Chapter One Hundred Ninety:
Loose Ends

The Patio of Le Ferie, Brindisi, Italy.

Theo Marfoglia sits at a table outdoors of Le Ferie looking over a note book and making notes in the margin between taking gulps of a cup of black espresso. A shadow falls over his table and he looks up.

Luke: Mornin'. (The pulls his glasses down his nose and looks at his visitor studiously)

Theo: Mornin'. (he leans back) What can I do for you, friend?

Luke: (smiling slightly) Marfoglia, right?

Theo: You're a friend of Sonny's. The guy who owns the blues club... We met. I was at the opening. (He looks down) Fifty pounds lighter and in a better suit. (Luke smirks)

Luke: Rings a bell. (he extends a hand) Luke Spencer. (Theo takes it and gives a firm up and down shake before releasing it)

Theo: Yeah, the name proceeds you. Even if you weren't a friend of Corinthos. (he nods towards the chair) You were a bit of legend for a while there. Marathon Man... Running and running and never getting caught.

Luke: Long time ago.

Theo: That it is. What brings you to Brindisi? (Luke reaches into the pocket of his jacket and slides a photograph towards Theo, face down. Theo looks at it a moment, then reaches out and picks it up. He looks at it, his face blank, for a few moments, then back to Luke) Good lookin' kid. Yours?

Luke: Well, he's his own man. But he's my son, yeah. (Theo nods slowly)

Theo: Riiiiiight... Young Spencer.... Lucas, isn't it?

Luke: Goes by Lucky. But good memory.

Theo: (chuckles slightly) Yeah, I think I met this kid. (He puts the photo down) But he would have been around ten.

Luke: Haven't seen him since? (Theo looks out at the water over Luke's shoulder, shaking his head)

Theo: Can't say that I have. This is a little far from home, isn't it?

Luke: He was doing some time in Rome. But I hear he came here before heading off to Greece. He didn't come to see you before he caught the ferry?

Theo: Nope.

Luke: Ok. (he leans forward) Look. We have mutual friends. And I know you owe Sonny for this lovely little set up you have here. I also know Morgan gave my son your name. And he came here. I appreciate you covering for him, but I gotta find the kid. Now. Don't make me get compelling. (Theo gives Luke a long level look)

Theo: (Finally) Never said his name. Didn't answer any questions. But he was here, yeah. One thing he did say -- The girl he was with.

Luke: Is she Ok?

Theo: Yeah. Exhausted, but Ok. He told me she was Morgan's sister. To compel me, I think. (Luke smirks)

Luke: Compel you to do what?

Theo: Keep my mouth shut, for starters. (Theo leans across the table) Something else he told me. Someone might come lookin' for him. And he didn't want to be found.

Luke: I'm not the someone he was talking about. (Theo raises his brow)

Theo: No? He said it was personal. Said it might be a friend of Corinthos. And it was no one he wanted to see. (Luke stares at him. Something in his eyes flickers, but it quickly disappears.)

Luke: Not me he's talkin' about. And even is he is... He's wrong.

Theo: Fathers and sons... Messy business. Nothing I want to get involved in. (Luke gives a soft laugh)

Luke: Hey.. I'm thisclose to out of your hair.

Theo: I'll say one thing, Spencer. You trained that kid well. Not much I can tell you.

Luke: I'm listening to what you got.

Theo: All right. (leans back) I can tell you this much. He was looking some protection and safe passage. I gave him one and pointed him in the direction of the other. What happened to him after that -- sadly -- I couldn't say.

Luke: Who was it? The guy you sent him to?

Theo: Family of smugglers... Haven't seen them since. (He strokes his beard) This was... What? A week ago? Maybe? They only pull into port ever six weeks or something.

Luke: Any idea where they were heading? (raises his brow) Out of BRINDISI?

Theo: (smirks) Don't think you really need an answer to that. But he didn't tell me anything. I told you, he played this whole thing so close to the vest he probably had friction burns. (Luke stifles an urge to grin)

Luke: That's my boy.

Theo: (after a moment) I'll be honest with you, though. I got the feeling he was a bit off his game. Gave new meaning to the word "tense".

Luke: (looks away) Yeah, well. He does better distracted than most people hope to do in their life.

Theo: I'll give you that.

Luke: When did he pull out of here? (Theo closes his eyes, doing the math.)

Theo: Last Thursday.

Luke: And his company? (there's a long pause. Luke looks up)

Theo: The girl. I told you. Why, there was supposed to be someone else? (Luke looks at him, digesting this)

Luke: You sure? You WANT to be sure. (Theo gives a slight smile)

Theo: Oh, the things I miss, havin' left the life... It's been awhile since I've been threatened so... subtly. If that's what you call it.

Luke: Nothing that can't be read two ways if you're up to the challenge.

Theo: He was with a girl. Tall, pretty teenager. Determined little creature, but kinda fragile. That sound like her? Tell Morgan not to worry. He's taking good care of her. (Luke nods, and stands up)

Luke: Good. He'll be glad to hear that. (He pauses at the table, then knocks on the top twice with his knuckle) He was taking care of himself though. (It's not a question, but it's clear what he's looking to hear. Theo looks at him a moment)

Theo: I think I can say.... I'm glad I stayed on his good side. (Luke gives a small smile)

Luke: Watch your back, man. (he looks up at Theo) Take it from experience. You can never get too comfortable. (He turns and walks away before Theo has a chance to respond)

Bannister's Wharf.

Carly sits on a bench, an arm around Michael's chest, trying to prevent him from acting on his desires, which are, it seems, to escape her grasp and make a two-year-old run for it towards the water. Carly is trying to distract him from the boats and other interesting water activities by pointing out sea gulls. Michael is stubbornly refusing to acknowledge the nature in the surroundings, instead watching waves made by motor boats come in and make bigger splashes against the dock. Michael notices a couple of ducks, being assaulted by the waves, making their way along. His eyes light up just as a voice calls out to his mother.

Jason: Carly. (Carly looks up, startled. She takes in the sight of Jason, dressed out of character, having abandoned the suit in favor of an age look -- jeans and a T-shirt. She drops her grip on Michael)

Carly: Jason. What's -- (Michael, having escaped, makes a quick dash away from his mother. Carly, forgetting about her visitor for a moment, stands up, starting after him) MICHAEL! (Michael stops dead) Michael, get AWAY from there! (Michael turns back and looks cowed, returning to his stern looking mother. She reaches out and pulls Michael up and into her arms, sitting down again, with him held firmly on her lap) I'm going to start putting you on one of those kiddie harnesses, I swear! (Michael squirms and points)

Michael: Ducks!

Carly: Yes, ducks. Ducks that fly and swim and do stuff you can't. That's why we just WATCH the ducks. (Michael humphs. Carly looks over at Jason) Hi. I said that already, didn't I? (Jason nods, looking at Michael)

Jason: Yeah, you did. (Carly gives a wane smile)

Carly: I'm... I'm having a rough day. (She looks at her watch) Already.

Jason: You working today?

Carly: In an hour and a half. I just... Brought Michael out to see the sun go up. He's up at an ungodly hour every day like clockwork. (She looks at Jason) You're out early.

Jason: Haven't gone to bed yet. (Carly nods, and turns to look out at the water again)

Carly: How're you doin', Mr. Man? You Ok? (Michael looks up at Carly)

Michael: Tuck.

Carly: What?

Michael: TUCK. (Carly shakes her head)

Carly: Oh. TRUCK. Right. (She reaches into her pocket and pulls out a small wooden toy truck and hands it to Michael. He grabs it from her and starts examining it.) You're welcome, Michael. (He says nothing. Carly sighs) Ok, so we're still working on that part.

Jason: What part?

Carly: Please and thank you.

Jason: Oh. (He frowns) He's still young.

Carly: Yeah, but if he doesn't say them, Bobbie looks at me like I'm deficient. (She sighs and looks down at Michael. She smoothes his hair with her hand and kisses the top of his head, avoiding looking back at Jason)

Jason: Have you seen the news? (Carly nods slightly, fixing her gaze on the water)

Carly: I guess it was just a matter of time.

Jason: I pulled every string I could. The commissioner came down on this himself. (Carly nods, then gives an involuntary shudder)

Carly: I can't believe this. They don't have any evidence. They can't -- he didn't do it.

Jason: (exhaling) He's the only suspect.

Carly: I know. (She leans back) They came to talk to me. The police? Right after Luke left. I didn't tell them anything though. (She looks over at him) Did they talk to you?

Jason: Yeah. (there's a pause) Look, this is what I have to talk to you about. (Carly nods)

Carly: Yeah, well. I knew you were here for some reason.

Jason: They're going after Lucky because they think it was me. There was this really old contract on her head - nothing that was ever taken too seriously. Jealous boyfriend. But it was never canceled. So they've found a way to link me... And because Lucky knew her --

Carly: one two three murder rap. (she shakes her head) Remind me, next time I relocate, to find a place where the words "to serve and protect" are taken a little more seriously.

Jason: (after a moment) You're relocating?

Carly: What? No. No -- Just... You know. Whatever, whenever... If I end up some place else. (she runs a hand through her hair) I'm not real thrilled about the fact that I live some place where they'd bring down a warrant for arrest with basically no hard evidence.

Jason: They can push it. The thing with Emily, the fact that he was there, that he blew town... And the guy they got most of their information from ended up floating in the river with a bullet in the back of his head... But yeah, it's pretty flimsy. (Carly lets out a long sigh)

Carly: Does Luke know?

Jason: He hasn't checked in. And it's not the stuff of international news.

Carly: You'd just think that.. Somehow... If you were wanted for murder, you'd know it.

Jason: I don't think Lucky wants to know. (Carly shoots Jason an incredulous look)

Carly: Oh. Well, Ok then! That works. Of course, he'll probably be a bit sheepish when he gets arrested at the airport if he ever makes it back here!

Jason: None of this is going to stick, Carly. And Lucky's not stupid, he'll check in before he comes back to the states. (Carly shakes her head)

Carly: This whole thing makes me sick. Like there isn't enough stuff screwed up in this town, now I've got my cousin wanted for murder. And all the people who can fix have vanished off the face of the earth.

Jason: Well. I know where Luke was headed. (Carly looks up at him, skeptically).

Carly: Really.

Jason: He called in a favor. He wanted to make sure Lulu and Lesley stayed safe through all of this.

Carly: So you helped him with that. After what happened at the penthouse?

Jason: (smiling slightly) Well. I didn't make Renaldo get involved, but yeah. It was a good cause. And this way, he might start thinking we're even.

Carly: Are you? (Jason shrugs. Carly makes a face) How is Renaldo?

Jason: Don't take it too personally if he's not that happy to see you next time.

Carly: (sighing) Personally? It was kinda my fault. If it means anything, I didn't think Luke was going to do that. (Jason shoots her a look) Ok. So I knew he was going to do something, I just... I didn't really WANT to think about what it was. (She exhales) I was trying to help Lucky. That's all. (Jason nods. After a moment he walks down and sits down next to her on the bench. Carly sucks her breath in and holds it a moment. Michael, sensing tension, looks up at her, then at Jason)

Jason: You really care what happens to him. (Carly shifts Michael on her lap)

Carly: Uh... Yeah. (she smirks) And this way, he might start thinking we're even. (She looks at Jason) One thing about Spencers. They really know how to hold a favor over your head. One day I might try that. Actually have someone in MY debt instead of the other way around.

Jason: Carly.... (he shakes his head) The way you look at things... It's not...

Carly: What? Normal? You're one to talk.

Jason: ... Like everyone else.

Carly: Is... Is that a good or bad thing?

Jason: It's just a thing. (He looks at her a long moment, then reaches out and pulls her hand, which has been gripping her thigh, into his) I didn't just come here to talk about Lucky. (Carly stares at her hand like it's a foreign entity to her, then looks up at him)

Carly: Oh. (Jason frowns, then reaches out and puts his hand under her chin, tipping her face up to meet her eyes. Carly looks at him for a microsecond, then shudders, and moves away, disturbing Michael. Jason drops his hand and lets out a long suffering sigh)

Jason: I want to talk to you.

Carly: Now.... Is not the best time.

Jason: Then when is.

Carly: Looks. (She gives a nervous laugh, running her hand through her hair) I... I know everything that happened the other day... That was all strange and surprising and... Yeah, it threw me. But... We don't owe each other anything. It's probably just best to... (she shrugs) chalk it up to experience? (She sneaks a quite look back at Jason and notes that his expression has hardened into stone. Oh, great)

Jason: I have one question for you.

Carly: Uh. Yeah?

Jason: Before Luke came in... Or after he came in. Why did you tell me what was going on?

Carly: What do you mean?

Jason: Carly, we were halfway up the stairs, you knew what was going to happen -- (Carly's hands fly up and cover Michael's ears)

Carly: (hissing) Jason! (Michael and Jason both look a little shocked at this action. Carly, realizing she's just pulled a behavior worthy of Virginia Benson, drops her hands and shakes her head hard) I told you because you would have noticed.

Jason: Carly, I wouldn't have noticed if a freight train had passed through the living room. (Carly looks over at him sharply)

Carly: Really?

Jason: Would YOU have?

Carly: Uh. Again. Young ears. (she coughs) Ok, so maybe we do have to talk.

Jason: Just answer the question. You didn't HAVE to tell me. Why did you?

Carly: Because. You would have found out. And... It would... It would have looked like I was there do... Do that. And I wasn't. I just -- (she puts her hand to her temple and squeezes her eyes shut) It didn't FEEL right, Ok? (Jason doesn't answer. Carly drops her hand and looks over at him in confusion) What? (Jason still just looks at her, turning this information over in his brain.) Uh, look... I have to get going, if you -- (Jason leans in quickly, catching her bottom lip between his and gives her a surprisingly soft kiss. She freezes, caught off guard, then lets her eyes close and returns the kiss briefly before pulling back. She looks at Jason apprehensively, then notices her son looking up at her, his eyes wide. She turns away, and rubs her thumb along her bottom lip. She feels Jason's hand push her hair back from her face.)

Jason: I'll call you. (Carly swallows hard and finds herself nodding)

Carly: Yeah. Ok. (Jason stands up, looking at Michael a moment. He smiles at the child who looks at him oddly, cocking his head to one side)

Jason: And don't worry about Lucky. I'm not going to let anything happen to him.

Guest Quarters, Cassadine Compound.

Emily lies on her stomach, staring at the curtains blowing on the window. She isn't sure what time it is, or how long she's been lying here. Hours... Probably over twelve. She didn't eat the diner left for her, and Mariah has come and gone with breakfast, which is still sitting on the same table. She's barely moved. Just lay still, drifted off, drifted back... Nothing much has changed, outside of the sun rising and setting. She blinks heavy lids, then turns her head, grinding her head in the pillow and facing the other wall and the empty bed beside her.

He never came back. It's a big house, she's not worried... But he never came back. That hadn't happened before. Granted, they hadn't had a fight quite like that since they'd been... Living together? Wow. How had that happened?

She had somehow grown accustomed to him sleeping no more than a few feet away. To having a room that was 'theirs' and not hers. And considering his midnight walks to burn off more energy than anyone should be allowed to possess after sunset, and the fact that he sometimes opted to sleep in chairs or go off to start the day before she even woke up, she was surprised at how disquieting she found his absence. It didn't feel like the silences that followed some of their worse arguments. It fells like a kind of quiet she hadn't experienced before. It hurts. Aches, in the pit of her stomach, in a way that is allowing her to summon tears with little or no effort.

That silence is broken by the sound of the door opening. Emily closes her eyes, not wanting to deal with anyone. She brings her knees up to her chest, under the sheets, and closes her eyes.

Em: (strained) You can take the tray... I really don't think I'll have anything. (there is a long silence and Emily cringes. That probably sounded horrible)

Lucky: Now you're not eating? (Emily freezes, in much as someone who is not moving can. She feels her heart beat pick up and tiny needle pricks all over her body. Her throat closes. She tries to think of something to do, something to say, but comes up empty. The silences stretches on and on until she finally finds it in her to roll over onto her back and look up at him. He's standing beside the bed, closer than she'd guessed, looking down at her. Emily pushes her hair back from her face, but doesn't sit up. She looks at him a long moment, then exhales)

Em: Hi.

Lucky: Hi. (Emily opens her mouth to say something then stops. There is absolutely nothing to say. Her eyes dart around the ceiling looking for a clue, and, finding none, she sits up in a sudden movement, a deeply disturbed expression on her face. She pushes her hair back from her face again, away that she must be resembling Medusa at this point)

Em: Uh... (She clenches her hand around her hair, pulling it over one shoulder. The length doesn't allow for this kind of treatment and slips away from her.) Where did you... (she stops, cutting of the question. Pointless. He slept some place that wasn't here and she doesn't even care what the answer is. She closes her eyes tightly, willing herself to come up with something more... Important to say. Like... Like anything! There has to be something, something she hasn't said before, something he'll believe. Nothing is offering itself so she just turns her head and looks at him, her eyes wide. He's watching her, still, his expression inscrutable. She turns, under the sheet, and pulls herself up on her knees so that she can at least be on the same eye level as him. She opens her mouth to speak, but the words, if she has any to offer, catch in her throat. She wants to say she's sorry, but he hates hearing that almost as much as she does. She wants to tell him he was wrong, but he's already said he doesn't believe it. She stares at him helplessly. There really is nothing to say. There's not way that she can think of to make any of this better. She lifts her arms and then drops them in a gesture of utter futility. She sees something in his eyes, at that motion -- something he's trying to hold back, that same regret and fear that she knows she's holding onto. Like this is something that isn't going to fix itself. Seeing that he's thinking along the same lines, she feels her stomach contract violently and tears spring immediately to her eyes) Lucky... (Her voice comes out high pitched and nearly hysterical. Lucky moves towards her, closing the distance, and Emily's arms are raised and wrapping around him before she even realizes consciously that he's moved. His arms close around her waist and his head buries itself against her shoulder. Emily hugs him as tightly, turning her head against his neck, letting the tears start to flow.

There's still nothing to say).