Don't have a lotta time to talk peeps, I'm kind of on a roll here and I really wanna get another chapter up tonight. Dawn and Savannah don't appear in this chapter but, never fear, they return in chapter 12. As always, Read, Enjoy, and Review!! I love knowing what you all think. Peace out!

Chapter 11...

Monday…

Taylor flipped through the channels, her chin propped up on her hand. Out of the corner of her eye, she looked at the calendar, rolling her eyes when she saw that Jonah had circled the 25th in blue marker. Her birthday was coming up. She'd always dreaded her birthday. When she was a little girl, she would hope that somehow, someway on her birthday her father would find it in his heart to just leave her and her mother alone. She was stupid to think that something like a birthday would soften him. Every year, her mother would try to do something nice for her and every year he would ruin it. Her last birthday before his death, he took the cake her mother worked on all day and threw it out the back door. When she cried, he told her she wouldn't live to see another birthday.

She felt her eyes sting but no tears formed. She wasn't sure if she had any left. She'd cried for almost two days straight after having another 'hallucination' as the doctors called it. She was downstairs in the cafeteria having lunch with Jonah and she saw him out the window. She started panicking but when Jonah looked to see who was there, he was gone. Then, she was taken back to her room, given a sedative, and told to get some rest.

She looked up at the TV, making a face when she realized she'd left it on one of those paternity test shows. She wondered what her life would be like if she didn't know who her father was. She wondered who she would be.

"They let you watch this crap in here?"

She jumped when she heard a familiar voice. She turned, smiling when she saw Cory leaning against the doorjamb with two shopping bags. Cory hadn't been able to visit much but she came when she could and she called once a week. She was probably tied with Viveca as the people she talked to almost as much as Chris.

Taylor stood up, trying to smooth the wrinkles out of her sweats. Cory dropped her bags on the floor and rushed over, giving her a hug.

"I didn't know you were coming," Taylor smiled.

"If you knew it wouldn't be a surprise," Cory laughed.

"What's the occasion?" she asked.

"No occasion," Cory shrugged. "We all miss you buddy. Things aren't the same without you around."

"I'm sure they're fine," Taylor laughed.

"Fine, yes," Cory nodded. "But they'll be much better when you get back."

Taylor smiled, shaking her head. She nodded to the bags by the door, "What's all this?"

Cory shrugged, "Presents of course."

"So Jeff and V are back to work tomorrow, right?" Lianna asked as she tried on shoes.

"Yes," William smiled. "Back to the real world with the rest of us."

"Do you like these?" Lianna extended her leg, showing off a pair of purple strappy shoes.

"No," William shook his head.

Lianna frowned, putting the shoes back in the box.

"Listen..I have something to ask you," he said. "And I only ask because you currently hold the title of best little sister in the free world."

"Ooh, you're brown nosing," Lianna pointed. "You should stop. It doesn't look good on you."

"I just need a tiny favor," William said.

"What?" she started to try on the same shoes in pink.

"I was wondering if maybe you could get some information for me," he said.

"What kind of information?"

"I need to know where Jessica's head is at," he said.

Lianna sighed, putting the shoes down and turning to her brother, "William…you're my brother and I love you. I love all my siblings and you all know I'd do anything for you. But no."

"No?" he asked. "Why not?"

Lianna felt guilty for what she was about to say but someone had to do it.

"Because there's no point," she said. "I don't have to talk to Jess to know where her head is at. William you're friends. You're gonna have to find some way to make that enough because..I'm sorry but, she just doesn't see you in that way."

"I think that's petty much it," Cory said, putting away her camera. They were sitting in the hospital's garden area and she just finished showing Taylor all of her pictures from the wedding.

"Poor V, I cant believe she broke out in hives," Taylor laughed.

"With the way the day was going, I'm surprised it took so long," Cory laughed. She put the camera bag on the table, "So enough about that…How are things here? How have you been?"

"Well," Taylor sighed, looking down at her hands. "To be honest…I hate it here. I don't feel any different than I did before. I have these..these dreams and I see things that everyone tells me aren't there. And then they just give me drugs and put me in bed."

Cory took Taylor's hand, not knowing what to say.

"Half the time I'm so doped up I don't know what's going on and the other half..I'm miserable. You don't know what I would give to get out of here, just for a little while. But that can only happen if I get a day pass and there's no way they'd give me one."

Cory looked over at the nurses, spotting the one Taylor had told her was her favorite. She smiled, "I wouldn't be so sure about that. I'll be right back."

Sarah stared at the picture of her and Michael, a wistful smile touching her lips. They became friends in fourth grade when they had to be partners for a science project. He really didn't talk to many people and she'd been upset when she was paired with the quiet kid. Then, he invited her to his house to work on it and they talked more on the way home from school than they did any of the years they went to school together. After that, they were inseparable. He was the best friend she ever had and they were at each other's side through good times and bad. Michael was a great person. He was smart and funny. He always knew exactly how to make her smile when she needed it. He could get dark sometimes though. She worried about him so much after she went away. And now, after what happened, she couldn't stop thinking about a conversation they had during their sophomore year…

"Do you ever wonder how you're gonna die?" Michael asked as he and Sarah walked along the pier.

"What kind of question is that?" Sarah laughed, shoving her hands in her pockets, shivering against the cold.

"I don't know," he laughed. "I mean…do you think you're gonna die young? Or of old age or what?"

"I don't know," she answered. "I've never thought about it."

They walked along in silence for a few minutes, the breeze blew Sarah's hair into Michael's face and she tucked it under her knit cap.

"I think I'm gonna die young," he stopped walking, his blue eyes focused on the water

"Don't say things like that Mike," Sarah said, looping her arm through his. "It's morbid…and creepy."

"Very true," he laughed. "I should probably dye my hair black and put on eyeliner before I say this but…I just get this feeling..like…like I'm gonna lose everything really fast. And I'm gonna die by myself."

"Look Farisse," she pointed, the tip of her finger close to his nose. "We're besties, friends for life, any other crappy cliché phrase you can think of."

"Besties was pretty good," he laughed, rolling his eyes.

"My point, dear friend," she put her hands on the sides of his face, looking directly into his eyes. "is that we are going to be friends for the rest of our lives…There is no way you're gonna die alone."

"You promise?" he smirked.

She smiled, "I promise."

She closed her eyes, feeling tears clump her lashes together as she leaned back against the couch. She broke that promise to him. When she went to college, she'd been so busy with all of her classes and trying to get on the school paper, plus her job at a café, she hadn't called Michael as much as she wanted to. She wasn't able to come back and visit the say she said she would. Eventually, when she did find time to call, he was withdrawing from her, and everyone else. Then, he just stopped answering the phone. She should have done something. She should have dropped everything, tracked him down, and made things right. She didn't though. She was too caught up in herself to help her friend. She didn't even know he was dead until she saw a newspaper article while she was doing some research. Without thinking, she packed up what little she had in her one bedroom apartment and begged her boss to get her a job in New Jersey. Recognizing her potential, he called in a few favors, getting her a job as a reporter with The Chronicle. She did a couple fluff pieces to keep her new employers happy but she only had one real focus: finding out what happened to Michael.

"Jonah, can I talk to you for a quick minute?" Cory asked, smiling at the nurse.

"Sure," he smiled back. "About what?"

"Taylor tells me that you're her go to guy around here," she said, putting her hands in her pockets. "She said you've gotten pretty close."

"She's a good kid," Jonah nodded.

"Yeah she is," Cory nodded. "So that's why I was thinking that maybe you'd find some way to not notice when I bust her out of here in a few minutes."

"What?" he stared at her. "Absolutely not."

"Jonah, she needs to get out of here," Cory said. "Just for a few hours."

"I cant approve that," he shook his head. "The only way that can happen is if she gets a day pass and she's not eligible for one."

"Do you care about Taylor at all?" she asked.

He sighed, nodding.

"And you believe in her, don't you?" she asked. "You believe she can get better and get the hell out of here."

"Yes, I do," Jonah said.

"Then just help her have a day outside this place. It could do her a world of good," she bit her bottom lip, giving him a hopeful look.

"Fine," Jonah sighed. "Just a few hours."

"That's totally them."

"I give it five minutes before they come over here," Hunter said, looking at the table full of women that were trying not to stare at them.

"You think it's gonna take that long?" Mark asked. "That blonde one is practically bouncing out of her seat."

"Bet that one's the John Cena fan," Hunter smirked.

John was too busy tearing through his sandwich to pay any attention to the conversation.

The three young women stood up, whispering to each other as they made their way across the restaurant.

"Here they come," Mark said.

The blonde was the first one to get to the table and she smiled brightly, standing between Mark and John, "Sorry to bother you. I'm Sherry and these are my friends Leah and Carla. We're really big fans."

"Nice to meet you ladies," John shook hands with each of them. Sherry started to blush a little and Mark stifled a chuckle. Girls really fell all over that guy.

Mark nodded to them and Hunter waved.

"We've got front row seats for the show tonight," Carla smiled. "We cant wait."

"Especially Sherry," Leah laughed, nudging her friend.

"You a big John Cena fan Sherry?" Hunter smirked.

"Definitely," she smiled, looking at John. She smiled apologetically at Mark and Hunter, "I love you guys too I just…" she put her hand on John's shoulder. "Cena's my guy."

John smiled, then looked down at his food somewhat uncomfortably.

"What are you all doing after Raw tonight?" Sherry asked.

"I'm going to bed," Mark answered, finishing off his drink. "I'm old, I need my sleep."

"I've gotta fly right out," Hunter shrugged.

"I uh…" John was about to say something but Sherry's hand had made it's way onto his back and he looked like he was trying to come up with the nicest way to get it off.

"I was just hoping maybe we could meet up," Sherry smiled. "You know, we could show you around."

"All of you?" Hunter smirked.

"Sure," Leah smiled, biting her bottom lip as she smiled at John.

"Why not?" Carla shrugged.

"You know ladies," John smiled. "That's a very nice offer but..I'm afraid I'm gonna have to pass."

"You sure about that?" Sherry asked.

"I am," he nodded. "But uh..stick around after the show, one of the other guys might be interested."

They looked disappointed and a little embarrassed but they said their goodbyes and exited the restaurant.

"That was interesting," Mark laughed.

"You just had three women offer you the night of your life," Hunter said. "I cant believe you said no."

"Just because there's three of them doesn't mean it would be the night of my life," John said. "Honestly, it wouldn't even be something I haven't done before."

"He's in love, he cant just go hopping on a bunch of girls just because Cory's out of town for the night," Mark smirked.

"I am not in love," John laughed, looking down at his food.

"Yes you are," Mark pointed. "You cant even look up when you say you're not."

"If he says he's not, maybe it's true," Hunter shrugged.

"And maybe you're blind," Mark laughed. "Come on now, we all know it. We're just waiting for you to tell her."

"Well you're gonna have to wait a little longer," John looked at his phone and then stood up, "I gotta get goin."

"You going to find Sherry and her friends?" Hunter smirked.

"You wish," John laughed, picking up his keys. "See you guys later."

"Hey, you gonna put any money on the table Cena?" Mark laughed.

"Cant," John smiled. "I was so busy thinking about my love life I forgot my wallet. See you tonight."

Mark laughed as John walked out. He ate some more food and then turned his attention to Hunter.

"Alright…what's going on with you?"

"What do you mean?" Hunter asked, confused.

"You've been a little weird lately," Mark said. "And you and Cena..you guys were a little tense when we first got here."

"Me and John are fine," Hunter shrugged. "We've always been like that. 80 percent of the time we're friends and 20 we don't like each other."

"Yeah but there's something different going on," Mark said. "You get more intuitive as you get old. Your gut tells you things."

"Your guts telling you to finish your food," Hunter laughed.

Mark put his fork down, giving Hunter a look.

Hunter sighed, looking away. He and Mark had been friends for a long time. Mark wasn't a person you could keep something from. The man knew everything and if he didn't know, he'd make you tell him.

"I uh…I'm interested in someone," Hunter said. "Not Jessica."

"Cory," Mark nodded.

Hunter stared, "You knew?"

"Of course I knew," Mark said. "I just wanted you to say it before I gave you my opinion."

"How'd you know?" Hunter asked.

"You're around her all the time, you avoid Jessie, the tension with Cena…it'd take an idiot not to notice," Mark shrugged.

"Cory and Jessica don't seem to notice," Hunter sighed.

"Jessica doesn't want to see it, she cares a lot about you," Mark said. "And Cory…Cory cares about you too. But Hunter, I'm saying this because I'm your friend, John and Cory-"

"I know, everybody thinks they're perfect for each other," Hunter rolled his eyes.

"I'm not saying god put them on this Earth to be together," Mark said. "But they care a lot about each other. They've got a connection and I don't think anything could happen between you and her..Not right now."

Taylor sighed as she felt the breeze through her hair as she and Cory sat on the swings. They'd found a park and Taylor couldn't resist the urge to ask Cory to stop there.

"You know, I never really got to go to parks when I was a kid," Cory said, looking around.

"Me neither," Taylor said, somewhat surprised at Cory's admission. "My mom took me when I was really young but when I got old enough to go on my own, my dad told me I couldn't."

"I'm sorry," Cory looked over at her.

Taylor shrugged, "What about you?"

"I don't really know why honestly," Cory shrugged. "When I was a toddler, Gina and I got to go with our stepbrothers as long as we were with a nanny and a bodyguard, or with Ethan when he was in town. Then something happened, I never did know what but all of a sudden my parents wouldn't allow any of us to go. They built a park on our property and told us we could have our friends over whenever we wanted."

Taylor nodded, wondering what that was like. To have parents who would do that for her.

"And I am a complete asshole," Cory winced. "I'm sorry Taylor."

"For what?" Taylor asked.

"Whining about my parents building me my own park," Cory laughed. "Kind of insensitive, don't you think?"

"You're not insensitive. You're my friend," Taylor smiled. "And I'm really glad you came. I needed this day."

"Anytime," Cory reached over, taking her hand. "Although I'm not sure how many times I can bribe that nurse."

"So…did you get a chance to talk to Norah much during the reception?" Viveca asked as she and Jeff sat on the balcony. She wasn't quite sure how to approach the subject of what she stumbled upon at the wedding.

"Not really," Jeff shook his head. "She called yesterday though."

"Did she?"

Jeff nodded.

"Did she um…did she tell you anything..surprising?"

Jeff laughed, shaking his head, "No. Why?"

"No reason," she shrugged, looking up at the sky. "I was just wondering."

"You're a great wife so far V," he said. "But a bad liar. What's up?"

"She didn't say anything to you about my brother?"

"She said that she really liked your family," Jeff shrugged.

"Damn right she did," Viveca mumbled.

"What?"

"I saw something..at the wedding," she nervously twirled her hair around her finger.

"What?"

"Norah and Liam," Viveca answered. "In the bathroom..having sex."

"What?" Jeff laughed. "Wow."

"Jeff!" she smacked him on the arm. "This is not funny."

"It's not a big deal," Jeff shrugged. "Liam asked if I would mind if he made a move on Norah, I told him it was fine."

"So you pimped out your cousin?" she accused.

"No I didn't pimp her out," Jeff laughed. "But they're young and having fun. We all do things like that."

"Screw in the bathroom at your sister's wedding?" Viveca raised a brow. "We all do that?"

"Well I cant, I don't have a sister," Jeff laughed. "Although..you do..Lianna's wedding could be fun."

"Perv," she laughed.

"My point is, they had sex, it's no big deal," Jeff shrugged. "As long as they were safe, I don't mind and neither should you."

"I had no idea you were so casual about sex," she smirked.

He kissed her softly, "I'm not anymore."

"Those cupcakes were amazing," Taylor said as she and Cory pulled into the parking lot. After the park they went to a bakery and bought a dozen cupcakes, then took the cupcakes with them to the movie theater. Now they were eating the last of the sweets as they arrived back at the facility.

"There's a few left, don't forget them," Cory looked over her shoulder at the box sitting on the backseat.

"Oh I wont, trust me," Taylor laughed.

When Cory parked the car, Taylor looked at her friend, smiling, "I really cant thank you enough for today."

"You really thought I was gonna let you be alone on your birthday?" Cory said as she parked the car. "You must be crazy."

Taylor laughed, shaking her head, "You know, you're the only person who comes here and makes crazy jokes."

"That's because I know you're not too fragile to laugh at them," Cory said sincerely. "Taylor, you're a lot stronger than any of us could imagine. You're gonna get through this. I promise."

"How do you know that?" Taylor asked. She spent many of her days thinking the opposite.

Cory smiled as she opened her door, "I just do."

They both got out and as Cory walked around the front of the SUV, she winced, looking toward the main entrance. Dr. Tanner, Fiona, Jonah, and a security guard were posted at the door.

"Something tells me I'm in trouble," Cory bit her bottom lip.

"Well, no cops, that's good," Taylor shrugged.

Cory shrugged, "Whatever, I'll take a reprimand. It was worth it. You had a good time, right?"

"Right," Taylor nodded. She surprised herself a little, wrapping her arms around Cory tightly. She wasn't big on hugs lately but she'd felt more relaxed in the last few hours than she had in months.

"Thank you again," she smiled.

"Stop thanking me," Cory insisted, hugging her back and then pulling away, brushing Taylor's hair out of her face. "We'll see how bad this punishment is and I'll let you know when we're bustin' out again, okay?"

"Okay," Taylor nodded.

Cory smiled, taking her hand as they walked toward the doors.

"Good to see you made it back," Dr. Tanner said to Taylor as they walked through the front doors.

"Dr. Tanner I-"

"Will be going back to your room now," the doctor cut her off. "Have a good night Taylor."

Cory watched sadly as the nurses led Taylor away. She hated having to bring her back to this place. The security guard cleared his throat and she smiled, "You know..we have some cupcakes in the truck, you think you can make sure she gets those?"

He didn't say anything to her and she shrugged, "Okay..guess not."

"Ms. Samms, I'm Dr. Preston Tanner," the older man extended his hand. "I've recently been asked to work with Taylor."

"Nice to meet you Dr. Tanner," Cory smiled, shaking his hand. "Listen, I'm aware that what I did is highly inappropriate and I overstepped but-"

"I was informed earlier today, after I learned of your..stunt, that your grandparents are Stephen Caine and Jeanette Spencer," Dr. Tanner said.

Cory frowned, "Well..yes, yes they are. Why does that matter?"

"They donated quite a bit of money when this place was first built. And Mr. Caine is still our most important private donor," he explained. "Because of that, you wont be reprimanded for what you did here today."

"Well, thank you," Cory said, confused.

"I'll forget it completely if you sign an autograph for my daughter," he smiled. "She's a very big fan of yours."

"Absolutely," she smiled when he handed her a piece of paper. She took his pen and asked his daughter's name before signing. "Dr. Tanner, do you have a few minutes to talk?"

"I can find a few," he smiled when she handed him the autograph. "What can I do for you?"

1 Hour Later…

"Ms. Samms?"

Cory looked up when Dr. Tanner arrived at the café.

She smiled as he sat across from her. Before they could talk earlier he was called away so they agreed to meet in an hour.

"Thank you so much for meeting with me," Cory smiled. "I have some questions."

"I figured as much," he nodded.

"As you know, Taylor has been in the hospital for quite some time," Cory said. "And, forgive me again for overstepping, but..I'd just like to know why she isn't well enough to leave yet."

"You do understand that I cant discuss Taylor's treatment with you, correct?" he folded his hands on the table.

"I understand that," she said. "But I also understand that you have an obligation to call the police if a person takes one of your patients out of your facility without authorization. But you didn't do that."

It wasn't often that Cory used her family's money to get her way but this time she was willing.

He nodded.

"I just want to have a better understanding of what my friend is going through," she explained.

Dr. Tanner sighed, "I believe that Taylor suffers from Complex Post Traumatic Stress Disorder."

Cory nodded, she'd heard of PTSD before in soldiers returning from war.

"She seemed so good today," Cory said.

"She seems at ease with you," the doctor said. "But you should know that Taylor's disorder is very serious and she's still here because she's still considered a danger to herself. Her condition is a result of years of mental and physical abuse and repeated traumatic events."

Cory shook her head, feeling so bad for Taylor.

"CPTSD can have a wide range of symptoms and behaviors," he said. "Taylor suffers from hallucinations, memory loss, fits of anger, deep depression, you name it. She's tried to harm herself more than once and I worry that she may try again. I think that she would benefit from group, exposure, and cognitive therapy sessions-"

"And she's not getting any of that?" she asked.

"Currently she's getting medication, a little too much in my opinion," he said. "And private counseling sessions when she's well enough but that's it. I'm not sure how much more the hospital will allow at this point considering how much it will cost. I'm a specialist, I've just been asked in for a brief consultation. I'm afraid I cant be much help to Taylor without running her bills through the roof."

She was about to say something but he cut her off, "Before you ask..your grandfather's money is intended to help everyone here..not just a friend of yours."

"Fine, then don't use it," she said. "Use mine."

"Excuse me?" he asked.

"Well I'd give you a blank check but I don't really know you that well," she said, pulling out her cell phone and a pen. She found the number she needed and wrote it on a napkin. "This is the phone number for my accountant. Call him and tell him how much you need. Payments, lump sum, whatever is easier for you. I'm taking over her hospital bills so there isn't any reason to worry about money. If you're a specialist and you think you can help then I want you to be her doctor."

"Are you sure about this Ms. Samms?" he asked.

She didn't have to think for a second. She nodded, "Taylor is my friend and she needs help. And you, Dr. Tanner, are going to do everything you can to get her better so she can go home. Okay?"

He nodded, putting the phone number in his pocket, "Okay."