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Ain't it somethin'Ain't it somethin'
Ain't it somethin'
How the way things go
Ain't it somethin' by Lyle Lovett
Sam ran her hands through her long dark hair. It wasn't the smooth, fluid movement she was use to. Her long hair was knotty and greasy from sweat. Her clothes still smelled of smoke and it unsettled her. More then she would probably ever admit, even to Jax.
It was odd she thought, her hand resting on the door to Sonny's hospital room that she kept ending back up with him. Normally when she ended things with someone that was it. Over and done with but she couldn't do that with Jax. She kept finding herself drawn back to him. It was love, Sam knew. For the first time in her life she was in love with someone and it scared the shit out of her.
Was it any wonder she kept pushing Jax away? Why she chose to do things that she knew he hated in hopes of keeping him away? But he hadn't stayed away. No matter what she did, who she did, Sam thought with a wince, Jax still took her back.
Love again, she wondered? Sam could only hope so. Well now it was time to live up to some of Jax's expectations. She had to end things with Sonny. No-strings, hot sex wasn't worth losing Jax over. Even if the man she was sleeping with was Sonny. Their strange connection was just that, strange. Definitely not worth his marriage or her relationship with Jax.
Bracing herself, Sam entered the stale hospital room. Why did all hospitals have to be the same? she mused taking in the beige walls, lifeless and just about as cheerful as funeral home. "Hey," she greeted.
"Hey," Sonny replied opening his eyes at her voice. He wanted it to be Carly and instantly felt like a fool for that want. Carly was no longer his wife. That was his choice, one he intended to stick to, no matter how much it hurt. "Glad to see you made it out alive."
"Thanks. Me too," Sam returned the sentiments. "Lost the treasure though."
The dejected look on her face had Sonny shaking his head. The treasure would always be a sore spot for her and he found that little bit of predictability comforting. "Sorry about that, but I much rather see your face then that treasure."
Sam smiled. It was a nice compliment and she had feeling that Sonny Corinthos didn't hand them out freely. "So I just want to check on you …"
"Come here?" he asked interrupting her.
Confusion flooded her dark eyes. Sam looked behind her; sure she'd see someone else there. When she didn't see anyone she turned back to Sonny. "I thought … you and Carly didn't work things out?" she asked stepping forward. She figured having faced death the two of them would have put the past where it belonged, in the past, like she and Jax had managed.
Pain flashed in his eyes, but it was so minuscule that Sam hadn't seen it. "Yeah, we're getting a divorcé."
"I'm sorry," she said sincerely reaching out and taking his hand.
He forced a smile. "Don't be. It means I get to enjoy your company for the foreseeable future."
He started to tug her forward, "Sonny …" she breathed out her eyes wide.
"I need you now," Sonny told her. It was a vulnerability that he didn't particularly want to share with her and it was that vulnerability Sam responded to. Like that night in her truck she couldn't say no to him. Cursing herself as she allowed him to pull her down, she promised herself that she find away to make it up to Jax, as their lips met.
~*~
Skye launched herself into Luke's arms when the doctor informed all those waiting that Emily had made it through surgery and that everything looked good. All round her people were laughing and hugging, and saying that they never doubted it.
She had doubted though. For the last hour and half she sat holding onto to Luke's hand like a life line, while she waited to hear if the woman she thought of as her sister would live or die. It had been one of the worst hours of her life, but Luke's presence made it bearable. Thinking that she pulled back from him, "Thanks," she said with a wobbly smile. "Really. Thank you for sitting with me."
"Sure thing Blaze," Luke grinned. Though his manner was the same as always on the outside, panic was growing in him. He had to get away from her before he kissed her again.
"I'll come back up to check on Emily in a while," Jason informed Monica, "after I check on Courtney."
"All right," she said brushing away tears of joy. "I appreciated you coming." Jason smiled and squeezed her hand before leaving. Walking past Nikolas, who was embracing Elizabeth, he sent him the younger man a nod.
Nikolas acknowledged Jason before pulling back from Elizabeth. He watched as his baby brother embraced her. It was good, Nikolas thought, that they all had this moment of happiness considering the earlier events of the evening. Or was it morning? He wasn't sure anymore.
"I'm going to let Grandfather and Grandmother know everything is all right," Ned said.
"I'll come with you," Dillon offered. "I'd like to see Grandmother," he added at Ned's slight bemused look.
"Tell Mother that once Emily is settled I'll bring her to see her," Alan asked of Ned.
"Is it wrong to be this happy right now?" Elizabeth pondered with a smile. Though she asked the question of Lucky her eyes were on Nikolas who was hugging Alexis to him.
Lucky's brown eyes left his brother and he looked down Elizabeth. She had already been through so much and now this; he thought fighting back a sigh. If only he could have protected her from it all. It was pointless thought, he knew, but Elizabeth had once been everything to him and now she was his one of his best friends and he'd do anything to protect her. "I don't think so."
She lifted her head and met his look straight on. "But Ric's dead." She voice broke as she said the words. Her future once so bright and certain was dark and unsure now.
"I know you loved him Elizabeth," Lucky said, wanting to handle the situation carefully. "I know you had your future all planned out but we both know that life doesn't always play out the way we want it too. You're sad now, and you need to mourn, but Ric wouldn't want you to be unhappy for the rest of your life." At least Lucky hoped not. Considering what a selfish bastard Ric been most of his life, he wasn't absolutely sure.
"Thanks Lucky," Elizabeth said resting her head on his shoulder.
He saw then how exhausted she was, "Do you want me to take you home?" Lucky offered.
Elizabeth frowned, "I don't know where that is anymore."
"There you are Elizabeth," Audrey said relieved to see her granddaughter. "I'm glad to hear that Emily's surgery went so well," she told Alan and Monica.
"Thank you," they replied.
"You need to rest," Audrey said, turning her attention back to Elizabeth.
"Lucky said he'd take me home but … I don't where that is now Gram," she whispered.
Audrey hugged Elizabeth to her. "You'll stay with me until you figure that out. How does that sound?"
"Right," Elizabeth replied.
~*~
Carly stopped dead in her tracks. Her worse nightmares were standing in front of her. Robin Scorpio and Brenda Barrett she thought sourly. "A fire wasn't enough?" she muttered to herself. "What next? A plague?" Squaring her shoulders Carly made her way down the hallway. She needed to speak with Jason and Little Miss Perfect and Miss Thing weren't going to stop her.
"Carly," Brenda hissed spotting her first. "How not great to see you."
"Same goes," Carly replied in turn. "Robin," she said the other woman's name with such distaste that it had Robin's eyes widening.
Wanting to spare her friend from Carly, Brenda remarked, "If you're looking for my ex I think he went to check on his wife." So intense were their looks of disgust neither noticed the flash of emotion cross Robin's face.
"Ex?" Carly laughed. "That's rich. Jason only married you for me," she reminded the curvy brunette, "Bren-duh."
~*~
"How is Emily?" Courtney asked when Jason entered her cubical. While Jason had been sitting upstairs for almost the two hours she had spent the time fighting the ER doctor from admitting her. That hadn't been so bad. But telling Brian that she was going to reunite with Jason had been.
Courtney wasn't sure why it hurt her to tell a man she didn't really know, a man who had used her that she was going to fight for her marriage. The heart-broken look on Brian's face had touched her though, deep inside her heart, she ached because she hurt him. It didn't make any sense, of course the entire night hadn't made a lick of sense, a fire had raged killing people at random and through it all Courtney could only feel relief that her family and Brian had survived.
"Out of surgery," Jason replied. A weight had been lifted when he heard the news. It was hard to explain the bond he and Emily shared. It seemed to go deeper then brother and sister, beyond friendship, to a level of connection that was pure and simple unconditional love. Emily had always said that he was her safe place and Jason felt the same. They saw each other as they were, accepted and loved each other. Only one other person had really done that – Carly. Jason forced her from his mind and focused on Emily. In many ways Emily's unwavering belief in him help made him who he was, because he wanted to live up to all that trust. It wasn't an expectation forced on him but one he chosen to take on. "The doctor said she should make a full recovery."
"That's good," she smiled reaching out to him. Taking his hand, so strong and rough, but with a gentle touch Courtney looked up expecting to see soft brown eyes. She blinked startled when met Jason's blue eyes.
"Are you ok?" Jason asked concerned. It was his protective instincts kicking in. They always would because Courtney was important to him and Sonny. Jason knew he would always care about her; he wanted the best for her, and for Courtney to be happy.
"Yeah," Courtney nodded, though she felt slightly sick to her stomach. Why had she expected Brian's eyes? She wanted Jason. She loved Jason. It was his touched she longed for, it was the sound of Jason's voice she missed at night, so why was she confusing her husband with the cop that trying to destroy her family?
Feeling unsettled by his train of thought, Jason sat down. He felt that way when things had ended with Robin and Elizabeth, hell even Brenda. He cared, but it wasn't love anymore. I love Courtney, he reminded himself. Strong, passionate, stubborn, beautiful just like … Carly.
They sat silently, holding hands; both trying to figure out how to fix what went wrong.
~*~
Lila always amazed Dillon. Her strength and love never faltered. She never gave up on the people she loved. Ned said she and Emily were two of a kind. The heart of Quartermaine family, and he had to agree. No matter what happened, how many awful things Edward did, Lila stayed by his side loving him. It was something to admire, something to aspire to. Like Lila and Emily, Dillon wanted to be the person who always loved and supported Georgie.
He'd already screwed up, but Dillon knew in his heart that he and Georgie would find their way back to each other. They both had to work towards that goal though which meant he had a hard choice to make about Sage and Alcazar. It wouldn't be so hard if he hadn't befriended Sage. He'd glimpsed past the spoiled façade and seen the real Sage, who happened to be an all right person. Leaving her high and dry without a friend made him feel queasy, and maybe if she wasn't connected to Alcazar he could find away to stay her friend and be with Georgie, but Dillon knew that could never work.
It was Alcazar's world that had for all intensive purposes infected his relationship with Georgie. Dillon knew he had to get out while he still could. It would bring him one step closer to Georgie.
"Come," he heard Alcazar call out after he knocked on his hospital door.
"Hey," Dillon said popping his head in the door. The cocky grin he normally flashed when around Alcazar didn't appear, instead his face stayed serious.
"Dillon," Alcazar nodded. "How's Emily?"
"Ah … fine," he replied surprised by the question.
He was pleased to hear the news. One less thing for Alexis to worry about … his eyes went cold and he noticed Dillon take a step back. Lorenzo hadn't meant to frighten he boy, he actually liked Dillon, well for the most part. Thinking about Alexis Davis, however, was out of the question. "I sent Sage home to rest."
"Good. I mean I'm glad she's all right," Dillon explained. "That wasn't why I came though."
"Really?" Lorenzo asked.
Dillon gulped. "I want to tell you, face to face, that I can't work for you anymore. I can't be Sage's bodyguard."
A slight smile touched Lorenzo's lips. "I hired you to be her companion."
"Right. Well I can't do that either. I can't be around you guys anymore," Dillon stated. He saw anger fire in the older man's eyes. "Ok that didn't come out right. I like Sage. Once you get past her attitude she's a nice person."
"Then what's the problem?"
Dillon shuffled his feet. "I started working for you so I'd have money to stay in Port Charles if my family tried to send me away, but the only reason I wanted to stay was Georgie. I love her," he said with all the passion he felt. The depth of it touched Lorenzo. "But my job, your world," Dillon sighed. "I can't be in it and have Georgie, and I can't live without Georgie so …"
"You have to quit," Lorenzo finished. He wasn't sure if he wanted to respected Dillon for his choice or wallop him because he knew this would hurt his niece.
"I don't want to hurt Sage," Dillon said quietly looking down at the floor. "But I don't see any other way."
His niece was about to learn a hard and painful life lesson and Lorenzo was sorry for it. "I expect you to have this conversation with her as well. And to be as – kind as possible."
"Of course," Dillon said his head shooting up.
"You're not a bad kid Dillon," Lorenzo stated. "Good luck."
~*~
"I don't know how to thank you," Felicia admitted to Mac. "You've done so much for me Mac, been so much to me and the girls. They're so lucky to have you … and I know," she continued so he wouldn't talk, "you'll say you're the lucky one." He nodded and she smiled. "I guess we're all lucky then."
Again he nodded. Mac hated it. Having people talk at him was difficult because he wanted to voice his own thoughts and opinions, or to comfort. Not being able to comfort Maxie hurt him more then any of the wounds he received in the fire.
"The girls were so surprised to see me," she said sadly. "They didn't expect me to come. I can't really blame them can I?" Felicia asked her eyes shimmering with tears.
Mac tightened his hold on her hand. The touch forced her to look into his coppery eyes. After all their years together Mac realized that he and Felicia really didn't need words. She understood what he wanted to say without saying it. With her free hand Felicia wiped her eyes, "You're right," she replied. "You always are."
She had missed that – their connection. It was one of the strongest and most permanent bonds of her life and she had managed to screw it up. She regretted that, then again Felicia had many regrets. Leaving her girls and hurting Mac were at the top of the list though. "I'm back. For good this time," she promised. Felecia saw the skepticism flood Mac's eyes. She couldn't blame him for that. She had lost Mac's trust, along with the girls'. Felicia knew she had to earn it back. It wouldn't be easy but she was determined. She finally knew what she wanted and a little hard work wasn't going to keep her from getting it.
"I know I have a lot to make up for Mac. Believe me," she sighed, "I know. I messed up my life and in the process hurt my girls and you and I'm so sorry. I'm going to do my best to make it up to you all. To prove to that I love you and want to be with you."
Be with you? Mac thought, his heart rate sped up. He cursed the monitors that gave it way. Felicia couldn't mean be together like husband and wife, they were friends. They would always be friends; he thought dejectedly, it was something he learned to accept.
"Mac," Felicia said softly leaning close to him. She wanted to cup his face in her hands but couldn't because of his burns. "I'm in love with you." His eyes widened and he started to shake his head. "I know I haven't done a damn thing to show it. And I've mess up both of our shots but I was hoping you'd give me a third."
Mac continued to shake his head. This isn't real. Not now, not after his injuries.
"I know what you're thinking," Felicia continued. "You think this is because I want to take care of you because you've been hurt. Well you're wrong. I want to take care of you because I love you and I hope one day you'll feel the save way again. I just want to give us another chance … please?"
Emotions flashed in his eyes as a war boiled inside him. For as long as he could remember Mac wanted Felicia and their family. Here she was offering it to him, again, but could he trust her? Looking into her blue eyes he saw fear, hope, concern, but most of all love. Then again emotions had never been their problem, sticking had been. Could he really risk his heart on Felicia again?
Stupid question, how could he not? She was Felicia. His best friend, his partner, the mother of two of his girls … he loved her, would always love her. When he nodded, a huge joyful smiled spread across her face. Haloed by her golden hair she looked heaven sent, like his own personal angel.
~*~
Mayor Charles Wilkins was in a bind. He had a crime to prosecute but no Scott Baldwin or Ric Lansing. As far as Wilkins was concerned the other ADAs were sniveling wannabes who wouldn't be able to handle the Quartermaines. And he had an enormous ax to grind with that family, Edward most of all.
That left him with one option, as desperate as it was, he'd take it. So he tracked her down to General Hospital intent on his mission. "Miss Davis?"
Startled Alexis spun around. "Mister Mayor," she greeted.
"You still interested in being DA?" he asked getting straight to the point.
"DA?" Alexis echoed his words. Her mind kicked into high gear. District Attorney – she could do some good, the PCPD certainly need some help. But then there were the long hours that would keep her away from Kristina. Not to mention that she couldn't act as Nikolas' lawyer anymore and he couldn't exactly afford a new one.
"I'm waiting," Wilkins, said impatient. "This is your first and last chance Miss Davis."
Her eyes flared at the challenge. "I'm in."
Wilkins smiled, not his practiced smile for his endless speeches but a genuine one. "Good. Your first assignment is the fire. The citizens of Port Charles expect the Quartermaines to pay."
"Pay?" Alexis muttered realizing what rash decision she'd just made. "Mister Mayor …"
"Chuck," he corrected her. "I expect you to do a good job Miss Davis. Personal feelings can't blind you."
"Of course but …"
"No buts," Wilkins cut her off. "After you get checked out I expect you down at the scene to oversee the investigation."
"Shouldn't the police department be …"
"With Commissioner Scorpio in the hospital it will have to be your responsibility."
"Well then," Alexis said out of ways to stall. "I'll check on my daughter and get down there then."
"Good," Wilkins nodded, confident now that Edward would get his just desserts.
~*~
She stood outside of Emily's room rubbing her arms. Since there could only be two visitors in at a time Skye appreciated the large plastic window that allowed her to look in and see for herself that Emily was all right.
Luke had left a few minutes ago and Skye wasn't sure if she was relieved or not. Something had happened between them during the fire. Their emotions deepened she supposed. It was foolish, she knew, to have those kind of feelings for Luke Spencer. He was a free spirit. He also happened to still be very much in love with his ex-wife. Been there done that … it was pointless.
Another reflection joined hers in the window. Tall, blonde and blued eyed. "Jax," Skye registered his presence.
"Hi," he smiled, his voice seductive as silk. "How is she?"
"Good now …" she saw his hand reaching for her in the window. Skye studied their reflection. Granted they were dirty from the fire but they still made a hell of a picture. Her fantasy she thought sadly, but she was grateful that she'd been able to let it go.
"I'm sorry," Jax said, "about the other day. I shouldn't have tried to use," he choked out the word, "you."
Skye smiled, "If it weren't for that fire I might hold a grudge. As it is, it's ok. I forgive you."
"Friends then?" he asked hopefully.
"Always," she promised. "And in the spirit of that friendship I want to warn you. Brenda's back in town," Skye said watching Jax's face in the window. She wanted to kill him when he saw that look in his eyes. For Jax it would always be Brenda, like for Luke it would always be Laura. There would never be an always for her she feared. "She's with Edward now."
~*~
Ned and Alan had been hopping back and forth between Edward and Emily's hospital's rooms. It was on their way back to Emily that Reginald found them. He wore a goofy grin and his dark eyes were bright. "Have you been drinking?" Alan asked.
Reginald shook his head. "Mrs. Quartermaine needed something from the house. Of course I went to get it for her but when I got there … well it was just sitting on the front step," he beamed.
"What was?" Ned inquired eyeing Reginald.
"The treasure!" he exclaimed with a clap of his hand. "I never saw all of it but I don't think anything is missing, or if there is, it's not much."
"Thank God," Alan sighed. "We can still save the family," Ned said happily at the same time. "Whatever you do, don't tell my mother," he ordered his uncle. "I'll go see Alcazar and see if he still wants to buy it."
~*~
"Yes Momma. You know I will. No … I'm fine," Carly insisted as Bobbie tried to baby her. It was sweet but what Carly needed was to see Jason. "Look," she said pulling out of her mother's embrace, "I have to check on Courtney."
"All right … I just needed to hold you," Bobbie said wiping her eyes.
"I know," Carly replied squeezing her mother's hand. "I'll be back for more. Believe me." Once they said their goodbyes Carly hurried down the hall. Checking on Courtney wasn't her priority, finding Jason was, she needed to know if what she felt back in the hotel room was one sided or not.
Did Jason feel like she did or was she once again feeling more for him then he could for her? Carly wasn't sure what terrified her more. She had survived not having Jason return her feelings before, so she could do it again. But if he did … the damage it could cause their family was unimaginable.
Coming up on Courtney's cubical she stopped when she spotted Jason with her. Courtney was lying on the bed, bandaged and bruised while Jason held her hand. They weren't looking at each other; they were just there, taking comfort from each other.
What had Jason said? There had always been something in their way. There was more in their way then ever before Carly realized … Sonny, Courtney, the boys, the business … it would never happen for them and it broke her heart.
~*~
"Ashton," Lorenzo acknowledged Ned.
"I'm sorry to bother you," Ned stated. "We, the Quartermaines and Cassadines, wanted to let you know that the treasure has been recovered."
"How fortunate for you and your family," he remarked dryly. He had a number of reasons for wanting the treasure; none of them seemed to matter now, except for allowing Sage to pick a bauble or two before he sold the rest off for a tidy profit.
"I realize that. I'm acting on behalf of both families right now," Ned informed him. "We would like to know if your interest in buying the treasure still stands."
"After a complete inventory, I would be willing to make a fair offer," Lorenzo answered.
"There will be no renegotiation of price," Ned commented.
"Really?" Lorenzo questioned. "And if I refuse?" he challenged.
"I will simply find a new bidder," Ned answered. "I heard that you have an interested party. It shouldn't be to hard to find them."
He did have point. "Nicely played," Lorenzo complimented. "I'll still want the inventory though so I know what I'm purchasing."
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Previews of the next chapter: Lorenzo offers Alexis help when Ned threatens to expose her secret to save his family, Lucky is on the case but his heart is with an ex-flame, Faith interrupts an important conversation between Skye and Luke. Revised: Just editing, cleaning up typos and such.