Chapter Fifty Four
Lucky had been seeing Kevin for a month now and progress was slowly being made. They slowly worked their way through the brainwashing process, which Helena had explained to them. It wasn't as easy to undo the mess within Lucky's mind rather than to induce it. "Do you recall the events in linear time now?" Kevin inquired reclining in his chair.
Lucky slouched in the cushioned chair, which had been his home for the past month. "I remember everything now."
Kevin nodded. "I'm glad. Now how about attaching emotions to those memories?"
Lucky frowned. "I can feel somethings," sighed Lucky, "but there is still some I don't know, 'looking through a glass window' feeling that goes with the memories. The stronger ones, like ones with my Mom and Dad, seem to come back quicker and I feel stronger emotions along side them."
Kevin interrupted. "But not like normal huh?"
Lucky smiled weakly at Kevin. He appreciated all of his help, but sometimes he just wanted to throw things. In the last month, Lucky had been talking until his face turned blue. And though he'd made progress, Lucky just didn't think it was fast enough. Obviously it was written on Lucky's face because just then, Kevin said some words of encouragement. "Lucky, this will take time. We can't rush this. At this point, I'd have to say we've made a large amount of progress."
Lucky looked at his watch. "Time's up doc."
Kevin shook his head. "I'm telling you, don't push yourself too hard to remember and feel things. It can only set you back."
Lucky nodded distractedly. "Thanks. I'll see you next week."
As he exited the seemingly small room and into the foyer, Lucky couldn't help but become more determined. Elizabeth return was tomorrow and he would greet her with a true kiss.
***
The last two days of their stay in Italy was of quiet preparation. Elizabeth had managed to pack up most of the things she'd brought, plus a few special items, which she'd tucked away in a safe box. She would send the box ahead of her, to her studio. Elizabeth didn't want to take the chance of the airlines losing her luggage and her mementos of Italy.
"So are you ready to go?" Jason asked, grabbing one of her packed suitcases.
Elizabeth nodded silently wishing he'd go with them. Jaime had proposed Jason also go with them, but he'd declined. "Jason?" Elizabeth stopped at the top of the stairs. "How come you won't come with us?"
The question seemed to somber Jason a moment. "I've still got things I need to do here."
As they packed everything in the familiar black sedan, Elizabeth found herself standing face to face with Jason. "Will you come visit soon?" Elizabeth pouted.
Jason cracked a smile. "I promise."
"You promise what?" Jaime asked bounding down the stairs. The prospect of returning to Port Charles seemed to agree with Jaime.
Elizabeth and Jason turned around to look at their friend. "He promised to come visit soon, hopefully after finishing business in Italy." Elizabeth smirked. "I have a witness. Now you have to keep your promise."
Jason sighed. "I always keep my promises Elizabeth," he pointed out and embraced Jaime. "Now be safe and I'll see you soon."
Elizabeth watched Jaime and Jason say their goodbyes. She hated the thought of saying goodbye. She didn't want to do it.
"Your turn," Jaime chirped as she hopped into the backseat of the sedan.
Elizabeth faced Jason once more, this time her stomach was churning and she felt nauseous. "Tell me I'll see you again soon."
Jason looked away for a moment. "I don't know." He paused for a moment and continued. "Hopefully I'll be able to tie up loose ends over here and then I don't know. Sonny's got things, you know?"
Elizabeth wrapped her arms around his neck and waited for his strong arms to hold her. "I'll take that as a yes," she laughed. "I'll miss you Jason. Don't be a stranger."
As she pulled away, Jason was left behind brooding and pensive. Elizabeth got into the sedan and waved goodbye along with Jaime. Jason smiled and lifted a hand up in acknowledgment.
"Jaime," Elizabeth sighed as she turned around in her seat.
"Yeah?"
"I'm going to miss Italy."
Jaime nodded. "Yeah, me too."
***
Nikolas stopped in to pick up a coffee at Kelly's that morning. Gia and her mother had gone out for brunch and he'd been left to his lonesome at Windymere. As the steaming cup of java rose to awake his senses, out of the corner of his eye, Nik spotted Lucky. "Lucky!" he shouted, as Nik exited the coffee shop.
Lucky turned around and found Nik running up to him. "Oh, so the Prince returns!" he joked.
Nikolas grinned. "How's it going? Sorry I haven't called you since I got back. I've been pretty busy at Windymere catching up on all the work that's stacked up on my desk."
Lucky nodded his head. "Can't say I'm the worse for wear."
Nikolas took a sip of his coffee. "Have you been getting anywhere with Kevin."
Suddenly his brother's face clouded over. "I don't want to talk about it." Then like the blink of an eye, Lucky's face brightened. "So how was Italy? The big formal dinner?"
Now it was Nikolas's face to darken. "Uh, it was nothing special."
Lucky frowned. "Did you bump into Jaime and Elizabeth? I know it's a big country, but it would be funny if you did."
His mind raced, trying to figure out how to change the subject about Elizabeth. "Uh, so Mom's been pretty busy with the Deception campaign?" Nikolas inquired uneasily.
Lucky chuckled. "What's the matter with you Nikolas? It's like you've seen a ghost. Did you actually see Elizabeth and Jaime?" he asked incredulously.
Nikolas rubbed his mouth; he couldn't lie to Lucky. "Yeah, sort of."
"What do you mean 'sort of'?" Lucky scoffed. "You either did or didn't."
Nikolas finished off his coffee and chucked it into a near by garbage can. "Well. I saw her for a brief moment."
Lucky's eyes brightened. "And how was their trip?"
Clearing his throat, Nikolas smiled half-heartedly. "Apparently well, until later."
"What do you mean? Did something happen?"
Nikolas didn't know how to break it to Lucky. "Well, she was with someone when I saw her."
Lucky nodded. "Jaime. So?"
Shaking his head, Nikolas blurted out, "It was Jason."
Lucky stood there speechless. "Jason?" His face was an array of changing emotions. Nikolas saw his shock, anger, and fear.
"Lucky, I'm sure it was just a coincidence. I mean, Jaime's missing and I guess Jason knew her and was looking for her with Elizabeth," Nikolas said soothingly.
Lucky closed his eyes. "Jaime's missing? And Elizabeth's with Jason?" He shook his head. "And why are you back in Port Charles?" he replied angrily.
Nikolas sighed. "There was nothing I could do!" he exclaimed. "They left without a trace. I got every man I had on it and they couldn't trace Jason down with a fine toothcomb. He's good."
Lucky threw his hands up. "All you can say is 'he's good'?" Lucky yelled exasperated. "The girls are in danger and that's all you have to say?"
"Look," Nikolas said calmly, "I've still got my people on it. They're going to phone me if they've got any leads."
"So you can what? Jet back over there?"
Nikolas frowned. "Hey!" Nikolas yelled curtly. "If you're mad about Jason and Elizabeth, don't take it out on me. I didn't like it either. But if you hadn't noticed, Elizabeth has a tendency to do her own thing when it comes to Jason."
Lucky stared at Nikolas for a moment and then exhaled loudly. "You're right," said Lucky. "I'm sorry I was jumping all over you about it. It's just, well, I'm starting to remember and now it's just the thought of losing a chance to make it up to her."
Nikolas patted Lucky on the back. "You'll get your chance Lucky. I'm sure you will."
***
Jaime was relieved to jump on the plane that evening. She didn't think she'd get away without another visit from her father. It had been an uneventful flight back though. As she looked out the window, Jaime could make out the city lights of Port Charles. "Port Charles here we come," she whispered to herself.
"Mmm, are we already home?" Elizabeth asked groggily.
Jaime chuckled. "Yup. We're almost ready to land. Hey, you know I forgot something."
Elizabeth looked at her. "What?"
"Who's picking us up?"
Elizabeth rubbed her neck. "I think Jason arranged for Sonny to pick us up and drop us off."
Jaime's mouth opened into a silent 'oh'. "What about your Grandmother? Or what about Lucky?"
Suddenly Elizabeth's eyes opened wide. "Nikolas!"
Jaime shook her head. "What about Nikolas?"
Elizabeth swallowed. "He knew that you got kidnapped and I'm sure he's got everyone worried that you're hurt or that I'm in danger."
Jaime tucked her leg underneath her. "Didn't you phone him after you found me?"
Elizabeth's long, wavy chestnut hair fell over her eyes as she shook her head. "I totally forgot!"
Jaime bit her lip. "We could phone them at the airport?"
Elizabeth nodded. "Yeah, we can do that."
Jaime had to stifle her amusement at the amount of worry that seemed to settle upon Elizabeth after the memory lapse. "Don't worry Elizabeth. It's not like you've hurt anyone. You've just made them worry a bit."