Copyright May 12-June 14, 2000 by Matthew Haldeman-Time

Rating: NC-17 for graphic male-male sex; also contains violence

Pairings: Sonny Corinthos/Christopher Ramsey, Nikolas Cassadine/Juan Santiago, Jason Morgan/Stone Cates, AJ Quartermaine/Lucky Spencer, etc.

Disclaimer: "General Hospital" and "Port Charles," with their related characters and themes, do not belong to me.  I make no money from this venture.

Dedication: This slashfic is for all of the men of the "General Hospital" world who didn't make it into the final product.  Also for my favorites from "One Life to Live."  Also for Ewan McGregor.

Wherein Prince Nick says a very bad word; Sonny and Chris opt for sex over Scrabble; and baking brownies can be dangerous to one's health if there's no trash can at hand.

Notice: This slashfic takes place in an alternate universe, as you can tell from the pairings.  Also, I began this fiction before Carly miscarred in late May, 2000.  Therefore, Sonny and Carly's son Joey appears here.  Also, I'm using the real and original Justus and Nikolas.  AJ's Billy Warlock; pick your own Lucky.  Joe doesn't appear long enough for it to make a big difference which version he is.

        "Are you going?"

        "The real question is, are you going?"

        "Me?"

        "It says 'and guest.'"

        "Are you inviting me home to meet the family?"

        "You've met the family.  Believe me, it's way too late for a first impression.  And these people do not get past their first impressions."

        "I don't have anything to wear."

        "So go naked."

        "You'd love that, wouldn't you?  Who else was invited?"

        "I don't know.  This is the first I've heard of it.  Why, you need to know who else is going?  I'm not enough?"

        "Oh, you're more than enough.  I just want to know whether Edward might be distracted enough by someone else that he'll ignore us."

        "Believe me, Grandfather will make time to harass us.  It's part of his generous nature."

        "You're so cute when you smile.  You should smile more often."

        "I smile."

        "You smile that devilish smile.  I like the real smile, the happy one."

        "Happy?  Me?"

        "It's about time, don't you think?"  Lucky kissed AJ, one hand moving around to the small of AJ's back, the other bracing behind AJ on the desktop.  AJ leaned back a little, hands coming to Lucky's shoulders, opening his mouth under Lucky's.

        Edward Quartermaine read over his RSVPs.  He expected his son and his son's guest, his four grandsons and their guests, Lee, and Lee's son and guest.  That made a table of fourteen, a reasonably small dinner party.  He hoped that his offspring wouldn't invite anyone awful.  They really did have such bad taste in women.  Why couldn't they find someone like Lila, or like Mary Mae?  They ended up with people like Monica or Katherine!  Poor dear Katherine; it was awful to think ill of her.  And Carly!  That woman was a walking curse, and she'd loosed herself on one grandson after another!

        He had no ulterior motive for his dinner party.  Was it a crime to want to see one's family on occasion?  Of course, it wasn't a guaranteed success.  Something was bound to go wrong.  AJ would show up drunk; Jason would bring Sonny; Alan would start some harangue about how everything was his fault again.  Edward simply could not conceive how it all landed on his head.

        Wednesday at seven, Reginald opened the front door.  "Mr. Ward."

        "Reginald.  I thought that you were off duty tonight."

        "Not for another five minutes.  Mr. Quartermaine is waiting right in here."

        "Thank you."  Justus smiled and entered the room as Reginald said, "Mr. Ward is here."

        "Justus."  Edward came forward, all smiles, and clasped Justus' hand.  "It's good to see you.  Where have you been keeping yourself?"

        "I've been busy with Julie's trial," he said.  "You should know that, Edward.  It's been keeping Lee pretty busy."

        "I've been busy helping Scott to prepare his airtight defense," Lee said, coming forward.  "Hello, Justus."

        "No business at dinner," Edward said.

        "Famous last words," Lee said, smiling.  Justus just chuckled.

        "Dr. Quartermaine and Dr. Jones are here," Reginald said.

        "Alan," Justus said, turning.  "Tony.  Good to see you."

        Edward couldn't be displeased.  Tony was an old friend of the family, and if not terribly exciting, at least not offensive.  "Good evening, Tony."

        "Is it a good idea to have the two of you in the same room?" Alan asked Lee and Justus.

        "Edward's told us no business at dinner," Justus said, "so we'll have to behave ourselves."  Alan and Tony laughed, realizing just as Lee and Justus had how ironic and preposterous Edward's words were.  Reginald announced, "Mr. Baldwin and Dr. Boardman."

        "Mark," Alan said, shaking his hand, followed by Tony.  "Scott, it's been decreed that no business will be discussed at dinner."

        "Does that mean that I can't tell anyone how easily I'm going to win this trial?" Scott asked.

        "Yes, it does," Justus said.  "We wouldn't want you to lie and ruin the evening."

        "Oh, it's no lie," Scott said.  "As soon as we get Kevin on the stand-"

        "Scott," Mark said, "surely for once you can think of something else to discuss.  Just this once.  Please."

        "He knows the word please?" Alan asked Tony.

        "Not to my recollection," Tony said.

        "Where are your miscreant sons?" Edward asked Alan.

        "We still have five minutes," Alan said.

        "Mr. Ashton and Mr. Morez," Reginald announced.

        "You brought Miguel?" Edward asked.

        "Yes, I did," Ned replied.  "Hello," he told everyone else.

        "If this is your way of emphasizing your commitment to L&B," Edward began.

        "This is my way of saying that I'm hungry and I've come to eat," Ned said.  "Who are we waiting for?"

        "My miscreant sons," Alan replied.

        "Ah, Jason and Junior," Ned said.  "Can we talk about the trial, or is that a bad idea?" he asked, looking from Scott to Justus.

        "It's a bad idea," Mark said.

        "A very bad idea," Lee agreed.

        The patio doors opened into the night, and Jason Morgan walked in, followed by Stone Cates.  Stone closed the doors behind himself as Jason shed his black leather jacket.  Before Edward could speak, Jason's eyes were on the door.  Edward turned; AJ was walking in with Lucky Spencer.  Jason and AJ ignored the others, meeting behind the sofa.  They didn't bother with the formality of shaking hands, or even a greeting.  Stone came up behind Jason, Lucky behind AJ.  Miguel was tense with disapproval.  Alan was looking to Tony in confusion.  Ned was watching the brothers, as was Justus.  Lee said, "If we're all here, why don't we go in to the dining room?  Edward?"  He grasped Edward's elbow and led Edward from the room.  Behind him came Scott and Mark, Alan and Tony, Ned and Miguel, AJ and Lucky, Jason and Stone, and Justus.  As they came around the table, Edward said, "We have an extra place.  Justus, you said that you'd bring someone."

        "I do have a guest," Justus said.  "He won't be another minute.  He's just getting off of work."

        Reginald walked in.  "Good, you didn't start without me."

        "We're supposed to start with you?" Edward asked.

        "Reginald is my guest," Justus said.

        "Only you would invite the butler to dinner," Edward said.  "You expect me to eat with Reginald as a dinner guest?"

        "Yes," Justus said.  "Yes, Edward, I do."

        "Fine.  Anarchy in my own home, among my own grandsons and servants.  What's next, should I begin to make Cook lunch?" Edward demanded.  "Everybody sit down."  Everyone sat.  Edward took the head of the table with Lee at the foot.  From Edward's right to Lee's left were Mark, Lucky, Justus, Jason, Alan, and Miguel.  From Lee's right to Edward's left were Tony, Stone, Ned, AJ, Scott, and Reginald.

        The dinner was surreal.  Everyone wanted to ask everyone else questions.  People wondered about the trial.  People wondered about AJ and Jason's obvious reunion.  People wondered about Stone and Lucky's presences.  People wondered why Reginald even had accepted Justus' invitation; why would Reginald want to spend more time with Edward in his time off from the job?  Tonight was the first time that Jason had returned to the house since a formal leave-taking.  Tonight was the first time that AJ saw Jason and didn't start to yell.  It was Lucky's first time there since his death.

        Lucky seemed not to have changed.  He was intelligent, humorous, and by turns respectful and irreverent.  What in the world he was doing with AJ, Edward couldn't guess.  Lucky was what Jason once had been: a boon to any gathering.

        Edward could guess why Stone had come.  Most likely Sonny was busy doing something illegal and couldn't make it, so had sent Stone in his stead.  Sonny Corinthos had no shortage of sacrificial lambs.

        When the dinner ended, the party moved into the study.  Alan took the opportunity to say to Stone, "How have you been?"  Miguel was hovering nearby, listening.

        Stone said, with a smile, "You mean me or the HIV?"

        "Both," Alan said honestly.

        "I'm great.  The cocktail's working.  Sonny and Jason are taking real good care of me, too, even though they pretend that they're trusting me to be responsible."  A pause.  "Jason would've made a real good doctor."

        "I know," Alan said.  "Will you be at the hospital dinner Friday?"

        "Yeah.  I guess you'll be there."

        "Yes.  Were you invited to speak?"

        "I was asked," Stone said.  "I turned it down."

        "Why?"  Alan knew that Stone was active in AIDS education.

        "I thought that someone else would make a better speaker, and I suggested his name.  He accepted."

        "Who is it?"

        "That's a secret," Stone said.

        Jason was at Stone's elbow.  "You ready to go?"

        "Sure.  Nice to see you again, Dr. Quartermaine.  See you Friday."

        "Yes.  Thank you for coming, both of you."  Greedily, he watched Jason until the doors closed.

        "He came," Tony said, at Alan's side.  "That's a very good sign."

        "Where's AJ?"

        "He left while you were watching Jason," Tony said.

        "Have you made your point?" Edward asked Justus.

        "What point would that be, Edward?" Justus asked.

        "You must have had some reason for inviting Reginald," Edward said.

        "Yes, I did," Justus said.  "I enjoy Reginald's company.  He's very entertaining.  You should hear what he says about you."  Justus set down his glass.  "Thank you for dinner, Edward.  I had a lovely time.  Lee," and he nodded to the others and left.

        "Thank you for dinner, Mr. Quartermaine," Reginald said.  "It was an experience."  He, too, nodded to the others and left.

        Lee smiled, turning to Edward.  "You do have an interesting family."

        "Reginald is the most loyal person in this household, and he's not a blood relation," Edward said, glaring at Ned.

        "I learned from you, Grandfather," Ned said.  "Be loyal to myself first."

        "The family comes first," Edward said.

        "And you accuse Sonny of acting like a Mob boss?" Ned asked.  "The family this, the family that.  Get over it, Grandfather.  The family members who loved you most and begged you for your approval, you shoved away as hard as you could.  The family members you wanted to love you, couldn't.  Thank you for dinner.  Good night."

        "Thank you," Miguel added with a quick smile and a hair flip, following Ned.

        "Now that the criminals and drunks and leather-pants-wearing musicians have gone," Edward said, "maybe we can have some civilized conversation."

        "Sorry, Edward," Scott said.  "I have to be in court tomorrow, so I'd better go home and get some sleep.  Thanks for dinner.  Lee."

        "Scott," Lee said with a smile.  Scott and Mark left.

        "Now you tell me," Edward said to Alan, "what those sons of yours are up to now."

        "They aren't up to anything," Alan said.  "It looks to me as though they're finally getting along."

        "Oh, that'll be the day," Edward snorted.  "No, they're planning something.  AJ and Jason would never get together on their own without something making them allies."

        "What could they possibly be uniting against?" Alan asked.  "I'd like to know why Lucky Spencer was here."

        "He looked wonderful," Lee said.

        "Those Spencers always land on their feet," Edward said.

        General Hospital was hosting a dinner Friday evening.  There would be a speaker from each of the hospital's main divisions: cardiology, neurosurgery, oncology, pediatrics, the AIDS wing, etc.  The hospital's rich patrons had bought tables.  It was to be the most important event of the year, after the Nurses' Ball.  Lucy Coe was not in charge of this evening; Audrey Hardy and Bobbie Spencer were.

        The night was set for the rich and famous.  Port Charles' finest families were making their appearances.  Amanda Barrington greeted the arrivals as the well-dressed men and women moved toward their tables.  The center table was taken by the Cassadines, since Stefan practically owned the hospital.  In front of the Cassadines: the Quartermaines.  Behind, Sonny Corinthos' table.

        At the Cassadine table, Stefan sat with his mother and nephew.  His own guest was Jasper Jacks.  Helena had brought Andreas and Cesar Faison.  Nikolas had brought Juan Santiago.

        Juan's father Miguel was at the Quartermaine table with Ned.  Edward was there with Lee, Alan with Tony, and Justus with Reginald again.

        Miguel watched Juan.  Juan was ignoring him; not with malicious intent, not to be pointedly rude, just out of habit and lack of interest.  Juan was talking with Andreas, of all people.  Why Nikolas and Stefan were sitting at the same table as Helena, and why Helena had brought Faison, Miguel couldn't guess.  He also didn't know why Juan was with them.  He watched Juan stand up suddenly, and turned his own gaze to see where Juan was staring.  Juan was excusing himself and moving forward, towards the entrance door.

        Sonny.  Of course.  Sonny Corinthos had arrived, and Miguel's own son was dropping everything to run in greeting.  Though Jason was absent, otherwise Sonny was surrounded by the usual entourage: Rinaldo, Johnny, Francis, and Stone.  And someone else, someone new.  Chris Ramsey.

        "What's Dr. Ramsey doing with Sonny Corinthos?" Alan asked.  "Is Stone holding Christina?"

        "Excuse me," Justus said, rising.  He walked over as the group neared Sonny's table.  "Ramsey."

        "Justus," Chris said, eyes flickering.  "What's up?"

        "Why are you here with this man?"

        "There was an open seat in his limo," Chris said.

        "Are you trying to damage our case?  Every bit of public opinion counts.  Judge Davidson is not blind or deaf; she will hear about your new friendships."

        "That doesn't change my testimony."

        "It changes her perception of the person giving the testimony," Justus said.

        "Anything wrong here?" Sonny asked.

        "Yes," Justus said.  "A lot, thank you for asking.  How do you two even know each other?"

        "We met," Sonny said.

        Johnny was holding Joey.  Juan and Stone were sitting down, fussing over Christina.  Justus saw Scott enter with Serena and Karen, all eyes going straight to Christina.  Mark moved Scott past Sonny's table; Karen urged Serena on with Scott and stopped, obviously itching to give Chris an angry speech about letting Christina anywhere near Sonny Corinthos.  Johnny, Francis, and Rinaldo made a nice, subtle, impenetrable barrier.  She satisfied herself with glaring and passed.

        Justus, however, was not satisfied.  "Chris, you are my case.  If your testimony is in any way discounted-"

        "Who's the judge?" Sonny asked.  "Kirsten Davidson?  She's a nice lady."

        "Oh, you know her?" Justus asked.

        "A little," Sonny said.

        "That's just great.  Our judge is in your pocket.  That makes for a fair trial."

        "I have nothing to do with this trial," Sonny said.  "And as for having judges in my pocket, you know me better than that, Justus."  He flashed his dimples.

        "I won't do anything to damage Julie's chances," Chris said.  "Maybe you should spend more time worrying about what Kevin's going to say."

        Justus left them in disgust.  Chris took Christina back and sat between Stone and Sonny, Juan moving back to the Cassadine table.  At a nearby table, Kevin Collins turned to Mike Corbin and said, "Do you know what Chris Ramsey's doing with Sonny?"

        "I couldn't begin to tell you," Mike said.  "Sonny isn't exactly forthcoming about his private life.  I didn't even know that they knew each other."

        "Maybe Sonny's taken an interest in Julie's case," Victor suggested.

        "That's what we need," Kevin said.  "Another public person involved.  As if this trial weren't enough of a circus.  Mac, glad you could make it.  Frank."

        "Kevin," Frank said, seating himself with Mac.  "What's Ramsey doing with Sonny?"

        "If you figure it out, please tell us," Mike said.

        Frank spotted his brother with Jake Marshak at a table of some of the other young doctors.  Jagger Cates sat down beside Joe, and Frank glanced toward Karen.  Karen was busy with Serena and didn't notice.  Jagger was, like Miguel, watching Sonny's table.

        The lights began to dim, signaling the beginning of the evening.  But as Audrey Hardy stepped onstage, audience attention was on the entrance.  In walked the Quartermaine prodigal son, Jason Morgan.  At his side was AJ.  Behind came Lucky Spencer.  Lucky had brought his sister.  Between AJ and Jason was Michael.

        Lucky stopped by the Cassadine table and passed Lesley Lu on to Nikolas, then rejoined the others.  They sat down at Sonny's table, Jason beside Stone, AJ beside Jason, Lucky beside AJ.  Rinaldo set up a chair for Michael between Jason and AJ.

        Juan darted over for just a second during the applause for Bobbie's entrance.  He whispered something to Lucky.  All eyes, by then, were on the table.  Sonny had Stone, and Jason, and Michael, and Christina, and Juan, and Lucky at his table.  All of the longed-for people of Port Charles were sitting with there; the lost children assembled with Sonny.  Even AJ was there, sober and self-assured.

        People assumed that Stefan would speak.  Instead, Nikolas did, and the audience glimpsed the proud prince behind the American facade.  People expected Stone to speak; the AIDS wing was named after him, and he had appeared publicly on behalf of the cause.  However, Jason Morgan took the stage.

        Jason talked about caring for someone with HIV or AIDS.  He talked about how friends and family could handle big moments and everyday situations.  He talked about AIDS prevention.  He talked about loving someone with the virus.  He talked about safe sex with an infected partner.  Jason was intelligent, educated, and frank; he didn't mince words, he didn't sacrifice meaning for poetry.  Once finished, he walked offstage and sat once more at Sonny's table.

        As soon as there was a break, Alan went to Sonny's table.  "You spoke very well," he told Jason.  "Education is really what's needed."  No response.  "How's Michael?"

        "Michael's fine," AJ said.

        "He's really growing," Alan said.  "Do you see him often?"

        "Whenever I can," AJ said.  "We're getting a formal court order for joint custody, so he'll be half with me and half with Jason on a regular schedule."

        "That's wonderful," Alan said, meaning it, astonished.  "How did this happen?"

        What really had happened was that Chris had gotten sole custody of Christina.  Sonny had sole custody of Joey, as Jason had sole custody of Michael.  Sonny was the only one of the three who was the biological father.  Stone knew that AJ desperately wanted to see Michael, and was making a huge jerk out of himself to show it.  Stone talked with Juan, who talked with Nikolas, who talked with Lucky, who talked with AJ.  Conversations went through that chain, back and forth, and Jason and AJ gradually communicated on their own.  Once AJ was sober and away from the Quartermaines, Jason's difficulties dropped.  Jason and AJ reconciled bit by bit, until they were brothers again.  Then Jason added Michael to the mix.

        "Jason decided that maybe I'm not such a screw-up after all," AJ said.  "At least not where it counts."

        "Have you been going to meetings?"

        "Yes," AJ said tightly.  He went every morning.

        Jason could see that Alan was about to wind up for one of those congratulatory speeches that only served to remind AJ of how badly AJ's life had been screwed up in the first place.  Jason didn't want to listen to it, and he knew that AJ didn't either, so he said, "Michael, you want to go outside while we're waiting for the food?  AJ, you coming?"

        "Excuse me."  AJ left quickly with Jason and Michael.  Tony was there to pull Alan back to the Quartermaine table.  Nikolas and Juan came over to take AJ and Jason's abandoned seats, sitting with Lucky and Stone, entertaining Lulu.

        At the Quartermaine table, Serena wanted to see Christina.  First of all, she wasn't allowed.  Secondly, Christina was surrounded by dangerous people and Scott didn't want Serena anywhere near Sonny Corinthos and Associates.  Justus left that conversation and made a pass by Chris, mentioning Serena's predicament and moving on.

        "Let the kid see her," Sonny advised.

        "Julie wouldn't like it," Chris said.  "It's encouraging Scott's tie."

        "Scott doesn't have to be involved," Sonny said.  "Stone, come here."

        A moment later, Stone passed the Quartermaine table and said something to Karen just as Chris carried Christina to the lobby.  A moment after that, Karen took Serena to the bathroom.  On their way back, they passed Chris on the sofa with Christina.  Karen got her opportunity to harangue Chris, but Serena got to see Christina.  Then Jason reappeared, with AJ and Michael, and Karen took Serena back inside.

        "I thought she didn't hate you anymore," Chris told Jason.

        "She doesn't like Sonny," Jason said.  They went back inside as the food was being served.  Jason reclaimed his seat beside Stone and asked, "Anyone bother you?"

        "I don't think that anyone heard what you were saying," Stone said.  "I mean, they got the message, but they didn't hear the part about you."

        "You mean the part about you and me."

        "Right.  And anything short of you standing up and shouting that we're having sex, no one's going to get it."

        "You want me to stand up and-"

        "No!"  Jason smiled.  "No, I didn't mean that.  I just meant that people don't get it in this town unless you draw them a picture.  If anyone thinks that you were talking about anything personal, they probably assumed that you meant Robin."

        "Does it matter if anyone knows or not?" Jason asked.

        "It matters," Stone said.  "Believe me, it matters."

        Eventually the evening ended.  Chris bundled up Christina and carried her out to Sonny's limo with the diaper bag.  Sonny was right behind him with Joey.  Stone and Jason followed, Michael clutching Jason's hand.  AJ had kissed Michael good-bye and now was taking LuLu home with Lucky.

        At Sonny's penthouse, Chris and Sonny put Christina and Joey to bed in one room.  Jason and Stone were in the next room.

        Chris watched Christina for a moment, then went to the bathroom to pee and brush his teeth.  He knew that Sonny was watching him, but he pretended not to notice.

        Sonny propped himself against the bedroom doorway, watching Chris.  He'd had a lovely, caring, generous wife in Lily.  He'd had Brenda and Hannah, who were beautiful and confused, who used him and betrayed him.  They'd all loved him, in one way or another, at one time or another.  There was also Karen, of course.  And what happened to these women?  They were drugged, shot at, blown up, and destroyed.  Hannah he didn't miss and didn't like.  Karen had aided her own destruction.  Brenda had gotten out, had wised up and moved on before she died.  Lily had stayed, and Lily had died.

        Now there was Chris.  Not one of those pretty young things like Brenda, Lily, Hannah.  Not needy and manipulative.  Not walking in with a head packed of romantic notions.  Chris was independent, educated, informed, and strong.  Chris used people, yes, but Chris came out and let everyone know about it.  Sonny knew where he stood with Chris, knew what was expected.  He knew that Chris didn't care about his business and wasn't going to ask about it.  Chris wouldn't talk to the Feds, Chris wouldn't wear a wire.

        Chris wanted money.  Chris wanted someone who would keep Scott Baldwin and Kevin Collins and anyone else at bay.  Sonny had a ton of money and scared people off, or at least gave them pause.

        For Sonny, well, with Joey and Stone around, it couldn't hurt to have a licensed, practicing physician on hand.  It was a change to have someone strong in his bed, not someone small and soft, someone large and hard, someone who might not be hurt as easily.  Someone he didn't have to love, someone who didn't demand his love.

        Sonny stopped ruminating at that point.  He never passed that moment.  He didn't have to love this one.  So maybe if he lost this one, when he lost this one, it wouldn't hurt as much.

        Another difference, of course, between Sonny's women and Chris, was in bed.  He'd been with experienced women, like Brenda and Carly.  But no one, god, no one could give a blow job like Chris Ramsey.  And he'd never been pinned down by someone large and heavy before, never been put on his back.  It wasn't a good idea in general because Sonny had serious psychological issues with being trapped, but the first time it happened Chris said, "Sonny, open your eyes and look at me," in a calm and firm voice that Sonny figured must be used with patients, and he'd opened his eyes and looked at Chris, and he took a moment to breathe, and he was fine.  And then it was better than fine.  He'd never been fucked before, either.  He hadn't thought that he wanted to be penetrated.  But last night, on the one-week anniversary of their...agreement?...Chris had introduced the idea.  Since everything else Chris did in bed was absolute perfection and made Sonny hot and hard and aching fast and forever, Sonny had tentatively agreed.  So Chris had slowly and carefully finger-fucked him, one finger, then two.  He came on three.  Tonight, Chris was going to want more.  Sonny figured he had a little more to give.

        Lucky dropped off Leslie Lu at Laura's house, then leaned against the porch railing and looked at AJ.  "You look good dressed up like that."

        "Thank you.  Quartermaines learn how to tie their ties at an early age."

        "Between you and Nikolas, I'm mixing with bad company these days."

        "You going back to your place now?"

        "Yeah.  I'm going to walk."

        "You okay with tonight?  Seeing Faison there...  I had no idea he'd be there.  If I'd known-"

        "No, it's okay.  Really.  Now come give me my good night kiss."

        "On your mother's front porch?"

        "She's not watching."

        "And if she does look?"

        "She'll see us kissing."  Lucky smiled.

        "You could come home with me."

        "You'd like that, wouldn't you?  No, I'll sleep in my own bed tonight.  Thanks anyway."  Lucky kissed AJ, fast and chaste, and walked off into the darkness.

        In the morning, Chris was at the hospital doing rounds.  He was paged to the fifth floor nurses' station, so he took a moment to go there.  He said to the nurse, "I got a page?"

        She looked up and pointed behind him.  He turned; a tall smug man in a dark suit was waiting for him by the chairs.  He walked over and said, "I'm Dr. Ramsey."

        "Agent Larkin, FBI.  I have a few questions for you."

        "And I have a few patients," Chris said.  "This will have to wait."

        "I checked with your boss.  She said you can talk to me now."

        "You mean Karen Wexler.  Great.  I'll remember to thank her.  What are your questions?"

        "Do you know Sonny Corinthos?"

        "Yes I do."

        "How do you know him?"

        "Everyone's heard of him.  I met him when he brought Stone Cates in for a check-up.  I took care of Stone because Dr. Quartermaine was in surgery."

        "How well do you know him?"

        "Fairly well, if anyone can.  He's very private."

        "What do you know about his business?"

        "Coffee beans, guy named Benny, not much.  I drink coffee, but other than that I don't really care."

        "How much time have you spent with Sonny Corinthos?"

        "Few hours a day.  I'm busy, he's busy."

        "Is Christina Baldwin present at those times?"

        "Her name is Christina Ramsey," Chris said, extremely polite.  "Yes, she is.  I'm away from her so much while I'm working that the rest of the time, I take her where I go."

        "That includes Sonny's apartment?"

        "It does."

        "And Sonny's warehouse?"

        "Never been there."

        "You are aware that there are guns in his home, that violence is a part of his life, yet you take your daughter to see him?"

        "He's never threatened to shoot her, if that's what you're asking."

        "It isn't."

        "Then what are you asking?  I just went through a great deal to prove myself a fit parent, and now you're raising the issue again?  The FBI doesn't care what kind of a parent I am.  You care about Sonny.  Your business with him is not my business with him."

        "What is your business with him?"

        "He's a great cook, he's a great father, and he's a great kisser.  If you want to know anything else, I suggest that you date him yourself.  Excuse me, I have patients.  Some of us have real jobs."  Chris walked off in anger and disgust.  Agent Larkin's eyes scanned the area and noticed one of Sonny's men nearby.  Sonny had three main bodyguards: Rinaldo, Johnny, and Francis.  This one was Rinaldo, the chief security officer of Sonny's little nation.  Why was Rinaldo here now?

        Chris had been wondering the same thing.  Rinaldo had been around the hallways all morning, lounging around the nurses' station.  He figured, now, that Rinaldo had been there to witness Chris' encounter with Agent Larkin.  Did that mean that Sonny didn't trust Chris to give the right answers?  Chris didn't have a problem with that.  But how had they known that Larkin would come today?  Probably Sonny had someone inside the FBI checking Larkin's activities.  Chris himself had expected Larkin to come around sooner or later once people knew that he was seeing Sonny, and since last night was their first public appearance, it made sense that Larkin would show up this morning.

        Seeing Sonny.  They ate, they talked, they had sex.  They respected each other.  He was living with Sonny, which was a huge step really soon in their relationship, and one he'd almost not taken.  They weren't dating.  They weren't in love.  They barely knew each other.

        Rinaldo was in the hospital for the rest of the morning and afternoon.  Finally Chris walked over to him and said, "May I help you?"

        "No thank you, I'm fine."

        "Why are you here?" he asked pointedly.

        "Mr. Corinthos asked me to be here."

        "Why?"

        "You should ask him."

        "Why?  Do you follow orders without know what they are?  You're just here, standing here, because he told you to stand here?  There's no special purpose to it?  He just got sick of you, he thought that you needed a change of scenery?"

        "You'll need to ask Mr. Corinthos."

        Chris didn't ask about Sonny's business.  However, when Rinaldo showed up in the hospital, now it was his business.

        He ended his shift, showered, changed, and went down to get Christina.  He managed to see her a few times during the day, running down on his breaks to check on her.  When he got to the nursery now, Kevin Collins was crouching on the floor in front of her.  Chris walked over; she saw him and reached for him.  He lifted her into his arms, saying, "How are you?  You want to go home?"  He said to the nurse on duty, "Everything go okay?"

        "And where is home?" Kevin asked, rising.  "Your apartment or Sonny Corinthos' penthouse?"

        "We're staying with Sonny," Chris said, getting Christina's diaper bag, making sure that everything was in it.  When you always had a kid on one hip, you figured out how to do stuff one-handed.

        "How is that possibly a good idea?  How will she be safe there?"

        "Bullet-proof glass, armed men at the door, sounds pretty safe to me," Chris said.

        "Julie would never want this for her daughter."

        "Julie knows about this.  Julie and I talked about this.  This was Julie's idea.  Ask her yourself."

        "This is a plot the two of you-"

        "Julie wants what is best for Christina.  So do I.  Maybe you see that as a picket fence.  Maybe you see that as Scott Baldwin.  Well, his first daughter was on drugs when she baby-sat Christina, and Serena was kidnapped and blinded.  I'll take my chances with Sonny.  Excuse me."  He walked to the hallway, kissed the top of Christina's little head, and said, "No more arguments, okay?  At least as long as I don't run into anyone who hates me.  Which I really can't promise."  He smiled and kissed her again.  Rinaldo was right behind him, suddenly.  One thing he'd never liked about Sonny's bodyguards, right from the start, was how they appeared out of nowhere, every time he turned around.  Maybe they were shape-shifters.  He ignored Rinaldo and took Christina to the garage, strapped her in her little carseat, and drove her to the penthouse.  When he got to the elevator, Rinaldo was right there, and they rode up together.  Johnny opened the door for them.

        "Hey," Stone said, standing from the sofa.

        "Hey," Chris said.  "Do you know why Rinaldo was lurking around the hospital today?"

        "Sonny didn't tell you?"

        "No, Sonny didn't tell me."

        "Oh.  Rinaldo's your bodyguard."

        "My bodyguard?  I get my very own bodyguard?"

        "Yeah.  You get Rinaldo, Joey gets Johnny, I get Francis."

        "Lucky me."

        "I heard you met John today."

        "John?"

        "Agent Larkin.  His name's John."

        "Yes, I met John.  I was never briefed on how to talk to a federal agent, but I don't think that I did too badly.  I also got to talk to Kevin Collins.  And Karen, Joe, Eve..."

        "Losing popularity every second?" Stone guessed.  "That's what happens when people associate you with Sonny."

        "He may be a criminal, which I wouldn't know, but he's not evil incarnate," Chris said.

        "Dr. Quartermaine's pretty hot on the subject.  Miguel and Jagger are worse.  And Jax."

        "They're just jealous," Chris said.  "Because Sonny has or had Jason, Michael, Brenda, Lily, Juan, you...  Now he has Christina, in a sense."

        "You think you're going to stay for a while?"

        "Unless Sonny kicks me out."

        "He won't."

        "Then I'll stay."  He heard crying.  "Joey's here?"

        "Sonny's out on business," Stone said.  "He didn't want to take Joey."

        "I'll get it," Chris said.  "Can you watch Christina for a minute?"

        "Sure."  Stone accepted the baby girl and Chris went to see Joey.  Chris changed Joey's diaper and brought the little boy downstairs.  The four of them were on the sofa reading Beatrix Potter when Sonny entered.

        "I missed story time?" Sonny asked.

        "If you sit down and be quiet we'll read another book," Chris said.

        Sonny locked away his gun and came over to sit on the coffee table.  Whenever he was off on business, his girlfriend would be frantic, would try to stop him, would try to get involved, and he'd end up more worried about her reactions than the work itself.  But here, he just came home and instead of being greeted with tears and accusations and confrontation, it was just Chris' flippancy.  So he sat on the table, took Joey on his lap, smoothed his son's soft little hairs, and listened to the Tale of Mrs. Tiggy-Winkle.  It was much easier to live this way.  He could concentrate on his business without worrying about someone's interference.

        The thought flashed across his mind that if there weren't three other people sharing this moment, he could lean over towards the sofa and kiss Chris.

        Story time ended, and Jason and Michael came, and Sonny talked with Jason quietly apart from the others.  Then Jason and Stone took over the sofa while he and Chris spent time with Joey and Christina.  He went to the kitchen to start supper.  A moment later, Chris was there with him.

        "Rinaldo's my new bodyguard," Chris said.  "Is that full-time or when you don't need him?"

        "Whenever you leave this apartment, he'll be there," Sonny said.

        "In the hospital."

        "Yes."

        "You're killing my career."

        "You need protection.  So does Christina."

        "Seems to me like we need more protection from John than from Sorell."

        "You handled it."

        "Maybe you should tell me how to handle it in the future.  I can take care of Kevin or Karen, but the FBI's another story."

        "What can I say?  You tell them nothing.  You give them nothing.  You get a good lawyer.  Kevin and Karen were hassling you?"

        "Kevin was in the nursery when I went to pick up Christina.  I don't like it that anyone can walk in there."

        "You could leave her here."

        "If she's there, I can stop in and see her."

        "That's important," Sonny agreed.  "You gonna get out of my kitchen or are you gonna help?"

        "I'll go," Chris said.  "If it isn't a martini, it's on its own."  Sonny kissed him.  He closed his eyes, opened his mouth.  "This is what you meant by helping?" he asked when Sonny broke for breath.

        "It's helping me," Sonny said, kissing him again.

        "How much more help do you need?" Chris asked.

        "We're starving out here," Stone said from the doorway.  "Should I order a pizza or will you be finished soon?"

        Chris, kiss over, looked at Sonny.  "What do you think?"

        "Both of you out of my kitchen," Sonny ordered.  "Go, go," kiss, "go."  Kiss.  Chris grinned and left with Stone.

        No press was allowed inside the courtroom.  Sketch artists and parking lot lawyer soundbites were all that anyone got.  Chris was going to be the chief witness, testifying on Julie's behalf.  He saw her every day; they talked about Christina, and he showed her photographs.

        Chris and Christina were on the sofa reading when Francis opened the door.  "Mike Corbin's here."

        "Hey," Chris said.  "Sonny won't be back for a while."

        "I came to see you."

        "Okay."  Chris set down the book and stood, Christina in his arms.  "What do you want?"

        "Why are you here?"

        "I live here."

        "Yes, but why?"

        "Sonny invited me."

        "Why?"

        "Shouldn't you be talking to Sonny about this?  If he hasn't said anything to you, I'd assume that he has his reasons."  Seeing that this was going to be unpleasant, he put Christina in the playpen.

        "Are you sleeping with my son?"

        "Yes."

        "What do you want from him?"

        "He's important.  He has influence.  He has money.  Those things come in handy."

        "You're using him for his name?  For his power?"

        "Yes.  Mike, he knows that I'm doing it.  I told him from the start what I wanted, and he agreed to it."

        "He doesn't need this.  He's had enough people using him, directly or behind his back, for too long.  You shouldn't be here."

        "Tell Sonny to kick me out, then."

        Sonny entered at that moment as Mike was about to speak again.  "Mike, what're you doing here?" Sonny asked.

        "I was asking Chris why he's here," Mike said.

        "He's here because he's invited.  This is his home," Sonny said.  "You don't come into my home and-"

        "Michael, he's using you.  He doesn't try to deny it.  How can this be good for you?"

        Chris loved how Mike, Sonny, Stone, and Michael were all named Michael.  Michael had been named for Sonny, who had been named for Mike.  Since they were all part of the same group centering around Sonny, it was a good thing that they'd adopted their own names to spare confusion.  Of course, Christina had been named for him, hadn't she?

        "Mike, that's none of your business," Sonny said.  "You're always in my face about who I see and what I do.  You thought that Hannah was the best thing ever, and she was working for the FBI!  You think that I really want to listen to your opinion?"

        "What are you getting from this?" Mike asked.  "Michael, you don't want this.  You don't need this.  You deserve a real relationship.  You're only using Chris to keep from risking your heart with someone else.  I know that you've been hurt, but this isn't the way to-"

        "We're not going to talk about this," Sonny said.  "We're not."

        "All right.  So let me stay for dinner, and you can show me what a happy family you make."

        "I have nothing to prove to you," Sonny said.  "But you can stay," he relented.

        "Thank you," Mike said.

        "Stone's out with Joey, he'll be back soon.  Jason has Michael today, and Juan's coming," Sonny said, trying to count people.

        "Juan's coming?" Mike repeated.

        "Jason's bringing AJ, and Juan's bringing Nikolas, so Lucky's coming," Chris told Sonny.

        "Since when are Jason and AJ such good friends?" Mike asked.  "And Juan's bringing Nikolas?"

        "Aren't you going to ask about AJ and Lucky?" Chris asked.

        "I'm not even going to touch that one," Mike said.

        "You got a problem with my dinner guests, Mike?" Sonny asked.

        "No, of course not," Mike said.  "Who you invite into your home is none of my business."  Sonny flashed his dimples and went to the kitchen.  Chris retrieved Christina.  Stone showed up with Joey, then Jason with Michael.  AJ and Lucky arrived next, followed by Juan and Nikolas.

        Sonny sat at the table with his father Mike and his son Joey.  Also present was his non-biological family, Stone and Jason and Juan, and their friends and family: Michael and AJ, Lucky and Nikolas.  Chris was there too, and Christina.  Chris.  His lover.  He had  a male lover.  Not a needy demanding pretty soft young woman who talked about love and liked jewelry.  A doctor, a father, a man, Chris, someone who schemed and manipulated and took advantage, someone smart and strong, someone who made it through, gave as good as he got, and survived.  Chris wasn't malicious, wasn't cruel to the undeserving.  Chris could be nice, even kind and giving, caring.  But no one would take advantage of Chris without Chris knowing it and doing something about it, and that was what Sonny needed.  Sonny needed someone who wouldn't fall for the lies, wouldn't get lost in the glamour, saw beyond the image and behind the civility, wouldn't get caught up in romance.  He needed someone who wouldn't fall as Karen, Brenda, Lily, and Hannah had, and so couldn't be betrayed.  They'd seen his suits, apartment, money, and bodyguards, and had seen glamour and wealth and a fantasy.  He'd led them on, let them believe, and in the end it exploded in his face.  In Lily's face.  In Robin's face.  But Chris, Chris wouldn't believe.  Chris would see the truth.  He couldn't lead Chris on, because Chris wasn't swayed by the glamour and romance and fantasy.  Chris didn't want or need any of that, didn't want his love.  So he didn't have to fall in love this time.

        Nikolas Cassadine in Sonny Corinthos' apartment.  It was enough of an incongruous moment when Chris had walked in, Stone thought.  And it was weird enough to have AJ Quartermaine stopping by and not screaming about something, not drunk and angry and bitter, actually looking into Jason's eyes and having Jason look back and sharing something.  But Nikolas Cassadine?  The Greco-Russian prince?  Eating at Sonny's table?  Nikolas had been shot due to the turf wars, and though Jason had saved Nikolas' life, having brain damage and throat damage wasn't something to get over quickly.

        Stone figured that Nikolas must be here due to Juan's influence.  Juan desperately wanted to be accepted by Sonny, and probably thought that being seen with Nikolas would help to prove his worth.  Juan hadn't realized yet that Sonny loved him and always had.

        Chris, Nikolas, and AJ talked at one end.  Stone and Juan were talking; Jason and Lucky were talking.  That left Sonny with Mike.

        "I didn't know that you were bisexual," Mike told Sonny.

        "It never mattered before," Sonny said.

        "You've never been with a man besides Chris?"

        "No.  When you're trying to make a name for yourself, in this world of Italian Catholics, you learn what's acceptable.  Deke was never big on faggots anyway.  And I never met a man worth my time."

        "I hope that he makes you happy, Michael."

        "I'm not settling down for life, Mike."

        "Temporary happiness, then.  Take it while you can get it."

        Juan laughed at something that Stone had said, and Sonny smiled.  "You said something good for once, Mike.  You're right."

        "It took me this long, but I finally choked out some fatherly wisdom," Mike said.  "I'm on a roll."

        When the food was finished, Stone and Mike cleared the table, pushing Sonny over to the sofa, insisting that they didn't need supervision to take care of his precious kitchen.  Mike washing and Stone drying, Mike said, "How old's Lucky?"

        "Eighteen."

        "How old's AJ?"

        Stone smiled.  "Why do you ask?"

        "Never mind."

        "Jason's only a few years older than I am.  Juan's younger than Nikolas.  Sonny's a lot older than Chris."

        "Michael and Chris are adults.  AJ's significantly older than Lucky."

        "Lucky's always been really mature.  And AJ hasn't always been mature, so it evens out."

        Lucky was younger than Nikolas, who was younger than Stone, who was younger than Jason, who was younger than AJ.  AJ was probably the same age as Chris.  Older, maybe?  It was hard to tell.  "Does Luke know?"

        "Know what?" Stone teased.  "They aren't having sex, Mike, they're just boyfriends.  They kiss each other and spend time together.  AJ's not corrupting Lucky.  No one could corrupt Lucky."

        Well, that was true.  Lucky's sense of self was so permanently rooted that nothing could shake it.  Still, Lucky and AJ's relationship seemed inappropriate.  Stone and Jason were young men, they had a lot in common, and he couldn't imagine them with anyone else.  He was surprised to see Juan with Nikolas but was proud to see his surrogate grandson on the arm of the young prince.  But Lucky and AJ?  A Spencer and a Quartermaine?  A teenager with a businessman?  AJ was a father already, had been married, and Lucky had just graduated high school.

        And then Mike's thoughts turned to Sonny and Chris.  "Is Sonny happy with Chris?"

        "Yes," Stone said.  "He just doesn't know it yet."

        "But you do."

        "I do.  Jason does."

        Well, if Stone and Jason thought that Sonny was happy with Chris, then Sonny was happy with Chris.  No one knew Sonny better than Stone and Jason did, absolutely no one.  Jason was Sonny's son and brother and best friend and business partner.  And Stone was Sonny's world, or had been before Jason and Juan and Joey.

        "Do you ever resent them?" Mike asked Stone.

        "Resent who?" Stone asked.

        "Jason, Juan, Joey.  Before they came, you had all of Sonny's attention.  Now he has other best friends and other sons."

        "It's better for him this way.  It's healthier.  I'm not going to be around forever, and it's best if he's attached to something else, someone else.  Besides, who could resent the three of them?  They're awesome."

        "You're very mature."

        "Go tell Jagger that."

        "He cares about you."

        "So does Sonny.  So does Jason.  Jagger's blind."

        "Have you run into him lately?"

        "Yesterday.  I ran into Juan, and he and I were talking, and Jagger came up.  It didn't faze Juan, he gets the same stuff from Miguel all of the time."

        "Isn't Miguel leaving to go on tour soon?"

        "Yeah, and he wants Juan to go with him.  Juan doesn't want to, but with Miguel and Armand both saying yes, he doesn't have a choice."

        Juan was telling Sonny about that just then in the living room.

        "I've travelled before, so it's not like this'll widen my horizons or anything," Juan said.  "They just want me out of Port Charles and away from you."  He hesitated, nervous.  "I told my dad - - Armand - - that I'm gay.  And I told him that I'm with someone.  He told Miguel, and Miguel thinks that it's Stone.  I don't know why he picked Stone.  I mean, I spend a lot of time with Stone, but I spend time with Lucky and Nikolas too.  I guess gay means AIDS, so it has to be Stone.  I think they want me away from Stone, too, so I won't be gay and get HIV."

        "Have they told you this?" Sonny asked.

        "Not really.  I just know that I told my dad, and that right after that Miguel started acting weirder than usual, and then they said that I should go with Miguel to South America.  I mean, Miguel's gay, so maybe that's not the big problem, maybe it's just...  I don't know, they're so stupid."

        "It's not stupid to fear for your son's health," Sonny said.

        "Come on, Stone knows he has HIV and he knows how to be safe, and if he and I were together we'd be careful.  I'm not with him anyway, I'm with Nikolas.  And Nikolas isn't Latin, he's Greco-Russian, but I don't think they'd care about that."

        "Miguel doesn't like Cassadines," Lucky said.

        "Miguel doesn't like anyone," Chris said.

        "He likes me," Lucky said.

        "Everyone likes you," Nikolas said.

        "What's that like?" Chris asked.  "I can't imagine."

        "Jason used to be like that," AJ said.  "Everyone loved Jason."

        "Who wants to be popular?" Jason asked.

        "It's useful," Lucky said.  "Comes in handy when you need something."

        "When Jason needs something, he gets it," Sonny said.

        "Maybe it's the blue eyes," Juan said.  "You two both have blue eyes and we don't."

        "Mike has blue eyes and he never gets anything he wants," Jason said.

        "That's Sonny's fault," Chris said.  "Payback's a bitch."

        "You're going to make a great father," Lucky said.

        "How many of us had great fathers?" Chris asked.  "You were raised by an uncle, you were raised by a foster father and didn't know who your real father was until you were sixteen, and we won't get into your situation.  Stone's father died and he ran away from home.  That leaves Luke Spencer and Alan Quartermaine.  Luke's always running off on some adventure, and Alan's pompous and neglectful.  Not that Luke and Alan's fathers were stellar.  My father was nothing great.  Michael has gone through four fathers, Joey had three before he was born, and Christina's had three."

        "What's your point?" Juan asked.

        "Fathers fuck up and kids still turn out great.  I'm going to do the best that I can, and I'm going to be the best father that Christina can ever have, but I'm still just Chris Ramsey and she'll have to live with it."

        "So why not give her to Frank or Scott?" Lucky asked.

        "I can do a better job than they can.  Julie wants me to raise Christina.  I want Christina.  I'm selfish."

        Sex with Chris was different.  When he entered Chris' body, it was hotter and tighter than any woman.  And Chris had more muscle mass than any of Sonny's women, so Chris could fuck right back, thrust against Sonny's thrusts.  Chris wasn't a gasper or a screamer or a dramatic moaner; Chris grunted occasionally, and shuddered.  Sonny was sure that Chris in bed with Julie was different from Chris in bed with him, just as he was different with Chris than with, say, Lily.  In bed with a man, Sonny was in bed with an equal.  It made all of the difference in the world.

        The next afternoon, Juan came to Windemere.  Half an hour later, Nikolas was on the library sofa, sitting with his back against the armrest, bare feet on the cushions, Juan half-lying on top of him, between his thighs, tongues mating, Juan's hands hot on his ribcage beneath his shirt.

        If Nikolas had sought, on purpose, someone as far removed from Katherine Bell as possible, he'd found it in Juan.  Juan was young, male, Puerto Rican, brash, naive, and fun.  Juan was a lot of fun.  Smart, sensitive, beautiful.  Quick to be defensive, eager for love and acceptance.  Maybe not so different from Katherine in that last respect.

        "Juan," he said, hands coming to Juan's shoulders.

        "What?" Juan asked, licking at the insides of his mouth.

        Nikolas gently pushed Juan away again, laughing.  "We're supposed to be talking."

        "So talk," Juan said, kissing Nikolas' neck.

        "You're leaving tomorrow."

        "Nope."

        "Juan, please.  You can't..."  He took a moment to collect his wits, then put his hand beneath Juan's chin and lifted Juan's mouth from his collarbone.  "Listen to me."

        "I'd rather kiss you."

        "Listen first."  Juan scowled and moved away a little, sitting back on the cushion.  Nikolas sat up as well, trying to recover himself.  "If you're going to stay here, you need to be trustworthy.  You have to prove that you can obey your father on occasion.  If Armand and Miguel want you to go to South America, you can't run and hide.  Running away and avoiding them won't help.  It hasn't helped in the past."

        "You want me to go?  With Miguel to South America?"

        "I was thinking.  I have free time and spare money.  I could go, too.  We could meet a few times.  Maybe Lucky could come, too.  I don't think that Stone could make it."

        "You'd come to South America?"

        "You need to do what your father wants."

        "You don't always do what Stefan wants."

        "And every time I didn't listen to him, it was a mistake.  I know better now."

        "So you want me to go."

        "I do."

        "And you'll come, too.  With Lucky."

        "Yes."

        "That sounds good.  We could have sex on the beach-"

        "We could?" Nikolas asked.

        "Don't you want to?"

        "And get sand all over me in uncomfortable places?  No thank you."

        "How about in a nice hotel room?" Juan asked.

        "I never have liked hotels."

        "Sleeping on used furniture, someone else's sheets, it must be terrifying for you," Juan teased.  "You're so spoiled."

        "The term is pampered," Nikolas said, lifting his chin.

        "Pampered and sheltered and protected and spoiled," Juan said.  "You and Lucky couldn't be more different.  He knew how to live in the world on his own from age five, and you...  But I don't know, as far as that honor and moral code stuff goes, you're exactly alike."

        "You sure you wouldn't rather be with him?" Nikolas asked.

        Juan slid his hands up Nikolas' sides through cotton.  "No.  I like you better."

        "And why is that?" Nikolas asked, leaning back again.

        "You're Nikolas."  Juan kissed him.  It was different to have Juan in his arms.  Katherine was round and soft.  Juan was skinny and hard and flat.  Except for that hard bulge right there, the one pressing into his hip.  He ran a hand up Juan's back and wrapped one arm around Juan's waist, drawing on Juan's tongue, Juan on him and against him and kissing him, Juan's hands coming under his shirt again.

        Then his phone rang.

        Juan broke the kiss, leaning forehead to forehead, trying to breathe.  Nikolas pulled him down for more.

        Nikolas' phone rang again.

        Juan pulled back; Nikolas held him close, kept Juan against his body, and reached into his pocket for his cellular phone.  "Nikolas Cassadine."  He kept his arm wrapped around Juan's waist, holding Juan snug against himself.  Juan stayed, one hand easing beneath his shirt.  "Hi, Ned."  Juan gently kissed his jaw.  "I didn't know you were going."  Juan's dark head bent as Juan trailed hot sweet kisses down his neck.  "No, of course.  He's our biggest act."  He knew that Juan wasn't teasing, wasn't trying to distract him, just wanted to touch him.  It was so sweet and such a turn-on that he wanted to toss the phone and ravish his boyfriend.  "No, if you're going to be away, I'll take care of everything here."  Juan looked up, frowning.  Nikolas wanted to run a thumb over Juan's lower lip, but his hands were busy.  "You're right.  I'll take care of everything.  Right, I'll see you soon.  Bye."  He closed his phone and ran the pad of his thumb across Juan's lip.  Perfect.  He allowed himself that one moment of peace before the storm struck.

        "You're staying here?"

        "Ned's going with Miguel.  Someone has to stay and run L&B, and I'm the-"

        "Ned's going?  You know why, don't you?"

        "Yes, I know why."

        "He wants to take time off to run around South America having sex with my biological father."

        "Yes.  And I was going to go to run around South America kissing Miguel's biological son."

        "But now you can't.  If you aren't going, I'm not going."

        "You have to go."

        Juan left the sofa entirely.  "No.  Hey, this place has all sorts of hidden passages and stuff, right?  I'll hide out here for a few days.  Miguel will have to go without me, he can't cancel the tour."

        "Your father will come, you'll be found, and you'll go to Puerto Rico."

        "I'll be eighteen soon, and then I'll come back here."

        Nikolas cupped Juan's jaw in his hands.  "I'm going to have a meeting with Ned tonight.  I'll talk to him, and I'll talk to Miguel, and we'll figure out something.  Can you wait a few hours?  Will you promise not to disappear until I've tried to help?"

        "I want to stay here in Port Charles.  With Sonny.  With you.  I don't want to be in Puerto Rico and I don't want to be near Miguel Morez at all."

        "If we could all choose our fathers, we'd be happier," Nikolas said.  "But I'm Stavros' son, and you're Miguel's, and we have to live with it."

        "Am I supposed to feel sorry for you that you're the prince?"

        "You're supposed to kiss me and promise me that you won't run."

        "Can I come to these meetings?"

        "No."

        "Great, I really need someone else telling me what to do.  Between my father and Miguel and Sonny and you, and Jason, and-"

        "Kiss me and promise me."

        "I'll promise you if you kiss me."  Nikolas kissed him gently.  "I'll promise you anything you want.  I'll never run away, ever, not from you, not if you kiss me like that."  Nikolas kissed him again.

        Lucky and AJ were eating Chinese take-out in Lucky's apartment when Lucky's phone rang.  Lucky swallowed and walked over to the table.  "Hello?"

        "Lucky, it's Nikolas.  If anyone asks, you're Juan's boyfriend and you want to go to South America with him when he goes with Miguel for Miguel's tour."

        "Got it."

        "Thanks."

        Lucky hung up and turned to AJ.  "I'm cheating on you."

        "You are?" AJ asked.

        "With Juan."

        "He is more your type."

        "I don't have a type."

        "Why are you having an affair with Juan?"

        "I'm guessing that Nikolas is trying to keep Juan in Port Charles."  The phone rang.  "Hello?  Hi, Ned.  I'm in the middle of dinner, but I can be there in about twenty minutes.  Sure."  He hung up again.  "I'm leaving you."

        "For Ned?  My life is complete."

        "I thought that it would be."

        Lucky called Nikolas before running over to L&B.  He entered the building just behind Juan.  Ned and Miguel were just standing at Juan's entrance, and Nikolas was coming down the stairs, and Lucky kissed Juan's cheek and whispered, "Follow my lead."

        Juan nodded, confused.

        What followed was a lot of questions by Miguel and a lot of manipulation by Nikolas.  Miguel and Ned had thought that Juan was seeing Stone, not Lucky.  Lucky wasn't with Sonny or HIV-infected.  Besides which, touring was busy enough, and Miguel would hardly have time for Ned, much less Juan as well.  If Juan stayed, he could work on his own career, and Nikolas and Lucky could look out for him.

        Lucky thought that he was good at getting what he wanted, but he was gaining a whole new respect for his older brother.  The prince knew how to work people.  He was falling for it himself.  All of Nikolas' education and Cassadine genes must have come to something.

        It was decided that Juan would go with Ned and Miguel for the first half of the tour, then return to Port Charles for the second half.  For that first half, Lucky would go along.  Lucky and Juan were good friends, and he'd be more than happy to go with Juan through South America.  It would mean leaving AJ, though, which was not good.  But AJ had Jason and Michael now, so he wasn't too worried.

        Miguel and Ned left L&B.  Nikolas walked over and crouched before Juan, who was sitting with Lucky on the sofa.  "You'll do it?"

        "Where did you learn to do that?  Talking and double-talking and working everyone just where you want him?"

        "Stefan.  I've watched him for years.  He taught me everything I know.  You'll go with Miguel?  Just for a little while?"

        "How bad can it be, right?  Lucky'll be there."

        "Right.  You'll make your father happy, and you'll pacify Miguel.  You can run around South America with Lucky, and then you can come home to Port Charles."

        "Okay.  I'll go.  You're coming, right?" Juan asked Lucky.

        "Sure," Lucky said.  "It'll be fun.  I'd better go tell AJ.  See you in the morning."  He rose; so did Nikolas and Juan.

        "Thank you," Nikolas said.  "I sprung this on you at the last moment."

        "No problem," Lucky said.  "You'll be around for the big send-off in the morning?"

        "I'll be here."

        "Good.  See you then."  Lucky left.

        "Tomorrow morning, we won't be able to say good-bye.  I mean really say good-bye, in front of Miguel and Ned and everybody," Juan said.  "Want to say good-bye now?"

        "You should go to Sonny's," Nikolas said.  "To say good-bye to him."

        "You think he'll care?" Juan asked.

        "Yes," Nikolas said.  "He'll miss you."

        "Will you miss me?"

        "Yes."

        "Good."  Juan kissed Nikolas.  "Nikolas?"

        "What?"

        "Is kissing guys always like this?"

        "Always like what?"

        "Never mind."  Juan kissed him again.

        "What was that?" Sonny asked.

        "Someone's at the front door," Chris said.  "I'll get it."

        "Johnny'll take care of it," Sonny said.

        Someone entered the penthouse, came up the stairs.  "Sonny," said Johnny's voice at the door, quietly.  "I'm sorry to disturb you.  Juan Santiago's here.  He's leaving tomorrow for South America."

        "Damn it."  Sonny left the bed, pulled on his silk pajama bottoms and robe, ran his hands over his hair, and left the room.  Chris rolled over again, eyes closing.

        Johnny let Juan into the penthouse.  Juan looked very nervous.  "I know it's late, I didn't want to bother you, I know the kids are sleeping and everything."

        "You're leaving tomorrow?"

        "Miguel and Ned are taking me and Lucky with them.  Just for the first half, just a few months, then Lucky and I can come back here."

        "Lucky's going with you?"

        "I wish it were Nikolas, but he has to take care of L&B, and Lucky's great.  I wasn't going to bother you, but Nikolas said that I should say good-bye, and...  Anyway, I'm leaving early tomorrow morning, so I'll see you in a few months."

        "Take care of yourself."

        "You too.  Joey's gonna be so big when I get back.  If anything happens, to you, or to Stone, or something, you can tell Nikolas, he can get in touch with me.  You know."  There were tears in Juan's eyes.  Sonny swallowed and stepped forward, took Juan's face in his hands, pressed his lips to Juan's forehead.

        "When you get back, stop by."

        "Okay."

        The door closed.  Sonny went upstairs, stopped by Joey and Christina's room, then went to his own darkened bedroom.  He shed his robe and slid back into the bed, settling on his back, staring at the ceiling.

        "He's going with Miguel?" Chris asked.

        "Yeah."  Sonny inhaled and blinked.

        "It's gotta be hard.  Loving all these guys like they're your sons, but not being able to say they are."

        "He already has enough fathers."

        "Not the ones he wants."

        "Can't give kids what they want.  They don't know what's good for them."  Chris' warm, solid body came over to rest against his side.  Normally when they slept, it was just two people on the same mattress.  Now he fell asleep with Chris against him, one hand on Chris's shoulder.

        "I'm leaving in like five minutes," Juan said.  "You won't see me for ages."

        "That's no reason," Nikolas said.  "Do you want to argue or do you want to say good-bye?"

        "I'll bet Lucky and AJ got a lot closer last night."

        Nikolas' eyes closed.  "Fine."  His eyes opened again.  "If you want sex, you can go fuck my brother."

        Juan's eyes went round.  Nikolas had said "fuck."  Nikolas didn't use that word.  Before he had a chance to wrap his mind around what Nikolas had just said, Ned walked into the room.

        "You all ready to go?" Ned asked Juan, rubbing his hands, all dimples.

        "He's ready," Nikolas said, and Juan's eyes went wider.  How did Nikolas do that?  All pain and hurt and fury one second, professional smiles the next?

        "Great.  Lucky's outside.  Let's go.  Nikolas, you have everything you need?  Any questions?"

        "I have everything I need," Nikolas said.

        "Can you give us one second?" Juan asked Ned.

        "You'd better go now," Nikolas said.  "You don't want to be late."

        "Coming?" Miguel called from downstairs.

        "Let's go," Ned said.  "Nikolas, call me if there's anything."

        "I will," Nikolas said.  "We'll all be fine here.  Go ahead and enjoy yourself."  He went downstairs and found Lucky by the sofa.  He hugged his brother.  "Good-bye."

        Lucky held on tightly.  It wasn't often that they allowed themselves to be as close as they wanted.

        "Take good care of him."  Nikolas kissed Lucky's cheek and stepped away.  "Stay out of trouble for once," he added.

        "What's wrong?" Lucky asked quietly.  Nikolas had never kissed him before, but he knew that Stefan and Nikolas did that sort of European thing, and it was actually really emotionally significant.  He felt the unexpected prick of tears.  He blamed his mother for his emotional sensitivity; Nikolas had inherited it, too.

    "Everyone ready?" Miguel asked.

        "Ready," Ned said.

        "Great."  Miguel and Ned collected Lucky and Juan, and they left, and Nikolas was alone.

        As Chris was dressing Christina, Stone came into the children's room.  "What's wrong with Sonny?  Someone came here last night, and now he's pretending he's not upset."

        "Juan left for South America with Miguel this morning.  He stopped by last night to say good-bye."  Chris tickled Christina and tugged on her little socks.

        "I hope Sonny...handled it right."

        "I think that he did."

        "She's the happiest child I have ever met," Stone said.  "She is so cheerful."

        "I'm doing my best to keep her that way," Chris said.  "Christina, you are dressed, you've been fed, you have a clean diaper.  Are you ready to go?  Excellent.  We're off."  He picked her up and lifted her diaper bag.  "You're seeing Alan today?"

        "Yeah.  Jason's coming with me."

        "I'll be sure to warn the staff," Chris said.  "See you later."  He went downstairs; Sonny was at the desk.  "Bye."

        "Bye," Sonny said.  "Bye, Christina."

        Chris leaned over, pressing his lips to Sonny's, fingertips trailing along Sonny's jaw from ear to chin.  "See you later."  He opened the door, hefting Christina higher on his hip.  "Rinaldo, what a surprise."

        Sonny smiled, and it went the whole way up to his eyes.

        A good-bye kiss.  He'd gotten a good-bye kiss.  It was sappy, and it was traditional, and he and Chris hadn't kissed good-bye once before this morning.  He'd awakened with Chris's arm draped across his waist, their legs twined, nothing like the normal division down the center of the mattress.  It was like they'd actually slept together.  Now, a kiss good-bye.

        "You okay?" Stone asked.  "You're actually smiling."

MatthewHaldemanTime.com