-Mean-

-37-

And inevitably,

What we used to be will

Succumb to the pull of gravity

And you will never, no,

You will never

See with virgin eyes again.

-- "Unbroken," Missy Higgins

.: Penthouse 2, Harborview Towers :.

"I'll drive," Sonny announced, searching his desk drawer for the keys. "You just got your thing off, you're supposed to take it easy."

Jason rolled his eyes. "I told you, I'm fine."

"I'm still driving."

He shrugged and waited patiently as Sonny pocketed his keys, made sure he had everything, and then gestured to the door.

"Come on. We'll go to the Grille. And if we happen to run into Edward…"

That got a smile out of Jason. Sonny and Edward were at odds and his best friend was just itching for the opportunity to needle the old man. "Yeah, yeah."

Sonny almost had his hand on the knob when his phone rang. He groaned and pulled the door open. "We'll let the machine get it."

"Answer it," Jason said, holding back. "Go ahead. Might be important."

His friend sighed and let the door shut, then reached out and jabbed the speaker button. "Sonny Corinthos."

"Dad!"

"Morgan?" He frowned at Jason, not liking the sound of his son's voice. "What's wrong? What happened? Where are you?"

"I'm at the hospital," came the reply, and Morgan sounded frantic. "I took Jake to the hospital and he threw up on Cameron."

Sonny's eyes widened. "Is he okay? What happened?"

"We don't know, we don't know anything. Cam – Cam just admitted him. He threw up and then passed out, we couldn't get him to wake up and Cam called for a stretcher and – Hey. Hey. What's the problem here?"

They heard some static and it was clear that Morgan's attention had been diverted.

"Morgan. Morgan!" Jason leaned toward the phone, trying to get the boy back on the line. "What happened? How's Jake? Where is he now?"

"Hey. What's the problem? …What? Are you fucking kidding me? No, don't tell me to calm down, I'll calm down when you get the fuck out of my face. Do you know who I am? I'm Morgan Corinthos."

He said it with the same perfect arrogance as his father, and Sonny scrubbed a hand over his face.

"You might very well be the Chief of Surgery here, and you might very well have your rules and protocols, but let me tell you what I have. I have the money that keeps this hospital running. My cousin is Spencer Cassidine, whose family has kept this institution afloat for forty years. At the end of the day, General Hospital is a business. So I'll tell you what, Doctor Ford. You can prove that you're a good businessman by backing off, letting Cameron Webber admit his brother and preside over his case, and get back to your office. I don't fucking care – so what if he's his brother? He wants to be on this case, I want him to be on this case…Let me be perfectly clear. I. Do. Not. Care. If you stall Dr. Webber any further, I will pull every last cent I donate to this hospital and make sure Prince Cassidine does the same. And where will you be then, Mister Chief of Surgery?"

He growled and his voice was clearer, which Jason took as a sign that Doctor Ford had backed off and let Cameron take the case. "I thought as much. Dad?"

"We're right here," Jason replied quickly. "Morgan, tell us what happened. What's wrong with Jake?"

"We don't know anything yet. Cameron just admitted him and they're trying to get him in for an MRI right now. He looked like he was having a really bad headache and then he just fell. Cameron thinks it might be trauma to the head. They're trying to find out. Mrs. – Mrs. Webber, she's in surgery. Dad, she's still in surgery and she has no idea. Please, you have to get over here."

Sonny plucked his keys out of his pocket and clenched them, nodding grimly at a stunned and pale Jason. "We're on our way, son."

.: General Hospital :.

Morgan sat next to Elizabeth on the couch in the waiting area and looked over when the elevator doors beeped. His best friend's mother held his hand in hers in a vice-like grip. She refused to let go since he and Sonny broke the news to her, and Morgan understood. Holding his hand made her feel a little more connected to her son when she wasn't able to be with him.

His uncle sat stiffly in one of the single chairs that looked far too small to accommodate him, and looked up in surprise when Spencer came to a stop next to him. The Cassidine Prince's dark eyes were solemn as he looked around, nodding to each member in turn, before wearily taking a seat next to Sonny.

"Ms. Webber, I'm so sorry. I came as soon as I heard. Laur's most likely on the launch as we speak."

Elizabeth smiled weakly. "Thank you, Spencer."

She glanced again at Jason, who held her gaze. He had been there when she came out of surgery and entered the hub, inquiring about the message someone left her. Morgan saw her and called out to her, and together he and Sonny told her what happened in the clinic. Jason had wanted nothing more than to pull her into his arms, but there were too many people around. So instead, he just held her hand tightly between them as the nurses milled around, offering her their prayers and condolences. If Morgan, who had stuck to her side like glue, noticed the two of them, he didn't bring any attention to it and for that Jason was grateful.

The Cassidine heir pulled his phone out of his pocket when it beeped, drawing their attention, and Jason was just starting to think how rude that was when he spoke.

"That was my wife," Spencer told Elizabeth. "My father's back from Greece and she's meeting him on the docks. They'll arrive together."

Morgan was also flipping through his text messages. "Got one from mom. She and CeeCee are on their way."

"I'm here! I'm here! Oh, my God, I swear, I'm here!" Molly came running down the hall and careened wildly around the hub, the arm holding her laptop jutting out at her side, and skidded to a halt right by Jason's chair.

"The machines were all backed up," she told Elizabeth, taking a seat on the coffee table right in front of her. "But Cam and I moved things around and we got him in for more tests. We'll know more very soon."

She reached out and patted the young woman's knee. Whenever either of her boys needed help, Molly Lansing was the first in line to do it. "Thank you, sweetheart."

"I, um, I was on the phone with my dad when we found out that Jake was admitted," she continued quietly. "He sends his best regards and his best wishes."

Elizabeth smiled at that. "Tell him I appreciate it."

"I will." Her laptop beeped and Molly growled, flipping the lid open. An instant message popped up and her brows jumped. "Oh, good. Anna let her class out a little early. She's on her way."

Mal, who had been too antsy to sit with them, had been pacing around the wing where the imaging machines were operated and was now trotting over to them. "My dad just got out of surgery and is handling the case with Cam. Just thought I'd pass it along."

Jason let out a sigh of relief. Patrick Drake was a renowned neurosurgeon and he wanted the best of them finding out what was wrong with his son. "Thanks."

If the young psychiatrist thought it strange that he was thanking him, he didn't let it show. Mal just nodded and finally took his seat next to Jason. He twiddled his thumbs between his knees, his eyes tracing the pattern on the carpet. Everyone would be here soon. His father was on the case, his mother was on hand in these halls, his sister would only need ten minutes to drive from campus to the hospital. His girlfriend would be here soon with her mother, Molly was already around, Kristina was closing up her office, Michael, who had returned from London over the weekend, was wrapping up a meeting his stepfather and both men would be heading to the hospital immediately. Spencer was here, his wife and father soon would be, the Commissioner would find someone to cover for him, and there was no way that anyone could keep Amalia from breaking all kinds of traffic laws on her way from Crimson Point.

Everyone would be here together, in the same room, concerned for the same person, and something in the air told him that nothing would be the same. And before this ordeal was over, Mal had the distinct feeling that he'd be seeing many of these people in the psychiatric counseling ward of the hospital.

The elevator doors beeped and slid open, and all eyes turned toward Commissioner Lucky Spencer. He looked haggard and drawn and zoned in on Elizabeth as soon as he stepped out. She let go of Morgan's hand and got off the couch, and the Commissioner wrapped her up in his arms and held her, smoothing a hand over her hair.

Mal's eyes flicked toward Jason. The enforcer watched the couple and averted his gaze, his eyes vividly pained before the mask descended and his expression became unreadable.

Oh, yeah. He'd be seeing these people on his couch soon enough.

"Jason."

Carly wrapped her arms around her best friend's neck and closed her eyes. "Oh, Jason, I'm so sorry. Have you heard anything yet?"

He shook his head as Cecily gave Elizabeth a hug before taking a seat between Spencer and her boyfriend. "No, nothing. Cameron was around, but he was too busy to update us. They're running tests, tests, tests…"

"I know." She smoothed her hands up and down his arms, her expression sympathetic. "He's going to be okay."

And then, as if she remembered what she was doing and that her reaction to the news was very, very suspicious, Carly pulled away from him and approached Elizabeth.

"I'm so sorry. What happened?"

Elizabeth shook her head wearily, and both women were relieved that none of the kids seemed to notice the display from earlier. "All I know is that he came in with a headache, vomited, and then lost consciousness."

"Does that – does that mean anything?"

Her lower lip wobbled. "It could mean an aneurysm, but we don't know for sure yet."

"Oh, God."

Michael hopped out of the elevator, and opened his arms immediately for Amalia. He hugged her tightly before reaching out and squeezing his brother's shoulder. "How is he?"

"Still running tests." His brother gestured to the couch. "Sit."

The group was almost assembled. Spencer and Morgan were seated, Cecily and Mal were there, Amalia was sitting with Michael, Molly was perched on the coffee table, Kristina was sitting on the window sill, and Cameron was running around trying to get updates to the group as soon as he could. The only one missing was Anna, who called to say she'd been intercepted by her department head the way there and was still on her way.

"Excuse me." A nurse approached the group with a sealed bag in her hands. "I'm so sorry, I should have done this earlier, but…"

She held out the bag. "These were his personal effects. I'm not sure who would like to…"

Elizabeth pressed her lips together and took a step forward. "I will."

Molly saw the bag and cringed, knowing that there had been something she'd been forgetting all this time. Elizabeth had the bag in her hands and looked up in surprise when the young woman appeared at her side and reached for it.

"If you don't mind-"

Elizabeth held the bag out of reach. "They're Jake's – I'm keeping them."

"And I have no issue with that," Molly promised, reaching for it again. She succeeded in taking it from Elizabeth and pulled her friend's phone out. "I just need this, that's all."

Elizabeth wasn't pleased, but took the bag back when Molly handed it to her. She flipped Jake's phone open and cringed at the missed calls and texts.

"Oh, jeez." With a sigh, she turned to her friends. "There's so much we forgot to take care of. Kay, you've got your laptop, right?"

Her sister nodded. "Right here."

"Write up a statement for the press," Molly ordered as she pulled it out of her attaché case. "Something vague, don't give too much away, and just stress that we're waiting for more information and appreciate the support. Email it to me as soon as you're done and I'll get it to the national media outlets. Spencer, you've got pull downtown – see if the police can hold off the reporters. They'll all be after exclusive interviews; we give them nothing."

He nodded and pulled out his phone, but Molly wasn't done. "Michael, can you help Morgan take care of Jake's schedule and cancel his meetings? It's on our server – Morgan knows how to access it."

Morgan nodded as Michael pulled out his own laptop, and Molly turned her attention back to the phone when it rang.

"Molly Lansing."

Elizabeth was still frowning softly at her as the young woman moved away from the group, not wanting to have this conversation within earshot for obvious reasons.

"No, Chase, I don't want you to leave your post. There's no need to delay. Have the men stopped working?" Her heels clicked on the tiles as she hurried away from Lucky in particular. "Yeah. The coffee goes out as planned. That's what I said. No, I'll handle that. Okay, talk to you later, I've got another call. Molly Lansing for Jake Webber."

Elizabeth shivered and hugged her arms around herself, meeting Jason's gaze. His expression was grim, but he said nothing. With nothing left to do, she wearily sank down into her seat once more, resting her head against Nadine's shoulder when the younger nurse wrapped an arm around her shoulders.

Lucky glanced at Jason, who kept his eyes trained on the floor. He looked over at Nikolas, who was watching Robin talk to Johnny about what the prognosis looked like this early in the game. Michael and Morgan murmured to each other as they ironed out Jake's schedule and sent out the appropriate notices and calls to associates. Carly braced her elbows on her knees and covered her face with her hands as Jax gently tucked her hair behind her ear.

The click of heels was heard again and Molly returned to proof the statement that Kristina had written for the press. Together, the sisters arranged a quick press conference and Molly alerted both the local and national media as Kristina went over what she had written a few times to make sure the delivery was as smooth as possible.

The elevator beeped and the doors slid open, and they all looked over to see the baby of the group step out. Anna Drake was dressed in a pencil skirt and prim silk blouse, her normal university outfit, and looked absolutely exhausted. She looked around the group, her expression solemn, and Jason almost wondered why she didn't look at all surprised to see him.

With a sigh, she stepped forward and dropped her seventies'-style messenger bag on the floor by the sofa where Carly sat. The older woman scooted over, patting a spot on the couch next to her for her daughter's best friend, and Anna sat down.

Her eyes remained downcast as she pulled her phone from her bag and, flipping it off, set it in the center of the coffee table. Elizabeth looked at her curiously until Kristina reached into her blazer pocket, pulled out her phone, and did the same. Morgan left his on but set it down as well, as did Michael as he sent out the last of the emails. Mal flipped off his phone but kept his pager, and Cecily tossed hers into the pile. Molly added hers, but hung on to Jake's for business and sentimental reasons. Spencer and his wife followed suit, and Amalia set hers down as well.

Jason watched them strangely, knowing that this was a symbolic gesture, hating that he had absolutely no idea what it meant. In the end, Anna took pity on him.

"When we were in high school," she started quietly, "Jake used to say that if he was in the same room as me, Amalia, Mal, Molly, Kay, Spencer, Morgan, Michael, CeeCee, Cameron, and his mom, he could turn off his phone and leave it on the table and be absolutely fine. Because no one else mattered."

"Doctor Webber wanted us to let you know our preliminary findings."

Cameron's two young fellows, one young man who was a Harvard graduate and one young woman who as a Johns Hopkins alumni like himself, stood in front of the group with their patient file.

Elizabeth rose to her feet and folded her arms around herself. "What is it? Just say it, I just want to know."

Lucky was at her side, and Jason rose to his feet as well, the rest of the group following suit behind him. "How bad is it?"

"Jake Webber was admitted after he lost consciousness, citing a headache and nausea," they summed up. "The MRI revealed an aneurysm."

Amalia's lips parted in surprise, and she remembered that it was exactly what his grandfather Jeff died of. "An aneurysm?"

Cameron's fellows mistook her surprise for ignorance. "A hemorrhage, bleeding in the brain. In the subarachnoid space, specifically. Dr. Drake performed the surgery to remove as much of it as he could, but the patient-"

"Jake," Jason corrected acerbically.

"But Jake's condition became unstable during the procedure," the young woman picked up smoothly. "He's out now and stabilizing, and we're waiting for the lab to get the test results back."

"I have them."

A very weary Cameron walked past the hub toward the group, a file of papers in his hand. "I'll take it from here. Go."

His fellows exchanged looks and turned to depart, nodding at Elizabeth and the others assembled.

"Cam?" Her hand was on her heart as Elizabeth approached him, fearing the news. "What do the test results say?"

He shuffled the papers in his hands, not bothering to look at them. "Like they told you, Jake suffered an aneurysm. The signs of an aneurysm are usually a painful, persistent headache and nausea."

"So his headaches all these times-" Jason struggled for words. "That meant he was slowly bleeding into his brain? They weren't because of his insomnia?"

"Those headaches were," Cameron confirmed. "He gets them precisely because of his insomnia. The headache he suffered once inside the clinic where I admitted him, the sudden, painful headache, was unrelated. That was the one that signaled the aneurysm. While he was in surgery, I had tests sent down to the lab."

He cleared his throat, his eyes instinctively seeking out Elizabeth, Robin, and Nadine. "He has a low platelet count."

Elizabeth's eyes filled with tears as Robin and Nadine gasped. Jason and Amalia looked at each other and then desperately back at the young doctor.

"What does that mean?"

"The low platelet count, coupled with the SAH – uh." Cameron stuttered on his words. "The bleeding, the bleeding. The low platelet count coupled with the hemorrhage means it's Thrombocytopenia, which is a symptom of aplastic anemia."

Amalia closed her eyes, trying to hold on to the last semblance of her patience. "But what does that mean, Cameron?"

"It means that Jake needs a bone marrow transplant from a relative before it's too late."