When Cassadines Fall

Secret Weapon

"You don't have to do this today." The coach tells Rita. Rita is dressed down in a white t-shirt and blue shorts. The team is already practicing tossing the ball back and forth in a scrimmage after school in the sorta dingy gym of Queen of Angel's school. What money came into the school wasn't spent on the athletics department.

"The team is already formed. I can't be putting this off any longer." Rita says grimly. She rotates her shoulders around getting loose.

"I read the papers. You might not have been mentioned by name but I know who Judge Porter's minor daughter is. I'm surprised you were even in school today." The coach whistles and with a hand motion redirects the action.

"It wasn't too bad." Rita downplays. The coach looks at her with disbelief. "Really. It was a just a couple of hours. My dad was there and I knew help was on the way. The bad guy is in jail. Problem solved."

"Okay, then." The coach shakes her head. "You're going in on the next substitution."

"Elaine, I'm talking less than bare bones here." Carly wanders in the apartment, a cell phone pressed to her ear speaking to her contact at Wyndams. "The guy wants to move in tonight. So delivery is a priority. The actual decorating will have to wait until I can talk to the guy more and find out his likes and dislikes." Carly walks into the bedroom. "I'll need a queen size, no make that king sized, mattress, box spring and frame. Bedding, masculine colors. One set until I can get more info." Carly notices that there is no overhead light. "Send along a reading light-- make it two of those standing ones so I don't have to deal with actual furniture until later." Carly goes into the walk in closet. "You're taking notes right? Okay two dozen hangers-- wooden not padded."
She walks into the bathroom. "Shower curtain, towel sets... hmm make it seven of them-- that coffee brown color, you know what I mean-- right, Egyptian cotton-- the good stuff." Carly walks out of the master bath, through the bedroom and out to the living room. "Dang, I'm really going to need a comfortable chair but I don't want to pick out anything without seeing it. I'll take care of that later." Carly walks right by Ricky who is keeping Michael occupied into the kitchen.

"Mama shopping." Michael tells Ricky confidently.

"Yeah, I guess so, Mr. Man." Ricky picks up the little one and follows Carly into the kitchen. Bemused by the speed this is all happening. This woman could give his mother a run for it as far as shopping and spending money.

"Okay in the kitchen now." Carly announces to Elaine. "Somebody put up wallpaper with little roosters on it. Yeah, it's a Victorian that's been split into apartments. It's got a great airiness about it. Great windows lots of light and space but chickens?! Guess it means Chrome is out." Carly squints at the wallpaper getting in really close. "I'm picking up accents of tan and red. The stove and fridge are almond. Okay. Need a microwave, coffee maker, toaster, starter set of nonstick cookware, stoneware not china, glasses not crystal-- don't send too many. I might get fussy on those. How soon can you arrange delivery?... Elaine, that's not going to cut it. You know I have to be home by six. Wait. Okay how about this-- delivery after seven, the client will be home. That'll give me a little time to take him out shopping for electronics and a real chair. Right. I'm on the cell if there are any problems or things you want to run by me." Carly hangs up after saying goodbye. "There that's taken care of. Now for the man toys." Carly walks over to her purse and pulls out her keys tossing them to Ricky. "You drive."

"Cards on the table time." KC takes a seat next to Monica in front of the mirror in the ladies room of the restaurant. "My boss said this is about a consult on a patient who was injured in a car accident. What is going on out there at the table doesn't feel like a consult."

"I told your boss it was a consult." Monica admits. "And it is. There is a patient for whom Stefan is going to want you to take over care. Monica brushes back her hair and looks in the mirror reaching into her purse for a lipstick. "But it felt like an interview, didn't it?"

"Yeah, it does."

"It is. Cards on the table just like you want." Monica agrees she turns to look directly at KC rather than using the mirror. "General Hospital is short a neurosurgeon. The head of the department was in an... accident a couple of years ago-- has nerve damage in his hand. The rest of the department is either competent or young. Tony Jones was an excellent surgeon and brought a lot to the department but...." Monica allows her voice to fade off.

"But you need a hired gun. So why isn't Dr. Jones here? Why is a cardiologist making the offer?"

"Someone has to manage the shop while both Stefan and I are out of town." Monica lies smoothly. "You are finishing up your residency here. It's time to move on. I think you would be a good fit for General Hospital."

"I was planning on going home." KC counters. "I have a standing offer from the hospital there. I have plenty of time. You know what it's like. I've been pulling 16-20 hour days for the last ten years without any real break."

"I vaguely remember." Monica smiles wryly. "Ah the life of a resident. Dr. Ryan, while General Hospital is not exactly a break; we don't do 2500 neurological procedures a year like John Hopkins. Our referrals are from New York, okay-- parts of Canada too but not nationwide. One of the good things about General Hospital is it does allow time for family, friends, hobbies."

"Hobbies? What's are those?" KC jokes.

"Exactly. We should go back out there. I hate being stereotypical. And the women in the bathroom thing has been done to death."

"Guys have their clubs. We have ours."
 

"Honey, I'll be shopping all the way up to six but you'll be happy to know it's on somebody else's tab.... Ribs from Eli's sounds wonderful. Could you get an extra thing of coleslaw? Theirs is great and Michael loves the stuff." Carly turns in her seat to check on her son in the back seat of the SUV. "I'd invite you to shopping with us but you really do suck at electronics.... I know it was only one stereo...." Carly looks over apologetically to Ricky. "I'll be home by dinner I promise." She hangs up the phone. "Sorry."

"One stereo?" Ricky asks not taking his eyes from the road.

"My husband." Carly explains. "He's kinda technology challenged. But AJ thinks we make a good team."

"That must have been hard to find." Ricky quips.

"You know the only reason I'm not kicking your ass is cause you're driving and my son is in the backseat. Even if you do speak the truth."

"Yeah, I heard about the way you jumped my dad in the middle of the Port Charles Grille. That took some brass considering you're pregnant and all."

"Pregnancy is no problem for me. Getting pregnant is no problem either." Carly admits wryly. She adds with some dread. "It's the actual child birth thing where I get all girly. Luckily the result is worth it. This is our stop." Carly points out the store.

Ricky pulls into the parking lot. Carly gets out of the car and frees Michael from his booster seat. Ricky gets out the stroller from the back. "Isn't he a little big for this thing?"

"Yes. But this way we'll know exactly where he is while we shop." Carly slides Michael into the stroller over his protests and fastens him in so he can't escape from the stroller. She starts pushing Michael toward the store. Ricky catches the door.

"Mrs. Quartermaine!" There is practically a rush of staff toward the front door to greet Carly.

"Commission." Carly says quietly as an aside to Ricky. "First thing first, guys. It has to be delivered tonight or we're off to the next store."

"No problem, Mrs. Quartermaine." The store manager replies. It would be no problem even if he had to use his own truck. "What can I interest you in tonight."

"Not me, him." Carly starts to the wall of stereo components and televisions. Ricky and the manager trail after her.

JD stops by the gym to pick up Rita after he has finished with work. He takes a seat in the bleachers watching the end of practice. All the other girls head toward the showers. Their rides go back out to the cars to get them warmed up for the trip home. Only Rita and the coach remain. The coach starts a game of HORSE picking positions around the court for set shots. She watches Rita's form carefully as well as her accuracy. When the game is finished she tosses the ball to Rita. "Free throws. Ten of them." Rita steps up to the line. The back of her shirt is wet with sweat as are her palms. She rubs then down her shorts and then taking the ball bounces it twice and then sets up her shot. Smoothly, easily. The coach stands under the basket and retrieves each shot bouncing it back to Rita for the next one. When Rita makes the ten in a row the coach amazed by the shooting percentage just keeps feeding Rita the ball until she misses a shot. "Hit the showers."

Rita realizes her dad is there for the first time. "Hey Daddy!" She waves enthusiastically.

"Hey pumpkin. Cookie called. We're having dinner over at Ricky's new place. As soon as you get changed we're going to head on over there."

"Cool!" Rita races to the showers.

The coach walks over to the bench and starts putting all the gear away. JD walks down from the bleachers and starts assisting her. He waits for her to open the conversation. "It really isn't fair for me to bring on a new girl... the roster is already set."

"Yes." JD agrees with a nod.

"And her body type is all wrong for basketball. She should be interested in gymnastics or something like that. She's not going to break 5'5" Hell! I'd be surprised if she broke 5'3"."

"True. Actually she is more into horses year round."

"Most girls are. They grow out of it in a couple years."

"I hope not."

"Spoken like a true father." The Coach grins but the grin fades. "We play a tough schedule. And I don't just mean that the level of skill is fierce but that the competiveness is vicious, very physical. I'm not exaggerating. The girls game right now in our league is rougher than what the guys play. It's why we play to a packed gym and nobody shows for the guys games. Most of the girls are going to have 6inches on Rita and that's at the guard position. She'll never get a good look at the basket."

"I've found when people are trying to let someone down easy they start with the positives and work toward the gentle let down-- the negative. So I'll put it in there for you... But..."

"She has game awareness." The coach admits. "Even on the first day working with the team... she knew where everyone was and who to get the ball to. She knew where the ball and the basket were at all times. And the free throws! Gees. I don't think I've seen that since I've been coaching. Physically, she's a no. Mentally... damn. Why couldn't she be a foot taller?"

"Because she takes after her mother in that regard. My late wife was petite."

The coach isn't even listening for the Judge's reply. "She's a fourth quarter player." Rita comes back from taking the shortest shower on record. Her hair is still wet and curls around her face. The coach turns to Rita. "You're on the team. Expect to spend a lot of time on the bench until you work yourself into the rotation. I'll probably only call on you if Alice gets in foul trouble. Can you deal with that?"

"Yeah!" Rita cheers. "You won't regret this, Coach."

"You might. Rita, I'll be straight with you. You are going to take a lot of abuse out on the court."

"Then they're idiots 'cause I'll kick their ass on free throws." Rita says confidently.

"I'll put it to you straight. Your free throws are the reason why you are on the team. You will get fouled alot until the opposing teams figure out that you'll kill them from the line. Once they figure that out then you'll have room to start making shots from the field. Then they'll try to stop you from getting the ball."

"I can get the ball."

"Monica, didn't you have to call your family?" Stefan suggests.

Monica looks from one to the other. "I think I'll head back to the hotel." She rises to her feet. "It was very nice to meet you, KC. I hope I'll be seeing more of you."

"It was good to meet you too, Monica." KC waits until Monica has left. "Considering I'm here for a consult... you haven't said anything about the case."

Stefan takes a deep breath. "I could use some fresh air, will you accompany me?"

"Sure." KC rises grabbing her coat. They walk in silence to the street. The breeze is cutting across the inner harbor, Baltimore's jewel of revitalization. Since it's her town KC takes the lead walking Stefan down toward the piers past the aquarium. Darkness has fallen and the the lights of the city and the Christmas decorations break the night. There is a bustle of people around them getting in some shopping after work. Stefan adjust the collar of his charcoal gray wool overcoat. KC jams her hands in the pockets of her heavy coat. "What's the case?"

"My... nephew's mother was in a car accident on Thanksgiving night. She has yet to wake from it."

"That's only been about week. What kind of trauma?"

"There were internal injuries but no obvious head injury." Stefan says with some frustration. Stefan names the doctor down in Carolina. "...has consulted on the case. But Laura will be transferred as soon as she is stable to General Hospital. All of her family lives in Port Charles."

"He's good." KC compliments. "What is his recommendation?"

"I was not privy to the consultation." Stefan replies. "I have a copy of her file and all the tests back in my hotel room."

"You weren't privy to the consult but you have her medical file." KC quirks a brow at that.

"I am CEO of the hospital." Stefan says simply.

"I need to see the file. Where are you staying?" KC demands. Instead of answering Stefan flags down a cab. Holding the door for her to enter he waits until she seats herself and then climbs in next to her. He gives the address to the cabbie. "This better not be some kind of send up on showing me your etchings."

"The need is real." Stefan says flatly not allowing himself to be distracted by the smell of the woman's strawberry shampoo... or the delicate blue veins showing beneath her porcelain skin or the electricity between then that had nothing do with carpeting. He forces his thoughts to the matter at hand. "You can't be happy at John Hopkins."

"I can't?" KC looks to him with some surprise at the outburst.

"Dr. Quartermaine called it... an old boys club. While the medicine might be progressive the... working environment must be hostile or at the least obstructive."

KC smiles grimly. "Occasionally. But that's true of any hospital."

"Not General Hospital. We have a significant number of women in positions of authority-- ob, psychiatry, cardiology, nursing, even chief of staff."

"And you get to be boss of it all." They've arrived at the hotel. Stefan passes the required fare and tip to the driver and gets out of the car holding the door and assisting KC from the cab. He holds the door for her as they enter the hotel and leads her to a bank of elevators. KC waits patiently with the little voice in her head screaming a warning as Stefan keys open the lock on the door.

"Be at ease." Stefan suggests taking her coat and hanging it in the closet by the door. "I'll get the file."

KC walks over to the window. The hotel is tall enough to see the harbor and the constant river traffic that made Baltimore one of the busiest ports on the eastern seaboard. Stefan takes Laura's file from his briefcase and sets it at the table switching on the light. KC comes over to the table and seats herself grabbing the file. "This might take awhile."

"I am available if you have any questions." Stefan realizes she is already focused on the file and goes over to the phone to order a pot of tea from room service. Going over to a nearby chair, he logs on his computer and begins checking his email. Room service comes and goes, the tea grows cold and Stefan orders another before KC looks up from the file. "Well?"

KC stretches having grown stiff reviewing the file. She stands up and paces briefly. "There are a couple of rule outs that weren't done." She admits.

"Rule outs?"

"Just what it sounds like. Things that need to be ruled out."

"For example?" Stefan rises and pours a cup of tea for both of them. KC takes the cup automatically using it to warm her hands rather than drinking it.

"Possible allergic reaction to whatever anesthesia was used. The gas passers use a cocktail. There could be a reaction to any component."

"And the other?"

"Oxygen deprivation either at the scene of the accident or during surgery."

"Laura's mother and daughter were both with her when the accident happened. Her mother is a doctor. She made no mention of Laura not breathing only that she was unconscious at the scene."

"Interesting." KC bites her lip. "Your file is made up of the consultation notes from the specialist. It isn't a write up of the actual surgery. It is a description of what is rather than why. The EEG's chart activity and progress. And the progress is based on the comparison of EEG's done after the accident and then again a few days later when the specialist came on line. Like I said... there are pieces missing."

"What do you need?"

"The original doctor notes, the notes from the surgery both from the primary and the anesthesiologist. I need to know what cocktail was used." Stefan goes over to the computer and calling up Lucky's email address puts in the request as well as a request for the time frame to get the needed information. "What are you doing?"

"Getting you the information requested." Stefan replies. Lucky must be on line cause there is an immediate reply. "I will have the information within the hour."

KC glances over to the clock by the bed. It is way after business hours. "You're an optimist then. Hospitals might be 24/7 but records are strictly nine to five."

"Dr. Ryan, I am not an optimist by nature instead an expedient man who works with others who feel the same way."

He's going to have someone hack the records. KC realizes. "Perhaps I'm misunderstanding you, what I'm hearing is an implication of an illegal act."

"There is a release of information signed by Laura's next of kin for a release of all information regarding Laura's condition to General Hospital. I am merely insuring the timely completion of that obligation."

"So you don't mind bending the rules. If we're going to break them all to heck then could you get me a copy of the police report as well. I need to know what kind of cars were involved and the angle of impact and estimated speed."

Stefan is startled by that request. "I believe Lucky already has that information." He sends off a quick email. This one takes a longer to get a reply. The reply has an attachment with the pertinent data along with a terse note for Stefan to not bother him for the next hour. Stefan opens the attachments.

KC comes to look over his shoulder at the monitor screen of the laptop. "Is Lucky your nephew?"

"No, my nephew's brother. Why do you need this information?"

"My specialty kinda got me interested in this stuff. You know how a cop can guesstimate the speed of impact based on skidmarks and positions of cars? Injuries can do the same. And vice versa. I know what kind of injuries to expect from seeing the accident." KC says absently as she is reading. "Okay." KC walks over to the table and starts pulling out the chairs setting them up like a vehicle. "The kid was sitting in back buckled in. The other woman here. You play her. I'll be the driver."

"I fail to see the point of this exercise."

"Indulge me. We've got an hour to kill." Stefan comes over and takes the front passenger seat. KC checks the report again and then comes at the vehicle at an angle. "The other vehicle is coming from here. You see the accident coming. What do you do?" Stefan extends his arm pressing against what would be the dash. "Right-- you tense up, brace yourself. It's instinctive." KC comes around to where Stefan is sitting. And as a result end up with a twisting fracture/break of this bone here and serious shoulder damage from impacting on the frame of the car-- the first point of impact. You might even bump your head against the frame as well causing momentary dizziness maybe a loss of consciousness. Depending on the speed of the impact-- concussion. Considering the age of the passenger I'd say she's in a cast shaped something like this." KC holds her arm away from her body.

"Exactly." Stefan's eyes narrow. "And Laura?"

KC takes the seat next to him. "Sees the impact coming as well. White knuckles the steering wheel starts to make a correction to minimize the impact." KC pantomimes a turn of the wheel. "And then boom." Stefan watches in a sick fascination as the imaginary impact rolls thru KC's body complete with her head whipping to the right and then back straight. She slumps her head falling forward, her hands in her lap. Her body held erect by the imaginary seat belt. "Come around." Stefan walks around to the other side of KC. "Put your hand on my shoulder." Stefan follows her direction. "That's the height of the hood of the truck that hit them."

"If she hadn't tried to turn the wheel..."

"Then I wouldn't have wanted to be the kid in the backseat. Look at the angles. She put the most distance between the threat and her kid as she could in the time frame."

"And her injuries?" Stefan bends at the knees so that he is at the same eye level as KC.

She runs her hand across the bottom seat belt strap. "Internal along here bruising all along the top one. Different pattern of injuries than the passenger who was stopped by the car door. That spread the impact along the whole side of her body. Laura was stopped by the belt itself."

"And the coma?"

"Concussion for sure. I have to get all the data for the rest. And if she hasn't come out of it by the time she's stabilized to travel then she needs a head CT."

"That's an x-ray."

KC nods. "In a way, it sections the body like slicing cheese. That way you can examine each section for anything out of the ordinary. I'm thinking that hospital she is in doesn't have one or the specialist would have ordered it when he was called in."

"I want you in Port Charles when she is transferred. I want you to consult."

"Monica told me you wanted a hired gun. Dr. Jones has a good rep in my field. You'd be putting a few noses out of joint by bringing me in."

"Ego is irrelevant. Laura's care is paramount. What do you want?"

"Excuse me?"

"A grant for the hospital in Kambala? The note paid off on your family's farm? What do you want?"

"Ricky, are you in here?" Rita races into the apartment followed at a more reasonable gait by her father. "I made the team!"

Ricky comes out from behind the entertainment center where he is hooking up the stereo. "Was there any doubt? All the coach had to do was see your free throws and you were in like flint."

"Yep, I'm going to be the secret weapon she brings out in the fourth quarter to put the game away." Rita fakes a free throw. Then looks around. "Wow! This place is great. A lot better than the place over Mr. Morgan's garage. Where did you get all the stuff?"

"Cookie sicced Carly Quartermaine on me."

"Isn't Carly great?" Rita is so excited by all the good news of the day that she is practically bouncing off the walls. "She's like Roboshopper. You should have seen her when she bought Mr. Roberts." There is a knock on the door. "You want me to get that?" Rita is already at the door. She hollers back to her Dad and Ricky in the living room. "It's Wyndams!"

The delivery guy hands her an invoice and says. "Microwave?"

Rita gives him directions to the kitchen and the next guy is there holding another package. "Towels?"

"Oh this is fun." Rita says with glee. In her element, she starts bossing them all around-- telling them where to go.
 

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