Part 17: One Last Secret… 

Venus and Luke entered the Greek mansion and looked around the main hall, with 
their flashlights 

Venus: So what should we do? Split up? 

Luke: Right, you cover upstairs, I'll cover down. Need help, scream. 

Venus: Right. 

Luke and Venus split up. 

*^* 

Jason was with Carly in the emergency room, reassuring her that their daughter 
was all right. 

Carly: But, the carriage… 

Jason: Carly, did you actually see Caitlyn? 

Carly: Well… no, I guess not… He didn't let me look at her. 

Jason: Caitlyn is still alive, that was just a warning. 

Man: Is everything all right? 

Jason looked over his shoulder at Stefan Cassadine. He faced him. 

Jason: Yes, everything's fine. Thank you for helping Carly. 

Stefan: It was no trouble. 

Jason: Thanks just the same. 

Man: Stefan! 

Stefan turned around to see Charles coming for him. 

Stefan: Charles, what is it? 
Charles: We need to speak. 

Stefan excused himself, then Charles and he went to a more secluded spot. 

Charles: Stefan, last night, I arranged for people to watch Helena. I wanted to 
keep a close eye on her during my stay. 

Stefan: What? Has something urgent happened? 

Charles: Yes, it has. Seems your mother has a new friend… 

*^* 

Jason: Carly, you shouldn't have gone alone. 

Carly: I'm sorry, Jason, I am, but he said if I didn't she would be dead. 

Jason: It's okay… 

Jason took Carly in his hands. Carly could tell something was wrong. 

Carly: Jason, what is it? 

Jason: You can't stay here. 

*^* 

Brenda looked through her window, thinking. Veronica didn't know what to make of 
the silence. She could tell a few tears were crawling down her cheeks, they were 
definitely going down her own. Brenda just didn't know what to say, it was all 
too much. Finally, she spoke. 

Brenda: So, what happened to… Christen's daughter. 

Veronica: I don't know, I never did find out what happened to Natasha. 

Brenda: So… why did you tell me? *Looks at her mother* 

Veronica: It needed to be said, because right now you could be in real danger. I 
mean it Brenda, she could be dangerous… 

Brenda: I know what dangerous is, Veronica, I'm not stupid. I've lived with 
danger for a long time, it was my choice some of the time, though. Did you know 
four months ago, I was nearly killed? 

Veronica: I know about that mobster and the guy that tried to murder you. 

Brenda: Oh, so you've been keeping track of me? 

Veronica: Well, you are a famous model, it made it easier. 

Brenda: I've only been a model for a couple of years though… what about when I 
was a kid? Huh? When my father was treating me like dirt, when he was sending me 
off to boarding schools, when I wasn't good enough, when I had no one to take 
care of me, what about then? You left me with a man who hated me! 

Veronica: I didn't have a choice…

Brenda: *crying* You having no choice doesn't make up for all the times I needed 
a mom, but you weren't there, Veronica… It just doesn't. 

Veronica: I'm sorry, Brenda. You have got to believe me. If I could have done it 
any other way, I would have. 

Brenda cleared her tears and looked at her mother. 

Brenda: I know, Veronica… but it still hurts… 

*^* 

Venus was in the library looking at the books. She just looked over the titles 
quick… there wasn't anything odd, really. Some books on Tai Chi, artists, 
stories… She saw one green book in the bookcase that didn't have a title on the 
side, or anything. She was curious to know what it was, she pulled it out… only, 
it didn't come out. Instead, the bookcase opened up. She opened what was 
apparently a door and looked in. She flashed her flashlight around and ran to 
the railing overlooking the main hall. 

*^* 

Luke was looking over some things in the cellar, when he heard a scream. 

Venus: Luke! I think I've found something! 

*^* 

Carly looked at Jason, worried. 

Carly: What do you mean? I can't stay here? 

Jason: No… not in Port Charles, not until it's safe. 

Carly: You're wrong, Jason, you're just wrong… I'm not going anywhere. 

Jason: Carly, it's too dangerous to have you here. Moreno will do anything to 
get to me and he will through you and I don't want to see you get hurt. 

Carly: But didn't he want both of us to stay here? 

Jason: I can control the situation better without you here, Carly, please, 
understand that. 

Carly: So what, I'm just supposed to pack up and… go where, Jason? 

Jason: I… I made the arrangements this morning. I'll wait until the doctors say 
you can go, then we'll take right off. Carly, you have to promise me you won't 
tell ANYONE what's going to happen. 

Carly: Of course not… who do I have to tell? I'm the town pariah, remember. 

Jason just hugged her. 

*^* 

Nikolas, Lucky, Lizzie and Emily were all at Kelly's having lunch. 

Nikolas: I am so relieved Mom's going to be all right. 

Everybody looked at Nikolas and he realized what he had just said. Mom. 

Lucky: I am too. 

Emily: So… did you guys hear there's supposed to be this big dance at Deena's 
house? Pretty much everybody is invited. 

Lucky: When is it? 

Emily: Tomorrow night. 

Lizzie: Yeah, she's making this big deal about it. You guys wanna check it out? 

Lucky: Sure, why not? You up for it, Nikolas? We can't promise caviar, But… 

Nikolas: *letting sarcasm pass* I'm sure. 

Emily: Cool. 

Woman: Elizabeth? 

They all looked to see Alexis. 

Lizzie: Oh, hi, Alexis. 

Nikolas: Alexis. 

Alexis looked at Nikolas, sadly. 

Alexis: Hello, Nikolas. *Looks back at Lizzie* Elizabeth, I'm glad you're here, 
I was hoping we could talk. 

Lizzie: Uh… All right, sure. *Looks at her friends* See you guys later. 

Lizzie follows Alexis to another table. 

Lizzie: So… what did you want to talk to me about? 

Alexis: I'm not sure, I was just hoping we could just talk. I'm glad to know 
your grandmother made it out of the explosion. 

Lizzie: Yeah, I was worried about that… I was so relieved to find her at Mercy. 
I couldn't believe all the wreckage… 

Alexis: You were there? 

Lizzie: Yes… I mean, not in the actually explosion, I was just there to see if I 
could find Gram and Emily and Lucky's family. Man… I can only imagine what it 
was like being there, when the explosion went off. It must have been pretty 
freaky… 

Alexis: Please, don't remind me. 

Lizzie: What? 

Alexis: Oh, uh, I was on an elevator when the explosion occurred. 

Lizzie: Oh my God, are you all right? 

Alexis: No, I am perfectly fine. I was in a part of the building that didn't get 
as much damage from the blast. 

Lizzie: Were you alone? 

Alexis: Oh, no, there was a man and his little girl. They were pretty nice. 

Lizzie: I'm glad you're okay. What were you doing there? 

Alexis: Xavior, I was seeing how he was doing. 

Lizzie: Okay, I heard he was being released tonight. Emily told me. 

Alexis: How did she know? 

Lizzie: She, um… she saw him earlier. 

Alexis looked at the table and saw Nikolas and Emily laughing. Apparently, Lucky 
had just told a joke. It struck her as a little weird that they would be sitting 
at the same table like that, but she decided it was because of when they pulled 
together to help her daughter and then the crisis with their mother. They must 
have formed a bond. She looked at Emily and then back at her daughter. 

Alexis: Exactly, what is the relationship between Emily and Xavior? 

Lizzie: They… I don't know, Emily just feels guilty for what she did to him. 
Why? 

Alexis: Oh, no reason. Just curiosity. 

*^* 

Charles had told Stefan everything about Helena meeting Moreno the night before. 

Stefan: So… Mother has taken an alliance with the man who almost killed her 
grandson. 

Charles: I don't think Moreno was behind it. I think there's a lot we don't 
know, yet. 

Stefan: Very well. Now we just have to decide on the next move. 

Charles: Easy. Moreno is now our enemy… therefore my enemy's enemy is my best 
friend. 

Stefan: Meaning? 

Charles pointed to the emergency room Jason and Carly were now exiting from. 
Stefan looked at them and nodded. 

Stefan: Very well. I suppose I shall agree. 

Charles: When do you plan to take care of it? 

Stefan: *looks at Charles* I will do it tonight. I will be seeing him anyway. 

Charles: Why? 

Stefan: Here, read this. 

Stefan pulls out of envelope out of his inside breast pocket and hands it to 
Charles. Charles opens it and read over it. He grins. 

Charles: Wow, I've just made millions and I didn't even have to do anything. 

Stefan: This is a gift. There is more, though. Would you like me to explain? 

Charles: Yes, Stefan, definitely. How did I end up an ELQ board member? 

Stefan: I shall explain this on the way to Wyndemere. We have to prepare for 
tonight… 

*^* 

Venus and Luke were looking around the secret room. There was a lot of junk 
piled in there. Luke was looking through a photo album. Mostly photos of a baby 
girl. One of the pictures he noticed was a woman. He smirked, wondering if that 
was the infamous Christen who stole Mikkos’ heart which got her killed by 
Helena. 

Venus: I wonder what all of this stuff is. 

Luke: Whatever it is, Mikkos definitely didn't want anyone to know about it. 

Venus found a large sheet of paper rolled up in the corner. She took it and 
started rolling it out on the floor. She looked at it and was confused. 

Venus: What the… 

Luke: What is it? 

Luke joins her on the floor. 

Venus: Blueprints to… I don't know what, it looks pretty complicated. 

Luke: The weather machine. 

Venus: The what? Oh… I've heard of that. 

Luke: I'll take these. 

Luke rolls it up and takes it away. 

Venus: What are you going to do with it? 

Luke stops and looks at her. 

Luke: I'm going to burn it. Once was bad enough. 

Luke continues to walk out. 

*^* 

Lucas walked into the living room carrying a newspaper. 

Lucas: Is Aunt Laura all right? 

Bobbie: Yes, she's going to be fine. What are you doing with the newspaper? 

Lucas: I was looking through it… I need an article for school, if we tell a 
current event, we get a gold star. 

Bobbie: Oh, don't cut anything yet, I haven't gotten a chance to read it. 

Lucas: Um… Mom… 

Bobbie: Do you need my help? 

Lucas: Uh… Remember how you explained to me that Carly was my sister and that 
her daughter that was supposed to be daddy's was really my niece and Jason's 
daughter. 

Bobbie: Yes… Lucas, where are you going with this? 

Lucas: Well… my niece has been kidnapped. 

Bobbie: What?! 

Lucas shows her the front page of the newspaper and she just about died of 
shock. 

*^* 

Jason and Carly hugged outside of the private jet. 

Carly: I'm going to miss you. 

Jason: I'll miss you, too. 

They held each other tightly and Carly was starting to cry. 

Jason: Come on, you have to get going. 

Carly: Jason… please, bring me home as soon as possible. 

Jason looked into Carly's eyes. He couldn't lie. 

Jason: I'll try. 

Carly: I love you. 

Jason: I love you, too. 

Carly walked up into the jet and sat down. She looked out at the window and saw 
Jason standing there. He mouthed out the words, "I love you" and Carly waved at 
him as the plane started to roll away and take off. Jason watched the plane as 
long as he could. Then he headed back for the limo. He had to get ready for 
tonight's ELQ meeting. He knew exactly what to expect. 

*^* 

Luke watched as the blueprints burned in the flames of the fireplace. He 
remembered when decades ago, he and his friend Robert Scorpio stopped the 
Cassadines from freezing the world. Life had gotten pretty complicated since 
then. His thoughts of the past were wiped away with the sound of Venus 
screaming, "LUKE!" He turned from the fire and ran back to the secret room. 

*^* 

There had been a long period of silence, when Brenda spoke again. 

Brenda: You said Christen had a husband. 

Veronica: *nods* Yes. 

Brenda: Well, wouldn't he knew if… Natasha were alive or not, or did Helena kill 
him too? 

Veronica: He was pretty mad at me when he found out I knew about the affair and 
that I knew Venus wasn't his daughter. Manny Ardanowski wasn't the easiest to 
talk to when. 

Brenda: What did you say? 

*^* 

Luke enters the secret room to see Venus holding a necklace. 

Luke: V., what is it? 

Venus holds out a necklace. 

Venus: What is this!? 

Luke: Cassadine necklace, why? 

Venus: Cassadine? *Looks at it* What the hell would she be doing with a 
Cassadine necklace? 

Luke: Who? 

Venus: My mother… *looks at him* My mother has one of these in the secret 
compartment of her jewelry box. 

Luke: Your mother? Wait a minute… 

Luke went to grab the photo album. 

*^* 

Brenda: I thought you said her name was Natasha? 

Veronica: It was… well, to Mikkos, anyway, she was his little Natasha, but 
Manny and Christen named her Venus. 

Brenda pieced it all together in her head. 

Brenda: Ardanowski… Venus… V. 

*^* 

Luke hands Venus the open photo album, turned to a page where the baby's picture 
is taken with the woman. 

Luke: Does your mother look like this? 

Venus looked at the picture and nodded. 

Venus: Exactly how she looked in the pictures dad used to show me… What the hell 
is going on, why the hell would Mikkos have pictures of my mom, who the hell is 
this baby? 

Luke: V, what was your mother's name? 

*^* 

Veronica: Yes, the first letter of her name is V, why? 

Brenda: Oh my God… Veronica, my sister's alive! 

*^* 

Venus: Christen, why? 

Luke: Uh… I don't know how to tell you this, but you could be Mikkos daughter…