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fantasies-fairytales-n-fics · 3 months ago

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Code Blue Ch. 62- Raising Cain

Summary: Josie contemplates her next move regarding predator Peter. Savvy Cyrus emerges from the shadows to make another powerplay but Josie uses her own against the odious thug. One of his henchman has her seeing double. A terrifying test is passed with flying colors and unbeknownst to Lee, it's because of him. Josie's actions spark a heated argument that may end a longtime friendship. An unexpected call for help is made. Lee and Orlando collide. Josie cannot believe her ears. Lee is summoned.

*Chapter Warnings* Strong language, angst, intubation, weapon use, mob hit

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March 24, 2022

Salem, Massachusetts

It was 4 P.M. as Josie made her way to the ER to scope out the situation with Peter August whom she had told David she would stay away from. Standing in the shadows observing, it was quite astir with staff moving about, phones and monitors ringing, a baby crying and sirens blaring as an ambulance was arriving. She didn't have to guess which room her abuser was in though when she spotted the prison guard sticking out like a sore thumb as he stood vigilant outside of a closed curtain cubicle.

Although Dave had explained to her the critical condition Peter was in, Josie needed to see it for herself because not only was he a professional deceiver, but he was born and raised the son of an international terrorist and an uncaged animal like that, no matter his physical state, was a danger to all who got in his way of freedom and having her for himself if he were to live. She would never be safe until Peter no longer drew breath and the conundrum she now faced was what to do about it.

Gazing down at the phone in her hand, she contemplated on calling Craig, although she was certain he already knew since he and Jeffrey had been waiting on the call confirming the hit he ordered had been carried out, but did he know that it had failed? Most likely not, for she was confident that he would have called her to make sure she knew and that she was safe, regardless of how bad she had hurt him. Should she call him anyways? Would he even answer her call? She definitely could not leave a voicemail or text him about the situation for incriminating purposes so she chose to at least see if he would pick up.

As Josie turned to leave and find a private area, her blood ran cold when someone just as terrifying as Peter appeared out of thin air.

"Jesus!!" she gasped as she stumbled back, almost plowing straight into stealthy Cyrus.

"Sorry." he raved as he placed both index fingers pointing upwards on each side of his head like horns. "Wrong guy, remember?"

Narrowing her eyes at him, she attempted to pass. "Excuse me."

He stayed a contactless hand before her stomach to stop her. "Are you alright Miss March? You look as white as a ghost. I hope it's not due to the prison guard I saw you eyeing? Pay no attention to that man behind the curtain. I assure you he is not the great and powerful Oz. There's no hot air balloon...or helicopter on the roof that he can magically fly away in with you this time. From what I gather, he's more like the scarecrow now up here." he grinned, pointing to his temple.

Her eyes slightly widened. How could he have possibly known about that?? Had he followed her and eavesdropped on her and David's conversation???

"Oh don't worry Dorothy, your juicy little secret is safe with me. I think it's safe to say though, that you're not the small and meek like the girl with braids from Kansas proclaimed to be. I admire a strong woman who takes control of her life. Is that...not...what you were contemplating just now? How to handle the infamous Peter August aka Henrick Faison that my substandard son failed to handle?"

Once again, Josie found herself fondling the rubber band upon her wrist, desperately wanting to snap it to ease her growing anxiety but at the same time, she didn't want to give Cyrus the satisfaction that he did in fact intimidate her.

"Judging by the look upon your lovely face, you must be wondering how I know the things I know? Well, you see, I'm a very observant man, especially when it comes to the people my son associates with or...falls in love with. I must say, you'd be a better suited match for Craig given your unfortunate predicament in the child bearing department. You are nothing like Elizabeth, the hot mess who's now a cold, decaying mess, that his hormones exploded over, resulting in the mess of parenting in a world where a child should not be. Lord knows I made that mistake and look how that turned out. My own son chose the opposing team. I mean no ill will but even your brother, god rest his soul, was drawn into her web of deceit but at least he was smart and strong enough to distance himself from diaper duties and allow another man to take on the role and responsibility of a father. I can't imagine how difficult that must have been for Dr. Pace to learn the truth that he was not the boy's father after the poor child had passed and also that the person responsible for his death was the boy's own mother. Jacob was his name? And how hard that must have also been for you to learn he was your nephew and you never got to know him. Well, at least now, Elizabeth will never hurt another child ever again. Justice was well served, wouldn't you agree?"

Josie's overstimulated nerves stirred in her stomach over his cold and calculated words. It was confirmed. Cyrus Renault truly was the devil in disguise. He knew things he shouldn't and he was using that knowledge to administer a very patronizing power play against her just as she had witnessed him do with Gerry. She knew though, with all of the internal rage she was feeling, that she had to choose self-control like Gerry had and not let Cyrus bait her in to clawing his beady black eyes out. The last thing she needed was to be on his shit list, so instead of violence, she chose to play his game.

"Yes, yes it sure was. Everyone is better off without that wretched woman around. She has hurt many people I love and I commend whomever put her where she belongs, six feet under. The children though, they do not deserve to suffer. I am sure you are doing everything in your power to bring your granddaughter home? I know will do whatever I can to make that happen for Craig and for Blaise. She must be terrified wherever she is and your son is very heartsick over it all. You wouldn't have any ideas as to who has taken her....would you? I mean, you've made it quite clear that you're in the know how of past and current events with being a man of your stature and all, so I guess I'm just very surprised that you haven't located her yet. How does a little girl just vanished without a trace?"

The old man's browless brow line arched. "I think it's pretty black and white, don't you? Ethan Bloom claims to be her father and then both he and Blaise disappears days later. Coincidence?"

Josie was beginning to get a gut wrenching feeling that Cyrus was involved after everything he had just said about Craig and Blaise. "Maybe. Or maybe it's not so clear cut. Maybe Ethan didn't take her at all. Maybe it's someone we all would least expect. Someone right under our noses all along. Maybe someone that's trying to teach Craig a lesson. Wouldn't you agree, Mr. Renault?"

He chuckled, picking up on her passive aggressive accusation. "Please, call me Cyrus. It's intriguing, the way you think. Coloring outside the lines or thinking outside of the box per se and then just letting those thoughts fearlessly roll off of your tongue. I do like your pluckiness. You've got backbone. Maybe you can make a man out of my son yet."

Cyrus caught sight of two men standing at the nurses station and made his departure. "It's been an absolute pleasure chatting with you Miss March, without your crony K9."

As Josie observed his close interaction with the young men both wearing the popular business suit that everyone in the surrounding area really did seem to wear, she quickly concluded they were Cyrus' henchmen. For some reason though, one of them she couldn't take her eyes off of, for his short mousy hair and facial features, especially the compelling eyes of bright blue hues, were all too familiar.

In her overwhelming curiosity, Josie remained where Cyrus had left her and listened to their conversation that the eldritch Kingpin made no effort to conceal, which he solely directed at the man who held her utmost attention. "I have a meeting in my office shortly. Go to HR and ask Janine how the interviews for the chief of staff position are coming along."

"Yes sir. Still no word from Britt Westbourne?"

"Not a peep so whatever happens next, Dr. Westbourne won't be returning here."

The mention of her missing best friend's name sparked an instant solution as to how she would gain access to Peter's cubicle and so she made her way to interrupt.

"Excuse me, Mr. Ren...Cyrus. I'm sorry to intrude but after hearing you speak about Britt, I was wondering if it would be alright to gather her personal belongings from her office? She asked me to retrieve them. I..I'm her best friend, but I'm sure you already knew that."

His brow line quirked. "Did she now? And yes I did. May I ask why she would not just come to claim them herself or even have her brother, Dr. Conrad to do so?"

Knowing the answer to his own question, Cyrus recalled the day he learned Jason was alive and made the call, ordering the hit on Britt to hurt Jason and draw him out of hiding.

"Bring in Pine, get rid of Dr. Westbourne, make it look like an O.D. and I want eyes on Jason Morgan now."

At the same time, Cyrus' other minion recalled putting the hit in to motion by restraining Britt in her office and preparing to lethally inject her with a syringe full of fentanyl but the mission had went sour when he was attacked from behind by Jason which had allowed Britt to get the upper hand on his partner with a swift knee to the groin and then she and Jason ran off.

Josie also recalled the day she last saw Jason and Britt at Lee's lake house and how terrified she was that Cyrus was going to kill her, so she continued to lie. "She and Dave had a sibling spat and aren't speaking to each other and she's also out of town. It seemed simplest for me to collect her things."

"I see. Well then, I can accompany you to her office on my way to mine."

After Cyrus' reply, her eyes were magnetically pulled to the man at his side who seemed oddly recognizable. Noticing her awkward stare, the man's brows slightly furrowed as he shifted his weight from one foot to the other.

"Ahh, yes," Cyrus intervened, also aware of the uneasy eye exchange, "I see you are curious of my retainer which must be due to the family resemblance. Miss March, this is my son, Brando."

Her eyes popped. "Son?? Cr...Craig has a...you're his...brother?"

Brando's hands swayed out as if he were uncomfortable with the introduction. "Yes ma'am."

Now she understood his familiarity. The uncanny resemblance was flooring. Although Brando was clearly much younger, at least by a decade, he could have passed as Craig's twin were he to have a clean shaven face. Aside from age, the only differences she picked up on was he did not have a kiwi accent or a muscular build.

"It's...nice to meet you Brando. I...I apologize for my reaction. I just...I wasn't aware Craig had a brother."

Brando's blues met Cyrus' coals in which he then spoke for his son. It was clear that Cyrus held great sway over Brando. Not only was that apparent in his mannerisms but it was visible behind his blue eyes. They screamed of oppression when he looked at his father. "It's not unusual for Craig to disavow his brother just as he has renounced me. Unlike my seditious son, Brando is a trustworthy son who's loyalties lie with the family as they should. Now, Brando, do as I have asked and then wait in the car with Pine. We have much to discuss. I shouldn't be more than an hour."

With a nod each, both soldiers obeyed. "Yes sir." and then the knee-length trench coats flared out as the two men simultaneously and swiftly turned with Brando delivering a side eye glance at Josie.

Cyrus glided his hand forward. "After you Miss March."

Out of habit, Josie path of choice was the stairwell but Cyrus stopped at the elevator with a grin on his smug face and pushed the button that glowed of red in response. "Your chariot awaits Miss march."

It was quite obvious to her that Cyrus also knew of her fear of small, enclosed spaces but there was no way in hell she was going to give the sadistic snake the satisfaction of getting off over her suffering.

With determination to conceal her weakness, she marched right into the metal box as the doors opened and stood calmly in the back corner as the doors closed. Holding her breath to regulate her heartbeat and to avoid inhaling the skunk smell of Cyrus' Old Spice, she envisioned Lee holding her close, just as he had done when she bravely attempted to ride the elevator ten floors up up to his dad's funeral reception at the Metro Court but had a full blown panic attack before the half way point.

Although the current journey to Britt's office was only three floors up, it was still treacherous and seemingly long, especially feeling Cyrus' soulless eyes upon her, waiting for her to crack under pressure but the imaginary feel of Lee's magical arms around her carried and shielded her through the squall.

Once the doors reopened, Josie served a raised cocky brow at Cyrus and proudly exited with her head held high as the defeated beast closely followed. Had she really won though? For she sensed that Cyrus was rather turned on by being put in his place by her.

As she mentally shook off the creepy crawlies from the appalling thought, Cyrus unlocked the door to the cold, dark office and reached his arm in front of her in a way too close for comfort manner to flip the light on. "Help yourself. I'll just wait here and observe in case you try to make off with one of our pens."

Her brows furrowed in trying to decipher if he was actually serious as he stared at her, for he held not even the slightest hint of humor in his blank expression and then his hearty chuckle startled her. "I'm just pulling your leg. Take what you like. There's nothing of any value in here. My team has already gave it a once over for the important things such as files and what not. I'll leave you to your business as I'm running a bit late for mine. Be sure to turn the light off and lock up when you are finished. It's been a pleasure as always. Until next time then, take care Miss March. I'm sure we will be seeing more of each other."

After he left, she took the awaited opportunity to physically shake her entire body out of his creepy closeness that her previous mental thoughts had failed to do. "Ekkk!! Sleezy slimeball! OK, focus Josie. Get moving."

Straight to Britt's bathroom wardrobe she bee-lined and smiled as she spotted the scrubs she had came for. Emptying out a box of copy paper, she placed the medical uniforms, a mask, gloves and a clipboard inside and then placed some of Britt's street clothing on top to keep them all hidden as she snuck her way down to the locker room, knowing the back half was dark and rarely used.

The burgundy scrubs were a perfect fit as she slipped in to them, for she and Britt were the same size and luckily for Josie, she already had running shoes on to complete the impersonation of a nurse.

With a mask on, Josie nervously made her way back to the emergency department, taking the stairwells and keeping her head down when passing others. Although the staff was plentiful and busy and always seemed to consist of new faces, she still faced the high risk of either being discovered as a fraud which Gerry most likely couldn't get her out of and then she could also run in to Dave or Orlando who would know her eyes anywhere. Sure, she knew they would never rat her out but that put them in an unfair position. Still, the selfish, burning desire to expose the real fraud trumped all the risks. It was a moment of temporary insanity that Peter was responsible for.

Her heart raced as she stood in the shadows, eyeing the armed guard and watching Peter's room while at the same time, pretending to look over paperwork on the clipboard she carried. She knew it wasn't going to be as simple as TV shows made it appear to be and with that thought, she almost chickened out until paramedics came rushing in with a head trauma patient.

When all the staff's attention was diverted to the new emergency, Josie's fear subsided as she took the open window as a sign to proceed.

Moving quickly, she approached the guard as she put on a pair of latex gloves, hoping he wouldn't notice the beads of sweat she could feel swimming on her forehead and praying the nearby nurse on the phone wouldn't look over. It didn't even matter, for the stage was set. There was no turning back now as she stood before the guard with sleepy eyes and spoke her rehearsed line. "Good evening, I need to check Mr. August's vitals."

To her astonishment, he simply nodded with no smile and no questions asked as he fought back a yawn while leaning against a medical cabinet. He clearly didn't want to be there. She had to wonder if he was just overworked and underpaid or just despised Peter like the next guy. Maybe both.

It was time to move forward. As Josie slipped inside the curtain, her heart plummeted into her stomach when she saw Peter on the bed with a breathing tube down his throat. His eyes were closed and he was still as a mouse except for the rising and lowering of his chest from the ventilator pumping undeserved air into his lungs. The sound of it disgusted her and she became livid when she noticed he wasn't even handcuffed to the bed.

"Peter!" she snapped quietly but sternly. "I know you're faking. I know for a fact that people can be awake when intubated. Open your eyes!"

The vital sign monitor's beeping slightly increased only making her believe even more that the con was conning everyone again.

"I knew it! You can hear me! This is all a sham so you can escape. How'd you do it Peter huh??? Stick your finger down your throat to get just enough poison out before they found you so you could continue to torture me??? Even while you laid dying, you managed to plot your escape??? Answer me Peter."

He remained still as a statue. The beeping returned to normal as it had been when she walked in and it only fueled her burning fire.

"Alright then. You want to play it that way huh?"

Josie began to scour the room for a specific tool and when she found it, she opened the sealed package to reveal a surgical scalpel.

Holding it out in front of her, she cautiously began to approach him.

"If you won't talk, I will make you tal...."

She gasped as a firm hand clutched her wrist from behind.

"Give it to me now you little liar!" Dave demanded with eyes of ire.

Gulping, she released the weapon and he released her wrist, then took the little but fierce blade and placed it inside his pocket. "Let's go trouble magnet."

Through the ER department and through the halls they walked side by side which is when Dave discreetly laid in to her and the bickering began. "What the fuck were you thinking?? You promised you wouldn't go near him but I know you and I knew you had your evil little fingers crossed behind your back didn't you??!"

She scoffed, chin held smugly high. "I NEVER promised. I do believe I said I won't go near him."

"It's still a lie!! You lied to me Josie! Right to my face."

"I did what I had to do. I needed to see him for myself because I know he's faking it and I almost had proof until you had to go and follow me and ruin it!"

"Damn right I followed you and lucky for you I did ruin it. What if someone else would have caught you huh??? What the hell were you going to do? Kill him???"

"NO!" she huffed. "I was just going to threaten him. You know, hold the blade to his slithering one-eyed snake and make him squirm until he had no choice but to give up the charade!"

"He's has a fucking tube down his throat Josie and his vitals prove he is comatose, not to mention his toxicology came back and he did in fact ingest a very poisonous cocktail."

"How long have I know you and your sister Dave??? YEARS. And over those years, I have learned many things from you both about the medical world and one of them is that you don't have to be unconscious to be intubated and I'm telling you, he knew I was there because his heart rate sped up when he heard my voice! And another thing is, I've known Peter for years as well and I know how skilled he is in fooling everyone, even you! Ya'll will see when he magically recovers or just disappears."

"You know, your lack of faith in my medical intelligence and intelligence over all is rather disturbing and extremely offensive. Who's the doctor here Josie?? Me or you??"

She stopped at the locker room doors and spun around. "And who's the one who knows Peter the best??? You are such a macho cliche! You've got this all figured out. You are so full of yourself!"

"I'M full of myself????!! Hello pot meet kettle! You think you're invincible and always do the most crazy, stupid irrational things and it never works out for you now does it?? Let me guess, you probably told yourself that if you got caught, you could wriggle right out of it with Gerry's help. And he's such a love struck fool, he'd probably break his code of ethics and do it, even when you're nothing but a bitch to him. Trust me, I know the feeling!"

"Oh ok. I get it. This has nothing to do with Gerry. It's all about YOU and your hurt feelings all so you can passively tell me I'm a crazy bitch!"

Josie stormed into the empty locker room and Dave was right on her heels. "You're a spoiled brat and your own worse enemy! All you care about is yourself. Did you even stop to think of me here?? I mean, you know I'm not going to turn you in so what about the position you've put me in?? Just like you did at your mom's for Jason's funeral reception by telling Lee you and I were an item. I'm beginning to think you don't care about me at all."

Dave's shift was over so he went to the laundry bin and angrily stripped his upper body of all but his black tank top. "And this is the thanks I get for trying to protect you yet once AGAIN."

"You did NOT have to get involved!! I don't need a hero because they sure as shit don't exist anyways! And yes, I DO care about myself David! Do YOU ever stop to think about everything Peter has done to me??? It's like that don't even matter here! Should I just suck it up, all the anxiety and night terrors and just move on like he hasn't destroyed a part of me that I'll never get back??? The part of me that could ride in a fucking elevator without hyperventilating or the part of me that never used to be afraid of the dark and jump in fear every time it thundered or the part of me that could sleep through the night without waking up screaming or the part of me that never used to look over my shoulder everywhere I went or the part of me that was able to have children! Do you have ANY idea what it's like to jump out of your skin at the mention of someone's name and to never feel safe?? I shouldn't have to live like this David!"

Her tears softened him. "I'm sorry that you're going through this hell. I really am Josie and...."

"You're not sorry." she snarled. "And I am NOT sorry for what I did today and you just had to go and fuck it all up and why?? All because you love me?? Well you need to get it through your thick skull that I will never love you the way you want me to and as far as I'm concerned, I don't even want to be your friend anymore with all of the pressure because friends don't pressure each other like this! Get a life David and stay the hell out of my mine!!"

David was speechless and choking up as he watched his best friend storm off. Was it his fault? he wondered. Had he crossed a line and pushed her too far with all that she was going through? Had he lost her forever all because he loved her?

Hysterically sobbing as she arrived at the locker she had stuffed all of her things in, Josie quickly removed Britt's scrubs and put her own clothes back on, then pulled her phone out, shocking herself at who she chose to call.

Sobbing even harder to the point of gasping, she snapped the rubber band on her wrist over and over, then dialed the number of the only person she felt she could truly trust.

As Craig's voicemail picked up, she rambled on through her tearful breaths. "I..I figured you wouldn't answer but..but could you please come and get me? I'm at the hospital and I...I don't know what to do anymore and it's dark out and the rubber band is not working and I...I just really need you. If you don't come, I'll understand because I know I really hurt you and I don't deserve your help. I am so so so sorry Craig. I was so wrong and...there's something you need to kn...."

"Shit no no no!" she shrieked as her phone died.

Chucking it with rage into the box of Britt's stuff, Josie rubbed away her tears, then took the box and made her way to nurses' station on Megan's floor to leave a note for her and her mom, for she was in no condition to see them.

"My phone died and I had something unexpected and urgent come up. I'll text soon when I can- Love Joey."

Thanking the charge nurse, she then went to relieve herself, for she hadn't went since that morning. After a long and satisfying bladder release, she washed her hands and stared in the mirror at her bloodshot eyes, wanting to smash her own reflection. "I hate you," she whispered through clenched teeth and teared up. "Dave was right, you are your own worst enemy."

Forcing the tears back, Josie opened the door and froze solid at the sound of Lee's richly profound voice coming from the nurses' station where she had just been and he sounded greatly agitated.

Drawn to the sound like a cat to a can opener, she crept towards a sizeable fake plant at the lobby entryway and parted the plastic leaves just enough to get a clear view of the man she would always love. As she did so, his succulent scent of Drakkar punched her right in the nose. There he stood, ever so handsome in his white lab coat, dress shirt and tie with a stethoscope around his neck as he raised and viewed what appeared to be multiple MRI images of a brain.

As he lowered the scans, Orlando became visible at his side. The much shorter doctor dressed in coordinating attire, was consulting Lee about a patient. "At first, I thought it was just the sedation but her eyes, she's not able to focus. I had her try to fixate on my finger and her eyes would just dart back and forth to a random place, almost mechanical and..."

"Square wave jerk." Lee grumbled without looking at him, then heavily sighed.

"Exactly," Orlando agreed. "So anytime I get an eye thing after a fall on the head, I'm thinking a stroke, but..."

Lee sighed heavily again, his sullen sapphires focused on the computer screen as his fingers tap danced along the keyboard. "Did your workup come back negative?"

"Yeah." Orlando also sighed, feeling nettled by Lee's sour attitude. "Any idea what else it might be?"

"Could be anything from a basal ganglia disorder to normal aging." Lee rambled off, dismissing Orlando as he moved to the other side of the counter and began scribbling on a notepad.

Orlando followed, continuing to poke the agitated lion. "Do you think you could maybe take a look at her?"

Another hard sigh as Lee snapped his pen down. "Tell me Dr. Bloom, were you not recently promoted to chief of trauma?"

His chocolate eyes narrowed at Lee addressing him as Dr. Bloom and not Lando or at least Orlando. "Umm, yes?"

"And you have been on shift all day?"

"Yyyyes?"

"Then why have you not consulted with Dr. Abrams, also a neurosurgeon who's also been on shift all day, instead of inundating me the very moment I walk in the door with an issue that is non-exigent? After the day I have had, I do not appreciate being nagged by an underling. "

Orlando riposted, feeling validated. "Respectfully, doctor Pace, the ER has been Grand Central Station for most of the day and now we have a dangerous inmate on life support to deal with. I was only able to obtain a brief consult with Dr. Abrams because he had an emergency surgery to perform. One would think a neurosurgeon, such as yourself, would feel any type of head trauma IS exigent. You are available and I felt nagging you for a second and more thorough opinion was warranted."

Lee sat down at the computer, his annoyance with Orlando rapidly increasing as he stood over his shoulder. "And I gave it." he snarled, typing in letters one at a time that were administered with harsh jabs by both index fingers.

Stiffening in his chair, eyes widening at the red lettered warning appearing in the new patients list, Lee's hands slowly rose and hovered above the keyboard as he stared in shock at Peter's name on the screen.

Heart pounding, jaw grinding and lips pursing, Lee's sapphires slitted as he hissed through a forked tongue. "I will state my opinion about the prisoner though, whom I should have been informed of immediately per protocol but no one seems to do their fucking jobs around here. Due to his condition though, let me clarify that he's about as dangerous in a vegetative state as an unskilled man, such as yourself, is to a budding clit. The ventilator should be put to better use for someone deserving. Just put a pillow over his head. Problem solved. Danger dissolved. Now, run along back to the ER and apply some band-aids. I have real work to do."

The British doctor's chocolate eyes became dark as coal. "Condescending cunt."

Lee stood up and glowered down at him. "Excuse me??"

Orlando glowered right back. "I will not excuse you. There's no excuse for how you have treated me OR Josie for that matter which this petulant behavior is clearly all about. You think you're better than me? Well I think not considering she's still in my life yet you can't say the same, now can you? And who's fault is that? You don't deserve her and never did. Thankfully, I could tell she's finally starting to realize that when she came to see me and told me all about it. You lost and that's on you."

Lee kept his cool with other staff being nearby, although what he really wanted to do was wrap Orlando's stethoscope around his neck and choke the life out of him. Instead, he patted him rather roughly on the shoulder as he served satirical words with a chuckle and a grin. "You worthless wanker. You really think you have a chance with her don't you? You and your dusty dick are not her type. She likes men with big guns. Literally and metaphorically. Mark my words little man, although she's easy, she'll end up in her mobster landlord's bed, yet again, before yours or anyone else's for that matter and you'll still be stuck with rosy palm and her five ugly sisters and a raw cock. So ask yourself then who the real and very SORE loser is. Now, you WILL excuse me because we are done here. Check and mate."

Lee swiped up his clipboard and disappeared into the hall opposite where Josie stood with a rapidly growing lump in her throat as waterfalls gushed down her cheeks. His razor sharp tongue gutted her wide open, disemboweling her. Her mind exploded with question after question. How could he say those deplorable things? Was that how he really felt about her now? Who was this clone of the man she loved even still? He looked like Lee. He sounded like Lee but he wasn't the Lee she or anybody knew. He was cold as ice.

Josie found herself sprinting down the hallway, bursting through the stairwell exit and gasping through each racing step down to the first floor where she sprinted once again through the lobby and out the front doors.

Under dim security lights, she sat on a secluded bench, snapping her wrist so fiercely with the rubber band that it welted and bled. Rocking back and forth, her tear blinded eyes frantically searched for Craig in every passing car but every pair of headlights came and went. It finally sunk in. She had lost him too.

Laying down on the bench in a fetal position as it began to thunder, she clutched the box of Britt's belongings against her chest and squished her eyes closed as cold rain sprinkled her face.

Lee had returned to the nurses' station in search of his favorite pen and when he couldn't find it, he believed Orlando had intentionally taken it to piss him off, for he knew it had belonged to Lee's father. "Thieving fucking weasel." he griped as he rummaged over the entire countertop.

Bending over, sorting through the trash as a last resort before hunting down the Bloom bandit, Lee heard a clicking noise coming from behind him.

As he turned with an arched brow, there stood villainous Cyrus, pen in hand, clicking it over and over with his fat thumb as he wickedly smirked. "Dr. Pace. A word. In my office. Now."

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#lee pace #lee pace fanfiction #code blue #love stories #dark fiction #dark stories #organized crime #mob fiction #mobsters #doctors #david conrad #craig parker #orlando bloom

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fantasies-fairytales-n-fics · 3 months ago

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Code Blue Ch. 61- Foreshadows

Summary: Lee receives an infuriating gift and unleashes his wrath upon the givers. A sinister sign is interpreted that Josie can't deny. Two informative stories are revealed with two doctors. Josie wants to finish another's failed attempt. Lee has a most bittersweet dream.

*Chapter Warnings* Strong language, angst, mentions of suicide

Stories Stories Stories Masterlist:

Mach 24, 2022

Salem, Massachusetts

After crashing at his farm all morning with his dogs and cat, Lee tidied himself up, knocked back a Red Bull and headed down the stone road to his neighbor's home to thank her for taking care of his farm and animals while he was away. After some small talk over a quick cup of coffee, he then made his way to the home he once shared with Jacob to resume the neglected remodeling and feel close to his son, hoping Jacob would visit him again. He knew if he didn't keep himself busy, his thoughts of Josie would consume him and drive him in to a drunken stupor yet once again. As much as he craved the wicked whiskey's mind numbing properties and the burn of it rolling down his throat, he had to stay sober for his evening shift at the hospital and then he planned to medicate himself to his heart's content for his pre-planned birthday vacation that he now knew he would be spending alone.

With a Red Bull infused coffee with no lid in one hand, he fumbled for the house key as he blindly walked up the porch steps only to find himself stumbling over a small object near the front door and spilling the piping hot drink all over his hand and down his pants where it conveniently had appeared he had pissed himself.

Cursing like a sailor under his breath, he chucked the empty cup into the yard and scooped up the booby trap beneath his feet which was a small wicker basket filled with fresh baked cookies, for he could smell the warm aroma, and on top was a scribbled note attached. "My mom and I worked hard this morning when she got home to bake these for your berthday tomarrow and asked me to give them to you so you would have sumthing to eat and she said you like sweets and that you never eat at work and you are getting too skinny and she also wants to know if you can come over sumtime and she will make you a berthday diner.

Love your frend and nayber,

Dash.

Pee-ess,

She said she has wissky to and sorry I drank all the milk we had for the cookies. I hope you have sum."

Normally, Lee would have smiled and invited his favorite kid on the block to come join him because he did in fact have some milk but after the last few days he had, especially the early morning blow up and break up with Josie that Dash's mother's lies were partially to blame for, every little thing was getting under his skin and the unwelcomed gift and cocksure invite from Angel and using her son to deliver it had just triggered the time bomb inside of him that had been waiting to explode.

Lee marched inside and emptied the basket into the trash and then with the basket in hand, he marched right back out the front door, bee-lining straight for Angel's house next door where she was conveniently sitting on her front porch.

"Hey Lee, I saw you pull up and....oh," she paused with an aroused brow lift as she looked down at his wet crotch and giggled, "Did you have an...accident? I could help clean those up for you except my water is a bit rusty for some reason. Can you do plumbing?"

He tossed the basket at her feet and with hands in his pockets, he stood firm with a frown. "Look, I appreciate that you helped me out the other night but what I don't appreciate is you spreading rumors and lies through the hospital about you and me and what happened here that night, which was absolutely fucking nothing and I also don't want your damn cookies or whiskey or dinner that you would probably drug. As if I would ever put anything of yours in my mouth and I'm not fucking with your damn pipes either."

Lee instantly sighed, closing his eyes and mentally poured scalding hot coffee down his throat as he realized what he had just unintentionally and stupidly set himself up for in his fit of blinding rage.

Angel smirked. "Yeah, well I certainly recall you liked putting things of mine in your mouth and fucking with my pipes once upon a time."

"That's ancient fucking history and one sorry ass mistake because if you ALSO recall, it never happened again. I was drunk out of my damn mind from booze and grieving over the death of my son and I couldn't wash my dick enough times to feel clean after that. Speaking of son's, I also don't appreciate you using your kid to do your dirty work. You're a shitty ass mother just like Liz was. No wonder you two cunts instantly clicked. I truly hope Dash don't pay the price like Jake did. Crazy thing is, Dash is old enough to know better and he knows I have a girlfriend....well, HAD I should say...no thanks to your twisted lies that played a part in firing her up. I'd steer clear of her if I were you. She's pretty pissed, rightfully so and she's got a mean right hook and if you're ever on the receiving end like I've been, I hope I am there to witness it. I fucked up thinking you could actually be a decent human being by helping me out when I was in a jam without expecting anything from it but apparently all I did was unintentionally lead you on. That's my fault. I own it but I promise you, that will never happen again. Stay the fuck away from me. Got it??"

Before Angel could respond, Lee noticed Dash was eavesdropping from inside the open front door. With slitted eyes, he glared and pointed at the frightened boy who gasped and swiftly slammed the door shut and then placing his hands back in his pockets, Lee marched back home, leaving Angel with a scowl on her face.

As Gerry and Josie's mom spent the afternoon visiting with comatose Victor and making their amends, Josie continued to bond with her sister, washing and styling her unruly hair and doing her makeup to make her feel better after lying in a hospital bed for three days, unable to fully shower due to her leg cast but Josie knew the act of endearment was only delaying the inevitable meltdown that was coming.

Taking in a deep breath, Josie began informing Megan of Gerry's generous offer that would provide her and their mother a temporary safe haven at the Kiriakis mansion and that he would soon be coming to speak with her about the suppressed memories of her attacker that she had recently recovered and as predicted, she took the news just as Josie had presumed she would, ranting and raving in a bout of paranoia that the psychotic Scotsman, as the terrified and tearful redhead called him, was playing a trick and would surely strangle her in her sleep.

"You broke your promise!" Megan sobbed. "You still hate me. I knew it!"

"Megan, I do not hate you and I did not break my promise. I promised you I would do my best to keep you safe and that's what I'm doing. You need to trust me ok? I know Gerry better than anyone, better than you and if I thought he wasn't sincere, I would have never asked him to do it."

Megan's eyes bulged in anger. "YOU ASKED him to do it??? Oh my god. This is your secret way of making me pay for what I did isn't it!?! I'd rather face the shadow man than the doolally detective. Do you know what he said to me the day he was here with crazy eyes and veins popping out of his forehead??? He told me he hopes the Bean Nighe comes for me. I googled it and it's some malevolent Scottish fairy, some say Banshee, that screams and if you hear her, someone close to you will die!!! And I told you I heard a woman in my dreams screaming in the tunnels!!"

Josie choked down the overwhelming urge to laugh, only because Gerry's mom used to tell him many of the Gaelic fearsome fables when he was being a mischievous child to try and set him straight and he had definitely succeeded with his intent of putting the fear of god into Megan. "Ok look Megs, the Bean Nighe is just scary Scottish folklore just like we have scary legends here. It's not real and I think that what you read triggered the dream, so...in a way, it was a good thing because it helped you to remember that Elizabeth was probably the woman you heard, although I don't condone Gerry's stunt of scaring you to death."

"A good thing??!" she snapped and cried harder. "It's an omen. A sign, just like you yourself believe in so much! You know what else it said?? The Bean Nighe means washer woman. She would wash the blood out of clothes of those about to die! Did you not just tell me only hours ago about the red water that you and others you care about are all seeing???? And I told you I did too before I was attacked so tell me again how it's NOT real!! Bad things are going to happen Joey!"

Josie embraced her sobbing sister, her eyes now wide and wary. "You didn't die though and you're not going to because...because someone is helping us."

Megan sniffled and leaned back, gazing at her sister with befuddled eyes soaked in smeared mascara. Grabbing a tissue, Josie handed it to her. "You're ruining your makeup. Now, stop crying and listen to what I am about to tell you. Since you believe in all of this, then I know you'll believe this too but this stays between us. Dave wasn't too happy when I outed him to Landy about his...secret ability."

Megan tilted her head, brow arched. "Huh?"

Josie then proceeded to tell Megan about David's gift of seeing and speaking to the dead and how Lee's late son was the one who guided him to find her in the tunnels.

"Oh my god so...he's like a real life ghost whisperer?? Bitchin!"

Josie chuckled. "Yeah but he hates that term. Makes him feel like he's a freak. Anyways...Megan, Lee has seen Jacob too. He shares the same gift. I don't know how or why but he does. I can't see or hear him but I've been in that house when Jake has made his presence known. It's quite the phenomenon, let me tell ya."

"Awww, that poor sweet little boy. No wonder he hasn't crossed over yet. It's the unfinished business thing. I wish I could thank him for helping me. I owe him so much."

Josie desperately wanted to tell her that like her, she was that sweet little boy's aunt but it would all be too much at the moment and it would also reveal that Jason was alive considering he was the one who told her and Josie knew that a secret like that, Megan would not be able to keep.

"Well, thank him in private. Keep your lips sealed ok? Anyways, speaking of Dave and Landy, I'm going to go see if they're working today. The guard's right outside and mom will be back soon, probably with Gerry so he can question you. Don't worry about him and his spooky stories. You can bet your ass she'll keep him in line and so will I."

"Ok...I guess." she softly peeped, forcing a light smile. "Oh and Dave and Orlando are here. They come to check on me and mom from time to time and they were here early this morning."

As she headed out, Josie's heart smiled knowing the good doctors were taking time out of their hectic schedules to look out for her family and now she wanted to make sure her loyal friends were doing alright since she seemed to have lost her childhood friend Emily for not being around much.

After shooting a quick text to both physicians during a bathroom break, Landy was the first to respond.

"Hey beautiful. In the cafeteria on break. Can't wait to see you."

"Be there in a few :)"

Orlando's lunch buddy and fellow colleague lifted a curious brow. "What's got you so chipper with that cheeky smile? You never smile when you're here."

"Because this place sucks the life out of me."

"I hear ya on that bro. I'm working a double. So do tell, who's the one that breathed the life back into you just now? Would it happen to be a woman? I'd be careful there. They'll suck the life out of you too and I don't mean from your lollipop with the surprise cream center."

"And I hear ya on that bro." Orlando agreed with a chuckle and a mouth full of what appeared to be meatloaf, then he promptly stood when he saw the woman he was agreeing about. "Gotta go. There she is now."

"How goes it girl??" he raved as he snapped his food tray onto a table and scooped her up, giving the squealing blonde a quick spin around, then a sweet kiss on the cheek.

Giggling, Josie sat down. "Well, not as good as you seem to be, but it's going."

Orlando sat down and gave a cheesy grin as he popped a few grapes in his mouth. "Well, that's what you do, light up a dark room when you walk in. Let me guess. Lee?"

Josie's smile faded. "He left me."

Orlando's chomping chews halted and he forced a hard swallow. "What?"

Her eyes burned of tears but she held them in. "7 A.M. this morning. I guess he's still not talking to you since you didn't know?"

"I haven't heard from him since he sent me that unwarranted text saying she's all yours."

"He was drunk, as if that's any consolation but I didn't come here to talk about Lee. How are you doing? Like really doing. Any problems from your dad errr sorry...I mean Luke Sr?"

"Not a peep from him or anyone related to me. Mum, Sam and Jimmy went back home and my brother Luke, as usual and as if I really care, is MIA and I, as usual, am all alone."

Josie smiled and slid her hand across the table, clutching his. "You got me. I know I've been stuck in my own little world lately but I'm still here if you need me. You've certainly been here for me."

"Well I certainly owe you after you stuck your neck out for me the night Ethan attacked me AND the night I stupidly went after my fath...Luke...with that hammer, oh and how could I ever forget you saved my life when the other asshole Luke almost killed me."

"You owe me nothing. That's what friends are for Landy. You tried to protect me from Ethan too and you took one hell of a sucker punch for me from Lee as well. It's just that, Britt and Jason are gone, god knows where, Lee gave up on me, Craig probably too which is my fault but I'm sure it makes you happy and then there's Em who hates me right now. I just don't want to lose you too."

His hand squeezed hers and his other hand reached up to stroke her cheek. "Never. I'm not going anywhere Jo. As far as Cujo Craig, yeah there's no love loss there. Can't stand the dude but it does not make me happy to see you hurting. I'm sorry for whatever happened between you both and I'm here if you want to talk about it or Lee or anything else. Always. So who's this Em you mentioned?"

"My friend from Ireland. She was at Jason's funeral reception at mom's remember?"

His lips puckered in thought. "Oh yeah, the cute little brunette with the accent."

"That would be the one but don't let the cuteness fool you. She can be quite the conniving cunt."

The British doc chuckled. "Bloody hell. May I ask why you are friends with her then?"

"Because I forgave her for something really bad that wasn't entirely her fault. God, I haven't spoken about this in years."

Noticing Josie's disconcerting spirit, Orlando backed off. "Hey, whatever it is, you don't have to talk about it. We can talk about something el..."

"No, no. It's ok. I don't mind telling you because I know you won't say anything to anyone. It's a secret between me, Em and...my dad that I've kept because it just would have done more harm than good if you know what I mean? Actually, no good at all."

Orlando shifted in his seat during a delayed reply, his eyes breaking contact as he thought of what his dad had done to him in his adolescent years. "Absolutely I do."

Josie stiffened up, eyes wide with instant regret. "Oh god, Landy, of course you do. How insensitive of me. I'm so sorry. I wasn't thinking."

"No no no Jo, it's alright. I'm ok. Promise." he claimed with a smile. "Please...go on. I'm all ears and my lips will remain forever sealed. Fire away love."

She released a deep, remorseful sigh and then submitted to his polite demand in hopes of distracting his thoughts away from the personal hell she had just unintentionally sent him whirling back to. "Ok well...it was Christmas time, 10 years ago. Her dad had recently passed by taking his own life because her mother left him for another man. Em don't have any siblings either so she was left all alone for the holidays. I invited her to come spend Christmas with us, all expenses paid to help her out. I missed her and felt so bad for her so I thought it would do us both some good since we hadn't seen each other since our early teens, well except through video chat but anyways. It wasn't exactly a festive time for our family either. My mom and dad were having marital troubles and were discreetly avoiding each other due to my father finding out about her affair and that my brother Bo wasn't his son. Mom stayed mostly in the kitchen with Megan and my aunt Olivia, mom's youngest sister, cooking and sipping her Irish whiskey. Jason had just been sucked into Sonny's underground lair of crime so he wasn't there and since Bo was a cop, he used the excuse of short staffing to not be present but we all knew he was avoiding the drama. I understood though. His entire world had just been turned upside down, SO, it was just me, Em and my dad hanging out.

After a silent and awkward dinner and a small gift exchange, mom went to lay down. The rest of us were playing games and going pretty heavy on the wine. Em decided to play the piano for awhile while me, Megan and Olivia were engrossed in a game of UNO and that's when I first noticed something with my dad when I watched him walk away. He went over to her, glancing into the hall as if he were making sure no one was there and then he propped his arm on top of the piano to listen to the song. The way he smiled and blushed, it just felt off to me, especially when I then saw the way he looked at her. First her face, then his eyes traveled down her body.

I told myself I was surely mistaken in what I was witnessing, that dad was just flushed because of all the wine and he was so smiley because he was tipsy and that he was just enjoying the music because Em played so well. He must have been looking at her fingers dance along the keys and not her body right?? That's what I convinced myself of, I mean, he was in his late 50's and Em was my age, early 20's but deep down I knew that age has never stopped attraction.

UGH so...as the night went on, we must have went through at least a dozen bottles of wine between all five of us. Needless to say, we were all quite inebriated and began dancing and singing on Megan's Karaoke machine. At some point, Em had to use the bathroom and a few moments later, I noticed Dad was missing. That off feeling came rushing back so I snuck off to see where he went. That's when I saw her in his arms, crying her eyes out.

Normally, I would have thought he was just comforting her because of her loss until I saw him turn his mouth to her ear and kiss it. Then he said "I'm here for you Emily." Their hug was body pressing and longer than it should have been and my dad's hand was stroking her back in a seductive way and THEN...she told him he smelled and felt so good and he said the same fucking thing back to her. I don't know what happened next because Megan was shouting my name and I panicked and ran back. I was shaking and furious and decided I was just going to keep drinking and keep quiet because I didn't want to start something and wake mom up.

Anyways, the reason Megan was calling for me was because we were out of wine and at that point, I was desperate to find more. Megan was too so she spilled a secret and told me she forgot that she had stashed a few bottles in her closet to drink when she would sneak a guy in. She got up to go get it and fell right back on her butt and broke her wine glass, cutting her finger. After some time of me and Olivia cleaning her up in the kitchen, I went to get the wine so I could spy on my own father once more. He and Em were still not in the living room where we had been and they weren't where I had last seen them. That's when I noticed the bathroom light on under the closed door. When I crept up to it, I....I heard soft moans and panting and then, the toilet flushed to drown out the sound of their...you know...but I was close enough to hear.

I panicked again and bolted up the stairs and hid in Megan's room until I could pull myself out of my state of absolute and utter shock."

Orlando's chocolate eyes were wide and his mouth wider as he sat in momentary silence before relaying his thoughts. "I can imagine that right now, I look just as you did? This girl, your friend of all those years...actually slept with your married father???"

"Yep...and right under our noses and mom's to boot. And the fact that he even did it...I still can't fathom it. Nothing like a drunken quickie in the bathroom! I get that mom betrayed him but what he did was so extreme. I'm sure he felt he was justified but not me."

"So, what did you do? You said you kept it a secret so I assume your mom or anyone else found out?"

"Well, when I came down the stairs with the wine, dad, with his jacket now off and a sweaty face, was coming through the hall with more wine glasses. He asked me if mom was awake and I was just so mad that I said nothing. I just shrugged my shoulders and rushed past him to avoid conversation and having to look him in the eyes or he would have known that I knew.

So no, I never told anyone...but I sure as shit told Emily the next morning that I knew and told her to get the fuck out. She flew back to Ireland and it was a couple years before we reconnected. Forget and forgive right? Wrong. I'll never forget it. Honestly, I'm not sure if I've even forgiven her because I still feel so angry about it. How could she do that to my mother?? or to me??"

"I completely understand that. What about your dad though? Did you forgive him?"

"In time, yes. I mean, he's my dad and I could tell he regretted it the next day when he was sober where is, I don't feel Em did. When I had confronted her about it, she got pissy and defensive as if she had done nothing wrong, claiming she and my dad were both consenting adults and could do as they pleased. She even had the audacity to admit she had been fucking him the entire week she had been there before Christmas and that's when I socked her hard and good. She left with a split, fat lip and that was that."

"Damn, she really IS a bloody cunt. So...you eventually made up years later and you said that she hates you now? What happened this time, if...I may ask?"

"She's pissed that I haven't been to skating class for the kids, leaving her to do it and she needed a break, which that part is true but then she asked me to cover for her tomorrow so she could go shopping all day for some party later that night. Tomorrow's the 25th. It's Lee's birthday. My mind just isn't there to be on the ice right now so I told her no and to just cancel the class. She then proceeded to tell me who the guy was that she was going out with which I know she told me on purpose to piss me off. It's a guy named Johnny and he's mob. I know him and he's only using her to get under my skin. He's not a good guy and I made my thoughts about it known to her more than once about him. To paraphrase the rest, she called me a hypocrite because of Jason and Craig, oh and also a jealous bitch, then she hung up."

"With all due respect Josie, mob is mob. None of them are good."

"Well, respectfully to you also, we will just have to agree to disagree. I know your feelings towards Craig but he and my brother are different. Alright, I have rambled long enough and probably wasted your entire lunch break. One last thing though. I wanted to also thank you for looking in on my mom and sister. It means a lot."

Orlando took her hand once more, his fingers softly fondling hers as he smiled. "You are very welcome and never a waste of my time...you know I said what I said because I care about you right? I just don't want to see you get hurt or I feel I'm going to have to dig my hammer back out."

"No you're not." she ordered with narrowed eyes and pulled her hand away. "I don't want you involved AT ALL ok? I care for you too and don't want you to get hurt either Landy."

"Well I kind of am involved Jo. Look who my brothers are. Alright I'll drop this. So, I hear you and Megan have reconciled? She was quite happy to tell me that."

"It's a work in progress but yeah, I think we're getting there. At least she's genuinely remorseful. Crazy how bad shit brings people closer together. She's having some memories too, of what happened. Nothing too concrete but could you maybe keep an extra eye out for who goes around her room? She swears she saw a man in the hall that she believes was her attacker the same night I was here in the ER. He was wearing a suit, shiny shoes and strong cologne, had a strong accent too but not foreign. She just couldn't see his face. It was too dark."

"Sure will but you do know you just described half the men I see on a daily basis."

Josie scoffed. "Ugh not you too."

"Huh?"

"Nothing, it's just that Gerry and Craig already told me the same thing and..."

"You know...the night you were here...that's what your Kiwi K9 was wearing and he wasn't with you the entire ti...."

"Stop." Josie huffed, lips pursed as she thought to herself once again...not you too. Her gnawing guilt over accusing Craig of being the shadow man had her bound and determined to defend him. "I know you're hell bent on finding some kind of fault in Craig because you don't like him but it wasn't him. He has no reason to hurt Megan and I just said the man's accent wasn't foreign. It is most likely someone in or from the Boston area and Gerry, who is a cop remember? He agrees with me."

"Sorry but it's not hard to find fault in someone like him. It amazes me how he has you wrapped around his dirty little finger. Just why is that?"

"I'm not sure if what you're implying but I'm not going to argue with you about this. I can't. I have no fight left in me right now after the morning I had. You said you would stop, so please stop Landy."

Noticing a slight whimper in her voice and trembling of her body as she softly pleaded in defeat, Orlando was overcome with self-reproach. "If it will make you feel better, just slap me because I deserve it for being an asshole yet once again. I'm sorry, truly. What can I do to make you feel better?"

"You can tell me you haven't seen any red water lately?"

Orlando's brows furrowed at the peculiar question. "Umm Red....water? Is that..some new movie?"

"I really wish it was but no. Like, actual red water Landy. Out of the tap or shower?"

"Oh you mean like rusty water. Not that I can recall. Why?"

"Because..." she began but then her phone beeped. "Sorry, let me check this. It might be mom or Megan." Or Lee, she silently hoped, but it wasn't. It was Dave.

"Hey, where are you? I need to see you ASAP!"

"Weird. I was actually looking for u too. I'm here at the hospital. Where are u? I'll come now."

"Doctor lounge. Hurry."

"So sorry Landy. I need to go."

As Josie stood, Orlando stood too and she kissed his cheek before rushing off. "Let's meet up sometime soon ok? Lunch or something. Text me, especially if you see red water. See ya later!"

His brow arched and his cheeks puffed out as he released a hard sigh and dumped the rest of his food in the trash. "Alrighty then. Back to work Landy."

After racing up two flights of stairs, she came to the small and private lounge where staff could take a break in some peace and quiet. Upon peeking inside, there sat her tall, dark and handsome blue-eyed bff in his white doctor coat with a coffee and muffin before him.

"Hey you. " she panted as she wriggled out of her jacket, then sat down with a smile, offering a sweet touch of endearment by laying her hand upon his flawless face. "You ok? What's so urgent?"

Smitten by her touch, Dave gave a shy smile and complimented her in his soft voice. "Hey beautiful. "I'm ok but...I don't know if you will be when I tell you something."

She slowly lowered her hand, her smile fading. "W..what is it?"

"Josie...Peter was just brought in to the ER and has been admitted."

"You...you mean he's still alive?? Again???"

"Unfortunately, yeah. That was my exact thoughts too. The wastrel certainly appears to have nine lives. Let's hope he used them all up this time."

"So what happened to him? Shanked?" she asked with a sarcastic giggle.

"No actually. They're doing tests and labs but my guess is he was poisoned based on his condition. He's been intubated and has lapsed into a coma."

"The strangler." she whispered as her eyes drifted off.

"The what?"

"It's an appellation for a common poison in the underworld inspired by Game of Thrones when that little prick King Joffrey was poisoned. Jason told me about it before. It causes the neck muscles to clench so tightly that the person asphyxiates. I'm actually surprised the louse made it this long. Peter has as many haters as Nickelback does. If only he had died the day you pushed him down the stairs and put him in that ice chest."

Dave's eyes bulged as he rushed to shut the door. "Shhhhh!!! Don't say that out loud around here...or anywhere for that matter! Anyone could have been walking by. No one can ever know about that Josie. It's our secret that we take to the grave remember??"

"Relax David jeesh. I didn't say it that loud. No one knows. Not even Peter. He don't remember or he surely would have mentioned it when I went to visit him."

"Unless he was just toying with you and plotting some of his sick and twisted reven....wait, you what??? You went to visit him??? WHEN?"

"A few days ago." she squeaked with worry because Dave was such a reserved guy and hen he got angry, people knew it.

"And NOW he ends up here??? Possibly poisoned by this strangler potion that you know ALL about because of your connections with the fucking mob!! And why would you even go visit him?? It only leads his demented mind on for one thing and..."

"You know, it's a good thing you shut the door! Calm down already before you have a fucking stroke."

"Oh this IS fucking calm miss condescending. Stop dismissing me and my questions."

"You're swearing at me! That's not calm and that's not you!"

"What, because I dropped the F bomb that your pretty little mouth spews like a fucking sailor?"

"Oh my god Dave, are we really fighting over Peter???"

"We ARE. What if your presence after all this time would have triggered his memory, if he don't already know that is? Megan told me she's remembering things. It happens Josie. Memory loss isn't always permanent. Sights, sounds, smells, anything can trigger it! What if he miraculously lives and rats us out? You were there too ya know? Aiding and abetting me."

"I kind of had no choice when I found you at the top of the stairs and him in a pool of blood at the bottom with no pulse! Why did you have to follow him up to the roof of the hospital??"

"I kind of had no choice either! You know all of this Josie! It was the day you were finally being released after he had shot you, which he got away with since the bullet was meant for his father to save you, and I came to your room to take you home and you were gone. The nurse told me you already left. I called you and I heard your phone ringing on the night table so when I went looking for you, I saw Peter sneaking into the stairwell that led up to the roof so of COURSE I followed him, thinking he had you."

"Well he didn't. The nurse was mistaken because I went to Britt's office to say goodbye but you should have called the cops if that's what you believed! I came back to get my phone and then you never showed up so I called you and got no answer! I asked around and finally a nurse told me she saw you take the stairs only moments ago and when I neared the floor where your office was, I heard the commotion above me and THAT'S when I came up and found you both!!"

In a brief silence from exhaustion, the memory of Peter's tumble flashed before both of their eyes as they stared at each other.

Dave's voice softened as he resumed the conversation. "If I hadn't followed him and if he DID have you with him, you'd be gone right now, lost on some other continent in one of his many hideaways. He had a helicopter circling far above to land at his command. You were supposed to be with him. Going to see my sister who's unfortunately his too is most likely what saved you because he didn't know where you were. I was just so angry Josie. That's why I confronted him and we briefly argued on the roof. When he realized he was busted, he took off so I followed him to the stairs and grabbed him. We scuffled and that's when it happened. I just couldn't let him hurt you again but he did when he kidnapped you a few months later and locked you in that morgue drawer. Clearly, he wasn't dead. His pulse was too weak for you to feel but he should have died from lack of air in that old freezer chest we put him inside in the abandoned area of the hospital basement. The thing had cobwebs on it. He wouldn't have been found for possibly years but he must have became conscious shortly after we left him. I'm sorry for losing my shit. I really am. You know how I feel about you Josie and I would do it all over again to keep you safe."

With a single sniffle, he stood and walked to the window, his blue hues icy from the tear glaze they basted in as he watched Josie's reflection in the window appear behind him. "Hey, come here."

She took his arm, turned him around and embraced him. "I'm sorry too. We're both just worked up over the fact he cheated death once more and now all we can do is hope that the grim reaper makes an appearance. You risked everything for me and I love you for it."

Dave closed his eyes, pained by knowing her love wasn't the kind he had always longed for from her.

She released him with a smile. "Let's not fight ok? If he lives and if he remembers, I highly doubt he could prove it. There's no witnesses for one thing and for another thing, Gerry would have my back if he did. I should have told him in the first place but it wasn't just my life at stake, it was yours too. Either way, we can't let him win. Not anymore. Thank you for telling me he was here. I'm going to go see if Gerry knows yet."

As she put her jacket back on, Dave gently clasped her wrist. "Promise me you won't go near Peter."

"How could I? There's surely a guard outside of his room."

"That's not an answer Josie."

"Ok fine, fine jeesh. I won't go near him."

As she left, Dave sat back down and swigged back his cold brew, then leered back at the door. "Like hell you won't."

Walking through the halls, Josie appeared calm on the outside but inside she was raging like she never had before which even she knew caused her to make poor decisions.

As her irrational thoughts came to a devious conclusion, she briefly paused her steps and then walked right past the hall that led to Gerry's location.

After Lee had completed some small carpentry projects, he took a shower and used the next 4 hours before his shift to sleep. It only took seconds for him to drift off and soon, he found himself in a dreamworld he didn't want to wake from.

Muffled music played.

"The first time ever I saw your face, thought the sun rose in your eyes and the moon and the stars were the gifts you gave to the dark and the endless skies, my love."

A crowd of nameless faces circled about the large tent adorned with crystal chandeliers and strings of glowing globes as they watched Lee take his new bride in his arms for for their first dance as husband and wife. He held his Jo so close, kissing her forehead as they slowly swayed to the song that they had first danced to while falling in love.

It was a picture perfect moment. All was finally as it was written in the stars when Jacob appeared, dressed like his father. "Hi Daddy. Hi Mommy."

Lee scooped him up in one arm and wrapped his other around Jo and the happily united family continued to dance as Mr. Pace kissed Mrs. Pace.

"And the first time ever I kissed your mouth, I felt the earth move in my hand like the trembling heart of a captive bird that was there at my command, my love."

As Jacob dozed off on his daddy's shoulder, he smiled.

"Daddy?" Jacob mumbled.

"What is it monkey?"

"Did you her that?"

Lee's brows furrowed as he looked around. "Hear what Jake?"

"Don't push the red button Daddy."

A powerful pop startled Lee from his sleep. "Jake??"

When his eyes began to focus, Lee noticed that 2 hours had passed, yet the dream seemed like only seconds. He also noticed his almost full can of watermelon Red Bull laid in a puddle of red liquid on the wooden floor beside his bed. Assuming he had knocked it off in his sleep and that that was the noise he had heard, Lee sat up and as he played the very lucid dream back in his mind, he slid from the bed to his knees and sobbed.

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