Part 12: The Next Morning Jason was at the police station while Carly was home alone. More guards were put outside and Garcia was going to come over later to put a bug on her phone. She had not slept a wink all night. She was too worried about what Moreno could be doing to her little girl. Leticia was dead, Renaldo was in the hospital… To think someone just waltzed in, attacked Renaldo, killed Leticia and took her precious Caitlyn… and without anyone in the entire building knowing. Carly was sitting on the couch, holding a pillow when the phone rung. She threw the pillow and ran to the phone, hoping it was Jason. Carly: Hello?! Jason? Man: I have information about your child… Carly: Who is this? Man: Listen carefully… meet me on the docks as soon as possible, and alone. I don't want to see any guards or cops hanging around, got it? Carly: Okay, where at the docks though? What time? Man: Just meet me now… and go a few blocks past Kelly's. Got it? Carly: Okay, but… *click* The man hung up. Carly put the phone down and wondered what she was going to do. Jason told the guards to go with her to anywhere she went… but she had to meet him alone. She went to the door and asked Johnny if he could take her to the park, she needed some fresh air and this place was too painful right now. He agreed and they left. *^* Venus entered Luke's after a long flight. She returned a little early then expected. Most of her family left after the birthday party and everyone else had to work. Besides, she had things she had to attend to. She had asked Jerry to meet her there and she waited at the barstool. The bartender came up to her and asked her what she wanted. Venus: Nothing, I'm waiting for someone… but, could you tell me if Luke Spencer is here? Bartender: No, he's at the hospital. Venus: What happened to him? Bartender: It wasn't him, it was his wife. There was this explosion at the hospital, where she was injured. Venus: Oh my goodness… Bartender: Would you like to leave a message for him, or… Venus: No, no, that isn't neccessary. Thanks for telling me. The bartender went to a different customer and V. sat there alone. Then, she noticed this guy looking at her a few stools down. Venus: Uh…hi. Man: Hello. He moved from his stool and sat next to her. He was most likely in his late thirties, she guessed. He had black hair combed to the side, deep, dark blue eyes, tanned skin… he was rather attractive. Man: So, you're waiting for someone, huh? Who's the lucky guy? Venus: Excuse me? Man: Well, I couldn't imagine a pretty woman as yourself not having to beat the guys off with a stick. Venus: *smiles* Is this your "clever" way of finding out if I have a boyfriend? Man: I was doing no such thing… but now that you bring it up… Venus laughs. Man: Do you? Venus: Well, sorry sir, but it really is not any of your business. Man: Hey, I'm just making conversation. What do you take me for, one of those sleazy guys who go from bar to bar picking up women with cheesy pickup lines? Well, you're probably right, but I'm STILL insulted. Venus laughed again. Man: May I ask you your name? Venus: V. Man: V? What does it stand for? Venus: I'm not telling! Man: Oh, all right. How about you're last name? Venus: Why don't you tell me your name first? Man: Because I asked first. Venus: Then I'm not telling. He shrugged. Before he could answer, he heard someone speak his name behind him. Alexis: Charles Silver. Charles spun around in his chair to see his old friend, Alexis Davis. Charles: Lexi! Charles hugged her and then sat back down. Venus: Alexis, you know him? Alexis: Yes, V., this is an old friend of mine. Charles: Ah! Watch it! Alexis: Okay, I take back "old" friend… Let's just say I've known him for many… many… many… Charles: Ouch. Alexis: Years. Charles: That last minute isn't exactly flattering to you, either, Lexi dear. Alexis: So, when did you get to Port Charles? What are you doing here? Charles: I just decided to drop by for a visit… I got here last night and I stopped by Wyndemere. Alexis looked saddened. Alexis: Oh… did Stefan tell you? Charles: About everything since I've last seen you. *Looks back at V. and then to Alexis* So, how do you two know each other? Alexis: She's Jerry's assistant. Charles: Oh, yeah, I heard about Elizabeth. How is old Jer? Alexis: He's doing all right… V, I thought you were going to be on vacation for a few days? Venus: I came back a few days early. Just then, Jerry walked in. Jerry: Hello, Alexis, V… *Looks at middle guy* Chuck? What are you doing here? Charles: Just visiting Jer… and how many times have I told you, it's Charles, not Chuck? Jerry: How many times do I have to tell you? Jerry, not Jer. Charles: Only because you started calling me Chuck. Jerry shakes his hand. Jerry: Well, good to see you again, but I have to talk to my lovely assistant. Charles: Very well. Alexis and I have some catching up to do, anyway. *Looks to Venus* I hope to have the pleasure of crossing paths again, V. Venus: Yeah, whatever. Charles and Alexis go to a nearby table. Alexis: I must say, I am very surprised to see you here, at Luke's. Charles: Well, Stefan told me you have allied yourself with Spencer. I thought it was about time I meet this Luke Spencer. Alexis: Well, Stefan told you what happened. I suppose your wondering why I did what I did. Charles: It never crossed my mind, Lexi. I have never questioned your judgement and your reasoning… I will not bother asking about Katherine, I trust it is an issue better left dead… pardon the pun. I would like to know about joining forces with Luke. Alexis: Well, Helena was threatening to hurt my daughter, Stefan held me partially responsible for Katherine's death… Luke was the only door left open. Charles: What about mine, Lexi? You know you could have come to me and I would have been more then willing to take care of Helena for you. Alexis: I did not want to involve you. You and Stefan are friends, you were loyal to him and considering the shaky ground between him and me… Charles: Lexi, my loyalty goes to you, too. Both of you have meant so much to me. Alexis: I know… that's why I couldn't bring you in, because I couldn't make you choose between us. Charles nodded his head in understanding. Charles: All right. Lexi, if you do need help again, though, do not be afraid to ask me for it. Even with the problems between you two, I not abandon you. Alexis: Thanks. *^* Carly had ditched Johnny in the park and now she was exactly where the guy said he's be. He was standing on the top of a platform, which had a ramp heading towards the edge of the docks, and she was standing ten feet away from him on the wooden floor. Carly: You said you have information on my baby… well, I'm here alone, so please, tell me where she is. George: Right here. The man pulled a carriage from behind the corner, which led into an alley between the warehouses. Carly: My baby… She started going towards him, but he pulled out a gun and pointed it right at her. George: Stay right where you are. *^* Stefan entered the waiting room to see Nikolas sleeping in a chair, his head resting on Emily's shoulder. He started to stir and saw him there. Nikolas: Uncle, what are you doing here? Nikolas still called Stefan "Uncle" from time to time. Stefan: I had to come over here and see if you were all right. You know, Nikolas, I wish you would have called me sooner, I was worried when you did not show up after dinner. Nikolas: I am very sorry, Stefan, but when I got here and then found out that Laura was in the hospital, I just did not think to. Stefan: It is all right, Nikolas, I am just glad to see that you are all right. What happened, exactly? Lucky and Lizzie stared from across the room. Lucky: What is he doing here? Lizzie: I guess he just came to check on Nikolas. Lucky: Yeah, I guess… I just hope he leaves soon, he's the last person my dad will want to see. Nikolas explained to Stefan that he was at the hospital, he got stuck with Luke when the bomb went off and everything to where he was knocked out and Luke carried him out. Stefan: Well… I suppose I owe Spencer a debt of gratitude. Luke: What are you doing here, Cassadine? Everyone looked at Luke and Mike, who were standing nearby. *^* Brenda answered the door as it rung for the fifth time. She saw that it was an older woman… who looked just like her. The woman looked at her and tears swelled up in her eyes. Veronica: Brenda… She sounded like she was about to start sobbing. Brenda knew instantly who it was. Brenda: You… you're my mother. Veronica nodded her head. Just then, Brenda's hand slapped across her mother's cheek. Brenda: You bitch! *^* Donald and Helena stood outside Xavior's room. Donald: So, how did your meeting with Moreno go? Helena: Quite well… at first, he was distrusting, but then, he decided he better ally himself with me. Donald: All right, Helena. After you get revenge on King, what next? Helena: King is not the only one punishable now. For months I have been too worried about Xavior to do anything before, but now I am going to take control of everything. Donald: What do you mean by "anything"? Helena: Why, Port Charles, of course. I am going to have this whole town wrapped around my little finger. Donald: Exactly, how do you plan to accomplish this? Helena: Do you dare ask me if my plans are plausible? Donald: I wouldn't dream of it. Helena smiled. Helena: Good. She was going to get her revenge on everyone… Luke, Stefan, Laura, Alexis, and anyone close to them. First thing she must do is take control of this town, then she can work her way through each of them. *^* Jason was on his way home from the police station when his limo phone started ringing. Jason answered it. Jason: Hello… what?! What do you mean you lost her?… *to himself* Uh, Carly… *to Johnny* So she ditched you, do you have any idea why?… All right, fine, just find her, all right! And if anything happens to her… Good, bye. Jason slammed the phone down and hit the leather seat. Jason: Damn it, Carly! Now Caitlyn was kidnapped and Carly went God knows where. He hoped that they turned out all right, because if they didn't, someone was going to pay. *^* It was breakfast time at the Quartermaines and they were all eating. Edward: Where is Emily? Monica: She went over to Mercy earlier for Nikolas. Edward: What?! She shouldn't be allowed near that boy. They all ignored him. Lila: Why, what happened? Monica: Laura Spencer was injured in the bombing last night. Emily went to offer moral support. Lila: Oh dear, I hope Laura is all right. Then, they all heard Alan shout out, "What the hell?!" from the hallway. He walked in holding the newspaper. Monica stood up. Monica: Alan, what is it? Alan walked up to her and handed her the newspaper. Alan: This is what's wrong! Monica took it. Monica: Wait, this can't be right… Alan: No, Monica, it is right… I can't believe Jason hasn't told us. Edward: *confused* What? Alan takes the paper and tosses it at Edward. Alan: Read for yourself… Jason has a daughter and he hasn't even bothered to tell us… On top of that, she was kidnapped last night. *^* Carly: Please, sir, give me my baby! I don't know what Moreno's paying you, but I could double it! George: Oh, please, Ms. Roberts. I would never cross Mr. Moreno. Carly: Please, let me see my baby… George: No, you may not even look at it. Carly: Why did you bring me here? What does Moreno want!? George: It is quite simple really… revenge. He lost someone he cared about… and now you two shall lose someone you care about and you shall watch. With that, George let the carriage roll down the ramp. Carly cried out, "Caitlyn!" as she ran past George after it. She tired to catch up, but she was too late when the carriage flew off the docks.