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The docks
Early evening.
A man is walking alone near the water. He's in his late thirties,
average
height, well built, but not muscular. Handsome too, with long brown
hair pulled
back into a ponytail, slightly graying at the temples and a goatee
also dotted
with a few flecks of gray.
He hates feeling like this, he knows the separation won't be
for long, a few
days at most, but it doesn't help. They've been together so long that
any time
apart no matter how brief in unbearable. She's more than just his love,
more
than just his wife. She's become a part of him (the best part some
would say), a
part of his very soul and when she isn't with him life just doesn't
seem to
matter. So he walks alone, hoping that the cool night air and the sound
of the
water will make the feeling go away for just a little while. It doesn't.
He stands at the edge. Sighing to himself he thinks, <I'd
better get going. I
don't want to be late.> He turns to leave, then it hits him that sensation
he's
come to know so well. He stops and looks around trying to pinpoint
where it's
coming from.
A shape emerges from the darkness behind him. He turns to face
the man. The
stranger comes forward, his face illuminated by the light of a nearby
streetlamp. He is a tall man of apparent Spanish descent with long
black hair
and a beard that gives his face an almost satanic appearance.
''My name is Javier Dominguez.'' the man says giving a melodramatic
bow. He
straightens up and from behind his back he produces a sword.
''Aaron Grey'' he replies back and produces a sword of his own
from his coat.
The two men advance on each other, moving in a circle each
waiting for the
other to make the first move. It is Javier who strikes first with a
fast blow
that Aaron is able to counter easily. For the next several minutes
both
opponents try to break the others defenses. They were evenly matched,
the
deciding factor in this fight won't be skill. It will be time. Whoever
tires
first will be the one to lose his head. But this contest won't be settled
tonight. The sound of someone approaching puts an end to it. For now.
Their
business is not for outsiders.
Javier sheathes his sword, ''This isn't over. We will meet again.'',
he says
looking at Aaron.
''I'm free Thursdays.''
Javier smirks and gives him another little bow and disappears
back into the
shadows.
Aaron tucks his sword into his trenchcoat and leaves. ''Welcome
to Port
Charles.''
CHAPTER TWO
The Outback.
Robin Scorpio and Brenda Barrett enter the Outback. Robin gives
her Uncle Mac,
who is standing at the bar with Felecia, a wave hello. They wave back.
Robin and
Brenda are seated at their table. Brenda orders a white wine and Robin
a mineral
water while they wait for their guest to arrive.
Brenda sips her wine wondering about this man Robin wants her
to meet. Since
getting the phone call last night saying he was coming to town Robin
has refused
to tell her anything about him. ''You'll just have to meet him.'' Is
all she'll
say.
''Okay Robin, enough is enough''
''What do you mean?'' Robin asks innocently.
''You know exactly what I mean. You've been silent all day and
I've had it. Who
is this guy?''
Robin starts laughing, ''All right, all right. What do you want
to know?''
''Who is he would be a start.''
''His name is Aaron Grey.''
''Okay. How did you meet?''
''We met in Paris. I was doing the antique shops one weekend
and I met him and
his wife at an out of the way little shop near the Seine. We started
talking and
ended up having dinner together. They were in Paris on some kind of
extended
vacation/second honeymoon. They were there for almost two months and
we got
together about every other day. They left Paris a couple of weeks before
I came
back to Port Charles. We've been keeping in touch since then and I
invited to
come visit.''
''What does he do?'' was Brenda's next question.
After taking a drink of water Robin answered. ''He's a history
professor. He
was associated with the university in Toronto but there was some stink
about his
teaching methods or something so he took an indefinite leave of absence.''
''So you said he's married huh?'' Robin nods. ''What's his wife
like?''
''Oh she's great. You'll really like her. She's a writer. Her
name's Theresa
Ryan.''
''Theresa Ryan'' Brenda says. ''The one who writes those vampire
novels you've
been reading lately.''
''That's her'' Robin laughs. ''They been married for about ten
years.''
Their conversation continues on like that with Brenda asking
a question about
Aaron or Terry and Robin answering. Eventually they come to the subject
of
Terry's rather odd medical condition.
''What kind of condition?'' Brenda enquires.
''Some sort of rare skin disorder that prevents her from going
outside during
the day.'' Robin replies. <If you only knew how rare> she thinks
to herself.
The two women continue to talk. Each telling the other about
the events of
their day, touching on the most insignificent of subjects to problems
concering
the men in their lives. It was at this point that Aaron finally arrived.
Robin gets up from her seat and gives him a hello hug. She walks
him over to
the table and introduces him to Brenda. Aaron takes her hand while
his eyes
study her.
Across the room at the bar Mac is watching the scene. ''Who's
that with
Robin?'' He asks Felecia.
''I don't know. I've never seen him before. Seems very friendly
though.''
Mac moves around the bar and starts for Robin's table. Felecia
quickly stops
him. ''No you don't Mac. You're not going to interrupt her dinner so
you can
interrogate her friend. It can wait. You can talk to Robin tomorrow
and find out
all you want to know about him. Okay?'' shes says giving his shirt
a playful
tug.
Mac shrugs his shoulders. ''Okay. I guess it can wait till tomorrow.''
Back at Robin's table the three have finished dinner. Robin and Aaron
are having
coffee while Brenda digs into a piece of double chocolate fudge cake.
''Sure you
don't want any?'' She asks after taking a bite.
Robin shakes her head smiling. ''No thanks. I think I've gained
ten pounds just
watching you eat it.'' Brenda and Aaron both laugh. Robin turns to
Aaron. ''So
when's Terry coming?''
Aaron puts his cup down. ''In a couple of days. There were some
problems with
her new book that she has to work out with her publisher. That's the
only thing
that stopped from coming with me. She's really looking forward to seeing
you
again.''
Just then Aaron feels the presence of an Immortal nearby. His
eyes focus on the
door when two people come in. One is a tall good looking blond man
in his
thirties. Behind him is a woman in her late-twenties with brown hair.
Aaron sees
the woman stiffen when she catches sight of him.
Brenda excuses herself from the table and walks over to the couple.
She leads
them back a few moments later and introduces them to Aaron. ''Aaron
this is my
friend Jasper Jacks'', she says, ''Jax this is Aaron Grey. He's a friend
of
Robin's from Paris.'' The two men shake hands. Brenda then turns
to V and
introduces them. They shake hands their eyes never leaving each other.
Jax and V
move off to another table while Brenda and Aaron rejoin Robin.
After about ten minutes Aaron gets up to leave. ''Well as much
as I would like
to remain in the company of two such beautiful women, I'm afraid I'm
going to
call it a night.''
''Are you sure?'', Robin asks.
''Yes. I should head back to the hotel. I want to call Terry
before it gets too
late.''
''Okay I'll let you go, but only if you promise to have lunch
with me
tomorrow'' Robin says as she rises from her seat.
''I promise'', he says as he kisses her cheek, ''Good night.''
He turns to
Brenda. ''Good night, Brenda. I'm glad I finally got to meet you.''
''I'm glad too'' she says as she takes his hand.
Aaron grabs his coat and walks to the door. Before leaving he
turns and gives a
final look at the table where Jax and V are sitting.
Robin walks over to the bar to talk to Mac while Brenda moves
to Jax's table. V
who has been watching Aaron since she arrived silently thanks Brenda
for coming
over. Excusing herself she follows Aaron out the door unnoticed by
the others.
V is walking slowly down the street when she feels it. <He's
close.> Her hand
moves instinctivly to her sword tucked inside of her coat. She turns
the corner
and finds him standing there waiting. Waiting for her.
Felecia Jones is on her way home. She turns the corner that leads
to the
Brownstone and stumbles upon Aaron and V. She stops before they see
her. Felecia
senses something isn't right. She's come to know V pretty well these
last few
months and she knows that she can take care of herself. But Felecia
decides to
hang back and watch just in case V needs help.
''I've been waiting for you. What took you so long?'', Aaron
says as he turns
to face her. He sees that her hand is resting inside her coat at the
ready.
''Well, what happens now?''
''That all depends on you.'' V answers.
For what seems like an eternity Felecia watches Aaron and V face
off. The
silence is finally broken when Aaron spreads his arms wide and smiles.
''Come
here.'' V rushes into his arms. ''I've missed you Little Flower.'',
Aaron says
as his arms envelop her.
V returns his embrace. ''I've missed you too, Daddy.''
Felecia turns her back to them and silently whispers, ''Daddy?!?''
CHAPTER THREE
Port Charles Hotel, Aaron's suite
Aaron and V are sitting on the couch having a drink. Aaron has
spent the last
hour filling V in on what's been happening the several months. He tells
her
about his newest student Natalie and her husband Nick. V laughs when
she hears
about her adopted brother Kyle's reaction when he found out Terry's
secret.
''So,'' Aaron says taking a sip, ''what have you been up to the
last 15 or so
years?''
V doesn't answer. She gets up and pours herself another drink.
Aaron walks over to her. ''Venus,'' he places a han on her shoulder,
''what's
wrong?''
V turns to face him. ''It's just seeing you again after all this
time.'' Her
eyes begin to tear up. ''I'm sorry. I shouldn't have disappeared like
I did,
without a word to you or mother. But I couldn't face you... I couldn't
face
anyone. I just wanted to... wanted to...'' Her voice fails and she
begins to
cry.
Aaron pulls her to him resting her head on his chest. ''It's
okay Little
Flower.'' He walks to the couch and set her down. Brushing one of her
tears away
he continues. ''Venus, what happened?''
V looks at him.
++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++
London, 1984
V leaves the shop and starts back home. She has spent nearly the
entire
afternoon going from shop to shop. Going here for the right cut of
meat. Going
here for the right bread. Going there for the right wine. But it'll
be worth it.
Once Jess gets a taste of her masterpiece.
She can't believe it. Can you really fall in love with someone
this fast. It's
only been four months, but she feels as if they've known each other
all their
lives. That's why she's going to all this trouble. Tonight is the night
she
tells Jess the truth, the whole truth, about everything.
''Jess! I'm home!'' V calls out as she comes through the door.
''Wait to you
what I have planned for tonight.'' Getting no answer she set down the
bags.
''Jess where are you?''
Getting a little further into the flat she sees the living room
has been torn
apart. Panic rising within her V calls out, ''Jess! Jess! Answer Me!
Answer
M...''
She's the body sprawled out on the floor. V screams.
''NOOOOO!!! OH GOD, PLEASE NO!! JESSICA!!
V goes to her body. There is a deep wound to her chest. V cradles
Jessica's
head in her lap, gently stroking her hair. ''No... Jessica... Jes...''
V can't
speak anymore, the words won't come. All she can do is cry. Lying near
the body
V sees a bloody knife, beneath it is a bloodstained note with just
three words.
YOU KNOW WHERE.
An house outside London.
V walks along the grounds heading toward the house. ''CASSIA!
CASSIA! COME OUT
YOU BITCH!''
Cassia comes out of the house. She is a tall woman with long
blond hair braided
into ponytail. Her most striking feature however is a deep four inch
scar on the
left side of her face. A little souvenier from her and V's last meeting.
''Really Venus, such language'' Her voice is sweet almost mocking.
''Something
wrong Venus? Did something bad happen?'' She starts to laugh.
V gives a cry of rage as she attacks Cassia. The women cut and
parried in a
macabre dance. V pulled back as Cassia's strike nearly laid her open
at the
waist. Finally she caught Cassia's blade in the bind that Aaron taught
her long
ago. Cassia's sword dropped to the ground. V kneed her in the stomach
and she
slumped to her knees.
Standing over her vanquished foe V raised her sword. ''There
can be only one.''
Her blade struck Cassia in the throat. She watched the headless body
fall to the
ground. V watched as the glowing force slowly crept from Cassa's body
and
wrapped around hers. She jerked and screamed as the lightning like
power struck
her. Gradually the energy began to fade and V fell to her knees, tears
running
down her face.
++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++
V looks at Aaron and then walks to the window.
''There was nothing you could have done.''
''I should've been there. I could've stopped it.''
''You don't know that. Venus life is full of should'ves and could'ves.
You need
to let go of that. You need to let go before the guilt and the regret
is all
that you remember of your time with her.''
''I know. I hear what you're saying but it's hard. The time we
have with them
is so short to begin with. We only had four months. It's just not fair.
''No it's not. You can't stop them from dying. All you can do
is love them when
they are with us and continue to love them when they're gone.
V turns to face him and gives him a half smile, then walks into
one of his
hugs. ''I really am sorry for not letting you and Terry know I was
alright.''
''It's okay. Daniel would let us know how you were doing from
time to time.''
''Daniel?'' V asks curiously then thinks for a moment. ''Oh,
you're new
Watcher.''
Aaron nods. ''Actually he's one of the reasons Terry and I decided
to take
Robin up on her invitation to visit. Daniel said you were here as well.''
V finishes her drink. ''I should get going. I am a working woman
you know and
besides didn't you say you wanted to call Terry.''
Aaron puts his arm around her and walks her to the door. ''Thanks
for reminding
me. Are you sure you don't want to stay and talk to her?''
V shakes her head. ''I should really talk to her in person. Good
night,
Daddy.'' she says as she kisses his cheek and tugs on his beard.
''Good night, Little Flower.''
After closing the door Aaron walks over the the telephone and
dials. It rings
several times before being answered by a woman. She speaks with a delicate
voice
and a slight Irish accent. ''Hello my love.'' she says.
CHAPTER FOUR
Police Commissioner Mac Scorpio's office
Two days later.
"I'm telling you Mac something's not right about this whole thing."
Felecia
says sitting in a chair in front of Mac's desk. "V still hasn't
said anything
about knowing this friend of Robin's."
Mac looks at her. "There's got to some explanation why
she wouldn't tell
anyone. Tell me again what happened the other night."
"I was walking home and I saw them standing there staring at
each other. For a
moment I thought there was going to be some kind of trouble.
Then all of a
sudden V rushes into his arms and called him 'Daddy'." She moves
over and sits
on the corner of Mac's desk. "There is something strange going
on here."
"Strange. In Port Charles. What are the odds?"
Mac says jokingly.
"I'm serious Mac. I've got a weird feeling about this.
And he is pretty close
to Robin."
That last statement made Mac's mind up for him. If there
is something not
kosher about him he doesn't want him anywhere near Robin. Besides
Mac wouldn't
mind knowing a little more about Mr Aaron Grey himself.
He picks up the phone, "Where did Robin say he was from, Toronto
right?"
Felecia nods. "Garcia. Get a hold of the Toronto PD and
see what you find out
about an Aaron Grey. You know background. Record if he
has any. Let me know
as soon as you find something." Hanging up the phone he turns
to Felecia, "Alex
says he'll let me know what he finds later today."
"I just hope I'm wrong about this." Felecia says grabbing
her purse. "The
last thing we need in this town is another wacko." With that
last remark she
leaves Mac's office.
Jax's Penthouse.
V is sitting at the table a folder in one hand and a pen in the
other. "Well
Mr. Jax I think that's about everything. Except...", she says
looking over her
notes, "there is some kind of problem in Mexico, the details are sketchy
but..."
"Put Jerry on it." he says as V scribbles in her folder. "Anything
else?" V
says no. "Good. Because there is something you can do for
me."
"What is it?"
"I want a background check done on Aaron Grey."
"The man we met last night at the Outback? Why?"
For the first time this morning Jax looks up from his papers.
"There is
something about the man that just doesn't feel right."
"It wouldn't have anything to do with the fact that he's a friend
of Robin
Scorpio's and has been seeing her and Miss Barrett a lot while he's
in town."
Jax doesn't answer. Instead he goes back to his papers.
"Just do it for me
Venus. Please."
"Yes sir, Mr Jax" Outside the apartment V leans against
the wall and thinks to
herself <Daddy is going love this.>
General Hospital.
Robin is waiting at the elevator. The doors open and Jason
and Carly with baby
Michael walk out. "Jason what are you doing here? Is something
wrong with
Michael?"
"No Michael is fine." Jason answers. "We're just
bringing him in for a
checkup."
"How is he doing?'
"He's doing alright. He seems to have forgotten the entire
ordeal with Doctor
Jones."
Getting territorial Carly decides to leave before she makes a
scene and upsets
Jason, "Jason I'm going to take Michael to Simone's office."
"All right. I'll be right there." Jason takes a look
at Michael and then
Carly heads off. Turning back to Robin, "So why are you here?
Are you Okay?"
"I'm fine. Just a checkup for me too."
There are a few moments of uncomfortable silence as the two just
stand and
stare at each other. Both of them knowing what they really want
to say to each
other. But neither one talking. Finally Robin speaks.
"I should get going and
you had better catch up with Carly."
"All right. Take care of yourself." He walks away.
Robin watches him leave as she gets into the elevator.
The doors close behind
her and she rests against the back wall. <Stupid. Stupid.
Stupid. Why didn't
you just say it.>
Simone Hardy's office.
Carly is sitting with Michael in the outeroffice when Bobbie comes
in. "So
how's my grandson today?"
Carly looks up and almost smiles, "He's doing just fine aren't
you babyboy" he
says cooing at him.
Bobbie sits down next to her daughter. It's hard to believe
that just a few
months ago they couldn't stand being in the same room together and
now they are
actually being civil to each other. "How about you. How
are you holding up?"
Bobbie enquires.
Carly takes Michael out of his babyseat. "I'm okay.
I'll feel a lot better
when Tony is in jail where he belongs."
Bobbie notices that Jason isn't waiting with her. "Where's
Jason? Didn't he
come with you?" she aks.
"He'll be coming in a few minutes." She replies.
Simone comes out of her office. "Carly I'm ready for Michael
for now."
gets up with the baby and starts toward the inner-office when she suddenly
turns, "Bobbie would you like to come to?"
Bobbie smiles at her and gets up. "I'd love to."
Together mother and daughter walk into the office.
CHAPTER FIVE
Metro Police Station, Toronto.
That evening.
An attractive young woman with short blond hair is sitting at
her desk when the
phone rings, "Metro Homicide, Detective Vetter. Walter, how are
you? No Nick's
not here. He's off tonight. Anyhting I can do?" Tracy's
face grows more
serious as Walter explains. "Thanks for telling me. No
don't do that. I'll
talk to Nick. Thanks for calling. Bye." Tracy sits
in silence at her desk
before picking up the phone.
Nick Knight and Natalie Lambert are sitting together on the floor
in front of a
raging fire. With her head resting on Nick's shoulder Natalie
lets out a
contented sigh, "Well I don't know about you, but I can't think of
a better way
to spend a night off."
"Neither can I." Nicks says as he lifts her head and kisses her.
As the kiss deepens Natalie stradles Nick's waist. His
hands move to her waist
and then up her back. Just then the phone rings. "Great."
Nick says
frustrated.
"Let the machine get it." Natalie says not wanting him
to stop.
"I didn't turn it on."
Nick gets up and puts on his robe as he walks to phone while
Natalie lets out a
wolf whistle. "Don't start something you might not able to finish."
He
admonishs her. Picking up the phone, "Knight here."
"Nick it's Trace. I'm sorry for bothering on your only
night off. I didn't
interuppt anything did I?"
"No Tracy. You didn't interuppt anything." Nicks says looking
at Natalie who
giggles. "What's wrong?"
"I just got a call from Walter Simon over at central records
he called to tell
me that a detective from the states requested background info on Aaron
Gray.
Since he knows that Aaron's a friend of Natalie's he thought you both
would like
to know that somebody's checking him out."
"It's probably nothing to worry about but thanks for calling
to tell us Tracy."
Nick hangs up the phone. He sits down at the table.
Natalie watches as her husband with concern. Throwing the
blanket onto the
couch, she puts on her robe and walks over to him. "Has something's
happened?"
Nick nods. "Is it serious?"
"I don't know. All Tracy said was that a detective from
the states was
checking Aaron out. It might be nothing."
"It might not be." Natalie says. Sitting across from
him she takes one of his
hands. "We had better tell Terry."
Luke's Club.
Luke is tending bar when he sees Brenda and Aaron enter the club.
It's early
but the place is already jumping. They walk over to the bar.
"Well if isn't
the gorgeous Miss Barrett", Luke said taking Brenda's and kissing it.
"What can
I get you?."
Brenda smiled, "Nothing yet. We're waiting for Robin."
She then introduces
Aaron to Luke.
The two men shake hands. Aaron looks around the club.
"This is a great place
you've got here Mr Spencer."
"Thanks. Please call me Luke." He glances at the
door as sees Robin. "I
think the last member of your party has just arrived."
Brenda, Aaron and Robin grab a table just as the band takes the
stage.
PCPD, the Police Commissioner's office.
Felecia looks at the info on Aaron Grey that Mac just handed her.
"This it
it?" she asks.
"That's everything Alex was able find at the Toronto PD."
"These only go back a couple of years". She says as she
skims through the
file. "There are a couple of police reports that a bit troubling.
Both of them
centering on his wife. One is a report about a trio a serial
killers who
thought they were vampires who tried to kill her. The other is
just as
encouraging, only this one is about a group of vampire hunters who
were after
her because they thought she was one of the 'undead'. They didn't
hurt her, but
they did blow up their house."
Mac takes the folder from her. "According to Garcia before
settling in Toronto
a couple years ago Aaron and his wife were moving around quite frequently.
Paris. London. Dublin. Rome. New Orleans.
New York Never staying in one
place for very long."
"Where was the last place they were living?" Felecia asks.
"Paris." Mac says holding his hand up. "And before you
interrupt. I already
have someone checking out their time there."
Felecia smiles and picks up the folder again. <I know
you're hiding something
and I'm going find out what it is.>
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