Chapter 12 

Liked someone had clicked a switch somewhere, Em's good mood evaporated that 
quickly. Just when things were looking good. 

“Why is he coming home?” She demanded. 

“He's better now.” Monica said. 

“You mean better like the first time he got out and two months later he was 
using again? Or better like the second time when he faked being off the pills 
just to get out?” 

“Emily, this time is for real. I saw him myself and I believe him.” 

Emily snorted. “No offense Mom but you couldn't tell that Dad was on drugs the 
first time and you're the closest person to him.” 

“Emily!” Nik snapped. He had been quiet because it was a family matter but Emily 
was getting out of hand. 

Emily rubbed her forehead. “I just don't think it's a good idea, is all.” She 
smiled weakly at Monica. “I don't think the house is big enough for two unstable 
Quartermaines.” 

Monica touched her lightly on the arm. “I know how you feel. We're about to have 
a family meeting about Alan's coming home. You should be there.” 

“I'm old enough to finally know what's going on?” 

“Let's just say we've learned our lesson about keeping things secret.” Monica 
went into the house. 

Emily turned to Nik. “I, the girl on suicide watch, gets to decide things about 
my dad, the pill-popper. Isn't this world just a little off?” 

“Sometimes. Here.” He gave Em back her racket. “I better go so you can get to 
your family meeting. Plus, I need a shower.” He sniffed. 

“Really.” Emily playfully wrinkled her nose. “Hey if you're not too busy maybe 
you could come over Wednesday and we'll do something relaxing.” 

“What about tomorrow? You booked?” 

“Oh, yes. My schedule is packed! Deenie has to come back tomorrow and talk my 
ear off again!” She laughed. 

“Well then Wednesday it is. Are you going to be all right with your father 
coming home?” 

“Yeah. Maybe this time will be different. And this gives me something to talk 
about with Gail Baldwin this Friday. And, Nik? Tell Carly about Alan before AJ 
does. She's not going to like this.” 

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ 

“What did you say?” Carly whirled around to face Nikolas. 

The first think Nik had done as soon as he got back to the island was search for 
Carly to give her the news. “Alan's coming home Friday.” 

“How'd you find this out?” 

“I was there when Monica told Emily. Is that it? Because I *really* need a 
shower.” 

“That's all I needed to know. Toss me the phone on your way out.” 

Nikolas tossed her the phone. “Here you go.” 

“Thanks. And thanks for telling me.” Carly quickly punched in the numbers. 

“AJ? It's me, Carly… No, there's nothing wrong with Michael… I said there's 
nothing wrong!… I'm calling because I heard about Alan… I have my ways of 
finding these things out. When were you going to tell me?… It is a big deal! I 
don't think it's safe for Michael to be around him… Jason and Alan are two 
different things! Jason would never do anything to hurt Mikey but when your 
father's high, he's never aware of anything. I remember Emily telling me about 
getting into a *car* accident with him!… How do you know it'll be different? 
This is his *third* time coming out of rehab… Whatever. Let me just tell you 
this, Michael won't be coming over this Saturday… I didn't mean it like that AJ! 
I was going to say, I'll bring him by earlier in the week. And I want all future 
visits to happen *outside* your home… Well just until we're all sure Alan isn't 
still hooked. Okay?… Good make some time on Thursday cause that's when I'm 
bringing him over.” Carly hung up. I better call Jason, she thought. She picked 
up the phone and dialed again. 

“…Hey Morgan, it's Benson, Roberts, Spencer, take your pick!… I was just goofing 
on how you answer the phone. Ya know, I've been thinking of using the name 
Cassadine but Uncle Luke would kill me. He can't handle one Spencer being a 
Cassadine let alone two!… I was going to get to the point soon. Is it all right 
if I bring Michael over tomorrow?… He has a doctor's appointment on Wednesday, 
AJ has him on Thursday and Aunt Laura's been hinting around that she'd like to 
have him over the weekend. She claims Lulu misses her cousin but I know better. 
Sheesh, my boy has a busier social life than I do!… I didn't want him to go the 
Q's this weekend… Alan's coming home Friday… I don't know how Emily's taking 
this, I just found out myself. Jason can you do me a favor?… Could you make sure 
Robin's not there?… You know we don't like each other and I want Michael to 
enjoy this. He's very excited about it and he can't wait… All right We'll see 
you then… Bye.” 

Jason clicked his cell off and looked at Robin. This was the first time she had 
seen him since that morning. She had decided to ignore what he said about not 
getting married. It had been early in the morning and he probably didn't mean 
it. 

She had come in while he was on the phone with Carly. She had been on her way to 
the kitchen when she heard Carly's name. She stopped and listened in on Jason's 
half of the conversation. 

“So, why was Carly calling?” Robin tried playing it cool. She didn't want Jason 
to see how much it upset her to see him smiling while talking to that dirty 
slut. 

“Just firming up our plans for tomorrow.” Jason said cooly. 

“Um, tomorrow?” Robin hesitantly asked. She hated feeling like this, scared to 
say something about Carly that would make Jason go off on her again. She *never* 
had to feel like that before. 

“Yeah. Michael's visiting me, remember? You can't be here?” Jason told her 
flatly. 

“Excuse me?” Robin couldn't believe this. She lived her, she had a right to be 
here if she wanted. Jason was changing before her eyes. He stopped considering 
her feelings. He was becoming colder and harder and meaner. 

“You can't be here. Carly doesn't think it's a good idea.” Jason told her. He 
acted as if the whole conversation bored him. 

Well whatever that whore wants, that whore gets, Robin thought but she held her 
tongue. She asked instead. “Is that what you want?” 

“Yes.” Jason stood up. “They'll be here around four. I'd like you to not be 
here. Please.” He threw that out as an afterthought. 

“You going somewhere? I was going to fix myself a snack. I could make you 
something. I think we still have some pizza.” Robin offered as she watched Jason 
shrugged into his jacket. 

“I got some business to take care of. Don't wait up.”