Dream a Little Dream

Chapter 41

Ned Ashton slammed the phone receiver down. Then he picked it back up and punched in four numbers.

“Junior, get in here,” he snapped, and hung up again.

A few minutes later, AJ Quartermaine showed up at his office door. Ned looked ready to bite the head off a nail.

“Who pissed in your corn flakes this morning?” AJ asked. Ned rubbed his face.

“Sorry, Junior,” he said. “I'm just so damn frustrated right now.”

“What's going on?”

“I'm trying to offer a whole bunch of ELQ products and medicines to help out down in New Orleans,” Ned said. “But apparently the operation down there is being run by the Three Stooges. No one can tell me even if I can get stuff there, or whether I can fly it in or if I have to use trucks. You've seen the news – people are dying down there! And here we are, all ready, willing and able to help, and we're getting stonewalled!”

AJ shook his head. “You've been on the phone all morning?”

“I wanted to get going as soon as the family signed on,” Ned said. “I guess Mother not only agreeing to it but offering to coordinate a clothing drive here at ELQ was as much of a miracle as I could hope for.”

“We'll figure something out,” AJ said.

“How?” Ned snapped in frustration. “I've called every official I can think of! If you've got ideas, now's the time.”

“Let's call our defense plant out near Albany,” AJ suggested. “Maybe they know someone we don't.”

Ned grabbed the phone.

“Good idea,” he said. “See if you can come up with any more while I'm doing that.”

AJ looked at the notepad for a moment, and scribbled intermittently as Ned was on the phone.

“Looks like that idea came through,” Ned said. “He gave me a person to call. But hang onto any ideas you came up with – we may still need them.”

* * *

“Which of these is Lidocaine usually given for – ventricular tachycardia, atrial fibrillation or supraventricular tachycardia?” Sam McCall asked.

Jason Quartermaine thought for a moment. “Ventricular tachycardia,” he said.

“Good!”

Jason had a day off from his rescue squad classes, so he'd asked Sam to help him study for an exam coming up the following week. They'd met at Kelly's, and were sitting at one of the outside tables.

“What is final authority over you in the field – protocol, scene physician or on-line medical control?” Sam asked.

“On-line medical control,” Jason answered.

“That's right,” Sam said. She looked over the mock test. “Pretty good – 18 out of 20 right.”

Jason blinked, nodded and blinked again.

“I should have gotten those two,” he said.

Sam smiled. “Don't worry so much,” she said. “You're doing great, both in classroom material and in drills.”

“It's not enough,” Jason said, shaking his head.

“You're pretty driven,” Sam commented.

“I have to be,” Jason said. “Good enough isn't good enough. I know that unless I'm practically perfect, people will think I got by because of who my parents are.”

“Jason, you're proving that wrong every day,” Sam said. “Even Frank Scanlon thinks you've got something in you.”

“Really?” Jason asked, raising an eyebrow. “Wouldn't know it by the way he acts in class.”

“I told you, if he thinks someone has potential, he's going to push them,” Sam said. “If he didn't think you would make it, he'd let someone else deal with you and not waste his time, as he puts it.”

Jason blinked, nodded and blinked again. “Thanks,” he said. “I needed that. Sometimes I wonder if anyone can see past who my parents are, or the coma.”

Sam nodded sympathetically.

“I think they do,” she said.

Jason smiled, and closed the book. “I think that's enough for today,” he said. “I better get home soon. By the way, what are you doing Monday?”

“I'm working an early shift for Powell so he can go to a big family reunion over in Carthage,” she said.

“I'd love to be around when they talk lacrosse,” Jason said. “What about after work? Do you have any plans?”

“No plans,” Sam replied.

“Then consider yourself invited to my family's Labor Day cookout,” Jason said. “I'll be calling the girls later to make sure they're coming.”

Sam flushed a little. A Quartermaine party? Her? Quite a ways from the old cookouts on the hibachi she, her mother and Danny would have.

“Umm, I guess, sure,” she stammered. “I'll see if I can get a ride over with Robin.”

“It's pretty casual,” Jason said, sensing her nervousness. “Shorts and stuff – and bring a bathing suit for swimming. Mom said Cook will probably be doing some kind of barbecue – ribs and pulled pork – along with other cookout-type food.”

Sam's face relaxed. “It sounds like fun, Jason,” she said. “Thanks for inviting me!”

* * *

“Hi, Alan, got a minute?”

“Bobbie!” Alan Quartermaine exclaimed as he turned around. “I thought I told you to take this week off.”

Bobbie Spencer grinned.

“You did,” she said. “But I dropped Lucas off over at PCU for registration, so I figured I'd come here and talk something over with you, if you have time. Can we go somewhere?”

“Sure,” Alan said, leading the way from the nurses' station over to the empty waiting area.

“What is it?” he asked as they sat side-by-side on a couch.

“I'm thinking about hiring someone,” Bobbie began.

“You're moving fast,” Alan said. “You haven't even begun as director of nursing yet. Who is it?”

“It's a friend of Luke's,” Bobbie said. Alan raised a skeptical eyebrow.

“She didn't work for Frank Smith or Corinthos, did she?” he asked.

Bobbie laughed.

“No,” she said. “She's a friend of Luke and Laura's from when they were on the run. Her name is Epiphany Johnson.”

“Wait,” Alan said. “Is she one of their friends from New Orleans? Lesley mentioned them the other night at Karen Wexler's party.”

Bobbie nodded.

“Yeah,” she said. “It looks like she and her family have lost everything they didn't bring with them. Their neighborhood is wiped out, judging by the news footage. I don't see how they'll be able to go home anytime soon. Her parents are older and have health problems. And if the Johnsons do have to stay on here for a while, Epiphany is going to need a job. Her parents can't work.”

“Tell me about her,” Alan said.

“She's an R.N.,” Bobbie said. “She was getting her degree when Luke and Laura were living in New Orleans hiding out from Frank Smith. Epiphany's worked in several specialties, from ER to geriatrics. She was out of work when Katrina hit. Her father had a stroke a while back, and she took family leave to take care of him. When her leave ran out, she wanted to go back to work, but they couldn't accommodate her schedule needs – an afternoon/evening shift so she'd be free to help her dad get up in the morning, and take him to doctor's appointments. So, she quit. She'd been doing temp jobs – visiting nurse gigs – on and off since.”

Alan nodded. “It sounds like she's qualified, although we couldn't do much of a check on her right now,” he said.

“I'll see if she brought any paperwork with her,” Bobbie said. “Then I can set up an interview.”

“That sounds fine,” Alan said. “And, I was thinking, if we hire her, it might be a good idea for her to get to know some people. We can have her and her family over for our cookout on Labor Day. Dillon met them the day they arrived, he can invite them.”

“Oh, Alan, that's so kind!” Bobbie exclaimed. “I know Luke will really appreciate it, too. He's worried about them. He was there the other day after the levees broke. He said it was heartbreaking to see them – their whole world just washed away.”

Alan shook his head sadly. “It must have been devastating for them,” he said. “They're lucky to have friends like Luke and Laura. I'm hoping ELQ can do what it can for those left behind in the storm – AJ said this morning they were going to see about getting health supplies down there. Ned's handling that.”

* * *

AJ poked his head into Ned's office.

“How's it going?” he asked.

“A bit better, Junior,” Ned said, stretching in his chair.

“What's going on?”

“I talked with some folks at the national level,” Ned said. “The people are going to be evacuated to Houston and Little Rock, mostly. We're going to send supplies there. We'll also send some stuff down for those helping in the cleanup efforts. God knows they'll need soap, shampoo, etc. I'm thinking of going down there myself to show ELQ's support.”

“It sounds like a good idea,” AJ said. “Are you sure you can get away? I'd be glad to go – you covered for me while I was on vacation.”

Ned smiled and shook his head.

“Thanks, Junior, but I think I want to go,” he said. “It'll be good to see us making a difference.”

* * *

“So, how does it feel to be a registered college student?” Georgie Jones asked Dillon Quartermaine.

“Not quite real,” Dillon said, putting his arm around Georgie as they strolled down by the river's edge at the Quartermaine estate. “It's still in the abstract, you know? I think it'll be real when I sit down to my first class, surrounded by strangers in a strange building.”

“It's a new beginning for you,” Georgie said, holding back a shiver. Dillon's new beginning was without her. But she also remembered he would still be in town, they could still see each other a lot.

“Not the one I pictured a year ago,” Dillon said. “I figured I'd be off to USC film school and out from under my mother's thumb. But you're worth sticking around for.”

Georgie looked down, then back up at him.

“Dillon, you didn't have to give up your dream for me, we could have made it work,” she said. Dillon shrugged.

“Yeah, I know,” he said. “But I like this better. And, in some strange way, I'm appreciating my family more now. I think Jason waking up made me realize just how important family is – even one as dysfunctional as mine.”

They both laughed, and Georgie hugged his waist.

“I hope with your newfound family ties you'll still have time for me,” she teased. Dillon looked down at her.

“Always,” he said, leaning in for a kiss.

“I think we should make sure we have time for each other,” he continued. “With our schedules, we'll have to plan ahead a lot.”

“You'll fit me into your dayplanner?” Georgie asked. “Oh, that's so sweet!”

She clasped her hands and giggled in exaggerated coquettishness, batting her eyelashes at him. Dillon hooked his arm around her shoulder and gave her a gentle noogie.

“Very funny,” he said. “But, seriously, folks. I don't want us to get to the point where not seeing or talking with each other is a regular thing. I don't want to be without you, Georgie.”

“I don't want to be without you, either,” she said. “It's going to be strange not seeing you in school.”

They walked around the boathouse and onto the dock and sat side-by-side, Georgie's head on Dillon's shoulder.

“That's why we should make a pact,” Dillon said. “We talk every day on the phone, even if it's just five minutes. And we e-mail each other every day, too.”

Georgie nodded. “I like that,” she said. “And we can't go more than three days without seeing each other, even if it's just over a slice of pizza.”

“At least one weekend night and one weeknight is ours'” Dillon said. “I know your dad especially wouldn't want you out late on a school night, so we'll meet after school, have some time together, grab dinner, and you'll be home before Gilmore Girls is on.”

“I like it,” Georgie said, laughing. “It's a deal. We can figure out the rest as we go along.”

They shook hands, and stood up. Dillon pulled her into his arms.

“I love you, Georgie,” he whispered. “We're going to make it.”

Georgie stared into his eyes. “Yes, we will,” she said.

Dillon looked around. Then he opened the boathouse door, took Georgie's hand and led her in.

* * *

Hutch grabbed a small basket as he walked into Wegmans. Living alone in his small apartment over Luke's, he didn't need much in the way of groceries.

He'd settled into a comfortable routine soon after returning to Port Charles. The apartment was convenient – after last call, he only had to walk upstairs. The apartment was still spartan – outside of a bed, dresser, couch, coffee table and TV stand, he didn't have much. He kept in shape with calisthenics and free weights.

Since he'd been working for the government helping to break down the mob when he'd come back to town, his social circle was small – mostly the Spencers and their family. He'd been used to keeping the world at arm's length for so long, now that he was free of his obligations, he still kept to himself.

“Hi,” said a soft voice at his elbow as he looked over the bananas. Hutch turned and hid his catch of breath.

Melissa Bedford stood next to him, smiling as she put a container of strawberries into her cart.

“How've you been?” she asked. Melissa was a regular at Luke's, often coming with Bobbie and some other nurses from General Hospital.

“Pretty well,” Hutch replied. “How 'bout you? Haven't seen you at Luke's in a while.”

Damn, he thought. I don't want her to realize I notice her comings and goings that much.

Hutch had long harbored a crush on Melissa. He liked her friendly, open ways. He knew she was a good nurse. And he adored her pert good looks. But he held back from any overtures her way. No decent woman like her would want a man with blood on his hands. And, knowing his life could be endangered if anyone he'd helped put away ever found him, he was unwilling to bring a woman into his life. He'd hardly been a monk – but his liaisons were all one-night stands. He made it clear to any woman he was with that a second go-round was not an option. Among the bar crowd, Hutch had a reputation as a cold-hearted ladies' man. He knew, and didn't care. But it perplexed someone like Melissa, who wondered how someone so nice could get such a reputation.

“I've been working early shifts this month,” Melissa told Hutch. “That means early to bed. No time for fun.”

“Bummer,” Hutch said, flashing a smile to keep the mood light. Melissa shrugged.

“It's okay,” she said. “It beats third shift. But I'll be back on a regular day shift after Labor Day. So you'll see me out again.”

“Sounds good,” Hutch said, feeling a thrill go through him that he tried valiantly to crush. “I'll see you then. Take care”

He walked on towards the deli. Melissa watched him go, and sighed. What a hunk, she thought. She didn't believe he was as cold as others thought. She knew, deep down, there was more to him than people knew. Maybe I'll be able to get through sometime, she thought. He's a tough nut to crack, but something tells me he's worth it.

* * *

Georgie and Dillon lay together on the floor of the boathouse, kissing. Dillon's hands ran through Georgie's hair as his lips moved over to her ears, then her neck.

Without realizing it, he'd rolled half on top of her. Georgie felt him against her, and her hips involuntarily responded in a rhythm she'd never felt before. Her hands roamed down to his chest, then his stomach.

All of a sudden, they jumped away from each other, their breath ragged. They sat on the floor, facing each other, fighting to catch their breath.

“Oh, God, Georgie, I'm sorry!” Dillon panted. “We almost went too far.”

Georgie swallowed and nodded.

“It's all right,” she said. “We stopped in time.”

Dillon ran his fingers through his hair, making it stand more on edge than before.

“How much longer?” he asked with a grin.

Georgie laughed. “Just a few more months,” she said.

Dillon and Georgie had promised each other they'd wait until they were both over 18 to make love. It hadn't been easy, but they'd kept the promise. Georgie's 18^th birthday was this coming January.

“Boy, this is hard,” Dillon said, then caught Georgie's eye. “Wait, let me rephrase that.”

Georgie blushed.

“Yeah, it isn't easy,” she said. “Are you sure you can wait?”

“I can wait,” Dillon said. “I want us to both be ready for it. I'll just sit here and think of the unsexiest things I can think of.”

“Brussel sprouts,” Georgie said.

“The smell of the gym locker room,” Dillon replied.

“Queen Elizabeth in a flowered muumuu.”

Dillon winced. “That's beyond unsexy – that's scary!”

They both laughed.

“Okay, I think I can walk now,” he said. “We better go back up to the house. I'm sure if my mom came home and saw us roaming around down here she'd be furious.”

Hand-in-hand, they left the boathouse.