Kelly’s

Elizabeth looked at her skeptically. “You can’t possibly be serious.”

Jessica sighed. “Look, I know it’s not the best situation. You and your ex don’t get along but everything you’ve told me and everything I’ve heard…Ric seems to genuinely want justice for you and your child. Wouldn’t he jump at the chance to do this?”

“I don’t want to have anything to do with Ric,” Elizabeth said firmly. “There’s got to be a different way.”

“I’ve been following the trial very closely,” Jessica told her. “Robyn Nichols is a fantastic lawyer–she’ll get Sonny off. There’s no doubt in my mind. But even if Sonny goes free, Faith might never be prosecuted.”

“They could find evidence,” Elizabeth protested.

Jessica shook her head. “There’s nothing substantial there. Just a grudge from before. Yeah, everyone knows that Faith pushed you. And the general consensus is that she ordered the shooting that killed Courtney. She pushed you down a flight of stairs and your baby died. Isn’t finding justice for that child and for Courtney Matthews…isn’t that more important than hating your ex-husband?”

Elizabeth bit her lip and closed her eyes. “You don’t understand, Jessica. Ric Lansing doesn’t do anything without thinking about how it might benefit him. If I go to him and I ask him to do this…he will want something in return.”

“Then I’m really glad you’re divorcing him,” Jessica replied. “Because that kind of guy sounds like a son of bitch.” She hesitated. “I’ll ask him.”

Elizabeth shook her head. “Why is this so important to you? So you can have the exclusive story when it’s done?”

Jessica sat back in her chair and ran a finger around the rim of her glass of soda. “When I was in college,” she began, “I got pregnant and I miscarried the baby. And I spent about a semester and a half in therapy trying to understand why.”

“I’m so sorry,” Elizabeth breathed. “It’s the most horrible feeling in the world, isn’t it?”

“Yeah,” Jessica admitted, her eyes a little glossy from tears. Her voice broke. “It’s like this empty feeling and you’re sure that something you did put it there. If maybe I’d taken better care of myself, eaten better food…” She cleared her throat. “There was this little life inside and now there’s not and you can’t change that no matter how much you want to.”

Elizabeth reached across the table and took Jessica’s hand in hers. “Or if maybe I had just stayed out of it?” she continued in a quiet voice. “If I hadn’t called Sonny that night and if I hadn’t taken Faith’s bait…” she shook her head. “So many what ifs.”

Jessica cleared her throat. “Anyway, that’s why I want to see this through. Because you have a reason–you have somewhere to put your anger and frustration. You can lock up the person who did this to you–we just need to get the evidence to put them there.”

“If you think you can talk Ric into doing this without making promises…” Elizabeth trailed off. “Then by all means, give it a shot.”

Jessica sat up straight and smiled a little. “Everyone has a selling price. You just have to know the angle.”

Robyn’s Hospital Room

Robyn shifted through some briefs and signed her name to a few before handing them to Georgie. “File those in the office and these at the courthouse,” she instructed.

“Sure.” Georgie slid the papers into brown file folder before sliding it neatly into her messenger bag. “I finished the filing system at the office,” she told her boss. “It’s all categorized and then alphabetized.”

Robyn smirked. “Trying to make yourself invaluable to me?” She snorted. “Too late. You already know how to use the copier machine without smacking it. You’ve got a job for life.”

There was a knock on the closed door and Robyn wrinkled her nose. “You don’t think it’s Carly again do you?”

Georgie smiled. “I doubt it. She doesn’t really like you that much and I think she had an appointment with the funeral home about Courtney.”

“Okay, then.” Robyn raised her voice. “Come in!”

The door opened and AJ Quartermaine entered. “Hey, have you seen the wayward one?” he asked.

“I’m going to need some details and your name,” Robyn said briskly with a smile. “Jones, do you know this person?”

“That’s Dillon’s cousin, AJ,” Georgie told her. “AJ, this is Robyn Nichols, the lawyer I’m working for.”

“Nice to meet you,” AJ said. He grinned. “The lawyer who he won’t leave alone in his endless quest to woo Georgie?”

“Shut up,” Georgie hissed.

“Ah, so you know of Dillon’s master plan,” Robyn said knowingly. “Do you help him come up with his angles?”

“I hope he’s not getting any tips from me, “AJ replied. “Since he’s been unsuccessful so far, what would that say about my love life?”

“If it’s anything like poor Dillon’s, it can’t be much fun,” Robyn quipped. “You were looking for him?”

“Yep. We’ve got a Class Four Emergency at the house and his presence has been requested.”

“He left about an hour ago to go do something,” Georgie reported. “He didn’t say what.”

“Which means it’s another dastardly plan to win your heart,” AJ replied, grinning.

“What’s a Class Four Emergency?” Robyn asked curiously.

“Oh, that means that someone unexpected has come into town and the family has to get together and get rid of them before they do anything to make them lose money,” Georgie said.

AJ’s grin grew wider. “Got it in one. She’s destined to be a Quartermaine.”

Georgie scowled. “Am not.”

“Your family actually has a list of these emergencies?” Robyn asked, surprised. “Do you write them down or is it kind of ingrained from birth?”

“Sort of both,” AJ replied. “Just ask Georgie to decipher the language. Seems like she knows it pretty well.” He earned a glare from the teen. “If you see Dillon, tell him the Flamingo is in town and he’ll want to get home as soon as possible. Oh, and tell him to bring you. She’d get a kick out of it.”

“Who’s the Flamingo and why would she want to meet Georgie?” Robyn asked suspiciously.

“The Flamingo is Dillon’s mother and I am not meeting the woman who abandoned her son into that asylum,” Georgie retorted.

“You give each other code names?” Robyn asked, amused. “I’ve got to meet this family.”

“That can definitely be arranged,” AJ replied. “But be careful, once you go Quartermaine, you don’t go back.”

Robyn smiled at him. “I’ll keep that in mind.”

Georgie grimaced when she realized the two had practically been flirting the whole time that AJ had been in the room. When he was gone, she shook her head. “What do people see in him?”

“Oh, he’s kind of charming,” Robyn remarked. “Kind of like your Dillon.”

“He’s not my Dillon.”

“So, if he were to go and ask some other girl out–”

“She’d be wearing her guts as a hair band,” Georgie retorted hotly.

“Yep. That’s what I thought.”

Ric’s Apartment

He was in the middle of packing his law books when someone knocked on the door. He set the heavy book back on his desk and crossed to open it.

Ric frowned when an unfamiliar young woman was revealed to him. “Who are you?”

“Jessica Mitchell, Port Charles Herald,” Jessica said briskly. “I’m here on an errand from your ex-wife.”

“Estranged wife,” Ric corrected automatically. “We’re not divorced yet.” He stepped aside. “You want to come in?”

“Not a problem.” She entered and he closed the door. “Nice place.”

“It was good while it lasted.” Ric returned to the desk and started putting books inside. “You said you were here on an errand for Elizabeth?”

“By now it should be completely clear that Sonny Corinthos didn’t push her,” Jessica began.

“He hasn’t been found innocent yet,” Ric reminded her.

She glared at him. “You want be quiet while I do this? Thanks.” She took a deep breath. “Your ex–”

“Estranged.”

“–wife thinks it might have been Faith Roscoe,” Jessica continued, her eyes turning frosty with his interruption. “I happen to agree but I also know that there’s no evidence against her.”

“What does any of this have to do with me?” Ric asked shortly, taping the box shut and setting it next to the door. He put his hands on his hips. “As you obviously know, my wife is no longer speaking to me.”

“She mentioned that Faith admitted to you that she put a snake in Elizabeth’s studio prior to your marriage,” Jessica went on. “Is that true?”

“Yes.” Ric smirked. “And you want me to trick her into confessing that she pushed Elizabeth as well? I’m sorry, no.”

“You’re not interested in learning who killed your baby?” Jessica asked coldly. Ric glared at her.

“I already know who killed my baby,” he retorted. “Sonny Corinthos. He pushed Elizabeth down the stairs and now he’s crying innocent. And she’s naïve enough to believe that he didn’t do it.” His voice began to rise. “But what she’s conveniently forgetting is that Sonny has already pushed another pregnant woman down the stairs–only he didn’t succeed in killing that baby, did he?”

“Look, I don’t care about your grudge against your brother–that has nothing to do with me–”

“None of this has anything to do with you,” Ric snapped. “You’re just butting in where no one wants you.”

“Your wife wants my help,” Jessica corrected. “And she wants to know who’s responsible for killing her child and effectively ruining her marriage. I would have thought you’d want to know too.” She tilted her head to the side. “Unless…you blame her.”

“Of course I don’t blame her,” Ric said immediately. He turned away from Jessica, driving his fingers through his hair and squeezing his eyes shut. “Elizabeth was the only good thing in my life–the only person who ever loved me. And because of Sonny–”

“That’s a fucking copout and you know it,” Jessica cut in swiftly, her eyes cold and hard. “If you don’t blame Elizabeth, then you blame yourself. You think about the reason Elizabeth even went to Rice Plaza and you realize that if it wasn’t for your stupid vendetta, she might have been home safe where she belonged. Because she was looking out for you–this makes it your fault.”

He spun to look at the petite brunette who’d managed to voice the very things that he’d been thinking over and over since the day Elizabeth fell. “If I hadn’t given her a reason not to trust me, she wouldn’t have thought I tried to blow Sonny’s limo up. She wouldn’t have feared retaliation. She wouldn’t have tried to fix it.”

“And she wouldn’t have been at Rice Plaza May 23,” Jessica said softly. “You blame Sonny so you don’t have to blame yourself.” When he didn’t say anything, she sighed. “He didn’t do it and I think you know it.”

“It doesn’t matter.”

“Doing this isn’t going to get your wife back but maybe…” Jessica hesitated. “Maybe it will make you feel better about your part in this.”

He nodded. “Yeah.” Ric sighed heavily. “Yeah, tell Elizabeth I’m in.”

Robyn’s Hospital Room

Robyn narrowed her eyes. “He what?”

Georgie shifted uncomfortably and shot a look at Dillon. “Scott petitioned to assign Sonny with another lawyer to continue the case.”

Robyn actually made a sound that resembled a growl and started to sit up. “I am going to kill that man with my bare hands,” she muttered.

“The judge turned him down. He said in light of the circumstances, he was giving a two week recess,” Dillon hurried to tell her.

“Okay.” Robyn pressed her index finger against her temple. “Everything’s in order at the office?”

“Yeah,” Georgie told her. “I rescheduled all your meetings.”

“They’re releasing me in two days,” Robyn told them. “Just a little gunshot to the arm and one to the leg. No big deal.”

Kyle snorted in the doorway. “No. No big deal at all.”

Georgie twisted and glared at the other teen out of habit. “I still can’t believe she’s related to you.”

Kyle ignored her and joined them at his aunt’s bedside. “You know, my mother warned you,” he said lightly. “But you were determined to work for Sonny.”

Robyn shrugged. “What can I say? I love a challenge. Sorry about your birthday party.”

Kyle shook his head. “Don’t worry about it, but…uh…could you not tell my parents that I had it? I’m kind of…grounded.”

Georgie couldn’t suppress a grin. “Good. You deserve it.”

“Why don’t the two of you go home?” Robyn suggested. “You’re officially on vacation until I’m out of the hospital.”

“He doesn’t even work for you,” Georgie said, exasperated.

“He does so,” Robyn protested. “He’s just not on salary. He’s a volunteer.”

Dillon scowled. “I should get paid. I do a lot of stapling.”

Georgie rolled her eyes and grabbed his arm to lead him to the door. “Well, I keep telling you to go home…”

The argument faded as the two walked down the hall and Kyle shook his head. “Those two are demented.”

“They’re entertaining though.” Robyn shifted in the bed. “So, how do you know Georgie? She seems to have a stellar opinion of you.”

Kyle sat in one of the two hospital chairs. “I sort of dated her sister, Maxie, before I went and screwed up.”

“Oh, yeah?” Robyn asked. “How’d you do that?”

“I sort of…hid a web cam in my room and broadcasted…us…together,” Kyle said reluctantly.

Robyn raised her eyebrows. “Oh, really? I’d say that was pretty stupid.”

“Yeah, well, she won’t talk to me anymore.”

“If I were her, I would have made impossible for you to have children.” Robyn shook her head. “How do you get away with things like that?”

Kyle shrugged. “My parents don’t pay attention to me. I pretty much get to do whatever I want.”

Robyn scowled. “So what exotic country did Caroline and Greg take off to this time?”

“They’re in London for a week,” Kyle reported. “They left this morning. Mom was going to come by, but Dad kind of hurried her along.”

“Yeah.” Robyn studied her nephew. “Did your sister get that student scholarship program to Russia?”

Kyle nodded. “Yeah. She leaves tomorrow and then it’s just me for the rest of the week. I think Mom and Dad are going to Italy for August. Why?”

“So you’re basically going to be in that house by yourself for the entire summer?” Robyn asked incredulously. “You’re barely eighteen. You’re not responsible enough for that.”

Kyle scowled. “I am, too.”

“How many parties have you had?”

“A few.”

“A few?”

“One every night,” Kyle admitted. “But we’re celebrating my graduation.”

“Yeah, okay.” Robyn rolled her eyes. “Well, that settles it.”

“What settles what?” Kyle asked, suspiciously.

“I’m going to suggest to your parents that you stay with me while they’re gone.”

“Aww…Aunt Robyn,” Kyle groaned. “Come on. You used to be cool.”

“If you’re producing and starring in your own porn movies, I think you need some supervision,” Robyn remarked.

“They’re not porn,” Kyle muttered. “It’s not like I made any money off them.”

“Yeah…that makes it so much better.”

Kelly’s

Elizabeth picked at her plate of French fries. “I just can’t believe it,” she said softly. “It seems so…unreal.”

Lucky nodded. “Yeah. I mean, one minute you’re insulting the girl while she’s across the diner and the next, she’s dead. Really makes me want to apologize to the guy at Dad’s club that’s always picking at his teeth.”

She smirked. “You’re a real winner, you know that?” She sat forward, pushing her plate out of the way. “I’ve been thinking about this divorce settlement and I just don’t feel right about it.”

“You’re getting a lot of money and a free house and you’re getting rid of the jackass while you’re at it,” Lucky said. “What’s not to feel right about?”

Elizabeth rolled her eyes. “It’s not about that, Lucky. I just…I want him out of my life and having to receive alimony and living in a house he bought…I can’t do that. It just…it feels wrong.”

Lucky shrugged. “So don’t take it. Blackmail him. He did admit to you that he bribed Scott Baldwin not to call you. Tell him you’ll go to the cops unless he submits to your terms.”

“Yeah, so that I can be no better than him,” Elizabeth muttered. “No…there has to be some way to make him see reason.”

“Yeah. Blackmailing him would definitely make him see reason.”

“Lucky…” Elizabeth remarked, exasperated. She checked her watch. “You might want to clear out of here. Jessica Mitchell’s coming by and I know you despise her.”

“She’s a bloodsucker,” Lucky muttered.

“Gee, thanks, I think that’s the nicest thing you’ve ever said about me,” Jessica remarked from behind him. Lucky yelped and jumped a little.

“Damn it!”

Jessica grinned and sat down. “You make it so easy.”

Lucky scowled. “I’m out of here. I’m gonna go meet Nikolas and Emily. You wanna come over to the island after you’re done here?”

“Go to Wyndemere?” Elizabeth wrinkled her nose. “No way.”

“Thought so.” He stood and kissed her on the forehead. “See ya later.”

“So, how do you two know each other?” Jessica asked after Lucky was gone.

“We grew up together–almost got married before we realized what a mistake that would have been,” Elizabeth told her, deliberately glossing over their history.

“First loves–you’re lucky it turned into a friendship. I still don’t talk to my first boyfriend.” Jessica grimaced. “Ass.”

“Lucky’s my rock,” Elizabeth said simply. “Always has been, even before we ever got together. He, Emily and Nikolas, they’re my safe place. I know that I can always count on them.”

Jessica smiled. “Sounds perfect.” She hesitated. “So, how does Jason Morgan fit into this? And Sonny Corinthos?”

“A few years ago, I was in a bad place. Lucky had been kidnapped and we all thought he was dead,” Elizabeth began. “It was so horrible for me…for all of us. I was devastated but I tried to hide it, tried to pretend I was okay. You know, because if I were okay, everyone else felt like it okay to be okay…to move on. So I was trapped…because…”

“You weren’t okay,” Jessica supplied softly.

“Yeah.” Elizabeth sighed. “Eventually the pressure got to me and it was at the point where I just wanted to feel something–anything. So I got all dressed up and went looking for trouble.” She smiled then–a tiny one. “I found Jason instead and for the first time in a long time, it was okay to be sad, to be upset that he was gone and to really mourn him. Jason was really there for me at a time when I felt really alone.”

“So your friendship with Sonny springs from there?” Jessica asked.

“Yeah. When Jason was out of town, I’d go to Sonny for news on him and we were close. Sonny was there at the fire the night Lucky died and he caught me when I almost collapsed.” Elizabeth frowned. “He blamed himself at first but I told him it wasn’t his fault–it was mine. I’d given Lucky the candles.”

“It’s kind of weird to hear you talk about Lucky dying when I just saw him leave,” Jessica said, with a chuckle to lighten the mood.

Elizabeth smiled. “Yeah. It was a miracle to get him back.”

“What makes you think Sonny is innocent?” Jessica asked.

“Because I know him,” Elizabeth remarked. “He couldn’t do this–even if he thought himself capable of it in a blind rage, he didn’t do it. I know that he’s innocent, I know it like I know my own name. And I’d give anything to stop this–for the real guilty party to be brought to justice.”

“And you believe this is Faith Roscoe?” Jessica asked.

Elizabeth nodded. “Without a doubt. She’s the one who called me about Sonny and Ric’s fight, she’s the one who was always by, trying to get me out of Ric’s life. She’s the one who admitted to planting a snake in my studio. She wanted Ric for herself–and she would definitely not be above pushing a pregnant woman down a flight of stairs.” She sighed. “But there’s no real evidence.”

Jessica tilted her head to the side. “She admitted to planting the snake. Who’d she say that to?”

“Ric, she told Ric when he asked her.” Elizabeth shrugged. “What does that have to do with anything?”

Jessica’s face lit up. “I think I have an idea.”

 Corinthos Penthouse

Carly cleared her throat. “Janine called, wanting the details. I didn’t think it would hurt for her to come.”

Mike Corbin nodded and accepted the cup of coffee that Sonny handed him. Sonny sat next to him on the couch. “Janine was her mother, she deserves to be there.”

Carly glanced towards the door. “He hasn’t come out since we got home from the hospital. I’m so worried about him.”

“He’ll be okay,” Sonny said after a moment. “He just needs time to process–he might even leave town for a little while, but one day, he’ll be okay.”

Carly sighed. “I don’t know, Sonny. I want to believe that, but…I know Jason. I know better.”

“You could call Emily,” Mike suggested. “She’s always been good to him–she might be able to get through.”

“That’s a good idea,” Sonny replied. “Carly, why don’t you go do that?”

“Sure,” Carly replied. She grabbed her purse. “I’m going to the hospital to see Robyn. She’s getting released in a few days and…” She shrugged. “She was the last person to talk to Courtney. I just wanted to know what she might have said.”

“Carly…” Sonny protested.

“I’ll be fine,” Carly swore. She kissed him on the cheek and exited the penthouse.

Courtroom

“You’ve got to be kidding me,” Robyn grumbled under her breath as Scott petitioned for a continuance.

“On what grounds?” Judge Stevenson asked.

“One of my witnesses was flying out of LAX and his plane was grounded,” Scott replied. “He won’t be in until tomorrow and I can’t finish my case without him.”

“Which witness is this?” Robyn asked. “I don’t see him on the list.”

“He’s an expert witness,” Scott smirked. “Maybe if your secretary was old enough to vote, she might have given you the packet I sent over.”

Robyn frowned and twisted in her seat to search out Georgie. The young girl was scowling at the district attorney in confusion.

“I don’t remember any thing about an expert witness,” Dillon whispered under his breath. “And I must have copied every single piece of paper in existence.”

“He didn’t send anything,” Georgie hissed back. She bit her lip. “What if she fires me?”

“She’s not gonna fire you.”

“It doesn’t matter,” Robyn said, turning back to face the judge. “I have obviously not received any notice of this witness. I don’t know his qualifications, I don’t know what exactly he’s supposed to be an expert on–”

“Yes, Ms. Nichols, you’re quite right. However, I am going to grant Mr. Baldwin a two day continuance so that his witness may arrive and that you may get up to speed.” The judge rapped his gavel. “Court is in recess until Wednesday at 9 a.m.”

People started to get up and move and Robyn was muttering under her breath as she started to shove files and note pads into her briefcase.

“Ms. Nichols, I swear to God I never saw anything about any witness,” Georgie said in a rush as she practically flew up the aisle to her employer.

“Georgie–”

“I’ve filed everything and I’m really organized, there’s no way it got lost,” Georgie continued, her eyes filling with tears. “I’m so sorry–”

“Georgie–” Robyn tried again.

“That’s what you get, Robbie,” Scott cut in smoothly. He patted Georgie on the head like she was a five-year-old. “When you hire children, you get that kind of level of work in return.”

Dillon swatted Scott’s hand away from Georgie. “Don’t touch her,” he snapped.

“Dillon, shut up,” Georgie hissed.

“No, Dillon’s quite right,” Robyn corrected. “Scott, touch my assistant again and you’ll be on the floor, is that clear?”

“That’s no way to treat the district attorney,” Scott said, smirking.

“And furthermore, the next time you forget to notify me about a witness and you try to blame it on my more than capable staff, I will report you to the Ethics Committee, got that?”

“Whatever,” Scott replied. He glared at the Corinthos-Morgan group who were talking quietly behind them before heading to the back of the courtroom to talk to the media.

“I’m so sorry, Ms. Nichols,” Georgie started to apologize again.

“Georgie, you didn’t do anything wrong,” Robyn assured her. “Scott’s an idiot and trying to blame this on you. Now, do the two of you need a ride back to the office?”

“I do, Dillon’s going home,” Georgie said firmly.

“Your car’s the red Miata right?” Dillon asked, grinning. “Can you put the top down?”

“You’re going home,” Georgie said to him again.

“No, it will mess up my hair,” Robyn said smoothly. “I’ll meet you two at the car.”

Dillon and Georgie argued all the way out the door while Robyn turned back to Sonny and his family. “I can’t imagine what Baldwin’s got planned now, but I assure you that it’s going our way.”

“It certainly seems that way,” Carly said, feeling a bit better than she had in days. “With Elizabeth’s testimony, we should be okay, right?”

“Unless she does a 180 and decides Sonny pushed her, we’ll be fine,” Robyn assured her. “Listen, though, I don’t know that we can chance putting the guard on the stand.”

“Why not?” Jason asked. “Max’s an honest guy.”

“It’s not what I’m worried about,” Robyn replied. “I don’t want Scott cross-examining him. He can be ruthless and it might do us more harm than good.”

“We’ll do whatever you think is best,” Sonny said quietly. “Come on, Carly, let’s get back to the penthouse. We can spend the afternoon with Michael.”

Carly nodded and kissed Jason on the cheek. “We’ll see you for dinner, okay?”

“Okay.”

Robyn sighed. “Well at least I can stop by my nephew’s birthday party tonight,” she muttered to herself. As she passed Courtney, the blonde put an arm out to stop her. “Oh, what now?” she snapped.

“Can we talk?” Courtney asked. “I need to say something to you.”

“Fine, go ahead,” Robyn said, facing her.

“No…” she looked up at her fiancée. “I’ll meet you at the limo, okay?”

“Okay,” Jason remarked. “I’ll see you later,” he said to Robyn and exited the courtroom.

“Come on, walk me to my car,” Robyn sighed.

A Building Across the Street

“You see where those two teens are,” Faith gestured. She glanced at the dark-haired man kneeling in the window, a sniper’s rifle in his hands. “Another woman will come to the car. I want her shot.”

“Shot and killed? Or just shot?” the man asked after a moment.

“Just shot,” Faith murmured. “I want a message sent to Sonny.” She smirked. “But fire a few times. You know…for effect.”

Elizabeth’s Car

“So, tonight at seven?” Jessica said, leaning against the used Toyota Elizabeth had salvaged from a dealer. “Kelly’s?”

“Actually, why don’t we head over there now?” Elizabeth asked. “We can get some drinks and get this out of the way.”

“That sounds good,” Jessica remarked. “Let me go to my car and I’ll meet you there.”

Near the Courthouse Steps

“Hey, Johnny,” Jason greeted. “Aren’t you still on Elizabeth?”

“Yep,” the guard replied. He gestured to where the brunette was talking with a reporter. “She’s talking to Jessica Mitchell from the Port Charles Herald .”

“You know who she is?” Jason asked skeptically. He frowned at the guard.

“Yeah. I read,” Johnny replied defensively. “Her picture’s next to every editorial she writes.”

“Yeah, okay.” Jason shook his head and headed towards the two women.

“So, what exactly are you going to be asking?” Elizabeth said as he approached.

“Well, I’ll want a biographical approach at first,” Jessica answered. “Background of you, of your marriage and your relationship to Sonny and Jason–”

“Why?” Jason interrupted, stepping up behind her.

Jessica whirled around and momentarily lost her train of thought. “Uh…”

“Jason, it’s fine,” Elizabeth said, impatiently. “She’s on our side.”

“Yep. Completely,” Jessica confirmed. “I think Sonny is innocent and I hope to sway public opinion.” She hesitated, turned back to Elizabeth. “I’ll meet you at Kelly’s.” She hurried towards her own car, leaving them alone.

“So, what do you want?” Elizabeth asked after a moment of silence.

“I wanted to thank you for what you said to Sonny,” Jason told her. “He…was…he was worried that he might have done it.”

“I’m glad he believed me,” Elizabeth replied. “Because I hate that this is happening. I want this over as much as any of you.”

“I wish I could tell I was sorry to hear about your divorce,” Jason told her. “But I’m not. You’re better off.”

She smirked. “Well, I should belt you for being so arrogant, but you’re right. I am.” She tucked a piece of hair behind her ear. “You’ve got a great lawyer. Everything’s going to be fine.”

“Yeah. Yeah, we’re pretty confident,” Jason replied.

Before she could say anything else, she heard several gunshots in quick succession. She attempted to turn and look in the right direction but Jason pushed her to the ground. “Stay here,” he directed roughly.

Robyn’s Car

“I apologize for the way I’ve been acting lately,” Courtney said as they approached the car. “I’ve just been so worried about Sonny and everything. I know you’re doing the best you can.”

Robyn frowned and looked away. “Yeah. Okay. It’s fine.”

Courtney smiled. “Great. I’m glad we got this all worked out.”

Robyn nodded and turned to Georgie. “Georgie–”

Whatever she was going to say was lost in the sound of gun shots. There were six in quick succession. Georgie screamed as Dillon pushed her to the ground and before they could even begin to recover from the shock, Jason was there, bending over the fallen figures of Robyn and Courtney.

“Courtney!”

General Hospital

Elizabeth shifted uncomfortably as she sat next to Georgie and Dillon, waiting for news on Robyn and Courtney’s condition. It was impossible to tell who the target had been since according to the teens, they’d been standing side by side. Robyn had taken two shots, one to the arm and one to the leg. Courtney had taken just one, to the chest. It was serious, and she could see from Sonny and Carly’s expressions from across the lobby that it didn’t look good.

“She’s going to be okay, right?” Georgie asked. “I mean, people recover from this stuff all the time.”

“Right,” Dillon agreed.

The elevator doors slid open and another teen their age flew out of it and headed for the nurse’s station. “Robyn Nichols,” Kyle Radcliffe told them, slightly out of breath.

Georgie frowned and stood. “How do you know Robyn?”

At the familiar voice, Kyle turned and looked at her oddly. “She’s my aunt. How do you two know her?”

“I work for her,” Georgie answered.

” We work for her,” Dillon corrected, standing behind her. “She’s still in surgery.”

“What happened?” Kyle demanded. “All I got was the message on my machine to come down here. The rest of my family’s out of town–they won’t get back until tomorrow.”

“We were at the courthouse waiting to go back to the office when we heard these gun shots,” Georgie explained. “Robyn was shot in the arm and the leg and Courtney Matthews was shot in the chest.”

“My mom tried to tell her taking Sonny Corinthos as a client was a bad idea,” Kyle muttered. “How long has she been in surgery?”

“About an hour or so,” Dillon replied.

Elizabeth stood suddenly. “Oh no,” she murmured. Her eyes were trained on the sobbing Carly instead of the two statuesque men next to her.

Kyle frowned. “Who’s that?”

“Elizabeth Lansing, one of Robyn’s clients. She was there, too.” Georgie approached her. “Are you okay, Mrs. Lansing?”

“I think they just got news about Courtney,” Elizabeth said quietly. She pulled her cell phone out. “I’d better call Emily–Jason’s going to need her.” She started for the lounge where cells were allowed.

But Emily, Nikolas and Lucky piled out of the elevator next, having heard the news on the radio. Emily hugged Elizabeth before making a beeline for her brother.

“You okay?” Nikolas asked. “You weren’t hurt?”

Elizabeth shook her head. “No. A few scrapes when Jason pushed me to the ground, but I’m fine.”

“So, it was your lawyer and Courtney who were shot?” Lucky asked. “Is there any news?”

Elizabeth shook her head. “Robyn’s not out of surgery yet, but I think they got news about Courtney.”

Across The Room

Emily guided her brother into a chair. He hadn’t moved or even blinked since the doctor gave them the news. Too much bleeding, too much internal damage. The bullet had ruptured an artery and she hadn’t gotten to the hospital in time.

“I’m so sorry,” she whispered. She kneeled in front of him. “Is there anything you need?”

He didn’t speak and he wouldn’t speak for another two weeks.

Courtroom

Scott stood in front of the jury for a few silent moments, just peering at them. He had his hands in his pockets and was completely still.

After a few long moments, he finally spoke. “On May 22, 2003, Elizabeth Webber married Richard Lansing. She’s twenty-two and beautiful as anyone can plainly tell. She’s sitting in the back, by the way,” Scott gestured to where Elizabeth was sitting. “She was also pregnant.”

After long moment of silence.

“On May 23, 2003, Elizabeth Webber, now Elizabeth Lansing, met with the defendant, Michael Corinthos, Jr. at Rice Plaza. She met to plead for a truce between Sonny Corinthos and her husband, Ric Lansing, who had admitted to being Sonny’s half brother. A newlywed pregnant woman who just wanted peace in her family and really who can blame her?” Scott said with a charming smile.

Another moment.

“But after an unsuccessful meeting, Elizabeth, realizing she’d never get through to Sonny, walked away.” Scott surveyed the jury carefully, making eye contact with everyone. For all his shortcomings, when Scott wanted to be, he was an incredible lawyer and he’d never wanted to win a case so badly before.

“Elizabeth Lansing, a newlywed with a family to start doesn’t remember what happened after that point. She woke up in General Hospital almost ten hours later after surgery to correct internal bleeding and sadly, suffering a miscarriage.”

Scott turned and met Robyn’s eyes before looking at her client. “Ric Lansing found his wife lying unconscious at the bottom of the stairs at Rice Plaza and Elizabeth remembers being pushed. Now, if you remember, I told you that Elizabeth walked away first. She says that and the defendant agrees. She walked away from the fight but that wasn’t enough for Sonny Corinthos. To be defied openly by a woman, by the wife of his enemy…” Scott shook his head. “He wasn’t going to take that. He was going to finish this.”

Robyn shook her head and made some notations.

“Now, maybe he didn’t mean to push her, maybe he just reached out to grab her and to finish the fight. We don’t know. But what we do know is that Elizabeth Lansing was pushed down those steps and that they both admit the only other person there that night was Sonny Corinthos.”

“I will prove that there is no question that he pushed her. He is guilty of assault and I only wish we could prosecute him for the death of the child she was carrying because certainly, if anyonedeserves justice, it is that innocent child.”

Lucky wrapped an arm around Elizabeth’s trembling shoulders. Scott was reminding them all that the real crime here was not Elizabeth’s injuries, but the loss of her child. Lucky would agree with that, but he wished the defendant was at least guilty.

“Thank you,” Scott said another a moment of silence. He smiled charmingly before taking his seat.

“Ms. Nichols,” Judge Stevenson prompted.

Robyn cleared her throat, took a sip of her water and stood, smoothing her skirt down. “Good morning,” she said briskly as she rounded the table and faced the jury. “I’m Robyn Nichols and I represent the defendant, Michael Corinthos, Jr.”

“The state has most of its facts straight. Elizabeth Lansing did marry the day before the assault. She is twenty-two and she is sitting in the back. She did meet with Sonny Corinthos and she did walk away first. After that, she only remembers being pushed.”

“My client is a popular name to read in the Port Charles Herald,” Robyn continued. “But I remind you that doesn’t matter here. All that matters are the facts and the fact is, not even the victim believes Sonny Corinthos is guilty.”

There was a burst of whispers in the courtroom as Scott leapt up. “Objection.”

“You can’t object,” Judge Stevenson said. “Not if Ms. Nichols intends to back that statement up.”

“I will when Elizabeth Lansing testifies,” Robyn assured him. Scott sat back down and Robyn continued. “Mrs. Lansing will also testify that she and the defendant are friends, have been for years. She works for his wife’s mother in their diner. Her name has been linked several times to Mr. Corinthos and to his business partner Jason Morgan in the newspapers. There is no bad blood between the victim and my client, and Mrs. Lansing will confirm that.”

“My client has been charged because it was convenient. He and Mrs. Lansing were the only two present. But once Mrs. Lansing walked away, my client turned his back and walked inside. And at that time anyone could have come up the second set of stairs. Or…” Robyn paused. “Someone could have been waiting for Elizabeth to walk away. What matters is that Sonny Corinthos is not guilty and I have every confidence that you will return a verdict of not guilty.”

Robyn smiled at the jury before taking her seat.

“Your first witness, Mr. Baldwin.”

“The state calls Dr. Karl Oldham.”

Dr. Oldham was the doctor that had operated on Elizabeth and the general gist of his testimony was to report that Elizabeth had had some minor internal bleeding, a concussion and some bruised ribs. The fetus–Elizabeth had cringed when the doctor had referred to the baby that way–had been nine weeks old and the miscarriage was not unexpected, though they’d taken every precaution to prevent it.

When Scott was finished, Robyn had just one question. “Dr. Oldham, did any of Mrs. Lansing’s injuries indicate who had pushed her?”

“No.”

“Did Mrs. Lansing wake up at any point and tell you?”

“No.”

“Thank you.”

Dr. Oldham stepped down and Scott called Mac to the stand.

“Commissioner, you decided to handle this case personally didn’t you?” Scott asked once Mac had taken his seat and been sworn in.

“Yes, I felt that a personal approach to a case like this might be the better solution,” Mac answered.

“When you took Mrs. Lansing’s statement, did she state for the record that she had been arguing with the defendant and if so, what was the argument about?”

“She stated that she and the defendant were talking heatedly and she indicated that the conversation was about her husband.”

“Did Mrs. Lansing indicate whether or not she saw Sonny walk away before she headed for the stairs?”

“No,” Mac answered stiffly.

“You later interviewed Sonny Corinthos. Did his statement fit Mrs. Lansing’s?” Scott asked.

“Their statements agreed right up until the end. Mr. Corinthos remarked that Mrs. Lansing walked away first and then he left.”

“What about Sonny’s guard, Max Giambetti?”

“Mr. Barker stated that he was waiting inside and did not see anything. Mr. Corinthos came inside and they left.”

“Is there any evidence indicating that Sonny Corinthos actually walked away?”

“No,” Mac said reluctantly. “Other than his word.”

“Thank you.” Scott returned to his seat.

Robyn stood. “Just a few questions, Commissioner. Did Mrs. Lansing indicate what she thought when it became apparent that my client was the prime suspect?”

“Objection, speculation,” Scott barked without bothering to stand.

“Overruled.”

“Mrs. Lansing stated that she did not think Mr. Corinthos was guilty. That she knew him and did not believe him capable of pushing her.”

“Did Mrs. Lansing give you any other names during the course of your investigation?” Robyn asked.

“Objection, leading the witness.”

“I’ll rephrase,” Robyn said quickly. “Commissioner, during the investigation, was Sonny Corinthos the only suspect?”

“No,” Mac answered. “We also suspected Faith Roscoe. Mr. Lansing stated that Mrs. Roscoe had placed a poisonous snake in his wife’s studio and later admitted it to him.”

“Is Faith Roscoe still a viable suspect?” Robyn asked.

“Until someone is convicted,” Mac answered, “the investigation remains open.”

“Is there any other evidence that Faith Roscoe might have committed this crime?”

“Mrs. Lansing told me that Mrs. Roscoe called that night and told her that Sonny and Ric were still angry with each other,” Mac replied. “Mrs. Lansing indicated that she was worried since both men have volatile tempers and had fought badly in the past.”

“And Mrs. Lansing thinks it’s possible that Mrs. Roscoe might have wanted to lure her from her apartment that night?”

“Objection, leading the witness.”

“I’ll rephrase,” Robyn said again. “Commissioner, what did Mrs. Lansing say in regards to this call?”

“Mrs. Lansing got the feeling that Mrs. Roscoe wanted her to talk to Sonny. After which, she called the defendant.”

“Commissioner Scorpio, do you believe that my client is guilty with the crime he is charged with?”

“No,” Mac answered, spurring more fervent whispers. “No, I don’t. And I intend to continue the investigation.”

“Thank you. No further questions.”

“Redirect your Honor,” Scott said. “Commissioner, is there any evidence that Faith Roscoe was even present the night in question?”

“No.”

“Thank you.”

“You may step down, Commissioner.”

“It’s going okay, don’t you think?” Elizabeth asked softly. She searched Lucky’s eyes before looking at Emily and Nikolas. “Robyn’s doing a good job.”

“She is,” Lucky said. “But…”

“But what?” Elizabeth asked.

“But this is still Sonny Corinthos on trial. They might not care.”

She sighed and watched as Scott shuffled his notes. He called the paramedic who’d taken Elizabeth to the hospital. He’d just recited the injuries again, said that the fetus had been in distress at that point. No, Mrs. Lansing didn’t wake the entire trip to the hospital.

Once the paramedic stepped down, the judge called a recess for lunch and Elizabeth stood on shaky legs. “Scott’s at the end of his case already. I don’t know if that’s a good thing or not.”

“It is, he has no evidence,” Nikolas assured her. He wrapped an arm around Elizabeth. “Let’s go to the Grille for lunch.”

“Can I meet you there?” Elizabeth asked. “I need to speak with Robyn.”

“Sure,” Summer said. “Do you want me and Lucky to wait? We’ll drive you over.”

“It’s only a few blocks, I’ll be fine,” Elizabeth replied. They left the courtroom and she hesitantly approached the front of the courtroom where the Corinthos-Morgan family was still seated, whispering among themselves.

“Robyn?” Elizabeth said.

“What do you want?” Courtney demanded. “Can’t you see she’s busy?”

Robyn glared at the blonde. “I can speak for myself,” she seethed. “I’ve got it all under control anyway.” She stood and pulled Elizabeth aside. “I wanted to speak with you anyway. Your husband dropped off some notes–”

“I know. I just wanted to know what they were,” Elizabeth said. “I was hoping they weren’t anything like outrageous so that he can stall the proceedings.”

“Actually, they’re pretty straightforward,” Robyn remarked. She moved aside back to the table to fish out Ric’s notes. Forgetting the interested stares of her client and his family, she started to read. “He wants to give you a two hundred thousand dollar settlement, to buy you a house in any location in town and an alimony of about three thousand a month. He said he wanted to have it higher, but he was worried you’d reject.”

Elizabeth stared at her. “Let me get this straight. Ric just wants to give me a settlement, a house and some alimony?”

Robyn nodded. “I was surprised. From his reaction at the arraignment, I was expecting more of a fight, but he just said that the divorce was something you seemed to want and he wanted to do what was right for you for a change.” She peered at her client. “What do you think?”

“Isn’t this a conflict of interest?” Courtney demanded suddenly. Robyn and Elizabeth turned to the blonde. “I mean, Sonny is on trial for pushing you, Elizabeth. Couldn’t you have found your own damn lawyer?”

“Excuse me for a moment,” Robyn said, “I see that I have a blonde to kill.” She glared at her client’s sister. “What did I tell you about pretending that I work for you?” she demanded.

“You can’t talk to me like that!”

“The hell I can’t. I don’t take orders from you, you insipid little twit. In case you didn’t notice, Elizabeth here is on Sonny’s side. There is no conflict of interest because Elizabeth agrees that he’s innocent,” Robyn snarled. “You moron.”

“Okay, watch it,” Carly declared, rising to her feet. “You should have more respect for her.”

“As soon as she respects that I pick my own clients, that I can handle my own case,” Robyn retorted. “She is not my keeper. The only person I answer to is my assistant.” She frowned. “Speaking of which, where is Georgie?”

“Right here, Ms. Nichols,” Georgie piped up nervously from the row behind Courtney, Carly and Jason. “I didn’t want to interrupt.”

“Okay, good.” Robyn pressed a hand to her temple. “Take Miss Matthews outside for some coffee or something since she can’t endeavor to keep her mouth shut.”

“Robyn,” Jason said. “Could you just knock off the smart ass comments?”

“Sure. As soon as your fiancée butts the hell out.” Robyn shook her head and looked at Dillon next to Georgie. “Wait, change that. Dillon, you take the fiancée. Georgie, come over her and take notes for me, okay?”

“So does this mean I have a job?” Dillon asked, grinning.

“Yeah, you’re my host,” Robyn remarked dryly. “Take her.”

“This isn’t over,” Courtney snarled as she followed Dillon out of the courtroom.

“Goody,” Robyn muttered. “Okay, are the three of you okay while I finish this divorce thing for Elizabeth?” she asked Carly, Sonny and Jason.

“You’re getting divorced?” Carly asked surprised. “Why?”

“I would think it was obvious,” Elizabeth remarked coolly. “Robyn…I have no objections save for one. I don’t want that much of a settlement. Tell him to name any number under a hundred thousand and he’s got a deal. I also don’t want him present when I pick out this house. I really don’t want a damn thing from him, but I’d rather take it and have this over more quickly.”

“That’s fine.” Robyn glanced at Georgie. “You got that.”

“No more than a hundred thousand for settlement and stay out of her face during house hunting,” Georgie read back.

“That works,” Elizabeth replied. “I need to get to lunch. When do you think you’re calling me?”

“If Scott rests his case after lunch like I expect he will?” Robyn shrugged. “As soon as I open my case. You’re my star witness, kid. So be prepared. Don’t eat any pasta.”

“Pasta?” Elizabeth echoed.

“Yeah, I had a witness who had some pasta before she went on the stand. She got so nervous and completely hurled. Pasta looks much worse coming back up,” Robyn reported.

“Well, there goes my appetite,” Elizabeth murmured, smiling. “See you after lunch.”

PC Grille

Jessica Mitchell was waiting at the entrance of the restaurant, just out of sight from Elizabeth’s table.

Elizabeth had to smile at the reporter’s tactics and she approached her first. “Hi, I’m Elizabeth Lansing. My friend Lucky told me that you were looking for me.”

Jessica blinked. “Wow. You…you just came right up to me. That’s…that’s never happened before.”

“Oh?” Elizabeth asked. “How long have you been doing this?”

“A year, but this is my first real story. I’ve been doing obituaries and birth announcements and a few editorials up until now,” Jessica said. “The only reason I got this assignment was that Lily Bueller is on maternity leave, Frank Josephs is on vacation and Barb Neilsen has been banned from covering stories that cover Sonny Corinthos.”

“So, you were kind of the last resort?” Elizabeth asked.

“Yes.”

“I like that.” She gestured to the inside of the restaurant. “Join us for lunch. We can set up a good time to meet and talk.”

“You’d really give me an interview?”

“An exclusive one,” Elizabeth said as they walked inside.

“Why?” the reporter asked. “I mean, you don’t even know me.”

“No, but I like what I’ve seen so far,” Elizabeth replied.

“What did you bring her for?” Lucky complained, catching sight of Jessica.

Jessica narrowed her eyes. “You’re a horse’s ass, you know that right?”

“Okay, okay, Jessica is here as my guest,” Elizabeth cut off Lucky’s angry retort. “I’ve decided to give her an interview but right now, she’s not a reporter and I’m not the story. We’re going to have lunch and go back to the courthouse, okay?”

Nikolas stood and pulled an empty chair for Jessica. “Ms. Mitchell, I’m Nikolas Cassadine. This is Emily Quartermaine, Summer Holloway and you know the horse’s ass.” Lucky tossed his brother an nasty look.

“Thank you, and it’s Jessica,” she remarked, taking her seat. Nikolas pulled another chair out for Elizabeth.

“So, what do you think of the trial so far?” Emily asked Jessica. “Do you think it’s going well?”

“I think both sides have scored some good points. Robyn Nichols is a good lawyer, she’ll get Sonny acquitted, but she’s got her work cut out for her. Even with Elizabeth’s testimony, people still have a view of Sonny Corinthos that’s not altogether flattering,” Jessica answered briskly as she flipped her menu open.

“And not altogether undeserved,” Nikolas supplied.

“Robyn was right in bringing up Faith Roscoe, though. Faith is more of a mystery to the jury. By placing the blame on her and bringing her into light, she takes the shine from Sonny. She’ll probably portray Sonny as a businessman who loves his family while Faith is just an obsessive bitch.”

“Sounds like you know Faith,” Elizabeth murmured, a tiny smile on her face.

“You can’t have lived in this town over the last year and not have come across Faith Roscoe,” Jessica replied. “She’s a bitch who practically haunts the docks and unfortunately, that’s where my apartment is.”

“So, what angle are you going for in your story?” Nikolas inquired.

“I thought we weren’t going to do this over lunch,” Elizabeth protested.

“No, no, it’s okay,” Jessica cut in. She cleared her throat. “The main story is Elizabeth. My predecessor made the mistake of concentrating on Sonny, but Lily’s an idiot. I think the real story here is Elizabeth and her past friendship with Sonny. If I can get some people to concentrate on Sonny the man instead of Sonny the abstract mobster, he’ll be more firmly rooted in reality for the reader and the opinion polls might swing the other way.”

“But the opinion polls mean nothing,” Lucky interrupted.

“On the contrary, I’ve done some research. Scott Baldwin keeps up with the public opinion polls. The more the public swings the opposite way, the more flustered he gets during the trial. The more points he loses, the more ground Robyn can cover. It’s all very simple.”

“Well, if you think you can swing the popular opinion the other way,” Elizabeth said. “Then I think we need to do this.”

“Great,” Jessica said, pleased. “At your earliest convienence of course.”

“I still say this is a bad choice.”

Elizabeth glared at Lucky. “Lucky, I know you’re trying to be supportive. Shut up.”

He glared right back at her. “Why can’t you just stay out of sight? The more you go public with the idea that Faith did this, the more she’ll want to come after you and finish the job. I don’t want that to happen.”

“And I’m not going to hide just because Ric’s obsessive and psychotic one night stand is after me,” Elizabeth retorted. She looked at Jessica. “Tonight. Meet me at Kelly’s at seven.”

“Gotcha.”

Emily and Nikolas exchanged uneasy glances. “Let’s change the subject,” Emily said awkwardly. “Summer, how’s the new job? Do you like Kelly’s?”

Courtroom

Just after lunch and just before the court was called to order, Faith Roscoe entered and sat in the very back row, her eyes trained intently on the defendant’s table. She’d had someone reporting back to her about what was said in here and that fact that her name had been mentioned worried her.

Perhaps it was time to send a message to the Corinthos family.

Lansing Apartment

He stared at the sheaf of papers he’d been served with that morning. Today was the opening arguments for the trial and he’d been getting ready to attend when the process server had knocked on the door.

It’d been a week since Elizabeth had walked out. She’d come in the next day and cleared some of her things but Ric had still thought it was temporary. He’d never expected her to go to this Robyn Nichols woman and file for divorce.

She’d already signed the papers and it pained him to see her flowery script on every pages. She’d initialed every page and then signed the last few. She wanted no alimony, no settlement. She just wanted the marriage to be over and if he signed these papers, it would be.

He set them aside and rubbed his temple. His blind hatred for Sonny had been running his life for so long that the second he’d had a chance at a different life, he’d gotten scared. Sure, he’d tried for a week or so. He’d buried himself in trying to open a law practice here, in thinking about Elizabeth.

But then the opportunity had presented itself. Scott Baldwin had tracked him down and asked him how it felt to know that his own wife would help set Sonny Corinthos free, the man who’d pushed her and killed their baby. Ric had scoffed at that, Sonny hadn’t done it. Elizabeth believed it and that was enough for him.

But then Scott had told him a little story about his daughter, Karen. About how Sonny had tempted her into drugs and stripping, about why his daughter had ended up a drug addict when she was barely finished high school. Now, a man like that, who’d seduced an impressionable young girl, well a man like that was capable of anything, Scott had mused.

Ric had told him Elizabeth had made her mind up to testify for Sonny and he wasn’t going to be able to change her mind.

And then Scott had posed the question. What if Elizabeth didn’t testify? Sonny would be charged, then. He’d go to trial. His name alone would get him convicted.

Ric refused at first. Elizabeth would testify at trial–the defense lawyer could call her if Scott didn’t. Not if Ric could take her on a nice long honeymoon, Scott had suggested.

It was a tempting idea and at first, Ric thought he might be able to pull it off. He could manipulate the situation and get Elizabeth out of town to miss the trial. And his burning need to make Sonny pay had taken over his life again.

He’d agreed. He’d paid the money Scott had proposed and it was too late to go back then.

And now Elizabeth had walked out on him. The sound of the door shutting echoed in his mind every time he saw something of hers lying around the apartment. She loved him, she’d said, but she couldn’t trust him.

And she was right. She couldn’t. Because he’d never be able to guarantee to let go of his hatred of his half-brother. Not even for Elizabeth. He’d tried, but he’d failed.

Ric studied the papers again before tossing them aside and taking out some paper to make some notes. Elizabeth would get her divorce.

But on his terms.

Courthouse

Robyn Nichols was the picture of perfection that morning. She’d prepared relentlessly for the last week and a half, only taking a few moments to prepare Elizabeth Lansing’s divorce papers.

She’d worked late every night, worked on pretrial motions until her eyes crossed. She’d come so close to getting Scott excused from the case because of his daughter Karen, but at the last moment, the judge had back off and allowed Scott to continue.

She’d prepared witness statement after statement. From Elizabeth as her star witness, to Max Giambetti, the body guard who would testify that his boss had been upset when he left but not enough to do anything to Elizabeth.

Georgie had worked just late as late with every night, but the young girl had always been in the office before Robyn arrived, fresh coffee brewing. Robyn was beginning to think the girl was either inhuman or very goal-oriented. Either way, she didn’t regret hiring her.

Dillon Quartermaine had proved to be persistent presence outside the office. He brought Georgie breakfast, forced her out to lunch and brought dinner. He didn’t leave all day and Robyn had a feeling that until he convinced the girl to at least go out with him once, he wasn’t leaving.

She’d put him to work copying and collating.

She was prepared as she ever going to be.

Carly and Sonny strode down the aisle of the courtroom, Sonny taking his place at defense table while Carly sat behind him. Jason and Courtney entered a few moments later and sat next to Carly.

“Tell me again,” Carly asked leaning forward. “Tell me again that you can do this.”

Robyn sighed and turned towards her client’s wife. “Mrs. Corinthos, I assure you. There’s absolutely no reason why we should lose.”

Carly nodded and sat back. “Okay, okay.”

“She’s just a little nervous,” Sonny told her, keeping his voice low. “With the baby and everything.”

“I understand,” Robyn remarked. She turned and caught sight of Georgie entering the courtroom, Dillon hot on her heels.

“Go home,” Georgie hissed as she approached the table. Dillon just grinned and took a seat in the second row. “I’m sorry, Ms. Nichols, but he totally followed me from my house and he won’t listen to me.”

Robyn smirked. “I feel like I should be paying him salary now. Don’t worry about it. I’ve got everything I need for right now. Go sit next to your boyfriend.”

“He’s not my boyfriend,” Georgie said, irritated but she went and sat next to Dillon. “I hate you.”

“You love me.”

“Ha.”

She folded her arms tightly and decided to give him the silent treatment. He was making it real difficult for her to turn him down.

“Hey, that’s the husband, isn’t it?” Dillon asked, nudging her arm.

“I’m not talking to you.”

“No, seriously. He’s talking to Robyn.”

Georgie focused on her boss and watched as Ric Lansing handed Robyn some papers. “What’s he doing?”

“I believe we already established this. He’s talking to Robyn.”

“That’s Ms. Nichols and don’t be an idiot. I mean what’s he giving her?” Georgie craned her neck. “She’s representing his wife in the divorce.”

“Yeah, that’s right. Wasn’t he supposed to be served today?”

She eyed him. “How’d you know that?”

“I practically work there now, remember?”

“Because you won’t leave!”

Dillon was about to reply when Ric Lansing passed him and strode out of the court room. “I hope he doesn’t give his wife a hard time about this divorce thing.”

“I feel so bad for her you know?” Georgie sighed. “Losing her baby, her marriage crumbling, it must suck.”

“Well, it just teaches you to seize every opportunity,” Dillon decided. Georgie glared at him.

“Don’t think I don’t know that wasn’t a veiled hint,” she muttered.

“If you didn’t get the hidden meaning, then you wouldn’t have been as smart as everyone gives you credit for.”

“Jerk.”

Courtroom Hallway

Lucky was escorting Elizabeth past a group of reporters when she saw Ric heading her way. She blanched and pulled Lucky into a corner to avoid her soon to be ex-husband. “He was served today.”

“I know. But you’ll have to talk to him sometime,” Lucky told her.

“I know. But it shouldn’t have to be today,” Elizabeth replied. Much to her chagrin, Ric spotted her anyway.

“Elizabeth, can we speak for moment?” he asked.

“Go ahead,” Elizabeth said, folding her arms tightly.

Ric eyed Lucky for a moment before looking back at his wife. “Alone?”

She sighed. “Okay. Five minutes.” She followed Ric down the hall. Lucky watched them intently until someone tapped on his shoulder.

He turned and frowned when he saw an attractive brunette dressed in a tank top and jeans. “I’m sorry. Do we know each other?”

“Jessica Mitchell,” she said briskly, extending her hand. “I’m taking over the trial for Lily Bueller.”

He frowned. “Lily Bueller as in Port Charles Herald Lily Bueller?”

“That would be her. She’s going on maternity leave and I was–” Jessica broke off abruptly as Lucky turned and started to walk away. “Wait a second. Will you just listen to me a moment?”

He spun around. “I’ve had to it up to here with reporters dogging Elizabeth. She’s not some freak on display, she’s a human being who’s suffered a loss–”

“I know that and that’s why I wanted to speak with you,” Jessica interrupted. “I don’t agree with the Herald‘s position. I don’t think Sonny Corinthos pushed her and I would like the opportunity to interview Mrs. Lansing.”

“You don’t honestly think that’s going to work, do you?” he scoffed.

“I’m not lying,” Jessica said, irritated. “Look, I’m going to write the story I want to write anyway, so it doesn’t matter to me if I interview her or not. I just thought the article would look better with a quote from her.”

“Yeah, you reporters rarely give a damn about the truth, right?” Lucky bit out.

“Whoa, where is this hostility coming from?” she demanded. “I think I’ve been very polite and cordial. I’m agreeing with her position on the events. I just thought she’d like the opportunity to tell her side.”

“She told her side to Lily Bueller and that wench just twisted her words,” Lucky retorted. “Why should she trust you?”

“Because I am not Lily Bueller and I don’t appreciate being treated like I have a disease because I’m a journalist.” Jessica flipped her dark hair over her shoulder and glared at him. “You had your chance. I’ll just try and track down Mrs. Lansing by myself.”

“You do that,” Lucky replied. He noticed Summer arriving over her shoulder and pushed past her to go meet his girlfriend.

At the other end of the hallway, Ric was explaining the reason for his presence at the courtroom.

“I dropped off a list of objections I have to the divorce papers with your lawyer,” he admitted.

“What possible objection could you have?” Elizabeth demanded. “All I’m asking is that you sign the papers. I don’t want the apartment, money, anything from you. I just want you to leave me alone!”

He winced as her words hit him and looked away. “I understand that. And you’ll get the divorce if that’s what you want. But on my terms–”

“Everything about us has always been on your terms,” Elizabeth interrupted heatedly. “Why can’t it be my way for once?”

“Just talk to Ms. Nichols,” Ric pleaded. “Look over the changes I suggested before you decide.”

“I’ve already decided!” Elizabeth said exasperated. “I just want this entire situation over with already!”

“And it will be,” Ric shot back. “You just need to give me a chance to make this right–”

“You can’t make this right! What do I have to make you see that?” Elizabeth bit out angrily. “All you had to do was let go of this stupid vendetta with Sonny and we would have been fine!”

“I know that,” Ric hissed back. “You think I don’t hate myself for even accepting a meeting with Scott Baldwin?”

“Why?” she pleaded. “Why did you sacrifice us just to get back at Sonny?” Her eyes filled with tears. “Why wasn’t I enough?”

“I don’t know,” Ric confessed. “I know that I will never get past this thing with Sonny if I stay in Port Charles.” He stepped closer. “Come with me, Elizabeth. We can start over. Somewhere else.”

She closed her eyes. Part of her wanted to give in. She did love him after all. It wasn’t as though her feelings had vanished when she’d walked out. But the reason for her leaving still existed. She still didn’t trust him.

She took a much needed step back and shook her head. “I can’t, Ric. My life is here. And yours isn’t. It’s that simple.”

He nodded and looked away, down the hall where Lucky was standing with Summer, glaring at him. “Okay,” Ric replied. “Just…talk to your lawyer before you decide, okay?”

“Okay,” Elizabeth agreed. She sighed. “They’re starting opening arguments. I need to go.” She started to walk away.

“Elizabeth,” Ric called. She turned halfway to look at him. “I love you. You know that right?”

She sighed and looked at her feet. “Yeah. I know that.” She didn’t say anything else, just finished walking to Lucky and Summer. They disappeared into the courtroom.

Courtroom

Carly watched Elizabeth enter the courtroom and sit near the back, Lucky and Summer on either side of her. After another moment, Emily and Nikolas entered, sliding into seats next to Lucky.

“Ric’s not with her,” Carly said suddenly. Jason twisted in his seat and frowned when he realized his friend was right.

“That’s strange,” Courtney mused. “You’d think he’d jump at the chance to see Sonny go to jail.”

“He’s probably out, fabricating more evidence against Sonny,” Carly muttered.

“Maybe he’s not here because he doesn’t want to be around his wife,” Robyn muttered under her breath. Sonny frowned and leaned towards her.

“What does that mean?”

“What?” Robyn asked startled. “What does what mean?”

“Why wouldn’t Ric want to be around Elizabeth?” Sonny asked, his voice carrying behind him to the trio.

“Maybe he finally woke up and saw what a naïve little brat she is,” Courtney suggested.

“Maybe he’s a little upset because she walked out on him and is suing him for divorce,” Robyn shot back, irritating with the blonde’s know-all attitude. Stupid twit couldn’t find her way out of a paper box if her idiot fiancé showed her how.

Courtney widened her eyes. “What?”

“Nothing,” Robyn said quickly. She turned. “We’re getting ready to start, so let’s concentrate on the matter at hand, okay?”

Back of the Courtroom

Elizabeth frowned. “Jessica Mitchell. I seem to remember an editorial by her a few weeks ago. About the Nurse’s Ball and how it being canceled two years in a row was a travesty.”

“I remember that article,” Emily said. “She seemed like a really witty and intelligent writer. Maybe you should talk to her, Elizabeth.”

“I don’t think so,” Lucky said stubbornly. “They don’t care about the truth. They just want to sell papers.”

“Be that as it may, she did say she thought Sonny didn’t do it,” Elizabeth reminded him. “That’s got to count for something.”

“Maybe,” Lucky said grudgingly, “but–”

“Lucky do you trust anyone?” Summer joked. “Maybe this reporter will write a good story.”

“What do you think Nikolas?” Elizabeth asked, knowing he’d at least pretend to be reasonable.

“I think you should do whatever it is you think is right,” Nikolas said easily.

Elizabeth smiled. “Good. I’m going to talk to her.”

Lucky snorted and shook his head. “No good can come from this.”

Front

“Please rise for the Honorable Judge Stevenson. The State of New York versus Michael Corinthos, Jr. will begin momentarily.”

Lansing Apartment

Elizabeth quietly unlocked the door and then relocked it behind her. Ric was looking out the window across the way and didn’t turn to acknowledge her presence.

“Scott Baldwin didn’t call me to testify for a reason today,” Elizabeth said softly. “I just want to know if you’re that reason.”

He turned finally and sighed. “Elizabeth, I didn’t mean that earlier. You know how much I was looking forward to our child.”

“And now that it’s gone, it’s back to business as usual?” she asked. “Destroying Sonny–finding any and all reasons to blame him?”

“It is his fault,” Ric snapped angrily. “He yelled at you, he pushed you down the stairs. You wouldn’t have been there if it weren’t for him!”

“I called him there to meet with me. I put myself in that situation, not Sonny!” Elizabeth cried. “And the more I think about it, the more I think it was Faith who pushed me!”

Ric stared at her for a moment. “What makes you say that?”

“Because she was here before I called Sonny. She told me that Sonny was going to go after you!” Elizabeth closed her eyes and drug her hands through her hair. “Oh my God, she set me up.”

Ric hesitated. “Are you sure?”

“Yes!” Elizabeth said. She crossed to the desk. “I have to call Mac right now and tell him.”

“Wait.” Ric rushed over to her and put his hand over hers, blocking the phone. “Wait a second.”

“Why?” Elizabeth demanded. “Faith did it–it had to be her. Who else would do something like this?” She narrowed her eyes. “And if you say Sonny, so help me God…”

“Just let me handle this, okay?” Ric asked. “Let me take care of this.”

Elizabeth shook her head. “No. I’m through letting people take of things for me. Sonny is sitting in a jail cell for something we know he didn’t do–”

“You don’t know that!” Ric cut in. “Just because Faith was here before you called Sonny, that doesn’t mean anything!”

“We are not having this argument again,” Elizabeth replied irritated. “I’m doing the right thing and I’m telling Mac. And if Mac can’t get the charges dropped, I’ll tell Sonny’s lawyer so she can call Faith at trial. Either way, Sonny is going to–”

“When are people going to stop defending that man?” Ric shouted. “You all think he’s some sort of god, in capable of doing any wrong! He’s a murderer! A criminal, damn it!”

“And you’re any better?” Elizabeth shot back. “You wanted to work for Sonny! And what about that engagement with Courtney? What were you blackmailing her with? You like to think Sonny is this horrible person responsible for everything that’s wrong with your life but he’s not!”

Ric looked away from her abruptly and stalked away from her, ripping his fingers through his hair. “I can’t do this right now.”

She stared at him. “This is never going to end with you is it?” Elizabeth asked softly.

He whirled around. “Elizabeth, Sonny–”

“You chose to hate him. You chose to spend your life destroying him!” She crossed her arms and glared at him. “You will never let it go.”

“You don’t understand–”

“Are you the reason that Scott didn’t call me?” Elizabeth demanded. “Did you bribe him or do whatever else it is you do to stop him from calling me?”

“Yes.” Ric exhaled slowly. “Yes, I did. And I’m not sorry for it. He ruined our dream–don’t you understand that?”

“No one ruined our dream!” Elizabeth cried. “If it was anyone, it was Faith.”

“Elizabeth–”

“I need to go.” She headed for the door and turned back to look at him. “I love you, Ric. I really do. But until you’re ready to let this go and be the man you promised me you were, I can’t be here with you.”

“No, wait, please–”

The door clicked softly shut.

PCPD

Elizabeth sighed. “So, there’s nothing you can do?”

Mac shook his head. “No. Not right now. But we have a name and Faith has a known motive. We can work with it.”

“Okay. That’s good.” She sighed again and rubbed her forehead. “I just want this all to be over.”

Mac hesitated, thought twice about asking it but went ahead with it anyway. “How is Mr. Lansing handling this?”

Elizabeth shook her head. “He’s not. He’s determined to believe it was Sonny and I–” she broke off and sighed again. “I’m sorry. You don’t need to hear any of this.”

“As much as I hate Sonny Corinthos, I hope his lawyer does a good job and the right thing happens,” Mac told Elizabeth. He walked her to the door of his office. “I don’t want us to finally nail him for something he didn’t do.”

“Me neither,” Elizabeth agreed. “I’m testifying for the defense by the way–at the trial. I thought you should know that.”

“Yeah, that’s what I figured.”

Kelly’s

Elizabeth stepped inside the darkened diner, its only occupant Lucas Jones who was closing. “Hey…is Lucky Spencer in his room?”

“Yeah,” Lucas replied. “He told me if you came by again, that you could just go on up.”

“Okay, thanks.”

“Oh, my mother wanted to tell you congratulations,” Lucas told her as she passed him. “On your marriage.”

Elizabeth’s smile was tight. “She might want to hold that congratulations.”

“Oh?”

“Ric and I are separated,” Elizabeth reported. She shrugged. “Losing the baby and this thing with Sonny…” she waved her hand. “It’s been too much, I guess.”

“I’m sorry to hear that.”

She nodded. “I’m just gonna go upstairs now. Thanks, Lucas.”

“Yeah, sure.”

Lucky’s Room

“I left him,” were the first words out of Elizabeth’s mouth when Lucky opened the door.

He frowned. “What changed?”

“I don’t know,” Elizabeth sighed as she passed him and entered his room. “I didn’t go home–I went to park and ran into Emily. We talked and she pointed out that no matter how much I love him, it doesn’t matter if I don’t trust him.”

“And then?” Lucky prompted.

“And then I went home and found Ric bribed Scott not to call me,” Elizabeth reported. “He wants to blame Sonny even though I’m sure Faith Roscoe pushed me. And I can’t be with him unless he gives up this insane vendetta.”

“I’m glad you see it and that you’ve made this decision.”

Elizabeth sank onto his bed. “I don’t understand how I can keep making these mistakes over and over again. Why can’t I just pick the right person?”

“I don’t know,” Lucky replied. He sat next to her. “And I’m sorry it had to be like this.”

“He won’t change. I want him to. I want to be with him–but I can’t…I can’t trust him and that has to matter.”

“You’re right.”

“I have to start opening my eyes to the way Ric is. I know that he won’t change and since that I can’t live like this, our marriage is essentially over.”

“Do you think if the baby had lived–do you think it’d be different?”

Elizabeth sighed and looked away. “Maybe. Maybe he could have been happy with me and a family we’d build together. But his hate would have to go somewhere. And eventually…it would come back. And I can’t live like that.”

“You can stay here as long as you need to,” Lucky promised.

“As soon as this trial is over and I’ve filed the papers to divorce Ric…I’m gonna leave town for a while,” Elizabeth told him.

He frowned. “For how long?”

Elizabeth shrugged. “I don’t know. I just…I guess I feel like I need to get out of here for a while. Maybe I just need some time.”

“I got a suggestion,” Lucky reported. “Nikolas has that estate in Greece. Not the one Stefan lives at, but another one. I think it’s actually on the island Crete. I was there once, last summer. Nikolas, Gia and I stopped there after our trip last year. I’m sure he’d let you spend some time there. Maybe Emily, me and him could join you.”

“The Four Musketeers ride again?” Elizabeth quipped lamely.

“Yeah, sure.” Lucky smiled easily. “Why not?”

Port Charles Courthouse

Robyn smiled triumphantly as she exited the courtroom Monday morning, with an exuberant Carly and quiet Sonny in front of her. She’d been able to get him out on bail with little trouble and she was even more confident she’d win at trial.

“Georgie, what appointments do I have for this afternoon?” she asked her assistant who was trailing after her. When the young girl didn’t answer her, Robyn halted, letting Sonny and Carly exit the building. “Hey, what’s with you? You’ve been spaced out since I picked up this morning.”

Georgie sighed and shook her head. “I’m sorry. A million things are going through my mind. Uh, appointments. You’ve got Elizabeth Lansing at one-thirty, Max Giambetti at three. I think that’s about it for now.”

“Okay, thanks.” Robyn studied her. “What’s wrong?”

“Nothing’s wrong,” Georgie huffed. “Boys are idiots, nothing new there.”

Robyn smirked as she unlocked her door and hit the automatic lock to let Georgie in. “Boy trouble?”

“Boys making unnecessary trouble where none exists,” Georgie muttered as she got into the car buckled her seatbelt. “Honestly, why does a person have to take a perfectly good friendship and just twist it and confuse it?”

Robyn sighed. “Which boy is it this time? The one who got you the job? Or the one that works at Kelly’s?”

“Dillon Quartermaine,” Georgie muttered. “He told me he liked me last night.”

Robyn raised her eyebrows. “Well, that explains why he went to all that trouble of getting you this job.”

Georgie narrowed her eyes. “What?”

“Well, I wasn’t going to hire you, you’re rather young. But then I got a personal call from Edward Quartermaine insisting that I hire you. I couldn’t resist.”

“Dillon used his family?” Georgie squeaked. “That’s…that’s…”

“Someone trying to make a good impression,” Robyn pointed out. “So, you two an item now?”

Georgie rolled her eyes. “No.”

“No?”

“No. Dillon’s…he’s a friend. And going out would ruin that friendship. And…he’s not my type.”

“And you’re being stupid,” Robyn mused, maneuvering through traffic.

“Excuse me?”

“You’re only, what? Fifteen? Going out with a friend at your age won’t ruin a friendship, believe me.”

Robyn’s Office

Elizabeth entered the office in the middle of what seemed to be an argument. Georgie Jones was muttering something under breath flipping through a stack of papers while Dillon Quartermaine was lounging on the side of the desk.

“You know, you’re not being fair,” Dillon mused. Georgie glared at him.

“I’m not being fair?” she hissed. “Who came to whose job and refuses to leave?”

“Hey, you’re avoiding me!” Dillon complained. “How else am I supposed to pin you down?”

“You know what, let’s talk about this job for a minute!” Georgie declared. “I thought I got this job on my own merits but now I find out that you arranged it!”

“I just had my grandfather call her…one short conversation!” Dillon replied. He smiled sheepishly. “I thought you’d appreciate it.”

“Oooh…” Georgie seethed. She broke off when she finally noticed Elizabeth smirking at the whole conversation. “Oh, my God, Mrs. Lansing. I’m so sorry. I’ll just tell Ms. Nichols you’re here.” She stood and jabbed Dillon in the stomach with her elbow before disappearing into the office.

Dillon grinned at Elizabeth. “She’s a little…mad at me. She’s usually much more professional.”

“Ah, okay. So, you’re Emily’s cousin?” Elizabeth asked.

“Yeah. You know Em?”

“Yeah. We’ve been friends for years. How do you like living with the Quartermaines?”

Dillon smirked. “Always something happening there. One day, it’s a gay butler, the next a fire, not to mention the family meetings that happen like hourly. It’s a full time job being a member of that family.”

Elizabeth laughed. “But it’s always interesting.”

Georgie slipped out of the office. “Ms. Nichols will see you now.” She glared at Dillon. “You go home.”

“No. Look, yeah, I pulled a few strings to get in here, but I know how much you wanted to work here. I know how much you wanted a job that would matter.”

Elizabeth paused at the door to the office and glanced back at the arguing duo.

“You should have told me,” Georgie replied uncomfortably.

“Well, you shouldn’t have run out of the movie theater last night.”

“Well, you shouldn’t have kissed me!”

Elizabeth was still shaking her head as she entered the office. Robyn looked up and smirked. “You enjoy that episode of the Young and the Stubborn?”

Elizabeth laughed then, shutting the door behind her. “Are they always like this?”

“No, actually, Mr. Quartermaine out there is a new presence, but I have this feeling he’s not going away any time soon.”

“A tad persistent huh?”

“Sounds like it.” Robyn gestured towards the chair in front of her. “Well, sit down. We’ll discuss your testimony.”

“When do you expect the trial to start?”

“Next week sometime,” Robyn replied. “I’ve got the defense pretty much ready. I just want to get this over with as I’m sure you do.”

Elizabeth nodded. “More than anything.”

Lucky’s Room

“Sometimes…” Elizabeth sighed and stared out the window. “Sometimes, I look at him…and there’s so much anger in him–over his mother, over Sonny. It scares me.”

Lucky exhaled slowly. They’d been in his room for over an hour and Elizabeth had proceeded to lay out everything–every emotion, every event, every feeling she’d had since she’d found out the truth about Ric.

With every word that spilled from her lip, Lucky’s confusion at her decision to marry him grew. He couldn’t understand why she’d go back to him after his revelation about Carly, much less trust him enough to bind herself to him forever.

But he’d forced himself to have patience–eventually she’d get to the point–she’d get to the big picture, where he could realize why she loved this man who’d dedicated his entire being to destroying Sonny.

And now she was silent and he was no longer closer to understanding her than he’d been before she walked into his room.

“Are you scared of him?” Lucky asked finally.

She didn’t answer right away and that worried him. Finally Elizabeth sighed and shook her head. “No. He wouldn’t hurt me. I don’t…I’m not scared of him, but the anger he has–that scares me. He doesn’t think sometimes and he just acts.” She glanced at her ex-fiancé. “I think he’s the reason Scott Baldwin didn’t call me.”

“You think he wants Sonny prosecuted?”

“I think that…no matter how much he thinks he wants peace and to start a new life…the second he lost his reason…the second I lost our child…he decided it was just another reason for Sonny to be destroyed.”

Lucky stood and shoved his hands into the back pockets of his jeans. He crossed the room and peered over her shoulder into Kelly’s courtyard.

“It used to be so simple, Lucky,” Elizabeth sighed. “Remember when they were us?”

He followed her gaze and saw the Police Commissioner’s daughters Georgie and Maxie sitting with his cousin Lucas and with Emily’s newest cousin, Dillon. “Yeah. You, me, Emily and Nikolas.”

“The Four Musketeers,” she said faintly. “Why did it have to change?”

“We grew up,” Lucky replied. “But, hey, we’re still friends.”

“Yeah, I guess.”

“Are you going back there tonight?”

Elizabeth hesitated. “I have to,” she answered. “He’s my husband. I can’t…I can’t just abandon him because we had a fight.”

“I wish you’d stay here tonight,” Lucky told her. “Just give him time to calm down or whatever.”

“I can’t. If I run out now–how is this ever supposed to work?” Elizabeth asked. “How am I supposed to make my marriage work if a little fight sends me running?”

“It wasn’t just a fight, Elizabeth. He’s got this hatred for Sonny that scares you and–”

“Lucky…” Elizabeth shook her head. “Just walk me out, okay?”

“Okay.”

Jason’s Penthouse

“He was indicted for aggravated assault?” Carly shrieked.

Jason held his hand up to his friend. “Carly, let me handle this.” He turned back to their lawyer. “What does that mean exactly?”

“It means Scott Baldwin convinced the grand jury that Mr. Corinthos pushed the victim with the intent of causing her bodily harm. Add to the fact that Mrs. Lansing actually miscarried, well…the jury didn’t appreciate it,” Robyn reported.

“What happens if he’s convicted?” Carly demanded.

“He won’t be,” Robyn told the blonde with little patience. “Because I get to present a defense. We’ve been over this, Mrs. Corinthos. The prosecution was able to get an indictment because they neglected to call Mrs. Lansing. If they don’t call her at trial, I will.” She hesitated. “I have reason to believe Baldwin was bribed not to call her.”

Jason frowned. “Bribed? By who?”

“I don’t know that yet,” Robyn told him. “If I had any actual proof, I would have reported him to the Ethics Committee.”

“Okay then. Is there anything I can do?” Jason asked.

Robyn shook her head. “The most you can do is visit Mr. Corinthos as often as possible. It can’t be easy for him. I’ve got a bail hearing set for Monday morning–it’s the earliest I could get it.”

“Sonny’s already been in there since last Monday!” Carly cried. She looked to Jason. “Isn’t there a judge you can’t talk to? He can’t last another four nights. Please, Jason–”

“I’m going to pretend I didn’t hear you request that,” Robyn remarked dryly. “If there’s nothing else, I’m going to go and start work on the defense. You know my number if you need anything. Just remember, after six, I charge double. And triple on weekends.”

“You’re positive you can get my brother acquitted?” Courtney spoke up. “I mean, you said he wouldn’t even be charged.”

Robyn narrowed her eyes at the blonde. “I said that with Elizabeth Lansing’s testimony, he wouldn’t be charged. I can’t very well be held responsible if they didn’t call her, now can I?” she finished in a condescending tone.

“You can’t speak to me like that,” Courtney retorted. “You work for me.”

“Actually,” Robyn said, cutting both Carly and Jason off before they could speak, “the last time I checked, I get paid by Corinthos and Morgan Coffee Company. Now, if you suddenly became an owner…maybe then you could try to treat me like a servant.” She picked her briefcase up. “As it is, I represent Sonny Corinthos and Jason Morgan. His fiancée was not included in the agreement.”

She pulled the door open and left.

“I don’t like her,” Courtney announced sharply. “You should fire her.”

Jason exhaled slowly and eyed his fiancée. “She’s right. She doesn’t work for you and even if she did, you don’t get to speak to her like that. She’s a good lawyer and Sonny and I like her.”

“She couldn’t even get the charges dropped,” Courtney said, scathingly. “What makes you think she can get him acquitted?”

“Haven’t you been listening to a thing she said?” Carly asked. “She was depending on Elizabeth’s testimony to exonerate Sonny. Scott didn’t call her. At the trial, Robyn will present a defense, which she couldn’t do with the grand jury. I believe her–she’s not going to lose.”

“And what makes you so sure that by the time the trial gets here that Elizabeth hasn’t changed her mind?” Courtney demanded.

“Because Elizabeth has said from the beginning that she doesn’t believe Sonny did this. She went to see him at the jail,” Carly informed them both. “Now, I asked one of the guards and she came to see him right after I did. When I left, he was withdrawn and depressed. And now…now he’s different. He seems lighter, more hopeful about getting out.”

“And you think Elizabeth is the reason for this?” Courtney demanded.

“I think Elizabeth managed to do what Jason and I couldn’t.” Carly sighed. “I think she convinced him he didn’t do it.”

Jason looked at her sharply. “Are you sure?”

“Wait, why did she have to convince him?” Courtney asked.

“Because Sonny doesn’t remember anything he said to her–he just remembers he was angry and she was–that they were both yelling. He doesn’t remember walking away, or whether she did. He just remembers going there and then being in the limo.”

“You mean Sonny thought he might have done it?” Courtney asked, skeptically. “That’s crazy.”

“Not to Sonny, it wasn’t,” Carly said quietly. “He was genuinely terrified that he’d pushed her.”

“And you think Elizabeth convinced him he didn’t?” Jason asked, steering the conversation back to his question.

“I don’t know for sure. But whatever she said…he looks better, Jason. And you and I both know that it can’t be easy on him in there.” Carly’s eyes were glossy and she raised a hand to her mouth. “He hates small spaces so much. And every time I try to go to sleep in our room without him, I think about him there and it hurts so much because I can’t do anything. There’s no crazy scheme I can plot that will change it.”

Jason sighed and drew his friend into his arms. “I know, Carly. I hate to think of him being in there, too. But he’ll be out on Monday. And he’ll be acquitted. It’ll be okay. I promise. I would never let him go to jail.”

She nodded and sniffled against his chest. “I know you wouldn’t. You’ve never failed us.”

Courtney sighed and crossed her arms, rubbing them absently. “You know…I wonder who really pushed Elizabeth,” she said suddenly.

Jason’s cell rang then and he extricated himself from Carly’s arms to answer it. “Yeah?”

“It’s me,” Johnny said. “We might have a situation.”

Jason frowned. “What? What’s wrong?”

“Elizabeth left her apartment about an hour and half ago. She was upset and she went to Kelly’s. I followed her up to Lucky Spencer’s room and then went downstairs to wait for her. She finally came down with him about ten minutes ago and she left. But instead of heading back to her place, she went to the park and she’s been sitting there since.”

“Any idea what’s wrong?” Jason asked, rubbing the back of his neck.

“Not a clue. But Lansing is still at home, so I assume she had a fight with him. I wasn’t sure if I should call, but just to be on the safe side. Do you want me to just keep an eye on her at the park, try to talk to her?”

Jason hesitated and thought about how relieved Carly looked when she talked about Elizabeth’s effect on Sonny. “I’m going to call someone who’ll come and take care of it. Keep an eye on both of them and call in if anything changes.”

“Will do.”

Jason hung up and looked at the curious eyes of his fiancée and best friend. He sighed. “Sonny’s got Johnny on Elizabeth. He was concerned that if he didn’t do it, that whoever had would come back and finish the job.”

Carly nodded. “It was good of him to do that,” she said. “So what was wrong? Is she okay?”

“Johnny’s just worried. Elizabeth was upset when she left her apartment and it looks like she’s stalling on going back,” Jason answered. He picked up the penthouse phone and started dialing. “I’m going to call Emily to go check on her.”

Courtney nodded. “Yeah, that’s probably for the best.” She was minimally relieved that Jason hadn’t taken upon himself to go check on the brunette. Elizabeth was married now and Jason was engaged to her. There was no reason for the two of them to be in each other’s sphere.

“Em? It’s me. Listen, if you’re not busy…” Jason hesitated. “Look, I’ve got a guard on Elizabeth after her fall. Just to be careful. And Johnny thinks something is wrong. She’s been sitting at the park for ten minutes and before that, she spent an hour with Lucky after she left her apartment all upset. I’d appreciate it if you could go check on her–but don’t tell her I sent you or that Johnny is there…is that okay?” When his sister answered in the affirmative, he said his thanks and hung up.

“You’re doing the right thing,” Carly assured him. “Besides, even if you went to check on her yourself, she wouldn’t talk to you. She’ll talk to Emily.”

Jason eyed her curiously. “Since when did you become the authority on Elizabeth?”

Carly flushed. “Look. We came to an understanding…and she’s doing everything she can to convince everyone Sonny’s innocent. I can’t be civil to her in return?” When his gaze didn’t stop being skeptical, she growled. “Hormones, okay? How’s that? Pregnancy hormones. You don’t like the actual explanation, let’s go for the easy one.”

Park

Elizabeth sighed, hearing footsteps coming closer to the bench she was sitting on. She looked up to see Emily approaching. “Emily. Hi.”

Emily smiled in return. “Hey, how are you feeling?”

She shrugged. “I’m okay. How are you? How’s the chemo going?” Elizabeth asked weakly.

Emily sighed and sat next to her friend. Jason’s call had mystified her–it was the first time she’d heard her brother speak about Elizabeth since she’d been back but she’d been worried about Elizabeth since she’d heard about the accident. “It’s going well, I guess. We won’t know any results for a while. Listen, I’m so sorry I haven’t visited you or called–”

“I haven’t either, Emily,” Elizabeth interjected. “We’ve both been so caught in our respective dramatic lives that we’ve barely sat down and talked since you’ve been home. I want…I want that to change.”

“I do, too,” Emily agreed. “So, how’s Ric?” she asked weakly.

“Ric…Ric is…” Elizabeth hesitated. “He’s angry,” she said finally. “He’s angry with the world, but he’s mostly angry with Sonny. No matter how much I try to tell him that Sonny couldn’t have pushed me, he’s determined to blame it on him. I think he’s just turning this into another reason to get revenge on him.”

“Are you arguing a lot or something?” Emily pressed. “Is everything okay?”

“We had a bad fight today,” Elizabeth admitted. “He wanted me to consider the possibility that Sonny did push me and I just…I can’t. Because I know he didn’t. I was so furious that he’d use our child…our baby…as a way to get at Sonny…and he…” Elizabeth sucked in a deep breath and closed her eyes. “He said that it wasn’t a child, it was fetus. And that it was gone.”

“Asshole,” Emily muttered. She sighed. “Elizabeth, he was angry and maybe he didn’t mean it the way it came out. Do you love him?”

“Of course,” Elizabeth said immediately.

“Do you want this marriage to work?” Emily asked. “Or was this a marriage of convenience?”

“No!” Elizabeth denied quickly. “I love him. I…I wanted to marry him.”

“You’ve only been dating since January,” Emily reminded her friend, sensing her weakness and vulnerability. “You and Lucky dated practically forever before you decided to get married and look how that turned out.”

“Lucky and Ric are completely different,” Elizabeth said quickly. “And…I know it’s only been five months since we started dating and only seven since we met…but why does it have to matter? What does time have to do with anything?”

“Normally, I’d say nothing,” Emily replied. “Sometimes, you just know. But you’ve even admitted that Ric spent a lot of those five months lying to you.”

“But not about how he feels!” Elizabeth replied, desperately. “He’s always been honest about that.”

“And that’s very admirable,” Emily told her. “I know how much you needed that. But if he’s not honest about everything else, how you can you learn to trust him?”

Elizabeth hesitated and looked towards the sky. “I’ve spent so much time being scared, Em,” she whispered. “I’m tired of being scared and running. Ric…he loves me. I know that. And I love him. And even though getting married so quickly might have been a mistake and even though I can’t always trust him…I can’t run from him.”

“Sometimes we love people…and we want it to work out…but Elizabeth, love isn’t enough. It can’t be. Not for the long run,” Emily advised. “You have to trust the person. You have to know them. You have the most passionate and vibrant love…but if you don’t have trust, it will fizzle and you will be left with nothing.”

“I know you’re right,” Elizabeth sighed. She looked at the ground. “Trust–it is important. And without it, a relationship will never last. But I can’t just give up the first time we have a fight.”

“No, you can’t,” Emily admitted. “But you need to learn when to give up. I just hope your marriage never comes to it.”

“Yeah, me too.” Elizabeth took a deep breath and looked at her friend. “What about you? Have you told Zander?”

“No,” Emily confessed. “I’ve tried so many times but I think…no, I know he’ll be better off without me.”

“That’s not your choice to make,” Elizabeth told her. “You should never make that decision for someone else. Zander loves you, Emily. He’s never loved anyone else like he loves you. Pushing him away and concocting elaborate schemes isn’t going to make it go away.”

“It will if he hates me,” Emily told her. “And he will when I’m done with him.”

Elizabeth regarded her suspiciously. “Do I want to ask?”

“You can ask, but I’m not telling,” Emily said. She stood. “Come on. I’ll walk you home.”

“I’ll get it out of you,” Elizabeth promised as the two headed towards the entrance.

“Yeah, okay.”

“You’re a rotten liar,” Elizabeth reminded her. “I know how to work you.”

“Things have changed, doll, things have changed,” Emily laughed. Elizabeth managed smile.

Johnny stepped out from behind a set of bushes and started to follow, pulling his phone out.

“Morgan.”

“It’s me. Emily showed up and they talked for a while. Whatever your sister said, it worked. She left and she looked a little better. I’m following her now.”

“Thanks, Johnny. Keep me posted, okay? And if Faith Roscoe takes one step near that building, I want you to stop her, is that understood?”

“Understood.”

Courtyard

Lucky managed a smirk as his cousin took his order. “Never thought I’d see you working here.”

Lucas shrugged. “It’s an easy job and I get to see my friends a lot. Personally, Georgie got the better summer job.”

“Oh, yeah?” Lucky asked as Lucas set his soda down. “Where’s she at?”

“Dillon Quartermaine was doing something over at the courthouse–probably at one of the Quartermaine’s latest hearings about Kristina–he overheard some lawyer complaining she had no assistant. He knew Georgie was looking for a job and told her.”

“Well, that was cool of him. I haven’t really gotten a chance to talk to him,” Lucky said, “but he seems okay.”

“He’s a jackass,” Lucas muttered. “He’s only trying to impress Georgie. He’s got this thing for her.”

“So, who’s the lawyer?” Lucky asked curiously. “Anyone I’ve heard of?”

“Actually, yeah. Probably. Robyn Nichols, the chick defending Sonny Corinthos in that assault case against your friend Elizabeth. Normally, I’d be worried about her being involved with a mob lawyer,” Lucas said, “but this isn’t exactly a mob case.”

“No, it’s not,” Lucky replied. “Listen, I’m heading up after I eat. If Elizabeth comes back in, looking for me, just send her up, okay?”

“Sure. Is she okay?” Lucas asked.

“She’s fine. Just having some problems,” Lucky replied. “Thanks, man.”

“No problem.”

Robyn Nichols’s Office

It was late morning the next day and Robyn was up to her ears in legal precedents for Sonny’s bail hearing. She already had her new assistant alphabetizing those cases as well as ones she planned on using at the trial. She intended on impressing Sonny Corinthos and Jason Morgan with her performance in hopes they’d hire her permanently. Right now, it was on a trial basis.

She wasn’t thrilled with Courtney Matthews and sometimes Carly Corinthos could get a little grating, but Robyn was willing to deal with it for the kind of paycheck the job offered.

“Here’s the next set you wanted, Ms. Nichols,” Georgie Jones chirped helpfully. “You’ve also got a message from Commissioner Scorpio. He needs to meet with you about his testimony.”

Robyn managed an amused smile. “Georgie, first of all, it’s Robyn. And secondly, you don’t need to be so formal. I’m well aware that the commissioner is your father. You’re doing fine. I’ll need the next set in a few hours, okay?”

“Okay,” Georgie replied, leaving the office and disappearing behind the temporary desk she’d set up. Georgie was a little young for the job, but Robyn had received a personal call from Edward Quartermaine, requesting a personal favor. She’d been flattered and offered Georgie the job on the spot.

She’d get Sonny Corinthos acquitted if it killed her.

Port Charles Courthouse

It almost seemed like a stand-off, Robyn Nichols mused, as she perched on the wooden bench outside of the grand jury room. Inside, District Attorney Scott Baldwin was just beginning his case and he hadn’t called any of his witnesses yet.

Across the hall from her, sitting on an identical bench was the victim, Elizabeth Lansing. She was dressed conservatively in a pair of black cotton pants and a white silk blouse. Her dark hair was loose around her shoulders, but styled straight. She wore no make up and her only jewelry were her engagement and wedding rings. It was the first time Robyn had laid eyes on the former close friend of her clients and it made her wonder what Elizabeth Lansing could have ever had in common with two men whose taste in women ran to Carly and Courtney.

Her husband, in a silk Armani suit, sat next to her, one of her hands enveloped in both of his. They were talking in low whispers but were very intent on their conversation.

Mac Scorpio was standing a few feet away, leaning against the wall, the case folder in his hand. He was troubled and rethinking his decision to go along with Scott Baldwin’s plan.

Robyn was seated next to an irate Carly Corinthos and her vacuous sister-in-law Courtney Matthews. Carly was still going on and on about Sonny being stuck in jail while every word out of the second blonde’s mouth was about her upcoming wedding.

The groom in question was standing to the right of his fiancée, leaning against the wall. Every once in a while, Jason would glance at Elizabeth before looking at the end of the hallway where Johnny, Max and Marco were standing. To anyone who didn’t know any better, they’d think each of them had a guard. Elizabeth wouldn’t suspect that Johnny was there guarding her and that’s the way Jason preferred it.

Just because they were no longer close and not friends, it didn’t mean he didn’t care about what happened to her. He was deeply sorry she’d miscarried her child and found himself wondering–not for the first time–why she was married to Ric Lansing anyway. Did he have something on her? Was he blackmailing her?

The door opened then with a slight squeak that shattered the tension-filled silence. A uniformed man stepped out, the bailiff Robyn decided. He cleared his throat. “Uh, Commissioner Scorpio, they’re ready for you.”

Mac nodded and he paused in front of Elizabeth and Ric. “No matter what happens here today,” he told the couple, “I won’t stop looking for the person who really did it.”

Elizabeth nodded. “I know you won’t, Commissioner.”

He nodded and stepped inside the courtroom.

Elizabeth shifted in her seat and sighed a little. Ric frowned. “Do you need something?” he asked, for once his voice carrying to the other side of the hallway. “Coffee? Tea?”

She shook her head. “No. I just…I want this over with.”

“Well, if you hadn’t accused Sonny,” Courtney muttered, shooting the brunette a nasty look.

“Courtney,” Carly admonished quietly. “You know that’s not true.”

“Well, why else was Sonny arrested?” Courtney demanded. “They have no evidence against him. All they have is her word that she was pushed. That’s as good as accusing him.”

Elizabeth sighed and shook her head. “Courtney, this isn’t what I wanted. I think that they’re wasting their time trying to prosecute Sonny. We all know he didn’t do it. And all I want is the person who did brought to justice.”

Courtney rolled her eyes. “You’re so perfect aren’t you?” she snarled, her voice dripping with sarcasm. “You think you have the perfect life now that Ric has decided he’d rather be with you than destroy my brother. Well, I’ve got news for you–it’s not. Because Sonny hates Ric and–”

“Courtney,” Jason cut in quietly. She looked up at him and he shook his head. “Stop it. This isn’t the time or the place.”

Ric glared at the younger man. “Well, it’s good to know where you stand on this,” he snapped. “You can let your little twit of a girlfriend shoot her mouth off to Elizabeth, spouting lies but all you’ll tell her is that this isn’t the time–”

“Ric,” Elizabeth interrupted. She sighed. “Please don’t fight. Courtney and Jason are going to believe what they want to believe. Arguing is only going to make it worse.”

“That’s so self-sacrificing of you,” Courtney retorted. “Aren’t you the little angel?”

“Courtney please!”

Courtney looked at her sister-in-law. “Carly, I–”

“Elizabeth didn’t accuse Sonny. She’s even made a statement to the police stating that he didn’t do it. So just stop blaming her already. Don’t use this tragedy to further your dislike of her.” Carly’s eyes flicked to Ric. “And don’t you use this to get at Sonny. What happened was horrible and we’re all sorry. But it’s ridiculous to keep on with all this fighting.”

Elizabeth nodded. “Carly’s right.” She stood. “I’m going to get some air. Come get me when they need me to testify?” she asked Ric.

“Sure,” Ric said. He stood. “I’ll come with you if you want,” he offered.

Elizabeth shook her head. “No. I’ll be fine.”

She slipped her purse over her shoulder and headed towards the elevators. When she had slipped inside, Jason met Johnny’s eyes from the other end of the hall and tipped his head towards the bank of elevators. Johnny nodded and went towards the stairs.

After a few moments, Robyn shook her head. “You’re all a bunch of idiots,” she muttered under her breath.

Carly, being seated next to her, glared at her but said nothing.

PC Courthouse: Court Steps

Elizabeth took a deep breath and closed her eyes. She’d needed to get away from the scene as quickly as possible. Sitting in the small space, across from Courtney, Carly and Jason was almost suffocating. She’d felt so guilty for being there with her husband–and she felt stupid for being guilty. She loved Ric. She was glad she’d married him.

She didn’t have to answer to anyone–not to Jason, Sonny, Courtney or Carly–about her reasons for marrying him. None of them knew her–they couldn’t possibly understand why she loved him.

Hell, she didn’t even understand it.

Lucky had offered to be with her today, but she turned him down. It would have been uncomfortable enough at the courthouse with the resident mobster, the blondes, and her husband. She didn’t need to toss in the ex-fiancé.

She sat down on the steps and dragged a hand through hair. She loathed the idea of going into a court room, knowing that Scott Baldwin was going to use this opportunity to finally get Sonny where he wanted him.

“Hey, Mrs. Lansing.”

Elizabeth looked up and smiled. “Johnny. Long time no see.”

Johnny shrugged and sat beside her. “I’m here with the wife,” he told her. “Saw you leave and wanted check on you.”

She nodded. “I’m fine.”

“Yeah, you always are, aren’t you?” Johnny replied. “I also wanted a chance to tell you I was sorry.”

“Thanks,” Elizabeth said. She sighed. “I have a bad feeling, Johnny.”

“Why’s that, Mrs. Lansing?” Johnny asked.

She shook her head and stood. “I just don’t think this is going to go away. I’d better get inside.”

“I’ll walk back with you.”

Court Room

“And did Mrs. Lansing tell you that she did not see Mr. Corinthos leave the plaza?” Scott questioned.

Mac glared at the DA, realizing that Scott had no intention of doing the right thing. “No, Mrs. Lansing remembers walking away first.”

“Which is when she was pushed,” Scott finished.

“Yes,” Mac replied. “Mrs. Lansing doesn’t remember anyone else being present and Mr. Corinthos didn’t see anyone on his way out.”

“Now, did you find any evidence that anyone other than Elizabeth Lansing and Sonny Corinthos were at that location that night?” Scott pressed.

Mac sighed. “No we did not.”

“And is there any evidence that proves Sonny Corinthos did not push Elizabeth Lansing down those stairs, seriously injuring her and causing a miscarriage?”

“No, there is no evidence that shows that, but the victim herself states–”

“Thank you, Commissioner,” Scott cut in quickly. He looked at the judge. “That’s all for this witness and I’m finished presenting my case.

Mac gaped at Scott. “You’re supposed to call Elizabeth.”

“I changed my mind,” Scott protested. “I don’t see the need in forcing her to relive that awful night.”

“That’ll be all then,” the judge declared. “You may step down, Commissioner Scorpio.”

Hallway

Mac stepped outside the room and Elizabeth stood. “Do they need me?” she asked.

Mac shook his head. “Ah, no. Scott…he’s not calling you. At all.”

Elizabeth frowned. “But…I’m supposed to tell the jury that I don’t think Sonny did it. I thought that was what we discussed. Sonny’s…he’s not supposed to be charged.”

Carly launched to her feet. “What the hell is going on?”

Robyn slowly stood and sighed. “Can we expect an indictment, Commissioner?” she asked.

Mac nodded. “Yeah. I don’t doubt the jury is going to vote on it. I tried to work in your statement, Elizabeth. But he cut me off.”

Elizabeth closed her eyes. “That doesn’t surprise me.”

“Because this is exactly what you wanted!” Courtney seethed as she stood. She advanced on the other woman. “You’re in on this whole thing with Ric, aren’t you? This is just another part of the plan!”

Elizabeth sighed and shook her head. “No, Courtney.”

Jason tugged on Courtney’s arm. “Calm down. He’s not going to be convicted.”

“It doesn’t matter!” Courtney retorted angrily. She yanked her arm out of Jason’s grasp. “He’s still going to trial for a crime that probably didn’t even happen.”

Elizabeth frowned. “Excuse me?”

“You heard me,” Courtney replied. Her eyes narrowed. “We’ve only got your word for it that you were pushed. How do we know you didn’t trip and fall?”

Elizabeth’s eyes filled with tears. “You think I’d use the death of my own baby to get at Sonny?” she asked softly. “You don’t think very much of me do you?”

Courtney faltered then and hesitated. “I…”

Elizabeth turned to Ric. “I want to go home, now. Can we just go?”

Ric nodded and put an arm around his wife’s waist, leading her towards the elevator. He pressed the button and they stepped inside.

Once they were gone, Carly turned to her sister-in-law. “I cannot believe you said that to her.”

Courtney sighed. “Look, I was upset. I went too far–”

“You’re damn right you did,” Carly snapped. “God, Courtney, losing a child is one of the worst things a woman can go through and you just threw it in her face. Grow up.”

Courtney glared at her friend and stalked down the hallway towards the stairs.

“You need to control her,” Carly warned Jason. “She can’t be going around, attacking people like that. It’s not right.”

Jason nodded. “Yeah. You’re right.” He sighed and followed Courtney.

Robyn smirked. “You know what?”

Carly sighed and turned to the lawyer. “Yeah?”

“That’s the most intelligent thing you’ve said all day.” She picked her briefcase up from the floor. “I’ll hang around and wait for the actual indictment, but you can go home if you want. Once I get it, I’ll head over to my office and do a brief to get a bail hearing.” She patted Carly’s shoulder. “Don’t worry. It’ll be okay.”

Lansing Apartment

Elizabeth tossed the purse on the couch and stalked over to the window. “This is unacceptable,” she declared.

Ric remained silent, removing his suit jacket and carefully set it on the back of the desk chair. He loosened his tie and started to untie it.

“He didn’t do this,” Elizabeth continued. She yanked the curtains back and stared over the Port Charles park. It was almost ironic that she lived with a view of the fountain, she mused. The rape victim with a park view. Who would have thought?

“Elizabeth, I know that you want to believe that,” Ric began finally, “but the truth is, we don’t know that. We don’t know who pushed you and it could have easily been Sonny.”

“It easily could have been Faith Roscoe!” Elizabeth retorted whirling to face him. “Remember her? Your little psycho one-night stand?”

Ric exhaled slowly. “I won’t deny that Faith is capable of this, but–”

“And Sonny isn’t,” Elizabeth snapped. She crossed the room to the kitchen and disappeared inside. After a moment he followed her and watched as she made herself a cup of hot chocolate. “He may be your brother, but I’ve know him for years. God, I snuck into his wedding to Brenda Barrett. My boyfriend was thought to have died because he slept in a building connected to Sonny.” She glared at her husband. “Sonny may be your blood, but I’m the one who knows him.”

“Fine. Then believe Sonny is perfect. Believe he can do no wrong,” Ric replied angrily.

“I’m not an idiot,” Elizabeth countered. “I know who he is, what he does. I’ve always known. But I know that he didn’t do this.”

“The fact is you don’t want to him to have done this,” Ric told her. “You don’t want it to have been him, so in your mind, there’s no chance that it was. You won’t even consider the possibility–”

“Don’t you dare use this as a reason to renew your stupid revenge against Sonny!” Elizabeth cried, finally voice the fear that had been wracking her since the miscarriage. “Don’t you use our child as a reason to destroy him!”

“We don’t have a child, Elizabeth!” Ric yelled back. “We had a fetus and it’s gone now!”

She choked out a sob and pushed past him and by the time he’d gotten to the door, she was already on the elevator and gone.

Lucky’s Room

Lucky pulled the door open, stopping the pounding against the cheap wood. He found Elizabeth on his doorstep, silent tears streaking down her face and violently trembling.

“I…” She shook her head and tried again. “I didn’t have anywhere else to go,” she said softly.

Lucky reached for her and drew her shaking body into his arms. “It’s okay,” he murmured in her ear. He closed the door behind her and shook his head. “It’s okay, Elizabeth. You can always come to me.”

Then…and only then…did Elizabeth break down and sob.

Lansing Apartment

Elizabeth was curled up on the couch, reading a magazine when Ric came home late that afternoon. He tried not to look at the plush teddy bear still perched on the mantel of the fireplace. He’d tried to take it down when he’d first come home from the hospital, but he’d found himself unable to do so.

Elizabeth had touched it once when she’d come home. She’d picked it up, stared at it for a moment and then set it back in its place. It seemed neither of them were quite ready to give up the fantasy of their own family.

He’d been avoiding her–he knew it, and he knew that she knew it. Ever since the horrible day in the hospital when she’d looked up at him with those beautiful trusting eyes and asked him why he’d made Carly believe they’d slept together.

He couldn’t answer her and he found that it was hard to look at her now. She had a right to know why someone she’d been dating had pretended to sleep with someone else and she had even more of a right to know why her husband had done it.

He’d spent the last week or so searching for the answer, an answer that she’d accept and understand. An answer so that they’d be able to put it behind them and move on.

He hadn’t found that magical answer yet, but he was tired of avoiding her. So he was going to tell her the truth.

Elizabeth looked up at him from her position on the couch. She was facing the door–almost as if she was waiting for him to come home. She closed the magazine she’d been reading and set it on the table. “Mac Scorpio was by,” she told him. “You didn’t tell me he’d called.”

Ric nodded and sat gingerly on the other end of the couch. “I know. I’m sorry. I didn’t want to be here when he came by.”

‘Why not?” Elizabeth asked softly, hurt. “It didn’t occur to you that maybe I’d need you here?”

He exhaled slowly. “I was wrong not to be here and I admit that. I know that he arrested Sonny after he left here–I heard about it on the radio while I was driving home. But I should have been here for you.”

“What’s going on?” Elizabeth asked. “You’re never home, don’t think I don’t know that you’ve been avoiding me. Why?”

“Because I don’t know what to say to you,” Ric admitted. “You asked me to tell you why I made Carly believe we’d slept together and I didn’t answer you. The truth is, Elizabeth, that the only answer I have is not good enough for you. It won’t make you forgive me and you probably won’t accept it. And all I’ve been trying to do this last week is find an answer that’s good enough.”

She sighed and drew her knees up, wrapping her arms around them. “I don’t need an answer like that. How am I supposed to know you, supposed to trust you…if you’re constantly searching for some way to explain the truth away. I don’t need to be coddled or protected…all I want is the truth.”

“The truth is that I wanted leverage on Sonny,” Ric said quietly. “He didn’t trust me, he didn’t want to let me near him. Nothing I’d done up to that point had worked. I saw Carly at Jake’s. She was drunk…and I could tell she was close to passing out. I took her to the motel room and the idea…the idea just occurred to me.”

“You wanted to get close to Sonny so that you could destroy him,” Elizabeth said slowly. “Why?”

“We’re half-brothers,” Ric said unnecessarily. “We share the same mother. When our mother was pregnant with me, she and Sonny and my father were staying at the house on Martha’s Vineyard. He pushed her down the stairs and she nearly died. She nearly lost me. My father told her that he couldn’t be around Sonny–that he was dangerous. He wanted her to give him up and she wouldn’t. She chose him–over me.”

Elizabeth sighed and slid closer to him, wrapping her arms around his neck. “He was just a little boy,” she said softly. She used one of her hands to stroke his hair. He turned and pressed his face into her neck. “He was a little boy and it wasn’t his choice to make Adela choose. It was your father’s. I can’t imagine any mother who would turn their child over for adoption.”

“But she didn’t even think twice about giving me up,” Ric said in a strained voice. Elizabeth closed her eyes and drew him closer.

“She was in love with your father, right?” she asked. When she felt him nod, she continued. “She knew that your father would love you. That he would take care of you. That you would not be hurt. How could she know any of those things about the family that would adopt Sonny?”

His arms hesitantly reached for her. They slipped around her waist and tugged her closer to him. “I guess she didn’t.”

“She made the only choice she could have…the only choice that would ensure both her sons would be loved. And I’m sure she missed you every day of her life,” Elizabeth assured him. “I can’t imagine any mother who’d make a choice like that and not miss her child.”

“But he ran away…he let her die…”

“And I don’t think a day goes by that Sonny doesn’t regret that,” Elizabeth replied. “He’s so controlling, so fiercely protective of his family. He’s trying to compensate for failing your mother. And I’m sure in his mind, he’ll never measure up to it. He’ll never be able to make peace.”

Her fingers were still combing through his hair and she exhaled slowly, sighing in relief, when she felt warm tears on the soft skin of her neck. “It’s okay,” she murmured. “It’s okay.”

Jason’s Penthouse

Carly shook her head. “This is unacceptable,” she snarled at the lawyer Jason had hired for Sonny.

“I’m sorry, Mrs. Corinthos,” Robyn Nichols apologized. “But I can’t argue with the judge’s reasoning. Like it or not, your husband is a flight risk and you managed to come up against one of the few judges in the area that isn’t impressed by the name Corinthos.”

“Sonny cannot stay in jail all night!” Carly declared. She looked at Jason. “We have to do something–he can’t sit in that cell, you know that.”

Jason exhaled slowly and looked towards the redhead again. “What about the charges? Can you get them dropped?”

“I’m inclined to wait until the grand jury hearing on Friday,” Robyn told him. “If the statements are right and Mrs. Lansing testifies the way we expect her to, Mr. Corinthos will not be indicted and this will go away.”

“And what if Scott Baldwin doesn’t give her an opening?” Carly challenged. “What if Sonny is indicted and forced to go to trial?”

“Then I’ll reopen the bail issue,” Robyn said coolly. She was not impressed with Carly’s hysterics nor intimidated by Jason’s blank stare. She had only been recently retained by the reputed mobsters and this was her first chance to show her skills. The best kind of lawyer for people like them was someone who wasn’t scared of them–and could play on their field. “Mr. Corinthos will surrender his passport and we’ll make some sort of arrangement. I’m sure the only reason bail was denied was because of his name. Assault defendants usually aren’t held without bail.”

“I just can’t stand the idea of Sonny locked up all night in a tiny little cell,” Carly whimpered. “I want this to go away.”

Jason put a hand on the small of his friend’s back and directed her towards the door. “Carly, just let me handle this.” He looked at Courtney. “Courtney, take her across the hall. Make sure she eats. Check on Michael, okay?”

“Okay,” Courtney said. She wrapped an arm around her sister-in-law’s shoulders and they left the penthouse.

Jason eyed their lawyer. “What are Sonny’s chances of being indicted?”

“It all depends on Scott Baldwin’s questions and Elizabeth Lansing’s testimony,” Robyn replied immediately. “Mr. Corinthos is the only witness, he has a known grudge against Mr. Lansing. They both admit they were arguing. There’s no evidence that says he did it, but there’s no evidence that says he didn’t. If Mrs. Lansing gets the chance to tell the grand jury she doesn’t believe he did it, then I don’t think he’ll be indicted. Juries aren’t quick to indict someone the victim doesn’t believe committed the crime. If Scott Baldwin doesn’t give her that chance, he will be indicted.”

“And if he’s indicted?” Jason questioned.

“He’ll go to trial,” Robyn told him. “He won’t be convicted because then I’ll have the chance to present a defense. I’ll be able to cross-examine Mrs. Lansing, present different theories of the case. I’m positive, Mr. Morgan, that Mr. Corinthos will not be convicted for this.”

“All right,” Jason replied. “Then we’ll see you on Thursday.”

“You won’t be allowed in the courtroom,” Robyn said as she picked up her briefcase and headed for the door. “Neither will I. We’ll be waiting outside to find out.”

“I understand,” Jason replied. “Thank you.”

She nodded and left.

PCPD

Georgie Jones knocked on Mac’s open office door, a large paper bag in her hands. “Hey, Dad,” she greeted.

He smiled and motioned for her to come in. “Georgie, what brings you by?”

She set the bag in front of him. “Making sure you eat dinner,” she reported. “You’ve been late so often this week. Maxie and I are worried about you.”

He opened the bag and removed the wrapped plate of hot dogs, beans and French fries. “Maxie?”

“It was her turn to cook,” Georgie offered. “There’s a can of soda and some ketchup, mustard and fork in there.”

He nodded and started unwrapping everything. “How did you get here? Lucas?”

She shook her head. “No. Dillon drove me. He’s waiting outside and then we’re going to the movies.”

Mac glanced up. “It’s nine.”

Georgie sighed. “Dad…it’s just Dillon. I’ll be home by midnight, I promise. He’s just really excited about this new film that’s opening. It’s the old theater on Van Ness that shows a bunch of old movies and he’s been waiting for Some Like It Hot to open for the past month.”

“He’s really into all these old movies, huh?” Mac asked, opening the can of cola. “Well, I suppose with taste like that, he can’t be that bad.”

“He’s not,” Georgie replied. “He’s really great. I know if you got more of a chance to get to know him, you’d love him.”

“I thought you were interested in Lucas,” Mac said.

She sighed. “I was. But after I had an absolutely boring time at the prom, I gave up on that. Besides, Dillon’s just a friend.”

He nodded. “Okay. If you say so.”

Georgie hesitated. “So…why are you here so late all the time?” she asked.

“Georgie…”

“Come on, Dad,” Georgie protested. “I can tell it bothers you. You’re so tense now and distracted. It’ll help to talk about it, I promise.”

“You’ve heard about Sonny Corinthos’s latest arrest?” Mac questioned. She nodded. “Well, I don’t think he’s guilty of what we’re charging him with.”

Georgie frowned. “Then why did you arrest him?” she asked.

“Because we needed to save face,” Mac admitted bitterly. “Because I need to save my job.”

“And the fact that you’re charging an innocent person bothers you doesn’t it?” Georgie asked. “Because you don’t believe you’re doing the right thing.”

“I’m doing the right thing for me, for my family,” Mac replied. “But no, on the large scale of justice, I’m not doing the right thing.”

“If he’s not guilty,” Georgie said slowly, “then I’m sure it’ll work out. I mean, the system is designed to set innocent people free, right?”

He had to smile at her innocence. His sweet little girl had grown up so fast–already dating boys–dating Quartermaine boys, much to his chagrin. She seemed so mature, so much older than her sister, that at times Mac would forget she was only fifteen.

“Right,” he replied. “I’m sure it’ll work out. You should go…don’t want to keep Dillon waiting.”

She stood and leaned across the desk to kiss him on the cheek. “Don’t worry, Dad. Even if you’re not doing the right thing right now, you will in the end.”

Port Charles County Jail

Carly clutched at Sonny’s hand from the other side of the table in the visitor’s room of the jail. It was the first time Sonny had gone to the county jail–he’d never been denied bail before so he’d never really gone further than the PCPD lock up.

His eyes were sunken and red, his face ashen and drawn. He hadn’t slept the night before–every time he’d tried; he’d seen the inside of the closet from his youth. He’d been unable to breathe at alternate times that night. He’d tried to pace the room, tried to remind himself that the cell was not as small as the closet was and that he was no longer nine years old being held in a small closet by his stepfather.

But the pacing had just reminded him that cell was small–that he had no way to escape–that he couldn’t leave at any time.

“The lawyer said that after tomorrow, this should be all over,” Carly told Sonny for the fifth time. “You’ll come home and we’ll…we’ll go to the island where the beach is nice and it’s open and air is fresh. I promise Sonny.”

Sonny nodded absently. “Yeah.”

“Even if you are indicted, she’ll get the bail issue reopened. She promised, Sonny. And–and Elizabeth will tell everyone that you’re innocent, that she knows you’re innocent. I know she will.”

“Carly,” Sonny said softly. “Go home. This place…it isn’t healthy for you.”

She shook her head fiercely. “No. I’m not leaving here.”

“Carly. Go. I…” He took a deep breath. He had to be strong–he had to show her that he was strong. That he could take a few nights in a jail cell as long as he knew his family was safe. “I’m okay. I promise. Go home.”

She was still shaking her head. “I am not leaving you. I am going to stay until they kick me out.”

“I will feel better if you go home,” Sonny told her. “I will be okay if I know you are at home, with Michael, taking care of yourself and our child. Please, Carly.”

Her voice was thick. “God, Sonny, I hate to think of you here, for a crime that you didn’t commit. They’re railroading you, Sonny. And I can’t sleep knowing you’re here. I can barely breathe. Sonny–”

“Go home, Carly. I will be okay,” Sonny said, even though he knew he wouldn’t he. He needed to show her that he was strong. He’d be okay if she thought he was strong.

“But–”

“Go home,” Sonny repeated again. “Please.”

Finally, she nodded in agreement. She stood and kissed him softly. He could feel her tears against his skin. She left the room.

Sonny was waiting for the guard to take him back to his cell when he realized that someone else was making their way through the room. She was weaving in and out of the other tables full of inmates speaking with their lawyers, their families, their girlfriends.

Elizabeth Lansing sat across from him and sighed. “I’m so sorry,” she apologized quietly.

He nodded. “I know you are.”

“I never once accused you,” she told him. “Even when I knew that’s what they wanted me to do…I can’t imagine ever accusing you of this horrible thing. I’m sorry, Sonny.”

“Elizabeth…I know you are,” Sonny said quietly. “But…I…I don’t really remember what happened and you don’t know who pushed you.”

Elizabeth stared at him for a moment. Her face was confused and she tilted her head to the side. “You think…you think that you could have, don’t you?” she asked softly.

Sonny shrugged a little and looked away.

“Oh, God…” she shook her head. “No, Sonny. I know you didn’t do it.”

“How?” he demanded. “How can you know?”

“I can feel it in here,” Elizabeth replied, pressing a hand to her heart. “I know you, Sonny. I pretend that I don’t, I pretend that we don’t know anything about each other. But I know you. I remember the night you and Carly lost your baby. I saw you…you would never hurt anyone that way–you would never push a defenseless woman down a flight of stone steps, much less a pregnant woman.” Her eyes filled with tears. “Sonny, you didn’t touch me. You walked away. I know you did. You didn’t do this.”

Some tension left his shoulders and he slumped a little. He closed his eyes. “Thank you.”

“Do you believe me?” Elizabeth asked intently. “Do you?”

“I…I believe you.” He raised his eyes. “I know that I yelled at you that night. I said things that I didn’t mean. You matter to me, Elizabeth. You’ve always been there when it counted and I can’t…I can’t fault you because you’ve chosen to believe there’s more to Ric Lansing than he’s shown the rest of us.”

“There is,” Elizabeth told him. “I know you hate him, but he’s screwed up. He’s screwed up from his father telling him that it was your fault Ric never had a real mother and believe me, Ric knows more than anyone else that he’s screwed up. But he doesn’t want to be like that anymore. He wants to build a life for himself that doesn’t include hating you and wanting revenge.”

He nodded. “I remember how much you used to fight for Jason and how loyal you’ve always been to the people you love. I hope…I hope your faith in Ric is justified and he makes you happy.”

“I will make sure you’re out of here,” Elizabeth promised him. “You didn’t do this. And you don’t deserve to be here.”

PCPD

Scott Baldwin scowled. “Why wasn’t I informed that there was a case pending against Sonny Corinthos?” he demanded.

Mac barely glanced up from his computer as he typed Elizabeth’s statement up. “Because Sonny is not a suspect.”

“The hell he isn’t!” Scott declared. “He was the only person there, Elizabeth Lansing can’t remember if he walked away first, he’s got a known grudge against her husband–”

“Since when does Corinthos push defenseless women down the stairs?” Mac snapped. He pushed away from his desk and stood. “I know he’s the prime suspect! But I don’t think he did it!”

“Who the cares what you think? The evidence shows different!” Scott yelled.

“There is no evidence! Circumstantial evidence, maybe–”

“You either do the right thing or I’ll take this case from you,” Scott threatened. “And I can do it, you know that.”

“Don’t you presume to lecture me on what’s right!” Mac retorted. “I’m not the one that bungled Alcazar’s murder trial!”

“We finally have the chance to put Sonny Corinthos away and you don’t seem to give a damn!”

Mac sighed and looked down, bracing his hands on the desk. “I understand that you’re angry about what happened to Karen. I’m angry that Maxie got a hold of drugs too. But it’s been a decade, Scott. Sonny doesn’t run drugs, he doesn’t do prostitution.”

“And that makes him okay?” Scott demanded. “And that just negates what he did to my daughter?”

“No, of course not, but you can’t go around as DA with a vendetta against Sonny because of that! You’ll be reported to the Ethics Committee! You could lose your license. Damn it, you’re a good lawyer when you don’t let yourself get carried away.”

Scott sighed and drug his hand through his hair. “Look, I’m just saying that we need to save face. The papers have gotten a hold of this now and they’re demanding his arrest. All we gotta do is arrest him. Elizabeth Lansing testifies at the indictment hearing, tells them she doesn’t think he did it and he goes away. We look good because, hey, we tried.”

Mac studied him and looked away after a moment. Scott had a point. The mayor was threatening his job again if things didn’t start looking up. To save face, arresting Sonny would be the best idea. At least when he wasn’t indicted, the egg wouldn’t be on their face.

“Let me do some more work,” Mac said finally. “I’m sure there are other people with a grudge against Ric.”

“Fine,” Scott told him. “One week.”

General Hospital

Elizabeth laid her head against the pillows and closed her eyes. Four days in this hospital and she was about to go insane.

The door creaked open and Lucky stepped in. “Hey,” he greeted, revealing a bouquet of white roses. She smirked.

“Still can’t find another color?” she asked pointedly.

Lucky shrugged and came forward to hand them to her. “Hey, white roses–they’re our thing. I figure enough time has passed that you don’t hate the sight of them any more.”

She managed a weak laugh. “Thanks.”

“How you feeling?” he asked softly.

“Empty,” Elizabeth replied. Her hand trailed to her abdomen. “I was so happy, Lucky. I was married, I was looking forward to a family and now…”

“Well…you still have Ric,” Lucky reminded her.

“Yeah…” she said faintly. She turned her head to the side. “He hasn’t been to see me in two days. Not since I asked him why he pretended to have sex with Carly.”

Lucky frowned. “What?” he demanded.

“I didn’t tell you?” Elizabeth asked wryly. “Yeah. Back in February. She was drugged, passed out. He undressed her and got into bed with her. She thought they slept together.”

He stared at her. “Knowing this, you married him anyway.”

“I was pregnant,” Elizabeth offered lamely. “And…I know you don’t understand, but I love him.”

“You’re right, I don’t understand,” Lucky replied. “But you were also in love with Jason, so–”

“Lucky, do me a favor?” Elizabeth asked softly. “Don’t talk about Jason. Because he’s the reason I married Ric.”

“What?” Lucky sputtered. “What the hell?”

“I walked away from Jason,” Elizabeth explained. “And I gave up. Despite how I felt. I didn’t want to do the same thing with Ric.”

“So you decided to go back to him, regardless of what happened with Carly?”

She nodded. “I thought…I thought having our own family would be enough. And it would have been. Oh, Lucky, he bought me a teddy bear the morning after the wedding and he bought wedding rings…you don’t know what it felt like to finally come first.”

He sighed. “Okay. So, now that…now that there’s no family on the horizon?”

“I just need…I need to understand how he could do that to Carly and think it was okay,” Elizabeth told him. “I need to understand that.”

“What did he say when you asked?”

“Nothing,” Elizabeth replied. “He shrugged it off and left to check on a job he applied for. He’s called but he hasn’t come back.”

“I’m sorry, Elizabeth.”

Elizabeth sighed. “Me, too.”

Lansing Apartment

Faith Roscoe was waiting for Ric when he entered the apartment. He stopped just inside the door and glared at her.

“What do you want?” he demanded.

She shook her head. “Poor little Lizzie. Her darling husband hasn’t been to see her in two days. After the big bad Sonny Corinthos pushed her down the stairs because she pleaded for your life, and in the process lost your baby…you can’t even see her?”

“Get out,” Ric snarled. He stepped aside and motioned to the door. “If you come back again, I’ll call the police.”

“You’re so law-abiding,” she purred. She stood and crossed the room. “It’s sexy.”

He grabbed her hand as it started to trail down his chest. “I’m not kidding, Faith.”

“Neither am I.” Her blue eyes turned cold while the warm smile stayed in its place. “If I were you, I’d use this opportunity to get rid of Sonny while you can. He goes to jail for assault, you’re in the perfect position to take over his territory. We can run it together.”

Ric shook his head. “I don’t want his territory and I’m not sending him to jail if he didn’t do it.”

Faith laughed. “Oh my God, you’re serious. What has this little twit done to you?”

“Get out,” Ric said. He shoved her through the door. “Don’t come back.”

She was still laughing when he slammed the door shut.

Sonny’s Penthouse

“This is ridiculous,” Courtney snarled, throwing down a copy of that morning’s Port Charles Herald. “Yet another letter to the editor asking why Sonny wasn’t arrested for pushing Elizabeth.”

Carly shook her head. “I don’t know. We haven’t heard anything from Mac since he was here that day. Mac doesn’t think he did it…but Sonny’s…he’s the only suspect.”

“It doesn’t matter,” Courtney replied. “He didn’t do it.”

“Since when does that matter to the PCPD?” Carly demanded. “Our best hope is that if he is arrested, that Elizabeth testifies and tells the grand jury she doesn’t think he did it. I mean if the victim doesn’t think so, that’s got to count.”

“She’ll probably end up accusing him,” Courtney muttered. “Just let Ric get five minutes with her.”

“No, she seemed pretty adamant about it when I saw her,” Carly replied. “She’s got bad taste in men and makes mistakes, but she’s not stupid. She knows Sonny would never hurt her, no matter how angry he got.”

“But Scott would never give her an opening to tell the jury she doesn’t think he did it,” Courtney pointed out. ‘”He wants Sonny and he’ll do anything to get it.”

Carly sighed. “There might not be an arrest. It’s been a week since Elizabeth fell. She’s home now. They’ve had all week to arrest Sonny and they’ve done nothing.” She shook her head. “Let’s talk about something else.” Her face brightened. “Let’s talk about the wedding.”

Courtney wrinkled her nose. “Let’s not.”

“Why not?” Carly asked, laughing.

“Because you’re going to want to help plan it and Jason and I will end up with a wedding that neither of us want. We want a traditional wedding but we don’t want to go overboard,” Courtney explained.

“I would never go overboard!” Carly denied, but she was still laughing. “Seriously, though…”

Lansing Apartment

Elizabeth gingerly stepped into the living room. She ached everywhere, but refused to stay in bed any longer. She needed to get herself moving again, her blood going.

She needed to talk to Ric.

He’d brought her home from the hospital, set her up in their bedroom and then he’d set up camp in the living room. He’d been attentive for the first two days she’d been home, but for the last three days, he’d been up and gone before she’d woken up. He was looking for space to open a law practice, he’d told her.

But she knew the truth–he was avoiding her because he knew she’d bring up Carly again and he obviously did not wish to rehash that particular subject. The trouble was that Elizabeth had never been properly satisfied with his explanation and was determined to work it out with him.

She pulled her sweatshirt down over her knees and curled up on the couch, wrapping her arms around her knees.

She’d gotten herself into a marriage she probably shouldn’t have rushed and now she was worried her husband wanted out.

A few minutes later, there was a knock on the door. Elizabeth sighed and pushed herself to stand.

“Be right there!” she called as she slowly moved across the apartment to the front door. She unlocked the bolts and slid the chain lock open. Ric had had them installed before she’d gotten home and Elizabeth suspected it was to keep Faith Roscoe out.

“Commissioner…” Elizabeth stepped back to let Mac in. “I didn’t know you were coming.”

“I called Ric last night and told him that I needed to see you both,” Mac said. His eyes searched the room. “Is he here?”

“No,” Elizabeth said softly. “He had to…he had an appointment with a realtor for some office space. I guess he couldn’t reschedule.”

“That’s okay,” Mac told her. “This won’t take long.” He hesitated. “The judge signed an arrest warrant this morning.”

“You’re arresting Sonny aren’t you?” she asked.

“We…look, Elizabeth, I know you don’t think he did it and to be honest, we don’t either. But the mayor is calling for the arrest. It’s my job and I need to keep it,” Mac explained.

“I understand that,” Elizabeth replied, “but what about Sonny? He’s innocent.”

“And you’ll testify that you don’t think he did it at the grand jury hearing,” Mac assured her. “He won’t be indicted.”

She hesitated. “I just…I don’t feel right about arresting an innocent person.”

“I understand, but it has to be done.” Mac paused. “Are you okay?”

“I’m fine. Do you…do you need me for anything?” Elizabeth asked. “Another statement?”

“No,” Mac told her. “Well, I’m going go serve the warrant. I just wanted to warn you.”

“Thanks,” Elizabeth replied. “I appreciate everything you’ve done.”

“We’ll get the person who did it,” Mac promised. “But right now, I need to buy more time.”

Warehouse

“If it all goes well,” Jason said, setting the folder on Sonny’s desk and putting his hands on his hips, “we can open in July.”

“Sounds good,” Sonny replied.

The door to the office opened and Johnny stepped in. “Just got the word. Judge Carter signed an arrest warrant this morning.”

“They’re arresting him?” Jason asked incredulously. “That’s ridiculous.”

Johnny shrugged. “Yeah, well, the papers have been demanding his arrest for two weeks. I bet the mayor has been pressuring Scorpio to make an arrest.”

“I thought I put you on Elizabeth,” Sonny said pointedly.

“You did,” Johnny replied. “But she hasn’t left her apartment since Lansing brought her home from the hospital. Paul’s on him and Ric’s barely been home the last few days.” Johnny shook his head. “His wife has had major surgery and suffered a serious trauma and he’s out looking for office space.”

“He leaves her alone?” Jason asked, skeptically. “By herself all day?”

“Well, yeah,” Johnny replied. “Don’t be so surprised, Jason. You used to do it too.”

Jason glared at him. “That was a different situation–she was in a protected penthouse with guards.”

“Yeah, while you were in a dinky apartment with your present fiancée,” Johnny reminded him.

Jason clenched his fists. “You got something to say O’Brien?” he demanded. “Because you’ve been dancing around it for the last two weeks.”

“Hey, you two, knock it off,” Sonny interrupted. “Johnny, quit being a jackass–”

“Just as soon as Jason does,” Johnny quipped.

Jason took a step towards the guard but Sonny quickly stepped in middle. “Knock it off,” he warned. “Both of you. Johnny, just keep an eye on Elizabeth. I have a feeling Faith Roscoe had something to do with Elizabeth’s fall.”

“I’ll head back over now,” Johnny said. Before he could step towards the door, it opened again and Mac Scorpio entered with a uniformed officer in tow.

Mac took a deep breath. “Sonny Corinthos, you’re under arrest for the assault of Elizabeth Lansing.” He nodded to the office behind him to step forward and cuff Sonny.

Jason and Johnny stepped aside while Sonny let the officer lock the handcuffs on him.

“You have the right to remain silent,” Mac started to recite as Sonny was led from the office.

“Someone needs to call a lawyer,” Johnny said. He shoved his hands in his pockets. “Because honestly, the evidence is pretty tight. And all Baldwin has to do is phrase his questions to Elizabeth in a way that she doesn’t get to say anything helpful.”

“If she really doesn’t believe Sonny did it, she’ll work that in,” Jason said quietly. He looked at Johnny. “You should get back over to her apartment.”

Johnny managed one last parting shot as he stepped out of the office. “Isn’t it a little late to pretend that you give a damn?”