~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Dara Jensen is resting in her hotel room when she hears a knock on the door. She goes to answer it and..
“ Mrs. Jacks?”
“ Hello, Ms. Jensen. May I come in?”
” Surely.”
Jane goes into the room. There is an awkward silence between the two women, and Dara ushers her to the couch in the living room of the suite.
” What may I do for you, Mrs. Jacks?”
” First of all, my dear, you should call me Jane.”
” Dara, then.”
” Yes, Dara. I’m a blunt woman, Dara. I’m known for it.”
“ I understand.”
“ I’ve been watching you and my son these past critical days. You’ve given Jax a level of comfort and peace of mind that I haven’t seen on him in quite awhile.”
” I’ve just been a friend to him, Mrs.....Jane.”
Jane laughs. “ A friend? My sources tell me that you didn’t even wait to see if your leave had been approved by your superiors. You don’t even know if you have a job waiting for you when you return.”
” Your sources are correct.”
” So, do you do this with all your friends?”
” No. And, you know that.”
“ Yes, I do. What I do not understand is why? It’s very obvious to me that Jasper cares for you. And, you, for him. Is there someone else?”
” Don’t you think that’s awfully personal?”
” Yes. But, my sons have always been my personal interest.”
” Haven’t you asked Jax about it?”
” No. Because, he would only tell me that it was none of my business.”
” Maybe your son is right.”
” And, maybe, a mother’s interference is just what he needs. The last woman that Jax lost his heart to..”
” Brenda.”
” Yes, Brenda. My radar was on alert the moment I met her. And, despite all her smiles, grins and sincere words, something in my mother radar, just wouldn’t let me fully get comfortable about her. And, I wound up being right. Jasper is too proud a man to talk to his mother about his heartache, but, I am his mother, so I saw it all over the place. Strange thing is, from the moment I saw you, my radar has been going off in a most positive way. That’s never happened before.”
” I suppose I’m flattered.”
” You should be.”
The women laugh. Dara gets up and goes over to the window and stares out.
” Jane....Breaking up with Jax was the hardest thing that I’ve ever done in my life. But, we come from different worlds. Too different worlds.”
” Oh, Good Lord. Did you break up with Jasper because you’re Black?”
Dara’s silence told the tale.
” If you believe that it would matter to John and I, please know that it wouldn’t. We got broken in on that issue with our former daughter-in-law.”
” Sasha Cassadine.”
” Yes. Anastasia. You will never find any problems on that front from John and myself.”
Dara turns to Jane. “ That’s very kind of you. But, have you really dealt with it. After all, from what Jax tells me, they weren’t married a year, and they didn’t have any children. Would you really want little beige Jacks heirs running around?”
“ My dear Dara, I can only tell you what I know. At this point, I wouldn’t care what color my grandchildren were, as long as I had some.”
“ You know that’s not the answer I’m looking for.”
” Maybe not. But, it’s the one you’re going to get. Life is full of difficulties, Dara. And, the only way to make it through is by loving someone. Now, who you love is fate, I believe. But, if you have that love, and you believe in it, then, somehow, the rest of it falls into place. In that love is incredible goodness, sorrow and even excruciating pain. But, because of the love, you can make it through. As women, of course, we accept the brunt of the negative, and shoulder the responsibility for making the relationship work.”
” I thought relationships are supposed to be partnerships.”
” They are. But, each partner knows the terms and lives up to it. It’s a delicate balancing act. Yet, it’s possible.” Jane gets up from the couch. “ Well, enough of my marriage counseling. I wanted to come and feel you out, and I did. Thank you for listening.”
” It was my pleasure, Jane.”
Jane leaves Dara there to think. As she gets onto the elevator, all Jane could think was ...” that gal’s a keeper.”
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
“ Sasha’s case?” Justus asks Taggert.
” Yes. Ms. Cassadine’s case.”
” I didn’t think that you had come up with anything.”, Sasha says.
” Actually, We hadn’t. But, there has been a new development.”
” Please. Detective. Tell me.”
” Well, the only real witness to this crime is an elderly gentleman.”
” Yes. And, his memory isn’t exactly what it used to be.”
” True. But, I’ve been speaking to Dr. Kevin Collins at General Hospital, and he’s agreed to work with me and the witness.”
” Work with you?”
” Yes. You see, I saw an article on how some police departments are using hypnotherapy to catch criminals.”
” None of that is admissable in court.”, Justus chimed in.
” Maybe not, but, in this case, we have a great deal of external evidence, that, if we were just pointed in the direction of your assailant, then, science, and police work could do the rest. This person ran you off the side of a road, and didn’t even slow down to see if you were alright. You almost died. This person should pay.”
” Well, Detective, it happened to me, so, you know that I completely agree with you. So, when does this hypnosis take place?”
” In a couple of days. I didn’t want to get your hopes up, but, I did want you to know that this case is still a priority, and that, as Chief of Detectives, my eyes are always open to clues as to whom almost killed you. Well, I’m sorry for taking up so much of your time.”
” No problem, Detective. It may not be what I think about every waking moment anymore, but, everytime I’m in therapy in the morning, I can’t help but think of this person. So, any developments, please don’t hesitate to call.”
” I will. Goodbye then. Ms. Cassadine, Mr. Ward.” Taggert leaves. Sasha goes over to the bar and pours herself a drink. Justus comes over to her.
” I didn’t know that the accident still upset you.”
” Upset me? Justus, I almost died. At least once a week, I have nightmares about it. When someone almost kills you, it’s not something that you can let go of that easily.”
” And, what if,Taggert finds the person?”
“ Then, I will spend the rest of my life, making sure that this person has their life systematically destroyed, brick by brick. After all, it’s the Cassadine way.”
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
“ You asked to see me?”, Alexis said as she walked into Stefan’s study.
” That I did, Alexis.”
” So, have you made a decision?”
“ Yes.”
” What are you going to do?”
” Barbara has proven herself untrustworthy. I cannot depend upon her good graces to insure that I will have a relationship with my unborn child. We will go full throttle with our plans for Greece. Once she is there, I expect for all the paperwork to already to be in place, so that when my child is born, I can take immediate custody of the child.”
” Stefan...”
” My decision is final, Alexis. I will not be a held hostage to Barbara’s whims and judgements as to whether I am a good parent or not. This child is a Cassadine, and will be raised as such. Am I understood?”
“ Perfectly. I’ll get right on it.”
Alexis leaves not noticing that Sasha has overheard everything.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Sasha is waiting for Mai at her suite at the Port Charles Hotel.
” Sasha?”
” I want for you to get in touch with our friends. I need passports, untraceable accounts and a very obscure hiding place for a couple of people.”
“ How soon do you need it?”
“ As soon as possible. Time is of the essence, Mai. But, even more than time, I need for none of it to be traceable. So, do it as fast as possible , but, without a paper trail.”
” Fine. I’ll need the names of the people that will be getting the passports.”
” Barbara Jean Cassadine and Lucas Stansbury Jones.”
Mai looks up at Sasha with surprise.
” Just do it, Mai. Just do it. I have something else to do.”
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Katherine is sitting at her desk when the doorbell rings. She does to the door and finds..
“ Sasha? What are you doing here?”
” Being a happy person, Katherine. May I come in?”
” Sure. Well you seem very happy. I suppose you’ve heard about my troubles.”
” Of course I have. In fact, I’ve come to add to them.” Sasha hands Katherine a piece of paper from her purse.
” What’s this?”
” What does it look like?”
” AN EVICTION NOTICE?”
“ That’s right, Katherine. I own the deed to your apartment. Since you are unable to pay up, you’re out of here.”
” Why, you miserable Cassadine B#$%h. YOU’RE the one behind all of this.”
Sasha is smiling. “ Yes, you trollop. I am.”
” But, Why? Stefan and I are broken up.”
“ Well, to be honest, I did start this while you were involved with my father. But, now, I did it just for fun.”
” You really are a piece of work.”
” I don’t know why you’re so upset, Kathy. After all, it’s not like you earned this money anyway. It was gotten, not by brains, but, by back action.”
Katherine reaches up to slap Sasha, but, she stops her.
” Ah..ah..ah. I don’t think so, Katy. Try that again, and you’ll be on the receiving end of 15 years of martial arts training. Am I understood?” Sasha is holding Katherine’s arm and is now twisting it to the point where Katherine is hurting.
” Clearly.”
” Good. Well, you have 48 hours to vacate the premises. After that, I’ll have the Sheriff’s deputies come and escort you off the premises. Toodles.” Sasha laughs while leaving the apartment.
Katherine slams the door. “ I can’t believe that witch. So, she’s the one who’s been after me. Well, you are going to regret that, Sasha. You better believe that.”
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Carly and Michael are taking a walk in the park. They stop. Carly sits down on a bench, and leans into the stroller to talk to Michael.
” How is Mama’s little boy? Is he snug? You know what, Michael? I think we’ve got it pretty good. Jason loves being your daddy. He doesn’t seem to mind me at all, either. Now, there’s this problem with Robin, but, I have to figure out a way to deal with that. But, I will. I have a home, a family now. “ Carly gets a sad look on her face. “ Well, maybe not as much family as I would like, but, I think that we’re doing pretty good. Look at the two of us? I mean , I never thought I would settle into any kind of a routine. But, here we are, the two of us on our daily walk. This is so natural. So great. I didn’t think I could love anyone the way I love you, but, I do. I promise that I’ll make everything good for us. I won’t mess this up.”
Carly takes Michael out of his stroller, and they play together. Carly doesn’t notice that her picture is being taken.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Tatianna is sitting in her bed. Helena is by her side.
” So, Tatianna, did you enjoy today?”
“ Oh, very much, Great-Grandmother. But, when am I going to see my Mummy again?”
” Soon, Tatianna. Your mother is doing everything she can, in order to be with you. What she has not realized is what lengths she’ll go too, in order to be with you. But, rest assured, the two of you will be together. soon. Now, you go to sleep.” Helena kisses Tatianna on the forehead and turns out the light. When she gets outside of the room, Ari is there to greet her, with an envelope. Helena looks at the contents and just smiles.
“ Excellent. Everything is going according to plan.”
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Sasha is sitting in the gardens at Wyndemere when Mai approaches her.
“ Yes, Mai?”
” The transfers are almost done. Within the hour, your grandmother will have complete control of that fortune.”
” Anything else?”
” Yes. The passports, money, property and plane are all awaiting your visitors. Whenever you give the word, they will be able to make their escape.”
” Good.”
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Dara came into her hotel suite after a swim. When she entered, she saw flowers everywhere. She was stunned for a moment, and then, she came upon Jax, standing there, holding a red rose.
” Jax. What are you doing here?”
” Hopefully, convincing you that we belong together.”
” Jax. We’ve had this conversation before. Nothing’s changed.”
” WRONG, Dara, everything’s changed. When we spoke before, I thought, because you are Black, that you had all the answers, I had none, and so, I trusted your judgement. I no longer find that the case.”
“ Oh?”
“ Yes. You are Black, I’m White, but, we’re in love and that’s all that matters.”
” Love conquers all? Very cliche.”
“ True. And, it would have been very true, if you were talking to the man who met and married Miranda. Or even the one who proposed to Brenda. But, this Jasper Jacks is not that man. Not either one of those men. I’m a better man than that. A lot wiser and less arrogant. And, that has everything to do with you. I’ve grown Dara. Into something better than I was. I realize that’s because of you. What you’ve forced me to both feel and handle. Issues I never thought would ever cross my life. Places I never thought I would have to go. All of that happened because of you. Knowing you. Loving you. I’ve been reading, you know.”
” Reading?”
“ Yes, reading. On interracial couples.Anything and everything that’s been written in the last 25 years. I’ve been going to a support group and hearing stories.”
“ And, suddenly, you’re ready for this?”
“ No. Not suddenly. To be honest, it made me doubt anything that I ever felt for you.”
” Then what changed your mind?”
” You did. The moment I saw you at the hospital. It became crystal clear. Yes, the outside world would be there. It would always be there. And, I would just have to deal with it. One day at a time. But, when I look into your eyes, I realize that I can do it. I can handle it.”
” I don’t need cliches.”
“ WE are not a cliche. WE are something positive, good, decent. WE are why I smile when I wake up. WE are why the sun shines brighter. Without you, I’ve been spending countless nights working. Days compound upon one another, and I don’t know what I’m doing. I close deals like a robot. Because, there’s something missing : you.”
” Jax. You’re upset. You haven’t been thinking straight since your father has been ill.”
” Dammit, Dara! Do you think that this is some sympathy ploy?”
” No. Of course not. But, decisions like this should not be made in dramatic situations.”
“ Will you bloody stop talking to me like a lawyer? I have enough of them on my payroll. What I want to hear is how Dara the WOMAN feels about all of this.”
” Jax. Please. Go away. There’s nothing that can be done here.”
” I don’t believe you. But, I will go. On one condition.” Jax goes over and looks her in the eye. “ The only reason I will accept for us not being together is that you don’t love me anymore. Now, if you stand here, look me in the eye, and tell me that you don’t love me, then, I will accept it. And, I’ll be forced to move on. I don’t know how, but, my hand would have been forced. So?”
“ Jax.......”, Dara sighed. “ Of course I still love you. I’ve never felt anything remotely like what I feel for you. I go, from case to case. I’ve turned into a real ‘killer’ in the courtroom, you know. People are commenting to me on my completely cutthroat courtroom behavior. Fact of the matter is, I haven’t felt anything since the night back from Memphis...except for that night at the Outback. I’ve been going around like the walking wounded.”
“ Then it seems we’ve both come to the same conclusion. We’re a match.”
“ Jax...”
” Dara. There is nothing but the outside world stopping us. And, they shouldn’t count.”
“ But, they do.”
“ Only if you let them. Please..” Jax pulls Dara to himself. “ Don’t make me ask again.”
Dara stands there, her eyes at his chest. Just looking at the rise and
fall of his chest as he breathes. Slowly, she looks up at him. His eyes.
And, her heart begins to melt. They’re so blue that they seem to go on
forever. She can feel the tears well up inside of them. Jax gently lowers
his hand to her face.
~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~* Savage Garden
Truly Madly Deeply
I'll be your dream, I'll be your wish I'll be your fantasy.
I'll be your hope, I'll be your love be everything that you need.
I love you more with every breath truly madly deeply do..
I will be strong I will be faithful 'cos..
I'm counting on A new beginning....
A reason for living. A deeper meaning.
~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*
” Now..now. No tears. Don’t.” He kisses Dara on the lips.Slowly, at first, then with more passion, and she responds. She closes her eyes and just stands there, as his lips first brush with hers. Then her cheek, and her neck. She puts her fingers through his hair. Her nose is already sniffing the faint scent of the shampoo he regularly uses.She runs her hands up and down Jax’s back. Not so that she can claw him, but, because she wants to feel him. Touch him. He does the same to her.
~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*I want to stand with you on a mountain.
I want to bathe with you in the sea.
I want to lay like this forever.
Until the sky falls down on me...
And when the stars are shining brightly in the velvet sky,
I'll make a wish send it to heaven then make you want to cry..
The tears of joy for all the pleasure and the certainty.
That we're surrounded by the comfort and protection of..
The highest power. In lonely hours. The tears devour you..
~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*
After what seems like an eternity, Jax separates from her, and takes her hand. Slowly, he leads her to the bed, and has her sit on it. Jax gets on his knees. He looks up at Dara, sitting there. He runs his fingers through her hair, all the while they slowly explore one another’s mouths. He moves his mouth away from hers and down to her chest. He unbuttons her blouse, taking it off. He fingers the straps of her bra, kissing one shoulder, then the other. His kisses stay on her chest. Once Jax hears Dara moan his name, she lifts his head and brings his lips to hers. All the while, she is taking Jax out of his shirt and unbuckling his pants. With her hands, she is able to pull down Jax’s pants. Dara backs herself up on the bed.
~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*I want to stand with you on a mountain,
I want to bathe with you in the sea.
I want to lay like this forever,
Until the sky falls down on me...
Oh can't you see it baby?
You don't have to close your eyes 'cos it's standing right before you.
All that you need will surely come...
~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*
Jax ‘frees’ her of the leftover constricting garments and she welcomes him. Being with Dara once again, both Jax and Dara let out simultaneous moans. They both laugh, then, their passion begins to over take them. Jax wants to take his time, but, can’t. Dara won’t allow him. Her hip movements are driving him wild with desire and she is the one controlling the rhythm between them. They both close their eyes and allow their bodies to talk to one another. Dara feels Jax’s lips all over her body. She feels as if this is happening to someone else. That she’s in the middle of dream. Her body feels light, and feathery. Jax’s lips on her skin are like light brushstrokes. He is the artist and she the canvas. She smiles for everything about this feels right. Dara chases those demons out of her head and comes back to the moment, just as her climax comes over her. It was like the first time she and Jax had made love. He reached deeper into her than anyman had. She couldn’t deny him any longer. Dara began to cry. Jax, who was just calming from his own climax asked Dara what was wrong. Dara kissed him lightly and said, “ Nothing. In my whole life, I’ve never been able to say that. I love you, Jasper. Only you.”
~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*
I'll be your dream I'll be your wish I'll be your fantasy.
I'll be your hope I'll be your love be everything that you need.
I'll love you more with every breath truly madly deeply do...
I want to stand with you on a mountain....
I want to bathe with you in the sea.
I want to lay like this forever,
Until the sky falls down on me...
~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*
Jax kisses her and whispers, “ And, that’s how it will stay.”
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