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Making
Things Right
by Marianne
Alan, AJ, Edward and Tony are all in trouble with the Quartermaine family since the failed plot to take away the baby from Jason. As usual Monica is being her snarky self with Alan.
The setting is the living room of the Quartermaine mansion, a few days later and its right before dinner. The family is scattered throughout the house waiting for Cooke to announce dinner is being served. Monica is still ticked off at Alan for his part in the latest fiasco.
Alan: "Hello Monica how did your day go?"
Monica just glares at him.
Alan: "Well I can see you’re still giving me the silent treatment. You’re favorite form of punishment."
He takes a second and looks at his wife and then adds, "Well you do have another form of punishment as well."
(Whenever Monica gets back at Alan, she refuses to sleep with him). Monica just continues to glare at him,
but this time, she knows he’s hit a nerve.
Monica: "What you did was wrong, even if you think your intentions were right How could you keep this from me. You’ve lost Jason forever, our grandson and you’ve managed to turn Emily against you. I hope you’re proud of yourself. As usual you weren’t thinking with your brains."
Alan just looks at, actually he’s looking right through her. He needs to take a pill, he needs to get out of the living room. He feels the walls closing in on him and he’s not in the mood to entertain yet another argument with Monica.
Alan: "You know what Monica, you win, I never could live up to your standards anyway. You probably only married me for the Quartermaine name and money."
Monica is shocked, she can’t believe Alan just said that: "That’s a lie".
Alan: "Is it? Is that why you slept with Rick Weber the very first chance you got after we got married, is that why you tried to pass AJ off as his?"
Monica is really taken back by Alan’s dredging up the ancient history.
Monica: "What the hell is wrong with you? What are you trying to do, start a fight?"
Alan looks at her and realizes he’s going to lose his cool, he really needs a pill. He laughs at her.
Alan: "No Monica, I’m not starting a fight, just finishing one." He gets up and starts to leave.
Monica: "Where are you going?"
Alan: "What does it look it, I’m leaving."
Monica :"That’s good Alan, your predictable if nothing else. When things get to hot, you always leave."
Alan really has to leave. He just turns away and walks out of the room, and he proceeds to leave the mansion. Once outside he’s able to take a pill.
Back inside the living room, Lila and Edward come in and see Monica sitting on the sofa.
Lila: "Where’s Alan?"
Monica: "He’s just done his usual disappearing act Lila, don’t worry, he’ll be back sooner or later."
Little did Monica realize what Alan was going to do. Edward and Lila just exchange looks.
Alan gets into his car, he’s beginning to realize he’s in deep trouble. The attempt to keep the baby from Jason was stupid, and he can no longer keep fighting Monica or hide his pill addiction. He drives to the hospital. Once at the hospital he goes directly to his office and sits down at his desk. He turns the chair around and stares out the window. He finally picks up the telephone.
Alan: "Hello, Lee, this is Alan Quartermaine, how are you?"
Lee Baldwin: "Hello Alan this is a surprise, how are you?"
Alan: "Lee, I need to leave town for a while, I haven’t told Monica or the family and I’d appreciate if you kept this conversation confidential. You know lawyer client confidentiality and all."
Lee’s getting nervous, : "Alan’s what’s wrong? Why don’t you want the family to know where you’re going. Where are you going?"
Alan: "Lee, I can’t get into it right now, I just have to leave town, I’m not sure when I will be back. I want you to draw up divorce papers, give Monica everything, have the restriction on the sale of the mansion removed too. Cite irreconcilable differences, abandonment, anything. I just want to get this over with."
Lee: "Alan, what’s wrong? A divorce, after all you and Monica survived together, are you sure about this?"
Alan realizes he has to end this conversation immediately,: "thanks Lee, I’ll be in touch."
Lee: " Alan, Al......, dammit he hung up the phone."
Alan quickly picks up the phone again and makes arrangement to go to a rehab center in California under an assumed name and then he makes plane reservations. He leaves the hospital.
Back at the Quartermaine mansion, the phone rings.
Monica :" Quartermaine residence:
Lee: "Hello Monica, its Lee Baldwin, is Alan there?"
Monica, surprised to hear Lee’s voice, especially for Alan. "Hello, Lee, no Alan isn’t here at the moment, I don’t know where he is, we had a disagreement and he left. Is anything wrong?"
Lee: "I’m not sure, he called a few minutes ago, said he was leaving town, and for me to file for a divorce, giving you everything, even telling me to have the sale of the mansion restriction recended."
Monica is totally speechless, finally she gets some composure back. "Why, did he say where he was going?"
Lee: "I’m sorry Monica, he didn’t say, and he didn’t know when he was coming back either."
Lee:"I’m sorry Monica, but I’ll be finally for divorce in the morning............."
Monica didn’t hear the last of Lee’s words ;,"thanks Lee, I’ll talk with you later."
Monica hangs up the phone and is in total disbelief.
Edward and Lila look at Monica.
Edward:" Who was that Monica? What’s wrong?"
Monica looks at them, "That was Lee Baldwin, he said Alan called him and said he was leaving town, and to file for divorce."
Edward and Lila are dumfounded, they can’t believe what they just heard.
Edward: "What did you do this time Monica? Another affair?"
Monica: "I didn’t do anything Edward, we had a fight over the latest fiasco in this family, the failed baby snatching incident."
Edward: "Can’t you two, ever let anything slide?"
Ned walks in, and sees their glum faces.
Ned:"What’s wrong? AJ fall off the wagon again?"
Monica:"Ned, if you can’t say anything nice about AJ, don’t say anything at all"
Ned wipes the grin off of his face, "OK, if its not AJ then who is it?"
Monica: "Alan left town with no forwarding address."
Ned: "Really, did you have another affair Monica?"
Monica (getting very agitated): "NO NED!, Why don’t you go back to the gatehouse."
Ned is now starting to realize this is for real. "How do you know he’s left town?"
Monica: "Lee Baldwin just called, he said Alan called him and told him to file for divorce, he was leaving town, and didn’t know when he would return."
Ned: "Well look at the bright side, he’s giving you a divorce, you’ll get everything."
Monica shoots him a dirty look. Ned squirms.
Ned: "Ok, if he’s left town, he probably took a plane, we’ll call all the travel agents and air lines and see where he went."
About an hour or so later, Ned comes back into the living room.
Monica stands up: "Any luck?"
Ned just looks at her. "No, he must have used a fake name."
Monica sinks to the couch. Fade out.
It’s about 3 months later, the setting is the hospital, Monica is at the second floor nurse’s station chatting with Amy and Bobbie. The elevator rings and the doors open up. All of a sudden the conversation stops and Monica sees Amy’s jaw drop open. She turns around and there standing behind her is Alan. He’s lost about 20 pounds and he’s wearing a sport jacket and pair of jeans.
Monica is shocked and surprised to at herself for realizing how glad she is too see him.
Alan: "Hello Monica. Bobbie, Amy"
Monica, puts on a surly face, "Well, well, well, looks who’s decided to grace us with his presence."
Alan: "Monica I can understand that your angry with me, I had a good reason to leave town, can we talk in private?"
Monica: "No, what’s wrong with right here?"
Alan:" this is not the right place."
Monica: "Sorry Alan, but for me it is the right place, and if you think you’re going to worm your way back into my life your sadly mistaken."
Alan: "Monica, I have no intentions of that, I’m staying the Penthouse at the Port Charles Hotel, if you need to get in touch with me."
Monica: "don’t hold your breathe, and by the way, you don’t have a job here anymore. You’re little disappearing act cause you your position as CEO."
Alan:" I figured as much."
Bobbie: "Welcome back Alan, but what are you going to do now that you’re back?"
Alan: " I’m not sure Bobbie, I haven’t thought that far ahead yet."
Monica: "Typical, you never do."
Alan just stares at her: "Some things never change. Have good day ladies.
As he turns to leave, the elevator doors open and he steps in.
Amy: "Boy he sure does look great"
Monica glares at her, Amy busy’s herself in work and Bobbie simply smiles.
Later that evening Monica arrives home at the manison only to find Alan is there talking with his parents.
Monica: "I should have known you’d be here (to Alan)."
Alan: "I came to see my parents and explain to them where I’ve been for the last several months and I thought I’d stay and see if we could have that private talk now."
Monica: "Alan, you’ve done all your talking through Lee Baldwin and the divorce courts. We really have nothing to discuss. Judging from your new physical appearance I’d say you went off to have another one of your mid life crisises."
Alan:" Look I don’t blame you for being angry, but I wasn’t actually in a rational state of mind when I made those decisions."
Monica:"Look tell it to someone who cares, I have a dinner date, let yourself out will you?"
Alan just stares at his soon to be exwife, he turns around to face his parents.
Alan:(to Lila): Goodbye Darling, remember if you need me, I’m at the Penthouse at the Port Charles Hotel.
Lila: "Goodbye Alan, I’m glad your home."
Alan:"Good bye Monica, enjoy your evening."
Monica just stares at him and watches him leave the mansion.
Monica (turns to Edward and Lila): "Excuse me I have to go and get ready."
Monica leaves the room and enters into the foyer, she quickly stops and realizes she’s shaking. What’s wrong with her, she shakes her head, Alan does look good since he’s come back to town, and she extrememly aware of it.
Monica (to herself):"Oh Monica, what’s wrong with you? Alan’s come back to town and you’re attracted to him more than ever, but this time he wants nothing to do with you. How are you ever going to get him back this time?"
Emily has entered the foyer, unseen by Monica.
Emily:"Are you ok? You’re talking to yourself."
Monica: "Ah, well, I’m fine, just a little upset, your father is back in town."
Emily:"Alan’s back?, When, where is he? Did he say where he was?"
Monica: "He came back today and he’s staying at the Penthouse at the PC hotel and as to where he was I don’t know."
Emily: "Did you ask him?"
Lila comes into the foyer and stops.
Monica (looks at Lila):"Emily, he wanted to explain, I haven’t given him the chance. Ask Lila."
Emily (turns to Lila): "Grandmother, where did Dad go."
Lila looks at Emily then to Moncia. :"Its not my place to tell you. I know that your father really wants to tell you himself."
Emily: "Grandmother please."
Lila (sadly):"He left town to go to a rehab center in California......."
Monica: "A rehab center? Alan? For what?"
Lila:"He apparently became addicted to hydrocordone"
Monica: "Really Lila, you can’t be for real on this one; I would have known if my husband was taking drugs."
Emily: "Mom, you didn’t know I was on drugs:"
Monica looks at Emily and her words cut through her like a knife.
Monica: "This is a nightmare. I have to get ready, I’m going over to the hotel and have talk with him."
Lila:"I thought you had a date?"
Monica: "It just so happens its at the same hotel, I can kill two birds with one stone."
Monica runs upstairs to change. Emily turns to her grandmother.
Emily "Grandmother, can we eat at the Grill tonight?"
Emily: " I’d just like to see the fireworks that’s all."
Lila: (laughs),:" Monica may not realize it, but she’s still in love with Alan."
Emily: "I hope you’re right Grandmother."
Lila:"Emily when it comes to Alan and Monica, I usually am."
Both Emily and Lila share a laugh.
Over at the Port Charles Hotel, Monica walks in, ready to take the elevator upstairs to the Penthouse. She hears a familiar voice:"There you are, I’ve been waiting for you. I thought you might have changed your mind." Monica turns around to see General Hospital’s newest Chief of Staff, Dr. Rick Webber.
Monica: "Oh Rick, aren’t you early?"
Rick: "Nope, you’re late, come on our table is ready, are you ok?"
They walk into the dining room together.
Rick: "What’s wrong, I finally have you all to myself, you’re just about to become a free woman and we can start our new life together and your preoccupied."
Monica: "Alan’s back in town."
Rick: "Really, so what. His presence back in town doesn’t bother me and it shouldn’t bother you either."
Monica: "Rick, I need to talk to him, as far as I know, he doesn’t even know that you’ve taken over his position as COS. I haven’t even told the family that we’re seeing each other."
Rick:"Monica, Alan left town, he left you, he left his job, with out a word to anyone. Do you expect me to feel sorry for him? And as far as we’re concerned, you haven’t done anything wrong, we haven’t even gone to bed yet Why is that by the way?."
Monica’s not paying much attention to Rick nor his last question, she’s thinking of Alan, she remembers how great he looked when he stepped off the elevator this morning. He was so relaxed, so casual, so much at ease. He looked like the weight of the world had been taken off his shoulders. Now she knows why, he
went to a rehab clinic to get clean, he dumped his wife who gave him nothing but trouble and he gave up his job, a job he never particularly cared for.
Rick: "Monica, are listening to me?"
Monica: "Oh I’m sorry, what did you say?"
Rick: "Never mind, what would you like to order?"
Monica is just about to answer, when she sees Alan walk into the dining room with a date. Monica doesn’t recognize the lady. Rick turns around and sees Alan.
Rick :" Alan looks good, and with an attractive lady too, must be a mid life crisis.
Monica: "Ignore him, let’s order"
Alan and his date are waiting to be seated and he sees Monica with her date, his back to Alan. Alan just keeps walking. Monica follows his every move.
Rick: "Do you want to go some place else?"
Monica:"Of course not, Port Charles is big enough for both Alan and me."
Rick: "Look, if I’m going to get through this evening and if we’re going to get on with our lives, I have to do this."
Rick (getting up): "I’m going over there and clear the air."
Too late, Rick was already on his way over to Alan’s table.
Rick :"Hello Alan, its been a long time."
Alan looks up, trying to hide his surprise at seeing Rick Webber, he stands up, and looks over at Monica. She slumps in her seat.
Alan: "Hello Rick, what brings you to Port Charles?"
Rick: "Your job, your soon to be ex wife, what brings you back?"
Alan (looks at Monica, then back to Rick and he smiles):"that’s very direct.Congratulations, and good luck, you’ll need it. I came back because my family is here. Enjoy your dinner."
Alan is in no mood to entertain a discussion with Rick Webber or to fall into the old habit of getting jealous over Monica. Nor does he want to become dependent on pills again.Although Alan has to admit to himself, Rick Webber was the last person he expected to see in Port Charles.
Rick returns to the table."That wasn’t so painful, was it? He was rather pleasant and didn’t seem to care too much that we’re together."
Monica: "No, no he doesn’t seem to care that we’re together." Monica stares over at Alan and his unidentified date, he seems to being a fun time. Monica can feel herself much to her surprise becoming jealous.
The next day at the hospital, Monica decides to see her best friend Gail Baldwin. She walks down to her office and knocks on the door.
Monica: "Hi Gail, do you have a few minutes?"
Gail: "Monica, yes of course come in, how are you?"
Monica: (Smiles) "I’ve been better"
Monica: "I’ll give you one guess"
Gail: "hmmmm, I heard, Alan’s back."
Monica: "Last night I had dinner with Rick and Alan showed up with a date, he acted like he didn’t even know I was there."
Gail: " Sounds like that bothers you"
Monica:"He looks great, I think I was actually jealous"
Gail: "Monica, I thought you had everything you wanted, Rick back in town, he wants to start a new life with you.....isn’t that what you wanted?"
Monica: "I thought so. Then I saw Alan and I realized how attracted I was to him. But there is more."
Monica: "According to Lila, the reason Alan left town was because he was addicted to pills and he left to go into a drug rehab center."
Gail: "Have you talked to him?"
Monica: "No, I won’t let him talk to me."
Gail:"You know that’s always been one of your big problems with Alan"
Gail: "Monica, its true and you know it, whenever Alan doesn’t live up to your standards, you take it out on him. Monica, Alan has stood by your side when most husband’s wouldn’t. He’s accepted you for who you are, if you want any kind of a future with him, you need to accept him for who he is."
Monica looks at her friend as if she’s just been slapped across the face, she lets out a sigh, "I didn’t want to hear that."
Gail, "I know, but you needed too."
Monica, shakes her, "Yes I did, thank you."
Gail: "Be patient when you talk with Alan"
Monica, "You know me too well, see you later."
Gail gives Monica a hug and she starts to leave for the PC Hotel.
Monica arrives at the hotel, a little nervous. She goes over to the elevator and for a moment hestiates and then pushed the up button. The elevator doors open, and Alan is just about to get out and is surprised to see Monica.
Alan: "hello Monica, taking the day off?"
Monica (just as surprised to see Alan):"ahh, no, no I was on my way up to see you as a matter of fact."
Alan:"Well I have an appointment, can I see you when I get back?"
Monica:"Of course, I should have called first anyway." She smiles inspite of herself.
Monica:"Its been a long time since I’ve seen you dress so casual and so relaxed."
Alan is only half listening to her, he’s rummaging through his pockets.
Monica: "Did you lose something?"
Alan (grins) :"Seems like I’ve forgotten my wallet and car keys. I guess I’m going to have to go back upstairs to get them. Since I have a few minutes, do you want to come up and talk on the way?"
Monica (realizing she may lose a golden opportunity) :"Sure, why not."
Alan presses the elevator button and wait for the doors to open. The elevator arrives, and they are the only two that get on. Alan presses the P (for Penthouse) button. About halfway up to the penthouse the elevator comes to abrupt halt.
Alan :"I don’t know, its stuck:
Monica: "I can tell that Alan."
Alan: "Same old snarky Monica, blaming me for things that I don’t have any control over.:
Monica realizes her error,:"You’re right, I’m sorry."
Alan is taken back by her apology.
Alan:"Do you have a cell phone?"
Alan (calls the front desk) :"This is Alan Quartermaine, my wife and I are stuck in the elevator, we were on our way up to the penthouse......."
Hotel Manager: "Hi Dr. Quartermaine, we’ve lost all electrical power, we’ll get you and your wife out of the elevator as soon as possible."
Alan hangs up and gives Monica back the phone.
Alan: "There’s been an blackout, get comfortable, looks like we’ll be here for a while."
Alan: "hey look, I don’t want to be stuck here with you any more than you do with me."
Monica :"that’s not what I meant."
Alan: "I know, i’m just trying to make you feel more comfortable."
Monica: "I guess we can have that talk now, can’t get any more private than a stuck elevator."
Alan (laughs): "No I guess you can’t".
Monica: "I know why you left." Alan stares at her.
Monica: "Lila told me and Emily."
Alan (shakes his head) :"I figured, when you wouldn’t agree to speak with me she would tell you."
Monica: "How did I not see it? How come you didn’t tell me."
Alan: (heavy sigh): "Monica, what did you want me to say, hi honey i’m popping pills. I was ashamed of myself, I let it get out of control. You know how I hate to lose control. I hate being weak."
Monica: "How did you let it get out of control?"
Alan: "there you go, already accusing me, how did i let it get out of control. That was easy. You had an affair with a younger man, then a sensational trial to boot, and your affair with Ned become public knowledge. Emily tried to fly off a roof, AJ was drinking, Jason won’t have anything to do with us. You and Ned conspired to keep another secret from me about our daughter. Any every time I screwed up, you and everyone else in the family let me know it. The walls came crashing in, the pills took that away. Now I finally understand how AJ found so much comfort in drinking.
Monica is sitting on the floor of the elevator speechless. Alan continues, "I was wrong to leave like I did, without a word. I couldn’t take the arguments anymore. I wanted to come back and win you all over again, I wanted to come back with nothing. I just wanted you to love me for me, not my name or money. And the first
night back in town, I see you with Rick Webber, he’s with my wife and my job. It hurt to see that, but I left and I guess I knew you wouldn’t be alone for long. But I’m not going to stop it nor am I going to get hurt again, or get myself into any more self destructive states. No more pill addictions or jealous tirades. My love
for you and my need for you was real but it always was on your terms. I can’t do it anymore. I can’t."
Monica is totally taken back, she wants to defend herself against what Alan just said, but she knows there’s some truth in every word.
Monica: "I’m sorry, I didn’t know, I guess I never realized how much I’ve hurt you."
Alan: "Its over, you’re obliviously getting on with your life and I am too. I trust the divorce proceedings are going along ok, I’ve signed everything over to you."
Monica: "Is that what you want?"
Alan: "Does it matter? What’s with you and Rick Webber, you didn’t waste any time. I should have known."
Monica (starting to get angry): "Hey pal, you’re the one that left town and what’s up with Rick and me is none of your business. What’s up with you and whoever she is?"
Alan can’t help but smile:"Do I detect a little jealousy?"
Monica still angry:"Don’t flatter yourself!"
Alan: "I wouldn’t think of it."
Alan is getting slightly amused by Monica’s inquisition. :"She was just someone I met on the plane coming home from California. She was staying over in Port Charles for a day or two and I asked her out to dinner."
Monica smiles and lets out a sigh of relief.
Alan: " Don’t worry Monica I won’t come between you and Rick or your plans. So why did you change your mind and come see me."
All of a sudden there was a jolt and the elevator lights went on and it began to move.
Alan: "Saved by the bell Monica, come on, I have to get my things and then go to my appointment."
The elevator stopped at the Penthouse and they both get off. Alan opens the door to the apartment and they walk in.
Monica:" This appointment seems very important. I’ll let you get to it."
Alan:" Its, ok. Its only my shrink."
Monica:"Really. You going to a shrink?"
Alan looks both embarrassed and ticked off: "Yes Monica it helps me deal with why I stayed in a marriage that was so self destructive."
Monica: "Self destructive?"
Alan (feeling he’s going to get lose it) :"Yes. Self destructive! We skipped from one affair to the next without even batting an eye. We thought nothing of keeping secrets and we thought nothing of how much we would hurt the other. We also thought we’d bounce back or sex would get us through. We always had a line we
knew we couldn’t cross, but that one always got moved or pushed back and it eventually got lost in the shuffle. What? Speechless Monica? This I find really hard to believe. Look I gave you the perfect out. I’m the bad guy. I take the blame for everything. Go. Our divorce will becoming final shortly and you can go and live
happily ever after with Mr. Wonderful. He’s the one you’ve always wanted anyway."
Alan goes to find his wallet and keys and returns. "Come on, I’ll walk you to your car."
Monica lets him walk over to her, they just stare at each other. She realizes everything he says is right, except for one. "You know when I came here I wasn’t sure what I was going to say or do" She moves in closer, Alan looks uneasy.
Monica:"You’re pretty much right about everything. But you’re wrong about one thing and so was I." Alan just continues to stare at her. She continues and now she’s standing face to face with him, "it didn’t hit me until last night, you’re still the one I want to live happily or unhappily ever after with." Alan is really surprised,
he’s even more surprised when Monica wraps her arms around his neck and draws his head to her’s. She looks right into his eyes with a look he’s not seen for a long time. A look of total desire and longing. She kisses him, and much to his surprise, he kisses her back. Kisses her long and hard. When they break they’re breathless and Monica whispers, "I want you, I want you to make love to me." Alan can feel his heart racing and kisses Monica again, and he picks her up and carries her to the bed.
The next morning, in the hotel room Alan wakes up and remembers that Monica stayed the night. He smiles as he watches her. She starts to stir.
Alan:"Morning sleepy head".
Monica looks at him and smiles, :"morning. For a man that didn’t get much sleep, you’re very chipper."
Alan: "Monica, last night was incredible. I didn’t think we’d ever share such an evening again."
Monica :"Making love to you is always incredible. But I have a confession to make."
Alan feels his joy fading away:" Oh no........"
Monica :"NO, no, its not what you think. Its really good news...I think."
Alan starts to have some hope:"I’ll be the judge of that, what’s the confession."
Moncia: "I stopped the divorce proceedings."
Monica:"The other day, when you came to the hospital and you stepped off the elevator. You looked so handsome, so at peace. I knew I couldn’t let you get away that easy."
Alan smiles, "I think you better go to the shrink with me."
Monica: "I will , does this mean we’re back together?"
Monica: "You’ll be very happy to know, I haven’t even slept with him."
Alan lets out a big sigh of relief, :"Yes, I’m very happy to know that. Come here you." He pulls her to him and kisses her passionately.
Monica:"You didn’t answer my question."
Alan:"what was the question?"
Monica: "Does this mean we’re back together?"
Alan:" hmmm, on a few conditions."
Alan: "We’ll tell Rick together its over between you two and secondly, I like the privacy here, its quiet, its peaceful, its stress free. Maybe we should live here.?"
Moncia: "Its a deal, but once in a while, we’ll have to make an appearane at the mansion."
Monica laughs:"Let’s think about it."
Alan:"Good idea." He pulls Monica to him and kisses her. He stops, they look into each eyes.
Monica:"I love you Mr. Quartermaine."
Alan smiles:"I like the sound of that. I love you, Mrs. Quartermaine."
They start
to make love.
Fade out.
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