Walking Wounded
Chapter One
May 2010, Port Charles
Buses pulled in and out of the station terminals leaving a trial of exhaust fume that seemed to hang in the air. People milled around frantically searching for luggage, lost children or a the bus they needed to get to.
Cassandra Martin surveyed the area, her brown eyes automatically searching and finding the nearest exits. Stepping off the bus, she rolled her neck and shoulders to work the stiffness out of them. She glanced down at her rumpled jeans and white tank top. Running a hand through her brown mane she cringed inwardly at the oily residue that clung to her skin. She looked like crap. / Probably smell like it too./
The trip had taken longer than she'd expected.
She moved through the crowd of passengers that had gathered to claim their luggage from the attendant. Slinging her bag over her aching shoulder Cassandra kept her gaze straight ahead, entering the main room, and not breaking stride as she headed to the center. Briefly glancing around she caught sight of a worn out sign that read Information Desk. She made her way towards the desk that sat under it and ignored the need to laugh.
Behind the desk stood what her mother would have called a "Cruella".
She was probably in her 40's but hard living made her look more like 60. The ridiculous leopard tights and see-through blouse didn't really help her either. She glanced up at Cassandra's approach, looking her up and down. Eyeliner-smudged green eyes squinted at her and Cassandra watched Cruella's mouth turn down in distaste.
/Oh like she has room to talk about personal appearance./
Cassandra rolled her eyes and plastering a brittle smile on her face, she stopped, looking down at the other woman. "Hi. I just had a question."
"Obviously. What do you want?" came the snide respond. The woman placed her hands on the desk and sneered up at her.
/Deep breathe Cassie. Take a deep breathe./
"Right. I just wanted to know if you could give me the name of a place where I could rent a room for a couple of weeks."
The greens eyes surveyed her attire again. "Somewhere cheap from the looks of it."
Cassie narrowed her eyes, resisting the urge to flatten Cruella. What was it Cari always said?
Stupid people make revenge easy.
The bright pink purse caught her eye and she smirked at Cruella. "Is there a place like that then?"
"Of course there is." Cruella ducked her head under the desk and Cassandra heard the riffling of papers. Glancing around to make sure no was watching Cassie pulled her wallet from her pocket, dropping it into the pink purse, making the edge visible over the top. She put her hand down to her side and stepped closer to the desk, peering over the counter to the washed out blonde head.
"Listen, do you know somewhere or what?"
"I SAID HOLD ON!"
Cassie caught sight of the station manager jerking his head around to the desk. She hid her smile and cleared her throat. "Sorry."
Cruella appeared a second later. She shoved a piece of paper at her and without another word turned her back to her.
Cassie pocketed the slip of paper. "Thanks." She walked away quickly and ducked behind the first post she saw. Turning to look behind her she watched as the station manager stormed to the desk. Cassie waited until he'd chewed the old witch out and was standing a few feet away, speaking with another passenger before she headed toward the desk.
"Oh god. Did you find my wallet?" She cried loudly to Cruella, near sobs as she clutched at the woman's sleeve.
"Hey. Hands off you little bit-"
"Dolores! I'm sorry, Miss. Did you lose your wallet?"
Cassie turned tear-filled eyes toward the station manager who had come over at the commotion. That was easy. "Yes, it's all the money I have! Oh god. What am I going to do?" The man patted her shoulder and nodded sympathetically. "I need it. I'm just here to visit my Uncle. Oh man. Uncle Enzo is going to be mad that I lost it."
/Well, that partly true. Uncle Enzo is going to pissed all right./
"It's okay, Miss. We'll find it. Where was the last time you saw it?"
"Just a while ago when I was here. I pulled it out to remove some money and must have left it on the desk."
She and the manager turned in unison to stare at Cruella.
"Dolores?"
"I haven't seen a damn thing."
"Oh well, then...maybe-hey!" Cassie gasped, yanking her wallet out of the pink purse. "My wallet!" She turned accusing eyes toward Cruella. "You took my wallet?"
"Dolores!"
Cassandra could feel the anger radiating from the station manager and she choked back a giggle at Cruella's stricken face. He turned to her. "I'm so sorry, Miss. If you want to I can call the authorities."
"I didn't take no wallet." Cruella sputtered, her face read with anger.
Cassie shook her head. Time for her best martyr act. "No that won't be necessary. I'm sure you can handle this without having to resort to that. It wouldn't look good for the station if it got out you had thieving employees."
"I didn't do it!!"
He nodded fervently, ignoring the outburst. "Yes that's true. Thank you, Miss." He smiled, relieved that she wasn't going to make a public scene.
"Your welcome. I'll just go now."
"Of course. Have you got a way into town?" He needed to make sure she left without causing any scandals.
Cassie stared at him. "A way into town? You mean Port Charles isn't right outside those doors?"
/What kind of town is this?/
"Oh no. The actual town is a few miles down the road. Here." He pulled a card out of his pocket and handed it to her. "Take this voucher to one of the cabs out front. They'll take you into town."
Cassie grinned at him. "Thanks."
He smiled back and looked at Cruella pointedly. "I'll make sure everything is taken care of."
"Look I ain't steal that wallet. When I take a something from a customer I always put it in the back." Cruella stopped, clamping her hand over her mouth.
Cassie smirked at her before turning to the exit. She stepped out into the bright morning sun. Waving one of the drivers over she handed him the card and he lead her to a nearby cab. She rummaged in her bag for her sunglasses and shoved them over her eyes.
She glanced back at the doors once and chuckled.
/Cari 's always right./
General Hospital
Her vision blurred with tears as she picked up her stride, heading out of the emergency room doors. She backed into the wall and leaned her head against it. Her hands shook as they pushed her blonde hair off her forehead.
Goddamnit.
She took a deep breath, closing her eyes when she heard the doors open next to her.
"Are you okay?"
Courtney Matthews opened her eyes glaring at the nurse. "I'm fine."
"Well it was just that you left there in such-"
"I said I was fine!" Courtney cringed and rubbed her cheek firmly. "I'm sorry. I shouldn't be taking this out on you. What happened in there is my fault and when I feel weak I lash out. I apologize."
The nurse nodded sympathetically. "Burn victims are always hard the first time."
Courtney laughed coldly. "It's not my first. I tend to have that reaction when I see..." She let the sentence drop and watched as understanding dawned on the other woman's face.
Courtney looked away from the pity in her eyes. She hated that the most. The way people looked at the when they realized who she was. Sonny Corinthos little sister. Deceased Carly Corinthos best friend. Jason Morgan's amicable ex-wife. They felt they knew everything about her from those few facts and they couldn't be further from the truth.
She was all those things it was true and she was damn proud of it.
But she was also something more.
Straightening her white coat, she pulled away from the wall. "Just be glad I'm getting better at dealing with it."
"Better?"
Courtney stared at the skeptical woman. "Last time I threw up on Dr. Jones shoes before I ran off." She walked past her then heading for the nurses station. Amy Vining stood at her post passing along the latest gossip to another nurse.
/Probably talking about my little show in ER./
She was proven right when both immediately became quiet at her approach. Courtney resisted the urge to roll her eyes and sighed. "Amy do I have any messages?"
"Actually you have quite a few, Dr. Matthews."
She wasn't used to that name yet. First year intern or not she still felt completely unprepared for the job she was doing.
She took the slips Amy handed to her and retreated to the nearest corner for some privacy. She took a moment to stare out the window at the sunset before sorting through her messages. She chuckled as she read the first one.
/Auntie C,
Daddy said to tell you that we want you to come over for dinner. He said to tell you that we miss you and that you need to show us you're still breathing. Mike said it was silly cause you can't see breath unless its cold and then Dad gave him that look. Uncle Jason laughed and said to tell you to run away. Anyway, Daddy said to try to be here tomorrow night. He's cooking your favorite.
See you tomorrow!
Love,
CC/
She folded the note up and stuffed it in her pants making a mental note to go over to Sonny's after her shift. She wanted to see him and the kids but she wasn't about to follow his orders. She glanced at her watch and nodded. She'd get off right in time for dinner. She smiled at the thought of ruining Sonny's little plan. Ruffling her brother feathers still gave her some pleasure.
/Not that he shows it bothers him. Or shows any other feelings for that matter./
Her smile fell when her thoughts went to the reason she'd run out of that ER room and away from that patient. The reason her brother was so cold, so hard.
/So lost./
It always came back to Carly.
Shaking her head, she pushed the images that filled her head aside and opened the next one.
Her mother begging for a visit. /Not going to happen./ She shoved it to the back of the pile. One from Gia about Lucky's birthday party. /Gotta get a present./ Kevin reminding her of her appointment later that week. /Like I could forget that./
She paused at the next message, her heart tripping over itself and she found herself breathless again.
/Court,
I'm back in town. Give me a call when you get a chance.
Z./
Who knew fifteen little words could make someone so happy? She glanced at the note once more hoping the words didn't disappear and she was imagining it. Two months since they'd seen each other last. Eight weeks since that night where she'd been so...stupid.
Courtney realized what the note meant. He was going to pretend it hadn't happened. They hadn't had that conversation. She was glad for that. The embarrassment of it still stung her and she wanted nothing better then to forget it ever occurred.
She crumpled the note and threw it away in the nearest waste basket. She'd go see him after she had dinner with the family. She could handle coffee. She was over it now and seeing him again wasn't going to affect her at all.
In any way.
She glanced at her reflection in the window.
"Liar."
Spoon Island
Nikolas Cassadine looked up from his papers, hearing the door to his study open. "Hey. How'd it go?"
Gia Cassadine screwed her face into an exaggerated frown and stuck her tongue out at her husband. "As well as could be expected."
Nikolas sighed. "Why do you insist on doing it then?"
"Because someone has to represent Sonny's interest in ELQ at the meetings and since he can't stand to be in a room with most of those people, and I can't blame him for that, it's up to me, " she pointed at herself, "as his attorney to be there in his stead." She lounged on the brocade loveseat tucking her feet underneath her. "Besides I love to watch Edward's blood pressure rise every time I vote."
Nikolas chuckled glancing up at her. "Is that on my behalf?"
"But of course."
He watched her fiddle with her black suit jacket as Mrs. Landsbury opened the door carrying a tray. "Madam your drink."
Gia smiled up at her. "Thank you Mrs. Landsbury."
Nikolas echoed the sentiment and waited until the door was securely shut before returning his gaze to his wife. She sighed happily stretching her long legs on the seat. The fitted pants clung to her curves and he found himself not for the first time, entranced by her movements.
"Nikolas?"
He glanced up at her bewildered expression and smiled kindly. "I'm sorry. Did you say something?"
Gia looked at him strangely. "Yes. I asked if there was something you wanted to discuss since you left me those messages on my voicemail to come home."
"Of course. There is an issue we need to address."
Gia held up her hand. "Tell me this isn't about working for Sonny again."
Nikolas paused. "Well, I'm not thrilled about that but..."
Gia cut him off rising off the chair. "Here we go. How many times are we going to have this conversation? I work for Sonny, I will continue working for him and I really don't give a damn how you or your uncle feels about it."
"Why?" Nikolas inquired. Her reasons for working with the mobster had always been a mystery to him. He'd never asked or pushed before in order to avoid fighting with her. He and Gia had a wonderful working relationship when it came to their sham of a marriage. He never asked anything personal and she returned the favor.
He watched her pause slightly and then turn to stare at him. The unspoken question hung between them. He saw the moment she made her decision. "Because he's a good man and I believe everyone needs representation. Because Courtney is my friend and I love her and don't want her to worry about him. Because I like Sonny. Because I love those kids." She twirled a strand of hair around her index finger. "But the main reason is Carly."
Nikolas looked stunned and she took a seat across from him. "Carly believed in me and gave me a chance when no one else did. I never got to thank her because...well because I was an idiot. But this is my chance to do that." She glanced away from him briefly. "He still loves her, Nikolas. You of all people can understand how it feels to love someone who isn't here anymore."
Gia turned her eyes back to his and smiled. "I owe her."
Nikolas could do nothing else but nod and smile. Gia's silent mention of Emily had felt like a punch to his stomach. "Okay. I'll respect your decision and back off."
"Thank you. And see if you can get Uncle Steffie to let it be as well." She circled the desk and kissed his cheek softly. "I'm here if you want to talk." She walked out the door, closing it gently behind her. She leaned against it letting the weight of knowing she could never be everything Nikolas needed pull her to the floor.
Harborview Towers
Michael lifted his attention from the book in his hands at the sound of the knock on the door. He watched as his father rose from his desk to answer it and frowned along with him at their visitor.
"Ric."
"Sonny."
His father glanced at him meeting his eyes and smiled reassuredly. He knew how Michael felt about Ric and did his best to keep the man away from the family. "What do you want?"
"Edward asked me to bring you this personally." Ric spoke rapidly almost frightened and nodding once, turned on his heel and left.
Michael studied his father staring at the now empty doorway and felt that familiar sense of pity for his dad. He had almost no family really. Ric was a complete ceritifiable headcase and his father never considered him as a relation. Mike wasn't much of a grandparent and less of a parent. Aunt Courtney was sweet but she'd been too affected by his father's life so there was always a distance between them. Jason was...well Jason. Always honorable. Always the one to be counted on. Bobbie and Lucas treated him like family but...
There was only two people that his father let into his heart, that he allowed himself to love. That was him and Cate. Micheal could relate to that. His father, his sister, and Lesley Lu were the only three he gave a damn about. Everyone else could take care of themselves.
Kevin seemed to worry whenever he said that in their sessions. He was worried about his emotional closure towards others.
Load of bullcrap like Luke said.
He didn't NOT care about other people. He liked Jason and Lucas well enough. Bobbie and Courtney were very kind and maternal to him and Cate. Luke always managed to make his father smile and Cate laugh so Michael appreciated him for that. The bodyguards took care of his and Cate protection and he was grateful for having them around.
But when it came down to it nobody mattered but his family. Especially the two that he took care of.
He watched his Dad close the door quietly and walk back to his desk. He opened the folder Ric handed him and began to read.
It never ceased to amaze him how his father could ignore pain like seeing Ric brought him. Many other men would have fallen under the weight but not his dad. Although Michael knew how much it cost Sonny to function on a daily basis most people didn't understand.
Noone really could.
When someone left the way his mother had it caused an empty space in your heart, in your life. And his mother dying had ripped a part from his father. Had made his father only half a person.
Of all the reasons he hated his mother that one, partially killing his father, was the one he hated her most for.
The door swung open and he felt himself smile. He looked to his father quickly and saw the same reaction on his face.
"Hey Daddy. Hi Brown." Catherine Corinthos rushed through the door, hopping onto her father's lap and hugging him tightly.
"Hey baby." Sonny held her tightly for a minute only pulling away when she squirmed in his arms. "Sorry Cate."
Her bright smile lit up the room and she patted his face. "It's okay Daddy." She jumped off and raced to the couch hauling herself into Michael's arms. He grunted loudly protesting against the weight. He frowned at his crumpled book. "Nice going Cate."
"Oh. Sorry Brown."
"It's cool short stuff."
Brown was her name for him. When she was learning to talk she couldn't really say Michael so she started calling him Brown after her favorite color. Her favorite color had since changed but the nickname had stuck. His father used it sometimes too.
He couldn't complain. She could have liked Pink and that would not have been good.
Cate bolted for the stairs only pausing to ask what was for dinner. His father told her Aunt Courtney favorite, lasagna. Michael smiled slightly at how well his Dad knew Auntie C. She'd show up later that night instead of the actual night they'd told her.
"Dad?"
His father paused to glance at him. "Yeah Mike?"
He wanted to ask about Ric and why he kept showing up at the house. Why he seemed so worried about Courtney. Why he'd visited his mother's grave everyday that week.
But he didn't.
He couldn't.
"Can I invite Lesley Lu over for dinner?"
Sonny nodded and winked at him. "You know Lulu doesn't need to be invited. She can always come over. She's family." He turned back towards the kitchen disappearing through the doorway.
Michael sighed as he grabbed the phone. "Right. Family."
Island, somewhere in the Caribbean...
She fidgeted with her dress listening to the voice on the other end of the phone. "Are you okay? Did you have any problems?"
Her eyes scanned the picture perfect beach finding the small child and woman playing not too far off in the distance. "What do you mean nothing major?" She tossed her long black curls over her shoulder and gave a start at the answer she received. "You got someone fired?!"
Back in Port Charles, Cassie rolled her eyes as she recalled the story of Dolores, the PC train staion Info Desk Nazi. "It's not like she didn't deserve it Cari."
Cari Martin plopped down on the wicker chair, the warm sea breeze tossing her hair around. She pushed it back with her hand and smiled despite her irritation. Leave it to one of her kids to get someone canned within minutes of knowing them. "You need to keep a low profile."
"I know that Grand Pooba of Wisdom."
"Where do you come up with that stuff?"
Cassie paused. "That was a rhetorical question, right?"
Cari managed to swallow her retort when she noticed her son coming towards her. She smiled into the phone. "Someone wants to say hi."
Matthew Martin grabbed the phone from his mother. "Cassie!!"
"Hey there Mattey baby. How'd you know it was me?" Cassie glanced around Kelly's slowly, back to the wall, she kept a clear view of the entrance.
"Mama was happy. I guessed it was you."
"You're such a smart guy, buddy. You liking the vacation with Mom?"
Matthew nodded happily then remembered Cassie couldn't see him. "Yeah. I like the water."
Cari glanced away for a second hating the stab of pain that small innocent comment caused her. She avoided Sonia's, Matthew's nanny, eyes knowing her friend would see her pain.
"I knew you would. Okay kiddo let me talk to Mom. I love you."
"Love you too. Here Mama." He thrust the phone at Cari and bounded into the house. Cari made sure he was gone before putting the phone to her ear.
"You promise me you'll be careful."
Cassie brought her full attention to Cari when she heard the panic in her voice. "It's a simple task, Cari. I'll be okay."
"Cassandra, you know how dangerous he is."
"Mama. I'll be fine." Cassie rarely called Cari that even though for all intents and purposes she was the only real mother she'd known. "I promise I will get to Uncle Enzo and he'll do what you want."
Cari sighed. "I know. I trust you." She glanced at her watch. "I'd better let you go."
"Hey." Cassie leaned her mouth in closer to the receiver, her voice barely a whisper. "I promise I'll take care of them, Cari. I love you." She hung up the payphone and silently headed up to her room.
Cari clicked the phone off, tossing it onto the opposite seat. She rose to lean against the railing.
"That's what I'm counting on Cassie."