Reality is all about Perception


Disclaimer: Characters and settings are the property of ABC/Disney and the writers/producers of General Hospital. No copyright infringement is intended.


"Well, we're here," Lucky snarked at his father. "Start talking," Lucky requested sharply as he approached the bar. Noting that Tracy stood next to his father, she gave a smile towards Lulu but cut him a glare.

"Lulu, it's nice to see you," Ethan warmly greeted her. "Lucky.."

"What did you do?" Lucky cut him off.

"What makes you think…" Tracy started to defend Ethan only to have Lucky's attention focus in on her.

"Don't bullshit me, or I'm out the door and you can figure it out yourselves," Lucky snapped as he took a seat at the bar. "Start talking and make it fast."

"Settle down cowboy, we're just waiting for Barbara Jean to join us," Luke placated as he placed a beer in front of his son. "She should be here shortly, her shift just ended."

"And Carly, is she joining us tonight?" Lucky asked curious as he took a swing of his beer. He watched his father neatly evade his question by talking to Lulu about her involvement in Sonny's trial. 'One of these days he's going to be forced to recognize her as family. After all that she has done for Lulu and me, she deserves that much at least.'

Raking his gaze over his half brother and father, Lucky picked up on their tension. Catching Ethan's eyes, Lucky easily spotted fear beaming back at him. 'Hmmm, something happened. Something that has them both spooked. Something big, damn, it better not touch Lulu!'

As the entrance door closed with a bang, he couldn't hold back his smile when both Ethan and his father jumped. 'Dance little puppet, dance.' As a series of footsteps made their approach towards the casino area, Lucky twisted on his seat. He was only slightly surprised to see Lulu's friends Milo and Spinelli walk in. 'What the hell are they doing here?'

"We're closed for business," Tracy barked at them. "And really, a baby; you brought a baby here?"

"Hello Lulu," Milo acknowledged as he placed the baby carrier on the table. "Spinelli, you can set up over there." Milo ignored the old battleaxe. He knew that he had very little time until the top guys showed up and he wanted to get off on the right foot with them.

"I don't think you heard my wife," Luke shouted pissed off. "We're closed!"

Throwing down the car keys, Milo moved quickly over to Luke. Invading Luke's personal space, and glaring at him, coldly Milo hissed, "Shut up Spencer, don't you think you're in enough trouble? Or do you really want to piss off DeMarco some more?"

"What?" Luke huffed bluffing.

"When they said that 'they would be back,' what didn't you understand?" Milo demanded quietly as to not upset Lulu.

"This is a private club," Tracy hissed. "Get out."

"Problem?" DeMarco demanded as he strode into the room. "Or is this just a pissing contest?"

"My god, Johnny DeMarco!" Lucky laughed as a real smile broke upon his face. "Fucker, when did you get in?" Jumping off his seat he met Johnny halfway. "You back to stay?"

"People these days are telling me, I'm god," Johnny laughed as he pulled Lucky into a man hug. He enjoyed slapping Lucky several times on the back, before Lucky pushed his away. "Back and badder than ever."

"Daddy's home, huh?" Lucky joked happily, he felt like a piece of him that was missing slide back into place. "Man, is it good to see you." Narrowing his eyes at the man, Lucky snarked, "Who compared you to god? I certainly didn't; the devil maybe… but not the big guy."

"Good to see you too, Spencer," Johnny wickedly smirked at the family gathering. "You're old man giving Milo shit?"

"Of course," Lucky stated as he glanced back towards his family. He noticed that Lulu looked intrigued, Tracy annoyed while his father and Ethan look terrified. "Have you met Lulu yet?"

"Can't say I've had that pleasure," Johnny commented as they moved closer to the bar.

"This is a private club!" Tracy snapped angrily. "Get out!" Tracy approached Johnny, blocking his way from further entering the club.

"The problem with going into business with the mob, sweetheart is you never know who owns you," Johnny sneered at her. "We own you, and as the owners, we can come and go at our choosing. Not yours."

"Jason owns the Zacchara portion of the Haunted Starr. That would mean…," Lucky pieced together what Johnny wasn't saying with what he had said. "What happened? Do I need to worry about Lulu?"

"Not that I'm aware of. Bartender, a beer, a cold one," Johnny snapped at Ethan. Johnny fingered his gun and was privately thrilled to see both Ethan and Luke pale. "And keep them coming."

"Lulu, come meet Johnny DeMarco," Lucky instructed before anyone could interfere. "Johnny DeMarco meet my precious baby sister, Lesley Lu or Lulu. Lulu, meet Johnny DeMarco, all around bad ass."

"I know who he is," Lulu stated as she shook his hand. Seeing that she has stunned both her brother and DeMarco, Lulu smirked at them. "Carly? And speaking of Carly, I haven't been able to get her on the phone all day. Nor her guard Ronald either."

"You didn't call me," Ethan stressed as he walked into the room. "So mini hurricane, what mess do you need Carly's assistance with?"

"Why do all of Carly's guards say that?" Lulu questioned exasperated as every male snorted except her half brother.

"Cause they're all intelligent," Lucky commented as he motioned for another beer. "And ninety five percent of the time, that's the case."

"It is not," Lulu animatedly denied, glaring at Lucky. "I do just fine on my own."

"What do you need help with Lulu?" Ethan inquired hoping that she didn't need any true assistance since he wanted to get in a poker game or two. "And do I need body bags?"

"What?" Tracy gasped horrified.

"Not this time, but I'll keep the offer in mind," Lulu laughed at Ethan's antics. "So when can I expect Carly to show up? Is Jason going to give his interest in the Haunted Starr over to her? That would be awesome! Another family owned venue!"

"Now Lulu, don't be giving these mob types any ideas," Luke grunted from behind the bar.

"Says the man, who went into business with Sonny… Hello, anyone remember Luke's place? Where the bullets flew freely, and not from the mob types," Lulu sneered. Rolling her eyes at Luke, Lulu looked at Ethan to answer her question. She waited several seconds, before demanding, "Well?"

"There was a problem with Michael. Carly is at General Hospital. I think they gave her a bed this time, since she won't leave without him," Milo replied as honestly as he could without getting himself in trouble with his bosses and Lulu. "She's been there all day."

"Does she know about Jax?" Lulu asked as she looked at Milo. "Cause, if she doesn't someone needs to tell her. Milo, does she know?"

"Couldn't really say," Milo stated as he picked up the baby. Cradling Josslyn close to him, he rocked her gently until he got near Lulu. "I've been with the kids since this morning. Can you take her for a minute; I have to help Spinelli with something."

"Come here beautiful," Lulu whispered as she put her drink down on the bar. With easy, she lifted Josslyn from Milo's arms. The child's delight was evident when she squealed happily. Holding Josslyn in her arms, Lulu inhaled her scent. "Nothing beats the smell of new born babies. You must have been missing your mama, huh? Well, I can tell you, she's missing you something fierce."

"Don't go getting any ideas, Lulu," her half brother stressed as he refilled her drink. "You and babies don't really mix." He backed up a half step when the guard that Lulu was talking about pulled out his gun and started to play with it while looking at him.

Snatching Lulu's drink off the bar, Milo glared coldly at her half brother before following her to where Spinelli was setting up. He placed a hand on the small of her, and once they reached the table, he held out a chair for her.

Lucky watched in amusement as Lulu's once upon a time, suitor calmed her down and keep her occupied. Smirking at the trio, he breathed a bit easier. Glancing at Johnny, Lucky knew that something went down. 'Do I really want to know?' Lucky noted that Francis was gesturing for Johnny to join a poker game that Ethan and Stephen were currently starting up three tables away from Milo. His declining of the game; signaled to Lucky that even though the boys were joking around, things were still serious.

"Jason's on his way," Johnny stated, he watched Lucky's non-reaction to his statement. Nodding to Stephen and Francis as they came in, he shook his head at them. "Seen Helena lately?"

"No… why?" Lucky asked curious. "Hey half breed two more beers."

"No real reason," Johnny dismissed glancing at Luke and Tracy slyly he smirked. "So does Luke's by blow even know Carly?'

Lucky heard his half brother's swift intake, and smirked evilly at him. Glancing at his father, he saw him take a step back. "I don't know, but somehow I doubt it."

"Lucky, that wasn't every nice," Luke jumped in attempting to cover for Ethan. "You know that Carly knows has a certain fondness for your brother."

"Nickolas, maybe…. but not him," Lucky countered softly. Johnny heard and chuckled.

"Hey, why are you looking into Michael's medical history?" Lulu inquired as she flipped though the folder. "You know, you're missing several pages here, right?"

Lucky knew that something big was going down by the sudden stillness in the guards. Turning around he silently watched the scene play out.

"What?" Spinelli exclaimed as he grabbed the folder from her hands. "This doesn't say anything about Michael here."

Grabbing the folder back from him, she glared at him as she flipped back several pages. Finding what she was looking for Lulu tossed the folder on the table and pointed to something on the page.

"See that right there?" Lulu probed and waited for Spinelli to nod before continuing. "That machine, the CPAP which stands for continuous positive airway pressure, is used for long term care; I recognized it because I was supposed to help Carly with Michael. She order two, one was for back up. See that notation, there are two listed."

"But blonde one, the dates don't match," Spinelli countered as he flipped though the folder. "Michael was shot on April 8 of o'eight and see here, the first machine was ordered on November 14 of o'seven and the second on December 16th."

"What?" Lucky demanded as he glared at Spinelli. "What did you just say!" Slamming down his drink, Lucky launched himself across the room. Ripping the folder out of Spinelli's hands, Lucky started to go through it.

"Confused one, I don't think…"

Pulling out his gun, Lucky placed under Spinelli's chin, he glared at him as he pulled back the hammer. "I don't care what you think," Lucky hissed as rage pumped throughout his body.

"Spencer, give me the gun," Johnny stressed calmly as he wrapped his hand around Lucky's wrist. Lulu was pulled away from the table by Milo, who covered her mouth. "Spencer?"

"Fine," Lucky agreed as he uncocked the gun. Grinding his teeth, he handed the gun to Johnny. "But I get it back when I leave, no funny business."

"Deal," Johnny agreed easily as he handed the gun off to Francis. "What just went through your mind?"

"You'll think I'm crazy," Lucky mumbled as he took a deep breath. Peering over to his left, he saw his sister looking at him with tears in her eyes. He closed his eyes. 'God, what the hell am I doing?'

"Let's go grab a beer," Johnny offered as he patted Lucky's back. The situation was diffused when Lucky nodded. "Come on, it's on the house."

With great reluctance Lucky followed Johnny, the folder clutched in his hand. Swallowing the lump in his throat, he tried to recall what set him off. As he approached the bar, he saw red when Ethan smirked at him.

"You can be deported," Lucky bluntly stated as he grab his beer. Taking a swig of it, he continued to follow Johnny to a side table. Sitting down hard, Lucky glared at his father. "I hate that guy."

"That's nice," Johnny laughed. "I don't like him very much myself."

"What happened to Carly? It had to be something big for Jason to recall you," Lucky evaded.

Recognizing the tactic, Johnny shrugged his shoulders. "Who is asking, the cop or the cousin?" Glancing at Lucky under his lashes Johnny, saw a broken man sitting next to him. "I can't believe you went to the darkside… damn."

"Johnny… just tell me," Lucky stated.

"She was attacked by Sonny. He nearly killed her this morning, after Robin went spinning a tale of betrayal to him. That folder in your hands was Jasper Jax's. He was setting her up for something big. Talk to me," Johnny answered before he took a guzzle of his beer.

"I'm going crazy. Seriously crazy, like Ferncliff crazy," Lucky stated as he placed the folder on the table. "I just scared my sister. Our relationship has been on rocky ground for a while now; I don't know how much more she can take."

"She's like Carly. She'll take everything you can throw at her, and then some. She's just concerned for you and rightfully so," Johnny stated as he watched Milo calm her down. Johnny noted that the scene slightly reminded him of an older scene from a different time and place with a different couple. "She's not going to break like Laura, she might look like her but she's pure Spencer. They bend, but they don't break."

"What makes you say that?" Lucky wondered as he took a deep breath.

"That whole kidnapped, recued, shot, and in the head no less, only to have a breakdown thing," Johnny said quietly. "Lulu has been kidnapped, recued, attacked, and had a breakdown, but here is the thing. They both bounced back. Stronger than they were before."

"Lulu said that she heard Laura and that was how she came back," Lucky added. "I don't know about Carly."

"Jason," Johnny answered Lucky's unspoken question. "It was when Ric had her."

"Tell me, how did Jason know that Carly needed him, when Ric had her?" Lucky probed as he kept his gaze on his drink.

"He said that he could hear her calling his name. He too, thought that he was going crazy," Johnny answered as he glanced at Lucky. After several moments, he saw something within Lucky relax. "Just how crazy are you?"

"I'm keep hearing Emily calling my name. She's been whispering to me since she passed away," Lucky confessed softly. "She died on November fifteenth. The machine was ordered the day before her death. If … Emily is alive, but hooked up to a machine…. If Jason thought for a single moment that Carly was involved he would cut her off cold."

"Christ," Johnny whispered horrified. "Jesus H. Christ!" Looking at Lucky and then glancing down at the folder, Johnny felt like the bottom just fell out from under him. "That wouldn't have destroyed them; however Jax had another ace up his sleeve."


~Jarly~


Pacing around his apartment, Dante tried to plan what he would say to Lulu. His mind going over and over the scene several times, but unsuccessfully coming to the outcome he wanted. Dragging his tongue over his lower lip, he reviewed what he could do short of testifying against his father.

"There has to be something, anything… there is something… but I'm missing it," Dante contemplated. "Sonny desperately wanted to keep Michael out of this, why? What does Michael know?"

Taking several steps, an idea sprang into Dante's mind. Reaching for his jacket, he rushed out the door.


~Jarly~


"Mom enough! Stop sugar coating the truth. Sonny only cares when it's convent for him! Not us, never us," Kristina shouted angrily as she stomped into the house.

"Kristina, he does care," Alexis counted. "He just has a hard time showing it."

"Really?" Kristina rebutted as she crossed her arms over her chest. "That's why he told my guard that I had to learn my place in this world?"

"What does that mean?" Alexis asked suddenly afraid.

"It means, that he knew that Kiefer was abusing me physically and did nothing to stop it," Kristina admitted as she fought back her tears. "He ordered my guard to stay out of it, and if I got hurt, oh well… I had to learn that I really wasn't that important."

"Kristina, you must have misunderstood," Alexis covered. "Sonny would never allow for anyone to put their hands on y…"

Ripping off her shirt, Kristina stood before her mother in her bra. Her body covered in multiple colors of deep purple, black, red and vivid blue. "Tell me again, mother. Just how much my father loves me? You lie to me once more for him and I'll file for emancipation and live with Nickolas."

"Oh… baby," Alexis cried as she moved to comfort her daughter only to have Kristina back away from her.

"Face reality! Sonny could give a rat's ass about me, you and Molly. We're only useful to him when he wants to impress someone else. Someone he thinks is important," Kristina harshly stressed. "I respect Carly; she got Michael and Morgan away from him. But you couldn't manage that and I'm the one who suffered due to your lies."

"Kristina, please," Alexis pleaded as Kristina walked away from her.

Swiping up her shirt, she quickly pulled it on. She heard Molly's door softly close and knew that her little sister over heard their discussion. Without knocking, she entered Molly's room. Spotting her, playing on her computer, Kristina swallowed the lump in her throat.

"Morgan called earlier," Molly said as she clicked on a link. "He wanted my help. You know Kris; I would have helped you, had you asked."

"I know Button, but as your big sister, it's my duty to protect you," Kristina whispered as moved closer to her sister. "So, did you able to help Morgan with his problem?"

"Of course," Molly answered as she printed off several pages. Handing them over to Kristina, Molly looked at her. "You need mom to sign these. Tell her that she forgot to sign them for school, she'll sign them without thinking."

"What are they?" Kristina asked as she looked down at them.

"Legal papers, with these you can change your name from Kristina Corinthos to Kristina Cassadine," Molly offered. "That's what Michael, Morgan and Josslyn did. Sonny tried to kill Carly today, so Morgan wanted their names changed to something else."

"Molly… do you know what name they chose?" Kristina probed gently.

"Morgan. They are Michael Morgan, Stone Morgan and Josslyn Morgan," Molly whispered softly. "Morgan said that Jason was his real father anyways."

'What?'


~Jarly~


Pulling into the parking lot outside of the Haunted Starr, Jason swiftly turned off the engine. Opening the SUV door, he stepped out into the cold night. Pulling out his cell phone he checked one last time for any messages. Shaking his head, he turned the phone onto vibrate. 'I wonder if he figured out what's wrong with Lucky. I can't keep questioning, I'm no good that the hypothetical. If Johnny can't figure it out, I'll lock Lucky in a room with Carly. She'll figure it out.'

Opening up the door, Jason was partially surprised to hear the sheer amount of noise coming from within. 'Carly would have enjoyed this. She would have been in her element. When she's feeling better, I'll bring her here.' Stepping into the establishment, Jason paused to listen to who was speaking.

"I can't believe you!" Lulu yelled. "How could you? You threw me under the bus!"

"Lulu, I didn't. I just …"

"Just what? Changed your mind? My sister put her life on the line and her reputation, when she testified that Sonny repeatedly threatened you," Lucky countered his voice sounded as if it was moving closer towards him.

"Look, try to understand…"

"Oh, I understand all right," Lucky snapped.

"That's enough! Officer Spencer get yourself under control," Claire Walsh the Federal Prosecutor snapped at him. "This is why; I've prevented you from being in court. You can't control your emotions. Now Mister DeMarco, I will have your statement or I'll have you arrested for tampering with a Federal case."

"Jason?" Gia greeted as she too listened in. "Want me to step in before someone gets a shot off?"

"What's the catch?" Jason asked suspiciously.

"If it gets Sonny convicted, I'm game," Gia stressed as she smiled at Jason coldly. They heard several chairs being over turned.

"Have fun," Jason ordered as he waved her in as he heard Josslyn scream out in pain. Racing past Gia, Jason nearly pulled out his firearm, when he noticed that Milo had. And it was pointed directly at Dante Falconeri who was trying desperately to calm down the screaming baby in his hands.

"Without the mother's consent we will be taking…"

"Give my daughter to me!" Jason snapped as his blue eyes centered on Dante. "Or I'll press kidnapping charges."

"She's not your kid," Dante contradicted.

"The DNA test and birth certificate say otherwise," Jason stated as he silently approached Dante. "Milo, count to ten. If he hasn't handed over Josslyn, shoot his knees." Hearing his daughter continue to scream out in pain, Jason grinded his teeth and bided his time.

"I would listen to the man," Gia stressed as she gracefully joined the fray. "Really, Walsh, if you want to lay down with the dogs, you end up with fleas."

"Campbell," Claire sneered coldly.

"I do believe that you threaten three of my clients today and have validated several federal laws; that contrary to popular belief been recorded. I would strongly suggestion that you learn to read. Their statements were filed with the court and the copies were given to you this afternoon," Gia sneered right back at her.

"Give me Josslyn!" Jason ordered for the final time. With lightening fast reflexes, Jason socked Dante full in the mouth and took his sobbing child from him. Moving swiftly out of range, Jason started to calm himself down along with his baby girl.

"I'm going to have you arrested!" Claire threatened Jason.

"With what? And with what authority?" Gia questioned. "Jason did nothing illegal; however, Mister DeMarco, Mister Morgan and Carly can have you charged with attempted kidnapping, cohesion, and blackmail."

"What?" Claire huffed annoyed.

"I'm sure that all these wonderful people here will swear that you put that guy... whoever the hell he is, up to this," Gia reasoned as she gestured towards Dante. "And I'll be glad to represent them all against you. When I'm done you won't be able to find a job as a law clerk."

Claire slithered up to Gia, looking down her nose at her. "I will win this case."

"You better, otherwise Carly will be filing a complaint with the bar," Gia threatened softly. "And this time, you're not screwing your boss, so no one will be able to help you."

"Falconeri, you coming?" Claire shouted as she walked out of the Haunted Starr.

"Lulu," Dante implored softly.

"Falconeri? Sonny's son?" Gia questioned as she turned her attention to the person who withheld a child from her father. "Let me guess, you changed your mind about testifying against Sonny…. because you think he's a good man? Or such nonsense. "

"Ah…" Dante stuttered.

"A good man doesn't try to strangle the mother of his children. A good man doesn't threaten to kill his children, when they do something, he doesn't like. A good man, is kind others, patient with his kids and respectful of the woman he has chosen. Sonny is none of those things," Gia stated as she dismissed him. "And sadly, you're just like him."

"What? I'm nothing like him?" Dante dared to argue. "I wasn't even raised by him!"

"Really, were you kind to Josslyn just now? Are you being respectful of your relationship with Lulu, by protecting your father instead of her? Or are you manipulating this situation to get what you want and what you need?" Gia interrogated as she made her way to the bar. "Because from I'm standing, all I see is Sonny."

"Go," Lulu whispered brokenly. "Go protect him." With that Lulu moved away from Dante. Like a shadow, Milo followed her.

"Get out, this is a private establishment and this is a private party," Lucky snapped. When Dante didn't move fast enough to suit Lucky, Lucky helped him find the door.

"Thanks Gia," Jason whispered as he cradled Josslyn.

"Don't worry about it, I owe Carly," Gia dismissed. She got a good look around the room and noted that several faces looked familiar to her. "What happened to Jakes?"

"Yuppies," Francis sneered.


~Jarly~


Glancing at the clock on the wall, Carl knew that she only had a limited time. Groaning softly, she made her body move. When her feet touched the floor, she gripped the bed rail tightly. Making sure that her balance was there, she slowly, painfully made her way towards the door. Twisting the knob, she looked out into the hallway.

"Need something?" Vinnie inquired softly.

"I'm going to take a shower; can you make certain that no one enters but Jason or my mother?" Carly requested as her eyes darted down the hall.

"You got it," Vinnie agreed.

Closing the door, softly behind her, Carly took a deep breath as she once again noted the time. Moving ever so slowly over to Michael, Carly smiled at his sleeping figure. She cupped her cheek with her hand as she gently pressing a kiss to his forehead. Moving into the bathroom Carly turned on the water. Twisting the hot tap, she let the water drizzle. Taking a moment to stretch out her tired limps, she groaned softly.

Glancing at the wall, she smirked at the access panel. 'It's time to take a little trip. I wonder how lip gloss is doing these days?'

~Jarly~

TBC