Friday, November 5, 2004

General Hospital: Emergency Room

Sonny stared at Monica, not comprehending. “No.”

“I’m sorry.” Monica gripped Sonny’s sleeve. “She had a condition in which the placenta separated from the uterine wall. The baby couldn’t get any oxygen and there was a lot of bleeding. We delivered her but she was…she was still born.”

“No,” Sonny said, his voice rough. “No!” He shook his head. He wasn’t hearing this. He hadn’t lost another child.

“I am so sorry,” Monica whispered. She wanted to offer him comfort but didn’t know how. Where was Jason? Jason would know what to do, what to say.

“Does Sam…” Sonny cleared his throat. “Does Sam know?”

“She’s unconscious,” Monica said softly. “She’s lost a lot of blood, Sonny and will probably be out for a day or two. We’re moving her to ICU now. You can go see her as soon as she’s settled.”

Sonny closed his eyes and gripped Monica’s hand. “I know–I know you did all that you can. Thank you.”

Monica nodded and returned to the operating room.

Bobbie and Carly rushed through the ER doors. “Sonny!” Carly called. The past few days were forgotten and for a few moments, they were just parents. “Sam…is she okay?”

Sonny nodded. “But–she–she lost the baby.”

Bobbie gasped and craned her head towards the surgical room. “Where’s Jason? Is he here yet?”

“I haven’t–I haven’t been able to get in touch with him,” Sonny said hoarsely. “His phone is off.”

“Off?” Carly repeated. “It’s never off.”

“It’s off now and no one’s seen him since he left the Towers this morning,” Sonny told her. “Do you have any idea where he could be?”

Cottage: Bedroom

Elizabeth fastened a few of the buttons on the shirt Jason had removed earlier that morning. “You brave enough to risk my cooking?” she murmured against his lips.

He grasped her hips and tugged her back into bed. “Forget food,” he told her, reaching for the sides of her shirt. Elizabeth giggled and playfully smacked his hands away.

The telephone at the side of her bed rang shrilly and Elizabeth groaned. “I should get that.”

Jason separated the shirt and kissed her collarbone. “Let the answering machine get it.” He nibbled on the soft skin at the base of her throat before going lower.

The machine clicked on after a few more rings. “Elizabeth, if Jason is still there, pick up now,” her brother’s voice commanded.

Elizabeth gasped and pulled away from Jason abruptly. She tugged her shirt closed and reached for the phone. “Steven?”

“Is he still there?” Steven asked.

“Yeah, Steven–”

“He needs to get to the hospital now. They rushed Sam in this morning and I think it’s bad.”

“Okay, I’ll tell him.” Her face pale, she hung up the phone and climbed off the bed. “Sam was rushed to the hospital this morning.”

Jason was out of bed in an instant, his hands reaching for his jeans and boxers. He pulled the latter on while fishing for his cell phone in the first. He switched it on, his face paling at the sixteen missed phone calls. “Damn it.”

Elizabeth found his shirt on the bedpost and handed it to him. He dragged it over his head while trying to fasten his jeans. “Jason, I hope everything’s okay.”

He jammed his feet into his boots, forgetting about socks. “Sixteen phone calls, Elizabeth. Something’s wrong.”

“I’ll–I’ll get dressed. I’ll drop Cam off with Gram and–”

“No, it’s–” Jason found his jacket on the floor. He pulled it on. “It’s not a good time for me to spring this on anyone.”

“I just–” Elizabeth nodded and sank onto the bed. “I’ll just…wait here then.”

“I’ll call later,” he promised. He brushed his lips over her hair before leaving the room. A few moments later, the front door slammed. She heard the garage door open and Jason’s motorcycle roared down the driveway.

A little dazed by how quickly the mood had turned from loving to frantic, Elizabeth sat there a moment longer. Finally, she buttoned her shirt, pulled on some panties and jeans before going to check on her son.

Port Charles Municipal Building: District Attorney’s Office

“Diego Sanchez is being held without bail,” Brianne Joyce, assistant DA, informed Ric as he checked over some paperwork that had accumulated during his absence.

“Good, good.” Ric glanced up. “And Brooke Lynn?”

“Recovering. I, of course, emphasized that it was a Quartermaine family member,” Brianne said, with a small smile. “The judge not only remanded Sanchez but set the preliminary hearing date for next week.”

“Good, good. Mac’s done a good job with the initial investigation but I would like you to have another go at Brooke. Mac’s a friend of the family, his daughters know Brooke and she might feel more comfortable relating what happened to someone who doesn’t know her,” Ric said.

“I’ve already set something up with Ned Ashton and his ex-wife at the gatehouse. Brooke’s leaving the hospital on Monday, so I made the appointment for Tuesday.”

“Kristina’s still not out of the hospital yet. She won’t be home for another week at the most,” Ric said. He moved some more paperwork aside. “I’m hoping you’ll carry me for a few days. I’ll come in for a few hours and take work home but I’ve got to be at the hospital.”

“Perfectly understandable.” Brianne stood. “I’d like to first chair the Sanchez case.”

“It’s a big case, Brianne. How long have you been working here?” Ric leaned back in his chair.

“With all due respect sir, longer than you,” Brianne remarked. “I worked for DA Baldwin.”

Ric nodded and hesitated. “The Quartermaines are a powerful family, but I don’t think I have to remind you of that. You think you’re prepared to first chair?”

“Yes, sir,” Brianne nodded.

“All right then.” Ric moved the case file across the desk. “You’ve had a good trial record so far, Brianne. You can first chair and do any follow up interviews with the police that you need to.”

“Thank you.” Brianne loaded the file on top of the pile in her arms. “Good luck with your daughter.”

General Hospital: Emergency Room

Jason hurried through the doors and stopped at the sight of his sister talking softly to Sonny and Carly.

“Where’s Sam?” he demanded, striding up to them.

Where Sonny would have lit into him for being unreachable, Carly silenced her estranged husband with a glare. “She’s being moved to ICU,” she said softly. She looked to Emily.

“Jason, she lost…she lost the baby,” Emily said. She touched his arm. “I’m so sorry.”

Jason stepped back and shook his head. “No. The baby was fine, she was healthy–I don’t understand–”

“It was sudden,” Carly cut in. “The placenta separated and she couldn’t breathe. Sam was very lucky to be alive herself,” she told him.

“Can I–” Jason swallowed. “Does she know?”

“No,” Sonny said flatly, his eyes dark with anger and disappointment.

“I want to be with her when you tell her,” Jason said. “She’d–”

“You couldn’t bother to be there this morning, you shouldn’t bother being here at all,” Sonny said darkly. “I’m going up to sit with her.”

The mobster spun on his heel and stalked to the elevators. Jason stared at him, his eyes blinking in shock.

“He’s upset,” Carly said, trying to soothe him. “We just–it’s so unlike you to not be here when we need you, Jason. I’m not judging,” she said quickly, seeing the angry look Emily tossed her. “It’s just–he’s not used to you not being here when he calls.”

“I need–” Jason cleared his throat. “I need to be alone right now.” He walked away then, heading in the opposite direction that his best friend had.

Emily leveled a glare at Carly. “You too are way too dependent on my brother,” she said scathingly.

Carly arched an eyebrow. “Maybe. But I don’t see you turning away his help either.” She walked away, leaving Emily alone in the emergency room.

Nurse’s Station

Steven was talking with a nurse when Carly strolled up to him. She waited for him to finish his conversation. “So, how did you know where Jason was?” she asked pointedly.

Steven blinked. “What?”

“Ten minutes after my mother tells us we can’t find him, he shows up. After you excuse yourself to make a call.” Carly folded her arms. “I may be self-absorbed but I’m not an idiot.”

Steven shook his head. “Sorry, it’s confidential.” He slid his hands in his pockets and jingled some change as he went to the elevators.

Carly glared at his back before stalking over to him. “Look–I don’t–did you know where he was?”

“Just yes or no?” Steven asked. “No elaboration?”

“Just yes or no.”

“Yes,” Steven answered. The elevators dinged open. They both entered.

“Whoever Jason was with,” Carly said slowly, “might want to know that Sam’s baby died and that she’s in ICU.”

Steven looked at her sharply. “What?”

“The baby died,” Carly repeated. “And Sonny told Jason that since he couldn’t bother being there this morning, he shouldn’t now. So Jason’s sitting somewhere alone, dealing with this. And I don’t think he should have to.”

“So why aren’t you there with him?” Steven wanted to know as the elevators doors slid open on the lobby floor. Carly walked out of the car and headed towards the parking garage. “Carly?”

“Because it occurs to me that this isn’t the first time he’s been unavailable,” Carly said after a moment. “The first time his phone is off. The first time he’s disappeared. He’s been doing it for a while but I assumed he was just getting away from Sam.” She turned and fastened her dark eyes on him. “He’s hiding a part of his life from me. From Sonny. From the entire world and you know something about it. And that tells me it’s got something to do with your sister.”

Steven stiffened. “I know you don’t like her–”

“What I like doesn’t matter.” Carly hesitated. “But what Jason likes does. I hate knowing that he’s felt he’s had to hide something like this from me. And what’s more, I hate that he was probably right in his reasons. That finding out he was dating Elizabeth again would have set me off. I would have ridiculed him, attacked her and ended up looking like a royal bitch.”

“Why?” Steven asked. “Why would you put yourself through something like that, Carly? Jason’s a big boy, he doesn’t need you to approve of his choices and neither does my sister.”

“Haven’t you heard?” Carly snorted. “I’m selfish and I don’t think of anyone else but myself.”

Steven shook his head. “I don’t think you’re selfish, Carly.”

Startled, Carly dropped her hands to her side. “What?”

“I think you’re someone who’s been so busy fighting to survive that you don’t realize you already have.” Steven unlocked the passenger door. “I’ll drive you to your mother’s,” he said. She stared at him.

“That was an incredibly nice thing to say,” Carly said. “I’m not really used to that.”

“Get used to it.”

PCPD: Squad Room

“Is Commissioner Scorpio in?”

Lucky Spencer glanced up from the paperwork stating that Connor Bishop had been taken in the MP’s custody and sat back a little. A petite blonde with wide blue eyes and arms full of files stood in front of his desk. He immediately stood. “No, he’s not but I think he was expecting. ADA Joyce right?”

“Brianne Joyce,” she introduced herself. “I’d offer you a hand but I’d rather not drop these.”

Lucky nodded. “Right. He had an unexpected meeting but he told me to show you to his office and tell you he’d be back as soon as possible.”

“Well, then, Detective…” Brianne trailed off.

“Sergeant,” Lucky reluctantly corrected. After a year and a half on the force, it was hard to accept his recent demotion from detective to sergeant and it was still a bitter pill to swallow. “Sergeant Spencer.”

“Sergeant Spencer,” Brianne repeated. “If you’ll lead the way.”

Lucky led her across the hall and up a flight of steps. “Where’s DA Lansing?”

“He’s taking a short of leave of absence,” she said. “His daughter’s sick and he doesn’t want to leave his wife right now.”

It was on the tip of his tongue to correct her assumption that Lansing was not Kristina’s father but Lucky held back. He opened the door for the pretty lawyer. “Would you like coffee or anything?”

Brianne entered Mac’s office and set the files on the desk. “Nope. I’ll just do some paperwork until he gets here.” As Lucky strode to leave, she called out. “Wait.”

He turned. “Yeah?”

“Are you involved with the Sanchez case?” Brianne asked. “DA Lansing is letting me first chair and I was hoping to get interviews with the investigating officers. To get ready for grand jury.”

Lucky shook his head. “No, Mac’s the only one investigating this. He’s close to the family and all that.”

“Well.” Brianne smiled. “It was nice to meet you, Sergeant Spencer.”

“You, too. Ms. Joyce.” Lucky nodded at her and left the office.

A few moments later, Mac entered. “Sorry, Ms. Joyce. I didn’t think I’d be back this late.”

“No, no, it’s fine.” Brianne went over some of the more simple cases before coming to the final one. Diego Sanchez. “I’m first chairing the Sanchez the case,” she told Mac. “It’s my first and it’s really important that I don’t miss any details.”

“Well, it’s pretty cut and dried. Rape kit was positive. Brooke’s a good kid with a clean record. Comes from a good family. Sanchez is a kid from the foster system. He has a bit of a juvenile record. He’s arrogant and he admits at least that they had sex. One look at the pictures taken after Brooke got to the hospital and hearing her testimony should wrap it up.”

“Right. The pictures.” The pictures of the bruised and battered teenager had made her almost nauseous when she’d finally viewed them in her office earlier that day. But she’d shoved her emotions aside. “Sanchez’s statement says she wanted rough sex. Is there any reason why the jury shouldn’t laugh at that notion?”

Mac’s jaw tightened. “Brooke’s a good kid,” he repeated. “Sanchez is dirt. They only need to look at her to know.”

“I don’t mean to insinuate she’s not. But I can’t have any surprises,” Brianne stressed. “If Brooke had a relationship with this boy, then I can’t have that sprung on me by the defense.”

“Even if they did, that doesn’t take away her right to say no,” Mac snapped.

“No, no it doesn’t. But it creates reasonable doubt,” Brianne tried to explain. “The jury will wonder if she’s said yes in the past, why no now?”

“Well, then it’s your job to change their minds,” Mac said stubbornly.

“Not without the facts,” Brianne argued. “Did Brooke Lynn Ashton date the accused?” she asked bluntly.

“I don’t know,” Mac said coldly. “I didn’t ask.”

She arched an eyebrow. “Maybe you should assign someone to this case who isn’t quite so close.” She held up a hand to fend off his next attack. “So that the defense can’t say the police were biased, seeing as how your daughters are the best friends of the victim.”

Mac seethed but nodded. “Fine. I’ll assign an officer.”

General Hospital: Chapel

Elizabeth slowly slid open the door the chapel, not surprised to find him sitting alone in one of the pews. She glanced over her shoulder and then entered.

Steven’s phone call had confirmed what she hadn’t even wanted to think about. Sam had lost her baby. She had needed Jason and Jason was not there. They’d been making love while the baby he’d come to think of as his own needed him.

She could feel the guilt lodging in her belly and she knew his could choke him.

Elizabeth sat next to him and took her hand in his. She didn’t say anything–didn’t really need to say anything.

He looked at her with red-rimmed eyes. “She needed me and I wasn’t there.”

“You can’t always be there when someone needs you,” Elizabeth murmured. “You’re only human.”

“But Sam was depending on me. Not Sonny. Me. She was living with me.” He shook his head. “I knew she was close to her due date and I turned my phone off-”

“Because she had the cottage number,” Elizabeth interrupted. “She knew how to reach you.”

“Only she did,” Jason argued. “And when she was unconscious, when she needed me, I was…” he stopped and closed his eyes. “I should have waited until she was awake, until I knew she was okay and the phone was near. Nothing should have been more important.”

She flinched–she didn’t mean to and he didn’t notice. Nothing should have been more important. Nothing. Not her, not their relationship and not their son. The ex-mistress of his best friend and the illegitimate child.

No, it was wrong to think that way. Jason cared about Sam, loved the child. He was right. Nothing should have been more important than the baby.

“I wish there were words,” Elizabeth murmured. “But there aren’t.” She met his eyes. “But I know that Sam will need you.”

“Sonny’s–he’s too angry to let me near her right now. I want to be there when he tells her. He wasn’t there. Not all the time. He was only there when it was convenient for him. He didn’t to go the appointments, he didn’t watch her fall in love with this baby.”

“I’ll handle Sonny.” Elizabeth hesitated. “If I hadn’t had Steven pick up Cameron, then maybe you wouldn’t have come over this morning–”

“This isn’t your fault,” Jason said.

“And it isn’t yours because you came to see me this morning,” Elizabeth said. “Things happen, Jason. They don’t always have to have a reason. They don’t always make sense. The only thing we can do is deal with it.”

“What if you don’t know how?” he asked quietly.

“Then you just take it one day at a time.” Elizabeth tightened her hand around his. “One breath at a time, one step. You don’t have to have the answers right away.” A sad smile curved on her lips. “Some one very wise once told me that sometimes things happen fast…”

“But you have to live through them slow,” Jason nodded. “You know what I’ve learned since then?”

“What?”

“It’s a lot easier to give advice when you’re not giving it to yourself.”

← Chapter Six | Chapter Eight →