"Johnny!" Claudia ran up to give her brother a hug at the courthouse.
"I know they're probably not going to let me in, but I thought I'd at least show up for support." Johnny explained.
"If this goes according to plan it shouldn't take long." Ric came up to reply.
"I guess that means counting on you to work your magic." Johnny looked at Ric briefly before gesturing Claudia toward the door. "Go ahead; I'll be here."
"Wish me luck?" She requested while kissing his cheek.
He squeezed her hand and replied back. "Good luck." Johnny watched as Sonny, Ric, and his sister filtered into the court room.
Ms. Fuller had already taken her seat inside. Ric approached her bench quickly to confirm the arrangements. "It's set; the charges have been dropped to misdemeanor reckless endangerment under the agreement your client pleads guilty."
"And you will move for a sentence of house arrest?" Ric clarified.
"As discussed, yes."
He went back to his seat next to Claudia before the judge was called in. Once Judge Dale Bartone was seated the proceeding started.
"Mrs. Corinthos, will you rise." He instructed her. "According to the proceedings of Port Charles criminal case number 13675 you had been found guilty of Conspiracy to Commit Murder based on the allegation that you were responsible for a shooting committed by a Dr. Ian Devlin on April 4th, 2008. This court concurs that the verdict was set by a partial jury and with the adherence of the sixth amendment the change of venue was granted and the findings stricken from record. It is also noted by this court that an official confession to the charges has never been made, and that an agreement has been offered by the prosecuting attorney that the charges would be reduced to reckless endangerment were the defendant to give an admission of guilt.
"As the judge in charge of these proceedings I am compelled to agree to this contract. Mrs. Corinthos, do you understand that by confessing to the reckless endangerment charges you could be facing a sentence which at a maximum carries a year long term at Pentonville State Penitentiary?" The judge posed to her.
"I understand." Claudia answered.
"Then to the charges of reckless endangerment how do you plea?"
She took a moment to look to her husband who offered a sympathetic glance. "Guilty, your Honor."
"Thank you, you may be seated." He addressed her. "I also understand that both prosecution and defense have agreed upon what they believe is a suitable sentence for the charges. Mr. Lansing, I offer the floor to present your argument."
"Thank you, your Honor. My client cannot put into words the sorrow she feels for the events that unfolded the night of April 4th, 2008. The horror of watching a mother care to her comatose son was felt by everyone, and I don't believe there is a just punishment for the people responsible. As it is, both the father and the boy, himself, have offered their hearts in forgiveness and have also requested that the child that Mrs. Corinthos is carrying should not be harmed in carrying out the sentence.
"Ms. Fuller and I have agreed to the maximum sentence of twelve months confinement, with a term that started upon her arrest on December 17th, 2009. Due to the risk that stress can cause on the child I ask that this term be served with court security at 120 Harbor View Road."
"For clarity." The judge started. "You are asking for a term of house arrest?"
"Mrs. Zacchara would be monitored both by armed guards and an ankle bracelet. She would be limited to the grounds except for the case of doctor appointments in which dates must be presented to the court unless that in an emergency."
"Ms. Fuller states you have documentation indicting the risk a prison term could possess for the unborn child." Judge Bartone called for. Ric approached the bench with the statements from both doctors which the judge carefully flipped through. "Mr. Corinthos, as the father of Michael Corinthos III, on behalf of the family, is there anything you would care to add before I reach my decision?"
"Yes." Sonny spoke up. "The events that transpired that night and following could have been prevented if any number of events would have come to a halt. Both my wife and I are aware of the damage caused, and it has been repeated several times from my son that he wishes the domino effect to stop. I know that what he would like is for our child to be brought up healthy and happy and that is risked substantially by imprisonment, and I truly believe he would be here to express that were he not dealing with another family tragedy."
"Thank you, Mr. Corinthos. As a father, myself, I can see why it could be difficult for any jury to put aside personal feelings and come to an impartial decision based on the given arguments, but as an officer of the court it is my duty to uphold the rights set upon by our forefathers. I also agree that there is an innocent that deserves the right to life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness. Mrs. Corinthos, for the sake of your child I hope you have learned a powerful lesson."
"I have." She spoke up.
"I hereby declare to the charges of reckless endangerment the defendant is sentenced a twelve month term of incarceration retroactive to her arrest and granted house arrest given good behavior. However, Mrs. Corinthos, if you do anything to break the terms of this agreement you will be looking at facing the remainder of your term at the penitentiary, do you understand?"
"I do." Claudia replied.
"This hearing is thereby dismissed." He replied striking the gavel and getting up. Claudia threw her arms around her husband and wept in joy; it was finally over.
XXXXXX
"What are we doing here?" Carly asked BJ as they stood outside what looked to be a dance studio.
"Just watch." BJ declared and pointed to a little girl seated outside with her strawberry blonde hair tied back in a bun. She couldn't have been more than seven-years-old but looked to have a weight on her shoulders of someone much older. An older girl came out and looked in her decision.
"What's wrong lil-Bit? Did you get forgotten again?" The girl teased her.
"No; my dad is just running late." The girl replied. "He's a busy man."
"Your father is a hotel owner, mine is brain surgeon and mine has never forgotten me." The brunette responded condescendingly.
"I don't see him now." She refuted.
"Ms. Anderson told him to come late; she wanted to tell me privately that she thinks I should audition for the production Swan Lake this summer."
"That's wonderful, Emma." The girl replied holding in her own disappointment.
"Yeah; I can't wait to tell my mom, dad, and Jake." Emma gloated. "They'll be so proud of me. Jake has said that he'll sit in the front row to watch me."
"You and Jake are…?" She asked disappointedly.
"Are going to get married the summer before I go to Julliard. What's wrong Bit?" Emma asked noticing her tear up. "You didn't think you stood a shot…?"
"It's Britni!" A seven-year-old Britni demanded and stood up. "Break a leg with that audition, I mean it."
"Ooh, hit a nerve, did I? Well, sorry, as much as I'd love to engage it looks like my ride is here." She pointed out Patrick pulling up to the curve and coming out to greet his daughter with a hug as soon as they drove off Britni sit back down with her head buried in her arms as she cried.
"Britni, are you ready?" A woman touched her shoulder.
Britni looked up to see Mercedes seated next to her. "Where's dad?"
"Your father had a last minute business meeting. I'm sorry I would have been here sooner but I had some other business to take care of." Mercedes explained.
"Any information on where Morgan went?" Britni asked her.
She shook her head no. "It looks like Morgan and his girlfriend both dropped out of school, stole his father's car, and ran off."
"It was her idea, I know it." Britni claimed. "Just like it was her that got him addicted to the drugs in the first place."
"Okay, that's enough!" Carly reacted watching the scene unfold in front of her. "There is no way Morgan would get involved in drugs and drop out of school; and no daughter of mine would let Emma Scorpio-Drake reduce her to tears."
"Without you in her life she never got the chance…"
"What about Jax? That girl is his pride and joy…" Carly argued.
"And a reminder of what he lost. Over the years he just got more and more wrapped in work." BJ explained.
"No, this isn't right. What about Lulu, and Michael, and… Jason, for God's sake? They wouldn't let this…"
XXXXXX
"Robin, you have to get some sleep." Matt noticed her exhaustion as she tested the next combination against the blood sample.
"I can't; there's no time." Robin replied.
"You're not doing anyone any good right now." Matt argued.
"What if I fall asleep and her heart shuts down?" Robin posed.
"It won't. I have your notes right here with all the permutations you have yet to try. I'll keep going while you rest in the break room, and I'll wake you up when I find something."
"Okay." Robin nodded her head. "But you promise…"
"You don't have to do this by yourself." He assured her.
XXXXXX
"Lucky." Laura approached him at the café. He extended his arms to allow his mother in for a hug.
"She's getting worse." He stated sitting down at a table with a coffee. "The injection has stopped working and they're hooking her up to the ventilator now."
"I'm sorry." Laura held his hand.
"I told her that I wasn't going to let her die." Lucky responded gravely. "There's only one thing left to do."
"Nikolas isn't going to give her up."
"You make it sound like he has a choice." He replied and looked down at the gun in his holster.
Laura reacted in horror. "That's your brother!"
"I won't kill him, but if he thinks he's going to get in the way…"
"Lucky, he's doing this for you. That woman is carrying your child!" She attempted to reason with him.
"How do we know that?" He questioned.
"We don't, necessarily, but even if she's not how do you trust that Helena will give up the antidote once you do bring Mischa back? Are you willing to risk both Sam and her child? A child that she's willing to give her life for to keep safe?"
"What choice do I have?" Lucky asked.
"Faith, hope, love." She replied.
Lucky let go of her hand to walk away. "Unfortunately, they're all slipping."
XXXXXX
"I never said goodbye." Michael sat down on the basement couch. "I didn't even say 'I love you.' I was in so much of hurry to get back to what I was doing… It was the anniversary of that day she brought me into this world, and I didn't even…" He started to cry.
"Jason never said that she was gone." Kristina attempted to assure him. "Don't you see? This is amazing! She's alive."
"Everybody thought I was nuts for believing that." Michael reminded her.
"It wasn't that… I was worried about the bottom falling out and no soft cushion to land on."
"Her heart gave out during surgery, and she's been in recovery for hours with no sign of waking."
"So now you've decided to give up?" She questioned his timing. "Michael, it was your decision to know, what are you going to do with it? Are you going put your energy into getting her better and bringing her home or are you just going to throw in the towel?"
"How am I supposed to help bring her back?" Michael questioned.
"By going down to the church with me and lighting a candle; one for Carly and one for Sam." Kristina replied.
"Can you give me an hour to shower and change?" He questioned seeing the resolution in her eyes.
"I'll invite Morgan and Molly to go with us." Kristina replied.
XXXXXX
BJ's next stop was at Jakes. Lulu stumbled down the steps from the upstairs apartment in a mini skirt and tank top holding onto her high heels. Her hair was ratted and dark circles hung under her eyes.
"Coleman, I need some of your good stuff." Lulu responded while setting down a fifty on the bar. He handed her a small bag that she hid inside of her bra before exiting.
"Wait a minute young lady, what do you think you're doing?" Carly yelled out following her.
"She can't hear you." BJ reminded her.
Outside the door Lulu bumped into Matt Hunter. She brushed it off and continued leaving.
"Lulu, wait!" He called out to her.
"What do you want?" She questioned him.
"What do I want? I want you to stop prostituting yourself for drug money." He declared.
"Like you care!" She shook her head while rubbing her eyes trying to hide the fact that she was wasted.
"I do care." He replied.
"Oh really? You have a funny way of showing it."
"Lulu, what was I supposed to do? You kept pushing me away, you kept doing this. You promised me that once the prescription ran out you would be done!"
"I was." She gulped.
"Yeah, with the tranquilizer, but then it was the alcohol and marijuana. Now what is it?" He asked her. "I couldn't watch this."
"You don't have to; leave me alone." She replied before stumbling away. Matt watched long enough for her to fade into the distance.
"Okay, I'm done." Carly declared. "I know this show is all made up. For one, Coleman would never sell drugs on his premises, Sonny would never allow it."
"Sonny doesn't own the territory anymore. The Russian mob returned and Andrei Karpov's cousin, Ivan, took control of all of Corinthos and Morgan assets."
"No; see I was paying attention. Morgan stole Sonny's car which means Sonny is still alive, and there is no way that a living Sonny would give his territory to anyone, especially someone in the business of dealing drugs." Carly argued before dropping back to a bought of dizziness.
"Maybe you should sit down." BJ suggested to her.
"Sonny turned over the company to keep Michael safe. After your death by Jerry's hands he became more determined than ever to entangle himself in the mob. He offered his services to Ivan Karpov; and Karpov used that to control Sonny."
"So Michael…?"
"Is a henchman in the Russian mob."
"Oh God!" Carly reacted.
