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Chapter 4 Gia was right. Archimedes was a nag. By the time he got back to the house, the launch was gone and Gia with it. It took another hour for him to get to the hospital. What he saw when he got there confirmed his fears. Taggert was standing at the window, watching Gia as she sat with her mother. Gia was wearing surgical scrubs over her riding outfit. Taggert looked up as Nikolas approached. “Hey” “Uh…hey…” “Is she a good rider?” “Yes, actually, how’d you…” “The boots.” “Yeah, well, listen Lieutenant, I can explain….” “Don’t worry about it, Mr. Cassadine….I’m not taking her in.” “You’re not?” “No…I’m not….listen, Mr. Cassadine…Nikolas… can I trust you to take care of her?” “Yeah, sure…” “I mean I know she’s a pain, but she’s too young to throw it all away, and it’ll take time for this mess to sort out. If Zander gets away, they probably won’t have a case against Gia. But if we bring her in before he’s caught…well, I just don’t want her admitting to something before she has to…” “I understand.” “Just take care of her…and don’t let her know I saw her.” “Okay” “Thanks, ….thank you” “No problem….she kind of grows on you anyway” “Yeah, she does” Nikolas walked into the room and looked at all the monitors. Nikolas remembered what it was like when he was shot, and remembered how little he liked hospitals. Gia had fallen asleep on her mother’s lap. He quietly woke her by rubbing her shoulders. She jerked awake… “What…” “It’s just me, Gia…” “Nikolas…tell me the truth…is she going to be all right?” “From what Bobbie said on the phone…they don’t know yet…they haven’t gotten the Cat-scan results back yet, and won’t really know until she wakes up.” “I want to stay with her.” “Gia…you know you can’t. It won’t do any good for her to wake up and you to be in jail.” “You’re right…you’re right” “C’mon. Let’s go.” “Nikolas…thank you.” “You’re welcome.” “And Nikolas?” “While we’re out, can we get a burger?” “Sure…I’ll get a take out order from Luke’s. Promise to stay in the car?” “I don’t know if you know how to order a burger. Don’t you have people that do it for you?” “No, but I’m sure Claude will tell me what’s good.” “Why should I trust Claude?” “I don’t know…because he’s Claude…let’s go.” Nikolas had to admit the burgers smelled good. They ate out on the terrace outside of what used to be Nikolas’ old room. It was good but he was stuffed. Gia looked like she needed to get her mind off of her mother, so Nikolas broke down and told her about the TV. Gia had to run in order to catch something called “The X-Files”. Nikolas smiled at the way she skipped down the stairs, still wearing her riding outfit from the afternoon…she had a grin on her face that made him want to laugh. He had to remember to apologize to Mrs. Landsbury for not calling to cancel dinner. Maybe duck a l’orange would be good as leftovers. He was on his way to the kitchen when he saw the footmen clearing the service from the dining room. “Jefferson, who’s in there?” “Ah, Master Nikolas, Mrs. Cassadine dined with us tonight.” “Helena? Where is she?” “I believe she is on her way to your uncle’s study, sir…” Nikolas ran down the hall, but for the second time today, Gia had beat him there. She was sitting on the divan, starting to remove her boots. Nikolas hurried over to her and pulled her up. “C’mon” “What are you doing?” “Just c’mon” As he turned, he realized he was too late. Helena was standing in the doorway. “Not leaving on my account, I hope, dear Nikolas. Who’s your little friend?” “Just that…a friend, now if you’ll excuse us, grandmother…” “Oh don’t worry, my dear, I’ll give you some privacy for your ….recreation. You really do take after your grandfather. Did I ever tell you about the times Mikkos and I had riding? Granted your taste in women seems to be a little more indiscreet than your grandfather’s, although somewhat more….exotic. Dear, you can leave us now. I have business to discuss with my grandson. I’m sure he’s seen to your compensation…” “She’s not a hooker, grandmother. She’s my guest here and you are not welcome.” “Well, a professional woman then…in any case it is hardly proper to entertain them at your home.” “I’ll entertain who I please, and it doesn’t please me to entertain you, grandmother….leave.” “Aren’t you even going to introduce me? She is quite lovely, if a bit…beneath you” “I’m not beneath anyone, Granny” “Now, grandmother. Leave.” “Oh all right, Nikolas. I will see you soon enough. But indulge me this. Remember who you are. Protect your line.” “What the hell does that mean?” “You don’t want to know, Gia” “What is that quaint American phrase that they prattle on about?….oh yes…practice safe sex..” “GET OUT! NOW!” “I’m on my way. Goodbye, Nikolas, and Gia, is it? Please do your best to keep my grandson entertained. If he’s anything like the other Cassadine men, I’m sure you’ll be earning your fee tonight. And please go easy with the crop.” “OUT!” Helena walked out, and Nikolas took a while to calm himself. “I apologize for my grandmother, she had no right…” “That’s really your grandmother?” “Yeah” “Does she melt when you throw water on her?” Nikolas had to laugh, “I don’t know. Why, are you Gia the Good Witch?” “A witch? No. I wouldn’t mind siccing some flying monkeys on her though.” “I’m sure you would. Now explain what these X-Files are…”
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