**Not sure where this is going to go, but I had a dream about Nikolas (not TC playing Nik but Nik himself) and an idea came to me… I usually right Jarly stories…maybe I can tie them in : ). This is going along the current S/L (5/16/10) only there is no NIZ baby, but the NIZ affair is ongoing and Lucky is still in the dark, but not wanting to remarry Liz and wanting to move on.

Also, I don't own anything but the fruits of my imagination. Callista/Jane is my own character.

~ Serendipity

Lost

Chapter 1- Unlikely Hero

5 days on a crowded bus with little sleep was beginning to catch up with her. She was tired, hungry and could definitely use a long hot shower.

Callie pushed used a finger to slide the dark shades she was wearing up her nose and looked around warily. There were no signs of pursuit, but from experience she knew how dangerous it was to drop her guard. With a tired sigh she noted that it would be dark soon and that a stranger roaming around with dark sunglasses on at night might draw more attention.

From the bus station she had made her way to the city park and was ready to find the nearest hiding place soon so she could crash for a few hours. Spotting the public restrooms she headed in that direction. The park was pretty deserted so she hoped that she could get into the restroom, wash off and then safely rest without being noticed.

Glancing in the restroom mirror she grimaced at the sight that greeted her. Her hair was tucked up underneath her hat and hadn't been washed in days, plus the bruises on her face had turned a beautiful rainbow of red, purple, green and a bluish yellow shade. All in all she thought she looked pretty hideous.

It was while she was splashing water on her face that she heard the voices.

"We have to get moving. Staying in town too long with the kid is dangerous. As soon as his pop notices that he's missing all hell will break loose."

"You think I don't know that. I got the map to the cabin right here. I gotta take a leak and then we can get the hell out of here."

Was someone in the process of kidnapping a child? It sure the hell sounded like it. She knew more than she cared to about kidnappings.

Taking a deep breath she poked her head around the entrance of the ladies room.

One man stood with his back to the dark SUV. The other one had apparently gone into the men's room.

As quietly as she could she snuck to the back of the SUV and opened the back window of the backdoor. Throwing her back pack in she glanced around noticing the little blonde boy tied in the second seat. Carefully, she climbed into the back and latched the window behind her. Thanking her small size, she tried to make herself invisible. For kidnappers these guys sure sucked… luckily.

After they had stopped, Callie waited until it was pitch black outside and stuck her head up to take a glance at the situation. She couldn't see any guards, but that didn't mean that there weren't any around.

Slipping her hand into her back pack she pulled out the handgun that she had been able to hide and hang onto throughout her travel. She hated guns, but when it came down to it she could and would use it if she had too.

Slowly and with stealth she managed to sneak out of the vehicle and approach the cabin. Creeping around the corner of the house she peeked into the first window she came to. The kidnappers were playing cards at a table in what appeared to be kitchen. No sign of the little boy.

Callie wiped the sweat from her brow as she took a deep breath and keep moving to the next window. It was all she could do to not think about what might be out here in the dark with her, she had always hated the dark.

Touching the medallion around her neck she said a quick prayer to St. Christopher and began to peek into the second window. A drop of rain hit her face and a quick glance at the sky showed dark clouds moving in to cover what little moonlight that had been available to her. A loud crash of thunder had her almost jumping through the window in fright.

Taking a deep breath she lifted her head and looked into what appeared to be a bedroom. The little boy was lying on the only bed in the room and again thanking her luck she noticed that the door to the room was closed.

Placing her gun in the back of her pants she somehow managed to get the window open and like a born cat thief she was in the room.

Tip toeing over the boy she noticed that he was gagged and tied up, but awake and very alert.

Placing a finger over her mouth to and keep him quiet, she assessed the situation carefully.

The boy looked about four or five years old and he also looked very tired and more than a little scared. She tried to remember what she could about the ride to the cabin. The street lights had disappeared twenty minutes before their arrival to the cabin and they had only made one major turn to end up on the dirt road. Apparently who ever had planned this whole thing hadn't been the brightest crayon in the box.

Taking a deep breath she carefully untied the little boy and removed the gag. Silently she opened her arms and the boy apparently realizing that she was there to help him climbed into her arms.

"Ok, little man, we are going to get out of here. I know it is scary outside, but you are being so brave. I need you to keep on being brave. Can you do that?" Callie looked down as the little boy gave her a serious nod.

"Good. We are going to pretend that this is an adventure ok. I am going to get you back to your parents, I promise." All the while she was whispering to him Callie was lowering him out the window and carefully following after him.

Pulling her backpack on to her back she lifted him into her arms. The rain began to fall hard as the pair crept away from the cabin and into the woods.

Feeling the adrenaline wearing off and the fatigue kicking in, she found a little clearing and dropped them to the ground.

"Between you and me little guy those had to be the stupidest kidnappers alive. Did they hurt you?"

The boy looked at her thoughtfully and then shook his head, "My father is going to make them sorry."

"I am sure he is. What's your name?" Callie noticed he was shivering and pulled out an extra t-shirt from her bag and wrapped it around him before pulling him into her jacket and wrapping her arms around him.

"Spencer Cassadine. My father is prince. We can call him and he can come and get us." Nestling into her arms he relaxed a little.

"Oh, really? A prince, huh? That's pretty cool." Callie smiled bitterly as she thought about how every father should be their child's prince or hero. "Well, Spencer I don't have a phone, but let's rest here for a minute and we can try and head back to town."

"Are you a kid? All grown-ups have phones. My father is always on his phone."

"No, I am not a kid. I lost mine, but we are going to be ok. You just rest for a minute and we'll get going."

Callie settled her back against a tree and tried to ignore her aching muscles and the aches and pains she had acquired before this adventure had begun. Listening for sounds of pursuit she kept watch as the little boy fell asleep in her arms.

** A/N: Every story starts somewhere… Please review if you feel like it. If not, just enjoy the story : )