"I'm sorry that I'm late Ellen." Local roadwork near
Mario's Italian restaurant combined with Mac's
unexpected visit to make Dara ten minutes late for her
lunch date. Strict punctuality is a well-known
attribute of Dara's so her slight tardiness vexed the
usually unflappable A.D.A.
A beaming Ellen Burgess looked up from the oversized
lunch menu as Dara sat down at the table. "Don't
bother to apologize. I just arrived myself a few
minutes ago." The friendship between Dara and Ellen
had blossomed during the last few months and a casual
observer of the two women would easily conclude that
they were life-long friends.
After giving their lunch orders to the waiter, Dara
sipped on a glass of sparkling water and commented, "I
can't believe you've let your shopping for the trip go
until the day before you're due to leave for Italy!"
"I really don't need to buy a lot of things for the
trip," Ellen stated in defending the last minute
shopping trip. "Kevin and I are traveling light since
we plan to tour Italy after his conference and we'll
probably do some shopping there."
Sighing wistfully, Dara remarked, "I can't think of a
more romantic place to visit than Italy in the early
summer. Only Paris would top it."
Ellen nodded her head in agreement with Dara's
statement. "I know. I can hardly believe that we'll
be in Italy, especially the first time..."
Dara's jaw dropped as a slightly flustered Ellen left
her sentence unfinished and abruptly stopped speaking.
"Ellen," Dara gasped, "You and Kevin have been dating
for almost 3 months! Are you the same woman who
admonishment me earlier this year not to take too much
time in going forward with my relationship with Mac?"
Kevin and Ellen certainly had her fooled. Though
neither Kevin nor Ellen were the type of people to
display inappropriate behavior in public, they shared
many loving gestures, kisses, and touches, especially
when they were on double dates with Mac and Dara.
"You know people are always better at giving advice
rather than taking it," grinned Ellen. "I'm no
exception." Ellen's brow furrowed as she struggled
to explain her feelings. "Dara, it just didn't feel
right to immediately jump into an intimate
relationship with Kevin after my breakup with Matt.
Recognizing the feelings I have for Kevin came so
suddenly, I just wanted to take some time before
completely following through on them.
Gazing thoughtfully at her friend, Dara asked the
obvious next question. "And now you're think you're
ready to follow through on those feelings?"
"More than ready," Ellen somewhat sheepishly
acknowledged with a dimpled grin. "I know that Italy
will be a special time for both of us."
Struck with an idea for a gift, Dara smiled impishly
and cryptically remarked, "Well then, I know exactly
where we should shop after lunch."
*****
It was just after the lunch hour when Mac entered the
PCPD squad room and took long brisk steps toward
Marcus Taggert's desk. A junior officer with a
question for the commissioner immediately changed his
mind upon seeing Mac enter the room. Everyone in the
squadroom quickly made themselves busy and avoided
direct eye contact with Mac. Something about his
demeanor told them to stay out of his way and they all
headed the unspoken warning.
With his elbows on the desk, Taggert was listening
intently on the telephone and had his back towards the
squad room door. He was unaware of Mac's presence
until his supervisor stood directly in front of
Taggert and said without preamble, "What's going on
with Moreno's transfer? How the ..."
Taggert raised his hand to interrupt Mac so he could
finish his telephone conversation. "Uh um. Yes.
Well get back to me within a few hours with anything
you have." As soon as Taggert ended the call, a
fuming Mac started again.
"What is this nonsense about Moreno getting a
get-out-of-jail card via a hospital visit?"
"Apparently a state judge signed off on the request,
Mac. I was just talking to Warden Tim O'Malley and he
says he's just as concerned about Moreno's transfer as
we are."
Mac made no attempt to suppress his sarcasm. "I
seriously doubt that Taggert."
Ignoring Mac's comment, Taggert continued. "The
warden says two of his best guards will accompany
Moreno to the hospital. Also, the governor has
assigned state police personnel in and around Mercy
Hospital for the duration of Moreno's stay." Leaning
back in his chair and giving Mac a quizzical glance,
Taggert asked, "Even though both prison & state
police personnel will be on duty, I suppose you'll
want me to assign someone from the PC police
department to make the trip to Albany, right?"
"Not at all," Mac evenly replied. "You don't have to
assign anyone. You and I are going to make the trip
to Albany next week." Taggert grimly nodded, and
picked up the telephone again to get the details of
Moreno's transfer from the prison officials.
*****
"How can they charge so much money for this sleepware
and there is so little fabric?" The last stop on the
afternoon's shopping trip was a visit to Sweet Dreams,
an upscale lingerie store in the fashionable Galleria
Mall about 15 miles from Port Charles. Ellen marveled
at the sheerness and exquisite feel of the
plum-colored stretch lace slip selected by Dara as a
present for Ellen's trip. However, she blinked her
eyes in disbelief when she spied the price on the tag
of the dress and protested the expense, but Dara
insisted on buying the gift.
"Ellen, this trip is an indulgence. You can't be in
Rome or Venice with foundations courtesy of Playtex!"
Dara said laughingly. "I know you said you're going
to take the opportunity to shop while you're in Italy
but you won't hit the stores immediately after leaving
Fiumicino airport and you need something nice for the
first few days." With that final pronouncement, Dara
guided her friend towards the register to complete the
purchase.
An unexpectedly long line awaited them at the
checkout register thus giving Dara and Ellen more time
to talk about the trip. Totally animated in their
conversation, they were unprepared to hear a strained
terse female voice say, "How ironic. Somehow I never
thought we would meet here, of all places Ellen."
Frozen in shock for a few seconds, Ellen turned around
to find Lucy Coe standing not 6 inches away.
Grimacing, Ellen thought this public confrontation is
what she was getting for not taking the step to meet
with Lucy privately after the infamous Valentine Day
blow-up. For weeks Ellen thought of contacting Lucy,
knowing eventually one day they would see each other
again. But guilt and having nothing to say to Lucy
that would help the situation kept Ellen from making
an attempt to contact her former friend.
Clenching and unclenching her fists in anger, Lucy
spat out with trembling lips, "I know I haven't had
sweet dreams since Valentine Day at Luke's, and if you
had any conscience, you would be sleeping well these
nights either." Lucy knew her own past history
wasn't pure as the driven snow, but Ellen's betrayal
of their friendship transcended anything Lucy had ever
done. Unbidden tears started welling in Lucy's eyes
as she remembered the sight that night of Kevin
passionately kissing and embracing Ellen, and more
shockingly, Ellen returning Kevin's affection. "You
backstabbing, hypocritical, ..."
"Lucy, please!" Quickly Ellen left Dara in the store
to make the purchases and led Lucy just outside the
entrance to the shopping center. Dara paid for the
merchandise and with some trepidation exited the store
to look for Ellen. Just beyond the double doors of
the shopping mall entrance Dara could watch but not
hear the end of the obviously bitter confrontation
between Ellen and Lucy. From the small part of the
exchange she observed, Lucy was talking more than a
minute for every few seconds Ellen could get a word
in. Then suddenly, Lucy turned on her heels and left.
Taking a deep breath, Dara went to join Ellen, who
was barely successful in keeping the tears in her eyes
from spilling onto her cheeks. It was obvious the
confrontation with Lucy had unnerved Ellen and Dara
offered to take Ellen back to her apartment.
Shaking her head, Ellen refused Dara's offer.
"Absolutely not." Ellen clasped Dara's hand and
smiled weakly. "Until these last 10 minutes I had a
great time with you today and you know you have to get
on to the rehearsal. I'll be fine. Really."
****
Sonny Corinthos looked at his watch and estimated it
would be another 20 minutes or so before Michael's
appointment with the pediatrician Dr. Hardy would be
finished. Always near the top of his list of
unpleasant experiences was seeing a Quartermaine who
would most certainly take an opportunity to get on his
nerves. Never comfortable standing in the lobby or
near the nurse's station at GH, Sonny passed the time
by walking along a relatively quiet hallway just off
of the pediatric wing of the hospital. Just barely,
his ears could hear faint strains of music. Not the
canned, elevator type of music but a haunting lilting
melody. Slowly his feet led him to a small unfamiliar
auditorium in the hospital and he heard the voice of
A.D.A. Jensen. Sonny's eyes widened in surprise upon
seeing Dara in the dimly lit auditorium. Unobserved
he quietly took a seat in the back corner of the room
and continued to watch. Sonny surmised he had
stumbled upon some type of rehearsal and Sonny took
this opportunity to observe Dara Jensen outside of
their almost routine courtroom or police station
settings. Dara Jensen instructed a man seated at a
grand piano. "Slow down the tempo a quarter of a beat
at the refrain. Let's do it one more time before we
call it the night," she said. Despite the fact she
was dressed in business attire, Dara's voice and
persona morphed into that of a chanteuse as she closed
her eyes and began singing into a microphone.
Don't be afraid
Close your eyes
Lay it all down
Don't you cry
Can't you see I'm going
Where I can see the sun rise
I've been talking to my angel
And he said that it's alright
I've always had to run
I don't know just why
Desire slowly smoking
Under the Midwest sky
There's something waiting out there
That says I've got to try
I've been talking to my angel
And he said that it's alright
This town thinks I'm crazy
They just think I'm strange
Sometimes they want to own me
Sometimes they wish I'd change
But I can feel the thunder
Underneath my feet
I sold my soul for freedom
It's lonely but it's sweet
Don't be afraid
Close your eyes
Lay it all down
Don't you cry
Can't you see I'm going
Where I can see the sun rise
I've been talking to my angel
And he said that it's alright
"Amazing," Sonny thought silently. "Simply amazing
how a beautiful voice can take a person out of his
world to a special place as she just did. It is truly
a gift." Shaking his head to return to the "here and
now" world, Sonny wanted to applaud or at least let
Dara know of his presence, but a sixth sense silently
cautioned Sonny to remain quiet. He and A.D.A. Jensen
never pretended to have a cordial relationship and it
was unlikely she would accept his compliments of her
singing in the spirit it would be given. When Dara
turned to gather up the sheet music lying on top of
the piano, Sonny took the opportunity to slip quietly
and unobserved from the auditorium. Standing there
looking at the closed auditorium doors, Sonny took a
few minutes to wonder about the enigma known as Dara
Jensen. What did he really know about her? Not a
whole lot, just that her work seemed to be her life
and she could give up her civil service day job at any
time to sing professionally. No, it wasn't true
that's all he knew. Mac Scorpio had recently hooked
up with the beautiful A.D.A. and it seemed to be
serious. Also, there was a lot more to Dara Jensen,
Sonny could sense that from to way she sang the song.
This town thinks I'm crazy
They just think I'm strange
Sometimes they want to own me
Sometimes they wish I'd change
But I can feel the thunder
Underneath my feet
I sold my soul for freedom
It's lonely but it's sweet
Sonny's silent reflections abruptly ended when the
auditorium doors swung open and he looked at Dara's
startled face.
"Good evening Counselor."
"Mr. Corinthos," Dara said swiftly recovering from
almost running into Sonny. Struck by the
indescribable expression on Sonny's face, curiosity
got the better of Dara's judgment, prompting her to
ask, "Is something wrong? After not receiving an
immediate reply to her question and after an awkward
pause she asked, "Are you lost?"
Faintly smiling while pondering Dara's last question,
Sonny shook his head in response. "Not at all. I was
waiting for Carly and Michael to finish with a
doctor's appointment and something led me down this
hallway when I heard your signing." Continuing to
speak and mentally preparing himself for a rebuff
Sonny offered, "It was...it was great, your singing I
mean."
Dara bit her bottom lip to keep from smiling at the
absurdity of the PC mob boss complementing the A.D.A.
on her singing in a local hospital auditorium. And
there was something different about the way Sonny
complemented her singing. Not with his usual,
smart-guy, sardonic tone, but as if he actually meant
it as a complement. Warily eyeing him, she replied,
"Thank you. We were doing the final rehearsal for the
benefit Sunday to raise money for the pediatrics
center here at GH."
Still staring at Dara in a somewhat dazed expression,
Sonny queried, "What made you pick that particular
song? I mean, to sing it at the benefit?"
No doubt about it, Dara was caught off-guard by Sonny
Corinthos' attempt to actually hold a civil
conversation with her that didn't involve bail or
criminal charges. And while Sonny's unwavering stare
didn't unnerve her, she couldn't help but wonder what
was on his mind and where the conversation was going.
Tilting a head to one side with a pensive expression
on her face, Dara answered, "The song is titled
"Talking To My Angel'. It's one of my favorites, plus
I want the audience to contribute to the pediatrics
fund and be angels for the children who really need
the support and love. I hope the song and program
will inspire people to care and to give."
"If that's your goal then I am sure you will succeed,"
Sonny murmured in complete sincerity.
Slightly taken aback by the second unexpected
complement, Dara was saved from responding when Carly
Corinthos' voice echoed down the hallway.
"Sonny, where have you been? Michael and I are tired
and we've been looking all over for you?" Upon
reaching Sonny and Dara, Carly linked her arm with
Sonny's, threw Dara a spiteful look, and snapped, "Are
you harassing Sonny again? Can't honest citizens go
anywhere without you and other government minions at
our heels all the time?"
"Carly, be quiet," hissed an exasperated Sonny. This
is just like Carly to go off half-cocked in a
situation that she knows nothing of.
What a shrew, Dara thought. I bet Carly keeps Sonny
Corinthos busy full-time. Oh well, they probably
deserve each other and Dara invisibly shrugged her
shoulders. "Get over yourself Carly. The only person
doing any harassment now is you, but I'm on my way out
of here." Without another word Dara turned and headed
back towards the main wing in General Hospital.
Carly started to speak again when she stopped and with
narrowing eyes watched Sonny watch Dara's retreating
form. After a few seconds she asked, "What did she
want?"
"She didn't want anything Carly. Just drop it. Where
is Michael?" Steering the conversation to Michael and
the doctor's visit, Sonny walked with Carly to
retrieve their son and leave the hospital.
Song Lyrics Credit - "Talking To My Angel" by Melissa Etheridge