Disclaimer: I don't own anything.
Todd Manning was in a good mood as the elevator reached the lobby of the Metro Court Hotel. Now that he owned Manning Enterprises, the former Crimson Magazine, he was going to show the people of Port Charles what news really was. His mood changed when he noticed Carly giving him a look from her desk, and it certainly wasn't a pleasant look. Todd smirked and walked over to her.
"Well hello Carly," Todd said. The look on Carly's face didn't change. "Is something wrong?"
"Just some problems with my children," Carly said.
"That's tough," Todd said. "Kids these days just don't respect their parents enough. But that's why I'm glad that Starr and I have worked out our problems and can be honest with each other." Carly rolled her eyes. "Again I ask, is something wrong?"
"So if you and your daughter are so close," Carly began. "Does that mean you approve of her dating choices? Because I certainly don't approve of Michael's."
"What on earth are you talking about?" Todd asked. "Starr's not dating anyone."
"So you don't know," Carly said.
"Don't know what?" Todd asked.
"Starr and Michael are dating," Carly said. "Something that they both neglected to tell their parents because I found out from someone else." Todd looked at Carly for a second before nodding.
"Huh," Was all Todd said. "Very interesting. Thank you Carly, for such an important piece of information." Todd tapped on the desk before walking off. As he headed for the door, his expression changed. He was no longer in a good mood.
Michael was headed towards Kelly's to meet up with Ellie. Since Starr was busy recording songs for her album and preparing for the opening of the Haunted Star, Michael needed something to do. And Ellie was bored too, so it made for a convenient distraction. However, his walk to Kelly's was cut short.
Out of nowhere, someone grabbed Michael and pulled him into an alley. Michael tried to pull away, but the other person was stronger and had a tight grip on him. He was slammed face first into a brick wall and his arm was twisted upwards. Michael was going to fight back until the person spoke.
"Stay away from my daughter," When Michael heard that, he realized what was going to happen. As the other person knocked Michael to the ground, all Michael could do was cover his head as he was kicked and punched continuously. Then everything grew black.
Ellie sighed as she walked out of Kelly's. Michael was supposed to meet here there an hour ago, but he never showed. Ellie just assumed that Starr must have called him and that Michael was going to be a shithead and not tell her she was getting ditched.
"I really need a boyfriend," Ellie muttered. She continued walking when she heard a strange noise. Ellie stopped moving and listened closely. She heard what sounded like someone moaning. She followed the noise to a small alleyway. Ellie peered into the alley, trying to see anything. She was about to leave when she saw someone struggling on the ground. Ellie ran over to help them. When she their face she gasped.
"Michael?" She asked. There was blood everywhere and Michael was covered in bruises. Michael tried to lift himself up, but his body collapsed back down. "Michael, talk to me!" Michael mumbled something before his eyes shut. "Crap." Ellie fumbled with her bag and finally managed to find her cellphone. She quickly dialed 911 and waited until there was an answer. "Yes, I need an ambulance and fast."
Starr entered the Metro Court Hotel and headed for the elevator. She didn't want to run into Carly because she didn't need to hear about why she shouldn't be dating Michael. The elevator ride to her floor was quick and she walked into her room. Her dad was sitting on the sofa.
"Hi dad," Starr said. Todd turned to her and smiled.
"Hey Shorty," Todd said. "How was your day?" Starr smiled and sat down next to him.
"It was good," Starr said. "We finished recording another song and then went over the staging for when the club opens."
"Nervous?" Todd asked.
"Kind of," Starr said. "But this is my dream." Her phone started buzzing and Starr pulled it out of her bag. "Sorry dad." She answered the call. "Hello?"
"Oh thank god you answered," Ellie said. Starr could tell right away that something was wrong.
"Ellie what's the matter?" Starr asked. "Is everything okay?"
"No," Ellie said bluntly. "Look you need to come to the hospital now." Starr's eyes widened as she stood up.
"Ellie are you okay?" Starr asked. "What happened?" Ellie sighed.
"I'm fine," Ellie said. "Michael isn't. Just get down here soon."
"Yeah," Starr said. She ended the call and felt her breathing pick up. Michael was in the hospital and from the sound of Ellie's voice, something was bad. "I have to go."
"I don't think so," Todd said. "I think you and I need to talk."
"Dad I really can't talk right now," Starr said, heading towards the door. "This is an emergency."
"Your boyfriend can wait," Todd said. Starr stopped dead in her tracks. She turned to her father slowly. "Caught your attention, didn't I?"
"Who told you?" Starr asked.
"Clearly not you," Todd said. "And you know, I thought you and I were at a good place. Apparently, I was wrong because you decided to keep something like this from me."
"I can't deal with this right now," Starr said. She turned back to the door and reached for the handle.
"I really wouldn't suggest leaving," Todd said. "We really need to talk." Starr spun around, clearly upset.
"My boyfriend is in the hospital!" She shouted at him. "If you want to lecture me about why you don't approve of who I'm dating, then fine. But it is going to wait." Then Starr turned and left the room. She bolted to the elevator. She had to go to the hospital now.
Ellie was pacing around the lobby of the hospital when Starr found her.
"Ellie!" Starr shouted running over to her. Ellie looked up, relieved to see Starr. "Where's Michael? What happened? Is he okay?" Ellie put her hands up, indicating for Starr to stop.
"He's unconscious," Ellie said. Starr put her hand over mouth as she felt her eyes water. "The doctor thinks he was beaten up. I found him in an alley and he was awake for only a second before passing out."
"Oh my god," Starr said. "Can you take me to him? Please?"
"Just try to stay calm," Ellie said. "Which I know sounds horrible right now, but just try, okay?" Starr nodded and Ellie lead her down the hallway towards one of the rooms. She opened the door and nodded for Starr to go in. Then Ellie closed the door, leaving Starr alone in the room. Starr walked up to the bed where Michael was lying. She gasped when she saw him. He had a black eye, countless bruises on his face and arms, and his lip clearly had been busted open. Starr felt around for a chair and slowly sat down. She had to, she felt like she was going to collapse. She couldn't believe this. Who would do something like this to Michael? Why would anyone want to hurt him? She gently reached for his hand and wrapped hers around it.
"Michael?" She asked quietly. A few more tears ran down her cheeks. "Michael, you need to be okay. I need you to be okay." She looked down and squeezed his hand. "Please be okay."
"Starr?" She looked up to see Michael's eyes slowly opening.
"Oh thank god," Starr said.
"What happened?" Michael asked.
"Ellie found you in an alleyway," Starr said. "The doctor thinks you were beaten up." Michael shut his eyes, remembering everything. "Do you know who it was?"
"No," Michael said, looking away. He had a very good idea of what happened, he just didn't want to tell Starr.
"Michael you can tell me," Starr said. Michael looked down at her hand. He knew that she and her dad were in a good place, he didn't want to ruin that. However, he was momentarily saved when the door opened. Ellie walked in and breathed a sigh of relief when she saw Michael awake.
"Hey Ellie," Michael said, for once glad that she was there to interrupt him and Starr. "I heard you rescued me."
"Yeah," Ellie said, crossing her arms over her chest. "What happened to you? Someone really went after you."
"I was just asking him that," Starr said. "But he won't tell me." Michael looked away and Starr sighed.
"Hey shithead," Ellie said. "Your girlfriend had a near panic attack when she heard you were in the hospital. Don't go shutting her out." Michael sighed.
"Look, I think I know who attacked me," Michael said. "I just don't think it will help anything if I say so."
"Michael," Starr began. "Whoever did this to you deserves to be brought to justice."
"You won't think that," Michael said. "After I tell you." Starr looked at him pleadingly and sighed. "I didn't see them, but when the person grabbed me, they said something." Ellie raised her eyes at that and Michael looked over at Starr. "They said 'stay away from my daughter'." Ellie's eyes widened and Starr let go of Michael's hand and put it over her mouth.
"Oh my god," She whispered. "I can't believe this."
"Starr," Michael said, reaching for her hand.
"He just sat there," Starr said. "He just sat there calmly, trying to talk to me."
"Who?" Ellie asked, stepping towards Starr.
"My dad!" Starr said. "He was just talking calmly when all along he did this! I can't believe he would do this." Starr stood up. "I have to go. I have to tell him that this isn't okay."
"Starr wait," Michael said. "Look I know you're upset, but getting mad at your dad isn't going to change how he feels."
"He can't get away with this Michael!" Starr shouted.
"And I'm not saying he should," Michael said. "But I don't want things to get worse." Starr sighed. "Can you just stay here with me?" Starr looked at Michael before sighing and sitting down. Michael took her hand and lifted it up. He kissed it gently before wincing.
"Smooth," Ellie said.
"Shut up," Michael said at Ellie, who smirked in response.
"It was appreciated anyways," Starr said, gently squeezing Michael's hand. Michael smiled at her and Starr managed to smile back.
"Everything's going to be okay," Michael reassured her. Starr nodded, but she felt that things had just gotten much worse.
Ellie sighed as she zipped a gym closed. She was in Michael's apartment grabbing a few of his things. Since Michael had to stay at the hospital and Starr decided not to leave his side, Ellie was sent to grab some stuff from his apartment. It was supposed to be a quick trip, but Ellie was quickly learning that things never went how they should. As she walked out into the living room, she heard voices outside Michael's apartment. Ellie had left the door partially open because she thought she was going to be in and out.
"Ask him," Ellie heard Carly's voice first. "He'll tell you it's true."
"Alright, alright," Ellie heard another, a male's, but not one she could identify. There was a knock on the door and a man stuck his head in. He saw Ellie and looked a bit confused. He walked in and Carly followed. "And who are you?"
"That's Ellie," Carly said. "She's a friend of Michael's." Carly turned to Ellie. "Where's Michael?"
"Not here," Ellie said. "And I was just leaving."
"Well where is he?" Carly asked.
"Carly leave her alone," The man said.
"Sonny," Carly said and Ellie realized the man was Michael's father. "She probably knows where Michael is." Carly glared at Ellie. "And probably knew about his girlfriend." Ellie raised her hands in the air.
"Michael's personal life is his own business," Ellie said. "Now I have to go." She went to leave, but Carly stepped in front.
"If Michael's not here," Carly began. "Then why are you? And what's in the bag?" Ellie didn't say anything, just tried to get past Carly. "Excuse me, I'm talking to you!"
"And clearly I'm not answering," Ellie said.
"Look we're just trying to find Michael," Sonny said. "So where is he?"
"He's with his girlfriend isn't he?" Carly asked, nearly spitting out the word girlfriend. "And you're covering for him." Ellie was quickly getting frustrated with Carly. She tried to move past Carly, but Carly pushed her backwards. "Answer the damn question!"
"He's in the hospital!" Ellie shouted and then immediately regretted. Carly gasped and Sonny eyes widened. "Crap."
"The hospital?" Carly asked. "What happened? What's wrong?" Ellie shook her head.
"I suggest," Sonny began. "You tell me what happened to my son."
"It's not my place to say," Ellie said, before pushing past them and nearly running out of the apartment. Carly looked at Sonny before they turned and followed after her.
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