A/N – Okay, here is the new story! This is completely AU as are most of my stories. It's been in the works for awhile, but I'm taking it slow to make sure I really get the greatest effect possible. So, I can't promise weekly updates, but I'm definitely going to try! Special shout out to Beth because she's awesome and helped with the idea. Anyway, enough babbling by me. I would really love to hear what you think about this and if you hate it, I will not continue, but I hope you love it because I do.

Prologue – The First Performance

Deep breaths.

Confidence. Passion. Honesty.

Johnny looked in the mirror, repeating these words over and over again to himself as he took deep cleansing breaths to calm his nerves. These were the words he played by; words he lived by. He could still hear his teacher telling him at such a young age that music without confidence was only notes. Music without passion was only sound. Music without honesty was nothing.

Johnny turned from the mirror and walked toward his door, pausing briefly by a picture of his mother. She would be so excited if she could see him now. He took his gray suit coat off the coat rack and pulled it on over the black button up shirt he wore. Taking one final deep breath, he picked up his keys and headed for his car.

This was the night of his first performance in what he hoped to be his long career as a musician. He had gotten a gig playing piano and singing at a jazz bar in a small town over an hour away from Manhattan. The town, Port Charles, wasn't much but it offered him a starting place. Johnny was filling in for the normal entertainment and the owner had made it clear he wasn't offering a permanent position, but it didn't matter. He was going to do what he loved most and get paid for it. That was all he cared about.

Johnny pulled onto the highway that led to Port Charles and smiled to himself. He was really achieving this dream that he had been dreaming since he was only six years old. Driving along in silence, his mind drifted back to the first time his mom took him to a piano lesson. He remembered thinking what a waste of time it was. But he loved his mother and because she was so adamant about him learning, he did. Then the first time he played a song, he fell in love with the instrument.

After that, he begged his mom to double his lessons, so she did. Anything to make her son happy, she had said. Johnny was dedicated to his music and his mother was so proud every time she heard him play. He knew it was because his playing reminded her of happier times, before his father had died in a car accident when Johnny was only one. And to be honest, playing the piano created an escape for him that allowed him to forget that he didn't have a father like all of the other kids around him.

As he got older, he started to sing as well as play. He entered junior high and high school talent shows and won most of them. When he was seventeen, his mom was diagnosed with cancer and he had to cut back on lessons so they could afford her treatment. She fought for almost a year, but eventually lost the fight and Johnny had to bury his mother alongside his father just a week before his high school graduation ceremony.

Johnny was unable to get into a music school after graduation because of lack of funding. He began working as a waiter and doing odd jobs for people in the neighborhood, trying to make enough money to make ends meet, always looking out for musical opportunities. He'd been doing just that for almost a year when he finally got the gig in Port Charles and he was hoping this would change everything. Sure it was only a one time thing, but there was always a chance that someone in the audience would make it more than a one time thing. Someone could hear him and want to make his dreams of recording his own music come true as much as he did.

He took his exit, shocked at how quickly the drive had gone. He followed the directions the owner had given him and pulled into the parking lot with still over an hour to go before his performance was supposed to begin. He headed inside and smiled at the atmosphere. It was exactly what he pictured for his first performance. The owner came out of the back room and smiled, walking over to shake his hand.

"Mr. Zacchara," the owner beamed. "Glad to see you made it just fine."

"Glad to be here, sir," Johnny replied. "This is a great place."

"I had a feeling you were the kind of man to like my taste," the owner chuckled. "When we met in the city, I knew you would be the perfect person to fill the spot. I'm glad you agreed, even though I can't offer you anything permanent."

"Any opportunity is a blessing as far as I'm concerned," Johnny said genuinely. "I'm just thankful you offered me the spot. I hope I live up to your expectations."

"I'm sure you'll do fine," the owner offered. "Let me take you backstage so you can do anything you need to do to get ready. Then I'll come get you when it's time for you to start."

Johnny nodded and followed him back stage. The owner left quickly to go check on something and Johnny found himself staring in the mirror once again. He was ready for this. This was his destiny. He had promised himself every day since his mother died that he would achieve his dream for her and it was time for the first step in reaching the goal to be conquered.

He closed his eyes and visualized the songs he would play, the words he would sing. He saw the smiles of the audience, heard their applause. He felt their excitement at hearing his music for the very first time. He smiled and opened his eyes, catching the eye of the owner, who had come to stand beside him once again, in the mirror. It was time.

Confidence. Passion. Honesty.

Deep breaths.

"Lu, let's go!" Laura called from downstairs.

Lulu turned back to the mirror and sighed. Another Friday night spent at her father's club, Luke's, rather than out on a date or with her friends. She loved music, but the stuff the musician at the club played was just so shallow. It didn't seem to apply to anything or anyone. It was just...not music at all.

Lulu grabbed her clutch off of her dresser and turned to exit her room. She hurried down the stairs and smiled as she saw her mother waiting by the door. Even though she wasn't elated to be going to the club, she did enjoy spending time with her mom. In many ways, Laura was her best friend and their Friday nights at the club, followed by a movie and ice cream at home were very special to Lulu. She knew how lucky she was to have a mother she could depend on and she vowed to herself long ago to never take Laura for granted.

Laura pulled up to the club and Lulu smiled. As much as she had been dreading going to Luke's earlier, she couldn't help but feel like this night was different. There was some different energy she could feel as she stepped out of Laura's car and headed for the entrance. She hooked her arm through her mother's as they entered and were led to their private table. They took a seat at the table and Lulu laughed as her father immediately joined them, kissing her forehead and kissing Laura's cheek.

"Cupcake, you look wonderful," Luke commented before turning to Laura. "And you look beautiful as ever, angel."

"What's with the sweet talk, Luke?" Laura asked.

"Sweet talk?" Luke asked, feigning shock. "What do you mean?"

"Oh, please, dad," Lulu giggled. "You only complement the two of us when you think you're in a hole and need a way out."

"Well, I may have forgotten to mention that Marty, the guy who usually plays the music, is on vacation," Luke said sheepishly.

"So there's no music tonight?" Laura wondered, looking disappointed.

"Of course there's music," Luke replied. "But it's just some kid who I found in Manhattan. He's never had a paying gig before, so I got him for cheap. He's nothing to really write home about, but I think he'll suffice just for the night."

"And you were complementing us because you're afraid we won't like him and be pissed at you for not telling us before we got all dressed up and came down here?" Lulu guessed.

"You are a sharp one, daughter of mine," Luke smiled.

"No need to worry, Luke," Laura said sweetly. "I'm sure this boy will do a fine job. And even if he doesn't, Lulu and I will enjoy ourselves, won't we, sweetheart?"

"Yes, we will," Lulu agreed.

Luke grinned at both of them and announced that he was going to get this new artist so he could start entertaining for the night as he was being paid to do. Lulu sat back in her chair, glancing around the room and wondering what it was about the club that was so different. Everything looked the same, but she would have sworn some drastic change had been made. She was about to ask her mother about it when she heard her father's voice.

"Welcome to Luke's, everyone," Luke said, smiling at the people. "I hope you're all enjoying your evening and I appreciate you coming out. And now, if it pleases you, the entertainer for this evening, Mr. Johnny Zacchara."

Lulu sat up slightly, narrowing her eyes on the curtain that would soon be lifted to reveal this new musician on stage. The curtain raised and Lulu smiled as she saw him, sitting on stage behind the piano with a microphone in front of his lips. Marty, who could play every instrument known to man, seemed to always be playing his guitar. He never sat down behind the beautiful baby grand piano that donned the stage at Luke's and she always secretly hated it. But now, this young, new musician was seated behind it, looking as if the seat were made just for him.

"Good evening," Johnny said softly. "It's an honor to be here."

Lulu watched him intently as he placed his hands on the keys and closed his eyes. He pressed down gently and the notes rang out and Lulu smiled instantly. He was a Billy Joel man. The chords to "Lullaby" rang out through the club and the remaining chatter quieted as Johnny began to sing.

Good night my angel time to close you eyes
And save these questions for another day
I think I know what you've been asking me
I think you know what I've been trying to say

I promised I would never leave you
And you should always know
Where ever you may go
No matter where you are
I never will be far away

Lulu found herself closing her own eyes, getting lost in the sound of his voice. His smooth tone blended perfectly with the effortless sound of the piano melody that played in the background. She opened her eyes to watch him and noticed how calm and relaxed he seemed to be. He was at home on the stage with his piano, with his music. There was a confidence to him that she could not remember seeing in any other musician on stage at Luke's.

Good night my angel now it's time to sleep
And still so many things I want to say
Remember all the songs you sang for me
When we went sailing on an emerald bay

And like a boat out on the ocean
I'm rocking you to sleep
The water's dark and deep
Inside this ancient heart
You'll always be a part of me

Lulu had always longed to see Billy Joel in person, but she knew if she was unable to it would no longer matter. Whoever this Johnny Zacchara was, he was not what her father had described. He was most certainly someone to write home about. As he moved into the musical bridge of the song, his playing grew louder and Lulu recognized a passion in his music that made it so much more than just sound.

Goodnight my angel now it's time to dream
And dream how wonderful your life will be
Someday your child will cry and if you sing this lullaby
Then in your heart there will always be a part of me

Someday we'll all be gone
But lullabies go on and on
They never die that's how you and I will be

As Johnny played the last bit of the song, Lulu felt tears form in her eyes. The ending was always her favorite because she loved the implication. Music could make feelings and emotions last forever in the form of a song. And there was nothing better than a song written and played with honest emotion. Lulu smiled as the last note rang out on the piano, knowing that Johnny had played with honesty.

Lulu felt her mother's thumb wiping away a stray tear that had leaked down her face and she blushed, embarrassed to have been so affected by the music.

"He was very talented," Laura smiled, letting Lulu know there was nothing to be embarrassed about.

Lulu could only nod her agreement, but knew that she didn't really believe her mother's words. Talented didn't begin to cover the level of excellency Johnny Zacchara possessed in her mind. Lulu knew without a doubt that one day, she would be hearing his music on the radio and she could not wait until that day came.