Disclaimer: General Hospital and all it's characters belong to ABC, Disney, etc.

Author's Notes: Sorry about the delay, it took me a while to get the rhythm going. THANK-YOU everyone who gave me feedback, please continue to feed my ego. Once again, I would like to say a special thanks to my beta reader and general sounding board.

In the Best Interests of the Child



Chapter 4: The Appointment

Alexis waited patiently in Luke's office. She used the time to prepare for this meeting just like she would for any other witness questioning. She had to handle Luke carefully if she wanted to get the information she need and not have him meddle in her business.

Her cover story was simple: she was gathering impartial information about Sonny to use against any "expert" witnesses that AJ's lawyer might call during Michael's custody case. The perfect part was that, while AJ was not currently suing for custody, it was not a strict lie since it was only a matter of time before he did.

Luke was the only person she could go to that would both give her the straight answers she needed to protect her daughter and would not report back to Sonny about her questions. Luke's own personality ensured that she was safe. Luke wouldn't tell people he liked that the sky was blue. He was hardly going to talk to AJ or Carly, who he certainly didn't care for, about anything let alone a conversation he had with her.

"I really, REALLY mean it this time, CLAUDE YOU'RE FIRED!" Luke slammed into the room.

In the seconds before Luke noticed her presence, Alexis had time to wonder if Claude would take Luke up on the sanity saving offer this time.

"Well, what did I do to earn the pleasure of your company Natasha?" Luke said as he caught sight of her.

"You don't have that much money," Alexis responded.

"I'm sure we can find a mutual beneficial way to work off my debt," Luke leered.

"How about you pay Mr. Baldwin's bill so he will stop harassing me?"

"That shyster, I paid him what his defense was worth," Luke shot back.

"Mr. Baldwin is a good lawyer. However, I am here today to discuss my client," Alexis returned.

"Sonny and I haven't been partners in several years, I have no problems with His Junior Majesty, and I don't even have Count Vlads phone number," Luke leaned back in his chair, "So what use is little old me going to be to the Courtroom Goddess?"

"I am interested in you as an impartial expert in a specific field," she stated.

"I am an expert at many things Sweet Lady, you are going to have to narrow it down," Luke quipped.

"What type of danger could Mr. Corenthos' alleged business dealings be to Michael Morgan?" Alexis stated.

She had his full attention now, "Is something wrong?"

"Nothing is wrong, but AJ is now married and Carly was dead."

"Yes, but you can't keep even a bad Spencer down." Luke said. "I thought this was all settled. Even if Carly stayed dead Barbara Jean gets custody and Sonny gets weekend visits. Your standard amicable divorce without the marriage."

"With AJ peeping over the fence? Besides, where a child is involved nothing is ever too settled." Alexis said.

After a moment, Luke shrugged and once again leaned back in his chair. "As long as Sonny is in control of his territory with no one trying to become the Sonny the Second everything is fine. However, there is always someone trying to become the next great king."

"Then why has Michael been safe so far?" Alexis asked.

"Guards with big guns. Although as I recall, that didn't stop Sorrel," Luke said. "Don't delude yourself that these people wouldn't hurt Michael if they could get to him. The smarter ones find other ways to try first and the dumber ones don't live long enough to get that close."

"If Sonny is really that dangerous to Michael, why don't you support AJ in his fight for custody?" Alexis asked.

"I didn't say Sonny was a danger to Michael; just that his business associates were. By that logic I shouldn't be allowed near my kids because your Stepmommy from Hell could walk by. If a turf war gets going Michael could be caught in the cross-fire the same as any other Prince." Luke said straight to her eyes. "However, AJ would tie my sister up to watch as he drove Michael into a tree. While I can credit Lila with a lot, I don't think she is spry enough anymore to be Michael's bodyguard."

"Well, thank-you for your time Mr. Spencer. I will let you know if I need anything else," Alexis rose to leave.

"Be careful princess," Luke said in a quiet voice," You may have been raised in Satan's rec-room, but you were a useful hostage there. You really are nothing to these people."

Alexis looked at the man who killed her father and took his warning to heart. As she left Luke's club she whispered, "Don't trust Luke to be straightforward little one, but if your life is ever in danger, trust him to get you out safe. As long as you don't remind him you are in any way related to the Cassidines."