Ok so before I get to the update I just want to respond to all your reviews about Jerry, Claudia, and Elizabeth because you all seem to hate them and what to see them dead. I understand your frustration and I promise they aren't all going to just keep getting away with everything, but these things take time. So stick with me, and you'll see that things have to start looking up for our favorite couple…just give it some time. Besides that I just want to say thank you to everyone who is still reading and reviewing, you guys are awesome and I really appreciate all your responses! They do make a difference! Enjoy!
Disclaimer: I don't own General Hospital or the characters.
Sonny was sitting at his desk going over some paperwork when Claudia walks in from the back. "Where have you been all day?" Sonny asks barely looking up from his paperwork, wanting to appear disinterested.
"You should know." Claudia scoffs tossing down her purse on his desk and standing over him with her hands on her hips. "You have your guards practically on top of me whenever I leave this house, surely they keep you well informed like the good little boys they are."
"You ditched my men today when you were supposed to meet your brother for lunch, a lunch he knew nothing about might I add. So you can't blame my curiosity when I wonder what was so important that you couldn't take them with you."
"I didn't ditch them." Claudia says and hates how defensive she sounds. "It's not my fault they can't handle a simple security detail, makes me wonder how safe I truly am with your men watching me."
"You're plenty safe with them watching you if you wouldn't continually undermine them. It's you putting yourself at risk here Claudia." Sonny says wondering if she would get the subtle double meaning to his words.
"Oh if I didn't know any better I might think you actually cared." She says tilting her and staring at him intently. The last week or so Sonny had slowly started acting differently to her, almost so subtly she hadn't noticed. It started just after that McCall woman had returned…all the more reason to get rid of her. "Tell me Sonny are you more upset that I could've gotten hurt by ditching your men or the fact they couldn't watch my every move and report back to you?"
Before Sonny could answer there was a muffled ring coming from Claudia's purse and Sonny notices her tense as she looks down at his desk. "Aren't you going to answer that?" He asks picking up her purse and holding it out for her, intrigued when she hesitates to take it. "It could be important." He says when all she does is take out the phone and stare at it.
"I don't recognize the number." Claudia says still looking at the phone, knowing it was the nurse calling her and wishing she could answer it, but not with Sonny just standing there.
"Give it to me, I'll find out who it is." Sonny offers holding out his hand.
"No!" Claudia shouts stepping back and holding the phone to her chest. "I'll take care of it." The last thing she needed was for him to know she contacted Elizabeth. It would ruin her plans if anyone knew there was a connection between the two of them. But with Sonny staring at her intently Claudia has no choice but to answer the phone. Raising it to her ear she releases a relieved sigh when Sonny's own phone starts ringing. With an expectant look Claudia smirks. "Aren't you going to answer that?"
Narrowing his eyes Sonny curses while turning his back on Claudia to grab his phone recognizing the number as one of his men. Turning back around to tell Claudia he needed privacy Sonny isn't surprised she had already slipped away while his back was turned…making it painfully obvious she was hiding something. "What is it?" Sonny asks on a sigh sitting on the edge of his desk and rubbing his brow. "Say that again?" Sonny's hand lowers to his side as he stares off into space. "Is everyone alright?"
Claudia closed herself off on the back patio, keeping one eye on Sonny through the window. She watched the faraway look enter his eyes and wondered what news he was receiving. Maybe Jerry was proving his usefulness and she wouldn't even have to bother with the insipid nurse, but just in case Claudia finally tuned into whatever the woman was saying. "You certainly didn't waste any time getting hold of me. Apparently my offer was too great to pass up on." Chuckling at the other women's high pitched rambling Claudia turns her back on Sonny and starts making her way down the path to the backyard gate, waving at the cameras as she goes. "Pick a time nurse Webber, just be sure to not be late. I don't have the patience for it." Opening and closing the gate she is pleased to see the guard isn't there. "Sounds good…I'll see you then." Claudia barely had time to hang up the phone before it started ringing again. Taking a cursory glance at the caller id she answers the phone having instantly recognized the number. "Where have you been? I've tried getting a hold of you for days!"
"Is that anyway to greet your friend and accomplice my dear? Especially after I took time out of my very busy schedule just to have a pleasant little chat." Jerry says in his carefree nature.
"Cut the crap Jerry I don't have time for this." Claudia says hurrying off Sonny's property and away from prying ears.
"Patience, Claudia." Jerry says making tsking noises. "Maybe with a little patience you never would have found yourself in this predicament."
"Oh, shut up!" Claudia growls. "Just tell me what exactly have you been up to?"
Loving the note of desperation in her voice Jerry only chuckles as he picks at imaginary lint on his jacket. "Don't worry your pretty little head with what I've been up to Claudia, I assure you I have Mr. Morgan and Sweet Sam right where I want them."
"Are you kidding me!" Claudia laughs hysterically. "If you mean royally pissed off than, yea, I'd say you're doing a great job."
"As I said...all you need is a little patience and things will simply fall into place."
"I'm getting sick and tired of you and your games Jerry!" Claudia says coming up on the car she had hidden from Sonny and his men. "Stop messing with Jason and this McCall woman and be done with them!"
"Where is the fun in that?" Jerry scoffs.
"Fun?" Claudia practically chokes on the word. "Fun! Do you think this is fun you sick son of a..." Practically biting off her tongue Claudia takes a deep breath. "Do you know the problems you are causing me! Sonny and Jason are more suspicious than ever and I haven't even gotten involved with this whole mess."
"Oh really?" Jerry says clearly amused. "What color is the sky in your world my dear delusional Claudia? Because who ordered that hit on Mr. Corinthos that landed precious young Michel in the hospital? Who called me when Corinthos rotten children ran away? Who has been ordering me to make Sweet Sam and her heroic Mr. Morgan disappear? That would be you on all counts, which makes you involved as much as me. And if there is any suspicion it is because you are in over your head and losing your cool."
Screeching Claudia slams a hand down on the steering wheel. "I am doing no such thing!"
"Temper, temper...Claudia you must learn to keep that in check. No wonder Jason Morgan and the insipid Corinthos can see right through you."
"You do know who you're dealing with, don't you?"
"Ah yes…" Jerry sighs. "A pretty face that's going to get herself killed."
"Need I remind you who is calling the shots here?" She grounds out through her clenched teeth.
"That would be me." Jerry says and laughs when he hears her sharp intake of breath. "Oh don't tell me you thought you were? Oh that would be quite funny if it wasn't so pathetic."
"You bastard..." Claudia seethes. "That's it! I'm done with you and your bullshit! I am taking matters into my own hands, starting now."
"What exactly do you intend to do?" Jerry asks curious.
"Don't worry yourself with it, I got it covered."
"Now Claudia, don't go do anything rash...wouldn't want another innocent bystander to get hurt. Who would you seduce to save your own skin then? The gutless doctor Devlin has long since been taken care of and Corinthos…He will be out for your blood if he ever finds out you're the reason behind poor innocent Michael's coma. Nothing will save you then except…"
"Except what?" Claudia snaps when Jerry's voice just drifts off.
"Except for me having mercy and coming to your rescue." His smile clear in his tone.
"You think you're so cute, but just you wait. After I'm done with Jason Morgan and his precious Sam you'll see I'm not someone to be messed with."
"You sound quite sure of yourself my dear. I must admit you have me intrigued."
"I don't care what you are, because this little arraignment is done. You can go back to whatever hole it is you came from. I don't need you anymore."
"You think I'm going to leave you to handle Mr. Morgan and Sweet Sam?" Jerry asks incredulous. "I respect your right to try, but I have unfinished business with the two of them that I intend to see to the end."
"Fine, stay if you want, but your services are no longer needed."
"You really think you can handle this on your own?" Jerry asks skeptically. "I'm not so sure. Jason Morgan is resourceful and when it comes to Sweet Sam he is determined. He has a way of surprising you."
"Jason Morgan isn't going to see me coming." Claudia says confidently. "I have nothing to worry about."
"Is that so?" Shaking his head Jerry checks his watch. "Well good luck to you Claudia, I really do wish you all the best."
"I'm sure." Claudia rolls her eyes. "I'm hanging up now Jerry. I don't want to hear from you again."
"You'll be changing your tune I'm sure." Jerry says only half jokingly. "One more quick question before I let you go, I know you must be terribly busy now that you're planning to handle this all on your own."
"What is it?"
"What type of flowers would you like for me to place on your gravestone once Mr. Morgan is through with you?"
"Go to hell Jerry." Claudia says with as much calm as she could muster.
"See you there I'm sure." Jerry says chuckling before hanging up the phone. "Well this should be interesting." He says quietly to himself, thinking of the fun that would be had outmaneuvering not only Jason Morgan, but now Claudia as well.
"I want to know what happened exactly." Sonny says to Max before turning to pour himself a drink.
"Yes sir." Max nods his head once.
"I want to know where our men were." He says sipping from the glass, his hand clenched tight.
"I understand." Max nods again and turns anxiously towards the door when it opens, but it's only a nervous looking Milo that enters.
"What have you got for me?" Sonny asks turning to face the brothers.
"There ah…there's been no word." Milo says quietly, avoiding eye contact.
"What did you say?" Sonny asks stepping closer.
"We haven't been able to reach Jason." Milo says, louder this time.
"God dammit!" Sonny shouts turning and tossing his glass against the wall, getting mild satisfaction from the glass shattering. "I want to know where Jason and Sam are!" He says turning back around. "I want to know who all was in the penthouse at the time of the explosion!" He says pacing away. "And I want to know how the hell this could have happened!"
"That's what I would like to know." Jason's angry voice startles the three of them and they all turn to see he and Sam standing in the doorway, both dirty and tired looking.
"Jason! Sam!" Sonny says equally shocked and pleased to see them both standing in his doorway. "Are you two ok?"
"Yes." Jason says gruffly, walking with Sam towards the couch.
"No thanks to Jerry." Sam says his name as if it's a curse, wincing as she lowers to the couch. "I am really getting sick of that guy." She says sharing a look with Jason who brushes back her bangs to press his lips to her forehead.
Staring intently at the couple on the couch, Sonny shakes his head. "What happened tonight?"
"I don't know." Jason says keeping his gaze on Sam. "We had gotten off the elevator and there were flowers waiting outside your penthouse."
"Flowers…from who?" Sonny asks staring at Jason when he doesn't immediately continue.
"Jerry of course." Sam answers him instead. "He's messing with us…with me." She clarifies shaking her head, wrapping her arms around her waist for comfort. "Why doesn't he just make his move already? What is with all these stupid stunts he keeps pulling?"
Confused Sonny looks between Jason and Sam, waiting for one to explain. "I don't understand…"
"The bomb Jerry set was inside your penthouse." Jason says pushing up from the couch to pace. "It was just large enough to take out your place, nothing more." Stopping his pace to stare out the patio window Jason sighs. "Jerry knows explosives!" He snaps turning back to look at Sonny. "If he had wanted us dead today we wouldn't be here right now." His gaze lowers to look at Sam. "We would have been injured…If Sam hadn't had acted so quickly we both would've been in the hospital for sure, but not dead." Rubbing hands over his tired eyes Jason's whole body just droops and he comes to sit down again next to Sam, wrapping his arms around her and drawing her into his body. "Jerry doesn't want us killed. Not yet at least. I don't know what it is he's after and at this point I don't care. I want him found and then I want ten minutes alone with the son of a bitch!" The anger in his words causes the hairs on the back of Sonny' s neck stand on end.
"We'll find him man." Sonny says nodding at Max and Milo to get on it.
With Sam's head resting on his chest Jason can feel her warm tears dampen his shirt. Tightening his hold Jason stares up at Sonny, his eyes cold and lethal. "We better."
Elizabeth had dropped the boys off at Grams and called Lucky at the station to tell him she would be working late for another nurse. With all her bases covered she made her way to the piers and parked. Staring off into the distance she considers her different options. She could blow off Claudia and go home to her husband and kids, or she could get out of the car to meet the other woman. The smart thing to do would be to leave, but she just couldn't seem to do it. Not with the thought that she could be rid of Sam McCall for good by just getting out of the car. That was just too tempting. So with her mind made up she gets out of her car and makes her way down to the docks. The wind from the water chilling her down to the bone so she has to pull her jacket tighter around her as she paces, waiting for Claudia.
"I have to say I love your punctuality." Claudia says walking out from the shadows.
"You said don't be late."
"So you follow orders too...that's good…it will make things a lot easier that way."
Nervous at the way that sounds Elizabeth clears her throat. "Why exactly am I here?"
"As I mentioned before I could use your help."
"What if I don't want to help you?" Elizabeth asks with her eyebrows raised.
"Then what are you doing here?" Claudia smirks.
Speechless for a moment Elizabeth lowers her gaze to her hands clasped tightly together. "When you said…" She says quietly, still looking down.
"Speak up nurse Webber!"
Lifting her gaze and staring intently at the other woman Elizabeth swallows past a lump in her throat. "When you said get rid of Sam McCall, what exactly did you mean?"
"Are you asking what my plans are for the other woman?" Claudia asks crossing her arms over her chest. "Like you actually care about her…I was under the impression you couldn't stand Ms. McCall. Was I wrong?"
Stammering Elizabeth shakes her head. "No you weren't wrong. I think Sam McCall is the worst thing to ever happen to Port Charles and we would all be better off is she just went back to wherever she came from." Elizabeth's tone getting angrier with every word she says.
"Well then what does it matter what I have planned for her?"
"I have two little boys to think about." Elizabeth shrugs nonchalantly.
"And a husband, right?" Claudia asks with another smirk. "Or are we going to completely forgot poor detective Spencer who is to naïve to see his wife isn't the loyal nurse and mother he thinks her to be."
"You don't talk about Lucky! You know nothing about him or our marriage." Elizabeth says with new found confidence.
"I know that it must be pretty rocky relationship if you can't seem to stop pining after Jason Morgan like some lovesick puppy." Claudia says snidely.
"Shut up!"
"Tell me Elizabeth is that why you met me here tonight? It's not because you think Port Charles will be better off with Sam McCall gone, but because of Jason Morgan."
"Jason is my friend of course I'm concerned for him…"
"Your concern begins and ends with getting that muscled up mobster all to yourself." Claudia interrupts clearly annoyed.
"I don't know what you're talking about, because I am a happily married woman."
"Enough with the pretenses already!" Claudia shouts.
"I don't know what you're talking about!" Elizabeth shouts right back, forgetting for a moment who she was dealing with and the fact they were all alone.
Surprised at the nurses guts Claudia chuckles once lightly. "You can deny all you want, but you're fooling no one nurse Webber. Except for maybe yourself if you actually believe Morgan will ever come back to you."
"You have a funny way of asking for help, do you know that?" Elizabeth asks glaring at the other woman.
"See that's where you're wrong." Claudia sighs. "I'm not asking for your help because I need it, I'm giving you an opportunity to help see that Sam McCall never sticks her nose where it doesn't belong again. If you're not interested I can easily go about my plans without you." Claudia says starting to turn away.
"What makes you think I won't go to Jason as soon as I leave here?" Elizabeth snaps. "Tell him everything I know."
"Why would you possibly do that?" Claudia asks truly shocked now at the stupidity of the nurse. "Going to Jason would only result in him coming after me and keeping Sam in his life. Something you clearly wouldn't want."
"Or Jason might be so grateful for my coming forward…"
"And what…dump Sam on the side of the street?" Claudia struggles to say through her laughter. "The screws really are loose in the head of yours aren't they? I wonder how you've gone so long without anyone realizing it."
"You know nothing about me." Elizabeth glares at the other woman.
"I know plenty." Claudia counters stepping closer. "I know that you have somehow gone the last ten years or so with this image of innocence and wholesomeness that is not only completely false, but sickening as well. I know that you have taken the game of manipulation to new heights, using your children as pawns against the men in your life. I know that you have probably been waiting for years for Jason to realize you are the love of his life, not Sam McCall." Stepping so she's practically hovering over Elizabeth, Claudia only smiles first. "And finally, I know that if you pass up on this opportunity I'm offering you now you will regret it for the rest of your life." Straightening and stepping back Claudia shrugs her shoulders. "But perhaps I'm wrong and if that's the case I'm sorry for inconveniencing you nurse Webber." Claudia didn't even have a chance to take a step away and Elizabeth was calling her back.
"Wait…wait!" Elizabeth says reaching out and grasping Claudia's elbow. "Just wait!"
Staring intently at her elbow Claudia glances up at Elizabeth and shakes her head until she drops her hand. "I thought you'd see it my way."
"Not yet." Elizabeth insists crossing her arms over her chest, feeling the chill of the wind again. "Not until I know what you have planned for Sam."
"What does it matter?" Claudia asks on a sigh, sure the nurse wouldn't actually be able to handle the truth.
"It matters because I having everything to lose here. If I help you and anyone finds out…"
"Anyone meaning Jason." Claudia rolls her eyes, resisting the urge to gag.
"Yes Jason!" Elizabeth snaps through clenched teeth, hating the way she says his name. "Or Lucky! Or the police! I'm sure whatever you have planned is illegal and I can't be caught in something illegal."
"Not to mention that if it gets out you helped in the demise of Sam McCall's you would never be able to step foot in this town again. Because if Jason Morgan didn't make it his mission in life to come after you, I'm sure there are a number of people who would."
"Yes, it seems she has wormed her way into the good graces of everyone, except for me. I know better than to trust that woman…after what she did to me and my children. How Jason or anyone else could possibly forgive her I'll never understand. The woman is a deceitful whore…" Elizabeth's tirade was cut off by Claudia's maniacal laughter. "What is so funny?"
"Oh you, of course." Claudia sighs, wiping fake tears from her eyes. "I believe there's a saying about a pot and a kettle."
"I am nothing like Sam McCall!"
"No, you're right about that." Claudia nods with a small smile. The nurse didn't even realize she was falling right into Claudia's hands. "From what I hear she is quite a woman."
"She is a con woman." Elizabeth argues.
Chuckling lightly Claudia holds up her hands. "I'm not here to judge, I don't care if she was a choir girl or a stripper."
"Then why do you want to get rid of her?" Confusion etched in her voice and her brow, Elizabeth crosses her arms over her chest.
"Because she is more trouble than she is worth." Is all Claudia was willing to say. "Surely you can understand the feeling."
"Yes, I can."
"So do we have a deal?" Claudia asks, tired of the exchange and running out of time. Sonny would send someone looking for her soon. When Elizabeth only stares at her Claudia sighs. "Tick tock nurse Webber…I don't have all night."
Looking past Claudia to stare out at the water Elizabeth clears her throat before speaking. "I want you to know I'm not a bad person." When Claudia scoffs Elizabeth quickly brings her gaze back to the other woman and glares. "Under normal circumstances I would never even consider meeting with you like this, I know who you are and what you're capable of. I know that if anyone were to find out about our meeting like this no one would look at me the same again. Under normal circumstances I would have gone to Lucky or Jason, because that is what I was raised to do…normally." Her attention once again is drawn out towards the water, hating the gleam in Claudia's eyes.
"So what changed your mind?" Claudia asks drawing Elizabeth's attention back to her.
"This isn't a normal circumstance and I have already tried everything I can to get rid of Sam on my own. She just won't stay gone!" Hands clenched tightly Elizabeth finally lifts her gaze back up to Claudia's. "So that's where you come in." Smiling for the first time since coming to the docks Elizabeth finally feels right about all of this. "So whatever it is you have planned for her count me in, because I will do anything to be rid of her for good."
"Alright." Claudia nods with a smug smile. "But before we get started I want you to understand one thing…if you ever threaten to go to your precious Jason or the incompetent PCPD again you will live to regret it. Do you understand me? I am not about to put up with your saintly bullshit act, so decide here and now if you are really in this. And realize before you speak that I'm not playing games here nurse Webber."
Staring at her Elizabeth feels an inkling of fear, but all her anger towards Sam drowns it out. "You intend to kill her don't you?"
"Do you have a problem with that?" Claudia asks with a raised eyebrow, knowing the answer but wanting her to say it.
"No." Elizabeth doesn't hesitate or flinch, even as she discusses the loss of Sam's life.
With a humorless laugh Claudia shakes her head, almost in awe of the other woman. "What would Jason Morgan say if he saw you now? Saintly and kind Elizabeth sunk to level of his worst enemy Claudia Zacchara…you better hope he never does find out."
"Jason will understand." Elizabeth shrugs with blank look on her face. "It will take him awhile, but he'll see how much better off he is without her. And when he finally does he'll have me there by his side, where I was always meant to be."
For the first time since meeting with her Claudia finally felt a bit of unease, and it was all because of the blank look in Elizabeth's eyes and the obsessive sound to her voice. The woman truly believed what she was saying. "You have my card nurse Webber and I have ways of reaching out to you…just be sure to keep your schedule open for when I need you."
"Wait…what…is that it?" Elizabeth asks confused. "What do you need me to do? I told you I wanted to help."
"And you will, but not until I need you. Just be waiting for my call, because that's when the fun will really begin."
"I'll be looking forward to it." Elizabeth says with a small smirk on her face. And even after Claudia has left Elizabeth stands on the dock staring out at the water imagining how things will be once Sam is gone for good.
So I must admit that I had about half of this update finished, but the Jason and Sam kept giving me fits until I finally decided to keep them to a minimum and lay a little more groundwork. But then Elizabeth and Claudia were making me angry so I had to take a step back. I think I finally figured it out, but I can't wait to hear what you have to say! Thanks again to everyone who is reading and reviewing!