Sorry about the delay. Life got in the way.

Chapter 21

The rains beat down on Lorenzo's Oxford studio window. He woke up in a fog as the cool air caused his naked body to tremble. He pulled at the covers and realized that they were all bundled up around Natasha. His head pounded as he looked over at her curled up on the other side of his bed wrapped up in his sheets. "I don't remember anything." He whispered.

Natasha started to stir as the sound of the shutters banged together against the wind. Lorenzo rushed from his bed to close the shutters and the loose window. He leaned on the windowsill to catch his bearings to remember what happened the night before. He was embarrassed that he had too much to drink.

"Does it always rain like this? I'd hate to ruin my trip." Natasha sat up in the bed.

Lorenzo turned to her while grabbing his clothes thrown across the chair. He struggled to put on his pants as he was still a bit tipsy. "Yes. Sadly it does. That's why I do a lot of reading and writing. Perfect weather just to hibernate." He sauntered over to his coffeemaker and started it to brew.

"What's the plan for today?" Natasha pulled her knees to her chest.

"I have a class to prepare for. I can't be much of a tour guide." Lorenzo kept his eyes to the ground.

"Is there some reason you don't want to discuss last night?"

Lorenzo lifted his eyes to Natasha. "I would if I could remember it. I fear I was a bit drunk. I'd hate it if I mindlessly took your virginity."

Natasha cackled. "My virginity? No worries. I wasn't a virgin…" Her voice trailed off dissolving into a puddle of shame.

"Oh…" Lorenzo sipped his coffee relieved. "Coffee?"

Natasha waved away his offer. "I was raped."

Lorenzo spit out his mouthful of coffee and choked. He slammed down his mug and tried to catch his breath. He rested his head on the back of the chair. "I said I don't remember."

"Not you. Luis and Stavros."

Alexis woke up feeling someone grabbing her wrists. She fought the pressure until she opened her eyes and noticed the clean shaven face of a young Lorenzo was bearded and aging gracefully. "Lorenzo?"

Lorenzo released her and sat down next to her bed. "I brought you to an undisclosed location."

Alexis shot up. "Huh? I was in the hospital. Franco is alive."

Lorenzo nodded. "I know. That's why I took you away. Too much going on." He got up and paced. "Sonny can't know that you killed his kid."

Alexis touched her chest. "Wait what? I didn't kill anyone. I clearly didn't kill Franco."

Lorenzo leaned on the fireplace. "You and I both know your father did this. That man." He smashed his fist into the brick and wrung it in pain. "He always thinks he's fixing things but he ends up making it worse. He's the reason I never knew my kid. I'll never forgive him for that."

Alexis got out of the bed. "What kid? What kid died?"

"Dante was shot and killed in the woods." Lorenzo eyed Alexis. "I know for a fact, you…I mean Natasha was in the woods that night. Helena made Natasha angry." He grabbed at his smarting hand. "Natasha must learn to control her anger."

"You're one to talk. You tied Sonny to a chair and beat him senseless in the name of revenge. Don't give out orders you can't follow yourself. Take me back to that hospital!"

"I won't!" Lorenzo yelled. "Between Franco and Dante you're safest here."

"I have to find my son." Alexis wiped away tears.

Lorenzo stared at her in disbelief. "What did you just say?"

"Mikkos." Alexis sniffled. "I can't be away from him any longer."

Lorenzo crossed his arms. "You've gotten worse. You and Natasha…there was a time when the left hand knew what the right hand was doing. Alexis, you have no clue what has transpired over the last couple of days do you?"

"I was in New York City with Sonny. We went to the opera. And then I was in the hospital. That's all I remember."

"How did you get to the hospital?"

Alexis sat down on the bed. "I saw Stavros. I woke up in this boat tied to the dock. Stavros was on the dock. He helped me get back on the dock. We argued. I asked him about the rape."

"Why bring up old wounds?"

"You just stood there and said you can never forgive my father for taking Sam away. He didn't just take Sam from you. He took her away from me too." Alexis stood up and moved closer to Lorenzo. "You know why I can't stand you? You're a self-absorbed son of a bitch. Always have been."

Lorenzo smirked. "And the man you're marrying is a boy scout? You better start being nicer to me Alexis."

"Or what?"

Lorenzo couldn't do it. He wanted soo badly to make Alexis pay for something. He wasn't sure exactly what. "I would give anything to have Natasha back. She gets me. I get her. I couldn't wait to see the face of the girl in the stables who couldn't understand a word of Spanish."

"That girl was left behind in Greece a long time ago."

"And so was Mikkosavich. But you have hope that you'll see him again. And I'll keep hope that I'll see Natasha again."

Alexis barged past Lorenzo and flung open the door. She stepped out into the hall. The sounds of a child's laughter filled the front room. Alexis noticed the TV flickering before her with a cartoon.

Lorenzo walked out past her and picked up Mikkos from the couch putting all of his excited focus on the cartoon. "I found that he really enjoys Tom and Jerry."

Alexis couldn't believe her eyes. She reached out to touch the little boy fidgeting in Lorenzo's arms.

Lorenzo turned off the TV prompting Mikkos to set his attention on Alexis.

"Momma." Mikkos' grin filled his face. "Mouse." He pointed towards the TV.

"Enough of that for the day." Lorenzo held tight to Mikkos. "People do come back…Alexis. I have faith I'll see Natasha again. And she'll accept my proposal."

"You found him?" Alexis was hesitant to touch Mikkos as she noticed Lorenzo's protective body language guarding the baby as if he was a lion protecting his cub.

"Yes." Lorenzo moved away from and took to the floor with Mikkos and his toys. "You can go. Mikkos and I will just stay here away from danger. I doubt you'd want Franco to see him."

Alexis was still in disbelief. "He's gotten so big. And he called me Momma. He talks."

Mikkos started to sing as he played with his toy truck.

Alexis laughed. "And sings. I can't believe my eyes right now. I do remember the day Helena threatened us in Greece. I knew I had to do something to protect him…all of them." She got down on the floor. "Are you serious about Dante?"

"Yes. You and Mikkos. Natasha and Mikkos were at a cabin in the woods. I had left you there alone while I went to deal with Johnny. I came back and Natasha was gone."

"I left my little boy alone again?"

Lorenzo grabbed a toy truck and rolled it across the ground. "No. Someone else was there. But I promised him that I wouldn't reveal his identity to anyone. He wants to flee the country and I plan to help him do so."

Zander slung his bag across his shoulder and started through the woods. As he reached the edge of entering civilization, he pondered if he really wanted to leave Port Charles again. He dug into his pocket and pulled out a wad of cash given to him by Lorenzo. He opened his bag and tossed the cash inside. He continued on down the path to Kelly's where he stopped and noticed it was open for business and brimming with guests.

Johnny rubbed his eyes and watched Gia busy with her iPad. "Can you put that thing down for a minute?"

Gia laid the iPad down on the table and picked up a spoon to stir her coffee. "I never knew Dante."

"What the fuck does it matter?" Johnny sipped his coffee. He peered over his mug and noticed something odd about Gia's behavior. "Talk to me. Something's going on."

Gia sighed. "Sonny is my brother."

Johnny looked to his side and quickly focused back on Gia. "How long have you known?"

"Not long. Definitely not when I was last here."

"How?"

"Found out that Mike is my father."

"Jesus, Papa was a rolling stone."

"Definitely."

Sam raced into Kelly's and grabbed Johnny's arm. "I need you. You have to fix something for me."

Zander slid behind a tree and tried to see the activities inside namely the only face that he recognized-Gia's.

Sam pulled up a chair to the table. "I ended up in bed with Lucky."

Gia swallowed hard. "Should I leave?"

"No." Sam shook her head. "Jason thinks something is up."

"Did he say something to you?" Johnny asked.

"I'm avoiding him."

Johnny waited for Sam to say more.

Sam was mortified. "You think I had sex with Lucky?"

"Did you?" Gia asked.

"God no." Sam's hands trembled. "I don't remember. I don't think so. I would never cheat on Jason. Not on purpose. This happened once before and Alana was almost not Jason's." She took a deep breath. "Something's not right. Something's off."

"Calm down Sam. You know Jason would understand." Johnny tried to reassure her.

Sam slid downward in her chair. "Thank God Franco is dead. Jason and I can work this out in therapy with Kevin. It was going so well and now this."

Zander went to leave the safety of the tree but slammed into Kristina. "Oh God." He gasped. "I'm sorry."

Kristina blinked. "It's you. Zander? It's you. I'd know that face anywhere."

Zander took his finger and brushed the hair from his eyes to see her clearly. "Kristina?" He smiled. "I'd know those dimples anywhere."

Kristina embraced Zander. "Are you safe?"

"I was heading out of town. I can't be seen here. I gotta go." He tried to leave but Kristina grabbed his arm.

"No. I know where you can go. And I promise no one will rat you out. I just found you. I don't want to lose you again."

"I don't want to be a problem." Zander fussed.

"Please. Let me help." Kristina took his hand and led him away.

Ethan wandered aimlessly on the docks until he spotted Robin. "Thanks for meeting me."

Robin wrapped her arms around Ethan. "I can't believe it."

"He won't live for long. Have you seen him?"

Robin pulled from Ethan. "No. I can't see him. But my mom and dad won't leave his side. Can you believe that Mikkosavich Cassadine is alive?"

"I thought that was a rumor?"

"You don't talk to your mom?"

Ethan sat down on the bench. "I'm a rock stuck in a hard place. I'm not some overachiever like you nor am I some misunderstood creep."

"Robert loves you. I know he was disappointed when he thought you weren't his son."

"Well I am." Ethan looked ahead and squinted his eyes. "Hey. Is that Kristina?"

Robin stared out as the launch left the dock. "Looks like it. But who's with her?"

"Doesn't look like AJ nor does it look like Michael."

Sam couldn't believe her ears. "Dante is dead? How?"

Johnny played with the spoon on the table. "Someone shot him to death."

"How did Lulu take the news?"

"Not well." Gia picked up her iPad and played with it.

"I should go see her." Sam got up from the table. "What about Sonny?"

Johnny shook his head. "Not a good idea. He's in his dark place. You know how that goes."

Brenda let herself into the Greystone and went up the stairs. Milo stepped in front of the door of Sonny's bedroom.

"You don't want to go in there Ms. C. He's not in a good place."

Brenda stepped back. "Please. "

Milo stepped aside as Brenda opened Sonny's bedroom door.

It was complete darkness but Brenda could see Sonny leaned against the side of the bed. His Scotch glass was perched, empty of spirits, in his hand. Brenda kneeled down and pulled the glass from his fingers.

"You shouldn't drink anymore. It's not a good example for Kristina." She expected him to fight her but he just sat there immobile.

Brenda placed the glass on the nightstand and sat next to him. "I keep wondering if any of this is my fault. Or if there was anything I could have done to keep this from happening."

"Shit happens Brenda." Sonny stuttered. "I'm sorry." He rubbed his face. "Alec's not alone now. They're together. That's what I gotta focus on." He looked at Brenda. "Right?"

"Right." Brenda agreed.

"Daddy look!" Mikkos was frustrated as he shoved his truck in Lorenzo's face. "No Vroom Vroom!"

Lorenzo laughed. "I see. The truck does Vroom Vroom. You gotta try harder."

"No." Mikkos moved the truck on the ground hoping to make a sound.

Alexis observed Mikkos playing. "He calls you Daddy."

Lorenzo ran his fingers through Mikkos' hair. "There was a time when you trusted him in my care because you believed I was the best thing for him. I guess you've forgotten that too."

"This is all very complicated."

"What happens when you marry Sonny? Will I lose everything? First Sam and now Mikkos? Haven't I lost enough? I've only made one promise in life. And that's the only I should be held to."

"What's that?"

"Our first horse ride together…King Mikkosavich asked me to bring back his Natasha in one piece and I promised I would."

Kristina pulled Zander into one of the offices of Wyndemere. "I'm sure you remember this place?"

Zander dropped his bag. "I do. And I shouldn't be here Kristina. It's dangerous."

"No. I promised…"

"Kristina…not for me but for the Prince. I've been hired to kill the Prince. And he resides here."

Kristina shook her head. "No. No he doesn't."

Zander twirled the ring on his finger. "What do you mean?"

"If you're talking about Nikolas, he's not the prince any longer."

Zander held his breath. "No? Then who is?"

"My little brother. His name is Mikkosavich Alexander. Alexander because of you." Kristina blushed.

Zander looked down. "Lorenzo was right."

"You've met Lorenzo?"

Zander leaned against the desk. "I have. And he swore he wouldn't lie to me. And he didn't. Helena played me for a fool." He started to cry.

Kristina put her arm around Zander. "Why are you crying?"

"I don't know where I am or what I'm supposed to be doing. I did some terrible things Kristina. I've hurt a lot of people."

"It's ok. My mom will fix it. I bet all you need is a good lawyer."

"She didn't recognize me."

"You saw her?"

Zander wiped his eyes. "Nevermind. I've said too much already."

The door of the office open and Stefan walked in. "Well…if it isn't Zander Smith. You're alive."

Zander stood at attention. "I will go."

"No!" Kristina held Zander. "Please Stefan!" She jumped in front of Zander. "You know my mother would want him to stay."

"Not under the same roof as Nikolas. Be gone."

"Ok." Kristina grabbed Zander's bag. "Let's go."

Zander followed Kristina out of the office.

Stefan closed the door behind them. He noticed the walls open to the tunnels and King Mikkosavich walk in. Stefan became docile in his father's presence.

"What antics does my granddaughter think she's pulling? Bringing an assassin under my roof?"

Stefan pulled his hands behind his back. "I've asked Kristina to rid us of the riffraff."

"She's her mother's child. You expect she'll do what you asked? He may not be the prince but Nikolas must be protected."

"Agreed."

King Mikkosavich sat down at the desk. "Now on to business. Any updates on Franco? Is Natasha out of hot water?"

"Unfortunately no. If Franco dies, it will be from his injuries."

"But there is no proof that Natasha injured him."

"We don't know how busy Stavros and mother have been. I'm sure they can forge something."

"Helena has been warned about hurting any of my children."

Stefan smirked. "And you trust that she listens to you? Fascinating."

"Are you being cynical?"

Stefan frowned. "No Sir. I'm just being honest. Mother cannot be trusted. My goal has always been to protect my sister knowing that she needed it."

Mikkos hopped into Lorenzo's lap finally growing tired of his playtime.

Alexis got up from the ground. "It's soo weird that I don't feel anything for you."

Lorenzo stood up cradling Mikkos in his arms. "Maybe you can learn to love me again?"

Alexis slowly shook her head. "Not possible. I love Sonny." She grabbed her stomach.

Lorenzo laid a tired Mikkos down on the couch. "Are you ok?"

"Apparently my daughter doesn't like you either." Alexis laughed as she rubbed her stomach.

"A girl…" Lorenzo chuckled. "Poor Mikkos. Surrounded by women."

"Well he does have Nikolas. They can band together."

Lorenzo watched Alexis pat her belly. "You know what I find interesting. You don't care that Dante is dead. That gives me hope."

Alexis' face turned red. "It's not that I don't care. It's just that I'm really happy right now. The impossible happened. My little boy is home. I don't think anything can steal that joy from me now."

Lorenzo took his hand and rested it on Alexis' stomach. "Do you really believe this baby is Sonny's?"

"Do you really believe this baby is Johnny's?"

Lorenzo nodded. "I do. He has every right to be a part of its life."

Alexis pressed her hand on top of Lorenzo's. "This is a bad time to make any crazy decisions. I think it can wait."

Kristina went up to the door of the Greystone and realized Zander was far behind her. "Please. You know Dad would never leave you hanging."

"Where was he was I almost died?" Zander grit his teeth. "I should go Kristina."

Max opened the door and eyed Zander at the edge of the driveway. "Kristina…."

"Shut up Max!" Kristina beckoned Zander to follow her inside. She found Brenda downstairs. "Where is my dad?"

Sonny walked down the stairs. "I'm here."

"I need your help. Promise you'll help me?" Kristina begged.

Sonny was weary but he didn't hesitate to agree.

Kristina opened the door and pulled Zander inside. "Can you believe it Dad? Zander's alive."

Zander stayed close behind Kristina.

Brenda put down her magazine.

Sonny rubbed his eyes. "Zander? It's really you."

Kristina stepped aside. "It's really him."

Zander put down his bag. He held his arms to his side not sure where to put them. "Hey Sonny." He looked over and noticed Brenda. "Brenda."

Brenda waved and moved to the corner of the couch.

Sonny reached out to Zander and touched him as if he was discovering him for the first time. "Wow. I needed this. Give me a hug."

Zander buried his body into Sonny's. "So good to see you again."

Sonny hugged Zander. "Where you been?"

"I wish I knew." Zander cried.