Discipline

General Hospital

Chapter nine


"Whoa, Krissy, talk slower. Yeah, yeah, Morgan's back. I don't know, he just sort of showed up." Lulu listened to her husband's amused tone as he tried to talk his sister down over the phone. She quietly padded out of the bathroom, dressed for work and headed towards the kitchen.

"No, he said he graduated. From school, where else? I don't know, Kristina, I haven't talked to him in a few days. Yes, I'm very busy." He laughed, shaking his head. "I'll let him know you called. Okay, all right, Krissy. Yeah. Be safe. Yeah. Bye." Sighing, Dante turned off his phone. He looked at his wife and laughed.

"She gets crazier every day." He swiftly caught the apple Lulu threw in his direction and nodded his thanks.

"Aw, you love her." Lulu laughed, biting into her own fruit. "You ready to go?"

"Yeah," Dante grabbed his coat and keys, opening the door for his wife.

"Oh, thank you." Lulu placed a quick kiss on his lips. Instantly, he pulled her closer, deepening their embrace.

"Thank you."


"Why, Morgan Benson, I never thought I'd see the day when you'd walk into this hotel." Olivia Falconeri gave her boss's son a sly smile. "Welcome back."

"Thanks, Ms. Falconeri." He nodded his thanks, looking around the vast Metrocourt. He had forgotten how large it was.

"What can I do for you, Mr. Benson?"

"Is my mother here?"

"Actually, honey, she's in a meeting right now, but I can page her."

"Yeah, okay." Morgan shrugged. "It's not really important, I was just wondering if she wanted to have lunch."

Olivia's features softened. "That's so sweet, you're a good boy. Mothers like that."

"I hope she will."

"Any reason you're taking her to lunch?" Olivia bent over the hotel phone, trying to see if she could catch Carly.

Because Dante takes you to lunch.

Because I yelled at her.

Because I miss what we had.

"Not really." Morgan shrugged. "Just want to catch up."

"Where are you taking her?"

"Actually," Morgan looked sheepish. "I was just going to eat here with her."

Olivia rolled her eyes, amused. "Yeah, you're just like my Dante." She laughed. "Why don't you find a table and I'll try to speed up the meeting?"

"Thanks,"


"So, what is your story?"

"My story?" Vinny looked up at Morgan, who handed him a towel. The two had been practicing their push-ups. They were determined to get that baseball card back. Vinny rubbed his face on the soft towel.

"You know, the steroids?"

"Oh." Vinny sighed, setting down the towel. "It's a long story."

"Let's take a break, then. We've got time." Morgan shrugged. "Unless you want to tell me while lifting weights."

"No," Vinny smiled. "All right, I'll tell you."


Morgan stared down at his Reggie Jackson card. His family had done so much to purchase it, and he had done so much to win it back. He tried many times to leave it behind, but he would get nervous, he had to have it by his side. Looking at it, however, brought back memories he wished he could forget.

"Morgan," Carly appeared, dressed sharply as always, and gave her son a kiss on the forehead. "It's good to see you."

"Yeah," Morgan nodded handed his mother a menu. "How has your day been?"

"Well," she shook her head. "A lot of has been going on, lately. With Jason and-"

"What's wrong with Jason?"

And so, Carly explained what had happened at the hospital, with the surgery and Robin's death. She had wanted to take out some details, but she found herself simply saying everything. She loved talking to her son; she loved how mature he had become. He took the news in stride, nodding and comprehending. He was such a smart boy.

"So, when did Jason find out about what had happened to Ro—Dr. Scorpio-Drake?" Morgan asked, thanking the waiter as his food was set down.

"Uh, I did." Carly spread her napkin on her lap.

"But I thought you said you were-"

"I snuck in."

Morgan stared at her blankly.

"What?" Carly said defensively. "He's my best friend!"

"Okay," Morgan looked down, laughing. "Wow, Mom. Wow. You would do that."

"Yes, I would." Carly nodded firmly. "And I did. Now he knows, and everything is better."

"For you, maybe." Morgan muttered.

"Listen, mister, I've already heard this from your father, so I don't need another lecture from my son." She pointed at him, eyebrows raised. The word 'father' had sent a chill down Morgan's back.

"Does he know I'm here?" Morgan asked cautiously. "Did you tell Dad?"

"Morgan, you're an adult, now. I don't have to keep Sonny updated on your whereabouts."

"Thank you," Morgan sat back, sighing in relief.

"Do you not want to see Sonny?"

"I thought you didn't want me to see Dad." Morgan retorted, steering the impending question away from him.

"Like I said, you're an adult, now. I let Michael see Sonny, as much as I'd rather him not to." Carly shrugged. "Have you talked to Michael, yet?"

"Yeah," Morgan said quietly. "He told me about Abby."

"He did?" Carly asked. "I thought I would have to."

"Was it really an accident, Mom?" Morgan asked hesitantly. "Or was her death mob-related?"

"I don't know, honey." Carly said sadly. "She was by herself during the accident, not even Michael knows. We just have to go by the police reports."

"Was there a funeral?"

"Yes, back where she grew up. Michael went alone." Carly nodded. "He wanted to be alone."

"Was there a funeral for Jax?" Morgan looked up.

"What?" Carly frowned. "Morgan, why-"

"I just…I want to know that he was given a proper burial." Morgan felt his throat tightening, his fists clenching.

"Oh, Morgan." Carly sighed, reaching for her son.

"They never found his body, did they?" Morgan's voice cracked. "This was just another mob death."

"Morgan, Jax loved you very much." Carly assured him.

"I wish he could have adopted me." Morgan finally admitted, angrily wiping tears from his eyes. "I wish he was still here."

"Morgan," Carly started. "There's something I haven't told you."

Morgan's phone rang. Kristina. This was the third time she had called in two days.

"Um," he sniffed and brushed a stray tear away. "I better take this, it's Krissy. I haven't talked to her since I returned."

"But-"

"I'll see you later, Mom."


"My brother was going to try out for the football team, but the coaches told him he was too skinny to be on a high school team. He was so desperate to get on the team he started taking steroids. I was the middle man, only twelve years old. It worked for a while, and my brother made the team. Then, I got caught."

"And you were sent here?" Morgan asked.

"Yeah," Vinny nodded."My bother would have killed me. I'm not exaggerating, either." He sighed. "Why are you here?"

Morgan scoffed. His reason for coming was not nearly as bad as Vinny's story. "Daddy issues." He muttered. "Big time."