Chapter 5

Brook walked into the living room, and plopped down on the couch. She never realized how quiet it could actually be around the mansion. Her family was really broken over AJ's death – even her grandmother had gone straight to her room. Her cell phone played her Maroon 5 iTune, interrupting her thoughts.

"Hello?" she answered, but knew who it was. She had preset "She Will Be Loved" to ring only when Diego called.

"Hey, it's me," Diego said, looking at the water from the pier. "How was the memorial? Are you doing ok?"

"Yeah, but the rest of the Quartermaines are really falling apart. It's just sad, you know," Brook, telling Diego her thoughts of a few seconds ago. He was so easy to talk to, and he always listened to her. "Look, about what happened at the hospital before – I'm sorry, alright. I didn't mean to come down on you."

"It's ok, and I'm sorry too," Diego replied. "I won't judge you about your parents if you don't judge me about mine, deal?"

"Deal," Brook said with a smile. "Can we meet up later? I gotta go to the studio for a while, and run some errands and stuff."

"Yeah, just call me. Ok, bye," Diego hung up and smiled to himself. On the other end, Brook stared up at the ceiling. I hope it will always be this way, they both thought.

"Hey," Dillon said to Georgie and Lucas.

"Hey," they both responded. "Look, I'm going home – tackle some trig," Lucas began, looking back at Georgie. "Call me if you need me?"

"I will," Georgie said, and hugged Lucas goodbye.

Lucas turned to Dillon and extended his arm. "I'm sorry about your loss and all." They shook hands and Lucas headed around the corner to the elevator, not noticing the janitor that was still watching him from the other side of the nurses' station. She moved on after seeing him get inside the elevator, briefly glanced at Georgie and Dillon, and walked on, pushing her bucket of dirty water.

"Dillon," Georgie began, searching his eyes to determine if he came to yell at her about the other day or not. "I am sorry…about what happened the other day. I thought I was defending you, but I made it all worse." He just looked at her. "Say something, please? Are you still angry? Upset about AJ?" She moved closer to him. "What can I do?"

"Just hold me," Dillon responded, as he embraced her firmly. They stood there, in each other's arms, not noticing anyone around them, especially not Felicia coming off the second elevator.

"Yeah, Corinthos – you may want to get your stories straight," Durant called out, causing Sonny and Reese to break the intense stare that enveloped them. Ric and Alexis stood up from the other side of the room, and Carly and Courtney walked out right after.

"You're going to need it, when I charge you with murder."

"What? You have no right to –" Carly's voice echoed through the silence of everyone's blank stares in Durant's direction. She stared menacingly at her father, whose smug smile remained on his face even in her presence.

"That's right," John Durant looked past Sonny and at his daughter. He stepped to face her directly. "I'm tired of trying to please you by not doing my job. It's not going to get me anywhere with you anyway, is it?" Her disapproving look was all he needed as an answer.

He turned to face Sonny, and Reese who was directly behind him. "You shot and killed a kidnapping suspect, and you're going to pay for it. As soon as I get the ballistics report that proves your gun killed Faith Roscoe, I'm going to have you dead to rights, and there's no one to stop me."

"I am," Reese said defiantly, stepping in front of Sonny, drawing Durant's gaze to her. "I fired at Faith as well, and for someone who wasn't there, you seem to think you can impede my job on this investigation. Well listen to me, Durant," her voice razor sharp, "your credibility is shot when it comes to prosecuting Mr. Corinthos, due to your careless history with evidence, and everyone here knows it. Even if that report does come back with the proof you need, it would be a local police matter because the murder was between two Port Charles citizens. Or did you skip that day in law school, along with your ethics class?" She arched her eyebrow, ready for his response. Sonny stood coolly behind her, noticing the venom she shot at Durant.

"She's right, Durant," Mac piped up from another desk, the file in his hand. "So I'm officially closing this case, unless anyone else objects."

Alexis started to speak in defense of Durant, hoping he might be able to help keep Sonny away from Kristina, but Ric cupped his hand around her mouth, and sat her back down gently.

With all eyes on Durant, he chuckled. "That's fine, Mac, Agent Marshall," he said smugly, never taking his eyes off Reese, but talking loud enough for Carly and Courtney to hear him. "I'll just start by looking into your role in this investigation. You won't be able to stand up for your beau without your badge."

Sonny and Reese rolled their eyes in unison, and turned to watch Durant saunter out of the PCPD. "I'm going to write my report," Reese said, placing her hand on Sonny's shoulder to turn him back to her. "I'll call you when I need your statement, and I'll make sure to double check the ballistics report for any discrepancies." She walked toward Mac, and they headed toward his office.

Courtney moved in front of Carly, about to speak when she noticed how her friend's face had changed. She knew Carly was livid at her father, but that's not what Courtney saw anymore. Carly was focused on Sonny, and had been the minute Reese began reading Durant the riot act. Reese's voice snapped Sonny out of his blank stare, and he at her with a softer expression, the most vulnerable one he would let Durant or anyone else in the PCPD see, and his eyes were fixed on Reese as she walked away with Mac. Carly recognized the look of appreciation, and was clearly unnerved by it. "Hey, you ready to get out of here?" Courtney said softly.

"Yeah, um…" Carly made herself look at Courtney. "I know you don't want to involve Sonny or Jason, but maybe –"

"No," Courtney cut her off. "Look, besides being worn out from this whole ordeal, I don't want them to threaten Rachel. Like I said before, I don't know what she's capable of, and I don't want her to know any more about my family or past than she does now."

"Ok, well – give me an hour, ok, and I'll call you with what I come up with," Carly said quickly. Before Courtney could get out her protest, Carly shook her head, "I won't tell him. But, I think you should figure out a way to tell Jason." Carly walked past Courtney, reassuringly grabbing at her shoulder and approached Sonny.

"Hey Sonny," Carly said, and Sonny turned to face her, looking almost guilty.

"Yeah, um, are you heading home? I mean, I think you should check on the boys." Sonny said, Faith's message still plaguing his thoughts.

"Yeah, I'm on my way, and the boys are fine. I called Leticia from the apartment before we came here." Carly spoke hurriedly, trying to read Sonny's expression. "You want to come? I mean, I'm sure Michael and Morgan will want to see you, and Michael will have a million questions, and"

"I'm gonna go check on Jason, then go home, you know," Sonny rubbed his eyes. "But tell the boys I love them, ok, and I'll be by tomorrow to see them." He patted Carly's shoulder and walked toward the exit. Carly and Courtney, looking at Alexis, Ric and Kristina briefly walked out as well.

Alexis, still letting Kristina play in her hair, turned to face her husband. "I want to go to GH. I want to make sure she's ok, that that sociopath didn't hurt her."

"And I want you to see Dr. Meadows, so let's go." Ric answered his wife, taking Kristina out of Alexis' arms, as they walked out together.

"That's all that matters to you, isn't it, Elizabeth?" Emily called out angrily from the door. "As long as you think it's the right thing, it makes whatever action ok, huh?" Emily was fuming as she made her way over to Liz, who had turned to walk toward her.

"Emily, Lucky just woke up," Liz said cautiously, as she walked past Emily and turned to face her. "Can't we please take this discussion outside?"

"Why, huh? You don't want Lucky to hear how you stabbed me in the back! You don't want him to know how you betrayed my confidence and added yet another burden on my mother, on my family!" Emily's voice was piercing, and Lucky tried to reach up to touch Emily's shaking hand. She snatched it away. "Of course you would support Luke's decision – you don't know a thing about loyalty, or support. You just go with what's best for Elizabeth, and to hell with what I really needed."

"That's not fair, Emily! I couldn't help you alone, just like I couldn't be helped alone. You need a support system – not just me. Your family, your friends, all of us want to rally around you…"

"Don't!" Emily walked toward Liz and towered over her. "Don't you dare include yourself when you speak of my friends and family. You had no right to tell my mother what you did, and I don't want you anywhere near her again, or any of the rest of my family." Emily punctuated each word, and Liz jumped slightly each time. "The only thing you could have done worse," she paused and shook her head to shake the thought, "was telling Nikolas. And believe me, I will not let you anywhere near destroying my husband the way you did my mother." Emily looked hard at Lucky. "I suggest you watch you back."

"Emily," Lucky said raggedly, but to no avail, as she stormed out, leaving Liz in tears.

"Thank you," Alan said to the warden. "I understand this is an imposition, but I'm grateful you acknowledge the severity of the situation." The warden nodded, and turned away from Alan and Monica. He unlocked the door, and escorted them inside, where Nikolas sat anxiously.

"What happened to Emily? Is she ok? They said something happened to her," Nikolas was talking almost as fast as he was thinking. The minute the warden had let him out of solitary early he knew something bad had to have happened. When he asked, the only answer he got was, "It's about your wife." Nikolas' stomach lurched, and he almost felt he would throw up if the warden had said Emily had been hurt or killed. Instead the warden just marched him to a small room where had sat for three hours, praying and wondering what happened to the love of his life.

Alan and Monica were taken aback by Nikolas' appearance. He had deep bags under his eyes, unshaven facial hair, and lines throughout his forehead. He looked like hell, and Monica immediately grabbed Alan's arm. "Maybe we shouldn't do this."

"Do what? Please, please, Monica, tell me what's happened to my wife," Nikolas went to walk toward her, but was stopped by the chain attached to floor.

Alan patted her arm quickly, but never lost his resolve. "Please, sit down Nikolas."

"I can't," Nikolas responded. "I can't sit anymore. All I do is sit! Sit and wonder when someone's going to tell me Helena's got her wish, that she killed Emily." He stopped and looked in their faces. "Please, please," he began to cry and sink down in the chair, "don't tell me… you're here for that."

Monica rushed to his side. She hadn't approved of Nikolas and Emily being married before he was sentenced, but she wasn't going to let his nightmare get worse. "No, no, no," she grabbed his face and turned it toward her. "She's alive, she's been staying at the house with us."

"Why? I thought she was at the safe house with Connor, trying to catch Helena," Nikolas said relieved, and then worried again. "Did they find her? What happened?"

Monica looked worriedly toward Alan, who sat down in front of Nikolas. "Connor is dead." Alan began to explain. "Emily shot him, and Helena thought she killed you, so she took Emily hostage in the Cassadine crypt." He continued to detail the past weeks events to a stunned Nikolas, but tried his best to maintain his composure. "She was going to kill Emily, but Lucky intervened, and was shot. He was in a coma, then had a stroke, and Luke just took him off life support."

Nikolas began sobbing, and Monica rubbed his back soothingly. "Lucky's alright, Nikolas. The doctors didn't believe he would recover, but Liz did. She went to plug the ventilator back in, but he came back on his own."

"Oh, thank God, thank God," Nikolas whispered to himself. "But why…I mean, why did Emily shoot Connor? What did he do to her?" Nikolas could feel the anger building, but waited for Emily's parents to abate his fears.

Monica left Nikolas' side and walked behind Alan. She looked at Nikolas through her tears. "Connor attacked Emily." She held her breath as she saw Nikolas' face change from anger and disbelief to sheer horror.

"He didn't just attack her, did he?" Nikolas wiped the anger tears that began to fall freely down his face.

"No," Monica said slowly. "He raped her. Nikolas, she won't talk about it, she can't even say the word." She gripped Alan's shoulder.

He rubbed her hand, turning from her to Nikolas. "We just cremated AJ, Jason was shot, and we didn't even realize it." Alan bit back his anger at himself. "Nikolas, I know it's hell being here, but Emily's not dealing with this with us, and we don't know if she would be able to face you, because of your resemblance to that bastard." Alan bit his tongue again. "We just wanted to tell you, so we could all help Emily."

Nik looked at Emily's parents through blurred eyes – blurred with rage, with fear for his wife, and with guilt.

"I'll do whatever I can."

"Ahem," Lorenzo said, stepping carefully down to greet his son. His son, he thought. All of Lorenzo's dreams of family died with Sophie, and now he had a new start with a woman he barely spoke to after making love and a teenager with an axe to grind. "We never talked the other day, Diego. I'm trying to give you your space, as is your mother, but I'm not going to ignore your existence."

"Fine," Diego answered, looking into Lorenzo's eyes, less defiantly than before. "As long as you're not trying to make me play catch with you or something, I can deal. I just want my space."

"Space is all well and good, but you can't use that as an excuse whenever you don't feel like dealing with Maria or myself," Lorenzo stated. "If you don't want me in your face, I'm ok with that. I wish you'd give me a chance, but I realize that's going to take time." He moved closer to Diego, so that they were standing toe-to-toe. "But I will not be used when it suits you, to get you out of trouble, or anything else, do I make myself clear?"

"So I was right, you don't you want to be my father," Diego answered back, angry.

"You say I'm using you to absolve my conscience about what happened between me and your mother. I want to be the father to you that you deserve in your life right now," Lorenzo's voice matched Diego's pitch. "I do, Diego, but I won't be your excuse to do what you want and then call me in to fix it. I won't be used by you, just like you won't be used by me."

Diego began to speak, but Lorenzo's cell phone rang, and he turned from his son to answer.

"Alcazar," he said into the receiver.

"Lorenzo, are you alright?" Carly's voice came through clearly, and as soon as Diego heard it, he seethed.

"Fine, what can I do for you?" Lorenzo turned further away from Diego, noticing the exasperation on his face.

"I need to see you, it's important – and we need to meet alone." Carly's voice was distinctively, no-nonsense.

"My apartment, 10 minutes," Lorenzo replied and closed his phone.

"So much for not being used," Diego said behind him, and walked off, leaving Lorenzo to watch him retreat. The kid's smarter than he knows, Lorenzo sighed at the thought and headed to his place.

Rachel, detouring from her route to Courtney's, decided to make her presence felt. Steven would find out sooner or later that she was there, and she needed to solidify her "no hard feelings" alibi before Courtney carried out her plan. And she better, if she knows what's good for her, she thought. She walked curiously out of the 10th floor elevator, straight to the nurses' station.

Hearing the elevator bell ring, Steven, who was standing on the other side of the nurses' station looked up momentarily, and his breath caught in his throat – hard. She was there, statuesque, blonde hair flowing slightly longer since the last time he saw her, in a black dress and simple silver and diamond jewelry, her favorite. That was Rachel – simple and elegant, yet unique.

She walked toward him, and he began to realize she wasn't a figment of his imagination. Steven coughed loudly, and Rachel stopped just in front of him.

"I would try to help you out, but I might get sued for that," she quipped, and he raised his eyebrow in recognition of her reference.

"Rachel," Steven gathered himself and looked her up and down, "you look fabulous. What…I mean…it's great to see you. I didn't expect you to be in Port Charles."

"Yeah, well," Rachel began, "I'm just passing through actually. Nothing special, really. I remembered you said you were from here, so I wondered if you might be here, and here you are." She punctuated the last three words, and giggled slightly.

Steven tilted his head, in awe and fear. She seemed well put together, but he couldn't be sure. The way they left things, he was sure she could come unhinged at any moment. "So…are you here for a medical conference?"

"No," Rachel said sharply, and checked her tone almost as quickly. "I don't practice anymore. I mean, after what happened and everything…" her voice trailed off intentionally, to gauge Steven's response. As he shifted uncomfortably, she continued, "you know my career would have never survived anyway, all the bad press and the hospital's huge settlement, so I moved on – after we broke up." That ought to twist the knife a little, she smiled inwardly.

"Rachel, I'm really sorry to hear it. You were a wonderful physician, and…" Steven said, careful to look away from Rachel so she couldn't see the guilt clouding his eyes.

Rachel cut him off. "Things happen, Steven, and honestly I have a great life. Have ever since," she made him look into her eyes, and she smiled brightly. "I began working for my father, and when he passed, he left the entire company to me. I built Adair Realty Corporation into one of the most successful multinational corporations in the world, so I have no complaints. Then again, maybe one or two…" She looked flirtatiously, and reached for Steven's arm. Giving it a slight pat, she laughed. "We should go out for a drink sometime, catch up."

"Sure…" Steven still eyed his former girlfriend suspiciously. "You know where to find me."

"I sure do!" Rachel threw him a million-watt smile and walked toward the elevator, passing Felicia, who was staring intently at Georgie and Dillon's embrace.

"Excuse me," Felicia said, as Georgie unhooked from Dillon's arms and looked at her mother. "I understand this has been a difficult time for you, Dillon, but Georgie's still not allowed to see you." Felicia's voice wasn't as convincing as she hoped to be because she knew they genuinely cared for each other.

"Mom, please," Georgie knew her mother was sympathetic to her cause. "Can't you do something – talk to Dad. I know I've done some stupid things but they weren't all Dillon's fault, they were my choices. Dad always says we should take responsibility, and I am… and I've been doing better the past few weeks. I don't think all of my good behavior my whole life should be trashed because of a few mistakes."

"But those mistakes didn't start happening until you were with Dillon, honey," Felicia responded. "You have to see where we're coming from."

"So you're not going to give us," Georgie pointed back and forth between Dillon and herself, "a chance to prove that we can be together and not get into trouble. Even if it's a day at a time, please, Mom, please!"

Her pleading eyes were harder and harder for Felicia to take. "Alright! But don't get too excited," Felicia responded to Georgie hugging Dillon, and his relieved face. "I'll talk to Mac, and if you guys see each other, it has to has to be at the house, and we have to know about it in advance – no exceptions."

Georgie ran to hug her mother. "I promise, Mom, thank you so much!"

"I love you sweetie," Felicia said, placing both hands around Georgie's face, "we just want you be as responsible as we know you are, but you're allowed to be happy too." She looked at Dillon thoughtfully. "So, be home by dinner, ok?"

"I'll make sure of it, Ms. Jones," Dillon spoke up, putting his hand on Georgie's shoulder. "Can we go to Kelly's? I'm not really ready to go home yet," his face becoming somber again.

"Sure I'll drop you off," Felicia answered, and the three of them headed to the elevator. As the door opened, John Durant stepped out, faced squarely with Felicia.

His eyes, shining with anger from what had taken place at the police station, twinkled as soon as he saw Felicia. He smiled at her, nodded briefly and walked around her, just slowly enough to draw her around to look at him. "Ms. Jones," he said with a wink.

"Good day, Mr. Durant," Felicia couldn't hide the surprise, or delight in her voice. She quickly turned back to her daughter's arched eyebrow, and ushered them both into the elevator. Dillon and Georgie looked over at each other and then straight ahead as the doors closed.

Their encounter went unnoticed by Steven, who stared blankly at the charts in front him. However, it was not lost on Bobbie, who looked up from the nurses' station as John walked around to address Steven, not even acknowledging her presence.

"Argghh." Jason groaned again as he and Sam reached the top of the stairs and turned toward his bedroom.

"Jason," Sam looked at him, concerned. "Maybe this wasn't a good idea. You know," she opened the door and helped him to bed, "I know Monica said she'd be by in the morning, but what if something happens before then? I'm not, I repeat not, good with blood, and if you bust a stitch, or whatever! God, Jason, I don't even know how fast anyone could get here to help you – and what if…"

Jason chuckled, and then winced in pain. "Sam, don't make me laugh, ok."

"You're laughing, but I'm serious Jason!" Sam looked at him amused, but still worried.

"I know, and you're nervous," Jason stared up at her, his eyes twinkling. "You ramble when you're nervous."

"I don't ramble! I was just making very good points," Sam started to poke at Jason's good side, but instantly withdrew her hand, for fear she might hurt him. He grabbed her hand.

"It's cute," he said lowly, and pulled her toward him. "Sam," he started but she covered his mouth with her index finger.

"Another good point I was going to make," she said, eyes sparkling with desire, "was that I don't know that I can keep my hands off you. You're kinda cute, too, when you're a little vulnerable."

"I'm not so helpless," Jason said, pulling Sam closer, "am I?" His mouth clasped over hers, slow and hungry. The kiss grew more passionate, but Sam pushed back gently with her hand, making Jason lie back and stare into her eyes.

"I'm letting you stop me, you know," Jason smiled the half smile that Sam had fallen in love with months ago.

"Yeah, yeah, yeah," Sam giggled, and snuggled next to him.

"I need you to do something," Jason said lazily, causing Sam to jump up and face him.

"What is it? Did you push yourself?" She began quizzing him.

"Call Sonny," Jason looked thoughtfully. He wanted to check on him, and it was frustrating not to be able to just go across the hall to do so.

"Tomorrow, Jason," Sam caressed his face. "It's late, you're tired, and I'm sure Sonny is exhausted. I'll call first thing in the morning."

"Ok," Jason opened his arms to her, and she sighed happily into them. "Tomorrow's going to be busy," he said, drifting to sleep.

"Why you say that," Sam murmured, also falling fast asleep.

"Checking with Sonny, moving you back in," Jason trailed off, closing his eyes and breathing deeply as he succumbed to his fatigue.

Sam looked up at him, realized he was sleep, and turned back into his arms, which he instinctively moved tighter around her. Moving you back in, she sighed again and fell asleep, knowing her dreams were bound to be the best she'd ever had in her life.

Sonny walked up to the house, stopped to shake hands with Max, and exhaled into the cold night air as Max opened the door for him.

"I got word, Jason went back to his penthouse with Sam, and Agent Marshall will be by tomorrow to get her things." Max said, studying his boss' worn face. He knew he would stay up all night, to make sure Sonny felt as secure as possible.

"Thanks, Max," Sonny patted him on the shoulder. He knew Max was watching out for him more intensely now that Jason wasn't right there, and he was grateful.

Sonny walked inside the dark house, deciding not to turn on the lights. He made his usual trip to the bar first, poured a scotch, and sat the plush gold and burnt orange chair Carly had picked out. 'Say bye bye, Borg,' Faith's voice echoed in his head. 'WHERE'S MY DAUGHTER! ANSWER ME!' Sonny's hand shook as he raised the scotch to his lips. He could barely taste the liquor, or feel the burning down his throat. He gulped the liquid again, this time feeling it pool in his stomach…It'll never be over for you…It'll never be over for you…

Faith's voice in his head became his own, and Sonny gripped the glass to make the shaking stop. It broke in his hand, and he sat there, his black eyes adjusted to the darkness until he passed out.