Heart's Desire-20

by: Cristina

Jax is lying in bed next to Cassie. She is still fast asleep, and he is leaning on his elbow, watching her. She looks so peaceful that Jax doesn't want to wake her. Jax shakes his head in wonder, thinking back to his telling Cassie that he loves her. And he does. In such a short space of time, she has come to mean everything to him.

He reaches over and brushes a stray tendril of hair out of her face. Cassie murmurs his name in her sleep. Jax smiles, and leans over, kissing her gently. Her eyes slowly open and Cassie reaches over and caresses his face.

Jax takes her in his arms and kisses the top of her head. "Good morning, gorgeous."

She snuggles deep into his embrace, resting her head against his chest, listening to the steady beat of his heart. "Jax?"

"Yeah, princess?"

"I want you to know, you are the most incredible man I have ever known." She kisses his chest. "Thank you for taking care of me last night. I know it's a silly fear . . . but I've never felt as safe as I felt in your arms."

Jax holds her tighter. "It feels good to hold you in my arms." He kisses the top of her head. "And I'm glad that I was there for you. And from the looks of things . . . " Jax glances out the window. ". . . it is going to be a beautiful day. Perfect for a flight to Venezuela."

She nods her head. "Thanks for agreeing to this little caper without putting up too much of a fight."

"Are you sure that you want to do this?"

Cassie leans over and kisses him. "Yes. I've let Sonny Corinthos push us around long enough. This time, he's not going to get off with just an expose in the paper."

"I think that medallion Helena gave you is taking effect. You sound like a true Cassadine."

"Take that back!"

Jax laughs and hugs her. "I'm only teasing. Though I must say, your fighting spirit is definitely on an upswing."

"Well, I just needed a little time to wallow. Now, we are going to take our lives back." She sits up and runs her hand through her hair. "I should wake up Carly and AJ. We need to leave as soon as possible."

She moves to get out of bed and Jax pulls her back into bed, kissing the back of her neck. "You aren't really going to get up are you?"

"Jax, as much as I would love to spend the morning enjoying your . . . attention, I think we should leave the island as soon as possible."

Jax doesn't release his hold on her. "That's fine. But it won't be possible for a while." He starts kissing and licking her back."

As hard as it is, Cassie turns to face him. "Jax . . . come on. Let me go wake up Carly and AJ. Then, I promise I'll join you in the shower."

Jax considers this for a moment. "Hurry," he whispers in her ear before kissing her softly and releasing her from his arms.

**********

Cassie is walking down the hall in her bathrobe. She knocks lightly on Carly's door. When she doesn't get a response, Cassie carefully opens the door. Carly's bed is empty. She's already up. Cassie starts looking around the suite, and she hears Carly throwing up in the bathroom. Morning sickness.

"Carly? Are you okay?"

Carly quickly comes into the bedroom. "Umm ... I'm fine. It must be the change in climate or something that just doesn't agree with me. I'll be fine."

"Are you sure?"

She nods. "Yeah. But, Cassie, thanks for your concern. You're up early."

Cassie smiles. "I wanted us to get an early start. So, as soon as you're ready, we can all meet downstairs."

"Okay."

Uncertainly, Cassie leaves. Outside the door, Cassie leans on the wall. Hearing Carly in the bathroom brought back a memory for her. Years ago, when she had come prancing into Laura's room, and found her sick in the bathroom. That was when she was pregnant with Nikolas. Cassie sighs and walks down the hall to AJ's room. She doesn't bother knocking and walks right in.

Typical, he's still sound asleep. Cassie smiles as she sits down on the edge of his bed. No response. She leans over and shakes him gently. Again, no response. Cassie sighs, and plugs his nose for a second. AJ wakes up immediately. He looks at her accusingly.

"Are you trying to kill me? I come all this way to help you out of these murder charges, and this is the thanks I get?"

She laughs. "I do appreciate you help. But this serves you right after the way you made fun of me last night."

AJ nods. "I'll give you that one." He sits up and leans against the headboard. "So, I see you survived the storm. Did Jax take good care of you?"

Cassie can't help smiling. "Yeah." She tucks her feet under her body. "Jax is so great. Sometimes I can't believe that he's real, you know? He's everything I ever wanted. Only, I didn't know that I wanted it until Jax walked into my life. I love him so much."

AJ rolls his eyes. "God, when did you turn into such a sap?"

"Hey, you've been known to wax poetic about a woman or two."

"I'm only joking. Cass, I'm really glad that you're happy. You deserve it. And I can tell that you are crazy in love with Jax. But, I don't want you to get your hopes up too soon. I mean, he loved Brenda a lot and she did quite a number on him..."

Cassie stops him. "I know all about that. And you don't have to worry. Jax loves me. He told me that he loves me. And I love him. I know, it takes more than love to make a relationship work . . . and we do have more than that. We're honest with each other, and we're working through this whole Sonny Corinthos problem together. Everything is going to be perfect."

"Famous last words."

Cassie hits him. "You are so cynical. Tell me, how does Carly put up with it?"

AJ's eyes widen. "Carly? What is that supposed to mean? Yeah, she's my neighbor, but she doesn't see that much of me for my cynicism to bother her."

"Your neighbor? Please. AJ, you don't honestly expect me to believe that there's nothing more going on between the two of you. Tell me the truth. I've just poured my heart out to you and now you're going to hold back."

"Cassie, I'm not holding anything back. You're radar's off on this one, babe. Carly and I are nothing more than friends."

Cassie considers this for a moment and decides to let it drop. "If you say so. Look, I want to try to get out of here as soon as possible, so I will meet you downstairs, okay?"

AJ salutes her. "Absolutely."

Cassie leaves AJ alone and walks back down the hall to her own room. She closes the door behind herself and leans against it. So, AJ thinks he and Carly are just friends. Then why did she fly across the globe after him? It doesn't make sense. Oh, well, there'll be plenty of time to figure that out. Cassie hears the water running in the shower. She knows that she only has a couple minutes before Jax's patience wears out.

Cassie sits on the edge of the bed and picks up the phone. After dialing about a million numbers, she finally reaches the person she is trying to contact. "Well, it's about time . . . Of course this is Cassie, who elsehas this number?. . . Right. Look, partner, I need a favor. . . No doubt you've heard abo ut this Pierce Dorman debacle. . . No, I didn't kill him. Thanks a lot. . . I need you to get any information you can on a Venezuelan drug lord named Fernando Diaz. Yeah. And fax it, anonymously, to my cousin Alexis, she'll get it to me. . . Thanks."

Cassie hangs up the phone then walks into the adjoining bathroom. Jax is already in the glass-enclosed shower. He doesn't notice that she has entered the bathroom. She stands there for a moment, just watching Jax and admiring the body that she has come to know as well as her own. Cassie silently sheds her robe, as she feels the desire building up inside herself.

She opens the shower door and steps in behind Jax. Cassie slides her hands down his back and over the taut muscles of his buttocks. Jax doesn't turn around. "I see, now that you want me, I'm supposed to drop everything," he says sarcastically. "I don't think so."

Cassie smiles at his game and leans against him, wrapping her arms around his waist. The feel of her bare breasts against his back, nearly undoes Jax, but he is determined to make her work for it. Cassie slides one hand over his muscular chest as she kisses his back. Her other hand slides down his body, until it finds it's way to his inner thigh. Jax groans in pleasure and he knows that he won't be able to hold out for much longer.

Cassie suddenly moves away from him, but Jax is still on fire everywhere that she touched. "That's fine. If you don't want me," she shrugs and turns to leave the shower stall.

Jax grabs her and kisses her, hungrily. Cassie wraps her arms around his neck and matches him, kiss for kiss. He lifts her into his arms and she wraps her legs around his waist. Cassie feels the cool tiles against her back and Jax's warm lips on her breasts. They make love as the steam continues to drift out of the shower stall.

**********

Later that morning, Cassie is downstairs in the kitchen while Jax takes care of some business with Jerry, over the phone. She is pouring two cups of tea when Carly comes downstairs. When Carly sits on one of the stools on the other side of the counter, Cassie wordlessly slides a cup of tea over to her. She hands Carly a plate with a couple pieces of toast on it.

"That should settle your stomach."

Carly smiles. "Thanks."

"You're welcome. When's the baby due?"

Carly nearly chokes on her toast. "What...what are you talking about?"

Cassie continues to calmly sip her own cup of tea. "You can't fool me. You weren't sick because of the change in climate. That was morning sickness."

Carly isn't sure what to say. "I . . . I'm almost three months pregnant. Please don't say anything. I'm not ready for anyone to know about this yet."

"Okay. Why haven't you told AJ? Or was he lying to me upstairs, when I asked what was going on between the two of you?"

"What do you mean?" Carly takes another sip of tea. "AJ is not this baby's father."

Cassie laughs as she turns her attention back to the breakfast she's making. "I'm not stupid Carly. You say that AJ isn't the father. Then tell me something, why aren't you with the man who is the father of your child? No, you're here, halfway across the globe, with a man that you claim is nothing more than a friend. It doesn't really make much sense."

Carly can't say anything to that.

"Listen, Carly, I'm sure that you have a reason for keeping this from AJ, but I really wish you would tell him. I know him really well and he wouldn't run away from this. He really would help you."

Carly shakes her head. "Cassie, it's really easy for you to believe that. I mean, you've got Jax, who completely adores you. You have every reason to think that things turn out well. Cassie, you have a man that loves you. I don't have anything."

"AJ will help you."

Carly smiles. "Yeah. Well, the problem with that is, he doesn't even remember sleeping with me. So, I don't think hearing that I'm pregnant with his child is going to go over well."

"He doesn't remember?"

"No. He was really drunk. I mean, I didn't realize that he wouldn't remember it. And at first, I thought it was a good thing, so I didn't say anything. I just let him believe that we had spent the night talking. I thought it was so perfect, because that way, Tony wouldn't find out about it. I was wrong."

Cassie covers Carly's hand with her own. "I think that you should tell him the truth. He has a right to know. And I'm sure that he would help you."

Carly shakes her head. "I can't."

Cassie is about to say more when AJ and Jax come downstairs. Cassie turns her attention back to the stove. AJ sits down next to Carly and Jax walks behind Cassie. He kisses her softly.

"All this, and she cooks too."

AJ laughs. "I guess you could call it cooking."

Cassie turns and glares at him. "I will have you know, that my cooking has improved a hundredfold since boarding school."

"You mean now it's edible?"

"You are going to eat those words, AJ."

"Does that mean I don't have to eat this food?"

Cassie sighs and turns back to the food. Jax wraps his arms around her and hugs her. "Well, I have complete faith in you."

Cassie smiles and strokes his face. Then, she notices the profound sadness on Carly's face. It can't be easy for her to be with a couple that is so in love.

AJ pours himself a cup of coffee. "Carly, are you sure that you want to come with us. Things could get dangerous."

Cassie turns to face her. "AJ's right. I don't want you to risk . . . anything for me."

Carly knows that Cassie is talking about the baby. "Don't worry. I want to do this."

"Okay."

**********

Jax, AJ, Cassie and Carly are walking through the airport, having just landed in Caracas, Venezuela. Cassie is looking through the information that Alexis faxed her about the drug lord.

Jax puts his arm around her. "I'm surprised Alexis was able to dig up so much information. Usually, only government personnel would have access to that much information about an international drug lord."

Cassie laughs uneasily. "Yeah. Well...Alexis can make amazing things happen."

"So, how are we going to talk to this guy. I mean, he must be heavily guarded," AJ inquires.

Cassie pats his arm reassuringly. "Don't you worry. I think I can handle that. Carly? You're awfully quiet. Are you okay?"

Carly shakes her head. "Well, I'm fine. I just . . . You guys probably didn't notice that Jason Morgan is following us. I mean, he works for Sonny. . ."

They all turn around and see him trying unsucessfully to tail them. Jax looks at Cassie. "We have to do something about that."

AJ shakes his head. "Jason wouldn't hurt us. Maybe it's a coincidence."

"I'm not so sure. Sonny could have sent him here to 'take care of us.'"

"Jax, that's not true. Jason wouldn't kill his own brother."

Cassie nods. "Okay. But, just to make sure, we're going to have to lose him."

AJ shakes his head. "That's silly. Look, Jason could probably lead us right to this Diaz guy."

Jax sighs. "AJ, I understand that he's your brother, and you want to believe that he would help you. But you have to remember that he works for Sonny now. And Sonny is the only person that Jason is loyal to. Don't forget that. I'm not going to give Jason the chance to do anything to hurt Cassie."

AJ nods. "Okay."

**********

Jax, Cassie, AJ and Carly are sitting around a hotel suite, while Cassie attempts to speak with the drug lord. She's on the phone, speaking with one of his "assistants."

Carly shakes her head in amazement. "How did she find his number? I mean, I didn't think drug dealers were listed in the phone book."

Across the room, Cassie smiles when she hears Carly's observation. Jax sits down next to Carly. "Well, being a Cassadine obviously has it's benefits, because somehow, Alexis was able to track down Diaz's private line. We'll see what happens."

Cassie isn't having much luck on the phone. "Well, if you would let me speak to your employer for a moment, I'm sure that he would want to arrange a meeting. . . Would you tell him that a member of the CASSADINE family would like to meet with him. I'm sure he is familiar with my family. . . I thought so. Yes, I'll be right over. Thanks."

Cassie hangs up the phone and walks over to her suitcase. "It looks like I'll be meeting with the formost drug lord in South America. I wonder what one wears for this type of thing."

Jax walks over to her. "You don't really think that you're going by yourself, do you?"

"I had hoped . . . but I realized long ago that you would insist on coming. But, that does not mean that AJ and Carly are coming. I want you two to stay put. This doesn't concern you, and the fewer people involved, the better."

AJ stands up. "What are we supposed to do while the two of you are off meeting with Diaz?"

Cassie shrugs. "Spend the time getting better acquainted, since you both insist that you hardly know each other." Cassie takes a gun out of her suitcase and proceeds to load a cartridge of bullets into it.

AJ nearly keels over. "What is that?"

Cassie glances over at him. "It's a gun. . . What? You didn't really expect me to walk into Diaz's compound completely unarmed, did you?"

Jax looks at her carefully. "Where did you get that?"

She sighs. "Uncle keeps a couple for protection on the island. And don't worry, I'm more than capable of using it. Now, we have to find something for you.."

Jax shakes his head. "Don't worry about that." He takes his own gun out of his bag. "Be prepared, that's my motto."

Carly stands up and walks across the room. "I think it's been taken by the boy scouts of America, Jax. Why do you have a gun?"

Jax smiles as he checks that his weapon is loaded. "Hey, you never know what will come up. Besides, I've had to get Jerry out of enough dangerous situations, that it just made sense to finally buy a gun." He turns to Cassie. "Are you ready?"

She is momentarily stunned that Jax is so familiar with firearms. Of course, he took her posession of a weapon remarkably well. "Let's go." As they leave the suite, Cassie turns to AJ and Carly. "We'll be back soon. And, with any luck, we'll have the evidence to prove that I didn't kill Dorman. Bye."

After they leave, Carly shakes her head and sits down on the bed. "Wow. Is she always like this?"

AJ sits down next to her. "Cassie? Yeah. She's always going. Sometimes it's like being in the middle of a hurricaine. But, she's one of my best friends. I love her to death."

Carly smiles. "Cassie told me that the two of you have been friends since you were kids, at boarding school. I wish that I had friends that I've known my whole life."

"Come on. Everyone has their old childhood pals."

Carly shakes her head. "Not me. I always wanted to but . . . things just never worked out."

"Why not?"

"Because...I wasn't a very happy child. I always felt like I wasn't good enough. Like I needed to please everyone. But, after a while, I realized that I couldn't please everyone. And that I'm actually really selfish."

AJ shakes his head. "That isn't true. Look at you right now. You're here, risking a lot to help a woman that you barely know. That's not the action of a selfish woman."

"If you only knew." Carly is silent, wondering how she can ever tell AJ that she is pregnant with his child. That the reason she's here is to make sure that nothing happens to him, because then she wouldn't have anyone to help her with this child.

**********

Jax and Cassie are ushered into the dark office of Fernando Diaz, the premiere drug lord of South America. There is a body guard on either side of the fifty-year old man, as well as two guards at the door. Jax takes Cassie's hand, mistakenly thinking that she is scared. What he doesn't realize is that she is perfectly in control.

Diaz motions for the two of them to sit down. "You wanted this meeting Miss Cassadine. What can I do for you."

Cassie doesn't bother to correct him, and point out that her name isn't Cassadine. "I'm certain that you know exactly why I'm here. I don't appreciate being set up for murder. And my family especially doesn't appreciate it."

"I don't know what you are talking about."

Jax intervenes. "The hell you don't! What kind of deal did you make with Sonny Corinthos? He would take over Dorman's distribution if you would let him set Cassie up for murder."

Diaz slowly smiles. "Mr Jacks, I know quite a bit about you. And I know that you couldn't possibly understand the nature of my arrangement with Mr Corinthos. All I can tell you is that it's a matter of honor."

"Oh, please. You know, men like you and Sonny Corinthos go on and on about honor. Well, in my book, men who deal drugs, and frame innocent people for murder have no honor."

Cassie reaches over and touches Jax's arm. This isn't going well at all. Who was she kidding to think that she could get information out of this man. Cassie starts to nervously fiddle with her Cassadine medallion. Suddenly she smiles.

"Mr Diaz, I'm going to get to the point of this, so as not to waste any more of my time here today. I know that Sonny Corinthos is behind Pierce Dorman's murder. And, I know that you made a deal with him, whereby you would let him frame me for the murder and then he would take over the distribution of drugs in his terretory."

Diaz leans back in his chair. "If you know so much, you don't need my help."  Cassie nods. "The problem is, I need you to give me the proof so I can turn it over to the authorities. Now, you have a choice to make. You can cooperate with me now. Or, if you want to make things difficult, I have no problem with that."

"I'm intrigued. What could you possibly do to me? Write a story about me in one of your publications?"

Cassie shakes her head. "I'm capable of far worse. You see, you and Mr Corinthos forgot that I am a Cassadine. I have a tremendous amout of resources at my disposal. You know what they say about my family. It's as good as having the mob at my fingertips. I know that you are familiar with my grandfather, Mikkos Cassadine. You know what he did." She leans forward. "I didn't want this to come to threats, but so be it. Either you give me the proof I need, or I will use all of the Cassadine resources to dismantle your organization piece by piece. And I won't rest until you are rotting in your grave."

Jax has been silent throughout all of this. He could not beleive the transformation that Cassie underwent. It is almost as though she became a different person. And he now realizes that she isn't at all nervous. She must be used to imposing men like Diaz, since she was raised by one.

Diaz considers Cassie's threat for a moment. He knows that she meant every word she said. "Well . . . out of . . . respect, for your family, I am going to help you."

"Go ahead."

Diaz takes a deep breath. "Dorman wasn't moving the merchandise. His partner died, and unfortunately, Harry Silver took care of the distribution angle. Dorman couldn't pay us."

Jax sits back. "So you killed him?"

Diaz shakes his head. "It wasn't that simple. We still needed to get our product on the streets. So, my people approached Sonny Corinthos. We made a proposal. A sort of partnership. Corinthos was willing, provided one thing."

"What one thing?"

"He would take care of eliminating Pierce Dorman. And Corinthos demanded that he be permitted to set you, Miss Cassadine, up for the murder. Now, I was opposed to this, based on your Uncle Stefan's reputation. But, Corinthos was adamant, and we were in a bit of a bind."

Cassie nods. "You still haven't given me any proof that I can use to clear my name, unless you'd care to come testify."

Diaz laughs softly. "No. But, there is someone that knows you are innocent. This child was in the way when the murder went down."

"Emily," Cassie asks.

"Yes. The Quartermaine girl. That idiot assistant of Sonny's almost blew the whole thing, he tried to run in after her. My men had to restrain him. After Dorman was dispatched of, Jason Morgan went up to the apartment to check on his sister. She never saw him . . . but he saw you arrive. He knows you are innocent. That's all I can offer you."

Cassie nods. "Thank you. I really do appreciate your cooperation."

Diaz shakes hands with the both of them. Before they leave, Cassie manages to take a slip of paper off Diaz's desk, without his noticing. She quickly slips it into her pocket before she and Jax leave.

**********

Jason is standing outside a very ritzy hotel in downtown Caracas. He followed Jax, Cassie, AJ and Carly this far. Then, Jax and his girlfriend left. Jason tried to follow them, but somehow they got away. Sonny wasn't going to be happy. They were pretty close to the truth. Jason feels two strong arms grab him, restraining him before he can pull his weapon.

"Take it easy, Jason. We don't want to hurt you," Jax says.

Cassie smiles as she takes Jason's weapon away. "Speak for yourself. Jason, I realize that you have no memory of me. . . but I can't believe what you've become."

Jason is struggling to get loose. Jax looks over at Cassie. "I think he's going to make this difficult."

She nods and takes a set of handcuffs out of her pocket, effectively restraining Jason. "Okay. You're not going anywhere. I know that you know I didn't kill Dorman. You were there that night. And you're going to tell Mac the truth."

Jason shakes his head. "I don't know what you're talking about."

Cassie sighs. "I guess he's going to play dumb. Well, I guess he isn't really playing, now that he's nothing more than Sonny Corinthos' pet rock."

Jason is still trying in vain to get away from them. Jax pulls his gun and holds it against Jason. This settles him down. "You know, Jason, for all of Sonny's talk of honor, he sure didn't hesitate to use Emily and frame Cassie for murder."

"I would never have let anything happen to Emily."

Jax shakes his head. "How touching. So, are you going to tell Mac the truth?"

"No."

Cassie takes a deep breath. "Okay. Jax, sweetie, can you handle him while I run upstairs and grab AJ and Carly before we leave."

"Absolutely."

Jason looks at her. "Where are we going?"

Cassie smiles and pats his head. "Back to Port Charles, of course."

...to be continued...