"I used to think a moment like this would make me smile."
Taggert shifted in his seat, his hands in his lap. The rosary was still clasped in his left hand. He regarded Sonny somberly, who lay motionless in the bed before him. Tubes and wiring of all kinds emerged from him, hooked up to the machines that hovered around him. He was very pale and if not for the beeping monitors to prove otherwise, he appeared to be dead.
"I used to think that a moment like this would make me feel like the job I do is worthwhile."
Taggert coughed, somewhat embarrassed to be speaking with an unresponsive patient. All he could hear was Sonny's breath as the air passed through his lips in a calm, whispery fashion. Taggert rubbed the rosary gently. "I don't really feel that way anymore."
Taggert struggled for the right words. He'd longed for a moment when Sonny was powerless to do anything but listen to him and now that he had it, the words he'd chosen before didn't fit the situation anymore.
Taggert leaned closer. "I think you deserved a moment like this. If for nothing else than to remember that people point guns at you for a reason. You aren't some poor innocent caught in the crossfire. You never paid for your crimes, you never looked a victim in the eye and realized the depth of your sins. Seeing you here now, I don't feel sorry for you. I would have preferred to see you locked up in Maximum Security at Pentonville, how I would have loved to see the look on your face when you realized it was all over."
Taggert rubbed his forehead gently, remembering to keep his voice down. "I look at you and I see a man I have hated since first sight. I have put away so many like you, but nothing would have tasted as good as putting you behind those bars and never looking back."
Taggert's arms rose to rest on the side of the bed. He looked carefully at the monitors, wondering if Sonny could hear him and if in some small way, he was responding.
"But now things are different. With you and Dara being together and you being out of the business anyway," he trailed off with a wave of his hand. "You know," Taggert said after a moment,"my sister, she believes in the afterlife, in past lives and all that stuff. She once told me that the most important thing a man could do before he dies is atone for his sins because if you don't, your crimes follow you. They haunt you and those you love and as time goes on, it gets worst. So here you are, at a crossroads for what you should do."
"Hey! Who let you in here?"
Taggert looked up as Amy strode towards him, an unpleasant expression on her face. "You know better Detective!" she hissed. "Out!"
Taggert nodded with an easy smile. "Just a sec'," he promised. Rising from his seat, he opened Sonny's left hand and gently placed the rosary in it. "So for Dara, I'm telling you that your choice is to survive. You will not die from this. You will wake up and get better and you will spend however long it takes to make it up to her, whether she wants you in her life or not. You'll do it for her, because for some reason, she loves you."
"Now Taggert," Amy said sternly, tugging on his forearm. Taggert nodded and stepped away, but after a moment, stepped back, this time bending his head towards Sonny's ear. "You fight. You come back and spend the rest of your life being the kind of man Dara would want in hers." Lowering his tone to a whisper, he added,"and if you every make her cry again and I'm around? Your ass is grass."
"Taggert!" Amy squawked, "you can't threaten the patients!"
"I'm going, I'm going," he assured her, raising his hands in defeat. He gave Sonny one last look, before closing the fingers around the rosary.
**********
6th floor, East Wing
Sabrina moved quietly down the darkened hallway of the recently renovated East Wing. Although it was completed and ready to be open as the new Children's Wing, the official ceremony wouldn't be happening for at least a few weeks. Sabrina gazed at the colorfully decorated halls and floors, a faint smile emerging as she moved along the corridor. Painstaking effort had been put into making a child's stay at the hospital as calm and cheerful as possible, she knew that Stefan had labored intensively with the architects and designers for several months on the issue. Finally she came across the gold colored label of Room 112.
Tentatively, she knocked before opening the door. "Dominik?" she called into the dark room softly. She waited, feeling her heart thump against her chest. She came into the room and shut it quietly behind her. Padding into the room, Sabrina took a few steps at a time as her eyes adjusted to the darkness. In a corner of the room was a bay window and the full moon shined into the room creating a sad, eerie glow throughout the area. "Dominik?" she called again.
Dominik turned in the bed and rose slightly. He squinted into the darkness and a saw a faint shadow move closer towards him. Alarmed, he demanded,"who is there? Show yourself immediately!"
Sabrina's heart jumped slightly at the sound of his silky smooth voice. After all these years apart, he could still make her breath catch with just a few words. Only they did not bring comfort or desire to her like before, now they were filled with the deep anguish of a man who had lost a part of himself. Sabrina shivered, the faint memory of what tore them apart still fresh in her mind.
"Dominik? It's Sabrina."
Dominik's eyes widened with surprise. Sabrina? What was she doing here? He shrugged off the thin blanket and threw his legs over the side of the bed. "Sabrina?" he whispered. Slowly she came into view and Dominik could not stifle the gasp that escaped his lips. She was radiant, to put it mildly. Her mane of curls had grown a few inches and hung loosely over her shoulders. Her flawless taste in fashion remained as did her breathtaking physique. Everything about her that he remembered was still there, as was the penetrating gaze of her chocolate eyes. A deep sadness filled him as he watched her approach him. Already, he could feel the tears pricking. "What are you doing here?" he asked in a hoarse tone.
Sabrina took his hands in hers, noting the sharp intake of breath as their connection jolted them both. Their fingers twined, she offered a comforting smile. "I heard from Stefan about Danté and so I came," she said in a hushed voice.
With a gentle tug, she pulled Dominik to her, wrapping her arms around him, allowing his head to rest against the hollow of her neck. Wordlessly and instinctively, they lay down in the small bed, their clothed bodies pressed together, their limbs braided loosely. They clung together, Sabrina's left hand moving slowly along his back in a rhythmic, soothing manner. Dominik clenched his eyes shut, feeling the tears fall, his body shudder as gasps and moans of pain left him.
"Don't leave me Sabrina," his voice asked morosely. Dominik pressed his head against her bosom, the beat of her heart lulling him, allowing his grief to exist while mollifying him as well.
"I promise, I won't leave you," came her soft answer.
Enveloped by the love and pain they had shared, the two drifted off into sleep, the glow of the moon basking them with a blanket of warmth and light.
And as Dominik fell into the deep sleep, Danté's last few words echoed in his mind.
"It's okay Domi, you'll be okay. I promise."
*************
GH-Recovery
Vincent stalked the hallway, a new oath still fresh in his mind. The representatives of the other families had made the decision known. With Danté and Moreno dead, Vincent was the likeliest suitor for the role as head of the Port Charles syndicate. He would soon be thrust into a world he had groomed Danté for. With the shift of all the weight falling onto his shoulders, new fears emerged within Vincent. He now needed both the brains and brawn to successfully lead the now unified Port Charles mob. The brains were no problem, but did he have the will to unleash his wrath on those who disobeyed or displeased him?
It was not an easy thing to consider, but at least Vincent could find comfort in the fact that he would not be alone in this.
Most certainly Tori would be by his side. She knew more than she let on, and she could back him up when he needed her to.
"Boss," the low voice behind him warned. Vincent snapped back to attention, still getting used to the role. "What?"
"Guard ain't at the door," the guard behind him noted.
Vincent's blue eyes narrowed at the empty doorway. Fear surged within him as he ran the remaining distance to the room. He knew he shouldn't have left her alone. He burst into the room and with dread, found it empty.
"Where is she?!" he shouted to the guards who'd flanked him earlier. Quickly the room was searched, to no avail. "Search the building!" Vincent growled as two newly arrived guards dashed off with the other two. Barking a few more orders into his cell phone, Vincent snapped it shut, blinding fear surged through his veins and with a roar, began tearing the room apart.
Security rushed in to subdue him and Vincent continued to mark his fury. "Where is that scrawny guard? I want his goddamn ass in here now!" he shouted at the security guards. "Where is she?! Where is Tori?!"
In a few moments, Vincent and a few of his guards had been cuffed by the police that had arrived from the ER. They argued loudly with the officers, their shouts and demands causing the hallway to flood with patients and curious onlookers.
The man was one of those in the crowd.
His eyes flickered eagerly as he watched Vincent's glare to a few nurses sent them scurrying for safety behind the nurses station desk.
"I see your frustration and fear Vincent," he murmured. "Do not concern yourself, all of your questions will be answered and soon."
With a brief smile, the man darted into the fire escape door as the police began to question the staff and patients about Tori's disappearance. A minute later, he was once again back in the car, being whisked out of the city.
He glanced out the window into the night. Dawn would be encroaching soon and he still hadn't formalized his all arrangements.
"Where to sir?" the driver asked. "Airport?"
The man rubbed his chin thoughtfully before shaking his head. "No, head to the hotel. I need to see Jace," he replied.
There was much to discuss.
*******************
GH-ICU
"Hey, you're awake."
Sonny instinctively smiled as Dara's voice fell against him. Groggily, his eyes opened and he squinted, tears blurring his already limited vision.
"Wait," Dara said and she snapped off the overhead light and closed off the bed with a curtain, shutting out the residual light. Sonny's eyes opened and greeted the change, adjusting easily this time. He turned, feeling his neck stiffen. He released a weary sigh, everything felt numb and sore and he knew it wasn't going to be temporary.
Still, at least he could see Dara.
"Hey," he croaked weakly, realizing his throat was parched.
"Here, the doctor said you'd be like this," Dara said holding a plastic cup of ice chips. Gently she fed them to him and he ate it silence, relishing the cool liquid as it ran down his throat. After finishing the cup, he opened his mouth. "Hey," he said more clearly.
"That's much better," Dara said approvingly.
Sonny nodded and smiled at her. She was tired and pale, but she still looked as beautiful as ever. She glowed. He didn't deserve such beauty.
"I'm sorry. I'm so, so sorry," he started before she shook her head.
"No, stop. I know you're sorry," she said, her face tightening to a deep frown. The pain was still fresh. "You lied to me," she said evenly.
Sonny swallowed. "Yes, I did."
"You betrayed my trust and you kept things that affected my life from me."
"Yes, I did."
Although she knew he would admit to it, it still hurt. She wasn't sure if it would ever stop. Still, she knew what she wanted to say, and she wasn't about to back out now.
"I know why you did this and frankly, I don't care. You and I were given another chance and again, you couldn't cut it. I won't do this if this is going to be a pattern in our relationship. I don't know if I can do it now." Fresh tears ran down her cheeks and she brushed them away. "I don't know if I can trust you again Sonny." Dara's voice dropped an octave. "I just don't know."
Sonny was silent as he took in the information. The truth was obvious to him. The voice that had swam around in his dreams had told him what he needed to do. "I can't make you cry anymore Dara. I want to do something I've never done before."
Dara looked at him closely, suddenly drawn to the new light that glimmered in his eyes. "What is it?"
Sonny tightened his grasp on the rosary. "I want to earn your trust. Like I should have to begin with. You are so important to me Dara and I know I can never take back what I did. I want to change. I want to be the man you deserve to have, even if you decide never to be with me again. I just can't live without acknowledging what it is you have given to me," he whispered.
Dara drew in a breath, letting it draw out raggedly. "Forgiveness isn't just about letting go of the past Sonny. It's about healing and letting that healing occur over a period of time. What I say or do won't matter if you can't forgive yourself."
Sonny gave her a watery smile. "I want help Dara. I have so much in me that hurts and when I met you, I knew I would have to heal that hurt before I could love you."
Dara's hand rested over Sonny's as he continued. "Trouble is, I've done that backwards. I already love you."
Dara's face softened as the words passed through his lips. His eyes flashed uncertainly. Had he said too much?
"I love you."
Dara could hardly believe that the voice speaking was her own. It was strong, fearless and full of the courage she had armed herself with when she had opened her heart to Sonny Corinthos so long ago. A small voice asked her.
Could she do it again?
She knew the answer.
"I want to help." Her voice was confident with her choice. "I will help you. Any way I can."
Sonny said nothing, but his entire being seized with joy as Dara gently pried open his clenched fist, inserting hers, twining her fingers with the beads of the rosary and nestling them with his.
"Thank you."
Dara cleared her throat, "I do have 2 requests though."
"Name them."
Dara arched her eyebrows. "One, we take things very slowly."
Sonny nodded. "Absolutely," he agreed. No way in hell was he going to take things for granted anymore.
"And two," Dara started before narrowing her eyes at him," you are selling that Penthouse," she ordered.
"My Penthouse?"
Dara nodded firmly. "You are not even going back to it to pack," she ordered.
Sonny nodded seriously. "Got it, it's gone."
"Good."
"Ma'am?"
Dara and Sonny turned to the nurse who approached them. "I'm sorry, but time's up," she said.
Dara rose reluctantly from her seat, giving Sonny's hand one last squeeze. "I'll be back tomorrow," she promised softly. Sonny nodded, swallowing hard as the lump in his throat rendered him speechless. He watched as she left the room, smiling as she waved one last time before she disappeared out the door.
"How are you feeling Mr. Corinthos?" another nurse asked as she began taking his vitals.
"I'm okay. Listen, can you do me a favor?" he asked.
"As long as it's allowed," she replied as she fiddled with the monitors.
"Can you make an appointment for me?"
The nurse halted her duties and turned to him. "What kind of appointment?"
Sonny smiled, noting the suspicion in her voice. "With Gail Baldwin or Kevin Collins or whoever. Someone from Psychiatry on hospital staff who can come see me tomorrow or the next day." He was eager to start.
The nurse smiled, somewhat relieved. "Sure, no problem."
Sonny knew it would be hard. Years of screwed up values and morals would have to be untangled and dealt with. Pain he'd long ago buried would have to be dug up and examined up close. Hard truths about a childhood he cared not to remember would have to be talked about. He was scared, even now and it would never be easy.
But he had good reason to do it.
Dara.
She would be there for him, helping him. He didn't have many people he could trust completely. She was one he would.
And right now, it was all he needed.