GENERAL HOSPITAL #003

Alexis and Julian strode down the waterfront holding hands. They were discussing, among other things, their upcoming wedding.

"Well," Alexis said, as she clasped Julian's hand tighter, "after that breakfast we had with the girls a couple days ago, I know who not to include on the invitation list."

Julian nodded his head, knowing exactly who Alexis was speaking of; Anna Devane.

"True," Julian said. "She was really out of line, especially with the girls there. I'm sorry to put you through that and…"

Alexis put her index finger up to Julian's mouth.

"Shhhh," Alexis said, with sympathy in her eyes. "Some people just don't believe in change. But I don't care what she thinks; I'm the one marrying you mister."

Julian stopped walking and faced his bride to be and they kissed.

"I promise you," Julian said with sincerity in his voice. "I'm never going back to that life. What we have," Julian said with a pause, "has saved my life; and I thank you."

The engaged couple kissed again and continued to walk down the boardwalk.

Meanwhile, not far from the docks…

Paul Hornsby aimed a rental car down one of the back streets of Port Charles on his way to a secret meeting. He parked next to a rundown building and before getting out of his car, he reached into the glovebox for protection; a handgun. He made sure it was loaded and then made his way into the building.

The building had once been used for storage but was now rundown, and as he could see from the small darting objects on the ground, rat infested too.

Eventually he came to one of the abandoned offices, the appointed meeting place.

"It's about time," a voice said from the shadows.

"I am the District Attorney of Port Charles," Paul replied. "I just can't leave my job without a reason without drawing suspicion. Besides," Paul added, "I'm paying you; meaning you work for me. Now," Paul continued, "what were you able to find out about Julian Jerome's life in between the years he was thought to be dead and his return to Port Charles under the alias of Derek Wells."

The other person stepped out of the shadows.

"Let's get one thing straight," the man, who had very intense eyes, said to Paul Hornsby. "I don't want you to play around with Mr. Jerome when I tell you what I know; I want you to kill him…or believe me I will."

Paul nodded his head.

"I understand," Paul said. "But before I kill Julian, I need him alive for a little while longer; can you wait for at least two weeks?"

The man nodded his head.

"Two weeks it is," the man replied. "It will give extra time to come up with a plan to kill the next person on my list."

Paul felt uneasy being around such a person with so much inner rage. But it was what it was.

"And who is next on your list?" Paul asked.

The man replied with a near hushed tone to his voice.

"Robert Scorpio…"

Next time…Sonny and Carly open up a mystery…