Wednesday, December 1, 2004

PCMB: Ric’s Office

Ric set a file aside and checked his gold wrist watch. He had court in a half hour and was hoping to be out of there by noon so he could meet Alexis for lunch before picking up Kristina.

His intercom buzzed and his secretary’s voice filtered through, “Mr. Lansing, Christopher Hartman is here about the Sanchez case.”

“Could you direct him to Ms. Joyce’s office, please?” Ric asked. He stood and crossed to his filing cabinet. He fished through a few files, trying to locate the Harding case file.

“Sir, he says he needs to meet with you,” Gertrude remarked. “Should I tell him you’re busy?”

“No, no…” Ric sighed. “Show him in.”

A few moments later, the young defense attorney was seated and tapping his fingers on the leather top of his brief case. “Brianne Joyce is first chair on this case. I don’t know what you’re hoping for from me,” Ric said. He buttoned his jacket and sat behind his desk.

“My client has information that can close the East Side rapist case and your ADA wasn’t interested in hearing what he had to say.” Christopher swallowed and set his briefcase on the edge of Ric’s desk to remove a statement from Diego. “Diego Sanchez is prepared to make a sworn statement about the case in exchange for probation on the Ashton case.”

Ric arched an eyebrow. “And Ms. Joyce turned this down?”

“She didn’t even let us make an offer,” Christopher said, perking up a bit. “She led us to believe she would make a deal in exchange for his information but declined to make any promises. She says she’s taking this to court. She’s not doing what’s in the best interest of–”

“What she is doing is giving Brooke Lynn Ashton her day in court,” Ric leaned back in his chair. “She did exactly what I would have advised her to do. I don’t want Diego Sanchez serving even one hour less than he deserves. We make deals in cases we aren’t sure we can get a conviction. We don’t let a brutal rapist off with a slap on the wrist because he might have information on an old case. And just so we’re clear, Brooke Lynn is a member of a family that includes the Edward and Tracy Quartermaine and Ned Ashton. They would have my head if I agreed to something like this. And besides, Hartman, we have enough information to bury your client. Does he understand the significance of DNA?” Ric asked coolly.

“Look, I know the merits of the case,” Christopher said. “But Sanchez wants to go to trial. What else am I supposed to do?”

“Remind him that the sentence for aggravated rape and assault of a minor is fifteen years to life. If he’s so eager to give us this information, we could always make a sentencing recommendation once he’s convicted.”

Christopher glared at the DA. “You’re so god damn smug, you’re so sure you can convict Sanchez.” He slammed his briefcase shut and stood. “Wait until the press gets a hold of the information that you could close fifteen open rapes and instead, chose to bow to the political pressure of the almighty Quartermaines.”

He stormed out of the office. Ric rolled his eyes and started to look over his case notes for court.

Port Charles Airport: Gate 4

“I’m so excited,” Emily squealed as she waited for the Cassadine jet to begin boarding. She straightened Jason’s leather jacket as if it were a sports coat. “It’s your first trip where I can know where you’re going, when you’ll be back, and that you won’t be shot while you’re gone.”

“I’ll be back on Friday,” Jason replied. “It’s just a quick round of the offices to make sure security is up to date and running efficiently. ”

“Well, the baby shower is Saturday, so you have to be back by then,” Emily said. “Nikolas mentioned after the new year that you have to do a longer trip.”

“To visit the other sites,” Jason confirmed. “In Rome, Athens, Sydney, Hong Kong and Tokyo.”

Emily smiled slyly. “I bet Elizabeth will be ready for a vacation by then. Maybe you should take her–”

“Emily, you promised no meddling,” Jason reminded her. “You’re going to let Elizabeth and I handle this in our own way and in our own time.”

She rolled her eyes and stamped her foot. “But you’re not handling it,” Emily said, tossing up her hands in exasperation. “You’re just…avoiding the whole issue. How are you ever going to be together if you don’t talk?”

“We’re giving each other some space right now,” Jason replied. “Emily, just concentrate on your own life–”

“I am. You and Elizabeth are part of that life.” Emily sighed. “I can’t get Lucky to make a move on the ADA and I am so bored out of mind waiting for Nikolas to get home from work. I seriously am going to lose my mind by the time next semester starts.”

“That’s really not any one’s fault,” Jason told her. “Find something you like to do–besides meddling in people’s lives.”

Emily huffed. “There’s no fun in that.”

“Mr. Morgan,” the flight attendant approached them with a bright smile. “We’re boarding now, sir.”

“Okay, I’ll be right there,” Jason told her. He hugged Emily. “Don’t meddle.”

“Spoilsport,” Emily muttered.

PCMB: Ric’s Office

“Mr. Lansing, Sergeant Spencer is here to see you.”

Ric muttered under his breath and set his case down. He was due in court in twenty minutes and still hadn’t left his office. “Send him in.”

Lucky strode in a few seconds later. “I need to speak with you about Brianne.”

“You have ten minutes before I absolutely have to leave for the courthouse,” Ric told him. “Make it fast.”

“We reactivated her case last month,” Lucky began. “And she’s been jumpy and kind of distracted since–”

“Lucky, could you please get to the point–”

“I’m worried about her motives for prosecuting the case,” Lucky interrupted. “I don’t think this is the right case for her.”

Ric sighed and sat back in his seat. “Look, I already talked to her about this. I understand that the two of you have grown close, Lucky, but I honestly….I’ve got it under control. And I think Brianne will do a better job because of her past.”

“It’s taking a toll on her,” Lucky said after a long moment. “She got another bouquet of roses earlier this week and she’s been having nightmares–”

Ric arched a brow. “How do you know she’s having nightmares?” he asked curiously.

Lucky glared at him. “I’m sleeping on her couch until the harassment stops,” he said through clenched teeth.

“I appreciate your concern, Lucky, but until Brianne comes to me with this, it’s her case.” Ric stood and checked his watch. “If I were you and wanted to get somewhere with the lovely ADA, I wouldn’t go behind her back even if it was in her own best interests. Now, if you’ll excuse me, I have to get to court.”

Spencer House: Living Room

“Thanks for getting my homework,” Lulu told Georgie as she stuffed the folders that Georgie gave her into her backpack. “Even though I’m so totally behind.”

Georgie shrugged and flopped onto the flowered couch. “I can help you get caught up, it’s no biggie.”

Lulu sat next to her and shoved her hair out of her face. “So how are things with Brooke Lynn?” she asked. “All I know is what I read in the papers.”

“Brooke’s doing okay, I guess. As well as can be expected. She tried to go back to school before Thanksgiving but only made it until lunch time. But she looks better.” Georgie hesitated. “Unless she’s just pretending and if that’s the thing, then I’m not sure if she’s okay at all.”

“Yeah, the kids at school are just being really stupid about the whole thing. Mostly, they feel sorry for her but a lot of them think she brought it on herself by hanging out with Diego in the first place, which is the dumbest thing I ever heard of.” Lulu rolled her eyes. “Such is the maturity at PC High.”

“It’s been really hard for us, I mean, me, Maxie, Lucas and Dillon. No one’s sure how to act, what to say. And poor Lucas, I mean they were dating. Brooke hasn’t said anything to him about wanting to just be fiends so it’s just kind of this awful limbo. So far, he’s sticking but I just…” Georgie shrugged. “I can’t imagine how it’s all gonna end.”

The front door opened behind them and shut with a bang. “There sure are a lot more flowers here than I remember,” Luke muttered.

Lulu turned and for a moment her eyes lit up at the sight of her father but they quickly dimmed. “Hey. Dad,” she said absently. “How long are you back for?”

Luke frowned. “Didn’t Lucky give you my message?”

“He said something about you staying longer than a month.” Lulu shrugged and stood. “But your plans change all the time, you know?”

“Hey, Mr. Spencer,” Georgie said, standing as well. “I was just bringing Lu her homework. Let me know if you need any help getting caught up.”

“Thanks,” Lulu called as the other girl went to the door.

“See ya, Georgie,” Luke said as Georgie left. “Well, I’ve got some good news, Princess. I’ll be sticking around. Especially since I won’t need to traipse overseas to visit with your mother.”

Lulu frowned. “I don’t understand. Is that where you’ve been?”

“You bet,” Luke nodded. “And as soon as I can gather the family together, we’re going to talk about her future.”

“Sounds like a lot of fun,” Lulu said dryly. She hoisted her bag over her shoulder. “Pizza for dinner?”

“Nope. We’re picking Lesley up at the hospital in a few hours and then I’m taking my two favorite girls out for dinner,” Luke said.

Lulu rolled her eyes. “Look, Dad, I appreciate the gesture of family solidarity, but really–you don’t have to act around me. I know how it works and it’s really okay.”

Luke narrowed his eyes. “How what works?”

“This family,” Lulu clarified. “Lucky’s your number one kid. I’m the kid that Mom wanted and you never had time for. It’s okay. I mean, it’s not my first choice on how to live but I can’t really change that–”

“Whoa, Princess, that’s not how it is at all,” Luke interrupted. “I admit…since your mother got sick, I have been…somewhat…not here but that’s got nothing to do with you. It’s all my fault.”

Lulu sighed. “Dad…”

Luke set his bag down and approached his daughter. When had she grown up? What had happened to the tiny girl with the big eyes? “Lu, you are my daughter. Now, I never set out to be a father, okay? That was all your mother’s idea, but the day you were born, I knew a kind of terror that I hadn’t with Lucky. Lucky was a boy, I could almost picture myself raising a boy. You were a girl, you know? I didn’t know…I didn’t always know how to be with you, to be your father.”

Lulu looked down. “So it’s my fault for being a girl–”

“No, no,” Luke shook his head. “Princess, you have always been a challenge that Lucky wasn’t. I don’t know much about women, you can just ask your grandma about that and I always figured…if I didn’t want to screw you up too much, I should just keep my distance. I’m sorry if that led you to believe that you meant less to me than Lucky.”

“So you were a coward,” Lulu nodded. “That’s fine. At least the lack wasn’t in me. But Dad, I never figured you for someone who ran from something that was tough. You always seemed like you liked things that weren’t easy. But maybe that my problem for listening to the stories about you instead of using my own brain to figure it out.”

She brushed past him and hurried up the stairs. Luke exhaled slowly. Teenage daughters. He’d almost rather go up against Stavros Cassadine.

General Hospital: Nurse’s Station

“The patient in 620 was asking for you,” Elizabeth said as she handed a stack of charts to her brother. “But I think it was more to look at you than actually needing your medical attention.” She arched an eyebrow. “My brother, such a ladies man.”

Steven smirked. “The patient in 620 is twelve years old and has just discovered boys. She’s been practicing on me since they brought her in.” He signed a few charts before speaking again. “Have you noticed Dr. Patrick Drake around yet?”

“He’s the new ER doctor isn’t he?” Elizabeth asked. “I’m not supposed to start my rounds on the ER floor for another few weeks, so no. Why?” she asked suspiciously.

“He’s mentioned you,” Steven said, casually. “He thinks you’re cute.”

Elizabeth rolled her eyes. “Gee, Steven, are we sixteen years old?” She snorted and started marking charts of her own. “Cute.”

“He wanted to know if you were seeing anyone.” Steven paused. “I didn’t know what to tell him.”

Elizabeth paused and bit her lip. “I don’t know,” she answered honestly. “Jason and I are taking some space but I don’t think that means we’ve broken up.”

“Bit…” Steven hesitated. “You really don’t think it’s fair that you spend your life waiting for him to be ready for a relationship, do you?”

“That’s not what we’re doing, Steven. We’re just…” Elizabeth shrugged. “Taking time. He’s just made some really big changes in his life–”

“Don’t make excuses for him,” Steven interrupted. “I get that you love him. But love…it’s not always the answer, Liz. Sometimes, you have to know when to give up.”

“No.” Elizabeth shook her head. “We have a son together. There’s more at stake than just us. We make it work when it’s just us…it’s just when other people are around.” She gripped her pen so hard her knuckles turned white. “Steven…”

“Do you really want a relationship that works only when you’re alone?” Steven asked quietly. “Neither of you are isolated from the rest of the world. You have family and friends. They shouldn’t be cut out of your life.”

“You’re not telling me anything I don’t–” Elizabeth huffed and shifted her weight from one foot to another. “Steven, you’re not telling me anything that I don’t know, okay? These are all things that I’m completely aware of and we want to work on them. But we’re not broken up.”

“You’re not together either, Liz. Look, just think about it. It wouldn’t have to be real date. Just something to get yourself out there,” Steven told her. “Maybe it’ll even clarify things for you. That you want to work things out with Jason, that there are no substitutes.”

“I shouldn’t need a blind date to tell me that I love Jason,” Elizabeth said impatiently.

“I know you love him. He knows you love him. Love is not the problem here, Bit. The problem is that you and Jason have spent more time apart than you have together and neither one of you realizes that just because you fell in love three years ago doesn’t mean the things you loved about each other are still true. You tell yourselves that you love each other but you haven’t really taken the time to remind yourself why. You’re not in love with the person Jason is today, Elizabeth,” Steven said. “And he’s not in love with who you are today either. You’re in love with the people who existed three years ago–even two years ago. But, honey, you’re not that girl anymore.”

Elizabeth blinked. “That’s it.” She set her pen down and shook her head. “I just…that’s absolutely it.”

Steven misinterpreted the words and sighed impatiently, dragging a hand through his head. “I know you think I’m just meddling and that I don’t know Jason–”

“No, no, I mean, you’re right.” Elizabeth exhaled shakily. “I just–I never thought about it like that before. We’ve had no real contact over the last few years, he was gone so long and it wasn’t too long after he came back that we really broke contact and so many things in our lives have changed since then. We’re not the people we used to be.” Her eyes met her brother’s. “I’m not sure what to do now. I mean, I want to be with him. I want a life with him. But I can’t…do I want Jason now or the one I knew three years ago?”

“I can’t answer that for you. You and Jason have to deal with that. I’m just trying to say that you’re a beautiful young woman and you shouldn’t have to sit around waiting for grand epiphanies. I get that you and Jason have a son together–”

“I’ll think about it,” Elizabeth cut her brother off. “I can’t promise you anything more than that. But you’re right, it is time for a change.”

Sam’s Penthouse: Living Room

“Nope.” Sam scribbled out an ad for an exotic dancer. “I have the body but not the temperament. First guy to drool the wrong way, I’d probably kick him in the teeth.”

“I wouldn’t let you do it anyway,” Sonny muttered from his position next to her on the couch. Sam glanced up and eyed him. “I mean, I would have advised you not to do that.” Her eyes narrowed. “What I actually mean is that I would have suggested perhaps you continue looking.”

“Close enough,” she replied. She huffed impatiently. “I can’t stand doing this. I hate job hunting.”

“Have you ever actually done it?” Sonny asked.

“Well, no,” Sam admitted. “Before the salvage gig, I was a con artist, after all. We don’t really job hunt. We mark hunt.” She flipped to a new page. “I need to think stable income and benefits.”

“Stable has never been a word I’d associate with you,” Sonny remarked. He sipped his coffee. “You could just come work for me,” he offered.

“I also need to think no guns and no explosions,” Sam murmured. “What about a receptionist?” she asked

“A receptionist?” Sonny repeated. He smirked. “Well, it’s stable, probably has benefits and the odds of you being shot are low. But do you really think you could deal with being in customer service?”

“Hey,” Sam said, annoyed. “I am the very definition of sunshine and light and if you think otherwise, I’d like to introduce your ass to my foot, got it?”

“Ms. Sunshine, understood,” Sonny said, sipping his coffee again to hide the grin. “Where would you be working?”

“The new PC Hotel,” Sam said. She circled it. “I’m applying.”

“I don’t really think it’s your thing,” Sonny said.

Sam arched an eyebrow. “When did I ask for your input on how to run my life?” She reached for the phone. “And I’m only doing this to prove that I can do anything, even be nice to a bunch of idiots. I am a very pleasant person.”

“I don’t doubt it,” Sonny said, his grin widening.

Port Charles Hotel: Jax’s On Site Office

“So today’s the big day, eh?” Jax remarked as he shoved aside a pile of papers so Alexis could sit down in his office trailer at the site of the Port Charles Hotel construction.

“Mmm-hmm,” Alexis said. She glanced out the small windows to peer up at the stone building. “It’s looking pretty good. How’s the inside coming along?”

“The rooms are very nearly complete, actually. I was doing the administration wing last which is why I’m still stuck in this tin can,” Jax remarked. “So you want to do your wedding the Saturday after we open?”

“December 19,” Alexis nodded. “Are you sure it’ll be ready by then?”

“I’ll make sure it is,” Jax answered. He sat behind his desk. “So, Kristina’s doing as expected?”

“Better,” Alexis answered. She sighed and closed her eyes. “It’s like a miracle, really. I just hope everything else goes as well.”

“Uh huh,” Jax nodded. He fished around his desk for some paperwork. “How’s life with the DA?”

“It’s…surprising,” Alexis admitted. “Once Kristina was improving and we could kind of go back to ordinary life a little more, he started spending more time at the office. But, all in all, it’s going well. How’s…Courtney?”

Jax exhaled slowly. “I wouldn’t know,” he said finally. “We haven’t really been keeping in touch the last few weeks. She’s been very involved with her foundation and her…plans.”

“Plans,” Alexis echoed. “The last I remember, you thought you might be falling for her.”

“Well, I thought wrong,” Jax replied. “After she lied to the police about Diego and then bailed him out so he could jump bail, I’m just not sure I want to be in a relationship with someone who shares Sonny Corinthos’s views on police authority.”

Alexis snorted. “Since when do you care about that?”

“Ned’s a good friend of mine and Diego Sanchez brutally raped his daughter,” Jax answered. “I know where my loyalties are.”

Alexis sobered. “I know. And I’m certainly glad he’s back in jail where he belongs. I haven’t seen Ned except for board meetings at the hospital but he hasn’t looked well. Like he’s not sleeping.”

“He wasn’t,” Jax replied. “Especially once Sanchez had jumped bail. He told me that Brooke Lynn wasn’t sleeping at night either and when she did manage to doze off, she woke up with nightmares.”

“We should get together,” Alexis suggested. “You, me, Ned, Lois. It’ll be good. We’ll go out for dinner or just–I want to do something for him. For Lois.”

Jax nodded. “I’ll call him and set it up.”

Spencer House: Living Room

“Careful, Lesley,” Luke said, holding his mother-in-law’s elbow as she stepped over the threshold. He swung her bag and set it next to the stairs. “Let’s get you on the couch.”

“I had a heart attack, Luke, I’m not dying,” Lesley said, laughing weakly. But she followed his direction anyway.

“Lu, baby, could you get a menu from the kitchen?” Luke asked. “Kelly’s or Eli’s, wherever you want to go. I don’t think Lesley’s up for dinner out.”

“Sure,” Lulu murmured. She closed the front door and disappeared into the kitchen. Luke sighed.

“I’m not sure what I’m doing here, Lesley,” he told her as he sat in the armchair adjacent to the couch. “I want to fix the things I’ve done wrong but I don’t want to screw her up anymore.”

“Just be here,” Lesley said, patting his hand. “Now, what’s this news about Laura you’ve been keeping to yourself?”

“Well, I was going to wait until we had Lucky here and the Cassadine spawn,” Luke said with a smirk, but I suppose you have a right to know.” He lowered his voice and leaned towards Lesley. “Her doctors are moving her from London here to New York. She’s doing well enough for less intensive therapy. And if she continues to get better, in a few months, she might even be able to start out patient therapy. She might be able to come home.”

Lesley squeezed Luke’s hands. “That is good news,” she said with a wide smile. “You, Laura, Lulu and the boys. You deserve to be a family again.”

“We’ve always been a family,” Luke said after a long moment. “I was just too blind to be a part of it.”

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