SHOUTOUTS/ANSWERS

Windyfontaine: Cool, I did my job. Yeah, you're right. Wait and see. Okey-doke, here's more. You too.

Jayme: Thanks. Glad you think so.

DISCLAIMER

Belongs to Lifetime and Blueprint Entertainment.

"Pregnant?" Luke repeated. Was she serious?

"That's right. And it's not Ted's," Emily responded.

"You're sure?" Luke asked.

"Yeah. I just found out that he had a vasectomy and he never even told me," Emily stated. She scoffed. "All that talk about wanting to start a family. What a joke," she continued. Luke swallowed the lump in his throat. Now what was he supposed to do? He couldn't shake Emily down. Not while she was pregnant. But if he didn't…Greg would punish him again. And he didn't want that happening.

"Emily…maybe you should get out of here. Go somewhere no one will look," Luke hesitantly suggested.

"You mean run away? No!" Emily objected.

"Emily, listen to me!" Luke exclaimed, reaching in through the window and grabbing her arms. I gotta get her outta here. It's the only way I can protect her, he thought to himself. "It's the only way you'll be safe!" he told her. Emily shook out of the man's embrace.

"Luke, you're not making any sense," she stated.

"I don't have time to explain. Please just do this," he pleaded. Please Emily. I don't want to hurt you, he thought to himself.

"Luke, you're confusing and scaring me," Emily said. Luke sighed and released her.

"I'm sorry. Really, I am," he apologized. He dug into his pockets and pulled. "Look, I have a bus ticket. Just---just take it and go. Get out of here," he encouraged. Emily looked at the ticket, and then back at Luke.

"Come with me," she encouraged.

"I only had enough money for one ticket. There's no way I can join you," was his answer. Emily looked and the ticket and sighed. Then, she leaned over and kissed him passionately.

"I love you," she said, pulling away.

"I love you too. This is, uh---the best thing for you and our child. He or she shouldn't know that their father is scum," he told her.

"You're not scum. Yeah, you did something wrong, but you're trying to make it right," she stated.

"You better go. Now," he emphasized. He rapped on the side of the door and walked off. Emily then let out another breath and drove to the bus station. She got out, grabbed her things, and headed for the line. Then, she got on.

"Heading out, huh?" the bus driver asked.

"Yeah, what can I say? My life's down the toilet," Emily responded.

"Heard that one before. You need some help?" the bus driver offered.

"No, I'm all right, thanks," she answered. Meanwhile, Luke was walking around town nervously. There was no way he could face Greg now. He'd kill him for sure. What am I going to do? I can't let Greg find out about my kid. He'd go after Emily for sure, Luke thought frantically, as he ran his fingers through his hair. Just then, he heard his phone vibrating and froze. With a gulp he answered it.

"Yeah?" he asked.

"Did you do it?" Greg questioned.

"No," Luke answered.

"What? Why not?" Greg demanded.

"I---I haven't found her yet," Luke lied.

"Boy, what did I tell you about lying to me?" Greg warned.

"I'm not," Luke insisted.

"I just saw her leave. Now either you warned her, or she has a really good sense of self-preservation," Greg stated.

"It's probably the latter," Luke said.

"You better hope that's it," Greg growled before hanging up. Luke blew out a breath. He didn't know what to do. He knew he was risking a lot by going against Greg, but what else could he do? He couldn't just let Emily fall prey to the guy, especially now since she had a baby to worry about. A baby that he had helped bring into this world. With clouded eyes, Luke headed for the hotel. Then it hit him. Run. Just run. Don't worry about the money. He turned on his heel and took off. Get out, get out, get out, get out, get out, get out, these words ran through his head like a mantra. Presently, he came across a parked car. He tested the door and found it unlocked. He got in. Amazingly enough, the keys were still in the ignition.

"Somebody else's stupidity is my incredible gain," Luke muttered to himself. He started the car and took off.