Tuesday, December 7, 2004

Gardena Suites: Jason’s Apartment

“So do I get to be Aunt Sam or what?” Sam asked as she gestured for Cameron to crawl towards her.

“I have no idea,” Jason said absently as he went over the notes he’d made in London to improve the security at the Cassadine Industries building. “You’d have to ask Elizabeth.”

Sam wrinkled her nose. “I’m not sure she’s over that you were going to be Addy’s dad thing. Maybe you could ask her.”

“That situation was my fault, not yours. But if you’re afraid to ask her–”

“I’m not afraid of anything,” Sam scowled. She scooped Cameron up in her arms and joined Jason at the small table. “So I got a job.”

“So you said.”

“At the Port Charles Hotel.”

Jason frowned and glanced up at that. “What do they need a salvage diver for?”

“Well, they don’t.” Sam hesitated. “But they did need a receptionist, so I applied for that.”

Jason squinted his eyes at her. “A receptionist?”

Sam narrowed her eyes. “Yes.” One more person smirked at that job choice and she would not be responsible for her actions. Was it so difficult to believe that she was ready to leave her old life behind?

“They have answer phones and be…polite, right?” Jason questioned further. “Are you sure you can–”

“Hey, I am sweetness and light, buddy,” Sam said through clenched teeth. “The next person who insinuates differently is going to get smacked, I swear to God.” Cam cooed and batted Sam’s nose with a tiny fist. “That’s right, Cam. Sam is just going to bap ’em.”

“Sweetness and light, got it,” Jason said dryly. “I must have caught you on an off year.” He set his notes aside and reached for his son. “What’s the reason for the life change?”

“Nothing,” Sam said breezily. “Except I figure I’ll make a better mother that way and I’m not sure if you have to be certified or found acceptable to get a sperm donor.”

Jason frowned. “A what?”

PC High: Foyer

Brooke Lynn stepped up to her locker and chanted the combination in her head, pretending that she didn’t notice the stares behind her. She had only made it to second period on her last attempt to return to school but she was determined today would be the day.

If she couldn’t face the stares of her classmates, how would she expect herself to get up on the stand next month and face Diego? She couldn’t afford to let herself crumble–she needed to be strong and she needed to focus on the rest of her life.

So what if her skin felt too tight or her hands were trembling as she tried to spin the dial? No one could see that, no one would know what was in her head. They wouldn’t know the way she woke up every night at 3 AM., gasping for air because she could feel his hands on her…

“You look like you’re ready to do battle.”

Brooke glanced to her side and saw Lulu Spencer leaning against the next locker. “Hey.”

“Hey,” Lulu nodded. “So you’re back to try again, huh?”

“Subtlety is not your strong point is it?” Brooke muttered under her breath as she shoved her calculus book in her bag.

“Nope,” Lulu chirped. “I’m Luke Spencer’s daughter. We missed the day the gene for subtlety and tact was handed out.”

“Clearly,” Brooke mumbled. She took a deep breath. “If I can’t get through a day of school, how can I expect to get on the stand in a court room and–”

“Hey, you don’t have to explain to me,” Lulu interrupted. “I understand what you’re trying to do. And I think you’re real brave, Brooke. I just wanted to offer my help.”

“Thanks,” Brooke countered. “But I don’t need any more help, I don’t need any more pitying glances or sympathetic eyes, okay? I’m fine. I can do this.”

“Right,” Lulu drawled. “Well, if you change your mind, you know where to find me.” She shrugged and disappeared into the throng of students. For a moment, Brooke wished the younger girl had stuck by her but she shook it off.

Eventually, she would be forced to face these halls on her own. Better to get it over with now rather than later. She squared her shoulders and headed for her first class.

Port Charles County Jail: Visiting Room

Diego Sanchez looked nothing like Tom Baker but sitting across from the prisoner, Lucky couldn’t but find some of the similarities. Both had the same smug smile, the same superior look in their eyes, the confidence in their shoulders.

But Tom Baker had been broken, Lucky recalled. Not for the rape of Elizabeth, but for blackmailing Emily, holding her and Elizabeth hostage and then attempting to kill all four of them. He wished that Tom had been convicted of raping Elizabeth, but had been content with the fact that the man would rot in jail.

And then when he got out, he would receive whatever justice Jason Morgan had waited to give. Lucky knew that Emily had made her brother promise not to do anything–she had wanted to testify and see him put away. Jason had agreed but Lucky was neither stupid nor naïve. The other man was just biding his time–whether he was out of the business or not.

Tom Baker had paid for his crimes–would continue to pay–and Lucky was determined to see that Diego Sanchez did the same.

“I have to admit,” Lucky remarked casually, “I’m surprised that you stuck around Port Charles after going to the trouble of jumping bail.”

Diego snorted and shrugged, his eyes amused. “I’m surprised they didn’t teach you better interrogation techniques. That’s weak, man.”

Lucky smirked. “It wasn’t a question, merely an observation. Now, a smarter man would have headed for Canada. The border’s only a few hours away, you could have been gone before Maria ever reported you missing. So it’s just surprising that you stayed. Not to mention going to the trouble of giving the state more evidence against you, what with the harassment of Brooke Lynn Ashton.”

“Joyce can’t prove a damn thing and it’s Brooke’s word against mine.”

Diego’s lawyer Christopher Hartman sat up at this and frowned. “Sergeant Spencer, I’m going to have to ask you to get to your point. Otherwise, this interview is just a waste of our time.”

“Diego’s not going anywhere and you’re getting paid to sit here so really,” Lucky shrugged and leaned back in his chair. “No one’s time is getting wasted. Come on, Diego, do you really think anyone is going to believe a street rat over a clean cut girl like Brooke? She’s a Quartermaine heiress and you’re not worthy to lick the dirt from her feet–”

“Yeah, you keep telling yourself that,” Diego snarled. “Keep thinking that Brooke’s rep is gonna fix this. She wanted it and ain’t no one gonna convince me different.” His lips curled into a feral grin. “She likes it rough, kinda like your girlfriend.”

Lucky’s shoulders tensed but his face remained impassive. “Oh, really?” he drawled.

“Diego–” Hartman began.

“Yeah, you know who I’m talking about,” Diego nodded, ignoring his lawyer. “The blonde bitch. I heard all about her.”

“Yeah, I know you have, Diego,” Lucky replied, careful to keep his tone even and not give into the urge to shove Sanchez’s face into the nearest cement wall. “You sent her flowers and everything.”

Diego just shrugged. “I don’t know what you’re talking about man. I just hear stories in the lockup. You know, about the pretty little birthmark on her tit–some of the guys have pictures–”

One day, Lucky promised himself, he would slug that smile right off the little shit’s face. He forced himself to remain casual. “I figured you’d heard it second hand. You wouldn’t have the balls to send her those flowers.”

“Oh, I got the balls, Spencer,” Diego sneered. “You got no idea what I’m capable of. Ask the pretty ADA if she still goes to the church to light a candle on June 12. Go ahead, ask her.”

Lucky rose to his feet and rolled his eyes. “It’s obvious you’ve got nothing to add to the case. Do me a favor, Sanchez? Don’t pass off your cellmates’ stories as your own. It just makes you look like the ass that you are.”

“Ask her, Spencer–see if the pretty little bitch still cries!”

Lucky left the room quickly before he could turn around and give into the urge to slam Diego’s face into any surface he could find.

Rose Lawn: Laura’s Room

Lulu tapped her fingers nervously against her jean-clad thighs and watched as Kevin Collins led her mother into the room. She’d asked her father if she could visit alone this first time and he promised he’d wait in the lobby.

“Laura, Lulu’s here to see you,” Kevin said with a smile. “You know Lulu, right? We talked about her today.”

Laura’s soft blue eyes focused and she met Lulu’s apprehensive eyes across the room. “Of course. Lulu’s my daughter. Are you her baby-sitter? Where is she?”

Lulu inhaled sharply and looked at her mother’s therapist who sighed. “Laura, no–this is Lulu. She’s fifteen now. Not eleven.”

Lulu took a deep breath. “Everyone says I look just like you, Mom,” she said tensely. “Grandma says it’s like looking in the mirror.”

Laura frowned and tilted her head to the side. For a long moment, neither Kevin nor Lulu thought she’d acknowledge Lulu but finally a smile spread across her face and awareness entered her eyes. “You look so beautiful sweetheart.” She held out her arms. “Come here and let Mom take a look at you.”

Lulu closed the distance between them and Laura’s hands gripped her daughter’s shoulders. “Hm, you’re a bit taller than I was but I suppose that’s your father’s influence. But your grandmother’s right, it is like turning back the clock.” Her hand slid up to cup Lulu’s cheek. “Fifteen, hmm…I bet Luke has to beat the boys off with a stick.”

Lulu laughed thickly, tears splashing over her lashes and spilling onto her mother’s hand. “No, no yet. But Dad says I’m not allowed to date until I’m at least thirty.”

Laura nodded. “Sage wisdom.” Her own eyes glossed over and she suddenly engulfed Lulu in a tight hug. “I want this moment to last,” she whispered fervently. “I don’t want you to disappear.”

“You either, Mom,” Lulu buried her face in her mother’s neck and clung to her. “You won’t go away again, will you? You’ll come home and you’ll stay?”

“Soon,” Kevin interjected. “But not today…” He guided them apart. “Laura, Lulu’s here to take part in your therapy today. Does that sound okay with you?”

Laura nodded. “That sounds wonderful.”

Gardena Suites: Jason’s Apartment

“I think you’ve gone round the bend,” Jason said, somewhat amused after Sam had finished explaining her grand plan to him.

She narrowed her eyes and set her hands on her hips. “Look, bub, I don’t need your approval to do this. I already got the job and that’s step one.”

“Sam, if you want kids so much, why don’t you just adopt?” Jason remarked. He closed a folder on the security team at the Hong Kong branch of Cassadine Industries and reached for the file on the Rome building. “Or try a foster kid–”

“So I can get a Diego Sanchez?” Sam snorted. “Thanks, but I’ll pass. No, this is my chance to turn my life around. To really go straight. I’m going to have a stable job, I’m gonna get my GED so my kid won’t be ashamed of me. And I’ll get an apartment and then I’ll visit the sperm bank.”

“It’s almost like listening to one of Carly’s plans,” Jason remarked to Cameron who gurgled and batted his fists at his father.

Before Sam could rip Jason’s throat out for that remark, there was a knock on the door. “Expecting anyone?” she asked.

“Elizabeth, she’s picking Cam up.” Jason lifted Cameron into his arms and stood to open the door. Instead of Elizabeth, there was a slightly taller, somewhat older version of her staring back at him. “Ah…” Jason searched his memory for Elizabeth’s mother’s name but she’d never mentioned it.

“Andrea Webber,” she extended her hand and Jason shook it gingerly. Andrea stepped into the apartment, raking her eyes over the simple furniture, the desk covered with paper and Sam standing in the background, surrounded by toys. “Hello, there.”

“Uh, hey,” Sam said, shoving her hands into the back pockets of her jeans. “I’m Sam McCall, a friend of Jason’s.”

“Elizabeth’s mother,” Andrea nodded politely, resolving to grill her son about the young woman. She turned her attention to Jason. “Elizabeth was delayed at the hospital and asked me to pick him up.” She stroked Cameron’s cheek. “I’m taking them out to meet with a realtor on the house her father and I are looking to purchase.”

“House?” Jason echoed.

“Mm-hmm,” Andrea nodded. “We’re moving here after the New Year. With Steven in town, it just makes sense to stick around. And since I intend for Lizzie and Cam to spend as much time there as possible, I’m looking for their opinion.” She held her hands out for her grandson.

Jason reluctantly settled his son into the woman’s arms. Cam squirmed for a little but settled into Andrea’s embrace.

Sam handed Andrea the diaper bag, “Ah, here.”

“Thank you.” Andrea looped the strap over her shoulder and smiled at Jason again, a polite and cold smile that told Jason exactly where he stood with her. “It was a pleasure to finally meet you, Jason. I’m sure we’ll see each other again.”

After she was gone, Sam’s breath came out in a rush of air. “Oh, man, she’s gonna think you’re–” she gestured. “You know.”

“No, I don’t know,” Jason said, his chest a little tight watching someone take his son from him. “What are you blathering about?”

“It is not a good idea for Elizabeth’s mother to think you and me are…” Sam glared at him. “I know you’re just being obtuse but even you have to realize that Andrea Webber thinks we’re having an affair.”

“Well, we’re not,” Jason sat back at his desk and avoided looking at the various stuffed animals scattered across his living room floor. “Elizabeth knows that, so what’s the big deal?”

“Well, clearly, I’m just tired of being the town slut,” Sam grumbled. She made quick work of cleaning up Cam’s toys and storing them out of sight. “I’m going to go–I’ve got an appointment with Sonny to look for an apartment. It makes him feel better to think he’s got a say.”

PCPD: Commissioner’s Office

“I’m sorry about lunch,” Mac said, spreading his hoagie across his desk. “I know the last place you feel like eating is my office.”

Robin reached across his pencil holder and snagged a napkin. “Nah, it’s cool, Uncle Mac. I know how busy you guys are right now.” She popped a chip in her mouth and chewed slowly. “How are Maxie and Georgie doing with what happened to Brooke?”

Mac sighed. “They’re handling it, I guess. Georgie’s smiling all the time, pretending it’s going to be okay and Maxie’s been withdrawn–she didn’t talk to Brooke for the first few weeks, I guess she didn’t know what to say.” He bit into the hoagie, chewed and then swallowed. “Have you seen Ned since you’ve been back?”

“I went to dinner with Ned, Lois, Jax and Alexis last night,” Robin answered. “They’re doing better than I would have thought but I guess the knowledge that Diego’s behind bars and there’s little to no chance he’s going to get off helps.” She narrowed her eyes at her uncle. “He isn’t going to get off right?”

“The ADA has a strong case and Diego’s only defense is that it wasn’t rape.” Mac sipped his soda. “So when you start at the hospital?”

“Tomorrow, I had my orientation this morning and met some of the people I’ll be working with.” Robin crumpled her empty potato chip bag and tossed it into the nearby trash can. “I’m looking forward to working in the ER, it’s going to be a change of pace from the research labs.”

“You glad you moved back?” Mac asked.

Robin nodded. “I mean, yeah, I’m going to miss seeing Brenda on a daily basis and Mom being an hour plane ride away. But I miss you guys. I miss the girls, you, Felicia…” she leaned back in her chair. “I miss my family and my friends. Living in Paris was a wonderful experience and I wouldn’t trade it for anything in the world but there’s no place I’d rather be than with my family.”

Port Charles Hotel: Jax’s On-Site Office

Sitting across from Courtney, listening to her explain the reasons that she couldn’t possibly stay in Port Charles any longer–that New York was really the place she wanted to be, Jax wondered if things could have been different. If Diego Sanchez had never entered their lives, if he and Courtney would have had a chance at something.

“I was hoping you might consider coming with me,” Courtney ended her speech. She waited for a long moment for Jax to answer and then frowned when he didn’t answer. “I guess–I guess that’s a no.”

Jax exhaled slowly and wondered where he’d gone wrong in his life. Had karma cursed him when he’d left Skye for Brenda? Should he have, perhaps, given his marriage to her a real chance? Was he being punished for this now?

“No,” Jax said, almost in an absent matter. “No, Courtney, I’m sorry. I understand why you think you have to leave and I support you but my life is in Port Charles. I’m opening this hotel, my friends are here. This is where I belong.”

A little stung–she hadn’t expected him to say yes outright but she hadn’t expected an automatic no–Courtney sat back. “I understand that, I just thought–” she bit her lip. “I thought we were building something together.”

It was time for some honesty, Jax decided. “Ned Ashton is my best friend in the world, Courtney. And Lois is one of my favorite people. Their daughter was brutally raped and beaten. And then you bailed Diego out. And you lied to the police. I can’t respect that, Courtney. So even if you weren’t leaving, whatever we were building–you ruined any chance of that the second you gave Maria Sanchez the money to bail out the son of a bitch that raped Brooke Lynn.”

Courtney pressed her lips together. “He was my foster son. I had a responsibility to believe him, to look out for him, Jax. I’m not going to apologize for that.”

“And I’m not asking you to. I’m only explaining why I no longer intend to see you.” He started to examine some invoices for the hotel, clearly dismissing her.

“Well, that’s just fine.” Courtney stood and squared her shoulders. “Thank you for proving again to me that all men are scum.” She stalked out of the trailer, the door slamming behind her.

Cottage: Living Room

Elizabeth had just settled Cameron down for his nap after spending the afternoon with her mother, looking at houses. It was still unfathomable to her that her parents, after being abroad for seven years, were choosing to move back stateside to be with their children. So long as Sarah stayed where the hell she was, Elizabeth thought darkly, still unwilling forgive her betrayal. Pain in the ass.

Her mother had mentioned something about Sam and Elizabeth had glossed over much of the pain, telling Andrea that Sam was just a friend of Jason’s. She was choosing not to tell her mother that Jason had once claimed paternity of Sam’s child and had been planning on raising that child as his own. It would probably not be conducive to foster any future warmth between them.

Her mother had gone back to her hotel and Elizabeth was alone with her thoughts, wondering how in the hell she’d arrived at this place in her life.

She’d just settled onto the sofa with a sketchbook and a cup of hot chocolate when her doorbell rang. She peeked through the window and was startled to find Sonny standing on her snow-covered front stoop. “Hey…” she pulled open the door and gestured for him to come in quickly so she could close the door.

“Hey, I hope this isn’t a bad time,” Sonny said, “we just haven’t really–I haven’t had a chance to stop by and see you in a while.”

Elizabeth smiled faintly. “Sonny, it’s been about four years since you’ve stopped by.”

“Yes,” Sonny admitted. “But that’s wrong. You and me, we’ve always been friends and now we’re family. So I hope you’ll let me apologize for what I’ve done wrong.”

Elizabeth hesitated for a long moment but then finally held out her hand. “Here give me your coat.” He peeled off the black overcoat and handed it her, before sitting on the couch. “So what’s on your mind?”

“First of all, I want you to know how happy I am about Cameron,” Sonny remarked. “He’s beautiful.”

“Thanks,” Elizabeth twisted her fingers together. “I know I’ve said it before, Sonny, but I am so sorry about Adella. It’s just–it’s awful.”

“Sam and me, we’re getting by. We’re moving on, I guess. It’s not easy, but we’re getting there. She’s got this grand plan to fix her life–” Sonny stopped and grinned, amused by the idea. “And me, I’m just divorcing Carly again and concentrating on my boys.”

Elizabeth leaned back against the back of the sofa. “So you’re okay with Cam being Jason’s son?” she asked softly. “Because you’re so important to Jason–”

“After all the things I have done to Jason, I have no right to judge him. I am sorry, that he felt that he had to keep this from us and if that decision led you two to be apart like you are now…” Sonny shook his head. “There are no words to make it better, Elizabeth–”

“Jason and I brought us to where we are today,” Elizabeth corrected quietly. “We’re having some issues getting it together.” She stared at the dark fireplace. “More specifically, I’m having trouble getting it together. We’ve had such a complicated relationship–we’ve never really been together. We went from friends to not being friends to being parents–” she shook her head. “I don’t know what we’re doing anymore.”

“It’s good that you’re being cautious,” Sonny nodded. “Because you’re putting your son first and that’s important but, I hope you don’t mind me meddling a little bit–I used to be pretty good at it.” He smiled at her and for the first time in so long, Elizabeth saw her old friend in his eyes. “There is something about Jason that is just–different when he’s with you. A part of him of him that lights up and switches on. You make him happy when he’s around you. And you always have. All that other stuff? It’s important, Elizabeth. Taking it slow, getting it right, you can’t rush it. But you and Jason have something special. Even after all these years and all the things that’ve gone wrong. You’ve still got that spark, that connection.”

“I know,” she replied. “It makes me thing we can get through anything.” She reached out and squeezed Sonny’s hand. “It means a lot to me that you’re here. Jason has such loyalty to you, such faith in you. It’s good to know it’s reciprocated.”

“Jason is my brother,” Sonny responded. “And that makes you family. You and Cameron, if there is ever anything that you need, I want you to know that I am here for you.”

Later after Sonny had gone, Elizabeth picked up her phone and stared at for a long moment before dialing Jason’s cell. His voicemail picked up and she bit her lip. “Jason, it’s Elizabeth. Ah…can you call me when you get this? Or come over? It doesn’t matter what time it is. I’ve changed my mind about something.”

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