Chapt 18

Thank you to everyone who has provided feedback. It means a lot to me and encourages me to continue writing. If you are a guest reviewer, I cannot reply to your question. To the guest reviewer who asked when my next chapter would be posted, I try to write at least one chapter a week (sometimes two) and usually post early on Sundays. I aim to have a resolution on the asteroid before April 1, when GH does their 60th Anniversary. Thank you.

DART is launched. Everyone watches in real-time. Frisco previously requested everyone stay inside and off the roads if possible.

Everyone in Port Charles and the nearby states rises early to live stream DART heading toward the asteroid.

Laura and Kevin sit watching the DART. Kevin says, "It reminds me of when I was 14 watching the Moon Landing. The excitement, the anxiety, and the hope that it succeeds."

Laura replies, "I know; I was about nine. I remember watching it with my adoptive parents, the Vinings, and my sister Amy, though she fell asleep several times. Dr. Evans said it would not take as long as the Moon Landing did.

General Hospital is only housing critical patients who cannot be discharged. Monica and a skeleton crew of medical personnel remained. Everyone still working shifts is watching on monitors placed throughout the hospital.

Robin, Claire, and Saira arrived at 6:30 AM and busy working in the lab. They have the TV on. Robin says, "Valentine and my mom were still asleep when I left. Patrick promised to bring breakfast before the launch and watch with us."

Saira says, "I created a holistic plan for your friend to accompany your treatment. I emailed her the plan a few days ago."

Claire adds, "I inputted all the notes and data we discussed yesterday!"

Robin replies, "excellent!"

Patrick arrives with breakfast, checks his watch, and says, "just in time for the launch."

Everyone takes a break to watch the TV event.

Willow is allowed to go home. She is too tired to get up early and sleeps in, but everyone else rises early and watches the launch. Ned spoons eggs onto his plate and picks up two pieces of bacon that Cook laid out in the dining room. Michael, Drew, Ned, and Olivia's plates are already full of food, and they eat as the TV announces the countdown to the DART launch. Ned is the only one who would remember watching the Moon Landing live, but this is closer to home and more nerve-wracking.

Drew says, "I received a list from Lucy of suggested acts we could do for the Nurses Ball, and if we start practicing now, we could…."

Ned exclaims, "Drew, not now. The countdown is about to begin."

Jax and Joss are watching the launch from Jax's Metro Court hotel room. Jax says, "if you aren't leaving, at least we can experience a launch of a lifetime. I remember when Lady Jane and my father told Jerry and me about the Moon Landing, but even watching old clips won't do this justice."

Joss replies, "we had a course on the moon landing in jr high school, but this is now real. Dad, I'm scared."

Jax says, "It may be too late to leave town, but there are places to take shelter. Your old man won't be going anywhere."

Joss hugs her father and says, "thank you. I love you."

Elizabeth and Jason prepare for the Launch watch. She says, "before the countdown starts, I want to thank you for hiring lawyers for Steven Lars, trying to get a new trial or a reduced sentence. He should not have gotten life in prison."

Jason replies, "don't thank me yet. The lawyers will keep trying. You can call them tomorrow."

Elizabeth says, "I get to thank you if I want."

Jason turns on the TV, and Jason and Elizabeth finish breakfast as the 'breaking news' is announced.

NASA and Dr. Evans start the countdown. At 07:30, DART leaves its dock and heads toward the asteroid. The speed increases slowly but unexpectedly and suddenly picks up speed. It makes contact but cannot push the asteroid far enough into space, and a slight hit breaks up a chunk of it. Several pieces, but not all, burn out in the atmosphere. It also brings down a shower of debris, scattering throughout areas of Port Charles, damaging several cars, and blocking exits to streets, forcing people to walk to nearby businesses for safety.

The DART self returns to its base. The expected outcome was unsuccessful. With minimal damage to the DART, the scientists believe they can repair the minor cracks in a few days. Laura and Dr. Evans schedule another press conference. TVs are turned off.

Fortunately, several Port Charles residents heeded Director Jones's request to stay inside; most were glued to the nearest TV sets. The local news interrupts and reports on the damages and injuries. Elizabeth steps into her shoes and ties the laces. She walks to the closet to grab a jacket.

Jason says, "Elizabeth, where are you going? The doctors said to take it easy."

Elizabeth replies. "I'm going to General Hospital to help. I've been resting and taking care of myself. I'm eating right, and overall, my stress level is low. General Hospital is operating with a skeleton crew and will need all the available nurses. Robin is there, as well as other nurses and doctors. If something happens to me, I'm better off there than at home. Perhaps you could check on the warehouses and the coffeehouse and see if they need help."

Jason knows it's better not to argue and instead offers to drop her off at General Hospital. They head outside, and the yard looks like it was hit with a major hailstorm. During the drive, they are amazed at the debris strewn throughout the streets, lawns, and parking lots. Cars left on the roads have minor dents. The roofs have dust and pieces which look like gravel but are small pieces of the asteroid. Several people as stumbling back to their homes, appearing to have minor injuries. Others are ambling down the street, seeming to be confused. One woman is limping; she holds one shoe, and the other is on her foot, but she keeps walking. A young boy cries and walks in the direction of Kelly's.

Elizabeth asks Jason to stop. She grabs their first aid kit, runs to the boy, and asks, "are you okay? I'm a nurse. Can I look at your injuries?"

The boy sniffles and nods his head. Elizabeth cleans his face and applies a bandage to his forehead. Elizabeth asks, "do you know your name? Where is your mother or father?"

The boy says his name is John, but he doesn't know where his parents are, nor can he tell her where he lives. Elizabeth says, "Jason, we need to take a few people to General Hospital."

Jason has been tending to injured people too. Most have minor injuries, but a few need more aid than he can give. He tells Elizabeth, "yes, I have a few individuals who should get checked out at General Hospital."

Jason and Elizabeth arrive at General Hospital, and aides are waiting to help the injured into wheelchairs and take them to exam rooms. Elizabeth thanks Jason for his help. He kisses her forehead and says, "I'm going to survey any damages at the warehouse and check on Sonny and Carly."

Elizabeth says, "good luck."

Elizabeth brings John to Kevin, and he finds John's parents. After assessing his mental status, Kevin takes John to the daycare to wait for his parents.

Elizabeth changes into her scrubs, and she and the General Hospital staff treat minor injuries of incoming patients. The most serious injuries are a few broken bones and two facial lacerations from a car crash. The car swerved to avoid a guy who tripped in the middle of the road.

Elizabeth washes her hands and changes back into her street clothes. She texts Jason that she is meeting with Robin and will be ready for a ride in an hour. She leaves the locker room, turns the corner, and bumps into Brad.

"Watch it!" Brad snarls.

Elizabeth bites her tongue and says, "I'm sorry, I didn't see you. How are you? What are you doing at General Hospital?"

Brad replies, "not that it's any of your business, but I sprained my ankle when I tripped over chunks of that asteroid."

Elizabeth snickers, "Brad, are you the guy the car served to avoid hitting? You tripped on something smaller than a golf ball."

Brad huffs and says, "I could have been killed!"

Elizabeth sarcastically replies, "and we are so very thankful that didn't happen. I'm sure your Aunt Selena will be worried if you don't tell her you averted disaster from tripping in the street."

Brad huffs again and says, "if Britt were still working here, I'd have her put you on report for that comment."

Elizabeth sighs and replies, "Brad, leave. You are not seriously injured, and you've been discharged."

Elizabeth knocks on the door to Robin's lab. She hears, "enter." Elizabeth finds Robin and Claire huddled over telescopes and examining slides. Robin looks up and stands to hug Elizabeth. "How are you? Are you feeling stable?"

Elizabeth replies, "I'm following the health suggestions from your friend Saira. I'm trying to get enough sleep, but there's this stress from the asteroid. I was treating some minor injuries from the failed DART attempt."

Robin says, "I don't want to stress you further, but unfortunately, your sister Hayden's blood needs further testing. Since she's been out of the US and Canada for several years, her blood cannot be used for donation for at least three months. In the meantime, if I can complete a serum for inoculation in two to three days, that can hold you off. It's possible a vaccine can avert further blood donations. The main drawback is that it is experimental and has no guarantees."

Elizabeth replies, "I'll stay positive. You saved Jason; you will find a way to save me."

Jason arrives, Robin updates him, and he thanks her for her hard work. Jason and Elizabeth leave, and she tells him about her run-in with Brad. She says, "I don't trust him. He always has a motive, and now that his managing Selena's gambling operation, I trust him even less."

Jason and Elizabeth head to Kellys, to pick up food and drive home. Elizabeth calls Hayden and breaks the news about her unable to donate blood for at least three months. Hayden agrees to meet with Jeff, and Elizabeth promises to make an appointment.

Elizabeth and Jason call Cameron to check on his tours. Cameron says, "I'm still touring, but I promised Lucy I'd take a break and return for the Nurse's Ball. I met up with Jake, and we had dinner. He's adjusting to California but misses Port Charles. He wants to return as soon as the asteroid is over. I connected with Emma after all these years. She took Jake to one of my performances. She said she would try to come out for the Nurses Ball."

Elizabeth replies, "we are very proud of you and saw some of your concerts online. Give Jake our love, and we will call him later. We can't wait to see both of you again."

Robin sends Claire home, and she calls Patrick. "Patrick, I'm leaving General Hospital and will be there in 20 minutes. Do I need to pick something up, or are you or mom cooking?"

Patrick replies, " dinner will be ready when you get here. Val has already opened a bottle of red to breathe. Emma called. I'll catch you up when you get here."

Robin arrives, kisses Patrick, and discusses her lab work and the chaos General Hospital treated with the asteroid. Patrick says, "Anna and Valentine filled me on on the hit the asteroid took, and it wasn't pushed far enough into space, and parts broke up. Port Charles was fortunate not to have been hit worse. Apparently, other states had fewer damages."

Robin replies, "Perhaps the next time DART goes out, you should be at General Hospital to help out with patients if what happened today happens again. Right now, General Hospital needs all the doctors on hand."

Patrick replies, "of course. Before we eat, I want to tell you about my call with Emma. Cameron Webber cut an album and has been touring. One of his stops was a couple of concerts in California. One was close to Berkeley, and Emma took Jake to see his brother. She reconnected with Cam, and how she talked about him sounds like she has a crush on him."

Robin laughs and says, "she was dating James when we were living in Berkeley, but they parted ways when she left for Princeton. I don't think she had a serious boyfriend there. Cam is a good kid. They were sweet about each other when they were kids. She's grown up now. We should trust her. I wonder if Elizabeth knows."

Patrick replies, "Emma wants to come out for the Nurses Ball."

Robin adds, "if there will be a Nurses Ball."

After dinner with Anna and Val, Robin and Patrick take care of the dishes. Lying in bed, Robin asks, "if there is a Nurses ball, are you going to perform?"

Patrick replies, "maybe if you join me too."

Robin says, "I am already the Key Note Speaker. My days of performing are over. Perhaps you could ask Emma."

Before turning out the lights, Patrick asks, "what if there is a karaoke machine?

Robin laughs, "I have had the time of my life with you, but singing karaoke is not part of it."

Robert calls Diane and apologizes for not returning her call earlier. He says, "I was busy trying to put a lid on the mishap with the DART. There will be a press conference soon, but can I make it up to you with drinks at Charlie's?"

Diane replies, "after the other night, I deserve dinner and drinks. I'll pay for dessert."

Robert says, 'you twisted my arm. I'll pick you up in half an hour."

DART repaired

Press Conference

Saira and Clarie S/O revealed

Calls to Ireland

Calls to Jake

Willow and the Q's

Kelly

Steven Lars

Decisions