Walking Wounded

Chapter Three

March 2003, Port Charles

He wasn't afraid.

The large oak door loomed over Michael and he took a deep breath. He wasn't afraid he repeated in his mind.

Cautiously he pushed the door open and entered quietly. Light from the open door fell into the darkened room, brightening it briefly. He shut it softly, extinguishing the light and found himself plummeted into blackness and silence. He tightened his grip on the cup he held and forced his breathing to stay even.

He wasn't afraid.

The only light in the room came from beneath the thick drapes that covered the windows. As his eyes adjusted to the darkness, he glanced around his parent's room. He had always loved it here.

Closing his eyes Michael inhaled the scent of his father's cologne mingled with the softer, fading scent of his mother's favorite lotion. This was where he came to be comforted after a nightmare. He would crawl into bed between his parents and the fear would disappear. It always made him feel better.

At least it used to.

Opening his eyes, he could now make out the outline of the bed and he began to walk toward it. He stopped, frowning at seeing it empty. Leticia had told him his father had come upstairs to rest. He scanned the room, his eyes halting on the still and silent figure that sat on the floor, his back against the dresser, head bent to his upraised knees.

"Dad?"

Silence.

Michael moved closer, his hand shaking slightly, spilling some of the liquid in the cup on the floor. "Daddy?"

He couldn't see any movement coming from his father's prone figure and Michael held back a terrified cry. Reaching Sonny's side he placed the cup next to him and knelt beside Sonny touching his shoulder. "Dad?"

"Carly?"

Michael jerked his hand back not sure what he should do. He could run and get Jason. Jason knew how to help his Dad. He paused, remembering the conversation he'd overheard between his Aunt Courtney and Jason. They were scared of his Dad hurting himself and they wanted to take them away from him for a little while. If that happened they would send him and Cate away.

He didn't want to leave his Dad.

He reached over once more and shook Sonny's shoulder. "Daddy. It's me. Michael." He spoke quietly, gently like he'd seen Jason and Courtney do. Keeping his hand on his father's shoulder, Michael leaned in, whispering, "Please Dad."

Michael's voice reached Sonny and he turned his head slightly, his eyes focusing on his son's worried face. He glanced around the room, disoriented. Rubbing his face with his hand he meet Michael's eyes and smiled sadly. "Hey there, Mr. Man. I'm sorry. I was somewhere else."

Michael smiled. "I know Dad." Michael reached to his side and handed his father the cup he'd brought with him. "I made you some tea."

Sonny grabbed the cup and stared at it for a long moment. "Thank you, buddy." He smoothed Michael's hair back. "I appreciate you taking care of me." Sonny patted the floor next to him and Michael sat down, feeling his Dad's arm come around his shoulder.

Sonny kissed his head softly. "But I don't want you to worry. I'm going to be fine."

Michael buried his face in his father's chest, unshed tears burned his eyes and he pushed them away. "I know Dad. I know."

I put my hands where your wings should be,
I put my feet where the earth should be
And I can't see very far
And when you said that you were dead I hung on

Leaning back in his chair Michael stared up at the blue sky watching the clouds pass him by silently. The quiet bothered him at times. It reminded him of bad times. He watched as a school of birds flew over his head. He was never one to marvel at nature. That was Cate's job. She loved everything about life, about being alive. She liked to laugh and run and live. It was one more thing she had in common with Carly.

Carly.

His mother.

His heart clenched at the thought of her, filling up in equal parts rage and sorrow. How could you blame someone who'd died for leaving?

He'd never understood why he felt that way. A part of him just believed that he should be angry. She had promised him she would never leave and she had. It didn't matter that it had been out of her control.

He closed his eyes against the pain. To an eight-year-old it wasn't important why she had left. Just that she had.

And in leaving she had destroyed his father.

He heard the familiar sound of Kevin's cane as it hit the ground and suppressing his annoyance, he glanced over to see the older man round the corner.

"Hey Doc."

Kevin hid his surprise at seeing Michael, taking note of his pained eyes. "Hi Michael." Sonny had called him earlier and asked to meet at Kelly's. Kevin hadn't asked questions. He never really did when one of the Corinthos clan called. He'd agreed to come as always.

Perhaps Sonny had wanted him to talk to Michael.

He smiled kindly at the young boy who'd been his patient for nearly 5 years. "What's up?" Walking over to the table he sat slowly, stretching his leg out and bringing his full attention to the oldest Corinthos child. "You wanna talk?"

Michael snorted. "Kevin. I don't talk to you when I'm, well, when my Dad is paying for your time. Do you really think I'm going to talk to you now?"

Kevin smiled slightly at him. "Good point." He spotted Sonny inside Kelly's and waved at him. Sonny nodded in acknowledgement and turned back to the counter. Cate caught sight of him and grinned, waving both hands happily. Kevin chuckled and waved back with less fervor.

His eyes fell back to Michael's face and caught the boy staring at him intently. "What?"

"Nothing."

"You were staring Michael." He leaned his chin onto his hand and meet the cold blue gaze directed at him. "Is there something you want to ask?"

"Why do you keep trying?"

Kevin shook his head in confusion. "I don't understand what you mean."

"Yes you do. No matter what happens, no matter how crazy we get or how hard I make your job, you don't seem to give up. Why not?"

Kevin shrugged. "You know the answer Michael. You just chose to look for other reasons."

"Because you care."

Kevin nodded and before Michael had a chance to respond, in any way, Sonny and Cate walked out of Kelly's and headed in their direction.

Cate smiled at the doctor. "Hi, Kevin." She missed Dr. Collins and his kindness. She rarely saw him since she'd turned seven. Ever since she could remember she'd visited Kevin once a week. They -they being Dr. Collins and her father - believed that she no longer needed to see a professional.

She never really needed one if she thought about. The truth was she wanted to go see Kevin because it made her feel like she could be more a part of her family. At times she felt like an outsider when it came to her father and brother. They seemed to share a bond that she wasn't included in.

She knew that the pain and grief from her mother's death had changed her father and brother in ways only the two could understand. She glanced from one to the other then.

It was true that she'd been a baby when her mom had died but it didn't make it any less hard not to have her around.

Kevin reached over and ruffled her hair, smiling gently. "Hey there, kid. How you doing?"

Cate grinned. "I'm going to play with Mike in the park." She looked at her brother adoringly. "He's gonna teach me how to play baseball."

Kevin watched the two, noting the change in Michael's face when he looked at his sister. He only wore that open expression with Sonny and Cate. Michael caught him staring and he looked away quickly.

"We'll be back home in a couple hours."

Sonny nodded, kissing Cate on the forehead before signaling for his guard to come forward. "Be careful."

"We will." Michael clasped Cate's hand tightly and ignoring Kevin, walked away.

Max nodded silently at his boss and followed as the two children they disappeared around the corner.

Something I feel
You are an angel, or maybe you could've been
Something out here
You are an angel or maybe you could've been

Sonny stared at where they had stood only a moment before, pushing down the need to be with them. He hated letting them out of his sight but it was good for them to have their own lives. Without his constant hovering. Loving them was one thing. Suffocated them with it was another. He knew that.

"It's okay to worry about them."

Turning to look at his friend, Sonny smiled sadly, taking the seat Michael had vacated. "Twenty four hours a day? Every day?"

"All parents are like that, Michael."

Sonny cringed at the use of his name. Few people called him that. His father and Kevin were the only ones who were allowed to get away with it.

He hated that name.

And he hated that Kevin had learned how to read him so well. If someone had told him five years ago that one of his closest friends would be a head shrinker he'd have laughed in their faces.

"Okay...Sonny."

"Thank you. I can't take it today."

Kevin frowned, glancing around to see that they were alone. "What's going on?"

"I think I'm losing it Kevin." Sonny met his friends eyes. "Every time I close my eyes, I see her."

"You dreaming about Carly isn't unusual Sonny. You've been dreaming about her for five years. The anniversary of her death and your wedding anniversary just passed, of course you're going to be thinking about her."

"It's different Kevin."

"How so?"

Sonny sighed, rubbing at the throbbing pain in his head. "I can...I can feel her. I can smell her when I hold her in the dreams. It's like she's real...like she's there with me...like..."

Kevin nodded, understanding. "Like before."

"Yes."

Leaning on the table, Kevin rested his hands on the surface, speaking quietly. "Sonny...what happened after Carly's death..."

"You can say 'breakdown' Kevin." Sonny chided.

Kevin rolled his eyes. "Okay fine. Your breakdown after Carly's death was...you needed it. You needed to get to that point. To let all that pain and rage out. It's not going to happen again."

Sonny shook his head. "I wish I could be so sure."

"Your helping with Brenda's wedding right? The stress is just triggering memories of Carly most likely."

"I don't know Kev."

Kevin sighed. "No guarentees Corinthos, remember? That was the deal."

Sonny made a face. "Yeah yeah. See, this is why you're not my doctor anymore. You're too..."

"Smart? Observant? Correct?"

"Annoying actually."

Sonny laughed at Kevin's reply as his friend flashed him the finger. "Is that any way for an educated doctor to act?"

"Shove it Sonny." Kevin smiled and motioned inside Kelly's. "Got time for a cup of coffee?"

Sonny smiled. "Yeah."

I've got this light hangs over me
I've got this fear cuts into me
And I can't see very far
And when you said that you were dead I hung on

Sadness.

That was sensation that greeted him as he walked through the door. He glanced to his left, following the curved staircase up with his eyes. He glanced quickly around the entryway taking note of a few changes. New paintings, a couple of new rugs but essentially it was still the same place.

Except it felt colder now.

Dillon Quatermaine paused, grief and pain washing over him. His grandmother had been dead for months yet he hadn't really felt the void her death had created until he'd stepped through the oak doors.

He should have visited more. He should have called her for more than holidays and her birthday. Maybe if he hadn't taken that production in France he could have come to see her. At least made it to her funeral.

Lord knows if he hadn't found out the truth about...If he hadn't needed to do something right for once...

He sighed, dropping his canvas bag with a soft thud on the marble floor. His life was made of so many bad choices that he'd lost count. Regret was his best friend. What difference did it make now?

But this time he was going to get it right. He hoped the sacrifice was worth it in the end.

"Reginald!"

Dillion stiffened, the husky voice chilling his heart. He heard the click of her heels become louder and straightened his shoulders. With his mother there would come the onslaught of questions, accusations, and guilt. He really didn't need or want that now though he knew it'd be best to get it out of the way.

Then he could drop his little problem on their doorstep and wash his hands of the matter. If he was lucky, Sonny would let him crash at the penthouse.

He turned, determined to face her and a blur of silk and satin caught his eye. It barreled down the stairs at full speed as only someone that small and young could.

"Dad! Don't hide! Where are you?"

Dillon smiled at Tina's angry expression and grinned when she came to a braking halt when she spied him standing in the hall. Her smile was wide and genuine. Something he hadn't seen in a long time.

"Uncle Dillon!"

He opened his arms scooping his eight-year-old niece into his arms. "Hey there love." He let her small but firm hug warm his heart. It felt good to be wanted somewhere. Not wanting to suffocate, knowing she hated that, he bent, placing her gently on her feet to the ground.

He knelt in front of her, keeping eye to eye with her. "How are you baby cakes?"

Tina shrugged but smiled warmly. "Pretty good I guess. But Dad's been really bummed today." She stepped away. "Is that why you're back?"

"Of course it's not. My son is back to try to swindle some more money for his little "film" project."

Tina and Dillon rolled their eyes and turned in unison to stare at Tracy.

"Mother."

"What is that ruckus out there? Reginald?"

The butler stepped from the kitchen, faltering for a moment at seeing Dillon. He smiled kindly and moved past him to the breakfast room. Choosing to ignore his own advice, he decided to delay his confrontation with his mother. He only had strength for so much dysfunction in one day. Clasping Tina's hand firmly, he followed Reginald's trail.

The quiet that met him was harder to take than if he had stumbled on a full blown Quatermaine breakfast battle. His grandfather sat quietly by the door staring out into the rose garden. Monica and Alan exchanged worried looks as they each glanced at Edward's still form.

Dillon found Ned at the table. He seemed to have aged 10 years since the last time he saw him.

And he could only imagine the news he had just received hadn't helped matters any.

Tracy stepped past him and in her very own Tracy way announced his presence. "The prodigal son has returned everyone."

All eyes turned to Dillon and he stepped forward. "Hello everyone."

Noone spoke at first and then suddenly the questions were hurled at him.

"Fine time to finally show up. Where the hell have you been?"

"...you realize we've been looking for you for months..."

"Didn't you think your grandmother's funeral was more important than some stupid movie?"

Dillon's eyes met Ned and he shook his head in an apology.

"Christ almighty. Could you give the guy a break?"

Dillon closed his eyes briefly, opening them to stare into Ned's shocked ones.

Crap.

He turned to stare into a pair of crystal blue eyes. "I told you to wait in the car."

Ned stood up, his eyes widening as he realized who was standing next to his brother.

"Brooke Lynn."

She grinned bitterly. "What Daddy? Not happy to see me?"

Something I feel
You are an angel, or maybe you could've been
Something out here
You are an angel or maybe you could've been

Sharp, metallic smell of sweat and liquor assaulted her nose as Cassie stepped into the darkened, run down bar. She hesitated at the entrance, glaring warily at the clientele.

It's not like she wasn't used to these kinds of places. Five years on the run made sure you would run into all types of situation.

She just wasn't used to facing it alone. Cari -

No. Carly. Start using that. Get used to it, kid.

Carly was the best backup ever and as she took in her surroundings, she realized she truly missed Carly at that moment.

Don't look them in the eye.

Walking slowing and with purpose, thinking out every step, she moved to a quiet table to the back. Cassie felt eyes on her back but she pushed away the fear burning in her gut.

Don't let them see you sweat.

Settling in a chair, she pulled out the slip of paper with the address Carly had given her. Jake's. Definitely the right place. Where the hell was he?

Music pounded out from the jukebox the beat ringing in her ears. Rubbing her face hard, Cassie gaze browsed through the small crowd around her. She glimpsed the pool table in the center, her hands itching to grab a cue.

Maybe she could pull a quick one. Might as well keep the skills fine-tuned while she did her duty. In the corner booth were a couple of sorority boys and she deftly caught their eye.

Bingo.

One of them raised his bottle in a salute and she smiled in return. Easiest hundred she was going to make in some time.

Standing, she brushed down her skirt, giving a little shimmy for effect.

"Sweetheart, this is a respectable place of business. You want to take that out back, that fine. But not in my bar." the voice behind her said quietly.

Cassie grinned widely, genuinely for the first time since she'd gotten to town.

"Now is that anyone to talk to a lady"

She turned around and laughed at the shock in the handsome face that met hers. Coleman gaped at her for a few seconds then hustled her protesting form into the back.

Her gaze returned to the table in the corner and she shrugged haplessly.

There went her hundred.

"Cole..."

"Not a word." He pushed her into a back office and closed his door soundly. "What the hell are you doing here?"

"I came to see Luke."

"What? Does Carly know you're here? Is she aware that your walking around this town? What if he sees you?"

Cassie threw her purse soundly on his desk. "'He' doesn't even know who I am!"

"Not Corinthos, genius."

it gave her pause to confirm that the sick bastard really was in town and she shuddered involuntarily. "I've been careful Coleman."

"Oh I'm sure."

See how they run
And nobody said you would go
See how they fall
And I can't see very far
And when you said you were dead I hung on

Coleman wiped his brow, staring at the girl in front of him. He smiled despite it all and came round the desk, bringing her into a warm embrace. "Oh, it's good to see you baby girl."

Cassie smiled into his shoulder and sighed. She'd missed the scraggly bastard more than she'd admit. Pulling back, she smiled up at him. "It's good to see you too."

He let her go, heading to his small bar. He needed a drink. "So I guess you heard then."

Cassie stared at his back in confusion. "Heard what?"

Coleman halted his movements and slowly swiveled to face her, studying her eyes. His body seemed to deflate. "You haven't heard."

Her heart thumped loudly and the fear that had gnawed at her earlier came back full force. She shook her head, unable to speak.

Coleman closed his eyes briefly, sighing painfully. "Damn." Setting down his drink, he crossed the room, taking her arm gently and guiding her to a chair.

Cassie stared at him. "What?" The question was barely a whisper.

"Tell me why you're here first."

She couldn't think straight. Coleman was avoiding telling her whatever it was. That meant it was very bad. His eyes never left hers and she felt her eyes well with tears.

Someone was dead. They had to be.

"Cassie. Why are you here?"

"It's time. Carly wants to come home and we have all the information we need to make sure he can't hurt her."

Coleman narrowed his eyes. "How did you-" Cassie smiled softly.

His face registered understanding and to Cassie's horror, sadness. "So she managed to do it then. She always did keep her word."

Cassie nodded, tears beginning to well in her eyes. "Coleman, why are you talking in the past tense?"

He reached over to caress her face before moving to his desk. Picking up what looked like a newspaper, he handed it gently to her. "You need to see this, Cass."

Cassie took the paper with shaking hands and read the headline.

Suicide Identified As Local Businesswoman.

"Oh god...no."

Coleman hands stroked her hair. "I'm so sorry baby girl."He held her shoulders as Cassie's felt the bubble of grief give way. She wanted to look away but she couldn't.

"Please no..."

Lois Ashton's face stared up at her from the page...

Something I feel
You are an angel, or maybe you could've been
Something out here
You are an angel or maybe you could've been
See how they run
See how they run
All the same, all the same
Something out here
You are an angel.

Lyrics: Maybe an Angel by Heather Nova