"Gia, good lord, that's not a dress, that's a handkerchief," Florence snickered, taking the short black dress out of  her daughter's hand and putting it back on the rack.

Gia grimaced. She thought she was going to go completely mad. Her mother hadn't liked any dress she had picked out for Helena's party. She watched as her mother moved to a different rack to look through the evening gowns. "There was nothing wrong with the black one."

Florence pursed her lips and gave Gia a hard look. "The last time I checked, they didn't let tramps into the Versailles Room."

"Mama!"

"Pick something more conservative. You don't want to embarrass your boyfriend."

"He'd never be embarrassed by me!"

The older woman pulled a lavender A-line dress out for closer inspection. "I know that you like Nikolas-"

"I love him-"

"I know that you think you love Nikolas, but-"

"No buts. I do love him," Gia insisted.

Florence hung the dress back up. She decided to avoid her daughter's eyes. She really didn't believe that the kids were in love. It had to be some kind of infatuation. Of course, to be honest, Nikolas Cassadine was the last person she wanted Gia to be in love with, so that might have altered her perception a bit. Florence liked Nik, he just wasn't what she wanted for her daughter. Besides, his family made her uneasy. Especially his creepy uncle...

"Gia, if you think you love him, then I won't question you anymore."

Gia went to look on the same rack as her mother. She could tell that she was being placated, but she didn't want to push the subject. She searched through the gowns, scoffing at the virginal white lace dress, laughing at the pastels, and admiring a strapless green dress that didn't come in her size.

Half an hour later, she heard her mother gasp. She looked up. "What is it, Mama? Did you find something?"

Florence's eyes were wide as she held up a long burgundy gown. Gia flew across the dress section of Wyndam's. She caressed the soft silk, taking in the low cut of the front, and the thigh-high slit. Just when she knew that this was the perfect dress, Florence twirled it around so that her daughter could see the back.

Not that there was a back...

The back of the dress was scooped out. Gia was in love. She reached for it, but her mother wouldn't let it go. So, she pried the older woman's hands off of the hanger.

"What's wrong with you? Give it to me!"

"It's a beautiful dress, Honey, but you can't wear that to the party. It's far too sensuous."

"Sensuous? Give it a break already. We've been here for hours. This is the best dress we've seen. It's bigger than a handkerchief. Plus, it's absolutely gorgeous! We don't have a problem."

"There's no back and the slit is too high."

"I don't think so," Gia replied, waltzing happily towards the fitting room. She stopped at the door to wait for her mother. Florence trudged through the racks. She stood just inside, next to the mirrors, while Gia went in to try the dress on.

Minutes later, she emerged, wearing the dress and a pair of blue socks. Florence smiled. "I was wrong. It's far more tasteful than I thought. Look at you! My baby is beautiful," she said reaching out to hug her little girl.

Gia twirled around, the slit flying open. She struck a pose, her shapely leg revealed, her breast heaving. Nikolas was going to like this dress. Florence came up behind Gia. She pulled her braids up into an upsweep. "You'll have to wear your braids up because of the back."

Gia nodded her head, suddenly excited about the prospect of this party. She stood up straight as her mother let go of her hair and pulled the dress up to hide some of the exposed cleavage.

"Mama!" Gia exclaimed.

"Sorry, old habits die hard. You look sensational."  She carefully perused the dress again. She noticed the price tag sticking out of the back and couldn't help herself from peeking. Gia had insisted that she didn't need to borrow any money to buy the dress, so the mother in her wanted to be ready in case it cost a bit more than was affordable to a young woman. The more she saw her in it, the more she wanted this dress for her daughter.  She looked at the price, then started to choke.

Gia spun around. "What's wrong? Are you okay? You're not having another heart attack are you?'

"No...that's not it. Do you have any idea how much this dress costs?"

"No, I didn't check," Gia said, shrugging her shoulders.

"I think you better."

Gia twisted to look at the tag stuck to a back seam. Her mouth dropped open as she read the numbers. "$1500?  I think I'm going to faint."

"Take that dress off, Gia. We can't even afford to look at it."

Gia laughed through shock. "That's not so, Mama. We're moving up in the world and I'm buying this dress."

"You can't sell your organs on the black market."

"I'm buying this dress," Gia said, her shoulders back, her head high.

"With what?"

"Platinum. As in VISA, Mastercard, or American Express."

"Are you into mail fraud, now? Take those people their credit cards back before you get caught," Florence replied, only half joking.

"Nikolas gave me his credit card."

"And you want to put that much on it?'

"He said I should get what I want, and this is what I want."

"Nikolas Cassadine gave *you* his credit card? That boy is either a saint or a fool. I'm not sure which one, but I'm leaning towards the latter."

~*~  ~*~ ~*~

"Check, please," Stefan said, leaning back in his chair. He brought his coffee cup to his lips, taking a few sips before setting it back onto the table. He realized that his lunch companion was ignoring him. "Nikolas?"

"Huh?" Nikolas said, suddenly pulling out of his thoughts.

"You have been preoccupied through this whole lunch. I am beginning to think that you don't find me as interesting as I do."

"No one finds you as interesting as you find yourself."

"That hurt. I thought I was the life of the party."

"Not quite..."

"What's bothering you? Is it your relationship with Gia?"

"No. Gia and I are fine, it's just that, well, I am dreading tomorrow."

"Tomorrow? Why?"

Nikolas pushed his coffee cup away. It had grown cold. "Helena's party for General Hospital."

"I wasn't aware you were attending."

"Gia wants to go," Nikolas replied simply.

"Why?"

"She likes parties. Plus, she's got such a good heart. She was concerned about Helena's feelings. As if she had any..."

Stefan tilted his head to the side. Gia was concerned for Helena? That struck him as odd. "What do you mean she was worried about Helena."

"She found the invitation. She was really adamant that we go. She said it was because she'd never been to a big gala before, but I could tell that there was more to it. When we first met, I told her about how we don't associate with Helena. She was so sad when she realized that Grandmother didn't have anyone but her servants. I think that's why she wanted to go to this party so much. Gia wouldn't want anyone to feel alone. Not even the devil herself."

Stefan nodded his head. Nikolas was definitely in love with this girl. So in love, he couldn't see straight. Gia was up to something. "I would really prefer that you and Miss Campbell stay far away from Helena. The woman will stop at nothing to get what she wants. She's a murderous viper."

"I know, but I can take care of myself now."

"I know you can. I know you will."

"Did you just agree with me? Are you sick or something?"

"Being dead changes a man in profound ways, Nikolas. I now have the ability to admit that other people may not be wrong."

Nikolas smiled heartily. He was so glad that Stefan was back and that they had a second chance to be together. "I have a meeting. You'll take care of the check, right?"

"Don't I always?"

"I knew there was a reason I kept you around." Nikolas got up to leave, but then stopped. Looking down, almost near tears he said shakily, "I am glad you're not dead, Father."

Stefan closed his eyes as Nikolas walked away. He hadn't realized how much he missed Nikolas calling him that until the moment he stopped. Of all the things Helena did to him, the worst was taking away his son. Stefan would never forgive Helena for that. Never!

He pulled out his cell phone, quickly dialing  411. He spoke a name to the operator and then was then directly connected to the number. After a couple of rings, a woman answered the phone.

"This is Stefan Cassadine and I need to see you."  ~*~  ~*~ ~*~  

End of chapter Nine, Please e-mail any feedback by clicking on the mailbox below :)

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