The Space Between

Chapter 6: Letting go

Two days later...

POLICE DEPARTMENT CLOSES CASE ON NOVEMBER MASSACRE.

The headline screamed up at him from his desk. He couldn't understand how this had happened. The words taunted, poked at him and Mac gritted his teeth, slamming his hand on the black and white letters. Ripping the page out, he crumpled it into a ball and threw it forcefully at the wall.

His office door swung open, hitting the wall hard as it slammed against it. He glanced up into Felicia's furious gaze. "Mac, tell me this is a joke." She shoved the offending paper in his face. "What the hell does this mean?!"

Mac averted his ex-wife's fuming glare, stepping around her agitated form he headed to his office door closing it calmly. There was enough gossip running through his department. He wasn't about to add fuel to the fire. He took a moment to compose himself before facing Felicia. "I don't even know how to explain."

"You don't-" She sputtered her eyes widening and then narrowing angrily. "Is this because it's Sonny's wife that was injured? Some sort of sick revenge for his alleged crimes?"

"I'm not even going to deem that with a response. You know me better than that." Mac pointed at her, walking back to his desk and facing her squarely. "I want to help Sonny. I want to find the bastard who hurt Carly and all those people that night. I want to see justice done."

Felicia threw the paper on his desk, motioning to the glaring words on the front page. "Then what is this, Mac, hmm? Why is the police department giving up such a high profile crime?"

Mac brought his eyes up to her face, opening his mouth to respond but he noticed an angry figure enter the squad room and charge toward his office. He rushed around his desk, reaching the door before Taggert could touch the handle. He held his hand up at the lieutenant. "Not a word until I close this door. One outburst a day is enough for me." He closed the door sharply, sighing loudly and directed Taggert to the chairs facing his desk. "Have a seat. Both of you."

Taggert and Felicia glanced at one another and reached for the chairs. They glanced at Mac in unison, confusion on their faces. He rubbed at his neck in frustration, plopping down into his chair. "Alright. Last night I received a call from the mayor suggesting," Mac spit the word out through his teeth, "that the police department should concentrate on crimes and cases we could solve. That he had heard the trail for the November massacre case was cold and we were simply wasting our time."

Taggert fisted his hand on the chair. "That's bullshit, Mac! You know it could be any of the dozens of enemies that Sonny has. And the Spencers have managed to tick of plenty of people as well."

"Not to mention we haven't ruled out someone in Carly's past. We don't know were she was for the five years prior to her showing up here in Port Charles."

Mac raised his hand. "I'm not disputing any of that. Hell, I haven't completely ruled out anything or anybody yet but this isn't my call."

"You're the commissioner."

"Yes," Mac glared at Taggert, "and as the commissioner, I answer directly to the mayor. He wants us to shut down the investigation I have no choice but to do as he says."

"Damn it."

Felicia hung her head, staring at the floor as she spoke. "Someone must have paid him off. Or blackmailed him."

"Someone with a lot of power, money and influence."

Mac nodded. "Who does that sound like to you?" He looked into Felicia eyes when they darted up to his face. She shook her head, stunned that she hadn't thought of the possibility.

"Helena. It has to be." She regarded the two men in the room intently. "We must have been getting close if she went so far as to call in a "favor". Is there anything you can do, Mac?"

"My hands are tied." He glanced at Felicia, smiling softly at her. "But yours aren't."

Taggert rose to his feet. "Pardon me sir but didn't you say you were told to stop investigating."

"I believe the police was told to stop. Felicia is in the private sector if I'm not mistaken." He meet her twinkling eyes as understanding dawned and smiled despite the situation then turned back to Taggert. "I'm not going to sit back and let that idiot mayor roll over me or what happened that night. We need to know and if we have to take an irregular approach to solving it so be it." He glanced quickly between them, finally resting his gaze on Taggert. "You two are our only hope."

Felicia furrowed her brow, confused. "Two?"

Mac's eyes stayed on Taggert. "You know the case better than even Felicia and I do. It's personal to you. You won't stop until you solve it. Felicia is going to need your help."

Taggert shook his head. "Mac, you just said they don't want police involvement and I suppose I could help her when I'm off duty but that won't be enough time to be of any use."

Mac agreed with a nod. "Very true. But then you'll have plenty of time off from now on." He smiled wryly at his friend. "Give me your weapon and your badge. You're fired...Marcus."

I won't go, I won't sleep, I can't breathe

Until you're resting here with me

Lucky opened his eyes slowly, glanced at Vanessa's profile as she hummed along with the song. The early morning light glinted through the driver's side window casting her in an angelic glow and he chuckled. The girl was no saint as he recalled her fight with some biker when he'd tried to stop her from taking him home. He'd called her bitch and she'd stopped, making sure she'd leaned him against the bar, then walked over to the jerk who'd insulted her.

They had walked out of there a few minutes later with the biker writhing in pain on the floor, her hands full of food that she had received as her bribe for not calling the cops into the bar, and a brand new leather jacket.

I won't leave, I can't hide, I cannot be

Until you're resting here with me

Lucky threw a disgruntled look toward the radio. "Do you think we could change that? It's going to depress me."

Vanessa screamed, her hands gripping the wheel tightly. She brought one to her heart and threw him a fuming look. "Jesus Christ. Are you trying to give me a heart attack?" She sent him another glance as she played with the dials of the radio. "I thought you were sleeping it off."

"I am."

I lie around in bed all day just staring at the walls

Hanging round bars at night

Wishing I had never been born

Lucky shook his head. "Not that one."

Vanessa sighed, reaching for the radio again. "Are you always this much of a pain in the ass?"

He grinned at her as she fiddled with the buttons angrily. "So they tell me."

There's something in the way she moves

Or looks my way or calls my name

Lucky's smile fell and Vanessa automatically reached for the dials, groaning in frustration as she looked over at him. "Last time, Spencer."

Just three miles from the rest stop

And she slams on the brakes

She said I tried to but I'm not

And could you please collect your things

"Well that's an idea." Vanessa glanced at Lucky who had the fakest sickly-sweet smile aimed her way. She looked back to the horizon and glanced at the highway sign as they sped past.

Only 436 miles to New York.

She flexed her hands on the wheel and rolled her eyes heavenward. Oh joy...

He watched as she handed her guest an envelope, smiling down on him. For most people that smile would have come off as sly, inviting. On her it seemed and was dangerous, threatening. He watched as the man swallowed nervously, trying to smile back but only managing to appear sick and afraid.

He should be if he was getting into bed, as it were, with Helena.

Jason smirked at the thought. She was going to eat the dear mayor alive. He'd be surprised if the poor bastard finished his term. Helena guided him out of the room, and he walked over to the small porthole to watch as she lead him to the boat that would carry him back to the mainland.

Walking to the small but extremely well stocked bar, he chose a glass and poured himself some water. He surveyed the choices thinking that Sonny could give her a run in the alcohol department. He sipped wondering how many times one of the guards had had to restock the bar since Carly had been in the hospital. He imagined Graciella had her hands full with the broken glass.

Helena glanced at Jason's chuckling form as she re-entered the room. "May I ask what you find so amusing?"

He shook his head, grinning at her. "Nothing that would interest you really. So are we sure that guy won't crack and spill? I mean he seems a little." He waved his hand from side to side to indicate his doubt of the mayor's strength.

Helena laughed softly. "Are you trying to say you think Mayor Harris is a pansy, my dear boy?"

"If that means I think he's a fag then yeah."

Helena shook her head in amusement, her eyes perused his body from foot to head. She wet her lips as she stared at his face hungrily. "Well, I don't think I have to worry about that with you."

Jason suppressed a shudder, averted the look she was sending him. "So things are under control." He finished his drink and turned to her."And you're sure that Carly doesn't remember anything?" Helena nodded slowly, a satisfied smile on her face. Jason returned it with his own. "Good. Then I think it's time to step up the plan."

Helena acquiesced, patting the seat next to her. "Tell me, my darling, what that is?"

He sat down and took her claw like hands in his, placing a small kiss on the inside of her wrist, resisting the urge to snap her delicate neck He needed her to finish destroying Sonny and Carly. "It's time for Jason to come home."

Silence filled the space in the small car as it wove through the early morning traffic. Carly's eyes fell on Sonny's hands as they flexed on the wheel and she ventured a look at his face. She noticed his jaw clench and release and clench once more. He was breathing strangely.

Carly frowned, glancing at the road briefly then returning her gaze to Sonny's face. "Sonny?" She reached out to him, caressing the length of his arm with her hand. She reached his shoulder and rubbed softly in a circular motion. "Are you okay?" She wasn't sure what had made her do that. It seemed to be working.

Her touch soothed him some she realized noticing that his shoulders relaxed slightly and his hands stopped fidgeting against the steering wheel. He smiled gently but didn't take his eyes off the road. "I'm fine. How are you doing? Tired?"

Carly shook her head, worried more about him then herself. He was taking the wife who didn't remember him or their life together home to their son, who she also didn't have any memory of. She knew too well how tense and scared he was feeling.

But there was something else happening. Something she couldn't quite figure out.

She leaned back against the seat studying her husbands face closely. Over the last two days she'd learned to read some of his facial expressions and others still perplexed her. Her eyes scanned his profile and she felt the now familiar skip her heart seemed to give whenever she looked at him.

She had strange reactions to him. Her fingers would tingle when he looked at her. She almost gave in to the need to touch him again. His laugh could send a delicious shiver running down her back. She still remembered the first time that had happened.

It was the day after she woken up and she'd said something about the hospital food and that it would be a mercy killing if he took out the kitchen staff. He'd stopped folding the napkin over her lap and had proceeded to let out the huskiest, warmest laugh she'd ever heard. Granted her knowledge of laughs was limited to three days but she was sure it was the best she'd ever heard. And would ever hear.

They turned into an underground garage and parked near the entrance to the elevator. Sonny came round and opened her door, extending his hand to help her out. She took his hand but hesitated slightly when two men stepped out from the shadows near the doors they were going to enter through. Sonny glanced behind him and nodded to the men. One of them disappeared into the elevator while the other approached the car. Sonny squeezed her hand and she glanced up at him.

"It okay. They work for me. That's Joseph," he pointed to the extremely young man that was heading toward them and then to the one standing by the doors, "and that's Max."

Carly forced her body to relax as the two men smiled kindly at her. They moved quietly with a practiced ease and confidence. One always stayed ahead and alert. The other kept pace with her and Sonny. They entered through what she assumed was the back entrance and made their way silently up the elevator.

She glanced at Sonny noticing that change in his breathing again. His eyes seemed unfocused and distant. They remained on the numbers as they ascended. She followed his arm down and watched as his hand flexed and then relaxed repeatedly. Her attention returned to his face and saw him silently mouthing the numbers as they rose.

He was scared.

The realization hit her and she felt foolish for not having gotten it in the car. Sonny was claustrophobic. She wasn't sure how she knew that but she did.

Elevator doors opened and she followed Sonny quietly out into the hall. She reached for his hand as he headed to the door on their right. Feeling her warmth next to him, he turned, his eyes clear and sharp once more. "Are you ready?"

She shook her head but smiled widely receiving a grin in return. "Are you?"

Sonny paused, studying her face. "No but I want you safe. I want you to be somewhere familiar."

Carly nodded. "Then let's go."

He opened the door, stepping aside to let her pass, watching her face for any signs of recognition. There was none he could see. Her eyes seemed to roam from spot to spot. Searching, needing to find something she knew. Something that she remembered.

Carly studied every piece of space she could see. Nothing seemed to trigger her mind. She smiled despite her fear. "Do you always decorate like this for the holidays?" She sent him an amused glance and spread her hand toward the tree. "There's barely any green left on that thing."

Sonny shrugged. "Michael wanted it that way."

Carly smiled softly at the mention of her the little boy she knew was her son. "Yeah?"

Sonny nodded. "Gets it from you."

She paused, staring at him. "I'm a holiday person I take it."

"They call you the Christmas Nazi."

Carly's mouth dropped open. "Are you serious?" He nodded, hiding a smile at her incredulous expression. "I have a nickname?"

Sonny tilted his head to the side. Carly found it endearing and damn near sexy as hell.

"Several actually." He smiled playfully. "I actually think my fave-" He stopped staring past her to the stairs.

"Momma!"

Carly stiffened at the small voice and mentally braced for her first glance at her son. She turned to see the little boy standing on the landing, smiling at her widely. When she looked at him his smile dimmed slightly. He glanced at Sonny then back at her putting his hands shyly behind him.

"I'm sorry I forgot you don't know me."

Hearing those words broke her heart and she turned desperately to Sonny.

He reached for her hand and tugged her with him to the stairs. Stretching his free hand, he grabbed Michael by his shirt and pulled him gently down the rest of the way. Once he held them both he directed them toward the couch.

Carly sat next to Sonny, her eyes staying on the little boy the entire time as Sonny explained as clearly as he could that Carly did know him, she just couldn't remember that. Michael nodded, looking at Carly several times before reaching his hand out to her. "Michael Corinthos the third, Mommy."

Carly bit back tears knowing how difficult and confusing this had to be for her son.

Her son.

She'd known the beautiful sweet child was hers from the moment she'd laid eyes on him. There was a need to hold him that she had to resist with all her might. She didn't want to confuse him further. Didn't want to cause more pain than he was already experiencing.

Sonny's eyes stayed on Carly as she shook Michael hand. His heart broke when she seemed as blank now as she had been before seeing their son. Somewhere in his heart there had been hope that when Carly saw Michael it would come back to her. It hurt that it hadn't.

He covered both their hands with his and stared at the two people he loved most in the world.

It was going to take time but he was going to make sure Michael got his mother back. That Carly would feel whole again.

And once he'd done that, once he'd made sure he'd given them what they needed and wanted, he would make sure they'd never be hurt like that ever again.

He was going to set them free.