chapter10
Chapter 10

Not knowing what the words implied, Zander rushed and picked up Emily cradling her in his arms as they fled the loft and down the stairs to the alley. As he made his way towards Front Street, he looked back over his shoulder as the loft exploded into a ball of flames. The impact of the explosion sent him to the ground with Emily beneath him. As he lay on the ground covering her from falling debris, he noticed her tears of fear streaming from her eyes. "It's alright, Emily...I gotcha...it's gonna be alright." Zander said as he tried to comfort his wife as they lay on the side walk. As Zander came to his feet, he noticed Rick and Johnny running towards him from the warehouse. "Zander..what happened...are you two alright?" ... Johnny asked as Rick tended to Emily who still lay on the sidewalk dazed. "I'm not sure what happened...but it looks like our apartment blew up!" he shouted. "Where were you guys?!" Zander inquired as he assisted Emily to her feet. "Rick and I got a page to go to the warehouse..so we did. We thought Mr. Corinthos...." Johnny replied as Zander saw the panic in his eyes. "Alright...so what happened when you got there.." Zander asked as he was enthralled by the flames that were shooting out of the roof of the apartment. "Nothing..no one was there. We were gone a matter of minutes..honest." Rick explained as the fire trucks and ambulance pulled up along Front Street. "I believe you..." he replied as he knew in the back of his mind Sorel was behind this ...he was going to make him pay dearly for this one.

Zander tended to Emily as the fireman had started to control the blaze that was burning feverishly. The ambulance doors had swung open and two paramedics rushed to their aid as Zander and Emily walked towards them. "I'm alright...just shaken up a bit." Emily said as the paramedic tended to her abrasion on her forehead. "How far along are you?" the paramedic asked as he noticed she was caressing her so pregnant belly. "Almost 7 months." she replied as he took her blood pressure. Emily noticed that Zander had wandered closer to the action as the fireman brought the blaze under control. "Zander!...." She yelled as he turned around to her acknowledge her scream for him. "You stay there...I'll be right back.." he shouted forcefully. Emily watched in dismay as Zander made his way towards the crowd that had gathered along the street and sidewalk. Zander wandered down towards the warehouse where he met up with Sonny and Jason, who had been called by Johnny. As the three of them stood conversing about the explosion and Sorel, Jason noticed Taggert was making his rounds through the crowd talking to everyone who may have noticed anything suspicious. "Don't look now, but your buddy is on the job.." he said directly the statement towards Sonny. "I figured it wouldn't take him long to get down here." he replied as the three put a little distance between them. "I'll get the whole story later...and we are working on time constraints here...If Sorel can pull this off in a matter of hours, just think of what he could accomplish with days of freedom." he added as they began to walk back towards the alleyway. "Sonny you don't think it was an inside job..do ya?" Zander asked as Taggert walked towards them. "Nah, I think this was exclusively Sorel and him alone."

"Gentlemen...out for a brisk morning walk are we?" Taggert said as he approached them. "If you haven't noticed my apartment blew up..." Zander replied with a smirk. "No, need to get sarcastic..Mr. Smith. I was just making an observation." he replied as he flipped another page in his little notebook he was carrying. "Is there a purpose to this conversation?" Sonny asked as he was getting impatient with Taggert. "Why yes, Mr. Corinthos...there is. I'd like to know what Mr. Smith here has to say about this unfortunate incident." Taggert answered as he looked at Zander who seemed to more concerned with his wife across the street. "Not much to say about it...other than I was lucky enough to carry my wife to safety before the explosion." Zander said with reservations about telling Taggert to much. "Don't know who would of done something like this?" Taggert questioned as another officer came up behind him. "I think Mr. Smith answered your question, Taggert.." Sonny replied as the officer and Taggert spoke quietly.

"Well the fire has been eradicated and we are gonna wait now till the Fire Marshall has a chance to sort through what is left the building before we conclude what happened here." Taggert stated as he flipped through his notebook as if to be searching for something. "Are we done... I really should get back to Emily." Zander inquired as he gazed over the crowd to see her still across the street with the paramedics. "Yeah, go..be with your wife. If there is anything else..." Taggert replied as his words drifted off. "I know..I'l call you.." Zander replied as he started down the sidewalk towards Emily.

Once Zander had Emily in plain view he quickly ran across the street to her. The paramedics had wrapped her in a hospital issued blanket while she waited for him in the ambulance. "Is she alright?" Zander asked the paramedic as he stepped into the ambulance. "Yeah, she's fine and the baby's fine. I don't see a reason for her to go to the hospital. We treated her superficial scrape on the forehead..no stitches needed. You can take her home." the paramedic replied as he was packing some of his supplies. "Home...yeah, where's that?" Emily asked as Zander took her hand in his. "We'll stay at the PC Hotel if we have too...don't worry everything is going to be just fine." he replied as he assisted her down from the ambulance. As she stepped down, Sonny and Jason had made there way from across the street. "So now what?..." Zander asked as they approached. "Don't you worry about that...Jas and I have it all under control." Sonny replied. "You know what to do.." he added as he looked at Jason. "Right." Jason answered as Sonny started to turn away. "Come on..let's go." he added as he gestured to Zander.

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News about the explosion traveled like a whirlwind through the hospital. Alan and Monica now panic stricken about their daughter and grand-child. As they were making a few phone calls, Taggert stepped off the elevator. He made his way across to the nurses station to where Alan and Monica stood holding a conversation with Amy. "Taggert!...What can you tell us?" Alan said as Taggert approached. "Not much...other than Emily and the baby are fine. Her and Zander are staying with Alexis for now until a more permanent residence can be found. "Oh thank God!.." Monica replied as the relief of hearing her daughter was alright came over her. "I just had a few questions for the two of you...can we go somewhere and talk?" Taggert asked as he reached in his pocket of his overcoat for his little notebook. "Sure we can go to my office and talk..this way." Alan replied as he pointed in the direction of his office. Monica and Taggert followed Alan as he walked down the hall of the hospital towards his office. Both wondered what information they could give Taggert about the incident this morning.

Once inside the office Taggert removed his overcoat and took a seat in one of the chairs in front of Alan's desk. "So, what would you like to know?" Alan asked as he took a seat behind the desk. "Has Emily said anything lately about Sorel?" Taggert questioned as he looked at Alan who sat across from him. "Sorel?...Why would she say anything about Sorel?...Nah, nothing within the last 6 or 8 months. Before that, she was pretty distant from us.." Monica replied as she took a seat next to Taggert. "I don't want to scare you, but Sorel escaped yesterday afternoon on his way back to Pentonville." Taggert replied. "Escaped?!...What do you mean he escaped?!" Alan asked as he now was more worried than ever about Emily. "Alan..calm down." Monica said as she tried to soothe Alan's temper down far enough to have a civil conversation with a police officer. "Explain this to us, Taggert." Monica replied. Taggert tried to explain the Sorel situation as much as he could without alarming Emily's parents. And as far as he knew Sorel wasn't in Port Charles. He'd more than likely go underground till things cooled down. Since there wasn't much else Taggert could shed on the incident or Sorel, he grabbed his overcoat and left the office, leaving Alan and Monica to worry about Emily together.

Alan quickly got on the phone and called Alexis hoping to speak with Emily. Of course the phone rang and rang. He finally got Alexis's answering machine and left a message that she should call him as soon as she got home. This didn't look good. As Alan and Monica sat and pondered what should be done now, Alan's phone rang. "Dr. Quartermaine" he said as he initially picked up the receiver. "Dad?...It's me.." the voice replied on the other end. "Emily!...where are you?!" he questioned as relief overcame he and Monica. "I'm sorry..I can't tell you that." she answered. "But I can tell you that I am fine...the baby's fine." "We are worried about you Em..we are just worried and we would like to have some answers..." Alan replied as he and Monica shared the receiver. "I'm sorry but I can't give them to you. I just wanted you to know that I love the two of you and that I am alright. Now I have to go now...but I will keep in touch as often as I can." she answered as Alan heard desperation in her voice. "We love you to Em..." he replied as her end of the conversation went dead. Alan and Monica glanced at each other in concern over their daughter and the situation she has gotten herself in.

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The long black limo turned the corner onto an old dirt road in the middle of nowhere as Zander and Emily watched the scenery pass by through the black tinted windows. Jason had explained the situation crystal clear for all involved to understand. There will be absolutely no contact between them and anyone in Port Charles. Jason is their lifeline, anything they need he will get it for them. If and when Emily calls her parents it is to be done on Jason's cell phone and no mention of where they are. The safe house is stocked with food and clothes for them so they should be alright for a few weeks. While Zander and Emily were safely tucked away Jason and Sonny would take care of Sorel.

The limo pulled up in front of the safe house as Zander and Jason gathered what they could before exiting the car. Once the limo had stopped at the front door of the house, Jason existed the car while Zander assisted to Emily. It was now late afternoon and Emily hadn't eaten all day. Zander had decided to head to the kitchen to prepare his wife something to eat as Jason's cell phone rang. Jason took the phone call in the other room as Zander searched the kitchen cupboards for something quick. A few moments later Jason had finished his phone call and pulled Zander to the side for a chat. "That was Sonny. A few of our people found some of Sorel's contacts who may have had a hand in this. Now I have to go and but the two of you will be safe here. And I mean the two of you...Zander." Jason stated firmly as he placed his phone in his jacket pocket. "Alright..we'll wait to hear from you.." Zander replied as he glanced over towards Emily who sat at the kitchen table. "And one more thing before I go..under no circumstances do either of you leave the house. I'll be back in a few days to check on you." he replied as he made his way towards the stairs. "What if Emily...if something goes wrong between your visits?" Zander asked as he followed Jason in toe. "Call me immediately on..." Jason began and hesitated as he remembered Zander had no cell phone to use. "On what?..Jas I don't have my cell..remember it kinda got blown up this morning." "I'll get you one...I'll be back tomorrow morning with it." Jason replied as he climbed the stairs two steps at a time. With that said Zander heard the door close and turned his attention back to his wife who had been patiently waiting for some dinner.

"Are ya about starved by now..?" Zander asked as he stood behind Emily massaging her shoulders. "I don't know...but that feels so good.." she replied as she felt herself relax as his hands did wonders to her tense muscles in her neck. "Whatda stop for?" she asked as she leaned back her head and looked up at him. "Oh..sorry.." he replied with a smirk. "I could use a glass of milk or something.." she hinted as she folded her arms on the table and rested her head her make shif pillow. "Sure...let's see.." he replied as he opened the refrigerator door stuck his head in and searched out something to drink. Emily noticed to the nice view he gave her as he was still searching for that drink. "Nice.." she replied under her breath with a grin. "Nice what?" he asked as he straightened. "Oh, nothing.." "You were checkin me out?!" he replied as he turned and glanced at his backside. "I can look..." she said as she smiled. "So what does Sonny have for me to drink?" "Milk, OJ, or apple juice..you pick." Zander replied as he stood there holding open the refrigerator door. "Milk.." she answered as he reached in for her selection. "Would you like cookies to go with that milk, my dear." he said with a grin. "Sonny has cookies?..where?" "I'm sure he has thought of everything...if not remind me and I'll ask Jas to bring you some." Zander better find those cookies, cause right about now she was hungry for chocolate chip. Zander started searching for her cookies as she sat and drank the milk he poured her. "Find any?.." she asked as she watched him searching every cupboard. "Not yet.." "Come on..you ain't holdin out on me again...are ya?" "Now would I do that?..." he said jokingly as he noticed a box of chocolate chip located in the cupboard he had just opened. He looked back and noticed from where she was sitting there was no possible way she could of seen them on the shelf. She noticed he hesitated in his searching as if he found what he had been looking for. "Guess what I found.." he said as he turned around with the box hidden behind his back. "Oh...I don't know..a box of chocolate cookies?" she replied as she tried to sneak a peek at what he was hiding. "Yeah a full box...." he said as she reached around him with both arms trying to take the box from him. "Wait..now are you going to be nice and share them with me?....or hog them as usual?" he said with a snicker. "Zander...give me those cookies!" she said playfully. "Okay...but.." he began. "No buts...well maybe later..right now..I want the cookies.." she replied as she looked at him. "Okay...here...no need to start making threats.." he said quickly as he handed her the box. "Who's making threats...that was not a threat..that was a promise.." she said teasingly. "Mmmmm..a promise....you think you should be making those kinds of promises in the condition your in?" he asked as the thought of what he just said was sure to get him in a whole heap of trouble later. "Condition...? What condition?...Zander I'm pregnant...not dead...I got needs..." she replied as she dunked her chocolate chip cookie in her milk. "I'm sure you do..." he replied as he laid his hand on her thigh and caressed her leg. "If you keep doing that...you are going to find out sooner than later what I got needs for..." she said tempting him with everything she had. Both of them gazed into each other's eyes knowing exactly what she meant and playfully giggled at the thought of knowing.

Emily hadn't realized how hungry she was until Zander shook the box and heard it was half empty. "Looks like Jason better bring you another box of chocolate chip." he said with a grin. "Funny..your very funny.." Emily replied with a giggle. Zander closed up the box and put them back into the cupboard where he found them, as Emily wiped down the table with the dishrag by the sink. She placed the glasses in the sink as Zander wrapped his strong arms around her waist. They walked in unison towards the sofa in the living room area. As they reached the sofa, Zander turned her around to face him. He looked down at her with his brown eyes and cradled her head as she leaned into his hand. He leaned in and gently pressed his lips to hers as their mouths parted and the kiss had deepened. "I love you, Emily.." he said as his lips released from hers and she was left breathless. "I love you too. More than you know." she replied as they stood embracing each other. With that, Zander assisted her in taking a seat on the large sofa in front of the television set. As he took the remote in his hand, Zander wondered what kind of reception the set would get being out in the middle of nowhere. "Well, Sonny thinks of everything, now don't he?" he stated as he started flipping through the stations. All 300 hundred of them. Zander was in heaven...satelite dish. By the way Zander reacted to the television, Emily found out one more thing about her husband. He certainly never experienced having a satellite dish. She enjoyed watching him as a little kid on Christmas morning...surfing through the channels as he smiled from ear to ear.

Emily stretched herself out with the conforms of the sofa and laid her head in Zander's lap as he placed his arm along her as his hand gently fell on her midsection. She felt safe for the first time in a long time. She knew that he would protect her with everything he had. As she laid there watching the tv show he had flipped to, he softly brushed away the stray auburn hair from her green eyes. His touch was soothing to her and relaxed her to the point of her eyes becoming heavy as she tried to stay awake. He noticed she was falling asleep on his lap and that soon she couldn't resist. He turned her towards him and leaned down and kissed her on her forehead. "Come on.." he whispered to her as she looked up towards him. "Where.." she said quietly. "Emily you're exhausted..let me help you to bed, so you can get a good night sleep." "No I'm not..see" she replied as she purposely widened her eyes. "Come on..." he replied with a grin and a chuckle. "Only if you come with me.." she said teasingly.

Zander cradled her against him as he rose from the sofa and carried her into the bedroom. He laid her gently on the bed as she drew him near and not wanting him to go. Zander knew by the look in her eyes, she wanted him to stay with her so he laid next to her and wrapped his arm around her. She placed her head on his chest as he watched her drift off to sleep.

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Alan and Monica worried about their daughter had not told Edward about her phone call to them earlier. As the family sat in the living room, Reginald handed Monica her cell phone which was ringing for the fourth time. Monica hesitant to answer it, fearing it could be bad news about Emily, took a deep breath and flipped the phone open. "Hello, Dr. Quartermaine." she said as she held the phone up to her ear. "Monica...it's Jason. Don't say my name." he replied quickly. "I just wanted to let you know about Emily." he added. Monica surprised to here from her eldest son, and being that he wasn't in the habit of calling her, rose from the sofa and parted company with whom she sat with. "Go on.." Monica replied as she walked into the foyer. "Emily is safe and that is all I can tell you." Jason answered as he heard silence from the other end. "Thank you for calling and letting me know." she replied. With that said Monica flipped her phone closed and stuffed it back into her bag that sat on the chair.

Alan and the others were still conversing in the living room as she walked back in and took her seat once again. No one questioned the phone call, and she was glad they didn't. Edward and Alan dispersed and left Monica and Lila alone in the living room. "Monica, dear...I wanted to speak with you about Emily." Lila said as she moved closer to where Monica was sitting. "Yes, Lila..what would you like to know..I'll tell you what I can." Monica replied as she took Lila's hand in hers. "From what I know, Emily and Zander are safe. They are under Sonny's protection now, and we will have no contact with her until it is feasible to do so." she added. "Thank you for your honesty with me, Monica." Lila replied as she patted Monica's hand. "She'll be alright. Zander is with her and he won't let anything happen to her." Monica replied as she noticed the concern in Lila's eyes. "I wanted to tell you that I decided to give Emily a christening gown I have stored away in the attic. I think it rightly belongs to Emily now." Monica was listening intently to Lila and nodded in agreement. "I'm sure she would love it and she would certainly cherish it." she replied to the decision.

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Zander had awoken from a not so deep sleep as he glanced at the clock that shown 3 o'clock am. He had been restless since he and Emily had gone to bed. He glanced over at his wife as she lay sleeping peacefully. He rose from the bed and walked to the kitchen for a glass of water. As he stood in the kitchen he heard Emily calling his name from the bedroom. He rushed in to find her awake and bewildered. "Where did you go? I woke up and you were gone.." she said quietly. "Oh, hon..I'm sorry. I went for a glass of water." he replied as he embraced her and tried to soothe her. He laid her gently down with his hand cradling her head to the pillow. She looked up at him and smiled as he smiled back. He rose from her bedside and leaned in and kissed her gently on her forehead before heading back out to the kitchen to turn off the light.

He returned moments later and slide underneath the covers. He slid closer to her and wrapped his arms around her and held her close.

Morning came as the sun filtered in through the tall trees outside the window. Emily lay awake for an hour or so watching Zander sleep. She brushed a stray black hair away from his face and kissed him lightly on his lips as she felt his arms wrap around her. In one smooth motion he rolled her on to her back as the kiss deepened. The two of them were oblivious to their surroundings and gotten all wrapped up in their passion, they didn't even notice Jason standing in the doorway of the bedroom. Jason was quiet as a mouse when he wanted to be and this morning was no exception.

"Are you two going to stay in bed all day?" Jason asked as Zander looked up startled to hear his voice. "Jason?!....uh, oh...well..uh." Zander replied as he quickly slipped on his black jeans that lay on the floor where he shedded them the night before. "No need to explain." Jason replied as he leaned against the door frame of the bedroom. Emily slipped on the silk robe that hung on the corner of the headboard. Just another item Sonny so graciously provided. Zander stood and zipped the jeans as he glanced back at Emily who was now slowly sitting up against the headboard of the bed. Zander and Jason took the conversation out into the living room to give Emily some privacy. "So how did it go last night? Everything alright with you two?" Jason asked as Zander got a glass from the cupboard and poured himself some OJ from the refrigerator. "Yeah, everything went fine." he replied taking a sip from the glass. Emily appeared from the bedroom in the silk robe and slippers she found. Zander in awe of her as she walked across the room and took a seat on the sofa. "What?" Emily asked as she looked in Zander's direction. "Oh..nothing. Just admiring the view." he replied as he came and sat beside her. "Well, I brought some clothes that Carly sent for you Emily. She thought you probably could wear them now, since not much was left from the apartment." Jason said as he handed her a paper bag full of maternity clothes. "Well, tell Carly thank you for me. I'm sure they'll be fine." she responded as she took the bag from him. "Oh and before I forget, I also brought a cell phone with me in case you need to call me or Sonny. And only me or Sonny. No phone calls to Elizabeth or the family. Got it." Jason added as he handed the cell phone to Zander. "Yeah sure..no phone calls." he replied as he purposely glared at Emily. With that look she knew he was talking to her about making no phone calls home. "When do you think I can call the family?" Emily asked as she leaned into the cushion of the sofa. "I called Monica last night and left her know that you were okay. But I didn't tell her where you were, at least not yet." Emily knew that her mother and father would be worried sick if they didn't hear from anyone. So she was glad Jason took the initiative and called them.

Before leaving Jason asked if they needed anything, he'd bring the next time. He reassured them things were going according to plan. It wouldn't be long before they could return home. He'd be back in a day or two with news and bring what they had requested.

Zander watched as Jason climbed the stairs and he heard the front door of the safe house close as Jason left.

"How bout breakfast?" Zander asked as Emily turned on the television. "Sounds good...you making it? she asked as she flipped through the stations. Zander smiled at the thought of making his wife breakfast as he stood up and walked into the kitchen. "Just don't burn the toast!" Emily shouted as he had head searching the refrigerator. "Toast...how do you make toast?!" he replied as she rolled her eyes like "oh brother, we're in trouble if he don't know how to make toast". "I'm kidding..you make toast with that little appliance thing with the two slits in the top, right?" he replied teasingly. "Maybe I should make breakfast before you burn the place down." she replied as she started to get up off the sofa. "Em..I'm kidding. You sit and I'll make breakfast." he replied as he got the frying pan from the lower cupboard. "Alright...if you think you can." she replied as she whispered it to herself. Guaranteed he'd be asking for her help by the count of 5. He surprised her this time and had made the whole breakfast by himself..and the house was still standing. She chuckled to herself "If she hadn't seen it, she wouldn't of believed it." Zander made breakfast.

After clearing the table and washing up the dishes, they returned to their seats on the sofa. "So, what do you want to do now.." he asked as his hand found her inner thigh. "I could think of a few things we could do. But I really only find one interesting." she replied as she drew him closer to her. "And what might that be..." he replied with a grin. Knowing full well what she meant. "Well we could do this..." she said as she flipped through the channels on the television. "Or we could do..." she said as she ran her fingers through his black hair. "...this" as her mouth met his and he then cradled her head and in one smooth motion pulled her down on him as he laid back on the sofa. Their kiss deepened as he slid his hand along the inside of the lapel of the silk robe she was wearing. He couldn't resist her advances. She was even more beautiful than the day before and needed to feel her touch as he slipped the silk material off her shoulder and exposed her soft skin underneath. As he caressed along her back, he kissed her softly along her shoulder and down her front savoring every touch. He hesitated for a brief moment and looked into her beautiful green eyes. "Why did you stop?" she said trying to catch her breath. "I'm not sure we should..I mean I don't want to hurt you...." he replied as she pulled back. "Zander...the doctor said it would be alright up until my eighth month. It's okay..." she replied as she made advances to continue. Still with concern, he continued by slipping off the silk robe completely and tossed it on the floor along side of them.

It was late afternoon and Zander and Emily still lying intertwined on the sofa draped in the afghan that hung over the sofa. Both feeling fulfilled by the love they just made. She knowing they loved each other was all she needed and she knew that everything would be alright.

Chapter 11