The Harem of Jason Morgan
Jason's Office, the Main Penthouse
"Is this some sort of joke?" Connery asks, incredulous. "Most of these
Operations are vital to the WSB maintaining good relations with our South
American "associates." You're kidding, right?" he inquires, incredulous.
"Does he LOOK like he's kidding, James?" Jerry seethes his voice terse. He also
has a copy of the files his boss is skimming; and while no fan of the "shady
dealings" the WSB oftentimes engages in, like Connery, he can't believe the
proposal.
"Sorry." Connery closes the file, tossing it to the carpeted floor next to his
chair. "Not possible. Not even REMOTELY possible," he shakes his head.
"You MAY want to reconsider your stance, Director," Dara intones cryptically.
"Did he stutter, Dara?" Jerry snarls, shooting Dara a heated gaze. "No. His
answer's NO."
"Was I talking to you?" as Dara arches her brow, her voice rising slightly. Calm
down, baby. Too much at stake for you to let Jerry get a rise out of you. She
turns her attention to Jason her voice now tightly controlled. "Perhaps you
should inform them about the renegade faction of Moreno's soldiers "
"Naw," he replies, shaking his head. He makes no attempt to mask his delight at
the flustered responses of Connery and Jerry. "You tell 'em."
"RENEGADES?!" Connery bellows.
"FACTIONS?!" Jerry rages.
"Are you two done throwing your hissy fits?" Dara asks, rising from her seat.
"Good. Now, Director," as she makes her way towards him, "I suggest you rethink
your position on Jason's offer." She pauses, pointing a finger in Jerry's
direction, never breaking her gaze with Connery. "Don't EVEN think about butting
in, Jerry!" Seconds later, a disgruntled Jerry returns to his seat, muttering
the entire way. "As I was saying before, although Jason has taken control of
Moreno's territory, there remains a small group of his men who aren't willing to
cooperate, and these men have been trying to stir up unrest within other
Organizations--especially those that were once tight with Moreno. So far, none
of the other Organizations have taken them up on their offer. They know better.
They may be ticked about Jason coming in and totally revamping the way they've
done business - squashing their drug trade, the prostitution.... - but they're
NOT stupid. And stupid is exactly what someone in a rival Organization would
have to be to take on Jason after what happened to Moreno." Dara shrugs. "But,
then again, these "renegades" aren't exactly known for their brains like the
pitbulls they are they're big, vicious and loyal. They just MAY be crazy enough
to try and take on Jason. not because they'd win but because of Moreno."
"VERY big on loyalty," Jason concurs, rising from behind his desk, coming to
rest next to Dara.
"Yeah, nothing like honor among thieves, eh, Morgan?" Jerry sneers.
"Didn't Dara tell you to shut up?!" Jason barks, then without missing a beat,
returns his attention to Connery. "Now, while I'm sure these men knew nothing of
Moreno's involvement with the WSB, if they WERE to find out " Jason taunts,
offering up a knowing smile. "Well, let's just say, they would NOT be pleased to
know that once their man Moreno was thrown in jail, the folks at the Bureau
didn't so much as lift a FINGER to help him out. You guys scraped him from off
the bottom of your shoes like he was day-old dung. Yep," as he shakes his head
mockingly, "they're a REAL loyal bunch. And if they were--say, given a bit of
info on some Bureau Operations down in say, COLUMBIA " Jason lets out a low
whistle, offering up a derisive laugh. "Well, they'd be out for blood, Connery.
No doubt about it but it wouldn't be mine."
"You wouldn't," as Connery rises, all the while eying Jason.
"Dara, do I bluff?" Jason continues to return Connery's stare, never blinking.
"Believe he's bluffing if you like, Connery. Hell," she snorts, "he might even
lead 'em there himself!"
"All right," as Connery slowly returns to his seat.
"James! You're not actually gonna give in to the Pup's demands?!" Jerry looks at
Connery like he's just sprouted a third eye. "I cannot BELIEVE this!"
" Sit down, Jerry," Connery replies evenly. "I think Dara's right. I need to
reconsider my stance."
"Smart move," Jason answers his flat unblinking stare still focused on Connery.
Later
While Jason and Jerry hammer out the finer points of Jason's terms, Dara and
Jerry stand on opposite sides of the room, staring daggers at each other.
Finally tiring of being under Jerry's intense gaze, Dara crosses the room,
heading for the wet bar. Seeing her headed in his direction, Jerry quickly
ambles over to the bar.
"Nice necklace," Jerry nods. "A gift from Pup?" he sneers.
"What of it?" she challenges, eyes flashing.
"Nothing!" as Jerry raises his hands in mock surrender. "I was just gonna say, I
never took him to have a sense of humor." Dara looks at Jerry quizzically. "The
stone in the choker it's a form of chrysoberyl--Tiger's Eye."
"And?" Dara shrugs, absently taking a step back--the more distance between her
and Jerry, the better as far as she's concerned. "The POINT of this lesson in
Gemology?"
"It represents protection from the Government."
"Well...I always thought Jason had a pretty wry sense of humor," Dara smiles,
absently stroking the stone. "You want one?" as she pours herself a drink. Jerry
shakes his head.
"Bourbon?" he comments, arching his brow. "Since when did you become a drinker?"
Tossing back the drink, Dara shoots Jerry a venomous look. "Since when is it any
of your business?" she replies, wincing as the fiery liquid glides down her
throat.
"Still as brash as ever, I see," he laughs. "Nice to see SOME things never
change."
"See, that's where you're wrong, Jer." as she slams the glass down. Jason and
Connery never so much as break their concentration. "Things HAVE changed," as
she turns to walk away.
"I think not," he counters quietly. Taking her by the arm he attempts to turn
her to face him. "What in the hell are you doing here, Dara? What's happened to
you?"
"Let go, Jerry." Dara struggles to keep her voice even. It's all she can do not
to lose it right then and there. She's amazed that after all this time, his
touch can still do that to her. "I said let GO!" she hisses, her back to Jerry.
"Not until you give me some answers!" he hisses back. "Okay, so you needed to
stay alive I can buy that. But backing Morgan--sticking it to the Bureau? That's
not like you. This," He waves his hand around the room, referring to the new
world she inhabits, "THIS isn't you, Dara." He pauses, turning Dara so that
she's looking right at him. "This isn't MY Dara," he says softly.
Looking into Jerry's dark brown eyes, Dara nearly comes undone. Upon hearing him
call her "my Dara," her heart all but stops. Get a GRIP, woman! This is not the
time. This is NOT the place! Calling upon every ounce of self-control she has,
Dara slowly disengages herself from Jerry's grip. Clearing her throat, she
steels herself. "I'm not "YOUR Dara", Jerry. I haven't been for a long time. I'm
certainly not the Dara that gave 10 years of her life to the Bureau. THAT Dara
died the day they planted a bomb in a car at the Courthouse, a bomb meant for
me. Take a good long look, Jerry. What you see? This is what and who I am NOW.
You say this stone represents protection? Well, that's what Jason offered me.
No, he doesn't have the Government's seal of approval with regards to what he
does, but he sure is a helluva lot more loyal than the Bureau. Jason was there
for me when I called and every day since then.
"So, this is your life now?"
"This is my life," she nods. "I make no apologies for it. I ask for no one's
approval. The sooner you understand and accept that, the better off we'll both
be."
"Okay. That's the way you want it? Fine."
"That's the way it is," as she walks away.
"Yeah, Dara. Believe that all you want," he says softly, watching her cross the
room. "You talk about sealing your fate with that phone call? Just remember who
you called FIRST, luv!"
The final stages of Negotiations
"Nope," as Jason shakes his head. "I thought I made it clear, Connery? Cross
that "associate" off the list of Operations I'll be dealing with. I want no part
of prostitution not even a hint of it."
"Is that so, Pup is that so?" Jerry sneers.
"The name's Morgan," Jason replies, his voice tinged with warning.
"Well, PUP according to our sources, you have an inordinate number of ladies
here at your Penthouse. Many of them with some rather loose reputations if you
know what I mean?" he winks. "Kind of a perfect setup for a brothel, if you ask
me..."
Dara's jaw tightens. Her eyes ablaze, she rises, making a beeline for Jerry.
Hands on her hips, she stares him down. "Now I just KNOW you're not insinuating
Jason has the women here hooking for him? I'm hoping for your sake that little
comment is due to you hitting the sauce a little too much over the last hour,"
Dara threatens.
"You think I'm drunk, luv?" Jerry laughs. "I'm as sober as a judge!" He steps
closer, then bends down to whisper in her ear, deliberately allowing his lips to
graze her ear. "What's wrong, Dara? Tonight not your night to warm Pup's bed?
Hell, at least with me, you never had to wait in line!"
"I'm warning you, Jerry..."
"So, tell me, Pup," as he looks across the way at Jason. "It's gettin' kinda
late--did you and Dara already "take care of business"...or will that take place
after this meeting is over?"
"Connery, muzzle him or I will!" Jason rises from his chair.
Connery, flushed with anger merely shakes his head, scowling at Jerry. Giving a
mirthless laugh, he realizes he was hoping for too much that Jerry and Dara
could be in the same room and it not turn nasty. "Dammit, Jerry! Just shut up,
would you? You are NOT helping here!"
"Shut up?" Jerry repeats, laughing. "Oh, I'm JUST getting started," as he whirls
Dara around.
"Wrong, baby. You're finished!" Seconds later, Dara swiftly rams her knee into
Jerry's groin, sending him crumpling to the floor, groaning in agony and
uttering a few curse words she didn't even know existed.
"Jeezus, Dara!" Connery gasps.
"You trying to kill the man?!" as he gets in between them, Dara still towering
over Jerry.
"He's lucky I didn't do it TWICE!"
Still doubled over, Jerry slowly rises to his feet, with assistance from
Connery. "Yep. No doubt about, mate...she still loves me!" he cracks.
"In your dreams!" she snorts.
"You okay?" Jason asks, gently leading her away.
"Yeah," Dara replies, exhaling deeply, staring daggers in Jerry's direction.
Damn. She hated it when she let Jerry push her buttons. The question was WHY was
he trying to make her lose it?
"Okay, Connery. Your boy acts up one more time, he's outta here!"
"Everything's under control," Connery reassures Jason. "Isn't that right,
Jerry?" Silence. "RIGHT, Jerry?"
"Yeah, RIGHT," Jerry groans, his hands absently darting to his crotch.
His stomach is now in knots. But not from the pain of Dara's blow. Locking eyes
with her, he realizes he's probably blown any chance of a possible
reconciliation with Dara--but it was something he had to do. Having Dara in the
room is a liability, as far as Jerry is concerned. Thus, he was doing his best
to fluster her--to make her upset enough to leave. Unfortunately, his best
wasn't good enough, he muses. For not only is she sticking around, but if he can
still read her right, the look in her eyes tells him she's going to make him pay
for those comments.
Jason casts a glance over at Dara.
He couldn't help but notice as they crossed the room, the sway of her hips was a
bit more pronounced then usual. And when she stood next to him, he distinctly
felt her breast brush against him.
"So, he wants to know if you got it like that?!" she'd muttered. "Well, I'll
show him JUST how you got it!" she spat.
Yep. No doubt about it, Jason surmises. Jacks had tried to ruffle Dara's
feathers, and she was gonna retaliate. She's really playing things up for Jacks,
that's for sure. Only Jerry isn't the only one her actions are having an effect
on. Smiling, Jason finds himself more anxious than ever to have the meeting over
with. Maybe he's imagining things, he tells himself, but Dara seems just a wee
bit "tense," he chuckles silently. Another shower is in order, perhaps...
Connery's voice brings Jason's attention back to the matter at hand.
"...and with us having agreed on the Bureau Operations that will be used, I do
believe this..."partnership," as he clears his throat, "will be advantageous to
both parties involved."
"Well, speaking of 'parties involved,' Connery," Jason begins. "There's one
other thing that I insist upon." He holds up his hand to silence Connery's
forthcoming protest. "I'll be straight with you, Connery--yeah, you're working
with me. Hell, you don't have a CHOICE, when you think about it. But I do give
you points for grace under pressure. Still, the fact remains, I don't trust you.
Pure and simple." He pauses. "And neither does Dara."
"Is that true, Dara?" Connery asks.
"Let him finish, James," Dara replies somberly moving to stand beside Jason her
strong had moving to brush against the desk drawer as her casted arm rests along
the back of Jason's chair.
"Dara will be pivotal in my dealings with the WSB," Jason continues. "I can't
have her on edge, constantly on the lookout--second guessing you, wondering if
the contacts we're working with are on the up and up. So, here's the deal: You
step down, I choose your successor, and on this end *I* call all the shots. Take
it or leave it."
Jerry bolts out of his seat in a flash, heading straight for Jason...only to be
stopped short by the gun Dara has aimed at him. The pistol she'd pulled from the
desk drawer in anticipation of his move. Jerry recognizes the determined look in
her eyes. And he knows her well enough to realize, love him or hate him, she'll
shoot him if need be. He turns, kicking over his chair to release his
frustration.
"Just who in the HELL do you think you are, Morgan?! Do you think you can just
waltz in and take over the World Security Bureau?!" Jerry offers up a
contemptuous laugh. "Such visions of grandeur, Pup, are what will get you
killed!"
"You gonna be the one to do it, Jacks?" Jason answers coolly. "Does the Bureau
mean so much to you? Huh? You, who spent the last--HOW many years drinking
yourself into oblivion in some outback watering hole? I don't THINK so! Now sit
down and shut up!" he roars. "These negotiations don't concern you." He pauses.
"Not yet anyway." Jason turns to face Connery. "So--do we have a deal? This is
the ONLY way you're going to come out of this even SEMI-clean. This is your ONLY
chance to get out with your name and freedom intact."
Connery remains seated, the color drained from his face. He knew something was
up when Dara had not responded to his question, and instead had told him to hear
Jason out. Something's gone wrong, he tells himself. REALLY wrong.
"James, what the hell is going on?!" Jerry barks, all but reeling from his
boss/friend's reaction.
"L-L-Listen, Jerry," Connery stammers, finally finding his voice. "Bringing you
into this was a mistake. I'm sorry." He turns to Jason, searching the young
man's eyes. They give away nothing, yet Connery's gut tells him, whatever Jason
knows will not be divulged in Jerry's presence. He'd grant him that courtesy.
"I'll step down, Morgan. Immediately. But there's no guarantee on the successor
being who you want it to be. No guarantee that you'll have any control. This is
my mess, and whoever replaces me may be fine with airing the dirty laundry and
using me as a scapegoat. You won't have any control over them," he warns.
"I understand that," Jason nods. "But if I can't have control, then I want to be
damn sure whoever takes over for you is clean. Someone who can be trusted..."
Dara slowly began to rise to her feet, her heart in her throat. No, she tells
herself. He's NOT gonna go there. He won't do that to him. To ME. "Jason..."
"Someone who can't be bought. Someone like you, Jacks."
Jerry looked from Dara, to Connery, then to Jason. "WHAT THE HELL ARE YOU PEOPLE
TALKING ABOUT?!"
"Jason... can I have a word with you, please--just for a second?" Dara asked,
her eyes boring into Jason. "WHAT are you doing?" she hisses, as they huddle in
the corner.
"I'm making sure I don't get stabbed in the back. Which is exactly what will
happen if CONNERY is still in charge. Or have you forgotten HE was the one who
gave the order to whack you...not to mention he sent those goons here, not even
caring if V got taken out in the process?"
"No," Dara replies evenly. "I HAVEN'T." She takes a deep breath, placing her
hand lightly on Jason's arm. "The entire time I've been here, Jason...have I
ever asked you for anything--EVER?" Jason shakes his head. "Well, I'm asking
now. If my loyalty to you - which I think I've proven is real - if it means
anything to you, I ask you to do this one thing for me--don't put Jerry as
Connery's successor. You've seen what having that kind of power does to someone,
what it did to Connery--and believe it or not, he WAS a good man. I don't want
to see the same thing happen to Jerry." Her voice became barely audible. "I
don't think I could take it if he wound up like Connery." Quickly recovering,
she adds, "Besides, the last thing either of us needs is to be working side by
side. I'm...I'm just not ready for that. And you said so yourself that you
needed me focused..."
"Do you still love him?"
"Wh-wh-what?" she laughed. "Puhleeze!"
"You didn't answer my question."
"Why should I," she replies sullenly. "You obviously seem to think you already
know the answer."
Jason merely smiles, nodding his head as he turns to walks away. "And so do you,
Dara," he says softly.
Leaning against his desk, arms crossed, Jason eyes Jerry who's now pacing back
and forth, cracking his knuckles. "So, Jacks. What's your answer?"
"Go to HELL!" Jerry spits, still pacing.
"Not the answer I'm looking for," he smiles. "Tell me something. Satisfy my
curiosity. Why don't you like me, Jacks?"
Stunned by the question, Jerry blinks, trying to collect his thoughts. He was
expecting some smartass retort from Jason. Not that. As if anything Morgan does
makes sense, he muses. Hell, NONE of what's going on tonight made any sense:
Dara, standing there holding a gun on him because she was loyal to a punk
mobster... Connery's capitulation to Morgan's whims, and agreeing to step down
as head of the Bureau... and now Pup wants to know why I don't like him?! "What
the hell kind of question is that, Morgan? Are you afraid I won't come over and
ask you play? Afraid you won't get picked for the team?" Jerry sneers.
"Answer the question."
"Fine." Jerry has stopped pacing, and is standing directly in front of Jason,
their faces but inches apart. "I don't like you because you're a pompous,
arrogant, small time punk that thinks he can handle the bigs. I don't like you
because you feel that you're above the law. And I don't like you because you've
turned the only woman I've ever loved into someone just like you!"
"Not bad answers," Jason nods. "Okay, you'll do." Jason steps away from Jerry,
taking a seat behind his desk.
"What is THAT supposed to mean?"
"Connery, I don't care how you do it, just make sure that Jacks here is your
replacement. Dara?" There's no response, as she's still reeling from Jerry's
outburst. "Dara!"
"Uh...yeah. What do you need me to do?" as she shakes herself out of her
revelry.
"Later on, I'll need you to get with Connery. I want him to give you access to
everything he has regarding these Operations. Even though Jacks will be running
the show, I still consider you my eyes and ears when it comes to what goes down
inside the WSB."
"I don't believe this!" Jerry exclaims as he runs his hand across his eyes. "Am
I the ONLY ONE in this room who's SANE?! This HAS to be a nightmare!" He turns
to Connery, his eyes narrowed. "What haven't you told me, James?"
Jason cuts in before Jerry gets his answer, "That can wait. You need not concern
yourself with the finer points of my terms. You can go now."
"I can "GO"?!" Jerry repeats. "You're dismissing me?" he asks, incredulous.
"Look, I don't recall agreeing to your "terms"! In fact, let me tell you right
here, right now...no. Wait a minute. Not just, no...HELL NO!" as Jerry slams his
palms down on Jason's desk. "If your "TERMS" are that Connery steps down and I
replace him, the it looks like we have ourselves a bit of a stalemate, Pup" he
replies defiantly.
"I'll repeat myself one last time, Jacks," Jason replies slowly. "Leave."
Jerry doesn't budge. It's only when Connery taps him lightly on the shoulder
that he breaks the steely gaze he has fixed upon Jason. "Go on, Jerry. It's all
right. Leave. For me, okay?"
Jerry slowly backs away from the desk. As he looks at Connery, he gets a sick
feeling in the pit of his stomach. He's seen that look on Connery's face one
other time, when he told him his daughter was dead. And now, for some reason,
Jerry got the feeling that Connery, too, was dead.
"Fine. I'm outta here!" as he turns to leave.
"Make sure you don't leave town anytime soon, Jacks," Jason replies.
Jerry pauses in the doorway, shaking his head as he gives a bitter laugh. "Oh,
I'm not going ANYWHERE until I get some answers." He looks to Dara, then
Connery, then back to Dara. "You can best BELIEVE that!" as he storms from the
room, slamming the door behind him.
"Guess hanging on to this key came in handy for more than just a memento" V
thinks wistfully as she unlocks the door to the penthouse. She closes the door
and leans back against it taking it all in, everywhere her eyes land brings on
another memory. Pushing herself off the door, V walks the perimeter of the
living room, turning on a small table lamp, picking up a picture here and a
figurine there. She heads to the couch and takes a seat, picking up a pillow and
bringing it up to her face, V closes her eyes and inhales deeply taking in his
scent.
"Okay V. Get a grip!" she thinks to herself. "This is NOT what this visit is
about. Damn! Why can't I be over him!" She gets her answer very quickly as she
spots a picture of her and Jax from Malibu. V recalls that day...Brenda had
broken his heart. Again. Worried about him, V had headed out to Malibu to make
sure he was all right. Jax may have been dealing with heartbreak but it was one
of the happiest days of her life. The picture was taken when they were both a
little giddy from champagne. Unfortunately, or fortunately depending on V's
mood, she wasn't giddy enough to take advantage of his need. She didn't sleep
with him, a decision that at any given time she regretted. She knew it would
have been about Brenda and not about making love to her and yet, it was her one
chance and..."Damn her! Hell! Damn him! This is getting me nowhere...it was a
mistake to come here to confront Jerry. I'm too distracted here." she says
aloud. As she gathers her purse and jacket in preparation to leave she hears the
key in the door. Looking in that direction, V sees Jerry coming through the
door. "Oh well here goes nothin'" she thinks.
Jerry turns on the lights, "V! Well, well, well, if it isn't my very favorite
mad bomber!"
V smiles wryly, "Well, well, well, if it isn't my very favorite demolition's
instructor. What brings you town, Jerry?"
Jerry rushes forward and scoops V up in a big bear hug. "Oh, like you have to
ask?" He realizes that V isn't responding to the hug. In fact, she's stiffened
up. Curious, Jerry holds V at arm's length and took a good look at her, "Okay
Ardanowski. Out with it. Why are you waiting for me here alone in the dark hmmm?
I thought it was my brother who'd won your heart," he teases.
V's face darkens even further, "Jer...let's not go there okay? There's nothing
between Jax and me. Never has been."
"Sorry V. I just sort of figured you would've done something about it by now.
The Midget Model is finally history and my brother is playing the field these
days..."
"Stop! Okay? I didn't come here to talk about Jax!"
"Well then, kitten, why are you here? And more to the point, why are you angry
with me? What's with the cold shoulder?"
"I'm not angry with you, Jerry... yet."
"Yeah? Then why did you stiffen up when I hugged you? Why are you looking at me
the way you used to look at Munson?"
V's eyes narrow, "Munson? What do you know about Munson, Jerry?"
Confusion's written all over Jerry's face, "Nothing V, I just remember the way
you used to look at him. You loathed and distrusted him. It showed in the way
you looked at him and now, I see you looking at me the same way. What's changed
V? What did I do?"
"Jer, tell me what happened at the meeting. I need to know what Connery and
Morgan worked out. What I do next depends on what you tell me."
"So, you knew about the meeting. Why am I not surprised?" Jerry gives a low
chuckle "You should have seen Connery's face V...it was priceless! He fingered
you for the leak you know."
V nods but insists on an answer to her questions. "Jer, what happened. What was
the outcome? I need to know. I need you to tell me everything, and most of all,
I need you to tell me about Connery."
"Won't Dara fill you in? Or is she loyal only to Morgan now?" he replies
bitterly.
"If you have to ask that question then you don't understand what Dara is doing,
and you don't know everything that's going on, Jerry. What did Connery tell you
about all this, about Moreno? How did he rope you into coming here and getting
involved?"
Jerry looks at V quizzically, "I owe him. That's why I'm here. I owe him big and
he chose this as my payback. A one shot deal."
V couldn't help but wonder at the choice of words, "One shot? Are you paying him
back by killing Morgan?"
Jerry's eyes narrow, "Kill Morgan? No. Not that I wouldn't mind taking that
pompous, arrogant sonuvabitch down a few notches. He believes he can control the
WSB!" All a once, realization set in, "Oh God V! Not you! That's why you're so
standoffish, isn't it? You're working for the pup too! "
V shakes her head, "No Jerry, I don't work for Jason but I've worked for worse.
In fact, I kind of like Jason. Loyalty means something to him, and he takes care
of his own. As for him controlling the WSB? Well, he believes that for a good
reason, Jerry. Not only does he have Dara's information but there is also a few
more dirty little secrets that Jason developed on his own. They have the
potential to blow Connery right out of the water and the bureau with him. So I
gotta ask you again, Jer...why were you brought into this? Are you or Connery
planning to take Jason out?" V asks fiercely.
Jerry looks at his former student. "She always was a feisty one" he thinks, "
What an idiot my brother is for letting this one slip through his fingers for
the sake of the model." Jerry searches V's eyes, "You know something V, out with
it!"
V shakes her head, "Not until you tell me why you're here. What does Connery
need from you that he was willing to cash in a favor? Are you here to take out
Morgan?"
"V, you know Connery doesn't operate like that! And, more to the point, you know
I don't work that way. I am an agent-- NOT an assassin. No matter how much that
smarmy pip-squeak pisses me off I wouldn't kill him. Not unless he was a major
threat to world security which he's not. He's just a common mob thug that got
lucky."
"Yeah Jer, but he does represent a threat to Bureau security and not to burst
your bubble or anything-- Connery DOES work like that. Why don't you ask him
about Munson's latest assignment. I think you'll find his answer rather
disconcerting."
"V, what in the bloody hell are you talking about?" Jerry demands, "I don't give
a rat's arse about the bureau. I'm here because I owe Connery. That's all. He
asked me along to show strength against Morgan. When this is all over, I'm going
back to the outback to continue drinking myself into oblivion."
V weighs all that Jerry had said and decides that he's on the up and up. "Jerry,
there's a lot about Connery you don't know. He ordered a hit on Morgan and if
I'd been trained by anyone other than you, Jason, Dara and I would all have been
blown to smithereens the other night along with about a half dozen innocent
people and an infant. Connery sent in Munson so I hope you understand why I'm a
little on the cautious side about your sudden appearance." V filled Jerry in on
the whole deal with Moreno. When she's finished, they both sit quietly for a
moment. V is the first to break to silence, "Kind of feels like you've been
kicked in the gut huh? I'm done, Jer; I'm leaving the bureau. Once Connery
realizes I know everything I'll become a loose end. He'll probably come after me
but I can't do this anymore. The cost is too high."
"I don't think he'll be in a position to do anything else, V. You're clear.
After what you've told me, maybe my time to disappear back into the outback
hasn't arrived yet. Someone needs to keep an eye on things and with you and Dara
gone-- Damn it! I guess the pup is going to get his way. I might be the best one
for the job."
"Maybe you better tell me about the meeting, Jerry."
Jerry nods and fills V in.
"Jerry, where's Connery now?"
"I don't know, V. I left him at Morgan's penthouse and from the look of things,
I'm not so sure Connery will be alive for 24 more hours." At the look on her
face he quickly adds, "Not because of either Jason or Dara but I DO know him,
and I don't think he could live with himself now. Before he was caught, he could
go on and pretend these things didn't happen, and weren't happening but the
people he cares most about found out about his dirty deeds. The shame'd be more
than he could bear."
V runs her hands through her hair and lets out a huge sigh, "I wish I could say
I felt sorry him but I don't. How could he have let this happen?"
"I don't know, kitten, I don't
know. What I do know is it looks like I'll be in charge now whether I want to be
or not and I promise you, V, I won't let this happen again. I will NOT let the
WSB become a weapon for Morgan's use! V, since it'll be me in charge, would you
consider staying? I'm going to have my hands full and I'd like to have someone I
trust watching my back"
V shakes her head, "I'm sorry. I can't. My life is such a mess right now. I
don't think I could do it. I'll stay on for just a little longer to help you
clean house but then I have to go. Please try to understand."
"Is it Jax?"
"Yes, and no. What I feel for Jax, well, let's just say that a good agent needs
to be focused, and needs to keep their priorities straight. I can't do it,
Jerry, I've had a taste of loving someone and I want that in my life. Maybe not
Jax of course. He doesn't even know I'm alive but I'm not giving up hope that
there's someone out there for me and that I'm going to want to love and be loved
without looking over my shoulder, or holding my breath waiting for my next
assignment. I don't want a relationship that is based on a lie and that is all I
have been doing since I hit Port Charles. I want children and having a WSB agent
for a mother does not exactly fit in with a nice steadfast family life."
"Yes but V, Anna did it!"
"And look where it got her. Look at Robin."
Jerry threw his hands up, "Okay, you win. You got me on that one"
V gives Jerry a wry smile. "Stay in touch okay?"
She wipes a tear away as she gathers her things and heads for the door.
"V?"
She turns around.
"What are you going to do?"
"I don't know, Jerry. I just don't know. Maybe paint, maybe talk to Jax about
getting Dog and Bird published, making it a series, or maybe I'll take a friend
up on her offer of going into business with her."
"And what business might that be?"
V giggles a little, "V. Ardanowski, P.I. at your service"
"Well now kitten, that kinda has a nice ring to it don't ya think?"
"Yeah, it does. Only problem is I can't seem to say it with straight face. It
sounds like a movie with Kathleen Turner. Look, I better get back. You be
careful with Jason okay? I don't want anything happening to you."
Jerry just stands there watching her leave, "Goodbye kitten" he says softly.
As V leaves the Port Charles Hotel she feels a wave of sadness wash over her.
Memories of Jax flooded her thoughts and by the time she reaches the garage her
eyes fill with tears. "NO!" she thought, "I will NOT go through this again!
Damn! I thought I was over him!" V fights a brave battle against those tears but
as soon as she entered the privacy of her car she surrenders and the tears flow
unchecked down her face. After a short time she composes herself, takes out her
cell phone and punches in the now familiar number.
"Hi Alexis, it's V. Look, I don't want anyone to worry or anything so could you
let Carly or Jason know I decided to stay at my apartment tonight?", V dabs at a
stray tear that had escaped. "No, no...nothing's wrong. I just have a few things
to do there. I'll be back in the morning. Jason has the number and my cell phone
number if he needs me. Okay, thanks Alexis". V snaps her phone shut and let's
out a heavy sigh of relief that it was Alexis that had answered the phone and
not Brenda. Brenda's the last person V wants to deal with right now. She starts
her car and heads home.
As she opens her door V's immediately comforted by the familiar scent. A little
musty smelling true, but it smelled like home nonetheless. She turns on the
lights and opens the windows to air the place out. There's a light coat of dust
over everything. Had she really been gone that long? She thought back to all
that had happened. It had actually been kind of fun until Munson dropped his
bombshell. That was the turning point. Everything had gone downhill from there.
Feeling tense and out of sorts, V rubs her neck as she heads into the bathroom.
On her way she stops at her vanity selecting a bath oil bead from the aroma
therapy collection she had. Jax had given it to her awhile back when she'd put
in some major overtime hours. He'd said that she needed to relax. V smiled at
the memory and sighed, he was always doing little things like that. Well, he
used to anyway until Brenda turned up in his life again. The frown on V's face
deepens, "Best not to go there", she thinks. She looks in the mirror and speaks
to the image looking back at her, " Get a grip and stop feeling sorry for
yourself, Ardanowski! Life isn't a fairy tale and sometimes prince charming
really is a toad" V rolls her eyes, then steps over to the tub and drew herself
a bath. While the water was running V busied herself with lighting some candles,
pouring a glass of wine and selecting a CD to listen to. A short time later she
slips into the steaming water, wine in easy reach and leaning back, lets the
tension she feels slip away. Feeling a little like Dorothy having just gotten
home from Oz, she leaned and back, thought "there's no place like home" and let
out a little giggle.
V did a lot of thinking during that bath and by the time she was finished and
drying off she'd reached a very important decision. It was time to come home for
real. Not just for the night. Her work was done. She'd found Robin, she'd seen
that Robin was okay and now it was time to go. Besides, with all these feeling
about Jax all stirred up again it probably wasn't a great idea to be rooming
with Brenda. Even though Brenda had changed, with all the memories flooding
back, V couldn't help but harbor a little resentment toward her. "Nope, rooming
with Brenda would NOT be a great idea right about now" V determined. With those
thoughts floating through her head, V climbed into bed and turned out the light.
Having had a restless night, V gets up early the next morning and heads over to
Penthouse. Thinking she'd be the only one stirring at that hour she's surprised
and somewhat annoyed to find Brenda of all people perched on a chair at the
dining room table sipping on some coffee and looking downright perky.
"Hi V! Oooo, must have been a rough night, you look like hell!" she teases, with
an ear to ear grin on her face, "Hey, let me get you some coffee. Where were you
last night? I think something went down next door, but whatever it was it must
have worked out okay cuz I had the most FABULOUS evening with Renaldo! I can't
WAIT to tell you about it!" Brenda jumps up and headed into the kitchen to fix V
her coffee. V, flabbergasted just stands there momentarily and watched the
whirlwind that's Brenda. What had gotten into that girl? And then her words
caught up to V..."Renaldo? You were with Renaldo last night? But what about..."
"Dara?" Brenda finished the question. "Long story. But don't worry. Dara is cool
with it all. "She handed V her coffee.
V's heart sank even further if that was at all possible. Maybe Brenda hadn't
changed. Maybe what happened to her with Jax was happening to Dara with Renaldo.
"What is it with Brenda anyway? What do they all see in her?" V thinks to
herself.
"...so what do you think? Can we, V?" Brenda asks.
V realizes she'd been thinking so hard on this that she'd missed Brenda's
question, "Hmmm? What was that, Brenda?"
"Can we get in a work out this morning? I'm just feeling so...so, energized!"
"I'll bet." V mutters under her breath. "Look, Brenda, I don't think it's such a
good idea right now. I'm not in a great mood and I need to talk to Jason."
"Please, please, please V! C'mon, it'll be fun! and it'll get you going. Looks
like you could use a little energizing yourself. C'mon, please?" she pleaded.
"Brenda, you really don't want to spar with me right now..."
"No. I'm refuse to take no for an answer. Look, a good workout will help you
work through whatever is bothering you."
"Yeah Bren but little do you know
that it's YOU that's bothering me!" V thought. "Okay Brenda, you win but don't
say I didn't warn you!"
A short time later V and Brenda are up on the roof starting the session with a
series of Yoga exercises and stretches. When both are warmed up V takes Brenda
through the basic movements, taught her a new move and soon enough it was time
to spar. V shows Brenda no mercy. Time and time again, Brenda finds herself on
the receiving end of a punch or a kick and time and time again she's knocked on
her butt. Finally Brenda had had enough.
"HEY! Go a little easier would ya? What the hell is wrong with you this morning,
V! Something has obviously got you upset, you're taking it out on me and I don't
appreciate it! Now, why do you want to hurt me so badly?"
V, slightly out of breath stopped and looked at Brenda standing there, hands on
hips, her eyes filled with a combination of fire, hurt and confusion and jaw
set. "Would you believe PMS?" V quipped matching Brenda's body language.
Brenda's eyes widened in disbelief, "You're gonna stand there and joke about
this, V? You've been coming at me like I was your personal body bag! Geeze, you
almost re-broke my nose! Again! No. This felt personal and I want...no, I demand
to know what's going on."
V runs her fingers through her hair and looks at Brenda. "No doubt about it", V
thinks, "Brenda has certainly changed."
"Look, Brenda, no offense but it's nothing you'd ever begin to understand. I
don't even understand it. You're right, I was mad at you but I had no right t o
be. I'm sorry. Maybe we better call it a day huh?" V turns and picks up her
towel and water bottle preparing to escape but to no avail...
"So? Who's the guy, V and what does it have to do with me?" V turns to Brenda,
"Who said anything about a guy?" "Gotta be" Brenda responds, "You have all the
symptoms. Now what makes you so sure that I wouldn't understand huh? Cuz let me
tell you something girlfriend, when it comes to unrequited love all I can say is
been there, done that, bought the t-shirt. With all the gossip you've heard
about me I'm surprised you didn't hear all about Jagger. So out with it V...
who's the guy?" V just stands there trying to compose herself.
"It's Jax isn't it?" Brenda questions softly. V, overcome by all that had been
going on in her life nodded as the tears fell from her eyes slowly at first then
more and more quickly as V lost her tenuous hold on her emotions. Brenda walked
over to her friend and held her as she let out all of her sadness and loss. "I'm
so sorry, V. I guess I can't blame you for taking it out on me. If it weren't
for that stupid breakdown of mine you'd be with him now."
V composes herself and squeezes Brenda's hand and wipes her tears away, "No,
don't blame yourself. I've thought long and hard on this and I've decided it
wouldn't have happened anyway. I'm just not his type."
"True, you're not needy, you don't need to be taken care of. But YOU are exactly
what he needs. Ya know, I always figured that once I was out of the picture he'd
turn to you. What happened?"
V gave a wry smile, "He did Brenda but I sent him away. I didn't want him to be
with me while he was thinking of you and pretending I was you. You see, it was
right after he received that video you sent him. That tore him up at first and
he turned to me for comfort. Turning him away was one of the most difficult
things I've ever had to do, but I didn't want to be the rebound relationship.
He's been playing the jet set playboy ever since. One thing has changed though,
he is definitely over you now, Brenda. But he's also built a wall around his
heart that is impregnable. His heart has been hardened so that no one can get in
and after my rejection, he's cordial but that's about it."
Brenda's eyes widen. She'd wanted to hurt him with that video but she had wanted
to hurt him so that he would move on, not shut himself off. "Oh V...I am so
sorry. If I'd known..."
V cuts her off, "You probably would have done the same thing, Brenda. I
understand. It's not like you had it easy either. I guess I just had some
lingering resentment toward you because it's easier when you have someone to
blame. In the meantime, I have to put Jax out of my mind. I have more pressing
issues to deal with right now and unfortunately, even more unpleasant."
"Yeah? Like what?" Brenda asks with a glint in her eye.
V laughs, "Always ready for some excitement eh, Brenda?" V is quiet for a minute
or two trying to decide just how much to tell Brenda. "I'm leaving today. I'm
going home. I have to make some career decisions and my reason for being here is
all taken care of now."
"Tired of the WSB?"
V's eyes nearly pop out of her head, "What did you just say?"
Brenda grinned impishly, "I said..."
V cuts her off, "I know what you said! Now, how did you find out? And who else
have you told!"
"Oh! Don't worry V, it wasn't anything you did or said. None of the others know
except for anyone that you may have told. Look, I'm a snoop. You'd never really
explained your connection to Sonny and why he was e-mailing you so I poked
around your laptop a little. Anyway, I ran across his emails and he more or less
had spelled out that he knew you were... ya know."
"Brenda, my email, in fact everything is password protected on that laptop. How
in the world did you break the code?"
"Jax. See, I just put myself in your shoes and I just kept punching in
passwords. I tried passwords pertaining to cop type things, since you're a cop,
then I figured you'd worked for Jax and I'd always figured that you had a crush
on him so Jax was the key...I got lucky with Adonis" Brenda grins.
"In more ways than one" V mutters under her breath. "Looks like I need to be a
lot more careful! Okay, so you got me. I am WSB but not for much longer. I'm
quitting."
Brenda regards V for a moment, "What will you do V? Will just the PCPD be enough
for you?
V shrugs, "I don't know. I need to think about my next move. I have other
options to consider besides the PCPD. There's Dog and Bird for one thing."
"Yeah", Brenda replies slowly, "but are you really ready to work so closely with
Jax again?"
"I've thought about that too and to be honest, I don't think so. At least not
while he's on this playboy kick. I just don't think I'm ready to see the parade
of beautiful but vacuous women ya know? There is one other option though. One
where I don't have to give up law enforcement totally. I'd be able to have the
excitement of the WSB or at least the PCPD but not have the departmental
procedure hassles."
"Yeah? so what will you do? Become a bounty hunter? A mercenary?" Brenda teases.
V smiled, "Close. A P.I.. Felicia offered me a partnership. I'm thinking of
buying Mac out."
Brenda giggles.
"What? What are you laughing at? It's not THAT funny!"
"I'm sorry, I couldn't help it."
"What's so funny about my being P.I.?"
"Nothing V...that wasn't what I was laughing at."
"Well then?"
"I just pictured the sign on the door...V & Flea Detective Agency, Inc."
V starts to laugh too, "Flea? where did you come up with that one? Never
mind...I don't want to know" V grins. "Anyway, the sign for the door is a moot
point right now. I still need to come up with the cash", she sighed.
"How much?"
"Huh?"
"V, I can help. Remember that little weasel of a business manager that ripped me
off? Well, he was found and my money along with him. Now...how much do you Ned?"
"Brenda, that's awfully sweet of you and everything but I can't take your money"
"Why not? Look, how much can it possibly be?"
"$5,000 more is all I need but Brenda, I can go to the bank and get a business
loan."
Brenda laughed, "Five grand? That's it? Geeze, the way you were acting I was
expecting a much higher figure! Look, V...why pay the bank interest on it? I'll
GIVE you the money. Consider it payment for my Martial Arts training okay?"
"I haven't even come near teaching you $5,000 worth!"
"Well then, I guess you'll just have to continue until I'm a black belt or until
the money us used up whichever comes first. Consider it payment in advance."
"I don't know, Brenda. Like I said, I'm going back home tonight. I won't be here
to train with you every morning which means you'll have to venture outside of
here." Brenda didn't say anything for a minute but then, very quietly she asked,
"V, do you really have to go?"
"Yeah Bren, I do. It's time."
Brenda smiled sadly, "I understand. I'm gonna miss you though. I know that when
push comes to shove everyone here backs each other up but let's face it, none of
the others like me very much. V, you're just about the only friend I've got."
"Hey, there's Robin..."
Brenda gives a snort of disgust, "Yeah, right. Robin. I gotta tell ya V, I don't
know if it's because I've changed or if she has but she is soooooo annoying
these days!"
"Well, she's been through a lot."
"Now V...don't even try to defend her...she's annoying and you know it!" Brenda
gasps "That's it! That's why your going...to get away from her! I'm on to you
now!" she teases.
V shrugs, "Guilty as charged!" When V sees the look on Brenda's face, "Brenda,
I'm just kidding! I told you why I'm leaving. Really!"
"Yeah, riiiight V, whatever you say"
V groans, "C'mon. We're done here."
Just before they reach the doorway Brenda stops. "V? Listen. About Jax...I
really am sorry. Listen, what Jax thinks he wants is someone that is dependent
on him, someone needy. Someone like I USED to be. What he doesn't realize is
that is exactly what he DOESN'T need. He needs you V. And deep down, I think he
loves you."
"Yeah, but as long as he doesn't
KNOW that he loves me and he doesn't THINK that he wants an independent woman
with a mind of her own...", Brenda winces, "Oh! Brenda I'm sorry... I didn't
mean to imply that you..." Brenda cuts her off, "It's okay V. You're right and I
was such a sorry case. Now, you were saying?" V continues, "Well, as long as he
doesn't think he wants to be with someone like me, what's the point? There's
nothing I can do about it"
"Fine, but I'm NOT going to let this drop!"
Brenda and V head inside to clean up.