Chapter 4: The More Things Change, The More They Stay The Same
Disclaimer: General Hospital and all its characters belong to ABC, Disney, etc.
Author's Notes: A HUGE thanks to my faithful beta reader. Actually considering the first draft of this chapter, everyone owes her thank for this one. Please read and review!
I stared them all down. They had to understand this. Ned and Kristina's sacrifice would not be in vain. Bobbie, Scotty, and even Kristina nodded.
However, Luke ignored my concerns like always. "Put your avenging sword away Sweetheart. Just listing her options. Knew your kid would pick the best one," he smirked.
"None of the above?" The words were out of my mouth before I even thought them. Luke could always make me do that.
"Amen to that," Scotty muttered.
"I was just about to start breakfast," Bobbie quickly interrupted. "I was going to make pancakes, is that all right?"
Bobbie making pancakes was fine. I nodded my agreement. If we stayed here and had Bobbie's pancakes we couldn't be going anywhere near Sonny. The Brownstone was safe.
Bobbie headed for the kitchen while ordering Scott to set the table, Luke to put some books on chairs for the children, and Kristina to get the twins. Scott, Luke, and Kristina all went about their assigned tasks.
I stayed were I was watching them all. Making sure they didn't do anything dangerous. Like call Sonny. Like leave me alone with Kristina. I must stay quiet and stay still. Must protect Kristina.
"May I show you to your seat m'lady," Luke said in a gracious drawl as he took my arm.
"Oh, please," Scott muttered.
I let Luke seat me at the table and Bobbie put a plate of pancakes in front of me.
It amazed me that nothing had changed here. It was as if here at least time had stopped out of respect for the dead. Here Bobbie still created a home for everyone she met. Here Luke and Scott still bickered. Nothing ever changes here. Here everyone is safe. Even the red seemed to leave them alone.
That's because you weren't here to curse them.
Shush, just let me pretend for a little bit.
Kristina won't pretend though. "So Nicholas and Gia are missing. Where is Uncle Stephen?" she asks.
Nicholas and Gia are missing? Remember Natasha; you are here to take over for Nicholas.
"Looking for the prince and princess I suppose," Luke dismissed Stephan.
Luke never realized Stephan's importance. How he kept everyone safe. How he kept Kristina safe.
Kristina doesn't understand Luke though, or his place in the Cassidine world. "What does this have to do with you?" She presses.
Luke plays with shadows that will never touch you, Kristina. We promised each other that, Ned and I.
"You haven't heard this bed-time story? I thought it was required reading." Luke always thinks he is the center of the Cassidine universe.
I stupid enough to think the curse was lifted. That Kristina would never be affected by it. That it was new era of the Cassidines.
"Oh well. Once upon a time," Luke begins as if it were some fairy tale, instead of the nightmare it really was.
No! "Luke!" I promised Ned, she would be safe from the nightmares! Redirect Counselor. "What is currently being done?"
"Air control and the coast guard have been notified. The PCPD have ended up as the central point for all the information. Taggert went down to the station this morning for an update and get in touch with some of his personal contacts," Scott informed me.
It seemed like all the logical steps had been taken. Then why was my stomach tied up in knots? Why could I feel the shadow all around me?
Luke was watching me. "They aren't going to find anything and you know it Natasha," he said.
Then the boy with Nicholas' eyes knocked over his glass. It rolled across the table, leaving a trail of red behind to mark its path toward me. Always toward me.
Disclaimer: General Hospital and all its characters belong to ABC, Disney, etc.
Author's Notes: A HUGE thanks to my faithful beta reader. Actually considering the first draft of this chapter, everyone owes her thank for this one. Please read and review!
I stared them all down. They had to understand this. Ned and Kristina's sacrifice would not be in vain. Bobbie, Scotty, and even Kristina nodded.
However, Luke ignored my concerns like always. "Put your avenging sword away Sweetheart. Just listing her options. Knew your kid would pick the best one," he smirked.
"None of the above?" The words were out of my mouth before I even thought them. Luke could always make me do that.
"Amen to that," Scotty muttered.
"I was just about to start breakfast," Bobbie quickly interrupted. "I was going to make pancakes, is that all right?"
Bobbie making pancakes was fine. I nodded my agreement. If we stayed here and had Bobbie's pancakes we couldn't be going anywhere near Sonny. The Brownstone was safe.
Bobbie headed for the kitchen while ordering Scott to set the table, Luke to put some books on chairs for the children, and Kristina to get the twins. Scott, Luke, and Kristina all went about their assigned tasks.
I stayed were I was watching them all. Making sure they didn't do anything dangerous. Like call Sonny. Like leave me alone with Kristina. I must stay quiet and stay still. Must protect Kristina.
"May I show you to your seat m'lady," Luke said in a gracious drawl as he took my arm.
"Oh, please," Scott muttered.
I let Luke seat me at the table and Bobbie put a plate of pancakes in front of me.
It amazed me that nothing had changed here. It was as if here at least time had stopped out of respect for the dead. Here Bobbie still created a home for everyone she met. Here Luke and Scott still bickered. Nothing ever changes here. Here everyone is safe. Even the red seemed to leave them alone.
That's because you weren't here to curse them.
Shush, just let me pretend for a little bit.
Kristina won't pretend though. "So Nicholas and Gia are missing. Where is Uncle Stephen?" she asks.
Nicholas and Gia are missing? Remember Natasha; you are here to take over for Nicholas.
"Looking for the prince and princess I suppose," Luke dismissed Stephan.
Luke never realized Stephan's importance. How he kept everyone safe. How he kept Kristina safe.
Kristina doesn't understand Luke though, or his place in the Cassidine world. "What does this have to do with you?" She presses.
Luke plays with shadows that will never touch you, Kristina. We promised each other that, Ned and I.
"You haven't heard this bed-time story? I thought it was required reading." Luke always thinks he is the center of the Cassidine universe.
I stupid enough to think the curse was lifted. That Kristina would never be affected by it. That it was new era of the Cassidines.
"Oh well. Once upon a time," Luke begins as if it were some fairy tale, instead of the nightmare it really was.
No! "Luke!" I promised Ned, she would be safe from the nightmares! Redirect Counselor. "What is currently being done?"
"Air control and the coast guard have been notified. The PCPD have ended up as the central point for all the information. Taggert went down to the station this morning for an update and get in touch with some of his personal contacts," Scott informed me.
It seemed like all the logical steps had been taken. Then why was my stomach tied up in knots? Why could I feel the shadow all around me?
Luke was watching me. "They aren't going to find anything and you know it Natasha," he said.
Then the boy with Nicholas' eyes knocked over his glass. It rolled across the table, leaving a trail of red behind to mark its path toward me. Always toward me.