A/N: Here's chapter two. Thanks to all who are reading the story so far and please feel free to let me know how you like it or if there are some changes that need to me made. Happy Reading!!!
I do not own General Hospitals or its characters.
Ric felt like he didn't have much longer to go. He heard someone calling his name and tried to answer them but couldn't. It hurt to much to talk or breathe. He suddenly felt cold and sleepy again. Ric was about to close his eyes when someone came into his view. They were fuzzy at first so he focused harder. It was Lucky Spencer. He heard Lucky calling the ambulance in on his radio and letting the other officers know to look out for a black car that was speeding away from the area. Ric tried to form words but it was coming out all garbled.
Lucky looked down at Ric and could see he had been shot several times and hit in the face hard. Lucky quickly took off his shirt and tried to stop the bleeding. But from where he thought? Ric was bleeding bad from four gun shot wounds. He put his shirt on Ric's belly wound first. That looked like the worst one for now. Lucky heard another person running his way and called out to them.
"Hey! We are down here! Stay with me Lansing!" Lucky said.
Ric nodded his head but even that took effort.
"Partner, where are you?" Rodriguez called.
"Down here! Come on! Get those paramedics down here!" Lucky yelled.
Lucky took a look at his shirt and saw that it was filling up with blood.
"Just hold on Ric. They are coming." Lucky said trying to reassure Ric.
Rodriguez and the paramedics finally came around the corner and started heading directly for Lucky and Ric.
"There here Ric. Just hold on. Stay alive so we can get the bastard that shot you." Lucky said.
Just before Lucky moved out of the way of the paramedics Ric used the last of his strength to grab Lucky's hand. He pulled Lucky closer so he could hear Ric.
"A..lex..is" Ric gasped out.
"You want me to call her?" Lucky asked.
Ric shook his head.
"I will." Lucky said.
"Detective you need to move." one of the paramedics said.
Lucky moved out of the way letting the paramedics do their job. He reached in his pocket and grabbed his cell phone. He started to dial Mac's cell phone number when he noticed that his fingers were still covered in Ric's blood. Rodriguez walked up to Lucky with a towel in his hand and gave it to Lucky.
"Thanks man." Lucky said while wiping the blood off his hands.
"No problem man. Well, I guess it was just a matter of time before someone tried to take Lansing out. I'm just surprised it took this long." Rodriguez said.
Lucky looked at his partner with a "I can't believe you just said that out loud look." To which Rodriguez just shrugged his shoulders.
"Whatever. I'm just say'n what you and everyone else was thinking. Admit it." Rodriguez said.
Lucky shook his head at his partner. He knew Rodriguez was right, he just wasn't going to admit it out loud.
"Can we get back to police work please? Now do you want to call Mac or do I have to?" Lucky asked.
"No, that honor is all yours. I have police work to attend to remember. I'll have dispatch call for the Evidence Tech's to come out to the crime scene. I think we are going to need more people to keep this crime scene secure." Rodriguez said.
"Right. I think the paramedics are ready to leave. I'll get an update on Lansing and then call Mac." Lucky said.
Lucky walked back over to the paramedics as they were loading Ric into the rig. He looked at Ric with all the wires and leads attached to him and Lucky's heart actually went to Ric. Lucky stopped one of the medics before they closed the door to the back.
"How's he doing? He gonna make it?" Lucky asked.
"I don't know Detective. It could go either way. We're going to be flying to the ER. But if I were you. I'd make sure a priest were there just in case." he said.
Lucky was about to move out of the way when he heard a noise from coming from back. The noise was coming from Ric's heart monitor. Lucky knew that sound all too well. He knew Ric's heart had stopped.
"He's crashing! We need to get to the hospital now! Shut the rig doors and let's get doing! Gimme one cc of epi!" the medic in the back yelled as the rig doors closed.
"Gotta go Detective." the medic said as he ran by Lucky.
"Better call Mac." Lucky said out loud to himself.
Lucky found Mac's number on his speed dial and called it. He moved away from the blaring sirens of the ambulance. Mac answered the phone just as the ambulance started on it's way.
"Scorpio." Mac said sleepily.
"It's Spencer. Sorry to wake you Commissioner." Lucky said.
"Lucky? Spencer, this had better be good. " Mac said.
"Lansing's been shot." Lucky said.
That got Mac's attention right away and he was suddenly awake.
"Say that again?" Mac said.
"You heard me right sir. Lansing's been shot. From what I could tell at least four times." Lucky said.
"I was wondering when that was going to happen." Mac said.
Lucky laughed softly to himself. He couldn't believe Mac said the same thing as Rodriguez.
"Gimme the short version." Mac said.
"All we know so far is that Lansing called 911 saying he had been shot and that he was in the parking garage. Dispatch gave out the call to the marked units about the shooting. Rodriguez and I were doing some paperwork in the station when he we heard the call come out. We knew we were close by so we had dispatch add us to the call. When we got on scene we heard two shots. I informed dispatch that shots were fired and Rodriguez and I headed in. We split up once we entered the building. He secured the entrance while checked the parking garage. I think I might have saved Lansing by yelling police." Lucky said.
"Did you see anything?" Mac asked.
"Not much. Just a black car that sped away like a bat outta hell. It looked liked a newer model car. Maybe a Town car or something similar. I really didn't get a good look at it." Lucky said.
"And Lansing? Is he going to make it?" Mac asked.
"I asked the medics before they left. They said it was touch and go but.."Lucky almost couldn't finish his sentence.
"But what Lucky?"Mac asked.
"He was crashing before he left. They were trying to get him back before they left the parking garage." Lucky said.
"Damn. Look, I want you to get down to the hospital and get a status report on Lansing. Have Rodriguez call in whatever resources you two need. I'll be down there in twenty minutes. Call me if anything changes before I get to the hospital." Mac said.
"Listen Mac, Lansing asked me to take care of something for him." Lucky said.
"What is it?" Mac said.
"Well.. he..he.."
"Spit it out Spencer."Mac said wishing Lucky would just get to the point.
"He wanted me to call Alexis. I said I would but I know she is going through her own troubles now. What should I do?"Lucky asked.
Mac was quiet for a second. He knew that it wouldn't be an easy call for Lucky to make. Mac knew full well that Alexis was still trying to finish off her chemotherapy and that it was taking alot out of her but she was Ric's next of kin. Their divorce hadn't officially gone through yet. There was no choice but to call her.
"I'll call her. Get to the hospital." Mac said.
"Thanks Mac. I'll see you at the hospital." Lucky said then hung up the phone.
Lucky walked over to Rodriguez who was still on the phone with dispatch.
"Yeah, get me some on coming midnight shift units down here to secure the crime scene. Just tell them to look for me and I'll give them their assignments. Thanks." Rodriguez said then hung up his phone when he saw Lucky coming towards him.
"So Mac knows?" Rodriguez asked.
"Yeah, he wants me to go down to the hospital and get Lansing's status. I'm headed there right now." Lucky said.
"Like that?" Rodriguez said pointing to Lucky.
Lucky didn't understand until he looked down and that's when he remembered he had no shirt on.
"I mean you can go like that if you want to but it's not very professional for a detective to show up at the hospital looking like he just came out of a beefcake calendar. I'm just say'n." Rodriguez laughed.
"Yeah, yeah, ha,ha. I'll stop by the station and pick up a PCPD shirt then head over to the hospital. You got this?" Lucky said.
"We're cool. You better get going." Rodriguez said.
"Right, see you at the station later." Lucky said then headed towards the elevator to take him to the lobby.
While waiting for the elevator Lucky pulled out his cell phone to make one more call. He quickly found the number he needed and dialed it.
"Hey it's me. I need you to wake up." Lucky said.
On the other end of the phone was Lucky's brother Nikolas.
"Lucky, you all right? Is everything ok? Are you hurt? Are Elizabeth and the kids ok?" Nikolas asked. It wasn't like Lucky to call so late unless something bad had happened so now Nikolas was on alert.
"Whoa..slow down Nikolas. I'm fine. Elizabeth is fine she is at work and the boys are also fine. They are with her grandmother tonight. Look the reason why I called is, it's about Alexis. I think she is going to need you tonight." Lucky said as he got in the elevator.
"What's going on Lucky? Why would Alexis need me?" Nikolas asked.
"It's Ric. He's been shot. I'm not sure he is going to make it and he asked for Alexis. Mac is calling her right now." Lucky said while he pressed L for the Lobby.
It all became clear to Nikolas now. He knew that Alexis might need some moral support.
"I'll be at the hospital as soon as I can. I'll have Alfred prepare the launch so I can leave. Thanks for letting me know Lucky." Nikolas said.
"No problem. See you there." Lucky said then hung up.
Lucky looked at his phone and was about to call Elizabeth but decided not to. He knew that she probably already knew what was going on since she was working tonight. No need to bother her with something she would already know about. Lucky put his cell phone back in his pocket then tried to concentrate on the car he saw leaving but he couldn't because of the stupid muzak that was playing. He was about two seconds away from taking his gun out and shooting the speaker when he was saved by the elevator doors opening to the lobby.
As Lucky walked to his car he was greeted by cat calls of the uniformed officers that were now in the lobby. He did some flexes for them which earned more shouts and whistles. Lucky laughed and gave them a mock salute then headed to his car.
Lucky started his car then looked at his hands again that still had some of Ric's blood on it.
"This is case is going to get messy." Lucky said to himself then headed towards the PCPD for new shirt.
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Mac was on way to the hospital when he pulled out his cell phone. He hoped he still had Alexis' number in his phone. There is it he said to himself. The phone rang for a long time then finally someone picked it up.
"This had better be good." Alexis said angrily.
Although she sounded upset about getting woken up. Alexis was actually very happy to be woken up from the awful dream she was having about Ric of all people. She kept dreaming that he was hurt and that she was powerless to help him. What disturbed her most was seeing Ric die in her arms over and over again.
"Hello Alexis, it's Mac." Mac said.
"Well this is a surprise. It's good to hear your voice Mac. Although, it would be even better to hear your voice in the morning. Say after breakfast." Alexis said with a hint of sarcasm.
"Still feisty as ever huh?" Mac said.
"Yes. The cancer hasn't stolen that from me yet. Just my strength, my hair, and my patience. So spill it Mac. Why are you calling me so late? And if it's a law question just remember I no longer have that job. It belongs to my soon to be ex." Alexis said.
"Look Alexis, I'm not sure how to say this." Mac said.
"Say it quickly Mac. I'm starting to get tired and I have a long day tomorrow." Alexis said.
"There has been a shooting. Ric's been shot. I'm on my way to the hospital now." Mac said.
Alexis couldn't believe what she just heard. The news took the air right out of her lungs. She felt like her vocal cords had been paralyzed. She couldn't say anything.
Mac started to get concerned when he no longer heard Alexis on the other end.
"Alexis? You there? Hello?" Mac asked.
Alexis somehow managed to make a sound to answer Mac's frantic calls to her.
"I'm here Mac. Sorry about that. I just wasn't expecting to hear that. So, what do you want from me?" Alexis said flatly.
Mac was taken back by how cold Alexis sounded. He knew that Ric had hurt her but the guy might die. Mac expected a little more compassion from her.
"Well he is asking for you and you are next of kin. They will need you to make any decisions for him." Mac said.
"I don't think I can come down Mac. I think you better call his father for that." Alexis said.
"Look Alexis I know he hurt you but.."Mac started but was interrupted by Alexis.
"No Mac, you don't know. So let's not go there. I wish I could help you but I can't. I have my own problems right now."Alexis said.
"Alexis, it's bad." Mac said.
"Look! I said no and I mean it! I can't be there for him right now. I...I just can't Mac." Alexis said.
"Alright. It's ok Alexis. I understand. I didn't mean to upset you. I will call his father and let him know what's going on once I get more information. You take care ok." Mac said.
"Thank you Mac. Good night and I'm sorry." Alexis said.
"Me too. Bye." Mac said then hung up.
Alexis sat up in bed and turned her light on. Mac's words kept playing over and over in her head. She kept hearing "It's bad. Ric's been shot." It was like a broken record. Then she heard her own words in her head. " What do you want from me? and I can't be there for him."
Alexis couldn't believe how cold and callous she sounded to Mac about Ric. Yes, Ric hurt her but she knew it wasn't all his fault. She had some major baggage in the blame department when it came to how their marriage was ending. Alexis knew that for all of Ric's faults, there actually was a decent man buried deep inside of him.
Alexis looked at her bed. The bed she and Ric used to share and she realized then how empty it was without him. How empty her life was without him. He really was her better half. To think that there would be a world with out him suddenly hit her and for the first time in a long time she let that touch her heart and it made her cry. The release of all the pain she was holding in since the start of the cancer treatments, seeing Ric and Sam together, and now the divorce proceedings felt good. She felt alive again and it let her know what she needed to do. Alexis picked up the phone and pressed re-dial. She waited until she heard Mac's voice before she spoke.
"Mac, first I would like to apologize for my behavior. I was wrong and I'm sorry. You have always been a good friend to me and you didn't deserve any of that. Second, please don't call Ric's father. He really wouldn't like the fact that his father made any decisions for him. I will be there." Alexis sniffed out.
"No problem Alexis. I'll see you at the hospital." Mac said.
"Ok. Bye." Alexis said then hung up.
Slowly Alexis made her way out of bed and started to walk towards her bedroom door when it suddenly opened. She looked up and saw her daughter Sam standing there.
"How much did you hear?" Alexis asked.
"All of it. I didn't mean to ease drop but I heard the phone ring and picked it up the same time as you. So, your heading to the hospital?" Sam asked.
"Yes. Can you watch the girls while I go?" Alexis asked as she walked slowly to her closet to look for some clothes.
"Yeah sure. Can I ask you a question? Why are you really going to the hospital?" Sam asked.
Alexis stopped looking for her clothes and looked at Sam. She gave the most honest answer she could.
"Because he is still my husband and we have some unfinished business that needs to be addressed. So please just let me get dressed before I change my mind." Alexis said.
"Alright. I don't want to fight with you. I just wanted to make sure you knew why you were going." Sam said.
"Thank you." Alexis said.
Alexis was very glad that she and Sam where able to put the past behind them. Although they were still working the kinks out their relationship they had really come a long way since that night she found her and Ric together.
"Why is it you can never find anything when you are looking for it?" Alexis said going through her closet trying to find something to wear.
"Why don't you go shower and I'll find you something to wear." Sam said.
"Thank you. I'll go shower now. I'll be out in ten minutes then call a cab to take me to the hospital." Alexis said.
"Oh no. I'll call Nikolas and see if he can go with you. There is no way you are going there with out some kind of support with you." Sam said.
Alexis was about to argue because she felt like she was being assigned a babysitter but she thought about and decided having Nikolas there with her would be a good idea.
"Ok, please call him and see if he will come with me. What was I doing?" Alexis said flustered.
"Shower." Sam chuckled.
"Yes. Shower. Right. Out in 10 minutes." Alexis said then went in to the bathroom and started her shower.
When Sam heard the shower running she quickly found some clothes in the closet for Alexis. She figured all Alexis would need is a t-shirt,jeans,and a light sweater. Not clothing Alexis would usually wear Sam thought, but this was about getting something on fast not for the sake of fashion. Once the clothes were laid out on the bed Sam quickly ran into her room and grabbed her cell phone. She wasn't sure if she should make this call but she thought he would like to know. Sam closed her eyes and let her fingers dial the number that she knew all to well. The phone started ringing and just as she was about to hang up she heard his voice.
"Morgan."
Sam missed the sound of Jason's voice. She wished that she was right there with him now in his apartment.
"Sam, is that you? Why are you calling?" Jason asked.
"Jason, it's me. I'm sorry to call you so late but I thought you and Sonny should know that Ric's been shot. Alexis and I just found out and she is getting ready to go down to the hospital." Sam said.
"Yeah, we already know. Sonny's got his people all over it." Jason said.
"Oh. Yeah. Right. I should have known you and Sonny would already be working on it." Sam said suddenly feeling stupid. She should have known that Jason and Sonny would have known.
Jason could hear the disappointment in Sam's voice. He could tell she was only trying to help by giving him a heads up.
"Hey, thanks for the heads up. Sonny and I will send Milo and two other guards over to watch over you and the girls for a while." Jason said.
"Ok but, can you make sure they show up after Alexis leaves. You know she doesn't like it when Sonny sends his men over. It makes her feel like she is a prisoner." Sam said.
"No problem. I'll tell the guys to keep out of sight until Alexis leaves. Look, I gotta go. I need to touch base with Sonny and see what we our next move is." Jason said.
"Thanks Jason." Sam said.
Sam didn't hang up the phone first. She wanted to be connected to Jason if only for one second more. Before she knew it he was gone in an instant. Not even saying good-bye to her Jason hung up his cell phone leaving Sam hearing the dial tone and possible the final nail in the coffin of their relationship. She felt her eyes start to sting with tears but fought them back because she knew she had one more phone to make and that was to Nikolas.
Sam didn't want Nikolas to hear her crying and she definitely didn't want him to know who she was crying over. She didn't need another lecture from her cousin "The Prince" about how she could do better and that someone special is out there for her. Sam knew that was lie. She knew that Jason was the best she could ever do or will ever do. That night with Ric sealed her fate. She was going to be alone and there was no to really blame but her. When she crossed that line with him she all but sealed the deal that she and Jason would be no more. The best she could ever hope for with him was to be friends.
Sam was so caught in her thoughts of Jason she didn't even hear Nikolas pick up the phone.
"Hello? Anyone there?" Nikolas said.
"Sorry Nikolas. I was so wrapped in getting Alexis' things ready I didn't hear you pick up." Sam said lying to her cousin.
"So Alexis is going to the hospital?" Nikolas asked.
"Yeah. Wait? How did you know she was going to the hospital? Who told you?" Sam asked.
"You forget, my brother Lucky is a Detective. He called me to let me know what was going on with Ric. He figured that Alexis might need some moral support so he called me. I have been on my way to the house for some time now. I should be at there in about ten minutes." Nikolas said.
"Lucky's a smart man. It was very thoughtful of him to think of Alexis and call you for her." Sam said.
"We get that thoughtfulness from our mother. It's definitely not a Cassadine trait. Hey, I'm getting a call from Emily. I'll see you when I get there." Nikolas said.
"Ok, tell Emily I said hello. Bye Nikolas." Sam said then hung up the phone.
Sam walked out of her room and headed back towards Alexis' room. On the way she passed by Kristina and Molly's room. She peaked her head in and saw that Kristina was still sleeping but Molly was very fussy in her sleep. Sam looked at the clock on the wall and knew that it was almost time for Molly to have her bottle and that must be the reason why she was squirming around.
"Almost time for her bottle?" Alexis said softly.
Sam almost jumped out of her skin when she heard Alexis behind her. She didn't even hear Alexis walk up behind her. Somehow Sam manage not to scream out loud. Only a small gasp escaped her lips. Which was a good thing considering they were right outside the girl's room.
"I'm sorry. I didn't mean to scare you." Alexis said placing a reassuring hand on her daughters shoulder.
"It's ok. I must be losing my touch. I normally would have heard someone walking up behind me. I'll go get Molly's bottle ready while you finish getting ready." Sam said.
Sam turned around and found that Alexis was already dressed and looked ready to go.
"Looks like you are already finished getting ready. I called Nikolas. He was already on his way by the time I reached him." Sam said.
"Really? How did he know what was going on?" Alexis asked.
"Lucky contacted him." Sam said.
"Ah, yes. It certainly does pay to have brother who is on the PCPD payroll. We'll if Nikolas knows then that means the news must be spreading like wildfire." Alexis said.
Alexis looked at her daughter and was a bit hesitant to ask the next question but she had to know before she left.
"Sam, does Sonny know? And please don't lie. Just tell me." Alexis said.
Sam looked at her mother and really didn't want to talk about this now. She knew that an argument might start about Sonny and his men providing unwanted protection for the girls and that was the last thing that was needed right now. But, she also knew that lying would also start an argument so she decided to just go with the truth.
"Yes, Sonny knows." Sam said leaving out the party about Sonny's men.
"And?" Alexis said with her eyebrow raised. She knew Sam was leaving something out.
"And what?" Sam said walking away from her mother's gaze. She started heading towards the kitchen to make Molly's bottle and to try avoid her mother's gaze.
Sam turned around to find her mother hot on her heels.
"Sam, there is something you aren't telling me isn't there?" Alexis asked while following Sam to the kitchen.
Sam made it to the kitchen and opened the refrigerator door blocking her face from Alexis' stare. She grabbed the milk then closed the door to only find Alexis still standing there waiting for an answer from her daughter.
Sam placed the milk on the counter and grabbed a bottle from inside one of the cupboards and started to fill it with milk. She saw Alexis standing there and was purposely not answering her mother.
Alexis took this as a clear sign of what was coming. Sonny's men were coming. Meaning that once again he was going behind her back making decisions for her and girls. Alexis walked over to the wall where the cordless phone was and grabbed the receiver. She walked over to Sam and handed her the phone.
"Call Jason and tell him his goon squad is not needed." Alexis said.
Sam rolled her eyes at her mother request. She walked past her and placed the bottle and the milk back in the fridge. Sam took the phone from her mother's hand and placed the receiver back on the hook.
"No." Sam said then walked out of the kitchen towards the living room.
"No! Sam!" Alexis said as she followed her daughter into the living room.
"What!" Sam said. She was starting to get angry that her mother didn't see the big picture.
"I don't want them here. This is my house not Sonny's. He doesn't make the decision for me. If I want protection I'll get it on my terms. Not his." Alexis said.
"Why can't you see the big picture here?!" Sam said with her hands in the air.
"And what is that?" Alexis said with her arms now crossed.
"That whoever shot Ric may not be finished. This could be just the beginning." Sam said.
"You don't know that. That's purely speculation." Alexis said going into lawyer mode.
"Neither do you! Why take the chance? Alexis, you know as well as I do that Ric has made plenty of enemies both in and out of the courtroom. Hell, the list was a mile long before he even became District Attorney. Taking that job just made him an even bigger target." Sam said.
Alexis moved over to the couch and sat down. She was starting to get tired and this discussion /argument with Sam was starting to take away what little energy she had.
"I agree with you Sam that Ric has made many,many,many, enemies. And being District Attorney does put a bulls eye on your back. Even with all of that, that doesn't mean that whoever went after Ric would be after the girls and I." Alexis said.
Sam walked over to her mother and knelt down in front of her and interlocked her fingers with Alexis'.
"Do you really want to risk your life and the girls life on that belief? Whoever did this was smart Alexis and didn't care that Ric was District Attorney. They did their research and must have been watching Ric for a really long time. When they shot him they were sending a message to everyone. What really makes you think that if Ric survives this that they won't use you or the girls against him next time?" Sam asked.
Alexis was about to try and argue her case when she heard a knock on the door that made her stop.
"That's probably Nikolas." Alexis said.
"I'll get it." Sam said then started walking towards the door leaving Alexis to think about what was said.
Sam open the front door and gave Nikolas a hug as he walked inside. After the hug Nikolas looked at his aunt on the couch and could tell something was wrong.
"What's going on? Why are you so upset Alexis?" Nikolas said looking at both Alexis and Sam for answers.
"It's nothing." Alexis said waving Nikolas off.
"No, it's not. What is it? Where you two fighting." Nikolas said.
Sam stepped forward and stood next to Nikolas to try and explain.
"Alexis and I were having a discussion about Sonny providing protecting for her and the girls. I thought it was a good idea but Alexis doesn't agree." Sam said.
"I don't normally like to agree with Sonny but he is right this time. You and the girls do need protection." Nikolas said.
Alexis put her head in hands. "Oh god not you too." she said.
"I said you need protection. I didn't say you needed Sonny's protection." Nikolas said.
"What are you proposing Nikolas?" Sam asked.
"Why don't we talk about that after we come back from the hospital. I say for now you let Sonny's men stay and watch the house. Then tomorrow my dear aunt we will sit down with Sonny and make plans that are more to your liking. Does that make you feel better?" Nikolas asked.
"Much. You're such a good nephew. You know that?" Alexis said getting up off the coach.
She gave Nikolas a hug and a kiss on the cheek.
" Of course I do. I'm your only nephew." Nikolas laughed. "Seriously Alexis. You should know by now that I would do anything for you. With Laura and Stephan gone, you are the closet thing to a parent I have. I don't know what I would without you."
Alexis was touched by what Nikolas' words. She could feel herself almost starting to cry but she knew she didn't have time for that. She needed to get to the hospital.
"You always know the right thing to say don't you? Thank you Nikolas." Alexis said.
"Anytime." Nikolas said.
"I think you two better get going." Sam said.
"Quite right. I want to get to the hospital before it rains. When I was coming in on the launch I saw there was storm brewing. A bad one. And the last thing you need is to get sick." Nikolas said.
"Well then let's get out of here. Sam, I will call you and let you know what's going on and to check on the girls." Alexis said as she headed towards the door with Nikolas.
"Don't worry about us we will be fine and I think after I feed Molly I'm going to try and go back to bed. If you have to call just call my cell phone. I will have it sitting next to me on the nightstand." Sam said.
"Ok, see you the morning." Alexis said walking towards the door with Nikolas and Sam right behind her.
Nikolas opened the door and saw that it was already starting to drizzle.
"Looks like it's starting to rain. Let's get on the road. Put the hood to your sweater on. " Nikolas said.
"Yes, dad." Alexis said as she put her hood on. " Happy now?" she said when it was on.
"Delighted." Nikolas said.
Nickolas and Alexis were just about to head out the door when Sam called Alexis' name.
"Alexis!" Sam called.
"Yes?" Alexis said
"I hope that he's..." Sam couldn't finish her sentence because apart of her was still very angry with Ric. She didn't know how many times she had wished him dead in some horrible way. Now that there was an actually chance that he might die Sam felt guilty for thinking such things.
Alexis placed a knowing hand on her daughters shoulder. She smiled at Sam letting her know she knew what she was trying to say. Alexis then turned and headed out the door with Nikolas.
Once inside Nikolas' car he noticed that his aunt kept fidgeting in her seat and wringing her hands back and forth.
Nikolas turned to his aunt before he started the car.
"Second thoughts?" Nikolas asked.
"More like third,fourth, fifth thoughts. I'm just not sure I should go. How do I know he wants me there?" Alexis said.
"He wants you there Alexis." Nikolas said.
"How do you know? We said some pretty nasty things to each other the last time we were together." Alexis said thinking back on the harsh words that flew out of her mouth towards Ric. She would have given a sailor a run for his money.
"He asked for you Alexis." Nikolas said.
"He what?" Alexis asked softly.
"He asked for you. Lucky told me when he called me that Ric asked him to call you. Then I got a call from Emily who is his attending and she also said that all Ric has been asking for is you. So you see, he wants you there. But, if you want to stay here I understand." Nikolas said.
Alexis took a deep breath and let the words Nikolas told her sink in. Then she remembered that when Mac called her he said Ric asked for. She was was busy ranting that she missed that part until now. But she knew for sure now. Ric had asked for her. He was calling for her. He did want her there with him and if that's what he wanted then she would be there.
"Start the car before I change my mind." Alexis said.
Nikolas smiled and patted his aunts now shaking hands. He started his car and headed towards hospital.
-TBC-