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  1. In Memory of LAJ_FETT: Please share your remembrances and condolences HERE

Story [General Hospital] AU; Echoes of the Past (Scrubs, Scorpios, Cassadines, OC's) Ch. 20 (7.14.17)

Discussion in 'Non Star Wars Fan Fiction' started by JediMaster_Jen, Sep 2, 2014.

  1. JediMaster_Jen

    JediMaster_Jen Force Ghost star 4

    Registered:
    Jun 3, 2002
    Skywalker_Angel --Everyone seems to love Patrick. :) I do, too.

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

    Chapter Six

    After speaking with Robin and finding out how Patrick was doing, RJ had showered and was now dressed in sweats and a t-shirt. He had let his sister know that he was going to let Mac and their brothers in on the postcard, as he was sure it was somehow connected to the shooters at her home.

    He was sitting on his sofa drinking a cup of coffee when his doorbell rang. His eyes wandered to the locked front door and then back to the postcard on his coffee table. He wiped his hands over his face before standing and walking to the door.

    Ever cautious, RJ had his gun in hand as he slowly opened the door.

    “Hi honey, I’m home,” a dark-haired woman said as she stepped through the door and wrapped her arms around RJ’s neck.

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

    Mac, Sean and Jamie were on their way to RJ’s apartment in Mac’s car. Jamie had been found in his dorm room at PCU. He’d gone back to school early to work on a project which was due when the new semester began.

    “So, what exactly is this all about, Uncle Mac?” Jamie asked as he sat in the backseat.

    Sean turned around and locked eyes with his younger brother. “Robin and Patrick’s house was shot up this morning by lots of masked gunmen and then burned to the ground.”

    Jamie’s eyes widened and teared-up immediately. “Are they…?”

    “No, they’re fine, and so is RJ,” Mac explained. “He was supposed to babysit Justin and Emma while Robin and Patrick went out. He arrived just after the shooting started. They all managed to get out alive.”

    Jamie took a deep breath. “Thank God for that.”

    Sean nodded. “Yeah, so now we’re headed to RJ’s because he thinks he might know what’s going on.”

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

    RJ was too stunned to move. A woman he hadn’t seen in five years had her arms wrapped around him and standing quietly behind her with his arms around her legs, was a small boy with dark blonde hair and blue eyes.

    Shaking off his shock, RJ stepped out of her embrace and pulled back to stare at her. “What are you doing here, Erin?”

    Erin Lavery smiled. “I wanted to see you, and…”

    RJ ran a hand through his hair and interrupted. “You can’t be here. Okay, I have…you just can’t be here right now.”

    Erin reached down and picked up the boy and glared at RJ. “I thought you might want to meet your son.”

    RJ snickered. “Shouldn’t you be on Aidan’s doorstep instead of mine?”

    Erin pushed passed him and into the apartment. “He’s not Aidan’s. He’s yours.”

    RJ slammed the door. “Yeah, I’ll believe that when I have the paternity test in my hands.”

    “You don’t believe me?” she challenged.

    RJ shook his head. “No, I don’t. So, look, my uncle and my brothers will be here any minute. We have things to discuss, privately, so you need to leave.”

    Erin was angry. “RJ, I need…”

    He held up his hands. “I don’t care right now, Erin. I have other things that need my attention.”

    Her dark eyes flashed. “Your son needs your attention.”

    RJ sighed deeply. “Where are you staying?”

    “I have a room at some place called Kelly’s,” she told him.

    “Fine, I’ll come by tomorrow morning and we can go to GH and have paternity test done,” he informed her. “When it shows that I’m not the father, I’m calling Aidan and you can tell him the truth.”

    Still challenging, she spoke. “Why would I try to pass Aidan’s kid off as yours?”

    RJ shrugged. “I really have no idea, Erin. Why are you here five years after we last saw each other? If…what’s his name?”

    Erin smiled at her little son. “Cooper. Cooper Jonathan Scorpio.”

    RJ’s eyes flared. “You gave him my name?”

    Erin smirked. “Well, he is yours.”

    RJ threw his hands up. “Okay, whatever. Tomorrow morning, hospital, paternity test, call Aidan. Those are my terms. Now, you and Cooper have to go.”

    Erin allowed herself and Cooper to be escorted from his apartment then and RJ was thankful they were gone by the time Mac, Sean and Jamie showed up five minutes later.

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

    An hour later, RJ had told them about the postcard, puzzle piece and what he thought it meant. Mac, Sean and Jamie were stunned.

    “What makes you think this isn’t Faison?” Mac questioned as he paced the room.

    “He’s dead, Mac,” RJ responded. “You and Luke saw that boat blow. He’s dead. This is…this is something…someone else. I can…I can feel it.”

    “But, Faison was dead before,” Jamie said bluntly. “He came back. Is it so impossible he’s done it again?”

    RJ stood then as well. “I…maybe I just want so much to believe that he’s dead, I’m not willing to accept that…”

    “That he might very well be alive,” Sean finished. “What are we gonna do? Robin’s home was shot up. She and Patrick and the kids could have been killed. You could have been killed.”

    RJ nodded. “See, that’s another part I don’t understand. Faison wanted Mom and Dad; Mom for himself and Dad dead. He never came after any of us. We didn’t matter to him. So, what’s changed? If it’s him, what’s changed?”

    “Well, Mom and Dad are dead, for one thing,” Sean pointed out. “Maybe he just wants to end our whole family.”

    The three of them shared a look that spoke of many emotions; anger, frustration, nervousness and no small amount of fear.

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

    The Following Morning

    RJ had just had his mouth swabbed for the DNA test to be run on him and Cooper. Now he was sitting beside Patrick.

    “How ya feeling?”

    Patrick shrugged. “Tired and in some pain. Mostly I feel lucky to be alive.”

    RJ smiled slightly. “Yeah, I know that feeling. Listen, I came by because I wanted you to know that whatever is happening here, whatever’s gonna go down, it’s gonna be bad. I can feel that in my bones. Whether it’s Faison, or Cassadine’s unknown, or…the boogeyman, it’s gonna be a battle and it’s gonna be fierce. So…”

    Patrick stared at his brother-in-law. “So, what?”

    RJ met his stare. “So, I’m letting you know that you’re either going to have to go all in and learn to defend yourself, or you need to get out of the line of fire.”

    “I’m not getting out of the line of fire while Robin and our kids are directly in it,” he insisted.

    RJ nodded. “I figured that would be your answer. So, once you’re out of this dump, we’ll start your training.”

    Patrick frowned just as Robin walked into the room. She walked to her husband and gave him a tender kiss.

    “Hey, Robbie,” RJ greeted his sister. “You are just in time.”

    “Time for what?”

    RJ grinned. “I was just telling Patrick that once he’s cleared to leave this dump we’re gonna start his training. Martial arts, close quarters hand-to-hand, weapons…everything.”

    Robin looked at Patrick. They shared a meaningful glance before Robin spoke. “Are you okay with that?”

    Patrick nodded. “Yeah, I am. No more secrets, Robin. I need to…and want to know everything. I have to feel like I’m able to help when the chips are down.”

    Robin brushed her fingers against his before he threaded them together. “You’re going to be learning things…things that go completely counter to your life as a doctor.”

    He cleared his throat. “I understand that. Will these things give me a chance to live and protect the people I love?”

    Robin nodded as tears gradually began to fall from her eyes. “Yes, they will; with deadly accuracy.”

    RJ stood and quietly left the room. He knew his sister and brother-in-law needed to work things out between them. He was glad Patrick was so accepting of what was to come for him. He just hoped that the reality of those things didn’t hit him later. Robin would be devastated if Patrick ever left her. RJ also knew that when push came to shove, Robin was a Scorpio first. She’d sacrifice her marriage to Patrick if it meant eliminating any threat to the Scorpio family.

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

    “How many different types of weapons can you use?”

    Robin laughed. He asked the craziest questions out of nowhere. “Why do you want to know?”

    “So I know how many I have to learn.”

    She thought for a minute. “I guess…fifteen, maybe twenty. Handguns, semi-automatic and automatic weapons; my father made sure we all knew how to use them safely and with…”

    Patrick grinned. “Deadly accuracy?”

    Robin nodded. “Yes. Three in the chest, one in the head.”

    Patrick knew he would never be completely comfortable with guns, knives or violence in general, but he was willing to learn to protect their little family.

    “Does Justin know…?”

    “Yeah, he does,” Robin answered, knowing the question without it being asked. “RJ took him to the gun range the first time when he was eight. He’s pretty good with a handgun and a rifle.”

    They talked for a while more before Robin kissed him softly on the lips and then went back to work.

    Patrick rested in his bed, his mind churning and his heart a whirl of emotions.

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

    RJ arrived home and immediately saw a blank envelope on the welcome mat outside his apartment door. He picked it up and unlocked his door, shutting it tightly behind him and locking it.

    He sat down heavily on his couch and opened the envelope.

    This is a freebie for you. San Remo was the wrong place to look.

    RJ flipped the postcard over and saw a city near the water, but didn’t recognize it off hand.

    “Great,” he muttered to himself. “Another mystery."
     
  2. WarmNyota_SweetAyesha

    WarmNyota_SweetAyesha Chosen One star 8

    Registered:
    Aug 31, 2004
    Erin -- loved that confrontation with RJ. =D= Loved his firmness and no-nonsense attitude. :cool: RJ's concerns about Robin and Patrick and the fallout from doing what's necessary [face_worried] Has me on tinterhooks already, but I have faith in Patrick's resolve and affection. Then wowsers, another postcard. Hmmmm. The plot thickens like London fog is reputed to do LOL - pea-soup ;)

    [:D]
     
  3. Mira_Jade

    Mira_Jade The (FavoriteTM) Fanfic Mod With the Cape star 5 Staff Member Manager

    Registered:
    Jun 29, 2004
    Eeck! The postcard was not a very nice one to end this! [face_worried] And the possibility of a son for RJ - talk about the bad timing! Unless it is all connected, somehow? [face_thinking] Once again, I love Patrick's fortitude and strength. I just hope he keeps hanging in there. [face_love]

    =D=[:D]
     
    Nyota's Heart likes this.
  4. Skywalker_Angel

    Skywalker_Angel Jedi Master star 1

    Registered:
    Sep 12, 2004
    These postcards are freaking me out![face_nail_biting]Patrick sure seems to be handling things well and rolling with the punches, but as RJ thinks, I hope the reality of the situation doesn't hit him later and he rethinks his role in the Scorpio's lives.
     
  5. JediMaster_Jen

    JediMaster_Jen Force Ghost star 4

    Registered:
    Jun 3, 2002
    Tag List: Nyota's Heart, Mira_Jade, Skywalker_Angel

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

    RJ means business, that's for sure. :) Glad you liked it.

    It could all be connected. Possibly. ;)

    Patrick is doing well. So far. Thanks for reading.

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

    Chapter 7


    Three Weeks Later

    Patrick was finally being released from the hospital. He had just finished pulling his t-shirt down when his door opened and Robin entered. Patrick’s eyebrows rose when he saw how she was dressed. He’d never seen her in military-style pants tucked into combat boots with a black sleeveless top tucked into the pants.

    “Wow, you look kind of…sexy,” he said, smiling devilishly. “What’s the occasion?”

    Robin smiled as she kissed him gently and rested her hand on his abdomen where he’d been shot. “Well, Dr. Fisher says your physical therapy has gone so well that you’re cleared for some moderate physical…exertion.”

    Patrick’s eyes lit up.

    Robin laughed. “Not that kind of exertion. We’re going to the gun range.”

    Patrick sighed. He rested his hands on the bed. “I have to tell you, I’m not completely comfortable with…guns.”

    Robin wrapped her arms around his waist and rested her head against his solid chest. “I know you aren’t. You don’t…you don’t have to do this, Patrick. You can…”

    He pulled back. “I can what? Walk away and leave you and our kids in the line of fire? I’m not doing that. I’ll…I’ll find a way to deal with this.”

    Robin wanted to believe that Patrick could find a way to deal with guns, bombs and fighting. She knew that if he couldn’t it would tear their marriage apart.

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

    Luke’s Club

    RJ walked into the darkened nightclub and headed right for the bar.

    “Hey Detective,” Claude called out.

    RJ smiled. “Claude, how many times have I told you to call me RJ?”

    The bartender smiled. “If you’re looking for Luke, he’s in his office.”

    RJ nodded as he headed for the back of the club. He knocked and stepped inside when Luke called out.

    “Well, well, if it isn’t Robert Scorpio, Jr.. To what do I owe the pleasure?”

    RJ sat down and, without preamble, placed the most recent postcard on Luke’s desk. “I’m hoping you’re good at geography. Can you tell me what city that is?”

    Cigar in mouth, Luke picked up the photo and took a look. RJ could see recognition cross his face in minutes.

    “Where did you get this?”

    Condensing where he could, RJ told Luke everything; the postcard, puzzle piece and the shoot-up at Robin’s.

    “This one came three weeks ago,” he explained. “Obviously my trip to San Remo was a bust. Maybe this place will yield better results.”

    Luke blew out some smoke. “Maybe you should leave this one alone, Junior.”

    RJ leaned back against his chair. “Luke, you know I can’t do that. Someone tried to kill Robin and the kids. Someone is baiting me. I have to figure out who, and why so I can end it. Now, where is that?”

    Luke didn’t want to tell him. He didn’t want to open Pandora’s Box and he was sure telling RJ would do just that.

    But he did it anyway. “It’s Athens, Junior. Athens, Greece.”

    RJ’s eyes got wide in shock. “That changes things.”

    “How so?” Luke wondered.

    RJ sighed as he stood up and began pacing Luke’s office. “Mac and Robin think its Faison. Sean and Jamie think so, too. I told them…I told them this felt different and now I know why.”

    Luke stood as well. “Listen, Junior, this…I don’t know if Faison is dead. When Bubba and I shot at that boat and it exploded, we wanted to believe we’d gotten the idiot, but…who knows. He’s worked with the Cassadine’s before.”

    RJ remembered Lucky’s kidnapping years ago. Faison and Helena Cassadine had taken Lucky and made his family and friends think he was dead. By the time he’d been returned, he’d been brainwashed. It had taken years before Lucky was recovered, but he was never the same. That whole debacle is what had led to the shooting and explosion in the harbor that was believed to have finally killed Faison.

    RJ faced Luke. “What would the Cassadine’s want with my family? Besides Helena, who’s left of them? Stefan is not a threat.”

    Luke indicated for RJ to sit down as he did the same. “What do you know about your own family history?”

    RJ frowned. “What do you mean?”

    Luke turned to his safe and quickly opened it. He thrust a file at RJ. “Take a look. Your old man made me promise only to give you this in…well, this qualifies.”

    RJ flipped the file open and the first thing he saw was a photo of a newborn infant clipped to a birth certificate.

    “Who is this?”

    “Read the certificate,” Luke instructed.

    Alexios Alexander Liakos

    “I don’t get it,” RJ said. “Who’s Alexios Liakos?”

    Luke took a deep breath. “Your father.”

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

    Patrick and Robin had been at the range for three hours. Patrick had made some progress, but he still was not a very good shot.

    “I’m never going to be able to do this,” he told her.

    Robin nodded. “Yes, you are. You’ve already improved from when we started.”

    Patrick took a deep breath. “Okay, let’s go again.”

    Robin moved to stand next to him. “Here, relax your grip. You’re holding the gun too tightly. When you tense your muscles too much, it throws your aim off.”

    Patrick did as he was told and when he fired again, he hit the target square in the chest on four of six shots.

    Robin laughed. “See, you can do this. Great shots.”

    Losing some of his tension, Patrick laughed too. He leaned down and kissed Robin tenderly on the lips. “I think I’ll always have reservations about this, but…it feels good knowing I’ll be able to help protect you and the kids.”

    Robin smiled. “You’d be surprised how many doctors are employed by the WSB. They all know how to fire weapons and are extremely proficient in hand to hand combat. This really isn’t all that uncommon.”

    “Can’t wait for that training,” he quipped. “But for now, how about we take a break? Go get some lunch and see the kids?”

    Robin agreed and the two of them headed off.

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

    “What the hell are you talking about?” RJ asked as he continued flipping through the file.

    He came across more photos of his father as a young boy with a woman RJ knew was not his grandmother Patricia Scorpio. He saw his father in photos playing in water he knew was not off the coast of Australia.

    “You gonna tell me what the hell this means?”

    Luke nodded and took another puff on his cigar. “A few months before your father took off after Anna and Faison, he’d been in Greece.”

    RJ nodded. “Yeah, I know. He was there on a mission.”

    “Well, he stumbled across some…interesting information. The first bit was that birth certificate and those photos. They were given to him by a man named Christos Melonakos, an alias for Demetrios Cassadine.”

    “Never heard of him,” RJ said. “Who is he?”

    Luke smiled. “A bastard son of Mikkos Cassadine's father, born very shortly before the old man kicked the bucket.”

    RJ’s mind was awash in theories and suspicions, none of which were pleasant.

    “How would a Cassadine have this info?” RJ questioned. “Better yet, why?”

    “Well, that’s where it gets really tricky,” Luke said. “Your dad spent the last weeks of his mission tracking down as much information about Alexios Liakos as he could. Everything he found is in that file I gave you. The trail ended when young Alexios was three years old.”

    “What happened when he was three?”

    “That’s when Alexios Alexander Liakos was adopted by Xavier and Patricia Scorpio,” Luke revealed. “They left Greece the next day and Alexios Liakos was reborn in Sydney, Australia as Robert Xavier Scorpio.”

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

    Undisclosed Location
    Same Time


    “Sir, there is a Ms. Larisa Liakos to see you,” the guard informed his boss.

    “Send her in, please.”

    An older woman entered the room. The man stood.

    “It is…good to see you again, Larisa.”

    The woman with blonde hair and striking blue eyes, smiled. “There is no need for false pleasantries, Victor. You are not happy to see me, nor am I happy to see you. I have come for the truth. I want to know what happened to my son after you gave him away.”

    Victor Cassadine, second son of Matthias Cassadine, frowned. “Why do you ask me this now? It has been…many years. You have never expressed an interest before.”

    Larisa sat down. “I wish to know, Victor. You and I both know who my son was, why he was important. I want to know his fate.”

    Victor sighed as he sat as well. “The family I selected, they were Australian but of Greek ancestry. They had an infant son when I met them; Malcolm, I believe his name was.”

    “That does not tell me where he is now.”

    “Larisa, I tried to protect you from my family, from Mikkos,” Victor began. “Had Mikkos ever discovered…you and your child would have been killed. I took him from you and sent him away to protect him. Do you truly believe that the danger is gone? My wretched sister-in-law Helena still lives. She will stop at nothing to make certain she controls all Cassadine business and that means eliminating any and all threats to her.”

    “I understand that Prince Nikolas is not actually a prince at all,” Larisa said. “He is the son of Stefan Cassadine, your second nephew. What threat remains? Does she not have control since young Nikolas is not the heir?”

    Victor nodded. “Yes, she does, and I aim to keep it that way. I will tell you this. Your son has a family, children and grandchildren. If Helena discovered the truth, they would all be in danger.”

    Larisa stood then. “Perhaps now is the time to reveal the truth. If my son and his eldest son come forward, we can end this. Helena will have no power.”

    With that, Larisa Liakos turned and left Victor Cassadine’s office. He simply hadn’t had the heart to tell her that her son had died long ago at the hands of a madman. He’d been kept safe from the Cassadine’s who meant him harm only to fall against a man obsessed with his wife.

    He picked up his glass and downed the last of his Scotch. “To you, Robert Scorpio, my nephew, may you rest in peace.”
     
  6. WarmNyota_SweetAyesha

    WarmNyota_SweetAyesha Chosen One star 8

    Registered:
    Aug 31, 2004
    =D= =D= Now we'll just have to dub you the Queen of Plot Twisties, as I never would have seen that coming. [face_thinking] Adds more of a question as to motive and counterstrategy.
     
  7. earlybird-obi-wan

    earlybird-obi-wan Chosen One star 6

    Registered:
    Aug 21, 2006
    More twists and turns in a great story
     
  8. Mira_Jade

    Mira_Jade The (FavoriteTM) Fanfic Mod With the Cape star 5 Staff Member Manager

    Registered:
    Jun 29, 2004
    Wow! That is most definitely a twist. :eek: :oops: What a tangle of messed up threads RJ is sorting through! But I love, love, loved Patrick and Robin here - once again. He really is being tossed into the deep end, but his determination to pick himself up and take care of his family just gets me every time. [face_love]

    =D=
     
  9. JediMaster_Jen

    JediMaster_Jen Force Ghost star 4

    Registered:
    Jun 3, 2002
    The Queen? I am humbled. [face_blush]

    Thanks. I love to twist and shout, I mean, turn. :p

    So glad you like Patrick. he is resilient.

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

    Chapter Eight


    February 3, 2009
    PC General Hospital



    RJ was pacing the halls of the hospital outside the lab. Erin and Cooper were seated.

    “Will you sit down, please?” Erin asked him; irritation obvious in her tone.

    RJ glared at her. The last place he wanted to be was in the hospital waiting to find out if he was a father. His mind was whirling with the implications of his father having been born in Greece and a Cassadine having that information.

    He took a deep breath and sat down just as the doctor came out of the lab. RJ again jumped up.

    “Well?” he questioned. “Is he mine, Doc?”

    The doctor looked down at the results then back at RJ and Erin, who had come to stand next to RJ.

    The doctor could see the impatience in the young man. “To a percentage of 98.8 percent, yes, Cooper is your son, Detective Scorpio.”

    Erin smiled while RJ sighed and hung his head. His life had just gotten much more complicated.

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

    Sean was already in the gym loosening up when Robin and Patrick walked in. Both were clad in sweats and tank tops.

    “Hey guys,” Sean greeted. “Ready to kick some butt, Pattycakes?”

    Robin chuckled at Sean’s nickname for her husband. “Yeah, he’s ready.”

    Patrick didn’t look too sure, but he nodded.

    “Have you ever punched someone before?” Sean asked.

    Patrick shook his head. “Not since high school.”

    “Okay, well, first things first then,” Sean began. “Normally martial arts are for defense first, and even though Robin and I are gonna teach you how to attack; you’ll still be using this as defense. If someone is coming at you, the best place to be is somewhere else.”

    Patrick nodded, unsure.

    Sean bent his knees a bit and settled on the balls of his feet. “Come at me, as hard and as fast as you can.”

    Patrick shrugged. He was taller than Sean by a bit and figured with the shorter man crouched he might have an easier time.

    He charged at Sean, left arm reaching in a punching motion as he neared him. Sean easily sidestepped Patrick, grabbed his arm at the wrist and flipped Patrick as if he weighed nothing.

    Patrick landed on his back with a sickening thud. He grunted upon impact. “Oh, that hurt.”

    Sean laughed. “It’s called Aikido. It’s a…blending of the attack and the defense. We’re taught to redirect the force of the attack rather than oppose it directly. In class we use throws and joint locks to subdue an opponent without injuring them.”

    Patrick stood and worked out some kinks in his back. “Don’t I want to injure them?”

    Robin stepped forward then. “Incapacitate them, not injure them. Now, sometimes injuring them will be your only option. That’s when other martial arts come in. You’ll learn to punch and kick as well as block those types of attacks.”

    Thus began a long day of physically demanding training exercises. Patrick was amazed as he watched his wife and her younger brother spar. He was even more amazed when he was the recipient of Robin’s tactics. She was fast, strong and very agile.

    Once more Patrick was pressed to the floor, the joint lock employed by Robin quite effective.

    “Damn, that really hurts,” Patrick whined.

    Robin laughed. “It’s supposed to. You’re doing so well.”

    “I don’t feel like it,” Patrick said as he again stretched. “I just feel…beat up.”

    Sean laughed as he took a drink of water. Robin wrapped her husband in a hug and rubbed his back gently.

    “You’ve done amazing today,” Robin assured him. “You might not feel like you’re progressing, but you are.”

    Sean agreed. “Yeah man, you pick this stuff up quick; you just gotta…let yourself feel it. Let the movements become a part of you, an extension. Don’t make it so…jointed. It has to be fluid.”

    The three of them practiced for another few hours. Just before sunset, Patrick caught Sean in a perfect joint lock on his wrist and forced the younger man to the floor.

    “Yes!” Robin yelled. “You did it!”

    Patrick scooped her into his arms and spun her around. He was ecstatic.

    Sean stood and gave his brother-in-law a high-five. “Great job, man. You’re gonna get this. I guarantee it.”

    “How about we go grab some dinner?” Patrick asked as they gathered up their belongings.

    Robin nodded. “I’d love to. We need to go get Justin and Emma from Uncle Mac and Aunt Felecia first.”

    “I can’t guys,” Sean said. “Luke has Lulu tonight and I sort of…promised her I’d go have dinner with them.”

    “Tell them both I said hello,” Robin told her brother, completely missing the confused look that crossed Patrick’s face.

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

    After receiving the news that he was a father, RJ sent Erin and Cooper back to his apartment and told Erin not to leave until he got back. Then he’d left the hospital and wandered around for hours. He’d watched Sonny and Jason’s men unload a huge shipment of coffee. He’d walked along the river and gazed into St. Mark’s Cemetery in the direction of his parents’ memorial, but he hadn’t gone to them.

    Now, he suddenly found himself standing in front of the home he shared with his parents and siblings for way too short a time; less than a year from his parents’ remarriage to their deaths. Now it belonged to Mac, Felicia, Maxie and Georgie.

    Memories of that time flooded his mind. He remembered watching Australian rules football with his father, helping his mother wash the dinner dishes, running through the sprinklers with his little brothers and playing with Friday with Robin.

    Just as RJ had shaken himself out of his reverie, he heard his name being called form the porch. He turned and smiled when he saw his cousin.

    “Hey Georgie,” he said as he walked up the driveway and stepped onto the porch.

    Georgie wrapped her arms around his waist and squeezed tight. RJ hugged the thirteen-year-old back for a few minutes before pulling back.

    “What are you doing here?”

    RJ sighed. “Is Mac here?”

    Georgie nodded. “Yeah, he’s inside. Come on.”

    RJ followed Georgie inside and was immediately met with the sight of Mac sitting in his lounger watching television.

    “Hey,” Mac called as soon as he saw his nephew.

    RJ cleared his throat. “Hi. Um, listen, I…I need to talk to you. Can we…”

    Mac jumped up. He could count on one hand the number of times his eldest nephew had come to him with a problem. He certainly wasn’t going to turn him away when he did.

    “Let’s go to my study,” Mac said and led the way.

    Once inside, RJ sat down and sighed.

    “What’s wrong?” Mac questioned as he sat down behind his desk.

    RJ leaned forward and began. “I’ll keep it short. Do you remember five years ago when I took that leave of absence from the PD and went to Pennsylvania?”

    When Mac nodded in the affirmative, RJ continued. “I ended up in Pine Valley. Of course, the first person I ran into was Ryan. The last person I wanted to see was a Lavery.”

    Mac chuckled. RJ had never hidden his distrust and dislike of Duke Lavery, even when his mother Anna had been married to the man.

    “Anyway, I met his sister Erin the same day,” RJ continued. “Long story short, we…well, you know. But she was involved at the time with some crazy British ex-special forces guy named Aidan. I walked away, told her there was no way we could be anything together.”

    Mac nodded. “And?”

    RJ took a deep breath. “She showed up on my doorstep a month ago with…”

    Mac waited patiently.

    “With a four-year-old boy,” he finished.

    Mac eyes widened. “Is he…is he yours?”

    RJ nodded as he ran his hands through his hair. “Yeah, he is. We got the results of the paternity test this morning. I’ve been…I’ve been walking around this damn city for hours trying to figure out how Dad handled two kids showing up on his doorstep out of the blue. I don’t…someone is targeting our family, Mac, and I can’t have a kid caught in the middle.”

    “Do you even want to be a father to this boy?” Mac asked delicately.

    RJ shrugged as he stood and began to pace. “I don’t know, Mac. I…yeah, I guess so. I’ve had less than twelve hours to even process this and I have so many other things to think about right now. Speaking of…”

    He pulled an envelope out of his jacket pocket and handed it to Mac. “I got another postcard a few weeks ago. It’s in there. I took it to Luke and he identified the city and gave me all of the papers in that envelope.”

    Mac opened everything and laid it out on his desk. RJ sat back down and waited for his uncle to process the information.

    “I never…our parents never said anything,” Mac almost whispered.

    “Yeah, well, I’m guessing it might have been imperative that everyone involved kept their mouths shut.”

    “Where did Spencer get this?” Mac asked.

    “Said Dad gave it to him for safe keeping,” RJ replied. “Told me that Dad made him promise he would only give it to me if circumstances warranted me having the information; whatever that means. Anyway, Luke said with the shooting and the postcards and everything going on, this qualified as the circumstances warranting it.”

    “Did he mention where your dad got it?”

    RJ nodded. “Yeah, that’s another weird thing; said Dad got it from some guy named Christos Melonakos which is an alias for Demetrios Cassadine.”

    “Never heard of him,” Mac remarked.

    RJ snickered. “That’s what I said to Luke. He told me that Demetrios is the youngest son of Matthias Cassadine, Mikkos’ father. Apparently he was born just before Matthias kicked the bucket.”

    “An unknown Cassadine,” Mac said to himself.

    “Yeah,” RJ confirmed. “I just don’t…I don’t get it. Someone, a Cassadine, knew Dad was adopted, and by whom. But that file stops with my grandparents’ arrival in Australia. There’s no name other than that Larisa Liakos on the birth certificate. Why would any of this be of interest to a Cassadine?”

    Mac sighed. “I hate to say it because you know how I feel about him, but…Luke is probably the best person for these questions. He knows the Cassadine’s inside and out. I’m willing to bet he has some theories. You just have to ask him.”

    “I have a few theories myself, and none of them are pleasant,” RJ said.

    “Such as?”

    “That guy, Demetrios Cassadine, I can’t think of one reason why he would have cared about Dad, or given him this info unless…”

    He let it hang, and Mac picked up immediately. “Unless he might be your Dad’s…father.”

    “Exactly,” RJ agreed. “But then I started thinking about that too. If Demetrios was Matthias’ youngest son, then why would it have mattered if he fathered a son himself? Why didn’t he just tell Dad the truth then and there? The first son of the fourth son doesn’t mean anything in the Cassadine hierarchy. Alexios, my father, would have been safe. By birth order, he was a nobody, presumably. But then something happened when he was three and he was given away. What was that one thing? That’s what I keep asking myself.”

    “Got an answer?” Mac wondered.

    RJ nodded. “Yeah. Demetrios wasn’t his father, but he knows, or knew who was. I didn’t think to ask Luke if he knows if this Demetrios is still alive. Anyway, all of my theories lead to one conclusion; I think my dad was born a Cassadine.”

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

    Patrick and Robin were enjoying a nice dinner with Justin and Emma at the MetroCourt.

    “How was school today?” Robin asked her son.

    The young man shrugged. “Okay, but I hate having the guards around.”

    “Guards?” Patrick questioned as he looked over at Robin. “He has guards?”

    Robin tried to hide her grimace. “Yes, he does.”

    Patrick put down his fork. “Employed by whom, may I ask?”

    Justin looked back and forth between his parents. “Maybe I shouldn’t have mentioned the guards.”

    “No, it’s good that you did,” Patrick said. “I’m your dad; I need to know these things.”

    Robin sighed. “They work for Sonny. While you were in the hospital, Sonny and Jason asked if they could do anything to help. I asked…I asked them to watch Justin and Emma.”

    “Emma too?”

    Robin nodded. “Yes, when she’s in the hospital daycare or with a babysitter, she has guards outside, always watching. I…we can’t take any chances.”

    Patrick noticed how she started to say I, and not we. She was trying to handle everything on her own, and he didn’t like it.

    “Okay, look, we’ll talk about this later,” Patrick decided. “Let’s just enjoy dinner as a family.”

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

    Justin and Emma were both asleep when Patrick sat down on the bed in their suite at the MetroCourt next to Robin.

    “When were you gonna tell me about the guards?”

    Robin sighed. “I don’t know that I was.”

    Patrick was stunned. “What? You weren’t gonna tell me at all?”

    Robin turned to face him. “I don’t know. Patrick, I…I need you to understand something for me. Can you do that?”

    He nodded.

    “When that shooting started and I knew you and the kids were in the house, I…I’ve never been that scared, Patrick,” she began. “I wasn’t scared for me. I knew exactly what to do and I knew that I could do it. But you and Justin and Emma, you have no protection. Yes, Justin knows how to shoot, but he’s thirteen years old. Emma is a baby, and you…I don’t know what I’d do if I lost you.”

    Patrick pulled her into his arms as he saw tears begin to fall. “You’re not gonna lose me, Robs. I promise.”

    She wiped her eyes and nodded. “That’s why the guards. I have to make absolutely sure that our children are protected. The PCPD likes to do things by the book. They’re all good cops, RJ, Lucky and Jesse in particular. But Sonny and Jason’s men, they’ll shoot first in defense of Justin and Emma and not stick around to answer the questions. That’s what I need for them. Something bad is coming, Patrick; something so bad it’s going to tear this town apart and my family is at the center of it. Someone is coming for the Scorpio’s.”

    Patrick kissed her forehead and rubbed her back gently. He didn’t know what to say to ease her fears.

    Or his own.

    “None of us are going to be safe.”
     
  10. WarmNyota_SweetAyesha

    WarmNyota_SweetAyesha Chosen One star 8

    Registered:
    Aug 31, 2004
    Bravo on the many mysteries blending together and the confidential conversations and discussions as to what exactly might have or is going on. =D= =D=

    I love the relationship aspect of anything I read or write, so I hone in like immediately. Robin's sense of I has supplanted the us that should be automatic with Patrick. Whether that's temporary or not, becomes a dividing factor ... :eek: I just hope patrick won't let it. [face_nail_biting]
     
  11. earlybird-obi-wan

    earlybird-obi-wan Chosen One star 6

    Registered:
    Aug 21, 2006
    Mysteries and now Patric training to keep himself and family safe. A nice mix of action and talk
     
  12. Mira_Jade

    Mira_Jade The (FavoriteTM) Fanfic Mod With the Cape star 5 Staff Member Manager

    Registered:
    Jun 29, 2004
    I definitely have to second Deb with the mysteries of this tale being handled most superbly. Once again, the star of this chapter was Robin and Patrick for me. You can clearly understand both of their fears and reservations, and hope that they continue relying on each other as this goes on. [face_worried]

    A fantastic update, once more. :D =D=
     
    Nyota's Heart likes this.
  13. JediMaster_Jen

    JediMaster_Jen Force Ghost star 4

    Registered:
    Jun 3, 2002
    Tag List: Nyota's Heart, earlybird-obi-wan, Mira_Jade

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

    Thanks so much! :)

    Robin is still learning to lean on Patrick; learning that he's strong enough to handle whatever comes his way. :)

    Thank you! :)

    So glad you're enjoying. Robin and Patrick are certainly having to rely on each other.

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

    Chapter Nine


    The Following Morning
    RJ Scorpio’s Apartment


    RJ was standing in the doorway of the second bedroom in his apartment watching Erin and Cooper sleep. When he’d returned home the night before she’d wanted to talk. His mind had been too consumed with other things, so he’d sent them to bed and had retreated to his own room shortly after. He knew they needed to talk, and there were things he needed to tell her, but…

    “How long are you going to stare?” Erin’s sleepy voice called out.

    RJ snickered. “Not long. Get up; we need to talk. Meet me in the livingroom when you’re dressed.”

    “Wait,” she called out as she stood. “When did…I don’t remember you having tattoos.”

    RJ nodded. “It’s been five years, Erin. Things change.”

    She moved closer to him and reached out and gently ran her finger over the tattoo on his left shoulder. “I like this one. What is it?”

    RJ wasn’t immune to her touch. A small shiver ran through his body. “It’s a Phoenix; a mythical bird that dies…and rises from its own ashes to live again.”

    Erin smiled. “It’s you.”

    RJ shook his head. “No, it’s my family. We’ve risen from the ashes before, and we’ll do it again. It’s part of what you and I need to talk about; what I need to tell you. So, get dressed and…we’ll talk.”

    He turned around and walked away before she could say another word.

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

    Patrick and Robin had both rested uneasily and were now slowly getting ready for the day. Justin had already been taken to school and Emma was still asleep in her crib.

    “There’s something I’ve been meaning to ask you,” Patrick said as he worked on his tie.

    “What’s that?” Robin questioned as she pulled her scrub top over her black turtleneck.

    “Why would your brother promise to have dinner with Luke Spencer and his daughter?”

    Robin’s hands froze in the act of dressing. “Why would you ask me that?”

    Patrick sighed as he sat down on the hotel bed. “I just have this…funny feeling that you and RJ have answered the questions I’ve asked, but…”

    “But what?” she questioned as she sat next to him.

    “But I feel like if I don’t ask the question, you won’t tell me anything,” he finished. “And if I don’t ask the right question, I won’t get the true answer. So, I’m asking; why did Sean promise Lulu Spencer he’d have dinner with her and Luke?”

    Robin took a deep breath. “He promised Lulu because she’s…she’s his half-sister.”

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

    By the time Erin had come into the livingroom, RJ had changed from his sweatpants into jeans and he’d put on a t-shirt.

    “You didn’t have to dress on my account,” Erin quipped as he handed her a cup of coffee.

    “What made you decide to come here?” RJ asked her.

    Erin shrugged. "I thought you should meet your son.”

    RJ shook his head. “No, you didn’t. It’s not that simple, Erin, and I know it. Tell me the truth. Why did you come here with Cooper?”

    He could see she was afraid of something. He reached out and took her hand in his. “Listen to me, Erin. I need you to be honest with me, about everything. I can’t protect you if you don’t tell me the truth. Now, please, why did you come here? Why now after five years?”

    A few tears slipped down her cheeks. She walked back to the bedroom and quickly came back with an envelope in her hands. She handed it to him.

    “There,” she said. “That’s why I came. I left the Fusion offices late one night and went to pick Cooper up from his babysitter. I felt…I don’t know; I felt like someone was following me the entire time. I grabbed Cooper and practically ran into my apartment building. When I got to the door, that envelope was on my doorstep.”

    RJ felt his heart begin to race as he opened the envelope.

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

    “His…his sister?” Patrick stumbled. “How…how is that even…possible?”

    “Luke is Sean’s biological father,” Robin revealed. “I’ll make this quick; long time ago Luke was engaged to a woman named Holly Sutton. Luke was believed to have died in an avalanche and then Holly found out she was pregnant shortly after. My dad and Holly fell in love and got married. Dad was going to raise Sean as his own. Luke came back, got ticked off that his woman and his best friend hooked up. Dad and Holly stayed married, moved to Australia and had Sean. Luke ran for mayor, won, and discovered that Laura was alive. They left town together to go get Nik and then Holly died in a plane crash when Sean was four. Dad and Sean came home; my mother took over the role of mother for Sean. So, there you have it. Sean is a Spencer by birth, but a Scorpio in every other way.”

    Patrick didn’t know what to say. Robin hadn’t even taken a breath in all of that. “Wow.”

    Robin laughed slightly. “Yeah, I know. It’s a lot more complicated than that, but in a nutshell, that’s what happened. Luke was so angry he couldn’t see straight and he didn’t want any part of the baby then. I remember years later, not too long before my parents died, my dad had spoken to Luke on the phone and Luke told him that he regretted the decision to stay out of Sean’s life. By the time Luke and Laura came back to Port Charles, my parents were dead and he and Laura had Nik, Lucky and Ethan.”

    “Has Sean always known the truth?” Patrick wondered out loud.

    “Not always,” she said. “I think he was about eight when our parents told him about Luke. He always knew that Holly was his biological mother and that she was dead. But the Luke revelation wasn’t easy for him. For starters, Luke wasn’t even here. He wasn’t someone Sean could seek out for answers. That came later.”

    Patrick cleared his throat. “I doubt that was an easy conversation for either of them.”

    Robin shook her head. “No, it wasn’t. Sean had always had a curiosity about Luke, which was understandable. So, when Luke and Laura showed up, Sean want to Luke for the answers he wanted. Luke gave them to him; told him why he made the choices he did and that while he regretted some of them, letting his son grow to love and respect Robert Scorpio would never be something he considered a mistake.”

    “What happened after that?”

    “Sean came home,” she said. “He told Uncle Mac where he’d been and that he’d had a nice chat with Luke. Remember, Sean was only…ten or so when all this happened. Uncle Mac was angry at first. But, then Luke came to Uncle Mac one day and told him that he had no intention of doing anything. Sean was always going to be a Scorpio. It’s been that way ever since, until about six years ago.”

    “What happened six years ago?”

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

    RJ pulled a photograph of Cooper out of the envelope. It looked recent. He flipped it over and he saw words that chilled him to the bone.

    Such a beautiful little prince.

    “Did you see anyone around? Anyone who could have left this?” RJ asked when he recovered enough to speak.

    Erin shook her head. “No, there wasn’t anyone there; just that envelope and the picture of Cooper inside it. I was…I got so scared and I just…I packed enough for the two of us for a few days, took Cooper the next morning and drove here to you.”

    RJ stood and ran his hands through his messy hair and over his face. “I need to go see some people about this. I want…got get Cooper ready to go. I’ve gotta get you both somewhere safe.”

    “Safe?” she asked. “What are you talking about? Why aren’t we safe here?”

    RJ grasped her upper arms in his hands. “Erin, I do not have time to explain right now. Please, go get our son dressed. We have to leave. Now.”

    Erin ran to the room and proceeded to do as RJ said.

    RJ grabbed his cell phone and dialed a number he knew by heart.

    ”Spencer.”

    “Luke, it’s RJ,” he began. “I need you to meet me on the docks by the launch. We gotta go out to Wyndemere.”

    ”Thirty minutes okay?”

    “Fine,” he acknowledged. “Thanks.”

    ”Sure, Junior.”

    RJ hung up just as Erin and Cooper walked into the livingroom.

    “We’re ready,” Erin stated.

    RJ grabbed his wallet, Erin’s car keys and a NY Yankees baseball cap off the coffee table and headed for the door. He grabbed a black PCPD hoodie and put it on and tossed one to Erin. Cooper already had a jacket on.

    They hustled out of the apartment and into Erin’s car. She quickly strapped Cooper into his child safety seat and then got into the passenger side of the car. RJ threw it into gear and sped off towards Harborview Towers.

    “Where are you taking us?” Erin asked as they sped along Harbor View Drive.

    “Somewhere you’ll both be safe from what’s coming,” he answered, already thinking ahead.

    “What is coming, RJ?” Erin demanded. “Do you know who left that photo of Cooper? What does that note on the back mean?”

    Instead of answering her, he asked a question of his own. “When you found out you were pregnant, did you tell anyone? Did you mention my name to anyone? Anyone at all?”

    Erin shook her head. “No, no I didn’t…I didn’t tell anyone, not even Aidan. I left Pine Valley not too long after I found out and I only came back maybe a month or two ago. Tell me what’s going on, RJ. You’re freaking me out right now.”

    He sighed as they pulled into the underground parking lot at Harborview Towers. He shut off the car and turned to face her.

    “Listen to me; there…there are a lot of things I need to tell you, but they’re gonna have to wait,” he explained. “Suffice it to say, I’ve gotten a few postcards with cryptic messages on them as of late as well. I have some suspicions as to who’s behind it and why, and if I’m right…”

    “If you’re right, then…what?” Erin asked.

    RJ took a deep breath. “Then Cooper could be in a lot of danger.”

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

    “Six years ago, when he was nineteen, Sean was diagnosed with Aplastic Anemia,” Robin revealed. “It was a severe case and he needed a bone marrow transplant. Luke, Lucky, Ethan and Lulu were all tested but none of them were a match.”

    “But he obviously got the transplant,” Patrick stated.

    “Yeah, just in time too,” Robin told him. “He was pretty sick. Luke, the boys and Lulu spent a lot of time with him while he was in the hospital. Lulu got pretty attached. She was only eight then. Anyway, Sean started to spend time with them once he recovered. He’ll never claim anyone other than Robert Scorpio as his father, but he has a lot of respect for Luke, and he loves them, like a second family.”

    Patrick just shook his head. “Your family is…convoluted.”

    Robin laughed. “Yes, it is. Patrick, I don’t mean to hold information back from you. It’s not ever my intention to lie, or to tell half-truths. It’s very hard for me, for everyone in my family to be open with others, even the people we love.”

    Patrick wrapped his arm around her. “I know. I just want to be able to protect you and our kids. I feel like I need to be in possession of all the info I can be to do that.”

    “There is one other thing I should tell you,” Robin muttered.

    Patrick smiled. “Oh, yeah?”

    “Since you know all about Sean, I guess you should know about Jamie, too,” she began.

    Patrick wondered what she could possibly tell him about his youngest brother-in-law.

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

    “What kind of danger?”

    “His life, Erin,” RJ told her. “His life could be in danger. That’s why we’re here. The men who live here can protect you and Cooper.”

    “Why can’t you protect us?” she wanted to know.

    RJ sighed deeply. “Erin, I need you to understand something. I’m gonna…I’m probably going to be leaving the country in the next few days. Where I’m going…it’s dangerous. I need to know that you and Cooper will be safe in case…”

    Erin’s eyes had tears in them. “In case of what?”

    RJ met her stare. “In case…I don’t come back.”

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

    “Jamie’s not a Scorpio by birth, either,” Robin told her husband. “My mom and stepfather, Duke, had Jamie together. After Duke died, my dad adopted Jamie.”

    Patrick laughed as he stood. “Like I said, convoluted.”

    Robin stood as well. “We’re certainly an eclectic bunch, that’s for sure. Come on, we have to get Emma to the sitter and then go to work.”

    They both finished getting ready and were out the door hotel door within minutes with Emma.

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

    Marco Sanchez, a guard at Jason’s door smiled when he saw RJ.

    “Hey Detective Scorpio,” he greeted.

    “Hi, Marco, is Jason in?” RJ questioned without preamble.

    Marco nodded, turned and knocked on the door once and cracked it open. “Jason, Detective Scorpio is here to see you.”

    “Send him in,” Jason called.

    RJ thanked Marco as he, Erin and Cooper walked into Jason’s penthouse.

    “What can I…”Jason started, but stopped when he turned around and saw Erin and Cooper.

    RJ just nodded. “Yeah, look, this is Erin Lavery, an old…friend.”

    Jason looked at the boy. “And him?”

    “My son, Cooper,” RJ revealed.

    Jason stared at both the woman and the boy for several long moments before offering all three of them a seat.

    “You wouldn’t be here if you didn’t need something,” Jason guessed. “What is it?”

    “I need someplace safe for Erin and Cooper to stay while I’m gone,” RJ told his friend.

    “Where are you going?” Jason wanted to know before he agreed to anything.

    “Athens, Greece.”

    Jason’s blue eyes widened just a bit. “How long?”

    RJ shrugged. “I don’t know. As long as it takes.”

    Jason knew better than to question any further. RJ didn’t question what Jason did and Jason returned the favor. But he knew if RJ was going to Greece, whatever it was, it involved the Cassadine family.

    “They can stay here,” Jason finally told them. “I’m gonna be out of town myself for a few weeks. The guards can be assigned to them if you need.”

    “I need,” RJ confirmed. “Thanks, Jase.”

    Jason nodded and excused himself from the room, sensing that RJ needed to talk to his…friend.

    “He’s a stranger,” Erin complained. “I don’t like this.”

    “Would you rather go back to Pine Valley where Cooper could be kidnapped, or worse,” he asked her. “Look, I’m trying to protect everyone here. I need for you to cooperate with me. I’m gonna go across the hall and explain things to another friend. He’s gonna make sure that you and Cooper are guarded while I’m gone. Please, just…just do this for me. I’ll be back tonight.”

    Erin nodded. RJ stood and she grabbed his wrist before he could walk away. She stood as well and gave him a gentle kiss on the lips.

    “I’m trusting you,” she whispered against his lips.

    He kissed her back once. “Thank you.”

    With that, he walked out and across the hall to Sonny’s penthouse.
     
  14. WarmNyota_SweetAyesha

    WarmNyota_SweetAyesha Chosen One star 8

    Registered:
    Aug 31, 2004
    Patrick is right about not knowing which questions to ask LOL but it's not deliberate attempts to withhold. It's self-reliance combined with convoluted. [face_laugh]

    Wow, they knew about Erin and Cooper even before RJ did. :eek: [face_nail_biting] Looking forward to RJ's Athens adventure. =D=
     
    JediMaster_Jen likes this.
  15. earlybird-obi-wan

    earlybird-obi-wan Chosen One star 6

    Registered:
    Aug 21, 2006
    Twists and turns are everywhere, a great read again
     
  16. Mira_Jade

    Mira_Jade The (FavoriteTM) Fanfic Mod With the Cape star 5 Staff Member Manager

    Registered:
    Jun 29, 2004
    Whew! I can't blame Patrick for feeling that way, just as you understand where Robin is coming from. I am glad that he found the right question to ask. (And wow! Convoluted is the word. 8-}) This is definitely quite the twist with RJ and his son - I look forward to seeing how his trip to Athens goes. Hopefully he can find some answers there. [face_thinking]

    As always, your writing leaves me intrigued for more. =D=
     
  17. JediMaster_Jen

    JediMaster_Jen Force Ghost star 4

    Registered:
    Jun 3, 2002
    Nyota's Heart

    Exactly! It's instinct for Robin still to hold things close to the vest and not volunteer info.

    They did. Creepy, huh?[face_nail_biting]

    earlybird-obi-wan

    I love to twist and turn. :) Thanks for reading.

    Mira_Jade

    He did. This time. ;)

    Thank you. [face_blush]

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

    Chapter Ten


    Luke was waiting for RJ when he arrived.

    “Thanks for meeting me here, Luke.”

    Luke took a puff on his cigar and nodded. “You mind telling me what exactly we’re traveling to Gothic Island for?”

    “Those papers you gave me, and the story about Demetrios Cassadine got me thinking about some things,” RJ told the older man. “At first, my mind went to the fact that Demetrios Cassadine might have been Dad’s father.”

    Luke nodded. “Yes, I thought that too once upon a time.”

    RJ smiled. “But then I realized that Mikkos, Victor and Tony Cassadine were all older than Demetrios, so even if he was Dad’s father, it wouldn’t have mattered. The first son of the fourth son and all that…well, it wouldn’t have mattered to anyone in the Cassadine family.”

    “So, what did you come up with, Junior?”

    “Demetrios Cassadine knows, or knew who my dad’s father was,” RJ said. “That’s why he gave him the file in the first place. I’ve pretty much worked out that my father was born a Cassadine. I just need to find this Demetrios and talk to him. I find him, and maybe I can unravel all this craziness.”

    Luke took another puff of his cigar. “You think going out there to talk to Count Vlad is gonna get you Demetrios?”

    RJ sighed and shrugged. “I don’t know, Luke. It’s the only place I know to start.”

    Luke seemed satisfied with that, and the two boarded the launch that would take them to Stefan Cassadine; and hopefully to some answers.

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

    PC General Hospital

    Robin was standing at the nurse’s station reviewing a chart when she heard the elevator doors open. She glanced over and her jaw dropped at who she saw.

    “There’s my favorite goddaughter,” Frisco Jones called as soon as he caught site of Robin.

    Robin grinned and tossed the chart aside. “Uncle Frisco!”

    She ran to him and practically jumped into his arms. Frisco held her tightly. It had been too long. He had stayed away too long.

    “What are you doing here?” Robin asked when they pulled apart.

    Frisco shrugged. “I had some time between assignments and thought I’d…well, I’ve been missing Port Charles lately. I thought it was time I came home.”

    Robin smiled brightly. “Well, whatever your reasons, I’m so glad you’re here. It’s been way too long.”

    Frisco sighed. “Just about fifteen years. You’ve grown up so much. I’m sure…Maxie…”

    In a way, Robin felt sorry for him. Maxie was his daughter and he hadn’t seen her but for a few times since she nearly died when she was three-and-a-half years old. In another way, she felt like whatever reception he got from Maxie was exactly what he deserved because he’d stayed away by choice.

    “She’ll be happy to see you,” Robin told him. “So will Aunt Felecia.”

    “I don’t know about that, Robin,” Frisco sighed. “I’m afraid I’ve earned every bit of anger they have for me.”

    The two continued to talk until Patrick walked around the corner and saw his wife. “Robin?”

    Robin looked up and waved Patrick over. “Uncle Frisco, I want you to meet my husband, Dr. Patrick Drake. Patrick, this is my godfather, Frisco Jones.”

    Patrick had heard the name many times from Robin and her family. Frisco stood and held out his hand.

    “Nice to meet you, Dr. Drake,” Frisco said politely.

    Patrick nodded. “Yeah, it’s good to finally meet you too. I’ve heard a lot over the last couple years from Robin.”

    “I’m not sure if that’s a good thing or not,” Frisco said with a grin.

    Patrick laughed. “Robin tells me only good things. Well, I have rounds so I’ll be going, nice to meet you, Mr. Jones.”

    Robin turned to Frisco once Patrick was out of sight. “Would you like to come to dinner with Patrick and me tonight?”

    Frisco nodded. “I’d love that.”

    “Okay, well, we’re staying at the MetroCourt Hotel at the moment, so…”

    Frisco frowned. “Why? When I spoke to Felicia last, she said you two had your own home.”

    Robin sighed. “Yeah, that’s…a long story. I’ll explain tonight at dinner.”

    Frisco agreed. “Okay. Do you know where I might find Felicia?”

    “Probably at the Outback,” Robin guessed. “She likes working there in the afternoons.”

    Frisco gave Robin a goodbye kiss and headed off to the Scorpio-owned bar and grill.

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

    Just as RJ and Luke stepped off of the launch, they were surprised to see Nikolas headed towards them.

    “Hey RJ, Luke,” the twenty-five-year old greeted the two older men.

    Luke gave the young man a tight hug. “How ya been, Nikky?”

    Nikolas laughed. “Good, Luke.”

    “Is your father around, Nik?” RJ got right to the point. “Luke and I need to see him. It’s…urgent.”

    “Yeah, he was in his study when I saw him last,” Nikolas told them. “Come on.”

    The trio walked to the main house and went inside. Laura had just come down the stairs and she smiled brightly when she saw RJ and Luke.

    “What brings the two of you by?” Laura asked as she hugged RJ and then Luke.

    “I need to speak with Stefan,” RJ said. “He might have some information I need for a…a case.”

    Laura was a bit suspicious, but she led them to Stefan’s study. “Stefan, RJ Scorpio and Luke are here to see you.”

    Stefan stood and reached out to shake RJ’s hand. He only nodded to Luke. The two men had come a long way over the years, their love for Laura, Nikolas, Lucky, Ethan and Lulu giving them common ground to stand on.

    “What may I do for you, Detective?” Stefan asked kindly as he sat behind his desk.

    RJ and Luke sat down across from Stefan. RJ reached into his jacket pocket and pulled out the papers. He tossed them onto Stefan’s desk.

    “A long time ago, just a couple of weeks before my parents died, my father was in Greece and a man named Demetrios Cassadine gave those to him,” RJ explained. “I need to know if Demetrios is still alive and where I can find him if he is.”

    Stefan donned his reading glasses and flipped through the file. It took him only moments, and when he was done his jaw was near the floor.

    “I never…I was never aware of any of this,” Stefan said quietly. “I haven’t heard his name since I was a boy.”

    “What about the others?” RJ wanted to know. “Larisa and Alexios Liakos, you know of them?”

    Stefan shook his head. “No, I’ve never heard those names before.”

    “Is this Demetrios still alive?” Luke demanded.

    “I honestly do not know, Luke,” Stefan revealed. “I’ve never even met the man, not face to face anyway. I heard his name once, and once only, when I was eight years old. My father was in a business meeting and I overheard my father’s business associate introduce himself as Christos Melonakos. My father laughed and asked why the other man was not using his birth name of Demetrios Cassadine. I caught a glimpse of the man and as I recall he was in his late twenties, perhaps early thirties. I never heard his name again; until now.”

    RJ sighed deeply. “Great. So, how the hell am I supposed to find this guy?”

    “Why do you feel finding Demetrios is the key to solving your…mystery?” Stefan wanted to know.

    RJ didn’t know if trusting Stefan was the right thing or not. He’d spent enough time with Luke to know that most things Cassadine were dangerous, but he’d also spent enough time with Nikolas and Stefan to know that not all things Cassadine were dangerous.

    “Well, at first I thought that maybe he was my dad’s father,” RJ told Stefan. “But then I realized that whatever spooked this Larisa Liakos enough to give her son away when he was three years old couldn’t have been the fact that a fourth Cassadine son was his father.”

    Stefan nodded and smiled a bit. “But you assume that Demetrios knows who your father’s father was.”

    RJ nodded. “I’m pretty sure. I need to find him, Stefan. He could be the key to all of this.”

    Stefan contemplated helping the young Scorpio for a few moments. Truth be told, the file didn’t really prove anything. A young Grecian boy born to a nineteen-year-old single young woman and no father’s name listed on the birth certificate; everything RJ had presented was little more than speculation on his part. If not for one thing that Stefan knew, and RJ didn’t.

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

    The Outback

    Frisco could hear the music as he walked up to the doors. He peered through the window and saw Felicia standing behind the bar talking to a few customers. He took a deep breath and opened the doors and walked through.

    Felicia turned when she heard the door open. Her blue eyes danced in immediate recognition. She dropped the towel she was holding and came from behind the bar slowly.

    Frisco smiled lightly. “Hi, Felicia, it’s been a long time.”

    She merely nodded, but made no attempt to speak as she approached her ex-husband. When she stopped directly in front of him, he reached out.

    Felicia lifted her right hand and slapped him as hard as she could.

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

    Stefan removed his glasses and stood. He walked over to the sideboard and pulled the top off of a decanter of bourbon.

    “Would either of you gentlemen care for a drink?” he asked.

    “Make it a double,” Luke called.

    “No, thanks,” RJ said. “Stefan, is there anything you know that could help me?”

    Stefan turned around and handed Luke his glass and then took a sip of his own. “You’re correct in the fact that Demetrios is not your father’s father. As I said, Demetrios was only in his late twenties when I caught a glimpse of him in 1968. When was your father born?”

    “June 3, 1946,” RJ said. “My dad was born less than a decade after Demetrios if you’re right that he was only in his late twenties when you saw him.”

    “What makes you think your father might have been a Cassadine himself?” Stefan wanted to know.

    RJ frowned. “Nothing else makes sense. Why would Demetrios Cassadine have cared one little bit about my father unless another Cassadine was his father?”

    “I truly am sorry I cannot be of more help, Robert,” Stefan apologized.

    RJ waved him off as he stood. “I don’t think I really expected you to have answers for me. I was mostly…going out on a limb.”

    “Perhaps there is someone who might be of help to you,” Stefan mentioned before RJ and Luke could leave.

    “Who?” Luke questioned impatiently.

    Stefan reached into his rolodex and pulled out a business card and handed it to RJ. “This man is an old…associate of my father’s. He knew many of my father’s secrets. He might be able to assist you in your search for Demetrios.”

    RJ looked at the card. “Salem, Missouri. Titan Industries. Victor Kiriakis.”

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

    Frisco’s hand shot to his reddened face. “What the hell was that for?”

    “What do you think?”

    “Look, I know it’s been a long time since I was home, but…” he was cut off by another slap.

    “No buts,” Felicia cut in. “It’s been almost fifteen years since you had the decency to show your face in Port Charles. Why are you back now?”

    Frisco walked to a table and sat down. “I wanted…I wanted to see you. I…Maxie…I wanted to come home and see Maxie, my little girl.”

    Felicia sat across from him. “I hate to break it to you, but Maxie is all grown up. She’s not a little girl anymore, Frisco. She’s eighteen years old now and I moved on a long time ago.”

    He nodded. “I know. I’ve known that since I left again all those years ago. I knew Mac wouldn’t let you get away. You have another daughter, don’t you?”

    Felicia smiled. “Yes, Mac and I have a daughter. Her name is Georgie. She’ll be fourteen in March. How did you know that?”

    “I’ve kept up with the goings on in Port Charles,” he revealed.

    “Tony,” Felicia guessed. “You’ve kept in touch with your brother.”

    Frisco shrugged. “Not really. I’ve spoken to him here and there. He mentioned you’d had a daughter.”

    Felicia then shifted the conversation away from her family. “So, how long are you here for this time?”

    “For good,” he said softly. “I’m home for good, Felicia.”

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

    RJ and Luke were about to head out of Stefan’s study when he stopped them.

    “One more thing; you might be interested in the fact that Helena spent time in Australia in the late sixties,” Stefan revealed to them.

    RJ turned around. “Doing what?”

    “That I do not know,” Stefan said. “Perhaps you can find that out from Victor Kiriakis. My father wasn’t the only one who knew Victor…well.”

    Luke snickered. “Another one of the Black Widow’s conquests?”

    Stefan nodded. “Indeed. I wish you good luck.”

    RJ and Luke left the study and quickly made their way back to the launch.

    “Think he was telling the truth?” RJ asked as the boat made its way back towards the mainland.

    “Yeah, I do,” Luke told RJ, surprising the younger man. “He’s got no reason to lie in this case. Question is; will this Victor Kiriakis give up any info he might have?”

    “I guess I’ll find out when I get there,” RJ said. “So, Missouri instead of Greece. I gotta go talk to Mac. I need to talk to Robin and…this is all so crazy.”

    Luke put his hand on RJ’s shoulder. “Hang in there, Junior. You’re a Scorpio, you’ll figure this out. I got faith in you.”

    RJ smirked sadly. “Yeah, I’m a Scorpio. Only…maybe I’m not. Maybe I’m a Cassadine.”

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

    MetroCourt


    Frisco walked into the five-star restaurant at the hotel with his cheek still smarting from Felicia’s slaps. He’d known she was going to be angry with him, but he’d never imagined the fury he’d encountered.

    “Uncle Frisco,” Robin called.

    He turned and smiled at his goddaughter. “Hi, sweetheart.”

    “What happened to your cheek?” Robin questioned.

    Frisco smiled gently. “I had a chat with Felicia. She…wasn’t very happy to see me.”

    Robin sighed. “I’m sorry. I didn’t think she’d actually hit you.”

    The two sat down at a table near the back of the restaurant where it was quiet. “Yeah, well, like I told you, I’ve earned her anger. I can’t imagine it’ll be different with Maxie.”

    Robin reached across the table and rested her hand on his. “I wish I could make it easier for you.”

    “Why aren’t you angry with me?” he wanted to know. “I walked away from you, too. You and your brothers have as much right…”

    Robin sighed. “It takes too much energy being angry. I’m just going to be happy you’re back.”

    Patrick arrived just as the waitress came to the table.

    “What can I get you to drink?”

    “Water is fine for me,” Robin ordered.

    “Beer,” Patrick and Frisco replied together.

    As the waitress left, Frisco spoke. “So, you were gonna tell me why you’re living in a hotel.”

    Robin and Patrick shared a look before Robin launched into the story of their lives since New Year’s Eve.

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

    RJ stopped his car in front of the MetroCourt and practically ran inside. He’d spoken to Mac on the drive to the hotel and then had called his sister.

    RJ was stunned when he saw Frisco Jones sitting with Robin and Patrick. “What the hell are you doing back here?”

    Frisco stood and met RJ’s angry glare. “I decided it was time to come home, and just in time. Robin and Patrick were just telling me what’s been going on.”

    RJ stared for several long moments at Frisco. “Am I supposed to believe that you care? You haven’t been here for fifteen years. Felicia is married, you know, to my uncle. Maxie’s all grown up and us Scorpio’s, we don’t need you either. So, you might as well just…”

    “RJ, stop!” Robin commanded. “Uncle Frisco is…”

    “Whatever,” RJ interrupted. “Look, I just came back from Wyndemere with Luke. We need to talk about some things. Now.”

    “I can help,” Frisco mentioned as he sat back down. “My contacts within the WSB could…”

    RJ sat down as well. “I don’t care about your WSB contacts. Every time those inept agents get involved in something, they usually screw it up.”

    Patrick cleared his throat. “What do we need to talk about?”

    While RJ hated discussing anything in front of Frisco, he knew he didn’t have a choice. “First, I need to ask you both something. Can you take leave from the hospital? Like a few weeks’ worth?”

    Robin was taken aback by that request. “Are we going somewhere?”

    RJ nodded. “Yeah. Stefan gave me a place to start with the postcards, as well as some papers that Luke gave me. He’d been keeping them safe with instructions from Dad to only give them to me when circumstances warranted it.”

    “They do now?” Robin wondered just as the waitress came back to take their orders.

    Everyone ordered dinner and once the young waitress was gone, RJ nodded. “Yeah, they did. Here, take a look.”

    He handed her the papers and waited for her to read through them.

    “Oh, my God,” Robin breathed.

    Frisco and Patrick had moved to stand behind Robin and had been reading as well.

    “Your father wasn’t a Scorpio?” Patrick questioned, amazed.

    RJ shook his head. “Apparently not. He was born Alexios Liakos in Greece to Larisa Liakos, a nineteen-year-old girl. Three years later, for some unknown reason, she gave her son away. He was adopted and taken to Australia by his adoptive parents, Xavier and Patricia Scorpio.”

    “Did Luke tell you who gave these files to your father?” Frisco questioned.

    RJ nodded. “Yeah, a guy named Christos Melonakos. It’s an alias. His real name is Demetrios Cassadine. He gave those papers to Dad when he was in Greece those few weeks before…before he and Mom died.”

    “What do we do now?” Robin asked.

    “Like I asked, can you take some time off from the hospital?” he questioned again. “Stefan gave me the name of someone in Salem, Missouri who was a business associate of Mikkos Cassadine and the once upon a time lover of Helena. Stefan thinks he might have information about Demetrios. So, if you want to come along, I’m headed out tomorrow morning for Missouri.”

    “What about Justin and Emma?” Patrick wondered.

    “They can stay with Elizabeth and Lucky,” RJ said. “You know they’d love that.”

    Robin knew that was the truth. But with everything going on, she worried about their safety.

    Frisco could see her hesitation. “Listen, I’m staying in town. I’ll look out for them while you’re gone. I’ll dig into things here, too. Maybe I can find some info on Demetrios Cassadine from the WSB.”

    RJ desperately wanted to warn him again to stay out of it, but figured it was pointless so he left it alone.

    The conversation continued over dinner. Patrick stepped away for a few minutes to call the hospital. He spoke to Monica and let her know that something had come up and he and Robin needed to take a leave of absence for a few days, possibly longer.

    When dinner was finished, RJ stood. “I’ll come by and pick you guys up in the morning. If we all take turns driving, we can go straight through.”

    Everyone agreed and RJ left, headed to pick up Erin and Cooper. He’d decided that he wanted to spend the night with them before he left.

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

    Robin and Patrick had gone to pick Justin and Emma up from Bobbie’s after dinner and were now in their suite at the hotel.

    Robin was curled against Patrick as they lay in bed. “Are you sure about this?”

    She nodded. “Yes. I know what RJ’s thinking even though he didn’t say it at dinner.”

    “I do, too,” Patrick revealed. “He thinks your father was born a Cassadine.”

    “Yeah, and I think he’s right, but…” she trailed off.

    “But what?” he asked as he looked down at where her head rested against his chest.

    She snuggled closer. “Only one thing makes sense to me where my father and the Cassadine family are concerned.”

    “What do you mean?”

    “If my dad was born a Cassadine, it wouldn’t matter if Demetrios or any of Mikkos’ brothers were his father,” Robin explained. “Like most royal families, only the eldest male child is the heir apparent.”

    The wheels in Patrick’s head were turning. “But, it would matter a lot if your dad wasn’t the son of any old Cassadine son. If he was…”

    Robin sat up, as did Patrick. “It would matter a lot if Mikkos Cassadine was my dad’s father. Why else all the secrecy?”

    Patrick shook his head. “I don’t know. Wouldn’t Mikkos have known he fathered a son long before your dad…Alexios was three years old?”

    Robin shrugged. “I don’t know. But, this changes everything. I think RJ is right. Our father was born a Cassadine. We just don’t know which Cassadine son was his father.”

    “Well, we can hope this Victor Kiriakis can shed some light on that for us,” Patrick said. “For now, we should get some sleep. Something tells me we’re gonna have a long couple of days.”

    Robin leaned in and the couple shared a long, sweet kiss before lying back down and drifting off to sleep.

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

    “Your friend doesn’t talk much,” Erin commented as she sat down next to RJ on the couch.

    He laughed. “No, Jason isn’t really much of a talker. But, I trust him and I trust Sonny and their men. They’ll keep you and Cooper safe while I’m gone.”

    Erin didn’t know if she believed that, but she trusted RJ. “You’re coming back, right?”

    RJ smiled. “I’m gonna do my level best.”

    A few tears clouded her eyes. “I want Cooper to know his father.”

    RJ pulled her close and pressed a kiss to her temple. “Erin, I can’t…I can’t promise anything. But, I can tell you that I’m going to do everything I can to stay alive and come home to Cooper, and to you.”

    He leaned in then and pressed his lips against hers. They were soon out of breath and pulled away. RJ tenderly ran his fingers through her long hair.

    “You are so beautiful,” he whispered before standing up and holding out his hand.

    Erin took it and followed RJ into his bedroom. “Are you sure about this?”

    RJ leaned down and kissed her softly. “I am if you are.”

    The two climbed into RJ’s bed and slowly made love for the first time in five years.
     
    Last edited: May 24, 2018
  18. JediMaster_Jen

    JediMaster_Jen Force Ghost star 4

    Registered:
    Jun 3, 2002
    Chapter Eleven


    Titan Industries
    Salem, Missouri


    Driving straight through, the trip from Port Charles had taken just under eighteen hours. Robin, Patrick and RJ had taken turns driving. When they’d arrived, they checked into a motel and slept all night.

    Now, it was just after nine the following morning and they were standing on the sidewalk outside the large high-rise building which housed Titan Industries.

    “What do we say to this guy?” Robin wondered out loud as they walked into the building.

    “May I help you?” the young female receptionist asked.

    RJ smiled, his dimples shining. “We’re here to see Victor Kiriakis.”

    The young woman blushed as Robin rolled her eyes at her brother. He was a natural flirt, just like their dad.

    “Is Mr. Kiriakis expecting you?”

    “Um, no, he isn’t,” RJ admitted. “But, if you would call him and let him know that Robert Scorpio Jr. is here to see him, and that Stefan Cassadine sent me, I’m sure he’ll see us.”

    She picked up the phone and dialed Victor’s office. RJ listened as she relayed his message exactly as he’d told it to her. He was pleased when he heard her end of the conversation.

    “Of course, Mr. Kiriakis, I’ll send them right up, Sir,” she said into her phone. “Thank you.”

    She put down the phone and smiled at RJ. “Mr. Kiriakis said to come right to his office. You’ll take these elevators to the twenty-fifth floor. When you exit, make a left and his office is the first door on the right.”

    “Thank you,” RJ said, flashing his dimples one more time.

    The trio headed into the elevator.

    “You are an incurable flirt,” Robin admonished her twin.

    RJ laughed. “Oh, come on. No harm, no foul. I just wanted the quickest way to see this Kiriakis guy. Flirting with the secretary seemed the fastest way to accomplish my goal.”

    They arrived on the twenty-fifth floor and walked right to Victor’s office. RJ knocked and when they heard the man call for them to enter, he pushed the door open.

    “You must be Robert Scorpio Jr.,” Victor stated as he stood and moved out from behind his desk.

    RJ nodded. “Yeah, that’s me. This is my sister, Robin and her husband, Patrick. Thank you for agreeing to see us.”

    Victor shook hands with the three of them and offered them each a chair. “Now, tell me what I can do for you. I was intrigued when I heard Stefan Cassadine’s name.”

    RJ got right to the point. “You can tell me what you know about Demetrios Cassadine and a young woman named Larisa Liakos.”

    Victor nearly fell into his chair. As it was, he sat down much quicker than he meant to. “Where did you hear those names?”

    Patrick knew RJ had struck a chord. This man knew Demetrios.

    RJ had the papers Luke had given him in his pocket, but he wanted to see what he could get out of Victor first without them.

    “Stefan Cassadine mentioned to me that you were an old friend of Mikkos Cassadine, his father,” RJ stated. “He also told me you knew many of Mikkos’ secrets and you might have information I need.”

    Victor nodded slowly. “What information might that be?”

    Robin picked up the story then. “Many years ago, back in late 1991, early 1992, our father, Robert Scorpio was in Greece. He was approached by a man named Christos Melonakos, which we found out was an alias. His real name was…”

    “Demetrios Cassadine,” Victor interrupted. “Yes, I was a friend of Mikkos’ many years ago. Shortly before his father Matthias passed away, Mikkos discovered that Matthias had fathered another son, Demetrios. Mikkos wanted to find his half-brother and get to know him.”

    “I assume he found him?” Patrick questioned.

    Victor nodded. “Yes, Mikkos tracked him to Australia. He was living under the name Christos Melonakos by then. He lived with his mother and stepfather, Niko Melonakos.”

    “When was this?” RJ wanted to know.

    “It was the summer of 1944,” Victor answered immediately. “Christos, or Demetrios rather, was only a boy at the time, about five years old or so.”

    Robin nodded. That confirmed that Demetrios was certainly not their grandfather. “What did Mikkos do?”

    “Nothing," Victor answered. “Mikkos watched him for several days and then returned to Greece. To my knowledge, he never saw him again until the late 1960’s in a business meeting in Athens, at which I was also present. Of course, he’d kept track of Demetrios and watched his rise in the business world.”

    “What do you know about Larisa Liakos?” RJ then asked. He’d seen Victor’s reaction, and he knew it couldn’t have only been in regards to Demetrios.

    “Larisa Liakos was an impossibly beautiful young woman when Mikkos and I met her,” Victor revealed, a look of fondness on his face. “She was the daughter of a business associate of ours. Mikkos was…smitten from the start.”

    “Was he married to Helena by then?” Robin wondered.

    Victor shook his head. “No, he wasn’t. We met Larisa in late 1945. She was just eighteen then and as I said, very beautiful. Mikkos didn’t marry Helena until 1949. Her only purpose then was to produce an heir to the Cassadine name, title and fortune. Unfortunately for her, she was able to conceive, but had suffered several miscarriages between 1949 and 1958 when Stavros was finally born.”

    Patrick detected something in Victor’s voice when he saw Stavros’ name; a softening in his tone.

    “Mikkos wasn’t Stavros’ father, was he?” Patrick took a stab; his intuition telling him he had to be right.

    Victor’s eyes narrowed. “How did…how do you know that? No one knows that except for…”

    RJ leaned forward. “Helena and you, right? You and Mikkos both found Larisa attractive, but she chose him, so years later, you went after Helena, and she chose you. Am I right?”

    Victor sighed deeply. “Yes, you’re right, more or less anyway. Larisa chose Mikkos over me. They had a whirlwind romance. He fell deeply in love with her, but her father found out and the very next day, Larisa was gone. Mikkos was heartbroken. When Helena came around, Mikkos married her to try and forget about Larisa. It didn’t work. He was constantly comparing Helena to Larisa, berating her for not being able to carry a child to term. He even…he even hit her at times, perhaps causing some of those miscarriages. To make a long story short, I found Helena crying one night in the gardens on Cassadine Island as I was leaving after a meeting with Mikkos. She confided in me the horrible things Mikkos said to her and…”

    “You’re Stavros’ father, aren’t you?” Robin asked him.

    With a wistful look in his eyes, Victor nodded. “Yes. Stavros Cassadine was my son, mine and Helena’s.”

    “Did Mikkos know the truth?” RJ questioned. “Did he ever discover that you and Helena had betrayed him?”

    “I don’t believe so,” Victor revealed. “Helena certainly never told him and neither did I. It was a foolish mistake on my part. Helena Cassadine never cared for anyone but herself, not until Stavros came along. But he was her trump card. She passed off my son as the heir to the Cassadine name.”

    Patrick and Robin knew what RJ was going to ask next. It was the questions that would give Robin and RJ the answers they needed.

    “Mikkos and Larisa, were they…you said the fell in love,” RJ started. “Did they…were they ever intimate?”

    Victor nodded. “Yes, they were. I recall a late-night business meeting between us when he crudely remarked that it was nice to have a woman who had never been touched by another man. He said she would only ever belong to him. “

    RJ swallowed. “Did Mikkos ever know that…that Larisa…”

    Victor could see RJ struggling with something. “Did Mikkos ever know that Larisa…what?”

    “Did he ever know that she had become pregnant?” RJ blurted out.

    “Pregnant?” Victor gasped. “Larisa…she had a child?”

    RJ reached then into his jacket pocket and handed Victor the birth certificate for Alexios Liakos.

    “Demetrios Cassadine gave that to my father in late 1991 when he was in Greece,” RJ explained. “It’s a birth certificate for Alexios Liakos, son of Larisa Liakos, born in Greece in June of 1946. That boy was raised in Athens until he was three years old at which time, for some unexplained reason, Larisa gave him up for adoption. He was adopted by my grandparents, Xavier and Patricia Scorpio and taken to Australia where he was raised as Robert Scorpio.”

    “My God,” Victor said, his hands shaking as he held the document. “I never…I don’t think Mikkos knew. He would have…”

    “He had to have known,” Patrick chimed in. “Why else would that woman have given up her son? He must have known and threatened her, or…”

    “You think Mikkos would have threatened her?” Victor demanded. “He loved her beyond reason. If he’d known she had a child, his child, he would have moved heaven and Earth for her and that boy. He would never have…”

    “Wouldn’t he?” RJ questioned. “I’m gonna guess you know what became of your friend in later years. He tried to freeze the city where I grew up, Port Charles, New York. He was insane. So is Helena. If he’d discovered that Larisa had borne a child, a son, and that the boy was his, he’d have seen that child as a threat to his plans to have a family with Helena. She was the…”

    Victor shook his head. “No, I don’t…I won’t believe it. If Mikkos had known…he would never have harmed his own child.”

    “But he did,” Patrick stated. “You said it yourself. He used to hit Helena. He was the cause of some of the miscarriages she had. If he could do that to his own wife, why not to a child that already existed? Something scared Larisa Liakos enough to give her son away. I’m guessing that something was Mikkos himself.”

    “There is someone who would know,” Victor revealed. “But you’ll have to travel to Germany to find him.”

    “Who,” RJ asked. “Who do we need to speak to when we get there?”

    Victor handed him a business card where he had scribbled a phone number and an address. “He can tell you everything. He never told Mikkos, but…he kept his eyes on Larisa for years after her father sent her away from Mikkos. If anyone can tell you why she gave her son away, it’s him.”

    “Who is he?” Robin asked.

    “His name is Marc Berger,” Victor said. “But you may know of him as Victor Cassadine.”

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

    The three of them had decided that they would stay in Salem until the following morning when they could catch a flight out to Hamburg, Germany.

    RJ was pacing the room like a caged animal. He was shaking. He was wringing his hands together.

    “Calm down,” Robin instructed.

    RJ shook his head. “I can’t. Robin, I…I just can’t. Don’t you realize what this means?”

    She shook her head. “Yes, we’re…Cassadine’s. We’re related to Nikolas.”

    RJ sat down and sighed. “I know, but…but that isn’t what I mean. Nikolas is a Cassadine. You’re a Cassadine. Alexis, Sam, Kristina and Molly are Cassadine’s. But me, Robin, I’m the Cassadine. Someone knows it, too, and they know about…”

    “About what?” Robin asked.

    He realized then that he hadn’t told her about Erin and Cooper. He took a deep breath and relayed the story to her and Patrick. When he was done, he was up and pacing again.

    “So, Erin got that postcard on her doorstep?” Patrick asked to be clear. “You think it was Helena?”

    RJ shrugged. “I don’t know. Erin swears she never told anyone she was pregnant and she never mentioned my name to anyone. If both of those things are true, then I don’t know how anyone could possibly have known that I was Cooper’s father.”

    “Maybe no one knows,” Robin played devil’s advocate. “Maybe someone is guessing because they saw you two together. Plus, we’re assuming that the child Larisa Liakos gave birth to was Mikkos’ child as well.”

    “What, you think her father dragged her from Mikkos’ grasp and she fell into bed with someone else the next day and got pregnant?” RJ asked sarcastically.

    Robin glared at her brother. “Don’t be a jerk.”

    Patrick smirked. “Look, I think we all need to calm down. It’s a pretty safe bet that Mikkos Cassadine was…your grandfather. Now we need to find out if he knew it or not, and maybe more importantly, if Helena knew it or not.”

    RJ’s eyes lit up. “Oh, my God, she did. Helena knew it and she tried…she tried to kill Dad.”

    Robin was dumbstruck. “What? How do you figure that?”

    “When Luke and I went to Wyndemere to talk to Stefan, right before we left, he told me that Helena had traveled to and spent some time in Australia in the late sixties,” RJ told them.

    “How do you get that she tried to kill Dad from the fact that she was in Australia in the late sixties?” Robin wanted to know.

    RJ looked at her hard. “Robin, what happened to our grandparents in 1969?”

    It suddenly dawned on her and her mouth dropped open. Patrick was looking back and forth between the two siblings.

    “What?” Patrick asked. “What happened to them?”

    “Our grandparents, Dad, Dad’s fiancée and Uncle Mac were all on a plane in 1969,” Robin began. “Uncle Mac was flying and the way Dad told it, he was being careless and reckless in an attempt to impress our grandfather. The plane crashed. Our grandparents and our Dad’s fiancée were all killed and Dad was seriously injured. Uncle Mac went to get help. Dad assumed he’d run off, leaving Dad to save himself. Dad was rescued by someone else, and…”

    Patrick grasped her hand tightly in his as she continued. “He held a grudge for a long time. Turned out that Uncle Mac had come back with rescuers, but Dad had already been found by someone else.”

    “You think it wasn’t Mac’s flying that caused the crash?” Patrick asked RJ.

    “Mac has always sworn that he wasn’t doing anything stupid,” RJ said. “He said the engine blew and that’s what caused the plane to go haywire. I think Helena, or someone she hired, did something to the plane that caused the engine to blow and the plane to crash. She knew the entire family was on board, including Dad’s fiancée, who was…”

    “Was what?” Robin asked.

    “I didn’t know you never knew,” RJ told her first. “Dad’s fiancée was pregnant. I think Helena knew who Dad really was and she knew that his fiancée was pregnant and she tried to kill them both. But, Dad survived and not too long after that, he became a WSB agent. She must have lost track of him after that. He did deep undercover those first few years.”

    “Why would she have stopped coming after him though once he reappeared here in Port Charles?” Patrick wondered.

    “I don’t know,” Robin said. “Stavros had kidnapped Laura by then and Nikolas was born. Maybe she didn’t feel the need to go after Dad anymore. She’d secured her hold on the Cassadine fortune with Stavros and Nikolas. I’m sure she never intended for anyone to find out that Stavros wasn’t Mikkos’ son, and no one did. But then it didn’t matter when…”

    RJ continued. “When everyone found out that Nikolas was really Stefan’s son. Maybe Helena was satisfied that Dad had no idea who he really was; that he was the true heir of the Cassadine family.”

    Patrick stood and began pacing. “Why is all of this so important? I mean, it’s just money, right? Who cares about the eldest son and all that crap? Why does Helena care so much?”

    Robin’s answer was immediate. “She cares because of the rumors.”

    “What rumors?” Patrick wondered.

    RJ chuckled. He’s never put much stock in the rumor, mostly because Nikolas didn’t, but now he wondered.

    “Rumor has it that…” he hesitated because it sounded ridiculous. “The way Nikolas and Stefan tell it; Mikkos’ father Matthias wasn’t really Matthias Cassadine at all.”

    Patrick frowned. “What the hell does that mean? Then who was he?”

    “There really was a Matthias Cassadine,” RJ explained. “He was born in Greece in 1902 and he…he died in Greece in 1906. He then miraculously reappeared in 1921 as the supposedly hidden away eldest son of Pavlos Cassadine, himself the eldest son of the eldest son and so on.”

    “How can a dead guy reappear?” Patrick wanted to know as he sat back down.

    Robin laughed. “That’s the interesting part of the story. People reported that the newly reappeared Matthias had a Russian accent. The Cassadine cover story was that Matthias was reported dead in 1906 and sent away to Russia to live with relatives where he would be safe. But, Nikolas and Stefan say the truth was that Matthias really did die and that years later, in July of 1918, Pavlos and his brother were traveling through Yekaterinburg and happened upon a badly wounded, nearly fourteen-year old boy.”

    Patrick’s eyes widened as he recognized the story Robin was telling him.

    “Are you seriously telling me that…that Matthias Cassadine was really…” he couldn’t even finish the question.

    RJ nodded. “Yep, that’s what she’s telling you. Matthias Cassadine was really named Alexei Nikolaevich Romanov, Tsarevich and heir apparent to the Russian throne.”
     
  19. WarmNyota_SweetAyesha

    WarmNyota_SweetAyesha Chosen One star 8

    Registered:
    Aug 31, 2004
    I had to let the update(s) percolate =D= Shocking, world changing revelations and discoveries, but at least some of the mystery has cleared. Nice to see RJ and Erin re-connecting. @};- For Cooper, and for their sakes too.
     
  20. earlybird-obi-wan

    earlybird-obi-wan Chosen One star 6

    Registered:
    Aug 21, 2006
    Intrigue and revelations. And all those connections=D=
     
  21. Mira_Jade

    Mira_Jade The (FavoriteTM) Fanfic Mod With the Cape star 5 Staff Member Manager

    Registered:
    Jun 29, 2004
    Whew, now that was quite the discovery - both as to their Cassadine blood, and the heir to the Russian throne! That was quite the twist that I was not expecting. :eek: Great job building mystery and depth here, I am looking forward to more. =D=
     
    Nyota's Heart likes this.
  22. JediMaster_Jen

    JediMaster_Jen Force Ghost star 4

    Registered:
    Jun 3, 2002
    Nyota's Heart, Mira_Jade, earlybird-obi-wan

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

    Thank you to all three of you for reading and replying. :) I very much appreciate it, and I am glad you're enjoying the story. Now, on to the next chapter.

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

    Chapter Twelve


    The Following Morning
    Lambert-St. Louis International Airport



    Robin had her head on Patrick’s shoulder as they both watched RJ twirling his PCPD badge in his hands.

    “What’s he doing?” Patrick wondered quietly.

    Robin kept watching her twin brother. They had shared their mother’s womb for nine months and had spent their lives together and she had no idea what he was thinking.

    “I don’t know,” she admitted. “Contemplating, I suppose. RJ’s always known who he was; Robert Scorpio’s son. Now that it appears we’re Cassadine’s, it’s thrown his world off its axis.”

    “He’s still your dad’s son,” Patrick pointed out. “Different last name shouldn’t matter.”

    “It doesn’t, to a point,” Robin said. “But, being the prince, that matters.”

    Patrick sighed. “I’ve been thinking about all this. RJ thinks its Helena behind the postcards and the attack on our house because she knows the truth about your father and RJ.”

    “You don’t think so?” Robin questioned.

    “No, I don’t,” he confirmed. “She has no reason. Stavros wasn’t the heir.”

    Robin nodded. “That’s exactly why she does care.”

    Patrick nodded. “I know, but my point is that she shouldn’t. Look, Stavros wasn’t the heir. He was the son of Victor Kiriakis. But, Stefan is Mikkos’ son and Nik is Stefan’s son. The Cassadine family still has an heir. As far as we know, Helena and maybe Victor and Demetrios Cassadine are the only ones who know the truth about your dad being Mikkos’ firstborn son. Everyone else, the entire world can be told that it’s Stefan and Nikolas. Helena could simply tell everyone that Mikkos lied about Stavros; that he knew Stavros wasn’t his and that Stefan was. There is no threat to her, whether she knows the truth or not.”

    “He’s right,” RJ said suddenly from his seat. “Helena knowing the truth doesn’t matter. Stavros is long dead and she wouldn’t hesitate to pass off her lies as Mikkos’. With Stefan and Nikolas, she still has a way to ultimate power. She doesn’t need me or Cooper to have it. Hell, she doesn’t even need Stefan and Nikolas. She’s in control now; has been since the news came out all those years ago about Nikolas being Stefan’s son. As long as the world as a whole doesn’t know the truth, she’s safe, and if it is revealed, she’ll reveal that Stefan was Mikkos’ eldest son rather than Stavros. DNA tests will back her up.”

    “She knows even if you’ve discovered the truth, you certainly won’t go yelling it from the rooftops,” Robin factored. “Perfect plan. She has a plan for power on all sides.”

    “It begs the question, if not Helena, then who?” Patrick wondered out loud.

    “Maybe Victor Cassadine can tell us that,” Robin offered.

    RJ nodded. “Maybe.”

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

    Yekaterinburg, Russia
    Church of All Saints


    “Ты поздно, мой друг,” a man with dark, graying hair said quietly as his companion slid into the pew next to him at the back of the church.

    “Мои извинения,” he replied softly in Dutch-accented Russian. “Я проверка на наши цели в планы поездок.”

    “И?”

    “Они являются в настоящее время пути в Гамбург, Германия,” he revealed.

    The other man pondered that answer. “Кто мы знаем в Германии?”

    “No one,” he answered in English.

    The man pinned his friend with an intense gaze. “They are not traveling to Germany for the fun of it, Cesar. You will find out why and I expect a report by tomorrow morning.”

    Cesar Faison nodded once. He wasn’t intimidated by his associate, but he knew not to push Demetrios Cassadine too far. The man was cold. He possessed no fear.

    Cesar stood and exited the church. He breathed deeply the cold Yekaterinburg air into his lungs. It had been too long since he’d stood on Russian soil; his ancestral home. His father, Gustaaf had been born in Siberia to a Russian father and Dutch mother. In turn, Gustaaf’s father, Dmitri had also been born in Siberia, as had his father Grigori.

    “I will return our name to glory,” Faison whispered into the winds as he gazed back at the church that had been built over the former site of the Ipatiev House. “Our name will be spoken again and when it is, my dear Robin will take her mother’s place at my side.”

    With that, Cesar Faison, born Anton Rasputin, the great-grandson of Grigori Rasputin set off to discover why his beloved Robin, her husband and brother were traveling to Germany.

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

    Wyndemere

    “Father?” Nikolas asked as he entered Stefan’s study. “May I have a word?”

    Stefan eyed his eldest son and smiled. “Of course. Sit, please. What may I do for you, Nikolas?”

    Nik sat down and took a deep breath. “What did RJ and Luke want to speak to you about?”

    Stefan sat down and explained the conversation to his son. Once finished, Nikolas was astonished.

    “Unbelievable,” Nikolas finally managed. “But, if Demetrios wasn’t Robert Scorpio’s biological father, then who was? I don’t recall any stories of Uncle Tony or Uncle Victor having any sons; any children at all.”

    Stefan sighed and rubbed his eyes. “I know. That leaves one person.”

    Nikolas’ eyes widened. “Grandfather?”

    “Yes,” Stefan revealed. “After the whole conversation, seeing the papers RJ presented, I am fairly certain that before your grandfather married your grandmother; before your Uncle Stavros and I came along, Mikkos Cassadine had already fathered a son.”

    “Robert Scorpio,” Nikolas said.

    “Robert Scorpio,” Stefan agreed.

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

    36 Hours Later
    Hotel Atlantic Kempinski Hamburg
    Hamburg, Germany



    “I love you, you know,” Patrick said out of the blue as he watched Robin dress for bed.

    She smiled back at him as she climbed into bed and snuggled against his side. “I love you, too.”

    Patrick pressed a gentle kiss to her mouth, lightly running his tongue across her lower lip; coaxing her mouth open.

    Robin leaned back pulling Patrick down against her body as their tongues tangled. Robin’s hands were pulling at Patrick’s shirt as he kissed his way from her mouth to her neck.

    “Patrick,” Robin moaned his name softly.

    Slowly they divested each other of their clothes and made love gently and tenderly through the night.

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

    Unable to sleep, RJ was sitting at the window of his room staring out into the night. For nearly an hour he’d felt like he was being watched. Finally, after searching the nearly empty street below, he noticed movement across the street beneath an awning.

    He watched for several long moments before the figure was visible, and when it was, RJ felt a chill run up his spine, making the hairs at the back of his neck stand on end.

    It was Cesar Faison.

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

    Translations

    Ты поздно, мой друг. (You’re late, my friend.)

    “Мои извинения. Я проверка на наши цели в планы поездок. (I was checking up on our targets travel plans.

    И? (And?)

    Они являются в настоящее время пути в Гамбург, Германия. (They are currently en route to Hamburg, Germany.)

    Кто мы знаем в Германии? (Who do we know in Germany?)
     
  23. WarmNyota_SweetAyesha

    WarmNyota_SweetAyesha Chosen One star 8

    Registered:
    Aug 31, 2004
    Excellent reflections and discussion about who has motives etc. SQUEE on the Patrick/Robin scene. Perfect to put that in there. :) I can truly understand RJ's sense of topsy-turvy and the air of mystery increases with Cesare and Hamburg Germany in the mix. =D=
     
  24. Mira_Jade

    Mira_Jade The (FavoriteTM) Fanfic Mod With the Cape star 5 Staff Member Manager

    Registered:
    Jun 29, 2004
    And the mystery continues. [face_thinking] I have to agree with Deb about the Patrick/Robin scene - it was perfectly included, and a very 'grounding' moment alongside the more topsy-turvy aspects of their world. [face_love] I liked having the dialogue in Russian, too! That really added to the 'feel' of the story. =D=

    Once more, thanks so much for sharing! [:D]
     
    Nyota's Heart likes this.
  25. JediMaster_Jen

    JediMaster_Jen Force Ghost star 4

    Registered:
    Jun 3, 2002
    Mira_Jade, Nyota's Heart, earlybird-obi-wan
    *************************************************************

    Chapter Thirteen


    RJ wasn’t sure if he should keep watching or scramble up from his chair and run next door to Robin and Patrick’s. After several long moments, he reached for his cell phone. He dialed quickly, knowing the person on the other end would answer.

    ”Spencer,” came Luke’s voice.

    “Faison’s alive,” was all RJ said, knowing it would be enough.

    ”Where are you?” Luke asked, already tossing papers into his desk and grabbing his car keys.

    “Hamburg, Germany,” he said. “We got in a couple of hours ago. Robin and Patrick are sleeping. I felt like I was being watched and…I looked out the window and there he was, Luke. The man's alive.”

    ”Okay, calm down, Junior. First, did Faison see you?”

    RJ took a deep breath. “No. No, I don’t think so. He never turned in my direction.”

    ”Here’s what you’re gonna do,” Luke began. ”You’re gonna go to bed and get some sleep. In the morning when you wake up, the three of you are gonna track down Victor Cassadine. When you’re done there, I want you to call me back.”

    RJ agreed and when they hung up, he felt a little better. He pulled off his shirt and jeans and climbed into bed. Morning would dawn before he knew it and he wanted to be fresh for tracking down Marc Berger; Victor Cassadine.

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

    Robin didn’t know what woke her up; it was just past four in the morning when she looked at the clock. She looked over at Patrick and determined that he was still sound asleep. Slowly she rose from the bed and pulled on a thin robe and tightened it as she walked slowly to the window.

    Carefully she pulled back the curtains and looked out into the early morning moonlight. There was a light rain falling and Robin scanned the street below, searching the darkness for the source of the unease she felt.

    “Robin, what’s wrong?” Patrick asked as he sat up in the bed after noticing she wasn’t next to him.

    Robin took one last look before turning around and smiling at her husband. “Nothing. I just woke and couldn’t get back to sleep.”

    Patrick stood and walked to her at the window. “What’s so interesting outside?”

    Robin didn’t answer right away. She allowed herself a moment to acknowledge the fact that Patrick had become much more observant.

    “Nothing,” she answered again. “Like I said, I couldn’t get back to sleep. I just got up and decided to look outside. It’s raining.”

    Patrick wrapped his arms around her waist and pulled her back against his chest. “I know you, Robin; something’s wrong. What is it, baby?”

    She sighed. “I…I don’t know. I felt…uneasy. It’s what woke me up, I think. I came to the window and looked out.”

    Patrick’s eyebrows raised. “Did you see anything?”

    Robin shook her head. “Just the rain. We didn’t bring umbrellas with us.”

    Patrick chuckled a little. “I bet we can buy some in one of the hotel shops. We should head back to bed; get a few more hours sleep before we have to be up.”

    Robin pulled herself from his grasp. “I just need to use the restroom. I’ll meet you back in bed.”

    Patrick watched her walk to the bathroom before he turned back and carefully drew back the curtains to peek outside. At first all he saw was the rain. But just before he let the curtain go, he saw a dark figure across the street; staring straight at him.

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

    After his short conversation with RJ, Luke had left his club. His first stop had been at the PCPD to speak with Mac. He’d relayed the fact that RJ believed that Faison was alive. They’d had a brief conversation in which Luke had told Mac he would be traveling to Hamburg to meet up with RJ, Robin and Patrick.

    Luke’s next stop had been Wyndemere to speak with Lucky and Ethan. Both Spencer young men had immediately volunteered to go with Luke, but he had tasked them with staying behind and helping Stefan coordinate security for everyone who might be targeted in Port Charles. He had also asked Stefan for use of one of the Cassadine planes, to which Stefan readily agreed.

    Lastly, Luke had gone by PCU and collected Jamie before both headed off to Sean’s apartment. He had quickly explained the situation and waited for the reaction.

    “I’m coming with you,” Sean announced as he stood and headed for his bedroom to pack a bag.

    “Sean, wait for…”

    Sean spun on his heel and glared at Luke.

    “Wait for what?!” he demanded loudly. “That monster took our parents away, Luke. He murdered them! I’m not waiting for anything. I’m gonna find him and I’m gonna kill him!”

    He slammed his bedroom door behind him, leaving Jamie and Luke sitting side by side on the couch.

    “Sorry about that, Luke,” Jamie said. “He gets…”

    Luke held up his hand. “No need to apologize. The two of you were cheated out of a lot when your parents died. Robin and RJ were too, but you and Sean…it’s different for you guys.”

    “Sean had you,” Jamie commented.

    Luke sighed heavily. “Not really, Jamie, because there was no need. Yes, I am biologically his father, but in every way that mattered, and still matters, Robert was his father; yours, too. He never took his responsibility as your dad lightly and he loved you both.”

    Jamie nodded; a few tears in his eyes. “I know he did. Listen, I’m…I’m gonna go, too. I think Mom and Dad would want us chasing this down together.”

    “We’ll stop back by PCU so you can pack a bag,” Luke assured the young man.

    Sean was back in the livingroom within twenty minutes, dressed and packed; gun in hand.

    Luke pointed to it. “How do you plan on getting that through airport security?”

    Sean grinned. “Are we flying commercial?”

    Luke grinned back. “Now that you mention it, no. Count Vlad has agreed to let us use the jet.”

    “We still have to go through security when we land in Germany,” Jamie pointed out. “Unless…”

    “Unless we’re met on the tarmac by Cassadine employees,” Luke said. “I hate doing it, playing nice with Cassadine associates, but it’s the only way to get in quickly and unobstructed.”

    All three men headed out then, none of them knowing what they might be facing.

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

    Patrick, Robin and RJ stood in front of a large office building called Chilehaus. Patrick had a photograph and was comparing.

    “Looks like this is it,” he said, tucking the photo into his jeans pocket. “According to the concierge this is where we’ll find Marc Berger.”

    RJ scrutinized the building. It looked old, but he was hard pressed to guess how old. There were lots of windows and a few balconies he could see, but not so many entrances and exits. In all, it didn’t appear that Marc Berger was hiding from anyone in this building. More like he was simply confident in his assumed identity and felt no need to hide. As far as he knew, no one was in possession of the knowledge that he was actually Victor Cassadine.

    “Let’s go,” Robin said as she led the men into the building’s front entrance.

    There was a small reception area with a middle-aged man sitting behind the desk. Robin surprised Patrick and RJ when she marched right up to him and in perfect German, began to speak.

    “We’re here to see Herr Berger,” she said with a smile. “If you would be so kind as to tell him that Robert Scorpio is here to see him.”

    Later, RJ would swear he saw a flash of fear in the man’s eyes before he pressed the intercom to speak with Marc Berger.

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

    Victor Cassadine was seated behind his desk when the door opened and the man calling himself Robert Scorpio, along with two companions were escorted into the room by an older man. He wasn’t certain he managed it, but he tried hard to not react to the resemblance he saw in this young man and young woman to his deceased nephew.

    “Your visitors, Herr Berger,” the man said.

    Victor waved him off as he stood. “Thank you, Philip, you may go. I’ll tend to our guests.”

    As the man left, Victor smiled at his visitors. He had no idea if they knew his true identity. There were very few people who did; Larisa Liakos and Victor Kiriakis came to mind first. The vast majority of people who’d known Victor Cassadine had been told he’d died in prison long ago.

    “I was intrigued when I heard the name Robert Scorpio,” Victor began, fleshing out what information they had, and what their purpose was. “I once knew a man named Robert Scorpio. Both of you young men are far too young to be him, so I’ll assume I’m speaking to a son of the man I knew.”

    RJ smiled back and gave a nod. “That’s right. I’m Robert Scorpio Jr. This is my sister, Robin, and her husband Patrick. I apologize for the unexpected intrusion, but we have some questions and were told you might have the answers we’re looking for.”

    Victor offered them all a seat while he took his own. “What questions might those be, young man?”

    “Mr. Berger, have you ever heard the name Larisa Liakos?” Patrick questioned.

    Victor visibly flinched. “No, I cannot say that I have. Should I?”

    RJ leaned forward. He wasn’t one for games. “Look, Mr. Berger, we just arrived recently after having a nice long chat in a place called Salem, Missouri with a man named Victor Kiriakis. He had some very interesting things to say about some of your relatives.”

    “My relatives?” Victor asked, confusion written all over his face. “That’s impossible, young man. First, I have no recollection of ever having known a man named Victor Kiriakis, and second, I have no relatives. I am an only child and my parents are quite dead.”

    “Cut the crap, Mr. Berger,” Robin burst out. “Your name is Victor Cassadine. We have questions about our father and Mikkos Cassadine and you’re going to answer them for us. Now.”

    Victor’s expression was neutral. Obviously they knew much more than he’d hoped, but possibly not as much as he feared. So, he decide to allow some questioning.

    “All right,” he began. “My name is indeed Victor Cassadine. Ask me your questions and if I am able to answer, I might.”

    RJ, Robin and Patrick shared a look before silently agreeing to the terms.

    “What do you know about our father, Robert Scorpio?”