Dara and Jax are staying at the Carlyle Hotel in NYC. Dara goes up to her room and does a quick change. She actually returns to the lobby in 18 minutes. Jax is stunned by the change in Dara. Gone is her professional business suit. In it's place, Dara was in a 2 piece canary yellow outfit. The top seemed to be a regular halter one, until Dara turned around and you saw that it showed almost all her back. The skirt was not loose, and not form fitting. It covered her curves just right. The entire outfit was completely feminine. All Dara's professional edge was gone.

They got into Jax's limo and rode uptown to Harlem and Sylvia's. The atmosphere in Sylvia's was friendly and fun. As Jax and Dara were shown to their table, Jax noted the diverse clientele: Blacks, White, Hispanics and a very large Asian contingent-no doubt belonging to the Tour Bus outside.

Jax decided to let Dara do the ordering. When the waitress came over, Dara rattled off a 5 course meal in less than 30 seconds. As the watiress brought back their drinks, Dara began to talk.

"Well, so what do you think of Sylvia's?"

"The atmosphere is good. I hope the food lives up to the ambiance."

"It does. The food is fantastic. I hope you're hungry."

" I'm famished."

"Good. Cause I'm starving. So...what kind of name is Jasper? Your mama must have had a difficult birth with you, and she wanted revenge."

(Laughs) "No. My mother loves me a great deal. I think maybe she did it to keep me humble, cause she knew what the other kids would say."

"Keep you humble? Well, that didn't work, did it?"

"No, I guess not. So, Ms. Jensen."

"Dara is fine."

"OK, Dara. Seems like you've had as good a day as I have. What's wrong, if I may ask? Since we need to be making conversation."

"Alright, conversation. But don't say that you weren't warned. I'm in a job that I've begun to question. I have superiors that don't seem to have many more morals than the scum I prosecute. Besides that, my idealism is being hacked away on a daily basis. But, get past all this, and I guess I'm fine."

"Well, if we're gonna play "Oh woe is me", how about I take a stab. I fall in love and wind up killing, or so I thought, my first real love. I go through a series of meaningless relationships until I find another Angel. I fall head over heels for her. I give her everything, including my heart and soul, only to be dumped in favor of Port Charles' answer to John Gotti. A man who risked her life more than once, but who seems to be her own addiction that she does not want to cure. How'd I do?"

"Not bad. Being stiffed for the "Teflon Don" must hurt, especially for a guy with an ego like you. Well, I've been dating a guy for about  a year and have absolutely NO CLUE as to what's going on between us. For the astute lawyer, which I believe myself to be, this is quite a quagmire that I find myself. And I don't like it. Not one bit."

(chuckles) "Well, it seems we both have our tales of woe. Why don't we make a deal. Just for tonight...no, for as long as we are in Manhattan, only positive thoughts. Nothing down. I have these aromsa encountering my nose, and believe that I'm going to enjoy this food. I am in the company of a beautiful, intelligent woman. Between us and the world around us, ther is no need to bring up the subjestc of: Brenda, Justus, the PC DA's Office. You think we could do it? Go the entire night..for now...striving for interesting or maybe not so interesting conversation. Maybe what we need in mindless, frivolous, superficial drivel. I can do it....how about you?"

"Deal...Great, here's our food."

The waitress arrives with more food than Dara and jax would ever eat: Fried Chicken, Ribs, Collard greens, Red Beans & Rice, Fried Green Tomatoes,  Shrimp Gumbo, Cornbread, Fried Okra and Tossed Salad. For dessert: a choice between Sweet Potatoe Pie and Peach Cobbler.

Jax just sat and stared as Dara proceeded to fill his plate. He also stared as she filled her plate with enough food for 2 men and started to season the food with two things: something called hot sauce, which resembled tobasco, and some picked relish like substance called chow-chow.

Jax picked up his fork, after preparing his food the same way as Dara and began to eat. The different flavors and tastes began to burst in his mouth. He ate and ate until he finished his second plate.

Dara laughed. "Good eats, eh?"

"My goodness. I haven't had food that tastes this good...in AGES. I thought, when the waitress broughtr out thre food that there was no way that we could even remotely finish all this food. I can't believe it's almost all gone."

"That's soul food for you. Fills you up with a nourishment like no other. I recommend that you stop now and save a corner of your stomach for dessert. I know the woman who makes the desserts for Sylvia's. A family friend. And both the potatoe pie and cobbler will delight  your taste buds."

As if on cue, two helpings of sweet potatoe pie, with homemade whipped topping and hot peach cobbler arrived. Jax thought he couldn't eat another bite. But Dara was right again. The potatoe pit almost floated in his mouth. He had never liked yams, but this pie was something altogether different. But the pie paled in comparison to the cobbler. It was so good, it was almost a religious experience.  He looked at the other patrons with the cobbler. Their faces had the same intensity, yet serenity that he was feeling at this moment. He looked down and could not believe that BOTH desserts were gone. He had just found another favorite cuisine. And another spot for one of his "trips": Sylvia's. He would be sure to get the business card of the establishment because he was going to send some of this food to his mother and Jerry. He ordered another pie and cobbler and they took it with them back to the limo.

"So, Dara, what's next. As if, I'm not about to fall asleep here."

"If you don't mind, I thought we coud go to a club not far from here. A jazz/blues place."

"Lead the way. I'm in your hands now."
 

At Wyndermere: Stefan and Alexis are eating dinner.

"Have you heard anything from Nikolas?"

"No, Alexis. I saw him at the hospital. Didn't you?"

"Yes. He seemed fine, but I think that he is close to coming home."

"Oh, what makes you think this?"

"Just my intuition, Stefan. I did observe him today watching Lucky Spencer playing with Lucas. It was quite obvious that he misses Lucas terribly."

"Yes. He got quite attached to Lucas while he was here. Yet another mistake with Barbara."

"I know. But you can't expect for him to just give up those attachments so easily."

"Well, missing Lucas will do him no good. He should just wash his hands of both of them and say good riddance."

"As you did?"

"Yes. I have moved on. Barbara was a Mistress of Deceit and I was fooled."

"I agree that Bobbie did decide to betray you, but I think we both know that she isn't capable of such a treacherous betrayal. Not all the time that you were married. She LOVED you Stefan, I saw that myself."

"Well, Alexis, then you are still being taken in. Barbara can be quite cunning when she wants to. I've had my fill of this topic, haven't you?"

"Fine. I think that you should ask Nikolas to lunch. It would be nice. I read in the paper where the Bolshoi is coming to the Lincoln Center. Why don't you ask him if he would like to go? He did love them at one time."

"Good idea. I'll do that. I will be having dinner here, with Katherine tommorrow, so..."

"No need to say anymore. I will be discreet."

Mrs. Lansbury comes in.

"Ms. Davis. There is a phone call for you. The gentleman would not leave a message."

"Thank you Mrs. Lansbury. I'll take it. Excuse me."

Alexis goes into the conservatory.

"Alexis Davis. Well, good job. I knew that you could do it if properly motivated. And how is our missing person? Well, if you delivered my letter, then I can ask for no more. Don't go too far, I may need your help on other matters, and soon."
 
 

Bobbie was in Justus' Office at ELQ. He was reviewing the documents that the gentleman from the Dominican Republic had sent.

"Well. What do you think?"

"I think that the gentleman was telling you the truth. According to these documents, your divorce from Stefan is not valid. You are still married."

"Oh."

"Is this what you want? Are you hoping for some sort of reconciliation?"

"God, no. But if we're still married, then I can change my mind about the terms of our divorce, can't I?"

"Yes, theoretically, until the final divorce decree, you can change anything."

"BUT, I signed these papers..."

"Any and all papers can be contested under duress.."

"There are these circumstances.."

"Bobbie, wait. Before you say anything to me, I have to tell you that I am NOT a divorce attorney. I'm good if you want to do a simple divorce, no complications. I can handle this. To handle something as complicated as I  think you're about to get into, well, I would be in over my head."

"I see."

"What about the lawyer that handled you before."

"He's OK. He's efficient..but he's not...."

"A Shark?"

"Exactly. I was wondering if you knew one? One that would not be intimdated by the Cassadines and that I can count on being in my corner?"

"You know what? I DO know someone. She was a classmate of mine at Penn. She was on her way on the civil rights track, when she fell into divorce law. Sees it entirely as a feminist issue. Stefan would not be able to bully her....ever."

"Sounds like the perfect one for me."

"Let me see....yes, here is her number."

Justus dials..

"The offices of Shaw, Coddington, Woodbrige and Phillips. How may I direct your call?"

"Ms. Lozano's Office, please."

"Office of Alicia Lozano."

"Hello. My name is  Justus Ward.  I am calling for Alicia Lozano. Does she know me? Yes, I believe that Ms. Lozano knows me. Yes, I'll hold."

Justus is on hold for a while.

"Well, Justus Ward. What are you up to? Why is the House Counsel for ELQ calling me? Are you getting divorced? I had not even heard you were married."

"Well, hello to you too Alicia. I am not married. BUT, I think that I have a case that might interest you."

"Justus, I am very busy now. It seems as if every senior manager on the East Coast has decided to do an upgrade and get a Trophy Wife. My plate is full, my friend. Sorry."

"Well, that's a shame. I thought that this would be a case that would interest you. Have you heard of the Cassadines?"

"THE Cassadines. Only what I read in the scandal sheets. Are you telling me that I would have a chance at a Cassadine divorce? Who? One of the many loafer cousins?"

"Nope. How about the main man, Mr. Stefan Cassadine himself."

"You're joking, right?"

"Would I lie to you? BUT...if you are too busy.."

"Justus, no, WAIT. I just found an opening tonight. I will fly into Port Charles and meet this potential client. How does 8 o'clock sound?"

"She wants to know how an 8 o'clock meeting fits for you?"

"I'll be there."

"Your potential client says 8 is fine. You go to the Port Charles Hotel, and there will be a room waiting for you. My friend will come to the room at 8. OK?"

"Sounds great. I will be expecting you to take me to dinner."

"That's a given. Thanks, Alicia. Bye."

"Bye."

"Well, that's done. Now, Bobbie, I want you to know that Alicia is the best there is. She's smart, cool and collected. She sees divorce as the war it is. And if I were in that kind of war, she is the Best General to have on your side."

" I don't know how to thank you Justus."

"No need for thanks. It's up to you and Alicia now."

"Well, I should be going. I have to be rested for my meeting. Wish me luck."

"You won't need luck. You have Alicia. It's Stefan who should be purchasing some luck."

"Bye. And thanks once again."