UNDERSTANDING

Part Fourty-Four

Joanna sat on the floor of the motel room, her legs drawn up to where her knees touched her face, which was buried in them. She felt like crying, but she had no tears left. How many nights had she lain in her bed, just waiting for her father to come. Waiting for the pain to start, and her recurring nightmare to begin playing. Through all of that, all of it, she'd felt like it was her fault. It was her fault that her father wanted her. She must be doing something wrong. Now, she felt numb. Numb with the knowledge that she never SHOULD have gone through that. Years of torture, years of pain................followed by years of nightmares, years of inadequacy. She wanted to just curl up and die. She rocked back and forth, trying to block the memories from her mind.

Jared sat on the bed watching her retreat into herself, wishing there were something he could do. Could he just sit back and let her go through this alone? He knew she needed someone, but he also knew that if he knelt down to where she was, and took her in his arms, there would be no going back. He couldn't deny that he felt something for her, but could he put himself in that position? He'd always promised himself that he would never mix business with pleasure, and Joanna was definitely business.............and still, he wanted her. He wanted to help her, to hold her, to kiss her, to make everything alright for her. A small sob broke free from her lips, and he could hold back no longer. He hit his knees on the floor and went to her side. He reached out to touch her, and she shied away, but this time he would not back down.

"Joanna......." he whispered softly, "Joanna, please........" He lifted her head up, forcing her to meet his eyes. She whimpered a little, but held his gaze. He knew it was wrong, but there was no stopping it. The electricity and fire between them at that moment had a life of its own, and he brought his lips down to hers in a kiss so tender it nearly stopped her heart. He pulled back, his eyes letting her know he would not fight his feelings any longer, and that he wanted to help her. "Please let me help you........"

She reached out her hand slightly, and that gesture was all it took for him to pull her up and crush his body to hers. She held on for dear life, letting him feel the fear and anger, and most of all desire. She pulled her head back, and kissed him tentatively on the lips. Before she knew what was happening, the kiss turned passionate, and they ended up on the bed, shirts off, and kissing each other as if they'd never get the chance again. She couldn't think what this meant, she only knew it felt right. "Jared............." she whispered huskily against his mouth, "I need you..............please........" She needed to feel loved, as if someone wanted her.....................whoever she was. She really didn't even know anymore.

Jared pulled back to look into her eyes, "Are you sure?"

"Are you?" she asked him back.

They stared for a moment, and both knew it would be impossible to stop now...........even if they wanted to. In answer to her question, he covered his mouth with hers and showed her just how sure he was.

****************************************************

AJ helped V into the gatehouse, and sat her down on the couch as he went to get the first aid kit he knew had to be somewhere in the house.

V sat on the couch thinking of all she'd been through and said a silent prayer that she'd been found. She really didn't know AJ Quartermaine all that well, but it seemed to her he was an angel in disguise. She wanted to figure out what he was doing with Helena Cassadine, but first things first, she thought. Her whole body felt battered, and she just wanted to go to sleep. She leaned back on the couch, and shut her eyes, reveling in the fact that she felt safe here. She sat back up when she heard him reappear into the room. He walked over to her, and handed her a towel and washcloth, "Ok, the bathroom is the first door on the left down that hallway, go ahead and take a shower, then we'll take a look at those cuts. Some of them look pretty bad." She nodded, and he watched as she exited the room. He thought of all he'd learned that night, and decided he needed to get a hold of Sonny or Johnny right away. He was sure there was something they could use on that disk, and he knew V would be valuable, the expert on Helena Cassadine from all her research. He walked over to the door, and walked outside. "Hey!" he called out, knowing someone would be there watching him, "You can come out, I know you're there. I need you to deliver a message to Mr. Corinthos for me." He watched as a guard seemingly walked out of nowhere. He had to admit, these guys were good. The guard approached him, and he gave the message he needed to be given. "Tell your boss that I've got something for him, and I need to meet with him." He didn't wait for a response, but headed back inside. He needed to take care of his bargaining chip...........the one who was going to save him from the depths of Corinthos Prison. He smiled thinking of the day he would lead a normal life again................well, as normal as it ever got for him.

*******************************************************

Chloe lay in her bed, thinking of all the things Carly had said. She shouldn't be upset, Jax was no good for her, and she knew it. She would always be second fiddle to him, never as important as his beloved Brenda. She guessed she couldn't blame him for that, but it still didn't hurt any less. She had loved him once. True, that love had faded a while back, but she could remember it, and she missed being in love. She stood up and decided she needed to go for a walk, clear her head. She tiptoed down the stairs quietly so as not to wake up Mikey or Sonny and Carly, and slipped out the front door, where Rick was there to greet her. "Hi," she said, wondering why he looked so menacing, "I was just going to go for a walk........"

"I'm sorry, Ms. Morgan, but I have instructions not to let anyone out of the penthouse." He crossed his arms, and stood blocking her path to the elevator.

"I just want to go for a walk, I can't go for a walk?" She was getting a little agitated.

"I'm sorry, No Ms. Morgan. I have my orders." He was not going to move.

"Look!" she yelled, getting angry now, "I am a grown woman, I can go for a walk any time I please! Now if you'll please excuse me!" She tried to push past him, but he gently pulled her off him, and set her down in front of the door. She was about to have a fit when she saw Johnny walking toward them. "Johnny! Thank goodness, will you please tell this man I can go for a walk??" She crossed her arms, and looked at him expectantly.

"Chloe..............Rick is right, you can't go for a walk by yourself..........." She opened her mouth to let out a retort, but he cut her off, "BUT......" he said, "I was just about to go out for a walk when I heard some loud shrieking noises................so if you would like, you can join me." He held out his hand, and Chloe, still a little miffed, stuck her nose up. "Fine," he said, "if you want you can go back up to bed, but you're not leaving here alone....." He started to walk away, and smiled when he felt her fall into step beside him.

They rode the elevator in silence, standing side by side, and when they stepped into the cool night air, they fell into a comfortable pace walking along the street, toward the park.

Johnny spoke once to ask how she was feeling, and she replied that she was fine, and the silence resumed. It wasn't an awkward silence, for they had plenty to say to each other, but it was a silence filled with unspoken words. After a while, they headed home, and parted with a lingering look, and a small goodbye.

Chloe lay back down in her bed wondering just how he knew exactly what she needed, and also wondering how long it would be before he would kiss her again. She had a feeling her dreams wouldn't be too bad tonight..............unless Helena had other plans.

**********************************************************

"Sonny........" she whispered.

"Hmmmmmm......" he grumbled.

"Sonny????" she whispered a little louder, poking him in the side.

"What?" he asked groggily.

"Are you awake?"

He let out a long sigh, "I am now."

She giggled, and leaned up on one elbow, looking down at the gorgeous face she loved so well. "You know what?"

"What?" He opened his eyes to look up at her.

"I love you."

He looked at her questioningly, seeing the tears glistening in her eyes. "I love you too Carly. What's wrong?"

"Oh..........I was just thinking." She sighed, and sank her head down lower until her chin was resting on his chest.

"Bout what?" He brought a hand up to play with her hair.

"About, you know.............what I'd do if I lost you...." She looked down and would not meet his eyes.

He reached down, and pulled her up on top of him, where her face was inches from his. "You're not gonna lose me Carly..................you can't get rid of me that easily."

She smiled, and lowered her mouth to his. She pulled back, and met his gaze evenly. "I don't know what I'd do Sonny...........if you weren't in my life."

"Hmmmmm," he thought for a second, "you could handle it. I mean, don't get me wrong, I know I'm a heckuva guy, but you............you're strong Caroline, you can make it through anything."

"Maybe," she said, as she brought her lips back down on his, "But everything's so much easier with you by my side."

She rolled off of him, and lay down at his side, her leg thrown over his, and one arm encircling his waist. He placed one hand on her shoulder and rubbed her gently. "Yeah well............I'm not going anywhere........"

"Good. Guess who I met today at Stefan's house?" She asked, remembering that she'd forgotten to tell him about her strange visit to Wyndamere that day.

"Who?"

"My brother."

"Nikolas? How did that happen?"

"Apparently, that's why Stefan had me come out there today. I wasn't prepared for it, but I don't think it went too bad. Nikolas was overwhelmed, I know, but when I was leaving to come home, he came out to the launch, and welcomed me to the family. It's so wierd.......you know, having a family...............I always longed for one when I was a kid, and now...........I have more than I know what to do with. I'm not even sure I want them as my family."

"Well, you have all the family you'll ever need right here. Just you, me, Michael, and our little baby. How did two people like us ever get so lucky?"

"I don't know Sonny," she sighed, finally getting tired enough to drift off to sleep, "but isn't it wonderful?"

"Yeah..........." he felt her body relax as she fell asleep, and he drew her closer to him, then rolled her over so he could spoon her body, and grasped her hand. This was the way he loved to sleep, her in his arms, and their hands entertwined over their baby. He tried not to think about the tragedy he felt sure was on its way. He wasn't allowed to be happy.........was he?

UNDERSTANDING 

Part Fourty-Five 



AJ and V sat side by side in the office, waiting for Corinthos to decide to grace them with his
presence. V shifted uncomfortably in her chair and looked worriedly over at AJ. He reached his
hand out and patted hers, "It's going to be alright. He doesn't have any reason to be anything but
nice to you. You've never done anything wrong..........except come here with me," he whispered
the last under his breath. She smiled and looked away. She'd heard stories of Sonny Corinthos.
She didn't think she'd be quite so worried if she didn't have news that would not make him happy.
She took a deep breath and told herself to toughen up. For Goodness Sake, she was an Interpol
agent. She could handle this. 

Just then, the door opened, and both AJ and V watched in amazement as Sonny Corinthos and
another man stalked confidently into the room. V had to admit, he was a breathtaking man. So
confident and cool, not to mention devastatingly handsome. His face was unsmiling as he took a
seat at his desk, and the other man came to sit on the corner of the desk. 

AJ stood up and began, "Sonny, these are for you......." He took the disks out of his pocket, and
threw them onto the desk. 

"What are these, Junior?" Sonny's voice was menacing, and laced with hatred. V was taken
aback at how much animosity was between the two men, and wondered why AJ was helping this
man out that he hated so much. 

"I got into Helena Cassadine's computer, and downloaded almost everything. There are some
things on there I'm sure you'll be most anxious to read.................." he hesitated before
continuing, "Starting with the fact that Carly is a Cassadine....." He backed up and sat back down
in his chair, watching Sonny's face. Much to his amazement, Sonny didn't seem fazed. 

"I knew that.............what is she doing here?" He pointed to the woman sitting beside AJ. He
remembered seeing her around town with Jax. 

"She has some information for you regarding Helena." He decided it was time to let her take the
reigns. 

Showtime, V thought. "I'm V Ardanowski, Mr. Corinthos." She stood up, and reached her hand
across the desk, and he ignored it, looking her straight in the eye. She backed off, a little
flustered. She looked over at the man sitting on the desk, and nodded her head at him, only to be
greeted with a cool nod in return. 

"What is it that you can tell me, Ms. Ardanowski?" Sonny had no intention of treating her with any
respect, after all she was here with AJ. He couldn't think of anything more incriminating than
that. He kept his voice flat, "You know something about Helena Cassadine?" 

Somehow, she maintained her cool, and looked him square in the eye. "Yes, I do." She paused for
a moment to gather her wits, and started, "Caroline Benson is not the only Cassadine heir that's
been missing for quite some time. There's one other child of Stefan Cassadine that's not been
revealed yet." She braced herself for what she knew was on its way. "The other child is Joanna
Sorel..........." The words hung in the air, and there was silence. 

Sonny felt like the breath had been knocked out of him. "Sorel's daughter is Carly's sister?" 

"Yes. Sorel and Helena have been good friends for a very long time. In fact, they used to be lovers
a long time ago. I'm not totally sure they aren't still. Joanna is Nikolas' twin, both the product of
Stefan Cassadine and Laura Spencer. They parted ways many years ago, after their affair ended,
but they've reunited with a common enemy. That enemy is you." 

"How do you know all of this?" Sonny asked. 

"Well, I work for Interpol now," she paused, noticing how both men before her tensed up at the
fact that she was a cop. Must be a reflex, she thought. "When I was training to become an agent, I
was going over case files, and came across files on the Cassadines. I did research, and long
story short, I stumbled across this information. Helena found out about it, and had me kidnapped.
I think that's proof enough that what I know is dangerous to her. But I'm sure that's not enough for
you, so..........." She places the large file on his desk. "There's everything I know. It's got proof that
Joanna is a Cassadine, and that Helena is working with Sorel to bring you down. Surveillance
photos, phone transcripts, everything pointing us to this conclusion. I was just about to go to my
superiors and turn all this in against them when I was kidnapped." She put her hands on the edge
of the desk and leaned forward to talk to him. "I want to help you bring her down." 

Sonny stared hard at her. "Why not go to your superiors and turn them in since you have all this
information against them? Why help me?" 

V's eyebrows raised, and her eyes turned dark, "Number one, Mr. Corinthos, because Helena's
got some of my superiors on her payroll. I overheard her talking on the phone with one of my
bosses while she was holding me. They will never bring charges against her. And number
two...............because that woman did some horrible, awful..........." her whole body shuddered as
she bit out the words, "........things to me. I want to make her pay. I think I've earned that
right..................don't you?" She held his gaze, and Sonny watched the fire ignite in her eyes. She
was a fighter, kind of reminded him of Carly. She wanted Helena to go down, just like him. 

V watched his eyes soften toward her. He was not completely trust-worthy, but he knew she was
telling the truth. He gave a half-smile, and reached out his hand to her, "Yes, I suppose you do.
It's a deal, V Ardanowski." His face went hard as he caught a glimpse of AJ out of the corner of his
eye, "But be warned, I don't tolerate betrayal. Johnny and I here won't take it very well if you
double cross us, will we Johnny?" He looked over at Johnny. 

"No, I don't think we will........" Johnny watched in interest as the scene unfolded. This girl was
fiesty, but he wasn't totally sure they could trust her just yet. It didn't say much that she and AJ
looked close. 

V backed off and smiled at them, "Well gentlemen, you won't have to worry about that. But let me
warn you of something...............I will bring Helena down, with you or without you." AJ felt a surge
of respect shoot up. She certainly can hold her own. 

Sonny spoke up first. "Johnny?" 

"Yeah." Johnny was watching V with a cold stare, and he answered his boss, eyes never leaving
her. 

"Extra guards on those two. I don't know if I trust her yet, she looks awfully cozy with Junior. I
want a backgroud check on her, and I want to know every move they make." 

V gave them an indignant stare as they talked about her while she was still in the room. She sat
in her seat next to AJ. 

"You got it. So, what's the plan?" 

"Junior..............you still on good terms with Ms. Cassadine?" 

AJ nodded. He'd left things so that she wouldn't suspect him. The old hag still thought they'd slept
together. 

"Good," Sonny nodded, leaning back in his chair, thinking. "I want you to make it perfectly clear
to her that you hate me. I want her to know you want revenge on me. You'll do anything. I don't
care what it takes, you get her to let you in on this deal. I want you at the next meeting they have.
I want you in on this." He got up and walked to the front of his desk, standing in front of him,
glaring into his shock-filled eyes. "You're going to be the most important piece in this game,
Junior...................you think you can handle it, or do I have to replace you with someone who
can?" He made sure his tone was on the edge, so AJ would know he could be easily disposed of
and replaced. 

AJ swallowed hard. He knew what being replaced meant. He closed his eyes, and sat back in his
chair. What had he gotten himself into? Now he was the most valuable player in the middle of a
mob war? What could he do, though? Nothing, the answer was Absolutely Nothing. He'd went
against the wrong man, and in all reality his life wasn't his own, it was Sonny's. The man standing
before him owned him, and there was not a thing he could do about it. "I can do it......" he choked
out. 

"What about me?" V spoke up. "What do I get to do?" 

"Well, since you and Junior here are already such good friends, and can I just take this moment
to stress to you the hazards of friendship with AJ Quartermaine, then I want you two to work
together. Whatever needs to be done, you help him do it." 

"If you think I'm just gonna sit back, and let "the guys" do all the work while I play secretary to AJ
you have got another thing coming. I want in on the action." She stared defiantly, and crossed
her arms over her chest. 

"I said FOR NOW, Ms. Ardanowski. Don't you worry, you'll get your chance to participate in the
action." 

She calmed a bit at that, and Sonny waved them out with his hand. "That's it for now. I'll have
Johnny contact you with the information you're going to need about the meeting, and anything
else I want you to know. Remember, you're being watched." 

They both got up and walked out the door. Sonny went back and sat in his chair, his head resting,
trying to think of what he was going to tell Carly. He knew she was going to want to be in on this,
but could he risk that. She would be furious if he didn't tell her. 

"What about Joanna?" Johnny stood up and asked, getting ready to leave. 

"Jared still with her?" 

"Yeah." 

"Good, I want to talk to Carly first. She's not going to take this very well. After that, we'll decide
what to do. You'll take care of everything else?" 

"I'm on it." 

**************************************************************** 



Carly and Chloe walked up to Kelly's, giggling and laughing. They had decided to get out of the
house and have a girl's day out. Shopping, lunch, and a chick flick. It's good for the soul, Carly
had said. They had already went shopping, and their arms were loaded down with bags from
Wyndam's, because, "What's the fun of going shopping, if you don't but a lot of stuff?" Now, they
were exhausted, and ready for a sinful cheeseburger. Chloe was beginning to feel like herself
again, and Carly was being so great to her. They walked through the door, and Carly stopped
dead in her tracks. Chloe stopped talking and followed her gaze and spotted Nikolas Cassadine
in the corner at the table with Emily Quartermaine, Elizabeth Webber, Lucky Spencer, and
Taggert's little sister, Gia. Chloe grabbed her arm, and Carly snapped back to life, smiling at her
friend. 

"Let's get a table......" Carly said, grateful that Nikolas hadn't seen her staring at him. Carly had
told Chloe all about her wierd family situation while they were shopping, and she totally
understood Carly's bewilderment. 

They sat down, and Chloe said, "Why don't you go say hello to him, Carly?" 

"I don't want to cause any trouble, Chloe. Elizabeth Webber hates me, and Emily isn't too fond of
me, either. Plus, I don't know if Nikolas would even want to talk to me." 

"Well, you keep looking over there. It's obvious you want to go talk to him. What can they say if
you just go say hi?" 

Carly looked over at the table of five friends. What would he think of her if she went over? He was
smiling and laughing with his friends. "I don't want to upset him." 

"Carly......." Chloe said, knowing her friend. 

"Well, maybe if I just go say hello to him......." she said thoughtfully. "No, I don't want to disturb
him.........besides, this is supposed to be a girl's day out, right? Just you and me." 

"Whatever you want Carly. So, do you think Sonny will like the lingerie you got today? I saw that
smile on your face when you were buying that." 

Carly's face widened enormously, "Well, we have to take advantage of my skinny body for as long
as it lasts, I'll be a fat cow soon, and Sonny will be disgusted." She laughed. 

"Girl please......" Her voice trailed off as she saw Nikolas Cassadine approaching them. 

Carly saw her eyes drift, and turned around to see what she was looking at. Her heart nearly
stopped. She managed to put a smile on her face. "Hi Nikolas...." 

"Hi Carly......" He returned her smile, "What's going on?" 

"Oh nothing.............I didn't want to come to your table and cause trouble," she glanced over at
his friends. Two of them were glaring, and the other two looked surprised, "I don't think your
friends like me much." 

"Yeah well..........that doesn't really matter, does it?" 

Carly smiled, and felt a surge of happiness. She looked away shyly, then looked back up at him.
"Um, Nikolas..................I was wondering if you wanted to come over some night, and meet your
nephew? I mean, if you don't want to I totally understand, but I thought maybe you might like to
meet him......" she rushed on, until he cut her off. 

"Carly.................I'd really like that. Would this afternoon be okay?" 

"That would be great! I'm sure Michael will be thrilled to meet you." 

"Yes, well the pleasure will be all mine. See you later........" 

"Bye Nikolas." With that, he turned and walked back to his table, sitting down as if nothing out of
the ordinary had happened. 

Carly turned back to her friend, a big smile on her face. "Chloe......." 

Chloe reached across the table, and grabbed her hand. "Come on Carly, let's go home and get
Mikey ready for his visit." 

************************************************************* 

Joanna reached up to stroke Jared's face as he slept. She could hardly believe the night and day
they'd just shared was real. He'd made her forget all about her pain, kissed her tears off her face,
and made her feel wanted and needed. She didn't want to think of the reasons they couldn't be
together. She just wanted to cherish this time they had. It would be over soon, she knew, but
right now.............he was hers. They were together in this dreamworld they'd created for this one
night, and she wasn't quite ready to let go. 

Jared stirred at her touch, and opened his eyes, looking down at her face. He brought his lips
down to capture hers, "Hello....." he whispered. 

"Hi......" she whispered back, smiling against his mouth. She pressed her body closer to his, and
kissed him again. "Jared........" she started, when they'd stopped kissing, and she'd settled back
down on his chest. 

"Yeah......." 

"Do you regret being with me? You know, cause I'm really the enemy.........I'm your job?" She
closed her eyes waiting on his answer, not sure if she was ready to hear it. 

He sighed, and tightened his arms around her, "I don't regret it Joanna, not a second of it. It
wasn't supposed to happ en, but I'd do it again................in a heartbeat. What about you?" 

"No way......." she laughed, and snuggled closer. "Thank you for being there for me." 

"I wouldn't have been anywhere else......" he answered, and realized he meant it. She was
important to him, and he didn't know exactly what to do about it. "Joanna......." 

She put her finger on his lips, "Shhhh, let's not talk about it just yet. Can't we have just a few
more minutes of bliss?" She asked pleadingly, and kissed him lingeringly on the lips. 

He just moaned, and knew he couldn't deny her request. He didn't have the strength, and if he
was honest with himself...................he didn't really want to.