Chapter 57: Building Bridges It had been a few minutes since Nikolas, Lizzie and Lucky left when Henry saw his father enter his hospital room. Stefan: Hello, Henry. Henry: Mr. Cass… I mean… I don't know what I mean. Stefan: That is very understandable. We need to talk. Henry: Yeah, I guess we do. What do we say, though? I mean, I have absolutely NO idea what to say… Stefan: I find myself speechless as well. I think it might have been easier if I would have been there when your mother told you that I was your father, but she insisted that she do it herself. Henry: I don't know if that would have been easier… but, we can't very well change it, can we? So, what now… Stefan: Henry, you are the only son I have. I would like to have some sort of relationship with you. Even if you were not my only child, I would still like to be apart of your life. Henry: I see… Stefan: Am I being too forward? You are still recovering from your head injury and medication, perhaps I should come at a later time. Henry: No, now is as good a time as any… Stefan… may I call you that? Stefan: That is appropriate. Henry: Okay, Stefan, all I can say is that right now, I am very confused, and I think I'm going to need a lot of time to adjust to this. Stefan: Of course, a period of adaptation is very much needed, I just want to know how I can help the process. Henry: Well… I just don't know, I'm sorry. Stefan: You are not to blame… if anyone is to blame it is my mother. She has indeed made many lives complicated beyond belief. Henry: Uh… I'll just take your word for it. ~^~ Carly pulled away from A.J. and looked at him, shocked. Quickly, he apologized. A.J.: Oh my God, Carly, I'm so sorry… I… I don't know what… Carly: It's okay… A.J.: No, it's not, not after going through all you've been though, I shouldn't have… Carly: A.J., you can stop apologizing, it's all right. A.J.: Carly, for a long time I've had feelings for you. Carly looks away, taking it in. Carly: Oh. A.J.: I'm sorry, I shouldn't be telling you this… Carly: No, it's okay… but A.J., I'm sorry to tell you this, but… well, I don't have any feelings for you. I mean, not like the ones you have for me, but I would like to be your friend. A.J.: Right… of course… A.J. felt like a complete jackass right now. What the hell was he doing here? A.J.: I better get going. Carly: All right. I hope I see you around. A.J.: Yeah, me too. Bye. A.J. left the apartment. Carly had a pained smile appear on her face as she turned around. Carly: Well, I handled that well… Maybe now I should just shoot someone. ~^~ Jax and Janice were on a date at PC Grill. Jax: Are you enjoying your meal? Janice: Yes, I am. Jax sighed. Janice and he didn't seem to enjoy each other's company as much as they did when they first started going out. It just didn't seem to be working out. He realized that sooner or later, he was going to have to break up with her. Probably after the Sonny and Brenda's wedding. She seemed to really want to go. Jax, on the other hand, didn't. He was going to reject the offer, but Janice kind of stepped in and said she wanted to go. He was really kind of surprised he was even invited. For quite awhile, it didn't seem like Brenda even remembered him. They rarely ever spoke. His thoughts were interrupted when Jerry came stalking in, looking quite panicked. Jax: Jerry… Jerry: Venus has been kidnapped. Jax stood up. Jax: What? Janice stood up, then. Janice: Oh my God, when? What the hell happened? Jerry: Jax, remember Milo Drake? Jax: Yes, he went to prison for ten years because… wait, why are you asking? Jerry: Well, looks like he's out and wants revenge… ~^~ Nikolas drove Lizzie into the driveway. Lizzie: Thanks for driving me home. Nikolas: It was no trouble. Lizzie: Would you like to come in? Nikolas: Sure. Is Sarah home? Lizzie: No. Lizzie rolled her eyes a little as she got out of the car. She still didn't understand what Nikolas saw in her sister. They entered her grandmother's house and sat on the couch. Lizzie: Man, I can't believe this whole thing is finally over. Nikolas: Right. Henry's home, everybody knows who's related to who in the Cassadine family. Now we just have to worry about the trial. Lizzie: Right… I hope Christen gets off, I would hate to think of anyone going to prison for doing the world a favor. I mean, I don't really condone murdering people, but Helena ruined her life and everyone else’s. Nikolas: I agree… I have to hate this, though. She is my own grandmother and I am able to understand the contempt towards her, as well as have contempt for her myself. Lizzie: Yeah, that is pretty sad the someone could make their own grandchild feel that way… I guess I'm lucky. Nikolas: Yes, you are. Lizzie thought sadly, for a moment, about some of the times she had been a little snotty to her grandmother. She had definitely improved since then, but still… Nikolas: So, what are you going to do now that Henry's back? Lizzie: Well, relax, first of all. Having my best friend missing for weeks hasn't exactly been a day at the beach. Nikolas: Friend? *Obvious disbelief* Uh-huh… Lizzie: What? Nikolas: Henry is just a friend to you? Lizzie: He is… What exactly do you think? Nikolas: Come on, Lizzie, it's pretty obvious that you two have feelings for one another. Lizzie: Yeah, friendship. Nikolas: You know what I mean. Lizzie: Yes, I know what you mean, but that doesn't mean I have to acknowledge or agree with it. Nikolas: Liz. Lizzie: Come on, Nikolas, can't we change the subject? Nikolas: All right. Something other then Helena, though. Lizzie: All right… ~^~ Stefan: You know, now that your heritage has been revealed your place in the future of this family is to be decided. Henry: My position? What do you mean? Stefan: Well, Nikolas is the sole heir, but he will need someone to help with his responsibilities. Henry: Excuse me, I'm sorry, but I really can not follow. Stefan sighed. Stefan: Perhaps another time. I should really leave you to rest. Henry: Right… Um, thanks for coming. Stefan: It was no trouble. Good-bye. Henry: Bye. Stefan took a look at Henry for a moment. For a brief moment, he could actually see a resemblance between himself and his son. Then, he left. Henry lay back in his bed, letting everything sink in. He was a Cassadine and a Corinthos. ~^~ Carly was lying on the couch. All she could think about was how many people she had hurt for the past couple of years. She didn't really want to hurt anyone, really, it just… happened. And it kept happening. She put her hands on her stomach and felt the emptiness inside her. Tears started streaming down her eyes. Carly: What the hell am I, God, some sort of cosmic joke? She heard the door open and saw that it was her mother. Virginia: Hello, Caroline… She saw that her daughter was crying. She sat down next to her and held her as she cried. Virginia wished she could do something for her daughter, but there really wasn't anything she could do, except hold her tight. ~^~ The door opened and Steve popped in. Lizzie: Hey, Steve. Steve: *smiles* Hey, Liz. *Notices Nikolas and frowns* Nikolas. Lizzie: Where've you been? Steve: Kelly's… I'm glad your home. What happened at the police station? Lizzie: Well, we found out who killed Helena… and Henry's at the hospital, he's recovering. Steve: What was wrong with him exactly? Lizzie: He had some sort of pressure buildup around his brain, I don't know, it's complicated. Steve: Well, glad to here he's doing better. So, Nikolas, exactly what are you doing here? Lizzie: We're just talking, why? Steve: Well, I just thought *Looks at Nikolas* that you have gotten my sister in enough trouble for one night. ~^~ Emily sat next to her window looking at the night sky. She was startled when the phone started ringing. She picked it up and said, "Hello." Lucky: Hey, Em, it's me. Emily: Hi Lucky, what's up with you? Lucky: Well, things are a little crazy around here with Carly turning out to be Aunt Bobbie's daughter. Emily: Yeah… what about Henry? I heard he's been found. Lucky: Yup, at the old witch's mansion. Emily: Yeah, exactly what was Helena doing with him? And who killed Helena? Lucky: Long story… listen, are you going to the wedding? Emily: Brenda and Sonny's? Of course, she made me one of the bride's maids. Lucky: Oh… Who are you going with? Emily: No one… Why are you asking? Lucky: Well, I just wondered if maybe you wanted to go with me. Emily was a little shocked by this question. She wasn't expecting this. Emily: Uh… sure. I'd love to go with you. Lucky: Good. Emily: *smiles* Okay… So, what time are you going to pick me up? Lucky: What time do you have to be there? Emily: By 11:00. Lucky: All right, so I'll see you in a few days, then. Emily: Right, see you in a few days… Lucky: Bye. Emily hung up and was now filled with excitement. Lucky actually asked her out? She was half expecting to wake up now and find it all a dream. ~^~ Christen was lying in her cell when she saw Quinn arrive. Christen: Quinn? She jumped up and went to the bars. Christen: How are Miranda and Alexis? Quinn: Miranda is fine, she's staying at my house. Alexis is improving and should be out soon. Christen: Oh, thank God… Quinn: I’ve been on the phone for a couple of hours and I've found you a lawyer. Christen: I don't think I'll be needing one. Quinn looked at her, confused. ~^~ A.J. sat in his apartment, alone. He felt like such an idiot. Carly had just broken up with Tony, had just lost her baby, and he had to go over and tell her that he had feelings for her. He wondered what the hell he was thinking. He picked up a magazine and started reading. He needed something to get his mind off Carly. Maybe, just maybe, in a couple of months, things would be different. ~^~ Quinn: What do you mean you won't be needing a lawyer? Christen: I'm not going to go through trial, I'm just going to plead guilty and that's it. Quinn: No, you can't, I won't allow it. Christen: Well, Quinn, it isn't exactly your choice. Quinn: Christen, you did NOTHING wrong. That horrible woman got exactly what she deserved. Christen: Quinn, I murdered her… I took her life… I'm no better then she is. Quinn: Don't say that… Christen: But it's true. Quinn: No it isn't. She lived to make other people's lives miserable, she's caused all of us so much pain. She had to be stopped. Christen: But Quinn, she never would have been able to cause so much pain in the first place if it weren't for me. Quinn was now even more confused by what she was saying. Quinn: Could you clarify that remark? Christen: Quinn, I'm the one who allowed her to make me do her bidding. If I had done something years ago, refused to go along with her plans, maybe things would not have turned out this way. Quinn: There's nothing you could have done. Christen: Maybe… I should have at least tried. Quinn: Christen, what's done is done, we can't change that. If you want to stop Helena from hurting you one last time, then you need to fight this. You have to get out of here or she will have one more victory. Christen: *looking away from him* I don't know… Quinn: At least think about it. Christen nodded. Quinn: Good. Now I have to go, I want to check on Alexis again before visiting hours are over. Christen: Please, send her my love. Quinn: Don't worry, I will, Christen. Quinn walked away and Christen lay on her bed. She thought about how much Quinn seemed to want her out of there. She wondered if he still cared about her, like he did years ago. ~-~-~-~ Quinn walked in the rose garden and saw a girl sitting on a bench. He walked over to where she was sitting and she looked at him and smiled. It was like their souls clicked. Quinn: Hello. Woman: Hi… what's your name? Quinn: Quinn. Quinn Cassadine. Woman: I'm Christen. Quinn took her hand and kissed it. Quinn: Nice to meet you, Christen. Christen: How much longer will your family be staying here? Quinn: I am not sure. My um… family has not made any definite plans. Where do you live? Christen: (looks down) The old shack down the old dirt road. (Looks up to him) Mrs. Richards lets me roam the gardens, plant any flowers I want. She's a very nice lady. Quinn: Yes, she can be. Christen: I think I have to go. Quinn: Can I walk you home? Christen: (hesitates) Yes, I would like that very much. ~-~-~-~ Christen sighed at the memory of when the first met. Life was so much more simpler then… how could it have gotten so screwed up. ~^~ Lizzie couldn't believe what her brother just said. Lizzie: Steve that is completely unfair. Steve: Is it? You shouldn't have been anywhere near that mansion. Lizzie: It was my idea. Steve: Even so, he still shouldn't have taken you. Nikolas: *a little embarrassed* Maybe I should go. Steve: Good idea. Lizzie: No. Lizzie stands up. Lizzie: He's my friend and he's staying, you have no control over that. Steve: The hell I don't. Nikolas: *desperate to get out of there* I really, really should be going. Steve: Yes leave, and don't bother coming near either of my sisters again. Nikolas: Now hold on, I didn't do anything wrong. Lizzie: Steve, you are totally blowing everything out of proportion. Steve: You don't know what you're talking about. Lizzie: You got that backwards. Steve: Lizzie… *shrugs* Okay, it's been a long night. I'm sorry for over reacting, I just don't want to see anything happen to you. Lizzie: Nothing will, okay? So you can relax. Steve looked at Nikolas. Steve: *with a hint of insincerity* I'm sorry, man. Nikolas: It's all right. Steve went upstairs and left them alone. Lizzie: I'm sorry about that… he can be a jerk sometimes. Nikolas: It's all right. I better get going. Lizzie: See you tomorrow. Nikolas: Bye. Nikolas left and Lizzie decided she might as well get going to bed. She had school tomorrow, although she wasn't going to really be concentrating much. She knew that.