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When Cassadines Fall
Business as Usual
In his office at General Hospital, Tony Jones looks at the gathered grim faces: Nikolas, Lucky, Lesley and Amy. Amy's eyes are red and wiped free of mascara. Tony begins. "I wish I had better news..."
There is a collective holding of breath in the room. "Just spit it out, Tony." Lesley insists.
"There has been no improvement. The Specialist from Chapel Hill agrees with the initial doctor's assessment. From the information and test results the doctors faxed me, I don't see anything I would be doing that they are not already trying. It is still early days... only four days since the accident." Amy starts sobbing. She'd seen the results and guessed what Tony would say but had hoped she'd missed something in her quick glance.
"Could it be that Mom is just... I don't know-- saving her energy working on the other injuries first before she wakes up?" Lucky asks desperately.
"Her other injuries are significant." Tony supposes. "Her condition is stable and improving where that is concerned. Infection is always a concern especially with a nonresponsive patient who needs a feeding tube to maintain their nutrition. And the healing process is a stress on the system; it takes a lot of energy. There are other situations where doctors keep patients in comas to give them time to recover from their injuries."
"That isn't the case here, Tony." Lesley says flatly not wanting Tony to go into lecture mode with grieving family members. She looks over at the boys. Nikolas might work at the hospital but he wasn't a doctor or even really involved in the medical side. And Lucky wasn't even that close. She wasn't going to let them be deluded by Tony's pontificating. "There wasn't significant brain swelling or hypothermia. Laura isn't being prescribed barbiturates. This isn't an induced coma."
Tony takes a deep breath and counts to ten. "Agreed. While I trust the specialist down in Carolina, I've read other things he's published. He is considered a forerunner in the field; I would prefer to make my own assessment, do my own tests before I tender any recommendation. I understand you are going to move Laura back to Port Charles?"
Unlike Lucky and Amy who'd reacted emotionally to the lack of good news Nik'd grown quieter, his expression unreadable. Nikolas answers. "Yes, as soon as Mother is ready to travel she'll be flown back to Port Charles."
"I'll have more information then. I've set up a connection to the doctor down in North Carolina... if there is any change in her condition, he will contact me as well as you... If you have any questions about any calls you get please do contact me. As I said before-- I'm sorry there wasn't better news." Tony rises to his feet to indicate the consult is over. Nik assists Lesley in rising while Lucky offers a shoulder to Amy who is still sniffling.
Tony walks with them to the elevators and then excuses himself as he is paged. Nik takes a deep breath. "Lucky, will you take Grandmother and Amy home. I need to stay here awhile."
Lucky nods. "It's almost time to pick up Lulu from school."
Amy's sobs are renewed. "Oh God! Poor Lulu."
Nik takes his Aunt's face in his hands. "Get it all out now." He demands. "Because when you see Lesley Lu she will not see your tears or pity, but only her Aunt who loves her and is happy she is home. Lulu knows Laura was injured in the accident. She was there; she called 911, but she needs our support not our tears. You will not discuss Laura's injuries with Lulu but instead refer her to Grandmother or her father. Are we clear?"
Amy nods against Nik's hands and takes a step back. With an indrawn breath she works to regain control. She brushes a hand across her face impatiently wiping the tears away. "I'm a pro. I can do it."
Nik reaches out to his Aunt and squeezes her shoulder giving her some of his strength. "I know what I am asking of you is difficult, nearly impossible, but it is something that we have to do for Lesley Lu." He looks over at his Grandmother and Lucky who both nod in agreement.
Amy nods as well. "We can't do anything for Laura right now. We can only take care of Lulu and each other."
"Yes." Nik agrees. "As Dr Jones indicated it is still early days, there is nothing to tell Lulu until Mother is home." The elevator arrives and Lucky, Lesley and Amy get in leaving Nik outside the doors. He watches as it closes and then goes to find Stefan.
Stefan looks up as his door is opened. Nik shuts the door and collapses against it. Stefan rises from his desk, tossing his half glasses on top of the mound of paperwork he'd been wading through. He crosses to the door and with a firm grip at Nikolas' neck pulls the child of his heart to him. Nik's arms go around Stefan and he breaks down in deep soul wrenching sobs. Stefan's arms go around Nikolas holding him close and letting him get it all out. His comfort is physical not verbal. He waits, his own eyes watering, knowing the news is not good.
Alexis pushes her glasses back onto the top of her head and focuses on the framed drawing hanging on her wall. V's artwork has become almost a meditation point for her. Focusing on it gave her eyes a break from their close work and her time to find clarity. Dara's case isn't the biggest of her career. She'd brokered deals for nearly two decades now-- first in New York City and then as counsel for The Cassadine Estate. But it wasn't often she had someone who is innocent. Normally they're guilty as hell of something and it's a matter of getting the best deal. Really innocent clients are scary. Cause if you mess it up it's something that sticks to your conscience. There is a knock on the door. "Come in."
V strides through the door. Alexis had beat her to the office this morning which wasn't unusual on the day before court. "How was your Thanksgiving?"
"Wonderful! Welcome back." Alexis exclaims waving V to a chair. "Nikolas put on a Thanksgiving dinner with his brother and their roommates. Ned was over the moon. He actually got to not only see a turkey but get a piece of one. And yours?"
"Crazy, Crowded. Everybody from the old country settled in the same area. You know how in Chinatown the signs are in English and Chinese... same thing only it's English and Polish. So holidays are a big deal. And Thanksgiving is a biggy right up there with Easter and Christmas."
"Thanksgiving is an American holiday." Alexis states but implies a question.
"Yes, but our family grabbed onto the whole give us your tired, downtrodden masses yearning to be free thing with both hands."
"How many came over after '39?"
"My mom's side-- half escaped to Norway after the Germans invaded but before the Soviets showed up. . My dad's side came over after WWI and actually sponsored them . Like I said they are all from the same town."
"You never talk about this."
"You don't talk about your roots much either."
"True." Alexis admits with a wry grin.
"What are you working on? Dara for tomorrow?"
"Yes, I think I have everything I need to blow Larkin out of the water. And once that is accomplished..." Alexis snaps her fingers and waves her hand.
"The case against Dara is blown out of the water. So what could go wrong?"
"The Judge can be a martinent and not allow any cross examination. Preliminary hearings are for the state to put on enough of their case to prove they have enough to go forward. It's not generally for the defense to tear it down. But I think Justus is on our side."
"Justice for sure but you mean DA Ward right?"
Alexis laughs and then gets serious. "He told Dara to tape that first conversation; Sabotage, he's been doing it all along. He likes the FBIs involvement as little as we do."
"What Judge did you draw?"
"Porter. Tomorrow 3pm."
"What do you need from me?"
Alexis leans back in her leather executive chair and runs the tip of her tongue against her teeth as she gathers her thoughts and strategy. "When you stop by the courthouse complex to pick up my mail... make sure you run into Justus, alone if possible. I need your impression. I think he's on our side but he won't say anything. If you get a good... vibe off of him, drop a hint that we want Larkin on the stand from the feds... not Ford."
"If he puts Ford up will that screw things up?" V asks curiously.
"No, but it will give Larkin a head start in getting the heck out of dodge when all his dirty laudry is exposed. I want him at ground zero when this all blows up."
"Everything we got on Ford says he's a good guy."
"I know." Alexis muses. "Another reason I don't want him on the stand. If they hadn't gone as far as pressing charges on Dara... if they'd even just terminated her... I would have suggested to Dara to settle this without going to court. Now everything must be done publically."
Bobbie pulls the cap of her head after stripping off her gloves and protective gear. She shifts her head from side to side to loosen up the tension in her neck. The resident who'd finished the surgery is already cleaned up and making notes in the chart before he forgets. Looking up at Bobbie, he grudgingly admits. "Nice catch back there."
"I'm glad I could assist you, Doctor." Bobbie replies automatically. "Always better to have another pair of eyes. I'm already on the books for the same procedure tomorrow; care to join me?"
The young man looks at Bobbie consideringly. "I think that would be a good idea."
"So do I." Bobbie agrees. "Have you finished the orders for recovery?"
"Just." The resident hands Bobbie the chart.
Bobbie looks over the notes. "Okay, I'll take this over to recovery and brief in the nurse there before I have to get back in the OR."
"I'm on my beeper if there are any post operative complications and I'll swing by in a couple of hours to check on his progress."
"I'll let them know." Bobbie takes the chart with her as she leaves.
Audrey is at the nurses station picking up administrative paperwork for her end of the monthly reports when Bobbie arrives to drop off the chart. "How did it go?"
"He's no Joe Scanlon." Bobbie admits.
"Is that a good thing or a bad thing?" Audrey quips with a smile.
"Both." Bobbie agrees with a laugh. "He was expecting a textbook procedure and is still too green to realize that patients aren't books. Whatever anyone says about Joe he can improvise in a pinch and doesn't get thrown by complications."
"Don't I know it." Audrey shakes her head. "Doesn't mean that Steve wouldn't have thrown a conniption about Joe's propensity to reach for the nearest Black and Decker. Stefan was looking for you earlier."
Bobbie glances over at the clock. "Did it sound like something I need to check back with him on?"
"I told him you were in surgery, and he didn't leave a message." Audrey gathers her paperwork to her chest. "So there was a minor complication on the surgery... how did the Doctor react to you catching it?"
"Well." Bobbie informs Audrey knowing that she tracks the nurses impressions of the residents as part of their evaluation process. "He thanked me after the procedure for catching it. He doesn't have a god complex going on yet. I have to get a snack or something before I go back in."
"I'm sure I'll run into Stefan again. Do you want me to find out if he wants to see you?"
"No, thanks. If it's important he'll get back to me." Bobbie walks over to the elevator and pushes the floor for the cafeteria. While waiting for the elevator she wonder if Stefan is trying to get hold of her to end run Jerry in getting touch with his daughter, Madeliene.
Nik pulls away from Stefan embarrassed by losing it. "This is ridiculous. There is no real change. No news good or bad. There is just... nothing."
Stefan steps back his hands falling to his side. "Often times that is more frustrating than change itself." Stefan reassures. "Your mother is a strong and stubborn woman always doing things within her own timeframe. It is no surprise to me that she would be just the same now."
Nik starts pacing. "I need to do something before I come out of my skin. Lucky took Grandmother and Amy home. I couldn't go there-- not yet. What are you working on?"
Stefan goes back behind the desk and sits down taking up the folder on top. He slides back on his glasses. "Examining canidates for the vacancy in Neuro."
"I didn't know we had one?" Nikolas takes the seat across from Stefan.
"Technically we don't. Dr Jones is a documented expert for consults like today or instruction but he unable to perform surgery. The other surgeons in that department are... competent."
Nikolas winces. Competent is damning with faint praise. "What have you done?"
"Approached a head hunting firm we use for the hospital to discover the best possible canidate. This is not a position to be interviewing a pool of canidates or putting an ad in the Herald."
"What did Dr Jones have to say?"
"I didn't ask him." Stefan says flatly. "Dr Jones suffers from the delusion he will be able to resume his surgical career. When I broached the subject with him he was less than forthcoming. I told Monica Quartermaine of my intention prior to her leaving for her Holiday. She agrees with my assessment. General Hospital has a reputation for excellence not mediocrity. It ensures that only the best apply for vacancies. The Neuro department is deficient. That Dr Jones puts his own needs before the hospital.... He should have been the one coming to Monica or me with the request for another surgeon."
"You are marginalizing Dr Jones." Nikolas realizes.
"I haven't forgotten who he brought to the Baccanalia." Stefan says significantly.
"Helena." Nikolas remembers.
"I see you haven't either. I am not comfortable with Dr Jones handling your mother's care once she returns to Port Charles." Stefan admits with narrowed eyes.
"I will mark this day in my calendar." Nikolas quips with a half grin.
"Oh?" Stefan quirks a brow.
"Something upon which the Cassadine and the Spencers appear to agree. I didn't talk to Luke about this when we were down in Carolina but he takes his place as head of his family as seriously as we do. Dr Jones' interaction with Bobbie and her daughter...."
"An emotional response." Stefan sniffs not wanting to be in agreement with Luke about anything. "But it does call Dr Jones' judgement into question on yet another front."
"How soon can we move on this?"
"Dr Quartermaine is back tomorrow. We will discuss the potential canidates and then begin the dance." Stefan changes the subject. "Your Aunt Alexis called to inform me Dara Jensen has her preliminary hearing tomorrow. She feels confident but both of them want Madeliene to be on her guard just in case."
"I'll talk to her tonight."
Lulu races into the house by the back kitchen door. She flies by Maddy but not before she can see that the little girl is upset. Lucky and Lesley follow more slowly into the house. "What happened?" Maddy demands of Lucky.
"I can't say for sure but I think some of the kids were making fun of her at school. She wouldn't talk to me. She says I wouldn't understand." Lucky replies bewildered by his little sister's uncharacteristic actions. Normally Lulu would and did tell him everything.
"She wouldn't talk to me either." Lesley admits. "But I do get the feeling it's a girl thing."
"You guys want me to try?" Maddy looks from one to the other. "I can give it a shot before I have to do my evening rounds." At their nods, Maddy goes to Lulu's room. She knocks softly and then enters. "Lulu, are you okay?"
"I hate them! They're mean." Lulu comes out of her bathroom with her hair brush in her hand.
"You can't hate anybody." Maddy tells her. "You can hate what they do but not them. Tell me what hateful thing they did."
"They made fun of my hair. Said I had rats. I tried! But Mama always does my hair, and Grandma can't; she's hurt. It would make her feel bad."
"Let me see." Maddy thinks that Lulu looks fine and then when Lulu turns around sees the problem. The back of her hair is a snarly mess. "Dang that is a tangle."
"I tried." Lulu's chin wobbles.
"You want me to try to fix it?" Maddy holds out her hand for the brush. She sits on the bed and has Lulu stand in front of her while she starts brushing out the snarl and works through the tangles. "Honey, I know how you feel. You think I do my own hair? Nope. I should have had you come with your Granny and me to the hairdresser yesterday. Don't get me wrong I can braid my own hair but it never looks as nice as when someone else does it."
"Can you braid my hair like yours?"
"Yeah..." Maddy admits. "...but lets start with something easy for now and save the really playing with your hair for the weekend. Tonight is my night to cook."
"Do I get a night to cook? If everyone else has one I want one too!" Lulu demands.
Having gotten Lulu's hair smooth, Maddy runs her hand over the baby fine hair. "You can have mine. Do you have any elastics?" Lulu runs into her bathroom and grabs a bunch of hair ornaments bringing them back to Maddy. Maddy turns her back around again and then parting her hair in half starts french braiding each side. "I made a beef stew in the crock pot before I left for work this morning. So how about you make the salad and the biscuits."
"I don't know how to make biscuits." Lulu slumps in disappointment.
"I'll walk you through it. There! Go look in the mirror."
When Lulu gets back her sunny disposition is restored. "It looks pretty."
"I think it does too." Maddy agrees. "Come on. Lets go make dinner. I bet you're already a better cook than Niknik. He cheats and has Mrs Lansbury do it for him. And Lucky would starve to death if Eli's didn't deliver. That's why I think they both need to learn how to cook. What would happen if it snowed really hard and Mrs Lansbury couldn't get here... or Eli's delivery person? So I want you to promise me when it is their night to cook... you can help them but they have to do it themselves."
"I promise." Lulu agrees seriously.
Nik walks into the middle of a conversation in the kitchen of Wyndemere lite. "I don't think I ever want to take it off!" Lesley is saying. He looks at his grandmother who is wearing what appears to be a wool blanket. "It's so warm and lined. I can't believe she got it done so fast. You asked for it this morning?!"
Maddy nods. She is sitting at the breakfast bar where she can hold a conversation with Lesley while giving direction to Lulu. "This lady is amazing. She and my mama would have been soulmates. Both of them can do anything given the right fabric, thread and a needle."
"Hey Nikky!" Lulu is the first one to notice him. "I'm making biscuits! Real biscuits from scratch, not cheating like Lucky does pulling them out of a tube."
Nik observes the flour on her nose and the number of utensils lining the floured counter. Lulu is using a water glass to cut out the circles of dough and putting them on a cookie sheet. "When did you learn to do that?"
"It's just reading." Lulu says with a superior tone clearly having been coached. "Anyone who can read can cook. You just follow the recipe. Maddy says I can have my own night too."
Nik tilts his head to the side and looks at Maddy. She's been busy. Maddy grins at him. "Actually that's not quite true, Baby. I said you could have my night."
For the first time today Nik's spirit eases. Things were going to okay.