If Tomorrow Never Comes

Chapter 5

Emily stepped away from Juan glaring at him angrily. "Excuse me? I thought you said you were behind me all the way. That you stood beside me. That you would help Zander."

"I did."

"Oh, so you didn't mean it I take it."

Juan stared at her as if she'd grown a second head. "What the hell are you talking about?"

"That's what I want to know. You get all angry that I asked Carly for help. Why? Cause you don't want anyone to help Zander?"

"Have you gone nuts? Em, if Sonny finds out she's helping out Zander, he'll kill her then he'll kill us. Oh god, if he finds we're involved he'll kill me. If something happens to Carly, he'll kill Zander. Do you see where I'm going with this?" Juan looked at her, fear on his face. She couldn't help the giggle that escaped. "What's so funny? You think it's funny?" he asked, dismayed.

"I'm sorry," she began, hiding her mouth behind her hand as another giggle escaped. "But you're worried about Zander."

"Well, you like the guy so I got to think they're something about him worth liking. Plus, he didn't hurt you while he held you hostage so that makes a him worth saving at the least."

"At the least," she smiled at him, taking his hand. "Listen, Carly said she'd help, okay? She made me promise something in exchange but."

"What?"

"She asked me not to go see Zander. It's too dangerous."

"It's a good idea. Did you listen?"

"Yes."

"Are you going to continue listening?"

"Of course," she ignored the snort of disbelief he gave, "Carly is being great. I never knew how much she cares about helping people out."

"Trust me. I know that."

"What's that mean?"

Juan shook his head not wanting to talk to anyone about Carly right now. "I'll tell you some other time. If she needs my help, tell her all she has to do is ask." Emily nodded at him and he kissed her cheek quickly as he walked to the door. When he reached it he turned to look back at her. "Hey, Em?"

"Yeah?"

"Say hi to Zander for me." Juan laughed as he opened the door.

Emily stared at the spot he'd been standing at then laughed out loud. I guess I am that readable, she thought as she headed toward the docks.

"What?"

"I said Mike is back. He got here yesterday."

"Did you tell Sonny?"

Carly looked over to Johnny who was walking beside her. They dodged a bicyclist as they rounded the corner. "Not exactly."

"Meaning no."

"I will tell him. I will" she insisted when she caught Johnny's glare of disbelief. "Johnny, I learned my lesson about keeping secrets from Sonny."

"I should hope so."

"Shut up."

"Hey, sister. I was the one who had the porcelain god duties last time remember so I can complain as much as I want." He stopped short when he realized where they were. "Oh no." He reached over and grabbed her arm dragging her back the way they came.

Carly struggled to get her arm out of Johnny viselike grip. "Come on, Johnny. This is where he's staying. I need to check on him. He was bad."

"I don't care if he's dying. You are not going into Sorel's territory while I'm on shift. No way. No how. Ouch!" He pulled his hand away looking at the nail bites on it. "Hey."

"Johnny, you don't mean that. You know that Sonny would want us to make sure that Mike was okay."

"No. Sonny would want us to make sure we stay alive and me, being his employee and you, being his wife, walking into Sorel's territory will not be helping us keep it that way."

Carly sent him her best little girl face. "No. That's not going to work."

She played with his scarf and pouted her lip. "Please."

"No."

"Come on."

Damn. He hated when she said that. "Come on, Johnny."

He threw his hands in the air. "Fine. But if I get killed I get to haunt you until the day you die. Deal?" He stuck his hand out. She smiled and shook it. "Deal."

They started walking toward Cortland Street and Johnny followed Carly. He realized she'd been there before and bit back a groan. When the Boss found out. She stopped suddenly causing him to bump into her. "Sorry." He looked up at the sign. "Port Charles Motel. He's living here?" Jesus, he knew how bad this place was.

She sighed, "I know."

"Well, might as well just go on in. Ladies first."

"Why. Thank you."

They went up a staircase and Johnny followed Carly as she turned into a dimly lit hallway. Walking to the end of the hall, she knocked on the last door to the left. "Mike. It's Carly."

They waited for an eternity. When she was about to knock again and the door opened an inch. The latch hadn't been locked. They looked at each other than opening the door cautiously they walked into the room. Everything seemed normal. The room was dark and Johnny walked in searching for the light. Finding the switch he turned flipped it on. He heard Carly gasp and turned to see Mike's unconscious body. She ran over to him as Johnny went into the bathroom in search of a first aid kit. She heard Mike groan and watched as he opened his eyes trying to regain some mental stability. He looked around the room his eyes falling on her finally. "Carly?"

"Yeah. Mike, what happened?" she asked as she pulled him up to a sitting position.

Johnny walked back into the room a kit in his hands. He reached down to help Mike to his feet. "Hey."

"Hi Johnny. I don't know, " he said in answer to Carly's question.

"Well, did someone knock you out or something?" Johnny asked as he helped Mike to a seat.

"No. Nothing like that. I was heading out to get some milk and bread. I got to the door, realized I didn't have my keys so I came back in. I got dizzy, then it went black and you guys were here."

Carly looked over at Johnny worriedly. "Have you eaten today? Maybe that's it."

Mike smiled sadly, patting her hand. "You're probably right."

Carly walked into Mike's small kitchen. She opened cupboards, looking to see if she found anything edible. She found nothing. The small fridge was also empty. "Jesus, Mike."

Mike looked to the floor ashamed of himself and his life. Johnny patted him softly on the shoulder knowing what Mike was thinking. He cleared his throat loudly. "Why don't I get some groceries?" Carly nodded at him smiling gratefully. She watched as he walked out of the small room closing the door behind him. She walked over to Mike quietly. Bending down, she looked him in the eye. "Why didn't you say it was this bad?"

He shrugged not able to meet her yes. "What man wants to admit he can't provide for himself?"

Carly was about to speak when there was a loud knock. She knew it wasn't Johnny. He was fast but that was ridiculous. "Open up! I know you're in there. You haven't paid your rent, Mr. Corbin! I want you out!" Carly shook her head, heading toward the door, picking her purse up on the way.

"Who the hell are you?"

"Mr. Corbin's daughter-"

"Oh please."

"-in-law. Is there a problem, Mr?

"Richards. Hell yes there's a problem. That bum in there owes me back rent. Big time. Get out you son of a-"

"Mr. Richards. I suggest you refrain from insulting my family any further. Now, how much does he owe you?"

"What you going to cover it, little chit."

Carly glared at the ass in front of her. "Okay, you listen good. My husband is Sonny Corinthos and that's he's father. One more insult, word, hell one sneeze from you and I'll make sure you end up at the bottom of the river." She could almost hear Sonny laughing. " Now," she took out $400 dollars from her purse. "This should cover the back rent and the next couple of weeks. Is your office downstairs?" He nodded. "Good. On my way out I'll stop by to make arrangements to pay the rent until a time my father in law can do so on his own. If you'll so kindly leave now." She shut the door in his face not waiting for any response.

She walked back into the room meeting Mike's awed stare. "What?"

"Why did you do that?"

"Because no matter what you're family Mike."

He nodded turning to look out the window. "I never got that. The family. I loved Adella but not enough. Never enough." Carly sat next to him her hand on his knee not saying anything just waiting. "Sometimes I sit here trying not to think. When I think she's the first thing that pops into my head. Her face, her voice, the way she smiled, how her hair felt." He raised his head to stare into the empty room. "I loved her the moment we saw each other. It was this little dance hall. It was crowded but all I saw was her face. She said no when I asked her to dance but I pursued and to get me to shut up she agreed. God, she was a hell of a dancer." He shivered even though the room was more than comfortable. " I hate the quiet," he whispered.

Carly closed her eyes as the tears fell. She held his hand. She heard the door open and close. Distinctly heard Johnny but he walked right by them quietly putting the food away. After a long while Mike got up. He kissed her cheek and hugged her tightly." I think I need some sleep. Okay?"

"Alright. We'll leave but I'll be back in a couple of hours." Mike just nodded heading off in the direction of his bed. She grabbed Johnny's arm, walking out of the room. She leaned back against the closed door. "Jesus, He's bad, Carly." She heard Johnny move to lean against the opposite wall. "What the hell do we do?"

An idea popped into her head. She sat up straight and brought her hand to her lips. Johnny saw the look on her face. Ah no."Do I want to know?"

She looked over at him smiling as she offered her hand for support. He took it cautiously looking at her suspiciously.

"I got a plan."

"Oh hell."