I'll Be There
"Mrs. Cassadine where is this heir of yours?" Ronald Duvall, Helena's late husband's lawyer asked, pacing the length of the room.
"My son is supposed to be bringing her here. I wonder what's keeping him." Helena knew she shouldn't have trusted Stefan to get anything done. Damned useless son of hers had probably flown to Morocco for real instead of finding Kristina. Their entire family estate rested on Kristina and Stefan didn't even make it a priority to find her.
"Well I can't exactly extract billions of your late husband's money without a second heir. Nikolas gave up all of his rights when he married Emily Quartermaine." Duvall reminded.
"I'm aware of what's at stake, Mr. Duvall." Helena snapped, trying to keep from losing her temper. "I'll just make a call. If you'll excuse me…" Disappearing into the foyer, Helena dialed Stefan, hoping he would prove her wrong about him, would prove himself worthy. She was only met with his same old drone as his voicemail picked up.
If Helena had been paying more attention, she might have noticed Luke strolling in. He poured himself a drink and offered one to Duvall who rejected the offer, gentlemen-like. "I don't know about you, but Wyndemere has always given me the heeby geebies." Luke rubbed his arms for effect.
"Same here." Luke could tell that Duvall was referring to the lady of the house rather than the estate itself.
"So what are you in for?" Luke drawled, downing his drink in one gulp.
"A will."
"Did someone die?" Luke raised an eyebrow at him.
"No. Well not recently anyways. This is Mikkos' will." Duvall showed Luke the will and finished his drink.
"My man, what has she been saying to you to make you want to open this can of worms again?" Luke wondered, filling the man's glass.
"Apparently, her stepdaughter, Alexis gave birth to a daughter. Since Nikolas married Miss Quartermaine instead of Lydia—Lydia—oh whatever her full name was he gave up his chance to be the heir. This daughter of Alexis' could be the new heir." Mr. Duvall explained.
"If the old hag can prove the girl's existence. Is that right?" Luke pressed.
"That's right." Duvall replied.
"I don't know about you Dooby—"
"It's Duvall."
"Right. Dooby I doubt there is any such child. I mean, how would Alexis have a daughter and then forget about her for three years. Did Helena explain that part to you?" Luke could see the man thinking about it.
"You know, she never did go into how it all happened. Say you don't think she's lying to save her hide? –I beg your pardon." Duvall chided himself, staring thoughtfully toward the wall.
"I think that old woman would say pigs flew if it meant she got to keep her money." Luke began and then switched tactics again, "But then what do I know, Dooby? She's probably telling the truth. I mean, as long as she brings you the child, her bank account is secured." Luke finished his second drink and strolled out of the living room, leaving "Dooby" thinking hard about what he had said. Luke strolled to the door, carrying himself with a graceful pose. None of Helena's guards spotted him, nor did the old woman herself.
Step one complete he smiled happily. Now to get the authorities here. My but it was almost too easy.
Alexis couldn't seem to look away from Kristina. Her little daughter was sitting in Alexis' apartment on the floor in the middle of a blanket surrounded by toys just as promised. Ecstasy played on her little face as she built with the blocks and talked to the stuffed animals. She seemed so calm despite the fact that she didn't know where she was or who Sonny and Alexis were.
Alexis and Sonny were sitting on the couch, content to just watch their daughter in her splendor. For a while they didn't say a thing to each other or to Kristina, afraid the moment might be stolen away from them. They watched her, feeling two completely different ways. Alexis saw Kristina as the daughter she had carried for nine months and lost three years ago. This time with her daughter was to be forever savored and she was thankful to be able to be this close to her. Sonny looked at Kristina as the child he had never known existed. She was his and he saw much of himself in her but unlike him she was innocent and pure. He hadn't been either of those things in years. The day he had pushed his pregnant mother down the stairs to kill baby Ric was the day he had lost his innocence.
"Do you think she remembers who I am?" Alexis didn't know why she was asking Sonny but he was here and she was worried.
Sonny's cell phone chirped from his pocket. Flipping it open, he mumbled, "What?" watching Kristina as he did so.
Alexis watched his eyes widen and she wondered what was wrong now. She looked at Kristina, happy that her captor was dead. Even though she had loved Ned—or been led to believe so—she loved Kristina more and his betrayal had cut him out of her heart for good. Sonny hadn't gone into the details and she was thankful for that. Ned Ashton was no longer a threat to her or to Kristina.
"Michael? Son, slow down. I can't understand you would you please just—What! Where are you now? What about Cassie and Morgan? Thank God. Are any of you hurt? I'm on my way just hold on!" Sonny closed the phone and ran for the door.
"Sonny what's going on?" Alexis demanded hopping up from her seat but keeping a watchful eye on Kristina.
"I have to go. My children are in danger." Sonny explained, grabbing his coat and taking one last look at his daughter.
"Sonny?" Alexis called as he stepped onto the elevator. "Don't leave Kristina without a father." The sentiment in her words surprised them both but Sonny just nodded and promised to return as soon as he could.
He walked down the beach with no real destination in mind. He was in paradise. Time was of little importance down here. The water rushed toward him but he couldn't hear it anymore, nor could he see it as beautiful. None of it mattered if his plan failed. None of it mattered if he lost the woman he loved. Everything he had done to ensure here safety might have also pushed her far enough away. What if she didn't love him anymore? Or what if she did but could never forgive him for all of the lies? Hiding out here had been Sonny's idea but hiding had been his.
Kicking a few seashells, he wondered what would happen when he returned to Port Charles. No one would be surprised to see him since they all knew he was alive. Jason had called him yesterday to let him know that they had spilled the beans to Elizabeth. He hadn't gone into her reaction but Lucky figured he already knew. Yep, she definitely hated him right now. Well he'd just have to win her love back, no matter what it took.
At the moment he needed to be focusing on catching Helena and staying out of her way. He was surprised when he heard a scream come from one of the cabins a few feet from the beach. Carly's cabin! Lucky was running toward the noise before he could even think of what he was going to do. Right now he just needed to get to his cousin. If he was right, the scream had come from Carly. What if he was wrong and it was one of the children?
Lucky slipped inside of Carly's cabin without meeting any resistance and proceeded to check each room of the house. The bedroom was clear, as were the bathrooms and the dining room. It was then that his nose caught a smell in the air. It was foul and he didn't like it at all. He recognized the smell as that of blood. Holding his breath to keep from vomiting, he stepped into the kitchen praying to whatever God was up there that it was just the smell of blood and not death.
"Carly!" Lucky hurried to his cousin's side. She was sprawled out like a rag doll and her flowered halter and white Capri's were soaked in blood. Her hand was covering her gunshot wound. Pulling her hand away, he noticed the hole. The bullet had gone straight through her back and stomach, leaving everything from her abdomen down numb and probably immobile.
"Carly? Carly, wake up." Lucky smoothed her hair from her forehead and continued to call her name. He knew better than to lift her so he treated her there. Thankfully Liz's brother was a doctor so Lucky knew enough to keep from killing Carly. Turning on all of the overhead lights, he was able to see the wounds more clearly. He kneeled beside his cousin and propped her head in one hand while applying pressure to her oozing leg with the other. Carly cried out in pain but didn't open her eyes. "Carly, I need you to wake up okay? It's Lucky. Talk to me." At first Carly didn't say anything. He would have to open an airway for her if she didn't start talking soon.
"Lucky? Where are the kids?" She asked, her eyes still firmly closed.
"Carly, keep talking." Lucky ignored her question because he didn't know the answer. He could only pray that they were safe. She obliged him and took his hand in hers, her eyes begging him to tell her what was going on. His hand was soaked in her blood so he wiped it on his clothes and grabbed a couch cushion to prop her legs on, keeping the blood flowing to her heart. He knew she was cold—knew it by the way she was shivering and the way her lip was turning an unsettling color of blue. She was breathing at least but it was choppy and very, very shallow.
"I need my children, Lucky. Please get them for me." Carly whimpered.
"Carly, you can go with me when I get them. For now, I need you to stay here with me." Lucky assured her.
"Why aren't we at the hospital?" Recollection ran over Carly's eyes and suddenly she remembered everything. "Oh my God, Lucky. I know where the kids are."
"Where are they Carly?" Lucky settled his hand over Carly's wound once again all the while trying to keep her warm.
"The safe house under the cabin. Call Sonny…I told them to. Cassie, Morgan, Michael." She seemed to be calling them but her voice caught in her throat and she began to cry.
"Who did this Carly?" God there was so much blood! He tried to soothe Carly but his curiosity was getting the better of him.
"Helena." Carly breathed and then sunk back into unconsciousness.
"Carly? CARLY!" Lucky tried to rouse her but found it impossible. Pulling out his cell phone—putting his life on the line—he started to call nine one-one. They couldn't find him here without having to question him. That would lead Helena right to him. But neither could he leave Carly. What was he going to do? As if in answer, he noticed Sonny running toward the cabin before his cell connected. Closing the phone, he waved Sonny toward him. Help was here. Sonny could save her!
Leaving Carly where she was-propping her head on a pillow-he went in search of the three little Corinthos' locked securely in the safe house. Sonny tended to Carly while he pulled back the cabinet doors and pressed a little button. They had been shown this secret passageway in case of an emergency. The board all of the cleaning products and assorted items were sitting on flipped over and moved back, leaving a one-man crawlspace. He called to his cousins but it took several minutes before he got an answer.
"We're okay, Lucky. Is it safe for us to come out? Is our dad here?" Michael called back.
"Yes times three." Lucky assured him.
"Morgan, you can go first." Michael offered. Not a moment later, Morgan's little dark head popped out of the hole. Lucky helped him out and next came Cassidy. Her blond curls were in disarray. Though Morgan was just a baby, he pulled Lucky's arms as he helped Cassidy get out. Michael pushed himself out of the hole and crawled over to his brother and sister, his deep red hair littered with a little bit of sand that he didn't think to brush away. He pushed that same button when they were far enough from the sink and it returned to how it was.
"Where's mom? Is she all right?" Michael demanded. Cassidy brushed some sand out of her hair and watched Lucky, waiting for answers as well. Morgan looked like he had been crying for quite some time.
"Your dad's with her now." Lucky explained. Already, he could hear the chopper flying in. It settled on the beach in front of the cabin, its wings flipping noisily. As Michael made a move toward the balcony, Lucky reached out and grabbed him by the shirt. "She's being flown to the hospital. She's very hurt."
Michael fought free of his cousin and ran to his mother, despite Lucky's words. "Mom? Mom!" He stopped dead in his tracks as he saw the paramedics lifting Carly onto a gurney and carrying her down the steps. She had an oxygen mask over her face and two IV's had been started to replace any lost fluid. "Mom!" Michael screamed, having every intention of going with her.
"Michael, no." Sonny argued forcibly. He grabbed his oldest son by the arms and pulled him back. "They have to take her to the hospital."
"Why aren't you going with her?" Michael's question came out as an accusation and Sonny almost stepped back.
Pulling the boy into his arms he hugged him tightly and promised that everything would be all right. The fear from the phone call he had received from Michael and the shock of seeing Carly bleeding out in the middle of the kitchen floor had just about done Sonny in. He heard Lucky behind him. "I'm going to go to the hospital with Carly. I have a car waiting. Do you think you can see the kids home?"
Lucky nodded as he watched the paramedics roll Carly into the chopper, packing themselves inside and making room for Sonny. Within minutes, the chopper was airborne and then it was gone. He turned to the children, all three of them in tears. Michael hadn't realized the extent of Carly's injuries otherwise he never would have left her. Cassie didn't know if she trusted the paramedics with her mommy and daddy. Morgan didn't understand why his mommy and daddy had both left him. Lucky herded them all into the car and they set off for Port Charles. He knew he wouldn't be able to stay until it was safe but he could always leave the kids with Sam. Jason left the woman with so many guards they would be more than safe.
"I look ridiculous." Jason huffed indignantly looking at the outfit Luke had sent him. Were they going to a costume party or a circus? He was dressed all in black with a black cape to match and a white half-mask covered a part of his face. He and Elizabeth were going to the Costume Party or "Masquerade" as Erik the Phantom—downright creative wasn't it? –And Christine Daae.
"I doubt you look worse than I do." Elizabeth argued, coming out to meet him, holding a white sequined mask in front of her face. Unlike him she was dressed all in pink. The straps hung on her shoulders, all white lace and pink roses. Matching roses kept the sides of her hair pinned, creating a crown of sorts. Two pearl earrings dangled from her ears. She had picked a silver crescent moon necklace for the outfit and a pair of white lace gloves to add the final touch.
"Damn." Jason sighed, with an exaggerated wave of his arms. "Ready to dance?"
"You hate to dance." Elizabeth pointed out.
"Yes well I only save my dancing for special occasions." Jason smirked and led her to the mansion where the ball was being held. The owner had too much money to spend and felt it necessary to throw an extravagant party or fifty. "Shall we?" Jason held out his arm and, with a smile, she looped her arm in his allowing him to escort her inside the exquisite hall.
Walking inside the extensive ballroom, Elizabeth couldn't help but stare. The floors were set in a pattern of arrowheads traveling from one cathedral window to the other. Several ancient-looking portraits hung on the walls but the real treat was the chandelier. With a satin finish and hundreds of little gumdrop crystals hanging from it, the chandelier brought even more beauty to the room. The chandelier held fifty candles in fifty decorative brass holders. The furniture had been moved back and out of the room.
After a few dances, they were ready to get Stefan and get out. "He's over there. By the bar." Jason explained, twirling Elizabeth around and pulling her back to him.
"Here goes." Elizabeth took a deep breath. "Do you think you can make it that far?" She asked Jason. Nodding at her, he spun her around so that she would land right in Stefan's arms—or his back as it turned out. "Oh excuse me." Elizabeth apologized, holding the mask in front of her face to keep her identity hidden.
"Do you mind? I was over here, minding my own business—" Stefan's words died on his tongue as he looked at her.
"I guess I'm just a little clumsy." Elizabeth explained, covering her mouth. It seemed that Stefan had chosen to wear no costume, just a tuxedo.
"Where did you come from? I mean, I surely would have noticed you before now." Stefan assured her.
"I just thought I'd come here and dance. It's too bad none of the men here like dancing. I guess I'll just have to sit this one out." Elizabeth twirled her hair and sighed sadly.
"Well, my dear, you're in luck." Stefan held out his hand for her.
"Don't tell me you like to dance?" Elizabeth feigned surprise.
"Shall we?" Stefan led her to the dance floor and it turned out that he was a splendid dancer. "Might I ask you a question?" Stefan inquired.
"Go ahead." Elizabeth made sure that her mask was kept close to her face. The last thing they needed was for Stefan to catch on to what they were up to.
Stefan grabbed a hold of Elizabeth's wrists and pulled her toward him. "Whom, are you working for?" He whispered into her ear, his grip on her wrists tightening with each word he spoke.
"You're hurting me." Elizabeth shot back.
"Whom, are you working for?" Stefan repeated.
"Let me go." She demanded calmly.
"Answer my question." Stefan was holding her so tightly her wrists were losing circulation.
"I'm just here to dance." Elizabeth stated, pulling at his iron grip.
"You aren't a very good liar. Now answer my question." Stefan pulled the mask away from her and smiled. "Why Miss Webber, so nice to see you again." He snickered.
"If you know what's good for you, Stefan, you won't turn around." Jason threatened, pressing the barrel of his gun against the older man's back for emphasis.
"I should have known Corinthos would send his thug to do his dirty work." Stefan spat.
"I'm going to escort you to the car outside." Jason said sweetly, steering him toward the door.
"Just think, Stefan," Elizabeth began, "If you had worn a costume, we may not have been able to find you so easily. You're slipping in your old age."
"Tell this hooligan to let me go or it'll be Kristina who pays the price." Stefan guaranteed with a gleam in his eyes.
"You're bluffing." Jason knew. Sonny had called earlier to tell him that he had found Kristina with Ned. Damned stupid cousin of his was now dead. Jason figured he should feel some sort of sadness but he couldn't. Ned had crossed the line—first by teaming up with Helena and finally by taking Kristina away from her parents. At least Ned was dead and Helena had been caught. Luke really amazed him sometimes.
"Am I? Are you really willing to risk the child's life?" Stefan wondered thinking he had them hooked.
"Oh shut up." Elizabeth ordered as Jason shoved Stefan into the back of the limo, settling him next to Johnny.
"Stefan, this is Johnny. He's going to make sure you get where you need to go." Jason explained and then shut the door.
"Should we be worried?" Elizabeth queried as the limo drove away.
"Nah. We've got bigger fish to fry anyway." Just as he said this, his cell began ringing incessantly. Looking down he flipped open the phone, "Morgan. All right. Yeah I'm coming." Jason slipped the phone into his pocket and looked back at Elizabeth.
"You have to go." Elizabeth guessed.
"Carly's been shot. Sonny wants me to come to the hospital. You're welcome to come." He added as an afterthought.
"No, I don't want to impose. I'll be by to see Carly later." Elizabeth promised watching him leave.
Jason motioned for one of his guards and mumbled something to him. As Jason hopped onto his motorcycle, the guard led Elizabeth to yet another limo. "Where to, Miss Webber?" The mustached man wondered.
"Sonny's island." Elizabeth answered without thinking. She had overheard Jason on the phone to Sonny, talking about where Lucky was hiding.
Author's Notes: Helena and Stefan are caught! Liz knows where Lucky is! Sonny and Alexis are getting along! I know what you're thinking: it could only happen in this story. Can you say reunions? That's what up next. Hope you're excited and that you enjoyed reading this. Leave a review if you want. There are only a few chapters left so if there's something you want to see, now's the time to let me know.