Chapter One Hundred Seventy-Two:
Perspective

Roadside, the Greek middle of nowhere.

Lucky paces as silently as possible, his attention moving from Emily, to the road, and back. She's resigned, finally… Though she has a determined frown on his face, which disturbs him. However, in the freak out sweepstakes, she's still got some way to go. No, Nikolas seems to be taking the crown on that one. Which, Lucky thinks ruefully glancing in his brother's direction, is probably his fault.

Lucky gives a silent sigh. God. Was it his fault Nikolas only seemed to get his point when he hit him over the head with it? It was frustrating, irritating, and he always felt queasy afterwards. Not that he'd planned that. It was just another moment where he looked back and wondered just who he was turning into. At least the whole thing had served a purpose. And it wasn't like he had any idea how to forge another method of communication. That stuff… the straightforward stuff… that always got bogged down in history.

He had never in his life had to do this kind of stuff where the biggest challenge he faced was the person he was with. Emily had been a quick study… still was. And his family… They'd shared a brain, once upon a time. At least, that was how the legend went.

Lucky shakes his head. Not the point. Point was, Nikolas was being morose… again. He didn't much trust that. The fact that he can't even begin to fathom what might be going on in his head. But whatever it is, he has this ugly feeling of responsibility… of being the one who stirred the pot. Lucky turns away from both Nikolas and Emily, his eyes falling on his bag. He walks towards it, almost on automatic, and kneels down next to it. Guilt, Spencer. Right. Embrace THAT one. This is Nikolas we're talking about after all. How many times has he stirred things up for you? Get a grip. This is not where your focus should be.

Lucky pulls open the zipper on the side pocket of the bag and starts going through the eclectic items, searching for anything to occupy the alarming amount of space in his head right now. After a moment, a shadow falls over him and he waits a few moments before deigning to look up. Nikolas is looking down at him, his brow furrowed. He looks at the penknife and compass in Lucky's hands, then meets Lucky's eyes.

Nik: (statement of fact) I don't like this. (Lucky stares back at him, unsure of how to take that. He turns back to the bag, shrugging)

Lucky: Excuse me while I reel in shock. (Nikolas hesitates a moment, uncertain of what he's hoping to accomplish by speaking. Mostly, a lack of silence. And it seems he's done that. He looks over at Emily, who seems to be occupying space in a world of her own, and decides that if he actually wants to talk to Lucky, this is about the best opportunity he's going to get.)

Nik: (crouching down next to him) Do you have a plan? (Lucky stops what he's doing a moment, taking in the fact that Nikolas appears to be trying to have a conversation. He decides this isn't too offensive and continues going through the bag, in search of distraction).

Lucky: No. (Nikolas exhales)

Nik: That's not what I wanted to hear. (Lucky's jaw tightens, but he refuses to let this fact enter into his speech)

Lucky: This stuff… It happens some times. You just roll with it.

Nik: Roll where, exactly?

Lucky: We'll see. (Lucky dumps the items he's removed from this pocket back into the bag and zips it back up, then turns the bag around so that he can access the pocket on the other side.) I've seen worse than this. (Out of Lucky's line of sight, Nikolas makes a face, not wanting to consider that).

Nik: Really.

Lucky: I'm serious.

Nik: I know. (he frowns) No, I don't. What is worse than this, exactly? (This statement annoys Lucky a little. Rather than giving a real answer, he shoots back with the most cataclysmic thing he can think of that Nikolas might relate to)

Lucky: Getting shot is worse than this. You gotta give me that. (Nikolas blinks)

Nik: Getting kicked by a horse might be worse than this, the result could be the same.

Lucky: A little faith, please. (Nikolas shakes his head, amazed at Lucky's demeanor)

Nik: And you don't have a plan…

Lucky: No. (He drops his hands and looks over his shoulder at his brother) That doesn't mean I won't. I just need…

Nik: What? What do you need? (Lucky sighs, looking down the road)

Lucky: A variable.

Nik: What does that mean?

Lucky: Something besides what we have here.

Nik: Like another driver.

Lucky: Pretty much. That would be a variable, yeah.

Nik: And if he doesn't stop?

Lucky: (dryly) I'll shoot one of his tires out. (Nikolas is stunned momentarily.)

Nik: You're kidding.

Lucky: Probably, yeah. (They fall into silence)

Nik: Look. I didn't want to talk about this in front of Emily…

Lucky: Odds are, she's pretty much aware of whatever it is.

Nik: We're sixty miles from the nearest town. At least.

Lucky: I know.

Nik: We're 90 miles from Rhesus. (Lucky sighs, sitting up. Rhesus… The near end of the line. Last vestige of the real world before they hit spook central… That from which all evil emanates… Lucky shakes his head hard. The island. The island. To some people, he's sure, those are just words. To him… It's like accepting an invitation through the Gate of Hell. And as hard as he tries, he can't shake that feeling)

Lucky: (slowly, coming back into the moment) Let me see if I get where this is going. We're pretty damn far away from everything, huh?

Nik: I have a point. (Lucky looks at him, a practiced look of insolence, then turns back to the bag).

Lucky: I'd love to hear it. (The sarcasm is dripping off the words, indicating the walls are going back up. Nikolas stares at Lucky, not quite prepared for that amount of venom.)

Nik: (a bit biting) You're a brat, you know that, right? (Lucky smiles slightly)

Lucky: Was that it?

Nik: What?

Lucky: Your point. Because you've made it before. (Nikolas stares at him, aware that 1) he should have seen that coming and 2) It should bother him more than it does. Never will this guy cut him any slack)

Nik: (Steadily) You know… I'm still bigger than you. (Lucky back up at him quickly, seeing a look of mild annoyance on his brother's face. He turns back to his task, looking down at the matches in his hand, then back at Nikolas. He opens his mouth to respond, then turns away, cracking up. After a moment he puts a hand over his eyes and drops the box. After a moment, he forces himself to breathe and looks back at Nikolas. Seeing the slightly confused expression on his face, he loses decorum again, sliding over so that he's sitting down on the gravel beside the bag. He brings his knees up draping his arms over them, and rests his head against his forearms.

Lucky: (Muffled, still laughing a bit) What am I doing?

Nik: I'm not sure. (Lucky leans his weight forward, then looks up at Nikolas, shaking his head)

Lucky: You're not normal.

Nik: I'm stung. (There's a pause) I wasn't trying to be serious.

Lucky: Oh? Were you trying to be funny?

Nik: (frowning) I'm not sure. Not that funny. (Lucky shakes his head, glancing at the pile of stuff from his bag)

Lucky: This isn't helping.

Nik: What ARE you doing?

Lucky: Looking for… (he shakes his head)

Nik: A variable.

Lucky: Inspiration. (He picks up a small ball of twine) Here. You can play cat's cradle. Or hang yourself. Whatever. (Nikolas takes the ball of twine without thinking, then stares at it a moment. He looks back at Lucky and they both crack up again, though Lucky seems a little more punchy than Nikolas. After a moment, Nikolas drops the ball of twine and it rolls away a few feet)

Nik: (without any real concern) I'm beginning to think we're going to die here.

Lucky: (rolling his eyes) There you go with the negativity again.

Nik: (sitting up straight) Oh, right. I had a point! (he looks back at Lucky) It was a good one, too.

Lucky: (waving at him, still looking at the road) Fine, go ahead. (He starts to laugh again) What else do I have to do?

Nik: It's ninety miles to Rhesus. Also known as the edge of the earth. It's small. There's a restaurant with rooms to rent and a store. That's it. You know how many cars there are?

Lucky: (heavily) Yeah, I get it.

Nik: Even if we did get to Rhesus, we probably won't get a ride all the way to the island. And that's another thirty miles. (Lucky nods, then snaps up)

Lucky: Wait. No, you don't WANT a ride to the island. You don't want the trail. That was the whole “Let's steal a car thing”. Get it?

Nik: (tersely) I get it. I'm not an idiot. (Lucky closes his eyes)

Lucky: No… A bit thin-skinned, but not an idiot. (Nikolas gives him a halfhearted glare. This sounds like an argument, but it doesn't feel like it. He has no wish to up the ante)

Nik: Thin-skinned. (he shakes his head) Ok, that's a new one. I'll put it on the list.

Lucky: List?

Nik: “Arrogant”, “condescending”… (He pauses, searching for more) Uh… “Cold”… (he frowns) Thin-skinned. I think I'm going to have to take that as a compliment. (Lucky stares at the ground a long moment)

Lucky: This is what you think people think of you?

Nik: This is what people TELL me they think of me. (Lucky gives a slight laugh, completely without mirth)

Lucky: Yeah, well… You had a point, remember?

Nik: Right. Wanting or not… We don't HAVE a ride to the island. Best case scenario… (HE sighs) I can't believe I just said that. Best case scenario, we can get to Rhesus and then… We have to walk.

Lucky: Thirty miles. (there is a long pause)

Nik: With Emily. (Lucky steals a quick look in her direction. Emily is playing idly with gravel, still staring at the ground)

Lucky: Emily's tough. (He looks back at Nikolas) She's really tough. She just… Doesn't like to see her limits.

Nik: There are definitely worse faults to have.

Lucky: (looking back at her) I know. (He stares at her a long moment, lost in thought. Nikolas clears his throat).

Nik: Why did you… (He stops, realizing the question could completely combust this conversation. It's too late, however. Lucky's already on it)

Lucky: Why did I what?

Nik: (after a moment) I wasn't sure, when I knew you were coming… If that meant Emily as well. (Lucky looks away and sighs, unwilling to get into this topic)

Lucky: Neither was I… But… (He glances back at Nikolas) I know how she is. Right now. I wouldn't know if she was in Port Charles. (Nikolas nods, this making perfect sense)

Nik: It's hard to let some people out of your sight… (Nikolas' tone suggests the name he doesn't say. Lucky cringes and puts his head down on his arms again)

Lucky: Yeah. That's…

Nik: Unavoidable.

Lucky: (firmly) Helena won't touch Lulu.

Nik: I know. (they both digest this) Of course…

Lucky: That doesn't mean you can't obsess about it. (He sits up, stretching) If you have that kind of time. (Nikolas shakes his head)

Nik: I don't. (he looks back at Lucky). What are we going to do?

Lucky: About Emily? (he sighs) Play it by ear. See what happens. She is stronger than you'd think.

Nik: (laughing slightly) I'm beginning to think she's made of steel. (Lucky nods)

Lucky: She's amazing… (Lucky continues to stare at her, at the odd way she is lifting and dropping gravel. He feels a cold sort of possessiveness take him over. When he speaks, his voice is distant) I'll take care of her, that's not your problem. (Lucky's tone suggests to Nikolas that he shouldn't push that. He turns his attention away from Emily, trying not to focus on the way Lucky's statement separates him from them. He stares at the odd assortment of items, all of which, he's sure, have some sort of purpose.)

Nik: You really have been here before, haven't you? (Lucky stops staring at Emily and looks over at Nikolas in confusion) I mean… Not HERE, but… Somewhere similar. (Lucky gives a bitter smile, and looks back out at the road)

Lucky: (quietly) Yeah. I really have.

Nik: Tell me about it. (Lucky looks back at him, sharply)

Lucky: What? (Nikolas feels a distinct need to backtrack, to take the words back, given the look on his brother's face, He shrugs, looking away)

Nik: Well. What else do we have to do?

Lucky: I'm not here for your amusement.

Nik: (closing his eyes) It was just a question.

Lucky: (getting angrier) What? Do you want me to prove it to you?

Nik: (looking back at him) That's not what I said!

Lucky: It's what you meant.

Nik: It is NOT… I'm just sitting here, on the edge of disaster and wondering if there's… (Lucky shakes his head determinedly, effectively cutting Nikolas off)

Lucky: (defensive) This is NOT a disaster. Disaster… That's when you don't know where to go next. It's where you're stuck. It's where you're out of plans and options and you don't even know where everything you rely on IS anymore. It's getting lost… or losing someone. We still know where we are, we know where we're going, and we're still all here. This is a set back. That's all. We've already done disaster. (He stops, running out of breath. He realizes the slight ranting nature of what he just said, and looks away, pulling oxygen into his lungs. Nikolas just stares at him. They let silence reign for several moments, until Lucky is breathing somewhat normally and it begins to feel oppressive.)

Nik: (steadily) I'm not always pushing you. Sometimes… I'm just trying to understand… Things. (Nikolas winces slightly at the words. It was a little close to suggesting they have an actual relationship… as dysfunctional as it might be).

Lucky: (resentful) You don't have to understand. When all this is over, you're going to go back to Wyndemere, back to Stefan… And everything. Whatever it is you do. All that prince, heir, head of the family stuff. You're not going to be in any situation like this again. (Lucky says this with such authority, such finality, that Nikolas is stunned. He sits back a moment, absorbing this. It takes him a moment to realize that he does not like the way it is sitting with him).

Nik: (quietly) Et tu, Brutus? (Lucky drops his head, rubbing his neck with one hand)

Lucky: What are you going on about now?

Nik: We… You're just… Everyone… my father, my mother… “Protect the name, the family, the legacy… I just didn't expect YOU to care.

Lucky: (firmly) I don't. Go back and do whatever else there is to do with your life. I just… (He stops, then turns away, an ironic smile playing on his lips) I don't know why, if someone can go and step back into the life they always thought they were going to have… They wouldn't.

Jason's Penthouse, back office.

Jason is hunched over a table, pen in hand, writing. Carly comes down the hall with well practiced stealth and stops at the door. She brings a hand up to knock on the doorjamb, but stops, watching him a moment. He hand comes to rest on the jamb, and she cocks her head to one side, thinking how long it's been since she's watched Jason do anything. She has no idea why he insists on doing his own paperwork. She feels a wave of fondness for that particular eccentricity before firmly quashing it. She straightens up and raps on the doorjamb.

Carly: Knock, knock. (Jason looks up) You're supposed to say “Who's there?”.

Jason: Why? I can see you. (Carly leans against the doorjamb).

Carly: It's a joke. (Jason exhales, clearly unimpressed with this) Ok, so it's not my best opening, sue me.

Jason: What is it this time? (Carly looks down at the floor a moment.)

Carly: I… I kinda have the beginnings of a situation on my hands. I… I don't really know where to go. (Jason stares at her a long moment, then gets to his feet. He paces, then stops, his back to her, staring at the wall).

Jason: I'm listening. (Carly struggles to cover her shock that he's actually planning on hearing her out. This is not necessarily a good thing, as far as plans go. She'd sort of expected him to immediately fight with her. She nods, swinging her arms nervously) Ok! Listening. That's a start.

Jason: (turning back, annoyed) What IS it?

Carly: (Sputtering) AJ. (Once the word is out, Carly struggles not to wince. It was jut the first thing that came to mind… And not entirely untrue. But very messy territory. Jason just stares at her)

Jason: (flatly) You're kidding.

Carly: (too fast) No, it's actually a pretty direct line…

Jason: From WHAT?

Carly: From what we were talking about last time.

Jason: Lucky. (Carly smiles weakly)

Carly: All roads lead back… Yeah, Lucky, ok? Normally, I'd kind a go to him with this, but…

Jason: I can't tell you where he is. (Carly frowns)

Carly: Can't? Or won't? (Jason stares blankly) Ok. Never mind. Point is, Lucky is AWOL and AJ is kind of making… Noises.

Jason: What kind of noises?

Carly: Uh… The “I'll take your son away” noises. You know. Without benefit of trial. (Jason's jaw tightens) Look. Let's just get this out in the open right now, ok? You never wanted Michael near the Quartermaines. I didn't think it was THAT bad an idea. (She looks directly in his eyes) It was. Jason one, Carly minus several… thousand. (Jason gives her no reaction) In other words you were right. (Nothing. Carly makes a face) Most people like to hear that.

Jason: What about Luke? (Carly freezes)

Carly: What about him?

Jason: Why don't you ask him to help you out? (Carly scoffs, though her breathing is a bit too quick)

Carly: Luke! Luke HATES me, most of the time. And he doesn't care about Michael. A… a-and he's got his own problems. (Jason narrows his eyes. Carly drops her head a minute regrouping. Right. Jason. Lying never much works). And… Maybe I miss YOU, ok? Maybe… You and I worked well together. And I know you care about what happens to my son,

Jason: You're lying. (Carly looks up, surprised)

Carly: I am NOT!

Jason: Not about that. About Luke. And why do you have a keep using Michael?

Carly: I am NOT using Michael.

Jason: You said he's the reason you're here, and he's not.

Carly: Michael is safe and happy with his grandmother… MOSTLY because I don't want him to see you act like this. It confuses him, he doesn't like it, and it's not using him if he isn't even HERE!

Jason: How do you figure that?

Carly: I'll do anything for Michael. I've proven that. I'll give up anything, go anywhere… I even left YOU for him.

Jason: You left me… (Jason stops) You left the penthouse for AJ. (Carly looks at him defiantly).

Carly: For Michael. Because we were getting beyond twisted, Jason. (Jason flinches almost imperceptibly at the word “Twisted”)

Jason: So you moved him in with the QUARTERMAINES?

Carly: I moved him in with his FATHER. Who had a GOOD job, and who was willing to marry me, and wanted to at least TRY to love me. Concept, I know.

Jason: What does this have to do with anything?

Carly: A whole lot of nothing at all. Except maybe you should stop and think that maybe my intentions aren't totally ugly ALL the time. (Jason says nothing). This was a mistake. God, when the hell am I going to learn? (Carly turns and starts for the door, then stops. There is no earthly way she's going out and facing Luke empty handed. She's supposed to do something. She just has no idea what.) Hey, here's an idea. (She turns and looks back at him, a plan of attack unfolding) What would you do for me, Jason? (Jason looks up at her, obviously taken aback)

Jason: What?

Carly: I mean… If I needed something really badly… Like… Blood or something. You know. If I needed something and you could give it to me… Like you helped me keep Michael… Only it wouldn't cost you and you didn't have to ever see me again… Would you do it? Or has our ship sailed that far out?

Jason: You'd have to tell me what you wanted, first.

Carly: Yeah, I know. But for right now? We're talking hypotheticals.

Jason: I don't talk “hypothetical”, Carly.

Carly: Yeah… What is that about, anyway? I mean… I get the two-demensional thing. And I get the whole imagination thing… But we're standing here, right here… Just you and me. (She looks him dead in the eye) I need a kidney, Jason. What are you going to do?

Jason: You don't need a kidney.

Carly: You don't know that.

Jason: (pushing past her) Yeah, I do. (Carly frowns, feeling a familiar irritation returning. She turns and follows him down the hall, determined)

Carly: No, you don't, not really. Just give me your gut reaction. (She stops and makes a face) Ugh. No pun intended.

Jason: You don't need a kidney, you don't need blood… (He turns back to her, obviously getting irritated himself) You don't need money, or my help with Michael, or much of anything else from me Carly. Whatever it was you wanted from me you got a long time ago, and I don't understand why you can't just leave me ALONE now.

Carly: I was leaving you alone…

Jason: Yeah, WAS being the operative word.

Carly: (shaking her head) Why does this bother you so much? I mean… Jason. If it really pisses you off that I'm here, why don't you just tell Renaldo to tell me to take a flying leap! Hell, why don't YOU tell me to take a flying leap? (Jason looks at the opposite wall, not answering) Come on. I dare you. Just string the words together, tell me what you're thinking. (Jason says nothing) You know that I think? I think you want to know what I'm really doing here. It's a bitch, isn't it? Like that show… (she laughs suddenly) Ok. I've got it. You're the Greatest American Hero, Jason. Do you remember that? (Jason shoot her a look) No, that would be the one of the fringe benefits you have going here. It was about a guy who had this suit? It gave him superpowers. But he didn't have the instructions. So he just kinda… Flew around and hoped for the best. You're like that.

Jason: What the hell are you talking about?

Carly: You got this spooky power to tell when people are lying to you… But it's not like you can actually read their minds. You don't actually know what they're lying about. Or why. You don't know what they want. You just kinda know that you don't know. And that just HAS to drive you nuts. You're not psychic. You don't know what I'm thinking, you don't know how I feel… you never DID. Which, you know… Is kinda the whole problem with us anyway, Jason. (Jason shakes his head and heads towards the stairs, the only part of the apartment that can really be said to be “away” from Carly. Carly laughs slightly) What are you doing?

Jason: Leaving.

Carly: I reiterate. You LIVE here. Why don't you just ask me to leave?

Jason: (Glancing back) Would you?

Carly: Do you want me to? (Jason stares at her)

Jason: When did you decide you cared what I wanted? (There is an ever so slight tremor in his words. Anger. Carly can feel her own adrenaline start to run, old injuries pushing their way back to the surface).

Carly: Right back attcha, Jase. When did you care what I wanted? All I've ever been to you was a warm body… And I think, you know… You could probably take or leave the warm part. And you were glad that I was screwed up enough to get pregnant and scared and just hand the kid over to you… Without EVER asking… Or even considering that maybe there was going to be some baggage… with us.

Jason: (taking a step back down the stairs) What are you talking about?

Carly: I'm talking about US! I'm talking about the whole insanity that we called “us”. I'm standing here… For God knows what reason, really… (She laughs humorlessly) Ok. For reason you're probably pretty damn close to figuring out… but suddenly I'm thinking… Maybe this is really just a really good opportunity. Maybe that's why I let myself do this. Because I'm sick of ducking behind columns at the nurse's ball, and turning the other way at the PC Grille. I don't want to keep looking at you and seeing my biggest mistake. Or feeling guilty because I decided not to be Robin-replacement and taking myself and my son off some place else. (Jason is suddenly down the stairs in now time whatsoever)

Jason: Your son! Your son… He was mine too! He was my son, my son to raise and take care of, you said that! You brought him here, he lived here, I spent time with him and I loved him and I DID WHAT YOU WANTED ME TO DO! And then one day… One day, suddenly… you didn't want me to do it anymore. And then you were gone. And what the hell am I supposed to think about that? What do you want me to do?

Carly: (quietly) It's not like you ever came after me.

Jason: Why would I do that? (Carly stares at a spot on the floor, feeling herself go completely and immediately cold. Oh, come on, she tells herself. You're supposed to be over this. You're a marriage and nine months of single life over this. She looks up at him, disturbed).

Carly: I don't know. Why did you take off to Paris? (there's a long silence as Jason digests this. Carly can feel a year and a half of fury mounting). I'm going to explain something to you… You're mad at me because I screwed with your feelings. Is that it? Did you ever think maybe my head was getting a little messed with too? I mean… I'm here, in your house and you're taking care of me and my son, you're fixing everything. You're making me feel save and protected and… Happy. I was happy, for awhile there. And then… Well, what can I say? I'm stupid. There's really only having a couple of things I'm good at, Jason. You know? If someone is making me happy and I want to make them happy back it's not like I can bake them a cake! (Jason shakes his head slightly, beginning to look confused) Oh, don't pretend you don't know what I'm talking about. I swear to God, sometimes you just act like this so that people will get off your back. You KNOW what happened with us, Jason. You were there. You were a part of it. You were a very willing part of it, if I remember correctly.

Jason: Sex.

Carly: Way to take the romance right out of everything. (Jason gives a long suffering sigh) Oh, I know. This is so hard on you. (Carly sneers, going into full snarl-mode) It must be so hard to listen to me, you know. To have to listen to me be hurt or anything that's not just matter-of-fact. You're mad at me because I made you fall in love with Michael? I didn't make you do that! You did that yourself! But you turned around and made me fall in love with you and you even had SEX with me… for months… and acted like maybe we were a real family… And I know you never said you loved me, or that I was anything more than just some chick sharing your bed… It was always more important that I was Michael's mother than it ever was that I was your lover. But Jason… you could have left a note. You could have left a message on the phone machine, you know?

Jason: No, I… I-I don't.

Carly: I have to come home and get told by Renaldo that you've taken off to Paris to see your TRUE LOVE, without ANY warning… And here I am… Alone. Again. And you expected me to stick around? AJ… He was going to figure it all out anyway, Jason… It was inevitable. And… In some sick way, AJ and I always kinda… Related. Just saw each other for what we really were. And he'd been there, all those months. He'd talked when you wouldn't. He'd told me stuff, stuff… That you'd never say. Like… That he could imagine loving me. He said that. You… You couldn't even consider it. WOULDN'T consider it. You didn't even think that I deserved even the slightest bit of respect to be told that you were leaving me, or taking off to be with this girl… This girl who'd already hurt you! Who'd done all kinds of things… (She takes a deep gulp of air) I was hurt. I felt like you'd just kicked me in the gut. And maybe… I've always wanted to say “I didn't know it would hurt you that much”. But I knew losing Michael was the only way I could take away love from you. Because you didn't care that you had mine. You didn't care about ANYTHING where I was concerned…

Jason: (blurting) Sonny.

Carly: What? (Jason's voice is unnaturally breathy, as if he's not really aware of the pieces that are colliding in his head, isn't ready to see them).

Jason: I went to see Sonny. He was in Paris. That's where I went. (there is a long, long, long silence)

Carly: (Very small) Sonny?

Jason: I didn't go to see Robin. She… We were… (he shakes his head, which is suddenly hurting) It was Sonny. He was there. On his way… Some place else.

Carly: You went because Sonny… Asked you to.

Jason: He needed me. (Carly's eyes widen as this begins to sink in)

Carly: You did…

Jason: I didn't even see Robin. I think she had finals. (It comes out very matter-of-fact, as if the idea of Carly thinking anything different was insane.)

Carly: (stuttering) You-you-you-you…

Jason: I didn't go to see her. (Carly shakes her head)

Carly: Then… you… What? (She looks back at him) Oh my God.

Jason: When I got back, you were gone. You were gone and telling AJ that you weren't sure that Michael wasn't his. That a part of you wished he was. And that he'd been all wrong about the RH factor. And it wasn't like I could say “AJ, she's lying!” because then I'd just HELP you get what you wanted. So I let you play like you were just confused… Like you didn't really lie. I never told him… or anyone… the truth. And you're telling me this is because I went to Paris? (Carly spins around, shaking, tears starting to roll down her face, absolutely furious)

Carly: WOULD IT KILL YOU TO THINK BEFORE YOU DO SOMETHING? (She grabs her hair, pulling on it, and turns away from him) I can't believe you. I just… I can't believe this. (She laughs, heightened) You didn't go see her. (She laughs harder) Oh my GOD! You just went to PARIS! Well, ain't my face red! (Carly leans against the couch in near hysterics) So… (She gasps for breath) Basically, the whole last year and a half of hell has been… Let me see if I can find the word… COMPLETELY POINTLESS?

Jason: You never asked me how I felt.

Carly: Oops. I'll make a note of that.

Jason: And you never said you loved me.

Carly: Jason? When someone looks at you like you're the reason the sun rises…? It usually means they think you're pretty swell. (Jason gives her a look of complete vulnerability and injury. Carly can feel herself getting pulled towards him. Instead she picks up a vase and hurtles it at the wall. It shatters on impact, leaving a deep grove in the wall) Of COURSE I loved you, you idiot! I just figured, if I sprung that on you, you'd… you'd… (She stops, bowing her head. You'd say you loved Robin. You'd say this was just about Michael. You'd say they had a good thing going and not to screw it up with feelings. All the things she expected. All the things she'd hoped to change, if she just waited long enough. And right when she'd thought things were changing, right when he was starting to do things like kiss her in public, or touch her differently, right when she was beginning to believe it was really happening, he was really starting to fall in love with her too, he'd left. And she had lost her mind). This isn't happening.

Jason: You came into my life, Carly… You turned everything upside down. You turned Sonny's place into my place. Into OUR place. And then you left. You gave me a family and then you took it away.

Carly: I… I thought…

Jason: So you understand why I'm not in a big hurry to help you out again. (Carly nods, then dissolves into tears)

Carly: Oh my God. I can't believe this… I just… Oh my God. (Jason stares at the opposite wall, willing himself not to react to his, not to feel anything, not to react. There's no point. There's not point. Carly looks up at him, shuddering with the overload of emotions… grief, confusion and that overwhelming pull she's always had to this man. She takes a few steps towards him). I… I think… (she stops, laughing in a quick burst) I think I'm actually sorry, Jason. (she shakes her head, her tears welling up again) God, I'm sorry on more levels than I knew existed. I wish… Oh my God, I wish I'd never… I wish you'd… (Carly flounders, waving her arms around uselessly. Jason, unable to stand this another moment, steps towards her, grabbing a box of Kleenex Graciela had strategically placed by the couch while Emily was sleeping there and never moved. He hands it to her. Carly pulls out several tissues, with reckless disregard to tree life everywhere. She presses them against her face, clenched in a fist, and mops up the river of mascara running down her cheeks). I'm such a mess. (she laughs again) Some thing just don't change. (Carly looks up at Jason, meeting his eyes, and Jason feels things start to get hazardous. He becomes aware that he can't quite feel the ground beneath him, that he's getting sucked right into her, into her eyes, into the sincere devastation he can see there. He takes what he thinks is half a step towards her and suddenly, without ever making the decision, she's in his arms, her face hot from crying, pressed against his chest, his arms encircling her. He lowers his head and catches the scent of her hair… The same way it's always smelt. Something that hasn't changed in the last two and a half years. It hits him hard, harder than he thought it was going to. Even though he's always known, on some level, that he shouldn't let himself touch her again. That he shouldn't even let her near him. Not if he doesn't want to get right back where he was when she left him. He feels her shift against him, and lifts his head, so that he's looking down into her face, his mouth just inches from hers. Knowing, with ever fiber of his being, that this is as dangerous as anything he's ever done, he feels himself sinking into her, his lips crashing down on hers for the first time in years.)

Out in the hall

Luke looks up from his study at the floor at the sound of glass shattering against a wall. He stares at the door, then lets out a low chuckle.

Luke: Sounds like the show's started. And here you made me miss the coming attractions. (Renaldo looks unamused) Ok, you're going to make me work, aren't you? I've always been a sucker for a poker face. Never really trust them, first of all. People who spend all there time looking like nothing could shake them have a hell of a lot of stuff burning up inside of them. (There is a shriek, Carly's voice, something neither Renaldo nor Luke can make out) Take your boss, for instance. He's got to have some kind of volcanic explosion inside him, just WAITING for an excuse to come out. Now you got someone like me… I just let it all come out, the chips fall where they may… And that keeps my head clear. (Renaldo furrows his brow in confusion) Because really, no one can tell where I'm going. And at my age, it's nice to know you can still surprise people. (He pauses, and then looks up, cocking his head to one side) Hark! What's this I hear? (dead silence. Complete and total silence. Luke grins) Whereas SOME people are really predictable. They're running around with so much stuff bottled up inside them all you gotta do it shake them a little and you feel the after shocks for weeks. (he nods at the door) what'd ya think is going on in there? (Renaldo looks back over his shoulder at the door, admitting to himself that the quiet it kind of eerie. The moment his back is turned, Luke attacks, having slipped a pair of brass knuckles on, and collides his fist expertly with the body guards jaw. Stunned, Renaldo stumbles back, looks at Luke and manages to digest what just happens as darkness over takes him and he slumps to the floor. Luke drops his fist, shaking it out.) Well, that probably bought me about thirty seconds. (He looks at the door) Come on, Caroline. Let's see if you've done your job.