Chapter 44
Meanwhile
Abbey stood at the nurse's desk finishing up the paper work she needed to on Donna before she left for the night, the hairs on the back of her neck prickling at the sensation of being watched by someone other than her detail. Perturbed, she turned towards the waiting area and bit her lip to fight back a groan at recognition of the person coming towards her, "great, just what I need right now," she muttered under her breath as she turned her attention back to the paperwork, her signature scrawling across the bottom as the sound of footsteps stopped right next to her. . .
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Carly stepped out of the ladies room where she had hid her purse earlier that evening, and started towards Donna's room, figuring that if CJ was gone she might be able to get a few more minutes with her friend and gather more information. As she came to the doorway and looked in, she frowned, to see Josh talking to Chris, the couple of sentences she caught causing her to smile slightly: "so I was right. He wasn't the one and he's in love with her. Maybe, these people are on the up and up," she muttered as she turned, then froze as she caught sight of the 'good' doctor Abbey Bartlett and the man she was hugging: "then again maybe not."
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"Abbey?" Alan asked, causing the former First Lady to look up as she closed Donna's chart and handed it to Melissa, "I thought it was you. What on earth are you doing here?" he continued as he caught her in a quick hug.
Tensing slightly, Abbey pulled back, "consulting on a case."
"Really? I hadn't heard anything. . ." Alan admitted with a confused look.
"Not my usual sort. Leo McGarry asked me to come on as a favor to him."
"The name sounds familiar but. . ." he frowned.
"Old friend of Jed's," Abbey filled in quickly. "Speaking of which, I do need to get back to the hotel and make sure he hasn't gotten himself into too much trouble. . ." she started as Alan's name was called.
"You want to tell me what that iwoman/i is still doing in our hospital?" Monica asked as she stormed over to her husband, ignoring the woman with him.
"Monica. . ." he started in a soothing voice.
"No, I mean it. She doesn't have insurance. She should be sent to Mercy like the other charity cases."
"Carly and Jax are going to be paying her medical expenses, so it she's not a charity case."
"Well, isn't that convenient. I still don't want her here."
iGuess we now know who held up Donna's treatment,/i Abbey asked as she shared a pointed look over Alan's shoulder with Ron. Catching her eyes on her, Monica bristled, "do you have a problem?"
"Do I look like I have one?" Abbey asked sweetly.
"Well then what are you staring at?"
"Monica, really," Alan sighed, "you're going to cause a scene."
"Why? Because I want to protect my son and family? Do you have any idea what sorts of things they'll probably cook up?" she asked him.
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Simmering with anger, Carly slid through the area, hoping not to be noticed by the handful of Treasury Agents in the area as she moved to the waiting area and sat in an edge seat and grabbed a magazine, as she kept an ear on the argument.. .
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"Monica we'll discuss later," Alan answered through gritted teeth as he looked to Abbey. "I'm really sorry about this. . .But, emotions are kinda running high because of last night."
"Don't you dare make excuses for me," Monica put in, saving Abbey from having to respond.
"I wasn't. . ."
"Weren't you?"
Shaking her head at the exchange, Abbey forced a smile, "like I said, I have to get going. Alan, it was." she started then at his expression finished with a "yeah."
"You'll let me know if you need anything while you're here, won't you?" he asked as he stepped forward and hugged her.
"Oh, I think I've got everything covered," she replied with a touch of discomfort that he put off to her getting caught in the middle of things.
"In any case," he shrugged. "Tell Jed I said hello, and. . . well, when things die down a bit, maybe we can get together before you leave. For old times sake."
"Yeah, maybe," she hedged with a forced smile as she took off her glasses and put them in her pocket. "Nurse Bedford, keep me informed would you?" she asked tightly before stepping around Alan and Monica.
As she moved away, and Melissa went back to work, Alan started towards the waiting area, Monica quickly matching his step and pulling on his arm: "what do you think you're doing?" she demanded.
"What I swore to do, Monica. Which is more than I can say for you!"
"What do you mean?"
"Don't think I don't know what you almost did," he said stiffly as he pulled his arm from her grasp. "Stefan called me into his office. That's why I'm still here. Seems all of Donna Moss's tests where delayed for some reason or another. He wanted to know why."
"We can't be blamed for lab delays. He has a problem with it he should hire more people."
Alan shook his head disgustedly, "try to play it off any way you can, but I know the truth. Don't you understand that by pulling the types of stunts you have been you're only making AJ look guiltier?"
"He's not. . ."
"I said look, Monica," he replied on a sharp inhale.
"You don't understand."
"No, you're right. I don't," closing his eyes he stepped away from her. "I'll be home late. I'm going to a meeting," he explained as he opened them.
"Fine. Do what you have to. I will too," she countered before turning on her heel and storming off.
"And just how far will you go?" he wondered aloud as he watched her before shaking his head and starting off in the opposite direction. . .
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Tapping her foot in agitation, Carly peaked out from behind her magazine, trying to figure out what was going on, especially since she could only catch bits and pieces of the conversations.
"You know, you'd be less conspicuous if you turned the magazine right side up," a voice said causing her to look up at a smirking Amy.
"Oh, shut up," she volleyed as she threw the magazine down and started to gather her things.
"And here I was just trying to offer some advice."
"Yeah, well I guess you would be the master of eavesdropping around here."
"And one would think you would be better at it," the blonde nurse returned with a sarcastic smile and tilt of her head. "So hear anything good?"
Carly narrowed her eyes as she took in the older woman: "ok, what do you know?"
"Lots."
"Like? Come on, Amy, it's not like you too keep quiet when you know something."
"I'm really hurt, Carly."
"Yeah, whatever."
"Fine. The hold up on the tests was orchestrated. So was the loss of the Power of Attorney."
"Tell me something I haven't figured out."
"How about the fact that Stefan stepped in to get things rolling and raked Alan over the coals for it?"
"Why would he do that?"
"Squeaky wheel gets the oil, or so they say."
"Meaning?"
"Donna's famous doctor."
"Maybe," Carly answered distractedly as she tapped her chin.
"That's just the rumor floating around, although one thing is strange."
"What's that?"
"If we're asked, we're not supposed to say what case she's consulting on."
"Really. . . huh, wonder why that is?"
"Got me, but I'll let you know when I find out."
"You do that, Amy, you do that," Carly muttered as she walked towards the elevators.
"Yeah, and thank you ever so much for giving me that information, Amy. Oh you're ever so welcome Carly," Amy muttered as she moved to the nurse's station, her nails hitting the counter in frustration as Chris came out of the room. "Shouldn't someone go tell the guy in there that visiting hours are over, not to mention the guy sitting by the door?" she wondered as Melissa came over.
"Dr. Bartlett left orders saying that certain people could stay pass hours, and I guess the guy on the door is part of her security detail."
"Then why didn't he go with her?"
"How would I know?"
"You dated DiLucca, didn't you?"
"Yeah and. . .?"
"Well, he worked in law enforcement."
"He worked for the FBI, not Secret Service, and it's not like he talked much about his work."
"Yeah, I guess. But it still seems weird."
"Maybe it's just a precaution because of the situation."
"Maybe," Amy shrugged as she picked up a tray of medicine and started to move away from the station. "I better deliver these, you ok up there?"
"Yeah. Fine," Melissa nodded as she went back to reviewing charts.
"I'm just so appreciated around here," Amy muttered under her breath as she moved towards a set of rooms. "Oh so appreciated. . ."
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Out of habit, Ron Butterfield waited for the others to get on the elevator, and then stepped in and took his place next to the Former First Lady. "We might have a problem," he said stiffly and softly.
"Oh, another one?" Abbey asked sarcastically as she looked up at the ceiling. "Why am I not surprised. Now what?"
"Ms. Spencer made a return appearance. She was in the area during the exchange between you and the doctors Quartermain."
"Wonderful, just one more reason for them to try to undermine us. Well, there's nothing we can do about it now, is there?"
"No, ma'am, I guess not."
"Right," she sighed as she the elevator stopped and they started to step off and walk towards the car. "Ron, I think I'm going to need to ask you to change our destination."
"Ma'am?"
"I'm going to call Jed and tell him what's going on and then I. . . well, I want to make a stop. . ." she admitted as she pulled a strain of rosary beads out of her pocket and started to wrap and unwrap them about her wrist.
"We'll arrange, and I'll inform his detail that he'll probably want to do the same," he acknowledged as he held the door of a non-descript Suburban open for her.
"Undoubtedly," she sighed as she closed her eyes and reached for her purse and pulled out her cell phone, dreading the call.
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Carly hurried to her car, her cell phone to her ear, "Jax, it's me. . . Oh, I got an ear and eyeful. Meet me at Ned's. We soooo need to talk about things," she said as she watched the Suburban pull out with a frown. "We will figure out what y'all are up to, and g-d help you if you're out to hurt Donna," she said as she watched it. "Former First Lady or not."
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CJ stepped out of the hospital and inhaled the cold air as she moved through the just starting to bloom memorial garden to a bench which she slumped down on. Tiredly, she rubbed at her forehead, before fumbling in her purse for her cell phone, biting her lip, she looked up at the sky as she fought back tears, "why?" she wondered aloud. "why Donna?" she sighed as turned the cell phone over and over in her hand, before shaking away her melancholy and forcing herself to call Toby and let him know what was going on. . .
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Jed looked up from the exam he was grading as the door to his suite was opened and Leo walked in with Mallory, "well isn't this a treat. Mallory, you grow lovelier every time I see," he said as he put aside the papers and rose.
"And you use that line every time too," she answered as she went over and hugged him. "You look good."
"Maybe you need to borrow my glasses," he teased as he took them off and put them on the end table. "So I thought you two were having a father daughter dinner."
"We did, it's finished," she said stiffly.
"I see," Jed sighed as he indicated a seat, "both of you sit, would you? You do realize that you don't have to stand just because I do now, right? And I am planning on doing it for a while. Getting a bit stiff."
"Abbey's going to get on you for that," Leo mused as he watched Mallory take a seat on the couch and then moved to sit on the arm of it. Neither he nor Jed missed how she scooted over a couple of inches as he did. "So. . . have you heard anything from Abbey yet?" Leo asked uncomfortably as he undid the buttons of his jacket.
"No."
"Well, no news is good news, right?"
"So I'm hoping," he replied as he started to pace. "So Mallory, what's new with you?"
"Now there's a loaded topic," Leo groused under his breathe earning a glare from his daughter and a raise eyebrow from Jed.
"I'm interviewing for a job here in Port Charles tomorrow morning," Mal answered as she turned her attention back to her godfather.
"That's a bit. . . sudden, isn't it?" he asked her.
"Not really. Actually, it's a long time coming. Only so long one can deal with whispers and such. Need a fresh start where people don't. . ." she shrugged, knowing full well that he could read between the lines without her having to voice the truth that would be hurtful to both men, and which she had had to live with.
"I'm sorry about that."
"It's not your fault. I just. . ." she shook her head. "Besides, it won't be as tough of a school. Pay and benefits will be a bit better. It will still be economically diverse but. . . anyway, I can volunteer at Ward House to keep to my mission of helping the inner-city youths of this world."
"And a good mission it is," Jed smiled, "so what's next?" he asked clapping his hands.
"That is an annoying habit, you know that?" Leo groused.
"So I've been told. But it's been known to work, and since you weren't bringing up anything any way."
"Not much to bring up right now, Jethro."
"How kind of you to remind me, Gerald."
"Pssst."
"How mature."
"You're talking about being mature?"
"Would both of you stop? My third graders are more mature," Mal put in with a roll of her eyes.
"And hopefully more respectful of their elders than their teacher," Jed pallied with a laugh as Mallory just stuck her tongue out at him. Shaking his head he sat in a chair, "I talked to John, he's going to talk to someone who we knew in college and try to get some information that can help our cause."
"Good. Good," Leo nodded as he looked at his feet which were tapping the floor.
"Can I ask a question about you 'cause,'" Mal wondered, putting emphasis on the last word by using her fingers as quotations marks as she said the word.
"Go right ahead," Jed said as Leo looked over at her wearily.
"Is there a reason why you're keeping who you are a secret from Carly's friends?"
"Probably the same reason why they're blocking us out," Leo answered.
"What's that?"
"Lack of trust."
"But wouldn't that add to it? Make them more likely to work with you, and wouldn't that benefit Donna?"
"They're loose canons on a power trip," Leo countered. "Besides from what V. said they can't do much themselves."
"And you think you can? Talk about power trips," she muttered as she shook her head.
"What your father is also leaving out is the fact that we don't want things to be thrown out of court," Jed put in.
"And why would it be?"
"Mal, chances are that the cover up involves people in certain parts of law enforcement being paid off. If we came riding in on our white horses and start using our former positions and the connections we still have to get them to step in line, well, someone somewhere else in that line is going to be paid off and will say that the decision was based on the fact that we're. . . well, who we are."
"And you think that's not going to happen any way? Hello!?!?! You are the former President of the United States. Donna is the Former Special Assistant to the Deputy Chief of Staff in Charge of Strategic planning, whether they know now or later isn't going to change that, and it's not going to stop them from saying that decisions where influenced by that."
"Maybe, but it gives us a little more time to get things ready and to gather information to make sure that when he goes down he stays down," Leo countered.
"I just think. . ." she started as the phone rang, swallowing she looked to her father and godfather as the latter got to his feet, "That's probably Abbey," he said as moved towards the table it rested on. As he did, Mallory slid across the couch and reached over to grasp her father's hand as they sat and silently waited for news. . .
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Toby handed Ginger a list of tapes to pull while explaining the types of things they would be looking for, as his cell phone rang. Freezing mid- sentence, he looked at it. "Are you going to get it or stare at it?" Ginger asked as she looked from the phone to him.
"It's just. . . it's probably CJ with news," he sighed as he picked it up, staring at it for a moment, "part of me really doesn't want to know," he admitted grudgingly.
"Well listen to the part that does then," Ginger prompted as he hit send, and put it to his ear.
"Ziegler. . ."
iI pray you'll be our eyes, and watch us where we go, And help us to be wise, in times when we don't know Let this be our prayer, as we go our way Lead us to a place, guide us with your grace To a place where we'll be safe.../i
Jed's shoulders slumped as he listened to Abbey. "No, I. . . Understand. . . Leo and Mal are here, I'll let them know. . . Right. . .I'll. . .um. . ." he shook his head as he listened to her before hanging up and turning towards Leo and Mal as he leaned against the desk. "They know more now, and yet. . ." he inhaled sharply as he forced himself to continue, "not enough. . ."
iLa luce che tu dai
I pray we'll find your light/i
"Dear G-d," Toby muttered as he listened to CJ. "How about. . . Yeah. . . He did?. . . Did you call. . . No, I'll do it, you better get back. . .Right. . .I'll um. . . I'll see you. . ." he managed over the lump forming in his throat as he disconnected and looked at his former assistant. Inhaling, he purposely looked down at the papers covering the desk: "I told her I'd call Sam, but I don't think I can. . ." he sighed as he shoved a stack a papers and rose to his feet, pounding on the desk. "Damnit, why Donna?"
"Toby? How bad?"
"Possible spinal and or brain damage. She still hasn't woken up," he said gruffly as he grabbed his jacket and started for the door. "I'm going. . . somewhere. . . call Sam, would ya?"
"Yeah, sure," she answered through tears.
iNel cuore resterà
And hold it in our hearts
A ricordarci che/i
Sam groaned as he rolled over and reached for the phone, realizing it wasn't the one ringing by his head, he looked around, spotting his jacket, on the floor. Trying not to disturb the sleeping woman next to him, he reached across for it and picked it up. "Seaborn. . ." he answered, his eyes widening in surprise at the voice on the other end, before the words started to sink in. Shaking his head as he ended the call he reached to put the phone back, grimacing when he noticed that his wallet was laying open to a picture of Donna, the thought that he was partly at fault assailing him as his bed partner turned over and looked at him.
"Your friend?" she wondered as she shook back her red hair. "Yeah. . . I um. . ." he started uneasily.
"Go ahead, we'll catch back up later," she smiled as she leaned over and kissed his shoulder.
"Yeah, sure Skye," he muttered distractedly as he got up and started to hunt for his clothes.
iWhen stars go out each night
L'eterna stella sei
Nella mia preghiera
Let this be our prayer
Quanta fede c'è
When shadows fill our day
Lead us to a place
Guide us with your grace
Give us faith so we'll be safe/i
Carly leaned against the roof of her car as she waited for Jax to arrive, her eyes of the stars as she gave into the urge to do the childish "Starlight, star bright," and wish for her friend's health. At the sound of an approaching car, she straightened and watched as it came to a stop. As Jax got out she pushed away from the car and walked towards him.
"What's going on that you couldn't tell me over the phone?"
"A whole hell of a lot," Carly answered as they started up the walk. "I just want to do this once, so. ." she indicated the door, which they knocked on and waited for Ned to answer, with in a few moments he did, a cup of coffee in his hands.
"I thought you were getting some rest," Jax chided.
"Well, it's a good thing I wasn't, isn't it Jasper?" he shot back as he let them in. "What's going on?"
"Carly came up with some things," Jax answered as he caught sight of the open laptop of the table.
"What about you?"
"Nothing yet. Just started a search. I'll shut it down and you can fill me in. . ."
iSognamo un mondo senza più violenza Un mondo di giustizia e di speranza Ognuno di la mano al suo vicino Simbolo di pace e di fraternità
La forza che ci dai
We ask that life be kind
E' il desiderio che
And watch us from above
Ognuno trovi amor
We hope each soul will find
Intorno e dentro a sé
Another soul to love/i
Josh accepted the heating pad from Melissa with a smile before resuming his one sided conversation with Donna, comment on her choice in music and how each song seemed to fit somehow, as he shifted once again in his seat.
At the sound of footsteps he looked towards the door, and forced a smile for CJ who brought in the food she had been sent to get, including a small salad for him. At his roll of the eyes, she kissed his forehead, "I'll be back, I just want to make a stop," she said softly. He only nodded as he groused good naturedly to Donna about how she even had CJ bringing him healthy food and took a couple of bites in between for show.
Once she was gone he sighed and put the food aside, his head and shoulders dropping as he started to whisper words of a prayer he could barely remember, his voice stumbling over some of the Hebrew words that had been too long unspoken by him. . .
iLet this be our prayer/i
Toby paid the cab driver as he slipped out of the cab and into the night, his steps faltering a little as he came to the door of the building before reaching for it, a bit surprised to find it unlocked, he slipped in anyway. With an air brought of familiarity, he found a basket in back and pulled out a yarmulke placing it on his head before walking towards the alter, staring up, he started to say the familiar words of a prayer, pausing only as the Rabbi walked out and stared at him, before nodding and moving on. . . iLet this be our prayer/i
CJ once again followed the signs posted on the walls of the hospital, this time finding her way to the chapel, her long legs eating up the distance between the door and altar. Reaching it, she swallowed back tears and she tried to come up with the words she wanted to use. Unsure, she moved towards the statue of the Blessed Mother and candle underneath it. With shaky hand, she reached out and lit one. A prayer of her youth coming to mind. As the words died down in her head, she moved back towards a pew and started to let the words running around her head do just that, hoping to find some peace, and the strength to help her friends. . .
iJust like every child/i
Leo sat on the edge of Mallory's bed as he watched his daughter fidget. "Do you think we should've gone with him, or to the hospital?" she asked him.
Leo sighed, "I don't know. I'm not sure it would matter."
"Dad. . ."
"We can't do anything at the hospital and Josh doesn't want babysitters. As for the other," he shrugged, "I don't necessarily think that you have to be in a place of worship to ask for intervention or strength."
"Yeah, I guess you're right," she replied as she moved to sit next to him, "here's ok, right?"
"Yeah," he said covering her hands with his and bowing his head. Closing her eyes, she followed suit. . .
iJust like every child/i
Abbey didn't look up at the sound of the door opening or at the steps that sounded up the aisle, the only time she paused was as the steps stopped near her. "Going to let some indignation out in Latin?" she asked as she moved her fingers to the next bead.
"I was thinking about it," Jed admitted as he genuflected and then moved in to sit next to her, his eyes on the altar. "Suppose it wouldn't do any good."
"Does it ever?" she wondered.
"Makes me feel less frustrated."
"And people wonder why you didn't finish your studies to become a priest."
"Some would say I was led astray by one very beautiful young woman."
"Hah," she sighed as she put the beads down on her lap and looked over to him. "It never gets any easier to figure out."
"And yet we're not supposed to question," he replied as he looked over at her. "That was one thing I could never understand," he added as he reached over to take her hand in his. Turning his attention back to the altar, he inhaled deeply, "and through it all, I still end up back here. Still asking for his help. Hoping to find answers. Asking for intercessions on behalf of those we care about."
"And he'll and answer."
"I just hope, it's the answer we're looking for."
"So do I, Jed, so do I. . ."
iNeeds to find a place, guide us with your grace Give us faith so we'll be safe
E' la fede che Hai acceso in noi Sento che ci salverà/i
Song Credit: The Prayer- Josh Groban & Charlotte Church
Meanwhile
Abbey stood at the nurse's desk finishing up the paper work she needed to on Donna before she left for the night, the hairs on the back of her neck prickling at the sensation of being watched by someone other than her detail. Perturbed, she turned towards the waiting area and bit her lip to fight back a groan at recognition of the person coming towards her, "great, just what I need right now," she muttered under her breath as she turned her attention back to the paperwork, her signature scrawling across the bottom as the sound of footsteps stopped right next to her. . .
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Carly stepped out of the ladies room where she had hid her purse earlier that evening, and started towards Donna's room, figuring that if CJ was gone she might be able to get a few more minutes with her friend and gather more information. As she came to the doorway and looked in, she frowned, to see Josh talking to Chris, the couple of sentences she caught causing her to smile slightly: "so I was right. He wasn't the one and he's in love with her. Maybe, these people are on the up and up," she muttered as she turned, then froze as she caught sight of the 'good' doctor Abbey Bartlett and the man she was hugging: "then again maybe not."
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"Abbey?" Alan asked, causing the former First Lady to look up as she closed Donna's chart and handed it to Melissa, "I thought it was you. What on earth are you doing here?" he continued as he caught her in a quick hug.
Tensing slightly, Abbey pulled back, "consulting on a case."
"Really? I hadn't heard anything. . ." Alan admitted with a confused look.
"Not my usual sort. Leo McGarry asked me to come on as a favor to him."
"The name sounds familiar but. . ." he frowned.
"Old friend of Jed's," Abbey filled in quickly. "Speaking of which, I do need to get back to the hotel and make sure he hasn't gotten himself into too much trouble. . ." she started as Alan's name was called.
"You want to tell me what that iwoman/i is still doing in our hospital?" Monica asked as she stormed over to her husband, ignoring the woman with him.
"Monica. . ." he started in a soothing voice.
"No, I mean it. She doesn't have insurance. She should be sent to Mercy like the other charity cases."
"Carly and Jax are going to be paying her medical expenses, so it she's not a charity case."
"Well, isn't that convenient. I still don't want her here."
iGuess we now know who held up Donna's treatment,/i Abbey asked as she shared a pointed look over Alan's shoulder with Ron. Catching her eyes on her, Monica bristled, "do you have a problem?"
"Do I look like I have one?" Abbey asked sweetly.
"Well then what are you staring at?"
"Monica, really," Alan sighed, "you're going to cause a scene."
"Why? Because I want to protect my son and family? Do you have any idea what sorts of things they'll probably cook up?" she asked him.
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Simmering with anger, Carly slid through the area, hoping not to be noticed by the handful of Treasury Agents in the area as she moved to the waiting area and sat in an edge seat and grabbed a magazine, as she kept an ear on the argument.. .
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"Monica we'll discuss later," Alan answered through gritted teeth as he looked to Abbey. "I'm really sorry about this. . .But, emotions are kinda running high because of last night."
"Don't you dare make excuses for me," Monica put in, saving Abbey from having to respond.
"I wasn't. . ."
"Weren't you?"
Shaking her head at the exchange, Abbey forced a smile, "like I said, I have to get going. Alan, it was." she started then at his expression finished with a "yeah."
"You'll let me know if you need anything while you're here, won't you?" he asked as he stepped forward and hugged her.
"Oh, I think I've got everything covered," she replied with a touch of discomfort that he put off to her getting caught in the middle of things.
"In any case," he shrugged. "Tell Jed I said hello, and. . . well, when things die down a bit, maybe we can get together before you leave. For old times sake."
"Yeah, maybe," she hedged with a forced smile as she took off her glasses and put them in her pocket. "Nurse Bedford, keep me informed would you?" she asked tightly before stepping around Alan and Monica.
As she moved away, and Melissa went back to work, Alan started towards the waiting area, Monica quickly matching his step and pulling on his arm: "what do you think you're doing?" she demanded.
"What I swore to do, Monica. Which is more than I can say for you!"
"What do you mean?"
"Don't think I don't know what you almost did," he said stiffly as he pulled his arm from her grasp. "Stefan called me into his office. That's why I'm still here. Seems all of Donna Moss's tests where delayed for some reason or another. He wanted to know why."
"We can't be blamed for lab delays. He has a problem with it he should hire more people."
Alan shook his head disgustedly, "try to play it off any way you can, but I know the truth. Don't you understand that by pulling the types of stunts you have been you're only making AJ look guiltier?"
"He's not. . ."
"I said look, Monica," he replied on a sharp inhale.
"You don't understand."
"No, you're right. I don't," closing his eyes he stepped away from her. "I'll be home late. I'm going to a meeting," he explained as he opened them.
"Fine. Do what you have to. I will too," she countered before turning on her heel and storming off.
"And just how far will you go?" he wondered aloud as he watched her before shaking his head and starting off in the opposite direction. . .
~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~
Tapping her foot in agitation, Carly peaked out from behind her magazine, trying to figure out what was going on, especially since she could only catch bits and pieces of the conversations.
"You know, you'd be less conspicuous if you turned the magazine right side up," a voice said causing her to look up at a smirking Amy.
"Oh, shut up," she volleyed as she threw the magazine down and started to gather her things.
"And here I was just trying to offer some advice."
"Yeah, well I guess you would be the master of eavesdropping around here."
"And one would think you would be better at it," the blonde nurse returned with a sarcastic smile and tilt of her head. "So hear anything good?"
Carly narrowed her eyes as she took in the older woman: "ok, what do you know?"
"Lots."
"Like? Come on, Amy, it's not like you too keep quiet when you know something."
"I'm really hurt, Carly."
"Yeah, whatever."
"Fine. The hold up on the tests was orchestrated. So was the loss of the Power of Attorney."
"Tell me something I haven't figured out."
"How about the fact that Stefan stepped in to get things rolling and raked Alan over the coals for it?"
"Why would he do that?"
"Squeaky wheel gets the oil, or so they say."
"Meaning?"
"Donna's famous doctor."
"Maybe," Carly answered distractedly as she tapped her chin.
"That's just the rumor floating around, although one thing is strange."
"What's that?"
"If we're asked, we're not supposed to say what case she's consulting on."
"Really. . . huh, wonder why that is?"
"Got me, but I'll let you know when I find out."
"You do that, Amy, you do that," Carly muttered as she walked towards the elevators.
"Yeah, and thank you ever so much for giving me that information, Amy. Oh you're ever so welcome Carly," Amy muttered as she moved to the nurse's station, her nails hitting the counter in frustration as Chris came out of the room. "Shouldn't someone go tell the guy in there that visiting hours are over, not to mention the guy sitting by the door?" she wondered as Melissa came over.
"Dr. Bartlett left orders saying that certain people could stay pass hours, and I guess the guy on the door is part of her security detail."
"Then why didn't he go with her?"
"How would I know?"
"You dated DiLucca, didn't you?"
"Yeah and. . .?"
"Well, he worked in law enforcement."
"He worked for the FBI, not Secret Service, and it's not like he talked much about his work."
"Yeah, I guess. But it still seems weird."
"Maybe it's just a precaution because of the situation."
"Maybe," Amy shrugged as she picked up a tray of medicine and started to move away from the station. "I better deliver these, you ok up there?"
"Yeah. Fine," Melissa nodded as she went back to reviewing charts.
"I'm just so appreciated around here," Amy muttered under her breath as she moved towards a set of rooms. "Oh so appreciated. . ."
~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~
Out of habit, Ron Butterfield waited for the others to get on the elevator, and then stepped in and took his place next to the Former First Lady. "We might have a problem," he said stiffly and softly.
"Oh, another one?" Abbey asked sarcastically as she looked up at the ceiling. "Why am I not surprised. Now what?"
"Ms. Spencer made a return appearance. She was in the area during the exchange between you and the doctors Quartermain."
"Wonderful, just one more reason for them to try to undermine us. Well, there's nothing we can do about it now, is there?"
"No, ma'am, I guess not."
"Right," she sighed as she the elevator stopped and they started to step off and walk towards the car. "Ron, I think I'm going to need to ask you to change our destination."
"Ma'am?"
"I'm going to call Jed and tell him what's going on and then I. . . well, I want to make a stop. . ." she admitted as she pulled a strain of rosary beads out of her pocket and started to wrap and unwrap them about her wrist.
"We'll arrange, and I'll inform his detail that he'll probably want to do the same," he acknowledged as he held the door of a non-descript Suburban open for her.
"Undoubtedly," she sighed as she closed her eyes and reached for her purse and pulled out her cell phone, dreading the call.
~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~
Carly hurried to her car, her cell phone to her ear, "Jax, it's me. . . Oh, I got an ear and eyeful. Meet me at Ned's. We soooo need to talk about things," she said as she watched the Suburban pull out with a frown. "We will figure out what y'all are up to, and g-d help you if you're out to hurt Donna," she said as she watched it. "Former First Lady or not."
~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~
CJ stepped out of the hospital and inhaled the cold air as she moved through the just starting to bloom memorial garden to a bench which she slumped down on. Tiredly, she rubbed at her forehead, before fumbling in her purse for her cell phone, biting her lip, she looked up at the sky as she fought back tears, "why?" she wondered aloud. "why Donna?" she sighed as turned the cell phone over and over in her hand, before shaking away her melancholy and forcing herself to call Toby and let him know what was going on. . .
~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~
Jed looked up from the exam he was grading as the door to his suite was opened and Leo walked in with Mallory, "well isn't this a treat. Mallory, you grow lovelier every time I see," he said as he put aside the papers and rose.
"And you use that line every time too," she answered as she went over and hugged him. "You look good."
"Maybe you need to borrow my glasses," he teased as he took them off and put them on the end table. "So I thought you two were having a father daughter dinner."
"We did, it's finished," she said stiffly.
"I see," Jed sighed as he indicated a seat, "both of you sit, would you? You do realize that you don't have to stand just because I do now, right? And I am planning on doing it for a while. Getting a bit stiff."
"Abbey's going to get on you for that," Leo mused as he watched Mallory take a seat on the couch and then moved to sit on the arm of it. Neither he nor Jed missed how she scooted over a couple of inches as he did. "So. . . have you heard anything from Abbey yet?" Leo asked uncomfortably as he undid the buttons of his jacket.
"No."
"Well, no news is good news, right?"
"So I'm hoping," he replied as he started to pace. "So Mallory, what's new with you?"
"Now there's a loaded topic," Leo groused under his breathe earning a glare from his daughter and a raise eyebrow from Jed.
"I'm interviewing for a job here in Port Charles tomorrow morning," Mal answered as she turned her attention back to her godfather.
"That's a bit. . . sudden, isn't it?" he asked her.
"Not really. Actually, it's a long time coming. Only so long one can deal with whispers and such. Need a fresh start where people don't. . ." she shrugged, knowing full well that he could read between the lines without her having to voice the truth that would be hurtful to both men, and which she had had to live with.
"I'm sorry about that."
"It's not your fault. I just. . ." she shook her head. "Besides, it won't be as tough of a school. Pay and benefits will be a bit better. It will still be economically diverse but. . . anyway, I can volunteer at Ward House to keep to my mission of helping the inner-city youths of this world."
"And a good mission it is," Jed smiled, "so what's next?" he asked clapping his hands.
"That is an annoying habit, you know that?" Leo groused.
"So I've been told. But it's been known to work, and since you weren't bringing up anything any way."
"Not much to bring up right now, Jethro."
"How kind of you to remind me, Gerald."
"Pssst."
"How mature."
"You're talking about being mature?"
"Would both of you stop? My third graders are more mature," Mal put in with a roll of her eyes.
"And hopefully more respectful of their elders than their teacher," Jed pallied with a laugh as Mallory just stuck her tongue out at him. Shaking his head he sat in a chair, "I talked to John, he's going to talk to someone who we knew in college and try to get some information that can help our cause."
"Good. Good," Leo nodded as he looked at his feet which were tapping the floor.
"Can I ask a question about you 'cause,'" Mal wondered, putting emphasis on the last word by using her fingers as quotations marks as she said the word.
"Go right ahead," Jed said as Leo looked over at her wearily.
"Is there a reason why you're keeping who you are a secret from Carly's friends?"
"Probably the same reason why they're blocking us out," Leo answered.
"What's that?"
"Lack of trust."
"But wouldn't that add to it? Make them more likely to work with you, and wouldn't that benefit Donna?"
"They're loose canons on a power trip," Leo countered. "Besides from what V. said they can't do much themselves."
"And you think you can? Talk about power trips," she muttered as she shook her head.
"What your father is also leaving out is the fact that we don't want things to be thrown out of court," Jed put in.
"And why would it be?"
"Mal, chances are that the cover up involves people in certain parts of law enforcement being paid off. If we came riding in on our white horses and start using our former positions and the connections we still have to get them to step in line, well, someone somewhere else in that line is going to be paid off and will say that the decision was based on the fact that we're. . . well, who we are."
"And you think that's not going to happen any way? Hello!?!?! You are the former President of the United States. Donna is the Former Special Assistant to the Deputy Chief of Staff in Charge of Strategic planning, whether they know now or later isn't going to change that, and it's not going to stop them from saying that decisions where influenced by that."
"Maybe, but it gives us a little more time to get things ready and to gather information to make sure that when he goes down he stays down," Leo countered.
"I just think. . ." she started as the phone rang, swallowing she looked to her father and godfather as the latter got to his feet, "That's probably Abbey," he said as moved towards the table it rested on. As he did, Mallory slid across the couch and reached over to grasp her father's hand as they sat and silently waited for news. . .
~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~
Toby handed Ginger a list of tapes to pull while explaining the types of things they would be looking for, as his cell phone rang. Freezing mid- sentence, he looked at it. "Are you going to get it or stare at it?" Ginger asked as she looked from the phone to him.
"It's just. . . it's probably CJ with news," he sighed as he picked it up, staring at it for a moment, "part of me really doesn't want to know," he admitted grudgingly.
"Well listen to the part that does then," Ginger prompted as he hit send, and put it to his ear.
"Ziegler. . ."
iI pray you'll be our eyes, and watch us where we go, And help us to be wise, in times when we don't know Let this be our prayer, as we go our way Lead us to a place, guide us with your grace To a place where we'll be safe.../i
Jed's shoulders slumped as he listened to Abbey. "No, I. . . Understand. . . Leo and Mal are here, I'll let them know. . . Right. . .I'll. . .um. . ." he shook his head as he listened to her before hanging up and turning towards Leo and Mal as he leaned against the desk. "They know more now, and yet. . ." he inhaled sharply as he forced himself to continue, "not enough. . ."
iLa luce che tu dai
I pray we'll find your light/i
"Dear G-d," Toby muttered as he listened to CJ. "How about. . . Yeah. . . He did?. . . Did you call. . . No, I'll do it, you better get back. . .Right. . .I'll um. . . I'll see you. . ." he managed over the lump forming in his throat as he disconnected and looked at his former assistant. Inhaling, he purposely looked down at the papers covering the desk: "I told her I'd call Sam, but I don't think I can. . ." he sighed as he shoved a stack a papers and rose to his feet, pounding on the desk. "Damnit, why Donna?"
"Toby? How bad?"
"Possible spinal and or brain damage. She still hasn't woken up," he said gruffly as he grabbed his jacket and started for the door. "I'm going. . . somewhere. . . call Sam, would ya?"
"Yeah, sure," she answered through tears.
iNel cuore resterà
And hold it in our hearts
A ricordarci che/i
Sam groaned as he rolled over and reached for the phone, realizing it wasn't the one ringing by his head, he looked around, spotting his jacket, on the floor. Trying not to disturb the sleeping woman next to him, he reached across for it and picked it up. "Seaborn. . ." he answered, his eyes widening in surprise at the voice on the other end, before the words started to sink in. Shaking his head as he ended the call he reached to put the phone back, grimacing when he noticed that his wallet was laying open to a picture of Donna, the thought that he was partly at fault assailing him as his bed partner turned over and looked at him.
"Your friend?" she wondered as she shook back her red hair. "Yeah. . . I um. . ." he started uneasily.
"Go ahead, we'll catch back up later," she smiled as she leaned over and kissed his shoulder.
"Yeah, sure Skye," he muttered distractedly as he got up and started to hunt for his clothes.
iWhen stars go out each night
L'eterna stella sei
Nella mia preghiera
Let this be our prayer
Quanta fede c'è
When shadows fill our day
Lead us to a place
Guide us with your grace
Give us faith so we'll be safe/i
Carly leaned against the roof of her car as she waited for Jax to arrive, her eyes of the stars as she gave into the urge to do the childish "Starlight, star bright," and wish for her friend's health. At the sound of an approaching car, she straightened and watched as it came to a stop. As Jax got out she pushed away from the car and walked towards him.
"What's going on that you couldn't tell me over the phone?"
"A whole hell of a lot," Carly answered as they started up the walk. "I just want to do this once, so. ." she indicated the door, which they knocked on and waited for Ned to answer, with in a few moments he did, a cup of coffee in his hands.
"I thought you were getting some rest," Jax chided.
"Well, it's a good thing I wasn't, isn't it Jasper?" he shot back as he let them in. "What's going on?"
"Carly came up with some things," Jax answered as he caught sight of the open laptop of the table.
"What about you?"
"Nothing yet. Just started a search. I'll shut it down and you can fill me in. . ."
iSognamo un mondo senza più violenza Un mondo di giustizia e di speranza Ognuno di la mano al suo vicino Simbolo di pace e di fraternità
La forza che ci dai
We ask that life be kind
E' il desiderio che
And watch us from above
Ognuno trovi amor
We hope each soul will find
Intorno e dentro a sé
Another soul to love/i
Josh accepted the heating pad from Melissa with a smile before resuming his one sided conversation with Donna, comment on her choice in music and how each song seemed to fit somehow, as he shifted once again in his seat.
At the sound of footsteps he looked towards the door, and forced a smile for CJ who brought in the food she had been sent to get, including a small salad for him. At his roll of the eyes, she kissed his forehead, "I'll be back, I just want to make a stop," she said softly. He only nodded as he groused good naturedly to Donna about how she even had CJ bringing him healthy food and took a couple of bites in between for show.
Once she was gone he sighed and put the food aside, his head and shoulders dropping as he started to whisper words of a prayer he could barely remember, his voice stumbling over some of the Hebrew words that had been too long unspoken by him. . .
iLet this be our prayer/i
Toby paid the cab driver as he slipped out of the cab and into the night, his steps faltering a little as he came to the door of the building before reaching for it, a bit surprised to find it unlocked, he slipped in anyway. With an air brought of familiarity, he found a basket in back and pulled out a yarmulke placing it on his head before walking towards the alter, staring up, he started to say the familiar words of a prayer, pausing only as the Rabbi walked out and stared at him, before nodding and moving on. . . iLet this be our prayer/i
CJ once again followed the signs posted on the walls of the hospital, this time finding her way to the chapel, her long legs eating up the distance between the door and altar. Reaching it, she swallowed back tears and she tried to come up with the words she wanted to use. Unsure, she moved towards the statue of the Blessed Mother and candle underneath it. With shaky hand, she reached out and lit one. A prayer of her youth coming to mind. As the words died down in her head, she moved back towards a pew and started to let the words running around her head do just that, hoping to find some peace, and the strength to help her friends. . .
iJust like every child/i
Leo sat on the edge of Mallory's bed as he watched his daughter fidget. "Do you think we should've gone with him, or to the hospital?" she asked him.
Leo sighed, "I don't know. I'm not sure it would matter."
"Dad. . ."
"We can't do anything at the hospital and Josh doesn't want babysitters. As for the other," he shrugged, "I don't necessarily think that you have to be in a place of worship to ask for intervention or strength."
"Yeah, I guess you're right," she replied as she moved to sit next to him, "here's ok, right?"
"Yeah," he said covering her hands with his and bowing his head. Closing her eyes, she followed suit. . .
iJust like every child/i
Abbey didn't look up at the sound of the door opening or at the steps that sounded up the aisle, the only time she paused was as the steps stopped near her. "Going to let some indignation out in Latin?" she asked as she moved her fingers to the next bead.
"I was thinking about it," Jed admitted as he genuflected and then moved in to sit next to her, his eyes on the altar. "Suppose it wouldn't do any good."
"Does it ever?" she wondered.
"Makes me feel less frustrated."
"And people wonder why you didn't finish your studies to become a priest."
"Some would say I was led astray by one very beautiful young woman."
"Hah," she sighed as she put the beads down on her lap and looked over to him. "It never gets any easier to figure out."
"And yet we're not supposed to question," he replied as he looked over at her. "That was one thing I could never understand," he added as he reached over to take her hand in his. Turning his attention back to the altar, he inhaled deeply, "and through it all, I still end up back here. Still asking for his help. Hoping to find answers. Asking for intercessions on behalf of those we care about."
"And he'll and answer."
"I just hope, it's the answer we're looking for."
"So do I, Jed, so do I. . ."
iNeeds to find a place, guide us with your grace Give us faith so we'll be safe
E' la fede che Hai acceso in noi Sento che ci salverà/i
Song Credit: The Prayer- Josh Groban & Charlotte Church