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

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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.”

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