Author’s Note: Hey guys! J I hope you enjoy this chapter. I think it may be a bit confusing at first because I’ve structured it a bit differently. It begins in the present time (which has been advanced a bit) and then it starts moving backwards in order to show what happened. So it’s a little more "flashbacky" than you’re probably used to reading from me. I didn’t go all out the way I could have, but it’s still a little strange. So, if ya hate it – let me know and I won’t do it again. LOL. If you like it – let me know that too, and I’ll go ahead and make some more!

Lucky looked up. Trying to see past the steel bars that created the vertical barrier in front of him. Gray lines slicked over his vision like that of the lines on a faulty television set. But the sounds weren’t as fuzzy. The voice on the other side sounded familiar.

He scooted closer to the end of the bed.

"I’m sorry Detective. My client has a constitutional right to representation. You may want to familiarize yourself with that particular document, considering the fact that you’re supposed to be upholding it."

Rising from his bed, Lucky walked slowly over to the bars. Wrapping his fingers around them as the pit of his stomach began dropping down even further than it already had been. The rapid-fire click of heels descending the cement hall had him closing his eyes.

Not yet…not yet. He wasn’t ready for this yet.

‘Damn it Dad!’ He thought inwardly. Pacing to one side of the small cage and then back again. ‘Well what did you think he was gonna do Spencer? Leave you here to let you rot? To let you pace like an animal?’

He let his head fall against the cold, hard wall behind him and shut his eyes once more.

"Well it’s nice to see you too Lucky," Alexis quipped. Noting the frustrated expression that he wore as his eyes opened. She changed her tone when he turned away and sunk down on the cot behind him.

"First things first…I want you to know that I’ve already decided to petition the court to have this moved to Port Charles. I don’t think it’s wise to keep things here in Mayberry."

Lucky looked down. Bracing his elbows on his thighs as he remained silent.

Alexis cleared her throat. "Lucky I know you’ve had a hard day – that’s probably a gross understatement. But I’m going to need you to explain a few things to me before we can even begin here -

His voice seemed to resonate in the small chamber, even though it was barely a whisper. "I’m not talking about this."

"Of course you’re not," Alexis agreed quietly. Shifting her briefcase to her other hand. "We’re going to get a room where we can speak privately. I’m working on that right now……Honestly," she sighed after a moment. Glancing backwards. "I don’t know how anybody could live in such a backward, country club infested burgh."

His eyes lifted and connected with hers for a long moment. Someone they both knew and loathed had lived here. Up until just a few hours ago that person had loved it here in this backward burgh.

"That’s not what I meant," Lucky began again. "I’m not talking…about any of this. Not here – not in some interrogation room – not anywhere."

Alexis pursed her lips and pretended to mull that over. She then took a deep breath. "Well excuse me Lucky, but unless you want to spend the rest of your natural life in prison for murder you most certainly WILL talk to me."

Murder?

He was the murderer. Alexander Hart. Millionaire, respected businessman and philanthropist…HE was the murderer. He’d murdered scores of people already…including Lucky’s firstborn child.

And now the grand murderer himself was dead – how fitting. It seemed perfectly fair to Lucky.

The bright red of flowing blood seemed to color the floor before his eyes, as if he were standing there once more. But the vibrant hue had the same effect that it had on his stomach the first time…disgust.

The wonderful satisfaction that he’d fantasized about – had expected and longed for when thinking of Alex dead - had failed to make an appearance…Instead it left him trembling.

Alexis cleared her throat and moved closer to the bars. "Lucky are you listening to me? We’re talking about the rest of your life here…I don’t know why you’re sitting here – playing the martyr – but you don’t have to. I can get you off. I don’t mean to sound overconfident…but I’m damn good at what I do………

"Lucky," she began again. Taking a different tactic when he remained silent. Staring at the floor as if he saw something there. As if transfixed by something there. "You and I both know that once this news hits the papers, there aren’t going to be too many people in the world weeping over Alex. All you have to do is let me build a case for you. But in order to do that you have to TALK to me."

His further silence prompted her to wrap her fingers around the bars and lean closer. Speaking through grit teeth now…What the Hell was he trying to prove?

"Lucky look at me – what are you doing?"

He didn’t meet her eyes this time. He simply stared at the wall ahead. "I said I don’t wanna talk."

Alexis, bit her bottom lip and slowly nodded. Searching frantically for a trump card even when her exterior presented nothing but ‘cool.’

"Hmm…Would you like to be there for the birth of your triplets? Or don’t you want to talk about that either?"

~~~~~~~

Luke bowed his head and shut his eyes tightly at the sounds of her retching. He heard the water turn on a few moments later. And then watched her as she walked out of the bathroom, holding tight to her stomach.

"Are you ok Elizabeth? Is there something I can get for you?" He asked softly. "I really wish you’d let me take you back to the clinic and –

"No," she said quickly. Cutting him off before had a chance to finish his sentence. He wondered if she even realized what she was saying ‘no,’ to. Her eyes had been so blank by the time they’d arrived at the apartment.

"Where’s Lucky?…I want Lucky."

Luke closed his eyes from inside the kitchen. Once he opened them she’d already taken a seat on the sofa. He turned from her and opened the refrigerator.

Scanning it for…What the Hell was he looking for anyway?…Liquor. Some kind – any kind…just to settle his nerves…

‘Oh what, you’re gonna tell me there’s NONE in here?!’ He thought madly. His eyes shifting from wrack to wrack, over to the shelves of the door that he held open. ‘Oh…that’s right she’s preg…but were not supposed to know th – not that it matt – matters now…Damnit, doesn’t my kid drink anything? Oh mayb – maybe since he hasn’t been able to stay here...

"Where’s Lucky?"

Her question came again, and Luke looked up into those blank, dark eyes once more. She asked as if she’d never asked before.

He suddenly felt it necessary to pour her a glass of something. If he couldn’t take care of himself with a glass of some hard stuff, he could take care of her…

"He’ll…he’ll be home soon Sweetheart," Luke managed. He made his way over with a glass of milk. "Why don’t you have a drink of this and try and get some –

The glass went flying across the room, before Luke had even fully extended it towards her. His eyes widened in shock, but they were on hers in the next second. Hers just as wide. Just as shaken.

Yet they quickly turned to thin slits of anger just seconds later. "I don’t want any milk……h-hate milk."

Luke nodded. If this situation hadn’t been…THIS situation, he would have laughed. She could have just said she didn’t like it. She didn’t have to throw it all the way across the room.

He continued to nod, and sat down next to her on the couch. "Elizabeth is there anything you want to talk about?" He began hesitantly. He knew he wasn’t supposed to push. He’d been warned not to push…but dear God, if she didn’t remember. If she didn’t remember anything…what then?

She turned to him then. The blank expression returning, and then tears. Huge wells of them filled her eyes. Her lip trembled and Luke inhaled deeply. How was he supposed to deal with this?

"Where’s Lucky?" She asked again. Her voice thick and sad. "Luke…I just…I just want Lucky. Can you find him for me? After the hospital he was supposed to come home. He was supposed to…" her voice caught. There seemed to be something wrong inside her head. Black spots where words should have been. "He was supposed to…to find out…something…"

What? What was it? She couldn’t recall it. Damnit, she couldn’t recall!

Her voice returned sans memory. "But he was supposed to come home…after.

"Is he – is he not coming home anymore?" She continued.

Luke’s heart broke. "No, Sweetheart he’s coming home. I promise you, he’s gonna be home."

"When?" She asked softly. Sucking on her bottom lip so as to stop crying. She didn’t know what was wrong with her. She didn’t know why Luke was there. She didn’t know where Lucky was. She didn’t know anything.

Reaching up to brush tears from under her eyes with his thumbs, Luke gave her a slight smile and simply pulled her into his embrace. He didn’t know when.

But he hoped to God it was soon.

~~~~~~~

Nikolas slowly lowered the receiver towards the cradle. Somewhere, his subconscious mind guided his hand towards it even when he couldn’t seem to look.

Startled by the sudden silencing of his voice, Emily glanced up from her book. Closing it at almost the same moment. The look on her boyfriend’s face caused a chill so frigid to shoot up her spine, that she trembled in its wake.

"Nikolas…" She asked quietly. Not getting up. She was afraid that whatever it was, it would go down better with her sitting in her seat. "Honey what is it?"

He silently shook his head as if what he had to tell her couldn’t be true. Like he couldn’t have actually heard it himself. Like maybe it was some sort of mix-up.

His thoughts circulated immediately to his mother. What would she think? What would she do? She wouldn’t be able to take this…not her baby. She couldn’t losing him again…especially not like this.

"Luck – Lucky…"

Emily’s eyes widened and she shot out of her chair so quickly that the book on her lap fell to the floor. "What is it Nikolas? What’s wrong?…Honey, you’re really scaring me."

"He’s been arrested," Nikolas swallowed. "For the murder of Alexander Hart…my brother – he’s been arrested."

Silence fell between them, but she was shaking her head a moment later. Just as he had. "What? Nikolas, I don’t understand. Alex isn’t dead. I mean he just sent you papers the other day for – suing for -

"It happened this afternoon apparently…"

"H – how?"

He shook his head. "I don’t know. I didn’t get a chance…to ask…I just – Emily…my brother."

She walked to him slowly and wrapped her arms around his waist. Placing her head against his chest. His heart beat like crazy. Breaking all the while.

"I’m sorry," she whispered. Easing a hand up towards his shoulder.

Nikolas pulled back as if he’d been burned. "He DIDN’T do it Emily!"

She flinched a little. Taken aback by the outburst. "Nikolas I know he didn’t," she said softly. "I would never think that he had."

"But you’re thinking he had plenty reason to."

It was true. But she hadn’t been thinking anything of the sort. "Nikolas we ALL had reason to…but I don’t – I don’t think that Lucky would do that. Not now, especially."

"What do you mean not now especially?" Nikolas asked. Not following the turn the conversation had taken.

She pushed her long hair away from her shoulders and folded her arms. "I just – I don’t think anybody’s supposed to know, but it was pretty easy to figure out that…well that Elizabeth is expecting a child."

If he was pale before, Nikolas seemed to grow even whiter before her very eyes. He had to sit down. Emily licked her lips and followed him back around the couch. Sitting down next to him.

"Did she tell you that?" He asked. Turning towards her.

Emily shook her head. "Sometimes a woman just knows these things……Nikolas," she added after a moment. "He’s going to be alright. Your Aunt Alexis is already on the case…that’s a good sign."

He nodded absently.

"Did she say who called her? Did Lucky or Elizabeth…or his parents?" Just thinking about what they all must be going through cut a sliver right down the center of her heart.

"I think – I think she said Luke called her," Nikolas mumbled. Unable to get a firm grasp on things. "I don’t know if that means my mother knows…I don’t know if Elizabeth…"

His voice trailed away as he thought about the fact that they were having a baby. After all that they’d been through. Such a blessing falling right in sync with such a…what could it be called? Surely not a tragedy. But his brother – in jail for it…

And they hadn’t even gotten a chance to talk about the baby. He hadn’t even gotten a chance to tell him…

He rubbed his hands over his face and cradled it there for a moment as Emily smoothed her hand along his back.

"I feel like I need to do something," he mumbled.

Emily licked her lips and removed his hands from his face. Holding them in hers. "How about this…how about you go over to your mom’s house – see what you can do there…and I’ll go and see Elizabeth. They may not even be home if they’re at the police station or…let’s just see what we can do."

Nikolas nodded once more. "Ok…it’s the least – it’s the least I can do."

~~~~~~~

Stephan eased the phone back into its cradle very slowly.

It was done.

Alexander Hart was finally dead.

He smiled to himself. Perhaps it was in poor taste, but who could resist the temptation. Murder could not have happened to a more deserving individual, and it couldn’t have happened soon enough.

Ah, yes it already felt good to be rid of Alexander Hart. The wannabe Cassidine, the self-proclaimed heir to the royal legacy…Yes, it felt very, very good. Most excellent really.

No longer would he be forced to deal with idle threats on his very existence. On the existence of his nephew, or the position that he could now rightfully assume as head of the Cassidine fortune.

Gone were the days of waiting for the next shoe would drop. And gone were the days of having to pretend to want to work and cooperate with Luke Spencer. Fixing a Spencer’s problems had never sat well with him.

‘Spencer,’ Stephan thought to himself.

No doubt Luke wouldn’t appreciate his son being in prison tonight. No doubt he’d come up with various scams and cockamamie schemes like breaking his son out of imprisonment. No doubt…

Stephan leaned back in his chair wondering if he’d given any thought to legal methods. Wondering if Luke had already thrown his son’s problem in Natasha’s direction.

~~~~~~~

***

He would go home first.

‘Home,’ he thought. Where Elizabeth would be…beautiful and tender and preg…

‘No…no, don’t think – don’t. Don’t think another thought – just…drive…’

His mind reeled on and on continuously. Angrily. Words and thoughts jumbling together in series after series of unintelligible gibberish.

Luna was dead. Luna was dead and Alex – Alexander Hart had killed her. Put an end to her little life before it had even truly begun. And he deserved to die. He deserved to die in a horrible, painful, excruciating manner.

The paper that lay on his dashboard served as a reminder of this. The pounding of his own heart served as a constant that his child’s failed to beat.

Alexander Hart – yes - he deserved to die in a slow kind of way that made you wish the process would just hurry up. That your life would simply slip from your lungs, so that you wouldn’t have to experience such terrible, atrocious pain anymore.

He would die that way. There was no longer any question. He would die that way today.

Lucky’s blinked harshly, and pressed with more fervor against the gas. He remembered buying that he drove now. He remembered wishing Elizabeth had been there to see it. To ride it. To drive it.

She’d driven it now. They’d made love in it now. Things were almost back to norm –

No, no. Things would never be normal again. Things would never be alright again. Not until the asshole ceased to draw breath. It wouldn’t happen a moment before.

Lucky didn’t feel the skin over his knuckles tighten as he pressed against the steering wheel. He didn’t feel the leather bite into his skin. He didn’t feel the roar of the engine as he gunned it down Main Street and towards his apartment.

All he could feel was the blood in his own body boiling over. All he could hear was the rushing of it past his ears. It had to stop. The noise, the burning. It had to all come to an end, and there was only one way to do that.

Dear God there was only one way to put a stop to –

No. He wasn’t going to think about God now. Not now. Where had God been on the day Alex had decided to end his daughter’s life? He hadn’t been there. And he wasn’t here now. Whatever he did now was up to him…and he knew exactly what he was going to do.

The steps he would take ran through his mind, just as he ran another red light. He’d screech to a halt in front of the apartment. Bolt up the stairs and wrap his fingers around the cold butt of his pistol. She wouldn’t stop him. She wouldn’t be able to. This was the one thing Elizabeth would not be able to talk him out of.

What he did after that…what he did after that he wasn’t sure of yet. He wasn’t quite sure how he’d handle it. He’d make him beg – that much he knew for sure.

He’d make him get down on his hands and fucking knees and beg for his miserable excuse for a life. Maybe he’d smack him around with the pistol first. Watch with a smile as the beginnings of a sinful kind of pain seared his bones and skin. Yes, if he was lucky he’d be able to inflict just a fraction of the pain Elizabeth had been in – maybe just a fraction of what Luna…

Unbeknownst to him, tears had already begun streaming down his face. But he felt their heat now as he choked on the lump in his throat. He wiped roughly at the damn tears and kept driving.

There was no room for tears. Only vengeance now. For Luna, for Elizabeth, for HIMSELF damn it.

Alexander Hart would take his final breath today and it would be because he put a bullet through his heart. Or the space where a heart should have resided. It would be because after he was done inflicting the most pain he could possibly think of – after Alex had screamed as loudly as he possibly could – it would be because Lucky couldn’t take the sound of that torture anymore and had to end it for his own benefit.

He would beg, he would plead, and then he would beg some more…

Then he would die.

***

Lucky stared up at the dingy gray ceiling. Paying no mind to the stench coming from his pillow. Lost in only his memories from hours ago.

He could still feel the rising of bile. The one that burned his throat even now, as it first had when he’d read the words. A journal entry that had confirmed his suspicions. Confirmed everything a young lab tech had eagerly told him.

Had all that happened today? It seemed…it seemed years ago now.

Lucky swallowed hard and turned towards the cold cement wall. That piece of paper had scorched his hands as well. Had shook in his stupid, trembling fingers. He remembered placing it on the dashboard in front of him. Glancing at it over and over as he’d driven. Wanting to remind himself the entire time…as if somehow he could forget.

He’d kept repeating the words. ‘In case you lose your nerve Spencer…in case you lose your nerve…just read that…Just read those words. The ones that say Alex killed your daughter.’

Well he hadn’t lost his nerve. It hadn’t presented a problem at all.

No annoying attacks of conscience or morality. No second thoughts. Just pure rage fueled by sadness and disgust.

Sadness for Elizabeth and his daughter. Disgust for himself.

How could he have let such a thing happen? How could he have not been there? How could he not have known that Helena was using Alex to come between them just as she was? How could he not know that Elizabeth was working for a murderer all that time? That she would later marry one.

Married…

The fact that Alex had touched her alone made murdering him desirable. It always had. But the fact that he’d killed his child…well that had made it a necessity.

Something unavoidable.

He thought once more of that piece of paper that had lay so delicately on his dashboard. Spurning him forward. Had he left on his dashboard? He didn’t know…but if he had, that was all the better.

Some parts of the last few hours were a blur. Some parts had gone by so fast and so furiously that he couldn’t recall if he’d even walked into the mansion – even breathed while he was there.

But only some parts were blurry. Other parts…other parts were deadly clear.

~~~~~~~

Luke searched the refrigerator once more and shockingly there was still no beer. No liquor of any kind had miraculously appeared in the last few minutes.

He slowly came around the bar and pulled out a stool from underneath. Easing down on top of one with so much fatigue that it forced a sigh out of him. He turned towards the phone. He would have to call Laura soon. If she found out from anyone else…

God, Lu had probably already gone over the whole thing blow by blow. Telling her mother how her brother had come over half crazed out of his mind, and ranting about the chest. She’d probably heard the screeching of his tires as he’d pulled out of the driveway. She’d probably been scared out of her mind when her father burned rubber just a few seconds later.

Luke hung his head and laced his fingers together. Catching the way Elizabeth sat with her hands wrapped around the small mug of hot chocolate he’d made for her. What was he supposed to do for her now?

Her hands still shook, and he wished she would let him bring her over to the table. But she seemed transfixed. Transfixed by a damn spot on the rug that looked like it’d only been there for a couple of hours.

He’d offered to clean it for her…along with the stain from the glass of milk she’d thrown from his hand. They had some carpet cleaner just under the sink. It wouldn’t have been a problem. But she’d immediately said no. Actually it’d been more like a screaming of the word, ‘no.’

Once more his eyes were riveted to the phone and he instantly shut them tight. Recalling the first fast seconds. When he’d gone after Lucky in his own car. The new sedan that Laura had forced him to buy a few years back hadn’t had the horsepower to keep up with Lucky’s Mercury. If he had only had enough presence of mind to pull the Caddy out of the garage…he might have been able to catch him in time.

He might not have gotten stuck behind that huge semi, and lost sight of his son.

Silently he cursed himself. He should have known Lucky had to come here first. Had to pick up his weapon from the apartment if what he was about to do was what Luke thought he was about to do.

And truly there had been no question about that. When he’d left the house he’d had nothing but pure venom in his eyes. Luke had seen the look in his own eyes a time or two before. He didn’t need to know what the document had said in order to know that his son was out for blood.

Tiredly, he ran both hands down his face and leaned forward. Taking a moment before lifting himself from the stool. He walked over to Elizabeth in what he thought was a slow, careful pace but obviously she hadn’t seen him coming. For she nearly jumped right out of her skin. Spilling the now lukewarm chocolate on the new sweat suit that she’d dawned after her shower.

Luke cursed under his breath and quickly held out a hand for her mug. Once again thinking of how funny it would be that she spilled everything, if it weren’t for the fact that it…that it wasn’t funny. "I’m sorry. I didn’t mean to frighten you," he explained quickly.

She shook her head and bit down on her bottom lip. Trying to keep it from trembling. But he could hear the tremor in her voice. "No…I’m – I’m sorry. I didn’t mean to…" Once again she became transfixed by the stain on the floor and just allowed her voice to trail away.

He swallowed hard and sat the mug down on the end table near the sofa. "Elizabeth, won’t you please try and take a little nap? I can go and get you a change of clothes if you tell me where to look and then you can just curl up nice and warm –

"No," she said shaking her head once more. "I don’t wanna sleep…Is Lucky coming home yet?"

Luke glanced towards the phone. "How about we do this - you agree to lie down on this couch for a little bit, and I’ll try and call Lucky and get him to come home as soon as possible. How’s that?"

She looked at him skeptically, but nodded slowly after a moment. He was Lucky’s father. He wouldn’t lie to her. He was nice.

"Ok," she whispered tiredly. Before lying down. Paying no attention to the wet stain on her shirt. It must have seemed like nothing anyway.

He lifted the mug from the table and brought it into the kitchen. Placing it inside the sink, before turning for the phone. He braced his hands against the countertop. What exactly was he going to say…

Lucky had already made up his mind. He knew that. What he hoped for now was Alexis’ common sense to override his son’s stubbornness. If that didn’t work…well if that didn’t work he’d have to resort to his own measures.

His son wouldn’t like those either…but he’d have to deal with it. Luke wasn’t about to stand idly by while he rotted in jail.

~~~~~~~

Alexis walked past the annoying officer once more and removed her cell phone from her purse. Dialing the numbers quickly. If the prospect of not seeing his children hadn’t moved him to action, she didn’t know what would. She didn’t know any better methods of pushing him to act…except for one.

If anyone could get through to him, it was Elizabeth. She’d seen the way they were together in her office just the other day, and if anyone could make his children a reality for him, it was certain she.

Impatiently, she tapped her foot on the floor as the phone rang a third time and then a fourth. She didn’t want to speak to a damn answering machine. She didn’t want to leave a mess –

"Hello."

Slightly taken aback, Alexis cleared her throat. "Luke? Luke is that you?"

His long, weary sigh told her unquestionably that it was. "Natasha…what I can do for you? Please tell me nothing. Please tell me everything is going…is going just fine," he finished. Quieting his voice towards the end.

Alexis’ brow furrowed. "Is Elizabeth there Luke? May I speak with her?"

There was a pause, and Alexis could tell that the phone was being moved to a new location. What the Hell was going on?

"She’s sleeping. How’s my son? What’s going on Natasha?"

"I was about to ask you the same thing," Alexis countered. Easing her self into a quiet corner of the police station. She couldn’t wait to get back to familiar territory. Her own police station in Port Charles.

Sure the cops were even bigger morons at home, but at least she knew those morons. At least those morons she could reason with. Not that she could even reason with her client at the present moment.

"Listen Luke," she began again. "It’s imperative that I speak with Elizabeth right away. There’s something that I need her to do."

Luke sighed. "Is my son asking to speak with her?" Luke interrupted her before she even got a chance to answer. Knowing that it was impossible. "She’s not going to bring him any underwear Natasha because he’s not staying there overnight." He said the words adamantly.

Alexis shook her head. "Well I think you need to tell Lucky that, because he doesn’t seem to want to leave here Luke…in fact I think he kind of likes it."

Inhaling deeply through his nose, Luke let the phone slide away from his ear for a moment. Cursing inwardly. He wasn’t surprised of course, but…

"Did you hear me Luke? I said your son is refusing representation."

Slowly he opened his eyes and glanced to where Elizabeth lay on the couch. Her eyes wide and dulled by something far more profound than fear. He’d tried to get her to go to sleep…he had. But she’d said something about being afraid.

"Luke," Alexis repeated suddenly. Breaking through his thoughts. "I don’t know what’s going on, but I think if Elizabeth talked with him, he’d see things differently and stop behaving like a lunatic."

He wasn’t behaving like a lunatic, Luke thought. That was exactly the problem. He’d thought out every damn move.

"I heard what you said," he sighed.

"Well can you put her on the line? Or better yet just drive her down here? Maybe seeing her in person would -

"I can’t do that."

"Because she’s sleeping?" Alexis asked sarcastically. "Luke I don’t know if you’re understanding what I’m saying here –

"I’ll come down," he responded then. He’d get Lucky to see reason. He had to. "She’s not feeling well, and I don’t want to wake her."

Because his whispering became even more prominent, Alexis cocked her head to the side in suspicion. "Luke what the Hell is going on over there? Does Elizabeth know that Lucky has been arrested? Does she even know that her x-husband just bled to death on her old kitchen floor?"

Luke cleared his throat. "Listen to me. I’ll come down there right now, and talk to him. Talk some sense into him."

She suddenly didn’t care who knew what or how much. It didn’t matter anymore anyway. Especially when Lucky’s life hung in the balance. She was blunt and to the point. "Luke I don’t know how much you’re aware of. But your son is expecting a child with the woman that’s so busy…sleeping?"

"Why Natasha…I’m shocked that you’re in the loop," he sighed. His voice tinged with both anger and humor. "YES," he continued hissing now as he moved farther into the kitchen.

"Yes Natasha I’m aware of that. Which is exactly why I’m allowing her to sleep. She already lost one child Natasha I don’t want to do anything that’s going to jeopardize this one!"

Alexis’ breath caught in her throat and she swallowed hard after a moment. "I didn’t – I wasn’t aware that – that happened. I’m sorry. When did that…" Her voice trailed off. It really wasn’t any of her business.

"Years ago," Luke allowed. "When Lucky was being held captive by your lovely dead relative Frau Cassidine."

His odd sense of humor didn’t hide the hate in his voice. "I’m sorry. I didn’t know that."

She sighed once more. It didn’t change the fact that she needed Elizabeth now. That Lucky needed her now.

"Does Elizabeth know that Lucky’s here Luke? I’m not asking that she come down, but if I could maybe find a way for them to speak to one another on the phone –

Luke licked his lips and glanced at the couch once more. Her eyelids fluttered as if they were exhausted from the job of being held open.

"I haven’t told her yet…but I will…as soon as she wakes up. In the mean time…" he sighed. Searching for the right thing to say. "In the mean time tell my son we need him home."

"Hell," He sighed glancing at Elizabeth once more, and the way she brought her legs up even tighter against her chest. "I’ll tell him myself."

~~~~~~~

It took less than a second for Laura to step aside and allow her son to cross the threshold. He hadn’t even said hello before her stomach was hitching upwards into her throat.

"What is it? Nikolas what’s wrong?" She asked quickly. Though the world seemed to slow its pace considerably. "Has Luke contacted you?"

Laura’s eyes widened and she fumbled for the door as he moved into the living room. Her hand missing the knob twice before she was able to fully grasp it and pull the door closed behind him.

Something was wrong. Something was very wrong. She’d been feeling it all day.

Nervously she followed him off the small step and into the room. "Nikolas what’s wrong. I got home from the market and Lulu was so upset. Rambling on and on about how upset Lucky had been when he’d stopped by earlier…and even more upset that Luke went after him…

"I’ve been trying to reach him on his cell phone but he has it turned off…Nikolas," she said again when he turned from her. "Nikolas what is it – tell me. You know something don’t you?"

He turned to her slowly. Trying to gather him self. He had to stay calm. Had to stay rational for her. Damn it, he’d practiced it all the way over here.

"You may – Mom you may want to sit down for this –

"No!" She nearly screamed. Reigning her self in a moment later. Whatever had happened it wasn’t Nikolas’ fault. He didn’t deserve to be yelled at. And poor Lulu was upstairs trying to do her homework. She was a little girl who’d had enough of yelling today.

"I’m sorry Nikolas…I just…I don’t want to sit down," she explained quickly and quietly. "I just want you to tell me what’s going on. There’s something wrong with Lucky isn’t there?"

Nikolas licked his lips. "I can’t believe Luke hasn’t called you - "

"Nikolas – please."

Regrouping, Nikolas sat down. Just because she didn’t need to – it didn’t mean he didn’t. He felt as if there were no ground beneath him anymore anyway.

"Lucky’s been arrested."

Laura’s eyebrows shot upwards on her face, creating huge arches. "What?! What for?! Where?! He was just here a few hours ago…"

Nikolas closed his eyes and inhaled through his nose. "Alex…Alexander Hart was murdered Mom…today…"

Her breath halted in her lungs. And now she did indeed need to sit down. She sank down next to her eldest son on the couch.

"And they think…they think Lucky did it?" She asked. The words emerging like a question even when she already knew the answer. "Wh – why do they think that he did it? How can they be certain –

She broke off. She knew they were stupid questions.

He hated Alexander Hart. He could have very well killed him. But no – not unless he’d done something even more horrible than the things he’d already been accused of. No, she refused to believe that her child, her baby would kill anyone in cold blood – not even Alex…unless provoked into the breaking point.

"My Aunt Alexis…called me," Nikolas informed. Stumbling over the words as he swallowed against his dry throat. "I didn’t have a chance to get all the details but she says that he was found at the scene of the crime –

"Where, Where?" Laura asked quickly. "Where did this murder happen?"

"His mansion – the Hart mansion."

Laura rose from the couch once more. Wringing her hands together as she moved slowly behind the sofa. Staring off outside as she moved. She remembered Lucky staring out of the same window when he’d come to see them again for the first time. When her child had come back…and now…

"But – but Alexis – Alexis is on the case," she said suddenly. As if just realizing what he’d said as she glanced back at him. Desperate for even the smallest morsel of hope. "That’s – that’s good. That’s a good thing."

Nikolas licked his lips and nodded vigorously. "It is…She didn’t have time to tell me a lot, but my Aunt Alexis…she’s the best. If anyone can help Lucky right now – it’s her."

Laura closed her eyes. "That’s where Luke must be with Lucky…but why hasn’t he called? Why would he…" her voice trailed off. Any number of reasons could have kept him from calling.

There were things that could hold you up at a police station. Red tape to cut through. And maybe, just maybe he was being the thick-sculled man she’d always known him to be. The man who wanted to protect her at all costs, even if it meant holding off until he could arrange bail or –

"Is there any talk of a hearing or bail being set or –

"Mom I don’t know," Nikolas broke in. Unable to take the questions just now. He let his head fall into his hands. A moment later he was looking up into his mother’s soft eyes. Her hand on his shoulder having caught his attention.

"I’m sorry to badger you," she whispered. Shaking her head as she sat down next to him once more. She wrapped her arms around him. "It’s going to be ok. Your brother’s going to be fine…You think now that we have him back in our lives, we’re going to let him go?…Think again…

"And he knows we aren’t going to give up on him."

He only nodded against her shoulder, as she smoothed a hand over his back. "I have to call Elizabeth," she said softly. "If she hasn’t been told yet –

"Emily went over there…she should be there by now," Nikolas said softly. "If she doesn’t already know...she’s about to find out."

~~~~~~~

Luke hurried towards the door, flinging it open before the visitor could get a chance to knock again. He was catching his breath when he came face to face with who was behind it.

"Hello Emily," Luke sighed. Giving her a polite smile. The smile faded almost instantly at her grave expression.

She knew.

"I just heard," she whispered sullenly. Glancing around Luke at Elizabeth’s sleeping form on the couch. "I’m sorry…this is probably a horrible time. But I just – I took a chance and thought maybe I’d see how Elizabeth was doing if she was here…can I – can I come in?"

Luke licked roughly at his lips, glanced backward at an Elizabeth who’d finally fallen asleep, and then smiled warmly at Emily.

"You know, I’d say yes in an instant Darlin’ but she’s sleeping right now. It took her forever to get that way…"

Emily nodded in understanding. "Ok. I just…God, Luke I’m so sorry…is there anything at all I can do? Do you need me to stay here while you take care of things for Lucky, or –

He folded his arms across his chest and looked down for a moment. It was getting closer and closer. Laura had to know by now. Whether Lucky liked it or not he was going to have to start talking soon.

"Did you hear about it from Nikolas?" Luke asked, changing the subject ever so slightly. He needed to know the scope. Exactly who knew now.

She nodded quickly. "Yes, his aunt called him. I’m so glad she’s on the case Luke. If anything – there’s that. I mean she’s the best right?"

"Right," he said quietly. Trying to send her a reassuring smile.

Alexis would indeed be the best if Lucky would simply allow her to be. Would simply get out of his own way. But Luke knew better. Oh no, his stubborn son would stick to this ‘non-story’ as long as he felt it was necessary.

Luke pursed his lips together and stepped aside. "Actually Emily, you can do something for me."

"Name it – anything."

He ushered her inside quietly and gently closed the door behind her. "Could you just watch her for a moment while I go in the bedroom and make a phone call. I just need to call Laura…and I don’t want to leave her here alone –

"Sure thing," Emily said. Taking off her jacket. "Say no more."

"Just one more thing," Luke said before walking away. "If she wakes up, don’t…don’t mention anything about what happened, ok?"

The creases in Emily’s brow had him explaining further. "It’s just that she’s been through so much today and she really doesn’t need anymore stress today –

Emily held up a hand. She could see in his eyes that he knew the woman on the couch was carrying his grandchild. They didn’t have to actually speak the words to each other. "Ok…will do. Go make your phone call…and if there’s anything else you need, please don’t hesitate to ask."

He’d need to go see his son in a little while…but he needed Laura here first.

He nodded softly, before leaning in and giving her a hug. "Thank you Emily."

~~~~~~~

Jimmy was fairly new on the job. The other guys called him ‘green,’ and he knew that he’d never live this one down. Tossing his cookies when he’d first seen all that blood.

The other guys on the coroner’s team had told him what to expect and ribbed him about being too young to handle the horrors of life. But he’d simply retorted by saying he’d seen more growing up in Jersey than any of those jerks had.

And he had. He’d seen a lot.

But nothing could compare to bagging your first body riddled with bullet holes. So many bullet holes you didn’t know exactly where the blood came from anymore. And this guy bled…a lot.

He’d seen a guy shot before. That was no biggee. When you worked for the coroner you learned not to be squeamish about things. But this guy…this filthy, stinkin’ rich guy had kicked the can this way? Damn…if it could happen to him, with all the security gates around his mansion, Jimmy would bet it could happen to just about anybody. And he wondered what he’d done to deserve such a death.

Then again, maybe he’d done nothing. People were just crazy these days.

He sat back on his haunches and blanched when Paul slapped him on the back. "You got that kid, or you need a hand?"

"No, no" he said quickly. Quietly. Bracing against the sudden lurch of his stomach. "I’m good…I just…damn, Paulie who do you think coulda done this? They arrested a guy right? You think a guy done this?"

Paul shrugged. Pulling on his latex gloves. He didn’t much care who’d done it. He only wanted to get home to his wife’s pot roast. So, a rich cat had bit the dust…who cared?

"Probably somebody he owed money to," Paul shrugged once more. Hunching down next to young Jimmy. If he didn’t help the kid put the guy in the bag, they’d never get out of here.

Jimmy shook his head. It didn’t seem like that to him. "It doesn’t look like that though Paul…doesn’t it seem like more a crime of passion or –

"His lover maybe," Paul kidded. Socking the younger guy on the shoulder. "Jimmy come on Man, I don’t got all day here. What’re you tryin’ to change careers on me? Wantin’ to be Jimmy Detective now?

"This is Evergreen, pal…not Manhattan," Paul continued. "You want crimes of passion you better move to a bigger city …this guy coulda ticked somebody off on the golf course for all we know."

As Paul slid – Mr. Hart, Jimmy noted checking his clipboard - into the bag, he simply shook his head. He didn’t care what Paulie said. He could make all the jokes he wanted. Even if the guy had been off’d by his lover, it hadn’t been one of the male variety. No sir, that much Jimmy was certain of.

Only females left scratches on a man’s face like that.