Chapter 33

Abbey sighed as she rose and rubbed the back of her neck, "I'm going to go see if I can find Luke's number somewhere." At Jed's groan she rolled her eyes, "Oh, suck it up."

"I will as long as I don't have to set eyes on the man," he remarked.

"How is it you two know him anyway?" Leo couldn't help but ask from where he sat on the couch.

"I know him because he was involved with the niece of an associate of mine and John Mayberry's," Jed said pointedly as he looked over the back of the chair and at Abbey.

"He worked in the local county club during one of his attempts at turning legitimate when I was in high school."

"Tell him why the job didn't last long," Jed prodded.

Abbey's reaction to that was to shoot Jed a scathing look, causing Leo to laugh. "Considering some of the stories I've heard about him, I can probably guess."

"Jethro can't get it through his head that the story was blown out of proportion by someone he didn't show an interest in.  I swear I think he was interested in me in the hopes that I'd convince his sister to make something more of herself. Luke just likes to push Jed's buttons about it."

"He had the opportunity to?" Leo asked.

"You probably don't want to know. . ." Jed sighed.

"On a note like that how could I possibly not ask?  When'd he have the opportunity to?"

"How'd I know you'd do that?'

"It was after the Cassidines, during Smith, I think," Abbey sighed.  "He and Laura where on the run and he got sick. Ended up in the ER when I was on duty.  I treated him and we helped him give the mob the slip."

"We?" Leo choked.

"The man was a former mayor and had been awarded for his work with the WSB.  I wasn't aware of the other until Dolores told me," Jed protested.

"Do I want to know how she knew and you didn't?"

"You figure it out, let me know."

"If you two will excuse me, I think I'm going to go and find that number," she sighed as turned on her heel and went in the direction of the bedroom, pausing in the doorway to look over her shoulder.  "Oh, and Jed, why don't you tell Leo about your own romance with the mob," she added with a sweet smirk before walking into the room.

"She was interested in me, I was already involved with someone and she didn't have the connections she does now at the time! And no, I am not calling her for help on this one!" he called after her.  Shaking his head, he looked over to see the look of perplexion on Leo's face.  "Don't you have to get Josh to the hospital and pick Mallory up at the airport?"

"But this sounds so much more interesting. . ."

"She was the girlfriend of a friend of John's. . ."

~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~

Lesley-Lu Spencer sat on the edge of the bed and bopped to the music coming out of her stereo as she painted her toenails, day dreaming about the new guy in school, only to be pulled out of it by the sound of the phone ringing.  "Damn, you think mom would get it," she muttered as she crab walked up her bed to answer the phone.  "Yeah."

On the other end Abbey shook her head slightly, wondering why she'd assume that a member of the Spencer family would have decent phone manners.  "Yes.  Is Luke Spencer there, please."

"Nay.  Try the club."

"The club?"

"Ye-ah.  Luke's.  Big old place down by the docks.  He's probably still there," Lu-Lu said with a roll of her eyes.  "TTYL," she added as she hung up, cursing slightly as she realized she had smeared her toes. . .

Meanwhile on across town, Abbey stared at the phone.  "Guess we're making a detour on the way to the hospital."

~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~

CJ rubbed at her forehead with one hand as she crossed her room, only half listening to Toby.  "Did you hear a word that I just said?" he asked her.

"Honestly?" she shot back as she glared at him over her shoulder.

"Check your messages, I'll find you some Advil," he muttered as he threw his notepad down onto a nearby end table and went into the adjoining bathroom.

"Thanks," she called after him as she sunk onto the bed and picked up the extension.

Less then two minutes later, Toby reentered the room to find her taking down information being relayed over the line. "Here," he frowned as he handed CJ a glass of water and bottle of Advil.  "How long have you been trying to fight it off?"

"It's a tension headache, Toby.  I used to get them on a fairly regular basis," she reminded as she downed a couple of pills and the water.  "Besides, a headache is the least of our worries right now."

"CJ. . ."

"Com'on, Tobus.  What does it say that she went to a mob moll with a record of perjury and attempted murder instead of us?" she couldn't help but ask with a touch of anger in her voice as she put the glass on bottle on the end table next to the phone.

"I don't know," he admitted as he rocked on his heals.  "I've wondered the same thing.  Asked myself how she ended up with friends like that."

"Donna always has. . ." she dropped off as her hands fluttered.

"Yeah," he sighed, knowing exactly what she meant, as he rubbed a hand over his head and into what was left of his hair.  "Messages?"

"Just Concannon," she said with a slight laugh at his expression.  "I'll handle him."

"You shouldn't have to.  Why can't the guy take no for an answer?"

"Jealous?"

"What did he want?" Toby evaded.

Still, chuckling slightly, she answered: "to set up a meeting."

"You want me to take it?"

"Implying I can't handle myself there, Pokey?"

"What and invoke the wraft of the sisterhood? I think not."

"Smart man."

"You gonna call him?"

"That's my second call."

"And your first would be?"

"Get me my phonebook, would you, and then take a hike?"

"CJ. . ."

"Jealous."

"No comment," he deadpanned as he rose to get her phonebook, and tossed it at her as he continued.  "Tell Concannon I want him to gather some research on the players in this."

"He's not new to this," she reminded as she flipped through the phonebook.

"Yeah, well I want to make sure that he understands the stakes in this."

"He does."

"Yeah," he sighed as he rocked on his heals.  "I'm going to go and check my own messages, get in touch with the station.  I'll probably go to WLPC to get some things done.  You're going to the hospital with Josh, right?'

"I'm meeting him there.  He's leaving with Leo in a few minutes.  I have to be there before he goes to meet Mallory at the airport."

"Then I'll let you make those calls and drive you on my way to the station," he told her before turning and heading towards the door that adjoined their rooms.

CJ turned to pick up the phone, and then shifted to look at him, "Toby, you do know that you have nothing to be jealous about, right?'

"I know.  I just love what thinking I am does to your ego," he teased.

Her answer was a muffled: "jackass," as he went into the other room, and she dialed the number she needed. . .

~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~

Alexis looked up from the file she was reading and back to Sonny as he came down the stairs.  "Michael asleep?" she asked.

"Getting there," Sonny replied with a slight smile as he sat down on the couch and watched her working at his desk.

"What's wrong?" she wondered as she watched him over her glasses.

"What isn't?"

"Sonny. . ."

Sighing, he extended his hand to her and she rose to cross the living room and take it.  "This will fall under privilege right?"

"Wondering if you're going to have to marry me if you tell me?" she teased, then at his look frowned slightly.  "That was a joke, Sonny, even if it was a bad one."

"I know that."

"So what's wrong?"

"Carly wants to use some information I have."

"Do I need to ask on who?'

"If you do. . ." he shrugged.

"What do you want to do?"

"Protect Michael. Make sure that when everything backfires we don't lose him."

"There are a lot of things I can say about Carly, but I don't think she'd do anything to endanger Michael.  At least not knowingly."

"She's not thinking straight.  She's out for blood."

"This is one thing that I can't advise you on.  I mean. . . Sonny, if it works. . . you have nothing to worry about.  If it backfires. . ."

"That's what I'm worried about. . ." Sonny admitted as the phone rang.  "I better get that. ." he said out of habit as he rose.  "Corinthos. . .yeah, she's right here. . .who. . ." frowning slightly he turned to Alexis.  "It's for you.  At least I think it is."

"Who is it?"

"Said their name was Cregg."

"Cregg?" Alexis asked confused. 

"A huh. Want me to get rid of them?"

"When you didn't press hold, I don't think so," Alexis laughed as she took the phone.  "Hello?"

"Well, Davis nice to see you remember me!" the voice on the other end chided.

"Claud!" Alexis almost squealed, then sobered. "But are you surprised? I mean, how long has it been since I've heard your voice?" she asked as she leaned against the desk and Sonny walked away, shaking his head as he started to go up the stairs.

"Point taken, Lex.  But, I figured I'd rectify that.  Which I am doing at the moment, I might add.  I'll also do one better.  How about lunch tomorrow?"

"Sorry don't do phone lunches."

"I meant in town, you ditz."

"You're in Port Charles? I don't remember reading that you were giving a lecture here."

"I'm not."

"Then why. . ?"

"I'll explain at lunch."

"So I don't get the story unless we meet for lunch?"

"Since when did you stop doing legal briefs to chase down stories?"

"Maybe I'd hear from one of my best friends more often if I did, Madam Press Secretary."

"I'm not the Press Secretary anymore, Lex.  Now, what about lunch?"

"One o'clock tomorrow at the Port Charles Grill work for you?"

"If you tell me where to find it."

"You staying at the Port Charles Hotel?'

"I wasn't aware that there was any other place to stay in this town."

Alexis laughed at that, "it's the restaurant in the lobby."

"Then I'll see you then."

~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~

Josh tapped the card in his hand against the edge of the table trying to figure a way out of this, but he couldn't.  Truth be told, he knew he really didn't have a choice.  And things could be a hell of a lot worse.  He did know Dr. Baldwin at least. He wouldn't have to go into too many details about the causes of his neuroses.  Of the fire that had killed Joanie.  Of the shooting that almost killed him.  And maybe, just maybe he wouldn't have to voice what Donna meant to him; she'd know him well enough to sense it herself, or had heard about it from his mother. . .

~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~

The Baldwin house was filled with laughter as Christina performed her dance routine for her grandparents, sisters, and one of her handful of fathers.  On the couch Scott bounced Danny Thornhart on his knees as he gave hints to Christina on her dancing, earning a smack on his arm from his oldest daughter, Karen. Serena rolled her eyes, as she showed Christina the proper way to do the step, although the younger girl thought her way was better--- thank you very much. 

Meanwhile, Gail rose to her feet to go into the kitchen to get some snacks, and Lee stood to help.  "This certainly is going well," he mused to his wife.

"Yes.  Let's just hope that no calls come in," she started as the phone rang. "Guess I spoke to soon.  Can

you get that?"

"Yeah.  They're brutal when they're hungry," he joked as he picked up the nearby portable.  "Baldwin residence. . ."

On the other end of the line, Josh took a deep breath, "Um… is Doctor Baldwin there please?" he asked hesitantly.

"I'm sorry, she's not on call tonight," Lee started as he entered the kitchen with the portable, and shrugging at his wife's raised eyebrow.

"I see. . . I just. . ." Josh sighed as he ran a hand through his hair, trying to get the words together to make his point so he wouldn't have to make this call again.  "Mr. Baldwin, I don't know if you'll remember me.  My name's Josh Lyman. . ."

Lee's eyes widened in surprise for a moment as a smile crossed his face.  "Of course I remember you, Josh--- and how many times have I told you its Lee, over the years? Although I must say I'm a bit surprised to be hearing from you.  We haven't heard from you since. . ." he dropped off, not wanting to bring up painful memories.

"Since Dad's funeral.  I know," Josh admitted a bit sheepishly.  "Although, in my defense, I have spoken to Scott a couple of times since then."

"Never mind, what is it we can do for you?"

"I. . . I don't mean any disrespect, but I really do need to discuss this with Dr. Baldwin."

Lee frowned at that, "I'll get her," was all he said as he crossed the kitchen to the small island that his wife was working at.  "It's Josh Lyman. He wants to talk to you."

Perplexed, Gail took the phone from him as she pushed the tray towards him, "bring this out before the natives get restless," she said as she put the phone to her ear.  "Josh, is everything ok?"

"That depends on your definition of OK," he admitted.  "I. . .umm. . . I'm sorry to bother you, but everyone thinks that I need to talk to someone.  Leo gave me the number. . ."

"It's fine dear.  You know that we consider you one of the family, even if you don't take advantage of that most of the time.  Is it your mom?"

"No. No.  Mom's fine.  It's. . . my assistant. . . well technically former assistant. . .anyway, she was hurt. . . she's in the hospital. . . and well, apparently no one thinks I'm going to be able to handle it well.  Not that I haven't proven them right."

"What do you mean by that?"

"I had a panic attack at the hospital this afternoon.  I'm pretty sure it was just because I didn't take my medication.  Then again, it's not like I have to take it all the time.  I can go quite a length of time without having to.  I guess I just didn't want to admit I needed it."

"Since you've taken it?"

"Been really snippy.  Even made a few comments I shouldn't have to Dr. Bartlett and Leo.  I know they're worried about me, I just. . ."

"Wish they didn't have to be?"

"Yeah."

"Well, then. . . what do you think I can do for you?"

"Like I said, they think I need someone to talk to."

"What do you think?"

"It couldn't hurt, right?

"It certainly couldn't hurt.  Do you want to set up a specific appointment, or would you prefer that I just have my secretary squeeze you in when you need to talk?"

"I think the second."

"That's what I figured.  Now, I do have one question.  What exactly do you take the medication for?"

"Post Traumatic Stress Disorder."

"Oh, Joshua," Gail sighed, unsure what to say to that.

"Hey," he protested the sympathy he heard in her voice.  "I was diagnosed the Christmas after. . . and well. . .Till now I thought I was doing pretty well."

"I need to ask.  The attack, was it a flashback?'

"Not the way I've had them in the past.  I could taste the adrenalin.  Couldn't get my breathing back under control. . . but I was there.  I knew where I was.  That I was in a hospital in Port Charles and not GW. I knew I wasn't back there on that ground.  That I wasn't there for me, but for Donna. I just. . . I couldn't keep it together. I tried. I knew I had to for Donna. . . but. . ."

"Considering the amount of time you spent in the hospital after the shooting, it's not unreasonable that you would have some sort of reaction to having to be in one, especially with someone you care about being a patient. How serious is her condition?"

"She's critical."

"I see. . .I'll make sure I leave instructions for you to be squeezed in.  I also expect you to call at any time you need to."

"Thanks Dr. Baldwin."

"Gail, Joshua.  I've been telling you for years to call me Gail."

"And you expect me to suddenly start listening now?"

Gail couldn't help but laugh at that, "I'll expect to see you soon."

~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~

Sonny stared out the window of the darkened, vacant room as he sipped from his glass.  Closing his eyes, he inhaled deeply, trying to rein in his emotions only to snap them open again.  Ever since he'd heard about what had happened to Donna Moss his mind would take the opportunity to jump back in time.  To relive finding Carly at the bottom of the same stairs, knowing they wouldn't  be able to save the baby.  Telling her they hadn't been able to. . .

Shaking his head to clear his thoughts he turned and stared around the room, mentally seeing at is should be--- decorated for a three year old, with him sound asleep. . .

AJ kept that from happening.

AJ killed his son before he even had had a chanced at life.

For that he should've killed him.

And now, AJ had added another victim to his list, and he had a decision to make.  When AJ got around the charge again, there was no doubt that Carly would go after him.  He knew the ammunition she's want to use when he did—the evidence about the arson.

It could work.

It could also backfire.  And if it did, they'd have no ammunition against AJ when it came to custody of Michael.  In fact that information showing up now would only add credence to AJ's claims of coercion, and them losing Michael.

He wouldn't let that happen.

Walking towards the door, he made a mental resolution to not give up that information.  In his book Michael was more important than Jax's assistant.  The information would have to be hidden, because he didn't trust Carly not to try to get it on her own.  Besides, there were other ways for him to make AJ pay, and eventually he's see to it that he did.

~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~

Alan stepped out of AJ's bedroom with a frown.  "Well?" Skye asked expectantly as se slumped tiredly against the wall.

"Jason was right.  Concussion, and it's probably going to be one hell of a hangover," he sighed.

"Good, then I won't be the only one with a headache because of all this," she said sarcastically. 

"Skye. . ."

"I'm sorry, alright? It's just you'd think he would've stayed sober for at least 24 hours after almost killing someone."

"He's sick.  You know that."

"In more ways than one," she muttered.

"What's that supposed to mean?"

"He wasn't exactly coherent when we found him."

"I'm not surprised considering the amount of alcohol he must have ingested."

"It's more than that.  He kept talking about how he should've known better.  How it couldn't have been, and he acted like Jason and I should have known about whom he was talking about."

"Who was it?'

"Someone named Dawn."

"Dawn?!?!" Alan asked, surprised since no one in the family talked about her.

"Yeah.  Why? Who was this Dawn anyway?"

"DON'T YOU EVER TALK ABOUT HER!" Monica yelled as she launched herself from the landing and into Skye's face.  "YOU AREN'T FIT TO SPEAK HER NAME!"

"Monica," Alan chided as she stepped behind her and pulled her away from his stunned daughter, his hands remaining on her shoulders in the hopes of calming her.

"Don't you DARE patronize me, Alan.  She's trying to gain information to destroy this family.  I won't let her use Dawn's memory to do that."

"She wasn't doing that."

"Don't you defend THAT! She's one of the reasons our son's in the position he's in now."

"Oh, right," Skye started with a roll of her eyes.  "I telepathically ordered him to push Donna down the stairs and then poured down the stairs and then poured a couple of bottles of vodka down his throat.  I mean, I don't have anything better to do.  No company to run. No nephew rejecting his liver.  Just needed a mess to clean up!" she threw up her hands in mock surrender.  "I'm going to see if I can find a meeting or something," she added as she pushed past Monica and headed down the stairs.

"That is exactly what I'm talking about Alan," the blonde commented.

Alan shook his head, "why is it your illegitimate daughter walked on water when she came into this family but mine can never do anything right?"

"There's no comparison! How can you even. . ."

"You're right.  There isn't.  I accepted your daughter.  Embraced her as a part of this family, but you have never given Skye even the benefit of the doubt. And no matter how bad my daughter's choices in men have been they haven't gotten her killed."

"How dare you!"

"Tell me something, Monica.  Do you wonder what would've happened if you and Ned had never discussed your affair that day.  Your precious daughter's wedding day.  Wonder if she'd still be alive, because we know she probably wouldn't have been with Decker if she hadn't."

"You have no right. . ." Monica said through tears.  "I loved my daughter."

"And I love mine.  Don't forget it.  Because you, me, Father--- we're the ones to blame.  Not Skye.  She's another victim in the games this family plays.  The only thing that saves her is that she has had to take responsibility for some of her actions. Maybe it's time AJ did too. . ." he sighed as he turned and walked down the hall, ignoring the tears streaming down her face.

"No, they're going to pay for what they did to this family.  I'll see to it.  They're not getting away with it," Monica whispered as she wiped at her tears and stiffened her spine.  "The Moss's are the ones who are going to pay for the pain they caused this family, once and for all. . ."