It seemed to take forever but at last they arrived home. Jax had come back on Sonny's plane with everyone else, not wanting to let Jillian out of his sight. He even came with them to Alexis' penthouse.
"Um, Alexis can I speak with you for a minute?" Sonny asked as they got off the elevator.
"Sure, I'll be right back," she told Jillian, trying to ignore the look Jax was giving her.
As soon as she was inside, Sonny closed the door and took her into his arms. He held her for just a moment savoring the feel of her body then he kissed her. It was slow and gentle, meant to comfort, at least that's how it began but soon he began to lose control as he did every time he touched her. He deepened the kiss as his hands began to move over her body. Eventually she drew away a little so that they were no longer kissing.
"I thought you wanted to talk she reminded him.
"I lied." He confessed completely unrepentant.
"Sonny I don't have time right now," She sounded disappointed but Sonny was still upset.
"Yeah, you don't want to keep Candy boy waiting."
"Sonny..." She sounded tired and he immediately regretted his tone. As muck as he didn't like the situation, he could hardly blame Alexis.
"I'm sorry. Listen I have some business I need to take care of but I should be back in a few hours, would you like to come for dinner, you and Jillian of course."
"I don't know," she began reluctantly, "I'm not sure what Jax has planned, I mean with Jillian."
"Now you need to ask Jax for permission to have dinner with me?" Sonny asked barely controlling his temper.
"That's not what I said."
"Well that's what it sounded like. I gotta go." Sonny said leaving Alexis alone in his penthouse.
If he had come out a minute later he would have seen Danniel get off the elevator. As it was no one saw him. Not Alexis who was sitting at Sonny's wondering what had gotten into him. Not Max who was off somewhere with Kristina leaving Alexis' door unguarded. And not Jax who was busy looking for something for he and Jillian to eat. None of them saw him and none heard when he knocked on Alexis' door, none except Jillian who was sitting on the sofa. Thinking nothing of it she went to the door and opened it. "Hi, I..." whatever Danniel had been planning to say quickly disappeared from his mind. Instead he stood there and stared at the child before him. The child that was so like her mother, Elina Cassadine. Without a word he turned back towards the elevator and pushed the button. He seemed to be in a trance as Jillian watched him enter the elevator and head back downstairs. She knew something was wrong, he had looked at her the same way Laura had at the party, as though she were a ghost. Still Jillian wasn't sure if she should tell anyone. Everyone was already on edge and she didn't want to add to it. Alexis came home a few minutes later and was greeted by a bowl of microwave popcorn, courtesy of Jax.
"How did you know this is just what I needed?" she asked helping herself to a handful. "Where's Jillian?"
"She's upstairs, I think she's upset about something but she wouldn't tell me what."
"I'll go up and talk to her."
"Just a minute, I need to talk to her first. You know that keeping Jillian safe is my first concern but I want to tell her that I'm her father."
?"I know Jax and you will tell her we just need to find the right time Don't worry Jax we'll figure this out."
"Um Mom," Jillian began, coming down the stairs. "There's something I need to tell you but you have to promise not to freak."
"Why is it I hate sentences that begin that way, and I object to the term freak, I don't freak."
"Fine I don't want you to get upset."
"What is it Jillian?"
"There was a guy here and he seemed really surprised to see me, like Laura was at the party, remember?"
"What guy? When?" Alexis began to panic.
"Just after we got home. Someone knocked on the door so I answered it."
"What did he look like?" Jax asked.
"Tall, dark hair and eyes."
"Danniel." Alexis whispered in horror.
"Who's Danniel?"
"Sweetie did you unpack yet?"
"No, why."
"Good, go upstairs and get your stuff."
"But Mom..."
"Just do it, please." Jillian hadn't seen her mother this upset since before they went to Puerto Rico, she wished Sonny were here. Reluctantly she went upstairs and Alexis began to pace. "We have to get her out of here, if Danniel saw her he knows."
"Alexis calm down. Just because he knows..."
"Jax, Danniel is Helena's nephew."
"What?"
"They're very close and chances are he's telling her the truth about Jillian right now." Alexis continued ignoring his obvious shock. Jax was still trying to grasp the concept that Danniel and Helena were related.
"You dated Helena's nephew?"
"I didn't know who he was then. We really don't have time for this. We need to get Jillian out of town."
"Fine I'll fly us to Alaska, Helena doesn't know I'm involved so she won't think to look there."
"Okay sounds good." Suddenly Alexis remembered Sonny, she couldn't leave things the way they were, she couldn't just disappear without talking to him first. "Jax I need you to take Jillian, I'll meet you there later."
"Excuse me?"
"There are some things I need to take care of, I'll be there later tonight."
"You're doing this so you can see him, aren't you?"
"Jax please."
"I'm ready, where are we going this time?" Jillian asked as she came down the stairs bag in hand.
"To Alaska, to my parents home."
"Jilly, I need to take care of a few things here so I need you to go with Jax but I promise I'll be there soon."
"You're not coming?"
"I am coming just not right now." Alexis tried to explain to the frightened child. "I promise."
"Okay, I love you."
"I love you too, more than you can imagine and I'll see you soon." Alexis gave Jillian one last hug and then reluctantly let go. "You take care of her," she said to Jax as he and Jillian headed out the door.
"I promise." An hour later there was a knock at the door.
Thinking it was Sonny Alexis opened it eagerly, "I'm sorry I..." the sight of the man on the other side of the door stopped her. She stepped back and tried to throw the door shut but it was too late. He grabbed her and put a piece of something over her mouth and nose. She could smell something on it but by the time she realized what it was everything was already fading to black.