Disclaimer: The majority of the characters within aren't mine, although the situations are. No Copyrite infringement is intended.
Prolouge
Port Charles, 2003
He paced behind her, his heels hitting the wood as she just kept reading. "I don't know what you're worried about. It's not going to pass," she sighed as she turned in her chair and pushed a piece of hair behind her ear.
"What would you know?" Jax snapped tiredly as he stopped and turned to catch the next vote with a groan.
She only laughed slightly as she turned back around and closed a file. "You'd be surprised," she sighed as she rose and ran hands through her hair. "I'm heading to Kelly's. You want me to get you anything?" she asked as slipping on her suit jacket.
"Nah, I have a shake."
"Protein shakes do not a healthy diet make," she laughed as she brushed by.
"Have I fired you yet today?" Jax asked testily.
"Impervious," she shot back as she started out, then paused in the archway. "It's not going to pass."
"You wanna bet?"
"Sure. I'm game. What's on the table?"
"I'm right you stop hounding me about my eating habits."
"And if I'm right?"
"You haven't gotten a new dress for tonight have you?"
"And that would be relevant why?"
"You're right I buy you your dress and you get the rest of the day off."
"I could do with an afternoon off," she laughed as she slid out before he could say anything.
"How did I end up with another V?" he wondered as he shook his head and slumped in a nearby chair to watch the rest of the vote. . .
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She walked quickly into Kelly's, scanning the area for her dining companion. Waving, she crossed the restaurant and slid into a booth across from Carly Spencer. "Would you stop that?" she asked on a laugh as the waitress came over and put her usual in front of her.
"Stop what?" Carly asked as she looked as her dining companion.
"Stop drilling holes in the back of Angel Ellis's head," she laughed.
"Why not? It's fun. Besides, I wasn't drilling holes in the back of her head, I was glaring at Elizabitch."
She only shook her head at that, "Problems with Jason and Sonny again?"
Carly shrugged as she picked up her straw and sipped the end of it before putting it back into her glass, "why didn't you tell me you were trying to get a restraining order against AJ?"
She shifted uncomfortably at that, "I didn't."
"But you put the paperwork in. Has he really been causing you that much trouble?"
"I thought so," she shrugged, "look, Carly, they said it wasn't. . ."
"That's because he's a Quartermain," Carly interrupted. "And you. . . well, no offense, but if I couldn't get anywhere as the niece of a former Mayor and as the wife of Sonny Corinthos, you won't as Jasper Jacks's assistant. No matter how much proof you have."
"I just have to get some more. . . I mean, I kinda hope I won't but. . ." she sighed. "A friend of mine's gonna come in and take a look at what I have. It's really no big deal. AJ's actually been leaving me alone for the last few days."
"Hate to burst your bubble, but he'll start up again. That's his usual MO," Carly paused at the frown on the other woman's face. "Look, why don't you let me hire Johnny or one of his guys? And before you say anything, Johnny runs a legit security company, even if some of his guys still work for Sonny."
"Carly, I've already let you and Jax pay for me to get a new security system, which I didn't need, because of this. I don't need a bodyguard."
"You need something. You can't keep giving things up because of AJ."
"What have I given up?"
"I don't know, a chance at a relationship with Ned?"
She laughed, almost spitting out her drink, "Me and NED?!?! Where would you get that idea?"
"Well, you two did go out a couple of times."
"I went out at V.'s request, and Ned joined us at Jax's. We hung out. We didn't date. He's not my type."
"Then who is?"
She shrugged, "my secret."
"You're incorrigible," Carly laughed as she threw a crumpled up napkin at her.
"You should talk?" she asked as she ducked it. Sighing as her phone rang. "'Ello?" she answered, smiling slightly as she heard Jax's voice on the other end, as he sighed: "You were right." "Yeah, I know. I'm going to pick up a dress now. The numbers on the new merger are on your desk. So are the prospectives for the new product lines," she finished as she clicked her cell phone shut on a sigh.
"What was that about?" Carly asked.
"Won another bet."
"About what?"
"A vote."
Carly shook her head and sighed, "I'm not asking. So, you want company?"
"Sure," she replied as she stood and picked up her purse. "It's your turn to pay. I'm going to make a couple of calls while I wait."
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She shivered as the breeze hit her full force and pulled her coat closer around her as she hit speed dial. She sighed as voice mail picked up, not at all surprised: "Hey, it's just me. You do remember me, don't you? Your former assistant? I mean, since you haven't called in a while I'm starting to wonder. By the way, you looked like crap this morning. Doesn't your new assistant know how to dress you? Get some sleep, eat something, call your mother. Oh, and call me." Shaking her head, she disconnected and hit a second number, smiling as a grumpy, but familiar voice, came through the phone. "Hey Sam."
"Huh, oh, hi," came the distracted answer.
"Bad time?"
"Uh, no. Just looking over some files, why? What's up?"
"I just wanted to find out what time your flight's coming in Saturday."
"D@mn, I knew I was forgetting something. Look, I can't make it. Maybe next weekend."
"Oh," she sighed disappointed.
"I'm sorry, it's just this case. . ."
"Yeah. It's OK. Next weekend will be fine," she answered as she caught sight of Carly breezing out. "Look, I gotta go. Call me next week and let me know what time and all that."
"Sure thing."
"Sure thing my. . ." she muttered as she disconnected and slipped the phone into her purse.
"Something wrong?" Carly asked as she pulled her jacket tighter around her and looked at the darkening sky.
"Nah," she started then laughed at Carly's look. "My friend just canceled for the weekend."
"You know, I'm sure Jax or I could have someone from legal look over what you have," Carly put forth as she fell into step next to her friend.
"Carly, I can handle this."
"I know you can, but. . .Look, it's more than being his ex-wife. I know. . . I know what the man's capable of. I don't want to see you hurt."
"I'm not as naïve as all of you think I am, Carly."
"We don't think you're naïve."
"Then what?"
"You just have terrible taste in men."
"I haven't been out with a gomer in. . . well, ages."
"A whater?"
"Nothing. Just what a friend termed my. . . exes. Besides, the only person I dated more than once since I got here was Chris. And we both decided we weren't suited for each other."
"What about Ned?"
"What is your fascination with me and Ned? We hung out a couple of times. No big deal," she shrugged as they stopped at her car.
"Fine. Just. . . at least have V. take a look at what you have when she gets back."
"If it will make you feel better," she bit back sarcastically as she unlocked her car door.
"It will."
"Fine. I'll talk to V," she sighed as she got in and started the car.
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Quartermain Mansion,
later that night
She smiled as she walked around the room, some of the faces recognizable to her, most not. But she had become used to this over the years. In her old job it was political and world leaders, not business men, that she was expected to mingle with, although she found that most things were the same when it came to these events. Plaster a smile on and act interested. Don't let them know you know as much as you do, and never let them realize that you know more than them.
Smiling brightly she slid into the foyer and sighed tiredly. It was close to midnight and the party didn't seem like it would be ending anytime soon. "Did I get a chance to tell you how great you look?" Jax asked coming up behind her and earning a bright smile.
"Your fiance might not like you flirting so much," she replied flippantly as she turned and automatically fix his now crocked bow tie.
"My fiance's the one who recommended you for this job," Jax laughed back, as he watched her step back.
"True."
"Can I ask you a question?"
"You just did."
"Not funny."
"OK, then ask."
"Why do you do that?"
"Do what?"
"Fix my tie. Hand me my jacket. Make sure I'm not rumpled."
"Part of the job," she shrugged.
"I never said it was."
She laughed, "Because you don't need it as much as some others do. I learned that when organizing someone's life that includes appearances. True, my exact job description deals more with your files and research and setting schedules, but where would you be without the meals, drying cleaning, ect?"
Jax shook his head and held back a laugh, "I'm a man. I can handle it."
"Yeah, right. We women just let you think you can. Besides, if you weren't pushed by some people you and V. wouldn't be together now, now would you?"
"Carly would have gotten to it eventually," he said as he watched the woman in question arguing with Edward.
"True."
"But you know what they say don't you?"
"About what?" she asked.
"Turn about," Jax laughed as Ned walked over.
"JAX!"
"No. Play nice. Now, I'm going to go over there and either save Carly or make Edward's night worse. Talk to him," he said as he walked away leaving her face to face with Ned.
"Please, can we talk?" Ned asked.
"There's not anything else to be said," she sighed as she twisted the strap on her evening bag around one finger.
"Please."
"You're going to hound me all night if I don't, aren't you?"
"Yeah."
"Fine," she sighed in frustration, "talk."
"Upstairs? It's more private."
"Whatever."
Slowly they walked up the staircase, both unaware of the eyes staring after them in anger. Reaching the top they walked to the landing and stopped, looking down at the party below. "I'm sorry about Junior," Ned said as he looked at his hands and then at her.
"You don't control him."
"Some people would say I do."
"Then can you keep him on a tighter leash?" she asked, then at his grimace looked away from him and back down. "That's what I thought."
"If it weren't for him. . ."
She turned, leaning slightly against the railing, back to the steps, as she look at him, "No. I told you the truth Ned. You're a great guy, but. . ."
"But you're in love with someone else."
"Right."
"So does this guy know?"
"I don't know. I thought he did," she shrugged. "But it really doesn't matter anyway. It's how I feel. You're a great friend. . ."
"Oh, G-d, not the friend zone!"
She laughed at that, "believe me, I know it all too well."
"This guy?"
"Ah huh."
"Stinks doesn't it?"
"Oh, yeah. But I still rather just be his friend. . ." she shook her head. "You understand don't you?"
"Yeah. But that doesn't mean I won't try to change your mind."
"Ned. . ."
"A guy can try can't he?"
"Yeah."
"So you have a date to V and Jax's wedding yet?"
She only laughed as she playfully hit him in the arm. "I'll make a deal with you. If both of us don't have dates for it we go together, although I think if you opened your eyes. . ."
"What do you know that I don't?"
"A lot," she shot back easily causing him to shake his head as he looked back down and away from impending danger.
"Sure. You have a date."
"A deal is all I'm promising," she sighed.
"A deal. . ." he started, but didn't get the chance as AJ came up next to them and spun her around.
"You have a lot of nerve," he said, as he tightened his hold on her arm.
"Let go of me," she said as she instinctively took a step back and tried to pull her arm away, wishing she could remember the training she had been given some time ago on how to act in this type of a situation.
"Not until I have my say."
"You're drunk," she shot back evenly, not sure whether or not it frightened her more.
"Not quite," AJ laughed, "but maybe you'd prefer it. Tell me, what would it take for you to show me that smile you were just giving my cousin?"
"Before or after the personality transplant?" she shot back as he forced her to take another step back.
"Ouch, that hurt."
"AJ. . ." Ned started warningly, fear starting to form in his stomach at where this might be heading. . .
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Carly laughed as she and Jax exited the room to the foyer and she looked up, only to freeze. "Carly what is it?"
"It's happening again," she gasped out as her eyes darted panicky to his.
"What?" he asked as he looked up, seeing where things were going. "Go get Mac."
"But. . ."
"Do it, Carly. NOW!" he said as he started to slowly approach the steps. Nodding mutely, she turned, hoping it wouldn't be too late.
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"AJ, let go of her. . ." Ned said softly.
"Is that what you want? Me to let go of you?" he asked as he looked into her eyes.
She swallowed tensely at that as he forced her back another step, "Yeah. I want you to let go of me."
"You've got it then," he said as he momentarily tightened his grip and then, with a slight push, he let go.
There was silence.
There was the sound of her falling.
The sound of Jax's shoes hitting the floor as he moved towards the stairs knowing he'd be too late.
The sound Ned screaming her name.
But she was unaware of it all. . .
~Who can say where the road goes,
Where the day flows?
Only time...
And who can say if your love grows,
As your heart chose?
Only time...
(chants)~
He walked tiredly into his office, his tie half off as he slid into his desk chair and fumbled with the desk lamp. *Would it be too much to ask for an assistant who could keep up with my hours?* he wondered as he slumped down in his chair and sighed disgustedly. He knew the answer. Knew because she had spoiled him. Spoiled him and then moved on to a better job. Not that he begrudged her it, but he still could wish, couldn't he?
Shaking his head he picked up the receiver on his phone and punched in his code so that he could retrieve the day's messages, a pencil in hand to take down any notes on what could generously be called a scrap of paper. He listened and discarded the flimsy while making notes on the serious and not to be ignored as he rubbed at the back of his neck.
But then, he had to smile.
It was her.
D@mn it, how could her terse message make him smile after a night like he had just had?
*What is she talking about? I looked great?* he asked himself as he shook his head at her message and constant reminders. *Like I can't take care of myself. What does she think she's my mother?* laughing slightly, he hung up the phone and rolled up his sleeves to get back to work. . .
~Who can say why your heart sighs,
As your love flies?
Only time...
And who can say why your heart cries,
When your love dies?
Only time...
(chants)~
AJ sat on the steps drinking from a flask, watching in fascination as she was picked up and placed on a gurney. His mind spinning. When Carly had fallen she had screamed, but not her. No, she only fell. Arms pin wheeling, eyes wide open, she had flown backwards to thump at Jax's feet. He laughed slightly at the image. No one played him for a fool. She had gotten what she deserved. . .
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Carly buried her head in Jax's shoulder as she cried in fear for her friend. In memory of what had happened to her. Ned could only stand shell shocked next to the gurney, knowing that somehow it had been his fault. He turned at the sound of Jax calling his name, and walked over to take Carly into his own arms as Jax followed the gurney to the waiting ambulance and, in the flickering lights, pulled out his cell phone and a small phone book. Slowly he dialed the number she had listed as that of a contact person on her paperwork only months before. . .
~Who can say when the roads meet,
That love might be,
In your heart.
And who can say when the day sleeps,
If the night keeps all your heart?
Night keeps all your heart...
(extended chants)~
He groaned at the ringing off to the side of his head, wanting to block it out. He had thought he had given up late night calls when he had stopped working for the White House. Apparently, that wasn't the case. Pulling the pillow over his head didn't work, and as wakefulness approached, he knew he had to answer it. It was nearly one in the morning, which meant trouble. Which probably meant his daughter or girlfriend. . .
Cursing, he threw the pillow onto the floor and pulled the phone off the receiver. "This had better be good," he grumbled as he sat up and flipped on the light, squinting at it's brightness.
"Mr. McGarry? Mr. Leo McGarry," Jax started shakily, hoping he had dialed the number right in the dimness that surrounded him now that the ambulance had pulled away.
"What is this some kind of telemarketing thing? Can't you people call at a decent hour?" Leo grumbled close to hanging up.
"My name's Jasper Jacks. . . I. . ."
Leo cursed, recognizing the name instantly. "How the hell did you get this number?!?! No, wait. I don't want to know. Call me at my office and maybe we'll talk."
"Mr. McGarry, please don't hang up."
Leo paused at the desperation he heard in the other man's voice. "Why are you calling?"
"You were listed as a contact person for my assistant," Jax explained hurriedly as his chauffeur pulled up and opened a door for him. "There's been. . . been an accident. They're taking her to the hospital now. I thought I should. . ."
Leo frowned at the words, "Who?"
"Excuse me?"
"Who listed me as their contact person?" he repeated as he moved across the room to the small desk he kept there and grabbed for a notepad to take down the information he would need.
~Who can say if your love grows,
As your heart chose?
Only time...~
He leaned back in his chair and sighed. Her message kept repeating in his head, keeping his mind off of work. "I really should call her," he said as he unconsciously rubbed at the scars on his chest. Sighing he looked at the clock. "Aww hell, it wouldn't be the first time I woke her up. Besides, it will give her something to complain about."
~And who can say where the road goes,
Where the day flows?
Only time...~
There was no one there in the darkened room where she kept a part of her life secret. It was her way of dealing with things. With their failures. With their triumphs. She hadn't wanted to be judged by the things they had done in those years. Of the scandal that cost them so many hopes and dreams. They, along with the friendships, where held in the pictures around the room.
The stillness was broken by the shrill rings of the phone and then her recorded voice.
Across the line, he sighed.
For some reason he couldn't explain he really needed to talk to her tonight. Almost reassure himself that she was still there and OK. But he'd settle for this. At least she couldn't say he didn't try.
"Hey, it's me. You know, your incredibly attractive, charming former boss. Guess you're just too busy to be there when I call huh? What helping to build a monopoly or two? Just wanted to let you know that contrary to popular belief I can take care of myself, and I happened to have looked d@mned good today. I'll be in the office for a while yet, campaign to run and all. Call me if you want. Oh, and Donatella, sorry I forgot your birthday. You know me and days. . ."
~Who knows?
Only time...~
"Who?" Leo asked surprised as his eyes darted to the picture on his desk.
A picture of all of them happily toasting a future that was cut short.
"Donna Moss," Jax repeated.
Leo inhaled sharply. Shakily he sank into his chair. Eyes on the picture of them, eyes connecting with hers he sighed, "I'll be there as soon as I can get a flight. Let me know what you do, and then call me at. . ." he said giving his cell number. "With whatever else you have."
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Hanging up minutes later he leaned his head heavily against the back of his chair before he reached for the phone, dialing a number from memory. "Abbey, sorry to call so late, but I figured you and Jed would take turns skinning me alive if I didn't let you two know right away. There's been an accident. Donna's in critical condition in a hospital in Port Charles. . . "
~Who knows?
Only time... ~
~Song credit, "Only Time" ~Enya