That night after a long night that had been full of petty crimes and endless paperwork, Zander shuffled into his dark apartment. Groaning a yawn he grabbed a beer from his fridge and fell into his favorite chair, almost dying from the comfort he felt. Stretching his feet he noticed distantly that one of socks had holes in the toe area. This was his last thought before drifting off into quiet sleep, floating in clouds of dreams.

At the same time in the little house she owned, Courtney lay on her couch, absently petting Rosie who slept at her feet. Her eyes battered open and shut as she fought to concentrate on the movie on television. Finally though her breath slowed and her chest rose and dipped softly. She also sank into the dream world.

……

The snow fell softly from the cloudy sky, resting gently on Port Charles. A beautiful blond girl carrying a beaten suitcase trudged through the park, squinting at a map, getting more soaked by the minute. At her side panted a golden retriever who bore a tag that read Rosie. She had a fresh face and look of hope about her that made passersby give her a second glance. Rarely did someone come to Port Charles looking for anything but trouble. She finally plopped onto a park bench and huffed,

"Oh, Rosie, maybe we shouldn't have come to this place. I mean, maybe there's some things we're just not meant to know-like who my father is. I just wish I could find a place to sleep, at least. Then I guess it's back home for us."

She buried her head in her gloved hands with a sigh, wishing she wasn't always so impetuous. To her left she heard a voice.

"Uh, excuse me, miss but do you need some help?"

She straightened up, a look of optimism flashing across her face. She stared up at a handsome young man, dressed dangerously but appearing concerned. He kept looking back over his shoulder like he was anticipating someone or he was just really paranoid. She stood up and said,

"Actually yes, I need a place to stay but I'm pretty lost on where to find one."

"You visiting PC for pleasure?" he asked, arching an eyebrow.

"I-I actually came here to look for someone but I've changed my mind. Could you help me?"

"Well I'm kinda new in these parts too," he stammered. "But I still know a place-the Pinecone Motel is about eight miles away."

The girl stared at her shoes in embarrassment and replied,

"Actually I don't really have much money and I don't think a motel will allow Rosie here. Maybe there's some kind old lady who'll take me in for the night?"

The stranger tried not to burst into laughter at the girl's obvious naivete and just extended a hand.

"Well, my name's Zander Smith and I'll do what I can. This town isn't known for its hospitality so let me show you a place. Your name?"

"Oh! Um, Courtney Matthews. Wow, thanks-I'm really grateful."

Zander grinned over his shoulder at her as he lead her to a parked motorcycle.

"Hey don't thank me yet. Wait 'til you enjoy the transportation and see the accommodations."

Courtney looked at the bike in mixed horror and shock. Shakily taking the helmet he offered to her, she had the presence of mind to ask.

"So what are you in Port Charles for?"

"Let's just say nothing but trouble," he muttered simply but it was lost in the roar of the engine and they sped away in a cloud of snowy spindrift.

……

"I can't believe the accommodations are a barn!" Courtney exclaimed as she and Zander burst through the back door, covered in snowflakes. He laughed, throwing his backpack into a pile of hay and shaking out his longish dark hair.

"Hey I warned you fair and square, Plucky. You didn't ask for the Hilton and this is all either of us can afford."

"But we aren't affording anything! We snuck into someone's barn!" she continued, flailing her arms. "What if we get caught? This is trespassing and who knows- this farmer might just shoot us on sight!"

Zander laid in a rather fluffy hay bale, looking very amused.

"You exaggerate a lot, don't you? Hey would you rather have the alternative of freezing in that blizzard out there?"

She huffed out a 'no' and sat stiffly beside him, arms crossed protectively over her chest, Rosie laying on her lap. She asked,

"So who are you, Zander Smith?"

"What makes you think I'll tell you?" he snorted in disbelief at her gall.

"I just have a feeling," she shrugged. "Besides shouldn't we know something about each other since we're, ahem, spending the night together?"

"Hey, it's not as if we're sleeping together tonight," he chuckled. "And even then all I know is the girl's name. Maybe even only her first name."

Courtney scrutinized him closely to see if he was kidding and asked nervously,

"So you're a, um, whore of some sorts?"

Zander burst into fits of laughter and replied,

"See, I like to consider myself just a ladies man but if whore is how you wanna put it."

"No, no, I didn't mean to offend you. It just seems like that's a bad attitude to have. How will you ever find love if you don't even try to know who you sleep with?"

And who said I wanted love?" Zander snorted, cuddling deeper into the hay. "Is that what you're looking for-love?" He said the last word with a slight sneer of contempt.

Courtney's face fell and she scooted away a little bit unconsciously. Seeing the mixed embarrassment/hurt on her downcast face, he tried to lighten the mood.

"Hey, come on. Um, are you hungry? I've got some candy and stuff."

"A big tough guy like you carries around candy in his backpack," she giggled. "What are you-the Easter Bunny?"

"Hey, easy on the criticism, Plucky. Do you want some licorice or not?"

She smiled brightly and it practically lit up the whole dark barn he noticed. Something in his stomach warmed up and twisted into fierce knots when she moved closer and reached across his lap for the candy. He watched her chew happily on a piece of red licorice and wondered how she had managed to get this far in life unscathed. She was obviously naïve and trusting, so much that she would travel with a total stranger-all because she thought his heart was in the right place. Zander wondered if his heart had ever really been in the right place before today-before he met her. He knew damn well what his intentions were when he strolled into Port Charles. He was going to do a kidnapping and then hold a ransom, maybe run off to Canada. His plans were set in stone before he'd walked into that park. Seeing Courtney there had just rooted him in his tracks. She had looked so sadly hopeful in her little white hat and matching gloves, her Lassie by her side. She looked like a little, lost girl with the snow falling on her golden hair. He hadn't even realized he'd offered his help until she looked up at him. Suddenly all his plans went out the window and his whole goal was to help this young woman. Something in his gut pulled at him when he looked at her and if his skeptical mind could fathom destiny, this would be it.

"Zander? Zander?" Courtney calling his name broke him from the reverie. "Zander, are you alright?" she asked worriedly. "You're not cold, are you? Because if you're cold, it'll make-

"Geez, you're a worrier, aren't you?" he laughed, beginning to pull a blanket from his pack. "I'm fine. I'm just gonna get some sleep, okay? You're welcome to join me."

"In sleeping? Next to you?" she wondered doubtfully.

"Oh, give me a break, Plucky. Your virtue will remain intact."

Chuckling in spite of herself, she carefully snuggled next to him under the blanket, cautious not to touch too much of him. Laying her head into the hay, she asked with a yawn.

"So why exactly do you call me, Plucky?"

Zander opened one eye and groaned,

"Well I was gonna call you 'Asks Too Many Questions' but that was too much of a mouthful. Get some sleep, will ya?"

Courtney smiled to herself and made herself comfortable. When she heard snores quickly begin to emanate from Zander's mouth, she sighed and was alone with her thoughts.