A/N: I have made a few changes that I have corrected throughout the story. Kristina's husband is no longer named Nathan. He is now Heath. You will see the reason why I did that once you read this chapter. Also her daughter's name is no longer Hera Sophie. It is now Hannah. I added more meat to some of the previous chapters so please feel free to re-read & thanks for your patience.
Chapter Four
Maxie walked out of the prison towards the parking lot while talking on her cell phone. Summer had barely started and the heat was already rising in Port Charles. Despite the temperature, there was still a breeze. Maxie adjusted the black scarf that was over her head and wrapped around her neck. She also had on big black sunglasses to match.
"I think it went well," Maxie said into the phone when she stopped at the gray sedan. The blonde held the phone in one hand and used her other hand to search for the keys to the vehicle in her purse. "Other than Kristina showing up right after I exposed all the gruesome details of our dirty little secret." She paused briefly still searching for the keys. Maxie throws the purse on top of the car and lean back on the vehicle in frustration. "Of course I can meet you at the park, Lucky. I am dying to know about Ethan and Luke's meeting. Just give me enough time to find my keys and pick up Georgie. Then we can talk about you know and maybe eat lunch at the floating rib. I haven't seen my mom and Mac in ages. Great. I'll see you there." Maxie added before handing up the phone. Maxie turned to look inside the car where she saw a pair of keys sitting in passenger seat.
"Well this is just great," She yelled throwing her hands in the air before banging her hands on the vehicle's window. Maxie started dialing frantically on her phone when all of a sudden it went black and a screen with an empty battery appeared. "First my flight is delayed," she whispers before grabbing her purse. "Then I'm stuck in traffic," Maxie added stomping across the parking lot in stilettos with her purse and phone in hand. "Now my keys and my phone. Nothing else could possibly go wrong," Maxie yelled smiling in exasperation before turning around to see a SUV speeding directly towards her.
"I just do not think this is a good idea," Alexis said stepping into the Mexican restaurant behind Sam, Lulu, Heath, and Molly. Dante, Michael and Sonny were standing near Michael's vehicle talking about something important. Sam had left Danny at hospital. The nurses at the playroom were taking the children to the cafeteria to eat lunch, and they were having ice cream for dessert. Danny begged his mother to let him stay and with some persuasion front the nurses as well, she agreed to it. "Kristina has been in the hospital so many times and I'm afraid this recent admission is going to take a tole on her psychologically. I am her mother. It doesn't matter how grown up she is or how old she might be. That is my job. If and when she needs me, I want to make sure I'm there. Just in case."
"The last thing she needs right now is you," Heath blurted out as he pulled out Molly and Sam's seats. He already had Alexis' and Lulu's pulled out. Lulu was sitting in it staring at Sam, Molly, and Alexis who stopped their previous motion and strands of conversation immediately. "I don't mean to sound so heartless. Kristina's current predicament is quite unfortunate." Heath paused to see Sam who was next to him rolling her eyes at his remark or attempt at sincerity. "Life has a tendency to deal us a few bad hands. It's almost like a card game. Only the strong survive." He paused again feeling himself go to a dark place. Heath closed his eyes briefly to regain his composure. "I assure you Alexis that Kristina is in capable hands. My brother runs a phenomenal hospital staff. She'll pull through. Now lets sit. I hear this place has great chips and salsa," He insisted before taking a seat. Everyone else did the same.
"Port Charles has a lot to offer when it comes to food and entertainment," Lulu said as a waitress appears with buckets of chips, salsa and guacamole. "But it is missing great Mexican food." She insisted before grabbing a chip and dipping it in the salsa. "Dante, Michael, and Sonny better hurry up. They're missing out on the fun." Lulu added as the musician started singing Latino music. The waitress took their drink orders and was now gone.
"Mom I know it's worrying you about Kristina," Sam said turning to face Alexis who was putting on a black sombrero that was given to her by the waitress. "I know how you feel. It's hard to watch your child lying vulnerable in a hospital bed. All you want do is be there and take the pain away." She insisted reaching to grab her mother's hand. Alexis patted Sam's hand and smiled. "Maybe it will ease your mind if you just call the hospital to see how"-
"No! You can't do that," Molly yelled jumping up from her seat. Alexis, Lulu, Heath, and Sam turned to face her in curiosity. Michael, Sonny, and Dante were standing the restaurant door observing Molly's recent outburst. "Mom, Kristina is resting. She wanted us to leave so she could rest. Her doctor even agreed that's what she need. I'm sure she's sleep by now so it would be pointless to call her." Molly insisted staring at the ground. Sam and Alexis shared a knowing look while Michael did the same with Dante and Sonny.
"Kristina? What are you doing here?" Johnny asked observing her wounds. There was a cut on her lip, she had a black eye, and there was a gauze on her forehead. A circle of dry blood was visible on the gauze. Her arms was covered in bruises and she was wearing a cast on her left leg.
"Well hello to you too," Kristina said before making the long walk to the seat across from him that was previously occupied by Maxie. The blonde was right. It is hard adjusting to crutches again and they do make your armpits sore after a while. She signed in relief when she finally made it to the seat. Slowly Kristina eased into the chair. "I know I don't look very presentable or attractive right now but seriously you have got to stop staring at me like that," she suggested smiling slightly to mask the pain she was feeling. The pain medication she had from earlier was wearing off and Ellie did not give her anymore. Their main concern was to get her to Pentonville. "This is the last time I wear Molly's clothes. They just don't fit." Kristina added fiddling with the cut off shorts that wear too short for her and the sleeveless Columbia University T-shirt that was too tight in the bust area. The shirt barely covered her midriff.
When planning her escape, Kristina did not think much about having a change of clothes so she took what she could get. Before they got her, Ellie and TJ raided Molly's closet at Alexis' home. Kristina was fine with it considering that her clothes burned in the fire along with their old home and they couldn't return to her home in Connecticut and risk being caught by May who would tip Heath off to Kristina's escape. Molly's clothes used to fit decently except for Molly's bottoms being slightly short for her. Her body had done a lot of changing before and after Hannah's birth. She usually would not venture out looking so provocative but all her clothes were in her suitcase back in Connecticut. Luckily Ellie managed to put her hair in a decent bun. It was probably a tangled mess.
"Actually you might want to consider wearing Molly's clothes more often sweetheart. I could get use to this look on you. It accentuates you in all the right places ," Johnny insisted leaning over the table grinning at her. Kristina blushed at his remark before rolling her eyes at him. "Don't give me that look. I am a man. I have my needs and meditating doesn't exactly do the trick." Johnny added looking at her intensely. Kristina folded her arms and leaned in as much as she could towards him. "Does Molly have a little nurse suit that you could slip on under some trench coat and wear next time?" Kristina blushed a bright shade of red at his remark. He grinned at her reaction.
"I am going to pretend you didn't just ask me that for very obvious reasons. I'd like to think that my sister is still a science loving, romance-obsessed bookworm fantasizing of fairy tale happily ever afters," Kristina said still smiling. She hadn't smiled this much in days. She can't even remember the last time she got so much enjoyment out of talking to someone. "Beside I don't think a nurse is suitable role play for me. My bed side manners are very," Kristina paused briefly to think of the right words to describe what she wanted to say. She decided to play along. After all, Johnny had started it with the nurse suit remark. She wanted to see him squirm a little. Kristina scooted closer with a devilish smile on her face. "rough." She answered rolling her eyes playfully and biting her lip. "How about a maid? I can get one of those cute dusters, pretend I'm dusting and constantly bend over or I got it. We can do some kinky Santa Clause thing. I'll sit on your lap and use my talents to persuade you to take me off the naughty list while you punish me. " Kristina added winking at him.
"Trust me sweetheart, you wouldn't have to persuade me much to play along. I'd be a willing participant," Johnny replied back winking at her in response. "In fact, we can start right now. Lets make all of your filthy kinky role play fantasies become a reality." He insists staring at her intensely. "I can even give you a spanking." He whispers seductively looking at her.
"I'd rather you not," Kristina blurted out louder and more serious than she intended. "With that and my prior injures, I'd really need some pain killers. As you can see, I can barely take much action nowadays," she suggested glances towards her crutches which were propped against the chair.
"Speaking of that," Johnny paused briefly before continuing. "Mind telling me how you ended up in the hospital and why you broke out just to see me?" He added before leaning back in his chair with his arms folded looking at her. Kristina's eyebrows perched up at his remark. How did he know she broke out of the hospital?
"That depends," Kristina answered also sitting back in her seat trying to seem not at all surprised or guilty. "Are you going to tell me what is going on with Maxie, Ethan and Lucky that involves you?"
Molly took longer than usual to eat her food. She even insisted they participated in karaoke lunch hour which Lulu seemed excited about doing. The brunette clapped along with Sam, Alexis, Heath, and everyone else as Lulu, Dante, and Michael finished singing their rendition of Livin' la Vida Loca on the stage. Sonny had stepped out to have a lengthy phone conversation with someone. Molly silently promised Kristina in the hospital that she would give her the time to make a getaway and she just couldn't break that promise. Sometimes Molly hated being so loyal.
"Well that was fun," Lulu said walking towards the table with her arm around Dante. "Good job boys," the blonde added patting Michael on the shoulder and placing a quick peck on Dante's lips. "After a performance and a meal like that, I think I have had enough excitement for one day. Does anyone want to walk back to the hospital with me?" She asked taking her purse from the chair.
"I will," Sam said standing in a hurry pace before leaning back down to get her purse. She caught Heath's gaze before looking away clearly not happy about spending an entire meal sitting next to him. "I'm sure Danny is back in the playroom by now and done with his ice cream. I want to hear about the fun he's been having."
"No, wait. You can't go now," Molly yelled as she stopped picking at her food. "We haven't had dessert and not everyone is done eating." She said rather quickly.
"I think a majority of us are done eating," Alexis insisted raising from her seat. "You've been acting strange since we left the hospital." She said standing. Alexis started removing money out of her clutch. "I am starting to think you're up to some"-Alexis paused to grab her cell phone out of her purse which was ringing. Heath answered his at the same time as well. It was several seconds before either of them got off the phone. "That was the hospital." She said holding her phone and looking at everyone. "I take it that was them calling you too Heath?" Alexis suggested folding her arms.
"Yes that was my brother," Heath answered standing up from his seat phone in hand. "Since it seems that you receive the same call as me, you can understand my need to make a hasty exit now." He insisted placing his phone in his pocket. Alexis nodded her head in response. The young man turned on the balls of his feet and walked off quickly towards the door. He almost knocked a couple over on the way out.
"He sure seems to be in a hurry to get somewhere," Michael suggested digging in his wallet while leaning back in the chair. "I guess I'll take up his tab. Heath can pay me back after this re-election campaign is behind him," He added sighing before handing a card to the waitress when she walked up to the table. "So Alexis why'd the hospital call? Is there something wrong with Krissy?" Michael asked leaning forward looking at Alexis. Molly slouched down in her seat sipping on her Dr. Pepper.
"I honestly don't know," Alexis answered placing her finger on her head to massage her temples.
"Mom, what do you mean you don't know," Sam blurted out stepping closer to her mother. Sam places a hand on Alexis' shoulder and stares at her. "Something is wrong. I can tell. Look whatever it is you can tell us. You don't have to deal with it alone. If there's some wrong with with Kristina, we need to know so we can help he-."
"She's gone," Alexis blurted out cutting Sam off. Lulu placed a hand over her mouth and gasped loudly in shock. Everyone including Alexis turned around at her reaction. Dante was massaging her shoulders. "Kristina is not dead." Alexis said looking down. Everyone except for Molly looked at her clearly confused. "What I meant by gone is that Kristina is no longer at the hospital. Apparently there was a power outage and she vanished." Alexis explained with her arms folded. Suddenly something clicked in her mind. She walked in a fast pace and stopped in front of Molly who had her head down slightly. Alexis dipped her head down until they were eye level. "I don't know if it just my instincts talking or your change in behavior being a dead giveaway but something tells me Kristina's disappearance from the hospital is not just a coincidence," Alexis paused to observe Molly's reaction. Alexis leaned in. "You might be legally adults but you're still my daughters. I know when you are hiding something and it would not be out of the ordinary for Kristina to concoct some scheme and for you to be a participant. If you know anything, I'd suggest you starting talking," Alexis said barely over a whisper. Molly remain silent. "Now." Alexis added speaking louder.
"Oh my god. I'm dead. I can't be dead," Maxie whispered as she opened her eyes. Her body was numb. She pressed her fingertips against the surface beneath her. It was gravel. She sighed in relief. Then the hands around her tightened. Maxie gasped in shocked. "Who the hell are you? Let go of me." she said between her teeth in a threatening way while struggling to break free. "I SAID LET GO OF ME!" Maxie screamed as reached up and smacked the guy in the face with back of her hand. As soon as her hand made contact with his face, the male let go. Maxie jumped to her feet quickly regretting it. The man got up rubbing his right eye. Maxie her mouth in shock. "Detective West." The blonde said barely over a whisper.
"Whatever Maxie and I discussed when she came to visit me is my business. Not yours. I am not by any means obligated to tell you anything," Johnny answered getting up from his seat. He walked a few feet to the wall and leaned his head against it. "No amount of prying you do is going to make me tell you what we talked about so for once Kristina do what someone tells you and leave well enough alone." Johnny insisted folding his arms and sighing in frustration. He hated lying to Kristina or being so cruel to her. She had always been a good friend to him. Their friendship was something he always valued and he didn't want it to end like this but he had to protect her. Her safety was more important than anything. "I think it's best that you leave now Kristina and never-"
"Come back," Kristina yelled as her voice cracked. She cursed herself internally for doing such a thing. Slowly she raised from her chair and leaned forward against the table to stabilize herself. "This isn't the first time I've heard that from you or anyone else. I get it Johnny. Really I do. It's mob related which means the less I know the safer I am, right," she suggested barely over a whisper. Kristina grabbed the table and slowly she started moving around it until she was on the opposite side facing him. She leaned against the table with her hands grasping it on both sides. "We both know that's wrong. My life is at risk everyday. Every time somebody pisses my father off or he pisses them off, someone retaliates, then the other strikes back, and I could die. That's the business. Anyone can get hurt." Kristina said looking at him. Johnny was turned away from her with his arms folded.
"Which is exactly why it's better for you to not know what's going on," He yelled turning around to face her. She was trying to be strong but he knew she was breaking. "My god Kristina! You might be stubborn enough to risk your own life and Sonny is stupid enough to endanger it time and time again but I am not. The last time I dragged you into something dangerous, it involved a car bomb that could've cost you your life." Johnny paused and started walking towards her. He stopped a few inches in front of her and placed his hands lightly on her shoulders. He was careful not to have a tight grip so he wouldn't hurt Kristina. Johnny had hurt her enough for one day. "I shouldn't have agreed to writing letters or having visits with you all this time. After we talked that day when you were doing community service, things shouldn't have went farther than that. Trust me, it's for the best. This has to end now." He insisted looking into her eyes.
Those same big brown eyes that had looked at him so many times. She was angry, confused, sad, and hurt. Despite the circumstances, it felt good to touch her. Kristina managed a faint smile. She reached her hands up to fix his collar. Her hands rested on the side of his neck where she had just fixed his collar.
"I guess you're right," Kristina blurted out as Johnny dropped his hands from her shoulders. She felt something new. Emptiness. "I should trust you like always because I'm too reckless to take care of myself or be concerned about my own safety. It's not like I haven't heard that before. My whole life there's always been someone doing what they thought they had to do to protect me. I'm pretty sure at one point everyone who loves me has lied to me and justified it. For all I know my entire life is a lie," she added laughing harshly as small tears started to form. Slowly Kristina eased into the nearby chair. She was too tired physically and emotionally to stand any longer. Johnny was leaned against the table with his hands to his side. She cupped one hand over her eyes and cried openly. Kristina had promised herself she wouldn't do this but recent events have taken a tole on her emotionally. It was several minutes before Kristina felt him hold the hand that was lying on her leg. She looked up instantly. "I shouldn't be crying. You're the one who has to rot in this place. I can't imagine how this must be." Kristina said placing his hand between hers.
"It's not that bad when you get past all the obvious disadvantages and lack of certain things," Johnny insisted. He was on his knee and a little lower than eye level with her on the right side of the chair. "Lets just say I've made a few allies that have made the living experience more enjoyable. I can occasionally still can get under Sonny's skin while in here."
"Why does that not surprise me?" Kristina blurts out laughing. "I can imagine his stint in Pentonville was interesting considering that the truces you agreed to are long over. You probably enjoyed his short incarceration more than Michael did."
"It was nice roughening him up a bit and watching him squirm. Nothing scares him more than the thought of losing his precious territory. It'll happen one day." He added grinning and shaking his head at the thought. "It's just a matter of timing and patience. Sonny will get what's coming to him eventually. In the meantime, I can piss him off with the thoughts of you and me. I am sure he'd enjoy hearing about your kinky Santa fantasy."
"Oh I'm just Detective West now, huh?," Nathan said pulling Maxie by the arm as he took off towards his cop car. "Why am I not surprised that someone tried to run you over Maxie? Oh that's right because you always land yourself into some kind of trouble. You've been down this road time and time again Maxie. Now I have to haul you into the station."He added through gritted teeth as he opened the car door and gestured for her to get inside.
"I have not committed any crimes. Someone tried to kill me not the other way around so there's no need for you to arrest me." Maxie insisted pulling her arm away from him. "Unless you arrest me for some crime I am not getting in that damn police car." She screamed while stomping her feet before running away. Nathan followed her. Maxie couldn't run fast as it was and she was in stilettos which made it worse.
"Oh no you're not," Nathan yelled as he grabbed Maxie by the waist. She kicked and screamed against him for a few second before she relaxed in his touch. "Now we can do this the easy way or the hard way but I'm taking you with me. We can go to the hospital or the station. It's up to you Max." He whisper in her ear. Maxie leaned her head up to look at him. He looked the same. Older but about the same. They made eye contact and moved their faces closer to each other until their lips touched.
"Attorney Diane Miller. I am here to see my former client John Zacchara," Diane said while scanning through some information in her briefcase.
"Zacchara has been a busy man today." The guard informed her while scanning through the computer. "First there was this hot blonde whom's name started with a M."
"Wait, did you say blonde?" Diane asked leaning over the front of the man's desk. The man nodded in response. Diane's eyes shifted back and forth in thought for a few seconds before the realization hit her. "Was this blonde you mentioned that paid Mr. Zacchara a visit named Maxie Jones? Is she still visiting? Perhaps you could look for me."
"I really shouldn't be doing this," The man insisted before sighing. He quickly went to typing on the computer and staring at the screen for a few seconds. "According to the computer, a Kristina Davis-Hawthorne is visiting him now." He paused to further type on the computer. "That damn lucky bastard. She has one hell of a body. I can imagine he really enjoys her visits especially today's." The man whispered under his breath unaware that Diane had been asking him a question.
"Sir, excuse me," Diane yelled banging her free hand against the side of the desk. Her tone of voice quickly gave away her agitation. "I need to see Mr. Zacchara this instant so if you would excuse me. I will be on my way." She added walking off towards the guarded doors. The man ran from behind the counter immediately and grabbed a hold of Diane's arm. "I do not mean to be rude but get your hands off of me. I am Diane Miller, attorney. Check the records. I am sure I am in the system. Just log me in to your visitation books so I can be on my way. There's no need for such manhandling officer." Diane added jerking away from his arm immediately.
"I'm sorry Ms. Miller. Mr. Zacchara can only have one visitor at a time." He paused to examine the attorney's appearance. He leaned down towards her ear. "Perhaps I can offer you some water, snacks or assorted beverages from our vending machine while you wait." The guard touched Diane's hands. "Or I could get you something else. Something to satisfy your needs. To possibly quench your womanly thirst."
"I can assure you Mr. White," Diane paused to reached up on her tiptoes to get closer to the man who is now grinning. Her lips are inches away from his ear. "As far as the matter of my womanly thirst is concerned, let's just say the matter is well taken care of and even if it wasn't you aren't man enough to take care of the needs a woman like me possesses." Diane finished whispering she leaned away from him grinning. The man's facial expression flattened. "Enough funny business. Now arrange for me to see Mr. Zacchara now or I'll just have to call my cousin-in-law. Your boss." She suggested pulling a phone from her purse. The man was frowning.
"You're lying," Mr. White insisted folding his arms. "I wasn't given my badge yesterday. A fire cracker hot shot smart mouth attorney with a fake tan that is full of bluffs and threats doesn't intimidate me." He added staring down at her.
"If I wasn't a professional and a lady, I'd tell you where you can shove that toy badge of yours or maybe it came out of a bubble gum machine. You know what? I don't really give a damn," Diane insisted dialing a few buttons on her phone before staring back at him. "I don't make threats Mr. White. I make negotiations. I'm offering you a deal. Let me through those doors to see Mr. Zacchara now and it will be as if this little incident never happened. Don't let me in and I'll deliver your head on a silver platter to your boss, my cousin for your inappropriate conduct. The choice is yours Mr. White."
"No we can't do this," Maxie said pushing Nathan away quickly. He was still holding onto her by the waist. She felt lightheaded and confused. Her mind was literally spinning. Maxie grabbed a hold to her hair which was now exposed and placed her other hand on her lip. She was in shock that any of this was even happening.
"Of course we can," Nathan insisted moving in closer to Maxie for another kiss. She turned her head away from him partly because she knew it was the only way she could resist and partly because she needed to think through what had happened to her. Nathan stepped in front of her and held her face in place between his hands. He leaned down to her until they were inches away. "After all this time, after everything we've been, and after what we meant to each other you can't push me away now. I've missed you like crazy Max and I know you missed me too." He added caressing her face. Maxie stares into his eyes and leans into him. "I'm so excited that you're back." Nathan insisted smiling as his lip touched hers. Maxie's thoughts were running a mile a minute. She was thinking about her talk with Johnny, Kristina walking in, hiding in Ireland with Lucky all these years, seeing Georgie again, running into Nathan, kissing him, and of course the accident. Suddenly something clicked with Maxie.
"Lucky!" Maxie yelled pulling away from Nathan. "Oh my god! He's probably worried about me and I am suppose to meet Spinelli so I can get Georgie. I have to get to Georgie and Lucky. They could be in danger." She added running off in the direction of her car. Nathan ran after Maxie and grabbed her hand. The blonde whipped her head towards him fast. "Please let me go. I have to get to my daughter and Lucky." Maxie insisted staring at with her piercing blue eyes in a pleading way.
"Did you not listen to a single word I said? Did you forget that someone just tried to run you over? My cop car is not too far from here. I'll take you to them." Nathan insisted gesturing towards his car. "But you have to agree to get checked out." Maxie rolled her eyes at him. His hand brushed Maxie's back as she ran passed him to the vehicle. He stood there for a second to watch her before slowly following her.
Kristina looked across the room in thought while her hands were clasped with Johnny's in her lap. It was only a matter of time before her family found out she was no longer in the hospital and would be looking for her. Molly is good at keeping secrets but she could only be silent for so long. Kristina turned her attention to Johnny who was looking at her attentively.
"There's something I really need to tell you," she added sounding somewhat hoarse. Johnny reached one of his hands out of her grasp to rub her leg in support. Kristina blushed at his gesture briefly before continuing. "I know you're going to be angry. I've hired Diane again. I checked out of the hospital because she's meeting us here today." Kristina paused when she felt his hands ease away from her. She pulled them close. Her efforts were lost when Johnny got to his feet and turned his back on her. "I know you said we should stop looking-"
"Yes I thought we agreed to do that, but it looks like you took it upon yourself to do so anyways," Johnny said cutting her off and folding his arms. "This is my life, Kristina.," He added raising his voice and pointing towards his chest in emphasis. "You had no right to interfere it or butt in. You should've talked to me before you wasted your time and money to hire Diane on my behalf." Johnny suggested seeming frustrated with her despite his calm tone. He turned away from her again trying not to lose his cool. Kristina rose in her seat. She held onto the table for support.
"You're wrong. It's not a waste of my time and money to hire Diane," Kristina added positioning herself between the crutches. Slowly she began walking towards him. Kristina paused midway to catch her breath. "I've only shared this with Molly because if it was anyone else they'd think I was crazy or as you said and I quote "wasting my time" but I think there's something is out there. Something that could free you from this place." Kristina insisted placing her hand on his shoulder. Johnny's shoulder tensed up immediately at her touch. Maxie's words kept playing in his head. She was right. He couldn't tell Kristina. It was far too dangerous but he still wanted to tell her anyways. The entire thing was nerve wrecking. "Diane will be here soon. All we have to do is talk with her."
"Damn it Kristina," Johnny yelled in frustration. He turned to face her quickly. She jumped in response to his actions and almost lost her balance. Johnny grabbed her shoulders to steady her. He needed to scare her a little. Rattle her cage some. "You're too stubborn and naive to comprehend a lot of things but surely you can understand this much. I murdered a child, her father, and my bastard grandfather. A little girl will never get to grow up because of me. Starr Manning lost her child and her fiancée because of me. She will never get to have all those mother/daughter moments. By believing in me, you are believing in a murder. Can you really live with yourself or look your daughter in the eye one day and tell you tried to free a man who murdered somebody else's daughters knowing very well it could've been her?" Johnny finished shaking Kristina several times for emphasis. This made her dizzy. "Come on Kristina, just think about it. The agreements of my truces with Sonny have been broken which means we're still at war with each other. If I wanted, I could go after his territory and destroy him. Our friendship puts Hannah directly in the crossfire."
"No. No. No," Kristina mumbled repeatedly while shaking her head and gripping his arms above the elbows. Mostly for support. "Don't talk like that to me. Never talk like that to me. You're trying to push me away. I know you're trying to hurt me and scare me in the most possible way so that I will end our friendship," She whispered as tears started forming in her eyes. "It's not going to work. I know you Johnny. I know you'd never hurt Hannah," Kristina paused sounding unsure. She knew that if he was given a chance to one up her father, he'd do it even if it meant endangering her or Hannah. Kristina took a deep breath before continuing. "Despite all you've done, you're a good person. You didn't intend for Starr's family to get hurt. You never intended for me to get hurt-"
"It doesn't matter if I never intended for any of this to happen. The point is it did. In the mob, innocent people are put in harm's way everyday. Michael was shot and lost a year of his life. A bomb was put in my car that could've killed you but almost paralyzed you instead. Peoples' lives are always being put at risk and some even lose their lives. I knew the stakes when I decided to give my life to the mob. I cannot right my wrongs but at least I can pay for what I have done. It's just that simple." Johnny stopped to stare at her. Kristina was breathing heavy. Her hair was a mess and she had dry tear marks on her cheek. Kristina's dark brown eyes were red and her knuckles were white from holding onto his arms so tight. He just wanted to hug her. To ease her burden. To not cause her pain for a few minutes. Johnny pulled Kristina to his chest. She hesitantly wrapped her arms around his waist. He dipped down until his face was buried in her hair and inhaled.
"Johnny," Kristina whispered placing her hands on his chest to put some space between them. "What's going on? I don't understa-."
"Thank you Kristina," Johnny said cutting her off. "You've been such a good friend to me. Your letters and visits have made my time here more bearable. I want you to know I've appreciated everything you've done." He added. "but I'm begging you to leave well enough alone. I asked you to trust me once and now I'm asking you to do the same thing again. Trust me when I say there's something out there but it's too dangerous for us...for you to get involved. I'm not risking your safety for the small possibility of being free. I'm a man of my word. I promise that I will not jeopardize your life again and promise me that you will not do it yourself on my behalf." Johnny insisted pulling away from her slightly until their heads were touching. Kristina felt the heat rush to her cheeks. They looked into each other's eyes. It was silent except for the sound of their heavy breathing.
"I understand. It's dangerous. There's risks but there's always risks," she suggested taking a fist full of his shirt in her hands while looking at him. "I'm flattered that you would rot in here just to keep me safe, but you don't have to do that." Kristina paused to look at him. "It's like I said I'll never be safe. We can't change who we are and what we've done. I wouldn't be much of a friend if I let you stay in here without trying to help when I know there's evidence out there that could free you." She paused to grin at the thought that flew through her head. "Plus I tend to jeopardize my own life naturally." Kristina said shrugging her shoulders slightly. Johnny leaned closer to Kristina. She tensed up at first but ultimately loosened up.
"As true as that might be, I don't find that funny at all," he whispered in her ear. "I'll probably end up regretting this but I'll go ahead and meet with Diane." Johnny said moving away from Kristina's ear. She reached up to place her arms around his neck for a tight hug. Her shirt rose causing his hands which were perched on either sides of her waist to be touching bare skin. "Easy now, Kristina. You're still healing."
"Oh no not you too," Kristina insisted shaking her head and laughing lightly. Her smile faded in pain. The pain medication she was given before leaving the hospital was already wearing off. She bit her lip hard as a sharp pain hits her bones. Kristina could feel her legs getting weak and tired from the constant standing. She looked up to see Johnny was staring at her clearly concerned. "Just relax okay," Kristina paused to close her eyes as she tried to fight the pain. "I am fine. I've never been bette-," before Kristina could finish her sentence, she lost her consciousness and let go of Johnny. He reached to grab her when she lost her balance but he was a second too late.