Chapter 19

Stefan looked up slightly at the sound of the knock on his door and distractedly called for the person to enter before returning his attention to the budget for the coming fiscal year, only to sigh at a pointed cough. "What is it?" he started only to stop and rise at realization of who was standing before his desk dawned on him. "Dr. Bartlett."
he said simply as he rose and offered her his hand.


"Mr. Cassidine," Abbey replied as she accepted the hand he offered, amused that he didn't feel the need to sputter out apologies as so many others did.

"I'm afraid I wasn't expecting you quite so soon or I would have met you upon your arrival," he said smoothly as he indicated a seat for her to take and sat back down in his own.

"My head of security prefers the element of surprise," she replied arily as she crossed her legs and hands before leaning slightly forward. "I assume I will have the privileges we discussed on the phone."

"I'm just waiting for my sister to finish the paperwork. In the meantime, would you care for a tour?"

Abbey fought the urge to roll her eyes at that, she had been on more tours of hospitals in the last five years than she'd care to remember. "I'd prefer to check on my patient."

Stefan's eyes narrowed slightly as he rose, "Very well then," he said as he rounded the desk and extended a hand to help her rise. "Although I must admit that I'm a bit surprised by your involvement in this case?"

"And why's that?"

"Just that Ms. Moss didn't seem to be someone a doctor of your caliber would take an interest in treating."

"Is that supposed to mean that only 'important' people should have good medical care?"

"I didn't mean for it to sound the way it did."

"I'm sure you didn't," Abbey sighed as they started out of the office. "In any case I have taken in interest in Ms. Moss's case, and will be involved in her treatment for the foreseeable future. People will just have to deal with it."

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V. chewed the end of her pen as she reviewed the notes she had taken, her foot tapping as she tried to find the missing link. At the sound of the door opening she looked up to see Jax entering. "I thought you'd still be at the hospital," she said as she put the pen on top of the notes.

"I got sent on a food run," he shrugged.

"Oh. Any word?"

"Not yet. Apparently the labs are backed up and the scans are all booked."

"You mean they still haven't run any tests?"

Jax only shrugged, "they'll get done."

"And the possibilities the delays bring with them?"

"Tony saids she's stable."

"And he knows this without running those tests? They were supposed to bring her down for a CAT scan and MRI before I left. That was over two  hours ago!"

"V. it's not as bad as it sounds."

"You really believe that?"

"I have to," Jax sighed as he stuffed his hands into his pockets. "Come get the food with me?" he asked as a timer on her desk went off.

"I can't," she sighed a she reached for the jacket that was draped over the back of her chair.

"V. . ."

"I promised I'd pick someone up at the airport. I'll be by the hospital later," she said as she shrugged into the jacket and picked up her notes, as well as a couple of files.

"V. someone else can do it."

"I promised Leo," she shrugged, then added as she noticed Jax's frown. "What?"

"I don't trust him."

"Jax. . ."

"He's arrogant, abrasive, and wants to take over things he knows nothing about!"

"Pot meet kettle," V. teased then added more seriously, "Jax, he's known Donna for years."

"Yeah? So where has he been?"

"If he knew she needed him he would've been here."

"You can't be that naive."

"You can't be this. . .UGH!" she started, throwing her hands up in disgust. "I have to get to the airport."

"You have no idea what he might do. Who's side he's on," Jax muttered.

"Funny, I thought we were all on the same side. Donna's."

"V. . ."

"And you're the one who has no idea, Jax, none at all," she shot back as she hurried pass and out the door.

Jax stared after her, a frown on his face as he tiredly shook his head, wondering when V. became one of the people he couldn't trust.

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AJ looked at the phone, torn over what to do. He needed to talk to someone who'd understand. There was only one person who might. With slight trepidation he reached for the phone and dialed the number, relieved when it was answered on the second ring. "Skye, it's me. . . I need your help. . . No. . .I. . .I. . . Skye, I did it again. I did it again," he said as he broke down into tears and sank to the floor, hoping she'd come and fix it. She had to.

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Monica walked up to Bobbie and tapped her shoulder, her displeasure in the other woman palpable. "We need to talk."

Bobbie swallowed hard as she nodded and put aside the file she was working on to follow the other woman to a nearby vacant waiting area. "I thought I told you to get rid of the MPA!" Monica hissed.

"I did."

"Really? Then why is there one sitting her file?"

"The lawyer faxed another one."

"And you couldn't make sure it got misplaced too? After all isn't that one of your specialties?"

"He faxed it to Tony's office."

"Fine. Just make sure the test schedule doesn't include her or the labs get lost. You know what will happen if you don't!"

"Yeah, I know. I know."

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Danny Concannon looked around the crowded restaurant finding his prey and quickly crossing the distance to her table. "Thanks for meeting me."

"I'm not giving your sorry ass any information on any pending cases so don't even ask," she said as he slid into the booth across from her.

"Think that's the only reason I'd ask you for lunch?"

"Considering we stopped dating six months ago?"

"How is the new boyfriend?" Danny asked with a mischievous glint in his eyes.

"I don't think so."

"Think what?"

"What are you up to?"

"Who saids. . ."

"Concannon, you're up to something. You only call when you need a source at the Bureau. Plus you're asking about Frisco. What are you after?"

"I'm not working on a story concerning the WSB or your love interest Sam."

"But you're working on something."

"I want to know if you know of a place other than the Port Charles Hotel for me to stay while I'm there."

"Why are you going to Port Charles?"

"Looking in on an old friend."

"Ah huh."

"Really, I'll be catching up with some people I know and working on a possible article."

"You're impossible, you know that, right?" she sighed on a laugh.

"That's what you loved about me."

"That's debatable."

"Come on, you know a place or not?"

"What's wrong with the Port Charles Hotel anyway."

"At the prices they charge? Come on, Sam, I'm staying there indefinitely. I don't feel like emptying out my savings if I can help it."

"Kellys."

"What?"

"And they pay you for your way with words?"

"Actually, it's my way with the pen," Danny replied with a grin.

"You so wish!" Sam laughed. "And Kelly's is a restaurant and rooming house that's owned by Frisco's former sister-in-law. It's on the Docks. Ask any one and they can give you specific directions."

"You're a real life saver, you know that?"

"You so owe me, you know that?"

"I'll let you leak me a story."

"And that would help me how?"

"Just a thought."

"Don't worry, I'll figure something out. In the meantime you can buy me lunch."

"Oh really?"

"Just think of all the money I'm saving you."

"Honey, I've seen you eat. I'm not so sure it's worth it!"