The Spider’s Lair
Chapter 1
AJ Quartermaine rolled over on his stomach to find that the other side of the bed was empty- again.
Carly was gone yet again this morning, as it had been every morning since they were married. Sometimes, she was with Michael. Other times, she was downstairs, eating breakfast. But, he felt that he knew where she was this morning: the stables.
He thought he saw genuine joy on her face the moment he presented her with her horse: An Arabian, nonetheless. He thought he would get the opportunity to give her lessons. He thought it was another thing that he could ‘do’ for her, that Jason couldn’t. And, she let him go through an entire hours worth of lectures on the care, upkeep and handing of horses. Carly looked as if she was hanging on every word.
Then, she smiled sweetly, and said, " Why don’t we try out the horse? Can you help me up?" She even fumbled getting onto the horse. Once she got into herself settled, he got on his horse, and they began to walk, then trot. Then, Carly asked, " how about a race to the pond and back? Loser gets what they want?" AJ said, fine. Then, as AJ began to pull away, Carly broke loose and began to ride like a demon. Her handling of the horse was so far above what AJ had done his whole life. Carly was already dismounted when AJ arrived at the stables. She had a big grin on her face.
" You tricked me.", AJ whined.
" You took a sucker’s bet.", Carly scolded. " You have to pay up."
" What do you want, Carly?"
" No car. I want my own chauffeur."
" Carly, the only one who has a chauffeur are my grandparents."
" Well, I want one too. I won. You lost. Pay up." With that, Carly walked her horse into the stables.
AJ looked over at this appointment book. He had interviews for drivers today.
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Carly was riding the horse, whom she called Jake, along the edge of the Quartermaine property. This horse was the most honest thing about living here. She hated it. Every moment. And, things had just gone from bad to worse for her. AJ said that he was willing to take it slow. But, Carly knows leers when she gets them.
She didn’t get it. How could AJ be such a moron to actually be lusting after her? Agreeing to sharing a room with him, Carly now realized, was a BIG mistake. It was creeping her out.
The horse, had been a gift from God. She could go riding no matter the time or weather. She had missed the horses. Man, had she missed horses. Solitary time where there were no Quartermaines or Staff around. No thinking before she spoke. No one to insult her. Just her, and the horse. Her Jake. She had to laugh. She KNOWS stupid AJ believes that it was for where Michael was conceived. When he told her that he knew why the name was special, it took everything she had not to laugh in his face.
No, the horse was a monument to the man that she loved. That she wanted. It was the place where THEY met. Of course with Carly, it all came back to Jason.
Jason.
She remembered the look on his face when he thought that she hadn’t gone through with her marriage to AJ. She was so confused. Did he really care about her not marrying AJ? How could he be so calm about it? Did he really not care if she slept with AJ? What kind of man wouldn’t care about her sleeping with another man? Doesn’t that say that he doesn’t want her?
Damn him!, Carly thought. Why in the hell is Jason was Jason worth it? Was any man worth it?
There was a part of Carly that wanted to say NO!!
But, then she’d look at Jason in a quiet moment, and knew that her resolve was sunk. She loved that man. It was that simple. And, that complicated. Nobody made her feel the way he could , when things were going good between them. So, she thought she had to take the flip side of this.
Jason was a man of few words. But, his body language. What he doesn’t say, always says something to her. When she was dancing with AJ at Luke’s, his eyes were full of wanting. No doubt about it. His eyes told her what she needed to know. She knew that Jason was hesitant to have sex with her because it was the time where they got along the least. Carly knew that Jason hadn’t computed yet that the BOTH of them had had changes in their lives since then.
Well, she checked her watch. She knew that AJ would be out of their room and downstairs having breakfast, so it was safe for her to go back. Carly shook her head. There wasn’t anyplace where she felt comfortable. Everywhere she turned, there was some Quartermaine either glaring or snooping into her life.
" This is no way to live.", Carly muttered to herself.
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Alan was sitting at the table reading the Port Charles Herald when AJ came in.
" Morning, Dad."
" AJ. How are you?"
" Fine. And you?"
" Good. So, tell me..how’s married life."
AJ sits down at the table with a glass of orange juice. " Could be better. Could be worse."
" AJ, you knew what you were getting into when you married Carly. I remember our talk."
" I know Dad. But, it seems as if Carly is isn’t to the marriage as I am."
" AJ, just because you wanted it, doesn’t mean you have the right to put Carly on your timetable."
" I know that. It’s just that sometimes I think we’re on the same page. Like the trip we made to Manhattan this past weekend. I mean, we had a great time. The three of us got together as a family, and then, there was time for just Carly and I. I took her to the Rainbow Room. And the Russian Tea Room. We danced together, and I ordered her favorite- fish, everywhere we went. I made sure that I had bought outfits for her. Everything was so romantic..I don’t know why things didn’t happen the way that they were supposed to."
" Oh, AJ.", Alan sighs.
" What, Dad?"
" You’ve been lying to me. You’ve been in love with Carly all along, haven’t you?"
" Yeah. I guess so."
" Well, then, I feel sorry for you."
" Why?"
" The only thing worse than being a couple married to one another and not being in love, is for one person to be in love and you thinking the other should be that way too. I hope things work out for you."
" They will, Dad. Carly’s my wife, Michael’s my son, and Jason’s out of their lives."
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Carly comes down in the early afternoon to find Latecia playing with Michael.
" Latecia, do you think you could go get Michael some cookies? I think he’d like them."
" Alright, but, Ms. Cook isn’t exactly the nicest person."
" I know...but, she doesn’t throw things at you. I tried to get a brownie once, and she threw a pot at me."
Latecia smiles, and says " I think Mr. Jennings smoothed things for me."
" Mr. Jennings? Oh..Reggie. Well, thanks, Latecia."
As soon as Latecia is gone, Carly scoops up Michael into her lap. " Well, Mr. Man. I have to go. I’m going to see your Daddy. I’m also going to shop..Mommy’s got to have a cover story. But, you be good for Latecia when I’m gone..OK? I’ll give Daddy a big kiss for you.."
" Here are the cookies."
" Oh, Michael. Look..oatmeal. " Carly kisses him. " Be a good boy, will you Mr. Man? Mommy will be back soon."
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AJ is sitting at this desk at ELQ when his secretary comes into his office.
" Yes, Jeannette?"
" This came for you."
" Thank you."
Once she’s gone, AJ opens the note.
145 Lowry Street, Second Floor.
Meet me.
-C
" I wonder what she’s up to?", AJ asks himself as he gathers his suit coat to leave.
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" Jase? Jase? ", Carly yells.
" Over here, Carly."
" So.." Carly says, looking over the space. " This is your new warehouse."
" This is the new purchase for the coffee business. We’re expanding. "
" Into what?", Carly says with a smirk.
" Into nothing, Carly." Jason says with a deadpan look on his face. " We’re completely legit."
" OK, Jase. Whatever floats your boat. So, why did you have me meet you here?"
" Because, Carly..I was working here, and you said you needed to talk. So talk."
Carly was about to say something when Jason’s cellphone rang.
" Morgan.....sure. Just a minute." He motions to Carly that he has to take the phone call. He goes into the office, leaving Carly outside.
AJ climbs up the stairs to see all the cartons of material on the floor. He wanders around for a bit, until he sees Carly. He’s about to call out to her when he sees Jason come back out from the office. He moves himself to a crate near them, where he can hear, but, they can’t see.
" So, did you take care of your business?", Carly asks, while attempting to give Jason a hug.
" Carly.."
" That was from Michael."
" Oh, Michael?", Jason’s mouth forms a small grin. " And, what else did ‘Michael’ tell you to do?"
Carly was looking for an invite..Jason, though playing as if he didn’t, also knew. Carly puckered up and gave Jason a kiss, that he sorta received, but, pushed her away.
" Carly.."
" Ok. I know Jase. I know better."
" So, why are you here, Carly?"
" I thought that I would tell you how my plan’s going."
" That stupid plan that I don’t think will work? That plan?"
" Yes, Jason. THAT plan. It’s the only way, Jase."
" No, Carly. It wasn’t the only way. It wasn’t nearly the only way. But, you think it’s YOUR way. So, what’s the difference."
" Well, admit it. You never thought that I’d get this far, did you? Did you?"
Jason ponders Carly’s question. " You’re right. I never thought AJ would marry you."
" Jason, I told you that I’d get AJ to marry me. "
" I don’t know, Carly. He wound up in a laundry cart, and still he wanted to marry you. I wouldn’t."
" Of course, not, Jase. You’re not a weak weasel like AJ. But, all you’ve ever had to do is flash him a little skin, and pump his ego a bit, and he thinks you like him."
" Carly, even Michael’s harder than that."
" Yeah, well, what can I say...Like, take this past weekend...AJ took us to NYC on a ‘family’ outing. He took me to the Rainbow Room and Russian Tea Room."
Jason looked at her like she was crazy.
" Well, they are these very fancy, but, incredibly boring places. And, he ordered me fish everywhere we went."
" You hate fish."
" I know that...but, AJ thinks he so clever and romantic..he really gets off on it. He even had an entire wardrobe chosen for me when I got to New York."
" But, I thought that the fun in shopping for you, was finding the stuff yourself. You said so."
" It is. "
" Then, why don’t you speak up, Carly?"
" Jason , I’ve got to give AJ the belief that he’s in control."
" Carly. You’re doing all sorts of stuff you hate...doesn’t that make him in control?"
" Only in his mind."
" Ok. Fine. " Jason walks back to the office and comes back with a box. He gives it to Carly.
" For me?"
" I don’t see anyone else."
" Jase...why?"
" Because, I was wrong."
" Wrong?"
" About Hannah and the Penthouse. I was wrong to let her redecorate."
Carly looks at Jason as if he’s speaking Chinese.
" What?", Jason asks.
" You’re apologizing to me?"
" Yeah."
" Why?"
" I hurt you, Carly. I could see it, by the reaction in your eyes. I hurt you." Jason comes face to face with Carly and strokes her face. " I realize that I wanted to."
" Why, Jase? Why did you want to hurt me?"
" Because of this dumbass plan, Carly. Don’t you see that it won’t work? "
" Jase...it already has worked. AJ’s married me. I’m halfway home."
" No, Carly. The plan’s over and you’re deluding yourself."
Carly crosses her arms in front of her chest.
" WHY?"
" Because, in order for you to divorce AJ and have any claim to his money, you have to consummate the marriage."
" So?"
" Carly...you’ll never sleep with AJ."
" Jason, I’ll do what I have to do."
" You won’t sleep with AJ."
" What if I do? Are you telling me that you’re jealous.? Are you telling me not to sleep with AJ?"
" I’m not telling you anything, Carly. You’ll do what you want to do. But, you won’t sleep with AJ."
Jason goes to pick up his clipboard and starts back to work.
Carly picks up her purse and storms off.
After couple of minutes, AJ is about to reveal himself when he hears Carly storming back.
" You’re back.", Jason deapans.
Carly walks over to the box and picks it up. " I forgot this."
" Did you?"
" YES, you bastard. I did!" Carly begins to walk away. " Why WON’T I sleep with AJ?"
Jason sighs. " Because you’re in love with me."
Carly laughs. " YOU, my friend, have an ego the size of Texas. You think you’re ALL THAT...and I won’t sleep with AJ?"
" Carly, this has nothing to do with me. This is about you."
" Oh, THIS, I have to hear." Carly sits down on a crate.
" Carly, if you’re in love with me, you won’t sleep with AJ. You won’t."
" Well, this town would disagree with you, beginning with your friend, Sonny. I’m the town tramp, Jason..haven’t you gotten that message?"
" I’m not up on the true definition of tramp, Carly, but, how does sleeping with 2 men, one only for one time, in the past 2 and half years, qualify you as a tramp? I don’t get that."
"Jase.."
" No. You wanted an answer. You’ll get one, Carly. When you love, Carly. You love all the way. No doubts. No hesitations. No cheating. You weren’t cheating on Dr. Jones when you slept with AJ, but, then, you never intended on sleeping with anyone that night."
" I came to find you."
" Yep. You came to find me. You were dressed sexy like, and you knew what would happen. You knew that I would turn you down. We’d drink beer and play pool until you got tired, and then I’d take you upstairs and let you sleep it off."
Carly is fidgeting with the box and nodding at Jason.
" So. You won’t sleep with AJ because you love me."
" Then, what the hell am I going to do, Jase?"
Jason shrugs his shoulders. " We’ll do whatever needs to be done."
" Jason, what the hell does that mean?"
" Carly. I’m an organized man. I think things out. Clean and Simple. But, these are two words that never apply to you."
Carly shrugs her shoulders.
" This plan stinks, Carly. You told people that I hurt you."
" I know Jase."
" Carly, you want to know why I came back with Michael?"
" You promised?"
" Because, I know that a lot of your problems Carly can be traced back to you not being with Bobbie. You have a hole, Carly. And, I think that Michael helps with that hole. I couldn’t hurt you, Carly. And, I couldn’t hurt Michael. "
Carly has tears in her eyes, and she kisses Jason on the cheek. " Well, I guess I should open this." Carly opens the box and sees a keychain with her name on it. She looks up at Jason confused.
" Jase..I never got rid of the keychain you gave me before. I’d never get rid of it."
" The key is the thing."
" What’s it to?"
" The storage facility where Hannah sent your things. On the card is the name of the guy you can call to change it all around. "
" You’d let me redecorate?"
" Why not? It’s your home, Carly."
" You don’t hate me, Jase?"
" No. Carly. I don’t hate you. I’ve never hated you. I can’t see my life without you. I’ve tried, but, I can’t see it."
" I love you, Jase."
" I know."
Carly slides her arms around Jason’s neck. She leans in for a kiss on the lips. They press warmly against Jason’s, almost timidly at first, and then she leans her body into his and begins to grind. He responds, slipping his tongue in her mouth. He feels her up and down in the back until she begins to open his shirt. He pulls away.
" Carly.."
" Come on, Jase."
" No, Carly. We won’t have sex as long as you’re his wife."
Carly picks up her stuff and looks him dead in the eye.
" Well, then, you’ve just given me extra motivation, haven’t you?"
Jason grins and shakes his head. Carly begins to walk away.
" Jase, I’m gonna give you a piece of advice. It’s not just because I can’t stand her, but, something is very wrong with Han-Ugh. It takes one to know one...and she’s nothing but trouble."
" Goodbye, Carly."
" Bye, Jase. I’ll tell Michael I had a good day with his Daddy." Carly blows Jason a kiss and leaves. AJ waits until he hears the phone ring and Jason goes into his office to get the call.
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He felt her hair sweep across his abdomen. He felt her lips go around his nipple and already her hands were working him to another arousal.
As her lips reached his neck, it was all that he could do to stop himself from ravaging her now. But, he promised her that he would allow her to torture him. It was their fourth time making love this session. Fourth time. He was dizzy. His head was in the clouds so high that he could barely believe that this was happening to him.
When he went out for his evening ride, and wound up contemplating his life in the garden, he had thought that his life was over. When she surprised him, he had no idea that it was the beginning.
" Stefan Cassadine, why is your brow furrowing?", Laura demands in between sucking on Stefan’s neck.
" Laura, is this some primitive custom here in America?", he said sluggishly, truly in a haze.
Laura laughs. " I think it’s called giving you a hickey. I’m marking my territory."
" My dear lady, that was done nearly 20 years ago."
Stefan just rested there as Laura finished her handiwork. Once she had, she looked up at him.
" Well?", he asked.
" Anyone looking at you will say..’ he’s taken’."
" They already know."
Laura smiles at him, beaming. " I can’t believe WE’RE here."
" Neither can I."
" No. I mean WE. I was somewhat hesitant. I thought, in the back of my mind, that ghosts would be haunting us."
" Ghosts...you mean Luke."
" Yes. Stefan, I spent 17 years with him. I never thought I could be with you, and feel this way."
" Which is?"
" Free." Laura sits up on the bed next to him. She has a very soulful look on her face. And, he can see tears in her eyes.
" After Lucky died, I didn’t think I had the right to be happy. Ever again. I was to blame for his death, and my punishment would be to be miserable. But, you and others wouldn’t let me. I’ve seen you look at me tonight, Stefan. I know what you’re thinking. You’re thinking that you can’t trust me. You’re thinking that I might be using you. Stefan, I’m not. I’m ready for the rest of my life. I didn’t tell you where I was before I came to you. I was at Scott Baldwin’s office. My first husband. I was finishing all the paperwork for my divorce from Luke. He agreed to it. I’m going down to the Dominican Republic tomorrow to get the divorce. "
Stefan just stared at her. In all his life, he never thought he’d hear those words for her. He had only heard them in his dreams. He actually gulped as he looked at Laura.
She smiled her thousand watt smile at him. " Well, you set the terms. Didn’t you think that I was listening? You said not to come to you until I wanted to be with you...isn’t that what you said?"
Stefan reached up and grabbed her placing her mouth on his. Their tongues were in deep exploration when the phone rang...
Laura reached for it, but, Stefan grabbed her hand.
" Stefan.." Laura was able to mutter through the tonsil hockey going on. .." It might be about Lulu."
Stefan let her go and looked at her. He picked up the phone.
" Stefan Cassadine."
" Alexis?"
" Yes. It’s me. I need to speak with you."
" I am busy, Alexis."
" Stefan, we need to talk. This will be the last talk we’ll ever have. I promise not to bother you again."
" In the morning."
" No. Tonight. At Wyndemere."
Stefan looks at Laura who mildly nods.
" All right, Alexis. Tonight. In ninety minutes."
" Fine. I’ll see you there."
Stefan hangs up the phone. " Alexis.."
" I heard."
" I don’t want to leave you."
" Wellll...", Laura purrs. " Give me something to remember you by. After all, you said ninety minutes."
Stefan grins and proceeds to pin Laura under him.
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" He said he’d meet me in an hour and a half.", Alexis said as she sat down next to Ned on the couch at the Gatehouse.
" Are you sure about this?"
" Yes. I may have washed my hands of the Cassadines, but, I can’t do that until I give Stefan what the doctor gave me. After I give him her report..I won’t need to be with him anymore."
" Alexis.."
" Ned. I need this. I want this. He’s my brother. I don’t want him dead. And, if he can find out why Helena wanted to kill me, then maybe he would have found a weapon against her. Whatever I feel towards him right now..I know who the REAL enemy is: Helena. I just don’t want to fight her anymore. I have my life. I have you. Stefan can protect Nikolas. All is well. The only casualty is my relationship with my brother.", Alexis says, with a note of bitterness that Ned chooses to ignore.
Ned kisses her. " I can go with you."
" No. Just hold me."
He does.
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Helena is having tea at the Port Charles Grille when Ari comes in.
" Well?", she asks.
" It has been done. Things are in place."
" Excellent."
SIPort