Babble: See the blather on Part I for all the usual verbiage. Not much more to add, except Reply please!!!!!!!
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Dancing on the Axis
Part IV
The rumble of sound had barely faded from his ears when he recognized it. It may have been years but once heard, the distinctive sound of a gunshot was impossible to forget. Without consciously being aware of it, he began to move quickly in the direction the shot had come from. He was soon at the stairs leading to the docks, heading down them he froze on the second step from the bottom and tried to make since of the unfathomable tableau before him.
Elizabeth was holding a gun, her whole body was shaking violently but the gun was extended, her arms still locked in a firing position. His eyes shifted, registering the body of a man on the ground near the edge of the docks writhing in apparent agony. A scream pierced the air and compelled him to move. Bypassing his longtime friend for the moment he raced to the edge of the docks and the screaming person.
"Hold on," Nikolas Cassadine ordered, leaping over the now unconscious man he dove for the hands that were the only visible part of the person hanging from the edge.
"Help me," Carly screamed. She could feel her strength ebbing. Her arms were burning and a part of her was amazed that she had held on as long as she had. Another part of her was determined to hang on all damn day if she had too. She would do anything to save her child. "Please help me."
By now Nikolas was flat on the docks his hands covering her wrists trying to firm up the support. Desperate brown eyes met his and recognition flittered quickly through his brain. His stomach lurched when he remembered the fact that Carly was pregnant. He was now in the uncomfortable position of fighting to save two lives. "I have you."
"Get me out of here," Carly tried to order but the words were weak as her strength continued to fade. Now that she knew she wasn't alone what reserves she had been drawing on seemed to be depleted. A sickening illustration of that fact came when her left hand lost its purchase on the docks causing her to scream.
"Grab my wrist Carly," Nikolas ordered sharply.
"Don't let my baby die."
"Grab it now," he yelled.
It seemed to Carly that his hand was so very far away, the wind was buffeting her, and made her miss when she reached for him causing her to scream again. Gritting her teeth she reached up again and missed. Nikolas could already feel the strain of trying to hold her up with only one hand. Gravity was such a vicious thing. Finally Carly managed to latch onto his wrist, and some of the tension eased.
"Now I need you grab my other hand."
Carly didn't want to let go of the dock. As long as she was holding the dock she didn't have to rely completely on Nikolas, but once she let go both her and her baby would be relying on him. It took everything inside of her to finally let go and grab for his wrist. This time it was easier and she caught him on the first attempt. "Don't you let my baby die," she hissed.
"Neither one of you will die." Nikolas gasped out in response before beginning the laborious process of inching backwards on the dock and pulling her over the side. Already his arms were burning. He had no idea how she had held on as long as she had. Where was everyone? Why wasn't anyone else helping? He wanted to call out for help, but that would require energy he didn't want to waste.
"When you can I want you to shift your grip and use my body as a ladder and pull yourself up." Her terrified eyes locked on his again. "I won't let you fall, but you have to help me."
Grunting her affirmance Carly prepared herself to do as he said. He was her lifeline, her baby's lifeline, and there was no way she was going to let go of him.
It seemed like forever for both of them and both were panting heavily by the time Carly finally found herself on the docks again and felt the security of the wood beneath her stomach even as her legs continued to dangle over the edge. Finally those too were safe on the docks. Incredibly drained Carly remained where she was sprawled, half on Nikolas, half on the docks while she thanked a God she didn't always believe in. Nikolas shifted her gently until she was lying flat on the docks and tried to catch his breath.
"What the hell?" A just arrived Jason Morgan exclaimed and headed quickly down the stairs. Once down he was torn at which way he should go. Carly, a pregnant Carly was lying on the docks, while a shaken Elizabeth was pointing a gun in her direction.
The chattering of Elizabeth's teeth and the shaking gun in her hand made up his mind for him and he moved cautiously to her side, not wanting to startle her. "Elizabeth?" He tried her name to get her attention but there was no response, not even a flicker or recognition in her glazed blue eyes. Taking his eyes from her empty once he looked to his friend. "Carly are you okay?"
The concern in his voice roused Carly. "We're okay." She called out rubbing her belly with her hands trying to reassure herself.
Relieved Jason turned his focus back to the woman in front of him. "Elizabeth?" He waved his hand in front of her eyes but there was no reaction. He recognized the signs of shock and knew he had to move quickly, but there was still the gun to deal with.
"Elizabeth I need you to give me the gun." He kept his voice low but strong and slowly reached up to take the gun. His eyes registered the dried blood that was visible under her bangs as well as the still forming bruise on her temple. Cataloging her injuries for a later time his hands closed over her ice-cold ones that still held the gun. His move to take the gun from her caused her to snap back, a spark of life entered her eyes and her grip tightened on the gun. "Elizabeth give me the gun," he tried again.
"I-I killed him." The words were spoken through her still chattering teeth and were difficult to understand.
"You don't know that." Jason kept his hands around hers and tried to soothe her even as he heard the approaching sound of sirens. He had to get the gun and her away from here before the cops showed up.
"I had too." Thoughts, images kept hitting her and the explosion of the shot was still ringing in her ears making it difficult for her to think at all. "He was going to kill Carly. I couldn't let that happen."
"Of course you couldn't," Jason agreed and again tried to take the gun from her. "I need the gun Elizabeth."
"Is Carly okay?" Elizabeth shifted trying to see around Jason but Jason moved as well blocking her view.
"She's fine." The sound of sirens was so loud he knew he only had a minute or two to act. "Give me the gun."
"I didn't want to kill him," Elizabeth kept her hold on the gun. "I just wanted to stop him, but Courtney … I couldn't find … he had a knife … the baby … I had to stop him … Carly didn't know … I didn't want to kill him but I had too." Her voice rose then broke. "I had to shoot," she repeated despondently.
Jason finally managed to get the gun away from her. Before he could shift his grip from the barrel to the handle to try to blur the fingerprints a man's voice called down to them.
"I'll take that."
Even without looking Jason knew it was a cop. He could recognize the tone cops had anywhere. His features never flickered even as he cursed internally.
"Give me the gun."
Sighing slightly Jason handed the gun over butt first to the man who took it with a handkerchief. Jason didn't recognize this particular cop. He was a plainclothes one but the gold shield flipped over the sport jacket pocket indicated a Detective First Grade.
The Detective in question examined the gun briefly, even going so far as to smell the barrel for the residue of recently fired gunpowder before handing it off to a waiting uniform who bagged it for evidence, before turning to focus on Elizabeth. "Did I hear you admit to the shooting?"
"She's in shock she doesn't know what she is saying," Jason interjected drawing the attention back on himself.
"When I want to hear from you Mr. Morgan I'll ask. Until then do what you are famous for and keep your mouth shut," the Detective rebuked him mildly.
Jason chafed under the admonishment and had to hide a wince when Elizabeth spoke again.
"I-I didn't want to shoot him. I don't want to be a killer."
"You're not a killer," the Detective responded smoothly, "the victim is still alive, so you are not a killer," he paused until the glass blue eyes focused on him, "yet."
What little strength she still had seemed to evaporate at his words and Elizabeth crumpled to the ground. Jason made a move in her direction only to come up short when the Detective waved him off and gestured to one of his patrolmen.
"Did you witness the shooting Mr. Morgan?" He queried.
Jason didn't answer and again made a move in Elizabeth's direction.
"Now is the time you get to answer," the Detective prodded. Taking Jason by the arm he drew him away from Elizabeth. "Did you witness the shooting?"
"No," Jason answered finally.
"Pity," the Detective clucked.
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Carly watched the ambulance attendant nervously. The pier was now full of people. Other techs were working on Ric, Nikolas was off to the side, she dimly heard Jason being questioned by a cop and was even marginally aware of Elizabeth being moved to a bench by the police. But none of that really registered to her, the only thing that mattered was what the tech was doing. "Well?" she demanded impatiently and almost snarled when he held up his hand to silence her while he listened.
"Your baby's heartbeat sounds fine Mrs. Corinthos, well within range for how far along you are. We'll do a complete check once we get you to the hospital, but I think everything is fine," the tech pronounced finally and began putting his equipment away.
Nearly collapsing in relief over the fact that her baby wasn't hurt, she took her first easy breath since this whole nightmare began. The relief soon sharpened into interest in what was going on around her. "Thanks," she offered Nikolas a smile.
"I'm just glad that you and your baby are going to be okay." Nikolas replied with a brief answering smile before his attention shifted to focus on a discussion going on farther up on the dock.
Following his gaze her smile faded when she saw an unusual look of frustration on Jason's face. He normally didn't let his frustration show when he was talking to the cops, unless of course he was yelling at her at the same time. This was not a good sign. She began to make her way to her feet and was caught by surprise when Nikolas moved quickly and helped her to her feet. Manners could definitely be a good thing, she determined in that instant, then decided to use some. "Thanks."
Nodding absently Nikolas kept his focus on Elizabeth and the police that were talking to her. "What do you think is going on over there?"
"The usual. The cops are trying to figure out a way to pin the shooting on Jason even though Miss Muffet over there was the one with the gun," was Carly's caustic reply.
"Did you see what happened?" Nikolas ignored the barb as he tried to figure out how much damage control Elizabeth was going to need. It was strange how quickly he fell back into the role of pseudo-protector of Elizabeth. They hadn't spoken in months. Hadn't been close friends for even longer, but at that moment, all the dissension between the two seemed to have vanished. He found himself back in the position of wanting to help and protect her, much as he had when he had first gotten to know her, and later when Lucky had "died."
Before Carly could answer an obviously angry Jason joined them. Habit had Carly pulling him into a hug, both to reassure herself, he had always been her grounding influence, and also to try to soothe him.
"Are you sure you're okay?" Jason asked in concern, he had long since grown used to Carly's proclivity of hugging him.
"The tech says the baby is fine, so I'm great. They are bringing us to the hospital for a more in depth check, but other than sore arms and scrapes on my hands I'm fine." Carly reassured him and saw the look of disbelief flitter across his features. "I don't always complain," she reminded him defiantly.
"What's going on over there?" Nikolas gestured to the cops who were surrounding Elizabeth.
Jason eyed the Prince coolly but didn't answer. Irritated Nikolas stepped closer and faced off with Jason.
Realizing that she owed Nikolas one Carly intervened. "So what happened to Miss Muffet? Did she really shoot Ric?"
The warning look he gave Carly did no good and he knew he had to reply. "Yes she shot him. But she says Ric has a knife and was trying to kill you. She shot him to save your life."
Carly shook her head denying his words automatically. That couldn't be right. Ric had been angry about her decision to tell Jason everything, but not angry enough to try to kill her. He knew she was pregnant, he wouldn't have done anything to harm the baby, no one would. Jason or rather Elizabeth had to be wrong. They had to be.
"Did you see a knife?" Jason asked.
Again Carly shook her head. "I heard a scream, then the gunshot. The next thing I knew something heavy crashed into the back of me and I fell. The momentum carried me over the edge. I hung on there until Nikolas pulled me up."
Hearing how close Carly had come to possibly dying gave Jason pause and he closed his eyes in reaction, they flew open again only a second later and he began scanning the ground.
Nikolas was the first to figure out Jason's unexpected action. "Looking for a knife?" When Jason nodded he went on. "Don't bother there isn't one, unless its underneath Ric and since the paramedics already rolled him that's out," Nikolas shrugged defensively when they both stared at him. "I had time to look around before the paramedics arrived."
Disappointed Jason ran a weary hand over his cheek, without a knife it would be more difficult for Elizabeth to back up her story. Shifting he focused again on the unknown Detective who was now speaking to the paramedics treating Ric. The cop was good. Jason had enough experience with both good and bad cops to realize the Detective was smart and determined, and worse he was an unknown. Unbelievably he almost wished for Taggert. At least Taggert knew Elizabeth and what she was capable of.
The Detective crouched closer to a now conscious Ric and the three watching him grew quiet trying to hear what was being said. The paramedics continued their work, and the noise they were making quickly made them realize that eavesdropping was going to be impossible.
Realizing this fact Nikolas spoke again. "Did the police appear to believe what Elizabeth was saying?"
There was a shrug from Jason but no answer, and Nikolas began to get angry. "You have been around enough police that you have to be an expert at reading them by now. Did they believe her or not?"
"She's in shock. It's difficult for a person to form a coherent lie when they are in shock." Answering more to shut Nikolas up than out of a desire to share information he went on. "The Detective is hard to read, he's good, but that doesn't mean he's smart."
"And with no knife, no witnesses, and Carly not seeing a knife, it will be uncomfortable for Elizabeth won't it?" Nikolas asked pointedly drawing a surprised look from Carly and another shrug from Jason. How in the world did Elizabeth talk to him? Jason's vocabulary seemed to be very limited.
The Detective had moved to the officer who was standing near Elizabeth doing a paraffin test on her hands to check for gunshot residue. That conversation was even quieter than the others had been, and Jason began to get uneasy.
"Tell me you at least got rid of the gun," Nikolas implored.
A glare and a terse shake of the head were the only response he got.
"Jason the very least I thought you knew how to do was to destroy evidence at a crime scene. This wouldn't be the first time in your career that you've removed a gun, of that I'm sure. So why didn't you this time?" Nikolas demanded.
"There wasn't enough time."
Nikolas' snort was somehow an eloquent statement of disbelief and the tension between the two men shot up another level.
"Something is happening," Carly broke up the testosterone fest by pointing at the cops.
The three fell silent when the Detective approached. "Mrs. Corinthos I believe the ambulance is ready to transport you to the hospital now. I know you gave a preliminary statement to the officer but I would like you to come to the station to give a formal statement," he smiled charmingly, "once your finished at the hospital of course."
The charm bounced off of Carly and ignoring Jason's shake of the head she responded coldly. "I'll come by with my attorney when I can. But it probably won't be until tomorrow at the earliest."
The Detective ignored her response for the moment and turned to the others. "Mr. Cassadine I believe you told the officer that you weren't sure who fired the gun…"
"That's correct," Nikolas interrupted. "I heard the shot and ran to the pier. Once I arrived my focus was on pulling whoever was over the side, back up on the pier. That person turned out to be Mrs. Corinthos. I wasn't aware of anyone besides Carly, and the unconscious man on the pier."
"So you claim you didn't see Elizabeth Webber holding a gun?" The Detective pressed.
"I am not claiming anything, I am merely stating the facts as they occurred. I believe that is what I am supposed to do when questioned by the police," Nikolas lied easily.
Jason knew Nikolas was lying and unfortunately he thought the Detective did as well, but he doubted that anyone would be able to prove the Prince was lying. The response being offered by Nikolas was a good one. If they could keep Elizabeth quiet, and with no witnesses, she could later claim that she found the gun immediately after the shooting. He knew there had been instances where there was still gunshot residue on a gun after firing and that residue was then transferred to the person who found the gun, even though they hadn't fired it. It was tricky and the time elapsing from when the shooting occurred and when they would say she picked up the gun would have to be less than a minute, but it could be argued. If that happened her early statements could be dismissed due to confusion and shock. It was a plausible scenario, now all they had to do was to keep Elizabeth quiet until he could explain it to her.
"I'll need you to come to the station to make a formal statement to that effect Mr. Cassadine." The Detective then turned to Jason. "You too Mr. Morgan."
"Where are you taking Elizabeth?" Nikolas asked when the cop next to her began to lead her from the docks.
"To the station for further questioning," the Detective's hawk eyes were trained on Jason but there was no visible response to his words.
"She needs to go to the hospital not the police station. She is in shock. Witnessing a shooting is a very stressful thing to live through, she doesn't need to be inundated with questions at the same time," Nikolas contended. "I'm sure there is no possible reason why you can't take her statement tomorrow morning after she has rested and recovered from this horror that she went through tonight."
Carly realized at that point that Nikolas was capable of thinking as deviously as she did.
"I'm afraid that is impossible Mr. Cassadine. I need to question Miss Webber tonight, she has some fairly serious charges that she needs to answer."
Jason could feel the air thicken and waited for the other shoe to drop. The Detective obviously had something new, and whatever it was Jason had a feeling it wasn't going to be good for Elizabeth.
"What charges?" Nikolas queried.
The Detective focused on Carly Corinthos as he delivered his answer. "Mr. Lansing has stated that Miss Webber was trying to kill you Mrs. Corinthos, and he took the bullet trying to save your life. Where I come from we call that attempted murder."