Nikolas: Ah, yes, Nation Mills. Their food division has dropped in sales five quarters in a row. They should sell off some of their ancillary divisions and consolidate their debt.

Stefan: You've done your homework.

Gia: {Gets up from her chair} Listen to this. "Accepted forms of address for the princess. Your highness, your royal highness, your serene highness, your stellar highness."

Nikolas: No, you're making that up.

Gia: No, I'm serious. Your stellar highness, princess Sparky.

Nikolas: Yeah, well, that has a nice ring to it.

Gia: {She flips a few more pages} Now here's another good one. We're supposed to avoid kissing in public except for the "Genteel and discreet kiss on the cheek as befits the royal personage."

Nikolas: Uh-oh. We are going to be dismal failure. {Gia sighs}

Stefan: No, those rules on protocol are a bit exaggerated unless you're the king and queen of England.

Gia: Oh. {Turns to Nikolas} I guess we're safe, then.

Stefan: However, as Nikolas' wife, you will be meeting with heads of state and captains of industry at various functions.

Gia: {Turns back to Stefan} Well, don't worry. I have lots of experience. Deception has sent me to tons of dinners and charity function.

Stefan: Gia, your new role won't be compatible with your life as a fashion model.

Lucky: {Enters the room} Well, that's too bad considering Gia is the Face of Deception. {Gia and Nikolas look at Lucky} Come on. We're late for the shoot right now.

Stefan: Gia has more important responsibilities now.

Lucky: I'm sure she does, but she also has a contract.

Stefan: That may not be an issue.

Nikolas: {Turns to Stefan} What have you done?

~*~

Stefan: I have spoken to Laura about having Gia removed from her contract.

Nikolas: You had absolutely no right.

Stefan: Gia, your life is about to change drastically. You need to consider what is appropriate now.

Nikolas: Yes, according to you.

Stefan: The decision will ultimately be Gia's.

Nikolas: She worked very hard to get the job, uncle, and I will not ask her to give that up.

Lucky: {Looks at Nikolas and Gia} I warned you this would happen.

Stefan: Listen, Gia, your new role in this family is far more important than being a fashion model.

Nikolas: Do you realize how pompus that sounds?

Stefan: You became a model to make money, right?

Nikolas: Yes, and she loves her job.

Gia: Nikolas is right, I do.

Stefan: All right. You will be photographed constantly. You'll wear designer clothing and jewlrey. The only difference is you won't be selling perfume cosmetics. That kind of comercialism is inappropriate for a woman in your position.

Gia: Well, maybe I can do both and see how it goes.

Stefan: I don't see how. You need to have your attention on your duties as princess.

Gia: As what, being an armpiece to Nikolas.

Stefan: No, far from it. You will have the opportunity and the responsibility to be involved in any number of charaties. And you will choose which are most worthy. You could have an enormous impact.

Nikolas: She could still juggle both.

Stefan: Well, if you want to be seperated for periods of time.

Gia: What does that mean?

Stefan: Well, Nikolas will be doing his share of traveling. If your job commitments conflict, you won't be able to go with him.

Gia: I signed a big exclusive contract. That's not just something I can snap my fingers and walk out of.

Lucky: Yes, it is--if you have the Cassadine fortune backing you up.

Stefan: This is true.

Lucky: {Turns to Stefan} You know, it may not be important to you, but my mother's company happens to have a lot invested in Gia right now.

Stefan: Laura will be provided with ample compensation. {Turns his attention back to Gia} And I hope you don't mind, but I've taken the liberty of opening accounts for you in all the major stores and fashion house in both Port Charles and Manhattan.

Gia: That may be a problem. I have some credit card bills to clear up.

Stefan: {Shakes his head} All taken care of.

Gia: {Nikolas just shakes his head} Well, I don't know how to thank you.

Stefan: It was my pleasure. Gia, listen. You take your time, think about everything I've said. Now, if you'll excuse us, Nikolas and I have some business to attend to. {He leaves the room}

Nikolas: {Turns Gia around to face him} Don't let my uncle pressure you, all right?

Gia: I won't.

Nikolas: And I'll stand by whatever decision you make. {He kisses her cheek and then leaves}

~*~

Gia: I don't know if I can give up my job.

Lucky: Then don't. It's the 21st century. You can be anything you want, and nobody's going to look down on you for being a model. Please.

Gia: But I will have responsibilities.

Lucky: Yeah, well, Stefan's always saying stuff like that. Answer me this--do you really feel comfortable being a Cassadine puppet?

Gia: Well, it's not like they're asking me to dig ditches. Most girls grow up dreaming of this--the handsome prince falling in love with them, carrying them off to a life full of riches and jewels and beautiful clothes.

Lucky: Oh, all that sounds lovely, but you know what? You're going to have it anyway. And Nikolas isn't going to dump you just because you want to keep a job.

Gia: Being the Face of Deception means a lot to me. {She turns around} I'd feel really bad about leaving Laura in the lurch, especially, I mean, even though Elizabeth was her first choice for the job.

Lucky: No. Elizabeth didn't want the job, not in her heart. You did. In fact, you were ready to walk over coals for the opportunity.

Gia: {Turns back around} Well, Stefan said that he would compensate her, so I'm sure it would be enough for her to hire any model she wants.

Lucky: I'm sure it'd be enough for ten models. But you're the perfect Face of Deception, Gia.

Gia: {Smiles} Thanks.

Lucky: Yeah, well, let's look at the pros and cons then, shall we? On one hand, you're going to be a famous model getting your picture taken by a brilliant photographer--which is me. {Gia smiles} Fan mail pouring in. Teenagers--girls and boy--hanging your poster up on the walls. And on the other hand, you're going to walking around doing the royal handwave, having lunch with stuffy society women, trying not kiss Nikolas in public. And by the way, my love, I draw the line at call you {Bows a little} your stellar highness.

Gia: Well, off with your head! {They both laugh and there's a knock} Come in.

Mrs. Lansbury: {Gia and Lucky turn} Ms. Campbell, you received a letter from prince Charles.

Gia: The prince Charles?

Mrs. Lansbury: Yes.

Lucky: {Takes a few steps closer to Gia} Get out.

Gia: Thank you. {Mrs. Lansbury leaves and she opens the envelope} Oh, my God! Nikolas and I are invited to a dinner at the palace.

Lucky: {He whistles} Let me see that. {Looks at the invitation and him and Gia chuckle}

~*~

Nikolas: You cannot make decisions about Gia's life without consulting her, uncle.

Stefan: Well, this is all new to Gia. She'll need help.

Nikolas: If she asks for it, yes. Otherwise, you and I are going to have a serious problem.

Stefan: Listen, Gia will have everything she's ever dreamed of. But it comes with a price.

~*~

Stefan: Nikolas, you are about to step into a highly visible position, which means that Gia will be a public figure.

Nikolas: I understand that, uncle. But you--

Stefan: She needs to consider all her actions with that in mind.

Nikolas: She has confidence and poise.

Stefan: Yes. But she has much to learn. Now, the rules of decorum are subtle but very real. You and Gia can no longer simply do as you please.

Nikolas: I can handle myself and so can Gia. We both will be the judge of what's appropriate and what's not. {He walks off}

~*~

Lucky: {British accent} Well, I've never known anyone who's gotten a personal invite from Buckingham palace.

Gia: {She takes back the invitation} Well, that definately makes two of us.

Lucky: Well, just try to remember us little people who helped you on your way up.

Gia: Oh, I won't Lonnie--Larry--what was your name again?

Lucky: Hey--

Gia: {Chuckles} Your family, Lucky. Besides, we're going to be counting on you for reality checks.

Lucky: All right. Well, you can count on me, Leah--Gia. {Playfully bumps into her as he leaves}

After Lucky leaves Gia looks at the invitation and a modeling picture as she thinks of her decision

Gia: {Nikolas knocks on the door as he enters the room} I thought you were tied up with business. {Her and Nikolas walk closer to each other}

Nikolas: Well, I told uncle that it could wait. How are you doing?

Gia: I made a decision.

Nikolas: You know, you don't have to do this.

Gia: I know.

Nikolas: You know, take all the time you need, Gia, or leave the things the way they are. Either way, I just want you to do what's right for you.

Gia: This does feel right for me. I'm giving up being the Face of Deception.

Nikolas: Are you sure? I mean--

Gia: {Hesitant} Yes.

Nikolas: Listen to me. If you feel pressured or pushed into doing anything you don't want to, you're only going to resent it later. Ok? I just want you to be happy.

Gia: Well, I will be as long as I'm with you.

Nikolas: Well, you don't have to do this for me.

Gia: I am doing this for us. And I'm getting a lot more than I'm giving up.