A/N The next few chapters go back in time to flesh the story out.

Chapter Two

Morning of May 3rd

Port Charles Police Department Alexis Davis DA office

Elizabeth stopped short of the door to Alexis's office. Her curiosity was peeked, what could Alexis have to tell her that was so important. It's not like they were friends anymore. Elizabeth had lost a certain amount of respect when Alexis represented Lucky during their divorce. The impromptu request for a meeting had Elizabeth both baffled and intrigued. She stepped forward and tapped firmly on the door before trying the handle and letting herself in.

Hearing the knock on her door, Alexis glanced at her watch and noted Elizabeth was right on time.

"Elizabeth! Come in please take a seat" Alexis dithered. "How are you?"

Elizabeth offered her a half smile "I'm fine thank you Alexis. You?""Oh I'm fine. Ummm no lasting affects from that toxic ball fiasco?"

"No I'm completely recovered and very lucky. It could have been so different." Elizabeth replied, wondering when Alexis would get to the point.

"Thank you for making time for me at such short notice and coming down here" Alexis attempted a reassuring smile at Elizabeth but failed. Instead she frowned at the beautiful young mother sitting in front of her and felt completely helpless at the news she had for her.

"Can I get you some water, tea?" Alexis stalled not wanting to see the fear in Elizabeth's face, not wanting to be the one to put it there.

"No thank you Alexis, it's kind of you but I'm fine" Elizabeth voice was even and calm.

"God help you, but you are anything but fine," Alexis thought to herself.

"Right well!" Alexis looked up and gazed at Elizabeth over her spectacles wondering what the hell this woman had done in life to deserve what it was about to dish out to her.

"Alexis obviously you don't have good news or you wouldn't be so fidgety" Alexis left eye twitched at Elizabeth's observation, and Alexis scrunched her face in acknowledgement.

"Just spit it out Alexis please. you're beginning to make me really nervous." Elizabeth joked.

Taking a deep breath Alexis prepared to deliver the verbal blows.

"Okay first things first. Have you spoken to Nikolas in the last two days?" at Elizabeth's negative shake of her head Alexis continued on.

"RIGHT! Well I guess, I mean, I'd hoped that Nikolas or Luke would have kept you up to speed as it does affect you, but" she paused slightly and then plunged ahead "Helena is on her way to Port Charles. It's never a good thing, she is always gunning for the Spencer's and by extension you. I mean you've beaten her at her own game before, and you are the mother of the Spencer heir. Nikolas and Luke believe" she paused when she realized she wasn't being honest. Taking a deep breath she continued on in a firm voice her tone conveying the seriousness of the Helena threat. "actually they know, you and Jake are about to become a target of Helena's." Alexis looked at Elizabeth to gauge her reaction, then added "You aren't alone, there are a few of us also being targeted"

After several seconds Elizabeth's hands, which had been resting in her lap, started to shake and she let out a distressed sigh, then swore wholeheartedly. "FUCK!"

"Yes indeed! I had the very same reaction" Alexis spluttered.

"What is Nikolas doing about her?" Elizabeth asked shakily.

"The usual. He has people looking for her. He is at this moment attempting to track and intercept her. He has informed Luke, and he and Lucky have gone with Nikolas to join in the search. I think you need to take precautions Elizabeth. You are friends with two of the most dangerous men in the country in Sonny and Jason, if I were you I'd go to them and ask for help"

"I can't do that" Elizabeth muttered. "So Lucky's gone? He never told me what was going on."

"Yes Lucky is gone, I'm sorry he didn't contact you." she replied. "Wait! Elizabeth what do you mean you "can't"? You can and will do what ever it takes to protect yourself and your children, Jason and Sonny will do it. I intend to talk to Sonny myself about Kristina and Molly" Alexis told her forcefully.

Elizabeth frowned and Alexis words started to gnaw at her brain and her sense of duty to her children. Elizabeth stood to leave and looked in Alexis's direction.

"Is that all?"

"Um no…there is actually something else" Alexis frowned, gazing down at the file in front of her. The one that she'd received that morning. The one that had turned her stomach. She struggled to find the right words and eventually gave up, blurting it out.

"Tom Baker obtained early release and walked out of Pentonville at 9am this morning"

"What?" Elizabeth exclaimed as she slowly sank back in to the chair she had vacated.

"He apparently was due for parole in 6months, which no one expected him to get. The report from the warden to the parole board recommended against it, because up until 6 months ago he was considered a risk to himself and other prisoners and he's continued to make threats whilst incarcerated. However, something happened at that time and he became a model prisoner. He petitioned for an early hearing and release on compassionate grounds." she paused at the injustice of it, swallowed and then continued on. "His mother is dying from cancer and needs to be nursed. The parole board considered only his last 6 months of good behavior and more importantly took pity on him and granted the early release" Alexis breathing had quickened in shock as she spoke the words. Shock that a man like Tom Baker was out of jail and on the streets.

"Oh God! Oh God" Elizabeth repeated over and over, the horror of her rape returning to her in a split second. "He knows how to find me. He threatened me during and after his trial. HOW THE HELL DID THIS HAPPEN?"

"I don't know Elizabeth. A cynical person, such as myself, may wonder what the hell is going on with that parole board. But I have no evidence only suspicion. I want you to know my office and the PCPD will provide you with whatever help or assistance you need to feel safe and to protect you and the boys. Round the clock protection if you would like it. Whatever it is let me know and we'll do it" she soothed. "But I think we both know that your best shot at keeping yourself and the boys safe and alive is Jason, with Lucky not around." she paused "Whatever happened between you and Jason doesn't matter now Elizabeth. You need him, your boys need him and more importantly he and Sonny will want to help you."

Elizabeth looked up at her with determined eyes.

"Can you get me a gun permit? I really need a permit and a gun."

Alexis eyes narrowed "Oh Elizabeth I don't think that's a good idea!"

"CAN YOU DO IT?" Elizabeth demanded.

"Yes I can do it. But are you sure?" she responded.

"Yes I'm sure. I can shoot a gun, you know. Jason taught me. I killed a Russian to save your daughter." Elizabeth's voice accused as her eyes started to glaze over in shock and fear.

"Yes alright Elizabeth. I'll get you the permit and organize police protection"

Elizabeth stood in a daze and started for the door.

"Thank you Alexis" and slipped out.