The Next Day

Sonny opens his penthouse door, expecting Brenda. He was surprised to see AJ standing there. “What do you want AJ?” Sonny asked bluntly.

Confidently, AJ asked. “We have some things to discuss. Can I come in?”

“What for? I can’t think of a damn thing you and I have to discuss.”

“Oh you will want to hear what I have to say.” AJ states, “It concerns Michael.”

Sonny shrugs and steps aside. He closes the door firmly and turns to face AJ. He rubs his chin and asks, “So uh, what do you need to see me for?’

“I want my son back Sonny.”

Sonny shook his head automatically. “No way. Not going to happen. Quit wasting my time and get out!”

AJ folded his arms and smirked, “Well Sonny, I think it will happen. See I have in my possession a recording of your ex wife spewing all the rotten things that you did when you two were married.” AJ pulled out of his jacket pocket the tape. “That Carly always had a mouth on her, but we both know that don’t we?”

Sonny stood there and shot back, “I don’t believe you. You think that by showing me a tape I am going to give you my son?”

AJ flipped him the tape. “You can have this. I have the original. In fact, I suggest you listen to it. Carly sure knew a lot about Brenda.” AJ taunted. “Oh, by the way Sonny. Remember that Brenda is going up against Ned. Ned can use this tape to take James. Do you want James taken away from her as well?." AJ paused and let that sink in before walking towards the door. "Think long and hard about what you will want to do in regards to my son. I want you to sign over your rights to me. I will be back and you better have an answer for me.” AJ opened the door and closed it behind him. Sonny picked up a glass and threw it at the fireplace.

“Emily, have you seen the patient in 305s chart?” Patrick asked.

Emily looked up from the Station. “Sarah has it. I saw her go in there a few minutes ago with his results. Why?”

“Oh. Thanks Emily.” Patrick stormed into the patients room and said to Sarah, “Dr., may I have a word with you?”

Sarah looked up and nodded. “Of course.” She turned to the patient and said. “Let me know if you need anything.” She followed Patrick out of the room and asked. “Yes Dr Drake? How can I help you?”

“What were you doing with my patient?” Patrick asked, trying to contain his anger. “I was looking for his chart and you had it. I had to ask Emily Quartermaine where it was.”

Sarah twirled a piece of her hair, “I apologize Dr Drake, I wasn’t aware you were looking for it. I was asked by my mother in law to check in on him” She said innocently. “It won’t happen again.”

“See that you do that Sarah. You already ruined my personal life.” He pointed a finger at her. “Stay away from my professional life!”

“No Patrick,” Sarah’s eyes narrowed, “You ruined my life. Payback is a !@#$%^&*], isn’t it?”

Monica settled herself down in a chair across from Alan’s hospital bed. She was making her lunch hour visit to her husband. Alan opened his eyes, “Hi Monica.”

Monica grabbed his hand and stood up. She leaned over and kissed him on the lips. “How was your night honey? I am sorry I didn’t get a chance to get in here earlier but I had surgery early this morning.”

“Ok.”

“Your speech seems to be coming around. Emily tells me that you are walking around more. That’s great Alan. You are making excellent progress.” Monica chatted. It was still difficult for Alan to talk but all his visitors were aware of that. “Your father is so ecstatic that he won the baby bet.”

Alan’s mouth opened and he slurred, “Figures. Fath, Father loves monmoney.”

Monica squeezed his hand, “That he does Alan.” Monica closed her eyes. “Oh Alan I miss you so much. I miss you at night in our big bed. It’s so cold there.” Monica wiped tears from her eyes. “God I am so selfish. Here you are in a hospital and I am feeling sorry for myself.”

“Don’t cry Mon. S’ok. Miss you too.” Alan replied. “Getting better. I feel better.”

“I am just happy you are ok Alan. That you are still here. Something funny happened this morning.” Monica quickly changed subjects. “I was getting ready for work and I overheard Tracy on the phone. I think she is seeing someone.”

“Tracy?”

“She said, I will see you later at the same place. Then when she saw me, she grilled me on what I had heard. I told her nothing. But she has been out late a lot.” Monica confided. “It’s about time your sister met a man. Maybe she will move out of my house!” Monica laughed

Alan laughed with Monica and his eyes started to close. Monica watched him as he fell asleep, happy that he was still alive and getting better.

Laura and Lulu were in Nikolas’ hospital room. He was asleep from the morphine he was given for the pain. He had suffered some burns from the small explosive that went off on the Spencer’s porch. The doctor’s admitted him for observation and he would be released later that day.

Lulu stood up and started walking around the room. “Mom, I wish there was something I could do to help. Why won’t Dad let me help?”

“You are helping me Lulu, by staying out of the way. I know you want to be in the middle of things,” Laura softened her tone, “but with your father you never know what will happen.”

Lulu sat down. “How do you do it Mom? Through all the adventures and the Triple L and the whole on the run stuff, how did you do it?”

Laura smiled at the memories, “It was scary Lulu and it was hard. I love your father with every inch of my soul. I wouldn’t trade him for anything. But I get scared. I know your father will protect us always. I have faith in him and our love.”

Emily walked in then and cleared her throat. “Mrs. Spencer, Lulu. I just need to take some vitals on Nikolas.”

Lulu looked coldly at Emily and said to her mother, “I am going to the bathroom and getting a drink. Do you want anything Mom?”

“I’m fine honey.”

Emily efficiently took Nikolas’ blood pressure and took his pulse. She wrote them down on his chart and said to Laura, “I want to wake him up and see how he responds to some stimuli. It may be too soon because he was just given some morphine not too long ago so he may be too tired. If everything checks out, we will take the IV out and you can take him home soon.” Laura nodded as Emily said softly, “Nikolas. Nikolas, it’s Emily and you are at the hospital. You need to wake up. Then you will be able to go home soon.”

Nikolas’ eyes fluttered and he licked his lips. He had a hard time focusing and he coughed a few times, trying to get out of his slumber. After a minute, he said, “Elizabeth! Where are you Liz? Come back to me Liz, I need you.” Nikolas then fell back into his drug induced sleep.

Emily and Laura stared at each other in stunned silence.