I always thought GH missed a chance to tell a good Cassadine story when Valentine was a possibility. Alas it never happened. Here is my take.

Chapter 1

'He needed to get to her. He was the only one that could protect her'. Was the thought that kept running through the man's mind. He kept mumbling to himself never looking up, forcing people to step out of his way to avoid touching him, afraid of what he was capable of. The man swayed and stumbled, as if drunk, but he was far from it. Nothing, not hunger, fear, or the cold that creeped into his bones could keep him from his mission.

It felt like an eternity to the man but he finally reached the docks. His mind was fuzzy and muddled, as he tried to think of a way to reach her. He needed to get to her, he needed to save her. Tired after his long trek to Port Charles he sat on one of the benches by the river trying to get his bearings.

He raised his head sharply as he heard the lonely wail of a barge as it crossed the Port Charles river. The barge was obscured by the fog that had fallen over the sleepy town. The fog parted and he was able to see the castle, which had previously been hidden by the dense fog, come into view. The darkness and fog made the Cassadine castle look more eerie than usual. The memories of a childhood spent running away and hiding from evil made his head hurt as he tried to keep them at bay. He tried to suppress the feeling and memories but they kept coming unbidden. The memories of two little children running away as fast as they could. Running into a dense forest or dark cave because they were more afraid of what would happen if they were caught.

He had tried to protect her all those years ago and had somewhat succeeded but now the danger was back and more dangerous than ever. He could not fail her this time around, he would do whatever it took to protect her from the hell that awaited her if he allowed him to get a hold of her.

Desperate to get to his destination the man started to get up when he heard a familiar voice coming down the steps towards him. He recognized the voice as belonging to the commissioner of Port Charles. He thought that maybe Mr. Scorpio would help him. But the drugs in his systems made him feel confused, weary and afraid about who he could trust. He stepped back into the shadows to see what he could learn before he approached the Commissioner. The Commissioner was talking to his daughter, about her baby "Georgie" and how she would get her daughter back soon. He remembered this man, Mac Scorpio, the commissioner of Port Charles, an honest man, he would be able to help him find her and protect her.

The man started to leave his hiding spot but before he could approach Mac he saw Felicia Jones join him and went back to his hiding spot. She was wearing a blue ball gown, and now that he really looked at the family he saw that Commissioner Scorpio was wearing a tuxedo. As he stood still, out of the couples' line of sight, he heard the information he needed to find her. Apparently the Nurse' s Ball would be held tonight. All of the whose, who of Port Charles would be there. She would be there, she always did her best to help those in need. If she was going to be there than he would be there to warn her of the coming danger.

He waited a few moments after the Commissioner and his family left before leaving his hiding place. He had to find out where the Nurse's Ball was being held and make sure he got to her first.

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Julian sat on the edge of the bed looking at Alexis as she finished putting on her earrings. She looked spectacular, he would be the envy of every man with her by his side. She had finally agreed to take their relationship out into the open and like everything she did she was going to do it in grand scale. The Nurse's Ball would be their first public outing as a couple. He could see that she was nervous but once decided she wouldn't back down.

She turned and gave him an unsure smile waiting for his reaction. Julian gave her a soft smile as he took in how beautiful she looked. The fact she was so unaware of just how beautiful she was made him love her even more.

She had no idea how her long legs, that went for miles; beautiful shoulders; big brown eyes, that showed every emotion; and dark olive skin made his heart skip each and every time he realized that she was his and only his. Julian was not prone to being possessive but she had the ability to bring out the green eyed beast without even attempting to. He thought she looked beautiful in the white chiffon dress she had chosen. The empire waist defined by the diamond belt just below her chest and then the skirt flowed freely around her long legs. He smirked as he thought that if she added a tiara she would look every bit the princess that she was. She was a vision in white and he couldn't wait to get her home and out of her dress again like he had earlier.

"Do you like?" she smiled shyly at him.

He stood up and walked towards her, his arm instinctively going around her waist to pull her tightly against him. "You, sweetheart, look stunning." he felt her smile against his neck at his compliment. She was so warm and soft and smelled so sweet standing in his arms. He could stand with her in his arms forever and never get tired of it.

He was a lucky man to have found her again after so many years and that she was the mother of his beautiful daughter, grandmother to his grandson and most of all that she had been willing to give him a chance. He pulled away from her and cupped her face in his large hands as he leaned down to kiss her gently. He knew it was dangerous to touch her, he couldn't have her in his arms for very long and not want to make love to her. If it were up to him he would spend the rest of his life worshiping her and loving her. But they had the Nurse's Ball to get to and Alexis was excited to go even as she responded eagerly to his kisses.

He pulled away from her lips and starting nuzzling down her jaw and neck "Sweetheart" he mumbled "If you want to get to the Nurse's Ball we have to go now or I am going to rip this dress off of you and make love to you all night long." He felt as Alexis took deep breath, and for a minute wonder if she would decide to stay home, when suddenly she stepped away and headed toward the bedroom door her dress flowing behind her. He smiled as he heard her sigh deeply.

"Come on, Molly and Sam are both going to be performing. They will be disappointed if we don't show up" she said as she moved towards the living room shutting down the lights and finally grabbing her clutch as she moved toward the front door opening it to indicate that they should leave. He smiled at her, happy with the knowledge that she wanted to skip the whole event and just stay here with him. He stepped up to her as she leaned against the door and pressed his body to hers.

"Alexis" he said as his lips hovered over hers "do you think we can leave as soon as the girls are done performing." he closed the distance between then and kissed her fully and deeply. He moaned as the emotions he felt every time he kissed her sweet, soft lips swept over him. He felt her wrap her arms around his neck and deepen the kiss as he wrapped his arms around her pulling her tighter towards him. He felt his need for her threatening to overwhelm him and the need to touch her soft, pliant body had him pulling down the zipper of her dress once again. when he started to pull the straps holding her dress up down her shoulders she pulled away.

"Julian" she moaned as he started making his way to her neck where he started gently placing small kisses. "We need to stop" he smiled against her neck when she whimpered her plea for him to stop. He place another small kiss to the pulse point in her neck as he slowly pulled her dress straps up her shoulders and slowly zipped her back up. He pressed one more kiss to her lips and grabbed her hand pulling her out the door before he decided to skip the Nurse's Ball and take her back to her bedroom.

When they reached his car he opened the door and leaned down when she was settled in. "Just know that when we get back I am not letting you out of bed for a very long time." He smiled and kissed her deeply once more before he made his way to the driver's side and headed out to the Metro Court.

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He saw her arrive on the arm of a man he had never seen before. She had made her way down the red carpet like the princess she was. She was still so beautiful just like he remembered. He needed to get to her, she was now the target, he needed to protect her from him. He went around the back were he noticed that the waiting staff was entering. One of the men was arguing with what he assumed was the manager. The shouting was getting louder, until finally the manager turned away and made his way back to the venue leaving the waiter standing alone. After a final drag of his smoke the waiter turned away yanking the black waiters coat off and throwing it in the bushes. The man scurried over to where the coat landed and put it on.

He spotted a group of waiters carrying boxes of food from a white van to the hotel's back entrance. They were not being asked for credentials they were just being usher in. His frenzied mind pushed him forward towards his goal of getting to her. He pushed the gun into the back of his pants and grabbed one of the food containers. He needed help, she would know what to do. It had been years since he had felt in control but she would help, she always did.

He followed the wait staff into the hotel. Once in, he removed the waiter's coat and made his way back to where the performers were standing waiting for their names to be called and go onstage. He saw a young girl with long brown hair holding a hoola hoop and a young black man getting ready for their performance. He stepped in front of them needing to know where she was.

"Where is she" he shouted at the scared young people.

"Hey man, we don't know who your looking for" the young black man stepped in front of the young girl.

"Where is she?" he shouted again pulling the gun out.

"Who?" the young girl asked in a timid voice.

"Alexis" he shouted as a stunned audience gasped when they saw what was happening on stage as the curtain had gone up during their exchange.

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Alexis really did think this was one of the best Nurse's Balls she had ever been too. Her daughters had been wonderful. Julian was sitting behind her with his arm wrapped around her shoulders possessively. She was so excited to see what Molly and TJ had planned for their final performance. Molly had kept all the details from Alexis, wanting it to be a surprise when she saw it for the first time. Molly had been so excited for her parents to be in the audience. She had just turned towards Julian when she heard her name shouted and the gasp of the audience. She turned back to the stage to see what the commotion was all about. What she saw made her heart sink with fear. TJ was standing in front of Molly to protect her from a man who was pointing a gun at them. Her daughter was barely able to contain the tears in her eyes as she clutched at TJ's shirt. She stood at the same time as Julian did. In her peripheral vision she saw Shawn, Sonny, Ric and others stand up ready to help.

The man standing on stage finally noticed the silence behind him and turned towards the audience making Alexis gasp as she recognized him. The man was dirty and looked so much older then when she had last seen him, but it was him. He had a crazy look in his eyes that scared her but none the less she recognized him. She was shocked and scared but she recognized the fear in his eyes and started walking towards him. He had still not seen her in the audience so he screamed out her name again.

She felt Julian try to hold her back "No" he said firmly, as he tried to go around her to get the stage and help TJ and Molly.

She grabbed his hand "It's okay, he's my brother" she whispered. Shock covered his handsome features but he was still reluctant to let her go into a dangerous situation. Julian knew Alexis would walk through fire for her daughters and she would not be swayed from going up to her daughter who was in danger. He reluctantly let her go but followed closely behind.

Stefan looked from one table to another trying to find her but the lights were blinding him so he screamed her name again "Alexissss" He saw movement to his right quickly turning the gun towards where he saw movement. He lower his gun when he realized it was Alexis walking towards him alive and well. The look on her face told him she was confused, scared, and shocked but mostly relived to see him. She started walking towards him when the man he had seen her with earlier tried holding her back. Good man, he thought, they had to protect her.

He saw her walking slowly up the stairs until she was finally standing in front of him. She was a vision to his weary, tortured heart. Her eyes were brimming with tears as she slowly lifted her small hand to cup his cheek. "Stefan" she breath.

"Little one" he whispered as he wrapped her up into his arms. He buried his face in her neck as he cried. He cried at the pain they had endured together as children and at the love she had given him as a little girl. He didn't think she would ever know that she had been his salvation as a child. And he cried as he thought of how much she would suffer once again if he didn't protect her.

***When she had been brought to Cassadine Island Stefan had finally learned what love was. She had been so small and broken, her big brown eyes so scared. Their father had dropped her off without so much as an introduction and left her to the mercy of Helena and Stavros. Helena had instantly put the child in a room and told her not to leave until she was told to or she would be severely punished. Natasha, as she was called, hadn't cried or said anything she had just stared at Helena with big, brown, scared eyes. Before leaving with Helena, Stavros had taken away the little girl's stuff toy. A little white lamb that she had been holding onto tightly, and pushed her to the floor. The two had laughed as the little girl's eyes had welled up. But still she had not cried.

Stefan had waited hours after Helena had left before he snuck into her room, not wanting to risk ether one of them getting in trouble. She was on the floor, her head resting on her knees. In the darkness he could just barely make out how her little body was racked with silent sobs.

"Hello" he had said softly, trying not to scare her, She had looked up at him startled. Scared she quickly stood up, trying to wipe away the tears that continued to fall. She stood still, not saying anything but meeting his gaze directly. She would have to learn to not show her strength but rather pretend to be meek or Helena would not give her a moments rest. He would have to teach her.

"You don't have to be scared. I saw what they did, I am sorry." he looked around the bare room they had put her in. "What's your name" she continued to look at him scared of what his intentions were. "I'm not like my mother and Stavros, you don't have to be afraid." He had pull out a little bear he had made from a couple of socks he had that he had torn apart and tied together into something that resemble a stuffed bear. "I brought you something" he said indicting the small bear in his hand. She looked at him and then at the bear. When she made no move to take it he awkwardly put the bear behind his back embarrassed that she had not liked his toy. "My name is Stefan" he said gently. He knew he should leave before his mother found him in her room and both were punished. "I have to leave now but I will be back." he made to leave when he felt a small hand tug at him. When he turned, her small hands wrapped around his waist and she clung to him. The little girl needing the human contact and care he was offering her. Her little heart no longer able to hold in her fear and pain she began to cry as he held her. He knew he should leave but he couldn't leave her as she cried, breaking and scared . Hours later they still sat on the floor together while he told her about his mother and brother. He told her what to do so that they didn't hurt her and how to protect herself if Helena or Stavros hit her. And he told her what to do when they came after her. He showed her were to hide.

When he could no longer put off leaving her any and stood up to leave, she had clutched at his arm, scared. But still she said nothing. Looking in to her haunted eyes he gave her the most important information he could think off that would help her survive "Little one" she looked up at him and smiled, causing him to return her smile easily. She was so sweet and trusting, he felt a yearning in his heart that he had never felt before. "listen carefully to me. This is very important." he paused and took his time trying to make sure that she understood how important this was. "My mother and brother will use any weakness you have against you. You must never show them you care for me or like me because they will take you away." she looked up her arms hugging the bear he had given her to her chest. "Do you understand?" he grabbed her shoulders to emphasize how important this was. "Tell me you understand Little One" he pleaded. When she nodded in understanding, he hugged her to him and kissed her forehead." I will be back tomorrow." he promised before turning and leaving.*****

As they grew older and Alexis was sent away to boarding school Stefan harden. Without Alexis's presence, to offset the evil his family's influence, he became what he fought so hard to not be for years. He became cold, distant, manipulative and calculating, which had almost destroyed his relationship with Alexis. But their shared traumatic childhood had kept both in each others orbits unwilling to severe all ties.

He tightened his hold on Alexis, not wanting to let her go, needing to confirm that she was breathing, warm and alive. He tensed as he felt someone coming up to them, and immediately reacted by pushing Alexis behind him.

"Stay away" he shouted at the boy who had once been so important to him.

"Uncle" Nicholas did not understand what was happening and he knew they had not been in good terms when he died but he had loved his uncle very much and wanted to hug him and feel for himself that he was alive.

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Nicholas had been standing towards the back of the hall and was just as stunned as everyone else when the curtain had opened and a man on stage had been screaming his aunt's name waving a gun at Molly and TJ. He immediately reacted when he saw Alexis make her way up to stage followed by a concerned Julian. Her whispered "Stefan" had stopped his forward progression towards his aunt. Unable to comprehend that the man who he loved as his father, and believed to be dead, was standing on stage. After his uncle turned and hugged Alexis; Nicholas was knocked of his stupor wanting to understand what had happened he made his way to the stage to join his aunt and uncle. As he made his way up to the sage he noticed the curious looks from the stunned guests. He understood the looks even though Alexis and he had been accepted by the town moments like this reminded everyone how dangerous the Cassadines could be.

He saw Nathan trying to reach him, to stop him from reaching the stage, and he ran up needing to confirm for himself that his uncle was alive. Nicholas expected many things from the man clutching his aunt in his arms but what he did not expect was the wild look that returned to his uncle's eye when he called out to him nor the protective stance he took in front of Alexis.

"Stefan" Alexis tried to calm Stefan as he grabbed her hand and dragged her away from Nicholas. She turned just in time to see Julian usher Molly and TJ off the stage a safe distance away from the crazed man who at the moment was holding onto Alexis as if she was his lifelong. She saw that Julian was desperate to run up to them and rip her out of Stefan reach. She looked into his scared eyes and shook her head slightly at him hoping he understood to stay away and that he would see in her eyes that she was worried but not afraid of her brother.

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It took all of Julian's self-control not to run up to Alexis, and the man holding her, and rip her out of his arms to keep her safe. He could see the way the man held onto Alexis as if she was his lifeline. He cursed as he reached for his gun and remembered that he had left it at home. Julian seethed with anger at the danger Alexis was in and his inability to save her.

Julian knew what she expected from him when she turned to look at him. As soon as he could he ushered Molly and TJ off the stage. Out of the corner of his eye he saw as a relived Shawn and Ric each embraced their child, happy they were okay. He could see Anna and Dante circling the perimeter trying to find a way onto the stage to get close to Alexis and the long believed to be dead brother Stefan. His senses heightened and his body coiled ready for any chance that became available to him.

Before anyone could make a move, Nicholas ran up the stage and all semblance of control was lost as Stefan completely lost it and started yelling and waving the gun around. Finally ending up pointing it at Alexis. For a moment all his senses seized to function as he saw the man cock the weapon and point it at Alexis's head. He was paralyzed with fear until he heard a whimper from behind him. It was his daughter afraid that her mother would be killed, it was enough to break him out of his paralyzes and get him moving. He saw Sonny and Shawn moving towards the right and Mac and Duke to the left as Dante and Anna continued to advance towards the stage.

"Stefan" it was Alexis's voice, still so strong even as she feared for her life trying to calm her brother, she gave him the distraction that he needed to make his move. He moved towards the right making his way behind the curtain and running until he was behind the man. He looked at Alexis and Stefan who hadn't noticed him as their attention was focused entirely on each other. He took a deep breath, prayed to every god he knew, and lunged for the gun.

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Sam felt her heart stop and her breathing become ragged as her mother stood with Stefan on stage, the gun pointed directly at her head. Sam was rooted to the floor unable to see anything but her mom. Minutes earlier they had been so happy her father and mother laughing, sharing secret glances and whispers. She had been unaware that her mom and dad had gotten so close but now, as he stood on stage and pull her sister to safety, she could see the fear that she felt also on displayed in his eyes. She saw as he froze momentarily when Stefan cocked the gun the blood draining from his face.

In that instant she thought of what it had been like to be without the one person who Sam had come to expect to always be by her side and she couldn't hold back the small sob that escaped her. She had know for too many years what it felt like to not have the unconditional love that her mom gave her on a daily basis. It was true that Alexis and her had not always gotten along but now Alexis was one of her pillars of strength and support that she depended on to be there for her no matter what. And Sam didn't want to go back to not having that.

She heard her mom's soft voice as she tried to talk to Stefan and she noticed Julian slowly making his way behind the curtain. She saw him come out minutes later behind Stefan, one moment he was behind Stefan and the next his hand was on the gun pulling it away from her mom. As the two men began to struggle for control of the gun Stefan made a last desperate lunge for her mom as all three started going down she heard the unmistakable sound of a gun going off.

"Moooom" she heard Molly scream at the sound. Sam was unable to react as she felt as if she had been submerged in molasses. She saw Sonny rush the stage and pulled her mother to safety away from Julian and Stefan as the two men continued to wrestled for the gun. Sam could see no blood on her mom's white dress. Alexis struggled to get away from Sonny, trying to get to Julian, but Sonny held her tightly refusing to let her go. Nicholas, Anna and Dante rushed towards the two men but before they could reach them the gun went off stopping everyone in their tracks.

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Molly was more scared now, standing in the her father's arms, then when the man, who she now knew was her mother's brother, had been pointing the gun at her. She stood wide eyed, afraid to move, as her mother stood on the stage a gun pointed directly at her head.

"Mom" she silently whispered afraid that her mother would be taken from her in the next few seconds. She saw Julian run behind the curtain, hidden for a few moments, finally coming out behind Stefan. Her father knew what was coming and tried to shield her from what was about to happen pulling her into his chest and shielding her. Molly was lost between needing to see what was happening or living in blessed denial for a few more seconds. And then the gun went off and she felt her dad tighten his arms around her, she felt her breath leave her as silence descended the hall. She started crying silently into her father's chest as her world grew dark. "Mommy" she whispered. When she heard the second shot she fought to get out of her father's arms to see what was happening but her dad refused to let her go.

In those few seconds she realized her dad was trying to protect her from knowing that her mother had been shot and was probably dead and Molly went slack. She felt darkness descend on her soul as she thought of what her life would be without the one person who had been by her side her whole life even when she had acted horribly towards her. In that moment standing in her father's arms, a man who had left her and never visited or invited her to be with him. Her father who barely made time for her when she Skype with him made her feel ashamed as she remembered all the hateful words she had screamed at her mother came rushing back almost making her knees buckle. "Mommy"

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Julian snuck up quietly behind Stefan as he reached for the gun. He felt relief when he felt the butt of the gun in the palm of his hand. He immediately pushed the gun down and away from Alexis. "Go" he shouted at her.

Stefan's reaction was immediate as he fought Julian like a wild animal refusing to give up the gun and made a last desperate lunge towards Alexis. As they struggled for the gun Julian saw Sonny run up the stage and pull a struggling Alexis away from Stefan. Just as he thought that he had the upper hand the gun went off again.

He felt immediate pain as the bullet ripped through his shoulder and the then the pressure of Stefan's forearm pressed against his windpipe choking him. He punched the man twice on his side, which provided some relief as Stefan was momentarily stunned into releasing him. Julian was about to get up when he saw Anna and Dante approach Stefan and they turn him on his stomach as they tried to handcuff him. He felt a burning sting on his shoulder as he felt Alexis run up to him and hug him close to her making him forget everything but her.

"Are you okay" she asked. Before he could answer, Stefan was able to break free and reached for her again. Dante tackled him to floor before he was able to reach her as Julian spun them around to keep her out of Stefan's reach. Anna ran over to Stefan with Felix on hand, who injected him with a sedative to try and calm him down.

"Please" he cried as Dante was finally able to put the cuffs on him. "Alexis" he cried. Dante tried to lift Stefan up but he was now dead weight, all his energy having left him after his second attempt to reach Alexis. "Alexis" he continued to cry pitifully.

Alexis was safely ensconced in Julian's arms as she watched Dante take down her brother. She wondered what had happened and where he had been and why he seemed obsessed with her. She saw his eyes lock on to hers and she felt her heart break as the little boy who had saved and loved her as child looked back at her beckoning her. He was face down still crying out for her. She looked at Julian knowing he was going to hate it.

"I have to talk to him" she felt him tighten his hold on her. "He is handcuffed Julian, he won't hurt me." she pleaded.

"Fine but I want you within arms length do you understand." she nodded at him and he kissed her softly before letting her go. Alexis walked over to her brother and laid down on her stomach so that she could look him in the eye.

"Little one" he whispered. "He's coming. You have to be careful. You have to run and hide. He will find you and hurt you." He whispered tears escaping his glazed eyes. "I failed you" he continued as he cried unabashedly. "I am so sorry".

Alexis couldn't help the tears that fell as her brother issued his anguished warning. She knew people would think she was crazy for the loyalty and loved she still had for this man. But not one person she knew had grown up in the hell that they had and they had not known the little boy who had loved and sacrificed himself for a little girl that had needed him to love and protect her. She raised her hand and ran it over his dull blond locks. "Stefan what happened, who's coming" she managed to whisper over the lump in her throat.

"He hurt me" he said as tears ran down his eyes. "I didn't tell him about you. I told him you had died" he turned his face towards the hand that was stroking his face seeking the comfort she was giving. "He believed me until a year ago. Stavros, he came back, I don't know how but he told him you were still alive" he started becoming agitated again. He tried to slide across the space between them to get closer. Alexis felt Julian stepped closer to her when Stefan tried to get closer to her. "Stavros taunted him with the knowledge of where you were . He said he would tell him where you were if he helped with his scheme to get Nicholas's sister, Lulu." her hand stilled as she remember when Nicholas had been shot and Lulu kidnapped by Stavros in some sick new obsession with the Spencers.

"What are you talking about Stefan. Who are you talking about?" she asked scared that her brother was making sense and that there was someone who Stefan was more afraid of than Stavros.

"Little one, he wants to hurt you. I don't think I can stop him anymore. I am not as strong as I used to be." his eyes closed.

"Stefan" she cried softly as tears filled her eyes. She got close enough to him that their foreheads were touching just as they had when they were little and Stavros had been particularly nasty or Helena had been severely harsh with her punishment. "Who is after me Stefan? Who hurt you?" He opened his eyes and she could see that he was about to succumb to the sedative.

"Valentine" he whispered. She gasped pulling away as her brother finally lost the fight to the sedative. Julian walked over to her and helped her stand as the medical personnel finally came in with a gurney.

"Is he being taken to the hospital or to jail? I am his attorney and his next of kin and I want be kept informed on his status." she told Anna.

"We are taking him to the hospital, I think Stefan has been through an great ordeal and I assume neither you or Mr. Jerome will be filing charges." Anna said with distaste as Julian stood next to Alexis wrapping his arm, that was bleeding, around her waist.

"Alexis" Anna said softly. Knowing what the Cassadines were capable of she was afraid of what was coming. "Who is Valentine?"

Julian could feel Alexis shiver as he ran his arm up and down her back trying to sooth her. Just as she was about to answer Molly, Sam and Nicholas ran up to them to make sure they were okay. Anna knowing this was not the time to continue with her questions excused herself as Stefan was finally secured onto the gurney and was taken out to the ambulance. Nicholas quickly and tightly hugged Alexis and excused himself to go after his uncle.

After hugging her mom, Sam turned towards her father. "Julian, you need to get your arm checked so that they can make sure the bullet went through cleanly." Alexis having completely forgotten about Julian's injury whirled towards him.

"We need to get you to the hospital" she said concerned. Unable to go to him at the moment as Molly stood between them her arms around her mom refusing to let her go.

"I'm not leaving you" he said sternly not leaving any room for argument.

"I need to go make sure Stefan is okay. We can go together." she looked down at her youngest child. "Honey, why don't you go and stay with your dad or Sam tonight ." she didn't want her daughters out of her sight but she didn't think they would get any rest if they stayed in the hospital with her.

"Oh, you are not getting rid of me that easy mom!" her eldest daughter said just as sternly as her father had. "And you need to tell us who the hell this Valentine is and why he is coming after you." she finished.

"I'm not going anywhere either mom." Molly said just as stubborn

Alexis looked at her family wanting to keep the nightmares of her childhood from her children but after what they had witnessed tonight they had every right to know. "Valentine Cassadine, is my brother and the most dangerous Cassadine. And according to Stefan he is coming for me." she said as she kissed her daughters foreheads and moved down from the stage to go to the hospital. Sam, Molly and Julian following closely behind.

Thanks for reading *** I always appreciate constructive criticism and reviews.