The Fourth Life: Chapter 61

Timothy had his two leather suitcases on his bed.  Both had seen better days; one had large areas where the leather was rubbing through and worn, the other had a plethora of stickers on it from the various journeys it had taken.  He said aloud, "Both of ya are my loyal comrades.  It's been quite a life."


He was tossing clothing, books and other things into them at a quick pace.  He had also already packed two large boxes full of books, that he was having mailed overseas.  That was all he needed; his books, his clothes, and a few good bottles of bourbon or scotch.  


Of course, he would take the box.  The box had his little boys first lost teeth, a lock of his hair, his wife's ring, and the same photo that Todd had discovered on the net, only it was the sharper original, not a copy, and had some color, though it was faded.   He traced a finger along her hair, and said, "You go with me, everywhere."  He placed the box into his suitcase, first binding it closed with a long elastic band.  It was then that he heard the door.


He opened it, and Todd was standing there, hands in his front pants pocket.  "Timothy.  May I come in?"


Timothy walked away from the door, leaving it open, and Todd followed.  "I don't have much time, Todd.  You and I both know why you're here."


"Do we?" Todd said, and his ire was evident in his working jaw.


"We do."  He closed the top of the suitcase, and turned.  "Do you want to kill me?  Because if you do, Lad, just do it now and let's not waste more time."


Todd's anger was festering in the form of tears that burned both eyes.  He blinked them back, and said, "Yeah, I want to kill you, and you're lucky I won't."


"Perhaps.  Perhaps not.  Either way, what's done is done."


Todd suddenly grabbed the older man by the shirt, and said, "That's not enough, Broderick.  You were going to let Blair burn for your sins."


"Why, is she?  Has she been arrested?"


He let go of him, and pushed him a bit, and the older man fell back a few steps.  "No.  You know she hasn't.  You know Finn has taken the blame.  But I started thinking, when this all came to a head, that if you saw Blair there, at Hesser's bedside the day he was killed, why you didn't tell me about her breakdown and the scene she caused?  And I could only think of one thing."


"And if she were arrested, I'd have come forward.  That was always my in plan, boy."


"And say what?  What would you have said, Timothy?  Would you have said that she was innocent?  How long before you saved her?  How many nights was she going to be tormented with fear, and memories, and aching to know the truth?"


"I'd have told the truth," he said, putting both suitcases by the door.  "I'd have told the truth, if Blair was in peril.  I'd never have let her go to jail for this."


"What's the truth, eh, old man?"


Timothy's eyes grazed over Todd's irate expression, and turned away from the fire in his eyes for a moment.  Then he said, "Your wife was standing by Hesser's bed.  Her hands were balled into fists.  She had a blood stain, on her nightgown, I believe she had opened her stitches.  She stood by him, and they exchanged words.  I could not hear what was being said, as I was hiding my presence.  I saw her get up onto the bed, and put her knees onto his chest and begin to push a pillow down onto his face.  His good hand swung toward her head.  He hit her, at least two times on the side of the head, and she didn't react.  It was as if something had taken her over."


"Then what.  Don't stop now, Broderick."


"Then, the nurse noticed, called the orderlies.  The guard, who was off doing whatever he was doing ran back, and all of them tried to restrain her.  She'd thrashed and fought them, with the strength of a man.  The poor thing, she was in such pain."


"Don't.  Don't pretend that you care about what happens to her.  You didn't even tell me what she went through, or that she wasn't guilty.  You let me believe she'd done it.  If I knew, I could have protected her, freed her from that guilt."


"I had to.  Couldn't take the chance.  Self-preservation.  If it had come to it, I'd have stood up for her.  But that doesn't matter much now, does it, Lad?"


"No.  It doesn't."


Timothy walked to his chair and sat, pouring more scotch.  "She was taken away, by the staff and the guard.  Carlo was recovering from what she had done, which had tired him, since he was so badly injured by your beating.  He was alone, and so was I.  No one was around, I looked, and it seemed the area was a wasteland.  It was late in the evening, and particularly quiet.  I saw my chance.  To finally see him get what he deserved."


Todd watched the man's expressions as he related the story.  "I went into his room, quickly, without being seen.  He said, 'you?' and I just nodded.  I put a needle into his IV, and injected him with a drug used in surgery, to arrest all muscles.  He suffocated while lying perfectly still.  He was dead before they returned.  And I am not afraid to tell you that he died the most torturous death in those few minutes of silent stillness.  Just what he deserved."  He downed the scotch.  "This is what you'll be, Lad, if ya don't move on.  If you let your rage consume ya, if ya allow it to take over your life, and your senses, this is who ya will become.  A bitter, lonely old man, and a ruthless killer."


Todd, overcome with sadness for the man who he had come to see as a father figure, relaxed his posture, and let a tear spill over to his cheek.  "Timothy Broderick, I never want to see you near my family again."  Todd brushed the tear off his own cheek.  "I can't forgive you for lying to me about this.  You don't know what it has done to Blair."


"I know this, Lad.  Why do ya think I'm packing?  I'm going back home, to Ireland.  This world's not long for me, ay?  I've seen my day.  My drinking's taken the life from me, and my lust for revenge has left me an empty hull.  My liver is not doing well, and I am pretty certain I'll be long gone soon.  I only ask ya one thing, my boy."


"You don't have a right to ask me anything."


"I know, but I'm asking.  Please, don't tell my sister what I've done."


Todd squeezed his eyes shut, thinking of the sweet, holy, little woman.  "I never planned on that.  I'd never hurt her this way, even though you didn't seem to care she'd be hurt when you did it."


"And please, don't let that little boy of yours think ill of me.  He would be hurt by it, Lad, he called me grandpa the other day."  The older man's voice caught.  "I'm asking ya to consider his feelings.  Don't break his dreams."


Todd's heart broke imagining Sam dealing with the knowledge of the truth about Timothy, and he said, "I'd never hurt my boy.  You don't have to tell me that."


"This I know, Todd.  You're a good father.  I'll never know what kind of father I would have been.  That was taken from me.  You were the closest I got to that."


Todd, feeling a twinge of pity for the man, pushed it away, and stepped backward, toward the door.  "What are you telling your sister?"


"Leave that to me, Laddy, I'll do what needs to be done.  I'm leaving tonight, ya won't have to see me anymore.  I've left all of the work I owed to ya on your desk at The Sun.  I won't be a bother to ya ever again, eh?"  And then, he stepped toward Todd, and put his arms around him, patting the younger man's back. 


Todd, overcome, said, "You're lucky, old man," and his voice cracked.  


He gave in to the embrace for a brief moment, as he heard Timothy say, "I know my boy, I was lucky, but t'was to have known the likes of you."


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Dance with the Devil: Chapter 69

The plan was put into action at ten thirty.  Sam strapped her son into his stroller and made her way to the lobby of the Harbroview Towers.  When she got there, she saw the security guard, who gave her a smiling nod.  She made her way to the doors, when Victor came out of nowhere, grabbing her arm.  “I need to talk to you,” he said in a low, gruff voice.

The security guard took notice of the exchange.  “Is there anything wrong, Mrs. Morgan?”

With her best wide-eyed act, she turned back to him.  “Ah, no George, everything’s fine,” she said.  Returning her attention to Victor, she whispered, “Please, don’t hurt my son.”

“If you just come with me, I’ll make sure your safe,” he responded, before poking her with a weapon.  “Now go.”  They made their way out to a car. 

Inside the complex, George set a text to the police commissioner.

Anna had been having coffee at Kelly’s with Luke and John.  When she received the text, she turned to the two men.  “Luke, you’ll get John over to Spoon Island?”

“Yeah, I’ll show him all the hidden tunnels and we’ll wait there for you,” Luke told her, as the left the diner.

Anna then placed a call to Dante, who was in position at Serenity, waiting for Helena to make her exit.  “We’ve started.  What’s your status?”

“Well, about twenty minutes ago, three cars left the property, headed in three different directions.  I’m trailing one, Padilla’s on another one and we’ve got an unmarked following the third.  So far though, all three are headed back to Port Charles,” the detective replied. 

Anna nodded.  “Okay keep me updated on their status.”  She walked down to the Elm Street pier and waited, hoping to get eyes on Helena and her accomplices.

As Victor drove down to the harbor, he glanced back at his passengers and chuckled.  When Sam heard him, she asked what so funny.  “It’s just, I once lost custody of my kid cause he wasn’t strapped in properly and now your son’s not either.  It’s just my life has taken a lot of ironic turned over the last few years.”

“I know where you’re coming from.  I came to town with no family to really speak of and now, I know my whole twisted family,” she said.

“I’ll give you that.  Thought no one could top Victor Lord’s sickness,” he commented.  He was silent for a moment.  “How is your mother doing anyway?”

“Well, she’s going to be seeing a psychiatrist.  She’s been dealing with this since before she even found me, or rather, not dealing with it.  Saying it last night…” Sam said.

A memory flashed through Victor’s mind of Viki, at the bottom of the Llanfair steps, telling Todd just what Victor Lord had done to her.  He then said, “Your mom, she kind of reminds me of my sister, that survivor instinct,” he said.  “If she needs to talk to anyone, well, Viki’s always one to give advice, wanted or unwanted.”

Sam smiled for a minute, then turned to her son.  “Hey, baby boy, I’m going to need you to be brave do a little bit.  We’re going to go see an evil witch, but we can defeat her,” she whispered to him.

They arrived at the pier and Victor made like he was holding the gun on her as the boarded the launch.  As it pulled away, he caught Anna’s eye, who nodded an acknowledgement to him.  The launch retuned in twenty minutes, just as all three vehicles from Serenity pulled up.

“John, we’ve got eyes on Helena.  She has Tea Lord and her son and they’re boarding the launch as we speak,” Anna communicated to the detective.

“Roger that.  We’re in the tunnels in Wyndamere,” he replied.

In a few minutes, Victor, Sam. John and Luke heard the distinctive footsteps of Helena Cassadine.  “Well, it is good to see you again, Mr. Lord.  I trust all is well with your brother?”

“Let’s get this over with.  Where’s Tea and where’s my son?” he asked, the gun still trained on Sam.

“All in good time, Mr. Lord.  First, hand over my great-grandson,” she replied. 

It was Sam who spoke up.  “Why would you even want my son anyway?  Isn’t he the bastard of a bastard of a bastard?”

Helena laughed.  “My dear, I see your mother never told you who your father was.  Well, I guess I am left to tell the tale.”  She sat on the couch.  “When my husband informed me that he was sending the little mouse to boarding school in the States, I was curious.  He seemed to give little thought to her to begin with, but then I discovered she was pregnant. It intrigued me further that such a wretched thing could entice a man to begin with.  Then I found out she had seduced my beloved Stavros and I went looking for the child.  It was only later that I found that you had died, until, of course, you were reunited with Alexis here in Port Charles.”

Neither Sam nor Victor could believe her words.  “My mother seduced Stavros?  No, Helena you’ve got that wrong.  He raped her!   He was a monster, even his own son admits that!” Sam cried.  At the rise in his mother’s voice, that baby let out a cry.  Sam tried to quiet him.

“This is getting tedious.  Hand over the mother and child, Mr. Lord and you will get back your family.”

Victor looked at Sam, the full impact of what they were doing hitting him.

At the hospital, Blair took Todd’s hand.  “Hey you, it’s been more than twelve hours since they finished up your surgery.  Time to wake up.”  Unfortunately, Todd remained as still has he had been for all the past hours.

Viki came in.  “Blair dear, you need something to eat.  You’ve been here all night,” she pleaded.

“He’s not waking up.  Why isn’t he waking up?” Blair cried.

Viki came over to the side of the bed.  Looking down at her brother. She moved his bangs from his eyes and smiled.  “Because he’s…being Todd.  Stubborn, arrogant, not listening to anyone else.  You really think he’d be any different recovering from injury as he is when he’s healthy?”  Viki brushed aside a tear that was falling down Blair’s cheek.  “Tell you what?  I’ll sit with him while you go get something to eat, okay?”

That finally managed to get through to Blair and she left the room.  Viki watched as Starr put her arm around her mother and they both headed off in the direction of the cafeteria.  Then she turned back to her brother.  “Well, I never thought I’d say this, but you found a real treasure in that woman, Todd.”

“Yeah, but look how long it took me to realize it,” Todd responded.

“And to think, the news of your first marriage raised every eyebrow in Llanview,” his sister continued.  “I don’t know what she’d do if she lost you, so wake up and come back to all of us.”

Todd stood there, unsure of how to react.  He could still remember a time when he was all alone.  The man he thought was his father had died, completely disowning him, he had very few friends in the world and he thought no one would ever see him as anything more than a monster.  Now, he had the woman of his dreams, two great kids, sisters and a brother, nieces, nephews, hell, even in-laws he could tolerate. He reached out and put his hand on Viki’s shoulder.  “I’m coming back, don’t you worry.”

There was a knock on the door and Sarah came in.  “Has there been any change, Aunt Viki?” she asked.

“No darling, he’s still in the induced coma,” Viki told her.  “Did you want to visit with him?” she asked.

“If  I could,” Sarah replied.  Viki stood up and ceded the bedside to her, deciding to get a cup of coffee for herself with the time away. 

Sarah sat down.  “Know what I was thinking of while you were in surgery yesterday?  Your wedding to Blair and how handsome you looked.  And how goofy I looked.”

“You looked adorable,” Todd told her.

“I had on that stupid veil, which when I think of it now, was actually one of my mom’s slips.  And I borrowed Aunt Viki’s pearls,”  she was telling him.  “But you should have seen my attempt to tie CJ’s tie, which he ‘borrowed’ from Joey.  Thank God that he was able to fix it.”

Todd laughed, remembering the two little kids on that day, being a part of it for him because he was their uncle and they loved him. 

“I still have that picture of all of us and I thought you’d like to have it, at least until you wake up,” she said as she placed it at his bedside.  “I’m going to want it back and I’m also going to want another one when you and Blair get remarried.  And please, can you stop competing with my parents for most marriages to the same person?  It gets ridiculous after three, alright.”

Todd laughed again.  “Alright, I promise you, Blair and I will stop at four, but you need to get that sister of mine to promise as well.”

“I’ll even get mom to make that same promise,” Sarah swore to him, as if she heard his request.  The door opened again and Sarah looked up, smiling.  “Blair’s back.”  She leaned over and kissed her uncle’s forehead.  “Remember to tell her about our deal.”  With that Sarah left.

Blair sat back down and rubbed Todd’s arm.  “You’re making deals while I’m not here?  Shame on you, I want to be in on every deal with you for the rest of my life.”

“Anything for you, babe,” Todd said.

From in the tunnel behind the conservatory, John and Luke heard the conversation Helena was having with Sam and Victor.  Luke shook his head.  “Only Helena.”

John gave him a look.  “What are you talking about?”

“Only Hell’s Belle would think someone was trying to seduce her poor son,” Luke said.  “He was a sadistic bastard and the world is better off without him,” Luke said.  “Sorry, I know you’re Mr. Law-and-Order, but that’s the truth.  I’d throw him down a hundred more staircases to make sure he was dead.”

Then they heard Victor’s voice.  “Where is Tea and my son?  You bring them here so I can see them before I do any hand off!”

Helena smiled at him.  “Very well, Mr. Lord.”  With a clap of her hands, Heather Webber entered the holding the baby, while Allison Perkins held Tea by the arms.

Tea could not believe her eyes.  Victor was standing right there in from of her, a gun in his hands pointed at Sam Morgan and her son.  “Victor?” she asked and made a run for him.

That was when a gunshot went off.       

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The Fourth Life: Chapter 60

Zeus finally found his senses, and ripped the blanket off the bed inside the room that lead to the balcony, and made his way down the staircase.  Rushing out the patio doors, he put the blanket over her and knelt down.  He said, "Mother."  then he looked to the darkening sky, "You didn't give me a chance, oh God."  He sat by her, and her hand was coming out from below the blanket he had thrown over her.  He touched her fingers, with his.  They were cold and did not respond to him.  He said, "Mother, I'm alone, again.  I'm so alone," and bowed his head.


As John drove up, he could see Zeus, sitting next to a heap that was covered in a blanket.  His knees, were bent up and his wrists rested on them.  John walked up slowly to the man, whose head was hanging, and said, "Zeus.  I'm sorry."


He looked up.  The strain was visible all over his tear-stained face.  "I didn't know....she's gone."


John crouched beside him, and said, "I know this is hard, but can you talk to me about what happened?  We can go for a walk, or go into my car."


Zeus stood up, not moving his eyes from Kathleen Finn's body on the stone patio.  "I'm okay.  What do you want to know?"


"What happened here?"


"She killed herself, in front of me.  I didn't know she was thinking that way, she was talking to me, and then just...I tried to grab her but it was too late."


John said, "I'm sorry."


Zeus' pain turned to anger.  "She set up a table for us, made food.  She let me ask questions, then she started talking.  I know what you want to hear, John.  Yes, she knew about my shooting, and yes, she killed Carlo Hesser."


John was shocked at Zeus' words.  He said, "Calm down, now, tell me the rest."


Zeus cried a moment, and then said, "She was talking to me, telling me everything.  I just wasn't thinking she was going to....she was in so much pain, emotionally.  It seemed like she was for years."


"That's sad, and I'm sorry.  I'm going to call Tea."


"I called her already.  Believe me, she rates over you."


"I'm sure she does."


"My mother...she confessed everything to me, and I thought she was just asking for my forgiveness, so I gave it to her, for everything.  I just wanted to...you know...get to know my mother."  His voice cracked and he put his forehead against the fingers of his right hand and wept.


"She confessed to Hesser's murder?"


He nodded, unable to speak.  Then, attempting to compose himself, he said, "She confessed to everything.  She's been wracked with guilt for years.  She said she saw him dead in his bed at the hospital.  She said she took lives.  The next thing I knew..." he stopped, trying to control his sobs, "She said something about the sky, and hopped over the rail and then let herself fall."


John put his arm around Zeus' shoulder, and walked him away from the body, giving Natalie and her team chance to get closer and begin their work.  As they neared the squad cars, Tea's BMW screeched to a halt and she raced out of the driver's side.  Zeus fell into her arms, and John could hear her repeating, "Lo siento, mi amor," and saw her stroking the back of his head over her shoulder.


The Lieutenant made his way to his car radio, called in to the precinct to cancel the arrest of Blair Manning.  Returning to the scene, Natalie said, "Everything is consistent with what Zeus reported.  From what I can see, she committed suicide."



He said, "I was an inch from arresting Blair."


"I know," Natalie said, "But that's over now."


Tea was still holding Zeus in her arms, and turning, began to walk him to her car to get him home.  He had started trembling all over, and looked pale.  John realized they were the symptoms of shock.  He called to her, "Tea, he may need a doctor."


She helped her husband into the driver's seat, and Tea made her way back over to the cop.  "He had so many dreams and hopes tied up in finding this woman.  If you had heard the things he had already planned she would be part of, you would understand.  He doesn't need a doctor, he needs to be home with his babies.  He's been through enough.  Do you need him for further questioning?"  He saw her lawyer hat come out of her closet.


"No, he's done.  If I need him, I'll come by in a few days.  It seems to be pretty open and shut."


"It's a life, John.  Another life lost in this Todd Manning mess,"  And she turned to go.


He watched after her, and said aloud, "and at least one saved."


***


Todd and Blair were in the hot tub, and had just finished making love.  They were resting in the water, with the temperature and jets turned up high, and Borodin being piped in through the sound system he'd had put in when Unforgettable was built.  She was close to sleep against him, and he was lost in thought.  He had a plan.  If anything were to go wrong, he would say that he was the murderer, by proxy, and that he sent someone to off the bastard.  He would never watch her go to jail, ever again.  He would never let her children be without her.  He'd rather die.


He started to drift off, when he heard the siren in the distance.  Slightly alarmed he jostled her to alertness and both of them got out of the tub, and hurried to dry off.  He told her, "Stay here, until I tell you it's okay," and put on some lounge pants and a tight-fitting t-shirt.  He bounded down the stairs, and said, "Is this official, Lieutenant," to John, leaning against the door frame as he opened the door.


John said, "No one else here?"


"Blair's upstairs.  What can I do for you?"


"You're not going to ask me in?"  John said.


Todd realized this was the same man who had eaten barbecued food in his yard not long ago.  "Sorry, come in.  You had the siren on, I just thought..."


"You just thought I was coming to arrest her," he said.


Todd didn't respond.  Instead, his eyes became slits and he said, "What is it, John?"


"The Hesser Murder Investigation has come to a close.  Kathleen Finn committed suicide this evening after confessing."


Todd  flopped onto the couch.  "Whoa, okay."


"She confessed to Zeus. He had just found out she was his mother, as you predicted, and went to meet her for the first time.  She killed herself in front of him."


Todd winced.  "That's a tough break."


"More than that, the guy is shattered."


"He just wanted a family.  He's always wanted that, from way back when I first met him."


John nodded.  "Blair was going to be arrested tonight.  All the signs pointed to her, and to a certain incident that one of my hospital guards related to me.  These last 24 hours have been pretty hectic.  He told me that Blair had some kind of breakdown right in Carlo's room, the same night he was discovered dead."


Todd sat up, "What do you mean, breakdown?"


"He just said that he was off getting coffee for a few moments, and asked the nurse's desk to keep watch.  It was very late, so he assumed no one would bother.  When he came back, two orderlies and a nurse were trying to pull her away from Carlo, and she was screaming various obscenities and, frankly, delusions.  She was literally on his bed, with her knees on his chest.  Anyway, he helped remove her and bring her back to her floor and room.  She fought like you know she can, and it took them a great deal to get her restrained.  After hearing this, I was almost certain she had somehow already killed him, because by the time the guard got her settled, helped restrain her, and reported it to his immediate supervisor, they returned to find the remaining staff in an uproar.  Carlo had been killed.  Within those few minutes that they tended to Blair, someone had done the deed or....it could have been Blair herself."


Todd didn't say anything, he just listened.  John said, "So, I started to believe that Blair had actually killed him.  The forensics report said suffocation, and with Blair on his chest when seen, we believed she was the killer and that the staff and guard were just too late.  Along with the obvious other factors, her grief, her mental state, I was pretty certain it was Blair.  Until the ex-Mayor told Zeus that it was on her hands.  She killed him.  She also was part of the plan to get Carlo out of Statesville, and unwittingly, the killing of Zeus that lead to the death of your child."


Todd took a while to soak it all in.  Blair crept toward the stairs, and from the top said, "Can I come down, now?"


"Yeah, go ahead, Blair."  She walked into the sitting room, and sat by her husband.  


John quickly related the main details, and Blair, sitting on the arm of the chair, wobbled and said, "I feel lightheaded.  It must have been that hot tub, maybe we were in it too long..." and keeled over onto Todd.  Todd rested her on the couch.  "She'll be all right, she's been under a lot of stress lately.  She'll be fine.  I think the shock of hearing who killed him, and the idea of the woman killing herself, just overwhelmed her."


"With good reason," John said, "she's been through a lot.  I'm relieved I don't have to take her in."


She stirred, "Todd?"


"Right here, Babe."


"It's so terrible, for Zeus."


He looked at John, and back to her, "I know.  He'll be okay, he has Tea, like I have you."


She sat up, "I don't know what came over me."


John said, "Well, the case is closed.  You can put it behind you, and move forward.  Sorry for your loss, again.  I'll see myself out."


Todd turned to Blair, "Well, I guess that's it."


She got up, wringing her hands, "No, it's not."


"Why, Blair, what is it?"


"I remember.  I was kneeling on his chest, Todd, I was holding a pillow over his face.  I can see it.  Finally."


"She admitted she did it, Blair.  You wanted to, heck you tried, but they stopped you.  She must have gotten in there and done the deed.  It only takes a few minutes, maybe one or two, to inject something into an IV.  With his airways partially blocked, he was done for.  Did the monitors beep and did he flatline while you were there?"


She thought about it, "No.  No it didn't.  I remember everything, Todd, I do.  I remember flipping out, they grabbed me, I fought, I thought I heard him, moaning, still, while I was fighting them.  They dragged me out of there!  I see it.  I wonder why I couldn't remember before?"


"I don't know, but it doesn't matter now.  You're not guilty.  It's over."  He wasn't sure, but one thing was certain.  Timothy had left out some very important information and Todd was determined to find out why.


***


By the next morning, all of the airwaves were filled with stories of the ex-Mayor Finn's death and Zeus' story of gaining and losing his family within twenty-four hours.  Sister Rebecca Katherine, who was eating breakfast across from Marty Saybrooke, said, "My goodness, it's over at last.  The poor Mr. Zeus.  He has lost his parents once again.  Sad, really.  He will need some support and help, that one."


Marty, who had little sympathy for the Todd-impostor, said, "I suppose.  At least the nightmare is over for Blair.  It was enough to lose her baby.  Maybe they can move on, once and for all."


"Yes indeed, they've had a rough run of it, I'd like to see things go better for them."


Marty said, "Will you excuse me?" and got up, heading for the door to the cafeteria.  


Sister Rebecca Katherine took a few moments to put everything together in her mind, and realized why Marty was upset.  "Oh Rebecca, Timothy would say, 'Creena, your mouth has run off without your shoes.  Can you learn to be quiet sometimes?'"


She would go to Marty, later, and express her sorrys, but at the moment, she wanted to see Todd and Blair and hear about the finale to this horrible ordeal.  She made a call to her driver and planned an outing to Unforgettable.


When she arrived, she rang the doorbell, and when it opened, she said, "Jack, dear, you're looking out of practice.  We must have a miniature boxing match later.  Are your parents at home?"


"Just my mom, come in, Sister."  He called to Blair, "Mom?"


Blair came down the staircase, "Sister!  How good to see you!"  She hugged her, and they walked into the sitting room, arm in arm.


"Blair, dear, how are you doing?"


"I'm okay, sister.  I think it's better now, what with the news about Kathleen Finn being the killer.  It's sad, how this ended, but at least we can try and move forward."


"Where's Todd?  I was hoping to see him."


"He's not here right now, he may have gone to work, I am not sure.  He'll be back soon, maybe you can stay for lunch with us?"


"That will be delightful, dear.  But I must say to ya, I was worried about both of ya, for a while there."


"I think we are going to be okay, Sister."


"You will, but you must not forget two things, Blair.  First, both of ya have not totally grieved for Sommer, mostly because you have been thrown in and out of these criminal proceedings, and Todd's arraignment, and the accusations about the murder.  And, second, I must remind ya, as his wife, that he has not fully recovered from his memories of Leona's abuse. That got completely ignored once the trial got under way.  He's going to need you, still.  He's most likely still fighting those memories, and will be for some time."


Blair paused, "I've been so worried about myself," she said, "I...I know you're right.  Those terrible things that happened to him.  We've been through so much."


"Yes, and this is why the cruise is the best idea for the boys.  Ya need time together to deal with everything you have endured."


"I never thought of it that way."


"Perhaps Starr can care for the baby, and I'll help."


"I think it will be just what we need.  Thank you, Sister, you're a blessing to us."


"As you all are to me, dear."


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Port Charles Chronicles: Chapter 11

            Todd looked at Blair with exasperation.  “You’re kidding right?”

            “No, I’m not.  I need to stop in the boutique at the Metro Court before we go see Starr.  There’s no way my daughter is going into court in blue jeans.  The least I can do is get her something nice to wear.”

             They entered the lobby and Blair headed for the shop.  Todd got as far as the door.  He took one look around and said. “I’ll be waiting in the lounge “  He walked into the lounge and headed for the bar.  After what had transpired earlier on the dock, he wanted to order something strong, but he decided he'd better keep a clear head.  “Give me some coffee.”  He was keeping an eye on the door to the boutique, so he didn’t notice who was behind the bar.

              Carly poured him a coffee and wondered who he was looking for.  “She’s not here.”

              Startled, Todd looked back to find Carly across the counter from him.  “Who’s not here?”

              “Blair.  She went out a short while ago to go talk to my son.  I told her I thought she was wasting her time, but she wanted to try anyway.” Carly met his eyes, she was trying to get a read on him.  He had only been back in town a short while, but he had already managed to rile Sonny up. Sonny was still upset about Kate, and Todd had gotten in his face when he found out Michael was Starr’s accuser.  The man was wealthy, charismatic and charming when he wanted to be, but obviously dangerous.  His first trip into town he had held a gun on Sonny.  That was a feat because he lived to tell about it.  Now he was back and still waving a red flag in Sonny’s face.  “Sonny told me about your last visit with him.  Are you crazy?  I’m still trying to figure out why he hasn’t had you killed.”

              Todd just smirked. “We understand each other.  In fact, I just saw him again this morning.  I found out something yesterday about his girlfriend.  I thought Sonny and I should have another talk.  I’m hoping Sonny can talk some sense into your son.  Oh and don’t underestimate Blair.  She can be very persuasive.”

             At the mention of Kate, Carly’s curiosity perked up.  “What did you find out about Kate? Johnny’s been here telling me some out-there story about her being someone else.  You don’t believe that’s true do you?”

           “Yes I do, I overheard her talking to Sonny’s lawyer.  She seems to be suffering from something called DID and believe me, I know firsthand how real that is.  According to what I overheard, her alter Connie has been up to all sorts of things.” Todd didn’t have any proof yet that Connie killed Hope and Cole. He only had Kate’s statement that she believed Connie was responsible.  He decided against mentioning that fact to Carly until he had time to talk to Starr. He spotted Blair headed for the lounge and ended the conversation abruptly.  Before Carly could say anything he was out the door.

           “Hey, you owe me for the coffee,” Carly called after him.  He ignored her and she couldn’t help smiling.  The man had it bad for his ex.  Her thoughts returned to their discussion.  He had been awfully cryptic about Kate and the Connie thing.

            Todd and Blair arrived at the police station with about an hour left until the hearing.  Blair handed the bag containing the outfit for Starr to the police and was assured it would be available for Starr before court.  She turned to Todd and rested her hands on his shoulders.  “Do you think Hallie can get her off?”

           “Hallie’s good.  I have faith that Starr will be free by the end of the day.  Come on, let’s go see how she’s holding up.”

            Starr watched bemused as her parents came through the gate together.  It was weird to see them that way.  Her mother had been so angry with her dad, Starr had thought it finally was all over between them.  She walked to the bars separating them. “Hey, I’m glad you’re here.”

            Blair hated seeing her daughter behind bars.  “This is so wrong.  You were distraught over your child, I don’t understand why that young man is so bent on putting you in jail.”

           “Mom I almost killed Sonny Corinthos.  I might have actually done it if Michael hadn’t stopped me.  I don’t blame him, I was out of control and he doesn’t really know me.”

           “But you didn’t do it and you’d never attempt it again.” Blair wanted to hold her little girl but knew Starr was now a young woman and she had made a conscious choice to take that gun.  She had to accept the fact that Starr was capable of that kind of anger.  She herself had tried to kill Max and Todd was certainly able to wreak havoc.

          “No I wouldn’t, but Michael doesn’t know me all that well.  It’s alright, I trust Hallie.  She was here just a little while ago and told me she’s optimistic.”  Starr looked at her Mom and smiled  “I’ll be okay.  Heck, she got Dad off and he really killed someone.”  She expected her dad to come back with one of his snarky comments the way he had the day she was brought in but this time he paled and turned away from her.

         “Excuse me, my headache’s back.  I’ll see you upstairs.” Todd moved away quickly and once around the corner and out of sight, stopped to lean against the cool wall.  What did you expect?  She loves you but can’t forget what you did. Pull it together.  Blair knows what’s going on, but if you keep letting little things get to you, Starr will too.  There was no way he was going to let his daughter know just how screwed up he was.  He moved away from the wall and proceeded upstairs to find Hallie Mitchell.

          Down in the cells, Blair looked at Starr horrified.  “Starr, how could you say that?”

          “What just happened?  If I didn’t know better I’d say Dad was bothered by the fact that he killed Uncle Victor.  But that doesn’t make any sense, he hated his brother.  Just the other day when he arrived here, he was all cheerful and telling me a jury of his peers found him not guilty by reason of insanity.  He was very proud of his lawyer.  I don’t understand, he looked sick just now.”

          “Starr, you have no idea what’s really been going on.” Blair was worried about Todd but now wasn’t the time to go into explanations.  They were interrupted by the officer who came down to take Starr up to prepare for her hearing.  Blair was allowed to give Starr a quick hug, then she followed them upstairs.


            Upstairs, outside the courtroom, Todd was in a discussion with Hallie.  “No deal, Hallie.  My daughter isn’t going to do any time in prison.  We won’t settle.  You should know that about me by now.”

            “I’m not a miracle worker Todd.  The prosecutor is determined to come in with a victory after the last few cases have ended up disasters.  Young Corinthos refused to talk to me.  What do you want me to do?  I can plead this down, but we’re still looking at some time served.  The only other hope is to ask for a trial by jury and show mitigating circumstances.   I believe a jury of her peers would sympathize with a young twenty-one-year-old who lost her child and in her grief went after a known mobster who had just been charged for the crime and freed on technicalities.”  Hallie could see the anxiety Todd felt for his daughter.  She had tried to make the prosecutor see reason, but the mayor was all over him and he had refused to budge.

              “If that’s our only option, I vote for the trial.” Todd spotted Michael and his father talking at the other end of the hall. ”What happens if the Corinthos boy retracts his statement.”

              Now she looked at Todd suspiciously.  “Please tell me you didn’t bribe anyone?”

              “I wouldn’t jeopardize my daughter’s case that way.  No, I’m merely asking what would be the outcome if the young man did that?”

             “The prosecutor has no case if Michael Corinthos recants.  Starr would be allowed to go free.  I don’t want you to get your hopes up, Todd.  The young man has been exceedingly stubborn.”  She looked at Todd trying to gauge if he really was listening to her.

              “So am I, Hallie” he said and looked her squarely in the eyes.  “I’m stubborn enough to believe that that young man won’t let my daughter go to prison now that he’s had time to think.  I know he spent time with her after the death of her daughter.  I’m sure deep down he knows she won’t go after his father again.”  Just then Blair joined them. Starr and her guard right behind. “You alright, Shorty?”

              “I’m a little scared but I’m ready.  I’m sorry if I said something earlier to hurt you.  I didn’t mean to.” Starr was nervous but it was her father she was worried about.  From her mother’s comment, she began to wonder just what the story was.  He appeared okay.

             “Don’t worry about me, I’m fine.  Like I said downstairs, it was just a nagging headache giving me some grief.”  He smiled at her.  Sonny and Michael having that little chat cheered him up immensely.  They entered the courtroom.

             A short while later Starr walked out of the courtroom with her lawyer and parents.  “I can’t believe it.  It’s over and I’m not going to jail.”

            “I must admit I was caught off guard myself,” replied Hallie. “I never expected the young man to change his mind.  I should have known by now, that normal court doesn’t apply when I’m working with a Manning.”  She looked directly at Todd.  He had had a hand in his daughter getting off, of that she was certain.  “I’ll go finish the paperwork, Starr.  You’ll have to sign a few things and get your belongings but you’re free to go home now.  Todd, if I could have a quick word with you.”

            Todd left Blair and Starr talking and walked down the hall with Hallie.  “Thanks for doing such a good job.  I knew I could count on you.”

           “You know perfectly well I had nothing to do with today.  I’m not sure how you convinced that young man to retract and I don’t want to know.  I’m glad your daughter is free and I believe I could have won if we had gone to trial but that’s neither here nor there.  I’m headed home after  I complete all the red tape, but I wanted to talk to you one more time about your own sentence.” Hallie stopped walking and turned to confront her client. “You’re coming up on the deadline the court put in place for you to find your own therapist.  If they don’t get the proof that you’ve established yourself as a patient with a reputable psychiatrist, you’ll find yourself picked up by the Port Charles police and delivered back to Llanview and sent straight to St. Anns.   I urge you to take care of that this week, Todd.”

             Todd stared, a little shaken, he had been expecting a bit of a tongue-lashing from Hallie for interfering with Starr’s case, but not all that.  Damn.  She was like a pit bull terrier.  She wasn’t going to let up on him about getting the damn therapy.  “They can’t really do that, can they?  I mean I’m in another state and everything.”

            “Believe me, the police here have been fully briefed about your case and sentence.  Bo Buchanan sent word up here, the minute it became known that this was where you disappeared to.  He already received assurance from the commissioner here, that they would cooperate fully with any mandate from Llanview.  Todd, you need help.  Get it.”  She held out her hand. “It’s been nice working with you. Stay out of trouble and get me that information.”

             Todd shook her hand. “I’ll get on it in the morning.  Thank you.”

             “Do I have your word on that?”

             “For what it’s worth these days, sure you have my word.”

              Hallie met his eyes with hers. “I trust your word, Todd, probably more than you do.  Take care.”  She headed down the hall to finish taking care of business.

              He watched her go and pulled out his cell phone.  Dialing the number, he waited.  “Yes, could I please speak to the doctor?  Tell him it’s a life and death situation.”  It was a little dramatic but he hated being put on hold or asked to make appointments.

               “This is Doctor Collins.  What is this life and death situation?”

               “My name is Todd Manning and I need your help in saving a life.”

              “I don’t understand.  Why are you calling me?  Call 911.“

              “That won’t work.  If you can’t help, I don’t think anyone can.”

              “Mr. Manning, this is highly unusual.  Just whose life am I supposed to save.”

              “Mine.”  Todd listened to the utter silence on the other end.  He wasn’t sure why he had started the conversation the way he had, but he realized he was telling the truth.



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Dance with the Devil: Chapter 68

When Helena’s phone rang, she looked at the number and smiled.  “Hello Mr. Lord.  It is so good to hear from you,” she purred.

“Yeah, whatever.  I’ve thought over your proposal, but I want assurance before we go ahead with it,” Victor said shortly.

“Anything you want, so long as I get my great-grandson,” came the reply.

Victor took a deep breath.  “I want to talk to Tea,” he requested.

Helena shifted her gaze to Allison and hit the mute button on phone.  “What is Mrs. Lord’s condition?”

“She has been more aware lately, so talking with her husband shouldn’t be a problem.  She is still semi-drugged, so she may not realize whom she is really talking to, which wouldn’t hurt us in any way,” Allison explained.

“Can you guarantee that?” Helena asked.

“There are no guarantees in life, Mrs. Cassadine.”

Helena pressed the mute button again.  “Please, give us a moment.  Mrs. Lord has been sleeping quite a bit and we need to wake her.”

Helena and Allison reached Tea’s room and entered.  The Russian aristocrat sat on the bedside and roused her captive.  “Mrs. Lord, you have a phone call,” Helena said sweetly.

Tea took the phone.  “This is Tea Delgado, who am I speaking to?”

Victor’s eyes lit up.  “Tea!  It’s Victor, sweetheart!”

“What?  Who is this?”  Tea’s mind was still very foggy.  “How can you be cruel like this?  My husband is dead.  How could you say something like that?”

“Tea, no, it’s me, I’m alive.  I wasn’t killed that night in Llanview.  I was a prisoner all this time,” Victor told her, his voice growing concerned.  His mind raced with thought of how to prove himself to his wife.  “Danie, Danie found us in bed together after we got you back from Eli, remember that?  She was horrified.  Then we went around delivering invites for our vow renewal.”  His voice grew heavy with emotion.  “You remember that?”

A memory came to Tea and a tear slipped down her cheek.  “Victor?  But how?  Todd killed you…”  Then she remembered being back in her home in Llanview with Blair.  We don’t know how, or where, but Victor is alive.  “Oh my, God, Blair said…But I didn’t believe--”

“Tea?  Tea!” Victor yelled when her voice dropped off.

“I am so sorry, Mr, Lord, but your wife needed her medication and it is very time-sensitive,” Helena’s voice returned.  “Now that you have heard your precious wife, let us work on the finer points of our deal.”

It took everything in Victor to hold his temper.  In a dangerously low voice, he asked, “What do you want?”

“That’s better.  Now, you will meet me in the conservatory at Wyndamere tomorrow morning at ten a.m. sharp.  Just you and the baby,” Helena said.

Victor let out a sigh.  “You know, the more I think of this deal, you’re getting shortchanged.  I mean, you’ll be handing over my wife and son, but all your getting is a baby.  What about it’s mother?” he said, trying to entice Helena.  “A kid still needs its mother.  I should know from experience.  Besides, you’re no spring chicken.  I can’t really see you running after him as he gets older.”

Helena thought about that for a minute.  She had little use for Sam Morgan, but could merely kill her when she had the boy in her possession.  It would also get to that little mouse, leaving her daughter for dead.  Then again, Sam was Stavros’ child and with the techniques she had learned, Sam could be reprogrammed into a more pliant personality.  The thought appealed to Helena.  “You make an interesting offer, Mr. Lord.  So be it.  Samantha Morgan and her son, tomorrow, but just the two of you.  Are you certain you can get them?”

“It will be easier to take the kid with its mother,” he reasoned.  “Let’s make it noon though.  She’s more likely to be out later in the morning.”

Helena nodded.  “Very well then, noon at the conservatory at Wyndamere, Samantha and her son.”  With that, the call ended.

Victor looked over at Anna and John, who were listening in on both ends of the call.  “Alright, we suspect that they are all at Serenity.  We’ll have a tail follow them to the harbor and have people in place for the meeting.”  She turned to Sam.  “You’ll be taking you son for a walk and he’ll snatch you on the street.”

“Maybe we could have the grab in the lobby downstairs?  It’ll be easier for containment and we can have security really sell it if Helena has eyes on us,” Sam offered

John nodded.  “I think that’s a better idea.  We’ll set it up to look like it’s a hostage situation, give Victor a gun with blanks and a car with GPS tracking.”

Just then, Victor’s phone went off, signaling a text message.  “Todd’s out of surgery and Viki wants me at the hospital.”  He moved to the door.  “I’ll be in touch early tomorrow,” he said as John and Anna nodded.  With that, he left, heading for General Hospital.

John let out a low chuckle, which Luke took note of.  “What’s so funny there?”

“I never thought I’d say this, but I actually think he’s worried about his brother,”  John said.     

Blair walked into the ICU room and her heart broke.  Todd was hooked up to every wire and tube medically possible.  He looked worse now then he had in the aftermath of the shooting. 

“I know it looks bad, Mrs. Manning, but his numbers have improved, even in the short time since we finished the surgery,” Matt Harmon said.  When Blair ignored him, he decided to leave the two alone. 

Blair pulled the chair over to the bedside.  “Hey there.  I’m so happy to see you,” she said to the prone figure on the bed.  “The doctors say you’re improving, so I need you to wake up, Todd.”

Behind her, Todd bent down and curled her hair around his finger.  “Hey babe,” he said.  “I’m right here, even though I know you can’t hear me.”

“She can hear you Todd,” Merrie told him.  When he gave her a confused look, she merely smiled with encouragement.

Todd turned back to Blair.  “I’m working on getting back to you, to the kids.  Seems its all I’ve been doing for the last nine years.”

“You know, it’s been way too long that you’ve been away from us.  Even when you were back, you were still away,” Blair said.  “And I need you back.  So do Starr and Jack.  Sam, he’s got you wrapped around his little finger.  Your sisters, they both need you, even Tina.  And Victor, he’ll never admit it, but he needs you.”

“Really, Victor?” Todd asked incredulously.

“God, could you have imagined what it would have been like if you two had been raised together?  Poor Viki, she’d libel to have lost her mind long ago, reigning in you two.” Blair said with a laugh.  “You…are so important to all of us. And you need to come back.”

Just them the door opened and Jack walked in, Starr a half-step behind him.  “I know they said just on person, but can be come in now?” her son asked.  “We want to see Dad.”

Blair smiled at the teenage boy.  She turned back to the bed.  “Your son and daughter are here to see you.”  She stepped aside and watched as he children went to their father’s bedside. 

“Hey, Dad, it’s Starr,” she said, very voice sounding little more than a child’s.  “We need you to come back, okay?”

“Yeah, Dad, when you’re better, you can print any of my highlights in the Sun, anything you want,” Jack added.

Blair stepped between her children and they put their arms around her.  Todd wanted so much to be with them at that moment, but Merrie shook her head.  “You’ll be with them soon enough, but you are still needed here and now.”

Todd continued to watch as Viki and Tina came in next.  He smirked as both of his sisters stood there, telling him to get better in their mother hen ways.  It was then that they were interrupted by the entrance of Victor.  He stood at the end of the bed.  “What are the doctors saying?”

“Well, right now, he’s getting better, but they have him in a medically induced coma to speed the recovery.  He should hopefully be able to come out of it in twenty-four hours,” Viki said.

Merrie smiled.  “You know, this is the first time we have all been in the same place, well sort of, at the same time.  Viki, Tina, Victor, you and me, all of Victor Lord’s children,: she said as she touched Victor cheek.

Victor moved to the side of the bed and bent down.  “Look, I know we don’t get along.  We probably never will, but at least for everyone else, you need to wake up.”  He turned to Viki and Tina.  “I need to talk to you two outside.  There’s been a break in the case.

Once they were in the hall, John, standing with Blair and the kids, Natalie and Sarah, explained what had happened at the Morgan penthouse.  “So, in the morning, we’re going to imitate a sting operation.  We’re going to get back Tea and her son.”

“But using Sam’s baby, especially with a woman who wants him…” Starr said, concern in her voice. 

“It’s the only way.  Besides, Sam will be with me the whole time.  We’re just trying to buy time for PC’s finest,” Victor said.

“Look, we’ve got an early up tomorrow, I think it’s best if we rest for the evening,” John said.

“Yes, I agree with John about all of us.  There’s not much more we can do tonight,” Viki said.

Blair shook her head.  “I’m staying here.”  When there was a round of protests, she stood firm.  “I need to be here.  I need him to know I’m here for him, and not one of you will change my mind.”  With that said, she went back into the room. 

Todd had watched her reenter and take her seat beside him.  “That’s my Blair.  Mother Lioness.”  He walked over to her, and though she didn’t know it, enveloped her in a full-body hug, staying there as long as she did.            

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The Fourth Life: Chapter 59

She stood, and walked from the table.  She hugged her own arms, and looked into the sunset.  "This is my favorite time of day."


He watched her, from behind.  For a moment, he thought, "I'll have a lot of time to get to know her, later."  His mind flashed on visits with Tea and the children, and holidays, with her there.  


Then, she said, "Do you know how you got to Greece?"


He said, "No.  I don't know much.  I know I was left at an orphanage in a very small town somewhere in Greece.  I grew up there.  He contacted me again when I was a young adult.  He used my weakness against me."


"He was not a good man."


He was as confused as she was, by her fluctuations between adoration and total disgust.  "No, I guess he wasn't."


"He was once, even when he was involved in organized crime, he was a gentle and devoted man, then."  He didn't answer her, as he flashed on him pushing the button on the remote that sent electric current through him.  His hands shook, and he folded them to get it under control.  "I was a call girl, trying to make it through college."  Her back was still to him.  "He was a client, who turned out to be my knight in shining armor.  He paid for school, so I could finish, and he took me in.  We fell in love.  That was also Carlo.  Aside from the hateful, vengeful terrorist he became, he was also this man."


He thought about what to say and decided on, "You loved him."


"Yes.  Even at the end.  Even as he lay in that hospital bed.  Even after he ordered you dead."  She finally turned.  "If you hear the rest and never want to hear more, that would be expected."


He said, "Go on.  What about ordering me dead?"


"What do you want to hear?  That he randomly selected Mac to do this to you?"


He said, "I don't know.  What I want to hear, frankly, is the truth.  Then, maybe we can heal."


"Heal?"  She laughed, despite the tears that were falling on her face.  "How do you heal from something like this?"


"You do.  I guess.  I did.  I was brainwashed, tortured, made to think I was someone else, stole a life, killed someone, lost everything.  And here I am, trying to piece it together.  Trying to get to know my mother, after 41 years."


She turned her back to him again.  "You won't want to know her.  Your mother had a role in your own shooting."


He swallowed.  Knowing the torment she was enduring, he kept his own ire and disgust silent.  "How?"


"I was just about to be released from prison.  After hearing the things he'd done to you and to Todd Manning and his family, I wanted to get as far away as I could from Carlo.  I knew he would suck me in, like a disease, and I'd be right back at his call.  I'm addicted to him, I suppose, but it doesn't matter now.  I sent Mac," she broke down, "who actually loved me.  The man I actually could have depended on, got taken down by Carlo as well."  


She pulled herself together, and still with her back to him, she said, "Mac went to him, in prison, made a deal with him to help Carlo escape during that trial in exchange for getting us out of the country and giving us unlimited wealth.  The greed in me, and my fear, motivated me to use Mac.  Mac loved me, truly.  When Carlo turned on us, and required the shooting of you, Mac went with it.  Carlo had threatened to have me tortured and killed, and Mac....he just could not accept it and agreed to kill you."


Tears stung his own eyes, as he realized her deep desperation and selfishness, and how it had overcome her.  Perhaps it was his own therapy that helped him find pity for her, but he did.  "You didn't know I was your son."


"I know that.  It doesn't exonerate me.  I am responsible, second hand, for the injury you endured.  And, I am party to the death of that baby.  That innocent life."  She broke again, and put her face into her palm for a moment.  Zeus let her cry, and waited, patiently.


He said, "I forgive you.  I understand what you were trying to do.  I know the desperation.  I was in that same place.  Before the torture and brainwashing, I did things for him, that I knew were wrong.  We all have our demons."


"Yes," she said, sniffing, and becoming upright again.  "Neither of us planned for you to die, or that baby to die.  The worst thing that ever happened to me was the death of my child, and now, I've put it on someone else."


He said, "You didn't know.  You didn't plan that."


"Still, it happened.  The blood is on my hands."  She turned to him, and held her hands out, "Do you know I can see it?  I see the blood sometimes, on my hands?"


In his struggle to understand her, a voice of alarm spoke to him.  He said, "No, there's no blood there, your hands are clean, see them?"


"I see them, and sometimes, I look, and they are covered in Blair's blood, and the baby's blood.  She was innocent."


He looked at the woman, and said, "Even Blair wouldn't blame you for this.  I know that."


"Wouldn't she?  I know how it feels.  It's the worst pain anyone can have."


He said, "I'm sorry.  But your pain is over, your child did not die.  You can start again, and get to know me.  We can make up for lost time.  I...I could have a family, like I've always wanted."  


She turned her back again.  After a few moments of silence, she said, "You have hope.  I don't.  I've....there's too much.  Too much done and said and passed."


"All of it can be forgiven.  I'm living proof of that.  Todd forgave me."


"Who can forgive me?"


"I can.  I will.  I already have."


She did not turn.  Instead, he saw her move to the edge of the balcony and lean against the black wrought-iron railings.  She breathed in deeply.  "You forgive me.  That means...everything.  It's all that was left."  Then she said, "I love this.  This view.  It was worth every penny.  It's in foreclosure, you know.  Another month or two before it's gone.  I deserve that.  I deserve whatever comes.  I've done...let's just say, you don't know the half of it."


He said, "None of that matters to me.  You can get help, I know someone who can help you.  If I talk to Todd, I am certain he'll help me buy this place, and you can live here as long as you like, with us."  These were the things he dreamed of, imagined, and longed for, most of his life.


"With us?"


"Tea, Daniella, Isabella and I.  All of us."


"You dream.  You dream very big, and colorful and in picket fences.  That's not reality.    Blair on the floor bleeding - that's real.  Todd and Blair, on their knees, mourning, beside a rose-quartz statue of a little girl - that's real.  Carlo, dead, in the hospital bed, the life squeezed out of him - those are real.  That is reality."


He stopped, confused by her words, and the first thing he thought of was, "You were at the funeral?"


"I was watching, from a distance.  I saw it all.  One thing you must say about Todd Manning, he's a total romantic, even in death."


Zeus said, "You saw Carlo, dead?"


She did not answer.  Instead she said, "The sun is almost gone.  I've done it all, you realize.  I've cheated, slept with men, sold myself, lied, prostituted, betrayed people, turned my head to atrocities, and now killed.  I've taken lives."


"That baby's death is not your doing.  Anyone can see that.  I see that.  None of that matters anymore."


It was as if he were not there, "Just look at it, how the sun falls behind the mountains like that.  In a few minutes, just like love, it will be gone.  Just like life."


He looked at the sky, and for a moment, shared the awe that she felt.  The clouds were small lines across the horizon; the sky was a blend of purples, oranges and pinks.  The rim of the sun was just touching the mountains and was slowly fading behind them as they watched together.  As strange as the reunion was, he was with his mother, and she was with her son.  


Without warning, she hopped herself onto the railing and swung her legs over.  He was up, out of his seat, and running, grabbed the sleeve of her sweater, which hung there, dangling from his hands, as she dropped to the ground so far below.  She was lying, crumpled, three stories down, her legs twisted in an unnatural way, and blood was pooling under her head.  He turned away, and cried out, "No!"


He gripped the sweater, soft and smelling of perfumed flowers, once again an orphan.  


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