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Walking Wounded

Chapter 7

Eastern New York, 2005

Moonlight filtered through the small, dirty window, the only opening inside the dark cave of a room she was trapped in. Her eyes had become adjusted to her environment and she could clearly make out every angle and shadow even in the almost complete darkness.

Carly pulled her bruised legs onto the cot, a weary sigh escaping her chapped, bleeding lips and she laid her head down on the thin pillow, closing her bleary, swollen eyes. Rubbing one bruised hand gently on her protruding stomach, she swallowed her fear. There was a quick kick in response and a thin smile crossed her lips.

"It's okay little man. I promise you'll be fine."

Turning to lie on her back, she studied her surroundings, moving her eyes slowly from the window above to the large steel door, the only entrance in and out of the room. At least that she had found so far.

She had lost track of time in this darkness and her hand paused on her rounded belly. She'd been here long enough to start seeing her child grow…

Desperation trickled into her mind but she pushed it down. Six months…six months stuck in a hell she could never have imagined. She wouldn't give in now…no matter how badly she wanted to. She imagined the relief she'd feel to close her eyes and just stop. Stop hurting. Stop thinking. Stop breathing.

No more lashes. No more punches. No more threats. No more pain.

Sonny and their kids would be safe.

As if to remind her, she felt another kick and felt anger swell deep in her bones. "I'm sorry baby. I'm sorry." Guilt followed, erasing the anger and she soothed the area where she'd felt her son. "I would never give up on you. I just don't know what to do, little man."

She rose, grimacing as she swung her throbbing legs around to the edge of the bed. She rubbed callused hands against her face before she remembered the cuts and bruises, pain stabbing her senses. Tonight had been particularly bad. She shuddered to think what she looked like. But as long as they stayed away from her body, she'd gladly sacrifice her face.

They were afraid of her now. After.

No one would dare hit her son again. She glanced down at her hands, dried blood covering them, wiping them furiously against her shirt.

"Please god. Don't let him have hurt my baby." Hot tears ran down her cheeks, stinging open scratches and Carly choked back sobs, her breath coming in hiccups. She had to keep it together. She knew she had hours if she was lucky.

Trevor wasn't the forgiving kind and killing one of his was going to send him over the edge. Whatever of it he wasn't over.

He was going to kill her. She knew that. That had always been the plan.

Now, after tonight, he wasn't going to wait until the baby was born.

She got to her feet, thinking as she moved to the door. Something had to give. Staring at the large steel door, she walked to it slowly. It had been intimidating when she'd first thought of the plan to loosen the door. It had taken longer then she had wanted to work on the hinges. But it was working so she began her nightly process of turning the pins.. She had worked them loose enough that she could feel them turning slightly. The skin on her fingers had been rubbed raw and she sucked in a breath, pain shooting through them. This was going to work.

A small despairing giggle escaped her lips, her heart lightened, hope welling up. She could do this. She would do this. That mantra continued to play in her head as she turned harder…faster…

She jumped at the sound of the door being opened, bolting out of her one track…to get out. He was coming. She froze, staring at the doorknob as it turned slowly. She glanced behind her…looking for a weapon, even if she had to resort to throwing the bed at him. The door inched open and stopped suddenly, light shining through the crack.

She moved toward the wall, her eyes fixed on the door, the sound of her heart pounding in her ears…

"Mrs. Corinthos?"

Carly held her breath, listening and only hearing a soft breathing…

"Hello? Mrs. Corinthos…"

It was a girl's voice…a young girl…she was losing her mind…Carly's lips quivered as she answered. "Yes."

The door opened another crack and she watched as a surprisingly tall girl squeezed through it. Dressed all in black, hair hidden beneath a cap , the girl held what looked like a crowbar in one hand and a flashlight in the other.

Carly stared, the girl approached her cautiously. The girl came to a halt front of Carly, leaning in to look at her. She made an audible sound, a gasp and the word heard "Sonofabitch" escaped her lips.

Until that moment Carly had been asking herself if the girl was sent to kill her. Her face proved that impossible. Her eyes wide and angry at seeing Carly. She spoke again, voice trembling even beneath the false bravery she tried to project.

"Listen I'm here to help."

Carly shook her head. "I don't understand…who are you?"

"It doesn't matter ma'am. what's important is getting you out. We got to move. Let's go please." Her face was thin, a little dirty but striking…sad and beautiful…but what stood out were her eyes. Deep and brown…and familiar. Filled with pain and fear…

"Go where?"

The girl stared at Carly for a moment…her mind caught up in how beautiful this woman she was rescuing was even now and the girl felt a moment of disgust with herself. Rubbing her hand across her face, she imagined she looked like the ugly street kid she was. "Out of here. He's going to kill you. Tomorrow if not sooner. We don't have time."

"But…the guards…"

"Taken care of. They're passed out. One of the girls of the house doped them up for us."

"How do you know…"

"I still have friends in this house that came looking for me after today."

Carly tripped on her own feet and fumbled, falling on the girl slightly. She recovered, struggling to find the courage and strength she was famous for. She held onto the girls sleeve as the moved forward, carefully.

"What exactly do you mean by friends?"

There was no answer and she watched as the girl stuck her head around the door. Making sure the hall was clear, she shooed Carly out of the room, taking a moment to close and lock it. The girl's fingers betrayed the confidence in her voice, shaking slightly as she hid the keys in her jacket.

"How did you get those?" Carly whispered.

The girl glanced at her before motioning toward the end of the hall. Her eyes flitted behind them constantly. "They're mine."

Carly stopped. "What?"

"Ma'am we don't have t-time."


Carly could see the girl was beginning to get agitated and she should have stopped but this seemed to good to be true…something had to be wrong….

"How do I know you're not working for him?" Carly regretted the words as soon as they'd left her mouth. The girl looked as if she'd been slapped.

"I-I d-don't…"

"This is…I don't understand."

The girl whimpered, looking around them, head shaking. "Ma'am… Carly…." She placed cold shaky fingers on Carly's hand, her voice breaking, stuttered words tumbling over one another. "I kn-know you're sc-sc-scared but… be-believe me…w-when I-I-I say I w-wouldn't…sp-sp-spit on Tr-Trevor… La--La--Lansing if he w-wa-was on f-fire. We have to g-g-go. More than I want t-t-to help you and your b-b-ba-baby…I don't w-want to get ca-ca-caught in this h-ha-house. I'll n-never make it b-back out. So p-please…" The longer she spoke, the more agitated she became. She took a deep breath, controlling herself as best she could.

Carly nodded feeling a sudden protectiveness for this girl. "I'm sorry, okay? I understand. Let's go. Tell me how we're…" she trailed off as they began to walk down one corridor and then the next. To hell with why this girl had risked her life to save her…she could find out later. She would find out later….Freedom…that was the only thing she wanted.

They moved silently for several minutes, Carly guided by her saving grace…her angel…she could feel fear radiated from this child…this little girl, and pure instinct kicked into gear. She took the young girls arm, running her hand gently up and down it's length…giving as much comfort as she could.

The girl stared at this woman…this woman she barely even knew, whose life was in more danger then even she her own…tears welled in her eyes that Carly would take the time to show her kindness…this was all her fault…in some way it was….

She squeezed the hand Carly had placed on her arm. "About five feet in front of you, there's a hatch on the floor. The old sewer system down there. It's disgusting…"

"Baby…if this gets us out I don't care what kind of shit I have trudge through."

"Good to know."

"You're not stuttering." Carly observed.

The girl shook her head. "It only happens when I can't think straight."

"When you're scared."

"Uh-huh."

Carly watched as the girl pulled a hatch door open and then stood back. "You go first, that way I can close it after…it's better if we don't talk down there too. Just follow me, we'll get to the surface and I have a car waiting…"

Carly started down, carefully positioning herself in case she fell. Nothing would happen to the baby if she could help it. "Aren't you…a little…ouch…young to own a car?"

"I never said it was mine."

Carly paused to look up at her…"Who the hell are you?"

She sighed. "Cassandra…now I promise you I'll answer any other question when we're on the other side of these walls, okay?"

Carly continued her descent, wretched smell of feces and god knew what assaulted her and she coughed, her voice choking as it echoed up. "I was just as cocky at 16 you know that?"

"Really…I'm only 14...now move it please…"

Somewhere over the Atlantic

Carly's eyes opened, her startled mind still reeling from memories and old fears….

Forcing her heart to stop racing, she looked at her watch. Hours to go and she couldn't spare one damn minute…. She touched her sweat-drenched head, old ghosts invading her thoughts.

Carly stared at the dark green background below, her head falling against the hard plastic of the small oval window. The cold soothed her aching head and she breathed deeply like Sonny and later Cassie had always told her too.

She bit her lips, worrying that Cassie was hurt or…

She couldn't think that way. It wasn't going to happen to her. Cassandra was their salvation. She had always been her miracle and even if he didn't know it yet, she was Sonny's. Sonny's miracle sent to her by some divine force.

"God's not cruel."

The words echoed in her ears and she closed her eyes, exhausted she forced her mind to stay in the present and alert. She couldn't afford to be thrust into the past…where nightmares and monsters would tear her apart…

She needed to get home. To her kids.

To Sonny.

An island in the Caribbean

His eyes shifted to the half covered body at his side, grimacing as he started to rise from bed. Covering his face with his hands for a moment, he shook away the remnants of fiery images from his mind. Wiping his eyes, he moved suddenly, heading towards the well-stocked bar he kept in the room. Pouring the gold liquid into a half glass, he glanced at the bed once more, catching the glint of light that shone on the blonde hair fanning over the pillow.

His mirthless chuckle echoed in the silent room and he poured another glassful of scotch. This time he sipped slowly, appraising the figure on the bed from this distance. She had been with him for a long time. She probably loved him. He stared into the mirror above the bed and shook his head before looking away from the scars across his chest and arm. She had to if she let him touch her.

But he couldn't return it. His heart had always belonged to someone else. And neither one of them deserved the misery he wrought wherever he went. He'd cost one woman her life. He would be damned if it happened again.

He jumped slightly, his phone's familiar ring sounding loudly, and he saw her stirring as he picked it up. "What?"

There was a pause. "He's gonna make his move. It's time." The line went dead and he stared at the phone for a second. This was what he had been expecting, even anticipating. He felt a surge of energy he hadn't in a long time. He went to the wardrobe, pulling out a clean shirt and jeans. He dressed as fast as he could, never glancing back, knowing she was watching his every move. Turning to the closet, he opened it, pulled out a small canvas bag and shoved as many clothes in them as he could. He'd send for anything else he might need.

"So this is it, then?"

He could see her from wardrobe mirror and paused to meet her eyes in the reflection. "Yes. It is."

She nodded, not entirely surprised even if it still hurt. "Don't forget your gun." It was what she always said when he left in the middle of the night with no explanation. She watched him fiddle with a drawer until it opened. The steel flashed with the light before it disappeared into his holster.

She got up while he worked his shoes onto his feet and smiled at the familiar action. His jacket hung on the desk chair and she touched it affectionately before picking it up. He turned, finding her standing at the door with the leather coat she'd bought him the year before. One more thing he didn't want from her that she gave him freely. No strings attached.

He pulled his wallet out, dropping several bills on the bedside table knowing what the implication of that would seem like to her. He wanted her to hate him. It was the only way. "Take care Gabi."

The door closed soundlessly behind him and she glanced between the door and the nightstand. She felt used, which had been his intention she imagined. Even after the years they had spent together, it was painful to know that not even a small part of him loved her.

Gabi snatched the money from the table, crumbling it in her fist. She could burn it like she wanted to. But she was smarter then that. Even if the gesture was meant to pain her, it was also his own way of showing he cared. She laughed at her romanticism of the guy that had basically admitted she was nothing more than….

No need to finish that thought. She knew what to do as she glanced at her watch. The casino would open in a few hours and she had to get packed before then. She would have to have a clear mind to make it out of there. She sat on the bed, touching the warm sheets and allowed the tears to fall silently, allowed grief to seep out for that moment. She whispered into the still room. "Goodbye Johnny."

Port Charles, New York

St. Timothy's Church

Brenda's hand fell to her stomach, rubbing the ache there, in an attempt to calm it down. She was beyond nervous and she glanced at the clock again. The wedding was only a few hours away but she knew something was going to go wrong.

It always did.

There was a knock at her door, and she paused, taking a deep breath before speaking. "Come in." She could hear a tremor in her voice and hoped it would go away before the ceremony.

Courtney came through the door, smiling at her as she did. "Hi there."

"You okay?"

Brenda attempted to return the smile. "Hi back and of course." She turned from Courtney's probing stare, and caught her reflection in the mirror. "I'm getting married." The words sounded flat to her own ears, and as she glanced at Courtney's face in the mirror's surface, she knew it had sounded that way to her friend as well.

"I'm just nervous. You know I don't have the best luck with weddings."

"That's not true. You managed to get married once before. Twice if you count the ridiculous wedding on the boat with Jax." Courtney rolled her eyes at the name. She would never understand what Brenda had seen in Outback Ken.

Brenda paused, the non-mention of Jason shaking her further. "That didn't count. It wasn't a real wedding. I was in love with Jax. Jason was in love with you. It was a completely unique set of circumstances." She flopped onto the soft chaise, brushing her hair. She counted the strokes, refusing to look up at the angry stare aimed her way.

"That's bullshit."

"Courtney…let it go. Okay. It's done. Whatever could have happened, didn't. Nothing's going to change that."

"This isn't about Jason. Brenda, this is about you. About the choices your making right now." Courtney raised her hand, halting Brenda's argument. "Just listen to me." When the other women said nothing, she took it as her chance. "Maybe Jason and you weren't meant to be. Okay. I get that. But…you're settling."

"I am not. I love Gabriel. He loves me."

"I don't doubt that, Brenda. He treats you wonderfully. He genuinely cares for you and everyone around you. But you're not in love with him. I don't think you'll ever be in love with him."

Brenda stared at her, brush mid-stroke and shook her head. "You don't know that."

"I do. He doesn't need you. Not the way you need to be needed. Does that make sense? He's not screwed up. There are no demons to scare away or any past to soothe."

Brenda rose, moving across the room, whirling to face Courtney. "That's the craziest thing I've ever heard. If that was all I was looking for, wouldn't I have gone for Sonny or someone like that?"

Courtney laughed. "If you even had a remote chance with Sonny, you would have." She paused, staring intently at the other woman. "Actually, I take that back, if you still loved Sonny that way, nothing would stop you. But you don't."

Courtney approached Brenda, her hands grasping her friend's shoulders. "I don't want you to wake up ten years from now, miserable and wishing you could change what you're doing now."

Brenda mimicked the action, and squeezed Courtney's shoulders gently as she did. "I won't. This is the right decision."

Courtney sighed deeply before nodded her head in defeat. "Fine. I respect your decision." She glanced at the watch, hissing out a curse. "I better go see that everyone is getting it together." She leaned into her friend's open arms, embracing her tightly. Pulling away, she kissed Brenda's cheek quickly and headed for the door.

"I'll be back soon."

"Court?"

"Yeah?" Pausing, Courtney looked over her shoulder.

"Even if I did love him and I thought I had a chance, I wouldn't have ever tried."

Courtney cocked her head, asking curiously. "Why?"

Brenda smiled. "Because when it's all said and done, it would always have been about Carly. Nothing and no one else would ever matter."

"That's real love, isn't it?"

Brenda nodded. "Yes it is."

Harborview Towers

"Catherine Morgan Corinthos and Dad! Get your butts down here…now!" Michael glanced at his watch again, foot tapping impatiently. He pulled at the tight knot at his throat, wanting badly to pull it free. It was bad enough he was being forced to attend a stupid wedding, but having to wait for Cate and his father was torture.

He heard footsteps coming down the stairs and paused as his little sister rushed down the stairs, still dressed in jeans and a t-shirt.

"Um…excuse me kid. But aren't you supposed to be dressed?"

"Aunt Courtney said I should change at the church cause I might get the dress dirty or wrinkled."

He pointed to his own clothes. "Then, why did I get dressed so early."

"Because you're an a nail-reflective controller."

"A what?"

"A nail-reflective controller." Cate put her hand on her hip. "Don't pretend you don't understand me, Michael. I heard Leticia call you that the other day" She smiled proudly at him.

"I think you mean anal-retentive control freak…and I am not."

"Not what?" Sonny marched down the steps, dressed fully in a tux.

"A nail-reflective control…you look really nice, Daddy."

Sonny smiled widely at his daughter and scooped her up into his arms. "Thank you princess." His face twisted in confusion, he turned to Michael. " A nail what?"

"She means…never mind. We should get going Dad. I think the wedding party is supposed to be there long before everyone else." Michael glanced at his watch, making a tsking noise loud enough for Cate and his father to hear. They glanced at him and Michael pointed to the clock.

"Let's go people."

Sonny chuckled, rolling his eyes while picking up his coat. "Alright Cate, we need to leave before your brother has a coronary."

Cate smiled up at her father, taking his outstretched hand in hers, and looking back and forth between him and her brother, she spoke almost reverently. "I have a feeling."

Michael paused as he opened the door. "What do you mean?"

"I think that tonight is going to change everything." Cate walked past, dragging Sonny behind her. "I just have a feeling that tonight is special."

Michael's eyes followed them as they moved towards the elevator, pushing away the thought that he had the same feeling as Cate. He glanced at his father and realized that he felt the same way. They stared at each other until the elevator arrived, neither saying a word as they made their way out of the building and into the car…

PCPD - Cellblock C

She paced the length of her cell, counting to one hundred several times and finally after choking back a scream, leaned on the bars, her head falling with a soft thud. This was ridiculous.

She knew better then to have counted on that freaking uncle of…

"Well Ms. Martin…"

She glanced up at the annoying sound of her arresting officer's voice. He could not possible be a Spencer…too clean-cut…though in the looks department he looked like one. Heartbreaker…

"Cutting me loose, Officer Cuz?"

Lucky bit back a laugh, annoyed and slightly amused at the prep's insistence that they were related. "Exactly how are you my cousin again?"

Cassie sighed, leaning one hip against the bars and smiling up at him. "I already told you…Uncle Luke…hello."

"Right. Now…tell me again what sister did you say you belonged to? Cause I know you're not Aunt Bobbie's…"

"Seriously are you always this close-minded. We don't have to be blood-related for him to be my Uncle."

Lucky cocked an eyebrow, smiling dangerously. She knew that look. Carly got it all the time when she was getting mad and trying not to show. Hell, she probably had a similar one too. She held up her hand. "Look…you saw I had money and am staying in town…at your Aunt's to be exact…why the hell would I want to rob an obviously broken down shack like Luke's. Especially if it belonged to the brother of the woman whose place I'm occupying…come on."

"I don't claim to understand deranged criminals ma'am." He jabbed his pen into his pocket, holding his clipboard tightly. "Especially those screwing around with my father."

Cassie, shocked into silence, gapped at Lucky in disbelief. He thought that…oh my god…

Lucky watched as the little psycho suddenly started to laugh, her face lighting up and for a moment was fascinated by her lips, the curve of her month…pink and perfect…

He shook his head clear, the humor of the situation lost on him. "I don't see why that's funny."

"Maybe cause you're not in my head and can't see my mother's face at that thought." She controlled her laughter, letting a few giggles slip free as she stared at him.

"Are you going to tell me who you are and why you tried to steal from my father?"

She recovered her composure and crossing her arms, sent him the same smirk that he'd bestowed on her earlier, cocked eyebrow included. "Look buddy…"

"Oh…what happened to Officer Cuz, huh?"

Cassie shrugged and tilted her head in deep thought. "I just realized I have no idea who you really are."

"I told you I'm the son of the guy you tried to rob."

"So you say."

"Excuse me?" Lucky asked incredously. The little thief was calling him a liar…he couldn't believe it…

"Well it occurred to me you could be lying about your ties to Luke." She used air quotes to define ties, getting a kick at the color his face was turning. "The truth is you could have been there for the reason you say I was. See that way, when things are missing you can blame me and get away with it."

He straightened up, closing in on the cell. "Watch it kid."

She leaned back, hands up and smiled at him. "Hey, I ain't gonna blame a guy for thinking ahead."

Lucky clenched and unclenched his hands, counting to ten and reigning in his temper. It wouldn't help matters.

Cassie knew she was getting to him. Just a little further and maybe she'd push into opening her cell door… making a mistake…

"I get it, man. Thing is…you don't say "Spencer" to me, you know." She watched his jaw tick…if he clenched it any tighter he was going to break a tooth.

She smiled at the thought. "No offense or anything. The Spencers I'm acquainted to aren't exactly law-abiding most of the time. They got brains and cunning to spare." She leaned into the bars, lowering her voice. "And to be honest, hon…you don't seem very bright."

Lucky snapped. "Listen up you little piece of-"

"Hey! Lucas Lorenzo Spencer, Jr! You do not speak to women that way. You weren't raised in a barn, boy!"

Cassie's heart jumped in delight and she turned in time to see her beloved and infuriating uncle swaggering down the corridor. He grinned at her and she forgot every angry curse she'd been muttering against him for the past few hours. She pointed at Luke, turning to Lucky. "That's my Uncle Luke. Hi Uncle Luke!!!"

"Hi sweetheart! And goddamn it Lucky, stop staring at me like a dope and let that gal out of that cage before I knock you into next week…."