Chapters 34 & 35   CHAPTER 34: REPERCUSSIONS   Gina sits in one of the overstuffed chairs in the Wyndemere game room. Nikolas paces around as Commissioner Alex Garcia and FBI agent Conklin sit on the sofa and continue to take their statements. Conklin flips through his notebook, then reads the note Gina gave him, "And you received an identical note, Mr. Cassadine?" Curtly, Nik says, "Yes. I've already said so." "May we see it?" Alex asks. Nik tries to control his temper, "Why? You've seen Gina's, I just said they were identical! When are you going to stop wasting everyone's time and start looking for my daughter?!" Conklin stands up, "Mr. Cassadine! We are trying to do our job..." Nik cuts him off, "Your job is finding my daughter! You are NOT finding her by sitting here wasting everyone's time. Now, I suggest you leave." Alex speaks up, "We just need a bit more information. Now, are these notes how you found out your daughter was kidnapped?" Gina nods, but Nikolas shakes his head. Conklin and Garcia turn to Nik for his explanation. "Lucky told me," he says simply. "And how did he know?" Alex asks. "You'll have to ask him that." Alex says, "Don't worry, we will." Conklin glares at Nik. "Thank you for your cooperation," he says sarcastically. "We'll be in touch." With that, Conklin and Garcia put away their notebooks and are shown out. Nik turns to Gina, "My confidence in the PCPD and the FBI is sorely lacking at this point. Fortunately, I have my own people working on it." Gina nods slightly, "You mean because of your brother?" Nik nods in agreement before saying, "Conklin couldn't investigate his way out of a paper bag." Gina clasps her hands tightly in front of her, "I just want my baby back." Nikolas crosses over to her and kneels beside her chair. Gently he covers her hands with one of his. "We'll get her back; we'll pay the ransom if we have to. Staci will be back before you know it." A tear slides quickly down Gina's cheek. Noticing, Nik reaches up and silently brushes it away with his free hand. Gina gives him a weak smile as he brushes her hair away from her face. Nikolas stands up and after resting his hand on Gina's shoulder for a minute, turns and walks across the room. Gina sees the worry written all over Nik's sagging shoulders. Usually he stands straight, tall and proud. She walks up behind him and starts massaging his shoulders. She feels some of the tension slip away. "Better?" she asks. "Some," he says softly. He turns towards her as she asks tentatively, "May I stay here until Staci's back? You know, in case anyone needs to contact either of us." Surprised, Nik says, "Sure." "Thank you." He nods, "I'll have Mrs. Lansbury prepare the guest room." Before she can say anything else, Nik leaves the room. Stefan sits patiently by Lu's bedside as she starts to wake up. "Good morning, Angel." Lu gives him that familiar I hate mornings stare, "Yeah, uh huh," she says drearily. "I wanna go home, Daddy." Stefan smiles, "After your check up this morning, Dr. Scanlon may allow you to leave." Lu sits up, instantly awake, "Really?" Stefan nods, "I talked to Karen earlier and she said it was a distinct possibility." Lu grins, "Coolness!" Stefan sits back and watches her for a moment, "Angel, there is something I need to ask of you." Lu notices his serious look, "Daddy, what's wrong? Is it about Staci?" "We've not had any word on her. This is about you." "Oh no, what else have I done?" Softly she adds, "I mean, Staci being snatched is my fault too, I just..." Stefan interrupts, taking her hands in his and looking into her eyes, "No Lesley Lu, Anastacia's kidnapping was no one's fault except the miscreants that took her. Don't blame yourself. I think it would be best if you remained on the island once you are released. Neither your mother nor I could bear it if anything happened to you, Angel." "What about school? That starts in a few weeks." "I have arranged for you to have a tutor until Staci's returned; then we'll discuss your returning to Port Charles High." Lu stares at the sheets in front of her, "Yeah, okay, I understand." Glancing up, she asks, "What about Georgie? Can she still come over?" Stefan smiles, "Of course, Angel. And you may go anywhere on the island that you like; the pools, the stables, down to the beach, wherever your heart desires." "Just not off Spoon Island," she says, her voice resigned. "Unless you are with Nikolas or myself, no." Trying to soften the blow, he adds, "Anything you want or need can be brought to you. In fact, I have a present waiting for you at home now." He stands up and kisses her forehead, "I'll see you in a while, all right?" Lu smiles, "I'm not going anywhere." Under her breath as Stefan leaves, she adds, "Even if I wanted to. This is still my fault." Tom Hardy Sr. sits in his office going over paperwork. He puts down the file and picks up the picture on the corner of his desk. He smiles as he looks at the photo of himself, Alexis and Stone. Alexis pops her head in the door, "Knock, knock?" she asks apprehensively, hoping he's not too busy to talk to her. He waves her in as he puts the photo down, "I'm glad you could spare me a few minutes." Alexis sits quietly across from her husband, "It's not a matter of 'sparing' a minute for you. You're my husband and I love you." Tom folds his hands in front of him, "Why didn't you tell me that you were here all night last night, Alexis?" Alexis sighs and runs her hand over her face, "Tom, we're in the middle of a family crisis." Tom shakes his head, "No, YOU'RE having a family crisis. I seem to have been left out of the equation." "Look, someone is after the Cassadine children. Staci was kidnapped; Lu was shot." "Lu was shot because she was with Staci. You hauled Stone out of bed and dropped him off at Wyndemere in the middle of the night. What makes you so sure that he's in danger?" Alexis leans forward and speaks in a harsh whisper, "I will NOT take any chances with my son." Tom stands and crosses to stand in front of her. He leans against the desk, "Alexis, I'm not asking you to take any chances with Stone, but don't you have enough faith in me to protect both of you?" "It's not that simple. I just think it's best that he stay at Wyndemere, under the protection of the Cassadine. Everyone in one place simplifies matters. If I thought that I was in danger and didn't have faith in you, then we would be staying there as well." Alexis stands and heads for the door, before continuing, "And as for last night, I was with Stefan going over everything. If you don't need me now, I'm going to check on Laura." "I checked on her last night. I think she'll probably be released today, providing she goes home and gets plenty of rest." Tom asks. Alexis nods, "I'll be sure and let her know," she says before leaving. CHAPTER 35: MEETINGS   At Kelly's, Jason sits at one of the outside tables with Mark. Mark glances at his watch, "Smith and her boss should've been here by now." Jason looks down at his watch, "We said 11am, it's 10:59. Smith is never early." Jason looks down at his watch again. Just as it turns 11:00, Lisa comes from around the corner and sits down. She looks around before speaking, "My boss should be here shortly." "What does she want?" Jason asks. "I don't know, Mr. Morgan." Jason folds his hands on the table in front of him, a gesture both Mark and Lisa notice. "Frankly," Jason says, "I don't like the fact that you are here in Port Charles." Lisa looks him straight in the eye, "I don't doubt it, sir, but my being here has nothing to do with any infringement on your territory, either by my boss or myself." Lisa's cell phone rings, "Will you excuse me," she says as she stands up to take the call. Mark turns to Jason and whispers, "I don't like it. This reeks of a set up." Jason just looks at Mark, "You think?" he asks quietly, making Mark instantly second guess himself. Jason continues, "Know your enemy. Lisa is a lousy liar. She believes what she's saying. Which means one of two things; either she's not as high up as she thinks, or her boss, whoever that may be, isn't doing a good job. Both are to our advantage." Out of earshot of Jason and Mark, Lisa is obviously frustrated at her phone call. "Tracy, where are you?!" "Same place I always am, New York. How's Dylan?" Lisa rolls her eyes, "He's fine and staying with the Quartermaines." She changes topics, her voice getting harsh, "You're supposed to be here! Your meeting with Morgan started five minutes ago!" Sarcastically, Tracy replies, "Oh really? I forgot. You can handle my brain damaged nephew, yes?" "That is NOT the point and you know it!" "Handle it, dammit!" Tracy barks. "I'm tired of handling YOUR messes, Tracy!" Lisa barks back in a harsh whisper. "Just take care of it, or suffer the consequences. You made a mistake letting me find out your dirty little secrets," Tracy threatens before ending the conversation. As Lisa puts away her cell phone, she mutters a promise under her breath, "No Tracy, you made a mistake letting me get too close. Now you're gonna pay." Lisa walks back to the table with Jason and Mark. Sitting down, she smiles politely, "I'm sorry about that. Now, where were we?" Emily walks into the Quartermaine living room to see it empty, except for Dylan watching TV. "Hey Dylan, what's up?" Dylan clicks off the TV and turns to face her, "Oh, hey Em. Nothing much, how about you?" Emily sits on the sofa beside Dylan, "Okay. How's the arm?" Dylan shrugs, "Okay, if I don't wiggle my fingers. The doctor said I was lucky that it was just one of the bones in my lower arm." Emily nods, "If it was your upper arm or the joint you'd be in a cast longer and hurt more." Dylan smiles sheepishly, "Oh yeah, I keep forgetting you're a doctor." Changing subjects, he asks, "So, how are the wedding plans coming?" Emily looks down at the ring on her finger, "Almost finished. It'll be a small ceremony, just family and close friends. You plan on being there, right?" Dylan nods, "Couldn't keep me away." "Good. You know, you could bring your girlfriend if you want. It'll be a great opportunity for everyone to meet her." "Uh, Em," Dylan starts, "I don't think that would be a good idea." "Why not?" Dylan sighs, "It's Lu Spencer." "You're kidding? How did that happen?" she asks curiously. Before Dylan can explain, the phone rings. Dylan jumps up to answer it, "Hello?" Lu's voice greets him, "Hi." Dylan's eyes light up, "Princess! How are you?" "I'm being released today." "Great. Can I see you?" She stalls for a second, "Um, it's not gonna be that easy." Dylan sighs slightly, he really wants to see her, "What's wrong, Lu?" "I'm supposed to stay on the island until Staci's back." Determined, he says, "Then I'll go there. It's not a problem." Lu smiles, even though Dylan can't see her, he can hear it in her voice. "I'll arrange for us to meet somewhere on the island. I'll get Georgie to call you, okay?" He smiles, "Sounds perfect. I'll be waiting. Bye." Hanging up the phone, he returns to the sofa. "You really like her, don't you?" Emily asks, smiling. Dylan nods, "More than I've ever cared about anyone. I want to marry her someday." Emily laughs, then apologizes, "I'm sorry, it's just that you guys are still so young." Dylan glares, "Thanks a lot." Emily shakes her head, "No, I don't mean it like that. I've known Lu since she was a baby. She's a wonderful girl." "Thanks...I think," he quickly adds. Emily stands up, "I'd better go, but listen, if Mom or Dad come in, get one of them to give me a ring. I have a question about some of the wedding arrangements." Dylan nods, "Sure thing. I think they were spending some time with Bradley today, and then going over to see Robin and the baby." "Bradley's home from the hospital, isn't he?" "Not sure. The last few days have been a bit of a blur." Emily smiles, "I can understand that," she says as she heads out.