~~ The sun descending in the west, the evening star does shine; the birds are silent in their nest, and I must seek for mine. ~~ William Blake

It was the first time in months that he’d seen her thrash around in bed like she did now. The first time he could remember her having such a violent nightmare in the middle of the day…in eons. Naptime nightmares had been a thing of the past long ago.

The last one he could even recall had taken place long before they’d even moved to Greenwhich village.

He shivered and brought her close. Maybe it was just a pregnancy symptom that she hadn’t yet told him about. Maybe it was nothing to worry about. But her moans of agony were becoming more intense with each passing second.

In the past it had never taken this long to wake her up.

"Elizabeth…come on Sweetie," he coached lightly. "You’re ok now…You’re right here with me."

Though his heart already pounded, the sensation didn’t compare the one he felt when her eyes flew open. His previously pounding heart jumped straight into his throat. The shock and unadulterated fear in her eyes, scaring him half to death.

"Oh…ssh…come here," he whispered quickly. Taking her into his arms as she trembled uncontrollably. Like coming down from a high.

He pulled the comforter a bit higher up on her shoulders and held her tight. "Sssh…calm down," he instructed gently. Rubbing her back in soft, slow circles. "Take a deep breath Sweetie…it’s ok."

She was crying so hard that it forced his own throat closed. What the Hell was going on…

Lucky pulled back a bit to push her hair out of her face. Searching her eyes. "Baby, look at me…Look at me…you’re ok now…I’m promise."

Elizabeth shook her head vehemently and buried it in his chest. Sobbing as she fought the fear that drew it’s way down her goosebumped skin. "No…he’s com – coming…He’s gonna ruin everything. You have to stop him Luc - Lucky…you have to stop him…"

God, he’d seen her after a nightmare before. But nothing like this…this was different. She was usually fine once she knew she was ok, and that she was in his arms.

"Baby, who’s coming?" He asked seriously. Tilting her head upwards. "Who are you talking about?"

"Alex," she sobbed thickly. "He won’t leave us alone Lucky…he – he’s not gonna leave us alone…He’s gonna take the babies."

Lucky’s every breath came to a halt and he pulled back once more. Far enough to get a good look at her eyes. He held her face in his hands. "He’s doing no such thing."

His voice was probably sounded sterner than he would have intended, but he said it again. "He’s not getting his hands anywhere near you or our children, so you can just wipe that notion right out of your head right now…do you hear me?"

She sniffled hard and tried to catch her breath but it seemed impossible. She kept seeing it. Kept seeing those same images over and over again in front of her eyes. Why couldn’t this just be one of those dreams that you forgot as soon as you opened your eyes?

Why couldn’t she just forget Alex…period? Even in sleep he wouldn’t leave her alone.

"Sssh," Lucky whispered again. Holding her tight. "Tell me what happened…tell me about it."

Elizabeth hiccupped against his chest and tightened her grip on his upper arms. Silently gesturing for him to hold her tighter still. He did.

"It was like before," she said hoarsely. Sniffling again. "Like when I was staying at your parents house…with all the blood. Me – shoo – shooting him…but…th – there was something before that…Something that never happened before and I can’t…

Her voice trailed away and she shut her eyes. It was too horrible to talk about. Too much…But she knew Lucky wouldn’t rest until she told him.

Lucky’s brow creased at her silence. The way she started to tremble again. "What was it?"

She shook her head against his chest. "I don’t wanna say it…I –

"It was just a dream Elizabeth," Lucky said reassuringly. Kissing the top of her head. "It can’t hurt you…it’s ok."

Closing her eyes, she tried to find the words to say it. To give voice to the horrific image that would probably stay with her for the rest of her life. "I was back in that night…I was 15 again and in the park."

Lucky closed his eyes.

Why the Hell had that come back? She hadn’t had that dream in years! Why now?! Why when things were finally getting back to the way they should have been?

She took a deep breath and he felt it inside his chest. "I…it was…it was happening again…only…only this time, when I looked up it wasn’t Tom Baker," she sniffled. "It was Alex."

For the second time that day, Lucky’s inner-workings seemed to come to a stand still. The wind sucked straight out of Lucky’s chest as he rolled over to his back. He stared wide-eyed up at the ceiling.

"I’m sorry. I didn’t mean to upset you."

Without looking, he reached for her and brought her head back down to his chest. He couldn’t let her see how upset he was just yet. Had to calm down a little first. He licked his dry lips and stroked her hair away from her forehead as he continued to stare up at the ceiling.

"It’s not your fault…I’m just beginning to think that the only way to get this guy off of either our minds is by killing him."

She smiled awkwardly against his chest. "In my dream…we ended up back at the Mansion and I was trying to shoot him, but it was just like before…he wouldn’t die."

Lucky closed his eyes and allowed himself to fantasize for just a moment. What would it be like to watch Alex’s blood spread over his own white, marble floors. Watching his lifeless eyes roll back in his head…

He’d never have to worry about that smug expression again. He’d never have to worry about him getting near Elizabeth.

Oh yes, Alexander Hart was capable of dying. Though he was evil, he was just like any other mortal human. If he was man enough to go there – pull the trigger…Alexander Hart would most assuredly die.

Yes, if he was man enough this time. Not like before with Helena. Not just watching…but pulling the trigger. Being the one to end it all…for everyone…he could do it. He could.

There wasn’t a soul on Earth that would miss him…aside from maybe that old man Leopold…but that didn’t matter.

If he really wanted it…it could be simple. Quick for the both of them…and all of their problems would be put to rest when they buried him under that huge house he called a home.

Lucky fought to steer him self, back to reality because he had to for his own good. "Do you think that maybe our meeting with Alexis a few days ago, brought this on?…Talking about the divorce?"

She shrugged against him and wound her arms around his waist. "I don’t know……maybe."

Lucky glanced down at her and smoothed his hand down the back of her hair. Fearful of asking his next question. "Had you ever…had you ever had a dream like this before? I mean not about the shooting, but the…the rape – it being…him…"

Elizabeth closed her eyes. She hadn’t been expecting that question.

‘Why not?’ She asked herself. ‘Did you really think he’d let that go? You lay here trembling against him, and you think he’s going to let it go? He’s not Alex…he’s Lucky – he doesn’t ignore things…and that’s why you’ve always loved him.’

"Once," she admitted quietly.

He closed his eyes once more. Why had he asked? Why…had he honestly wanted to know this? Couldn’t he have lived his entire life just fine, without knowing?

‘No,’ his mind answered for him. ‘Because you want to know everything there is to know about this woman. The mother of your children. Yes…you want to know – even if it hurts…So brace yourself.’

And he did, as she began to speak again.

"I had the same dream," she paused. "The night we first…the first time we –

"The first time you had sex."

She pressed her eyes closed when the words exited his mouth. Feeling his entire body tense beneath her. "I’m sorry…I shouldn’t have -

"Hey, don’t apologize. I asked right?" Lucky began. Looking back up at that ceiling. This afternoon was supposed to have been a nice little ‘sneak-a-way’ activity for them. Getting a hotel, having a little afternoon rendezvous. Yet, it wasn’t turning out that way.

"You had a – you had a life – while I was gone," Lucky continued. The hurt in his voice more than obvious. "After I left you…I mean, what the Hell else were you supposed to do?"

Elizabeth drew closer to him and looped her arms around his neck. "It wasn’t a life…it was a prison cell Lucky……This," she paused. Propping herself up to look into his baby blues. "THIS is a life……….The life I’ve wanted to live from the time I was a little girl – this is it."

Lucky slowly slid both hands up either side of her face and leaned upwards to press his lips to hers. It wasn’t deep, but it lingered against her mouth for long seconds. Silently telling her how much he needed her. She hadn’t felt the same vulnerability from him since she’d first told him about their daughter.

Maybe today was just one of those days. Just one of those days when all of your emotions were close to the surface.

When he pulled away, all he could do was gaze at her. Suddenly choked up…Maybe he had never realized how much he’d needed to hear that. All of the years he’d thought of them…together…he’d never realized how much he needed to hear her say that it was only HIM. That he was the only one to ever give her what she truly wanted…needed.

"Thank you."

She shook her head slowly. Thanks weren’t necessary for the truth. "You will forever be, the first – last – and only man to ever make love to me."

He inhaled deeply when she said the words and closed his eyes. When a tear rolled out of one tight corner, she didn’t brush it away. She simply moved closer and kissed it. Easing her hands down his face and then very slowly down his chest.

She traced a heart across his beautiful skin and then slid towards his ear. Whispering quietly.

"I wanna make love to you now…I wanna make up for all the time I wasn’t there to properly love you…Will you let me? Right now?"

They were already naked. Not from having made love, but from simply falling asleep together. They’d met each other here, at a hotel after Elizabeth dropped Audrey off at her doctor’s appointment. During Lucky’s lunch hour, that had instantly turned into several…hours.

They’d decided just to nap the afternoon away. Knowing that if they made love, they would never be finished with each other in time to pick Audrey up.

And after Lucky had broken the news to Elizabeth about why Audrey was in the condition that she was in – that Alex had been behind it all – it seemed obvious that sleeping was all they could do anyway. Each of them suddenly exhausted.

But Elizabeth had needed to feel close. Had needed to feel his skin against hers while she slept.

He felt that warm, supple skin slide against his and had absolutely no method of resistance. He nearly swallowed the word "yes," as it emerged from his mouth. Needing to feel her…wanting her badly.

Warm and wet already, she slid slowly down his length. Knowing it would take only a moment for him to harden. That he was already beginning to stir as her hands eased their way down his chest and down towards that soft line of hair the led to his desire.

Her hair swept against his chest in teasing wisps as she kissed him in the center and drifted down. Kissing and kissing until her lips grazed his shaft and it jumped quickly to attention.

Elizabeth used her hands to pet him before drawing closer. Her hips positioned over his as his hands slid up her buttocks and towards her lower back. Molding to her newly emerging form. He wanted to sit up and taste her luscious breasts, but she smiled and gestured for him to lie back down. Those same fingers working their magic down his chest once more. Massaging as she leaned forwards and eased him inside of her at the slowest pace imaginable.

She began ride then. Just as slowly as she’d accepted him. Her hips slowly shifting back and forth…back and forth. Up and down as her face changed subtly in the dim light of the room.

His own face morphed right along with hers. His brow creasing as that sensation that lay beneath the fine line of agony and ecstasy began to overtake him. As she, began to overtake him.

Her body felt like soft waves cresting against his skin as she brought him deeper, only to pull away and come back again. Taking him back inside her warm, inner walls. Closing around him like the perfect glove.

Lucky let his head roll back against the pillows and groaned deeply. His breathing became heavy and labored as he let his hands drift up her thighs once more. Clenching lightly around her hips this time. Pulling her closer. Easing himself deeper.

Her smoothness undulated beneath his palms as she rode him closer and closer to the brink of euphoria. Her own breathing became ragged and breathless. It hitched as she felt his every ridge sink farther into her depths.

Lucky’s every inch of skin, tingled from her touch and he groaned once more. Easing his hands down her thighs again. She bit her lip as he hissed through his teeth, wanting to give him more. Wanting to give him so much he’d never have to question her body’s need for only him, again.

"G -…Eliza…Elizabeth…ah…God…you feel so - so good…I lo…I lo…"

"You love me?" She sighed seductively. Grunting as his facial expressions grew tighter and tighter. Marveling as it changed yet again when she ground against him. At the way he could barely form a sentence let alone a word. She tossed her hair over her shoulder and grinned at him. Her fingers splayed across the mattress at his sides as her hips began to pick up speed.

"Y – yes," he sighed.

Elizabeth leaned down a bit more. Finding her breasts at the perfect level with his mouth when she did so. But he brought her closer still. Using his thighs to thrust her forward from behind. She groaned throatily as he took one ripe nipple into his mouth.

"Aaah," she hissed. Dropping her head as she watched him tend to her. Watched him devour everything that was his. "I kn – I know you love me…I can feel it…everytime you…aaah…God….," she said. Stammering as the moisture of his tongue swept across her sensitive skin. "I lo…love you and I’ll love…fe – feeling you insi – inside me…for the rest of my life," she panted. Babbling with incoherence now as the feelings threatened to drive her insane.

Her skin glowed with the healthy sheen of both pregnancy and sweat and his hands slipped over her entire frame. Wanting simply to please her and to be pleased. Wanting to love her until neither of them was capable of walking out of the room.

They’d have to stay here forever. No one would be able to bother them. Hurt them again…because no one would find them. They’d simply have to live here forever…with nothing but sex to entertain them.

And she wanted to do the same, but her body was already nearing the point of exhaustion. As quickly as the energy was released, it faded these days.

In unbound ecstasy she threw her head back, shouting his name as she came in jerky fits of tensing muscle. Of tingling, shining skin.

If he thought he’d have time to make her beg for mercy before his big moment, he was wrong. Just watching her – just letting his eyes travel over her perfection as she reached orgasm was enough to send him hurtling towards his own luxurious end. All the tension his body held moments ago shot out of his body with the heat of uninhibited passion. Her hips still moving when his excitement finally reached its peak and then began to fill him with fatigue.

Slowly, slowly her movements came to an end. He reached for as they did. Slid his hands over her moist back as she sunk into his equally sweaty chest. A soft ripple of orgasm moved through her when she moved.

Good Lord…

Because he was almost too tired to move his head, he depended on his tactile sense to tell him that she was smiling. Grinning like the cat that ate the canary as she lay against him. God he was happy to be the canary. He’d play the canary for her any day of the week. Rain or shine…for the rest of his life.

Thinking of rain brought him back to their moments in the rain that they’d shared just a few days before. Lucky closed his eyes.

There simply seemed no way for them to get enough of each other these days, and though staying away from each other was a pain in the ass, sneaking around was actually doing wonderful things for their sex life. That and of course…Elizabeth’s insatiable appetite for sex.

She made an ‘mmming,’ sound against his chest and snuggled closer. Her hips still straddling his. Lucky grinned at the sound. It was the kind of noise someone made when they’d just taken a bite of chocolate cake.

"That good huh?" He sighed. Dragging his fingers through her hair. The ends damp against her skin.

Biting her lip she looked up at him. "It’s ALWAYS that good."

Lucky glanced up at the ceiling and nodded with a grin. "Ya got that right."

She was doodling something on his bare chest again. And he looked down to figure out what it was…but her mood had changed. Just that quickly she seemed…melancholy.

"What is it?"

Elizabeth shrugged and continued to doodle. Dragging her finger around his nipple. "I have to pick up Gram soon and you… you probably have to go back to work sometime soon huh?"

Lucky licked his lips. There’d been a time, just a few years ago, when he lied. When he would have said ‘yes, I’m going to work,’ and hated himself for it a second later. All because he didn’t want her to worry. Didn’t want to cause her pain…but he wouldn’t do that now. He’d learned his lesson. No matter what the cost, he would not lie to her again. Even if it was just one of the ‘little white,’ variety.

"No, I’m not going back to work," he began. "I actually took the rest of the day off…there are a couple of things…things I need to get done."

She giggled for a moment. "Well stick a fork in me."

He laughed and leaned up a bit to kiss her forehead. "Not YOU, Sexy…this seduction was all YOUR doing."

"Oh that’s right," she laughed again. "So what are these ‘things’ you wanted to get done? Something mysterious? Something having to do with Cabinboy?…How’s he doing anyway? You remember to feed him today?"

"Fine – just as ugly as ever…and yeah I fed the bastard, but it doesn’t have anything to do with him."

He was stalling. He wanted to tell her…but he was stalling. She could hear it in his voice.

Propping herself up, Elizabeth gazed into his eyes. Challenging him. "I know that look…it’s the ‘I’m going to protect my woman look,’……do me a favor – don’t."

Lucky sighed and glanced up at the ceiling once more. "I don’t know about the ‘my woman,’ caveman speak part…but I’m not sure I know how NOT to protect ELIZABETH."

She ran a hand down the side of his cheek. "And I love you for that. I always have…but Honey –

"I know," he said cutting her off as her thumb slid across his lips. "I’m taking a drive down to the hospital."

Her brow creased and she drew her hand away from his mouth. "To GH? Why? Do they have the results of that drug you think Alex might have used on my gram?"

Lucky shook his head. "No, those results aren’t in yet…the guy said it might take awhile. I just…I’m not going to…to GH," he paused once more. Taking a deep breath. His chest was starting to hurt. He had no desire to see the same pain reflected in her eyes.

"I’m taking a drive down to the…the Manhattan Treatment Center."

She hadn’t heard that name mentioned in awhile, and though her skin had been incredibly warm just seconds ago, she was now chilled to the bone.

"Why would you go…why would you go there?" She asked. Having to clear her throat midway through.

Lucky licked his lips quickly and rolled towards her when she rolled away. "There have been certain things that I didn’t want to ask you…that I didn’t want to bring up…but I – it wasn’t that hard…I just did a little – a little digging when I went down to the city to find Rick."

At her silence he pressed his lips to her shoulder and closed his eyes. "I just didn’t want to hurt you…that was all."

It was the hospital where she’d said goodbye to her first child. The hospital where she’d known without a doubt that she’d lost Luna.

Determined not to cry. Not to show him that he’d been right not to want to tell her, she bit down on her lip. "Wh – why are you going there?"

He inhaled deeply and lay back on his pillow. Not so sure himself that he could do it now. He’d tried to convince himself that it would simply be a fact-finding mission just like anything else…but he knew that it wasn’t. Every bone in his body knew that it wasn’t.

"What Dr. Allan said the other day…it’s just been weighing heavily on my mind…that she thinks you may have never actually had that…that procedure."

Elizabeth shrugged. Not turning around to look at him. "So what is going there going to prove? That I actually went in for a tonsillectomy? That Luna never died? She’s DEAD Lucky...believe me – I know."

She felt him tense even before the words even left her mouth and she turned towards him quickly. Horror shown on her face.

"Oh my God!…I’m sorry," she cried. A hand to her lips. "I’m sorry. I don’t know what the Hell that was…Oh God, Lucky I’m so sorry I said that –

When she reached for him, he took his hand in hers and shook his head. There were still moments of great anger and something told him that there always would be. Moments when both of them blew up, seemingly out of nowhere at all.

The most disturbing thing about this current incident was not that she’d said it, but that years later…he was seeing first hand, that it still effected her the same way. That the blade of pain was still just as sharp.

There was no getting over this. What he was learning now, was that years later – it would still hurt like Hell. It would still make him so angry inside that he’d want to hit someone – until they bled.

He thought briefly of Alex once more. Although he knew it wouldn’t help. Alex hadn’t taken his daughter away. Alex couldn’t bring her back.

His silence prompted her on awkwardly now. Her own words still rang in her ears as she tried to speak around them. "You’re going there…to see what you can…find out – about that afternoon. To see if maybe there was some mistake – some mixup with the records and I didn’t have a Salpingostomy afterall…That’s the only explanation.………Do you want me to come along with you? To –

"No," he answered quickly. A little too quickly.

Lucky immediately softened his tone when he saw the hurt move into her eyes. She hadn’t been trying to hurt him, and he wouldn’t hurt her now. He simply needed to get a hold of his emotions. He’d never make it through a visit to that hospital if he didn’t.

"No…" he said again. "It’s just that I’m gonna have to sneak into some files and it’s easier to do that if I’m sneaking around alone, you know? One body is easier to weave in and out of medical personnel than two."

She nodded quietly and lay back. Dabbing quickly at the corners of her eyes. "I’m sorry…I didn’t mean to say what I said."

Lucky leaned over to kiss her cheek. Leaving his lips there for a moment. "It’s ok…believe me, I get it. It takes more energy than I have to push it away all the time…I get it."

Elizabeth turned to him and smiled. That was exactly it. She simply didn’t have the energy to push the anger away all of the time. Instead she would focus on other things though. She would focus on finding out about her health NOW for the sake of the babies she carried.

"I don’t understand any of it," she sighed. "I had the procedure…I mean, I remember hearing that stupid word, over and over again…the doctors stood there just hovering over me, asking me these questions that I could barely understand through all the drugs…I remember I couldn’t even focus on anything…on anyone’s face…All I knew was that I couldn’t feel anything anymore…just completely…numb.

"But I knew she was gone. That much I knew."

Lucky reached over and caught one of her tears with his fingertip. "I’m sure it’s just like you said - a mixup…but for our own peace of mind…for the health of our babies," he added. His hand sliding along her slightly swelled tummy beneath the sheets. "The more we know the better."

His lips were against her cheek again and she closed her eyes as she nodded. "Ok."

"I love you," he said against her skin. "I love you so much."

She whispered it back, before he got up. Rolling to his side of the bed and then slipping from the sheets to look for his clothes. Her eyes followed his perfect, naked body around the room as he searched.

"When am I gonna see you again?"

Lucky turned at the question, licking his lips as he slipped into the pants that hung over the chair by the window. She grinned a little.

He’d skipped the underwear entirely today. Evidence of the washer and dryerless existence he was living above the bike shop. She remembered how he hated going to the Laundromat back in Greenwich.

‘Greenwich…’

It always came back to that. The only time in their lives when they’d been completely carefree – happy…

For a little while at least.

She watched every muscle in his stomach and chest, flex as he reached through the arm holes of his shirt and pulled it over his head. It could be like that again. They could be carefree and happy again. Soon…very soon they would be. Before she gave birth to their children, their lives would be that way again. She’d see to it.

No matter what Alex wanted, she knew what would happen. They’d been apart for far too long to put up with another extended separation. She and Lucky WOULD be together, no matter what she had to do.

"You know I can’t stay away from you for very long," Lucky quipped. Jogging back over to her side of the bed, once he was clothed.

She leaned up to meet his mouth and let her sheet fall away from her body. Baring herself to him once more. He growled against her bottom lip when he took it between his teeth.

"You’re gonna have to stop doing that…there’s no way this ‘separation,’ thing is ever gonna work if you’re always naked."

When he tried and failed to pull away, she simply grinned. In spite of himself, he was leaning back down to kiss her again…and yet again. "I’ll call you," he paused. Claiming her mouth with his once more. "As soon as I get back…I’ll call you."

Elizabeth nodded and rose to her knees to kiss him more fully. He groaned at the site of her and cursed lightly beneath his breath as he finally pulled away. Dragging himself out of the bedroom one long step at a time.

"Hurry," she smiled softly. "Your pregnant, naked girlfriend already misses you."

He grinned at her as he crossed the threshold. "Damn woman…you are really gonna kill me……but what a lovely way to go."

She shook her head as he walked out the door. Flopping back down on the pillow beneath her when she heard the room door close behind him.

~~~~~~~

Stephan grinned in amusement at the way Emily tried to spear certain items in her pasta and push them aside. "How are you enjoying your lunch Ms. Quartermaine?…I hope everything is to your liking."

Nikolas glanced at her and then back to his own dish. Lifting a huge forkful of pasta to his mouth. "She hates pine nuts."

Emily threw her boyfriend a glance that screamed of pure mortification. There she was trying to act like the dignified woman she was supposed to be, in front of his overly dignified uncle and he was telling him about her aversion to nuts?

"I do not," she quickly disagreed. "I love them…I’m just…I’m on a diet – a diet that says no to all things…all things of the nut variety."

Stephan merely nodded and ate. He was more disturbed with the fact that his nephew had spoken with his mouthful, than Ms. Quartermaine’s eating do’s and don’ts.

He swallowed hard and took a sip of white wine. "Ms. Quartermaine, it’s quite alright if you don’t enjoy pine nuts. I’m sure Mrs. Landsbury won’t take too much offense. After all she didn’t grow them herself."

Both Nikolas and Emily nearly choked on their lunches. Had Stephan just cracked a joke? Made a funny perhaps? No…it couldn’t be.

Emily smiled. "No Mr. Cassidine I guess you’re right. She wouldn’t."

A long-suffering sigh escaped from Nikolas’ lungs. "Ok…when are you two going to drop the formalities? I mean enough is enough."

He gestured towards his uncle first. "Uncle, if you’d just CALL her Emily, I’m sure she’d be more than obliged to call you Stephan."

"Well excuse me Prince, but did you not just call your uncle – UNCLE?" Emily quipped. Stephan grinned at her. "Maybe if you’d set the example for all of us we wouldn’t be so misguided."

Knowing he’d been backed into a corner, Nikolas narrowed his eyes at her. She shivered from head to toe. Knowing what the look meant. Knowing she’d be paying for the little barb later on…and relishing the idea of how many ways – and how many times - he could make her…..pay.

Stephan cleared his throat to get his nephew’s attention once more. It had been lost immediately in the woman next to him. It was nice to see.

He may not have felt comfortable enough yet to call the young lady by her first name, but seeing that she made the most important person in his life gloriously happy was enough.

The clearing of his uncle’s throat finally registered with Nikolas and he tore his eyes away from the beautiful brown eyes to the side of him.

"Yes Un…Uncle," Nikolas sighed. Not catching him slip-up until it was too late. Damn it, she totally had him!

"I was wondering," Stephan began. Sobering completely. "I was wondering if you’d talked to Lucky Spencer again in the past few days?…Has there been any new developments in regards to Miss Webber’s husband?"

"Soon to be X…husband," Emily corrected, though she’d tried not to. The words had simply come tumbling forth before she could stop them. "Sorry."

"No need to apologize Ms. Quartermaine," Stephan responded. "I’m sure Miss Webber is just as eager to be rid of him, as I am."

He turned back to his nephew. "That’s why I was inquiring of you Nikolas…Although he said he wanted to collaborate in our mission to bring Hart to justice, I don’t trust Luke Spencer to stand by that decision…But I’m sure you and Lucky have come to some kind of agreement…I’m sure you know more than I do at this point."

Nikolas licked his lips nervously. His uncle knew nothing of the meeting he’d had with Lucky at General Hospital several days ago. If he knew that Lucky had asked him to participate in his ‘whatever it takes,’ method of punishment for Alex, he have flipped out. He’d flip out even MORE if he’d knew that Luke had also been there.

Emily glanced at Nikolas out of the corner of her eye. Waiting for his answer. Knowing he was weighing his options in his mind.

After a moment of rapid consideration, he cleared his throat. "No…actually, I haven’t spoken with Lucky in awhile."

"Really?" Stephan asked. Watching as Nikolas looked down. The boy was lying. He knew for a fact that Nikolas didn’t go for very long without speaking to his brother. Especially since the boy had only just resurfaced in his life. "Forgive me Nikolas. I don’t mean to question you, but I have a bit of trouble bel –

"Excuse me Sir, but this gentleman needed to see you," Mrs. Landsbury hesitantly interrupted. Moving towards the dining table. "I told him that you were busy having lunch with Master Nikolas, but he insisted that this envelope be hand delivered to you personally. I –

Stephan dabbed at the corners of his mouth with his linen napkin. Eyeing the constable that stood behind his housekeeper as he took his time to rise from his seat.

He might’ve expected this. Might’ve expected that Hart would make the next move. If he was about to lose his wife, there were a few things that he’d want in return. Things he foolishly thought he had some right to. Like the Cassidine fortune.

"Not to worry Mrs. Landsbury," Stephan began. Clearing his throat. "I’m sure that whatever this gentlemen is carrying is valuable enough to interrupt our dining. I’m certain he wouldn’t bother my guests and I otherwise……

"I’m Stephan Cassidine…What can I do for you?"

The man shifted his weight awkwardly and glanced towards the table where the young woman and her companion sat. "Actually…Sir, these documents are for a Mr….a Mr. Nikolas Cassidine."

Nikolas’ eyes widened just a bit and he quickly dusted his hands off on his napkin. He moved around the table curiously. What was this…

"Everything will be explained in these papers Sir," the constable continued. Not giving Nikolas the chance to ask the question. "All I need your signature on this line here and then –

Stephan moved between them to look down at the document in which his nephew was about to sign. "Nikolas I should call Alexis over first. She can look at –

"Uncle," Nikolas interrupted. Surprised that he’d successfully quieted him with just that one simple word.

Emily bit her lip from across the room. Her boyfriend was getting better at that – cutting people off when they were about to make a decision FOR him.

"I can sign them without having Alexis’ counsel," Nikolas finished. Scrawling his signature in a few various places. Then, just as quickly as the constable had appeared, he was gone.

Rising to follow them both, Emily flopped down on the couch next to Nikolas. "What is it?…Something about Scree?"

Nikolas smirked and sat the papers down on the coffee table in front of his uncle. He would have laughed if he hadn’t known his uncle would have a heart attack.

"Yeah…Scree’s suing me…for property of Wyndemere."

~~~~~~~

Lucky shrugged out of the white lab coat. The schmuck was who’d hung it on the back of that chair in the hospital cafeteria would now learn to be more careful with his belongings.

"Danielson," he muttered. Glancing at the nametag for just a moment before logging into the system on the computer before him. "If anybody asks…..I’m James Danielson M.D. ……just don’t ask me to save any lives please," he added quietly.

He typed rapidly. Entering the name, Elizabeth Imogene Webber into the system and being transported immediately in time. They’d obviously transferred most of her medical records here from the clinic they’d frequented in Greenwich.

Everything from the common cold to the time she’d burned her hand, taking a casserole out of the oven was on record. If he closed his eyes he could still see the light in the kitchen and smell the burnt casserole.

It had been a small burn, but he remembered forcing her to go to the doctor anyway. He remembered the way she’d whined about it the whole time. Telling him it was nothing one minute, yet squealing in pain every time he’d tried to dress it.

Cold prescriptions, birth control prescriptions…they were all there.

Lucky scrolled down the screen and shut his eyes for a few moments. Months going by with a click of the mouse. He knew that when he opened his eyes he’d see it. The thing he’d come there to see but didn’t truly want to.

Sure enough, the second he opened his eyes the record was there. Staring him right in the face like the nightmare he’d known it would be.

‘Caucasian female admitted into Emergency for possible miscarriage in first trimester. Late teens/early twenties. Symptoms include: consistent hemorrhaging, massive blood loss in route to emergency room, high temperatures, and acute state of delirium.’

He read the next part aloud. Thinking that maybe if he heard the words come out of his own mouth that they might seem as if they were someone else’s story. Like he had no connection to what had happened. Like what they’d called a ‘possible miscarriage,’ hadn’t become the death of his first child.

A child he’d never gotten to see or meet…or touch.

Swallowing hard against the angry lump in his throat, he continued. "Actions taken: Dr. Mark Matthews (second year resident on ER staff) took immediate action to stop hemorrhaging…fetus nonvia…"

Lucky stopped reading then. Not finishing the word.

The words ended abruptly after that word anyway. Simply jumping right into the next record. Descriptions regarding the same day, but 10 minutes later…

Under the name of a different physician.

"Dr. Barty Keller….Kellerman," Lucky finished. Clearing his throat of the huge lump. He paused for a moment when he recognized the name. It was the same OB/GYN that Elizabeth’s current doctor had been trying to get a hold of for weeks, but to no avail.

Elizabeth had mentioned it before of course. That Kellerman had been the one to treat her for the miscarriage…Why was he suddenly finding it odd?

Licking his lips, he continued to read. "Kellerman brought in to discuss options with patient. Performed a Salpingostomy on patient. Patient under heavy sedation at current time."

And that was it. Just that quickly it was over. There were no records about check-ups or follow up exams. He knew that was because she’d been whisked away to Italy just a week afterwards…but still…wouldn’t the hospital have wanted some kind of…follow up?

The next record began almost a year later when she’d put in a prescription for…he bit his bottom lip. He didn’t need to torture himself anymore today did he?

He’d just skip right over that. He didn’t need to think of THAT anymore today.

Scrolling again, Lucky moved back to the previous record. Reading the name once more. The name that still settled like a rock in the pit of his stomach. Barty Kellerman…

But this time, when he let his eyes travel over the screen, it wasn’t the name that disturbed him. It was the time in which this particular record had last been viewed.

Lucky swiveled around in an instant. His heart, beginning to beat like a jackhammer in his chest.

He half expected Alex to be there, standing behind him…laughing. But he wasn’t of course he wasn’t…there was no one watching. Nobody was…

Fuck!

Five minutes. It’d been viewed FIVE FUCKING MINUTES before he opened it.

If there was no one watching, than who had just been looking at Elizabeth’s records?

"What the…"

Lucky glanced around once more. His eyes darting here and there.

He was the only person inside the small computer room. Yet he felt it…he knew it…someone was watching. Someone had just been here.

He bolted from his chair. Yanking the door open in one swift move. Taking off down the corridor.

Once again someone was sticking their nose in where it didn’t belong. Into his life…into Elizabeth’s life.

This time he wouldn’t make the mistake of letting them get away with it.

~~~~~~~

Elizabeth loosely tied her hair up in a scrunchy and lay back. The hot water swirling around her body to unknot all the tension she’d been carrying around all day long. Even after a wonderful bout of lovemaking with Lucky, her skin felt tight. Prickly and cold even as the water steamed around her.

She closed her eyes and tried to get that stupid dream – that nightmare out of her mind. Maybe if she could just forget that she’d be ok. That was right…she simply needed to concentrate on other things.

‘Things like seeing your babies for the first time, in a couple of days,’ she thought. Thinking of the appointment that she and Lucky had scheduled for their first sonogram.

Elizabeth smiled up at the ceiling and sunk a bit further into the tub. Glancing down after a moment. She was starting to show.

How people hadn’t started coming up to her with their mouths hanging wide open, she didn’t know. Although, it wasn’t as if she’d been out and about much in the last few days. After their meeting with Alexis she’d tried to follow the attorney’s advice. Staying close to home, keeping a low profile.

But it was difficult. Especially when all she really wanted to do was shout it from the rooftops. But they couldn’t do that. Not yet. If Alex found out about her pregnancy he’d be livid. If he were even considering giving her the divorce she craved, the mere thought would be shot to Hell when he found out that she was carrying Lucky’s child…children.

She grinned to herself as she smoothed her hands across her abdomen. Watching the water shift across her skin.

How was she supposed to keep this a secret? When the Hell was Alex going to give it up and just give her, the damned divorce!? What the Hell was he waiting for?! Hell to freeze over?!’

‘Calm down…calm down,’ she told herself, letting her eyes clothes once more. She lit one of the aromatherapy candles next to her and took a deep breath. Lucky had actually given in and bought her some. But only after she assured him that buying candles that smelled ‘really kinda frilly’ was a completely acceptable male purchase.

Elizabeth sighed to herself as she watched the small, flame flicker. She wanted him here. She wanted to be sharing her life with him. Not sneaking around, for moments here and there!

Not that sneaking around didn’t have its merit…it did. But God, what she would have done just to be able to curl up on the couch with him and watch television tonight, like a normal couple.

Instead, the only noise in the apartment came from the television that Gram was watching in the living room.

Elizabeth forced herself to count her blessings. Not only was she engaged to the man of her dreams, and having 3 of his children, but her grandmother was healthy again. Or at least getting closer and closer to the health she used to have, every single day.

She had to be thankful for that. If nothing else, she had to acknowledge that her life was leaps and bounds better than it was just a couple of months ago.

No longer was she living in that damned mansion. No longer was she pasting a fake smile on her face as Alex touched her or kissed her or…The image of the nightmare came flooding back and she pulled her legs up to her chest. She had to get rid of that. Had to forget…

The shiver ran through her again. It didn’t seem to want to go away.

Though she’d always hated the idea of having a gun in the apartment, she knew that there was one. Lucky had told her about it when he’d decided to move back to his room above the bike shop. She’d given him a hard time of course, recalling the time she’d accidentally STABBED him. Recalling the time she’d gone ballistic when he’d wanted her to carry one in New York…but he’d won her over. Telling her how much better he’d feel if he knew that she and her gram had some kind of protection in the apartment on the nights he couldn’t be there.

Oddly enough it gave her a weird sense of comfort now.

Although she knew she wouldn’t need it. Alex wasn’t that crazy. He wouldn’t come here looking to…

Jeez, it was like someone had opened a window or something. Elizabeth leaned forward to light yet another candle. She just needed to calm down…and relax. Think of the future with Lucky and her babies…and relax.

She’d finish her bath, put on her sweats and call Lucky. Maybe she could get him to sing to her again tonight as she fell asleep. Better yet…maybe she’d be able to get him to come over and sing in person…

Naked.

~~~~~~~

Stephan eased behind his desk and picked up the phone. Dialing slowly as he leaned back in his chair. Letting the receiver hang loosely in his hands. When his idiot half-brother finally answered the phone, he grinned.

"Do you really think anyone is going to hand you Wyndemere on a silver platter, Hart?"

Shaken, Alex could think of nothing to say. Someone’s head would roll for this. Someone would be fired for not warning him of the call.

"How the Hell did you get this number?" He asked after a moment. "This is my private line."

He couldn’t see it, but Stephan’s grin grew only wider at the question. "Do you think there’s anything that a Cassidine can’t get done? Anything that we don’t have at our disposal?…Oh…that’s right," Stephan paused. "You’re not actually a Cassidine…so you wouldn’t know…would you."

Alex licked his lips and brought his glass of vodka to his lips. It burned on it’s way down, but felt good. It felt like something. It felt exactly like the rage that already bubbled in his stomach.

If Stephan Cassidine thought he would keep him from the fortune that his mother had left him of her own free will, he had another thing coming.

"You can’t keep what’s mine brother," Alex began. Swirling his drink around. "Mother left it to me and –

"Listen to me you sniveling, insolent little bastard," Stephan seethed. Interrupting the unimportant ramblings of a madman. "You may have been able to manipulate a fledgling Spencer and a young girl, but you’re no longer dealing with children. You’re playing a very childish…foolish game with someone that could have your life ended before you take your next drink.

"Take the small fortune you’ve acquired from your miniscule hotel chain and leave the country Hart. Call your lawyers off, and do not attempt to contact either myself or my nephew again. Is that understood?

There was silence on the other end and it only heightened Stephan’s fury. Was the idiot being silent because he’d passed out in his drunken state, silent because he was scared, or silent because his microscopic brain was trying to devise some sort of comeback?

"I will not be pushed away from what is mine…You and that little brat Nikolas will GIVE ME what is mine or I will TAKE it – one way or another…you’ve made your choice Cassidine. Now I make mine…tell little Nikky I’ll be watching –

"Don’t you dare threaten my –

The click of the extension ended the call, but what it began – was war.

~~~~~~~

Lucky swung the old man around so fast and so hard that he had no time to think about the fact that he WAS an old man. Not that he would have cared if he had. He was too close to the edge now to give a rat’s ass.

If he wanted to be treated well he shouldn’t have been sneaking around. Poking into other people’s business. When would he learn to leave them alone?!

"What the Hell are you doing?" Lucky hissed into Leopold’s shocked face. The small cement corner that Lucky backed him into, not providing any room between the two men. "You better answer me old man…I don’t have the time or the energy for this. What the Hell are you doing?"

Leopold shook his head and opened his mouth to speak, but was cut short by Lucky’s hand wrapping its way around his neck.

"Don’t EVEN try it," Lucky spat. "FIVE MINUTES…Somebody was looking at Elizabeth’s medical records FIVE MINUTES before I was…So, don’t you stand here and tell me it wasn’t you, because you’re the only one in this hospital who would give a damn -who would be sticking their nose into MY business once again.

"I thought you knew better now…I thought you did…I thought I made it clear in Italy, but I was obviously mistaken," Lucky hissed. Pressing a bit harder on his neck. "Well guess what? It isn’t New Years yet…but I’ve already made my resolution – not to make the same mistake twice."

Leopold winced, when Lucky pressed down against his throat. Gasping around his firm grip. "I kn – I know what you’re…you’re thinking…Lu-Lucenzo but I wasn’t trying to…to change anything…I…I was merely looking for the same…the same information that you are."

Lucky tilted his head to the side and backed off…just a little. Anger flashing like lightening behind his eyes. "What the Hell does that mean?" He panted roughly. "I’ve about had all I can take of people fucking with my life Old Man…"

"If you…if you let me go, I can – I can explain."

Slowly, Lucky backed away. His chest heaving, after having sprint down 10 flights of stairs. He stood in front of Leopold so that he couldn’t make a break for it.

Leopold tried to get his bearings and straighten against the wall. "I’m sorr – I’m sorry. I know that both you and Elizabetta asked that I stay out of her life…but I…I ruined so much of it –

"Don’t flatter yourself…you didn’t ruin anything," Lucky spat. "Though you and Insanity Boy came pretty damn close."

"This is exactly why I am here," Leopold continued. Panting hard. "You came here because something doesn’t sit right with you…si? Isn’t that why you’ve come here Lucenzo?"

When there was no answer, Leopold continued. "That’s why I came here as well. I refuse to let Elizabetta down again. If there is anything that I can do to help –

"You CAN’T," Lucky stated coldly. Startling him into silence. His eyes were like ice. "Like I said before Leopold – don’t put your nose where it doesn’t belong…it’s liable to get cut off.

"If there’s some information that you THINK you have, regarding Elizabeth," he began again. "You tell ME. I don’t want you snooping around. I don’t want you having anything to do with her anymore. Do you understand me? If I’m not mistaken, Elizabeth told you the same thing when you showed your face in Italy."

"Si, but I have to make up for what my son –

"There’s NOTHING that can make up for what your son put her through! Nothing…so just give it up, and move on with the rest of your pathetic existence. If you don’t - someone is liable to end that existence for you."

He spoke like a man with nothing to lose. He spoke like a man very near the end of his rope. Leopold knew that it wouldn’t be wise to speak of his suspicions. But it was his obligation to at least point him in the right direction. That much he owed himself, he owed Elizabeth…

He owed Alex.

Lucky was already walking away when Leopold called after to him. "You find it strange no?! That Elizabetta’s doctor won’t answer any of his calls, won’t return his messages…"

"What do you know about that?" Lucky asked. Turning around.

"Non molto. Only that he’s disappeared," Leopold said truthfully. "Only what you just found out for yourself on the computer, si?"

"He shows up out of nowhere," Lucky said almost to himself. As if recounting to help himself process the information coming at him from all sides. "He shows up after the regular ER doc takes care of Elizabeth.

"In walks Mr. Specialist…somebody Alex calls in…so he can look like some kind of hero of course…So, he can hang it over Elizabeth’s head for the rest of her life……He may not have been able to save her child, but he sure did get her the best help money could buy," he added sarcastically.

Leopold pulled his coat closed around him. The wind blustering through the bottom floor of the parking structure. It felt like winter would come a bit early this year.

"Alessandro always had to look like the hero…especially for Elizabetta. I suppose it was because he knew who her real hero was."

"Yeah…sure," Lucky muttered. "I’m quite heroic. I must’ve misplaced my cape that day."

"No matter," Leopold continued quietly. Slipping his withered hands into thick, black gloves. "Unfortunately, all the heroics in the world could not have saved what…what God did not…intend…I suppose."

Lucky looked up at him and breathed in through his nose. He needed to go. He couldn’t be there anymore. "I think it best that you leave all of this alone."

Nodding, Leopold took a deep breath. "You are right…I wasn’t there to help Elizabetta when she needed me the most. She must have felt so alone. Waking up to be told that her child was gone, and that she needed some…procedure, just 10 minutes later – that possibly she would never have children again…

"My own wife and I lost a child," Leopold continued. Before Lucky could tell him to shut up.

The boy wanted to cry, that much he could see in his eyes. But he wouldn’t. He would not be crying in front of anyone…let alone an old man who’d helped to take his reason for breathing away.

As he spoke, it was as if he were talking to the air. Never looking at Lucky again directly. "I always wanted someone to blame for it……but I guess…I guess there isn’t always the luxury of blame, is there?……Good bye Lucenzo…good luck."

Lucky watched him walk away and then looked down at his shoes. Focusing his eyes on them. Focusing his eyes on any inanimate object that wouldn’t remind him of death and heartbreak.

Ten minutes. Ten friggin minutes had gone by between the moment of their child being declared nonviable, and some surgical procedure that could have left Elizabeth infertile.

But she wasn’t infertile. She was carrying three children for God’s sake! She was perfectly healthy! It didn’t make any sense.

Dr. Barty Kellermen didn’t find it necessary to return messages, and he’d appeared in Elizabeth’s life just as quickly as he seemingly disappeared now. A Specialist – called in by Alex…

"10 minutes…10 minutes…" Lucky mumbled to himself as the wind howled through the cold cement tunnel. "What the Hell did he do? Call the guy while he riding with Elizabeth to the emergency room? He had enough presence of mind to call a doctor? Elizabeth’s bleeding to death and he’s got enough presence of mind to call a specialist in…"

His voice trailed off as a flash of lightening lit the entire bottom floor of the cement structure. A storm was coming. A big one.

Lucky quickly discarded the lab coat he hadn’t remembered he had on. Throwing it into the Dumpster in the corner before walking to his car.

He probably should have stayed at the hospital though…because suddenly he felt very, very sick.

~~~~~~~

Elizabeth shot up in bed when the phone rang. Not sure when she’d actually fallen asleep. She’d been waiting up for Lucky to call and now…

It rang again and she blinked groggily. Remembering that her grandmother was sleeping right outside the door. Quickly she yanked up the receiver. "Hello…Lucky?"

"Yeah," Lucky sighed. Resituating himself on his pillow. "I’m sorry…I know I was supposed to call earlier. You’re already sleeping aren’t you?... Aw Sweetie, I’m sorry."

"It’s ok," she said quickly. Glancing at the clock. It was just after midnight.

"No, you need your sleep. I’ll just call back in the morn –

"Don’t you dare hang up!" She instructed. Cutting him off. "I missed your voice too much to wait till morning…besides, you know I can’t sleep well unless your with me anyway."

"You didn’t sleep well this afternoon," Lucky recalled absently. "I was right there…next to you and you were sobbing…begging."

There was something wrong. Something very wrong…she could hear it in both his words and the pauses between them. The heavy breaths he took.

"Lucky what happened at the hospital? I figured you got held up in traffic and then maybe went and got yourself some dinner...……Lucky, are you ok?"

"Fine," he whispered. Closing his eyes. Wishing he could be snuggled up next to her right at that moment. The bed was too cold. The night was too damn cold.

"Lucky…I want to come over."

He sat up abruptly. "Elizabeth no. We have to do this…we have to at least make it LOOK like we’re keeping away from each other. On the off chance that that bastard HAS started watching you again, we can’t risk it."

At her silence, Lucky sighed. There were things he could tell her about today, and things that he couldn’t. Things that were just sensations. Feelings in the pit of his stomach that had made his nauseous for most of the drive home.

"Your old doctor," Lucky swallowed, warding the feeling off. "Kellerman…he’s the one that performed your Salpingostomy. It was him."

Elizabeth nodded quietly. "I knew that…the question was whether I had one………I guess…I guess I wasn’t crazy afterall."

"Amazing that Alex got a specialist there so quickly," he commented. As if he hadn’t even heard her.

His voice trailed away and Elizabeth brought the phone closer. "Lucky?…Honey what is it? You know what?…I’m coming over there."

"No, Elizabeth, I’m ok…" His voice caught. "I just…I just need to know how you do it? How did you get through all of that? How do you continue to live with it and not hate –

"Stop it," she said quickly sitting up in bed. "Lucky please. If you don’t want me to come over there, then at least come over here…Honey, I know you can do it without being seen – you’re good like that," she laughed. Trying for levity…It failed.

"Just come over," she continued. Almost pleading now. "I want you with me right now…ok?"

Lucky nodded quietly to himself as he sat upright against the headboard. He needed that. He needed to be with her right now, or he might just go crazy…do something…crazy.

"Ok," he whispered. "I’ll be over in a few minutes…I won’t wake Audrey."

"I know Honey," Elizabeth said. Not caring who the Hell he woke up. Just wanting him there. "Just come over now…ok?"

"Ok…see you in a bit…I love you Elizabeth."

"I love you Lucky."