Part one:
The elevator door swung open with a ring as Carly walked out with an abrasive expression frowned over her face with her trench coat wrapped around one arm . AJ was hot on her heals. They both looked around the hospital floor for a few moments before turning back to eachother.
"Where is he?" Carly asked her husband in an irritated tone with her arms folded across her chest.
AJ threw her a scowl. "Michael's a smart kid. He probably saw you and ran for it."
"That's it!" Carly merely shouted as she walked into the lobby, motioning for AJ to follow. She looked around to make sure no one was listening in. Port Charles was famous for eavesdropping. "Look AJ," she gritted, "I've gotten used to our insulting antics for quite some time but today…god…lets just put them aside."
AJ looked at her intensely for a moment before nodding. "I suppose you're right-which isn't often...but Michael sounded really awful on the phone-." AJ stopped and followed Carly's worried expression behind him and noticed his son-his body dripping wet and his face glowing with a mixture of guilt and anger. He looked as if someone had punched out his throat and landed on his stomach.
Carly moved towards her son instantly. "Sweetie, what happened?" She asked gently, putting a hand on his shoulder.
"It's Lulu," Michael choked after a while. "She-she...she's hurt."
"How?" AJ asked coming nearer to his son. When Michael made no signal of refuting he decided to try once more. "Michael…it's alright. Just tell us what happened?"
"I shouldn't have left her," Michael finally said after what seemed like perpetual amount of time. "I should've gone with her…I knew she wanted us to stay and…I just left her there…with him. Even though I knew he was trouble." Michael gave out a long sigh before rubbing his eyes.
AJ and Carly glanced at eachother once before returning their gazes toward their son. "Michael," she started, "Its fine. Whatever happened. It wasn't your fault. I know you would never want anything bad to happen to Lulu..and she'll be fine. I promise. She's a strong, intelligent girl…She'll live."
Michael looked at his mother like she had offended him deeply. "She'll live? Is that your great attempt at making things better Mom?" He said frantically with his voice elevating. "My god are you a piece of work. Just a few days ago I recall you commenting on how she was a spoiled little brat and now your suddenly saying that she's strong and intelligent. And why? Because she might be dying?" He shook his head again. "Well she doesn't need anyone's pity. Especially not yours Mom."
"Michael!" Carly was getting angry. Her endeavor at comforting her son and once again turned around to her. "Why do you have to do this? Turn things back to me--."
"Aargh!" Michael screamed lightly. "I know you're used to being the gossip column in the Port Charles Herald. But this is not about you, Mom. For once…it's just not. And I'm not turning this back towards you. Its just that right now you're being a hypocrite."
There was a small silence. Michael's comments had slightly hurt Carly and at his very last one she was more than sure AJ had mumbled "..it wouldn't be the first time." But she knew Michael was simply hurting considering the fact that Lulu was his best friend.
"And the funny thing is…" Michael said with mock laughter. "Is that I'm the one taking therapy when two of the biggest nutcases in Port Charles is standing right before me." He looked at his parents astonished faces. "What? You don't think I know all the shit you two have caused? All the--."
"That's enough Michael!" AJ barked. "Instead of throwing verbal abuse towards us maybe you should go and watch Lulu because the only person being a hypocrite right about now is you. You're blaming your mother for turning everything towards her-and god damit she does do that sometimes-but at the moment your just making as if whatever it was that happened to Lulu about yourself. You're hear whining instead of standing near Lulu's bedside. So, don't blame Carly for trying to ease your pain while your friend is fighting for her life." AJ was shocked at the sound of his own voice as was Carly. Did he just actually defend Carly? AJ turned towards his wife who looked shocked, impressed, and as if she were stranded in the Twighlight Zone. Alan and Monica walked in unison into the lobby where the rest of there family was; Alan's left hand was consisted of Lulu's status chart. As they walked in, they both could feel the rage and intensity from the three and realized that they should've came later.
"Lucky!" Gia called as her ex-husband stormed out of the elevator. Sly and Elizabeth followed both looking awkwardly at eachother. But Gia ignored them and walked towards Lucky who was now talking to a nurse. Lucky turned towards Gia with a fierce gaze. She had not seen that acidic look on his face since their last fight before they decided to get a divorce. "Lucky…what happened…it was just…" She was casting for the right words but was sure that nothing she said could dull the tartlet in his eyes.
"No," he said walking one step back. "I can't do this now Gia. Not while my sister…I have to see Lulu." With that he walked off with assorted emotions. A huge part of him was worried to death over what could possibly have happened to Lulu. Another chunk of his soul wanted to go right over to Sly and beat him into a pulp. He had seen it there before. Even when they were married. The chemistry between Gia and his cousin but he ignored it. This time however…just walking into-or more driving into-the both of them and interrupting their rather intense kiss made his heart fall all the way down to his feet. He exhaled deeply before pushing images of Gia and Sly away from his mind and focusing on his sister.
