carly puts her head on Vincent's shoulder, exhausted. "What a mistake that was. He just sees me as a mistress he dismissed when he became bored. Right down to the usual gift of jewelry. He doesn't give a damn about me." . Ooh Ooh yes I'm the great pretender (ooh ooh) Just laughing and gay like a clown (ooh ooh) I seem to be what I'm not (you see) I'm wearing my heart like a crown Pretending that you're still around . "I don't believe that for a moment!" Vincent exclaims. "That man was wild about you. I'm never wrong about these things." "Yeah well, consider this the exception to the rule." Carly straightens in Vincent's embrace. "To hell with him. I've got Michael, my friends and my family. I don't need him." . Yeah ooh hoo Too real when I feel what my heart can't conceal . "Aww, Honey. I'm sorry," Vincent murmurs soothingly. "If he's truly that heartless and cruel, you are better off without him. He doesn't deserve you." . Oh yes I'm the great pretender Just laughing and gay like a clown (ooh ooh) I seem to be what I'm not you see I'm wearing my heart like a crown Pretending that you're Pretending that you're still around ............................... Shadybrooke Psychiatric Facility The nurse plumps the pillow behind the older woman's head. "How's that, Mrs Cassadine?" Her eyes soft and vulnerable, Helena places a cool frail hand on the nurse's arm. "Much better. You are so kind to see to my comfort. I wonder... " She shakes her head and gives the nurse and apologetic look. "No, it's asking too much. You've already done so much for me." The nurse smiles warmly at the nicest patient they've had in months. She places her hand comfortingly over Helena's. "Go ahead and ask. It doesn't hurt. Most I'll say is no." Helena bites her lip hesitantly. "I'm worried for my son, Nurse. He won't rest until I've spoken to him. Is there anyway I could call him? Even for a few minutes?" "It is late, Mrs Cassadine. The hours for using the phone are over, and it's standard to wait 24 hours to allow you time to settle in..." The nurse winces at Helena's crestfallen look. "But maybe..." Helena looks up hopefully. "Is there any way? I'd be most grateful." The nurse makes a decision, and lowers her voice conspiratorially. "It's against the rules, but I can't see any harm in allowing you a phone call. I'll be back with the phone in a minute." A moment later, the nurse returns with phone and phone cord in hand. She plugs it into the wall and hands the phone to Helena. Helena's eyes fill with tears. "Thank you, Nurse. Thank you. You've been most kind." The nurse plumps the pillow being Helena's back. "I'll give you two minutes, and then I'll come back for the phone. Will that be enough time?" "Certainly." Helena begins dialing, being sure not to speak until the nurse is out of earshot. "Andreas!" She hisses. "Madam! Are you alright?!" "Fine? You think I'm fine after being hauled away in restraints and then locked up in this loony bin?!" She cuts off Andreas's response. "Listen, I want you to go to the lab immediately. I want to know what happened there. It could be Luke was bluffing. Start liquidating my assets and put them into my Swiss bank account. I have a feeling I'm going to need some insurance. Come visit me tomorrow with news." "I'll get right on it, Madam!" "You do that." Helena glances furtively at the door and sees the nurse coming back in her direction. "I have to go. Until tomorrow, Andreas." Carly locates Jason leaning against the wall in the quietest corner of the patio, a bottle of beer in his hand. On her way to join him, she grabs a beer from the ice chest and with a twist of her wrist, opens it. "Hey, Jase." Jason nods in the direction of the dancers. "How's it going?" "Honestly?" Carly rubs her temples. "I'm getting a headache from all the noise. You still owe me a game of pool. You ready to play?" Jason pushes off the wall. "Sure. The music is making my head hurt too." Jason follows Carly up the steps to the apartment above the garage. Wiggling the doorknob, she finds it unlocked. The room is unoccupied and slightly musty. Jason finds the light switch and flips it on. In the middle of the room, the new pool table stands. Carly moves to the windows facing the street and opens a couple to get the air circulating. Music from the party filters in, but it's muted. She turns around and grins and Jason. "You ready to lose, Morgan?" Jason crooks a smile as he racks up the balls. "Carly, Carly. Have I lost to you yet?" Carly takes a swig of beer. "There's always a first time. And I've been practicing with Uncle Luke." Jason grins. "Oh, I'm scared now." Laughing, he dodges her elbow in the stomach. "You break." Carly breaks, dropping a stripe into the corner pocket. After getting another stripe in, she misses her next shot and loses her turn. Jason shrugs off his leather jacket and picks up his cue stick. Leaning over the table, he makes his shot, dropping a solid in the corner pocket. "So what's with you going easy on Alan?" Carly watches Jason prowl around the table before taking his next shot. He drops two solids in the corner pocket. "Who says I'm going easy?" Carly answers. "You let him stay at your party," Jason points out, he takes another shot and misses. "You let him see Michael." "Only with 20 witnesses present." Carly takes a swig of her beer and strolls around the table, sizing up her choices of shots. "I have a plan and it doesn't include forgiving Alan. I can assure you." She take a shot and drops a stripe in the side pocket. The next shot she takes she misses. Jason nods, taking her words at face value. "I was starting to wonder what happened to the 'real' Carly." He lines up his shot and drops another solid into the side pocket. "I'm still here." Carly opens her arms wide and grins. "Alan showing up tonight gave me an opportunity I'd be a fool not to take advantage of. It's going to kill Monica and Edward to know Alan is seeing Michael and they're not." Jason lines up his next shot. "You're going to try to split Monica and Alan up." A solid drops into the pocket neatly. "Try?" Carly takes another swig of beer. "I'm going to do it. Emily moving out was the first wedge, and tonight I just drove another. Won't take much more to have them in divorce court." "I don't want you hurting Emily," Jason warns, taking another shot and missing. "And I have no wish to hurt Emily," Carly retorts. "Monica and Edward are doing the damage. I'm just offering Emily an alternative. A 'sane' alternative." Carly takes her shot. The balls ricochet all over the table but none of them go into pockets. She laughs out loud. "Carly Roberts Benson Spencer, the sane alternative. I can't believe I said that!" "Compared to the Quartermaines you are." Jason drops his last two balls in quick succession. He points his cue to corner pocket, indicating where he will drop the eight ball. The ball bounces off the bumpers several times before landing in the corner pocket he predicted. Carly shakes her head. She never stood a chance. "Good thing I didn't bet anything." "You still owe me." Jason holds out his hand. Carly crosses her arms defensively, looking at his hand suspiciously. "Owe you? I don't think so." "A dance," Jason challenges. Carly's eyes bug out. "What? You.. want to dance with me?! It's always the other way around!" "Times have changed." Jason continues to hold out his hand. Carly hesitates. "The last time we danced..." "I was a jerk. I was still mad about the stunt you pulled." Jason shrugs his shoulders. "Now I'm not." Carly takes a step towards Jason. "This is on the up and up?" "Promise." Song credits Would I lie to You? by the Eurythmics The Great Pretender by Freddie Mercury

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