August 15, 2005

Port Charles, New York

Heaven bent to take my hand
And lead me through the fire

Maxie Jones was in constant motion–every second, every minute, every hour of the day. Her hands were always flying, her teeth flashing in a dimpled smile and words just flowed from her mouth like water rushing from a faucet.

She was more than silent, she was utterly still. The paramedics that were crowded around her knew her, had watched her grow up as the stepdaughter of the police commissioner, as a volunteer and aspiring nurse at General Hospital and they worked fervently to save her life, to keep her heart pumping.

A few feet from the vivacious teenager lay the remains of the crumpled car Mac Scorpio had given her for graduation and inside, four more teenaged girls were trapped. The dark night sky was beginning to streak with the purple and pinks of a new day and cars were pulling up to the wreckage–cars filled with family and friends, with reporters and curious bystanders.

Be the long awaited answer
To a long and painful fight

“You don’t understand!” Felicia Scorpio-Jones snarled as an officer made a vain attempt to hold the mother back behind the yellow tape. “Those are my girls, those my daughters and my life–”

“Sage!” another woman screamed. She fought to get through onlookers, tore at jackets and sleeves and skin to get to the front, hoping desperately for some glimpse of the girl she thought of as her own. Nothing and no one could keep Carly Corinthos from getting what she wanted.

Directly behind her, swathed in his customary black, Lorenzo Alcazar followed in Carly’s path, his brown eyes searching the accident scene, but seeing only Maxie Jones being loaded into the ambulance. “Where is she?” he demanded.

Truth be told I’ve tried my best
But somewhere along the way

At the car they had abandoned, Elizabeth Morgan rubbed her bare arms despite the hot summer morning. “If anything happened to Sage,” she murmured, “I don’t know that Carly or Lorenzo would be able to handle that.”

Her husband put his arm around her and knew they were both thinking about their one year old daughter, Lila, currently at home with Elizabeth’s grandmother. “Carly’s stronger than she looks,” Jason murmured.

General Hospital: Emergency Room

I got caught up in all there was to offer
And the cost was so much more than I could bear

“We’ve got five kids coming in from an accident, two are critical.” Emily Quartermaine tugged a hair band from her wrist and threw her hair up in a messy pony tail. “Drunk driver smashed into their car near Vista Point and fled the scene.”

“Then how do they know it was a drunk?” Robin Scorpio asked, making some last minute notes on an old chart.

“Don’t know, didn’t ask,” Emily replied.

Robin turned to the nurse at the station. “Page both Drs. Quartermaine, and both Drakes, I’m sure we’re going to need a neurosurgeon or two.”

“And all the nurses you can find,” Emily remarked. “Can’t do this without them.”

The nurse, Epiphany, humped. “Damn right,” she said under her breath as she turned to make the pages.

Princeton, New Jersey

Though I’ve tried, I’ve fallen
I have sunk so low

Kyle Radcliffe slammed the phone down and moved the short distance from the living room to the bedroom where his roommate Lucas Jones was passed out. “Get up!”

“Who, what?” Lucas raised his head sleepily from the pillow and scrubbed at his eyes. “What the hell–it’s barely five in the morning–”

“There was an accident back in PC,” Kyle said roughly. He grabbed Lucas’s school bag and threw at him. “We’re driving home. Be ready to go in five minutes.”

“Wait–” Lucas rolled out of bed and clumsily stuck his legs through the jeans he’d discarded the night before. “What kind of accident? What’s going on?”

“The girls were hit, that was Dillon on the phone,” Kyle called from his room where he was hastily shoving clothes in his backpack and trying to remember where he’d left his wallet.

“Which girls?” Lucas demanded. He appeared in Kyle’s doorway. “Which girls?” he repeated.

“All of them.” Kyle pushed past him and went into the kitchen to grab a few bottles of water and toss a few bags of chips into his bag. “They were on their way home from the club last night and it was the night to see the sunrise at Vista Point. It was on Maxie’s list of things to do before Serena left for college.”

“Did Dillon say if they’re okay?” Lucas grabbed Kyle’s arm as he headed towards the door of their apartment. “Damn it, Kyle, stop for five seconds and tell me what the hell is going on.”

I have messed up
Better I should know

“He didn’t know,” Kyle answered. “He was on his way out the door to the hospital. We have to get on the road now. It’s going to take six hours to drive there as it is.”

“Did Dillon know anything?” Lucas swiped his wallet from the counter and shoved into his back pocket.

“He said it was bad,” Kyle confessed after a long moment. “He wouldn’t say anything else but he said he’d call us when he got to the hospital. Lucas, we have to go now.”

“He didn’t know if anyone had–” Lucas had to stop, had to prepare himself to ask this. “If anyone had died, did he?”

“He would have said something,” Kyle said roughly. “But no, he didn’t know. He didn’t know anything other than they’d been in an accident and that it was serious.”

Lucas swallowed. “I guess we better go then.”

General Hospital: Emergency Room

So don’t come round here
And tell me I told you so

She knew the blonde girl stretched out on the gurney, racing down the hallway from the emergency room bay doors to the trauma room. She had watched her grow up, had known her parents and been to her high school graduation.

And more importantly, she knew that Lulu Spencer had been with her cousins the night before. In fact, you could hardly trip over Lulu Spencer without finding Maxie and Georgie Jones with her, or Sage Alcazar and Serena Baldwin. The five girls were best friends and had spent the summer creating memories to last them before Serena left for a dancing scholarship in New York and Sage and Maxie began their freshman year at PCU.

Robin was already barking out commands for medicine and tests as her mind was processing that the other four girls included Maxie and Georgie, two girls that were more than cousins. They were her sisters.

We all begin with good intent
Love was raw and young

“Get her to x-ray,” Robin told Emily. She tugged off her yellow gown and flew through the doors to the next trauma room where Sage Alcazar was stretched out.

“What do we have here?” she asked as a nurse hurriedly gowned her and put on her new gloves.

“Seventeen-year-old female with a concussion and possible broken femur,” a nameless intern replied. “We’ve got it handled here, Dr. Scorpio.”

Robin took a bracing breath before exiting to the next trauma room across the hall. Before she was more than five feet inside, Patrick Drake was pushing on her shoulders to keep her out. “You don’t want to be in here,” he told her. “For once, don’t argue with me and don’t try to prove me wrong.”

She bit her lip. “Maxie or Georgie?” she asked him quietly. “How bad is it?”

Patrick cast a look back at his patient, knew he had only moments to spare before he had to get her into surgery. “It’s Maxie, Robin. It’s a pretty serious head injury, and we need to get a CAT scan so I can see what I’m dealing with.”

“But you can fix it right?” Robin asked. “You’re supposed to be the best neurosurgeon in the state. You can fix it.”

We believed that we could change ourselves
The past could be undone

“I need to get a scan first–maybe you should go update the families,” he suggested. “You’re too close to the patients—”

“They’re the daughters of some of Port Charles’ most noted families,” Robin retorted. “The Spencers, the Baldwins, the Jones–there’s not a hospital staff member that hasn’t worked with Maxie or Georgie–”

“But she’s your sister, Robin,” Patrick interrupted. “She’s family and that makes it different.” He glanced back at Maxie. “I have to get back there. Someone needs to update the families. You have the best bedside manner anyway.”

Robin nodded and took a deep breath. “Then you’d better tell me what to say to them about Maxie because Felicia and Mac are going to want more than you don’t know what you’re dealing with yet.”

General Hospital: Emergency Waiting Room

But we carry on our backs the burden
Time always reveals

“We should have heard something by now,” Carly snapped, pacing restlessly. She reached one end of the lobby and closed her eyes, trying to take calming breaths. It wasn’t working–whether it was the tension of the moment, the fright that her adopted daughter would be torn from her or maybe it was this depressing gray room that was driving her to the brink but she was coming up fast on the line between sanity and irrational actions.

“The doctors will get to us as soon as they can,” Felicia said, more to comfort herself than Carly. The two women were not by any means friendly but Sage and Maxie were closer than sisters and sacrifices had to be made for the sake of their children. She stood and put a hand on Carly’s forearm to stop her pacing for a moment. “I’d rather have them back there doing everything they can than out here assuaging my fears.”

Carly nodded. “Right, right. Better that they’re not out here telling us what we don’t want to hear.” She stilled and surveyed the room, almost in disbelief as she realized the variety of people waiting for news. If not for the friendship of the girls, there would be no way Port Charles District Attorney Scott Baldwin and his parents and Police Commissioner
Mac Scorpio would be in the same room as reputed criminals Lorenzo Alcazar and Jason Morgan–and it was unlikely that Jason would ever want to be in the same room as Edward Quartermaine who was waiting with Dillon for news on Dillon’s girlfriend Georgie and stepsister Lulu.

The doors to the emergency room swung open and Robin stepped out, a carefully blank expression on her face. “Ah, I’m here to update all the families,” she said. “I could take you each aside or just say it—”

“Just get it over with,” Mac said. “They’re all friends, they’re going to want to know anyway. Just tell us, Robin.”

The lonely light of morning
The wound that would not heal

“Ah, well, okay.” Robin cleared her throat. “Lulu is in stable condition. She had a concussion and a broken arm, which they’re setting now. She’ll be moved up to her own room shortly and will be making a full and complete recovery.”

Elizabeth reached over and squeezed Lucky’s trembling hands. “See, she’s a Spencer. They’re like cockroaches–they never go away.”

“Sage is also in stable condition,” Robin continued. “She also suffered a concussion, along with a broken leg and a few broken ribs, Like Lulu, she’ll be moved up to her own and will be making a complete recovery.” She hesitated. “Georgie is in stable condition, she suffered a concussion, three broken ribs and a broken wrist. She’ll be in her own room soon.” There was a long pause before she could bring herself to speak.

Scott Baldwin stood up from his chair. “What about Serena?” he demanded.

It’s the bitter taste of losing everything
That I have held so dear

“Serena and Maxie were both seated on the driver’s side,” Robin said softly. “The other driver struck that side of the car and as a result, they have suffered the worst injuries. Maxie and Serena both have head injuries, the extent of which is not yet known, in addition to some broken ribs and other lesser injuries.”

“I don’t understand.” Felicia clenched her fingers in her ex-husband’s sleeve. “What does that mean, Robin?”

“It means that they’re listed in critical condition,” Robin said quietly. “And that we can’t determine anything more without further testing.”

“But Serena will be all right, won’t she?” Scott demanded. “I’ve lost one daughter in a car accident; tell me I’m not going to lose another…”

More than anything, Robin wanted to reassure the anguished father that Serena would be fine, that she had one of the best medical teams in the area working on her to save her life, but she would also not give out false hope.

I’ve fallen
I have sunk so low

“I can’t say right now,” Robin said softly. “But I’ll keep you updated and hopefully I’ll have a better answer soon.”

Unable to stomach the desperate looks of so many people she loved and respected, Robin swallowed hard and fled behind the trauma room doors.

Highway: Kyle’s Car

I have messed up
Better I should know

Kyle stared at the cell phone in his hand, Dillon’s words echoing in his ear. Maxie…critical…head…injury. They weren’t moving together and forming any kind of sensible outcome. Dillon was supposed to call and tell him that all the girls were fine, that by the time Lucas and Kyle got there, they’d be ready to go home. He’d pictured Maxie laughing at him because he’d driven six hours just to be with her.

But according to Dillon, Maxie was in critical condition and there was no word yet if she was going to survive.

“What did he say?” Lucas demanded from the passenger side. When Dillon’s number had flashed on the cell, Kyle had pulled to the side of the road. “Kyle–”

“Sage, Georgie and Lulu are all right,” Kyle said, his head still wrapping around the nightmare of not having Maxie in his life. His whole future had been mapped out with her. Graduate from college, come home to Port Charles for medical school, get married, start a family. None of that seemed possible without her.

Lucas let that relief flood through him but then he released there were names missing. “Serena?” He hesitated. “Maxie?”

“The car struck them on the driver’s side,” Kyle continued slowly. “Serena was in the back seat on that side, and Maxie was driving. They’re in critical condition.”

“Oh, God.” Lucas closed his eyes and hated himself for being desperately relieved that it wasn’t Sage. Maxie was his cousin, Serena one of his oldest friends. “Do they know…?”

“Robin wouldn’t say one way or the other.” Kyle looked at Lucas, the young man who’d gone from being his enemy to his brother. “I can’t–I can’t do this without her.”

So don’t come round here
And tell me I told you so

“Don’t talk like that, man,” Lucas said. “She’s gonna pull through, if for no other reason than she hasn’t annoyed everyone nearly enough.” He hesitated. “Do you want me to take over driving for a while?”

Kyle nodded. “Yeah, yeah, that might be a good plan.”

Hardy House: Kitchen

Heaven bent to take my hand
Nowhere left to turn

It had taken Audrey Hardy time to truly accept Jason Morgan in her granddaughter’s life, as more than the father of her child. They had married only six months previous and it had been during the wedding ceremony that Audrey had finally opened her eyes and seen the radiant smile on Elizabeth’s face.

She hadn’t smiled like that for so long Audrey had forgotten what she looked like when she was happy.

After that day, she’d opened her home to the family and had encouraged Elizabeth to move the trio into the house Audrey had shared with Steve for longer than she could remember. And one day, when Audrey passed away, she would know that Elizabeth always had a home to call her own.

It was nearly noon before the tired couple returned to the house, exhausted from having being woken by a frantic Carly in the middle of the night. Audrey had coffee ready, knowing Jason would still insist on going into work that day.

“How are the girls?” Audrey asked as Elizabeth stifled a yawn and shuffled in the kitchen. “Are they all right?”

“Sage, Lulu and Georgie are,” Elizabeth answered, pouring Jason’s customary mug of black coffee and passing it to him. “But Maxie and Serena are in surgery. They were still in critical condition when we left.” She touched Jason’s arm. “I’m going to check on Lila. I just…I need to see her.”

I’m lost to those I thought were friends
To everyone I know

Elizabeth left them alone in the kitchen and Jason stood uncertainly, still somewhat uneasy with his wife’s grandmother.

“You spend your entire life protecting your children,” Audrey said softly, “shielding them from danger the best way you know how and you think you know what you’re doing. You’re confident you’ve thought of all the angles. And then something happens that proves you can never prepare for every eventuality.” She met his eyes. “It’s disturbing when you realize how wrong you were and the very thing you were trying to protect your family from was exactly what they needed.” She set her coffee mug in the sink. “It was good of you to go be with Carly this morning. It shows great character for someone to be so devoted to a friend.”

Jason shifted uncomfortably. “She’d do the same for me.”

“Even so.” Audrey patted his arm. “It’s mornings like this that make me glad my Elizabeth chose you.”

General Hospital: Doctor’s Break Room

Oh they turned their heads embarrassed
Pretend that they don’t see

Emily gulped down half a bottle of water and set it on the table. “If you stare at the door, it’s not going to make either Drake come in any faster.”

Robin turned away and sighed. “Yeah, I know, but I don’t know what else to do.” She propped her chin up with her hand. “I just want Patrick to tell me Maxie is going to be okay.”

“I want them all to be okay,” Emily said. “But, Robin, you saw the scans–”

“I know,” Robin cut in. “But I have to believe that it’s going to be okay. I can’t…I don’t think I can tell someone that their daughter is gone, right of the very beginning of their life. I just–I don’t have that in me.” She dropped her head to the table. “I should have gone into research.”

But it’s one missed step
You’ll slip before you know it

The door to the room cracked and an exhausted Patrick Drake entered, stifling a yawn. “She’s out of surgery,” he told her. “Pressure is relieved and unless there’s some infection or unseen complications…”

Robin got to her feet and crossed the room, wrapping her arms tightly around his waist. “Thank you so much.”

“Just doing my job,” the doctor replied uncomfortably. He backed away. “I peeked in on Serena Baldwin.” He hesitated. “It wasn’t–it’s not looking good.”

“Oh, God,” Emily breathed. “Scott’s not going to be able to handle losing her. There’s got to be something…”

“As much as I much hate to admit it, the only thing left is to pray,” Patrick said. He gripped Robin’s shoulder. “Why don’t you go to tell Maxie’s parents? I’m sure they’re waiting for the good news.”

And there doesn’t seem a way to be redeemed

Robin nodded and exited the room. Emily arched an eyebrow. “That would have been excellent opportunity to continue your pursuit of the good doctor,” she observed.

Patrick collapsed into a nearby chair and rubbed his eyes. “I don’t want her to go out with me because I saved her cousin’s life,” he muttered.

“Six months ago, you would have used any and every chance to reel her in,” Emily replied. She tossed him a doughnut. “Interesting how fast things change.”

General Hospital: ER Waiting Room

Though I’ve tried, I’ve fallen…
I have sunk so low

Scott Baldwin saw Robin striding towards the doors, coming towards them. Her face looked optimistic, surely a good sign. He was positive she was bringing him the news that his beloved Serena would be just fine.

There was no other possible outcome.

Just before Robin reached the doors, Noah Drake stepped out of an elevator and reached out for her arm. They stood and talked for a moment, Robin’s face falling.

And then she turned and looked directly at him. All that pain and devastation directed at him–such a change from her face mere moments ago.

Scott couldn’t feel his legs anymore.

General Hospital: Lobby

I have messed up
Better I should know

In the five and a half hours since Dillon’s last phone call, Kyle’s phone had been stubbornly silent and he’d been afraid to call, afraid that the words would be something he wasn’t ready to hear.

They parked the car haphazardly across the street and rushed towards the entrance to find Dillon waiting for them, sprawled out in a chair, his chin tucked into his chest.

“Dillon…” Kyle choked out. “Tell me she’s okay…”

So don’t come round here

Dillon raised his head and looked at them, his dark eyes swimming with tears. “Maxie’s…she’s fine.”

“Then what…?” Lucas asked, shaking his head. He swallowed. “Oh, God…”

“Serena…she’s…she’s gone.”

And tell me I told you so

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