Tuesday, November 2, 2004

General Hospital: Chapel

All around me are familiar faces, worn out places, worn out faces

Justice of the peace. She almost couldn’t believe he’d said the words. But she had already known the news. She had heard it from the horse’s mouth. Alexis Davis told her nephew that his presence would be needed as she was marrying Ric Lansing in an hour’s time.

Her ex-husband. The man who had once told her that she was the only woman he’d ever truly loved–would ever love. He had moved on to Alexis while she was out of town and now just three months after their divorce was final, he would marry someone else.

Elizabeth Webber Lansing wasn’t sure if she wanted to laugh or cry.

“Elizabeth,” Ric murmured. “I didn’t expect you.”

“That much is obvious.” She glanced down at her hands and belatedly realized she still wore the engagement and wedding rings he’d given her once. “Alexis…told Nikolas the news and I thought…” She swallowed. “I thought it was time to give you these.” She took the rings off and set them on the closest pew. “I hope that Alexis gives you what I obviously couldn’t.”

“Elizabeth, wait–”

She turned and walked out of the chapel, her head held high.

Kelly’s

Bright and early for the daily races
Going nowhere, going nowhere

Brooke Lynn Ashton planted both her hands on Diego Sanchez’s chest and shoved him away. “What the hell do you think you’re doing?” she hissed. She took two large steps back. “Are you insane?”

Diego attempted to smile but failed. “You don’t want it?” he said shortly.

Her dark eyes wide with surprise, Brooke shook her head. “No. No, I don’t. I thought we were friends.”

He grabbed her elbow and yanked her towards him. “Friends? You think I wanted to be your friend?”

“Diego, let me go now,” Brooke struggled against his grip.
He started to drag her towards the kitchen. “Let me show you what I do to teases,” he snarled.

“Let me go!” she cried urgently.

General Hospital: Kristina’s Hospital Room

The tears are filling up their glasses
No expression, no expression

Alexis Davis cleared her throat and stepped further into the hospital room. “Sonny–”

“This is not the time or the place,” Sonny Corinthos murmured, keeping his face calm, his eyes smiling at he gazed down at Kristina.

“I just wanted to explain what happened.”

“It can wait.” Sonny’s lips curved in Kristina’s direction. “Why don’t you get some sleep?”

Kristina yawned and turned over, burying her face in her pillow. Obviously exhausted from her illness and the tests, she was asleep in minutes. Sonny tucked the blankets around her shoulders and stood to go into the hall. Alexis followed him and closed the door behind her.

“I understand that you are angry,” she began.

“Angry, yes,” Sonny nodded. “Disappointed. In you, in Carly.” He looked back at the room. “It can wait until we know what’s going to happen.”

“Sonny–”

“I was tested and so was Courtney and Mike. We’re not matches,” Sonny told her. “Jason’s talking to Carly about testing Morgan.”

“But–”

“When this is over and Kristina is safe, then we will discuss her future. I will be a part of her life, Alexis. I won’t take her from you but I will be in her life.”

Panic licked at the back of her throat. “That’s not possible–”

“I really don’t want to hear what you think right now,” Sonny said, his anger beginning to break through his controlled voice. “I don’t give a damn what you think. When our daughter is safe, maybe then we can discuss what you think though I doubt I will give a damn then.”

Harborview Towers: Corinthos Penthouse

Hide my head I want to drown my sorrow
No tomorrow, no tomorrow

“The test is painful,” Carly Corinthos said stubbornly. “And Morgan is barely a year old. I won’t let him.”

“Carly…” Jason Morgan closed his eyes and sighed. “That’s not just your choice.”

“But it is my choice,” she snarled. “And I choose no. He’s my son and I have to protect him.”

“And if he were sick, you would do anything for him,” Jason said softly. “Including begging Alexis to test Kristina. You don’t have the monopoly on motherhood.”

Carly folded her arms tightly across her chest. “You’re not a father, Jason, I can’t expect you to understand.”

“No.” Jason’s eyes iced over. “No I guess I couldn’t understand.”

Carly’s arms fell to her side. “Jason, I didn’t mean–”

“No, you did mean it. And I think we both have to think about that for a while. I’ll talk to you later.” He turned and left the penthouse.

And left the Harborview Towers altogether.

General Hospital: Emergency Room

And I find it kind of funny
I find it kind of sad

Commissioner Mac Scorpio arrived an hour after Connor Bishop fell into his coma and he pulled Detective Lucky Spencer off the case. “You’re too close to this, Spencer.”

“Commissioner,” Lucky began.

“Too close,” Mac repeated. “I’ll be handling it personally.” He moved over to talk to one of the doctors.

“It’s for the best,” Nikolas Cassadine informed his half-brother. He put a hand on his shoulder. “For the best,” he repeated.

“We should get to the chapel,” Emily Bowen-Quartermaine murmured. She slid her hand into her fiancé’s and tugged him in the direction of the elevators. “Alexis said the justice of the peace would be arriving soon.”

“I can’t believe she’s marrying him,” Lucky muttered as the trio moved towards the bank of elevators, leaving Connor Bishop in his dreamlike coma.

Kelly’s: Kitchen

The dreams in which I’m dying are the best I’ve ever had

Mike Corbin frowned at the dark diner and flicked on the lights. “Diego? Brooke?”

A small whimper from the kitchen had his frown deepening and he quickened his steps to find a bruised and bloodied Brooke Lynn crumpled in front of the stove. Mike’s hands clenched into fists as he realized her skirt was hanging in tatters around her waist and her blouse was torn and hanging from a shoulder.

“Brooke Lynn? Honey?”

Brooke buried her face in hands and hid from him, her whimpers turning into hiccupping sobs.

“Honey, what happened?”

When Brooke didn’t answer, Mike steeled himself and reached for the phone on the counter. He called 911 first and then reluctantly–he phoned Ned Ashton.

Elizabeth’s Cottage: Front Step

I find it hard to tell you
I find it hard to take

Elizabeth opened her door that night to find Jason standing there. “Hey, I didn’t expect you tonight.” She bit her lip. “I heard about Kristina. Is she all right?”

“For tonight. I wanted…I wanted to see Cameron.” Jason leaned against the doorway. “I won’t wake him. I just…Carly told me that I didn’t understand why she wouldn’t have Morgan tested because I wasn’t a father.”

Elizabeth touched his arm and pulled him inside. “Jason…you don’t have to ask to see him.” She shut the door and used her other hand to touch his cheek. “You know you’re welcome here whenever you want to come over.”

“I can’t.” Jason shook his head. “I can’t be here as much as I want to be. People might notice. They might ask questions and I won’t risk it. Cameron’s too important.”

“What about me?” she murmured, “Will you risk staying tonight?” There was something in her eyes. Something he couldn’t quite read.

“I’ll stay tonight.” He leaned down and captured her lips in a lingering kiss.

General Hospital: Chapel

When people run in circles its a very very
Mad world
Mad world

The ceremony was simple and it was quick. Before Nikolas could talk his aunt out of it, she had married the district attorney and became Alexis Davis-Lansing. He did not think this was a decision she wanted to make while her entire world was crumbling but it was done now.

Emily wondered how they would tell Elizabeth that this was done. That her ex-husband had married someone before Elizabeth had even given up his name. She wondered if it would devastate her best friend or if Elizabeth would try to shrug it off.

She wanted to claw Ric’s eyes out for destroying Elizabeth’s faith in love, her ability to trust and to give herself to anyone. Since returning from California, Elizabeth rarely spoke about herself and rarely brought Cameron into the public eye. She kept to herself and Emily grieved for the outgoing woman she had once been.

“We’d better get back to Kristina,” Alexis murmured.

Ric nodded and kissed her temple. “For a little while. You need to rest, you need to get something to eat. You do Kristina no good if you’re dead on your feet.”

Nikolas shifted and glanced at his aunt before looking at her new husband–wondering what the man’s angle was. If there was anything Nikolas had learned about Ric Lansing it was that he did not do anything without a reason.

General Hospital: Emergency Room

Children waiting for the day they feel good
Happy Birthday, Happy Birthday
And they feel the way that every child should

Ned Ashton and Lois Cerullo rushed through the doors and stopped when they found Mike Corbin sitting in one of the chairs, a smear of blood on his cheek.

“What’s happened to my baby?” Lois demanded shrilly. “Where’s my daughter?”

Mike stood on unsteady feet and swallowed. “I left her and Diego in charge of the diner. I had to run out and when I came back, she was in the kitchen.”

“Did she cut herself?” Ned asked. He took a hold of the older man’s arm. “Is she hurt badly?”

“Mr. Ashton,” Dr. Steven Webber said softly. “I need to speak with you and Brooke Lynn’s mother.”

Ned let his hands fall from Mike’s arm and he stared blindly at Elizabeth’s older brother. “What’s wrong with my daughter?”

“Brooke Lynn was attacked,” Steven said, trying to spare them the brutal details. “She was beaten pretty badly. She’s got a few bruised ribs, a broken nose, a concussion and a broken arm.” He hesitated and looked at Commissioner Mac Scorpio. “She was…she was raped, Mr. Ashton.”

Ned’s eyes went dark and he stumbled back. “What? But that can’t be possible.”

Lois fumbled for her ex-husband’s hand and she covered her mouth with her free hand. “No, no, Ned, they made a mistake. It can’t be our Brooke. Not our baby.”

“I’m so sorry,” Steven apologized, feeling useless.

“Ned, Lois, I’m sorry for what’s happened,” Mac joined them, his eyes dark with sorrow. He knew that his daughters hung out with Brooke, that they easily could have been there tonight. “I can’t imagine what you’re going through.”

“What happens next?” Lois murmured.

“She was given the rape kit and there is evidence,” Steven said, hoping that would make the parents feel a little better. “Strong evidence.”

“We will be able to convict on this evidence,” Mac stressed. “Now, Dr. Webber tells me that Brooke Lynn is sedated and will be moved to a private room. I won’t press her for a statement tonight but I will have to tomorrow. I’m sorry about that.”

“No, no, you–you’re doing your job,” Ned said. He closed his eyes and wrapped Lois more tightly in his arms. “You have our full cooperation. We just–we just want to see our daughter.”

“I’ll take you to her,” Steven spoke up.

Elizabeth’s Cottage: Cameron’s Nursery

Sit and listen
Sit and listen

Leaving Elizabeth downstairs to make a late supper, Jason entered Cameron’s room and sat beside the crib where the infant slept peacefully. “Hey,” he said softly. He folded his arms on the rail of the crib and rested his chin on top of his hands. “You look bigger than the last time I saw you.”

Cameron turned his head and opened his mouth in a sigh but did not wake. “I never understood when people would tell someone that their baby has their eyes or their nose. I could never see it. But you’ve got your mother’s nose. And her smile. You don’t know how lucky you are that she’s your mother.”

Cameron slept on peacefully and Jason closed his eyes, listening to the baby breathe. “She’s so generous and she’s got a heart that was just made for loving her family. She will protect you and she will see that you get the life that you want. I will, too. I just–I can’t do it like she can.

“I can’t be here every day and I can’t put you to sleep at night or be here in the mornings when you wake up.” Jason sighed, his voice a little unsteady. He’d never wanted to be an absentee parent but the decision had been thrust on him with no warning. “The best I can do is provide for you and your mother and hope the little I do makes you happy.”

Elizabeth’s hands rested on his shoulders. “It does,” she murmured. “You know, before Cameron I didn’t want to believe that you were right. That I was safer out of your life and part of me still doesn’t believe that. But I thought you were just pushing me away and knowing you’re doing the same thing even now, it makes me think that you were right. Because you would never live without your son.”

Jason stood and leaned down to kiss Cameron’s forehead. “It’s not even the job anymore,” he remarked quietly. “It’s the people in my life. They have no respect for me, for my privacy. For my right to have a life and until I can fix that, I have to protect you and Cameron.”

“And when you fix it, we’ll be here waiting for you,” she murmured.

General Hospital: Hallway Outside Kristina’s Room

Went to school and I was very nervous
No one knew me
No one knew me

“Now if Morgan isn’t a match,” Sonny began, “what are our other options?”

“The donor registry. They’re still searching for a match,” Steven told Sonny, Alexis and Ric. “But if there’s no donor there…”

Alexis swallowed and clutched Ric’s hand tightly. “What then?”

“There is one possibility. I didn’t want to bring it up in case there were other options but now that there’s clearly not…” Steven hesitated. “Samantha McCall is pregnant with your child,” he nodded towards Sonny. “Stem cells from the umbilical cord can be used to treat Kristina. Because of their nature, they don’t have to be an exact match. Just a closely related relative.”

Alexis looked at Sonny. “Would Sam consent to that?”

“She’s not due until the end of the month,” Sonny murmured. “Can Kristina wait that long?”

“It’s better if we treat her sooner. If Sam would be willing to induce the pregnancy…” Steven trailed off.

“That’s not something I can agree to by myself,” Sonny remarked. “I’ll have to discuss it with her but we’ll have Morgan here in the morning to test him.” He looked at his watch and frowned, realizing Jason hadn’t called about his meeting with Carly. “I’ll go home and talk to Carly about Morgan.”

He went into the elevators and Alexis slumped a little. “I can’t believe he knows,” she said hoarsely. “I’ve protected that secret for three years.”

“Some secrets aren’t meant to be kept,” Ric wrapped an arm around her shoulder. “We’re going to say good night to Kristina and go home for the night, Alexis.”

“But–”

“Kristina has been given medication, Ms. Davis, she’ll sleep right on through morning,” Steven interrupted. “She won’t even realize you’re gone.”

General Hospital: Brook Lynne’s Room

Hello teacher tell me whats my lesson
Look right through me
Look right through me

Lois curled up in a brown pleather chair at Brooke’s side while Ned stared out into the darkness of the city. His daughter had been beaten and she’d been raped. There were few things worse he could think of happening to her.

How would she get through this? Who had done this? His hands tightened into fists. When he found the son of bitch, there would be no where the scum could hide.

“Ma?” Brooke Lynn murmured, her eyes fluttering open to see her mother at her side. “What happened?”

“Oh, my little girl,” Lois was on her feet in an instant. “Are you all right?”

“I ache…” Brooke turned to lie on her back and a soreness between her legs flooded her eyes with tears and her mind with memories. “Oh, Mama,” she sobbed. “I couldn’t stop him.”

Ned was at her side in an instant, “Shh, baby.”

“Daddy,” Brooke clung to his hand. “I told him no. I screamed it. I thought…” she choked and shook her head. “I thought he was my friend.”

Ned’s blood heated and he struggled to maintain a calm composure. “Who, baby doll?”

“D-Diego,” Brooke choked out. She closed her eyes. “I couldn’t stop it,” she whimpered.

Ned kissed his daughter’s hand and stood. “I’ll go call Mac,” he murmured.

Courtney’s Loft: Hallway

And I find it kind of funny
I find it kind of sad

Courtney was rubbing the sleep out of her eyes when she pulled the door open later that night. She blinked. “Mac?”

“Courtney.” Mac took a deep breath and looked back at the two uniformed officers at his side. “We need to take Diego Sanchez in for questioning.”

“Diego.” Courtney turned to look at the bed where the teen slept and frowned. “He’s not here. I didn’t even realize he wasn’t here when I got home.” She looked back at Mac. “What’s wrong?”

“We need to know where he is.”

“I’m his guardian, Mac, I deserve to know what you suspect him of,” Courtney said, annoyed.

“He’s suspected of raping and assaulting Brooke Lynn Ashton,” Mac said shortly. “Where is he?”

“That is completely ridiculous,” Courtney sputtered. “Diego and Brooke are friends, he’d never hurt her.”

“Tell that to the parents of the girl lying in the hospital,” Mac snapped. “Where is he, Courtney? Don’t make me arrest you.”

Elizabeth’s Cottage: Bedroom

The dreams in which I’m dying are the best I’ve ever had
I find it hard to tell you
I find it hard to take

Elizabeth curled into Jason’s embrace and sighed in content. There were few nights like this. Nights where Jason could stay until morning, where he didn’t have to leave moments after arriving. Where they could spend the night making love if they chose to or sleep in each other arms.

It was nights like these that helped her get through the ones between–where she was lonely–where she was tired of seeing him in public and pretending nothing had changed when in reality, it had all changed.

One day, she repeated to herself, one day it would be different.

As she joined Jason in sleep, his cell phone rang silently. He had turned it off when he stepped into the cottage, leaving the outside world behind him.

When people run in circles its a very very
Mad World
Mad World

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