Oops (General Hospital)

Nurse's Ball Part 2

"Julian!" Kim cries, reaching for him as she's thrown to the stage. A hand grabs her dress strap and pulls her back to her feet, the nozzle of a gun presses into her stomach.
"We're here for Ned Ashton, the mayor." One of the masked gunmen states. The one holding the gun to Kim turns his head to the one who'd spoken, presumably their leader.
Liz crawls across the floor to Julian and rubs his arm. She works her hand under his neck and sitting him him. "That's it, nice and slow." She whispers. "Easy there, you got hit."
"K-Kim. Kim?" He asks, his eyes darting around.
Liz looks up towards the stage, making Julian turn white. The lead gunman wraps his arm around Kim's neck, taking the control for himself. "We're only here for the mayor, but if he doesn't come out in the next minute, I'll blow her guts over this whole stage. When I get to sixty, I pull the trigger. One, two, three, four, fi-"
"Please don't hurt me, I'm pregnant." Kim cries, holding her stomach, starting to hyperventilate.
The gunmen exchange looks, the lead one nods and pushes Kim towards the edge of the stage. Julian grabs her as she falls, blocking the path between the gunmen and her with his body.
Nina screams as she's dragged onto the stage, kicking and crying. Julian hides Kim's face in his chest, trying to get s glimpse for himself what's going on. He blinks at Rose, who's got herself mostly hidden behind the curtains.
Ned comes out from backstage, putting his hands up. "You don't have to hurt anyone, we can work out whatever's going on."
"Sorry Mr. Mayor, you had your chance." The leader says, pulling his trigger. The gun double fires and before Ned can even hit the ground, the gunmen are all gone.
Olivia screams and runs to Ned, pressing her head to his chest. Rose runs to Julian and into his open arms. Liz gets herself under his other arm. Kim's still curled against his chest, her arms wrapped around his chest under his jacket.

Several Police Statements Later

Julian runs his fingers through Kim's hair and to her back. "How are you feeling? Has the shock worn off?" He asks softly, resting his lips on her ear.
She shakes her head, turning up to see him. "Oh Charlie, I'm so sorry."
"Sorry for what?" He asks.
"I've known about the baby for weeks and I haven't told you. I didn't wanna add more stress, I know it's been killing you. This is baby number six. One this early into our relationship would be straining, but six. I'd run for the hills if I were you. You're a saint."
"I'm no saint, I'm just a man who loves his kids. Ours is no different. I will love them with all my heart and I will be yours for the rest of our lives. We should get you home so you can take a nice long, warm shower and go to sleep. Grab your coat, I'll meet you at the door. I gotta go see how Rose and Liz are doing." He says, kissing her head as he stands.
Rose stands when she sees Julian and hugs him. "I was so scared, Juicy."
"I know, I know. But you were so brave. You protected our baby and for that I will never be able to repay you. Thank you." He says, kissing her forehead.
Liz comes over and rubs Rose's arm. "Don't worry about her, Julian, she's gonna stay with me and the boys for a few days."
"That's very nice of you. I was just about to offer Rose Oscar's bed, he could've taken the couch." Julian laughs, trying to lighten the mood. He finds himself looking around, catching Alexis starting at him. "Excuse me."
He walks over to Alexis, leaning on the door frame. "How you holding up?"
"I'm fine. How's Kim?" She asks, redirecting his attention to her. She's standing by the door with her coat on and his in her arms.
"She's shaken up, but she'll be okay. I'm so thankful she wasn't hurt, I don't know if I could've kept going if anything happened to her." He says, his voice trailing off.
"I'm glad you found someone you can really be happy with. You deserve someone and she clearly brings out the best in you. I didn't know you could sing."
"I don't like to, it's kinda embarrassing. I didn't wanna be the big, bad mobster who's known for his Nurse's Ball numbers."
"I would've liked it you'd sung for me. All those years and you never even hummed me a tune." She says, a joking smile on her face.
"If you really want me to sing to you that badly, you could always come over in about nine months and hear nursery rhymes." He laughs.
She goes pale and swallows. "W- what do you mean?"
"Well, me and Kim's baby. What did you think I meant?" He asks.
She shakes her head. "Nothing. I guess I kinda forgot that whole public announcement. I'm honestly just trying to block out the events of tonight."
"I'm, as Oscar would say, shook. In all seriousness, if you need to talk, I'm here for you."
"It's not the first time I've been taken hostage, once by you. Remember that?"
"I also remember the times, multiple, that saved you during a hostage situation. But those don't count right? Not the times before and not the times after? I'm just a fuck up, right? Nothing I could ever do is good, right? But that's what you want, right? Someone who's never right so that you're never wrong? You think I didn't see the way you were flirting with me on the red carpet and now? How stupid do you think I am?"
"Maybe you should go get your head checked out, you got hit pretty hard." She growls, grabbing her purse and storming over to Sam.
Julian balls his fist, closing his other hand around it, focusing on his left ring finger. "Fuck you Alexis, fuck you and your damn hypocrisy." He calls, grabbing Kim's arm, gently, and guiding her out.