Stella sat over Joey applying pressure to his abdominal wound.
"You should go." He muttered to her.
"No." She shook her head as tears fell from her eyes. "No; I won't leave you. Somebody call the police!"
"The closest station is a ways…" He attempted to tell her.
"I don't care; you're going to be okay, you have to."
Johnny came in as soon as his shot went off.
"Is he?" Claudia asked her brother as he stood over his father.
"He's dead." Johnny confirmed after checking for a pulse. Claudia wrapped her arms around her brother so ecstatic to see him, and then whispered some encouragement as he appeared in shock. "John, you had to."
"I know." He nodded. "I'm glad you're okay. I hear congratulations are in order."
Claudia beamed as she placed her head over her stomach. "Another eight months and you get to meet your nephew."
"My nephew? Isn't it a little soon to know that?"
"Oh, I know." She assured him.
"There's an ambulance coming." Sonny said coming into the conversation. "How is he doing?"
"It looks like it has missed most of the major organs; he's losing a lot of blood." Stella told him.
"Keep talking to him; it helps." Sonny assured her having been in that situation numerous times before.
"Now what?" Claudia asked her brother and husband. "Do we go home or stay on the run?"
"We go home." Sonny told her. "Ric has found means to call a mistrial; appeal the decision, and bring the case out of Port Charles. By the time she's…"
"He." Claudia corrected him.
"Way before she's due you are going to be free and clear." He smirked.
"How do you know that? Who says that the next jury isn't going to come to same exact conclusion?"
"Things have changed since you were taken." Sonny hugged her. "The prosecution's case isn't nearly as strong as it once was."
"Does this have anything to do with Carly disappearing? I heard about it, and I'm convinced dad didn't have anything to do with…"
"Dad didn't…" Johnny shook his head. "Jerry Jacks was responsible."
"God, somehow I knew Jerry was a bit too obsessed with her. Why else would a man care what his sister-in-law thought about his illegal activities? But I'm sure Jason is leading the cause in the search and rescue, and you know what's going to happen, he'll bring them both home just as this trial starts."
"No; not this time." Johnny answered.
"Why? What is it that…?" She looked up at her husband.
"There was a ship wreck." Sonny explained. "No survivors were found."
She shook her head in denial. "Jerry has faked his death before; h.. he just wanted to get people off his scent…"
"Coast guard saw the whole thing. No one was retrieved, and there was evidence suggesting that Carly was injured in the wreck." Sonny continued.
"But your kids…" She attempted to say as tears flew.
"Will get through it eventually."
"No; I can't do it this way. I can't… ouch!" She felt some cramping in her stomach.
"Claudia, is it the baby?" Sonny asked holding on to her. Johnny took a side and guided her to sit down.
"It's okay." Claudia assured him as she let herself calm down.
"No, it's not, as soon as the ambulance gets here you're getting brought in too."
"Sonny…"
"Don't argue with me. Michael and Morgan aren't the only kids I need to worry about right now."
*************
"Is there something I can help you with, sir?" The nurse asked from behind the station counter.
"I would like to speak briefly to a Doctor Walker." Jason replied showing the card.
"I'm sorry; to speak to that doctor specifically I would need to book an appointment. How about the 25th?"
"The 25th? That's like two weeks away. I don't think you understand. I just need to have a brief conversation." Jason argued.
"I'm sorry but Dr. Walker is on his vacation right now and won't be back until then. If you would like I could try to find Dr. Anderson for you?"
"And he is?"
"The chief of staff at this hospital."
"Yeah, okay." Jason agreed.
"Can I ask you the nature of this conversation?" She inquired.
"I have a couple questions about head injuries."
"I'll let you know when he's available. It may be awhile."
"I have nowhere else to be." Jason assured her.
"Nowhere?" The man next to him asked. "No house you could be working on? No wife to be spoiling? No kids to be playing with?"
Jason shook his head. "Her house and her children. Until I can bring her home I am right where I need to be."
"Oh, I'm sorry, I didn't realize. When does she get to come home?"
Jason snickered. "I don't know."
"The doctor's are always changing their minds about how long it's going to be. My son has been here for three weeks and they have pushed back his release date twice; although I suppose better safe than sorry, right?"
"He's going to be okay?" Jason questioned.
"Yes; he was riding his bike without a helmet. God, I always told him… he's going to need some physical and speech therapy but the prognosis is good. That doctor you were asking about. Dr. Walker he did the initial surgery to reduce the swelling; it's thanks to him that my boy lived."
"That's what I've heard."
"So you haven't met him? I suppose you came about the time that the doctor took off." The man responded.
"Took off? I thought he went on vacation?"
"Well yeah, I suppose, but last minute vacation. It was like he was in a mad rush to hook all his clients up with new doctors. I was just glad my boy was in recovery by the time he left."
"When did he go?" Jason questioned.
"Early… early this week. I want to say like Monday, maybe. The days kind of run together."
"About the time of the shipwreck?" He pressed hoping most of the inhabitants of Perth had heard about it.
"Yeah; that same day. I remember, my wife and I were watching it on the news when he told us. That was awful; I feel horrible for those families."
"Where did he go? Did he give you or your wife any forwarding information in case there was any problems with your son's recovery?"
"No; he said we were in good hands with Dr. Anderson and the hospital could call him if there were any complications. What I understood was there was a personal matter of his that needed attending to."
"Mr. Taylor, Brodie's therapy is complete if you are ready to go see him."
"Thank you." The man responded. "I hope everything works out for you and your family."
Jason nodded his head in gratitude.
***********
"We're here. Now how do we get to the castle?" Ethan questioned Nikolas as they arrived in Greece.
"We're not going to the castle; not right now, at least." Nikolas replied.
"Why not? I say we get in, grab her, and get out." Ethan suggested.
"How do we even know Sam is there? Besides that, you don't think Helena has security around every corner? Let's get to hotel so I can make a few calls and see what we can find out." Nikolas shook his head.
"Every minute we waste is another minute she may not have." Ethan argued.
"Maybe; but you're not doing her or anyone else any favors by barging in blind. This took Helena years to set. Don't think you can waltz in their and save the day, and don't forget the promise you made to one Mercedes Lopez."
"I don't understand why everyone is so nervous over a 100-year-old lady."
"Then you really don't have enough experience for this assignment. She's not a cat with nine lives; she's the phoenix that just keeps rising, and she's the closest thing you'll ever see to pure, unadulterated, evil."
"Now you sound like my dad with his hatred for your whole clan."
"He has good reason. My family has created a lot of torment for Luke and my mother. Both my father and uncle were obsessed with her; grandmother despised her for turning her son weak, and nearly broke the Spencer's when she abducted Lucky. She has no use for love; just power, control, and vengeance."
"Luke seems to have adjusted to you."
"It's taken time, but he's been able to see my mother in me. I'm sure he still has his concerns of the Cassadine part of me taking over. I can't say my obsession with Emily didn't mirror that of my father and uncle." Nikolas admitted.
"Let me guess, your grandmother hated that too?"
"With a fierily passion. I'm sure she is holding out for the day that she can single handedly raise the perfect Cassadine heir to continue her legacy."
Ethan chuckled. "Yeah, like anyone fits the criteria to create that offspring?"
*************
"How was your first week?" Caitlyn asked her brother over breakfast with Dante, Zander, and Liz.
"It could have been better." He replied. "The job itself is fine."
"I think we're all having some issues with concentration right about now." Liz added.
"Is Lucky doing any better?" Dante asked Liz.
"Physically, yes. I'm proud of him. He was hit by a semi and not one pain pill was taken. It would have been so easy too; after Carly's death and Sam going missing, but he's hanging strong."
"I'm sure he's looking for some good, old-fashioned, pay back." Caitlyn assumed. Zander noticed the hand-hold between his sister and Dante hoping it meant what he thought it did.
"What about you?" Zander asked Dante. "Caity tells me you're the next in the unemployment line. Not to say that I don't completely respect your decision, and if you need any help for the time being…"
"I'm doing just fine." Dante assured him. "I've thought about going into security, but for the moment I think it's best if I keep myself available."
"How are Michael, Kristina, and Morgan doing?" Liz asked him.
"Stronger than you would ever imagine was possible." Dante replied.
"He brought Morgan over to the batting cage the other day." Caitlyn explained.
"The one in Kenmore?" Zander questioned. "How did he like it?"
"He had a blast."
"You know, we should take Cam there sometime." Zander looked at Liz.
"The staff there are great, and if he's too young for the canon they have a t-ball set up to get the kids used to swinging." Dante explained.
"I have an idea why don't you two take Morgan and Cam sometime after the kids get home while Caitlyn and I take Jake to the Jumping Gym nursery. They have these great message chairs for the parents to utilize while the kids are getting full supervision by the staff." Liz explained the last part to Caitlyn.
"Sounds like a plan." Zander replied as the girls discussed the amenities. "Maybe some time this spring we can take them to a game."
"Are you a Yankee's fan?" Dante questioned.
"As long as they're not going up against the Marlins." Zander confirmed.
"Fair enough." Dante responded knowing Zander was a Florida native.
"Have you talked about bringing the kids back?" Caitlyn questioned Liz.
"I did talk to Lucky about that." Liz admitted. "We're both certain that whatever Helena is up to it has to do with that Valentin mystery that's unraveling and has little to do with the boys. We want to keep security on them, but I've talked to Laura about bringing the boys home."
"That's great." Caitlyn responded.
"Yeah, it is. I miss them so much, and the added bonus is Laura being able to spend some time with Lucky and Lulu before she has to go back."
"With Nik in Greece, who's going to look over Spencer?" Dante questioned.
"He's going to stay with us for the time being." Zander insisted.
**************
"Michael, can we talk?" Alexis asked standing in his doorway.
"Sure. Come in." He invited her. "If this is about my outburst last night; I didn't mean to be harsh with Kristina and Morgan standing there."
"You still believe it, though."
"Maybe I am just a product of my own environment, but I can't help but think that some people just don't deserve to live. When you can take a life without guilt or remorse… I'm not saying dad is perfect, but I know what he's done has weighed on him, people like Helena and Jerry, though, there's no… what did you want to talk about?"
"I just got off the phone with your father. He found Claudia; she's getting an ultrasound done at a clinic over there but if everything checks out they will be on their way home shortly."
"Claudia's coming back?" Michael reiterated and for some reason that news caused him to tear up. Alexis allowed him to lean up next to her.
"What's wrong?" She asked him.
"I don't know." He fought off the water works. "I'm happy for dad, and I hope the baby is okay. It feels like Thanksgiving all over again. Mom is gone and somehow I have to get used to the idea of Claudia. Ric is going to re-tri her case and without Jerry to testify…"
"That's not necessarily true. I can call in call in a few favors and get a top notch prosecutor to take the case; she's like Dianne good, but she's going to ask for you to testify. Do you think you could do that?" Alexis asked him. "It was your mom's wish that the decision to testify was up to you the last time. I was sure that I could win the case without questioning you, but without Jerry, Claudia's incarceration may just depend on her confession to you."
"After last night are you really asking me to be the sole decision on the bestowment of punishment?"
"How do you decide you deserves to pay and who doesn't?" Alexis asked attempting to get him to dig deep.
"She was sorry; she made a mistake and that baby shouldn't have to grow up without its mom because of it." He replied.
"Do you believe that completely? Do you believe that she's not going to try the same thing again on someone else that betrays her? Jax thought his brother could change…"
"Jax was wrong." Michael interrupted her.
"I don't want to dump this decision on you, Michael. I made the wrong one last time; I put my trust in Jerry Jacks and unfortunately you have to suffer the consequence of that. You and your brother, your sister have to subsist with that. I'll respect whatever decision you make."
