Chapter 41

Tony stood at the nurse's station, making a notation on Donna's chart, as Abbey came up behind him.  "Dr. Jones, a moment, please," she said softly, causing him to turn towards her with a scowl on his face.

"Why? You really need my opinion on something?" he asked.

Abbey sighed at that, "Just so you know.  I doubt Josh knew about your problems.  He can be a jackass, but not vindictive to those who haven't earned it."

"And just who would qualify for that distinction?" Tony asked as he turned back to his files, "Let me know.  At least I'd be forewarned about something then."

"Meaning?"

"You sandbagged me twice today.  I don't appreciate it."

"Did I now?"

Tony laughed slightly at that, "Oh, you're good.  The act might work in DC, on those fancy hospitals and schools you work at, but not with me.  You knew I wasn't aware of who your apparently good friend McGarry asked to consult."

"I wanted an honest answer and not supposition as to why Don. . ." Abbey started, but quickly corrected herself.  "Why Ms. Moss wasn't getting the care she apparently needed.  To see where others priorities were."

"Well, unlike you, we have other patients in this hospital."

"True."

"But you still think I failed your test because I assumed your case was more critical than hers, even if they were one in the same," he concluded as he watched her out of the corner of his eye.

"It wasn't exactly a test," she defended as she moved to stand next to him.

"Right," he sighed as he shut the top file, "and yet, you still set me up in there.  You already knew whatever his and her names are, and knew they'd deferred to you."

"And you think that because of that, I don't trust your medical expertise?" she questioned.  At Tony's slight tensing, Abbey only nodded.  "So now, I'm the one to see.  Look, Dr. Jones, we had a difference of opinion on the options in this case.  I'd try reminding you that Drs. Lambert and Ramsey also expressed concerns.  I was asked for my opinion in there and I gave it.  I can't help that it was in contrast to yours or that they followed up on mine," she finished before turning and walking away.  After only a few steps, she paused and turned towards him: "oh Dr. Jones, for the record, I happen to have held you in high regard professionally.  If you ever go back over old appointment books, you'll find that my husband had had one with you a few years ago. And for your information, I don't let him make appointments with just any doctor," she informed before walking back to Donna's room. . .

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Luke walked into the darkened house, and sighed as he heard the pounding beat of Lu-Lu's music.  "Never a dull moment," he muttered as he shrugged out of his leather jacket and put it over the newel post at the bottom of the stairs, before taking them two at a time.  As stealthily as possible he moved down the hall and towards the bedroom he shared with his wife. Slowly he slid the door open and went to slip in.

"How was your night?" Laura asked from the bed as she rubbed lotion into her hands.

"Good," he answered, a bit surprised.  "I, umm, thought you'd be asleep by now."

"With the band next door?" she shot back with a slight laugh.  "So, what's this about a visit from Abbey Bartlett?"

"You know, Rizzo," he shrugged as he crossed the room and leaned over the side of the bed to kiss her affectionately.

"Not as well as you," Laura sighed.  "And don't you think the fact that she was, I don't know, the First Lady, denotes a bit more respect?"

Luke laughed at that as he sat on the edge of the bed, "Darlin' you know I only give monikers to those I truly love."

"So, you've been hiding a secret yen for Taggart?"

"Perish the thought woman!"

"Did paint an interesting picture.  So, what did Abbey want?"

"To call in that favor we owe her."

"Really? How so?"

"Now, Angel. . ."

"Now, Luke.  You did say that it was a favor we owe her."

Luke rolled his eyes as he reached into his pocket and pulled out a cigar.  "Not exactly sure what's up.  About all she told me was she wanted information and to keep her name out of it.  Hence the resurgence of my calling her 'Rizzo.'"

"What does she want information on that she can't call in favors elsewhere?"

"AJ Quartermain."

"And you're surprised after what happened last night?"

"What happened last night?" Luke parroted on a frown as he crooked his head to the side and looked at her.  "The only thing involving AJ from last night involved the Green girl."

"Moss," she corrected.

"Same difference," he shrugged as he chewed on the end of his cigar. "Still don't see how it involves Rizzo.  She said that the person had worked for her and Former President Egg-head," he continued, pausing on his words as he looked over at her.  "Nah. . ."

"Uh huh."

"Legs worked for them?"

"Actually she worked for Josh Lyman."

"Who?"

"His Deputy Chief of Staff," Laura prodded, then at Luke's lost look, "the guy who got shot?"

"Ohh, right," he answered distractedly as he took the cigar out of his mouth and looked at it. "How do you know all this?"

"Because I met her at that hospital after the shooting."

"You did?" Luke asked confused as he brought the cigar back up and froze, "wait a minute why were you at the hospital? And why didn't you say anything before?"

"Because, I didn't think that Donna remembered me.  She was pretty torn up about Josh." she shrugged

"You sound like you know the guy."

"I do."

"You know the former White House whatever."

"Deputy Chief of Staff. And I'll remind you that you know the former First Lady."

"Yeah, but. . . how the hell do you get mixed up with the likes of a politician?"

"Well, Mr. Former Mayor of Port Charles," Laura teased, "He was a friend of Scott's."

"And there's a glowing character reference!"

"Luke. . ."

"Yeah, sure, I'll lay off of Baldwin for the time being," he muttered, then laughed.  "She really worked for them huh?"

"You find that funny?"

"No, just picturing Eddie Q and company's reaction when they find out," he replied as he stood up and stretched.  "Well, I guess I'll go and help get that show on the road."

"Alone, or are you going to ask Felicia to help with your. . . research?" Laura asked sweetly as he bent to kiss her, noting how he froze slightly at her words.

"Nah," Luke shrugged as he place a light kiss on her cheek and straightened, "I. . . umm. ..  think I'll handle this on my own.  Easier to keep Rizzo's name out of it that way.  See you in the morning?"

"Yeah.  That sounds good," Laura sighed with a forced smile as she watched him walk towards the door.  "Luke," she called as he reached it and took hold of the doorknob.

"Yeah, Angel?"

"Ask Lu to turn down her music will you?" she asked as she turned and reached across his empty space on the bed to turn out the light.

"Sure thing," he answered softly as he flicked off the main light and went into the hall, casting one more glance at his wife before he did.

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Jason brought his motorcycle to a stop on the edge of a familiar road.  Without really thinking about it, he took off his helmet and got off the bed, walking the familiar path and breathing in the fresh air trying to clear his mind.  But right then it wasn't working.  Instead all he had running through it were complaints, accusations, and questions.  One was foremost in his mind. 

Slowing his steps he came to a stop and stared up at the stars, knowing that at one person he had known had thought it was that easy to find the answers.  Inhaling deeply he closed his eyes, not wanting to drown in memories.  He was, after all, a man who didn't need them, wasn't he? But then again, if that was the case why was he allowing himself to let someone try to make him into the man he had been when he had had more memories.  Memories of Jason Quartermain's life.  And if he had them, he couldn't help but wonder if AJ's comment about someone named Dawn would have made more sense.  "Damn it, you're acting like an idiot.  If you want answers, get them," he muttered to himself as he unbuttoned the chest pocket of his leather jacket and reached in too take out his cell phone and dial a number he shouldn't even have from memory.

"Hello?" the feminine voice on the other end answered, causing him to have second thoughts.  "Hello?. . . Look, I can hear you breathing.  Who is this?"

"Don't hang up.  It's Jason," he said quickly.  "And I know I don't have a right to be calling you, but I didn't know who else to call.  I need an answer to a question."

The woman on the other end of the phone huffed slightly: "and what great mystery can I solve for you that no one else can?"

"Who's Dawn?"

"Excuse me?"

"You heard me.  Who's Dawn?"

"Dawn who?"

"If I knew, you'd think I'd be calling you to find out?"

"I'm think I'm going to hang up after all."

"Robin, I'm sorry.  Please.  I don't know. . . There's stuff going on here and I. . .AJ was muttering something about someone named Dawn and seemed upset that I didn't know who he was talking about. . ." he said in a rush.  "I mean, I'm used to that, but. . . this just seemed important."

"Oh, Jason. . ." Robin sighed.

"So, umm. . . who is she? Is she important?"

Robin swallowed back tears as she thought of all the things that Jason didn't know about the man he once was and the life he lead--- the people he once loved--- on the other side of the world: "Yeah, Jason.  She was."

"Was? So I take it she's dead?"

"Yeah.  For years, even before my parents.. . . I'm sorry, I can't tell you the exact length of time."

"I supposed it didn't matter after all then."

"I wouldn't say that."

"What do you mean? Who was she?"

"Dawn was your sister.  Monica's daughter."

"What happened to her?"

"It's not a story for over the phone," Robin said softly.  "And I never had all the details."

"What would it take for you to tell me the ones you do know?"

"Jason. . ."

"Please, Robin.  I can't help but think that it's an important piece to this puzzle I'm trying to figure out."

"I'm not coming to Port Charles."

"Then I'll come to you."

"Then I'll tell you what I remember.  I'll even call my mom and see what she remembers about the case."

"Thanks, I appreciate it."

"Yeah, well I was always the one who filled in the missing pieces, wasn't I?" she asked him sadly.

"Yeah, you did.  Yet you accepted me for. . . well, me," Jason answered, not realizing the impact of his words till he heard himself say them.  "Anyway, I'll call and let you know when I'm getting in," he added in way of goodbye, before putting his cell phone back into his pocket and recrossing the bridge he had been standing on, passing, but not noticing, a blonde woman dressed in white who was sitting on the railing watching him as he did, hoping that someone would be moving in the right direction before she dematerialized to move onto her next duty. . .