CHAPTERS 77 & 78
GH2017.77 Into The Lion's Den
Lucky's. Lu is behind the bar. Stefan and Jerry play chess in the
corner. Dylan and Billy have arrived at the club and are just walking
over to their table carrying the drinks that Lu made them as she noticed
them walk into the club. Mike has his usual table with a cup of coffee
and the crossword. In the dimly lit club, there are spotlights that
cast shadows but allow Lu to pour her drinks, Mike to do his crossword
and Stefan and Jerry to see the other's move. The club is hopping as
it's after midnight. The group playing is a combo from the college.
There aren't any vocals but the tunes are hot and the dance floor is
crowded.
Stefan: I can't believe I actually missed this place. It is almost a
relief that LesleyLu had that fight with Nikolas. She seems much
happier now that she is working again.
Jerry: (his gaze focused on the board) Your daughter is a workaholic.
I've seen the mail that she's been sending Cari on the new rehab project
she's doing. I thought that Lu was going to take her time on this one.
That there was no hurry?
Stefan: Yes, but my angel has something to prove, I think.
Jerry: She has nothing to prove. The Warehouse is perfect. I saw the
writeup in the magazines. Nice pictures.
Stefan: (proudly) Since LesleyLu is trying to maintain a low profile,
her contractor Mr. Gregory has been fielding all the telephone calls for
her. He says that his business has tripled and that both this new
project and the next are all presold.
Jerry: (laughing) You and Nik own half the world it seems, and you're
going to bust a button over a couple of waterfront properties. I love
it. Check.
Stefan: ( looking at the board and frowns. Decisively he moves a piece
protecting his king.) LesleyLu did this on her own! She finds the
buildings, makes the plans, cuts the red tape. And no shortcuts for
her, very admirable. Like her mother, she is able to see a need and
address it. It is a tremendous gift.
Jerry: You're preaching to the choir, mate. They're both formidable
women. And they got you wrapped around their little fingers. Stefan
Cassadine- the wimp.
Stefan: (moving again as it is his turn) Don't let it get
out...checkmate.
Jerry: Damn! ( He peruses the board) That was sneaky.
Stefan:( with a crooked little smile as he strokes his beard.) Really? .
(Both men's attention is drawn to the door as Georgie breezes in.) Is
it going to be another one of those nights?
Jerry: It's probably good that Nik isn't here.
Stefan: Yet. Just because he is annoyed at Lesleylu doesn't mean that
he won't check on her. (Georgie makes her way directly to the table
where Jerry and Stefan are sitting. Looking at the board she sees the
situation immediately)
Georgie: Ha, Stefan kicking ass again I see. (She kisses him on the
cheek.) It's good to get back into the routine, isn't it? Lu behind
that bar; you beating all comers at chess.
Jerry: (grumbles) Now just wait a minute, darlin'. He doesn't win ALL
the time.
Georgie: Of course not. I've seen Laura beat him. But I think she was
doing something to distract him. Do you want to dance? I think they'll
play a slow song for you.
Jerry: And how many insults am I to bear this evening? I can keep up
with you, little girl. I'm not the one that gets looped on two glasses
of wine.
Georgie: (dropping her light coat and purse on the chair beside the
booth, Georgie reveals a short bronze dress that while dressy isn't the
one that she wears when picking fights. Both Stefan and Jerry exchange
a glance of relief.) It must have been something metabolic, maybe the
nitrates, because I never have that problem with tequila.
Jerry:(teasing) Excuses excuses ... you lightweight.
Georgie:(in a sing song voice) Sticks and stones and your old bones...
Stefan: I don't think that's the way that goes.
Georgie: close enough. Come on, Jerry, dance with me. (Georgie pulls
him out onto the dance floor and if by magic a slow song starts playing,
the sax wailing mournfully as the couples move into each other's arms.
Georgie pulls Jerry's head down to her and starts playing with his hair
as she murmurs softly in his ear) I was contacted by Jason's friend; he
called me at the hospital. He's going to meet me here later. Then I
should have some news on Petrovich.
Jerry: (nuzzling her neck.) And when are you going to tell me his name
so that I can add it to the picture in his file?
Georgie: Hmm when you and Daddy stop spying on Jason and start to trust
me.
Jerry: Darlin, I trust you with my life and my daughter's but I don't
like this game playing.
Georgie: ( her voice low her eyes serious) I'd never do anything to
hurt you or Cari. All I know is the guy's name is Dimitri. Jason was
comfortable with him. He let the guy hug him.
Jerry: (shocked) Really! Morgan is as skittish as you are normally. (
Jerry looks over to the door where a dark haired man and two associates
that are clearly bodyguards have entered the club.) Well Darlin, I
think that your friend is here. He looks better than he does in
pictures-- not as sinister.
Georgie: Shush! Don't be such an ass. I'll talk to you later. (In a
more normal tone) Thanks for the dance. I hope we can do it again REAL
soon.
Jerry : The pleasure was all mine, darlin'. (Squeezing her hand briefly
he then releases her) be careful.
Georgie: (looking back over her shoulder) Moi? (Jerry groans and then
walks over to his son's table where he flags down a waitress to bring
him a beer. Georgie makes her way over to the bar.)
Lu, Can I get a shot of tequila?
Dimitri: (sliding into the space next to her) I'd like to buy the lady
that drink.
Georgie: That's very kind of you, but I buy my own drinks. Would you
like to join me?
Dimitri: I'd like that. I'll have a ...(his voice falters as he looks
at Lu for the first time and sees the Cassadine pendant.) vodka chilled
if you have it.
Lu: No problem... keep a bottle in the freezer at all times. (Lu steps
away to get the vodka)
Dimitri: (snarling low) What are you doing?!
Georgie: Jason told me you were interested in my connection to the
Cassadine. Look around you. (Dimitri looks around, seeing a familiar
face in the corner and then the discrete muscle that is placed
throughout the room)
Dimitri: (grabbing her arm in a bruising grip) It's a trap! YOU set me
up.
Georgie: (sliding in close to Dimitri so no one else can hear, she
purrs.) There is only one other person in here that knows that I'm
meeting you and it isn't Cassadine. You won't draw any attention to
yourself unless you start bleeding all over the floor from where I take
your hand off at the wrist. (Then in a normal tone she teases as his
grip on her eases) You know there are certain ...sports where a lady
doesn't mind a few bruises but not here. I have a reputation to
protect.
Lu: ( just coming back.) Oh yeah, right. Listen buddy, make sure that
you split the same time she does, the fights normally break out after
she leaves.
Georgie: You're just ticked 'cause you cleaned up after the last one
and I didn't start that one; Nik Cassadine did.
Lu: Well you were nowhere to be found. I thought I'd have to call Alex
or Mac on you.
Georgie: Alex is the police commissioner and Mac is my stepfather, the
police commissioner's best friend. Really Lu, it's so rude of you to
talk about people he doesn't know.
Lu: (holding her hand across the bar) Okay, Hi I'm Lu Spencer, I'm
Georgie's roommate when we have an apartment. Nik's sister.
Dimitri: (slowly taking her hand despite the twilight zone feeling that
he is getting.) Dimitri Davidonna. It's the first time I've been in
here. You have a nice place.
Lu:(shrugging) Thanks. Everyone has a first time. I'm happy that you
found us. Are you new in Port Charles? Georgie could introduce you
around. She knows everybody.
Dimitri: I get that feeling. (Turning to Georgie) Perhaps first, a
dance?
Georgie: (cheerfully after she tosses back her shot of tequila) I
thought you'd never ask.
Dimitri: (together they walk out on the floor his hand the small of her
back until they reach the middle and then he takes her in his arms and
pulling her close as they start to converse in Russian) What game are
you playing?
Georgie: When we first met, I didn't understand the rules. Jason says
that I'm the messenger cause you want me to owe you. And that my value
to you is who I know. So who I know are here tonight. I just thought
you should see what you get. ( He spins her out and she waves a hand
down her body before allowing him to pull her in more closely) Besides,
I think perhaps you owe me instead. (Drawing closer she runs her hand up
his shoulder and starts to tangle her fingers at the wavy hair at the
nape of his neck. Smoothly she kisses the flesh that is revealed at his
open collar before whispering in his ear, pleased at the sharp intake of
breath.) After all you wanted Petrovich gone as badly as I did. He is
gone isn't he?
Dimitri: (his voice husky and low as he breathes in her ear) It's a dead
issue. But that doesn't bother you; does it?
Georgie: (a brief shiver sliding down her spine) He was a sick man;
Jason says he's been living on borrowed time for so long, I hope that
the end was quick and that he didn't suffer?
Dimitri: ( running a thumb under her chin and lifting her face so that
he can see her eyes) You're so cold and yet hot; I see fire in those
eyes. What game are you playing now? And whose side are you on?
Georgie: Ah, the eternal question. I'm on my side. Do you want to be
on my side?
Dimitri: Is it that simple?
Georgie: Yes, you see if you're on my side then you're in very good
company. You have an advantage that Jason doesn't have. Nobody knows
you. He was famous long before he inherited Sonny's empire. The WSB
and the FBI don't have a file on you. Or let me rephrase that-- they
have your picture but until now they didn't have a name. I believe in
win/ win situations and all my friends win. And I always protect my
friends.
Dimitri:(his eyes narrowing) That sounds like a warning. And what
happens when I don't like your friends?
Georgie: ( her voice whisper soft) Then you're not on my side.
Dimitri: ( With an icy smile) Do your friends realize just how insane
you are?
Georgie: (throws back her head and laughs. The happy sound draws the
attention of patrons who smile as they look at the couple) No, and I
think they'd be insulted if you tried to tell them. Think about it.
The WSB has your picture because you were meeting Jason. But if you had
been meeting me then they would have thought nothing of you being in the
company of my cousin. And if you were with me then you could be seen
anywhere from a police picnic to the Cassadine's island.
Dimitri:(slightly bemused) But you're a cop?
Georgie: And there are certain situations where knowing a cop is a good
thing. Remember how I told you that only one person besides me knows
who you are. Well including you only three other people in this room
know I'm a cop. And there are certain advantages to me being with a
crook. Cause I put crooks in jail...
Dimitri: except...
Georgie:(softly)... the ones that are on my side. (Georgie notices that
Jerry has moved back to Stefan's table and they are setting up for
another game.) Do you want to get out of here?
Dimitri: (With a swift exhale as a portion of tension leaves him) I'd
like that very much.
Georgie Come on then, let's get my stuff. (Dimitri follows her then
realizes that she is going to the table of the man that he'd been raised
to hate, the boogie man of his nightmares. Straightening, he eyes his
guards and then follows.) Stefan, Jerry I'd like you to meet Dimitri
Davidonna. Dimitri, this is Stefan Cassadine and Jerry Jacks. ( She
slides on her coat and grabs her purse as the men exchange stilted
pleasantries.) Jerry, I'm going to be home late. A person close to
Dimitri passed away and I don't think that he should be by himself:
sudden death and dealing with jet lag on top of that; he's just wiped.
Jerry: Give me a call, Darlin' if you need a lift. Dimitri, it's good
to meet you. Take good care of my girl here or sudden death will be
contagious.
Georgie: You are such a bear sometimes. (Leaning over she gives him a
quick kiss on the mouth.) I'll be home by two. You've got time for
another match. Stefan, let me know if he wins.
Stefan: Georgie....
Georgie: (cheerfully) I'll call you tomorrow. Now you two don't stay up
too late. Bye. ( Taking Dimitri's hand she starts dragging him to the
door just as she is half way across the room the door opens and Nikolas
comes in.) Damn. Let me handle this.
Dimitri (amused)You've been handling everything fine so far.
Nik: Georgie, where are you taking off to?
Georgie: Places to go, people to see. Talk to you later, Nik-- bye!
Nik: Georgie Jones, stop right there. (Georgie turns around with a sigh)
Georgie:(impatiently) Yes, Nik?
Nik: (holding a hand out briefly before dropping it to his side)Where
are you going?
Georgie: You're going to have me followed anyway, so I'll see you
later. Bye (Georgie turns and walks out with Dimitri. Once outside
Dimitri stops Georgie with a question)
Dimitri: He was going to touch you and then he stopped...why?
Georgie: 'Cause he's finally learned that if he touches me without my
permission that I'm going to cut him. I'm kind of funny that way. Do
you have a problem with that?
Dimitri: (moving in so close that only a whisper of air separates them)
If I ask nicely are you going to let me touch you? (Georgie just
smiles.)
