A week later, Sonny woke to find himself in a hotel suite.
"What the hell?" he mumbled to himself before checking his phone for the date.
"That can't be right," Sonny said, a look of a confusion on his face as memories of leaving Port Charles on his own along with driving to Niagara falls and doing various things to prepare for Nina to join him flashed across his mind.
"None of this makes sense," Sonny said as he heard a knock at the door.
Sonny cautiously answered the door to find Nina standing there, along with a couple of guards.
"Oh thank god," Nina said, embracing Sonny.
"Can you explain to me what's going on?" Sonny asked, embracing her back.
Nina looked at Sonny semi-horrified.
"What do you mean?" Nina asked, "We were worried when you disappeared after leaving Charles's funeral and one of the guards was found unconscious. But once I found your note that you took off to have break and would let me know you'd reach out for me to join you, I was so relieved."
"What note? What did it say?" Sonny replied scratching his head, vaguely remembering writing a note, but not remembering what he wrote.
"I don't have it," Nina said, "The PCPD took it for handwriting analysis. Are you okay?"
"I don't know," Sonny said, "I have these memories of the last few days that line up with what you said. But something feels off about them. As if it was somebody else doing them."
"Have you been taking your medication?" Nina asked.
"I don't remember," Sonny replied.
"Is it here?" Nina asked as Sonny went looked for his medications. He did find his medication in the bathroom.
"Do you know how many were left?" Nina asked.
"No, I don't," Sonny replied.
"Do you want to go back to Port Charles?" Nina said.
"Were you looking forward to this?" Sonny asked.
"Well, yeah," Nina said, "But I understand if you want to go home."
"Let's at least spend the night," Sonny said, "I'm sure Jason has it under control."
"You've been in touch with Jason?" Nina asked.
"I remember texting him I'd be back in a few days," Sonny replied, still unable to shake the uneasy feeling that what he remembered wasn't right, "Which guard was on unconscious?"
"Trent," Nina replied, "The cops are going to want to ask you about that."
"Is he okay?" Sonny asked.
"Seems to be," Nina replied.
"I think I'll give Jason a call," Sonny said, "I know what I remember. But I can't make it make sense."
Port Charles
Kellie got a call from Dante.
"Hey little sis," Dante said when she answered, "I thought you'd like to know that Nina heard from Dad again. He's in Niagara Falls where he set up a romantic getaway."
"Alright, well good for him," Kellie said, unsure of how to respond to any news about Sonny at this point.
"I mean that is good news," Dante said, "Right?"
"It's everything we suspected," Kellie said, "I know you might not understand this Dante, but I can't with Dad anymore at this point."
"I get it," Dante said, "unfortunately I kind of have to ask given that Jason stepped in and has taken over the business with his disappearance."
"One has nothing to do with the other in this instance," Kellie replied.
"And when Dad comes back?" Dante asked, "What happens with the business then?"
"That's between him and Jason," Kellie replied, "Thanks for the update. But I have to take Kelsey to GH for her check-up."
"What's going on with Kelsey?" Dante asked.
"Nothing," Kellie said, "Just a routine check-up."
The Coffee Warehouse
"Where have you been?" Jason answered when Sonny called.
"Niagara Falls, I guess," Sonny replied.
"What do you mean you guess?" Jason asked.
"It's where I am," Sonny said.
"How did you get there?" Jason asked.
"I remember driving," Sonny replied, "Nina's here like I remember asking. But something about it feels off."
"Do know how Trent got knocked out?" Jason asked, "and when you left."
"I have no idea about Trent. I just left after leaving the church," Sonny asked, "How did the service for Charles go?"
"It went fine," Jason said.
"How's Kellie doing?" Sonny asked.
"She's coping," Jason replied.
"She's coping that all you have to say about my daughter?" Sonny replied.
"What else is there to say Sonny?" Jason said, "Coping is probably the best way to put. That's all I can really tell you."
"She's not still upset with me about Nixon Falls and showing up at the funeral," Sonny replied.
"Sonny, I think you and Kellie should remain in separate corners right now," Jason said, "Your relationship works better when you don't push her. Anyway, so when are you coming back?"
"That's why I called," Sonny said, "I assume you have things under control."
"Yeah," Jason answered.
"I'll stay a few more days here with Nina as long as things are running smoothly," Sonny said.
"Take your time," Jason said.
"Thanks, Jason," Sonny said, "If something comes up let me know."
"Sonny finally checked in," Max said, having overhead part of the conversation.
"He apparently set up a romantic getaway for him and Nina in Niagara falls," Jason said, "He'll be back in a few days. He says he has no idea about Trent."
"Really?" Max asked skeptically, "Do you believe that?"
"Honestly, I don't know what to believe," Jason said, "Something seems off, but I don't have any reason to think it's anything other than Sonny getting away."
"Does Sonny seem like he has any idea that he is no longer the boss?" Max asked.
"None," Jason said, "He can find out when he gets back."
At some point when Max had a moment alone, he made a call to his dad.
"It's about time you called back," Maximus replied.
"So nice to hear from you too, Dad," Max muttered.
"You know I can't stand when you mutter," Maximus replied, "Now what's the latest on Port Charles and Sonny Corinthos?"
"What is it with you lately?" Max asked, "You've been certainly been interested in the all gossip?"
"Humor your dear papa, Max," Maximus said, "Has your former boss been heard from?"
"Jason just heard from him today," Max replied, "He's with his girlfriend in Niagara Falls. No idea of what's happened with the business here and will be back in a few days."
"Perfect," Maximus responded.
"Did you just say perfect?" Max replied, "What in the world? Do not tell me you had something to do with? Arghhh."
"Max, things are changing in Port Charles," Maximus said, "All you need to be concerned with is keeping me updated as you have."
"Oh my god, I can't believe I didn't figure this out sooner," Max said, "Your hands are all over this."
"I don't believe I need to tell you twice that our loyalties lie with ensuring the safety of our family in Port Charles," Maximus said sternly, "Milo and his family, Kellie and her children. While Kellie would make an excellent head of family, it's not what she wants. I will do what needs to be to be done to ensure that and our family's safety. I can count on you to assist with that no questions asked, right Max?"
"Or course," Max said, "I guess Sonny taking off like he did, doesn't quite make sense. How did you get Sonny to decide to go on a trip like that on his own?"
"All I'm going to say is he needed may have needed a little persuading," Maximus said, "Cousin Luca is very good at that."
"Isn't he a therapist of some kind?" Max asked.
"That specializes in hypnosis?" Maximus said.
Max's jaw dropped as he realized how Maximus pulled off Sonny's disappearance.
"I trust you know which parts of this conversation never happened," Maximus said, "Be sure to keep me posted. Ciao."
Max was still stunned silent as Maximus hung up the phone.
General Hospital
"So your girlfriend must work at General Hospital," Kellie said to Johnny O' Brien as they entered the hospital with Kelsey. Dev trailed behind them.
"I have no idea what you're talking about," Johnny replied.
"I overheard you ask Francis to switch duties today," Kellie said.
"That's why you decided you would definitely join us today," Johnny muttered, "Considering Francis was planning to show Dev what we do with appointments when you and Jason can't attend with the kids."
"If you want to go say hello once we get to the room," Kellie said, "I think we could arrange it. Dev can stand guard outside the room and we'll inform the guards I know are here, but you pretend aren't. You'll still be in the hospital anyway."
"I'm not even sure if she's here today," Johnny replied.
"Text her and find out," Kellie said.
"You are seriously like the annoying little sister I was never supposed to have," Johnny replied.
"I do encourage my guards to have a life," Kellie said, "I haven't really seen you this way with anyone in the time I've known you so."
"It's not exactly serious," Johnny said, "We're just spending time together without pressures or labels."
"Are you going to see your girlfriend or not?" Kellie said.
"Let's get you and Kelsey in the exam room first," Johnny replied.
Kellie arranged with Dev and the other guards to fill in for Johnny.
"Do not let Kellie out of your sight," Johnny told Dev, "Or let her give you the slip."
"I have no plans to do that today," Kellie said.
"You are making me wonder," Johnny said, "By how hard you're working to get rid of me."
"Johnny, I'd just give you the slip," Kellie said and not work that hard, "Now go."
"You'd only think you'd given me the slip," Johnny said as he pulled out his phone and walked away.
A short time later
Kelsey's doctor appointment was finished and she got a clean bill of health. Epiphany escorted Kellie and Kelsey out of the exam room and they walked down the hall together. Epiphany was wearing her lab coat as she had started her residency program at GH.
"Dev," Kellie said, "Text Johnny and let him know we're leaving as soon he meets up with us."
"I wondered where your usual guards were?" Epiphany asked, "it's usually Francis or Johnny that are here with you or the kids."
"Johnny's apparently seeing someone here at the hospital," Kellie said, "No idea who. But we worked the security out so he could go see her."
"I'm sure you'll figure out who she is sooner or later," Epiphany said as they passed a door. They were startled at a clattering noise. Kellie's guards promptly moved between Kellie, Kelsey, Dev, and Epiphany and proceeded to approach the door.
"I admire your devotion to your client's protection," Epiphany said, getting between the guards and the door, "But it's a storage closet. Something probably just fell off the shelves.
"We can't be too careful," Dev said, "Not since Kelsey was almost kidnapped last year….Dr. Johnson."
"Yes, when Mr. Renault was running the hospital," Epiphany said, "Which he is no longer able to do from the medical ward at Pentonville in a coma."
The guards looked unconvinced.
"I can open the storage closet and show you," Epiphany said as more clattering occurred.
"We'll open it," one of them said, "For your safety as well."
Epiphany moved out of the way as the guard moved in front of the door and opened it to see Johnny shirtless and trying to hide Liz from being seen.
Dev quickly grabbed Kelsey's hand and walked away with her saying, "Let's go get a snack." One of the other guards followed them.
"Nurse Webber," Epiphany scolded, "You are the last person I have ever thought would use a hospital storage closet for these types of shenanigans."
"I'm sorry it won't happen again," Liz said sheepishly, though unable to keep her eyes off shirtless Johnny.
"You, Mr. O' Brien, if plan on continuing to date my head nurse," Epiphany said, "I expect that you are capable of treating the esteemed Nurse Webber as more than someone to be romanced, we'll call it, in hospital supply closet."
"Yes, ma'am," Johnny mumbled.
"I mean it, Mr. O' Brien," Epiphany said, "With that said, I will leave you all to sort this out."
Kellie looked at Johnny and Liz, "Take your time. We'll just be in the waiting room."
