Chapter 5

Harlan Barrett lurked in the shadows as his daughter and her travel companion
Mr. Morgan made their way off the train.  He had been following them since she
left with Jason after they met for lunch a few days ago. He was curious to see
what his daughter would do with the information she had. Damn Veronica for
bringing Brenda into his business. There was no love lost between he and
Brenda, but he’d hate to see her get hurt when this is all over and done with.
He knew she was heading back to Port Charles and his bet was she was heading
right back into the arms and bed of Sonny Corinthos. He had to give his
daughter some credit she knew how to pick powerful men. First Mr. Corinthos
then Mr. Jasper Jacks. He chuckled, poor Mr. Jacks. The man had nearly gone
crazy after Brenda disappeared.  He continued following them keeping a safe
distance behind.


Brenda was uneasy about this trip. She was sure that someone was following them
but she chalked it up to being paranoid for the last two years.  They rushed
from the train station to catch a taxi to the airport. From there they checked
their bags and waited for their plane to begin boarding.

“You ok?” Jason asked.

“No I’m not ok. I’m about to get on a plane with you again. Do you remember
what happened the last time we traveled together?” she replied in an agitated
tone as she glared at him

“I remember. Look we can take a boat if flying back is going to be a problem.”
He offered remembering the crash himself.

“No a boat would give me plenty of time to change my mind. I’m sorry Jason, I’m
just very nervous about making this trip. I’m about to walk into a town and say
surprise everyone I’m not dead like you thought. It’s not exactly something I’m
looking forward to.” She tried to convey her feelings to him.

He nodded and added with a smile, “I’d be nervous too.”

She let a small smile form. This wasn’t the same Jason that came to her the day
of her almost wedding to Sonny with the message of “It was a great ride.” He
was kinder and somehow different she wasn’t sure yet how but he was. Those
words rang over and over in her mind. “It was a great ride.” How could Sonny
even think she would accept that stupid line? She hated how things had ended.
She’d seen the pain in Sonny’s eye when she went to his penthouse to say
goodbye 4 years ago. She’d been preparing a speech for when she would stand in
front of Sonny and ask him to help her, a speech that included an explanation
for her why she lied about being dead.  She was going over it once more when
Jason’s voice interrupted her thoughts.

“Brenda you ready to go? They’ve started boarding now.”

“Oh ok. Let’s go then before I change my mind,” she replied as she gathered her
carry on baggage and walked to the gate with Jason. Brenda was unaware that her
father was boarding the plane as well.

~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~

The man who had followed Emily to the Port Charles Grille was smoking a
cigarette as he stood on the docks talking on a cell phone.

“Follow her. Find out everything you can about her fiancé, the prince. I don’t
trust Dallas to do the job any longer. Don’t ask me why just do it, I have my
reasons,” he angrily spat orders into the phone. After the conversation ended,
he looked at his watch. It was time to watch the Webber girl and get as much of
a pattern as he could. It might be useful in the future.

He would no longer be following orders from his boss, he was taking care of
this his way. He’d waited years to find her and now that he had he wasn’t going
to let a careless boss screw his chances of meeting his daughter. The daughter
he had once thought was dead was very much alive. He had dreamed of seeing her
graduate from school whether it was high school or college, getting married and
seeing his grandchildren. He would continue to hope that they would get to meet
again someday soon. He’d waited years so what was a few more days to approach
her right?

~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~

Sonny slammed the phone down. He was exhausted and it was only a little after
noon. How was he going to make it to the meeting at the warehouse? He would
send Benny yet again. He laughed at the thought of a man with his power being
so weak. He was getting careless and sloppy, and he had the PCPD breathing down
his neck again. This time he was afraid that something might slip and they
would have enough evidence to charge him with something. Alexis was a great
attorney but she wouldn’t be able to get him out of charges if they actually
had hard evidence. That was something he wouldn’t let happen, he couldn’t. He
had to get a grip on his life. Brenda was gone and no matter how much he wished
and hoped it wasn’t true, facts were facts. She wasn’t coming back. He sat down
at his desk and tried to look at the books. He couldn’t count the times that he
had sat there and the sound of her voice would fill his mind.  She was
everywhere in the penthouse. No matter how much brandy he drank she haunted him
night and day.  He was sick of things being this way. In anger and pain he took
his arms and slid them across his desk sending everything on it flying in
various places around the floor. Then he stood up, walked towards the couch and
sent the glass vase that sat just behind his couch hurling through the air
until it reached the fireplace and shattered in hundreds of pieces. The last
thing he remembered was shoving all the decanters and glassware off the bar
sending them piece by piece smashing to the ground the glass flying everywhere.
After destroying that he managed some how to make it to the couch, collapsing
onto it and weeping for the life he had longed for with the woman he had loved
until he’d fallen asleep for the first time in weeks with out the aid of
brandy.

~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~

Luke turned the keys and cut the engine of the car. They had reached Canada and
would lay low for a few days trying to map out where they would start looking
for Stefan. Luke thought he might have a good idea where he was but knowing
Stefan he could be anywhere. Luke looked over at his wife. She looked so
peaceful and angelic as she slept. He had no words for the feeling of joy he
was experiencing having his wife back. Their love was one of the only things
that kept him going some days, the other being his precious little princess
Lulu.

“Luke are we in Canada?” a sleepy Laura asked.

“Yeah Angel we’re in Canada. I’m gonna get the bags from the trunk and I’ll
meet you inside.” He smiled at her.

She nodded as she looked around. Their house that sat far from the main road
look almost like it had 12 years ago. She stretched, gathered her purse and got
out of the car heading towards the house. Once she reached the porch the old
times they shared at the house came flooding back to her. She, Luke and Lucky.
Tears formed in her eyes at the thought of their son and all the happy times
they had shared here.

“Darlin, you ok?” he asked as he reached the top step to the porch.

“We were so happy here Luke. You, me and Lucky. God it seems like another life
time ago though doesn’t it?” she quietly answered with tears streaming down her
face.

Luke put the bags down and pulled her towards him holding her close, briefly
sharing the joy and the pain of  the memories. After a few moments she pulled
away and smiled at Luke. He gently wiped the tears on her cheeks away and
asked, “You gonna be ok here?”

She smiled and said, “The memories are good ones Luke. No matter where I go or
what I do, Lucky is always in my thoughts.”

“Me too darlin, me too.” He added as he picked up the bags and followed her
inside.

~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~

Nikolas signed the last of the paperwork that Ned had placed on his desk
earlier that morning. He was ready to go meet Emily for dinner but he wasn’t
sure he was ready for dinner at the Quartermaine’s. Lila had called and invited
him last week and she was a lot like Em, a woman most people never said no to.
He forwarded the phones to L&B’s answering service and headed out to the lobby.
Alexis sat staring at some legal document but looked up when she heard Nikolas.

“Had all you could take for one day?” she teased.

He laughed and replied, “You could say that. You look like you’ll be here for a
while.”

She smiled and nodded, “Oh that’s the understatement of the year. Trying to
convince Ned to go back on the road is a full time job of it’s own.”

“Good luck Alexis. Looks like you’re going to need.” he said as Ned entered the
room. Nikolas ducked out before they found something for him to do.

He reached his car got in and sighed. He loved his job but he was glad that the
day was over. He had been looking forward to seeing Emily all day. He put in a
tape that contained new songs that Ned had written as he made his way to the
Quartermaine mansion. Before he knew it he was pulling into the driveway. He
put the car in park got out and walked up to the door. As he rang the bell he
could hear Edward bellowing at Reginald about something. The door opened and
Reginald said, “Enter at your own risk Mr. Cassadine.”

Nikolas chuckled and replied, “Thanks Reginald. Sounds like dinner will be
interesting.”

“When is a meal at the Quartermaine’s anything but interesting?”

Nikolas nodded in agreement and heard Emily squeal with delight when she saw
him.
He turned to see her running towards him. He opened his arms as she rushed into
them as he twirled her around and whispered, “I’ve been waiting all day to hold
you Em.”

She looked so gorgeous it never mattered what dress she wore or how she styled
her hair she was just beautiful to him. He looked into her eyes as he traced
his fingers over her lips just before his lips joined hers for a soft sweet
kiss.

“Look here you Cassadine unhand her now!” Edward bellowed.

Both Nikolas and Emily stood there laughing at Edward and his melodramatic
attempts to keep them apart.

“I’m sorry Mr. Quartermaine I just couldn’t resist.” Nikolas said with a huge
smile.

“You’d better start resisting that urge young man. I will not tolerate that,
that public display of affection or whatever it is you call that.” He muttered.

Emily laughed then replied, “Grandfather stop.” She paused for a moment then
decided to continue with, “Don’t make us run off to Las Vegas like we had
planned.”

“Oh for Pete’s sake not that blasted threat again. Look here you two dinner is
ready and we don’t want to upset Cook so we better go eat. Now I trust you both
can keep your hands and lips to yourselves while the rest of us try to enjoy
dinner?” he barked as he headed to the dinning room.

The two hand in hand giggled as they followed Edward to dinner.





Chapter 6

Jason light nudged Brenda who had slept most of the flight to let her know that
they had landed. She slowly stirred and finally opened her eyes and looked
around seeing that the plane was almost empty.

“I take it we landed?” she said with a slight smile.

“Yeah about 10 minutes ago.” He replied politely as he stood up stretching then
gathered their bags from the overhead compartment.

After checking to make sure they had everything they headed towards to the
baggage claim area. They stood watching for Brenda’s luggage and after what
seemed like an eternity the bags appeared. Jason had arranged for a car to pick
them up and take them back to his penthouse.  The two of them headed out to
look for the car, not saying a word. Jason could only imagine how nervous she
was. Francis appeared taking Brenda’s bags as she and Jason got in the car. The
ride was silent as Brenda kept going over the speech in her mind and Jason’s
mind wandered to Elizabeth and his sister.  The car stopped and Brenda had to
mentally remind herself to breath. She could do this. She and Jason headed to
the elevator and finally Jason spoke, “Do you want to go see him alone?”

She glanced over at him with a lost look. Did she want him there or did she
need to do this alone? She heard herself answer, “Alone please.” It was almost
as if someone else said that for her. Jason nodded and the two were again quiet
as the elevator headed to their floor. The movement stopped and the doors
opened. Jason got off first, Brenda was a little hesitant but finally stepped
off and was surrounded by old memories of standing in the hall. She heard
Jason’s keys in his door then she heard him place the bags he was carrying down
on the floor. He walked to her giving her a look of concern.

“I’m ok I can do this.” She said with a forced smile and years of fear in her
eyes.

He walked past her to talk to Johnny. She couldn’t make out what he was saying
but the next thing she knew Jason had Johnny boarding the elevator and simply
told her, “Go ahead in. I’ll be just across the hall if you need me.” He headed
to his door turned to look at her and saw she was slowly walking towards
Sonny’s door. He decided to leave his door opened.

Brenda could hardly breath, she was standing in front of his door and she
wished to God that someone was there to take her hand and knock for her. She
wasn’t sure she could do it. After just staring at the door she finally
gathered just enough courage to knock.

Brenda stood outside of the door ready to bolt when she saw her hand move to
the doorknob, she opened the door and saw the penthouse was dark. She quietly
moved inside and heard the crunching of what seemed like broken glass beneath
her boots. Her left arm searched the wall for the light switch and as the light
came on she was shocked to see the mess that lay before her. Her eyes searched
the room for a sign of Sonny and stopped when she saw someone moving on the
couch. Out of habit she quietly called, “Sonny? Sonny?”

Sonny was asleep on the couch when he bolted up from the deep state of sleep
he’d been in. Not really sure why until he heard someone stepping on the broken
glass. He took his hands and rubbed over his face, then remembered that Jason
was due back today.  He heard someone calling his name. He turned in the
direction of the door and saw her. God not again. He couldn’t take much more of
these visions.  He heard her voice, that sweet voice he loved so much and saw
her moving towards him.

“Sonny are you ok? Who did this?” she asked worried that he’d been hurt.

He tried to stand up but his legs wouldn’t move, he tried to speak but it was
as if he couldn’t speak either.

Her old instincts kicked in and rushed to his side trying to check to see if
he’d been shot or injured.

“Brenda is it really you?” he was finally able to ask in a weak voice.

She smiled and pushed his hair off his forehead and softly answered, “Yeah,
it’s me Sonny.”

He could feel her touch. He wasn’t sure if he was dreaming or if she was really
there. He took his hand and outlined her lips. She felt so real he couldn’t
resist the urge any longer. He pulled her face to his until her lips and his
were one. The electricity that was always present between them again was so
very apparent and real. If this was a dream he wasn’t planning on waking up.

~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~

Jason picked up the telephone on his desk and was surprised to hear a dial
tone. He dialed a number and was thrilled when he heard a sleepy voice say,
“Hello?”

“Elizabeth did I wake you?” he asked hoping he hadn’t. His watch was still on
London time.

“Jason? Is that you?” she groggily wondered.

“It’s me. Are you up to having some breakfast with an old friend?”

There was a pause almost as she went over what he had just asked again and
after a few moments replied, “You’re back?”

He laughed at the excitement he heard in her voice. “I’m back, so breakfast at
Kelly’s or the Grille?” he asked.

“Oh my god you’re back! Do you know how happy Emily is gonna be to see you?”
she practically shouted into the phone.

“I think I have an idea, so how about breakfast or do you not eat that
anymore?” he teased.

“Breakfast is perfect. How about Kelly’s? Oh I can’t wait to see you Jason,
it’s been so long!” she replied with such elation in her tone.

“Ok then I will see you in an hour then?”

“I can’t wait! See you then. I missed you Jason!” Liz said just before she hung
up.

Jason placed the phone down and headed to the hall to see if Brenda had gone in
or if she was still standing in the hall. He saw the door to Sonny’s penthouse
was opened and smiled. He closed his door and took the stairs. He would send
Johnny back up to watch and make sure no one else disturbed the two. They had
years of feelings and other things to sort out. He reached for his cell phone
and called the Quartermaine’s.

“Quartermaine residence.” Reginald answered.

“Reginald it’s Jason. Is Emily up yet?” he asked. Knowing his sister she was
probably asleep still.

“Jason! She had an early meeting at Jax cosmetics this morning. She left about
a half an hour ago.” He replied

“Thanks Reginald. One more question, is Lila busy today?” he asked hoping to
see his grandmother sometime today.

“She just has a late afternoon tea with some members of the Charity Guild,” he
relayed the information.

“Ok thanks Reginald. Please don’t tell my sister or Lila that I called. I would
like to surprise them both.” He requested.

“You’re back then I take it. Welcome back Jason. Don’t worry I won’t say a
word.” Reginald replied.

As Jason headed to Kelly’s to meet Elizabeth, he just hoped he could find the
words to tell her that he had seen someone resembling Lucky while he was in
Europe. He kept remembering how she was so certain that he wasn’t the one in
the fire. She said they were soul mates and that she would have felt if he were
really gone. He had to at least tell her about it and see what happened, he
owed her that much.



Chapter Seven

Jason arrived at Kelly’s before Elizabeth. He decided to get a table outside
and sat waiting for her to show up. He wasn’t sure exactly what to say but he
needed to figure it out soon. His time had soon run out. As he went over the
information in his mind Elizabeth had arrived.

“Jason I can’t believe you’re really back!” Elizabeth shouted with joy.

Jason stood up, gave her a hug and asked, “How are you?”

She broke the embrace, smiled and answered, “I’m good. So tell me all about
where you’ve been.”  She took a seat and couldn’t wait to hear about places all
he’d been.

“I’ve been all over the place. Europe, Africa, and a few others. Mostly places
that I use to read to Michael about.” He explained with a grin.

“Why do I get the feeling that you’re back for business? No one’s after you or
Sonny are they?” she asked remembering how he’d been shot before he left.

“It’s not exactly business. There’s something that I needed to tell you but its
not something that I wanted to tell you over the phone.” He quietly replied
hoping she could handle what was ahead.

“Whatever it is Jason just tell me.” Elizabeth told him seeing the worry on his
face.

“I tried to find out as much as I could but the lead I had came up with
nothing. There’s no way for me to tell you if who I really saw was him or not
Elizabeth.” He started to explain in a gentle tone, but saw the look of horror
on her face and stopped.

“Lucky?” she whispered.

He nodded as he touched her hand wishing that he could take the pain she was
feeling away. He hated to watch the pain appear on her face. She didn’t deserve
to put through this.

“But, but you said you weren’t sure if was Lucky or not right? I mean it could
just be someone who looked like him. Oh god Jason I can’t…” her head fell into
her hands and she began to cry.

Jason moved his chair around the table so it was next to her, placed his hand
on her back and offered, “I’m not going to give up until I found out if it’s
him or not Elizabeth. I’m going back to search myself in a day or so.”

She lifted her head and looked at him, “I’m going too. Don’t try and say no
because I’m going no matter what.”

He loved how determined she was, but he wasn’t sure that her going was the best
idea.

She saw the look on his face change from apologetic to worried. “Don’t even
think of telling me no. I can’t sit here and wait, I can’t. I have to help. If
I don’t go I’ll go crazy sitting here or in my studio wondering if you know if
it’s Lucky or no. Jason I just got to the point where I accepted him being gone
and now there may be a chance he’s out there? I have to go so stop thinking it
might be too dangerous. I can handle dangerous.” She pled her case to Jason.

He still wasn’t sure it was the best idea that she went along but he knew he
would’ve never just stood by and waited if someone had the kind information he
just gave her. “Ok. But you have to promise me that you will listen and do
everything I tell you. If it’s him there is a chance that his disappearance has
to do with a grudge against Luke and things could get dangerous. You’re safety
will come first Elizabeth understand?”

She nodded as she said, “I understand and I promise. Thank you Jason.”

“You’re welcome. Now tell me all about you’re painting and tell me when my
sister is planning on getting married to Nikolas.” He smiled trying to get her
to smile again.

~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~

Laura was busy gathering the white sheets that had covered the couch and the
other pieces of furniture around the house.  Luke had gone up stairs to sleep
and the house was quiet almost too quiet for her. She continued cleaning
anything to keep her mind off of thinking someone was following them. She
hadn’t told Luke she thought she’d seen a man walking around the property after
they first arrived, but now she wished she had. She smiled and remembered how
things had changed. Her smile quickly disappeared as she heard the rustling of
leaves. Someone was outside. She debated for about 10 seconds before she
hurried up the stairs and went to wake up Luke.

“Luke please wake up.” She pleaded with him.

Luke bolted up in the bed. “Laura what’s wrong?” he mumbled.

“I think we have a visitor.”

Luke shot off the bed and practically ran downstairs as he headed for the gun
he hid. Once he’d made sure it was loaded and ready to shot if necessary he
instructed Laura, “Get the phone in case we have to call the cops. Stay back
and let me check the grounds. Once I’m outside lock the door and don’t open it
until I tell you too.” He kissed her cheek and headed out the door.

She stood by the window watching as Luke walked the property looking to see if
he could find a sign of anyone. After what felt like an hour to Laura he
arrived on the porch shaking his head and asked her to open the door.

“I guess I’m just jumpy.” She explained as she went to sit on the couch.

“You’re not telling me something. This wasn’t the first time since we’ve been
here that you thought someone was out there was it?” he asked knowing his wife.

She shook her head and softly answered, “No. I thought I was seeing things. I
thought I saw someone at the far edge of the property walking around. I’m
sorry, like I said I’m just jumpy.”

He laughed. “You don’t get jumpy Laura. You saw something. So what we’re going
to have to do is sleep in shifts. You have any reservations about firing a gun?
If you do I need to know now darlin.”

She looked at him. She wasn’t sure she could pick up another gun and kill
anyone or even injure them, but the thought of she or Luke dying made her
decision clear. “I’m sure if it means either our life or theirs there won’t be
a problem.”

He remembered what she went through after she shot the intruder years ago. He
wished to God that she didn’t have to shot anyone. Hell he wished that no one
was following them but he knew that was too much to wish for. He would do
everything to protect her he just hoped it would be enough.

He walked to the couch pulled her to her feet and held her. She was shaking and
he knew things would only get worse before they ever got better. “You know if
you want to go back, if this is too much for you, I’ll understand.”

She stepped back and looked at him adamant about helping him. “I’m not going
back Luke. We’re going to clear your name together.”

He smiled and pulled her close again. “I’ve missed you so much angel.”

She closed her eyes and smiled, “I’ve missed you too Luke.”

The two sat on the couch. Luke placed his arm around her shoulders as she
rested her head on him. The love they had shared for so many years seemed to
have resurfaced creating a deeper, stronger bond.

~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~

He could feel her touch. He wasn’t sure if he was dreaming or if she was really
there. He took his hand and outlined her lips. She felt so real he couldn’t
resist the urge any longer. He pulled her face to his until her lips and his
were one. The electricity that was always present between them again was so
very apparent and real. If this was a dream he wasn’t planning on waking up.
His mind was jolted to the present as her voice was calling to him.

Brenda took his hand in hers and asked, “Sonny are you hurt?”

He looked into her eyes. She was really there. This wasn’t some dream he was
having or a vision induced by brandy, she was really sitting there touching
him. He finally spoke saying, “You’re not dead. You’re here. How?”

She took a moment trying to collect her thoughts. Seeing him wasn’t as easy as
she had convinced herself it would be. “It’s a long Sonny. I’ll explain it all
in a few minutes, but first are you hurt?”

He shook his head not really understanding her question. She saw the confusion
in his eyes. “Sonny there’s glass everywhere. Are you cut? What happened?”

“Oh that. No, I threw it I think.” He said barley remembering last night then
asked,  “God how can you be alive? Jason said Jax watched the car veer off the
road off the cliff into the water.” He stopped as she started to fidget with
her watch.

Brenda got up and started to pace in front of the fire place. She saw there was
broken pieces of something there too. “It was set up. My mother was in danger
and we had to do something.”

Sonny stood up and looked at her. His face went from disbelief to anger. “We
who Brenda? Jax and Jerry?” he asked as his clinched his jaw. So help him if
Jax knew she was alive all this time there would be hell to pay.

“No. Jax has no idea I’m alive. The “we” Sonny, is me and my mother. My father
was trying to kill her. Jax would have let him kill her too.” She paused and
sat down. She was getting dizzy from all of the feelings that were flooding her
mind.

Sonny sat too waiting to hear the rest of her story. He wasn’t sure if he was
feeling rage, rage over the fact that he’d been pining away for her all these
years or if he was happy as hell she was sitting on his couch alive.

She wasn’t sure what was going through his mind so she continued. “I had to
help her. But things got worse after the “accident”. My father somehow found us
where ever we went. Then one day she just couldn’t take it any longer. She
killed herself. Ever since then I’ve been on the run alone until Jason ran into
me in France.”

“Your father’s alive? I thought he was dead. Hell until a few minutes ago I
thought you were dead too. Why was he after your mother? And wasn’t she dead
too?” his head was spinning.

“Some family’s have reunions we play dead.” She joked.

“That’s no funny.” He growled.

“I thought it was. Look I shouldn’t have come here. I knew it would be a
mistake.” She stood up to leave but his hand caught her arm.

“Don’t go. Please.” He begged as he stood.

She turned to him and saw the man she had loved for so long standing in front
of her. The man that invaded both her dreams and thoughts. She placed her hand
on his cheek. “I never could stay away could I?”

He flashed her his famous smile that had always melted her heart. He wrapped
his left arm around her waist and pulled her to him. Their faces were just
inches apart. He could no longer resist. He pulled her face to his. Their lips
touched for the first time in years. He hungrily devoured her lips as she
returned his intensity with even more hunger and desire. Each unleashing the
pain of the past with just a kiss. Her hands ran through his hair as he moved
their reunion to the couch, pulling her on top of him. She began to unbutton
his shirt as the phone rang. Sonny pulled away looking at her and then the
phone.

“Don’t you dare get that.” She smiled as she leaned down locking her lips to
his again. His hands tugged at her shirt that was neatly tucked into her jeans.
After freeing the tail of her shirt he began to hastily unbutton her shirt. As
he reached the last button he gently slid it off her shoulders. He wanted her
so bad it hurt.  She reached for his belt and began to unfasten it. She didn’t
seem to object at the pace of his advances nor did he object to hers.


Chapter Eight

Breakfast had been interesting to say the least. Elizabeth was unsure of what
she was feeling. Things seemed so unreal like everything that had happened in
the last few hours was just a dream. Jason being back, him telling her about
possibly seeing Lucky and how sure she was that she had to go. That need was
new. Her mind told her Lucky was dead but her heart was having problems
believing it once again. She’d spent the better part of the last year sorting
through her feelings and moving on. Accepting that the love of her life was
gone. God she was so confused. How could he be alive though? Was he even in the
fire? Her head hurt from all the thoughts and questions she had. She opened her
closet reached in and pulled out the largest suitcase she owned. What was she
supposed to tell Emily and her Grandmother? “Oh gee well Jason came back and
said he thought he saw Lucky so we’re going to tramp all over Europe to look
for him. I’m not sure when I’ll be back Gram. But Em you’ll be fine. Planning a
wedding without your best friend there for support is a piece of cake.” She
sighed and hurled the suitcase down the hall.  This wasn’t going to be as easy
to do as she had thought it would be a few hours ago, but she had to go. This
wasn’t something she could let someone else see through. Her thoughts were
interrupted by someone knocking at her front door. She walked towards the door
and opened it.

“Hey you!” she greeting her visitor with a smile.

“I hope I’m not bothering you.” Nikolas replied.

“No not at all. Come on in.” She answered gesturing him to take a seat. “What’s
up?”

“I just came by to make sure you were doing ok.” He looked concerned.

“Is there a reason I wouldn’t be?” she asked then remembered what today was.
“It would’ve been Lucky’s birthday today. I was so busy with your engagement
party, and working on Em’s present the date slipped my mind. Are you doing ok?”

“I see him everywhere Elizabeth. The park, Kelly’s, Luke’s. I stopped a
stranger this morning thinking it was him. I had cut through the park and like
an idiot I called out Lucky’s name. The poor kid turned around and looked at me
like I’d completely lost it.” He paused for a moment before he continued.
“How’d you get to the point where you accepted him being gone?” Nikolas
wondered.

“It’s like my mind and heart decided to agree. Accepting that he’s gone and
missing him are too different things though. I still miss him so much. I don’t
think that will ever change.” Elizabeth tried to explain to him.

“I doubt it will.” He softly replied.

The two spoke of old times and exchanged “Lucky” stories. Elizabeth felt so
awful for not telling Nikolas that she was leaving with Jason to go searching
for his brother. That is if Lucky was out there. She didn’t want to get his
hopes or Emily’s up.

Nikolas looked over at the clock and saw that he was going to be late getting
back to work. “I’d better get back to L&B before Ned has a fit. Hey why don’t
you have dinner with Emily and me tonight? We’re meeting at The Outback
7o’clock if you decide you want to join us.” He offered as he gave her a hug
and left.

She watched him get into his car and drive away. “I wish I could Nikolas but
I’m leaving tonight to search for Lucky.” She quietly said aloud as she closed
her door. She still didn’t fully believe it was really going to happen. She
went to the end of the hall picked up the suitcase she’d thrown and headed into
her bedroom with it to begin packing.

~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~

Jason opened the door marked “Jax Cosmetics”. He saw his sister sitting across
the room at her desk writing something. Without looking up she picked up the
phone, pushed a button and started talking. “Hey Judy this is Emily
Quartermaine over at Jax cosmetics. I’m good thanks. How are you?” she laughed
at something the woman on the end had said and continued with, “I needed to see
if the material Lucy ordered last week is in. It is? Great. Oh I’ll swing by
and pick it up in about an hour if that’s ok. Great ok I’ll see you then.
Thanks Judy!” she hung up the phone and noticed someone was watching her. She
looked up and a huge smile appeared on her face.

“Oh my god Jason you’re back!” she yelled as she pushed her chair back away
from her desk and rushed to hug her brother.

“How is my little sister?” he asked hugged her back.

She stepped back looked at him and answered, “I’m good.” She eagerly showed
Jason her engagement ring.

“It’s huge Em. You’re happy right?” he questioned her watching for her
reaction.

“Not to worry Jas, Nikolas makes me very happy.” She grinned at her brother. “I
can’t believe you’re back! I was a little surprised when Liz told me you called
the other day.”

“You weren’t surprised you were jealous weren’t you?” he laughed knowing his
sister all too well.

She playfully hit him in the arm. “Ok so I was maybe a tad bit jealous but I
got over it when I saw how happy she was to have talked to you.” She admitted
and threw that little bit about Elizabeth to see what Jason’s response would
be.

“Well I’m glad she was happy.” He smiled. “I’m also glad to hear that you’re
happy. So how are Monica and Alan taking the news?” he said sidestepped her
prying. He knew what she was up to.

“I think dad is in denial and mom is just trying to keep grandfather from
stopping the actual wedding.” She laughed. She’d grown accustomed to her crazy
family’s ways.

“Have you set a date yet or do I get to be kept in suspense until the day of
the wedding?”

“You’re not leaving any time soon are you?” she asked wondering if he would
clue her in as to how long he would be staying.

“Actually I’m leaving on a business trip tonight but I will be back in time for
your wedding if you tell when it’s going to be.” He said with a smile leaving
out the part about taking Elizabeth with him. They had both agreed that telling
anyone but Sonny wouldn’t be smart. He hated lying to Emily but he didn’t want
to see her go though the pain of loosing Lucky all over again if it wasn’t him.

“A business trip? But you just got back though Jas.” She frowned at him.

“I know Em, I’m sorry. Look if it wasn’t really important I wouldn’t be going.
You’re not going to tell me when this wedding is going to be are you?” he
teased hoping to cheer her up.

“Fine, but you better be careful because if you don’t make it back before
October 30th, I will never forgive you Jason got it?” she scowled.

“Ah well I’ll be back by then Em. I wouldn’t miss your wedding.” He flashed her
a grin.

“Promise?”

“I promise I’ll be back before October 30th.”

“Good. Now how about taking your sister to lunch?” she asked with a sly smile
as she gathered the paperwork on her desk shoving it into her briefcase.

“I’d love to. Shall we?” he motioned towards the door taking her jacket and
briefcase for her.

“Thanks.” She answered as they walked to the elevator laughing like old times.

~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~

Luke had several different maps spread out over the kitchen table. With a red
pen in hand he was trying to map out their next move. They were gonna have to
make it soon.  He was convinced that she wasn’t just seeing things. He was just
curious as to who was following them. He glanced over at Laura who had fallen
asleep on the couch reading a book.

“No, no, no! Lucky no!” Laura screamed in her sleep.

Luke rushed to her side placing his hand on her shoulder. “Laura wake up.
You’re ok. You’re safe.” He softly uttered.

She opened her eyes. It took her a moment to realize that Luke was sitting
there with her. “It was awful Luke.” She cried.

Luke pulled her close and gently rocked her back and forth. “It’s ok. It’s
alright.”

After a few moment she had composed herself enough to pull away and explain to
him what she’d dreamed about. “It was Lucky. I saw him in his bed just as the
flame began to engulf the room Luke. He was awake. Oh what if he was awake
Luke? What if he was aware of what was happening?” She began to sob.

Luke pulled her to him holding her close. “Baby it’s ok. It was just a bad
dream. Laura he was asleep and the smoke filled his lungs. He didn’t have a
clue Angel. He didn’t have a clue” He calmly spoke trying to sooth her. He knew
what today was and was pretty sure that was what had brought on this nightmare.

She sat up, wiped the tears from her face and looked around. She saw the maps
on the table and asked, “Did you find a safe route for us to take yet?”

He smiled at her. He loved when she tried to act brave with him. He answered,
“Not yet but I will. How bout a cup of coffee?”

The two disappeared into the kitchen not noticing that someone was watching
them.

“It’s just a matter of time Spencer just a matter of time.” The stranger
gloated then took off to hide in the shadows to wait for the perfect
opportunity to make his presence known.

~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~