Chapter Fifty-Two




“What do you mean I can’t see Lorenzo?” Skye demanded. “What’s going on?”

Monica knew this wasn’t going to be easy. “I’m sorry Skye,” she said. “But the infection got worse during the night.”

“Worse? Monica, he was holding his own last night when I left. And now you’re telling me he’s gotten worse?” Skye didn’t want to believe it.

Sam put her hand on Skye’s arm. “What happened Monica?” she asked.

“We ran some test and Lorenzo has contracted MRSA . . . we’ve called in an infectious disease specialist and he’s now working on Lorenzo’s case. He’s going to need a complete medical history,” she said, directing this more to Sam. “We gave him what we have from the time Lorenzo has been living here, but before that . . .”

“I can get it,” Sam confirmed. She was going to have to call Esmerelda about all of this in order to get the records. “What’s being done to help him?”

“The strain that he has is a lot tougher to handle,” Monica tried to explain. “MRSA is a type of staph infection, but this one is resistant to many antibiotics . . . and I am going to warn you now – this is not going to be easy to fight. It’s been termed as the ‘Super Bug’.”

Skye swallowed, trying to process all that she was being told. “What now?” she asked.

“Robin is working with the specialist to see what they can do to help Lorenzo. It wasn’t caught as early as they would have liked, but they might still be able to do something,” Monica said. “Which mean I need you and everyone else who has been in contact with him to be tested.”

“One of us can have it?” Sam asked.

“MRSA can be spread from person to person through something as simple as touching their hands or an object the infected person touched. We’ll do the blood test to see if any of you have been infected.”

“Can I see him?” Skye asked.

“I’m sorry Skye, but no. We’ve had to isolate him and only those working closely on his case will be able to be near him. But I will make sure you are kept informed of what’s going on.”

After Monica left, Skye sank onto the couch. “Is this ever going to end Sam?” she asked. “Or am I going to lose him?”

Sam sat next to her, taking Skye’s hands in hers. “Lorenzo is a fighter Skye, you know that, and he has a lot to fight for. He has you, and Diego, and those two little babies to come back to. He would never give up on any of you.”

Wiping her eyes, Skye nodded. “I know. And I would feel if he were giving up . . . and he’s not,” she said. “I’m going to see if I can see Dr. Lee and get tested . . . will you talk to Jason and Diego?”

“Of course,” Sam said. “Is there anything else you need?”

“Call Esmerelda. Lorenzo is going to need all the people who love him to get him through this,” Skye said.


*~*~*~*~*


“Diego, how are you?” Lainey said when she opened her office door to see the young man standing on the other side.

“Ummm . . . I was wondering if I could talk to you,” Diego said, fidgeting slightly.

“Sure, come on in,” Lainey said, stepping back to let him in.

“Oh, umm . . . I don’t want to take up your time . . . I could make an appointment,” he said, now looking at her.

Lainey smiled gently. “It’s okay; I have some free time right now. Come on in,” she invited again.

Diego stepped into the office. “Thanks.”

“Please, sit,” Lainey said, indicating the chair and sitting in the one across from it. “What can I help you with?”

Diego sat, taking in a deep breath and letting it out. “I wanted to know what to expect as my father recovers.”

“And I am assuming you mean more mentally than physically,” Lainey observed.

Diego nodded. “He went through a lot Dr. Winters,” he explained. “What Manny did to him . . .”

Lainey nodded. “I know. I’ve already spoken with Jason about some of what has been going on,” she said. “I expect there will be nightmares . . . memories of the events coming through his subconscious – when you sleep, your defenses are down. There might be flashbacks during waking hours. In some cases, depending on the person, instances of irritability or even rage. Maybe even resentment over what happened.”

“What can we do?”

“Go into this understanding what’s happened to him and that he needs to deal with it in his own way and at his own pace. Don’t push, but encourage him to talk. If he doesn’t think he can talk to his family because he thinks it might hurt you all further, I will be more than happy to talk to him,” she offered.

“Got room for one more?” Diego asked with a wry smile.

“Anytime,” Lainey said.


*~*~*~*~*


“The guards stay,” Jason said firmly.

“It is against regulations,” Dr. Ford said firmly, glaring at Jason.

“I don’t care what your regulations are,” Jason countered. “The men stay. They will not get in the way of Lorenzo Alcazar’s treatment in anyway.”

“I understand you’re need to keep your . . . friend . . . safe,” Dr. Ford said. “But having two bodyguards on his room at all times is not acceptable.”

Jason didn’t feel like arguing this. “Look, Lorenzo Alcazar has put a lot of money into this hospital, his life and his safety are on the line and the bodyguards stay. End of discussion.” Turning his back on the acting chief of staff, Jason walked back toward Lorenzo’s room to talk to the guards he had posted.


*~*~*~*~*


“Man, this is not good,” Spinelli muttered. “Not good at all.”

“What’s going on?” Stan asked, looking up from his own computer.

“The law abiding ones in the sunshine state have failed in their quest to apprehend the Demented Evil One,” Spinelli reported.

Stan took a moment to decipher what he was being told. “How could they not have arrested Manny? He was at the house when he left, and pretty much in no condition to escape after we had to pry Lorenzo off of him.”

“According to the report, the only occupant of the not so humble abode was the Unworthy Sidekick and he is claiming not to know where The Demented One went.”

“This is not good,” Stan agreed. He grabbed his cell to call Jason.


*~*~*~*~*


“Damn!” Jason swore as he listened to Stan. “See what you two can find out and get back to me. I don’t want Manny trying to sneak up on us. And make sure security on the grounds and everyone is tripled. I’m not taking any chances.”

“We’re on it,” Stan said before disconnecting.

Jason shook his head, continuing on to Lorenzo’s room. He was going to talk to the guards, check in with Skye, who was with Dr. Lee and then Sam. She was supposed to be calling Esmerelda about Lorenzo’s condition. He had already made arrangements with the pilot to have her picked up and brought back to Port Charles.

Reaching the room, Jason approached the two men. “Listen, we have a situation,” he said. “Manny was not at the house when the police arrived. Under no circumstances are you to leave this room without a replacement – is that understood?”

The men said it was. Jason looked in through the window. No one but medical personnel – and only those assigned to his case – were allowed in. Skye was supposed to be talking with Robin and a specialist that was brought in soon and Jason wanted to be there. He needed to know everything that was going on so he would know how to help his friend.

“Hang in there Lorenzo,” he said.


*~*~*~*~*


“So far, he’s holding his own Mama Mella,” Sam said, trying to keep her voice from shaking. “But it’s bad.”

Esmerelda sat at her kitchen table, her hand to her heart as she listened. “What have the doctors said?” she asked.

“Not much yet. Just that he contracted a bacteria that is pretty tough to fight,” Sam tried to explain. “A specialist was brought in and we’re going to be talking to him soon.”

“And Skye? How is she? And the babies?”

“Skye is with Dr. Lee right now. She’s fine, but wanted to make sure of that with Dr. Lee. She’s scared but also determined that Lorenzo is going to make it through this. Jason is sending Max down to bring you here.”

“I’ll pack and be ready when he gets here,” Esmerelda said. “Sam, tell Skye that my boy is a fighter . . . he never gives up when he wants something bad enough.”

Swallowing the lump in her throat, Sam nodded. “I will,” she said.


*~*~*~*~*


He shook his head. “You should have known better than to go up against the likes of Lorenzo Alcazar and Jason Morgan.”

Manny groaned. “I did not come here to be criticized,” he said. “I came here for help.”

He sighed. “I can help with your healing process . . . for both your wounds and your soul Manuel,” he said. “But as for your continued acts of violence against these two men . . . I cannot help you there.”

“Fine,” said Manny. “I just a place to recuperate. And here is as good a place as any.”


*~*~*~*~*


“We’ve taken the necessary precautions,” Dr. Lee explained to Skye. “Just follow the instructions and you’ll have nothing to worry about.”

Skye nodded. “Of course I will. And the babies are okay?” she asked. That was her main concern. She had spent hours with Lorenzo – holding his hand – the evening before and sometime during the night, he had developed this horrible infection.

“They should be fine, but of course we’ll continue to monitor them on a regular basis to make sure,” Dr. Lee assured her. “I know this has been tough for you Skye. But you need to keep thinking about those babies. Lorenzo has a team of well trained professionals working to keep him alive and get rid of this infection.”

“I know. I’m going to be talking to the doctor they brought in as soon as we’re done here.”

“Remember, you can come in at anytime if anything seems out of place, okay? Don’t hesitate.”

Skye said she wouldn’t and left Dr. Lee’s office. She glanced at her watch as she boarded the elevator. She had a few minutes until her meeting with Dr. Jeffery Stone. Apparently, he was some kind of whiz when it came to working with infectious diseases. Skye didn’t care as long as he was able to save Lorenzo’s life.


*~*~*~*~*


“The family has been screened and given the antibiotics?” Dr. Jeffery Stone asked Robin as they finished scrubbing up. They had just been in Lorenzo Alcazar’s room and were now in the separate anti-room where they had discarded their gowns, gloves and masks and were no in the process of washing their hands.

“Yes. I’ve already spoken to Dr. Kelly Lee. She’s an OB-GYN here on staff and is monitoring the pregnancy of Skye Chandler-Quartermaine, she’s Lorenzo’s girlfriend.”

“And pregnant I assume,” Jeffery said as he stopped the water and dried his hands.

Robin nodded. “She’s six months along now with twins. It’s her first pregnancy – a surprise really as she had been told most of her adult life that conceiving would be an impossibility.”

“And the rest of the family. Anyone to have come in contact with him – they’ve all been informed?”v Robin nodded again. They finished up, grabbed the charts they had come in with and stepped out of the room. She noticed how Jeffery glanced at the men posted outside the door.

“Is there a reason these men are here?” he asked as they started down the hallway.

“Lorenzo is a very powerful . . . business man,” Robin explained. “He had been abducted a few weeks ago, and tortured - which is where he got his injuries – his business partner is just taking some extra precautions.” Robin wasn’t sure how much Jeffery knew of who Lorenzo really was and it wasn’t her place to enlighten him if he wasn’t.

Jeffery nodded. “As long as they don’t get near the patient or interfere in any way, I don’t care what they do or why they are there,” Jeffery said.

By this time, they had reached the waiting area and Robin looked around. “I guess Skye’s not back from her appointment yet,” she commented. At that moment, the elevator doors slid open and Jason stepped out.

Seeing Robin, Jason headed over. “Where’s Skye?” he asked, after greeting her. So much had happened and changed between them over the years, and Jason was glad that they were finally back to a place where they could be friends. He had missed having that with her.

“She’s probably still with Dr. Lee,” Robin said. “Jason, this is Dr. Jeffery Stone. He’s the Infectious Disease doctor I told you and Skye about. He’ll be working on Lorenzo’s case. Dr. Stone, this is Jason Morgan, Lorenzo’s business partner.”

Jason nodded to the man, shaking his hand. He had had Spinelli do some checking up on Dr. Stone before he allowed the man anywhere near Lorenzo. From what Spinelli had come up with, he was clean and apparently very good at what he did.

“Mr. Morgan, I have already been informed of what happened to Mr. Alcazar, but being that you are not family, I cannot share any further information with you,” Dr. Stone began.

“Jason Morgan is family,” Skye said as she approached. “He was engaged to Lorenzo’s daughter, who unfortunately was killed. He is the father of Lorenzo’s granddaughter. So you damn will share any and all information with him without argument.”

“Dr. Stone, this is Skye Chandler-Quartermaine,” Robin said.

Before Dr. Stone could continue, Skye held up her hand. “Please, forgive me – it’s been a long couple of weeks and being new to the situation, I am sure you’re not familiar with who is who in Lorenzo’s life. Besides Jason and myself, there’s his son Diego and sister Sam. And Lorenzo’s mother is on her way here. We are the ones you are to share information with.”

“Understood,” Dr. Stone acknowledged with a slight nod. “Please, let’s sit and I’ll go over with you how I plan on treating Mr. Alcazar.”

Skye looked at Jason and then sat. Jason remained standing next to her. “Okay. Monica gave us a bit of background on what’s going on with this infection. And I did some research last night on my own,” she said. “How do you plan on treating him?”

“There is one drug that I want to use. It’s only one of two that works against this strain of MRSA called Vancomycin.”

“And this Vancomycin will work?” Skye asked.

“Like I said, it’s one of two that has been used with success. What I’ll do is administer the medication the a pic line straight into Mr. Alcazar’s heart.”

“Wait,” Skye stopped him, holding up a hand. “Into his heart?” she asked.

Dr. Stone nodded. “Yes. It’s the only way this medication will work. We’ll do this for about a week. During this time, Mr. Alcazar will be completely isolated. No one but a designated nurse, Dr. Scorpio and myself will be allowed into his room to administer the medication. We’ll also test his blood once a week to track the medications progress and make sure the infection has not progressed.”

“How soon can you start?” Skye asked.














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