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Web of Deceit

Part III

~Jail~

"How ya doing darlin?"

"Luke?" Elizabeth pushed her way to her feet and rubbed at her eyes trying to see if she was seeing things. "Are you really here?"

"In the flesh," Luke grinned and leaned on the bars. "Don't tell me you've been dreaming about me."

"No," she managed a small smile and moved closer to him. "I was just surprised to see you. You left town after," she trailed off, "after New Years. I didn't know you were back."

"I got in town this morning and you know what the first thing I saw was?" He asked. "You're beautiful face staring at me from the cover of the Port Charles Disappointment. I picked it up hoping that you had won the lottery, but you hadn't."

"No," she gripped a bar and began to flick at the chipped paint there, avoiding his eyes.

"So I'll ask again. How are you doing?" His eyes studied her shrewdly. She was too pale, and the jumpsuit was too big on her, she looked like a little girl playing dress up.

Elizabeth shrugged. "I wasn't hurt that bad."

"Elizabeth look at me please."

She sighed then finally raised her eyes to look at the man she loved more than her own father. She braced herself for the look of disappointment or anger that had been in everyone else's eyes when they looked at her, since this whole nightmare had begun.

"How are you really?"

She blinked at the concern in his voice. "I'm holding on."

"Barely," he sneered. "What the hell was Bubba thinking? Arresting you for drugs and attempted murder. I swear there is no way that idiot is Robert's brother. He just doesn't have enough brain cells. He puts two and two together and gets five," warming to his diatribe he smirked at her. "Anyone with a half a brain can see that you're being set-up. Jesus you'd no more try to kill…" he trailed off and gripped the bars in concern. "Hey now don't do that. Why are you crying?" He fidgeted nervously. "You're not supposed to do that."

But Elizabeth could no more stop the tears than she could stop the idiotic grin from spreading across her face. "You…you b-believe me," she brushed at the tears. "You even b-believe me, without asking first."

"Of course I believe you. I know you, wouldn't do this," he patted her hand. "Why are you so surprised?"

"Because no one else believes me." She flicked away the last of the tears. "Even Gram didn't believe me about not doing drugs, at least not right away. Not until I remembered more."

"I don't like the sound of that." Luke muttered. "You're too good of a person to have done this."

"That's not a popular opinion right now."

"Hell who wants to be popular? You're popular and suddenly you have to wear sunglasses everywhere, even indoors, and you have to travel with the hanger on rejects from a Rolling Stones concert." He gave an exaggerated shudder and was rewarded with a watery smile from her.

"I'm scared Luke. Someone's setting me up. And they're good, if I didn't know better I would say I was guilty."

"I'll find out who's doing this to you. No one can hide from a Spencer when he wants to find him, I'll get Cowboy to help me," he paused and looked around. "I know you two didn't get married, but I still thought he would be here for you." He focused on her again in time to see a mask descend. "Elizabeth where's Lucky?"

"Probably with Nikolas," she went back to flicking at the paint on the bars. "He came by earlier to see me."

Because no one else believes me.

Luke shut his eyes, hoping against hope that his son wasn't one of those people. "What did he do?"

"It doesn't matter." A part of her was afraid if she told Luke that Lucky didn't even believe her, that maybe he would stop, believing her too. She wasn't a Spencer after all, she had walked away from Lucky and his family on New Years.

Luke groaned and hit his head on the bars. "Don't tell me he believes this cock and bull story?"

"I don't know how much he believes, other than he thinks I'm on drugs. He believes that's why I wouldn't marry him, why I kept pushing him away. He seemed to need a reason for me to do that, and the fact that he doesn't love me, wasn't enough for him."

"I'm sorry. I need to talk some sense in him, he's been spending too much time with the dark prince."

"Don't Luke," she looked over at him then. "It's better this way. He should have known like you did, Nikolas should have known, Sonny…" she moved on. "He wants to believe in his family, and Nikolas thinks I did this. I guess that's how families work. They stick together no matter what. Someone pointed it out to me recently, that I don't have much experience with families and he was right."

Luke touched her hand. "You will always be my family."

Touched she felt her heart swell, then it fell. "You don't have to say that. I know you meant it while Lucky was gone, and then when you thought we were getting married, but now…"

"Elizabeth," he touched his heart. "You have your own place in this old heart of mine. It might have been made originally because of my son, but you filled it on your own. I will love you and help you forever, because to me you're my daughter."

She covered her mouth to stifle a sob. "Why is it that when you look at me I feel loved? And with my own father I never did?" She shook her head. "Don't answer that. Just know that I would have loved to have been your daughter."

Luke felt the sting of tears in his eyes. "Well enough of this, soon we'll need a mop, and that's bad for my image," he reached in his pocket and pulled out his shades, slipping them on. "Now I want you to tell me everything that you remember, everything you've said to anyone," he narrowed his eyes. "And don't forget to put in that part about Corinthos that you glossed over earlier."

"Thank you, I don't feel so alone anymore."

"Elizabeth I can promise you that you will not go to jail," he met her eyes, conveying a meaning with them.

"You mean I can go on the run for the rest of my life?" she whispered. "You tried that, and it didn't work. What makes you think I could?"

"I promise you will get out of here." He looked around for a guard then lowered his voice. "So dish girl."

Elizabeth smiled, leaned against the bars and told him.

~Penthouse 4~

"Sonny is there something wrong? You're staring at me like I have something on my nose." Courtney rubbed self-consciously at her face. "Do I?"

"No, sorry," Sonny looked back at his plate. "I was just thinking." Elizabeth's words and desperation hadn't left him. In the hours since he had left the jail, they had rung in his ears, and nagged at him, condemning him. He remembered the bruises on her face, on her wrists, and the desperation she had, when she tried to convince him. But more than that he could remember the look on her face when he had turned on her. He jolted and almost jackknifed from the table when Courtney touched his hand.

"Calm down." Courtney eyed him warily. "What is going on with you?"

Sonny pushed away from his chair and drained the last of the wine from his glass. "I saw an old friend today, I guess I'm still reliving that."

"Oh was it bad or something?"

"Something," he moved over to the couch and slumped on it.

I'm not lying. I've never lied to you.

He rubbed wearily at his eyes and turned to look at his newfound sister when she joined him on the couch. "So what did you do last night?"

"Not to much. I went by that blues club for a while, then ended up driving. I love to drive it helps me think." She leaned back against the cushion and closed her eyes.

Courtney was there last night, she was driving when the car went off the road, not me.

Again he tried to vanish the words. "When you were driving did you stop anywhere? Maybe to get a drink, meet some people?"

"What's with all the questions?" Courtney opened one eye to peer at him. "Is this your way of wanting to know if I saw AJ again? After the way you went off on me, I think I know you don't like him."

Sonny grimaced at the mention of AJ's name. "No it's not about AJ, although I hope you don't see him again."

"Sonny I told you the only way I will see you is if you don't try to control my life, or the people in it." She got to her feet. "If you can't do that, I'm gone now."

"Alright, calm down." Sonny tried a grin. "I was just hoping you might have met some friends…

You know me, you may not want to admit that now, but you do. You know I didn't do this, you know I'm not lying about Courtney.

"Like Elizabeth, the girl I introduced you too at Kelly's," he finished.

"No. I didn't see anyone, and I haven't seen that girl since that day." She patted his arm before moving to her coat. "I make friends in my own time, and of my own choosing Sonny."

"Did you hurt yourself?" Sonny asked when he saw how awkwardly she slipped on her coat.

"No," her hand emerged and in it was a series of threads. "I was caught on this," she frowned at him. "You know maybe you should makeup with Alexis. She seems to be your only friend and I think you need one."

Sonny frowned and opened the door. "Goodnight Courtney, Johnny will drive you home."

"Thanks but I have my car." Courtney walked past Johnny without a word and hit the button on the elevator.

Sonny frowned after her long after she left.

Don't turn your back on me. Don't abandon me. Not when you know the truth.

"Boss?" Johnny asked after a minute.

"You know Elizabeth is in jail right?" Sonny kept his eyes on the wall.

"Yeah."

"Make sure nothing happens to her while she's there. Either from another prisoner," he looked at the taller man. "Or from a guard. No more bruises on her."

"I'll take care of it."

Sonny nodded and moved back in the room and headed for his wet bar. He poured a double shot of scotch and downed it in one gulp.

No. I didn't see anyone, and I haven't seen that girl since that day.

Sonny poured some more scotch.

I've never lied to you. I'm sorry if you don't want to hear it, but your sister is the reason I'm in here.

"Christ what a mess."

~Car~

Courtney drummed her fingers on the steering wheel, while she waited for the phone to be picked up. She leaned over to turn on the stereo and grunted in pain when the move hurt her already sore shoulder. "Hey it's me," she paused. "I need to see you." She grinned and listened. "I think that can be arranged. You know where." She closed the phone and put the car in gear.

~Penthouse 4~

"What?" Sonny demanded with a snap when he yanked the door open.

Luke brushed past him with barely a glance and moved straight for the liquor. "What happened to the muscle? Did he need to get some more steroids?"

Sonny rolled his head and closed the door. "Want a drink?"

"Ah," Luke smacked his lips and took another sip before turning to look at his former partner and friend. "I want to know what the hell you were doing going off on Elizabeth like that."

Sonny moved to the table and picked up his own drink. "That's between me and her."

"Bull. You yanked the rug out from under her, when she was barely hanging on to begin with," Luke looked around the newly decorated penthouse. "So where is long-lost Heidi?"

"You stay away from my sister."

Luke raised a brow. "She must be good. She got you to turn on someone you've known for years, and what? She's only been here a month?"

"Watch it Luke," Sonny warned him.

"I did a little checking on Heidi. She doesn't have much a pedigree. Her dad is Mike, and don't get me wrong, he grows on you, kind of like athlete's foot. But he isn't exactly of sterling character," he poured himself some more scotch. "But next to this viper Janine, he's the Pope. You really think this child of theirs wouldn't lie to save her skin?"

"Luke I'll tolerate your insults, about Mike, about me, but not my sister. I've taken whatever you had to say about me, and too me, ever since you began to blame me for Lucky's death. A death that wasn't real, and was caused by your past and not mine." He took a step closer. "But I won't let you insult my family. That's what she is, she is my family. You don't know her you can't judge her. Hell she told the truth to Edward Quartermaine and almost got her mother sent to jail because of it. She wouldn't let Elizabeth swing for this."

Luke nodded and tossed back the rest of the drink before slamming the glass on the table. "If that's the way you want to play it, fine."

"She's family Luke, just like Bobbie's yours."

"Here's a newsflash for you Corinthos. Elizabeth is my family, and your family is fucking with her," he headed for the door and opened it before turning to face him. "I won't allow that. You're on notice, either get Heidi to tell the truth or I will."

Sonny waited until Luke had slammed the door before throwing the glass at it.

~Jail~

"God Princess your popular." The matron sneered. "But popular or not, this is your last visitor." She turned around. "Move it, you only got 5 minutes."

Elizabeth moved to the bars wondering who it would be now. She wasn't sure she was ready for any more abuse. She rubbed a hand over her eyes then opened them when someone cleared their throat. Her eyes widened in disbelief when she recognized the person on the other side of the bars. "Sarah?"

"Oh Lizzie," Sarah rushed the bars, blowing past the Matron. "This is so awful. Are you okay?"

~Penthouse 4~

Sonny was tired of being inside his head. Two loyalties were warring there. The loyalty to his sister. The only family, besides Michael that he had, and the loyalty he had felt for years for Elizabeth. One of them was lying. And every time he thought he knew which one was, he changed his mind.

Luke was right he had only known Courtney for a month, and had known for Elizabeth for years. But Courtney was family, she had been abandoned just like he had, by Mike. That made them closer, it gave them a shared history. He had to believe in his sister, because he didn't have that many people left in his life.

He opened his eyes and focused on his door.

You always have me.

Alexis' words came back to him, and he wondered if she still meant them. He had been brutal with her after he found out she had told Courtney about his past with Deke. If he were honest with himself, he would have to admit that he had been treating her pretty badly even before that.

He hesitated, then opened the door, before he gave himself a chance to rethink he was across the hall and raising his hand to knock on her door when he realized it was ajar.

"Please Alexis, just meet with her. Listen to what she has to say."

Sonny hesitated then began to listen.

"I don't know Audrey. Nikolas is my nephew, and Gia is his fiancée." Alexis replied trying to deny the urge she had been feeling to speak to Elizabeth ever since she had heard about what happened to her.

"Please. She's in jail. They won't even let her come home until the trial," Audrey pleaded. "She doesn't deserve to be in jail. And those charges? Murder? She would never do that. You know my granddaughter. You've worked in the same building with her. You know she's not capable of murder."

Alexis debated with herself for another minute, then made the only decision she could. "I'll talk to her."

"No you won't." Sonny pushed the door open and announced his presence.

"Sonny?" Alexis whirled around, surprised to see him there, but even more surprised by the expression on his face.

"I'm sorry Mrs. Hardy but Alexis cannot meet with Elizabeth."

"Why not?" Audrey demanded. She had spent a long and frustrating day trying to find the best attorney in town to help Elizabeth, and everyone from Lee Baldwin, the Quartermaine's, to the local ABA chapter all said Alexis Davis was it, and now that she had finally gotten to speak with her, she wasn't about to let the local mobster stop her.

"Sonny you don't speak for me. I speak for you remember?" Alexis explained.

"Not this time. It would be a conflict of interest." Sonny countered. "Elizabeth is saying that Courtney, my sister was driving, not her. You can't help her with that."

"What?" Audrey demanded, clutching his arm. "She remembers? She remembers what happened?"

He could see the naked hope in the older woman's eyes and hardened his heart to it. "I didn't say that. She told me that Courtney was driving, but my sister says she wasn't. I believe my sister."

"Alexis please, come talk to her now." Audrey clutched her purse, dismissing the rest of Sonny's words. The only important thing he had said was that Elizabeth had remembered."

"Alexis," Sonny said.

"Can you give us a minute Audrey?" Alexis asked.

"I'll get the elevator." Audrey walked past Sonny without so much as a second glance.

"You can't help Elizabeth. Not if she persists in trying to blame my sister for this mess," Sonny moved closer. "Because if she's right and Courtney was driving, that means she was the one who tried to kill Gia, she's the one framing Elizabeth. Now tell me why she would do that?"

"I don't know." Alexis admitted.

"Right there's no reason for it. I introduced her to Elizabeth myself a few days ago. So where is the motive for wanting to do this?"

"Has Elizabeth ever lied to you before?"

"No," Sonny stalked past her.

"But you're sure she is now?"

"Damn it Alexis. She has to be. I've looked at this from every angle," he whirled around to face her. Do you think I want to believe this? Don't you know how much I want to help Elizabeth? But I can't. Not as long as she wants to blame my sister. Nikolas, your own nephew, doesn't even believe her, Lucky doesn't believe her. How, no why should I?"

Alexis pulled off her glasses and rubbed the bridge of her nose in frustration. "I don't know Sonny. But I know Elizabeth and she wouldn't do this. That means someone did it to her."

"Exactly," Sonny eyed her coldly. "And she says it was Courtney," he moved closer. "You wanted me to forgive you, for telling Courtney my business, and I don't know if I can. But I do know, that if you take Elizabeth's side against my sister. That's something I won't ever forgive you for."

Alexis closed her eyes. "Are you giving me an ultimatum?"

"If you have to call it that. Me and my family, or Elizabeth." Sonny stepped back. "It's up to you."

~Luke's~

"Go away." Luke yelled at the door, and for good measure threw a book at it, but the door opened anyway.

"Dad?"

"Cowboy," Luke brightened at the sight of his son. "Grab a seat." He gestured to the chairs, one that was overflowing with papers, the other had a black bag on it.

Lucky moved the bag, dropping it with a splat, when he was caught off guard by the unexpected weight. "Jesus what's in here?"

"You might call it a nest egg," Luke blew out some smoke. "So what brings you by?"

"I heard you were back in town, and I wanted to tell you something," Lucky unzipped his jacket and leaned forward.

"If it's about the fair Miss Webber I already know," he leaned back in his chair and blew smoke in his son's direction. "I also know that she thinks you don't believe her."

Lucky shrugged. "She's been acting so weird lately. I didn't know she was on drugs until the accident. I went there trying to help her, to tell her that I would be there for her, like she was always there for me. But she got mad and threw me out."

Luke shook his head in disgust. "I don't blame her. I would have tossed you out on your ass too."

"Dad."

"Lucky you know her. How can you ever believe that she would take drugs, or try to kill someone?"

"The evidence…"

"To hell with the evidence," Luke cut him off. "You know evidence can lie."

Lucky shrugged and moved to the small refrigerator and pulled out a bottle of water. "I don't think it is lying, neither does Nikolas."

"Oh the dark prince has spoken." Luke moved over and got a drink of his own, using the opportunity to study his son, and he didn't like what he saw.

"Dad you must not know what the police have against her. Taggert showed us, it's pretty bad, and it's pretty convincing. Gia doesn't remember a thing. So it comes down to Elizabeth's word or the evidence." Lucky explained.

"Jesus," he looked down at Lucky. "If this is what Elizabeth saw in you when she walked down the aisle, I don't blame her for running. Hell I would have kept running."

"Dad." Lucky cried and stormed to the chair.

"I thought I taught you better then this. I thought I taught you to look past the obvious to the truth. I thought I taught you to believe in your heart, even when your head tells you it is impossible."

"The evidence…" Lucky tried lamely.

"Oh and the evidence has never lied. Like the evidence that said your mother killed Damian Smith, the evidence that said I killed Stefan Cassadine," he took a draw on his cigar and blew it in Lucky's direction. "Or how about the evidence that said you died in March of 1999. You want to tell me again how the evidence can't be wrong?"

"You don't understand," Lucky cried zipping his coat. "Elizabeth is in trouble, she needs me to save her. Don't you see that's how we started the first time. This will help us start again."

Luke stumbled to his chair in horror. "You think she did this deliberately, just so you would have to help her rebuild her life again, and would fall in love with her again?"

Lucky flushed guiltily. "I got to go," he said abruptly and went out the door.

He reached out with an unsteady hand and picked up a photograph that had been on his desk for over 8 years now. He ran a finger over the image of his 12 year-old-son, with the wry half grin, that he always had on his face. "Cowboy what happened to you?"

He traced the boy's face, trying to brush the bangs out of the face, in the photo. "You aren't like this, you could never be like this, not to Elizabeth. It's like your not even Lucky anymore, you're just some stranger, that looks a little like him."

With a sigh he set the photo down and opened the laptop that he had been working on before Lucky had come. He blinked hard at the tears that the realization that he had never truly gotten his son back had caused. "So let's find someone who will help Elizabeth."

He rubbed his hands together in anticipation, hunting was always his favorite sport. "So where are you hiding these days Junior?" He hit a few buttons. "Maybe I should start with barber's that specialize in cartoon characters."

~Bayside Hotel~

The room was dark when she got there, but she pushed the door open and walked inside it confident that he would be there. She slipped her coat off and draped it over the chair. She could feel his eyes on her even if she hadn't spotted him yet. Her mouth turned in a feral smile as she began to unbutton her blouse, one button at a time.

Soon the blouse and pants were on the floor, she stepped out of her panties, before moving towards the dim outline on the bed. "Enjoy the show?" She asked slipping her fingers underneath her bra snap unhooking it, but not removing it yet.

"Always." He reached up and covered her now exposed breast with his hand. "What took you so long?"

Courtney smiled in the dark. "I was being the dutiful sister. Sonny wanted dinner."

"I told you never to talk about him when were like this." He ordered nipping hard at her neck before moving up to see her eyes.

"AJ who wants to talk at all?" Courtney asked before claiming his mouth and pushing him back on the bed.