Jack stepped into the Lighthouse and made his way to the downstairs den
where Lucy and Alison sat studying newspaper clippings. He paused as the
women refocused their attention on him.
"Jack, are you okay? You look a little pale," Lucy said as she stood, "Is something wrong? What happened?"
"I don't even know where to begin. I just saw the strangest thing," Jack said as he approached the two of them, "I saw two women wearing leather kick the crap out of about two dozen teenagers before flying off into the sky."
Lucy looked back to Alison before escorting him to the sofa, "Why don't you sit down?"
"They swooped in and started beating the crap out of these hoodlums. It was strange."
Alison watched Jack closely, "Are you serious?"
"I know it sounds crazy, but with everything else that's happened over the last year, this is kind of tame," Jack shrugged, "This is just weird."
"You said they flew? What were they? Witches?" Lucy questioned.
"I don't think so. Before they showed up, these teenagers were going nuts and trying to vandalize the mall. These two women just showed up and started cleaning house," Jack explained.
"These two women," Lucy began, "How did they show up?"
"They flew in. I know that sounds crazy, but I swear it really happened," Jack said firmly.
"I believe you," Lucy nodded before she looked to Alison, "I do. After all, it figures that there would have to be enough good out there somewhere to balance out all the evil in this town."
"You mean Rebecca," Alison said with a sigh.
"I can't help it, Alison. After she came out of the portrait earlier and refused to even give us a clue about Kevin," Lucy dropped her shoulders in defeat, "I can't believe that she's got only good intentions at heart."
"Wait, Rebecca came out of the portrait?" Jack asked as he looked between them, "What did she say?"
"She said that Kevin was safe, but that's all she budged on," Lucy replied, "I don't think she wants us to find, Doc. I don't think she wants him to be found at all."
"Why wouldn't she want him to be found? What would she hope to gain by that? The shop is already closed because of all of this," Jack reasoned.
"I know," Lucy frowned, "And that makes all of this even more confusing than it was before."
*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*
Rebecca smiled as she looked over the form of the man upon her bed. She wanted him more than anything she had ever wanted before. Here he was, hers for the taking. All she had to do was convince him that he was exactly where he was meant to be.
She lifted her fingers to her hair, allowing the long red strands to dance about her face freely. She shook her head lightly, causing all her curls to flow over her shoulders. She approached the bed slowly, sitting beside him as he slept and caressing his body with her eyes.
His breathing was slow and even as he slept peacefully amongst her lightly scented sheets. He looked ruffled, his hair askew over his forehead, his normally immaculate dress rumpled from the length of his slumber. She had decided early on to keep him asleep until she knew just how to approach him. Now, she knew exactly where to begin, and how she would make sure that he stayed in her life forever.
Rebecca eased her fingers over his forehead, gently rousing him from his sleep. As his eyes slowly focused upon her, she smiled, "Have a nice nap?"
Kevin sat up quickly, feeling his head spin with the suddenness of his movement. He glanced to his captor and lifted his hand to his head. He closed his eyes as he tried to understand what events had led him here.
"What's wrong?" She asked as she placed her hand gently upon his shoulder, "Kevin, dear, what's wrong?"
"What." He paused and looked around at his surroundings. The bedroom's lavish design was indicative of the time period Rebecca's portrait portrayed, but the room wasn't reminiscent of Port Charles but of more regal surroundings. A canopy covered the bed with plush white drapes cascading to the floor. Candles were placed upon sconces around the room as well as in various tiers throughout the room.
Kevin looked to Rebecca and questioned her with wide eyes, "Where am I?"
"You're in our bedroom, love," Rebecca smiled as she placed her fingertip over his lips, "Shhh, it's okay. You've been through a harrowing ordeal, and I really think you should just take it easy for a few moments."
"Our bedroom," Kevin repeated her answer, "I don't understand."
"Shhh, it's okay. You're obviously confused and understandably so."
"What do you mean understandably so? What's happened? How did I get here?"
"Kevin, you were struck in the head a few weeks ago. You've been unconscious for weeks. We were afraid you would never regain consciousness."
"I don't understand. Where's Lucy?"
"Lucy?" Rebecca questioned, "Who's Lucy?"
"Lucy. She's my wife."
"Wife? Kevin, you're just confused."
"I am not confused. Lucy is my wife, and I have a family I have to get to," Kevin said quickly as he attempted to get out of bed.
"Kevin," Rebecca urged him back to the bed, "You're wrong. We only have each other."
"What? What are you talking about?"
"Kevin, I'm your wife. I don't know any Lucy, but I do know you. You're so confused," She touched his cheek.
"I am not confused. This is not right," Kevin shook his head.
"Love," Rebecca caressed his cheek and met his eyes, "Just relax. I'll help you figure everything out," She slipped onto the bed beside him and wrapped her arms around him, "We'll figure everything out together," She smiled as she thought of how her plan would work out. It would only take a little time.
*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*
Livvie woke slowly, terrified to move that she might trigger the pain that had radiated throughout her body before. She never wanted to feel that magnitude of pain again, never wanted to feel the horror of what fire could do. She kept her eyes closed, afraid that opening them might somehow remind her that she had been burned.
"Livvie, it's okay," A soft male voice soothed her, "You shouldn't have anymore pain now."
She slowly opened her eyes and looked up into unfamiliar eyes, "Who are you?"
"I'm the man who just saved your life," He smiled at her. He touched her cheek gently before he extended his hand towards her, "Come on. I won't hurt you."
"I.I don't understand," She spoke with her voice trembling, "What happened to me?"
"You were in the fire. Do you remember?"
She nodded, "I remember the pain."
"Good. Don't ever forget it, and don't ever forget the reason for it."
"Alison," Livvie said with disgust, her anger mounting, "I don't know how, but I'm going to make her pay for this."
"That's my girl," He smiled as he escorted her into another room where several clothing selections lay upon a bed, "Get dressed and then you can join us downstairs. We have so much to discuss, and I just know that you're going to fit in perfectly around here."
"Wait," She said quickly as she turned to him, watching him as he turned back to face her, "Where exactly is here?"
"We'll discuss all of that in due course," He flashed her another smile before he left the room.
Livvie glanced around the room and wrapped her arms around herself, wondering where she was and just how exactly she had managed to find herself here.
*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*
Chris walked into his apartment and sighed. He would finally have his night of peace since Doree was on a nightshift. He'd never been so happy to come home to an empty house in all his life.
He couldn't remember the last time he had come home to complete silence in his home. Shortly after Julie had left, silence had virtually cut through him when he returned to their home alone. Now he wanted nothing more than to relish the beautiful sounds of silence.
He tossed his jacket over a seat before slipping the knot from his tie and tossing the cloth ahead. He rubbed his neck gently as he walked across the room. He opened the door to the balcony and stepped outside, inhaling a deep breath as a cool spring breeze swept over him. He leaned against the railing and closed his eyes, relishing the cool spring air. He exhaled slowly, trying to purge all the stress of his day.
"Oh Julie," He mused to himself, "I've never realized just how much I've missed you until right now."
Another moment passed before he smiled, feeling a warm presence around him. He could almost feel her arms wrapped around his waist as she pressed her body against his back and rested her cheek against his shoulder. He smiled as he thought of her, "I can almost feel you here with me now. You'll never know just how good that really feels to me."
Chris opened his tired eyes and gazed out over the city. He allowed himself a moment more to reflect before he made his way back inside the apartment. Once he had closed the door another gentle breeze swept across the balcony.
"I do know, Chris, and I am here with you..every single day."
*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*
Karen stepped into her apartment and sighed. She closed and locked the door behind her, switching on the lights and taking a good look around her apartment. She didn't want another surprise like the one Frank had given her last night. She sank onto the sofa and stretched her tired and aching muscles. She wasn't sleeping, didn't know that she ever would again.
She closed her eyes and lay back, relaxing into the soft cushions as she attempted to quell the feeling of anxiety lurking within her. After the way Frank had behaved, she wasn't sure that she would ever feel comfortable in her own skin again.
Karen opened her eyes and slowly surveyed the room, suddenly feeling as if the walls were closing in on her. She pulled herself from the sofa and made her way onto the patio, hoping that she would be able to catch her breath. She took a deep breath, drawing the cool spring air into her lungs and feeling the tensions melt away.
"Are you all right?"
Karen looked around for the source of the voice. She searched the shadows for a moment before she saw the blue eyes peering out at her. She took a step back as she began to feel her anxiety returning.
"You don't have to be afraid. I mean you no harm," He said as he emerged from the shadows.
She recognized the man from the night before. He had appeared just in time to save her and then disappeared with the same speed. She still couldn't shake the feeling that he was familiar.that she had met him somewhere before.
"Who are you?" She asked softly as she watched him move with catlike grace across the patio, his clothing dark and mysterious, his eyes covered by the same spotted mask he had worn before.
"I'm a friend," He offered her a smile as he turned in the light, allowing her a brief glimpse of his features before his profile was once again emerged in shadow, "So tell me. Are you okay?"
"I've been better," She replied as she wrapped her arms around herself, "Do you always happen to arrive in the nick of time to save people in need?"
"Not always," He said softly and Karen noted the twinge of sadness echoing within his voice.
"I want to thank you for helping me last night. You don't know how much I appreciate it," She said, feeling now as if she were at a loss for words, "I..I guess..I mean I suppose..I owe you one."
"Not at all," He said as his voice was behind her now, alerting her to his nearness behind her. She stood perfectly still, wondering who the man was and why he had come to her rescue. He lightly touched her shoulder, "I think we're even."
"Even? But you saved my life. How can I ever repay that?"
"Perhaps you're not the one with the debt to pay. Maybe I am," He said softly as he withdrew his fingers from her shoulder.
Karen felt a sudden chill at the loss of contact and slowly turned, "Can I at least have your name?"
He studied her features closely for a moment before he met her eyes, "I'm the Jaguar.that's all I can tell you."
"All you can tell me? Or all you're willing to tell me?" She asked with a slight smile.
He grinned slightly, "You're a very intelligent woman. I'll have to watch my step around you."
"Does that mean I'll see you again?" She asked, hoping that she might be able to uncover some answers about the man before her.
He took a step back into the shadows and disappeared before her eyes. With the whisper of the wind, his voice called out to her, "Perhaps we will see one another again.when you least expect it."
Karen looked around for him, hoping to find the source of his voice or maybe where he had disappeared to. She felt a certain peace within her heart and knew that she could now get through the night on her own.
*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*
Alison stood on the balcony of the lighthouse and rubbed her stiff neck. Jack extended his fingers to gently massage her tight muscles as she closed her eyes and relaxed into his touch.
"That feels so good," She sighed softly.
"I'm glad I haven't lost my touch," Jack smiled, "You're really taking this hard about Rebecca and Kevin, aren't you?"
"I wanted to believe in her, Jack," Alison exhaled as she turned to face him, "I wanted to believe that she was the woman I grew up trusting. I wanted to believe that she was the one person in my family that I could trust and believe in," She paused, "But with the way she acted about Kevin, I don't think she can be trusted at all. She acted like she didn't want Kevin to come back."
"We don't have all the answers here, Ali. Maybe she just didn't understand," Jack tried to reason, hoping he could find a way to help his friend.
"She understood all right," She frowned as she looked back out to the lake, "There was something in her eyes, Jack. It was something I've never seen before, but it was definitely not good."
"Hey," He spoke as he placed his hands upon her shoulders once more and gave a comforting squeeze, "We'll find a way to get Kevin back, and we'll find a way to make all of this turn around. We're not going to let you go to prison, Alison. I promise you."
Alison nodded as she gave her friend a hopeful smile, knowing that Rebecca held the key to all her troubles.
*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*
Livvie slipped into a red and burgundy dress before descending the stair case. She made her way into a grand parlor. She glanced around the room, taking in the fine art, delicate furnishings and brilliant lighting throughout. She saw the face of her host and raised an eyebrow, "Where am I and who are you?"
"Always gets right to the point, doesn't she?" The man laughed softly as he looked to his cohort.
"Rafe?" Livvie gasped as she looked to the man's cohort.
"That's right," Rafe smiled as he approached her with a smile, "Welcome to the family."
"What is this?" She asked as she glanced around, "I don't understand," She paused, "And who are you?"
The man stepped forward and lifted her hand to his lips. After kissing her hand gently, he smiled, "I'm known to most as the Prince of Darkness, but you can call me Greg."
"Jack, are you okay? You look a little pale," Lucy said as she stood, "Is something wrong? What happened?"
"I don't even know where to begin. I just saw the strangest thing," Jack said as he approached the two of them, "I saw two women wearing leather kick the crap out of about two dozen teenagers before flying off into the sky."
Lucy looked back to Alison before escorting him to the sofa, "Why don't you sit down?"
"They swooped in and started beating the crap out of these hoodlums. It was strange."
Alison watched Jack closely, "Are you serious?"
"I know it sounds crazy, but with everything else that's happened over the last year, this is kind of tame," Jack shrugged, "This is just weird."
"You said they flew? What were they? Witches?" Lucy questioned.
"I don't think so. Before they showed up, these teenagers were going nuts and trying to vandalize the mall. These two women just showed up and started cleaning house," Jack explained.
"These two women," Lucy began, "How did they show up?"
"They flew in. I know that sounds crazy, but I swear it really happened," Jack said firmly.
"I believe you," Lucy nodded before she looked to Alison, "I do. After all, it figures that there would have to be enough good out there somewhere to balance out all the evil in this town."
"You mean Rebecca," Alison said with a sigh.
"I can't help it, Alison. After she came out of the portrait earlier and refused to even give us a clue about Kevin," Lucy dropped her shoulders in defeat, "I can't believe that she's got only good intentions at heart."
"Wait, Rebecca came out of the portrait?" Jack asked as he looked between them, "What did she say?"
"She said that Kevin was safe, but that's all she budged on," Lucy replied, "I don't think she wants us to find, Doc. I don't think she wants him to be found at all."
"Why wouldn't she want him to be found? What would she hope to gain by that? The shop is already closed because of all of this," Jack reasoned.
"I know," Lucy frowned, "And that makes all of this even more confusing than it was before."
*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*
Rebecca smiled as she looked over the form of the man upon her bed. She wanted him more than anything she had ever wanted before. Here he was, hers for the taking. All she had to do was convince him that he was exactly where he was meant to be.
She lifted her fingers to her hair, allowing the long red strands to dance about her face freely. She shook her head lightly, causing all her curls to flow over her shoulders. She approached the bed slowly, sitting beside him as he slept and caressing his body with her eyes.
His breathing was slow and even as he slept peacefully amongst her lightly scented sheets. He looked ruffled, his hair askew over his forehead, his normally immaculate dress rumpled from the length of his slumber. She had decided early on to keep him asleep until she knew just how to approach him. Now, she knew exactly where to begin, and how she would make sure that he stayed in her life forever.
Rebecca eased her fingers over his forehead, gently rousing him from his sleep. As his eyes slowly focused upon her, she smiled, "Have a nice nap?"
Kevin sat up quickly, feeling his head spin with the suddenness of his movement. He glanced to his captor and lifted his hand to his head. He closed his eyes as he tried to understand what events had led him here.
"What's wrong?" She asked as she placed her hand gently upon his shoulder, "Kevin, dear, what's wrong?"
"What." He paused and looked around at his surroundings. The bedroom's lavish design was indicative of the time period Rebecca's portrait portrayed, but the room wasn't reminiscent of Port Charles but of more regal surroundings. A canopy covered the bed with plush white drapes cascading to the floor. Candles were placed upon sconces around the room as well as in various tiers throughout the room.
Kevin looked to Rebecca and questioned her with wide eyes, "Where am I?"
"You're in our bedroom, love," Rebecca smiled as she placed her fingertip over his lips, "Shhh, it's okay. You've been through a harrowing ordeal, and I really think you should just take it easy for a few moments."
"Our bedroom," Kevin repeated her answer, "I don't understand."
"Shhh, it's okay. You're obviously confused and understandably so."
"What do you mean understandably so? What's happened? How did I get here?"
"Kevin, you were struck in the head a few weeks ago. You've been unconscious for weeks. We were afraid you would never regain consciousness."
"I don't understand. Where's Lucy?"
"Lucy?" Rebecca questioned, "Who's Lucy?"
"Lucy. She's my wife."
"Wife? Kevin, you're just confused."
"I am not confused. Lucy is my wife, and I have a family I have to get to," Kevin said quickly as he attempted to get out of bed.
"Kevin," Rebecca urged him back to the bed, "You're wrong. We only have each other."
"What? What are you talking about?"
"Kevin, I'm your wife. I don't know any Lucy, but I do know you. You're so confused," She touched his cheek.
"I am not confused. This is not right," Kevin shook his head.
"Love," Rebecca caressed his cheek and met his eyes, "Just relax. I'll help you figure everything out," She slipped onto the bed beside him and wrapped her arms around him, "We'll figure everything out together," She smiled as she thought of how her plan would work out. It would only take a little time.
*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*
Livvie woke slowly, terrified to move that she might trigger the pain that had radiated throughout her body before. She never wanted to feel that magnitude of pain again, never wanted to feel the horror of what fire could do. She kept her eyes closed, afraid that opening them might somehow remind her that she had been burned.
"Livvie, it's okay," A soft male voice soothed her, "You shouldn't have anymore pain now."
She slowly opened her eyes and looked up into unfamiliar eyes, "Who are you?"
"I'm the man who just saved your life," He smiled at her. He touched her cheek gently before he extended his hand towards her, "Come on. I won't hurt you."
"I.I don't understand," She spoke with her voice trembling, "What happened to me?"
"You were in the fire. Do you remember?"
She nodded, "I remember the pain."
"Good. Don't ever forget it, and don't ever forget the reason for it."
"Alison," Livvie said with disgust, her anger mounting, "I don't know how, but I'm going to make her pay for this."
"That's my girl," He smiled as he escorted her into another room where several clothing selections lay upon a bed, "Get dressed and then you can join us downstairs. We have so much to discuss, and I just know that you're going to fit in perfectly around here."
"Wait," She said quickly as she turned to him, watching him as he turned back to face her, "Where exactly is here?"
"We'll discuss all of that in due course," He flashed her another smile before he left the room.
Livvie glanced around the room and wrapped her arms around herself, wondering where she was and just how exactly she had managed to find herself here.
*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*
Chris walked into his apartment and sighed. He would finally have his night of peace since Doree was on a nightshift. He'd never been so happy to come home to an empty house in all his life.
He couldn't remember the last time he had come home to complete silence in his home. Shortly after Julie had left, silence had virtually cut through him when he returned to their home alone. Now he wanted nothing more than to relish the beautiful sounds of silence.
He tossed his jacket over a seat before slipping the knot from his tie and tossing the cloth ahead. He rubbed his neck gently as he walked across the room. He opened the door to the balcony and stepped outside, inhaling a deep breath as a cool spring breeze swept over him. He leaned against the railing and closed his eyes, relishing the cool spring air. He exhaled slowly, trying to purge all the stress of his day.
"Oh Julie," He mused to himself, "I've never realized just how much I've missed you until right now."
Another moment passed before he smiled, feeling a warm presence around him. He could almost feel her arms wrapped around his waist as she pressed her body against his back and rested her cheek against his shoulder. He smiled as he thought of her, "I can almost feel you here with me now. You'll never know just how good that really feels to me."
Chris opened his tired eyes and gazed out over the city. He allowed himself a moment more to reflect before he made his way back inside the apartment. Once he had closed the door another gentle breeze swept across the balcony.
"I do know, Chris, and I am here with you..every single day."
*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*
Karen stepped into her apartment and sighed. She closed and locked the door behind her, switching on the lights and taking a good look around her apartment. She didn't want another surprise like the one Frank had given her last night. She sank onto the sofa and stretched her tired and aching muscles. She wasn't sleeping, didn't know that she ever would again.
She closed her eyes and lay back, relaxing into the soft cushions as she attempted to quell the feeling of anxiety lurking within her. After the way Frank had behaved, she wasn't sure that she would ever feel comfortable in her own skin again.
Karen opened her eyes and slowly surveyed the room, suddenly feeling as if the walls were closing in on her. She pulled herself from the sofa and made her way onto the patio, hoping that she would be able to catch her breath. She took a deep breath, drawing the cool spring air into her lungs and feeling the tensions melt away.
"Are you all right?"
Karen looked around for the source of the voice. She searched the shadows for a moment before she saw the blue eyes peering out at her. She took a step back as she began to feel her anxiety returning.
"You don't have to be afraid. I mean you no harm," He said as he emerged from the shadows.
She recognized the man from the night before. He had appeared just in time to save her and then disappeared with the same speed. She still couldn't shake the feeling that he was familiar.that she had met him somewhere before.
"Who are you?" She asked softly as she watched him move with catlike grace across the patio, his clothing dark and mysterious, his eyes covered by the same spotted mask he had worn before.
"I'm a friend," He offered her a smile as he turned in the light, allowing her a brief glimpse of his features before his profile was once again emerged in shadow, "So tell me. Are you okay?"
"I've been better," She replied as she wrapped her arms around herself, "Do you always happen to arrive in the nick of time to save people in need?"
"Not always," He said softly and Karen noted the twinge of sadness echoing within his voice.
"I want to thank you for helping me last night. You don't know how much I appreciate it," She said, feeling now as if she were at a loss for words, "I..I guess..I mean I suppose..I owe you one."
"Not at all," He said as his voice was behind her now, alerting her to his nearness behind her. She stood perfectly still, wondering who the man was and why he had come to her rescue. He lightly touched her shoulder, "I think we're even."
"Even? But you saved my life. How can I ever repay that?"
"Perhaps you're not the one with the debt to pay. Maybe I am," He said softly as he withdrew his fingers from her shoulder.
Karen felt a sudden chill at the loss of contact and slowly turned, "Can I at least have your name?"
He studied her features closely for a moment before he met her eyes, "I'm the Jaguar.that's all I can tell you."
"All you can tell me? Or all you're willing to tell me?" She asked with a slight smile.
He grinned slightly, "You're a very intelligent woman. I'll have to watch my step around you."
"Does that mean I'll see you again?" She asked, hoping that she might be able to uncover some answers about the man before her.
He took a step back into the shadows and disappeared before her eyes. With the whisper of the wind, his voice called out to her, "Perhaps we will see one another again.when you least expect it."
Karen looked around for him, hoping to find the source of his voice or maybe where he had disappeared to. She felt a certain peace within her heart and knew that she could now get through the night on her own.
*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*
Alison stood on the balcony of the lighthouse and rubbed her stiff neck. Jack extended his fingers to gently massage her tight muscles as she closed her eyes and relaxed into his touch.
"That feels so good," She sighed softly.
"I'm glad I haven't lost my touch," Jack smiled, "You're really taking this hard about Rebecca and Kevin, aren't you?"
"I wanted to believe in her, Jack," Alison exhaled as she turned to face him, "I wanted to believe that she was the woman I grew up trusting. I wanted to believe that she was the one person in my family that I could trust and believe in," She paused, "But with the way she acted about Kevin, I don't think she can be trusted at all. She acted like she didn't want Kevin to come back."
"We don't have all the answers here, Ali. Maybe she just didn't understand," Jack tried to reason, hoping he could find a way to help his friend.
"She understood all right," She frowned as she looked back out to the lake, "There was something in her eyes, Jack. It was something I've never seen before, but it was definitely not good."
"Hey," He spoke as he placed his hands upon her shoulders once more and gave a comforting squeeze, "We'll find a way to get Kevin back, and we'll find a way to make all of this turn around. We're not going to let you go to prison, Alison. I promise you."
Alison nodded as she gave her friend a hopeful smile, knowing that Rebecca held the key to all her troubles.
*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*
Livvie slipped into a red and burgundy dress before descending the stair case. She made her way into a grand parlor. She glanced around the room, taking in the fine art, delicate furnishings and brilliant lighting throughout. She saw the face of her host and raised an eyebrow, "Where am I and who are you?"
"Always gets right to the point, doesn't she?" The man laughed softly as he looked to his cohort.
"Rafe?" Livvie gasped as she looked to the man's cohort.
"That's right," Rafe smiled as he approached her with a smile, "Welcome to the family."
"What is this?" She asked as she glanced around, "I don't understand," She paused, "And who are you?"
The man stepped forward and lifted her hand to his lips. After kissing her hand gently, he smiled, "I'm known to most as the Prince of Darkness, but you can call me Greg."