Emily and Sly pulled up to Chris and Eve's small house. Emily fiddled with
her purse before looking at Sly. "Can we get through this night without a
fight?"
Sly frowned. "Who said we're going to fight?"
Emily sighed. "Sly, all we do lately *is* fight and I'm sick of it. I don't
know what your problem is."
"My problem is Nikolas Cassadine."
"Nikolas! What does he have to do with anything?" Emily exploded.
"He has a lot to do with it." Sly stated. "I don't like how he keeps
hanging around you."
Emily threw her hands up in the air. "You are impossible! I have no idea
what's going on in that head of yours anymore. Nikolas is my friend who's
going through a tough time with Elizabeth, who is also my friend. Jeez,
Nikolas is your friend too."
Sly shook his head. "Nikolas was never my friend. I never liked the guy."
"Why? Even Lucky likes him and they hated each other the first time they
met." Emily was confused.
"I don't know, he just rubs me the wrong way, I…"
"Okay, that must be the stupidest reasoning to not like someone." Emily
rolled her eyes. "Sly, you keep on feeling whatever you want to feel about
Nikolas but you aren't going to change my mind, he's my friend who needs my
help. Now, I'm going to get out of this car and try to have a nice evening
with friends. I'll meet you inside." Emily got out of the car and slammed
the door shut behind her.
A few seconds later Sly got out of the car and followed her in.
~*~
Minutes later Nikolas and Elizabeth arrived. Nikolas got out of the car and
walked around the hood to open the door for her. She smiled up at him as he
helped her get out. "Thanks."
"No problem." Nikolas smiled back. He had no idea why Elizabeth had asked
him to come with her, what with all their problems at the moment but he was
glad she did. "Elizabeth, I…does this mean things are okay with us? That
you…I don't know…understand why I wanted you to marry me? But I'm not going
to rush you into anything that you aren't ready for." He hurriedly added.
Elizabeth smiled sadly at Nikolas. "Nikolas, um…"
Before Elizabeth could finish what she was saying, Eve threw open the door.
"Hey you guys get on in here! Everyone's here but you two." She waved them
in.
Elizabeth looked at Nikolas and shrugged. "We better go in." She moved past
him and started up the walk.
Nikolas reached out and took a hold of her arm. "Wait, what were you going
to say."
Elizabeth shook her head. "We'll talk about it later."
"No, let's talk about it now." Nikolas insisted.
"We can talk later, okay?" Elizabeth stared up at him and he gave up.
"Fine, we'll talk after dinner." He sighed and escorted her in.
~*~*~
Later
Eve fiddled with her silverware as she looked around the dinner table. What
should have been a happy, festive occasion was sober and moody. She wished
Victor and Kevin were there. However ever since Lucy's marriage to Scott
Baldwin, Kevin had moved down to the Hamptons. She never saw him much
anymore but Victor, who still lived in Port Charles with his girlfriend
Mary Scanlon,
kept her updated on how Kevin was doing. According to Victor, Kevin had a
fiancée and they were expecting a child very soon, so Kevin couldn't travel
upstate for a dinner party and leave the pregnant woman alone. Victor and
Mary had gone down to Hamptons to visit.
Eve sighed as she looked from one unhappy couple to the next. Actually
there was one happy couple, Joe and Karen, but they were always happy so
they didn't count.
Eve assessed her dinner party companions. Emily and Sly must have had a
fight before coming over because Eve could feel bad vibes radiating off of
them. It probably had to do with Nikolas because Sly was giving him the old
evil eye. Nikolas was oblivious to it because he was trying to establish
eye contact with Elizabeth who was looking everywhere but at him. She was
engaged in conversation with Carly, who seemed to ignoring Alex completely.
Chris, however, was glaring at Alex.
Eve cleared her throat to get Chris' attention. He looked up and she gave
him a look that clearly said 'knock it off!' Chris arched his eyebrow to
show her it was all in fun but did what she wanted anyway. He turned to
talked to Karen.
Eve took a big gulp of her wine. Maybe things will get better? I doubt it;
she thought to herself and took another big drink. It's going to be a long
night.
~*~*~
After Dinner (sorry to FF so much but I didn't feel like getting into the
boring
conversation)
Carly stopped to hug Eve on her way out. "I'm sorry tonight was so horrible
but congratulations anyway."
Eve hugged her back. "It's okay, not everything can go right. At least the
food was good."
"Barely." Chris piped up from behind them. "The chicken could have used a
little more rosemary and…"
"Everything was delicious and you know it." Carly cut him off before he
could ramble away.
Chris grinned. "I know, I just wanted to hear you say it."
"Do you believe this guy?" Eve laughed.
Carly pretended to punch him in the arm. "He'd do anything for a
compliment. I wish you could teach me how cook like you, Michael would be
grateful and so would I."
"I'll think about it but it's hard to teach something that just comes
naturally." Chris joked.
"Oh, well you just try, okay?" Carly laughed. Alex walked up behind her.
"What's so funny?"
"Nothing much." Chris said dryly.
Alex ignored him and concentrated on Carly. "You ready to go?"
"Yeah, sure. Night all." Carly smiled at Eve and Chris.
"Goodnight, Carly. Garcia." Chris said coldly.
"Ramsey." Alex answered just as coldly.
"Bye Alex, bye Carly." Eve tried to put a cheerful smile on her face. She
pushed Chris into the house. "Give me a call, okay?"
"Will do." Carly nodded. "Let's go Alex."
~*~*~
Emily moved around her bedroom getting ready for bed while Sly sat on the
bed watching her. Finally she threw her hands up in the air. "What is it?"
Sly sat back. "What is what?"
"Why are you watching me?" She demanded to know.
"Emily, I…I was just trying to come up with the best way to apologize to
you."
That surprised Emily. "Apologize to me? For what?"
Sly stood up and reached out to her. "For the juvenile way I've been acting
lately. I thought about it a lot tonight and I realize that I've been a
jerk and I'm sorry. Whatever relationship you want to have with Nikolas is
okay with me. I just don't want to fight about this anymore."
Emily touched his face lightly. "I accept your apology, though why you even
thought that…"
Sly shook his head. "Even though we've been together for like forever, I am
still a bit insecure about our relationship."
"What?"
Sly shrugged. "I remember you used to have a thing for Nikolas, a major
thing."
"What, my crush? Sly, that was years ago. It was just a kid thing. If I had
feelings for Nikolas, why would I be with you? Why would I be marrying you?
I love you, you knucklehead, and don't you forget it."
~*~*~
Nikolas stood next to Elizabeth as she opened her door. He started to
follow her but she stopped him by placing her hand against his chest. "Um,
Nikolas, it's late and…"
"But I thought you wanted to talk? I want to talk, we *need* to talk."
Elizabeth shook her head. She wasn't up for it tonight. "I'm too tired and
it's late and…"
Nikolas knew she was just making up excuses. "Okay, all right, we will talk
tomorrow. Actually, I have a surprise for you, that I was going to give you
later but I can do it tomorrow. I'll pick you up at eight and wear your
best dress."
"My best dress? Oh, Nikolas, what did you do?" Elizabeth didn't want to
play guessing games.
"You will just have to wait and see, okay?" Nikolas smiled to himself
before bidding her goodnight and walking away.
~*~*~
Alex carried a sleeping Michael into his bedroom. There were nights when
Carly was overly protective of Michael and couldn't bear the thought of not
having him sleeping in her own house just a few feet away from her. So
that's why she had asked Alex to help bring him from Bobbie and Jerry's.
Carly pulled back the covers and Alex laid him down. Carly tucked him and
pressed a soft kiss on his forehead. She watched him sleep for a few
minutes before going into her bedroom. Alex was already there, sitting on
her bed, getting undressed.
Carly arched an eyebrow. "I didn't know you were going to be staying over."
Alex paused in unbuttoning his shirt. "I'm sorry, I should have asked. May
I spend the night, Carly?"
Carly shrugged. "Do whatever the hell you want. You always do."
Alex stood up and strode over to Carly. He framed her face in his hands.
"Look, I'm sorry okay? I know it doesn't mean a thing to you no matter how
many times I say it but I am sorry. I messed up, big time, but you know
that if I had been thinking straight it would have never happened. Now, you
have to forgive. You're the one who's big on wanting to be forgiven. How
about forgiving me for a little slip-up?"
Carly squeezed her eyes shut. "I know how I am. I can see that this is a
case of the pot calling the kettle black but Alex, if it had been any other
day but Jason's day…" and if I hadn't almost given into Sonny.
Alex hugged her to him. "Baby, I know, I wish I could make it up to you
even though I know I can't."
Carly shook her head. "You can't but you know it's…it's okay, all right?"
Alex could tell that it wasn't but if she wanted to pretend, he would go
along. Carly pulled back away from him. "You can stay tonight."
~*~*~
Sunday Morning
Maxie was almost through her window when her sister caught her. "Maxie?
Where are you going? Aren't you *grounded*?" The fourteen-year-old demanded
to know.
"So what if I am?" Maxie hissed. "And keep your voice down or Mom and Mac
will here us."
Georgie leaned against the wall. "Well, you aren't supposed to sneaking
out. They aren't going to like this at all."
"Quit being such a suck-up." Maxie shot back.
"Why are you sneaking out on a Sunday morning anyway?" Georgie asked,
ignoring the insult.
Maxie shrugged. "This place is driving me crazy and I want to see if I can
find Dad. He hasn't come back since Mom kicked him out. I think I'll check
Kelly's."
Georgie smirked. "Oh, yeah Dad's hanging out at Kelly's. But we both know
why you're going there. Doesn't Lucky Spencer work behind the counters on
Sundays?"
Maxie fought down her blush. "Maybe. Listen don't you dare squeal a word
about this to Mom or Mac."
"They'll find out easily enough. I won't have to say a word." Georgie lied.
"If they catch me, then I'll let you're best friend Serena know all about
what happened between you and Neil Kanelos the other day." Maxie
threatened.
"N… nothing happened." Georgie stammered. She stomped her foot down. "You
wouldn't dare!"
"Try me." Maxie swore. She swung her leg out of the window and grinned.
"See ya later."
~*~*~
Layla and Frisco were on their way to Taggert's place. Frisco was still
feeling a bit down after Friday. Layla nudged him in the side. "Cheer up
Blondie. Things can't be that bad."
Frisco rubbed his temples, Layla were driving again. "Yes, they can.
Felicia won't talk to me. I can't find my brother anywhere. I only got to
see one of my kids and she looks like a freak! And other than a few maybes
dropped by Spencer and Cassadine, we have no clue where Victor is or if he
is even in the city."
Layla shrugged. "Don't worry about it. Victor's here. I can feel him."
"Right."
Layla pulled up at red light and happened to notice a men's shop. Most
importantly she noticed the man walking out of it. She knew who that was.
She'd recognized the scurrying little walk and rat like features anywhere.
Higgins was in town and where Higgins was; his boss just had to be.
Layla turned to Frisco with a triumphant smile. "We just got proof that
Victor's here."
Frisco looked up. "What? How?"
Layla pointed out the window. "Check it out. Higgins' here and you know
what that means…"
"Victor's here." Frisco breathed.
"You got it." Layla laughed. "This is getting too easy."
~*~*~
Elizabeth walked into Kelly's in time for her brunch with Samantha. Friends
had commented on how weird it was that Lucky, Samantha and Elizabeth were
all friends even though Lucky used to date Elizabeth and he now was dating
Samantha. Things were bound to be a little strange. Elizabeth shrugged off
all their concerns. She and Lucky may have been an item but that was years
ago and she had long since been over him. Elizabeth was happy to see Lucky
move one with his life the way she had with hers. And besides Elizabeth
really liked Samantha, she was a cool girl and she was happy that they all
could be friends.
The tiny redhead waved to Elizabeth from the corner table she had been
waiting at. "Elizabeth, hi!"
Elizabeth managed to produce a small smile. "Hey, Samantha."
"I all ready ordered for you. I told Lucky you'd probably want your usual."
Samantha bubbled. "Was that okay?"
Elizabeth sat down. "Sure, whatever."
Samantha frowned at her. "Hey, are you feeling okay?"
Lucky arrived with their food just as she asked this. He placed a quick
kiss on Samantha's cheek and their plates on the table. "Something the
matter, Elizabeth?"
Elizabeth quickly shook her head. "Nothing's wrong, I just didn't get a lot
of sleep last night and I'm very tired right now."
Lucky looked at her worriedly. "You sure?"
Elizabeth rolled her eyes. "Lucky, I think I would know how much sleep I
got, okay?"
Samantha touched Lucky lightly on the arm. "Hon, everything's cool. I was
just teasing her a little."
Lucky looked from Elizabeth to Samantha and back again. Something was up
but if they wanted to keep their secrets then he wouldn't pry. He nodded.
"I have to get back to work but I'll stop by again later."
"Bye." Samantha said cheerfully. Lucky walked away to take care of another
order. "He's such a great guy even though he worries so much."
Elizabeth pushed her fork through the food on her plate. "Yeah but I wish
he wouldn't."
"So tell me what's wrong."
Elizabeth sighed. "You are probably the only one I *can* talk to about
this. Everyone else is too involved. I can't talk to Lucky because Nikolas
is his brother and best friend. I can't talk to Emily because she's in the
tough spot of trying to be both Nikolas and my friend. So you are the only
one."
Samantha nodded. "All right, what is it?"
"It's Nikolas and me. I'm thinking about breaking up with him."
~*~*~
Maxie stood outside of Kelly's and scowled at the two girls inside. What is
wrong with those two? You don't become friends with your boyfriend's ex.
And why on earth does Elizabeth still hang out with Lucky? Get away from
him, she wanted to scream. You two are broken up!
And that twit he's dating now… she's not right for him at all. Maxie pushed
back her black hair and thought, I am but I just have to convince him of
that. Maxie quickly searched the room with her eyes, looking for Lucky. She
found him standing behind the counter wiping it down.
Maxie sighed to herself. It must be illegal for a guy to look that cute.
She sighed again. Just at that moment someone bumped into her. "Hey, watch
it!" She snapped.
Lark Madison stepped back away from the enraged girl dressed all in black.
"I'm sorry, I wasn't paying attention to where I was going."
"Well try to next time!" Maxie spit out before marching into Kelly's.
Lark watched her go with angry eyes. "Bitch." She muttered before walking
in. She went over to where Samantha and Elizabeth sat.
"Hey Sami." She greeted her best friend. She smiled at Elizabeth. "What's
up?"
Samantha looked at Elizabeth before answering. "Uh, nothing. What's up with
you?"
Lark sat down at the table. "Nothing much just about ready to punch
someone."
"Who?" Elizabeth asked, gratefully to get her mind off her troubles.
Lark looked around before pointing at Maxie who sat at the counter waiting
for Lucky to come over to her. "That chick right there."
Elizabeth turned around and frowned. "Maxie Jones?"
"That's her name?"
"Yeah, she's the commissioner's step-daughter. I used to baby-sit her and
her sister. She's a good kid just a little confused nowadays." Elizabeth
shrugged.
Just then Maxie realized that she was being stared at. She turned around
and caught Samantha, Elizabeth, and Lark looking at her. Of course she
would be friends with those two, Maxie thought. She shot them a dirty look
before smiling up at Lucky who finally noticed her.
"Hey Maxie." He smiled at her and Maxie almost melted right there. He had
to have the sexiest smile ever.
Maxie beamed back. "Hi Lucky!" she gushed.
"So what do you want today?"
You, she thought silently. Out loud she said. "Oh, nothing much. I just
needed to get out of the house."
"Things a little hectic at home what with your mother being pregnant and
all?"
Maxie shook her head. "Naw, it's not that. My dad came back and my mom
kicked him out like he was nobody but he's my dad, you know?"
Lucky nodded. "I understand. So you just had to get out, huh?"
"Yeah but if like Mom or Mac come around looking for me, you didn't see
me."
Lucky leaned against the counter. "What did you do now?"
"I snuck out. I got grounded a few days ago." She boasted.
Lucky groaned. "Maxie, why were you grounded?"
Maxie shrugged. "My principal is such a freak! You get caught skipping a
few classes, smoking a few cigarettes, get in one measly fight and they
suspend you! And then Mom and Mac freaked out also and grounded me."
Lucky shook his head. "Maxie, Maxie, Maxie. What am I going to do with
you?"
Maxie laughed. "What ever you like." She flirted.
Lucky shook his head again. "You're too cute but you need to get home
before they figure out you're not there."
Maxie pouted. "But I'm so bored there. Mom took away everything!"
Lucky looked at Maxie. "Go home."
"But…" Maxie protested.
"Now." He insisted. Willing to do whatever Lucky asked, Maxie reluctantly
stood.
"See you later, Lucky." She walked out of the restaurant, practically
floating on air.
~*~*~
Taggert was lounging on his sofa reading the Sunday newspaper when Keesha
flopped down next to him. "Morning." She smiled and greeted him with a
kiss.
"Good morning. I thought you were going to sleep all day." He smiled back.
Keesha stretched and Taggert watched appreciatively. "I was *so* tired. I
think it had to do with a certain person keeping me up all night."
"Now who could that have been?" Taggert teased as he leaned in for another
kiss.
Taggert and Keesha's relationship had surprised them. After Keesha had
returned from Philadelphia, she had discovered that she didn't like the
changes in AJ. The way he had begun to kiss up to Edward and the way they
schemed to take Michael away from Carly had turned her off. They ended up
breaking up even though AJ still had a thing for her.
Keesha ended up doing a lot of work at the police station. At the time she
was trying to figure out if she wanted to be a cop, a career that she had
never really giving up hope of having. She had begun to hang out a lot with
Taggert who was still hurting over his break up with Dara Jensen. Then one
night after work she and Taggert ended up getting drunk and Taggert blurted
out his new found feelings for her. Hoping that it was just nonsense,
Keesha dismissed it until a few days later Taggert began to chase her.
After a few short months, he caught her and Keesha let herself realize that
she did feel something for the guy. So here they are, a few years later,
living together and thinking about marriage.
Keesha reached over and snagged the funny papers out of his hands. "Hey, I
was reading that." He protested.
"Too bad." She laughed. "You always hog the paper." Just then there was
knock at the door.
"I'll get it." Taggert started to get up but Keesha stopped him.
"No, I'll do it. I want to get some OJ also." Keesha stood. She grabbed the
funnies also. "I'm taking this with me."
Keesha padded over to the door and opened it. Layla stood in the doorway
with Frisco hovering behind her.
"What's up? Can Marcus come out and play?"
her purse before looking at Sly. "Can we get through this night without a
fight?"
Sly frowned. "Who said we're going to fight?"
Emily sighed. "Sly, all we do lately *is* fight and I'm sick of it. I don't
know what your problem is."
"My problem is Nikolas Cassadine."
"Nikolas! What does he have to do with anything?" Emily exploded.
"He has a lot to do with it." Sly stated. "I don't like how he keeps
hanging around you."
Emily threw her hands up in the air. "You are impossible! I have no idea
what's going on in that head of yours anymore. Nikolas is my friend who's
going through a tough time with Elizabeth, who is also my friend. Jeez,
Nikolas is your friend too."
Sly shook his head. "Nikolas was never my friend. I never liked the guy."
"Why? Even Lucky likes him and they hated each other the first time they
met." Emily was confused.
"I don't know, he just rubs me the wrong way, I…"
"Okay, that must be the stupidest reasoning to not like someone." Emily
rolled her eyes. "Sly, you keep on feeling whatever you want to feel about
Nikolas but you aren't going to change my mind, he's my friend who needs my
help. Now, I'm going to get out of this car and try to have a nice evening
with friends. I'll meet you inside." Emily got out of the car and slammed
the door shut behind her.
A few seconds later Sly got out of the car and followed her in.
~*~
Minutes later Nikolas and Elizabeth arrived. Nikolas got out of the car and
walked around the hood to open the door for her. She smiled up at him as he
helped her get out. "Thanks."
"No problem." Nikolas smiled back. He had no idea why Elizabeth had asked
him to come with her, what with all their problems at the moment but he was
glad she did. "Elizabeth, I…does this mean things are okay with us? That
you…I don't know…understand why I wanted you to marry me? But I'm not going
to rush you into anything that you aren't ready for." He hurriedly added.
Elizabeth smiled sadly at Nikolas. "Nikolas, um…"
Before Elizabeth could finish what she was saying, Eve threw open the door.
"Hey you guys get on in here! Everyone's here but you two." She waved them
in.
Elizabeth looked at Nikolas and shrugged. "We better go in." She moved past
him and started up the walk.
Nikolas reached out and took a hold of her arm. "Wait, what were you going
to say."
Elizabeth shook her head. "We'll talk about it later."
"No, let's talk about it now." Nikolas insisted.
"We can talk later, okay?" Elizabeth stared up at him and he gave up.
"Fine, we'll talk after dinner." He sighed and escorted her in.
~*~*~
Later
Eve fiddled with her silverware as she looked around the dinner table. What
should have been a happy, festive occasion was sober and moody. She wished
Victor and Kevin were there. However ever since Lucy's marriage to Scott
Baldwin, Kevin had moved down to the Hamptons. She never saw him much
anymore but Victor, who still lived in Port Charles with his girlfriend
Mary Scanlon,
kept her updated on how Kevin was doing. According to Victor, Kevin had a
fiancée and they were expecting a child very soon, so Kevin couldn't travel
upstate for a dinner party and leave the pregnant woman alone. Victor and
Mary had gone down to Hamptons to visit.
Eve sighed as she looked from one unhappy couple to the next. Actually
there was one happy couple, Joe and Karen, but they were always happy so
they didn't count.
Eve assessed her dinner party companions. Emily and Sly must have had a
fight before coming over because Eve could feel bad vibes radiating off of
them. It probably had to do with Nikolas because Sly was giving him the old
evil eye. Nikolas was oblivious to it because he was trying to establish
eye contact with Elizabeth who was looking everywhere but at him. She was
engaged in conversation with Carly, who seemed to ignoring Alex completely.
Chris, however, was glaring at Alex.
Eve cleared her throat to get Chris' attention. He looked up and she gave
him a look that clearly said 'knock it off!' Chris arched his eyebrow to
show her it was all in fun but did what she wanted anyway. He turned to
talked to Karen.
Eve took a big gulp of her wine. Maybe things will get better? I doubt it;
she thought to herself and took another big drink. It's going to be a long
night.
~*~*~
After Dinner (sorry to FF so much but I didn't feel like getting into the
boring
conversation)
Carly stopped to hug Eve on her way out. "I'm sorry tonight was so horrible
but congratulations anyway."
Eve hugged her back. "It's okay, not everything can go right. At least the
food was good."
"Barely." Chris piped up from behind them. "The chicken could have used a
little more rosemary and…"
"Everything was delicious and you know it." Carly cut him off before he
could ramble away.
Chris grinned. "I know, I just wanted to hear you say it."
"Do you believe this guy?" Eve laughed.
Carly pretended to punch him in the arm. "He'd do anything for a
compliment. I wish you could teach me how cook like you, Michael would be
grateful and so would I."
"I'll think about it but it's hard to teach something that just comes
naturally." Chris joked.
"Oh, well you just try, okay?" Carly laughed. Alex walked up behind her.
"What's so funny?"
"Nothing much." Chris said dryly.
Alex ignored him and concentrated on Carly. "You ready to go?"
"Yeah, sure. Night all." Carly smiled at Eve and Chris.
"Goodnight, Carly. Garcia." Chris said coldly.
"Ramsey." Alex answered just as coldly.
"Bye Alex, bye Carly." Eve tried to put a cheerful smile on her face. She
pushed Chris into the house. "Give me a call, okay?"
"Will do." Carly nodded. "Let's go Alex."
~*~*~
Emily moved around her bedroom getting ready for bed while Sly sat on the
bed watching her. Finally she threw her hands up in the air. "What is it?"
Sly sat back. "What is what?"
"Why are you watching me?" She demanded to know.
"Emily, I…I was just trying to come up with the best way to apologize to
you."
That surprised Emily. "Apologize to me? For what?"
Sly stood up and reached out to her. "For the juvenile way I've been acting
lately. I thought about it a lot tonight and I realize that I've been a
jerk and I'm sorry. Whatever relationship you want to have with Nikolas is
okay with me. I just don't want to fight about this anymore."
Emily touched his face lightly. "I accept your apology, though why you even
thought that…"
Sly shook his head. "Even though we've been together for like forever, I am
still a bit insecure about our relationship."
"What?"
Sly shrugged. "I remember you used to have a thing for Nikolas, a major
thing."
"What, my crush? Sly, that was years ago. It was just a kid thing. If I had
feelings for Nikolas, why would I be with you? Why would I be marrying you?
I love you, you knucklehead, and don't you forget it."
~*~*~
Nikolas stood next to Elizabeth as she opened her door. He started to
follow her but she stopped him by placing her hand against his chest. "Um,
Nikolas, it's late and…"
"But I thought you wanted to talk? I want to talk, we *need* to talk."
Elizabeth shook her head. She wasn't up for it tonight. "I'm too tired and
it's late and…"
Nikolas knew she was just making up excuses. "Okay, all right, we will talk
tomorrow. Actually, I have a surprise for you, that I was going to give you
later but I can do it tomorrow. I'll pick you up at eight and wear your
best dress."
"My best dress? Oh, Nikolas, what did you do?" Elizabeth didn't want to
play guessing games.
"You will just have to wait and see, okay?" Nikolas smiled to himself
before bidding her goodnight and walking away.
~*~*~
Alex carried a sleeping Michael into his bedroom. There were nights when
Carly was overly protective of Michael and couldn't bear the thought of not
having him sleeping in her own house just a few feet away from her. So
that's why she had asked Alex to help bring him from Bobbie and Jerry's.
Carly pulled back the covers and Alex laid him down. Carly tucked him and
pressed a soft kiss on his forehead. She watched him sleep for a few
minutes before going into her bedroom. Alex was already there, sitting on
her bed, getting undressed.
Carly arched an eyebrow. "I didn't know you were going to be staying over."
Alex paused in unbuttoning his shirt. "I'm sorry, I should have asked. May
I spend the night, Carly?"
Carly shrugged. "Do whatever the hell you want. You always do."
Alex stood up and strode over to Carly. He framed her face in his hands.
"Look, I'm sorry okay? I know it doesn't mean a thing to you no matter how
many times I say it but I am sorry. I messed up, big time, but you know
that if I had been thinking straight it would have never happened. Now, you
have to forgive. You're the one who's big on wanting to be forgiven. How
about forgiving me for a little slip-up?"
Carly squeezed her eyes shut. "I know how I am. I can see that this is a
case of the pot calling the kettle black but Alex, if it had been any other
day but Jason's day…" and if I hadn't almost given into Sonny.
Alex hugged her to him. "Baby, I know, I wish I could make it up to you
even though I know I can't."
Carly shook her head. "You can't but you know it's…it's okay, all right?"
Alex could tell that it wasn't but if she wanted to pretend, he would go
along. Carly pulled back away from him. "You can stay tonight."
~*~*~
Sunday Morning
Maxie was almost through her window when her sister caught her. "Maxie?
Where are you going? Aren't you *grounded*?" The fourteen-year-old demanded
to know.
"So what if I am?" Maxie hissed. "And keep your voice down or Mom and Mac
will here us."
Georgie leaned against the wall. "Well, you aren't supposed to sneaking
out. They aren't going to like this at all."
"Quit being such a suck-up." Maxie shot back.
"Why are you sneaking out on a Sunday morning anyway?" Georgie asked,
ignoring the insult.
Maxie shrugged. "This place is driving me crazy and I want to see if I can
find Dad. He hasn't come back since Mom kicked him out. I think I'll check
Kelly's."
Georgie smirked. "Oh, yeah Dad's hanging out at Kelly's. But we both know
why you're going there. Doesn't Lucky Spencer work behind the counters on
Sundays?"
Maxie fought down her blush. "Maybe. Listen don't you dare squeal a word
about this to Mom or Mac."
"They'll find out easily enough. I won't have to say a word." Georgie lied.
"If they catch me, then I'll let you're best friend Serena know all about
what happened between you and Neil Kanelos the other day." Maxie
threatened.
"N… nothing happened." Georgie stammered. She stomped her foot down. "You
wouldn't dare!"
"Try me." Maxie swore. She swung her leg out of the window and grinned.
"See ya later."
~*~*~
Layla and Frisco were on their way to Taggert's place. Frisco was still
feeling a bit down after Friday. Layla nudged him in the side. "Cheer up
Blondie. Things can't be that bad."
Frisco rubbed his temples, Layla were driving again. "Yes, they can.
Felicia won't talk to me. I can't find my brother anywhere. I only got to
see one of my kids and she looks like a freak! And other than a few maybes
dropped by Spencer and Cassadine, we have no clue where Victor is or if he
is even in the city."
Layla shrugged. "Don't worry about it. Victor's here. I can feel him."
"Right."
Layla pulled up at red light and happened to notice a men's shop. Most
importantly she noticed the man walking out of it. She knew who that was.
She'd recognized the scurrying little walk and rat like features anywhere.
Higgins was in town and where Higgins was; his boss just had to be.
Layla turned to Frisco with a triumphant smile. "We just got proof that
Victor's here."
Frisco looked up. "What? How?"
Layla pointed out the window. "Check it out. Higgins' here and you know
what that means…"
"Victor's here." Frisco breathed.
"You got it." Layla laughed. "This is getting too easy."
~*~*~
Elizabeth walked into Kelly's in time for her brunch with Samantha. Friends
had commented on how weird it was that Lucky, Samantha and Elizabeth were
all friends even though Lucky used to date Elizabeth and he now was dating
Samantha. Things were bound to be a little strange. Elizabeth shrugged off
all their concerns. She and Lucky may have been an item but that was years
ago and she had long since been over him. Elizabeth was happy to see Lucky
move one with his life the way she had with hers. And besides Elizabeth
really liked Samantha, she was a cool girl and she was happy that they all
could be friends.
The tiny redhead waved to Elizabeth from the corner table she had been
waiting at. "Elizabeth, hi!"
Elizabeth managed to produce a small smile. "Hey, Samantha."
"I all ready ordered for you. I told Lucky you'd probably want your usual."
Samantha bubbled. "Was that okay?"
Elizabeth sat down. "Sure, whatever."
Samantha frowned at her. "Hey, are you feeling okay?"
Lucky arrived with their food just as she asked this. He placed a quick
kiss on Samantha's cheek and their plates on the table. "Something the
matter, Elizabeth?"
Elizabeth quickly shook her head. "Nothing's wrong, I just didn't get a lot
of sleep last night and I'm very tired right now."
Lucky looked at her worriedly. "You sure?"
Elizabeth rolled her eyes. "Lucky, I think I would know how much sleep I
got, okay?"
Samantha touched Lucky lightly on the arm. "Hon, everything's cool. I was
just teasing her a little."
Lucky looked from Elizabeth to Samantha and back again. Something was up
but if they wanted to keep their secrets then he wouldn't pry. He nodded.
"I have to get back to work but I'll stop by again later."
"Bye." Samantha said cheerfully. Lucky walked away to take care of another
order. "He's such a great guy even though he worries so much."
Elizabeth pushed her fork through the food on her plate. "Yeah but I wish
he wouldn't."
"So tell me what's wrong."
Elizabeth sighed. "You are probably the only one I *can* talk to about
this. Everyone else is too involved. I can't talk to Lucky because Nikolas
is his brother and best friend. I can't talk to Emily because she's in the
tough spot of trying to be both Nikolas and my friend. So you are the only
one."
Samantha nodded. "All right, what is it?"
"It's Nikolas and me. I'm thinking about breaking up with him."
~*~*~
Maxie stood outside of Kelly's and scowled at the two girls inside. What is
wrong with those two? You don't become friends with your boyfriend's ex.
And why on earth does Elizabeth still hang out with Lucky? Get away from
him, she wanted to scream. You two are broken up!
And that twit he's dating now… she's not right for him at all. Maxie pushed
back her black hair and thought, I am but I just have to convince him of
that. Maxie quickly searched the room with her eyes, looking for Lucky. She
found him standing behind the counter wiping it down.
Maxie sighed to herself. It must be illegal for a guy to look that cute.
She sighed again. Just at that moment someone bumped into her. "Hey, watch
it!" She snapped.
Lark Madison stepped back away from the enraged girl dressed all in black.
"I'm sorry, I wasn't paying attention to where I was going."
"Well try to next time!" Maxie spit out before marching into Kelly's.
Lark watched her go with angry eyes. "Bitch." She muttered before walking
in. She went over to where Samantha and Elizabeth sat.
"Hey Sami." She greeted her best friend. She smiled at Elizabeth. "What's
up?"
Samantha looked at Elizabeth before answering. "Uh, nothing. What's up with
you?"
Lark sat down at the table. "Nothing much just about ready to punch
someone."
"Who?" Elizabeth asked, gratefully to get her mind off her troubles.
Lark looked around before pointing at Maxie who sat at the counter waiting
for Lucky to come over to her. "That chick right there."
Elizabeth turned around and frowned. "Maxie Jones?"
"That's her name?"
"Yeah, she's the commissioner's step-daughter. I used to baby-sit her and
her sister. She's a good kid just a little confused nowadays." Elizabeth
shrugged.
Just then Maxie realized that she was being stared at. She turned around
and caught Samantha, Elizabeth, and Lark looking at her. Of course she
would be friends with those two, Maxie thought. She shot them a dirty look
before smiling up at Lucky who finally noticed her.
"Hey Maxie." He smiled at her and Maxie almost melted right there. He had
to have the sexiest smile ever.
Maxie beamed back. "Hi Lucky!" she gushed.
"So what do you want today?"
You, she thought silently. Out loud she said. "Oh, nothing much. I just
needed to get out of the house."
"Things a little hectic at home what with your mother being pregnant and
all?"
Maxie shook her head. "Naw, it's not that. My dad came back and my mom
kicked him out like he was nobody but he's my dad, you know?"
Lucky nodded. "I understand. So you just had to get out, huh?"
"Yeah but if like Mom or Mac come around looking for me, you didn't see
me."
Lucky leaned against the counter. "What did you do now?"
"I snuck out. I got grounded a few days ago." She boasted.
Lucky groaned. "Maxie, why were you grounded?"
Maxie shrugged. "My principal is such a freak! You get caught skipping a
few classes, smoking a few cigarettes, get in one measly fight and they
suspend you! And then Mom and Mac freaked out also and grounded me."
Lucky shook his head. "Maxie, Maxie, Maxie. What am I going to do with
you?"
Maxie laughed. "What ever you like." She flirted.
Lucky shook his head again. "You're too cute but you need to get home
before they figure out you're not there."
Maxie pouted. "But I'm so bored there. Mom took away everything!"
Lucky looked at Maxie. "Go home."
"But…" Maxie protested.
"Now." He insisted. Willing to do whatever Lucky asked, Maxie reluctantly
stood.
"See you later, Lucky." She walked out of the restaurant, practically
floating on air.
~*~*~
Taggert was lounging on his sofa reading the Sunday newspaper when Keesha
flopped down next to him. "Morning." She smiled and greeted him with a
kiss.
"Good morning. I thought you were going to sleep all day." He smiled back.
Keesha stretched and Taggert watched appreciatively. "I was *so* tired. I
think it had to do with a certain person keeping me up all night."
"Now who could that have been?" Taggert teased as he leaned in for another
kiss.
Taggert and Keesha's relationship had surprised them. After Keesha had
returned from Philadelphia, she had discovered that she didn't like the
changes in AJ. The way he had begun to kiss up to Edward and the way they
schemed to take Michael away from Carly had turned her off. They ended up
breaking up even though AJ still had a thing for her.
Keesha ended up doing a lot of work at the police station. At the time she
was trying to figure out if she wanted to be a cop, a career that she had
never really giving up hope of having. She had begun to hang out a lot with
Taggert who was still hurting over his break up with Dara Jensen. Then one
night after work she and Taggert ended up getting drunk and Taggert blurted
out his new found feelings for her. Hoping that it was just nonsense,
Keesha dismissed it until a few days later Taggert began to chase her.
After a few short months, he caught her and Keesha let herself realize that
she did feel something for the guy. So here they are, a few years later,
living together and thinking about marriage.
Keesha reached over and snagged the funny papers out of his hands. "Hey, I
was reading that." He protested.
"Too bad." She laughed. "You always hog the paper." Just then there was
knock at the door.
"I'll get it." Taggert started to get up but Keesha stopped him.
"No, I'll do it. I want to get some OJ also." Keesha stood. She grabbed the
funnies also. "I'm taking this with me."
Keesha padded over to the door and opened it. Layla stood in the doorway
with Frisco hovering behind her.
"What's up? Can Marcus come out and play?"