Disclaimer: They're not mine. Don't sue. The end.

Author's Note: Leave it to me to track down an author and ask to borrow her character. I've always been a scavenger, rummaging through the depths of fan fiction to find that one---anyway---Shannon Hornsby is La Red's character from her fic Homelands. While reading it and watching the show itself, a little plot bunny started hopping in my head. While I wouldn't call this story a sequel, it does bring up some plot points from her story. It's not necessary that you read it first but I'd recommend it because A) It's fabulous and B) It's Shannon's back story. The story is listed under my favorites. So, thanks La Red for giving me the go ahead to take liberties with your character...I'll play nice!

Wow, that was long. I've never been a stellar abstract writer. Anyhow, enjoy!

Sever

Chapter One: Mediate

Dillon Quartermaine's brown eyes weeded through the hordes of travelers, trying to find her face. He half expected news cameras and reporters to have joined him, after all she was a soldier and a Quartermaine. However her homecoming was a surprise and she wanted it to remain one. It was hard for him to keep his mouth shut, after all their family had lost so much last year. Seeing her would be a dose of anesthesia, at least that's what the two of them hoped.

He spotted her instantly; the beige camouflage and crutches were hard to miss. The smile erupted on his face as he practically ran to her, engulfing her in a tight hug. He could feel her reluctance so he pulled away and looked at her, really looked at her. He grimaced. Her blue eyes were flat. It was like looking at a blackboard for emotion. She smiled, but there was no person behind it. That wasn't the ferocious part. He could see the deep-seated anger nestled against her childish grin. She was a trained killer, a two legged hearse, and Dillon couldn't decided if either he or she was at peace with that.

"What happened to you?" he blurted out.

"War."

Dillon watched her moment, then nodded and picked up her two suitcases. She laughed a little and followed him to his car. Private Lila Shannon Hornsby clasped her brother's shoulder and gave it a little shake. It was good to be home.

A blue flame came spluttering out of her lighter as Shannon lit her cigarette. She took a long drag, savoring the irresistible burn in her throat. She turned to her big brother and looked him up and down. He looked good. Happy, established, and uninformed. His dreams were doused with movie reels and fold up director's chairs. She could see the hopes of prestigious awards and film channel specials gleaming in his eyes. Students turned the pages of their textbooks and her brother smiled up at them, serving them a healthy dose of inspiration and promise. Shannon rolled down her window and spit onto the highway. She never thought she'd envy her brother again.

"I'm sorry about Georgie," she said quietly, fingering the purple heart on the uniform she couldn't wait to get out of. "Sorry I wasn't here when you needed me."

He nodded slowly, not taking his eyes off the road. "I had Mom. Lulu was around too and Maxie."

"Mom," she said it like a foreign word that was hard to pronounce. "How is she? She still getting visits from our not so departed uncle?"

"She claims she isn't, but you and I know better."

"Hmm. I should've been here for that too... and Emily. God, o-seven was heavy hitter in the loss department. Seems like they punched the wrong clock on Emily though. Lulu told me about the fairytale she had going with Nikolas. It's a shame."

"You made your choice."

"I did."

There was no apology in her voice and Dillon was fine with that. He didn't expect one. She was her mother's daughter after all. Life had turned Shannon into a perpetual runner who never looked back, never stopped. When she felt lost and abandoned, she fled to the bed of a boy two years her senior, and when he left her to twist in the wind, she jumped head first into the flame that was their mother. Her pride and heart charred beyond recognition, she collapsed into the open arms of the Marine Corps and the inconsistency of war.

"You passed the mansion."

"Mom isn't there anymore. Monica put her out."

Shannon laughed . "What she do?"

"Nothing besides sue her sister-in-law for malpractice."

"Ouch. Well, according to Lulu's letter Monica botched Luke's bypass and almost scared him out of having another one. Bottom line, she had no business in that operating room and Mom has every right to sue her."

"Yeah, well, emotions aren't always logical. You of all people should know that."

"Emotions," Shannon scoffed. "Pesky little boogers. They'll get your head blown off if you're not careful."

"You're not on a battlefield anymore, Shannon."

"You can't mediate between the civilian and the soldier. It's like trying to dig out the Quartermaine in Mom. No matter who she's with or where she goes, she'll always remember and she'll always be. No sense in changing or fixing it."

"Change is infinite."

"So is pain."

"Does Jenny know you're back yet?"

"I talked to her the other night. Everybody's coming here to visit me at some point. She couldn't get a word in edgewise, you know how Sydney is. The boys are huge. Susan sends me pictures. I kept them with me out there. Did you go to Sly's wedding?"

"Yeah. Lulu and Lucky tagged along. Luke isn't the wedding type."

"Except when it makes grand larceny easier."

"They're more than that now. You should've seen her during the whole black and white ball fiasco and after. She was glued to his side. She loves him and he loves her. They have…had…something amazing."

"Past tense?"

"He snuck out of the hospital with Skye of all people. Mom was frantic."

"I can imagine. First he leaves her in the nut farm with the possibility of being carried off to the slammer for kidnapping and then he sneaks away leaving her with the fear of being a widow. I'm sure she was beyond frantic."

"She dropped him like a bad habit, but you know Luke, he's not letting her get away."

"He shouldn't. He's good for her."

Dillon nodded, pulling the car into the General Hospital parking lot.

"Is Tracy in the hospital?"

"More like at home. Welcome to La Casa de Tracy Quartermaine."

"She sleeps on the sofa in the boardroom, huh?"

"With all her dignity rolled up in my old sleeping bag."

"I've got money, you know, some that Dad left me. Uncle Sam was generous too. I can get her a room at the Metro Court."

"I already tried. Generous offers, too much pride, and even more Scotch don't mix."

"I'm her little girl," Shannon opened the passengers seat and tumbled out of the car. "It might go over a little better."

"The same little girl who snuck off into the night without so much as a goodbye and signed herself up to die. She'll probably spit in your face."

"Tracy Quartermaine doesn't spit."

"Has anybody ever told you how truly annoying you are?"

"But you love me anyway," she winked at him and continued towards the entrance.

"Yes." he put his hand on her head, which was closer to his chest than it was before. Interesting place to have a growth spurt. Their mother matured late too. "In fact, I love you so much that you get to do damage control and appeal to her on our stepfather's behalf."

"What? Luke came to you with his hat in his hand."

"Yeah, well, symbiosis at its best."

"Ass."

"Doesn't she have back problems?" Shannon asked as she followed her brother into the dark hospital boardroom. "Gives new meaning to the term 'humble abode'."

Tracy Quartermaine Spencer was sprawled out on the leather sofa, her face borrowed in the cushions and her finger tips brushing against the room's blue carpet. Peacefully her chest rose and peacefully it fell. Despite the squalid conditions, Tracy seemed to enjoy the benefits of deep sleep. Shannon closed her eyes and examined the darkness, practically begging herself to feel comfortable. She didn't and when Dillon gave her rib a slight nudge, she was grateful despite the pain.

"Watch the ribs."

"Sorry," he said sincerely.

"Aren't we all?"

"Not you."

"Poetic. Are we here to observe or are you planning on waking her up?"

Suddenly, Dillon released a slow, breathy laugh. Shannon watched him, analyzing, her mind and body ready to react.

"What?"

"It's ironic. When Mom got you back and you moved into the mansion, remember your room used to be across from mine? I got up and I noticed your door was open. You never left your door open. I got curious and looked in. You were out like a light. Mom was standing over you, just watching. I think she pushed a strand of your hair out of your face and when she did, you stirred. She got spooked like the intruder you told her was, and moved to escape. I wasn't quick enough and she saw me. Neither of us said anything. She pushed past me and I went downstairs to get a glass of water. She was so happy to have you back. You took something from her when you left, just like Luke takes, just like Ned and I take. We don't care because we think she doesn't, but deep down we can't forgive ourselves and neither can she."

Shannon made herself smile. Slowly she bent down and brushed the bangs away from her mother's face. She jumped a bit when the hand squeezed her wrist. Her blue eyes were groggy and uncomprehending, but as reality billowed toward her, Tracy Quartermaine shot off the couch like a rocket.

Dillon wrapped his arm around his little sister and gave his usual short wave. "Hey Mom."

The uniformed girl, not much shorter than her brother and nothing like the one her mother remembered, removed her camouflaged hat and grinned . "Nice hair."

Don't you just love building other people's self esteem? Sure you do, I mean...hey...you're all good people. Prove it! Leave a review. Help me cultivate a smile! And before you ask...no, I have no shame.

Seriously, I have the second chapter already written so I'll either post it tomorrow or the next day. Next up: Tracy and her girl child play catchup. Luke and his stepdaughter have a moment. And last but certainly not least, Private Hornsby crosses paths with Logan Hayes!