"No!!!" Elizabeth shouted. Throwing herself at the door with as much force as she could muster. As if somehow, some way she'd be able to get it open. She struggled in Lucky's arms, when she felt him wrap himself around her from behind.

"Ssh, ssh...Elizabeth, it's ok," he whispered. Holding her tightly, as she continued to wriggle around in his arms. Her breathing harsh. Her voice hoarse and ragged as harsh reality unraveled before her very eyes once again.

She turned in his arms, her eyes wild and glassy with fear. "Lucky...we have to get out of here!"

His hand moved gently to the back of her head, and she lay it willingly against his strong shoulder as he whispered in her ear. The sweetness of his voice, soothing in even the most horrible of situations.

Always had been. Always would be.

"We'll get out of here. I promise you..."

Elizabeth hiccuped against his shoulder, as his hand smoothed continuous circles on her back. She sniffed back her tears, and glanced up into his eyes. So sincere. Suddenly so sure of everything. They had the ability to instill the very same sense of confidence in her.

"And you've never broken a promise to me."

Lucky managed a smile, and brushed his thumb under her left eye. Wiping away the remnants of her fear. "Well, see...There ya go."

Elizabeth returned his smile, and pulled away a bit - looking behind her, towards the door once again. A tug on her hand, brought her back to his eyes immediately. The door was a lost cause at this point.

"Listen to me," Lucky whispered, bending his knees to meet her gaze. "There's gotta be another way out of here. Helena planned on leaving with YOU...So one of two things was going to happen: She was either going to come back through that door and get you," he said gesturing towards it. "Or, there's another exit...in this room somewhere."

Elizabeth nodded silently, letting her eyes sweep over the walls and ceiling. They were in the high-tech room that surrounded the cell they'd both spent too much time in. She'd never actually seen it illuminated . It'd been completely dark in here, since she'd been imprisoned. Air escaped her lungs in a gasp as she took a long look around for the first time.

"I know," Lucky said, reading her thoughts. "I've never seen it with the lights on either...should make things easier though, right?" He added, still trying his best to get her to smile.

He sent a silent prayer up to the higher being that he hoped he hadn't been foolish for believing in all these years. 'Please, don't make me go back on a promise to her...I have to get her out of here. Even if I'm not with her.'

"Lucky?"

His own name brought him out of the haze he'd fallen into. She must've seen it for a brief moment - the momentary lapse in confidence and faith. The doubt.

The concern lacing her features was unmistakable.

"Ok!" He said, clapping his hands together and shaking it off. "Let's search this place..." ~~~~~~~ "Nikolas!" Helena gasped, covering her mouth with her gem laden hand. "What are you doing here!?"

For the first time in Nikolas' life, Helena actually looked shocked. Horrified actually. 'Wow...Who would have thunk it?' He mused silently. The next voice in his head was a little less entertained. A lot more commanding. 'Think of something to say, idiot. Your brother's life depends on it.'

He rose from the bed silently, beginning to pull up the covers. Nikolas glanced at his grandmother - who still stood in complete shock.

"I'm waiting Nikolas..." she muttered finally. "What in the world are you doing here!?...You came with Luke Spencer didn't you?! You came to save your precious -

"I came to save Elizabeth," he interrupted. His voice calm. Serene.

"What?" Helena asked, raising one finely manicured eyebrow in suspicion.

"You heard me Helena."

She shook her head in disbelief. "You came with Luke Spencer. There's no other way you could have gotten in," she said, gritting her teeth in anger.

"Should I be insulted?" He asked, a slight smile playing on his lips. "You're right. I did come with him. But I didn't come for Lucky. I couldn't possibly care any less about Lucky."

"Oh come now Nikolas," Helena said, clucking her tongue. "You expect me to believe such nonsense? I may be getting 'up there,' but I'm not senile yet my darling."

"I would never presume as much. I'd also never presume to pull the wool over your eyes Grandmother - I know you're much better at it than I'll ever be.

"But I also know that my brother hasn't ever given a damn about me. All he's ever cared about is Elizabeth - and she's mine now. I love her."

Helena's head tilted to the side automatically. Something in his voice was sincere. Resentment. Desire. Both of the emotions present and accounted for. Could he possibly be telling the truth?

She narrowed her eyes a bit, as if sizing him up. Trying to read his mind. Her own method of the polygraph test in full effect. "You risked your life Nikolas."

"I'd do anything for Elizabeth."

"I wanted to give her to you," Helena asserted, tapping her fingers together lightly. "But in order to do that, I MUST get rid of Spencer. Can you handle that Nikolas."

He licked at his dry lips, and nodded. "I can handle anything that keeps Elizabeth in my life. I won't lose her. I'm not going to be added to the list of Cassidine men, beaten by Spencers."

Helena smiled and moved forward, embracing her grandson as if he were a priceless jewel. She pulled away after a long moment. Not noticing how he tensed in her arms. Or how he nearly gagged on his own words.

"Aaah, Nikolas. You've made me so happy...We'll be a real family now, you know? I'm not particularly fond of that Webber girl, but I know you are...and she's got good birthing hips. I can see it now - a long line of little Cassidines running through the gardens at Wyndemere."

Nikolas smirked and nodded. "But first things first right? We have to get to her?"

She tapped her fingertips together once more, thinking. "Exactly...but Lucky..."

"He went after her, " Nikolas offered quickly. "I figured it was best to let him assume that I was on his side. Was that the wrong thing to do?" He asked, his eyebrows furrowing. Playing the role of the 'Non Disappointing Grandson' to a T.

"No-no," Helena said, holding up her hand. She nodded in approval. "You did the right thing. It was definitely for the best. Lucky's bound to have gone towards the cell. But even if he has gotten to her, by now the doors have all been reactivated and he won't be able to get out. It's perfect. He'll already be in the cell."

"The ventilation in there is horrible," she cackled ominously. Seemingly very proud of whatever she was inferring.

"What does that mean?" Nikolas asked with a smile.

"The gas, Nikolas....Aaah, Faison whipped up a lovely little toxin before his untimely demise. It's really quite elegant...no coughing, or convulsing...just...sleep," she finished smiling gleefully.

He tried not to show fear or the utter disgust he felt at the knowledge he'd just ascertained. 'Dear God....' He swallowed hard against the sudden dryness in his throat. His palms instantly sweaty.

"But...but isn't Elizabeth in there too?" He asked, turning around. Closing his eyes at the morbid images that played before his eyes. He wouldn't let them die in there. Not a chance.

Helena placed a hand on his shoulder. "Don't worry darling. We'll get her out before anything happens. Trust me," she added with a smile.

"I do," he gulped.

"Good," she answered. "Now," she stated suddenly as if remembering some minor detail. "We must hurry...the gas is to be released any time now."

"Excuse me!" Nikolas said, his eyes widening in complete amazement. How the Hell could she be so blaze? Was she planning on committing suicide in here? Had she gone completely mad?! She acted as if poison gas was of no consequence to her!

'Hell, maybe it isn't,' Nikolas thought bitterly. 'Maybe she's immune.'

Helena's raised voice brought him out of his thoughts. "Don't worry Nikolas. I took the liberty of installing a brand new exit in the very room that Elizabeth and Lucky are now in. We'll be fine."

~~~~~~~

"It's about time!" Luke whispered loudly as Helena and Nikolas exited the room. Everything looked fine. Nikolas looked calm, collected.........cool?

'Spencer, these close quarters are starting to fry your brain.'

Jason, clicked the safety on his gun out of the way and followed behind Luke as he stalked quickly after the Cassidine duo in front of them. "What do you think he said to her?"

Luke shook his head as he continued down the hall at a quick pace. Careful not to be heard. "Don't know...but whatever it was, it seems to have worked. She's on her way down to the cell right now.

He threw a quick glance behind him. The worried look in Jason's face, contagious. "How much time left man?"

"10 minutes and counting."

"Fabulous," Luke groaned sarcastically, continuing along the path.

 ~~~~~~~

"Laura what the Hell are you doing here!?" Sonny yelled, as she ran wildly down the field towards him.

She shoved a piece of paper into the hands of the an official looking figure that stood next to Sonny. It was the closest she'd ever seen Sonny stand to a man in uniform. She supposed that he didn't hold that much animosity towards "official" types from other countries.

"I have a map!" She breathed, the words riding thready on her short gasps for air. "It's a drawing of the compound...Every room, entrances - exits. Everything."

The man nodded solemnly and turned towards his superior. Muttering something in a language she didn't understand. Laura whirled around towards Sonny. "What's going on?! What's happening in there?!"

"Laura," Sonny said calmly, placing a hand on her shoulder. "You gotta calm down a minute and - "

"No! No! I don't have to calm down! Both of my sons and...Luke," she breathed softly. "Are in there. With that....that Bitch! God only knows what she's going to do! Stephan wasn't even able to tell me that!

"I'm going in there! I have to - "

"Hey! Hey! Laura!" Sonny shouted, grasping her arm as she began to sprint towards the compound. "Listen to me! There is nothing you can do right now. You brought the map. That's bound to help the authorities here. Believe me...You go in there right now - all you'll do is complicate things. Chances are, Helena WANTED you in there in the first place."

"She did," Laura breathed, shaking her head. She wiped at the large tears that rolled down her cheeks rapidly. "The one thing Stephan did know...She was after all of us...but instead she got my...my family," she added. The last two words nearly unintelligible among the sobs that overtook her a second later.

Sonny wrapped his arms around her, and soothed a hand through her golden locks. "It's gonna be ok Laura. Like you said, she's got your family...but your family always has known how to handle itself in a crisis, right?" He added pulling away slightly.

She closed her eyes tightly and nodded through the silent tears. "Yes..."

~~~~~~~

"Bingo!" Lucky shouted suddenly, causing Elizabeth to look up from her frantic task of searching every nook and cranny from across the room.

"What?!" She asked, blowing a fallen strand out of her face. It fell back across her lips as she made her way over towards him. "What's bingo?! What'd you find?!"

Lucky pressed his thumb against the gold button on the wall, and looked up. She followed his gaze, gasping immediately at what she saw. The ceiling was separating. The two sides sliding away and into their own separate corners.

"What the..."

"It's a false ceiling," Lucky muttered almost in awe. Faison and Helena had made quite the demented team, but brilliant nonetheless.

"How did you - "

"I don't know...something just told me to press it," he mumbled, looking up towards the now open space. He closed eyes and sighed at the dark oblivion above.

Not air. Not the outdoors. Just another ceiling.

"Oh my God, what's that!?" Elizabeth shouted, pointing towards the back wall and slightly upwards. The outline of a small square was visible in the otherwise spotless black ceiling.

"Lucky is that -

Her words were stifled in the back of her throat as he crossed the room in two long strides, planting a firm kiss on her lips. She moaned into his mouth as he cupped the sides of her face with an intensity that nearly caused her knees to buckle.

When he pulled away a second later, she was breathless and he...He had a look in his eye that she hadn't seen in months.

It was if someone had just turned on the eletricity within him as well. His eyes were alive and he was beautiful. She was speechless.

"That, my love, is our way out! Have I told you lately that I love you?!"

She smiled widely and shook her head. "Yes, yes about 20 times in the last 5 minutes, but Lucky...that - there's no way we can get out of here using that tiny little door in the ceiling! How the Hell are we supposed to get up there."

A smile spread evenly across his glowing face and he took her hand, leading her over to the wall, that the square lie nearest. "If Helena put it there...there's a way to get to it. Believe me.......Start banging on the wall."

"Excuse me?"

"Just do it!" He said, a weird sense of freedom in his voice. If she didn't know any better, Elizabeth would have thought he was actually getting a kick out of this. Like it was some sort of bizarre adrenaline rush.

Suddenly a loud clanging sound shook them both from their respective thoughts. Lucky's voice emerged from the ruckus, only a split-second later. "Move!"

He grabbed her around the waist and pushed her aside instantly as a huge ladder came barreling down the side of the wall. Released from yet another secret compartment. The compound had most definitely been the design of a madman.

Lucky watched as the metal set of railings came to a screeching halt just inches from them. "Pay dirt," he breathed.

The moment of astonishment that they both felt took over for a second, producing a profound silence. A happy silence. A silence filled with dreams yet to be realized. Dreams just waiting for the taking. Dreams just around the corner.

Elizabeth grinned and threw her arms around Lucky's shoulders. Squeezing him tightly. "Oh My God!! YES!!! YES!!!"

Lucky grabbed her hand and pulled her towards the ladder without a moments hesitation, suddenly feeling a stronger need than ever to get out. To be free of this place. Something told him it was now or never.

"You first Sweetie," he commanded gently as he stepped behind her. Providing her a with a boost. He wanted her to reach the highest rung possible on the first go round.

Elizabeth let out a relieved sigh as she pushed up onto the next level. "Yeah...I am SO over this place."

"Why, I am insulted! Haven't I provided you with HOURS of entertainment Miss Webber?"

The voice, not the question, halted their every movement. Their every breath. Their hands going slack against the metal. The rest of their bodies stiffening at sound of her toxic voice.

The air and hope, both sucked out of the room in one breath.

"Going so soon?" She added, moving towards them. "Before you've even gotten to visit with your guest Elizabeth?"

Lucky took Elizabeth's hand as she descended the ladder slowly. Each of them wary of the duplicitous undercurrent of Helena's tone.

Elizabeth willed her voice to convey an air of strength, when she felt everything but at that moment. The pearl handled pistol Helena aimed at both of them, doing nothing to help the situation.

Suddenly the world was slipping out of her grasp yet again. Out of THEIR grasp again.

Lucky strengthened his hold on her hand, his instincts kicking in at the sight of the gun Helena wielded around as if it were a toy. He couldn't remember a time she'd actually carried her own weapon. Knives yes, but firearms?

She'd obviously gone completely insane.

"I've already visited with my guest...and now, if you don't mind too terribly, I'd like to go home with him." Elizabeth answered sarcastically.

"Oh, foolish Miss Webber. Is being admired by two handsome suitors really of such little importance to you? In my day we looked upon such things with great pride and excitement. And looking the way that you do - I would think that you'd at least show some sort of gratitude at such at such devine intervention. Ugh...

"But, inspite of your ungratefulness, my grandson STILL has a morbid fascination with you......Nikolas..," she finished opening the door behind her, to reveal her grandson.

Lucky's grip tightened yet again over Elizabeth's fingers. Unsure of what was happening. Nikolas was only supposed to be a decoy. He wasn't supposed to get involved...where the Hell was his father?!

Lucky reached behind him, quickly slipping his hand into the hidden compartment of his backpack. The cool metal grazing his fingertips, just as the click of something echoed behind him.

He and Elizabeth turned at once, seeing Julius emerge from yet another secret passage way. Gun in hand.

"What are you doing Helena?" Lucky hissed bitterly.

"Julius, remove Master Spencer's gun please," Helena instructed with mock sweetness.

The servant moved behind him and Lucky stepped back. Helena's voice caused him to be a bit more cooperative. "If you want Elizabeth to keep her pretty little head, I advise you to hand over your weapon Lucky."

He took it out slowly and placed it in his hand. Turning his body halfway towards Helena a second later. His view split between Helena and Nikolas on one side, and Julius on the other.

They were trapped.

"You want me here - fine," he breathed slowly. "But follow the original plan and let Elizabeth go!"

"Lucky!" Elizabeth shouted, her eyes widening in horror.

Helena chuckled in amusement. She'd known all along this would be fun. She only wished she'd have more time to enjoy the show. However, time was of the essence.

"That's exactly the plan Lucky. In a matter of..." she looked down at her watch. "Minutes now...those vents above your heads will fill this room with poison gas. Some of us will be here....some of us won't. I bet you can guess who will be where!"

She saw the horrible realization dawn in his eyes. "This is fun, isn't it?" She asked giddily.

"You're sick," Elizabeth gasped, tears springing to her eyes. How could any one person be so twisted? Completely deranged?

Helena clucked her tongue. "You should try and be a bit nicer Elizabeth. I am afterall letting you go, with my grandson. You get to be an heiress for goodness' sake. Don't act so put upon."

Helena continued, as if just having a thought. "I think I'll let YOU do the honors Nikolas," she smiled, placing her weapon in her grandson's hands."I know how badly you've wanted to rid yourself of your bothersome little brother for years...Go ahead, Darling."

Nikolas swallowed hard as his brown eyes met his brothers blue ones. The indigo abyss a window to every emotion he felt. A looking glass that showcased the physical manifestation of losing trust.

As he raised the gun to his brother's chest. The weight of the metal wasn't nearly as heavy as the weight on his heart, put there by his brother's gaze.

A gaze that cried out to him. Pleading with him not to steal the last drop of trust he had. To not take that away. To help him, just this once. To come through for him like he never had before. To be his brother once again.

"Get in the cell." Nikolas muttered stoically, still pointing the pistol at his brother's chest.

"Oh darling, just shoot him!" Helena sneered, moving behind him.

"Don't you want to put that poison to good use, Grandmother? Come on...it'd be a lot more fun to see if Lucky goes crazy being locked up again, wouldn't it?"

He stared into Lucky's eyes and willed him to see the truth. The truth that he was lying through his teeth.

"Nikolas what are you doing?!" Elizabeth asked, shocked and completely horrified by what was happening in front of his eyes. Hadn't he come here to help them?! Was this some kind of a trick?!

The gun in his hands told suggested otherwise. His steady voice, too convincing to comfort her in anyway. 'Please God, no,' she thought silently.

"Liz, get out of here," Nikolas commanded, throwing her a quick glance. "I'll meet you outside."

"No!" Elizabeth shouted, hot on Lucky's heels as he walked backwards towards the cell. "Nikolas, what are you do -

Nikolas grabbed her by the arm, and pushed the cell door closed with the other. Yanking her swiftly up towards his lips as soon as Lucky was safely locked away in his cell. Her words sufficiently cut off.

Helena tapped her fingertips together in glee as Lucky cursed out loud and banged against the bars in front of him. Not believing what he was seeing. Too livid to believe his own enraged reality. "Get the Hell away from her!" He shouted.

He wrapped his fingers around the bars. His knuckles turning white with fury. Rage burning in his eyes, as his brother glared at him. A sane man would have looked away, but something in Nikolas' eyes beckoned him closer. Forced him to watch, as he pressed his lips harshly against Elizabeth's.

She pushed against him with everything she had. Her mind reeling. Her body struggling as one hand held her head fast. Nikolas' other arm looped around her suddenly, his fingers slipping quickly into her back pocket and out again in a flash. The sensation was fleeting, but unmistakable.

What had he just pushed into the pocket of her jeans?

Nikolas pulled away after a moment, staring into her eyes and then back to Lucky's as she reached hesitantly towards her lips. Still in a state of shock as he stepped back from her.

Lucky called to her from behind and she turned around, her hand covering her lips. His eyes told her what to do before she even had to ask.

"No. Lucky I'm not leav-

"GO!" Lucky shouted, causing her to jump slightly. "Get out of here Elizabeth...please," the last word ending on a note of pure agony at the thought of her dying in this room. There was no way that he'd let that happen.

If he'd just seen what he thought he'd saw - he'd be with her in a matter of minutes anyway.

Elizabeth walked towards him slowly, her eyes still locked with his. She slipped her arms through the bars, attempting to hug him through the barrier.

Lucky caught Nikolas eyes, and he moved directly between Elizabeth and Helena. Effectively blocking her view of what he was about to do. He aimed his gun a bit higher. Continuing the show he knew she was enjoying every minute of.

Sadistic bitch.

Lucky wrapped his arms tightly around Elizabeth, one hand sliding downwards and lingering for a split second under the tails of the flannel she wore. Reaching into her back pocket with the quickest of gestures.

She pulled away and looked him in the eye, and then glanced behind her towards Nikolas. Knowing that she was supposed to be carrying on some sort of charade. Going along with his demand for her to leave. But also knowing, that if this plan didn't work - that she really would be alone for the rest of her life.

That poison or no poison - she'd die.

He nodded silently to her, grinning a bit in his attempt to reassure her that he would make it out just fine. That as soon as he got out of this room, their life together would begin. For good this time.

Lucky silently wrapped his pinkie around hers through the bars. "That's a permanent lock Elizabeth."

He watched as she closed her eyes. One crystal tear drop slipping aimlessly down her cheek.

'Don't cry baby...I'll be there. I promise.'

Helena's voice once again interrupted a moment between the two. "I was hoping that your father and mother could join you Lucky...but they've obviously been detained somewhere. It's of little consequence however - considering the poison will reach them wherever they are on the premises."

"Even if one of them's right behind you?" Lucky asked, glancing upwards.

Helena's eyes widened as Luke's forearm wrapped around her neck, tightening with every word he spoke. It was impossible for her to turn and look at him.

"I made it Helena...glad to see me?"

"Always Luke," Helena gasped. "You know that.

"Laura?" She inquired, her voice harsh as he continued to squeeze. Her eyes searched for the woman who had been the bane of her existence for so long. "You can't be too happy to hear your husband flirt so shamelessly with me," she asserted.

Jason walked in front of her, and her eyes widened yet again. "I'm blonde, but not many people mistake me for Laura Spencer," he sighed.

"Thank God," Luke smirked, tightening his hold on the old woman. "Laura ain't here, Helena...think again."

"Where is she?" Helena asked annoyed. "Ahhh, with my son?" She asked, suspiciously. "Cavorting with your enemy Luke? Still? I don't know why you stand for such disloyalty. Don't you have any pride?"

"If I were you, I'd worry less about MY pride and more about your lungs. In less than 4 minutes, you're gonna be the only human - cancel that - semiquasivampirehuman left in this Hell hole," he announced, glancing at the watch on the wrist across her neck.

"Don't even try it man," Jason asserted, spotting Julius out of the corner of his eye. His gun trained on Luke's head. "I can assure you that I'm a better shot."

"Elizabeth get out of here," Luke said, glancing at the girl that stood near his son. His son, who was once again locked up.

She stared at him, wide eyed, from across the room. Searching for someone to make this right. He nodded and smiled a bit, hoping to comfort her a bit. "Go on Elizabeth...Lucky will be up in a second."

She turned to Lucky once again and he mouthed 'I love you.' She mouthed the words back to him slowly before Jason grabbed her from behind. Dragging her towards the ladder. The room going completely quiet, aside from Jason's voice behind her, encouraging her to continue. The tears in her eyes nearly blinded her as she neared the top.

~~~~~~~

Luke tightened his hold on Helena, and moved forward. Closer to his son. Watching for any sign the 'I'm ok' poker face he had on, was a fake. Any sign that being in that damned cell again was about to drive him crazy.

Aside from his white knuckled hold he had on the bars, he seemed fine.

"It is NIKOLAS who will be joining Elizabeth," Helena corrected. Her arrogance withstanding even the pressure of impending doom and Luke's arm wrapped around her slim neck.

"I don't think you're in any position to be giving orders here Helena," Luke breathed in her ear.

"No that's my job," Nikolas announced suddenly, moving closer to the cell and placing his back to the bars. Immediately feeling Lucky's presence behind him.

"Release my grandmother or I'll shoot him right between the eyes Luke. I swear I'll do it," he added, briefly turning to glance at his brother. 'It's showtime man..'

Luke groaned and pushed Helena towards him. Causing her to stumble in her expensive heels. Nikolas took her hand and steadied her as she lunged forwards. He wrapped his arm around her shoulders and brought her to him. Her back against the cell.

It took only a split for her skin to feel the searing heat of the sharp edge of a blade that pressed into her neck. Scratching the same skin that now had bruises from Luke's arm. Lucky eased the blade slowly against her neck and moved in behind her. Wrapping one strong arm against her middle to hold her still.

"We're leaving now Helena," he whispered harshly. "Sorry, you won't be joining us."

~~~~~~~

"Elizabeth!" Laura shouted, running to the girl as she emerged from some unseen exit buried in the ground. Jason followed, brushing off his pants. He watched as the woman through her arms around the girl.

"Where's Lucky?! Where's Luke?! Nik - "

Elizabeth nodded slightly, trying to catch her breath. She searched for words to say as Jason moved in front of her. The bright sun and Laura's immediate barrage of questions sending her mind reeling. She could barely focus on standing, let alone speaking.

She was immediately grateful for Jason's interference. Knowing she would have never found her voice quickly enough. Or clear enough.

"They're still in there Laura." Her expression paled as Sonny came to stand behind her. Placing a hand a comforting on her shoulder.

"Why?! Why haven't they come out here?! What's going on?!"

Jason shook his head, trying to answer all of her questions with some semblance of clarity. "Listen, Helena had this bizarre plan to - "

"She wanted Nikolas and I together...she wanted to give me to him...as a present," Elizabeth muttered from the place where she stood staring at the compound looming largely in the distance.

"What?!" Laura asked, unsure she'd heard right.

Elizabeth turned slowly, her eyes glazing over with unshed tears. "There's a toxic gas, that's set to be released in a matter of minutes Laura...and if they don't...they - they came here for me," she whispered. The emotion of the last few days, hours, and minutes finally catching up with her in a flood of guilt.

Laura sniffed back her own tears as Elizabeth began to cry. She wrapped her arms around the girls' trembling form quickly. Smoothing back her hair. "Helena will get what's coming to her...My husband and my sons know what they're doing Elizabeth...they'll be fine - they'll be fine."

She sent the words up to the sky, and prayed that whoever was in charge of answering prayers these days heard them.

 ~~~~~~~

"How does that feel?" Lucky muttered in Helena's ear, pressing the blade tight against her skin. "Would you rather be in here with me?" He breathed.

"Yeah," Nikolas smiled, aiming his gun at her head. "I think she should try it out."

"Nikolas what are you doing?!" Helena seethed. The idea of him turning on her once again, forcing hate to bubble to the surface with a fury yet unknown.

"Something I should have done a long time ago. Getting rid of you."

"Brava," Luke shouted turning to Julius who lunged for his gun. He quickly knocked the henchmen out with the butt of his weapon. "Lets get out of here son."

"Soon as somebody let's me out." He sighed, moving closer to Helena. "I kinda got my hands full right now."

Nikolas reached around Helena, unlocking the door. Lucky emerged, knife still in hand. A moment of silence descended upon them as a low hum emanated from somewhere much too near. The 4 of them all locked eyes.

Helena was the first to break the silence. "Nikolas, the gas is being released....Don't let them do this to us...There's still a - "

"Us?" He asked incredulously. "What us? You call what we have a family? Please! It's like some three ring circus act!"

Luke smirked and threw Julius' weapon towards his son. The manservant wouldn't exactly be needing it anymore.

"And guess what Helena?" Lucky asked, catching the gun in his free hand. "It's time you got back in your cage."

Helena spun around wildly as Lucky aimed his gun at her temple. "I will not be trapped in here." She ground out, angrily.

"Looks to me like that's exactly what's gonna happen," Luke asserted, pulling the ladder back down into position. "Lucky......I'm waiting here."

Lucky nodded, his eyes transfixed on the woman before him. Finally...the tables had turned. His first and final chance at saying 'checkmate.' He wouldn't leave this room without seeing her dead first.

"Get out of here Dad...and take Nikolas with you."

Nikolas stared at his brother for a long moment, the look in his eyes scaring him. "What are you talking about Lucky, don't do this...she isn't worth it."

"Nikolas you've done your duty, now get the Hell out of here!" Lucky shouted. His voice rising with each word.

"Lu - "

"I said the get the fuck out of here!"

Nikolas backed up, turning towards Luke for a brief moment. He wasn't saying a word. He was just standing still - so calm.

Was he actually going to let Lucky stay in here, when this entire room would be filled with a poison gas in less than seconds. The air around him was already starting to feel thick.

"Get out of here," Luke silently demanded, his eyes darting from Nikolas to Lucky very quickly. Then, never leaving the latter.

Nikolas' eyes widened in horror. He whispered as he got closer to the man in front of him. Did insanity run in the family or something? "Luke, what are you doing? You do realize that all of you will die if you stay here right? That has penetrated into even your thick skull hasn't it?"

Luke ignored the jab and barked the same order his son had given, pushing the boy towards the ladder. "Nikolas get out of here!"

He turned back to his brother one last time, watching as he pressed his pistol into Helena's temple. Watching as he mumbled something to her. Something he couldn't hear. Something he wasn't sure he wanted to hear.

What he did hear was a low hum. The sound of death coming closer.

Lucky heard the rattle of the ladder behind him. He sighed at the knowledge that Nikolas was on his way up. "You too Dad," he shouted, not looking behind him.

"Afraid I can't do that son," Luke yelled, moving closer. "If you're stayin - I guess we both are."

"Touching," Helena muttered, wincing in pain as Lucky pushed against her head with hard piece of steel.

"Shut up."

Luke coughed and cleared his throat. "Lucky come on...she's not worth this." He pleaded, his words ending on another cough.

Lucky brought the sleeve of his shirt up to his mouth and spoke around it. "You're right. She's not...but she's gotta die, Dad. I can't leave here without seeing her dead.

"Do you understand that?" He asked, his eyes beginning to fill with moisture.

"Cowboy, you ain't gonna see anything if you're in here choking to death," he returned. He glared at Helena, the smug grin on her face just asking to be shot clean off.

As if reading his father's mind, Lucky clicked the safety off of his gun. "You got a good point there Dad."

Luke tilted his head to the side. "Lucky, come on now...Just lock her in the damn cell, and let's get out of here. You don't need to do this."

"You don't know what I need!" Lucky shouted, his gun banging against her skull once again. "You got to do the honors with Faison. It's only fair that I get to do them now."

Luke sighed, and held up a hand. "You're right. I took that away from you. But you're wrong in saying I don't know what you need Lucky. I do know...I at least know some of it.

"I know you need that girl that's outside waiting for you. I know you need her...I know I didn't send her up there, just to watch you die again."

Lucky blinked hard shrugged his shoulder against his cheek to catch a tear. His finger aching to pull the trigger. "Nobody would know Dad. I'm sure you're not about to turn me in for shooting this...this...whatever the Hell she is."

"You got me there son. I wouldn't. I wouldn't tell a soul. I'd be happy as a clam if you put a bullet right through her head," he said gesturing towards her. "But, ya see - I wouldn't HAVE to tell anyone. It'd be on your conscience forever.

"You said you never wanted to be like me Lucky...and you know what? You're not. You never were. You couldn't take a human life without it eating you up inside for the rest of your life."

"She's not fucking human!" Lucky shouted, his eyes clouding over, infuriated with the desire to shoot her where she stood. To rid the planet of her particular brand of evil forever.

She'd stolen so much from him. Why couldn't he still something from her? Something she could never get back. Something greater than time or trust.

"Well put her in her damned cage! And let's be done with this Lucky!" Luke coughed, placing a hand over his mouth. The sweetness in the air, making him want to gag.

"What's the difference between me locking her in this cage, and me shooting her?!" Lucky questioned, his voice raised in anger.

"The difference is - YOU live, Lucky!

"You've got a life waiting for you outside!" Luke shouted. "A life that she withheld from you for too damn long. You've already lost so much time because of her...don't lose anything else. Don't lose the person that you are. Don't lose the love that you have outside...it's waiting for you Lucky. It's all yours - take it."

Lucky bit his lip, and breathed in through the material on his shirt. Pushing Helena into the cell in one swift move. Before he changed his mind. Before he pulled the trigger. Before he lost himself to his own need for revenge. Before having to put Elizabeth through yet another episode of his death - this time, it being for real.

Helena stumbled into the cell, wrapping her bony fingers around the bars. "You'll regret this Lucky," she sighed, watching as he backed away. His eyes on hers.

"You'll remember this day for the rest of your life, Lucky...as the day you left me here to die."

"The day I won," Lucky corrected. "The day I finally got to say 'check mate,'" he whispered, as Luke walked towards the ladder.

Helena cackled evily from inside her cell. Watching as her words made him stop in his tracks. "No matter dear. Sometimes you have to let even the most worthy opponents think that they've won."

Lucky stared at her for a long moment as she continued to smile to herself. The wicked grin that slithered against her lips causing his skin to crawl, even in the midst of victory.

"Come on Lucky," Luke called from his place by the ladder. "Let's get out of here."

The air thickened around him and a harsh cough echoed through chamber around them. The fit a bit harder to get through this time. "Yeah...let's go."

~~~~~~~

"Where are they?!" Elizabeth pleaded, her eyes widening as Nikolas neared them. The Cairo authorities placing their gas masks on in an effort to get in and 'recover' whatever could be recovered from the desert death trap.

Nikolas shook his head, and looked behind him. "Lucky sent me out..They - "

"What?!" Elizabeth gasped, shaking her head. "Lucky sent you out?! What do you mean Lucky sent you out?! You didn't stay?! You didn't stay and help him!!??"

Her fists landed against Nikolas' chest in a barrage of punctuation. She didn't know why she was hitting him. Didn't care if it was right or fair. Didn't care that it was only a result of her own guilt. Her own anger at having left. She was the reason they were in their in the first place.

If he was gone...If he was gone she wanted to be gone too. She couldn't make it without him again. She wouldn't.

Content, to let her continue her assault, Nikolas didn't try to explain. Didn't try to rationalize his actions, as Jason pulled her off of him.

Why hadn't he stayed? 'Because you're the same jerk you were a month ago?' He thought silently.

"I'm sorry Elizabeth....I'm..."

Laura's words went no further than her own tongue as her eyes widened. Tears immediately falling in reaction to the view before her. She placed a hand over her mouth. "Oh my God..."

Elizabeth followed her gaze, and her feet took off from under her. She ran with a strength she didn't know she still possessed, towards the two figures that approached. Each of them seeming to move in slow motion. Not nearly fast enough for her liking.

Lucky grunted out loud, as Elizabeth grabbed him. Jumping up and wrapping her arms around her neck. She tightened her hold on him as he coughed and ran a hand through her hair. "God..." he sighed, lifting her up. "I've never felt anything so good in my life." He sighed, holding on for dear life. He took a deep breath and closed eyes at the feel of her skin. At the feel of the cool air surrounding them.

She pulled back in his arms, as he sat her on the ground. And he bent his knees to kiss her. His lips proof positive that there was a heaven above.

"Are you ok?" She asked against his lips, holding his face as he came up for air. He took a big gulp of the fresh oxygen. Swearing he'd never take such a simple thing for granted again.

"More than good baby," he sighed, looking into her eyes for a long moment. "More than good."

His lips descended on hers again. Realizing for the first time that he was indeed more than good. That the room that he'd just walked out of, was part of an old chapter. A chapter that had finally come to a close. A story that had finally come to an end.

But a new story was just beginning. A happier story. Not a fairy tale, by any means, but a story built around two characters that loved each other more than life itself, and were willing to transcend any obstacle to get to each other. To be together for all eternity.

A story much like the one he was already living. But this time...this time there'd be no interference from evil warlocks with haunted chess pieces or demented witches with poison gas.

And all he would ever need to write his story, to ensure his happy ending - was standing right in his arms.