UNDERSTANDING

Part Fourty-Six

Joanna rolled over in bed, waking up and reaching for Jared. Finding he wasn't there, she sat up and saw him sitting at the table, looking over the file she had read last night. "What are you doing?" she asked sleepily.

He looked up at her and smiled, "Hey sleepyhead............I was looking over these files. It's got information about Helena in them."

She dragged herself out of the bed and walked over to him, noticing it was getting dark outside. They'd not left the bed all day, not that she was complaining. She stood behind him, putting her hand on his shoulder, and peering over him at the papers. "What does it say?"

"Just stuff about her and her connection to Sorel. The deal they made about you......." He looked up at her to see if she was okay. "And the deal they made most recently about Sonny. Speaking of which........... we need to talk."

She stepped around in front of him, "I know." She whispered. She didn't want to talk. They could never be, the two of them. She was his assignment, nothing more..............right?

Jared took a deep breath, and reached out to grab her hand across the table. "I meant what I said earlier, I don't regret what we did. I can't regret it, it felt too right......" Their eyes met, and they smiled. She felt that way, too. His eyes grew dark, and he said, "But......"

"But I'm your assignment. This isn't in your job description. I know all this Jared........can't we just let last night be. Do we have to talk about it? I'm not gonna hold it over your head. You were there for me. It was what it was.............nothing more." Her heart broke as she said the words, but at least she said it before he did.

"Yeah........." He let out a sigh, not knowing quite what to say. All of a sudden, he stood up, breaking the silence. "I need to go see Sonny. I have to inform him of all this."

"All of it?" Joanna asked timidly.

"Yes. All of it." He said with finality. This was his job, and as much as he cared for her, he couldn't risk it................and he definitely couldn't betray Sonny. There was too much to lose.

Joanna looked at him, "You're going to tell them that I am Carly's sister?"

"They have to know, and it's my job to tell them."

"Well, then I want to come. I want to be the one to tell Carly. I've done some awful, awful things to her to try and please a man I thought was my father. I have to try and explain."

Jared shook his head, "You're not coming. I can not take you with me to Sonny's. I have to do it all in secret so that Sorel's men will not find out. I can't take the chance of bringing you with me. It's not safe.............for you or for me."

"But...." He cut her off before she could say another word.

"It's not going to happen Joanna." He walked off to get in the shower.

Hmmmmm, she thought, that's what he thinks. I'm going whether he likes it or not.

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

Carly and Chloe rushed around the penthouse getting things ready for the dinner they were about to have. Somehow, and Carly was yet to figure it all out, this simple meeting of her brother and his nephew had turned into a massive event. Nikolas was bringing a date so Carly had begged Chloe to invite Johnny so that she and Sonny wouldn't be alone with them. Carly wanted everything to be perfect, and was so nervous she'd bitten Chloe's head off numerous times. Chloe took it all in stride, though, knowing how much her friend wanted her brother to like her, though Carly would never admit it.

"So, what do you think of this table setting?" Carly asked, wringing her hands.

"It looks great Carly............as great as it did about 10 seconds ago when you asked me."

Carly shot her friend a haughty look, "Well, I just want him to be comfortable........you know we're not quite so sophisticated as Wyndamere."

"I know, I know..........It'll be fine, Carly. I promise. Why don't you go upstairs and get yourself and Michael ready? I'll finish up down here."

Carly nodded gratefully. "Alright, I do need to get ready, and Mikey needs a bath. I'll be back soon."

She headed up the stairs hurriedly, and Chloe laughed at her retreating figure. She was so thankful to have Carly in her life. She was a good friend.

The door opened just then, and Sonny and Johnny walked in. "Hello boys..." she said, looking at Johnny.

"Where's Carly?" Sonny asked. He'd decided to wait and tell her the news after the little party tonight, but he knew she'd be nervous about seeing her brother, and he wanted to check on her.

"She went upstairs to give Michael a bath, and get ready. Maybe you should go try and calm her down, she's a little nervous." Chloe smiled.

Sonny flashed his dimples thinking of her running around the penthouse like a chicken with her head cut off. "I can imagine. I'll go up and check on her........" He went up the stairs.

Chloe and Johnny watched him go, and their eyes slowly found their way to meet each other's. "So........." Chloe said, "It looks like you're my date tonight."

Johnny smiled, "Yeah............I guess it does. You look wonderful."

"Thank you, kind sir..............so do you." She said, a little shyly.

Johnny tore his eyes away from hers, and walked to sit on the couch. "Something smells good," he observed.

"Oh yeah, Carly ordered food from the Grille. It's in the oven warming now."

"Good thing, Sonny and I were afraid she was going to cook."

Chloe laughed out loud, "Dear Lord no, she wanted to make a GOOD impression on Nikolas..............not give him food poisoning." They both laughed hysterically, and Chloe came to join him on the couch.

UPSTAIRS

Sonny rounded the corner, and looked into his room where Carly was getting ready. She looked like a nervous wreck. He smiled, knowing just what he had to do to calm her down. He opened the door, and walked in, "Hey Gorgeous........."

She smiled at him, still fumbling with her clothes. "Hey yourself."

"The table and everything looks so amazing Carly. It's beautiful."

Carly's eyes met his, and he could swear he saw tears in them. "Are you sure?"

He walked over to her, "I'm positive...............what's wrong?"

"I guess I'm a little nervous............I just can't seem to calm down. I keep thinking what if he doesn't like me............you know?" She raised uncertain eyes to meet his, and she could feel herself starting to calm and feel better.

"You're afraid he won't like you?"

She nodded.

"Not possible. If he's anybody worth knowing, he'll love you instantly."

She hugged him tightly, wondering how he knew just what to say to her. No one else in this world could calm her or make her feel so safe.

"Besides," he said against her hair as he held her close, "Even if he doesn't, you still have me...............and I like you okay, I guess."

She pulled back, and swatted him playfully. "Okay???" she asked incredulously.

"Alright, more than okay............I like you a lot."

She shot him a look, and he flashed his dimples brightly.

"Ok," he finally relented, "I love you a lot."

"I love you, too Sonny.............thank you."

He pulled her to him again, and whispered in her ear. "You don't really need to thank me, but if you insist..................you can thank me properly later."

She giggled, and pulled back from him, going to get ready. "Count on it," she tossed over her shoulder.

DOWNSTAIRS

Johnny and Chloe were talking about how their days had been when Carly, Sonny, and the freshly washed Michael came bounding down the stairs. Carly smiled at them knowingly, "What are you two talking about sitting so close together?"

Both Chloe and Johnny blushed, and said at the same time, "Nothing."

"Uh, we were just talking, you know............small talk." Johnny said, stumbling over his words.

"Yeah sure......." Carly said sarcastically. Both Johnny and Chloe sighed in relief when Rick knocked on the door, and the attention was off of them.

"Mr. Cassadine and a friend to see you." Rick stated.

Sonny waved to him to let them in, and Carly held her breath as her brother walked through the door with the girl she'd seen at Kelly's. She was very pretty with long dark braids, and she and Nikolas held hands.

"Hi Nikolas......." Carly said, breaking the awkward silence. She walked over to them. "It's nice to see you." She reached out her hand to the girl, and introduced herself, "Hello, I'm Carly."

"Gia. It's nice to meet you." She shook her hand, and smiled at her.

"Nice to meet you, too. I'm so glad you both are here."

"I'm glad to be here," Nikolas said emphatically, making sure she knew he was serious.

Carly smiled, and turned around before he could see the tears in her eyes. She went to take Michael from Sonny, and brought him over to Nikolas. "Nikolas, Gia............this is my son Michael."

Nikolas reached out and ruffled the boy's hair, "Hello Michael."

Michael looked a little worried, and looked at his Mom for reassurance. "It's okay Mr. Man, this is your Uncle Nikolas.................and his friend Gia."

Gia reached out to tickle him, and said, "Hey there buddy, how are you doing tonight?" Michael laughed, and when Gia held out her arms he went into them happily.

"Wow!" Carly said, "I've never seen him go to someone that easily before. He usually only likes me, Sonny, or Chloe. You're really good with him."

"Oh, well I love kids. I used to work as a nanny when I first came to town."

Sonny stepped forward to shake Nikolas' hand, "Hello Nikolas, good to see you."

"Sonny," he nodded, shaking his hand.

"Nikolas, Gia............I guess I'll introduce everyone so that we can get this party started," she laughed. "This, of course, is Mikey, and this is Sonny................and over there on the couch is Chloe Morgan, my best friend, and Johnny....................well, just Johnny, cause he won't tell anyone his last name." They all laughed, and Johnny and Chloe shared a secretive look.

Dinner went well, and soon Nikolas and Gia opened up a little more and joined in the conversation. Carly was ecstatic that everything was going so well. Mikey seemed to like Nikolas pretty well............but he was enchanted with Gia. Carly had to admit, she really liked the girl. She was sweet, but she knew that she wouldn't take anything off anyone. She actually kind of reminded her of herself.

"You know Gia," Carly said, getting an idea, "You are really good with Michael."

"Well, he's a great kid."

"Do you have a job here in Port Charles?"

"No, not yet, I've been looking, but I haven't found anything. All the jobs are taken," she said shooting Nikolas a look. He still wouldn't talk to Ned about getting her a job at L&B, even though they'd been dating almost two months now.

Carly's eyes brightened, "Well, how would you like a job?"

"Doing what?"

"We are looking for a nanny for Michael. You are so good with him, and I promise we'll make it worth your while."

Gia looked at Nikolas, and he shrugged his shoulders. "Well, I really didn't want to be a Nanny again, but I guess I can try it out for a little while. I really like Michael, and it might be fun."

"Oh, I'm so glad you said yes, Gia. Michael really loves you already."

They all settled down in the living room after dinner was done, still talking and eating their dessert. Carly leaned against Sonny, tired from her busy day and listening to the important people in her life discuss and become friendly. She put her hand on his leg, and he put his hand over hers without even thinking about it, and intertwined their fingers. Chloe and Johnny sat on the couch beside one another, and Nik sat in the chair, with Gia at his feet, playing with Michael. Carly felt content, at peace. Like everything in her life, all this chaos was going to be alright. She put her hand over her stomach, thinking of the baby that was on its way. Sonny's baby. Oh, how she loved him. Her thoughts were interrupted by Rick knocking on the door again.

"Jared Brighton, Mr. Corinthos."

"Send him in." Sonny looked over at Johnny, then back at Carly. "It's business. We're gonna go into the kitchen for a few minutes, okay?" He patted her leg, and Johnny and he stood up to meet Jared, and led them to the kitchen.

Carly cast a worried glance in their direction as they left, and looked at Chloe. She decided to put it out of her head, and turned her attention back to her brother. "So Nikolas..............what exactly do you do at L&B?"

KITCHEN

"What are you doing here?" Sonny asked, "You know if you are spotted by Sorel, this is all over."

"I'm sorry, Mr. Corinthos. I needed to give you this. Joanna and I have found out some information on Sorel. He's working with Helena Cassadine..............."

Sonny and Johnny did not look very surprised, but urged him to continue. "Well, first of all Joanna is not Sorel's daughter. She is a Cassadine, through and through, along with Carly. Joanna is Nikolas Cassadine's twin. Apparently, Helena made a deal with Sorel to take the little girl. She thought another baby might take the focus off her grandson, the Cassadine heir. She knew from past experience that Sorel had always liked little girls, if you know what I mean. He took Joanna, and she helped him out with money, and his drug-running. That was years ago, but now they've made a new deal, Mr. Corinthos. A deal involving you.........." He was cut off by shouts he heard coming from the other room.

All three men took off for the living room, and Jared was shocked by what he saw. There was Joanna standing at the door, and Carly was going ballistic, held back by Nikolas Cassadine.

"How dare you come into my home!!!" Carly screamed at the top of her lungs.

"Joanna, what are you doing here?" Jared shouted.

"I had to come Jared. I had to."

"You didn't have to come to my home. The home you tortured me in. The home you tried to drive me crazy in. The home you desecrated my dead child's memory in. You witch.........get out! GET OUT!" Nikolas was barely containing Carly, and Chloe and Gia were standing there in shock. Michael started crying, and Carly calmed a little.

"Carly............calm down. It's going to be alright." Sonny went to her, trying to soothe her.

"Why is she here, Sonny. You said she couldn't come near us." Carly clung to him for dear life, all the memories coming back to her of being made to believe she was crazy, and being kidnapped.

"I have something important I need to talk to you about........." Joanna said timidly. Carly had every right to be upset. She looked to Jared for some support, but his eyes were filled with anger that she had come when he told her not to.

"There is nothing you have to say that I want to hear............NOTHING!!" Carly screamed again.

Joanna decided to just do it. It had to be said, and she had nothing to lose. "I'm your sister Carly."