**The Week in Review: September 15 - September 19**

I. Jax and V

Jax:  "You wanna bet."

On Monday, V balked at telling Jax her first name.  He tried to persuade her, but she hates it and insisted she wasn't gonna tell.  Of course, Jax slipped in a little reference to Terry, resident ratsa bookmaker, in the above line, and we all knew the bet was going to be paid that day.  Ha!  Jax started guessing (naming every guess registered with Terry and some we didn't think of), threatened to look in her purse, and then asked her why she hated her name.  She said that it was ridiculous, that people would laugh at her, and told him some of the comments she used to get.  He put two and two together--the "stars in your eyes" thing must have given it away--and came up with "Venus."  She was appalled that he had guessed it.

Jax:  "Why are you so hard on yourself?  I mean, you are a beautiful, spirited, totally desirable woman.  I mean, you're warm, kind, you're funny.  Though you do have a tendency to hide all that beneath that armor that you wear.  Besides, love goddesses are a dime a dozen.  Sometimes I think what a person really needs is a good friend.  So, if it makes any difference, as far as I'm concerned Venus has absolutely nothing on you."

But Jax charmed her, saying her name softly.  He told her she just wasn't used to it, and when she protested that the name was particularly absurd for her.  She was a tomboy, not a goddess, and she still wasn't.  Then he turned the charm up a notch and won me over completely.  With the above line, I went the rest of the way from neutral-about-Jax to Jax-fan (though he's still not FGC material for me, sorry Clyde).

Jax:  "However, from time to time in privacy it may slip out.  If you don't mind."
Venus:  "Not at all, Jasper."

Jax showed her the planet after which she was named, and she felt better.  She still didn't want anyone else to know.  She thanked him for making this a good day when he could have made it a rough one, and went to bed.  They agreed that they would be friends for life, even without the shooting star.

On Wednesday, Jax thought of Brenda.  He remembered their time there at the Malibu house and the Aboriginal charm he had loaned her after Sonny dumped her to marry Lily.  Now this was a nice use of flashbacking.  He was interrupted by a crash from the kitchen.  Somehow, I knew it was V.  Indeed, when we came back from commercial she had dropped the espresso machine.  She took full responsibility and said she'd buy another one.  He let her go on...and then told her that there was another one in the cabinet.  They made coffee and he said he couldn't go back to sleep anyway.  She said it was going to rain; he didn't believe her...it rained.  The roof started leaking and she got up on the ladder to fix it despite his threats.

V:  "I know my geography.  I watch the weather channel."

Jax:  "There are seasons.  They're just more subtle.  You don't mark time by when the leaves change.  You don't say, 'I remember that summer when it rained so hard.'  You say, 'I remember that day in May when everything changed for me.'"

Jax:  "Sonny has no taste.  He just likes things that cost too much."

Jax:  "You know, she's not very smart for someone as bright as she is.  And today she's marrying a man who will make her miserable.  It's not that I don't wish them happiness, I do.  But....  Ah, well, there's a lot more I could say but I think that pretty much sums it up."

After Brenda's call he was quieter.  On Friday, he watched some of the coverage of the wedding on the television even as Veronica Bowles (ick) asked the viewing audience what was wrong with the rich Australian guy....  He broke out the champagne, an ironic celebration of the wedding that wasn't his, I suppose.  V came out and made some small talk about the seasons in California.  Jax turned to talking about the wedding.  He was dismissive and sarcastic, but she knew he was hurting underneath.  He knew everyone was worried about him, but he brushed it off.  She told him that she knew he missed her; he said she was a gamble.  She told him she didn't know what was so sensual about dark (as the reporters were describing Sonny and Brenda).

Jax:  "You took champagne pouring lessons from Mac?"
V:  "Well, draft beer, but, you know, same principle."

V was tipsy by this time and Jax said she was nice to have around.  She announced that she loved champagne, and as she twirled around, she ended up in his arms.

II. Sonny and Brenda

A. The Threat

Mr. Reese clarified his position on Monday.  He told Sonny and Jason he was a part of an "organization" that had a contract out on Sonny and Brenda, made by Rivera.  Sonny had killed one of their members, and they were going to make good on the contract despite the fact Rivera was dead.  Sonny was flippant, but Reese claimed that his arrogance would get them both killed.  He continued to threat...er, promise...and then Jason pulled a gun on him.  Sonny motioned for Jason to put down the gun and then told Reese to stay away from him or he would kill him and let him go.

But after Reese was gone, Sonny knew that they were trying to threaten him, to make him panic and make another stupid move.  He warned Jason about them, but Jason wasn't buying this guy's act.  Jason insisted they would be safe; Sonny insisted that they had to be extra careful between now and the wedding.  And Brenda came in just as he was saying so.

She didn't pry; she just wanted a hint.  He held her, telling her that was where she was spending the rest of her life.  Jason took that as his sign to leave.  They took up where they left off.

B. Sonny and Brenda

In bed on Tuesday they talked about what bed they'd be in the rest of their lives.  She was still guessing; he promised he could do better than a hut.  Brenda remembered the first time she came to Port Charles and recognized that it would be hard to leave.  She had made it home when it had started out as her sister's territory.  He apologized for taking her away, but said her home would be with him--where they made it.

But when Sonny went to sleep he had a nightmare in which he saw Brenda getting into the car just as Lily had...and the bomb going off.  When he woke up, he wouldn't tell her what he had seen.  She thought that maybe he was nervous about the wedding; he responded with praise but was still visibly shaken.  She didn't notice.  And after she went back to sleep, he stood at the window brooding, as he always does.

In the morning, on Wednesday's show, Brenda questioned him about his dream again and told him not to worry because they were getting married.  She set off to run some errands just as Jason arrived.

C. Sonny and Jason

Sonny:  "It's real.  It's...so you know you didn't just imagine what you felt."

Jason was bringing the passports and such; he went through the itinerary.  Afterwards, Jason went through the presents (Brenda was donating them to charity, but it was also a safety precaution) while Sonny tried to explain wedding presents to him.  Sonny told him he had already packed the present Mike gave him.  Jason admitted that he finally realized that things could mean something to a person because he had the Eiffel Tower statue Robin gave him.

Sonny:  "And now I am buying my life with yours."

Jason:  "So why can't I help you now, when you're the best friend I'll ever have."
Sonny:  "That's why I want you at the altar."
Jason:  "That's why I'll be there."
Sonny:  "I know."

Sonny asked him about Robin and told him Robin said good luck with his speech.  Jason asked why he'd have to give a speech; Sonny said it was part of the job and asked him to be his best man.  Awwwww.  Jason actually had to consider it.  Sonny explained the job requirements and told him that aside from the other people he had depended on in his life who could be there if they could, he wanted Jason there.  Jason had been there for him innumerable times and he wanted him to be there now.

D. Brenda

Brenda:  "Well, I think I got her to feel pretty confident that it's gonna stay zipped up through the ceremony."
Sonny:  "Darn!"

Sonny said he forgot to mention that Jason, as the best man, would have to dance with the maid of honor.  His response?  "Lucy's cool."  Jason left and Sonny told Brenda about asking him to stand up with him.  Sonny went upstairs to pack and Brenda checked out the presents.  Among them was a small one, which she opened...it was the Aboriginal charm Jax had lent her once before.

She called Jax, who was sniping at Venus for duct taping the ceiling (note the mention of "duck tape," albeit by a homonym).  He was surprised to hear from her.  She thanked him for the present and quickly got off the phone.  She told Sonny about the charm, then took a phone call on her cell phone.  It was Davis Reese.  She asked him how he got her number but he had hung up.  When she told Sonny, the look on his face told me something major was going to go down.  But of course, I had read the spoilers.  ;)

E. Sonny and Jason

At the beginning of Thursday's episode, Jason arrived and said they had found Reese and were holding him.  Sonny spoke to him over the phone and asked why he had called Brenda.  The answer?  A reminder.  Sonny told him to consider the contract null and void; Reese wouldn't hear about it.  Sonny fought to keep his temper, but it was clear he was shaken.  He sent someone to take Reese to Hong Kong and leave him there.

Jason wanted to know why they didn't just kill him; Sonny said that there was a chance they would reconsider and otherwise one more person more or less didn't matter.  Jason said everything was fine and they would be safe--his wedding present.  Jason headed out and Sonny asked him to get ready here because he wanted him with him.  After Jason left to check things out one more time, Sonny started thinking long and hard.

F. Sonny and Brenda

Sonny:  "I've known you right from the start.  Spoiled and reckless, lonely and brave."

Brenda:  "We've put each other through so much pain.  I can't believe how much it took for us to realize what I knew the first time I looked in your eyes.  I love you.  I've always loved you."

Brenda came down and knew something was wrong.  But she was hung up on her packing and he told her they were going to get rid of everything.  She wanted to save the wedding dress and he had to disappoint her.  He smoothed it over by telling her he would tell their daughter about this day rather than having a picture or the dress.  Brenda was sad she was going to have to get rid of the bracelet Sonny that gave her the day after they met; he said she could keep it.  They talked about past times a bit and then the phone rang.

It was Lucy, calling from the church and reprimanding Sonny for seeing the bride on her wedding day and telling Brenda to hurry.  I was sad, at this point, that we didn't get a good-bye scene between Sonny and Lucy.  They're quite possibly my favorite unusual pairing aside from Lucy and Luke.

Sonny:  "Did anybody ever tell you that you have, like, the most incredible legs?"
Brenda:  "Ya, this guy told me that once."
Sonny:  "Ya?"
Brenda:  "Ya."
Sonny:  "What happened to him?"
Brenda:  "Uh, everyone told me that he was too dangerous for me."
Sonny:  "And?"
Brenda:  "I didn't listen."

Sonny then gave her a diamond ankle bracelet, since the ring was really from Mike.  Brenda headed off to the church while Sonny stayed behind; they would arrive right before the ceremony.  He gave her instructions and then she left after telling him that he could wear those Florida sunglasses.  Too funny.

G. Sonny and Jason

Jason:  "You and Brenda love each other.  And may you always be together in the way you are."
Sonny:  "You watch.  Mike is gonna make a toast, so is Lucy, and they're gonna talk for ten minutes and not say half of what you did in two sentences."
Jason:  "Ya, well they don't know they're telling you goodbye.  Guess that makes me lucky."

Jason:  "Five minutes."
Sonny:  "Take ten, because on my wedding day I want you to look presentable."

Jason had been double-checking the church.  He returned and said his toast to see if it would be alright.  Sonny told him to keep the bus ticket and money he had given him the first day he offered him the job.  Sonny said he wished he had done something different but that hiring him was the smartest thing he ever did.  He told Jason his tux was upstairs in Stone's room; I liked that Stone still has a room.  He gave Jason the rings and sent him upstairs.

Left alone, Sonny's mind raced along everything: the dream he'd had, the danger he'd brought to Brenda in the past, everything (nice montage of flashbacks).  And at that moment he made a decision I think he'd been thinking about--but maybe not admitting to himself as a possibility.  We faded out with the stare on Sonny's face...that look in his eyes.

Sonny:  "Everything I touch..."

Sonny:  "One woman's blood on my hands is enough."

Sonny:  "You find the house.  Brenda's in the garden; I'm on the porch; you have a gun.  What do you do?"
Jason:  "Put it to her head."
Sonny:  "I stand; I drop my weapon; you fire; I fall.  Then what?  Then what?"
Jason:  "Then I kill her."

On Friday, Jason came downstairs to find Sonny staring that stare.  Jason tried to use common sense on him, but Sonny said he'd seen the signs in his dream.  He told Jason that he could see the end...see Brenda's death.  Sonny led him through the scenario, and Jason admitted that if he were after Sonny, he would find him and kill them both...Brenda first.  It's what he'd been trained to do, and in that moment, he knew Sonny was right.

Sonny:  "What have I ever protected anybody from?!"

Sonny:  "I tried to forget; I can't."

Sonny:  "I have to make her irrelevant.  I have to leave her behind so nobody thinks I give a damn."

The phone rang; Jason knew it was the church wondering where they were.  Sonny was ranting, was convinced that Brenda would die, and he couldn't be responsible.  He was remembering Lily and his unborn child.  He was adamant, and told Jason to put the phone down and not call the church.  He told Jason to go to the church but that he did have to leave.  If he stayed, somebody would always be able to use her to get to Sonny.  (What I didn't follow was that the organization has a contract out on her as well, and I would think that if they were that adamant about keeping their contracts they'd still be after her, Sonny or no Sonny.)

Sonny:  "What would I do with a...with a garden and a porch?  Grow potatoes?  She'd have hated me within a year."

Sonny:  "She cannot love me anymore."
Jason:  "How?  How?  It doesn't just end, Sonny, it goes on. Because it is stupid.  OK?  Love...love doesn't get that you're alone."
Sonny:  "You have to help her to hate me."
Jason:  "Can you not ask me to do that?"
Sonny:  "If you could do the same for Robin, if you could take away her HIV, if you could give her a life full of...of years and the things she deserves, would you do it?  Even if it broke her heart?"
Jason:  "No."

Jason:  "What do I tell her?"
Sonny:  "Tell her whatever you think you need to tell her.  Tell her it was a great ride."

This was the best moment of all.  Sonny realized that their dream of running off together was an illusion, not only because they'd always be in danger, but also because Brenda wouldn't make it in that life either.  Sonny said he wouldn't see her again or she would know that he was lying and would come after him.  He was sending Jason instead.  After making it clear what he wanted, he told Jason he was going to be better than he was, or he was going to last about a month.  But Jason wouldn't let it drop so easily and asked what he was supposed to tell her.  Sonny's answer, above, was calculated for effect.  And I was sure it would have a big one.

Jason left to do what Sonny asked.  Sonny prepared to leave.

H. Brenda and Lucy

Meanwhile, at the church, Lucy burbled on about her dress and the tradition of her disrobing in public.  But Brenda told her not to worry, that everything was going to be fine.  Brenda was giddy and Lucy was happy for her, but then Lucy got this weird feeling...and you know what happens when Lucy gets those weird feelings.  Now, at this point I had read the spoilers for both GH and PC, and I knew what was going to happen at the wedding and I knew about the explosion on PC, so I wasn't sure what Lucy was pre-premonitioning about.  But Lucy dismissed the whole thing for Brenda's sake and went on burbling about the dress and set her to the task of getting ready.  But when Lucy started talking about the Christmas campaign, Brenda said there was something she needed to do.

Lucy:  "What could go wrong with weddings usually will go wrong.  I mean, I could tell you a story about a red dress you would not believe."

Brenda wanted to take a look at the church.  Lucy tried to stop her, but Brenda opened the doors and stood there basking.  She was so happy, and I was already dreading what was going to happen.  But she didn't just look and bask.  She spoke to Stone, telling him that they had made it...just like he said.  She thanked him for helping them.  It was sweet of her, I suppose, to think of someone other than herself and Sonny, but actually she was just thinking of herself.  The only time she talks of Stone is to tell him about herself and Sonny.  And I'll spare the rant about Brenda and Stone's death for Roo....

Lucy:  "Uh-oh.  Look what I did.  I cured your non-jitters and gave you depression!"
Brenda:  "Do you have any idea how irreplaceable you are in my life?"
Lucy:  "Well, ya.  I mean, think about it.  I have to be.  Because I'm your third choice maid of honor and if I walk you would be in one fine pickle."

On Friday, Lucy saved her from a lipstick emergency and rambled on about giving up things for marriage and Brenda's nerves.  Ironic, knowing what we know about Brenda's plans.  But Brenda told her not to worry about it, saying that for the first time in her life she had everything she wanted.  She had spent her whole life wanting things, longing for things, and now she had them.  She was finally happy.

These scenes were so fun.  Lucy frittering about old and new, getting ready, and everything.  She even offered Brenda blue toenail polish for the something blue.  I miss her and the fun-ness of her over on PC, where she's facing some awful stuff.

The music started and they both squealed.

I. The Non-Wedding

Outside, Mike and Mary Scanlon arrived and Mike asked about Sonny.  The thug at the door said he wasn't there yet.  He went in to see Brenda and woofed in pleasure from the sigh of her.  He told them Sonny wasn't there, but Brenda wasn't worried; she was convinced he would show up right on time.  Lucy went to check on him and said there was no answer at Sonny's.  Brenda told her Sonny was probably already in the church because Sonny had told her about the security measures.  She comforted Mike and was completely confident.

In the foyer, Lucy dragged Kevin into a corner and told him about her premonitions and that Sonny was nowhere to be found.  She was convinced something was wrong and Kevin believed her.  In the meantime, Mac mocked Felicia and Dara pondered making a few arrests.  Mac would not drop the three-guy issue and was a bit irritating.  Dara told him to drop it.

And at the front door, Bobbie told the guards to check with Brenda about letting Ruby in because her invitation had gone missing.  Bobbie's attitude about the thugs was a hoot: "Well, you know, we all have jobs to do."  They let Ruby in, and then Lizzy showed up with Ruby's invitation.  About five big guys with guns immediately surrounded her while Lucky rolled his eyes.

Lizzy:  "I've got a picture of my sister.  Look.  Isn't she pretty?  She'd go out with you."

Thug:  "You're not as smooth as your old man yet."

Lucky:  "I don't know you."

Mike was convinced Sonny wasn't there and Mary told him others were beginning to be worried as well.  Meanwhile, Lizzy was trying to charm her way pass the guards...or at least out of trouble.  Lucky stepped in and identified her.  He took the guard aside and tried to smooth things over; the line above was my favorite all week.  Finally, Lucky got Lizzy inside.  Too, too funny.  Luke would be proud.  Lizzy was just excited to be in a room with someone who had killed people.

Reginald had driven up on a curb trying to get around traffic and hit a fire hydrant, so Alan and Edward were late.  The thugs stopped him for his invitation, but Mike ushered him in.  They found out they weren't late and heard that Sonny wasn't there.  Let's just say Edward didn't hold his tongue.

Lucy sent Kevin in to sit down, but he trusted her that something was wrong.  She said that maybe it wasn't the wedding...PC foreshadowing.

Sonny was in a limo on the way to the airport when he told the driver to turn the car around.  We were supposed to think he was going back to Brenda, but I knew better.

Edward:  "Your boss is scum."

Lila showed up and apologized for being late.  Mike took her to her seat while Edward ranted.  Finally, Brenda came out, hugged Edward, and said she was ready to head down the aisle.  She was convinced Sonny was here and would be at the altar waiting for her...funny, I don't remember that being the plan.  She was literally giddy, and although Sonny wasn't at the end of the aisle, she headed Lucy down in front of her, flung open the doors, and walked down the aisle, stupidly grinning at everybody (ok, I'm biased).  Everyone was buzzing by this point.  And when she got to the end of the aisle, she heard the doors open and gave Lucy an I-told-you-so look, turned, and saw....

I have to say that I totally loved this exit for Sonny, despite the holes in the logic.  It elicited much discussion on ratsa; some people felt for Brenda, others defended Sonny's actions, and some found a middle ground.  I loved the whole thing.  I found Brenda to be as delusional as ever, but felt for her in her faith in Sonny that was to be wrecked.  But I thought Sonny's sacrifice/self-realization was right on target.  I wouldn't believe a stereotypical happy ending for these two if tptb gave it to me.  They have too many problems that they haven't yet addressed, and too many delusions/illusions about each other.  At this point, I just wish we could have Sonny around to see him come to that self-awareness and I would like to see Brenda find some as well.  I don't dislike them together, I just don't think that either of them is the mental health choice for the other.  I would like to see them find each other again at some point in the future, but I would also like to see Brenda grow up and learn to depend on herself independent of some man.

The saddest part is, again, that Sonny's had all these realizations in these last days and we won't get to see him follow up on them right now.  We've waited so long for reconciliation with Mike, and we won't get to see them work through things.  Same with Brenda.  But Maurice Benard has been tremendous in these final days, and at this point I was hoping for something wonderful upon his exit.  But that will have to wait until the next review....

III. The Cassadines

A. Stefan and Katherine

Stefan:  "You have no idea what those words have done to me."

Stefan:  "I've been thinking quite a bit about your birthday lately."

Katherine professed her love for Stefan at the beginning of Monday's episode.  She said she had thought it through and had realized that truth about herself and wanted to tell him.  He didn't respond in kind, and she told him she didn't expect it.  She noted that he was pulling away--his modus operandi with her whenever they grew close--he talked his way around it.  But then he told her that they were one and had been from the hour of her birth.  She took that to mean that he was waiting for the next day--her birthday--for them to be together.  He fudged and said he had great plans for their birthday.

Stefan:  "I will do whatever is necessary."

He broke off their kiss and told her to meet him at dawn on the docks.  Alexis, who had been eavesdropping, came into the garden and asked him if he had told Katherine the truth.  He said he would do it, but not on her birthday.

On Wednesday, the morning of Katherine's birthday dawned and Stefan remembered his words to Alexis the night before (of course, we remembered them too, since we heard them in the "previously" clips immediately before this opening scene).  Katherine arrived and kissed him.  She declared that her day had come.  Stefan dodged by listing all the things they could do for her birthday.  She said she only wanted him, and didn't seem to notice how uncomfortable he was.  She rattled on about birthdays and then noticed his sadness.  He said he was just frustrated that they couldn't go away together.

He said he had a truth to tell her.  We knew that he wasn't planning on telling her about their siblinghood, so I wondered what it would be.  I knew it would be mushy, since he was going to take this last chance to speak to her before what he saw as the end.  He told her the story of the Pearl of Great Price--the parable from the bible.  The story is of a merchant who sells all he owns to buy a single pearl.  Then he gave her a giant pearl ring.  A birthday present, but she misunderstood and wondered if he was proposing.

He simply said he was insensitive and apologized for the mistake.  It was a birthday present, no more, but she didn't seem to mind (although I almost wish she had).  She just told him to make love to her.

B. Nikolas and the Girls

Lizzy:  "Anybody ever tell you you talk kinda funny?"
Nik:  "Yes, frequently.  It's called correct English."

On Tuesday, Nikolas accosted Lizzy outside Kelly's and demanded again to know what was going on with Sarah.  He accused her of saying something; Lizzy said she thought Sarah should hear it from family.  She couldn't resist flinging what she heard and believes (I think) in Nik's face, and Nik realized what Sarah thought of his uncle.  He reprimanded Lizzy for spreading the rumor, but she insisted it was true. They fought some more, and Nik told her that he wasn't even in town when Steve died.  Lizzy took that to mean that he didn't know what he was talking about, and told him as much.

Nik:  "I always have trouble with people tryin' to make hard things look easy."

As Sarah remembered that dance *again*, Nikolas showed up and she told him that she needed to see him.  He was relieved and they agreed to meet the next morning.  They almost kissed...but not quite.  First of many.  On Wednesday they met and she apologized.  He told her that she was hurt as well and he knew what she had heard.  She said she was confused, not scared, and he told her his uncle had nothing to do with that death.  He told her there would be other rumors and asked her to promise she would come to him.  She said she couldn't promise that because she would never believe them (funny, she said she didn't believe this one).

Sarah:  "I guess sometimes Lizzy tells the truth by accident."

Again a near miss on that kiss; they were interrupted by Officer Rick (!), who told them to leave the premises.  They headed off to school as she asked him how he found out about the rumors.  He said he tricked Lizzy into telling and she told him things were ok with Audrey, at least where Nik is concerned.  She headed to school and he stayed behind.

Most of this Nikolas stuff with the girl was boring to me.   I tired quickly of the sappy Nikolas and Sarah storyline, and the only thing I will credit her with is for bringing something into Nik's life that he needed.  A touchstone/interest outside his family and someone to give him an outsider's view, both for good and bad.  And she generally brings out the best in him...just as Lizzy brings out the worst.  But I feel like now we've got Nikolas trapped in this 90210 thing (no offense to the zip code fans out there) and I want him to also be in the more complicated family stuff.  It doesn't have to be an either/or.

C. Stefan and Nikolas

Katherine:  "You are a menace."
Stefan:  "So I've been told."

On Thursday, Katherine reprimanded him for his nighttime nautical maneuvers but moved quickly to the subject of spending the night in his arms.  Nikolas interrupted them.  He hadn't gone to school after parting from Sarah; he had come here to talk to his Uncle and had waited all day.  He congratulated Katherine on her birthday (they had gone to "East Lake House," a converted mansion outside of town--I wondered if this was supposed to be the same place Bennet Devlin had taken Eve, but they never mentioned the name on PC that I can remember) and she filled him in on their day.

Nikolas:  "It's not as if you've never lied to me either."
Stefan:  "I've never wanted to."
Nikolas:  "I know."

Nikolas:  "When I have a date I don't want you there either."
Stefan:  "I'll remember."

Before she left she asked if he had notified anybody that he was going to miss school.  Stefan dismissed the whole thing as inconsequential.  Then she left them to it.  Nikolas asked Stefan how much he had to do with Steve Hardy's death--including himself and the family in that pronoun, actually.  Nikolas didn't tell him where he heard it; Stefan said that if it were from a Spencer Nik would have ignored it and asked if it was Audrey.  Nik said it was her granddaughters.  Nik said he wanted to talk to Stefan first (though he didn't mention talking to Sarah about it).  He asked if Stefan ran GH into bankruptcy or used an existing situation.  Stefan said he used the existing situation.  Nik was satisfied with the answer and left him.

This discussion was a little too quiet for me.  Not that I want these two to be constantly at each other, but I don't believe for a moment that all their problems have been resolved.  And I don't want Nikolas to have to crash into furniture again for us to bring those issues to the forefront (Terry, maybe we should take bets on which piece of furniture he'll fall into this time or which room he'll be in...or maybe somebody else will fall (I'm cheating, I know, but I couldn't resist)).

D. Stefan

Katherine returned and Stefan asked her if she was ready for her surprise; she said she couldn't stay.  There was some sort of trouble at Deception.  Alexis entered after she left and he asked her what she had heard.  She said she only knew that he hadn't told her.  He said he would end it completely, but not on her birthday.

Stefan:  "I know how much you do for me, Alexis.  Occasionally I try to return the favor."

Alexis:  "He's amusing and he's very smart.  And he knows how thankless it is to take care of people for their own good."
Stefan:  "Yes.  Sometimes it's necessary.  There's an obligation to intercede, even cause pain, when it can save someone greater suffering in the future."
Alexis:  "That doesn't make it easy."
Stefan:  "Only right."

The cousins sat down and talked business.  Stefan opened by complimenting her on the distraction she had manufactured at Deception; Alexis said it was a mere distraction, nothing harmful.  Alexis said ELQ would be fine too and asked him why he didn't tell her he was raiding the Far Eastern ELQ operations.  He said that because he was breaking the law he chose to keep her out of it.  She parried by asking him if he was trying to distance her from Ned.  Stefan wondered about what they had in common and when they had become serious.  She said they weren't and told him she only talked about the family in the broadest terms.

The above exchange was wonderful, because Stefan was thinking of himself and what he had to do for Katherine, while Alexis was speaking about herself.  And it was painful to think that Stefan might not remember these words when he finds out what Alexis has done.

There were more hints of the potential for a Quartermaine/Cassadine conflict.  That's something I hope for more and more...and soon.  I would love to see Guza's Stefan up against the Qs, with Alexis and Ned in the middle.

E. Nikolas and Katherine

Nikolas showed up at The Outback, where Katherine was set to meet her model's agent.  She had to explain why she wasn't still with Stefan; he was there because he wanted to give them space at the house.  They talked about school and he left her when her meeting got there.

IV. Carly and AJ

A. Carly and AJ at the Airport

AJ:  "You're out of lies, Carly.  There's nothing left but the truth."
Carly:  "AJ, how could you?  How could you do this to me when I was so close?"

Carly:  "I didn't have a choice."
AJ:  "You always have a choice.  You just happened to pick the one that almost ruined my life."

On Monday, AJ asked Carly what she was doing at the airport.  She said she was meeting a friend, then had to backpedal and say that she had forgotten he was in on the secret.  He announced that he knew what happened that night at Jake's.  She tried every excuse in the book and denied the whole thing.  He gave her the details, and she responded by putting the blame back on him.  She admitted everything but was still playing the injured party.  She said she had tried to forget and faulted him for needing that to make him feel better.  He didn't buy it; he knew she simply wanted to keep it from Tony and blamed her for lying to him over and over and using his vow to go into rehab against him.

AJ:  "Don't try and make this look like it was my fault."

Carly:  "I'm sorry.  I tried to be your friend, AJ, honestly."
AJ:  "You know what really frightens me about that?  Is you actually believe it."

When he started to walk away, Carly pleaded with him not to tell Tony for the baby's sake.  She said something about Tony being the only shot for a father this baby had unless he was willing to step in--a sarcastic remark, and a mistake on her part, because it put the thought in AJ's mind that this child might be his.  She lied and told him the baby was due in December.  He went off to talk for a minute with an AA friend while she remembered (flashback alert) the truth about the due date, and then he told her he believed her.  Her whining about innocent people hadn't worked so far, but she continued to plead, saying she hadn't intended him to do anything but go to rehab.  He responded by saying that she had involved his friends and family.  But the real horror for her came when AJ made it clear that he didn't believe she was ever his friend.

AJ said Tony had been too good a friend for him to let him marry Carly.  Carly said she just wanted a chance and painted a scene of Tony throwing her out and then growing tired of their child.  She put the whole responsibility for her baby's welfare and Tony's dream of another child on him...rather melodramatically, I might add...but he bought it.  Tony arrived at just this time, and Carly was still afraid of what AJ would say.

These scenes were great fun with good performances.  When they continued on Tuesday they became repetitive, but the scenes from Monday were right on.  Often, characters don't say what I would have them say, but here AJ said everything just as I wanted to hear it.  And Carly dug herself a deeper and deeper whole that I'm going to enjoy watching her wallow in for a while...even though, in the end, I'd like to see her get herself out of it (hopefully with her Uncle Luke's help).  Of course, she has yet to reach the bottom of that hole, and it amazes me how much there is left to come out.  This combination of secrets drug on for a while, but now that they're coming out, this storyline is my favorite right now.

B. Tony and Bobbie

In the meantime, Tony was at the Spencer house talking to Bobbie.  He wanted to tell her the plan, and did, after some small talk and memories of BJ, even though she told him again that he didn't get to tell her everything any more.  She was happy and laughing, but the news changed all that.  She didn't rant, she simply agreed to keep it quiet and to give a note to Lucas.  She questioned him, and he admitted that this wasn't how he wanted it, but that he wanted to reassure Carly.  But in talking to Bobbie, he realized that he couldn't do this, told her not to tell Lucas after all, and headed off to the airport leaving her confused.  I applauded Bobbie for keeping her temper in this scene even as she spoke the truth as she saw it.  And I enjoyed seeing these two together, even though I don't want them to get back together as a couple necessarily.  They're good friends, and I'm glad they are finding a peace together again.

C. More at the Airport

On Tuesday, Tony repeated his question, asking why AJ was there.  Carly jumped in with some story that Tony questioned.  After another of those fake cliffhangers (I'm getting really tired of them) and Tony answering a phone call while Carly pleaded some more, AJ promised Carly he wouldn't say anything if she promised not to elope tonight.  She actually said she was planning to tell Tony everything...just not right away and not all at once.  Yet another Carly delusion.  She asked for time.  Really, I think she's just betting that if she can get Tony to marry her she can dodge this secret forever.  AJ supported Tony, and, as I said, promised not to say anything if they didn't go tonight.

When Tony came back AJ told him that he was there because he was worried that Tony was doing something he really didn't want to do and asked him to rethink this elopement.  Tony agreed with him and said that was what he was coming to tell Carly.  She was horrified that Tony had rethought things, even though it saved her from lying about why they'd have to change their plans.  She actually thought he was breaking up with her...or didn't want to get married.  He reassured her and she apologized.  But then he took note of AJ's co-dependence and Carly had to stand up for him.  They all went home.

D. AJ and Keesha

Outside at The Outback, Keesha arrived.  AJ had asked her to meet him, but he still didn't want to talk about things.  He just didn't want to be alone.  He said he would tell his family when Monica got home but said Tony didn't know.  AJ spoke about Carly and how much their friendship had meant to him...she had made him like himself again.  He regrets a lot of things, and now this.  The reason he didn't say anything--won't say anything, for the time being--is that while he's angry at Carly, he also can't stop caring about her so abruptly.  He'll treat her better than she deserves, and he's giving her some time for her sake as well as Tony and the baby.  I like this new AJ.

E. Carly and Tony

Tony:  "I want you to know something.  When, uh...when I think of BJ now it doesn't hurt as much.  And it's not like this baby's replacing her.  It's...it's just telling me that there is always more room for love."
Carly:  "I just wanna deserve your love and I want us to be together forever."
Tony:  "I don't think God would have had me as the father of this baby if he hadn't meant for us to be together."

At home, Carly apologized again and promised to change.  He told her to get control of herself and her insecurities and reassured her.  She gushed about the baby and he told her what it meant to him.  He spoke of BJ and thinking he would never feel new love again...until he met her.  And now he was looking forward to loving a new baby.  He feels like it's going to be ok again, for the first time in a long time.  He's the one I feel the most for in this whole thing.  He doesn't deserve for the bottom to fall out of his world again, and I fear for him.

They talked about the wedding and agreed to do something they both wanted.  She said she just wanted the wedding to be soon and promised to make him happy.

F. Carly and Keesha

Keesha:  "If I were you, I really wouldn't want me as an enemy."

Carly:  "What am I doing now that offends you?"
Keesha:  "Getting away with this."

On Friday, we got a big catfight between Carly and Keesha.  Keesha told her that AJ should be at the house right now telling his family everything that happened.  Carly made this about Keesha's abiding love for AJ, and Keesha set her straight.  I laughed out loud at her line above, because it's pretty clear to me who the meaner enemy would be.  And again, Keesha isn't staying out of this.  She's making it her fight when it's really not.  She's irate that Carly's getting away with it, but she told Carly that it would come out and Tony would leave her.

G. AJ and Lila

AJ was at his parent's house, where he received an awful reception from everyone but Lila.  He said he'd come back, but Lila asked him to stay.  She sent Alan and Edward ahead and told them to send the car back for her.  Alan gave him one last brush off and left.

Lila:  "It's never easy between a father and son.  Look at Edward and your father."
AJ:  "Yes.  They fight all the time; they say hair-raising things to each other.  But still, you couldn't mistake them for strangers or friends.  They speak the same language; they finish each other's sentences.  They can sit in the same room, grandmother, for hours without saying a word and when one gets up the other will say, 'Where do you think you're going.'"

AJ:  "You know what I'm asking."
Lila:  "Yes."
AJ:  "Am I my father's son?"
Lila:  "Yes, dear."
AJ:  "Is there proof?"
Lila:  "Yes."
AJ:  "Because someone needed proof, right?"

AJ asked Lila about the circumstances surrounding his birth.  He had heard rumors, but never the whole story.  She filled him in.  I was confused, at first, as to why this was coming up now, and why AJ was so concerned with his father.  Then I realized that he wanted to find out if anything about his birth had contributed to their trouble's now.  He didn't want the same situation to happen and cause Tony to have the same kind of pain over his son because of some confusion over the child's parentage.

AJ:  "You mean he would have never given up his name on my birth certificate.  Me he gave up on before I can remember."

Lila told him the whole story (we heard the end of it), and told him his father loved him and was happy when he found out the truth.  AJ had his own version of things.  He showed up at the gym to tell Carly that he wouldn't tell her secret as long as she played things his way.

V. Mac and Felicia

Bobbie:  "My theory is he's just doing it to shut her up.  My God, how that girl whines."

Dara was singing on Tuesday and was still self-conscious about her singing; Mac reassured her yet again.  Bobbie showed up to talk to Felicia after talking to Tony and filled her in.  They agreed that Tony would try to make this work and it would work about a year.  A call came for Felicia from a firefighter named Derek.  Mac was curious; Felicia said that if he was free he should call her about the wedding.  She filled Bobbie in, then left a message for yet another man...and we saw where this was going.  Felicia said that she was scrambling for a date because of Mac and Dara's potential itemhood.  She said she didn't want to mess with that, but she already was--Mac was definitely curious.  On the phone with guy #2 she had another maybe, so called yet another guy at Bobbie's suggestion.  Sigh.  They chatted about Maxie's interest in the statue a bit and then Bobbie headed home.  Mac cracked jokes about her retirement from the sisterhood with all these dates and she remained vague.

At home on Thursday, Maxie was trying to get out of going to play with a friend during the wedding.  Mac called and told her to get read for the wedding and meet them.  Mac wanted to question Maxie to see if Felicia was ducking out of the wedding but she wouldn't let her.  When she got off the phone, Maxie asked why she and Uncle Mac fought sometimes.  Felicia found the doll that she had told Maxie to leave there and told her that even if they disagreed she shouldn't have lied.  She left her to think about things and headed to the wedding, promising them some cake but laying out Maxie's punishments.

Meanwhile, Mac complimented Dara, who had just arrived.  He filled her in on the carpool plan and Dara questioned how Felicia and the date would feel about it.  Mac said he was starting to doubt the guy even existed, but just then he showed up.  The guy chatted a bit, and then another one showed up.  And, of course, the third guy wasn't far behind.  By the time Felicia got there, they had decided that none of them would go with her, despite Mac's interventions.  This left Felicia to go with Mac and Dara, and she was none to happy about it.

VI. The Webbers

Audrey came out to call Sarah inside on Tuesday.  Sarah said she couldn't concentrate because of this thing with Nikolas.  Audrey was wonderful as she always is with the girls and told Sarah a bit of her history.  She talked about not being able to have a child and lying to Steve about being artificially inseminated.  She separated from Steve and lost the baby in an accident.  She blamed herself for it all, and pointed out to Sarah that she should be honest with Nikolas so they wouldn't lose any time.  Sarah felt better and agreed that she would speak to Nikolas.  They noted that Lizzy was late, but little did they know why.

VII. The Spencers

Lizzy:  "Hey, is, um...Ruby really going to that Corleone guy's wedding?"

On Wednesday, the Spencers congregated at Kelly's.  Bobbie came in and said hello to Ruby, and Lucky came in with a pot shot at Lizzy.  She immediately started talking about the wedding, which Lucky took in stride.  I'd bet he was getting a kick out of flaunting his connection to Sonny.  He wasted no time telling her he was invited as well and that his dad and Sonny were partners.

Lucy:  "Maybe I am just exaggerating a little.  I tend to do that sometimes for emphasis."

Lucy, who was looking to inform Brenda of some huge glitch, interrupted them.  It was good to see her in all of her Luckiness.  She was worried about her dress, which she was scared was going to come unzipped during the ceremony.  Lizzy's reactions to Lucy were a scream.  After all, this was her first exposure to Lucy.  :)  Lucy was going to call Brenda and rattled on until Bobbie had her sit down.  Bobbie commiserated with her about the miscarriage, and it was nice to see Lucy getting to talk to somebody about it.  Especially someone that might not have reason to think of her.  But I was glad to see Lucy's thoughts turn to Luke, and I'm still hoping that we get a nice juicy scene with the two of them when he gets back.

Brenda arrived and greeted Lucky and Lizzy.  I couldn't help but thinking that this was the meeting of the two generations of troublemakers, because I see Lizzy as the next Brenda.  Brenda cruised on by and said hello to Ruby while Lizzy reprimanded Lucky for using her nickname instead of her given name.

Brenda talked with Ruby a bit and told her they were going to be happy; Ruby wished her well.  Lucy filled Bobbie in on her maid of honor status.  She then stopped Brenda and warned her about the dress; Brenda told her to be calm and not worry because everything would be alright.  They headed off to the church after Bobbie promised they'd throw her a party when they got back.  Brenda reminded everyone to bring his or her invitations because of security measures.

Lucky:  "It's not a freak show, Elizabeth."

The whole time Brenda was there, Lizzy was staring at a tabloid.  She went to watch Brenda leave and made a big deal about her having a driver.  Bobbie called her back to work.  Bobbie asked Lucky if he was bringing a date and Lizzy volunteered.  Bobbie went off to get her own muffin while Lucky asked her why she wanted to go and told her that he wasn't taking her.  She shrugged it off.  But she was determined to go, so when Bobbie and Lucky left Lizzy stole Ruby's invitation.