Written in 72 minutes. Went over  because I really wanted to finish the last scene so we can move on 😛

Friday, September 20, 2024

General Hospital: Eighth Floor

Danny flung himself down into a seat, crossed his arms, and glared at his father. “The only reason I’m even coming to this stupid thing is I get to skip to school. I’m not doing it again.”

Jason didn’t even bother to respond to this barb as it was a variation on the theme Danny had been complaining about since the night before. Drew had, in fact, arrived at the penthouse before Jason could warn Dante, and had made a tense situation even worse. Drew was filing for custody of Scout based on drug use in the home, and Dante was pissed that Jason had known and said nothing.

He hadn’t asked for Sam’s reaction to that information — Jason doubted she felt any differently.

Jason stepped up to the counter. “Danny Morgan to see Dr. Fletcher,” he said, already pulling out his wallet for the health insurance card and debit card. He handed the materials to the receptionist and looked at his son.

“This was always voluntary, Danny. You don’t want to come back, you don’t have to. But I’m not changing my mind. If Rocco was still drinking and getting high, I had every right to do something to stop it. I tried to keep you out of it, but that didn’t work out. You want to be mad, be mad. But don’t forget — we’re here because you and Rocco screwed up last weekend. You’re not a victim. Stop acting like one.”

General Hospital: Nurse’s Station

“I mean, I’m sorry it came out the way it did,” Willow said, coming around to stand beside Elizabeth at the counter and reach for a stack of charts. “But Drew isn’t wrong. Dante had every right to know about this—”

Elizabeth bit back her first retort which was entirely unkind towards the younger man, and gripped her pen more tightly. “It was being handled, Willow. Are you happy with how it’s going now? Rocco’s angry with Danny, Danny’s trying to back out of therapy, Drew and Sam are going to end up in family court, and Dante’s furious with everyone.”

“Well, you and Jason shouldn’t have tried to protect Danny in the first place.” Willow planted a hand on her hip. “Don’t you think Drew has a point? Rocco and Danny are obviously a bad influence on each other, and if they’re getting drunk or high on the state, who knows what they’re doing at home. He has every reason to worry about Scout. I’m surprised you’re not more worried about Aiden being around them. You know how sensitive and easily led he can be—”

Elizabeth tossed her pen aside. “You don’t know my son. You were his teacher for one year six years ago, Willow.”

“I’m sorry. I don’t mean to put you on the defense.” Willow held up her hands. “I’m just saying that while I wish it hadn’t happened the way it did, I think it’s for the best it’s all out in the open. Honesty is always the best policy.”

“Really?  You want honesty?” Elizabeth folded her arms. “Michael confided in you as his wife. No crimes were being committed. No one was being hurt. We were trying to protect everyone and make sure Rocco got help by catching him in the act so he couldn’t deny it. But you decided you knew better than anyone else and betrayed Michael’s trust. What kind of wife are you?”

Willow’s expression froze and color leeched from her skin. “Excuse me?”

“You heard me. Drew wasn’t even involved. He knows damn well Scout was never in danger. He’s not worried about her. He’s worried about the optics. Just like he was the day John Cates was murdered on that property. It’s about him. But you disagreed with how we were handling the situation, and blabbed a secret that your husband wanted you to keep between the both of you. If anything, now we know that you can’t be trusted. Don’t complain the next time Michael keeps you in the dark. You’ve proved your loyalty isn’t with him.”

“You have no idea what you’re talking about,” Willow hissed. She jerked the charts from the counter and stalked down the hallway.

Elizabeth rolled her eyes, and got back to work.

Silver Water Rehabilitation Center: Lulu Spencer’s Room

Dante paced the length of the room, then stopped to look at the still figure lying in the bed. “Christ, I wish you were here.” He dragged his hands through his hair, then dropped into the chair by her bed.

“I thought I was a good father, you know? I thought—” He shook his head, looked at his hand, at the finger where his wedding ring had once been. He circled the bare skin with his other hand. “I thought I was doing okay. That Sam and I were building a future together, and that I’d given Rocco a good life. A family. He and Danny are like brothers—” Dante exhaled on a low breath. “But he’s screwing up and he doesn’t get it. Why doesn’t he get it?”

He touched the edge of the bed, running the tips of his fingers over the rough texture of the hospital blanket. “He’s drinking, getting high — and I keep thinking about your dad and your brother. Lucky with the pills, your dad with the alcohol. The damage they did. You used to tell me the only addiction you inherited was the adrenaline. The need to take risks.”

He rubbed his mouth. “I’m not blaming you, I’m not. Falconieris are stubborn. Thick-headed, and that’s our boy all wrapped up, isn’t he? A stubborn moron who’s definitely addicted to something. Maybe it’s just the risk. Maybe it’s the danger. But maybe it’s the alcohol. ” He reached for her hand — limp, but warm.

“Maybe Jason’s got it right. Maybe I should shove the kid into therapy and figure out where he’s broken. But maybe I don’t need that question answered. He’s had nothing but trouble all his life. Kidnapped for the first six months of his life, I left for two years, came back wrong, and then just when I was getting my head together, he lost you. Maybe it’s not such a mystery. I just don’t know how I fix any of it.”

He squeezed her hand, then gently laid it back on the bed. “We miss you, Lu. If  you’re still in there, if there’s any part of you still with us, man, I wish you’d give us a sign.”

He waited — but there was nothing. Her vitals didn’t change — the machines didn’t make a noise. Her lashes didn’t flicker, no movement of her fingers.

He was on his own. Just like he had been for years.

Apartment Building: Lobby

Kristina stepped off the elevator, rummaging in her purse for the keys to her car and didn’t notice the building manager waiting by the entrance until she all but walked into him. “Oh.” She clenched her fingers around her keys, pressed them to her chest. “You scared me!”

“Sorry, Miss Corinthos,” he said, and she wrinkled her nose. She’d stopped correcting him ages ago about her name. “I just wanted you to know that I would never turn over any documents or files without a court order.”

Kristina furrowed her brow, then tipped her head. “I don’t understand. What do you mean? What documents? What files?”

“They asked me if you were here on September 2, and I didn’t remember. I thought about lying because I know that would help you,” the manager added, and Kristina’s breathing hitched. September 2. The day of the murder. “But I thought maybe that would make more problems. But I won’t let them see the security footage without a subpoena. I would never do that you, Miss Corinthos. You—you know that, right?” He licked his lips, nervously. “You make sure your dad knows that, too. I’m a company man. Loyal. I know the rules. Never cooperate with the police.”

A company man. Kristina pursed her lips. Of course. Her father owned the building — of course that meant the manager answered to him. No wonder he’d never bothered to learn her last name was Davis-Corinthos.

And the cops were looking at her? Dante was looking at her? Damn it. Damn it. Her keys dug into her palms, biting into her skin as she clenched her hand even more tightly.

“Of course. I know you’d never do anything to hurt my dad. And you don’t have to worry about lying. I’m on that footage, just like I told the cops.” With her free hand, she patted his arm and forced herself to smile. “Don’t worry about anything, Harry. You’re the best.”

She left the lobby, forcing to keep her smile pasted on her face, though anyone walking past her might hastily walk in the other direction.

The PCPD thought they were going to get her files, did they? They thought they’d investigate her? They would regret messing with her.

General Hospital: Fletcher’s Office

Danny slouched low in the chair, his arms folded, his legs sprawled, feet planted on the floor. It didn’t matter what this doctor said. He was gonna keep his mouth shut for the entire house, and when he got out of here, he’d make sure his dad knew they were done. That Danny was never going to trust him again. Lousy bastard.

The doctor had smiled at him, told him to sit down, and was now sitting across from him, a notepad on the little table next to him.

“It’s nice to meet you, Danny. I’m Dr. Fletcher.”

Danny jerked a shoulder, and grunted something.

“I understand you’re not happy about being here. Most of the kids I talk to don’t choose to be here,” the doctor added.

“You think you’re smart, don’t you?” Danny demanded. He straightened. “You think you’re gonna feed me a line about how it’s okay I don’t want to be here, and how you’re my friend, and that I can trust you, but it’s all bullshit. You’re bullshit, my dad’s bullshit, it’s just—” He closed his mouth, looked away.

“It’s not a line, Danny. And I’m not going to pretend to be your friend. I’m not.”

Danny frowned. “Then how are you gonna get me to talk to you if I don’t trust you?”

“I suppose we’ll have to find out. Let me start by telling you that what we talk about is private. Unless I think you’re in danger of hurting yourself or someone else. And I don’t think you are.” Fletcher lifted his brows. “Am I wrong?”

“Hurting like physically? No. That’s stupid.” Danny shifted, folded his arms again. “But it’s a lie that you won’t tell my dad anything. You already talked to him, and you’re supposed to talk to him again.”

“That’s true. If you decide to come back, I’ll be checking in regularly with the adults in your life. Not about details, nothing specifics. Just generalities. For example, if I told your father that you’re very angry at him, I don’t imagine that would come as a surprise, would it?”

“No,” Danny muttered. His lower lip trembled and he bit down hard. “And he knows why.”

“I have your father’s permission to share anything he tells me with you,” the doctor told him, and Danny looked at him now, the first stirrings of curiosity. “He’s not my patient. You are.”

“What did he tell you?” Danny asked, almost reluctantly.

“That he’s worried about you. You’ve picked up some habits that aren’t very good for you. He also feels like he hasn’t been a very good father to you. That he’s failed you.”

“My dad told you all that?” His dad never told anyone anything. Danny sat up, let his hands fall to the side. “Why did he do that?”

“Well, I could tell you what I think, but you know your father better than I do. Why do you think he did?”

“Because he feels guilty,” Danny muttered. “And he should. He’s an asshole. They all are.”

“All?” Fletcher inquired.

“Yeah. Dad and Liz made me think I could trust them and they went behind my back, and now Rocco hates me, okay? And my little sister is gonna end up in court just like me, because my mom’s a lunatic, and Dante’s angry at me, I guess, because it’s all my fault, and because Rocco’s an idiot, and Aiden and Jake are mad because I almost got their mom sent back to jail—” Danny’s voice faltered, and he looked down at his hands.

The room was quiet for a long beat, and then the doctor spoke again. “Why don’t we go back a step, Danny? Why don’t you tell me about your life before your dad came home? What did it look like? School, your friends, what you did for fun.”

“I was failing,” Danny muttered, then heaved a sigh. “I mean, not really, but my grades were trash. Eighth grade was harder than anything else, and Mom always wanted me to get, like, all As, you know? I’m supposed to be better than her, she always says that. She did stuff when she was younger. Crimes, I guess. Because she didn’t finish high school or go to college. She said I’m supposed to be better. Smarter. That I have to be.” He huffed. “And Jake always got all As. Didn’t matter what he was going through. Dad died, Jake made the honor roll. His step dad died, he made the honor roll. And he didn’t even care.”

“Jake’s your brother, right? And you’ve got a younger sibling?”

“Yeah. Scout.” Danny fidgeted. “And I got Rocco. We were supposed to be like stepbrothers, I guess. But we were best friends.”

“Is he your closest friend?”

“Yeah. And Aiden, Jake’s other brother. You know about all of that, right? Dad told you what happened last week. You know that we’re friends. Why are you asking?”

“I know how your father framed the situation. What I don’t know is how you see the people in your life,” Fletcher corrected. “I think parents often have a skewed vision of what’s going with your kids, especially as teenagers. Sometimes because they’re not paying attention, or sometimes because their kids are hiding pieces of themselves. Not because they want to lie — but maybe they don’t want their parents to see them.”

“I get that. I guess. Aiden’s gay, you know?” Danny said. “And he didn’t come out to his mom until last Christmas. He said he figured his mom would be cool with it, but maybe not. And he still hasn’t told his dad. Not that it matters. His dad isn’t around.”

“Exactly. There are a lot of reasons to keep pieces of yourself private. But it’s good to have someone to share those with. Another friend. It sounds like Aiden felt comfortable enough to tell you.”

“Oh, well, yeah. Kids were always calling him names,” Danny said. He shrugged. “And then I got big enough to shove them into lockers. So they stopped.”

“Would you consider Aiden and Rocco your best friends?”

Danny paused, then nodded. “I guess, yeah. At least until this week.” He shifted again. “Aiden and I are okay. For now. He thinks I’m being an asshole about what my dad did, but I’m not. Dad told me I could trust him, and I told him Rocco was still drinking, even after we got caught, and that I almost wanted to go with him and that was freaking me out because I got into so much trouble, and my mom walked out on me because of the drinking, and I almost did it anyway—” The words tumbled out of his mouth before he realized he was saying any of it. “And I told Dad I wanted to stop, that I wanted to get help, but he promised he wouldn’t tell anyone about Rocco, and he did, and now Rocco hates me.” His cheeks were wet when he looked at the doctor. “You think I’m stupid, too, right? For being pissed that Dad tried to get Rocco caught, and that Elizabeth went along with it, and now I hate them.”

“I think,” Fletcher said, slowly, “that this is a good time to talk about who’s at home with you. Because it sounds like you  have a lot of thoughts about them. You were living with your mom until last weekend.”

“She won’t want me back now,” Danny muttered. “Not if it means Scout is gonna get hurt. It’s my fault. Scout’s gonna get dragged into court, and Drew’s going to be a dick about it, and Dante’s probably angry at me for not telling him, and I know he’s mad at my dad because Dad didn’t tell him. But if Dad had just kept his mouth shut—” He stopped. “But yeah, now I’m living with Dad and Elizabeth. For now.”

“For now?” the doctor echoed.

“Yeah. I mean, they’re not gonna want me around either. Dad’s already left once, right? He’ll do it eventually, and you think Elizabeth’s gonna put up with me? I got Aiden dragged into the PCPD and almost got her arrested, too.” He stopped. “But she wasn’t mad at me about that.”

“She wasn’t?”

“No.” Danny furrowed her brow. “I don’t get it. I don’t get why. I made a really big mess, and I was an asshole, and she was nice. This was her idea, you know. For me to talk to you. She got Dad on board, and he made my mom sign the papers.”

“But you think they don’t want you around?”

That made Danny pause, furrow his brows. “I guess maybe it’ll be okay. They shouldn’t have gone back behind my back to get Rocco caught. If they’d told me, maybe I would have helped, you know.”

“Why?”

“Because Rocco needs to stop. His grandfather was an alcoholic, my dad said, and Jake almost died in a car accident that his grandfather caused. And Dad said addiction’s, like, in our family, too. Maybe it’s fun and feels good, but I don’t want to hurt anyone. More than I already did.” Danny swiped at his face. “Maybe Dad was right to do something, but he should have told me. I would have helped.”

“Do you think you can ask him that question? Or is it something he wouldn’t answer?”

Danny paused. “I guess I could. Especially if Elizabeth is around. I always feel like I can talk to her, you know? And it makes it easier to talk to my dad.”

“It’s good to have someone in your life you can talk to. I hear that you care a lot about your friends and family, but maybe it feels like you’re carrying too much on your own shoulders.”

Danny’s throat felt tight and he dropped his eyes, jerking a shoulder in a half-hearted shrug. The doctor continued, “Maybe this can be a place where you don’t have to do that all the time. What do you think?”

“I dunno. This didn’t really suck,” Danny muttered. “I guess I could come back.”

“In that case—” the doctor leaned forward, his eyes kind. “Here’s something I want you to think about. Pay attention this week — notice when you feel like the protector — and when you feel like you’re the one who needs protecting.”

+38

Written in 60 minutes.

Thursday, September 19, 2024

Miller & Diane: Office

Diane strode in to Spinelli’s office, a tablet in one hand and her reading glasses in the other. She flicked her eyes over the corkboard, then nodded in satisfaction. “Thank you, I appreciate you doing what we discussed.” Before the tech had a chance to respond, she donned her reading glasses and peered at the tablet. “Does the name Gia Campbell mean anything to you?”

Spinelli hesitated, then frowned and shook his head. “I’ve heard it before, but I wouldn’t say I know where or when. Why?”

“She’s been added as second chair for the government — she filed the response.”

Spinelli turned to his laptop, then keyed in a few strokes. “Gia Campbell works in the U.S. Attorney’s office, for the last decade — and prior to that—” He lifted his brows, looked at Diane. “There’s an article here about the model turned lawyer. She was the Face of Deception about twenty-five years ago.”

“She’s from Port Charles? Well, isn’t that interesting? And Deception, if I remember correctly—” Diane swiped from her PDF reader application to the browser on her app. “Yes, Laura Spencer was running the company at that time—and—will you look at that—” She turned the tablet to face him. “An article about the Face of Deception from 2001. But that’s not Gia.”

“That’s Elizabeth—” Spinelli began to type furiously. “I pulled up the archives for the Sun — there was a competition for the Face when Laura and — the Valkyrie? — they took over the company. They wanted to restart the company with a splash—” He continued to skim. “Gia and Elizabeth were the finalists — and there was some tabloid gossip because they were dating Laura’s sons.”

“Oh, this is very interesting.” Diane sank into the chair. “I had no idea Elizabeth ever worked as a model!”

“Short-lived. She won the competition, did one ad campaign, then quit. Gia took over and was successful until she retired to go to law school.” Spinelli turned his laptop around to reveal a photo of Elizabeth dressed in a strapless black dress and an up swept hair  style. “For lipstick.”

“Audrey Hepburn,” Diane murmured. She drew the laptop screen towards her. “Elizabeth beat Gia for this competition, and then this former model shows up two decades later prosecuting her? I find that fascinating.”

“And Gia Campbell doesn’t just know Elizabeth — she’s Taggert’s sister.”

Diane removed her reading glasses, her lips pursed again. “I could understand Reynolds turning to her for insight if she’s from Port Charles and if she knows the players. But putting her on as second chair when there’s a possibility of bad blood? He must know I could file one motion and have her removed.”

“What if Gia didn’t tell him?”

“That’s a possibility. A simple search would bring up the history, but perhaps he wouldn’t bother.” She tapped her lips with the folded glasses. “Or perhaps she’s keeping it to herself, hoping we won’t push the subject. Maybe she and Elizabeth ended on good terms, and she’s hoping to help her. I certainly don’t want to get rid of an ally.” Diane got to her feet. “Get me a complete work up on her. I want to know everything about her time in Port Charles and her career. I want to know more before I bring this up to Elizabeth.”

District Attorney Suite: Robert’s Office

“Thank you for seeing me on such short notice,” Chase said, shaking the hand Robert had extended to him. “This shouldn’t take long.”

“Well, I’m curious to see what you wanted from me that Molly couldn’t handle.” The older man gestured for Chase to take a seat. “She’s in charge of this case—”

“I know. And she’s doing a great job. It’s just—” Chase took a beat. “We have some suspects that we can’t eliminate — and Dante and I wanted to make sure we exhausted every possibility before we brought it to Molly.”

Robert took a seat, leaned forward. “Are these suspects related to Molly?”

“Yes. Kristina and Alexis.”

The district attorney was quiet for a long moment, his faded blue eyes locked on Chase. “Her mother and sister. And if I’m not remembering incorrectly, Dante’s sister.”

“Yes. Dante’s not happy about this either, but I’m handling that side of the case. We’ve done our best to make sure neither of us have direct contact with anyone we’re related to in this case, but it hasn’t been easy.”

“No, and I’ll be frank with you — if I had any one in this office or at the department that would be willing to take this on, Molly and the pair of you would not have been my first choice for handling the case.” Robert paused. “Talk to me about why they’re suspects and what does your gut tell you?”

“The motive is obvious, I would think. The victim was targeting Kristina for attempted murder charges in a federal case. Kristina was furious, and so was her mother. Neither of them have a good alibi for the time of the murder. I think Alexis probably would have been able to get Kristina’s charges dismissed, but Kristina might not have known that for sure.” Chase hesitated. “So we have motive. We have opportunity.”

“And a better motive than Elizabeth Webber,” Robert said. “For her to be guilty, you’d need a lot of people to be lying about alibis.” He nodded. “Anything else pointing to either of them?”

“For Alexis, she’s not a stranger to taking the life of someone who’s wronged her. She pleaded insanity to a murder when Kristina was an infant — Luis Alcazar. But before that, she sat back while Jason and Brenda Barrett were wrongly convicted and nearly sent to prison.”

Robert’s brows lifted. “That’s interesting.”

“I’m pulling more of that case file to get a better sense of it, but Kristina —” Chase paused. “Elizabeth’s security footage has her coming to the Webber house the day after the murder. I don’t know why she was there, but she came back to the door after Elizabeth left, and left again.”

“Putting her in the area during a time when someone might have planted a gun. I can see why you can’t eliminate her.” Robert stroked his chin. “Those are good facts. But what does your gut tell you?”

“I don’t know. I think I’m having trouble thinking the same woman that fell under the sway of a cult leader would be able to pull off a murder like this — and then frame an innocent woman.” Chase paused. “But that’s bias, because Willow was victim to that same cult and I know how strong she is. If I put that aside, honestly, Mr. Scorpio, I think Kristina or her mother or both of them did this. I can’t prove it yet, but there’s just something I can’t shake about it.”

Robert was quiet for a long moment, then slowly nodded. “I don’t get involved in my attorneys’ private lives, but I know that the loss of Molly’s daughter was devastating for her. And that there’s been tension with her sister because of it. I can commend Dante for not looking away from his sister as a suspect, but from here out, you’ll be the contact point for this line of investigation, reporting directly from me and keeping everything we learn confidential. Where can we start?”

“Subpoenas for security footage at Kristina’s apartment.” Chase paused. “And for any traffic cameras between her mother’s house, the Quartermaine estate, and her apartment building. I want to track her movements that day. And phone records. Whatever we can get without her knowing about it.”

“Let’s get started.”

Webber House: Living Room

“Hey, sorry to just show up like this,” Michael said as he passed Jason at the door, stopping when he saw Elizabeth on the sofa. “Or that I have to do this at all.”

“What’s wrong?” Elizabeth got to her feet, and came over to join Jason by the door. “You never have to apologize for coming over, but you look upset.”

“That and pissed. I just don’t know who to be more angry at.” Michael dragged a hand through his hair. “I did what you suggested, you know,” he said to Jason. “I set up some extra cameras so we could track Rocco better on the estate. Willow saw me doing it, and I didn’t think any of telling her. I mean, I trust her. But she didn’t agree with what we decided to do—”

Jason exhaled slowly. “She told someone—”

“Drew overheard us arguing, and she told him. I tried to talk him out of doing anything, but all he cares about his damn reputation and this campaign. I don’t understand why Willow—but that’s my problem, and not yours. Drew said he was on his way to talk to Dante. Said he wanted to talk to him father to father.”

“Why would he do that? Didn’t you tell him we were trying to protect Danny’s trust?” Elizabeth demanded. “Drew should know better—”

“I told you. He can’t see anything but himself. I don’t know what the hell happened to him in prison or when he was kidnapped—” Michael’s expression was grim. “I tried to at least get Drew to say it wasn’t from Danny, but maybe that we just caught him or something—but he’s refusing to lie. Says Danny and Rocco are bad influences on each other, and maybe this will keep them from being near each other—”

“That’s not true!”

The cry from the stairs had all three adults turning to see Danny practically flying down the last few steps, with Aiden and Jake following — matching guilty expressions.

“You said you wouldn’t tell!” Danny’s face was flushed, his chest heaving. “Rocco’s never going talk to me again!”

“I’ll call Dante,” Jason started, digging in his jeans. “Maybe we can try to get to him before Drew can—”

“But why did you tell anyone?” Danny demanded. “I told you because you said I could trust you and that you wouldn’t say anything—”

“I couldn’t do nothing,” Jason said, but Danny wasn’t listening. He turned, and rushed back up the stairs, shoving Jake out of the way.

“I’ll talk to him,” Jake said, but then he paused at the base of the stairs, looked at their father. “It was an asshole move to lie to him even if you did the right thing. Just so you know.”

“Jake—” Elizabeth started but their son had already disappeared out of view and his footsteps were thudding towards the third floor, Aiden on his heels. She looked at Jason with worry.

“I’m sorry, I didn’t know they were listening—” Michael started. He scrubbed both hands down his face. “I’m sorry.”

“Michael, none of this is your fault,” Elizabeth said.

“It’s mine,” Jason said. “I should have told Danny I wanted to get Rocco caught.”

“We both signed off on trying to sneak it past him,” Elizabeth interrupted him. “I could have argued with you. I thought it was the easiest way for everyone. Danny was just starting to trust us.” She pressed two fingers against her lips. “We couldn’t do nothing.”

“But we should have been upfront what we were doing. I’m not sorry I did it. But I should have just gone to Dante,” Jason admitted. He focused on Michael. “But for now, let me get a hold of Dante and see if I can stop Drew from making everything seem worse.”

Penthouse: Living Room

Sam jolted off the sofa as soon as Dante came through the door. “Hey. I was hoping we could talk—”

“Can it wait?” Dante dumped his keys and jacket on the desk, rubbing his eyes. “It was a crappy day, and I just want a shower and a beer—”

“I mean, I just—” Sam bit her lip. “Yeah it can wait, I just—Danny sent me a text today.” She stared down at her phone. “He thanked me for signing the papers.”

“Oh.” Dante furrowed his brow. “That’s good news, isn’t it? He’s reaching out?”

“I thought so, and but if he’s thanking me, that means he knows I refused at first—” Her eyes glittered with tears when she met his gaze. “I thought I was doing the right thing. I thought he was being forced into this, but what if Jason was right? What if Danny really did want this, and I was standing in his way—”

“There was always that possibility—” Dante stopped at the rapid knocking on the door. He pulled it open, grimacing when he saw Drew on the other side. “What do you want?”

“Is Scout all right?” Sam demanded, coming to Dante’s side. “Where is she?”

“At home. Where she should be safe,” Drew bit out. “Except your son brought drugs onto the estate — and is still drinking and getting high.”

“What—” Dante began, but Drew was already glowering at Sam.

“And your son is still protecting him. What kind of mother are you? Don’t even bother to answer that question,” he added when Sam opened her mouth to protest. “I’ve already called my lawyer and filed for permanent custody.”

+34

Written in 72 minutes. I didn’t really love how this part came out, and had to rework some of it, so it’s both shorter and late, lol. But it’s done, and it was necessary to move the story forward.

Thursday, September 19, 2024

Quartermaine House: Living Room

Willow folded her arms, hugging her upper torso and biting her lip. “I don’t really know how I feel about any of this,” she admitted, watching Michael skim through a video on his phone. “You’re spying on him—”

“I’m watching security footage,” Michael interrupted. He slid the phone in his pocket. “We don’t have a choice—”

“Yes, we do. We tell Dante what we know—”

“And how do I explain how we know?” Michael wanted to know. “Danny trusted Jason—”

“Jason’s an adult, Danny’s a child. A child who’s acting out and using emotional manipulation to get his way.”

Michael pressed his lips together. “I’d think you understand how important trust is. We’re  going to catch Rocco in the act so he can’t pretend Danny’s lying.”

“And what if we don’t catch him right away?” Willow wanted to know, following her husband into the foyer. “What if he gets into real trouble this way?”

“He’s not popping pills or snorting cocaine. He’s getting high or drunk. If he does it on the property—”

“Who’s getting high and drunk?” Drew demanded, striding into the foyer from a back hallway. Michael grimaced, and made a face at Willow.

But she either didn’t see it or didn’t care. “Rocco. Danny says he still has some stash on the property. Michael’s watching security footage to catch him in the act—”

“So he can end up in the papers? Oh, that’ll be great. Just the kind of headline or viral story I need,” Drew muttered, shoving his fingers through his hair. “We can’t have this.”

Michael clenched his jaw. “Who’s we? This has nothing to do with you. I’m handling it, and we’ll keep it in the family—”

“It’s bad enough Jake and Danny are being dragged through this, thanks to Elizabeth’s blind loyalty to my useless brother. If she’d just tell the truth—”

“She is telling the truth,” Michael retorted. “She was with me the day of the shooting, and Jason was with Grandmother.”

“Yeah, because no one in this family has ever lied before,” Drew said, with a roll of his eyes. “This is a disaster waiting to happen, and Dante needs to handle his son somewhere else. We’re not a refuge for hoodlums.” He whipped out his cell phone and headed into the foyer.

“Thanks. That was just great, Willow.” He scowled at his wife. “I told you what was going on in confidence—”

“He lives here, too, Michael. And he’s not wrong! If a teenager is doing drugs on the property, it’ll look really bad for him—”

“Then he can move out and be someone else’s problem. I’m sick of everything in his life being about optics—”

“Michael, be reasonable. Rocco’s a teenager who’s getting himself into more trouble if we don’t make sure we get him some help.” Willow approached him, tried to rub his shoulder but Michael shook her off.

“I told you something in confidence because you used to work with kids and because you’re my wife. Because I don’t want any secrets between us. But the first chance you had, you dump the truth on the worst possible person in this house—other than maybe Olivia.”

Willow’s eyes shimmered with tears. “I was just trying to do the right thing. Drew’s right. Rocco needs more help—”

“Don’t. Don’t pretend Drew gives a damn about Rocco. Just—I have to find a way to fix this. But the next time you complain that I’m not telling you everything, I want you to remember this moment.”

General Hospital: Fletcher’s Office

Who is Elizabeth to you and to Danny?

Jason cleared his throat, and shifted slightly. Not the easiest question to answer — or one that could be summed up in a few words. “You mean, factually?”

“We can start there.” Fletcher’s smile looked a bit more genuine now. “I’m not trying to pry for gossip, Mr. Morgan. I want to understand the adults in Danny’s life. How they affect him. If Elizabeth is in his life daily, it stands that she plays some sort of role.”

“Oh. Well—” Jason let out a breath. “She made the appointment, you know that. And I think it was her idea. She—she has a way of talking to him, you know? Sometimes I get tangled up or he gets too defensive, and we just yell. But Elizabeth’s an amazing mother, and she just…always has the right words.” And it sometimes felt like he couldn’t string together two coherent statements when he was with his sons.

“So she’s someone Danny can talk to.”

“Yeah. Yeah, I mean, that’s definitely been true the last few days.”

Fletcher made a note. “Danny’s been staying with you and Elizabeth. And there are other children in the home?”

“Yeah. Yeah. Full-time, there’s Aiden and Jake. Jake’s—he’s my son. And Elizabeth’s. He’s seventeenth. And at his mom’s, there was Rocco, Dante’s son, and Scout, Sam’s daughter with…” Jason paused. “My brother.”

There was just a slightly lift of the brows at that, but Fletcher didn’t say anything, just made a few more notes.

“I already know that Danny was brought into the police station with Aiden and Rocco. How’s his relationship with Jake and his sister?”

“He’s protective of Scout, I think. I haven’t seen them together much, but I know they’re close. With Jake—” Jason paused. “They’re close. They argue a lot, and I know it’s hard on them that Danny’s mother…doesn’t like Elizabeth. There’s been tension there.”

“That brings me to my next question.” Fletcher looked at him. “Do you and his mother make decisions about Danny together? Or separately? Through a mediator?”

“Threats mostly. Legally speaking,” Jason added. He pushed himself to his feet, unable to remain seated anymore, and went towards the window overlooking the parking lot. “Sam’s had to carry a lot of the weight raising Danny on her own, and she’s a good mother. I’ve defaulted to her decisions most of the time. Until the last few weeks.”

“She’s not here today.”

“No, she’s not. She doesn’t want Danny to do this. I don’t know if it’s because it was Elizabeth’s idea or because she genuinely doesn’t want Danny in therapy. But Danny wants to do it, and I think he needs more than I can give him.” Jason turned back to face the doctor. “I filed for full custody of him and the right to make medical decisions. His mother backed down, and signed the consent form, but she still didn’t want to come today.”

General Hospital: Nurse’s Station

“This is supposed to be your day off,” Felix complained when Elizabeth approached him at the counter. “Do you not understand how to relax?”

Elizabeth wrinkled her nose. “Hi, hello, how are you are also options,” she said pointedly.

“Fine, fine. How are you? But I still want to know why you’re here.”

“Did I imagine the voicemail you left me two days ago saying we needed to catch up?” Elizabeth folded her arms, leaned over the counter. “Because I thought you’d want to know that Jason and I are living together, but if you want me to go—” She started to step back but Felix reached out, snagged her arm.

“Who said that? Not me. Spill. When did this happen? How did it happen? And don’t leave out a single detail.”

“Well, the when is technically the day before I was arrested,” Elizabeth said. “And also last Friday. And this morning.”

“This morning?” Felix wiggled his brows. “I stand corrected. So you do know how to relax.” He furrowed his brow. “But wait, you’re living together? Already? I feel like I missed a few chapters. Let me take my break, and we’ll get a coffee. I want to hear everything.”

PCPD: Conference Room

Dante watched in silence as Chase pinned the freeze frame of Ava and Trina at the Jerome Gallery with the timestamp at the bottom of the screen. Unless Ava had super powers, she couldn’t have made it to and from the Quartermaines and still been with Trina at 7:40 PM that night.

“Our suspect list is getting smaller and smaller,” Dante murmured. He folded his arms, then looked at Chase. “Did we hear from Kristina’s apartment manager?”

“Yeah. He doesn’t remember the day, but wouldn’t have seen her anyway.” Chase paused. “He says he hasn’t seen her much, since I guess she’s been staying with her mom.”

“What about security footage?” When Chase looked away, Dante sighed. “She’s not on it.”

“I don’t know if she is. The building’s owned by Sonny, which means—”

“Standing order not to cooperate and require warrants and subpoenas.” Dante rubbed his face. “And the only way we can subpoena that footage is if we tell Molly who will want to know why.”

“We could that, sure. Or we could go to Robert.” Chase hesitated. “Both options suck. But we have to pick one.”

“Yeah. I know.” Dante looked at the whiteboard, at the photo of his sister staring back at him. “You’ll have to take the meeting with him. My hands can’t be on that part of the investigation.”

“Understood. I’ll handle it. It’s going to turn into nothing, Dante. I’m sure of it. We’ll both feel better when we can cross this off.”

“I sure as hell hope so.”

General Hospital: Fletcher’s Office

The doctor opened the door for Jason and they walked into the front of the office suite together. “I can’t promise miracles,” Fletcher told Jason. “And you might get frustrated by not knowing anything, but I can only keep you updated on general progress. Without Danny’s consent or imminent danger of harm, my meetings with your son will be confidential.”

“I can live with that,” Jason told him. “I just want Danny to be okay. If this helps him get there, that’s all that matters.

Fletcher held out his hand. “I’ll see Danny tomorrow then.”

Jason shook his hand. “Thank you.” He glanced around the room and didn’t see Elizabeth. She’d mentioned she might go check in with Felix while he was in the meeting, so she’d probably gotten caught up.

When he emerged from the office suite into the hallway, Elizabeth and Felix were turning the corner, both with coffee in their hand, stamped with the GH logo.

“Oh, hey, that’s good timing.” Elizabeth crossed to join him, reaching out with her free hand. He squeezed it. “Felix and I were just catching up.”

“Let’s not wait three months again,” Felix told Elizabeth, leaning in to kiss her cheek. “Texts are not enough. We work in the same building—”

“I know, I know. I’ve been awful. You’re amazing for putting up with me.”

“I’d better get back to work.” Felix held out his hand to Jason. “Good to see you, Jason.” When Jason took the other man’s hand, he was a bit surprised when the nurse put a little strength behind the grip, tightening it. “You take care of her now.”

“I can take care of myself,” Elizabeth said, wrinkling her nose. “Felix—”

“She has terrible taste in men,” Felix said, ignoring her. “I warned her about the last two, don’t make me regret giving her the green light on this one.”

“Ah, you won’t,” Jason said, a bit mystified but somewhat grateful. “I didn’t like the last two either.”

“See, I told you I liked him.” Felix released Jason’s hand, then kissed Elizabeth’s cheek again. “Don’t be a stranger.”

“Honestly, you’d think we were in high school,” Elizabeth muttered, watching her friend disappear around the corner. “I don’t need him to approve of anything—” She turned back to Jason. “Anyway. How did it go?”

“Okay, I think.” They turned towards the elevators, and he kept his hand in hers. “But I guess we’ll find out when Danny gets to talk to him.” When they stepped onto the elevator and the doors closed, Jason tugged her a little closer to him. “We have a little time before the boys are supposed to get home from school. We could take the bike out — it’s the first time it hasn’t rained in a few days.”

“That sounds like the best idea.”

+39

Written in 66 minutes

Thursday, September 19, 2024

Jerome Gallery: Gallery Floor

“Oh, I hope you’re here for a social visit,” Ava Jerome declared, turning to face Chase and Dante as they approached. She sniffed. “Do I need to contact my lawyer?” She touched Trina’s arm. “Go. Call Martin.”

“Okay—” Trina started to move away, but Chase held up his hand.

“We just want to tie up a few loose ends about September 2,” he said, and Trina hesitated, looked at her employer with some concern.

“I’ve already discussed that with the FBI,” Ava said. She folded her arms. “So either—”

“The FBI didn’t confirm the information you gave them. That’s all we want to do,” Chase told her. “You told them you were here at the gallery, and they didn’t do any follow up.”

“Because she’s telling the truth,” Trina blurted out. “She was here that day!”

“Trina,” Ava murmured, with a slight shake of her head, and her assistant closed her mouth, though she was clearly unhappy.

“If you’re telling the truth, talking to us won’t be an issue,” Dante said, speaking for the first time, his tone flat, devoid of any emotion, and Chase glanced at him. It was never easy to be around Ava for his partner — since Ava had somehow skated on murdering Dante’s aunt and was charged with assaulting Kristina—

“Then I’ll call my lawyer, and he’ll handle everything from here—” Ava turned to head for her office, but Trina stopped her.

“Cam’s mom was arrested for this,” she told Ava. “Joss told me the PCPD is just trying to get to the truth so they’ll stop hounding his mom. You and I both know you didn’t do this. Why let the suspicion linger?” When Ava hesitated, Trina continued, “Please, Ava. Cam’s mom has always been so good to me. The PCPD need to know where everyone was.”

Ava pressed her lips together, then looked at Chase. “All right. Let’s get this over with.”

“We need to have this conversation separately,” Dante said. “Trina?” He gestured towards the lobby, and with a grateful smile, Trina followed him through the arch and out of sight.

Ava wrinkled her nose, folded her arms again. “Let’s get this over with.”

Jerome Gallery: Lobby

“We were planning an event in October,” Trina told Dante, leading him into her small office with its tiny desk. She shuffled through some paperwork. “I’m going to give you the number for the security company that runs the cameras. I just know they’ll have Ava coming and going.”

“That would be great.” Dante took the card she offered, but Trina didn’t immediately release it. “Did you want to add something else?”

“I meant what I said out there. Ava was with me, and I wouldn’t lie for her. I know—” Trina paused, then took a deep breath. “I know she’s done terrible things, and I know why people don’t believe her about what happened in the hotel room—”

“I don’t want to talk about that—”

“—but whatever else she might have done,” Trina continued, ignoring Dante’s interruption, “she didn’t shoot Agent Cates. I know that makes your jobs harder and it would be easier for Cam’s mom to get out if her lawyer can point to other suspects, but that’s not the right thing to do, you know? The system screws up all the time, and maybe I shouldn’t trust any part of it to get this right. I’m living proof that innocence doesn’t matter — your entire life can still be derailed because someone points the finger at you. But maybe it makes it that more important to tell the truth.”

“What happened to you was wrong,” Dante said, “and I appreciate you convincing Ava to talk to us. You’re right. Crossing Ava off the list makes it harder for Diane, but the truth is what matters. But here’s another truth for you. She murdered my aunt in cold blood. And she had no problem destroying my brother’s life. You want to trust Ava? Go right ahead. But don’t ever turn your back on her.”

“Call the security company,” Trina said. She lifted her chin. “You’ll find out Ava’s innocent.”

“This time,” Dante said, and left before Trina could say anything else.

Miller & Davis: Spinelli’s Office

Diane studied the corkboard in Spinelli’s office, her brow furrowed. “You can’t let Alexis in this room.”

“You don’t think she’d understand?” the tech asked, coming to Diane’s side. “I’m just looking at this logically. You start with everyone who wanted the guy dead, and chisel away.  ” Spinelli folded his arms, his expression grim. “And I can’t chisel enough away to take her down.”

Diane exhaled and turned away from the index card with Kristina Davis-Corinthos scrawled out in Spinelli’s messy handwriting. “Walk me through why she’s up there.”

“The obvious reason? Cates was charging her with federal crimes. He arrested her when she was released from the hospital.” Spinelli went back to his desk, sat down, and tapped a few keys to bring up the file he’d started. “Kristina is impulsive and volatile. She attacked Connie Falconieri with a bat and trashed her office—”

“She had a very good reason—”

“Diane. You think I want her name up there?” Spinelli asked. “I’ve known her since she was a kid. I’ve helped Stone Cold and Sam get her out of a thousand jams. Do I think she did this? No. But that’s not what you asked me to do.”

Diane rubbed her forehead, sat down. “She was at Elizabeth’s the day after the murder,” she murmured. “I asked her about that visit. She was calm, cool, collected. Not a hint that she was there to plant a gun.”

“I know.” Spinelli put his head in this hands, rubbed his eyes, then returned his focus to Diane. “But I gotta look at this. Her alibi for that night is basically I was home, and we have nothing to back that up. Cates was making her life miserable, and we both know she’d have access to weapons — especially the kind the FBI can’t trace. She’s the only person outside of Elizabeth’s family at the house that week.”

“We don’t know the gun was planted that day,” Diane said, her tone taking on an air of desperation. “Aren’t you still getting the security footage from the hospital?”

“It’s due in by the end of the week, and I’m supposed to get the car data analysis early next week. All I need is Kristina’s alibi to be confirmed and that car data to tell me that trunk wasn’t opened during the time I have her on the property. Believe me, Diane, I want her off that board, too. I just—” Spinelli hesitated. “She’s grown up in a world where ending someone’s life is a reasonable option to consider.”

“Okay. Okay. All of that is true—but let’s look at the rest of it. Framing Jason—”

“She’s not framing Stone Cold. She put the gun in Elizabeth’s car—”

“She’s not doing anything, damn it. Don’t say it that way—” Diane’s head snapped up. “We don’t know anything.”

“Hypothetically, she would be framing Elizabeth,” Spinelli corrected, and Diane pressed her lips together, looked away. “I agree that framing Jason would be a long shot, but let’s remember how how loyal Kristina might feel towards Sam. Who has never hidden her resentment of Elizabeth. And who has been fighting with Jason for months about Danny.”

Diane closed her eyes, slumped back in her chair. “I don’t like any of this.”

“You asked me to investigate every lead, Diane. And I did. I promise you. I went down every rabbit hole, and the only person I can’t take off the board is Kristina. Even Ava has someone else verifying her alibi, and Trina isn’t known for lying.”

Diane took a careful breath. “This stays between us. Take her off that board—no, take her off the board, Spinelli. Alexis works here, and if—” Her throat was tight. “If this is true, and Sonny or Alexis find out before we could prove it — Kristina will be out of the country before we can blink, and there goes our chance to prove Elizabeth’s innocence. And that’s—that’s all I can think of right now.” Her voice faltered on the final words. “It needs to be someone else. It has to be. Keep looking. I won’t believe this until we have no other choice.”

“We need the neighbor’s footage from across the street. I think they have the best view of the street—” Spinelli stopped when Diane’s phone buzzed. The lawyer dug in her purse to retrieve her phone. “Diane?”

“The government’s response to our motion to dismiss was filed.” Diane rose. “I need to download and print it. Keep me in the loop, Spinelli, and make sure you eliminate every possibility, no matter how unrealistic. And I mean it—no visible evidence that we’re investigating Kristina. From now on, we discuss this outside the office—and—” Diane paused. “It stays between us.”

General Hospital: Eighth Floor

The nurse behind the desk smiled. “Dr. Fletcher will be with you in just a moment,” she told Jason. “If you want to have a seat, we’ll call you back when he’s ready.”

He didn’t want to sit, Jason thought, but turned away from the desk to find Elizabeth had already taken a seat by the door to the office suite and was flipping through a magazine she’d picked up. His chest eased slightly at the sight of her, and he took a seat next to her. “You didn’t have to come.”

“I wanted to.” Elizabeth closed the magazine, reached for his hand. He laced their fingers together, and smiled faintly when she squeezed. “I know this kind of thing isn’t easy for you. I know first hand how hard it is to get you to talk about anything,” she teased, and now his smile deepened.

“You could come in with me,” he asked, but he already knew she’d refuse before she shook her head.

“If I do that, you’ll look to me to answer the questions so you don’t have to. If we were here about Jake, that’d be different. But as much as I want to help Danny, I have to respect that Sam doesn’t want me to be part of it.”

“Do you?” he muttered, and she wrinkled her nose.

“Yes. I’d be livid if she pushed herself into Jake’s therapy without my consent.”

“That’s different—” Jason said.

Elizabeth tilted her head. “Is it? Maybe you never told her, but we both know I played a part in keeping Danny from Sam—”

“For twenty four hours,” Jason retorted, his voice pitched low. “If you think that in any way compares to what she did—”

“It does for me,” she said softly, and he sighed. “Then I lied about Jake Doe—it doesn’t matter that he wasn’t you,” she added when he opened his mouth to object. “Sam and I have played a lot of games with each other. Maybe in this latest round, I didn’t start it, but I won’t pretend to be innocent. Right now, all that matters is Danny. I don’t want to create more problems with his mother.”

“I know you’re right, but I don’t like it.”

Elizabeth leaned in close, rubbing his shoulder with the hand that he wasn’t holding. “I know. When he’s talking to you, just remember that it’s for Danny. We can do anything we have to do if it means he’ll be okay.”

He opened his mouth to respond, but the nurse called his name, and he kissed Elizabeth’s hand before releasing it.

“Good luck,” she said as he rose to his feet and followed the nurse through the door.

He’d never liked psychiatrists or psychologists or whatever they called themselves, not since Kevin Collins had attempted to interrogate him after his accident, trying to measure how damaged Jason really was. Kevin might have meant well, but the entire experience had left a bad taste in his mouth.

But Elizabeth thought this might help, and he knew that despite Andre Maddox’s crimes, therapy had helped Jake to adjust after everything that happened to him because of Helena and the kidnapping.

“Jason Morgan?”

The man on the other side of the door was older than him, maybe by about ten years, his dark hair shot with silver. He rose from a chair by a desk that had been turned to face a sofa and armchair set against the office’s opposite wall. “Dr. Raymond Fletcher.”

“Hello,” Jason said, a bit reluctantly, shaking his head and sitting in the armchair, perched on the edge, as if it would make an escape faster.

“I received your message that Danny’s mother won’t be joining us.” Fletcher took his seat, and made a note in a little book that sat on a table next to the chair. “I’m sorry to hear that.”

“Yeah, it’s…” Jason shifted. “Complicated.”

“Families usually are.” The doctor waited a beat. “Tell me a bit about what brought Danny here. I have some of the information, but I’d rather hear it from you.”

“Uh, well—” Jason cleared his throat, fought the urge to get up and pace. “Saturday night, I got a call from Elizabeth. She’d heard from the police that they had the boys. Aiden, Danny, and Rocco,” he added. “Aiden is Elizabeth’s son, which is why she’d been called. They’d been picked up for drinking, and they found weed on them. Danny was high and drunk.”

“He’s fourteen?” Fletcher asked, his pen scribbling a note.

“Yeah. In May.”

“How long has the substance use been happening, as far as you know?”

Jason clasped his hands between his thighs, leaning forward slightly. “A year, almost. Aiden told me first, and Danny confirmed. They started at a party, and they’ve been doing it every weekends. The weed came later.  Last few months, according to Aiden, it’s been during the week, too.”

“Did you notice any changes in his behavior?”

Jason exhaled slowly, then shook his head. “I wasn’t here to see it. I’ve…I’ve never been here. Not enough. And not the way Danny deserved. I’m the wrong person to do this. His mother should be here.”

“But she’s not.” Fletcher laid the pen down, met Jason’s gaze with his own. “Is he living with her right now?”

“No. He’s—he’s with me. Since Saturday. We’re—we’re at Elizabeth’s.”

“And he lived with his mother prior to Saturday?”

“Yes. She…was frustrated with the way he’d been speaking to her and he left. I don’t blame her for that,” Jason added. “They’d been fighting a lot.”

“All right. You said you live with Elizabeth. You’ve mentioned her a few times. Now, I know who she is, of course. I work at the hospital. But let’s pretend I don’t.” Fletcher looked at him again. “Who is Elizabeth to you and to Danny?”

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