Part 16: Veronica & Christen Veronica: First, let me tell you about Christen. She was married and had a few children, all boys. She was sweet, most of the time. She could get down right cruel, sometimes, but she was always quick to apologize. She was kind of proper, which was kind of weird, because her husband was a bit of a hick. He was the sheriff of that town they lived in… there isn't really much to tell, I've never been very good at explaining things. Anyway, like I said, it all started when me and my sister were vacationing in Europe… her suggestion… and we ended up in Greece… [Greece - 1972] The sisters, Veronica and Christen, were in their hotel room that morning. Christen sat up and yawned. She looked over at her sister who was in the next bed. She got up and starting talking to her. Christen: Come on, Roni, its 10:30… we got to get up. Veronica started to stir a little. She looked up at her sister and said, "Shut up, go… I want to sleep." Christen: Roni, we have to go shopping for the gowns we're going to wear tonight at the opera. It's an hour’s trip, so we won't have much time. Veronica: Look, just go take a shower and when you’re done, let me know. Then I'll get up. Christen: *frustrated* Oh, all right. Christen left to take a shower and Veronica drifted back to sleep. -^-^-^-^- Brenda: What does this have to do with anything? Veronica: was now sitting on the couch and Brenda was still in the same chair. Veronica: Well, I'll speed things up a bit… we got our clothes, our hair done and everything… the opera… I can't quite remember what it was about, but that's not important. Our plan was to check into a hotel in the town the opera was in. We had already checked out where we were previously staying and… -^-^-^-^- Veronica: Great, JUST great! What the hell are we going to do now? Veronica was pacing around, her bags on a pile on the sidewalk. Christen was standing nearby. Christen: Roni, relax. It's not that bad… Veronica: Not that bad? HA! Chrissy, we are out in the middle of Greece with no place to go. Every hotel here is checked out, we can't go back to the last hotel because the bus station is closed… What a fine vacation this turned out to be. Christen: Roni, instead of whining about the situation, why not find a solution? Hmm? Veronica: Right, you're right, Chrissy. There has to be something we can do. So we'll camp out on the streets for one night, how bad can it be? Suddenly, they hear screaming somewhere a couple of blocks away. They hear people shouting, a gunshot and then sirens. Veronica: Uh… okay, pretty bad. Christen: Maybe we can camp out in the lobby of a hotel? Man: I don't think that should be necessary. They turn around to see a tall, dark, handsome man approach them. Veronica: Excuse me? Man: I overheard your conversation and understand your situation. I own a guesthouse which you two could stay at… sorry, forgive my rudeness, my name is Mikkos Cassadine. Christen: Thank you, Mr. Cassadine, but… Veronica: We'll take it. Christen looked at her sister, wondering what the heck she was doing. Mikkos: Good. Gather your luggage. My driver will be here soon… *^* Christen and Veronica were taken to the guesthouse and shown to their bedroom. Christen was coming her hair in the mirror and looked at Veronica's reflection, angrily. Christen: I can not believe you accepted his offer. Veronica: What, did you want to spend the night on the streets after hearing that gun shot? Christen: Well, this guy is a strange man, we don't know if we can trust him. Veronica was unpacking her nightgown. Veronica: I know, but ooh… he was so CUTE! Christen: So you just took his offer because he was attractive? Have you considered that he could be a murderer… like Norman Bates… inviting people to stay at some ugly hotel and then he kills them in the shower? Veronica: Oh, Christen, you are totally over-reacting. He's just a guy who did I nice thing for us… and I hope to I can find some way to repay him. Christen looked at her sister. Christen: You didn't notice, did you? Veronica: Didn't notice what? Christen: The wedding band. Veronica sat down. Veronica: Wedding band? Oh, man, he's married. Why are all the cute ones taken? Veronica started digging through her bag to find her toothbrush. Christen looks back in the mirror and says to herself, "Like marriage would stop you." Veronica looked up at Christen. Veronica: What did you say? Christen: Nothing. Veronica: No, you said something, and I'd like to hear it. Christen looked at her sister. Christen: I said that I don't think the fact that he's married would stop you from coming on to him. Veronica: Excuse me! *Stands up* How can you say that? Christen: Come on, Roni, we both know you're a shameless flirt. Veronica: What? Okay, so maybe I flirt with guys from time to time, and it gets to be a little much, but it's not like I'm some slut? Christen: Oh puleaz! Veronica looked at her sister in disbelief. Veronica: Well… if I'm such a bad person, why the hell did you even suggest this stupid trip? Christen: Who knows. Veronica: All right, fine, I won't burden you another second. Maybe I can get Mikkos to get me another room, after all, I am a SLUT, I'm sure I could get him to do it. Christen: No, don't bother. You're the one who wanted to come here, so I'll leave. Veronica: That's just fine with me! Christen: Perfect! Christen took her stuff and left. Veronica just went right to bed, but she was so angry, she couldn't fall asleep. *^* Eventually, sleep did come and it was the next morning. She looked over and saw the Christen wasn't there. She was now very worried. She got up, put on a road and looked for her. Finally, she could see her by the pool. Veronica: There you are! You had me worried sick. Veronica could tell that something was wrong with Christen the way she looked at her. Veronica: Chrissy, what is it? Christen: Nothing… look, Veronica, I'm sorry about the things I said last night. Veronica: Christen… it's okay. I don't want to fight with you. Christen: And I don't want to fight with you… Veronica: I'm sorry for what I did… I mean, accepting to come here without talking with you first. Christen: It's all right. Veronica: Friends? Christen: Friends. The sisters hugged. Christen: Now, let's get out of here. Veronica: Wait, Mikkos did say that he would give us breakfast. Come on, Chrissy, with our luck, it may be days before we get a decent meal. Christen agreed, but hesitated to do it. During breakfast, Mikkos was there and he and Christen just kept exchanging the strangest glances. Mikkos' seemed pleasurable, while Christen just seemed afraid. Veronica didn't know how to approach it, though, so it was left alone. -^-^-^-^- Veronica: Months went by. Apparently, Mikkos followed her to America and kept popping up. I didn't know about it for awhile. Brenda: I don't understand… were Christen and… Mikkos having an affair? That name sent chills down her spine. Mikkos Cassadine. She had heard about him and was afraid to know just how he fit in with her mother leaving. Veronica: Yes… he seduced her that night. Christen tried to break it off with him, but he was just so charming. About a year later, she became pregnant with his child. She had a baby girl. She let her husband believe it was his, but it brought her and Mikkos closer together. For a little while, anyway. She didn't let him see their child very often, so he began to resent her. So he got back at her the only way he could… Brenda: How? Veronica: Sorry, I'm getting ahead of myself… let me backtrack a little… I was already married to Harlan by then. We had just gotten married a little while before. He was off on business a lot and we ended up fighting a lot… -^-^-^-^- Veronica and Harlan had just fought a few hours ago. Harlan went away on a business trip. Who knows what it was about, it was always something… Julia was put to bed for the night and Veronica was just crying in the living room. Mikkos: What is disturbing you? Veronica looked up and saw him there. Veronica: What are you doing here? How did you get in? Mikkos: The help let me in. I told them I was an old friend of yours… you would not consider that a lie, would you dear? Veronica: Uh… no, I guess not. I'm just a little surprised to see you… I thought you would be with my sister. Mikkos: No, unfortunately, we do not make good company for each other. You mind if I sit next to you. Veronica shook her head and Mikkos sat next to her on the couch. He put his arm around her. Mikkos: There, there, now what has you so upset? Veronica: My husband… we fight a lot, I don't think he loves me… I don't know if I love him, either. Mikkos: I am so very sorry… this remind me of my marriage to Helena… she just does not understand me. We never seem to be happy together. Veronica: So you know how I feel? Mikkos: Yes… I do… and we should not have to go through this, these loveless marriages. If only we could find some comfort… -^-^-^-^- Veronica: He went on and on like that, playing on my loneliness until I finally gave in… I… well, he seduced me. He took me up to my husband’s bedroom and he seduced me. Brenda: Oh my God… She had a horrible feeling about this. Brenda: Mom, am I… am I Mikkos child? Veronica: Well, I found out I was pregnant… I told Mikkos and we had a test. Yes, you are Mikkos child, and that is why I had to go… because of Helena… -^-^-^-^- Veronica was sleeping in her bed. Her husband was away on business. As she started to wake, she could feel something on her throat… it felt sharp. When she opened her eyes, she saw a strange face. Veronica: What the… who are… Helena: Don't move or I will slit your throat. Veronica realized it was a knife then, and stayed perfectly still. Helena: So, how are you and your daughter? Veronica: Excuse me? Helena: Maybe I should be a little more clear… how are you and MY HUSBAND’S child? Veronica: Oh my God… Helena. Helena: So, you know my name. Poor Christen couldn't seem to remember it. Veronica: Poor Christen? Oh my God, what did you do with my sister? Helena: She couldn't seem to give me a good reason not to slash her throat. But you… surely, you can tell me why you found it necessary to sleep with my Mikkos. Veronica: Please… please… Helena: Your sister tried the same answer, but that didn't work- Veronica: He-he-he seduced me! I was sad and lonely and he gave me comfort. I'm sorry, but I was so weak- Helena: Please, is that the best you can come up with. Veronica closed her eyes, preparing herself for the pain. Veronica: Please, don't. Helena: You know what… I don't think I will… now, anyway. I will give you a head start. Helena takes the knife away. Helena: Go ahead, try. I got all the time in the world. Veronica stayed on her back, clinging to the sheets. She heard Helena say, "You have two days before I come looking for you. Use them wisely." When the door closed, Veronica relaxed. *^* Harlan: What!? You whore! Veronica stood there, listening to Harlan's words. She had decided to tell Harlan the truth in hopes that he would find it in his heart to help hide her. Harlan: No, you and that bastard child of yours can just rot in hell. No such luck. Veronica: Please, Harlan, you have to help me… Harlan: You come into my office, tell me that Brenda is not my daughter but some guy named Mikkos' daughter, and you want me to help you? Never! Veronica: Please, if you ever cared for me at all, you will do this for me… She actually killed my sister and now she is after my daughter and me. Harlan considered it for a moment, and then answered. Harlan: All right… I will help you, but the girl stays with me. Veronica: What?! But… but… Harlan: No buts. Brenda will stay with me. Do not worry, I will raise her, but you will have to live alone. Do you understand? Veronica: What will you tell her? Harlan: Quite simply, that you're dead. Like you would be, if you didn't take my only offer. -^-^-^-^- It had taken a while to take Harlan's offer, but she took it. She told herself the baby was probably better off with Harlan than her, anyway. She could not protect her… not from Helena Cassadine herself. She was in her daughter's room and watched her sleep. Brenda was such a beautiful little girl. She wished she could have done better by her. Interrupting her thoughts, the driver approached her. Driver: Excuse me, Mrs. Barret, but it's time to go. Her eyes filled with tears as she looked at her baby girl. Veronica went over and kissed Brenda on the forehead while she was asleep. Veronica: Good-bye. She kept watching Brenda sleep as she made her way to the door. Then the door closed… -^-^-^-^- Veronica: That was the last time I ever saw you, besides the advertisements you've been in, like Deception, Jacks Cosmetics… I was living under an assumed name in Maine. My name has been Blair Quincy for a long time, the only one I've ever trusted with my identity was Gage Wang. Brenda was still sitting, trying to suppress her tears. She didn't know quite what to say.