** DISCLAIMER I do not own any character appearing on "General Hospital".

*words* = thoughts "words" = talking/speaking ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

CHAPTER 4: Zander Gets Ready to Face His Past

Zander and Lucky are still sitting in the in the sitting area. Zander wonders if he should really trust Lucky, because Lucky is one of Emily's best friends and might tell her about Beth before Zander does.

"So was Beth pregnant because of you or your brother?" asked Lucky.

"I don't know. Pete killed himself because I think Beth's pregnancy topped off all the pressure my parents and everyone were putting on him. So he was gone and I thought I had got her pregnant so that's partially why I ran away." replied Zander.

"So you think what Beth has to tell you is about this child?"

"I wouldn't doubt it."

"Why do you think it's yours? I mean you did use protection and all."

"But you know Lucky, things happen."

"Right they do, but Zander don't be so negative."

It was now 2:15 and Lucky was beginning to wonder about Emily's new husband. Did he keep these secrets from her? How will she react when she finds out? Could he really be trusted? Yes Zander has been in Port Charles for a couple of years now but look how he framed her for the murder of that undercover cop.

*What was I thinking? Why should I have told Lucky this?* thought Zander, *He's probably going to tell Emily when I go to see Beth and my dad in the Cafeteria.*

"So Zander did you leave RIGHT after your brother killed himself?" asked Lucky.

"Yes." answered Zander, "Though I wish I hadn't. You see my mom was sick at the time we didn't know what she had, she was in the hospital for a long time. That's why my father took Pete and I hunting, so we could get our minds off things. But he had other ideas."

"I know your dad has been here in Port Charles for awhile, so what happened to your mom?"

"He won't say and I haven't been home in A LONG time. I guessing it's bad. But I really don't want to talk about this now."

"Okay I respect that. Especially since my mom is sick too. Man how I wish that everything could go back to the way it used to be."

"I hear ya man. I know exactly how you feel."

Lucky looks at his watch, it reads 2:45. He knows that Zander has to go see Beth in fifteen minutes.

"Hey Zander look at the time. Shouldn't you get going?" asked Lucky.

"Yes I guess so." said Zander looking at his watch. "I should go and tell Emily where I'll be. Please Lucky DO NOT tell Emily anything I told you."

"I promise. You just better tell her after you hear what Beth has to say."

"I will. You can go and see Emily after I leave."

Zander and Lucky head to Emily's room. They both find that Nikolas is in the room talking to Emily. This makes Zander furious. He barges in there and starts to shove Nikolas around. Everyone is yelling. Lucky tries to break them up.

"Hey, hey guys. Why are you two doing this? C'mon Nikolas let's go outside." said Lucky.

"Okay." said Nikolas with a sigh.

As soon as both Lucky and Nikolas were out the door Zander told Emily where he is going to be. He also told her that he was going to be meeting with his dad and didn't mention anything about Beth.

"As long as you are spending time with your dad, that is all that matters." said Emily smiling.

"I knew you would understand." said Zander as he kissed her forehead.

"Don't forget to tell your dad that he can come to visit me anytime he wants, I mean after all he's my father-in-law."

"I won't forget, I promise. And Em, Lucky wants to visit with you while I am with my dad, is that okay?"

"Sure that sounds great."

"I'll see you later and rest up okay."

"I will. I love you Zander."

"I love you too Em."

And with that Zander walks out the door and makes his way to the General Hospital cafeteria where he will be finally facing his difficult past. And who knows maybe his difficult future.

*I really hope that Lucky won't tell Emily anything.* thought Zander as he steps on the elevator.